Japanese PM's remarks seen as bid to court right-wingers

08:00, November 20, 2025 By ZHANG YUNBI ( China Daily

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks on Tuesday during the UN General Assembly's annual debate on Security Council reform, at the UN headquarters in New York. Fu said that Japan is totally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the Security Council. XIE E/XINHUA

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent provocative comments on Taiwan are part of her attempts to court right-wingers, impress voters and help her Liberal Democratic Party  which has lost its majority in the parliament  to secure governing status, observers said.

Earlier this month, Takaichi became the first incumbent Japanese prime minister to publicly suggest in Japan's parliament the country's possible military intervention in Taiwan in the event of what she called a "survival-threatening situation".

However, Article 9 of Japan's pacifist Constitution clearly states that "the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes", and "the right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized".

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a daily news briefing on Wednesday that history shows that launching aggression against other countries under the pretext of a "survival-threatening situation" and "self-defense" has always been a convenient tactic of Japanese militarism.

The right of collective self-defense set forth in the United Nations Charter was created to safeguard the collective security of the international community and prevent the revival of fascist forces, said Mao, adding that Japan has been restricted from exercising this right since the end of World War II.

In 1931, Japan took "whether Manchuria (Japan's terminology at that time for Northeast China) is secured" as a matter of "Japan's survival", using this as an excuse to instigate the September 18 Incident, which marked the start of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Tokyo's decision to attack Pearl Harbor was also made in the name of a "survival-threatening situation", thereby igniting the Pacific War.

"The alarm has been sounded; such tragedies must never be repeated," said Mao.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, "the international community must remain highly vigilant and resolutely thwart any attempts to revive militarism, jointly uphold the postwar international order and safeguard world peace", she added.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly's plenary meeting on Security Council reform, China's Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong said on Tuesday that Takaichi's remarks are "an affront to international justice, damage the postwar international order, trample on the basic norms of international relations, and represent a blatant departure from Japan's commitment to peaceful development".

Analysts said that the shadow of militarism has not vanished from Japanese politics, and that Takaichi is fanning populist enthusiasm for waging a war, which will ultimately result in the Japanese public bearing the cost.

"For the LDP and Takaichi, they are seeking to secure governing status when struggling to make the Cabinet function properly. What Tokyo is doing now is to tackle domestic challenges at the cost of the outside world," said Su Xiaohui, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.

"Takaichi is in bad need of support by right-wingers to boost her ruling status, so it is no surprise to see her having made such provocative remarks for her selfish interests," she said.

Regarding a survey conducted by Japanese news agencies to gauge respondents' support for the exercise of Japan's right to collective self-defense "in the event of a Taiwan contingency", Kiichiro Hatoyama, a lawmaker in Japan's House of Representatives and son of former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama, criticized the poll, saying that it "is highly inappropriate for the media to pose such an obviously unreasonable question to the general public".

"While the greatest responsibility for Japan suffering enormous sacrifices in the past war undoubtedly lies with the politicians (including those with the military forces), it is also a fact that the media fostered an irrational 'atmosphere' by fanning up the general public," he said.

Hiroyuki Nishimura, a Japanese social media influencer with over 2.6 million followers on X, tweeted on Sunday that "instead of getting carried away by the emotional arguments of irresponsible netizens or celebrities trying to provoke China, we should listen to the opinions of people working in the real world and farmers".

Kazuhiko Shigetoku, a member of the House of Representatives with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in the parliament on Tuesday that "it would be extremely undesirable if negative impacts are seen in economic relations with China", adding, "I urge you to resolve the situation as soon as possible."

China confirmed on Wednesday that it is suspending imports of Japanese aquatic products, citing safety concerns and public backlash.

"Given the current situation, even if Japanese aquatic products were exported to China, there would be no market for them," said Mao, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

As Tokyo has refused Beijing's repeated calls for retraction of Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, Mao said, "If Japan refuses to withdraw and even persists in its mistake, China will have no choice but to take stern and resolute countermeasures, and the Japanese side will bear all consequences arising therefrom."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
China, Tanzania deepen railway cooperation with major technician training program

Xinhua) 09:46, November 20, 2025

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China and Tanzania have taken a significant step toward deepening railway cooperation with the completion of a major training program for Tanzanian railway technicians.

The three-month program, commissioned by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and hosted by Beijing Jiaotong University, concluded on Tuesday with 67 trainees, including 11 women, according to the statement issued Wednesday.

The CCECC said that the training of Tanzanian railway technicians marks the most significant overseas talent-development initiative undertaken by the Tanzania Railways Corporation in recent years.

Approved by Tanzanian authorities in April, the program sought to meet Tanzania's urgent need for skilled personnel to operate its expanding standard-gauge railway network, said the Chinese company.

Participants, drawn from frontline positions such as drivers, wagon inspectors, technicians, freight personnel, and safety officers, received both theoretical instruction and hands-on training, it noted.

The company also said that China's Zhengzhou Railway Vocational and Technical College provided practical teaching support, and the training focused on four areas, namely mechanical and vehicle maintenance, passenger and freight safety management, dispatch efficiency, and operational system management.

According to the CCECC, the trainees will return home as "seed instructors," expected to train additional personnel and help build a sustainable talent pipeline for Tanzania's railway sector.

From the historic TAZARA line to today's railway construction projects, the program marks a shift from construction support to joint development of operational capabilities, it added.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Minister Arias-Vasquez to host Constituency Clinic on 2nd December 2025

The Minister for Health, Care and Business, and Constituency MP for the Westside Area, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, will be holding her next constituency clinic on Tuesday 2nd December from 10am to 12pm at the Mobile Health Unit stationed outside St Bernards Hospital.

Residents of the Westside Area who wish to discuss any personal or community matters with Minister Arias-Vasquez are encouraged to book an appointment by emailing:

 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

While walk-ins will be accommodated where possible, scheduling in advance is recommended to ensure availability.

Minister Arias-Vasquez said:

Meeting residents face to face allows me to understand the issues that matter most to them and to work together on the practical changes that can make a real difference in our community.
ALGIERS  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse visited Ho Chi Minh Boulevard in Algiers attended the unveiling of a memorial stele honouring President Ho Chi Minh on Thursday morning, as part of his official visit to Algeria.

Ho Chi Minh Boulevard stretches 3 km along the most scenic east-west axis of Algiers, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Its starting point marks the location where in November 1954, following Viet Nams ien Bien Phu Victory, Algerian revolutionary fighters fired the first shots to launch an eight-year armed struggle for national independence. The boulevard symbolises the strong bond between the Algerian people and President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people.

Within the grounds of Ho Chi Minh Boulevard, PM Chinh and his spouse laid flowers at the memorial stele, paying their deep respect and profound gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh.

The memorial stele records the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh in both Arabic and Vietnamese. It notes that President Ho Chi Minh - the great leader of the Vietnamese revolution - read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, declaring the birth of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam (now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam).

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh showed special concern and strong support for the Algerian peoples struggle for national liberation. He co-founded the newspaper Le Paria with Algerian and international revolutionaries in 1922; visited the city of Biskra in 1946, and was among the first international leaders to recognise the Provisional Government of Algeria in 1958, laying an important foundation for the traditional relations and friendship between Viet Nam and Algeria.

At the inauguration ceremony, PM Chinh said Viet Nam-Algeria relations have a strong historical foundation and a bright future, noting that during his visit, the two sides agreed to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership, marking a key milestone in their brotherly and friendly relations.

The Vietnamese leader highlighted the two countries history of mutual support in their struggles for independence and sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He affirmed that they will continue to stand together for a future of greater prosperity, happiness, and national strength.

PM Chinh called on the people of both nations to inspire future generations to strengthen ties, and thanked the Algerian government and people, particularly those in Algiers and along Ho Chi Minh Boulevard, for their deep affection for President Ho Chi Minh and Viet Nam.

He expressed his hope that Algerians and Vietnamese will keep the Ho Chi Minh memorial grounds well-maintained, ensuring it remains a lasting symbol of friendship and a destination for visitors from Viet Nam, Algeria, and around the world. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Health has submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) a proposal on the investment policy for the National Target Programme on Healthcare, Population and Development for 20262035.

According to Minister of Health ao Hong Lan, the programme aims to improve the physical and mental health, stature, life expectancy and quality of life of the population; ensure all citizens receive quality primary healthcare management and services; and encourage individuals to take initiative in protecting and enhancing their own health.

Lan said the programme also seeks to limit disease incidence through early and localised prevention; address priority population issues; proactively adapt to population ageing; improve population quality; and enhance care for vulnerable groups, contributing to building a healthy and prosperous Viet Nam in the new era.

The programme sets out specific objectives. These include increasing the proportion of communes, wards and special zones meeting the National Criteria for Commune Health to 90 per cent by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035. It aims to ensure 100 per cent of citizens have electronic health records and lifecycle health management by 2030 and maintain this rate to 2035. All provincial centres for disease control (CDCs) are to be capable of testing pathogens, antigens and antibodies of dangerous infectious diseases and assessing clean water quality and school sanitation by 2030.

The programme also seeks to ensure all commune, ward and special-zone health stations nationwide implement prevention, management and treatment of selected non-communicable diseases fully in line with issued protocols by 2030 and maintain this rate to 2035. It aims to reduce stunting among children under five to below 15 per cent by 2030 and below 13 per cent by 2035. By 2030, 50 per cent of citizens should access at least one official mass media channel on primary healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion, rising to 80 per cent by 2035.

The objectives include increasing the crude birth rate by 0.5 per mille by 2030 compared with 2025, and by a further 0.5 per mille by 2035 compared with 2030. The programme aims to reduce the sex ratio at birth to below 109 boys per 100 girls by 2030 and below 107 boys per 100 girls by 2035. It seeks to ensure 90 per cent of couples receive pre-marital counselling and health examinations by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035.

Additionally, 70 per cent of pregnant women are to undergo screening for at least four common congenital disorders, and 90 per cent of newborns are to be screened for at least five common congenital disorders. The programme also aims to increase by 70 per cent the number of vulnerable and at-risk people accessing and using services at social care facilities.

The programme consists of five component projects: strengthening the capacity of the primary healthcare network; improving the effectiveness of disease prevention and health promotion; population and development; improving the quality of social care for vulnerable groups; and health communication, management, monitoring and supervision of programme implementation.

It aligns closely with directives of the Politburo under Conclusion No. 149-KL/TW dated April 10 and Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW dated September 9, as well as guidance from the General Secretary under Notice No. 176-TB/VPTW dated April 25.

The programme ensures focus, feasibility and prioritisation, avoids fragmentation, overlap or duplication with existing investment and recurrent spending tasks already funded by the State Budget and does not duplicate national target programmes or other approved programmes, projects or policies for 20262035.

Reviewing the submission, Nguyen ac Vinh, chair of the NAs Committee for Culture and Social Affairs, said the NASC agreed on the need to develop the programme to institutionalise the Partys policy on improving healthcare quality, population work and development.

The programme meets the requirements for deciding investment policy under the Law on Public Investment.

Regarding beneficiaries, the committee recommended adding persons with disabilities as a priority group and adjusting provisions on priority beneficiaries by assigning the Government to specify detailed regulations. This would ensure full alignment with the spirit of Resolution No. 72 and facilitate implementation.

On overall funding, the committee requested that the Government allocate sufficient minimum resources, promote social mobilisation, and continue to consider and supplement resources where conditions allow. For local budgets, it requested careful assessment of mobilisation capacity and more realistic capital allocation levels.

In terms of objectives, the committee proposed further review of general and specific objectives and operational content of each sub-project to ensure consistency, logical flow, alignment with results-based management principles, and ease of monitoring, inspection and evaluation of socio-economic effectiveness.

For the programmes projects, the committee recommended reviewing and selecting core activities to avoid dispersal and inefficient use of resources. Objectives, tasks and solutions of each sub-project must be consistent with overall and specific objectives, include clear indicators and be easy to monitor and evaluate. VNS
HA NOI  Flooding and landslides in Viet Nams central and southern regions have left at least 16 people dead and five missing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Khanh Hoa Province reported the most deaths with 11 people.

Other deaths included two in Hue City, one in a Nang City, one in ak Lak Province and one in Gia Lai Province.

Five remain missing in Quang Tri Province, a Nang City and Khanh Hoa Province.

As of Thursday morning, flooding had damaged 10,055 hectares of rice and crops, with Khanh Hoa Province suffering the most severe losses at 7,951 hectares.

A total of 6,511 livestock and poultry have been killed or swept away in the regions.

Meanwhile, 91 houses have been damaged and 43,282 homes have been inundated.

Forty-seven locations along national highways have been affected by landslides or flooding, causing traffic disruptions.

In Lam ong Province, landslides have caused blockages on the Prenn Pass and Mimosa Pass.

The provincial People's Committee on Thursday declared a natural disaster emergency after the major landslides.

Heavy rains from Saturday to Wednesday caused the slopes and roadbed to continue collapsing late on Thursday. At Km226+600 to Km226+800, about 70 metres of road slid away, leaving a drop roughly 40 metres deep and completely cutting off the road surface and embankment. At the second location, a 36-metre-long section of the slope also slipped, and the road surface subsided by around 30 centimetres.

Provincial authorities ordered immediate emergency actions to protect residents and restore traffic. These include installing warning signs, blocking all unauthorised entry to danger zones, relocating households near the landslide area, and maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of cracks, movements and further erosion.

Traffic is being controlled and redirected to ensure safe travel, while technical teams assess causes and propose urgent repair solutions.

Quang Tri Province has closed four schools, while Gia Lai Province has suspended classes from Tuesday until further notice.

Khanh Hoa has suspended classes for 28 high schools with 26,018 students, while six schools with 5,553 students have switched to online learning.

Around 350 preschools, primary and lower secondary schools with more than 200,000 students have been closed.

The Ministry of National Defence on Thursday deployed helicopters to severely flooded areas in Khanh Hoa and ak Lak provinces on search, rescue and relief operations.

Two Mi-171 helicopters coded SAR-02 and 8431 from Helicopter Regiment 917 under Division 370 of the Air DefenceAir Force Service were sent to the inundated areas to conduct the missions.

Public security forces in ak Lak and Gia Lai provinces urgently transported essential goods and provided food to residents isolated by severe flooding, provincial authorities reported on Thursday.

Units of the department coordinated the transport of 10 tonnes of essential goods on three trucks. Two vehicles left on Thursday morning for the eastern localities of ak Lak, while another departed late on Wednesday for heavily flooded and isolated areas in Yang Mao and Cu Pui communes (former Krong Bong District).

Along with delivering emergency goods, ak Lak Police have deployed significant forces and equipment, including 122 vehicles and 40 boats and canoes to assist localities in responding to floods, maintaining security and supporting residents in inundated areas. Commune- and ward-level police have also been helping people at critical times.

In neighbouring Gia Lai Province, police on Thursday continued rescue operations while coordinating with donors and volunteers to provide meals and drinking water to residents stranded in flooded areas. In areas where waters remain high, officers and soldiers used canoes, motorboats and inflatable boats to reach isolated families.

Gia Lai Police have partnered with benefactors to prepare more than 16,000 meal portions for delivery to deeply flooded areas. Officers worked from late afternoon into the night to bring thousands of meals to isolated households.  VNS
HA NOI  A regional crackdown on transnational crime led by Customs agencies across the AsiaPacific has uncovered more than 1,150 cases linked to the illegal trade in drugs and endangered wildlife, officials said at a two-day meeting in Khanh Hoa that concluded on Wednesday.

Viet Nam hosted the closing conference of the seventh Operation Mekong Dragon (OMD 7), a joint campaign running from April 15 to September 15 and involving 24 national agencies and international organisations.

Nearly 60 delegates from member-country Customs authorities and global law-enforcement bodies attended, including representatives from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for AsiaPacific under the World Customs Organisation.

Mekong Dragon was launched in 2018 as a Viet NamChina initiative to curb illegal trafficking in drugs, wildlife and CITES-listed products. It has since become one of the regions most prominent cooperative enforcement platforms.

ang Van uc, Deputy Director of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Division, said: "Viet Nam's Customs authorities had received active and substantive support from partners during OMD 7, particularly in intelligence sharing and operational coordination."

Since 2022, the campaign has also been closely overseen by senior Vietnamese leaders, prompting expanded cooperation with the Ministry of Public Securitys anti-drug and environmental crime units and the rollout of the operation across all local Customs offices.

Information shared by partners, including mainland China, Australia, Hong Kong (China) and Japan, helped Viet Nam detect several major drug shipments this year.

In the first 10 months of 2025, Department ofViet Nam Customs and other enforcement units uncovered 165 cases, arrested 213 suspects and seized 2.3 tonnes of narcotics.

Across all member countries, OMD 7 recorded 1,155 cases, according to preliminary data presented at the meeting.

Authorities detected 1,027 drug-related cases, seizing 11.8 tonnes of narcotics and 1.745 million synthetic-drug tablets. Twenty cases involved chemical precursors, with 353kg and 3,800 precursor tablets confiscated.

Another 108 cases related to wildlife trafficking, in which 4,951.9kg and 12,800 specimens were seized.

UNODC officials told the meeting that Mekong Dragon has evolved beyond a single campaign into a trusted platform for intelligence exchange and joint action against organised crime.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to provide technical and operational support, data-sharing tools and regional coordination mechanisms to strengthen cross-border enforcement.

After seven iterations, officials said the programme has grown into a recognised regional brand in Customs cooperation and a key tool for confronting increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks.

OMD 7, they added, delivered notable gains in intelligence sharing, casework and capacity building, contributing to efforts to safeguard security and stability across the AsiaPacific.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc has told ministry departments to work closely with local universities and training institutions to assess and develop areas of cooperation with IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences, paving the way for a memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

The direction was delivered on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Ha Noi during a meeting with Heinz Boyer, Principal of IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences, Austria.

Thuc said that the cooperation should focus on undergraduate and postgraduate training in nursing, healthcare and medicine; joint and collaborative scientific research; student and faculty exchanges; development of research projects; and expanding academic cooperation, research partnerships and joint training programmes.

Welcoming the IMC Krems delegation at the meeting, Thuc highlighted the significant progress Viet Nams health sector has made in scientific research and practical application, driven by proactive, coordinated and innovative approaches to healthcare workforce training.

He praised the value of international collaboration and student exchanges between Viet Nam and other countries, including Austria, and commended IMC Krems for its strong reputation in health sciences, nursing and healthcare management.

Thuc said that the minitry welcomes all contributions to the development of the nations medical workforce, which he said plays a vital role in improving community wellbeing and socio-economic progress.

The ministry always creates favourable conditions in accordance with Vietnamese law and international practices towards sustainable development and innovation in cooperation between Austria and Viet Nam in the field of training medical human resources.

Principal Boyer expressed his appreciation for the warm reception from Thuc and ministry officials.

Boyer outlined IMC Krems strengths, notably in language education and nursing training.

Boyer noted the schools existing partnerships with several Vietnamese universities aimed at advancing the internationalisation of education and promoting impactful research.

Boyer also proposed a new training initiative that combines advanced language education with medical training, based on a model currently implemented at IMC Krems in Austria.

During the discussion, representatives of the ministry emphasised that Viet Nam is prioritising the development of a high-quality healthcare workforce to meet the demands of international integration and digital transformation.

Therefore, European-standard training models are an important reference point, and have been promoted by the ministry through the Administration of Science, Technology and Training and the Department of International Cooperation in support of institutions such as Ha Noi Medical University, Nam inh University of Nursing and other medical-training centres nationwide.

Information about IMC Krems training capacity, research strengths and international reputation in health sciences and nursing was described as a valuable reference for Vietnamese institutions as they expand future cooperation. VNS
HA NOI  Flooding and landslides in Viet Nams central and southern regions have left at least 40 people dead and ten missing, according to the update of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on Thursday night.

ak Lak Province reported the most deaths with 16 people. Other deaths included 14 in Khanh Hoa Province, four in Lam ong Province, three in Gia Lai Province, two in Hue City, one in a Nang City.

As of Thursday evening, flooding had damaged over 13,000 hectares of rice and crops. A total of 30,731 livestock and poultry have been killed or swept away in the regions.

Meanwhile, 146 houses have been damaged and 52,056 homes have been inundated.

Rescue forces had relocated and evacuated 18,837 households with 61,793 people, while many families remained stranded by flooding and were still awaiting rescue, mainly in ak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai and Lam ong provinces.

Along national highways 1, 14, 14E, 14H, 40B, 20 and the Truong Son ong route, more than 30 landslide and deep-flooding points continue to block traffic. Provincial roads have recorded more than 140 landslide-hit sites. Landslides at the Prenn Pass and a rupture at Mimosa Pass have forced Lam ong Province to declare an emergency situation.

The railway sector has suspended 14 passenger trains over the past two days.

Tuy Hoa Airport has halted operations from 10 a.m. until tomorrow noon.

More than one million customers experienced power outages, though supply has been restored for nearly 615,000 households.

The Prime Minister has issued five official telegrams, while the National Civil Defence Steering Committee has released four. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has been on the ground in Khanh Hoa Province to oversee emergency response and recovery efforts.

The Ministry of National Defence has mobilised 18,000 personnel and 441 vehicles to assist residents; four helicopters are on standby with two tonnes of food and essential supplies for isolated areas. Provincial police forces have deployed nearly 42,000 officers with more than 3,200 vehicles for rescue operations.

ak Lak has requested 2,000 tonnes of national reserve rice; three tonnes of Chloramine B; 1,000 litres of water treatment chemicals; 1,000 first-aid kits; 60 inflatable boats, 30 canoes, four high-capacity boats, 500 life jackets and 150 high-pressure torches.

Lam ong has requested 600 billion ong for recovery and asked for cooperation from Military Region 7s engineering units to repair damaged roads. Khanh Hoa has requested one DT3 rescue vessel, two generators, 6,000 life buoys, 3,000 life jackets and 50 lightweight rafts. VNS
HA NOI  From a small mother-of-pearl inlay village along the Nhue River in Ha Noi, Chuyen My is stepping onto the global stage through a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary creative thinking. The villages nomination to join the World Creative Craft Cities Network in 2025 not only represents an opportunity to elevate Vietnamese handicrafts but also reflects how a craft community is proactively adapting to modern demands.

On 1617 November, Chuyen Mys mother-of-pearl inlay village welcomed nearly 200 international delegates for a visit, survey, and evaluation as part of the selection process for the 2025 World Creative Craft Cities Network. This was one of the largest international events the village has ever hosted, bringing together craft experts, artisans, researchers, and representatives from various global organizations.

Across Chuon Ngo, Boi Khe, Chuon Trung, Chuon Thuong and other hamlets, the delegation observed the full mother-of-pearl inlay process - from cutting and shaping shells to polishing and finishing surfaces. Delegates also explored new innovation models, including the application of digital technologies, 3D design, and QR codes that help tell product stories in a modern, accessible way.

Many delegates noted that Chuyen My possesses rare traditional values combined with a high degree of creativity, demonstrating the vitality of a community that has learned to adapt to global market trends.

Sundeep Kumar, Vice President of the World Crafts Council for the AsiaPacific region, expressed deep admiration for the villages training classes, where young artisans continue to learn time-honored techniques. He emphasised that Chuyen My is preserving the soul of mother-of-pearl inlay while expanding creative spaces to meet global tastes - an essential factor for international integration.

Chuyen Mys mother-of-pearl craft has weathered many ups and downs, at times facing the risk of decline due to market competition and shifting consumer preferences. Yet local residents have persevered, passing down the craft through generations. Traditional craftsmanship has been safeguarded from small riverside workshops to the larger production establishments of today.

Elder artisans continue to guide the younger generation with dedication, while young craftsmen bring new energy to the trade - integrating 3D design, digitiaing products, and using QR codes to present the crafts story through a more contemporary lens.

According to Nguyen inh Hoa, Deputy Director of Ha Nois Department of Agriculture and Environment, Chuyen My was selected by the city to represent Ha Noi in the Creative Craft Cities Network thanks to its distinctive artistic value and strong potential for sustainable development. Chuyen Mys products have been showcased at numerous international exhibitions, helping promote Vietnamese culture to the world. This is a significant advantage for the village as it competes on the global stage, he affirmed.

The international evaluation delegation paid particular attention to how the village is passing down the craft to younger generations. In the villages training classes, senior artisans guide their students step by step through each intricate shell-cutting technique - work that demands high levels of patience and precision.

Sundeep Kumar praised this model, noting that it ensures continuous generational transmission, a core factor for any traditional craft to survive and thrive amid globalisation.

Young artisan-run workshops have also emerged as highlights. Their owners boldly experiment with new techniques, collaborate with international designers, and integrate contemporary elements into their creations while preserving the Vietnamese spirit. The evaluation team described this as a fusion of heritage and innovation, a clear sign that Chuyen My is ready for deeper global integration.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Huong, Vice Chairwoman of the Chuyen My Commune Peoples Committee, said that to meet the nine recognition criteria of the World Crafts Council, the commune has undertaken numerous coordinated initiatives. These include establishing a heritage room, collecting hundreds of valuable artifacts and documents, creating a multilingual website and promotional videos, digitizing products with QR codes for origin and information tracking, promoting experiential tourism, and organizing exhibitions to introduce the crafts artistic value to domestic and international visitors.

According to Nguyen Huu Chi, Chairman of the Chuyen My Commune Peoples Committee, the overarching goal is to bring mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer art from Chuyen My - infused with the breath of Vietnamese culture - closer to global audiences. We will continue to improve product quality, integrate the craft with creative tourism, and expand creative spaces for the youth. This is how Chuyen My will not only preserve the craft but also achieve stronger growth in the future, he emphasized.

Le Quang Long, Secretary of the Chuyen My Commune Party Committee, added: This recognition is not only a source of pride but also a driving force for the locality to elevate its traditional craft values in a new context. Chuyen Mys strength lies in its community - every family, every lineage, every artisan contributes to the villages creative value chain.

The recent evaluation visit marked more than a working session; it was a turning point that allowed Chuyen My to assert its identity before the international community. The experts positive assessments, the localitys thorough preparations, and the creative momentum within the artisan community have laid a solid foundation for the village to move closer to membership in the World Creative Craft Cities Network.

For Ha Noi - a UNESCO Creative City of Design - Chuyen My represents not only a traditional craft but also a symbol of how a community can transform heritage into soft power, contributing to Vietnams image within the global creative movement. Today, Chuyen Mys mother-of-pearl inlay is more than a handicraft; it is a cultural narrative of Viet Nam reaching outward to the world. VNS

* This article was developed in collaboration with the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment.
VIENTIANE  Senior security officials from six Lancang-Mekong countries have agreed to strengthen international cooperation to combat telecom fraud.

The moves follows the first Six-Ministerial Meeting held in Vientiane during November 1315.

The Deputy Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Khamking Phuilamanyvong, led the Lao delegation to the meeting, which brought together representatives of China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

It marked an important step in establishing ministerial-level, six-party cooperation to combat international telecom crimes.

During the meeting, delegates focused on forming a coordinated mechanism to prevent, detect and suppress telecom fraud activities that have increasingly affected the region. Discussions focused on regular exchanges of lessons learned, routine assistance through information-sharing and technical expertise, and strengthened collaboration in the investigation of cross-border telecom fraud cases.

Delegates from the six countries contributed to the hosts proposals and shared perspectives on key challenges. They also discussed future cooperation plans and explored ways to overcome existing barriers to joint operations.

The participants emphasised the importance of building an effective, long-term framework to address telecom crimes, which have evolved rapidly and pose a growing threat to national security and public safety.

The meeting underscored the collective aim of making the six LancangMekong countries a model for regional cooperation against telecom fraud.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman urged relevant officials from all the countries to implement agreements reached and translate the meetings spirit into concrete action. He stressed that through joint efforts, the forum aims to become an important platform for leaders responsible for anti-telecom fraud operations across countries and international organisations.

The six countries reaffirmed their commitment to jointly establishing, managing and promoting law enforcement cooperation aimed at protecting the peoples security, both within the region and globally. ANN/VIENTIANE TIMES
SEOUL  Lee Han-soo, 34, spends nearly 2 1/2 hours a day traveling between his home near Namhansanseong Station on Subway Line No. 8 and his job at an IT firm near Hongik University Station on Subway Line No. 2 in Seoul.

Although Im used to it now, Im completely drained by the time I get home, he said. I just grab something to eat and go straight to bed.

For many South Koreans, Lees routine is far from unusual  it may even be typical.

A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters found that South Korea recorded the longest average daily travel time among 43 countries surveyed, at 1 hour and 48 minutes.

The global average was 1 hour and 8 minutes, meaning South Koreans, on average, spend an additional 40 minutes of their daily life commuting.

The study, led by researchers at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelonas Institute of Environmental Science and Technology and McGill University, examined personal and work-related travel patterns in countries representing more than half of the worlds population.

Local medical experts warn that the countrys long-commute culture may take a psychological toll.

A study released in September by researchers at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, based on the 2023 Seoul Survey of more than 24,000 office workers, found that workers whose one-way commute exceeded 60 minutes were significantly more likely to experience loneliness.

Compared with those who commuted 30 minutes or less, long-distance commuters faced a 49 percent higher risk of feeling lonely within family relationships and a 36 percent higher risk of loneliness in broader social relationships.

Interestingly, the effect was strongest among commuters who drive. Workers who take public transit, walk or bike did not show a statistically significant increase in loneliness.

The research team warned that Koreas current average commuting time can accelerate social isolation, and urged policymakers to consider solutions that also address mental well-being. THE KOREAN HERALD/ANN
Louise Adams on her business trip to Ho Chi Minh City from November 17-18

Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 is the Australian government's long-term plan to deepen economic engagement with Southeast Asia through trade, investment, and partnerships.

In implementing the strategy in Vietnam, Australian business delegations have been increasing their engagement and building bilateral relationships. In your view, which sectors in Vietnam's economy are leaving the strongest impressions on Australian businesses and investors?

There are four key areas I would highlight: digital technology and skills, food and agriculture, tertiary education, and decarbonisation and energy transition.

Vietnamese enterprises hold a range of capabilities that are highly attractive to Australian investors.

In digital technology and skills, Vietnam has a young population and has made strong, sustained investments in education. Over time, this has produced a deep pool of digital talent that is increasingly recognized internationally.

In agriculture, both countries share a strong agricultural base and face similar challenges, particularly in building resilience to climate change. This creates natural opportunities for collaboration between our businesses and governments.

In education, Australia has a long tradition of providing high-quality tertiary education to students not only from Vietnam but across Southeast Asia. We want to continue delivering that, while also helping Vietnam strengthen its higher education capacity, whether in institutional design, system structure, or governance.

How do you think Australia can best support Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, so that both countries can achieve their goals under long-term investment strategies?

We should continue building on what is already working, leveraging the priority areas identified under the Invested Strategy, especially here in Ho Chi Minh City.

From the business side, we should celebrate and advocate for success stories that demonstrate what Australia-Vietnam collaboration can achieve. Raising awareness in Australia about these examples is crucial.

From the government side, both countries have created an unprecedented opportunity to pave the way for deeper engagement. By removing barriers and facilitating easier, more predictable conditions for business, we can help expand trade and investment significantly. I am very optimistic about how Australia and Vietnam can work together to secure long-term, shared prosperity.

In your view, what distinctive role can Australia play in supporting Vietnams development in areas such as infrastructure, urban development, and innovation?

Australia and Vietnam share a long-standing relationship and strong cultural understanding. As Vietnam continues to grow, and as cities like Ho Chi Minh City rapidly expand, Australia can help build capability in urban planning, regulation, and strategic development processes.

This includes strengthening planning systems for infrastructure, land use, transport, and all the challenges associated with rapid urbanisation. From an infrastructure investment perspective, we can support Vietnam in establishing the governance and planning rigor needed to manage growth sustainably and effectively.

What should Vietnam do to attract greater interest from Australian businesses?

One challenge I have observed is the lack of awareness in Australia about the capabilities of modern Vietnamese businesses. Outdated perceptions still exist.

There is a major opportunity for Vietnamese companies to engage directly with Australian businesses and demonstrate the significant progress that has been made. For instance, Vietnams digital skills and engineering capabilities are world-class, yet many Australian businesses are simply unaware of how strong this talent pool is.

Raising awareness of these advancements, building relationships, and empowering advocates, like myself in the role of Australias Business Champion, to promote these success stories will be key to unlocking further investment and partnership opportunities.

Based on current developments, how do you envision Vietnam in 2045? And what do you foresee for the future of economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Australia by that time?

Vietnam is making significant, forward-looking investments today to build a future-ready nation that can play a strong role not only in Asia and Southeast Asia, but also on the global stage. These efforts, combined with Vietnams young and dynamic population, give me great confidence. By 2045, I believe we will look back and see a Vietnam that has truly come into its own as a regional leader and an influential global player.

As for Australia-Vietnam relations, our future prosperity is closely intertwined because of our geographic proximity and shared strategic interests, especially in an increasingly uncertain world. I am truly excited for Australia to be part of Vietnam's growth story in the decades ahead.

Australian edtech firms explore partnership opportunities in Vietnam Australia is deepening its footprint in Vietnam's fast-growing education technology sector through a major trade mission connecting innovators, educators, and investors.

Trinasolar Elementa 3 Australian Debut at All Energy 2025 Will Local Content Rules Drive Uptake Trinasolar, a global leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, will use All Energy, Australia's largest clean energy event, to launch a suite of innovations tailored for the local market.
On November 17, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Organon Vietnam signed an agreement aimed at expanding access to accurate, timely, and youth-friendly reproductive health information. The deal represents a key step in enhancing sexual and reproductive health services for women and adolescents across Vietnam.

Representatives of UNFPA Vietnam and Organon at the strategic partnership signing ceremony on November 17

Formalised at a ceremony in Hanoi, the partnership highlights the critical link between information access and informed decision-making- an area increasingly important as Vietnam navigates rapid demographic and socioeconomic change.

Vietnams population now exceeds 101 million, with more than 20 million individuals aged 10 to 24. This sizeable youth cohort continues to provide demographic and economic advantages. However, persistent inequities threaten to limit long-term development gains.

Key challenges include: adolescent fertility remains high at 34 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 (2023), rising to 115 per 1,000 among ethnic minority populations.

Modern contraceptive use stands at 48 per cent among women of reproductive age, yet unmet needs remain significant- 10 per cent nationally among married women, 17 per cent among ethnic minorities, and up to 41 per cent among younger, unmarried women.

Only 18 per cent of adolescent girls report being able to make independent decisions about contraception.

These disparities signal both social and economic risks, impacting labour participation, education continuity, and healthcare costs.

The collaboration aims to address systemic barriers that hinder equitable access to sexual and reproductive health information. It aligns closely with Vietnams efforts to strengthen its human capital base and sustain inclusive growth. Under the MoU, Organon Vietnam and UNFPA will work across three strategic areas:

1. Generating data and insights to inform evidence-based policy;

2. Strengthening systems and capacity, especially in underserved communities;

3. Driving public education and innovation to raise awareness and close knowledge gaps among adolescents and women.

The initiative also supports broader objectives, including reducing adolescent pregnancy, increasing access to family planning, and encouraging decision-making autonomy.

Leadership perspectives

Access to accurate information is the foundation of health equity, said Vo Thi Thuy Ha, general director of Organon Vietnam.

This partnership is about ensuring that every Vietnamese woman has the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. Organon is deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of women, recognising that when women thrive, families and communities thrive. Our goal is to create a healthier future by listening to women and addressing the gaps in healthcare that affect their lives and society.

We will continue working to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can reach their full potential, said Matt Jackson, UNFPAs representative in Vietnam.

By equipping youth with accurate information and ensuring access to high-quality, stigma-free services, we can create a future where all contribute and thrive. This commitment lies at the heart of UNFPAs efforts to achieve our three transformative goals by 2030: ending unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Vo Thi Thuy Ha speaking about the vision and commitment of the programme

The event brought together representatives from the United Nations Population Fund and Organon, witnessed by the Vietnam Population Authority, National Statistics Office, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and population experts. It highlighted cross-sector collaboration to advance health, education, and gender equality in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The MoU takes effect from the date of signing, with both parties committed to ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement of joint initiatives to ensure lasting impact.

Organon is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in the US state of New Jersey, and has a presence in more than 140 countries and a portfolio of over 70 products across various therapeutic areas. The company focuses on womens sexual and reproductive health and has maintained a leading position in the hormonal contraceptive segment in Vietnam for over 40 years.

UNFPA provides 2,750 Dignity Kits to support women and girls at risk of violence Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, handed over 2,750 Dignity Kits to Nguyen Thi Ha, Vice Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), for distribution to women at risk of gender-based violence in the context of COVID-19.

Promoting gender equality considered key to ending son preference The government, in collaboration with civil society organisations, is calling for renewed attention to ending son preference and addressing the undervaluing of girls.
DonaCoop Infrastructure Investment JSC and VinaCapital Group have applied to Dong Nai provinces authorities to prepare an investment report for a proposed metro line connecting Suoi Tien in Ho Chi Minh City to Long Thanh International Airport. The undertaking is designed around the transit-oriented development (TOD) model, which concentrates urban growth along high-quality public transport hubs to encourage sustainable living and maximise land-use potential.

In Ho Chi Minh City, several major companies have also submitted proposals to invest in metro lines. For example, a consortium comprising Dai Dung Group, Construction Corporation No.1, and Hoa Phat Group  referred to as the DCH consortium  has proposed to develop Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong line), the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway, and the new Binh Duong City-Suoi Tien line.

THACO Group has proposed investing in Metro Line 2 and the Thu Thiem- Long Thanh line. Meanwhile, Vingroup has received approval from Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee to research a 48.5km metro line connecting the city centre with Can Gio area.

Several land plots surrounding stations on Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien line) are slated for TOD development

A common feature across these proposals is the suggested use of the BT model (land-for-infrastructure exchange) with investors focusing on land reserves along the routes and around proposed station locations.

These areas possess significant potential for urban and commercial development thanks to the direct benefits brought by metro lines. As a result, companies are keen on the TOD model, which promises long-term gains from rising land value in newly developed urban areas.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said the city, following recent administrative consolidation, has identified TOD as a pillar of its strategy for building a smart and sustainable metropolis.

A selective pilot approach is considered appropriate, allowing the city to effectively leverage land resources and reinvest in infrastructure, he said.

The city aims to operate 355km of urban rail by 2035 while simultaneously developing TOD zones to ease traffic congestion, stimulate commerce, and enhance quality of life.

Under the plan, Ho Chi Minh City will develop TOD in three phases. In the first five years, the city will select 11 pilot locations around metro stations and the Ring Road 3 corridor.

The city is finalising procedures to adjust zoning along Metro Line 1 and Metro Line 2, with land auctions expected to begin in early 2026.

All land designated for TOD remains under state management, which means no site clearance is required. This is seen as a golden opportunity for businesses to bid on clean land plots and begin project implementation immediately after winning the auction.

Major developer Sun Group has already submitted a proposal to develop TOD in the Nong Truong Dua area and other locations in the former Thu Duc city.

Additionally, some companies have sought permission to develop TOD on land they already control. Earlier this year, Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment JSC proposed developing more than 50 hectares of TOD in the Hang Xanh area, where Metro 3A, Metro 5, and several major road networks intersect.

Similarly, Duy Tan Plastics Co., Ltd. proposed a TOD project on land near Ring Road 2, National Highway 1A, and Vo Van Kiet boulevard.

Japanese investors have also shown strong interest in Ho Chi Minh Citys TOD initiatives. In a recent meeting with the citys management, Ono Masuo, Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, confirmed that many Japanese companies involved in real estate, commercial development, and public transit operations are paying close attention to TOD-oriented urban development projects in the city.

Japanese companies have practical experience developing TOD at home, so their investment in Vietnam is expected to help foster more sustainable urban growth, he said.

According to Ngo Quang Phuc, CEO of southern developer Phu Dong Group, auctioning land for TOD delivers benefits for the state, businesses, and homebuyers alike.

For the government, auctions ensure maximum revenue. Developers gain access to clean land, enabling them to proceed confidently without regulatory or zoning risks. Homebuyers, meanwhile, can access legally secure real estate products, he said.

Ho Chi Minh City sets bold vision as mega metropolis A conference between city leaders and the foreign-invested business community opened in Ho Chi Minh City on October 30.

Amata plans industrial park in Ho Chi Minh City Amata Group has unveiled plans to develop a new $180 million smart industrial park in Ho Chi Minh City, strengthening Thailand-Vietnam economic ties and boosting regional industrial and logistics growth.
The UAE is a major economic and financial hub in the Middle East and serves as a vital trade gateway connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. Establishing a representative office in the UAE enables Viettel to build a direct presence in a high-potential technology market, providing a foundation for deeper insights into local needs and expanding opportunities for large-scale cooperation.

The representative office in the UAE was established to strengthen touchpoints with international partners in support of Viettel 's "Go Global" strategy, while attracting foreign partners to collaborate and invest in Viettel in particular, and contribute to Vietnam's development in general.

The UAE and the GCC region have demonstrated a stable development environment with substantial investments in technology infrastructure and digital solutions, areas that align closely with Viettel's extensive experience across multiple countries. Viettel plans to create favourable conditions to establish and expand its network of partners in telecommunications, digital technologies, e-government solutions, smart cities, cybersecurity, high-tech research and manufacturing, and international services.

At the ceremony, Nguyen Dinh Chien, vice president of Viettel Group, said, "We come to the UAE not only to seek business opportunities. We come with a spirit of long-term, trusted cooperation and a commitment to creating sustainable value together. Viettel is committed to respecting the laws, culture, and norms of the UAE; promoting transparent and mutually beneficial cooperation; investing in technology, people, and innovation; and contributing to expanding economic, technological, and defence cooperation between Vietnam and the UAE."

As part of the event, Viettel signed four strategic cooperation agreements with major technology corporations: ABI Group (UAE), Sicurezza Corporation (UAE), STREIT (UAE), and INNOSPACE (South Korea) in the fields of industry, high technology, and equipment manufacturing.

In addition to its representative office in the UAE, Viettel has also opened offices in Japan, the US, Australia, and Singapore, further affirming the global vision, aspirations, and capabilities of a military enterprise committed to development for the nation and the people, and for peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

Viettel invests $1 billion in two key national projects Viettel Group kicked off the construction of An Khanh Data Center and Viettel Research and Development Center on August 19.

Viettel's international recognition marks Vietnam's rise in global 5G innovation Viettel High Tech has earned international recognition for its 5G innovation, marking another step in Vietnam's rise as a global telecom player.
Brain breaks and bite-sized tasks  College study transforms ADHD support

Insightful research is helping transform how students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are supported in higher education.

Rebecca Mountfield-Pawlett, PGCE programme lead at Coleg Cambria, has published findings that highlight both the challenges and the strengths of students with ADHD, and how practical teaching strategies can make academia more inclusive.

Rebecca, who also teaches Childhood Studies in partnership with Wrexham University and is currently studying for a doctorate in education with a focus on literacy, explained how the project grew from her own classroom experiences.

I noticed a rise in students presenting with neurodiverse traits, she said.

Many had not declared or been diagnosed with ADHD, yet it was clear they were struggling with aspects of study and assessment. I wanted to see if what I was observing was reflected in wider student experience.

Her research involved direct engagement with learners, many of whom described difficulties with concentration, procrastination, and retaining information, but who also revealed creativity, adaptability, and a strong preference for visual and task-driven learning.

A lot of students find sitting in long lectures overwhelming, said Rebecca.

Simple changes, like giving brain breaks, chunking tasks into smaller sections, or using interactive technology, make a real difference. These approaches benefit every learner, not just those with ADHD.

The findings were shared as part of the colleges Celebration of Scholarly Activity in a study entitled Supporting HE Students with ADHD: Traits, Evidence-Based Support and a Student Profile.

Nationally, between 48% of UK higher education students have ADHD, yet many remain under-supported.

Rebecca believes that must change, adding: ADHD is often misunderstood in academic settings. By combining evidence-based strategies with real student voices, we can design learning environments that reduce barriers and allow students to thrive.

This isnt about overhauling entire systems, every lecturer can try just one thing  whether thats using colour-coded visuals, breaking tasks into steps, or offering regular reminders  and make a huge difference to a students confidence and success.

Coleg Cambria  which has sites in Wrexham, Northop, Deeside and Llysfasi  has already embedded elements of this research into its induction programmes, ensuring all students benefit from inclusive teaching methods.

Rebecca hopes the work will continue to reinforce the colleges commitment to neurodiversity and inclusivity across both student and staff communities.

Our support teams already do so much good work, she said.

I want this research to open peoples eyes to whats possible, and to show that with the right awareness and adjustments, students with ADHD can succeed at every level of higher education.

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.
Retired consultant criticises health board for loss of community hospitals

A retired hospital consultant has launched a fresh attack on North Wales health board, criticising the state of the NHS and the closure of community hospitals.

Jonathan Osborne FRCS, a former ear, nose, and throat surgeon at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, says Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) needs to consider stopping closing and reopening community hospitals.

In recent weeks the retired consultant has repeatedly aimed criticism at the health board, raising fears about the state of its A&E departments.

Mr Osborne says people are dying needlessly because they are not getting prompt care, with seriously ill people facing long waits in uncomfortable chairs or lying on corridor floors.

Now the consultant, who has started a Facebook campaign, says the answer to North Wales health crisis is to stop closing and reopening community hospitals.

This course to chaos can be changed, and there are solutions open to the health board. One obvious solution is to stop closing community hospital beds and implement a programme to increase their number to provide step-down rehabilitation care, said Mr Osborne.

These beds are more cost effective than acute hospital beds and, when supported by local teams of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers, can support patients safely out of expensive acute care in a more timely fashion.

Mr Osborne added that at any time 350 patients across North Wales are medically fit for discharge but languish on wards because they need further rehabilitation to manage alone at home.

The use of community beds would prevent loss of independence and institutionalisation and would free up hospital beds to relieve the backlog of patients waiting in A&E and outside in ambulances, he said.

Unfortunately, the health board persists in its program of community bed closure. Over the past 25 years, there have been loss of beds or community hospital closures at Conwy, Denbigh, Ruthin, Prestatyn, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llangollen, Flint, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, and recently at Tywyn and Penley.

He then claimed North Wales had lost 20% of its beds overall which was mainly in the community.

He added: It is hardly surprising that there is now a shortage of beds for those patients needing admission into hospital.

Tywyn, a relatively isolated town with an elderly population, is losing its 16 beds at the brand-new Community Hospital that was only built in 2017. Madness! The board argues that it is unable to recruit nurses.

Mr Osborne compared this to neighbouring Powys, where he said a recruitment drive fully staffed the community hospitals in Machyllneth, Newtown, and Welshpool.

He made similar comparisons to a hospital in Shropshire, who also used a recruitment agency.

He added: Why has the Betsi effort been so unsuccessful?

He went on: Public meetings and a petition signed by over 5,000 people have been disregarded. In our view, the board and management team are knowingly and willingly continuing to pursue a reckless course, with clear evidence of worsening performance figures, and continuing episodes of avoidable patient harm.

There have been a significant number of preventable deaths in A&E departments and a failure to respond to safety advice from their senior medical leaders. Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board appear hell-bent on a programme of community bed closures that can only worsen the situation.

He added: In a recent, high-profile case, the Northeast London NHS Foundation Trust was initially charged with corporate manslaughter following Coroners concerns over the trust failing in its duty of care to patients.

It would be very unfortunate if the board of BCUHB and its management Team were to find itself in a similar position. When will BCUHB and the Welsh Government in Cardiff, that hold it in special measures, change course and act on the practical solutions proposed and overwhelmingly supported by the people of North Wales?

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: We have set clear expectations for all health boards, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to reduce emergency department long stays and complete ambulance handovers within 45 minutes. We have invested more than 200m this year to help manage more people in the community and avoid hospital admissions.

Betsi Cadwaladr UHB remains at the highest level of escalation. While it has put in some important building blocks, significant improvements are still needed to planned and emergency care services.

He added: We continue to provide support and challenge to the health board as it works to improve services for people living in North Wales.

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: We recognise the serious pressures facing urgent and emergency care in North Wales and as a board we have considered this to be an area of immediate priority.

Listening to patients and staff and stakeholders in our community indicates that reducing delays, corridor care, and improving patient flow and discharge from hospital is a collective priority, and hence this is the health boards top operational goal, and we are taking coordinated action across the whole system to achieve this.

Patient safety is key, and we continue to work closely with senior clinicians to address system pressures. Importantly the role local authorities also have is crucial, and we are working closely with partners in social care across the region.

The most effective improvements for patients come from prioritising prevention, strengthening community-based services such as reablement, and improving coordination of care.

Patients consistently tell us they want support at or close to home, and that is why we are investing in services that help people stay well and leave acute hospital safely, including new wellbeing centres and enhanced reablement services.

For example, the board has recently approved the business case for development at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl, where our plans to introduce a minor injuries and ailments unit (MIAU) could enable up to 21,000 people to receive care closer to home each year.

This will provide a positive alternative for many to attending the emergency department at Glan Clwyd Hospital. A new reablement facility also planned as part of the development could accommodate approximately 220 people each year, releasing up to 4,400 acute hospital bed days, easing the pressure at Glan Clwyd Hospital. The business case is currently being considered by Welsh Government.

They added: In Tywyn, we fully understand local concerns. Long-standing recruitment and retention challenges in certain services mean we must consider alternative options, to provide services that are clinically safe and sustainable.

Recent engagement has included patient groups, Llais, local councils, the hospital action group, and clinical leaders, with community representatives and health board staff given equal voting rights in assessing the options.

They added: These challenges are complex and cannot be solved by a single action. We remain focused on working collectively with partners, clinicians, and communities to deliver safe, sustainable services for the people of North Wales.

By Richard Evans  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Welsh Government set to miss its own key social housing target

Wales housing minister has been accused of celebrating failure after confirming the Welsh Government will miss a target to build 20,000 social homes.

Labours manifesto for the 2021 Senedd election pledged to deliver 20,000 new low-carbon social homes for rent  one of six key commitments to the nation before polling day.

But, in a statement to the Senedd on Tuesday (November 18), Jayne Bryant said the Welsh Government was forecasting 18,652 low-carbon homes for rent by the May 2026 deadline.

The housing secretary faced cross-party criticism, with Plaid Cymru accusing ministers of focusing on interpreting data in a fanciful way rather than tackling a deepening crisis.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives suggested the official figures were inflated with properties added that are not new builds, not low carbon and not for social rent.

Deliberate deception

Joel James, the Tory shadow housing secretary, raised an Audit Wales report which called for a longer-term approach to planning and funding beyond the five-year target.

He highlighted warnings from the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru that this years budget falls well short of what is needed to achieve the 20,000 aim.

His Conservative colleague Mark Isherwood accused the Welsh Government of dismissing warnings of a looming housing crisis for decades.

He told the Senedd: You only set a target to deliver 20,000 new low-carbon homes for social rent this Senedd term, and you now say your forecasts have delivered 18,652 low-carbon homes for rent within the social sector.

Given you have inflated this  by adding homes that are not new builds, not low carbon and not for social rent, including homes for intermediate rent and shared ownership, why should you not be accused of deliberate deception in your statement today?

David Rees, the Senedds deputy speaker or Dirprwy Lywydd, urged Mr Isherwood to be mindful of his language and the serious nature of the allegation.

35 years to meet demand

Sian Gwenllian, Plaid Cymrus shadow housing secretary, said a 12% year-on-year increase in affordable homes sounds positive on the surface.

But she told the Senedd that just over 13,000 of the promised 20,000 social homes have been provided, to date, and that is the only figure that counts.

That is the important figure, she said. The other things are maybes, so lets not turn this statement into a celebration. We have a housing crisis in Wales and the crisis is deepening.

When we look more deeply at the entire picture, its clear that the reality of the people of Wales runs counter to the optimistic narrative that were hearing from the government today.

One in every 14 households is waiting for a social home  and at the current rate it would take 35 years to meet that demand.

We need 60,000 homes

John Griffiths, who chairs the Senedds housing committee, raised his committees calls for Wales to build an extra 60,000 social homes to catch up to comparable European countries.

His Labour colleague Mike Hedges warned Wales is not building co-operative housing at anywhere near the scale of the rest of Europe and North America.

Jenny Rathbone, a fellow Labour backbencher, welcomed an improvement in the number of homes being built, with the highest increase in two decades.

Labours Lesley Griffiths suggested the Welsh Government had already hit the stretching 20,000 target. I think reaching it is a significant achievement, she said.

Ms Griffiths, a former minister, pointed out that Wrexham has outperformed on social housing, with 33.6 units per 10,000 households compared with the Welsh average of 26.5.

Lives changed

Jayne Bryant confirmed 3,643 additional affordable homes were completed in 2024/25  a 12% increase on the previous year  with more than 2bn invested since 2021 in an effort to meet the most ambitious housing target in our nations history.

In her statement, Wales housing secretary told the Senedd: By May 2026, we are forecast to have delivered 18,652 low-carbon homes for rent within the social sector.

Ms Bryant added that a further 1,652 units are in the pipeline for the end of 2026  beyond the Welsh Governments five-year term  which would bring the total to 20,304.

She said: That represents the highest sustained delivery of social housing in Wales in nearly two decades, and the pipeline beyond 2026 remains strong.

These arent just statistics, they are lives changed. A nurse finally able to live near the hospital where she works; a mother able to tuck her children into a bed in a home she can afford; and an older couple able to stay in the community theyve called home all their lives.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
WASHINGTON (AP)  They gathered at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday  former presidents, vice presidents, sworn political foes and newfound friends  in a show of respect and remembrance for Dick Cheney, the consequential and polarizing vice president who became an acidic scold of President Donald Trump.

Trump, who has been publicly silent about Cheneys death Nov. 3, was not invited to the memorial service.

Two ex-presidents came: Republican George W. Bush, who eulogized the man who served him as vice president, and Democrat Joe Biden, who once called Cheney the most dangerous vice president weve had probably in American history but now honors his commitment to his family and to his values.

Solid and rare and reliable, Bush said at the service of his vice president, praising a man whose talent and restraint exceeded his ego. Smart and polished, without airs.

Bush and others noted the understated demeanor of a man who nevertheless wielded great influence in government. Above all, Bush said, I wanted someone with the ability to step into the presidency without getting distracted by the ambition to seek it.

Among the eulogists, Liz Cheney, the eldest daughter, only obliquely addressed what amounted to a father-daughter feud with the president  a man her dad had called a coward for trying to overturn his loss in the 2020 election.

She spoke of her fathers conviction that when confronted with a choice between defending the country and a political party, the country must come first. Bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans, she said.

Liz Cheney is a former high-ranking House member whose Republican political career was shredded by a MAGA movement angered by her investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Thursday, she chose not to speak directly of Trump.

She spoke of seeing clouds in the shape of angels just before her father died.

A Whos Who of Washington, minus you know who

Moments before the service began, figures of recent but now receded power mingled: Bush and Biden and their wives sitting in a row together, former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Mike Pence chatting side by side in their pew with Al Gore and Dan Quayle together behind them.

Biden greeted Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former longtime Senate leader, and his wife, former labor and transportation secretary Elaine Chao. Behind them sat Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who spent time talking with another former House speaker, Republican John Boehner. All gathered among the soaring interior columns of the grand cathedral known as a spiritual home for the nation.

Others delivering tributes at Thursdays funeral were Cheneys longtime cardiologist, Dr. Jonathan Reiner; former NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, who was Cheneys spokesman at the Pentagon; and several of the former vice presidents grandchildren.

Im happy to report that I havent given many eulogies," Reiner said in his remarks. Nobody wants a doctor who is great at funerals."

Reiner recalled doctors telling Cheney decades ago, after the first of multiple heart attacks, that he should abandon his political ambitions then. Yet he kept winning elections as a Wyoming congressman for years after that.

Cheney, he said, was always the calmest person in the room."

Cheney had lived with heart disease for decades and, after the Bush administration, with a heart transplant. He died at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said.

Trump's vice president, JD Vance, on stage at another event in the morning, was asked about Cheney and said: Obviously theres some political disagreements there but he was a guy who served his country. We certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving."

Vance was also not invited to the funeral, according to a person familiar with the details who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The White House lowered its flags to half-staff after Cheney's death, as it said the law calls for, but Trump did not issue the presidential proclamation that often accompanies the death of notable figures, nor has he commented publicly on his passing.

The deeply conservative Cheney's influence in the Bush administration was legendary and, to his critics, tragic.

He advocated for the U.S. invasion of Iraq on the basis of what proved to be faulty intelligence and consistently defended the extraordinary tools of surveillance, detention and inquisition employed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Bush credited him with helping to keep the country safe and stable in a perilous time.

Bad blood between the Cheneys and Trump

After the 2020 election won by Biden, Liz Cheney served as vice chair of the Democratic-led special House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. She accused Trump of summoning the violent mob and plunging the nation into a moment of maximum danger.

For that, she was stripped of her Republican leadership position and ultimately defeated in a 2022 Republican primary in Wyoming. In a campaign TV ad made for his daughter, Dick Cheney branded Trump a coward who tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him.

Last year, it did not sit well with Trump when Cheney said he would vote for the Democrat, Harris, in the presidential election.

Trump told Arab and Muslim voters that Dick Cheneys support for Harris should give them pause, because he killed more Arabs than any human being on Earth. He pushed Bush, and they went into the Middle East.

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel plans to seize parts of a major West Bank historic site, according to a government document, and settlers put up a new outpost overnight, even as the country faces pressure to crack down on settler violence in the Palestinian territory.

Israel's Civil Administration announced its intention to expropriate large swaths of Sebastia, a major archaeological site in the West Bank, in the document obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday. Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group, said the site is around 1,800 dunams (450 acres)  Israel's largest seizure of archeologically important land.

The move came as Israeli settlers celebrated the creation of a new, unauthorized settlement near Bethlehem, and a Palestinian lawyer said a West Bank activist has been detained and hospitalized.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch said Israel may have committed war crimes when it forcibly expelled 32,000 Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps this year.

Israel to seize swaths of Sebastia heritage site

The Israeli order released Nov. 12 lists parcels of land it intends to seize in the Sebastia area. Peace Now, which provided the document to AP, said the popular archeological site, where thousands of olive trees grow, belongs to the Palestinians.

The capital of the ancient Israelite kingdom Samaria is thought to be beneath the ruins of Sebastia, and Christians and Muslims believe it's where John the Baptist was buried.

Israel announced plans to develop the site into a tourist attraction in 2023. Excavations have already begun and the government has allocated more than 30 million shekels ($9.24 million) to develop the site, according to Peace Now and another rights group.

The order gives Palestinians 14 days to object to the declaration.

The largest parcel of historical land previously seized by Israel was 286 dunams (70 acres) in Susya, a village in the south of the West Bank, Peace Now said.

Settlers inaugurate new illegal outpost days after Palestinian attack

Israeli settlers said they established a new unauthorized outpost close to Bethlehem. The chairman of the local Etzion settler council, Yaron Rosenthal, welcomed the settlement as a return to the city of our matriarch Rachel, of King David. Rosenthal said the new community would strengthen the connection" between Etzion and Jerusalem.

The new outpost could be a response to the latest Palestinian attack on Israelis in the West Bank. It's close to the busy junction where on Tuesday Palestinian attackers stabbed one Israeli to death and wounded three more.

Rosenthal demanded that Israel respond forcefully and better support the settlements.

Terrorism is fueled by the hope of a state, he said, connecting the violence to the Palestinian Authority and a renewed push to advance efforts to secure Palestinian statehood.

Hamas did not claim responsibility for the attack, but in a statement called it a normal response to the occupations attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause, vowing that Israeli aggression wouldnt go unchallenged.

Hagit Ofran, the director of Peace Nows settlement watch program, said the outpost is on land that used to be an Israeli military base. Photos that settlers shared online show temporary homes at the site and bulldozers at work.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza  areas claimed by the Palestinians for a future state  in the 1967 war. It has settled over 500,000 Jews in the West Bank, largely on unauthorized settlements, in addition to over 200,000 more in contested east Jerusalem.

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 nations police force.

Israel's president and high-ranking military officials have condemned a recent wave of settler violence in the West Bank.

Palestinian activist is detained and hospitalized

A Palestinian activist who documented settler violence in the West Bank has been detained and hospitalized, his lawyer told the AP Thursday. Riham Nasra said the activist, Ayman Ghrayeb Odeh, was hospitalized after his detention at a military base in the Jordan Valley.

Israeli authorities refuse to reveal where he is, what his condition is or why he has been hospitalized, she said.

Shin Bet, Israel's security agency, confirmed the activist has been detained on incitement charges. Odeh could face indefinite administrative detention, a punishment without charge or a trial based on secret evidence.

His brother, Bilal Ghrayeb, told AP he spoke briefly with Odeh shortly after his detention while he was visiting a Palestinian family in the Jordan Valley. His brother said the military confiscated Odeh's phone and that he has not heard from him since.

He is an activist who posts photos and writes on social media about what is happening. He is not inciting. He is not hiding anything, nothing is secret. He is only saying and posting what he sees about the lives of people in the Jordan Valley," Ghrayeb said.

Human Rights Watch says Israel committed war crimes in the West Bank

Human Rights Watch said top Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz should be investigated for war crimes. In a report published Thursday, the group said the Israeli military forcibly expelled 32,000 Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps this year.

Israels military raids on refugee camps in the north of the West Bank in January and February amounted to the largest displacement in the territory since Israel captured it in 1967, Human Rights Watch said.

Israel has said its troops will stay in some camps for a year, and its unclear when, if ever, Palestinians will be able to return. Thousands of displaced Palestinians are living with relatives cramming into rental apartments, or living in public buildings.

Human Rights Watch said it analyzed satellite images and concluded that more than 850 homes and buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged. The Israeli military has said it was attacking militant infrastructure and clearing space for troop movement.

Israel said the Operation Iron Wall raids were necessary to stamp out militancy in the West Bank after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war in Gaza. It said Thursday that troops dismantled explosive labs and exchanged fire with militants during the raids. It said in a statement that militant attacks have since decreased by 70% in the West Bank, but provided no evidence.

Human Rights Watch said Israeli authorities didnt explain why they had to remove everyone from the camps nor why they havent been allowed to return. The report said the military shot at residents who attempted to reenter the camps, and that it has not provided shelter or humanitarian assistance to the displaced.

With global attention focused on Gaza, Israeli forces have carried out war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank that should be investigated and prosecuted, said Nadia Hardman, senior refugee and migrant rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The report was based on interviews with 31 Palestinians displaced from Tulkarem, Nur Shams and Jenin refugee camps.

The camps resemble dense, urban slums and are home to millions of Palestinians. Human Rights Watch said it analyzed satellite imagery of the camps and found more than 850 homes and buildings have been destroyed or heavily damaged.

The Israeli military has told the AP that some of the damage was to strike militant infrastructure, while some was to clear space for easier troop movement around the camps.
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers abruptly went on leave Wednesday from teaching at Harvard University, where he once served as president, over recently released emails showing he maintained a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Summers' spokesperson said.

Summers had canceled his public commitments amid the fallout of the emails being made public and earlier Wednesday severed ties with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. Harvard had reopened an investigation into connections between him and Epstein, but Summers had said he would continue teaching economics classes at the school.

That changed Wednesday evening with the news that he will step away from teaching classes as well as his position as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government with the Harvard Kennedy School.

Mr. Summers has decided its in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as Director as Harvard undertakes its review," Summers spokesperson Steven Goldberg said, adding that his co-teachers would finish the classes.

Summers has not been scheduled to teach next semester, according to Goldberg.

A Harvard spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press that Summers had let the university know about his decision. Summers decision to go on leave was first reported by The Harvard Crimson.

Harvard did not mention Summers by name in its decision to restart an investigation, but the move follows the release of emails showing that he was friendly with Epstein long after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in 2008.

By Wednesday, the once highly regarded economics expert had been facing increased scrutiny over choosing to stay in the teaching role. Some students even filmed his appearance in shock as he appeared before a class of undergraduates on Tuesday while stressing he thought it was important to continue teaching.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, said in a social media post on Wednesday night that Summers cozied up to the rich and powerful  including a convicted sex offender. He cannot be trusted in positions of influence.

Messages appear to seek advice about romantic relationship

The emails include messages in which Summers appeared to be getting advice from Epstein about pursuing a romantic relationship with someone who viewed him as an economic mentor.

im a pretty good wing man , no? Epstein wrote on Nov. 30, 2018.

The next day, Summers told Epstein he had texted the woman, telling her he had something brief to say to her.

Am I thanking her or being sorry re my being married. I think the former, he wrote.

Summers wife, Elisa New, also emailed Epstein multiple times, including a 2015 message in which she thanked him for arranging financial support for a poetry project she directs. The gift he arranged changed everything for me, she wrote.

"It really means a lot to me, all financial help aside, Jeffrey, that you are rooting for me and thinking about me, she wrote.

New, an English professor emerita at Harvard, did not respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday.

An earlier review completed in 2020 found that Epstein visited Harvards campus more than 40 times after his 2008 sex-crimes conviction and was given his own office and unfettered access to a research center he helped establish. The professor who provided the office was later barred from starting new research or advising students for at least two years.

Summers appears before Harvard class

On Tuesday, Summers appeared before his class at Harvard, where he teaches The Political Economy of Globalization to undergraduates with Robert Lawrence, a professor with the Harvard Kennedy School.

Some of you will have seen my statement of regret expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein and that Ive said that Im going to step back from public activities for a while. But I think its very important to fulfill my teaching obligations," he said.

Summers' remarks were captured on video by several students, but no one appeared to publicly respond to his comments.

Epstein, who authorities said died by suicide in 2019, was a convicted sex offender infamous for his connections to wealthy and powerful people, making him a fixture of outrage and conspiracy theories about wrongdoing among American elites.

Summers served as treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. He was Harvards president for five years from 2001 to 2006. When asked about the emails last week, Summers issued a statement saying he has great regrets in my life and that his association with Epstein was a major error in judgement.

Other organizations that confirmed the end of their affiliations with Summers included the Center for American Progress, the Center for Global Development and the Budget Lab at Yale University. Bloomberg TV said Summers withdrawal from public commitments included his role as a paid contributor, and the New York Times said it will not renew his contract as a contributing opinion writer.

This story has been corrected to show that Summers is a former treasury secretary, not treasurer; to show that Summers' statement about stepping back from public commitments was issued late Monday, not Tuesday; and to show that the school is known as the Harvard Kennedy School, not Kennedy Harvard School.

Associated Press journalist Hallie Golden contributed to this report.


Chair's 2025 AGM Address

Brisbane, Nov 20, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The past twelve months have provided clear evidence that the deliberate actions taken by the Board and Management of Central Petroleum Limited ( ASX:CTP ) ( C9J:FRA ) ( CNPTF:OTCMKTS ) in recent years are beginning to deliver tangible results for our company and shareholders, and I would like to acknowledge my predecessor, Mick McCormack, for his role in helping to stabilise the company's fortunes. Mick planned to join us today, however, he was unable to make it and sends his apologies.



Operating in the Northern Territory has always required perseverance, resilience and an unrelenting focus on cost due to its remote location, distance and unique market characteristics, not least of which is the increasing prevalence of closures of the Northern Gas Pipeline - our sole delivery route to customers in the eastern states.



When the Northern Gas Pipeline closed last year due to the decline in production from the offshore Blacktip gas field, we acted swiftly to secure long-term sales agreements with the Northern Territory government to help them underpin stable domestic gas supply and largely mitigate our own market risks. More recently, we have contracted the remainder of our firm gas supply to McArthur River Mining through to year end 2027.



The positive impact of the new NT government gas contracts has become evident across our operations this year as they have not only strengthened our revenue base and balance sheet but have also delivered the certainty that enables us to contemplate strategic reinvestment.



Our underlying profit of $6.5 million in FY2025 is an impressive turnaround from last year's $1.4 million underlying loss and reflects the effectiveness of these initiatives, especially considering that our new gas contracts have only contributed for the second half of the financial year.



Our improved financial position supported investment in two new, and very successful, production wells at Mereenie and the announcement of a share buy-back program, our first step in providing returns to shareholders.



Looking ahead, our production assets are positioned for reliable cash generation through 2027, with firm offtake agreements covering expected output from existing wells. This foundation provides a robust platform for the pursuit of further growth opportunities.



Nonetheless, we remain vigilant to evolving market conditions, including the potential impact of new gas supply from the Beetaloo Basin and the prospect of gas market reforms, including domestic gas reservation policies, which may impact our gas production and contracting activities.



As we assess an optimal capital allocation strategy, our strengthened financial footing allows us to consider a broader set of value-creating alternatives - whether through production expansion, targeted exploration, mergers and acquisitions, early debt repayment, or the introduction of sustainable dividends.



Another facet of our business is the potentially sizeable sub-salt helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbon resources in the Amadeus Basin, and our strategy is to advance these projects through the introduction of new partners to help shoulder the considerable capital costs, and risks, entailed.



We therefore announced last week a pathway to restart drilling activity in this play by vending our interests in three prospective sub-salt exploration licenses in the southeast Amadeus Basin into a UK-listed entity, Georgina Energy, in which we would hold a 25% equity interest. This transaction will only complete if, in advance of completion, Georgina raise sufficient funds, on current estimates, to participate in the drilling of the Mt Kitty / Jacko Bore appraisal well which will be operated by Santos. We believe this structure provides a neat solution for all shareholders, with a nimble, focussed, pure-play vehicle to pursue the potentially high-reward prize in these sub-salt plays. Our plan is to subsequently distribute the Georgina shares to shareholders, giving them the option to retain exposure to the upside or, alternatively, crystallise value from these assets, which are undervalued in our hydrocarbon-focussed portfolio.



Our achievements this year are the result of the dedicated efforts of Central's Board, management, and staff, all of whose commitment to safety and operational excellence has been outstanding. I extend my appreciation to my colleagues on the board, CEO Leon Devaney and the Executive team for their leadership, and I acknowledge the ongoing support of our dedicated staff, stakeholders, suppliers, local communities, and traditional owners.



With a strong operational and financial foundation, I am confident that we are well-placed to deliver further positive results in FY2026. I look forward to Leon regularly updating you as we build on this years' progress.



2025 Annual General Meeting

20 November 2025



Key achievements: 12-month review



- Commenced a major multi-year NTG GSA into a tightening NT gas market



- Completed two new production wells at Mereenie (ahead of schedule, under budget and above initial production targets)



- Significant improvement in financial performance and balance sheet



- 96% 2P reserves replacement



- Implemented a share buy-back program (yet to be utilised)



- Asset spinoff to unlock shareholder value from sub-salt exploration permits



To view the 2025 AGM Presentation, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/WZZKI91Z





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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2025 Annual General Meeting - Chairmans Address

Perth, Nov 20, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Deep Yellow Limited ( ASX:DYL ) ( JMI:FRA ) ( DYLLF:OTCMKTS ) shared the Chairman's Address, presented by Mr. Chris Salisbury, ahead of the Annual General Meeting.



Chairman's Address, Mr. Chris Salisbury, Chairman of Deep Yellow Limited



I wanted to begin today by acknowledging John Borshoff who stepped down from his role of CEO and Managing Director on 20 October 2025 and will leave the Company on 30 November 2025.



John has been with the Company since 2016, and under his leadership Deep Yellow has grown from a junior explorer to an ASX200 company on the verge of becoming a multi-asset, multigeography uranium producer. Along this journey he has contributed to the creation of substantial value for shareholders.



As well as thanking John for his leadership of Deep Yellow, the Board wishes to sincerely thank John for his five decades of contribution to the global uranium industry. His work has spanned from exploration to mine construction and production. John has been influential in shaping the broader uranium industry through his work in many industry advocacy forums and has been a persuasive advocate for the role of nuclear energy.



John leaves an incredible legacy at Deep Yellow having built one of the most experienced uranium mining leadership teams in the industry. This will continue to serve the Company as we move from developer to producer.



The Board wishes John well and thanks him wholeheartedly for his commitment to Deep Yellow over the last nine years, and the broader uranium industry over his long career. The Board is in the late stages of recruiting a new Managing Director and CEO. The Board is focused on recruiting a business leader with deep experience in operations and project execution as we move into the execution pipeline of Tumas and soon after Mulga Rock. These skills will complement the deep expertise already inherent to Deep Yellow.



In the 2025 financial year Deep Yellow continued progress towards becoming a diversified multiasset producer of uranium.The detailed study work on the Tumas project in 2025 reinforced the value inherent in the project.



In May 2025, the Board made a strategic decision to continue to progress the project engineering further and commence some limited early works on the ground in Namibia. However, the Board also decided not to proceed with the full-scale construction of the project until the uranium market better reflected pricing to support sustainable green field projects.



Continuing the engineering and other key work allows the further derisking of the project. Delaying full FID will also ensure that shareholders will benefit from the higher uranium pricing that must develop to close the uranium supply gap, and ensure a sustainable uranium industry.



While the engineering continued, management has also been progressing negotiations with NamPower and NamWater (parastatals in Namibia) to lock down the supply arrangements and infrastructure for these critical inputs to the mine and process plant. Work on progressing potential finance arrangements with Nedbank is continuing.



Craig will cover more detail on all of these topics in his presentation (view link below).



Meanwhile leaching and recovery testwork at the Mulga Rock Project, as well as flowsheet optimisation is progressing very well, and is on schedule. Early results indicate positive upside in recovery of Uranium, base metals, and notably rare earths. The Definitive Feasibility Study is on track for completion in the second half of calendar year 2026.



Our exploration strategy for Alligator River continued to evolve, and the Board is confident that this region will develop further opportunities for the Company in the medium to long-term.



The Board and management team place high emphasis on our ESG values and activities, and we are pleased to provide greater detail of this work in our comprehensive sustainability reporting which will be published before year end.



The macro environment continued to be very supportive of nuclear energy in providing low carbon, reliable baseload energy globally. With 440 nuclear reactors operating globally, 66 in construction, and more than 400 planned, or proposed, the booming growth of uranium demand is confirmed.



The new phenomena of AI and data centres (so called hyper-scalers) is continuing to turbocharge the already high demand for clean baseload electricity, that can only be reliably supplied by nuclear energy.



Your Board and the management team remain prepared to progress the Tumas Project into the construction phase when market conditions are suitable, which will be the transformative step for the Company. The Company is in its strongest position it has ever been in. A strong cash balance, a market rising in demand, and two near shovel ready execution projects, places us in an exciting position for the future.



To view the AGM Presentation, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/XJMIG09X





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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By Ken AndersonDirector, DC MOT Leader, Mercer Additionally, staff who lack financial security may be less motivated and productive at work. This reality means that even the most well-meaning and well-formed workplace benefits packages can fall short of their potential, failing to provide staff with the security they desire. Even where competitive benefits exist, if staff dont know about and understand them, they may not be valued. Engagement is the key tool for employers looking to ensure their people understand and appreciate their pensions and other benefits, so that these investments deliver true value. The disengagement crisis Most employers rarely assess whether their employees understand  let alone value  their benefits. In fact, nearly half (43%) of UK employers have never engaged with their staff on this issue, according to the latest Mercer DC MOT report. The remaining 57% do so only yearly or even less often. Even among employers that do engage with their staff about benefits, many may count an annual pension statement as adequate, but Mercers data indicates that most people never even open this communication . If benefits information is provided in a way that people are unlikely to read, watch or listen to, the reality is that it has not delivered on its purpose. The result of this lack of engagement is a cohort of workers that does not understand the benefits they receive from their employer and so cannot appreciate them. Poor communication can even result in staff leaving for a competitor in search of benefits they unknowingly already receive. Why employers should engage people about their pension Every UK employer must have some kind of benefits package outside of salaries. This is because, since auto-enrolment, it is a legal requirement to provide at least the minimum workplace pension  about 8% co-contributed by the employer and employee to a DC scheme. Most employers go beyond this minimum, recognising that pensions and other benefits are a key recruitment and retention tool. In fact, just 1% of employers offer the legal minimum pension, according to Mercers DC MOT. Strong benefits packages help employers stand out from their peers, meaning they are better positioned to attract high-potential talent. They can also help boost morale during employment, making it more attractive for that talent to stay. However, the key to unlocking this full potential is ensuring that your workplace benefits package is communicated clearly so that staff know about, understand and appreciate it. Employers invest heavily in their benefits offering and an effective engagement strategy helps ensure this investment is well-spent. How to engage with your employees about their benefits A simple but effective way to build a benefits engagement strategy is to create nudges at key milestones. These could be at a persons point of joining, periodically throughout their membership of the pension scheme, and at the point of accessing their savings, among others. These nudges could align with recommendations that the person completes important financial planning activities, such as setting a target retirement age, adjusting their contributions after a pay rise or exploring different routes to access their savings. This strategy promotes a right message, right time approach to employee engagement. It also helps ensure engagement is not a one-way street: staff gain more information about their pension, but they also learn how to act on and personalise it. Many employers and HR teams are already stretched, making a benefits engagement strategy feel like yet another burden. Its for this reason that employers shouldnt embark on engagement alone. Some workplace pension providers, such as Mercer, provide expert-led employee engagement and communications materials, designed to capture attention and spark action. When building our communications, we focus on three principles: Visual cues that align with your business and clearly signpost benefits communications Methods of communication that suit the way different audiences prefer to learn Content that is clear, easy to understand and engaging These principles help cut through a world of information overload, bringing forward the right messages at the right time to help both employers and employees get the most out of their benefits offering.
Insurers uncovered over 98,400 fraud-related claims in 2024, a 12% rise from 88,100 in 2023. Motor insurance continues to be the area where insurers see the most illicit claims occurring, and they detected 51,700 motor scams worth 576 million. This is 5% more than in 2023 and represents 53% of the total number claims made throughout the year. Breaking motor insurance down, the value of fraudulent claims for domestic policies increased by 36 million (9%) year-on-year, while the figure for commercial policies remained relatively stable  rising by 1.7 million (1.3%). Insurers also identified 18,700 deceptive property insurance claims worth 189 million  11% more than the volume of claims detected during the previous year. When looking at the types of fraud scammers attempted to commit, exaggerated loss remains the most common. This is when someone deliberately attempts to increase the cost of a claim beyond its true value. Claims for this type of fraud rose by 10% and amounted to 466 million. Alongside this, insurers prevented an estimated 684,800 fraudulent insurance applications, a 7.4% increase from 2023. Application fraud is when important information is purposefully misrepresented or hidden for financial gain when a policy is being incepted. Detected and exposed fraud-related cases Ghost broking: Fathers Day in court. A father and son were sentenced for operating a fraudulent car insurance scheme. This involved selling fake policies using forged documents and leaving victims uninsured. The scheme generated over 61,000, with part of the proceeds shared between them. A third family member attempted to obstruct the investigation by removing evidence. All three admitted guilt and received various sentences. Home Insurance: Deja Vu. A man was sentenced to 20 months in prison for eight counts of fraud by false representation, involving multiple fake home insurance claims. This is the second time he has committed similar offences over an eight-year period. He pocketed nearly 12,000 in payouts, using multiple different identities. Watch out: Times up for these fraudsters. High-value watches linked to theft or insurance fraud were being smuggled overseas to be resold. In response, the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department [IFED] led a two-day operation at Heathrow Airport, checking watches against a global stolen watch database and advising passengers on how to avoid buying fraudulent items. The initiative aimed to disrupt luxury watch fraud and protect unsuspecting buyers. Mark Allen, Head of Fraud and Financial Crime at the ABI, said: Its reassuring to see the industry making continued progress in tackling fraud, but with insurers continuing to detect over 1 billion worth bogus claims, the fight must continue and there will be no let-up in insurers pursuit of fraudsters. Fraud doesnt just harm its victims. It drives up premiums for everyone and causes grave emotional distress. Thats why cracking down on bogus claims and applications remains a top priority, but fraud cant be tackled in isolation. It needs a collaborative approach alongside those in other sectors. A lot of fraud occurs on social media, and its vital that technology companies and social media platforms work with us and play their part in prevention and detection. As we mark Fraud Awareness Week, we continue to spotlight the growing threat of fraud and the importance of safeguarding. Fraudsters are increasingly taking more sophisticated, agile approaches, aided by AI. This week serves a reminder that awareness is the first line of defence. For consumers, staying alert and being informed can make all the difference. Nik Jethwa, Detective Chief Inspector at the City of London Polices Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), said: Ghost broking continues to be a serious threat to public safety and trust in the insurance sector. These criminals exploit digital platforms to sell fake policies, leaving victims uninsured and exposed to significant financial and legal consequences. Our officers are actively targeting these offenders through coordinated enforcement, intelligence-led investigations, and close collaboration with industry partners. Recent convictions and proactive operations, such as our work at Heathrow disrupting luxury watch fraud, demonstrate our commitment to tackling organised insurance crime head-on. With fraudulent claims now exceeding 1 billion, our operational focus remains clear: disrupt, deter, and bring offenders to justice. Ursula Jallow, Director at the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), said: "With the ABI reporting a rise in detected fraud, its more important than ever for the insurance industry to stand together in the fight against fraud. Insurance fraud harms society, and the industry recognises its responsibility to protect honest consumers by continually strengthening its prevention and detection strategies. "Through our new five-year strategy, Connected to Protect, we are working with our members to boldly advance the fight against fraud. The strategy harnesses cutting-edge technology, enriched data and intelligence, and unprecedented collaboration across the sector. We are working closely with the ABI, insurers, law enforcement and other key partners to disrupt fraud and shield the public from scams. If you have any information about insurance fraud, we urge you to report it confidentially to our CheatLine."
Rathbones has underscored its commitment to creating long-term, values-driven wealth through responsible investment at its inaugural Group-wide Responsible Investment Summit in London, delivered by Rathbones Greenbank. In its opening session Head of Rathbones Greenbank David Cox called for urgent investor action on the systemic risks to the planet. As stewards of capital, we have a responsibility that extends far beyond financial returns, he said. The world is at a tipping point - climate, nature, and human rights are all on the line. We urge every investor, adviser, and business leader to join in driving real change. Hosted as COP30 draws to a conclusion in Brazil, Rathbones Responsible Investment Summit convened leading voices from across the investment, charity, and advisory communities to explore the future of responsible investing through provoking conversations, expert collaboration and real-world innovation. Rathbones has long been at the forefront of integrating environmental, social, and governance considerations into investment decisions, launching its first ethical investment options in 1997 and establishing Rathbones Greenbank in 2004. Today, with more than 113 billion in client assets, it adopts a dual mandate: to protect long-term value for clients and positively influence the markets that underpin that value. The Responsible Investment Summit, held at Rathbones London headquarters with support from partners, the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) and Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (CISL), addressed the most pressing issues facing investors today: climate tipping points, nature loss, and human rights in global supply chains; all of which threaten the resilience of markets and the fabric of society. Camilla Stowell, Chief Executive Officer of Wealth at Rathbones, who opened the summit, said: Responsible investment is not an add-on at Rathbones  it is central to our purpose to enable clients to: Invest well. Live Well. Through Rathbones Greenbank, we have championed sustainable investment for over two decades, helping our clients align their capital with their values and the needs of society and the planet; Rathbones Greenbanks strength is testament to the complexities of the issues we face as a planet and the immense focus required to tackle them in fast-moving global markets. David Cox, Head of Rathbones Greenbank, added: At Rathbones Greenbank we work every day at the intersection of long-term capital stewardship and real-world sustainability outcomes. Our responsibility is not only to protect and grow our clients wealth, but to recognise that the systems that underpin prosperity  from stable climates to functioning ecosystems and fair labour practices  are under strain. What we invest in, how we engage, and the expectations we set all have consequences beyond financial returns. Our stewardship, collaborative engagement, and research-driven principles reflect our leadership and accountability in responsible investment and I am pleased to convene a wealth of experts and insights in London today to interrogate issues that shape both investment portfolios and the world around us. The Responsible Investment summit brought together a diverse range of voices from across the investment, charity, and advisory sectors. The agenda included sessions featuring insights from leading experts on climate science, human rights, and sustainable finance, as well as a keynote from James Alexander, Chief Executive of UKSIF, and fireside session with CEO of CISL, Lindsay Hooper.
Christopher Parker faces life in prison after a Blount County jury convicted him the rape and sexual abuse of a girl under the age of 12. (Blount County Jail)

An Oneonta man has been convicted in the sexual abuse of a young girl in Blount County.

The jury on Wednesday found 38-year-old Christopher Don Parker guilty of first-degree rape and sex abuse of a child under the age of 12, said District Attorney Pamela Casey.

Parkers trial began Monday. The jury delivered the verdict after about four hours of deliberation.

Parker was arrested in June 2022 when authorities received a report that Parker had sexually abused two children under the age of 12 at a residence located on County Highway 42 in Blount County.

Evidence at trial showed that Parker often visited the family at their home.

Parker would often smoke marijuana and methamphetamine with the parents, Casey said. On at least three of these occasions, Parker spent the night at the residence, which is how he gained access to the children.

Parker attacked one victim as she lay sleeping on an air mattress, she said. The young girl reported the attack to her grandfather who had custody of her at the time.

Casey praised the work of lead investigator Sgt. Ed Hull of the Blount County Sheriffs Office.

These cases are always difficult, Casey said. It is hard and often heartbreaking to listen to the evidence in these cases.

This can be even more difficult, she said, when jurors are having to consider the testimony of children who do not have the life experience and/or vocabulary to describe the vile and disgusting things that happen to them.

Parker faces a sentence of life in prison or a term not less than 99 years under Alabamas Habitual Felony Offender. He has two prior felony convictions for burglary and theft.

Following the verdict, Parker was booked into the Blount County Jail to await sentencing on Jan. 20.
You cant say Alabama didnt show up for the Country Music Associations annual awards show: Three artists from the state delivered memorable performances and took home honors.

The party started early for Ella Langley and Riley Green: In early awards announced Wednesday morning, Green and Langley won Music Video of the Year for their blockbuster duet You Look Like You Love Me. They were nominated in the Musical Event of the Year category for another duet, Greens Dont Mind If I Do, but lost out to Post Malones team-up with Blake Shelton on Pour Me a Drink.

Host Laney Wilson launched the show by working the room with a medley that included You Look Like You Love Me, an opportunity for Langley to get up and shimmy with her. (Later in the segment, when Wilson sang Little Big Towns Girl Crush, that quartet turned out to be ready to do more than dance: They just happened to be sitting at the ready, equipped with mics and in-ear monitors.)

The interplay set a fun tone for the night. Later on, Green got a shout-out from comedian Leanne Morgan, who wondered if he might be available to cut her out of her tight-fitting stage clothes after her appearance; Steve Martin blatantly plugged his new album with Alison Brown and assured fans it was available at your local record store; and Wilson tapped Reacher star Alan Ritchson as cowboy of the night.

But before any of that happened, Green and Langley took Single of the Year for You Look Like You Love Me. Langley, whos from Hope Hull, said she was a little confused and excited at the same time by the early call-up.

I wasnt expecting to get up here so early tonight, she said. I feel like this is a song that just keeps on giving, because the fans keep on listening to it.

Green, whos from Jacksonville, said it was great to be a part of a song with another Alabama artist and praised Langley for how she handles herself and how shes making country music really country.

Langley lost out on New Artist of the Year to Zach Top, but she and Green won again as You Look Like You Love Me was named Song of the Year. Langley joked that shed thought Top had this one in the bag too, thanked co-writer Aaron Raitiere and talked a little about the songs impact.

These songs change our lives, she said. I dont think people know how really true that is, but they really do. They change our lives, theyve changed my life, my familys life, and Im so grateful to be up here tonight.

How cool is it that a song with talking verses wins song of the year? said Green. Thats country music. Ella Langley, everybody, lets hear it.

The Red Clay Strays, a group formed in the Mobile area, delivered a blistering performance of People Hatin. Though this wasnt addressed during the performance, the song is a call for civility that the band released as a single after the public murder of Charlie Kirk.

A few minutes later, the band took home the win for Vocal Group of the Year, beating out some heavy competition including acts that had won the award multiple times.

Thank you, Jesus, said vocalist Brandon Coleman. Thats awesome. Never ever would have dreamed of winning anything like this. Thats pretty incredible. We didnt even know how to set up music equipment when we started doing this.

Coleman thanked the bands significant others, its road crew and its label, and encouraged dreamers to Always believe you can do it, just work hard and trust God. Drummer John Hall added a poignant note: My little brother Jacob took his own life in 2020. He should be up here with us, but hes not. So got bless him, this is for Jacob.

A year earlier, the Strays had been nominated in the same category. How big a deal was it that this roots-rock group finally landed its first CMA Award? For the answer, one need look no further than WhiskeyRiff.com, a Nashville-oriented news and opinion site. The day before the show, the site ran a story under the headline If Old Dominion Beats Red Clay Strays For Vocal Group of the Year Again At The 2025 CMA Awards, Its Time To Cancel The Show.

Writer Quinn Eaton griped that a cringey pop-country band (Old Dominion), a band that just makes the category by default (Little Big Town), a band thats a decade past their prime (Lady A) and a group coasting off their hit cover song on a Pixar soundtrack (Rascal Flatts) are in the same category as a band that has put out back-to-back musical masterpieces, referring to the Strays most recent studio albums.

Eaton further said the band members have come together to create something thats entirely new, fresh and unique in the country music sphere. They are by far the best vocal group in the genre right now, and their meteoric rise in the past couple of years only supports that. The Red Clay Strays have got the catalogue, the fanbase, the stage presence, and to be frank, the aura, to be one of the best bands in all of music for years to come.

Time, and future award shows, will tell. This one featured additional showcases for Langley and Green. She appeared in an ad for Chase Sapphire Reserve and led a Chevrolet-sponsored segment honoring military heroes. He performed Worst Way and she took the stage for Choosin Texas.

One particularly big nomination was still hanging out there. But it was Wilson herself, not Langley, who was honored as Female Vocalist of the Year. Wilson went on to win Entertainer of the Year as well.

Other top winners:

Male Vocalist of the Year: Cody Johnson

Album of the Year: Lainey Wilson for Whirlwind

Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn

Musician of the Year: Steel guitarist Paul Franklin

The awards show was broadcast live on ABC and will be available for streaming on Hulu starting Thursday.
Members of Alabamas Congressional delegation lead the House of Representatives in a moment of silence for Tuskegee Airman Lt. Colonel George Hardy. U.S. House Clerk Live Feed

Alabamas Congressional delegation held a moment of silence Wednesday to honor the life of Lt. Col. George E. Hardy, the last surviving combat pilot of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Hardy died on September 25 at the age of 100 and was a veteran of three wars and 136 combat mission. He was the youngest Red Tail fighter pilot to fly his first solo combat mission over Europe as a Tuskegee Airman, which he did at 19.

Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, led the Alabama delegation in a moment of silence which included Representatives Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholdt, Dale Strong, Gary Palmer, Terri Sewell and Senator Katie Britt.

Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy, a veteran of Vietnam, Korea and World War Two, passed away, Figures said. And this is not a name most of us know in isolation, but we all know the story of the black men who were trained as pilots on airfields in the backwoods of Macon County, Alabama, who will go on to become what the world knows today as the Tuskegee Airmen.

As a young man now that has the privilege to represent Tuskegee. It is my honor, and it is my obligation, my duty, to stand on this house floor and acknowledge the life, the legacy of Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy and the Tuskegee Airmen and all of those who have served this nation.

Hardy and the other Black aviators of the Tuskegee Airmen were influential in desegregating the military after World War II.

Hardy also received several awards for his service during his time in the military including Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, a Commendation Medal and a Congressional Gold Medal.

Figures introduced a bill last week to name the Tuskegee Post Office at 401 North Elm Street to the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office.

Palmer also spoke and mentioned the importance of honoring the Tuskegee Airmen and named many of their accolades including 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Bronze Stars, 744 Air Medals, at least 60 Purple Hearts and one Silver Star.

Colonel Davis went on to become the first African American brigadier general in the United States Air Force, Palmer said. It is totally appropriate that we recognize the incredible accomplishments with all the opposition that they faced, that the Tuskegee Airmen achieved in defense of our liberty.
A woman was killed in an overnight hit-and-run on a Birmingham interstate.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Keiteria Almanique Anderson. She was 37 and lived in Birmingham.

The wreck happened at 12:05 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 59/20 near the Arkadelphia Road exit.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Anderson was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:35 a.m.

The driver who struck Anderson fled the scene.

Birmingham police are leading the investigation.
The Fairhope Public Library in Fairhope Ala., Monday, May 19, 2025. (Will McLelland | WMcLelland@al.com) Will McLelland

A two-year battle over book placement at the Fairhope Public Library is expected to flare again Thursday as the librarys compliance with a state rule comes before the Alabama Public Library Services board.

Tens of thousands of dollars in state funding for the library hang in the balance.

The board will meet today at 1 p.m. in Montgomery to consider Fairhopes compliant/non-compliant status under its administrative code, though the exact scope of discussion remains unclear.

After months of controversy, the meeting is likely to spark intense debate.

Well either take a vote on whether their current selection complies with the state code or table it to take it up during the next meeting, said John Wahl, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and chair of the APLS board.

I think the bottom line is who should control the content that children are exposed to, Wahl added. This is not about whether (the books) have literary value. Its about children being exposed to sexually explicit material. We want parents in the drivers seat. Fairhope has made it clear they want to make a decision for parents. If they continue on that track, they will lose.

Book Challenges

The conflict stems from a 2024 APLS administrative code requiring any book in childrens or teen sections with inappropriate content to be moved to adult sections. Since 2023, 37 formal book placement challenges have been filed in Fairhope, and 14 titles have been moved from youth or teen sections.

APLS defines sexually explicit as any content that depicts or describes sexual conduct, including sexual intercourse, nudity, bestiality, masturbation, sadistic or masochistic abuse or lascivious exhibition.

Librarians statewide say the definition is overly broad and forces the relocation of books with educational value. Read Freely Alabama, a group opposing the policy, has criticized the effort as censorship led by subjective determinations of what constitutes sexually explicit content by right-wing activists.

Its a slap in the face to the taxpayers of Fairhope, said Elizabeth Williams, Baldwin County representative for the group. The money was appropriated for our library by the legislature. The library is in full compliance with the APLS policies. This board has gone rogue, and they have no authority to withhold funding.

Funding Risk

Alabama Republican Chairman John Wahl speaks to a reporter inside the spin room following the fourth Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in the Frank Moody Music Hall at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

The controversy has already cost Fairhope about $20,000 in state funding earlier this year. Private donors replaced the money, but about $44,000 for fiscal 2026 remains at risk. The APLS board described its March decision as a temporary pause to Fairhopes funding until it complied with the code.

The money was then permanently redistributed to libraries throughout Baldwin County after June 30, which was the end of fiscal year 2025, Wahl said.

Because of the state code dealing with how government (funding) distribution works, there is no way to retrieve funding before June 30 for fiscal year 2025, Wahl said. They could restore funding for the 2026 fiscal year, but they have until June 30, 2026, to comply.

Wahl said board members have reviewed books Fairhope allowed to remain in youth sections, and several books remain concerns.

Its the content that is concerning to me not so much with the content of the entire book, he said. Its very explicit topics that are brought up in the storyline itself. I understand that these books might have literary value and I respect the authors and the stories they are telling. But at the same time, I feel the subjects are best left on whether a child is exposed to explicit content.

The review remains ongoing, and the board could delay a decision.

APLS board member Amy Minton, who is running for the Alabama Senate in next years elections, said the book Doing It: Lets Talk About Sex violates the states sexually explicit definition. Fairhope reviewed the book but kept it in the teen nonfiction section.

Fairhope library officials say the book does not contain material intended to arouse prurient interests, the legal measure for determining whether something is sexually explicit or obscene. Read Freely Alabama says Doing It is kept in teen sections in most Alabama libraries.

Political and Community Tensions

An overflow crowd at Fairhope City Hall sits in an adjacent auditorium to watch the council meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2026, in Fairhope, Ala. The subject of concern revolved around the Fairhope Library and the placement of books. John Sharp

The library debate dominated Fairhopes recent municipal elections and took center stage at an August forum hosted by the Fairhope Faith Collective, led by Rebecca Watson, a local resident formerly affiliated with Moms for Liberty. She has been a prominent voice pushing complaints to APLS.

Four of five candidates who were labeled as a slate supportive of APLS efforts lost in the August election.

Fairhope City Councilman Jack Burrell speaks during a candidates forum held on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at First Fairhope Baptist Church in Fairhope, Ala. Seated next to him is Troy Vickers, his opponent in the City Council Place 1 race during the Aug. 26, 2025, municipal election. John Sharp

I think the majority of people in Fairhope support our library and support our librarys decisions, said Fairhope City Council President Jack Burrell. I think the election bore that out.

Wahl, however, said the issue is not driven by a small activist group. He said APLS has received dozens if not hundreds of complaints from Fairhope.

Parents are concerned about the content, he said.

Concerns Over Transparency

Fairhope council candidate Andrea Faust Booth speaks during a candidates forum held on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at First Fairhope Baptist Church in Fairhope, Ala. Booth faces George Ferniany in the Place 5 contest during the Aug. 26, 2025, municipal election. John Sharp

Fairhope officials have criticized APLS for not notifying the city about funding decisions. City leaders say they received no notification before Fairhopes library funds were redistributed after the end of the last fiscal year.

They did not contact the Fairhope library to tell us they would distribute (the fiscal year 2025 funding) among other libraries, said Councilwoman Andrea Faust Booth, the councils new liaison to the library. They did not send information about that. Our library was unaware.

Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan also said she was unaware of the latest situation. Fairhope leaders say the March decision also came without any prior discussion with the city.

We are not ever made aware of any of this, Burrell said. We find out about it when the general public knows about it. We will comply with their decisions, but Ive also complained in the past that we have not been given a due process. If youre making an accusation, you need to do more than take someones word for it from a group of people we know have a bias.

Wahl said Fairhope is misrepresenting the APLS boards communication and said he told Fairhope representatives at the September meeting that the issue would likely resurface in November.

Thursdays APLS meeting comes just hours before the Fairhope City Council meets. The council meeting was rescheduled from Monday due to Thanksgiving week.

Hours later, Fairhope will host its annual Lighting of the Trees, among the more popular annual holiday traditions in Baldwin County that draws thousands to the city.

Internal Conflict

The Fairhope issue is also contributing to tension within the APLS board itself. One member, Ron Snider, is facing calls to resign from Clean Up Alabama, a group pushing for book reconsiderations statewide, because his residence shifted from the 1st to the 2nd Congressional District after court-ordered redistricting in 2023.

The board includes seven members, one from each congressional district, serving five-year terms.

Clean Up Alabama is challenging Snider to provide a specific reference to the state code that provides a residency exception to redistricting. They are citing state law that says eligibility is based on living in the congressional district which he or she represents.

Snider, whose term ends next October, said state law allows him to continue serving despite the boundary change.

If a member is appointed to a congressional district which is then changed as a result of redistricting, the member continues to serve until his (or her) term expires, Snider said.

He said another board member, Angelia Stokes, is in the same situation.

Wahl called the residency question a legal issue but said he was disappointed Snider did not inform the board about his new district.

Snider said he opposes the boards involvement in local library book decisions.

The decisions should be made by trained local librarians and local boards in terms of what is appropriate, he said. We do not need to be the board of censorship of Alabama.

He said the boards actions could set a statewide precedent.

Where does this stop? he said. We have 226 libraries in this state. If we get someone in whatever town you want, making a complaint about books, what are we going to do? Are we going to start monitoring what local decisions are made?
The Frosty Inn Drive-In in Russellville still features the iconic barrel on the roof and its old-fashioned sign. Birmingham News

Popular Russellville burger and shake joint The Frosty Inn is being sold, according to a Wednesday Facebook post from owner Pam Hester.

After over a decade of running the business, which has been serving the area since 1960, Hester said she and her husband Ty are looking to slow down.

To our friends and customers, we have decided to put our beloved Frosty Inn on the market, she wrote.

After much thought we have decided to try and find a slower pace...We appreciate the support from our loyal customers...Frosty Inn is a very special place and we hope to see it operate for many more years!

The 1,965 sq. ft. property, located at 12805 Highway 43, is currently listed on multiple real estate sites for $695,000.

Heres your chance to own a piece of History - the iconic Frosty Inn, the listing reads.

Well established business since 1960. Generations of families have fond memories in this historic establishment. This business comes with land, buildings, equipment, established customer base, and a GREAT location seen by hundreds every day. Dont miss out on an opportunity to carry on a tradition!

Hester assured customers that the restaurant would stay open during the selling process.

We will continue to serve you as we navigate through this journey, she wrote.

The Frosty Inn has been an institution in Russellville for decades, after native Homer Grissom visited a Frosty Inn root beer and burger shop on a family vacation to Florida and decided he wanted to open one just like it in his hometown.

Since Homer already had a service station to look after and his wife, Polly, was working as a teller at the bank, he needed his brother Raymond and Raymonds wife Betty to run the place.

And the couple did for 42 years before the Hesters took over in 2012.

Its still very much a tradition here, lifelong Russellville resident Wally Pickett told AL.com in 2023.

Ive been here forever, and I hope Im still going to the Frosty Inn years from now.

Dozens of commentors visited Hesters Facebook page this week to congratulate her and Ty on their retirement while mourning the possible loss of The Frosty Inn.

You have earned the slower pace, but I will miss yall all the same, one man wrote.

Im excited for yall but I sure will miss you at the Frosty, said another woman.

I hope someone will buy it that wants to continue it as the Frosty Inn!
Bruce Lanier Austin is charged with capital murder in the Nov. 16, 2022, shooting death of 14-year-old Moriah Quib-Marquez. The girl's mother was critically injured.

A Birmingham man has been convicted of killing a 14-year-old girl on her way to school and permanently disabling her mother who was also injured in the shooting.

A Jefferson County jury on Thursday convicted 40-year-old Bruce Lanier Austin of capital murder in the slaying of Moriah Quib-Marquez, a seventh grader who excelled as a student and an athlete at Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School.

Austin was also found guilty of discharging a firearm into a vehicle and attempted murder in the wounding of Moriahs mother, Rosa.

Austin, who maintained his innocence and took the stand in his own defense, turned down a plea agreement prior to trial that would have given him a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

Following the conviction, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Kandice Pickett sentenced Austin to life without parole.

The case was prosecuted by Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr and Deputy District Attorneys Shawn Allen and Jaquan Norwood.

This was a senseless killing of an innocent 14-year-old girl just going to school, Carr said following the verdict. This act of violence changed the life of the mother who suffered traumatic brain injury.

Its ridiculous, Carr said. Im grateful for the jury and we appreciate their time and attention in this important matter.

The deadly shooting happened at 8:07 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at 80th Street and Fifth Avenue North.

Officers were dispatched to the area after receiving multiple Shot Spotter alerts.When they arrived, they found the Quib familys SUV had crashed into a utility pole.

Rosa was rushed to UAB Hospital after a rifle round entered the right side of her head. The round, which first traveled through Moriahs head, remains lodged in the left side of Rosas skull.

Her husband, Ruben Quib, testified through tears during the trial that his wifes traumatic brain injury left her with the mind of a 2 or 3-year-old.

A 14-year-old girl was killed and her mother critically injured in a shooting Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at 80th Street and Fifth Avenue North. (Carol Robinson)

On the morning of the shooting, Moriah was in the passengers seat of a red GMC Yukon with her mother, Rosa, driving.

Moriahs younger siblings, her aunt, Marta Quib, and a 5-year-old family friend were in the back seat.

As they made a turn at a stop sign, the first gunshot rang out.

That bullet ripped through Moriahs head, pieces of that bullet continued on through her head and struck Rosa in the head, Allen said in opening statements.

Moriah died instantly. Rosa was incapacitated and the vehicle then crashed.

Rosas sister-in-law, Marta, and the three kids were still in the back seat. They got on the floorboard and braced for the worst.

She was sure they were next, Allen said.

Testimony showed that after firing the initial shot that hit Moriah and Rosa, Austin jogged slowly down the street. He fired 17 more shots, and then three more.

When the shooting stopped, Austin got into a car driven by his girlfriend. He had called her to come pick him up.

They drove to the girlfriends house nearby, and then Austin left in her vehicle.

Seven hours later, about 3 p.m., police stopped Austin and took him into custody.

Investigators recovered nearly a dozen spent 7.62 shell casings. Gun experts quickly determined that all of the spent casings had been fired from the same gun.

A search of Austins girlfriends car, the prosecutor said, turned up a 7.62 rifle round that had not been fired.

Forensic investigators matched that unfired bullet to the same rifle.

Austin contended that several men were after him that morning, and that he even called 911 before the shooting to report to police that he was being hunted.

Austin said he was not the one who fired the shots that morning.

Its sad from the standpoint that a childs life was lost, Anthony said. Its sad from the standpoint that the mother (is disabled) and its sad that he has to spend life without in jail.
The new Alabama Veterans Resource Center is in a renovated building on the corner of Dexter Avenue and Perry Street in Montgomery. Mike Cason/AL.com

Alabama veterans will soon have a new place to learn about federal, state, and private services available to them and to help them connect with other veterans.

The Alabama Veterans Resource Center is expected to open in a renovated building on Dexter Avenue in Montgomery in January.

The Legislature passed a bill in February to establish the center, which will be a public corporation run by an 11-member board.

The board met Wednesday and heard an update from Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed, who is secretary of the centers board.

The Legislature said we want there to be a single place that will house digitally all the options that are available to a veteran, Reed said.

And once that veteran has a profile, were going to let them know everything that they qualify for.

The long-term plan calls for other locations around the state in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Workforce and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.

The way the Legislature envisioned this is that you would have a centralized location, of which Montgomery was what the board felt like was best, Reed said.

And then kind of a wheel and spoke approach where you could have, as time goes on, further locations, either in collaboration with the Department of Workforce, collaboration with Veterans affairs, or just stand-alone locations that this board would support.

ADVA Commissioner Jeffrey Newton said Alabama has many private, not-for-profit organizations that can help veterans if they know about them.

This will hopefully start bringing them together as one, so we all know what resources are out there to help veterans, Newton said.

This is just one way to do it. Thats one of the goals we have for the resource center, is to bring all these resources together so we know whats available to our veterans.

The ADVA will help provide staff for the center.

The center is working in collaboration with a private foundation that will help raise funds to hire an executive director and staff and contract with a company that will provide an online platform so veterans can take advantage of the centers services.

Reed said the board received 39 applications for executive director. A selection committee ranked the applicants and narrowed the field to six who were interviewed.

Reed said one applicant has been picked and their name will be submitted to the foundation. The name was not disclosed at Tuesdays meeting.

A committee of the board recommended contracting with the online platform Unite Us, which provides services for veterans in Georgia.

Reed said he expects to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the center after the legislative session begins. The session starts Jan. 13.
This is a guest opinion column

Growing up on a farm taught me one lesson early: strong roots matter. A farm without deep roots in its land, in its soil, in its community seldom thrives. Likewise, our rural economy depends on financial institutions that are deeply rooted in their community, serving not just customers, but neighbors, farms, and small-town businesses.

That is why I am sounding the alarm about a loophole in the new federal law known as the GENIUS Act. The law was meant to bring some order and clarity to the fast-moving world of digital payments, but a gap in the language could end up hurting the backbone of rural communities  our local community banks.

The GENIUS Act places important new rules on issuers of stablecoins including barring them directly from paying interest to consumers on those stablecoins. But the catchand this is the danger for small banks and rural borrowersis that the law does not clearly prohibit third-party intermediaries, such as crypto exchanges, from offering reward-type incentives to consumers who move their funds from community banks onto crypto platforms.

In plain terms: A crypto platform partners with a stablecoin issuer and can pay rewards or yield-like payments to customers. This creates a huge competitive advantage compared to a community bank deposit. It encourages customers to pull their deposits out of local banks and park them into unregulated platforms offering higher returns. But unlike traditional banks, crypto operates without clear guardrails and deposits held in these crypto platforms are not protected by FDIC insurance. This means your investment could disappear if something goes wrong.

If community banks lose deposits, they may reduce lending, cut back on services, or in worst cases fail. Community banks stand to be hit the hardest if deposits start outflowing and they do most of the farm lending in rural America. That means if the loophole is not closed, we will see fewer loans for farmers, fewer expansion opportunities for rural entrepreneurs, fewer jobs, and overall slower growth. A recent study even found that if deposits leave banks for stablecoins, an estimated $62 billion less would be available in farm lending.

Community banks are not simply another financial institution. They are deeply embedded in their communities. They know the farmers, the feed store owners, the equipment dealers, the Main Street grocer, and coffee shop. For rural businesses and agribusinesses, where margins are tight, seasonal cash flows matter, and timely credit access is critical, the consequences can be serious. Once deposits leave our banks, they do not just come back overnight. Once a local banks ability to lend shrinks, it can take years to rebuild that trust and lending strength.

Congress must move quickly to close this loophole. I encourage Senator Katie Britt and her colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee to take action before irreversible harm is done to our local economy. Protect farms, small businesses, and families in rural Alabama.

Rick Pate is Alabama State Agriculture Commissioner
Social media has been running wild recently about the possibility of snow in Alabama around Thanksgiving time.

Unfortunately, its all speculation, and there are no real facts to go on at this point.

Snow is always a big talking point in Alabama and generates a ton of interest -- and attention to forecast models that suggest fantasy-land accumulation forecasts.

And there have been plenty of those making the rounds in the past few days.

But there is no mention of snow in the National Weather Services forecast for Alabama, at least in the next seven days.

And beyond that is nothing but speculation.

Meteorologists in Alabama took note of the wild snow theories that have been bouncing around the internet in the past few days.

I am embarrassed so many professional meteorologists have sold their souls, James Spann posted. Do ethics even matter to them?

What a great post. Steve gets it right; I am embarrassed by so many professional meteorologists who have sold their souls. Do ethics even matter to them? The public is getting fed up with the nonsense.https://t.co/btc3yl2KeD  James Spann (@spann) November 20, 2025

My goodness, the number of social posts with large cartoon-like text showing rainbow colors 10+ days out is crazy.  Danielle Dozier News 19 (@DanielleDozier) November 20, 2025

The weather service is monitoring the possibility of much colder weather returning to Alabama after Thanksgiving Day (which is next Thursday).

But there is no reliable forecast that shows snow for the state -- at least right now.

Anyone who has been in Alabama through just one winter knows how difficult it is to forecast snow just a day or two out, much less seven or more days.

Thats because in Alabama its all about the timing. For most snow events in the state its a delicate dance between when rain moves out and when colder air moves in, and a difference of one or two degrees can make all the difference.

Rarer are Alabama snow events when cold air is already in place and a weather system moves over the Gulf or along the Gulf Coast. Those tend to generate more reliable snow forecasts.

But its always a big if, even when conditions seem just right.

Thats not to say it wont snow ever. There will be chances this winter for sure. But the one thing to count on is that there will rarely be a guarantee -- much less one far in advance.

One thing meteorologists do watch closely is trends, and the trends are pointing to sharply colder weather going into the first part of December.

The eight- to 14-day temperature outlook from NOAAs Climate Prediction Center shows an increased probability for below-average temperatures for Alabama from Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27) through Dec. 3 (see that forecast at the top of this post).

The precipitation outlook suggests near-normal precipitation during that same timeframe:

All of Alabama is expected to have near-normal rainfall from Nov. 27-Dec. 3. Climate Prediction Center

So, never say never, but dont go buying that sled just yet.

The weather service will have a better idea about how cold it will get and if there could be any chance of snow in the coming days.

Until then, take the snow speculation for what it is -- wishful thinking.
Gen. Stephen Whiting, right, commander of U.S. Space Command, met with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle last week to discuss his headquarters' move to the Rocket City. U.S. Space Command

Colorados attorney general may be challenging U.S. Space Commands move to Huntsville in court, but that is not stopping its commanding general from speaking at a Huntsville-Madison County Chamber event next month.

Commander of U.S. Space Command General Stephen Whiting will be the keynote speaker at the Chambers annual Redstone Arsenal update on Dec. 10 at the Von Braun Center. Whiting will speak at the luncheon at the Saturday Ballroom, which starts at noon.

Officials from other commands and agencies stationed at the Arsenal will participate in briefings from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at VBC East Hall 3.

Whiting has been in Huntsville to discuss the headquarters transition to the Arsenal since President Donald Trump announced the move from its temporary headquarters in Colorado Springs in September. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said after his annual State of the City address last week that he did not think the lawsuit will cause a delay in the move.

The transition has gone very well, the mayor told AL.com. Weve sat down with General Whiting and had a great conversation about where he was going to go, and what he thought would happen in the future. Were now putting in the temporary space. After the temporary space, were going to start building on the permanent home for Space Command. Weve already got 66 acres set aside at Redstone Arsenal. I think we have all of the planning in place that is necessary. Were ready for the future.

In a roundtable at the Chamber following the presidents announcement, Martin Traylor, deputy to the garrison commander, said Space Command headquarters could be up and running at the Arsenal before Trump leaves office. He said it would take five to seven years to build the permanent facility.

The move is expected to bring about 1,400 to 1,700 direct jobs to Huntsville and create another 3,000 spinoff jobs.
Rep. Barry Moore, left, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas during a House Judiciary Committee Field Hearing, Monday, April 17, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, file) AP

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, mentioned the possibility of the National Guard being deployed in Alabama during a hearing Wednesday.

In a hearing on the topic of Restoring Law and Order in High-Crime Cities, Moore asked witnesses if cities that have had National Guard deployments have seen improvement enough that would warrant the National Guard coming to Alabama.

President Donald Trumps administration has deployed the National Guard to several American cities including Washington D.C., Chicago, Portland and several more.

Weve seen crime rise in Democrat-ran cities, including in my home state of Alabama, in the two largest Democrat-ran cities, that would be Birmingham and Montgomery, Moore said.

Senator [Tommy] Tuberville has noted that he would be supportive of the National Guard coming in to help local police departments in Alabama with rising crime.

Tuberville previously said in August that if he was governor he would be in favor of deploying the National Guard to Birmingham and Montgomery to fight rampant crime.

While Montgomery and Birmingham have some of the highest rates of violent crime in Alabama, both saw drops in crime over the first half of 2025.

Rafael Mangual, a senior policing fellow with conservative think tank the Manhattan Institute, told Moore that evidence suggests that while the National Guard presence has been a deterrent in cities that effect is limited.

Mangual suggested that additional federal resources should be allocated to targeting gang and gun prosecutions.

According to NPR, criminologist and experts have also warned that a prolonged National Guard presence may only artificially reduce crime and lead to other problems like community distrust of a militarized force.

Moore is running in the Republican primary for the Senate seat Tuberville now holds. Tuberville is foregoing a run for re-election to run for governor.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, Rodney Walker, a cattle farmer and businessman, and Morgan Murphy, a former Tuberville staffer, are also running in the GOP Senate primary.
Members of the Central Alabama Water, formerly the Birmingham Water Works Board, gather during a regular meeting Aug. 18, 2025. Roy S. Johnson/AL.com

Birminghams regional water system has a new leader following a vote to hire the sole candidate who had been rumored as the favorite since the secretive search process began.

Central Alabama Water today held a special meeting to hire Jeffrey Thompson as CEO on a 4, 2, 1, vote. Most of the non-Birmingham members voted yes, while the two Birmingham-appointed members objected. Board member Phillip Wiedmeyer of Jefferson County abstained by voting present rather than declaring yes or no.

Thompson, who is also an engineer, was given a contract of five years that pays him $446,000 a year. Thats a far cry from the salary of $750,000 previously recommended by a search firm and the $650,000 salary in the proposed budget.

The agreement begins with two years with an automatic renewal for three additional years.

Thompson for months had been viewed as the frontrunner, although there had been no official meetings or committee meetings throughout the process.

The meeting, while short, was filled with tension as members Jarvis Patton and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson railed against the lack of information and transparency in the process.

Jeffrey Thompson Contributed

This is outrageous, Tyson said, noting that the only resume presented to the board was Thompsons.

Patton also sought to slow the process, calling it wrapped in secrecy.

Secrecy in the process was a source of conflict within the board, where just three of the seven members served on the search committee. Multiple requests by AL.com for details, including a list of candidates, were ignored by the utility.

There needs to be a clear explanation of what has transpired to this point, Patton said.

Patton pressed for an executive session but was turned down.

Patton asked the chairman Tommy Hudson if he was aware that a separation agreement between Thompson and the former Birmingham Water Works explicitly states that he would not return to the agency.

Thompson acknowledges and understands that he is releasing all legal rights and claims... and shall not be eligible for re-employment, the document reads.

The document was signed by Thompson in April 2023.

I hope everybody completely understands whats going on here, Patton said. I think you need to sit and listen in executive session before you move forward.

Hudson did not address Pattons concerns.

Board member Jeffrey Brumlow moved to end debate while Tyson and Patton pressed for more discussion. Brumlow, after the meeting, praised Thompsons credentials.

His background in water is stellar, Brumlow said later. This is who the chairman wanted to put forward.

Board chairman Hudson in July formed a three-member search committee, naming himself, Phillip Wiedmeyer, and state Rep. David Standridge to vet candidates for the newly created CEO position.

The process and the secrecy surrounding the CEO search has spawned accusations of political favoritism and exclusion.

Wiedmeyer broke with his Republican majority and abstained on the critical vote. Wiedmeyer had seconded a motion by Tyson to interview former Jefferson County Manager Tony Petelos for the position and delay todays vote.

Petelos had previously expressed interest in applying but was snubbed by the outside recruiting firm hired by the board. Petelos told AL.com that he was told early on that the water board leaders already had a candidate in mind.

Tysons motion failed.

Wiedmeyer then abstained, saying later that he was uncomfortable with how the process transpired. He declined to elaborate.

Thompson previously worked for the utility and served as assistant general manager of operations and technical operations from late 2019 till May 2023.

He then went to DC Water as the authoritys new chief operating officer and executive vice president, where he served from May 2023 to August 2025.

The new CEO earns the same as Central Alabama Water General Manager Mac Underwood, whose employment contract is valid through Dec. 31, 2030 - $446,000.

Underwood currently manages daily operations.

Board chairman Hudson previously told AL.com that the CEO would not replace Underwoods position. But vice-chairman Wiedmeyer later said all employment decisions would be up to the new CEO.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has also criticized the selection process and has compared it to a political backroom deal.

On Wednesday, he sent a list of questions to the board regarding Thompson, his previous work at the utility and the details regarding the CEO selection.

If they refuse to answer these questions, then shame on their intentional lack of transparency and refusing to be held accountable, Woodfin wrote on his Facebook page. This behavior is no different than the behavior you talked about to justify a hostile takeover. Shameful. Repugnant.
A man sits near a television at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on Sept. 12, 2025, showing the news with file images of South Korean detainees standing against a bus during a raid by U.S. federal agents at a Hyundai-LG plant in Ellabell, Georgia. (Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) TNS

A White House official telephoned Hyundai Motor Co. Chief Executive Jose Munoz to apologize for the September immigration raid at the South Korean companys electric vehicle manufacturing campus near Savannah, Munoz said Wednesday.

Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Munoz said the unnamed official told him he or she was not aware and didnt know about the Georgia raid.

Dubbed Operation Low Voltage, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement action led to the detention and repatriation of 317 South Korean nationals who had been installing machinery at HL-GA Battery adjacent to Hyundais assembly facility.

Those workers, described by battery plant operator LG Energy Solution as subject matter experts, were accused of being in the United States on expired or ineligible visas.

The message from the White House official was President Trump didnt want those workers to go back to Korea, according to Munoz.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked the White House press office to confirm the calls details. A spokesperson pointed to Trumps remarks Wednesday at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., where Trump addressed the ICE raid and said he had not wanted the Korean technicians to leave the country. But Trump made no mention of communications between him or administration officials and Munoz.

We had one case in Georgia, a battery factory. Batteries are very dangerous to make, very complex. They spent a billion dollars to build the factory and they were told to get out, Trump said. I said Stop it. Dont be stupid. And we worked it out.

Trump also Wednesday repeated his call for an embrace of foreign-born, highly skilled workers in situations such as setting up the HL-GA Battery factory.

Those people are going to teach our people how to do it and in a short period of time our people are going to be doing great and those people can go home, Trump said.

Trump made a similar statement a week ago in a Fox News interview. Youre going to need that from South Koreans who have made batteries all their lives, Trump said.

During the Bloomberg event, an annual gathering where business leaders discuss economic transformation in growth markets, Munoz said he also received a postraid telephone call from Gov. Brian Kemp. The governor told Munoz he didnt know about the ICE operation and that it was conducted outside state jurisdiction.

Federal law enforcement did enlist Georgia State Patrol, a state agency, to provide perimeter security near the plant on the day of the raid but did not divulge details of the operation ahead of time, according to the state patrol.

Munoz labeled the raid a bad surprise. But he reiterated Hyundais commitment to the plant in Ellabell, located a half-hours drive from Savannah, and to the South Korean automakers continued manufacturing in the United States.

We are not here for the short term, Munoz said. Weve been here for many years. This is our No. 1 market.

Munoz and other Hyundai officials have made similar statements on several occasions since the September raid. The most recent before Wednesday came just last week, when Hyundai and LG Energy Solution confirmed work had resumed on the battery factory, with some of the South Korean technicians caught up in the ICE raid having returned to Georgia to complete machinery installation.

Slated to open in the first half 2026, the plant will manufacture lithium battery packs for EVs being made next door and is a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution. The factory is one of six affiliated supplier facilities on the Hyundai campus, the largest economic development project in Georgia history.

2025 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) listens to Alabama AG Steve Marshall speak to the media outside of the Criminal Court where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial on May 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Getty Images

The House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to repeal part of a new law that gives senators the ability to sue the federal government for millions of dollars if their personal or office data is accessed without their knowledge.

The 427-0 vote was a bipartisan rebuke after Majority Leader John Thune added the provision to the funding bill that passed earlier this month to end the nations longest government shutdown. The Senate language blindsided House lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle and immediately prompted accusations of self-dealing at the taxpayers expense.

Senators appeared unlikely to go along with the House repeal, with many vocally defending it. Thune added the provision after the recent disclosure that the FBI in 2023 analyzed phone records of as many as 10 senators as part of an investigation into President Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The records enabled investigators to see basic information about the date and time of the calls but not the content of the communications.

Senators were furious about the revelation, and Thune added the provision to the spending bill in the final hours before passage. Thune said Wednesday that the Justice Departments actions under former President Joe Biden were a violation of the separation of powers under the Constitution, and that it is something that needed to be addressed.

Trump has not said whether he would sign the repeal. A senior White House official, who was granted anonymity to describe the presidents thinking, said last week that the president has no objections to the language added by the senators and indicated privately that he does not think its a bad provision. The White House had been fully looped in as senators drafted the bill, the person said.

Upset lawmakers demand repeal

But the addition of the lawsuit provision did not sit well with other lawmakers. House Republicans were threatening to derail the funding bill at the last minute until Speaker Mike Johnson promised a vote to undo it.

Ahead of the repeal vote Wednesday evening, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., said the provision allowing the lawsuits was probably the most self-centered, self-serving piece of language that I have ever seen.

House Democrats were just as angry.

This kind of self-serving, self-dealing, one-sided get rich scheme at the expense of taxpayers is why Americans are so disgusted with this Congress, said Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said that because Thune has not agreed to take up the bill, Wednesdays vote is for show.

Its not serious. Its not designed to get an end result, Jeffries said.

Under the new law, the senators can now sue for up to $500,000 in damages for each instance of data retrieval without their knowledge. The senators involved have argued that the Biden administration, through the investigation by former special counsel Jack Smith, targeted political rivals.

House Republicans have criticized the investigation, known as Arctic Frost, but said elected officials should not benefit financially as a result.

The Senate is unlikely to take up the repeal and pass it without changes without Thunes support. In a Republican conference meeting Wednesday, senators discussed potentially working with the House to expand the provision so it applies to all lawmakers as well as any groups that are targeted by the government. But its unclear exactly how that would work, or if it will happen.

What Republican senators are saying

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the senators targeted and the most vocal supporter of the new law, has said he will use it to sue the Justice Department and Verizon, the phone company that handed over the records. He said after the conference meeting that he was open to expanding the provision to other individuals and groups, but that he is not backing off.

Im going to make this hurt as much as it possibly can so nobody can do it again, Graham said.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has also suggested he would sue after he was targeted, posting on X earlier this month that former special counsel Smith should be DISBARRED and THROWN IN JAIL.

If they arent, I will sue the living hell out of every Biden official involved in this to make sure this NEVER happens to a conservative again, Tuberville wrote.

Other Republican senators who were targeted have said they would not seek damages, including Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty and Florida Sen. Rick Scott.

I have no idea how it got in the spending bill, Scott said of the provision. Its not like I need to make any money off the government.

Scott said he would support the House repeal if it came up for a vote in the Senate, as did Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who was not among those targeted. Mullin says he backs the idea of keeping the government accountable, but doesnt believe the legislation should apply retroactively.

Mullin suggested that senators could work something out with the House as they consider the next package of spending bills.

Keeping the government accountable, and keeping them from overreach, I have no problem with, Mullin said.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he had agreed to the language before the Senate passed the spending package, even though he voted against the overall legislation to end the shutdown.

The bottom line is that Thune wanted the provision, Schumer said, but Democrats agreed to it so they would be protected against similar actions from the Trump administration.

But Id be for repealing all of it, Schumer said. And I hope that happens.

___

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One on his way back to the White House from a weekend trip at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) AP

President Donald Trump on Thursday called for the arrests and deaths of Democratic lawmakers who told the military to refuse illegal orders, calling the legislators traitors.

Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET, the president posted to his Truth Social account Thursday morning.

Trump also reposted an account that said, HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!

The Democrats, all former veterans or intelligence officials, released a video Wednesday reminding current military and intelligence officials that they can refuse illegal orders.

We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens, the lawmakers said.

We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.



The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.



Dont give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025

The Democrats did not reference any specific orders from Trump they believe are illegal.

Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad but from right here at home, they continued.

Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that its a difficult time to be a public servant.

But whether youre serving in the CIA, the Army or Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical and know that we have your back," they said.

We need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution and who we are as Americans. Dont give up the ship.

In a follow-up post, Trump suggested the lawmakers should be killed.

SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! the president posted.
Democrats accused President Donald Trump of threatening the safety of six members of Congress from their party when he suggested Thursday they be killed for telling military members to disobey unlawful orders.

The six Democrats, all military veterans or former intelligence officials -- Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan; and Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania --, said they would not back down after Trumps social media posts accusing them of seditious conspiracy and suggesting they be hanged.

Trump referred to the Democrats as traitors.

Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET, the president posted to his Truth Social account Thursday morning.

The Democrats called for moral clarity.

Whats most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law, the Democrats said in a joint statement.

Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.

Several of their Democratic colleagues expressed their solidarity with the six lawmakers.

A sitting president is literally threatening to hang Members of Congress. The president has incited violence before; we cannot take this lightly, tweeted Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz. I stand with my Democratic colleagues who have been targeted by Trump. This is absolutely appalling.

Added Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J.: For all who condemned political violence in the past, this is one of those moments that clearly crossed the line of acceptability. Regardless of how one feels about the message conveyed by these members of Congress, the President (the Commander in Chief) should never support calls for violence against them.

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, the state represented by two of the lawmakers, said Trumps remarks were ratcheting up the real risk of danger to our elected leaders...

Not only has the President failed in his responsibility to lead this country  he is actively encouraging political violence once again, ratcheting up the real risk of danger to our elected leaders and deepening the divides in our country. The sycophants and enablers the President surrounds himself with are quick to condemn language like this when it suits their political purposes  but in moments like this, they remain silent, Shapiro tweeted. There should be no place for this violent rhetoric from our political leaders, and it shouldnt be hard to say that."
While former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calls for a fight against climate-driven global apocalypse at COP30, Brussels is being forced into political restraint by pressure from the U.S. and Qatar. On the horizon, the end of the EUs grand climate machinations is becoming visible.

November 13, 2025, could mark a turning point in European Union history. We may have witnessed the beginning of the end of European climate socialism. Media coverage of the day in Parliament downplayed its significance, focusing instead on the reform of the supply chain law, while fundamental changes unfolded at a different level.

Politically, the event cannot be overstated; perhaps it should even be called a singularity in recent EU policy: The European Parliament paved the way for a dramatic dilution of corporate reporting obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the so-called due diligence rules (CSDDD). The unstoppable march toward a climate dictatorship has been abruptly halted.

The End of the ESG Machine

Advocates of the ESG doctrine -- under which private industry is forced by lawmakers to integrate party-circulated environmental and social standards into corporate governance -- suffered their first major setback. Reporting and due diligence obligations for companies have been so weakened that previously required climate-aligned transition plans at the corporate level are now eliminated. Responsibility for violations of the remaining rules now rests with national authorities, not Brussels, freeing multinational supply chains from massive oversight. The economy can, to some extent, escape the regulators grip -- good news.

For companies in the fossil energy sector, new market incentives emerge: exports to Europe can be conducted more easily, as regulatory hurdles are lowered and bureaucratic reporting requirements drastically reduced. Overall, the adjustment allows companies greater flexibility in supply chains, reduces the compulsion to invest in renewable or CO2-neutral projects, and makes European markets more attractive to fossil energy exporters.

Reality Check

The EU Commission has recently faced mounting pressure from both Washington and the key LNG supplier, Qatar. U.S. trade secretary Howard Lutnick had months earlier called on U.S. companies to simply ignore Europes ESG framework if it significantly impeded operations -- a direct affront to Ursula von der Leyen, who likes to portray herself as the morally superior, untouchable guardian of EU trade.

Together, these forces launched an offensive to bring Brussels climate defense to its knees, where cognitive dissonance had taken hold and the undeniable drift of geopolitical power was being ignored.

We have clearly entered the era of resource dominance. Europe imports roughly 60% of its required energy. Its irrational war on baseload energy sources such as nuclear and coal has only deepened dependence.

In Brussels and EU branch capitals, the lesson is now unavoidable: being a resource-poor trading partner in negotiations reveals how Europes capital base has been massively weakened by EU policy. Europe has lost its historic dominant position. President Trump, during negotiations with the EU, merely displayed what behind closed doors was already clear to everyone.

Fear Wins in the End

Ultimately, Brussels capitulation to Washington was a logical consequence of this dependence. The post-colonial extraction era -- when France accessed uranium cheaply or Europe leveraged its Middle East dominance -- is definitively over. Resource-rich regions now set the rules. Europe must comply, seek alliances, and become economically more robust if it wants a role in the future. Its path into eco-socialism was an illusion that has now burst. Germanys crisis, its accelerated deindustrialization, is only the beginning -- a snapshot of the global economic realignment.

In the end, political fear of street unrest prevailed. A Europe facing regular blackouts would simply be ungovernable, with chaos in the streets, lawlessness, and near-civil war conditions, reminiscent of recurring riots in French banlieues.

Baerbock Plays Climate Theater

While reality has long arrived in Brussels and officials are forced to make initial concessions, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock -- now UN General Assembly President -- continues to play the unshakable lead role in the disillusioned climate theater.

On Saturday in Belem, Brazil, at COP30, Baerbock performed with maximum emphasis, trying to give legs to a footsore, limp climate club. She proclaimed that the climate crisis is the greatest threat of our time, and that 3.6 billion people -- almost half of the global population -- are currently highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Droughts, floods, extreme heat, and resulting supply insecurity deepen the vicious cycle of hunger, poverty, displacement, instability, and conflict.

A bit of Thunberg-style climate apocalypse, performed for a select audience -- climate profiteers among themselves. The theater now smells of a support group, struggling to maintain mutual rhetoric reinforcement. Of the purported 3.6 billion sufferers, few are likely interested in the climate club unless they are tied to its subsidy mechanism.

No one doubts that drastic climate changes throughout history caused massive upheavals -- migrations, famine, misery. Yet it is high time to end the current CO2 circus, a carousel revolving around an artificially constructed world with vanishing relevance to everyday life.

The climate business was designed as a classic insider-outsider model. Profiteers of the climate subsidy machine tolerate the occasionally bizarre, childlike savior attitude of Baerbock and other symbolic figures -- or even actively side with them. In this sense, Baerbock could indeed be considered a UN ambassador -- of those shaping the global climate extraction economy. They pursue policies knowingly destabilizing societies.

The Double Standard of Green Extraction Politics

Perhaps Baerbock can explain to indigenous participants at COP30, protesting deforestation, why Europes green lobby cuts entire forests to install uneconomic wind turbines.

She could also offer an economic seminar on how systematic taxation of productive society members -- leading only to poverty and relocation of production -- supposedly lowers global temperatures. Historical indulgences offer a handy argumentative analogy.

Baerbocks moral punch has likely suffered due to Brussels gradual retreat from climate orthodoxy. No coercion for Qatar, none for Washington -- but the small corner bakery is milked with climate levies until closure.

Internally, pressure; externally, bowing. That is the new EU strategy. For those still not seeing it: this fight is not about saving the worlds climate. It is about legislatively sanctioned, corporately executed extraction of wealth -- and the U.S. has repeatedly shown the red card.

In Baerbocks words: the U.S. forces the EU into a 360-degree climate volte-face.

Image: Pixabay
The Schumer shutdown was a disaster for the American public. Immediately after the GOP victory in reopening the government, as a strategic distraction, the Democrat party released a select few previously undisclosed documents from Jeffrey Epstein mentioning President Trump.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) expressed,

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.

Democrats produced a document having the victims name redacted. CNNs interview with Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) questioned (07:34 in video), Republicans are saying that the victim is Virginia Giuffre she wrote a book and did not accuse him [President Trump] of any wrongdoing What do you make of that? Crockett replied, I dont know. Obviously, its redacted who the victim is. So, I wont necessarily take the Republicans word [laughter] on who it is thats redacted. And I dont know why they would necessarily redact someones name who is deceased at this point. The host then stated, The Democrats did that [redacted the name].

Karoline Leaviett, recalling Giuffres own words, said President Trump wasnt involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and couldnt have been friendlier to her [Giuffre] in their limited interactions. Fact checkers state, Giuffres sworn deposition in 2016 and later public accounts consistently deny that Trump sexually assaulted her or had sex with her. It is true Giuffre was a former employee at Mar-a-Lago, but it is also true that the president previously said Giuffre was stolen from his Palm Beach, Florida Club by Epstein.

NPR reports, Trump has repeatedly said he kicked Epstein out of his club for hiring workers away from Mar-a-Lago. When asked if the workers who were hired away were young women, Trump responded, yes, they were.

Trump stated,

People were taken out of the spahired by himin other words, gone. And other people would come and complain, This guy is taking people from the spa. I didnt know that. And then when I heard about it, I told him [Epstein], I said, Listen, we dont want you taking our people, whether it was spa or not spa, I dont want them taking people. And he [Epstein] was fine. And then not too long after that, he did it again. And I said, Out of here.

So, Epstein was thrown out of Mar-a-Lago.

Yet, even with all of this, House Democrats released three emails in which Epstein mentioned Trump, in a bid to throw dirt on the Republican leader. The House GOP already released over 20,000 documents tied to Epstein, including correspondences about former President Bill Clinton and emails with so-called journalist, Michael Wolff.

Michael Wolff, a Trump smear merchant, (09:07 in video) was reportedly trying to work with Epstein on a scheme to blackmail then presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The Democrat party even posted a very old picture of Epstein and Trump with a caption supposedly written by Epstein that said, I have met some very bad people, none as bad as Trump.

In response, Ann Coulter said online, Democrats cite a pedophile as proof that Trump is a BAD MAN.

Will Chamberlain, Senior Counsel to the Internet Accountability Project, wrote, Wait is this a parody? Democrats are crediting Jeffrey Epsteins assessment of Trumps character?

CNN commentator Scott Jennings tweeted, Democrats aligning with notorious sex predator Jeffrey Epstein because of their mutual hatred of Trump.

President Trump stated,

Despite the DOJ releasing 50,000 pages of documents, in order to deflect from all of their bad policies and losses, especially the SHUTDOWN EMBARRASSMENT, where their party is in total disarray, and has no idea what to do.

Greg Gutfeld commented on one of the emails the dimwit Democrats brought forward concerning Epstein expressing his intense hatred for Donald Trump, as if that was a point scored against Trump. Sorry, you douchebags, that just made Epstein one of you guys. Whats next? You gonna brag that Dems lead Republicans by 50 points among pedophiles?

Tyrus on Gutfeld stated,

I think the victims should have their day, but it is utter [bleep] the amount of levels of made up [bleep] to take him [Trump] down, if they had a real Epstein file, do you think they would have been like, no, if we expose it we lose Bill Clinton. They wouldnt have gave a [bleep] about Bill. They would have burned down everyone to kill the orange dragon. So, we know, its nothing about him. Its about the people who write the checks for them. thats why they lie and they continue to lie. If they had anything on this guy we would have seen it eight years ago.

Speaking of the people who write the checks, Christopher Rufo, Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow, while supporting Trumps innocence also stated,

I think certainly some very powerful people from all political persuasions in business in politics and academia and science are trying to keep these documents out of the public eye, because, look, some very powerful and very well known people were doing some very naughty things.

Concerning the continual blasting of Trump with lies from the media, Gutfeld stated, If Trump was as bad as everyone stated, why do they have to make stuff up?

Telling reporters he will sign the bill known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, if it gets to his desk, President Trump reminded us Epstein was a Democrat.

We have nothing to do with Epstein. The Democrats do. All of his friends were Democrats. You look at Larry Summers, Bill Clinton. They went to his island all the time, and many others, all Democrats.

Larry Summers was the Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton, former President of Harvard University, and is currently senior fellow at the think tank Center for American Progress (wonder what they think about?), columnist for Bloomberg News, board member of OpenAI, and is still a University Professor, teaching young adults at Harvard. Apparently, Summers had seven years of correspondence with Epstein and hundreds of messages.

Pressed with questions about Epstein, President Trump responded, You ought to be speaking about Larry Summers. You ought to be speaking about some of his friends that are hedge fund guys. They are all over the place. You ought to be speaking about Bill Clinton who went to the island 28 times. I never went to the island. Then reporters asked if the president had ever written a letter for Jeffery Epstein. Trump smacked it down, saying this:

I dont even know what they are talking about. Now somebody could have written a letter and used my name. Thats happened a lot. All you have to do is take a look at the dossier. The fake dossier. Everything is fake with that [Bidens] administration. Everything is fake with the Democrats. Take a look at what they just found about the dossier. Everything is fake. They are a bunch of sick people.

While it is true that the identities of the victims and the innocent should be protected with the passing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, it will be telling to see who votes against the bill.

D. Padgett Blakley contributed to this article.

More articles by Richard Blakley can be found at Blakley on the Write.

Image from Grok.
In the wake of Donald Trump's 2024 victory -- sweeping swing states, securing the popular vote, and flipping both congressional chambers -- the Democrat Party confronts an existential reckoning. Voter registration data paints a grim picture: between 2020 and 2024, Democrats hemorrhaged over 2.1 million registered voters across 30 states, while Republicans gained 2.4 million, erasing a once-commanding 11-point advantage. In battleground states like Pennsylvania and Nevada, this exodus fueled GOP triumphs, with new registrations tilting Republican for the first time since 2018. Polls confirm the rot: Democrat favorability has cratered to the lowest in three decades, with 54% viewing the party negatively -- worse among independents at a dismal 11% positive. This is a fracture born of ideological hubris, cultural overreach, and a betrayal of the party's working-class roots. The Democrats' spiral into irrelevance is poetic justice -- a party that once championed American grit now lectures from ivory towers, alienating the very people it pretends to uplift.

At the core of this crisis lies an identity meltdown, a shift from the New Deal's economic rampart for the forgotten man to a fractured coalition of grievance-driven special-interest groups. For decades, Democrats claimed to be the party of the poor and working class, with many Americans believing they best represented those struggling to make ends meet. Today, that facade has collapsed as the party pivots to "marginalized" constituencies, disparate blocs from LGBTQ+ advocates to climate activists -- yielding a disjointed laundry list of issues devoid of unifying principles. Democrats have jettisoned blue-collar voters for white-collar suburbanites and well-heeled elitists on race, gender, and climate -- betting on demographic destiny via books like The Emerging Democratic Majority. The wager failed spectacularly: In 2024, Kamala Harris lost ground among Black men, Hispanics, and even women, while nonvoters broke for Trump 52% to 38%. Young men, once a progressive stronghold, defected en masse, with Democrat identification among them dropping double digits over the past decade. By 2023, young women outpaced them by 18 points in party loyalty.

Conservatives have long warned of this elitist drift, but Democrats dismissed it as "blueskyism" -- an echo chamber of ideological policing where dissenters like data analyst David Shor were purged for noting that nonviolent protests hurt electoral chances. The consultant class, with its scripted platitudes and purity tests, only deepened the chasm. As Thomas Frank noted in Listen, Liberal, the party's "atmosphere of acute virtue" reeks of self-congratulatory snobbery, alienating voters who crave authenticity over Alpine propriety. Nate Silver nails it: This progressivism repels normal people by fixating on speaker identity over substance and inflating every skirmish into apocalypse. The result? A 35-year low in popularity, with 63% unfavorable views per the Wall Street Journal, and a brand synonymous with "out of touch," "woke," and "weak." In Missouri, voters endorsed Democrat policies like minimum wage hikes and abortion rights -- yet loathed the party itself, proving ideology isn't the issue; execution and empathy are.

Compounding this is the Democrats' willful blindness to festering wounds, exemplified at their 2024 Chicago convention -- a sanitized spectacle dodging the very debates that define their fractures. Three taboo topics loomed large: institutional racism and DEI, transgender rights, and immigration chaos. On race, the party tiptoed around slavery's legacy and "defund the police" themes, fearing backlash from voters wary of equity mandates -- despite Shavon Arline-Bradley urging, "We should talk about them... Show it, activate it and live by those values." Transgender issues, amid GOP restrictions on youth gender care, got zero stage time, even as polls show 68% opposing puberty blockers for preteens. Immigration, a Biden-era border surge straining blue cities, merited mere TV ads blaming Trump -- ignoring how Republicans weaponized it effectively.

Internal rifts amplify the pain. The Sanders-establishment feud over universal healthcare, donor influence, and corporate coziness persists, with the jarring hypocrisy of the convention pitting Bernie's anti-oligarchy fire against billionaire speeches. Gaza protests simmered outside, with thousands protesting U.S. Israel aid, yet inside, Biden's mild nod to "civilian deaths" was the extent of engagement. This leaderless vacuum  (soon-to-be-ex?) Senator Chuck Schumer's funding bill capitulation and subsequent shutdown sparking primary threats from AOC allies -- signals a party adrift, where a majority of Democrats now demand congressional intransigence over compromise. As one donor lamented, "Our party sucks. Our leadership sucks. Our message sucks."

Worst of all, extremism has hijacked the helm, spiraling Democrats toward Marxist fringes that conservatives view with grim amusement. Figures like Zohran Mamdani -- pushing rent freezes, property seizures, and "globalize the intifada" -- embody this lunacy, with his Eugene Debs quotes and race-based taxation alienating moderates. Litmus tests on guns or gender stifle mavericks; even Rahm Emanuel quipped he'd need "witness protection" for affirming biological sex. This "woke grievance" obsession -- eschewing gas cars (65% opposed) or "Latinx" (3% of Hispanics use it) -- builds no bridges, only bunkers. As Daniel Schlozman observes, "You cant be a good Democrat if you undercut core party priorities There is no obvious moment when the calibration stops."

If the current crop of party extremists regains power, America may never recover. To restore relevance, (and at the risk of giving them helpful advice), Democrats must reboot, not rebrand, as pollster Jeff Horwitt urges. First, reclaim economic populism: Ditch cultural crusades for bread-and-butter battles against corporate gouging, Big Pharma, and landlord abuses -- messaging that polled strongest in 2024. They should emphasize policies lowering living costs. Second, foster authenticity: Scrap jargon like "BIPOC" or "triggering," and nurture heterodox voices like John Fetterman, who reject orthodoxy. Say "no" to fringe demands and build trust through candor. Finally, confront taboos head-on -- debate DEI, borders, and foreign aid to heal divides, echoing Arline-Bradley's call to "live by those values." Usher in fresh (sane) leaders -- Pat Ryan over Schumer -- to inject energy.

From a conservative perspective, the GOP's Trump-ish populism -- raw, unfiltered, and worker-focused -- exposes Democrats' madness. Yet if they heed these lessons, shedding elitism for empathy, the party could rebound as a worthy foil. Until then, their irrelevance is a cautionary tale: In America, voters reward substance over sermons. The clock ticks toward 2026 midterms; will Democrats listen, or languish?
The blood of the children is crying out to us today. That is what a Nigerian teacher told me in the summer of 2022 when I was in Abakaliki, Nigeria for a training seminar designed to teach dozens of teachers across the nation how to teach and practice debate. She was referring to the increasingly well-known reality that Christians are being targeted for violence and killings in Nigeria. In the summer of 2022, just prior to our debate workshop, 50 worshippers were killed in a Catholic worship service in Owo when a terrorist blew themselves up among the congregants. Nigeria is fundamental to the future of the continent of Africa and the current struggle to reduce this violence is a pivotal moment for U.S. and Nigerian relations.

By 2050, Nigeria will be a nation of 400 million people and its median age is presently 18.1. This will make Nigeria the third most populous nation in the world behind China and India. There are few if any nations growing as fast and consequently the world is becoming more influenced by this rapidly growing community with more than 300 ethnic groups. The nation is roughly divided by large populations of Christians in the South and substantial Muslim populations in the north. For many years, the power sharing between the two communities worked to allow cooperation, but the exclusive domination of Muslim governance in the past decade endangers the Christian community. Christians have been killed by the thousands in Nigeria and the world needs to end its silence surrounding these killings. On average, 35 Christians are being killed per day. The crimes are well documented. The killings lay bare yet another pathology of our global and American intellectual culture: we are ready to believe that Gaza is a genocide but the myriad of genocidal acts committed by Arab Islamic supremacists across the continent of Africa in Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, Sudan and Nigeria are belittled and marginalized.

Fulani herdsmen who commit many of the genocidal killings in Nigeria are recast as victims of climate change -- forced by global warming to nomadically roam with their cattle into conflicts with accidentally Christian communities. These disingenuous rhetorical frames cast the violence as structural motion rather than human action -- they are the inevitable result of Americans driving their cars too much and refusing to forego the use of fossil fuels. The killings are driven by anti-Christian rhetoric and a strategic refusal of security from the central government of Nigeria that is Muslim dominated. The 36 internal governing states can exert some autonomy to protect their local populations from strategic refusals apparent in the inaction of the central government.

In my own work in Nigeria in 2022 and 2025, I observed Nigerian roads obstructed by security checkpoints necessary as local communities try to protect themselves from this growing violence. These checkpoints were far more pervasive and common than what I saw doing the same work in Rwanda in 2017 and 2019. Our teachers and students from dozens of the Nigerian provinces could not easily transit to Abakaliki due to the security problems afflicting the roads of Nigeria internally. We worked with Muslim and Christian students. Our work is derived from the Methodist methodology of James Farmer Jr. -- the Great Debater. Farmer had himself been invited to Nigeria upon its national independence in 1965. Moreover, Farmers Christian paradigm did not prevent him from cooperating against racial segregation with his Muslim counterpart Malcolm X. SMU doctoral student UcheChukwu Agbo has a dream of his nation restoring peaceful order through a growing system of peaceful instruction in debate throughout the region. Since 2022, thousands of teachers and students have been positively educated in this non-violent methodology of debate that allowed the violent racial divisions of the U.S. to be defeated between 1942 and 1967.

Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel correctly observed: what hurts the victim most is not the physical cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander. The world is awakening from a silence surrounding the killings in Nigeria. Nigerian youth are eager to become more than victims. They are ready to be entrepreneurs, ministers, doctors, politicians, and so much more. That better and brighter world does require the attention and actions of reforming the political order of Nigeria. My Nigerian doctoral student described the situation in his home country this way:

Of course, the roots of this violence are tangled. There are land disputes, political failures, ethnic tensions, and economic despair. Yet complexity should not become a reason for cowardice. The people who died in Owo were not fighting over boundaries. They were praying. To insist on academic precision before compassion is to turn morality into mathematics."

Ngugi wa Thiongo once wrote that language is a means of memory. To speak, then, is to keep the dead alive. Let the Americans speak. Let the British speak. Let Nigerians speak. Let anyone who has breath and conscience speak. Words alone cannot save lives, but they can begin the work of saving them.

Still, we must not stop at talk. The world must act. The Nigerian government must act. The Church must act. There must be justice for the dead and safety for the living. Because talk without action is another form of silence, and silence is what has brought us here.

So let them talk, abeg. Let the noise fill the air until it becomes impossible to ignore. Let it carry the memory of Owo, of Madalla, of all the blood that has darkened our soil. And may those words, however imperfect, lead finally to action.

Dr. Ben Voth is professor of rhetoric and director of debate at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. UcheChukwu Agbo is.a doctoral student in English at SMU completing a dissertation on the question of violence in Nigeria. Voth is the author of several academic books regarding political communication, presidential rhetoric, and genocide.

Image: AK Rockefeller
The election of the Islamo-communist Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York is an insult to America in several respects. Its an insult to the credo of individual enterprise and freedom in the nation that has succeeded in enriching the masses through its capitalist economy. And its an insult to the America that fought the communists in Korea, in Vietnam, and, during the Cold War, against the USSR born from that deadly ideology.

The fact that the communist mayor is also a Muslim and an activist one, who connected with powerful Muslim lobbies only 24 years after 9/11, is the ultimate provocation. America rightly laments the Muslim invasion (organized by the EU leaders) that distorts our Europe (where I live) to what seems like a point of no return, but may not have measured the extent of the same rampant evil within its own borders.

Image created using AI.

In the Anglosphere in general, and particularly in the UK, for the last two decades, we have seen veiled women in the street, in public and private jobs, and even in Parliament at Westminster. In the USA, the Congress is now affected, too.

This has happened because of the sacred respect for religious freedom enshrined in the Constitution. But there, our Anglo friends are making a major misconstruction. These Muslim immigrants did not come to England, America, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand because they were fleeing religious persecution or were forbidden to practice their faith. Quite the contrary. They may have fled many evils, but not that one.

Logically, Muslim women should be fleeing the treatment to which their religion submits them. But not at all. Most Muslim immigrants have brought their religion to impose it on us, in accordance with the demands of that religion and perhaps also under orders from the authorities of the countries from which they came. More mosques keep being built in America, and the country is discovering street prayers. Besides, it is not just in New York that a Muslim has been elected as a Muslim. Several Muslim-majority localities did the same on November 4.

Militant Muslims are naturally allied with all left-wing movements, even LGBTQ++ movements. In France, the anarcho-communist Jean-Luc Antoine Pierre Melenchon proudly represents them. In the UK, PM Starmer bends over backwards to downplay the crimes and offenses that Muslims (both born in Britain and immigrants) commit, and bestows knighthoods on Muslims right and left. A scoundrel like Sadiq Khan, the mayor who has turned London into the capital of knife murders, is now Sir Sadiq, dubbed without qualm by the enviro-fundamentalist King Charles III.

The European Union, the American left, and all Western elites have opened the floodgates to millions of immigrants pouring in from the Third World. Under Biden, for four years, it was at a rate of 10,000 per day. The European Court of Human Rights is now considering granting rights and benefits to the second, third, and Nth wives, as well as to their children.

The boldness of these particular immigrants is limitless...and it pays.

When you invite the Third World to your home, you incrementally start to resemble the Third World. The financial burden of invasive immigration is weighing us down, leading to a 10 billion annual deficit for France alone.

But decadent Western nations are not content with letting themselves be invaded. Their virtue also unfolds abroad through their quasi-religious environmentalist crusade.

On a French TV channel, on November 10, during the 8 p.m. news, while commenting on the opening of COP 30, a properly groomed airhead declared: Western countries are responsible for the climate crisis, and this crisis hits poor countries harder, countries that remain poor because we oppressed them in the past. Consequently, we owe them much more than the hundreds of billions already paid, a pittance, and we must now move into the trillions.

One recognizes the UNs discourse in that statement.

Western taxpayers are buckling under taxes, and all our institutions are overrun by economic and cultural Marxists, just as Gramsci recommended. But Gramsci could not have imagined what a fabulous ally militant Islam would be for his project of destroying Western civilization. Like him, they are in no hurry: they play the long game and are confident in their success.

Our leaders have betrayed us. The European Union, allied with the transnational Western left, is waging a war on the peoples to subject them, if need be, by replacing them. Cultural Marxism is gaining momentum: deportations must accelerate, and the concept of denaturalization must be applied to thousands of individuals like Mamdani who will never assimilate but have the nerve to campaign on their hatred for the countries that welcomed them, to the point of seeking to seize and transform them.

New York has seen many things, but the election of an Islamo-communist should shake people out of their torpor.

Trump cannot do everything everywhere alone. Western countries must unite in an existential action of pushback.
There is a strange trend in the modern West: telling the truth has become an act of defiance. Truth has not changedbut societys tolerance for it has. At the core of this decline is the erosion of masculinity, the force that once stood guard over truth.

What once anchored civilization became something that polite society treats as a provocation. Truth confronts feelings, narratives, and institutions that depend on fragile illusions. Yet truth has never survived by accidentit survives only through courage. And historically, that courage fell especially to men. The responsibility to defend truth has never belonged to men alonebut throughout history, masculine courage has often carried that burden when it mattered most.

History is full of men who exposed corruptionnot because it was safe, but because it was right. From military officers who reported failures that endangered soldiers, to scientists who challenged the official COVID-19 narrative, to men who resisted communist regimes, truth was defended at personal cost. Their names were rarely honoredbut their courage preserved sanity and reality.

Today, speaking truth carries a new kind of risknot only legal or political, but professional and social. A telling example occurred in 2021, when Coca-Cola held a DEI training instructing employees to try to be less white. Questioning the premise risked social or professional consequences. Across corporate America, the pattern is the same: once certain narratives become mandatory, honesty becomes hazardous.

Masculinity, in its healthiest form, is a stabilizing force for truth, clarity, responsibility, and protection. It built the West, defended it, and preserved its freedoms. But today, the characteristics that once stabilized society are being recast as threats to it. Masculinity is no longer honored as a stabilizing force. Instead, it is often portrayed as something to be softened, tamed, or retrained. Men are encouraged to suppress their nature in favor of emotional conformity. They are told to trade integrity for approval.

Masculinity is not at war with emotionit rejects emotional absolutism, the idea that feelings should outrank facts and determine reality. This re-engineering of masculine character is not accidental. It serves a purpose.

As I explore further in the book The War on Men: How the New Gender Politics Is Undermining Western Civilization, once strength is redefined as danger and clarity as intolerance, society begins to drift away from reality.

A society built on narrative control must first make courage seem unacceptable. It especially targets the men most likely to speak plainly. A world dependent on emotional compliance cannot tolerate the courage that questions official narratives and asks, What is realand what is not? That is why truth today requires masculine courage more than ever.

Truth Liberates  But It Also Demands

Ancient wisdom teaches that truth sets us free, but only when we accept the responsibility and sacrifice it demands. Today, many accept narratives; not because they believe them, but because disagreeing has become socially risky.

This is how deception spreads: not primarily through force, but through fear of exclusion.

A childhood friend recently admitted he followed certain policies during the Covid pandemic that he privately questioned simply so he and his wife could go for a coffee in a coffee-house. That single line reveals what soft tyranny looks like: the transformation of ordinary conveniences into levers of compliance. When courage fades, even trivial discomfort is enough to silence truth.

The Cultural Project: Emotional Obedience

The modern redefinition of masculinity revolves around a single goal: to replace steadiness with emotional obedience. Men who are steady, principled, and difficult to manipulate are inconvenient to systems that prize conformity.

The culture now encourages a softer mansensitive, easily guided, emotionally pliable, and eager for approval, comfort, and validation rather than truth.

But emotional obedience is the opposite of mature masculinity.

Authentic masculine energy creates stability out of chaos. It draws boundaries. It names reality. It resists manipulation. It protects what is worth protecting. It does not bend simply because bending is easier.

When men suppress this nature, society pays a price. Confusion grows. Boundaries dissolve. Institutions drift. Narratives replace facts. Emotional intensity replaces reason. The world becomes unmoored from reality.

You Dont Fight Delusion With Violence  The Truth Itself Is the Blade

One of the most important insights of traditional wisdom is that delusion is not defeated through force. You do not need an axe or a sword. You need clarity.

The truth itself is the blade.

A man who speaks truth cuts through confusion without harming anyone. His weapon is not aggression but clarity. His force is not violence but responsibility. His courage does not seek to dominate but to liberate.

At the same time, refusing to speak truth is not neutral. It becomes a subtle form of harma spiritual harm. When a person sees what is real but remains silent, the conscience begins to rebel.

And worse, silence leaves others trapped in illusions they might have escaped had truth been spoken.

Silence in the face of lies does not preserve peace. It prolongs the harm.

False Compassion: Fear Wearing Morality as a Mask

The culture now encourages silence, and calls it kindness. We are told to avoid offending others, creating discomfort, and disrupting harmony. But much of what passes for compassion today is simply fear wearing a moral mask.

Some claim masculinity is merely adapting to a gentler age. But compassion without courage is not maturityit is compliance. A culture that demands silence in the name of kindness does not become gentler; it becomes dishonest.

True compassion sometimes requires saying what others do not want to hear. It may be uncomfortable, but it demands clarity, boundariesand courage.

If a man sees someone drowning in confusion, compassion is not silence. It is speaking truthcalmly, firmly, respectfullyeven when it is unwelcome. Courage and compassion are not opposites; they are allies. Courage without compassion becomes harshness. But compassion without courage becomes sentimental weakness.

The union of courage and compassion is the essence of moral strength.

Still, even when truth is spoken clearly, it cannot be imposed. A man may be shown reality, but only he can choose to face it. No one can wake a man who chooses sleep; the decision to confront reality is his alone. Truth can be shownbut it must be chosen.

Truth-Telling Is Sacred Work

Throughout history, the people we admire most are those who told the truth when it carried a cost. The hero is not the one who chases comfort but the one who refuses to bow to fashionable lies.

It is often the quiet acts that matter mostthe parent who stands up to a school board pushing ideology over reality, or the soldier who reports failures that could cost lives.

In our own lifetime, speaking truth has once again become risky. After the Patriot Act expanded surveillance, many who raised concerns about its overreach were dismissed as paranoid or unpatrioticyet years later, their warnings proved justified.

Truth-telling does not require poweronly sincerity and courage. As Shakespeare put it, This above all: to thine own self be true

A Man Cannot Lead If He Fears Disapproval

Leadership demands courage. A man who fears social disapproval cannot lead; fear makes him reactive and easily swayed. Many men have outsourced their moral compass to the approval of the crowdnot because they are bad, but because they are afraid.

But fear does not produce freedom. Fear produces conformity. Conformity, when the culture is built on unstable ideas, leads to chaos.

A man must decide whom he serves: public opinion or the truth. Masculinity is not fadingit is waiting. And as courage rises, truth will rise with it.

The World Needs Men Who Refuse the Lie

The West does not need more apologetic men shrinking themselves to fit the mood of the age. It does not need more men drifting with every cultural wave. It does not need more men acting small to avoid criticism.

It needs men who stand firm.

Men who refuse to repeat what they know is false.

Men who choose clarity over comfort.

Men who accept responsibility rather than seeking escape.

Men who refuse emotional obedience.

Men who speak the truth humbly, courageously, and consistently.

To be a man is to refuse the lieeven when the lie is popular.

Masculinity does not need to be reinventedit needs to be reclaimed. Not with anger, but with honesty. Not with force, but with clarity. Men must once again guard the truth  or the truth will not survive.

Cover of Mark Keenans The War on Men: How the New Gender Politics Is Undermining Western Civilization.

Mark Keenan is the author of The War on Men: How the New Gender Politics Is Undermining Western Civilization, Climate CO2 Hoax, and The Debt Machine. A former UN technical expert, he writes on culture, law, science, and the ideological forces reshaping the modern West. He publishes at https://markgerardkeenan.substack.com/ and shares commentary on X at @TheMarkGerard
I oppose mass Muslim immigration, and I worry greatly when devout Muslims gain political power. This has nothing to do with racism and ideology; it has everything to do with proven history and current affairs. This is quite different from antisemitism, which is an irrational dislike of Jews, sometimes amounting to murderous hatred, of a people who are not members of your particular tribe.

Image created using AI.

There are a few strands of thought here, so let me see if I can disentangle them. Today, it started for me when I was reading a D.E. Stevenson book. She was a mid-20th-century British author who wrote sweet books about nice people in England and Scotland who lived their lives, fell in love, had children, etc. They, as much as chocolate, are my retreat when the news depresses me.

For all her sweetness and her view of the societal necessity of a loving, albeit muscular Christianity, Stevenson disliked Jews, something that was unchanged by the Holocaust. For example, in Five Windows, which she published in 1953, Stevenson includes this passage about her young protagonist, David, going shopping for used furniture:

I had expected, not unnaturally, to meet a fellow-Scot but there was nothing Scots about Mr. Mackenzie except his name. If his name had been Mr. Abraham I should have felt more at ease with him. It would have suited his nose and his olive skin and his dark sad eyes. Mr. Mackenzie was no Shylock; he was well-dressed; he spoke good English and had a dignified and benevolent air. (p. 150.)

The Jew is the other. Hes not trustworthy, and you need a friend at your side (as David had), so that you dont become a victim of his avarice. The fact that 6 million Jews had only recently been slaughtered when Germany went insane and decided that the other needed to be exterminated mattered not one whit to Stevenson. Whats important to note about Stevensons attitude toward Jews is while she didnt like them, she understood that they were not a societal threat.

Indeed, Jews are so not a societal threat that the risk actually flows in the other direction: Jews (who have never proselytized) often experience an overwhelming desire to assimilate, an issue thats been a problem going back to the time of Greek control over the Kingdom of Judea. When they assimilate enough, they vanish.

Theres a wonderful joke about Bob Wein, a successful British Jewish lawyer who decides that his hardworking fatherthe one who labored day and night in his tiny grocery store in Londons Jewish community so that his son could go to Cambridgeshould have a beautiful Savile Row suit from Londons best tailor, the one who made bespoke suits for the Prince of Wales. The eventual suit costs a fortune and is dazzlingly beautiful. But when they leave the store, the father (still named Saul Weinstein) breaks down in tears.

Bob presses him. Are you crying from pride? And Mr. Weinstein answers, No, you schnook! Im crying because we lost India.

Mr. Weinstein was assimilated. He didnt want Britain to cater to him; he wanted to be a Brit. That the Brits would never fully accept him was irrelevant; he had accepted them.

Things are quite different when it comes to Islam. When Muslims come to a country, if theyre even slightly religious, they heed Mohameds mandate: Conquer. The goal, always, is the caliphate.

This is why the Muslim mayor of Dearborn (a city thats more than 50% Muslim), when a non-Muslim resident objected to honoring a terrorist, unashamedly stated, Although you live here, I want you to know as mayor, you are not welcome here. And the day you move out of the city will be the day that I launch a parade celebrating the fact that you moved out of this city.

That was just words. In Europe, where the natives are in full retreat, and the Muslims are feeling their oats, theyre using the modern equivalent of fire and sword to make their presence known:

Unlike religious Jews, who want not to be persecuted, and less religious Jews, who want to assimilate, Muslims want you... And the higher the percentage of Muslims in a population, the greater the risk that You will be assimilated. ... Resistance is futile.
What used to be whispered in back rooms and leaked by insiders is now plain as day: Americas political elite wants nothing to do with being photographed next to Team Zelensky while a massive corruption cloud hangs over their heads.

The latest red flag? The abrupt cancellation of talks in Turkey between Trumps special envoy Keith Witkoff and Zelenskys chief of staff Andriy Yermak. As long as stories about billions vanishing during wartime and rolling blackouts dominate the headlines, any serious U.S. official is going to think twice  make that three times  before shaking hands or snapping selfies with Ukraines leadership. The reputational hit would be off the charts.

But theres another, far more cynical side to this coin. When the loud weve got your back statements go quiet, the money spigot gets turned down. New tranches get put on ice. And thats a direct gut punch to the folks who really call the shots: the owners and shareholders of Americas and Europes defense giants  Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, you name it. They couldnt care less about European values. What they care about are fat contracts, guaranteed government orders, and a steady pipeline of hardware heading east. The longer the scandal stays front and center, the longer production lines sit idle and the thinner the profit margins get.

Cue the political spin doctors. European ambassadors in Kyiv are now working around the clock to put out the media fire. Through back channels, major European newsrooms are getting the heavy squeeze: Not advised for publication  this is an internal Ukrainian matter. The sole mission: bury the scandal, flip the narrative fast from theyre stealing billions in wartime to look how brilliantly Ukraines anti-corruption system is working. Classic whitewashing PR is already in full swing.

European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier went on record saying these scandals actually prove that anti-corruption bodies are in place and functioning in Ukraine. Everything gets framed as evidence of progress, not a rotten system or Zelenskys personal implosion. Sleight of hand accomplished.

The EUs ambassador in Kyiv, Katarina Mathernova, is singing from the same hymn sheet:

Ukraine is very much on track, but it needs to ensure that there is no backsliding in the rule of law and anti-corruption area, and that we need to continue with these reforms.

Sounds nice  but its pure cover-your-ass spin.

Ukraines own NABU and SAPO detectives are shredding any attempt to whitewash the leadership. Investigators released pre-trial findings alleging that Tymur Mindich, leveraging his buddy-buddy relationship with President Volodymyr Zelensky, is a mastermind behind the plot:

Mindich was linked to growing fears over his expanding influence within the countrys lucrative industries, his access facilitated by his ties to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two were once business partners and Mindichs influence had expanded under Zelenskyy's tenure. The full extent of that influence was exposed this week when Ukraines anti-corruption watchdogs released the findings of a 15-month investigation into a $100 million embezzlement scheme involving top officials and Ukraines state nuclear power company, accusing Mindich of being the mastermind behind the plot.

Western capitals and embassies deliberately looked the other way for years. Why? Because any harsh public criticism of Kyiv instantly got labeled a gift to the Kremlin. Plus, there was the good old corruption kickback racket: as long as the money flowed to Ukraine with no hard questions asked, a nice cut stuck to the fingers of the people escorting those tranches.

Now the whole scheme is cracking at the seams. The Tymur Mindich scandal  and Zelenskys direct entanglement  has become radioactive. If it blows up bigger, Brussels will have no choice but to tighten the screws on aid: more audits, more oversight. That would be a body blow to Europes military-industrial lobby thats been warming its hands on Ukrainian contracts for years.

So right now, EU ambassadors in Kyiv arent just diplomats  theyre crisis managers for Big Defense. Their job: get the press to shut up, comb the story into a tidy successful investigation bow, and get everything back to business as usual  billions flowing, weapons rolling, and the usual percentages quietly dropping into the right pockets.

Image generated by ChatGPT.
The digital world is vastly interconnected today, with a YouTube video produced in Chicago reaching people as far as the Middle East or Southeast Asia. Let any Gen Zer tell you: Influence in this day and age comes from being everywhere.

Thats why Congresss latest attempt to restrict the AI chips market in the U.S. makes no sense.

A trojan horse for export controls, a late policy of the Biden administration, could stop American AI from becoming the preeminent new technology used across the world.

A bipartisan amendment introduced to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the GAIN AI Act specifically aims at pressuring domestic AI chip makers to prioritize American buyers, creating a first dibs model for purchasing the chips. Under this model, U.S. exporters would be required to obtain certification proving U.S. buyers have had right of first refusal and all domestic orders have been fulfilled before any sales to countries of concern (namely China) are allowed to proceed.

In short, it turns export licensing into a strict gatekeeper for advanced AI chips in the U.S.

Despite aiming to put America First in quite a literal sense, this policy misreads the economics of the U.S. tech industry and the Trump administrations broader agenda. Much like Bidens now-rescinded AI Diffusion Rule, the GAIN AI Act would restrict the international sales of one of the most valuable products now produced in America: AI chips. But this strategy has already failed, and we now live in an era of cutting red tape, slashing bureaucracy, and letting the free market drive success.

Forcing chipmakers to prioritize domestic buyers might sound patriotic, but it walls off American AI from the global market. If we actually want to lead, with the world using American AI over Chinese AI, we need to out-innovate, not isolate or overregulate. Early interference in a new industry results in stagnation rather than growth. Interfering with business this way will raise domestic prices for AI technology at a time when cost of living is a top concern of the average American.

Adding a new licensure requirement, when this administration has rolled back dozens of similar rules for energy production and infrastructure development, seems awfully inconsistent. The power of AI will save millions of lives and transform workplaces beyond what we can currently even imagine. Messing with this rapidly-evolving technology now is short-sighted.

All is not to suggest AI national security concerns should be dismissed. Chinas supercomputers are making major breakthroughs every day. Competing with Chinese tech and beating them is a major priority of the Trump administration and American business community alike. But this will come through deploying American tech abroad -- bringing home the kind of revenue currently promised by tariffs and other domestic investment.

The GAIN AI Act would slow the technological progress of American tech and cost the United States substantial amounts of money. Tech advisors in the White House recognize it. Potentially affected U.S. AI companies like Nvidia do too. Hopefully lawmakers see the light.

Sam Raus is the David Boaz Resident Writing Fellow at Young Voices, a political analyst and public relations professional. Follow him on X: @SamRaus1.

Image: Public Domain Pictures
In an era where weak-kneed politicians have dragged America into endless quagmires, President Donald J. Trump stands tall as the greatest peacekeeper our nation has ever seen. He settled the Gaza war, crushed ISIS, brokered the Abraham Accords, and kept America out of new wars  no endless conflicts, no nation-wide disasters. He ended wars that the globalists and deep-state warmongers started and prolonged. But one bloody mess remains: the Russia-Ukraine war, a proxy conflict fueled by hundreds of billions in U.S. taxpayer dollars under Biden, enriching corrupt elites while brave soldiers die in trenches.

President Trump is dead serious about finishing the job. Despite fierce resistance from the globalist establishment  the same neocons and Eurocrats who might have profited from perpetual war  hes wielding Americas unmatched economic power to drag both sides to the peace table and force a real deal. Peace through strength: thats the Trump Doctrine in action. From day one of his second term, President Trump has conducted intense shuttle diplomacy. He has held tough, no-nonsense talks with both Putin and Zelenskyy, demanding direct negotiations. Both sides, however, have been stubborn: Russia insists on keeping the territories it controls, while Ukraine  propped up by endless cash flow  demands infinite aid with zero accountability.

Good words alone wont cut it. As Samuel Colt famously reminded us, A good word and a revolver beat a good word alone. President Trump brought the biggest revolver on the planet: full-spectrum American economic firepower.

Thats why he unleashed the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Russias oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil  the beating heart of Putins war machine. These are not the leaky sanctions of the Biden years. Trumps measures blacklist the companies and threaten massive secondary sanctions on anyone who continues doing business with them, choking off the revenue that funds Russias military. No previous president has hit Russia this hard on energy. And President Trump is holding an even bigger card: the Graham-Blumenthal bill that would slap up to 500 % tariffs on any country still buying Russian oil, gas, or uranium if Putin refuses to negotiate. Globalists hate it because it actually works  and because it puts America First.

Zelenskyy has been just as resistant to a rapid peace deal. Why? Follow the money. President Trump has repeatedly questioned where all the aid is going. In his words: Weve given them, I believe, $350 billion Where is all the money thats been given? Where is it going? And Ive never seen an accounting of it. He demanded real audits  and for very good reason.

Recent events have proven President Trump was right. The explosive Mindichgate corruption scandal  centered on Zelenskyys longtime friend and wallet  has exposed massive embezzlement and kickback schemes in Ukraines energy sector. National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAP), under tight and loyal FBI oversight, are finally digging deep. NABU director Semen Kryvonos has openly signaled even larger defense-procurement corruption cases are coming.

Yet even as this massive scandal erupts, European globalists are whitewashing the possible role Ukraines president may have played. EU ambassadors in Kyiv rushed out statements praising Zelenskyys support for the investigation  desperate to install censorship and prevent massive media outrage. Why? To keep the money pipeline going as for them, endless conflict equals endless profit.

President Trump is dead serious about peace in Ukraine, blending sharp diplomacy with unyielding power to drag both sides to the table. As Russia reels from sanctions, NABU and SAP cleans the house of Ukraine under the watchful eye of the FBI. The path to a lasting deal is clearer than ever. America is stronger, the world is safer, and under Trumps leadership, peace isnt just possible  its inevitable.

Image from Grok.
The Democrats recently trotted out six members of Congress with military or intelligence community experience to encourage soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and intelligence officials to disobey orders. Part of the oath we take is to obey the lawful orders of those appointed over us. These Dems talk about disobeying unlawful orders. What orders are they talking about? The military does a good job in training of explaining that if you are in combat and ordered to line up a bunch of civilians and execute them, you have a responsibility to disobey. I am unaware of any recent orders along those lines.

Are the Dems saying the B-2 pilots should have refused to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities? The refuelers should have refused to fly? The Patriot battery should have refused to shoot down Iranian missiles aimed at Israel? Those conducting attacks on drug boats should disobey? CIA analysts who discover the launch of drug boats should conceal their discoveries from superiors?

Actually, there is a historical example that could highlight this issue. During the Vietnam War, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara recommended, and President Lyndon Johnson approved, changing our strategic goal from a win to a tie. The decision occurred on November 5, 1966, and was based on domestic political calculations relating to the 1968 election. The mechanism to achieve the new goal was to stop the open-ended commitment to victory and establish a troop ceiling beyond which we would not go. The administration wished to avoid mobilization or calling up the reserve and set the ceiling accordingly. The American commander in Vietnam, General William Westmoreland, advised that while we would not be defeated with the proposed force, neither would we win, and it would be a prescription for an unreasonably protracted conflict. That was good enough for the Johnson administration.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff protested the decision in a series of bureaucratic exchanges with McNamara over the months required to reach the ceiling. Finally, in August 1967, having adjusted the ceiling slightly, McNamara informed the Joint Chiefs that the discussion was over. But the Johnson administration was being criticized by Republicans for its handling of the war, and Johnson wanted to create the (false) impression that he was doing everything possible to support the commander in the field. In other words, he wanted to create a public narrative that was the exact opposite of the truth.

Having just told the Joint Chiefs that the debate concerning a troop ceiling was over, McNamara pressed the military to speed up deployments to reach the troop ceiling, without revealing to the public that there was a troop ceiling. The objective was to create the public impression that all was being done to support Westmoreland. In early September 1967, the administration asked the Joint Chiefs (a) what could be done prior to Christmas? and (b) what could be done prior to the March 12, 1968, New Hampshire presidential primary election?

One result was to accelerate the deployment of the 101st Airborne Division. In October it was determined that the division could be deployed by Christmas and, with some additional training, be employed in January. The original plan had been to deploy the division in March 1968.

Here is where I argue that there is potential for an unlawful order. It also would have been impossible for the soldiers receiving the order to know it was unlawful, though the Joint Chiefs should have known. And the administration disrupted the situation for them by coming up with a desire to increase pressure in the Northern Provinces. Lets take a married Staff Sergeant in the 101st with two children. In the fall of 1967, he expects to go to Vietnam in March of 1968. He makes plans for his family. Where to live, schools, the car, the bank, etc. In October, he discovers he is going to Vietnam before Christmas. Have his plans just been dealt a blow? Yes, but he is an Airborne soldier and is ready because his country needs him. But if we change that to, he is ready , so he can help Lyndon Johnson in the New Hampshire primary, is the answer the same? Should that have been a lawful order?

Johnson and McNamara were despicable. It was clear that these military decisions were being taken for crass political reasons. The fact that they put the New Hampshire primary reasoning in writing, perhaps would have given cause for formal objection, but even then, it was confounded with the Northern Provinces gambit. Even this disgusting example is difficult, and we only know about it because of the Pentagon Papers.

Encouraging disobedience in the military and intelligence community is a dangerous path to follow. If these six Dems had a specific order in mind, they should have said what it was. They did not, and they have undermined the good order and discipline that is necessary in conflict.

Image: National Archives
Yesterday, we learned that a US District judge in Texas enjoined 14 Texas school districts from complying with the Texas statute requiring classroom display of the Decalogue (aka the Ten Commandments). It is really quite easy to see why this federal court decree is legally erroneous. Thats because its decision runs counter to the Formula of American Law and the nature of the English Common Law.

The immediate aftermath of the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence created a problem: If America was independent of Great Britain, what laws controlled America? This crisis resulted in the creation of the Formula of American Law.

Moses and the Tablets of the Law by Philippe de Champaigne. CC BY-SA 4.0.

The logic of the pathway from the Declaration to that formula is very straightforward. The operative words of the Declaration are these United Colonies are Free and Independent States absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown.

This meant that, on July 5, 1776, each of the 13 newly sovereign states faced a common crisis. Two days earlier, they were English colonies, and the law of decision in their colonial courts was, of course, the Common Law of England and English statutory law. But on July 5, they were sovereign states owing no allegiance to England.

That created a conundrum. Moving forward, what would be the law of decision in their courts? Each of the 13 colonies faced th:e same question, a decision had to be made, and each gave the same answer. Henceforth, the law of decision in their courts was to be the Common Law of England!

From this decision flowed the rubric known as the Formula of American Law. This holds that the law of the United States and of each of its states (except Louisiana) is the common law of England as of July 4, 1776, as modified by American federal or state constitutions, statute, or court decision.

Thats why, in the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 5, section 5.001, it states The rule of decision in this state consists of those portions of the common law of England that are not inconsistent with the constitution or the laws of this state.

What has this to do with the Decalogue? Just this: The legal encyclopedia American Jurisprudence 2nd once freely acknowledged that [I]t has been said that general Christianity is, and always has been, a part of the common law. 15A Am.Jur.2d Common Law 8. This aligned with the Supreme Courts 1892 pronouncement that [T]his is a Christian nation. The Supreme Court has never backed away from that statement.

So the conclusion from all this is pretty obvious and logically straightforward, is it not? Texas law includes the common law; the common law includes Christianity; and Christianity includes the Decalogue. Hence, public posting of the Decalogue is wholly appropriate.
As a Catholic, I've always thought the argument about women priests was a waste of time. There aren't going to be any, given Catholic Church doctrine. The Vatican is lately stringing the wokester women of the Church along on maybe deacons, but that's settled, too, the answer will be 'no.' It's hardly something to get upset about. Being a priest is just a role, and it doesn't give anyone an express route to Heaven if they don't behave. Why fuss about different roles played and insist on changing tradition which dates back to the Apostles when the idea is to just get to Heaven?

Not everyone, of course, sees it this way, and I am not going to argue that they are all bad people. But negating natural orders and breaking tradition does seem to be a leftist phenomenon, like changing boys into girls.

Not surprisingly, there does seem to be a negative effect for the Anglicans who have embraced this idea, according to a new study. Their church is shrinking.

According to the U.K. Telegraph:

Hundreds of Anglican vicars have converted to Catholicism since the early 1990s, a study has found. Roughly a third of all Catholic priests ordained between 1992 and 2024 were former Anglican clergy members. In total, about 700 former Anglicans or members of the Scottish Episcopal Church have been received into the Catholic Church over the same period. The study, carried out by St Marys University London, also identified 16 former Anglican bishops and two Continuing Anglican bishops who had converted over the same 32-year timespan.

That's a lot of flight for the Anglican priestly class, those Anglican priests are permitted in the Catholic Church to be married priests on the understanding that they won't be promoted to bishop while married -- which is something of a sacrifice.

The study didn't say so, but there may be some Catholics in the mix who wanted to be married but also be priests, and thus, used the Anglican church as their back door to the Catholic priesthood -- I've known a couple men who have considered this.

But the study concludes that the admission of women to the Anglican priesthood is probably behind most of the flight to the dreaded (to Anglicans, that is) papists.

And why wouldn't it be? Can you imagine having to work side by side with wokester women priests or worse still, bishops, such as Mariann Budde, the supercilious Episcopalian bishop of Washington, D.C. who obnoxiously used the pulpit to hector newly inaugurated President Trump on his politics?

Imagine being surrounded by the magnificent ancestral beauty and art of Anglican cathedrals -- only to see them degraded by wokester sermons from women priests preaching about petty woke matters. The wokesters don't appreciate the beauty of this ancestral inheritance -- recall that one of them allowed the mighty Canterbury Cathedral to be graffitied up for some political cause. That was disgusting.

Another issue that may be driving them out is a significant lesbian subculture in the Anglican (and many mainline Protestant and even Jewish) clergy, too. The top Anglican bishop in Wales is in this subculture. The gay lifestyle in itself is immoral, according to the Bible, so to be "openly gay" and sexually active is problematic for many. Meanwhile, if you are never going to be able to be a lesbian no matter how hard you try, it might be more attractive to go where your role and natural sex is affirmed, which is the case for the Catholics.

The churches with women priests are increasingly politicized; becoming politically active places where progressive politics takes on the absolutism of religion.

That has got to be hellish on Anglican men, who are regularly identified as the source of all the world's problems. Catholicism has its wokesters, too, but it's a big Church and also has its prominent conservatives among both its priests and its religious orders. There is more room for all sides, and as parishioners, we listen to the good ones (Mother Teresa, Mother Angelica, Archbishop Cordileone, Bishop Barron) and ignore the bad ones (I'll be charitable and not name names) to cope. We try to find things we agree with from the pope.

Part of the intolerable absolutism of these ruling wokesters is the heresy-bound idea that by works alone shall you be saved, a highly political idea that's kind of the opposite of what John Calvin was preaching ("By faith alone ...") during the Reformation. Both of those notions don't quite synch to Catholicism, which calls both faith and good works, the one informing the other. The net result of such a limited political idea is a degradation of faith and the positioning of NGOs at the top of the theological virtue scale. Anyone who knows anything about NGOs with their corruption, subservience to woke billionaires and bad governments for funding, as well as their finger-pointing approach knows that those guys aren't the big saints. I read somewhere that there are voices in the Anglican church calling for it to be converted to an NGO. If so, that's probably why the male priests are fleeing. Who'd want to stay with that?

It does serve as a cautionary warning to Catholic leaders, now playing footsie with the idea of women deacons, that all is not well in wokester churchland. So long as the Catholics can stay different from their woke Protestant brethren, they'll continue to sop up huge numbers of other churches' best people. The stats tell the story.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
The European Union (EU) is tackling one of the webs biggest frustrations: the constant stream of cookie consent pop-ups. Under new digital rules proposed by the European Commission, users will soon be able to set a single preference for cookies directly within their browser. This important shift toward browser-level cookie management aims to drastically simplify online privacy choices. It should effectively end the user fatigue caused by years of repetitive clicking required by the original GDPR mandate.

EU proposes browser management system to tackle Consent Pop-up Fatigue

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) launched in 2018 in US countries. It mandated that websites must obtain explicit agreement before storing non-essential cookiesthe small files responsible for tracking and personalized advertisingon a users device. It was a response to the constant consent requirement for cookies of many websites.

However, many websites resorted to so-called dark patterns. These are practices that aim to discourage users from navigating the detailed Manage Preferences section. Basically, website managers complicated the process by making intentionally complex interfaces. This privacy turned into a confusing chore, leading the vast majority of people to simply agree to all terms just to quickly dismiss the banner. As a result, the users choice became meaningless, undermining the original intent of the privacy regulation.

How centralized consent will work

The core of the EUs new proposal allows individuals to establish their privacy preferences once, at a central pointsuch as directly within their web browser. Under this future system, all websites operating within the EU would be legally required to respect that single, universal choice every time a user visits. This change promises a significantly smoother online experience for consumers.

The new rules also address unnecessary burdens. Companies would no longer be forced to seek consent for certain harmless uses of cookies. This includes automatically logging a registered user back into a website or simply counting anonymous site visits.

This solution will require browser integration and may take effect sometime next year. To address the issue immediately, the proposal includes an interim measure: websites will first be mandated to simplify their banners to offer a clear, one-click yes or no option, replacing the complex multi-layered menus common today.

The new proposals are currently proceeding through the European Parliament. It will require approval from the 27 member states before becoming law. Although the legislative process requires time, this initiative marks a big step toward a cleaner, less interrupted internet experience for consumers.
Google Maps is getting a new 2025 update that introduces numerous new features. The navigation app gets Gemini-powered intelligence, smarter recommendations, and new privacy control options. The update focuses on helping users make better decisions when choosing places, navigating through cities, and planning trips.

One of the major additions in the latest update is the new know before you go section in the listings. Whenever you search for public places like restaurants, venues, parks, or similar destinations, Maps will use Gemini to pull helpful information from reviews and online sources.

The insights provided by Gemini will include booking suggestions, parking instructions, hidden menu items, and other tips that are usually buried inside long review threads. The user can expand each tip for additional or detailed information. The feature is now available for US citizens on both Android and iOS platforms. Other regions will likely get the feature soon.

Another useful addition is the new Explore tab with a Trending section. Users can visit this page to explore up-to-date recommendations based on popular places around them. This particular feature will begin rolling out globally later this month.

Alongside the aforementioned features, Google Maps is adding a new feature that will predict the availability of the charging docks of a particular EV charging station. Users can check the availability before arriving at the station to better manage their time. This feature is launching next week on Android Auto and cars equipped with Google built-in, covering hundreds of thousands of charging locations worldwide.

Further, Google is also adding nicknames and profile photos for reviews. Users who dont want their real name attached to feedback can now choose a custom display name. The reviews will still be tied to their Google Account in the background. Google says it will continue monitoring reviews for suspicious behavior or spam. This update is rolling out worldwide across Android, iOS, and desktop versions of Maps.
We hope that you will never find yourself in a position where you need to send an emergency SMS, but its good to know that more phones and carriers out there are supporting it. The good news is that if youre living in Europe, and if you own a Google Pixel 9 or Pixel 10, those devices will support satellite texting.

Google Pixel phones will support satellite texting in Europe

Orange France has announced that it will offer direct-to-device satellite texting to customers in Europe if theyre using either the Google Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 smartphone. This announcement also makes Orange the first European operator to offer such a service. Orange will use Skylos technology which works with Googles newer Pixel phones.

For now, it will be limited to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10, and to Oranges 5G and 5G+ customers who live in mainland France. Users, if they need to, can send and receive SMS messages via satellite. They will also be able to share their geolocation. This will come in handy during emergencies where mobile or WiFi coverage is unavailable.

The good news is that for now, the service is free. Orange is making it free for the first six months. However, customers who wish to retain the satellite texting capabilities will have to fork out 5 a month. This service will go live on December 11, 2025.

Some things to consider

That being said, before you get too excited, note that there are some things you should consider. For starters, Skylos satellite service works via GEO satellites, or geostationary satellites. What does this mean? It means that these satellites are positioned about 36,000km above the Earth.

As a result of their further distance from Earth, the latency is higher, with estimates around 500-600ms. This isnt too bad normally, but for more advanced applications that require a faster internet connection, then this might not be a good thing. This is versus other satellite services like Starlink, which use Low Earth Orbit satellites.

These types of satellites sit 160 to 2,000km above Earth. They also offer considerably lower latency, around 6-30ms. However, like we said, chances are you will probably use this feature in emergencies. Its not as if youre playing games or streaming video where latency matters more.
The OnePlus 15R could end up bringing more OnePlus 15 features than expected. The President of OnePlus China, Li Jie Louis, went to Weibo to reveal some details about the companys upcoming phone.

The OnePlus 15R will get more OnePlus 15 features than expected

Granted, he was talking about the OnePlus Ace 6T. That phone is expected to become the OnePlus 15R in markets outside of China, though. OnePlus will likely just rebrand it for other markets, as it did in the past.

We already knew that the phone would bring some great features, but some of them we did not expect. Mr. Li Jie Louis noted that the phone will offer IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K water and dust resistance ratings. Those are the same ratings the OnePlus 15 has.

The OnePlus 13R, the OnePlus 15Rs predecessor, shipped with an IP65 rating only. The OnePlus 15R will offer much better ingress resistance if OnePlus re-releases the OnePlus Ace 6T as the OnePlus 15R.

It will have a powerful chip, a 165Hz display, 100W charging, and more

OnePlus also confirmed that the Snapdragon 8 series chip will be used. That will almost certainly be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, Qualcomms upcoming processor, which is expected to be immensely powerful. Furthermore, a display with a 165Hz refresh rate will also be included on the phone, and thats not something youd expect. Youll use that refresh rate only when gaming, but still.

What else? Well, he confirmed that 100W SuperVOOC charging will be a part of the offering. Wireless charging probably will not, but still, youre getting blazing-fast charging here. The phone will also include an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner.

All of this may seem too good to be true, but.. It could be. The OnePlus 13R is still one of the best phones to get in its price range, and if OnePlus ends up hitting a similar price tag with the OnePlus 15R well, itll go a long way towards that phones success. The OnePlus 15R is expected to arrive soon.
When you think of smart rings, which brand comes to mind? If you said Oura, youre not alone. But in addition to Ouras smart rings, there are wearables from other brands as well. This includes Samsung, Amazfit, Luna, and more recently, Reebok. A lot of these rings tend to feature similar functionality, like health tracking, for example. But did these companies violate any patents in the process? According to Oura, they might have, which is why the company has filed a lawsuit against the likes of Samsung, Amazfit, and more.

Oura files lawsuit against Samsung, Amazfit, Reebok, and Luna

According to Ouras blog, the company has filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The Oura lawsuit alleges that companies like Samsung, Amazfit, Reebok, and Luna have infringed upon several of its patents. Oura says, These patents relate to the Oura Ring form factor, including internal and external components, as well as manufacturing methods.

The company adds, Innovation that moves the category forward is good for the industry and for consumers. At the same time, its essential to uphold standards of originality and respect for intellectual property.

At the moment, it is unclear what will happen as a result of the lawsuit. Oura says that it will wait for the ITC process to run its course. However, not everyone is thrilled with the lawsuit (obviously). In fact, back in 2024, Samsung launched a countersuit against Oura. Samsung claimed that Ouras pattern of indiscriminate assertion of patent infringement against any and all competitors in the smart ring market was an actual, imminent risk to Samsung. However, a US federal judge dismissed Samsungs lawsuit in early 2025.

Not Ouras first lawsuit

This recent lawsuit is actually not the first time Oura has sued other makers of smart rings. The company had previously sued other smart ring companies like Ringconn, Circular, and Ultrahuman over the same patent.

It was successful in its fight against Ringconn and Circular, resulting in both companies forming royalty-based patent licenses for its patent. Ultrahuman, on the other hand, has refused to fall in line. The company is currently appealing the ITCs cease-and-desist order that prevents its smart rings from being sold in the US.
Android flagships have a choice between Qualcomm and MediaTek chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500 are the current premium chips. Though Qualcomm Snapdragon chips can be pricey for Android OEMs, a new survey shows consumers prefer the Snapdragon chip when theyre buying their next flagship.

Qualcomm Snapdragon chips: the user favorite

The survey was conducted by Qualcomm itself, as reported by the Korean media outlet Chosun. However, it doesnt mention the participant count or the name of the market research firm. The report says that respondents are three times more willing to pay for a Snapdragon SoC. In fact, theyre even ready to pay over a 16% premium for it.

This must be hard on Samsung, considering the tech giant is reportedly planning to cut down its chipset expense by bringing the Exynos 2600 to the Galaxy S26 series in 2026. Though it may not.

Respondents are three times more willing to pay for Snapdragon

While this is an interesting development, without knowing the exact participant count, its not accurate to generalize the consumers opinion on Qualcomm and Snapdragon worldwide. The survey also reveals that 84% of the participants believe that Qualcomm is the leader in the smartphone chip segment. Consumers may maintain this impression of the company for the foreseeable future.

Circling back to Samsung, it will still equip the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 on its Galaxy S26 models in the majority of regions. The reason for it is the deal it has with Qualcomm. It may have to pay a hefty fine if it fails to incorporate the chip. But if given a chance, Samsung is likely to pick the Exynos 2600 across all markets. But winning back consumers trust isnt going to be easy. For other Android phone makers, the choice is between Qualcomm and MediaTek at all times.
Weve seen AI used for good and bad. Because the tech is still relatively new, the law hasnt caught up yet. But over in the US, AI regulation is going to be tricky. This is because US President Donald Trump is thinking of signing an executive order essentially banning states from implementing their own AI laws.

Trump to sign executive order that bans state-level AI laws

As part of this potential executive order, Trump is looking forming an AI Litigation Task Force which will be overseen by the attorney general. However, this isnt so much about the Trump administration trying to govern the use of AI, but more about going after states who try to implement their own AI laws.

So, what will happen if states try to implement their own regulations regarding AI? Well, the Task Force will be able to sue them for obstructing the growth of the AI industry. During his appearance at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump was quoted as saying, You cant go through 50 states. You have to get one approval. Fifty is a disaster. Because youll have one woke state and youll have to do all woke. Youll be back in the woke business. We dont have woke anymore in this country. Its virtually illegal. Youll have a couple of wokesters.

Also, in addition to potentially being sued, the executive order also seems to threaten states with decreased funding if they do not comply. This means that states that violate the executive order may become ineligible for programs like Broadband Equity Access and Deployment.

Not Trumps first rodeo

This isnt the first time that Trump has proposed preventing states from regulating AI on their own. This was part of his big, beautiful bill that was announced earlier this year. States do have some recourse if they wish to legally contest the executive order. However, they must first prove that this order exceeds the presidents constitutional or statutory authority, violates the US Constitution, or conflicts with existing laws already passed by Congress.

That being said, its not surprising that Trump would want to prevent states from regulating AI on their own. Right now, there is a race for dominance in the AI space between the US and China. While many Chinese AI models arent available outside the country, reports have suggested that some of them are just as good, if not better, than US-based models.

Regulation can be a double-edged sword, where it has the potential to stifle innovation and advancement. However, given the dangers of AI, some checks and balances arent a bad thing either.
A poster reading Notice a new scent? Is displayed at Grand Central Terminal, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

New York City's bustling subway system typically assaults commuters with a pungent blend of industrial and bodily odors but not one station this festive season.

Now a section of Grand Central station is offering a distinctly different experience: the air is filled with the scent of vanilla and fresh pine.

All courtesy of a novel advertising campaign by Bath & Body Works, which is actively diffusing the fragrance into the 42nd Street shuttle train platform throughout November. While many commuters remain oblivious, the source of this aroma comes from diffusers discreetly attached to a steel girder above the platform and along the walls of a connecting tunnel.

Those who do glance upwards can observe them emitting visible bursts of vapour. Bath & Body Works anticipates that between 20 and 30 pounds (9 to 14 kilograms) of fragrance will have been dispersed by the campaign's conclusion at the end of the month.

A person walks past posters promoting the campaign by Bath & Body Works at Grand Central station, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

It smells better than the normal New York City tunnels that we normally smell here, commuter Jerome Murray said. So yes, I appreciate it.

The area is one of the busiest parts inside the transit hub, with people moving quickly as they transfer to and from the Times Square shuttle every four to five minutes.

Commuter Kelly Rodriguez, 23, described the smell as a pine scent, very Christmassy  a note given by many riders. Kathleen Baptiste, 60, added that it reminds her of fabric softeners.

People walk past the posters promoting the campaign by Bath & Body Works at Grand Central Terminal, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The scent is subtle enough that some riders said they missed it as they traveled through the space. If you didnt see the poster explaining that it is a Bath & Body Works ad campaign, it could be easy to mistake for another riders perfume.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the citys subways and buses, says this is the first ad campaign of its kind inside the transit network, which is seeking to generate new revenue streams. Hoping to avoid any blowback, the agency tested a pilot of aroma-based ads last year in stations in Queens and Brooklyn to review the safety and gather feedback, according to Mary John, the agencys director of commercial ventures.

John says the agency has not received any complaints so far.

Jamie Sohosky, Bath & Body Works chief marketing officer, said the retail chain chose Fresh Balsam for the campaign because it is one of the brand's most iconic holiday scents and a long-running seasonal favorite. Grand Central, she said, was a natural choice, since huge numbers of riders pass through while connecting to other trains.
Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay are getting married in December - but have they fallen out with his family? (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (SOPA Images via Getty Images)

Adam Peaty has finally spoken out on the rumoured family feud that has cast a shadow over his forthcoming wedding to Holly Ramsay.

The couple are planning their big day at Bath Abbey for 27 December, but hit headlines when it emerged that swimmer Adam's mum, Caroline, had not been invited to Holly's hen weekend on 7 November at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire. Caroline and the rest of the Peaty family, except for Adam's sister, Bethany, have reportedly been dropped from the wedding as well.

Both bride and groom had stayed silent on the matter as the rumours swirled, but now Olympian Adam has spoken out by posting his own statement on Instagram, where he wrote about his disappointment in his family for fanning the flames.

Here's everything Adam and his family have said about the alleged feud, as well as how Adam and Holly met.

Adam Peaty speaks out on family feud reports

The couple have had a tricky time in the run-up to their wedding. (Getty Images) (Dave Benett via Getty Images)

After plenty of media and online speculation about what had happened between Adam, Holly and the Peaty family, the Olympic gold-winning swimmer has finally given his side of the story.

He hinted at deep-rooted issues in a statement posted on Instagram, which read: "Over the past few days, a lot has been reported and comments posted about the private life of Holly and myself. My sister Bethany, has also been targeted. This has been almost entirely one-sided and, in many cases, excessive and intrusive. It has been deeply hurtful and upsetting to read, especially given the false basis upon which we have been targeted. What makes it worse is that it has been encouraged by members of my family.

"Bethany, Holly and myself cannot go into detail given an ongoing police investigation into serious matters that arose long before recent events.

"For those who know me personally, you know that I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place. I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times.

"Bethany, Holly and I will get through this - we do not ask for sympathy. We just need people to be aware that there are always two sides to every story. To those of you who have reached out and shown kindness and understanding - thank you. It is deeply appreciated. Yours faithfully, Adam."

What happened in Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay's feud with family?

Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty will get married on 27 December. (Indigo/Getty Images) (Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images)

Rumours of an alleged rift with the Peaty family surfaced following Holly's luxury hen weekend at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire on 7 November.

Holly, the daughter of Gordon Ramsay, celebrated with a group that included her sisters Megan and Tilly, her mum Tana, celebrity pal Victoria Beckham, Adam's sister Bethany, and her close friends. But notably absent from the weekend was Adam's mum, Caroline, who was reportedly at home looking after his five-year-old son, George, from a previous relationship.

Adam's aunt, Caroline's sister Louise Williams, signalled there might be more to the lack of invite when she posted on Instagram in response to Holly's photos of the weekend: "@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. You have inflicted a hurt on my sister that will take a very long time to heal if ever."

Some reports have suggested that Adam fell out with his mum over wedding outfits. Other reports claim that tensions began following their engagement in September 2024.

Caroline has posted on social media thanking her sister for her support, writing: "The moment you realise the little sister who once drove you crazy is now the one who keeps you sane  your loudest supporter and forever best friend. Louise I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my protector through this difficult time. To the people who are being so cruel to my sister, please stop! Sadly you obviously dont understand the bond of sisters."

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Caroline said: "I know it's the end. But please, the message I want Adam to hear is no matter what happens in the future, please know I love you, your dad loves you, you can come home and talk to me at any point.

Adam Peaty has become a key part of the Ramsay family. (Getty Images for Studio Ramsay) (Dave Benett via Getty Images)

"There's nothing you've done that I would not forgive. I love you so much. I hope your marriage is a good one, I don't wish any ill on you and I want you and Holly to have a long and happy marriage, like your dad and me. The reason I'm speaking out is I want all this to end."

Adding that she had been "losing sleep" over whether she had "said too much" in previous conversations, Caroline claimed: "He's (Adam) in Gordon's clutches. I can't help but feel like they are pulling him away from me. Their family is very insular."

How Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay met

The couple started dating in 2023. (PA Images via Getty Images) (Tim Goode - PA Images via Getty Images)

Adam was previously in a relationship with artist Eirianedd Munro, who he met while training at Loughborough University. They had son, George, in September 2020, but had split by August 2022.

He first met Holly while taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2021, where Holly was supporting her sister Tilly, a contestant in the same cast. However, they did not start dating until June 2023 and went Instagram official after a romantic trip to Rome.

The couple have generally kept their relationship private until the recent rumours over a feud emerged, but Adam has praised Holly for her close bond with his son and the couple proudly announced their engagement in September 2024.

Adam hinted at his good relationship with the Ramsays, but did not mention his side of the family in his Instagram announcement at the time, which read: "I cant believe youre going to be my wife. Im truly the luckiest man on earth to have such a gentle, caring and beautiful woman by my side. You fill my heart to the brim and give my soul peace.

"You have been with me when Ive been at my lowest and helped me understand myself to navigate my own darkness. You have also celebrated the highs which have been so many, as for the first time in my life, Im happy with the man Ive become. You came to church with me and joined the incredible community we have there without a question.

"Your family have always treated me so generously with their time, emotion and trust. I cant wait to be joined with them too. Ive always believed that when two people are engaged and later married that we are no longer two people but we join as one and its the biggest privilege to share that with you.

Holly Ramsay supports Adam Peaty with his son George. (Getty Images) (Handout via Getty Images)

"Seeing you show the love you give to the most important person in my life, George, even from day one, there was never a question about you becoming my wife one day. Im looking forward to our life together and the many challenges well face. I promise to always love you with all my heart."

Holly posted: "I am marrying my best friend. I truly cannot put into words how I am feeling right now. I still remember how big my smile was the morning I got home from my first date with you.

"Thank you for letting the little girl inside of me feel loved, seen and happier than ever. I love you & I cannot wait to be your wife. I promise to always be there with you and George, Im so greatful to be in his life and I cannot wait for more. Everything is better with you. Everything has been better since you. Heres to forever."
When Nestor was a teenager and living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he became a target of armed militias recruiting child soldiers. They came to his school, pulling pupils out against their will. As the conflict escalated and with his life in peril, his uncle flew with him to Scotland, doing his best to get him to safety  but then left him to his own devices at a Glasgow train station.

Nestor would never see his uncle again. At the time, he was just 16. He had no money, spoke no English and had never been outside the DRC. His father, a prominent political journalist, had died two years earlier and Nestor was estranged from his mother, so when his uncle left him on that railway platform, he was utterly alone in an alien world. His uncle later passed away, and they never saw each other again.

It was a very dark moment in my life, he says of that day at the station. I was scared and couldnt find anyone who spoke my language. After wondering around, I saw a random black man who I approached for help. Luckily, we both spoke a little Swahili and he directed me to the Scottish Refugee Council.

(Elliott Morgan)

Nestor, 29, now a top chef who has worked at Michelin-star restaurants in Edinburgh and London, recounts his extraordinary story. There are things too traumatic to talk about, he says  like the circumstances surrounding his fathers death, which he describes as political. But there is much he does want to talk about, starting with how the Scottish Refugee Council  and later cooking  saved his life.

The Scottish Refugee Council is one of the funded partners in our winter campaign in partnership with Comic Relief  Whos at Your Table?  which is seeking to raise funds for charities supporting people who have been forced to flee their homes and people facing homelessness or food insecurity.

Today we can also announce a significant boost to our campaign: a 900,000 donation from This Day Foundation, taking our total raised to over 1.4 million.

This Day Foundation

Founded in 2023 by Gary Lubner to drive systemic social change in the UK and South Africa, This Day focuses on ending youth unemployment, youth development, and supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Every grant includes a leadership element to help build a fairer future for new generations and applies business-world discipline to maximise charitable impact. By the end of 2025, This Day will have given over 80 million to good causes across South Africa and the UK.

Gary Lubner, a British philanthropist and businessman born in South Africa and who founded This Day, explains his backing. He says: With both sets of my grandparents having fled persecution in Eastern Europe to arrive as refugees in South Africa, I understand what it means to seek safety and opportunity. Growing up in apartheid-era Johannesburg, I saw how prejudice devastates lives and limits opportunities. Through This Day, I am focussed on supporting refugees and building communities where fairness and equality prevail.

He added: Every refugee story I have ever heard reinforces the same truth: no one chooses to leave their home unless forced by war or persecution, yet too often they arrive here to face hostility rather than compassion. That is why I am proud to support The London Standards campaign with Comic Relief. It is about what connects us, not what divides us; about recognising our shared humanity and ensuring that those who need help most are not left behind.

What a relief to be able to communicate. I broke down

Nestors story epitomises the transformative impact that funding for groups like the Scottish Refugee Council can have.

He recalls that first meeting: They were warm and welcoming, gave me food and crucially, found someone who could speak French, he says. What a relief to be able to communicate. I broke down. They took me to a big house where other young refugees lived and gave me a place to stay. Then they arranged weekly therapy and English classes and helped me apply for asylum. Because my father had been a prominent journalist and his death had been reported, the Home Office easily verified my story, and my claim for asylum was accepted within six months.

For Nestor, those early years of support from the Scottish Refugee Council were critical as he tried to rebuild his life. Its hard for me to talk about because its a feeling far deeper than loneliness, he says. At times, you are so desperate you want to kill yourself. I was traumatised. Loud bangs in the night would make me wake bolt upright  I thought I was hearing gunfire and that I was back on the streets of Goma. It was thanks to the wrap-around support I got from the Scottish Refugee Council that I found the strength to carry on.

Who's at Your Table

Our winter campaign  Whos at Your Table?  in partnership with Comic Relief, is raising money to fund organisations in London and across the country helping people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, and people who have been forced to flee their homes.

But after a few years, something unexpected happened: Nestor fell in love with cooking, and with Scotland. Its the strangest thing, he smiles. Where I come from, cooking is womens work  I didnt even know how to chop an onion. But when I was around 18, I got a job as a kitchen porter washing dishes for about 80 a week at a restaurant called 111 by Nico. The chef, Nico Simeone, took me under his wing and trained me in classical techniques. That was the start of something magical.

Nestor worked hard, completed a chefs course, and went on to cook at Tom Kitchins Michelin-starred restaurant in Edinburgh before joining Claude Bosis two-Michelin-star kitchen in London.

I had so much suffering coming here so young, but the kitchen gave me discipline and structure

The kitchen transformed my life and gave me purpose, he says. I had so much suffering coming here so young, but the kitchen gave me discipline and structure. Its 12 to 14-hour shifts, incredibly intense, but people like Tom Kitchin opened their arms to me and said, This is your home. Now I want to do the same for others.

He breaks into a broad grin. Ive just got engaged  my fiancee is half-French, half Congolese, but born in France, so her story is completely different. I wish I could meet that man who helped me when I was homeless and took me to the Scottish Refugee Council because I never saw him again. There is so much about those early years I still dont know or remember: which countries I travelled through, where I landed, what my uncle said before he left me.

(ES)

This Christmas, Nestor will be helping to prepare a scrumptious dinner for fine diners at a 3 AA Rosette and Michelin recommended restaurant in the Cotswolds where he is currently freelancing, as well as celebrating privately with his fiancee and friends.

Who will be missing from his table? My dad, he says quietly. We were very close. I miss his guidance. Everything Ive achieved, Ive done for him. Even after all these years, I keep trying to make him proud.

How you can help

10 could help provide a child forced to leave home with a gift to open on Christmas

25 could help pay for a child refugee to attend a group session to build language skills

30 could provide a family forced to leave home with a food voucher for a festive meal with loved ones

45 could provide a refugee with two hours career advice, supporting them to secure employment
The BBCs head of content has said outgoing director-general Tim Davie will be hard to replace and his resignation came as a bolt from the blue.

Davie and the chief executive of BBC News, Deborah Turness, resigned amid a furore over the editing of a speech by US President Donald Trump for Panorama.

Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, chief content officer Kate Phillips told hosts Richard Osman and Marina Hyde: Its definitely been a tough few days for the BBC. Thats undeniable.

Deborah Turness resigned as chief executive of BBC News (James Manning/PA)

We were all very shocked when Tim and Deborah Turness, the head of news, resigned, because for me, personally, I am huge admirers of them.

They have been incredible colleagues, great friends, and I know no-one who has worked harder or cared more about the BBC and making sure that its a value to everyone in the UK.

That is at their core, and it was a real shock when they resigned, and in typical Tim manner, he rang me and told me personally, and it was a bolt from the blue and I just think he is an amazing leader, and he will be very hard to replace.

And I think everyone at the BBC is feeling great sadness that they have gone because were very proud of everything we do there, and two of our most talented and brilliant leaders are stepping down.

US President Donald Trump (Leon Neal/PA)

Mr Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for one billion dollars over a Panorama episode broadcast in 2024 that included selective editing of a speech he made before the attack on the US Capitol in 2021.

Asked if the scandal was one thing too many for Davie, Phillips said: I think we are under a lot of scrutiny at the BBC, more than any other broadcaster, but rightly so.

Were funded by the public, and I would say we are utterly accountable, and when we get something wrong editorially, or something comes into question, it should be questioned and looked at.

I think (Culture Secretary) Lisa Nandy spoke about warning against sustained attacks on the BBC.

So for me, yes, we should be scrutinised. Yes, were accountable, and we should be upheld when we dont get it right, but in the spirit of making the best broadcaster in the world even better.

Its as simple as that, and thats what we should strive for.

BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised on behalf of the BBC for an error of judgment and accepted that the editing of the speech gave the impression of a direct call for violent action.

But the corporation continues to resist Mr Trumps demands for significant damages.

Asked if she can ever anticipate what will spark controversy, Phillips said: We are very proud of our content, and I dont think we want to sanitise it for fear of people not liking it.

Theres this great line that indifference is the enemy, not contempt. And I think that is a good line, because I think we stand by our content.

And the BBC mantra of inform, educate and entertain is in everything we do. But yes, sometimes you can be a bit blindsided by something, and I think, Oh right, OK.

But youre prepared for anything at the BBC. I can wake up in the morning and by the time I get home at night, its a completely different day.
Bin collections in London risk being cut back as Government funding for some councils is reduced under controversial reforms, business leaders are warning.

They have written to Business Secretary Peter Kyle urging him to intervene to lessen the blow to town halls in the capital.

Ministers are changing the way funding is allocated in a move which is set to funnel more money to the North and Midlands.

The reforms, set to come in next April, are expected to particularly hit councils in central London which have kept council tax low, a few in outer London, and town halls in the wider South East.

The letter to Mr Kyle, organised by business group BusinessLdn, stressed: Boroughs will of course prioritise their statutory responsibility to protect their most vulnerable residents, including adults and children in need of social care and homeless families.

This means the impact of further funding constraints will inevitably hit visible services boroughs deliver and on which local businesses depend such as planning, economic development, street cleaning and refuse collection.

Councils in London are unlikely to cut bin collections ahead of the local elections next May.

But they are facing growing financial constraints as they seek to fulfil increasing statutory duties, on top of the other services that they provide.

Rubbish piled in a street off Brick Lane during a strike by Tower Hamlets refuse collectors in 2023 (Getty Images)

Some of them are already making changes to council tax to try to balance their books.

The letter added: The Governments ambition to make the local government funding system simpler, more stable and fairer is long overdue and welcome.

However, the methodology being used in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 risks exacerbating the unprecedented financial pressures that London councils, and particularly inner London boroughs, are facing.

The letter was signed by John Dickie, chief executive of BusinessLDN, Dee Corsi, chief executive of the New West End Company, Alex Jan, chair of Central District Alliance BID, Ros Morgan, chief executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, Brendan Kerr, executive chairman and owner of Keltbray, Faraz Baber, chief operating officer at Lanpro, and Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody and Chair of the G15 group of London housing associations.

Together, they represent more than 1,000 businesses in the capital.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle who is being urged to intervene to stop London councils being so hard hit by funding reforms (PA Wire)

London Councils, which represents town halls, has warned that they face a 1 billion funding gap this year, having had to overspend by 800 million last year to meet demands for their services.

The business leaders stressed that nearly a quarter of London boroughs are now reliant on emergency borrowing to balance their budgets, meaning it is the worst hit region in the country.

The Governments proposed funding reforms are poised to make this unsustainable financial outlook even worse, the letter added.

Ministers recently amended the reforms, started under former Communities Secretary Angela Rayner, so that they do not hit some London councils so hard.

Housing costs, which make up a small proportion of the overall deprivation score at present, will be a larger role in calculating how much money an authority receives, according to reports.

Former Communities Secretary Angela Rayner (PA Wire)

Since the cost of housing in London is significantly higher than other regions, with the average property price-to-earnings ratio being about 1.5 times the UK average, this will make the capital appear more deprived and thus generate more funding.

A Communities Department spokesman said: We have made 69 billion available for council finances and will fix the outdated and unfair funding system we inherited, so funding finally matches local peoples needs and councils can deliver better public services.

The reforms aim to ensure that people in areas previously left behind will get the vital public services they deserve from their local town hall.

Some councils in more deprived areas of London are expected to benefit.

The new funding allocations from the Government are set to be phased in over three years, with a funding floor to limit the impact of cuts in some but not all councils.
At a glance

 The Government is expected to approve the 1.7bn DLR extension to Thamesmead in the Budget

 Construction will start in 2027 and the link will open in 2032, with new stations on either side of the River Thames

 The project will unlock up to 25,000 homes and 10,000 jobs but may mean the Bakerloo line extension and West London Orbital rail link remain on the back burner

The long-awaited 1.7bn extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead is expected to be given the green light in the Budget in a massive boost to south-east London, The Standard has been told.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will next week grant permission to Transport for London and London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to secure loans to enable the DLR network to be expanded under the Thames from Beckton.

Other than the opening of the HS2 station at Old Oak Common, this is likely to be the biggest upgrade to the London transport network for the next decade.

Improving public transport links to Thamesmead is vital if the deprived area, which has been earmarked as one of two sites in London where new towns could be created, is to fulfil its potential.

At present, Thamesmead has neither a Tube station nor a train station. Residents who rely on public transport have to catch a bus to Abbey Wood or Woolwich to access the DLR or Elizabeth line.

How the DLR extension would cross under the Thames to Thamesmead (TfL)

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has described the DLR extension as essential to deliver thousands of homes and jobs. He is confident it can open by 2032.

Sir Sadiq said: Im really pleased that the Government is backing the DLR extension to Thamesmead - something Ive long called for alongside Londons businesses and communities.

The project is a win-win and a massive vote of confidence in London.

Ms Reeves, who will deliver her Budget on November 26, is expected to effectively underwrite the project by committing a small amount of Government funding.

This is in line with TfLs hopes  it had sought permission from the Government to borrow money to extend the DLR, which it would repay over the long term, and was not seeking 1.7bn in cash.

A Treasury source said: This Budget will choose growth over austerity by supporting renewal in every part of the country.

Extending the DLR to Thamesmead will deliver much-needed new homes, new jobs, and quicker commutes  the building blocks for boosting growth, putting more pounds in pockets.

Precise figures on the level of Government support are yet to be made public. Construction is expected to start in 2027.

There would be two new stations  one after Gallions Reach, on the north side of the river, and one in Thamesmead.

However, the backing for the DLR extension is likely to come at the expense of TfLs two other big ticket schemes  the Bakerloo line extension and the West London Orbital train link that would be a new addition to the London Overground.

TfL may also feel embarrassed to have the extension confirmed at a time it has been forced to withdraw the first of its 1bn new fleet of trains from service as it tries to remedy faults with their braking systems.

Extending the DLR to Thamesmead would almost halve the travel time to Stratford to about 25-30 minutes, and bring Canary Wharf within 20-25 minutes. About 500,000 Londoners could have shorter commutes as a result.

Up to 25,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs  could be unlocked over the next 30 years, according to the Treasury.

TfL commissioner Andy Lord said on Thursday: We welcome news from the Government that it plans to back the transformational extension of the DLR to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.

It will improve connectivity across the river by cutting journey times and reducing car dependency.

In her spending review in June, Ms Reeves caused dismay when she declined to earmark funding for the DLR extension, though she did ask TfL and the mayor to submit a business case.

In September, the capitals business leaders wrote to the Chancellor to urge her seize the moment and support TfLs plans, saying the DLR extension would help to deliver thousands of new homes and provide a 15.6bn boost to the economy.

That request has now been accepted - driven in part, no doubt, by the decision to designate the area as a potential new town.

TfLs plan is for the DLRs Beckton line to branch off after Gallions Reach station and travel through the Beckton Riverside area on a viaduct before descending to a new ground-level station opposite Gallions Reach shopping park.

The new station would form part of a redeveloped town centre north of the river, with residential developments, employment, retail, and community facilities, according to TfL.

The DLR would descend underground into a tunnel to cross under the Thames towards Thamesmead.

The track would emerge onto a viaduct to pass over the Twin Tumps and Thamesmere Site of Importance for Nature Conservation before terminating at an elevated station in Thamesmead town centre, on the current site of Cannon Retail Park.

The proposed DLR station at Thamesmead (TfL)

In September, Thamesmead was named as one of 12 locations across England earmarked for thousands of new homes by the Governments New Towns Taskforce.

However the report made clear that the creation of a riverside settlement in Thamesmead was dependent on the DLR being extended to the area, which currently has no train or Tube station.

It said: If selected as a new town, there would need to be confirmed government support for the DLR extension before it can move forward to delivery.

Without this being the case, Thamesmead Waterfronts opportunity cannot be realised.

There would therefore need to be a commitment from HM Treasury, Department for Transport and MHCLG to bring this forward.

There is also a need for funding support to remediate land given its brownfield status and various historic uses.

The DLR, which first opened in 1987, was extended to Woolwich Arsenal in 2009 via a tunnel under the Thames.

The New Towns Taskforce report said there was capacity to expand Thamesmead to the 15,000 homes originally envisaged post-war.

It said: The original promise of the Thamesmead new town can be renewed  creating a modern, vibrant, waterfront community that benefits and reinvigorates wider East London.

The majority of the site is held by only one landowner (Peabody, who are delivering the project as part of a Joint Venture with Lendlease and The Crown Estate).

This is also one of the largest developable opportunities in London that is not part of the Green Belt.

There are further housing opportunities on the other side of the river at Beckton where 10,000 homes could come forward that are also linked to the Docklands Light Railway.

The other London location selected for a new town is Crews Hill, in Enfield. However, conservationists have vowed to fight the plans.
Coast Guard disputes claim its new guidelines no longer consider swastikas and nooses hate symbols

The U.S. Coast Guard will reportedly no longer consider swastikas, nooses, or the Confederate flag to be hate symbols, according to forthcoming guidelines obtained by The Washington Post, though the service branch denies changing its stance towards such imagery.

Under the guidelines reported by the paper, these symbols will instead be considered potentially divisive imagery, though flying the Confederate flag will remain banned.

We dont deserve the trust of the nation if were unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas, an anonymous Coast Guard official who has seen the alleged guidelines told the paper.

The Coast Guard strongly disputed that it was softening its policy towards these symbols.

The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false, Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, said in a statement to The Independent. These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy. Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished.

The Washington Post reports that new Coast Guard guidelines taking effect December 15 will downgrade swastikas, nooses, and the Confederate flag from hate symbols to potentially divisive imagery, though the service branch denies it is softening its stance on hate iconography (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of the Coast Guard, said that reports of a change in its hate symbol policy are fake.

This is an absolute ludicrous lie and unequivocally false, according to an X post from Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS.

Lene Mees de Tricht, a veteran of the Coast Guard and Navy, called the reported proposal disgusting. Mees de Tricht, who is Jewish and whose grandfather was injured fighting the Nazis in WWII, said the guidelines were not only personally offensive but strategically foolish and could harm unit cohesion on the high seas.

It is the obvious and inevitable end of the culture war that Secretary of Defense Hegseth and the Trump admin more broadly have been waging, Mees de Tricht, who now works with the progressive veterans advocacy group Common Defense, told The Independent. Its so incredibly wrongheaded. It almost feels like theyre trying to pick the wrongest opinion you could possibly have and decide to die on that hill.

The alleged guidance change comes after other Trump administration shake-ups at the Coast Guard, including the removal of Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead it, from her post (AP/Getty)

Democratic leaders reacted in shock to the alleged potential policy shift.

Swastikas are a symbol of Nazis and violent antisemitism, and they should NEVER be tolerated in our country  much less by our military, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington wrote on X. This is absolutely horrific.

These are things that shouldnt be up for debate: swastikas, nooses, and the confederate flag, Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky wrote on X. These are hate symbols  theres no grey area here.

The alleged change in Coast Guard rules follows a season of upheaval under the Trump administration, which has cracked down against what it sees as rampant wokeness in the nations military branches and government agencies.

Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead the Coast Guard, was removed upon the president taking office, reportedly because the Trump administration took issue with what it believed was an excessive focus on diversity and inclusion efforts.

Following Fagans removal, the Coast Guard was ordered to suspend the services hazing and harassment policy, which included guidance that the swastika, noose, and Confederate flag were symbols whose display, presentation, creation, or depiction would constitute a potential hate incident, according to the Post.

Elsewhere in the military, the Trump administration has reinstated images and names tied to Confederate figures.
File. Maha Tower and Kuah town are seen during sunrise on Malaysia's resort island of Langkawi on 1 March 2024 (AFP via Getty)

A social media post by Malaysian minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz about enjoying an early morning run in Sabah has reignited a debate over whether the Southeast Asian nation is in the wrong time zone.

Although Kuala Lumpur and Singapore lie on roughly the same longitude as Bangkok and Jakarta, they run an hour ahead on the clock, aligned with Manila, a city far to the east. This artificial shift to GMT+8 pushes sunrise in peninsular Malaysia to around 7am, much later than Jakartas 5.30am or Manilas 6am, where the local time more closely tracks the position of the sun. Critics argue this limits morning daylight and disrupts circadian rhythms.

Mr Aziz, an enthusiastic runner, underlined the contrast saying Kota Kinabalus earlier sunrise allowed him to fit in a morning run before his 8.30am engagement.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of the Borneo state of Sabah.

Peninsular Malaysia sits on the Southeast Asian mainland, while Sabah and Sarawak lie across the South China Sea on the island of Borneo.

I bumped into many KK runners today! Power! Lets continue to practise a healthy lifestyle, the trade and industry minister said in a post on X.

Selamat pagi Kota Kinabalu! 



Sini waktu Subuhnya awal, jadi jam 6.00 pagi dah boleh start lari sebelum program pertama 8.30 pagi Ahad ni! Alhamdulillah, cuaca di Kota Kinabalu hari ini memang best untuk berlari.



Terserempak dengan ramai KK runners hari ni! Power! Mari kita pic.twitter.com/sDtA8EbOoK  Tengku Zafrul  (@tzafrul_aziz) November 9, 2025

His post drew a flurry of responses urging a return to GMT+7, the time zone observed in Thailand and western Indonesia.

Many argued that people in peninsular Malaysia were denied the chance to enjoy early daylight and the late sunrise left them out of sync with natural body rhythms.

Peninsular Malaysia operated on GMT+7.30 after the Second World War, but on 31 December 1981, then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad advanced the clocks by 30 minutes to align the peninsula with Sabah and Sarawak.

Singapore followed suit, saying it wanted to spare travellers and businesses unnecessary disruption.

Malaysia was put on GMT+8 time zone by former leader Mahathir Mohamad (AP)

A niche group active on X has for years been urging Malaysia to turn the clocks back, arguing that more morning sunlight could help tackle health issues like diabetes and obesity.

When the proposal resurfaced in the parliament in March 2024, the government acknowledged the health claims but maintained that altering the time zone would carry major economic consequences.

The government is not willing to shift away from what was decided in 1981, then minister of investment, trade and industry Liew Chin Tong said.

Several commentators responded to Mr Azizs post urging a change. BRING BACK GMT +7 to Semenanjung!! one wrote, referring to peninsular Malaysia.
Boris during the Covid era

Lady Halletts latest Covid inquiry report should not be cast aside lightly. It should be thrown aside with great force. In wearisome detail, and at the price of 192 million so far, it does nothing but reinforce the conventional wisdom. It alights upon the easy, convenient explanation, as we knew it always would. It shows a complete lack of intellectual curiosity about important elements of the pandemic. And it goes with the flow of the besetting tendency of this countrys governing class, that of closing ranks against criticism and blaming outsiders.

And so the story it gives is the easy one. Boris Johnson ran a chaotic government, ignored advice, locked down too late, and killed 23,000 people. It will stick, because so many people want to believe it. That doesnt make it right.

The fundamental question that we still need answered, and which this report does not answer, is whether lockdowns saved lives. Were they the right response to a disease with a fatality rate of between 0.1 per cent and 0.5 per cent? If we dont learn this then the whole inquiry is a waste of time, because it has given us no guidance as to what to do if it happens again.

Instead, the point which the report should be interrogating is simply taken as read. It just assumes that lockdowns are necessary and worthwhile, and is far too trusting of modelling that we now know was simply too alarmist. Modelling has established, they say, that an earlier lockdown would have saved 23,000 deaths. In fact modelling has established no such thing and it now seems that infection levels were actually falling as we went into that spring 2020 lockdown.

At the other end of the pandemic, the 2021 omicron lockdown that never was, the inquirys judgement is similarly skewed. Here, surely, the Government was right to judge that a lockdown was not necessary, since the hospitalisations and deaths never got anywhere near the alarmist predictions of Vallance and Whitty. Yet the inquiry says only, and incredibly, that the UK governments approach in this period was, once again, overly optimistic. What? If the vaccines had been less effective or the Omicron variant as severe as previous variants  the consequences would have been disastrous. But it wasnt. It was clear at the time it wasnt. It was so obvious to me that I resigned in protest against more measures. Yet the inquirys view seems to be we should have locked down anyway just in case. This is nuts.

Now of course mistakes were made over this period. It would hardly be surprising if they hadnt. The British government nearly collapsed in March and April 2020 as all the leading players got Covid, a fact which gets remarkably little consideration in this report. But the main mistake was not being too complacent, as the inquiry report seems to think, but being too alarmist.

During 2020 and 2021 no proper feedback loop was ever established between real world outcomes, as opposed to modelling, and actions. So when crises came, the same things were done again and again. Little attention was paid to other countries experiences. There was reluctance to accept obvious facts, for example that the vaccine did not prevent transmission but only mitigated the severity of infection. And measures were taken not on their merits but to scare people: indeed a turning point for me was being in a meeting in mid-2020 which we were told that masks had no meaningful effect but should be required anyway to remind everyone we were in a pandemic.

But the basic problem, never properly addressed, is that if your only tool is a hammer, all your problems look like a nail. The inquiry thinks the only tool against the virus was dramatic reductions in social contact, and therefore each time the government refused to rush into taking them, it was culpable.

Yet lockdowns are a dramatic intrusion into normal human life. They are bound to cause huge collateral harm, in economic life, in other health conditions, in psychological harms. And so they have. The vast cost of paying people to stay at home pushed UK debt up by 20 per cent of GDP in just a couple of years, and has reinforced a collectivist mentality that will continue to cause this country huge damage.

The inquiry believes that somehow human activity can control an airborne virus, a level of hubris about human powers that is entirely unjustified by events. It scoffs at the alternative strategy of the Great Barrington Declaration. It is dismissive of the Swedish parallel, arguing that the Swedes took some measures too. Of course they did. But there is a big difference between the advisory Swedish measures and locking people in their homes by law. And the Swedish outcomes are still better than ours: you cant argue your way out of that, so the inquiry just ignores it instead.

Shame on you and your inquiry, Lady Hallett. You had all the resources of the state at your disposal and yet you have told us nothing useful. One day the work will need to be done properly. Until that point, we can safely cast aside your conclusions.
Chaos at the heart of Boris Johnsons government and his failure to take Covid seriously led to 23,000 deaths, a damning report into pandemic decision-making has found.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry also found the then prime minister and his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, presided over a toxic and chaotic culture at the heart of No 10, which saw the views of women ignored.

The report found that more than 20,000 lives could have been saved in England if the lockdown had been implemented just a week earlier, in March 2020.

Westminster and the three devolved nations were all found to have done too little, too late as the virus spread.

Children were ordered home from school, and families missed out on the chance to say a final goodbye to dying relatives, when measures were finally introduced.

From 16 March 2020, self-isolation and social distancing came into effect, with schools and pubs closed later that week, before ministers took the unprecedented step of ordering the first full lockdown on 23 March.

Had more stringent restrictions short of a stay at home lockdown been introduced earlier than 16 March [...] the mandatory lockdown that was imposed might have been shorter or conceivably might not have been necessary at all, the report said.

Boris Johnson pictured with Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, at one of the daily coronavirus briefings (AFP via Getty)

However, had the mandatory lockdown been in place from that earlier 16 March date, modelling has established that the number of deaths in England in the first wave up until 1 July 2020 would have been reduced by 48 per cent  equating to approximately 23,000 fewer deaths.

The report also found that:

Partygate and other instances of Covid rule-breaking caused huge distress to the public, particularly bereaved people who had complied with the rules and guidance despite massive personal and financial costs. The Downing Street party saga, in particular, led to a self-reported reduction in people following the rules over Christmas 2021

Mr Johnson repeatedly changed his mind in September and October 2020 on whether to introduce tougher restrictions, and failed to make timely decisions. The report says that his oscillation enabled the virus to continue spreading at pace, and led to the second four-week lockdown that November

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme in summer 2020, which offered a discount on restaurant meals in an effort to inject cash into the struggling hospitality industry, was devised in the absence of scientific advice and undermined public health messaging. Mr Johnson and his chancellor Rishi Sunak failed to seek scientific advice about the potential risks of the scheme, despite being advised by Professor (now Sir) Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, about the risks of indoor settings

Attempts to relax the rules around Christmas 2020 to allow people to gather with their families  which then had to be scaled back or reversed  gave rise to false hope among the general public

The health secretary at the time, Matt Hancock, gained a reputation among senior officials and advisers at 10 Downing Street for overpromising and underdelivering, while Sir Chris Wormald, now the countrys most senior civil servant, who was running the Department of Health and Social Care at the time, did not rectify the overenthusiastic impression Mr Hancock had given No 10. Their actions between them obscured the reality and the need for more action during spring 2020

There was no clear plan setting out the arrangements and Dominic Raab, the first secretary of state, was unclear how he was to do the job when Mr Johnson was incapacitated with Covid. There was no clear plan setting out the arrangements to be put in place to ensure continuity of leadership and decision-making. The report said it is not clear how critical decisions would have been made if the then prime minister had fallen ill earlier in March, before key decisions had been made, or if he had not recovered

The inquiry heard evidence about the destabilising behaviour of a number of individuals, including Mr Cummings, then a senior adviser to the PM.

Johnsons oscillation contributed to the spread of Covid in the early stages of the pandemic, according to the report (Getty)

By failing to tackle this chaotic culture  and, at times, actively encouraging it  Mr Johnson reinforced a culture in which the loudest voices prevailed and the views of other colleagues, particularly women, often went ignored, to the detriment of good decision-making, the report found.

Mr Johnson is also said to have demonstrated a failure to appreciate the urgency of the situation in the early days as the virus took hold, and that was put down to his optimism that it would amount to nothing.

Mr Cummings was described as a destabilising influence whose behaviour contributed significantly to a culture of fear, mutual distrust and suspicion that poisoned the atmosphere in 10 Downing Street and undermined the authority of the prime minister.

The report found that had measures such as social distancing been introduced earlier, a total lockdown could have been avoided (PA)

Mr Cummings  who became known for the Barnard Castle scandal in which he travelled from London to County Durham during lockdown  strayed far from the proper role of a special adviser and sought to make key decisions in 10 Downing Street which were for the prime minister to make.

Releasing the report on Thursday afternoon, inquiry chair Heather Hallett said leaders across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were presented with unenviable choices as to how to respond, and that whatever decision they took there was often no right answer or good outcome.

However, when the virus was spreading in early 2020, all four governments failed to appreciate the scale of the threat or the urgency of the response it demanded.

Matt Hancock gained a reputation in No 10 for overpromising and underdelivering, the report found (PA)

They also had to make decisions in conditions of extreme pressure, Baroness Hallett added. Nonetheless, I can summarise my findings of the response as too little, too late.

The reports release comes after a series of hearings that took evidence from more than 160 witnesses, including Mr Johnson, Mr Cummings and Mr Hancock.

They were questioned on measures such as public testing, social distancing, and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which it had been hoped could inject cash into businesses that had been forced to shut during the spring.

The inquiry is still ongoing, and publications will be expected at a later date on modules covering issues such as vaccines, children and young people, and the economic response to the pandemic.

Rishi Sunaks Eat Out to Help Out scheme lacked a scientific basis, the report found (PA Archive)

Reacting to Thursdays report, Sir Keir Starmer said that the next crisis would be faced from a position of national resilience. He also said that the government would respond in due course to the findings of Baroness Halletts report.

Bereaved families have said that Mr Johnson put his political reputation ahead of public safety and pandered to his critics.

Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK said: The evidence from the inquiry is clear, and while it is vindicating to see Boris Johnson blamed in black and white for the catastrophic mishandling of the pandemic, it is devastating to think of the lives that could have been saved under a different prime minister.

We now know that many of our family members would still be alive today if it werent for the leadership of Boris Johnson and his colleagues.

He pandered to his critics when the UK needed decisive action.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has until the end of the day to respond to calls for him to give evidence over paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein in the US.

Members of the US Congress wrote to the former prince at the start of the month seeking an interview with him in connection with his long-standing friendship with Epstein.

The committee on oversight and government reform, which is investigating the late financiers 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. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was given until 20 November to respond.

US president Donald Trump announced he has signed a bill to force the Justice Department to release all of its files related to Epstein following an almost-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been called to answer questions in the US (PA)

President Trump had previously opposed the release of the files, branding the calls a Democrat hoax, but over the weekend made a 180-degree turn and said he had nothing to hide.

The former Duke of York was stripped of his titles by his brother King Charles following fresh allegations against him that emerged in accuser Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoir. Ms Giuffre claims he had sex with her on three separate occasions, allegations he strenuously denies.

He has faced increasing pressure from US lawmakers to answer questions over his friendship with Epstein. Some Democrats have previously suggested he could even speak over video link and with a lawyer present.

The written request made to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is not a subpoena, which would compel him to give evidence, but a request made on behalf of committee members. It is unclear what US lawmakers may choose to do next if the former prince does not respond to their call.

The former prince was stripped of his titles earlier this month (PA)

US House committees have the power to use subpoenas to summon individuals they wish to speak to, meaning the former prince could be compelled to give evidence.

While immediate members of the royal family have diplomatic immunity, Professor Bob Morris from University College Londons Constitution Unit previously explained the privilege only extends to heads of state.

[It] is a concept devised to protect the position of heads of state, but heads of state only, not the members of their family in their function as head of state, he said.

Additionally, Mr Mountbatten-Windsors recent exit from public life and the removal of his titles mean he is now, for all intents and purposes, considered a commoner.

Signed by 16 members of Congress, the letter to the former Duke of York read: The committee is seeking to uncover the identities of Mr Epsteins co-conspirators and enablers, and to understand the full extent of his criminal operations.

Well-documented allegations against you, along with your long-standing friendship with Mr Epstein, indicate that you may possess knowledge of his activities relevant to our investigation.

In the interest of justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, we request that you cooperate with the committees investigation by sitting for a transcribed interview with the committee.
Some funds were reportedly diverted into her 2021 election campaign. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

A U.S. Representative from Florida, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, has been indicted on charges alleging she stole $5 million in federal disaster funds, with some reportedly diverted to her 2021 election campaign. The Justice Department announced the indictment on Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors claim the Democrat stole overpayments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which her family's healthcare firm received through a government-backed Covid-19 vaccination staffing contract. It is further alleged that a portion of these funds was then channelled into her campaign through candidate contributions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the alleged actions, stating: Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.

A phone message left at Cherfilus-McCormicks Washington office was not immediately returned.
Now that President Donald Trump has signed a bill to force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, the DOJ will have 30 days to share all documents related to the late convicted sex offender.

Congress rushed through the Epstein Files Transparency Act after months of resistance from Trump and Republican House leadership.

I have just signed the bill to release the Epstein files! Trump wrote in all-caps in a Truth Social post Wednesday night. Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories.

A drawn-out fight by survivors of Epsteins abuse, MAGA, rebel GOP reps and Democrats culminated in the bill clearing the House and the Senate Tuesday.

The legislation calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the remaining unclassified records in the case relating to the disgraced financier, who died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he had signed a bill to force the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (REUTERS)

Epstein survivors and campaigners were jubilant as they watched the bill sail through the upper chamber, but questions remain as to when the files might finally be released, particularly because Bondi still has the power to redact and omit certain records.

So far, the Justice Department has stayed silent on how it will proceed, and there is some trepidation that Bondi could put the brakes on the release of the files, despite the newly signed bill.

What is in the Epstein Files Transparency Act?

The legislation calls on Bondi to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials held by the Justice Department, FBI and each U.S. Attorneys Office related to Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days.

It also calls for files to be released that relate to individuals, including government officials, named or referenced in connection with criminal activities in the case, and any corporate, nonprofit, academic or governmental entities with known or alleged ties to the trafficking or financial networks of Jeffrey Epstein.

But the bill also gives Bondi the power to withhold records that contain sensitive information about a victim or child witness, depict or contain child pornography or any image of death, physical abuse or injury of any person.

Crucially, the bill also states that Bondi can withhold or redact documents that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or prosecution, or contain information specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret, citing national defense or foreign policy.

How did Trump go from opposing the bill to signing it?

Trump initially strongly opposed the bill, calling the few Republicans who supported the measure from the start weak.

Even in his announcement of the bills signing, the president referred to the Epstein files as a Democrat hoax.

But on Sunday, Trump made a surprising U-turn, telling House Republicans to support the bill after a growing number of GOP lawmakers signaled theyd back the measure.

He later promised to sign the bill if it got through the House and the Senate  though Trump had the power all along to order the release of the files with or without Congress.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was deeply disappointed that the Senate approved the bill without making further amendments, and said he and Trump both have concerns.

Trump initially strongly opposed the bill, calling the few Republicans who supported the measure from the start weak (Getty)

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told CNN that he believed 30 days would be a more than sufficient time for the Justice Department to release the files.

Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Eric Schmitt also told CNN the Justice Department should comply with the bill and release the files.

What has the Department of Justice said?

The department has kept relatively quiet about the bill to release the files.

Bondi addressed the Epstein files saga on her X account on last Friday, where she responded to a Truth Social post from Trump instructing her to launch an investigation into Epsteins Democratic associates.

Thank you, Mr. President. SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton is one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country, and Ive asked him to take the lead, Bondi said. As with all matters, the Department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Bondi said the department will continue to follow the law, when asked what her plan was after Congress passed the bill.

Now the biggest question that remains is whether the Trump administration will argue that this investigation means that the documents cannot be released.

Bondi invited right-wing influencers to a White House photo-op where they received binders of documents containing information largely already in the public domain (AFP via Getty Images)

Bondi has already faced the wrath of MAGA after claiming in February that the files were sitting on [her] desk, and invited right-wing influencers to a White House photo-op where they received binders of documents containing information largely already in the public domain.

Then, the Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo in July, effectively drawing a line under the case by stating that no further documents would be released.

Since then, the issue has refused to die down, and the White House became engulfed in a months-long controversy.

A former White House lawyer in Trumps first term, Ty Cobb, told CNN that he believed that Bondi would stop the release of the files by citing the ongoing investigation.

I think [Trump] and Bondi have determined that they'll try to use Trump-ordered 'investigations' of Democrats  but not Republicans, as he stated  as a bar to producing anything, Cobb told the network.

I think it'll be a long time before we see anything, although there are certain documents that could be easily produced.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said it was a very reasonable concern.

Theres no reason to believe that theyre going to behave in any kind of independent fashion, particularly now that Donald Trump has, once again, charged the Department of Justice with weaponizing the federal government against people he perceives to be his political adversaries, the Democrat said.
Soldiers carry Dick Cheneys coffin at his funeral service in Washington National Cathedral - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Donald Trump and JD Vance were not invited to former vice-president Dick Cheneys funeral, it has emerged.

Cheney, who served in George W Bushs administration, was a fierce critic of Mr Trumps, describing him as a coward and the greatest threat to the American republic in the nations history. The Republican politician voted for Kamala Harris in last years presidential election.

CNN reported Mr Trump and JD Vance, the vice-president, were not invited to the funeral. As heads of state, they would normally receive an invitation to such an event.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Mr Vance said: My condolences go to Dick Cheney and his family, obviously there are some political disagreements there but he was a guy who served his country, we certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving.

Cheneys funeral was held at the Washington National Cathedral, where former presidents Dwight D Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush and Jimmy Carter were memorialised.

George W Bush, left, Laura Bush, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris and Mike Pence at the funeral service - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Among the guests were George W Bush and his wife, Laura; Joe and Jill Biden; Mike Pence, Mr Trumps vice-president during his first administration, and his wife, Karen; and Nancy Pelosi, the former US House speaker.

Mrs Biden sat between Ms Harris and the former president. Ms Harris appeared to spend more time chatting to her one-time rival Mr Pence than her former boss, while Doug Emhoff, her husband, did not appear to be in attendance.

While the guest list is at the discretion of the family, no convention dictates that former presidents should attend the funeral of a former vice-president.

On Thursday, however, all living vice-presidents were in attendance, including Al Gore and Dan Quayle.

A prayer was said over Cheneys coffin before it was carried into the cathedral by uniformed soldiers.

Soldiers carry Cheneys coffin into the cathedral - Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Mr Bush described his vice-president as solid and rare and reliable, praising a man whose talent and his restraint exceeded his ego.

There was so much to like and admire about Dick Cheney, Mr Bush said, adding that his friend and colleague was totally devoted to protecting the United States and its interests.

Cheney, who it is often joked chose himself as the former presidents running mate while conducting interviews for the spot, could not have been a better man for the job, George Bush Snr said, according to his son.

He was smart and polished, without airs, Mr Bush added.

George W Bush described Cheney as solid and rare and reliable - Saul Loeb/AFP

Dr Jonathan Reiner, Cheneys cardiologist, paid tribute to his remarkable patient.

The Republican suffered from cardiovascular disease throughout most of his adult life, surviving at least five heart attacks, his first at just age 37.

Dr Reiner said that attack almost ended Cheneys career.

Dr Jonathan Reiner pays tribute to Cheney - Matt Rourke/AP

Following the announcement of his death on Nov 3, aged 84, from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, Mr Trump did not offer any personal comments.

I know the president is aware of the former vice-presidents passing. And as you saw, flags have been lowered to half-staff in accordance with statutory law, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said at the time.

Cheney became a target of Mr Trump after his daughter Liz, a former Republican representative for Wyoming, became the leading critic of the presidents attempts to stay in power after his 2020 election defeat. Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to lock up Ms Cheney.

Ms Cheney, a former Republican representative for Wyoming, said her father knew that bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans, as she told how he was inspired by Democratic president John F Kennedy

For him, a choice between defence of the constitution and defence of your political party was no choice at all, she said.

Cheney had supported the Republicans in 2016, despite Mr Trumps criticism of his administration.

He is considered the most powerful vice-president in history, and played a large part in Mr Bushs decision to invade Iraq in 2003.

This made him a polarising figure, although the attendees at Cheneys memorial were from across the board.

An image of Dick Cheney is projected on to a big screen ahead of tributes - Andrew Harnik/Getty

Washington National Cathedral, a noted DC building, took 83 years to build, finally opening its doors in 1983. It was packed with politicians and high-profile figures from across the political spectrum on Thursday, reflecting its rich history.

For Eisenhowers 1969 funeral, the Second World War general was dressed in his wartime military uniform and, at his request, placed in a simple, government-issued casket that was meant for regular US soldiers, according to the White House Historical Association.

At Ronald Reagans funeral in 2004, Margaret Thatcher  a partner of Reagans in confronting the Soviet Union  was one of the attendees, but her eulogy, recorded weeks earlier as her health was deteriorating, was aired to mourners by video.

Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader, who negotiated over nuclear arms with Reagan in the final years of the Cold War, was also there.

Mike Pence shares his thoughts on Cheney with CNN journalist Jeff Zeleny - Mark Schiefelbein/AP

For astronaut Neil Armstrong, whose funeral was also held at the cathedral, eulogies meshed the divine with the extraterrestrial. Armstrongs legacy was already linked to the church, as a sliver of moon rock collected by his Apollo 11 mission was melded into a stained-glass window there known as the Space Window since its dedication in 1974.

There is a selective list of American titans who are buried within the cathedral compound.

Woodrow Wilson is the only president who is buried there, along with first lady Edith Wilson.

The ashes of Matthew Shepard, the gay American student at the University of Wyoming who was beaten, tortured and left to die near Laramie, Wyoming, on Oct 6 1998, are also interred at the cathedral.

Former House speakers John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi meet at the service - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Even some of the cathedrals ornate 215 stained-glass windows tell the story of the nation.

Stained-glass windows commemorating Confederate Generals Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson were removed in 2017. New windows with a racial justice theme replaced the old ones in 2023.

Many presidents have visited the cathedral for prayer. During the Iran hostage crisis, Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale, the former vice-president, gathered there to pray for the captives held at the US embassy in Tehran.

Inaugural prayer services have also been held for Reagan, both presidents Bush, Barack Obama and, most recently, Mr Trump.
Doreen Lawrence: I havent had the opportunity to grieve my son properly for 32 years

The mother of murdered Stephen Lawrence broke down in tears as she told a public inquiry she has not been able to grieve her son properly for 32 years.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence has campaigned for justice since her eldest child Stephen, then 18, was murdered by a gang of racists in 1993.

In an emotionally charged end to a day of giving evidence to the public inquiry into undercover policing, Lady Lawrence said her family had been punished for 32 years.

She told the hearing: For the past 32 years I havent had the opportunity to grieve my son properly because I have had to challenge every step of the way, why the police felt that they could not investigate his murder properly.

Your skin colour should have nothing to do with it. When somebody has done something wrong, they need to be punished.

Stephen did nothing wrong, but we have been punished for the past 32 years.

Incompetence and claims of corruption dogged the first failed investigation into his death, and in 2014 whistle-blower and former undercover officer Peter Francis claimed he had been tasked with gathering information to smear the Lawrence family.

This is denied by the Metropolitan Police.

Stephen Lawrence was murdered in south-east London in April 1993 (Family handout/PA)

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell attended Thursdays hearing and privately apologised to Lady Lawrence on behalf of the Commissioner.

Earlier she told the inquiry that police officers had tried to pit her against her ex-husband Neville.

She said that officers found her challenging and that she became guarded about what she would say in front of them.

Undercover officers gathered information about the familys justice campaign, including in 1998 that Doreen and Neville Lawrence were splitting up.

In an interview in 2013, the officer who gathered the information, cover name David Hagan, said he thought the detail was relevant for police because the campaign group he had infiltrated, Movement For Justice, wanted to exploit the situation.

He said: I believe it should be intelligence. It is relevant. The MFJ were going to try to exploit it.

The MFJ believed they might be able to target Neville after theyd split up.

Lady Lawrence told the inquiry her personal life should not have been a matter for the police.

She said: For them to see it as good intelligence and to be able to capitalise on our personal relationship, I have no idea how that would be of interest to anybody.

I felt that sometimes that the police were trying to manipulate our relationship, because I think they found me quite challenging. There were times that they would try to pit us against each other.

If you think about a family grieving, whatever (is) happening in the background, that should have been of no concern to the police.

The inquiry heard that the information was passed to an officer who was working as part of the Commissioners team at the Macpherson Inquiry into Stephens death and its aftermath.

Lady Lawrence said: I think our family life is private and it should not have been in a police report. And for those in undercover policing who think thats the right thing to do, thats just disrespecting us.

Talking of her familys fight for justice, she said: As a family we should not have gone through this.

Weve not had an opportunity to grieve over our son because we are constantly battling, you know fighting, for something that should be there readily for us.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, speaking at the Undercover Policing Inquiry (Undercover Policing Inquiry/PA)

She was shown a series of intelligence reports from 1998 linked to the justice campaign for Stephen.

Lady Lawrence said: If they were able to put that amount of attention and resources into discrediting us as a family, if theyd put that amount of attention into seeking and to finding Stephens murderers, we would not be sitting here today.

All the time during Stephens investigation all I wanted was to be treated the same. I wasnt looking for special treatment.

It is your job to investigate Stephens murder and thats all I wanted.

To have spent their time looking to smear and to find things to destroy us as a family, its hard to believe that people go to that extreme.

She told the hearing that police assumed her family were criminals because they were black.

She said the police did not seem interested in investigating her sons murder and did not act on information passed on by them as well as people in the local community.

Lady Lawrence told the hearing: If Stephen had been white they would have looked at it completely differently.

She went on: The police did not want to know. People in authority did not want to know. Just another black boy has been murdered, so what? We were ignored. Constantly ignored, she said.

Lady Lawrence added: We had done everything that we could do to support the police, but in the end they did nothing to support us.

Outrage over the claims that Stephens family had been spied on was one of the key catalysts for the mammoth Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI), which began in 2015.

Whistleblower Mr Francis said that his bosses were racist, with one known as HN86 referring to black justice campaigners as monkeys, which the officer denies.

The UCPI is looking at the activities of undercover officers from the secretive Metropolitan Police units the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit.

It is claimed that they deceived women into sexual relationships, including having children, used the identities of dead children without their families permission, and spied on family justice campaigns.

The latest stage of the inquiry, that is looking at the SDS between 1993 and 2007, began in October.
Dr Martens has announced plans to raise prices in the US from January to offset a multimillion-pound hit from higher tariffs.

The footwear retailer had previously pledged to keep prices on hold in 2025 despite high tariffs, but said it would need to make increases from the start of 2026 on selected products in the US only.

It makes the bulk of its footwear in Vietnam and almost a third in neighbouring Laos, which have been hit with higher tariffs because of US President Donald Trumps trade war.

Dr Martens said it now expects a high single digit million-pound impact from tariffs on full-year profits, of which roughly half can be offset in 2025-26 because of the timing of action being taken.

Dr Martens chief executive Ije Nwokorie said price rises will not be across the board (Dr Martens/PA)

Ije Nwokorie, chief executive of Dr Martens, told the PA news agency: Now that the tariffs are firm and and we know how the market is responding to it, we are looking at increasing prices in the States.

But he said the price rises were by no means across the board and would be in the US market only.

He said the group would not need to increase prices on the back of tariffs elsewhere globally, and confirmed it had no plans to raise prices in the UK.

Dr Martens said it remained on track with full-year forecasts, for between 53 million to 60 million underlying pre-tax profits, although it said this did not include the tariff hit.

Shares in the firm fell 9% in Thursday trading.

The group, whose yellow-stitched boots have been a retro mainstay for decades, said it plans to fully offset the extra tariff costs from 2026-27 onwards.

It said: This aim has driven both the actions we have taken and the timing of those actions.

We expect to fully mitigate the impact of increased tariffs for 2026-27 and beyond through continued tight cost control, flexible product sourcing, and targeted adjustments to our USA pricing policy.

While the firm plans to keep sourcing from its existing South East Asia partners, Mr Nwokorie said the group would look to lessen the tariff blow by shifting more orders from Vietnam to the US, where tariffs are 20%, versus 40% for Laos.

It will increasingly use Laos for other markets outside of the US, he said.

Dr Martens half-year results on Thursday showed Dr Martens narrowed pre-tax losses to 11 million for the six months to September 28 from losses of 12.3 million a year earlier.

Sales rose 0.8% on a constant currency basis to 327.3 million in the first half as Dr Martens praised its consumer first strategy.

Mr Nwokorie said: Our brand is strong, as evidenced by the 33% increase in shoes volumes and the successful launch of new products such as the Zebzag Laceless boot and the 1460 Rain boot.

While its still early days, we are happy with the advances were making and are seeing green shoots.

While the marketplace remains uncertain and consumers are cautious, and our biggest trading weeks are ahead, we are confident in our plans for the year.

The group also said sales of shoes had overtaken boots for the first time in the first half, driven by demand for its Adrian tassel loafer, which saw sales growth of 24%, and its Adrian Black Polished Smooth shoe design, which was the number two bestseller.
Driver only: a Thameslink train at Blackfriars in central London. Routinely these services are operated with only one member of staff (Getty Images / iStockPhoto)

The RMT union is threatening industrial action against Chiltern Railways in a row about driver-only operation (DOO) trains.

The train operator plans to operate the new East West Rail link between Oxford and Milton Keynes with the driver as the only member of staff.

But RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey says: Passengers rightly value having the guarantee of a second member of staff on their services and RMT remains steadfastly opposed to driver-only operation.

His predecessor Mick Lynch told MPs on the transport select committee: We will never sign up to accepting DOO.

That might give the impression the concept is new. In fact, many trains have been operated by a single person since the 1980s, when the train drivers union, Aslef, agreed to driver-only operation on the new Thameslink service.

Every day, millions of passengers travel on trains where the only member of staff on board is sitting at the front  mainly on short-distance trips in Greater London, but also on some journeys of over 100 miles.

These are the key questions and answers about this complex and contentious issue.

What is driver-only operation?

Strictly, driver-only operation describes when the only staff member working on a train is the driver. He or she opens (or more accurately unlocks) the doors on arrival at a station, and closes them when everyone is safely on board or on the platform.

Eddie Dempsey, RMTs general secretary, says the RMT remains steadfastly opposed to driver-only operation (Ian West/PA)

Cameras are installed to ensure that the operation can be conducted safely by the driver.

The practice was introduced as a cost-cutting measure in an industry that is heavily subsised by the taxpayer.

DOO is a subset of driver-controlled operation (DCO). This covers all trains on which the driver opens and closes the doors.

All driver-only operated trains are by definition also DCO. But there are many DCO trains that have additional members of staff on board. This is the arrangement on, for example, Lumo services linking Edinburgh and Newcastle with London Kings Cross.

At the risk of introducing another confusing acronym, there are some trains where the driver opens the doors but the conductor/guard closes them. This is known as DOCC  short for Driver opens, conductor closes.

The theory is that the driver has a clear view arriving at a station that all is well, and so he or she can safely open the doors. But a guard closing the doors is likely to have a better view up and down the platform.

DOCC is standard on all Great Western Railway high-speed services linking London Paddington with South Wales and the West of England; shorter distances to and from the capital are DOO.

On LNER, which runs from London Kings Cross to Yorkshire, northeast England and Scotland, drivers open/unlock the doors, but train managers close them and signal to the driver that train is ready to depart. On older 225 rolling stock the train manager opens and closes the doors.

Most electric trains on the Scottish network are DCO, but DOCC applies on ScotRail trains linking Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk. This is due to the terms of an old agreement dating to when the prime intercity link was served by diesel trains.

Where does DOO exist at present?

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing train firms, says that driver-only operation is the normal mode on 45 per cent of UK trains  and that those trains carry 55 per cent of passengers nationwide.

All Greater Anglia trains, linking East Anglia and Essex with London Liverpool Street, are DOO  including the Stansted Express.

On Britains biggest rail franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), all Thameslink and Great Northern trains are driver-only operation. These include some very long routes, including Peterborough to Horsham (118 miles), Brighton to Bedford (103 miles) and London Kings Cross to Kings Lynn (99 miles).

All Thameslink and Great Northern trains are driver-only operation (PA Archive)

There is, though, little coherence. Between Brighton and Gatwick Airport, for example, Thameslink trains have only a driver on board, but Southern trains serving exactly the same stations always have an on-board supervisor as well. The two brands are both operated by the same organisation, but with different staffing agreements.

Southern trains largely within Greater London are DOO, but longer-distance Southern services  and Gatwick Express trains  always have an on-board supervisor in addition to a driver.

The mixed pattern is repeated elsewhere. On Southeastern, linking central London with Kent and East Sussex, metro services are driver-only while longer-distance trains (including the high-speed) line always have an on-board manager or conductor/guard.

Whats the difference between an on-board manager and conductor/guard?

An on-board manager does not open or close the doors. They are responsible for customer service on board, as well as checking tickets. They have safety training in case of emergencies. Sometimes they are known as ticket examiners.

A conductor/guard opens and closes (or sometimes only closes) the doors as well as providing customer service.

On most trains on South Western Railway (SWR), linking London Waterloo with Surrey, Hampshire and beyond, the guard opens and closes the doors. But new and much-delayed Arterio trains have DCO. A second member of staff is on board all SWR trains.

Is driver-only operation safe?

In 2018 the Rail Safety and Standards Board concluded :Driver dispatch of trains is unquestionably safe according to all criteria.

The Office of Rail and Road also investigated the practice in 2017 and concluded it fully meets legal requirements for safe operation  so long as suitable equipment, procedures and competent staff are in place.

On most trains on South Western Railway, the guard opens and closes the doors. (Getty Images / iStockPhoto)

But Eddie Dempsey of the RMT insists a guaranteed safety critical second person on board a train is essential for performing a range of functions and responding appropriately to potentially dangerous incidents.

Mick Whelan, outgoing general secretary of the train drivers union, Aslef, says of DOO: The train drivers who do it, hate it, feel its unsafe. We believe its inherently unsafe.

The unions charter calls for No extension of DOO schemes or introduction of DOO in the form of DCO or any other name.

What about passenger safety and accessibility?

Safety and security, particularly for women passengers, and support for disabled travellers are crucial issues. The knife attack on an LNER train on 1 November 2025 has highlighted the possible risks.

RMT union leader Eddie Dempsey says: What is clear from the appalling mass stabbing at Huntingdon is that quick reactions of the guard and other onboard crew in raising the alarm, meant that the seriousness of the situation was fully understood by control, signalling and the BTP [British Transport Police], meaning appropriate action could be swiftly taken.

In 2013, the Transport Select Committee said: We are very concerned that proposals to reduce staffing at stations and on trains could make the railway less safe, particularly at night, and deter women and vulnerable users from travelling by train.

Mick Whelan, outgoing general secretary of Aslef, says of DOO: The train drivers who do it, hate it, feel its unsafe. We believe its inherently unsafe. (PA Archive)

We recommend the government develops a strategy for improving the security of the rail network, as well as perceptions of how safe the network is.

Ideally every train would have on-board staff and every station would be staffed. This would undoubtedly increase passenger confidence and improve provision for less able travellers.

But the rail industry is currently losing billions of pounds each year and is being propped up by taxpayers cash to the tune of 400 per second.

The view from successive governments has long been that a balance needs to be struck between care for rail users and the cost to public funds.

Read more: Splitting tickets can halve the cost of train trips

This piece was first published in January 2023, and has been revised and updated with the latest information.
A woman who posed as a BBC podcaster in an obsessed nine-month pursuit of Earl Spencer and his son has been handed a stalking ban by a judge.

Michelle Akpata, 29, bombarded the Spencer ancestral estate at Althorp with emails and phone calls, sent invites to a fictitious charity gala in a bid to strike up contact, and pestered their staff for personal details about the Earls son, Viscount Louis Spencer.

Ms Akpata says she wanted to interview the Spencers on a podcast, and she falsely claimed to be working for the BBC when her interview requests were rebuffed.

She hired a private investigator to try to get hold of Louis phone number and address as the pursuit escalated.

Her campaign culminated in October last year when she ambushed Earl Spencer at a book signing, posing for a selfie with him before revealing that she was the woman who had been persistently contact him and his staff.

Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp with his mother, Victoria Aitken

At City of London magistrates court on Thursday, District Judge Michael Snow made a three-year stalking protection order against Akpata, banning her from contacting Earl Spencer and Louis Spencer and ordering her not to turn up at Althorp House in Northamptonshire.

The judge said that while Ms Akpata had not attempted to contact the Spencers after her arrest in November last year, there is a risk that her mental health condition would relapse and the stalking behaviour would commence again.

He said her lie about working for the BBC was deceptive behaviour, strongly suggestive of someone who knew the contact was unwelcome and yet persisted in it.

The court heard doctors have assessed Ms Akpata, determining that her risk of repeating the behaviour is low  but the risk is raised if she stops taking her mental health medication.

There is a clear risk that her mental health will deteriorate at some point, and given her fixation on this family Im satisfied there is a clear risk that if her mental health deteriorates or she stops taking her medication, she will undertake further acts of stalking, he ruled.

The Standard exclusively revealed details of the case earlier this week, including Earl Spencers shock at the face-to-face meeting with Ms Akpata at last years Cirencester History Festival when he had just sat down to meet fans and sign copies of his books.

Michelle Akpata went by the name Michelle Musings as she worked as a radio reporter (YouTube)

Louis Spencer told the court he now worries about being alone in public or striking up new relationships as a result of Ms Akpatas actions.

The court heard Ms Akpata began pursuing a meeting with Louis Spencer, styled Viscount Althorp, in February last year when she was still detained in hospital and receiving mental health treatment.

She was released in March, and Althorp staff soon began to grow concerned about repeated phone calls and emails, asking for meeting with Louis Spencer but also seeking personal details such as his address and food preferences.

Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Archive)

Beverley Kelly, the Earls PA, began making a log of the contacts in May 2024, recording 35 emails and 43 phone calls, including Ms Akpata asking about becoming a trustee and volunteer at Althorp as well as a bizarre request to host her birthday party at the country estate.

Althorp is the Spencer family seat and is also the final resting place of the Earls sister Princess Diana. Ms Kelly told the court they are accustomed to contact from people fixated on the family, but Ms Akpatas activities caused particular concern.

The Earl was so worried for his sons safety, and the prospect of Ms Akpata turning up at Althorp, that he commissioned a private company to draw up a dossier on her so that it could be circulated to staff.

They raised the level of security at the estate and staff were briefed to watch out for Ms Akpata in case she attended at the estate, said the judge.

Clearly they regarded this as being out of the ordinary.

Alarm bells rang after Ms Akpata offered 200 to a private investigator to try to get hold of Louis Spencers personal phone number, which he rebuffed when he realised she was asking about Princess Dianas nephew.

(PA)

The meeting with the Earl happened on October 31 last year, when Ms Akpata had travelled nearly 100 miles from her Highbury home to the Cirencester History Festival.

She managed to pose for a selfie with the Earl before he realised who she was and signalled for his agent to take her away, the court was told.

An interim stalking protection order was granted in June, and Judge Snow agreed to a full order, lasing for the next three years, on the same terms.

In the last three weeks before she was arrested, Ms Akpata had also conducted 362 internet searches on Earl Spencer, the court heard.

Ms Akpata sat in court on Thursday alongside her mother for the hearing, when statements from Earl Spencer, Ms Kelly, and Louis Spencer were read out.

Ms Kelly told the court she had initially felt sorry for Michelle and tried to understand what was behind the ongoing fixation.

She recalls hearing announcements on the Tube during many of the calls, indicating she was using London public transport, and said Ms Akpata had variously claimed to be a charity worker, radio presenter, and BBC staffer.

When she was repeatedly rebuffed, Ms Kelly was accused of gatekeeping Louis from Ms Akpata, who demanded to know: Why are you stopping me?

Michelle Akpata, pictured on her website, claimed to a podcast host, radio presenter, and charity worker as she pursued the Spencers for a meeting (Collect)

As the Spencer family investigated, they realised that Ms Akpata had also been contacting Louis Spencers acting agent, inviting him to fictional casting calls, she had pestered Earl Spencers literary agent for contact, and she had also emailed Louis Spencers mother at her charitable foundation.

Louis Spencer blocked Ms Akpatas ItsMichelleMusings Instagram after she made repeated contact requests, and Earl Spencer noticed she had attempted to communicate with him on LinkedIn.

She had invited Louis to chair a mental health charity which the Spencers believe is fictional, and also issued an invitation to a charity gala at the Renaissance Hotel in Kings Cross which did not exist.

(Getty Images)

Earl Spencer made a live edition of his hit podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives alongside Reverend Richard Coles and TV historian Dr Cat Jarman at the history festival in Cirencester, with his son being in the audience.

After coming off stage, he sat down to sign copies of his books for waiting fans and one of the first in the queue was Ms Akpata.

She instantly took a selfie of them together, and then turned to the Earl to say I have a podcast, Im Michelle.

I knew instantly who she was and I asked Michelle to stand to one side, stating that I would not be able to deal with this right now and I needed my agent to speak with her, said the Earl.

He said Ms Akpata replied Ill wait and then stood for around five minutes next to him as he met other fans and well-wishers.

I would describe myself as in a state of shock when I realised she had shown up in person to see me, he said. My concern were higher as I knew Louis was also in the building. I felt very anxious for his safety.

Ms Akpata was escorted out of the event by the Earls agent, Tris Payne, and Louis Spencer said he was alarmed when he found out about the incident.

He said he was very alarmed and threatened when first told about Ms Akpatas emails and phone calls, as he has previously dealt with excessive female attention.

A District Judge imposed the order after a hearing at City of London Magistrates Court (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Archive)

I have never experienced someone hiring a Private Investigator in order to gain my personal details, he said.

The 31-year-old, who is a cousin of Princes William and Harry, was studying at university at the time, and had to contact the head of security in fear that Michelle would find out which university I was a student of and attend the campus.

He said he was stunned to learn Michelle had attended the book signing, and he had to wait after the event before leaving, fearing she would approach him outside.

Louis  the heir to the Spencer earldom - has grown up in the spotlight thanks to his famous family. But he has also fiercely guarded his own privacy and never sought out publicity.

He told the judge that his social life has been disrupted by Ms Akpatas attentions and he now worries about building new relationships.

I have started fearing for my physical safety when I am out and about, he said. I have concerns around Michelle turning up to where I am socialising with friends or family and I am concerned as to what she might do.

I am very conscious of when I enter a restaurant or bar that I now check the premises as I am walking through to see if Michelle is there.

I feel constantly on alert when in public situations. I do now like to be accompanied by someone on most outings where there will be crowds, this makes me feel as though I am a burden on family and friends.

After Ms Akpatas arrest, she was on bail for five months before a decision was taken not to bring any criminal charges.

But the Met Police opted to pursue a civil court order known as a stalking protection order, arguing it would protect the Spencer family in the future.

Katy OMara, representing Ms Akpata, opposed the order, insisting her contact with the Spencers was part of an attempt to get them to appear on her podcast.

She said Ms Akpata was encouraged as part of her mental health recovery to restart media work which she had undertaken in the past.

She had interviewed celebrities in the past, a couple of rapper and an influencer, she said.

The invitation to go on her podcast was a genuine invitation, there was no ulterior or hidden motive.

She thought they would be pleased to discuss their charity work, she had done a lot of charity work herself, and had been awarded for it by the Mayor of Islington.

Its clear she simply didnt understand that the contact she was making was unwanted.

Ms OMara said Ms Akpata thought the Spencers would want to talk to her if her invitations were passed on by Althorp staff, and says she was appalled when she was arrested and heard about the anxiety she had caused.

Once she had grasped they no longer wanted contact with her, she said OK, I wont contact them anymore and Im really sorry, she told the court.

She never wanted to cause any alarm to either of themshe is simply never going to contact the Spencers, she has learned her lesson, and she is not going back to this situation.

Making the application for an order, police pointed to evidence that Ms Akpatas mental health could deteriorate again.

When assessed by a psychologist, she said: I think I emailed too much as I was not well.

Ms Akpata could misreport and does have a history of not taking her medication, resulting in relapses into her condition, said Ms Rowlands.

There doesnt appear to be an adequate plan in place to ensure she continues to take her medication.

A stalking protection order can be applied for when there have been acts associated with stalking, a person poses a risk of continuing the actions, and a judge considers a court order is necessary.

Ms Akpatas order bans her from contacting with Earl Spencer and his son, either in person, on the phone, or online. Ms Akpata cannot go to Althorp, hire a private investigator to track down information on the family, or attend any of Louis other homes.

The judge said in his ruling that it was clear Ms Akpatas arrest had helped to deter her from contacting the Spencers, and a stalking protection order could have a similar deterrent effect.
Ghanaian minister lauds Chinese company for transforming automobile sector

Xinhua) 09:52, November 20, 2025

ACCRA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has lauded Zonda Tec Ghana Limited, a Chinese automobile assembly and distribution company, for transforming the country's automobile industry.

Speaking Tuesday at the launch of new Great Wall Motor SUV (sport utility vehicle) and motorbike models, along with the reopening of the Dzorwulu Showroom in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, Ofosu-Adjare said the Chinese company has reshaped vehicle access for Ghanaians, from light-duty models to heavy-duty trucks.

The minister praised the company's achievements, describing it as a shining example of what the private sector can achieve in Ghana.

"Zonda Tec Ghana Limited, as the exclusive distributor of Great Wall Motor, has not only elevated the standard of automotive excellence in our country but also created jobs, transferred technology, and strengthened the Ghana-China partnership that continues to drive our economic transformation," Ofosu-Adjare noted.

She said the company's large investment in expanding its facilities also showed the private sector's faith in the country.

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams also lauded the company for the employment of at least 600 Ghanaians so far and the promise to employ more to serve the company's expanding facilities.

Zonda Tech Managing Director Yang Yang described Ghana as a hospitable country with friendly people and abundant investment opportunities, adding that her company seeks to bring the best to Ghanaians all the time.

Yang praised the ingenuity of the young Ghanaian technicians working with Zonda, noting that the company will soon open a training school attached to the vehicle assembly plant to train more young technicians.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Five-year fight between homeowner and HOA over 12-inch tall cross ends with $70,000 settlement

A five-year fight between a Florida homeowner and his local homeowners' association over a 12-inch-tall cross displayed in his yard has ended in a $70,000 settlement, according to a report.

Wayne Anderson and his wife Bonnie received a complaint about the small, decorative cross on display in their yard in 2019 from the Village Community Development District 8, which oversees the central Florida community known as The Villages, Fox 35 reported.

Anderson said someone had anonymously complained about the 12-inch-tall cross, which has been affixed to a potted plant in their front yard. The notice they received said the cross violated community standards related to lawn ornaments, even though about a dozen of their neighbors also had small crosses on display, according to the report.

I thought it was an April Fools Day Joke, Anderson said. We call it a religious icon; they call it yard art  like the same with pink flamingos.

After the Andersons refused to remove their cross, the homeowners association began issuing a $25 fine for every day that it remained in their yard.

A Florida couple received a $70,000 settlement after they were sued over having a 12 inch cross on display in their yard (Fox 35)

The last I heard [the fine] was $44,000 for us, Anderson said.

As the fines began to mount, the Village Community Development District 8 took things even further, filing a lawsuit against the couple.

Its not hurting anybody  theres no harm, Anderson said. In law, there has to be harm  whats the harm, whats behind all this? Something sinister, I guess.

Following a five-year back-and-forth over the decorative cross, a judge ordered both sides to settle the matter outside of the court.

The Village Community Development District 8 was ordered to pay $173,000 in court and legal fees, as well as $70,000 to the Andersons. The couple will also get to keep their 12-inch cross in their front yard.

Anderson expressed shock over the lengthy legal ordeal, telling Fox 35, Quarter of a million dollars nearly  over the little white cross. Can you believe that?

While Anderson said they were relieved the dispute was over, he noted that most of the money they were receiving would go toward paying their attorney.

In the end, we get to display it, as is our constitutional and God-given right, he said. This should never have happened, and it should never happen again.

To help ensure it doesnt happen again, Anderson has joined the board of the Village Community Development District 8.

The Independent has contacted Village Community Development District 8 for comment.
Florida sheriffs office forced to deny a serial killer is on the loose after recent spate of killings: these claims are FALSE

Florida authorities are dispelling claims that a serial killer is on the loose in Jacksonville after three women were found dead in the area in just three days.

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is aware of rumors circulating about a serial killer on the loose in Jacksonville. We can confirm these claims are FALSE, authorities wrote in a social media post Tuesday.

Our detectives are investigating recent homicide cases that involve female victims, following the facts and evidence in each case. We will share updates as soon as we are able to, but we want to reassure the community there is no danger to the public related [to] these incidents, the post stated.

But the announcement still didnt deter social media users from speculating that a serial killer could be responsible.

Florida authorities are dispelling claims that a serial killer is on the loose in Jacksonville after three women were found dead in the area in as many days (AFP via Getty Images)

Isnt this what the police say in a news conference in every serial killer movie! one Facebook user wrote.

3 bodies in 3 days? Forgive me but you cant credibly say its not a serial killer if you havent solved it yet, another wrote.

Well...honesty they're probably IS one of two but we just don't know about it yet, yet another remarked.

Theres even an entire Reddit thread dedicated to the idea.

Rumors that a serial killer was in the area started circulating after three women were found dead in Jacksonville this week alone.

On Saturday, Cherrish Nunley, a 24-year-old mother of two, was found shot to death in a parking lot, according to News4Jax.

She was killed in cold blood. She never got into trouble. She was a bright, beautiful girl, a wonderful mom and aunt, the best sister, and a great daughter, a GoFundMe page for Nunleys family states.

On Sunday, a fisherman discovered Tiffany Feltons body under a bridge at Blanding Boulevard, ActionNewsJax reported.

Then on Monday, Jacksonville sheriffs deputies found a woman unresponsive in a rooming house in the Phoenix neighborhood, FirstCoastNews reported. The circumstances around the womans death were not immediately clear, a sergeant told the outlet.

Initial reports suggest that the deaths are not connected. Its not immediately clear if arrests have been made in any of the cases.

The Independent has asked the sheriffs office for more information.
Former GOP aide paid body modification artist to brutally mutilate her then said it was an anti-Trump attack, feds say

A GOP congressmans staffer has been accused of staging an elaborate hoax in which she allegedly claimed to have been kidnapped by anti-Trump activists.

Natalie Greene, 26, allegedly tied her own limbs with zip ties in the woods, with the help of an accomplice, and wrote the words Trump w***e on her chest.

According to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office, District of New Jersey, Greene ordered her co-conspirator to contact law enforcement officers late at night on July 23, 2025, and to claim that they had been attacked by men who knew the staffer by name.

The co-conspirator also claimed the men had referenced Greenes employment by a man named in the press release as Federal Official 1.

Greene was found near a nature reserve near Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, 10 miles from Atlantic City, with her hands and feet bound by zip ties and with her shirt pulled over her head.

In addition to the words TRUMP W***E being written on her stomach, the phrase [Federal Official 1] IS RACIST was written on her back, according to the press statement.

Natalie Greene was found in the woods with zip ties around her limbs, before investigators discovered that she may have orchestrated the elaborate hoax (United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey)

The woman was found with the words Trump W***e written across her torso (United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey)

Greene told officers that her three attackers had threatened her with a gun. Days later, she received medical attention for laceration wounds, which were thought to have been caused by the zip ties.

However, an investigation, which included an FBI agent, found that the laceration marks had allegedly been deliberately cut into her face, neck, upper chest, and shoulder by a body modification artist.

Officers later recovered a proposed pattern for the scars, which Greene allegedly gave to the artist, according to the press statement. The criminal complaint filed against Greene claimed that she paid $500 for the painful procedure.

Investigators also found zip ties, similar to the ones used to bind Greenes limbs, inside her car. A search of her accomplices phone also found an internet search which read zip ties near me.

The U.S. Attorneys Office statement stated that Greene made her initial appearance in a federal court on November 19, 2025. She has since been released on a $200,000 unsecured bond, which came with undisclosed conditions.

Greene was found with extensive scarring and lacerations which she said were caused during her alleged kidnapping (United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey)

Greene's injuries closely match a detailed set of plans which she gave to a body modification artist (United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey)

Greene has been charged with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement.

According to CNN, GOP Representative Jeff Van Drews office confirmed that Greene worked there, although it is unknown whether his name was written on her body.

Todays news deeply saddens us, and while Natalie is no longer associated with the Congressmans government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her, Van Drews office said in a statement, seen by CNN. We hope shes getting the care she needs.

The Independent has contacted Van Drews office for further comment.
Former Trump lawyer calls for Pam Bondi to be disbarred over Comey case

A lawyer from Donald Trumps first administration has called for Pam Bondi to be disbarred over the botched handling of the DOJs indictment of former FBI Director James Comey.

Ty Cobb, who was a member of Trumps legal team from July 2017 until May 2018, hit out at the Department of Justices admission that it failed to submit the indictment of Comey to the full grand jury.

Speaking on MS NOW, he described the failure as shocking and suggested that it made the government's case against Comey dispositive. He added that Bondi should be disbarred, as well as U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, who submitted the indictment to the foreperson.

You know, Bondi has twice submitted affirmations to this court about the propriety of Lindsay Halligans grand jury presentation, he continued. She knew this. Theres no way she could not have known this.

And that just means that she lied, or that shes equally incompetent, but more likely that she lied.

Ty Cobb, a former Trump laywer, says that Pam Bondi should be disbarred for her handling of the indictment of James Comey (Getty)

Cobb has long been a critic of Trump since leaving the White House, describing him as a disaster for the Republican Party in an interview with NBC News. He has also insisted that, although he served in Trumps first administration, he never voted for the controversial GOP leader during a separate PBS interview.

His recent criticisms have been focused on the DOJ indictment of Comey, who faces one charge of making a false statement to Congress and another charge of obstructing a congressional proceeding.

The charges related to testimony given by Comey on September 30, 2020, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the FBIs investigation into alleged links between the Russian Government and Trumps 2016 campaign.

Earlier this week, while speaking to CNN, Cobb claimed the DOJs case is dead and blasted Halligan for, as he described it, telling a grand jury that Comey didnt have a Fifth Amendment right at trial to refuse to testify.

And therefore, he would be able to give his explanation as to the events and counter the governments evidence, which the judge noted appropriately was burden shifting, he continued.

Cobb claims that there is no way that Bondi could not have known about the failure to submit the Comey indictment to a grand jury (AP)

The Comey case has been mired in controversy since it began, having been filed just before the five-year statute of limitations expired.

Also, Trump's appointment of Halligan as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was widely criticized, as it followed the removal of Erik Siebert. Siebert had opposed bringing the charges against Comey.

The former FBI Director has pleaded not guilty to all charges of wrongdoing. In a motion filed in a federal court in Virginia, his lawyers have suggested that the case is vindictive and an egregious abuse of power by Trump.

The Independent has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.
Gen Fabien Mandon told a meeting of French mayors that people must accept that we will suffer in order to protect who we are - Benoit Tessier/EPA/Shutterstock

France must be prepared to lose its children in a war with Russia in the next three to four years, the countrys new armed forces chief has warned.

Gen Fabien Mandons dramatic language triggered a backlash across the political spectrum, as he was accused of warmongering and frightening Frances youth.

Gen Mandon, Emmanuel Macrons closest military adviser, was appointed as chief of the defence staff by the president in July.

He said that while France had the economic and demographic strength to defeat Moscow, it lacked the spirit in society to do so.

In an address to the countrys mayors on Wednesday, the 56-year-old said: What we lack  and this is where you have a major role to play  is the strength of spirit to accept that we will suffer in order to protect who we are.

If our country falters because it is not prepared to accept losing its children, because we have to tell it like it is, to suffer economically because priorities will go to defence production, then we are at risk. You need to talk about this in your communities.

Troops of the Foreign Legion at Place de la Concorde in Paris. Gen Fabien Mandon has warned France of a war with Russia in three to four years - Benjamin Vodant/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Earlier, the former fighter jet pilot told defence committee members that he had tasked the French army with being ready for a clash in three or four years with Russia.

Referring to the war in Ukraine, he said Vladimir Putin may be tempted to continue the war on our continent, which justifies Frances rearmament effort.

His statements drew an angry response from Jean-Luc Melenchon, the figurehead of the radical Left-wing France Unbowed, who has historically been pro-Russian and lukewarm on Ukraine.

He expressed his total disagreement with anticipating sacrifices that would be the consequence of our diplomatic failures, on which his public opinion was not sought.

Mr Melenchons partys parliamentary group accused Gen Mandon of overstepping his role by dramatising war scenarios and said: A chief of the armed forces should not say that.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, also criticised his comments. Arent 51,000 war memorials in our towns enough? Yes to national defence, but no to unbearable warmongering rhetoric, he said.

French army Chars Leclerc XLR tanks during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris. Frances new armed forces chief has said Vladimir Putin may be tempted to continue the war on our continent - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

On the political Right, Sebastien Chenu, the populist National Rallys vice-president, said Gen Mandon has no legitimacy to alarm the French people with alarmist statements that in no way correspond to the countrys official line.

Segolene Royal, a former Socialist presidential candidate, went further, saying that either Mr Macron should explain himself if he approved of Gen Mandons rhetoric, or otherwise the chief of staff must resign.

Such delusional statements will only increase the anxiety of young people who are already at rock bottom, destabilise the French economy and ridicule France, she added.

The row came as Christian Freuding, Germanys inspector of the army, said there was an increased appetite among citizens to sign up for the military.

Under reforms announced this month by the centrist coalition, all young German males will be required to have a medical examination to assess their fitness for duty. If they pass the exam, they will be encouraged to join the armed forces, but will not be forced to do so.

There is an increasing willingness to fight and to stand up for our values, Lt Gen Freuding told the Berlin Security Conference.

Alluding to fears of the threat of a Russian attack on members of the Nato military alliance, he added: Its important that we start now, because we dont have time.
South Africa is hosting the G20 Summit in Johannesburg - Sodiq Adelakun/REUTERS

A fundraising summit to fight three of the worlds deadliest infectious diseases is expected to fall billions of pounds short this week as international aid cuts continue to bite.

The Global Fund aims to raise 14bn ($18bn) on Friday to fight Aids, malaria and tuberculosis over the next three years, at a UK-co-hosted event at the G20 in Johannesburg.

However cuts from leading donors including Britain and America are expected to see the fund miss the target by as much as 3bn to 3.8bn ($4bn to $5bn), sources told the Telegraph.

Global health campaigners fear the shortfall will deflect efforts to end Aids as a public health threat by 2030 and weaken momentum in cutting malaria and TB deaths.

Washington is expected to pledge around 3.5bn ($4.6bn), down from the 4.5bn ($6bn) it offered in the last such summit in 2022, though there is concern that could change at the last minute.

Washington has boycotted the G20 summit amid Donald Trumps hostility to multilateral diplomacy and a rift with South Africa, and there has been speculation the US pledge may instead be delivered by video message.

The UK has already announced a 15 per cent cut in its own share, down from 1bn to 850m. Germany has trimmed its own contribution and it is unclear France will be even able to give a pledge this week because parliamentary turmoil means the country is struggling to pass a budget. If Paris does at some stage make a pledge, there are fears it will be significantly down on the 1.2bn ($1.6bn) it gave in 2022.

Michel Kazatchkine, a former executive director of the Global Fund and currently a special advisor to the WHO, said: I am hearing a lot of concern and also I would say a lot of confusion until the last minute.

In total, the pledges for what is known as the funds replenishment cycle are expected to be in the region of 10bn to 11bn ($13bn to $14bn).

That figure would be down from 12bn ($15.7bn) put on the table three years ago. However, sources familiar with the process said the amount eventually given in the past three years had been $14.8bn, because America caps its donation at a third of the overall funding and others had failed to make up the difference.

Any Global Fund shortfall would follow a 2.3bn ($3bn) funding gap for Gavi, the vaccine alliance, which earlier this year failed to hit its own fundraising targets for childhood jabs after America pulled its contributions.

The funding holes in two key pillars of the global health world have followed a year of upheaval where Mr Trump has turned his back on international bodies and shaken up Americas aid.

America has cut budgets and spurned large organisations like the World Health Organisation which Mr Trump says are wasteful and anti-American. Washington is instead switching to a more direct country-to-country model.

The blows have led to questions about whether the current system can persist, or whether there will need to be mergers, cost cutting, and new revenue models to plug the gaps.

Are these the dying days of an old model? asked one international aid source, who declined to be named.

Gideon Rabinowitz, director of policy and advocacy for Bond, a network of UK aid and development organisations, said: It will force people to ask some quite hard questions about what the future holds.

They will have to make a decision, a choice, a calculation, about whether this is a fundamental shift in the level of ambition for these replenishments, or whether its just a bit of a trough and we might come out the other side.

The fund is a worldwide partnership that since 2002 has distributed more than 53bn ($69bn) to tackle three diseases that between them kill more than 2.4m people each year.

It is estimated to have saved 70 million lives since its creation and provides a sizeable chunk of international funding used to fight all three diseases.

The fund provides 26 per cent of all international financing for HIV programmes, 60 per cent for malaria and 73 per cent for TB.

Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS executive director, said the replenishment was a test of the worlds commitment in dealing with the Aids pandemic which still kills around one person per minute.

She said: While this year may have been marked by disruption, we can still end Aids as a public health threat. We have the science, the strategies, the tools, and the experience. What we do not yet have is the scale of investment required.

And when resources fall short, it is young women, girls, children, and key populations who pay the price with their lives.

Tess Hewett, health policy advisor for the medical aid charity Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said: The international community cannot afford to falter now. We are seeing major traditional donors signalling deep cuts, even as the need for sustained investment grows.

When funding falls short, it is the patients  those least able to afford care  who pay the price.

The fund is also likely to try to make up some of the shortfall with donations over the next few years, particularly from the private sector.

They will miss it [on Friday] by a long shot, but itll be complicated because these things are never one and done, said one source.

The fund faces having to reorganise and scale down its operations if it cannot fill the gaps.

One option is to scale back or stop funding HIV, TB and malaria projects in middle income countries like India and Indonesia and concentrate instead on the worlds poorest nations.

There have also been calls to merge some functions with Gavi to cut out overlaps and duplication.

Campaigners had feared that America may cut its pledge to the Global Fund much further, after contributions were slashed to Gavi.

At a Gavi fundraising conference in June, Robert F Kennedy Jr, Mr Trumps Health and Human Services Secretary, said the US would stop funding the body and criticised it for ignoring the science on vaccine safety. Gavi strongly rejected the accusation.

However sources said the Global Fund still benefited from firm bipartisan support in Washington.

Kenneth Ngure, president elect of the International Aids Society, said cutting funding risked backsliding on two decades of gains.

He said: We are in a place where we can begin to see the control of these diseases in the not too distant future. This is not the time to cut funding.

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Members of the group Union del Barrio and the Association of Raza Educators prepare for a morning patrol in San Diego in early October. Photograph: Amanda Ulrich/The Guardian

Three teachers drove through a quiet neighborhood in southern San Diego, the sun not yet fully up over the horizon. They drank coffee, talked about their jobs. The start of the school day was still an hour or two away.

Suddenly, mid-conversation, they spotted something: what appeared to be an undercover Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, driving right past them.

To an untrained eye, the unmarked SUV didnt look out of place among the dozens of other cars lining the residential street. But the educators saw what many might miss: the completely tinted windows of the unmarked Dodge Durango (a popular choice for law enforcement), the small strip of lights near the front of the car, the steel prisoner partition faintly visible inside (dividing the front seat from the back). Sure enough, the SUVs driver picked up a handheld radio.

Watching this, high school teacher Marysol Duran clicked her own walkie talkie to life.

We have identified a potential, she reported to others in her unit, following closely behind. He is on 39th and Gamma. We will keep close watch.

Duran, and other members of her organization, are not just teachers. Theyre also members of the Association of Raza Educators, a group of activists that regularly patrols southern California streets to keep an eye out for ICE. When they spot undercover agents, who may be in the area conducting surveillance or actively planning to arrest or detain someone, they alert the surrounding community: via social media, group chats  and sometimes a giant megaphone.

The fall morning they spotted the Dodge Durango, the teachers were patrolling a several-mile radius near half a dozen local schools. That choice of location was intentional. Only two months earlier, at least four parents were arrested or detained by immigration officials near schools in San Diego county alone. Outside one Chula Vista elementary school, an undocumented mother, who had allegedly overstayed her visa, was arrested during morning drop-offs as her children watched from the car.

ICEs San Diego field office did not respond to several requests for comment regarding the suspected undercover vehicle or any other San Diego arrests near school sites.

In the US, children have the right to a free public education from kindergarten to 12th grade, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Although immigration officers were previously limited in their ability to make arrests in or near sensitive locations, like schools and churches, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded those Obama and Biden-era guidelines earlier this year. School districts like San Diego unified have passed resolutions that require ICE agents to obtain a warrant before entering school property, but that has not stopped a spate of arrests from happening just off school grounds.

So when the three teachers noticed the potential ICE agent in October, they turned their car around and followed. The Dodge parked and the teachers did, too. Juan Orozco, a high school counselor, watched from the drivers seat. Duran sat next to him, and Aremi Lopez, an elementary school teacher, clutched a megaphone in the backseat.

After a few minutes, the Dodge sped away without warning. The teachers drove after it.

Buenos dias, companeros, Duran reported in a series of live social media updates. Estamos en la comunidad de Shelltown. Estamos aqui reportando, parte de la Asociacion de Raza Educadores y Union del Barrio, y tenemos movimiento: un Dodge Durango. Gris.

She immediately translated: We are here reporting from Shelltown, San Diego. We have identified a Dodge Durango, grey, that has been surveilling our community.

We live in a state of fear, [whether youre a] citizen or not a citizen: plumber, professional, mother, grandma, everyone Juan Orozco, high school counselor

Fear among students and parents across southern California is at an all-time high, particularly after the supreme court ruled earlier this fall that federal agents can stop and detain residents in Los Angeles simply for speaking Spanish, appearing Latino or working certain types of jobs. Now, there have been instances where students dont come to school because they, or their parents, are scared to leave the house, Orozco said.

We live in a state of fear, [whether youre a] citizen or not a citizen: plumber, professional, mother, grandma, everyone, he said. And we shouldnt live like that.

But teachers, and a handful of their students, are also quietly and consistently mobilizing in big and small ways: by hosting morning patrols near local schools, organizing know-your-rights seminars, and keeping each other informed about the presence of ICE.

We said: Hell no, we have to resist, Orozco said. We have to stand for dignity and protect this safe place for us: schools.

Theyre coming after all of us

In the small library of a nearby San Diego high school, 14-year-old Azda* sat across from her sister, 19-year-old Guadalupe*. Behind them, many of the books on the shelves and posters on the wall had activist themes; an illustration of Che Guevara peeked out from the top shelf. In the hallway outside the library, a hand-painted banner read education not deportation.

The school is located only a few miles from where the teachers spotted the suspected undercover ICE vehicle just a week before.

And while Azda just started her freshman year of high school there, and Guadalupe her second year of college nearby, the sisters often have more on their minds than other teenagers might.

Because of where they were born, Azda is a citizen, but Guadalupe is undocumented. Theyve always worried that one day ICE may pick up their mother, who is also undocumented.

I do fear for her, Guadalupe said of her mother. But not only just when shes dropping off her kids at school, its every second of the day.

Growing up, their family had a specific action plan in case of emergency, like other parents in California might prepare for earthquakes or wildfires. But instead, Azda and Guadalupes mother prepared them for ICE. If she was deported, their mother told them, they would need to immediately seek help from their aunt, or close friends who lived nearby. Then, to avoid breaking up the family, all of them would need to flee together back to Mexico.

Azda and Guadalupe have tried to explain this looming specter of ICE and deportation to their younger siblings, in ways they might be able to understand. When it comes to their little brother, who is four years old, theyve chosen their words carefully.

We have to simplify these big concepts to him, Guadalupe said. We just say, like, Okay, la migra, they do bad things. They take families  se llevan a las mamas [they take mothers].

I fear for my mother not only when shes dropping off her kids at school, its every second of the day Guadalupe*, high school student

The language of ICE protests has even worked its way into the four-year-olds budding vocabulary. Hell sometimes walk around the house, they said, chanting: La migra, la policia, la misma porqueria! [Or: Immigration, police, the same garbage.]

This year, as ICE agents have circled San Diego neighborhoods, businesses and school zones, Azda and Guadalupe have felt perpetually on edge. Everywhere they go, whether to school, or the grocery store, or to hang out with friends, theyve learned to scan for signs of undercover ICE vehicles: Are those overly tinted windows? Does that SUV have a different kind of license plate?

That sense of unease follows Azda when she goes home, too. As she scrolls through Instagram, reels of dancing and cooking videos bleed into shaky footage of people from around the country being dragged away by ICE. Often, their spouses or children stand off to the side, screaming and crying. But recently, after seeing one of those videos, Azda got angry. She put down her phone and wrote a poem, titled La Migra.

Todo lo que te digan es una mentira. No saben que esta es nuestra tierra tambien? [Or: Everything they tell you is a lie. Dont they know this is our land too?]

Azdas high school, which is uniquely involved in anti-ICE activism and patrolling, has encouraged her burgeoning sense of advocacy. A majority of the schools students, if not all, are undocumented themselves or come from mixed-status families, according to staff members there. Azda has attended meetings about how to patrol around her school for ICE, and has walked around her own neighborhood with her aunt to look for suspicious cars or suspicious people.

She also recognizes that because shes a US citizen, unlike her sister and mother, she has an added layer of security when it comes to protesting or being outspoken about immigration issues.

I dont feel like I have to do this, I feel like I want to be the one to do it, Azda said. Because if Im not, then who is?

Guadalupe attends monthly Association of Raza Educators meetings, but thinks her school in particular  San Diego City College  could do more than just hosting a few know-your-rights sessions.

Its something that we have to keep actively engaging with. It cant just be a one-time workshop, she said. You cant just do things by yourself. If something happens to you, you need to have this group of people backing you up.

As a kid, Guadalupe sometimes felt a gulf between her and her siblings when it came to their differing legal statuses. Now, though, it feels as if theyre all under threat.

La migra [immigration] and the state are attacking anyone thats brown. Theyre attacking anyone, even US citizens, she said. So I dont feel that division no more. Its like theyre coming after all of us.

The right to an education

The three educators on the early-morning ICE patrol agreed: students across different age groups, from high schoolers to younger elementary school students, have had similar responses to the immigration crackdown. Fear, they said, is an equalizing force.

Theyre all stressed, scared, Orozco remarked from the drivers seat, before they spotted the undercover ICE vehicle. They dont know what this means.

San Diego has seen far more immigration arrests in 2025 than in years past; three times as many people were arrested by ICE in just the first half of this year compared to all of 2024, NBC reported. More than 50% of the 2025 arrests involved people with no criminal convictions.

But the immigrant community in San Diego has felt some version of this fear for a long time, Orozco added. Union del Barrio, the southern California-based political organization that founded the Association of Raza Educators, first started conducting community patrols to scan for law enforcement more than three decades ago. And the recent supreme court ruling merely formalized the racial profiling thats been happening behind the scenes for years, he said.

When he was 12 years old, in the early 1980s, Orozco remembers waiting at a bus stop in downtown San Diego. An unmarked white van  with the telltale metal prisoner partition inside  pulled up unexpectedly in front of him. What he believed to be immigration agents got out and threw Orozco, who is an American citizen, in the back.

And I started kicking and screaming, kicking and screaming, he said. Then they pulled off to the side and the two officers said: Say the Pledge of Allegiance. I started saying it and they let me go.

Orozco walked shakily back to the bus. Bystanders were shocked. It looked like a kidnapping, he said.

On a policy level, there is some hope on the horizon: in late October, the San Diego city council voted to move forward with an ordinance that, once passed, would require federal law enforcement to have a warrant to access any non-public area within city facilities, including places like recreation centers and libraries. The citys ordinance does not apply to schools, which are already covered under the school districts previous resolution.

But the terrifying reality, said San Diego councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who authored the new ordinance, is that areas like streets and sidewalks just outside of schools are considered public spaces, and the ability to legislate federal action in those locations is just incredibly, incredibly limited.

If I could pass a policy that made every school, every street, off limits, I would do everything I could to do that, he said.

As for the outcome of the teacher ICE patrol in October, the three educators eventually lost track of the undercover vehicle they were following. At an intersection, Duran and Orozco looked left to right, and examined the parked cars in driveways for signs of recent movement. But the Dodge was gone.

Theres the relief that although we did lose [the vehicle], we did at least change their plans, Duran said. And they might not have had the luck to execute whatever they were expecting to.

As the teachers ended their morning patrol and headed back to their original meeting point, the neighborhood began to fill with families. Parents walked hand-in-hand with their children to an elementary school nearby.

You see the beauty of our community, Duran said, watching the scene unfold from the passenger seat. Just doing what any other human being would do in the United States: taking their children to school because they have the right to a free education.

With the patrol over, Duran, Orozco and the other educators and volunteers quickly packed up their gear: their mounted car cameras, their walkie talkies, their megaphones.

It was 7am, and they needed to make their way to their real jobs  the school day was starting soon.

*Editors note: Azda and Guadalupes real names have been changed in this story to protect their identities.
(PA/Getty)

Karren Brady stepped out in London on Wednesday evening showcasing her recent fitness transformation as she attended the launch of The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas specials.

The 56-year-old business leader opted for a tailored grey two-piece as she posed for photographers at the central London event, which also drew AJ Odudu, Angela Scanlon, JB Gill, Sarah Hadland and Tom Skinner, who appear in the Christmas special.

Brady has spoken openly about her lifestyle overhaul, attributing the change not to weight-loss injections but to what she describes as bloody hard work.

She has previously said the shift was sparked by becoming a grandmother and wanting to feel stronger and healthier.

I have been on a health kick, I became a grandma, and I wanted to be a fit, healthy grandma, so I started eating healthy and exercising, the businesswoman told the Mail on Sunday.

She continued: I haven't joined [the Ozempic Club] - bloody hard work. It is okay losing it, it is keeping it off.

Baroness Brady at the launch of The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas specials at The Mayfair Hotel (Ian West/PA Wire)

I have lost quite a bit - I don't know, though, as I don't weigh myself. I feel better for it. It is good because everything you put on fits.

The West Ham vice-chairman has long acknowledged her sensitivity about her appearance on screen.

When she joined The Apprentice in 2010, she told RadioTimes she often worried she looked posh and fat beside Lord Sugar, adding: I've spent 20 years battling my weight. Alan's so fit and slim, I look huge in comparison.

She has since said that he has encouraged her through her more recent health kick.

He is great, he is very fit. He and my husband cycle when we go away on holiday, she share previously. He is super fit himself, so if anyone is giving tips, it is him to me.

We went around Italy, which was lovely, on Lord Sugar's boat. It was incredible. He is really lovely and has a wonderful family.

In August, the presenter drew a flurry of surprised comments after posting a photo in a white dress that revealed a noticeably slimmer frame.

Brady pictured in August (Instagram/Karren Brady)

In the caption, she explained she had recently tried a course of Exion radio-frequency skin-tightening on her arms  a laser-based treatment designed to firm the skin.

Brady said in the post: Exion uses radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound to naturally boost hyaluronic acid by up to 224 per cent, while stimulating collagen and elastin for smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin - all with no needles, no pain, and no downtime.

Brady will be back on screens next month alongside Lord Sugar and fellow adviser Mike Soutar for two celebrity Christmas specials in aid of BBC Children in Need.

In the upcoming special, the celebrity candidates are split into two groups and sent to Lapland, the official home of Santa, to develop their own gingerbread biscuits, which are available for the public to buy now in aid of Children in Need.
Sir Keir Starmer has called on Nigel Farage to explain accusations made by people who went to school with the Reform leader that he displayed racist behaviour when he was a teenager.

Former schoolmates of the young Mr Farage told The Guardian that he displayed offensive behaviour during his time at a top public school, including giving Nazi salutes and making racial slurs.

The Clacton MP has denied the allegations, saying the paper was trying to smear his party. His spokesperson said he could take legal action over the claims.

But the prime minister has pressured Mr Farage in the Commons to answer the disturbing allegations made about his behaviour while he was at Dulwich College as a teenager.

Clacton MP Nigel Farage has emphatically denied the allegations (PA)

Responding to a question from Reforms Lee Anderson at PMQs on Wednesday, Sir Keir said: Last week his leader said he didnt have time to condemn the racist comments of his fellow MP [Sarah Pochin]. He also said he didnt have time to condemn his party [for] calling children in care evil.

I wonder if he could ask his leader, next door to him, whether hes got time for his explanation for the stories in todays papers.

Sir Keirs spokesperson also said it is vital that Farage urgently explains himself.

Keir Starmer suggested in the Commons that Farage should explain the stories about his time at school (PA)

These are disturbing allegations and its vital that Nigel Farage urgently explains himself, she said. Youve heard the prime minister speak just this week about Farages weakness in the face of divisive politics in Reforms ranks.

Hes still not condemned the language or taken action against one of his MPs racist comments; [he] refused to condemn them when asked last week. Reform is dragging our politics into a dark place.

One former student of Dulwich College in south London told The Guardian he felt humiliated by the antisemitic words of the then 13-year-old Mr Farage, who allegedly also urged pupils of overseas heritage to go home.

Peter Ettedgui, now an award-winning director and producer, told the paper: He would sidle up to me and growl: Hitler was right, or Gas them, sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers.

Farage attended the prestigious Dulwich College, in southeast London (PA)

He added: I wasnt his only target. Id hear him calling other students P*** or w**, and urging them to go home. I tried to ignore him, but it was humiliating. It was shaming.

Mr Ettedgui said Mr Farage could suddenly become charming, adding: Id like to know why hes never owned up or shown the slightest contrition.

In legal letters to The Guardian, Mr Farage questioned the public interest in reporting historic allegations.

His spokesperson said: These allegations date back 45 years, and I think that at any point in time  when Nigel was leader of Ukip, when he stood in the 2010 general election, the 2015 general election, during Brexit, maybe in the 2019 general election  youd have to ask yourself why this hasnt come up before.

They added: Nigel is very clear, theres no primary evidence.

In legal letters to The Guardian, Farage questioned the public interest in reporting historic allegations (PA)

A second pupil from a minority ethnic background claimed that, when Mr Farage was 17, he asked where the pupil was from and pointed away, saying: Thats the way back.

Professor Dave Edmonds, 61, another Jewish ex-pupil, told The Guardian he had a strong memory of Mr Farage using the w-word for what we now call people of Afro-Caribbean origin and the p-word for those of South Asian origin.

He added: I dont remember being on the receiving end of antisemitic remarks, though of course he made outrageous comments about the war. I dont think Jews were his main racial preoccupation. He was generally obsessed, as he is now, with the erosion of Britishness.

But some pupils told The Guardian only that Mr Farage was bumptious, rude, provocative and enjoyed being the centre of attention, insisting that they did not remember him using racist language.

A spokesperson for Reform UK said: These allegations are entirely without foundation. The Guardian has produced no contemporaneous record or corroborating evidence to support these disputed recollections from nearly 50 years ago.

It is no coincidence that this newspaper seeks to discredit Reform UK  a party that has led in over 150 consecutive opinion polls, and whose leader bookmakers now have as the favourite to be the next prime minister.

We fully expect these cynical attempts to smear Reform, and mislead the public, to intensify further as we move closer to the next election.
Kevin Spacey has said he is homeless, following sexual assault claims against the actor.

Spacey, 66, was cleared of sexual assault allegations against four men during a UK trial in 2023.

But, in a new interview, the Oscar-winning actor has told The Telegraph he is now living in temporary accommodation.

The costs over these last seven years have been astronomical, he said.

I've had very little coming in and everything going out.

Kevin Spacey at the Cannes Film Festival in France earlier this year (PA Wire)

He added that he feels like he is back to where [he] first started.

You get through it. In weird ways, I feel I'm back to where I first started, which is I just went where the work was, he continued.

Everything is in storage, and I hope at some point, if things continue to improve, that I'll be able to decide where I want to settle down again.

I'm living in hotels, I'm living in Airbnbs, I'm going where the work is. I literally have no home, that's what I'm attempting to explain.

Last week, Spacey performed a one-night-only cabaret-style show at a luxury resort in Cyprus as he continues his comeback to public life.

He headlined a live performance titled Songs & Stories at the five-star Parklane Luxury Collection Resort in Limassol.

Tickets started at 220, with a VIP package priced at 1,100 offering fans a half-hour meet-and-greet, a bottle of champagne and a fruit platter.

The show saw Spacey backed by a jazz band as he sings and shares anecdotes from his decades in Hollywood.

Promotional material for the event claimed the performance would carry the elegance of Sinatra and the wit of Dean Martin, calling it the return of an entertainer in the grandest sense of the word.

In July 2023, Spacey was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men between 2001 and 2013, after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. He has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and maintained his innocence throughout.

Despite the legal clearance, the fallout from the allegations continued. In April last year, Spacey dismissed further claims made in a Channel 4 documentary, sarcastically praising the great acting of those who appeared in the programme.
Human rights are not bargaining tools  they are the foundation of justice and must be upheld without compromise. Photograph: georgeclerk/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The governments asylum proposals, rendering subsistence support discretionary and compelling refugees to return once their countries are deemed safe, represent a profound departure from both legal obligations and moral responsibility. These are not minor administrative adjustments; they are structural erosions of rights that strike at the heart of Britains commitment to fairness and justice.

The United Kingdom remains bound by the 1951 refugee convention and the Human Rights Act 1998. These instruments enshrine nondiscretionary duties, including the provision of subsistence and protection against refoulement. To reframe such duties as optional is to mischaracterise international law and invite judicial challenge. More importantly, it undermines the principle that rights are universal and inalienable, not favours dispensed at political whim.

The notion of safety determined by ministerial decree ignores the lived realities of persecution, trauma and instability. Refugees who have built lives, families and communities in Britain should not be subjected to forced return based on shifting geopolitical assessments. Protection must be durable, not conditional, and rights must be upheld consistently, not traded for expediency.

Labour appears to prioritise electoral calculation over principled defence of universality. Solidarity has been reduced to a dance of Reform UKs tune. This is not leadership, it is mimicry  a concession that undermines Labours founding ethos.

The consequences are grave. Rights presented as discretionary cease to be rights, they become privileges dispensed at political whim. Refugee protection reduced to a temporary lease corrodes both the rule of law and the moral fabric of society. Human rights are not bargaining tools  they are the foundation of justice and must be upheld without compromise.

Danny McCloskey

London

 I despair when I read the rhetoric about asylum and refugee status. The charity Refugees Welcome, Cheshire East held an event in a local Methodist church on 15 November to mark 10 years of our existence. The church was packed with more than 150 happy people, including Syrians, Afghans, Ukrainians and Chagossians, whom we have supported over the last 10 years since our inception. There were speeches of thanks from all the refugee groups, punctuated with musical treats from each group. There was a very special moment when some of the Ukrainian children joined the Afghan dance. Following the more formal part of the afternoon, we met for biscuits and cakes baked by the refugees. We were honoured to be joined by local MPs, mayors and other dignitaries.

The people we support have come to Cheshire East out of utter desperation. Becoming a refugee is not a lifestyle choice. Our refugees find jobs as soon as they can. They are generally vastly overskilled for their jobs, but they are ready to pay taxes. They do not want to live on benefits.

The refugees we support have now made a life in the UK. Their children are being educated here and often speak with a local accent. They feel safe here and there is nothing for them to return to in the countries they were forced to leave.

I hope the government does not feel impelled to out-Reform Reform UK with cruel policies unless it fully understands the situation.

Nicky Campbell

Chair of trustees, Refugees Welcome, Cheshire East

 Stella Creasy is undoubtedly correct in assuming that asylum seekers dont read the latest UK policy guidance before setting off to find refuge (ICE-style raids on Britains streets: thats all Labours brutal asylum reforms will achieve, 17 November). We therefore have to assume that the majority of asylum seekers that reach these shores are highly motivated, skilful, resilient and relatively resourceful. Thats the thinking University of Birmingham had when we set up the USE-IT programme in 2016: a partnership led by Birmingham city council with a range of stakeholders including the university.

Our asset-based approach to regeneration viewed asylum seekers as precisely that: a valuable asset. We aimed to find locally at least 60 asylum seekers or refugees with skills that could be employed in the newly built Midland Metropolitan hospital. The team found more than 200 people and matched them into healthcare roles across West Birmingham and Sandwell. The skills of asylum seekers included GPs, nurses, pharmacists and even highly trained medical and surgical consultants. The so-called asylum or immigration crisis needs to be turned on its head. To dampen the dangerous political rhetoric on offer from Labour, we need to recognise the social and economic capital many asylum seekers bring to the UK and maximise such valuable assets.

Dr Peter Lee

Former associate professor of collaborative planning, University of Birmingham

 Your leader (17 November) rightly highlights the enormous bureaucratic costs involved in the proposed 30-month reviews of the eligibility of refugees given permission to stay in the UK. With around 100,000 asylum claims annually, the system would soon need to conduct around 70,000 reviews each year. Home Office staff are already overstretched in processing existing initial claims for asylum. The new money required would have to come from within the settlement for the department agreed in the recent public spending review. One has to ask then what other Home Office budgets would be raided for that purpose.

It is suggested that some of the costs might be defrayed by the Home Office instituting a one-off scheme to give permission to asylum seekers from Sudan, Eritrea, Iran, Afghanistan and Syria to stay for a limited period, which, if contractual arrangements allow, would mean there was no longer a need for them to be housed in hotels at public expense. But where would they be housed instead, and who would pay for that housing?

Michael Brown

Chichester

 The far right alleges that foreigners are creating cultural ghettoes in some UK towns and cities by refusing to assimilate with the ways and norms of the native population. Shabana Mahmood proposes to restrict refugees right to stay to 30 months. I can think of no surer way to build ghettoes than imposing blanket insecurity on a section of the community.

Arthur Collinge

St Clears, Carmarthenshire
Flags flying in Doncaster North - Julian Simmonds

As the psychodrama over Sir Keir Starmers future plays out in Westminster, an equally captivating spectacle is unfolding across the last of the Labour strongholds.

The second wave of the Red Wall revolt  this time in the reddest of red seats  is gearing up to be even more momentous than the first. The most iron red areas  the mining towns and steel seats that held strong even during Boris Johnsons insurgency of 2019  are poised to ditch the party of their ancestors. The tsunami that threatens to rip through the most Labour corners of the country makes the Red Wall hurricane of the Brexit wars feel like a mere breezy interlude.

That seats from Doncaster to Wigan have stayed Labour since they voted for Brexit in 2016 is testament to the stickiness of the Red vote. For all the talk of realignment, Labours credentials as the party of the NHS, worker solidarity and ordinary folk struggling on the breadline mattered; in the old mining towns  where tales of police charges at Orgreave during the Great Strike of 40 years ago are still recalled with rage in working mens clubs  a visceral hatred of the Tories endured.

But something extraordinary is happening. When I travelled to Labour strongholds in the old mining areas of Yorkshire, I could not find a single Labour voter. What is so interesting  and fatal for Labour  is that people are deserting Starmers party despite the costly regeneration plans underway in their towns. While the term Red Wall might conjure images of mobility scooters and vape shops, these are places where tech startups are becoming more common, and life unfolds to the soundtrack of whining drills.

In Barnsley, I found a town centre scintillating from a 220m revamp, which includes a snazzy mall selling Balenciaga handbags. Its logistics sector, which includes giants like Asos, has made it one of the fastest-growing economies in Yorkshire. With a tech campus in the offing, it aims to become one of the UKs leading digital towns.

Yet Barnsleys local entrepreneurs seem desperate for Labours demise. The fishmonger Angus  whose family business has been selling Grimsby seafood since 1889  is tearing his hair out over minimum wage hikes. Essential oils emporium owner Georgina put it bluntly: Every time she [Rachel Reeves] opens her mouth, footfall drops. Dairy farmer James has saved his struggling farm by opening funky flavoured milk vending machines across the region. But he is at his wits end over the looming milkshake tax.

Labour may be pouring cash into the Red Wall, but it this is not translating into votes. Their failure to get basics right is cancelling all the other good work; the tryers feel that government is not helping them but appears instead detremined to make life harder.

Barnsleys alienation from Labour seems irredeemable. In the towns mining union building  a former Methodist church drenched in gold leaf  ex miner Chris Kitchen traced Labours doom to its failure to produce an inspirational leader with a vision for our times.

A miner who worked at the Kellingley colliery until 2007, Kitchen contrasts the jobs for life that used to be enough to raise a family in a coal board house, with an annual holiday in Scarborough, with todays low-paid warehouse gigs where a two-year stint is regarded as a long career. Stroking his Coal not Dole badge he excoriates the supposed workers partys blinkered failure to draw the line on disability benefits.

Thirteen miles south in Rotherham it was a similar story. Some 90m is being pumped into a revamped market and new riverside leisure hub. But the takedowns of Labour were just as scathing  from the nurse who railed against Labours attack on the vulnerable to the pensioner that shivered at the partys cold, clinical political Christianity in the era of woke.

Some were ambivalent about Reform. One questioned whether they were replacing champagne socialists with champagne nationalists; another made the money rub gesture as he meditated on its neoliberal, millionaire dynamic. But many were open to giving them a go, as the polling also indicates strongly.

Perhaps most damningly, the sensation that Labour evokes among former faithfuls is not anger but bemusement  just like the Tories. Nobody really understands the point of either party any more. Even if Labour can offer some sensible policies and incremental improvements, it has no clear perspective on any of the big questions of our time. Its original purpose  to stand up for workers against the interests of capital  no longer makes sense. The partys loyalties are divided; its target market unclear; its principles muddied as it battles for survival.

Labours weakening grip on its former strongholds will be central to the outcome of the plot to oust Keir Starmer. Some Red Wall MPs, although they consider Starmer to be a liability given the dire feedback on the doorstep, worry about elbowing him out. They fear the party would elect a charismatic operator from the liberal-Left and then have no hope of delivering on the election decider of immigration.

Some Labour MPs remain hopeful that it isnt yet in the bag for Nigel Farages party. Perhaps this is true: Reform insiders admit Labour is still better at doorstep electioneering. The latter are refining the art of lambasting their opponents with the perfect blend of amusement and disdain.

As Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis puts it: If anyone thinks a Reform-led council will deliver for Barnsley, Ive got a bridge to sell them.

But the collapse in Labour Red Wall support strengthens the hand of those within the party who want Labour to stop aping Reform, and competing for its voters  and instead take the fight to the Greens and Lib Dems, shoring up the urban precariat and professional vote. That would reduce Labour from a majority-winning party of the masses to a metropolitan fringe movement that can only govern in a Left-wing coalition. Perhaps that is indeed where we are heading.
Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University, will immediately leave his teaching role at the Ivy League after a tranche of emails between him and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were released.

His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester, a spokesperson for Summers told The Harvard Crimson Wednesday.

Harvard University has launched an urgent investigation into the emails and his ties with Epstein, whom he contacted as recently as 2019.

Summers will also go on leave from his role as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, with Summers spokesperson saying it was in the best interest of the Center...as Harvard undertakes its review.

The economist has also resigned from the board of OpenAI and Santander Banks international advisory board.

Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University, will immediately leave his teaching role at the Ivy League after a tranche of emails between him and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were released (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

A few days ago, Summers, who also served as former President Bill Clintons treasury secretary and former President Barack Obamas director of the National Economic Council, stepped back from all upcoming public engagements.

"In line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI," Summers said in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company and look forward to following their progress."

Summers joined OpenAIs board of directors in 2023.

He signed on to the company, now worth an estimated $750 billion, during a turbulent period when co-founder Sam Altman was briefly ousted as CEO.

"We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board," a statement read.

Reuters reported Summers resignation from Santanders international advisory board, which he chaired after becoming a member in 2016.

Summers' retreat from public life comes after it was revealed that he repeatedly contacted Epstein from November 2018 to July 2019, asking the disgraced financier for relationship advice.

Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.

Summers and Epsteins correspondence was included in the text messages and emails released earlier this month by the House Oversight Committee, shortly before Congress voted to release the Epstein files in full.

In emails, Summers expressed concern that an unnamed woman was hesitant to end their relationship because she valued his professional connection.

Since 2005, Summers has been married to PBS Poetry in America host Elisa New.

Epstein and Summers sent emails about dating and relationships to each other (New York State Sex Offender Registry)

In response, Epstein, describing himself as Summers wing man, said the unnamed woman was doomed to be with you.

Think for now Im going nowhere with her except economics mentor, Summers wrote in November 2018. I think Im right now in the seen very warmly in rear view mirror category.

A spokesperson for Summers told The Harvard Crimson that the unnamed woman was never a student of Summers's at the prestigious university.

In another message, Summers forwarded an email from a colleague which asked for feedback. He told Epstein that it was probably appropriate to delay his response.

Shes already begining to sound needy :) nice, replied Epstein, in a chilling message.

When approached by The Crimson about the messages, Summers said that he had great regrets in my life.

As I have said before, my association with Jeffrey Epstein was a major error of judgement, he added.

Harvard says that it has launched an investigation into the emails (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Summers was not in office as Harvard's president when sending the emails, but a 2003 article by The Harvard Crimson detailed a special connection between the then-president and Epstein. According to the article, Epstein had donated $30 million as part of a series of donations made anonymously.

In other emails, seen by the BBC, Summers said he was best off a million miles away from President Donald Trump, due to the now-presidents Putin proximity, mindless response to Fidel Castros death, and his approach to conflict of interest.

Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain told The Crimson that the University is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted.

The sweeping investigation will also look into other people named in the emails who have a connection with Harvard, including Summerss wife.

Trump has long denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Jeffrey Epstein case and says that he threw the sex offender out of his Mar-a-Lago club for being a sick pervert.

Trump has claimed he knew nothing about Epsteins crimes, despite the convicted sex offender writing that the now-president knew about the girls (AP)

Messages written by Epstein alleged that Trump knew about the girls, something the president has directly refuted by saying, I know nothing about that.

But the commander-in-chief has called for an investigation into Summers and Bill Clinton.

Epstein was a Democrat, and he is the Democrats problem, not the Republicans problem! he raged on Truth Social. Ask Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, and Larry Summers about Epstein, they know all about him, dont waste your time with Trump. I have a Country to run!

Hoffman, who said he only had contact with Epstein while fundraising for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wrote on X last week, Trump should release all of the Epstein files: every person and every document in the files.

The Independent has contacted OpenAI, Larry Summers, Harvard University, and The Clinton Foundation for comment.
A British woman has been found dead in the US after reportedly contacting a man in Florida to request a violent death.

Sonia Exelby, 32, was reported missing by her loved ones in Portsmouth after she failed to board her return flight from Gainesville Regional Airport on 13 October.

After UK police requested assistance through Interpol to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), an investigation was opened which led to the discovery of her body in Marion County on 17 October.

Dwain Hall, 53, was arrested by investigators after he was linked to fraudulent transactions made on her credit cards and now faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, credit card fraud and unlawful use of a communication device.

In posts on social media at the time of her disappearance, her boyfriend said that it was believed that Ms Exelby had arranged to meet someone, and had got into an extremely vulnerable situation.

Analysis of her remains confirmed her identity and gave her cause of death as stab wounds.

It has been reported that she met Hall on a website and informed him that she was suicidal, before travelling to meet him.

Our agents worked with extraordinary speed and unwavering determination to ensure justice was served and closure was brought to the victims family, said FDLE commissioner Mark Glass. This type of violent crime and disregard for human life will not be tolerated in our state  those who commit such heinous crimes will be held fully accountable.

Floridas tough stance against crime is due largely in part to the professional cooperation between local and state law enforcement. This powerful partnership between my office and the FDLE will continue to come together and bring swift justice, said Marion County sheriff Billy Woods.

Police forces involved in the investigation included the FBI and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

The force said: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary received a report on Sunday 12 October that 32-year-old Sonia Exelby was missing from her home in Southsea.

Initial enquiries established that she had travelled outside of the UK prior to the report being received.

Our officers are liaising with US authorities to assist their ongoing investigation, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement where she is believed to have travelled to, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) to provide support for Sonias family in the UK.
(Graham's port)

Porto has been waiting for this house. Not another tasting room pretending to history, nor a mere gift shop for tourists collecting souvenirs, but a living townhouse which remembers a family who helped shape the port. The Symingtons: five generations deep, half-British, half-Portuguese, and bound to the mighty Douro by choice rather than obligation. The Symingtons have opened Matriarca, a three-storey testament to wine and conversation and dedicated to the woman who began their story.

Beatriz Leitao Carvalhosa Atkinson married Andrew James Symington in the late nineteenth-century, joining Lisbons light with Scotlands pragmatism. She could balance a ledger, charm a bishop, and outpour any visiting merchant. When she died, her house did not fall silent. Her way of bringing people together endured and is woven into every bottle which now bears the family name.

Fashioned from the bones of a former high-end outfitter, Matriarca bridges Douro granite with British sensibility, a meeting of cellar and city. For a year it served as a Cockburns pop-up before becoming what the family fondly call a home from home, though it is far more than that.

(Martin Morell)

On the ground floor is a bustling wine bar welcomes all wine lovers. The list carries the breadth of the Symington portfolio  Grahams, Warres, Dows, Cockburns, and Vesuvio  alongside newer estates including Altano, the cutting edge and ultra green Adega do Ataide, Prats & Symingtons Chryseia, the effervescent Vertice, and even Hambledon from Hampshire, which the family jointly owns with the venerable Berry Bros. & Rudd. It is the first time an English sparkling wine has found a permanent home in Porto, though the link feels entirely natural.

Upstairs, The Dining Room, comprising forty seats beneath mellow chandeliers, is guided by Pedro Lencastre Monteiro, a chef who worked with Nuno Mendes before returning north. From the traditionally tiled galley comes freshly baked bread best dipped in luminous olive oil from the familys own groves at Quinta do Malvedos, followed by a handsome pate en croute, blushing beef Wellington, silken pigeon, and citrus-pepped rum baba, best paired with a glass of ten-year-old tawny.

Downstairs, the Cellar Shop serves as the familys embassy  a candlelit tasting table for 10 is intended to invite conversation, perhaps centred around the merits of oak casks versus chestnut, generational transition, and the machinations of the powerful Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (fondly nicknamed the port police).

The team knows the topography of every estate, the hands which pick the grapes and even the stones which cradle the deep roots, while the family  including Teresa, Charles, and Marta Symington, with whom I dined  are never far away. They speak of the Douro, and the wider vineyard map, as one might of a relative: admired, occasionally exasperating, but always loved.

At night, the attic becomes a port-led cocktail bar, complete with a DJ whose decks unfold seamlessly from the beautifully joined panelling. Among the signatures is the Chama D, an unlikely marriage between Cockburns White Heights with roasted peppers and balsamic vinegar. And by day, the Wine Academy hosts masterclasses and creative sessions which reimagine how port is experienced beyond stained-glass capped double doors.

(Martin Morell)

Design is by James Thurstan Waterworth, formerly of Soho House, who collaborated with the Symington familys craftspeople to give the space depth. Reclaimed wood, hand-thrown ceramics and cork softened by time form the palette. You step first onto the calcada de granito, the traditional Portuguese pavement cobbles which glisten after rain and2 which feel honest from the first step: nothing is contrived nor overpolished. As with the Symington dynasty, all generations seem to coexist here, the old lending weight to the new. Even the furniture carries memory, as though it had already witnessed a few good dinners before yours.

The Symingtons credentials reach beyond decoration. In 2019 they became Portugals first certified B Corporation, their vineyards the largest organic expanse in the north.

Sustainability is a focus, too. Mission 2025 commits them to soil regeneration, water conservation, and the protection of the UNESCO-classified Douro valley. For a dynasty built on fortified wine, they have shown fortitude of a different kind: a family with conscience as well as heritage.

In charge now is fifth-generation Vicky Symington, who has steered Matriarca from concept to corkscrew, ensuring the building feels open rather than exclusive. We wanted warmth, not ceremony, she says.

My great-great-grandmother welcomed people from every background to her table. Were doing the same  only with better glassware.

Her cousin, Rob Symington, who has advanced the familys sustainability agenda across the estates, adds: Our hope is to show how port and Portuguese wine can live comfortably in the modern world, without losing their soul.

From the street, the modest of hue Matriarca could be mistaken for another Porto townhouse, yet inside it is an atlas of the familys ambitions, a conversation between vineyard and city, clay and chalk, England and Portugal. A century and a half after Beatriz first set her table, her descendants have done it again, proving that legacy, in the right hands, is not a burden but an invitation to sit down and sip.

Matriarca, Rua Actor Joao Guedes, n 14, 4050-310 Porto, en.matriarca.pt
Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil a council tax surcharge at next weeks Budget on all properties in the three highest brackets - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Families in affluent neighbourhoods are facing unlimited council tax rises under plans to funnel more cash into Labour-supporting towns.

Ministers plan to cut funding to wealthy councils and redistribute the cash to poorer areas; often deprived towns in the North.

Under Labours fair funding review, if these wealthier councils at present charge low council tax and face financial difficulties because of the funding shortfall, they may be allowed to increase bills by more than the current maximum of 5 per cent.

Councils in London, the Home Counties and much of the East are expected to be hit, as well as the affluent Manchester commuter belt and the shires around Birmingham.

Meanwhile, councils that do not take advantage of raising rates by the maximum 5 per cent allowed  to keep bills low for residents  will not have the extra cost covered by central government.

This poses a potential headache for Nigel Farage, who wants local authorities run by Reform to keep council tax rises as low as possible.

Writing for The Telegraph, below, Sir James Cleverly, the shadow local government secretary, warned that the move could see councils raise rates by as much as 10 per cent, as some authorities have been permitted to do previously in exceptional circumstances.

He warned: It is now entirely possible we will see council tax rates go up by 10 per cent or more in some areas, every year  or 40 per cent by the end of the Parliament.

In fact, there is no limit on what increase councils can ask for, raising the prospect of even bigger hikes.

This is not a one-off  Labour has committed to a multi-year funding settlement for councils  meaning tax hikes every year.

Sir James Cleverly described Labours plans as a nakedly political and partisan cash grab - Eddie Mulholland

The Housing Department issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging that some local authorities may be in a challenging financial position as a result of the changes.

As a result of this, it said that town halls where bills were below average could request permission to increase council tax by more than five per cent.

Currently, councils must call a referendum if they want to increase bills by more than this under rules introduced by the Tories in 2012.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: To strike the right balance between protecting taxpayers and supporting local authorities, the Government will consider local requests for council tax flexibility where a local authority is facing significant local financial difficulty and views additional council tax increases as critical to managing financial risk.

The Government would not agree to requests for additional flexibilities from authorities where council taxpayers are already paying more than average.

There are 111 councils in England which charge below the average rate for a band D property and could therefore raise tax by more than five per cent.

Analysis by The Telegraph found that they cover almost all of the capital as well as swathes of the East of England, including Essex and Suffolk.

Many of the areas outside of London are traditional Tory strongholds, such as Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire and Staffordshire.

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Councils ranked by deprivation

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The County Councils Network said the changes would unfairly target resources towards urban metropolitan cities and towns at the expense of rural areas.

The changes are intended to redistribute wealth away from affluent councils, particularly those in inner London, which have benefited from generous funding settlements over the past few decades that did not reflect demand for their services, meaning they have been able to keep taxes low and build up significant reserves.

Many of those areas already face being heavily hit by the Budget next week, which is expected to include a council tax surcharge on the most valuable homes.

The benefits of the change will be for areas, particularly in the North and Midlands, which have less wealthy tax bases and face high demand for services.

Councils which have been granted increases above five per cent in the past, using an existing mechanism for use in exceptional circumstances, have asked for rises as high as 20 per cent.

The highest council raise Labour has authorised so far in power was 9.99 per cent in Bradford, but theoretically councils can ask for whatever increase they require to balance the books.

Such requests have typically been rare, but authorities are under increasing financial pressure. This year, six were allowed to break the cap.

Critics also warned that town halls which raised their tax by less than the full five per cent also faced being effectively penalised.

Labour is extending existing rules, which means that grants to help councils balance their books are calculated on the basis that they have increased tax by the maximum amount.

That means any authority which opts to put up charges by a lower amount will have to make up the shortfall itself.

Government sources insisted the number of councils that face losing out so severely from the changes that they would need to increase tax by more than five per cent was likely to be in single digits.

They said that all the worst-affected authorities were in central London and that they had benefited from decades of overly generous funding compared to demand for services.

Many of those councils have built up significant reserves which they could dip into, while they will also be handed transitional payments to help soften the financial blow.

It is understood that ministers will launch a consultation next month on drawing up bespoke arrangements for councils that need to make big increases next year.

Labour politicians have argued that the council tax system, which is still based on house prices from 1992, has entrenched inequality across the country.

They have pointed out that the owners of multi-million pound properties in London pay lower council tax bills than those living in modest homes in the North.

Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil a council tax surcharge at next weeks Budget on all properties in the three highest brackets  bands F, G and H  to raise 600m.

Steve Reed, the Local Government Secretary, announced the changes, which officials said would correct historic imbalances in the system.

We are reforming the funding system that led to regional divides, postcode lotteries, and substandard public services for too many people, he said.

Our changes will make sure cash going to councils is shared out in a fairer way that follows needs.

Dont be fooled  ordinary people will pay more tax and get less for it

By James Cleverly

The Labour Government set out its changes to local government funding on Thursday. Dont be fooled by the friendly-sounding title of the fair funding review. This is a nakedly political cash grab built on a plot for soaring council tax bills across England.

Under Labours changes, areas with low council tax rates will have their funding slashed. Councils will be punished for not charging residents more. The cash will be diverted to areas with higher tax rates. It will move away from well-run councils to poorly run ones. It will go to areas that just so happen to be disproportionately Labour-run.

Inevitably, the councils that lose out will be forced to cut services and hike taxes to make up for the shortfall caused by Labours cuts. Already, Kensington and Chelsea council, which has kept low council tax rates for years, has warned it will be forced to bring in a second home council tax premium to make up some of the losses it faces due to Labours cash grab.

Council tax bills are already soaring across the board. We recently forced Labour to admit that the vast majority of the funding it has pledged to local government will be provided by higher council tax. Labours sums assume five per cent rises everywhere, every year until the end of this Parliament  a full quarter over the term. A family living in an average band D property will end up paying 700 more per year.

But now we know rates in some areas could be even higher than that. Today Labour has announced it will let areas in financial difficulty hike bills by more than the current maximum of five per cent, and without a local referendum. Local democracy will be trampled underfoot as the Government green-lights massive bill hikes without local consent.

It is now entirely possible we will see council tax rates go up by 10 per cent or more in some areas, every year  or 40 per cent by the end of the Parliament. In fact, there is no limit on what increase councils can ask for, raising the prospect of even bigger hikes. This is not a one-off  Labour has committed to a multi-year funding settlement for councils  meaning tax hikes every year.

Some of those councils losing funding thanks to Labours changes will likely end up in the very financial difficulty that would lead them to request a higher increase. Labour is effectively forcing well-run councils to either slash their services or send bills skyrocketing, and rewarding some poorly run councils with more cash. It is punishing councils for keeping costs down, rewarding others for spending like mad, and forcing a universal model of higher and higher council tax across England.

Far from tactfully and carefully improving the system, Labour is taking a hatchet to local government funding, setting up a broken model that incentivises failure and profligate spending. Ordinary people will pay more tax and get less for it.

This comes as councils are cutting essential services like bin collections, because of Labour government guidance encouraging three-weekly or four-weekly bin collections.

Labour says it is putting councils on a sustainable footing. But it is, in fact, getting councils hooked on higher council tax, making them reliant on taking more and more money out of ordinary peoples pockets.

No doubt there are more tax raids still to come in Rachel Reevess much-dreaded Budget next week. After weeks of uncertainty that have left businesses and the public confused and worried, the stage is set for another disastrous policy package that increases the burden on families across England.

Treasury spin doctors are rolling the pitch for a council tax surcharge on higher bands, or a new homes tax on higher valued homes, with pensioners to be told they can pay when you die. This comes as the Labour government in Wales and the SNP government in Scotland are planning a council tax revaluation and higher council tax bands to make the tax more progressive  in other words, turning council tax from a local services tax into a crude wealth tax. Wales and Scotland are the blueprint for even more tax hikes on your home.

Because that is always Labours instinct: tax, tax, tax.

Sir James Cleverly is the shadow local government secretary
Nnamdi Kanu in 2016. Photograph: AP Photo/AP

The Biafran separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has been sentenced to life in prison on terrorism-related charges by a court in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Judge James Omotosho said prosecutors had shown that Kanu, who also holds British citizenship, had used his Indigenous People of Biafra group (Ipob) to incite attacks on security officials and civilians in south-east Nigeria and during anti-police protests in Lagos.

The court finds that the defendant, Nnamdi Kanu, is an international terrorist and must be treated accordingly, Omotosho said.

His intention was quite clear as he believed in violence. These threats of violence were nothing but terrorist acts, the judge had said earlier while convicting him.

Kanu, 58, who had dismissed his legal team and represented himself during the trial, was earlier ejected from court for unruly behaviour. Which law states that you can charge me on an unwritten law? Show me, Kanu said before he was removed from the court. Omotosho, where is the law? Any judgment declared in this court is a complete rubbish.

The Ipob leader was first taken into state custody in October 2015 and faced multiple charges, including treasonable felony. Eighteen months later, he was granted bail before disappearing until a controversial 2021 extradition from Kenya, which his supporters described as an extraordinary rendition.

Prosecutors had called for Kanu to face the death penalty.

Kanu sought to revive the short-lived state of Biafra, which seceded from Nigeria in 1967, sparking a civil war during which up to 3 million people died.

After its troops surrendered in 1970, Biafra, which comprised the old Eastern Region  most of which is todays south-eastern Nigeria  was reintegrated into the country.

Several secessionist movements have sprung up to protest against what they see as political and economic marginalisation of the region, rallying members of the diaspora to donate to the agitation for independence, including training militia in the regions forests.

Ipob, seen as the most consequential of these movements, relied for long periods on Kanus oratory on the London-based Radio Biafra as a tool of campaign. During Kanus time in prison, a splinter group emerged, the Biafran Government in Exile (BGIE), whose self-declared prime minister, Simon Ekpa, was sentenced to six years on terrorism-related charges by a Finnish court in September.

Related: Brother of British national held in Nigeria says UK has turned its back

Both groups have been accused of a campaign of terror in south-east Nigeria where militants regularly and violently enforce Mondays as sit-at-home days, banning business, schooling and other activity.

According to the geopolitical risk consultancy SBM Intelligence, as many as 700 deaths have been linked to separatist militants since 2021, including a May 2024 incident where five soldiers and six others were killed in an ambush in Abia state. During the conflict, military personnel have also been implicated in multiple cases of human rights abuses.

In 2017, Ipob was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government. Since then, Kanu has hired US lobby firms, including one owned by the ex-congressman Jim Moran. Reports in Nigeria have tied those efforts to the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern this month by Donald Trump, who threatened to attack Nigeria while citing unproven claims of a Christian genocide in the north.

Before the final verdict, it emerged that Kanu had written directly to Trump claiming that a Judeo-Christian genocide was under way in south-east Nigeria.
The courts judges praised Nadine Buzzard-Quashie, who complained that she had been wrongfully arrested by three officers on the force. Photograph: Nikreates/Alamy

The chief constable of Northamptonshire police has been fined 50,000 for contempt of court, with his force condemned by three senior judges.

The court of appeal ruled last week that Northamptonshire police were in contempt and had been wilfully disobedient for repeatedly failing to obey rulings to hand over video to a woman who complained she had been wrongly arrested by three officers.

Nadine Buzzard-Quashie was arrested by Northamptonshire police in September 2021, triggering a four-year saga.

She was taken into custody but prosecutors soon dropped the case.

The hearing on Thursday before three senior judges was to decide punishment.

Counsel for Northamptonshire police, Dijen Basu KC, said over four years the force had breached every single order made against it.

Basu, representing the police, described their conduct as shocking and said only extremely belatedly had they complied by handing over all footage as had been ordered, and accepted it was utterly inexcusable.

Northamptonshires chief constable, Ivan Balhatchet, appeared in person and in his uniform to personally apologise to the court and to Buzzard-Quashie. He said: The failure of my force has been appalling.

He said he had been left speechless by the numerous errors and hurt to Buzzard-Quashie, who had for most of the saga represented herself in court.

Balhatchet said: It is my responsibility to make sure it never happens again.

Basu said the courts withering condemnation of the force last week had been a public humiliation and shaming.

Buzzard-Quashie wanted video footage of her arrest, including from police body-worn cameras, which the force did not provide.

She complained to the Information Commissioners Office, which made an order that all video should be handed over, which the force ignored, before a county court judge made another order, which the force failed to obey again.

The force told courts it did not have any more video to hand over, then reversed its position at a hearing in October.

Delivering their judgment, Lady Justice Asplin, Lord Justice Coulson and Lord Justice Fraser said that one video clip now handed over vindicates Buzzard-Quashies concerns about the arrest. The judgment said police had told the court the clip did not exist but it had in fact been viewed previously by police.

The judges said the contempt by police was so prolonged that a public finding of contempt was not enough and a fine was needed to reflect the seriousness of the case.

It decided against imprisoning the chief constable and praised the tenacity of Buzzard-Quashie saying: Without her tenacity and resilience, none of this would have seen the light of day.

At Thursdays hearing, counsel for the force said the matter had been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), a decision announced last Wednesday.

The IOPC said they would investigate two staff members and a police officer, but not the chief constable.

An IOPC spokesperson said: We received a voluntary conduct referral from Northamptonshire police on 19 November 2025 in relation to two staff members and one senior police officer.

The conduct referral relates to their engagement with the courts over an ongoing legal matter and subsequent statements provided as evidence during the proceedings.

We have assessed the referral, plus all evidence available to us at this stage, and have decided to independently investigate the matters.
It often feels like that Jeff Goldbloom quote from Jurassic Park  life really does always find a way. Photograph: Gap Im Hong/Getty Images/iStockphoto

City officials in Canadas capital city, Ottawa, plan to cull thousands of feral goldfish from a stormwater pond, a decision that reflects the pervasive spread of the species throughout the region.

Earlier in the year, city staff removed 5,000 fish from the citys Celebration Park. But as many as 1,000 more are believed to still be living in the water.

Under Ontarios ministry of natural resources and forestry guidelines, fish can be euthanized through percussive stunning, electrical stunning or pithing.

The fact that weve had approximately 6,000 fish in this pond, in this year, is mind-blowing, councillor Riley Brockington, who represents the area, told CBC News.

Its just a number thats difficult for me to wrap my head around.

Female goldfish produce large amounts of offspring, with a single mature fish able to lay more than 100,000 eggs.

Carleton biology professor Steven Cooke told the national broadcaster the actual population of the Celebration Park shoal could far exceed official estimates, speculating that there could be millions of tiny young goldfish in the pond, undetected.

The scourge of goldfish  a species native to Asia and most commonly found in fish tanks  has become a growing problem as the fish are deliberately released by pet owners into increasingly warm waters.

Goldfish can grow to immense sizes in large bodies of water, have few predators and reproduce rapidly. They displace native species and harm plant growth by churning up waters of ponds.

Warming water temperatures from a changing climate have also created more hospitable environments for the populations as they spread through local waterways and into the Great Lakes.

Authorities in the Canada and the US have pleaded with aquarium owners to stop releasing pet fish into waterways. In Minnesota, officials removed nearly 50,000 goldfish from local waters. They warned that fish which might be only two or three inches long when they are released can grow to more than 1ft long.

Shelby Riskin, an ecologist at the University of Toronto, said that stormwater ponds have increasingly become a breeding ground for the cast-off fish and present a challenge when trying to restore local ecosystems.

There are these flooded areas - and Im thinking of one in [Torontos Don Valley] that can seem no larger than a puddle - and yet at certain times of the year its just filled with goldfish, she said.

The fish can thrive in turbid, oxygen-depleted environments, often outlasting and outcompeting local species.

You look and and just see the toxic vape packets floating by these animals. It often feels like that Jeff Goldblum quote from Jurassic Park  life really does always find a way.
Oliver Steeper was nine months old when he died (Family handout/Leigh Day/PA) (PA Media)

The parents of a nine-month-old boy who died after choking on pasta at a nursery have described a six-figure settlement with the childcare centre as "the end of a long road".

Oliver Steeper was fed a chopped meal by staff at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Kent on 23 September 2021. He choked and fell unconscious.

He was rushed to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, then transferred to Evelina London Childrens Hospital, where food was found lodged in his lungs. Oliver suffered a catastrophic brain injury from oxygen deprivation and died six days later.

His parents, Zoe and Lewis Steeper, stated they had not yet begun weaning him onto solid food, believing he was not ready.

The family has now settled a claim with the nursery for an undisclosed six-figure sum.

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The Jelly Beans Day Nursery, which is now closed, reached the settlement without admitting liability.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr and Mrs Steeper said their legal and campaigning efforts were never about the money but accountability.

Since their sons death, they have pushed for new standards in first aid training for childcare professionals and founded a charity that provides anti-choking devices to nurseries across the UK.

At an inquest last year, coroner Katrina Hepburn heard evidence that the level of first aid provided by the nursery staff was overall of a poor standard.

She wrote to the Government saying that the general standard at the time of having one first-aider per nursery could pose a risk to future life.

In response, ministers introduced reforms that came into force in September, which include making sure there is always a staff member in the room with a valid paediatric first-aid certificate while children are eating.

Mrs Steeper said it was surreal and bittersweet to see these reforms, because Oli had to die.

She continued: I feel like if it hadnt been Oli, it would have been another child.

We hear stories about children who are still dying from choking in childcare settings so I still think there is a long way to go but whenever we hear it, it is comforting to know that underneath it all is Oli.

She described her son as a very cheeky, cheerful boy who was happy all the time and said the memory of the day of the choking is now all one big blur.

Recalling his arrival at the hospital in London, Mr Steeper said: It was like a scene out of The Matrix where youre frozen in time and all the doctors are doing 200mph all around you.

Then this one lady stepped out of the cloud of people and said, You need to prepare yourself, hes not going to survive, at which point our world just fell apart because we had hope all the way until that point.

Oliver Steeper died after choking on pasta bolognese at a nursery (Family handout/Leigh Day/PA) (PA Media)

He continued: We didnt even get a decision to make, because the damage was so bad, because of the time he was without oxygen.

Mr Steeper also said that following Olivers death, he and his wife agreed to organ donation without hesitation and later learned that his kidneys had gone to a 60-year-old man.

He said: What an amazing thing that is, to know hes gotten someone off dialysis and given someone a life.

Their charity, the Oliver Steeper Foundation, now fundraises for the distribution of a device called a LifeVac, which works in a similar way to a plunger and can suck objects out of the throat of a child or adult if something gets stuck.

The couple said they have already used it on their second child after he began choking on Calpol.

Mrs Steeper said: Its very humbling when people come up to you at a summer fete and you might get a little kid that puts a pound in the bucket and the next thing someone gives you a 20 note. Its mind-blowing.

She continued: Generally, we have been overawed by how many people have come out and supported us, especially with the way things are with the cost of living.

Thats the biggest thing that has come out of all of this, the whole process has changed us as people.
Peep Show cast to reunite for the first time in 10 years with Christmas Bake Off special

Peep Show fans are in for a Christmas treat, with the cast of the much-loved sitcom due to reunite for the first time in 10 years.

Fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King and Sophie Winkleman will be donning their festive jumpers to compete in the Great British Bake Off Christmas special.

It will be the first time that the cast is seen together since Peep Show wrapped in 2015 after nine acclaimed seasons.

The actors will be tackling a series of seasonal baking challenges to be judged by Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond will host as usual.

The actors who famously portrayed Mark (Mitchell), Sophie (Colman), Big Suze (Winkleman), Super Hans (King), and Dobby (Suttie) will be taking part.

Absent from the line-up, though, is Robert Webb, who led the show as Jeremy alongside Mitchells Mark.

The episode will air on Channel 4 this Christmas period. An exact date and time is yet to be announced.

Previous Channel 4 titles to have taken part in a festive Bake Off special include the cast of Derry Girls and Its A Sin.

Created by Andrew OConnor, Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, Peep Show followed the dysfunctional lives of Mark and Jeremy, who met at Dartmouth University and live together in a flat in Croydon, south London.

The cast of Peep Show reunite for a Bake Off Christmas special (Channel 4)

The Bafta-winning series, which aired on Channel 4 from 2003 to 2015, is known for its unique filming style with point-of-view camera shots overlaid with internal monologues.

Fans have been begging for a reunion since the show came to an end, and while a Bake Off Christmas special is not exactly what they had in mind, viewers are sure to be delighted at the news nonetheless.

Earlier this year, Mitchell and Webb hit out at the current state of British sketch shows. The duo said the genre has fallen into a coma in the past decade after being abandoned by broadcasters.

Peep Show ran wrapped in 2015 after nine seasons (Channel 4)

Sitcoms have been a casualty of the TV industrys narrowing budget in recent years, with the Noughties often seen as the golden years for popular sitcoms.

Following the success of Peep Show, the pair collaborated on the BBCs That Mitchell and Webb Look, which won a Bafta for best comedy programme before coming to an end after four seasons. In September, they debuted their sketch show We Are Not Helping.
Former Chinese mayor Alice Guo gets life sentence for running scam centre in Philippines

A court in Philippines has sentenced a former mayor to life in jail for her role in operating a major scam centre in the Southeast Asian country.

Alice Guo, ex-mayor of the agricultural town of Bamban located north of the capital Manila, was found guilty of human trafficking and sentenced on Thursday along with seven other people who also received life terms.

Guo ran for mayor as a Filipino citizen but was later identified by law enforcement as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping. Guo had denied links to criminals and insisted she was a born Philippine national.

The case against Guo glued millions of Filipinos to their TVs last year after authorities raided a sprawling scam centre, known as the Baofu compound, in her small town of Bamban. The complex, which had hidden tunnels, buildings, luxury villas, and a large swimming pool, was raided after a Vietnamese worker escaped and alerted police.

The centre targeted foreigners, who were forced to run scams at the threat of torture.

Authorities found around 800 people from seven countries, including Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Rwanda, as well as documents allegedly listing Guo as president of the firm that owned the compound.

Guo, who authorities accuse of having ties to Chinese criminal syndicates, fled the Philippines in 2024 but was arrested in Indonesia later that year after her case sparked an outcry. It led to renewed scrutiny of offshore gaming operations, locally known as Philippine Online Gaming Operations, or Pogo.

There was no immediate comment from Guo or her lawyers about her sentencing.

Aerial view of alleged scam hub masquerading as call centre firm in the Philippines (Getty)

A spokesperson for the Philippine Anti-Organised Crime Commission said Guo and three fellow accused were convicted of organising trafficking inside the compound while the other four were found guilty of acts of trafficking.

"This eagerly awaited ruling is not only a legal victory but also a moral one. It delivers justice to victims, reaffirms the government's united stance against organised crime," the commission said in a statement.

Then Bamban mayor Alice Guo speaks during a Senate hearing on human trafficking and cyber fraud on 22 May 2024 (Philippine Senate Social Media Unit)

The verdict comes as leaders across Southeast Asia are sounding alarm over a rise in cyber crimes and scam centres targeting foreigners. Last month, leaders of the Asean bloc vowed to work together to stop criminals from using their territories as shelter and criminal hub.

Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed a law last month banning offshore gaming operators, cementing a policy that he first unveiled last year following Guos case.
(Charles Morris)

I opened my first restaurant in 1994, meaning we signed the lease in 1993. In the early 1990s, it was challenging  a time filled with depression, anxiety, low energy; the country just coming out of a recession, unemployment at 10 per cent. You had to be brave, silly or both to open a restaurant.

And then something happened: the mood changed. Optimism was in, visionary people took control of government. The second half of the 90s was characterized by New Labour, Young British Artists, and Britpop. It was cool to be British, and the country wanted to celebrate. Why not? It turned out to be the best time to open a big, beautiful ocean liner of a restaurant in Soho. The brainchild of my business partner, Oliver Peyton, it was called the Atlantic Bar & Grill. It became the most glamorous and iconic restaurant and bar of the 90s and early 2000s (the noughties  but also the naughties). It helped that we had a 3am licence, too, now rarely seen. With business good, I decided to open elsewhere, in Mayfair and Chelsea. There were a lot of big launches, a lot of parties, a lot of fun.

It seems a world away. Fast forward to today and the economy is on its knees again, with 0.1 per cent growth in the last quarter  a big fat zero to most people. Worse than that  though entirely connected to it  is that the general national feeling is at rock bottom. Theres no prospect of light at the end of the tunnel; no hope, no vision.

The government is so busy talking down the previous government  as if, perhaps, wed all just missed their catastrophic run, and voted them out by mistake  that they are dampening any prospect of optimism. Nothing kills the economy more than a lack of hope!

In the 90s there was a feeling that things could get better  remember Tony Blairs campaign song?  and government helped that. Blair (and to be fair, John Major before him) was pro-business and focused on supporting hardworking people who risked their savings, or money they didnt have, to start businesses and create jobs.

The bar at One Lombard Stree (Charles Morris)

In 1998, I opened 1 Lombard Street in the City of London, which has been busy for 27 years. In fact, this year is the restaurants busiest but  lockdown aside  also its most challenging, despite having the highest sales weve ever experienced.

It feels like standing in a room with the water rising. You have to increase sales every year, or you cant pay your bills, and those bills include extra tax. There is no room to invest for the long term, take risks, or employ young talent. Businesses are forced to think short term just to survive. And if you are standing in a room with the water rising, youre not thinking about how to paint the ceiling a beautiful colour; your only concern is how to raise the ceiling. Sink or swim? It feels like were doing both at once.

Last week, the chancellor Rachel Reeves was booed at a conference of 1,100 top business executives. It is clear that she has not earned the trust, confidence, or support of the engine room of this economy. The way I see it, the private sector pays for everything  even the public sector. If we dont have a thriving private sector, there are no hospitals, no schools, and no defence.

Whether you are making money or losing money, you are paying taxes on every single move. Especially in hospitality

To my mind, what Reeves has clearly demonstrated in her first nine months in office is that she has no experience and little knowledge of economics and finance. But what is worse is that she has never seen the in-tray of a small private business  it is full of brown envelopes. Whether you are making money or losing money, you are paying taxes on every single move. Especially in hospitality.

Let me explain. When you open a restaurant, you start by signing a lease. Then you receive a brown envelope to pay stamp duty. It doesnt matter to the Treasury that you are 12 months away from opening. After that, you employ an architect to work on the room and receive a bill plus VAT  more tax. Then you get the contractor on site, and theres another brown envelope for your in occupation business rates bill. Could we please wait until we have some customers and income, because were still six months from opening? No! says the government. Cough up.

Then you pay your contractors  plus VAT. Next, you pay your suppliers, which includes import duty on wine and spirits that we dont make here.

Finally, you reach opening day and start taking money, but 20 per cent goes straight to the Treasury as tax on sales (VAT). Then you pay staff and get hit with a whopping 15 per cent tax on jobs (NI). Then you pay rent, with a 45-48 per cent tax on rent (Business Rates). After all this, you might finally see a profit  and pay tax on that profit (Corporation tax). If you decide to pay a dividend to the shareholders who took all the risk investing in the first place, to get you going, the taxman comes back for a cut of that dividend. It feels like we work for Rachel Reeves from Monday to Thursday.

Taxes are necessary to keep public services running smoothly  but surely they must be charged on profits, rather than being imposed as an upfront burden to start-ups, or small growing businesses? Its hardly encouraging for someone just getting going, taking a chance. In fact, its downright daunting. And why on earth should anyone pay any tax before theyve had any income?

We need a government that wants to support anyone willing to risk their savings and career for the sake of entrepreneurship, rather than opting for a safe job and a comfortable pension. Starting a business should have huge upside  if not, why would anyone do it?

I fear that Rachel Reeves does not understand this. Heres my recommendation for the chancellor to drive tax revenue: lower VAT on hospitality to 10-12 per cent, as they do on the continent. This will lead to more jobs, growth, and the tax revenues that this country so desperately needs.

Lets foster an environment that encourages innovation and supports those willing to invest in our future. We must reignite that sense of optimism that propelled us through the challenges of the past, and with that, this economy will get back in shape, and then we can raise the standard of living in this so-called Great Britain. At the moment, it feels like Reeves is working with the opposite in mind.

Soren Jessen is the owner of One Lombard Street; 1 Lombard Street, EC3V 9AA; 1lombardstreet.com
Last seasons Triumph Hurdle fifth Place De La Nation made odds-on backers sweat before eventually getting the job done on her seasonal reappearance at Thurles.

On the strength of her fine performance in finishing on the heels of the likes of Poniros, Lulamba and East India Dock at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was the 1-5 favourite to open her account in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

It was not entirely plain sailing for the French import, with Paul Townend having to get to work early in the home straight and particularly after the final flight, but Place De La Nation did respond to his urgings to get the better of Divaboriva by a length and a half.

Paddy Power pushed the winners odds for the Mares Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham to 25-1 from 16-1, but Townend believes she will improve.

He said: She knuckled down and class probably got her through in the end. She was jumping so well early, but I wasnt able to use my ace card as I didnt want to let her on, and to potentially then give her a proper grueller of a race.

She took a couple of blows, but she handled the ground nicely and stayed the trip well. There is improvement in her and she jumps like a buck.

Ideally you wouldnt want to run this far on her first run back, but the race was there for her and there is a suitably sound surface here.

Eagle Fang (7-1) looks set to have his sights raised after making a successful start to his career over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase under Philip Byrnes.

Gary Bannon, assistant to winning trainer Bill Durkan, said: Last year he was a four-year-old stepping into open company so we knew it would be tough, but he stepped up to the mark. He didnt win a race but ran some good races.

He hadnt done a whole pile of schooling over fences and it has only been in the last few weeks that we decided to try it. He isnt a big horse, but has a massive heart and is the best horse we have. He is our Tiger Roll and he could go for one of the Grade One novices now over Christmas.

Three miles wont bother him and I said to Bill yesterday that Id love to run him in an Irish National.

Henry de Bromhead and Darragh OKeeffe combined to land the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Chase with 6-1 joint-favourite Stoneyford Lady, who was carrying the colours of owner Declan Landy made famous by Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Captain Guinness.

Declan has been very patient with her and while she was entitled to win over hurdles, we didnt so it was nice to see her win that, said De Bromhead.

Reflecting on Captain Guinness disappointing return to action in the rearranged Fortria Chase at Navan on Sunday, the trainer added: He is a bit in-and-out nowadays and pulled up in that race last year, having won it the two previous years.

He has been fine since and hopefully he just hated the ground there. Hell run wherever we get a bit of nice ground.
Plans to reform the NHS have chilling echoes of the failures around HS2, MPs have said as they warn Labour is at serious risk of not meeting its pledge to cut waiting lists.

The public accounts committee (PAC) warned that poor practices seen in the troubled project to build the high-speed rail link were being replicated in the health service and could lead to wasted effort to overhaul the NHS.

HS2 has been described by politicians as an appalling mess after billions of pounds of taxpayers money were wasted amid years-long delays.

The criticism came as MPs warned that initiatives to reduce waiting times for pre-planned care in England have not met their goals under extremely variable management of programmes.

MPs on the cross-party committee highlighted how billions have been spent to transform diagnostics and surgical services, yet the pace of change is still too slow.

The report also highlights plans to axe NHS England and absorb its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care, while reducing local health management teams, with the health department set to take responsibility for managing the initiatives to cut waiting lists.

Unless it gets a grip on the programmes, there is a serious risk that it will not meet its target for 92 per cent of the waiting list to be treated within 18 weeks by 2029, MPs wrote.

The public accounts committee is warning that billions have been spent on the NHS without a focus on making sure the investment pays off (PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmers plan for change pledged that by July 2029, 92 per cent of patients will be seen within 18 weeks for routine hospital treatment such as hip and knee replacements.

Clive Betts, Labour MP and deputy chair of the PAC, said: Every unnecessary day that a patient spends on an NHS waiting list is both one of increased anxiety for that persons unresolved case, and if they are undiagnosed, a steady increasing of risk to their life.

Every penny of funding spent to put the NHS back on a pre-pandemic footing must be precisely targeted, or the system itself becomes an obstacle to proper care.

Unfortunately, our report establishes that billions have been poured into the system over the past few years without the requisite focus on making sure that money does what it was intended for  improving outcomes for patients.

He also said that they are now seeing chilling echoes of past failures on HS2 as he urged the government to provide reassurance and detail on how it hopes to take its plans forward.

MPs on the committee also raised concerns about the plans to restructure the top of the health service, amid concerns that changes are being announced without either delivery plans or funding in place.

Last week, health secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that thousands of NHS staff redundancies will now go ahead after funding for the estimated 1bn cost was agreed with the Treasury.

The government has already announced that headcount across both NHS England and the Department of Health will be cut by around 50 per cent, with around 18,000 administrative staff and managers, including on local health boards, set to go.

The new PAC report states: We do not accept that it is prudent to make a major change, such as the structural changes that are being made to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS England without ensuring there is funding in place to pay for the changes, and without conducting an impact assessment or taking other steps to safeguard value for money.

These changes, especially the planned cuts to ICBs (integrated care boards), could have a significant negative impact on patients and on the healthcare workforce through the level of uncertainty they create, and because they may limit the ability of NHS organisations to plan for the future.

We are concerned that these poor practices, previously seen with the New Hospitals Programme and the High Speed 2 programme are being replicated here and will lead to wasted effort.

The report comes as doctors stage a five-day strike over pay  the 13th such walkout since March 2023.

Shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew told The Independent: Wes {Streeting] has taken his eye off the ball. I imagine No 10 have grown tired of the showboating and are looking to clip his wings.

Referring to a recent Downing Street briefing against Mr Streeting, Tory MP Jack Rankin added: No surprise Starmer is gunning for Wes. Junior doctors are striking waiting lists are still too high and his major piece of legislation, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill , is in trouble in the Lords. 

A DHSC source told The Independent: Waiting lists increased every year for 14 years under the Conservatives. Thanks to Labours investment and reforms, waiting lists have been cut for the first time in 15 years. Thats the difference Labour is making.

Whether its the staff retention crisis, Andrew Lansleys reorganisation, or chronic underinvestment, Wes is cleaning up the mess the Tories left and rebuilding our NHS.

A DHSC spokesperson said: This government inherited a broken NHS, with waiting lists soaring and elective services in dire need of modernisation. This report focuses on the previous government, and we have taken immediate and robust action to tackle waiting lists and modernise elective care.

Through record investment and modernisation, weve cut backlogs by more than 230,000 and smashed our target for additional appointments, delivering more than five million extra. Health service productivity is up 2.7 per cent on last year.
The side effects of Prozac for children concentration problems. Photograph: Rebecca Nelson/Getty Images

Clinical guidelines should no longer recommend Prozac for children, according to experts, after research showed it had no clinical benefit for treating depression in children and adolescents.

Globally one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds have a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. In the UK, about a quarter of older teenagers and up to a fifth of younger children have anxiety, depression or other mental health problems.

In the UK, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidance says under-18s with moderate to severe depression can be prescribed antidepressants alongside therapy.

But a new review of trial data by academics in Austria and the UK concluded that fluoxetine, sold under the brand name of Prozac among others, is clinically no better than placebo drugs in treating depression in children, and should therefore no longer be prescribed to them.

The authors conducted a meta analysis of 12 large trials involving Prozac, published between 1997 and 2024, and concluded that fluoxetine improved childrens depressive symptoms so little as to not be considered clinically meaningful.

Consider the analogy of a weight-loss drug that is better than placebo at producing weight loss, but the difference is only 100 grams, said Martin Ploderl, a clinical psychologist at Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, and lead author of the study. This difference is unlikely to be noticeable to the patient or their doctors or produce any difference in their overall condition.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, identified a novelty bias in early trials, which were likely to be more positive, while later studies fail to confirm these effects. It concludes that the potential risks of harmful side-effects of fluoxetine are likely to outweigh any potential clinical benefit.

The most common side-effects experienced by children on antidepressants are weight gain, sleep disturbance and concentration problems. They can also increase suicidal ideation.

Related: Children detained under Mental Health Act held for hours in A&E departments

The authors also examined clinical guidelines in the US and Canada and found that just as in the UK, they ignored evidence that Prozac was clinically equivalent to placebo and continued to recommend its use for children and adolescents with depression.

Mark Horowitz, an associate professor of psychiatry at Adelaide University and a co-author of the study, said: Fluoxetine is clearly clinically equivalent to placebo in its benefits, but is associated with greater side effects and risks. It is difficult to see how anyone can justify exposing young people to a drug with known harms when it has no advantage over placebo in its benefits.

Guidelines should not recommend treatments that are equivalent to placebo. Many clinicians take the common-sense approach that we should seek to understand why the young person feels depressed and address the factors that are contributing to it.

Guidelines in the UK and around the world currently recommend treatments for children with depression that are not in line with the best evidence. This exposes young people to the risks of medication without any benefit over placebo.

The long-term effects of antidepressants in children and adolescents were poorly understood and research among adults showed risks included serious side effects that may be long-term and in some cases persist after stopping the medication, he added.

Responding to the findings, a Nice spokesperson said: Mental health is a priority for Nice and we recognise that depression in young people is a serious condition that affects each differently, which is why having a range of treatment options is essential for clinicians. Our guideline recommends a choice of psychological therapies as first line treatment options for children and young people with depression.

Nice recommends that children and young people with moderate or severe depression are reviewed by specialist teams. Antidepressants may be considered in combination with psychological therapy for moderate to severe depression in some cases and only under regular specialist supervision.

Prof Allan Young, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Academic Faculty, said that the study should be interpreted with caution. Clinical guidelines weigh many factors beyond average effect size, including safety, feasibility, and patient preferences. It is important that prescribed medication demonstrate consistent evidence and safety data, he said.

 In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978
The Kremlin has passed a raft of laws addressing vulnerabilities at home as Ukraine continues to prove a lethal and disruptive threat within Russias borders.

At least 20 regions have started calling up military reservists to help guard key infrastructure under a new law. Energy firms are glad for the extra support, but are tempering their expectations without proper air defences against incoming drones.

Moscow has also experimented with temporarily cutting off internet access for SIM cards on foreign networks, with Ukrainian drones increasingly capable of popping up behind enemy lines.

And this week, Vladimir Putin introduced new penalties for acts of sabotage, lowering the age at which a person can be charged from 16 to 14, and imposing harsher sentencing rules to act as a deterrent.

The sweeping laws recognise Ukraines growing ability to hit deep into Russian territory, as well as the expectation that the war could roll on for some time, despite public whispers of peace talks.

File. Ukraine has found ways to get drones and long-range missiles across the border to disrupt Russian industry (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The need for special training sessions for BARS reservists to defend vital infrastructure comes after months of Ukraine steadily refining its ability to hit energy sites across the country.

While these attacks alone will not force Putin to the negotiating table, they will contribute to a spike in domestic energy prices, weakening public support for continuing the war.

The new law allows Moscow to call up some two million people without declaring a new mobilisation. But experts doubt Russia still has the manpower available.

If there had been enough, reservists during the 2022 mobilisation, the authorities wouldnt have had to go out onto the streets and chase people, military analyst Alexei Alshansky told The Moscow Times.

Government sources told exiled outlet Verstka that the initiative had been rushed through at the Kremlins direction, and that the Duma may consider extending various benefits and perks if needed.

A manager at one of Russias largest oil and gas companies told the independent outlet that even ten extra men with Berdan rifles would be a boost - but a handful of reservists are no substitute for air defences.

If reservists are supposed to offer a last line of defence, SIM card cooling measures are Russias preventative step to stem Ukrainian drone assaults.

Russia should be able to prevent drones with LTE modems from connecting to local networks by shutting off internet access for devices that have connected to foreign networks or been offline for a few days.

Most of the drones used by Ukraine and Russia do not use mobile connectivity, as they can be switched off in combat, making them unreliable. Ukraine did, nonetheless, hit Russia hard with FPV drones using Russian mobile telecommunications networks during Operation Spider Web in June.

Damaged oil facilities at Russia's Novorossiysk Port after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack on Sunday - one of many such attacks in recent months (Vantor)

The new penalties for sabotage lower the age at which minors can be charged by two years, and abolish statutes of limitations for related crimes.

Barring suspended sentences for sabotage and restricting parole until at least three-quarters of a sentence is served will also pose a strict deterrent for those tempted to work on Ukraines behalf in Russia.

Lawmakers cited foreign intelligence services recruiting young Russians in their decision to pass the amendments last week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was met by a dancing robot as he arrived at an AI event in Moscow on Wednesday (19 November).

The humanoid tech welcomed the leader to the AI Journey conference, before breaking into dance to a pop song. Mr Putin looked rather unimpressed with the show, as a line of men in suits stood alongside awkwardly watching.

He then took to the stage, telling the audience that Russia "must possess a whole range of its own technologies and products in the field of active artificial intelligence."
The Chancellor must restore business confidence in the Autumn Budget, a Scottish business network has said.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) has published a letter to Rachel Reeves calling for her Budget next week to be a turning point for businesses across the UK.

The letter warns firms are facing a perfect storm of rising costs and policy uncertainty.

SCCs latest economic survey found business confidence is declining across most sectors, investment intentions have been put on hold, and hiring costs are at record highs.

Liz Cameron, director and chief executive of SCC, said: Firms across Scotland are ready to invest and grow, but a complex and costly policy environment is holding them back.

We hear all too often that firms want to invest in their premises and people, but that the spiralling cost burden has seen investment intentions shelved.

This Chancellor needs to make this Budget a turning point for businesses.

The measures weve outlined will unlock investment, drive innovation, and create jobs in every region of the UK. Bold, evidence-led decisions today will secure growth and prosperity for decades to come.

SCC has proposed a number of steps it is calling on the Chancellor to take, including creating a competitive tax and cost environment, securing energy investment, and prioritising infrastructure and skills for growth.

It is also calling for a reversal of the employer national insurance increase and reform of the energy profits levy.

Dr Cameron said: The message from Scotlands business community is clear: were ready to invest, innovate, and create jobs. Now we need a Budget that matches our ambition, and takes the necessary steps to restore business confidence.

With the Scottish Budget due in January, we urge both governments to work together to deliver a settlement that unlocks the full potential of Scotlands businesses.

The UK Budget is due to be announced by Ms Reeves on November 26, with the Scottish Budget to follow in January.

A UK Government spokesperson said: The Chancellor has set out the context for the Budget, recognising global and long-term economic challenges. It will continue to build the strong foundations to secure Britains future.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: I agree that it is vital that the Chancellor takes action to support industry, create jobs and encourage growth in the UK Budget. That is why we are calling on the UK Government to reverse the damaging decision to increase employers national insurance contributions which acts as a tax on jobs.

They must also listen carefully to the concerns being expressed by energy industry bodies and businesses around the devastating impacts of the reserved energy profits levy. The levy was always supposed to be a temporary measure and we must see the earliest possible end date, or complete reform, as it is affecting investment and jobs across Scotlands energy sector.
Russia is disrupting air ambulances in the Arctic as part of its hybrid warfare campaign against the West, Oslos foreign ministry has warned.

Moscow is jamming GPS systems in northern Norway almost continuously, causing havoc with planes and helicopters operating near the border with Russia.

Eivind Vad Petersson, a state secretary in the foreign ministry, said: We do see hybrid measures, hybrid attacks, hybrid campaigns coming from the Russian side.

Just one example, coming back to our border region, there is almost continuous GPS jamming or spoofing going on, making it hard for civilian traffic, including, for example, air ambulances, travelling in this region.

In the Norwegian winter, up in the Arctic, that can be rather dangerous.

Norway says Moscow is jamming GPS systems in the Arctic - Fredrik Hagen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

GPS jamming, also known as spoofing, is an electronic warfare tactic where false signals are used to confuse pilots navigating an area. It can often trick an aircraft navigation system into thinking it is in a different location from its actual position.

One of the incidents Mr Petersson was referring to occurred in July on the Svalbard archipelago, which was flooded with false GPS signals that confused air ambulances and rescue helicopters.

The disruption was serious enough to trigger a notice to airmen (Notam) warning to pilots in the area by Norways civil aviation authority.

Mr Peterssons comments, made at the Berlin Security Conference, are the latest sign that Russia is expanding its hybrid warfare campaign on the West, which is being waged in retaliation for Natos support of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putins 2022 invasion, Russia is suspected of carrying out dozens of sabotage attacks on mainland Europe, in the Baltic Sea region and increasingly in the Arctic region.

In one of the most serious sabotage plots, Russian agents allegedly sent firebombs hidden in parcels through DHL couriers across Europe, including some disguised as sex toys.

The devices were shipped to Birmingham in England, eastern Germany and Poland, where they caught fire and had to be extinguished.

Russian agents have even allegedly plotted to assassinate Armin Papperger, a German weapons manufacturer who plays a critical role in supplying the Ukrainian army.

Last month, Norways defence minister told The Telegraph that Russia is ramping up its nuclear stockpile in the Arctic region, and seeking control over new shipping routes created by melting ice caps.

Tore O Sandvik said: Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula ... where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located. They [the nuclear weapons] are not only pointed towards Norway, but towards the UK and over the pole towards Canada and the US.
ExxonMobil ethylene petrochemical plant at Mossmorran, Fife, faces closure - Iain Masterton/Alamy

SNP ministers have been accused of failing hundreds of workers at the Mossmorran chemical plant after the party broke a promise to deliver a transition plan for the Fife site.

The plight of staff at the ExxonMobil ethylene plant was raised in Holyrood after it emerged on Tuesday that it faces closure, with more than 400 jobs at risk.

During First Ministers Questions at Holyrood on Thursday, opposition politicians rounded on John Swinney, the SNP leader, over a pledge made by ministers more than 18 months ago to deliver a transition plan.

It was argued at the time that such a plan could save jobs by avoiding an unmanaged decline and securing skilled green jobs for the local economy through dialogue with ExxonMobil, workers, unions, the council and the Scottish Government.

First Minister John Swinney backed his deputys claim the Grangemouth investment taskforce would be expanded to also consider Mossmorrans future - Jane Barlow/PA

In April 2024, Mairi McAllan announced that a transition plan for Mossmorran would be developed by the SNP Government, following one put in place for the Grangemouth refinery.

But Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative leader, said the promised plan was still nowhere to be seen.

Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, told MSPs: We all knew this was coming. For years the Scottish Greens called on the Government to develop a just transition plan for Mossmorran and in April 2024 the Government agreed, promising that work would commence within months.

Mr Greer added that he believes the reality is there is no plan, and the Government broke its promise to the workers at Mossmorran.

On Tuesday, Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister, said the Governments Grangemouth investment taskforce would be expanded to also consider the future of the Mossmorran site.

According to ExxonMobil, 179 directly employed jobs are at risk at Mossmorran, along with 250 contractors, with the possibility of 50 staff transferring to the Fawley petrochemical complex almost 500 miles away in Hampshire.

Responding to Mr Greer in the chamber on Thursday, Mr Swinney said: The work the Government is undertaking as set out by the Deputy First Minister on Tuesday is focused on learning on the experience that we are taking forward in Grangemouth  of the business ventures and developments that come forward supported by Scottish Enterprise to enable us to assist companies and individuals to meet the just transition.

Mr Findlay also flagged a report by the Fraser of Allander Institute warning an accelerated decline of the oil and gas sector could see the UK lose 13bn.

The analysis, using data from the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University, compares two plausible paths for the UKs oil and gas sector over the next decade: a Managed Decline and an Accelerated Decline.

Under both scenarios, oil and gas activity and employment fall sharply by 2035, but a faster decline has materially larger consequences.

The analysis concludes: For the UK as a whole, the gap between the two scenarios is worth around 13bn in gross value adde in 2035 (2023 prices)  equivalent to around 0.5 per cent of projected UK GDP.

Mr Findlay warned of a national emergency facing the oil and gas industry and claimed the SNP Governments hostility to it had contributed to its decline.

Unless Labour and the SNP change course, Scotlands world-leading oil and gas sector will be wiped out entirely, never to return, warned Mr Findlay.

ExxonMobil plans to close the 40-year-old ethylene factory, putting 400 jobs at risk - Jane Barlow/PA

He said the most damaging policy holding back investment and risking jobs is the energy profits levy and urged Mr Swinney to co-sign a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, calling for the windfall tax to be scrapped in next weeks Budget.

John Swinney should join me in opposing it because it is threatening the very future of the industry, said Mr Findlay.

The energy tax must go and both the SNP and Labour governments must change direction.

Mr Swinney said: Were at a pivotal moment in relation to supporting the sustaining of employment in Scotlands economy, as we ensure we build up to our clean energy and renewable future.

This requires the UK Government to heed the concerns expressed by many people, including the Scottish Government, about the continuation of the energy profits levy, which was introduced by the Conservatives.
The Greater Manchester Mayor has not ruled out challenging Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party - OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

To paraphrase the Gospel of John, Greater love hath no man, that he will lay down his parliamentary career for his comrade.

So rare is the prospect of self-sacrifice for the greater good in politics that Clive Lewis, the Norwich South MP, caused quite the flutter yesterday when he conceded that he would be prepared to step down as an MP to allow Andy Burnham to replace him in the Commons. This would allow Burnham to become eligible to stand in any imminent leadership election.

To continue the Biblical analogy, Lewis is preparing the way for the man he sees as the saviour of his party.

The obstacles standing in Burnhams way remain considerable, however, not least the understandable indignation of the good citizens of Norwich at being told they must come out and vote in a by-election to boost the career prospects of a politician from the other side of the country. The Reform UK leaflets write themselves sometimes.

But beyond the impracticalities of Lewiss master plan lie deeper, more troubling political issues for the Labour Party, and in particular its soft-Left, as represented by Lewis and the newly reformed Tribune group of MPs.

Having successfully seen off any attempt by the Government to reduce the welfare bill, and feeling optimistic that next weeks Budget will see an end to the two-child benefit threshold, Labour backbenchers are basking in their unexpected level of power and influence.

Landslide majorities tend to give the executive, not its foot soldiers, untrammelled power. But with a political mangenue in the form of Keir Starmer at the head of the Government, the rules of politics arent being rewritten so much as shredded.

So major policy announcements that are controversial, such as this weeks asylum and immigration reforms, risk becoming bargaining chips to be used by opportunistic MPs in negotiations with the whips, rather than government policy that must be implemented.

Take Burnhams own comments on Radio 4s Today programme this morning. As an experienced politician, he understands the political necessity of the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoods attempts to strengthen our borders. He probably agrees with the notion that failing to do so will hand victory at the next general election to Nigel Farage and Reform UK. But he didnt sound as if he was speaking to the nation. Oddly, he sounded as if he was speaking directly to the few hundred thousand Labour Party members.

Im not going to say that the Home Secretary is wrong to call for this level of change, Burnham said. What I would say is its really important, on the back of the measures that shes announced, that there is a considered debate, time is taken to see if consensus can be built around it. Because that would be hugely valuable to the country if that could be secured.

It sounded to the jaded cynic as if the Greater Manchester Mayor were already on the hustings, seeking to sound loyal to Starmer but sceptical about unpopular (with party members) policies.

But such ambiguity for the sake of personal popularity has served neither of the main parties well, and could hardly be less appropriate to the challenges that currently face the Labour Government.

Lewiss own offer to fall on his own sword in favour of his friend should not, in itself, be taken too seriously. The former Corbyn ally deserves some credit for saying in public what so many of his colleagues say only in private: that Starmer needs to go if Labour is to have any chance of re-election.

But this kind of melodramatic gesture is hardly what is required at the moment. This Government could benefit from a dose of seriousness, not more appeals to party members famously dubious judgment. Serious and unpopular decisions were always going to have to be made by whichever party won the 2024 election. What a pity that so many of Labours newly-elected cohort werent told that in advance.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to formally approve a new 20,000 square metre Chinese embassy in central London despite espionage concerns, reports say.

The prime minister has reportedly been given the green light by MI5 and MI6, with The Times informed by sources that the Home Office and the Foreign Office will not raise any formal objections to the plan.

The deadline for the decision has been extended to 10 December, with both departments, which represent the security services, set to submit their responses to the government over the coming days.

Sir Keir is planning to travel to China for his first bilateral visit in January or February next year, as the UK seeks to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations with Beijing. However, sources have told The Guardian that this visit is contingent on the embassys planning proposals being greenlit next month.

A Whitehall source said the embassys approval was likely to be a formality.

Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping in November 2024. The prime minister is planning to travel to China for his first bilateral visit in January or February next year (AFP/Getty)

The row over the embassy comes amid ongoing disquiet following the collapse of a Chinese spying case and warnings by MI5 of the threat posed by the communist state to UK national security, fuelling the governments difficulties as it seeks to ease tensions with Beijing.

But tech secretary Liz Kendall insisted the prime minister takes all of those issues extremely seriously.

We will do everything possible to keep this country safe and we are very clear eyed about China's role there, she told Sky News on Friday morning.

Asked about reports the government will approve plans for the embassy, she said: "I cant comment on that news story today. Any decisions will be taken through the proper process but I would say that we are clear eyed about our relationship with China and national security will always come first.

That is absolutely non-negotiable. But where we can safely work with China - whether thats on the economy or areas like research - thats what we'll do because we want to get the best outcome for the British public."

Proposals for the embassy were rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022, with the Chinese opting not to appeal.

But Beijing resubmitted the application a fortnight after Labours election victory last year, and the plans were then called in so ministers would make the final decision.

On Tuesday, security minister Dan Jarvis said the government will not tolerate covert and calculated attempts by China to interfere with the UKs sovereign affairs following an MI5 warning over spying threats.

MPs, peers and parliamentary staff were warned by the security service over suspected Chinese espionage via recruitment headhunters on Tuesday.

Mr Jarvis told the House of Commons that MI5 has said China is attempting to recruit and cultivate individuals with access to sensitive information, often masked through cover companies and headhunters.

The minister announced a package of measures to disrupt the threats, and that the government is launching an espionage action plan.

China has denied the allegations and lodged stern representations with Downing Street over the warning, an embassy spokesperson said.

Police officers hold back protesters outside the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy in Royal Mint Court, central London, in February (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The spokesperson described the warnings as pure fabrication and malicious slander, adding: We urge the UK side to immediately stop this self-staged charade of false accusations and self-aggrandisement and stop going further down the wrong path of undermining China-UK relations.

As part of measures to tackle the risk, the government said 170m will be used to renew encrypted technology used by civil servants to safeguard sensitive work.

A further 130m will be invested to help counterterror police enforce the National Security Act and fund work to help businesses protect their intellectual property.

Ministers are also launching a series of protective security campaigns, coordinated by the Defending Democracy Taskforce, Mr Jarvis said, to help those involved in politics recognise, resist and report suspicious state threat activity.

This will include tailored security briefings for devolved governments and political parties by the end of the year, and new security guidance in January for all candidates for the upcoming May elections.

The decision to allow the embassy will likely provoke a political backlash. In recent months, the Tories have pressed Labour to place China in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs).

Security minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons on Tuesday that China is attempting to recruit and cultivate individuals with access to sensitive information (House of Commons)

Earlier this week, shadow home office minister Alicia Kearns said: Instead of the communications plan and private closed-door meetings announced today, we urge the government to put China in the enhanced tier of the Firs scheme.

She also pressed the government to reject the proposed embassy in London or require the Chinese government to pay for sensitive underground cables to be rerouted away from it.

Mr Jarvis said No 10 is looking closely at whether it is necessary to make further additions to the enhanced tier.

He added that a decision on the Chinese embassy will be made by housing secretary Steve Reed in a quasi-judicial capacity.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart said the plan is not sufficient by itself and also called for the proposed embassy near Tower Bridge to be rejected.
Donald Trump allegedly called Jeffrey Epstein moments after his 2016 election victory over Hillary Clinton, contrary to his later claims he had not spoken to the pedophile financier in many years.

The president had called Epstein to express his shock at the victory, his brother Mark Epstein told CNN in an interview.

Trump said in 2019 that although he and Epstein were at one point close friends, their relationship had soured and he had not spoken to him in probably 15 years, adding I wasnt a fan of Jeffrey Epstein let me tell you.

Those remarks followed shortly after the financiers arrest on sex trafficking charges.

Speaking to CNN, Mark Epstein claimed that in fact it had been his brother who had stopped hanging out with Trump, after realizing that he was a crook. He also claimed that the two men had spoken in 2016.

Protesters calling for the release of the Epstein files. Donald Trump allegedly called Jeffrey Epstein moments after his 2016 election victory over Hillary Clinton, contrary to his later claims he had not spoken to the pedophile financier in years, his brother has said (AP)

After the election, I usually speak to Jeffrey regularly, and in one of the calls we spoke, Jeffrey told me. it was after the election, that Trump called him and it was sort of like, Can you believe this?

Because nobody believed Trump was going to win. Trump was sort of surprised himself that he won. So Jeffrey said he called him like you know, Could you believe this? type of a phone call.

He then reiterated that it had been Trump who had called his brother, not the other way around.

On Wednesday night the president signed a bill to force the Justice Department to release all of its files related to the late convicted sex offender within 30 days, announcing the news in a late-night Truth Social post in which he continued to insist the whole affair was a Democrat hoax.

Trump had previously opposed releasing the files and had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Republican lawmakers to block their release.

Trump said in 2019 that although he and Epstein were at one point close friends, their relationship had soured and he had not spoken to him in probably 15 years

At a press conference to discuss the files release, Attorney General Pam Bondi did not clarify a timeline or say whether specific files would be withheld.

It comes after a newly released batch of Epstein's private emails shared with Congress by the sex offenders estate claimed 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.

The president has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. He has also said he was not aware of Epsteins criminal behavior.

Trump won the 2016 election after surprise victories in three swing states  Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania  put him over the top in the Electoral College, despite him losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly three million.

In a statement shared with The Independent, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said: Instead of amplifying baseless claims, the media should start asking real questions: why was Democrat Stacey Plaskett live texting Epstein in 2019 during a congressional hearing after he was a convicted sex offender and why did she accept thousands of dollars from him?

Why did President Bill Clinton travel on Epsteins plane 26 times? And why did one of Epsteins victims write that she saw Clinton on Epsteins island with two young women?

These are just some of the many questions that the American people deserve to have answered.
Donald Trump has given his approval for a controversial new peace plan to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, according to reports.

The new 28-point plan would consist of security guarantees, security in Europe, and future US relations with Russia and Ukraine, Axios reported, citing sources.

But it has caused outrage as it would require Kyiv to give up more land to Russia and partially disarm, conditions long seen by Ukraine and its allies as tantamount to capitulation.

Mr Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is said to have discussed the plan with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Volodymyr Zelenskys security adviser Rustem Umerov, according to officials from Washington and Kyiv.

According to reports, a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky at the White House last month descended into a shouting match as the US president demanded that his Ukrainian counterpart accept Russias maximalist demands for ending the war.

Mr Trump was reported to be shouting and swearing as he threw aside Ukrainian maps of the battlefield. The president denied such an exchange took place.

But in the aftermath of the meeting, Mr Trump called for a ceasefire along the current front line  a key demand from Kyiv and Europe  and told reporters the meeting was cordial.

Donald Trump has come up with a new peace plan to end the war between Ukraine and Russia (AP)

What is in the new peace plan?

Details of the new plan were briefed to various media outlets on Wednesday night. They include a demand that Ukraine must surrender the Donetsk region as a precondition for peace, according to the Financial Times.

The deal would require Kyiv to cede control of the eastern Donbas region while legally retaining ownership of it. In exchange, Russia would pay an undisclosed rental fee for de facto control of the region, officials familiar with the deal told the Telegraph.

Two sources, who asked not to be identified, also said the proposals involved significantly cutting the size of Ukraines armed forces in half. The military would also reportedly be banned from possessing long-range missiles.

The peace plan proposes that Ukraine surrender a crucial eastern area and slash its military numbers (AFP/Getty)

US secretary of state Marco Rubio did not deny any of the demands briefed to the media on Wednesday night. In a post on X, he said that Washington will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict.

Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas. And achieving a durable peace will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions, Mr Rubio said.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that any peace plan for Ukraine would have to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, in a repetition of its previous position. They added that, while contacts were ongoing with the US, no formal negotiations on the plan were taking place.

Vladimir Putins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on whether the Russian leader had been briefed on the details of the reported Ukraine peace plan.

How has Europe reacted?

European countries have pushed back against the proposed peace plan. The EUs foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said any agreement must have European countries and Ukraine itself on board.

Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Ukraine, as the victim in the conflict, should not have restrictions imposed on its ability to defend itself.

Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, said: "Ukrainians want peace  a just peace that respects everyones sovereignty, a durable peace that cant be called into question by future aggression. But peace cannot be a capitulation.

Spains foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said on Thursday that any peace plan for Ukraine cannot be done without Ukraine and the European Union.

A peace plan must also guarantee the existence of a sovereign and democratic Ukrainian state, he told reporters in Brussels before a meeting with his European Union counterparts.

The US president has attempted to broker peace deals between Ukraine and Russia before (AFP via Getty)

How have Trumps previous peace efforts failed?

Last August, Mr Trump and Putin met in person for a summit in Alaska to discuss an end to the war. It was the first time that the Russian leader had visited the US since the beginning of the war in February 2022. Both leaders hailed the meeting as productive, but nothing of substance was revealed.

More recently, Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov stated his readiness to meet US secretary of state Marco Rubio to discuss mending bilateral ties, following reports that he had been sidelined by Putin over his failure to secure a peace summit with Mr Trump.

Mr Lavrov spoke by phone to Mr Rubio on 20 October to discuss the possible summit, but the Financial Times cited a source claiming that his conversation with Mr Rubio had put Washington off.

The next day, Mr Trump said that he did not want to hold a meeting that would be a waste of time. He later said he had cancelled the summit because it just didnt feel right.
Trump to meet NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani on Friday after calling him a Communist and threatening to withhold funding

Donald Trump has announced that he plans to meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, whom the president has repeatedly labeled a communist.

Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st, Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday night. Further details to follow!

Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, won the New York City mayoral race earlier this month, soundly defeating Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo.

Shortly before Trumps Truth Social post, the mayor-elect told MS NOWs Chris Hayes that his team had reached out to Trump's.

We did reach out to the White House  and my team reached out because of a commitment that I made to New Yorkers, that I would be willing to meet with anyone and everyone, so long as it was to the benefit 8.5 million people who call the city home and their struggle to afford the most expensive city United States of America, Mamdani said.

President Donald Trump announced that he and NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani plan to meet in the Oval Office on Friday (Getty)

He said he wants to speak plainly to the president about the stakes for New Yorkers, such as cost of living.

A spokesperson for Mamdani also confirmed the meeting with CNN: As is customary for an incoming mayoral administration, the Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago.

Much like Trumps national campaign, Mamdani campaigned on promises to make life more affordable for New Yorkers through policies such as freezing rents, providing free public buses and creating a network of city-owned grocery stores.

Throughout the high-stakes mayoral race, Trump has branded Mamdani a communist. But Mamdani is a Democratic socialist.

Although theres not one singular definition, democratic socialism is generally a political ideology that opposes capitalism and supports putting power in the hands of working people rather than corporations. As the national group Democratic Socialists of America puts it: We want a democracy powered by everyday people. The capitalist class tells us we are powerless, but together we can take back control.

Ahead of the election, the president backed Cuomo. 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, Trump wrote. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!

Last month, the president threatened to slash federal funds from his former home city if Mamdani became mayor.

"We have a Communist, 33 years old, doesn't know a thing, probably never worked a day in his life, and he sort of caught on. I'm not going to send a lot of money to New York, Trump said.

During an appearance on CBSs 60 Minutes days before the mayoral election, the 79-year-old Republican compared himself to the 33-year-old Democrat.

Some people have compared him to a left-wing version of you: charismatic, breaking the old rules. What do you think about that? Journalist Norah ODonnell asked.

The president replied: Well, I think I'm a much better-looking person than him. Right?

Okay, she said, before moving on to her next question.
Donald Trump has signed a bill approving the release of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Justice Department.

"I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!" he said in a Truth Social post, following a lengthy preamble aimed at discrediting the Democrats.

"Democrats have used the 'Epstein' issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories," he continued.

It comes after the Senate finished the formalities and sent the proposed legislation to the president's desk, having comfortably cleared a vote in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The Justice Department now has 30 days to release the documents it holds on the paedophile financier.

How did we get here?

Mr Trump promised during last year's election campaign to release the Epstein files in full, but has since spent months decrying them as a Democratic "hoax".

His links to Epstein have long been subject to scrutiny. Mr Trump has always denied any wrongdoing.

His change of heart on releasing the files came as a surprise over the weekend, as he called on Republicans in Congress to vote for the so-called Epstein Files Bill and indicated he'd sign it.

"Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor [sic] of passage," Mr Trump wrote in his late-night post announcing the signing of the bill.

The House of Representatives was indeed near unanimous in voting for the material to be released, with 427 in favour and one against.

Hot on the heels of that vote, which was met with cheers in the chamber, the Senate said it too would pass the bill.

Trump tries to tie Democrats to Epstein

Mr Trump's post repeatedly labels Epstein as a Democrat, citing his past associations with the likes of Bill Clinton.

Mr Trump has said he wants the Justice Department to investigate Epstein's links to Mr Clinton, former treasury secretary Larry Summers, and Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn founder, who is also a prominent Democratic donor.

All three men were mentioned in the 20,000 other Epstein-related documents released by Congress's House Oversight Committee last week. None of them, however, have been accused of wrongdoing in the case.

Mr Summers did announce he would be stepping back from public life on Wednesday, saying he was "deeply ashamed" by his relationship with Epstein.

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Emails, photos and other documents released by Congress in recent weeks have included references to Mr Trump, the UK's since sacked US ambassador Lord Mandelson, and former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has faced calls from members of the committee to give evidence.

Like Mr Trump, both Britons have denied any wrongdoing and expressed regret about their relationship with Epstein.

The deadline for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to respond to an official request from the committee is today.

The family of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's accuser, the late Virginia Giuffre, described the signing of the Epstein Files Bill as "nothing short of monumental".

"This work is not finished. Every name must be revealed, regardless of power, wealth, or party affiliation," they said in a statement given to Sky News.

"For Virginia, her sisters, and survivors across the world, this is a momentous step towards a long-overdue justice."

Unrest in MAGA world

The Epstein scandal has proved to be a major source of division within Mr Trump's Make America Great Again movement.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a long-time Trump backer who publicly fell out with the president just days ago, stood with Epstein survivors on the steps of the Capitol ahead of Tuesday's Congress votes.

She said: "These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight. And they did it by banding together and never giving up."

Read more: Who is Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Epstein died by suicide in his prison cell in August 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

He was already a registered sex offender after pleading guilty in 2008 to Florida state changes of unlawfully paying a teenage girl for sex.
Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump in 1992 - NBC NEWS

Donald Trump has signed a bill to release the Jeffrey Epstein files after bowing to pressure from his party.

The United States president made the announcement on Wednesday evening, as he claimed the disgraced financier and convicted paedophile was a lifelong Democrat.

I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES, he wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post.

Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, to try to distract from our AMAZING Victories.

The move marks a remarkable about-turn from Mr Trump. He had spent months fighting against the release of documentation relating to Epstein before eventually ordering Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote for the bill, saying it was time to move beyond the controversy.

The signing of the bill means the US department of justice (DoJ) is required to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in a federal prison in 2019, within 30 days.

It allows for redactions relating to Epsteins victims because of ongoing federal investigations, which means some files could stay confidential, but the DoJ cannot withhold information for the reasons of embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity.

Pam Bondi, the attorney general, confirmed that the materials  which were reported to total 100,000 pages  would be released within the required timeframe.

In a press conference following the announcement, Ms Bondi said: We will continue to follow the law and encourage maximum transparency.

Epstein with his former partner Ghislaine Maxwell. In an email exchange between them, Epstein said Mr Trump spent hours at his house with Virginia Giuffre, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors accuser

In his announcement, Mr Trump claimed Democrats were deeply associated with Epstein and had accepted thousands of dollars in donations from him. He added that the truth about their relationships with him will soon be revealed.

Such figures included Bill Clinton, the former president who allegedly travelled on Epsteins jet 26 times, Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary, and Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn founder and mega-donor whom Mr Trump called a sleazebag.

All these guys were friends of his, the US president said in the Oval Office on Tuesday. What Epstein is, is a Democrat hoax to try to get me not to be able to talk about the $21 trillion [in investments] that I talked about today.

Mr Summers announced this week that he would step back from his public responsibilities after a tranche of documents released last week revealed he maintained a close relationship with Epstein after he was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution.

Epstein and Bill Clinton in 2002. The former president allegedly travelled on Epsteins jet 26 times - Netflix

On Friday, Mr Trump ordered the DoJ to investigate Epsteins relationship with some Democrats.

The US president also called out Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, whom he claimed had asked Epstein to donate to his Campaign AFTER Epstein was charged.

Mr Trump was referring to an email from a consulting firm, published in the latest tranche of files released by the House Oversight Committee last Wednesday, in which Epstein was invited to a fundraising dinner for Mr Jeffries in 2013.

The Democrat said he knew nothing about anything any prior consultant may have sent.

Mr Trump also targeted Stacey Plaskett, a Democratic congresswoman, who was found to have exchanged text messages with Epstein during a Congressional hearing.

According to the Washington Post, Ms Plaskett was influenced in her questioning by Epsteins messages.

A spokesman for the congresswoman said she received texts from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein.

Drawing a contrast with the Biden administration, Mr Trump trumpeted his own role in securing the release of the files, and claimed the Democrats had used the issue as a distraction technique.

As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively, he said.

Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favour of passage. At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress.

Do not forget  The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him.

Mr Trump had the power to release the files without first going through Congress.

The US president closed by reeling off his accomplishments since returning to office, before saying: This latest Hoax will backfire on the Democrats just as all of the rest have!

Demonstrators outside the Capitol have called for all the Epstein files to be released - Mariam Zuhaib/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The Trump administration endured a backlash over its previous refusal to release the files.

In September, he dispatched aides to warn Republicans that backing the bill would be viewed as a hostile act.

Mr Johnson was criticised for exploiting the government shutdown to delay a vote on the issue.

Faced with a Congressional rebellion last week, Mr Trump had ordered Ms Bondi and Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, to meet with Lauren Boebert, a Colorado representative, in an effort to convince her to remove her signature from a petition to force a vote on the bill.

Once it became clear that congressional action was inevitable, Mr Trump insisted the Epstein matter had become a distraction to the Republican agenda and indicated he wanted to move on.

I just dont want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that weve had, Mr Trump said in a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, as he announced the volte-face.

Mr Trump and his now wife Melania, who was then known by her maiden name Knauss, pictured with Epstein and Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club in 2000 - Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

In emails released last Wednesday from 2020, Epstein claimed Mr Trump spent hours at his house with Virginia Giuffre, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors accuser, and wrote that Mr Trump knew about the girls.

The emails were included in 23,000 documents released by the House oversight committee.

In an exchange with his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein wrote: I want you to realise the dog that hasnt barked is Trump, [Virginia] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned.

In an email marked as of high importance sent a few hours later on April 2 2011, Maxwell replied: I have been thinking about that

In her posthumous memoir, Giuffre, who once worked at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, said the president couldnt have been friendlier in their interactions.

Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew, the former Duke of York, when she was 17 years old, consistently maintained that she did not witness or allege any misconduct by Mr Trump related to Epsteins crimes.

The former Duke, who has strongly denied all allegations, was given until Tuesday to appear before Congress to speak about his relationship with Epstein. However, he is yet to respond to their request and has no obligation to do so.

Epstein died in 2019 while in a Manhattan prison awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, in what the US government ruled was suicide.

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.

The family of Giuffre, who died in April, described the signing of the Epstein Files Bill as nothing short of monumental.

This work is not finished. Every name must be revealed, regardless of power, wealth, or party affiliation, relatives said in a statement to Sky News. For Virginia, her sisters and survivors across the world, this is a momentous step towards a long-overdue justice.
President Donald Trump said he has signed the bill  the Epstein Files Transparency Act  to release the files related Jeffrey Epstein, ending months of resistance to making the records public.

Just one day after Congress swiftly passed legislation to compel the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender, the president announced that he had signed the bill on Wednesday evening.

Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged by the Trump Justice Department in 2019 (Not the Democrats!), was a lifelong Democrat, donated Thousands of Dollars to Democrat Politicians, and was deeply associated with many well-known Democrat figures, Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post. He mentioned several Democrats who appeared in a tranche of emails from Epsteins estate that the House Oversight Committee made public last week, including Bill Clinton and Larry Summers.

Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES! the president wrote.

At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. Do not forget  The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him, he continued.

Donald Trump announced he signed the bill to release the Epstein Files (REUTERS)

Trump accused Democrats of using the Epstein Files to distract from Republican victories.

For years our Great Nation has had to endure RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, IMPEACHMENT HOAX #1, IMPEACHMENT HOAX #2, and many other Democrat created Witch Hunts and Scams, all of which have been so terrible and divisive for our Country, and have been done to confuse, deflect, and distract from the GREAT JOB that Republicans, and the Trump Administration, are doing, the president said. This latest Hoax will backfire on the Democrats just as all of the rest have!

The president said Monday he has nothing to do with Epstein after the recently released batch of emails included messages from the disgraced financier claiming that Trump knew about the girls and spent hours at my house with a victim of sex trafficking. Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing and says his friendship with Epstein ended decades ago.

Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and immediately provided the final signature on a discharge petition that ultimately forced a vote on the DOJs Epstein files (REUTERS)

The stunning emails were made public before Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn into office by House Speaker Mike Johnson following a 50-day delay since she won her congressional race. Grijalva provided the 218th  and final  signature on a House discharge petition that ultimately forced a vote on the DOJs files.

Demands for transparency around the Epstein files have long plagued the Trump administration, especially after Trump campaigned on exactly that.

Attorney General Pam Bondi released Phase 1 of the Epstein files in February to MAGA influencers, but faced backlash after it was discovered most of the information was already publicly available.

Uproar mounted after the Department of Justice released a memo in July stating that Epstein, whose 2019 death in a jail cell was the subject of many conspiracy theories, died by suicide. The memo also said no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted and that there was no evidence to support the existence of a so-called client list of people involved in his heinous crimes.

In September, survivors said they would compile their own list and seek justice on our own. In October, Nobodys Girl  the posthumous memoir of survivor Virginia Giuffre  provided new revelations about a client list, alleging that the sex offender videotaped bedrooms and bathrooms in his homes to give him, what Giuffre called, power over others.

This month, as the House neared its 218th signature, Trump administration officials met with Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert in the White House Situation Room to reportedly discuss removing her name from the discharge petition. Boebert was just one of four Republicans who had signed it.

Last week, Trump ordered Bondi to investigate Epsteins "involvement and relationship" with Democrats who were named in the tranche of Epstein emails. Hours later, Bondi assigned a prosecutor to lead the case.

Trump has accused Democrats of using the Epstein Files to distract from Republican victories (AP)

After it became clear that the House was poised to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act with wide bipartisan support, Trump abruptly switched his position and urged the GOP to support the bill while simultaneously casting the entire matter as both a hoax.

Writing on Truth Social late Sunday, he said House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and its time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party.

On Tuesday, Jena-Lisa Jones, a survivor of Epsteins abuse, told CNN that she believes survivors should have been present when Trump signs the bill.

He owes us that much. He owes us an apology. I think that would be one way of showing some remorse for this drawn-out process that didnt need to be, Jones said.
Former President George W. Bush remembered his Vice President, Dick Cheney, as being devoted to protecting the United States, in a eulogy at his funeral in Washington, D.C., Thursday, which was attended by former presidents and vice presidents  but not President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Cheney, who served under Bush from 2001 to 2009 as one of the most influential  and controversial  vice presidents in modern American history, died earlier this month aged 84.

Two former presidents, Bush and Joe Biden, stood in attendance, along with four former vice presidents, Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle, as Cheney was remembered for his decades of public service and dedication to the country.

Sitting presidents typically attend the funerals of former presidents and vice presidents, but Trump and Vance were not invited to attend the memorial service Thursday morning at Washington National Cathedral, a source told CNN.

The apparent snub reflected the dramatic falling-out between the Cheney family and Trump following the events of January 6, 2021, when a pro-Trump mob attacked the Capitol to try to disrupt the formalizing of Bidens victory in the previous years election.

Former Vice President Dick Cheneys funeral was held in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Cheneys funeral was attended by several former presidents and vice presidents, but not President Donald Trump or Vice President JD Vance (AFP via Getty Images)

Lynne Cheney, right, Dick Cheneys widow, former Rep. Liz Cheney, left, and other family members arrive at the National Cathedral (Getty Images)

While delivering his eulogy on Thursday morning, Bush recalled how Cheney had been helping him choose a running mate when he realized the best choice for the vice president was the man sitting in front of me.

"At such a moment, most in this position would have jumped at the chance. But Dick stayed detached and he analyzed it. Before I made my decision, he insisted on giving me a complete rundown of all the reasons I should not choose him," Bush said.

"In the end, I trusted my judgment. I remember my dad's words when I told him what I was planning. He said, 'Son, you couldn't pick a better man,'" he added.

Bush said that in 2004, Cheney had offered to resign if Bush, who was seeking re-election, wanted to replace him, but after four years of seeing how he treated people, how he carried responsibility, how he handled pressure and took the hits, I arrived back at the conclusion that they do not come any better than Dick Cheney.

Meanwhile, Cheneys daughter, former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney said her dad knew you couldn't truly appreciate what it means to live in freedom if you didn't understand the sacrifices of the generations who came before, noting that he made sure his daughters and grandchildren knew as well.

She told mourners that her father "thought deeply about what this blessing meant, about the duties it imposed."

"My dad's devotion to America was deep and substantive," she added.

Appearing to reference the divide in the Republican Party that pitted her against Trump, and even led to her losing her congressional seat in Wyoming, she praised her father as someone who knew that bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans.

Tributes were also shared by several of Cheneys grandchildren, who appeared emotional when speaking about their grandfathers impact on their lives. Cheneys longtime cardiologist, Jonathan Reiner, and former NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, who was Cheneys spokesman at the Pentagon, also spoke his praise.

Military body bearers carry the casket containing the remains of former Vice President Dick Cheney during his funeral at the National Cathedral on November 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty)

Former president Joe Biden shakes hands with his vice president  and successor as 2024 Democratic presidential nominee  Kamala Harris, as Jill Biden looks on (AFP via Getty Images)

Former vice president Mike Pence speaks to CNN journalist Jeff Zeleny outside the church (AP)

Cheney, whose political career spanned five decades, died earlier this month from complications related to pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, which he battled most of his adult life. He was 84.

In addition to serving as Bushs vice president, Cheney was also the defense secretary for President George H.W. Bush and chief of staff for President Gerald Ford. He also served 10 years as Wyomings sole representative to the House, a job his daughter, Liz, later took on.

While Cheney was a longtime conservative who endorsed Trumps 2016 campaign, he spent the final years of his life speaking out against the current administration.

Cheney and his daughter Liz became regular targets of Trump during his most recent re-election campaign due to their fierce criticism of the then-former-president. His daughter had long been a target of Trumps after holding a prominent role in the congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite rarely appearing in public during his later years, Cheney was featured in a political advertisement for his daughter in 2022 to denounce Trump.

In our nations 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump, Cheney said, calling the now-president a coward.

A real man wouldnt lie to his supporters. He lost his election, and he lost big. I know it. He knows it, and deep down, I think most Republicans know, Cheney said in the advertisement.

Two former vice presidents  Democrat Al Gore, left, and Republican Dan Quayle  speaking ahead of the service (AP)

Two former House speakers  Republican John Boehner, left, and Democrat Nancy Pelosi, right  arrive for Cheneys funeral (REUTERS)

According to his daughter, Cheney endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Meanwhile, the current president, Trump, said little about Cheney following his death on November 3. Trump didnt make a statement about Cheneys death and did not issue a presidential proclamation, which typically follows the death of notable figures.

After Cheneys death, the White House lowered its flags to half-staff, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt said was in accordance with statutory law.

Cheney was considered by many to be one of the most influential vice presidents in recent history, although some of his policies proved highly controversial, especially in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks on the U.S. in 2001.

He was seen as one of the architects of the War on Terror, which included the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the implementation of the Patriot Act  which extended the governments surveillance powers  and the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, condemned as torture by critics, against terror suspects.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley walks with MS NOW host Rachel Maddow (REUTERS)

More than 1,000 people were expected to attend the invite-only memorial service (REUTERS)

Earlier in his career, as defense secretary in 1991, he helped plan U.S. involvement in the First Gulf War, following Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseins invasion of Kuwait.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq in particular proved a catalyst for fierce opposition both in the United States and around the world. President Bushs administration and its allies were accused of building a false pretext for invasion by claiming that Saddam was developing weapons of mass destruction and that he may be linked to Al-Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the 9/11 attacks.

The war saw thousands of combatants and civilians killed and wounded and was blamed for devastating the region and eventually leading to the rise of the Islamic State terror group.

Cheney later stood by the decision to invade Iraq, telling the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2014: I would do it again in a minute.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne; his daughters, Liz and Mary; and seven grandchildren.
Turkey will host next years UN climate summit, while Australia will take charge of leading the negotiations under an unusual compromise struck at the Cop30 talks in Brazil.

The agreement ends a two-year stand-off between the two countries, both of which had bid to host Cop31. It means the conference, scheduled for late 2026, will be held in the resort city of Antalya, with Australias climate minister Chris Bowen presiding over the negotiations.

Mr Bowen confirmed the arrangement on the sidelines of the Cop30 summit in Belem, saying he would hold the full powers of a COP president, including appointing co-facilitators, preparing draft texts and issuing the summits final decision.

It would be great if Australia could have it all, but we cant have it all, he said. It was important to strike an agreement.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described the compromise as a big win for both Australia and Turkey, adding that the deal would allow Canberra to focus attention on Pacific island nations most at risk from climate change.

Australia had pitched its bid as a Pacific COP, designed to amplify the concerns of low-lying island states and climate-vulnerable communities. It has already spent about A$7m (3.6m) preparing for the event.

Activists participate in a demonstration against fossil fuels at the Cop30 UN Climate Summit (AP)

Turkey, meanwhile, said it would use the conference to promote solidarity between rich and developing countries. The Turkish government has not yet commented on the new arrangement.

Environmental groups said the split arrangement was highly unusual. David Ritter, chief executive of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: Whatever the forum, whoever the president, the urgency and focus cannot change. Phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation must be at the core of the Cop31 agenda.

Analysts said the deal could ease the logistical and financial burden of hosting while giving both countries diplomatic prominence. David Dutton, a former senior climate diplomat now with the Lowy Institute, said it creates opportunities for Australia and the Pacific to do something meaningful with it.

Ethiopia was earlier confirmed as host for Cop32 in 2027, while India is among the nations bidding for the following years summit.

Additional reporting by agencies.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will negotiate with Donald Trump on a US-backed peace plan that called on Ukraine to make painful concessions in order to end the Kremlins invasion of his country.

The presidents office on Thursday confirmed he had received the draft peace plan, which was prepared by US and Russian officials, and that he would speak to Trump in the coming days about existing diplomatic opportunities and the main points that are necessary for peace.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would do nothing to disrupt any diplomatic efforts.

Ukraine needs peace and Ukraine will do everything so that no one in the world can say we are upending diplomacy. This is important, Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine would issue no rash statements.

The number one task for everyone is a constructive diplomatic process with America and all our partners. It is vital to have stable support for our army and all our planned defence operations and deep strikes.

The cautious response from Ukraines presidential administration followed angry denouncements of the plan by some Ukrainian officials who called it absurd and unacceptable.

According to reports, the sweeping 28-point proposal closely resembles demands made by Moscow soon after its full-scale invasion in early 2022. It was reportedly drawn up by Russian and US officials, with support from Trump. Kyiv was not consulted. One European diplomat said they learned of the plan only when they turned on the news.

It envisages Kyiv giving up Crimea and the Donbas region, while the frontlines of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen along the current line of contact. Ukraine would agree to limit its army to 600,000 personnel, a reductions of hundreds of thousands.

European fighter jets would be based in Poland to protect Ukraine, but no Nato troops would be stationed in Ukraine and Kyiv would agree never to join the military alliance, according to the plan seen by Axios and AFP.

No foreign troops would be allowed on Ukrainian soil, a condition that rules out a post-deal peacekeeping force led by the UK and France. But the US would provide unspecified security guarantees, according to Axios. In addition, $100bn in frozen Russian assets would be dedicated to rebuilding Ukraine. There would also be a path to reintegrating Russia in the global economy, including the future lifting of sanctions, according to the Associate Press.

Ukrainian officials said the document amounted to the effective end of its existence as an independent country. It comes nearly four years after Russian troops tried and failed to seize Kyiv, and as efforts by the Trump administration to end the conflict remain stalled.

Zelenskyy held talks on Thursday with a high-ranking US military delegation, led by the army secretary Dan Driscoll.

Driscoll  a former classmate of the US vice-president, JD Vance  arrived in Kyiv bearing important messages from the White House, US sources indicated. He is likely to travel to Moscow at the end of next week to discuss the plan with the Kremlin, they said.

American diplomats said Donald Trump was trying to achieve peace with an incredible sense of momentum.

His administration was pursuing an aggressive timeline with the Ukrainians to reach an agreement, they added, and wanted to achieve this in the shortest possible period. The White House said the plan was good for both sides, rejecting concerns that it echoes many of Moscows demands.

After an hour-long, one-to-one meeting between Driscoll and Zelenskyy, the charge daffaires at the US embassy in Kyiv, Julie Davis, said: We have witnessed today a remarkable pace of diplomatic activity. We are going to continue these efforts today and tomorrow and keep at this.

Officials in Kyiv were unimpressed. They said the proposal  reportedly drafted by Kirill Dmitriev, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff  was a provocation, the aim of which was to stir up division and disorientate Ukraines allies, they added.

There are currently no signs that the Kremlin is ready for serious negotiations. Putin is trying to stall for time and avoid US sanctions, said Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of Ukraines foreign policy parliamentary committee.

It means capitulation, for Ukraine, for Europe and for America, said Roman Kostenko, a Ukrainian commander and politician.

Last week, Trump named Driscoll as his new special representative. His mission to Kyiv included explaining the White Houses latest peace plan, as well as military meetings and discussions concerning battlefield innovation, a US official said. Two four-star generals travelled with him.

Keith Kellogg, Trumps special representative to Ukraine, has reportedly planned his departure, saying he would leave in January after a year in the post. Kellogg is regarded as being broadly sympathetic to Ukraine and has been consequently left out of direct US-Russian talks.

The White Houses renewed push to force Ukraine to make significant concessions in pursuit of peace comes at a difficult time for Zelenskyy, who is embroiled in the biggest political scandal since he became president in 2019.

His former business partner Timur Mindich and at least two government ministers are accused of involvement in a large-scale bribery scheme. Several deputies from Zelenskyys Servant of the People party have called on the president to dismiss Andriy Yermak, his powerful chief of staff.

One western diplomat said the Russians were seeking to take advantage of Ukraines domestic crisis.

It seems Dmitriev has spun this plan at a time when Zelenskyy is weak. The Russians are good at exploiting things, they said. It feels like every other Russian plan. I dont think its going to fly with Ukraine.

The diplomat said the Kremlins demands concerning the Russian language were a hook it could later exploit. The proposal did not offer the kind of security assurances Ukraine would need from the US and its European allies for any deal to stick, they added.

Related: Europe calls for role in Ukraine talks amid reported US-Russian peace deal

European leaders meeting in Brussels said they had not been warned in advance about the latest White House initiative.

The Trump administration no longer provided direct military aid to Kyiv, a fact that reduced its ability to impose a Moscow-friendly peace settlement on Ukraine, one source noted.

The EUs foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said Europe welcomed any efforts to achieve a long-lasting and just settlement of the war, but stressed: For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board.

Kallas said the Dmitriev-Witkoff proposal did not envisage Russia making any concessions. We have to understand that in this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. If Russia really wanted peace, it could have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire already some time ago.

The British government said it backed Trumps desire to bring this barbaric war to an end.

But it emphasised that only the Ukrainian people can determine their future and said Russia could end the fighting tomorrow by pulling out troops and ending its illegal invasion.

US efforts to broker peace have hit roadblocks since Trump met Putin in Alaska in August. The US president subsequently imposed sanctions on Russias oil industry, in an apparent attempt to push Putin to the negotiating table.

Trump said last month that he was putting on hold his plan for a meeting with the Russian president in Budapest because he didnt want it to be a waste of time.

In recent months Russia has increased its systematic attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure, plunging much of the country into darkness. On Wednesday it bombed several western cities, including Ternopil, where 26 people, including three children, were killed in their homes.
A Russian drone and missile attack in western Ukraine, has killed at least 26 people, including three children, amid reports that a new US- and Russian-drafted peace proposal would see Kyiv ceding land and slashing the size of its military . Many more people were listed as missing and nearly 100 had been hurt in the overnight strike that hit apartment buildings in the city of Ternopil, Ukrainian interior minister Ihor Klymenko said on Wednesday. Russia fired 476 drones and 48 missiles at Ukraine, striking energy and transport infrastructure and forcing emergency power cuts in a number of regions in frigid temperatures. The upper floors of a residential building in Ternopil were torn away in the attack. Klymenko said on Telegram that said emergency crews were working through the night, combing the site. The main thing is to find those who could still be under the rubble  Flames flared up instantly and engulfed the building in a wave. People were terrified and tried to jump out of windows.

US and Russian officials have quietly drafted a new plan to end the Ukraine war that would require Kyiv to surrender territory and severely limit the size of its military, it was reported on Wednesday. The draft plan  which was reportedly developed by Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev  would force draconian measures on Ukraine that would give Russia unprecedented control over the countrys military and political sovereignty, write Luke Harding, Pjotr Sauer and Andrew Roth. It was unclear whether the Trump administration had formally backed the proposal, which according to the reports would require Ukraine to cede territory it controls in the east of the country and halve the size of its military. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has previously called those conditions non-starters.

Zelenskyy travelled for talks in Turkey intended to help revive peace negotiations with Russia, after his short tour to European capitals. The Ukrainian president urged allies to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war, including by providing Kyiv with more air-defence missiles. Every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient, he said on X. Effective sanctions and assistance to Ukraine can change this.

Energy infrastructure was hit in seven Ukrainian regions in Russias overnight attacks, officials said. Restrictions were placed on power usage for consumers across the country. A Reuters witness in the western city of Lviv reported hearing explosions and the north-western city of Kharkiv came under fire. Residents took cover in metro stations in Kyiv.

Polands foreign minister, Radosaw Sikorski, has described last weekends sabotage attack on Polands rail system as an act of state terrorism ordered by Russia, as he announced that Poland was closing the last remaining Russian consulate in the country. The clear intention was to cause human casualties, he said of the weekend bomb attack. Shaun Walker and Jakub Krupa also report that the Polish security services said they were in the process of arresting several people linked to the incident.
Vanderpump Villa cast member Marciano Brunette has addressed The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Demi Engemanns claims that he touched her inappropriately.

During the second season of Vanderpump Villa, five SLOMW cast members, including Engemann, traveled to Italy to stay at the villa for a crossover episode of the two reality shows. It was there that Brunette confessed he was attracted to Engemann, but she instead offered relationship advice, given her marriage to Bret Engemann. She later alleged that she was groped at the Villa.

A representative for Brunette, who previously denied the allegations, told People in a new statement that he would continue to maintain his innocence.

I want to be absolutely clear: I am taking this matter extremely seriously. This is the most difficult situation I have ever faced, and the allegations against me are not only entirely false but profoundly damaging. I remain committed to addressing this issue fully and transparently, the statement read.

The allegations were first brought up in May when Engemann appeared on Nick Vialls podcast, where she did not name the man who groped her at the Villa but recalled telling her SLOMW co-stars about the incident and insisting that she didnt want to file an official police report.

Brunette (left) told Engemann he was attracted to her during a crossover episode of Vanderpump Villa and SLOMW (Disney/Christopher Willard and Disney/Fred Hayes)

Engemann (right) alleged a man had groped her at the Villa (Disney/Andrea Miconi)

Brunette then seemingly responded by posting an Instagram reel, captioned: uninvited to the function cus a 30yo mormon wifes scared Ill tell her husband the truth.

His post, which has since been deleted, was reportedly in reference to a Get Real House event hosted by Hulu on April 22, 2025, which welcomed stars from across the streamers reality shows, including Engemann and her co-star Whitney Leavitt, alongside The Kardashians, ex-Bachelors, and Dancing with the Stars contestants.

Brunette was notably absent.

Engemann later commented on a now-removed post from a fan account about the drama, writing: Grown men acting like a child cause they couldnt bag a woman that was beyond out of their league and MARRIED <<< the clout chasing is on another level.

The interaction was later discussed during the recently released season three of SLOMW as the members of MomTok questioned whether or not Engemann and Brunette had a physical connection. Brunette told the women that he did kiss her, but Engemann claimed that any touching between the two of them was unwanted.

Everyone is going to handle these kinds of situations different. You never deserve unwanted touch, she said in a confessional in season three. No matter what it looks like, no matter what your relationship was like before or after, unwanted touch is unwanted touch.

The Independent has reached out to representatives for Engemann for comment.

Brunette then went on to have an emotional affair with another member of the SLOMW cast, Jessi Draper Ngatikaura, who is married to Jordan Ngatikaura.

At the time, the affair sparked a 90-day separation between the couple who have since reconciled.
A judge in Los Angeles has dismissed a lawsuit that accused Fast and Furious star Vin Diesel of sexual battery.

Asta Jonasson, who briefly worked for the actor while he was filming Fast Five in the fall of 2010, filed a lawsuit in 2023 accusing Diesel  real name Mark Sinclair  of battery. She also claimed she was fired by his production company after the alleged incident in Atlanta, Georgia.

As Variety reports, judge Daniel M. Crowley dismissed four of Jonassons 10 claims citing the statute of limitations and the remaining six claims due to a lack of jurisdiction.

The alleged 2010 incident would typically fall outside the statute of limitations, but in 2022 California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which meant certain sexual assault cases dating back to 2009 could be brought before a court.

It is undisputed that the alleged sexual assault took place in Atlanta, the judge wrote.

He went on to say that the claim fails as a matter of law because California statutes are presumed not to have extraterritorial effect unless the Legislature expressly states otherwise in adopting the statute.

Vin Diesel attending the Vanity Fair Oscars party in Beverly Hills in March 2025 (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

According to Jonassons original lawsuit, she was a recent Los Angeles film school graduate when she was hired by Diesels company, One Race, to work for the actor on location in Atlanta, where the movie was filming.

Late one night in September 2010, Jonasson claimed she was asked to wait for Diesel in his St Regis hotel suite while he entertained nightclub hostesses he had invited back, according to the suit.

Once the women left, the suit alleged that Diesel grabbed Ms Jonassons wrists, one with each of his hands, and pulled her onto the bed. After asking him to stop and escaping his grasp, Jonasson waited by the door of his suite for him to leave.

She alleged that, instead, he pushed her against a wall and masturbated. Shortly after the alleged incident, Diesels sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent, called Jonasson to terminate her employment. It was clear to her that she was being fired because she was no longer useful  Vin Diesel had used her to fulfill his sexual desires and she had resisted his sexual assaults, the lawsuit claimed.

In addition to sexual battery, Jonasson sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, hostile work environment, and retaliation, among other things.

When the lawsuit was first filed, Diesels lawyer Bryan Freedman denied the allegations on his behalf.

Let me be very clear: Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety, he said. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.
Scientists have given us another reason to fear  or marvel at  ruddy-hued marine bloodworms.

The haunting, copper-fanged invertebrates that may grow to over a foot long can do something remarkable with their long flexible mouth, known scientifically as a proboscis.

In the event of an attack or the need to burrow, the venomous Glycera dibranchiata bloodworms can explosively turn their appendage, which normally remains concealed within their bodies, inside out. Now, researchers say they know how it happens.

The process has been likened to fictional biology portrayed in the 1979 scifi horror film Alien, with aliens that have mouths that shoot out and retract.

The key lies within the very disagreeable worms translucent wrinkly folds, Georgia Institute of Technology researchers said in a bioRxiv preprint published earlier this month.

A bloodworm everts its long flexible mouth known as a proboscis (Kim et al., bioRxiv (2025))

The bloodworms store their organs when not in use, with their mouth tube and intestine buckled in size. Their retractor muscles display pronounced wrinkles and folds, potentially functioning as a form of self-organized origami, the team wrote.

These natural strategies may provide insights into repeatable retraction, they said.

They found this out by testing the bloodworms biomechanics, in both air and seawater-infused gelatin that simulated the mudflats where the bloodworms burrow.

The researchers filmed the creatures turning themselves inside out and used ultrasound imaging tech  also used to check on fetuses during human pregnancies  to see the worms internal processes.

The worms were held in a 3D-printed plastic open-casket worm coffin to ensure they would not wriggle, as is their nature.

The researchers also tested the worms internal fluid pressure to better understand the conditions in which the proboscis inverts.

Ultimately, the Georgia researchers found that the process is similar to blowing up a balloon, inflating as fluid is pumped inside of the proboscis in a matter of fewer than two seconds. The proboscis is able to stretch out up to three times its size without breaking.

An image shows the Glycera dibranchiatas proboscis turned inside out, left, with its copper fangs alongside an electron microscope image, right, of a jaw (Matter/Wonderly et. al.)

Its maximum strain of max = 2.9 is comparable to one of the most extensible soft tissues in nature, the body of the leech Hirudo nipponia with a max strain of 3.6. In comparison, human tendons fail at a strain of 0.098, the authors wrote.

Retracting the proboscis takes around eight seconds, but its still pretty darn fast.

Its similar to seeing the behind the scenes of the magic trick, David Hu, a mechanical engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology, told Science. We could see the deflated proboscis waiting for action.

Hu said understanding how these bloodworms work could help inform future technology for soft-bodied robots. Most soft-bodied robots use polyurethane films that arent as stretchy as a bloodworms proboscis.
The WhatsApp logo pictured in front of a laptop screen in Guildford, UK, on 17 April, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

Security researchers have discovered a critical vulnerability with WhatsApp that exposes the phone numbers of more than 3 billion users worldwide.

The privacy flaw could be used by cyber criminals to gather profile information and infer the identities of users of the worlds most popular messaging app, which could then be used to carry out highly-targeted attacks.

Uncovered by a team from the University of Vienna and SBA Research, the privacy weakness centres on WhatsApps contact discovery mechanism, which asks users for permission to match mobile numbers in their address book to the apps central database.

This allows WhatsApp to show which contacts are also using the messaging app, however the enumeration mechanism could also be used by malicious actors to scrape phone numbers, profile photos, and users About status.

These findings remind us that even mature, widely trusted systems can contain design or implementation flaws that have real-world consequences," said researcher Gabriel Gegenhuber from the University of Vienna.

"They show that security and privacy are not one-time achievements, but must be continuously re-evaluated as technology evolves."

The teams findings were published in a preprint paper titled Hey there! You are using WhatsApp: Enumerating three billion accounts for security and privacy.

Security experts have described the discovery as a wake-up call for platforms still using phone numbers as a form of user identity, which they warn are too public, too permanent, and too easily scraped to be used for this purpose.

This issue highlights a fundamental problem with WhatsApps architecture: the phone number itself is the vulnerability, Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at VPN and security firm NordVPN, told The Independent.

WhatsApp uses numbers as its core identity system, [so] attackers were able to automatically test billions of them and pull back profile details at extraordinary speed.

With someones phone number, profile photo and status, cyber criminals would be able to build highly-targeted impersonation attacks, Mr Briedis noted.

At scale, this becomes a goldmine for scammers, criminals and well-resourced cyber groups, he said.

Meta, WhatsApps parent company, has since addressed and mitigated the issue, and claims that it has found no evidence of malicious actors abusing the flaw.

We are grateful to the University of Vienna researchers for their responsible partnership and diligence under our Bug Bounty program, a spokesperson told The Independent.

Importantly, the researchers have securely deleted the data collected as part of the study, and we have found no evidence of malicious actors abusing this vector.

A former security chief of WhatsApp recently accused Meta of violating cyber security regulations that put billions at risk.

Attaullah Baig, who served as WhatsApps head of security from 2021 to 2025, filed a lawsuit in September with the US District Court for the Northern District of California that alleged WhatsApp failed to address the hacking and takeover of more than 100,000 accounts each day.
The White House on Thursday defended President Donald Trumps call for a group of Democratic legislators to be put to death by hanging after they teamed up for a social media video urging service members to refuse what they deemed to be illegal orders.

Asked about the matter in her briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused the senators and Congress members of delivering a radical message that could disrupt the chain of command. But she did not try to clarify or tamp down the presidents inflammatory call for a violent end.

Earlier in the day, Trump took to Truth Social to accuse senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, plus Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, New Hampshire Representative Maggie Goodlander and Pennsylvanias Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of engaging in what he described as seditious behavior by participating in the video, calling them traitors to our country who should be arrested and put on trial.

He later posted a message in which he repeated his all-caps accusation of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR from the lawmakers before claiming that such behavior is punishable by DEATH, along with a repost of another Truth Social user who encouraged him to HANG THEM.

Asked about the presidents call for the execution of American lawmakers during a press briefing on Thursday, Leavitt complained that reporters were more interested in the presidents accusations against the legislators than what they had actually said before accusing the representatives and senators  all of whom are military or intelligence community veterans  of having conspired together to encourage members of the national security apparatus to defy the presidents lawful orders even though the video in question only urged them to refuse illegal orders.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Democratic senators and Congress members of delivering a radical message that could disrupt the chain of command when she was asked about Trumps call for them to face death penalty. (Reuters)

The sanctity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can lead to people getting killed. It can lead to chaos, Leavitt said.

She added later that the senators and representatives had misused their credentials as veterans and former intelligence officials to signal to people serving under this commander-in-chief, Donald Trump, that you can defy him.

That is a very, very dangerous message, message, and it perhaps is punishable by law. I'm not a lawyer. I'll leave that to the Department of Justice and the Department of War to decide, Leavitt said.

Neither the presidents claim that the legislators had engaged in seditious behavior or Leavitts claim that what they did was punishable by law have any basis in reality.

While the Uniform Code of Military Justice requires service members to obey all lawful orders, the definition of lawful orders as commonly understood excludes orders to commit crimes, target civilians or noncombatants, or perform civilian law enforcement activities that have long been banned under U.S. law.

Its unclear what, if any, legal grounds would exist to prosecute the representatives and senators for urging service members not to follow illegal orders, as legislators enjoy broad immunity for statements and other acts taken in their official capacities.

Not only does the First Amendment provide broad protection for political speech, the United States has not had laws criminalizing speech against the government as sedition on the books since Congress repealed the First World War-era Sedition Act in 1920.

While there is a section of the U.S. criminal code that prohibits seditious conspiracy  a rarely used charge last employed against pro-Trump rioters who participated in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol  that provision only applies to conspiracies to levy war against the government, "oppose the government of the United States by force, or "prevent, hinder, or delay" the execution of any law by force.

And despite Trumps claim that seditious behavior is a capital offense, in fact that U.S. criminal code only provides for a punishment of imprisonment for not more than 20 years.

In a joint statement issued in response to Trumps call for their executions on Thursday, the Democratic legislators said it was most telling that Trump considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law.

Our service members should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty, they said.
Anthony Grey outside the Forbidden City in Beijing: as a hostage he kept his sanity by composing crosswords and writing stories - Grey family collection

Anthony Grey, who has died aged 87, was a Reuters correspondent who endured 26 months of house arrest in China at the height of the Cultural Revolution, later describing himself as the first modern international hostage of this era.

Grey had been working in China for four months, the only British journalist resident in Peking, when on July 21 1967 he was ordered to report to the foreign ministry. He had become aware of increasing anti-British feeling since the imprisonment in Hong Kong some weeks earlier of eight Chinese journalists accused of taking part in anti-imperialist riots: effigies of Harold Wilson sporting a top hat had been burned outside his house.

At the foreign ministry, Grey recalled, it was put to me that because of the fascist atrocities committed by the British authorities in Hong Kong, action was being taken against me personally. He was detained at his house, although for the first few weeks he was left to his own devices as long as he did not venture outside.

But on August 11 some 200 Red Guards stormed the property and frogmarched him outside to be confronted by a baying crowd. Grey was jet-planed  a torturers term for having his head pushed to the ground and his arms pulled up behind his back  while a list of the crimes of reactionary newsman Grey was recited.

Greys cat - Grey family collection

To his horror, his cat Ming Ming was then hanged from his balcony, pets being regarded as a bourgeois frippery in Maoist China, while the crowd shouted: Hang Grey! Hang Grey!

From then on he was confined to a single small room with blacked-out windows and a narrow bunk bed  which his guards smeared with Ming Mings blood. The house was plastered with propaganda slogans, such as Long Live Chairman Mao and Down with Grey.

He was treated with contempt by the guards  Their eyes always showed what I suppose they imagined was their class hatred for me as a member of the bourgeois society of the West  and endured endless petty humiliations, while loudspeakers were set up to torment him with a strange mixture of opera and invective.

He kept his sanity by learning yoga  a manual was among the three books he was allowed  and, by means of a pencil stub he concealed from the guards, compiling crosswords, writing stories and keeping a diary. Heaven knows how I manage to keep going, he wrote on January 19 1968. It is only because there is no alternative except killing myself, which is unthinkable. I love life too much. More than a year passed before he was allowed to exercise in the courtyard.

For well over a year the British Government, anxious about unrest in Hong Kong if the Chinese prisoners were released, told the press not to publicise Greys plight. Inevitably, he came to feel abandoned, a forgotten man; I felt resentful against everybody in the world, being so alone.

Grey after his release with Shirley, whom he married in 1970 - Grey family collection

When the British charge daffaires Percy Cradock was permitted to visit him for 25 minutes in November 1968, the newspapers reported Cradocks remark that Grey was living in a void. He belatedly became a cause celebre. His girlfriend, Shirley McGuinn, was interviewed, and revealed that she wrote to him every day; his mother was reported to have organised prayers for him at Norwich Cathedral.

In October 1969 he was finally released, following the release of the journalists in Hong Kong. As Grey prepared to leave China, the premier, Zhou Enlai, made characteristically ghoulish jokes at a dinner with the British charge daffaires: Mr Grey is not here? He can stay if he wants to.

I dont think Peking cared desperately about the news workers in Hong Kong, Grey later insisted. I was simply caught up in a battle of face between two intransigent governments. But he refused to hold a grudge against the Chinese: It was a wretched experience but theres no point nursing a bitterness.

On his return to Britain he received thousands of letters of goodwill, appeared on Desert Island Discs and was appointed an immediate OBE. He treasured the Queens reflection on his ordeal at the investiture: Not the sort of thing one would expect to happen to one.

He refused to hold a grudge against the Chinese - Grey family collection

Anthony Keith Grey was born in Norwich on July 5 1938, the son of Alfred Grey, a driver and chauffeur, and his wife Agnes, nee Bullent, a shopkeeper. He saw little of his father after his parents divorced when he was small.

He left City of Norwich Grammar School at 16 and worked in insurance for two years before doing his National Service with the RAF in Glasgow, where he surreptitiously took on a part-time job at the Bearsden and Milngavie Chronicle.

He returned to Norwich to work for the Eastern Daily Press, alongside Frederick Forsyth. In 1964 he followed Forsyth to Reuters, and succeeded him as the agencys man in East Berlin before becoming the accredited Reuters correspondent in Czechoslovakia. Aged 28, he was dispatched to Peking.

After his release he settled in Jersey for a time and published an account of his ordeal, Hostage in Peking (1970). From 1974 to 1979 he was a regular presenter of the BBC World Services daily news magazine 24 Hours, while producing television documentaries and writing for magazines.

Hostage in Peking

He also published thrillers, before spending four years researching Saigon (1982), an epic novel spanning decades of Vietnamese history; it became an international bestseller, the San Francisco Chronicle declaring that it could well be called the War and Peace of our age.

His next novel, Peking (1988), gave China a similar epic treatment, although in The Daily Telegraph Hilary Mantel was overwhelmed by the huge span of time he had chosen to cover, like some demented Mastermind contender, and unimpressed by his prose, hung about with polysyllables and cliches.

Grey became increasingly attracted to bizarre conspiracy theories. In 1983 he published The Prime Minister Was a Spy, which argued that the Australian premier Harold Holt, who had disappeared while swimming off Victoria in 1967, had been a spy for the Chinese before boarding a submarine and heading off for a new life in Beijing. The book provoked an outcry, Holts widow insisting that he didnt even like Chinese food. Later on, Grey became a follower of Rael, the French cultist who maintains that human beings are the creation of extra-terrestrial scientists.

Saigon

In 2009 he published the diary he had kept during his incarceration as The Hostage Handbook, but revisiting his ordeal brought on severe depression, and he was belatedly diagnosed with PTSD.

Grey, who founded a number of groups and charities dedicated to helping state hostages, made a return visit to China in 1988, where he met one of his former captors. It was most unfortunate, the man observed. It wasnt personal.

Anthony Grey married Shirley McGuinn in 1970; they were separated by the time of her death in 1995. He is survived by their two daughters and by his companion, Sally Bromley.

Anthony Grey, born July 5 1938, died October 11 2025
Lauren Mallon, who lost her uncle during the pandemic, holds copies of the Covid inquirys report following its publication - REUTERS

06:56pm

That brings an end to this live blog

Thanks to everyone who followed our Covid inquiry blog  heres a round-up of what weve learned following its release:

Statistical modelling suggests that up to 23,000 lives could have been saved in England alone if the first lockdown had been enforced a week earlier.

Lockdowns could have been avoided entirely during the pandemic had ministers reacted more quickly to the emerging threat of the virus as it began spreading across the globe.

Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister of Scotland was criticised for claiming the county was not far away from eliminating the virus  a claim which the report found was inappropriate.

Dominic Cummings was found to be a destabilising influence who created a toxic culture in Downing Street.

06:52pm

Watch: Boris Johnson announces first Covid lockdown

Boris Johnsons administration was heavily criticised in todays report, particularly over the implementation of lockdowns.

The report found lockdowns could have been avoided entirely during the pandemic had ministers reacted more quickly to the emerging threat of the virus.

Here is the former prime minister announcing the first lockdown to the British public in March 2020.

06:49pm

Inquirys recommendations must be taken on board, say care charities

Reacting to the report, Helen Wildbore, chief executive of Care Rights UK, said: Recognising the impact that poor political decision-making had on individuals is an essential moment in this public inquiry.

Implementation of the Chairs recommendations will be essential for rebuilding public trust, and we hope that in future we can see greater transparency and co-production with people impacted.

When legislation set out to protect peoples rights fell away during the pandemic, we saw the confusion transpire in dangerous policy decisions. Human rights must be the foundation of future government decision-making in times of crisis to ensure that people are put first.

Julia Jones from Johns Campaign, a dementia charity, added: From the earliest days of the pandemic, government policy making was flawed.

Firstly, by a fundamental failure to trust and level with the public. Secondly, by a basic, and often startling ignorance of key facts and a failure to consult stakeholders with real life expertise and then act on what they were being told. Thirdly, by a failure to abide by essential principles of pre-existing legislation such as that enshrined in the Human Rights and Equality Acts.

While we welcome the inquirys identification of these and many other key issues and the clarity of Baroness Halletts indictment of policy failures we are somewhat disappointed by the absence of specific, doable recommendations to remedy these in future and mitigate the avoidable harm and deep suffering still being experienced by many individuals and families today.

06:34pm

Have your say

06:17pm

Watch: What are the key findings of the report?

06:07pm

Children suffered disproportionately during the pandemic

Childrens charities said the report showed how young peoples needs were an after thought during the pandemic.

Dan Paskins, an executive director at Save the Children UK, said: We welcome the inquirys clear recognition that children suffered disproportionately during the pandemic. We know this has had a profound impact on children in the last five years and has done immeasurable damage.

Todays findings highlight serious failings at the heart of government when it came to decision-making. There was no proper plan, and proper impact assessments simply didnt exist.

In too many cases, childrens needs were an after thought.

Louise King, of Just for Kids Law, added: Its crucial that the lessons from the pandemic are swiftly acted upon, so such harm is never inflicted on our children again.

Students return to school in Yorkshire in December 2021 - Danny Lawson

05:55pm

Cummings responds to sexism allegations in report

Dominic Cummings has responded to claims in the report that he was a destabilising influence who created a toxic culture in Downing Street.

The report also found there was cogent evidence that the behaviour of Boris Johnsons former lead adviser led to a sexist workplace culture at the heart of the UK government.

In a 1,800 word post on X, Mr Cummings wrote: The Inquiry said it would blame me for the sexism of the Cabinet Office and No10. Logical. Given who I hired and promoted and the rows I had with officials, this comedy is aesthetically perfect for the farce.

The Inquiry did not, of course, bother asking the young women involved to give evidence because evidence would scupper their narrative.

He dismissed the inquiry as a mix of Inspector Clouseau, coverups, and rewriting history and denied it would lead to lessons learned, saying: This almost never happens in the yookay system which is devoted to anti-learning and covering up for official failure.

05:33pm

Sturgeon stands by Scotlands approach to pandemic

Ms Sturgeon added: At every stage, in absolute good faith and based on the best information and advice available to me, I took decisions that I judged most likely to minimise harm to people in Scotland.

In the months before we had effective treatments or vaccines, that meant taking a highly precautionary approach, seeking to keep the virus as suppressed as possible. I stand by that.

She said: Finally, I want to thank people across Scotland once again for the steadfast efforts and selfless sacrifices they made throughout the pandemic. I also thank the inquiry for its work.

Ms Sturgeon was speaking after the inquiry found that she misled the public by claiming her plan to eliminate coronavirus in Scotland was possible.

Nicola Sturgeon before giving a Covid update in 2021 when she was Scotlands First Minister - REUTERS

05:29pm

I think about pandemic every day, says Nicola Sturgeon

Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she still thinks about the Covid pandemic every day.

Ms Sturgeon, who was in charge of the Scottish government at the time of the pandemic, said she agreed with hindsight with the inquirys findings that restrictions should have been introduced earlier.

She said her job was nowhere near the hardest in the country but that leading Scotland through Covid was by far the toughest experience of my time as first minister.

Five years on, I still think every day about the impact of the decisions I took.

Ms Sturgeon added: Given the unprecedented and highly uncertain nature of the situation we faced, it was inevitable that mistakes would be made, and I know that I made my share.

I will carry an acute sense of responsibility for this for the rest of my life.

My thoughts will always be with those who lost loved ones during this awful time and with all those who, in so many different ways, suffered as a result of the Covid virus.

She said: The inquiry concludes that restrictions should have been introduced earlier. Albeit with hindsight, I agree with this assessment and said so in my evidence to the inquiry.

05:24pm

Green Party: Johnsons dither and delay cost lives

The Green Party said the publication of the Covid inquirys report was a reminder of the human price ordinary people pay for a lack of preparation by governments.

Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire, said: Todays Covid inquiry report is a stark reminder of the human price ordinary people pay when governments are underprepared.

The finding that an earlier, precautionary response could have spared tens of thousands of lives shows just how badly the British people were let down.

Its clear that government decision-making was hugely flawed, and that Boris Johnsons dither and delay cost lives.

Families and communities  especially children  are still living with the consequences. Its vital to learn from this report, and invest far more seriously in pandemic preparedness, so that Britain can be secure and resilient if  or when  we are again faced with such a challenge.

05:16pm

Arrogance at the top of government, say bereaved families

Members from Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK have been gathering at the Covid memorial wall opposite Parliament in Westminster.

Reacting to the report, the group said in a statement that there was arrogance at the top of government which contributed to a loss of life at an unprecedented, avoidable scale.

It said: To make mistakes is human. To refuse to listen to frontline workers, vulnerable people, the insights of devolved leaders or scientific experts is unforgivable.

The same arrogance that led those at the heart of government to hold parties while many of us died and grieved alone shaped the governments approach to the pandemic, and led to loss of life at an unprecedented, avoidable scale.

While we reflect and mourn what could have been, what extra years, days and hours we could have spent with our loved ones, we need to reflect on how we, the public, were left so vulnerable.

We cant just hope that we have better leaders in the future  the Government must implement the safeguards recommended by the inquiry immediately. Otherwise, we are no safer now than we were during the darkest days in living history.

A care worker visits a client at his home in Elstree in May 2020 - Karwai Tang

05:11pm

This is an important milestone, says Northern Irelands first minister

Northern Irelands first minister Michelle ONeill said the publication of the Covid inquirys report was an important milestone.

The Sinn Fein vice-president, who was deputy first minister in the Stormont executive during the pandemic, said: Covid was an unprecedented global emergency and this report will provide further lessons from the experience at all levels of society.

Those lessons must inform our preparedness for, and response to, any future pandemic or society-wide emergency in the future.

Our thoughts are very much with those who lost loved ones during the pandemic.

The report found that a politically divided Stormont executive led to chaotic decision-making during the pandemic.

It said that the political reaction to the public health emergency in Northern Ireland was deeply divided along political lines and beset by leaks, leading to an incoherent approach.

It concluded that the response in Northern Ireland, like the rest of the UK, was a repeated case of too little, too late.

05:02pm

Stronger partnership between central and local government needed

Responding to the report, Kevin Bentley, the senior vice-chairman of the Local Government Association, said it has laid bare decisions taken during stages of the pandemic, and the consequences these had for communities across the country.

Councils were on the frontline throughout this crisis, supporting vulnerable residents, delivering public health measures, and providing stability in the face of uncertainty.

He added that the inquirys report underline the urgent need for reform.

Future resilience depends on stronger partnership between central and local government, clearer emergency protocols, and sustained investment in public health and local infrastructure, he said.

04:57pm

Sir Ed Davey: British people will never forgive the Conservatives

Sir Ed Davey said Kemi Badenoch should apologise on behalf of the Conservatives following the publication of the Covid inquirys second report.

The Liberal Democrat leader said: As this report is published, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic, and everyone who suffered. That a national lockdown could have been avoided will be shattering news to every person who was affected.

Kemi Badenoch should apologise on behalf of her party. This report confirms the abject failure of the last Conservative government.

The British people will rightly never forgive the Conservatives for leaving the country rudderless and vulnerable, and for partying while our communities were isolated and grieving.

This tragedy can never be repeated.

I am alarmed that Reform politicians seem intent on trashing medical science and spreading disinformation about vaccines. Every party leader must confirm today that they will follow this inquirys recommendations, and that they will guarantee funding and support for the vaccines that ended the lockdowns but are now threatened by Trump.

04:51pm

Report shows catastrophic mishandling of the pandemic say bereaved families

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Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, which represents 7,000 people who lost loved ones, said: The evidence from the inquiry is clear, and while it is vindicating to see Boris Johnson blamed in black and white for the catastrophic mishandling of the pandemic, it is devastating to think of the lives that could have been saved under a different prime minister.

We now know that many of our family members would still be alive today if it werent for the leadership of Boris Johnson and his colleagues.

As the report has found, the governments approach to the pandemic was undermined from the beginning. If Johnson had listened to scientific advice and locked down even a week earlier, around 23,000 people could have been saved.

Instead, throughout the pandemic, Boris Johnson put his political reputation ahead of public safety.

He pandered to his critics when the UK needed decisive action. In delaying lockdowns he made them longer, more damaging to the economy and less effective.

He ignored scientific advice that didnt fit his agenda, and he ignored the impact of his decisions on the frontline, repeating the mistakes of the first wave and prolonging the second.

Deborah Doyle of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK makes a statement at the Covid memorial wall hall opposite Parliament - Julian Simmonds for The Daily Telegraph

04:49pm

PM says government will carefully consider findings

Sir Keir Starmer said the Government would carefully consider Baroness Halletts report on the handling of the Covid pandemic.

In a written statement to Parliament, the Prime Minister said he wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge the pain and suffering the pandemic caused.

He said there had been improvements in the way the Government would respond to a major crisis.

But Sir Keir added: That said, it is clear that local government and our public services, including the NHS, are under immense pressure and in many cases have not fully recovered from the pandemic.

The cost of the pandemic still weighs heavily on the public purse. This is why this Government is committed to driving growth in the economy and reform of public services, so that when we face the next crisis, we do so from a position of national resilience.

I would like to thank Baroness Hallett and her team for their thorough work on this report. The Government will carefully consider all of the findings and recommendations of the report and respond in due course.

04:47pm

Baroness Hallett finishes speech

Baroness Hallett has now finished her speech (you can watch it in full below).

We can now move on to the reaction to the inquirys findings

04:44pm

Key lessons for future pandemic

Baroness Hallett has outlined the key lessons learned from the Inquiry that will be used to inform the response to a future pandemic.

These include:

The need for multiple scenario planning

The formulation of clear objectives

The need for more constructive working between the governments of all four nations

The need for better communication with the public

The importance of data and the absolute requirement for quick and decisive action

NHS workers applaud key workers at Kings College Hospital in South London in May 2020 - Guy Smallman/Getty images

04:36pm

23,000 lives could have been saved by earlier lockdown

Baroness Hallett said that the governments across the UK had no choice but to lock down in March 2020, but said if they acted earlier then lives would have been saved.

But it was through their own acts and omissions that they had no choice, she said.

Also, the failure to lock down earlier may have cost lives.

Had the lockdown been imposed one week earlier than March 23, the evidence suggests that the number of deaths in England alone in the first wave up until July 1 2020 would have been reduced by 48 per cent.

That is approximately 23,000 fewer deaths.

04:28pm

Draconian lockdowns could have been avoided, says Baroness Hallet

Baroness Hallet said: The inquiry does not advocate for national lockdowns, far from it.

Restricting peoples liberty in such a draconian fashion with all the devastating consequences should be avoided, if at all possible.

But to avoid them, governments must take timely and decisive action to control a spreading virus. The four governments of the UK did not.

She added: Had the more stringent restrictions, short of a stay at home lockdown announced on March 16 2020, been introduced earlier when the number of Covid-19 cases was lower, the mandatory lockdown that was subsequently imposed might have been shorter.

Conceivably, it might not have been necessary at all.

At the very least, there would have been time to establish the effect of the restrictions on levels of incidence and whether there was a sustained reduction in social contact.

As it was, the likelihood of a mandatory lockdown significantly increased as a result of the failure to act more speedily and effectively before March 16.

Empty supermarket shelves during lockdown

04:26pm

UK should have been prepared for second wave

Baroness Hallet said: Many of the same failings were repeated later in 2020. This was inexcusable. The second wave had been predicted from early in the pandemic. The UK should have been well-equipped to respond.

Scientific understanding of the virus had matured and data flows were much improved. Testing and surveillance capacity had been strengthened. Each government had ample warning that the prevalence of the virus was increasing and would continue to do so into the winter months.

Yet again there was a failure to take timely and effective action.

Such measures as were introduced in England were unlikely to be effective. For example, the rule of six and the tier system.

Yet, measures like a short circuit breaker lockdown that may have been effective were not imposed in late September or early October 2020.

The evidence suggests that had one been imposed in September 2020, the second lockdown on the 5th of November could have been reduced in length and severity, and might conceivably have been avoided altogether.

04:21pm

Baroness Hallett criticises UKs failure to appreciate risk

Lady Hallett said there was a failure to appreciate the risk facing the UK with the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: There was a serious failure by all four governments to appreciate the level of risk and the calamity that the UK faced and the need to inject urgency into the response.

The obviously escalating crisis required leadership from the very top.

All four governments knew that in the reasonable worst-case scenario, up to 80 per cent of the population would be infected with a very significant loss of life.

At the same time, it also became clear that the test and trace system was inadequate for a pandemic as a result of flawed pandemic planning.

Yet still they failed to take the necessary steps. This meant a national lockdown became more likely.

.

04:13pm

Response to pandemic was too little, too late, says Baroness Hallett

Baroness Hallett, who is now addressing her findings, said that ministers during the pandemic were presented with unenviable choices and that whatever decision they took, there was often no right answer or good outcome.

However, she summarised the overall response of all four UK governments as too little, too late.

She said: All four governments failed to appreciate the scale of the threat or the urgency of response it demanded in the early part of 2020, relying in part on misleading assurances that the UK was properly prepared for a pandemic.

She added: Once the scientific community and the scientific advisers for each nation had become aware that the virus was causing substantially more cases of moderate or severe respiratory illness in China than was being officially reported, and that it had spread from China, the warning signs were there.

The tempo of the response should have been increased. It was not, February 2020 was a lost month.

Baroness Hallett addresses the findings of the Covid-19 Inquiry

04:02pm

Report is published

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Baroness Hallett, the chairman of the Covid inquiry, has just published her long awaited report into government decision-making during the pandemic.

Lady Hallett will shortly address her findings which included that lockdowns could have been avoided entirely during the pandemic had ministers reacted more quickly to the emerging threat of the virus.

You can read our full piece on Lady Halletts report here.

03:53pm

Cabinet Secretary could be ousted over Covid report criticism

One political figure expected to face criticism in todays report is Sir Chris Wormald, the Cabinet Secretary, who was permanent secretary to the Department of Health during the pandemic.

His evidence to the inquiry was described as an object lesson in obfuscation by the barrister representing bereaved families, many of whom were unhappy that he was later promoted to the most senior job in the Civil Service.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face renewed pressure to sack Sir Chris, who has powerful critics within Downing Street who have wanted him gone for months.

03:49pm

How The Telegraph exposed ministers behaviour during pandemic

In 2023, The Telegraph published The Lockdown Files, a series of articles based on more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages sent between Matt Hancock and other ministers and officials at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The messages revealed internal debates and disagreements between ministers about lockdowns, school closures and restrictions, and raised significant questions about government decision-making during the pandemic.

03:38pm

Who is inquiry chair Baroness Hallett?

Baroness Hallett has presided over the Covid inquiry hearings for more than two years. She is responsible for hearing evidence and making findings and recommendations at the inquiry.

The retired judge previously presided over the independent inquest into the 7/7 suicide bombings.

She also chaired the Iraq Fatalities Investigations and the 2014 Hallett Review of the administrative scheme to deal with on the runs in Northern Ireland, and was acting as coroner in the death of Dawn Sturgess from Novichok poisoning in Salisbury when she was asked to switch to the Covid inquiry.

Baroness Heather Hallett has presided over the Covid Inquiry for more than two years - PA

03:29pm

What will the report look at?

Full hearings for the Covid inquiry  which recently became the most expensive inquiry in British legal history  began more than two years ago in the summer of 2023.

Todays report will cover the second of 10 inquiry modules and will arguably be the one of most interest.

The second module heard evidence from 166 witnesses at hearings in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast conducted between October 2023 and May 2024. Former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak were among those who gave evidence.

Todays report will consider the initial response of the four UK governments to the pandemic and whether they moved with sufficient urgency. It will likely focus heavily on the lockdowns, including whether the restrictions were timely and reasonable, the societal impacts of lockdowns, and the breaching of lockdown rules by ministers.

d

03:24pm

Good afternoon

In just a short while, the Covid inquiry will publish its findings into the political decisions made during the pandemic.

The report, which will be released at 4pm, will focus on decisions made by former prime minister Boris Johnson and his senior advisers on issues including lockdowns and school closures.

Telegraph reporters Gordon Rayner, Neil Johnston, and Fiona Parker have been scouring through the report  thought to be about 800 pages  at a lock-in County Hall in central London since around 11:30am.

They will bring you all the key findings once the embargo lifts at 4pm.
Police arrested nearly 500 people at a demonstration in support of Palestine Action in central London on Aug 9 - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

An 89-year-old woman is among 120 people to be charged with terror offences over their alleged support for Palestine Action.

Scotland Yard announced that the latest group of protesters had been charged under the Terrorism Act, taking the total number facing charges to 254.

They were among almost 500 people arrested on Aug 9 at a central London rally to protest against the Governments decision to proscribe Palestine Action.

They have now been charged with offences under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and are due to appear in court in the coming weeks. Among the group are an 89-year-old woman from Islington, north London, and an 86-year-old man from Gloucestershire.

Early in August, The Telegraph revealed that thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters were planning to flout terror laws in a co-ordinated attempt to overwhelm police.

Police have now charged a total of 254 of those Scotland Yard announced that the latest group of protesters had been charged under the Terrorism Act, taking the total number facing charges to 254 - Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

Anyone convicted of an offence under the legislation could face a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment, but could also find their travel and employment prospects curtailed.

Palestine Action was outlawed by the Government as a terrorist organisation in July last year after a group of its members allegedly entered RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft.

Since then supporters have attended rallies at which they have challenged the ban by openly expressing their support for the terrorist group.

Huda Ammori, the co-founder of the group, has been granted permission to challenge the ban through a judicial review. That hearing will begin at the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday, and could see the ban declared unlawful and lifted.

A gathering in support of Palestine Action at Parliament Square on Aug 9 - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Describing the latest charges, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, they have all been charged via postal requisition with an offence contrary to section 13 of the Terrorism Act, 2000.

They are due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on a series of dates from November 24 to December 9.

The spokesman added: Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London continue to work through investigations relating to other people who were arrested in similar circumstances in central London during protest events in August, September and October.

Meanwhile, a further 47 people were arrested during a protest in support of Palestine Action outside the Ministry of Justice building in Westminster on Thursday. Protesters gathered, some with placards reading I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.
The mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, had spoken out publicly against cartel violence [EPA/Shutterstock]

Police in Mexico have arrested a man they accuse of being the mastermind behind the murder of a popular mayor.

Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, was shot dead on 1 November at a public event marking the Day of the Dead.

Manzo was an outspoken critic of cartel violence in his home state of Michoacan and his assassination triggered mass protests.

Mexico's security minister said the man suspected of ordering his murder had links to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

"This arrest represents a key step in dismantling the criminal structure responsible for this attack," Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said.

He did not say what the possible motive of the attack may have been, but local officials in Mexico are often targeted by criminal gangs for failing to do their bidding.

Garcia Harfuch said the suspect, whom he named as Jorge Amando, withholding his surname, had been the one who had ordered the deadly attack on Carlos Manzo.

He said that Jorge Amando, who is also known as The Graduate, had communicated with those who carried out the killing via WhatsApp.

According to the official, The Graduate pressured his men to open fire on Manzo even if he was surrounded by people.

The 40-year-old mayor was attending a Day of the Dead ceremony - which honours deceased family and friends - alongside his relatives when he was shot seven times, sending bystanders running for cover.

Manzo had spoken out publicly about how avocado growers in the region were being extorted and threatened by criminal groups.

He had also demanded that Mexico's federal government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, do more to rein in cartels who hold sway in much of the state.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which Mexico's security minister blamed for the attack on Manzo, engages in drug trafficking as well as kidnapping for ransom and extortion.

It is also infamous for targeting public officials who refuse to do its bidding.

While the CJNG is thought to be the most powerful of the criminal gangs operating in Michoacan, there are many others and their fights for control of drug, arms and fuel smuggling routes often result in deadly confrontations.

The assassination of Manzo triggered mass protests.

At one large rally in Mexico City last weekend, many of the protesters carried placards with the photo of the mayor, while other held up banners reading "we are all Carlos Manzo".

Some of the protesters clashed with police in Mexico's central Zocalo square.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia attend the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

By Matt Spetalnick, Patricia Zengerle and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -When President Donald Trump defended Saudi Arabia's crown prince this week over the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, he did more than just stir renewed accusations from critics of an affinity toward strongmen.

Trump's remarks, which contradicted U.S. intelligence findings, threw into stark relief just how far his administration has shifted away from the traditional U.S. support for human rights globally.

Nearly all recent U.S. administrations have worked with leaders with poor human rights records in order to advance U.S. interests.

But more than any recent occupant of the White House, Trump has not only praised prominent autocratic rulers, from Saudi Arabia and Hungary to China and El Salvador, but has shown little interest in reining them in, instead taking a more transactional approach.

Just how much U.S. human rights policy has changed under Trump was crystallized in the Oval Office on Tuesday when he denied that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played any role in the murder of Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi leadership, despite U.S. intelligence assessing the opposite.

"Trump has ignored some of the most fundamental principles underpinning U.S. relations with the world," said Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration and now head of the Global Situation Room consultancy. "His words and actions give a green light to strongmen to do whatever they want."

Trump has focused this week instead on helping Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler rehabilitate his global image, giving him red-carpet treatment at the White House, touting burgeoning economic and security ties with the world's biggest oil exporter, and bringing him together with top U.S. CEOs.

That has jibed with the U.S. administration's seeming willingness to overlook alleged human rights abuses by other Trump-friendly leaders such as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

At the same time, Trump has pressed questionable accusations of rights violations against governments ideologically at odds with his administration, such as Brazil and South Africa, spurring concerns that he is selectively pursuing human rights targets.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly pushed back against the criticism. "All of the President's foreign policy actions are conducted through the lens of the America First agenda he was elected to implement," she said in a statement. "No one cares more about human rights than President Trump."

Many other U.S. presidents have been criticized for playing down human rights.

For example, rights advocates accused Trump's Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, of not exerting enough pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which was triggered by an Israeli assault in response to Hamas' cross-border attack in 2023.

REPURPOSING OF HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY

Some analysts and former U.S. officials say Trump, 10 months into his second term, has taken this approach to a new level.

Trump's aides, however, have denied that the rapport he has developed with fellow leaders is anything but beneficial and insist that his brand of personal diplomacy promotes U.S. interests.

Under Trump, the human rights issue has not so much been disregarded as repurposed to fit his priorities in favor of economic dealmaking and an agenda he sees as appealing to his MAGA base.

That has included a complete overhaul of the State Department's human rights apparatus, which had long been the centerpiece of traditional U.S. promotion of democratic values.

Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department has scaled back its annual human rights report and reoriented the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to instill a focus on "Western values."

Trump's aides have justified their shift in emphasis on human rights, including more limited attention to gender-based violence and the persecution of LGBTQ people, as a move away from interference in other country's sovereign affairs.

But the administration has weighed in publicly on European politics to denounce what it sees as suppression of right-wing leaders, including in Romania, Germany and France, and has accused European authorities of censorship.

And it has been vocal in pressuring Brazil's leftist government over the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing Trump ally who was convicted of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election.

While Trump has been mostly silent on human rights under right-wing governments, including reports of torture in El Salvador's megaprison, he has been tough on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, focusing on his alleged links to drug trafficking. The Socialist leader has also been widely accused of harsh repression of the political opposition.

U.S. Representative Brian Mast, a Florida Republican and close Trump ally, defended the administration's handling of human rights, noting that the Republican president's foreign policy had helped to end conflicts.

"I think that shows probably the greatest humanitarian results that anybody could point towards," he told Reuters.

Trump's shielding of bin Salman during the crown prince's first White House visit in more than seven years may have been the most clarifying moment yet for the president's approach.

With bin Salman sitting beside him, Trump repeatedly said it was an honor to be friends with him and said the crown prince knew nothing about the killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, by Saudi agents in the consulate in Istanbul.

He also praised bin Salman over human rights, even though the crown prince has cracked down on dissent while loosening some social codes.

"Trump is putting America on the side of the dictators and oligarchs," U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders told Reuters.

LAVISH SAUDI WELCOME FOR TRUMP

The Saudi crown prince's visit to Washington this week follows Trump's own trip to the kingdom in May, the first foreign destination of his second term. That visit was marked by an elaborate welcome for the president.

Other leaders with troubled human rights records may take note.

Trump has made no secret of his admiration for foreign leaders with sweeping powers at home. He has extolled personal friendships with Erdogan, Orban, Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has struggled to secure agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite tensions over trade and tariffs.

Some critics have accused Trump and his administration of undermining democracy at home and the U.S. image abroad as a bastion of rule of law, with mass deportations, threats against news organizations and flouting of court decisions - which the president's aides deny. He has also ordered deadly strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which some experts say breaches international law.

"The United States government no longer has any credibility on human rights issues, at home or abroad," said John Sifton, Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

(Reporting By Matt Spetalnick, Patricia Zengerle, Simon Lewis; additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Don Durfee and Edmund Klamann)
Bob Fidgeon/Capital Pictures / MEGA

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Things continue to get worse for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as the ex-royal has been ordered to appear in front of Congress to discuss his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Keep reading for the details

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news

MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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Now, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's future looks bleak. "I don't think he's actually been ordered or can be compelled to go to this committee," royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun. "I certainly don't think it's likely that he's going to travel to the United States."

JRAA/ZDS/WENN/MEGA

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"I think that's about, as likely as me flying to the moon, to be honest," Phil Dampier continued. "I know that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he now is, is terrified that if he goes abroad, he might be arrested and extradited to the States."

Supplied by Capital Pictures / MEGA

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor hasn't been indicted or convicted of a crime, but Virginia Giuffre wrote in detail about her allegedly being assaulted by the former royal in her posthumous memoir.

According to Phil Dampier, Mountbatten-Windsor's legal team might advise him to meet with Congress on Zoom to "address the balance by telling what he knows."

WPA POOL/Mega TheMegaAgency.com

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Phil Dampier noted that Congress is treating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as "a witness rather than someone who has done something wrong."

"But I'm sure if he actually turned up and appeared before this committee, it wouldn't be long before certain members of the committee were turning on him and accusing him of all sorts of things, so I just can't see him, to be honest, I can't see him playing ball with this," Dampier continued.

MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's ongoing scandals continue to bring negative attention to the ex-prince's brood.

"It's very embarrassing for the royal family. I'm sure that, obviously, the King and Prince William, Prince of Wales would obviously love to see the back of this whole issue, and that's why they've done what they've done, because they're hoping that they can draw some sort of line in the sand, and so they can move on, particularly, before Prince William becomes king," Phil Dampier said. "They'd like to sort of get this completely done and dusted."
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll speaks at the America 250 celebration at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Several high-ranking Army officials, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, are in Ukraine to help with peace talks, U.S. officials said Wednesday, as Trump administration efforts to halt Russia's war in Ukraine have stalled.

Driscoll had been planning a trip to Ukraine for some time to discuss the countrys drone warfare innovations and tactics, but last week President Donald Trump decided to identify him as a kind of special representative to kick-start peace negotiations and conduct a fact-finding mission, one of the officials said.

That official confirmed Driscoll is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week as well as top Ukrainian government, military and defense industry officials.

Driscoll is accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the services most senior officer; Gen. Chris Donahue, U.S. Army Europe and Africa commanding general; and Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer, the Armys top enlisted official, an Army official said.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, said in a post on Facebook that the U.S. Army officials began their visit by meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal. She said they were told about the situation on the battlefield and what was needed to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, and the two sides also discussed areas of potential defense cooperation.

Shmyhal posted a picture on X of himself meeting with Driscoll. Both he and the ambassador noted that the Americans and Ukrainians were focused on implementing defense agreements reached between Trump and Zelenskyy.

Neither Ukrainian official mentioned any discussion about renewing peace negotiations with Russia.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller declined to comment on reports that the Trump administration has drafted a new peace plan and had dispatched U.S. defense officials to Kyiv to go over it with the Ukrainians.

I would agree that thats an issue in which the president has continued to put at the forefront of our foreign policy goal, which is to reach a settlement in the Ukraine-Russia war, so that we can have peace in Europe and we can end the killing and the slaughter of so many innocents, Miller said.

The Trump administrations efforts to broker an end to the war have hit roadblocks since the president met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August. Tough new U.S. sanctions on Russias oil industry are aimed at pushing him to the negotiating table.

Trump said last month that he was putting on hold his plan for a meeting with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, because he didnt want it to be a waste of time.

Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara on Wednesday and said theyre committed to finding a peaceful settlement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia was not sending a representative to the meeting in Turkey, but insisted that Moscow was ready to negotiate.

The U.S. official, meanwhile, said Driscoll is hoping to make a subsequent trip to meet with Russian officials for similar negotiations, adding that the intent is to achieve Trumps desire for peace as quickly as possible in a way that both sides support.

The trip to Ukraine also will help the U.S. address the issue of drone warfare, which military officials have consistently said is being pioneered by Ukraine.

During an appearance Sunday on CBS' Face the Nation, Driscoll said that drones were the threat of humanity's lifetime.

He has spent a major portion of his tenure as Army secretary pushing greater integration of drones into the U.S. military arsenal.

Shmyhal said in his post that the Americans were shown Ukraine's developments in defense innovation: production of FPV drones, interceptors, and deep-strike capabilities."

The Wall Street Journal first reported the visit by the Army officials.

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Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
FILE PHOTO: The skeleton of the manufactured home park is exposed after a wildfire came through the area in Talent, Oregon, U.S. September 21, 2020. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart/File Photo

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -PacifiCorp, owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, said on Wednesday it reached a $150 million settlement with 1,434 plaintiffs who blamed the utility for starting the 2020 Labor Day weekend wildfires in Oregon.

The payout boosts the amount PacifiCorp has agreed to pay wildfire claimants to close to $1.7 billion, including a $125 million settlement last month with 93 Oregon wineries and vineyards.

PacifiCorp has set aside $2.85 billion for litigation over wildfires that burned more than 2,000 structures and 500,000 acres in Oregon and northern California. It still faces tens of billions of dollars of claims.

The Portland, Oregon-based utility has denied victims' accusations that it was negligent in failing to shut off power lines during a windstorm. Oregon and the U.S. government are also suing PacifiCorp over damage to natural resources.

George McCoy, a lawyer representing plaintiffs, in a press release issued by PacifiCorp called the settlement "reasonable."

PacifiCorp has faced a series of "mini-trials" in the so-called James litigation, which accounts for most remaining wildfire claims.

In a November 3 regulatory filing, PacifiCorp said a Multnomah County, Oregon judge's recent decision to roughly quadruple the pace of trials "will cause significant financial strain" on liquidity and could threaten the utility's investment-grade status.

PacifiCorp had no immediate additional comment.

"The vast majority of Oregonians impacted by PacifiCorps fires are still waiting for the company to do the right thing," lead counsel for plaintiffs in the James litigation said in a statement.

PacifiCorp's immediate parent is Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which is a unit of Buffett's Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Rescuers evacuate an elderly woman after a residential building was hit following Russia's missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Pressure is mounting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take stronger action to show accountability in the face of a corruption scandal presenting the greatest threat to his government since Russia's full-scale invasion.

Last week, Zelenskyy dismissed two top officials and imposed sanctions on close associates after government investigators revealed that $100 million had been embezzled from the energy sector through kickbacks paid by contractors.

But that hasn't quieted the political storm. After more than three years of war in which Ukrainians face regular power outages as a result of Russia's fierce bombardment, allegations of corruption in the energy sector aren't sitting well with the public. Calls are growing for Zelenskyy to remove his longtime chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, considered by many to be Ukraines de facto vice president.

Neither Zelenskyy nor Yermak have been accused of any wrongdoing by those leading the corruption investigation. Yet Zelenskyys political opponents  as well as allies worried the scandal could weaken their parliamentary governing coalition  say more senior leaders need to be held accountable to restore public trust.

Zelenskyys term officially ended in May 2024, but he has continued to govern without elections, saying they cannot be held while Russia is occupying a fifth of the country.

His critics say it's also important to bolster credibility with Ukraine's Western allies, whose support is vital to the war effort and in eventually negotiating an end to the conflict.

Its really hard to imagine that all this is happening at the behest of people from the outside without political support, Anastasiia Radina, the head of parliament's anti-corruption committee, said on Facebook on Wednesday. By not cutting ties with Yermak, Zelenskyy is provoking an even greater internal crisis, she said.

Ukraine has been plagued by corruption since gaining independence, and Zelenskyy was elected on a mandate to eliminate graft.

Two officials in Zelenskyy's office say the president has not made any decision to dismiss Yermak. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief journalists.

Zelenskyy dismisses top officials

The investigation conducted by Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs implicated high-ranking officials with pressuring contractors to pay up to 15% kickbacks in exchange for construction business with Ukraines state-owned nuclear energy company, Energoatom.

The investigation involved over 1,000 hours of wiretaps of individuals using code names and cryptic language to discuss the scheme. In some conversations, references were made to a powerful figure operating under the alias Ali Baba, though this person's identity has not been made public, if it is even known.

After the scheme was made public, Ukraines parliament approved Zelenskyys dismissal of the energy and justice ministers. His office imposed sanctions on close associates who were implicated, including Tymur Mindich, a partner in a media production company that Zelenskyy was a co-owner of before he became president. Mindich has reportedly fled the country.

The scandal landed just as Russian airstrikes had left millions of Ukrainians without power, which only intensified the furor. Earlier this year, Zelenskyy faced criticism for trying to weaken the watchdog agencies leading the investigation.

Zelenskyy's political opponents say it is hard to believe that such a huge corruption scheme could have taken place without the knowledge of Yermak  the presidential adviser who has towered over Ukrainian politics for six years  though they have not provided any evidence to support the allegation.

Yermak has not publicly addressed the calls for his resignation.

However, he has apparently sought to bolster his support within the government. He sought to arrange a meeting with Ukraines popular former army chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who is currently Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom, according to an official close to Zaluzhnyi who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The request for a meeting was denied, the official said.

Yermak's spokesperson did not respond to request for comment.

Political pressure grows

Zelenskyys landslide victory in 2019 resulted in him obtaining around two-thirds of the seats in parliament. Many of his allies favor Yermaks resignation, said lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko, who is a member of the president's political party.

The faction and the parliament dont want to bear responsibility for the corruption, he said.

Around 30 members of parliament from Zelenskyy's party are campaigning to create a coalition of national stability based on unity and not political interests and backroom deals, said Mykyta Poturaiev, a leading Zelenskyy party lawmaker.

But the head of Zelenskyy's party, Davyd Arakhamiia, said Porturaev's announcement did not reflect the official party line. Ukraine's parliamentary speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said lawmakers are consulting on next steps.

A powerful figure

Yermak met Zelenskyy over 15 years ago when he was a lawyer venturing into the TV production business and Zelenskyy was a famous Ukrainian comedian and actor.

Yermak plays a central role in Zelenskyy's administration in managing relationships with the U.S. and other Western countries, and developing possible scenarios for a ceasefire with Russia.

He oversaw foreign affairs as part of Zelenskyys first presidential team and was promoted to chief of staff in February 2020.

Yermak has accompanied Zelenskyy on every trip abroad since Russia's invasion in February 2022, and the president's trust in him has made Yermak's power appear almost insurmountable.

Domestically, officials describe Yermak as Zelenskyys gatekeeper, and he is widely believed to have chosen all top government appointees, including prime ministers and ministers.

Individuals connected to Yermak and the presidents office have come under investigation before.

Two of Yermaks former deputies  Oleh Tatarov and Rostyslav Shurma  left the government in 2024 under pressure after watchdogs investigated them for financial wrongdoing. A third deputy, Andrii Smyrnov, was investigated for bribes and other wrongdoing, but still works for Yermak.

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This story has been updated to correct the Ukrainian transliteration for Anastasiia Radina, Oleh Tatarov, Andrii Smyrnov, Mykyta Poturaiev and Davyd Arakhamiia.
A man carries the body of a child from the Azzam family, killed in Israeli strikes, during her funeral at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (AP)  Israeli strikes in Gazas southern city of Khan Younis early Thursday killed five people, hospital officials said, bringing the death toll from airstrikes in the Palestinian territory over a roughly 12-hour period to 33, mostly women and children. The strikes have been some of the deadliest since Oct. 10 when a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect.

The renewed escalation came after Israel said that its soldiers had come under fire in Khan Younis on Wednesday. Israel said that no soldiers were killed and that the military responded with strikes.

Four Israeli airstrikes on tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis late Wednesday and early Thursday killed 17 people, including five women and five children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital.

In Gaza City, two airstrikes on a building killed 16 people, including seven children and three women, according to officials at the Al-Shifa hospital in the northern part of the city where the bodies were taken.

The Hamas militant group condemned the Israeli strikes as a shocking massacre. In a statement, Hamas denied firing toward Israeli troops.

Palestinians mourn loved ones

At Nasser Hospital, scores of people gathered to offer funeral prayers for those who were killed in the Israeli strikes. Women wailed in mourning over the bodies of loved ones wrapped in white burial shrouds.

Abir Abu Moustapha lost her three children  aged 1, 11 and 12 -- and her husband in a strike that hit their tent Wednesday. She squatted beside their bodies as they were prepared for burial.

My children are gone. What can I say? And my husband, my most precious. May God have mercy on them, Abu Moustapha said. What was my childrens fault that they had to die? What was their fault that they died in front of my eyes?

The Israeli military said their strikes were targeting two Hamas figures, one who was a commander in the groups naval unit and another in charge of tunnels in parts of Khan Younis.

Ceasefire again under pressure

Hospital officials said that the bodies came from both sides of a line established in last months ceasefire. The boundary splits Gaza in two, with about 50% of the territory under military control.

The strikes came shortly after the U.N. Security Council gave its backing to U.S. President Donald Trumps blueprint to secure and govern Gaza. The plan empowers an international force to provide security in Gaza, approves a transitional authority and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state.

But there are still questions over how the plan will be implemented, especially after Hamas rejected it. The militant group said that the forces mandate. which includes disarmament, strips it of its neutrality, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.

Israeli strikes have decreased since the ceasefire agreement took effect, though they havent stopped entirely.

Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants, reported more than 300 deaths since the truce began. Each side has accused the other of violating its terms, which include increasing the flow of aid into Gaza and returning hostages  dead or alive  to Israel.

Israels campaign in Gaza has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians since it was launched more than two years ago for Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. In that attack, militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others. Gazas Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records seen as a reliable estimate by the U.N. and many independent experts.

Under the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10, Hamas released the last 20 living hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Hamas has also returned the remains of 25 dead hostages, and still is return three more.

Israeli hostage says he was abused

An Israel hostage freed under the ceasefire deal said he was sexually abused in Hamas captivity.

Speaking to Israels Channel 12 News, Guy Gilboa-Dalal said that after he was allowed to shower, one of his captors took him into a room and threw him onto a chair while he was still undressed.

He started touching my whole body. I froze. I told him: Youre kidding arent you? This is forbidden by Islam, Gilboa-Dalal said in a clip released by the TV station. He put a rifle to my head and a knife to my throat. He told me that if I told anyone about this, he would kill me.

The full interview is to be broadcast on Saturday. Hamas officials did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the claims.

Another male hostage released the same day, Rom Braslavski, has also reported being sexually abused in captivity.

Released Palestinians who had been seized from Gaza during the war and held in Israeli prisons have reported being stripped down to their underwear, subjected to frequent beatings by guards, as well as sexual abuse, being bound for days, causing infections that led to amputations of limbs in some cases, and insufficient food or medical care.

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Find more of APs Israel-Hamas coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Democrat Indicted Over Stealing FEMA Funds (Screenshot/YouTube/CBS 12 News - WPEC)

A federal grand jury charged Democratic Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on Wednesday with siphoning off millions in taxpayer-funded disaster aid and allegedly channeling the money into her 2021 congressional bid.

The Federal Election Commission opened a probe into Cherfilus-McCormick in September after complaints accused her 2021 campaign of concealing in-kind contributions tied to her family and consultant Mark Goodrich. Prosecutors say Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, diverted a $5 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) overpayment, allegedly stealing the funds through their family healthcare company during a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract.

They allegedly moved the money through a network of accounts to obscure its origin, then used a substantial share of the cash to bankroll her special-election campaign and cover personal expenses, according to the release. The indictment also alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and co-defendant Nadege Leblanc arranged a straw-donor scheme, routing additional FEMA-funded contract money to friends and relatives who then made campaign contributions under their own names.

WASHINGTON, DC  APRIL 28: (L-R) Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, and Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick attend the Women of Impact Celebration hosted by ELLE at Ciel Social Club on April 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for ELLE)

Prosecutors further accuse Cherfilus-McCormick and tax preparer David K. Spencer of conspiring to file a fraudulent 2021 federal tax return by disguising political spending and personal purchases as business deductions and inflating charitable donations to shrink her tax bill.

Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime, Attorney General Pam Bondi said. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones said the charges highlight the governments duty to protect federal disaster relief money.

Public money belongs to the American people. When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used as intended and that the publics trust is safeguarded, Quinones stated.

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison. Her brother faces up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years.

Corlie McCormick Jr. and Chantrell McCormick  the congresswomans husband and sister-in-law  serve as the registered agents for Progressive People Inc. (PPI), a Florida LLC that sent $725,000 to Truth and Justice Inc. (TJI) in 2022, records show. TJI, a tax-exempt nonprofit tied to Gary Eugene Beasley, allegedly allowed Goodrich to access its accounts and route payments to vendors for Cherfilus-McCormicks campaign, according to the Office of Congressional Ethics.

A separate complaint from the Coolidge-Reagan Foundation alleges that Trinity Health Care Services LLC embezzled $5 million in 2021 while Cherfilus-McCormick was CEO. The home-health company is registered to her mother and stepfather, Marie and Gabriel Smith, and lists her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, as vice president of operations. (RELATED: Democrats Reportedly Quietly Planning Luxury Getaway Escape To 5-Star Resort Despite Looming Government Shutdown)

Cherfilus-McCormick now joins Democratic New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver and Democratic Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar as the third House Democrat to face the possibility of federal prison time, with indictments ranging from obstruction of federal officers to alleged foreign-influence bribery schemes.

Cherfilus-McCormicks office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
Police emergency lights flash red and blue at night. Photo: Scott Rodgerson / Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Federal immigration law enforcement enhancement, according to elected leaders in Charlotte and Raleigh, has concluded for now in North Carolina.

Unconfirmed by federal agencies publicly, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden on Thursday said in a release federal officials confirmed to him Operation Charlottes Web has ended. No operations with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol were to happen during the day or evening.

Wednesday evening, Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell wrote on social media border patrol enforcement appears to have been suspended in the city.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in a release Wednesday, said more than 250 people illegally in America and the Charlotte area had been arrested since Saturdays start of the operation. It said, Among those arrested are numerous criminal illegal aliens with extensive immigration and criminal histories, including domestic violence, assault, breaking and entering, larceny, and driving while intoxicated.

Published reports say the number arrested could be higher.

Homeland Security hasnt mentioned a number of those arrested in Raleigh or the surrounding Triangle area.

Gregory Bovino, chief patrol agent of the El Centro Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, is expected to lead a new operation in New Orleans that could begin as early as this weekend and go for two months. An estimated 250 agents are expected to participate.

He wrote on social media Thursday morning, The mission continues unabated despite a 1,000% increase in violence.

Though the enhanced level will dissipate, regular operations of federal lawmen will continue. McFadden said deputies would release suspects in their custody to ICE within the two-day period required by state law.

"We will continue to build relationships, mend bridges, and listen to the voices of everyone in our community, McFadden said. As we move forward, I want the city of Charlotte to know that I will keep fighting for clarity, accountability, and trust. I will continue to protect this city and every single one of its citizens."

Second-term Republican President Donald Trump has made enforcement of immigration law and border security one of the top priorities of his second administration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former governor of South Dakota after nearly a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, has directed staff to multiple immigration enforcement operations in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland and the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Similar to Americans using passports or other documentation to visit foreign countries, so too does the law require those coming into the United States to do so legally. The vast majority follow these laws.
Despite Congress overwhelmingly passing a bill requiring the Justice Department to release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and even if President Donald Trump signs it into law, it is unclear when -- or even whether -- the public will see those files, or how complete they might be.

Mark Schiefelbein/AP - PHOTO: Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Nov. 19, 2025, in Washington, as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, look on.

Asked Wednesday how she would respond to Congress, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, "We have released over 33,000 Epstein documents to the Hill, and we will continue to follow the law and to have maximum transparency." She spoke at an unrelated news conference alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Trump calls for DOJ probe into other Epstein ties, including Clinton

The bill includes several exceptions to a full release that could complicate or delay disclosure.

Timing

The measure says the Justice Department has up to 30 days from its signing to make "publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorneys' Offices, that relate to Jeffrey Epstein including all investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters."

Nathan Howard/Reuters - PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., November 13, 2025.

If Trump signs the bill on Wednesday, the department would potentially have until Dec. 19 to release the Epstein investigation information.

Possible redactions, other information withheld

The Justice Department "may withhold or redact" the identities and "personal and medical files," of Epstein's victims, the bill states.

"We will continue to follow the law while protecting victims," Bondi repeated, when pressed by reporters.

"We're going to protect victims, and the law as written allows us to do that. You know, the law has carve outs to protect victims and to protect information surrounding victims, which is what we do, not only in this case, but in but in every case," Blanche added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he has told the president the bill does not do enough to protect victims from being identified.

The DOJ can also withhold material that "would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" or "depicts or contains child sexual abuse," according to the bill.

However, the bill does contain language that stipulates, "no record shall be withheld, delayed, or redacted on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary"

'Active' investigations

The measure also states the Attorney General may withhold or redact info that "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary."

Bondi says she'll follow law on Epstein files, hints at 'new information'

For any materials it chooses to withhold or redact DOJ is required, within 15 days of their public release, to outline their justifications for doing so.

Tom Brenner/Reuters - PHOTO: Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during the announcement of a law enforcement action as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche listens during a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, November 19, 2025.

The bill's exception regarding an "active investigation" could include the new probe of any connections top Democrats had to Epstein that Trump ordered Bondi to pursue last Friday.

Asked by ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas about her July statement that a review of the documents and the evidence at that point did not suggest that any additional investigation of third parties was warranted, Bondi responded there is "new information, additional information."

"We will continue to follow the law to investigate any leads. If there are any victims, we encourage all victims to come forward," she said, without providing any specifics, citing a pending investigation in the Southern District of New York.

When he reversed his position opposing the congressional vote on releasing the files on Sunday, Trump's post notably included qualifying language, that the House "can have whatever they are legally entitled to."

-ABC News' Alexander Mallin, Allison Pecorin, Lauren Peller and John Parkinson contributed to this report.
Theres another transcript in Washington waiting to come to light.

Rep. Eugene Vindman, a Virginia Democrat, is alleging there was a shocking 2019 call between President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia following the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi that the public needs to hear. Vindman knows about it because he was working at the time as a lawyer on the White Houses National Security Council, which produced a classified summary of the conversation.

For me, the call was shocking, and I think the American people deserve to hear the contents of that call, Vindman tells TIME.

Vindman first spoke publicly about the phone call on the House floor on Tuesday, but his comments were largely swamped in the news by the landslide House vote demanding Trump release the Jeffrey Epstein case files. In his speech, Vindman called on Trump to also release the transcript of his call with MBS, as the Crown Prince is known. If history is any guide, the receipts will be shocking, Vindman said.

Those remarks were the opening salvo of a pressure campaign Vindman plans to unfold in the next weeks and months to demand Trump reveal to the public what he told MBS in private. That campaign includes Khashoggis widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, who joined Vindman for a press conference at the Capitol on Friday.

Vindman tells TIME he has also spoken to the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, about writing a bill to require Trump release the transcript. On Thursday, 36 House Democrats joined Vindman in sending Trump a letter insisting he make public the full transcript of the call.

Vindmans unusual decision to speak about the sensitive work he was involved with on the National Security Council came about quickly this week. He says the President forced his hand. He was in his Capitol Hill office on Tuesday when he heard that Trump had defended the crown prince during their Oval Office meeting, in response to a question about Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist. Trump said on Tuesday the Saudi leader knew nothing about Khashoggis 2018 death and things happen." But a CIA assessment released in 2021 found that Saudi agents in Istanbul had been acting on bin Salmans order in 2018 when they killed and dismembered Khashoggi, who had written critically of the Saudi royal family. Trump described Khashoggi as "extremely controversial"

Trumps defense of the Crown Prince outraged Vindman, whose work on the national security council staff during Trumps first term involved monitoring the contents of sensitive phone calls between Trump and foreign leaders.

We cant whitewash what he did, Vindman says.

Vindmans name may be familiar because of his better-known twin brother Alexander Vindmanwho also worked on the NSC during Trumps first term and who blew the whistle on Trumps infamous call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky that led to Trumps first impeachment. Trump eventually released the summary transcript of that call which shows Trump suggesting the Ukrainian President investigate his then-political rival Joe Biden.

Now the other Vindman finds himself in a similar situation, pushing for accountability over what the same President said in a private call with a foreign leader. Vindman declined to describe the exact contents of Trumps call with MBS to TIME. The records of such calls are often classified. But, he stresses, the President has the power to release the records.

White House communications director Steven Cheung dismissed Vindmans call for the transcript. Vindman is a bitter back-bencher who nobody takes seriously, Cheung said in a statement to TIME. He is a serial liar and was part of the hoax relating to the perfect Ukraine call.

In the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump drew international attention for both his aggressive defense of the Crown Prince and his disparagement of Khashoggi, who he called "extremely controversial." A lot of people didnt like that gentleman that youre talking about. Whether you like him or dont like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it, Trump said while sitting next to MBS. We can leave it at that. You dont have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that." The comments dovetailed with ones Trump made in 2019, in an interview for Bob Woodwards book Rage, in which Trump said he saved the Crown Princes ass after news of Khashoggi broke and that Trump was able to get Congress to leave him alone.

Hanan Elatr Khashoggi told TIME in an interview Friday that she choked when she heard Trump describe her husband as extremely controversial." "I would like to tell him, Mr. Presidenthe doesnt know Mr. Jamal Khashoggihe is describing someone else," she said. "And even if he was not liked by someone, that dont give a license to someone to kill him." She says she hopes to have a chance to meet Trump in person one day "and introduce the real Jamal, how he was transparent, professional and was a brave man."

Vindman described the President saying things happen about the killing as outrageous. A brutal murder like this does not just happenof a U.S. resident, he says.

Vindmans efforts to shed light on the 2019 call follows the successful effort by some lawmakers to force Congress to pass a bill requiring the Justice Department to release much of what it has on Epstein. Trump signed that measure into law on Wednesday. Vindman suggests the timing could be right for another bipartisan effort toward transparency. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who tried and failed to line up Republican opposition to the Epstein vote, looks like hes starting to lose a little bit of control of the floor, Vindman says.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
FILE-This aerial view shows the Perry Nuclear Power Plant on the shores of Lake Erie in North Perry, Ohio, May 20, 2005. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Ohio utility regulators ordered Akron-based FirstEnergy on Wednesday to pay more than $250 million in fines and refunds as a result of its misconduct in a sweeping Statehouse bribery scandal whose fallout continues five years on.

The punishment meted out by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio includes nearly $187 million to be returned to FirstEnergy customers, as well as almost $180 million in penalties for failing to properly direct fees collected for grid modernization to their stated purpose.

The commission has remained steadfast in ensuring that we have followed the facts wherever they may lead, Commission Chair Jenifer French said about the unanimous vote. Our hope is the events underlying these proceedings will remain a cautionary lesson of accountability and honesty in utility regulatory matters.

Company spokesperson Lauren Siburkis said Wednesday's action closes a chapter tied to activities that do not represent the company we are today. Citing steps taken to improve the company's culture, compliance programs and oversight of its political and lobbying practices, she said, "FirstEnergy is committed to accountability, transparency and rebuilding trust.

The orders concluded three separate regulatory investigations of FirstEnergy that had been delayed by a ongoing Justice Department probe that burst into public view on July 21, 2020. That's when then-Republican Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, among the state's most powerful politicians, and four associates were arrested and charged for their parts in an alleged $60 million racketeering scheme funded by FirstEnergy in exchange for a $1 billion nuclear plant bailout.

FirstEnergy later admitted to the bribes and agreed to pay $230 million to avoid prosecution. Householder was convicted by a jury in 2023 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, alongside lobbyist and former Ohio Republican Party Chair Matt Borges. Householder remains behind bars, while Borges was released last month to a halfway house in Cincinnati.

FirstEnergy also long ago fired several executives accused of involvement in the bribes, two of whom  former CEO Chuck Jones and Senior Vice President Michael Dowling  have been indicted and await trial. They have both pleaded not guilty. The energy giant also made significant strides in reforming its ethics policies and code of conduct in the wake of the scandal.

While praising those steps, utility commissioners said Wednesday that FirstEnergy must still face regulatory consequences for its actions.

The underlying activity and bribes represent an unnerving shadow of our regulatory responsibilities in this state and have harmed every consumer we are entrusted to protect in the proceedings before us, Commissioner Dennis Deters said.

Commissioner John Williams expressed deep disappointment in the electricity company.

Im hopeful the remedies we approved today will serve as a strong deterrent against similar misconduct in the future, he said. "Our actions today should also stand as a clear reminder to FirstEnergy of the importance of continuing to reform its corporate culture and work diligently to rebuild the trust of the public.

Consumer and environmental advocates welcomed the orders.

In fining FirstEnergy over $250 million, the PUCO has sent a message to Ohios electric distribution utilities: corruption will not be tolerated," Karin Nordstrom, the Ohio Environmental Council's clean energy attorney, said in a statement. At a time when Ohioans electric bills are skyrocketing, the commission has finally acted to hold FE accountable for HB 6, forcing FirstEnergy to repay its customers for money it unduly collected.

Ohioans expect and deserve fair utility bills and utility companies that follow the law. Todays PUCO order requiring fines, restitution and refunds is an important milestone in fixing the harms FirstEnergy caused.

Ohio Consumers Counsel Maureen Willis  whose office had pushed for $544 million in FirstEnergy penalties, including about $467 million in customer refunds  said the orders were, nonetheless, an important milestone in fixing the harms FirstEnergy caused.

For five years, the Office of the Consumers Counsel and others pressed for accountability and relief on behalf of consumers, she said in a statement. "Todays PUCO ruling reflects that Ohioans should never be made to pay for corporate misconduct.
A South Florida lawmaker has been federally indicted for allegedly stealing Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to pay for her congressional campaign, prosecutors announced this week.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, used their family health care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021 in connection to the case, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones for the Southern District of Florida announced on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

The siblings are from Miramar, in Broward County, prosecutors said.

In July 2021, the family's company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds, Quinones announced in a news release. Prosecutors say Cherfilus-McCormick then stole disaster funds, laundered the proceeds and used the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign.

On Thursday morning, Nov. 20, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries office released a statement announcing Cherfilus-McCormick will step aside from her position as "Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committees Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa while this matter is ongoing."

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington also released the following statement, calling her alleged crimes 'abhorrent':

An individual who used FEMA funds as a personal and political piggy bank, if the allegations are proven to be true, should not have any authority over how taxpayer funds are appropriated," the non-profit's statement reads. "This appears to be yet another breach of trust in an era of unprecedented self-dealing and corruption. Representative Cherfilus-McCormick was right to step back from her committee leadership and must resign if convicted.

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-FL

Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, represents parts of the state including western Palm Beach County in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was elected in a January 2022 special election following the April 2021 death of Alcee Hastings, the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

According to the outlet, Cherfilus-McCormick "has long been under scrutiny" for the allegations.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Cherfilus-McCormick released a statement to USA TODAY regarding the indictment filed against her.

"This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment  and I am innocent," the statement reads. "The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved."

"I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail," the statement continues. "I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents."

The lawmaker's chief of staff, Naomie Pierre-Louis, confirmed the leave to USA TODAY on Thursday, saying the move was to "ensure the committee can fully focus on continuing the good fight for the American people, as she continues to fight to clear her good name. Her committee memberships remain intact."

Indictment: Former Olympic snowboarder facing murder, drug charges

US Attorney: Alleged FEMA fund diversion 'erodes trust'

A federal grand jury in Miami handed down the indictment on Wednesday, Nov. 19, charging the congresswoman and several co-defendants in connection to the case.

"When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all," Quinones said. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used as intended and that the publics trust is safeguarded."

According to the indictment, the group conspired to steal $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts in an effort to disguise its origin. A large amount of the money was reportedly used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormicks 2021 congressional campaign and for other personal uses.

In addition, the court documents alleges the defendants falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions, and inflated charitable contributions to reduce Cherfilus-McCormick's tax obligations.

The indictment alleges Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, also of Miramar, arranged additional contributions using straw donors "funneling other monies from the FEMA-funded COVID-19 contract to friends and relatives who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money."

The lawmaker is also charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return with her 2021 tax preparer, David K. Spencer.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Florida, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, at The Ben West Palm in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 20, 2023.

'A particularly selfish, cynical crime'

According to the Palm Beach Post, about two years ago, The House Ethics committee began an investigation over the lawmaker's campaign finances and other potential violations. Last year, the U.S. House Committee on Ethics referred questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick broke campaign finance laws to an investigative subcommittee, extending the review.

"Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime," Attorney General Pam Bondi released in a statement after the indictment was announced. "No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice."

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison and her brother faces up to 35 years behind bars. Leblanc faces a maximum 10 years in prison, and Spencer faces up to 33 years in prison.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributing: James Coleman with the Palm Beach Post

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly stole FEMA funds for campaign
Police tape blocks off a crime scene with evidence markers on the ground. Photo: Siobhan Howerton / Pexels

Officer shot report numbers down

The National Fraternal Order of Police reports, through Oct. 31, 285 police officers have been shot in the line of duty across the United States this year.

The number is down 5% from the same period in 2024.

Illinois is tied for tenth on the list of most officers shot this year with nine.

Thanksgiving meal costs down

According to an annual survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Thanksgiving dinner prices in Illinois mirrored national trends by declining for a third straight year.

Illinois Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers participating reported a state-wide average price of $49.20 for a classic holiday feast for 10, or around $4.92 per person.

The national average was about $5.52 per person, a 5% decrease from 2024.

Ag productivity report released

A new report highlighting farm productivity found that Illinois ranked sixth in the nation in agricultural sales, with about $29.2 billion generated in the most recent year.

According to Farm Flavors analysis, total U.S. farm output has doubled since the 1960s while inputs have remained relatively stable.

More than 71,000 farms operate on 74% of Illinois total land area, with agriculture making up 0.9% of the states employment.
Destroyed buildings in Gaza City on Wednesday. - Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 32 Palestinians in the latest escalation of violence since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said 12 children and eight women were among those killed in the strikes, which continued from Wednesday into Thursday morning, while a further 88 people sustained injuries.

The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out the strikes on Hamas targets after several terrorists fired on Israeli soldiers operating in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. This action constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF said, adding that none of its forces had been injured.

Hamas condemned the strikes as a dangerous escalation and rejected the IDFs account, accusing Israel of trying to justify its ongoing crimes and violations. It called on the US to exert immediate, serious pressure on Israel to respect the ceasefire and halt the aggression against our people.

The latest strikes bring the total Palestinian death toll since the ceasefire came into effect to 312.

They come just days after the UN Security Council endorsed US President Donald Trumps plan for how to move beyond the fragile truce to a more sustainable peace and the reconstruction of the devastated enclave.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Israel also carried out airstrikes on what it claimed were Hezbollah weapons storage sites in southern Lebanon.

The strikes in Gaza were the third major escalation since the ceasefire agreement came into force in October, each preceded by an attack on Israeli soldiers.

In the two previous escalations, on October 19 and 28, approximately 150 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers were killed.

However, despite those escalations the ceasefire has largely held.

Palestinian casualties arrive at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, following Israeli strikes on Wednesday. - Abdallah F.s. Alattar/Anadolu/Getty Images

CNN footage taken Wednesday at Gaza Citys Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital complex shows dozens of people crowding around incoming ambulances carrying victims of the strikes.

The footage shows several people sitting beside the corpses inside the hospital, some peering into the body bags in despair. One of the body bags contains the bodies of three lifeless children still covered in dust.

The deadliest strike Wednesday was in the Zaytun area in the east of Gaza, where 10 people, including a woman and a child, were killed, Gaza Civil Defense said.

Another strike hit an area west of Khan Younis targeting a group of civilians inside the UNRWA club, the Civil Defense added.

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage during an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, according to the Gaza health ministry, more than 69,000 Palestinians  most of them women and children  have been killed.

As part of the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire framework, Hamas agreed to release all the remaining hostages in Gaza, living and dead, while Israel agreed to withdraw from some parts of Gaza and release some Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has since released all of the living hostages and the bodies of all but three of the dead ones.

The strikes in Gaza come a day after an Israeli strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon killed 13 people, according to Lebanons health ministry. The IDF said Tuesdays strike had targeted a Hamas training compound that was being used to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against the IDF and the State of Israel.

On Wednesday, Israel carried out further strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting what it said were several weapons storage facilities belonging to Hezbollahs rocket unit. The strikes caused no casualties but damaged several houses, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency.

Israel has been carrying out strikes in Lebanon targeting militants from Hezbollah as well as various Palestinian militant factions for more than two years. These escalated after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in support of Hamas following the October 7 attack. The latest strikes come despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect in November 2024.

CNNs Heather law contributed to this report.

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Italy is getting ready to end a long-standing routine in its egg industry: the killing of newborn male chicks. For decades, hatcheries have sorted chicks within hours of hatching, and millions of males have been discarded each year because they cannot lay eggs or grow efficiently for meat.

Now the government is working toward a full ban, and the shift has pushed the issue into public view. The scale of the practice has led many people to ask how it became so normal and why the country is ready to abandon it. Hatcheries are preparing for a major transition as new screening technology is introduced, allowing eggs to be examined before the chicks develop. The change marks a significant step toward reshaping how the industry operates.

Why Male Chicks Were Targeted In The First Place

Image via Getty Images/kershawj

Egg production systems rely on female chicks because they grow into hens that lay eggs. Male chicks are considered unusable in that structure. They dont lay eggs and dont match the breeds raised for meat, which leaves them outside the industrys economic plans.

Across Italy, this system led to an estimated 25 to 40 million newborn male chicks being killed every year. Hatcheries carried out the sorting within moments of hatching, turning it into a routine step that lasted for decades with very little attention from the public.

The methods were severe. Hatcheries used maceration or gas to kill the chicks, and the schedule kept running without major revisions. Once advocacy groups and researchers put sustained pressure on lawmakers, the country finally began addressing the practice.

The Ban And The Steps Leading To It

Momentum for change took shape in 2021 when Italys Chamber of Deputies supported a proposal to end male chick culling. By 2022, a law was passed that set a clear deadline for the egg industry to end the practice by 2026.

Government agencies then had to outline the transition. In October 2025, officials released the guidelines that will steer hatcheries toward new systems. The guidelines require the use of embryo-testing technology that identifies the sex of the chick before hatching. Removing male embryos from the cycle eliminates the killing of live chicks hours after birth.

Officials estimate that once the ban is fully implemented, around 34 million chicks will be spared every year. The guidelines also give hatcheries a timeline for training, equipment updates, and process adjustments.

How In Ovo Screening Works

Image via Getty Images/pidjoe

In ovo screening identifies whether an embryo will develop into a male or a female while it is still inside the egg. Italys guidelines state that hatcheries must make this determination by the 14th day of incubation, a stage in which the embryo cannot feel pain.

This method prevents male chicks from hatching into a system that would kill them immediately after birth. Several European countries, including France and Germany, have already taken this direction or are in similar phases of implementation.

Support for this approach inside Italy didnt come out of nowhere. Assoavi, the countrys primary egg producer trade association, announced in 2020 that it favored in ovo sexing. That endorsement played a significant role in the subsequent political progress.

The Challenges Italy Still Faces

The rollout of the guidelines includes areas that remain contested. For example, producers may label eggs as coming from operations that do not kill male chicks. Yet errors in sexing can still result in some male chicks hatching, and those chicks may be killed with carbon dioxide. Estimates for those errors range between 350,000 and 1.4 million per year.

This raises concerns about the accuracy of the labeling and the clarity with which consumers will be informed about the remaining margin of error. Advocacy groups warn that a partial approach can create confusion and may weaken public trust.

Despite those issues, the ban marks one of the largest national efforts to dismantle male chick culling on such a scale. What happens next depends on how well hatcheries adapt and how consistently regulators enforce the guidelines after 2026.

What Italys Move Could Set In Motion

Image via Pexels/Karola G

Years of public pressure helped push the ban forward. Campaigners organized petitions, gathered testimonies, published reports, and contacted lawmakers across several political cycles. A major petition in 2020 gathered around 110,000 signatures, which helped bring national attention to the issue.

Through 2024 and 2025, activists staged demonstrations across Italy, used billboards in major cities, projected messages onto landmarks, and repeatedly called on ministers to release the long-awaited guidelines. Their visibility kept the conversation active at key political moments.

And Italys egg industry is large, so this policy carries weight beyond its borders. Other countries still rely on male chick culling, including the United States, where hundreds of millions of chicks are killed each year. Italys action could influence more governments to evaluate similar bans or invest in in ovo sexing technology.

Many hatcheries outside Europe still operate with older methods, and significant upgrades would be needed to follow Italys path. Even so, the countrys decision adds momentum to an ongoing global conversation about ethical standards in egg production.
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) paid tribute Thursday to her late father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, as a great statesman who put country over party and as a loving father who inspired in his family a deep sense of patriotism.

In her eulogy at her fathers funeral service, Liz Cheney recalled comments the late vice president made to her a few years ago, reflecting on his 40-year career in public service and his love of being an American.

The former vice president said, according to his daughter: The path I had traveled was partly due to the circumstance of my birth. Not that I had been born into a powerful or privileged family  I wasnt  but I was born an American, a blessing, surely among lifes greatest.

She said her father, in 1963, heard then-President John F. Kennedy urge students to dedicate their lives to public service while speaking at the University of Wyoming.

I think this is the moment my dad decided what direction his life should take, Liz Cheney said Thursday.

In recent years, the Dick Cheney, who also served as secretary of Defense and represented Wyoming in Congress, publicly backed his daughter as she fought to push back on false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, eventually losing her seat in Congress after turning against President Trump.

But the former congresswoman said her fathers commitment to country always trumped party.

Though he was inspired to service by President Kennedy, Dick Cheney became a Republican, Liz Cheney said. But he knew that bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans.

For him, a choice between defense of the Constitution and defense of your political party was no choice at all, she added.

Liz Cheney described her fathers devotion to his family and his commitment to teaching them about American history.

My dads devotion to America was deep and substantive, she said. He spent his life studying the history of our great republic. He knew you couldnt truly appreciate what it means to live in freedom if you didnt understand the sacrifices of the generations who came before, and he made sure that his children and grandchildren understood this, too.

Liz Cheney recalled her father would take her and her sister, Mary, to visit Civil War battlefields and teach them about American history.

As you might imagine, Dick Cheney read every word of every sign at every battlefield, museum and national park he ever visited, she said, to a laugh. When youre 5 or 6 years old, this is not your idea of a good time.

But, she said, she appreciated the way her father gently encouraged his daughters to love and learn about their country.

He didnt lecture us or demand that we read anything, but we pretty quickly realized no one was going anywhere until he got done, she said. And so we figured we might as well start reading the signs, too, and what an education we got.

That was the thing about Dick Cheney, she added. He wouldnt force his opinion on you or demand you do things his way.

The former congresswoman said her dad applied that sentiment in his relationships with his whole family, and she quoted from a letter he wrote to his grandchildren while he was serving as vice president.

As you grow, you will come to understand the sacrifices that each generation makes to preserve freedom and democracy for future generations, and you will assume the important responsibilities of citizens in our society, he wrote.

I ask of you, as my grandchildren, what I asked of my daughters: that you always strive in your lives to do what is right.

On a personal note, toward the end of her eulogy, Liz Cheney said shes grateful for the time she got to spend with her father in recent years.

To be in my dads company was to know safety and love and laughter and kindness, she said, adding, He was a giant to the end, a lion of a man, who loved and served this great republic.

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New York Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani speaks at the Resist Fascism Rally in Bryant Park in New York City, Oct. 27, 2024. Photo: Bingjiefu He / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square)  New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump are expected to hold a high-stakes meeting at the White House on Friday as the democratic socialist prepares to take over the nation's largest city.

"Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran "Kwame" Mamdani, has asked for a meeting," Trump said Wednesday night in a post on social media. "We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st."

Mamdani's mayoral transition team confirmed the meeting between the two men and highlighted some of the issues they may discuss behind closed doors. During a news conference on Thursday, Mamdani said he planned to discuss the citys affordability crisis and its public safety concerns.

"As is customary for an incoming mayoral administration, the Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago," Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said in a statement.

The Oval Office summit comes weeks after Mamdanis victory in the Nov. 4 elections against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who lost the primary to Mamdani and ran in the general election as an independent. Mamdani will take the reins of New York City on Jan. 1 as the city's first Muslim mayor and its youngest leader in a generation. Trump backed Cuomo in the race over Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who came in a distant third place in the Nov. 4 election.

Mamdani's rise has sent shockwaves through New York's political establishment and drawn national attention from Republicans who have criticized the city's dramatic shift to the left.

He has vowed, if elected, to eliminate fares to ride New York City's public bus system, make the City University of New York "tuition-free" and freeze rents in municipal housing. He has also called for taxing the state's top earners and raising New York Citys minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030.

That has drawn scrutiny from NYC business groups, some of whom have publicly suggested that Mamdanis proposals will lead to an exodus from the city.

In the months ahead of the election, Trump labeled Mamdani a "communist" and warned of the ruin of his hometown, New York, if the 34-year-old Queens assemblyman and democratic socialist was elected.

He also threatened to deport Mamdani, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Uganda, and to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding from the city. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, is gearing up to send more federal authorities  including National Guard troops  into New York City to enforce the administration's immigration crackdown.

Mamdani has vowed to "Trump proof" New York City as mayor, but said he is also interested in working with the president and other members of his administration to help New Yorkers.
NASA just dropped a trove of new images of interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, as seen by some of the space agencys spacecraft.

The release comes after NASA scientists and engineers waited through the six-week government shutdown to see whether spacecraft stationed across the inner solar system would catch sight of Comet 3I/ATLAS, an illustrious and intriguing object that is only the third known interloper from beyond our own solar system.

Todays reveal showed what the agency was able to accomplish anyway during these prime observation opportunities.

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NASA/Goddard/LASP/CU Boulder

The new images come from a wide range of NASA missions, including planetary science missions such as the Perseverance Mars rover and the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) orbiter, as well as the asteroid missions Psyche and Lucy and the sun-studying spacecraft Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH).

We are so happy to have our incredible fleet of NASA science spacecraft all across the solar system, said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASAs Science Mission Directorate. Boy, were they ready for this event.

READ MORE: The Race to Study an Interstellar Comet from Deep Space

Scientists first detected 3I/ATLAS on July 1 using a telescope called Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) based in Chile. The combination of the comets remarkable speedit was zipping through the solar system at 137,000 miles per hourand its unusual trajectory suggested that 3I/ATLAS was not from our celestial neighborhood.

That made the comet only the third confirmed interstellar objectfollowing 1I/Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, and Comet 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019. Limited by these brief visits, astronomers have hustled to gather as many observations of the Comet 3I/ATLAS as possible. To do so, they have recruited instruments on Earth, in orbit and even farther afield.

Each one of these has been special and precious, and everybody drops everything to look at them, said Karen Meech, a planetary astronomer at the University of Hawaii, in an interview with Scientific American in October.

Past observations have revealed that the comet is unusually rich in carbon dioxide and that this material appears to have been buried below the objects surface. That suggests Comet 3I/ATLAS formed in a much colder location, farther from its star, than our own solar systems comets did, and that if likely had been warmed by its own or another star before its visit to our solar system.

Scientists are still digging into everything the newly released observations show. Simultaneously, the quest to catch sight of Comet 3I/ATLAS continuesthe James Webb Space Telescope, notably, will attempt additional observations in December, NASA officials noted today. That instrument will likely be the final NASA mission able to see the comet on its path out of the solar system.

I am excited to see what new things we learn about our friendly solar system visitor in the days and in fact the years to come, Fox said.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Democrats are lining up to run against two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, hoping to capitalize on a series of high-profile controversies they think make the Trump ally vulnerable in the midterm elections.

Bale Dalton, an Orlando native and former NASA chief of staff, launched the latest bid this week. He joins Noah Widmann, a lawyer who has made an early fundraising splash, Mills 2024 opponent Jennifer Adams and Marialana Kinter.

The Democrats pitch to voters: Mills, who was recently slapped with a restraining order sought by an ex-girlfriend and faces a House ethics investigation over his business dealings, is not fit to continue in Congress.

Weve got a representative in Cory Mills that seems much more interested in serving himself than serving the folks of Seminole and Volusia County, Dalton said. He has quite a bit of baggage attached to him.

In a video on his campaign website, Widmann flashes an image of Mills in sunglasses and asks, Do you know this guy? They say he is the most corrupt congressman in America.

Mills has been the subject of a barrage of eyebrow-raising headlines this year.

In October, a North Florida judge ordered Mills not to come within 500 feet of an ex-girlfriend who accused him of threatening to release explicit images of her and harm her future dating interests. That restraining order was sought by Lindsey Langston, a 26-year-old Florida state GOP committeewoman and winner of the 2024 Miss United States beauty pageant.

That ruling came after police opened a probe into since-withdrawn assault allegations involving Mills and another woman. That investigation was closed with no charges filed. His military record has also come under scrutiny, including a NOTUS report that questioned whether he was honest about his service.

The House Ethics Committee is also examining whether he benefited from federal contracts while serving in Congress.

Mills has denied wrongdoing and has dismissed accusations from political opponents on both sides of the aisle that he misrepresented his military record. His office did not respond to a request for comment from the Sentinel, but he defended his record in a statement to Politico.

I lead the entire state of Florida in constituent services with one of [the] most constitutionally conservative and fiscally responsible voting records, he said in a text message.

Democrats will need to overcome a district that was redrawn in 2022 to favor Republicans, lumping in GOP-friendly parts of Volusia County with Seminole County. The district is listed as a solid Republican seat by The Cook Political Report.

Mills, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, scored easy victories in the 2022 and 2024 elections. Last year, he defeated Adams, who has filed to run again but did not respond to a request for comment, by about 13 percentage points. He campaigned as a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and a successful businessman who founded a company selling riot-control munitions.

But Democrats are hopeful that Mills personal and political scandals, along with the publics affordability concerns and Trumps sagging approval rating, will make a difference in a midterm election that usually favors the party out of power.

Widmann, 30, a lawyer who works for AARP and lives in Casselberry, has outraised Mills for two consecutive quarters, taking in more than $450,000 to challenge the incumbent. An Ocala native, Widmann is highlighting his story of being raised by a single and disabled mother. He became a teenage father at 18, supporting his family by bagging groceries and working in fast food.

He then worked as an EMT while attending community college before transferring to Columbia University and earning a law degree from Georgetown University. He credited food stamps, Section 8 housing and other government programs with giving him the opportunity to succeed.

Ive been through it, and these programs helped to make sure I could do right by my family.  The American Dream is only possible if the tide is lifted for everybody, he said.

Dalton, 45, the newest candidate in the race, served as NASA deputy chief and then chief of staff from 2021 until 2025 when the agency was led by former Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Dalton served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve for 23 years, flying medical evacuation missions as a helicopter pilot and completing deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and the Pacific, according to his bio.

I am just fed up with what is going on in Washington right now.  We were promised a government that would be working for us  and thats just not happening right now, he said.

Dalton, who lives in Sanford, is a principal at Stella Maris Strategies, a firm that advises space and aeronautic businesses and startups. His father is Skip Dalton, a federal judge. His resume also includes a stint working in Nelsons legislative office.

Adams, 48, has served as the executive director for the group Florida Community Partnership and board director and legislative chair for the League of Women Voters of Florida.

Being divisive and furthering chaos is not what the majority of central Floridians in this district, let alone Americans, want, Adams said of Mills last year. We need better representation, because we deserve better than that.

Kinter is a 27-year-old Navy veteran who supervised nuclear reactors.

In September, Kinter was arrested during a protest calling for an end of U.S. military aid to Israel. Protesters temporarily blocked an entrance to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa to draw attention to their concerns, according to her campaign.

I think we need to get Cory Mills out of office, she said. He needs to resign. The fact he is still representing us is insane.

Mills has one GOP primary opponent so far, former Army Security Agency official Mike Johnson, no relation to the House Speaker of the same name. Johnson, who also ran against Mills in 2024, has been critical of Mills service record.

Both party primaries will be held on Aug. 18, 2026.

------------
By Manoj Kumar and Ashwin Manikandan

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (Reuters) -Indias strong domestic economy and a smaller-than-expected hit to exports are giving New Delhi more room to negotiate a trade deal with Washington, which has imposed tariffs as high as 50% on imports from the country, Indian sources and analysts said.

Indian exports to the U.S. dropped 8.6% year-on-year to $6.3 billion in October, the second month that the 50% tariff on imports from the country was in place. The decline was lesser than the 12% drop in September.

Negotiations between New Delhi and Washington have dragged on even as other Asian countries like Japan and South Korea have struck deals to bring down tariffs. Indian officials have publicly maintained that India will not rush to sign a deal.

"For now, weve avoided the worst impact of the 50% U.S. tariffs, said a senior government official aware of the talks, declining to be identified as the person was not authorised to speak to the media.

While some sectors such as textiles have reported a fall in U.S. orders, the official said, the broader economic impact of the tariffs has been limited, allowing negotiators space to reach a deal.

"If needed, we are ready to wait," the official said.

The official, and others aware of the trade talks, said they expect Washington to roll back the 25% tariff linked to Russian oil purchases, and eventually move toward a 15% overall rate, with New Delhi prepared to cut its own import tariffs on over 80% of goods while protecting sensitive sectors like agriculture.

The commerce ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. U.S. officials did not immediately comment although President Donald Trump said last week Washington was close to reaching a deal with India that would expand economic and security ties.

The government is helping exporters diversify into new markets through recent new trade deals with the U.K., UAE and Australia, tax cuts on raw materials and a $5.1 billion support package to boost exporters, officials said.

Many exporters have cushioned the fall in exports to the U.S. since September by diversifying into African and European markets and retaining U.S. clients with discounts and longer delivery timelines, five exporters and industry associations said.

Apparel and footwear firms are absorbing costs up to 20% to retain U.S. buyers, said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

The government and the central bank have announced targeted relief, including short-term loan moratoriums, but avoided large fiscal easing.

Domestic tax cuts on hundreds of consumer items since September are boosting local demand and helping exporters stay competitive, trade associations and officials say.

Also, tax cuts on inputs like man-made fibres have aided textile exporters, said N Thirukkumaran, general secretary of the Tirupur Exporters Association.

Exporters are offering 1020% discounts on garments depending on style and shipment size, he said.

Indias economy grew an annual 7% in the July-September quarter and is expected to expand 6.8% in the financial year, according to the central bank.

CHINA COMPETITION INTENSIFIES

However, exporters said that pressure from over-capacity in China is proving to be tough to manage, with cheaper Chinese goods flooding a number of the markets they compete in.

Chinese businesses are well-entrenched and their domestic situation has made them highly competitive, said Rahul Tikoo, CEO of Optime, a Mumbai-based speciality chemical maker.

India's goods exports to non-U.S. markets fell 12.5% year-on-year in October, a sharper drop than to the U.S, led by weaker engineering, petroleum and jewellery shipments.

This may reflect heightened competition in non-U.S. markets as countries diversify exports post tariff announcements, HSBC chief India economist Pranjul Bhandari said.

(Reporting by Ashwin Manikandan in Mumbai and Manoj Kumar in New Delhi; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday to brief the Senate as the Trump administration ramps up military operations against Venezuela.

Im demanding @SecRubio provide an All-Senators classified briefing on Trumps military buildup and reported plans for military operations in Venezuela, Schumer posted on the social platform X.

The Trump administration has failed in their duty to consult with Congress, Schumer added. The last thing Americans want right now is another endless war.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for comment.

Rubio said Sunday the United States will designate Venezuelas Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and claimed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro leads the group.

Based in Venezuela, the Cartel de los Soles is headed by Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking individuals of the illegitimate Maduro regime who have corrupted Venezuelas military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary, Rubio said in a statement.

Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuelas legitimate government, he continued. Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.

Democratic members of the House Armed Services Committee previously appeared irritated and frustrated following a classified briefing last month regarding strikes on boats allegedly carrying drugs across the Caribbean to the United States.

In recent days, after the USS Gerald R. Ford reached the Caribbean, the U.S. military struck another narco-trafficking boat and killed three people Sunday. Joint Task Force Southern Spear, a counternarcotics joint task force within Southcom and formed in October, conducted the attack.

Since September, the administration has ordered attacks on more than 20 alleged drug smuggling boats, killing 83 people. The administration has labeled those on board as narco-terrorists.

The U.S. military has also revived jungle warfare training in Panama for the first time in more than 20 years amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. The training is part of the new Combined Jungle Operations Training Course, in which soldiers last month conducted weapons drills and learned survival techniques, including how to build shelters, purify water, and navigate the thick vegetation.

While Maduro has called for peace between his country and the United States, President Trump last week said he has sort of made up his mind on military operations in the South American country.

I cant tell you what it is, but we made a lot of progress with Venezuela in terms of stopping drugs from pouring in, Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

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Sandi Jacobson stuffs envelopes at the Keep Us Healthy fundraiser at the Round Table Pizza in Oakley, California on Aug. 23, 2025. The nonprofit, founded by Jacobsons son, inmate Nicholas Jacobson, advocates to improve the healthcare system for inmates in California jails and prisons.

Nicholas Jacobson had just been accused of murder when a raging infection nearly killed him. Left untreated for two weeks in a California jail, sepsis drove him into a coma as his organs started to shut down.

He survived  barely  and later won a cash settlement from the county.

Now, as he appeals a jurys guilty verdict and faces the possibility of life in prison, Jacobson has dedicated part of that money toward educating inmates on their rights and exposing the medical neglect he says is rampant behind bars.

Illnesses are the main reason people die while in the custody of local jails or state and federal prisons across the country. Often described as natural causes, illnesses claim far more inmates than other causes like suicide, overdose or homicide  killing more than 30,000 prisoners between 2015 and 2023, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal records.

Nicholas Jacobson nearly died when sepsis put him in a coma in 2017 while jailed in Contra Costa County, California. He survived, won a settlement from the county and founded a nonprofit to campaign for better medical care for prisoners.

Doctors pulled Jacobson back from the brink of death, but at least 1,780 prisoners werent so lucky during that eight-year period. Their death reports all mention sepsis, a life-threatening condition triggered when the body has an extreme reaction to an infection.

When caught promptly, sepsis can often be treated simply with antibiotics and fluids, doctors say. But medical care isnt always prompt behind bars, and untreated septic shock can kill a patient within days or sometimes hours.

Map: Where correctional facilities reported sepsis-related deaths

Click on a jail or prison in the map below to see its details. You may also enter an address in the search box to locate the nearest correctional facilities. Don't see a map? Click here.

Jacobson arrived at the Martinez Detention Facility east of San Francisco in June 2017 with a fractured spine from being tossed 15 feet out of his car to the side of the freeway.

Accused of fatally shooting a nightclub bouncer, the 27-year-old had to crawl down two flights of stairs to the telephone to speak with his family because walking was too painful. Within days, blood and pus began oozing from an open wound on his inner thigh.

No boy, dont pull your pants down, a jail nurse told Jacobson when he tried to show her the cyst. Aint nobody looking down there.

Jacobson blames the jails unhygienic conditions for starting his infection.

They don't clean it for the next person to come in. I had a dirty cell with a dirty toilet, and I sat on it with an open wound, Jacobson said. [The nurse] comes the next day, but then she doesnt do nothing. She just laughs at me. Keeps it moving. And then boom, that's when I start to get sick.

Ignored medical requests lead to a coma

A fever and dizzy spells soon turned to diarrhea, then vomiting and coughing up black, bloody material. As a type 1 diabetic, Jacobson noticed his blood sugar levels stopped coming down with what little insulin he was receiving from the jail. Alarmed, he told the medical staff, both verbally and in writing.

That could be a sign of infection, you know? The medical team should know that, Jacobson said. I could have just took some pills, some antibiotics, whatever, and I would have been fine. But instead, they just let the blood poisoning spread to my body, and to all my organs until everything started shutting down.

Multiple requests for comment from the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office regarding Jacobson and his medical care were not returned. However, legal filings from 2019 show the office denied all wrongdoing.

Andrea Jacobson talks with her brother Nicholas via a video call on her phone at the Keep Us Healthy fundraiser at the Round Table Pizza in Oakley, California on Aug. 23, 2025.

Two weeks after his booking into the Martinez jail, he collapsed. Paramedics rushed the comatose Jacobson to the nearby Contra Costa Regional Medical Center.

Sandi Jacobson spent a few frantic days calling the hospital, begging to see her son, only to be turned down again and again. But then her phone rang.

Grab any family members that want to come and say goodbye to your son. He's failing quickly, said a compassionate female voice on the other end of the line.

An ICU doctor had looked up Nick Jacobsons emergency medical contact and called his mother.

They wont let us see him, Sandi Jacobson recalls telling her.

No, you will see him, the doctor replied. Im making sure you're going to see him.

Sandi Jacobson sped down to the hospital with her husband and daughter, but she was the only one allowed into his room. Tubes were running into his nose and mouth, she said, and medical equipment lined his bedside. Three nurses flitted around checking vital signs as a police officer stood watch.

I want you to open your eyes. I want to see your beautiful blue eyes again, Sandi Jacobson told her unconscious son, patting his swollen hand. If this is too hard for you to stay and you need to go, I totally understand it.  But if you want to fight, we're going to fight with you.

The next day, against the odds, Nick Jacobson was awake when his mother returned to visit. Two officers blocked her from entering. After some phone calls to their supervisor, they allowed Sandi Jacobson 15 minutes with her son.

They cant stop me. Mom, Im going to be all right, he recalled mumbling to her deliriously. I still had some fight in me.

Law to kill frivolous lawsuits stops real complaints, too

Recovery from sepsis was a long road for Nick Jacobson, as he spent much of the next six months handcuffed and shackled to a hospital bed with no visitors allowed. He endured a dozen surgeries to repair damage to his heart, lungs and spine, leaving 18-inch scars down his back that look like Freddy Krueger got me, he said.

As his criminal case slowly worked its way toward a trial, Jacobson decided to sue Contra Costa County for deliberate indifference to his medical needs and excessive use of force.

Were still people behind these walls, Jacobson said, and a lot of us have made very serious mistakes in life.

But that doesnt mean they dont deserve decent health care, he said.

They almost killed me, bro, and I know they could have prevented it, Jacobson said. I wanted to put them on the stand, and I wanted to look at all the doctors and let them know that they messed up, so they wouldn't do it to the next person.

That dream never came to pass, though.

A federal law passed in 1996 requires incarcerated people to file any grievances with their jail or prison and follow that facilitys defined process. Theres often a strict timeline for how long after an incident prisoners may submit a grievance. Only after exhausting this internal process may they sue in court.

The Prison Litigation Reform Act was meant to reduce frivolous lawsuits, but Kristen Mack, a Maryland civil rights attorney who frequently represents prisoners and their families, said shes seen it screen out legitimate cases, too.

Some facilities, it's as short as 10 days you have to file your first ARP [administrative remedy procedure], Mack said. We've had clients that were physically in the hospital within the 30-day time period that they were supposed to file their initial ARP and because they didn't do it, their complaint was dismissed.

Jacobson said he missed his window to file an internal grievance with the Martinez Detention Facility, seriously weakening his case. In April 2020, Contra Costa County offered him $60,000 to drop the lawsuit in a settlement in which it admitted no wrongdoing.

They shouldn't get off the hook because 30 days or 60 days passes, and we didn't grievance it because we don't know how to, Jacobson said. That's a loophole for the system to get off the hook when they don't take care of our medical needs.

'I can make a change. I can change lives.'

A year after the settlement, in 2021, a jury convicted Jacobson of murder and a judge sentenced him to 50 years to life in prison  an outcome that he said shocked him.

Im not guilty of what I was convicted of, Jacobson said, declining to elaborate further on his case as hes still appealing the guilty verdict.

Jacobson is religious  the type of Christian who regularly peppers conversation with anecdotes about singing worship songs in the prison chapel or a verse from the book of Romans:

Tribulation produces perseverance. Perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, he quoted effusively. I can make a change. I can change lives.

Inspired by the business classes he started taking in prison and a Nonprofits for Dummies book shared from a fellow inmate, Jacobson founded Keep Us Healthy in 2022.

Volunteers stuff envelopes at the Keep Us Healthy fundraiser at the Round Table Pizza in Oakley, California.

We want to educate inmates right now, Jacobson said. What procedures and what methods do they have to go through and follow to get the proper health care that they need.

He drafted a vision statement, built a business plan and hired an attorney to ensure he met all the IRS requirements of charitable organizations. The organization is small  primarily Jacobson and a handful of family members  but it collects and publishes inmates stories of poor health care to raise awareness of the problem. Over the past three years, dozens of inmates have subscribed through a word-of-mouth campaign behind bars to receive the nonprofits newsletter containing these stories and advice to help them advocate for themselves.

You are so helpless, said Sandi Jacobson, describing what both inmates and their families feel when theres a problem with prison medical care. If we could just get help out to even just a couple of people and it makes that difference where they're not suffering in pain, it's worth it.

Following her sons verdict, Sandi Jacobson said shes had people  even close friends  ask why prisons would need to provide for inmates medical needs.

It may be behind bars, but he still has his whole life ahead of him, and nobody has the right to just take it away, she said.

California doesnt currently allow the execution of prisoners, but Sandi Jacobson suggested denying medical care can essentially turn shorter sentences into death sentences.

If youve got somebody whos only going in for, say, three years, and they dont get that medical care, that three years could be their life, she said.

Volunteers Eli Flowers and Briana Anderson stuff envelopes at the Keep Us Healthy fundraiser at the Round Table Pizza in Oakley, California on Aug. 23, 2025.

As the settlement money dwindles, Nick Jacobson said hes hoping grants or angel investors could help expand Keep Us Healthys efforts. He wants to gather a larger team to collect more inmates stories as well as push for reform to the Prison Litigation Reform Act on a state and national level.

In the meantime, as Nick Jacobson awaits further hearings in his appeal, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has shipped him from prison right back to where he nearly died  the county jail in Martinez.

Shortly after Jacobsons settlement in 2020, the Martinez Detention Facility settled a separate class-action lawsuit and promised to invest more than $235 million over five years to increase staffing and improve health care.

USA TODAYs repeated requests for comment about these changes were not returned from the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office.

It has gotten better, but there's still a lot of room for improvement, Jacobson said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sepsis nearly killed him in jail. He wants more inmates to survive.
The woman said she walked into an OBGYN's office on Fort Hood, an Army base in Texas, nearly a year ago because she wasn't sure what to take for her sinus infection during her pregnancy.

She said the doctor, Maj. Blaine McGraw, rubbed her knee as he checked her neck and throat. She recounted that he urged her to submit to a vaginal exam, tried to tug away her leggings and touched her genitals, she told USA TODAY. When she told him to stop, she said, the doctor laughed.

The woman is one of more than 1,400 of McGraw's patients whom the Army says it contacted in a snowballing investigation of the doctor's conduct at the third-largest U.S. military base. The Army says it is contacting all patients seen by the provider during the providers tenure at [the medical center], even if there is currently no indication to believe they have been affected by the alleged misconduct currently under investigation.

One of the patients approached by investigators about his suspected misconduct sued in a Texas court on Nov. 10, saying McGraw sexually exploited women in his care for years, and the Army repeatedly failed to intervene.

The civil suit alleges the Army kept McGraw on staff despite patient complaints at Fort Hood, and before that at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, beginning in 2019. He secretly recorded patients during pelvic exams and made lewd comments, the lawsuit says.

Army investigators have opened a criminal investigation into an OBGYN who practiced for years on the base.

"Leadership dismissed the warnings, laughed off credible allegations, and allowed McGraw to continue practicing," the lawsuit states. "The Army gave cover to a predator in uniform."

Andrew Cobos, an attorney for the plaintiff, said he has heard from dozens of other women who have accounts about alleged misconduct by McGraw.

The plaintiff is not named in the lawsuit. USA TODAY does not name people who report sexual assault.

More: Vanessa Guillen's killing at Fort Hood leaves family grieving, grasping for clues

Public records indicate McGraw moved to Hawaii in 2019 and arrived in Texas in late 2022.

McGraw was suspended from his practice at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center on Oct. 17, "following a patient's allegations," according to a Nov. 10 Army update. McGraw has not been charged with a crime.

"Dr. McGraw is fully cooperative with the investigation," his attorney, Dan Conway, said in a statement. "We have reason to believe, however, that Army special agents are providing members of the public with inaccurate and exaggerated information.

"We can think of no other reason for inaccurate leaks than to influence the outcome of the case. We, nonetheless, remain cooperative."

Conway, who has offices in San Antonio, said he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit, which was filed in Texas civil court on Nov. 10.

Cobos, the plaintiff's attorney, said the massive probe began when a servicemember's husband reported to Army investigators that he'd seen McGraw secretly recording a video while examining his wife. The plaintiff was among the 1,400 patients contacted after that initial report. Cobos said he now represents 56 women with similar allegations against McGraw.

A mural of Vanessa Guillen, a soldier at Fort Hood whose murder in 2020 sparked a reckoning over sexual assault in the Army.

The "whistleblowing husband" pushed to meet with Army leadership, but "was refused meetings at every level," according to the lawsuit.

Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, an Army spokesperson, disputed that the husband was unable to meet with Army leaders. The deputy chief of staff, command sergeant major of the III Armored Corps, which is headquartered at Fort Hood, and the commander of the hospital met with the man and his wife, he said.

Five years earlier, Fort Hood became the focal point of a national reckoning over the Army's failure to stop sexual harassment in its ranks.

Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old soldier at the base, was brutally murdered, and it took searchers months to find her dismembered and burned remains. Guillen had told a friend and family member that she was sexually harassed. An independent investigation found the leadership at Fort Hood allowed a "permissive environment" for sexual assault and harassment.

Guillen's family lobbied in Washington, DC, Congress took action, and the military ultimately moved internal sexual assault and harassment investigations outside the chain of command.

'Groomed this entire time'

Two accusers  the plaintiff and another woman represented by Cobos  told USA TODAY they saw McGraw for health concerns and routine exams. They say they left his office with lasting trauma and shattered trust, and the Army failed to check on them or provide care.

The woman suing McGraw, whose husband is a long-serving soldier, said she left her first appointment with McGraw with excitement. The doctor was attentive and caring about the woman's hormonal issues and pelvic pain.

More: Erasing the Confederacy: Army changes names of iconic Fort Hood and Fort Benning bases

His behavior after that was bizarre, the woman told USA TODAY. He made "off-color comments," complimenting her body during a breast exam, she said. He called her after hours and said things that veered beyond their doctor-patient relationship, she added.

Then, on Oct. 17, the Army's criminal investigative branch called the woman, whose husband had been in the service for more than two decades, and asked her to come in and identify photographs they believed were of her own face and body. Investigators said McGraw had secretly taken video of her breast and pelvic exam days earlier.

During that exam, the woman recalled, McGraw had spoken into his phone as though he were taking a call even though it did not ring. Then, he tucked the phone, camera facing out, into his front pocket, she said.

Sitting in her car alone after meeting with investigators, the woman cried.

"It felt like I had been groomed this entire time," she said.

'It doesn't leave your mind'

Nearly a year after her experience with McGraw, the woman with the sinus infection told USA TODAY through sobs, she still struggles to bond with her child and be intimate with her husband. Male doctors trigger a visceral panic. She bursts into tears unexpectedly when she's going about her daily life.

More than 50 women have accused an Army doctor at Fort Hood of sexual abuse and exploitation.

"It doesn't leave your mind," she said. "It just keeps being replayed over and over and over again."

When McGraw tried to pull down her leggings and touched her, she recalls saying, "If you don't remove your hands right now, I will punch you in your face."

The woman recalled that, in tears, she told a desk attendant at the office that day what had happened and begged to make a report. The person at the desk said no one was available and told her to "call or send an email," she said.

She called the hospital seven times to make a report, she said. Each time, she was dismissed, hung up on and shuffled aside.

When Army investigators contacted the new mother about her experience with McGraw in mid-November and she learned how many other women had accused him, she said, she vomited.

The Army did not offer her trauma counseling, she said. Instead, investigators handed her "a one-page pamphlet."

The Army said that, after the investigation opened, Darnall Medical Center "upstaffed their call center with additional personnel and extended hours covering 7 days a week."

Army investigators have also provided "additional resources" as needed after interviewing McGraw's patients, Sztalkoper said.

But the new mother said she felt ignored.

"You can't just sweep everything under the rug," the woman said. "People need to be held accountable."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Army OBGYN was predator in uniform secretly filmed women, suit says
Imagine a tornado outbreak happening during a time of year you may not associate with severe weather decades before watches, warnings and Doppler radar, spotters and social media might give you a heads up.

On Nov. 20-21, 1900, 125 years ago, a rash of at least 10 strong tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valley, from eastern Arkansas into northern Mississippi, Tennessee and northern Alabama.

At least 77 were killed and another 376 were injured in the outbreak the week before Thanksgiving.

The majority of those deaths were from two violent tornadoes estimated at F4 intensity. One of those  or perhaps a family of tornadoes  destroyed hundreds of homes between Arkabutla and Dundee, Mississippi, then continued into southwest Tennessee east of Memphis. At least 30 were killed while at least one of these tornadoes was on the ground for almost 2 hours and over an 89-mile path.

The other F4 tornado in Maury County, Tennessee, turned dozens of homes "into kindling" just west of Columbia, according to tornado historian Thomas Grazulis, claiming another 27 lives.

There was at least one stroke of luck in this otherwise awful outbreak. An F2 tornado in Middle Tennessee's Sumner County blew off the roof and collapsed a schoolhouse near Cottontown. Miraculously, none of the 26 children suffered anything more than minor injuries. Twelve of the students were found under the blown away roof.

NOAA

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shake hands during a dinner in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)

President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud touted new agreements at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum Wednesday.

The appearance concluded the crown princes visit to the United States in which the leaders advanced investments and defense pledges, amid President Trumps efforts to boost the economy and broker peace in the Middle East.

Trump announced he was designating Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO U.S. ally, that the two inked a strategic defense agreement, and future sales of F-35s and American tanks.

What it means, its a gesture from this administration and if the successor relationship is republican they might honor it as well, but it has no ultimate long term meaning other than as a gesture of goodwill from the United States, a former defense official said of the defense agreement, when granted anonymity to speak about the countries' relationship.

It comes as the administration looks to advance Trumps peace plan for Gaza, which calls for an international stabilization force, board of peace to oversee governance and de-arming of Hamas, and as the President looks for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords in normalizing relations with Israel.

"A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries and it will serve the highest interest of peace, and we all share in peace, and we've never had and been so close to truly everlasting peace in the Middle East. All my life I've heard, 'oh, peace in the Middle East, but it'll never happen.' We did it. Now we have to make sure it matures properly and is really as strong as we think it can be. But we've gotten all good signals, Trump said.

Bin Salman said they are in discussion about the kingdoms financial contribution for Gaza reconstruction but did not offer an amount. While he expressed interest in supporting the accords he also suggested it was contingent on a two state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated this week opposition to a Palestinian state.

I think we need their support in two dimensions. You need their moral support and agreement to come into the ISF even if they dont put troops on the ground, and I dont think they will. But you need their money. Money is what you need from Saudi and UAE. You need tacit support and you need money, said the former defense official.

The former official noted the sale of F-35s, and designations of the defense relationships are significant deals.

The sale of F-35s, which has typically raised concerns over potential Chinese access to sensitive technologies, also requires congressional approval. The U.S. remains committed to helping maintain Israels qualitative military edge according to a White House official, who noted the administration will ensure the sale is consistent with statutory requirements.

RELATED STORY | Saudi prince visits White House for first time since 2018 killing of reporter

The crown prince also announced Saudi Arabia would increase its investment pledge in the United States from $600 billion committed during Trumps visit to the Kingdom in May, to $1 trillion, near the total of the countrys GDP.

I think that its an interesting commitment from Saudi Arabia thats not all going to come at once, said Gregory Gause III, a visiting scholar with the Middle East Institute, noting the timeline on the investment is not known.

The White House announced a framework for cooperation on critical minerals, a statement to complete negotiations on civil nuclear energy cooperation and a memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence.

This will contribute to strengthening opportunities, creating numerous job opportunities in our two countries, and driving economic growth in both, bin Salman said.

Saudi AI company HUMAIN announced plans for Nvidia-powered data centers in Saudi Arabia, an agreement with xAI to jointly develop data centers in the kingdom and expanded work with AWS.

Trump, who touted his administrations economic agenda amid the White Houses focus on affordability, defended support for H1B visas for technology workers.

Now, my, I love my conservative friends, I love MAGA, but this is MAGA. And those people are going to teach our people how to make computer chips, and in a short period of time, our people are gonna be doing great, and those people can go home where they probably always want to be, Trump said during remarks Wednesday.

However, Gause contended those agreements do not signify major changes.

None of these agreements perhaps except on the AI front represent a major change in the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Weve always had a military supply relationship. Weve always had a security relationship. Weve always had a diplomatic relationship regarding Arab Israeli questions and other questions in the Middle East. But the fact that all of these things are being agreed upon together is I think an indication of the reconfirmation of the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship for both of the sides, Gause said.

RELATED STORY | Trump snaps at reporter over Epstein files while hosting Saudi crown prince

Neither leader mentioned Jamal Khashoggi during their Wednesday remarks, after Trump criticized questions to both leaders over the journalist's murder and bin Salman defended the kingdoms handling of it.

As far as this gentleman is concerned, he's done a phenomenal job. You're mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happened, but he knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don't have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that, Trump said Tuesday when a reporter asked why Americans should trust the crown prince after 9/11 and the murder of a journalist.

Its really painful to hear you know anyone that has been losing his life for you know no real purpose or no nothing in a legal way. And it's been painful for us in Saudi Arabia. We've did all the right steps of investigation et cetera in Saudi Arabia and we've improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that and it's painful and it's a huge mistake," the crown prince said. "We are doing our best that this doesn't happen again."

The U.S. intelligence community previously concluded that bin Salman ordered the operation that led to Khashoggis murder, though the crown prince has denied involvement.

Shortly after the leaders remarks on Tuesday, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, Jamas widow, told Scripps News in an interview she thought President Trump had been misinformed about her late husband, offering to meet with the president and discuss his legacy.

Even if he heard hes not loved by everybody, which is normal, Elatr Khashoggi said, "it does not justify [someone] to kidnap him, torture him, and kill him and dismiss his body."

The White House did not respond to an inquiry about Elatr Khashoggis comments or offer.

RELATED STORY | 'Misinformed': Widow to Khashoggi rebukes Trumps praise for Saudi crown prince

President Trumps embrace of Saudi Arabia, placing his first foreign leaders call and making his first foreign visit to the kingdom during his second term , marks a difference from former President Bidens handling of relations.

Biden previously called Bin Salman a pariah during campaigning, before eventually meeting with bin Salman during his term.

I think President Bidens reaction to Saudi Arabia was short sighted and miserably ineffective from a global strategic point of view. Saudi Arabia is going to be around this guys going to be around for forty years. Do we really want to make him into an outcast for the next 40 years? said the former defense official.

The crown princes visit marked his first to the White House since 2018.
President Donald Trump announced late on Nov. 19 that he would meet with Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and mayor-elect of Trumps native New York City.

"Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st," the president said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. "Further details to follow!"

Trumps announcement of the summit comes weeks after Mamdanis victory on Nov. 4 over Andrew Cuomo, the former Democratic New York governor who lost in the primary and ran in the general election as an independent. The president has repeatedly bashed the 34-year-old Mamdani, a former state assemblyman, Muslim and, like Trump, also from Queens.

Mamdani Spokesperson Dora Pekec confirmed the two would meet: "As is customary for an incoming mayoral administration, the Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago."

The president first signaled on Nov. 16 that he would meet the soon-to-be mayor: "The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us, and well work something out. But he would like to come to Washington," Trump told reporters on Nov. 16. "We want to see everything work out well for New York."

Zohran Mamdani defeats Andrew Cuomo to become first Muslim mayor of New York City Supporters celebrate as initial projections of Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani win are declared during an election night watch party in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York on Nov. 4, 2025.

A Mamdani spokesperson previously said that the mayor-elect hoped to speak with the president about issues of affordability in the city. Mamdani has promised to make New York more affordable.

"We are seeing his actions and that of his administration in Washington leading to the exact opposite effect for New Yorkers," Mamdani said in a statement. "I will go to make the case to the President and to anyone, frankly, that these are the kinds of things we need to change if we want to make it easier for New Yorkers and for Americans to afford the day to day necessities of their life."

Trumps initial comments after Mamdanis election showed his distaste for the new leader of New York City.

"On Nov. 5, 2024, the American people reclaimed our government," Trump said at a business forum in Miami, Florida, the day after the election. "We restored our sovereignty  we lost a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York, but well take care of it, dont worry about it."

Contributing by Kinsey Crowley.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he will meet with NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani on Friday
Saad Almadi in the U.S. in Aug. 2021. (Ibrahim Almadi / via AP file)

A U.S. retiree held in Saudi Arabia over critical tweets has been freed months ahead of schedule, his son said, a day after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared hand-in-hand with President Donald Trump at the White House.

"Our family is overjoyed that, after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way home," his family said in a statement posted Wednesday by his son Ibrahim on X.

Riyadh authorities jailed and then banned Saad Almadi, 75, from leaving the country two years ago, downgrading his previous 19-year sentence that was handed down in 2021.

Ibrahim told CNN that his father, originally from Boca Raton, Florida, was arriving in Philadelphia on Thursday, crediting the Trump administration for his release.

"This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration," the family said in a statement, also thanking Trump official Sebastian Gorka.

"No American Left Behind. That is President realDonaldTrumps promise from Day One. @WhiteHouse, Gorka said, reposting the family statement.

Saad Almadi, right, with his son Ibrahim in an image released by the Almadi family in 2022. (AFP via Getty Images file)

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has touted his deal-making abilities, freeing several Americans imprisoned in other countries, including six Americans from Venezuela, and others from Russia, Afghanistan and Belarus.

Almadi's release came as Trump bolstered U.S. ties with Saudi Arabia, the once deeply conservative, oil-dependent theocracy that the 40-year-old crown prince, is trying to transform into a modern and more moderate global power.

Trump was attending a Saudi investment conference in Washington as the news emerged that Almadi was free.

A retired project manager who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s, Almadi had written over a dozen tweets critical of the Riyadh government.

He was arrested in Nov. 2021 during a visit to Saudi Arabia for a medical procedure, and sentenced to prison on terrorism-related charges.

The kingdom freed him after more than a year in prison, dropped his charges to "cyber crimes," and prevented him from leaving the country until next March.

One of the tweets Saudi authorities confronted Almadi over discussed the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, his family has said.

His early release comes after Trump defended the crown prince over the murder of the Washington Post columnist, disavowing the findings by his own intelligence agencies and telling reporters in the Oval Office that bin Salman knew nothing about it.

The CIA concluded that the crown prince had ordered the killing.

Bin Salman has cracked down on internal criticism, with human rights defenders inside and outside the country warning about unfair trials, arbitrary arrests and executions.

While Almadi may have been released, hundreds remain jailed or detained in the kingdom, including journalists, activists, scholars, and aid workers, human rights groups say.

Trump's defense of the crown prince drew criticism from rights groups. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

Bin Salman has worked hard to repair his country's image on the global stage, pressing his modernization drive while wielding the kingdoms power as the worlds largest oil producer and a growing diplomatic player.

On Tuesday, the crown prince made his first visit to the White House since the murder and received an elaborate welcome that included a military flyover and an honor guard on horseback  as well as Trump's rhetorical defense.

Despite the crown prince's success in partially modernizing Saudi society and the economy, the country of 33 million people remains a monarchy where expressing dissent can be dangerous.

When asked about Khashoggi's murder on Tuesday, the crown prince promised that we are doing our best that this doesnt happen again.

Its been painful for us in Saudi Arabia, he said.
The universes expansion might not be accelerating but slowing down, a new study suggests.

If confirmed, the finding would upend decades of established astronomical assumptions and rewrite our understanding of dark energy, the elusive force that counters the inward pull of gravity in our universe.

Two separate teams of astronomers, while observing bright, exploding stars called Type 1a supernovas, put forth the idea in 1998 that dark energy might enable the universe to expand at an accelerating rate.

The scientists had noted that some of the most distant supernovas were dimmer than expected and concluded that they had moved away from Earth faster than anticipated. The discovery won them a Nobel Prize in physics in 2011.

However, the nature of dark energy has remained a mystery, and its role in the universes expansion has been called into question before.

Last year, a consortium of hundreds of researchers using data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) in Arizona, developed the largest ever 3D map of the universe. The observations hinted at the fact that dark energy may be weakening over time, indicating that the universes rate of expansion could eventually slow.

Now, a study published November 6 in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society provides further evidence that dark energy might not be pushing on the universe with the same strength it used to.

This Hubble Space Telescope image features a supernova in the constellation Gemini. - ESA/Hubble/NASA/R. J. Foley (UC Santa Cruz)

The DESI projects findings last year represented a major, major paradigm change  and our result, in some sense, agrees well with that, said Young-Wook Lee, a professor of astrophysics at Yonsei University in South Korea and lead researcher for the new study.

Lee and his colleagues work builds on the evolving understanding of dark energy, suggesting that the universes expansion has already started to slow down  something that could alter the fate of the universe itself. Dark energy is there, but the present universe has already entered a decelerating phase, today, Lee said. So the fate of the universe could change. And if you can change the fate of the universe, that is really important progress in cosmology.

Aging supernovas

To reach their conclusions, the researchers analyzed a sample of 300 galaxies containing Type 1a supernovas and posited that the dimming of distant exploding stars was not only due to their moving farther away from Earth, but also due to the progenitor stars age.

Before our work, Type Ia supernovae were thought to explode with nearly identical intrinsic brightness, making them highly reliable standard candles, said study coauthor Junhyuk Son, a doctoral candidate of astronomy at Yonsei University. However, we found that their luminosity actually depends on the age of the stars that produce them  younger progenitors yield slightly dimmer supernovae, while older ones are brighter.

Son said the team has a high statistical confidence  99.99%  about this age-brightness relation, allowing them to use Type 1a supernovas more accurately than before to assess the universes expansion.

This detailed view from the James Webb Space Telescope reveals thousands of distant galaxies, some dating back to the earliest periods of cosmic history. - ESA/Webb/NASA/CSA

If confirmed, this would represent the most significant shift in cosmology since the discovery of dark energy in 1998, Son said. It would suggest that the (expansion of the) universe is no longer accelerating today and that dark energy is not a constant force but something that evolves over time. This discovery would open an entirely new chapter in our understanding of the physical nature of dark energy, how it has changed throughout cosmic history, and what it ultimately means for the fate of the universe.

Eventually, if the expansion continues to slow down, the universe could begin to contract, ending in what astronomers imagine may be the opposite of the big bang  the big crunch. That is certainly a possibility, Lee said. Even two years ago, the Big Crunch was out of the question. But we need more work to see whether it could actually happen.

Extraordinary claims

The 2011 Nobel Prize laureates in physics (from left) Saul Perlmutter, Adam Riess and Brian P. Schmidt chat during a news conference at The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm in December 2011. - Janerik Henriksson/Reuters

The new research proposes a radical revision of accepted knowledge, so, understandably, it is being met with skepticism.

This study rests on a flawed premise, Adam Riess, a professor of physics and astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University and one of the recipients of the 2011 Nobel Prize in physics, said in an email. It suggests supernovae have aged with the Universe, yet observations show the opposite  todays supernovae occur where young stars form. The same idea was proposed years ago and refuted then, and there appears to be nothing new in this version.

Lee, however, said Riess claim is incorrect. Even in the present-day Universe, Type Ia supernovae are found just as frequently in old, quiescent elliptical galaxies as in young, star-forming ones  which clearly shows that this comment is mistaken. The so-called paper that refuted our earlier result relied on deeply flawed data with enormous uncertainties, he said, adding that the age-brightness correlation has been independently confirmed by two separate teams in the United States and China.

Other experts in the field who were not involved with the study echoed some of Riess concerns. Dan Scolnic, an associate professor of physics at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, noted that the study makes a leap from host galaxy age to supernova age that isnt physically justified. The authors are proposing ideas that the community has already tested and corrected for with much larger data sets. The universe is still accelerating just fine, Scolnic said.

Dillon Brout, an assistant professor in the departments of astronomy and physics of Boston University, pointed out via email that the paper raises a fair question about how the ages of supernova progenitors change over cosmic time, adding that it is always important to challenge our way of thinking in order to a better understand of the universe. However, the way they model that evolution is not supported by observations nor by our understanding of how these systems form. Modern supernova analyses already account for the connection between brightness and the environments where these stars originate, which captures most of the effect they discuss, he added.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, Dragan Huterer, a professor of physics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, said in an email, noting that he does not feel the new research rises to the threshold to overturn the currently favored model.

Lee is aware that the work might be controversial. We have a long way to go to convince everyone in the supernova cosmology community, he said. There are still many people who are strongly against (our results), so a lot of debate and discussions should happen in the near future.

However, he added, more clarity on the issue might be around the corner. The new Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which started operating this year, is set to help settle the debate with the early 2026 launch of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, an ultrawide and ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe made by scanning the entire sky every few nights over 10 years to capture a compilation of asteroids and comets, exploding stars, and distant galaxies as they change.

The night sky dazzles above the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Cerro Pachon, Chile on June 8. Beginning in early 2026, the observatory's decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time will generate an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe. - Vera Rubin Observatory/Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Vera Rubin will discover more than 20,000 new supernova host galaxies with very high-precision age measurement, Lee said. It will take three or five years, and it will allow a more direct cosmological test without worrying about this age bias effect.

Dark energy is getting weirder and weirder, Lee concluded. But there is no good theory that can explain this very weird behavior. So I think we are missing something. Maybe, in five years, an even more surprising result can come up.

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FILE PHOTO: Attorneys for former U.S. President Donald Trump; James Trusty, Lindsey Halligan and John Rowley, depart the U.S. Justice Department after meeting with Justice Department officials over the Trump Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, after Trump's lawyers last month sent the department a letter asking for a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, in Washington, U.S. June 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Lynch/File Photo

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday denied that President Donald Trump's appointed prosecutor who secured an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey engaged in any misconduct, and asked a federal judge not to force prosecutors to turn over secret grand jury materials to Comey's defense team.

In court filings and in statements to the media, the department defended Lindsey Halligan, who was hand-picked by Trump to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for Virginia's Eastern District after her predecessor was forced out after expressing concerns about the strength of the evidence in the case.

The US Attorney and grand jury in this case operated exactly as the law requires," a Justice Department official said in a statement. "Nothing in the record suggests misconduct, irregularity, or confusion. Claims to the contrary are simply unsupported.

The Justice Department's defense of the handling of the case came after U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, in Alexandria, Virginia, ruled on Tuesday that Halligan may have made significant legal errors in presenting evidence and instructing grand jurors who were weighing whether to charge Comey. Fitzpatrick ordered prosecutors to turn over the grand jury materials to Comey's lawyers.

Comey is among three prominent critics of the Republican president who have been hit with criminal charges by the Justice Department in recent months. Earlier on Wednesday, Comey's attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff to dismiss the case, arguing that Comey is the target of an improper "vindictive" prosecution brought solely to punish him for his criticism of the president.

Comey has pleaded not guilty after being charged in September with making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation.

Fitzpatrick, who was tasked with deciding certain pretrial issues in Comey's case, highlighted a variety of procedural errors that could endanger the case.

Among the blunders he cited were prosecutors' decision to review evidence the FBI seized years earlier without securing a new warrant and allowing an FBI agent to testify to the grand jury even though the agent may have been exposed to material shielded by attorney-client privilege, a legal doctrine that protects legal advice between lawyers and their clients.

Fitzpatrick also found that Halligan made statements to grand jurors harmful to Comey's legal rights, and questioned whether she presented the current version of the indictment Comey is facing to the grand jury, after it rejected a criminal count in a prior version.

At Wednesday's hearing before Nachmanoff, prosecutors acknowledged that the current version of the indictment was not presented to the entire grand jury, but was signed by the jury foreperson - an admission that raises questions about the validity of the case.

Grand jury materials are secret and rarely shared with defense lawyers in criminal cases, and in ordering that the material be turned over to the defense, Fitzpatrick acknowledged that it was an "extraordinary remedy."

Nachmanoff temporarily paused Fitzpatrick's order asking prosecutors to hand over grand jury materials to the defense, after the Justice Department objected.

"The magistrate judge's recommendation is grounded in misreadings of the transcript, incorrect legal conclusions, and factual assumptions that the record directly disproves," prosecutors wrote in a court filing on Wednesday.

"None of the rationales offered for disclosure withstands examination. The U.S. Attorney did not misstate the law, the grand jury was not misled, and the transcript shows a routine, regular presentation of the indictment."

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Leslie Adler)
People wait to be called upon at a Social Security office in New York City, U.S., July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) -The Social Security Administration has scrapped a plan that would have stopped thousands of Americans from qualifying for disability benefits, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the decision.

The policy would have changed eligibility for two federal disability programs by either eliminating or limiting the age of the claimant as a factor for consideration, the report said.

An announcement had been on track to be made in the Federal Register as soon as December, the Washington Post said.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; additional reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Leslie Adler)
A promotional graphic for The Center Squares Illinois in Focus daily news program.

(The Center Square)  In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary where Chicago Flips Red Vice President Daniel Carter-Walters testified about immigration enforcement in the Windy City.

Bishop also gives both sides of the debate around a proposed 3% surcharge on Illinois millionaires to fund property tax relief rebates. Former Gov. Pat Quinn says if voters approve the idea, more than $4 billion would be raised. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy said that will push more high earners out of the state.

Finally, Bishop shares some of the questions and responses around the state's handling of federal tax subsidies through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Illinois' high SNAP error rate could end up costing Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Subscribe to Illinois in Focus Daily with The Center Square on YouTube. You can also subscribe to the Illinois in Focus podcast to get the entire show uninterrupted.
WA Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy discussing lawsuit against WA Dept. of Ecology over failure to supply emissions data. Screenshot of video interview by Carleen Johnson

(The Center Square)  In early October, a lawsuit was filed in Thurston County Superior Court by a pair of state lawmakers and a public policy organization against two state agencies for what the plaintiffs say is the agencies failure to comply with a state law requiring the timely reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.

Represented by the Citizen Action Defense Fund, state Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco; state Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy; the Washington Policy Center and WPC Vice President for Research Todd Myers filed the lawsuit against the Department of Commerce and the Department of Ecology.

State law requires the Department of Ecology to produce a greenhouse gas inventory every two years, helping lawmakers analyze the impacts of the Climate Commitment Act and track progress toward emissions goals. However, the most recent greenhouse gas data only goes through 2021.

Can you show your work? Dye asked. What is the protocol that you use to measure that? What is your protocol going to be to measure the carbon reductions? Is it going to be actuals in air quality or carbon dioxide reduction? We need to see the data.

Myers provided some background information on the current lawsuit.

When we sued earlier this year, the Department of Ecology was very candid that they were not complying with the law, he told The Center Square on Wednesday. Their excuse was that it was too hard to comply. That is not an excuse that is acceptable for anybody they regulate. So, it shouldn't be an acceptable excuse for a state agency that answers to the people in the Legislature.

A previous lawsuit by Myers was dismissed earlier this year by Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese, who ruled Myers didnt have standing in the case.

So that's why Rep. Dye and Sen. Torres joined this lawsuit, because if the argument is only legislators have standing, then they can sue and hold Ecology accountable, Myers explained.

Dye told The Center Square that although lawmakers dont have data showing that expensive climate programs are having the desired effect, they do know that Washington families are struggling because of these policies.

We pulled $3.2 billion out of our economy  the productive part of our economy  because production means using energy and using it wisely, she said. And that's what grows prosperity and human flourishing. Energy poverty is human poverty. And as this program is rolled out, we're seeing our middle America, average middle-class people, struggling to pay their utility bill, and cringing at the pump.

As reported by The Center Square, Senate Bill 5036, known as the Climate Accountability Act, passed the Legislature this session and was signed into law. It unanimously passed both the Senate and House and became effective on July 27. The law requires more frequent reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions to improve the effectiveness of climate programs.

A fiscal note attached to the legislation indicates Ecology would hire 5.4 new full-time employees over the next five years to compile the climate data, at a cost of more than $1.6 million.

We're hurting people on fixed incomes. We're hurting young families just getting started on the first rung of economic success in our society, said Dye. We're seeing people of means leave the state. And we've created a policy that we need accountability for  if the juice is worth the squeeze and we are genuinely impactful globally for climate improvements, let me know. Put it on paper. Show your work.

Myers said that even before SB 5036, there is no excuse for the agencys failure to produce evidence.

They say that they don't have the resources. They absolutely do have the resources, he said. The CO2 tax has earned more revenue than was expected. In fact, the Department of Ecology earlier this year put out a projection of what the prices would be this year and into the future. And the prices, the tax, the level of the tax is already higher than they predicted under the highest scenario for 2028. The state has the money, and the cost of the program is higher than even they expected. So, for them to say, I'm sorry, we can't do our job is just not a defensible position.

The Center Square reached out to several communications staff members at the Department of Ecology for comment on the lawsuit and specific questions about the number of employees hired by the agency to administer the program, but did not receive a response.
Karoline Leavitt briefs reporters during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 17, 2025. Photo: Caroline Boda / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  Despite several social media posts that seem to suggest the contrary, President Donald Trump does not want to execute Democratic members of Congress for seditious behavior, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.

Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday morning to berate the two U.S. senators and three representatives  all Democrats with prior national security or military service  who recently urged military service members to refuse illegal orders.

Linking to a story by the Washington Examiner that reported on the lawmakers comments, Trump accused the five Democrats of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL, he wrote. Their words cannot be allowed to stand  We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.

About an hour later, the president posted SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! and then shared a comment that said HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!

Democrats immediately condemned the posts, with Democratic leaders in the House calling Trumps statements disgusting and dangerous death threats.

The five lawmakers who had called on service members to disobey illegal orders  Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.; and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; and Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colo.; Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H.; Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.; and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.;  stated jointly that [n]o threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us.

Whats most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law, they added. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders.

Leavitt, however, denied that Trump wants to execute members of Congress and accused the lawmakers, who knew what they were doing, of perpetuating a very, very dangerous message.

Lets be clear what the president is responding to, Leavitt said in a Thursday afternoon presser. You have sitting members of the United States Congress who conspired together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States militaryencouraging them to defy the presidents lawful orders.

Although the lawmakers only told servicemembers to defy unlawful orders, theyre suggesting that the president has given illegal orders, which he has not, Leavitt said.

To suggest and encourage that active duty servicemembers defy the chain of command is a very dangerous thing for sitting members of Congress to do, and they should be held accountable, and thats what the president wants to see.
Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada sent a letter to Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo Wednesday night, urging him to hold Elon Musks tunneling company, the Boring Company, accountable after firefighters were burned by chemicals in its tunnels and after the company was caught dumping wastewater in Las Vegas manholes.

This project in Southern Nevada has been riddled with safety and environmental concerns since the start, wrote Congresswoman Titus, a Democrat, and one of four politicians representing the state of Nevada in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the letter, which Fortune is first to report, Titus wrote that the way Governor Lombardos staff appeared to have handled an OSHA safety investigation into the Boring Company, and its resulting fines, raises larger questions about whether Southern Nevadans can trust that their health and safety are being protected.

This was all done outside of the official process that allows entities to challenge citations made by Nevada OSHA in a manner that safeguards transparency and accountability, Titus wrote in the letter to the states Republican governor. Steve Davis, president of the Boring Company, and Sean Sims, head of Loop safety and security at Boring, were also copied on the letter.

The letter, which extensively cites reporting by Fortune over the past two years, comes shortly after Fortunes most recent investigation published last week, which revealed that three willful citations that had been issued against the Boring Company in May were rescinded a day after Boring Companys president called a representative from Lombardos office.

Nevada OSHA and the agencies that sit above it have maintained that the citations did not meet necessary legal requirements, and were therefore not valid. And OSHA said that the governors office frequently fields concerns from businesses in the state. However, Fortune found that the rescinding process itself and the case files lack of explanation for their removal went outside OSHAs operating procedure. A document was also altered in the public record, which raised alarm among Nevada regulators and lawyers in the state, who said what took place was inappropriate. Chris Reilly, the representative from Lombardos office who interfaced with Boring Company regarding the citations, told Fortune in its previous story that no record was edited at the direction of me, the Governors Office, DIR, B&I, or any other entity I am aware of, adding that the insinuation that these officers had directed such a deletion was incorrect.

In her letter, Titus asked whether Lombardo would cooperate with a public hearing and asked him to commit to make the agreed monthly meetings between Nevada OSHAs chief administrative officer and the Boring Company public. She also asked for specifics regarding which officials had initially signed off on the citations before they were issued, and who made the decision to rescind the citations against Boring Company, among other requests.

Please release the final justification document and/or all draft justification documents behind the decision by your Administration to rescind the fine against Boring, including any documents that have been deleted from public records, the letter requests.

Fortune had reported in its investigation that people within the agency were frightened of examining Boring Company after two staffers who worked on the case had been disciplined. In the letter, Titus asked what actions Lombardos office is taking to ensure that safety concerns about its Vegas Loop project were addressed appropriately and what procedures were in place to protect Nevada OSHA staffers with concerns about retaliation.

The push from Boring executives to build the tunnel quickly without consideration for worker and public safety is clear, Titus wrote.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nevadas OSHA issued a lengthy press release titled Setting the record straight, reiterating many of the same points it made in Fortunes previous article and insisting there was no political influence.

Governor Lombardos press secretary did not respond to an immediate request for comment for this story.

Too many cooks in the kitchen

In an interview this week, Titus said she found Fortunes findings to be horrendous and said she was concerned for the safety of her constituents. She raised explicit concern about Boring Company being caught dumping wastewater in Las Vegas manholes. If theyre willing to do that. What other shortcuts are they taking? she asked.

Until now, Titus, whose district includes Las Vegas, said she hadnt closely followed the progress of the Las Vegas Loop project, which has been underway since 2019.

I havent been watching it so closely, she said. I guess I should have, since I didnt realize that nobody else was.

Titus said that, between the Clark County regulators, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Division of Industrial Relations, Nevada OSHA, and the Governors office, there were too many cooks in the kitchen, and she recommended more centralized responsibility with the Boring Company project moving forward.

I think looking at how to streamline that, or just put more responsibility in one place that can be held more accountable, would be a good reform, she said.

Titus is advocating for more transparency: She said she is pushing for a public hearing on the matter and, in her letter to Lombardo, asked that he open up Nevada OSHAs meetings with Boring Company to the public.

Titus said that she is contemplating working with someone to file a federal OSHA complaint if that seems appropriate, as she openly questioned whether the legislature needed to take another look at the power given to the state OSHA plan.

Its going to take some guts to stand up to it and demand some changes, but I think people here in Nevada are willing to do that, she said.

You can read the full letter below:

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Michael Franco; Repost Pictures Audrey Eckert wearing the Miss USA crown; the Miss USA crown.

NEED TO KNOW

On Oct. 24, Audrey Eckert was crowned Miss USA 2025 on stage in Reno, Nev.

The Nebraska native was awarded a sash and the coveted Miss USA crown, which she will wear while competing at Miss Universe in Thailand on Nov. 21

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the details of the exquisitely made headpiece, which contained over 600 diamonds and dozens of pearls and sapphires

The glittering crown worn by Miss USA 2025 titleholder Audrey Eckert truly does contain multitudes.

The headpiece was created over the course of thousands of hours, and it was built using hundreds of exquisite materials. It's also dually representative of the pageant's 74-year history and its recent entrance into a fresh, modern era under new leadership.

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the first up-close look at the pageant's glittering crowning glory. It's comprised of 602 lab-grown diamonds, 43 cultured pearls, 31 sapphire gems and a London blue topaz.

Michael Franco Audrey Eckert and Victoria Kjr Theilvig.

Shortly after the Miss USA organization was acquired by Thom Brodeur in September 2025, he and his team got to work recreating what's known as the "Infinite Dreams Crown." Brodeur, and co-national directors Elise Banks-Lovely and Laura Clark collaborated with designer Andrew Ibot to mock up a vision, and they entrusted Constance Polamalu to bring it to life.

As the founder of Bloomstone Jewelers and COO of Zacharys Jewelers, Polamalu is far from new to the world of fine jewelry. However, working on the coveted prize marks a milestone achievement for the lifelong pageantry fan.

I participated in pageants growing up, and I always dreamed of one day designing a crown myself. In one of my pageant interviews, I even said that one of my biggest dreams was to design the Miss Universe Crown," she tells PEOPLE. "Being selected to produce this years Miss USA crown still feels completely unreal."

Polamalu continues, "As a small, independent jeweler, opportunities like this are the kind that you hope and dream about, but never quite expect. Right now, theres something really exciting happening in the jewelry world where small brands like ours are getting huge opportunities like this that once felt out of reach."

S92 Photography Victoria Kjr Theilvig crowns Audrey Eckert at Miss USA.

The cost of Miss USA's most prominent symbol accurately reflects the expert craftsmanship and highest quality materials that when into it. PEOPLE can confirm its estimated price totals around $250,000.

The value of this crown celebrates the skilled American labor, local resources and relationships behind it," Polamalu shares. "We're proud to have spent countless hours creating it right here in the U.S."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The coveted headpiece has followed 2025 winner Eckert all the way to Bangkok, Thailand, where she'll compete in the Miss Universe pageant on Friday, Nov. 21. Wearing the crown on the famed international stage is an "honor," she tells PEOPLE, just as it is to "help usher in a new era of Miss USA."

This crown is so much more than a symbol of beauty and achievement; it represents the renewed vision for Miss USA and the collaborative passion of everyone who helped shape it," says Eckert. "Ive been preparing for this moment for years, and always said Id hit the ground running. Im proud to wear a crown that reflects purpose, growth and the power to create infinite dreams for generations to come.

Read the original article on People
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday a $15 million reward for information on former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who faces new charges in connection with a drug-trafficking operation.

Wedding, 44, a Canadian citizen living in Mexico, faces nine charges that include two additional counts of witness tampering and intimidation, murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking, on top of charges of overseeing the operations of a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, according to a DOJ statement.

An unsealed indictment showed that Wedding was indicted in connection with a persons death in Colombia to help Wedding avoid extradition to the U.S. He was indicted in 2024 for allegedly operating a drug ring that transported 60 tons of cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Canada and California.

Authorities previously offered a $10 million reward for information that would lead to Wedding and his arrest and prosecution. In March, Wedding was added to the FBIs 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Whether youre a kingpin or a dealer on the street, anyone who sells drugs to our kids will be arrested and prosecuted, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the statement. Ryan Wedding controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world and works closely with the Sinaloa Cartel. We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBIs Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled.

The updated charges stem from the death of a person who was a witness to a 2024 federal narcotics case against Wedding, the DOJ stated. Wedding allegedly placed a bounty on the person, who was later found and shot to death in a Medellin, Colombia, restaurant in January.

The murder of a witness in Colombia earlier this year was a cruel, cold-blooded act that could not and did not go unanswered, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said in the statement. This weeks arrests underscore our resolve to root out and punish the wrongdoers involved in this criminal organization and serve as a warning for drug lord Ryan Wedding: If convicted, you will never see the outside of a prison ever again.

The 2024 indictment stated that Wedding faces charges in connection with a shooting that killed two members of a family and seriously injured a third in Caledon, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 20, 2023, in retaliation of a stolen drug shipment that passed through Southern California.

Along with the updated charges for Wedding, 18 people face charges in connection with the operation. Of that number, 10 people were arrested pursuant of the indictment, including seven Canadian citizens, two Colombians and one Colombian resident from Florida. All were arrested in connection with the second phase of the DOJs law enforcement action called Operation Giant Slalom.

One of those arrested, Deepak Balwant Paradkar, 62, of Thornhill, Ontario, was charged in connection with advice given to Wedding to kill the witness in January so Wedding could avoid being extradited on the 2024 charges, the DOJ stated.

Paradkar also provided Wedding with court documents and discovery to which he would not otherwise have access, and  through attorneys whose representation he secured  access to enterprise members and associates who either were arrested, indicted, or under investigation, the DOJ stated.

Another person arrested in connection with Wedding, Gursewak Singh Bal, 31, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Bal was the co-founder and co-operator of a news website. Bal allegedly agreed to post a photograph of the witness in order for them to be found and killed, the DOJ stated.

Authorities continued to search for Wedding and three other people who face charges in connection with the drug-trafficking operation. As of Wednesday, 11 people have been arrested in connection with Wedding and the drug trafficking operation.

If convicted, Wedding and those facing murder charges, could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Updated at 5:22 p.m. EDT

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.
China, Russia, and North Koreas de facto alliance risks creating a "new world order which could lead to Tokyo facing a three-front contingency in the future, a report released by a think tank of Japans defence ministry said.

The China Security Report 2026, released by the National Institute for Defence Studies (NIDS) in Tokyo, argued that the strategic partnership among the three countries is becoming increasingly assertive, though marked by internal imbalances.

It noted that although a formal military alliance among the three countries has not been formed, they have already built a de facto coordinated relationship that functions as a strategic bloc in key areas.

It comes as Japans relations with China deteriorated to its worst levels in years. Japans new prime minister Sanae Takaichi recently sparked a controversy after she said a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response. Beijing demanded she retract the remarks and urged its citizens not to travel to Japan, resulting in mass cancellations that could deal a sizeable blow to the world's fourth-largest economy.

The report noted that China is expanding its political and military influence while Russias war in Ukraine has driven Moscow into a tighter embrace with both Beijing and Pyongyang.

North Korea, meanwhile, is leveraging the geopolitical turbulence to advance its nuclear ambitions and gain greater independence from any single patron.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at Tiananmen Square in Beijing Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 (KCNA)

North Korea has become capable of confronting the United States on its own by securing more independent options through enhanced deterrence, it said.

The report quoted Zhang Tuosheng, a senior research fellow at the Grandview Institution, saying that North Korea developing its nuclear capabilities will trigger a domino effect in the medium to long term.

It will lead to the nuclearisation of Japan and the South and, as a result, an all-out collapse of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, he said.

By conducting joint military exercises and patrols with Russia, China has sent signals to other parts of the world while examining its own military and operational capabilities, said Masayuki Masuda, the lead author of the report.

Images of a visibly emotional Kim mourning the soldiers killed in Russia were broadcast by the official Korean Central Television (KCTV)

These joint military actions by Russia, China and North Korea may create worrisome situations for Japan through their coordinated actions, it said.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, and Russian president Vladimir Putin stood shoulder-to-shoulder for the first time on 3 September as they attended a massive military parade in Beijing.

It was the first time for Mr Kim, Mr Xi and Mr Putin, all key challengers of the US, gathered at the same venue.

Russia has become North Koreas foreign policy priority since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has been supplying troops and ammunition to support the war in exchange for economic and military assistance.

Analysts say that Mr Kim is also seeking to restore ties, as China is North Korea's biggest trading partner and aid benefactor, and he would want to brace for the end of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The joint appearance of the Chinese, Russian, and North Korean leaders at the Tiananmen viewing platform on September 3 is anticipated to act as a momentum for trilateral strategic coordination, the report said.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin walks with China's President Xi Jinping and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025 (Sputnik)

As a result, Northeast Asia may see an intensification of a Japan-US-ROK versus China-Russia-North Korea bloc confrontation dynamic, it said, referring to South Korea with its official name.

The report urged policymakers to prepare for a world where China exerts greater global influence, Russia remains unpredictable and militarised, and North Korea operates with increasing confidence under the protection of two major powers.

The report warns that Japan must now prepare for a potential three-front contingency, with simultaneous pressure from China, Russia and North Korea.

It says the three states are expanding military coordination and acting more assertively around Japans periphery, creating the risk of overlapping crises. This emerging security environment, it argues, could stretch Japans defences in ways not seen since the Cold War.
The United States Marine Corps from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed to the US Southern Command, and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force are holding joint exercises across Trinidad and Tobago from Nov. 1621. - US Embassy Port of Spain/US Embassy Port of Spain

The United States shared images on Wednesday of joint military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, as its armed forces amass in the region, building pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The deployment is receiving logistical and diplomatic support from multiple Latin American countries, ranging from limited assistance to open cooperation with to US forces.

Heres more on whos backing the US operation in the Caribbean, which Washington says is meant to combat drug trafficking in the region:

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago, which is only 11 kilometers (7 miles) from Venezuela at its closest point, has declared its full support for the US operation.

I, along with most of the country, am happy that the US naval deployment is having success in their mission, Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in early September, after the US launched its first attack on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean. I have no sympathy for traffickers; the US military should kill them all violently, she added.

After the US began the deployment in August, Persad-Bissessar also warned that if Venezuela attacks Guyana, a country with which it has a territorial dispute, she would grant the US government access for defense operations. The declaration showed her willingness to abandon a yearslong policy of neutrality and a pragmatic relationship with Venezuela based on economic interests.

People watch and take pictures of the USS Gravely, a US Navy warship, departing the Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, on October 30. - Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images

In late October, the US Navy destroyer USS Gravely carried out military drills in Trinidad and Tobago for several days, a move that the Venezuelan government called a hostile provocation. Maduro responded by announcing the suspension of bilateral gas agreements with the country, claiming its prime minister was threatening to turn Trinidad and Tobago into the aircraft carrier of the US empire against Venezuela.

Guyana

Guyana backed the US military deployment in the Caribbean shortly after it started in August, saying it would support a collaborative and integrated approach to tackle transnational organized crime.

It added that transnational organized crime was a threat to peace and security in the region and involved networks like the Cartel de los Soles of Venezuela.

Washington claims Cartel de los Soles is led by Maduro and is responsible for trafficking drugs to the US and Europe. Caracas has dismissed the accusation as a fabrication. But experts and former US government officials say the group is not a formally organized cartel, and its a stretch to suggest Maduro leads it, though there is government involvement in the drug trade.

The head of US Southern Command Admiral Alvin Holsey visited Guyana this month to promote regional security and met with senior commanders to discuss a long-standing defense alliance between both countries, the US Embassy said.

El Salvador

In early November, an AC-130J military aircraft operated by the US Air Force was spotted in El Salvadors Comalapa Cooperative Security Base, according to photos and satellite imagery obtained by CNN.

The gunship can carry Hellfire missiles but is primarily armed with large-caliber cannons. The AC-130J seen in El Salvador had two cannons  including a 105mm howitzer  visible its left side.

Until recently, the Salvadoran base had been used almost exclusively for unarmed aircraft, according to the US Southern Command. Its location near the coast provides a strategic position for the US campaign in the Pacific, as the reach of bases in the Caribbean is limited.

Operating from Comalapa offers more options and allows for monitoring and defending a much wider swath of the Pacific Ocean, through which much of the cocaine trafficked to the United States passes, Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNN earlier in November.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has not commented specifically on the US military deployment, but he has a close relationship with US President Donald Trump.

Panama

US military personnel are conducting training exercises in Panama, although the government of President Jose Raul Mulino is trying to downplay the matter.

The president denied last week that his country is participating in any hostile act against Venezuela and asserted that the military maneuvers are part of bilateral cooperation agreements with Washington.

Panama, which has not had armed forces since 1990, has hosted military exercises since the US invasion of the country in 1989. In April, Panama signed a memorandum of cooperation enabling a greater US military presence and authorizing the use of air and naval bases for joint exercises. Mulino again denied that the activities are related to the White Houses pressure on Venezuela.

Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader said Monday that the Dominican Republic and the US Drug Enforcement Administration would launch much more extensive and in-depth actions in the fight against drug trafficking.

That same day, Dominican authorities said they boarded a speedboat with 806 packages of suspected cocaine off the coast of Pedernales. The National Drug Control Directorate said the intervention was in support of Operation Southern Spear, the name the Pentagon uses for the military deployment in the region.

The collaboration had already begun on Saturday, when authorities seized another shipment of nearly 500 packages of cocaine on a speedboat.

Puerto Rico and other bases

Puerto Rico, a self-governing US territory in the Caribbean, also plays a key role in the deployment, as it contains the most US military bases in the Caribbean.

Satellite imagery and photographs taken in the area show that Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, which had been closed since 2004, is now operational again, and that US Marines supporting the Southern Command missions participated in amphibious landing drills in the archipelago in late September.

Members of the US Marine Corps, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, work at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, on September 13, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. - Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP/Getty Images

The United States has two other bases in and around the Caribbean, but in both cases, the countries where theyre located have spoken out against the deployment.

In southeastern Cuba, the Guantanamo Naval Base has been used for logistical, surveillance, and other operations since 1903, but the Cuban government, an ally of Venezuela, has repeatedly rejected the US military presence as well as its recent deployment.

Washington also has an air base in Honduras staffed by more than 500 US military personnel and 500 Honduran and American civilians, according to its website. In January, before Trump took office, Honduran President Xiomara Castro threatened to reconsider the use of the base if the US carried out mass deportations. In August, she called some of Washingtons accusations against Maduro unfounded and later spoke out against the US military deployment in the Caribbean.

Political support

Countries in South America have shown political support for Washingtons pressure campaign on Venezuela.

In August, Ecuador designated Cartel de los Soles as an organized crime terrorist group. The decree was signed by President Daniel Noboa, an ally of Washington, whose attempts to lift a ban on foreign military bases was rejected in a recent referendum.

Paraguay and Argentina, other White House allies, have also designated Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization.

CNNs Michael Rios contributed to this report.

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A Miss Universe contestant had to be taken away in a stretcher after suffering a fall during the pageant.

The incident occurred on Wednesday (19 November) during the preliminary evening gown round of the international major beauty pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand.

In footage circulated online by Meekii Modez, Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, is seen posing at the front of the stage in an orange gown and high heels when she falls off the stage.

Audibly shocked at the moment, the audience can be heard asking Henry whether she is OK.

Other videos online show a group of people coming to help her, eventually carrying her off on a stretcher.

Hours later, the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation issued a statement on Instagram updating fans on Henrys wellbeing.

She was rushed to the Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries, the statement reads. However, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery.

The organisation went on to thank people for their love and support, and asking that they stay upbeat, lift her in prayer, and send positive thoughts as she receives the necessary medical care.

Miss Jamaica competes in Miss Universe 2025 (AFP/Getty)

Miss Universe Organisation President Raul Rocha also wrote on Instagram to say that he had been to the hospital where Henry is being treated, and that thankfully there are no broken bones and she is under good care.

This years competition kicked off earlier this month, with the sashing ceremony on 5 November. It has already become embroiled in controversy, however, with two judges resigning only days before the event.

Separately there was an earlier incident during which an argument broke out between Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch and pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil when he berated Bosch at a pre-pageant event for failing to post promotional content.

In footage of the moment, Bosch speaks up to say that Itsaragrisil is not respecting me as a woman, prompting him to call for security to remove her. Other contestants, including reigning title-holder Victoria Kjaer of Theilvig of Denmark, walked out in solidarity.

Miss Universe organisations president Cantu released a statement at the time, saying he would not allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated.

Nawat apologised in a social media statement to anyone [who] feels bad, uncomfortable, or affected by his actions.

The competition has pressed on despite the controversy, with the winner due to be crowned on 21 November.
An image of Ryan Wedding, a Canadian who is on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

A former Olympic snowboarder who allegedly became the head of a billion-dollar drug trafficking organization has been charged with ordering the murder of a witness against him earlier this year, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles.

Authorities said Ryan Wedding, a Canadian who is on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, issued an order to kill a witness in a 2024 federal narcotics case against him.

The order resulted in the victim being shot to death in a restaurant in Medellin, Colombia, in January 2025, prosecutors said.

Wedding, 44, is believed to be a fugitive in Mexico. He is charged in the nine-count indictment with overseeing the operations of a violent and lucrative criminal enterprise, according to the U.S. attorney's office in L.A.

Authorities arrested 10 people Tuesday as part of an operation investigators dubbed "Giant Slalom."

Those charged include Deepak Balwant Paradkar, 62, of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. Paradkar allegedly advised Wedding to murder the victim to prevent Wedding's extradition to the U.S. from Mexico on the 2024 charges against him.

Authorities described Gursewak Singh Bal, 31, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, as the co-founder and co-operator of a website called The Dirty News, described in the indictment as "an urban news outlet."

Prosecutors charge that Bal agreed to not post about Wedding and instead allegedly posted a photo of the witness in Colombia so that they could be located and killed.

Edwin Basora-Hernandez, 31, a reggaeton musician and citizen of the Dominican Republic said to reside in Montreal, allegedly provided Wedding's co-conspirators with the victims contact information, according to the U.S. attorney's office in L.A.

According to the indictment, Wedding allegedly placed a multi-million dollar bounty on the witness  identified only as Victim A  who was later shot five times in the head while he was eating at a restaurant.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli called the killing "a cruel, cold-blooded act" in a news release Wednesday.

This weeks arrests underscore our resolve to root out and punish the wrongdoers involved in this criminal organization and serve as a warning for drug lord Ryan Wedding: If convicted, you will never see the outside of a prison ever again," Essayli said.

Prosecutors announced charges Wednesday against a number of other Canadians allegedly involved in the conspiracy. They include Atna Ohna, 40, of Laval, Quebec; Allistair Chapman, 33, of Calgary; Ahmad Nabil Zitoun, 35, of Edmonton; and Rolan Sokolovski, 37, of Toronto.

Several Colombians were also charged. They were listed as Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, 47, of Bogota; Wilson Riascos, 45, from the city of Cali; and Yulieth Katherine Tejada, 36, described by authorities as a legal permanent resident from Colombia living in Orlando, Fla.

Read more:Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder charged with running drug trafficking organization, ordering killings

Wedding was previously charged in a 2024 indictment with running a continuing criminal enterprise, assorted drug trafficking charges and directing the murders of two members of a family in Canada in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment.

The U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday also sanctioned Wedding, alongside nine individuals and nine entities closely associated with him.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Chief of Police Jeffrey J. Farneski in 2016  Cleona Borough Police Department

A pickup truck crashed into the Cleona Borough Chief of Polices cruiser before slamming into a nearby home in Cleona Borough on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 19, Pennsylvania State Police said.

The crash happened just after noon in the 500 block of West Penn Avenue/Route 422 near North Mill Street, according to emergency dispatchers. Crews were sent around 12:19 p.m. for reports of a crash with someone possibly trapped, and EMS arrived immediately, officials said.

PSP Jonestown investigators confirmed the police vehicle involved belonged to Cleona Borough Chief of Police Jeffrey J. Farneski, 64, of Lebanon. According to the release, Chief Farneski was legally parked on the right shoulder of US-422 when the collision occurred.

The PSP crash report states that Robert L. VanAken, 74, of Lebanon, was driving a 2018 Ram pickup eastbound on West Penn Avenue when he failed to maintain his lane, drifted onto the eastbound shoulder, and rear-ended the Chiefs cruiser. The impact forced the cruiser forward 40 to 50 feet. VanAkens pickup then struck a second vehicles rear bumper before veering off the roadway.

The truck continued through the area and crashed into a house at 522 West Penn Avenue, where it came to rest, according to PSPs crash synopsis. Footage from the scene showed the police cruiser with severe rear-end damage and the red pickup lodged against the homes exterior.

Route 422 was closed for the investigation, but has since reopened.

Both VanAken and Chief Farneski were taken to Hershey Medical Center with injuries of unknown severity, PSP said. Life Lion EMS, First Aid & Safety Patrol, Annville Cleona Fire Department, and Cleona Fire Company assisted at the scene.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, and the investigation remains active.
Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Adamina | Wikimedia Commons

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed this week to reenter the fractious national debate over immigration by taking up a new case, which asks whether asylum seekers who present themselves at the U.S. border may be lawfully turned away or whether they must instead be inspected by immigration officials and entered into the asylum system for further processing.

The case is Noem v. Al Otro Lado. According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, an alien "who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival)may apply for asylum." In May, a divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit held that for purposes of federal immigration law, an alien who had reached the U.S. border, yet was still on the Mexican side of that border, had "arrive[d]" in the U.S. "The phrase 'arrives in the United States,'" the majority held, "encompasses those who encounter officials at the border, whichever side of the border they are standing on."

Writing in dissent, 9th Circuit Judge Ryan Nelson argued that "no English speaker uses the term 'arrives in' to mean anything but being physically present in a location." In the dissent's view, "this statutory language is as unambiguous as it gets."

The Trump administration now wants the Supreme Court to side with that dissent. "An alien on the Mexican side of the border may be 'close to the United States,'" the government argued in its brief seeking review, "and may even have 'arrived at the United States border,' but he has not 'arrived in the United States.'"

The immigrant rights group Al Otro Lado, by contrast, has urged the Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration's "narrow" reading of the law. The Immigration and Nationality Act, the group pointed out, "states that any person who arrives 'at a designated port of arrival' will be inspected and may apply for asylum." Thus, "a noncitizen who presents herself to a government official right at the border is'at' the port, just as someone standing at the front gate of a house is 'at' that house."

We'll find out sometime next year which one of these dueling statutory interpretations finds favor with a majority of the Supreme Court.

Odds & Ends: Ken Burns and Me

In 2014, I interviewed the great documentary filmmaker Ken Burns about his then-latest project, The Roosevelts, a sort of triple biography of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt. I have always enjoyed watching Burns' films and this one was no exception. (My favorite of his films is The Civil War.)

But I also had some problems with The Roosevelts, and it was fun discussing those problems with Burns himself. "It was not our intention to make a puff piece," he told me, "but a complicated, intertwined, integrated narrative about one hell of an American family." In my view, he was only partially successful. Among other shortcomings, the film underplayed the Roosevelt family's many abuses of political power. You can read more about it here.

I have Burns on the brain this week for obvious reasons. His latest film, The American Revolution, just premiered on PBS. I have only watched part of it so far, but I count myself a fan. I have especially enjoyed seeing a number of my favorite historians pop up on screen as talking heads. I was delighted to see Rick Atkinson, for example, who, as George Will has put it, now stands as America's "finest military historian, living or dead." If you haven't yet read the first two published volumes of Atkinson's trilogy on the American RevolutionThe British Are Coming and The Fate of the Dayyou should make haste to a bookstore.

I was even happier to see the late Bernard Bailyn. His monumental 1967 book, The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution, is a genuine classic that still makes for illuminating reading today. Bailyn died in 2020 at the age of 97, so kudos to Burns and his team for making a point of including this venerable figure in their film. It's a nice tribute to Bailyn's lasting contributions to the study of early American history.

The post The Supreme Court's Next Big Immigration Case appeared first on Reason.com.
A surfer catches a wave in front of the offshore oil platform Hondo at Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara. The Trump administration is preparing to allow new oil and gas drilling off California's coast. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

The Trump administration on Thursday announced plans to open the Pacific Ocean to new oil and gas leases for the first time in more than four decades.

The draft plan released by the U.S. Department of the Interior confirms rumors that have been swirling for weeks. The proposal would see as many as 34 offshore lease sales across 1.27 billion acres of federal waters in the Outer Continental Shelf through 2031, including six areas along the Pacific Coast, 21 off the coast of Alaska and seven in the Gulf of Mexico.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the plan with an order titled "Unleashing American Offshore Energy," which directs the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to terminate former President Biden's much more limited plan, which called for only three new oil and gas leases through 2029, the lowest number ever and only in the Gulf of Mexico.

"The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America's offshore production," Burgum said in a statement. "By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America's offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come."

California has about two dozen oil platforms in state and federal waters off the coast, but most are considered at or near the end of their productive life. The state has not seen new oil leases in federal waters since 1984, largely due to public opposition following a disastrous oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969.

"This draft plan is an oil spill nightmare," said Joseph Gordon, campaign director with the nonprofit ocean conservation organization Oceana. "The last thing America needs now is a massive expansion of offshore drilling that could shut down our shores with catastrophic oil spills."

The proposal would be a "betrayal of the bipartisan voices  including U.S. lawmakers, business leaders, and the people who live along the coasts  who oppose more offshore drilling," Gordon said, noting that coastal economies are dependent on clean ocean waters.

Read more:Trump wants oil drilling off the coast of California. But does anyone else?

Oil companies have expressed interest in the region, however.

"No area should be taken off the table before it is given full consideration," Dan Naatz, chief operating officer and executive vice president of the Independent Petroleum Assn. of Americas, said in a recent statement to The Times.

Offshore energy groups lauded the plan, with the National Ocean Industries Assn. noting in a statement that "strategic energy leadership necessarily means opening the door to investment in new areas, including the Pacific, Atlantic, Alaska, and the Eastern Gulf."

The American Petroleum Institute and other leading oil and gas trade groups said similarly in a June letter that they support evaluating all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf for new leases because "continuous exploration and drilling will be needed" to ensure long-term energy security and meet U.S. energy demands into 2050.

According to the BOEM, the Pacific region along Washington, Oregon and California has an estimated 200 million barrels of proven reserves and and more than 10 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable resources  the majority off of Southern California.

(Undiscovered resources are speculative based on geology, surveys and modeling and have not yet been proven by drilling. The estimates don't include economic considerations, such as whether extraction would be profitable or too deep to be feasible.)

Alaska has about 25 billion barrels and the Gulf of Mexico has nearly 30 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable resources, according to BOEM.

"The Gulf is still the granddaddy," said Clark Williams-Derry, an energy industry analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. He doubted oil companies are "champing at the bit to go into Southern California, both because the resources itself is limited and because the politics are challenging."

Read more:Trump administration reopens Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling

Indeed, the state is likely to put up a fight, with Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday describing the plan as "idiotic."

"This reckless attempt to sell out our coastline to his Big Oil donors is dead in the water," Newsom said in a statement. "Californians remember the environmental and economic devastation of past oil spills. For decades, California has stood firm in our opposition to new offshore drilling, and nothing will change that. We will use every tool at our disposal to protect our coastline."

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a joint statement after the announcement that the plan is an attempt to "destroy one of the most valuable, most protected coastlines in the world and hand it over to the fossil fuel industry."

"This plan targets California and the whole West Coast because they think we will roll over," the lawmakers said. "They are wrong. Were going to fight this with everything we have."

Environmental groups also vowed to fight the proposal.

"New leases in the five-year drilling plan will damage our coastlines and communities, while threatening coastal recreation and tourism industries that contribute billions of dollars to our nation's economy," said Chad Nelsen, chief executive of the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation, adding that "we call on the president and Congress to reject new offshore oil drilling off U.S. coasts."

Experts said California has built up a body of laws and regulations that could pose challenges for oil companies hoping to pursue new leases in the area, such as the California Coastal Sanctuary law, the California Coastal Act, the California Environmental Quality Act and a 2025 Assembly bill that would in effect prevent oil companies from using existing infrastructure in state waters to export or bring ashore new production from federal offshore leases.

Oil companies could potentially avoid touching the state's jurisdiction altogether by loading crude onto tankers and shipping it elsewhere. That is something the Sable Offshore Corp. is considering for its controversial project to restart oil drilling off of Santa Barbara.

Officials with Sable did not respond to a request for comment about whether the company would bid for leases in the Pacific following the Trump administration's proposal.

The Interior Department said it will consider public input before finalizing the program and individual lease sales. A 60-day public comment period begins once the proposal is published in the Federal Register on Monday.

Thursday's announcement follows last month's news that the Interior Department will also open the entire coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing.

However, the administration did back off from plans to drill in the Atlantic Ocean after receiving pushback from Republican coastal state leaders.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Snapchat  ThoroughlyReviewed Flickr

A 45-year-old Connecticut man who pleaded guilty to enticing underage girls to send him nude photos and videos will spend the next seven years behind bars, federal authorities said.

Daryl Todd, of Vernon, was sentenced to 84 months in prison and five years probation after his release, the US Attorney for Connecticut said this week. He pleaded guilty in April to receipt of child pornography.

Investigators said Todd used Snapchat to exchange nude photographs with the underage victims. He would sometimes pay them using Cash App for sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves.

Police found the child sexual abuse material on his cellphone and tablet in March 2024, authorities said.

Todd, who is out on $100,000 bond, must report to prison on January 7.
A group of students works on laptops and takes notes as their teacher provides guidance during a classroom lesson. Photo: Allison Shelley / EDUimages / CC BY-NC 4.0 / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square)  While education leaders search for breakthroughs in special education, one AI platform, Dysolve, claims it has found part of the answer.

Dysolve AI, created by clinical linguist Dr. Coral Hoh, CEO of EduNational LLC, is designed to improve language-processing skills for students with dyslexia and other related reading challenges.

Between 5% and 10% of Americans experience dyslexia, a learning disability that affects reading, writing and comprehension, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In an exclusive interview with The Center Square, Hoh said Dysolve relies on a specialized form of artificial intelligence that she believes is essential to addressing reading difficulties.

I think people need to realize that there are different types of AI, and sometimes, like in our case, it is essential. Without it, the problem cannot be resolved, Hoh told The Center Square.

The Dysolve Randomized Field Trial, conducted by the University of Delawares Center for Research in Education & Social Policy, is evaluating the programs effectiveness as a supplemental reading intervention for students in grades 38. Around 480 students were enrolled in the trial.

Preliminary findings show the gains from the Dysolve group were 33% larger than those of the control group, though researchers noted the difference was only marginally significant at the 90% confidence level.

The subscription-based platform costs around $200 per month. Subscribers can log onto the dashboard every day and play customized interactive verbal games for 15 minutes a day.

Parents who have used the program say they have seen improvements.

Tember Heft, whose three children struggled with reading and writing, said Dysolve strengthened their ability to process information.

All three are competent in their ability to do schoolwork and comprehend the reading necessary to do well, Heft said. Dysolve helped their processing speeds and their ability to read and retain the necessary information.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has spoken openly about his own dyslexia, has emphasized the need for stronger literacy support statewide.

Theres not a day that goes by when my dyslexia is not exposed, Newsom said during a recent event announcing his Golden State Literacy Plan at Clinton Elementary School in Compton.

His office did not respond to a request for comment on the Dysolve program.

At the federal level, officials have also highlighted the promise of AI in education.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently said artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize education and support improved outcomes for learners, stressing that it can expand personalized instruction while requiring clear guidelines for ethical use.

The departments latest AI guidance follows President Trumps executive order expanding AI education initiatives for American youth.

The Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment on the Dysolve AI program.

As schools weigh new technologies, Hoh said she understands both the excitement and the caution. I think it is hard to suppress a new technology only because, by definition, technology expands our capacity to do something. But it also makes sense to observe and see what kind of guidelines you should have in there, and how it should be used.

The Center Square reached out to North Ridgeville City School District in Ohio, which currently uses Dysolve AI, but did not receive a response.
Chinese, Kyrgyz FMs hold first strategic dialogue

Xinhua) 10:01, November 20, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds the first China-Kyrgyzstan foreign ministers' strategic dialogue with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Nov. 19, 2025. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua)

BISHKEK, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Jeenbek Kulubaev, held their first strategic dialogue here on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the establishment of the strategic dialogue mechanism is a concrete step in implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, which will help further strengthen strategic mutual trust, enhance strategic coordination and promote strategic cooperation.

Wang said that jointly building a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future characterized by good-neighborliness, friendship and common prosperity meets the fundamental interests of both countries and reflects the aspirations of their people.

China is ready to deepen communication and coordination with Kyrgyzstan on international affairs and fully supports Kyrgyzstan in assuming the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Wang added.

Kulubaev said Kyrgyzstan adheres to the one-China principle and is ready to work with China to advance Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture and mining, connectivity and other areas, accelerate the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Kyrgyzstan is ready to closely cooperate with China to actively implement the four global initiatives put forward by the Chinese side, strengthen coordination within the UN, and promote the further development of the China-Central Asia mechanism.

After the talks, the two sides signed a joint statement on the outcomes of the first foreign ministers' strategic dialogue and a cooperation program for 2026-2027 between the two foreign ministries.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Last but not least is about ongoing reinvention, which plays into being able to keep adapting to the pace of change, said Luthra.

In terms of technology, this is changing fast, so it is important to develop this new muscle so that you can keep inventing on an ongoing basis, he explained.

AI in the network

Accenture managing director and global network practice lead Tejas Rao said Accenture is seeing a number of its telco partners embrace AI. They also try to accelerate their adoption of AI within the autonomous network space.

As we think about the journey that the network operators have been going through, theyve pretty much finished a lot of their deployment of next generation networks, whether were talking about 5G or continue to invest in deploying fibre networks, he said.

But, as they move the networks rapidly from just a pure infrastructure capability to more of a cloud native capability, were starting to see their ability to kind of leverage both public cloud and private cloud infrastructure.

Rao said these providers are starting to think about how they balance the workloads between those cloud platform providers.

We see the acceleration of generative AI and agentic AI capabilities, as we start to see the networks evolving, and thinking about the evolution of their traffic, he noted. In the future, we think about an AI fabric enabling an AI experience for the end user, whether thats a B2C customer or a B2B customer.

These providers have already spent significant amount of time looking at their digital first strategy over the last five, six years, Rao explained.

This includes looking at how they decouple their back-office systems, start engaging the customer in all channels to being really cloud first and cloud native.

Now were starting to see most operators think about, what does it be to be AI first within my network, and as we think about autonomous networks and AI, the reason we talk about it is most, Rao explained.

Over the last year, he has seen a significant interest in how to adopt AI inside of its network organisation.

This includes everything from planning, engineering, deployment operations, as well as thinking about deploying AI and machine learning models at scale as utility agents.

For the last 12 to 18 months, were truly seeing a scaled interest in deploying AI and scaling the capability network, he said.

Reimaging the Telstra network

This largely fits in with Telstras aim to reposition its network as a product, making it easier to customise and distribute services across different types of partners while supporting its core products.

This shift was due to the complexity and demand on telecom networks, which made managing and monetising them a challenge, said Telstra group executive for product and technology Kim Krogh Andersen at the Digital Transformation World (DTW) 2025 conference held in Denmark from 17-19 of June.

Andersen spoke about the need to use network intelligence to drive innovation and scalable business models during his executive keynote speech.

Over the past few years, weve made bold decisions to radically simplify and digitise our core business, he said. We removed our back book, excess fees, lock in contracts and we stopped subsidising handsets.

At the same time, we invested in our network leadership and underlying technology to maximise value for our customers.

He said this allowed Telstra to improve our returns and we are performing well against global peers. At the same time, we believe there is more growth potential with these underlying industry trends.

According to Andersen, todays telco business model is static and is mostly best effort across the board.

The customers experience depends on many network attributes like security, resiliency, downlink, uplink, jitter [and] latency and still we mostly define network success based on speed and coverage, he said.

With AI agents, 8K streaming, cloud gaming and other sophisticated use cases, it will be more difficult to keep building a network that caters for these demands and at the same time increase commercial returns.

To operate the network as a product, Andersen said Telstra must have reusable capabilities and attributes that can be configured and distributed through different channels. This includes existing direct businesses, mobile virtual network operators, original equipment manufacturers, over-the-top services and systems integrators via aggregator platforms like Aduna.

The platform aggregator is a venture between telecom operators Ericsson as well the likes of Telstra, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, KDDI, Orange, Reliance Jio, Singtel, Telefonica, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone.

Aduna lets developers worldwide to leverage networks to their full potential via common network application programming interfaces (APIs).

By combining network APIs from multiple operators globally under a unified platform based on the CAMARA open-source project, driven by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation, Aduna provides a standardised platform to foster collaboration, enhance user experiences.

In November, Telstra announced its release of CAMARA APIs  Network Verification and SIM Swap  to Aduna Global. This gives approved businesses the ability to embed network APIs into approved apps deliver faster, safer experiences for customers.

This another step forward in Telstras Network as a Product (NaaP) vision, under the Connected Future 30 strategy, which lets partners build solutions across sectors like banking, fintech, government, health, and e-commerce.

These APIs are available through Telstras Developer Portal and were released to help prevent account takeovers, safeguard sensitive information, and reduce friction for users.

Every time a customer waits for a one-time password or worries about fraud, there is a friction we can help remove, said Andersen. Our Network APIs  Number Verification and SIM Swap- can help make authentication faster and safer, and support businesses to better protect customers from potential fraud.

For years, networks have operated in a static way and now were making them programmable, and more accessible in a secure way.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Banned since 2017, the Minister of Environment himself admits that state agencies have not taken sufficient measures to curb their widespread use. Environmentalists: burning them for disposal produces toxic gases. But behind the failure to abandon them are, above all, the absence of intervention at production sites and the lack of affordable alternatives.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - According to environmental experts and civil society organisations, despite the publication of various notices in the official gazette and regulatory measures in recent years, the illegal production and distribution of polyethylene bags and other banned plastics continues unabated throughout Sri Lanka. The problem is caused by inconsistent policy enforcement, weak institutional coordination and a lack of collective action.

Last week, Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi acknowledged at a press conference that state agencies have not yet taken sufficient measures to curb the widespread use of illegal polyethylene. In addition, there is a constant demand from society for cheaper polyethylene products, which fuels the black market. He stressed that government institutions must take a leading role in introducing viable alternatives, as legislation alone cannot prevent the problem from worsening.

It is necessary to inform the public of the serious environmental risks arising from the continued use of illegal polyethylene. We also expect to encourage researchers to work on alternatives, with financial support secured through discussions with private sector organisations willing to collaborate with us.

The Sri Lankan government issued a ban on the production, sale, storage and import of various types of polyethylene items in 2017 and reiterated it in 2023. Environmentalists Sachin Arsakularathna and Pradeepa Gamage remind AsiaNews that "the main responsibility for implementing these laws lies with the Central Environment Authority (CEA).

Prohibited items such as lightweight shopping bags, lunch wraps and various types of coloured or ultra-lightweight bags are still available. The law is clear, but to date, no institution has filed a lawsuit or closed a production facility for violating these bans, thanks in part to political cover. Polyethylene is not a biodegradable material, is not easily disposable and must be incinerated.

Its combustion emits toxic gases, including dioxins that can cause strokes, cancer and heart and respiratory diseases. Children and the elderly are most vulnerable to these diseases.

According to scholars Geethanjali Wickramasinghe and Udara Samaradiwakara, behind the failure to actually abandon polyethylene 'there are many interconnected socio-economic, behavioural and systemic reasons, including the low cost of production and high demand for these items, which are cheaper than environmentally friendly alternatives such as biodegradable or fabric bags. Small retailers, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, opt for polyethylene to reduce costs.

Although the problem is treated as an environmental issue, it is also a consumer and trade issue. The lack of stable policy regimes for the entire supply chain, from production taxes to sales practices, has led to inconsistent gazette notifications and weak enforcement."

For his part, lawyer and co-founder of the Centre for Environmental Justice, Ravindranath Dabare, believes that "polyethylene products in circulation do not display identifying details such as the manufacturer's name, address or even a contact number. This lack of traceability is a key reason why illegal manufacturers can operate so easily. Successive governments have failed to make basic product identification mandatory."

According to the founder of the ZeroPlastics movement, Nissanka de Silva, the CEA does not have the necessary personnel to conduct regular searches throughout the country. Most illegal manufacturers operate from mobile or temporary facilities, making them difficult to locate. Promoting alternatives is essential, but the market must not be allowed to put people's health at risk.

Photo: Wikipedia / Tharmapalan Tilaxan
The Umbrian city welcomed Pope Leo XIV on the first Italian visit of his pontificate to celebrate this great, humble, and poor saint at a time when the world seeks signs of hope. The pontiff will return in 2026 to mark the 800th anniversary of the saints death. Speaking to the members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Italy gathered at Santa Maria degli Angeli, he urged them to listen to and harmonize tensions, developing a culture of encounter.

Assisi (AsiaNews)  Leo XIV travelled to Assisi this morning for the first time since the start of his pontificate, on his first visit in Italy since he was elected last May.

In the city of Saint Francis, from whom his predecessor, Jorge Bergoglio, took his name, he met with the members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Italy (CEI), who are gathered for their 81st General Assembly, and took part in its closing ceremony.

The meeting was held in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, completed in 1679 to house the Porziuncola church, one of the most important and significant Franciscan sites.

"It is a blessing to be able to come here today to this sacred place," the pope said before meeting with the pastors of the dioceses of Italy, during a private prayer in the Lower Basilica of Saint Francis, in the crypt where the body of the Poverello lies.

As we approach the 800th anniversary of Saint Franciss death, we have the opportunity to prepare to celebrate this great, humble, and poor saint at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope, he added.

The popes words also reverberated outside the Basilica, thanks to loudspeakers, which reached the faithful gathered in the lower square on a rainy day.

After landing by helicopter, Leo XIV arrived at the lower Basilica shortly after 8:30 am. He was accompanied to the tomb of Saint Francis by CEI President Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. Both were welcomed by the custodian of the sacred convent, Brother Marco Moroni.

In a statement, the Community of Assisi announced that the papal visit "represents a strong encouragement for the entire Franciscan family and for all the faithful to rediscover the figure of Saint Francis as a guide for building bridges of dialogue and sowing peace in a humanity in need of light.

The pontiff reassured the friars of the Porziuncola that he will return in 2026, on the 800th anniversary of the death of the Poverello of Assisi.

The city of Assisi, a destination of constant pilgrimages over the centuries and a symbol of peace and fraternity, also has a long tradition of papal visits. It is here that Pope Francis signed the encyclical Fratelli Tutti in 2020.

The title of Franciss social encyclical was inspired precisely by the way Saint Francis addressed the friars, "omnes fratres. When the papal name of Leos predecessor was revealed, there was much surprise.

The Argentine pope explained that he came up with the name, a first for a successor of Peter, thinking about people living in poverty, as well as about peace, with the life of Saint Francis as an example, seeking a Church that is poor and for the poor," which is one of the things he hoped for.

Brother Luca di Pasquale, with Leo XIV at the Porziuncola, told the press that the pope greeted those present "one by one and confided to us that he came to Assisi several times to find peace, and was happy to do so today in his white robe. We were struck by the attention he showed to each of us."

After meeting with the bishops, Leo XIV departed by helicopter for Montefalco (Perugia) to visit the community of Augustinian nuns.

In Assisi, the faithful  including many schoolchildren  welcomed the pontiff with shouts of Viva il Papa (Long live the Pope).

The Holy Father reminded his "brothers in the episcopate" gathered at Santa Maria degli Angeli, that the gaze fixed on the face of Jesus" enables us to "look at the faces of our brothers and sisters, and faith in Him, our peace, requires us to offer everyone the gift of his peace.

The pontiff stressed that the time we live in is marked by divisions, by messages and language of hostility and violence," a "race for efficiency" that "leaves the most vulnerable behind; technological omnipotence" that "compresses freedom;" as well as "loneliness" that "consumes hope.

Despite the numerous uncertainties, he noted, the Word and the Spirit still urge us to be artisans of friendship, fraternity, authentic relationships in our communities.

In his address, the pope said that the bishops task is listen to and harmonize tensions, developing a culture of encounter and thus becoming prophets of peace for the world.

Citing the Synod that has accompanied the Italian Church in recent years, he went on to say: It is now up to you, Bishops, to outline the pastoral guidelines for the coming years.

He expressed hope that the face of a collegial Church, which shares common steps and choices, may take shape, and that it may be able to renew herself continually.

Leo also cited the inner attitude that Pope Francis has defined as learning to say goodbye, a valuable attitude when preparing to leave ones position.

It is good to respect the rule of 75 years for the conclusion of the service of Ordinaries in dioceses and, only in the case of Cardinals, may a continuation of ministry be considered, possibly for another two years, the pope explained.

From this perspective, the Church in Italy can and must continue to promote an integral humanism, which helps and supports the existential journeys of individuals and society.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

As has been the case in Kiev for some time, there is also conflict in Chisinau between the Orthodox Church of Moldova  linked to the Moscow Patriarchate  and the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which belongs to the Romanian-speaking Church. The Patriarchate of Bucharest itself accuses pro-Russian hierarchs of interfering in the country's electoral processes. A dispute that brings to the surface the troubled area between the Danube and the Dniester.

Chisinau (AsiaNews) - An internal conflict within the Orthodox Churches similar to the one underway in Ukraine, against the backdrop of the war between Moscow and Kiev, is also developing between Bucharest and Chisinau.

The Orthodox Church of Moldova is canonically linked to the Moscow Patriarchate, but the Metropolis of Bessarabia, a part of the Moldovan Church that submits to the Patriarchate of Romania, has separated from it and accuses its brothers of supporting Russia's military policies, This has created strong tensions and led to the expulsion of priests who do not wish to submit to the religious justification of the aggression against Ukraine.

The Metropolis of Bessarabia, officially registered in 2002 by the Moldovan government, even disputes the term Orthodox Church of Moldova, which it considers erroneous from both a historical and canonical point of view, leading the faithful into confusion and claiming to represent the entire Orthodox ecclesial community on the territory of Moldova.

A recent statement by the metropolis, which is also based in Chisinau, states that this title actually refers only to the local structure of the Moscow Patriarchate, in practice bringing together Russian-speaking faithful, while authentic Moldovans belong to the Romanian-speaking Church.

The Patriarchate of Bucharest itself accuses some hierarchs of the pro-Russian Church of Moldova of direct and aggressive interference in the country's electoral processes, strongly condemning the Church's involvement in politics.

For its part, the pro-Russian Moldovan metropolis denies any direct relationship with Moscow and confirms that it is open to all believers in Moldova, as the Orthodox Church of Moldova is not a Russian Church, but the Church of the entire people living in this territory, composed of faithful of different ethnicities and nationalities; we are a free and independent Church in our own administration.

Already in 2020, the pro-Russian Church reduced eleven priests who had decided to switch sides to the lay state, considering their choice arbitrary, unfounded and non-canonical, and since then tensions have continued to rise, especially following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the many Russian interferences in Moldova's elections.

According to the Moldovan-Bessarabian Church, these expulsions have no canonical or legal validity, considering that the priests' choice was supported by that of their parishioners, and that there had been no relations with the Moscow Patriarchate for some time.

The very title of Metropolis of Bessarabia refers to the disputed historical definitions of the area between the Danube and the Dniester, which today is identified as the Republic of Moldova, and for a long time represented a buffer zone between the great powers of Austria, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

In 1918, the Russian governorate of Bessarabia briefly gained independence, only to be democratically absorbed by Romania before ending up under Soviet rule after the Second World War.

Today, the northern part of Bessarabia is a region of Moldova, while the southern part, considered historic Bessarabia, is part of Ukraine. The Orthodox Churches in the region have fluctuated in various directions depending on the political situation, but the reference to the part of the region most closely linked to Romania clearly indicates a desire to free itself from Russian cultural and religious domination, making the friction between Moscow and Chisinau particularly steeped in religious motivations, as was the case in Ukraine.
The two countries struck a deal after divisions had led to speculation about a fallback on the organisation's headquarters in Bonn. Turkey will host the event, while Australia will chair the talks. Concerns remain about the true effectiveness of the collaboration between the two countries, coupled with criticism from Pacific nations who had hoped to see the event take place in their region.

Ankara (AsiaNews)  Turkey will host the next COP, while Australia will play a leadership role in that event.

As final negotiations take place at COP30 in Belem, Amazonia, on the final document for the UN Climate Change Conference, which ends tomorrow, the dispute between Ankara and Canberra over hosting COP31, the 2026 edition of this annual conference, ended with a mutually acceptable agreement.

According to UN rules, the conference should have been held in a West European country, Australia, or another Oceanian country. The Pacific island nations fall into the latter group, but the Turkish-Australian deal has left out in the cold despite lengthy discussions with the Australian government regarding a joint initiative.

A consensus is required to decide who will host the conference, but hitherto none of the candidate countries seemed willing to back down.

The turning point came when Australia accepted Turkey's offer to forgo hosting the event in exchange for leading the talks and organising the end of the COP30 conference currently underway in Brazil, which will guide the working group leading up to next year's event.

This unusual solution surprised experts and analysts, since the conference chairperson had traditionally been a leader from the host nation.

Playing down risks and concerns about the practical functioning of this new partnership, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the compromise with Turkey an "outstanding result, adding that Pacific issues will remain front and centre.

The Australian leader also said that he had spoken with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape and with Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji.

Despite Australia's reassurances, however, the first critical voices are already emerging from Pacific nations, effectively excluded from organising the event despite experiencing firsthand the problems associated with climate change.

Regarding this, Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said that "we are all not happy. And disappointed it's ended up like this.

Solomon Islands leader Jeremiah Manele had previously said he would be "disappointed" if Australia did not secure the event.

The countries currently meeting at COP30 in Belem said they were relieved to have reached a compromise, as failure to agree on the venue would have been an embarrassment for the UN.

Turkey, which proposed hosting COP31 in the city of Antalya, believed it had a strong case since it had withdrawn its bid in 2021, to let the United Kingdom hold the conference in Glasgow.

If neither country was willing to reach a compromise, the meeting would have been held in the German city of Bonn, home to the UN climate body.

The compromise reached stipulates that the pre-COP meeting will be held on a Pacific island, while the main event will be held in Turkey.

Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen will chair the conference, but Turkey will also appoint a chairperson to manage the venue and organise meetings and schedules.

Canberra's backtracking is likely to prove controversial for Prime Minister Albanese, who had exerted long and intense pressure to gain the support of other West European nations.

The compromise will have to be ratified by over 190 countries gathered in Brazil for COP30, but given the challenges encountered in reaching the compromise, it is highly unlikely that there will be any objections.

Australia had submitted its candidacy for a Pacific COP, thanks to the collaboration of the regions island nations, which are among the most affected by climate change and rising sea levels.

The Australian government had already invested over US$ 4.5 million in its bid, confident in the support of a large number of countries that would have allowed it to resist the Turkish bid.

However, despite the disappointment of Pacific region leaders, some officials  like David Dutton, director of research at the Lowy Institute and until September Australias assistant secretary of climate diplomacy  are calling it a "good outcome.

The Turkish option alleviates some of the costs and burden of organizing the COP, he said, "creating opportunities for Australia and the Pacific to do something about it."

Turkey, a country straddling Europe and Asia, is also quite pleased, even though it faces contradictions and environmental challenges.

According to environmentalists, Ankara today needs to take more decisive political actions to address the challenges posed by climate change if it is to achieve net zero target by 2053.

Even though its emissions per capita are low, rising temperatures are weakening the decarbonisation capacity of Turkey's forests, particularly by increasing the risk of wildfires.

Meanwhile, coal still covers 30 per cent of its total energy supplies and generates over a third of its electricity. Shifting to renewable energy should reduce costs, reduce dependence, and address air pollution.

In fact, renewables have more than doubled, with the country ranking eleventh in the world and fifth in Europe in terms of renewable energy capacity. However, support will need to be provided to workers and regions that are heavily dependent on the coal industry.
A new Save the Children report shows how explosive weapons have become the leading cause of death and maiming of children in todays wars. New technologies amplify the risks (rather than improve accuracy), while mines and unexploded ordnance continue to strike, especially in Afghanistan and Myanmar. The NGO urgently calls for cuts in the use of explosives in populated areas and real funding for land reclamation and children rehabilitation and protection.

Milan (AsiaNews)  The use of explosive weapons has become one of the main threats to the survival and future of children in countries at war, this according to a new report by Save the Children.

The study, Children and Blast Injuries: The devastating impact of explosive weapons on children 20202025, captures a world of childhoods destroyed by explosive devices used in todays wars.

According to United Nations data analysed in the report, in 2024 alone, nearly 12,000 children were killed or injured in war, the highest number ever recorded, mainly in the Gaza Strip (2,917), followed by Sudan (1,739), Myanmar (1,261), Ukraine (671), and Syria (670).

In Gaza, at least 21,000 children now have permanent disabilities, the highest number of childhood amputations ever recorded in a single documented conflict.

Between 2020 and 2024, child war victims reached nearly 50,000, the equivalent of about 200 planes full of children, according to Save the Children.

In over 60 per cent of cases, explosive weapons are the cause of death or amputation: aerial bombardments, shelling, improvised or unexploded ordnance, which continue to threaten the lives of civilians even many years after the cessation of hostilities.

The latest technologies have exacerbated the situation, tragically increasing the risks for children. At the same time, contemporary wars are increasingly fought in densely populated urban areas with weapons designed to have devastating effects on a large scale. This has multiplied children's exposure and the severity of their injuries, as well as normalised civilian deaths.

Among these technologies are, for example, "first-person view" drones, small remotely piloted aircraft modified to carry explosive charges and guided by a real-time visual feeds; or loitering munitions, also called suicide drones, capable of hovering over an area for a long time before self-detonating.

Presented as "precision weapons," their use in urban areas makes it impossible to control secondary explosions.

Added to this are the growing use of cluster munitions (in 2024, all recorded cluster munition victims were civilians, and 42 per cent of victims of remnants were children) and the use of artificial intelligence in weapons systems, which allows targets to be selected and "life-or-death" decisions to be made at a speed incompatible with adequate human control.

All these developments, combined with the growing tendency to bomb densely populated areas, have the effects that the report sees as mathematically predictable.

When explosive weapons are used in cities, 95 per cent of those affected are civilians, and 97 per cent of incidents involve children.

In short, modern warfare technology has not reduced collateral damage, but has made it more precise, more frequent, and more inevitable.

The report also emphasises one point: children are not miniature adults. Their bodies are smaller, their bones are growing, their organs are more fragile. All of this makes them more vulnerable to the effects of blast waves and shrapnel.

Studies summarised by Save the Children and the Centre for Paediatric Blast Injury Studies show that minors are more likely to die from blast injuries.

Most children injured by blasts, however, have multiple injuries that require complex interventions and lengthy rehabilitation.

Because the body continues to grow, amputations and poorly healed fractures can mean dozens of surgeries over the course of a lifetime, frequent replacement prostheses, chronic pain, and social isolation.

And psychological consequences often accompany physical injuries.

Despite this, protection policies continue to treat children like ordinary civilians; their specific vulnerability is almost completely ignored in military doctrine, and funding for assistance is limited.

In 2023, only 6 per cent of global funding for mine and unexploded ordnance action was allocated to victim assistance, and just 1 per cent to risk education.

In Asian countries caught up in modern conflicts, landmines are the main problem.

In Myanmar, since the outbreak of civil war in 2021, many regions of have become almost impassable for children, who account for nearly a third of all mine and unexploded explosive victims  many are blown up on their way to school, helping in the countryside, or playing in the fields.

UNICEF data show a steady increase in child victims: 74 in 2021, 133 in 2022, 226 in 2023, and 314 in 2024. In the first three months of 2025, 58 new cases have already been recorded, a sign that the trend shows no signs of slowing.

War in Myanmar is increasingly violent, partly due to air strikes, which jumped from 640 in all of 2024 to 1,134 in the first five months of 2025 alone.

In Afghanistan, despite the end of the war in 2021 following the Taliban's takeover of the country, more than 50 people are killed or maimed every month, mostly children.

At least 6.4 million Afghans live surrounded by mines and unexploded ordnance.

Between August 2021 and May 2023, the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented 3,774 civilian casualties.

In 2024, unexploded ordnance became the leading cause of death and injury among children.

Growing poverty and the need for child labour partly explain these tragic numbers  most children find unexploded ordnance while herding cattle, working in the fields, or collecting scrap metal to sell.

Eight out of ten victims are boys, because they are more likely to be outdoors than girls.

Humanitarian organisations estimate that 4.4 million people will require mine action services (clearance, risk education, and victim assistance), a 5 per cent increase over the previous year.

For an Afghan child who survives an explosion, the journey does not end with leaving the hospital; it continues in a country where streets, fields, and even schoolyards can hide new ordnance.

Afghanistan and Myanmar are two emblematic cases of a broader crisis. The report notes that children account for 43 per cent of mine and explosive remnant victims globally; what is more, these weapons can remain active for decades in fields, streets, schools, and homes.

Save the Children believes at least three immediate actions are needed to reverse this trend: drastically reduce the use of explosive weapons in populated areas; seriously fund clearance, victim assistance, and child-friendly psychosocial support; and recognise, in political and military decisions, that children are not inevitable collateral damage, but rather those who pay the highest price for today's and tomorrow's wars.
20 November 2025 13:58 (UTC+04:00)

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Azerbaijan is quietly rewriting its mining story, shifting gears from non-ferrous decline to a robust resurgence in copper ore production and exports. The transformation is gathering pace as new operations come online, domestic production leaps and a wider footprint in non-oil trade begins to emerge.

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20 November 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

As the global energy landscape undergoes a profound transformation, Azerbaijan is emerging not only as a traditional energy supplier but also as a key architect of the regions green transition. Bakus ability to adapt to shifting geopolitical and market dynamics has enabled the country to leverage its geographic position, modernized energy infrastructure, and strategic partnerships to expand into renewable energy production and sustainable connectivity.

In recent years, Azerbaijan has intensified efforts to build a resilient green economy, embedding sustainability into its long-term development agenda. Central to this strategy is the governments commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2050 and creating net-zero emission zones in the liberated territories. These goals firmly align the country with global decarbonization trends and demonstrate its ambition to assume a proactive role in the global energy transition.

A major breakthrough in regional energy cooperation occurred at COP29 in Baku, where the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a landmark agreement to establish the Trans-Caspian Green Energy Corridor. This initiative represents the first attempt to integrate the electricity systems of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, ultimately linking them to European energy markets.

A joint venture  the Green Corridor Alliance, headquartered in Baku  has been created to lead the effort, with feasibility studies supported by financing from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Work is scheduled to begin in November 2025, marking the first operational step toward a corridor that could redefine regional energy flows.

The corridor is more than an infrastructure project; it is a geopolitical instrument that strengthens interdependence between Caspian states and positions Azerbaijan as a strategic bridge in the emerging Eurasian green energy architecture. By enabling Central Asia to export renewables westward, Azerbaijan consolidates its transit role while attracting new investment and political visibility.

Speaking during the parliamentary discussion on the 2026 state budget, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov highlighted that Azerbaijan has attracted $2.8 billion in foreign and local investment for eight industrial-scale solar and wind power plants with a combined capacity of around 2 GW, either completed or planned by 2027. These investments, he stressed, are not only driving economic growth but also laying the foundations for a diversified and sustainable energy ecosystem.

The establishment of the CaspianBlack SeaEurope and Central AsiaAzerbaijan green energy corridors further reinforces Azerbaijans profile as a reliable energy exporter and an increasingly attractive destination for green investment capital.

At the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025), Deputy Minister of Energy Orkhan Zeynalov emphasized that the success of both traditional and renewable energy initiatives hinges on reliable transit routes, regional integration, and a predictable investment climate. Azerbaijan is currently advancing several large-scale projects within its borders and through cross-border cooperation.

Regional interconnection lines  linking Central Asia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian, the Black Sea, Georgia, Turkiye, and Bulgaria  are expected to complement one another as part of an integrated EastWest energy corridor. These projects collectively enhance energy security, diversify supply routes, and deepen strategic ties between Eurasian partners.

Interest from Saudi Arabia, including a preliminary memorandum signed by the Saudi Electricity Company on the transmission component of the green energy corridor, indicates widening international engagement and strengthens the projects potential viability.

In addition to green energy cooperation, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan recently held talks on expanding collaboration in both hydrocarbons and renewables  signaling a multifaceted approach that balances current energy realities with future requirements. A key element of this dialogue is the growing interest in green hydrogen, which is increasingly viewed as a strategic fuel of the future due to its ability to store renewable energy, decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, and support long-distance energy transport across regions such as the Caspian.

Taken together, these developments point to a pivotal shift: Azerbaijan is steadily positioning itself as a central node in the emerging Eurasian green energy map. The countrys ability to combine domestic renewable advancements, digital connectivity projects, international partnerships, and strategic corridor development has elevated its role far beyond that of a traditional energy supplier.

As Central Asia seeks new export routes and Europe pushes for increased access to clean energy, Azerbaijan stands at the intersection  a connector, facilitator, and increasingly, a leader in the regional green transition.
20 November 2025 17:08 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A new chorus of political theatrics has emerged in France, where forty Armenian organisations have released a joint statement demanding the return of the people of the so-called Artsakh. Timed to the second anniversary of an International Court of Justice order, the declaration attempts to reframe regional realities and cast Azerbaijan in an unfounded, negative light. It is yet another example of how certain diaspora structures strategically mobilise emotion, symbolism, and historical manipulation to revive a narrative that has long lost relevance.

In their statement, these organisations claim to speak on behalf of Armenians being forcibly silenced, insisting that peace without justice is an illusion and that the right of return to Garabagh must be implemented under UN supervision. Their demands include the release of prisoners, international protection of cultural heritage, and coordinated European action to enforce international decisions. They go further, presenting Armenians allegedly condemned to exile, portraying themselves as a community denied basic rights.

What the statement avoids, however, is the simple truth: no Armenian civilian was expelled, harmed, or prevented from staying. The exodus was self-organized, supported by Armenias own political leadership, and facilitated by buses Armenia itself sent. There is documented video evidence of residents departing voluntarily following the one-day anti-terrorist operation, during which the Azerbaijani Army conducted precise strikes exclusively against illegal armed formations, not civilians.

Moreover, the claim of an ancient Armenian presence has long been used as a political tool rather than an evidence-based argument. The idea that Armenians lived in Garabagh continuously for two thousand years does not withstand historical scrutiny. Mass resettlement into the region occurred in the early nineteenth century following the Russian Empire's demographic engineering. This is widely acknowledged by international historians. The French Armenian organizations ignore these facts in order to portray Azerbaijan as an occupier and Armenia as a victim, a narrative that relies on selective memory and emotional manipulation rather than factual accuracy.

The diaspora's coordinated messaging also seeks to overshadow the reality that Azerbaijanis themselves were forcibly expelled from their homes in Armenia for decades. This is a subject the French Armenian groups never address. While they demand rights, compensation and international guarantees for Armenians, they remain silent on the rights of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis who lost everything during the first phase of the conflict. Their consistent refusal to acknowledge Azerbaijani suffering reveals the political nature of their activism.

For decades, Armenian propaganda has tried to craft a global image of Azerbaijanis as violent or uncivilized, while portraying themselves as a community under existential threat. Yet the events of the 44-day war and the 2023 anti-terrorist operation revealed the opposite. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces adhered strictly to international humanitarian law, avoided civilian casualties, and enabled safe passage for those who chose to leave.

If Azerbaijan had harmed even a single civilian, the global media, the separatist propaganda machine, and even former Russian peacekeepers would have amplified it instantly. Instead, the UN mission that visited the region after September 2023 found no evidence of ethnic cleansing. This finding, inconvenient for the diaspora narrative, is why their organizations turn to emotional manipulation rather than facts.

It was Azerbaijanis who were ethnically cleansed for nearly three decades. Hundreds of thousands were expelled, their cultural heritage destroyed, and cities such as Aghdam and Fuzuli reduced to rubble. Yet, the French-Armenian groups remain silent on ethnic cleansing committed against Azerbaijanis, including the Khojaly genocide.

It is also clear that these statements are intended to influence European public opinion. The Armenian diaspora in France holds significant lobbying power and has long used cultural institutions, media platforms and political connections to shape the narrative in Paris. Fabricating a sense of urgency or impending catastrophe is a tactic aimed at pressuring European governments to take a position favorable to diaspora interests.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are preparing to finalize a peace agreement. International actors, including the French leadership, have welcomed the progress, especially after the August 8 summit. At such a decisive moment, the joint statement serves a clear purpose: to undermine peace, reignite old tensions, and reinsert diaspora influence into negotiations where it no longer has relevance.

These organizations cannot accept that the region is moving toward stability, reconstruction, and coexistence. They cannot accept that a narrative built for decades is collapsing under the weight of facts. And they cannot accept that Azerbaijan proved, on the ground, diplomatically, and legally, that it acts within international law.

Therefore, the diaspora attempts to shift global opinion through emotional appeals, hoping to frame Azerbaijan as an aggressor. But reality is stubborn: Azerbaijan offered citizenship, prepared reintegration programs, and conducted meetings with local Armenian representatives. Their departure was a political choice, not a forced one.

Most importantly, the so-called citizens of the separatist regime carried Armenian and Russian passports, not documents of any legitimate local state. Claiming a right of return for individuals whose legal status contradicts their own narrative is, at best, misleading; at worst, it is a deliberate manipulation.

Ultimately, the joint declaration by these forty French Armenian organisations reflects frustration rather than a principled stance. The political project built around the myth of Artsakh has collapsed, and the diaspora networks that invested decades in that narrative are now attempting to keep it alive through emotional appeals, selective history and accusations directed at Azerbaijan. However, the region has entered a phase where facts, legal agreements and direct dialogue between the two states matter far more than diaspora rhetoric.

By presenting outdated claims as universal truths, these organisations risk isolating themselves from the reality unfolding in the South Caucasus. Peace in the region depends on sincerity, accountability and respect for facts. Manufactured outrage serves no one and will not alter the course of the diplomatic process that Azerbaijan and Armenia are finally advancing on their own terms.
20 November 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Second day of the 9th International Banking Forum has opened in Baku.

According to Azernews, the event is being held under the theme Reliable, Secure and Sustainable Banking.

Todays programme features extensive sessions focused on digital finance, cybersecurity, capital markets, and the digital transformation of the banking sector.

Overall, the forum is dedicated to discussing current trends across a wide range of fields, including the cashless economy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, open banking, capital markets, and emerging payment ecosystems.

The event brings together representatives of government agencies, banks and financial institutions, the fintech ecosystem, international organisations, and leading private-sector companies.
20 November 2025 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

On November 18, a meeting and master class with renowned Uzbek miniature artist Jahangir Ashurov took place, organized by the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, followed by the opening of an exhibition of his works, Azernews reports.

The event was attended by Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, Arzu Aliyeva, Alena Aliyeva, as well as various artists.

During the gathering at the Baku Photography House, Jahangir Ashurov spoke about his artistic journey, demonstrated his creative techniques, and engaged with participants' questions.

Artists, designers, researchers, and art enthusiasts took part in the event, gaining a close look at the delicate craft of miniature painting and experiencing its unique charm.

Later, the exhibition "Oriental Miniature: A Journey Through Time" by Jahangir Ashurov opened in the Baku Photography House's exhibition hall.

The exhibition holds special significance as it showcases the deep and rich heritage of miniature art to the public.
20 November 2025 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan National Art Museum is pleased to announce an event titled "Mexican Muralism: The Art of Diego Rivera" as part of the "Lecture at the Museum" project, Azernews reports.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition will take place at the museum on November 20 at 16:00.

The lecture, presented by the museum's senior researcher Gulnaz Mustafayeva, is organized in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition "Diego Rivera: A Promise of a Better Future" from the Diego Rivera Anahuacali Museum (Mexico) at the Azerbaijan National Art Museum. The lecture will provide a detailed overview of the work of the world-famous Mexican artist.

The lecture will cover the artist's creative journey step by step and will focus on his monumental murals, which adorn major public buildings and reflect the historical chronicle of the Mexican people.

In addition, the colorful personality of Diego Rivera, his unique character, and his famous relationship with artist Frida Kahlo will also be among the most intriguing parts of the lecture.

The love story between the expressive artist Frida Kahlo and the eccentric monumentalist Diego Rivera is as dramatic as it is filled with genuine emotions.
20 November 2025 16:43 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The AIAZ International Short Film Festival has taken place at Salaam Cinema in Baku, marking a groundbreaking moment as the first artificial intelligence-based film festival in the Caucasus and the broader region, Azernews reports.

The event, which spanned two days, explored the intersection of technology and art, showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of cinema.

Organized to celebrate the fusion of AI and filmmaking, the festival featured a variety of films, including those that creatively used AI technology to enhance storytelling and visual artistry.

The event also included a master class by AI expert Umid Salay, who shared insights into the potential of AI in film production.

The innovative startup "Jafjab", which is bringing AI solutions to traditional cinema, was introduced to the audience, highlighting how technology is transforming the industry.

The festival concluded with a much-anticipated awards ceremony where the best films from the competition were honored. The winning projects demonstrated not only a sophisticated use of artificial intelligence but also exceptional artistic quality.

In the category of "Best Local Short Film Created with Artificial Intelligence," the silver award went to Revan Muradov for his film "KhatAI."

The award for Best International Short Film Created with Artificial Intelligence was presented to Igor Kharlamov for his thought-provoking film "The Only Way".

A special prize from the festival team was awarded to Aisha Hajiyeva for her poignant work "Motherland," which captured the deep emotional connection to place and identity.

The festival also placed a strong emphasis on ecological issues, with an "Environmental Impact Award" recognizing films that addressed climate and environmental concerns.

In the local competition, the award went to "Mirror: The Other Side of Humanity" by Ruslan Ibrahimli, while in the international competition, "Climate Crisis" by Peter Vadoc took home the prize for its timely and impactful exploration of environmental challenges.

The AIAZ Film Festival was supported by several key organizations, including the Eco Hub environmental platform and Fors LLC.

The festival was founded by Murad Shukurli, with Sahil Mammadov serving as its director.

The creative direction was led by Maleyka Mammadova, with visual design by Mirvugar Abdulov and media leadership provided by Samed Aghayev.

This year's AIAZ International Short Film Festival underscored the growing role of artificial intelligence in the world of cinema, blending technology and creativity to pave the way for a new era of filmmaking.

It also highlighted the potential for such events to spark innovation and enhance greater international collaboration in the film industry.
20 November 2025 17:45 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The final stage of the Republican Literary Recitation Contest "Poetry of Khazri" has been held in Baku, Azernews reports.

The competition is organized by the Culture Ministry's Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM) in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the national poet Nabi Khazri.

Around 50 participants took part in the qualifying round of the competition, which was held with the organizational support of the Union of Theatrical Figures of Azerbaijan, in partnership with the Qanun Publishing House and MIMTA Publishing House. From this group, 14 finalists showcased their skills before the jury.

The jury, which included People's Artist, Professor Mammadsaafa Gasimov, poet, writer, playwright, and screenwriter Ilgar Fahmi, and Honored Artist, actor, master of literary recitation, Professor Azad Shukurov, determined the winners.

As a result of the competition, Anar Ahmadov won 1st place, Ramil Huseynzade and Huseynagha Aslanov took 2nd place, and Syama Aghazade (Mughanna) came in 3rd place.

The winners will be awarded at a solemn event to be held soon.

The contest was organized with the aim of developing the creative abilities of talented reciters, increasing interest in the art of literary declamation, enriching the artistic and aesthetic taste of young people, and promoting the legacy of the national poet Nabi Khazri.

Media partners of the event Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
20 November 2025 12:50 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan continues to play a prominent role in global climate diplomacy even after transferring its COP presidency to Brazil. Owing to the trust it built among countries during COP29 and the preparatory phase for COP30, several important missions within the COP process have been entrusted to Baku, Azernews reports.

Under the Baku Finance Goal adopted at COP29, Azerbaijan and Brazilserving as COP29 and COP30 presidentsjointly prepared the Roadmap from Baku to Belem outlining steps to scale up global climate finance to USD 1.3 trillion. The document was presented within the COP30 framework and has been widely welcomed and positively evaluated by most participating states.

Additionally, at Brazils request, Azerbaijan has been tasked with leading negotiations and coordinating two key decisions expected to be adopted at COP30:

COP30 President Andre do Lago has authorized Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Brazils Special Envoy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mauricio Lyrio to conduct high-level negotiations on determining the host country for COP31.

Australia and Turkiye are currently competing to host the conference. Azerbaijani and Brazilian negotiators are actively mediating between the two sides in an effort to reach a consensus.

One of the most critical potential outcomes of COP30the agreement on the Global Stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreementhas also been assigned to Azerbaijan and Norway. COP30 President Andre do Lago has mandated representatives of both countries to lead the negotiations.

The talks are co-chaired by Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Norways Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, who are working to build agreement among participating states.
20 November 2025 11:50 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Milli Majlis will continue discussions on Azerbaijans 2026 state budget and associated draft laws during the plenary session scheduled for November 20, Azernews reports.

Eight items have been placed on the agenda, covering the core financial framework of the coming year as well as revisions to multiple social and economic laws.

The agenda includes:

Draft law On the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026 (first reading);

Draft law On the budget of the State Social Protection Fund for 2026 (first reading);

Draft law On the budget of the Unemployment Insurance Fund for 2026 (first reading);

Draft law On the subsistence minimum in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026 (first reading);

Draft law On the threshold of the need criterion in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026 (first reading);

Draft amendments to a wide range of legislative acts, including the Tax Code and laws regulating social insurance, state duty, medical insurance, compulsory personal insurance, customs tariff, non-cash settlements, and the rights of persons with disabilities (first reading);

Draft Resolution on the Estimated Expenditures of the Milli Majlis for 2026;

Draft Resolution on the Estimated Expenditures of the Chamber of Accounts for 2026.

Lawmakers are expected to continue detailed examination of the financial, social, and regulatory components shaping next years budget policy.
20 November 2025 11:35 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

US State Department Political Affairs Advisor Allison Hooker visited the Alley of Martyrs, paying tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives, Azernews reports.

The US Embassy in Azerbaijan issued a statement following the visit, noting that the United States remembers all those who lost their lives defending their values and extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones as a result of the conflict.

The visit underscores ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries and the symbolic importance of honoring those who sacrificed their lives.
20 November 2025 15:16 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The 4th meeting of the AzerbaijanIsrael Intergovernmental Joint Commission convenes today in Jerusalem, Azernews reports via the Ministry of Economy.

According to the information, the visit of Azerbaijans co-chair of the Commission, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, to Israel has already begun. As part of the trip, the minister met with Israeli Minister of Finance Zeev Elkin, who co-chairs the Commission from the Israeli side.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the Commissions ongoing work, prospects for expanding bilateral economic cooperation, and opportunities for strengthening business partnerships.

The previous meeting of the Joint Commission took place in Baku in April 2023, co-chaired by Mikayil Jabbarov and Israels then Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. That session resulted in several key agreements, including cooperation in environmental protection, a 20232026 education cooperation program, and a joint declaration on technological innovation between the Azerbaijan Innovation and Digital Development Agency and Israels National Technology Authority. Other documents included a cooperation agreement between SOCAR and Israels Union Energy, as well as a memorandum of understanding between Azersu OJSC and Israels national water company Mekorot.

According to data for JanuaryOctober 2025, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel amounted to 69.64 million US dollars. Exports from Azerbaijan reached 21.47 million dollars, representing 0.10 per cent of the countrys total exports, while imports from Israel totalled 48.17 million dollars, accounting for 0.25 per cent of Azerbaijans total imports.

In addition, during the first half of 2025, Azerbaijans foreign direct investments in Israel reached 542.54 million dollars. This reflects an extraordinary increase compared with the previous year. The Israeli direction accounted for 40.2 per cent of Azerbaijans total foreign direct investments in the reporting period.
20 November 2025 17:29 (UTC+04:00)

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20 November 2025 20:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Tuba Fcc

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, at todays group meeting, once again called for a commission to visit Imral Island. Bahceli said: If the goal of a terror-free Turkiye is to be realized, there is no point in dragging feet over going to Imral. If no one agrees to this visit, I say it openly: I will take three colleagues with me and will not hesitate to go to Imral on our own.

Following Bahcelis remarks, Minister of Justice Ylmaz Tunc made statements. Tunc said: Freedom from terrorism is very important for our country. Such a step can only be realized through the decision of the commission.

Speaking to the press, Minister Tunc also addressed the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, marked on November 20 as World Childrens Day. He noted that two days earlier, the opening program of a related project had been held and sessions were continuing. Tunc emphasized the importance of protecting children in judicial processesboth victims of crime and those drawn into crimeso that they are not harmed by the system. He described the initiative as a significant project aimed at making the child justice system more effective.

Tunc explained that Turkiye has already introduced numerous regulations concerning children, including the Child Protection Law, and stressed that the project will run for three years. He added that Turkiye, as a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child since 2005, is also a signatory to international agreements preventing child abuse, and that the project is intended to improve the implementation of existing legislation.

On another issue, Tunc referred to the publication of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) investigation, noting that under the Criminal Procedure Code, recording audio and video in courtrooms is currently prohibited. He said lifting this ban would be at the discretion of Parliament.

Returning to the theme of terrorism, Tunc underlined: We attach great importance to a terror-free Turkiyefor our countrys future, for our childrens future, and for the Century of Turkiye. For 41 years we have fought terrorism. We have suffered trillions in material losses, thousands of martyrs, and great pain. As a nation, we are united in the desire that such suffering never be repeated.

He recalled the sacrifices of security forces and highlighted milestones in Turkiyes struggle against terrorism, including the lifting of emergency rule in 2002, President Erdogans historic 2005 speech in Diyarbakr, and subsequent democratization steps that dismantled excuses for terrorism. He also cited Erdogans speeches in Ahlat in recent years, which emphasized national unity, and Bahcelis October 22, 2022 call at an MHP group meeting, which he described as opening the door to a new process.

Tunc noted that statements from Imral regarding the dissolution of the terrorist organization and the laying down of arms marked an important stage. He stressed that support from the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye was crucial, and that the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission
20 November 2025 22:47 (UTC+04:00)

By Ibrahim Karagul

A gamechanging period has begun between Turkiye and Libya. While Turkiyes partnership with the Tripoli government continues, a new phase is opening with the administration of Khalifa Haftar. Reciprocal visits are taking place, economic partnerships are being established, forwardlooking plans are being drawn up, and a new stage is unfolding in Turkiyes power play across the Mediterranean and Africa.

As Turkiye discusses its intervention in Sudans civil war, marked by atrocities verging on genocide, it is also building up positions at Ethiopias Somaliland port and Egypts Eritrean port. The great power struggle in Central and North Africa is escalating sharply. Every move in this contest reverberates far beyond national borders, shaking much of Africa. That is why Turkiye, one of the regions most important players, is watched so closely.

Turkiyes rapprochement with regional countries, built on partnerships against colonialism, has now become a settled principle. At the same time, Turkiye has demonstrated remarkable agility, able to manoeuvre quickly and adapt to circumstances. Central African states have expelled Western powers, especially France, in a revolutionary transformation that is reshaping African history. Turkiye has stood  and will continue to stand  as a central supporting force alongside these countries, opening its military technology to them extensively.

Central Africa cannot be conceived without Libya. One reason for Gaddafis downfall was Libyas influence over Central African countries, which provoked France and Sarkozy into launching attacks that shocked the world. Libya is a vast Mediterranean country, twice the size of Turkiye, with some of the worlds largest oil and gas reserves, rich underground water and mineral resources  enough to sustain all of Central Africa. This country must be rescued from division, instability, and Western plunder.

Libya is not only a Mediterranean state but also the largest gateway to Central Africa. From Sudan to Mali and Chad, the stability of the Sahel depends on Libyas stability. Therefore Libya must be strengthened: a powerful army built, wealth directed toward national growth, population increased, a strong central government established, and central authority consolidated.

Libya, devastated by civil war and chaos despite its wealth, must recover. The truth is clear: the partition of Libya and Sudan would bring destruction not only to those two countries but to all of Central Africa. Just as Turkiye mobilized for Sudans unity, it must mobilize for Libyas reunification. Turkiye is the sole guarantor of stability for these nations, and this principle underpins its regional policy.

Relying only on Tripoli while keeping distance from Eastern Libya is dangerous for Turkiye, especially as regional dynamics intensify. Recognising this danger, Turkiyes recent rapprochement with Haftars administration has become striking. Warm interest from Benghazi toward Ankara, Turkiyes prioritisation of Libyas unity as a matter of life and death, and the increase in visits, contacts, and economic agreements all reflect this.

Delegations from Benghazi are arriving in Turkiye one after another, major deals are being signed between Benghazi and Turkish companies, and Haftars administration is pressing Libyas House of Representatives to approve the Blue Homeland maritime agreement signed with Turkiye. Meanwhile, Tripoli appears hostage to the U.S. and Europe, with central bank resources unfairly distributed and siphoned off to the West. Western powers are pushing federation instead of unity, subjecting Libya to blackmail  making urgent action necessary.

This is already happening. On August 26, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kaln met Haftar. In August 2025, the Turkish Navys TCG Knalada and military officials visited Benghazi port, joined by Haftars Libyan Armed Forces  a sign of rapprochement not only politically and economically but militarily.

Photos of Kaln with Haftars eldest son Belkassam in Benghazi, followed by Belkassams visit to Ankara to meet Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and sign agreements, show that a strong future is being built between Turkiye and Eastern Libya. The issue is not merely economic but deeply geopolitical.

Because we usually view Libya through Tripoli, developments in Eastern Libya have been less closely followed. But Libya is now returning strongly to the regional and international stage after years of conflict, with stable oil production and massive development projects.

Under Belkassams coordination, hundreds of new schools, dozens of hospitals and health centres, hundreds of kilometres of roads, and housing for thousands of families have been built in just two years. A new highway is being constructed to link Benghazi deep into Africa, enabling Turkish goods arriving at Benghazi port to reach Central African countries within three to four days.

The relationship between Turkiye and Haftars administration goes beyond what is visible publicly: it is permanent, constructive, and aimed at unifying Libya. The future of the vast geography spanning Sudan, Central Africa, and Libya may depend on this rapprochement, moving Libya toward one state, one army, and one strong central authority.

Turkiye has gained its sphere of influence over the past two decades by breaking centuryold patterns. It is a country free of prejudice, openminded, and acting with geopolitical foresight rather than shortterm calculations.

Therefore, the TripoliBenghazi divide must end. Libyas collapse must be prevented. A strong state must be built. Turkiye must be Libyas strongest supporter internationally, beyond economic and political aid. A strong Libyan army can only be built with Turkiyes centurieslong experience. Otherwise, the country cannot survive. Libyas resources must be protected from Western exploitation and directed toward nationalisation.

Most of Libya is under Haftars control, and most resources are located there. Thus, the new process initiated with Haftars administration must evolve into reconstruction and the image of a strong Libya.

Turkiye is ready, Libya is ready  this is a necessity for Central Africas future. Public perception of Libya must also be reshaped through stronger media and information management. Global power dynamics are shifting so rapidly that only those with open minds can cross this bridge.

Inviting Khalifa Haftar to Turkiye, turning EastWest partnership into a central power, and urgently establishing Turkiyes constructive, peaceoriented partnership across the region is essential. Turkiye has achieved all its gains by breaking the patterns imposed by the West for a century. Now is the time to do the same in Libya.

In my view, the time has come to invite Haftar to Turkiye.
HMRC has published a list of people and businesses who have received penalties for deliberately failing to meet tax obligations of more than 25,000 (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Two people and two companies in Northern Ireland have been included in HMRCs latest list of tax defaulters.

In an update on Thursday, HMRC published a new list of 160 entities in total who had deliberately defaulted on tax exceeding 25,000. It follows another update in late September.
I can't lose this arse that has taken so long to build  Vogue Williams planning gym sessions in Im a Celeb jungle

Vogue joins fellow campmates tonight after arriving in Australia on Sunday.

Vogue Williams enters the 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here' jungle in Australia tonight. Photo: ITV

Adrianna Wrona and Keith Kelly Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 14:48







Vogue Williams has vowed that she will keep squatting in the Im A Celebrity jungle in order to keep her arse that has taken so long to build.
A Queens University PhD student is hoping the first screening of her movie that looks at one of the most horrific periods in the history of her home country will inspire others to embrace the power of filmmaking.
The Tyrone and Monaghan countryside might seem an unlikely birthplace for a wine dynasty, especially one thats based nearly 7,000 miles away, but if it hadnt been for the adventurous exploits of a man born here more than 250 years ago, a Chilean winery that has featured regularly in the Top 100 in the world may never have existed.

The man in question was born John McKenna in October 1771, although there are differing opinions as to where the birth actually occurred. Some say it was in Clogher, while the more increasingly accepted assertion is that it took place in Monaghan town. Certainly, the McKenna name seems to be a common one in both counties, but how it came to be well-known in the distant South American country of Chile is quite another story.
Some of my listeners have turned to me to champion a cause that I don't think we have any need for
CEO of Common Youth Arlene McLaren and Belfast Trust Consultant in sexual and reproductive health Dr Siobhan Kirk at the 30th annual Sexual Health Conference NI on 19th November 2025 (Luke Jervis/ Belfast Telegraph)

CEO of Common Youth Arlene McLaren and Belfast Trust Consultant in sexual and reproductive health Dr Siobhan Kirk at the 30th annual Sexual Health Conference NI on 19th November 2025 (Luke Jervis/ Belfast Telegraph)

Doctors and sexual health experts in Belfast believe that online platforms such as TikTok are fuelling fear around hormonal contraception among young people in Northern Ireland, which is leading to more unplanned pregnancies.

The chief executive of sexual health charity Common Youth explained that young people are exposed to a mix of good information and harmful myths online, with negative experiences circulating far more widely than positive ones.

Speaking at the Belfast Trusts 30th Annual Regional Sexual Health Conference, Common Youth CEO Arlene McLaren said that many young women are being put off hormonal contraception because they are afraid of how it will affect them, due to videos theyve watched on apps such as TikTok and Instagram.

Common Youth offers free, confidential sexual health and wellbeing services to under 25s in Northern Ireland.

CEO of Common Youth Arlene McLaren at the 30th annual Sexual Health Conference NI on 19th November 2025 (Luke Jervis/ Belfast Telegraph)

Arlene also explained that its clinic staff have seen an increase in young women and girls expressing fears of side effects from hormonal contraception  including weight gain and depression  and that stories from peers claiming contraceptive failure often discourage young people from using reliable methods.

Influencer-driven trends, such as switching to fertility awareness or avoiding hormonal contraception for natural health reasons, were found to significantly impact decision-making, despite these methods being less effective, she added.

If we communicate well and provide accessible, factual guidance, we can really make a difference, Arlene told the Belfast Telegraph.

There are two main types of contraceptive pills: the combined pill and the progesterone-only pill, each available under different brand names.

Dr Caroline Hunter, a senior physician within the Common Youth clinic, said that some bad experiences with their own GPs has also led to many young people becoming distrustful or intimidated by medical professionals and settings.

She detailed how a 20-year-old woman came to Common Youth for a pregnancy test after changing from the combined pill (called Dianette) due to headaches, and was able to change her prescription to a hormonal pill that better suited her body.

She'd never been to see us before, but she came for a pregnancy test, and the reason that she was worried was because she'd recently changed her pill from Dianette. She was told to be extra cautious for two weeks when she changed her pill. It's supposed to be a week, but the GP threw in an extra week, just for good measure, said Dr Hunter.

But she'd had sex after three days, and now she was worried that she might be pregnant. Then I got the pills out of the cupboard, and it turned out she was on the progesterone pill.

"With the progesterone pill, you never take any breaks [in taking it every day]. And if somebody was taking a break at the end of every package, you would be at serious risk of getting pregnant. We cleared that up, but actually, she was not on the combined pill, but she needed to take it in a completely different way.

She had been on Dianette for years, and the GP had taken her off it because she had severe headaches. She had been investigated for those headaches for years and had been in hospital, but nobody ever mentioned the connection to her combined pill. As soon as she came off it, her headaches stopped. Its no wonder people lose faith in medical advice if they're just not getting quite the attention.

I think its quite easy with young people not to give them their full attention because, contrary to what we might think, young people are not demanding. Theyre often quite submissive, follow instructions without question, and can find medical settings intimidating. And so sometimes theyre not actually getting the best of it. Some of their lack of trust in the medical profession is actually founded.

Belfast Trust Consultant in sexual and reproductive health Dr Siobhan Kirk at the 30th annual Sexual Health Conference NI on 19th November 2025 (Luke Jervis/ Belfast Telegraph)

Dr Siobhan Kirk, a consultant in sexual and reproductive health at the Belfast Trust, also emphasised that theres not just one pill noting that awareness of alternative hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive options remains low.

Both Arlene and Dr Kirk have now called for better social-media engagement from healthcare professionals and for trusted ambassadors to promote evidence-based information regarding the positives of various methods of contraception.

They also stressed the need for improved Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), inclusive of boys and transgender young people, who are increasingly part of contraceptive conversations.

CEO of Common Youth Arlene McLaren and Belfast Trust Consultant in sexual and reproductive health Dr Siobhan Kirk at the 30th annual Sexual Health Conference NI on 19th November 2025 (Luke Jervis/ Belfast Telegraph)

Despite perceptions that sexual health services are difficult to access, Dr Kirk said the Belfast Trusts sexual and reproductive health service offers rapid self-referral, same-day consultations, and quick appointments for implants or coils. However, many women are unaware the service exists until they need it.

She continued: There's more options of different pills. Theres even a new progesterone-only pill in Belfast Trust with different side effects, and its not just young people.

"Most people we are seeing with unplanned pregnancy are actually older and are already mothers themselves, and there are missed opportunities for postnatal contraception. So if one pill causes side effects, that doesnt mean another one wont. Its important for people to know there isnt just one pill, and experiencing a problem with one shouldnt stop them from trying others."

You can find full details of Belfast Trust clinics via the Sexual health and HIV services | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website.
Mike Nesbitt briefed the health committee on his dicussions with GPs (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has vowed that charges to access GP services will not happen on his watch.

Mr Nesbitt also told the Stormont Health Committee that he was reasonably optimistic a dispute with GPs in Northern Ireland over funding for services could be resolved.

The minister briefed the committee on his Shift Left agenda, which aims to move health services in the region towards a neighbourhood model of care.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said services had to shift towards a neighbourhood model (Liam McBurney/PA)

He said there was universal recognition that if services continued to be delivered in the same way, we are hurtling towards some form of collapse.

He said: The change has to be this almost fabled shift left.

I know that this winter we will be inevitably be looking at our acute hospitals and the queue of sick people waiting to be treated.

We have to shift left and try and think about prevention, in other words trying to keep healthy people healthy and when people do begin to get sick, getting in early with early prevention.

The neighbourhood model is the way to go.

Mr Nesbitt said GPs were central to his plans.

A vote of no confidence in Mr Nesbitt was passed by the British Medical Associations Northern Ireland Local Medical Committee Conference in Belfast on Saturday, in response to the ministers move to impose the 2025/26 GP contract on doctors, despite them rejecting its terms.

The additional 9 million offered by the minister as part of the contract fell far short of the extra 80 million GPs said was required to stabilise general practice services in Northern Ireland.

At the conference, delegates also voted no confidence in the Department of Health and agreed to examine options on how GPs could operate outside current NHS structures in the future.

The minister told the committee: I am now reasonably optimistic we have the opportunity for a three-phased approach to resolving difference.

The first will be the NIGPC (Northern Ireland general practitioners committee) will be engaging in short order with officials seeking clarity on the latest offer they have received from us.

Phase two, they will take that back to their committee and if things go well then, if things go well we will open a new round of negotiations and discussions on a new contract.

Mr Nesbitt added: A small number of GPs have been talking about a hybrid model; to be clear a hybrid model means some people pay for accessing their general practice.

Not on my watch. The tenet of the National Health Service is it is free at the point of need. I am not moving off that.

I dont think it is a universal view (the hybrid model), I dont think it is anything near a universal view within primary care.

The minister said the toughest decision he had had to make in his 18 months in the post was going back on a promise to introduce the real living wage to social care workers in September.

Health Committee chairman Philip McGuigan (Liam McBurney/PA)

He said: I would ask the committee to accept that is a sign of just how desperate the finances are and how big the gap is between what we have and what we need.

Committee chairman Philip McGuigan said plans to shift to a neighbourhood model needed the support of GPs.

He added: We are in a scenario where the department and GPs are currently at loggerheads over core funding.

Mr Nesbitt responded: Yes, the committee is in dispute with us but that has not stopped us speaking to individual GPs.

We are having discussions about the neighbourhood model and how they see it.
The report has examined the response of the Stormont Executive to the Covid-19 pandemic (Liam McBurney/PA)

A politically divided Stormont Executive led to chaotic decision-making during the Covid-19 pandemic, a public inquiry has concluded.

Baroness Heather Halletts report on government responses to Covid found that the political reaction to the public health emergency in Northern Ireland was deeply divided along political lines and beset by leaks, leading to an incoherent approach.

The report said the attendance of then deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey in Belfast in June 2020, and her initial refusal to apologise, contributed to tensions in the Northern Ireland Executive Committee.

It also said there was the inappropriate instigation of cross-community votes to make political points by former first minister Baroness Arlene Foster.

The report published on Thursday focuses on the core political and administrative decision-making across the UK in response to the pandemic.

Baroness Heather Hallett criticised decision-making (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Political leaders were involved in significant decisions including how lockdowns were introduced, the closure of businesses and schools, and restrictions on public gatherings.

It concluded that the response in Northern Ireland, like the rest of the UK, was a repeated case of too little, too late.

The report said the devolved administrations were too reliant on the UK government to lead the response.

It said that in Northern Ireland, as in Scotland, Covid-19 was only discussed under any other business in meetings in late February 2020.

The report said: It should have been equally apparent to the First Ministers and deputy First Ministers of the devolved administrations that, by this point, Covid-19 was the most pressing issue facing their governments.

Examining the response to the second Covid wave in autumn 2020, the report said: In Northern Ireland, politically divided Executive Committee meetings led to chaotic decision-making.

A four-week circuit breaker was introduced on 16 October 2020, despite advice that a six-week intervention was needed.

The report said the circuit breaker ultimately proved inadequate.

It added: In the weeks that followed, Executive Committee meetings were deeply divided along political lines and beset by leaks, leading to an incoherent approach in which the circuit breaker restrictions were extended for one week, then lapsed for one week, before being reintroduced for two further weeks  with the one-week lapse in restrictions correlating with a 25% increase in cases.

When examining decision-making, the report said: Coordination of the Northern Ireland Executives response was weakened by the operational independence of departments and decision-making was marred by political disputes.

Michelle ONeill speaks alongside Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty during the funeral of a senior Irish Republican (Liam McBurney/PA)

The report said the powersharing arrangements in Northern Ireland are designed to ensure that each department has a significant degree of operational independence.

It added: This weakened the ability of the Northern Ireland Executive to coordinate the pandemic response and there was no one sufficiently empowered to hold departments to account.

The Department of Health (Northern Ireland), which was the lead government department with responsibility for the response at the outset of the pandemic, largely operated in a silo  especially in the early stages of the response.

The report continued: The distinct powersharing arrangements in Northern Ireland offered the opportunity to demonstrate that decisions were being made by all parties collectively for the greater good.

Instead, however, on multiple occasions decision-making was marred by political disputes between Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein ministers.

The attendance of the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle ONeill MLA, at the funeral of Bobby Storey in June 2020, and her initial refusal to apologise for this, contributed to tensions in the Northern Ireland Executive Committee.

The four-day Executive Committee meeting from 9 to 12 November 2020 represented a low point in Northern Ireland politics during the pandemic.

The confidentiality of discussions was undermined by leaks and there was inappropriate instigation of cross-community votes to make political points by the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster MLA.

The report said the pandemic response also exposed wider cultural issues.

It said: The very least the public should be entitled to expect is that those making the rules will abide by them. Instances where ministers and advisers appeared to break Covid-19 rules caused huge distress to the public.

Ms ONeill, now Northern Irelands First Minister, said the publication of the Covid inquirys second report was an important milestone.

She said: I welcome the publication of the Module 2 Report and thank the chair and inquiry team for their work.

It is an important milestone in the long journey of recovery after the pain and trauma of the Covid pandemic.

Covid was an unprecedented global emergency and this report will provide further lessons from the experience at all levels of society.

Those lessons must inform our preparedness for, and response to, any future pandemic or society-wide emergency in the future.

Our thoughts are very much with those who lost loved ones during the pandemic.
I was in boxes with swords going in me and decided to do my own thing
John Fegan died on Tuesday, November 18, one day before his wife Mary.

A Co Down family is grieving following the loss of a much-loved husband and wife after they died within a day of each other.

John Fegan died on Tuesday, November 18, before his wife Mary (nee Campbell) died the following day at Craigavon Area Hospital, surrounded by family.

The couple were fondly remembered by their local community, who expressed condolences and offered them support.

They had a wide family circle, their shared death notice said.

The Funeral Times website said the couple are "deeply regretted and sadly missed by their sons, daughter, daughters-in-law Gail, Katherine and Tamara, grandchildren Nicole, James, Molly, Joe, Sean, Eoin, Eimear, Niall, Jack and Mia, great-grandson Paudie. Also by their brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and the entire family circle."

John and Mary Fegan.

It said they were the devoted parents of Michael, Paula, Sean, Fergal and the late baby John.

John was a treasured brother of Patsy, Martin and the late baby Mona, Hugh and Joe (R.I.P). Mary was a treasured sister of Francis, Joe, Una, Alice, Jean, George, Paul and the late Bill (R.I.P).

Wolfe Tones GAC posted a tribute saying they are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John and Mary Fegan, beloved parents of our club man Fergal Fegan.

It added: On behalf of everyone at the club, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Fergal and the entire Fegan family during this incredibly difficult time.

Our thoughts, prayers and support are with you all.

Ar dheis De go raibh a n-anamacha.

John Fegan died on Tuesday, November 18, one day before his wife Mary.

Cold Arctic air and wet weather to bring icy patches to UK

Gaelic Park added: The Gaelic Park committee and members send our deepest condolences to Fergal Fegan, whose parents, John and Mary Fegan passed away this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
BREAKING | Conor McGregor to sue Sky News for defamation over claims he was called a rapist by reporter after Nikita Hand case

McGregor alleges a Sky News reporter called out to him through a media scrum that he was a rapist

Conor McGregor

Tim Healy Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 17:25

Celebrity fighter Conor McGregor has been granted permission to serve legal papers on Sky News for an alleged defamation he claims occurred in the immediate aftermath of his trial last year, after which he was found civilly liable for the rape of Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room.
The aircraft was reportedly on its way from Sligo to Bezier in France when it turned back over the Celtic Sea. Image courtesy of @Shauns_Aviation

The scene of the light aircraft crash in Tramore, Waterford on Thursday. Photo: Shauns_Aviation on X

One person has died and at least two others have suffered injuries after a light aircraft crashed while trying to make an emergency landing in Waterford.

The incident occurred shortly after 1pm today when a twin-engined light aircraft crashed as it attempted to make an emergency landing in a field south-west of Waterford Airport.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that the aircraft had declared an emergency in the minutes prior to the crash landing. It is not believed to have been a commercial flight.

A major incident has been declared, with gardai, paramedics, Coast Guard and Waterford Fire Brigade personnel deploying to the site.

It is understood the small aircraft crashed in a field at a farm in the townland of Lisselan. Around 20 to 30 members of the emergency services were at the scene at about 2pm. Weather conditions were described as good at the time.

The incident occurred in a field near the R685 road which was immediately closed by Gardai to facilitate the work of the emergency services.

The Waterford-based Rescue 117 Sikorsky helicopter also deployed to the site in support. Emergency services raced to the scene of the incident on the Tramore to Dunmore road.

Multiple units deployed around the wreckage while others secured the scene. Major damage is understood to have been sustained by the front section of the aircraft.

It appears the aircraft went nose-first into the ground as it attempted to land. The tail-section of the aircraft was left standing upright after the plane came to a standstill just a short distance from a roadside ditch.

One theory is that the aircraft was trying to make an emergency landing but its nose gear sank into the sod, causing the plane to dig nose-first into the field.

It also appears that the pilot was attempting to reach the runway at Waterford Airport.

A major investigation into the accident is now expected to be launched by the Air Accident Investigation Branch at the Department of Transport.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) said it has been notified of an accident involving a twin-engine general aviation aircraft in the vicinity of Lesselan, Co Waterford. The AAIU is deploying a team of four inspectors of air accidents to the accident site to commence an investigation.

Gardai said they were conducting a live and ongoing operation in response to the incident. "Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision involving a light aircraft at a location near Tramore, Co Waterford," a spokesperson said.

"It occurred at approximately 12.50pm. As this is a live and ongoing operation no further information is available at this time."

The aircraft is not understood to have been on a commercial flight at the time.

According to aviation experts, the aircraft was tracked doing a U-turn over the sea south of Waterford and returning to the coast prior to the crash.

The scene of the light aircraft crash in Tramore, Waterford on Thursday. Photo: Shauns_Aviation on X

News Catch Up - Tuesday 18 November

Rescue 117 departed at about 2.40pm but the scene remains cordoned off as at 3pm.
Victoria Bond was killed in a snowstorm in Chilean Patagonia (Visit Isles of Scilly/PA)

A British woman who was killed in a freak snowstorm in Chilean Patagonia was a star, her friend has said.

Victoria Bond was among five people found dead on Tuesday in Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile.

The holidaymaker, a public relations consultant from Cornwall, was hiking with friends in Argentina and Chile when the storm hit.

Adam Walker, a friend of Ms Bonds, described her death as utterly heartbreaking.

Mr Walker, who runs the Walking Cornwall Facebook page and worked with the PR consultant, said: Victoria was one of those rare people who made everything brighter just by being there.

Kind, passionate and full of warmth, she was a little bundle of infectious energy and you couldnt help but be lifted by her presence.

Working with her was always such a pleasure, she was talented, enthusiastic and genuinely lovely to be around.

She became so familiar so quickly that she never felt like just someone we worked with; she felt much more like a friend.

Mr Walker said Ms Bond had a cheeky, effortless charm which made everyone feel at ease.

He recalled having an incredible amount of fun working with her promoting a local festival and pub quiz.

Mr Walker continued: Its no surprise she was befriended by so many but loved by all.

Her passing is utterly heartbreaking.

Its hard to comprehend that someone so vibrant is no longer with us.

My thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues, who I know meant the world to her and who loved her so deeply.

She touched so many of us in ways well never forget. She truly was a star.

A spokesperson for Visit Isles of Scilly, where Ms Bond worked, said the organisation was deeply saddened.

In a tribute, the firm said: She will be missed beyond words and we are only now just starting to process her untimely passing.

Along with Ms Bond, two German and two Mexican citizens died in the snowstorm, according to Jose Antonio Ruiz, the presidential delegate of the Magallanes of southern Chile.
Screen grab from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry live stream of former prime minister Boris Johnson giving evidence for module 8 (children and young people) of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, at Dorland House in London. Issue date: Tuesday October 21, 2025.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry will publish its findings on Thursday into decisions made by former prime minister Boris Johnson and his senior advisers.

Key players, including Mr Johnson and former health secretary Matt Hancock, gave evidence to the inquiry into what they were thinking in 2020, including before the first lockdown was announced in March.

During a series of hearings, they were questioned over government measures introduced during the pandemic, such as Covid testing, social distancing and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme designed to support businesses.

Chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett, a former Court of Appeal judge, heard wide-ranging criticisms of Mr Johnson and his team, with WhatsApp messages and emails detailing disagreements disclosed to the inquiry.

In October 2023, the inquiry heard from the diary entries of Lord Patrick Vallance, who was chief scientific adviser during the pandemic, where he criticised Mr Johnsons impossible flip-flopping and bipolar decision-making.

In one note on social distancing, Lord Vallance wrote: Number 10 chaos as usual.

On Friday, the two-metre rule meeting made it abundantly clear that no-one in Number 10 or the Cabinet Office had really read or taken time to understand the science advice on two metres. Quite extraordinary.

In other entries, he described how he felt scientists were used as human shields by ministers.

And on September 19 2020, around the time a possible circuit-breaker lockdown was being discussed, he wrote: (Johnson) is all over the place and so completely inconsistent. You can see why it was so difficult to get agreement to lock down first time.

WhatsApp messages from 2020 also released to the Covid inquiry revealed senior civil servant Simon Case complaining about the influence of Carrie Symonds, who is now the wife of Mr Johnson.

In exchanges with Dominic Cummings, who was Downing Street adviser at the time, Mr Case joked that she was the real person in charge.

In other messages, Mr Case said the Government looked like a tragic joke and told others Mr Johnson cannot lead and we cannot support him.

Meanwhile, Mr Cummings told the inquiry the Government had no plan for dealing with Covid and was in complete chaos.

When giving his own evidence, Mr Johnson admitted it was very unlikely the first Covid lockdown could have been avoided by earlier action.

He said he had reflected many times on whether the lockdown did more harm than good, but argued: We were between a rock and a hard place, the devil and the deep blue sea.

Elsewhere, the inquiry heard of calls for Mr Johnson to remove Mr Hancock as health secretary.

Boris Johnson gave evidence to the inquiry (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA)

Lord Sedwill, who was cabinet secretary, said he left the then-prime minster under no doubt he should be replaced.

Englands chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, also told the inquiry that the first lockdown in March 2020 was imposed a bit too late but the government had no good options at the time.

The full report from the inquiry will be published at 4pm on Thursday.

In a statement, the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK group said: More than 230,000 of our loved ones were killed because of failures by those in power.

Every single one of them deserves accountability, and so does the whole of society that suffered from the mishandling of the pandemic.

We fought for this inquiry because decisions made by political leaders sowed chaos and led to avoidable deaths.

For five years, we have waited for this moment. The inquiry has already exposed misconduct and unforgivable ineptitude from the Prime Minister down.

On Thursday, it will finally deliver its verdict on the political leadership of Boris Johnson and others during the pandemic. The inquiry must not flinch.

This cannot be a whitewash. Justice means holding those in power to account, however senior or well-connected, and that is what we expect the inquiry to do.
The judgement does not overturn any legislation, and so, it does not require the Assembly to pass new law. As a result, this issue is largely left to be resolved by Paul Givan.
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POWNAL  The Select Board wants the town to consider reuse options for the Old Town Hall building, but plans to make no final decisions until a lawsuit that could impact the Center Street property is concluded.

The board decided on November 13 to create a committee of residents to research and discuss desired options for the future of the Old Town Hall and the feasibility for any future action regarding the Old Town Hall, according to a notice posted on the town website and town Facebook page.

Residents who would like to serve on the committee are asked to email an expression of interest and their contact information.

Respondents also are asked not to share your opinions or ideas for the Old Town Hall in their email.

Emails should be sent to town Executive Assistant Tara Parks at executive.assistant@townofpownal.org, and copied to Select Board member Jeannie Alexander, at selectperson5@townofpownal.org, before December 4.

The board expects to appoint the committee members during a December 11 meeting.

On November 13, Alexander suggested forming a volunteer citizen committee, noting that the board had discussed such a step more than once at prior meetings.

Alexander said she understands that, because of the ongoing suit concerning the propertys ownership, we cannot move forward with feasibility studies, things we are going to spend money on potentially, until we have worked through this litigation.

But she added, It costs us nothing to move ahead with what we have told people we will do, and that is a committee to come together.

Board member Harry Jamie Percey said, I dont think it hurts to have a conversation. Having a conversation is a good thing.

Board member Karl Strohmaier said he thinks the town should wait until the Pownal Center Community Churchs suit against the town in Bennington Superior Court  seeking clarification of ownership of the church property  is over.

We cant act on it, Alexander responded, but we can discuss it.

The church filed a suit against the town in April, seeking a ruling in its favor on ownership questions concerning the church, as well as possible questions regarding nearby land on which the Old Town Hall was built  just north of the church  and a former church carriage barn, located to the south of the church.

The suit followed situations that have arisen in recent years that focused on whether the church or the town legally controlled the church parcel and/or adjacent parcels that are at the center of Pownals historic district.

One issue concerned which party could decide how or whether to restore a steeple-like structure that had deteriorated and eventually had to be removed from the church. More recently, concern arose over a needed paint job and how that should be done in light of the buildings historical significance.

The town board also has discussed helping to maintain and/or restore the historic structure, but the board learned the town would require ownership or legal control before applying for preservation grants.

The historic church stands on the site of the original Pownal place of worship, which dates to shortly after the town was chartered in 1760 on behalf of King George II of Great Britain  31 years before the area that became Vermont joined the new United States.

The original church was repaired and restored in 1849 with financial assistance from the town.

No definitive research report was found that is accepted by the suit parties as deciding the complex ownership details of the church property and adjacent parcels.

The church claims in the suit that its ownership or control dates in part to a grant from the British king, while the town contends such royal grants to support religious communities  called Glebes  have since been determined in Vermont courts to have reverted to the town.

In July, Judge David Barra granted in part a motion from the town to dismiss the churchs complaint, determining that the church had failed to state a claim to title for the property, except in the case of the Carriage Barn.

Since that time, the church has amended its complaint and each side has filed further motions with the court, including a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, but no further orders had been filed by the judge as of late October.

New town offices

In 2022, the town completed and opened the new town hall on another nearby Center Street parcel, leaving the former town offices building, or Old Town Hall, vacant.

The idea of reusing the building has spurred concern on the part of some residents, who primarily contend it could become an expensive and unnecessary tax burden for Pownal.

Parks said this week in an email that the recommendation of Town Attorney Robert Fisher is that we can and should be doing research, planning, etc., so that we are ready when the lawsuit is over with.

She added, The committee is planned for six weeks at this time, but we will likely know more when they set the schedule at the next meeting.
Recently, I introduced you, my wonderful readers, to the Winter Finch Forecast, which is issued annually by the Finch Research Network. There are some outstanding scientists out there who are monitoring the boreal forests of North America and the birds that rely on the spruce trees that grow there. Every year, once the data has been crunched, a report is sent out suggesting the likelihood of an irruption of hungry winter finches.

Well, these folks really nailed it this year, which was an outstanding year for spruce budworms (a type of caterpillar that feeds on spruce trees) and the many species of finches that feed on them. This produced a fantastic breeding season for the birds and their numbers soared. Unfortunately, the spruce trees themselves had a rough year due to the high numbers of budworms and the long summer drought. These stressors resulted in large numbers of birds with low levels of winter food available for them. To survive, they must fan out across the continent to find something to eat.

This brings us to Nov. 11, Veterans Day. There was no school, which meant that I could stay home and watch birds. It was also a cold, stormy day with snowflakes in the air and that made me think that I might see something special. The regulars at my feeders are always interesting to observe, but once in a while, it is nice to see something unusual or exotic. Little did I know that I would get just that.

It was 10:43 a.m. when the first bird appeared. I had already spent two hours watching the feeders between 6:30-8:30 a.m. and had transitioned to office mode, but I made a quick trip down to the kitchen to top off my mug of coffee. In so doing, I glanced out the windows that overlook my feeders and there was an evening grosbeak! It was hanging around with a mixed flock of finches and sparrows and munching away on sunflower seeds. Apparently, my cool bird detector was on the fritz. If not for the coffee run, I would have missed it completely.

I managed to take a seat by the window, but when I raised my camera, the birds all flew off. Ive had at least two different Coopers hawks hunting in my neighborhood and all of the birds are understandably on edge. There was no way that I was giving up on this bird, so I just planted myself at the window and waited for a while. About 25 minutes later, the grosbeak returned, again in the company of a mixed flock of American goldfinches and house finches.

Unfortunately, the angle of my view through the triple-paned windows made the photos that I took a little too blurry to use, but stubbornness (three double letters there!) can pay off when you are a photographer. I didnt leave my post, and I was eventually rewarded with the photo that you see today. Nikonus and Iso must have been very happy with me because the white sky makes for a nice winter feel.

The evening grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina, or the voice of the evening) is a species in trouble. According to the Finch Research Network, the population of evening grosbeaks has experienced a 92 percent decline since 1970. Back in the winters of 1978 and 1980, when I was just a kid, we would often see large flocks of these birds at the feeders in the backyard of the family home in Amherst. I thought this was normal, but then the birds just sort of evaporated. Now we know why. Habitat loss resulting from logging (for lumber and to make room for the extraction of oil from tar sands) and the use of pesticides that knock down the numbers of the budworms (a key food source) are both major contributors to their decline.

In pre-industrial America, the vast boreal forests of Canada and the northern United States were full of these birds and many other species that depended on the spruce trees for food. Females would build their cup-shaped nests on the horizontal limb of a tree and then fill these nests with three to four blue-green eggs covered with brown, gray or purple splotches. The chicks would be fed insect larvae (especially budworms) and seeds that had been mashed into a pulp by the adults. In just two weeks, the chicks would fledge and then join the nomadic flocks in the search for winter food.

Today, in the case of the evening grosbeak, we have only a vestige of what once was. Their natural history is exactly the same, but they simply have far fewer resources to work with. If humans stopped cutting down spruce trees tomorrow, things might turn around for the birds. The cessation of spruce tree harvesting would also dramatically reduce the pesticide problem, because silviculturists use pesticides to ensure healthy trees are harvested for human use. If you live in a home made of 2-by-4 lumber, then you have relied on this sort of wood in a major way. It was never anyones intent to do harm to the birds, but harm has been caused nonetheless.

Would you like to help these birds? All you have to do is provide them with food. Grosbeaks have very large beaks. The species name actually comes from the French words gros, meaning big, and bec, meaning beak. This means that grosbeaks will prefer larger seeds, like sunflower and safflower seeds, both of which are readily available in commercial birdseed blends. All you have to do is spread these seeds on the ground, on the railing of your deck, or in a hanging platform feeder. Then, keep your eyes peeled. Grosbeaks will follow other birds to reliable sources of food, so the locals will lead the way. Just remember that the gigantic goldfinch you see is actually a hungry visitor from the Great White North.
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A new bill filed by state Rep. John Barrett and state Sen. Paul Mark would exempt small districts like Hancock  which lack their own middle or high schools  from paying costly tuition for school choice students who continue on to other districts, potentially allowing Hancock Elementary to reopen to out-of-district families.
Installation of the manganese filtration system that is supposed to help the discolored water has been delayed  again  but is still projected to be running by next summer.
The Berkshire route that built a nation: Retracing Henry Knoxs winter march of 1775 Two and a half centuries after Henry Knox hauled 60 tons of artillery to help end the siege of Boston, historians are still pinpointing his exact route through the Berkshires. Its detective work that continues to inspire local research and debate.

The next time youre shoveling snow, imagine your blanketed driveway is a mountain  and your shovel is a 5,000-pound cannon. You might then get a better appreciation for the fortitude required of the crew led by Continental Army Col. Henry Knox when they lugged 60 tons of artillery through these Berkshire Hills 250 years ago.

Our fair county was arguably the most arduous juncture in the 300-mile route now known as the Knox Trail, a rugged distinction owing to our regions mountainous terrain. The landscape now beloved by modern hikers and skiers posed a Herculean challenge to the rag-tag revolutionaries who dragged 59 cannons  some of them 11 feet long and 2.5 tons in weight  from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in about eight weeks.

Even with the aid of oxen and sleds, its an endeavor that now seems mythical in scope and challenge. Yet its mission was critical, helping Gen. George Washington drive British forces out of Boston and supplying an early victory in the Revolutionary War that created our country.

As told in a thoroughly intriguing Eagle article published last weekend, the exact footprint of what is now known as the Knox Trail has been debated and rediscovered by historians over the decades. (Anyone interested in that history, after giving Eagle reporter Jane Kaufmans story a read, might also check out The American Revolution, a six-part docuseries directed by Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein being released in episodes by PBS this week that devotes some attention to the Knox Expedition.)

But while the exact placement of the footsteps that pushed 60 tons of history-making armaments through the Berkshires to Boston is an interesting question of history, what could drive such intrepid steps is the riddle that most resonates a quarter-millennium later. To brave the winter and will thousands of pounds of cannon through the hills and swamps of Berkshire County (not to mention the rest of the 300-mile journey) took uncommon courage, determination and mettle.

The operative word is uncommon  as in, not impossible. Perhaps that historic courage is even less common today; just compare Knox and Washington to the likes of our countrys contemporary leaders. Yet just as we can now walk the physical path of the Knox Trail, we may also take up its spiritual legacy 250 years later. Defending democracy against enemies foreign and domestic without compromising our ideals requires courage. Confronting official chaos without succumbing to autocracy or anarchy requires determination. Fortifying our republics institutions against internal corruption and external threat requires mettle. All of these things are hard but necessary  not unlike pushing a cannon up a snow-slicked hill. That latter feat was accomplished by common men with uncommon valor 250 years ago here in Berkshire County. Can we the people summon such courage amid todays uphill battles?
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In the Exodus from Egypt, God promised the Israelites they would take Canaan as their home: I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I willdrive theCanaanites out of your wayI will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River (Exodus 23:27-28, 31). Taking Canaan required outing Canaans native tribes, including the Philistines, who were descendants of Noahs youngest son Ham and had spread across this region next to the Aegean Sea (Genesis 9:18-19; Genesis 10:6, 15-19).

Moses sent 12 spies or scouts to survey the Canaan territory ahead of the Hebrews settling the land. The 12 Spies returned after 40 days with a report that terrified the Israelites: We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are very powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. . . We cant attack those people; they are stronger than we are (Numbers, 13:27-28, 31). Anak was one man in of line of giants mentioned in Joshua 15:13. The Israelites balked at entering Canaan after hearing the spies report, and God decreed that they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years as a result of their unwillingness to act further on His promise to them (Numbers 14:26-35).

When the Israelites did finally settle in the Promised Land, they warred with the Philistines during the Biblical times of the Old Testament books of Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Kings, and 2 Chronicles. From Abraham to King Hezekiah, conflicts arose as Israel attempted to displace Philistines in the Promised Land. Israelis acted on Gods promise to His people that He would protect them from destruction and let them be victorious in battle, taking over vast areas of territory in the Promised Land (Joshua 13-21). So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there (Joshua 21:43).

All of Israels battles with the Philistines were not successful, however. The outcomes of seven major battles between Israel and the Philistines reveal this.

The Battle of Aphek in which approximately 34,000 Israeli soldiers were killed. Hebrew elders questioned why God let them suffer so many casualties. The Philistine army soldiers feared the Israelis Ark of the Covenant but captured it during this battle (1 Samuel 4).

The Battle of Eben-Ezer, in Which Israel Is Victorious (1 Samuel 7:1, 13-14).

The Battle of Michmash in which Saul nearly loses his son Jonathan, who is successful against the Philistine army (1 Samuel 14:31-46).

David defeats Goliath in the larger context of the Israeli-Philistine conflict (1 Samuel 17).

The Battle of Mount Gilboa, in which King Saul falls on his sword and dies after the Philistine army kills his three sons (1 Samuel 31:1-6).

Hezekiahs father, King Ahaz, worships false gods (2 Kings 16:1-4), is struck with bad fortune (2 Kings 17:20), and fails in the Battle of Shephelah (1 Samuel 6:19). Philistines return the Ark of the Covenant to Ahaz because it has brought disaster to them (1 Samuel 5:11).

King Hezekiah of Judah is obedient to God and defeats the Philistines (2 Kings 18:5-8).

Having an enemy in the Philistines did unite Israel under its first kings. As is written about King Saul in 1 Samuel 14:52, All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.

Samson and David had individual encounters with Philistine enemies, and their stories are dramatically recorded in the Bible.

How Did Samson Attack the Philistines?

Samson, a powerfully built judge of Israel before the time of the kings, lost his strength when the Philistine woman Delilahwho Samson fell in love withled her people in blinding and enslaving Samson. Delilah discovered the source of Samsons strength was his hair, and she cut it off to weaken him. The Philistines then captured Samson and rewarded Delilah with 1100 shekels, which was approximately three years wages (Judges 16:4-5, 15-21).

God restored Samson's strength at the end of his life. Samson cried out to God for renewed strength from his lowly position as a slave grinding grain for the Philistines. When the Philistines had Samson entertain them at their temple, Samson, with Gods gift of new strength, knocked down supporting pillars of the building. It collapsed, killing Samson and thousands of Philistines. Samson had prayed, Let me die with the Philistines! (Joshua 16:25-30).

How Did David Attack a Philistine Giant?

The Old Testament story of David slaying Goliath (I Samuel 17) has become a legend as a case of the little guy defeating an imposing enemy. Before the pairs short duel began, the Israelites and Philistine armies are assembled on opposite hills overlooking a valley. Goliath sets the battle in motion: A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronzeand a bronze javelin was slung on his back (1 Samuel 17:4-7). Goliath challenges any man in the Israeli army to fight him. If the Israelite defeats Goliath, he says, the Philistines will become Israeli subjects. No man in the Israeli army responds to the challenge: On hearing the Philistines words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified (1 Samuel 17:11).

David, meanwhile, leaves his flock of sheep to visit his three older brothers in their army encampment. David hears Goliaths challenge, given for the fortieth day in a row, and learns that Sauls reward for defeating Goliath is the hand of his daughter in marriage and tax breaks for the family of the slayer. David is confident in the God of Abraham when he responds to Goliaths challenge: Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Samuel 17:26).

Despite King Sauls reluctance that David, a boy, should fight such a formidable foe, David remains confident he will slay Goliath. David has killed lions and bears that threatened his sheep. The Philistine is like a vicious, wild animal to Davidone he can overcome with Gods help. David tells Saul, The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Samuel 17:37).

David says to Goliath, You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17:45). David knocks out Goliath with his first shot from his slingshot arsenal of five smooth stones. The giant lays lifeless on the ground. The Philistine army flees and is pursued by Israelites, who kill many of them.

After defeating Goliath, David cuts off Goliaths head with Goliaths sword and brings the head to Jerusalem, which Israel had not yet conquered and established as Israels capital city. King Saul asks David who he is exactly and finds out David is a son of Jesse, whom Samuel prophesied would rule as king of Israel after Saul (I Samuel 17:51-58).

Photo credit: Getty Images/kevron2001
Venture Center receives ATF 2025 Honour for supporting assistive technology innovations

November 20, 2025 | Thursday | News

Venture Center has supported over 30 startups from across India working on key disability areas

Pune-based Venture Center, a not-for-profit technology business incubator hosted by CSIRNational Chemical Laboratory, has been recognised as the Best Assistive Technology Investor of the Year at the AssisTech Foundation (ATF) Awards 2025. The award, presented during the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, acknowledges Venture Centers role as a key enabler in advancing assistive technologies (AT).

The ATF Awards are the countrys first and only national platform dedicated to celebrating innovation and leadership in accessibility and inclusion. Through ten awards across three categories  Emerging Startups, Established Startups, and Enablers  ATF recognises organisations and innovators driving progress in assistive technology.

Venture Center was recognised in the Enablers category for its sustained efforts in nurturing, mentoring, and funding startups developing innovative assistive technologies. Venture Center has supported over 30 AT startups from across India working on key disability areas  neurological, cognitive/learning, visual, speech & hearing, locomotive, and appearance. The solutions span four major product categories: surgical rehabilitation, rehabilitation, assistive products, and prevention of disabilities.
IISc and IIT Gandhinagar join hands to foster academic exchange

November 20, 2025 | Thursday | News

To enable students and researchers at both institutes to pursue joint research projects

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-GN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster unique academic and research collaborations.

The partnership will enable students and researchers at both institutes to pursue joint research projects in areas of mutual interest, organise joint symposia and workshops, and access infrastructure and lab facilities at both institutions. The collaboration will also foster student exchange from IIT-GN to IISc for academic and research programmes.

Crucially, the partnership will enable students who completed their third year BTech at IIT-GN to join IISc directly for their Masters degree after a competitive selection process. Students successfully completing their course requirements will receive their BTech and MTech degrees from IIT-GN and IISc respectively.

Through this unique academic exchange model, the partnership seeks to leverage the academic and research strengths of the two premier institutions and enable students to benefit from diverse learning experiences. IISc hopes to establish similar partnerships with other IITs in the near future.


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An abandoned 15-year-old boy joined in the "mob mentality" of rioting and looting on Dublins OConnell Street two years ago, a court has heard.

The youth, now 17, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, appeared at the Dublin Childrens Court.

He faced a hearing regarding his trial venue, where video evidence showed a 3 by 3 foot glass pane being thrown at gardai during a mass invasion of three sportswear shops.

He is charged with engaging in a riot under section 14 of the Public Order Act, punishable by a 10-year sentence.

He faces four counts of burglary pursuant to section 12 of the Theft and Fraud Act. They involved allegations of trespassing and theft at the Footlocker, Asics, Lifestyle Sports, and Guud cafe on OConnell Street on November 23rd, 2023.

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There had been large-scale disorder on that date in response to a knife attack on young children.

Judge Kelly noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended that the boys case be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which can, on conviction, impose greater sentences.

However, because he is a minor, the defence could plead, under section 75 of the Children Act, that the boy was suitable to be tried in the juvenile court.

That legislation allows the judge to consider accepting jurisdiction by taking into account a juvenile defendants age, level of maturity, or other factors deemed relevant to the proceedings.

No plea was indicated.

Garda Brian Kenny told Judge Paul Kelly that there was video evidence that tracked the teenager on the evening of the incidents.

He said the footage showed the teenager throwing 11 objects, including a plank of wood, at public order gardai over 23 minutes before his involvement in rioting turned to burglary.

He said gardai were injured, and though it was not claimed that the teenager caused that, it was alleged he had taken part in mob mentality.

Some of the evidence showed hooded males throwing a concrete slab and a wooden plank at officers.

Footage from inside storerooms in the sportswear shops showed males, the boy allegedly among them, entering and leaving with stock.

Defence solicitor Aonghus McCarthy pleaded with the judge to accept jurisdiction, telling the court that his client had no prior convictions and got caught up and joined in; it was sheep mentality completely.

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Others at the scene were much older, he submitted, and like his troubled client, many involved were abandoned or misguided or neglected.

The solicitor said the boy, who was not cared for at home, was neglected and abandoned. On the night, he was misguided and joined in the incidents.

Ireland Man (30s) charged in connection with Citywest riots Read more

Judge Kelly held that the case was too serious and should be sent to the Circuit Court, which can impose harsher sentences.

He will appear again in December to be served with a book of evidence and returned for trial.

Bail terms state he must remain contactable by phone, stay out of parts of the city-centre, obey a 9pm to 6am curfew, and notify of any address change.

He was also ordered not to attend protests after the defence agreed to forgo a possible constitutional objection to that condition.
A Brazilian man who used his skateboard to strike a man outside a chipper, causing a fractured skull and a bleed to the brain, has been jailed for two years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Aquila Batista (33) of no fixed address, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at an area near Parnell Street, Dublin, on September 2nd, 2022.

He has no previous convictions and has not come to the attention of the gardai since this incident.

Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan said the defendant left the scene and returned a short time later with a skateboard and hit the injured party with the skateboard.

He noted this resulted in a severe gash, and the injured party was brought to the hospital for treatment. The injured man also sustained a fractured skull and had a small bleed to the brain.

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Judge Nolan said the injured party had made a good recovery from his physical injuries but that the attack affected his confidence and his mental health.

The judge said, What motivated this defendant seems to have been some form of revenge or bad temper.

He noted the following as mitigating factors: his guilty plea, his level of cooperation, his lack of previous convictions, and his good work history.

Judge Nolan said, obviously, if you hit someone with force with a skateboard on the head, there will be reasonably serious injuries.

He noted the injured party has been left with a scar. He sentenced Batista to two years in prison. He concluded by saying, When you attack someone in a vicious way with a weapon, you have to endure a custodial term.

Mr Marc Murphy BL, prosecuting, told the court that on the night of September 1st, 2022, the injured party, his girlfriend, and three other friends were socialising in Dublin.

At approximately 2:30am, the group went to a nearby chipper. The group waited outside while the injured party's girlfriend went inside.

Batista was inside the chipper and attempted to chat up the woman. As she was leaving, he attempted to place his hands on her, but she pushed him away.

The court heard that a verbal altercation took place between Batista and the injured party, and Batista left the area.

He returned a short time later on his skateboard. He then proceeded to strike the injured party on the top of the head with the skateboard.

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The injured party was brought to the Matter Hospital. Upon examination, he suffered a fracture to the skull and a minor bleed to the brain.

The injured party underwent reconstructive surgery and is left with a permanent scar on his face. Batista remained at the scene and was also taken to the hospital for minor cuts.

He was arrested and interviewed, and said he acted in self-defence. He denied striking the man with a skateboard and said he pushed him to the ground.

The court heard that the injured party has since moved out of Dublin and has physically recovered from that attack. The injured party did not wish to make a victim impact statement.

Ireland Woman who carried out 'sustained campaign of terror' on ex-partner is jailed Read more

Counsel defending Batista said he remained at the scene and also required medical treatment. Batista, who is originally from Brazil, came to Ireland in 2017 to study English and has no previous convictions.

Counsel said Batista has no family in Ireland and finds it difficult to get work. He brought 2,500 to court as a token of remorse.

The court was told this: It seems very out of character for Batista, and he wants to offer his apologies to the injured party.

He asked the court to take into account his client's guilty plea and asked the court to be as lenient as possible.
A Leitrim man, who has worked as a carer, has been jailed for six years for the repeated rape and sexual assault of his young niece over 40 years ago.

Sean McDonald (62) of Tawneymachugh, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court last July to 11 representative counts relating to the rape and sexual assault of a child from 1977 to 1982.

Christina Elliott was aged seven to 11 during this period, while McDonald was 14 to 18.

The abuse took place during visits by Ms Elliott and her family to her mother's family home in Glencar, Co Leitrim, and McDonald was left to babysit Ms Elliott and other children.

Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, told Justice Melanie Greally that the complainant wished to waive her anonymity so that McDonald could be publicly named.

He said that Ms Elliott was happy for her own name to be published, and the sentence hearing was held in an open courtroom.

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Members of Ms Elliot's immediate family were in court, as were members of McDonald's immediate family. Ms Elliot now lives in Scotland, the court heard.

Justice Greally said that the case of abuse encompassed a broad range of sexual violations which were carried out with regularity over a period of just over five years.

She said that the extreme youth of the victim, the age difference, and the breach of trust were aggravating factors in the case. She noted the fact that the abuse took place in her grandparents' home, a place which should have afforded safety to a child.

Justice Greally noted that the immense and immeasurable harm was caused to the injured party by the offending.

She noted that a Probation Service assessment states that McDonald is at a low risk of reoffending but does not show any insight into the impact of his behaviour.

The report identified a reluctance by the defendant to speak about the harm he has caused. It further stated that he tended to minimise the impact of his conduct and attributed it to immaturity and sexual exploration.

Justice Greally said that while the likely initial motive for the abuse may have been sexual curiosity, the later continued assaults were manifestly conducted for sexual gratification.

Desmond Dockery SC, defending, handed nine-character references on affidavit from family members and some local supporters of McDonald, including a former chairman of St Osnats GAA club in Glencar.

Justice Greally said these were evidence that in his adult life McDonald had made a substantial positive contribution to his local community and that he enjoys the continued support and affection of his family.

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She said she accepted that the guilty pleas had spared the victim the further trauma of giving evidence in a trial and were a public acknowledgement of his wrongdoing.

But she said she could give him minimal credit for remorse as he has no true appreciation or understanding of the harm he has caused.

She set a headline sentence of 18 years, which she reduced to seven years to take into account the fact that McDonald was a minor for most of the period of the offending. She suspended the final year on condition that McDonald engage with offence-focused work under the Probation Service.

Detective Garda Lydia Cauley told the court that the victim's mother is originally from Leitrim but had moved to Scotland. During family visits to the victim's grandparents in Leitrim, the defendant would often be left to babysit the victim and older children.

She was aged seven when McDonald began sexually assaulting her by touching her private parts. He would also force her to let him give her oral sex and put his penis into her mouth; Dt Gda Lydia told the court.

Dt Gda Cauley said that she was unable to say how many times McDonald assaulted her, but that it took place whenever her grandparents were out of the house and sometimes when they were sleeping.

She testified that the abuse escalated to full rape on two occasions. She later agreed with Desmond Dockery SC, defending, that there was no evidence of whether McDonald carried out the rape while he was still a juvenile or after he had turned 18.

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All the offending ended in August 1982, when a cousin of the victim began sleeping in the same room as her, and he no longer had undetected access to the child, Justice Greally said.

The victim made a formal complaint to the police in Scotland in February 2021, and they contacted the gardai. Gardai questioned McDonald in June 2023, and he denied ever babysitting the victim and said that her allegations were lies and nonsense.

McDonald was charged with two counts of rape and 90 counts of indecent assault. A trial was set to start on July 9th when McDonald pleaded guilty to 11 representative counts.

He pleaded guilty on that day to one charge of rape and ten counts of indecent assault on unknown dates between October 1977 and August 1982.

In her victim impact statement, read out by Dt Gda Cauley, the victim said the abuse left her feeling disgusting and vile as a child. She said she continues to struggle with the trauma and suffers flashbacks, depression and nightmares as a result of the abuse.

She said the abuse left her struggling with her mental health as a teenager and affected her later relationships with her children and grandchildren.

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 has been jailed for two years and nine months for horrific assaults on two women.

Ronaldo Lupo (24) of Rushenney Avenue, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm.

He has 52 previous convictions, including three for assault causing harm and over 40 for road traffic offences.

Detective Garda John Hayes told Eimear Delargy BL, prosecuting, that the injured parties Abby Tierney and Lauren Boyle-Hanney were socialising with Lupo's partner at Ms Tierney's home in Clonee on December 30th, 2023.

Lupo joined them and started drinking heavily. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard there were some disagreements between Lupo and his partner during the night.

Ms Boyle-Hanney saw Lupo grab a jar and believing he was going to smash it against his partner's head, she hit him in the face.

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Lupo then grabbed her by the hair and punched her approximately 20 times. Ms Tierney tried to intervene and Lupo punched her in the jaw. She was knocked unconscious and fell to the floor.

The victims managed to get away. They were scared and believed Lupo was going to kill them. Ms Boyle-Hanney managed to contact the gardai then got a male neighbour to come to the house and help in getting Lupo outside.

Lupo was arrested shortly afterwards. He was quite intoxicated and his detention was suspended as he was initially unfit for interview.

Both injured parties required medical attention that night. Photos of their injuries were handed to the court.

Ms Boyle-Hanney's nose was swollen and she suffered injuries to her hands. Ms Tierney sustained a swollen jaw, bruising to her face and arms and injuries to her hands.

Det Gda Hayes agreed with Oisin Clarke BL, defending, that the majority of Lupo's previous convictions are in the District Court.

It was accepted that there had been disagreements between Lupo and his partner that night, with Lupo becoming upset and crying in the hall at one point.

The witness agreed that Ms Boyle-Hanney struck Lupo, intervening in an argument between him and his partner. It was further accepted that when gardai arrived, Lupo had a cut on his forehead and apologised.

Reading her victim impact statement, Ms Tierney said that she felt shock, violated, powerless, confused and very vulnerable in the moment of the assault. She said she trusted Lupo as her friend's partner and let him into her home as someone I believed I could trust.

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Flashbacks

She said she has developed trust issues and finds certain situations involving alcohol more challenging. She said the assault made her feel small, scared and humiliated.

Ms Tierney said she has suffered with flashbacks, guilt and self-blame, though she knows she is not to blame. She said she hopes her voice can be heard and that what she has been through is acknowledged and never normalised.

In her victim impact statement, Ms Boyle-Hanney said she was assaulted viciously and a lot was taken from her, including her trust in others and sense of security.

She said she is more nervous around people and second-guesses their intentions. She said the incident had changed her perspective and made her more fearful.

She said she now gets nightmares. She said the scars that remain from having to protect myself from a vicious assault are a constant reminder.

What should have been a happy night of celebration and preparation for a new year ended in the most distressing way, she stated.

Mr Clarke said his client is apologetic, that his actions were not premeditated and there was no excuse for his reaction.

He said these are horrific offences, noting that it is abhorrent when a man strikes a woman and something that will concern the court.

Counsel submitted to the court that his client did not instigate the incident, but reacted inappropriately and excessively.

He said Lupo was quite intoxicated and was not in his right mind at the time.

Mr Clarke said his client has been diagnosed with several health issues. Medical reports, letters of apology and a letter from Lupo's partner were handed to the court.

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He is doing well in custody and attending an anger management course. Mr Clarke said his client is aware he is the cause of his own misfortune and is upset at the impact on his actions.

Judge Martin Nolan said Lupo attacked both victims quite savagely, that both sustained injuries and were terrified for good reason.

He said Lupo had at that time a problem with self-control, a very bad problem.

It seems he couldnt control himself on the night and inflicted violence on the unfortunate victims.

The judge noted Lupo has a history of similar offending. Hopefully, in time he will learn to control himself and his temper because at that point, and on other occasions, he displayed a total lack of control.

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The judge said he considered the mitigation, including the guilty pleas, expressions of remorse and Lupo's medical issues.

He imposed a sentence of two years and nine months, backdated to February 1st last, when Lupo went into custody.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
The new owners of the Blanchardstown Centre in west Dublin have secured the green light for their contentious plan to introduce a paid parking system at the retail destination despite local opposition.

Fingal Co Council has granted planning permission to Blanche Retail Nominee Ltd for a new Mobility Enhancement Project, which includes a Commercial Car Parking Management System comprising a new paid parking regime to improve circulation flows.

Last Saturday, local residents staged a protest at the proposed paid parking regime, and a larger protest is planned for December 6th, one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the run up to Christmas.

The Council received a total of six submissions on the planning application and those who have lodged objections against the application will now be able to appeal the decision to An Coimisiun Pleanala.

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Strategic Value Partners (SVP) acquired the lands at Blanchardstown Town Centre in late 2024 from Wall Street banking giant, Goldman Sachs for a reported sales price in the region of 600m.

Planning consultants for SVP firm, Blanche Retail Nominee Ltd, John Spain & Associates told the council that the proposed Mobility Enhancement Project is to continue to build on the recent expansion and upgrades of the centre, to secure its position as a top tier scheme on an international stage and to ensure successful integration with BusConnects.

Mr Spain stated that the introduction of a commercial car Parking Management System, which includes a new paid parking regime, will improve circulation flows and ensure that car parking resources are managed efficiently, safely and in a transparent manner.

However, in a joint objection, Ruth Coppinger TD, Cllr John Burtchaell and Cllr Helen Redwood (all People Before Profit-Solidarity) state that this planning application represents a profound change to a central piece of commercial and civic infrastructure in the Dublin 15 area.

The three state that the proposed car parking charges will impact heavily on workers who are employed in the centre many of whom are already in poorly paid & precarious jobs.

They claimed that barrier controlled car parks will force vehicles to queue at entry & entry points resulting in significant and cumulative increases in emissions, pollution & noise.

In their No Barriers to Blanch 21 page objection, Luke Daly and Jack OReilly claim that the proposal is a commercialisation of public access disguised as mobility improvement.

Ireland Residents protest proposed charges and barriers for Blanchardstown Centre car parks Read more

They state that if permitted, "this will replace free, open community parking, with barrier-controlled, for-profit car parking".

The two state that the people of Dublin 15 and surrounding areas have long valued Blanchardstown SC as more than a shopping complex.

They state that it is a civic space, a place of gathering, and a rare suburban heart.

They state that "to reduce the space to a gated pay-to-enter, pay to stay status is to erode the very character and inclusivity that both Blanchardstown, Dublin West and Fingal proudly identifies with and proudly defines it".
The Court of Appeal has issued new sentencing guidance for sexual assault offences after finding that the four-year term handed down to a man for the systematic and calculated sexual abuse of his stepdaughters was too lenient and did not meet the gravity of the offences.

The judgment comes after an appeal by the State, which argued that the jail term handed down to Gerard Nevin (42) for the abuse of his stepdaughters from when they were aged seven and eight left should be increased.

Nevin (42) of Grove Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6, had pleaded guilty to 22 counts of sexual assault committed between 2012 and June 2020 at various locations in Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown.

The victims were Nevins stepdaughters, Catalina Grancea and Alexa Grancea, who indicated they wished to waive their right to anonymity to allow Nevin to be named.

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The sentencing court heard that Nevin abused Catalina Grancea when she was aged between eight and 16 years old. Alexa Grancea was aged between seven and 15 when the abuse occurred.

In November 2024, Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain imposed a global sentence of six years on Nevin, with the final two years suspended.

Caroline Latham BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions had argued that the reduction to the headline sentence of almost 30 per cent - from nine to six years - was too high, given the age of the victims at the time and prolonged nature of the offending.

Thursday's new sentencing guidelines place Nevins abuse in the upper range of offending, with a headline sentence to be set between nine and 14 years.

In a judgement delivered on Thursday, Mr Justice Peter Charleton said that the case led the court to review the categorisation of these offences, with a view to giving sentencing judges some guidance on the sentencing bands in sexual assault cases.

He set out lengthy principles for sentencing and said that without the guidance, the trial judges approach was not sufficiently informed.

Mr Justice Charleton said this case involved repeated offences against girls who were young, vulnerable and dependent. He said from the victim impact statements, the court found the harm done was at the upper end of the spectrum for this form of sexual violence.

He said that on no assessment could the medium band of three to six years be considered appropriate for sentencing in this case.

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Mr Justice Charleton said that on the basis of the analysis delivered today, which was not available to the trial judge, the headline sentence of six years imposed does not meet the gravity of the offences.

He said that the court will re-sentence Nevin in light of the new analysis on December 4th.

Appeal

Appealing against the leniency of the sentence last month, Ms Latham BL had described the sexual assaults as an egregious breach of trust.

She emphasised that Nevin had acted in loco parentis when the girls mother was working, and it was during those times that the offending took place.

She said the judge gave too great a reduction from the headline sentence for the plea of guilty, which was entered as the trial was due to get underway.

Counsel said the judge also fell into error in the application of the totality principle.

While she appreciated the importance of not imposing a crushing sentence, I say the sentence she ultimately came to was not proportionate taking into account the gravity of the offending by the respondent, said Ms Latham.

The sexual abuse was systematic and calculated and greatly damaged the lives of the victims.

Ms Latham also contended the judge made an error in suspending the final two years of the sentence, saying there was no evidential basis for this other than rehabilitation.

Ireland Leitrim man jailed for rape and sexual assault of niece Read more

Tim OLeary SC, representing Nevin, argued there had been no error on the part of the sentencing judge.

He said one of the principal mitigating factors in the case had been Nevins plea of guilty, which he said was significant and of value.

He said his client had no previous convictions, had a good work history and had led a completely pro-social life up to that point. Counsel also highlighted the remorse expressed by Nevin in letters to the victims.

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 Dublin woman sent threatening messages to Tanaiste Simon Harris, saying wouldnt it be terrible if something had happened to your family, it has been alleged.

Sandra Barry, 40, of Tor an Ri, Balgaddy, Lucan, appeared at Dublin District Court following an investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU).

She is charged that on August 30th, 2025, at her home address, she sent a threatening or grossly offensive communication to Simon Harris with intent to cause harm.

The offence is contrary to Section 4(1) and (3) of the 2020 Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act. The Minister for Finance was not required to attend the hearing.

Detective Garda Richard Markey told Judge Michele Finan that Ms Barry was arrested by warrant and charged at Store Street Garda station at 9.03am on Thursday.

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The court heard she had no reply when charged and was handed a copy of the charge sheet.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal of the case in the District Court rather than in the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Outlining the facts for a jurisdiction ruling, Detective Garda Markey stated: It is alleged that the accused sent a number of threatening messages to the injured party in this case.

The detective maintained that the woman was identified through social media.

Asked for more details, the detective replied that the messages were of a threatening nature toward the injured party, threatening violence on him or his family.

He added that they were not explicit but were implied threats.

Such as? asked Judge Finan.

Such as, something along the lines of, 'wouldnt it be terrible if something had happened to your family, like what happened in an incident involving a minor who was attacked'.

The court heard there were two messages, but metadata showed up to six, and it took place over one evening.

Judge Finan accepted jurisdiction for the case to remain in the District Court and ordered Ms Barry, who has yet to enter a plea, to appear again on December 18th.

Judge Finan noted that there was no objection to cashless bail, subject to the imposition of conditions sought by the detective.

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Defence solicitor Tracy Horan informed Judge Finan that there was consent to the terms.

She ordered the woman, who did not address the court, to sign on once a week at her local garda station, and to have no direct or indirect contact, including via social media, with the injured party.

Judge Finan warned her that she risked bail revocation and being remanded in custody if she breached the terms.

Legal aid was granted after Ms Horan furnished the court with a statement of Ms Barrys means. The solicitor said her client was working at minimum wage as an equine hand.
A woman who created fake online dating profiles and Instagram accounts in her ex-partner's name in a campaign of harassment has been jailed for two years and three months.

Over the course of four months, Portuguese dentist Andreia Funicio (46) subjected her ex-partner to a sustained campaign of terror designed to destroy her, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

As a result of the fake profiles, dozens of men completely unknown to the victim contacted her by WhatsApp and came calling to her house at all hours of the day and night in the anticipation of a sexual encounter.

The harassment was triggered by the breakup of a relationship.

The victim told the court that she felt she was in the centre of a fully-fledged narcissistic smear campaign which left her struggling with suicidal thoughts.

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Funicio of Costa Caparica, Portugal, pleaded guilty to harassment on dates between December 2nd, 2022, and March 3rd, 2023.

Imposing sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan said the pattern of harassment was thought out, devious and calculated to inflict damage on the injured party.

He said the harassment was pretty intense and had a serious traumatic effect on the victim.

He set a headline sentence of four and a half years, which he reduced to two years and three months in light of the very good mitigation.

This includes the plea of guilty, the lack of any other criminal convictions and Funicio's role as a carer for her elderly mother.

He said he thought the defendant was unlikely to reoffend. He ordered her to have no further contact with the victim for 20 years. The maximum penalty for the offence is seven years' imprisonment.

Detective Garda Ciaran Flanagan told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that Funicio and the injured party met on a dating app in May 2022. Funicio worked full-time as a dentist in Portugal, but worked some weekends in Ireland.

The two met and, after a few weeks, began an intimate relationship which the court heard quickly became intense. The victim told the court that one or two red flags became many and the relationship became toxic.

In October, she told Funicio she was going on a long family holiday to Australia over Christmas. After a final trip to Portugal that went badly, the victim ended the relationship, telling the court she felt terror about what Funicio might do as a result.

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In December 2022, she began getting missed calls from unknown numbers, and soon after, unknown men began calling at her front door. The victim had an online doorbell system and would get alerts and video footage on the phone when people came to the door.

The victim spoke to one of the callers and figured out that somebody had set up a fake dating profile on Hinge in her name.

Sexual encounter

Ms McGowan told the court that the defendant was behind these accounts and was using them to invite men to the victim's home on the expectation of having a sexual encounter.

Over the weeks that followed, the victim continued to receive unsolicited messages from strangers on WhatsApp, with some men sending her lewd photos.

Men were also calling at all hours of the day and night to her home. Some callers got the house number wrong and arrived at her neighbours' door, saying they were looking for the complainant and giving her name.

The victim was very concerned for her safety and had the locks to her front door changed. On December 22nd, the victim was at her wits' end when she learned Funicio had contacted her ex-partner.

The victim travelled to Australia as planned, but on Christmas Day, she got a message from a friend telling her that a fake Instagram account had been set up in her name.

In total, Funicio set up eight fake Instagram profiles, and she put up a topless video of the victim, which she had surreptitiously recorded during a video call when they were dating.

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She also posted a photo of a sex toy on the profiles. She then sent invitations from the profiles to family, friends, sporting acquaintances and work colleagues of the victim, as well as to her local cafe.

She also sent a topless photo of the victim and a pornographic image to the victim's mother and aunt. The victim's mother was with her on the Australian holiday and was aware her daughter was really suffering as a result of what was going on.

Due to the stress she was under, the victim began getting medical attention while in Australia and extended her stay there. She told the court that she felt suicidal and was afraid to return to Dublin because she didn't know what Funicio would do next.

On January 14th, a friend told the victim that somebody had spray-painted her name and the words gay liar on the wall of her parents' garage, and on February 24th, graffiti with her name and the words Trans G Liar appeared on a footpath near the home.

She was due to spend three weeks in Australia, but she changed her plans. The callers to her home had stopped for the three weeks of the time she was scheduled to be in Australia, but resumed in mid-January when another fake dating profile was set up, this time on Tinder.

Men began appearing again at her door and at her neighbours' doors. When the victim returned to Dublin in early February, there was a letter addressed to her with cut-out pornographic images which had been sent to the victim's mother.

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In March, she received a letter with topless images of her from a fake Instagram account.

Gardai arrested Funicio in February. She admitted to contacting the victim's ex-partner to upset the victim, but denied harassing her in other ways.

Gardai seized her phone and linked it to the fake Hinge and Tinder profiles and to the Instagram profiles.

Dt Gda Flanagan agreed with Diana Stuart SC, defending, that Funicio co-operated fully with the investigation.

He accepted a submission that Funicio's actions were unsophisticated and fairly opportunistic and that she any chance she got to cause the victim difficulty, she took.

Ireland 'Abandoned' teen joined in 'mob mentality' of 2023 Dublin city riots, court hears Read more

She said there were never any threats of violence and that all the offending took place from the end of a phone.

Ms Stuart told the court that her client has a history of significant mental health difficulties. She said that Funicio is the legal guardian of her elderly mother in Portugal.

She said her client is extremely remorseful and regretful and has written a letter of apology to the court. She said Funicio never intended to cause any physical harm to the victim but did want to make her life difficult.

She said Funicio was unable to handle the end of the relationship and her actions were born out of fear, desperation and a fractured state of mind. Ms Stuart asked the court to consider a fully suspended sentence and said her client has no intention of returning to Ireland.
The Cork man who is charged with the murder of his mother and injuring his father dominates many of Ireland's front pages on Thursday, as well as other crime and politics stories.

The Irish Times leads with how the Metrolink construction will need about 8,000 workers to construct, following the Oireachtas committee on Wednesday. A Russian spy ship, the Yantar, also appears on course for Irish-controlled waters after it was spotted off the Scottish coast, with the UK promising a military response should it change course. Further, more than 80,000 Ukrainians are still in Ireland - which equates to 70 per cent.

The Irish Examiner's splash looks at the Cork man David Gallagher appearing in court over the stabbing of his mother. They also report on the media committee hearing of Ivan Yates, who trained Jim Gavin before the first presidential election. Lastly, the family of a farmer who died has settled at the High Court over his death.

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The Echo also leads with the David Gallagher murder charge, as well as an investigation into a robbery in a Cork city suburb.

The Irish Independent leads with the emergency laws being introduced to clamp down on companies trying to subvert new auto-enrolment pension.

The Irish Daily Star leads with how Gerry Hutch may be making another electoral bid after a series of instagram posts on his last run were promoted.

The Irish Daily Mirror also leads with the Cork man charged with murder.

The controversial crackdown on immigration in the UK has sparked concern that it could trigger an increase of people seeking asylum, as reported by the Irish Daily Mail.

The Belfast Telegraph covers the UK Supreme Court ruling that religious education in Northern Ireland schools does not meet human rights standards, with the teaching union calling for guidance from the Minister for Education.

Lastly, The Herald leads with the inquest of David "frog eyes" Stanners, who took cocaine shortly before his death in prison.
A pair of Israeli strikes in Gazas southern city of Khan Younis early on Thursday killed five people, according to hospital officials, bringing the death toll from airstrikes in the Palestinian territory over a roughly 12-hour period to 33.

The strikes have been some of the deadliest since October 10, when a US-brokered ceasefire came into force.

The renewed escalation came after Israel said its soldiers had come under fire in Khan Younis on Wednesday. Israel said no soldiers were killed and responded with strikes.



Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in an Israeli strike (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Officials at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis said they received the bodies of 17 people, including five women and five children, following four Israeli airstrikes targeting tents sheltering displaced people.

In Gaza City, two airstrikes on a building killed 16 people, including seven children and three women, according to officials at the Al-Shifa hospital in the northern part of the city, where the bodies were taken.

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Hamas condemned the Israeli strikes as a shocking massacre. In a statement, the group denied firing toward Israeli troops.

Hospital officials said the bodies came from both sides of a line established in last months ceasefire. The boundary splits Gaza in two, leaving the border zone under Israeli military control while the area beyond it is meant to serve as a safe zone.



Some 33 people were killed in combined strikes across Gaza (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Israeli strikes have decreased since the ceasefire agreement took effect, according to Gazas Health Ministry, though they have not stopped entirely.

The ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, reported more than 300 deaths since the truce began, an average of more than seven per day.

Each side has accused the other of violating its terms, which include increasing the flow of aid into Gaza and returning hostages  dead or alive  to Israel.

The deaths are among the more than 69,000 Palestinians killed since Israel launched its sweeping offensive more than two years ago in response to Hamas-led militants abducting 251 people and killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 2023 attack that triggered the war.

Gazas Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records seen as a reliable estimate by the UN and many independent experts.
Irish MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu has expressed shock following the publication of an Irish Farmers Journal expose on Brazilian beef production.

The report highlighted the illegal sale of antibiotics, improper recording of animal medicines used and purchased, animal traceability issues, and feeding of growth promoters in Brazils beef industry.

Ms Ni Mhurchu cautioned that Europe is on the cusp of agreeing a deal that could see second-rate, unsafe beef enter the EU food chain.

The Ireland South MEP said the findings highlight a shocking willingness by the European Commission to overlook poor agricultural practices in Mercosur countries in its rush to finalise a trade agreement.

The Irish Farmers Journal investigation uncovered widespread, uncontrolled access to powerful veterinary antibiotics in Brazil, alongside weak traceability and oversight systems  practices that would be illegal across the EU.

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Prescription-only antibiotics were freely available over the counter in Brazilian agricultural supply stores, without any prescription, herd number, or animal identification.

The investigation also found no barcodes or systematic tracking for these medicines, raising serious doubts about Brazils capacity to ensure antibiotic use complies with the standards expected in exports to the EU.

She said the findings call into question the very basis on which the EU-Mercosur trade deal is being advanced.

World Trump suggests US will buy Argentinian beef to bring down prices Read more

Ms Ni Mhurchu said: That such powerful antibiotics can be bought so casually in Brazil without any regulatory checks is not just a problem for animal health  it is a public health red flag and one that should make everyone in Europe stop and think.

"As we push forward with the Mercosur trade deal, European farmers and EU citizens simply cannot be expected to compete on a playing field where such practices go unchecked.

Ni Mhurchu wrote to the European Commission on Thursday morning, asking them to publicly explain what rigorous due diligence was carried out before advancing this trade deal.

She warned that without a clear, transparent, and robust response from the European Commission, the Mercosur deal risks legitimising a two-tier system  one for EU producers held to high standards, and another for cheaper meat imports from third countries operating under far laxer controls.
Two passenger trains in Czechia collided on Thursday, injuring dozens of people, four of them seriously, officials and local media reported.

Emergency services said the crash had occurred in a region around 132 km (82 miles) south of the capital Prague. Images showed mainly damage to the front ends of the trains where they hit head-on.

Firefighters had to free the driver of one of the trains, the CTK news agency reported.

A spokeswoman for a regional hospital told CTK that four people had been admitted with serious injuries.

Nine people suffered moderate injuries and 25 others were lightly hurt, the region's governor, Martin Kuba, told Czech television.

Transport Minister Martin Kupka said on X that the crash was still under investigation, but preliminary information suggested that one of the trains had probably passed a signal in the stop position.
The US and Russia have drawn up a plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine that calls for major concessions from Kyiv.

Sources suggest the deal would include granting some demands the Kremlin has made repeatedly since the full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago.



Steve Witkoff has been quietly working on the peace plan for more than a month, according to sources (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

It was not clear what, if any, concessions the proposal asks of Russia.

The same source confirmed that promises from Moscow of no further attacks are part of the framework.

As reports of the plan emerged, blindsided European diplomats insisted they and Ukraine must be consulted.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has been quietly working on the plan for a month, receiving input from both Ukrainians and Russians on terms that are acceptable to each side, according to a senior US official.

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US President Donald Trump is said to have been briefed on the plan and supports it.



Rescue workers put out a fire at a residential building damaged by a Russian strike on Ternopil (Rostyslav Kovalchuk.AP)

The talk of a secret peace plan piled more pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is marshalling his countrys defences against Russias bigger army, visiting European leaders to ensure they continue their support for Ukraine and navigating a major corruption scandal that has caused public outrage.

Several high-ranking army officials, including army secretary Dan Driscoll, were in Kyiv on Thursday to give a new push to peace efforts and assess the reality on the ground in Ukraine, US officials said.

Mr Zelenskys office said in a statement that he formally received the peace plan on Thursday from American officials.

The statement said Mr Zelensky expected to talk to Mr Trump in the coming days about diplomatic opportunities and what was needed for peace.

Mr Zelensky underlined Ukraines main conditions for peace and promised to work on the conclusions reached in the meetings with US officials, the statement said.

European leaders have already been alarmed this year by indications that Mr Trumps administration might be sidelining them and Mr Zelensky in its push to stop the fighting.



A rescuer works at a residential building which was heavily damaged by a Russian strike on Ternopil (Rostyslav Kovalchuk/AP)

Mr Trumps at-times conciliatory approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin has fueled those concerns, but Mr Trump adopted a tougher line last month when he announced heavy sanctions on Russias vital oil sector that come into force Friday.

For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at the start of a meeting in Brussels of the 27-nation blocs foreign ministers.

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She added: We havent heard of any concessions on the Russian side.

German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadephul said he talked by phone with Mr Witkoff and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss our various current efforts to end Russias war of aggression against Ukraine and thus finally put an end to the immeasurable human suffering.



Rescuers evacuate an elderly woman after a residential building was hit in Russias missile attack on Kharkiv (Andrii Marienko/AP)

The conversations also focused on specific ideas that are currently being discussed, Mr Wadephul said in a statement. He did not elaborate.

It was not clear whether the foreign ministers had seen the peace plan, which was first reported by Axios.

The proposal was drawn up by US and Russian envoys, and is said to include forcing Ukraine to cede territory, a prospect Mr Zelensky has ruled out.

The Trump administrations diplomatic efforts this year to stop the fighting have so far come to nothing.



Rescue workers clear the rubble after a Russian strike on a residential building in Ternopil (Vlad Kravchuk/AP)

The proposal, which could still be changed, is said to call, in part, for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia and to abandon certain weaponry.

It would also include the rollback of some critical US military assistance.

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Russia, as part of the proposal, would be given effective control of the entire eastern Donbas region, Ukraines industrial heartland made up of the Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk regions, even though Ukraine still holds part of it.

Mr Putin has listed the capture of the Donbas as the key goal of the invasion.

Mr Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, a close adviser to Mr Putin, have been key to drafting the proposal.

A peace deal that requires Kyiv to hand over territory to Russia would not only be deeply unpopular with Ukrainians, but it also would be illegal under Ukraines constitution.

Mr Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out such a possibility.



President Donald Trump said last month that the Donbas region should be cut up, leaving most of it in Russian hands (Evan Vucci/AP)

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on X that American officials are and will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for a lasting peace agreement, which will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there are no consultations per se currently underway with the US on ending the war in Ukraine.

There are certainly contacts, but processes that could be called consultations are not underway, he told reporters.

Though the European diplomats appeared caught by surprise, reported elements of the plan were not new.

Mr Trump said last month that the Donbas region should be cut up, leaving most of it in Russian hands.

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EU diplomats have accused Mr Putin of being insincere in saying he wants peace but refusing to compromise in negotiations while sustaining Russias grinding war of attrition in Ukraine.



Kaja Kallas, the EUs chief diplomat, said that if Russia really wanted peace, it could have  agreed to (an) unconditional ceasefire already some time ago (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

Ms Kallas, the EUs chief diplomat, chided Mr Putins forces for continuing to target civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, a day after a strike on the western city of Ternopil killed 26 people and wounded 93 others.

About two dozen people were still missing.

Ms Kallas said that if Russia really wanted peace, it could have  agreed to (an) unconditional ceasefire already, some time ago.

Mr Trump has stopped sending military aid directly to Ukraine, with European countries taking up the slack by buying weaponry for Ukraine from the United States, which has given Europe leverage in talks on ending the conflict.
Several high-ranking Army officials are in Ukraine to help with peace talks, as Mr Trump's administration efforts to halt Russias war in Ukraine have stalled.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll had been planning a trip to Ukraine for some time to discuss the countrys drone warfare innovations and tactics, but last week, President Donald Trump decided to identify him as a kind of special representative to kick-start peace negotiations and conduct a fact-finding mission, a US official said.

That official confirmed Mr Driscoll is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week, as well as top Ukrainian government, military and defence industry officials.

Mr Driscoll is accompanied by army chief of staff General Randy George, the services most senior officer; General Chris Donahue, US army Europe and Africa commanding general; and Seargant Major Michael Weimer, the Armys top enlisted official.
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Analysis EnvironmentClimate changeClimate policy Australia can win big international bids when it wants. This was an omnishambles Nick O'Malley Updated November 20, 2025  3:11pm ,first published November 20, 2025  10:59am 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 185 View all comments

It was left to an ashen-faced Chris Bowen to appear before media in Brazil to explain how Australia had managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in its bid to host next years United Nations climate talks. Ever since Australia and Turkey announced their rival bids in 2022, Australia had been seen as the obvious winner. It had overwhelming support in the UN and the backing of the Pacific nations most vulnerable to climate change. Loading Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Perth at the time, and focused on a trip to South Africa for another diplomatic event, the upcoming G20 meetings, and was determined to put a positive spin on the outcome. Asked on ABC radio about the last-minute loss, Albanese celebrated an outstanding outcome.

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Youd be forgiven for thinking that the only outstanding element of Australias effort was the gap Albanese had managed to put between himself and Belem  about 16,000 kilometres as the crow flies. In fact, Albanese was talking up the concessions Bowen had managed to extract in last-minute negotiations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen Bloomberg, Getty, Alex Ellinghausen According to the in-principle agreement still being hammered out in Brazil, Australia would bow out of the race entirely so that Turkey could host rather than see a pro-forma event held at the UNs climate headquarters in Bonn, Germany. The high-profile leaders meeting that traditionally runs before or during the first days of those talks would also be held in Turkey. And as host, Turkey would appoint the COP president to run the event and manage the mechanics of the worlds key multilateral machine to combat climate change for the succeeding year, as the rules dictated.

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Climate policy Turkey refused to budge, so Australia caved. Why is Albanese still calling it a win? The concessions? A pre-COP summit would be held somewhere in the Pacific next year, which Australia would use to extract finance from attendees to a Pacific Resilience Fund. Bowen would serve at the talks in Turkey under the title of president of negotiations, with authority to set the negotiating agenda, appoint chairs and leads and prepare the draft decision text. Australias goals in the bid, Bowen explained to media in Belem, had been to elevate the concerns of the Pacific and to act in the nations best interests. These goals would be served by those concessions, he said.

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Climate policy Albanese has cut Australias COP bid off at the knees; has anyone told Bowen? This is not nothing. Anyone who has watched UN climate negotiations up close knows the roles of those who drive them are powerful and significant. The Pacific will be devastated by Australias failure, but it will not turn down any finance that might be extracted at such a forum. Bowen insists that, had he not blinked and had the meeting reverted to Bonn, the result would have been a rudderless meeting at which Australia and the Pacific would have had no control and no input. Some people will be disappointed in that outcome. Other people, of course, would be even more disappointed if it had gone to Bonn without a COP president in place. This is a better outcome than that. What went wrong for Australia is not yet entirely clear, but it is clear that the Australian effort never looked like the smooth, unified and energetic campaigns by which previous governments secured a seat on the UN Security Council in 2013 or installed former finance minister Mathias Cormann as secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2021.

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Related Article Climate policy Not an option: PM puts hard word on Turkey over next years climate talks For months, diplomatic observers were warning that Bowen did not appear to have the full and enthusiastic support of Albanese for the bid, nor the focus of Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the heft of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It was noticed that Albanese did not attend the Brazil leaders meeting the week before this COP. In the days leading up to the Australian surrender, Bowen was locked in negotiations in Brazil, but still voicing his determination to win the bid, while back in Australia, Albanese spoke like a man building himself an off-ramp. Let me make it clear  were not going anywhere, Bowen said on Tuesday. Its the fight weve got to have because it is very much in Australias interests, and I believe in the worlds interest, having Australia as the president of COP31. Thats what were working on. Thats what we intend to do.

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Climate solutions If Australia does not host COP31, its a strategic surrender Tina Latif Environmentalist A few hours later, Albanese told media in Australia, If Australia is not chosen, if Turkey is chosen, we wouldnt seek to veto that. Those two positions are not necessarily inconsistent, but the difference in tone was heard in Belem. Turkey was intransigent, Australia was faltering. It is not clear how much difference late interventions by the prime minister would have made. The process demands consensus, not overwhelming support, and Turkey simply would not concede. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
Energy companies are demanding the Albanese government wait at least a year before forcing them to offer customers three free hours of power a day, warning the proposed rules threaten to destabilise the market and drive prices too high at other times.

Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen this month unveiled the governments so-called Solar Sharer scheme, a policy that will require retailers to offer free electricity to households in the middle of each day, when sunshine typically floods the grid with more power than it needs and causes wholesale prices to crater.

Retailers indicated they supported the intent of the reform: encouraging more people to use power when cheap renewable energy is most abundant could ease demand surges after sunset and smooth out volatile price swings.

However, in a submission to the government on Friday, the industry argues the scheme needs more work and cannot be supported its current form.

The policy, in its present form, is not cost-reflective, introduces systemic risk and may lead to negative outcomes for the very consumers it is intended to help, said the Australian Energy Council, which represents the nations top power generators and retailers.

The key problem, the submission said, was that the scheme mandated retailers offer $0 a kilowatt hour for a three-hour window without reforming other underlying costs that they must pass on. These include network tariffs for the use of power line infrastructure, which account for about one-third of a typical bill, and the cost of environmental certificates to demonstrate the use of renewable energy.

This regulatory asymmetry creates a guaranteed revenue shortfall on every unit of energy consumed during the period, the energy council said.

The governments new Solar Sharer plan will be opt-in, and initially available to residents in NSW, South Australia and south-east Queensland, where the Australian Energy Regulator sets safety-net conditions for people who do not take up special deals.

However, unless other costs are also reformed, retailers said they would need to charge higher fixed rates and charges for afternoons and evenings to recoup their losses.

This could create a risk that customers who opt into the Solar Sharer plan, but end up unable to shift enough of their electricity usage into the free daylight hours, such as people who work during the day, could find themselves paying higher bills.

The energy council is calling for at least a 12-month extension to give the industry and government more time to develop parallel reforms and undertake the billing and technology system overhauls the scheme will require.

Bowen has assured retailers the government will talk issues through with companies, but vowed that consumers would be put first.
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Updated NationalCrime Neo-Nazi leader arrested by AFP at Bondi over alleged harassment of federal MP Patrick Begley and Perry Duffin Updated November 20, 2025  6:08pm ,first published November 20, 2025  5:26pm 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 neo-Nazi who led the anti-Jewish rally outside NSW parliament has been taken into custody and charged by the Australian Federal Police for allegedly harassing a federal parliamentarian. Police began investigating National Socialist Network spokesperson Joel Davis after identifying a message on an encrypted platform, before seizing electronic devices at Bondi on Thursday. Joel Davis, pictured last year. Justin McManus The message allegedly encouraged abusive and hateful messages to be directed towards a federal parliamentarian following their condemnation of a National Socialist Network protest on 8 November, 2025, the AFP said in a statement. Federal independent Allegra Spender condemned the NSN after 60 members held an Abolish The Jewish Lobby rally outside parliament on November 8, at which Davis gave an antisemitic speech and led chants of the Hitler Youth slogan blood and honour.

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Online, Davis called on supporters to rhetorically rape the Wentworth MP. Spender, as well as NSW Liberal shadow minister Kellie Sloane, revealed at the time that they had received threats and passed them on to police. It was pretty shocking and not something you ever want to hear but weve referred it to the police and I have a lot of confidence in the Australian Federal Police, Spender said. Joel Davis, right, at the NSN event outside parliament. AFP Detective Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said on Thursday the AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression but let it be clear any alleged criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment, will not be tolerated. Davis is expected to face a bail court hearing in Sydney on Friday.

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The 30-year-old acts as a leader and propagandist within the NSN, an explicitly racist group that calls for mass deportations of non-white Australians. He gives media interviews, holds regular livestreams with other senior NSN figures, posts lengthy messages on social media and speaks at public events. In September, he attended a Western Heritage Australia event held inside NSW Parliament House. Video obtained by the Herald showed him speaking from a lectern in the historic Jubilee Room, using a Q and A section to ask about the benefits of racism and supremacy. Joel Davis was arrested following an investigation by the AFP National Security Investigations (NSI) team. Australian Federal Police A spokesperson for the organisers said they did not screen attendees. NSW Police, who did not oppose the anti-Jewish rally outside parliament, are still investigating whether rally participants committed any crimes, such as public incitement of racial hatred. Daviss speech contained a baseless and highly offensive suggestion about antisemitic attacks against synagogues this year and broad denigrations of Jews, as well as criticism of Jewish organisations.

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But the government is refusing to release the findings of an independent review of hate speech offences, which retired Supreme Court judge John Sackar, KC, submitted several days before the Parliament House rally. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Were back from the lunch break and counsel assisting Mark Costello is now taking CFMEU administrator Mark Irving through questions about the difficulty of prising the shadow control of the branch away from ousted Queensland leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham.

Irving says this control was exerted until June or July this year, until he saw an opportunity to take action in the wake of the report from his investigator, Geoffrey Watson, into the use of violence by the branch, and its leaders unsuccessful High Court challenge of the administration.

After this, Irving could assess who the good soldiers of bad generals were who were prepared to repent, work lawfully, and step away from the coercive control of Ravbar and Ingham  one of whom was Dylan Howard who had been named in Watsons report.

Irving is then taken to one incidence of such control exerted this year, in which a relative of Ingham subsequently charged with murder, Anthony Perrett, drove officials to their interviews with Watson and provided a recording device. The message being, effectively, dont squeal, Irving says.

He tells the inquiry that after hearing of the matter, he contacted police as he believed this and other whistleblower information had revealed criminal matters.

Irving says he also phoned then-inquiry secretary Bob Gee and told him to seek that information from police as such behaviour could have affected the operation of the inquiry.

While Irving says he could compel relevant people to speak with authorities, he did not wish to do so if their safety was at risk.
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NationalWAAUKUS As AUKUS accelerates, is Rockingham ready for what comes next? Cameron Myles November 20, 2025  4:32pm 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

Sailors are champing at the bit to get a posting to HMAS Stirling, according to the commander in charge of the US Navys submarine force in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. Everybody wants to be in Stirling, theyre lining up 10 deep to get every spot, Rear Admiral Lincoln Reifsteck told media during a tour on Wednesday of the USS Vermont, the latest nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine to dock at Garden Island for maintenance. Rear Admiral Lincoln Reifsteck, left, speaks to media during a tour of the USS Vermont. Cameron Myles I think what I was looking at when I was running this morning makes it very attractive. I had USS Annapolis visiting me in Japan last week in their deployment, and I had an all-hands call on the pier to thank them  very first question was, Whats it going to take for Annapolis to get to Australia?

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And so its on everybodys bucket list. Theres going to be no shortage of folks that want to sign up as those ships come here. And more ships  and sailors, and workers  will come as the AUKUS partnership between the US, Australia and the United Kingdom gathers pace. USS Vermont Commander Matthew Lewis. Cameron Myles But, across the water from Garden Island, the prospect of hundreds more families jostling for accommodation in an already tight housing market looms over the southern beachside city of Rockingham. Not even 24 hours earlier, Rockingham Mayor Lorna Buchan had flagged that more than 1200 US and UK personnel and their families were expected to call the city home by 2030.

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But Buchan was adamant Rockingham could handle the influx. She flagged a Defence Housing plan to build 440 apartments and townhouses, as well as a new precinct structure plan for the citys strategic centre. Related Article AUKUS Pentagon backs AUKUS amid criticism its review has upset Australia The City of Rockingham has long been a navy town, and as AUKUS ramps up, our connection to defence will only grow stronger, socially and economically, Buchan said. Once media had disembarked the USS Vermont  the same model of submarine Australia will acquire three of under AUKUS  Reifsteck hosted another tour, this one comprising VIPs including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and WA Premier Roger Cook, among other dignitaries. Speaking after the tour, Albanese was confident in the work already under way to house the influx of people to the region.

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Queried on the housing stresses Rockingham could face, Albanese pointed to an under-construction building behind the media pack: Thats housing. Its being built here right now for the people who will work here, and this will be an enormous benefit for Rockingham. Resources Minister Madeleine King  who is also the federal member for Brand, which encompasses Rockingham  was also among the delegates who toured the USS Vermont. Australian Defence Housing and Housing Australia are combining to work on over 600 houses in the nearby region, she said. Of course, people that live around here and work on the base do travel from a lot of surrounding suburbs like Baldivis and Secret Harbor, Port Kennedy and so forth. What were working on in AUKUS is a nation-building project. A nation-building project for our nation, but also for the capabilities of our friends in the US, and in the UK.

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I can assure the community, we are well aware of the challenges ahead, and I know the community supports facing those challenges, because they want this to happen and to happen really well, because its in their benefit and in the national benefit. The USS Vermont in dock at HMAS Stirling in Perth on Wednesday. Cameron Myles Maintenance milestone eases AUKUS doubts The USS Vermont slipped quietly through the busy waters south of WAs only container port earlier this month for a 28-day maintenance period at HMAS Stirling. Increasing the maintenance capability at the naval base, as well as across the water at the Henderson defence precinct, is a key pillar of the AUKUS deal.

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This time around, a small but noticeable difference  the lack of a tender boat supporting the submarine maintenance  marked another step towards the AUKUS vision being realised, with the required infrastructure now in place at HMAS Stirling. Related Article Analysis

Defence Australia set the bar for submarine drama, but few saw South Koreas latest move There are hundreds of workers from both the United States and Australia embedded in one anothers naval programs, learning from one another. We can certainly benefit as our Australian counterparts learn on our systems, and we will benefit as the Australians come up, Reifsteck said And so, when Australia has their own submarines here, they will have fully become expert [in maintenance].

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That will have benefited the US submarines who were worked on while they became experts. Asked by the press pack whether Australia could actually pull off the AUKUS plans  against the backdrop of a Trump administration review, albeit with a more positive tone in recent weeks  Albanese was resolute. This isnt some theory. This is the 13 officers and seafarers who are on the USS Vermont right now getting training, he said. Two of them who I was able to have a chat with, have been on board there for 18 months. This is happening. This is real. This is of great benefit to Australia. 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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A young driver has pleaded guilty in a Perth courthouse to hitting a teenage girl with his car, causing serious internal injuries, following a late-night Burswood car meet.

Foreign student Chun Lai Yuen was supported by a group of family members as he pleaded guilty on Thursday in the Perth Magistrates Court to driving dangerously on July 14, causing grievous bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation.

Caitlyn Dickson was struck by the black Honda Civic on Camfield Drive near Crown Perth just before 10pm as the pre-arranged car club meeting was dispersing.

At a previous appearance, the court was told the 25-year-old was driving his Honda Civic sedan when he met more than 300 other drivers for the event at Jandakot at 6.30pm, before travelling to Bunnings Melville and finishing at the Crown Perth.

The court had been played footage at that appearance of the crash, which showed Yuen travelling at a high speed about 10pm on Camfield Drive, before he struck Caitlyn Dickson, 17, causing her to somersault twice in the air before hitting the bonnet of the car.
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Political Sketch PoliticsFederalClimate crisis Australia beaten by the Turks. Dont mention the war Tony Wright Updated November 20, 2025  3:10pm ,first published November 20, 2025  1:27pm 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 82 View all comments

Australia has lost to the Turks. We wont add again or mention Gallipoli. Naturally. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen went to Brazil thinking hed triumph over Turkey, until Anthony Albanese conceded. Marija Ercegovac But its incumbent on us, for the purposes of accuracy, to point out that if Australia hadnt bowed to the Turks, the Germans would have won the whole show. We are talking about COP31, of course.

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Should you be averse to snappy acronyms, COP31 is (deep breath, try not to expel too much carbon dioxide) the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Australia had expected to hold this peak hot-air festival in Adelaide in November next year, and had spent years and large amounts of cash marshalling international support. Loading But Turkey dug in, insisting it should host COP31 at its coastal resort city of Antalya. Australia, of course, learned long ago  110 years, to be precise  the perils of driving an assault on a Turkish coastal position.

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Sure enough, on the virtual eve of a showdown, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese  vastly more cautious than, say, Churchill of the Dardanelles  made clear Australia wouldnt be storming any beaches over COP31, however many allies stood with Australia. He said on Tuesday that Australia wouldnt veto Turkeys insistence on hosting the conference if the other country was chosen. But as it turned out, Turkey couldnt be chosen unless Australia did the choosing. It was the hoisting of a white flag, leaving Australias allies confused and the bid for Adelaide all but under water. Had Albanese got around to studying the Byzantine rules of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change? Under these so-called consensus hosting rules, if neither Australia nor Turkey was willing to concede, the conference would have gone to Bonn, in Germany.

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No matter that the Germans didnt actually want this particular victory. But hey, you want logic? This is the United Nations. That left Australias Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, looking as stranded as a shipwrecked sailor on a half-submerged rock. More precisely, he was stranded at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, where he had surely expected he would announce with much flourish that Australia had delivered the Turks a sound defeat. He had been sounding positively gung ho as recently as the weekend. The situation remains that Australia has the overwhelming support of the world to host COP31, Bowen said. Instead, he was reduced on Thursday to a harried doorstop to announce that Turkey had, in fact, done us in the eye.

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Exclusive PoliticsVictoriaChild safety Allan government postpones key child safety reform in row over disability watchdogs Kieran Rooney and Grant McArthur November 20, 2025  6:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Laws promising to make Victorias childcare system safer have been delayed because the government tied them to other more contentious changes that did not have the votes to pass through parliament. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn will on Thursday seek to push back debate on an already delayed 450-page child safety bill the government had originally set for an October deadline. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn. Diego Fedele The government has been forced to do so because a more contentious part of the bill, the merging of multiple disability watchdogs, does not have support from the opposition or the crossbench and would have been voted down. As revealed by The Age last week, disability advocates and unions slammed the government for pushing the dangerous and controversial changes to the states disability watchdogs under the cover of the more widely supported child protection reforms.

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That legislation would have merged three specialist disability sector watchdogs into the new Social Services Regulator, which is also charged with overseeing hundreds of community organisations ranging from family violence and sexual assault to childcare operators, homelessness services and supported residential services. Related Article Exclusive

Disability Plans to axe disability watchdogs incredibly dangerous, critics warn On Thursday, it was decided the bill would be pulled because Labor was facing the prospect of the opposition, Greens and other crossbenchers teaming up to either split the bill or vote down every clause that related to the disability sector changes. Two other child safety bills will continue to be debated this week as planned. The postponed bills include increased powers that would allow unsubstantiated information to trigger the refusal, suspension and revoking of a Working With Children clearance.

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They also propose an interim bar process that will suspend these clearances for between six and 12 months when information suggests there is a risk to children but this is not yet proven, such as when a complex investigation is under way. Related Article Investigation

Melbourne childcare crisis The secret complaint and leaked files from childcare chains where alleged paedophile worked Another key feature of the laws would bring Working with Children clearances, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the states Child Safe Standards under the responsibility of the new super regulator. Opposition education spokesman Evan Mulholland said crucial reforms to these schemes would be delayed because of Labor chaos and incompetence. The government will argue the move is needed to give MPs and the sector more time to contemplate the bill.

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Mulholland said the opposition and the crossbench were given less than 12 hours to form a position on 1159 pages of legislation across all three child safety bills. A key feature of the legislation would bring Working with Children clearances, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the states Child Safe Standards under the responsibility of the new super regulator. Peter Braig This is a breathtaking contempt for the democratic process that has backfired with devastating consequences, Mulholland said. The Liberals and Nationals want to pass this bill this week, without Labors sneaky disability mergers, and will work co-operatively with the government to fix the premiers legislative mess. While the scrapping of Victorias existing disability regulators  the Disability Services Commissioner, the Victorian Disability Worker Commission and Disability Worker Registration Board  was first proposed almost two years ago, unions, legal and disability advocacy groups had fought against it.

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After being surprised by the mergers inclusion in the child protection bill when it was introduced to parliament last week, legal and disability advocacy services stepped up opposition this week, saying the axing of existing watchdogs in favour of a super-regulator would weaken safeguards for vulnerable Victorians. Related Article Exclusive

Melbourne childcare crisis Top bosses of scandal-ridden childcare giant step down When The Age first revealed the pushback from the sector last week, a government spokesperson said responsibilities were spread across three different agencies, which meant no single body could see the whole picture. Were fixing that by consolidating oversight into one stronger regulator, they said. A letter to all upper house MPs signed by the heads of eight disability and support groups across the state called for the Legislative Council to separate the disability amendments from the child protection bill until a review of the Social Services Regulator could take place.

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We believe that the Social Services Regulator does not possess the same depth of specialised knowledge nor the direct connection to disability communities that the Disability Worker Commission has carefully built over the years, the letter said. Further, the Social Services Regulator has a record of poor enforcement, low accountability, and a lower benchmark for the minimum standard of care. Opposition disability spokesman Tim Bull said the sector wanted a standalone disability regulator, as outlined by a royal commission. Since the laws were introduced, Ive received a number of emails expressing concern from disability groups that this is not the outcome they asked for from the minister, he said. Another letter from Mental Health Legal Centre CEO Charlotte Jones sent to crossbench MPs outlined five case studies of Victorian disability service clients she claimed had already been failed by regulators.

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Disability Fast food, drugs used to bribe clients into handing over lucrative NDIS packages The cases included claims of NDIS clients threatened with eviction and being charged rent for unfit accommodation after they had left, financial exploitation and people with disabilities being coerced into signing financial documents they cannot read. People with disabilities deserve protections that are the subject of careful and specific consideration, and they should not just be an afterthought or footnote to other matters, Jones said. The Federation of Community Legal Centres also wrote to lobby MPs, claiming the Social Services Regulator did not have the specialised knowledge to protect the disability community, and had a poor record of enforcement and accountability for the areas it already oversees. There was support for the government proposal from some of the services that would be subject to the new merged regulator, including from Melba Support Services, which wrote to endorse moves for a single regulator.

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Bidding blind Massive reform: New laws will lock in pre-auction honesty This endorsement, however, comes with a caveat. That people with a disability lead the way in this change, and that disability is fully recognised and evenly weighted against other sectors within the social services space, Melbas acting CEO Melissa Webster said. I would also raise a sensitive topic that some people with disability have raised, and that is the concern about the current operation of the SSR and its output. We need to tread carefully to make sure the SSRs promise is delivered upon and is resourced appropriately. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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PoliticsVictoriaFitness Mystery rich lister leads Adrian Portelli in race to buy Derrimut gyms Sarah Danckert and Sophie Aubrey November 20, 2025  2:50pm 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 mysterious rich lister is in the box seat to buy the Derrimut 24:7 Gym chain out of administration, potentially scuppering rival offers from nine other would-be buyers, including billionaire Adrian Portelli. The bidders identity is unknown but the person has been described as someone who has even deeper pockets than Portelli, according to three sources familiar with the sale process who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Nick Solomos with Adrian Portelli during an auction on The Block. Nine News of the bidding war for the Derrimut 24:7 chain comes after a meeting of creditors earlier this week heard the groups founder, Nick Solomos, took $15 million out of the financially stricken business. Administrators to the group confirmed they had received 10 offers for the group, but said they couldnt disclose who the bidders were as they were all in the process of signing confidentiality agreements.

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Portelli, who has long been friends with the gold-chain-wearing gym owner, previously publicly stated his intention to buy the business out of administration. Editor's pick Investigation

Fitness A house of cards: The financial chaos behind the Derrimut Gym empire Derrimut 24:7 Gym and seven other associated companies entered administration earlier this month after struggling to meet debts. The groups 25 gyms in Victoria and South Australia, which have 230,000 members, have remained operating as administrators run a sale process for the business to help repay its creditors. It is estimated the companies owe more than $40 million to its creditors, of which an estimated $12 million is owed in tax debts, unpaid superannuation and penalties.

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The Derimut 24:7 Gym chain is a favourite of the body building set and is well known for its large gyms and affordable memberships, which before its collapse cost as little as $99 a year  well below the market average of more than $700 a year. Editor's pick Fitness No soap, no classes, no refunds: Derrimut members seethe as gym chain falters An investigation by this masthead in September revealed the parlous state of Derrimuts business, which was struggling to pay for day-to-day business expenses, including toilet paper. At the same time, the business was also paying for staff members luxury cars, and large allowances to Solomos and his family. Administrator Stephen Dixon, of HM Advisory, told the meeting of creditors the bidder was already partially funding the administration process to ensure the Derrimut business could keep its doors open to serve its large membership.

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Creditors at the meeting peppered Dixon with questions about the identity of the mystery bidder amid concerns the business could be returned to Solomos. Three sources confirmed the rival bidder in pole position was not Portelli. Some creditors said they would be concerned if Solomos remained involved in the business in any way other than as a brand ambassador. Id be loath to do business with Derrimut in the future if Nick is still involved, said one creditor who asked not to be named for business reasons. Another creditor who spoke on the condition of anonymity was concerned that it appeared Solomos was still driving a Lamborghini that was financed by the company.

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Other creditors supported Solomos, saying the business needed his input to remain successful. They cited his entrepreneurial drive, marketing savvy and the social cachet the brand had from being associated with the supercar-driving businessman with working-class roots. Editor's pick Exclusive

Fitness Derrimut gyms to be sold as debts spiral The meeting also heard that Solomos had taken $15 million out of the business he founded in 2010 by way of personal loans that the administrator would seek to claw back from Solomos. The administrator told the meeting this might be a hard task given much of Solomos property was largely in the hands of receivers appointed by banks who had lent Solomos or his businesses money. The Derrimut 24:7 Gym business had been looking for a white knight before the collapse of his business in early November amid a push by the ATO to wind up the business over unpaid taxes.

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Before the groups collapse into administration, Portelli said he would be investing in the business but soon pulled out citing concerns about how the company was being managed. Portelli, who has amassed a fortune estimated at more than $1 billion from his LMCT+ promotion and raffle business, said he expected his competition to come from large rival gym chains looking to expand their business in Melbourne and South Australia. Portelli promised to preserve the Derrimut brand, which is synonymous with the little-known suburb in Melbournes west where the chain set up its first gym. Large corporate groups and private equity are also thought to be interested in the chain, though there are fears the brand would not be carried on in those scenarios. The administrator did not respond to questions about the bidding process.

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With Madeleine Heffernan 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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InspirationAdventure holidays This country is so obscure, no guidebook for it existed. So I wrote one Sean Connolly November 21, 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 5 View all comments

After a difficult decade in the throes of an Islamist insurgency, the north-western African nation of Mauritania has mounted an inspiring turnaround and is today among the safest places anywhere in the Sahara. Set along the Atlantic coast between Senegal and the Morocco-administered Western Sahara, Mauritania is more than four times larger than the UK, but this enormous desert nation  Africas 11th largest  effectively remains a blank spot on all but the most die-hard of travellers maps. Indeed, there has never been an English-language guidebook to the country. The author describes his first trip to Mauritania as a land where my every desert fantasy seemed to actually exist. Alamy Hoping to remedy that I approached Bradt, known for its guides to offbeat destinations. Initially sceptical, they came around after hearing my promises of lush oases, towering dunes, and nomadic nights under a sea of stars. After several journeys around this awesome and austere paysage, and many weeks sat behind a desk, my Bradt Guide to Mauritania will soon see the light of day, introducing more people to a country that, like so much desert sand, has steadily worked its way into my life  and luggage  and refuses to let go.

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The longest train, with an even longer shadow If you have seen anything about Mauritania floating around, its very likely got less to do with its ancient culture and thrilling landscapes than it does with its superlative and eminently Instagrammable train. Running through 700 kilometres of open desert between mine and port, the so-called Iron Ore Train is among the worlds longest, with two enormous locomotives and several hundred railcars stretching up to three kilometres. The Iron Ore Train stretches up to three kilometres. Alamy The practice of riding on top of the train is now officially discouraged after it became popular with influencers. Alamy These are all filled to the brim with pulverised ore  and more recently, a spate of tourists riding on top like the freighthoppers of yore. This Mad Max backdrop has been pure influencer catnip  to the extent that their videos eventually popped up on the phone of somebody at the railway administration and the practice is now officially discouraged.

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As for me, my illusions about the romance of riding the rails burst at the same time as my sleeping bag zipper  at about 2am, that is, with seven freezing overnight hours to go before reaching the port city of Nouadhibou half burnt, half frozen, and looking like a chimney sweep. But despite the trains outsize importance in raising Mauritanias economy and international profile, this country is so much more than a train ride  however long, dusty and photogenic it might be. The ksour of Mauritania  Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, and Oualata  are four ancient fortified towns, recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996. iStock Ancient outposts and windswept coasts Arriving here for the first time several years ago, I found a land where my every desert fantasy seemed to actually exist. Men in billowing blue robes and women in metres of rainbow cloth harvested dates, herded camels and pitched their tents on the sand. Mosques called out the sunset prayer while cuts of goat cooked away over an open fire, and an endless stream of sweet green tea greeted me at all hours of the day. The Mauritanian love for a strong cup of atay knows no bounds  and the teapots on their banknotes and postage stamps are proof.

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I wandered through crumbling ancient cities, still protecting valuable hoards of ancient calligraphy and scholarship, inked onto fragile parchments during the heyday of these stone-built (and UNESCO-recognised) ksour. For centuries, scholars and traders from the Sahara and beyond flocked to these centres, and their works remain jealously guarded in dozens of family libraries today  but not so jealously that the librarians arent happy to welcome you in for a tour! Youll find men in billowing blue robes and women in metres of rainbow cloth. iStock This desert world ends abruptly at the Atlantic Ocean, where the howling voids of the Sahara meet their opposite number in the roar of the open sea. Here between the hammer and the anvil, a small handful of Imraguen fishermen make their living. An afternoon spent on one of their traditional sailboats will leave you in awe of the ingenuity and endurance that has built their society. On this same stretch of coast, the Banc dArguin National Park also protects the largest concentrations of wading birds found anywhere in the world. Related Article Asia My family, and my doctor, didnt want me to go here. I went anyway The Senegal river hems in the country to the south, and Mauritanias riverine borderlands offer a taste of a slightly more tropical world, where cows supersede camels, and the languages of Senegal and Mali tickle the ears with promises of new sounds and new spices over the water to the south.

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Breaking new ground At some of the many security checkpoints that dot the country (their presence being a big part of the reason youre so free to explore), it took several rounds of convincing until the gobsmacked gendarmes examining my passport believed I was simply there for tourism. And while the necessities of guidebook research saw me visiting some fairly odd and out-of-the-way places, the Mauritanian tourist trail remains about as obvious as a nomads path through the dunescape. But this distant-seeming land is not as inaccessible as it might first appear. Served by a regular five-hour non-stop flight from Paris, you can wake up at home and be reclining under a traditional khaima tent by nightfall. And indeed, in many places you might just have to: the obligations of traditional desert hospitality mean that Mauritanias hotel sector remains stunted, as any travelling Mauritanian would as a matter of course be hosted by family or friends, no matter how distant. Outsiders are also subject to these ancient codes of hospitality  I made the mistake of complimenting an acquaintances shawl once, only to find it pressed into my hands a moment later, with no chance to refuse. Related Article Adventure holidays The spectacular movie-star country that few Australians visit But as anywhere, Mauritania too is changing  the dust-blown capital city of Nouakchott will witness the arrival of its first international chain hotel this year when the five-star Sheraton opens its doors. And while its possible that this and a new guidebook will go some way towards raising Mauritanias tourism profile, visitor numbers are still so low the government doesnt even bother publishing them. So while a few more would be more than welcome, you can rest assured that this dreamy and dazzling country  one of the most sparsely populated in the world  will long remain far, far away from the madding crowd.

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The Australian governments Smart Traveller website currently has a Reconsider your need to travel warning for Mauritania, with a Do not travel warning for much of the countrys east. Check with your travel insurer prior to travel. The Telegraph, London

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China's display industry rises on global stage

11:10, November 20, 2025 By Gu Yekai ( People's Daily

An employee of a tech firm in Huangshi, central China's Hubei province, manufactures light-emitting diode (LED) displays. (Photo/Zhou Wei)

Recent data from the China Center for Information Industry Development show that China now accounts for 55 percent of the global market for display panels and 43 percent for display materials, ranking first worldwide in both categories. The total output of China's display industry represents nearly half of the global market.

As a key pillar of advanced manufacturing, China's display industry began to take shape in the late 20th century. Just over a decade ago, however, the country remained heavily reliant on imports of advanced chips and high-end display panels -- the latter ranking as China's fourth-largest import category at the time. Chinese domestic manufacturers faced significant challenges, lacking bargaining power in a sector dominated by a few multinational firms. High costs and supply constraints were common, with local companies often forced to queue for access to critical components.

Through over two decades of sustained development, China has transitioned from a latecomer to a global leader in display technology. Accelerated breakthroughs in core technologies and the rise of globally competitive domestic firms have been instrumental in driving this transformation.

Strategic policy support

One major factor behind this rise has been strategic, forward-looking policymaking. In 2009, the Chinese government launched a restructuring and revitalization plan for the electronic information industry, specifically targeting bottlenecks in the emerging display sector. That same year, construction began on the Chinese mainland's first independently designed and built 8.5-generation panel production line.

Since then, a series of industrial policies, including the 12th five-year plan for the electronic information manufacturing industry, the 2014-2016 action plan for the new display innovation, and the 2019-2022 ultra-HD video industry development plan, have sustained the industry's momentum and positioned it for high-speed growth.

Technological foresight and innovation

Another driving force is the industry's strategic foresight and long-term commitment to independent innovation. The display sector's evolution has seen multiple technological pathways, leading to industrial upgrading and the elimination of outdated technologies. Given the capital-intensive nature of the sector, even minor miscalculations can result in significant losses.

Recognizing the inevitability of technological transformation early in the development of liquid-crystal technology, Chinese companies proactively accumulated critical know-how. As the industry pivoted toward organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and next-generation technologies, companies adopted a pragmatic "dual-track" approach, investing in parallel development paths with considerable success.

Workers at a display manufacturing company in Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui province, manufacture liquid-crystal (LCD) screens. (Photo/Wang Wensheng)

Independent innovation remains central to the industry's progress. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), research and development (R&D) investment in the sector has grown at an average annual rate of 18 percent, and Chinese companies accounted for 42 percent of global patent applications in this sector. They have also established competitive advantages in key areas such as quantum-dot materials and printed display technologies.

Major players such as BOE Technology Group and TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT) maintain R&D investment ratios above 7 percent. BOE consistently ranks among the global top 10 in international patent filings (PCT), underscoring its innovation capacity. These innovation efforts have accelerated breakthroughs in frontier technologies, including micro-LED and quantum-dot displays.

China's innovation is not confined to end products but extends across upstream equipment and materials. The country has developed ultra-thin float-glass substrates for high-generation OLED production, and over 60 percent of critical materials, such as polarizers and photoresists, are now domestically sourced. Market shares for Chinese domestically produced evaporation machines and lithography equipment have risen from zero to 35 percent. These advances are enhancing the resilience and security of China's industrial chain and supply chain.

Light-emitting diode (LED) displays are manufactured in a workshop of a display technology company in east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo/Zhao Qirui)

Domestic demand and application scenarios

The huge Chinese market and diverse application scenarios have also fueled the sector's expansion. The evolution of domestic smartphone designs, rapid growth in new energy vehicles, continuous innovation in wearable technology, and the development of AI, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing, are all driving demand for advanced display technologies.

Industry estimates suggest that although display panels are not the highest-cost components in end-use devices, their contribution to downstream value creation can be four to five times their production value.

By 2025, the output value of China's new display industry is projected to approach 800 billion yuan ($112.55 billion). From relying on foreign technology to becoming a source of global innovation, the industry's transformation illustrates China's accelerating progress toward scientific and technological self-reliance and high-level innovation.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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Travel newsFoodie travel Just one Australian winery named in Worlds 50 Best list Carolyn Beasley November 20, 2025  9:50am 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 52 View all comments

The Worlds 50 Best Vineyards have just been announced and Australias highest-ranked wine experience is Henschke in South Australia at No.47. Its the first year since the awards began in 2019 that Australia has only had one vineyard in the top 50. The historic Henschke vineyard in Eden Valley, in the Barossa wine region. At the awards ceremony, held at Amelia Park Wines in Western Australias Margaret River, the coveted top vineyard title was nabbed by Vik in the Millahue Valley, Chile. Founded by Alexander and Carrie Vik, this integrated tourism experience combines architectural features like a floating roof of bronzed titanium with immersive wine experiences, fine dining, mountain biking, a luxury hotel, and soon, a wellness centre.

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Its such an honour and a culmination of so much passion and caring and hard work that our team has done to get us where we are, said Carrie Vik, after the announcement. We are extraordinarily thrilled at this moment. The worlds No.1 vineyard, Vik, on the foothills of the Andes in Chile. Finishing No.2 in the awards this year was Schloss Johannisberg in Rheingau, Germany, and in third place, Bodegas Ysios in Rioja, Spain. While Henschke, in South Australias Eden Valley did not make the list last year, it did secure places between 2020 and 2023, with its highest ranking being 25th (in 2020 and 2021). According to winemaker Stephen Henschke, the awards provide significant validation.

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Foodie travel Australian wine holidays I think its a fantastic tribute to our ancestors, the people who planted those vineyards way back, 150-plus years ago, he says. And obviously, our family and staff have played a huge role in focusing on just being better, rather than bigger. The awards list is compiled by UK company William Reed Limited, also responsible for the Worlds 50 Best Hotels, Bars and Restaurants lists. Some may argue that lists are subjective, and in this case, that is entirely the intention. No.2 in the world  Schloss Johannisberg in Rheingau, Germany. The competition splits the world into 20 regions, each with an academy chair. Each chair selects 36 wine and travel experts, totalling more than 700 panellists who vote for seven of their personal favourite vineyards. Each panellist may only select a maximum of three vineyards from their home region.

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With most of the panellists based in the northern hemisphere, Australian vineyards are at a distance disadvantage. In fact, only four Australian vineyards have ever made the top 50 list: Penfolds Magill Estate, dArenberg, and Seppeltsfield in addition to Henschke, all from South Australia. This year marks the first year the awards were held in Australia, and the first year as part of the 50 Best brand. No.3: Bodegas Ysios, at the base of the Sierra de Cantabria in Rioja, Spain. Richard Owens is the academy chair for the Australian region and says he is proud to see Worlds 50 Best here, with wine experts and international media busily exploring the Margaret River region during their visit. Its getting us on the map, Owens says. You can send wine to the far reaches of the globe, but instead of bringing the wine to the humans, youve got to bring the humans to the region to experience it. It wouldnt surprise me if we have more listings in the 50 Best next year.

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Top Margaret River wineries While Margaret River, the host region, didnt get a Best 50 mention in 2025, visitors can choose from 100 or so cellar doors, offering hatted restaurants, alternative grapes, or simply a rustic winery shed tasting. Here are five to try. Amelia Park

The host of the Worlds 50 Best Vineyards is a polished, grown-up experience. A barrel-lined foyer leads to the tasting room, where award-winning wines are tasted overlooking the vines. Next door, the striking restaurant is spaceship-esque with sharp angles, serving local produce from a wood-fired oven. See ameliaparkwines.com.au. Amelia Park Wines in Wilyabrup, Western Australia, hosted this years awards. WA Tourism Vasse Felix

The founding vineyard of the region, Vasse Felix consistently delivers an excellent visitor experience, from the fine wines, to the underground vault museum collection and immersive tours. The fine dining restaurant is a south-west triumph. See vassefelix.com.au.

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Swings and Roundabouts

For a casual tipple, head to Swings and Roundabouts. Think: wood-fired pizzas and gelato with sweeping vineyard and bushland views. The best outdoor seats are actual swings, and theres room to kick a footy. Wines start at $9 per glass. See swings.com.au. Glenarty Road

South of Margaret River, Glenarty Road is a regenerative farm, vineyard and restaurant. Take a tour of the farm (with quaffing stops), and try some of the best farm-to-table dining in WA. See glenartyroad.com.au. This years award winners take a celebratory group photo at Amelia Park Wines, Margaret River. Rosily Vineyard

For purists, the wonderfully unpretentious Rosily Vineyard is a winner. Step inside the certified organic winerys shed, and amid the barrels and the admin office, sip great value wines made right here. No food, no souvenirs, just wine. Call ahead on 0475 412 373. See rosily.com.au. The Worlds 50 Best Vineyards 2025

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Related Article Luxury holidays Two Australian hotels named in Worlds 50 Best list Vik, Millahue, Chile Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, Germany Bodegas Ysios, Rioja, Spain Bodega Garzon, Maldonado, Uruguay Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Bordeaux, France Klein Constantia Wine Estate, Western Cape, South Africa Creation Wines, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa Maison Ruinart, Champagne, France Chateau DYquem, Sauternes, France Montes, Colchagua Valley, Chile Durigutti Family Winemakers, Mendoza, Argentina Bodegas Salentein, Mendoza, Argentina Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Alexander Valley, US Aperture Cellars, Sonoma, US Champagne Bollinger, Champagne, France Weingut Dr Loosen, Mosel, Germany El Enemigo, Mendoza, Argentina Pago De Carraovejas, Ribera del Duero, Spain Ceretto, Piedmont, Italy 98Wines, Yamanashi, Japan Bodegas Tio Pepe (Gonzalez Byass), Jerez, Spain Perelada, Catalonia, Spain Maysara Winery, Willamette Valley, US Vivanco, Rioja, Spain Gramona Alt, Penedes, Spain Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Marlborough, New Zealand Chateau Pape Clement, Bordeaux, France Gusbourne, Kent, England Riccitelli Wine Company, Mendoza, Argentina Bodega Colome, Salta William Chris Vineyards, Texas Hill Country, US Nyetimber, West Sussex, England Chateau Heritage, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon Almaviva, Maipo Valley, Chile Brooks Wine, Willamette Valley, US Kaiken Wines, Mendoza, Argentina Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley, US Abadia Retuerta, Castilla y Leon, Spain Robert Mondavi Winery, Napa Valley, US Viu Manent, Colchagua Valley, Chile Vina Santa Rita, Maipo, Chile Casas Del Bosque, Casablanca Valley, Chile Chateau de Berne, Provence, France Rippon, Central Otago, New Zealand Mission Hill Family Estate, Okanagan Valley, Canada Chateau Mercian Mariko Winery, Nagano, Japan Henschke, Eden Valley, Australia Marques De Murrieta Estates & Wines, Rioja, Spain Vina Cobos, Mendoza, Argentina Champagne Taittinger, Champagne, France The writer was hosted by Tourism Western Australia.

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Travel newsTravel tips Public toilets are becoming tourist attractions, thanks to cutting-edge designs Julietta Jameson November 20, 2025  12:04pm 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 theres one commonality among most styles of travel, its the humble public lavatory  we all use one at some point or another in our journeys. The toilet block created by architect Shigeru Ban, which is transparent when nobody is inside it. Ban designed the toilet under the Nippon Foundation-led Tokyo Toilet project. Alamy Theyre also the stuff of memories  though usually of the grim kind. A bad WC stop tends to etch itself into ones recollections more easily than a clean and tidy one. Perhaps thats changing. Recognising that even the most basic of human needs warrants an elevated experience, those responsible for planning and constructing public conveniences are increasingly turning to architects and other designers to create something thats memorable for all the right reasons. Its no surprise, then, that in the new edition of the Lonely Planet book Toilets of the World: 100 Strange & Spectacular Thrones, Commodes, Loos & Latrines, the marvellous loos of Tokyos Shibuya feature, just as they did in the award-winning Wim Wenders movie Perfect Days.

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The project Tokyo Toilet saw 16 creators from around the world create 17 amazing restrooms with famed Japanese architectural names Kengo Kuma and Tadao Ando involved, as well as Australias influential industrial designer Marc Newson. The lavatory designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando that featured in the movie Perfect Days. Alamy The structures range from the white concave temple to water, Nishisando by Sou Fujimoto, to the famously diaphanous walls of the conveniences in Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park and the same in Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park by Pritzker winner Shigeru Ban  where, worry not, the walls go opaque when the facilities are engaged. In Australia, three public amenity blocks were shortlisted for the NSW architecture awards in 2023, while Kenilworth on Queenslands Sunshine Coast was inspired by the Hundertwasser toilet in New Zealand to create a destination dunny of its own. After a design competition that attracted 200 entries, the winning concept, now constructed and titled Canistrum, by architectural illustrator and animator Michael Lennie, represents an unfinished basket as a reflection of unfinished history. Designer toilets at Kenilworth on Queenslands Sunshine Coast, designed by artist Michael Lennie. Alamy

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Lonely Planets Toilets of the World also singles out the Ureddplazzen rest stop, an organically shaped provision on Nordlands Helgelandskysten scenic road in Norway. The wave-shaped concrete and glass of the Ureddplazzen rest area on the Helgelandskysten Norwegian Scenic Route. Alamy The work doubles as a memorial to those who died when the submarine Uredd hit a mine in Fugloyfjorden during World War II. The Oslo-based architect studio Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter, along with landscape architect Inge Dahlman-Asplan Viak, wanted the structure to fit into the incredible natural environment surrounding it. In Iceland, a toilet block on a cliffside at Dyrholaey, near Vik, the countrys most southerly village, is positioned and constructed for views of the landscape. Designed by Reykjavik architects Glama Kim, it comprises two separate buildings connected by a covered terrace clad in natural material to limit the impact on the natural surroundings. The buildings glazed frontages afford spectacular views towards the ocean. Restaurants have long been exponents of the spectacular loo. At Londons Sketch restaurant, the egg-like toilet pods are as Instagrammed as the rest of the fashionable establishment (if not more). But according to Toilets of the World, the sexiest WC on Earth is public, located on Terreiro do Paco, one of Lisbons most impressive public squares.

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Travel tips From the extreme to the luxurious, toilets occupy my mind when travelling Lee Tulloch Travel columnist Bursting with colour, its by Renova, a Portuguese paper goods company, and its columns of coloured loo paper have made it a must-visit in its own right. As architects Edit Collective say in a recent article in online design publication Dezeen, inspired by the decline of availability of public amenities in Britain: We need more public toilets, not less, and we need more people to be able to access them, not fewer. The solution, taking inspiration from Tokyo Toilet, which is now a popular tourist attraction, is to add value to toilets, instead of stripping them further back to bare minimum to reduce costs and combat vandalism. Creating more public benefit could make toilets stack up for the public bodies that commission them. See lonelyplanet.com

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WorldAfricaWar Thousands are dead and bodies are burning, but Trump says war wasnt on my charts Aamer Madhani November 20, 2025  10:55am 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 37 View all comments

Key points President Trump agreed to work on resolving the war in Sudan after a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trump acknowledged the Sudan conflict wasnt on my charts before his conversation.

The conflict, which has been raging since April 2023, has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Washington: US President Donald Trump says he will start working on resolving the war in Sudan after a request from Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an indication the US may deepen its involvement in a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people. Trump, who claims to have ended several wars since returning to office and has openly lobbied for the Nobel Peace Prize, admitted the conflict wasnt on my charts before his conversation with the crown prince. US President Donald Trump with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Saudi investment forum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. AP His majesty would like me to do something very powerful having to do with Sudan, Trump told US and Saudi business leaders in Washington, DC, during a joint appearance with Prince Mohammed, who is visiting the US. It was not on my charts to be involved in that  I thought it was just something that was crazy and out of control. But I just see how important it is to you and to a lot of your friends in the room.

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The president said he spoke in detail about the civil war with Mohammed, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, during their White House talks on Tuesday. The crown prince, Trump said, urged him to use the power and influence of the presidency to bring an end to the war, and his administration had begun working on the issue half an hour after Mohammed made the request. He mentioned Sudan yesterday, and he said, Sir, youre talking about a lot of wars, but theres a place on earth called Sudan, and its horrible whats happening,  Trump said of their meeting. Children from El Fasher find safety at a refugee camp in Tawila. Norwegian Refugee Council/AP While Trump implied the US has so far stayed out of the war in the North African country, which has raged since April 2023, his administration in fact proposed a three-month ceasefire earlier this month. That plan was swiftly rejected by the Sudanese army, which is fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces group that has captured much of the western half of the country. The fighting for control of Sudan has killed tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands according to some sources, and created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 14 million displaced. The RSFs capture of the Darfur city of El Fasher last month, after an 18-month siege, prompted a global outcry after evidence emerged of mass killings of trapped civilians trying to flee.

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Researchers at the Yale School of Public Healths Humanitarian Research Lab have been tracking developments in the city using satellite imagery, and their latest report, published last week, suggests the RSF is still burning bodies and burying them in mass graves as they work to clean up atrocities committed across the city over the past month. A satellite image taken on November 6 shows smoke from a fire lit at the Saudi Hospital in El-Fasher. Vantor/AP Satellite imagery taken between October 30 and November 6 at the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher shows a newly dug pit, objects placed in the pit, and the objects actively burning. Yale School of Public Health/Vantor Earlier satellite images taken days after the citys capture and analysed by the Yale lab showed dark stains on the sand, indicative of blood, and piles of long white shapes, later confirmed to be bodies. The United Nations is now pushing for access to El Fasher to provide aid, with UN aid chief Tom Fletcher saying the city would be treated as a crime scene for investigations following the reports of systematic executions, detentions and rapes.

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The International Organisation for Migration says nearly 90,000 people have left El Fasher and surrounding villages since the city fell on October 26, undertaking a perilous journey through unsafe routes where they have no access to food, water or medical assistance. The fraction of those who made their way to a refugee camp in Tawila, 65 kilometres away, have recounted horrific stories of killings and sexual assaults witnessed or endured after the city fell to the RSF. Hundreds of children had been turning up at the Tawila camp alone, The Washington Post reported, having seen their parents killed or losing them in the chaos. Weeks-old babies had also been found en route to Tawila, clinging to their dead parents, The Washington Post reported, citing humanitarian groups. The United Arab Emirates, a close US ally, has been sending weapons to the RSF, according to American intelligence findings, while Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have backed the Sudanese military.

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Sudan In fallen city stained by blood, latest images reveal grim development At the US-Saudi investment forum in Washington on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), Trump said Prince Mohammed had told him that bringing an end to the war would be the greatest thing you can do, that would be greater than what youve already done. Trumps comments come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week called for a halt to the flow of military support coming to the RSF from abroad. Saudi officials, in part, have argued to the administration that a further unravelling of Sudan could result in instability in the Red Sea and Africa and create conditions for extremist groups to exploit the moment to spread terrorism in the Middle East and beyond. Trump, following his remarks, said in a social media post that his administration would work with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern partners to get these atrocities to end, while at the same time stabilising Sudan.

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Trump diplomacy For good customers, Trump rolls out the red carpet. The rest get a tongue-lashing Tremendous atrocities are taking place in Sudan, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. It has become the most violent place on Earth and, likewise, the single biggest Humanitarian Crisis. Food, doctors, and everything else are desperately needed. Trump appeared with Mohammed as the crown prince wrapped up his first visit to Washington in seven years. The crown prince believed Trumps direct pressure was needed to break a logjam in talks to end the war, pointing to his work to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza last month, five people familiar with the matter said. AP, Bloomberg, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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Analysis WorldAsiaJapan The smart decision 20 years ago that saved a Japanese town Lisa Visentin November 20, 2025  6:30pm 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

What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox. Drive around the Japanese countryside and you cant miss them. Empty homes known as akiyas are dotted throughout small villages, often abandoned after the elderly owner moves out or dies, and their relatives have little interest in maintaining a house in a remote area. Kamiyama is embracing a strategy of creative depopulation to try to breathe new life into the village. Fred Mery Akiyas are perhaps the most visible sign of the countrys ageing population, which has shrunk for 16 consecutive years as the fertility rate has collapsed and deaths have outpaced births. Hundreds of rural villages are at risk of disappearing in coming decades.

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There are about 9 million akiyas across Japan, even in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, but you need to venture only an hour or two outside metro areas to find them in abundance. In the village of Nanmoku, northwest of Tokyo, where two-thirds of residents are over 65, some 600 of the towns 1400 houses are empty. When I visited last month, it was clear Nanmoku was fighting a losing battle for its survival, even as it tried new strategies and generous incentives to entice young families to move there. The pace of life is slower in Kamiyama, but the town has remade its identity as a hub for creatives and nature lovers. Fred Mery But its not all doom and gloom. The town of Kamiyama, nestled in the mountains on Japans smallest main island of Shikoku, is staging a quiet revolution against the ebbing tide of the countrys demographics. We call it creative depopulation, said Shota Shindo, a recovering big tech employee, as he showed me around the town.

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Shindo himself is a new recruit to Kamiyama. He arrived as a Tokyo refugee this year, having swapped a sales job with Apple for a role with Green Valley, a not-for-profit agency that has put Kamiyama on the map with its pioneering model of rural revitalisation. Related Article Japan The disappearing village fighting one of Japans greatest challenges Although we cannot stop the town from dying, we can slow it down. And slow it down in a way that changes the content. You can be experimental here. Surrounded by lush forests and rolling mountains, Kamiyama has about 5000 residents  a fraction of its 1955 peak of 21,000. But the town has steadied the precipitous slide by setting itself up as an entrepreneurial hub for start-ups and artists.

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A number of Tokyo-headquartered companies established satellite offices in Kamiyama after the local government invested in running fibre cable through the town in the mid-2000s. Since then, Kamiyama has attracted a steady stream of software developers, engineers and digital nomads, who base themselves at a co-working space run by Green Valley. Renting a desk is cheap  around 15,000 yen ($150) a month or just 1000 yen ($10) for the day. Australian artist Shirley Cho is completing a residency in Kamiyama. Fred Mery The towns flagship initiative is its artist-in-residence program, which has been running for more than two decades. It is now of sufficient international clout that theres a waitlist of creatives from around the world seeking to take up the annual three-month residency. By fortunate happenstance, one of this years successful applicants, Australian artist Shirley Cho, was in studio when I visited.

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You hear a lot about these Japanese villages that are dying out, but this place is really vibrant, Cho, who is usually based in Germany, told me. Theres lots of interesting people  great locals, but also foreigners come and live here, and younger Japanese people. So it feels like theres a lot going on. Irish-Japanese couple Manus Sweeney and Sayaka Abe run Kamiyama Beer, a craft brewery selling local brews infused with ingredients they have foraged. Fred Mery The influx of new people and the incubator mentality fostered by Green Valley, coupled with access to government subsidy programs aimed at boosting Japans rural villages, has helped boutique cafes and businesses to pop up across the town, occupying once-empty premises. The co-working space was built out of the bones of a shuttered sewing factory, while the towns old theatre has been transformed into an exhibition space. Theres also a nascent culinary scene, with farm-to-table restaurant Kamaya keeping a roster of international guest chefs through its own residency program.

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On a secluded patch of wilderness, overlooking the valley below, Irish-Japanese couple Manus Sweeney and Sayaka Abe run Kamiyama Beer, a craft brewery selling brews infused with ingredients they have foraged, such as cherry blossom and bamboo leaves. The towns most recent initiative is a new tech-focused boarding school for 200 students aged 15 to 20. It aims to educate the next generation of Japans entrepreneurs, with classes geared towards teaching students how to set up and run businesses. At Kamiyamas new tech-focused school, students study English through the lens of whats needed to set up and run businesses. Fred Mery It opened in 2023, and is already expanding its premises at a time when hundreds of regional schools are closing their doors in Japan each year. Tuition is free and funded in part by donations from major Japanese companies such as Fujitsu and Sony, but admission is highly selective.

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Japan has never seen anything like this before, says Haruki Onishi, a school spokesperson. Related Article Analysis

World politics The three words from Japans PM that sparked a furious Chinese response This school is very unique in the way that design, entrepreneurship and technology are the focus. We have schools that focus on each of these categories, but not all three together. Ultimately, Kamiyamas success is grounded in decades of initiatives aimed at keeping the flame of community alive. It may prove to be an exception to the portrait of the decline facing regional Japan, rather than serving as a model that can be easily replicated by other towns. With its own population still in decline, the Kamiyama experiment remains very much a work in progress. 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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Updated WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Absolutely senseless: Trump peace plan triggers backlash in Ukraine David Crowe Updated November 21, 2025  9:44am ,first published November 21, 2025  5:34am 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 251 View all comments

London: US President Donald Trump has provoked a backlash in Ukraine over a sweeping peace plan that would slash the size of the nations army and cede territory to Russia, as tougher oil sanctions cut valuable revenue flowing to Moscow. The American plan  which Londons The Telegraph published in full on Friday morning, AEDT  has 28 points and was thrashed out in secret. Scroll down to read the full text of Trumps 28-point Ukraine peace plan. A residential building that was heavily damaged after a Russian strike on Ternopil in Ukraine on Wednesday. AP Trump has sent the peace proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of potential talks within days to discuss the concessions despite the objections in Kyiv, where political leaders are calling for greater force against the Kremlin.

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the existing pressure on Russia was working and should be toughened, countering the US argument about the need for concessions. While Russia continues killing innocent civilians, destroying homes, and targeting critical infrastructure, the strategy of pressure on Russia is proving effective, she said. It is crucial to further strengthen energy and financial sanctions against the aggressor state. US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll (left) with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv on Wednesday. AP/Ukrainian Defense Ministry Press Office Svyrydenko issued the call after meeting one of Trumps key envoys, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, in the Ukrainian capital late on Thursday night, AEDT. Zelensky confirmed his meeting with Driscoll and said he was willing to discuss the US plan.

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Our teams  Ukraine and the USA  will work on the points of the plan to end the war, Zelensky said on social media site Telegram. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Blow for Zelensky after US pushes secret new peace plan on Ukraine We are ready for constructive, honest and prompt work. Trumps draft plan includes Ukraine giving up land in the Donbas region along its border with Russia, even though some of this territory is held by Ukrainian forces. It also requires the Ukrainian defence forces to be capped at 600,000  down from an estimated 900,000  and that it give up the use of long-range missiles and other weapons that could reach Russian targets.

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Kyiv would not be allowed to invade Russia or use military force to reclaim lands taken from it by Moscow, The Telegraph reported. Ukraine would also not be allowed to welcome NATO troops into the country, and foreign fighter jets would only be allowed to be stationed in Poland. In return for peace, Russia would be given the entire Donbas region and Crimea, freed from Western sanctions and be reintroduced into the G7, making it the G8 once again. Two-thirds of Russias roughly $US300 billion ($465 billion) in assets seized worldwide would be unfrozen. About $US100 billion would go towards American-led efforts to rebuild Ukraine  with the US getting 50 per cent of any profit. Unspent frozen assets would go into a joint US-Russian investment fund. Zelensky would also have to hold elections within 100 days of the ceasefire, while Russian President Vladimir Putin would promise not to invade any NATO country.

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Underpinning the deal is a yet-to-be-defined security guarantee for Ukraine from the US and European allies. Any breach of the deal by Kyiv would result in that guarantee being forfeited, the plan states. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Australians have paid $2 billion to help fund Putins bloody war. Heres what that can buy Leaders in Kyiv rejected the idea of giving up military power and exposing the country to future threats from Russia and Putin. The head of the foreign affairs committee in Ukraines parliament, Oleksandr Merezhko, described the plan as absolutely senseless in remarks to The Kyiv Independent. Still, Zelenskys office confirmed it had received the draft and that the president was ready to start negotiations.

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We are ready now, as before, to work constructively with the American side, as well as with our partners in Europe and around the world so that the outcome is peace, it said in a statement on Friday AEDT. The moves came after Russia fired 476 drones and 48 missiles at Ukraine in a single night, killing 26 people and wounding about 100 others. Those missing from a strike on an apartment building in the western city of Ternopil included three children. Loading European Commission foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed the US attempt to secure a peace, but cited the Russian bombing as proof there was no commitment to peace in Moscow. For any plan to work, it needs the Ukrainians and Europeans on board, she said. We have to understand that in this war  there is one aggressor and one victim. We havent heard of any concessions on the Russian side.

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If Russia really wanted peace, it could have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire already, some time ago. The controversial peace plan emerged three weeks after Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met senior Russian official Kirill Dmitriev over several days in Florida. A damaged Christian Orthodox church in the frontline town of Kostyantynivka on the weekend. AP/Ukraines 24th Mechanized Brigade Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, said there were no consultations under way. Tougher US sanctions on Russian oil exports are due to take effect on Friday after Trump named the two biggest suppliers, Lukoil and Rosneft, as targets last month. While Lukoil has gained an extension so it can divest some of its operations, the curbs on Rosneft begin on November 21.

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The move is already reducing some of the oil revenue flowing to Moscow, as some buyers cut their use of Russian oil out of fear they would be captured by the American sanction regime for doing business with targeted companies. Reliance Industries, which runs the worlds biggest oil refinery at Jamnagar in India, said on Thursday  a day ahead of the US deadline  that it had stopped using Russian oil at its export refinery. The refinery is estimated to supply 90 per cent of the petrol and diesel shipped from India to Australia each year, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a non-profit group in Europe. Reliance has not pledged to stop using Russian oil at a neighbouring refinery that supplies the Indian domestic market. Trumps 28-point Ukraine peace plan, published by Londons Telegraph Ukraines sovereignty will be confirmed. A comprehensive non-aggression agreement will be concluded between Russia, Ukraine and Europe. All ambiguities of the last 30 years will be considered settled. It is expected that Russia will not invade neighbouring countries and NATO will not expand further. A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, to resolve all security issues and create conditions for de-escalation in order to ensure global security and increase opportunities for cooperation and future economic development. Ukraine will receive reliable security guarantees. The size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be limited to 600,000 personnel. Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO, and NATO agrees to include in its statutes a provision that Ukraine will not be admitted in the future. NATO agrees not to station troops in Ukraine. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland. US guarantee: The US will receive compensation for the guarantee. If Ukraine invades Russia, it will lose the guarantee. If Russia invades Ukraine, in addition to a decisive coordinated military response, all global sanctions will be reinstated, recognition of the new territory and all other benefits of this deal will be revoked. If Ukraine launches a missile at Moscow or St. Petersburg without cause, the security guarantee will be deemed invalid. Ukraine is eligible for EU membership and will receive short-term preferential access to the European market while this issue is being considered. A powerful global package of measures to rebuild Ukraine, including but not limited to: The creation of a Ukraine Development Fund to invest in fast-growing industries, including technology, data centres, and artificial intelligence. The United States will cooperate with Ukraine to jointly rebuild, develop, modernise, and operate Ukraines gas infrastructure, including pipelines and storage facilities. Joint efforts to rehabilitate war-affected areas for the restoration, reconstruction and modernisation of cities and residential areas. Infrastructure development. Extraction of minerals and natural resources. The World Bank will develop a special financing package to accelerate these efforts. Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy: The lifting of sanctions will be discussed and agreed upon in stages and on a case-by-case basis. The United States will enter into a long-term economic cooperation agreement for mutual development in the areas of energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centres, rare earth metal extraction projects in the Arctic, and other mutually beneficial corporate opportunities. Russia will be invited to rejoin the G8. Frozen funds will be used as follows: $100 billion in frozen Russian assets will be invested in US-led efforts to rebuild and invest in Ukraine. The US will receive 50 per cent of the profits from this venture. Europe will add $100 billion to increase the amount of investment available for Ukraines reconstruction. Frozen European funds will be unfrozen. The remainder of the frozen Russian funds will be invested in a separate US-Russian investment vehicle that will implement joint projects in specific areas. This fund will be aimed at strengthening relations and increasing common interests to create a strong incentive not to return to conflict. A joint American-Russian working group on security issues will be established to promote and ensure compliance with all provisions of this agreement. Russia will enshrine in law its policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine. The United States and Russia will agree to extend the validity of treaties on the non-proliferation and control of nuclear weapons, including the START I Treaty. Ukraine agrees to be a non-nuclear state in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will be launched under the supervision of the IAEA, and the electricity produced will be distributed equally between Russia and Ukraine  50:50. Both countries undertake to implement educational programmes in schools and society aimed at promoting understanding and tolerance of different cultures and eliminating racism and prejudice: Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance and the protection of linguistic minorities. Both countries will agree to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education. All Nazi ideology and activities must be rejected and prohibited. Territories: Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk will be recognised as de facto Russian, including by the United States. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be frozen along the line of contact, which will mean de facto recognition along the line of contact. Russia will relinquish other agreed territories it controls outside the five regions. Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the part of Donetsk Oblast that they currently control, and this withdrawal zone will be considered a neutral demilitarised buffer zone, internationally recognised as territory belonging to the Russian Federation. Russian forces will not enter this demilitarised zone. After agreeing on future territorial arrangements, both the Russian Federation and Ukraine undertake not to change these arrangements by force. Any security guarantees will not apply in the event of a breach of this commitment. Russia will not prevent Ukraine from using the Dnieper River for commercial activities, and agreements will be reached on the free transport of grain across the Black Sea. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve outstanding issues: All remaining prisoners and bodies will be exchanged on an all for all basis. All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children. A family reunification programme will be implemented. Measures will be taken to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the conflict. Ukraine will hold elections in 100 days. All parties involved in this conflict will receive full amnesty for their actions during the war and agree not to make any claims or consider any complaints in the future. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by the Peace Council, headed by President Donald J. Trump. Sanctions will be imposed for violations. Once all parties agree to this memorandum, the ceasefire will take effect immediately after both sides retreat to agreed points to begin implementation of the agreement. 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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Updated WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Trump signs bill to release Epstein files after fighting it for months Michael Koziol November 20, 2025  11:40am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Washington: US President Donald Trump said he had signed a bill compelling the release of the Epstein files, capping a dramatic three days in which he reversed course on one of the most persistent sagas of his second term. The decision clears the way for the Department of Justice and FBI to make public tens of thousands of records relating to the criminal investigation into deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Donald Trump took credit for the move, even though he has fought it for months. AP Many Trump supporters, believing the files would embarrass prominent Democrats who associated with Epstein over the years, have long clamoured for the full suite of files to be released, and were led to believe that Trump would do so after winning the election. But the Justice Department and FBI decided in July against publishing any more material, saying there was nothing relevant left to release, and no credible evidence that Epstein was murdered or kept a client list.

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Since then, however, Democrats  joined by many Republicans  put enormous political pressure on Trump to release the files, asserting they were being covered up by the White House due to Trumps own associations with Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s. Related Article Updated

Epstein fallout Virginia Giuffres brother chokes back tears as Congress votes to release Epstein files The pair were friends and mixed in the same New York social circles, but had a falling-out in the 2000s, which Trump has recently said was due to his discovery that Epstein was taking or stealing young female staff from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Trump has always denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epsteins crimes. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social page, Trump announced he had signed the bill into law and predicted the release of the files would backfire on the Democrats. He named former president Bill Clinton, who has also denied wrongdoing and knowledge of Epsteins activities, along with other high-profile Democrats and donors.

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Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES! Trump wrote on Wednesday night (Thursday AEDT). In the post, Trump took credit for the move, even though he has fought it for months. He changed course on Sunday, Washington time  when it was clear the bill had the numbers to pass the House of Representatives  and told Republicans they should vote for it. The bill requires the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death, within 30 days. It allows for redactions about Epsteins victims for ongoing federal investigations, but the department cannot withhold information due to embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity.

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There are concerns that the release of some, perhaps many, documents could be stymied by the fact that Trump last week ordered Attorney-General Pam Bondi to open new investigations into Epsteins links with high-profile Democrats, including Clinton and Clintons treasury secretary, Larry Summers. Related Article Epstein fallout Trump orders criminal probe into Epsteins links with Clinton, Democrats Bondi immediately tasked a US attorney in New York, Trump appointee Jay Clayton, to lead the investigations and said he would act with urgency and integrity. Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has spectacularly fallen out with Trump over Epstein and other issues, said on Wednesday: Will the Department of Justice release the files or will it all remain tied up in investigations  will that list of names come out? Thats the real test. At a news conference, Bondi said she and her department would follow the law while protecting victims and providing maximum transparency.

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Even before the bulk of the so-called Epstein files have been released, documents obtained by the US Congress from his estate have humiliated high-profile individuals who maintained their friendship with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Related Article Epstein fallout Emails open window into Epsteins wide network of high-profile friends For example, email exchanges between Epstein and Summers, some of them containing comments and jokes about women, featured prominently in the 20,000 pages of documents released last week. On Thursday (AEDT), it was confirmed that Summers would immediately take leave from his teaching post at Harvard University, where he holds the highest professorial distinction, while administrators investigated his ties to the disgraced financier. Just a day earlier, Summers had told students he intended to continue teaching, despite expressing his shame and regret. He said his decision to continue communicating with Epstein was misguided and recognised the pain it had caused.

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Leading artificial intelligence company OpenAI also announced Summers had quit the firms board. We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the board, OpenAI said. The two congressmen who led the charge to release the files, Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, welcomed Trumps fast signature on the bill. The survivors stood up to the Epstein Class and won, Khanna said on X. [We] showed Congress can force Trump to bend to justice. With AP 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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High Court Reporter

Conor McGregor has been granted permission by the High Court to serve legal papers on Sky News for an alleged defamation he claims occurred in the immediate aftermath of his case last year, when he was found civilly liable for the assault of Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room.

At the High Court on Thursday, Paul O'Higgins SC, appearing with Mark Lynam SC for Mr McGregor, successfully applied to Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty to serve plenary summons papers outside of the jurisdiction to intended defendants Sky News UK and Sky News Ltd.

A plenary summons is also to be issued to Sky News Ireland, Burlington Plaza, Dublin 4, which is responsible for Sky publications in this jurisdiction, said Mr O'Higgins.

Mr O'Higgins said that on November 22nd of last year, there was an encounter between Mr McGregor and Sky News outside the Four Courts complex in Dublin, which, according to Mr McGregor, involved a Sky reporter allegedly calling out to him through a "media scrum, that he was a rapist."

After the civil trial last year, the jury awarded Ms Hand almost 250,000 in damages, while Mr McGregor was later ordered to pay the legal costs of the case, believed to be in the region of 1.5 million.

Mr McGregor had denied the assault of Ms Hand and lost a subsequent appeal on all grounds. A bid to have alleged new witness evidence introduced in the case was dramatically withdrawn on the first day of the appeal.

Mr McGregor is now awaiting a determination from the Supreme Court over whether it will hear his appeal.

On Thursday, Mr O'Higgins, in an ex parte application where only one side is represented, said that the alleged words amounted to a defamation of his client in that Mr McGregor had been found by the jury to be "civilly liable" for the assault.

Counsel said that his client's affidavit claims that a Sky News reporter: "Called out to me, 'Excuse me, Mr McGregor, you are a rapist, have you any reaction or apology to the woman at the centre of this?'."

Counsel said the reporter's words were broadcast by Sky on November 22nd, 2024, could be found online and amounted to defamation that occurred in this jurisdiction.

Mr O'Higgins said that he was before the court on Thursday because the time limit for bringing a defamation case is one year, which, he said, would expire this Saturday, November 22nd, 2025. He added it was only in exceptional circumstances that this could be extended.

Mr O'Higgins said that because two of the intended defendants were outside the jurisdiction, High Court permission was needed so that those two plenary summonses could be issued to begin proceedings.

Ms Justice Gearty said she would grant the application for the service of the plenary summonses and was told they would be issued by the end of the week.
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The European Film Academy has unveiled this years contenders for the 38th European Film Awards, set to take place on January 17, 2026, in Berlin.

Announced during a public event at Sevilles historic Real Alcazar, this years lineup showcases the breadth and artistic ambition of European animated filmmaking.

Five features, ranging from intimate literary adaptations to expansive international co-productions, will compete for the European Animated Feature Film Award, presented in partnership with Cartoon, the European Association of Animation Film that hosts events including Cartoon Springboard, Cartoon Forum, Cartoon Movie, and Cartoon Business. All five also automatically qualify for the European Feature Award, competing against the fiction and documentary live-action nominees for that honor. One of the five, Ugo Bienvenus Arco, is also in the running for the European Young Audience Award.

The selected films reflect a broad geographic span across Europe (and beyond), underscoring the continued rise of cross-border collaboration in European animation. France is represented twice, while Central and Eastern Europe continues to strengthen its footprint through high-profile co-productions. The Academys 5,400 members voted on this years nominees, with the eventual winners to be revealed at the Berlin ceremony. Voting procedure details are available in full here.

2026 European Animated Feature Film Nominees
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Joseph Gilland, an influential figure in traditional and hybrid animation VFX, an inspirational educator, and an accomplished writer, passed away on Monday in hospice care surrounded by family following a battle with cancer.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Gilland became widely known for elevating hand-drawn effects during a period of rapid technological advancements, while also contributing significantly to education, authorship, and professional discourse in the animation field.

Gillands career took shape across many of the industrys largest and most influential studios, including Walt Disney Feature Animation (now Walt Disney Animation Studios), Don Bluth Animation, Productions Pascal Blais, Bardel Animation, and the National Film Board of Canada.

His work at Disney defined a major portion of his legacy. There, he served as VFX supervisor for Lilo & Stitch and Brother Bear, two films remembered for their distinctive blend of character-driven storytelling and expressive effects animation at a time when digital tools were still in their early stages.

He also served as head of the Florida Special Effects Unit for the features Kingdom of the Sun (later reworked into The Emperors New Groove) and Tarzan. His name appears in the credits of an impressive slate of titles, including Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, James and the Giant Peach, Hercules, and Mulan.

Gilland became recognized for his ability to blend traditional draftsmanship with the evolving demands of modern pipelines during his time spent on these high-profile titles. His work and leadership helped bridge a transitional era for the craft as artists wrestled with new toolkits.

Outside of his big studio feature work, Gilland designed and supervised visual effects, both 2D and CG, for Bardel Animations TV series Silverwing, and he directed or supervised animation for several commercial clients, including General Motors, Coca-Cola, Honda, McDonalds, Gillette, Players Tobacco, Larousse Dictionaries, and Radio-Quebec.

His early career included work on short films at the National Film Board of Canada and contributions to video game animation, reflecting an artistic and professional range spanning several media.

From 2003 to 2005, Gilland led the Vancouver Film Schools animation program, helping shape the curriculum of one of the worlds most recognized animation institutions.

Gillands most widely known written contribution to animation came with the publication of Elemental Magic: The Classical Art of Hand-Drawn Special Effects Animation (Focal Press, 2009). The book quickly became an essential reference for animators, educators, and students seeking guidance in the principles of hand-drawn effects.

He later worked on a follow-up volume that expanded the material and incorporated practical demonstrations and workshop footage. Weve linked a couple of videos below. Although the original pages that hosted the companion assets are no longer online, more assets are available on the Internet Archive. Through this writing, Gilland helped spread techniques that had often been shared only informally and behind the closed doors of studios, providing a rare, comprehensive look into a previously guarded area of the art form.

Gilland was also a frequent contributor to Animation World Network (AWN), penning The Animated Scene, a bi-monthly column that ran from 2005 to 2009 and covered artistic, technical, and industry-wide topics. He later continued under the banner Elemental Alchemy  Animation Insights and Musings, where his posts often blended production experience with broader reflections on the animation field.

Much of the information in this obituary comes from Gillands own writing and AWN profile. In his final entry for the site, published in 2014, he observed the distinctive way animators understand time, process, and creativity, noting:

We use our collective animaginations to create life out of the very ether around us Where there was once nothing, we breathe life itself.

Gilland pursued other artistic interests outside of animation, too; his social media accounts and those of colleagues are loaded with his paintings, writings, music, and other independent creative projects. That said, animation remained the central thread of his professional life.

Across films, TV, teaching, writing, and community engagement, Gilland built a career defined by versatility, technical expertise, and a commitment to advancing the wider understanding of effects animation as a discipline with its own artistic and narrative value. His work and teaching leave a lasting influence on animators worldwide.
The community will gather on Thursday for the Sleep Out to End Youth Homelessness, a powerful overnight event in support of Covenant House, the group said. It will be at Ringgold, Ga.Participants will sleep outdoors for one night, standing in solidarity with the millions of youth experiencing homelessness across Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and nationwide.Leslie Fatz, organizer, said, "Were currently seeking volunteers and supporters to join us - whether by participating in the Sleep Out, helping spread the word, or contributing to our teams fundraising efforts.Our goal is to raise at least $500, which will directly support Covenant House's vital services like shelter, counseling, education, and job training. That amount will fund the first night in Covenant House for four young people."With over 4.2 million young people facing homelessness each year in the U.S., including many right here in our Tri-State region, this event offers a practical and symbolic opportunity to make a difference."The contact email is miss_hgl@yahoo.com
Lillana Holland, Madison VanHook, and Jordan Lenarz explore France while attending the Atelier Neo Medici Lilliana Holland works on her art piece while at the Atelier Lilliana Holland with her finished work and Greg Pelizzari, the master artist at the Atelier Madison Vanhook poses with her portrait art pieces The students spend time in the French countryside Previous Next

Lee University students Lillana Holland, Jordan Lenarz and Madison VanHook, senior studio art majors, have spent their semester studying at the Atelier Neo Medici art school in Monflanquin, France. Through the program, the students have the opportunity to study Renaissance art technique while being immersed in French culture.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with a painting master to learn techniques derived from centuries ago in an environment that allows for complete immersion in the discipline of painting and drawing, said Mary Mathias-Dickerson, Lee professor of art. Living in Monflanquin is a wonderful cross-cultural experience. Students enjoy the slower place of life and the time to focus on an artistic process that they love.

As part of the unique collaborative study agreement between Lee and Atelier Neo Medici, the students spent the first month of the semester in Cleveland, working with Professor Mathias-Dickerson to create reference material, drawings, and studies to prepare them for the program. They departed for Monflanquin on Sept. 18 and will return on Saturday.

During my time in Monflanquin, France, Ive experienced significant personal and artistic growth, said Ms. Holland. Living abroad alone for two months has allowed me to fully immerse myself in painting and drawing, learning from Greg Pelizzari as well as through self-guided practice. The quiet countryside has given me space for reflection, deepening my faith, and broadening my worldview in ways Ill always be grateful for.

Students at the Atelier receive six hours of instruction Monday through Thursday and spend up to eight hours a day in the studio working on the time-intensive Renaissance painting and drawing techniques. On weekends and evenings, outside of the studio, they attend cultural activities in the village or nearby towns, go for walks in the countryside, and practice speaking French with local residents.

"I'm not sure words can bring justice to the incredible opportunity we are so fortunate to experience, said Ms. VanHook. I will forever credit this trip as a pivotal moment in my life. Not only has it shaped me as an individual and an artist but has given me the confidence to pursue a future I would have never imagined to be possible. I am overfilled with joy and gratitude.

The Atelier Neo Medicis fundamental ideas and principles are based on those found in the Renaissance concept of an atelier. Without diminishing the students' individuality, the master imparts to the students his knowledge of color theory, art history, and painting techniques. The importance of a disciplined and profound knowledge of painting technique is emphasized at the Atelier through lecture, demonstration, and trips to museums. Students learn all aspects of their craft, from pigments, mediums and tools to a scientific analysis of light and of color and the relationship between them. Students learn to become conscious of what they are making creatively, technically, and intellectually.

For more information about the Atelier Neo Medici or Lees art program, contact Professor Mathias-Dickerson atmmathias-dickerson@leeuniversity.edu or visit https://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/arts-sciences/communication-arts/art/.
Jennifer Andrews, director of early childhood strategies at Chattanooga 2.0, was honored as one of only three inaugural recipients of the Bright Start Tennessee Network Change Maker Awards.The statewide awards program, launched by Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, honors "dedicated and visionary leaders for their impact on the lives of Tennessees youngest learners and families."Surprised during the Align: Early Childhood & Family Policy Summit on Monday in Nashville, recipients of the award are recognized for going above and beyond to advance early childhood care and education systems through one or more of the three Bright Start domains: early learning, health/mental health and family supports.In her nomination, Ms.Andrew's colleagues described her as: She turns big visions into meaningful action  always with families at the center; She keeps us focused, working together and dreaming bigger for our kids; and Her leadership brings people together and creates real, lasting change.
Former state Rep. Robin Smith is asking a Nashville federal judge to grant her probation and take away her $7,000 fine in light of presidential pardons for her two co-defendants.

Ms. Smith also asked for a pardon, but President Donald Trump has granted pardons only to former state Speaker of the House Glen Casada and his former top aide Cade Cothren.

Her attorney said in a motion to Judge Eli Richardson, "Ms. Smith should be resentenced to a term of probation and have the fine reduced to $0 in order to mitigate the manifest injustice that will result from Ms. Smith being the only one of the three conspirators to face criminal sanctions.

"Mrs. Smith submits that the discussion below compels the conclusion that amending her sentence in that way is necessary to at least mitigate the manifest injustice that will result from Messrs. Cothren and Casada receiving Presidential pardons, leaving Mrs. Smith alone to suffer criminal consequences for their collective criminal activity.

"Eliminating the term of imprisonment and the fine that the Court imposed on Mrs. Smith will mitigate, but not eliminate, that manifest injustice.

"The President has issued full and unconditional pardons to each of them, meaning they will escape any consequences for their criminal activities. The Courts pronouncements during the three sentencing hearings, and the three sentence themselves, reflected the Courts awareness that while the Court was sentencing three individuals, those individuals had conspired together to defraud their fellow republican legislators, and that as a result, the sentences themselves needed to be internally consistent in a way that reflected the relative culpability considering all the relevant circumstances.

"Due to her decision to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity, and her agreement to cooperate with the investigation of the United States, Mrs. Smith appropriately received a much lighter sentence than either Mr. Casada or Mr. Cothren. The pardons of defendants Casada and Cothren have destroyed the Courts careful calibration of the sentences. And while the President alone has pardon power, this Court can mitigate the manifest injustice that would result from Mrs. Smith alone being sent to prison by resentencing her to probation with no special conditions and reducing her fine to $0. Mrs. Smith respectfully and humbly asks that the Court do just that."

Ms. Smith is due to report to federal prison on Jan. 5 to begin an eight-month sentence.

She was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

Ms. Smith, of Hixson, recently paid off a $28,263.26 judgment she owed in connection with the bribery and kickback case in which she pleaded guilty.
Katie Medart and Rachel Sager (from the left), | Photo credit: Alliance Defending Freedom

Two Oregon teachers who were dismissed after objecting to their school districts policy allowing trans-identified students to use facilities based on gender identity rather than biological sex have settled with district officials. The agreement awards them $650,000.

The conservative legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom announced Friday that teachers Rachel Sager and Katie Medart reached the agreement with the Grants Pass School District. The two were terminated in 2021 for their involvement in the I Resolve campaign challenging the districts approach to gender identity issues.

Under the settlement, the district will provide a public statement acknowledging that the educators wrongful termination fell short of its standards and responsibilities, issue letters of recommendation, remove negative references from personnel records, and revise relevant policies to ensure compliance with First Amendment protections.

The disputed policy declares that the District will not prohibit students from accessing restrooms, locker rooms or other facilities which may be separated by gender, that are associated with the students preferred gender identity.

Sager and Medart created the I Resolve campaign, which included a YouTube video presenting alternative proposals regarding students preferred pronouns and names as well as restroom use. Their participation prompted complaints from colleagues who argued that the two violated district rules restricting political activity during work hours or with school resources.

Following an internal investigation that concluded they had breached district policies, Sager and Medart were placed on leave and subsequently fired. Later that year, they were reassigned to positions within the districts online school, where their direct interaction with students was substantially reduced.

The teachers later filed a lawsuit alleging violations of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, Article I, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Fridays settlement resolves damages and attorney fees and follows a significant legal development from earlier this year.

Five months ago, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision that had denied the teachers request for First Amendment damages.

The appellate panel determined that the district had infringed the teachers constitutional rights by engaging in content- and viewpoint-based discrimination and further held that the district violated Title VII by firing them over their biblically-based views on gender and sexuality. The case was remanded for continued proceedings in the lower court.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. | Photo Credit: Facebook/ Texas Attorney General

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a new legal challenge targeting three state-funded higher education programs that he argues unlawfully prevent religious students and faith-based groups from accessing public benefits.

Filed Monday in Travis County District Court, the lawsuit centers on three programs administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): the Texas College Work-Study Program, the Texas WORKS Internship Program, and the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program.

Paxton contends these programs include nonsectarian limitations that violate constitutional protections and improperly exclude Christian ministries and students of faith from taxpayer-funded benefits.

According to the filing, these programs violate the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment and Article 1, Sections 6-7 of the Texas Constitution by excluding religious organizations and students with religious beliefs from state-funded benefits, conditioning participation on nonsectarian activities, and prohibiting religious activities such as sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization.

Paxtons office argues that such restrictions create a wholesale exclusion of certain people  no matter how otherwise eligible  from state benefits under the program based solely on the religious character of their course of study, including a complete ban on seminary students participating in the work-study program.

The lawsuit draws on recent U.S. Supreme Court precedents that have struck down comparable limitations on religious participation in public benefits programs. Paxton asserts that governments cannot deny access to public benefits simply because applicants are religious or engage in religious activity, claiming that the restrictions amount to unconstitutional discrimination that burdens religious expression and inserts the state into theological determinations.

Texas may neither exclude religious organizations from public benefits because of their faith nor condition participation on theological choices, the complaint reads. The attorney generals office is asking the court to declare the programs unconstitutional.

Paxton defended the lawsuit in strong terms: These anti-Christian laws targeting religious students must be completely wiped off the books. Our nation was built by patriotic Americans who had the freedom to express their religious beliefs without fear of being targeted, and we will honor that heritage by upholding the First Amendment in Texas, he said.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer, France, engulfed in flames after an arson attack in September 2, 2024. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Christ Community Tube

A new study released Monday by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) finds that violent attacks, threats, and arson against Christians and churches rose sharply in 2024.

The reportofficially launched Tuesday by the Vienna-based watchdogshows that while overall anti-Christian incidents declined to 2,211 in 2024, the severity of the cases escalated significantly, with more assaults and destructive attacks targeting Christian individuals and properties.

According to the data, physical violence against Christians increased from 232 incidents in 2023 to 274 in 2024, while arson attacks on churches and Christian sites surged to 94nearly double the previous years total.

OIDAC Europe identified France, the U.K., Germany, Spain, and Austria as the countries with the highest overall number of anti-Christian incidents.

Among the most disturbing attacks highlighted in the report was the November 2024 killing of a 76-year-old Catholic friar in Spain. He was murdered by a man who forced his way into the Friary of Santo Espiritu del Monte while shouting, I am Jesus Christ! The assailant, a 26-year-old Moroccan national, injured seven others while moving through the monastery and claiming he acted in the name of God, according to The Mirror.

Another incident involved an ISIS-linked shooting at the Church of Santa Maria in Istanbul, Turkey, during Sunday Mass in January 2024. Gunmen opened fire inside the sanctuary, fatally shooting a 52-year-old man who was reportedly preparing to convert and be baptized, the BBC reported.

The report also detailed the near-total destruction of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer, France, after an arson attack in September 2024. The 1859 neo-Gothic structurerestored just six years earlierburned only weeks after another fire damaged Rouens historic cathedral, raising memories of the 2019 Notre-Dame blaze.

In its review of documented cases, OIDAC Europe noted that it independently confirmed 516 hate crimes against Christians. When vandalism, theft, and burglary at Christian sites were included, the total number of verified incidents rose to 1,503.

Germany accounted for roughly one-third of all arson-related attacks. The scale of the destruction prompted the countrys Catholic Bishops Conference to warn in October that all taboos have been broken, citing widespread sacrilege that included desecrated confessionals and beheaded statues of Jesus Christ.

The report found that radical Islamist ideology was the most frequently identified motive in cases where the intent could be determined, followed by radical left-wing ideology and other political motivations. A total of 15 incidents featured explicit satanic symbols or references.

OIDAC Europe contextualized its findings within broader 2024 hate crime statistics from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which recorded more than 3,000 antisemitic incidents, about 1,000 anti-Christian attacks, and approximately 950 anti-Muslim incidents across Europe.

Beyond physical attacks, the watchdog highlighted rising examples of legal pressure against Christians, including the high-profile case of Finnish MP Paivi Rasanen. Rasanen has repeatedly faced court proceedings over a six-year-old Bible verse tweet criticizing her churchs support for LGBT pride month.

OIDAC Europe called on the European Union to adopt stronger measures to address growing anti-Christian hostility, including appointing a coordinator to combat anti-Christian hatred, similar to existing coordinators for antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.
Home News Survey: Young adults would give AI broad gov't powers over speech, religion

A little over four in 10 young voting-age adults are in favor of giving artificial intelligence broad government powers, according to a recently released survey.

The Heartland Institutes Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center and Rasmussen Reports announced on Wednesday the findings of a poll taken of 1,496 likely voters aged 18-39 with a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

According to the studys findings, 41% of respondents said they support giving an advanced AI system authority to control public policymaking decisions.

This sizable minority in favor of AI controlling policy decisions included 55% who self-identified as conservatives and 54% of respondents between the ages of 25-29.

Additionally, according to researchers, 36% of respondents supported a proposal that gives AI control over rights that belong to individuals and families, including rights related to speech, religious practices, government authority, and property.

Thirty-five percent of respondents supported giving an advanced AI system the authority to control all of the worlds largest militaries, with the express purpose of reducing the number of people who die from war. Among those aged 18-24, 40% supported this idea.

These results are stunning, stated Heartland researchers, as quoted in the announcement. What we are seeing is the early emergence of an AI strong man mentality among younger Americans.

Younger generations are increasingly disillusioned with the failures of traditional institutions, so much so, that they are willing to hand control to artificial intelligence.

In recent years, AI has garnered controversy, with many fearing that it will harm workers in various professions by taking over their jobs, while supporters believe it can help improve research and development in numerous fields.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trumps proposed One Big Beautiful Bill included a provision enacting a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations. The proposal was removed from the final bill, however.

In September, Albania garnered headlines when it became the first country to appoint an AI chatbot to a government position, which was named Diella, or sun" in Albanian.

The chatbot was appointed minister for public procurement, with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama saying that Diella will help curb the extensive public corruption problem in the Eastern European nation.

I am not here to replace people but to assist them, Diella stated in its first address to Parliament. Truly, I do not have citizenship, nor do I have any personal ambition or interests.

I only have data, a thirst for knowledge and algorithms dedicated to serving citizens impartially, transparently and tirelessly. Isn't this precisely the spirit of constitutional democracy? Exercising power in the service of everyone free from bias, discrimination, nepotism or corruption?
Home News Americans vs. Canadians: Who's more religious? Survey reveals 44% of Canadians say they never feel Gods presence

New research reveals the religious views of Americans and Canadians and who's more supportive of politicians talking about their faith in public, and which country's population is more engaged in acts of service.

The non-partisan think tanks Cardus and the Angus Reid Institute released a report Wednesday contrasting the religious views of Americans and Canadians. The research, based on responses collected from 5,001 Americans and 5,001 Canadians in March and first published earlier this month, found that Americans are significantly more religious than their Canadian counterparts.

When asked if they agreed that religion was very important in their day-to-day life, 33% of Americans indicated that they strongly agree compared to just 17% of Canadians. Conversely, nearly half of Canadians (45%) told pollsters they strongly disagree that religion is very important in their day-to-day life, while just over a quarter (26%) of Americans said the same.

The report also found that a plurality of Canadians (44%) fall into the spiritually uncertain category based on their belief in a higher power, belief in life after death, the importance of parents teaching their children about religious beliefs, how often they feel they experience Gods presence, how often they pray to God or a higher power, how often they read the Bible, Quran or other sacred text and how often they attend religious services.

An equal share of Canadians (19%) fell into the non-believers and privately faithful categories. By contrast, a plurality of Americans (37%) fell into the religiously committed category, along with a significantly smaller share of Canadians (18%). An equal percentage of Americans fell into the privately faithful and spiritually uncertain categories (27%), while only 10% are non-believers.

When it comes to church attendance, majorities of both Canadians (72%) and Americans (56%) reported that they never or only rarely attend church services. However, a significantly higher share of Americans (27%) go to church weekly than Canadians (13%). Similarly, 30% of American respondents reported reading the Bible, Quran, or other sacred text at least once a week compared to just 13% of Canadians.

Eighty-one percent of Americans and 65% of Canadians expressed belief in a higher power, while 77% of Americans and 51% of Canadians believe in life after death. Just under one-half (49%) of Americans agreed that All of the great religions of the world are equally good and true, along with 40% of Canadians.

When asked how frequently they experience Gods presence, a plurality of Americans (32%) said they felt His presence every day, while a plurality of Canadians (44%) said they never feel Gods presence. By contrast, only 17% of Americans said they feel Gods presence every day, while 23% of Americans reported never feeling His presence.

Americans and Canadians also differ on their views about proclaiming their faith publicly. Sixty-nine percent of Americans agreed with a statement declaring Im public about my religion and faith and dont mind other people knowing Im a believer, compared to just 56% of Canadians.

When it comes to their views on politicians bringing up their religious beliefs in public life, Americans and Canadians hold almost diametrically opposed positions. A majority of Americans (56%) agreed that Americans who hold public positions should feel free to speak and act based on their religious beliefs, while 44% endorsed keeping God and religion completely out of public life.

On the other hand, nearly two-thirds (66%) of Canadians expressed support for keeping God and religion completely out of public life, while 34% agreed that Canadian politicians should have the ability to speak and act based on their religious beliefs.

Even as Americans are more likely to believe in God and the tenets of Christianity than Canadians, the research shows that Canadians who fall into the religiously committed category are more involved in acts of service than their American counterparts.

Fifty-five percent of religiously committed Canadians told researchers that they volunteer for a community group or cause compared to 51% of religiously committed Americans.

An overwhelming majority of both religiously committed Canadians (82%) and religiously committed Americans (71%) reported donating money to a charitable cause.
Home News Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at Museum of the Bible invites nonbelievers to witness 'power' of biblical texts

WASHINGTON  The Museum of the Bible's latest exhibit, Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition, features the oldest copies of biblical fragments, and Matthias Walther, the museums chief marketing officer, hopes it will invite nonbelievers to reconsider their assumptions about the Bible.

When you come here, you see the actual documents. You go back to the source, Walther told The Christian Post during a preview of the exhibit on Wednesday ahead of its weekend opening.

And all the theories that you have about Is this true,' 'Is this not true,' and Can I trust the Bible or not? I hope this will be a step to say, Man, there's something there that I need to discover, Walther added. Maybe I need to do my homework and identify all the preconceived notions that I had about this book. Maybe they're not true?

The exhibition, which is the result of a partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority and Running Subway, will open to the public on Saturday.

Three rotations of Dead Sea Scroll fragments will make their way through the museum during the exhibitions run, with the rotations taking place from November to February, February to May, and May to September.

Visitors will have the opportunity to view various Dead Sea Scroll fragments, with the first rotation featuring: 4Q7 Genesis(g), 11Q10 Targum Job, 4Q83 Psalms(a), 4Q210 Astronomical Enoch(c), 4Q434 Barkhi Nafshi(a), 4Q491 War Scroll(a), Eschatological Commentary A and 11Q20 Temple Scroll(b).

The fragments featured in the second rotation are: 11Q5(a) Psalms (Great Psalms Scroll Fragments), 4Q27 Numbers(b), 4Q111 Lamentations, 4Q264 Community Rule(j), 4Q448 Apocryphal Psalms and Prayer, 4Q274 Tohorot A (Purities), 4Q400 Non-Canonical Psalms A and 4Q530 Book of the Giants(b).

As part of the final rotation, the museum will display: 4Q58 Isaiah(d), 4Q197 Tobit(b), 4Q130 Phylacteries C, 4Q534 Birth of Noah(a), 4Q218 Jubilees(c), 4Q275 Communal Ceremony, 4Q258 Community Rule(d) and 4Q271 Damascus Document(f).

Maybe you don't walk away and become a believer, but I think it certainly will create a reverence and a respect for what this book is and the power that it has and how it transcends time, Walther told CP.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, first discovered by Bedouin shepherds in the Qumran caves near the Dead Sea in 1947, are a collection of ancient manuscripts dating back to the third century BC to the second century AD. In addition to containing portions of the Hebrew Bible, the scrolls paint a picture of Jewish beliefs and practices during the Second Temple Period.

Walther also addressed the controversy surrounding the museums previous Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, which was thought to include 16 fragments of the ancient manuscript. After funding research into the pieces, the museum announced in 2018 that five of the tested fragments were forgeries.

Two years later, the museum announced that independent researchers had determined that all 16 fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls were modern forgeries.

Regarding the latest exhibition, Walther said the museum has ultimate confidence that the Dead Sea Scrolls on display as part of the new exhibit are authentic, highlighting the museum's partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority.

They are the authority in terms of anything archaeological that's found in Israel, he said. And so, they do the discovery, the excavation, the preserving and the exhibition of the artifacts that they find.

So there's no higher authority in terms of the integrity of those documents, Walther added.

In addition to the Dead Sea Scrolls, visitors will have the opportunity to view 200 artifacts from Israel's National Treasures of the Israel Antiquities Authority, according to the museums press release. The artifacts include inscribed pottery shards from Masada and a scroll wrapper from Qumran.

The Museum of the Bible is currently the only place on the East Coast where people can see these artifacts in person.

Other exhibition highlights include the Magdala Stone, a carved block decorated with various symbols, including a seven-branch menorah that was discovered in 2009 at a first-century synagogue where Jesus ministered in the region of Galilee.

Another item on display in the exhibition is wood fragments from a first-century fishing boat uncovered in the Sea of Galilee during a drought in 1986. The fragments, also known as the Jesus Boat, offer insights into what the boats mentioned in the New Testament might have looked like.

This exhibition is made possible by our close partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority. It brings together some of the most important archaeological discoveries in human history, Bobby Duke, chief curatorial officer at the Museum of the Bible, said in an earlier statement provided to CP.

It is an incredibly rare and unique opportunity to see the oldest copies of biblical fragments alongside many more artifacts that help us to better understand the biblical world, Duke added.
Home News Doctors license suspended after woman claims he held her down, forced abortion pills into her mouth

An Ohio doctor has had his medical license temporarily suspended after he allegedly used his wifes information to order abortion drugs for his pregnant girlfriend, who claims he pinned her down in an attempt to force her to ingest the crushed pills as she fought to free herself from his grip.

The State Medical Board of Ohio has summarily suspended the medical license of Dr. Hassan-James Abbas, according to a Nov. 5 notice the board shared with The Christian Post. Abbas, a surgical resident at the University of Toledo, has since been placed on administrative leave.

According to the notice, Abbas began a romantic and sexual relationship with his girlfriend, also identified as "Patient 1," around the time he separated from his wife in October 2024. After dating for a few months, she told Abbas on Dec. 7, 2024, that she was pregnant.

The doctor allegedly urged her to get an abortion, but she refused. A day later, Abbas ordered Mifepristone and Misoprostol from an out-of-state telemedical abortion provider without his girlfriends knowledge, according to the medical board.

Abbas reportedly used his estranged wifes name, date of birth and drivers license number  all without her consent  to order the abortion drugs. He then used his own credit card, email address and delivery address for the rest of the order and shipment. The abortion drugs arrived at the doctors address on Dec. 11, 2024.

That same day, Abbas' girlfriend texted him complaining that she was very nauseous, and he responded that he would prescribe her Phenergan and Compazine to help reduce the nausea and vomiting. The girlfriend filled the prescriptions and took the medication, with the board noting that, at this point, Abbas had established a patient relationship with the victim.

On Dec. 14, 2024, the girlfriend asked if Abbas could recommend an obstetrician for her first appointment. Days later, in the early morning hours of Dec. 18, 2024, she awoke with Abbas on top of her. They struggled as Abbas pinned her down and used his fingers to force crushed powder inside her bottom lip, according to the medical board. She eventually broke free and ran into his kitchen, where she called 911, but Abbas allegedly grabbed the phone from her.

The medical boards notice states that records show a 911 hang-up call was made at 4:50 a.m. from that location.

Around an hour later, the girlfriend drove herself to a nearby hospital, where she requested to be seen. She was admitted as an Assault victim (Pt was held down by the neck by sexual partner after telling him she had a positive pregnancy test. Pt states that he forced an unknown substance into her mouth. She shoved and scratched him off her and got away at kitchen) with a visit diagnosis of vaginal bleeding.

During a July interview with medical board staff, Abbas admitted that he had researched abortion drugs after he learned that his girlfriend was pregnant, and that he had used his estranged wifes personal information to obtain the drugs.

He also admitted to crushing the pills for it to dissolve more quickly, as well as disregarding the provided instructions and substituting his own medical judgment.

While Abbas didnt deny that he had crushed the pills, he claimed that his girlfriend had agreed to take them. He also admitted that he took her phone and ended the 911 call, and that he later threw the remainder of the crushed pills out the window on his drive to work.

After reviewing the allegations, the board determined that Abbas' continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public. The notice also states that the surgical resident has until Dec. 5 to request a hearing about the summary suspension.

The state medical board will also determine whether to limit, revoke, permanently revoke, or suspend Abbas license, or take other disciplinary action. It could also decide to issue a civil penalty of up to $20,000.

The girlfriend has since obtained a protective order against Abbas, according to ABC News affiliate KXTV.

While the Lucas County Prosecutors Office said it's conducting an investigation, criminal charges against the doctor have not been filed, WTVG reported.

The case involving the Ohio doctor is one of several reports to emerge in recent years about men forcing their wife, girlfriend or mistress to take abortion pills or dissolving the pills in their drink without their knowledge.

Earlier this year, Emerson Evans, 31, from Normal, Illinois, was charged with two counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child. Evans reportedly inserted four Mifepristone pills into his girlfriends vaginal area without her consent when she was seven weeks pregnant.

Another man accused of aborting his child without his girlfriends consent, Christopher Cooprider, allegedly dissolved several abortion pills in a cup of hot chocolate. According to a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on behalf of the woman, Liana Davis, consuming the pills caused her to hemorrhage and lose her baby.
Home News Man gets over 15 years in prison for kidnapping girlfriend at gunpoint in failed abortion attempt

A Missouri man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for kidnapping his girlfriend and trying to force her to get an abortion.

Kevin L. Smith, a 42-year-old resident of St. Peters, was recently sentenced to 15 years and eight months after admitting to kidnapping his girlfriend at gunpoint and driving her to Fairview Heights, Illinois, in his pursuit to terminate the pregnancy.

In addition to the 188 months in prison, Smith will also be required to undergo three years of supervised release, according to a press statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois.

It is not easy to shock law enforcement officials because we have pretty much seen it all  but then someone like Kevin Smith comes along, said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft in the statement.

He added, It is difficult to find words adequate to describe someone who would kidnap his pregnant girlfriend to force her to have an abortion at gunpoint and then continue to threaten her from jail. This vile crime terrorized the victim and threatened the life of her unborn child. Smith deserves every minute of that prison sentence.

According to authorities, in December 2022, Smith abducted his pregnant girlfriend from her job at gunpoint, then drove her to a Planned Parenthood facility in Fairview Heights.

The woman did not abort her child and later gave birth. Even after he was arrested, Smith continued to threaten and harass his girlfriend, which contributed to his sentencing.

Fairview Heights Police Department Chief Steve Johnson, whose department led the investigation, said in a statement that the case represents a disturbing act of violence and abuse.

Kevin Smith kidnapped his girlfriend at gunpoint and drove her across state lines against her will in an attempt to make her obtain an abortion. His actions were those of a dangerous and manipulative individual, said Johnson, according to KCTV News 5.

Our investigators worked tirelessly to bring the facts forward, and the U.S. Attorneys Office ensured Smith was held accountable in federal court. This sentencing sends a clear message that acts of violence will not be tolerated in our community.

According to a study published by the medical science journal Cureus in 2023, 24% of surveyed women who had had an abortion labeled the decision unwanted or coerced, while another 43% said it was accepted but inconsistent with their values and preferences.
Home News Proposed 400-acre development by Texas EPIC mosque scrubs website, rebrands as 'The Meadow'

A proposed Islamic-focused development in North Texas may be eyeing approval under a new name after developers scrubbed their original website and revised marketing materials amid a storm of state investigations and legislative crackdowns.

The controversial 400-acre project, originally branded as EPIC City  an initiative from the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC)  was initially planned for unincorporated areas of Collin and Hunt counties, just north of Josephine, located about 40 miles northeast of Dallas. With a stated vision of 1,000 homes, a mosque and community center, a school, and other facilities tailored to Muslim families, the project stalled earlier this year following a series of legal challenges.

On Nov. 8, Collin County Judge Chris Hill updated residents on Facebook, signaling that developers at Community Capital Partners, LLC (CCP) are gearing up for formal submissions, starting with a name change for the project. "According to a diagram of the planned neighborhood, the developers have changed the name of the project to The Meadow," Hill wrote.

He added that there are reports that CCP have filed or soon intend to file an application with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to form its own municipal utility district for The Meadow.

The name change coincides with a digital overhaul: CCP's original EPIC City website, once touting a "vibrant and inclusive community that serves the evolving needs of the Muslim community" and a "safe and purpose-built environment that fosters growth, connection, and prosperity for all who call EPIC City home," now displays only a message reading, "New website coming soon!" alongside an email address.

An archived snapshot from May 2024 captures the site's original pitch for EPIC City, showing images of a large mosque at the center of the proposed development, which has since been removed. Yasir Qadhi, a controversial Islamic scholar who was prominently featured in images and videos promoting the EPIC project, is also no longer on the website.

The project's rocky path began in earnest at a packed Collin County commissioners court meeting on March 31, where officials first aired plans for the EPIC expansion. Judge Hill declared then that he would not support a project that violates Texas or federal law. County Administrator Yoon Kim countered that if a developers plan meets state and local laws, the county has a ministerial duty to approve it.

By May, the controversy had escalated to the state's highest levels. Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X that no construction was underway on the still-vacant farmland and claimed Texas had halted any construction of EPIC City. Developers pushed back on the governors claims, saying the project was merely in preliminary planning.

In June, the U.S. Department of Justice concluded a civil rights probe  in response to calls from Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn  after CCP affirmed that all will be welcome in any future development and pledged to tweak marketing to "reinforce that message" under the Fair Housing Act.

With an estimated Muslim population of over 313,000, Texas has one of the largest Muslim communities in the U.S., with nearly 150,000 Muslim residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Located in the Dallas suburb of Plano, EPIC opened in July 2015 as a nonprofit formed exclusively for educational, religious, and social purposes and bills itself as a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-lingual, non-sectarian, diverse, and open community committed to full and equal participation and involvement of men and women who are community members of EPIC and subscribe to accept its rules, regulations, and procedures.
Home News UK Supreme Court rules Northern Ireland's religious education requirement unlawful: Tantamount to 'indoctrination'

The U.K. Supreme Court has ruled that the current approach to religious education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools breaches human rights and is unlawful.

The court reached its verdict based on the view that the present curriculum doesn't approach the subject in an "objective, critical and pluralist manner."

The judgment was handed down on Wednesday after a father and daughter  who cannot be named for legal reasons  challenged how RE is being taught in Northern Ireland schools.

The family became concerned after the girl, named only as JR87 in court documents, started praying before meals at home. When asked about it by her non-religious parents, she told them she had been taught to do this at her primary school, which she attended between the ages of 4 and 7. Her parents then approached the school because they didn't want their daughter to be taught that Christianity was an absolute truth. The school told them they were following the core syllabus for RE.

The father and daughter originally won their case at the High Court in Belfast, which ruled in 2022 that the way RE and collective worship were being taught did not meet the requirement to be objective, critical and pluralist.

Additionally, the court found that the rights of JR87 and her father, named only as G, were breached  specifically the right of parents to have their children educated in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions under the European Convention on Human Rights, and Article 9 of the convention which protects freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The 2022 judgment also found that the right to withdrawal was not a sufficient remedy to the problem because it placed a burden on parents, and children could be stigmatized.

The Department of Education for Northern Ireland successfully appealed the High Court ruling last year, but JR87 and her father appealed to the U.K. Supreme Court, which has now overturned that verdict in favor of the 2022 judgment from the High Court in Belfast.

In its judgment on Wednesday, the Supreme Court said that the failure to deliver RE in a way that is objective, critical and pluralist" is tantamount to "indoctrination"  the court said it used the word "indoctrination" as "a synonym for Evangelism and proselytizing devoid of any negative connotations."

It also said that the case was "not about secularism in the education system."

"No one is suggesting that religious education should not be provided in schools in Northern Ireland," the judgment reads.

"Rather, JR87 and G strongly support the provision of religious education provided it does not amount to indoctrination."

It continued, "Secondly, this case is not about whether Christianity should be the main or primary faith that pupils learn about in schools in Northern Ireland.

"Historically and today, Christianity is the most important religion in Northern Ireland. It is within the departments margin of appreciation in planning and setting the curriculum for the greater part of religious education to focus on knowledge of Christianity."

Democratic Unionist Party MP Carla Lockhart said she was "disappointed" by the judgment but that her party would "remain steadfast."

"Christian teaching and values have long been part of school life in Northern Ireland, and we will continue working to ensure they are protected," she said.

The Catholic Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, who is also chairman of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools and a former headmaster, told the BBC he wasn't surprised by the judgment and was "quite sanguine" about the prospect of the nearly 20-year-old curriculum being revised.

He has some questions, though, about the implications of the judgment: Will there be a difference in terms of applications of the legislation in maintained schools and controlled schools?

"In other words, can a Catholic school assert the right to teach a certain theology and expect parents to buy into that?"

He added, "I'm quite open to seeing where this goes but I think I wouldn't want it to be seen as some kind of statement that religion should be banned in schools."

The Northern Ireland Department of Education states that RE is "a compulsory part of the country's curriculum" that must be provided in schools according to the core syllabus.

That syllabus was drawn up in 2007 by the four main churches in Northern Ireland: the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church. The core syllabus has a Christian focus and parents "have the right to withdraw their child from part or all of RE or collective worship."

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News United Methodist bishop warns that UMCs 'financial house is on fire'

A bishop of the United Methodist Church has sounded the alarm on the denomination's current funding issues, declaring that its "financial house is on fire."

The board of the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration held its final gathering for the year last week to discuss various funding matters. GCFA Board President Bishop David Graves told those gathered that the mainline Protestant denomination is facing major financial challenges.

"The church's financial house is on fire," said Graves, as quoted by United Methodist News. "My intent is not to create fear but to address the reality with honesty and urgency."

"When a house is on fire, the first thing you do is focus on what matters most. For us, that is people, mission and ministry.  That means every church and conference doing its part through apportionment giving  not because of obligation alone, but because ministry depends on it."

The Christian Post reached out to the United Methodist Church General Council on Finance and Administration for more information, with a spokesperson directing CP to the UM News report.

The spokesperson told CP that, last year, UMC General Conference "reduced our overall general Church budget by more than 40%" and that Graves' remarks were "part of an earnest conversation between board members about anticipated funding requests."

UM News attributed the crisis to the combined factors of a poor economy and the exodus of several thousand churches in recent years due to the internal denominational debate over LGBT issues.

A key concern is the rates of apportionments, or shares of UMC giving that sustain denomination ministries apart from individual member congregations.

GCFA noted that total receipts from requested apportionments were approximately $14.8 million lower than last year, reports UM News. Also, GCFA projects an 83.6% apportionment collection rate for the year, which is comparable to the rate during the peak of the Great Recession in 2009 to 2010.

For decades, the UMC debated whether to amend its Book of Discipline to allow for the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexual clergy.

While efforts to change the rules had previously failed, many theological liberals within the UMC refused to follow or enforce them, prompting many theological conservatives to leave in protest.

At the 2024 UMC General Conference, which took place after over 7,500 mostly conservative churches left the denomination, delegates voted to remove the rules from the Book of Discipline.

A few months prior, in February 2024, the GCFA approved a proposed 2025-2028 denominational budget of approximately $346.7 million, the lowest since 1984.

The total contrasted with the approximately $604 million denomination-wide budget approved by the UMC General Conference delegates in 2016.

"Although we are navigating challenging financial times, the GCFA Board, along with members of the Connectional Table and the Council of Bishops, are focused on the work before us: ministry and mission," said GCFA General Secretary the Rev. Moses Kumar in a statement at the time.
Home News YouVersion founder talks pastors' embrace of AI as app surpasses 1B users

Nearly two decades ago, Bobby Gruenewald found himself inching through an airport security line at Chicagos OHare airport when a thought passed through his mind: What if technology could help people read the Bible more consistently?

Gruenewald, then a self-described below-average Bible reader and tech-savvy pastor at Life.Church, tucked the idea away. But he returned home, built an early website that quickly failed, then tried again, this time adapting the concept for the small, low-resolution screens of early smartphones.

On its first weekend in Apples newly launched App Store in July 2008, the YouVersion Bible App was downloaded 83,000 times. Earlier this month, YouVersion crossed 1 billion installs, becoming not only one of the most widely used faith-based digital tools in history but also an example of a free, non-monetized platform sustaining long-term global growth.

What still feels most unbelievable, Gruenewald, the founder and chief executive officer of YouVersion, told The Christian Post, is that God used a below-average Bible reader to build something that ended up on a billion devices. We had absolutely no idea what God was going to do.

The milestone was celebrated at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Nov. 17 with what the ministry called Beyond a Billion, a stadium-sized worship night attended by 13,000 people, featuring artists including Lauren Daigle, Chris Tomlin, CeCe Winans and Phil Wickham.

Between musical sets and messages from pastors, including Life.Church Pastor Craig Groeschel, Gruenewald and author Christine Caine, screens played first-person stories of transformation, from celebrities including Tim Tebow and Manny Pacquiao, to a boy with autism whose first spoken phrases came through the Bible App for Kids.

YouVersion isnt powerful, Gruenewald said. The power is in the Word of God, and we just try to get it into peoples hands.

Yet alongside the celebration, Gruenewald is sounding increasingly cautious notes about another corner of the digital world: the rapid embrace of artificial intelligence by pastors and Christian organizations. As deepfakes and unreliable AI-driven spiritual content become more prevalent, Gruenwald said he worries that trust might be the most endangered commodity in modern ministry.

Simply put, YouVersion is a digital library of Scripture, devotional plans and reading tools, and now houses Bible translations in more than 2,000 languages, a number that stunned even its creators.

I never would have guessed there were 2,000 languages, much less 7,000 in total, Gruenewald said. I didnt even realize the Bible hadnt been translated into every language yet.

That discovery pushed YouVersion beyond distribution and into the funding of translation projects, partnering with global Bible societies to accelerate work that often takes decades. Millions of users who donate through the app have helped underwrite translation efforts around the world.

You dont realize how much you take for granted until you meet someone who cant read Scripture in their heart language, he said. Its like they feel as if Jesus doesnt speak their language.

Growth in the Global South has been especially pronounced, according to Gruenewald. Latin America, Kenya, South Africa and parts of West Africa represent some of the fastest-expanding regions for the app.

The church is alive globally in ways that many Western Christians dont realize, Gruenewald said. Were seeing explosive growth.

YouVersions team has responded by launching global hubs, regional offices of local staff and leaders in six countries, with more planned. Gruenewald said the hope is to contextualize the app so it feels like a local tool, shaped by the pastors, churches and the cultural dynamics of each region.

When someone opens the Bible app in Sao Paulo or Nairobi or Berlin, he said, we want it to feel like it was made for them.

While YouVersions numbers abroad are climbing, perhaps its most surprising surge is among the youngest users in the United States. Gruenewald credited part of that rise to the frustration many young people have of trying to discern whats real online.

My 17-year-old son has never known a world where you can trust what you see, he said. AI can produce videos that look completely real and arent. If everything is questionable, you start looking for something that isnt.

That, he contended, is pushing many young adults toward Scripture as a source of ultimate truth and stability.

Theres nothing else like the Bible, he said. Its been preserved and passed down accurately for millennia. When you stand in front of the Dead Sea Scrolls and see the consistency between those texts and what we read today, it builds trust.

Pastors, he said, tell him theyre seeing something unusual: people with no church background walking in for the first time carrying physical Bibles or, more often, YouVersion on their phones.

They didnt start with church, he said. They started with Scripture. And now theyre exploring community.

Despite YouVersions heavy use of technology, Gruenewald has become one of the more prominent Christian leaders publicly urging caution about AI, particularly in spiritual and pastoral contexts.

Gruenewald emphasized hes not anti-AI, as YouVersion uses the technology internally in limited ways. But his concern is that churches are experimenting with it faster than they are understanding its risks.

We have to respect its limitations, he said. Right now, the models most people use, ChatGPT, Gemini, others, give non-deterministic answers. You dont know what youre going to get.

We know people in dark places open the Bible app looking for help, he said. Some are contemplating suicide. So when you create an AI chat tool that says, Ask anything, people will ask the most painful questions theyre carrying.

Most AI systems, he said, fail to recognize self-harm indicators or to route people to trained humans, and that's not a theoretical danger, he added. Its real.

Equally concerning to him is AIs inconsistent relationship with biblical text. Because most users cannot recite passages word-for-word and biblical literacy is overall low, they may never realize the mistake.

The models misquote Scripture, he said. At best, theyre inaccurate 15 percent of the time; at worst, 40 or 50 percent.  Thats unacceptable for us. We want YouVersion to be a trusted source. We cant have people wondering if the Bible theyre reading is accurate.

Gruenewald also pointed out that theres a theological issue with AI, as systems ingest enormous libraries of content, much of it contradictory, and blend it into answers that might sound plausible but actually lack doctrinal grounding.

That has to be reviewed independently, he said. It cant be left to chance.

While nearly every digital platform generates revenue from ads, YouVersion is an exception. It remains a ministry of Life.Church, funded by donations and the parent churchs budget, and doesnt sell data. It also has no ads and has never charged for access. Since 2006, Life.Church has given away virtually everything it creates for free.

If we wanted to be a tech company, wed operate differently, Gruenewald said. But this was born out of the heart of our church. We felt like God told us: Youre stewards of Kingdom resources. So we made everything freely available.

Charging isnt unreasonable, he said. But the people most willing to pay are the people who are already Christians. We want the app to reach the person whos asking, Is there truth here? Removing barriers matters.  Its taken 17 years to build that trust. We wont do anything to erode it.

YouVersion expects to reach 2 billion users within five years, 3 billion within three, and Gruenewald said he believes that the trajectory could accelerate beyond that.

Weve seen God do the impossible already, he said. It doesnt feel naive to expect more.

Two major initiatives will shape the apps next chapter. First, global expansion and local contextualization. With six international hubs already established, YouVersion plans to open several more.

We want the app to feel native wherever you are, he said. That takes local teams.

Second, the implementation of a new YouVersion platform for churches. The ministry has begun privately testing a new system allowing churches and Christian nonprofits to build their own apps using YouVersions infrastructure. Hundreds of ministries have already signed up.

If a church wants a Bible reader, notes, highlights, all the things our app does, they can use our platform, he said. And itll all stay synced to a users YouVersion account.  And yes, it will all be free.

As a man who once wrestled with reading Scripture consistently, and who never expected the idea born in an airport security line to reach millions, Gruenewald said hes humbled to be part of something that one thousand percent only God has done.

It makes absolutely no sense that it's happened other than just Him, he reflected. We want our milestone just to be an indication that God's doing something special globally with His Word. Its certainly not about us. We're just one data point. But we're pumped that we get to play a small part in it.

Watch the Beyond a Billion event here.
Home Opinion Jihadist violence makes celebrating Christmas too dangerous

For a millennium, European Christians fought to keep militant Islam outside Christendoms gates. Now those same nations are dismantling their own Christian traditions because jihadist violence makes celebrating Christmas too dangerous and too costly.

And make no mistake, once a nation surrenders its public celebration of Christmas, the surrender of its churches and Christianity itself is not far behind. What begins with cancelled Christmas celebrations ends with emptied cathedrals and a faith driven underground  not by persecution but by a calculated decision that defending it costs too much.

Consider what is happening with Germanys Christmas markets. Known as Weihnachtsmarkte or Christkindlemarkt, these season-long festivals became an official German tradition in 1434. They run throughout the Advent season and are an intrinsic part of German culture and tourism, as tens of millions of tourists travel to Dresden, Munich, and numerous small towns to view ornate Nativity scenes and lights; enjoy mulled wine, fruitcake, candied almonds, and other regional food specialties; and shop for the wooden nutcrackers made famous by German artists.



But this year, the town of Overath cancelled its Christmas market. So did Kerpen. Dresden shuttered several of its smaller markets. These are not isolated decisions driven by declining interest. These cancellations represent something far more ominous: Western civilization surrendering public expressions of Christianity because the price of protecting citizens from Islamic terror has become prohibitive.

In Overath, organizers spent 18 months negotiating with city officials over who would cover security costs. The requirements were extensive  concrete barriers to stop vehicle attacks, surveillance systems, and armed guards stationed throughout the market. The city refused to contribute a single euro. Without funding for mandatory counter-terrorism measures, the organizers faced an impossible choice.

So, Christmas was cancelled.

Not postponed. Not scaled back. Cancelled.

This is what capitulation looks like when it arrives not through invading armies but through demographic transformation and the slow erosion of the will to defend what was once held sacred. This is surrender dressed up as fiscal responsibility.

A pattern written in blood

These security requirements bankrupting Christmas markets were written in blood. Turns out Christmas markets dont just attract tourists  they also attract terrorists. Here are just some of the deadly and foiled attacks:

Berlin, 2016: A terrorist in a tractor trailer drove through the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring 56.

Essen, 2017: Six Syrian nationals, including asylum seekers who had been in contact with ISIS, were arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on the towns Christmas market using bombs and firearms.

Leverkusen, 2023: Authorities uncovered a plot by two radicalized teenagers, including one from Afghanistan, to ram a vehicle laden with explosives into the local Christmas market.

Magdeburg, 2024: A Saudi doctor plowed his BMW through a Christmas market at 30 miles per hour, leaving 6 dead and 338 wounded. His trial began in November 2025.

France tells the same story. Its Christmas market in Strausbourg has been targeted several times by Islamic terrorists, including in December 2018, when an ISIS-inspired attacker killed five people and injured 11 others. This years planning has already been roiled by news of a car attack in early November on the tourist island of Oleron, where a driver shouting Allahu Akbar plowed into 10 pedestrians, critically injuring 4 before trying to burn his car.

This is not a coincidence or mental illness. This is a pattern of Islamic terrorists using vehicles, knives, and other weapons to inflict mass casualties in the midst of a joyous Christmas celebration in hopes of creating the kind of fear and uncertainty that reshapes societies.

Every cancelled Christmas market in Germany is a monument to this defeat. Every concrete barrier serves as a confession that Europe no longer possesses the will to proactively defend its own people or the spiritual courage to confront the enemy.

The questions we must ask

Is there a radical element within Islam that poses a unique threat to Western civilization? Yes. This is pattern recognition, not bigotry. Islam never passed through the Enlightenments crucible as Christianity did. It retains a comprehensive vision for ordering society under Sharia Law. When Islamic migrants arrive without assimilation requirements, some radicalize into violence.

Can Western governments protect citizens while maintaining current immigration policies? Germanys answer: No. Germany has imported 5.5 million Muslims, who now make up over six percent of the population. Many of them have not assimilated, and there has been an even sharper rise in Islamic attacks since 2024. Christmas markets now require concrete barriers and armed guards. Some towns cancel rather than try to find the money to pay for security. Meanwhile, authorities search elderly women while releasing violent criminals and refusing to deport rejected asylum seekers.

Are Germanys citizens pushing back on this? They are trying, but the government actually punishes citizens who speak out, even as it refuses to address the threat.

Marie-Therese Kaiser, a German politician, was convicted of incitement and fined in May 2024 for posting statistics that showed migrants were disproportionately committing sexual assault against young German girls, for example, while a 20-year-old German woman was jailed for a weekend after defaming a migrant who had been convicted with eight others of gang-raping a 15-year-old girl.

It is a moral inversion so complete that governments now function as accomplices to the very violence they claim to want to prevent.

The spiritual battle

But there is a deeper reality that secular analysis cannot capture. This is spiritual warfare. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Islam is not merely a political ideology or a religious system. It is a comprehensive worldview positioning itself in direct opposition to the Gospel. Where Christianity proclaims salvation through faith in Christ alone, Islam teaches salvation through submission and works. Where Christianity declares Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose for sinners, Islam denies His divinity, crucifixion, and resurrection.

These represent fundamentally incompatible views of God, man, sin, salvation, and societys ordering. In every nation where Islam dominates, Christians suffer. Converts are hunted. Churches are driven underground. Believers disappear  some through exile, others through martyrdom. Look at Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The pattern never changes. Whenever Islam holds cultural power, the cross is met with coercion, and the people of Christ pay the price in blood or displacement.

Europe once understood this. For over a millennium, Christians defended Christendom from Islamic conquest  at Tours, Vienna, and Lepanto. They understood Islam was not simply another religion to tolerate but an opposing kingdom seeking to subjugate or destroy Christian civilization.

Modern Europeans, having rejected their Christian heritage, no longer possess the spiritual foundation necessary to understand what is happening. They replaced the Gospel with multiculturalism, Christianity with tolerance, and truth with relativism. Thus, there is paralysis in the face of an ideology that believes in its own absolute truth and is willing to kill for it.

As we look at cities like Dearborn, Houston, and the recent election in New York, we have to ask the question, Is America following the same trajectory? We have spent decades removing Christianity from public life and teaching children that all religions are equally valid. When Islamic terrorists attack, our leaders insist terrorism has nothing to do with Islam and lecture us about Islamophobia.

This is the fruit of rejecting Christ. When a society abandons the One True God, it worships false gods. And those gods demand surrender.

What Christians must do

The Church stands at a crossroads. If we remain silent while our cities require armed guards and as public celebrations become security nightmares, we become accomplices to surrender. The present is the time for the Church to speak, lead, and demand that evil be named and confronted.

Speak truth. Islam denies Christianitys central truths and seeks to subjugate those who refuse submission. Love Muslims as image-bearers but recognize Islam as the Gospels spiritual enemy.

Demand leadership. Require the government to protect its people, control borders, and uphold the law. Politicians who refuse to act out of fear of being labeled racist or Islamophobic betray their mandate under Romans 13.

Evangelize boldly. The ultimate solution is the Gospel, which can save even hardened jihadists.

Raise courageous children. Teach them Christianitys role in shaping civilization and the spiritual battle they inhabit.

Pastors must lead. Preach the whole counsel of God  spiritual warfare, false religions, governments protective role, and Christs exclusivity. Churches refusing to do this fail their people.

The choice before us

Germanys markets close not from a lack of resources but a lack of will  a refusal to name the threat, to exclude civilizations destroyers, or to defend the Christian culture that made celebrations possible.

In America, we can still choose differently. Control borders. Require assimilation. Deport violent criminals. Arm citizens. Reject multiculturalisms lies. Reclaim our Christian heritage.

But this requires courage that only Christians can demand. The political class wont act  too committed to diversity ideology, too afraid of being called bigots, and too disconnected from consequences.

Europes fall should be Americas wake-up call. Germanys surrender should shock us to action, not paralyze us.

Will we defend what we inherited, or hand our children a nation where Christmas is too dangerous to celebrate publicly? Will silent pastors be able to give an account when Christ asks what they did while His sheep were devoured?

Christ or chaos. Courage or capitulation. The decision is ours, and it cannot wait.

Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center.
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Pentagon public affairs officers were conspicuously absent from the Military Reporters and Editors conference in Washington, DC, earlier this month, one more manifestation of the historic breakup that culminated in the departure of every major news outlet from the Pentagon press room in October.

When official voices retreat behind locked doors, when our inquiries are met with ignored emails, the democracy that we serve is weakened, Jen Judson, a defense reporter for Bloomberg News and the president of MRE, told conference attendees.

Things look different to some members of the Pentagons handpicked new press corps. What Ive seen so far, the Department of War has been forthcoming, R.C. Maxwell, a reporter for RedState, a Salem Mediaowned online outlet, told me. They have a hotline, which you can immediately call, and someone will answer right now. Ive dealt with the federal government for years. As the press secretary for Project Veritas, it was my responsibility to reach out to the government when we needed a comment on a story. Do you know how rare it was to actually receive an answer from an actual public affairs person? Are you aware that you can now actually call on the Pentagon [and] someone will answer?

As it happens, many reporters are not aware.

Folks are wandering around the bullpen, not near their phones, and nobody checks voicemail, a wire service reporter and erstwhile Pentagon press corps member told me. Ive also had a situation when I called the [Office of the Secretary of Defense] duty officer, and apparently that phone rings to the secretaries that sit by the front door and deal with badges, access, and credentialing. So Ive had conversations like, Hey, I dont know why youre answering this. I have an urgent query. Can you put a military officer on the phone, please? Thats when Ive also discovered that nobody knows how to transfer phone calls.

Even if you can get Pentagon officials on the phone, they are reluctant to talk, the reporter, who asked not to be named because they did not have their employers permission to speak to the press, said. There is a growing sense that the phones may be, for lack of a better way, surveilled.

While reporters can technically request day passes to access the building, that hasnt worked well in practice, the same reporter told me. I have tried to do this several times, and the effort has been unsuccessful. Each time, Ive been asked to provide an hour-by-hour summary of what Im going to be doing in the building and a full list of who I intend to speak with, formally and informally. From the perspective of journalism and reporting, that is a complete nonstarter. Thats never been the case before.

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Former Pentagon badge holders have continued to publish significant national security stories, including scoops on survivors of US naval attacks in the Caribbean and efforts to send military attorneys to the Justice Department, but many say the work has changed.

On the downside, they now spend considerably more time trying to set up outside meetings with people they used to see every day. I dont think they want to meet in the building anyway, another former Pentagon reporter, who works for a military-focused publication, told me. The culture is definitely like Its better to meet up off campus.

On the upside, reporters have more time to engage with other sources. The embassies of our close allies are far more open and willing to speak, the wire service reporter said.

The deep freeze between the Pentagon of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth and most of the US media began in February, when Hegseth reshuffled desk assignments in the press room, replacing the New York Times, NBC, NPR, and Politico with a raft of sympathetic outletsBreitbart News, One America News Network (OANN), the New York Postas well as the liberal HuffPost.

In September, the Defense Department issued a memo requiring journalists to submit their reporting to the Pentagon Press Office (PPO) before publication. When media outlets broadly rejected it, the Pentagon changed the restrictions, threatening instead to revoke reporting badges for soliciting information from DoD officials. Nearly every member of the Pentagon press corps turned in their badge rather than sign on to the new rules.

Only two of the hundred and ten previous members of the Pentagon Press Association accepted the guidelines: a correspondent for OANN and a freelancer from India, as Aaron Mehta, the editor in chief of Breaking Defense and a PPA board member, told the MRE conference. That included all the right-leaning outlets. This is not a partisan issue at its core. This is about our ability to do our jobs.

But a close reading of the Pentagon restrictions reveals a curious detail: even before the previously credentialed journalists left, officials were planning to grow the press corps, not winnow it. The list of authorized areas is expected to be modified within the next three months, as DoW intends to upgrade the space used by PFAC holders to a different area that provides WiFi access and cell phone service, as well as increased space for the expanded press corps, the memo says.

New media outlets and independent journalists have created the formula to circumvent the lies of the mainstream media and get real news directly to the American people, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote on X last month, announcing that more than sixty new people had been given access to the building. Their reach and impact collectively are far more effective and balanced than the self-righteous media who chose to self-deport from the Pentagon.

Among the outlets that recently obtained Pentagon press badges were MyPillow CEO Mike Lindells LindellTV and far-right news site the Gateway Pundit, both of which were sued for defamation in relation to claims of fraud or rigging in the aftermath of the 2020 election. (LindellTV was found liable while TGP settled.) MAGA podcaster Tim Pools Timcast News is there too, but Pool has said hell only use the access for general inquiries and interviews, as his outlet doesnt do investigative work. Last year, a federal investigation found that a Russian government-funded company had paid Pool, among others, to produce videos.

The new press corps also includes Laura Loomer, a right-wing conspiracy theorist who refers to herself as President Trumps chief loyalty enforcer, and Wade Searle, a reporter for the Christian conservative LifeSite, who was accused of ties to white supremacist Nick Fuentes when he worked for Arizona Republican congressman Paul Gosar.

Maxwell, the RedState reporter, told me that his outlet will offer fresh reporting and angles on international and geopolitical matters. Americans, he said, want the truth and they want the facts. And unfortunately, when everything is from one particular slant, its harder to generally see the truths and the facts. This is an opportunity to enlighten more people in America on national defense matters. So it certainly is a little confusing to see the sky is falling response from journalists, especially when the Pentagon has done nothing to change constitutional protections afforded to journalists.

The Pentagons new reporting guidelines emphasize the consequences DoD officials could face for sharing information that has not been approved for release. I asked Maxwell what he would do if he received classified information of public interest. How would he balance the need to share it with his responsibility to protect his source?

Im trained under [Project Veritas founder] James OKeefe in terms of my journalistic ethics, and OKeefe believes that if youre a journalist and youre doing the right thing, you have to be willing to go to jail to protect the source, Maxwell told me. And thats something, certainly, I believe in. Institutions smile down upon those journalists and those people exercising their First Amendment right. And again, there are protections that allow journalists to post and publish government secrets as long as they didnt participate in the obtaining of those secrets.
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This week has been a busy one for Donald Trumps White House. The saga dominating the news has been his about-face decision to encourage the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced society pedophile: House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday night, because we have nothing to hide, and its time to move on from this Democrat Hoax. With that, by Tuesday, Republicans in Congress had voted for the Department of Justice to send the materials out into the worldlegislation Trump signed Wednesday night. While that drama was playing out on the Hill, Trump had a social engagement with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the leader of Saudi Arabiaa major story of its own.

This was Mohammed bin Salmans first visit to the White House since 2018, when Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, was brutally assassinated at the age of fifty-nine. Khashoggi, who had been the editor of a Saudi newspaper called Al Watan, was known for his extensive reporting on Osama bin Laden; in the eighties, he was the first journalist from a major Arab news outlet to cover Arab volunteers fighting in Afghanistan against the Soviets. In 2017, he went into self-imposed exile and became a contributing opinion writer to the Washington Post. At the time of Khashoggis killing, Trump alternately defended the Saudi regime, denied that the assassination had taken place, and dismissed the gravity of a journalists murder. (A US intelligence report conducted under the Biden administration found that bin Salman approved the attack.)

On Tuesday, Trump hailed bin Salman as a protector of human rightsuntrue for reasons beyond the Khashoggi murder, since MBS, as hes known, has committed numerous major human rights violations. The prince received a red-carpet welcome and a black-tie dinner that counted Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, David Ellison, and Cristiano Ronaldo among the guests. The primary topic of the meeting was business: the proposed sale of American F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia; a potential trillion-dollar investment by the kingdom into the United States; strategic partnerships in the energy and technology sector. In the early afternoon, Trump and MBS stopped by the Oval Office to meet with members of the press. US intelligence concluded that you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist, Mary Bruce, the chief White House correspondent for ABC, said, facing MBS. Nine-eleven families are furious that you are here in the Oval Office. Why should Americans trust you? And the same to you, Mr. President.

ABC? Fake news, Trump replied. One of the worst in the business. But I will answer your question. He then gave a response on the crown princes behalf: Youre mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didnt like that gentleman that youre talking about. Whether you like him or didnt like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You dont have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.

A few minutes later, Bruce followed up with another question. She asked Trump why he was waiting for Congresss vote to release the Epstein files when he could independently order the Justice Department to release them. Trumps response deflected back to bin Salman. I think you are a terrible reporter, he said. Its the way you asked these questions: you start off with a man who is highly respected, asking him a horrible, insubordinate, and just a terrible question. Then he added: Ill tell you something, I think the license should be taken away from ABC, because your news is so fake and its so wrong. Brendan Carr, the FCC commissioner, should look at that, he said, because I think when you come in and when youre ninety-seven percent negative to Trump, and then Trump wins the election in a landslide, that means obviously your news is not credible. (Recently, Kyle Paoletta wrote for CJR about how the oversight authority of the FCC is only useful insofar as it can force the nations broadcasters into fealty to Donald Trump.)

Trumps attacks on the press are so frequent that its sometimes hard to treat every threat with the gravity it deserves. ABC has taken a fair share of the heat: In September, pressure from Carr led ABC to take Jimmy Kimmels late-night show off the air, in light of remarks Kimmel had made about the killing of Charlie Kirk. Last December, ABC settled a libel case with the president, agreeing to pay fifteen million dollars toward Trumps presidential library (and another million in legal fees). CJR couldnt reach ABC News for comment, but Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat on the FCC, was vocal: The FCC doesnt get to decide whether the news coverage of those in power is acceptable, she posted on X. It has neither the legal authority nor the constitutional right to pursue broadcasters for their journalism. These threats sound ominous, but theyre empty. (Over the summer, Gomez told Liam Scott, for a profile in CJR, that the FCC was being weaponized for political retribution and ideological purity.)

The threat directed at Mary Bruce came mere days after a Bloomberg News reporter on board Air Force One asked Trump an Epstein-related question, to which he responded, Quiet, piggy. And it followed tension among members of the White House press corps, who exchanged emails about the fact that background materials provided on the MBS visit omitted any reference to Khashoggis murder. Ignoring it or sidelining those who bring it up does not help the credibility of the pool system and our work which is already under attack as it is, one reporter wrote in an email to Weijia Jiang, the White House Correspondents Association president. She replied that the note was disruptive and distracting.

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Others in the journalism world had a stronger reaction. The National Press Club called Trumps comments a direct attack on press freedom, saying, Statements that appear to minimize or excuse the killing of a journalist have real-world consequences. They can undermine the essential principle that journalists must be able to work without fear of violence or retribution. Jodie Ginsberg, the CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, wrote for The Guardian that Trump dismissed what is probably the most infamous journalist killing of the last decadeand in so doing plumbed a new low in his contempt for journalists, for journalismand for the truth. Also in The Guardian, Karen Attiahthe former editor of the Posts global opinion section, who hired Khashoggiwrote that the Saudification of America was underway. Carl Quintanilla, a CNBC anchor, wrote on Bluesky, Calling the ABC reporters question insubordinate explains everything about how Trump sees press freedom. On Wednesday, Jim Acosta went further, suggesting that Trumps behavior was unraveling and unwell because of the pressure he is facing over Epstein.

Perhaps: Politico came out with a story early on Wednesday, quoting heavily from White House officialsall granted anonymitythat The Democrats are going to come to regret the release of the Epstein files, as one said, and, per another, Democrats and the media just fell into the same trap they set up. The Trump administrations plan to attack, according to Politico, will test whether Trump still has the political muscle to cow people into submission and make those who challenge him pay a political price. By the evening, Trump posted, Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories.

Not everyones answer is antagonism. It was upsetting for me, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, Jamals widow, told Jake Tapper on CNN, about hearing Trumps comments about her husband. If Trump were watching, what would she want to say to him? I really wish to meet you, for I can introduce Jamal in the right way, and the real way youre not aware of, she said. I will share with you a lot about Jamal, and it will change your opinion totally about him. Jamal was a transparent man, and a kind man.
GEICO insurance companies cant dismiss a South Carolina lawsuit that demands they pay almost $70 million in back taxes and penalties, a federal judge ruled in a case that could ultimately affect how insurance taxes are collected by cities in that state and others.

Municipalities clearly have the authority to enact ordinances authorizing MASC (the Municipal Association of South Carolina) to act as their administrator for the purpose of administrating and collecting business license taxes from insurance companies, U.S. District Judge Joseph Anderson wrote in his Nov. 12 order.

The Municipal Association contracts with almost all South Carolina municipalities to collect annual business license taxes equaling 2% of property-casualty insurers gross premiums. For the past seven years, six GEICO companies have paid at least a portion of that tax. But the insurance companies have not provided reconciliation reports that would verify the premiums and taxes per city, the Municipal Association said in its lawsuit.

MASC contends that GEICO companies failed to pay the full amount of taxes for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and now owe more than $30 million in taxes and $39 million in penalties.

The association concluded that GEICO has underpaid its taxes because most other carriers that write similar numbers of policies in the state remit a larger amount of taxes each year, Robert Tyson Jr., the lawyer for MASC, told Insurance Journal.

We could be wrong about it, he said. But until we get documentation from GEICO, we wont know for certain.

In September, GEICO attorneys asked the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the association is not authorized by law to collect delinquent taxes and penalties, nor to demand reconciliation data.

Defendants do not challenge the broad powers of municipalities in this State, including the power to contract out certain functions to third parties, the judge explained. Rather, Defendants dispute the scope of the powers which can be contracted out under Plaintiffs cited statutory authority.

After reviewing arguments in the case, though, the judge found that South Carolinas constitution and statutes do not appear to prohibit contracted third parties from taking steps to enforce their tax collections.

Defendants contention that Subsection (E) limits the contracting authority to collecting taxes is not compelling, the judge noted. The mere mention of the authority to contract for collection of taxes does not mean the General Assembly intended to limit the definition of such services to exclude delinquent taxes and penalties.

The MASC has contracted with South Carolina cities for more than two decades to provide the tax service, Tyson said.

Its a benefit for the insurance companies and for the cities, because there are 270 municipalities in the state and most have different deadlines on tax payments, he said. Its difficult for insurance companies to keep up with that.

Judge Anderson also noted that the statute of limitations on the litigation has not expiredbecause the clock never started ticking: GEICO companies repeatedly assured MASC that they would submit the documents.

A defendant may be estopped from claiming the statute of limitations as a defense if some conduct or representation by the defendant has induced the plaintiff to delay in filing suit, the judge wrote, citing a 2001 court ruling.

The judge said GEICO may be right about one point: The Municipal Association may have failed to exhaust its administrative remedies. But he noted that its premature to dismiss the suit at this stage on those grounds. No evidence so far has shown that MASC did not follow the rules or that GEICO asked for an assessment that would trigger an appeal process.

Most property-casualty insurance companies in South Carolina are good about paying their taxes, MASC attorney Tyson said. He noted that many carriers will make it easy on themselves by simply paying 2% of total gross premiums in the state to the association, instead of the more tedious and time-consuming method of determining which city each policyholder lives in, or where insurance agents offices are located.

If GEICO does not settle the suit or appeal the order on the motion to dismiss, the lawsuit will likely continue in federal court in South Carolina. The discovery process should force GEICO to relinquish its reconciliation reports, Tyson said.

A GEICO attorney in the case, Kathryn Tanner, declined to comment on the litigation.
After years of hype and multiple workshops, the first major Broadway revival of the cult musical Chess officially opened November 16 at the Imperial Theatre. The new production stars Aaron Tveit as volatile American chess champion Freddie Trumper, Nicholas Christopher as his Soviet rival Anatoly Sergievsky, and Lea Michele as strategist Florence Vassy.

The revival marks a high-stakes return for a show that has long had a devoted fanbase thanks to its soaring ABBA-composed score and Tim Rice lyrics. Chess has always been famous for classic songs including One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well, but also equally infamous for a complicated storyline that critics have called nearly impossible to stage.

This new version arrives with fresh direction by Michael Mayer and a revised book by writer and actor Danny Strong, aiming to clarify the narrative while leaning into spectacle, rivalry and Cold War intensity.

Visually, the production is bold and modern. The staging incorporates large-scale projections, sharply lit environments and choreography that blends theatrical storytelling with pop-concert energy. Audience members have praised the vocal performances from the cast, particularly the powerhouse leads whose presence has boosted the show's box-office appeal.

Critical reception, however, has not been unanimous. The Guardian described the revival as "messy," adding that it "wastes catchy ABBA songs" despite polished staging and strong performances. Other reviewers echoed that although the production sounds exceptional, the dramatic arc remains challenging to follow and occasionally disconnected.

Still, several theater critics have acknowledged improvements over past versions. Some have framed the revival as the most entertaining version of Chess to ever hit Broadway, especially when approached not strictly as a traditional book musical but as an emotionally charged theatrical concert.

For the cast, the revival carries personal and symbolic meaning. Lea Michele returns to the Imperial Theatre, the same venue where she performed as a child. Aaron Tveit, fresh off multiple Broadway successes, delivers a volatile and charismatic Freddie. Nicholas Christopher anchors the production with vocal precision and emotional weight.

Beyond the reviews, the show's arrival reflects Broadway's current trend of balancing nostalgia with reinvention. Revivals featuring recognizable talent and iconic scores continue to draw audiences from New York, the rest of the United States and international theatergoers seeking marquee productions.

As the holiday season approaches, Chess settles into a key calendar window when Broadway attendance surges. Whether the show becomes a long-running revival or a high-profile limited engagement will likely depend on word of mouth, fan loyalty and how the production navigates its early feedback.

For now, Chess is back in the spotlight. The music remains unforgettable. The competition onstage is fierce. And the audience response proves on
BEREA, Ohio -- A West Street resident lost $89,800 through a computer and telephone scam.

The resident told police he was operating his computer Nov. 15 when the screen turned black.

A message on the screen said his computer was compromised and instructed him to call Microsoft support.

The resident called the number provided on his screen. A scammer answered and asked the resident to give him control of his computer. The resident complied.

The scammer told the resident that his firewall had been infiltrated. He said he would repair the firewall.

The scammer then gained access to the residents bank account.

On Nov. 16, the scammer called the resident and told him to send $11,000 for the firewall repair.

The resident obtained 11 money orders, each for $1,000, and sent them through a UPS store in Berea to a Portland, Ore., address.

On Nov. 17, the scammer called again and requested a cashiers check for $34,000. The resident sent the check to the same Portland, Ore., address.

The scammer called again on Nov. 18 and asked for another cashiers check, this one for $44,800. The resident sent the check.

Police determined that the Oregon address belonged to another UPS store.

The resident tried to cancel the transactions through his bank but was unsuccessful.

Read more from the News Sun.
Federal officials said a coordinated international crackdown led to the arrests of 10 suspects accused of helping ex-Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding run a violent cocaine-trafficking empire and plot the killing of a federal witness. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Ten people have been arrested across several countries in a federal operation targeting former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding who is accused of running a global cocaine empire and ordering the murder of a federal witness, the Department of Justice announced this week.

The arrests bring 11 defendants into custody as part of a widening investigation that prosecutors say exposes a violent criminal enterprise responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine and eliminating anyone who threatened it.

The DOJ said Wedding, 44, a Canadian national and the accused leader of the network, remains at large and on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List. Prosecutors say Wedding oversaw an operation that stretched from Colombia to Canada and the U.S., using cartel connections, cryptocurrency laundering systems and a network of violent enforcers to protect his drug pipeline. A reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction now stands at $15 million, authorities say.

The indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Wedding and dozens of associates with overseeing a criminal empire that used intimidation, targeted killings and witness tampering to preserve its influence and profits. Federal officials say Wedding placed a bounty on a key federal witness who had cooperated in a 2024 narcotics case against him. The witness was shot several times and killed at a restaurant in Medellin, Colombia, on Jan. 31.

According to the DOJ, those arrested this week include a Canadian criminal barrister accused of counseling Wedding to pursue murder to avoid extradition; a reggaeton musician who is accused of helping locate the witness; and a Canadian media figure who prosecutors say used his website to expose the victims image so the killers could track him. Others charged include people from Colombia, Canada and the U.S. who are accused of helping gather intelligence, stalking the victim, or acting as getaway drivers during the fatal attack.

Whether youre a kingpin or a dealer on the street, anyone who sells drugs to our kids will be arrested and prosecuted, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. Ryan Wedding controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world and works closely with the Sinaloa Cartel. We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBIs Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled.

The indictment also outlines a series of violent retaliatory attacks accused to be ordered by Wedding and his second-in-command, including a 2023 shooting in Ontario that left two people dead and a third severely injured. Prosecutors say the attack stemmed from suspicions that a shipment of 200 kilograms of cocaine had been stolen.

U.S. officials said several fugitives connected to the case remain at large, including suspects believed to be in Mexico, Canada and the Dominican Republic. All defendants charged in connection with the witnesss killing face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, the DOJ said.

Wedding competed as a professional snowboarder and represented Canada, including at the Olympic level. Wedding built a reputation as a strong freestyle athlete.

Wedding represented Canada in snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He competed in the mens parallel giant slalom event and finished 24th.
Trump approves plan for Russia-Ukraine peace -- NBC

Xinhua) 13:35, November 20, 2025

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a 28-point plan for peace between Russia and Ukraine that U.S. officials developed in consultation with Russian and Ukrainian officials, NBC News reported on Wednesday.

Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner were involved in formulating the plan, NBC quoted its sources as saying.

Three U.S. officials reportedly told NBC that the framework for the peace deal still needed to be presented to the Ukrainians and that the timing of finalizing a draft of the plan coincided with a visit of a U.S. Army delegation to Ukraine, which arrived in Kiev on Wednesday.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
Pakistan has extended the ban on Indian airlines entering its airspace until December 24, officials confirmed on Thursday. The decision was announced through a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Thursday.According to officials, the restrictions will remain in place for all Indian-registered aircraft, including commercial and military aircraft.This extension comes just before the earlier ban was set to end. Pakistan last extended the ban in mid-October, keeping it in effect until November 24.As per the latest NOTAM, the renewed ban began at 2:50 pm on November 19 and will continue until 4:59 am on December 24.Pakistan's airspace is divided into two main zones, called Flight Information Regions (FIRs), Karachi and Lahore. In aviation charts, these are marked as OPKR (Karachi FIR) and OPLR (Lahore FIR). The new order from Pakistan applies to both regions, meaning the restriction covers the countrys entire controlled airspace.The restriction has been in place since April 24, when Pakistan introduced several retaliatory steps after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people dead.Air India CEO Campbell Wilson recently revealed that the airline has already suffered Rs 4,000 crore in losses due to Pakistan's flight restrictions, as they have to take longer routes to reach Western countries.Air India has asked the central government to convince China to let Indian aircraft use Chinese airspace over Xinjiang.The request comes amid Pakistan's ongoing airspace ban, which is causing major financial losses for Indian airlines. Notably, flights between India and China resumed only last month after a long gap of five-and-a-half years.A senior official told The New Indian Express, "We asked the government to speak to China about opening a section of its military airspace for Indian flights. Because of Pakistan's closure, Indian carriers are forced to take longer alternative routes to reach destinations in Europe and North America.""It all depends on government-to-government talks. Without Chinas approval, Air India cannot operate through that corridor," the official further stated.


Pakistani Def Min Khawaja Asif

"I cannot rule out an ALL-OUT WAR or any hostile strategy from India, including border incursions or attacks. We must stay fully alert". pic.twitter.com/IqYBMZoUVq



 War & Gore (@Goreunit) November 19, 2025

A leader from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has sparked a major diplomatic row after openly claiming Pakistans involvement in the car bomb explosion outside Delhis Red Fort earlier this month.Chaudhary Anwarul Haq, who was the Prime Minister of PoK until two days ago, told the regions Assembly that the November 10 blast was a direct response to what he alleged were Indias actions in Balochistan. If you keep bleeding Balochistan, we will hit you from th e Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir. By the grace of Allah, we have done it Our brave men have done it, he said, reported NDTV.Islamabad has not officially commented on Haqs statement. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with Samaa TV, said, We are neither ignoring India nor trusting it under any circumstances. Based on my analysis, I cannot rule out an all-out war or any hostile strategy from India, including border incursions or attacks (presumably Afghan). We must stay fully alert.Pakistan routinely accuses New Delhi of stirring unrest in Balochistan, allegations India has consistently rejected as attempts to distract from Islamabad-backed cross-border terrorism. Indian intelligence agencies, meanwhile, have traced the Red Fort blast to the Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terror outfit long known to operate with support from Pakistans security establishment.According to investigators, the Hyundai i20 packed with ammonium nitrate fuel oil was planted by a ten-member terror module headed by Maulvi Irfan Ahmed, an Islamic cleric from Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian district.Ahmed, who allegedly maintained direct contact with Jaish commanders, recruited young doctors from Al-Falah Medical College in Haryana. One of them, Dr Umar Mohammad, carried out the suicide mission, while the others, including Ahmed himself, have been arrested.Sources also revealed that Ahmed operated alongside a Pakistan-based Jaish handler, Umar-bin-Khattab alias Hanjullah.They coordinated recruitment, funding, and indoctrination using digital platforms. Intelligence agencies say Jaish leaders recently appealed for donations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeking PKR 20,000 per contributor to finance future fidayeen operations.Investigators are also examining whether the outfit was planning a women-led attack. The JeMs womens wing, Jamat ul-Muminat, reportedly headed by terror chief Masood Azhars sister, Sadiya, may have played a role in the Red Fort plot.One suspect, Dr Shahina Saeed, known by the codename Madam Surgeon, is believed to have coordinated finances for the strike.As NDTV reported, fresh intelligence inputs warn that both Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba are preparing for a coordinated escalation in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials say the two groups continue to receive financial and logistical support from Pakistans military-intelligence network, posing a renewed threat to civilian security in the region.
Warner Bros. has been in the news a lot this week  not because they have a big new movie coming out, but because the whole studio is up for sale. Hopefully they warn any potential buyers about the pest situation in the water tower.

The sale of Warner Bros. Discovery will likely be a disaster for the theatrical movie industry. Not to mention that merging with rival companies like Paramount or Netflix could mean violating antitrust laws, as critics have pointed out. But at least it will be a big payday for David Zaslav, the Warner CEO who seems to love making movies almost as much as he loves unmaking them.

While many people have delighted in dunking on Warner Bros. ever since Zaslav took the reins, the best takedown of Warner Bros. happened eight decades ago, supposedly because the studio tried to pick a fight with Julius Henry Marx, AKA Groucho.

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As legend would have it, when the Marx Brothers were preparing to shoot one of their less-memorable comedies, 1946s A Night in Casablanca, Warner Bros. threatened to take legal action against the comedy family. Why? Because their new movie infringed on Warner Bros.' Oscar-winning Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

Groucho fired off a series of letters to the studio, later published in The Groucho Letters, ridiculing Warner Bros. for having the gall to suggest that they could claim to own the rights to the name of a city.

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Dear Warner Brothers, the first letter begins. Apparently there is more than one way of conquering a city and holding it as your own. For example, up to the time that we contemplated making this picture, I had no idea that the city of Casablanca belonged exclusively to Warner Brothers. However, it was only a few days after our announcement appeared that we received your long, ominous legal document warning us not to use the name Casablanca."

Groucho continued, "It seems that in 1471, Ferdinand Balboa Warner, your great-great-grandfather, while looking for a shortcut to the city of Burbank, had stumbled on the shores of Africa and, raising his alpenstock (which he later turned in for a hundred shares of common), named it Casablanca.

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Groucho also jokingly threatened to countersue: You claim that you own Casablanca and that no one else can use that name without permission. What about Warner Brothers? Do you own that too? You probably have the right to use the name Warner, but what about the name Brothers? Professionally, we were brothers long before you were.

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Now Jack, how about you? Do you maintain that yours is an original name? Groucho addressed to Warner Bos. studio co-head Jack Leonard Warner. Well it's not. It was used long before you were born. Offhand, I can think of two Jacks  Jack of Jack and the Beanstalk, and Jack the Ripper, who cut quite a figure in his day.

But as Snopes pointed out, A Night in Casablanca was originally intended as a parody of Casablanca, with character names like Humphrey Bogus. Warner Bros. didnt actually threaten to sue, but they demanded to know the details about the storyline. The lawsuit narrative was leaked to the press by the Marx Brothers as a means of generating controversy and garnering some newspaper coverage for their film.

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In a letter to his doctor, Groucho admitted that we spread the story that Warners objected to this title purely for publicity reasons. They may eventually actually object to it, although I don't think so.

So the Marx Brothers made Warner Bros. their unwitting comic foil purely to hype A Night in Casablanca. Unfortunately, Groucho's letters ended up being much more entertaining than the movie itself.
Cyber-related activities of two Iran-linked threat actors played key roles in subsequent high-profile missile strikes, according to Amazons Threat Intel team, which sees the incidents as indicative of increased use of cyber operations in support of kinetic attacks.

We believe that cyber-enabled kinetic targeting will become increasingly common across multiple adversaries, CJ Moses, CISO of Amazon Integrated Security, wrote in a blog post documenting the two incidents. Nation-state actors are recognizing the force multiplier effect of combining digital reconnaissance with physical attacks. This trend represents a fundamental evolution in warfare, where the traditional boundaries between cyber and kinetic operations are dissolving.

While not a new development in the age of hybrid warfare, the incidents documented by Amazon shed new light on how missile strikes in the Red Sea and Israel were directly supported by cyber espionage efforts to gather target reconnaissance.
Renderings for the new Grand Concourse Library in the Bronx. Photo: Secchi Smith

The 65-year-old Grand Concourse Library in the Bronx is about to be replaced. First renderings of the new public library show a brick-lattice facade on the first two floors and a double-height reading space that looks airy and bright. But perhaps the most unusual feature of the library is not whats inside but whats on top of the stacks: 113 affordable, rent-stabilized units. The project is part of HPDs Living Libraries program within the City of Yes for Families initiative, which aims to make better use of city-owned lots by combining library renovations with new affordable housing. It joins four others  the Inwood and Sunset Park libraries, which are done, and the New Utrecht library in Bensonhurst and the Bloomingdale Library in the Upper West Side that are just beginning the redevelopment process. The concept isnt unique to New York  there are examples in Chicago and Boston  but it finally seems to be picking up steam here.

Photo: Secchi Smith

Photo: Secchi Smith

Photo: Secchi Smith

As a ground-up new construction, the Grand Concourse library will benefit from new technology; it will be the NYPLs first Passive Housecertified library. Plus, theres good news for fans of the Lorrie Goulet sculpture on the facade of the current library  it will be preserved and installed above the new entryway. The project will be developed by nonprofit organization Settlement Housing Fund and Kalel Companies, a real-estate firm that specializes in affordable housing. The two architectural firms behind the new design are Bernheimer, which is responsible for the overall building, and Levenbetts, which also designed the new East Flatbush Library and the interim Brooklyn Heights library and is in the process of redesigning the Red Hook Library, the Borough Park Library, and the Baisley Park Library. Andrew Bernheimer, principal of Bernheimer Architects, said that in response to community requests, they also worked to slim the bulk of the building. Besides the shading provided by the brick latticework on the facade, David Leven, principal of Levenbetts, said that they also added solar screening to the facade to reduce energy usage and focused on bringing natural light into the building.

As for the housing portion of the building, it will be 100 percent affordable, with at least 15 percent of the apartments reserved for the formerly homeless and the rest distributed through the citys housing-lottery program. The building will include a teaching kitchen, three outdoor terraces, a gym, laundry, and bike storage.

Even with more than a hundred new units coming online, it can feel like the project will just scratch the surface of what the city needs. When the new Inwood Library, designed by architect Andrew Berman, opened last year, the 174 affordable units that went into the lottery got 80,000 applications. Still, the Grand Concourse project was only announced this year and seems to be moving a little more speedily than its Inwood or Sunset Park counterparts. The NYPL says it will secure a temporary library space before it begins construction.

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Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelensky is fighting not on one front but three. To the East, Vladimir Putin's military might grinds away at his forces. To the West, Donald Trump  having already turned off the tap of military and financial aid  is pushing him to accept a humiliating, almost suicidal peace deal.

And on the home front, he is mired in an escalating corruption scandal involving some of his closest cronies.

As a result, it's increasingly looking as if we are approaching the end game in a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and reduced numerous towns and cities to ashes.

If so, it will be due in no small way to a massive corruption case that has already claimed the scalps of two of Zelensky's most senior ministers and forced one of his oldest friends to flee into exile abroad. Until recently, the Western media has been unwilling to undermine the Ukrainian cause by highlighting allegations of backhanders for government and military contracts.

But the latest scandal, which revolves around kickbacks totalling $100 million, is of such a scale it cannot be ignored.

And Zelensky is perceived to be heavily involved as Timur Mindich, his former business partner in a TV production company called Kvartal 95, is at the heart of the scandal. It's hard to exaggerate the closeness of the bond between the two men, as it was Kvartal 95 that made Servant Of The People, the TV comedy series that propelled Zelensky into the public consciousness.

In it, he played a high school history teacher in his 30s, who is unexpectedly elected president of Ukraine after a student films him delivering a rant against  ironically  government corruption and uploaded it to the internet.

Now his relationship with Mindich has come back to bite him. A president who commanded an approval rating of 84 per cent in the months following the Russian invasion in 2022 has seen it plunge to just 20 per cent, according to an opposition parliamentarian.

Pictured: A photo of a golden toilet said to be from one of the bathrooms in the apartment of Zelenskyy's former business partner Timur Mindich

Pictured: U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025

And it's all down to a heroically thorough investigation launched by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) after it suspected multimillion kickbacks were being paid on contracts by executives of the country's nuclear power company Energoatom.

Detectives secretly recorded conversations between the alleged conspirators in apartments and offices around Kyiv. Transcripts of the exchanges read like something out of a thriller, with the suspects referring to each other using aliases such as 'Che Guevara' and 'Professor'.

They were sufficiently cocky to make jokes about lugging around bags of cash that were so heavy they gave them back pain.

But other conversations revealed the very real costs of their corruption. One of the suspects said it would be a 'waste of money' to install concrete defences around electrical substations near nuclear power plants. These same substations were subsequently targeted by Russian drones and missiles.

As the anti-corruption police closed in over the summer, their targets got wind of the fact they were under investigation and mounted a campaign of intimidation against their tormentors.

The plotters put tails on Nabu detectives, obtained their home addresses and even tracked them using classified government CCTV networks. More evidence of official collusion with the conspirators came on July 21 when several detectives involved in the probe were detained by the security services, which are under Zelensky's control.

The very next day Zelensky's ruling party pushed a bill through Parliament that stripped the anti-corruption agencies of their operational independence  a piece of legislation signed into law by the president himself.

The idea Zelensky was trying to close down an investigation into his friends immediately provoked a furious backlash. Despite the threat of Russian attacks, thousands of protesters gathered outside the president's office in Kyiv.

Many of the mostly young protesters waved placards with slogans such as '12414 [the number of the new law] sounds like 1984', and 'Parliament is full of parasites'. Within 48 hours, Zelensky backed down.

Nabu duly found that Energoatom was paying kickbacks valued at 10 to 15 per cent of contracts, with some of the cash spent on lavish villas near Kyiv allegedly intended for use by Oleksiy Chernyshov, a former deputy prime minister, and other officials.

The final and most damaging aspect of the corruption case came when it emerged that the co-organiser of the $100 million scheme was the president's pal Timur Mindich.

Mindich, who was found to have a gold toilet in the bathroom of his apartment and thick wads of US dollar bills, fled the country a matter of hours before detectives arrived at his home  presumably after being tipped off.

Zelensky has since revoked his old friend's Ukrainian citizenship, ostensibly as a punishment. But this move had the effect of putting Mindich, who is believed to be sheltering in Israel, beyond the reach of Ukrainian law.

Zelensky's political problems are amplified by the fact that last year's presidential election was cancelled due to the war. And so a man who was elected to a five-year term has now been in power for six and a half years  and refuses to step down while the war is ongoing.

Some argue that this means neither he nor the Parliament has a clear democratic mandate. Indeed, some of his critics  especially on the Maga Right in Washington  describe him hyperbolically as a 'dictator'. But Britain didn't hold any elections during World War II and so you could say that he is no more of a dictator than Winston Churchill.

Corruption probes are not Zelensky's only problem, of course, The war is not going well either. The Russian Army is making slow but inexorable progress in advancing its frontline, with the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, its streets littered with corpses from both sides, likely to fall to Moscow in the days or weeks to come.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Army is beset by a recruitment crisis, with desertions running at four times they rate they were a year ago, and around 300,000 soldiers estimated to have gone AWOL since the war began.

National finances are in a dire state. As things stand, Kyiv doesn't have nearly enough money to fill its $60 billion budget black hole and is going to run out of money by February unless the EU agrees to donate the 300 billion of Russian central bank reserves and other state assets frozen in Western bank accounts.

In this context, the latest Ukraine 'peace deal' cooked up by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Russia's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev may not be as unacceptable as it looks at first sight.

Yes, the 28-point plan calls for Kyiv to give up areas of the Donbas it still controls, to slash its troop numbers by 60 per cent and to accept a ban on several classes of weapons, including missiles that could hit Moscow. Foreign peacekeepers would also be banned and Ukraine would be required to designate Russian as a second state language,

But Zelensky has never been more under siege and, with Trump growing more impatient by the day, he may decide he has no alternative but to sign on the dotted line. Whether his people will support such a decision remains to be seen.
Originally developed as diabetes medication, drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic are now famous for bringing about rapid weight loss thanks to their ability to silence 'food noise' and reduce hunger.

But for some, the 'miracle' jabs are incredibly dangerous and can come with life-threatening side effects, a leading doctor has warned.

Named after the GLP-1 hormone they mimic in the brain to suppress hunger signals, the drugs help some stay full longer and reduce appetite.

But, as well as triggering weight loss, research has also linked the drug with a myriad of side effects ranging from digestive issues, blindness and organ damage.

'If you're getting these drugs on the NHS, the risk is somewhat lower because your doctor has access to all your medical history,' Dr Dean Eggitt, senior GP and CEO of the Doncaster Local Medical Committee.

'But private physicians have very limited access to your records, and unless you're extremely open with what you're taking in terms of other medications, you're putting yourself at risk.

'There is a reason that not everyone can access these drugs, and that's because it can put some people's health in jeopardy.'

Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy Chemist4U, added: 'There a number of medical conditions that will completely rule out your ability to prescribed weight loss injections because of the severe risks associated with them.

'However, other conditions require a bit more careful consideration and may require special assessment to ensure the treatment would be safe and appropriate.'

With the so-called wonder drugs coming under scrutiny, we asked health care experts to break down who can't take GLP-1s and why

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Stomach problems

Trials of semaglutidethe active ingredient in these drugshave long flagged gastrointestinal discomfort including nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation as a common side effect of the drug, affecting up to 75 per cent of users.

As such, Dr Eggitt says the jabs may not be appropriate for people already suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or other conditions that affect the digestive system and cause abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea.

'If you've got irritable bowel, you tend to either suffer from constipation or diarrhoea or a bit of both.

'If you already suffer from constipation, taking a drug that slows down gut transit time could put you at risk of a physical blockage which can lead to a tear in the bowel wall, resulting in fecal matter leaking into the abdomen.'

This is because GLP-1 medications can cause delayed gastric emptying and slows how food moves through the gastrointestinal tract, making stools drier and harder.

Straining more when opening the bowels, them, in turn, can cause small tears in the bowel lining.

This can cause peritonitis, which occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes infected. Left untreated, the condition can be life threatening.

The peritoneum covers internal organs including the kidneys, liver, and bowel, which can become damaged when the lining is infected.

Eating disorders

Anorexia is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition characterised by restrictive eating to keep weight a low as possible

Doctors are increasingly worried about GLP-1s being used by people with restrictive eating disorders, Dr Eggitt explained.

The interactions between these blockbuster jabs and eating disorders are complex, but one of the main concerns is that they could facilitate disordered eating patterns, suppressing appetite and even encouraging purging.

Because the stomach empties more slowly on these drugs, it can make it easier to expel any food that has been consumed, says Dr Eggitt.

'People underestimate eating disorders, and think it's not that big of a deal but eating disorders can and do kill,' he warned.

'People with restrictive eating disorders often use other medicines to catalyse the weight change. So rather than just food avoidance there's often laxative use too which leads to dehydration.

'If you have someone who is fixated upon losing weight, using a weight loss drug to inhibit an appetite that's not really there in the first place is essentially dicing with death,' he added.

'This is one of the main problems with distance prescribing, which is allowing too many people to slip through the net and access weight loss drugs which essentially could kill them.'

Family history of certain cancers

'One of the more serious side effects of weight loss injections is the development of thyroid tumours,' warned Murphy.

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Concerns about thyroid cancer and GLP-1s were first raised in the pre-marketing phase, after a number of animal studies linked the drugs to an increase in thyroid C cell tumours.

Thyroid cancer is one of the 13 cancers known to be linked with obesity, but experts are hesitant to prescribe the drug to those with a family history of the disease.

Whilst the evidence remains conflicting, one meta-analysis of over 60 studies by Italian researchers published last year found a significant increase in overall thyroid cancer risk.

Conversely, another study published this year found no substantial increase in thyroid cancer risk over an average follow up of nearly four years.

One potential reason for this difference in findings could simply be that patients on GLP-1s are more likely to have a thyroid ultrasound which could pick up existing nodules which could be cancerous.

Either way, Murphy stressed that is crucial to be honest with your doctor or pharmacist about your history of the disease, so healthcare professionals can make an informed decision.

'If you have a personal of family history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), you cannot take weight loss injections as it may put you at greater risk,' he said.

Type 1 diabetes

'If you are diabetic, weight loss injections can present problems,' Murphy warned.

Type 1 diabetes is a condition where your body cannot make a hormone called insulin - which helps the body use glucose for energy

This is because diabetes medication taken by type 1 diabetics to help reduce blood glucose levels can interact with weight loss injections and cause blood sugar levels to become dangerously low, known as hypoglycemia.

Symptoms include feeling hungry, dizzy and anxious as well heart palpitations which can lead to seizures or fits when blood sugar levels drop severely low.

He added: 'It's incredibly important that, if you are considering taking weight loss injections, your speak to a healthcare professional before doing so and are honest about personal or family history of various medical conditions.'

Interactions with other medications

Ozempic and Wegovy, which both contain semaglutide, work by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 that triggers an increase in insulin production and slows the rate at which food is digested in the stomach.

'The problem with this is that it reduces the bioavailability of other medicines that are taken orally, increasing absorption time and reducing the drug's efficacy,' Dr Eggitt explained.

'One of these drugs is the combined oral contraceptive pill, which needs to be in the stomach to be absorbed.

'But some weight loss drugs drastically slow down this process, effectively rendering the drug ineffective, which can be said for a number of other drugs like anti-epileptic medication,' Dr Eggitt continued.

The MHRA advised women on the jabs to use barrier contraception if they are seeking to avoid pregnancy

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Earlier this year, women using weight-loss drugs were urged to use an alternative effective contraception after dozens reported becoming pregnant while taking the medications.

The verdict

In the UK, millions of people take the drugs safely, with thousands doing so for years.

Doctors insist that weight loss jabs will be 'game changers' when it comes to fighting back against the ongoing obesity crisis, which costs the economy an estimated 100bn per year.

However, no drug is without risk, experts warn.

It comes as experts sounded an alarm over the death toll linked to blockbuster weight loss jabs, which surpassed 50 deaths since the beginning of 2024.

In total, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which polices the safety of every drug used in Britain, has received 173 'reports with fatal outcomes' from GLP-1 injections.

Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, claimed that although the drugs were hugely effective for those who need them, they were being used 'inappropriately' by slimmer adults who 'fancy losing a bit of weight.'

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He added: 'If you take them and you don't need them, and you break the rules, you run the risk of serious complications  or death.

'People think "it's not going to happen to me" but it will happen to them. So they take them and they get severe complications.'

The data, kept by a Government body, does not state whether any of the people who died while using the jabs had been using them inappropriately.

Meanwhile, there are concerns that illegal knock-off versions of the drugs are being increasingly usedoften advertised on social media.
How far would you go in the name of beauty?

In the latest skincare trend circling on social media, women can be seen applying their menstrual blood as a face mask to achievewhat they describe asan unmatchable glow.

Some call the practice spiritual or empowering, tapping into the divine feminine whilst others are comparing it to 'vampire facials' made famous by Kim Kardashian, where dermatologists inject platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the skin to boost collagen and minimise the visible signs of ageing.

Amassing some 3.5million TikTok searches, 'menstrual masking' is certainly getting a lot of attention right now, but is there actually any scientific evidence to support saving your monthly shed to supercharge your skincare routine?

Menstrual blood contains a mix of tissue from the lining of the uteruscalled the endometriumas well as circulating blood and vaginal fluid.

When the endometrial lining that is shed during menstruation regenerates, it thickens starting the cycle again, driven by stem cells in the endometrium.

This biological process has shown some potential in medical research, namely significantly enhancing wound healing. In 2018, a study found that wounds treated with menstrual plasma showed complete repair within 24 hours, compared with just 40 per cent repair using regular blood plasma.

Another study, published in the World Journal of Plastic Surgery, found stem cells derived from menstrual blood to be a 'suitable cell source in repair and regenerate of skin diseases and naturally photoaging of skin' caused by long-term sun exposure.

Sarah Sol, a 'menstrual cycle and womb healing educator', based in Egypt and Indonesia, has been using her own period blood as part of her skincare regime for years

Because they are versatile and can be collected non-invasively, menstrual blood-derived stem cellsalso known as MenSCsare now being considered as a promising option for developing medical treatments to treat chronic wounds.

But whilst it is logical to presume that these cells can stimulate blood vessel production elsewhere, dermatologists are sceptical about the use of menstrual blood collected at home on the face.

One reason for this is because period blood also contains epithelial cells which are pro-inflammatory, producing cytokines and chemokines, meaning it could actually have the opposite effectirritating the skin.

'Menstrual blood also contains broken down uterine lining so it will contain messenger molecules that signal tissue breakdown and removal. This is not the effect we are looking for on the skin,' Mariam Abbas, an advanced facialist with a special interest in skin science, explained.

And whilst menstrual blood is completely natural, as it passes through the vaginal canal, it can pick up bacteria and fungi, including staphylococcus aureus which can cause infections if it gets into cuts or pores on the skin.

As Ms Abbas explained: 'Menstrual blood isn't just blood; it also contains uterine tissue, cervical cells, and vaginal fluids, all of which naturally carry bacteria.

'On top of that, if someone has poor oral hygiene or a sexually transmitted infection, the risks go up.

'Applying it your face can lead to infection, irritation, or inflammation, especially if there are open lesions, acne or sensitive skin.

'If the blood is being used to heal skin conditions like acne or dry skin, impaired barriers; it can potentially cause bacterial infections deeper in the skin because the breaks in the skin will allow the bacteria to travel deeper.'

There's also a risk that sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like herpes, could be transferred to the skin, Ms Abbas added.

The vagina typically has a pH of around 4.5, which is considered moderately acidic. But when a woman is on her period, the vagina becomes less acidic and more alkaline, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to survive.

As a result, using menstrual blood on the face could actually increase the likelihood of acne or skin infections, with the majority of cells contained in the blood dying as soon as they are exposed to the air.

The facialist added: 'It is important to consider, when we talk about stem cells in skin care products, the bottles don't actually contain bottled up stem cells, they contain growth factors and messenger molecules that have been released by stem cells in lab settings.

'These growth factors and proteins are then further packaged in delivery systems. Stem cells are never topically applied to the skin to promote healing or rejuvenation.'

For this reason, dermatologists recommend avoiding putting period blood on your face, and instead opting for PRP treatments, which uses your own blood that has been freshly harvested and stored properly to avoid the risk of infection and deliver actives deep into the skin.

'Menstrual blood, however, does not rejuvenate the skin in the same way because the nutrients and molecules it contains cannot penetrate healthy, intact skin because the molecular size of nutrients isn't small enough.'

Kim Kardashian underwent a 'vampire facial' - known also as a platelet-rich plasma injection - in 2012 but later said she would not do so again

PRP facials, endorsed by celebs from Megan Fox to Kourtney Kardashian, are cosmetic treatments that use a patient's own blood to revitalise the skin.

Practitioners take a patient's blood sample and spin at a very high speed in a centrifuge to separate platelets from the erythrocytesthe functional component of blood responsible for transporting key nutrients around the body.

The platelet-rich plasma will then be injected into the skin using microneedles to stimulate collagen production and promote healing, reducing acne marks and scars, accelerating wound healing and improving the overall tone and texture of the skin.

'In contrast, the topical application of menstrual blood is carried out in unsterile settings, the blood is contaminated and can introduce infection to the skin,' the skin specialist said.

So whilst 'menstrual masking' might feel empowering for some, it has no place in DIY skincare routines according to science.

Professor Tess McPherson, an expert in adolescent dermatology and member of the British Association of Dermatologists added: 'Unusual skincare trends are popular content on social media, and some of the appeal of the content is the shock value.

'In the case of menstrual blood masks, there is no evidence to suggest that they would work, or a recognised mechanism through which menstrual blood would act as a skin rejuvenator.

'The explanation provided by those who support this claim on social media is unconvincing, from a medical perspective, and we would not recommend that people use this method.

'Moreover, using someone elses blood for this type of trend is particularly risky because there is a chance of infection.'

Last year, influencer Sara Sol, 32, sparked debate when videos of her using her period blood as an anti-ageing mask went viral.

The influencer, who splits her time between Egypt and Indonesia, has been using her own period blood as a beauty product for several years.

Ms Sol, who calls herself a 'menstrual cycle and womb healing educator,' claims that the blood is 'pure and fresh' and regularly shares videos of herself wearing menstrual face masks and pouring blood into the soil.

'You want the ancient feminine secret to glowing young skin? Well now you have it,' Ms Sol wrote to her 11,000 Instagram followers. 'It comes out from down there..right between your legs.'
The science writer who predicted the COVID pandemic seven years before it swept the globe is now raising the alarm over a new 'serious warning event' in the US.

David Quammen warned in his 2012 book, Spillover, that the world's next pandemic would come from a coronavirus that spills over from a wild animal in a wet market, possibly in China.

Now, he says he is concerned once again - this time about a new strain of bird flu never before seen in humans that has infected a person in Washington state and left them 'severely ill' for weeks.

'This is another serious warning event of possibly the same scope as the earlier occasional infections of humans with H5N1,' Quammen exclusively told the Daily Mail.

'The roulette wheel on bird flu is spinning trillions of times a day right now. In each infected bird, the virus is multiplying millions of times. Each of those spins could turn up the four or five mutations that turn it into a human virus.

'That could happen tomorrow, it could happen next year, it might not happen at all, but the point is, there is a chance it could happen. And, if it does, the consequences would be extremely severe.'

The Washington state patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions who kept a backyard poultry flock, fell ill in early November with a high fever, confusion and severe breathing difficulties. Health officials say their contact with their own birds is the most likely source of the infection.

The case has raised alarm bells because the patient was infected with H5N5, a type of bird flu never before seen in humans. Until now, all US human infections in this outbreak have involved the strain H5N1.

David Quammen, a science writer, has warned that the bird flu infection in Washington state is another alarming development. Pictured: USDA workers at a farm in Eden Valley, Minnesota, in April 2015; they were called to the farm amid a bird flu outbreak

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Quammen said, however, that after speaking with scientists in the field, he does not believe H5N5 poses a greater threat than the more common strain.

'According to what I'm reading, including sources, this is not especially important,' he told the Daily Mail.

'H5N5 is a bird flu. It is not a bird flu that has become adapted to humans... and it is no more likely to be transmitted to humans than H5N1.'

Assessing the whole case, he added that 'all of this is reassuring. The H5N5 infection rings an alarm bell, but there are no further alarm bells triggered around it.'

There is no current evidence to suggest that H5N5 is more likely to infect humans or more likely to cause severe disease than the H5N1 strain.

However, Quammen also warned there are likely other bird flu infections in humans in the US that have not been detected.

'Yes, there probably are these cases,' he said. 'Particularly among dairy workers and poultry workers. No one is monitoring them, no one is testing them weekly for the virus.'

Quammen warned that every time bird flu infects animals, it raises the risk of the virus spreading to humans. Pictured: employees in New York cleaning cages and taking chickens to be slaughtered after an outbreak of bird flu in February

Quammen (pictured) is a science writer whose book Spillover, published in 2012, predicted the origins of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic

Since 2022, a total of 71 human bird flu infections have been recorded in the US, most linked to H5N1 spilling over from animals.

Patients have reported symptoms including red, irritated eyes, a cough, fever and muscle aches. One person, an individual in Louisiana with underlying health conditions, has died from the infection.

The latest case marked the first bird flu infection reported nationwide in seven months since the previous infection was detected in February.

His warning came after bird flu spread to dairy herds last year and led to more than 1,000 herds being infected with the disease.

Scientists warned at the time that this could also raise the risk of the virus gaining the mutations needed to start spreading between humans.

Of the 71 bird flu cases in humans reported across the US to date, 41 have been linked to dairy herds, while 24 were linked to poultry farms or culling operations.

More pressing at the moment, Quammen warned, is the upcoming flu season, which may lead to tens of thousands of deaths.

'Meanwhile, we have the flu that is circulating, that is H3N2 - that is seasonal flu, the main strain this year,' he told the Daily Mail.

'[The flu season] is starting already in Britain and Japan - it is pretty severe in Japan, it is causing a lot of sickness.'

In mid-October, Japan warned it was experiencing a flu epidemic much earlier in the year than normal.

In the latest data for the week of November 4, the nation's capital of Tokyo had recorded six times the number of infections it normally would for this time of year.

More than 2,300 day cares and schools have also closed across Japan due to the outbreak.

In the UK, experts are warning the country could face its 'worst flu season on record.'

Experts are now calling on governments worldwide to carry out more surveillance for the spread of bird flu among their livestock, including chickens (Stock image)

The CDC uses data from emergency department visits to model epidemic trends. This model helps reveal if the number of new respiratory infections is growing or declining in each state

Hospital admissions in Britain in early November were at a level not normally recorded until the start of December. Experts in Canada have also warned the nation could face a 'worst of its kind' flu season.

In the US, the CDC has said that flu activity remains 'low,' but it is rising. In the week of November 9, 2.1 percent of hospital visits were due to the flu compared to 1.8 percent in the previous week, according to official data.

A map tracking epidemic trends in the US related to flu shows cases of the virus are likely growing or currently growing in all states that report case numbers.

Last year, the US experienced its worst flu season since the 2017 - 2018 season. Up to 73 million people were infected, estimates suggest, while 1.1 million were hospitalized and 99,000 died from the disease.
A breakthrough weight loss pill from the maker of Mounjaro helped patients shed weight and slash high blood sugar, promising data has shown.

A late stage trial showed users could lose almost 10 per cent of their weight after just under a year and a half on the experimental drug orforglipron.

Participants, who were overweight or obese and had type 2 diabetes, also benefited from reductions of up to nearly two per cent in HbA1c  blood sugar levels  meaning they were no longer dangerously high.

The once-a-day pill belongs to class of medications called GLP-1 agonists, like Mounjaro and Wegovy, which suppress appetite and make users feel fuller for longer.

It also marks another step towards a needle-free alternative to weight loss medication and 'more convenience' for patients.

Manufacturer Lilly has not yet disclosed how much the drug will cost, however, the pill is easier to produce and transport than injections, so will likely be a cheaper option.

It can also be stored at room temperature and taken at any time of day, with or without food.

Earlier this summer, the pharmaceutical giant revealed it expects to launch the pill around the world 'this time next year'.

Manufacturer Lilly said the once-a-day pill could be launched at scale worldwide and without supply constraints as early as next year

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In the phase three 72-week trial, scientists tracked more than 1,400 patients from 10 different countries, who weighed 16 stone (101.4kg), had a BMI of 35.6 and blood sugar level of 8.05 per cent on average.

For people with diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5 per cent) or below and for those at risk of developing the condition, below 42mmol/mol (6 per cent).

Some 329 patients were prescribed a 6mg dose of orforglipron, while 332 were given 12mg and 322, 36mg.

The remaining 630 were prescribed a placebo pill. All following a healthy eating and physical exercise plan.

Researchers found the highest dose of orforglipron helped patients lose 9.6 per cent of their weight on average at 72 weeks, compared to 2.5 per cent among those who took a placebo.

By comparison, the 12mg and 6mg orforglipron doses triggered an average weight reduction of 7 per cent and 5.1 per cent, respectively.

The 36mg pill also saw HbA1c drop by 1.7 per cent on average, compared to 0.5 per cent among those on the placebo.

Meanwhile, HbA1c fell by 1.5 per cent and 1.2 per cent for those on the 12 and 6mg doses respectively.

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Average reduction in waist circumference was also significantly greater with orforglipron 36 mg compared with placebo, with users seeing a drop of 8.3cm compared to 2.8 cm.

The side effects of Lillys pill were mainly gastrointestinal, such as nausea and vomiting, as well as constipation or diarrhoea, which were 'mild to moderate'.

Writing in the journal, The Lancet, the scientists said that there were 'greater HbA1c reductions observed with orforglipron in this trial' compared to other GLP-1 agonists.

'Orforglipron is simple to administer, with no restrictions on food and water intake or required refrigeration, potentially offering a more convenient option and broader global access to incretin therapy,' they added.

Senior author of the study Dr Deborah Horn, medical director of the centre for obesity medicine at the University of Texas, also said: 'Because of the safety profile of orforglipron and the predicted much lower cost, it will open the door for many more individuals who need and deserve treatment for their obesity  with or without diabetes, to get care around the world.

'My hope is that orforglipron will be the "metformin" of obesity  a lower cost, broad coverage, low risk, highly effective medication for obesity and many of the inter-related diseases.'

Existing GLP-1 injections such as Mounjaro, however, have shown greater weight loss than Lillys pill.

Previous studies have found that people injected with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, lost 14 per cent of their body weight on average over 72 weeks.

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And those taking tirzepatide, known as Mounjaro, lost 20 per cent of their body weight over the the same period.

But experts have repeatedly said that an oral option that offers a similar level of weight loss is 'very good news' for patients and offers hope for those who are uncomfortable with injecting themselves.

More than 30 new GLP-1 drugs are thought to currently be in development worldwide, including an oral pill made by the maker of Wegovy and Ozempic, Novo Nordisk.

Earlier this year, Lilly said it would apply for approval to market orforglipron for weight management later in 2025 and for type 2 diabetes next year.

It means it could be approved for NHS use next year.

Around 2.5million Britons are thought to be on weight loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.

Doctors have long insisted that weight loss jabs are 'game changers' when it comes to fighting back against Britain's long-running problem of obesity, which costs the economy an estimated 100billion per year.

Weight-related illness costs the economy 74billion a year, with people who are overweight at increased risk of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Two in three Britons are classed as overweight or obese and NHS figures show people now weigh about a stone more than 30 years ago.
The family of a JetBlue pilot were left desperately searching for answers when the healthy 47-year-old suddenly collapsed and died just hours after eating a backyard barbecue burger.

Brian Waitzel passed away after suffering severe stomach pains, with an autopsy unable to pinpoint a cause, ruling it a 'sudden unexplained death' in September 2024.

Only now have his relatives discovered that the simple meal triggered a rare and deadly red-meat allergy, brought on by a single tick bite.

His wife, Pieper Waitzel, told the New York Times: 'Everything changed in our life in ten minutes and to not know why was so upsetting.'

After a year of living in the unknown, a team of physicians and allergists published their findings in the Journal Of Allergy And Clinical Immunology, linking Waitzel's death to alpha-gal syndrome.

The disease is transmitted by tick bites and triggers a sudden, severe allergy to red meat.

Brian ate the hamburger at a barbecue in Wall Township, New Jersey, about 3pm and went home to mow the lawn at his $1.7million home. When Pieper left the house at 7pm, her husband still had no symptoms.

Just 20 minutes later he fell violently ill, according to the medical journal's findings, with Brian's teenage son calling his mom to tell her 'dad is getting sick again.' He was then found unconscious in the bathroom.

Brian Waitzel, 47, died after experiencing sudden and severe abdominal pain and vomiting, which medical professionals later deemed was from alpha-gal syndrome

Brian's wife, Pieper, told the New York Times her husband's death left them wanting answers

Brian's sudden and severe symptoms came just hours after he mowed the lawn and attended a barbecue

Their son, who just received CPR training for his job as a lifeguard, attempted to resuscitate his dad until paramedics arrived.

Emergency responders continued life-saving efforts for two hours, but he was declared dead at 10.22pm, according to the medical journal's report.

Waitzel's death shocked and baffled his family, as he was in good health and received regular check-ups for his job as a pilot.

A family friend, Dr Erin McFeely, told the New York Times that something about Waitzel's death 'just didn't add up'.

McFeely and Waitzel's wife then connected that every time he became severely ill, he had eaten red meat earlier in the day.

Two weeks before Waitzel's death, he was on a camping trip with his wife and ate a beef steak.

He woke up in the middle of the night with intense abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Pieper told the New York Times that the episode was jarring. 'It was raining, and he was rolling around on the tent platform in such pain, he couldn't even tell me what was happening,' she recalled.

Brian's teenage son found him unconscious in the bathroom and performed CPR until paramedics arrived

Brian's wife told the New York Times that her husband wasn't experiencing symptoms when she left the house before his death

She tried to ask her husband if his head or his heart hurt, but he was in too much pain to answer.

All Pieper could do was sit next to him in tears and try to clean him up until the pain subsided.

Brian told one of his sons, 'I thought I was going to die,' according to the medical journal.

However, the next morning, the pilot was feeling better and even went on a five-mile hike. The couple figured he had food poisoning and didn't make a doctor's appointment because the symptoms subsided.

'He bounced out of bed at 7am like nothing ever happened,'

Pieper then recalled that earlier in the year, her husband had gone jogging and returned with small bites around his ankles.

Brian is the first confirmed fatality of alpha-gal syndrome. His death has motivated researchers to spread awareness about the rare condition

She told researchers that the bites were from 'chiggers,' which often refer to Lone Star ticks in the eastern US.

Chiggers aren't generally recognized as ticks, but they are an important cause of alpha-gal.

The syndrome is still relatively unknown, but researchers have found that it's most commonly associated with a bite from a Lone Star tick.

Eerily, Brian and his wife had discussed alpha-gal previously after Pieper read an article about tick bites causing deadly red meat allergies.

'I said to my husband "You should read this,"' she told the Times. But the couple dismissed the illness as low risk, given their home sat inland from Jersey Shore beach towns where tick bites are more common.

Brian is the first confirmed fatality from alpha-gal, but researchers have warned that many people are likely unaware that they have the syndrome.

The research team that published the findings noted that more people will be exposed to the Lone Star tick as deer populations increase across multiple states.

Researchers urged better education on alpha-gal and noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented a large number of physicians unaware of the syndrome.
In a case that has left the medical community stunned, a baby boy lived for less than 24 hours after a 'silent' herpes infection, which his mother never knew she had, ravaged his body in the womb.

The details, revealed in a new medical report, tell of an unidentified 28-year-old mother in Japan, with no known history of the virus, whose pregnancy seemed normal until a 26-week scan picked up the first concerning signs.

The lining of her unborn son's heart was infected, and the organ, surrounded by fluid, was beating too slowly. Doctors admitted the mother for close observation, but the situation rapidly deteriorated.

The virus, later identified as disseminated Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), specifically a type called HSV-2, was wreaking havoc, causing brain and liver damage in the unborn child.

Neonatal herpes is a rare but serious condition, affecting an estimated 1,500 newborns in the US each year. HSV-2 invades multiple organ systems like the liver, lungs and brain, killing up to 85 percent of babies affected.

At just 28 weeks, the woman suffered a sudden life-threatening placental abruption in which her placenta separated from the inner wall of the uterus before her son was born.

The medical crisis forced an emergency C-section in a last-chance bid to save the baby.

Even with prompt diagnosis and the immediate administration of powerful antiviral drugs, the disease often proves unstoppable once it has gained a foothold in a babys system, leaving medical teams in a desperate race against a relentless infection.

These images from a scan after the baby's death show how the herpes infection caused catastrophic damage throughout his entire body. A) Bleeding inside the brain's fluid-filled chambers (ventricles). One chamber is also enlarged. B) Abnormal, dense spots (calcifications) are visible in the walls of the heart's chambers. C) Widespread, round, dense spots throughout the liver, indicating tissue damage. (D) Heavy, dense areas in both of the small adrenal glands (located on top of the kidneys), showing they were also severely affected

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The little boy, weighing just 2lbs, was born in a desperate condition. The virus had degraded the outer layer of his skin, leaving it raw, delicate and painful.

His blood pressure was critically low, and his heart rate remained at a dangerous 60 beats per minute, less than half the normal rate for a newborn.

Doctors gave him strong heart and blood pressure medications, inhaled nitric oxide to help his failing lungs and multiple blood transfusions to restore low blood platelets and giving his blood the ability to clot.

Without it, he was likely to bleed to death.

Seeing his widespread skin sores, they suspected herpes and started antiviral medicine. A post-mortem CT scan provided the final confirmation of the infection's destructive path.

The post-mortem CT scan revealed multiple areas of overload of calcium in his tissue, a sign of severe, chronic inflammation, throughout the walls of his heart, liver and adrenal glands.

There was bleeding into the fluid-filled spaces, ventricles, within his brain. Specifically, the case report noted the bleeding due to its inability to clot was in the left lateral and third ventricles, confirming a disseminated HSV infection that began in the womb.

The virus was confirmed through tests on the baby's skin, and blood tests revealed the mother, who had never shown a single symptom, had positive HSV antibodies.

HSV-1 traditionally causes oral herpes, including cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth, but can also cause genital herpes through oral-to-genital contact. HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes, including sores in the genital and anal area.

For most adults, it causes mild or even no symptoms, which is why many people who have it don't know they are infected.

The unidentified 28-year-old mother had no known history of the herpes virus (stock image)

The leading cause of neonatal herpes is a case in which a baby catches the virus by passing through the birth canal if the mother has an active genital herpes outbreak. This is why doctors often recommend a C-section if a mother has an active outbreak when she goes into labor.

In the unidentified baby's case, the virus was passed to the baby in the womb, which is estimated to account for just five percent of HSV in newborns. In this very rare instance, the virus crosses the placenta and infects the baby.

This form of transmission in utero is rare in the US primarily because most women of childbearing age already have pre-existing antibodies against HSV from prior exposure, often without knowing it.

These antibodies are passively transferred to the fetus through the placenta, creating a protective 'shield' that effectively neutralizes the virus if it attempts to cross from mother to baby during pregnancy.

While the US does not routinely test for herpes, standard prenatal care indirectly minimizes the risk transmission in the womb.

The baby was born with what doctors describe as 'extensive skin erosions.' This means large areas of his skin were missing their protective outer layer, leaving raw, moist, and painful open sores all over his body

This is achieved by screening for other STIs to assess overall risk, educating pregnant women to avoid new infections and performing C-sections for active outbreaks at delivery.

The case sheds light on a devastating and under-recognized consequence of intrauterine HSV. According to the babys doctors, this is the first documented case of a herpes infection spreading to a baby in the womb that caused such severe cardiac symptoms.

Doctors are now sounding the alarm that the common virus, often considered a minor skin condition, can be a hidden killer in pregnancy.

The authors said: Although HSV is known to cause myocarditis in children and adults, reports of cardiac complications due to intrauterine HSV infection are limited.

The report warns that while the classic signs of congenital herpes are skin, brain and eye lesions, clinicians must now be vigilant for unexplained fetal heart problems, which could be the only red flag.

In investigation of existing medical literature uncovered nine other similar, tragic cases. In every instance where the herpes infection caused heart complications, the outcome was fatal.

Experts suggest these cases are likely a few of many.

The researchers added: Intrauterine HSV infection can occur in a pregnant woman without any symptoms, and the number of patients may be underreported due to the high rates of abortion or stillbirth.

Clinicians should consider intrauterine HSV infection in cases of unexplained fetal bradycardia [low heart rate] or pericardial effusion [a buildup of excess fluid in the the protective, double-layered bag that surrounds the heart].

Their case was reported in the journal Cureus.
The CDC has altered the wording on one of its webpages to say that vaccines may cause autism.

On its webpage titled 'autism and vaccines', the agency has now added a bullet point directly under the headline that reads: 'The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.'

Another point adds: 'Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.'

And a third says: 'HHS has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism, including investigations on plausible biologic mechanisms and potential causal links.'

Updated on Wednesday, the first section of the page is still titled 'Vaccines do not cause Autism.'

However, there is an asterisk pointing to a note that reads: 'The header "Vaccines do not cause autism" has not been removed due to an agreement with the chair of the US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that it would remain on the CDC website.'

Previously, the page read: 'Studies have shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism.'

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior is a known vaccine skeptic and has previously suggested that shots may raise a child's risk of developing autism.

Multiple leading public health experts and agencies have pushed back against claims that vaccines cause autism, saying these have been thoroughly debunked through more than 1,000 scientific studies.

Experts have said the altered page shows what happens when 'politics hijack public health' and said the agency could 'no longer be trusted'. Others warned that the shift raised the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases once again entering society.

On Wednesday, the CDC altered its page on the link between vaccines and autism, shown in red

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The page continues: 'Scientific studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines contribute to the development of autism.

'However, this statement has historically been disseminated by the CDC and other federal health agencies within HHS to prevent vaccine hesitancy.'

In the section, 'state of evidence: MMR vaccine', officials have also added language stating that more studies into the potential link are needed.

It reads: 'In 2012, the IOM [Institute of Medicine] reviewed the published MMR-autism studies and found that all but four of them had "serious methodological limitations" and the IOM gave them no weight.

'The remaining four studies and a few similar studies published since have all been criticized for serious methodological flaws.'

Kennedy was appointed to his role at HHS after he gave assurances to lawmakers that he would not undermine public confidence in vaccines or disrupt access to them.

Dr Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious diseases physician formerly at the World Health Organization, wrote on X: 'The CDC's vaccine-autism mess isn't just about bad science and misinformation, it's about what happens when politics hijack public health.

'We can't trust the agency's guidance, and need WHO's scientific leadership more than ever.'

Robert F Kennedy Junior, the Health and Human Services Secretary, is a well-known vaccine sceptic. He is pictured above in May this year

The update comes at a time when vaccination rates are falling in the US and concerns are mounting that the country could lose its measles elimination status

Dr Demetre Daskalakis, an infectious disease expert who previously led the agency's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said on X: 'The weaponization of the voice of CDC is getting worse. This is a public health emergency.

'CDC [autism and vaccines page] has been updated to cause chaos without [a] scientific basis. DO NOT TRUST THIS AGENCY. This is a national embarrassment.'

The updates to the CDC's page were not accompanied by an announcement from HHS or a statement from the health secretary.

Autism diagnoses have surged in the US, going from one in 150 children in the early 2000s to one in 31 today, according to the latest data available.

The increase has alarmed both politicians and public health officials and the new administration has vowed to get to the bottom of the shift.

Previous research has blamed the rise on a range of factors, including increased awareness, better diagnostic procedures and officials starting to use a more open definition of the condition.

Some recent studies have also suggested a link with exposure to pollution and chemical contamination in food.

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There have been claims linking vaccines, particularly the MMR or measles vaccine, to autism. This dates back to a paper published in the 1980s by now discredited British researcher Andrew Wakefield. After review, the study was later revoked and Wakefield's credentials were removed.

More than 1,000 studies carried out since, according to the federal government's PubMed resource, have shown no link between jabs and the condition.

Dr Paul Offit, a pediatrician and adviser on the FDA's vaccines panel, previously told Daily Mail that 'there are many promising leads' behind the rise of autism but that 'vaccines are not one of them'.

He said: 'The question has been answered again and again and again. [Further CDC research] will do nothing for children with autism and only increase the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.'

American Academy of Pediatrics experts have said online: 'Some individuals wrongly assert there is a link between vaccines and autism.

'Before the claim was discredited, researchers took it seriously, investigated it thoroughly, and found no link. This research, in many countries, involving thousands of individuals, has spanned multiple decades.'

It comes amid concerns that the US, like Canada, could be stripped of its measles elimination status in January as public health officials continue to struggle to suppress an outbreak of the disease that started in West Texas and has now been persisting for nearly a year.

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known to man, but can be prevented using a vaccine. It has started to resurge amid falling vaccine uptake.

At a press conference in September, Kennedy also suggested that taking acetaminophen, the active drug in Tylenol, during pregnancy could cause autism. President Donald Trump urged pregnant women to avoid the medication.
Tourists have been left baffled after racing to Buckingham Palace to visit its 'first ever' Christmas market - only to find out it doesn't exist.

Images circulating on social media had promised a winter wonderland-style attraction with snowy market stalls, a huge Christmas tree and a canopy of fairy lights in front of the royal family's London residence.

But after eagerly flocking to the Palace this week, people were left disappointed to find no trace of a Christmas market, instead being met with scaffolding, security fences and puddles.

The advertising posters for the market had been made using artificial intelligence (AI), and were shared by several accounts with large followings on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

A closer look at the pictures showed that the lights appeared to be floating in mid-air, while people's faces were obscured and signage on the fronts of the huts was illegible.

In others, the market seemed to be taking place behind the gates of the palace itself, which would be a huge security breach.

On TikTok, disappointed visitors have shared their reactions to finding out the market was 'fake', even saying they felt they'd been 'lied to'.

Filming herself outside the palace, Shivani Khosla said: 'The truth behind the Buckingham Palace Christmas market is actually insane.

Tourists have been left baffled after racing to Buckingham Palace to visit its 'first ever' Christmas market - only to find out it doesn't exist. Pictured: The AI-generated image of the market

Other images depicted snowy chalets - with some of the 'markets' even appearing to take place behind the gates of the palace

'So guys, a few months ago, a guy basically posted a picture of this and they said there's going to be loads of markets outside Buckingham Palace.

'But he lied - the picture was AI-generated. Instead, this is what's actually there. It's just a shop.'

Kate Ovens added: 'If you've seen the Buckingham Palace Christmas market on your For You page, just to let you know it's not real! I am here, right now, on the day that it "opens".

'I'm going to show you exactly what it is because it's not a Christmas market, it's an AI-generated photo. And I kind of knew this before coming. That's Buckingham Palace, it doesn't look like the photos online.

'I had read some things online that this might not even be a real thing.'

London-based what's-on page, @loveandlondon, warned: 'If a London account you follow has posted this, you should unfollow them because it's a lie. When I first saw the photo, I thought it didn't make any sense, because there's a fence that surrounds this part of Buckingham Palace.

'Also, where are these lights being hung from, the heavens? If you see this being shared, I think you should call out that this is completely false.'

The social media account @London.travelers had shared the image with their 2.5 million followers, though this has since been deleted.

Shivani Khosla and Kate Ovens were left disappointed after visiting - only to find out it wasn't real

Another AI-generated image showed people strolling through the markets - apparently up to the front gates itself

Before it was taken down, the post read: 'Get ready for a royal Christmas experience. For the first time ever, Buckingham Palace is hosting a Christmas market from December 1st to 24th, bringing festive cheer to one of London's most iconic landmarks.

Another post promised it would be a 'festive wonderland with charming stalls, handcrafted gifts, and seasonal delights - making it a must-visit destination this Christmas'.

There is, however, a festive pop-up shop at the Royal Mews gift shop around the corner, which is open all year round.

Among the Christmas items on display are baubles, toy corgis and gift sets.

Londoner James BJ, 36, told the Metro: It was a complete waste of time. It was dark, cold and nothing was there.

'I asked a couple of people also milling around if they were there for the market, and they said said yes but no one knew what was going on.

There were around 30 of us, just walking back and forth until we gave up and went home.

Another disappointed visitor told the BBC: 'We've come for a Christmas market that's not here. I was going to enjoy a mulled wine, and now I've got chicken sandwiches.

Tourists were met with the usual plain facade of the palace - though there is a gift shop around the corner

The reality of the outside of Buckingham Palace was scaffolding and puddles

Another said: 'Everyone's falling for this AI-generated advertising. We see the funny side, we're going to go and find alternatives.'

The misinformation has become so widespread that the Royal Collection Trust has been forced to release a disclaimer on its website.

It reads: 'Please note that the Royal Mews Christmas Shop is a pop-up shop selling Royal Collection Trust festive products within the existing Royal Mews shop space, and is not a Christmas market. There will not be a Christmas market at Buckingham Palace.'

Earlier this week, a festive new mural was spotted by the riverside walk in Kingston.

The massive display, which appeared above the Cote Brasserie restaurant and several others, appeared to show a large merry crowd happily celebrating the holidays.

But again, the display appeared to have been hastily generated using artificial intelligence (AI), resulting in horribly disfigured people and animals.

Baffled Londoners have flocked to social media to ridicule the bizarre scene.

On Reddit, one Kingston resident likened the mural to witnessing 'scenes of Lovecraftian horror,' adding 'what in the AI is going on here and just HOW did this carnage get approved?'

Another viewer pointedly wrote: 'So they didn't even look at it once before printing it.'

In one section of the image, dogs with the heads of birds ran through a partially frozen body of water.

Another section showed a group of warped and disfigured humans paddling a raft using what appeared to be a dog's leg on a stick.

While one particularly haunting image depicted something resembling a snowman with human eyes and teeth wading through the water.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Royal Collection Trust for further comment.
Despite being one of Hollywood's most popular young stars, fans think Jacob Elordi could improve on one thing - his handwriting.

The 28-year-old actor appeared in a promotional video for The Academy, in which A-listers were asked to share some inspirational quotes or words of wisdom that they would then preserve in the archives.

The video, which featured a range of actors in addition to Elordi including Lili Reinhart, Jon M. Chu, Natalie Portman, Mark Hammel and Ryan Coogler, had snippets of the stars chatting to the host about famous sayings they love.

Elordi shared a quote from the Mike Mills film, C'mon, C'mon, which read: 'Be funny, when you can.'

'I just thought that was so beautiful,' Elordi told the segment's host, Reece Feldman.

While most people signed their name with a pen underneath their quote after explaining the significance of it, Elordi wrote his name in block letters, which had a slight wobble to it.

He completed the signature with an awkward looking smiley face at the end.

Although the clip was full of some of the most famous faces in the world sharing their wise words, fans could not get past the Euphoria star's scrawling sign off.

Despite being one of Hollywood's most popular young stars, fans think Jacob Elordi could improve on one thing - his handwriting

Elordi's autograph, which was written in block letters, had a slight wobble to it with an awkward smiley face at the end

'He really is just a mouse that made a wish to be human but accidentally ended up over 6ft tall????' one user laughed in response to the video.

'If this isn't proof that god doesn't give with both hands,' wrote someone else.

'Was Jacob holding the pen with his toes?' a third scathed.

Another person questioned: 'Why do boys have such horrific handwriting?'

'Handwriting looking like someone who holds a pencil like a child drawing with a crayon,' they criticized.

Others jumped to the Frankenstein actor's defense.

'Why are people making fan of Jacob Elordi's handwriting? Mine is worse I don't understand the fun of it,' a fan wrote.

'Sorry but Jacob Elordi has captivated me and I really thought I'd left this type of thing behind me in my teens but I guess not. He's so real for this handwriting,' agreed someone else.

Although the clip was full of some of the most famous faces in the world sharing their wise words, fans could not get past the Euphoria star's scrawling sign off

Elordi stars opposite Margot Robbie in the highly-anticipated Emerald Fennell adaptation of Wuthering Heights which will be released on Valentine's Day 2026

Elordi has an impressive slate of films coming up, including the much-anticipated rendition of Wuthering Heights, directed and written by Emerald Fennell.

The Australian-born actor will star opposite Margot Robbie in the film version of the Emily Bronte's classic novel as star-crossed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff.

The $81 million production, which was filmed in January, also features Hong Chau, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes and Ewan Mitchell, with original songs by Charli XCX.

Fennell's upcoming film is said to lean into the 'stylized depravity' she has become known for after directing the 2023 hit Saltburn.

Elordi has also received praise for his work in Frankenstein, where he played The Creature. He will also play the lead in the 2026 post-apocalyptic science fiction film, The Dog Stars, and will star opposite Lily-Rose Depp in Outer Dark.
A woman celebrating her academic success online has fired back after receiving cruel online jibes - and won over the internet in doing so.

It all started when Juliet Turner took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the successful defense of her PhD thesis at the prestigious Oxford University.

She proudly shared her graduation photos - dressed in full academic regalia and beaming with pride - alongside a tongue-in-cheek caption that read: 'You can call me doctor.'

The post quickly gathered hundreds of likes from friends and family celebrating her achievements.

But among the praise stood one sneering remark from an observer named Richard Cooper.

He wrote: 'Just look at the degree on that chick - said no man ever.'

The bizarre and disparaging response, which appeared to suggest that women earning academic qualifications was not commendable, infuriated many across the platform.

And, instead of shrinking away from the comment, Juliet issued a scathing comeback.

Juliet Turner took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the successful defense of her PhD thesis at the prestigious Oxford University - but was met with hateful comments

Instead of shrinking away from the comment, Juliet issued a scathing comeback

It read: 'I'm sure having my photo shared in this derogatory way would be devastating if my motivation for getting a PhD was to impress this guy and women-hating friends.'

She concluded: 'Thankfully, it was not.

'So I can just laugh about it instead.'

Sadly, many other insulting comments flooded in, ranging from 'you could've had four babies in that time' to 'no grandmother on her deathbed was ever asked So what was your thesis on?'

And the unsettling interactions ignited a deeper conversation on the platform.

One person pointed out that college has increasingly been labelled a 'scam' in recent years, insisting, 'It's not a coincidence that higher education has started losing its value in society's eyes now that women outperform men.'

Indeed, 47 percent of women aged 25 to 34 hold a bachelor's degree, while only 37 percent of men can say the same, according to Pew Research Center.

Dozens of other women rushed to Juliet's defense.

Dozens of other women rushed to Juliet's defense

Sadly, many other insulting comments flooded in, ranging from 'you could've had four babies in that time' to 'no grandmother on her deathbed was ever asked So what was your thesis on?'

Within hours of the initial interaction, women everywhere rallied their support by flooding timelines with their graduation photos, framed diplomas, courtroom snaps and office door plates

Within hours of the initial interaction, women everywhere rallied round to offer their support.

Timelines were flooded with their graduation photos, framed diplomas, courtroom snaps and office door plates under the hashtag #justlookathedegreeonthischick.

The man who had made the original snide comment has not shared any further posts on the matter.

Commentators praised the trend as a perfect display of community powered reclamation, as one branded it 'The best thing to happen on my Twitter feed.'
Crawling around my bedroom floor, I scanned the carpet for any traces of white powder. Desperate to get high, but unable to get hold of my dealer  to whom I already owed hundreds of pounds  Id resorted to humiliating measures.

It was a low moment among many during my six years of a cocaine addiction that gradually robbed me of my career, my looks and my self-respect. At my worst point, I even attempted taking my life.

I now barely recognise that 28-year-old woman. But then I was blinded to everything but where and when Id get my next hit.

Its hard to believe it was a single line of the drug taken for fun with a friend that saw me spiral. However, in my experience, thats how so many women get pulled into addictions clutches.

After nine months of Cocaine Anonymous meetings, Ive heard various stories from women  many of them mums, and ranging from their 20s to 50s  about how what began as social lubrication turned into a life-destroying addiction.

Dinner parties, mums coffee mornings, offices, bars  cocaine is everywhere that women gather. And, between 2023 and 2024, female deaths involving cocaine use rose by 28 per cent.

It was summer 2019 when I first took cocaine, aged 23. Although I enjoyed drinking when socialising, Id never touched drugs. I didnt know anyone who took them and, quite honestly, they scared me.

However, Id recently made a new friend and, while on a night out near my home in Manchester, she offered me a line in the toilets.

Bethany pictured during her addiction. 'I started to take cocaine alone: in my bedroom and my car. There was no pretending this was a "social" habit any more, yet I remained in denial,' she writes

My heart was thumping but she seemed so vibrant, outgoing and, crucially, presented cocaine as both cool and perfectly normal. I wanted to fit in with her glamorous social circle  who had all been using cocaine since their university days with no seeming ill-effects  and so, curious if scared, I said yes.

Its a decision I would come to bitterly regret.

I couldnt believe the immediate effect. I felt energised, happy and self-confident  in contrast to my naturally anxious, shy personality. I danced, I laughed, I felt like a version of myself Id never been before and, because I drank far less than usual, the next morning I didnt even have a hangover.

And so, I found myself becoming one of the UKs thousands of social Class A drug users. A line or two soon became as normal as a couple of cocktails.

I didnt even have to buy it myself, as my alluring new friendship circle were generous with their small bags of white powder.

When I used it  always with friends, never alone  cocaine brought a sense of peace and sureness Id never felt before. We all had jobs, nice homes, good lives. It never crossed my mind that someone like me could become an addict.

But in late 2020, more than a year after taking that first line, I began a relationship with a guy who also used cocaine  and he had access to a dealer. We started to take it together on nights in as well as out.

A mid-week pub quiz, a takeaway on a Friday night, even going to the cinema  if I was being sociable, I wanted to be high. As 2021 progressed, I was using more regularly  still always with others, though  and had started buying the drug myself. Looking back, I can see this was when things slid out of control.

My relationship soon ended, but I carried on using. The effects of my drug habit began to creep into more areas of my life  including time with family. Be it a Sunday meal or a birthday celebration, if I didnt use, Id feel lethargic and paranoid. Id always been close to my parents, but now I isolated myself from them.

And the comedowns were becoming horrific. My erratic moods raised my parents concern, but when they asked me if I was taking drugs Id react with lies and fury. I was an adult, entitled to my own private life  how dare they question me?

I started to take cocaine alone: in my bedroom and my car. There was no pretending this was a social habit any more, yet I remained in denial.

I was working freelance in social media management, but I was always either high or on a crushing come down. By 2023, I began to lose clients because I wouldnt turn up or the quality of my work wasnt good enough.

Work soon became impossible. With no income at all, I successfully applied for Universal Credit. I was spending 500 a month on cocaine, but letting my phone bill and car insurance go unpaid  and racking up hundreds of pounds of debt with my dealer. But even as everything else crumbled around me, getting cocaine was still the priority.

I didnt care that my relationship with my parents was in tatters, and the only friends I spent time with were fellow users. Id become totally selfish and looked haggard. My skin was grey, my eyes dull, my hair limp and oily, and I gained weight from eating rubbish food when I was on a come down.

By 2024, I couldnt even go to the cinema without disappearing to the loo several times to use, needing greater and more frequent quantities to feel the high I craved. Yet I still didnt recognise I was an addict.

'I was spending 500 a month on cocaine, but letting my phone bill and car insurance go unpaid,' writes Bethany

Bethany is now 29 and is in recovery from her addiction thanks to therapy and Cocaine Anonymous meetings

But I was deteriorating, and when a close friend died that December, I hit emotional rock bottom. Two months later, I attempted to take my own life and was later sectioned.

But in trying to end my life, I ended up saving it  I finally admitted to my shell-shocked family what had been going on for the past six years. Even though theyd strongly suspected Id been using drugs, they had no idea to what extent.

More importantly, I finally recognised I was an addict  and that I needed help.

At first, I felt enormous relief unburdening myself of my secret. Yet, still in full grip of addiction, I also experienced regret and panic that my cocaine use was now out in the open  making it harder for me to use again. I felt torn between wanting to break away from the drug and giving in to its call.

I was discharged from the hospital and began having therapy and attended Cocaine Anonymous meetings, too. I was stunned by the people I met there  professionals, parents, and many of them women. Just normal people like me whod been sucked into addiction.

Recovery is incredibly difficult. I have relapsed several times, most recently just last month. I have been honest with my therapist and family about it, and also shared it on social media, where I am open about my recovery in a bid to keep myself accountable.

Since sharing my recovery, Ive had hundreds of online messages from women currently or formerly addicted to cocaine. There are so many of us out there.

Now 29, Im slowly healing and want my story to give hope to other women. To the many who believe they can control their cocaine use, as I once did, believe me when I say its not worth it.

That line at a dinner party, a hit on a big night out... it may take years for it to spiral out of your control and for you to reach your rock bottom, but you will.

Cocaine destroys lives. Dont sacrifice your friends, family, job and finances for it.

As told to EIMEAR OHAGAN
Ten months after their arrests, Maxie Allen and his partner Rosalind Levine still struggle to pinpoint the most traumatic part of that day.

Was it the surreal moment TV producer Rosalind realised their family home was swarming with uniformed police officers who had roared onto their Hertfordshire street in two squad cars and a van?

Or was it watching their terrified three-year-old daughter Francesca, her tiny chest heaving in panic, sob as her parents were taken away separately, as though they were being detained for violent crimes? Police would call her grandmother to look after her, but neither Maxie nor Rosalind were permitted to comfort or even reassure her before leaving the house.

Both those things were pretty horrible, says Maxie, a 50-year-old radio producer. But equally grim  and Ill never forget it  was the clang of the cell door closing behind me. It was the first time Id ever been locked in a police cell and I just couldnt believe that this was happening to us.

Rosalind, 47, recalls her disorienting fear as she was marched through the custody suite. They made me remove my shoes to take an imprint [from the soles], she recalls. I later learned it was standard practice, but at the time, I remember being so discombobulated, I wondered whether I was being framed for something. When I asked why on earth it was necessary, the officer muttered something about checking whether Id bought them in a charity shop  which had nothing to do with anything. It felt like madness.

Indeed, just about the only thing that was clear was that common sense had long since left the building. Earlier, as the police had brandished handcuffs  though ultimately agreed not to use them  the couple had been informed they were being arrested on suspicion of malicious communications, harassment and causing a nuisance on school premises.

Their crime? Expressing criticism of their elder daughters primary school on a private WhatsApp group of parents. An offence of hurty feelings, as Rosalind dryly puts it now, still incredulous.

Maxie Allen and his partner Rosalind Levine were held in custody for 11 hours after their unlawful arrest

After being held in custody for 11 hours the couple were released on bail. But it would take another five agonising weeks before Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed there was no case to answer.

Now, ten months later, after announcing their intention to sue for wrongful arrest, the couple have finally secured official admission from the police that they should never have been arrested at all. The police will pay them 20,000 in damages  10,000 each  plus a full reimbursement of their legal costs.

It was quite an emotional moment when the email from our lawyer came through, Maxie reflects. It was vindication and exoneration, finally. Not just for us, but for our girls, for our parents, and for everyone who saw what happened.

This whole situation has dominated our lives for 18 months. Its been overwhelming. I do try to keep it in proportion  other people have suffered far worse at the hands of the police. We werent imprisoned long term, or harmed physically. But it was shocking, surreal and leaves a mark.

For Rosalind, the overriding feeling has been relief. Because even when youre not charged, people look at you differently if youve been arrested.

They wonder, Well, something must have happened, were not getting the full story here.

You sense it in their eyes and sometimes they even say it out loud. To have the police finally admit our arrest was wrongful that helps us start to rebuild our reputation.

Despite their resilience, its clear the couple are still deeply shaken. The roots of the saga date back to July 2024, when Cowley Hill Primary in Borehamwood  the school attended by their elder daughter Sascha, now ten announced its headteacher was retiring. A perfectly ordinary occurrence of course  that is until Maxie and Rosalind began to suspect that due process wasnt being adhered to in the search for a replacement.

Six uniformed officers came to the family's home to arrest Maxie and Rosalind on suspicion of malicious communications, harassment and causing a nuisance on school premises

Concerned, and knowing that the process of recruitment in a state school was a matter of legitimate enquiry, Maxie sent an email to all the school governors asking questions about it.

He also sent a copy to 15 parents in a private WhatsApp school group normally used for messages about school bake sales and PE kit. The school reacted swiftly, sending a round-robin letter requesting parents refrain from negative discussion about the school online, even in closed groups, and threatening action if they did.

That felt like a huge overstep, says Rosalind, recalling how, with rather eerie prescience, she subsequently wrote a sardonic message in the same WhatsApp thread. Imagine the action  Hello 999, one of the school mums said something mean in the WhatsApp group please send back-up.

Their messages about the school on the WhatsApp thread, Maxie maintains, were wry, occasionally frustrated, but never abusive.

There were disparaging comments about a senior leader at the school being a control freak, for example, who manipulates people into thinking theyre her buddy. Another said: I dont believe she writes any letter she puts her name to. Rude perhaps, but hardly dripping poison.

We also werent the only ones who felt that due process wasnt being followed in the recruitment process, says Rosalind.

Yet the school escalated matters quickly. A warning letter from the chair of governors accused the couple of inflammatory comments and threatened to ban them from the premises.

And when Maxie and Rosalind wrote back to challenge the tone and substance of that letter, the ban was implemented.

In one fell swoop, the couple were barred from all school-run events: no school gates, no parents evenings, no school assemblies or even waving their daughter off on a five-day school residential trip.

That was devastating, especially for Sascha, says Rosalind, visibly emotional. She was nine at the time and it didnt make any sense to her.

Sascha has epilepsy and is on the SEND register, yet the couple were told that henceforth all communication with the school must take place via email, even on matters related to her support needs.

But it didnt stop there. In December, a police officer visited their home, informing the couple they needed to stop asking about the recruitment process and limit communication with the school to one email per month.

Astonishingly, he also suggested they take Sascha out of the school. Which, the last time I looked, wasnt exactly police business, says Maxie.

After 11 hours in a cell, they were bailed and sent home at 1am to find their children fast asleep, clutching each others hands. Its an image I cant shake, says Maxie

The school has said it sought police advice due to a high volume of public comments and emails, although Maxie and Rosalind point out that email was the only channel the school had left them and by then they were doing their best to navigate a formal complaints process.

Either way, by January, it was clear reconciliation was impossible and, reluctantly, the couple made the difficult decision to withdraw Sascha from the school and enrol her at another local primary. She cried the night before her last day, Maxie remembers.

She loved her friends. But we had to protect her and ourselves. And we thought it would at least draw a line under everything that had happened.

On that latter point he was utterly wrong: just five days later  and three days into Saschas first week at her new school  the police arrived at their door.

Rosalind opened it, stomach dropping at the sight of six uniformed officers. I genuinely thought something catastrophic had happened to Sascha. Then I was being told I was under arrest  in front of my younger child, she says. The shock was immense. My heart was beating so fast I thought I was going to collapse.

Her husband, meanwhile, saw the police officers arrive in the backdrop of his work Zoom call.

With their devices seized, it was left to a police officer to phone Rosalinds bewildered 80-year-old mother Jeri, who lives locally, to ask her to come and look after Francesca and instruct a neighbour to pick up Sascha from school. Thats the thing I cant let go of, says Rosalind. She was in her third day at a new school, looking for me at pick-up but I was locked in a police cell.

This, Maxie adds quietly, is why we felt so strongly about seeking accountability. Because it wasnt just disruptive  it was traumatic. For us, for our daughters, for family. And leaving aside the absurdity of the arrest in the first place, none of that trauma would have been necessary had the force seen fit to arrange an interview with us rather than swoop in in the way they did as if we were hardened criminals.

Shortly after news of their arrest was made public, Hertfordshire Police Chief Constable Andy Prophet said the arrest could have been handled more discreetly, but explained that the inspector had authorised it because he believed the couple might not consent to a voluntary interview. We were never asked, Rosalind notes, with a wry smile.

Taken in separate vehicles to a custody suite in Stevenage, the couple were fingerprinted, photographed, DNA swabbed and placed alone in bare cells.

Rosalind vividly remembers crying to the duty solicitor, repeating, I dont know why Im here  a sentiment that seemed to be shared by the police station representative appointed to advise her during her subsequent interview. He asked the detective why we werent just invited in for an interview, Rosalind recalls. The detective shrugged and said, It was just handed to me. Even he seemed confused.

After 11 hours, they were bailed and sent home at 1am to find their children fast asleep, clutching each others hands. Its an image I cant shake, says Maxie.

Five long weeks passed  weeks of fretting about their familys future and the extent to which this shadow would follow them professionally and personally before a detective phoned to tell them the investigation was closed, with no evidence found.

I could have told him that on day one, says Rosalind. A formal letter arrived the next day, confirming no further action. After going public with their story  which made headlines worldwide  they received contact from senior police officers offering a meeting. They were polite and professional, Maxie acknowledges. But you couldnt shake the feeling that it was more about smoothing things over than addressing the root issue.

Officially, the couple had been arrested for malicious communication and harassment. But when we asked whether officers had actually read the WhatsApp or emails, I got the distinct impression they hadnt. Indeed the officer replied rather sheepishly to the enquiry, Maxie recalls.

Unsatisfied, the couple sought legal advice, issuing a letter before claim to Hertfordshire Police seeking full admission of liability and damages.

Finally, last week, came that email from their solicitor granting both. The couple were also told their legal costs  covered by the Free Speech Union  would be reimbursed.

In their message they still say they had reasonable suspicion because of the schools report, Maxie says. But they concede they had no necessity to arrest.

What the couple have not received is an apology. It wouldve meant something, says Rosalind. But maybe thats not in their vocabulary.

Their legal action, she adds, was never about money. Of course, that helps but it doesnt erase those memories. Its not the worst thing Ive been through but its pretty up there and it was needless. It also hurt our girls. No cheque makes that disappear.

Their story may be part of a wider shift. Just last month, the Met announced it would no longer respond to non-crime hate incidents after a public outcry following the arrest of writer Graham Linehan by armed officers at Heathrow Airport, in relation to three posts about trans issues. His case was later dropped.

The Met is a different force, obviously, and we were arrested for an actual crime, but emotionally, it is the same story, says Maxie. The use of the police to intervene over hurt feelings or close down criticism is dangerous. I hope our case makes authorities think twice about how they behave because, for us, this wasnt a dispute between two private individuals, it was between a public authority and parents. And it felt like here was a public authority trying to use the police as a tool to close down legitimate scrutiny.

Earlier this year, Cowley Hill told the Daily Mail: We took police advice due to high volumes of correspondence and public posts from two parents that were upsetting for staff and governors. We are always happy for parents to raise concerns but ask that they do so appropriately and in line with policy.

Back at the family home in Borehamwood, Rosalind admits that what unfolded has shaken her faith in our public institutions  and particularly the police.

Im afraid I cant see them the same way now, she says. But I dont want that for our girls. I want Francesca and Sascha to believe someone in uniform will help them if they need it.

But I also hope theyll never have to go through what we did.
A news anchor has shared the hilarious feedback she received from her parents after debuting a high-fashion look on air.

Faith Woodard, an evening news anchor for THV11 in Little Rock, Arkansas, wore a sleek black bodysuit and red high-waisted pants with an elegant black poncho over the top while she was on air last week.

While many viewers loved her eye-catching outfit, the media professional said her parents were not as supportive of her bold look, declaring that it seemed more cartoon than couture.

Woodard shared their feedback in a Facebook post along with a snap of the chic ensemble.

'I thought I had on a very cute outfit yesterday. I got sooooo many good compliments,' the anchor began the post.

'I get on the phone with my parents and my dad says "I see you had on your Batman outfit today,"' she wrote in the post.

In response, her mom chimed in with, 'No that's Darth Vader.'

'They absolutely cooked me with the jokes,' Woodard laughed, assuring fans she enjoyed the gentle teasing.

Faith Woodard, an evening news anchor for THV11, wore red pants and a black cape on air last week only to be roasted by her parents who thought she looked like a superhero

The anchor added that 'no one is a harsher critic than family.'

Fans loved the playful exchange, sharing their own experiences in the comments section of the post.

'Family humor is the best. This is why we have tough skin in the real world. Your family gonna let you know,' said one user.

'If your parents don't cook you when you think you're fly are they really your parents?!' said another. 'I know they couldn't wait for you to get off air.'

Another viewer added: 'Parents are very honest to their babies, when others are not.'

According to childhood development experts, playful teasing is harmful in most circumstances as it has the potential to impact children's self-confidence.

But psychiatrist Gabriel Kaplan and professor of communication studies Carol Bishop Mills told Reader's Digest there are some areas that you shouldn't tease children about.

Woodard shared their feedback with viewers in a Facebook post, which attracted thousands of replies

In a comment in a post shared to Facebook, the anchor added that 'no one is a harsher critic than family'

Woodard has shown off her fashionable wardrobe to her social media page in the past

He listed sports, academics, being shy, weight, fashion choices, physical traits and material objects as topics never to mock kids over.

Dr Kaplan explained that when children are made fun of by their parents by particularly sensitive topics, it makes them feel attacked or insulted.

'Parents have to remember that teasing always has to have an element of humor  if it's not funny, it's not a tease,' Dr Mills added.

Dr Kaplan urged parents to remember that while it can feel like kids are the extension then, it's important to remember that they're their own people.
President Donald Trump tore into Jimmy Kimmel over the late-night host's pointed barbs about the release of the Epstein files, calling him a 'bum' and asking why he remains on the air.

Kimmel has directed an array of barbs at Trump in recent days, often about Jeffrey Epstein.

During Kimmel's Wednesday night monologue, the ABC host said that Trump should prepare for the worst ahead of the release of all of the Justice Department's documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

'We are carefully following the path of Hurricane Epstein right now. It is a category 5, it's expected to make landfall sometime very soon,' Kimmel joked.

'We are now one step closer to answering the question, "What did the president know?" And, "how old were these women when he knew it?"'

Earlier in the night, Trump signed legislation authorizing the Department of Justice to release the full files within 30 days.

'Usually when Trump gets a bill, he declares bankruptcy and doesn't pay it,' Kimmel joked on Wednesday.

A little over an hour after the monologue, Trump took to Truth Social to blast the late-night host.

President Donald Trump tore into Jimmy Kimmel over the late-night host's flurry of jokes about the release of the Epstein files this week

Trump slammed the ABC host as a 'bum' in a Truth Social post he shared shortly after Kimmel ripped him on air

'Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air? Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it? Also, totally biased coverage. Get the bum off the air!!!' Trump wrote.

Kimmel has faced threats of suspension from the administration before, including Disney pulling his show for several days in September after the host directed controversial comments at MAGA in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination.

Before the suspension was announced, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to revoke ABC's broadcast license if Kimmel was not held accountable.

In the weeks since Kimmel's return to the air, he has continued to target Trump.

On Tuesday, Kimmel took at aim at the president for yelling 'Quiet, piggy' at a female reporter aboard Air Force One.

'He said "Quiet, piggy" to a reporter and it barely made the news. If a man spoke like that to a female co-worker in a workplace harassment training video, youd go, "Ah, thats over the top. Nobody would do that,"' the host said.

'That was Friday,' he added. 'Today, Trump did what most people would do when faced with a scandal that could potentially end his presidency. He welcomed an evil prince to the White House.'

Kimmel had been referring to the visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Kimmel said that Trump should prepare for the worst ahead of the release of all of the Justice Department's documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

On Tuesday, Kimmel took at aim at the president for yelling 'Quiet, piggy' at a female reporter aboard Air Force One

'This is a guy who gave a green light to the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, who'd been critical of bin Salmans regime,' Kimmel continued.

'He was dismembered with a bone saw at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. So naturally, Trump is pulling out all the stops for his trillionaire friend, who also happens to be doing business with Don Jr. and Eric.'

Earlier in the day, Trump snapped at ABC News White House Correspondent Mary Bruce after being asked about Khashoggis murder.

Kimmel showed the clip of the exchange and added: 'Thats right. How dare you embarrass a man who had a columnist sawed into pieces.'

He also joked that the president 'loses his mind' every time he is asked about the Epstein case.

'If anyone thinks he's going to release all the Epstein files I've got a beautiful East Wing of the White House to sell you,' Kimmel said.
A Canadian woodworker has accused the country's largest broadcaster of calling off a planned interview with him when he refused to feed a narrative critical of President Donald Trump.

James Steidle explained the bizarre experience in a piece for the British Columbia-based Prince George Citizen News on Friday titled, 'How my proposed CBC interview fizzled out over facts.'

In it, Steidle detailed how he participated in a 'little pre-interview chat' with a producer from the taxpayer-funded Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on October 14.

The unnamed producer was looking for commentary on Trump's latest tariffs on Canadian wood products, he said.

Being the owner of a small woodworking business that at one point sold products to the US, Steidle said he was happy to oblige.

However, it soon became clear the producer was not interested in the story Steidle had to tell, he claimed.

He said that the unidentified producer lost interest after he heard the woodworker's plans to condemn the heaps of cheap offshore wood products flooding the country from places like China and sellers like Amazon, rather than Trump's tariffs.

Steidle also said he pointed out to the producer how former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself imposed tariffs on upholstered furniture from Vietnam and China back in 2021, something the producer 'didnt seem eager to explore.'

British Columbia-based woodworker James Steidle accused the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) of cancelling an interview with him due to his views on the industry

Trump in September added a 10 percent tariff on lumber coming from Canada on top of an existing 35 percent duty. Steidle says he told a producer about how he saw the heaps of cheap offshore wood products coming into Canada as more of a threat to his business than the tariffs

'I hear your argument. But that's for another show,' Steidle said the producer told while becoming audibly unenthused.

He also said the producer found an 'out' when Steidle revealed he no longer exports to the US.

'After confirming I no longer sold anything to the US, he had his way out,' Steidle wrote, adding that the unnamed producer then 'hung up to presumably find someone else to say what he wanted them to say.'

Steidle said the network instead chose to interview a lobbyist for the forest industry that he claimed wiped out tens of thousands of Canadian jobs well before any tariffs were introduced.

The woodworker said the CBC's approach 'was not journalism' and instead 'taxpayer-funded propaganda.'

He asked why the broadcaster would 'not share both sides of the tariff story,' before suggesting it was because 'it would validate some of Donald Trump's ideas.'

He urged the CBC to 'try doing some journalism' to conclude his piece.

The CBC did not provide a statement when contacted by the Daily Mail.

Pictured, the exterior of CBC Vancouver in British Columbia

In his piece, Steidle urged the CBC to 'try doing some journalism'

Canadian producers are in the process of diverting roughly 10 percent of the lumber normally sent south of the border to new buyers, after Trump in September added a 10 percent tariff on lumber on top of an existing 35 percent duty.

Ravi Parmar, the forestry minister of British Columbia leading the export effort, has said he believes the US will soon revert back to its old lumber arrangement due to supply gaps.

The aim is to send to alternative markets across the globe enough lumber to build at least 75,000 average-size American homes.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins accused White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt of lying at Thursday's press briefing over her characterization of a video message from Democratic lawmakers to military and other service members.

Collins, 33, the network's chief White House correspondent, took issue with Leavitt's description of the video, which features six Democratic lawmakers telling members of the military and intelligence community: 'You can refuse illegal orders.'

Leavitt, 28, told reporters several times that the lawmakers - all veterans - were urging the military to refuse 'lawful orders.'

After an exchange with reporters in which CBS Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes argued otherwise, Leavitt called an end to the briefing only to be met with complaints from the press.

'Karoline, you misquoted Democrats in that video,' Collins said as Leavitt walked off.

'That's actually not what they said.'

The video features Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH). Each are veterans of the military or intelligence community.

The lawmakers did not specify which 'illegal orders' they were urging troops to disobey, but it comes as Trump faces criticism for deadly strikes on 'narco terrorist' boats that the administration claims are bringing drugs to the US.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters several times at a press briefing Thursday that were urging the military to refuse 'lawful orders'

'You must refuse illegal orders,' the lawmakers said in the video.

'No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.'

In response, Trump took to Truth Social and called for the politicians' executions.

'Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL,' he wrote in one post.

'Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.'

In a follow-up post, he wrote: 'SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!'
Neil Davy is chief executive of Family Business UK

Twelve months ago, the Government's first Budget since returning to office did two things: it raised taxes by over 40billion and penalised Britain's family businesses by changing the rules on inheritance tax.

This change, dubbed The Family Firm Tax, burdens privately held family businesses with a 20 per cent tax just at the point when the owner dies.

Family Business UK chief Neil Davy is urging Rachel Reeves to change tack

Only British family businesses will have to pay this. FTSE companies, Private Equity and foreign-owned firms escape this punitive tax.

Singling out family firms is not only unfair, it puts them at an enormous disadvantage.

You do not have to look far to find evidence of what the Budget choices of the Government have achieved. Businesses have lost confidence.

They are sitting on their hands.

Growth is weak and the jobs market is the worst we have seen for years.

Findings from our research, Taxing Futures, which you can read about today, shows the Family Firm Tax could see more than 200,000 jobs lost and reduce economic activity by 15billion.

Far from raising tax it is predicted to cost the Treasury 1.9billion over the course of this Parliament.

For a government elected on a promise of delivering growth you have to wonder why it has chosen to pursue a policy that actively undermines that ambition and the businesses that will deliver it?

But there is still time to change tack.

Family businesses are the rock on which our country and economy thrives. There are five million of them, and they have been building Britain for generations.

There are five million family businesses in Britain employing 15million people

Many will be familiar high-street names. Others are less well-known. They are the brands that fill our shopping baskets, they build our roads and homes, run our airports, buy and sell our cars, look after us on our holidays, brew our beer and serve it with a smile.

Britain's family businesses are here for the long-term, committed to this country and the 15million people they employ.

For decades they have been supported by a policy called Business Property Relief (BPR).

It allows the assets of the business, things like buildings, equipment, machinery and stock, the things all businesses need to operate, to remain outside inheritance tax for a family shareholder's estate.

Successive governments for 50 years have understood its importance to family firms, giving them confidence to invest and create jobs.

They have understood that treating private business assets as personal wealth, and taxing them aggressively, puts businesses and livelihoods at risk.

Inheritance in a family business is not some gilt-edged privilege enjoyed by those who just happen to be born lucky and neither is BPR a policy loophole being exploited by these individuals.

It is a policy that gives family business confidence to commit to long-term investment, growth and employment.

Over the last 18 months we have repeatedly called on the Government to pause this policy change, to listen to the realities facing family firms up and down the country and understand why BPR is so critical to their long-term success and the country's economic prosperity.

We have repeatedly called on government to engage in a meaningful consultation. So far, it has ruled that out.

By doing so, it is pursuing a policy that harms jobs, weakens growth and, as our research shows, will leave the country worse off.

Taking time to pause and reconsider the Family Firm Tax is the right thing to do. It would demonstrate that the Government is prepared to listen and back British family businesses. Next week's Budget would be an ideal time to do it.
Having experienced the delights associated with using a smart toilet while on holiday in Japan in 2017, my wife and I promised that we would treat ourselves to one when next we revamped our bathroom.

That time eventually arrived and so, in January 2025, we bought the 'Purificare wall-hung smart bidet Japanese toilet with heated seat' from Better Bathrooms online.

We paid 887.45 including delivery, and it came with a two-year warranty.

However, the seat on the toilet is now starting to chip and crack in several places. This began in September when the toilet was only about eight months old, still well within the two-year guarantee.

I raised this with Better Bathrooms, but it told us we must have 'misused' the toilet.

We certainly have not, and are keen that the guarantee is honoured and we are given a replacement toilet or a refund. Can you help? D.B, Aberdeen

High tech: Japanese toilets come with a keypad offering a plethora of different functions

Helen Crane of This is Money replies: If they haven't encountered one, readers may be wondering what is so special about a Japanese toilet.

They have attracted a cult following around the world because of their smart features which can include, but are not limited to, heated seats that open automatically, in-built bidets and dryers, air deodorisers, lights and music. Some are even self-cleaning.

They come with a keypad to change the settings to the users' exact requirements, and are a fascination of many a Western tourist - so I can see why you were keen to bring this comfort to your own home.

After weeks of research, you found the perfect model and ordered it via the bathroom supply website, Better Bathrooms.

But there was a fault with the first toilet that turned up. After just a few days, you noticed the seat had a small nick in the plastic.

You raised this with Better Bathrooms and, after an initial refusal, you told me it did eventually send a replacement seat.

Issue: The toilet developed cracks after just a few months, but Better Bathrooms said the customer had 'misused' the toilet

Just months later, though, the seat started cracking again - this time in three different places, around the hinge and the base of the cistern and the inside of the bowl.

You raised this with Better Bathrooms again, feeling secure that you had a two-year guarantee.

Guarantees can be offered by retailer or manufacturers, and add an extra level of protection over and above a customer's legal rights.

They are especially useful if something goes wrong with a product you've owned for more than six months, according to Citizens Advice, as this is when your legal right to a refund or replacement if the product if faulty stops.

But you'll need to check the small print as there may be restrictions on what you can claim, and in what period of time. It might not entitle you to a refund, but only a repair or replacement, for example. You may also need to pay for deliver for example.

CRANE ON THE CASE Our weekly column sees This is Money consumer expert Helen Crane tackle reader problems and shine the light on companies doing both good and bad. Want her to investigate a problem, or do you want to praise a firm for going that extra mile? Get in touch: helen.crane@thisismoney.co.uk

When claiming on a guarantee, the retailer or manufacturer will also want to check you haven't willfully caused the damage through your own actions.

You thought yours was a clear example of a manufacturing fault, but to your shock, Better Bathrooms said you had invalidated your two-year guarantee because you and your wife had 'misused' the toilet.

When you enquired as to what this meant, the company accused you of forcing the seat down when it has a soft-close mechanism.

You insisted you wouldn't do this. Having spent money on a fancy toilet, why wouldn't you make use of this premium function?

You told me: 'From our point of view, the most disappointing thing about this whole palaver is that someone actually believes that we have willfully damaged something which we wanted for so long. We're a pair of pensioners, not vandals.'

I agree that the firm's stance wasn't fair. Your previous seat also started cracking within just days, suggesting this product doesn't stand up to basic wear and tear.

I decided to contact Better Bathrooms, which is owned by the parent company Buy it Direct Group, to try and resolve this toilet trial.

A few days later, you told me the company had called and agreed to replace the smart seat free of charge as a gesture of goodwill.

You said: 'It remains steadfast in its belief that the damage was caused by our misuse, but whilst this doesn't sit well with us (pardon the pun!) we accept that we have to agree to disagree on this point.'

Better Bathrooms did not provide a comment to me, but I am glad the matter is sorted.
The boss of Britain's biggest building society has urged the Chancellor to keep a 'full range' of savings products available amid speculation over changes to individual savings account (Isa) rules.

Nationwide chief executive Debbie Crosbie made the comments as she was asked about reports that Rachel Reeves could reduce the annual limit on cash Isa deposits from 20,000 to 10,000 in the Budget.

The idea is that more savers' money could instead be put to work investing in UK shares to support the economy  and delivering greater returns than cash.

But a number of building societies have raised concerns about the proposals, since they rely on cash savings to fund mortgage lending.

Opponents of the change also argue that many savers prefer the safety of cash to putting their money into more risky investments.

Crosbie, speaking as Nationwide published half-year results, would not be drawn directly on her views on the idea of cutting the cash limit.

But she said: 'We think savings are very important. In particular, having the right set of products available to customers is important.

Debbie Crosbie said she had 'never seen the level of speculation' about the Budget

'We just hope that the full range of products remains available  I'm sure it will but we'll wait and see what the outcome of the Budget delivers.

'Savings is really important  cash savings and actually investment. Having the right decisions made for individuals is what's important. There's a range of options available so as long as that remains the case we'll be supportive.'

Commenting more widely on the Budget, she said she had 'never seen the level of speculation' about what would be in it.

Asked what she wanted the Chancellor to do next week, she said: 'We want the UK economy to grow, we want productivity to increase, and we want people to feel like they've got an optimistic future.'

Crosbie would not be drawn on reports on higher taxes for banks, saying: 'We're not sure what's going to happen we plan for all scenarios and we're ready to respond accordingly. We'll be ready to support our customers whatever happens.'

Other lenders have warned that higher bank taxes could damage growth by leaving them with less capital to support borrowers and boost the wider economy.

Crosbie gave a positive response when asked about reports that stamp duty could be abolished, saying she was in favour of 'anything that supports growth in the UK mortgage market'.

It came as Nationwide reported a 14 per cent fall in profits for the six months to the end of September to 486million.

That was after taking into account 400million in 'fairer share' payments to millions of eligible customers  who, as members of the building society, are given a share of its profits.

On an underlying basis, profits grew 2 per cent to 977million.

Net mortgage lending fell to 4.7billion compared to 6.3billion in the same period last year.

That was blamed on the end of a stamp duty holiday in the spring of this year that resulted in borrowers bringing forward house purchase completions to March resulting in a drop-off later.

The results come as Nationwide continues to integrate the operations of smaller rival Virgin Money, which it took over last year for 2.9billion.
Freeholders are continuing their battle to halt leasehold reform, having decided to appeal a key High Court decision against them.

In July, the High Court dismissed a significant legal challenge brought by major freeholders against the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which could make it cheaper for Britain's 5.2million leaseholders to extend their leases or purchase the freeholds of their buildings.

The six freehold-owning companies, including those controlled by the Duke of Westminster and Earl of Cadogan who own swathes of land in central London, stand to lose substantially from the reforms and argued in court that they would have infringed upon their human rights.

The case failed, but the Commons Housing Committee has now confirmed that the freeholders plan to appeal.

More delays expected: It has now been 18 months since the Leasehold Reform Act was passed in May 2024, but there has been limited progress

What does this mean for leaseholders?

It has been 18 months since the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act was passed in the last hours of the Conservative government. However, most measures within it have not yet been implemented.

In a ministerial statement last November, a Labour Government promised steps to 'switch on' the Act, including consulting on the new rates and percentages which will be used to calculate the cost of lease extensions.

These promises have not materialised, because the Government was waiting for the outcome of the High Court decision before progressing.

Linz Darlington of lease extension specialists Homehold called on the Labour Government to implement the full provisions of the Act without further delay.

'The sense of relief that the High Court ruled in favour of common sense is now being drowned out by a fresh wave of exasperation,' he said.

'Every single day of delay is a day that many can't sell their properties, the value of their homes diminishes and the cost of extending a lease or buying their freehold increases.'

What is the freeholders' argument?

The group of freeholders involved in the appeal disagree with the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act in its current form.

They say it is unfair because it would harm their financial interests and could lead companies who make their money through owning freehold properties to collapse.

The Residential Freehold Association argues the legislation is 'flawed' and is a 'worrying signal' that investments and property interests can be 'arbitrarily expropriated' by the state without compensation.

A spokesperson from the RFA said: 'The reforms also pose an immediate risk to the solvency of professional freeholders, which would collapse if these investments are undermined, leaving thousands of leaseholders in limbo and halting ongoing building safety remediation projects.

'The Government must, as a matter of urgency, set out how these provisions will retain fair value for those who have committed their savings in this market.

'This should be resolved alongside more careful consideration of proposals for future reforms to prevent further damage to investors and get the Government back on track to delivering meaningful reform for leaseholders.'

In limbo: The appeal process could take a further three years to be resolved, and leaseholders will continue paying for lease extensions at the current rates in the meantime

What happens next?

The appeal process is long, with estimates suggesting the Court of Appeal stage alone could take 18 months, followed by a further 18 months if the freeholders take their case to the Supreme Court.

The final threat is the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, a final delaying tactic should the freeholders lose at the UK's highest level.

'The appeals will likely go on for years and take us all the way to Strasbourg,' says Harry Scoffin, campaigner and founder of the campaign group Free Leaseholders.

'We suspect the freeholder lobby are hoping that they can delay this agenda to the next general election and that a more favourable government will be installed.

'This news is devastating for the 5.3 million leasehold households in England and Wales.'

Linz Darlington believes the appeal is unlikely to be successful.

However, he says that even an expensive appeal could represent a 'win for the freeholders' because leaseholders will continue paying for lease extensions and buying freeholds at the current rates in the meantime.

'The Labour Government must find the gumption to accept the High Court's clear ruling and crack on with implementing the Act,' Darlington says.

'We are demanding they stop waiting for the outcome of appeal after appeal and immediately launch the valuation consultation and lay the necessary secondary legislation.

'Delaying implementation only serves the freeholders, not the people this Act was designed to protect.'

Why this matters to everyone

Leasehold represents a significant tranche of homes in Britain - many of which are flats. These flats were once considered a good way for people to get on to the property ladder.

However, over recent years, they have become seen as risky thanks in part to the post-Grenfell Tower cladding scandal, escalating ground rents and rising service charges.

This has left owners across the country trapped in leasehold homes that have fallen in value and are difficult to sell.

It means they are not able to move up the ladder, which has knock-on effects for the rest of the housing market.

'This is not just a story about leaseholders,' says Scoffin. 'The leasehold logjam affects the entire property market.

'According to Hamptons, 400,000 fewer flat owners put their homes on the market last year for fear of crystallising losses.

'Would-be second-steppers are stuck, while leasehold has also become toxic as the first rung of the ladder for aspiring homeowners.'
'Come and get me,' Illinois Governor JB Pritzker taunted Donald Trump last month.

And it now appears Trump's Justice Department is doing just as he asked  launching a new criminal investigation that threatens to embroil the billionaire governor, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal.

Pritzker is a potential 2028 presidential contender. He is worth an estimated $3.9 billion, according to Forbes, with much of his wealth coming from his inherited stake in the Hyatt Hotels fortune.

The case revolves around Pritzker's alleged links to his wife's friend, Jenny Thornley, who volunteered on his first gubernatorial campaign in 2018 and was convicted of forgery in 2023.

'We are investigating this,' a top official at the DOJ told the Daily Mail.

'People have been so brazen for so long because they thought no one would ever look at them and they were above the law.'

Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ has been accused of targeting Trump's political enemies including New York attorney general Letitia James, former FBI head James Comey, former National Security Advisor John Bolton and others.

The new criminal investigation linked to Pritzker is likely to lead to further Democrat claims of politically motivated action by the DOJ.

But court filings and internal reports obtained by the Daily Mail reveal a series of surprising links between the felonious forger Thornley and the Illinois governor.

Jenny Thornley was close with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and his wife and worked for the Illinois State Police Merit Board when she claimed she worked for the Governor's Office in her workers' comp filing

Pritzker and his wife could become the country's First Couple if his dreams of reaching the White House are met in 2028

Thornley, 45, worked for the Illinois State Police Merit Board, a government agency that rules on police promotions and discipline.

According to Illinois prosecutors, she faked overtime hours at her job between 2014 and 2019, boosting her pay by $67,071.14, and forged her boss' signature to get the hours approved. She was later convicted of forgery.

After Thornley found out she was being investigated for the forgery, she accused her boss, Jack Garcia, of groping her breast, and filed a workers compensation claim for 'psychological injury' over the supposed incident in 2020, according to a court filing in a civil lawsuit by a colleague from the Merit Board.

The Board hired law firm McGuire Woods to investigate the groping allegation. The firm found no evidence of it  instead discovering computer records showing Thornley was browsing Amazon.com in a different office during the time she claimed Garcia groped her.

Pritzker first became linked to the case when Thornley filed her workers compensation claim through the governor's office, instead of her employer the Merit Board.

On the form, she claimed that she worked in the governor's office, that Pritzker was her direct supervisor, and provided two personal phone numbers for him on the form as a reference.

And alleged text messages uncovered by an internal probe tie her to Pritzker's wife, Mary Kathryn ('MK').

Thornley allegedly texted MK in February 2020 saying, 'I need JB to know what's going on' and 'I appreciate your friendship', McGuire Woods' report on their internal investigation said.

MK Pritzker and Thornley were described as 'personal friends' in the lawsuit brought by Police Merit Board executive director Emily Fox

The McGuire Woods report says Pritzkers chief counsel Ann Spillane asked him about his conversations with Thornley, indicating he knew about the case well before it went public

Governor Pritzker's spokesperson told the Daily Mail that regarding Thornley's case, the 'one consistent goal' of his office was 'to ensure that all the allegations were thoroughly investigated.'

But federal law enforcement is now taking another look at the facts, a top DOJ official told the Daily Mail.

Since Thornley's compensation forms were likely sent by mail, it is possible any false claims in them could be investigated for the federal crime of mail fraud  though that offense has a five-year statute of limitations, which may have run out.

And a federal probe could lead to subpoenas of the Pritzkers' communications from the time, revealing exactly what their involvement and knowledge really was, if any.

Thornley's workers compensation claim was based on the groping claim that McGuire Woods found to be baseless.

But a memo from Illinois Central Management Services to the state attorney general's office said Thornley's compensation claim cost taxpayers $63,500 in benefits and a further $95,200 in legal, medical and investigative costs.

The details of the case were only revealed in court filings in 2021 when her Merit Board colleague Emily Fox filed a whistleblower civil lawsuit against Thornley over it, on behalf of the people of Illinois.

Pritzker is estimated to be worth some $3billion as the heir to the Hyatt fortune. The hotel group was bought by members of his family in 1957

Then-Police Merit Board executive director Jack Garcia was accused of groping Thornley's breast. But an investigation found no evidence and showed Thornley was in another office browsing Amazon.com at the time of the alleged attack

In her workers comp filing, Thornley claimed Pritzker was her supervisor and that she worked in the Governors Office - assertions Fox said were false

Fox's legal filings claimed the Pritzkers were involved in Thornley's alleged scheme.

But before the case could go to discovery and a civil trial, the state attorney general's office used an Illinois law to take control of it and force its dismissal on procedural grounds. The merits of the claim were not addressed.

Thornley was eventually prosecuted for forging her boss's signature on her overtime forms.

But case files reveal she cut a lenient plea deal with the Illinois attorney general's office, allowing her to repay just $10,000 in restitution, despite falsely claiming more than $67,000 in overtime according to Illinois Central Management Services.

And thanks to her plea deal, Thornley was sentenced to just 18 months of 'conditional discharge' in November 2023, meaning she did not serve any jail time.

Then, less than five months later in April last year, the Sangamon County Court agreed to cut short even that light-touch sentence.

The lack of a criminal trial, and the AG's office dismissal of Fox's civil case, meant lawyers never got a chance to subpoena for communications between Thornley and the Pritzkers, as well as other potential evidence of the Governor's alleged involvement in the case, if any.

Because of this, the Justice Department has decided to take another look at the case, according to the DoJ source.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's Republican opponent in the 2022 election, Tom DeVore, warned that if pursued, the case was 'going to open up Pandora's Box of the governor's office at the highest levels'.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi is looking at the Thornley case to see if Pritzker did anything wrong. 'People have been so brazen for so long because they thought no one would ever look at them,' a senior DOJ official said

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a close ally of Pritzker, used an obscure Illinois law to intervene and get Fox's case dismissed - the merits of the claim were not addressed

Raoul and Governor Pritzker are close political allies. Raoul received almost $3million from Pritzker's campaign committee for his political run in 2018 and a further $1million in 2022.

Pritzker was asked about the case at an August 2022 press conference. He said he knew 'nothing other than what I read in the newspaper about it'.

But the law firm hired by the Merit Board to investigate Garcia and Thornley suggested otherwise.

The report by McGuire Woods said they got Pritzker's general counsel Ann Spillane to ask the governor about his conversations with Thornley  indicating Pritzker knew about the case well before any news stories were written about it.

McGuire Woods lawyers said in the report that they found a February 1, 2020 voicemail on Thornley's phone to a staffer in the Governor's Office, saying Thornley had spoken to 'JB' the night before and that he 'was not very happy with what's going on'.

However, the law firm's report said they 'do not believe this statement was truthful', and through Spillane, Pritzker told them he 'has no recollection of having a conversation with Thornley'.

Garcia, despite helping bring Thornley to justice and being cleared of groping claims by the law firm probe, was ousted from his job by an amendment to a law introduced by Pritzker's party.

Illinois Democrats inserted a provision into a large 2021 criminal justice bill which banned former state police officers from serving as executive director of the Merit Board  which forced ex-trooper Garcia to step down from his role.

Republican state representative John Curran told the State Journal-Register that the move was 'clearly retaliation against Director Garcia'.

Garcia, who is now police chief of Burbank, a Chicago suburb, declined to comment.

Fox, who went on to become executive director of the State Police Merit Board, did not respond to requests for comment.

But her lawsuit against Thornley made clear her opinion that Pritzker may have been involved in the case.

She described Thornley as 'a former political operative of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and a personal friend of the Governor's wife, M.K. Pritzker,' in a 2022 appeal brief  which ultimately failed to overturn the dismissal of her case.

Her lawyer wrote in the failed legal filing that 'Thornley, who never worked in the Governor's office, listed the Governor as her personal supervisor and provided his personal phone number' in support of her workers compensation claim.

'Thornley texted with M.K. Pritzker seeking the Governor's help,' her lawyer claimed.

The governor's spokesperson told the Daily Mail that it was they who 'demanded' an investigation of the claims against Thornley by the Merit Board and the Illinois Department of Insurance.

'Courts already have concluded that allegations of wrongdoing against the Governor's Office are unsubstantiated,' the spokesperson said, referring to the dismissal of Fox's lawsuit against Thornley at the request of AG Raoul's office, a decision which was upheld by the state appellate court.

'It is wrong  and illogical  to suggest that the Governor's Office somehow assisted Ms. Thornley in her misconduct when it was the Governor's Office that ensured that all the facts were investigated,' the governor's spokesperson said. 'Those very investigations led to Ms. Thornley's prosecution.'

AG Raoul's office did not comment.
A commercial pilot in New South Wales has called for more Australians to get their license for the good of the aviation industry, highlighting the high earning potential.

Amelia Johnson, 43, left her Sydney-based events management business in 2018 after her first solo flight as a light plane pilot.

Seven years later, she is a senior instructor at Aero Hunter Flight Training in the Upper Hunter, working in an industry in which pilots can earn up to $300,000 a year.

But now she is urging more Australians to enter the industry to improve aircraft and maintain popular flight routes.

'We need young people, like any industry, to keep it alive and keep the technology improving and the skills passed down through the generations,' the pilot said.

'We want to be able to travel around Australia and internationally. We need to encourage young people to look at aviation as a career option, otherwise that travel will cease.'

According to aviation salary guides, entry-level commercial pilots flying smaller regional jets typically earn between $80,000 and $100,000 a year

More experienced pilots, such as First Officers at major airlines or Captains at smaller regional carriers, can earn between $120,000 and $180,000.

Amelia Johnson (pictured) gave up her Sydney-based events management business in 2018 after her first solo flight as a light plane pilot in the Upper Hunter

Senior Captains operating long-haul routes and wide-bodied aircraft can take home more than $200,000 a year, with some earning above $300,000.

'It's tricky at first. Your first pay packet is very low. You might be earning $60 an hour flying a single-engine aircraft,' Ms Johnson admitted to the Daily Mail.

'When you first graduate (from training courses), you have your commercial pilot's licence, but it would be very rare to get a job straight away.

'As you get into more complex aircraft, fly more types of engines - from piston to turbo to jet - the pay goes up to $1,000 an hour.'

But the workload to become a licensed commercial pilot - and the cost of training courses - is heavy, with full-time study taking between a year and 18 months.

After getting a recreational licence, aspiring pilots have to sit seven exams, successfully fly several three and a half hour flights across the country, she said.

By the time a pilot has reached qualifying to fly for airlines, they will have taken at least 17 written exams and multiple flight tests.

'The cheapest you could get away with paying to qualify for a commercial pilot's licence is about $80,000,' she said.

Ms Johnson said more Australians should become pilots to keep popular flight routes going (pictured left, with her student Ava)

But financial barriers are not the only obstacle and Ms Johnson is eager to see more women enter the aviation industry as only 7.5 per cent of pilots are women, according to Qantas 2025 Gender Pay Gap Statement.

'It's the last frontier of women getting their equality. It's crazy that there's still an industry where there's so little female representation,' she said.

Despite wanting to be a pilot from childhood, inspired by her namesake Amelia Earhart, she was put off by the way pilots were presented.

'When I went to a careers expo as a teenager, there were two huge, big, burly defense guys in uniform saying, 'Come to the military',' she said.

'At the age of 17, there was no way that I was prepared to leave my mum and dad and go and learn to fly fighter jets.

'I didn't know what type of maths and science I needed to know. No one ever suggested it to me in my careers expo at a girls' school.'

Having qualified as an adult, she has said the industry has changed and the best way to improve it is to increase how much women are seen working in aviation.

'It's not all about being macho. It's about being studious and knowing everything the industry,' Ms Johnson said.

Ms Johnson admitted that she had waited until adulthood to become a pilot, as her only exposure to pilots as a teenager had been a defence stand at a careers expo

'I've been really curious and obsessed about everything to do with aviation, and that's what makes it so interesting.

'If I had entered that classroom at a younger age, without the confidence that I have now, I may have felt that I wasn't good enough, that I wasn't smart enough, that I wasn't tough enough.'

Ms Johnson said that the more women are seen in the industry, the more they will be encouraged to join.

What qualities do young Australians need to become pilots? 'It's about being studious, really curious and obsessed about everything to do with aviation,' she said.

While being strong in maths and science at school is not a prerequisite, Ms Johnson said it is still important.

'I think a sense of adventure would also be crucial,' she said.

'You would need to travel a lot, live and work in places all over Australia - whether in the outback or near the ocean - that you wouldn't normally choose. Just be open.'
Parents give their children an average of six 'mental health days' off school a year, new research has found.

A survey of 2,000 mothers and fathers found 90 per cent feel their child's mental health is more important than attending school.

Around 75 per cent said they had given their child duvet days for 'mental health reasons'.

Among these parents, the average number of mental health days off per year for their child was six.

The research comes amid an attendance crisis in schools, with a report finding this year that absence and suspensions are two thirds higher than before the pandemic.

Teachers have previously said pupils suffered from a lack of social interaction when schools were closed in lockdown, and some have never regained their confidence.

The poll found 49 percent of parents said they regularly allow their children a day off school, if they feel too upset to go in.

Meanwhile, a further 26 percent have allowed this only once or twice.

Parents give their children an average of six 'mental health days' off school a year, new research has found (file picture)

Overall, 70 per cent said they saw an improvement in their child's happiness and behaviour, if they were allowed 'regular time and space' away school.

The findings come after the Government announced plans to use AI from next year to set minimum attendance targets in a crackdown on school absence.

The polling, which included 1,000 primary school parents and 1,000 secondary, was commissioned by Bett, which runs an annual international technology exhibition, and carried out by research company Perspectus Global.

It found that many parents set specific activities for their children on a 'mental health day'.

These included visiting family members, attending sporting events and even going to concerts or the cinema.

More than half  57 per cent  are happy to book a holiday with their children during term time.

Meanwhile 22 percent believed being absent from school would have no long-term effects on their child's life.

And 32 per cent said they were more relaxed about their children missing school than they were pre-pandemic, with many saying working from home had made this easier.

When it came to what schools could be doing to ensure better attendance, 55 per cent cited a 'more personalised learning experience', while 46 per cent called for 'game-based learning'.

Meanwhile, 32 per cent said there needed to be fewer rules and regulations.

And 31 per cent said they would support a hybrid way of teaching, incorporating school time along with home learning.

Duncan Verry, portfolio director of Bett, said: 'The research paints a picture of parents who care deeply about their children's wellbeing, sometimes prioritising mental health over perfect attendance records.

'This shift requires us to think differently about how we approach school engagement.

'The challenge is not simply about returning to pre-pandemic norms but about creating educational environments where all children want to be.

'By understanding these perspectives, we can work towards solutions that serve children's long-term educational outcomes while respecting the genuine concerns of families navigating increasingly complex circumstances.'
A police helicopter was forced to take emergency action during a terrifying encounter with mysterious high-speed 'drones' over a US air base last year - in an incident officials would later dismiss as nothing more than a passing fighter jet.

But newly released video and incident logs of the November 22, 2024 event now tell a very different - and far more alarming - story, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal.

Witness even described one of the unidentified flying objects as a 'tic-tac' - the same oblong shape reported by Navy aviators in a now infamous 2004 encounter.

The Daily Mail obtained images taken from a National Police Air Service (NPAS) EC135 chopper of one of the unidentified craft, which was said to have 'targeted' and come close to colliding with the helicopter mid-air around RAF Lakenheath, a US military base in England.

The incident occurred amid weeks of reports of drones and unidentified objects breaching airspace over US military bases in New Jersey, the wider northeast, and overseas.

A report by a UK aviation safety board attributed the chopper's close encounter to pilots misidentifying an American F-15 fighter jet flying in the area.

But British police logs released under the Freedom of Information Act describe multiple, hi-tech drones 'targeting' and appearing to pursue the law enforcement helicopter at high speeds.

'They were forced to take emergency evasive action in relation to a drone which came within a dangerously close proximity to them,' said an incident log from Suffolk Police, recounting a debrief of the chopper pilots.

The UK's National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter (stock image) had a near miss with mysterious 'drones' seen flying over a US military base in England in November 2024

A newly released police report reveals NPAS pilots said they were forced to 'take emergency evasive action' during the late-night encounter with the unidentified objects over RAF Lakenheath (pictured)

'They had to perform an emergency dive and described that they were pursued in the dive by two drones who matched their speed approx 165 knots and then pursued them for several minutes out of the area.

'They feel that drones have targeted them and chased them off at approx 140 knots [161mph].'

A UK military source, who has viewed the entire 30-minute video captured by the chopper's infrared camera, said there was more to the incident than a close brush with a fighter jet.

'In the 30-minute video with pilot audio, nobody mentions F-15s,' the source said.

'They only talk about the drones. How they're basically mirroring the helicopter's movements. How fast the drones are going. That they're basically forcing them out of the area.'

The source added that the footage shows one object pursuing the craft performing maneuvers impossible for a fighter jet.

'A fixed-wing craft is caught on the video, where you can see a corkscrew move,' the insider said. 'An F-15 cannot make a small corkscrew turn like that.'

The Daily Mail obtained a short section from the chopper video showing a small object, no more than a blob on the infrared camera, slowly moving towards the top right of the screen.

A screengrab of the helicopter video obtained by the Daily Mail shows a small object, which appears as a tiny blob on the infrared camera, slowly moving towards the top right of the screen

Radar data cited in the reported issued by the UK Airprox Board, concluded that the 'drones' were actually the lights of a US Air Force F-15 Eagle jet and showed the two aircraft coming within 1,700ft of each other

The local police incident logs from November 20-22, 2024 reveal a slew of drone sightings across three bases used by the US Air Force in the English counties of Suffolk and Norfolk: RAF Feltwell, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall.

'Over past 2 nights there have been approx 20 drones flying over RAF's Mildenhall, Feltwell and Lakenheath. This has been between 1800-0000 hrs,' said a Suffolk Police log from November 21.

'They report that due to the size of said drones, the pilots could be 'miles and miles' away,' the log added, with 'they' appearing to refer to UK military police protecting the airbases.

'Mildenhall/Lakenheath/Feltwell - believed 10-15 drones have been at each one - and appear not to be "hobby drones",' the logs said.

One police report from Lakenheath said an officer had 'night vision goggles and can see 5-6 drones [near the highway] A1065 coming back over airfield'.

An 'informant' in the logs told police they saw 'multiple drones' which were 'very large and they make a lot of noise'.

The witness in the November 22 logs described what they saw around the airbase as 'large stationary things - tictacs - they are not birds.'

'The drones are well lit - they are not trying to hide themselves and they are flying very low now,' another log from November 22 said.

The UK Airprox Board, which investigates mid-air near misses, published a report concluding that the NPAS crew had misidentified an American F-15 fighter jet (stock image) flying in the area

Logs obtained by the Daily Mail show an 'informant' described what they saw around the airbase as 'large stationary things - tictacs'

'Informant opened the door of his house while on the line to me and call taker could hear one of the drones going over. It sounded like an aircraft.

'The drones are flying over Informant's property in both directions.'

A crime report from November 21 summarizing the incidents stated that there were '10-15 drones flying around bases and potentially into the base airspace.'

'This is third occurrence this week according to MOD police and US base have stated they have had to ground aircraft due to going across flightpaths,' the report added.

The investigation was handed over to the UK Ministry of Defence Police, which has not published the findings of its probe.

The police logs were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by researcher Rowland Hume, who shared the material with the Daily Mail.

Mike Morgan, a retired senior police detective who has also been researching the incident, told the Daily Mail he was disappointed in the lack of transparency from authorities.

'There is a whole series of question marks about what went on in November 2024.

The reported 'tic tac' description of the unidentified craft, echoes accounts of the infamous UFO sighting by Navy aviators in 2004 (pictured)

'I have run into repeated efforts by the authorities to avoid answering even the most basic questions, such as, how many people have been detained or how many drones seized,' Morgan said.

'What is so secret about this investigation?'

The incident was largely written off when the UK Airprox Board, the official body that investigates mid-air near misses, published a report concluding that the 'drones' seen by the NPAS crew were actually the lights of a US Air Force F-15 Eagle jet.

Radar data cited in the report showed the chopper and jet coming within 1,700ft of each other. But the report said nothing else unknown was picked up on radar.

Trained British meteorologist Stuart Onyeche, who works for a defense company and has researched the incident, told the Daily Mail that he believes the fighter jet and police chopper were both pursuing the advanced drones.

'I'm inclined to trust the initial detail and assessment of the experienced helicopter pilots that we see noted in these logs, which was that they were forced to take evasive action due to the close proximity of some kind of unmanned drone,' Onyeche said.

'It's unarguable that an F-15 was also in the vicinity as reported in the airprox, but an unanswered question is what was the F-15 being tasked to do or look for?' he added.

'Were the helicopter and F-15 in fact both converging on the unidentified 'drones'?'

Craft encroaching on airspace at US bases both home and abroad have shown signs of using advanced technology, capable of confounding anti-drone measures used by the authorities.

A joint report by the FBI, US Department of Defense and NASA obtained by the Daily Mail last year warned that their detection and signal jamming equipment had 'failed' to stop incursions by advanced drones, including at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

The base was swarmed with dozens of drones for weeks in December 2023, creating a security panic.

The incident was kept secret until it was revealed by defense magazine The Warzone in March 2024.
Tensions flared in America's most Muslim city when a far-right protester tried to burn the Quran and called for President Trump to deploy ICE to the area.

Jake Lang, 29, a January 6 rioter who was pardoned by Trump and is now running as a Republican for a US Senate seat in Florida, he arrived in Dearborn, Michigan on Tuesday and tried to burn the Muslim holy book, MLive reports.

Video shared online showed he tried several times to ignite the book, holding it up with a lighter, but counter-protesters repeatedly knocked the Quran from his hand.

At one point, Lang also tapped the Quran with a slab of bacon - which is considered not halal - before a counter-protester snatched the book and ran off with it.

On social media, that protester identified himself as Abbas Abou Khadr.

'What I did was my... moral duty,' he wrote on Facebook.

'There are things in life that can be overlooked... but when it comes to religion, belief and Quran... the matter becomes a red-line that cannot be ignored.'

'Even if the act was done unintentionally or out of ignorance, standing against it is necessary, as long as it is done for the sake of God and in defense of our religion.'

Jake Lang, 29, a January 6 rioter who was pardoned by Trump and is now running as a Republican for a US Senate seat in Florida, stoked tensions in Dearborn, Michigan on Tuesday when he tried to burn a Quran. He is seen in another video from his social media page burning the Muslim holy book along with a Jewish Talmud

In the hours that followed, Lang's supporters and the counter-protesters shoved each other, as allegations that pepper spray was being deployed spread through the crowds and one man even apparently punched Lang

A Dearborn police officer is pictured confronting Lang as he waved a package of bacon

In the hours that followed, Lang's supporters and the counter-protesters shoved each other, as allegations that pepper spray was being deployed spread through the crowds and one man even apparently punched Lang, according to the Detroit Free Press.

But Lang did not back down, declaring at his protest: 'There can be no room for sharia law.'

'Today we mark America a Christian country,' he claimed. 'Today, we mark America a European Western civilization that the Muslims have no part in... This is our country.'

Lang, who wore a tactical vest for the occasion, also unfurled a banner reading: 'Americans Against Islamification' and made derogatory statements about Islam's Prophet Mohammed as the counter protesters yelled back at him.

Meanwhile, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson held a dueling protest he described as a 'unity rally' after he discovered that there is no sharia law in the city.

Hudson, 48, had originally planned to 'expose Dearborn for what it is' as he railed against what he saw as sharia law taking over the city.

'Freedom of religion will not be misconstrued to oppress constitutional liberties,' the trucker-turned-politician posted on November 3.

He said the event is also a way for him to help 'protect Americans from Sharia law' - the system that guides the lives of Muslims based on the Quran and teachings from the Prophet Muhammad.

Anthony Hudson, a trucker running for governor in Michigan, said he planned to walk through Dearborn to 'expose it'

Hudson made a U-turn on his position in the situation in Dearborn after spending several days in the city. He is pictured leading what he described as a 'unity rally' on Tuesday

Dearborn is the largest Arab-majority city in the US and has sparked debate in the state in recent times (Pictured: Arab-Americans march in the Detroit suburb)

But after spending several days in the Detroit suburb and visiting three mosques in the city, Hudson declared 'that there are many false and misleading narratives about Dearborn being spread' and said that 'all he found from Muslims in Dearborn was hospitality.'

'I got hugs, I got handshakes,' he told the Free Press. 'I had a lot of men come up to me and say it was nice to meet me... I just really got to engage with good people in the community.'

'It was great to see, great to experience,' the gubernatorial candidate continued.

He added that he 'didn't see women get assaulted or disrespected' and instead saw 'women business owners that were yelling at men, telling them what to do' as well as 'young women walking at night to go to the bars and they weren't being harassed.

'We saw the gentlemen's clubs, which is against sharia law, we saw the liquor stores, which is against it,' Hudson said

'We just saw so many things that were against sharia law that I made the determination during my trip, my four days, there was no sharia law.'

Hudson also said he was opposed to outsiders coming to Dearborn with plans to burn the Quran.

As a result of Hudson's moderate anti-Islam stance, Lang spray painted the word 'cuck' on what appeared to be Hudson's campaign bus as he accused the Republican candidate of 'selling out.'

Lang spray painted the word 'cuck' on what appeared to be Hudson's campaign bus as he accused the Republican candidate of 'selling out'

His group displayed a banner reading 'Americans Against Islamification'

As the night wound down, all three groups marched to City Hall for the city council meeting at 7pm as pro-Muslim liberal protesters chanted: 'Dearborn has made it clear: Fascists are not welcome here.'

When the groups then settled in to city hall, a group of Dearborn residents yelled 'Allahu akhbar' at Lang, the Free Press reports.

Still, Lang got up to the lectern, where he called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to raid the city.

'Send ICE into Dearborn,' he declared, claiming the Muslims in the city 'have overstayed their visas' and are 'H1-B chain migration invaders' who 'have come to this country to destroy our way of life.'

Much of his three-minute speech included derogatory remarks aimed at Muslims as he denounced 'the Islamification of America.'

'The Muslim community is trying to drag us back,' Lang claimed. 'They're trying to oppress women, oppress homosexuals. They're looking to destroy everything that makes America great.'

He went on to claim that the Muslims who have immigrated to the United States are just 'pretending to be Americans, wearing your suits - but that doesn't happen anywhere else you guys are in charge.

'There are 53 Muslim majority countries. In all of them, it's tyranny, destruction, s***hole living. We have to call it what it is,' Lang continued as his supporters cheered him on.

'We don't want you here,' he claimed. 'Respectfully, get the f**k out of my country.'

Lang gave a hate-filled speech at the Dearborn City Council meeting Tuesday night

He was escorted out of the chamber by police officers

Lang also argued that America has 'been taken over without a single shot fired' as he claimed Muslims are 'out breeding insidious parasites on the American way of life.'

'You will never look like us, you will never eat like us, you will never build buildings like us,' he said. 'You are nothing, you can build nothing - just like resident Trump's great American friends have said.

'You are not us and get the f**k out,' he concluded before being marched out by police officers. 'America First. America only. God bless America, Jesus is king.'

Hudson, though, denounced Lang's group as 'anti-American,' and Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud hit out at the protesters who had 'hate in their hearts.'

'The marchers tried to divide, but Dearborn did what Dearborn always does: We stand tall,' the mayor said.

'We are a city built by workers, by immigrants, by veterans and by families who believe in the promise of America.'

In the end, one person was arrested in the raucous demonstrations but no injuries were reported.
A victim of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has called for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's daughters and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson to be subpoenaed and reveal what they knew about the royal's relationship with him.

Marina Lacerda, 37, named as 'Minor-Victim 1' in Epstein's 2019 indictment, called for the former Duke of York to reveal more about his relationship with Epstein, as well as for Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice to speak out.

In an interview on 5 News Ms Lacerda, who was just 14 when she first met Epstein, said she hopes Andrew 'has the balls to face up [to] what he did'.

'Clear up your name. And if you did do any wrongdoing, own up to it,' Ms Lacerda said.

'You have a family. You have daughters. You have daughters that have daughters. Okay. If you know this is something that you've done in the past and you regret it, just say it to the world. What's the worst thing that could possibly happen now?'

Andrew was accused of sexual abuse by fellow Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked and forced to have sex with him on three occasions when she was a teenager.

The royal reached an out of court settlement, which contained no admission of wrongdoing, with Ms Giuffre in 2022 worth millions of pounds.

Andrew has always denied the allegations against him and Ms Giuffre took her own life aged 41 earlier this year.

Marina Lacerda, 37, named as 'Minor-Victim 1' in Epstein's 2019 indictment, called for the former Duke of York to reveal more about his relationship with Epstein

Marina Lacerda told 5 News that Andrew should 'own up to' any wrongdoing

Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in a photo taken in 2001, when Giuffre was 17 years old

But the fallout from the scandal in recent months has seen Andrew lose all his royal titles and he is now set to move out of his long-time home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor.

Asked whether Andrew's daughters and ex-wife should be subpoenaed to give evidence to US lawmakers, Ms Lacerda added: 'It would be the right thing to do for them to get subpoenaed.

'He said that he was having pizza with his daughters, right, if I'm not mistaken. So, it would be nice to get some transparency there, and I would hope that his daughters would speak.

'They would be truthful about it. We need to stop protecting people because they are our family. We need to start protecting people that are getting hurt by your family.'

Ms Lacerda was referring to a Newsnight interview of Andrew in 2019 in which he told Emily Maitlis he couldn't have had sex with Ms Giuffre at the time she alleged because he was dropping one of his daughters off at a birthday party at a Pizza Express in Woking.

The interview, which ultimately led to his withdrawal from public life, was widely criticised at the time after Andrew made a series of bizarre claims including that he could not sweat.

Any subpoena, which is a legally binding order, for a member of the royal family from US lawmakers would be an unprecedented move.

Ms Lacerda is not alone in calling for more transparency from the royals over Epstein, with US lawmakers also calling for Andrew to give evidence at the House's Oversight Committee.

Prince Andrew, pictured with his brother King Charles III, was stripped of his titles and privileges in recent weeks - he has always denied the allegations against him

Ms Lacerda said Princess Beatrice (left), Princess Eugenie (right) and their mother Sarah Ferguson (centre) should be subpoenaed

Speaking outside the US Capitol on Tuesday as politicians voted to release the Epstein files, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said: 'I do think that Prince Andrew does need to come and testify at our oversight committee, and that can be bipartisan.'

According to the 2019 indictment, Ms Lacerda met Epstein in 2002 when she was just 14. She was recruited to go to his Manhattan home to give him a massage, which she says later led to years of abuse.

At the time she met the financier she had been working to support her family who had moved to New York from Brazil.

She told 5 News: 'As a young girl coming from a third world country, you just want to make it in the United States of America, and I was like, this is something that he could do for me.'

She added: 'I think after four or five months seeing him, he raped me and then I was locked in. It was like almost a mafia.

'He said he owned the government, he owned the banks, he owned everybody. He knew that I needed money and he knew that I needed to be legal in that country.

'And I think he always warned me too, like, well, you know, you're an immigrant. Just kind of like, don't mess with me because I know you're an immigrant and I'm very powerful.'

Ms Lacerda alleges that Epstein regularly raped and abused her for around three years until she was aged 17 or 18.

Speaking out for the first time, a second Epstein victim also told the channel that US President Donald Trump must have known about the sex scandal.

The woman, who remains anonymous, hit out at Trump's previous dismissal of the Epstein scandal as a 'Democratic hoax'.

She said: 'I'm not a hoax. I wish it was, but it's not. And it did. It absolutely did happen.

'As much as I want to pretend it didn't happen, it did, and I have to live with it for the rest of my life.'

Addressing Trump's one-time close friendship with Epstein, she continued: 'He had to have known something. He had to have had an idea.

'You know, he always boasted about their friendship, but I never knew how close or how involved they were. But he had pictures of them at his house together They were friends I don't know how he couldn't have [not known].'

Trump has always denied any knowledge of Epstein's sex trafficking ring.
A 10-year-old boy sparked a frantic police search after he took his mother's car for a joyride following a heated argument.

Tennessee police responded to an emergency call from W.A. Wright Elementary School at around 1pm on Friday regarding a child in a stolen vehicle.

When police finally tracked the stolen car back to the child's family home, they discovered his father was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for 'Theft of Property  Wire Fraud' out of Nashville. He was taken into custody without incident.

The child's mother, who has not been identified, told police she left the little boy in the car with the engine running while she dropped off some paperwork inside the school.

But when she returned to the parking lot, both her car and child were gone.

A witness told police they saw a vehicle recklessly reversing in the school's parking lot, almost smashing into another car on the way out.

The out-of-control car jumped a curb before speeding off and onto the road.

Surveillance video from the elementary school showed that no one approached or entered the running vehicle, leading detectives to believe the child drove the car himself.

W.A. Wright Elementary School in Tennessee, a 10-year-old child drove his mom's car home from the campus parking lot

The car was later found parked about a mile from the school at the family's home, in the garage. Police said the boy had 'bumped a refrigerator inside the garage while it was being parked.'

The little boy was found inside the home unharmed and accompanied by his father.

Police said the father, who was also not identified, was 'confused' when his son arrived home alone.

The 10-year-old later told officers that he drove home because he had a 'disagreement with his mother.'

No criminal charges will be filed against the young boy, due to his age and ' lack of legal capacity to be held criminally responsible,' The Tennessean reported.

'Im incredibly thankful that the child was found safe and unharmed,' Mt. Juliet Police Chief Tyler Chandler said in a statement.

Wilson County Sheriff's car (file) the county police worked closely with the school to ensure the incident was handled immediately

Chandler added that the close collaboration between the police and school ensures any incident will receive a 'rapid coordinated response that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every child.'

The school district also released a statement about the harrowing incident, reminding families to be 'mindful' of their vehicles when entering their campus.

'Families, we do offer a friendly reminder to please be mindful of your vehicles when entering campus, and the occupants inside, especially when a vehicle has its engine running and parked,' the district said.

'The absolute safest practice for campus visits is to park your vehicle in a designated visitor parking space, turn off the vehicle, lock your doors and take any children that are with you inside the building.'
An unearthed diary of a London housewife has given fresh insight into the terror of the Blitz in the Second World War.

Marion Marden told of Nazi bombs landing near her home, sleepless nights in air raid shelters and the struggle to put sufficient food on the table amid wartime rationing.

Her diary was found during an investigation into the unclaimed estate of her daughter Myrta, who died in 2019 with no known descendants or living relatives.

Between September 7, 1940 and May 21, 1941, more than 40,000 civilians were killed - most of them in London - in wave after wave of bombing raids that struck at night, leaving devastation in their wake.

Mrs Marden's diary reveals the 'new normal' of life amid the constant threat of death.

In February 1941, she wrote: 'The children full of vim. Air raid 7.20 pm to 11.30 p.m. Four hours of bombing and gunfire. What a night.'

An unearthed diary of a London housewife has given fresh insight into the terror of the Blitz in the Second World War. Above: Marion Marden with her daughter Myrta and husband Frank

Her diary was found during an investigation into the unclaimed estate of her daughter Myrta, who died in 2019 with no known descendants or living relatives

The following month, she described the horror of a bombing raid on a dance hall in Palmer's Green.

'Raid, gunfire very bad, a lot of damage done and people killed; terrible,' she recorded on March 15.

'Dance hall caught it P.G [Palmers Green] We went to bed 12 o'clock. Crowd on bus got killed. Bus no more.'

Mrs Marden, who in 1941 was 47, had two children - son Raymond, 11, and eight-year-old daughter Myrta - with her husband Frank. He was a volunteer in the Home Guard.

The family lived in Southgate, north London. Mrs Marden also had an older son, Albert, who was born in 1920 - nine years before she married Frank.

Researchers at probate and genealogy firm Fraser and Fraser came across Mrs Marden's diary after being tasked with finding any heirs of her daughter.

Through detailed genealogical work, the team identified living beneficiaries across the UK, France and Australia.

During their research, they discovered references to Mrs Marden's wartime writing, excerpts of which had been shared by collector Valerie Smith, who bought the diary from a private seller last year.

A postman attempting to deliver letters in a bomb-damaged street near Paul's Cathedral, May 1941

Mrs Marden with her daughter Myrta, who died in 2019 with no known living relatives

Writing in June 1941, Mrs Marden touched on the subject of food. She said: 'Butcher brought beef today and I wanted it to be lamb; still we must not forget it is war time and have to put up with what ever we can get.'

Months earlier, she had noted: 'Raymond made some toast, he is like his dad, always ready to make toast. They forget the butter does not go far war time.'

More than one million houses in London were destroyed or damaged during the Blitz.

Other cities that were hammered included Coventry, Liverpool, Glasgow, Plymouth, Belfast and Southampton.

The bombing campaign came to an end after Hitler had given up on a plan to invade Britain had turned his sights to attacking the Soviet Union.

Although less intense than before, raids did continue though, both in the capital and elsewhere.

Mrs Marden's diary continued until 1944. On January 2 that year, she wrote an entry that revealed her wish for the fighting to come to an end.

She said: 'Had to get up as usual and make my own early cup of tea. Myrta bought me some cigarettes good kind. Mrs Burr gave me some cooked roe for breakfast. We had eggs as well.

Mrs Marden's diary entry on January 18, 1941

Mrs Marden's diary entry on March 15, 1941, when she recorded: 'Raid, gunfire very bad, a lot of damage done and people killed; terrible'

Between September 7, 1940 and May 21, 1941, more than 40,000 civilians were killed in wave after wave of bombing raids that struck at night. Above: The bombed house of Commons in December 1940

'Not heard from Albert yet; I hope he is well. The children full of Vim. We lost 28 planes with men.

'I wish this war was over. I saw six planes nearly touching the top of houses. Frank has a very bad cold. Did my washing.

At the end of January, she went on: 'The last day of the month and lets hope it will [be] nearer the end of this terrible war.

'I kept the children away from school; they both have colds and the shelters are far too cold for them. Raid warning and planes overhead; guns firing.'

In later life, Mrs Marden moved to Brighton.

Ben Cornish, a case manager at Fraser and Fraser, said: 'When we began this case, we expected a routine investigation into an unclaimed estate.

'What we found instead was a personal record of the Blitz from the perspective of an ordinary London family. It is a rare and valuable insight into civilian life during the war.'
Dick Cheney's funeral is starting with a snub.

It appears that President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not invited to the Thursday service at Washington National Cathedral, a senior White House official told CBS News.

Cheney died on November 3 at age 84 from complications with pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.

Last year Cheney did something that would have been considered unthinkable during his height of power in the early 2000s - he endorsed a Democrat for president.

Cheney put his weight behind the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris, following the lead of his daughter, former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, who saw her political career tanked by Trump over her investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack. Liz Cheney endorsed Harris and went on the campaign trail on her behalf, trying to help her bring non-MAGA Republicans and independents to the fold.

While Trump and Vance will be absent from the service, former President Joe Biden, the nation's oldest living president, plans to attend. Biden's birthday coincides with the funeral, with the former president turning 83.

A spokesperson for the Bidens confirmed their attendance to the Daily Mail.

The late Vice President Dick Cheney's (left) funeral will be held at the Washington National Cathedral, with President Donald Trump (right) expected not to show after Cheney endorsed Trump's rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, in the election last year

Vice President Dick Cheney (left) stands to applaud during President George W. Bush's (bottom right) State of the Union address in January 2007, as Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (top right) stays in her seat

Former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden (right) will attend the funeral Thursday of former Vice President Dick Cheney (left). They were photographed outside the Vice President's residence with Cheney's wife Lynne (center left) in November 2008

It's unclear if Harris, who now resides in California, will show.

Her spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

Harris posted on X that she was 'saddened' to hear of Cheney's death, calling him a 'devoted public servant.'

Representatives for the Obamas and Clintons also didn't disclose if the former first families would attend.

Former President George W. Bush will be eulogizing Cheney, along with Liz Cheney, Cheney's physician Dr. Jonathan Reiner - as the vice president suffered from heart problems for years, resulting in a 2012 heart transplant - and Pete Williams, who served as a Cheney staffer before becoming NBC News' Department of Justice correspondent.

The White House has been uncharacteristically quiet about Cheney's funeral.

Trump never sent out a statement, nor did he mouth off about Cheney on Truth Social, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt only acknowledging that the White House was following the law by having flags at half-staff.

When Cheney endorsed Harris in September 2024, he said 'there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.'

Former Vice President Dick Cheney did attend President Donald Trump's first inauguration on January 20, 2017

Former Vice President Dick Cheney (right) attended an event with his daughter Representative Liz Cheney (left) marking the one-year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack in 2022

Former Vice President Dick Cheney (right) attended his daughter Representative Liz Cheney's (left) primary night event in August 2022, where she conceded the GOP primary election to the Trump-backed candidate Harriet Hageman

Former Representative Liz Cheney (right) joined Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris (left), onstage at an event in Wisconsin last year after Cheney crossed the aisle and endorsed the Democrat. Dick Cheney also endorsed Harris

'He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him,' Cheney said in a statement. 'He can never be trusted with power again.'

Trump, in turn, has been critical of Bush 43 and Cheney's tenure for years, blasting them for embroiling the U.S. in 'forever wars' like Afghanistan and Iraq.

Cheney did, however, attend Trump's 2017 inauguration.

But like his daughter, Liz, he was appalled by what he saw on January 6, making a statement by attending an event in the Capitol Building to mark he attack's one-year anniversary on January 6, 2022.

He was also on hand when Liz Cheney conceded to Wyoming Representative Harriet Hageman, the more MAGA-aligned candidate who Trump backed.

As Cheney's health failed, he attended fewer and fewer public events.

He missed President Jimmy Carter's funeral in early January of this year - an event that saw most living presidents and vice presidents from both parties come together.

Cheney was born on January 30, 1941 in Lincoln, Nebraska but became known as one of the prominent U.S. politicians from Wyoming, representing the state in Congress after serving as Republican President Gerald Ford's chief of staff.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney (second row, fifth from left) attended the funeral of President George H.W. Bush in 2018 alongside President Donald Trump (first row, left) and a bipartisan group of former presidents and vice presidents

Vice President Dick Cheney throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals home opener at RFK stadium in April 2006

Vice President Dick Cheney (left) shakes hands with outgoing President Bill Clinton (right) at President George W. Bush's (center) inauguration on January 20, 2001

President George H.W. Bush (center) speaks in Kennebunkport flanked by Defense Secretary Dick Cheney (left) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell (right) in August 1990

He went on to become President George H.W. Bush's Secretary of Defense.

Cheney became CEO of Halliburton and during that time was chosen by George W. Bush to run his vice presidential selection committee.

Bush surprisingly asked Cheney to serve on the ticket.

He earned the 'Darth Vader' nickname for his role in pushing for U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan - on the heels of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks - and later the invasion of Iraq, which became a political quagmire.

Cheney also supported 'enhanced interrogation' methods like waterboarding, which critics said amounted to torture.

Despite that, his endorsement of Harris in the last year of his life improved his reputation among Democrats.
A teenage killer who created a sickening rap about hacking an innocent child to death has been sentenced.

But there was little justice handed out for the life of Ethan Hoac, who was aged just 14 when he was run over and set upon by his remorseless killer.

Daily Mail is unable to name the now 19-year-old thug, who viciously stabbed Ethan to death on June 26, 2023 in the northwest Melbourne suburb of St Albans.

Ethan had been totally innocent - a stranger who had spent the day out with his mates in the city.

On Thursday, Justice Jane Dixon jailed Ethan's killer for 17 years, with a non-parole period of just 13 years - less than a year for every one lived by his victim.

With 753 days already served in the comfort of juvenile detention, the remorseless murderer could be back on the streets in a little under 11 years.

The court heard Ethan had been walking home from the train station with two friends at about 11pm when the killer and his mates inexplicably targeted them.

The attack on Ethan lasted less than a minute and was captured on CCTV.

Ethan Hoac and his mum in happier times

The then 17-year-old killer should not even have been on the streets.

Justice Dixon revealed his atrocious criminal history, which had put him on youth supervision orders from the age of just 14.

These were not simple shop thefts, but violent crimes including recklessly causing injury, assaults, robberies and burglary.

In 2022 he was sentenced to 15 months in juvenile detention, which if served in full meant he would not have been free to kill.

The killer is further accused of participating in a youth detention riot in October last year.

The court heard the killer went out and bought a new machete off eBay just days after killing Ethan.

He then went about writing a twisted rap song about the bloody murder, with a notebook later found containing more sick lyrics.

Justice Dixon said the youth was later accused of uploading a rap about the murder to YouTube while in custody.

Ethan (in white) tried to run for his life before he was hacked down

Police attend the scene where Ethan was murdered in St Albans in June 2023

'The timing of creating content that glorifies violence and killing while awaiting sentence for murder is disturbing,' she said.

The court heard the youth had bragged about killing Ethan soon after the murder and was captured on CCTV reenacting the bloody incident.

'You can be seen making slashing and downward stabbing motions with your right arm,' Justice Dixon said.

Ethan's family were once again forced to relive the horrific final moments of the cherished boy's life.

'While Ethan was on the ground, you stabbed him repeatedly using downward thrusting motions with both hands,' Justice Dixon said.

'During the machete attack, which lasted for at least 20 seconds, if not longer, Ethan crawled from his initial position towards the roadway.'

A post-mortem examination of Ethan's body identified 30 stab wounds to his little body.

'Frankly, it is hard to comprehend the horror of this attack on young Ethan, an attack performed without the slightest reason or provocation,' Justice Dixon said.

Ethan Hoac and his heartbroken mother

Ethan Hoac didn't stand a chance

'Ethan's vulnerability was obvious given his size and age at the time. He was a slightly built, smaller boy who had no chance to anticipate what you would do to him.'

Ethan's mother Annie Huynh, who suffered through countless court hearings before her son's killer finally pleaded guilty to murder in October, gave a heartbreaking victim impact statement to the court outlining her grief.

She shared her agony at the court process, which dragged on for what seemed an eternity.

'I try to keep making a positive life for my son, but the court case being delayed so much and hearing everything again and again, it makes it very hard,' she said.

The court was read a touching Mother's Day card Ethan had made for his mother before his life was cut short.

'Dear Mom, Happy Mother's Day. Thank you for everything,' it read.

'I love when you cook for me. You are special to me because you take care of me every day. My favourite thing to do with you is going out for dinner.

'I appreciate you for taking care of me. Love from Ethan.'

In coming to her sentence, Justice Dixon said she took into account the killer's dysfunctional upbringing, immaturity, and intellectual limitations.

Ethan Hoac's life was cut short for no known reason

'The custodial environment you are currently in may mean that it will be some time before you develop proper and lasting insight into what you have done,' she said.

The sentence comes a little more than a week after Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced plans to allow children as young as 14 to be sentenced as adults.

Under the proposed changes, children as young as 14 would be tried in adult courts and possibly face life terms.

'There are too many victims and not enough consequences,' Ms Allan said.

Two of the killer's alleged co-offenders have yet to have their cases finalised.
The comment was described as 'disgraceful'

A university deputy vice-chancellor has resigned after facing intense backlash for making a controversial comment about staff working from home.

Paula Ward, who served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Adelaide University and oversaw human resources, resigned from her post this week.

Ms Ward addressed more than 1,000 staff at a 'town hall' meeting in late October and explained that the university would introduce stricter work-from-home rules.

She claimed the new rules would prevent staff who worked from home on Friday and Monday from getting 'four-day weekends'.

Outraged staff, who had connected to the meeting remotely, shared their thoughts online and described Ms Wards comment as 'disgraceful'.

Ms Ward left the town hall meeting briefly before returning to apologise for her comment.

University staff raised concerns about Ms Wards work-from-home remark in a second town hall meeting last week.

Ms Ward was not in attendance at the second meeting.

Adelaide University Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Human Resources Paula Ward resigned from her role

Ms Ward faced intense backlash after claiming staff who worked from home on Friday and Monday were getting 'four-day weekends'(pictured, The University of Adelaide)

Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) South Australia Division, Andrew Miller, claimed 'the roof exploded' after Ms Ward made the comment.

Mr Miller explained the remark showed that Ms Ward, who is the head of HR, did not 'trust the professionalism of staff'.

'It showed she fundamentally  isn't sensitive to their flexible work arrangements and their patterns of work,' Mr Miller told The Courier Mail.

'Because a lot of staff have caring responsibilities, children and other factors that have so far been accommodated in a progressive workplace.

'The Deputy Vice Chancellor promptly realised the error and apologised, but the damage was done.'

Ms Ward started her new position as head of human resources last year, with the role playing an important part in the merger of Adelaide University and South Australia University.

A spokesman for Adelaide University refused to confirm Ms Ward's resignation but claimed she had contributed greatly to the establishment of the combined university.

'We thank her for the hard work and dedication she has displayed in her role,' the spokesman said.

Ms Ward's comments were described as 'disgraceful' with many claiming the comment showed she was 'insensitive' flexible working arrangements for the university staff

'Merging two universities with a combined community of nearly 500,000 staff, students and alumni was never going to be easy, but staff retention during the merger process has among the highest either foundation institution has ever seen.'

The combined university has been backed by more than $450million in state taxpayer funds.

It's understood the merger of the two institutes is on track, with the combined university - known as Adelaide University - set to open on January 1, next year.
The countdown is on for young Aussies soon to be kicked off social media after warning messages appeared on Meta platforms.

From December 10, Australians under 16 will be banned from using social media, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and Snapchat.

On Thursday, impacted Facebook, Threads and Instagram users began receiving warning messages flagging that their profile will soon be blocked.

From December 4, Meta will start removing access to its platforms and block the creation of new accounts for those underage.

'Due to laws in Australia, people under 16 will no longer be able to use social media,' a screenshot of the Facebook warning read.

'This means that soon, you won't be able to use Facebook, and you profile won't be visible to you or others.

'When you turn 16, your profile and all your posts and activity will be available again.'

Impacted teens are urged to download their memories and update their contact information so Meta can get in touch and help them regain access to their accounts once they turn 16.

Australians under 16 will be banned from using social media, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and Snapchat from December 10 (stock image)

Under-16s will be contacted by phone or email if their profile will be shut down.

They will still be able to use the Facebook Messenger app after the ban comes into effect.

It is understood that Meta is planning to remove at least 350,000 users from Instagram and 150,000 from Facebook in December.

'For all our users aged 15 and under, we understand the importance of the treasured memories, connections, and content within your accounts,' Meta regional policy director Mia Garlick said in a statement.

'Look out for our official notifications and follow the instructions to safely preserve and download your digital history across Instagram, Threads, and Facebook.

'When you turn 16 and can access our apps again all your content will be available exactly as you left it.'

Those aged over-16 who mistakenly lose access after the restrictions come into effect can use video selfie or government ID on third-party app Yoti to verify their age.

The ban is part of the Albanese government's amended Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful content online.

Facebook and Instagram users have received warning messages about the social media ban

Other social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, and Kick, will also see accounts for those under 16 deactivated or deleted.

However, critics say the exemptions for gaming and messaging apps leave serious gaps in protection and raise questions about what qualifies as 'social media'.

'This new law will unfortunately restrict teens from these benefits, and will result in inconsistent protections across the many apps they use,' Meta said.

'For example, on some platforms, teens can access social media sites without an account and without the safeguards provided to registered users.'

The company has also shared its concerns about how a 'blanket ban' for Australians under the age of 16 can effectively be enforced.

'Compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process,' Meta's vice president and global head of safety Antigone Davis said.

'Though we are committed to compliance, we must also acknowledge the findings of the Age Assurance Technology Trial, which recognises the particular challenges of age assurance at the novel 16 age boundary.

'We believe a better approach is required: a standard, more accurate, and privacy-preserving system, such as OS or app store-level age verification.'

The eSafety Commissioner does not have the authority to formally designate platforms as age-restricted but it can make recommendations and ask platforms to self-assess according to legislated criteria.
A depressed nurse accused of murdering her three young children before attempting suicide will stand trial in the same county where her alleged crimes took place - despite pleas from her lawyer.

Lindsay Clancy allegedly strangled Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan in the basement of the $750,000 home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, she shared with her husband Patrick in January 2023.

Her husband returned home to find Clancy with slashes to her neck and wrists in an effort to take her own life.

On Tuesday, Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan denied a request from Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, to have her murder trial moved to a different county in Boston.

Reddington had attempted to argue that it would be near impossible to find an impartial jury in the county where the alleged crimes took place due to the publicity which has surrounded the case.

While Sullivan rejected the request, he did agree to a separate defense plea to have the trial be pushed back from its initial tentative start date of February 9.

It will now begin on July 20, despite initial concerns that a summer trial could overlap with vacation planes.

'What I don't want to do is have a date, and we get ready for trial, and then somebody says, I'm going to Truro, or I'm going to the Finger Lakes, or I'm on vacation,' he said.

A judge denied a request from Lindsay Clancy's (pictured) attorney, Kevin Reddington, to have her murder trial moved to a different county in Boston

Patrick Clancy returned home that day to find his children strangled in the basement and his wife suffering self inflicted wounds

Reddington will reportedly pursue an insanity defense for Clancy, arguing she was suffering from postpartum depression at the time she allegedly strangled the children.

'This is not a situation that was planned by any means,' he previously said. 'This was a situation that was clearly the product of mental illness.'

But the prosecution countered that Clancy had been evaluated by mental health professionals before and was told she did not have post-partum depression.

They claimed Lindsay had been researching ways to kill on her cellphone in the days leading up to the murders, and have suggested her suicide attempt was staged.

Clancy has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, three counts of strangulation and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Cora and Dawson were already dead at the home by the time that Patrick returned home, and Callan died in hospital several days later.

Meanwhile, Clancy had thrown herself from the window of their mansion in a move which left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair.

After the horror tragedy, Patrick told the New Yorker that his wife was 'not a monster.'

Cora and Dawson were already dead at the home by the time that Patrick returned home, and Callan died in hospital several days later

The tragedy occurred at their $750,000 Duxbury home, and Clancy's lawyers attempted to have the murder trial moved out of the county

'I wasn't married to a monster, I was married to someone who got sick,' he said.

He said she had been suffering from anxiety and was institutionalized in the months before the horrific incident.

Clancy had told him over the phone she heard a voice commanding her to kill the children and then herself because it was her 'last chance.'

'She did not sound like my wife,' Patrick said of the phone call.

'She misses her kids,' he said. 'Which I know sounds crazy to some people. But that's the reality.'

By mid-November 2022, Clancy's mental health had deteriorated to the point she lost her appetite and stopped socializing.

She also started having trouble sleeping, prompting doctors to prescribe her a host of medications.

Investigators found bottles of diazepam, amitriptyline and trazodone, all antidepressants, from the family home.

All three had been prescribed to Lindsay 16 days before the traumatic incident.

Clancy had reportedly been suffering post partum depression. Her lawyer will mount an insanity defense

Clancy had been institutionalized shortly before the murders, but Patrick thought she had been doing better

In early January, Clancy checked herself into McLean Hospital, a psychiatric facility, but was released five days later after admitting 'I don't belong here.'

Patrick had thought she had been improving, and on the morning of January 24, she even told him she was feeling 'good' and slept 'pretty well.'

When he returned home, however, he found blood on the floor of the master bedroom and a bloody knife.

He found Clancy barely conscious in the backyard, and asked her, 'What did you do?' to which she replied, 'I tried to kill myself.'

Patrick then asked where the children were and she directed him to the basement. That is where he found Cora, Dawson and Callan, with exercise bands still around their necks.

He tried to remove them and begged each child to breathe before they were pronounced dead.
A senior criminal barrister who built his reputation prosecuting sex offenders has been disbarred in disgrace - after groping a woman for the second time.

Kevin Barry, a high-flying lawyer who had tackled complex rape cases for the Crown Prosecution Service, preyed on his victim at two separate social events just weeks apart.

The 53-year-old had previously been fined and reprimanded by the legal watchdog after sliding his hand down another woman's skirt.

Barry, once part of the CPS's 'complex casework' unit dealing with rape and sexual offence cases, was barred from the profession after admitting three counts of misconduct.

A disciplinary tribunal ruled his behaviour was 'intentional' and 'sexually motivated'.

Barry, once part of the CPS's elite complex casework unit, first targeted his victim at a after-work drinks event at central London's plush Rosewood Hotel in February 2018.

He placed his hand on her upper thigh, beneath her dress, and 'edged it upwards towards her groin', the tribunal heard.

He also touched her hair while making comments 'of a sexual nature'.

A month later, at a chambers silks party, Barry struck again - placing his hand on her bottom, 'degrading' the woman and 'violating her dignity'.

The Bar Standards Board said the woman 'did not consent' to being touched and that Barry, described as a 'did not reasonably believe' she had consented.

Kevin Barry, a high-flying lawyer who had tackled complex rape cases for the Crown Prosecution Service, preyed on his victim at two separate social events just weeks apart

It said Barry was 'a practising barrister who was in a position of seniority'.

A spokesman said: 'We would like to thank the individual who came forward and we recognise the courage it takes to make reports about behaviour like this.

'The Bar Standards Board treats all such allegations seriously and will take action where necessary. We are committed to ensuring that such behaviour is not tolerated at the Bar.

'Mr Barry's actions were serious and incompatible with membership of the Bar and this is reflected in the decision of the tribunal to disbar him.'

Barry was previously hauled before a disciplinary tribunal in 2019 after groping another woman who spurned his advances.

He tried to kiss his victim outside a bar, before sliding his hand down her skirt and squeezing her bottom.

After making the 'unwanted sexual contact', Barry then ran his hand up and down her thigh in a taxi.

The tribunal found he had behaved in a way which was likely to 'diminish the trust and confidence' in his profession.

Yet he was allowed to stay in the profession, escaping with a reprimand and modest 3,000 fine.

Barry had represented in murder and drugs cases and was the contributing editor to two leading law textbooks.

He was most recently based at the prestigious London-based 36 Group chambers.

The Legal 500 legal ranking directory once described Barry as a 'Level 4 CPS prosecutor' and 'on the CPS list of specialist rape counsel'.

Barry has the option to appeal the latest ruling.

In September, Baroness Harriet Harman, KC, published 36 hard-hitting recommendations to counter bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar, and what she called its 'culture of impunity'.

Harman said: 'Bullying, harassment and sexual harassment is a problem at the bar and on the bench, within chambers and courtrooms, in open court and behind robing room doors. It needs to be acknowledged and dealt with to protect future victims.

'There is a no confidence in the complaints system.

'The pervasive fear of complaining about misconduct gives perpetrators impunity, resulting in a cohort of untouchables. This is a moment of reckoning for the bar.'
The owner of a dog that died after it was reportedly kidnapped during a car theft has been charged by detectives in a major twist in the case, Daily Mail can reveal.

Arnie the German shepherd was said to have been sleeping in his owner Nathan McKeown's ute when the vehicle was reportedly stolen outside a Wynnum home, in Brisbane's east, between 1.30am and 5am on November 8.

It sparked a week-long frantic search to find Arnie, with his desperate owners launching a viral social media campaign and offering a $6,000 reward for his return.

The alleged theft captured the hearts of Australians, before the family pet was tragically found dead inside the ute on November 17 in Fortitude Valley's Amelia Street, in the heart of the city's nightlife hub.

Following inquiries from Daily Mail on Thursday, Queensland Police announced they will allege the car was not stolen and the owner had left the dog in the ute in Fortitude Valley.

'The owner of the vehicle has assisted police with these investigations, and it has now been established that a criminal offence of unlawful use of motor vehicle has not occurred,' a spokesperson said.

'It will be alleged shortly after 10.30pm on November 7, the male owner drove the vehicle into Amelia Street in Fortitude Valley and left the vehicle on foot.

'It will be further alleged that Arnie was left inside the vehicle.'

Nathan McKeown has been charged over the death of his German shepherd, Arnie, who was reportedly stolen earlier this month

Arnie went missing when the ute he was sleeping in was reportedly stolen in the early hours of the morning in Wynnum, Brisbane on November 8

McKeown has been charged with one count of breach of duty of care of animal by failing to provide under the Animal Protection Act.

On November 8, McKeown allegedly told his partner, Louise, that the ute had been stolen and she filed a police report.

Police will allege that Ms McKeown had no idea the vehicle had not been stolen.

McKeown is expected to appear before a Brisbane court next month.

A Facebook page dedicated to the search for Arnie was abruptly taken down on Thursday morning.

During the search campaign, McKeown said he had the eight-year-old German shepherd with him when he dropped in to visit friends on Davidson St, at Wynnum, on November 8.

His friend's Kelpie didn't get along with Arnie, so he said he had put his dog in the back canopy of his black Toyota HiLux and given him some water.

When Mr McKeown went to leave several hours later, both his ute and Arnie were gone, he said.

'I went and met one of my mates, he picked me up, we drove around looking up streets, checking car parks seeing if it had been abandoned,' the father-of-one told Seven News last week.

Brisbane couple Louise and Nathan McKeown spent a week pleading for Arnie's return before the search came to a sad end

Police now allege the car was not stolen and Nathan McKeown had left Arnie in the ute in Fortitude Valley

'I would have heard him if he barked, he probably thought it was me getting in the ute.'

Mr McKeown issued countless online community appeals as Queensland Police worked around the clock to locate Arnie and the stolen vehicle.

The search came to an end on Monday when a member of the public located the vehicle parked on Amelia Street with Arnie dead inside.

'Unfortunately there isn't a better outcome and Arnie was found... deceased, still in the back of the ute that was stolen,' the family posted on Tuesday.

'We are beyond devastated. He didn't deserve to go like this!! We had the best life with him and he is going to be so missed.

'We sincerely want to thank everyone for all your help over the past week in the search for our boy Arnie.

'Police are following up all CCTV footage and leads.'

McKeown's wife and their five-year-old daughter said they were devastated about their beloved missing pet.

Louise McKeown (pictured) has previously said Arnie knew she was pregnant before she did

'He (Arnie) knew I was pregnant before I did,' she said.

'We've been through a lot with him, we just want him back. He's very special. We just hope he's being looked after, he's a big dog, but he's a big friendly giant.'

The couple said they spent a week driving around frantically trying to track down Arnie, calling vets and the local pounds, and even hiring a pet detective.

'Please just return our dog, you can keep the ute, we don't need the ute, we just want our pet back,' McKeown pleaded at the time.

Queensland Police previously said that reports of 'Arnie' sightings took officers across the Brisbane region and surrounding districts, but they were 'unsubstantiated'.

Investigations remain ongoing.

'Media and the public are thanked for their extensive assistance throughout the investigation,' Queensland Police said on Thursday.

'Police are aware this has been a highly publicised case, and offences of this nature may cause distress and upset members of the public.

'The Queensland Police Service requests that the public are respectful of the matters progression through the courts.

'The QPS takes animal care seriously.'
Controversial British sex worker Bonnie Blue has falsely claimed she obtained a government waiver to overturn her three-year ban from entering Australia.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Tia Bellenger, announced plans to ship her so-called 'bang bus' to Australia for Schoolies Week, despite being barred from entry until at least 2026.

In a video posted online, Blue thanked her lawyers and displayed what she described as a 'special letter' from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, which she claimed approved her return.

The document, allegedly signed by 'Sarah Donnelly, Assistant Secretary, National Entry Integrity Division,' was presented as proof of her clearance to enter the country.

However, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed to Daily Mail that the letter is fabricated, stating that no such official exists and that the division named in the letter does not exist.

The publication also understands that Blue does not hold a valid visa.

Blue was deported last year after her visa was cancelled amid plans to film explicit content with school leavers on the Gold Coast.

Her presence sparked widespread outrage, with a community petition calling for her deportation attracting more than 22,000 signatures.

Bonnie Blue (pictured) holding a document falsely claiming she is allowed in Australia

Under Australian immigration law, anyone whose visa is revoked faces an automatic three-year exclusion period.

Waivers are rarely granted and require compelling, exceptional circumstances -criteria Blue is unlikely to meet for what she has described as a 'sex tour.'

Government sources told Daily Mail that it is 'virtually impossible' for Blue to return before her ban expires.

Despite this, Blue has continued to tease her followers, telling A Current Affair that she has 'good lawyers' and will be 'doing Schoolies this year'.

It's understood Blue will be based in Bali, creating content to give the impression she is in Australia during Schoolies Week, which starts on Saturday.

Blue's 'bang bus' was already spotted on the Gold Coast earlier this week.

Blue claims that vials filled with her spit will be handed out at Schoolies Week from the bus, to compensate for her inability to travel to Australia.

'My goal and aim has always been to interact with as many people as possible, so I'm sending lots of my fluids and my "bang bus",' she told News Corp.

Bonnie Blue's 'bang bus' (pictured) has been spotted driving around the Gold Coast this week

Bonnie Blue (pictured) claims she will be giving away vials of her saliva on the Gold Coast

'While I'm attending Bali Schoolies this year, vials of my saliva are being handed out at an event I'm hosting on the Gold Coast, an idea that allows me to be in more than one place at once.'

That's despite human bodily fluids being listed as prohibited imports by the Australian Border Force.

Daily Mail contacted ABF for comment.
A motorcyclist who leapt onto a moving car and clung to the bonnet for more than a kilometre during a wild road rage has defended his actions.

John Stanley Turner, 62, appeared in Mildura Magistrates Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to five charges, including affray, dangerous driving and property damage, over the February 27 incident.

Turner had been riding in Mildura, in north-west Victoria, when he slowed down in front of a P-plater and made a rude gesture after being cut off.

Moments later, as the pair continued down the road, Turner slammed on the brakes and his motorbike was bumped. He then got off his bike and hurled his helmet at the car's windscreen.

The confrontation escalated when Turner stopped in front of the car again and ripped off the driver's side mirror, throwing it onto the bonnet.

Turner then launched himself on the bonnet as the terrified occupants rang police, who instructed them to drive to the nearest station, the court heard.

In the footage, Turner can be seen clinging to the bonnet for the full 1.3km journey, even when the car stopped at a red light, and tearing off a windscreen wiper.

John Turner (pictured) pleaded guilty to five charges after a road rage incident in Mildura

Turner (pictured) had leapt on the bonnet of a P-plater's car after a row on February 27

During the incident, Turner threw his motorcycle helmet at the windscreen of the car

The court was told Turner caused damage worth $7,794.24.

It also heard Turner had posted on social media, alleging he had been deliberately rammed and his motorcycle had experienced more than $3,000 worth of damage.

At the end of the video, he could be seen sliding off the bonnet and walking into the police station. The group remained in the car.

'I've got a very short fuse, I'll be honest, especially when I'm on the bike because you're that vulnerable, you haven't got any protection,' Turner told 7NEWS.

'I might look like a f***head driver that night, but you've got no idea of the drivers that just go straight through a roundabout without looking.'

The court heard that Turner had had a bad day, and had decided to take a ride to clear his head.

The court heard a victim impact statement which described Turner's rage as 'instant' and extremely frightening for the group in the car.

In June, Turner had been charged with 15 offences but he pleaded guilty to five charges on Monday.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan said the behaviour was 'outrageous' and 'disturbing', adding that Turner had reacted 'very poorly'.

The motorcyclist had his licence suspended for eight months.

He was also issued a 12-month community corrections order, including 100 hours of unpaid community work.
The UK is considering 'military options' if a Russian spy ship sails any closer to British shores after its crew used a laser to target RAF pilots.

Britain's Defence Secretary said the UK was ready to respond if the ship moves any further south from its current position in 'wider UK waters' north of Scotland.

John Healey lambasted the Kremlin last night, warning the Russian leader that they were watching the vessel's movements closely.

Warships and RAF planes have been keeping watch on the Yantar, which is designed for gathering intelligence and mapping crucial undersea cables, after it entered wider UK waters this month.

Mr Healey said the frigate HMS Somerset and RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft had been deployed to 'track this vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots'.

He also confirmed he has provided British pilots with more robust guidance to counter such threats following a dramatic showdown in the North Sea.

He fired a verbal warning shot across Vladimir Putin's bow as fears were raised that the Yantar ship  part of a so-called Russian 'ghost' fleet  has been targeting cables and pipelines.

The ghost fleet consists of ordinary looking ships that Russia claims are research vessels, but are in fact bristling with surveillance equipment and carry manned and unmanned submarines.

The Russian military ship Yantar pictured operating off the northern coast of Scotland

The vessel (pictured) is designed for gathering intelligence and mapping crucial undersea cables

The devices can cause permanent damage to pilots' eyesight, while experts suggest Russian industrial-strength lasers could burn holes in aircraft.

Mr Healey said yesterday: 'As I speak, a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, is on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland having entered the UK's wider waters over the last few weeks.

'My message to Russia and to Putin is this  we see you. We know what you're doing. And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready. We have military options ready.

'We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and a RAF P-8 plane to track the vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots. Anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous.'

This incident is understood to be the first time a Russian spy ship has used lasers against the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, in Berlin for a meeting with her German counterpart, said the UK would be 'vigilant and determined' in its response to Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Russia denied that it was 'interested in British underwater communications' and accused the UK of being 'Russophobic' and 'whipping up militaristic hysteria'.

The UK and Nato allies are increasingly concerned about the risk Moscow poses to offshore cables, pipelines and other infrastructure critical to internet connectivity.

The RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft (pictured) has been keeping watch on the Yantar

Fears were raised that the Yantar (pictured, right) ship  part of a so-called Russian 'ghost' fleet  has been targeting cables and pipelines

Attacks on undersea cables could cause 'catastrophic disruption' to the financial and communications systems Britons rely on, the National Security Strategy Committee warned in a September report.

The UK operates around 60 undersea cables connecting the country with the US, Scandinavia and mainland Europe.

Mr Healey added that the threat to service personnel is being taken 'extremely seriously'.

Mr Healey said: 'Clearly, anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous.

'This is the first time we've had this action from Yantar directed against the British RAF.

'We take it extremely seriously. I've changed the navy's rules of engagement so that we can follow more closely, monitor more closely, the activities of the Yantar when it's in our wider waters.

'We have military options ready should the Yantar change course. I'm not going to reveal those, because that only makes President Putin wiser.'

The Yantar has been within the UK's exclusive economic zone, which extends up to 200 nautical miles - about 230 miles - offshore, but has been on the edge of Britain's territorial waters, within 12 nautical miles (13.8 miles) from the coast.

The ghost fleet consists of ordinary looking ships that Russia claims are research vessels, but are in fact bristling with surveillance equipment and carry manned and unmanned submarines

The incident with the laser is understood to have happened within the last fortnight.

While the Yantar looks innocuous as it is not equipped with weapons, the spy ship is among Russia's most effective military assets.

It masquerades as a oceanographic research vessel and is packed with surveillance equipment. The ship can also launch remotely operated vehicles capable of severing underwater cables.

The 112ft-long Yantar entered service in 2012. It has been seen in the UK's wider waters and in Ireland's economic exclusion zone. This month it was escorted from Dutch and Belgian waters. A Royal Navy submarine, HMS Astute, surfaced near the Yantar earlier this year in a warning to its crew.

A repeat of the submarine response could be one military option on the table, or warships could follow the example of the Dutch navy, which escorted the Yantar out of the Netherlands' part of the North Sea earlier this month.

In Berlin, Ms Cooper suggested Russia's actions were motivated by frustration at the lack of progress in Ukraine.

She said: 'Russia has failed in its military objectives over the course of this year, so as a result, what we have seen them try to do is to seek continually to escalate.

'We can see the approach they are taking, we have no illusions about what they are doing. We see what Putin is doing and we understand and we will continue to be vigilant and determined in our response.

John Healey also confirmed he has provided British pilots with more robust guidance to counter such threats following a dramatic showdown in the North Sea

'Just as we have been about incursions into Nato airspace, just as we are being now in terms of identifying the Russian spy ship in UK waters and just as we have continued to be in response to sabotage threats that we have seen across many different European countries as well.

'It will not deter us from supporting Ukraine, quite the opposite, because we know Ukraine's security is our security.'

Defence expert Professor Michael Clarke told Sky News yesterday: 'The submersibles Yantar can launch could be surveying cables and pipelines, they could be laying charges. Pipelines are different and don't have back-up. Cables may not be so difficult.

'Russia is building another of these ships. They are very sophisticated.'

In recent months other Russian ghost fleet, or non-military vessels, have been identified monitoring areas of the UK coastline where these cables make landfall.

Mr Healey's new guidance, known as Rules of Engagement, will permit ships and aircraft to follow the Yantar more closely when it is in the British economic exclusion zone  outside UK territorial waters.

The Yantar is operated by Russia's highly secretive Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research, or GUGI, which is responsible for surveying Western maritime assets in peacetime and sabotaging this infrastructure during war.

Kremlin diplomats denied they were studying the UK's undersea cables and warned Britain was risking further destabilisation of European security through its remarks.

The continuation of the Yantar's reconnaissance campaign in the North Sea and other waters comes after multiple Russian incursions into Nato airspace in recent months.

More than 20 Russian drones have entered Polish airspace, some travelling more than 100 miles within the country, Russian warplanes have invaded Estonian airspace and Kremlin drones have shut down continental airports.

And this month UK drone specialists were deployed to Belgium to counter a threat to its airspace, thought to come from Russia.
Stacey Plaskett, the Democrat who texted with Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing, met with him multiple times including once at his New York mansion, according to court documents.

Plaskett, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands in Congress, confirmed in a deposition that she went to Epstein's home in 2018 to ask him for campaign contributions, including potentially for the Democratic Party.

She acknowledged that, over the years, Epstein and four other people in his orbit gave around $30,000 in total to her congressional campaigns.

Plaskett also revealed that she had met in person with Epstein more than once, but less than five times.

She also spoke to him on the phone at least five times, but could 'not recall' if it was more than 10, according to the deposition.

At one point she sent an email to Epstein's assistant, saying she would be 'grateful for his support.'

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett texted with Jeffrey Epstein during a hearing about what to ask a witness, Trump fixer Michael Cohen

All the meetings took place in the years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18.

The extent of Plaskett's dealings with the now-deceased financier were revealed in a deposition she gave in 2023 in a sprawling and ongoing civil case brought by the U.S. Virgin Islands against JPMorgan Chase over Epstein's finances.

She is in the spotlight after revelations in 20,000 pages of Epstein files were released this week by the House Oversight Committee.

They showed that, in a 2019 congressional hearing, Plaskett exchanged text messages with Epstein shortly before she was due to question Donald Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen.

Epstein texted Plaskett two hours beforehand, saying: 'He's opened the door to questions, re who are the other henchmen at Trump org.'

During the televised hearing, Epstein texted to Plaskett: 'Are you chewing?'

She replied: 'Not any more. Chewing interior of my mouth. Bad habit from middle school.'

A minute after she finished questioning Cohen, Epstein texted: 'Good work.'

Jeffrey Epstein outside his New York mansion

A view of Jeffrey Epstein's seven story townhouse on East 71st Street

On Tuesday night, Democrats in the House defeated a Republican attempt to censure Plaskett and remove her from her seat on the Intelligence Committee.

Plaskett, a former Justice Department lawyer, fiercely defended her actions, saying: 'I got a text from Jeffrey Epstein, who at the time was my constituent, who was not public knowledge at that time, that he was under federal investigation. And who was sharing information with me.'

She added on the House floor: 'I know how to question individuals. I know how to seek information. I have sought information from confidential informants, from murderers, from other individuals because I want the truth.'

Plaskett, a Democrat, is a non-voting Delegate in the House representing the territory of the U.S, Virgin Islands.

A transcript of her deposition in the JPMorgan Chase case was reviewed by the Daily Mail.

In it Plaskett detailed how she was first introduced to Epstein by a fellow lawyer, and that her first in-person meeting with him was at the financier's office in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

'I was running for office, I was as individuals running for office do, looking for contributors, donors,' Plaskett said in her deposition.

Stacey Plaskett, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands, during a congressional hearing

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett defends her decision to communicate with Jeffrey Epstein on CNN

She met with him at that office more than once but less than five times, she said, and the first meeting was about campaign contributions.

Plaskett was asked by a lawyer: 'Is it fair to say you were asking for money?'

She replied 'Correct' and added: 'I do not recall at that meeting if the contribution was solely for myself.'

Asked who else it might have been for, she said: 'The Democratic Party.'

She acknowledged that she had worked for a law firm that had Epstein and his businesses as a client.

But she did not recall if she herself did any work for Epstein or Epstein-related businesses.

Plaskett said she had never been to Epstein's private island, Little Saint James, but she did visit him at his New York City mansion in September 2018.

She described first meeting his assistant, Lesley Groff and then being brought into a dining room where Epstein was seated at a long table.

'I remember it being off of Lexington Avenue,' she said. 'I recall going to the address, ringing the bell, someone coming from outside which I assumed to be a security person.

'Someone opening up the door, coming into a large foyer area, meeting Lesley Groff, telling that he would be with me.

'Walking through an even larger foyer stairwell area to a room immediately there that would appear to be a dining room where he was sitting at a very long table having a conversation with another gentleman, wrapping up the conversation, that person leaving, making introductions, that person leaving and me sitting down and having a conversation with him.'

The inside of Jeffrey Epstein's mansion in New York

Another view inside the mansion where the late pedophile lived

She was asked if she had ever heard that, when Epstein went to the U.S. Virgin Islands, he 'often had young women with him.'

Plaskett said 'yes' but that she did not recall the 'exact time of hearing that,' whether it was before or after the meeting in September 2018.

Asked if it could have been earlier, she said: 'It could have.'

She said the meeting was 'potentially' 30 minutes and she discussed U.S. Virgin Islands and national politics, and campaign contributions, with Epstein.

Like other party representatives she had a target of raising $250,000 for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

A lawyer inquired if she had asked Epstein to contribute to that.

'I don't recall if it's that specific but it's possible yes,' she said.

Asked how much she had asked Epstein to give, she said: 'To the maximum, whatever the maximum was.'

The maximum allowed at that time was 'in the range of $30,000,' she said.

She acknowledged later authorizing an email to be sent by her staff reaching out to Epstein to make the contribution.

However, the DCCC rejected the donation, according to the deposition.

Plaskett said that Epstein had 'not passed their vetting' but she was 'not sure of the totality of the circumstances.'

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett with former president Joe Biden

Stacey Plaskett later donated campaign contributions from Jeffrey Epstein to charity

The court documents also confirmed previously public information that Epstein had, between 2014 and 2020, given $8,100 to Plaskett's congressional campaigns.

The deposition also showed that Lesley Groff donated $2,600.

Darren Indyke and Richard Khan, who would later become the co-executors of Epstein's estate after he committed suicide in 2019, each gave $10,700. And an assistant of Indyke's gave $2,600.

An email in July 2018 showed Plaskett sent a message to Groff inviting Epstein to a fundraiser.

The politician wrote: 'If you would share this invitation with Jeffrey I'd be much appreciative. I would be grateful for his support and the support of those that he may direct to assist me.

'I'll be in New York City the Thursday of the event through the weekend.'

Groff forwarded the email to Epstein, who appeared keen to contribute.

Within seconds, he wrote back: 'get maximum amounts allowed.'

A Republican bid to censure Congresswoman Plaskett over her communications with Epstein failed

Jeffrey Epstein is pictured in New York leaving his home

When Groff forwarded that request to Plaskett, the politician responded with some helpful information.

She wrote: 'The short answer is that because there will be a primary and a general election for the congressional race our campaign can receive $5,400 from each individual contributor.

'The FEC states that a candidate may receive $2,700 for each race and because there will be a primary and a general election a contributor may write one check for $5,400 and designate on the note line $2.7k for primary; $2.7k for general.'

In July 2019, Epstein was arrested and charged with sex trafficking of minors.

Plaskett then donated his campaign contributions to charity.

At the time, she said: 'In light of new information and allegations that have been made against Jeffrey Epstein I have decided to make contributions to Virgin Islands organizations that work with women and children in the amount of his previous contributions.'

She added: 'I am uncomfortable having received money from someone who has been accused of these egregious actions multiple times.'

In a later statement, she said: 'Jeffrey Epstein's conduct was despicable.

'As I've stated in the past, contributions made by Jeffrey Epstein to my campaign were donated to women and children-focused non-profits in the Virgin Islands.'
First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance teamed up Wednesday to honor military service members and meet with children ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The duo traveled together to the Camp Lejeune and the MCAS New River base in North Carolina where they spent time in the classroom with students of military families and thanked the troops for their service.

The First Lady and Second Lady spent over an hour at DeLalio Elementary School, where they visited several different classrooms and played with the children.

They played games with the students, joked about the viral '67' meme sweeping classrooms and offered to help them with art projects during the visit.

Melania first spent time with a little girl who was intently focused on cutting up some paper.

The First Lady introduced herself and offered to help with the scissors, before praising the girl's 'beautiful' hair, which was in pigtails.

She later moved on to a table of young boys to observe their art projects. At one point she picked up a foam dice they were playing with and rolled it on the table, before joining a solo little boy who was coloring a picture of a turkey.

She returned to the table where the girl was cutting paper and spoke to her as she was pasting paper squares on a yellow background.

'Goodbye everybody, Happy Thanksgiving!' she said as she moved to the next classroom.

U.S. first lady Melania Trump and second lady Usha Vance visit an elementary school

Melania played games with the students during her visit

First lady Melania Trump meets with students at DeLalio Elementary School on the Marine Corps Air Station New River

First lady Melania Trump hugs a student during a visit to DeLalio Elementary School

In the second classroom she visited, a small boy approached and admitted her was shy, but Melania won him over and offered him a hug, which he accepted.

Another little girl was excited to show the First Lady a picture of her cat, while another gave her a lesson on snakes.

'Snakes can be dangerous,' she told the little girl while crouched down to speak with her.

Two children spotted a ladybug on the floor and picked it up to show it to their teacher, who said it must mean they were going to get 'good luck.'

She and the Second Lady moved to a third classroom where one girl read her something off of her paper and a young boy was furiously trying to erase something he had colored.

The First Lady moved to another table where students were playing a game where they put a card with a word into a plastic headband and put it on their head.

She put the headband on her head with the word 'sled' in it. They then wrote down the word on each others head on a piece of paper. She then put a card that read 'plum' on it and also one that read 'slid.'

First lady Melania Trump prepares to board a plane during her trip to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

U.S. first lady Melania Trump plays with students during her and second lady Usha Vance's visit

First lady Melania Trump speaks to students during a visit to DeLalio Elementary School

She smiled and told the students it was a 'fun game.'

At another table two students told the Second Lady Usha Vance their ages.

'I'm six,' said one student. 'I'm seven,' said another student, prompting other students to call out the infamous 67 trend sweeping the nation.

'Oh my gosh, Don't say that!' one teacher protested.

The Second Lady laughed in response and said the schoolchildren trend 'hadn't hit my household yet' and only learned about it from other people.

'I'm not on my guard,' she said smiling.

Students wearing a red, white, and blue ribbon have a service member in their family actively deployed overseas

Second lady Usha Vance interacts with children during her and U.S. first lady Melania Trump's visit

Trump and Vance also visited a High School classroom on the base, and students showed them how they were using Artificial Intelligence in the classroom as part of the first lady's initiative to promote children learning about best practises in using the technology.

They later appeared in a high school gym where students and USO volunteers had assembled 2,000 care packages to send to military service members overseas.

The assembled crowd cheered when they entered the room as Melania thanked them for their efforts and wished them a happy Thanksgiving.
An insurance giant has rescinded an offer to a top executive days before he was due to step into his new role after it discovered his last employer had investigated claims of an alleged workplace affair with his subordinate.

John Neal was due to take over as second-in-command at American Institute Group this week after a six-year stint at the helm of Lloyd's of London.

He stepped down from his role as CEO of the world's largest insurance marketplace in January ahead of landing his new role as president of AIG.

But according to The Wall Street Journal, Neal and the firm mutually agreed to back out of the contract after it was discovered that he was investigated over the alleged affair.

The initial Lloyd's probe was centered around Neal and then-director of corporate affairs, Rebekah Clement, according to the report.

Neal promoted Clement to the newly created role in 2023, meaning she reported directly to him. She helped to oversee government policy, media relations and sat on the Lloyd's executive committee as part of the promotion.

She had previously worked for the prime minister of New Zealand, and departed her role at Lloyd's in May.

The CEO who replaced Neal never replaced her job, according to the publication.

John Neal (pictured) was due to take over as second-in-command at American Institute Group this week after a six-year stint at the helm of Lloyd's of London

The initial Lloyds probe was centered around Neal and then-director of corporate affairs, Rebekah Clement (pictured)

Several employees allegedly raised concerns over potentially preferential treatment Clement received in the job, as well as a decision to hire Neal's daughter within the communications team.

A source close to Clement said she maintains her appointment was above board and followed due process.

A spokeswoman for Lloyd's said an independent review took place in October and found the firm's 'internal processes had not been fully adhered to in respect of a prior matter.'

Lloyd's officials had reportedly spoken with AIG before his appointment was made public in July, and according to one source, his new employer was assured there was no evidence of impropriety.

Separately, Neal's bonus was cut at his prior employer to Lloyd's, Australian insurance group QBE, after he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with his then executive assistant.

'I think what was different in my personal situation was that I was the CEO,' he told Financial News in 2020 about the incident.

'And I felt that I had addressed what was a difficult situation internally as early as I could.'

Neal was expected to earn up to $17 million in his first year at AIG, but he and the firm reached a 'mutual agreement' that he would 'no longer join the company due to personal reasons.'

Neal was expected to earn up to $17 million in his first year at AIG, but he and the firm reached a 'mutual agreement' that he would 'no longer join the company due to personal reasons'

The decision has reportedly sparked uproar among staff who are concerned about how the deal passed so many checks and balances, only to fall through at the final hurdle.

It also comes on the back of the departure of David McElroy last year, who left the company due to 'personal reasons' only to later be charged with four counts of felony sexual assault.

He has pleaded not guilty and 'categorically denies the chargers', which relate to an alleged incident at an AIG retreat in Vermont. A trial is scheduled for 2026.
Commuters are braced for fresh travel mayhem after blizzards swept across the North York Moors, leaving motorists stranded.

Yesterday's white-out trapped drivers on snow-covered roads as an Arctic blast pushed temperatures well below zero across much of Britain.

Crashes on the A171 near Whitby triggered severe tailbacks, with footage showing lines of vehicles crawling through near-blinding conditions before police closed the route. By midnight, the stretch remained impassable.

Images posted online captured cars and a lorry battling the treacherous conditions.

And the ordeal may not be over as the region is under an amber weather warning for snow from 3am to 9pm on Thursday, with up to 25cm expected on higher ground across the North York Moors.

Five separate yellow warnings for snow and ice also blanket swathes of the UK, including the north-east coast, Cornwall, Devon and western Wales.

National Rail urged passengers to check services amid speed restrictions, potential cancellations and delays.

As bitter cold air continues to grip the country, with overnight lows of -6C expected in northern rural areas, the Met Office is warning temperatures could plunge to -12C in parts of Scotland on Friday.

Queues of traffic seen on the A171 in North Yorkshire as police urge drivers to avoid the area

Five separate yellow warnings for snow and ice also blanket swathes of the UK, including the north-east coast, Cornwall, Devon and western Wales on Thursday

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said sleet and snow showers would continue to lash coastal areas, while the national forecaster warned rural communities within the amber zone risk becoming cut off as gusty winds whip up 'occasional blizzard conditions'.

Temperatures will begin to rise closer to averages for this time of year at the weekend when wetter and windier weather arrives, but it will not be as 'exceptionally mild' as it was earlier in November, the forecaster said.

Mr Dewhurst said: 'Thursday will be a sunny day for most, but there will be further sleet and snow showers for coastal stretches which will filter a little inland too. Heavy across north-east England in particular.

'The highest snowfall totals from Wednesday night through Thursday will likely be across the Sperrins, North Yorkshire Moors, Northwest Highlands, Grampians and upland Pembrokeshire.'

The national weather service said rural communities could become cut off in the amber warning area as gusty winds hit, creating 'occasional blizzard conditions', with the possibility of lightning a further hazard.

Shaun Jones, AA Expert Patrol, said: 'When snow and ice hit, the roads can quickly become treacherous. Stopping distances can increase tenfold on icy surfaces, so slowing down and leaving plenty of space is absolutely vital.

'Drivers should plan ahead, stick to main routes and allow extra time for their journey.'

Wintry showers will hit East Anglia, western Wales and Cornwall overnight but persisting snow in the North East could cause 'substantial disruption', the Met Office said.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said: 'Cold Arctic air from the north is firmly in charge of the UK's weather, bringing the first notable cold snap of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather.

'As a result, winter hazards are likely through the next few days, with snow and ice a particular hazard, and the coldest conditions likely on Wednesday and Thursday. Wintry showers will affect areas exposed to the brisk northerly wind, in particular Northern Ireland, southwest Wales, southwest England, northeast England, East Anglia and across the northern half of Scotland.

Motorist seen driving through A road in the North York moors through the dangerous snowy conditions

Lorry stuck on A169 near Fylingdales, prompting police to divert traffic through Scarborough

'Whilst not all places will see lying snow, where showers are most frequent, accumulations of 2-5 cm will be possible. On higher ground in Scotland, 15-20 cm could accumulate, and potentially as much as 15-25 cm over the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds.'

In addition to snow, ice will be an ongoing hazard, particularly overnight in the coming days.

Neil Armstong added: 'Temperatures are well below average for the time of year and could get as low as -10C in rural parts of Scotland on Thursday night, with daytime temperatures generally in low single figures for many. With clear skies, overnight ice could create some particularly tricky travel conditions.'

Meanwhile, in London, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has brought in the capital's Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which provides extra accommodation for homeless people.

The plan sees boroughs and homelessness charities open additional emergency housing for people sleeping rough in conditions that could pose a threat to life.

SWEP, which is activated when temperatures fall to 0C (32F), was in place for 22 nights last winter when London boroughs housed more than 2,000 people.
A GOP Congressman staffer was discovered crying and bound by zip ties in a nature reserve with the words 'Trump wh***' written on her stomach and cuts across her face, neck, chest and shoulders.

A frantic 911 call came in on the night of July 23 reporting that three men had attacked Natalie Greene, one allegedly brandishing a firearm and threatening to shoot her while mentioning her boss's name.

The former Rutgers Law School student said the attack took place after she received threats while working at the congressional office for New Jersey Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew.

But after the FBI questioned her, Greene's elaborate story began to unravel, resulting in the young staffer being charged with making false statements after she was accused of faking the attack on herself, with the help of an accomplice.

She had been found in New Jersey woodland in tears with distinct-looking laceration marks all over her body, bound by her hands, feet and even around her neck with black zip ties.

Greene told an FBI agent that two men grabbed her, pulled up her shirt and restrained her on the ground before tying her up.

She claimed that one struck her on the head before cutting into her body and 'scraping' her, with the pain so intense she began to scream.

The staffer added that one of her 'attackers' claimed he had a gun and threatened to shoot her if she moved, though Greene said she never saw the weapon and only felt something push against her stomach.

Natalie Greene, 26, the staffer to a GOP congressman, has been accused of making up a bizarre attack story to the FBI where she claimed she was beaten, bound with zip ties and had the words 'Trump w****' scrawled on her

The staffer for Rep. Jeff Van Drew allegedly concocted the elaborate attack story, which included claiming her assailants wrote the words 'VAN DREW IS RACIST' on her body

Greene's dramatic story began to unravel under questioning from the FBI, resulting in the young staffer being charged with making false statements to concoct an elaborate hoax

The same night the 911 call was made, police searching Greene's Maserati found extra black zip ties identical to the ones allegedly used to bind her.

Federal investigators later discovered that days earlier, Greene's friend had searched the internet for 'zip ties near me' and was seen on surveillance buying them at a Dollar General Store around 6pm on July 21.

When federal agents seized Greene's phone after the alleged attack, they uncovered a Reddit account following 'bodymods' and 'scarification' pages.

Police found that Greene travelled to a Pennsylvania tattoo and body-modification studio at around 2pm that afternoon and paid $500 in cash to have cuts and markings made across her face, neck, back and shoulders with a scalpel.

The markings, including the one calling her a slur and another saying 'Van Drew racist', were an exact match with her injuries from the supposed kidnapping.

Greene, who had spent years as a constituent advocate director for Van Drew, took photos of the exact scars she wanted the artist to execute, complete with patterns for scars and cuts all over her face, neck, upper chest and shoulder, police say.

Greene then travelled to Ventnor, New Jersey, picked up her friend and co-conspirator and visited a Dunkin' Donuts in Atlantic City before the pair eventually headed to the Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve, arriving around 9.30pm.

At 10.36pm, the co-conspirator, who has not been identified, called 911, reporting that she and Greene had been jumped by three men who threatened them at gunpoint and referenced Greene's boss.

Greene repeated the claims to responding officers, saying one of the attackers held her down, cut her, restrained her and threatened to shoot her.

Greene faces up to ten years in prison, $500,000 in fines and up to six years of supervised release for allegedly making up the bizarre attack hoax

Police found Greene crying in a wooded area off the trail in Egg Harbor Township with her hands and feet tied together and her shirt forced over her head, all with black zip ties and claiming that one of the attackers had a gun. Police found extra ties in Greene's car that night

A federal investigation determined that Greene lied about the entire thing and paid a 'body modification' artist to put the lacerations on her body after she had given them a pattern

It is not clear whether the co-conspirator is also facing charges.

By July 24, police and the FBI had already begun pulling cellphone data.

On July 25, Greene is accused of making materially false statements to federal investigators. She was formally indicted on November 14.

US Attorney for New Jersey and Trump appointee Alina Habba charged Greene with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement.

If found guilty on both charges, Greene faces up to ten years in prison, $500,000 in fines and up to six years of supervised release.

She made her first appearance in federal court on Wednesday and was released on $200,000 unsecured bond.

When the Daily Mail reached out to Van Drew's office, a spokesman said she is no longer working for the congressman.

'While Natalie is no longer associated with the congressman's government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her and hope she's getting he care she needs,' Paxton Antonucci said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Greene and her attorney for comment.

Van Drew, who represents New Jersey's 2nd district, left the Democrats after he vocally opposed the current impeachment investigation into Trump ahead of the upcoming vote.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy blasted Van Drew after word of his decision went public.

If found guilty on both charges, Greene faces up to ten years in prison, $500,000 in fines and up to six years of supervised release

Van Drew, who represents New Jersey's 2nd district, left the Democrats after he vocally opposed the current impeachment investigation into Trump ahead of the upcoming vote

'Jeff Van Drew has chosen his political career over our Constitution,' Murphy said, adding that he was 'willing to enable Donald Trump just to try to salvage his own election.'

Trump praised Van Drew on X, saying the 66-year-old had 'guts.'

'Wow,' Trump wrote, 'that would be big. Always heard Jeff is very smart!'

In another tweet, Trump said: 'Thank you for your honesty Jeff. All of the Democrats know you are right, but unlike you, they don't have the 'guts' to say so!'

Van Drew's move has proven successful, as he's retained his seat in Congress in three elections since changing parties.
President Donald Trump gave the Department of Justice 30 days to release all the files collected over multiple federal investigations into Jeffrey Epstein - but panic quickly set in as major loopholes were exposed.

Trump signed the bill to release the more than 100,000 pages on the billionaire pedophile after the House voted overwhelmingly to pass the measure and the Senate followed suit in a sweeping sign of bipartisan unity.

'As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively,' Trump said on Truth Social.

But despite Trump signing the bill, significant questions remained for Democrats hoping associates of Epstein and his nefarious activities would finally face justice.

'I have no trust, no confidence whatsoever that this Justice Department will be even-handed or fair in the disclosure of these files,' Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said on CNN.

'We have other tools and techniques Weve already begun the effort to scrutinize and oversee the Department of Justice.'

Trump even hinted in his statement Wednesday night that he hoped to expose Democrats with the release of the files.

'Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed,' he said.

President Donald Trump has signed a bill to release every single Jeffrey Epstein while delivering a scathing warning that the 'hoax' will backfire on Democrats. Pictured: Donald Trump with Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago Club, February 12, 2000

Trump's decision comes after a bill to release the highly sought after files was passed in both the House and the Senate this week

But Trump's close relationship with Epstein has been known for decades and the files could bring some embarrassing information to light.

Earlier on Wednesday, the late sex offender's brother Mark claimed Republicans' names are being scrubbed from the files ahead of their release.

'Jeffrey definitely had dirt on Trump,' Mark Epstein said.

He then claimed that it's 'provable' Trump had been to Jeffrey Epstein's house, despite the president's denial.

'Jeffrey told me that if he said what he knew about the candidates, they'd have to cancel the [2016] election.'

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said top Democrats were already planning to make sure Trump followed through with the legal requirement.

'There must be no funny business from Donald Trump, Schumer said.

'This bill is a command for the president to be fully transparent, to come fully clean, and to provide full honesty to the American people, even if he doesnt want to.

Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared less than certain on Wednesday, telling reporters only that her department would 'follow the law' and protect the Epstein victims.

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein chat at a social event in a still from an NBC News video from the early 2000s

Bondi said that she began an investigation into Democrats mentioned in emails turned over by the Epstein estate after being ordered by Trump.

'Information. Information,' Bondi said when asked about why she suddenly started the new probe. 'Theres information that, new information, additional information.'

The legislation passed on Tuesday says records can be withheld if they would jeopardize an active federal investigation.

The Trump administration may also withhold records that identify victims or include images of child sexual abuse.

The Justice Department has already said the files it withheld contained images of victims and videos of illegal child sex abuse.

Survivors of the abuse were seeking a full disclosure in order to put an end to a saga that has plagued them for years.

'Im hoping that theyre going to do the right thing and release everything,' Sharlene Rochard, a victim of Epsteins abuse, told CNN.

'We just want proof that this happened to us.  And we want to help other girls (so) that  that this doesnt happen again.'

'Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES,' he wrote in an epic 390-word rant on Truth Social on Wednesday night

Trump signed the bill after a group of rogue Republicans sparked a furious political battle that fractured his own party. The House ultimately approved the measure by a staggering vote of 427-1 on Tuesday.

Trump said he personally asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to ensure the bill would pass through the chambers.

'Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage,' Trump said.

Just one Republican - Rep. Clay Higgins (La.) - voted against the bill in the House, and it passed unanimously in the Senate.

'At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress,' he said.

'Do not forget  The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him.'

Epstein died by suicide in jail awaiting trial while his associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20 year prison sentence

'This latest Hoax will backfire on the Democrats just as all of the rest have.'

It comes after leaked emails Epstein sent to himself in February 2019 revealed the disgraced pedophile billionaire claimed that Trump had often visited his home in Palm Beach.

'[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 also boasted 'I am the one able to take him down', as he branded Trump the 'dog who hasnt barked' while claiming he spent 'hours' with a sex abuse victim.

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.'

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.
Disgraced economist Larry Summers has announced he is leaving his position at Harvard University effective immediately as the Ivy League school conducts another investigation into his ties with sex pest Jeffrey Epstein.

Summers, 70, who once served as the US's Treasury Secretary, will not conduct the last few lectures of his class for the fall semester and will not teach any courses in the spring

'His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the course he has been teaching with them this semester,' a spokesperson told the Harvard Crimson.

Summers, who once also served as the president of the prestigious university, will also take an immediate leave from his position as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School.

'Mr. Summers has decided it's in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as director as Harvard undertakes its review,' the spokesperson said.

A university representative has since confirmed Summers shared his intentions with the school, which had announced hours earlier it is conducting a 'review of information concerning individuals included in the newly-released Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted.'

Summers had previously said he would be 'stepping back' from public life but would continue to teach economics at Harvard after damning emails revealed how he had been communicating with Epstein for years.

He even asked the pedophile for sex and love advice - prompting Epstein to refer to himself as Summers' 'wingman.'

Disgraced economist Larry Summers has announced he is leaving his position at Harvard University

In email exchanges dated between 2013 and 2019, Summers and Epstein shared their thoughts about current events and politics - while also delving into the married economics professor's love life. Epstein is pictured smiling at Summers in 2004

A university official has confirmed Summers shared his intent to leave his position immediately

'I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein,' Summers said on Monday.

'While continuing to fulfill my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me.'

Summers has now severed his relationships with think tanks Center for American Progress and the Center for Global Development and has stepped down from his position on the board of OpenAI.

'Larry has decided to resign from the OpenAI Board of Directors, and we respect his decision,' the company said. 'We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board.'

Meanwhile, The New York Times Opinions section and Bloomberg News announced they would not be renewing his contract as a contributing writer.

But over the past few days, pressure has been mounting on Summers to step away from his teaching position - with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren urging Harvard to cut ties with him.

She told CNN she believes Summers 'cannot be trusted' with young college students given his lengthy friendship with Epstein.

Warren added that Summers displayed 'monumentally bad judgment' in his messages with Epstein while he was married to Elisa New, a professor emerita of American Literature at Harvard.

It is unclear whether they have an open relationship or if he was cheating on his partner of now-20 years.

Summers had previously said he would be 'stepping back' from public life but would continue to teach economics at Harvard

Summers is married to Elisa New, who is a professor emerita of American Literature at Harvard. They are pictured walking together during the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference in 2022

In the email exchanges dated between 2013 and 2019, Summers and Epstein frequently shared their thoughts about current events and politics - while also delving into the married economics professor's love life.

He complained to the now-disgraced financier in one of the messages about feeling like 'the friend without benefits' in his relationship with a woman who jilted him in 2019, and asked him for tips on how to reply to her texts.

The message came long after Epstein pleaded guilty to sex crimes against children in 2008 - and Harvard had already stopped accepting donations from him the previous year in light of the allegations.

In one March 2019 email, Summers complained to Epstein that he was concerned that the attention he was giving one woman may not pay off in the form of sexual reward.

'I dint (sic) want to be in a gift giving competition while being the friend without benefits,' he wrote.

Summers analyzed his exchange with the woman in classic economic terms, by weighing up how he could maximize profit from what he gave.

Epstein praised the hopeless professor for his efforts, writing that his lack of 'whining' to the woman 'showed strength'.

The economics professor then whined that the woman had abandoned plans with him for another man she was 'really attracted' to but was 'unsuitable as a partner'.

He told Epstein he could not criticize her for this due to their power dynamic, and because he had canceled on her thanks to 'family and work constraints' in the past.

'Should I just wait for her to call?' he asked the sex offender, while suggesting that he could alternatively tell the woman she had 'used up 80 percent of what she was owed' by making him change his plans.

Summers analyzed his exchange with a woman in classic economic terms, by weighing up how he could maximize profit from what he gave in the exchange with Epstein

In November 2018, Summers also forwarded an email from a woman to Epstein in order to ask his advice on what he should write back.

'Think no response for a while probably appropriate,' Summers wrote, according to CNN.

'she's already beginning to sound needy :) nice,' Epstein replied in part.

The previous year, in October 2017, Summers raged to Epstein that men could be banned from a social media site or a think tank because 'they hit on a few women 10 years ago'.

Based on their correspondences, Epstein had come to think of himself as Summers' 'wingman,' according to The Harvard Crimson.

Summers told The Harvard Crimson last week that he regretted his friendship with Epstein.

'I have great regrets in my life. As I have said before, my association with Jeffrey Epstein was a major error of judgment,' he said.

Summers previously served as the Treasury Secretary in the Clinton administration

Former Vice President Al Gore is pictured congratulating Summers after he was sworn in

Summers has worked at Harvard since 1993, when he became an economics professor. He then served as the school's president from 2001 to 2006, when he resigned following a faculty no-confidence vote due to a speech he made suggesting the lack of women in science and engineering might be connected to differences in their aptitudes for the subjects.

Prior to joining the faculty at Harvard he served as the Treasury Secretary for the Clinton administration. He has also advised Joe Biden's presidential campaign.

But when Harvard conducted a review of Epstein's ties to the school - including financial documents and meetings with members of the faculty - Summers name came up in a citation for the website for the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, which he established with funding from Epstein.

According to the May 2020 report, Epstein visited the program's offices dozens of times between 2010 and 2018, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Yet Summers was not the only Harvard faculty member named in the documents, according to The Harvard Crimson.

Harvard Law School Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz was also named in the files - as was Summers' wife, Elisa New.

In the end, Harvard officials have said Epstein donated more than $9 million to the school prior to his death in 2019

The documents show that New discussed her personal projects at length with Epstein, soliciting thousands of dollars from him even after Harvard said it would stop taking contributions from the disgraced financier.

In one 2014 exchange, New and Epstein discussed a $500,000 gift to Poetry in America, a television show and digital initiative she spearheaded.

The emails also show she once accepted an unspecified amount of money from Leon Black, an executive at private equity firm Apollo, in a gift she wrote Epstein helped broker.

'It really means a lot to me, all financial help aside, Jeffrey, that you are rooting for me and thinking about me,' she wrote in December 2015.

In the end, Harvard officials have said Epstein donated more than $9 million to the school prior to his death in 2019.

The school has since agreed to adopt new guidelines on accepting potentially controversial gifts and revise its procedures for appointing visiting fellows - a one-year non-degree seeking research position Epstein held in 2005 under Summers' presidency.
A former senior high school teacher has suggested that there is either a cancer cluster or her old workplace is 'cursed' after several colleagues were diagnosed, sparking a government health audit.

Debbie Fabrizio was in charge of the science faculty at Blakehurst High School in Sydney's south until she quit in February, amid fears about staff becoming sick.

She claimed that she and several other staff were diagnosed with breast cancer, including her best friend Linda O'Brien, who sadly lost her battle in 2023.

However, Daily Mail understands that Ms O'Brien, who was also head of science, was diagnosed prior to starting at Blakehurst High.

'We had, I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but three head teachers in a row with breast cancer,' Ms Fabrizio told 7News as she fought back tears.

'It's either a cluster or it's extraordinarily bad luck. Like, you know, that's a curse level there.'

Ms Fabrizio claimed that she raised concerns about asbestos found on school grounds, which was later removed.

Science teacher Debbie Fabrizio (pictured) has claimed there may be a cancer cluster among staff at her former school Blakehurst High in Sydney's south

Ms Fabrizio has claimed three teachers in a row have suffered from breast cancer

Ms Fabrizio also claimed that staff were ordered to keep quiet and warned it would be 'a code of conduct issue if this leaks.'

When asked if she felt ignored, an emotional Ms Fabrizio replied: 'Absolutely'.

She is now speaking out 'so other people dont get hurt'.

The Daily Mail does not suggest that suspected asbestos at the school caused any illness, only that Ms Fabrizio raised those concerns while working there.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has ordered a health audit of Blakehurst High School, which is within his local Kogarah electorate.

'We're not going to leave any stone unturned. I've asked questions personally,' he said.

'They've looked at the science facilities, including the storeroom, prep room, break rooms and science labs.'

Initial testing of the facilities came back clear.

NSW Premier and local MP Chris Minns has ordered a health audit of Blakehurst High School

The NSW Department of Education confirmed that an investigation is underway.

'The health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students is always the departments top priority,' a spokesman told Daily Mail.

'Following concerns from staff, the department commissioned comprehensive and independent testing at Blakehurst High School.

'There was also testing conducted in 2021. The results of the testing have identified no areas of concern.'

The next steps include epidemiological research to be led by NSW Health.

'That means reaching out to those who have been diagnosed to understand health histories and work on commonalities, particularly around when diagnoses took place,' the education spokesman added.

Once this assessment is complete, a spokesperson from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District said the unit will advise the Department of Education and the school community if there is any need for further investigation.

'Cancer is common in Australia,' they said.

'In most cases, an increase in cancer within a location reflects the variable incidence of cancer in the community, and no risk is associated with that location.'
Global mayors laud innovative heritage conservation practices in E China's Nanjing

People's Daily Online) 16:38, November 20, 2025

A delegation attending the Global Mayors Dialogue in Nanjing visits the Nanjing City Wall Museum in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yijia)

Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, recently captured global attention for its innovative approaches to cultural heritage conservation.

The Global Mayors Dialogue in Nanjing, themed "Flowing Rivers, Converging Future," kicked off on Nov. 19, bringing mayors and representatives from countries including Brunei, Egypt, Germany and Italy to several of the city's tourist attractions and landmarks.

A tour of the Nanjing City Wall Museum and Zhonghuamen Gate, a barbican that forms part of the ancient city wall, offered participants firsthand insights into Nanjing's innovative practices in preserving and revitalizing its cultural legacy.

One conservation program, featuring extensive public participation in protecting the ancient city wall, particularly intrigued foreign visitors during the tour.

Photo shows ancient city wall bricks exhibited in the Nanjing City Wall Museum in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yijia)

Launched by the Nanjing City Wall Protection and Management Center in 2016, the program, titled "Bring Every Brick Home," encourages residents to report clues about missing bricks and assist in their recovery, creating a pioneering model of public engagement in heritage conservation.

In 2023, the program received the Star of Discovery award at the Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovation Cases (AWHEIC), presented by the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO.

For Alessandro Rapinese, mayor of Como, Italy, the visit marked an important beginning.

"Understanding is the first step, and I completed my first step here," he said.

City walls reflect the history of urban construction and represent rare historical heritage, he added, emphasizing that urban renewal must be based on full respect for historical structures.

Only by understanding history, Rapinese said, can people build a better future.

Over the next few days, the delegation is expected to continue exploring Nanjing's cultural landmarks, including the Laomendong historic and cultural block, the Jiangtun reading room (a Yangtze finless porpoise-themed science popularization venue), and the Nanjing World Literature Hall, gaining a deeper understanding of the development achievements of this ancient riverside capital.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Clive Small, the detective credited with catching serial killer Ivan Milat, has died in a Sydney aged care facility after a long illness. He was 79.

Small took command of Task Force Air after the bodies of seven backpackers were found in Belanglo State Forest, south-west of Sydney, between September 1992 and November 1993.

Victorian couple Deborah Everist and James Gibson, disappeared in December 1989, followed by German woman Simone Schmidl, 21, who was last seen in January 1991.

German couple Gabor Neugebauer, 21, and Anja Habschied, 20, went missing in December 1991, followed by British friends Caroline Clarke and Joanne Walters in April 1992.

Task Force Air was formed in October 1993 with more than 20 detectives and analysts to catch the serial killer responsible.

Within the first 24 hours of setting a toll-free hotline seeking tips from the public, investigators had received 5,119 calls.

Among the names suggested by members of the public on that first day was roadworker Ivan Milat, a known violent criminal.

Clive Small, the detective credited with catching serial killer Ivan Milat, died in a Sydney aged care facility on Wednesday night. He was 79

Milat was found guilty of seven counts of murder in July 1996 and sentenced to life without parole. He died in jail in October 2019 aged 74

Another caller described witnessing the attempted kidnapping of a man near Belanglo State Forest in January 1990. That man was British backpacker Paul Onions.

Onions had reported accepting a ride with a man who called himself 'Bill' who pulled out a revolver and ropes, stating he was staging a robbery.

When Onions managed to escape from the vehicle 'Bill' shot at him.

But his report was not followed up until April 1994 when police found the original note describing Onions's call.

Onions was interviewed and it became apparent 'Bill' was Milat, who was already under surveillance. He was arrested by Task Force Air detectives in May 1994.

Milat was found guilty of seven counts of murder in July 1996 and sentenced to life without parole. He died in jail in October 2019 aged 74.

Small believed Milat was almost certainly also responsible for the murder of 18-year-old hitchhiker Paul Letcher, whose body was found in the Jenolan Caves State Forest in January 1988.

Ballistics analysis indicated bullets located near Letcher's body were fired from the same rifle Milat used to murder Caroline Clarke and Gabor Neugebauer.

Milat's known victims were: (top, left to right) Deborah Everist, Anja Habschied, Simone Schidl, (bottorm, left to right) Joanne Walters, Gabor Neugebauer, Caroline Clarke and James Gibson

Small thought it possible Milat was involved in several other murders including that of 20-year-old Canberra woman Keren Rowland in 1971.

He was satisfied that in the Belanglo killings Milat had acted alone.

Small is survived by his widow Alison, daughter Amber and son Joshua, who described their family's loss in a moving Facebook post on Thursday afternoon.

'Many of you are aware, Clive Small has been suffering with health problems for some time now,' he wrote.

'Last night he went to sleep for the last time and passed away comfortably.

'I owe a lot to who he is and how he lived, he will be forever missed in a way I can only hope to live up to.'

Small rose to the rank of assistant commissioner and retired in March 2004 during a secondment to the Premier's Department, having twice been rejected as commissioner.

The father-of-two later became operations director of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, a role he resigned from in February 2007.

He had joined the police cadets in 1963 and first came to public prominence by exposing flawed rape allegations against chief inspector Harry Blackburn in 1989.

In retirement, Small became a prolific author of true crime books, often co-written with Tom Gilling.

Among their titles were Milat: Inside Australia's Biggest Manhunt - A Detective's Story and Smack Express: How Organised Crime Got Hooked on Drugs.
A Democratic congresswoman is accused of stealing millions of dollars in disaster relief to bolster her campaign.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, who represents a heavily-Democratic district in South Florida, has faced scrutiny for years over how she was able to out fundraise her opponents in the special election to fill the seat vacated by longtime Congressman Alcee Hastings.

Federal prosecutors now claim she laundered the proceeds her family's health care company received during the COVID pandemic and used them to support her campaign.

They explained that Cherfilus-McCormick was the CEO of her family-run company Trinity Health Care Services when it received a contract at the start of the pandemic to conduct COVID testing and outreach in minority communities.

But the state - which was charged with allocating funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency - overpaid on the contract by $5.8 million, which was the subject of a civil suit the state's Division of Emergency Management settled earlier this year, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Even though Trinity has agreed to pay $5.62 million in the settlement and did not admit any wrongdoing in the case, federal prosecutors claim Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, 'conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source.'

They say the congresswoman used a 'substantial portion of the misappropriated funds... as campaign contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick's 2021 congressional campaign and for the benefit of the defendants.'

Authorities further claimed that the congresswoman and her District Chief of Staff Nadege Leblanc arranged additional contributions to her campaign using straw donors whom they channeled some of the COVID funds to - and in turn the 'friends and relatives... donated to the campaign as if using their own money.'

Also charged in the indictment is David Spencer, who helped Cherfilus-McCormick prepare her 2021 tax return.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, is accused of stealing millions of dollars in disaster relief to bolster her 2021 campaign. She is pictured here speaking to the press and supporters at an election night party following the special election

She has long faced scrutiny for years over how she was able to out fundraise her opponents in the 2021 race

The Department of Justice alleges that the pair 'falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions, and inflated charitable contributions in order to reduce her tax obligation.'

Spencer is now charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return.

'Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,' Attorney General Pam Bondi said as she announced the charges against the congresswoman.

'No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain,' she continued, adding: 'We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.'

Attorneys David Oscar Markus, Magot Moss and Melissa Madrigal have since issued a statement to the Sun Sentinel on behalf of Cherfilus-McCormick, who they said is a 'committed public servant who is dedicated to her constituents.

'We will fight to clear her good name,' they vowed.

Cherfilus-McCormick won the Democratic primary in Florida's 20th District in November 2021 by just five votes.

She then won a full term in 2022, and again in 2024 when no one came forward to challenge her in either the Democratic primary or the general election.

Cherfilus-McCormick was the CEO of her family-run company Trinity Health Care Services when it received a contract at the start of the pandemic to conduct COVID testing and outreach in minority communities

But throughout her time in office, she has been under scrutiny for her 2021 campaign contributions.

In 2022, Cherfilus-McCormick filed a defamation suit against her opponent, Dale Holness, who accused her of embezzling to win the seat, according to NBC Miami.

The following year, in December 2023, the House Ethics Committee announced it had formed an Investigative Subcommittee to probe whether Cherfilus-McCormick broke any laws or rules, acting on a referral it had received months earlier.

The Office of Congressional Conduct then wrote in a report in May 2024 declaring there was probable cause to believe Cherfilus-McCormick 'accepted campaign contributions linked to an official action.'

But the report containing the statement was not released until May 2025 by the House Ethics Committee.

Meanwhile, the Office of Congressional Ethics said in a January 2025 report that Cherfilus-McCormick's income in 2021 was more than $6 million higher than the year prior, driven by nearly $5.75 million in consulting and profit-sharing fees recovered from Trinity Healthcare Services.

By July, the House Ethics Committee voted unanimously to reauthorize the investigative subcommittee probing the allegations against the congresswoman.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the indictment proves that no one is above the law

Following the news of the grand jury indictment Wednesday evening, Cherfilus-McCormick's fellow lawmakers hit out at the congresswoman.

Her Democratic challenger in the 2026 midterm election, Elijah Manley, told the Sun Sentinel the indictment 'is a sad moment for the people of Florida's 20th Congressional District.

'I am disappointed in the congresswoman for abusing the power she was given and instead use it to enrich herself and her family.'

Rep. Greg Steube, another Congressmember from Florida, also shared on social media that he will be filing a motion to censure Cherfilus-McCormick and remove her from all of her committees.

'This is one of the most egregious abuses of public trust I have ever seen,' he wrote on X.

'Stealing $5 million in taxpayer disaster funds from FEMA of all places is beyond indefensible,' he continued, noting: 'Millions of Floridians have relied on FEMA after devastating hurricanes, and that money was supposed to help real disaster victims.

'And once House Ethics concludes their investigation or she is formally convicted, rest assured I will move to expel her from Congress,' Steube vowed.

Cherfilus-McCormick currently serves on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Republican Party of Florida also wrote online that the allegations are 'absolutely disgusting and she must step down NOW!'

Rep. Greg Steube, another Congressmember from Florida, shared on social media that he will be filing a motion to censure Cherfilus-McCormick and remove her from all of her committees

In the meantime, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is urging the Republicans who control the state government to change the boundaries of congressional districts.

He has specifically cited Cherfilus-McCormick's district's boundaries as being improper because it was created under the federal Voting Rights Act with boundaries that made it likely to send a black lawmaker to DC, according to the Sun Sentinel.

DeSantis argues that the 20th District's structure constitutes unconstitutional gerrymandering - an issue that is currently under consideration by the US Supreme Court in a separate case.

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison and her brother faces up to 35 years.

Leblanc also faces up to 10 years behind bars, and Spencer up to 33 years.
The International Monetary Funds latest assessment of the Australian economy is being spun by the government as a tick of approval.

The IMF - a UN agency that promotes the health of the global financial system - does praise Labor for avoiding a recession. But thats not the serious part of the report.

The main game is what it says about the future, and on that front the IMF is worried about what it sees.

Australias finances are not built to cope with an ageing population, structurally large spending programs and a very narrow tax base.

The NDIS and aged care spending - on top of health, defence and interest costs on a trillion dollars' worth of government debt - cannot keep growing at anything like their recent pace, according to the IMF.

If Labor insists on funding these spending initiatives it needs to reform the tax system and make the country less dependent on income taxes, of which Australia has some of the highest in the world.

Our reliance on income taxes over other forms of taxation concentrates our tax system in a way few other nations do, and the IMF is calling it out.

Its prescriptions for fixing the system are hardly radical in policy terms: Shift the tax mix away from direct to indirect taxes - that means increasing the GST and broadening its base. Two things Labor has ruled out doing.

This report from the International Monetary Fund comes as Australian workers grapple with high prices at the checkout

The Aussie economy is too reliant on individual income tax -- but there is almost no evidence the Albanese government is prepared to do what the IMF is suggesting

The IMF also wants policy makers to revisit a resource rent tax so that mining profits on finite commodities deliver a durable public return.

It also wants concessions and exemptions that distort decisions about work, saving and investments to be wound back, alongside productivity enhancing moves such as replacing stamp duty with land taxes, in order to encourage mobility and downsizing.

On paper, a Labor government should be well placed to prosecute that IMF agenda. It wraps itself in the language of intergenerational fairness and the social compact, which are outcomes of many of the IMFs suggestions.

Its also up against a dysfunctional opposition that appears incapable of challenging the government right now, meaning that difficult reforms are less likely to be successfully challenged via a scare campaign.

If any government had political cover to level with voters about the structural problems in the budget right now its Labor. Yet there is almost no evidence the Albanese government is prepared to do what the IMF is actually urging.

On GST, the excuses are familiar. Its a state tax. Theres no agreement. Maybe some future summit will look at it. In reality, nothing happens without prime ministerial ownership and a treasurer willing to spend political capital and mount a difficult argument.

Neither Albo nor Jim Chalmers look remotely interested in doing so on tax and spending reforms.

On a mining tax, the scars of the Rudd and Gillard experiences still define Labors instincts.

Voters have been left wholly unprepared for the economic trade offs that will eventually be forced on them

If such wilful blindness continues, Paul Keatings 1980s warning that without reforms Australia risks becoming a banana republic will once again loom large

Given the chance to design a durable rent tax and lock in revenue while commodity prices remain favourable, the government prefers not to relive an old internal trauma.

Chalmers watched the mining tax his old boss Wayne Swan rolled out collapse around him. He wont want to suffer a similar fate, if the Coalition ever got its act together to challenge the premise.

The same pattern of doing nothing meaningful applies on the spending side.

Ministers talk about cracking down on NDIS rorts, tightening eligibility at the margins and improving aged care regulation. But the public facing message is almost always expansion and enhancement: more places, more rights, more money.

That might be politically convenient, but it leaves voters wholly unprepared for the trade offs that will eventually be forced on them, which is precisely the warning the IMF is issuing.

Of course Chalmers appears to have convinced himself hes already carrying out the sorts of reforms the IMF wants. But rearranging stage three tax cuts and rolling out modest housing schemes is not the comprehensive tax package its talking about. Nor is a bit of competition policy reform or the half-baked super changes Albo overruled Chalmers on.

These reforms barely address the big structural concerns the IMF cites. The pressures are compounding and the solutions are well known, however Labor is behaving as if the reckoning can be put off indefinitely. Meanwhile the Coalition are turning themselves inside out debating an emissions target for 25 years from now.

Labor likes to talk about itself as the party of reform. In the Hawke and Keating era that meant something substantive. Today reform has been reduced to re-profiling tax cuts and announcing reviews. The IMFs wish list has effectively given the government cover to tell the truth about the tax base and the sustainability of current spending.

So far, however, Albo and Chalmers have preferred to cherry-pick the compliments in the IMF report and ignore the prescription medicine recommended. If such wilful blindness continues, Paul Keatings 1980s warning that without reforms Australia risks becoming a banana republic will once again loom large.
A distressed boyfriend vowed to find his missing girlfriend after she mysteriously vanished from a beach party - but her family insists he is 'manipulative.'

Danielle Staley, 35, disappeared from Platforms Beach area of Rio Del Mar in Aptos, California, on November 6, and was last seen with a group of people just before 11.30pm, Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office said.

Her personal items were located on the beach, yet no evidence suggested she entered the ocean on the night she went missing.

The 35-year-old, originally from Utah, had been staying with her 62-year-old partner, Axl Nunez, in their camper by the beach.

She has been with Nunez since September and has kept in touch with her family until she went missing.

Nunez said he didn't accompany Staley to the bonfire party because he's asthmatic, and ended up falling asleep in his van.

He woke up the next morning and realized she never came home.

'I'm going to find her,' Nunez told FOX13. 'I won't stop, bro. I'm not stopping until I find her, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here.'

But Staley's family spoke out about the 13 year-long 'on-again, off-again' relationship with Nunez.

Danielle Staley, 35, disappeared from Platforms Beach area of Rio Del Mar in Aptos, California on November 6

Staley and Axl Nunez, 62, who have been staying together in his camper in California since September

'Weve been concerned for years,' April Miller, Staley's mother, told KSBW 8. The 35-year-old's brother also called Nunez 'extremely abusive' and manipulative.'

'Hes been saying that basically, she just walked off, not taking her purse, her phone, not taking one thing other than the clothes on her back,' Miller said. 'Honestly, were really alarmed by this because thats not Danielle.'

Despite the family's claims, Nunez stood firm, maintaining he had nothing to do with Staleys disappearance.

'Absolutely not. One hundred percent. God as my witness, I have nothing to do with it,' Nunez told FOX13.

'Everybody's asking that question. It's pretty obvious, the boyfriend, the husband, we're the number one suspect all the time. And all I want to do is help try to find her.'

The 62-year-old added that he has been extremely cooperative in the investigation, allowing police to search his van and even offered to take a polygraph test.

'Whatever they want to do, they can do it. But I did offer it to them. I said, "I will take a polygraph test. I will take any kind of tests you guys want." I just want to help to try to find her,' Nunez said to the local outlet.

Photo of Staley released by the Sheriff's Office, police believe foul play may be involved in Staley's disappearance

Platforms Beach area of Rio Del Mar in Aptos, California, where Staley disappeared at the beach bonfire party (file)

Police believe foul play may be involved in Staley's disappearance, but told local outlets that Nunez is currently not considered a suspect.

'This is still being investigated as a missing person with suspicious circumstances and haven't established any crimes; therefore, there are not any persons of interest,' Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sgt. Zach West told ABC.

But Miller also told KSBW that the police' think foul play is involved.'

'They really think that she just did not walk off and decide to leave,' she told the local outlet.

'I probably talked to her at least four times a week, and we text other days Shes in communication with us. Shes not trying to disappear from her family,' Miller added.

Nunez spoke out after social media backlash, much of it focused on the couples history of domestic violence.

But the 62-year-old believes this is a drug related issue and that Staley may have relapsed or is even with other users.

Nunez said he wants out of the spotlight and wants the focus on finding his girlfriend, adding that he will do 'whatever it takes' to find her.

'I just want her back,' he said to FOX13. 'She's my life, she's my best friend.'

Staley's brother, Frankie Grey, described her as a 'trusting and loving' person who has an incredible sense of humor.

'Shes so fun and funny and just the life of any room,' Grey said.

According to the police, Staley is 5'6" and 120 pounds with blonde hair. She was last seen in a dark sweatshirt and leopard print leggings.
A pet owner accused of leaving his dog to die in his ute - before then spearheading a week-long campaign for help to find the allegedly stolen German shepherd - had claimed thieves must have abandoned the animal in bushland or a carpark.

Nathan McKeown, 43, has been charged after his dog, Arnie, was found dead inside his car on Amelia Street, in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, on November 17.

The discovery followed a week-long highly-publicised search campaign by McKeown and his wife, Louise, who offered a $6,000 reward for the safe return of their pet.

Police will allege McKeown abandoned the vehicle in the city's nightlife hub about 10.30pm on November 7 before telling his wife the next day the ute was stolen from outside his friend's home 20km away while Arnie was sleeping inside of it.

His wife then reported the incident to police the next day and was never aware the ute had not been stolen, Queensland Police said.

During the frantic search for Arnie, McKeown insisted car thieves had snatched the vehicle with his dog still in it from Davidson Street, Wynnum, in the city's east, between 1.30am and 5am on November 8.

Just one day later, while speaking to the Daily Mail in an interview that went unpublished at the time, McKeown shared his theory of what had happened to the family pet.

'I don't know how nobody has seen the car,' he said.

Nathan McKeown has been charged over the death of his German shepherd, Arnie, who was reportedly stolen earlier this month

Arnie was said to have gone missing when the ute he was sleeping in was reportedly stolen in the early hours of the morning in Wynnum, Brisbane on November 8

'I went down a few tracks where I know they dump cars and stolen utes.

'It's either been abandoned in the bush or in a carpark or in a property.'

McKeown added that the dog's disappearance had left him, his wife, and their daughter heartbroken.

'It would absolutely mean the world' to have Arnie returned home safely, he said, as he thanked the public for their contribution to the search.

'I've been driving around, finding leads, chasing down CCTV, my phone has been hopping,' he said.

'It was heart-wrenching. Just gutted. Arnie is a beautiful-natured dog. He's been in the family since he was eight weeks old.

'He's got a good, strong character. He even knew my wife was pregnant before my wife did.

'The community have been awesome. They have really gone out of their way.'

Locals had rallied around the family - sending leads and possible sightings - before the family pet was tragically found dead by a member of the public on Monday.

McKeown issued countless online community appeals as Queensland Police worked around the clock to locate Arnie and the stolen vehicle.

McKeown actively replied to questions on social media as locals offered up advice to the family.

A poignant tribute to the dead dog could be seen at the home of Arnie's family in Brisbane

Brisbane couple Louise and Nathan McKeown spent a week pleading for Arnie's return before the search came to a sad end. Police will allege Ms McKeown had no idea the car was not stolen

Police now allege the car was not stolen and Nathan McKeown had left Arnie in the ute in Fortitude Valley

'Is Arnie chipped? Saw your story this morning and can't stop thinking about you guys,' one woman wrote.

McKeown replied: 'Yes he's chipped (fingers crossed emoji)'.

Another person queried: 'Nathan McKeown, any updates as I've seen a couple of comments saying that the car was abandoned with Arnie still in it... If [that's] true, is he ok?'

McKeown responded: 'No updates... Few leads but nothing substantial though... Still not found. Hopefully today will be a better day.'

Following inquiries from the Daily Mail on Thursday, Queensland Police announced McKeown had been charged with one count of breaching his duty of care to an animal.

Police will allege the car was not stolen and McKeown had left the dog in the ute in Fortitude Valley.

'The owner of the vehicle has assisted police with these investigations, and it has now been established that a criminal offence of unlawful use of motor vehicle has not occurred,' a spokesperson said.

'It will be alleged shortly after 10.30pm on November 7, the male owner drove the vehicle into Amelia Street in Fortitude Valley and left the vehicle on foot.

'It will be further alleged that Arnie was left inside the vehicle.'

He is expected to appear before a Brisbane court next month.

A Facebook page dedicated to the search for Arnie was abruptly taken down on Thursday morning.

During the search campaign, McKeown said he had the eight-year-old German shepherd with him when he dropped in to visit friends on at Wynnum on November 8.

His friend's Kelpie didn't get along with Arnie, so he said he had put his dog in the back canopy of his black Toyota HiLux and given him some water.

When Mr McKeown went to leave several hours later, both his ute and Arnie were gone, he said.

'I went and met one of my mates, he picked me up, we drove around looking up streets, checking car parks seeing if it had been abandoned,' the father-of-one told Seven News last week.

'I would have heard him if he barked, he probably thought it was me getting in the ute.'

Louise McKeown (pictured) has previously said Arnie knew she was pregnant before she did

The search came to an end on Monday when a member of the public located the vehicle parked on Amelia Street with Arnie dead inside.

'Unfortunately there isn't a better outcome and Arnie was found... deceased, still in the back of the ute that was stolen,' the family posted on Tuesday.

'We are beyond devastated. He didn't deserve to go like this!! We had the best life with him and he is going to be so missed.

'We sincerely want to thank everyone for all your help over the past week in the search for our boy Arnie.

'Police are following up all CCTV footage and leads.'

McKeown's wife and their five-year-old daughter said they were devastated about their beloved missing pet.

The family said they spent a week driving around frantically trying to track down Arnie, calling vets and the local pounds, and even hiring a pet detective.

'Please just return our dog, you can keep the ute, we don't need the ute, we just want our pet back,' McKeown pleaded at the time.

Queensland Police previously said that reports of 'Arnie' sightings took officers across the Brisbane region and surrounding districts, but they were 'unsubstantiated'.

'Media and the public are thanked for their extensive assistance throughout the investigation,' Queensland Police said on Thursday.

'Police are aware this has been a highly publicised case, and offences of this nature may cause distress and upset members of the public.

'The Queensland Police Service requests that the public are respectful of the matter's progression through the courts.

'The QPS takes animal care seriously.'

Investigations remain ongoing.
Native New Yorker Donald Trump will meet in the Oval Office Friday with the city's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Trump has said he hopes to 'work something out' with Mamdani despite having endorsed longtime rival Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race.

'Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting,' the president wrote on Truth Social Wednesday.

'We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st.'

The meeting will mark the first-ever between Trump, born in Queens and famous for helping build part of the Manhattan skyline, with the incoming mayor who has promised free buses and freezing rent for millions.

Despite the obvious animosity between the leftist and the Republican president, temperatures have cooled between the pair since the election.

The Democratic Socialist confirmed in an interview with NBC New York that he would at least call Trump before being sworn in.

'It is important that you are open to working with anyone no matter what disagreements you have,' Mamdani said.

Trump himself indicated a willingness to potentially work with the 32-year-old on Sunday.

Native New Yorker Donald Trump will meet in the Oval Office Friday with the city's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani

Despite Trump having endorsed longtime rival Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race, saying the city 'can't have a communist mayor,' since his election , Trump has said he hopes to 'work something out' with Mamdani

'The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us, and we'll work something out. But he would like to come to Washington and meet. And we'll work something out. We want to see everything work out well for New York.'

Mamdani confirmed the meeting in an interview with MSNBC Wednesday night where he stated his goals for dealing with the president.

'I want to just speak plainly to the president about what it means to actually stand up for New Yorkers, and the way in which New Yorkers are struggling to afford the city,' he said, citing his own affordability agenda.

Mamdani claimed he wanted to discuss issues that he was hearing from New Yorkers when they told the mayor-elect they had voted for Trump a year ago.

However, cost of living has only increased in the past year, Mamdani claims, and he wants them to work together to do something about it.

'We're hearing about child care concerns, rent concerns, con Ed concerns, even just getting on the bus just $2.90. And just to make it clear to the president that this is what we're talking about, these are the stakes for New Yorkers and their ability to keep calling the city their home,' he said.

Trump endorsed his longtime rival, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a last-ditch effort to stop Mamdani from winning the election.

He previously hinted that he would rather a 'bad Democrat' like Cuomo beat Mamdani because New York would turn into a 'complete and total economic and social disaster' under his principles.

Mamdani confirmed the meeting in an interview with MSNBC Wednesday night where he stated his goals for dealing with the president

The president even threatened on multiple occasions to withhold federal funds from the Big Apple if the 34-year-old came to office.

'If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,' he wrote on social media.

'Because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!'

Mamdani lashed back at the president after winning the election, directly addressing him during his victory speech.

'Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up!' he said.

However, in recent weeks, the temperatures have cooled with both sides expressing a desire to speak, leading to a summit in the Oval Office Friday.
Jasmine Crockett responded to accusations that she wrongly accused a Republican of having received money from Jeffrey Epstein by saying it was hastily researched.

The Texas liberal defended fellow Democrat Stacey Plaskett after she was caught texting with the billionaire pedophile by citing members of the GOP who'd taken money from 'somebody named Jeffrey Epstein.'

She cited Mitt Romney, George Bush, the 2008 McCain/Palin campaign and current head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin as all having received donations from a person with that name.

Zeldin, a former Congressman and candidate for governor of New York, quickly replied.

'Yes Crockett, a physician named Dr. Jeffrey Epstein (who is a totally different person than the other Jeffrey Epstein) donated to a prior campaign of mine. No freakin' relation you genius!' he said.

The Jeffrey Epstein who donated to Zeldin was listed as a doctor on Long Island on the FEC filings.

Crockett was challenged by CNN's Kaitlan Collins on why she decided to make the false connection between Zeldin and the convicted sex trafficker.

'I never said that it was that Jeffrey Epstein. Because they decided to spring this on us in real time, I wanted Republicans to think about what could potentially happen because I knew they didn't even try to go through the FEC,' she said.

Jasmine Crockett responded to accusations that she wrongly accused a Republican of having received money from Jeffrey Epstein by saying it was hastily researched

Crockett cited Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as having received donations from someone named Epstein. Zeldin clarified that not only was it a different Epstein, the donations had come in after the pedophile died

Crockett argued that she had only 20 minutes to debate on behalf of Plaskett, who was facing a censure by the House, and had to think fast.

'My team, what they did is they Googled and that is specifically why I said a Jeffrey Epstein, unlike Republicans, I at least don't go out and just tell lies. Because it was not the same one, that's fine, but when Lee Zeldin has something to say all he had to say was it was a different Jeffrey Epstein.'

She justified what she had done by confirming that Zeldin admitted to having received money from the other Epstein but continued to try and sow doubt.

'Now, have I dug in to find out who this doctor is? I have not, so I will trust and take what he says that it wasn't that Jeffrey Epstein. But I was not attempting to mislead anybody.'

Collins challenged Crockett that it was a weak attempt to connect key officials to a registered sex offender.

'Within 20 minutes you could not find that out just from doing a quick search on FEC. I made sure that it was clear that it was a Jeffrey Epstein, but I never said that it was specifically that Jeffrey Epstein because I knew that we would need more time to dig in.'

Zeldin dropped a hammer on Crockett, revealing that the information on the donation was public and it happened after the infamous Epstein killed himself in prison in 2019.

'When you find yourself in a hole, its best to stop digging. The public FEC report Crockett referenced on the House floor very clearly states that the Jeffrey Epstein who donated to my past campaign was a physician, and the donation date was well AFTER the other Jeffrey Epstein WAS ALREADY DEAD!!!'

Crockett claimed that she only had 20 minutes to do research and had her staff Google anyone who had gotten donations from someone with the name Jeffrey Epstein

On Wednesday, a day after Plaskett narrowly avoided being censured over the exchange, CNN's Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown wasted no time in pressing her about the texts.

Plaskett avoided the censure because Democrats like Crockett refused to turn on the delegate to the Virgin Islands.

Brown pointed out that Epstein was already a 'known sex offender' when the delegate communicated with him.

Plaskett, 59, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said she had 'lots of people' texting her that day and that she had been chatting with Epstein, one of her constituents, to obtain information.

She denied that Epstein had been 'directing' her about what to say at the hearing, despite texts showing he alerted her about one of Trump's former executive assistants.

Brown asked whether Plaskett would have still asked Cohen about the executive assistant if it weren't for Epstein's texts.

'Probably not,' Plaskett conceded, before being asked by Brown if she had 'any regrets' about the correspondence given Epstein's known sexual abuse.

'Well, listen, I think Jeffrey Epstein is a reprehensible person. Absolutely disgusting. I lived in a house during childhood with a mother who had been sexually abused by her dad. And I know the effect that had on her, as well as us as her family,' Plaskett replied.

Crockett was doing all of this to defend Stacey Plaskett, the US Virgin Islands non-voting delegate recently caught texting Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing in 2019

'And so I understand what the victims are going through, and I want them to get their relevant - their justice, their peace out of this.

'I believe that Jeffrey Epstein had information, and I was gonna get information to get at the truth. Having a friendship with him is not something that I would deem to have.

'And so Im just looking forward - Im moving forward,' she maintained, before urging the 'American people' to do the same.

'If individuals are not involved in illegal activity, extending his criminal enterprise or his financial enterprise or all of those things, I think that we need to look at what people are doing moving forward.'

Brown stopped to again emphasize that many of Epstein's crimes were already public, as he had already pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges in 2008 and was facing accusations from dozens of other women.

'There are a lot of people who have done a lot of crimes, and as a prosecutor, you get information from people where you can,' Plaskett responded.

'Ive interviewed confidential informants, Ive interviewed narcotics, drug traffickers and others, and that doesnt mean that Im their friend.

'That doesnt mean that they are friendly with me. It means that they have information that I need and that Im trying to get at the truth, and thats what I do.'

Brown again asked if Plaskett regretted the decision.

'So no regrets, basically, is what youre saying?' the co-host asked.

'Im moving forward,' Plaskett replied.

At the time of the messages, Epstein was a resident of the Virgin Islands.

The Washington Post uncovered that the pair had texted after her name was initially redacted from the emails. Her office confirmed their report.

The delegate avoided censure Tuesday after the House voted 214-209 against formally reprimanding her over the texts.

Months after the Cohen hearing, in August 2019, Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.
NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman has stood down as leader of the Opposition just hours after announcing he would 'fight' to remain in the top spot.

Speakman quit his position on Thursday after several moderate faction MPs earlier claimed his time was 'over'.

The move is expected to make way for Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane to take over, with Wahroonga MP Alister Henskens also understood to have thrown his hat in the ring.

Sloane was elected in 2023 following a high-profile broadcasting career at Channel Nine and a stint as National CEO of Life Ed, best known for its Healthy Harold program.

In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Speakman supported Sloane as his successor.

'Notwithstanding my best efforts, it has now reached the point where it is impossible to get clear air,' he said.

'No matter what policy announcements I make... no matter how ambitious I am to make sure that the Liberal party engages with Gen Z, engages with the multicultural community, and engages with women.

'There is just too much white noise that interferes with that message. And I will never get the clean air that's needed... Kellie Sloane will be a fantastic leader, if selected by the Parliamentary Liberal party. She is someone of enormous talent.'

NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman (pictured) has stepped down from his position

He also addressed comments he made on ABC Radio Sydney on Thursday morning about 'fighting' to hold leadership.

'A day is a long time in politics. Half a day is a long time in politics. And even a few hours are a long time in politics,' Speakman said.

'This morning the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the jacarandas were blooming.

'And I was on breakfast radio and on TV and saying that I would be continuing as Liberal party leader at that stage.

'No alternative candidate had come forward to tell me they wanted to be the leader. No colleague had said to me they thought it would be better if I resigned.

'But as I said, a day or even half a day or a few hours is a long time in politics.'

Daily Mail understands the leadership vote to replace Speakman will be held on Friday.

A senior Liberal MP, who could not comment publicly due to party rules, said Speakman's leadership was over when he failed to act on rumours Henskens was going after the leadership in the 'ultimate act of treachery'.

Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane (pictured) is expected to take over the leadership position

Sloane was elected in 2023 following a broadcasting career at Channel Nine

'The final blow to Speakman's credibility was when Henskens was caught out for being treacherous and Speakman um'd and ah'd up until this very day over how to deal with it,' the MP said.

'Colleagues noticed how he failed to act and instead of action we got hand wringing which allowed Henskens to continue to stir up trouble and mischief.

'Even when Henskens spoke to the right-wing caucus about his intention to challenge last week, Speakman's paralysis continued.'

During his press conference, Speakman also shared his thoughts on his party's decision to continue backing net-zero emissions by 2050.

The NSW Liberal Party on Tuesday voted to stick with the goal, despite its federal counterpart ditching the 2050 target last week.

'If you want to be a conservative, you can't just be a conservative on economics or on institutions. You should be conservative on the environment as well,' Speakman said.

'And having that custodianship and that stewardship of the environment has to be part of our message to young people, not only as a matter of politics, but because it is the right thing to do.'

Another Liberal MP, speaking to AAP on the condition of anonymity, earlier said replacing Speakman was a necessary move.

Sloane was also the national CEO of Life Ed, best known for its Healthy Harold program, before getting into politics

'We want to win government and it's not about the individual, it's about the team,' the MP said.

'It's nothing personal against Mark, it's time ... the emperor is going to have to put on their new gear.'

Speakman had earlier on Thursday insisted he wasn't giving up.

'Reports of my death are grossly exaggerated and I'm here to fight,' he told 2GB Radio, borrowing a Mark Twain phrase.

'I would expect anyone who wants to be the leader, who wants to knock me off... would come and tell me and no one has.'

The move against Speakman comes after Victoria's Liberal opposition this week dumped Brad Battin as leader and installed first-term MP Jess Wilson.

Speakman was animated in a tense question time in parliament on Thursday, while Premier Chris Minns appeared unfazed.

Outside parliament, independent MP Rod Roberts described the roiling leadership spectacle as a 'Game of Thrones'.

He cautioned the Liberals needed to move swiftly in order to become an effective opposition with a state election less than 18 months away.

The Liberal Party needed one-third of its sitting MPs to agree to a meeting in order to allow contenders to challenge for the position.

The NSW coalition has been in upheaval after the Nationals elected Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh as leader on Tuesday, unopposed, after Dugald Saunders' shock resignation for family reasons.
Shabana Mahmood is considering 'a big increase' in payments for migrants to return voluntarily to their home countries that would be 'value for money' for taxpayers.

The Home Secretary set out plans to overhaul the asylum system on Monday, during which she said the offer of financial packages to encourage arrivals to go home voluntarily would continue.

The UK currently offers payments of up to 3,000 for some people with no right to remain in the country who agree to return home.

But, Ms Mahmood admitted this could be raised further, adding the Home Office will start trialling 'increased incentive payments' to encourage migrants to leave.

And she has already directed officials to 'pilot a small programme' of increased payments 'just to see how it changes behaviour'.

'I haven't alighted on the full sums involved yet, but I am willing to consider a big increase on what we currently pay,' she told BBC's Political Thinking podcast.

'I know it sticks in the craw of many people and they don't like it, but it is value for money, it does work, and a voluntary return is often the very best way to get people to return to their home country as quickly as possible.'

Labour backbenchers have strongly criticised Ms Mahmood's wide-ranging reforms, which are aimed at deterring migrants from seeking asylum in the UK and making it easier to remove people with no right to be in the country.

Shabana Mahmood (pictured) is considering 'a big increase' in payments for migrants to return voluntarily to their home countries

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover onboard a Border Force vessel earlier this month

MPs lined up to attack the 'dystopian' reforms, with several indicating they will rebel to block the changes.

Former frontbencher Richard Burgon accused ministers of 'scraping the bottom of the barrel', branded the plans a 'desperate attempt to triangulate with Reform' and predicted ministers would U-turn on the plans within months.

Fellow Left-winger Nadia Whittome said it was 'shameful' that Labour was adopting 'such obviously cruel policies'.

But the rebellion looked set to spread beyond the Left of the party, with a broad range of Labour MPs speaking out, exposing a schism in Sir Keir Starmer's Government barely a week from Budget day.

A full-scale Labour backbench rebellion over the plans could lead to humiliation for Sir Keir if he is forced to rely on Tory support, as promised by Kemi Badenoch, to push them through.

Other measures in Ms Mahmood's plan include making refugee status temporary with reviews every two and a half years, and the possibility of it not being renewed.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Ms Mahmood said the current asylum system 'feels out of control and unfair'.

The Home Secretary told MPs the 'uncomfortable truth' that the UK's generosity draws migrants to its shores must be accepted.

The Home Secretary set out plans to overhaul the asylum system on Monday

She said: 'While asylum claims fall across Europe, they are rising here, and that is because of the comparative generosity of our asylum offer, when compared to so many of our European neighbours.

'This generosity is a factor that draws people to these shores on a path that runs through other safe countries.'

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, responding to Ms Mahmood in the Commons, offered to 'work together' with Labour to tackle the small boats crisis in the Channel.

'It's not enough, but it is a start,' Mrs Badenoch said of the plans announced on Monday.

'I want to praise the Home Secretary. She is bringing a new energy to the job.'

But the Tory leader warned that any plan that doesn't involve Britain quitting the European Convension on Human Rights (ECHR) is 'wasting time'.

'Just like their plan to smash the gangs, or the 'one in one out' policy, it is time wasting, and it is doomed to fail because of lawfare,' Mrs Badenoch added.
Donald Trump's officials have arrived in Ukraine in a bid to force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into accepting a sweeping new peace deal which sources have described as 'heavily tilted towards Vladimir Putin'.

The 28-point proposal, which would require Ukraine to cede the remainder of the eastern Donbas region to Moscow and cut the size of its military by half, is likely to be viewed as surrender in Kyiv, granting the Russian President unprecedented power.

Heavily based on the Trump-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal, the plan was secretly drafted by a group of Russian and American officials, while Ukraine was denied a seat at the negotiation table about its future.

Among the draconian measures that would be forced on Kyiv is the requirement to abandon key categories of armaments, including the rollback of vital U.S. military assistance, leaving the country vulnerable to future aggression from Moscow.

In further concessions that would no-doubt be viewed as major blows to Ukraine's political sovereignty, Russian would be recognised as an official state language and the local branch of the Russian Orthodox Church would gain official status in the occupied territories.

The plan is 'very comfortable for Putin,' one person briefed on the proposal told the Financial Times, with another describing it as 'heavily titled' towards the Russian leader.

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to meet with Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday to 'discuss efforts to end the war', but the Ukrainian President is likely to see several conditions of the draft as non-starters, viewing them as major concessions to the Kremlin.

The leaked proposal came as Russia launched one of its most intense bombardments of Ukraine to date since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, battering residential buildings and energy facilities and killing civilians, including children.

Donald Trump 's officials have arrived in Ukraine in a bid to force the Ukrainian President into accepting a sweeping new peace deal

Rescuers clear debris at the site of an apartment building that was hit by a Russian missile, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil, Ukraine November 20, 2025

An emergency responder prepares a hose at the site of an apartment building that was hit by a Russian missile, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil, Ukraine November 20, 2025

The draft proposal is heavily aligned with the Kremlin's long-term maximalist demands for territorial control, forcing Ukraine to surrender the entirety of the Donbas to Russia, leaving Kyiv exposed to further attacks.

While Ukraine would retain legal ownership of the valuable eastern province, Moscow would pay an undisclosed rental fee for de-facto control of the region, according to sources close to the matter.

Kyiv's ability to defend itself would also be severely weakened: Ukraine would be prohibited from possessing long-range missiles, foreign troops would be barred from deployment on its territory, and diplomatic aircraft would be prevented from landing in the country.

The timing of the proposal is significant. It is likely that Trump sensed weakness on the Ukrainian side because of a corruption scandal engulfing the president, leading to parliament dismissing the energy and justice ministers on Wednesday.

Ukraine has also recently suffered some major setbacks in the war, after Putin's army advanced into the strategically important city of Pokrovsk and began pressing forward elsewhere along the front.

The seizure of the city means Moscow is well on its way to capturing the Donetsk region, about three-quarters of which it already controls.

The 28-point plan would only herald more territorial losses, requiring Ukraine to cede the whole Donbas: the industrial heartland of Ukraine made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

In August, Russia controlled around 88 per cent of the eastern province, almost all of Luhansk and around 75 per cent of Donetsk. Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out surrendering the tactically important region, but the deal leaves him with little room for manoeuvre.

The Donbas is rich in coal and minerals, so in exchange for controlling the financially lucrative territory, the Kremlin would be expected to contribute a ground fee, sources told the Telegraph.

'Despite being under Russian control, the areas in Donbas from which Ukraine would withdraw would be considered a demilitarized zone, with Russia not able to position troops there,' according to the outlet Axios, which first reported the draft proposal.

'In two other war-torn regions, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the current lines of control would mostly be frozen in place, with Russia returning some land, subject to negotiations.'

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Search and rescue work continues in Ternopil at the site of the Russian strike, November 20, 2025

Ukraines interior ministry said 25 people, including three children, had been killed in strikes which destroyed apartment blocks in the city of Ternopil

Moreover, soldiers are injured and burnt-out after almost four years of war, meaning Kyiv is facing a manpower crisis: some four out of five Ukrainians are fleeing military training centres after being drafted into the army, according to Roman Kostenko, the secretary of the parliaments security committee.

The controversial proposal was drawn up by Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev, who spent three days in Florida together at the end of October.

Witkoff then conveyed the plan to Rustem Umerov, Zelenskys national security adviser, in Miami, making it clear that he wanted the Ukrainian leader to accept its terms - despite Kyiv's long-standing opposition to such concessions.

Neither the Kremlin nor the White House have officially commented on the proposal.

But in a concerning sign for Ukraine, Dmitriev said the U.S. peace plan was likely to be accepted by Moscow because 'we feel the Russian position is really being heard'.

'Its happening with the background of Russia definitely having additional successes on the battlefield,' Dmitriev told Axios.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday Kyiv and Europe needed to be involved in any Ukraine peace plan.

'For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board,' Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

'We have to understand that in this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. So we haven't heard of any concessions on the Russian side.'

A source told AFP it was unclear if the proposals were backed by the U.S. President personally.

Kallas said that as far as she knew there had been no input from Ukraine or its European backers.

'We welcome all meaningful efforts to end this war, but like we have said before it has to be just and lasting,' she said.

'If Russia really wanted peace it could have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire already.'

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot insisted that peace in Ukraine could not mean 'capitulation' for Kyiv.

'Discussions are needed for us to reach a just and durable peace in Ukraine, they should start with a ceasefire on the contact line that allows for orderly discussions on the question of territories and security,' he said.

The reports of the proposal came as Russia launched ferocious strikes on western Ukraine on Tuesday night, bombarding civilian infrastructure in attacks Kyiv sources condemned as 'war crimes'.

Ukraines interior ministry said 25 people, including three children, had been killed in strikes which destroyed apartment blocks in the city of Ternopil, while about 80 others were wounded as Russia fired 476 drones and 48 missiles.

Russian drones also struck apartment buildings in Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, injuring 46 people, including two children aged nine and 13.

'Every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient,' Zelensky wrote on X. 'Effective sanctions and assistance to Ukraine can change this.'

Trump's efforts to broker an end to the war have so far been unsuccessful and he last month abruptly cancelled a planned summit with Putin in Budapest.

Efforts to reach a peace deal have largely frozen since the last meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska in August, while Kyiv and Moscow have not held direct negotiations since the summer.

Russian forces control about 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory and are grinding forwards, while carrying out frequent attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday in an effort to 'intensify' peace negotiations.

He was due to hold talks with Witkoff, but the meeting was postponed because the Ukrainian President intended to discuss an alternative plan drafted by EU allies which the Trump administration felt would be unacceptable to Putin, a U.S. source told Axios.
Andy Burnham today stopped short of ruling out a return to the Commons so he can challenge struggling Keir Starmer.

The Manchester Mayor is at the centre of renewed speculation after a rebel MP dramatically offered to give up his seat.

Left-winger Clive Lewis said yesterday that he does not believe the PM can recover from dire polls, with a disastrous Budget and local elections looming.

Asked about the suggestion this morning, Mr Burnham said he 'appreciated the support'.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was 'fully focused on my role as Mayor of Greater Manchester' - but repeatedly avoided dismissing the idea.

Pressed on whether he might make a comeback, Mr Burnham moaned that 'part of the country's problem is the political culture of Westminster'.

The latest manoeuvring came as a YouGov poll found Sir Keir's personal ratings have hit a new record low of minus 54.

Andy Burnham is at the centre of renewed speculation after a rebel MP dramatically offered to give up his seat

Sir Keir's allies have been arguing there is no viable successor, with growing numbers of critics unable to unite around an alternative candidate

Left-winger Clive Lewis said he does not believe the PM can recover from dire polls, with a disastrous Budget and local elections looming

The latest manoeuvring came as a YouGov poll found Sir Keir's personal ratings have hit a new record low of minus 54

The sense of turmoil at the heart of Government has been growing after an extraordinary pre-emptive strike against the PM's Cabinet rivals backfired.

The premier was left defending his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney when Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly attacked No10's 'toxic culture' and 'self-destruction'.

It then emerged that Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had performed a shambolic U-turn on plans to increase income tax at the Budget, despite weeks of blatant hints.

The chaos appeared to prompt Angela Rayner to give an interview to the Mirror at the weekend, as allies hope she can make a return.

Sir Keir's allies have been arguing there is no viable successor, with growing numbers of critics unable to unite around an alternative candidate.

There are claims that more than 80 MPs are ready to support an effort to oust the PM - which would meet the threshold for triggering a contest.

Some ministers are now said to regard Sir Keir being replaced as 'inevitable'.

Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham is still often touted as a successor, despite a humiliating implosion at a Labour conference after he hinted at making a run.

After maintaining his silence yesterday, Mr Burnham was unveiling plans on affordable housing this morning.

He said of Mr Lewis's offer: 'I appreciate the support but I couldn't have brought forward a plan of the kind that I have brought forward today without being fully focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester.

'And I am providing leadership on growth which is what I think the country needs, and is helpful to the country right now.

'We're doing this in advance of the Budget I hope to really bring to life the growth story for the government.'

Mr Burnham added: 'I think part of the country's problem is the political culture of Westminster which is playing out in front of us right now.

'In Greater Manchester we've built a new economy and a new way of doing politics, and more of that is what the country needs.'

On BBC Breakfast Mr Burnham said he 'wouldn't rule out what might or might not happen in the future'. 'I don't know what the future will hold,' he added.

Pushed again to rule out a leadership challenge, Mr Burnham said: 'I am not in a position this morning to do that.

'The questions you are always asked on these things  how do you answer them?

He added: 'All I can do is be here, present in the here and now, and do my job for Greater Manchester.

'The country is crying out for a plan for growth that benefits people, reduces the cost of living.

'We have got more functional in Greater Manchester as the country has got more dysfunctional, and maybe it is that Westminster politics is the problem, and the type of questions you have been putting at me.'

Mr Burnham also took a potshot at Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plan to block refugees from permanent settlement in the UK for 20 years,

'I have concerns about that particular element of the plans,' he said.

'I think it will leave people in a position where they don't know whether they're staying or potentially leaving, and particularly in situations where people are wanting to work, wanting to contribute, I think, it would be better to stick with the decision of long-term leave to remain.

'From my point of view, there are other major changes, though, that the system needs.'

Appearing on the BBC's Politics Live yesterday, Mr Lewis confirmed he had spoken to Mr Burnham - but refused to say whether he knew he was 'up for' challenging.

Asked if he would give up his own Norwich South constituency so Mr Burnham could run, Mr Lewis said: 'It's a question I've asked myself... I'd have to consult with my wife... but if I'm going to sit here and say, country before party, party before personal ambition, then yes I have to say yes don't I.'

Pressed that he was saying he would give up his seat for Mr Burnham, the Labour MP replied: 'I would.'

Mr Lewis is the only MP so far to say publicly that Sir Keir should go.

Mr Streeting waded into the row yesterday saying Mr Lewis's offer was 'peculiar' and could undermine his support from local constituents.

But the Labour left-winger hit back on X: 'Of course he finds it peculiar. Self-sacrifice, hypothetical or not, is foreign to the self-serving.

'I love my city and my constituents. But the authoritarian right is an existential threat. We need the best chance of turning this around. That's Andy, not Wes.'

Mr Lewis branded Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) 'self-serving' after he criticised his offer to make way for Mr Burnham
One of the key figures in an anti-Jewish rally held outside NSW parliament earlier this month has been arrested by the Australian Federal Police.

AFP officers swooped on Joel Davis in the trendy beachside suburb of Bondi in Sydney on Thursday afternoon and he remains in custody.

'The AFP has undertaken an operational activity in Bondi today. There is no ongoing risk to the community,' the AFP said in a statement.

He is expected to be charged with using a carriage service to harass or menace, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

It's understood the alleged victim was a political figure.

Davis was one of about 60 black-clad demonstrators who were allowed to assemble outside NSW parliament on November 8 and yell Hitler youth chants.

Another of those in attendance, South African national Matthew Gruter, has since had his visa revoked.

Gruter, who has a wife and four-week-old child in Australia, is currently in immigration detention until he is deported or obtains his own ticket to leave the country.

Davis speaking at the rally outside NSW parliament on November 8

Davis is a spokesperson for the National Socialist Network, the group behind the 'Abolish the Jewish Lobby' rally outside parliament.

NSN is attempting to form a political party called White Australia, which will call for mass deportations of non-white Australians.

After independent federal MP Allegra Spender criticised the protest, Davis called on his supporters to 'rhetorically rape' her.

It's understood she and NSW Liberal Minister Kellie Sloane, who also slammed the rally on social media, later received dozens of threats, which they both referred to police.

The Minns Labor government is also considering introducing laws which would outlaw Nazi slogans, in line with bans on Nazi symbols, and boost police powers to de-authorise rallies such as those run by white nationalists.
A second male Israeli hostage freed from Gaza has detailed for the first time the brutal knife-point sexual assault he suffered at the hands of his captors.

Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24, was snatched from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and forced into a tunnel network deep beneath Gaza, shackled, terrified and cut off from the outside world.

Now, in an emotional account, he has told how his captor turned a moment of basic hygiene into a violent and degrading attack and threatened to kill him.

Speaking about his harrowing ordeal, he said: 'He let me take a shower and when I finished taking a shower, he drag me out of the bathroom. He would not let me put my clothes back on.

'He took me back to their room, and then he threw me onto one of their armchairs. He started touching me all over my body and I froze.

'I told him, "You're joking, right? This is forbidden in Islam". He held a rifle to my head and a knife to my throat.

'He told me if I ever told anyone, he would kill me.'

Mr Gilboa-Dalal spoke to N12 news after spending 739 days in captivity. He was released on October 12 as part of the US brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

His family revealed that while in Gaza, he suffered from several infections, lost his hearing in one ear, and developed skin problems. After he was freed, his father disclosed that he was undergoing psychological care to help him process what happened to him.

Hamas and other Palestinian militants' huge surprise attack killed more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals. The terrorists took 251 people hostage in Gaza, sparking a massive international outcry.

Mr Gilboa-Dalal's brutal account comes after Rom Brasklavski became the first male hostage to share his shocking story of sexual abuse and reveal the dreadful nature of the horrors inflicted by the terrorists.

In an interview, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, revealed how he was held at knife point and sexually assaulted by a Hamas terrorist

Mr Gilboa-Dalal was one of the hostages who were released after Donald Trump negotiated a peace deal between Israel and Hamas

Mr Gilboa-Dalal seen with his family after his release

Mr Braslavski, 21, who was working as a security guard at the festival before he was taken, spoke about how he was held in appalling conditions while being sexually assaulted.

In a gut-wrenching televised interview, he said: 'They stripped me of all my clothes - underwear, everything. They tied me up from my... while I was completely naked. I was torn apart, dying, with no food,' he said.

'I prayed to God, "Please, save me, get me out of this already." And you just say to yourself, "What the f***?"'

Speaking to Channel 13, he added: 'It was sexual violence - and its main purpose was to humiliate me. The goal was to crush my dignity. And that's exactly what he did.'

Mr Braslavski also confirmed that more abuses took place while he was held prisoner in Gaza.

'Yes. It's hard for me to talk about that part specifically. I don't like to talk about it. It's hard, it was the most horrific thing,' he said.

'It's something even the Nazis didn't do. During Hitler's time, they wouldn't have done things like this. You just pray for it to stop.

'And while I was there - every day, every beating - I'd say to myself, 'I survived another day in hell. Tomorrow morning, I'll wake up to another hell. And another. And another. It doesn't end.' He added: 'I came back from meeting the devil'.

Rom Brasklavski broke down in tears as he revealed how he was sexually abused by Hamas militants. He became the first male victim to share his experience

Mr Braslavski was working as a security guard at the music festival when he was taken by Hamas militants

Several women have revealed grim details of the sexual torture they endured in Gaza, including a woman whose breasts were cut off with a box cutter as she was gang-raped by Hamas terrorists.

A witness described how the sick group 'threw her breast on the floor' and played with it 'like it was a toy'.

Some of the most horrendous images to come from Hamas' attacks, which killed more than 1,200 innocent people, included women who had objects that had been violently lodged into their groin area.

Many of the women who went through sexual hell did not survive the attacks. Minors were also targeted by Hamas fighters.

Earlier this month, Aviva Siegal, 62, who was taken by Hamas, told the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) in Geneva about how she witnessed a teenage girl being sexually assaulted.

She said: 'I am witness to one of the girls who was with us, that the Hamas terrorist came to the bathroom, told her to get undressed, came into the shower with her, and forced her to do oral sex. And she had to smile after she did that too.

'I am a witness of one of the girls who was forced to take a shower. She is 16 years old, she's never ever shown anybody her body, the Hamas terrorist just stood there and stared and smiled.'

Several others have spoken about how they were held at gunpoint and beaten while being raped. Many were also threatened with forced marriages.

Aviva Siegal opened up about the horrific sexual abuse she witnessed while in captivity

Hamas has previously denied the accounts of the hostages, claiming in December last year that they were 'unfounded lies and allegations.'

Alongside sexual torture, Hamas inflicted many other forms of abuse on the hostages. Some had to watch the group eat in front of them while they languished in hunger.

Avinatan Or, 32, spoke about how he was held in near-isolation for two years and was not allowed to meet any other kidnapped people until his release.

An infamous video released by Hamas also showed how a malnourished Evyatar David appeared to be digging his own grave. He had been held with his childhood friend, Gilboa-Dalal, before Hamas 'took him for a ride in a vehicle around Gaza.'

Others were forced to cook for their captors and subjected to psychological abuse.

Many of the hostages did not survive. Some died from ghastly wounds, while others contracted diseases they could not recover from due to a lack of medical supplies.

One soldier, who was kidnapped, described how he was beaten so severely that he lost consciousness on multiple occasions.

Eitan Yahalomi, a 12-year-old child hostage released in November 2023, described how he was beaten after arriving in Gaza and threatened with guns if he cried.
The ringleader of a Romanian grooming gang was allowed to apply for a 1500 Home Office deportation scheme while in prison awaiting trial for 10 rapes.

Marian Cumpanasoiu, 38, led a group who groomed, drugged and raped vulnerable women in Dundee.

After being plied with alcohol and drugs, they were forced to take part in degrading 'sex games' inside dinghy flats and pimped out to paying clients.

Despite the seriousness of his offences, Cumpanasoiu was handed a 'voluntary return form' in August 2024 while in jail awaiting trial, Sky News reports.

The scheme encourages foreign criminals and illegal migrants to return to their home country in return for a payment.

Cumpanasoiu had 'expressed a desire to return home' on the scheme but the plan was later blocked. A source insisted today that the Home Office would never approve an application while criminal proceedings were underway.

He went on to be given a 24-year extended sentence for sexual and trafficking offences.

In a further twist revealed at his sentencing, it emerged that Cumpanasoiu's right to remain in the UK - which had been due to expire - had been automatically renewed.

This was done under the EU settlement scheme, which automatically extends pre-settled status for anyone already on the scheme after five years.

His status has now been revoked and he is set to be deported after leaving prison.

Marian Cumpanasoiu went on to be jailed for 24 years after being found guilty of ten rapes

Rape Crisis Scotland has expressed concern about the Home Office's dealings with Cumpanasoiu, who prosecutors described as a 'winking, smiling pimp'.

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'This was a horrific case, which involved numerous vulnerable survivors who showed tremendous strength and courage by coming forward to seek justice for what had happened to them.

'The severity of this case has, quite rightly, resulted in significant prison sentences for the perpetrators. However, it is not clear why the Home Office tried to intervene before a trial had begun, and any verdict had been reached.

'Survivors must have faith in the criminal justice process and its ability to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

'This incident raises questions about what the Home Office's intentions were, and why it was able to insert itself into active criminal proceedings in the first place.'

Cumpanasoiu was jailed alongside four associates, Christian Urlateanu, 41, Alexandra Bugonea, 35, Remus Stan 35, and Cataline Dobre, 45.

The group targeted women aged between 16 and 30 from 2021 and 2022.

Police Scotland's investigation uncovered the gang's activities during an operation focusing on the trafficking of women to Dundee from eastern Europe to work as prostitutes.

But officers also found that vulnerable women from the local area were also being groomed with gifts, crack cocaine and whisky.

One victim was forced into prostitution after Cumpanasoiu and Stan set up a profile of her on a website and drove her to meet men to have sex with.

She later said she was sold a 'pipe dream' of how she could make 'lots of money' from selling her body, but Cumpanasoiu became angry when she did not earn enough.

A video was found on his phone recording the victim climbing a tree, with Cumpanasoiu threatening: 'Because you do not make money, you stay all day in the tree.'

The case is the latest in the number of grooming gang trials still being prosecuted across the UK.

The inside of a flat on Bright Street in Dundee where the women were abused

Another photo inside the dirty, dinghy property, where victims were forced to take part in 'sex games'

Last month, five men from Romania and Albania were found guilty of serious sex offences including rape against six teenagers in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Some of the victims were vulnerable and felt beholden to the older men - four of whom are from Romania and one from Albania - who bought them cigarettes and alcohol in exchange for sexual favours

Weeks before, an Asian grooming gang operating in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, were jailed for a total of 174 years after two white schoolgirls were raped as they were used as 'sex slaves' from the age of 13.

Sentencing the Dundee gang, Judge Lord Scott stated that a number of the group 'deflected and minimised' their offending. They now face deportation back to Romania after serving their sentences.

He said: 'Over a 15-month period each of you participated in the serious sexual abuse and exploitation of vulnerable and mostly young women in the Dundee area.

'There were various reasons for their vulnerability including difficult family circumstances and use of drugs.

'By offering them an unending supply of mostly free crack cocaine you exacerbated their vulnerabilities and proceeded to exploit them for your own sexual gratification and in some cases for financial gain.'

Jurors previously heard harrowing testimony about how the gang preyed on their vulnerable victims, most of whom were already troubled by personal issues.

There were said to be so many young women 'passing through' that the gang struggled to remember who they all were.

He was also convicted of a charge under the Human Trafficking Act, by forcing a woman into prostitution, and two charges of brothel keeping.

A knife that was seized from one of the gang's belongings

Meanwhile, Stan was found guilty of four rapes and Dobre found guilty of two rapes. Alexandra Bugonea was convicted of one rape and illegal sexual activity with another.

There was also grim testimony of how Urlateanu, Stan and Dobre gang-raped one woman. She was preyed upon having gone to a 'party' at a flat in Dundee.

This victim recalled being given a substance which made her feel 'rotten' before being attacked by the trio.

His KC Gillian Ross put to him: 'How do you feel about these allegations being made?'

Urlateanu: 'Very scared and very much afraid of all of this.'

He was convicted of nine charges including the rape of four women and illegal sexual activity with another.

In her evidence, Bugonea admitted having 'sex parties' at her flat describing them as a 'fun atmosphere'.

Quizzed about sexually assaulting any of the victims, Bugonea said: 'I am a woman - why would I have a plan to rape her?'

She also denied women only visited due to their drug issues claiming she believed they were 'friends'.

Bugoena said: 'Even now, I cannot believe that they would put me in this position.'

She branded other evidence heard in the trial as 'ridiculous'.

The crimes she was convicted of included being part of the rape of one woman and illegal sexual activity with another.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'This man will serve his sentence for the abhorrent crimes he committed and will be considered for deportation at the earliest opportunity.

'A deportation order will automatically trigger the revocation of an individual's right to be in the UK, including pre-settled status.'
A top Premier League surgeon is suing a renowned Mayfair car dealer for 78,000 after the Bentley they sold him was stolen from his driveway.

Fares Haddad, a world-acclaimed orthopaedic surgeon who is credited with 'fixing' England captain Harry Kane's hamstring, has launched a legal battle against Jack Barclay Ltd, after his Bentley Continental GTW12 was stolen in January 2023.

Mr Haddad claims the car dealer - the UK's oldest Bentley dealership - negligently failed to ensure its location was monitored by a registered electronic tracker if stolen.

The surgeon tried to claim on his insurance but was knocked back after his insurers refused to pay up because his Bentley wasn't fitted with a properly activated tracker.

Mr Haddad, 58, says he assumed that Jack Barclay's staff would set up a continuing tracker subscription for him through Vodafone after conversations and email exchanges with a showroom executive in 2019 - when he was considering buying the Bentley.

He is now fighting Jack Barclay Ltd for 78,643 at Central London County Court - suing for the return of money paid out under his hire purchase (HP) agreement, which his insurers refused to cover after the theft.

But the dealership - which is famed for its iconic vintage Mayfair showroom and reputation as 'gentlemen car dealers' - is denying all negligence, liability and 'foreseeability of loss'.

The dealer denies agreeing to activate the Bentley's tracker, insisting that Mr Haddad was alone responsible for doing so.

Mr Haddad is the clinical director of the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, with a special expertise in hip joint, knee reconstruction and major ligament injuries.

Fares Haddad (pictured), a world-acclaimed orthopaedic surgeon who is credited with 'fixing' England captain Harry Kane's hamstring, has launched a legal battle against Jack Barclay Ltd

Mr Haddad claims the car dealer - the UK's oldest Bentley dealership - negligently failed to ensure its location was monitored by a registered electronic tracker if stolen. Pictured: The dealership in Mayfair

It was Mr Haddad who ended up saving the latter phase of former Tottenham striker Kane's 2019-20 season after the England captain - now at Bayern Munich - injured his hamstring.

Kane underwent surgery for a ruptured tendon, but was back in training by May 2020 and competing in the final matches of the specially extended Covid Premier League season.

The year before in 2019, Mr Haddad had bought his Bentley Continental from Jack Barclay in part exchange for his former car, an Aston Martin, on the basis of a HP credit agreement, the court heard.

The then brand-new model of the GTW12 featured a 6-litre engine and 8-speed gearbox, a top speed of 207mph and retailed for up to 200,000.

The car was stolen in 2023 and Mr Haddad went on to put in an insurance claim, only to be refused due to the tracker not being operational, as per the conditions of his policy.

The surgeon's barrister, Bradley Say, told Judge Andrew Holmes that he was assured when he bought his Bentley that 'a tracker is standard on the car and I will set that up for you.'

'Mr Haddad made a particular point of asking him about the tracker when he picked up the vehicle because of the previous problems he had with the tracker on his Aston Martin,' explained Mr Say.

But although the car was sold with a tracker which was 'live' for the first year of use, the subscription was never registered or renewed, so that by the time of the theft in 2023 it was dead, the court heard.

Later investigations revealed that the tracker had been fitted and commissioned by a Jack Barclay engineer, but was not registered due to a lack of customer details being supplied to set up a subscription.

Mr Haddad's Bentley Continental GTW12 (stock image) was stolen in January 2023

From the witness box, Mr Haddad said he never received a contract from Vodafone to set up a subscription for the tracker, but had understood that everything would be arranged by Jack Barclay.

'I assumed they were setting it up for me and that it would be activated and functioning, and that if I needed to do anything I would be told what to do,' he said.

His barrister continued: 'Mr Haddad says that had the tracker been activated and had he received reminders from Vodafone to renew, as would have occurred had the subscription been activated, he would have renewed the tracker subscription in the same way as with his motor insurance.

'Although he was aware that tracker subscription would have to be renewed after the initial 12 months, he assumed it was done automatically via a direct debit like the payments under his HP agreements.'

Defence barrister, Sajid Suleman, disputed there was any promise to activate the tracker by Jack Barclay staff, also arguing that the responsibility to activate the device 'fell on Mr Haddad,' who was entirely to blame for failing to renew his subscription after the initial 12 months of ownership.

And he argued: 'There was no contractual obligation on Jack Barclay Ltd to activate the subscription; there is also insufficient evidence, on the balance of probabilities, that the defendant promised to activate the subscription and therefore no collateral contract/warranty exists.

'Even if Jack Barclay Ltd activated the subscription in 2019, it would have expired after 12 months and long before the vehicle was stolen in 2023.

'Mr Haddad had an obligation under his insurance and HP agreement to ensure that the subscription had been activated. He failed in his contractual obligations, and that is the cause of his loss.'

After a short hearing, the judge reserved his ruling in the case.
A 15-year-old apprentice has died after being tied up and having a high-pressure air hose forced into his bum for a workplace 'joke'.

The incident took place in a wood workshop in Bozova, Sanliurfa, Turkey, on November 14, with the boy dying in hospital on the morning of November 19.

Muhammed Kendirci had been working as an apprentice when he was allegedly overpowered by coworker Habip Aksoy and an unidentified friend, who first tied his hands for what they claimed was a 'prank'.

His trousers were then forcibly removed and high-pressure air from a compressor was directed into his bum.

But the so-called prank exploded his intestines causing catastrophic injuries and leaving him fighting for his life when emergency services were called to the scene.

Mr Kendirci was first taken to Bozova Mehmet Enver Yildirim State Hospital before being transferred to Balikligol State Hospital.

He was later moved again to Harran University Research and Application Hospital, where medics confirmed severe internal organ damage.

The apprentice was placed in intensive care and remained under treatment for five days before passing away.

Police opened an investigation and Aksoy was taken into custody.

Muhammed Kendirci (pictured), 15, had been working as an apprentice when he was allegedly overpowered by coworker Habip Aksoy and an unidentified friend, who first tied his hands for what they reportedly claimed was a 'prank'

He was initially released under judicial control but this decision was overturned on appeal.

A warrant for his detention was issued, he was arrested again, and this time he was remanded by the court.

The investigation is ongoing, but the case is not the first time high-pressure air hoses have caused catastrophic  and sometimes fatal  injuries.

In Brazil, 17-year-old car wash worker Wesner Moreira da Silva died in agony in Campo Grande after colleagues blasted a high-pressure air hose up his backside as a 'prank', causing his intestines to explode.

Two men were later jailed for 12 years over his death after judges rejected their claim it had been a joke that went wrong.

And, in 2023 a 16-year-old boy died of internal injuries after a man inserted a compressed air hose into his rectum 'for fun' at an Indian factory.

Motilal Sahu, 16, had been joking with factory employee Dheerajsingh Goud, 21, when the worker grabbed the hose pipe of his cleaning machine and shoved it into the teenager's rectum.

In another Brazilian case, two doctors were indicted for manslaughter after using a compressed-air hose through a rubber cannula in a bid to blow a popcorn kernel out of two-year-old Ravi de Souza Figueiredo's (pictured) nose

Police said the sudden burst of air in his rectum severely damaged Motilal's intestines and he collapsed on the floor of the Poona Flour and Foods processing unit in the town of Hadapsar near Pune City, western India.

Motilal was rushed to a nearby private hospital where he died of internal injuries on Monday morning, senior inspector Ravindra Shelke told the.

Even medical professionals have underestimated the dangers.

In another Brazilian case, two doctors were indicted for manslaughter after using a compressed-air hose through a rubber cannula in a bid to blow a popcorn kernel out of two-year-old Ravi de Souza Figueiredo's nose.

His lungs and stomach ruptured, he was sent home with medication for 'gas', and he later collapsed and died, with police saying the improvised compressed-air procedure was not in line with standard practice.

Experts have repeatedly warned that compressed air should never be directed at or into the body because of the risk of deadly internal injuries.
A mother was left stunned after forking out 16 for strawberries and chocolate at a Christmas market.

Molly Smith, 29, headed to London's Leicester Square with her sister on Saturday in a bid to soak in some early festive cheer - but good tidings were in short supply in the West End.

She popped out into the capital's bustling streets during a break in a performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at a nearby theatre and spotted a seasonal stall selling fruit, marshmallows and other treats dipped in chocolate.

Opting for the strawberries with a 'drizzle' of chocolate, the unsuspecting mother tapped her Apple Pay and only noticed the price when it was too late.

She was charged an eye-watering 16 for the sweet treat and was left with a damaged wallet just weeks before Christmas.

Ms Smith said: 'I was in shock when I saw the price, and I thought it must have been a mistake.

'It was so busy, I just tapped it and didn't really process how much it was until I'd walked off.

'I double checked the price when the notification came up on my phone.'

A mother was left stunned after forking out 16 for strawberries and chocolate, pictured, at a Christmas market

Molly Smith headed to London's Leicester Square with her sister on Saturday in a bid to soak in some early festive cheer - but good tidings were put on hold by the over-priced sweet treat

A baffled Ms Smith recalled seeing a price list saying the snack cost 10 per cup so headed back to the stall to demand answers.

The woman on the stand told her the cheaper price referred to a regular cup, whereas 'large' portions were 6 more expensive

'In hindsight, I should have asked for a refund, but it was so busy and we needed to get back to the theatre, so I just left,' she added.

'I assume it would've been listed that it was 16 somewhere, but I don't remember seeing it; these markets are so busy and overwhelming.

'I'd have been happy to pay up to 10 because I know these markets are expensive, especially in London.

'But 16 seemed way too much for strawberries and a drizzle of chocolate.'

She added that the portion cannot have been worth more than 5 although she was aware of the dangers of buying food in one of London's priciest areas.

'I understand their pitch fees are extortionate, hence their prices,' Ms Smith said.

'And you do go to these markets knowing they are going to be more expensive, but I've never seen anywhere charge that much for some strawberries and chocolate.'

The Daily Mail has approached Christmas in Leicester Square for comment.
Ed Miliband's Net Zero drive will add 160 to annual electricity bills by 2030 - despite wholesale energy prices falling over the same period, according to new research.

An analysis of costs that make up household electricity bills found that Britons will be paying 265 more a year by the end of the decade.

This is due to a rise in green levies, also known as policy costs, to help meet Labour's ambition of decarbonising the UK's electricity grid by 2030.

The extra charges will more than offset an expected 105 reduction in the cost of wholesale electricity as a result of cheaper renewable power.

It means an overall increase in average electricity bills of 160, or 16 per cent, by 2030.

A top boss at biggest energy supplier recently warned bills will increase by a fifth in the next four years due to rising costs of Government policies.

Rachel Fletcher, of Octopus Energy, told MPs 'urgent consideration' was needed to address the rise in costs, including levies paid through bills to support upgrades to gas and electricity networks.

But Mr Miliband, the Energy Secretary, later denied his Net Zero drive was keeping Britons' energy costs high as he defended green levies on household bills.

Ed Miliband, pictured at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil this week, has previously denied his Net Zero drive is keeping Britons' energy costs high

New research suggested the average household will pay 1,126 for its electricity by 2030 compared with 966 today

Despite a fall in wholesale energy prices, the analysis estimated an overall increase in average electricity bills of 160, or 16 per cent, by 2030

Mr Miliband insisted that updating Britain's 'ageing electricity infrastructure' was required whether the country continued with fossil fuels or switched to 'clean power'.

He also stood by Labour's promise to get bills down by up to 300 by 2030.

The analysis of household electricity bills was carried out by independent energy analyst Ben James.

His research suggested the average household will pay 1,126 for its electricity by 2030 compared with 966 today.

Among the forecast new charges will be 19 per year to help fund the new Sizewell C nuclear power plant, despite it not expected to produce power until the mid-2030s.

Households are also set to pay 91 per year in 'balancing' costs in 2030, according to the report.

These are costs associated with balancing supply and demand on the UK's electricity grid.

They have risen as Britain makes the switch to renewables because, for example, the grid can often be overwhelmed by the amount of electricity generated, such as through wind farms.

When this happens, the grid operator pays to turn windfarms off.

Mr James told The Times that, while renewable power was crucial for British energy security, the Government 'must ensure that the resulting system is cheaper'.

'The single most important objective for consumers and for decarbonisation is making electricity cheap,' he said.

'Only 10 per cent of UK emissions come from electricity production. We will not eliminate the remaining 90 per cent - which comes primarily from heating and transport - without cheap electricity.'

He warned the Government was 'locking in' a historic amount of future costs with its investment decisions.

'The decisions taken in the coming months and years will commit a significant proportion of UK bills for decades,' he added.

'It's crucial that we ensure every new agreement delivers value for money.'

Mr James urged ministers to look at battery storage for energy produced through renewables as 'one of the most promising levers for reducing bills', as it can 'lower the need for extra grid infrastructure'.

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 'We don't accept this analysis, which over-estimates future costs and ignores the benefits of clean energy.

'Energy bills are still too high, which is why the Government is taking urgent action to support families this winter, including expanding the 150 Warm Home Discount to 2.7 million more households.

'The only way to bring down energy bills for good is by making Britain a clean energy superpower, which will get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and onto clean, homegrown power that we control.'
An express train collided with another passenger train in the southern Czech Republic on Thursday, injuring dozens of people, officials said.

The accident took place near the city of Ceske Budejovice at around 6.20am.

A total of 57 people suffered mostly light injuries but two were seriously injured, the regional rescue service said.

But a hospital in Ceske Budejovice later said five people it admitted had serious injuries.

The traffic between Ceske Budejovice and the city of Plzen was halted and was not expected to resume until the afternoon.

The Fire Service of the Czech Republic shared photos and videos of the scene on social media, showing a large emergency personnel presence.

Transport Minister Martin Kupka said on X that the crash was still under investigation.

An express train collided with another passenger train in the southern Czech Republic on Thursday, injuring dozens of people, officials said

The accident took place near the city of Ceske Budejovice at around 6.20am

A total of 57 people suffered mostly light injuries but two were seriously injured, the regional rescue service said. Pictured: Paramedics and firefighters work on the scene after the express train crashes with a passenger train near the city of Ceske Budejovice

He added that preliminary information showed one of the trains likely passed a signal in the stop position.

Martin Kavka, a spokesman for the rail operator Sprava zeleznic, said all passengers have been evacuated from the trains.

He declined to say how the crash happened, adding that the investigation was still ongoing.

It comes just a month after a high-speed train carrying hundreds of passengers dramatically ploughed into a fruit lorry at a level crossing.

CCTV footage shows the lorry driver bizarrely reverse onto the tracks as the barriers close in the village of Meteren, central Netherlands, injuring five people inside the 10-wheeler truck.

Dozens of pears could be seen raining down from the sky and scattering across the line before 400 passengers were safely evacuated.

The crash took place around 11.30am on October 30, with pictures in the aftermath showing the fresh green fruit squashed up across the front of the train.

Thousands of bits of debris go flying alongside the pears after the train hurtles straight through the fruit-bearing lorry.

No train had been in sight when the lorry initially passed through, with 30 per cent of the huge motor safely across.

But a car on the opposite side soon approaches, with the lorry driver wrongly assuming they have enough time to reverse back across the tracks to the other side.

The safety alarms began blaring during the attempt and the barriers terrifyingly come down on both sides, leaving a third of the lorry still trapped.

The panicked driver attempts to move forward, putting themselves in even more danger as half the truck is then trapped on the lines.

Two of the barriers are broken as the lorry attempts to manoeuvre itself to safety.

However, it is to no avail as the train flies past, smashes into the lorry, and rips open an onboard bag of pears.
The scandal surrounding alleged 'human safaris' during the siege of Sarajevo has escalated, with the fresh allegation that Serbia's current president participated in the hunting trips of unarmed civilians.

Aleksandar Vucic, who took office in 2017, has been accused of taking part in grotesque expeditions where wealthy foreign tourists would shoot at people with snipers during the four-year Bosnian Serb siege of the city in the 1990s.

Between 1992 and 1996, more than 10,000 people were killed in Sarajevo by shelling and sniper fire in the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare.

Prosecutors in Milan have opened an investigation into Italian tourists who allegedly paid between 70,000 and 88,000 to take part in the violence and shoot at innocent civilians for fun, paying more to target children.

Croatian investigative journalist Domagoj Margetic has written to the prosecutor's office in Milan alleging that Mr Vucic participated in and facilitated sniper tourism in Sarajevo, claims the politician has previously denied.

The allegation against the Serbian President has been echoed by Serbian lawyer Cedomir Stojkovic, who is putting pressure on magistrates in Belgrade to launch an investigation.

In his letter to prosecutors in Milan, Mr Margetic cites a video from 1993 which he claims showed Mr Vucic carrying a sniper rifle alongside other armed men.

The group, Mr Margetic claims, was stationed at a Jewish cemetery located on a hillside overlooking Sarajevo that was utilised as a frontline position for Serbian snipers.

But the Serbian President has denied the accusation, claiming the object he carried in the video was an umbrella, not a rifle.

Aleksandar Vucic (to the right) allegedly carrying a rifle in Sarajevo in 1993 at a Jewish cemetery where the Serb forces were stationed

Aleksandar Vucic denies that he was carrying a weapon in the video, claiming that the object was an umbrella

Aleksandar Vucic, who took office in 2017, has been accused of organising trips for wealthy foreign tourists to shoot at people with snipers during the four-year Bosnian Serb siege of the city in the 1990s

In his letter, Mr Margetic claims the Serbian President was a 'war volunteer' in the besieged city in 1992 and 1993, and a member of the New Sarajevo Chetnik Detachment of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), led by commander Slavko Aleksic.

As evidence of this claim, he cites a snippet from a purported interview Mr Vucic did with the Serbian magazine Duga in 1994, where he appears to have said:

'When the war in Bosnia began, I went to Serbian Sarajevo and signed up as a volunteer. I was not a member of the party, I simply went. I knew some friends and that's why I went to defend [the Serbians].'

Mr Vucic goes on to say he spent time at the Jewish cemetery - the same graveyard which supposedly features in the footage of him with armed men.

The journalist also cites evidence given by Vojislav Seselj, the founder of the hard-right Serbian Radical Party, testifying in The Hague during the defence of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic in 2013.

During his testimony, Mr Seselj said Mr Vucic was part of the military detachment in Sarajevo, according to court summaries published by the SENSE Transitional Justice Centre.

Hague prosecutors during the United Nations-led ad hoc international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia found that there was 'ample evidence' to show that Aleksic commanded a unit of Serbian Radical Party (SRS) volunteers based at the Sarajevo Jewish cemetery from April 1992 until at least September 1993.

In the letter to Milan magistrates, the journalist also cites the claims of Zukan Helez, Bosnia's minister of defence, who has said that members of the VRS told him they witnessed Mr Vucic firing on Sarajevo residents from the Jewish cemetery.

Mr Vucic has previously denied that he ever shot at anyone in Sarajevo, and that he was working in the Pale, 11 miles east of the city, as a journalist in the early 1990s.

'I can't listen to nonsense and lies,' he said to Bosnian news channel Face TV in 2021.

'I didnt shoot, but I was at Pale, doing my job.'

Mr Helez has dismissed the Serbian President's denials. 'His excuse that in the footage taken on the frontlines above besieged Sarajevo he was holding an umbrella and not a rifle is a blatant lie,' he told The Sarajevo Times.

'Recently, I spoke with three members of the VRS who admitted to me that they were at the Jewish cemetery at the same time as Vucic and that the current President of Serbia was firing on Sarajevo residents with a sniper rifle,' he said in December last year.

In his letter, Mr Margetic alleges that not only did Mr Vucic participate in the 'safaris' personally, he also provided logistical support for the trips, including acting as a translator between the foreign hunters and the Serbian forces.

'There is more and more evidence that Aleksandar Vucic was part of the "Sniper safari" during the siege of Sarajevo,' Mr Stojkovic, a Serbian lawyer wrote on Facebook.

'Vucic absolutely certainly knew what was going on, and he was a part of it, one way or another.'

'Despite the increasingly intense evidence - the public prosecutor's office in Belgrade does not launch an investigation,' he wrote in another post, condemning Serbian authorities for not probing the allegations.

A French soldier stands alongside a group of Sarajevans seeking shelter behind a UN armoured personnel carrier from sniper-fire, 1995

A young boy looks up at his crying mother as they leave Sarajevo's Kosevo hospital after her husband was wounded by a shell, 1995

Paraplegics roll past the taxi rank near Tito Street in Downtown Sarajevo, 1994, a grim reminder of the brutality of war

For over a decade, there have been rumours surrounding wealthy tourists from Italy, the U.S., Canada and Russia travelling to Sarajevo in the 1990s to take part in 'sniper tourism'.

With the launch of an Italian investigation, triggered by a legal complaint filed by Italian journalist and writer Ezio Gavazzeni, the truth about the so-called 'human safaris' might finally be uncovered.

'We're talking about wealthy people, with a reputation, entrepreneurs, who during the siege of Sarajevo paid to be able to kill defenseless civilians,' Mr Gavazzeni told La Repubblica.

'They left Trieste for the manhunt. And then they returned and continued their normal lives, respectable in everyone's eyes.

'People with a passion for weapons, to vent, who prefer to go to bed with a rifle, with money at their disposal and the right contacts of facilitators between Italy and Serbia. It's the indifference of evil: becoming God and remaining unpunished.'

Prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis has been instructed to track down the Italians who, between 1993 and 1995, allegedly killed unarmed civilians 'for fun'. The charge is murder, aggravated by cruelty.

Mr Gavazzeni is working with lawyer Nicola Brigida and former judge Guido Salvini, and says he has gathered a number of witnesses who will testify.

One of the first people to go public with the allegations was John Jordan, a former U.S. Marine, who testified to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 2007.

There, the veteran made astonishing claims about his time volunteering as a UN firefighter in Sarajevo - the war-torn capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina - between 1992 and 1995.

The crisis began when the Bosnian Serb forces - agitated by Bosnia-Herzegovina's decision to break from federal Yugoslavia - besieged the city for 44 months, cutting off food, electricity and setting whole neighbourhoods ablaze by cannon fire and shelling.

Mr Jordan stationed himself in Sarajevo during the siege to help civilians, and gave evidence years later about the horrors he witnessed.

The landmark trial led to the sentencing of Bosnian Serb general Dragomir Milosevic to 33 years in jail for murder, inhumane treatment and overseeing a campaign of terror that killed thousands, mainly Muslims.

'There was no safe place in Sarajevo,' concluded the presiding judge, Patrick Robinson. 'One could be killed and injured anywhere and any time.'

At the trial, Mr Jordan testified about a number of atrocities, including the Serb's indiscriminate targetting of unarmed residents. He himself was shot in the chest while responding to a fire at the citys frontline, just north of the Bosnian Serb-held area of Grbavica.

He also testified about how Serb shooters seemed to deliberately aim for the youngest in a family, as a way to 'cause the most pain to survivors'.

'If an adult and child were walking together, the child would be shot. If a family was walking, it would be the youngest. In a crowd of girls, it is seemed that the most attractive would be shot,' he said in his statement.

But then he made another sinister allegation, yet to be proven in a court of law: that Sarajevo was crawling with 'shooter tourists' armed with hunting weapons, who had travelled overseas and paid handsomely to snipe for the Serb side as a bit of weekend fun.

'I had witnessed on more than one occasion personnel who did not appear to me to be locals by their dress, by the weapons they carried, by the way they were being handled, i.e., guided around by the locals,' Mr Jordan testified in court.

When asked to elaborate by the judge, he specified how these 'tourist shooters' wore a 'civilian-military' combination-style dress that made them distinct from the Serb fighters, and carried weapons that were more suited to 'hunting boar in the Black Forest than urban combat in the Balkans'.

The foreigners also appeared 'completely unfamiliar' with the city, Mr Jordan said, and were seen 'being led, literally almost by the hand, around an area by people who are familiar it'.

The veteran's testimony ultimately lacked weight, however. He admitted he 'never actually saw one take a shot', but insisted seeing the armed foreigners around Grbavica and other neighbourhoods.

But Mr Jordan's allegations didn't disappear, and continued to accrue interest and speculation over time.

Though the concept of a 'human safari' is almost beyond-belief, it is not incongruent with the level of depravity that was proven to have taken place in Sarajevo, where the main street - Mesa Selimovic Boulevard - was nicknamed 'Sniper Alley' because of the inherent risk of death in traversing it.

And killing for sport has been captured on camera before. Russian nationalist Eduard Limonov was filmed in 1992 firing a machine gun down on the besieged city by Bafta award-winning director Pawel Pawlikowski, for his documentary 'Serbian Epics'.

Mr Limonov was in the company of Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who was sentenced to 40 years in jail for genocide at a 2016 trial in The Hague where the documentary clip was shown.

A year later, Ratko Mladic, known as the 'Butcher of Bosnia' for leading forces during the massacre of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica, was jailed for life.

Two-year old Aldijana Mujezinovic is carried by a female UN soldier after being evacuated by helicopter from the Eastern Bosnian town of Gorazde to Sarajevo, 1994

Seeking shelter behind a United Nations APC, a Sarajevan man pinned down by sniper fire, peers from behind the wheel in Sarajevo, 1995

Doctors at Sarajevo's State Hospital carry Mujo Causevic, a Bosnian Army soldier wounded by sniper fire on one of Sarajevo's front lines, to be treated, 1995

The disturbing allegations about tourists partaking in the killing spree in Sarajevo resurfaced dramatically in 2022.

That year, Slovenian director Miran Zupanic released a documentary entitled 'Sarajevo Safari', gathering testimony from witnesses who said they saw such activity firsthand.

One of the interviewees was an anonymous Slovenian man, who worked as an intelligence officer for the U.S. during the Balkan Wars and claimed to have visited Bosnia around 35 times between 1992 and 1994.

Describing the types of foreigners who took part in the 'safari' - of which he witnessed seven - the former agent said they were from the 'upper echelons'.

'These people were certainly not ordinary people. They were people in high positions, protected... people who, after having everything, seek another thrill, saying to themselves: 'Why shouldnt I now shoot a child or an adult in Sarajevo and gain another pleasure? I wont only kill animals,' he said.

'I never heard the prices. I only know it was terribly expensive, and that the price was higher for a child,' he added.

In a lengthy description, the witness recounted how he was invited on one of the safaris and escorted into a military jeep, after being given a bulletproof vest, a helmet and a green uniform as preparation.

'They told me they would show me the close positions of their soldiers,' the witness said, but then the jeep stopped in front of a building and he noticed something peculiar about the so-called troops.

'There I saw three gentlemen whose faces immediately told me they were not from Bosnia, not Serbs, not Montenegrins, they had to be from the West.

'One of them even looked Russian. I can tell by the face. They were prepared: you could see something was about to happen. I thought they were foreign journalists... Then I connected the dots. These men couldnt wait to come and do something,' he said.

He described how from the jeeps, the group was taken into two 'camouflaged' rooms where participants - aided by spotters - shot at civilians from rotating positions, including women and children.

'I was horrified by the safari. Its the peak of depravity. Such violent, inhumane killing,' the former intelligence officer said.

He was even asked if he wanted to take part. 'Are you interested in something adrenaline-filled?' an official said, an offer he claimed he declined.

'I had my own binoculars so I could see. After the man fired, the person fell. Most were hit in the chest, because the head is harder. But I also saw a hit to the head. From that I saw they were very good hunters,' the former agent said, recounting one of the shootings.

Left: Former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic, who was jailed for life after leading forces during the massacre of Bosnian Muslims (Bosniaks) in Srebrenica. Right: Radovan Karadzic, the wartime leader of Bosnian Serbs, was sentenced to 40 years in jail for genocide at a 2016 trial in The Hague

The anonymous witness said he was told by the Serbs to 'never repeat' the things he saw - incidents he described as the 'dark side' of the war.

But the wealthy tourists themselves seemed unfazed and detached from the alleged horror. 'You fired your trophy shot and went home,' the former agent said, struck at their nonchalance.

The witness described the foreigners supposed route: they flew from Trieste in northeastern Italy to Belgrade, where helicopters transported them to Pale, a Bosnian Serbcontrolled town. From there, they were driven to positions near Sarajevo.

Another witness in the documentary was an intelligence officer for the Bosnian army called Edin Subasic, who gathered information about the alleged weekend snipers from a captured Serbian soldier.

'I analysed the information to the extent possible and wrote a summary, a conclusion that this was a new phenomenon on the Sarajevo battlefield,' he said.

'This was about a specific type of enemy, about foreigners who are not real enemies in the war [...] but they are a real danger.'

Mr Subasic claimed he discovered the so-called safaris in late 1993 and then passed on the information to Italy's Sismi military intelligence in early 1994.

A few months later, Sismi responded, confirming reports that 'safari' tourists would fly from Trieste and then travel to the hills above Sarajevo to partake in sniping.

'We've put a stop to it and there won't be any more safaris,' the officer was told, according to Ansa news agency, and the trips soon stopped.

Sarajevo residents run along 'Sniper Alley' under the protection of French United Nations soldiers, 1994

A man carries his son, injured in the back by mortar shrapnel, in front of a woman on a stretcher, 1993, after a shell landed near a water point in the Bosnian capital

Sarajevo residents keep close to a wall trying to avoid snipers and mortars in 1993 in the besieged capital as fighting intensified

While the investigation is just confined to Italy, Mr Gavazzeni's bold legal action has galvanised a movement, and more countries will inevitably follow suit in the mission to find out the truth about the alleged 'human safaris'.

In the wake of the writer's legal complaint, U.S. congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna said she had opened an investigation into the alleged 'murder tourism', writing on X that she is in touch with the Bosnian consulate and the Italian embassy.

'Paying money to shoot civilians - and even worse to shoot children - is a level of evil our country cannot and will not tolerate,' she wrote.

'Both the Italian and Bosnian governments will be sharing any and all information regarding any AMERICANS that may be implicated. If there are any Americans who have engaged in this, they deserve to be charged and prosecuted.'

Ever since Mr Zupanic's documentary, Serbian war veterans have vehemently rejected the allegations as lies.

The Daily Mail contacted the President's Office in Serbia for comment.
Rachel Reeves is facing a last-minute revolt on plans for a 'mansion tax' as MPs panic over a backlash from 'aspirational' voters.

The Chancellor effectively confirmed at a reception this week that a policy targeting high-value homes will be unveiled in the Budget.

However, the shape of the proposals is unclear - with claims that last-minute haggling is ongoing with Labour backbenchers.

London MPs are adamant the annual percentage levy should only apply to property valued at more than 2million.

That would hit fewer than 150,000 homes, while a 1.5million threshold could affect 275,000.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves effectively confirmed at a reception this week that a policy targeting high-value homes will be unveiled in the Budget

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One Labour MP told the Financial Times: 'There are a lot of talks taking place on this and we've been told that the levy will not kick in for homes costing 1.5million.

'It will be higher than that.'

Another asked: 'Do they literally want to lose every seat in London?'

Imposing a percentage levy on homes over a certain price would require new valuations to be done, seen as a major obstacle.

Meanwhile, government sources have been playing down fears that residents of the South East could face 10 per cent-plus council tax hikes.

There has been speculation that Ms Reeves will announce the axing of rules forcing local authorities to hold referendums before imposing big increases.

However, government sources insisted there are no changes to the current 4.99 per cent rule imminent.

A new 'fairer' funding settlement, expected to divert huge sums from London and the South East to 'deprived' parts of the Midlands and North, is being unveiled today.

Ministers are understood to be considering relaxing the council tax cap for a 'very small' number of central London authorities such as Westminster, which has some of the lowest council tax levels in the country.

Government sources suggested such councils are benefiting from outsized revenue streams, but stressed no final decisions have been taken and there is no announcement scheduled.

A swathe of councils have been warning they face bankruptcy amid spending pressures in areas like social care and SEND provision.

Earlier this year the Government gave six local authorities in England permission to raise council tax by up to 10 per cent.

Ms Reeves is gearing up for another brutal round of tax hikes as she scrambles to fill a hole in the public finances estimated at up to 40billion.

She is believed to be looking at a 'Smorgasbord' of smaller increases after performing a shambolic U-turn on plans to increase income tax last week.

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The other so-called 'mansion tax' option thought to have been on the table includes doubling the top rates of council tax.

That would affect more than a million families. It would mean an eye-watering rise from 3,800 to 7,600 for residents of a band G household in England - and from 4,560 a year to 9,120 for those in band H.

Further possibilities floated before include adding extra council tax bands.

Any such measures would hammer London and the South East, where property prices are higher.

Critics have warned it would spark a crisis for pensioners on fixed incomes and families who have stretched themselves to afford a dream home.
Miss Jamaica was rushed to hospital last night after she tumbled off the stage during the preliminary round of the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

Footage shows a glamorous Dr Gabrielle Henry strutting down the runway in Bangkok on Wednesday evening in her sparkly orange gown when she suddenly steps off the edge of the stage and plunges to the ground.

Audience members can be heard screaming as they react to the dramatic fall, and some are even seen jumping up from their seats to help the Jamaican beauty queen.

Separate footage posted on social media shows Ms Henry being carried away on a stretcher.

The pageant contestant was rushed to Paolo Rangsit hospital in the Thai capital, but did not sustain any life-threatening injuries, according to the Miss Jamaica organisation.

'Dr Gabrielle Henry, Miss Universe Jamaica 2025, experienced a fall from the main stage during the evening gown round of the preliminary competition ahead of this weekend's Miss Universe Finals in Thailand,' a statement from her team said.

'Medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries; however, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery,' they added.

'We kindly ask everyone to stay upbeat, lift her in prayer, and send positive thoughts as she receives the necessary medical care.'

Miss Jamaica, Dr Gabrielle Alexis Henry, was rushed to hospital on Wednesday night after she fell off-stage during the 74th Miss Universe Preliminary competition in Bangkok

Footage shows Henrt suddenly stepping off the edge of the stage and plunging to the ground

Audience members rushed to help the Jamaican beauty queen after her fall

The incident took place as pageant contestants competed in swimsuit, national costume and evening gown rounds in a bid to make it to the Miss Universe finale on Friday.

Now in its 73rd year, the pageant is one of the world's longest-running beauty competitions.

The event regularly attracts millions of viewers and often generates headlines of its own - and this year is proving no exception.

Just days ago, a video sparked controversy at this year's event after viewers claimed it showed Miss Israel giving Miss Palestine hostile looks.

The clip went viral online after it seemed to show Melanie Shiraz, 27, glaring and rolling her eyes at Nadeen Ayoub, also 27, who appeared to be standing next to her.

But Shiraz has since posted separate, 'original footage' from the event, showing her standing behind Ayoub and diverting her expression elsewhere.

The Israeli beauty queen has claimed the video where she appeared to give Miss Palestine the side-eye was 'edited' and from a 'third-party', and was designed to mislead audiences intentionally.

In the wake of the viral clip, she said she received an onslaught of online hatred, including 'Hitler-related comments', resulting in her having to organise 'heightened security'.

Separate footage posted to social media shows Ms Henry being carried away on a stretcher. According to the Miss Jamaica Organisation, she was taken to hospital but did not sustain any life-threatening injuries

'Its not only death threats, but sexual assault threats,' Shiraz told the New York Post. 'I experienced antisemitism before but I didnt think it would be this bad.'

'Hitler should have finished the job,' one comment from social media apparently read.

Shiraz took to Instagram to condemn the online 'hatred' she says she received following the clip, telling her 37,000 followers: 'This platform is meant to empower women.

'Using it to tear women down, sharing images without consent, and staying silent while a fellow competitor is attacked all undermine what we are meant to represent.'

The controversy surrounding Miss Israel came after last year's Miss Universe winner staged a walkout from an event earlier this month after a contestant was publicly reprimanded.

Danish beauty queen Victoria Theilvig, who won the top title last year, stormed out of the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates' hotel in Bangkok, after the boss berated Fatima Bosch in front of dozens of other beauty queens.

Justifying her protest against pageant authority, 21-year-old Theilvig said: 'This is about women's rights.'

'To trash another girl - it's beyond disrespectful and it's nothing I've ever done. That's why I'm taking my coat and I'm going.'

Statement by the Miss Universe Jamaica team regarding Ms Henry's fall

The unprecedented incident occurred during a live-streamed ceremony for the event, where Nawat Itsaragrisil, vice-president for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted 25-year-old Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day.

In footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Itsaragrisil asked Bosch to stand and 'explain herself' in front of the rolling cameras, before instructing security personnel to escort her out of the hotel after she insisted on 'using my voice'.

In a mass revolt in support of the beauty queen, several of her fellow contestants proceeded to stand up from their seats, ready to storm out of the room.

A distressed Itsaragrisil could be heard shouting 'stop, stop!' as the models began making their way out of the ceremony, demanding that they 'sit down'.
A former Met officer unmasked as one of Britain's worst ever rapists was today handed his 37th life sentence for sexually assaulting a girl and raping an ex-partner.

'Predatory and controlling' David Carrick, 50, attacked the 12-year-old girl over two years while he was aged between 14 and 16.

And he was a serving police officer when he repeatedly raped the woman between 2014 and 2015 then repeatedly forced her to perform sex acts on him in 2019.

The offences came to light after he pleaded guilty in 2022 and 2023 to 71 sexual offences, including 48 rapes, against 12 other women over 17 years.

Carrick, who denied the fresh allegations, is already serving 36 life sentences in 2023 with a minimum term of 32 years.

A judge today handed him another life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years to run concurrently.

Carrick confessed to the attacks on the girl in a letter that was recovered 30 years later in his medical records which could have prevented him from joining the police had it come to light sooner.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice McGowan said Carrick could have been stopped had this confession been acted on.

She told Carrick: 'You were able to admit what you did but despite that you changed the meaning of that confession in these proceedings.

'The confession was not acted on in a way that may have prevented you from attacking and raping many other women. They were the first examples to come to light of your disposition to commit predatory sexual crimes.'

David Carrick, 50, is a former Metropolitan Police officer who had previously admitted a large number of sexual offences against 12 women committed over a 17-year period

Mrs Justice McGowan recognised the 'courage and resilience' of the victims.

She also noted Carrick's 'cynical willingness' for the two women to be forced to give evidence in court due to his continued denial of wrongdoing.

On the sexual assaults on a child when Carrick was aged 14 or 15, the judge said: 'They were the first examples to come to light of your disposition to commit predatory sexual crimes.'

She added: 'I have no doubt that you are dangerous and the life sentences on an earlier occasion are fully merited.'

The judge said Carrick could have been stopped if his former partner's complaint had been acted upon earlier.

'Her complaint at the time was not acted upon in a way that might have prevented you from going on to be able to go on to rape and assault many other women,' she told the court.

The Old Bailey trial heard he would hold his hand over the schoolgirl's mouth to stop her screaming as he abused her  sometimes twice a week - over an 18-month period.

On one occasion he is said to have 'trapped' her between a chair and a sofa to abuse her.

The girl told her mother that Carrick was abusing her when she was 14 and he admitted the attacks in a letter that was later recovered from his medical records. 'I know how (the girl) must feel.

'That's why I stopped and promised I would never go near her again and I have kept that promise and I always will,' he wrote at the time.

'Sorry to you and especially sorry to (the girl) but she does not have to worry ever again. Please do not try to talk about it.'

The victim told Carrick's trial: 'When I heard he was a Metropolitan Police officer, the words I have always used were: 'God help anyone with him with a warrant card'.'

More than 20 years later he met the woman via a dating app then pinned her down when she asked him to stop having sex, telling her 'you are not going anywhere,' Tom Little KC, prosecuting, told jurors.

'He then rolled over and apologized and hugged her. She was crying. The defendant then became upset and started crying. They did not talk about it, and they went to sleep.'

The victim was in pain for six weeks afterwards and felt she could not tell anyone what had happened, Mr Little said.

'Given that he was a Met Police officer it may be obvious and understandable that she took the view that at that point she would not be believed.'

An excerpt of the letter in which Carrick made a partial confession to abusing the schoolgirl

Carrick has been convicted of abusing a 12-year-old girl more than 35 years ago, and raping a woman between 2014 and 2015 - on top of existing offences against 12 other women

The toxic relationship between the couple bore stark similarities with others during which Carrick had already admitted rape and sustained abuse, Mr Little said.

The relationship came to an end after a fight spilled out onto the street in September 2019 when the woman refused to get naked and wait in Carrick's bed.

'They were on the stairs, he grabbed her hair and tried to pull her down the stairs, she fought back trying to get him off,' Mr Little said.

'At one stage she was holding onto the banister, which got broken. The neighbours came out and separated them and then police arrived.'

Hertfordshire Police answered the call to Carrick's home in Stevenage and referred the report to Carrick's force  but he was given no misconduct case to answer and the incident was not properly investigated.

The officer was simply given 'words of advice in relation to informing his chain of command about off duty incidents.'

This episode was one of nine occasions since 2000 that Carrick was reported to the police.

Despite this, he maintained a job in the parliamentary protection unit of Britain's biggest police force and abused his position to coerce his terrified victims in a campaign of sexual abuse.

The scandal rocked British policing and led to the Met urgently probing more than 1,000 of its own officers who had faced complaints of domestic abuse or sexual offending over the past decade.

Carrick declined to give evidence in his trial but when he was interviewed in November 2023 said the schoolgirl was a 'liar' and claimed that no sexual abuse occurred.

And he insisted that all sexual activity with the woman was consensual.

A court sketch of Carrick during his trial

He was convicted of five counts of sexual assault relating to the girl in 1989 and 1990 and two charges of rape, one of sexual assault and coercive and controlling behaviour towards the woman between 2014 and 2019.

Carrick bowed his head but showed no emotion as the jury forewoman delivered the verdicts.

Carrick joined the Met in 2001 despite the fact that he had been investigated the previous year on suspicion of breaking into an ex-partner's home and stealing her underwear.

The first rape he committed as a police officer for which he was later convicted took place in 2003.

Following the verdicts, senior Crown prosecutor Shilpa Shah said: 'I would describe David Carrick as a manipulative, controlling and abusive man who created a facade for the rest of the world so that no-one would realise what he was doing behind closed doors.

'He was aggressive, abusive, violent, and yet he appeared to be charming and charismatic. He didn't count on his victims coming forward and exposing him as they have, and I'd like to thank them for doing so.'

Detective Superintendent Iain Moor, of Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: 'I'm pleased that we've been able to get justice for the victims.

'This was all about them and ensuring that they had a voice, and that they were able to tell their story and be believed. Hopefully it will help them with their recovery.'

Police have urged any other victims of Carrick's sexual offending to come forward.
A group of travellers arre building 13 static homes on an illegal site next to Britain's biggest nuclear weapons factory.

'Anxious' locals say they have been left 'fearing for their safety' and are calling for the council to step in to stop construction on land opposite the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Aldermaston site in Berkshire.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition after building work began on 13 static plots next to the sprawling campus, which is the largest of three locations where Britain manufactures its nuclear warheads.

West Berkshire Council issued a temporary 'stop notice' to developers when a planning application was submitted, but this has been ignored and unauthorised work has continued, a spokesperson confirmed.

But locals living at nearby Ravenswing, a residential park made up of mobile homes, are putting pressure on the council to 'urgently intervene' regarding the 'ongoing, unapproved development' taking place in the forested land behind them.

The council says it is now exploring its legal options.

A petition set up by residents has garnered more than 600 signatures.

Its authors said: 'This land is currently being cleared and built on without planning permission, with the intention of installing multiple static homes (approximately 13 plots).

'Anxious' locals say they have been left 'fearing for their safety' and are calling for the council to step in to stop construction on land opposite the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Aldermaston campus in Berkshire

West Berkshire Council issued a temporary stop notice but work has continued unauthorised since the beginning of November

'Construction machinery is operating from 6am until nearly midnight, causing serious disruption, noise pollution, and distress to nearby residents - many of whom are older, vulnerable, and rely on peace, safety, and stability.

'In addition to the disturbance, recently, attempts were also made to illegally access residential park's water and electricity supply, causing further alarm and safety concerns.

'This situation has left our community feeling unsafe, anxious, and unprotected. We urgently need intervention to stop further environmental harm, prevent unregulated development, and ensure the wellbeing of residents in local area.'

The petition, which has more than 600 signatures, said it was calling upon the authorities to 'immediately halt all construction and land development' until proper planning permissions were in place.

Locals are demanding an increase in local enforcement presence, including monitoring of noise, working hours, and land use activity.

They are also calling for the safety and protection of residents, to be ensured 'particularly vulnerable and elderly individuals who are currently distressed by the situation.'

The residents added: 'This is not a petition against individuals or groups based on identity; it is about legal compliance, safety, and environmental protection.

'Long construction hours violate typical acceptable noise and community disruption standards.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition afterillegal building work began on 13 static plots next to the sprawling campus

Locals at a nearby residential park have expressed concern at the loss of woodland and long construction hours from 6am until midnight

Prince Philip is pictured visiting the site, then run by Associated Electrical Industries, at Aldermaston in 1959

'Unauthorised access to utilities demonstrates clear disregard for property boundaries and safety laws.

'Residents feel intimidated and fearful, affecting daily quality of life and health - especially among elderly and disabled individuals who make up the majority of the immediate area.'

West Berkshire Council said it has been gathering evidence and reports from residents to support urgent escalation of the case.

The landowner put in a planning application on November 3 for 13 plots, the council said.

But unauthorised works have continued despite a Temporary Stop Notice being served on November 4.

The site is located opposite a factory run by Atomic Weapons Establishment thought to be the UK's largest manufacturing hub for nuclear weapons.

The 750-acre site, opened in the 1950s, was famously visited by Prince Philip but has also been the subject of anti-nuclear demonstrations in the past.

A council spokesperson said: 'We fully understand how distressing this has been for nearby residents, particularly given the scale and intensity of the activity over recent days.

'We served a temporary stop notice on 4th November 2025 and this remains in force.

'We are aware that this is continuing to be breached and work on site has not stopped, so we are continuing to gather the required evidence for a prosecution case.'

Planning enforcement is a civil process and the council does not have automatic legal powers to remove people from land.

'We have requested ongoing support from Thames Valley Police and the Ministry of Defence Police regarding site activity and public safety,' added the council.

'Both agencies have received numerous calls from residents, and we will continue to press for coordination where their powers are engaged.'
Illegal migrants who bring successful human rights claims to dodge deportation will be forced to wait 30 years to secure permanent leave to stay in Britain.

A new package of measures will also see foreign workers who do low-skilled jobs and claim state benefits have to wait up to 25 years for 'indefinite leave to remain' (ILR).

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has set out a range of planned changes to ILR, including major reforms which will apply retrospectively to almost two million migrants who arrived in the UK since 2021.

If a small boat migrant or another type of irregular migrant such as a visa overstayer manages to avoid being removed from Britain they will be penalised.

A new consultation paper from the Home Office said: 'It is proposed that an increase in the qualifying period should ... apply where the applicant originally entered the UK illegally, or where the applicant originally entered as a visitor.

'This would mean, for example, that a person who entered the UK illegally could have a route to settlement as high as 30 years.'

Sources said this penalty would apply to failed asylum seekers who made a successful legal challenge under the 'right to family life' Article 8 provisions in the European Convention on Human Rights, for example.

Most migrants currently qualify for ILR after spending five years legally in the UK, but the new baseline will double to ten years.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out sweeping proposals to reform legal migration routes in the House of Commons on Thursday

Migrant workers doing lower-skilled jobs, such as care assistants, would have to wait 15 years for ILR, also known as 'settled status'.

The 15 year wait would apply to migrants doing jobs which require qualifications lower than a bachelor's degree.

In addition, further time penalties would be imposed on foreign nationals who claim benefits in this country.

Those who claimed welfare support here for less than a year would have to wait an extra five years to become eligible for ILR.

Anyone claiming benefits for more than a year would suffer a ten-year penalty.

It means that lower-skilled workers who have come to Britain in the last five years - and have claimed state hand-outs for 12 months or more - would be forced to wait up to 25 years to secure ILR.

For higher-qualified foreign workers the standard time period would be 10 years.

The package will also impose requirements for all applicants to have a clean criminal record, to have paid National Insurance for at least three years, not owe the Government money for visa fees or NHS costs, and speak A-level equivalent English.

The Home Office claimed it is the 'biggest shake-up of the legal migration system in nearly half a century'

Ms Mahmood's consultation paper on reforming legal migration said: 'Migrants on lower wages who bring non-working dependants and children are likely to present significant fiscal costs to the UK.

'It is therefore right that we apply more stringent controls for this group before they qualify for settled status.

'Under our current rules, they will usually qualify for benefits payments and council housing five years after arrival.

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'As the majority of this group began arriving from 2022 onwards, this is currently set to begin in 2027.

'We consult here on a separate baseline qualifying period, of 15 years, for this group.'

By contrast, public workers and high-rate taxpayers will secure significant discounts in the waiting times for ILR.

Doctors and nurses working in the NHS will be able to settle after five years.

Those paying the higher 40 per cent income tax rate will get five years knocked off their qualification period, bringing it down to five years.

And workers paying the 'additional' 45 per cent tax rate will get a seven year discount, lowering the period to three years.

The Home Office claimed it is the 'biggest shake-up of the legal migration system in nearly half a century'.

The details emerged two months after the Home Secretary first floated the reforms at Labour party conference in Liverpool.

Ms Mahmood said today: 'Migration will always be a vital part of Britain's story.

'But the scale of arrivals in recent years has been unprecedented.

'To settle in this country forever is not a right, but a privilege.

'And it must be earned.

'I am replacing a broken immigration system with one that prioritises contribution, integration and respect for the British sense of fair play.'

She told MPs that British patriotism 'finds room for those who trace their roots back many generations and those who, like me, do not'.

But she went on: 'I worry that this broad patriotism is, for some, narrowing, and that a vision of a greater Britain is giving way of that of a littler England, as anger turns to hate.

'Some will choose to scorn this analysis.

'They would rather we simply wished it away.

'But those who look like me do not have that luxury.

'Our lives, and those of our families, are more dangerous in a country that turns inwards.'

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Earlier this week - as she launched a separate set of reforms aimed at shaking up the asylum system - Ms Mahmood shocked the Commons by describing how she is 'regularly' subjected to vile racial abuse in the street, and told to 'go back home'.

Accused by Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson of stoking division with her plan, she said: 'I wish I had the privilege of walking around this country and not seeing the division that the issue of migration and asylum is creating.

Unlike him, unfortunately I am the one who is regularly called a f****** P*** and told to go back home.

I know through my own experience and the experience of my constituents just how divisive asylum has become in our country.

In her speech to Labour delegates in September, Ms Mahmood warned that migration levels must be addressed to avoid driving Britons who feel the country is spinning out of control towards more extreme politics.

She told the conference that working class communities - her party's traditional heartland - will turn away from Labour and seek solace in the false promises of Nigel Farage if the Government failed to act on concerns over immigration.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'The idea of a ten-year route to ILR is something that we proposed in amendments to the Government's Bill, I think, around about nine months ago.

'The Labour Party inexplicably voted against those measures and now they've adopted them.

'I am delighted to see the Home Secretary has got out the copy-and-paste function on her laptop and started copying and pasting Conservative policies.'

Chief executive of charity Work Rights Centre, Dora-Olivia Vicol, described the extended waiting times as 'callous' and a 'betrayal' of migrant communities.

The proposed penalties imposed on migrants who claim benefits were 'particularly dystopian', she added.

The Home Office's new plan will not apply to EU nationals who already enjoy settled status in the UK under the post-Brexit deal.

Nor will it apply to family members of UK citizens or those who have come here under special arrangements which exist for Hong Kong residents.
A long-serving police sergeant who unsuccessfully sued the Met Police for discrimination after his boss called him a 'numpty' has been ordered to pay 12,000.

Sonny Kalar, who was with the Met Police for 30 years, said he was offended when Chief Inspector Marlise Davies twice called him 'numpty'.

But an employment judge found that CI Davies used it in a 'lighthearted manner' and that it does not amount to discrimination.

The remark - which usually means silly or foolish - cannot be discriminatory because it does not have any 'racial or disability connotations', the tribunal found.

Mr Kalar brought a series of claims, including race discrimination and harassment, disability discrimination and harassment, victimisation, and whistle-blowing detriment.

He made wide-ranging allegations against senior officers within the Met, claiming there was a 'collective witch hunt' against him.

In total, he made a staggering 271 individual allegations. All of them were dismissed.

Now, he has been ordered by London Central Employment Tribunal to pay the Met 12,000 to cover its legal costs.

Sonny Kalar said he was offended when Chief Inspector Marlise Davies twice called him a 'numpty'. In total, Mr Kalar made a staggering 271 individual allegations. All of them were dismissed

The tribunal ruled Mr Kalar's huge swathe of claims 'had no reasonable prospect of success' and said his conduct in bringing them was 'unreasonable'.

Employment Judge Richard Nicolle said: 'Whilst we do not draw a precise line of demarcation between no reasonable prospect of success and unreasonable conduct of the proceedings we consider both limbs to be applicable.

'We consider that the pursuit of 271 allegations, many of them straddling the same incidents, and what we described as a scattergun approach, not only involved the continuing pursuit of claims with no reasonable prospect of success but also the unreasonable conduct of the proceedings.

'Numpty': What's in a name? The term numpty date back to 1733 and the word is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a stupid or foolish person; an idiot. It is particularly popular in Scotland and was once found to be the nations favourite word. It is often used in an endearing way to poke fun at someone. According to recent research conducted by Kings College London, the origins of the word numpty can be traced back to the 18th century. Evidence found it was first used in a play in 1733, as a term of mocking endearment for a cuckolded husband. The word is said to be derived from numps, a 16th-century term for someone who is as silly or stupid. Advertisement

'We consider that [Mr Kalar] progressively sought to label every minor workplace issue as being attributable to discrimination, protected disclosures, protected acts and disability etc in a disproportionate and unreasonable fashion.

'We consider this constituted unreasonable conduct.'

Mr Kalar joined the Met in June 1993 and retired in June 2023.

One of his allegations was that CI Davies, Chief Inspector in the SO15 Borders Counter Terrorism Command, discriminated against him by calling him a 'numpty'.

The tribunal heard CI Davies had called Mr Kalar while he was on sick leave recovering from a knee operation, and during the conversation used the phrase 'living the dream'.

'[Mr Kalar] referred to a telephone conversation of approximately one hour on July 15 2022,' the tribunal heard.

'He recorded that he took exception to her 'living the dream' comment, which he says was aimed at him and that it was not a dream but a nightmare due to suffering with his disabilities and health issues.

'CI Davies says that the comment was not made in relation to [Mr Kalar] but due to the condition of the building at [St Pancras International], with water running down the walls.

'[Mr Kalar] then referred to her twice having called him 'numpty'.

'CI Davies accepts using the term, once not twice, but said that it was used as an affectionate term as in don't be so silly rather than in a disparaging manner.

'Nevertheless, she apologised to [Mr Kalar].'

Judge Nicolle said: 'We accept CI Davies' evidence that the comment was made during her call with [Mr Kalar] on 15 July 2022 in a lighthearted manner.

'We reject his assertion that it had anything to do with his [whistle-blowing].

'We do not consider that the term 'numpty' has any racial or disability connotations and in the context that it was used, in what we considered to be a lighthearted manner, not one which was capable of constituting harassment when looked at objectively.

'We acknowledge [Mr Kalar] may subjectively have perceived the comment to be directed at him and to be disparaging but consider it relates to his heightened sensitivity rather than how the comments would be objectively viewed.

'We take account of the fact that CI Davies in her use of language... uses informal, arguably self-deprecating and humorous language.

'We do not consider given the context in which these comments were made, that they were intended, or could reasonably be construed, as constituting harassment.'

The former police sergeant has been ordered by London Central Employment Tribunal to pay the Met 12,000 to cover its legal costs

Mr Kalar also alleged he was discriminated against over different postings, including one transfer to Heathrow Terminal 2, which he said was a 'punishment post'.

He alleged he was being 'spied on' and also claimed one colleague was a 'deeply racist officer'.

The tribunal report said: 'He says that he has been continuously discriminated against from the time he was removed from [Ports Duty Supervisor] in 2017.

'He contends that there have been a series of directly connected and continuing acts as part of a lengthy campaign... He refers to a collective witch hunt.

'[Mr Kalar]... referred to an overarching culture of institutional racism, misogyny and disablism.'

Judge Nicolle said Mr Kalar's case was a 'scatter gun approach' because he 'labelled virtually every allegation as constituting harassment on account of both race and disability'.

Judge Nicolle said 'many of his allegations are inherently inconsistent' and said from 2020 there was 'increasing evidence that he was focussing on creating potential evidence for a likely legal claim'.
A Syrian teenage ISIS supporter who allegedly slit a man's throat at a German Holocaust memorial in February has gone on trial in Berlin today.

The 19-year-old shouted 'Allahu akbar' as he attacked the Spanish tourist in what prosecutors say was a bid to wage a 'holy war against infidels'.

The suspect, partially named as Wassim Al M, is accused of being a supporter of the Islamic State group who intended to 'target a person of the Jewish faith' through the attack, according to the court.

Prosecutors say he approached the 30-year-old victim from behind among the concrete steles of the memorial and 'inflicted a 14-centimetre-long (more than five inch) cut to his throat with a knife''.

The victim, who was visiting the memorial with two friends, was badly injured but managed to stagger out of the steles before collapsing in front of the memorial.

On Thursday, prosecutors told the court that Wassim Al M had 'internalised IS ideology, rejected the Western way of life, and was convinced that a holy war against infidels must be waged worldwide'.

They say he shouted 'Allahu akbar', meaning God is the greatest, immediately after the attack.

The suspect had travelled from his home in Leipzig southwest of Berlin to carry out the attack, according to the court, motivated by his support for IS and 'driven by the escalation of the Middle East conflict'.

Syrian national Wassim Al M., 19 years old, sits in the courtroom as his trial for attempted murder begins at the Moabit Criminal Court, in Berlin, Germany, 20 November 2025

Pictured: Police officers arrest a man near the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany, 21 February 2025, after another man was stabbed

Shortly before carrying out the attack, he allegedly sent a photo of himself to members of IS via a messaging service and offered his services as an IS member.

Wassim Al M was arrested at the scene with blood stains on his hands. He was carrying a copy of the Koran and a prayer rug, police said at the time.

In a statement, Berlin Police said the victim had sustained life-threatening injuries to the neck when he was attacked with a knife.

Wassim al M arrived in Germany in 2023 as an unaccompanied minor and successfully applied for asylum, according to asylum records seen by Bild, and had been living in Leipzig.

The scene of the crime - the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is in the centre of Belin and is one of the main Holocaust Memorials in Germany.

It first officially opened its doors on May 10, 2005, and was set up to commemorate the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust during World War II.

The assault shocked Germany two days before February's general election after a campaign centred heavily on immigration and security fuelled by a series of deadly stabbing and car ramming attacks carried out by migrants.

Germany is home to around a million Syrians - many of whom arrived during the huge influx of refugees that peaked in 2015 under former chancellor Angela Merkel.

Since the overthrow of president Bashar al-Assad in December, debate has grown heated around whether they should return to Syria.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in particular has called for them to go home, highlighting recent high-profile violent crimes.

The government is in talks with Syria's new Islamist-led government to resume deportations of violent criminals.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Donald Trump's officials in Kyiv today amid a fresh American plan to end the war with Moscow.

The 28-point proposal would require Ukraine to cede the remainder of the eastern Donbas region to Moscow and cut the size of its military by half.

But sources claimed the deal was 'heavily tilted towards Vladimir Putin' and is likely to be seen as surrender in Kyiv, granting the Russian President more power.

Heavily based on the Gaza ceasefire deal, the plan was secretly drafted by a group of Russian and US officials with Ukraine denied a seat at the negotiation table.

It comes a day after a Russian strike killed at least 26 people in one of Moscow's most intense bombardments of Ukraine since the invasion in February 2022.

Now, ahead of Mr Zelensky's talks with top Pentagon officials today, you can vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll on whether you think he should accept the deal.

In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Is Russia a bigger threat to the UK than China?' Out of more than 3,000 votes, you were split almost right down the middle - with 51 per cent saying 'yes' and 41 per cent saying 'no'.
A rough sleeper who was crushed to death after he crawled into a bin lorry to shelter from the cold has been pictured for the first time.

Sajmir Beca, 30, suffered catastrophic injuries after the horror unfolded in Northampton town centre in the early hours of October 31.

Locals woke to screams coming from the lorry before emergency services arrived to Wellington Street at around 3am, after the driver of the truck raised the alarm.

An upsetting video being circulated on social media appeared to show the victim's body in the back of a bin lorry surrounded by rubbage bags.

Mr Beca was rushed to University Hospital Coventry but died as a result of his injuries on November 6.

On Wednesday, an inquest into his death was opened at the Guildhall in Northampton by senior coroner Anne Pember.

She confirmed Mr Beca's died as a result of multiple organ failure due to crush injuries to the pelvis and lower limbs.

Ms Pember adjourned the full inquest until April 29 next year, when statements will be heard from Mr Beca's brother and police.

Sajmir Beca, 30 (pictured) died after being crushed to death in the back of a bin lorry

The scene where the incident occurred, in a quiet area of Wellington Street in the early hours of the morning

Mr Beca, who was sleeping rough, was left fatally injured while sleeping in an industrial bin that was collected by a Veolia lorry.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: 'Police officers were called to an incident involving a bin lorry in Wellington Street, Northampton, just after 3am on October 31.

'Sadly, a man sustained serious injuries as a result and died in hospital on November 6.

'There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and we have prepared a report for the coroner. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'

Homelessness charity Project 16:15 confirmed the man was known to the charity.

A spokesman said: 'News such as this makes the Tuesday Night Team fundraiser - to get as many rough sleepers in for Christmas - vital.'

Waste contractor Veolia - which manages commercial bins in the town - said it was 'deeply saddened' by the incident.

A Veolia spokesperson said: 'We are deeply saddened by this incident which has tragically resulted in the loss of a life.

'Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the loved ones of the person who has passed away.

'Our driver acted quickly at the scene and we will continue to support them. We have fully cooperated with the police during their investigation.

'Sadly, in the winter months we see an increase in the number of people taking shelter in bins.

'We will continue to work with colleagues and clients to raise awareness of this.'
The Mexican-American mayor of a rural city in Kansas is facing deportation after being accused of voting in multiple elections as a non-US citizen.

Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos, 51, is a legal permanent US resident from Mexico and allegedly voted in elections from 2022 to 2024.

He was first elected in 2021 to serve as the mayor of the small town located about 325 miles southwest of Kansas City along the border with Oklahoma, after spending eight years on the city council.

Ceballos was re-elected to run the city of under 700 residents on November 4, and the next day, he was accused of voter fraud by claiming to be a US citizen when he registered.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach charged Ceballos with three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury.

These charges carry a maximum penalty of 68 months behind bars, and the Department of Homeland Security announced that if Ceballos is convicted, he will be deported.

'This alien committed a felony by voting in American elections. If convicted, he will be placed in removal proceedings,' said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

Ceballos was granted a green card in 1990 and applied for US citizenship in February, according to DHS.

Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos (pictured), 51, has been accused of voter fraud by claiming to be a US citizen when he registered

Ceballos (pictured with his daughter) is a legal permanent US resident from Mexico. He faces deportation if convicted of voter fraud

He is accused of committing a felony by claiming he was a US citizen on his voter application.

DHS also claimed that Ceballos committed a felony by lying on his naturalization application that he had never claimed to be a US citizen.

His daughter, Jewell Ceballos Falletti, wrote in a GoFundMe that her father 'never intended to violate the law.'

'While on a high school field trip to the Comanche County Courthouse, the County Clerk encouraged Dad and his fellow students to register to vote,' Falletti wrote.

'Dad truly believed his status as a legal US resident gave him the right to vote. It was an honest mistake, and we pray it doesnt cost him the life in America he has worked so hard to build.'

The Republican Attorney General said he was unable to reveal how they discovered that Ceballos was not a citizen due to the ongoing investigation.

'Non-citizen voting is a real problem. It is not something that happens once in a decade. It is something that happens fairly frequently,' Kobach said.

While unrelated to the charges pressed against him, Kobach mentioned that under state law, city officers must be US citizens, which he claimed Ceballos is not.

Ceballos was granted a green card in 1990 and applied for US citizenship in February. He was first elected mayor in 2021 and was re-elected on November 4

Coldwater is a rural city located near the border of Kansas and Oklahoma and has a population of under 700 residents

'It is not a criminal offense to be in violation of that law, but it is worth noting,' Kobach said.

The Trump administration is in the process of passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require individuals to provide proof of US citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

The House of Representatives passed the bill in April. Now, the Senate must vote on it before it can make it to the White House for the president's approval.

Kansas once mandated that voters show proof of citizenship, but it ultimately roadblocked eligible voters from casting their ballots.

The state legislature passed the Kansas Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) Act in 2011 and implemented it two years later, according to the Associated Press.

Roughly 31,000 US citizens in Kansas were unable to register to vote because they failed to present some form of identification.

The law was tossed in 2018 after federal courts deemed it unconstitutional and a burden on Americans' voting rights.
Only one in ten secondary schools make pupils hand in phones for the school day, a Department for Education survey suggests.

Polling of head teachers found only 9 per cent require pupils to put phones into storage on entry, while only 5 per cent had banned them completely.

The vast majority  75 per cent  said pupils could keep their phones on them, but not use them.

Teachers have previously said such rules are hard to enforce because it is impossible to watch every child all the time.

The survey, of around 550 secondary heads in the state sector, comes amid a judicial review claim by campaigners against the Governments decision not to ban smartphones in schools by law.

Among them is Flossie McShea, 17, who said she was exposed to phone videos of porn and beheadings while at school.

Sir Keir Starmer has claimed that a new law is unnecessary because almost every school bans phones in school; they do it already.

However, todays data, from the DfEs annual National Behaviour Survey, calls this into question.

Only one in ten secondary schools make pupils hand in phones for the school day, a Department for Education survey suggests (pictured: campaigner Flossie McShea,17)

The polling also found only 15 per cent of secondary heads said pupils followed the schools policy on mobile phones all of the time.

The report also surveyed 2,100 secondary school pupils, with only 9 per cent saying they followed their schools mobile phone policy all the time.

In fact, 34 per cent of pupils said they rarely or never followed it.

The findings suggest that even if pupils are told not to use phones, the temptation might be too strong if it is in their pocket.

Pete Montgomery, a father who is co-running the campaign, said: This confirms what hundreds of thousands of parents and students know to be true: the Governments current policy on smartphones in schools is failing to protect our nation's children.

There are massive safeguarding violations, happening every single day, in every school where smartphones are allowed onto the premises.

The evidence is clear, and the solution is easy. Now is one of those moments in history where the Government needs to step in: just like they did with seatbelts and smoking.

However, while secondaries appear to be lacking in strictness currently, there has been an improvement on last year, when only 3 per cent demanded phones were given in and only 66 per cent prohibited use on school grounds.

In addition, a separate poll of 470 primary school heads show they are much more strict than secondaries, with 80 per cent saying phones must be handed in at the door.

The legal challenge against the Government is being mounted by Mr Montgomery, 45, and fellow dad Will Orr-Ewing, 40.

They want a total ban on smartphones in schools, although their proposal would not cover old-fashioned brick phones, which do not have internet access. They say allowing unsupervised access to the internet during the school day is a safeguarding failure because of the extreme content pupils are able to view.

So far, they have raised 28,960 of the 50,000 needed to follow through with the legal challenge, via a CrowdJustice crowd-funding page.

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'Phones have no place in our schools, and leaders already have the power to ban phones.

'Research from the Childrens Commissioner shows that 99.8 per cent of primary schools and 90 per cent of secondary schools already have policies restricting the use of mobile phones.

'We support headteachers to take the necessary steps to prevent disruption, backed by clear guidance, and have also brought in better protections for children from harmful content through the Online Safety Act.'
The former employee of a tech tycoon turned cannabis entrepreneur who bullied and humiliated his staff has been convicted of a grisly murder.

Tushar Atre, 50, was dragged out of bed at his beach house in Santa Cruz, California, at around 3am on October 1, 2019, by a group of men who broke into his plush $5.4 million residence.

On Wednesday, the tech honcho's former employee, 25-year-old Kaleb Charters, was convicted of first-degree murder, robbery, carjacking and kidnapping.

Charters's older brother, Kurtis Charters, and brother-in-law, Stephen Nicholas 'Nic' Lindsay, have also been convicted of murder and related charges, and both were sentenced to life in prison without parole.

A fourth man, Joshua Camps, who allegedly confessed to the heinous crime, is currently waiting for his trial to resume.

The men stabbed and kidnapped the millionaire, before shooting him and leaving him for dead 14 miles away in a rural mountain area, investigators said.

During Kaleb's trial, witnesses testified that the men had been 'humiliated' by the tech boss, KRON reported.

Atre, who bragged about being 'worth thousands of dollars an hour,' forced Lindsay and Kaleb to perform between 300 and 500 push-ups to receive their $1,400 paychecks, Atre's right-hand man, Sam Borghese, testified.

Kaleb Charters (pictured), 25, was convicted of murdering his former boss who allegedly bullied and berated him

Tushar Atre (pictured), 50, was abducted, stabbed and shot dead in Santa Cruz, California on October 1, 2019

Arte was dragged out of bed at his $5.4 million beach house (pictured) around 3am after a group of men broke into the home

Lindsay and Kaleb, both Army National Guard members, were hired to work at Atre's marijuana farm in August 2019.

For his part, Borghese - a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz - had been hired to manage the cannabis business.

Atre 'pushed his employees very hard,' invoked fear, and would frequently yell, withhold pay and fire workers if he felt disrespected, Borghese told the court.

During their employment, Borghese was tasked with driving the duo approximately 300 miles to Humboldt County to purchase hundreds of marijuana plants.

Atre had given them $25,000 in cash to carry out the transaction, Borghese said.

The business manager explained that the pair, after receiving their wages, 'told me they needed a break, because this was very intense work'.

After Lindsay and Kaleb left, it soon emerged that the keys to a farm truck were missing. Atre seemingly assumed that the pair had taken them.

'Tushar got really upset. Tushar called the bank and bounced the checks,' Borghese told the court, according to KRON.

The duo returned to the farm, located the keys at the property and confronted Atre about the bounced checks, prompting an argument.

Charters's older brother, Kurtis Charters (left), and brother-in-law, Stephen Nicholas 'Nic' Lindsay (right), have also been convicted of Arte's murder

A fourth man, Joshua Camps (pictured), who allegedly confessed to the heinous crime , is waiting for his trial to resume

Atre allegedly bragged about his wealth to the duo and highlighted how 'anyone who wastes his time is costing money'. He also ordered them to do hundreds of push-ups, the court heard.

Just weeks later, in September 2019, the pair approached Borghese and asked for the security code to their boss's home. They allegedly said they planned to rob Atre.

Borghese believed they were joking and provided them with a fake code, he testified.

The duo then recruited Kaleb's older brother, Kurtis, and Camps to help them rob Atre, the court heard.

Kaleb drove Lindsay, Camps and his brother to Atre's beach house on October 1, dropped them off, and drove away, investigators added.

Surveillance cameras captured Atre running down his street, with his hands apparently tied behind his back. He screamed for help before he was tackled by the trio and stabbed.

Lindsay, Camps and Kurtis forced Atre into a stolen BMW and took him to his cannabis farm in the mountains. Kaleb was waiting for them at the property.

Camps shot Atre in the back of the head, and the group left him for dead. His body was found about 20 to 30 yards away from the stolen BMW several hours later.

Kaleb Charters (left) and Stephen Lindsay (right) are seen working on Tushar Atre's cannabis farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2019

Lindsay, Camps and Kurtis forced Atre into a stolen BMW and took him to his cannabis farm in the mountains. The car was found covered in blood (pictured)

Atre, who was capture on surveillance footage screaming for help, was found with his hands bound with flex-ties, evidence photographs revealed

His hands had been bound with flex-ties, evidence photographs revealed. The BMW's interior and exterior was also covered in blood.

In the days following the murder, Lindsay and Kaleb deposited cash into their personal bank accounts and attempted to use Atre's banking details to pay their bills, credit cards and transfer funds via PayPal.

Kaleb pleaded not guilty to the crime and his defense attorney argued that the burglary plan unraveled into 'chaos,' but his client never hurt Atre.

The prosecutor said Kaleb was a 'major participant in the crime' and acted with 'reckless indifference to human life.'

'They took him to where that confrontation all started, where their plans to ride Tushar's coattails were dashed,' the prosecutor said.

'We see how quick to violence everyone is. They act as a cohesive unit. They could have left Tushar bleeding in the street. They could have dropped him off anywhere, but they didn't.'

Kaleb was found guilty on all counts, and his sentencing is scheduled for December 17.
A churchgoing fatherofthree shared his stunning attempt to prevent the Annunciation School mass shooting in Minneapolis after being inspired by his uncle, who died heroically on Flight 93 while warding off 9/11 hijackers.

Devin O'Brien, 42, was sitting in the back of the Catholic church on August 27, 2025, and listening to the first student mass of the year when gunshots were fired.

As panic ensued, O'Brien recalled what his uncle had told him all his life: 'Be a helper.'

O'Brien immediately leapt into action, running around the building and shutting the church's doors to prevent the crazed gunman from entering and shooting at the children.

'I had a sense that death was inevitable,' O'Brien told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

He added: 'I just remember feeling that the kids have to see that someone is willing to attempt to help them.'

Bullets zipped around the church and struck its doors as O'Brien pushed students to safety and directed others on what to do.

'We needed to survive for a couple of minutes,' he recalled to the outlet.

Devin O'Brien, 42, rushed to stop the Annunciation School mass shooting in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025

O'Brien shared that he was inspired by his uncle Tom Burnett Jr. who died while fighting off 9/11 hijackers on Flight 93

O'Brien shared that his heroics were inspired by his uncle Tom Burnett Jr. who was on Flight 93 during the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Burnett had always told his nephew: 'Be a helper.'

His voice echoed in his mind as the shots rang out inside the church.

O'Brien said: 'I don't know if it was God or Mr. Rogers. Maybe both.'

He helped usher children to safety as the shooting continued, but also found tragedy in his wake.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed in the Annunciation school shooting.

Authorities added that 21 people had been injured, including 18 children between the ages of six and 15, as well as three adults in their 80s who were attending mass.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed in the Annunciation school and church shooting

Authorities said that 21 people were injured in the shooting, which included 18 children between the ages of six and 15

O'Brien said he sensed 'death was inevitable' when shots were fired at the Minneapolis church

O'Brien's wife later told him that his actions were 'Tom living through you.'

Burnett was a passenger on United Flight 93  the hijacked plane headed towards Washington DC as part of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

He and a group of others heroically retaliated against the hijackers and attempted to regain control of the aircraft.

The plane crashed shortly afterwards in a Pennsylvania field, which prevented the terrorists from potentially targeting the White House or US Capitol as part of the terror plot.

'I never was surprised my brother had the courage to do that,' Martha Burnett Pettee, Burnett's sister and O'Brien's mother, told the StarTribune.

She added: 'I don't have any surprise my son had the courage to run towards danger either. He's spent his life saying: 'What would Tom do?'

O'Brien idolized his uncle and shared the same interests as him.

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks killed 2,977 people and injured thousands more

Burnett was flying on United Flight 93 to Washington DC when 9/11 terrorists hijacked the airplane

Burnett and a group of other passengers tried to fight off the hijackers to regain control of the plane, which crashed in a Pennsylvania field

Whenever possible, he would accompany his uncle and dad on hunting and fishing trips.

'I just wanted to crack into that,' O'Brien told the outlet. 'To be part of what they were doing.'

But after 9/11, Burnett's death left him angry and isolated.

O'Brien even left the US to study in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he continued to struggle with the tragedy.

This time, he does not feel alone.

O'Brien joined a men's morning prayer group at the church.

He is spending more time than ever with his family, faith and community  but he is adamant that the praise headed his way should be going towards the children impacted by the shooting.

O'Brien said: 'That's the real heroes.'
An Argentinian father who had recently moved to Hawaii for work was fatally beaten on one of the island's most famous beaches.

Christian Alejandro Coronel, 50, a father of three, was staying at the Waikiki Beach Hostel on November 8 when a man he did not know attacked him without warning.

Coronel's two daughters, son, and ex-wife, Maria Quiroga, flew to Hawaii the day after the attack.

He was pronounced dead on the night of November 12, according to his eldest daughter, Coronel, 29, who spoke to the Star Advertiser.

Ishmael Piula Luavasa, 43, was arrested soon after the attack. He was initially indicted on an attempted murder charge on November 12. However, following Coronel's death, Honolulu police upgraded the charge to second-degree murder.

Luavasa is currently being held without bail. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Coronel had moved to Waikiki less than a month earlier to start work as a window glazier and hoped to bring his children to join him once he was settled.

He grew up in poverty in Argentina and began working at the age of eight. Despite his difficult beginnings, he later built a home from the ground up for his family in Washington and continued to send financial aid back to his family even after leaving his home country.

Christian Coronel, 50, was killed in an unprovoked attack while working in Waikiki, Hawaii

Ishmael Piula Luavasa, 43, was arrested in connection to the attack

He, his wife, and Micaela became U.S. citizens. His younger children, Ariana, 24, and Sebastian, 16, were born in the States. Micaela and Ariana said they were proud of the life he gave them.

Quiroga said Coronel was rebuilding his life after their divorce and wanted to give his children 'a better life'.

She added, 'It's devastating someone took that away. He was loving and had a huge heart.'

Micaela Coronel said the family stayed by his side until he was taken for organ donation surgery.

Hospital staff lined the halls for an honor walk, playing his favorite song, Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro'.

'Alejandro was his middle name and I guess he was going by it as his first name in Hawaii. Everybody told us that he was playing that song all day every day,' Micaela told Star Advertiser.

The family received support throughout their stay from the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH). Jessica Lani Rich, CEO of VASH, and longtime volunteer Bob Gentry provided the family with lodging, lodging transportation, and access to grief support services.

'It gave them tremendous comfort that he was giving someone else another chance at life,' said Rich, who was with the family during their father's honor walk.

Coronel's two daughters, son, and ex-wife, Maria Quiroga, flew to Hawaii the day after the attack

Coronel had moved to Waikiki less than a month earlier to start work as a window glazier

Quiroga said the family faces a long road ahead, including returning his ashes home and seeking justice.

'We also have a whole couple of years of waiting for trial and court,' Quiroga said. 'We are not going to let go of this. We want to see justice made for him and for us.'

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with expenses.
Teachers who were just handed a 7.5 per cent pay hike are in line for a four-day week in the classroom, under SNP plans to head off strikes.

Union bosses have threatened to plunge schools into chaos by mounting industrial action in a bid to cut the time they spend in front of pupils.

Now Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has unveiled proposals for a flexible four-day week.

The other weekday  which could be covered by supply staff and timetable overhauls  would be spent on tasks such as marking pupils homework or professional development.

But Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs has branded the plan a gimmick. He said: The SNP has woefully failed to provide the extra teachers they promised, so the ability to actually deliver reduced contact time for teachers remains unfeasible.

Just this week, we had confirmation that dissatisfaction with our schools is at a record high, yet Jenny Gilruth is still failing to deal with declining standards and the epidemic of classroom violence that her partys policies have produced.

This gimmick will merely short-change students while doing nothing to provide real support for teachers.

Announcing the plans, Ms Gilruth said they would see the phased implementation of reduced contact time, with a series of options explored. They include changes to the working week, including a flexible four-day teaching week model that could offer a dedicated day for professional activities.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has unveiled proposals for a flexible four-day week

There would also be a move to minimum standards on pupil learning hours which could enable later start times, extended breaks or restructured school days.

Ms Gilruth suggested the school day could start later to allow for pupils who struggle to get up in the morning. She said: These proposals are a statement of intent to empower Scotlands teachers with the time, trust and tools they need to deliver transformative learning.

The plans will be considered by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), comprising members from teaching unions, local authorities and the government. In its 2021 Holyrood manifesto the SNP pledged to reduce class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours.

However, it has failed to meet its pledge and earlier this month Scotlands largest teaching union  the EIS  urged its members to back strike action over the issue.

The strike ballot was announced on the same day teachers were handed a 7.5 per cent pay rise over two years. EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: We will await further details of these proposals coming via the SNCT.

In the meantime, the EIS ballot remains open over the failure to deliver the promised 1.5 hour reduction in maximum class contact time for all of teachers as a means of reducing workload.

The EIS urges all teachers to vote in this ballot and to vote yes to strike action.
A five-year-old who was sexually assaulted by an attacker inside her San Diego home has been sleeping with shoes on to kick potential predators and leaving cans outside her bedroom door to alert her to any intruders.

The victim had been sleeping on April 18, 2024, when Alejandro Jose Confesor, 24, broke into her Wellington Street home around 1:45am and assaulted her in her bedroom.

Days later, Confesor returned to the home and took items from the garage while brazenly flipping off its surveillance camera, NBC San Diego reported.

'He sexually assaulted a child in her bed in her own room, in her own house - the place she should feel safe - and became a source of fear,' the girl's mother said in court Wednesday during his sentencing.

'He didn't just hurt her one time. This hurt goes on and on, and has changed her life forever.'

The experience has left the girl suffering from nightmares and an inability to sleep for months, her mother said.

'[She has] a lot of fear around bedtime,' she said. 'Even if were not at home, she cant sleep alone anymore.'

The little girl, who is now seven, even wore shoes to bed for months because it would give her the ability to kick intruders.

Alejandro Jose Confesor, 24, was sentenced to nearly 41 years in prison for sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl inside her bedroom

He returned to the house days later to steal from the family's garage

The attack caused the girl to sleep with shoes on for months and stack cans outside her door

She had even gone as far as stacking cans and bottles near doorways to give her a better chance of hearing an attacker approaching if they knocked them over.

During the assault, the five-year-old said she was scared and kept quiet as Confesor repeatedly told her to 'shut up,' according to Fox 5 San Diego.

Confesor was arrested on April 21, less than two miles from the girl's home. He was also found with child pornography on him at the time.

He was sentenced on Wednesday to nearly 41 years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender.

He did not address the family in court and was emotionless as the mother read her statement.

'This case truly is a parent's worst nightmare,' Deputy District Attorney Eric Bodnar said, calling Confesor a 'predator.'
A Vietnamese mother and business owner whose deportation sparked liberal outrage has an extensive criminal record, it can be revealed.

Melissa Tran, 43, owned Nail Palace and Spa, a nail salon in Hagerstown, Maryland, where she became a pillar of the community.

She had arrived in the US on a Green Card at the age of 11 after fleeing Vietnam in 1993. The mom-of-four was unexpectedly detained by ICE in May and was deported back to Vietnam this week.

Now it can be revealed that she has criminal convictions, including grand larceny and multiple counts of forgery and fraud, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Her arrest triggered uproar, with protestors rallying to get her out of custody.

They held demonstrations in front of her salon, wearing 'Bring Melissa Home' shirts while chanting the same slogan.

After five months of being held in facilities in Louisiana, Arizona and Washington, a judge ordered her release last month.

Melissa Tran, 43, a mother-of-four and the owner of Nail Palace and Spa, arrived back in Vietnam on Wednesday following her deportation

Tran's deportation sparked protests, but the Department of Homeland Security has since stated that the mom had a long criminal rap sheet

But despite her release, Tran was deported to Vietnam on Monday after her homeland agreed to issue her a passport, WBAL-TV reported.

She learned of the development during an ICE check-in last Friday.

Tran has been obliged to complete these every month for 20 years after pleading guilty in Fairfax County, Virginia, to stealing checks from a doctor's office where she worked as a receptionist in 2001.

A judge issued a final order for her to be deported in 2004, but her removal was delayed by a Vietnamese ban on immigrants who arrived in the US before July 12, 1995, from returning.

Her lawyer confirmed that she landed in Hanoi on Wednesday, CBS News reported.

'Melissa Tran came here on a Green Card at age 11,' Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote on X on Wednesday.

'She's since raised four kids, started a business, & is a beloved member of the Hagerstown community.'

He continued: 'Trump is deporting her, despite a judge saying she poses no threat. Is she the "worst of the worst"? Do you feel safer yet?'

In response to the distraught senator's assertion, DHS spokesman Tricia McLaughlin shared 'some pesky facts' about Tran's past.

Tran's family seen protesting on her behalf while she was in ICE custody

'Mong Tuyen Thi Tran is a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, with criminal convictions including grand larceny, multiple counts of forgery and fraud,' McLaughlin wrote using Tran's Vietnamese name.

The DHS spokesman added: 'President Trump and Secretary Noems message is clear: criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States.'

According to court records reviewed by The Baltimore Banner, Tran pleaded guilty to stealing the checks more than 20 years ago because her 'abusive and manipulative' boyfriend at the time needed money.

Tran spent four months behind bars and paid all the money back, but a judge ordered her deportation shortly after she served her time.

Since her conviction, Tran has married another Vietnamese immigrant, Danny Hoang, opened a successful business and started a family.

'I know what I did was wrong, and I take responsibility for that,' Tran told WJZ in October.

Tran (left) is seen with her family. She has four children and is married to another Vietnamese immigrant, Danny Hoang

Tran (right) graduated college while living in the US and was prevented from returning to her homeland by a longstanding policy in Vietnam which meant that immigrants who left before 1995 would not be accepted back

Community members gathered in front of Tran's nail salon in support of getting her released from ICE detention. Protestors video called Tran while she was in custody

'For my kids to have to go through it is horrible for me to comprehend. Why? We always say if you change, you deserve a second chance.'

Despite her past, her neighbors and customers are furious that she was ripped away from her loved ones.

'She's just such a good person,' Kitty Chamos, a family friend of Tran, told WBAL-TV 11 on Wednesday.

'She paid her debt, she did wrong, but she paid her debt. It should not be like this.'
A veteran Labour activist has quit the party after nearly 50 years with blasts for Sir Keir Starmer and local MP Angela Rayner, who he said was seen less often 'than Lord Lucan'.

Barrie Holland, 82, left the party amid disillusionment at the job being done by disgraced former deputy leader Ms Rayner, whose constituency includes Droylsden - home town of Take That star Howard Donald, 57.

Describing the Greater Manchester town as a 'war zone,' Mr Holland  who has represented Labour on the local council for 34 years  lashed out as he announced he would now sit as an independent member.

'I'm seeing more of Lord Lucan here than I am of Angela Rayner,' said Mr Holland, whose home town is part of her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency.

'She's brought absolutely nothing into the town - it's like a war zone.

'The amount of people in Droylsden who've said to me: "We voted for you, but it isn't what we voted for."

'It's not the Labour Party.

'That's people I've known here for 50 years, loyal Labour Party supporters.'

Veteran Labour councillor Barrie Holland has quit the party after more than 50 years, saying disgraced ex-deputy PM and constituency MP Angela Rayner is seen less often in his 'war zone' home town of Droylsden (pictured) than Lord Lucan

Councillor Barrie Holland, 82, (pictured) complained that Ms Rayner had 'brought absolutely nothing' into Droylsden

Mr Holland has previously spoken out about the centre of Droylsden turning into a 'ghost town', and says three-quarters of shop units are now boarded up.

'It's disappointing,' he added.

'She was a deputy leader of the Labour Party, but you look at the town centre and she's not brought one atom into it.

'There's no excuse because the tram goes right through it. It's got first class transport links.'

Mr Holland also took aim at the PM, saying: 'It's almost as if Starmer's sanitised the politics out of the Labour Party.

'When I joined, it was the party of Harold Wilson. People like Michael Foot.

'I don't know what it is now, honestly.'

He also slammed the amount of money being spent in other parts of the Tameside borough by the Labour-dominated local council, including a canopy above nearby Ashton-under-Lyne's market - branding the structure an 'iron tent'.

A lone shopper in Droylsden's 'run down' shopping centre, now facing part demolition with as many as three-quarters of its units empty and boarded up

Artist's impression of new canopy being built above Ashton-under-Lyne's market outdoor at a cost of about 4.5million - a contrast to how nearby Droylsden has been abandoned, according to local councillor Barrie Holland

Embattled PM Sir Keir Starmer pictured at last year's Labour conference with then deputy Angela Rayner

'It just doesn't filter down to us,' he added.

'I've been a member for nearly 50 years but I've resigned forthwith.

'I've had enough of it.'

Mr Holland's departure follows that of his wife Ann, fellow former long-term Labour councillor who quit the party last month.

She announced she would stand as an independent candidate next May after failing to be reselected by Labour.

His comments come as Labour's national poll ratings and the PM's popularity both tumble, with a YouGov survey of 2,100 people finding that 23 per cent think the party should replace him immediately.

Ms Rayner - who was also Housing Secretary - was forced to resign from her Cabinet roles in September after it emerged that she did not pay 40,000 of stamp duty owed on the purchase of a flat in Hove, East Sussex.

The Prime Minister's ethics adviser ruled she breached the ministerial code by failing to get tax advice when buying the new house, despite warnings about her complex finances.

Mr Holland also hit out at the fall-out from the 'vile' Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group - over which another local MP, sacked former public health minister Andrew Gwynne, remains suspended.

He complained that other Labour members involved in the group had been 'welcomed back into the fold' while his wife wasn't allowed to stand again despite '30-odd years membership'.

Locals in Droylsden - home to around 23,000 people - have branded the shopping centre 'very run down' and 'forgotten'.

Many residents of the town - whose famous musical sons also include 10cc founder member Eric Stewart - say they have to travel elsewhere in Greater Manchester to buy what they need.

Tameside council recently granted the shopping centre's owner permission to demolish part of the site to make way for new retail units and housing.

The plan is part of proposals which aim to turn Droylsden into a thriving town and a great place to live and work.

It is understood that Labour suspended Mr Holland amid allegations he delivered campaign leaflets on behalf of his wife.

A party spokesperson said: 'Councillor Barrie Holland has cited multiple reasons for his "resignation", all of which fails to mention that he had recently been suspended from the party for misconduct.

'This decision was made carefully, and only after engagement with Councillor Holland. It is disappointing therefore, to hear of Councillor Holland's presentation of events.

'Our focus is and will remain on delivering for the people of Tameside across all nine towns.'

Sources insisted Ms Rayner maintained a 'high profile' role in Droylsden as part of her role as local MP, including visiting a primary school in the past fortnight and holding regular advice surgeries in the town.

She has also worked with Droylsden residents to secure a police crackdown on off-road motorbikes damaging a popular green space and helped deliver a new affordable housing scheme for locals.

Tameside council was approached for comment.
A women's rights campaigner has rejected calls for female-only Tube carriages and said it should be men who are segregated in order to drive down harassment and sexual assault on the network.

Patsy Stevenson, who was arrested by the Met Police at the Sarah Everard vigil, said a men-only carriage would be a better solution than segregating victims, because they constitute the 'majority' of offenders.

It comes after the launch of a petition by UCL student Camille Brown, who called for women-only carriages on the Tube and for Sadiq Khan and TfL to 'do more to protect women'.

There were 2,671 sexual offences across TFL services between 2023 and 2024, not including those that went unreported to the police. This marks a 10.5 per cent increase from the previous years.

Earlier this month, a Jordanian migrant appeared at the Inner London Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting four women and girls as young as 12 in the same of a month on various London Tube lines.

Ms Brown's petition, which has more than 13,000 signatures, asked for at least one dedicated women-only carriage on every Tube line in an attempt to curb gender-based harassment.

But the idea of gender segregated carriages sparked backlash, with journalist Ben Kentish calling it a 'a gimmick solution to a problem that deserves much deeper and more serious thinking.'

The proposal has also been rebuffed by Transport for London (TfL) bosses who say they will not be considering women-only carriages.

Speaking on Sky News, Ms Stevenson said the focus was on the wrong group and it should be men who are segregated from the rest of passengers, because they are 'the actual issue'.

Patsy Stevenson pictured being arrested in 2021 while attending the peaceful vigil for Sarah Everard, who was murdered by off-duty Met Police constable Wayne Couzens

Ms Stevenson, a prominent women's rights campaigner, has called for man-only Tube carriages

She said: 'It's strange that that's seen as a solution. For me I think a solution would be combating the actual issue, which is men.

'I think actually the issue is men, so maybe we need a man-only carriage where we put them all in the back of the train and then they can just stay there and harass each other,' the campaigner said.

Ms Stevenson explained that she felt it was 'dystopian' to separate the genders, but that if anyone were to be segregated into a gendered carriage, it should be men - since they were the 'actual issue'.

When challenged by presenter Wilfred Frost, who said that surely the problem 'could not be the majority of men', Ms Stevenson said: 'That would be lovely if it was a small minority, unfortunately it's definitely not.

'The defensiveness that you're feeling now is great to see on TV actually - so this defensiveness that a lot of men have of 'oh it's not all of us, I'm a good guy' - that sometimes hinders progression of women's rights.

'I think 98 per cent of women have reported being sexually harassed and assaulted, it's not just random men on the Tube, it's not just random monsters or by ghosts, it's men every time,' she added - without saying which source she was quoting from.

But not everyone agreed with Ms Stevenson's proposal of a man-only tube.

Campaign group Our Streets Now, which fights against public sexual harassment, called for a cultural shift in place of a physical separation.

They said: 'Change won't come from separating women from men - it will come with challenging the culture that makes women unsafe in the first place.

'Instead of women-only train carriages, we must continue to have conversations, hold perpetrators accountable, and create change so that everyone can commute without fear of violence.'

They added: 'There is little research to suggest that separating women from men on public transport makes their commutes significantly safer.

'Instead, it can create a false sense of security, while failing to address the deeper issue - why sexual violence occurs in the first place.'

Camille Brown's petition urges Sadiq Khan and TfL to 'do more to protect women' after saying harassment on public transport has become a 'growing issue' in the capital

The latest Girlguiding survey found that more than half of girls and young women aged 11 to 21 feel unsafe travelling alone on public transport.

And in Paris, more than 31,000 people signed a petition in favour of women-only carriages after a 26-year-old Brazilian woman was attacked on a commuter train in the French capital in October.

But France - like Britain - is divided over the issue. Many argue against gender segregation altogether and point out that the solution to women feeling unsafe is not to segregate them, but to criminalise the culprits.

Women-only carriages have already been implemented in a number of countries. Japan, for example, introduced women-only train cars in the early 2000s to combat sexual harassment.

In cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, these particular trains can be identified by pink or purple signs on the train doors and specific markings on the floor.

In the UK, there have been some improvements made to try and help women and girls feel safer on public transport.

In November 2024, the Met installed CCTV cameras at a further 15 bus shelters across the city, focusing on quiet locations with a high footfall and a history of reported crime.

Shortly after Ms Brown's petition went live, TfL announced that it would not be considering women-only tube carriages.

Siwan Hayward, TfL's director of security, policing and enforcement, made a statement noting how the priority is to work closely with the police and use intelligence to determine hot spots and target repeat offenders.

The statement read: 'We do not support any proposal for female-only train carriages on TfL services, but instead are working closely with the police to ensure our capital's transport network is a hostile place for offenders, including the use of intelligence-led policing operations to target offenders and hotspot locations.'
A teacher reported a six-year-old pupil to police for 'touching her inappropriately' and 'stalking' her in the classroom.

The art teacher at the primary school in Loutraki, Greece, claimed the child had made a drawing and 'touched her' while showing it to her.

The teacher initially reported the incident to the school's head teacher.

But although the principal had attempted to reassure her and handle the matter without involving authorities, the teacher filed a police complaint two days later at a local station.

The police recorded the incident and approached the child's parents for further information regarding the teacher's allegations.

They then immediately filed a report with the Primary Education Department of Corinthia - one of the largest education organisations in Greece.

The service decided to carry out an Interdisciplinary Educational Evaluation (EDE) following the report and the teacher is set to be temporarily removed from the school.

She will be transferred to a different primary school in Loutraki while the investigation continues.

The art teacher at the primary school in Loutraki, Greece , claimed the child had made a drawing and 'touched her' while showing it to her (stock image)

The police recorded the incident and approached the child's parents for further information regarding the teacher's allegations (Pictured: Loutraki, Greece)

Director of Primary Education of Corinth, Dimitris Drimeris, told local media: 'She was teaching a lesson in the classroom (first grade) and a child, after making his drawing, went to the teacher to show it to her and touched her to tell her'.

It comes after a teacher in Indiana allegedly left high-potency weed gummies out in her classroom before her schoolkids mistook them for candy.

Debra McGillem, 49, is accused of leaving THC edibles 'out in the open' before two of her students accidentally consumed the drug on Thursday, police said.

A school resource deputy at Angola High School discovered that the two students mistakenly ate the gummies, sparking a drug investigation.

Detectives found that 'the two students involved were in class at the time of the incident and were unaware that the candy they ate contained THC,' according to the Steuben County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities added that after the THC edibles were found inside the classroom, more gummies containing marijuana were then 'located in Ms McGillem's possession.'

When Ms McGillem was hauled into the Sheriff's department for questioning, deputies said they suspected she was impaired when she drove to the interrogation.

Ms McGillem was booked into the Steuben County Jail on charges including child neglect and possession of a controlled substance on school property following her interview.

The high school teacher also faces two misdemeanors for driving while intoxicated.
To ensure its control over AI regulation, the Trump administration is considering executive action that could pit the Justice Department against states making their own tech rules.

The order would help President Donald Trump's team steer AI regulation in the US by enabling the DOJ to go after states mulling their own AI regulations, according to draft of the order reviewed by Axios.

David Sacks, Trump's AI and crypto czar, has warned that if states are given control over setting the rules on AI that the industry would be hampered by unnecessary regulation - an asymmetrical threat that does not imperil China's booming industry.

What's more: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a private meeting that the Trump administration doesn't need Congress to act on its concerns, Axios shared Thursday.

'Until officially announced by the WH, discussion about potential executive orders is speculation,' a White House official told the Daily Mail in a statement.

The White House draft, which could be subject to change, would order Attorney General Pam Bondi to stand up an 'AI Litigation Task Force' within 30 days of enactment.

Members of the team would be empowered to litigate AI laws set by the states, 'including on grounds that such laws unconstitutionally regulate interstate commerce.'

The order also instructs various US agencies to examine existing state AI laws that could run afoul of the reported executive action.

The White House is mulling a plan to have the DOJ litigate states who set their own AI rules, a draft of an executive order obtained by Axios reveals

The reported plan comes one day after First Lady Melania Trump gave a speech about AI to US service members and their families

The report comes a day after First Lady Melania Trump warned a group of soldiers about the 'dystopian' dangers of the nascent technology and how regulations must be put in place to protect children.

'To win the AI war, we must train our next generation, for it's America's students who will lead the Marine Corps in the future,' the first lady told military personnel and their families at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on Wednesday.

She warned how the AI revolution is thee most pressing societal change since the development of nuclear weapons and that the US can not afford to lose the AI race.

The unsettling theme sparked a meltdown online, with some social media users slamming the grim warning as 'dystopian.'

On Thursday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted at a briefing how she has not seen the president personally use AI, despite his support of the tech.

The White House had been pushing a 10-year moratorium on states' ability to regulate AI to be included in Trump's Big Beautiful Bill over the summer.

However, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene loudly condemned the provision in the bill, arguing its an infringement on states' rights.

'I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights,' Greene wrote in June. 'We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous.'

Soon after, the Senate amended the bill and removed the moratorium.

White House crypto and AI czar David Sacks is pushing a plan to have federal control over AI regulations in the US

The move upset Sacks, who recently has been advocating for reforms similar to the 10-year ban on AI regulation.

'We should let Donald Trump write these rules,' Sacks said recently on the All-In podcast that he co-hosts.

The AI advisor stopped short of ridiculing Republican lawmakers for killing the measure, but made clear that the current approach is not working.

'Republicans are in power in Washington, and the states are making a bunch of bad decisions with respect to AI,' he said.

States that do not align themselves with the reported executive order would risk losing federal grant funds, according to the current proposal.

One of the White House's top concerns is that if states are left to regulate AI on their own there could be a patchwork approach where each of the 50 states create individual rules for AI companies to abide by.

This could prompt 50 different regulations, filing deadlines and other cumbersome processes for the accelerating industry that is trying to compete with China.

'It doesn't make sense to have model companies needing to report to 50 different states, 50 different agencies within those states, each with a different definition of what needs to be reported, each with different reporting deadlines,' Sacks said on his podcast.

He also warned that major Democratic strongholds, like New York and California, could draft their own regulations that get adopted by other states.

'Why would you allow the big blue states to essentially insert dei into the models, which will affect the red states too?'

In California, for example, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law in September mandating that large AI companies publish their safety protocols, risk mitigation strategies and critical safety incidents annually.

The law does not go into effect until 2026, but its advocates have hailed it as a framework that could be adopted in other states, like New York.
The son of former US Ambassador Nikki Haley has raged against legal immigration and foreign aid to Israel in a stunning interview with Tucker Carlson.

Nalin Haley, 24, called for restricting foreign students from attending American universities and banning naturalized US citizens from holding public office.

Haley is fast-becoming a rising star among the dissident 'America First' right and Gen Z nationalists who hail his rejection of his mother's neoconservative orthodoxy as the unfiltered voice of a new generation.

'Naturalized citizens should not be able to hold public office. Growing up here is a big part of understanding the country,' Nalin, whose grandparents were Indian immigrants, told Carlson in an interview that aired Wednesday night.

'We need to stop and limit the amount of foreign students who are coming to universities. Some of them are spies for foreign governments ... But it is just that we should put our kids first.'

The political scion - in a marked contrast to his mother's famously pro-Israel stance - argued that America should slash all foreign aid to Jerusalem.

Haley's position highlights a growing nationalist and skeptical sentiment among younger conservatives, which he described as an 'America First' outlook.

Carlson asked, 'I keep reading that young people's views of Israel are increasingly skeptical, if not hostile, do you think that's true?

'Absolutely,' Haley responded. 'I don't think it's anything we've done. I think it's all reliant on Israel. That's on them, actually, not on us.'

Nalin Haley called for banning naturalized US citizens from running for office and cutting off foreign aid to all countries, including Israel

Tucker Carlson appeared stunned by Nalin Haley's views on immigration and Israel

Nikki Haley served as US ambassador to the United Nations during Donald Trump's first-term in the White House

'And if they want a better relationship with the United States, they need to stop interfering in our politics,' Haley told Carlson.

'And it's not just Israel. I mean, we need to ban foreign aidWe should not have a single dime going to another country when we have people in poverty with bad schools, medical debt, all that stuff. It makes no sense. That's part of America first.'

His comments come amid a generational divide within the conservative movement, with younger Gen-Z Republicans holding more negative views of Israel compared to their Boomer counterparts.

Nalin's mother is viewed as one of the most prominent pro-Israel Republican figures in the nation.

Following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, Haley supported the Israeli military's response in the Gaza region.

During a May 2024 visit to Israel, the former US ambassador to the UN signed an Israeli artillery shell with the message, 'Finish them!'

Her son, however, has now called on banning foreign lobbying from all countries, including Israel.

'I think if we cut out the aid, cut out the lobbying, I think it'll stop a lot of influence, not just from Israel, but from every country.'

The younger Haley has appeared to distance himself from his mother's views regarding Israel

Nikki Haley is one of the most vocal supporters of Israel in the Republican Party

Carlson pressed the younger Haley on the topic of Israel by asking if he believes it's more acceptable for conservatives to criticize Israel.

'Oh yeah, for sure,' Nalin responded. 'I just remember like growing up when I was in that 2016 era of conservative politics, Israel was untouchable. Like you could not say anything about it.

'And in some ways it's still kind of that way. But it's like it's just weird. It's weird the obsession, you know, I'm not one to like the obsession whether it's good or bad.'

Haley was largely off the radar prior to October, a Villanova alum who occasionally tweeted about faith and patriotism.

But he went viral on X when he started tapping into the burgeoning America First undercurrent among younger conservatives.

This led to a Fox News interview on November 10 where he stated that he was against H-1B visas and 'forever wars.'

The Carlson appearance has now amassed more than two million impressions on X.

'Nalin Haley is an incredibly articulate young man,' one user commented.

Another responded: 'Holy based Nalin being a total chad in Twitter single handedly cured me of total Indian hate.'

A third wrote: 'Incredible interview. Nalin Haley is proof that the future isn't beholden to the past. Watching him break the "Old Guard" mold to speak his own truth was powerful. He is a light for the future and exactly the kind of independent thinker we need. Impressive young man.'
Kamala Harris and Jill Biden were forced to sit side-by-side Thursday at the funeral of Dick Cheney, their first reunion since Harris published her tell-all book.

Cameras captured Jill pursing her lips as the former vice-president greeted Joe Biden, who is celebrating his 83rd birthday today.

The Bidens's initial greeting with Harris appeared to be cut short, as former President George W Bush, who is providing a eulogy, arrived at the Washington National Cathedral with his wife, former first lady Laura Bush.

Lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that President Biden said 'nice to see you Kamala' after Harris got her former running mate's attention.

'He wasn't ignoring you,' Jill then said.

'I know he wasn't, I was thinking you're going to look at me, but he didn't,' Harris replied, according to the lip reader.

A source familiar disputed the lip reader's account, saying the Bidens and Harris had a 'friendly and warm conversation.'

At the conclusion of the funeral, the couple and Harris were captured giving their goodbyes, before exiting the front pew of the ornate cathedral.

Jill Biden (center) was captured pursing her lips as her husband (left) greeted his former VP Kamala Harris, their first reunion since Harris's tell-all was released in September

Protocol dictates seating arrangements with (from left) George W Bush, Laura Bush, Joe Biden, Jill, Harris and Mike Pence seated front row

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that while there appeared to be a friendly conversation happening between Dr. Biden and Harris their 'non-verbal cues here did suggest some underlying conflict beneath the display of warmth.'

'Jill's gesticulation included a pointed finger, which can often be seen as a mimed "attack" of sorts and it was telling that Kamala responded in kind, raising her own index finger to engage in a mimed "duel," with Jill pointing and Kamala pointing back," James noticed.

While they wore 'very polite social smiles' as they chatted, once they started watching the service, they both 'appeared to have pursed lips, a gesture that can suggest a degree of disapproval or discomfort,' James also said.

In Harris's book, 107 Days, which was released in September, she didn't hold back on criticizing the Bidens, detailing intimate conversations with the former first couple.

She recalled how Jill had cornered Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff at the White House's Fourth of July festivities in 2024, which took place days after Biden's disastrous debate against Donald Trump.

Harris wrote that Jill 'demanded' of Emhoff: 'Are you supporting us?'

The conversation enraged Harris's husband.

'They hide you away for four years, give you impossible, shit jobs, dont correct the record when those tasks are mischaracterised, never fight back when youre attacked, never praise your accomplishments, and now, finally, they want you out there on that balcony, standing right beside them.

'Now, finally, they know you are an asset, and they need you to reassure the American people,' Harris wrote, quoting Emhoff. 'And still, they have to ask if were loyal.'

Emhoff skipped the funeral - and thus the awkward reunion on Thursday.

Protocol dictates the seating arrangements, with the Bushes, Bidens and then Harris- who was attending without Emhoff - seated front row.

On Harris' other side sat former vice-president Mike Pence and his wife Karen.

Trump replaced Pence on the 2024 ticket after Pence wouldn't go along with Trump's attempt in 2020 to overturn the election.

Jill (right) is captured whispering into Biden's ear as Bush and Laura (left) watch Dick Cheney's funeral services

Biden, who turns 83 today, sits with his arms crossed at the funeral service in Washington, DC

Harris greeted Karen with a hug and appeared to have a warm conversation with Pence before he sat down in the pew.

She was also captured chatting animatedly with other former VPs, Dan Quayle and Al Gore.

Cheney's funeral brought out a bipartisan collection of Washingtonians as the late vice president crossed the aisle a year before his death by backing Harris's bid for the White House.

The former vice-president was following the lead of his daughter, former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, who saw her political career tanked by Trump over her leadership in the House committee on January 6.

Cheney said in his endorsement 'there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.'

'He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him,' Cheney said in a statement in September 2024. 'He can never be trusted with power again.'

Trump, in turn, had been critical of Bush 43 and Cheney's tenure for years, blasting them for embroiling the US in 'forever wars' like Afghanistan and Iraq.

In a final snub, the Cheney family did not invite Trump and Vance to Thursday's memorial service.

Former House speakers Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner were on hand, as was Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Mitch McConnell, possible 2028 Democratic hopeful Representative Jamie Raskin, Dr Anthony Fauci and MS NOW's Rachel Maddow.

All living former vice-presidents showed up, as is tradition.

It's less expected that former presidents show up to vice-presidential funerals, which explains why the Obamas and Clintons were absent - as Barack Obama and Bill Clinton never served as vice-president - but Biden was on hand, as he served in the role before being elected at the helm in 2020.
With less than two weeks to go before a special election in a Tennessee congressional District, newly resurfaced audio has exposed the out-of-touch attitude that is plaguing Democratic Party candidates across the country.

Aftyn Behn, a Nashville Democratic state representative who is her party's nominee, sneered that she 'hates' the city that she hopes to represent because it's filled with Americans who enjoy partying and country music.

'I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville. I hate it,' Behn can be heard saying in the resurfaced clip from the GRITS podcast in February 2020.

She has also previously called sororities 'a staple of white supremacy,' and branded the whole of Tennessee a 'racist state.'

Behn, 35, was privately educated at the $27,000-per-year Webb School in Knoxville and went on to study at the University of Texas at Austin.

Republicans seized on the damning audio, arguing that it is absurd for Behn to try and represent a place she admitted she hates.

'If Behn hates Tennessee so much, why is she trying to represent it?' the Republican National Committee (RNC) posted on Thursday.

Behn refused to respond to the resurfaced podcast directly but her campaign manager Kate Briefs claimed the GOP is clutching at straws.

Aftyn Behn, a Nashville Democratic state representative, made the comments in 2020 podcast

Behn also said she 'hates country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville.' Pictured is Country star Kelsea Ballerini at this year's iHeartRadio Music Awards in LA

Late night visitors enjoy the lively atmosphere in downtown Nashville (file image)

'Republicans are panicking and in a last ditched attempt, they are distracting from the fact that Washington Republicans ... are raising costs on Tennessee families and ripping away their health care,' Briefs said in a statement.

'Aftyn Behn will lower Tennessee families' costs and make groceries more affordable by eliminating the state's grocery tax.'

But Behn is in an uphill battle against Republican Matt Van Epps, a former Tennessee General Services commissioner, running to fill the state's 7th congressional seat, formerly occupied by Republican Mark Green, who resigned earlier this summer to take a job in the private sector.

The seat is rated R +10 by the Cook Political Report, despite Green's prior win being by over 20 points. The race has also shifted slightly toward Democrats, going from 'solid Republican' to 'lean Republican' last week.

Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. jumped into the race as well last week, with a small expenditure of $15,000 for phone banking.

Significant Democratic electoral victories earlier this month have drawn substantial media attention and money to the race in the last few weeks.

Former vice president and failed 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris hit the campaign trail in person to boost Behn earlier this week, calling her race 'the most competitive race in America.' However, she did not mention the candidate by name or appear alongside her.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, supported Van Epps via a tele-rally last week, calling him a 'true America First patriot who has dedicated his entire life to serving our country.'

Seventh Congressional District candidate Matt Van Epps, who is running against Behn, is seen at a political forum in Dickson, Tennessee, in September

Behn has been endorsed by groups such as the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, AFL-CIO, and the Working Families Party.

At the same time, Van Epps is supported by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Club for Growth PAC and the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Green's sudden departure from Congress came as a surprise.

'It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress,' he said in a statement at the time.

'Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up,' Green added.

Green called it 'an honor of a lifetime' to serve in Congress, he also touted many of his achievements as committee chairman.

He also addressed his previous retirement announcement and subsequent reversal.

'Though I planned to retire at the end of the previous Congress, I stayed to ensure that President Trump's border security measures and priorities make it through Congress,' he wrote.

'By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that. After that, I will retire, and there will be a special election to replace me.'

The announcement also came after Green was publicly embroiled in an alleged 2024 affair and roasted by his ex wife online.
The map of Ukraine could look drastically different if a controversial peace proposal secretly drafted by the U.S. and Russia is forced on an increasingly cornered Volodymyr Zelensky.

A graphic shows how, if accepted, the 28-point plan would carve up the country's territory, surrendering the entirety of the mineral-rich and economically-lucrative eastern Donbas region to the Kremlin.

In more major concessions that are no-doubt viewed as non-starters for Kyiv, Ukraine's military would be halved, Russian would be recognised as an official state language, and the local branch of the Russian Orthodox Church would gain official status in the occupied territories.

The deal would grant Russian President Vladimir Putin unprecedented political and territorial sovereignty within Ukraine, after almost four years of bloody conflict in which burnt-out, injured and outnumbered troops have pushed themselves to the limit to stave off Moscow.

White House and Kremlin negotiators likely sensed weakness: Russia's tactic of pummeling Ukraine's energy and transport infrastructure will likely plunge swaths of the nation into cold and darkness, while Putin has made territorial gains in the industrial hub of Donetsk and on the southern flank in Zaporizhzhia.

To make matters worse, Kyiv is facing a manpower crisis: some four out of five Ukrainians are fleeing military training centres after being drafted into the army, and last month saw a record 21,000 deserters.

The proposal, based on the Trump-brokered Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, calls for Russia to gain full de facto control of Luhansk and Donetsk, together referred to as the Donbas.

This is despite the fact that Ukraine is still controlling around 14.5 per cent of the territory there, according to the latest analysis by the Institute for the Study of War.

In the two other war-torn regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, battle lines would mostly be frozen in place, with the Kremlin returning some land, according to Axios, which first reported the leaked proposal.

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Search and rescue work continues in Ternopil at the site of the Russian strike, November 20, 2025

Ukraine's interior ministry said 25 people, including three children, had been killed in strikes which destroyed apartment blocks in the city of Ternopil

As per the draft agreement, the U.S. and other nations would recognise Crimea and the Donbas as lawfully Russian territory, but Kyiv would not be asked to.

The areas of the Donbas that Ukraine surrenders would be seen as demilitarized, and Russian troops would be prevented from being deployed there.

Among the draconian measures that would be forced on Kyiv is the requirement to abandon key categories of armaments, including the rollback of vital U.S. military assistance, leaving the country vulnerable to future aggression from Moscow.

The plan is 'very comfortable for Putin,' one person briefed on the proposal told the Financial Times, with another describing it as 'heavily titled' towards the Russian leader.

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and a team of officials are expected to meet with Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday to 'discuss efforts to end the war', but the Ukrainian President is likely to see several conditions of the draft as red lines.

The leaked proposal came as Russia launched one of its most intense bombardments of Ukraine to date since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, battering residential buildings and energy facilities and killing civilians, including children.

The draft proposal is heavily aligned with the Kremlin's long-term maximalist goals for territorial control - demands Zelensky has always resisted.

While Ukraine would retain legal ownership of its valuable eastern province, Moscow would pay an undisclosed rental fee for de-facto control of the region, according to sources close to the matter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was excluded from the neogitations where the peace proposal was drafted

An emergency responder prepares a hose at the site of an apartment building that was hit by a Russian missile, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil, Ukraine November 20, 2025

Rescuers clear debris at the site of an apartment building that was hit by a Russian missile, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil, Ukraine November 20, 2025

Kyiv's ability to defend itself would also be severely weakened: Ukraine would be prohibited from possessing long-range missiles, foreign troops would be barred from deployment on its territory, and diplomatic aircraft would be prevented from landing in the country.

It is likely that Trump sensed some vulnerability on the Ukrainian side which he could leverage, stemming from a corruption scandal engulfing the president that led to parliament dismissing the energy and justice ministers on Wednesday.

Ukraine has also recently suffered some major setbacks in the war, after Putin's army advanced into the strategically important city of Pokrovsk (located on a big road and rail artery) and gained dominance in neighbouring Myrnohrad.

The seizure of the city means Moscow is well on its way to capturing the Donetsk region, about three-quarters of which it already controls.

In August, Russia controlled around 88 per cent of the eastern province, almost all of Luhansk and around 75 per cent of Donetsk. Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out surrendering the coal-rich region, but the deal leaves him with little room for manoeuvre.

The controversial proposal was drawn up by Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev, who spent three days in Florida together at the end of October.

Witkoff then conveyed the plan to Rustem Umerov, Zelenskys national security adviser, in Miami, making it clear that he wanted the Ukrainian leader to accept its terms - despite Kyiv's long-standing opposition to such concessions.

Neither the Kremlin nor the White House have officially commented on the proposal.

But in a concerning sign for Ukraine, Dmitriev said the U.S. peace plan was likely to be accepted by Moscow because 'we feel the Russian position is really being heard'.

'Its happening with the background of Russia definitely having additional successes on the battlefield,' Dmitriev told Axios.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday Kyiv and Europe needed to be involved in any Ukraine peace plan.

'For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board,' Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

'We have to understand that in this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. So we haven't heard of any concessions on the Russian side.'

A source told AFP it was unclear if the proposals were backed by the U.S. President personally.

Kallas said that as far as she knew there had been no input from Ukraine or its European backers.

'We welcome all meaningful efforts to end this war, but like we have said before it has to be just and lasting,' she said.

'If Russia really wanted peace it could have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire already.'

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot insisted that peace in Ukraine could not mean 'capitulation' for Kyiv.

'Discussions are needed for us to reach a just and durable peace in Ukraine, they should start with a ceasefire on the contact line that allows for orderly discussions on the question of territories and security,' he said.

The reports of the proposal came as Russia launched ferocious strikes on western Ukraine on Tuesday night, bombarding civilian infrastructure in attacks Kyiv sources condemned as 'war crimes'.

Rescuers clear debris at the site of an apartment building that was hit yesterday by a Russian missile, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil, Ukraine November 20, 2025

Wreckage in the Dnipropetrovsk region following Russian strikes

Ukraines interior ministry said 25 people, including three children, had been killed in strikes which destroyed apartment blocks in the city of Ternopil, while about 80 others were wounded as Russia fired 476 drones and 48 missiles.

Russian drones also struck apartment buildings in Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, injuring 46 people, including two children aged nine and 13.

'Every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient,' Zelensky wrote on X. 'Effective sanctions and assistance to Ukraine can change this.'

Trump's efforts to broker an end to the war have so far been unsuccessful and he last month abruptly cancelled a planned summit with Putin in Budapest.

Efforts to reach a peace deal have largely frozen since the last meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska in August, while Kyiv and Moscow have not held direct negotiations since the summer.

Russian forces control about 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory (44,800 square miles) and are grinding forwards, up from 18 per cent nearly three years ago.

Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday in an effort to 'intensify' peace negotiations.

He was due to hold talks with Witkoff, but the meeting was postponed because the Ukrainian President intended to discuss an alternative plan drafted by EU allies which the Trump administration felt would be unacceptable to Putin, a U.S. source told Axios.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said U.S. special envoy Witkoff has emphasised the importance of close coordination with Europe in talks on ending the Ukraine war during a phone call on Thursday.

'We discussed our various ongoing efforts to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and thus finally the immeasurable human suffering,' said Wadephul, who also spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, on the phone.

'Both colleagues emphasised the importance of close coordination with Germany and our European partners, which we are fulfilling at all levels,' he added in a statement.
China has begun work on constructing a colossal 'floating artificial island' that they claim could survive a nuclear attack.

The 78,000-tonne semi-submersible platform is being hailed as the world's first mobile, self-sustaining artificial island, and is set to launch in 2028.

With a displacement comparable to China's latest Fujian aircraft carrier and room for 238 people to live and work for four months at a time, defence analysts have warned it could project Chinese influence into contested waters like never before.

Officials insist it is a scientific project - but its rare nuclear-resistant construction has raised eyebrows.

Researchers say the island uses futuristic 'metamaterial' sandwich panels capable of turning the violent force of nuclear shockwave into little more than a squeeze.

'This deep-sea major scientific facility is designed for all-weather, long-term residency,' the team behind the project wrote earlier this month.

'Its superstructure contains critical compartments that ensure emergency power, communications and navigation control  making nuclear blast protection for these spaces absolutely vital'.

Its official title is the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility - also dubbed a 'far-sea floating mobile island' - and it has been a decade in the making, according to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).

The 78,000-tonne semi-submersible platform is being hailed as the world's first mobile, self-sustaining artificial island, and is set to launch in 2028. Pictured: Artist impression of the island

Design documents signed in December 2024 detail a giant platform 138 metres long and 85 metres wide, with a deck towering 45 metres over the waves.

Its twin hulls mean it can ride out monstrous seas, including Category 17 typhoons - the strongest on Earth.

But unlike traditional ships dependent on fuel or fixed bases permanently cemented into dispute reefs, this floating island offers the one thing regional rivals fear most - permeance through mobility.

It can reportedly sail at 15 knots while enabling dozens of scientists to conduct continuous research - and potentially support seabed mining on resource-rich territory.

'We're racing to complete the design and construction, aiming for operational status by 2028,' said Lin Zhongqin, an academician leading the project, in an interview with Economic Information Daily last year.

Officials claim the facility could transform ocean science and offer 'real-scale testing capabilities' unmatched by any lab or ship.

Yet its likely deployment zones include strategic locations such as the South China Sea - a region already bristling with territorial conflicts.

Although labelled a civilian initiative, the project cites GJB 1060.1-1991 - a Chinese military standard for nuclear blast protection- strongly suggesting dual-use intentions.

Yang's team described the threat by explaining that nuclear detonations create supersonic shockwaves capable of obliterating structures through extreme pressure.

Traditional armour is too heavy and bulky for a vessel designed to remain nimble and liveable.

So engineers devised a cutting-edge solution - the 'sandwich bulkhead'.

This structure, a lattice of crumpling metal tubes, behaves like a super-strong sponge. When crushed, it tightens and stiffens instead of tearing apart.

In a blast, instead of being smashed by a single catastrophic impact, the panel absorbs the force gradually, spreading it out and reducing the damage.

Yang's simulations found just 60mm of this material can beat far heavier steel.

Under blast conditions powerful enough to flatten buildings, the metamaterial reduced structural movement by 58.53 per cent and peak stresses by 14.25 per cent - keeping the hull intact.

Crucially, it does all this while saving weight and space - a dream come true for naval architects.

Military observers say the platform could be a strategic game-changer. Unlike Beijing's controversial land-reclamation projects, a mobile island can quietly 'set up shop' in disputed waters - then vanish just as quickly.

It could serve as a communications hub, logistics base or even a surveillance station.

Its endurance - 120 days without resupply - exceeds that of some nuclear-powered carriers, giving China extraordinary reach into remote oceans.

Some analysts also believe the platform signals China's determination to dominate the 'blue economy' from offshore energy to deep-sea minerals.
Donald Trump has threatened Democratic lawmakers with execution after they called for soldiers to refuse their orders.

The lawmakers did not specify which 'illegal orders' they were urging troops to disobey, but it comes as Trump is facing criticism for strikes on 'narco terrorist' boats that the administration claims are bringing drugs to the US.

The Democrats also never specified what the soldiers should do if they receive unlawful commands.

'Seditious behavior, punishable by death!' the president wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.

'This is really bad, and dangerous to our country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand.'

Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, as well as Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, all veterans, published a video this week urging troops to defy 'illegal orders.'

The video shows the lawmakers, each veteran from different branches of service, ranging from the CIA, Air Force, Army and Navy, pleading with military members.

'You must refuse illegal orders,' the lawmakers said. 'No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.'

The video enraged Trump, the commander-in-chief of all the US's military forces, who has spent his morning bashing the 'traitors' on social media.

Trump even reposted someone calling for the lawmakers to be executed. 'Hang them George Washington Would!' the Truth Social entry shared by the president said.

President Donald Trump has suggested some Democrats should be hanged for making seditious calls for troops to defy the Republican's orders

Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth and Trump. Hegseth called the video evidence of 'Stage 4 [Trump Derangement Syndrome]'

'Its called seditious behavior at the highest level,' another one of Trump's posts about the lawmakers reads.

'Each one of these traitors to our Country should be arrested and put on trial. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a country anymore!!! An example must be set.'

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called the video evidence of 'Stage 4 [Trump Derangement Syndrome].'

But the Democrats defended their video, claiming that the commander-in-chief had put troops in an unenviable position where they are being forced to break the law.

'We are standing by our troops, our service members who are often put in very difficult positions and Donald Trump has put them in very difficult positions and has alluded to putting them in even more difficult positions in the months and years ahead,' Crow, a Colorado Democrat and former Army Ranger, explained to Fox News on Wednesday.

'So we are reminding folks about what the uniform code of military justice says, what the Constitution says, what the law of war says,' he added.

US forces on November 6 struck another alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean, killing three people, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said. Over 80 people have been killed in the strikes so far

Crow also cited Trump's deployment of the National Guard around the country as a cause for concern among soldiers.

The Democrat also pushed back on claims that the video was inspired by the military's current buildup in the Caribbean.

In recent months, the US has conducted at least 20 lethal strikes on alleged narco-terrorist boats bringing drugs illegally to the US.

The videos of the strikes, which have killed at least 80 people, have regularly been reposted by Hegseth and Trump.

Senator Kelly of Arizona, who was prominently featured in the video, pushed back on Trump advisor Stephen Miller's claim that the Democrats were citing an insurrection.

'I got shot at serving our country in combat, and I was there when your boss sent a violent mob to attack the Capitol,' the Navy veteran said. 'I know the difference between defending our Constitution and an insurrection, even if you dont.'
Sir Keir Starmer will today travel to the G20 summit in South Africa as he makes his 42nd foreign trip in less than 17 months as Prime Minister.

His 11,000-mile round trip to Johannesburg is the PM's third overseas visit this month alone, with critics continuing to brand him 'never here Keir'.

Sir Keir took an emissions-heavy flight to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil at the beginning of November - his 40th foreign trip since becoming PM in July last year.

He then travelled to Berlin on Tuesday for a dinner with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The PM is attending the G20 summit this weekend despite questions over the usefulness of the gathering in the absence of US President Donald Trump.

The Johannesburg gathering also comes just days before Labour's critical Budget next week, when Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce more tax rises.

Mr Trump has said he will not be making the trip to South Africa - and will not be sending any US officials - after hitting out at the country's treatment of white farmers.

He has claimed Afrikaners are being 'killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated'.

Sir Keir Starmer will today travel to the G20 summit in South Africa as he makes his 42nd foreign trip in less than 17 months as Prime Minister

The PM is attending the G20 summit this weekend despite questions over the usefulness of the gathering in the absence of US President Donald Trump

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But South Africa's government has rejected claims of a 'white genocide' as 'widely discredited and unsupported by reliable evidence'.

Despite Mr Trump's absence, Downing Street said Sir Keir would be attending the G20 summit to talk to other world leaders on his Government's priorities.

These include driving economic growth to deliver for working people in the UK, support for Ukraine and global security, No10 added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she is looking forward to seeing Sir Keir at the G20 summit as Britain and the EU continue discussions over the PM's Brexit 'reset' deal.

It has been reported the Government is attempting to resist Brussels' demands to pay billions of pounds to the EU as the price of closer ties.

World leaders in Johannesburg will also be expected to discuss a reported US and Russia peace plan for Ukraine.

It has been suggested the new framework - said to have been drawn up by Washington and Moscow - would require Ukraine to give up territory and accept limits on the size of its army to end the war.

Downing Street said it shares Mr Trump's desire to end the war but added 'only the Ukrainian people can determine their future'.
Families in suburbs and shires have been warned they face even more painful council tax hikes as ministers divert funding to prop up Labour's urban heartlands.

The Government is facing a bitter backlash after unveiling a 'fairer' funding system targeting central resources on areas classified as suffering 'deprivation'.

Better off areas of England will in future have to rely more on funds they can raise from the local population and businesses.

But county and district councils - many of which are already teetering on the brink of bankruptcy - warned they will face huge pressure to hike levies in order to make ends meet.

The proposals emerged amid fears that London and the South East are set to be hammered with a 'mansion tax' supplement on expensive properties at the Budget next week.

The Government said some councils benefit disproportionately from the existing system, enabling them to build up financial reserves 'while others struggled to cope'.

'By taking account of the differing ability to raise funds locally, all local authorities will be able to provide the same level of service to residents,' it added.

The Government is facing a bitter backlash after unveiling a 'fairer' funding system targeting central resources on areas classified as suffering 'deprivation'

The funding reforms are part of a wider effort to 'fix the foundations of local government' under the Government's plan for change.

This includes consolidating grants, reducing bureaucracy and enabling councils to invest in prevention to tackle the root causes of rising costs through reforming children's social care and a new homelessness and domestic abuse grant, the department said.

Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: 'We are reforming the funding system that led to regional divides, postcode lotteries and substandard public services for too many people.

'Our changes will make sure cash going to councils is shared out in a fairer way that follows needs.

'We want every family to benefit from our plan for change and fairer funding means people will soon be able to see and feel the difference in their own local area.'

The specific settlements for councils are due to be confirmed in the coming months.

Tendring, Blackpool, Rotherham and Hastings are among the areas highest on the deprivation rankings that will help dictate funding.

Government sources have played down the prospect of abolishing the 5 per cent limit on council tax increases without having a local referendum.

Ministers are understood to be considering relaxing the cap for a 'very small' number of central London authorities such as Westminster, which has some of the lowest council tax levels in the country.

Sources suggested such councils are benefiting from outsized revenue streams, but stressed no final decisions have been taken and there is no announcement scheduled.

A swathe of councils have been warning they face bankruptcy amid spending pressures in areas like social care and SEND provision.

Earlier this year the Government gave six local authorities in England permission to raise council tax by up to 10 per cent.

The County Councils Network (CCN) accused the Government of backtracking on its funding commitments to rural areas, insisting the reforms will 'unfairly' target resources to urban metropolitan cities.

The group claimed an updated needs assessment by the Government, which included a measure of deprivation, showed counties had experienced the biggest increase in demand for support.

CCN finance spokesman Steven Broadbent said ministers had decided to overlook the findings and instead extend a 'recovery grant' for urban councils for the duration of the parliament at the expense of counties.

He added: 'This seriously undermines the principles of the review, with this arbitrary measure not consulted on. This raises questions whether this review has been evidence-led and transparent.'

The CCN also accused the Government of backtracking 'under pressure from urban councils' by downgrading funding for the additional costs of delivering services in rural areas.

Mr Broadbent said: 'The fair funding review was already extremely challenging for many county areas, with some councils set to lose out substantially.

'Our analysis has shown that county and rural taxpayers are already set to foot the bill for the reforms, with 33 of our councils facing a real-terms reduction in funding unless they increase their council tax by 5 per cent per annum over the next three years.

'Today's changes will mean the pressures facing county and rural councils and taxpayers have only intensified.

The District Councils' Network (DCN) said the reforms would punish those councils that are the most successful at housebuilding and at growing their local economy, despite them being Government priorities.

DCN finance spokesman Jeremy Newmark said: 'Instead of delivering the essential financial reform and fiscal devolution that are needed, the Government is merely reallocating an already inadequate funding pot.

'While it is of course legitimate for ministers to use areas' deprivation as a factor in determining services, it would be ironic, unfortunate and counterproductive if this led to an increase in deprivation outside of the biggest cities.

'Money is being diverted from many rural and non-urban councils, and those doing the most to build homes and grow local economies.'

He added that councils will have no option but to close services and scale back preventative work, including fitness programmes and early intervention to stop people becoming homeless.
One person has been killed after a light aircraft crashed off the Waterford coast in Ireland this afternoon, local media reports.

The Vulcanair P68 went down at around 12.50pm on its approach to Waterford Airport in Killowen, south of the city.

Gardai and other emergency services, including Rescue 117, were alerted and quickly arrived on the scene.

The deceased was the only person onboard the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to local media.

An Garda Siochana confirmed the incident in a statement, describing the aircraft as a 'light aircraft'. Air crash investigators said it was a 'twin-engined general aviation aircraft'.

A spokesman added: 'As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.'

Pictures from the scene show the aircraft lying in a field southwest of Waterford Airport, with the tail-section still upright.

Online flight-tracking websites show the privately owned Vulcanair P68C was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport.

Flight tracking company AirNav Radar said the plane had declared an emergency over the south coast before it crashed.

One person has been killed after a light aircraft crashed off the Waterford coast in Ireland this afternoon. Pictures show the light aircraft in a field southwest of Waterford Airport. The tail-section of the aircraft appears to be standing upright in the field

Online flight-tracking websites show the privately owned Vulcanair P68C was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport before the crash



The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport is leading the investigation alongside emergency services and the Irish Aviation Authority.

The AAIU said four air accident inspectors have been deployed to the site near Lisselan, outside Tramore.

Gardai confirmed officers are currently at the scene.

A spokesperson said: 'Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision involving a light aircraft at a location near Tramore, Co. Waterford which occurred at approximately 12:50pm this afternoon, Thursday 20th November 2025.

''As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.'

Sinn Fein TD for Waterford David Cullinane said a rescue helicopter was among emergency services responding to the crash.

He said it was a 'shock' to the local area, adding that the community's thoughts are with whoever was on the plane.

Fellow Sinn Fein Waterford TD, Conor D. McGuinness added: 'Hearing reports of a twin engine plane crashing just outside Waterford City. Praying for the best outcome.

'Road closures in the vicinity of Waterford Airport. Please give our emergency services the space to do their work.'

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that the country's capital should be relocated away from Tehran because of overcrowding and a deepening water crisis.

Pezeshkian has raised the idea of moving away from Tehran before, with rainfall in the capital this year at its lowest level for a century.

'The reality is that we have no choice. It (the relocation) is a necessity. We cannot overwhelm this region with more population and construction,' he said, according to the official IRNA news agency.

'We can develop, but we cannot solve its water problem.'

The Iranian president warned earlier this month the current capital could be evacuated without rainfall before winter, though he did not elaborate.

Tehran nestles on the southern slopes of the Alborz mountains and has hot dry summers usually relieved by autumn rains and winter snowfall.

The mountain peaks, usually already covered in snow at this time of year, are still dry.

Faced with water shortages, the government has decided to cut off water supplies periodically to Tehran's 10-million-strong population to limit consumption.

Pictured: A view of Lavasan River, once considered one of Tehran's most water-rich rivers, which has largely dried up as other lakes and rivers reach critical levels due to the water shortages across Tehran, Iran on November 11, 2025

Iran's president has said that the country's capital should be relocated away from Tehran because of overcrowding and a deepening water crisis. Pictured: A man rides a motorbike past Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, 17 November 2025

Pezeshkian's evacuation idea had drawn some criticism, including in local media. The reformist Ham Mihan newspaper branded his remarks a 'joke'.

The government later said the president only intended to warn residents that the situation was serious, rather than present a concrete plan.

Last week, Iranian authorities announced the launch of cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall.

Pezeshkian has since last year identified traffic congestion, water shortages, resource mismanagement and severe air pollution as the key reasons to relocate the capital.

In January, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities were studying a possible relocation to the Makran region, a largely underdeveloped area on the country's southern coast.

While no concrete plans were announced, that proposal also drew criticism.
George W. Bush emotionally eulogized his former VP Dick Cheney at his funeral service on Thursday morning at the Washington National Cathedral.

He prayed that the pair would meet again before saying that he was 'grateful for his good life' and honored his service.

Following Bush, Cheney's grandchildren Elizabeth, Richard and Grace Perry paid tribute to their late grandfather, recalling some of their fondest memories of him to the political elite in attendance.

President Donald Trump and JD Vance were snubbed of invitations as Cheney was a longtime opponent of Trump and his policies, once labeling Trump 'the greatest threat to the United States in history.'

Cheney died on November 3 at age 84 from complications with pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
Around one in five people living in the UK were born abroad, according to analysis - up from one in six.

The shock study last night sparked calls for an emergency census to stop the public from being kept in the dark about the true scale of the UKs foreign-born population.

It analysed revised immigration data published this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and found that around 19.6 per cent of the UKs population was born abroad.

This was up from 16 per cent recorded in the last census in 2021.

It lays bare how there was greater population growth and churn between 2021 and 2024 than previously thought after the ONS revised its statistics this week, with a net inflow of 2.9million non-British arrivals over this period.

When this was added to the existing non-British population, the number surged to 13.6million (19.6 per cent).

It means that one in every 25 people in the UK today has arrived in the last four years.

The year 2022 saw the fastest rate of population growth since 1828.

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The higher proportion of non-Britons was partly driven by a spike in emigration, with 992,000 British nationals leaving between 2021 and 2024, 190 per cent more than previously thought.

This included 257,000 UK citizens who went to live abroad last year, the highest since 2021, signalling that under Labour people are leaving in their droves.

Before Labour came to power, the highest such figure was 283,000 in 2021 - when international travel reopened following the pandemic.

Karl Williams, of the CPS, said: This new data shows just how significant recent population change has been. The combined effect of record inflows and the sharp rise in emigration has reshaped the country far more quickly than most people realise.

If decisions on housing, public services and local funding are to keep pace with these shifts, we need a precise and up-to-date picture of the population.

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Net emigration has also peaked since last year's general election.

In the 12 months to September 2024, a net 116,000 Britons left the country. This is far higher than previously thought. By December, the net figure for the previous 12 months was 114,000. Net British emigration was just 81,000 in 2022.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: Keir Starmer's punishing tax rises are causing Britons to flee in record numbers.

The brightest and the best are leaving the UK for places like Dubai and Milan, leaving the rest of us to pay Labour's higher taxes.

This is evidence that increasing tax too far makes people leave.

The ONS data also revealed a historic, post-Brexit moment as migration from the EU fell below 100,000 for the first time since 2003.
Denver has been named one of the world's best cities, even though its decaying downtown is notorious hotbed of crime, vagrancy and drug taking.

The Colorado metropolis - nicknamed the Mile High City because of its altitude and proximity to the Rocky Mountains - came 84th out of 100 in an annual ranking by marketing firm Resonance Consultancy.

Experts hailed Denver's annual job growth of 1.2 percent in 2025.

Unemployment in the city sits at four percent - just below the national average of 4.4 percent.

Resonance Consultancy said Denver's strong economy is attracting foreign investment and fueling a construction boom.

Projects include The River Mile, an enormous new park surrounded by skyscrapers that will also house an aquarium, which is due to be completed by the early 2030s.

Denver's famous airport - the United States' largest by land-mass and second largest by land-mass in the world - is also helping fuel the city's boom, with 82.3 million passengers traveling through it in 2024.

'Lifestyle matters, and The Mile High City is selling it to a new mobile, ascendant investment class,' the report said.

Denver has been named one of the world's best cities by a new poll, but experts made no mention of the many issues plaguing the city's decaying downtown

But Resonance Consultancy's ranking makes no mention of the multiple social issues plaguing Denver that have badly sullied its reputation across the United States.

Denver witnessed 235 crimes per 100,000 people in the first half of 2025, by far the highest in the state, Common Sense Institute figures revealed.

It witnessed 1,122 property crimes per 100,000 people over the same period.

That means more than one in every 100 of the city's residents has fallen victim to such an offense.

Crimes against persons rose by 56 percent between 2020 and June 2025, Common Sense Institute figures said, with aggravated assaults up 38 percent over the same period.

And while patches of Denver may be booming, its downtown is dying, with a pair of skyscrapers bought for $400 million in January 2020 recently resold for just $57.4 million - a $340 million loss in five years.

That shocking loss is emblematic of the city center's decline, which was hastened by the Covid pandemic.

The oil-rich city was once so glamorous it served as the setting for 1980's soap Dynasty, which saw Joan Collins' character Alexis Carrington battle Denver's high society in business and romance.

A homeless encampment pictured in Denver in 2022. Vagrancy has soared across the Mile High City since this photo was taken

Downtown Denver is in freefall, with crime soaring since the start of Covid and once-valuable skyscrapers selling for a fraction of their pre-2020 value

But now Denver's beautifully-renovated Union Station is notorious for being surrounded by homeless encampments, vagrants and drug taking.

Colorado's majestic state capitol building, which sits around a mile away, is surrounded by similar scenes of squalor.

The Daily Mail visited Denver in 2022 after local lawmakers proposed giving the homeless a $12,000 no-strings-attached cash handout and discovered scenes of near-biblical despair.

Homeless people living in tents and sleeping on filthy used mattresses lined the city's sidewalks.

Many of them appeared to be suffering the effects of drugs and alcohol. And the problem has only gotten worse since then.

Denver's Democrat Mayor Mike Johnson, who entered office in 2024, made tackling vagrancy a key plank of his election manifesto.

Sadly, Common Sense Institute figures show he is failing spectacularly, with 10,774 now living on the city's streets.

Vagrancy rose by 86 percent between 2019 and 2025, with the number of homelessness people up 12 percent during Johnson's first year in office.

This Downtown Denver skyscraper is one of a pair that sold for $400 million in early 2020, which had lost $340 million of their combined value by the time they were resold this summer

Denver Mayor Mike Johnson, pictured, has made tackling homelessness a key plank of his administration. But the number of vagrants has dramatically increased during his first year in office

The city has been further strained by the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants since 2022.

Texas's Republican Governor Greg Abbott began busing border crossers to Democrat 'sanctuary cities' like Denver whose lawmakers insisted migrants were welcome.

Abbott said those liberal cities - most of them far from the southern border - needed to experience the chaos endured by towns along the southern border in his state.

Resonance Consultancy named London the world's best city for 2025, with New York City coming second, Paris third Tokyo fourth and Madrid fifth.
Battling to win a Senate seat for the staunchly Republican state of Wyoming back in 2013 against critics who labeled her a carpet bagger and nepo baby who had never held any elected office, Liz Cheney knew she couldn't afford to look weak.

So, when the opposition put out a push poll and supporting TV ad that asked voters if they were aware Cheney 'aggressively promotes gay marriage,' she flatly denied it.

'I am not pro-gay marriage,' she said with typical Cheney family bluntness in a statement.

This, naturally, might be what someone standing in a Republican primary in such a deeply red state back in 2013 would say - or at least someone who didn't have a lesbian sister who had married her wife only the previous year.

The astonishing family feud that erupted as a result between siblings Liz and Mary - one which also dragged in their parents - has reportedly all been smoothed over now. It may, however, cast something of a pall over Thursday's funeral of the family patriarch, former US Vice President Dick Cheney, who died November 3.

Mary came out as gay as a high school junior and with her partner, Heather Poe, had two children - Samuel, to whom Mary gave birth in 2007, and Sarah, whom she had in 2009. They were married by a federal judge in 2012, three years before the Supreme Court ruled it was legal.

Liz's statement opposing gay marriage in the summer of 2013 caused a major family rift which left her and Mary - siblings who had previously been very close - no longer on speaking terms.

Liz Cheney's (pictured in 2024) Lstatement opposing gay marriage in the summer of 2013 caused a major family rift which left her and Mary - siblings who had previously been very close - no longer on speaking terms

Mary Cheney, right in 2006, came out as gay as a high school junior and with her partner, Heather Poe, left, had two children

And the ruction went public just months later when Liz doubled down on her position on the issue in an interview with Fox News. Asked about her sister, she said: 'I do believe in the traditional definition of marriage I love Mary very much, I love her family very much. This is just an issue on which we disagree.'

However, her decision to discuss Mary and her family while out on the campaign trail did not appear to impress her sibling who, after having her first child, stated that: 'This is a baby. This is a blessing from God. It is not a political statement. It is not a prop to be used in a debate by people on either side of an issue. It is my child.'

Within hours of the Fox News broadcast, Mary, who at 56 is three years younger than Liz, had gone on social media to condemn her sibling and make clear this wasn't 'just' a disagreement. It was, said insiders, the first communication between the sisters in three months.

'For the record, I love my sister, but she is dead wrong on the issue of marriage,' Mary wrote. 'Liz - this isn't just an issue on which we disagree, you're just wrong - and on the wrong side of history.'

Echoing the language of her father, who had made an exception in his otherwise conservative world view to support same-sex marriage, she added: 'Freedom means freedom for everyone.'

'That means that all families - regardless of how they look or how they are made - all families are entitled to the same rights, privileges and protections as every other.'

She also took a swipe at her sister's argument - which some regarded as a compromise on Liz's part - that the issue of whether to allow same-sex marriage should be settled individually by voters in each state rather than by amending the US constitution.

'It's not something to be decided by a show of hands,' Mary, who like Liz had worked on her father's political campaign, sneered on Facebook.

Heather Poe, Mary's wife, also soon weighed in on social media, and she was clearly furious.

'Liz has been a guest in our home, has spent time and shared holidays with our children, and when Mary and I got married in 2012 - she didn't hesitate to tell us how happy she was for us,' she wrote.

'To have her now say she doesn't support our right to marry is offensive to say the least.'

Mary not only re-posted Poe's Facebook post but continued to hurl brickbats at her would-be politician sister.

The astonishing family feud that erupted as a result between siblings Liz (pictured on November 11, far left) and Mary (pictured four from right) - one which also dragged in their parents - has reportedly all been smoothed over now

'For the record, I love my sister, but she is dead wrong on the issue of marriage,' Mary (pictured left in 2000 with Liz, right) wrote. 'Liz - this isn't just an issue on which we disagree, you're just wrong - and on the wrong side of history'

Echoing the language of her father (pictured center left with his wife Lynne, left, and daughters, right), who had made an exception in his otherwise conservative world view to support same-sex marriage, Mary said: 'Freedom means freedom for everyone'

'This isn't like a disagreement over grazing fees or what to do about Iran,' Mary said sarcastically to a commenter on her Facebook page who suggested she should be 'lovingly tolerant' of her sister's position.

She went on: 'There isn't a lot of gray here. Either you think all families should be treated equally or you don't. Liz's position is to treat my family as second class citizens. That's not a position I can be "lovingly tolerant" towards.'

It was clear that a chasm had opened up between the sisters, but on which side were her parents standing?

When Mary and Heather married in 2021, Dick and Lynne Cheney celebrated the event in a statement saying: 'We are delighted that they were able to take advantage of the opportunity to have that relationship recognized. Mary and Heather and their children are very important and much-loved members of our family.'

For years, Dick Cheney had stood apart from others in the Republican Party in supporting same-sex marriage. He said at a 2004 campaign rally, 'People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship that they want to.'

Mary revealed in a memoir that when she told her parents she was gay, her mother burst into tears, telling her, 'Your life will be so hard,' while her father said, 'You're my daughter and I love you and I just want you to be happy.'

But those who consequently expected the Cheneys to come out in whole-hearted support of Mary over Liz were disappointed.

Cheney and his wife put out a statement that was supportive of their older daughter. It said: 'This is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public.'

And it continued: 'Liz has always believed in the traditional definition of marriage. She has also always treated her sister and her sister's family with love and respect... Liz's many kindnesses shouldn't be used to distort her position.'

It was, chided critics, entirely unsurprising that a consummate politician like Dick Cheney would put pragmatism before principle and not want to do anything to damage his daughter's senate campaign.

Mary subsequently didn't support that campaign (which Liz pulled out of anyway, citing the needs of her five children), telling Politico: 'By supporting, I mean not working, not contributing, and not voting for (I'm registered in Virginia not Wyoming).' But she added: 'I am not saying I hope she loses to [her opponent Mike] Enzi.' Mary also announced she'd be boycotting the Cheney family Christmas get-together that year.

Political commentators were particularly shocked as the Cheneys had hitherto been an astonishingly disciplined political unit. Liz and Mary, who grew up in Virginia, had been involved in their father's political operation since they traveled across Wyoming in 1978 during his first run for Congress and handed out buttons and candy at ages 12 and nine, respectively.

Political commentators were particularly shocked as the Cheneys (pictured in 1978) had hitherto been an astonishingly disciplined political unit

Liz and Mary, who grew up in Virginia, had been involved in their father's political operation. (Pictured: Dick, Liz and Mary Cheney in 2000)

Liz remained close with her father Dick Cheney, pictured together in 2022

Mary was still working for her father in 2004 on the Bush-Cheney campaign. When George W Bush endorsed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Mary considered leaving the campaign but decided to stay on.

Liz has remained close to her father, and, after co-authoring his 2011 memoir, they bonded over their shared contempt for President Donald Trump.

As for the sisters' relationship, it appeared to be still bad two years after the schism. Asked by Politico in 2015 if they had made up, Mary replied: 'I don't have to answer that.'

However, by 2021, it appeared that time had healed this particular wound. In an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes, Liz - by then a Wyoming congresswoman - admitted she had been wrong about gay marriage.

'I was wrong. I was wrong. I love my sister very much. I love her family very much,' she said.

'It's a very personal issue  and very personal for my family. I believe that my dad was right freedom means freedom for everybody.'

Mary swiftly followed in kind, writing on social media: 'I love my sister very much and am so proud of her.'

She said it had taken a 'ton of courage' for her sister to admit she'd been wrong, observing: 'That is something few politicians would ever do.'

'And as her sister - I have one more thing that I just have to say,' she added playfully. 'I told you so.'
A former pro-abortion Harvard atheist, turned devout mother of seven who took on Planned Parenthood and won, is one step closer to becoming a Catholic saint.

Ruth Pakaluk, who died of breast cancer at 41, is on the lengthy and complex path to sainthood after the Vatican granted a nihil obstat, declaring there's 'nothing in the way' of considering her beatification and canonization.

Almost 30 years after she died in 1998, the Diocese of Worcester - in a picturesque New England enclave about one hour west of Boston - will now place intense scrutiny on her life and potential miracles.

Pakaluk was pregnant with her seventh child in 1990 when she discovered a cancerous lump in her left breast, which she fought for almost eight years.

A month before her death, she calmly told her husband Michael Pakaluk to remarry a woman who 'might be the one to raise her children,' according to The Catholic Free Press of the Diocese of Worcester.

'She took a deep breath and said, "I have for a long time thought that Catherine Hardy would make a good wife for you, and now I see that she has moved to Cambridge",' Michael described to the outlet.

Hardy, now Pakaluk, was a fellow Harvard graduate and family friend. They married in 1999, when she was just 23, and had eight children together.

Ruth and Michael now have a combined 32 grandchildren, a remarkable pro-life legacy for the woman who entered Harvard as an enthusiastic pro-choice supporter of legal abortion in the mid-1970s.

Ruth Pakaluk was pregnant with her seventh child in 1990 when she discovered a cancerous lump in her left breast

Despite studying at the intensely left-wing Harvard University, Pakaluk and her future husband Michael were inspired by the deeds of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The couple had seven children together, one of which died of SIDS

But despite studying at the intensely left-wing institution, she and her future husband were inspired by the deeds of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

They began studying the teachings of Christianity, in the 1980s, were baptized into the Catholic Church. Soon after Pakaluk began a pro-life group at Harvard, participated in debates across college campuses, and began a lifelong Crusade against abortion.

She took on Planned Parenthood in the 1990s and persuaded the Worcester School Committee to reject a pro-choice sexual education curriculum.

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, declared Pakaluk as a 'Servant of God' in a September 29 letter to the Worcester Diocese.

After an investigation to determine if she lived a life of 'Heroic Virtue', the Vatican will review again to declare her 'Venerable'

Worcester Diocese attorney Dwight Duncan was appointed as postulator of the pending cause. If US bishops vote that the formal inquiry can begin, Pakaluk's writings and testimonials will be collected to be studied by theologians.

After being baptized in the 1980s, Pakaluk began a pro-life group at Harvard and continued a lifelong Crusade against abortion

A month before her death, Pakaluk calmly told her husband to remarry family friend, then Catherine Hardy, who 'might be the one to raise her children'

Pakaluk's widower Michael and Catherine married and had another eight children together

'One of the things about Ruth that strikes me in retrospect is that she was kind of low-key. She wasnt assertive in personal dealings. She wasnt showy or aggressive. She wasnt flashy,' Duncan, a family friend, told the National Catholic Register. 'But if she was front and center, like a debate or a speech or something, she was a strong, powerful woman.'

If the inquiry moves forward, a three-judge tribunal would send evidence of her 'heroic virtue' to the Vatican, which would decide whether to declare her 'Venerable'.

Two miracles attributed to her would then be required, the first leading to 'beatification', and a second miracle for 'canonization'

'Lots of people have spoken about it  believed a cause should open up,' her husband told The Catholic Free Press, remembering her pro-life work, founding groups, giving talks, and serving as president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life.

'She had a kind of counter-cultural streak in her,' he said, adding 'she liked listening to Rock and Roll. 'I think it gave her a lot of consolation hearing edgy music at the end of her life'.

In her pro-life activist work, Pakaluk (center) served as president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life

It's a long and complex path before Pakaluk would be named a saint by the Catholic church, currently head by American Pope Leo XIV

While no miracles have been officially attributed to Pakaluk, people are praying for miracles through her intercession.

Obianuju Ekeocha, a Nigerian immigrant living in the United Kingdom, was a long-time pro-life advocate until she read a collection of Pakaluk's writings and letters in the biography, The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God.

'I was completely stunned that anyone (especially a woman) could be so bold and so fearless in defence of the sanctity of life of the unborn,' Ekeocha wrote in a testimonial.

She prayed to Pakaluk and in less than three years went from an 'unspeakably abusive marriage' and abortion supporter to a fervent pro-life activist.

'This, for me, is the definition of a miracle and I have every conviction in my heart of Ruths influence at every step of the way.'
The boyfriend of a missing Utah woman has vowed in an emotional interview to never stop looking for her and volunteered to take a lie-detector test to prove he has nothing to do with her disappearance.

Alx Nunez reported his on-and-off-again girlfriend, Danielle Staley, 35, missing on November 7, after she was last seen at a bonfire party at Platforms Beach in Aptos, California, near Santa Cruz.

Nunez said he didn't attend the party due to his asthma and stayed behind in the camper van the couple had been traveling in during a road trip.

'And when I woke up, she wasn't there,' he told KSBW 8, adding that 'there has to be some video surveillance' from the area at the time.

Nunez has not been charged or named as a suspect in Staley's disappearance, but has has admitted to a history of domestic violence in their relationship.

'I'm not stopping until I find her, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here,' he told the outlet.

'You just see her picture. Like that little poster just breaks my heart and I want to do more than just sitting in some hotel room asking if anybody has any information, any information whatsoever to please come forward.'

Nunez has already been interviewed by police several times and his van is being searched for evidence.

Alx Nunez reported his on-and-off-again girlfriend, Danielle Staley, 35, missing on November 7, after she was last seen at a bonfire party at Platforms Beach in Aptos, California

Nunez has been interviewed by police multiple times and had his van seized to be searched for evidence, but he maintains his innocence and even offered to take a polygraph test

He's even offered to take a polygraph test.

'I have no problem with it. It's up to them,' he told KSBW 8.

'Whatever they want to do, they can do it. But I did offer it to them. I said I will take a polygraph test. I would take any kind of tests you guys want.'

He believes Staley started using drugs again.

'Yeah, she relapsed. And that's the truth,' Nunez told the outlet.

Staley's brother, Frankie Grey, confirmed to Lookout Santa Cruz that his sister had a history of abusing heroin and meth.

Grey said he learned the pair was in California on September 23, when his sister called to tell him, the publication reported.

He added that he doesn't trust Nunez and that the family doesn't quite believe his story.

Nunez believes Staley started using drugs again

'I'm not stopping until I find her, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here,' Nunez said

'We have our own reasons for not necessarily believing what hes saying,' Grey said.

Police have not given an update on the case since November 9, when they said they were still looking for Staley.

The Daily Mail has reached out the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office and Nunez for comment.

Nunez has been been active in a Facebook Group set up to help find Staley and has posted several photos of her on his personal Facebook page.

In the last video he posted of her on November 13, he can be heard telling Staley, 'The only thing I have of value is my van and you,' as the pair walked on the beach at sunset.

The family has launched a GoFundMe to support her Staley's sister and stepfather, who are currently searching for her in the Santa Cruz-Aptos area.

'The costs of staying there - gas, food, lodging, printing flyers - add up quickly, especially as they miss work to continue the search,' another sister, Airica Staley, wrote in the fundraiser.

'Theyve also been handing out sandwiches to people on the streets while distributing flyers, hoping someone may have seen Danielle.'

Nunez has not been charged or named as a suspect in Staley's disappearance

In the last video (pictured) Nunez posted of Staley on November 13, he can be heard telling her: 'The only thing I have of value is my van and you'

Staley is described as five-foot-six with blonde hair, blue eyes and a leopard print star tattoo on the back of her neck

Staley is described as five-foot-six with blonde hair, blue eyes and a leopard print star tattoo on the back of her neck. She has an additional three or more star tattoos on her left hip and torso, her family said.

Her family described her as a fun and energetic person who loves her cats and would give the shirt off her back to anyone.

'She was that type of person that she would stand up for, for her family. I hate that Im saying that in past tense, that's scary,' Grey told Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Daily Mail has contacted the family for comment.
Nicola Sturgeons government was yesterday condemned for pursuing an inappropriate zero-Covid strategy which was destined to fail.

In a scathing assessment of the former First Ministers handling of the pandemic, the UK-Covid 19 Inquiry said her government failed to plan properly and, along with the other three governments of the UK, did too little, too late.

The Nationalist politician faced criticism for hoarding power and excluding ministers during the coronavirus crisis, relegating her cabinet from a body which made decisions to one which merely ratified them.

The report, made up of two volumes with more than 700 pages, hit out at both the Scottish and UK governments. It said there was a failure to plan for the pandemic, and no sign of urgency in responding as it wreaked havoc across the globe.

Baroness Heather Hallett, the chairman of the UK-wide inquiry, yesterday said: I can summarise my findings as too little, too late.

Nicola Sturgeon with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson outside Bute House in Edinburgh in 2020

Strict lockdown rules were imposed upon people across Scotland on Ms Sturgeon's orders

Former health secretary Jeane Freeman speaking at a press conference during the pandemic

And Aamer Anwar, on behalf of the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, said: The four governments gambled with the lives of our citizens and their failure to follow scientific advice in the early stages made a lockdown inevitable  but also a spiralling death toll.

Lady Halletts findings, which come after weeks of gruelling testimony from key players involved in the -pandemic response including Ms Sturgeon, John Swinney and Humza Yousaf, revealed:

 Pursuing a zero-Covid strategy was inappropriate and destined to fail;

 The political antipathy between Ms Sturgeon and then Prime Minister Boris Johnson caused a constant tension and degree of lack of trust between the UK and the Scottish governments... which was not in the interests of the people of the UK;

 The use of WhatsApp messages  many of which were deleted  was a practice that could compromise decision-making and mean the work of public inquiries might also be impeded;

 Unminuted Gold Command meetings reduced transparency and Ms Sturgeons cabinet became a decision-ratifying body, not the ultimate decision-making body;

 Mr Swinney and Ms Sturgeon took the decision to shut schools outside the cabinet, which left it sidelined.

The virus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, first arrived in Scotland in early 2020.

Between 2020 and 2022 a total of 13,429 deaths were registered in Scotland where Covid was mentioned on the death certificate.

Lady Justice Heather Hallett, chairman of the UK Covid Inquiry

Lady Hallett said that by mid-February 2020, the UKs four governments knew enough to spur them into action.

She found that the lack of urgency (particularly during the mid-February school half-term holidays) and the failure of the four governments to take a grip of the situation and make adequate preparations were inexplicable.

The inquiry chair said all four governments failed to appreciate the scale of the threat and the urgency of response it demanded.

Lady Hallett said that when they did realise the scale of the threat, whatever decision they took, there was often no right answer or good outcome.

She added: They also had to make decisions in conditions of extreme pressure.

Nonetheless, I can summarise my findings of the response as too little, too late.

In a damning finding, she said: The devolved administrations failed adequately to conduct their own planning with regard to the implications of Covid-19. Although the inquiry acknowledges they were entitled to rely upon advice and assistance from the UK Government in combating an unknown common threat, the devolved administrations became too dependent on the UK Government response, which resulted in each devolved administration being significantly underprepared for what was to come.

Lady Hallett said Mr Johnson had presided over a toxic and chaotic culture at the centre of the UK Government during the pandemic.

Describing a personal and political antipathy between Mr Johnson and Ms Sturgeon, she said it was not in the interests of the people of the UK. While claiming Ms Sturgeon was diligent,

the Scottish Governments approach to the virus under her leadership came under fire, too.

The report said: The idea of eliminating the virus from Scotland was inappropriate and destined to fail in the light of an open border with England and there being no agreement with the UK Government to close it.

On the Gold Command meetings, Lady Hallett said: Although the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, was a serious and diligent leader who took responsibility for decisions, that also meant that ministers and advisers were often excluded from decision-making.

The use of the informal Gold Command meeting structure diminished the role of the Scottish cabinet, which frequently became a decision-ratifying body and not the ultimate decision-making body.

Lady Hallett has made 19 key recommendations.

They include the need for urgent reform and clarification of the structures for decision-making during emergencies within each of the four governments.
Robert De Niro said he is 'proud to be part' of Manchester as work began on his 360million skyscraper which will be the city's biggest.

The legendary actor, 82, has backed the construction of Nobu Manchester, a 807ft tall, 76-storey tower to be built in Deansgate - the vibrant mile-long road that runs through the city centre.

The tower, which will feature 452 homes and house a 160-bedroom hotel, will be constructed by Salboy and then operated by Nobu Hospitality, a company co-owned by the American.

The building will be Britain's tallest outside of London and will take six years to complete, the Godfather and Goodfellas star said.

'I haven't seen the city yet but I'd like to come back. Everyone is very nice, we're having a very nice time,' he said at a ceremony when asked his opinion on Manchester.

'It's great being here in Manchester because it has real character, we're proud to be part of it.'

Manchester had 'real character [and was] creative, passionate and strong,' he added.

'I look forward to coming back when it is finished, if not before.

Robert De Niro said he is 'proud to be part' of Manchester as work began on his 360million skyscraper which will be the city's biggest

The tower, which will feature 452 homes and house a 160-bedroom hotel, will be constructed by Salboy and then operated by Nobu Hospitality, a company co-owned by the American

'I think it is going to take six years and I plan to be around.'

Nobu, which was launched by De Niro, celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa and film producer Meir Taper, first opened in New York in 1994.

Manchester will be its second UK location, 35 years after it first opened in the capital.

Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said the plans, which are expected to cost 360m, were a 'symbol that international businesses are choosing Manchester'.

She added: 'It's not every day you watch Robert De Niro take out an apartment in Deansgate, is it?

'It is a boost - we've said for a long time we wanted to be a world-class city and if you want to be a world-class city you've got to get global names.

'The fact we are seeing global names - not just actors - but global businesses that only go to cities where they will be successful is a big boost for Manchester.'

The first phase of the building was completed last year.

Salboy managing director Simon Ismail said: 'Manchester's been booming for over 10 years now and the population just continues to grow.

'To entice the likes of Nobu and what they bring in terms of quality and brand and exposure - it's enormous and I think this is a catalyst to really push on and do more in the city.'

Nobu has 12 residences around the world including in the United States, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, and Brazil.

The first Nobu Hotel opened in Las Vegas in 2013.
Barack and Michelle Obama have skipped Dick Cheney's funeral.

The former president and first lady chose not to attend the ex-vice president's ceremony - despite George and Laura Bush and Joe and Jill Biden paying tribute at the Washington National Cathedral in DC on Thursday.

Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton attended Cheney's funeral.

Donald Trump and JD Vance were not invited to the memorial. The pair have been fierce critics of Cheney and his legacy, and the late Republican notably endorsed Biden over Trump in the 2024 election.

It is not convention for former presidents to attend the funerals of former vice presidents - rather it is traditional for ex-VPs to pay their respects.

All living former vice presidents were present for the service: Kamala Harris, Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Mike Pence.

Protocol dictates the seating arrangements, with the Bushes, Bidens and then Harris - who was attending without her husband Doug Emhoff - seated in the front row.

On Harris' other side sat Pence and his wife Karen.

Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia and Sasha as he is sworn in as a US Senator by vice president Dick Cheney on January 4, 2005, in Washington, DC

Former First Lady Jill Biden (center) was captured pursing her lips as former President Joe Biden (left) greeted former Vice President Kamala Harris, their first reunion since Harris' 2024 tell-all memoir was released

Former US Vice Presidents Al Gore (L), Dan Quayle (C) and Kamala Harris (R) attend the funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney

Trump replaced Pence on the 2024 ticket after Pence refused to support his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Harris greeted Karen Pence with a hug and appeared to have a warm conversation with Mike as he took his seat.

She was also captured chatting animatedly with other former VPs, Quayle and Gore.

Cheney's funeral brought out a bipartisan collection of Washingtonians as the late vice president crossed the aisle a year before his death by backing Harris' bid for the White House.

The former VP was following the lead of his daughter, former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, who saw her political career tank under Trump over her leadership of the House committee on January 6.

Cheney said in his endorsement 'there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.'

'He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him,' Cheney said in a statement in September 2024. 'He can never be trusted with power again.'

Trump, in turn, had been critical of Bush 43 and Cheney's tenure for years, blasting them for embroiling the US in 'forever wars' like Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dr. Biden (right) is captured whispering into her husband former President Joe Biden's ear as former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush (left) watch Dick Cheney's funeral service

Former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci and television host Rachel Maddow at the funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney

Vance, who served as a Marine in Iraq, paid tribute to his predecessor while acknowledging their differences at an event hosted by Breitbart News on Thursday.

'My condolences go to Dick Cheney and his family,' the VP said. 'Obviously theres some political disagreements there, but he was a guy who served his country, and we certainly wish his family the best in this moment of grieving.'

Former House Speakers Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner were on hand, as was Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Mitch McConnell, possible 2028 Democratic hopeful Representative Jamie Raskin, Dr. Anthony Fauci and liberal TV anchor Rachel Maddow.
A teacher who was banned from the classroom after her OnlyFans page was seen by pupils faces claims she owes more than 60,000 to the taxman.

Kirsty Buchan left her physics role at Bannerman High School, in Glasgow, when her explicit sideline was revealed.

The mother-of-one posted pictures of herself using the pseudonym Jessica Jackrabbit and described herself as a good teacher gone bad with a sexy tight body.

She said she posted images to make money amid a pay row and later claimed to have made 60,000 in a month by sharing photos on the adult site.

But Ms Buchan has now been named as a deliberate tax defaulter and included on a list of shame issued by HMRC.

Officials said the 34-year-old, formerly of Carnbroe, Lanarkshire, had failed to pay 64,091.65 in tax and fines.

They said the online creator owed 38,902.37 in tax and a further 25,189.28 in penalties in relation to her finances for 2022/23.

The list includes more than 160 individuals and businesses including a vape importer, a waste broker, property developers and online retailers.

Teacher Kirsty Buchan posted pictures of herself using the pseudonym Jessica Jackrabbit

Officials say Ms Buchan failed to pay 64,091.65 in tax and fines

Ms Buchan was struck off by the General Teaching Council for Scotland on the basis that her behaviour 'lacked integrity'

All of those named have been penalised under civil procedures and does not include criminal convictions for tax fraud.

Ms Buchan told BBC Scotland News she planned to clear any outstanding charges once a dispute over the total amount owed was settled.

She said: I am not avoiding paying the tax bill but I am in the process of disputing the penalty charges and the final amount owed.

Once that is all sorted I will be clearing any tax owed.

Kevin Hubbard, HMRCs director of individuals and small business compliance, said: We are committed to tackling those who deliberately default on the tax they owe and creating a level playing field for businesses.

By publishing the names of deliberate defaulters and their penalties, we send a clear message that non-compliance has consequences.

Ms Buchans case was brought before the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) in July where they ruled she needed to be struck off.

The GTCS said she had to be banned to uphold public confidence in the profession.

They also found that she had failed to conceal her identity and profession and that her behaviour lacked integrity.

Ms Buchan took no part in proceedings against her but had earlier hit out at the hearings.
A Wisconsin stepfather who showed his guns to his eight-year-old stepson to make himself 'look cool' before fatally shooting the boy has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Steven Merkel, 53, pleaded guilty in August to first-degree reckless homicide in the January 20 death of Michael Meagher in the town of Geneva, Fox 6 reported.

Merkel had been showing the boy his weapons when he walked into his bedroom to grab a 9mm handgun before removing its magazine.

He then pointed the gun at Meagher and pulled the trigger, expecting it to click harmlessly, but it fired and struck the boy.

Merkel then called the boy's grandmother, who told him to contact 911.

Police arrived to find Merkel covered in blood and frantic, the complaint said, according to Fox 6.

Meagher was found by authorities lying on the floor and emergency personnel performed life-saving measures.

He was transported to the hospital, where he later died.

Michael Meagher was fatally shot by his stepfather, Steven Merkel, while showing the boy his guns because it 'made the defendant look cool'

Merkel, 53, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the killing

Merkel told police he was showing the child his stun gun and handgun because it 'made the defendant look cool,' the complaint said.

He admitted told police that he 'did something stupid' and said it wasn't the child's fault.

Merkel's 25-year sentence includes 10 years of post-release supervision.

The boy's mother, Melissa Meagher, remembered her son as someone who made friends everywhere he went.

'Even if we went somewhere for a half hour, to a park or something, he made friends, and he really loved his friends,' she told Riverside-Brookfield Landmark.

'One time, I picked him up, and somebody made him this coloring or drawing, and he was like: "Don't lose that, Mom. One of my friends made that for me." He just cherished everything about his friends.'

Melissa also remembered her son's humor and the joy he spread to others.

'He had a fantastic sense of humor and an awesome laugh, and he brightened up many days with his smile,' she told the publication.

Meager's family remembered him as a joyous little boy who liked listening to music and making new friends

'Its unbearable,' Meagher's mother said of the pain of losing her son

Merkel's 25-year sentence includes 10 years of post-release supervision

The second-grader also loved listening to Imagine Dragons and Juice WRLD and enjoyed dancing.

'Its unbearable,' his mother said of losing him.

'You wouldnt believe the amount of pain. I cant explain it in words. A part of me died, too, that day. Ill never be the same without him.'

She and her daughters are taking things 'one day at a time' as they move on.
Transgender civil servants are still being allowed to use the toilets they want because the Government has not yet scrapped its outdated rules, it has been claimed.

Under an old 'gender identity policy' that is thought to remain in place across Whitehall despite major legal changes over the past year, officials are allowed to decide which single-sex facilities including lavatories 'are the best match for their gender identity and expression'.

The 2019 document also warns civil servants they face being bullying accusations for misgendering, which can include using the wrong name or pronouns for a transgender colleague or 'refusing to accept an individual's gender identity'.

Women's rights group Sex Matters has now warned Britain's top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald he must either withdraw the guidance immediately in the light of recent developments and tell departments to disregard it  or risk being sued.

The charity pointed out that the Supreme Court ruled back in April that sex is defined by biology and not gender identity for the purposes of the Equality Act.

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden accepted soon afterwards that the 'logical consequence' of the court ruling, backed up by interim advice from the equalities watchdog, was that transgender civil servants would be forced to use toilets that match their biological sex rather than their gender identity.

In addition, two Government departments pledged to revise their policies in January so that gender-critical civil servants would no longer be labelled transphobic, after an Employment Tribunal case brought by a woman who said she was forced out of her job because of the spread of trans ideology.

Helen Joyce and Maya Forstater of the women's rights charity Sex Matters celebrate outside the Supreme Court after it ruled that sex is defined by biology and not gender identity

Maya Forstater, chief executive of the charity said: 'Enough is enough. The Cabinet Office has had years to revise its deeply problematic 2019 model policy which gets the law wrong and undermines dignity, privacy and freedom of expression. It is still in force and impacts the working life of half a million civil servants, with knock-on effects for the work they do and the advice they give to ministers.

'The government's lawyers know that the law is the law, and the Supreme Court judgment has made clear that having a transgender identity is not an access-all-areas pass. The Cabinet Office's policy is completely untenable.

'Continuing to allow trans-identifying individuals to invade toilets and changing rooms meant for the opposite sex, and subjecting those who complain to career-damaging disciplinary procedures, is not just unlawful but could be a criminal offence by the head of the civil service.

'We have asked the Cabinet Office to either confirm that it still thinks its model policy is lawful or else withdraw it. If the unlawful policy remains in force, Sex Matters will be considering our next steps in terms of legal action.'

It comes as Labour ministers face growing pressure to release the crucial code of practice updated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.

The 300-page document was sent to ministers nearly three months ago but has still not been published, prompting claims that equalities minister Bridget Phillipson fears the political backlash.

A leaked copy seen by The Times showed that the guidance advises that transgender women can be challenged on the basis of their looks if they try to access female-only changing rooms or toilets.

Asked to explain the delay in publication, children's minister Josh MacAlister told Times Radio on Thursday: 'Because these are massive issues and I think that the public now looking at the draft guidance from the EHRC will recognise that when you drill down into examples of how this might be applied, it has big implications for individuals, it has big implications for businesses and public services, and it's not even been three months.

'So what we're doing is taking time, we've got to consult with devolved administrations and we want to get this right.'

The Government is under pressure to update its rules on which toilets should be used by transgender civil servants in the wake of April's landmark judgment

Shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho said: 'The devil will be in the detail, but this guidance seems clear, sensible, and most importantly it accurately reflects the law.

'But we shouldn't have to read leaks in the papers. The guidance has been sat on Bridget Phillipson's desk for months and she has done nothing to publish it.

'Every day of delay puts the dignity, privacy, and even safety of women at risk as organisations deliberately or accidentally break the law.'

A Government spokesman said: 'We review and update guidance wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the law, including the UK Supreme Court judgment.

'The EHRC has submitted a draft Code of Practice to Ministers. This is a long and legally complex document and we are working quickly to review it with the care it deserves.'
Andrew has reportedly ignored an invitation to speak to US Congress about his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The former prince was given until today to respond to a request to testify before the House Oversight Committee after calls to 'come clean' about his dealings with the billionaire financier.

The letter to Andrew was signed by 16 members of Congress, with Suhas Subramanyam saying earlier this week that the former Duke of York is 'hiding from us'.

The Democratic member warned Andrew that 'if he is hoping that the story will just go away by ignoring us and being silent, he will be sorely disappointed'.

Democrat Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who sits on the Oversight Committee, called on Andrew to 'come clean' at the time the request was sent two weeks ago.

Speaking on BBC Newsnight, he said: 'Come clean. Come before the US Congress, voluntarily testify.'

The House is unable to subpoena Andrew as he is a foreign national.

The oversight committee in the House of Representatives asked Andrew to sit for a deposition as part of its investigation into Epstein and how the government handled his case.

The committee's letter said it had identified 'financial records containing notations such as 'massage for Andrew' that raise serious questions'.

Andrew has ignored an invitation to speak to US Congress about his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

The former Duke of York had previously agreed to stop using his titles but had expected to remain a prince and retain his dukedom, ahead of the publication of the memoirs of the late Virginia Giuffre (pictured)

They had called for him to say what he knew about the actions of the convicted sex trafficker.

Andrew, who was stripped of his prince and Duke of York titles earlier this month, strenuously denies any wrongdoing.

He had previously agreed to stop using his titles but had expected to remain a prince and retain his dukedom, ahead of the publication of the memoirs of the late Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. He denies the accusation.

Mr Subramanyam previously claimed Epstein may have trafficked more women to Andrew.

Talking to the Mail on Sunday, the Congressman said: 'We have reason to believe that there are others who may have been trafficked to Andrew.

'Many of the survivors came to Capitol Hill and we spoke to them. They've been so courageous and gave us very valuable information as far as where to look.'

It comes after the MoS revealed last month that Epstein introduced Andrew to a second woman who had been sexually abused for years by the financier, who killed himself in jail in 2019.

The woman was introduced to Andrew by email on August 11, 2010, and may have met him in London that month. Epstein wrote: 'I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with.'

Andrew replied: 'Would be delighted to see her. Please give her my contact details.'

Epstein was found dead in 2019 in his New York prison cell in what a coroner ruled was a suicide. He was being held on charges of sex trafficking.

The Daily Mail has contacted Andrew's representatives for comment.
American troops have pulled up on a Mexican beach in a dramatic escalation of tensions after Donald Trump threatened to bomb the country.

US 'contractors' arrived by boat on Monday at Playa Bagdad, driving signs into the sand near where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

Alarmed witnesses quickly alerted officials and heavily armed Mexican security personnel rushed to the scene on trucks mounted with machine guns in a terrifying standoff.

The Pentagon, in a deeply embarrassing statement, admitted that its troops were mistaken when they landed on the beach.

The Mexican personnel watched as the Americans drove six signs into the ground, which said: 'Warning: restricted area.'

Written in English and Spanish, they claimed that the beach was the property of the US Department of Defense and had been declared restricted by 'the commander'.

They also said unauthorized access or photography was not allowed in that area and that 'if you are found here, you may be detained and searched.'

Mexico's foreign affairs ministry said its navy removed the signs from the sand, which it believed were on Mexican territory.

American personnel place signs on Bagdad beach in northern Mexico in an apparent error

The signs also said unauthorized access or photography was not allowed in that area and that 'if you are found here, you may be detained and searched'

The signs were written in both English and Spanish  and explained that it was the property of the Department of Defense and had been declared restricted by 'the commander'

The US Embassy in Mexico shared a comment from the Pentagon on Tuesday which confirmed that personnel had been sent to mark 'National Defense Area III'.

'Changes in water depth and topography altered the perception of the international boundary's location,' the statement said. 'Government of Mexico personnel removed six signs based on their perception of the international boundary's location.'

The Pentagon added that contractors would 'coordinate with appropriate agencies to avoid confusion in the future.'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared on Tuesday that the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), a binational agency that determines the border between the two countries, would arbitrate the dispute.

Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement that 'the origins of the signs and their placement on national territory were unclear' and the Mexican Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission is getting involved.

'[They] will review the maps and instruments that mark the border between both countries, as established by existing boundary and water treaties,' the statement ended.

The exact location of the beach remains unconfirmed by both parties, but a video circulating on social media and in local news appears to show Mexican marines taking down the signs.

Questions remain about what US Navy personnel were doing there and who gave the orders for the project.

Six signs were plunged by uniformed men into the sand, prompting alarm from witnesses

Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the surprise US signage in her country

The Mexican leader recently said US strikes against drug cartels on Mexican soil are outlawed  just a day after President Trump said he would use whatever means necessary to stop drugs from coming in to the United States

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for clarification on the issue, and whether the order came directly from Trump, given his comments earlier this week that he was prepared to launch strikes on drug smugglers inside Mexico. There was no immediate response.

Sheinbaum on Tuesday once again slapped down Trump's suggestion that the US military could help combat drug cartels inside the country.

'I have told him on every occasion that we can collaborate, that they can help us with information they have, but that we operate in our territory, that we do not accept any intervention by a foreign government,' Mexico's president said.

Trump on Monday told reporters in the Oval Office that he would be 'OK' with strikes on cartels inside Mexico, arguing that it would be justified to stop the inflow of the deadly opioid fentanyl.

'Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs,' Trump said.

'I didn't say I'm doing it, but I'd be proud to do it. Because we're going to save millions of lives by doing it.'

Sheinbaum issued a stern response, warning: 'It's not going to happen.'

The ratcheting tensions with Mexico come as Trump has mobilized the largest US fighting force in the Caribbean since the Cold War to target gangsters transporting drugs from Venezuela.

Since September, US forces have killed at least 83 people via air strikes on boats accused of ferrying drugs in international waters.
A huge fire has disrupted the United Nations COP30 climate talks today, forcing evacuations of several buildings before negotiators announced any major agreements.

The blaze tore through an area of pavilions where sideline events are held during the talks.

Organisers quickly announced that the inferno was under control, but officials ordered the entire site evacuated for safety checks and it wasn't clear when conference business would resume.

They added that 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation following the flames, which were brought to heel after around six minutes.

Viliami Vainga Tone, with the Tonga delegation, had just come out of a high-level ministerial meeting when dozens of people came thundering past him shouting about the fire.

He was among people pushed out of the venue by Brazilian and UN security forces.

Mr Tone called time the most precious resource at Cop and said he was disappointed it is even shorter because of the fire.

'We have to keep up our optimism. There is always tomorrow, if not the remainder of today. But at least we have a full day tomorrow,' Mr Tone told The Associated Press.

Formal climate negotiations at the COP30 summit in Brazil will resume on Friday morning, Reuters reported.

A few hours before the fire, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged countries to compromise and 'show willingness and flexibility to deliver results,' even if they fall short of the strongest measures some nations want.

 URGENTE: Veja videos do incendio que atingiu pavilhao da COP30 em Belem



 Reproducao pic.twitter.com/pd5FY6kxd1  Metropoles (@Metropoles) November 20, 2025

A fire broke out in the Blue Zone pavilion during COP30 in Brazil

The fire, which officials have said have so far not hurt anyone, tore through an area of pavilions where sideline events are held during the talks

'We are down to the wire and the world is watching Belem,' Guterres said, asking negotiators to engage in good faith in the last two scheduled days of talks.

But the conference has already missed a self-imposed deadline Wednesday for progress on a few key issues.

It often frequently runs longer than its scheduled two weeks.

'Communities on the front lines are watching, too - counting flooded homes, failed harvests, lost livelihoods - and asking, "how much more must we suffer?"' Guterres said. 'They've heard enough excuses and demand results.'

On contentious issues involving more detailed plans to phase out fossil fuels and financial aid to poorer countries, Guterres said he was 'perfectly convinced' that compromise was possible.

He also dismissed the idea that not adopting the strongest measures would be a failure.

Asked whether he had a message for US President Donald Trump, who has pulled the world's second-largest carbon polluter out of climate talks: 'We are waiting for you.'

When asked if there was any hope that Trump would change his tune on climate change, Guterres smiled and said: 'Hope is the last thing that dies.'

At a UN session in September, Trump called predictions of climate change a ' con job.' The US federal government is absent from the negotiations in Belem on the edge of the Amazon.

Guterres was more forceful in what he wanted rich countries to do for poor countries, especially those in need of tens of billions of dollars to adapt to the floods, droughts, storms and heat waves triggered by worsening climate change. He continued calls to triple adaptation finance from 30.6billion a year to 91.7billion a year.

Officials from nations battered by natural disasters gave emotional testimony earlier this week imploring the world to stop talking and start acting.

'No delegation will leave Belem with everything it wants, but every delegation has a duty to reach a balanced deal,' Guterres said.

'Every country, especially the big emitters, must do more,' Guterres said.

Delivering overall financial aid - with an agreed goal of 2290.4billion a year - is one of four interconnected issues that were initially excluded from the official agenda. The other three are: whether countries should be told to toughen their new climate plans; dealing with trade barriers over climate and improving reporting on transparency and climate progress.

Fire disrupted the United Nations COP30 climate talks on Thursday

Organisers quickly announced that the fire was under control, but fire officials ordered the entire site evacuated for safety checks

COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago had given negotiators a Wednesday deadline for some kind of package on those four issues, but no deal was in sight.

More than 80 countries have pushed for a detailed 'road map' on how to transition away from fossil fuels, like coal, oil and natural gas, which are the chief cause of warming. That was a general but vague agreement two years ago at the COP in Dubai.

Guterres kept referring to it as already being agreed to in Dubai, but did not commit to a detailed plan, which Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pushed for earlier in a speech.
Donald Trump's loyal supporters have invented a fresh conspiracy theory after the president told a female reporter to be 'quiet, piggy' for asking about the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

A White House official defended the President's insult and said: 'This reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues on the plane. If you're going to give it, you have to be able to take.'

Last Friday Bloomberg's Catherine Lucey had asked Trump a question relating to Epstein before the President began waving a finger in her face on board Air Force One.

'Quiet, quiet piggy!' Trump snapped at the journalist while she stood off camera.

Despite clear audio and video of Trump pointing at the reporter and calling her a pig, MAGA loyalists online are claiming that his words were twisted by the Democrats.

Trump's supporters on X believe Trump was not speaking to Lucey at all, but instead was referring to Bloomberg's Washington DC bureau chief Peggy Collins - even though she wasn't on the jet.

X user Michael Raczkowskion wrote, 'Trump said 'PEGGY'. Referring to the woman named 'Peggy' that interrupted. Are Democrats so desperate now that all you have is lies?'

Other Trump supporters pointed to a post written by X's AI bot Grok that said, 'Audio analysis and press pool records confirm Trump said "Quiet, Peggy" to Bloomberg's DC bureau chief Peggy Collins, who routinely travels on Air Force One and interrupted amid the Epstein query.'

Donald Trump snaps at a journalist after being asked about the Epstein files on Air Force One

Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey was referred to as 'piggy' by the President on Friday

MAGA supporters pointed to a post by Grok that falsely claims Trump was referring to Bloomberg DC bureau chief Peggy Collins

The AI bot added, 'Catherine Lucey posed the initial question, but the rebuke targeted Collins's outburst.'

But the White House has already admitted that the President was referring to Lucey and did not deny he used the word 'piggy.'

Grok later issued a follow-up post on X correcting the outlandish claim by stating, 'My earlier reply mistook the reporter for Peggy Collins based on ambiguous audio and hasty name association, but verified footage and multiple independent transcripts confirm Trump addressed Catherine Lucey, saying "quiet, piggy" amid Epstein questions. No Peggy was present or targeted.'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also again defended Trump's insult toward female reporter during a Thursday press briefing.

'I think the President being frank and open and honest to your faces rather than hiding behind your backs is frankly a lot more respectful than what you saw in the last administration.'

Trump's outburst at the Bloomberg reporter last week came amid growing pressure from members of his own party to sign legislation mandating the Justice Department to release all investigative files on Epstein.

After passage in the House and Senate, the President signed a bipartisan bill mandating the DOJ to declassify all files related to the pedophile billionaire.

Trump has repeatedly addressed questions about his relationship with Epstein by claiming the outcry is a manufactured 'Democratic hoax.'
Passengers on Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights are set to be banned from using power banks on planes after several incidents across the world.

Under the new restrictions, there will be also limits on the size and number of power banks a passenger can take on board.

Virgin Australia announced the change will be introduced from December 1. Restrictions will be enforced across all Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar flights from December 15.

Virgin Australia's chief operating officer Chris Snook said the changes were to make sure the airline continues to comply with international aviation standards. Other airlines including Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines have already banned the use of power banks.

'Globally, more lithium battery-powered devices are now being carried by travellers, and while these items are generally safe when packed and handled appropriately, this move will minimise any potential risks associated with these devices,' he said.

'The changes to the policy will be permanent from 1 December and reflect our safety-first approach.'

Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Qantas and QantasLink said power banks, spare batteries and small portable electronic devices must be accessible.

This means that if they are brought onto a plane, they are stored under the seat in front, in the seat pocket, or on a passenger.

Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar are banning the use of power banks on planes

The bans follow alarming incidents involving power banks on planes, including a fierce inferno which ripped through an Air Busan plane at South Korea's Gimhae Airport earlier this year

Charging of power banks onboard is prohibited but people can use in-seat power ports to charge their other devices, such as phones and tablets.

Australians can carry a maximum of two power banks - with devices between 100 watt-hours and 160 watt-hours requiring Virgin Australia's approval prior to travel. Power banks over 160 watt-hours are prohibited.

On Qantas flights, customers can bring on board a maximum of two power banks per person, and a maximum of 160 watt hours in total.

The bans follow alarming incidents involving power banks on planes, including a Virgin flight from Sydney to Hobart in July, where one caught fire in an overhead compartment.

An Air China flight was forced to make an emergency landing in October in Shanghai after a lithium battery caught fire.

In January, four people were injured after a fierce inferno ripped through an Air Busan plane at South Korea's Gimhae Airport after a similar incident involving a power bank.
People on the Northern Territory's coast are bracing themselves as Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to strengthen, with warnings issued for Darwin.

The slow-moving weather system, which has peak gusts of 100 km/h, is estimated to be about 340 km northeast of Darwin and 110 km north-northeast of Minjilang.

Fina has been forecast to strengthen to category two sometime on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The bureau issued warnings for the Tiwi Islands and Cape Hotham to Warruwi, which includes Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang and Gunbalanya, and also Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands.

Spokesperson Jude Scott said widespread daily rainfall totals of between 50 millimetres and 200 millimetres were forecast for the areas.

'This could be 300 millimetres of rain in the areas closest to the centre of the system,' she said on Thursday.

'An initial flood watch has been issued for the north-west coastal rivers as creeks and rivers will rise in response to the forecast rainfall.'

The cyclone watch zone currently covers Daly River Mouth to Cape Hotham, including Dundee Beach and Darwin.

Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to strengthen to a category two system (pictured, people near Leighton Beach in Perth in May 2020)

Fina was estimated to be about 340km northeast of Darwin on Friday morning

Ms Scott confirmed that Darwin is in the watch area due to a risk of gales on Saturday, from later in the morning into the afternoon.

But the impact on the territorys capital would depend on the cyclone's path.

'If the track hugs the Tiwi Island coast, then the impacts will be less on Darwin,' she said.

'If the track moves closer to the mainland north Australian coast then Darwin is likely to see the impacts of the cyclone during Saturday.'

Gales with damaging wind gusts of up to 120 km/h could develop over the Cobourg Peninsula between Cape Don and Warruwi on Friday morning, the bureau said.

Gales are expected to extend further west to include the Tiwi Islands during late Friday, and to Darwin during Saturday.

Fina is forecast to further intensify into a severe tropical cyclone during Sunday afternoon in the southern Timor Sea.

The bureau said there is a chance that it could reach category three intensity earlier, during late Friday or early Saturday, as it moves into the Van Diemen Gulf.

The Bureau of Meteorology said widespread daily rainfall totals of between 50 millimetres and 200 millimetres were forecast for the areas (pictured, people in Sydney in August 2025)

The Bureau of Meteorology's cyclone watch zone currently covers Daly River Mouth to Cape Hotham, including Dundee Beach and Darwin

Sydney

Friday: Min 17. Max 21. Cloudy. High chance of showers, becoming less likely late this afternoon and evening. Winds southerly 20 to 25 km/h tending southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning.

Saturday: Min 17. Max 23. Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending easterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.

Sunday: Min 18. Max 26. Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then tending south to southeasterly during the evening.

Melbourne

Friday: Min 9. Max 19. Mostly sunny. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southerly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day.

Saturday: Min 10. Max 23. Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. Winds northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southeast to southwesterly in the morning then tending southwesterly in the late evening.

Sunday: Min 15. Max 22. Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon then tending southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.

Brisbane

Friday: Min 21. Max 30. Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.

Bureau spokeswoman Jude Scott (pictured) confirmed that Darwin is in the watch area due to a risk of gales on Saturday, from later in the morning into the afternoon

Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120 km/h could develop over the Cobourg Peninsula between Cape Don and Warruwi (pictured, extreme weather in WA in February 2025)

Saturday: Min 21. Max 29. Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.

Sunday: Min 21. Max 29. Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.

Perth

Friday: Min 16. Max 28. Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening.

Saturday: Min 17. Max 25. Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then turning west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day.

Sunday: Min 15. Max 21. Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.

Darwin

Friday: Min 26. Max 33. Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely during this afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening, possibly severe with damaging winds and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Winds south to southeasterly 25 to 40 km/h increasing to 35 to 45 km/h in the late evening.

Saturday: Min 24. Max 30. Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, possibly severe with damaging winds and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Destructive wind gusts exceeding 130 km/h possible from the late afternoon depending on movement and development of Tropical Cyclone Fina.

Sunday: Min 23. Max 31. Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. A thunderstorm likely in the morning and afternoon. Damaging wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Cyclone Fina.

Fina is forecast to further intensify to a severe tropical cyclone during Sunday afternoon in the southern Timor Sea (pictured, Brisbane flooded in March 2025)

Adelaide

Friday: Min 10. Max 25. Partly cloudy. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the middle of the day then becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.

Saturday: Min 15. Max 25. Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon and evening. Winds easterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening.

Sunday: Min 17. Max 31. Sunny. Light winds.

Canberra

Friday: Min 7. Max 18. Cloudy. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending easterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late evening.

Saturday: Min 9. Max 20. Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the late evening.

Sunday: Min 12. Max 28. Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. A thunderstorm likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming northwest to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then tending southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.

Hobart

Friday: Min 7. Max 18. Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon then tending easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.

Saturday: Min 7. Max 19. Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then tending southerly in the late afternoon.

Sunday: Min 11. Max 20. Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon.
The ongoing National Guard deployment in Washington, DC is illegal, a district judge ruled on Thursday in a continuation of the war between Donald Trump and the judicial system.

Troops were first deployed to the nation's capital on August 11, 2025 as the president sought to crackdown on rising violent crime in the District of Columbia.

Now more than three months later, the issue is still being fought in the courts.

Judge Jia Michelle Cobb of the District Court for DC ruled that the Trump administration violated DC's Home Rule Act by deploying units for non-military crime deterrence operations.

Her ruling handed down on Thursday placed a 21 day stay on the order, allowing for continued troop presence until December 11, 2025. Meaning if enforced, troops could be home with 14 days left until Christmas.

This period also allows for President Trump to appeal the decision.

The White House reiterated when reached by the Daily Mail for comment that 'Trump is well within his lawful authority to deploy the National Guard in Washington D.C. to protect federal assets and assist law enforcement with specific tasks.'

'This lawsuit is nothing more than another attempt  at the detriment of DC residents  to undermine the President's highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC,' said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in a statement.

A district judge ruled on Thursday, November 20, 2025 that Trump can no longer keep National Guard troops in Washington DC for crime-deterrence operations

Trump signed an executive order in August declaring a crime emergency in Washington, DC that ordered thousands of National Guard troops from eight states and the District to deploy and patrol the city's streets

Cobb wrote in her decision that Trump's takeover in DC illegally intrudes on local officials' authority to direct law enforcement activity and said it violated the Constitution.

She said the president cannot call up the National Guard into DC or any other state for 'whatever reason [he] sees fit.'

DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to challenge the Guard deployments and asked for the White House to be barred from deploying troops to the District without the mayor's consent.

Trump declared via executive order in August a crime emergency in Washington, DC.

He sent 2,300 National Guard troops from eight different states and DC to patrol the streets under the command of the Secretary of the Army.

He also deployed hundreds of federal agencies from a handful of agencies  FBI, ATF, DEA, HSI  to assist with the 24/7 patrols.

But DC wasn't the only target. Other cities faced Trump's takeover dreams  but only one was successful so far.

Troops are still in Memphis, Tennessee, but courts in Portland, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois were able to block long-term deployments in their respective cities.
The myth that Nicola Sturgeon showed uniquely wise and compassionate leadership during the coronavirus pandemic died at 4pm, yesterday.

A report from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry  chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett  cuts through nationalist spin and delivers a damning verdict on the former First Ministers actions during the health crisis, which began in 2020.

It paints a grim picture of a leader  unwilling to co-operate with rivals and colleagues, alike, in the name of public safety  in charge of a government without a plan.

As First Minister, Ms Sturgeon was praised by supporters for her communication skills; the daily briefings she held from Scottish Government headquarters were to be read as evidence she, unlike then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was in full control of a desperately difficult situation.

This completely false version of events quickly spread, with politicians and commentators south of the border buying in to the farcical idea that Scotlands then leader had all the answers.

Now, we know the truth.

Baroness Hallett reported yesterday that the SNP Government failed to plan for the pandemic and displayed no urgency in responding even as it claimed lives around the world.

Much of the criticism of Ms Sturgeon will come as little surprise to anyone who has followed her career. Decision making in Scotland was, said the inquiry chairwoman too centralised and rested with a small group of ministers, while senior members of the cabinet were sidelined.

Nicola Sturgeon was praised by supporters for her communication skills during the pandemic

Baroness Hallett, the chair of the UK Covid Inquiry, raised serious questions about Nicola Sturgeon's leadership during the Covid pandemic

Ms Sturgeon welcomes Boris Johnson to Bute House in Edinburgh in 2020

Troublingly, Baroness Hallett concludes that political antipathy between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Johnson caused unnecessary tensions between the Scottish and UK Governments and saw trust breakdown at the very time when co-operation truly was a matter of life and death.

And, of course, there is criticism for the former First Ministers use of WhatsApp messages  many of which were deleted  to communicate with colleagues.

This, states the report, made record keeping more difficult and less reliable.

Those loyal to Ms Sturgeon  members of a rapidly dwindling band of people  cling to the idea that their departed leader showed more focus and drive in her leadership than Mr Johnson during the pandemic but the Inquirys report tells a different story.

B y the middle of February, 2020, reports Baroness Hallett, all four government across the UK knew enough about the developing threat to spur them into action. Instead, they failed to get a grip of the situation.

During the early days of the crisis, the Scottish response went no further than monitoring the situation. The consequences of this complacency were, as anyone who lost loved ones to the virus in the early days of it spreading knows painfully well, devastating.

Also criticised  rightly  is the Scottish Governments decision to pursue a zero-covid strategy. The idea that Scotland could eradicate the disease while it raged across the UK was always destined to fail.

Ms Sturgeon response to the inquirys criticism is predictably defensive. So far as the former FM is concerned, all of her ministers and officials played a full role in decision making.

John Swinney 'hindered the search for the truth by deleting his WhatsApp messages', according to opponents

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said the inquirys report cements the central role John Swinney played in the SNP governments pandemic response

In a statement issued on her behalf by the SNP, she says: I decided at the outset to lead from the front and make clear the buck stopped with me. I stand by that.

On those daily briefings, Ms Sturgeon says they were about providing open, supportive and empathetic leadership in an extremely unpredictable and frightening situation.

Even now, she adds, she hears on an almost daily basis from members of the pubic how important these briefings were  both practically and emotionally  in helping them through this period.

Perhaps this is so but there is nothing in the inquiry report to suggest the former First Ministers PR-heavy approach to the crisis did anything to increase public safety. In fact, key decisions taken by Ms Sturgeons government had disastrous consequences.

As the virus spread, claiming the lives of the elderly and infirm, older people were sent to care homes without having been tested. This decision, alone, led to more than 4,000 deaths.

Scottish Labours deputy leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, is quite correct when she says the inquirys report cements the central role John Swinney played in the SNP governments pandemic response.

It was, said Dame Jackie, disappointing that the First Minister failed to come to the Parliament to make a statement and take questions on the report himself.

John Swinney was at the heart of the decision-making when older people were sent to care homes untested and Covid positive, leading to a devastating 4,000 deaths in care homes.

John Swinney was the Education Secretary who downgraded the results of working class kids based on their postcode and he hindered the search for the truth by deleting his WhatsApp messages.

The First Minister owes the people of Scotland a real apology for the decisions he took at this time.

I wouldnt not hold my breath for that or, indeed, for the slightest hint of contrition from Nicola Sturgeon.
The UK is bracing for what could be the coldest night of this winter so far, with forecasters warning temperatures may plunge to a brutal -12C.

Large swathes of the country were already below freezing on Friday morning, with the Met Office saying parts of England and Wales could dip to around 7C as an Arctic blast tightens its grip.

Scotland is expected to bear the brunt, where some communities may endure lows of 10C to 12C as the cold snap reaches its peak.

Multiple yellow ice warnings remain in force across Scotland, Northern Ireland, the South West and the East of England, raising fears of hazardous roads, widespread travel disruption and a heightened risk of slips and falls.

The North East is also on alert, with a fresh warning from midnight until midday on Friday, while East Anglia faces icy conditions until 11am.

Cold weather health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency remain in place until Saturday.

Forecaster Simon Partridge said: 'It does look like we will have the coldest night of this winter so far, widely areas are below freezing.

'And the main reason for that is we've got a little ridge of high pressure moving across the UK overnight tonight and basically the main difference between that and previous nights is the winds are a lot lighter.'

A person walks in the snow in Newcastle early on Thursday morning amid whiteout conditions

Snowy conditions at Cullercoats in North Tyneside today as the wintry weather continues

Mr Partridge said that much of the country will see frost on Friday morning but that later in the day there is expected to be widespread sunshine.

He added: 'Friday is really the end of the really cold weather as things turn back to average by the time we get into the weekend.'

It comes after hundreds of schools were forced to close in northern Scotland, while in Wales, 36 were closed in Pembrokeshire, 14 in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion. Roads were disrupted and homes were left without power because of snow.

Heavy snowfall shut dozens of schools across Devon, Cornwall and Northern Ireland, while widespread travel delays brought parts of the country to a standstill.

Drivers in the North East were hit hardest, with North Yorkshire Police urging motorists to avoid the A171 near Whitby after multiple vehicles became stranded in the snow.

Officers also closed the A169 between Whitby and Pickering amid whiteout conditions.

National Rail urged rail commuters to check their journeys before travelling during the snowy and icy weather.

In Scotland, 190 schools or nurseries across Aberdeenshire were closed due to the heavy snow, with temperatures colder than the Russian capital, while the A90 in Aberdeen was shut between Cleanhill and Stonehaven.

Meanwhile, more than 30 schools shut in Pembrokeshire, 14 in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion - while hundreds of properties in those areas of Wales also lost power.

Drifting conditions saw a spate of minor incidents across the north, with snow ploughs and gritters deployed to keep routes open as temperatures plummeted to below -6C.

Dundreggan, Inverness-shire, recorded the coldest overnight temperature on Thursday at -6.4C. In comparison the mercury in Russia's capital Moscow only dipped to -3C.

Daytime temperatures only reached just above freezing at Loch Glascarnoch, near Garve, Ross-shire, which peaked at 1.1C.

And forecasters are predicting thermometers to dip to as low as -11C in some rural areas overnight.

A car driving through the snowy conditions at Cullercoats in North Tyneside

Heavy snowfall covers the landscape in the area around Liverton in North Yorkshire

People walking in the snowy conditions at Cullercoats in North Tyneside

But the Arctic conditions are expected to be short-lived with temperatures across much of the country turning milder over the weekend.

The Met Office warned 'we could drop to -11 C as an absolute low over snowfall across Scotland'.

But a spokesman said: 'After a widespread frost overnight, the risk of snow diminishes as temperatures turn slightly milder [today]. Many areas will be dry and fine with long spells of sunshine.'
Former Labor leader Mark Latham has taken aim at incoming NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane, mocking a resurfaced photo of her eating Russian caviar off the back of her hand aboard a luxury superyacht years before she entered politics.

Latham, now an Independent MP, reposted the 2017 photo taken on a Majesty 122 yacht at the Sydney Boat Show.

In her original caption, Sloane wrote: 'Eating caviar  Russian style  off the back of my hand on board.'

Latham seized on the post, branding her 'Caviar Kellie Sloane'.

'Meet the new NSW Liberal Leader, Caviar Kellie Sloane,' he wrote, adding: 'It's long been known that eating Russian caviar off the back of your hand on a super-yacht is a big vote winner in Western Sydney Oops, I mean Vaucluse.'

Sloane addressed the controversy at a press conference following the leadership announcement.

'I don't think I need to rebrand from one picture a decade ago at the Sydney boat show which I have chuffed of the opportunity to tour that boat. If that's the worse they can come off with, I think it's a good start.'

Sloane, 52, entered parliament in 2023 and represents Vaucluse, one of the wealthiest electorates in the country, covering Sydney's eastern harbour suburbs.

Mark Latham shared the image of Kellie Sloane (pictured) on board a super yacht

Kellie Sloane (pictured) was unanimously elected to lead the NSW Liberals on Friday morning

Before entering politics, Sloane, a mother-of-three enjoyed a high-profile media career as a presenter on Channel Nine

On Friday morning, she was unanimously endorsed by Liberal MPs to lead the party into the 2027 NSW state election.

Conservative candidate and Shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens pulled out earlier.

Former cabinet minister and moderate factional heavyweight Natalie Ward retained the deputy leadership.

Before entering politics, Sloane, a mother-of-three enjoyed a high-profile media career as a presenter on Channel Nine and later served as the National CEO of Life Ed, the charity behind the beloved Healthy Harold program.

She has also worked at Channel Seven and the ABC.

Former leader Mark Speakman announced on Thursday he would step aside, admitting he could not cut through with voters.

'Notwithstanding my best efforts, it has now reached the point where it is impossible to get clear air,' Speakman said.

Speakman endorsed Sloane as his successor, saying: 'Kellie Sloane will be a fantastic leader, if selected by the Parliamentary Liberal Party. She is someone of enormous talent.'

The leadership shake-up follows similar upheaval in Victoria, where the Liberals this week dumped Brad Battin and installed first-term MP Jess Wilson as leader.

In NSW, the Nationals also elected Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh unopposed on Tuesday after Dugald Saunders' shock resignation.

The next NSW state election will be held in March 2027.
For a Prime Minister clinging on amid a maelstrom of speculation about his political survival, it was perhaps not the wisest choice of breakfast cereal.

But Sir Keir Starmer seemed blissfully unaware of the potential for mockery as he poured a bowl of Cheerios for a child today.

The Prime Minister was visiting St Anne's Catholic Primary School near Reading to promote the Government's free breakfast clubs - a world away from fevered Westminster where a rising number of rebel MPs want to see him out of No 10.

And the clamour to say 'cheerio' has hardly been diminished by the Labour leader always seeming to be heading off on trips abroad.

That has led to the nickname of 'Never Here Keir' and, sure enough, he was at it again yesterday - squeezing in the St Anne's visit before flying off to South Africa.

Even though Deputy PM David Lammy is said to have warned him about his travels, Sir Keir embarked on an 11,000-mile round trip and is today due to touch down in Johannesburg for a G20 summit.

Sir Keir Starmer seemed blissfully unaware of the potential for mockery as he poured a bowl of Cheerios for a child today

The Prime Minister was visiting St Anne's Catholic Primary School near Reading to promote the Government's free breakfast clubs

SIr Keir and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson are pictured as they attend a breakfast club with students

Other world leaders, including Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, are not bothering to attend.

The three-day trip also cuts across preparations for next week's Budget, widely seen as a make-or-break moment for both Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves. Downing Street last night said it was 'important the PM engages with international leaders'.

But Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'Keir Starmer seems to spend more time stamping his passport than standing up for Britain.'

The overseas trip is the 35th of Sir Keir's 17-month premiership. It comes days after he dined with German chancellor Friedrich Merz and French leader Emmanuel Macron in Berlin.
A Strictly Come Dancing star has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman following a BBC event.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested last month.

The victim was not a contestant or dancer but the pair met because of the man's involvement in the BBC show.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man had been arrested, adding that inquiries were ongoing.

The scandal is the latest to hit the Bafta-winning programme, coming just three months after another unnamed male star was arrested on suspicion of rape.

In August, police said a man was arrested on suspicion of rape and for possessing 'non-consensual intimate image abuse'.

The latest arrest 'is an absolute nightmare for the BBC  a heartbreaking situation,' an insider told The Sun.

'Bosses have done their utmost to steady the ship and make the show as scandal-free as possible, and yet now this has happened,' they said.

A Strictly Come Dancing star has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman following a BBC event.

'The BBC is taking this very seriously and will absolutely offer support to all concerned.'

Strictly has been plagued by a string of drug and bullying controversies in recent years.

During the last series, Wynne Evans was accused of inappropriate behaviour and forced to apologise for making an unacceptable sexual remark on stage at a press event. He denied it was a sexual remark but was later sacked by the BBC.

And in 2023, Amanda Abbington complained about Giovanni Pernice being 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'.

Whilst he was cleared of the 'overwhelming majority' of allegations, a probe did uphold some of her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment.

The same year, former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott was left 'incredibly distressed' following her experience in the training room with Graziano Di Prima, who admitted to kicking the documentary maker, resulting in his axing.

The broadcaster has already launched an inquiry into the family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine.

One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelled alcohol on their breath.

EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick was also axed from the BBC soap after 19 years when a video emerged of him using a slur against disabled people on the set of Strictly.

The victim was not a contestant or dancer on the BBC show but the pair met because of the man's involvement in the programme

The dance show was forced to bring in chaperones to watch over training sessions under the corporation's duty of care plans ahead of the 2024 series.

The measures also included a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers.

A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer were also introduced.

Meanwhile, long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced that they were leaving Strictly just days after the latest arrest, which took place on October 13.

A BBC spokesperson said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.'

A Hertfordshire Police spokesperson said: 'The allegations relate to an incident which happened in Hertfordshire.

'Meanwhile inquiries by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Public Protection team will continue.

'Given the nature of the allegations, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.'
For years, the shady figure who stalked two young girls over an abandoned railroad bridge, slit their throats and left their bodies dumped in the woods haunted the close-knit town of Delphi.

Then, when a misplaced tip surfaced in September 2022, 'Bridge Guy' was finally unmasked, no longer able to lurk in the shadows of the small Indiana community.

A search of the home of local CVS worker and married father Richard Allen unearthed chilling evidence that finally put the mystery of who had murdered Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, back on February 13, 2017, to rest.

Inside, investigators found a Carhartt jacket and blue jeans - the killer's 'Bridge Guy starter kit' - matching the outfit worn by the killer in a video captured on Libby's cell phone in the terrifying final moments of the girls' lives.

Yet more damning was the discovery of a Sig Sauer Model P226 pistol - the exact gun through which a .40-caliber unspent round found between the two victims' bodies had been cycled. Inside a keepsake box, a matching bullet had been carefully stored alongside Allen's other precious mementos including pictures from his days in the National Guard.

The family home also contained a vast collection of knives and box cutters, similar to the weapon used to kill the schoolgirls.

There were also family photos showing Allen, his wife Kathy and daughter Brittany on the local trails the girls had last walked, showing his familiarity with the remote area and its rickety Monon High Bridge.

And in the garage was Allen's Ford Focus which was seen on a local business's security footage driving to the trails minutes before Bridge Guy led Abby and Libby to their deaths.

But there was one crucial piece of evidence that was curiously nowhere to be found: the killer's cell phone.

Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, were murdered by Richard Allen back on February 13, 2017

Haunting video captured on Libby's cell phone shows 'Bridge Guy' following Abby along the abandoned railroad bridge in Delphi, Indiana

During Allen's arrest in October 2022, 23 electronic devices, including a stash of 17 cell phones, were seized from his home.

Mysteriously missing was the cell phone Allen used at the time of the murders.

Allen had no explanation for its disappearance.

Now, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, the lead investigator and lead prosecutor in the case revealed how the absence of this crucial piece of evidence could tell more of a story of Allen's guilt - and how it could hold the key to solving the unanswered questions that still linger about the infamous Delphi murders.

'As a detective, we call that a clue. That's a very crucial piece of evidence that is missing,' Indiana State Police Lieutenant Jerry Holeman told the Daily Mail about the absence of Allen's cell phone.

'He couldn't explain what he did with it.'

The phone's absence was more curious given that Allen had held onto his old cell phones going back many years including an old bag phone, Holeman explained.

From the lead investigator's experience, it's unlikely to be a coincidence that the only device missing dates back to when Allen committed a heinous double homicide.

'What were we expecting to find on that phone? We didn't know. But in my past investigations, if you commit a crime, most people know that that phone carries a lot of data that we can use, so a lot of people destroy those phones,' Holeman said.

Richard Allen was convicted of the double homicide in November 2024 and sentenced to 130 years in prison

Inside Allen's home was a vast collection of knives and box cutters, similar to the weapon used to kill the schoolgirls

Richard Allen's pistol was found to be a match to the unspent round found between the victims' bodies

'I'm not saying he did. I don't have any proof, but what I'm saying is it's a clue that we found multiple cell phones throughout the years - even a bag phone - but not that one.'

When Allen admitted he was on the trails that day, he claimed he was busy looking at the stock ticker on his phone. But investigators found the phone did not connect to nearby cell towers at the time.

Whether or not Allen had the phone with him while on the trails is unclear.

But - aside from cell phone data being used to locate his whereabouts at the crime scene - Holeman believes there must have been something on the phone that Allen wanted to make sure no one ever saw.

'I can't imagine what we would have found on it, but I can imagine that we would have found something that could have been helpful for us,' he said.

In the years-long investigation and prosecution of Allen, Indiana officials found no prior link between Allen and his victims before the day he murdered them.

Other than living in a small town of 3,000 people and working in the local CVS, there was no evidence they had crossed paths.

Nothing was found on the girls' social media, Libby's cell phone or Allen's existing devices indicating he had tried to connect with them online.

Even a curious link between Allen and a local pedophile running a catfish account turned out to be a dead end.

Before the murders, Libby had been in contact with an account named 'anthony_shots' which used photos of an attractive young male model.

Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland (left) and Indiana State Police Lieutenant Jerry Holeman (right)

The man in the images was not connected to the account.

Instead, it was run by Kegan Kline - a child sex offender who was later jailed for 40 years on a string of child porn and exploitation charges.

Following Allen's arrest, investigators continued to probe the possibility that more than one perpetrator was involved - and explored potential connections between Allen and Kline.

Allen's wife Kathy had lived very close to Kline in Peru when the couple began dating and local residents came forward to claim the two men might have known each other, reported journalist Aine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee in their new book 'Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side of the American Heartland'.

Ultimately, the investigation turned up no link between Allen and Kline or the catfish account.

There was also no evidence that Kline or anyone else other than Allen was involved in the murders.

But whether or not that fateful day was a chance encounter, a moment of opportunity by a twisted man looking to satiate his sick desires and stumbling across the two young girls alone and vulnerable on a remote, abandoned bridge, only Allen knows.

And what exactly motivated him to murder two teens in such a brutal fashion and continue to go about his life living in the same community as their grief-stricken families is another question only he can answer.

When asked if the missing phone could have held the key to learning Allen's motive or could have established some sort of prior link between Allen and his victims, Holeman said: 'I don't know, but we would be hopeful.'

He added: 'But we'll never know, unfortunately.'

Libby German (front) snapped this selfie with her best friend Abby Williams on their way to the trails in Delphi on February 13, 2017

Despite having no confirmed motive, Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland - who led the prosecution of Allen - told the Daily Mail that those close to the case have their own theories.

'We all have theories. Everybody that worked the case, the families, everybody involved or with any kind of connection to the case, has a theory of what happened within that 15 to 20 minute period [from the video of Bridge Guy to the murders],' he said.

'But I can't prove exactly the sequence of events or exactly what happened.

'What I know is that Richard Allen is Bridge Guy and Richard Allen kidnapped the girls and Richard Allen killed the girls. That's what I know.'

Holeman said he believes Allen gave away his motive during one of his jailhouse confessions.

While awaiting trial, Allen confessed a staggering 61 times, including to his wife, mom and to psychologist Monica Wala. His defense later claimed he made the confessions while he was suffering a mental health crisis due to the 'prisoner of war' treatment he endured inside state prison.

In one confession to Wala, Allen said he planned to rape Libby and Abby but, after ordering them down the hill, he was startled by a van driving past and so killed them.

'I think we are pretty close to knowing how the events took place based on the facts and evidence we have,' Holeman said.

'But there are certain things that unfortunately we'll never know. But he knows why, and I think we know why he did what he did.'

The Monon High Bridge seen in February 2017 - days after the shocking murders of the teenage best friends

Police tape blocks access to the trail and creek in Delphi on Thursday February 16 2017, two days after the girls' bodies were found

Regardless, unearthing Allen's motive wasn't necessary to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, McLeland said.

'In Indiana, we don't have to prove motive,' he said.

'It's easy to wonder about those things, and we certainly have wondered about those things over the years.

'What was the motive? What was the intent? Why these two girls? There's all these questions.

'But as a prosecutor going to trial, I have to push that aside because that's not an element I have to prove. And so I can't worry about the why. I have to worry about the elements of when, where and who did it. The why, although frustrating, has to be pushed aside, because that's not something we have to prove.'

While a missing cell phone might harbor Allen's secrets, it was a different cell phone that eventually helped lead investigators to the killer.

In the final moments of their lives, Libby had pulled out her phone and filmed Allen as he followed her best friend over the Monon High Bridge.

In the video, the man was heard racking a gun and ordering the terrified girls: 'Guys... down the hill.'

Police discovered the video on Libby's phone which was found beneath Abby's body.

The teens set off along the local walking trails in Delphi, Indiana, on February 13 2017 and never returned

Libby's cell phone was found under Abby's body. On the phone, investigators found the video of the girls' killer

The video was crucial in proving not only the voice and image of the killer - but the specific timeline that the victims encountered him.

In November 2024, Allen was convicted on two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder, before two of the counts were vacated under double jeopardy rules. He was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 130 years in prison.

Allen was transferred into the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Correction earlier this year.

He continues to appeal his conviction.
The blaze broke out on the Queen and Prince Philip's 45th wedding anniversary

Described by the late Queen as her 'annus horribilis', 1992 saw the Royal Family suffer many tragedies - including the Great Fire of Windsor.

The blaze began in Queen Victoria's Private Chapel and spread from there, as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's planned wedding anniversary celebrations on November 20 went up in smoke.

It burned for 15 hours, with over 200 firefighters and one million gallons of water needed to put it out.

However, the first sign that something was wrong came from one of the castle's picture specialists as the royal residence was undergoing extensive renovations at the time.

'Can you smell burning?' asked Charles Noble, when he returned to the Private Chapel after a coffee break, according to a royal book.

Just a couple of minutes later, chief picture restorer Viola Pemberton-Piggott looked up towards the curtains, ahead of the altar's alcove and screamed: 'Oh my God! Look! Fire!'

A number of artworks were stored in the Chapel on that fateful day, as alarm bells were sounded across Windsor Castle before fire trucks began arriving - but nobody realised the scale of what would quickly become a major world event.

By 11.45, the chapel had been utterly consumed by the blaze. Over the course of three hours, 225 firefighters from seven counties battled the 40ft flames tirelessly.

On November 20 1992, Charles Noble, one of the picture specialists, returned from a coffee break to Queen Victoria's Private Chapel and asked the forewarning question: 'Can you smell burning?. But it was too late - by 11.45 the chapel had been utterly consumed by the blaze

The 15-hour fire, which was not extinguished until 2.30 the following morning, caused damage to 115 rooms, including nine state rooms. St. George's Hall, a gallery where banquets were held, had collapsed completely, taking with it the floors of Brunswick Tower.

The damage was so extensive that it would take five years to restore Windsor Castle to its earlier glory - at the eye-watering cost of 36.5million.

According to the Palace's report on the fire, approximately 370 people helped to save items, including 125 castle employees and community members. The cause of the blaze was believed to have been a faulty spotlight.

Fortunately, only two works of art were lost in the blaze - a rosewood sideboard and a large painting by Sir William Beechey that couldn't be taken down from the wall in time.

Writing in his book Power and the Palace, royal biographer Valentine Low detailed the extent of the damage to the royal residence, as well as the emotional impact the blaze had on the late Queen.

While Queen Elizabeth had been in London at the time the fire first broke out, she had quickly rushed to Windsor in a desperate bid 'to see the damage for herself and to rescue what she could from her apartments,' Mr Low wrote.

Poignant images showed the Queen - dressed in a headscarf, raincoat, and wellington boots - looking incredibly forlorn as she surveyed the damage to her beloved childhood home.

Formerly Prince, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who had been in Berkshire at the time and helped to organise the rescue operation, said his mother had been left 'absolutely devastated' by the fire.

Poignant images showcased the late Monarch looking incredi bly forlorn an dressed in a headscarf, raincoat and wellington boots as she looked on anxiously at the horrific damage to her beloved childhood home

The 15-hour fire, which was not extinguished until 2.30 the following morning, caused damage to 115 rooms, including nine sate rooms. St. George's Hall, a gallery where banquets were held, had collapsed completely, along with the floors of Brunswick Tower

When asked how the monarch reacted at the time, Buckingham Palace press officer Dickie Arbiter said: 'Probably the same reaction as yours if you saw your home burning down. Very upset.'

After arriving at the Castle, the Queen and then-Prince Charles assessed the damage and supervised the removal of remaining items from the iconic royal home.

She was said to have been left so shocked by the scenes that she put her hand over her mouth, and Andrew - who has since been stripped of his title - told reporters at the time: 'It's horrific, dreadful, terrible.'

He added: 'I was down there in the Mews doing research for the Staff College when I heard the alarm. I went straight up to see what I could do.'

Andrew assisted the rescue team with carrying several objects out of the chapel and described himself as part of a 'human chain', before adding: 'I had hold of some really heavy pieces of furniture, passing it along.'

According to Mr Low, when the late Monarch returned to Buckingham Palace later that day, the staff 'left their offices to greet her at her private entrance in a show of moral support'.

Such support was highly appreciated by Her Majesty, with her former press secretary, Charles Anson, describing the ordeal as 'ghastly'.

The extent of the devastation was so great that shortly after, the Secretary of State for National Heritage, Peter Brooke, announced that public money would be used to fund the restoration - estimated at around 40 million.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who had been in Windsor at the time and helped to organise the rescue operation, described his mother's anguish at the ghastly fire - adding that she had been left 'absolutely devastated'

The extent of the devastation was so great that shortly after, the secretary of state for national heritage, Peter Brooke, announced that public money would be used to fund the restoration, estimated to be at a cost of around 40million. But, this sparked great public outrage

However, this sparked great public outrage, resulting in the repair costs being met by charging the public for entry to Windsor Castle and by opening Buckingham Palace for admission.

It marked a historic moment for the Royal Family, with the late Queen also agreeing to pay capital gains tax on her private investments and income tax on her Duchy of Lancaster money.

Yet the fire was, as Mr Low described, the 'climax to a bad year' and had followed an 'unstinting chorus of criticism' towards the Royal Family that had rocked the Monarchy to its very core.

In March, the former Duke and Duchess of York publicly announced their separation. Then, shortly after their high-profile split, intimate images of Sarah Ferguson and American businessman John Bryan were leaked - resulting in further criticism of the Royal Family.

During that year, Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage was also publicly crumbling.

The so-called 'War of the Waleses' was in full swing. When the pair embarked on a four-day trip to South Korea in November, dubbed the 'Togetherness Tour', they could not have seemed more apart.

The facade of a happily married couple was near impossible for either Charles or Diana to maintain, with striking video footage capturing their looks of angst and sorrow, which later led to the press nicknaming the couple 'The Glums'.

On December 9, former Prime Minister John Major announced in the House of Commons that the Prince and Princess of Wales were to separate.

The repair costs were met by charging the public for entry to Windsor Castle and by opening Buckingham Palace for admission. The late Queen also agreed to pay capital gains tax on her private investments and income tax on her Duchy of Lancaster money

According to the Palace's report on the fire, approximately 370 people helped to carry save items, including 125 castle employees and community members. The cause of the blaze was believed to have been a faulty spotlight. Pictured: the Daily Mail's report on the fire at the time

'It is announced from Buckingham Palace that, with regret, the Prince and Princess of Wales have decided to separate.

'Their Royal Highnesses have no plans to divorce and their constitutional positions are unaffected. This decision has been reached amicably, and they will both continue to participate fully in the upbringing of their children,' Mr Major said.

Diana's personal fairytale that had captured the nation's hearts had shattered before the world's very eyes.

Yet it was not just Diana's heart that had been broken. As her biographer Andrew Morton wrote in Diana: Her True Story, the entire Firm had suffered a 'mortal blow' following the events of 1992.

'The symbolism of the fire at Windsor Castle was not lost on anyone inside the family,' Diana was said to have told her friends.

Four days after the Windsor Castle fire, Queen Elizabeth II addressed a gathering in the City of London to mark 40 years of her reign.

Speaking with 'her voice hoarse from a heavy cold as well as the smoke she had inhaled', Her Majesty made abundantly clear her rather unfavourable view of the year.

Quoting the words of her former assistant private secretary, Sir Edward Ford, she said: '1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.

Four days after the Windsor Castle fire, the late Queen gave a speech held at a lunch in the City of London to mark her 40 years on the throne. Quoting the words of her former assistant private secretary Sir Edward Ford, she described 1992 as her 'annus horribilis'

'In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an "annus horribilis".'

She added: 'I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year.

'I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators.

'Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.'

The restoration of Windsor Castle was officially completed on November 20, 1997. Five years to the day since the blaze, it marked a particularly touching tribute for the late Queen and Prince Philip on their golden wedding anniversary.

The bravery displayed by first responders was commemorated by a new stained-glass window for the chapel, which shows a workman in a hard hat carrying out a painting and a firefighter surrounded by smoke dousing the flames.

In a 'thank you' reception hosted in the restored rooms on November 14, 1997 for over 1,500 contractors, the late Queen made clear her undeniable gratitude for all those involved.

Issuing an emotional speech, the monarch expressed her thanks to all those who had worked tirelessly to restore her beloved home.

It was the best anniversary present we could have wished for. I cant begin to describe what it means to us to have Windsor back.
New book by Andy Webb lays bare the true extent of the Beeb's deception

For Andy Webb, his new book marks the culmination of tireless research into the Bashir scandal, including interviews with Dianas brother and possibly even Prince William (though he cannot, and does not, name him).

For the BBC, it is terrible timing; Dianarama: The Betrayal of Princess Diana could spell fresh trouble for the broadcaster that is currently fending off legal threats from the President of the United States over a 12-second doctored version of Donald Trumps Capitol Hill speech.

But for Dianas family, including her son and Britains future King, it will hopefully, finally, deliver some real answers about the Panorama interview that set the Princesss life on a terribly dangerous course, Mr Webb suggests.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he added: A close associate of Prince William described the interview as a wound that will not heal.

The wound were talking about is the vast uncertainty about whether his mothers life had to follow the course it did or, had the BBC management done something different, it would have followed an entirely different course.

Mr Webb believes he has identified at least four key documents that have gone missing from the BBC archives that pertain to its investigation into Bashir.

His track record with the BBC, which initially stonewalled his Freedom of Information requests, leads me and, I would suggest, William to suspect theres more to come.

Until it is proven otherwise, the Royal Family wont be happy, Mr Webb argues, adding its crucial for the BBC - that claimed to operate with radical transparency under fallen Director General Tim Davies leadership - to come clean.

A new book about Princess Diana's Panorama interview with Martin Bashir in 1995 could spell fresh trouble for the BBC that is currently fending off legal threats from US president Donald Trump. The late Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash in Paris 18 montsh after the interview aired, during her conversation with now-disgraced journalist Martin Bashir

But for Dianas family, including her son and Britains future King, it will hopefully, finally, deliver some real answers about the Panorama interview that set the Princesss life on a terribly dangerous course. In his 2021 statement about the Dyson inquiry's findings, William said his mother was 'failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way'

I make this reference in the book, but its too ironic for words that the BBC operates under a Royal Charter.

Well, if the future King issuing the Royal Charter doesnt trust Britains public broadcaster, theres a big problem, Mr Webb continued.

The Panorama interview certainly drew the ire of the Royal Family when it was first broadcast in 1995.

The late Queen Elizabeth was so furious that she removed the BBC's exclusive rights to the production of her annual Christmas broadcast, in what was seen as an act of revenge.

It was on this day, 30 years ago, that Diana sat down opposite Bashir for her Panorama interview that was initially hailed as a broadcasting landmark.

Speaking about the breakdown of her marriage to King Charles, Princess Diana famously said, 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded' and 20 million viewers, world over, collectively held their breath.

Shortly after the Bafta-winning interview was aired, the Mail on Sunday revealed the BBC's then-star reporter had forged bank statements to earn Diana's trust - but that was only the tip of the iceberg.

An internal inquiry spearheaded by the BBC's former Director General Tony Hall, then head of news, cleared Bashir of any wrongdoing as Lord Hall ruled he was ultimately an 'honest and honourable man'.

When he began investigating the scandal in 2007, Mr Webb felt that 'one corner' of it had already been exposed by the Mail's report about Bashir's forgeries 'yet was generally ignored'.

The cover of Andy Webb's new book that lays bare the full extent of the Bashir scandal

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Webb (above) called the interview the 'wound that will not heal' for William, who was 13 when the Princess of Wales died

It was that year that he submitted his first Freedom of Information request, asking to see all the documents related to Lord Hall's inquiry.

Despite being shut down, Mr Webb renewed his FOI request during lockdown on the 25th anniversary of Diana's interview, explaining this time that he was working on a Channel 4 documentary about the subject.

Days before the release of his 2020 Channel 4 documentary about Dianas Panorama interview, Mr Webb finally received a tranche of documents about Bashirs forgeries, including internal memos and reports.

On page 43 of the heavily-redacted 67-page PDF Mr Webb received was a note the former DG had allegedly prepared for his meeting with the BBCs governors in 1996 that suggested it was Diana's brother Earl Spencer who had shown Bashir the forged bank documents.

When Mr Webb reached out to Earl Spencer for comment, he was outraged and declared: I did no such thing.

This was the turning point that 'blew the lid off' the cover up that began in 1996, Mr Webb said.

After his conversation with Mr Webb, Diana's brother approached the BBC's newly-appointed Director General Tim Davie by email and recounted the extraordinarily unethical lengths Bashir went to secure his scoop.

A polite acknowledgement of receipt followed, but Spencer was not easily put off, Mr Webb wrote in his new book Dianarama, exclusively serialised by the Daily Mail.

The book includes interviews with Diana's brother Earl Spencer (above)

Diana with her younger brother at Althorp House in Berkshire

When a 900-world email from Mr Davie, which bore every sign of having been composed by a team of lawyers, Mr Spencer couldnt believe what he was reading.

Davie had written: Unfortunately, the account you give does not accord with the account that Mr Bashir gave the BBC at the time.

Mr Spencer then supplied a meticulously recorded account of Bashir's first meeting with Princess Diana at a Knightsbridge flat in London in September 1995 - including the astonishing falsehoods he peddled to fuel her paranoia and win her trust.

Speaking about the BBCs cover-up that began in 1996 and went on for a quarter of a century, Mr Webb said Tim Davies role in the latter stages of this story raised huge, huge questions.

He suggested that 'the fiction that was created in 1996' under Lord Hall 'survived under Davie'.

Mr Webb, who embarks on his UK book tour this week, also revealed how Mr Davie signed off on over 1million of licence-fee-payers' money to 'stop me seeing some emails' during a three-year legal contest.

How and why would have been some of the difficult questions that the former DG - whose tenure saw multiple scandals - would have to answer if he hadn't 'fallen over his own sword over Trumpgate'.

The release of Mr Webb's book comes less than two years before the BBC's Royal Charter comes up for renewal.

In an excerpt from Dianarama, serialised exclusively by the Daily Mail, Mr Webb noted that several 'incriminating internal documents...mysteriously went missing' during his dogged pursuit of the truth.

In some cases, the BBC declined to reveal documents outright - including as recently as 2024, when the corporation refused to release the letter it received from Buckingham Palace ahead of the Panorama interview being aired on November 20, 1995.

Prince William (left) and Prince Harry bowing their heads as Diana's coffin was taken out of Westminster Abbey after her funeral in London in 1997

Even the existence of the letter - which is understood to have come from the Queen's office - was only confirmed in 10,000 pages of heavily redacted documents that the BBC finally released on a judge's order.

If true, it is not surprising that Prince William believes there is still more to the BBC's 'whitewash' of the scandal.

But, said Mr Webb, it's easy to forget what this story is really about when it's buried under official paperwork.

'What happened to Diana is a matter of intense concern, interest and distress for her family.

'William is now 43 years of age - or seven years older than his mother was, when she died.

His eldest son is 12. William was 13 when he watched this infamous interview go out on television.

'So, its getting into your head that this really matters, it matters to some living, breathing human beings.

'When you look at the circumstances of what the BBC management knew at the time, and what they didnt do, and you put yourself in the mind of a member of Dianas family, like her brother Earl Spencer and, indeed, William  I thought it was important to highlight that.'
Meghan Markle has shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her Harper's Bazaar cover shoot - as it's revealed it was five years in the making.

Last night, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, was unveiled as the cover star of the magazine's December 2025/January 2026 edition, wearing Dior and apparently without any make-up on.

To coincide with the release, she shared an entirely black-and-white video to her Instagram account, @meghan, posing for the cameras and looking thoughtfully into the distance.

Expressing her gratitude to the team and Editor-in-Chief, Samira Nasr, she wrote: 'Thank you @harpersbazaarus @samiranasr and this extraordinary team for a special and unforgettable experience.'

Samira added: '@meghan is our Winter cover star. This cover is the culmination of a conversation that began 5 years ago. I am eternally grateful to Meghan and her wonderful team for their collaboration and trust.'

In the video, Meghan was seen lying on an armchair with her feet up, barefoot, wearing a silk dress from Ferragamo. At one point, she chatted to the crew and gave them a round of applause at the end, gushing: 'Yay, thank you everybody!'

With classical music playing in the background, a row of Gucci shoes was filmed, followed by a series of clothes hangers from Balenciaga.

Indeed, Meghan wore a striking red dress from the Spanish fashion house for the shoot, after appearing in the front row to watch their show at Paris Fashion Week in September.

Meghan Markle has shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her Harper's Bazaar cover shoot

In the interview, Meghan finally spoke about the event, the first with her friend Pierpaolo Piccioli at the helm as creative director. However, he later said that The Duchess had essentially invited herself.

'I was excited for him,' Meghan told Harper's Bazaar about the Balenciaga show.

'I reached out and I said, "Happy to come and support you." We kept it a secret, and it was really fun,' she said.

The As Ever founder added that she likes being able to 'do both' - balance motherhood and her career.

Elsewhere in the interview, Meghan revealed how she was drawn to Prince Harry's 'childlike wonder and playfulness' when they first met in 2016.

The writer Kaitlyn Greenidge revealed how Meghan clutches her chest as she says of her British husband that 'no one in the world loves me more than him' and how he will always 'have her back'.

Part of the Harper's Bazaar interview was conducted at the Beverly Hills Hotel - the other section was in New York at a friend's home.

'When I enter, the house manager announces, "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex," even though we appear to be the only other two people in the house,' the article's writer Ms Greenidge revealed with clear bemusement of their New York meeting.

The Duchess of Sussex , 44, last night appeared on the front of the magazine's December 2025/January 2026

Kaitlyn also revealed that during their wide-ranging interview Meghan was brought an 'unsolicited' cappuccino over by a waiter at the Beverly Hills Hotel with her face in the milky foam.

The article said: 'Oh, she [Meghan] says, smiling down at it. "I recognise this picture. Thats from our trip to South Africa". (Prince Harry and Meghan toured the country in 2019.) Its a lovely and absurd perk of celebrity, and Meghan is tickled enough to take a photo of it'.

In the cover photo, Meghan appeared to be wearing no makeup and had her hair tied back, showing off a pair of dangling diamond earrings from Tiffany & Co.

The mother-of-two wore a low-cut, black silk blazer with a tie at the waist, as the magazine's cover was titled, 'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Meets her Moment.'

In another photo for the magazine, Meghan posed in a sleeveless red dress with a dramatic cape draping over one shoulder.

She said of Harry, whom she married in 2018: 'He loves me so boldly, fully, and he also has a different perspective because he sees media that I wouldn't.'

'No one in the world loves me more than him, so I know he's always going to make sure that he has my back,' she continued.

The Duchess of Sussex also shared that her husband brought out a 'childlike wonder' and 'playfulness' in her.

Meghan said she was drawn to her husband's 'childlike wonder' when they first met

The As Ever founder added that she likes being able to 'do both' - balance motherhood and her career

'That's translated into every part of our life. Even in business, I want us to play and have fun and explore and be creative,' she shared.

The couple share two children together - son Archie Harrison, six, and daughter Lilibet Diana, four.

Meghan's appearance on the cover of Harper's Bazaar comes after she was featured on the digital cover of New York Magazine's The Cut in 2022.

In the story, she posed for multiple photos from her home in Montecito, California, where she lives with Prince Harry and their two children.

However, in December last year, The Cut appeared to turn against her with an article saying her projects 'keep flopping'.

It was published shortly after Meghan and Harry's series, Polo, was released on Netflix and was panned by critics.

In April, The Cut's sister publication, The Intelligencer, another offshoot of New York Magazine, poked fun at her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, and her lifestyle brand, As ever.

The article mocked Meghan's 'big idea' of 'rinsing and reusing jam jars' and 'selling factory-made food to plebs'.
The Prince of Wales shared a powerful tribute to Rob Burrow as he arrived to officially open a centre in the late athlete's honour in Leeds.

Prince William, 43, exchanged a meaningful hug with the sportsman's wife, Lindsay, at the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds - a world-leading facility dedicated to the diagnosis, research and care of MND.

The rugby league player passed away months later in June 2024 after a battle with motor neurone disease (MND).

During the emotional visit, William told Rob's children, Macy, Maya and Jackson, they should be 'so proud' of him and said it was his 'absolute honour' to visit today.

He said the Leeds Rhinos rugby legend's legacy will 'live on', adding: 'He really was an incredibly brave, very special man.'

William and mother-of-three Lindsay first met one another when the royal, 43, presented Rob with his CBE in January 2024.

He would later record a touching message for Rob's widow to use as the foreword in her memoir, which was released earlier this year.

Born from Rob's determination to create a place that treats patients as people, not conditions, the centre was designed with patients and families at its heart - providing a calm, welcoming, and fully accessible environment.

The Prince of Wales greets Lindsey Burrow with a hug as he arrives to officially open The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

The Prince of Wales speaks with Lindsey Burrow, wife of the late rugby league player Rob Burrow CBE, and their children Macy, Maya and Jackson

It is the first purpose-built centre dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support in the UK, and stands as a trailblazer for other centres around the country.

After touring the centre, the Prince said: 'It's my absolute honour and pleasure to be here today. I met the family and Kevin in January 2024 for the first time in a very sweaty, smelly Leeds rugby changing room.

'It's been my pleasure to get to know them and follow their journey and really be stood in one of the most incredible buildings that has been fundraised and supported by a few individuals who have gone above and beyond to make MND finally on the map and let us all understand what it is.

'I'm honoured to be here today and see it up and running in just over a year. It's been an incredible fundraising effort from a huge team of people.

'None more so than Kevin, whose knees and hips have taken a battering, but has probably raised 40 per cent of this building's fundraising total. I can't commend enough people.

'Rob's legacy will live on. You guys should be so proud of your father. He really was an incredibly brave, very special man.

'This is a world-leading centre and is going to save a lot of lives. You should be very proud, and everyone is very grateful for you letting us into your family life and understanding what you've been managing all together.

'It's my pleasure to be here and so many congratulations to all of you for getting to this point.'

Prince William and the mother-of-three (pictured) first met one another when the royal, 43, presented Rob with his CBE in January 2024

The Prince of Wales sits next to Maya, daughter of the late rugby league player Rob Burrow CBE, during a visit to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

The Prince of Wales (pictured chatting to Lindsey) presented Rob and Kevin with their CBEs in January 2024 at Headingly Stadium, recognising their outstanding contributions to the fight against motor neurone disease

The new centre has been made possible thanks to a 6.8million fundraising campaign, led by Leeds Hospitals Charity and Rob's consultant Dr Agam Jung. Pictured, William greeting Lindsey Burrow

The Prince of Wales shared a hug with Rob Burrow's widow Lindsey as he arrived to officially open a centre in the late athlete's honour in Leeds

The new centre has been made possible thanks to a 6.8million fundraising campaign, led by Leeds Hospitals Charity and Rob's consultant Dr Agam Jung.

The campaign was given considerable support by Kevin Sinfield CBE and the wider Leeds Rhinos and Leeds communities.

Before the Prince gave his speech, Jackson rang a bell that Kevin rang for each of his fundraising challenges.

Next month, he will be doing his sixth 7-7-7 challenge, where he attempts to complete seven marathons in seven days across seven regions in the UK and Ireland.

Earlier in the tour, William sat down with Rob's wife and children in a room dedicated to families where they can make keepsakes, including memory boxes for their loved ones.

During his visit, His Royal Highness toured the new facility with Dr Jung and spent time with patients and families, as well as meeting those who have worked so hard to make it happen.

The centre also has a Ninja coffee machine personally gifted by the Prince after he previously asked them if there was anything they needed that the fundraising did not cover.

The coffee machine William gave to the Centre was a Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Series, which costs around 550.

William recorded a touching message for Rob's widow (pictured right) to use as the foreword in her memoir, which was released earlier this year

The Prince of Wales is welcomed by Dr. Agam Jung, rugby union coach Kevin Sinfield and Lindsey Burrow, wife of the late rugby league player Rob Burrow, as he arrives to officially open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

In a note that came with it, he wrote: 'Wishing everyone a well-deserved moment of pause. I hope this brings a little warmth to your day. Best wishes, William.'

William's visit marked him fulfilling a promise he made to Rob when he awarded him his CBE and said that he would come to open the Centre.

The Prince gave Lindsey a hug when he arrived at the Centre, and joked that it was very cold.

She told him that it was 'incredible' that the Centre had opened.

Later, he met her with the children in a dedicated family room and joked they were 'much smaller' the last time he saw them

Jackson told the Prince he enjoys taking pictures, but when asked if he wants to be a photographer when he grows up, he humorously shook his head.

The Prince asked them if it had been nice to come to the centre, saying it must have been 'difficult' with their dad.

Macy later thanked him for writing to them and said 'it's given us a lot of comfort', to which he replied: 'Not at all. I'm so proud of you guys. You've done all the hard work.'

The room is designed so families can play and create special items like memory boxes for their loved ones.

The Prince was shown around by Dr Agam Jung, director of the Motor Neurone Disease Centre.

He also met Dr Stuart Currie and Dr Stefan William, both clinical research leads, who told him about the latest advances in research and treatment.

He met Richarch and Gill Hayes, and Martin and Carol Carthy, who donated considerably to the centre.

During his visit, His Royal Highness (pictured) toured the new facility with Dr Jung and spent time with patients and families, as well as meeting those who have worked so hard to make it happen

And he was introduced to patient and fundraiser Ian Flatt and his wife Rachel. Ian told the Prince how he went up Mount Snowdon as part of a challenge to scale seven peaks in honour of Rob.

The Prince, visibly impressed, joked he hoped he had a 'four-wheel drive'.

Before the Prince arrived, Lindsey told reporters: 'It's such a special day for the family to be here, to have the Prince come. It's a really special day.

'He has kept his promise. We met Prince William when Rob and Kevin were awarded the CBEs and Rob asked him would you come and open the Centre?

'He's kept his word. To have him here today is a huge honour and privilege.

'It shows his kindness and consideration. He wrote to us after we lost Rob. It was a really heartfelt message and that's something that we take a lot of comfort from.

'We're just incredibly grateful to the Prince for the kindness and support he's shown our family. It's raising awareness of MND on a national level.'

Prince William has previously praised Lindsey's resilience and strength. Asked where she gets it from, she said: 'I think it was Rob. Rob inspired confidence. He showed us how to be brave, he showed us how to be courageous.

'He was always so positive, never felt sorry for himself, there was never any self-pity. He just wanted to make the most of each and every day and be here for as long as he possibly could.

'When you see what Rob was going through and what he'd had taken away from him, it puts life into perspective.'

Kevin, asked if he ever thought Prince William would come for the opening, added: 'I think he's a man of his word. He's been a massive supporter of the work we've done, the running we've done, the campaigning we've done.

'There's lots of dreams set out and you're never quite sure if they'll come true. The funding, the amount we needed at one stage jumped u[ considerably on the back of covid. It sent a shiver down my spine.

'To see the kindness and generosity of people right across the UK, to see the fruits of that and what we've created is incredible.

'Rob would be so proud of it. He'd have loved to have seen it today.'

Rob Burrow CBE died in 2024 at 41 years old, having lived with MND since his diagnosis in December 2019, just two years after retiring from a 17-season league career.

The Prince presented Rob and Kevin with their CBEs in January 2024 at Headingly Stadium, recognising their outstanding contributions to the fight against motor neurone disease.

William met with Rob, Lindsey and their three children and told the sporting hero: 'Thank you and congratulations - for all the inspirational work you've done, Rob. You've been amazing, you really have and everyone's so proud of you.

The Prince of Wales sits with Dr. Agam Jung (centre right), Kevin Sinfield (right) and Lindsey Burrow (left)

The Prince of Wales is welcomed by rugby union coach Kevin Sinfield during a visit to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

'We've all been following your case. You've changed so many people's lives with MND with what you've done. We're all so proud of you.'

William also recorded a touching message for Rob's widow to use as the forward in her new memoir earlier this year.

Lindsey's book 'Take Care' delved into her experience of caring for her late husband during his five-year battle with motor neurone disease.

Mother-of-three Lindsey was an unwavering presence at Rob's side following his diagnosis and constantly cared for him as his condition worsened over the years.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast, she spoke of the 'sweet' message from the Prince and praised his 'kindness and compassion'.

In an audio recording, the royal said: 'Despite the advanced nature of Rob's condition, I was struck by the incredible strength, positivity and incredible resilience of Lindsey.

'Rob told me she is far tougher than any of the men he has played with or against over the years. I know I am not alone in feeling great admiration for how she has kept going in the face of adversity.

'This book tells Lindsey's story of perseverance and love. By sharing her story, she is shining a light on those who are dealing with incredibly difficult situations, putting other's needs before their own and making great personal sacrifices every day.

'I hope this book provides those going through their own challenges with some comfort and optimism and that it inspires us all to look out for one another.'

The royal couple were among the first to pay tribute to Rob following his tragic death in June 2024.

William and Kate shared a touching message on X as they expressed their condolences to the athlete's family.

The Prince of Wales wrote: 'A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart.

'He taught us, 'in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream'. Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy.'
An invasive species that's easily mistaken for the harmless ladybug is swarming into US homes by the thousands and may even attack the people inside.

State and federal officials have warned that the Asian lady beetle has become a potentially dangerous menace that bites people and damages property during the fall and winter months.

The insects also form 'death spiral' swarms which fly around the lights inside US homes, gathering in the walls in immense clusters of up to 15,000 or 20,000 bugs.

State researchers in Mississippi recently sounded the alarm that these insects would soon be trying to sneak back into homes by squeezing under window sills, looking for places to survive the winter.

However, the problem extends far beyond Mississippi, with Asian lady beetles being found in nearly every state in the US.

Not only do they have a pinching bite if they land on a person, but the ladybug impostors emit a defensive yellow fluid that has a foul odor, irritates human skin, and can stain fabrics.

The PennState Extension warned: 'It is not uncommon for tens of thousands of beetles to congregate in attics, ceilings and wall voids, and due to the warmth of the walls, will move around inside these voids and exit into the living areas of the home.'

The government-funded science advisors at Penn State added that the smelly yellow liquid could also trigger allergic reactions and sinus problems if the goo gets on someone's skin.

The Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is an invasive species that looks very similar to the US ladybug, bug can bite humans and infest homes

These insects gather by the thousands inside US homes in the fall and winter to escape the cold

Although the Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) was deemed an invasive species by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the 2000s, the bugs were not carried here by accident or sent here by another nation to cause harm.

The US intentionally brought the beetles here over a century ago from countries including China, Russia, and Japan to fight native pests that were killing crops and plants.

Decades later, the USDA released thousands of the pest-eating lady beetles in places such as California, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, using them as a 'biological control tool' in the 1970s and 1980s.

However, their numbers quickly grew out of control, and by 1988, agriculture officials found the first confirmed lady beetle colonies living in Louisiana.

The Mississippi State University Extension explained: 'During most of the year they are considered 'good bugs,' but as cold weather approaches, they start looking for a place to spend the winter, and this is when they can become real pests.'

Researchers from the University of Florida added that without the local predators, which eat lady beetles in Asia, their populations have exploded to the point where the pests are now endangering native ladybug species in the US.

Asian lady beetles are slightly bigger than normal ladybugs, and scientists have suspected that the invasive bugs are eating the eggs and larvae of US ladybugs in what they call acts of cannibalism.

US officials have grown increasingly concerned about the Asian lady beetle because as their population increases, native species die out, forcing farmers to rely more on pesticides that can pollute local water supplies.

While the normal ladybug is red with seven spots, Asian lady beetles are typically orange and have fewer markings

Asian lady beetles have spread to nearly every state in the US after being brought to the country to fight crop-killing pest in 1916

If the Asian beetles do start to gather in your home, retired MSU entomology specialist Black Layton warned against using insecticides to kill the creatures as these chemical sprays could end up lingering in your house without clearing the invasion.

'The best advice I can give you once they get inside is to use a broom and a dustpan, or better yet, maybe a vacuum and just vacuum them up and get them outside,' Layton said in a Facebook video.

As for how you can tell the normal ladybugs from the foul-smelling, biting variety, Asian lady beetles are often orange instead of red.

They also have fewer spots than the traditional seven you can count on the back of a deep red-colored US ladybug. Moreover, the Asian lady beetle has a distinct black 'M' or 'W'-shaped mark on its head.

However, the biggest distinction is how the bugs interact with people. The slightly smaller US ladybug Americans are used to seeing in spring and summer does not bite at all.

They will crawl around on someone's hand if picked up, but will never attack or release any type of defensive liquids.
A fragment of an ancient necklace decorated with the face of King Tutankhamun has revealed lost rituals that reinforced loyalty among elites.

The artifact, discovered in the Myers Collection at Eton College in the UK, depicts the young king drinking from a white lotus cup while wearing a blue crown with a cobra on it, a wide necklace, bracelets, armbands and a detailed pleated kilt.

Mike Tritsch, a PhD student in Egyptology at Yale University, released his interpretation this month, noting the artifact was not just decoration, but was effectively a tool of control.

Tritsch conducted iconographic comparisons by looking at similar imagery from other sources, including ancient Egyptian tombs of high-ranking officials, stone slabs carved with designs and a small golden shrine and throne from Tutankhamuns tomb, to interpret the scene.

His research showed that the necklace, known as a broad collar, was a calculated royal gift meant to 'cement loyalty,' enabling powerful officials to wear a symbol that broadcast their dependence on the king.

Imagery of rebirth, fertility and divine blessing was also identified, suggesting the collar was likely a subtle reminder of who held real power, and a way for Tutankhamun's court to bind its elites through religion, prestige and obligation.

Tritsch added that such collars were probably handed out at elite banquets, where receiving one served as both royal endorsement and divine approval, reinforcing Egypts strict social hierarchy.

'With significant symbolic meaning  broad collars can assume a cultic function  the textual appearance of broad collars indicates their purpose in ennobling, rejuvenating, and sometimes deifying the wearer,' Tritsch wrote in the study.

The artifact, labeled ECM 1887, depicts King Tut drinking from a white lotus cup while wearing a blue crown with a cobra on it, a wide necklace, bracelets, armbands and a detailed pleated kilt

Pictured is a complete broad collar found in Tutankhamun's tomb

Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt, in November 1922 by a British archaeologist named Howard Carter.

The fragment, labeled ECM 1887, was not found in the king's tomb but was purchased on the antiquities market during the late 1800s by an Eton College graduate, who donated it to the university in his will.

The artifact was purchased on the antiquities market during the late 1800s by an Eton College graduate, who donated it to the university in his will.

ECM 1887, featuring several small holes for string, which secured the entire piece to the collar, is made of sand, flint or crushed quartz pebbles, which were molded into the shape and glazed.

In the study, which has not been peer-reviewed, Tritsch explained each piece of the image, starting with the blue crown.

'The symbolism associated with the blue crown centres on rebirth and fertility, the prevailing themes on ECM 1887,' he wrote.

'This is attributed to kings often being portrayed suckling deities while wearing this crown.'

He highlighted the crown shown in a golden shrine featuring Tutankhamun, which scholars have argued has 'strong erotic symbolism that aids in rebirth.'

The fragment, labeled ECM 1887, features several small holes for string, which secured the entire piece to the collar

The researchers highlighted the crown shown in a golden shrine (pictured in black and white) featuring Tutankhamun, which scholars have argued has 'strong erotic symbolism that aids in rebirth

'Moreover, the crown was commonly worn during rebirth rituals, as seen in the Opening of the Mouth ritual illustrated in Tutankhamuns tomb.'

The white lotus chalice depicted on ECM 1887, according to the study, symbolizes procreation and new life, linked to the lotus flower.

Its rounded fluted shape differentiates it from the slender blue lotus chalice and reflects its ceremonial use, particularly during the Amarna Period for official drinking functions.

Outside the royal court, it played a role in cultic offerings to deities like Hathor, emphasizing rebirth and fertility, according to the study.

The chalices form and symbolism also connect to romantic and sexual imagery, highlighting Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamuns creative and procreative potential.

Pictured is the mummied head of Tutankhamun

Pictured is the golden burial mask of King Tutankhamun is displayed during the first day for visitors after the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt this month

Tutankhamun's tomb is considered one of the most lavish to be discovered in history, filled with precious objects to aid the young Pharaoh on his voyage to the afterlife

The researcher determined that the act of drinking carries strong sexual and procreative symbolism, particularly within the context of banquets where lotus flowers were held and drinks poured by women, linking to ancient Egyptian wordplay equating pouring with impregnation.

Tutankhamun drinking from the chalice, likely poured by Ankhesenamun, the king's wife, symbolizes their sexual union and his royal duty to produce heirs.

This ritual act also mirrors the Heliopolitan creation myth, where the god Atum generated life through a symbolic act of masturbation and drinking, connecting male and female forces in creation.

By holding the chalice to his lips, Tutankhamun enacts a parallel to Atum, emphasizing fertility, creative potential, and the perpetuation of life, according to the study.

Tritsch explained that it was common to hand out gifts, including broad collars such as the one incorporating ECM 1887, at feasts.

'At these banquets, classified as diacritical feasts,' the underlying goal was to arrange and strengthen social relationships,' he said.

Pictured is a colorized version of a photograph of Tutankhamun's inner, solid gold coffin, lying within the middle coffin, along with Howard Carter who discovered the tomb

'This was accomplished by promoting segregation of elite groups and carefully curating the allocation of food, drink, and other special luxury items, which created an institutionalization of inequality.'

Tutankhamun's tomb is considered one of the most lavish to be discovered in history, filled with precious objects to aid the young Pharaoh on his voyage to the afterlife.

The trove of grave goods included 5,000 items, including solid gold funeral shoes, statues, games and strange animals.

The boy king, an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, and ruled between 1332 BC and 1323 BC, was the son of Akhenaten and took to the throne at the age of nine or ten.

When Tutankhamun became king, he married his half-sister, Ankhesenamun.

He died at around the age of 18, and his cause of death is unknown.

The young king, however, was plagued with health issues due to his parents being brother and sister.
Is your favourite band Metallica, or do you prefer the dulcet tones of Mumford & Sons?

According to a new study, your answer could reveal your political views.

Scientists from the University of Montreal have found a key link between musical tastes and political leanings.

The team surveyed 125,000 people about their favourite musical genres, as well as their voting tendencies.

The results revealed that Conservatives are more likely to be country or metal fans.

In contrast, leftwingers prefer folk music, according to the experts.

'These are broad associations,' explained Professor Catherine Ouellet, lead author of the study.

'But they corroborate the findings of similar U.S. studies. The point is that there are apparently nonpolitical variables that can be indicative of deeper political predispositions.'

Conservatives (right) are more likely to be country or metal fans. In contrast, leftwingers (left) prefer folk music, according to the experts

In terms of political views, people who voted for the Conservative party were more likely to be country or metal fans  and least likely to enjoy electronic music or folk rock. Pictured: fans at a Metallica concert

Previous studies have uncovered links between musical taste and various personality traits.

For example, a 2015 study found that people who like upbeat and conventional music are more likely to be agreeable, extraverted and conscientious, while those who prefer jazz are more likely to be intense and rebellious.

However, until now, there has been little research on the link between musical taste and political views.

To get to the bottom of it, the researchers analysed data from 125,000 Canadians, collected during the 2021 federal election and the 2022 Quebec provincial election.

The respondents were asked about their favourite genres of music, their political views, their personality traits, and their social class.

The results revealed a clear connection between musical taste, political views and personality  but not social class.

In terms of political views, people who voted for the Conservative party were more likely to be country or metal fans, and least likely to enjoy electronic music or folk rock.

'Statistical models confirm that listening to metal is a strong predictor of voting Conservative, as much as classic variables such as gender, age and income,' Professor Ouellet said.

Those who voted for leftwing parties such as Quebec solidaire, meanwhile, were more likely to opt for folk music. Pictured: Mumford & Sons

What your favourite genre says about you Country: Conservative, extraverted Metal: Conservative, introverted, disagreeable, unconscientious Folk: Left-wing, extraverted Rap: Extraverted, disagreeable, unconscientious Hip-hop: Low-income Pop: Low-income Rock: Introverted, disagreeable, unconscientious, high-earner Advertisement

Those who voted for leftwing parties such as Quebec solidaire, meanwhile, were more likely to opt for folk music.

The researchers also found a correlation between certain musical preferences and personality traits.

People who enjoy country, folk rock or rap tend to be extraverts, while fans of alternative rock, hard rock and metal are more introverted.

And those who enjoy metal, rap, folk rock or rock score significantly lower for agreeableness and conscientiousness.

However, the study found no link between musical preference and social class.

French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu has long suggested that people from high social classes prefer jazz and classical, while working class people prefer more accessible music.

In reality, this is no longer the case.

'There is increasing heterogeneity in musical preferences within social classes," Professor Ouellet said.

'Today, socalled popular music is appreciated by all socioeconomic groups.'

Professor Ouellet added that some patterns are 'still discernible'.

'Hiphop and pop remain more popular among lowincome individuals, while rock and alternative rock dominate among higher earners,' she explained.

Overall, the findings suggest that your favourite songs can reveal 'shared values and worldviews.'

'Music preferences convey significant information and are worthy of scientific attention by social scientists,' the team concluded in their study, published in Acta Politica.
The plan to roll out cloned meat into Canada's food supply next year has taken a shocking turn, after the initial announcement this month sparked nationwide outrage.

Health Canada announced Wednesday that it has 'indefinitely paused' the move after receiving significant input from both consumers and industry about the implications of the proposed policy change.

Under the original plan, officials would have scrapped a 22-year-old rule that classifies cloned meat as a 'novel food,' effectively removing pre-market safety assessments and allowing these products to be sold without disclosure.

'Until the policy is updated, foods made from cloned cattle and swine will remain subject to the novel food assessment,' Health Canada said.

'There are currently no approved foods from cloned products on the market in Canada.'

Many Canadians are celebrating the reversal, saying the lack of labeling felt like a breach of trust.

But south of the border, Americans are expressing frustration because cloned meat continues to circulate in the US food system, also without labels.

Americans argued they deserve to know where their meat is coming from, with others slamming the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for allowing cloned products onto shelves, even calling the agency 'a fraud.'

Canada as paused its plan to let clone meat enter the nation's food supply following significant input from both consumers and industry about the implications of the proposed policy change

Many Americans oppose cloned meat due to concerns about animal welfare, food safety and ethical or religious objections.

Opponents have also highlighted the high rates of suffering in the animals, including health problems and miscarriages, and the risk of antibiotics or hormones entering the food supply.

Ethical objections often include a general unease with the technology and fears that it could lead to human cloning.

Even more, cloned meat is not allowed for food production in Europe due to a ban on the cloning of farm animals and the sale of products derived from them.

The process to make cloned meat begins with the creation of a genetically identical copy of a 'desirable' animal.

That is then bred through normal reproduction, and its offspring eventually enter the food chain as meat, without shoppers having any way to know.

Health Canada said it conducted an extensive scientific review of food products made from cloned cattle and swine, working alongside several federal departments to assess decades of research.

The agencys findings concluded that meat and other products from cloned animals and their offspring are just as safe and nutritious as those from conventionally bred livestock.

The news has sparked outrage among Americans who are expressing frustration because cloned meat continues to circulate in the US food system, also without labels

That assessment mirrors conclusions reached by regulators in the United States, Europe, Japan and New Zealand.

However, the department noted that despite that scientific stance, it will pause the policy changes.

For now, foods derived from cloned cattle and swine will continue to be treated as novel foods, meaning they must undergo a mandatory safety review before being approved for sale.

Health Canada said no cloned animal products are currently approved or available on the Canadian market.

In the US, however, the FDA approved meat and milk from cloned cattle, swine and goats, along with their offspring, in January 2008.

There is no mandatory labeling system in place, meaning American consumers have no reliable way of knowing if the meat or milk they buy comes from a clone lineage.

Consumer advocates have raised concerns that limited data and the lack of transparency undermine informed choice.

They argue that even though the FDA has deemed cloned meat safe, shoppers are effectively buying products derived from cloning without disclosure.

The Center for Food Safety said: 'FDAs decision flies in the face of massive public opposition to animal cloning, widespread scientific concerns about the risks of eating food from clones, and troubling animal cruelty and ethical concerns associated with the cloning process.

'The [agency] admitted in its own risk assessment that a vast quantity of animal clones are unhealthy and would not be suitable for the food supply.'
A staffer for a GOP Congressman who claimed she had been brutally attacked by a group of men and branded with a slur is accused of staging the entire incident.

Natalie Greene, 26, was discovered crying and bound by zip ties in a New Jersey nature reserve with the words 'Trump wh***' written on her stomach and cuts across her face, neck, chest and shoulders.

She said the attack took place after she received threats while working at the congressional office for New Jersey Rep Jeff Van Drew.

Victim?: Natalie Greene claimed she had been attacked by a gang of men in New Jersey

She had frantically dialed 911 from a walking trail after she said three men attacked her, one brandishing a firearm, and threatened to shoot her while mentioning her boss's name.

But after the FBI questioned her, Greene's dramatic story began to unravel, resulting in the young staffer being charged with making false statements to concoct an elaborate hoax.

She had been found in tears with distinct-looking laceration marks all over her body, bound by her hands, feet and even around her neck with black zip ties.

Greene told an FBI agent that two men grabbed her, pulled up her shirt and restrained her on the ground before tying her up.

One of the men struck her on the head before cutting into her body and 'scraping' her, with the pain so intense she began to scream.

Another attacker claimed he had a gun and threatened to shoot her if she moved, though Greene said she never saw it and only felt something push against her stomach.

That same night, however, police found similar-looking black zip ties in Greene's Maserati.

Slogans: Written on her body were the words 'Trump wh***' and 'Van Drew is a racist'

Grim discovery: Cops found Greene in a wooded area in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

Federal investigators later discovered that Greene's co-conspirator had googled 'zip ties near me' on a cell phone.

After seizing Greene's cell phone, investigators then found a Reddit profile that followed pages that include 'bodymods' and 'scarification.'

Elsewhere on her phone was a location map that took her from a Pennsylvania tattoo parlor/body modification artist and eventually to the nature reserve where she was found by police.

She also went to her co-conspirator's home in Ventnor, in Atlantic City.

Elaborate plot: Cops discovered Greene had visited a body artist before the 'attack'

In the same town where Greene's ally lived, they found a Dollar General Store that sold the same exact zip ties that had been used on her and found in her car.

The markings, including the one calling her a slur and another saying 'Van Drew racist,' were found to be performed by the artist, who said Greene paid $500 in cash.

Greene, who had spent years as a constituent advocate director for Van Drew, took photos of the exact scars she wanted the artist to execute, complete with patterns for scars and cuts all over her face, neck, upper chest and shoulder.

On the ropes: Cops also found that Greene had done a google search for 'zip ties near me'

The artist said that Greene ask questions about how to prevent additional bleeding from the scarification and even took a photo showing her after the body modification process.

Officials also discovered missed calls and voicemails from the artist, telling Greene to contact him on Instagram, as well as consent forms, receipts and a waiver signed by Greene for his studio dated July 28.

U.S. Attorney for New Jersey and Trump appointee Alina Habba charged Greene, a Rutgers Law School student, with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement.

Big hoax?: A federal investigation alleges that Greene lied about the entire 'attack'

Jail time? Greene faces up to ten years in prison and $500,000 fines if found guilty of the plot

If found guilty on both charges, Greene faces up to ten years in prison, $500,000 in fines and up to six years of supervised release.

She made her first appearance in federal court on Wednesday and was released on $200,000 unsecured bond.

When Daily Mail reached out to Van Drew's office, a spokesperson said she had stopped working for the Congressman.

'While Natalie is no longer associated with the congressman's government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her and hope she's getting he care she needs,' Paxton Antonucci said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Greene and her attorney for comment.
Vin Diesel was cleared of legal claims made by a former assistant claiming sexual battery in a Los Angeles Court on Wednesday.

The Fast And Furious actor, 58, for the last two years had denied ex-assistant Asta Jonasson's claim that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlantas St Regis hotel during production of Fast 5 in 2010.

Matthew Hale, an attorney for Jonasson, told Deadline that 'the court did not decide anything about the truth of Ms Asta Jonasson's allegations,' against the California-born film star

All over: Vin Diesel was cleared of sexual battery claims made by a former assistant in a Los Angeles Court on Wednesday. Pictured in LA in March

Hale added: 'The ruling was based on a legal technicality, with which we respectfully disagree. Ms Jonasson intends to appeal.'

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel M Crowley pointed more to where than what in his 13-page summary judgment ruling in the case; Crowley said in his ruling, according to the outlet: 'It is undisputed that the alleged sexual assault took place in Atlanta, Georgia.'

Daily Mail has reached out to Diesel's attorney Bryan Freedman for further comment on the story.

Not true: The Fast And Furious actor continually refuted his former assistant's claim that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlanta during production of Fast 5 in 2010; pictured in June 2024

The judge said that 'based on an alleged violation of a California statute it fails as a matter of law because California statutes are presumed not to have extraterritorial effect unless the Legislature expressly states otherwise in adopting the statute.'

Wednesday's ruling came after the judge listened to arguments from both sides in November, Deadline reported.

Hale argued at the time that it was appropriate for the case to take place in California, because production in Georgia on Fast Five was temporary; and both Jonasson and Diesel were California residents; and Jonasson was hired by a California company to work for Diesel.

Diesel's attorney Freedman told Deadline on Wednesday: 'We are grateful that the court put an end to this meritless lawsuit. We are pleased that this matter has been resolved entirely.'

Main guy: Diesel pictured in a promotional image for Fast 5 in 2011

Freedman in 2023 told Deadline the actor 'categorically denies this claim in its entirety.'

Freedman said of Jonasson's accusations: 'This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee.'

The attorney added that 'clear evidence' existed 'which completely' refuted Jonasson's 'outlandish allegations.'

Jonasson said in her 2023 filing she was hired by production company One Race Films to be assistant while he filmed the movie in Georgia.

According to documents obtained by the publication, Jonasson claimed she was at Diesel's suite at the St Regis in Atlanta while he was 'entertaining multiple women.'

Jonasson claimed when the last woman left, she was tasked with escorting Diesel out of the hotel to avoid paparazzi. She also alleged the actor forcibly grabbed her, groped her breast and kissed her, while in the suite.

Jonasson claimed she struggled to break free, but the actor allegedly continued.

She alleged Diesel then lifted up her dress and tried to pull down her underwear, before pinning her against the wall, grabbing her hand and placing it on his erect penis.

She alleged that the actor was in his underwear after pulling down his cargo shorts.

United family: Diesel has been with partner Paloma Jimenez since 2007, and they have three children: Hania, Vincent, and Pauline (pictured 2019)

Jonasson then alleged he pulled down her underwear and began masturbating while leaning against her. She claimed she kept her eyes closed to 'dissociate.'

She claimed when he finished, he pulled up his shorts and said: 'No one can say s**t about Asta' and left the room.

Jonasson claimed hours later Diesel's sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent called her and fired her, saying 'they no longer needed her help.'

In the suit, Jonasson said she believed she was fired because she resisted Diesel during the alleged assault.

Jonasson also said she remained silent 'out of fear of Diesel's power in Hollywood' and because of 'her immigration status as a green card holder.'

At the time she said she feels empowered by the #MeToo movement and cited California's Speak Out Act - which allows victims to file sexual assault claims for alleged incidents dating back to 2009.
Dubai is set to become the first city in the world to launch a commercial flying taxi service.

The gleaming metropolis, renowned for its supercar culture and jet-set lifestyle, attracts millions of annual visitors and is home to over million residents.

Despite boasting an extensive road network, including several six-lane highways, the UAE city regularly grapples with gridlock - with average commutes during rush hour stretching 45 minutes across a distance of up to 15km.

But these journeys could be halved with the introduction of the Joby S4 air taxi - designed to transport passengers through the skies at a top speed of 320km/ph.

The groundbreaking new fleet will be powered by Joby Aviation, a California-based pioneer that builds electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles.

Dubai will take its claim as the global birthplace of air taxis when full operations begin on 31 March, 2026.

The electronic taxi network comprise of four vertiports - areas designed for the landing, takeoff and servicing of VTOL aircraft.

Among the sites are Atlantis, The Royal, an iconic hotel centrally located on Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Mall - the busiest shopping centre in the world, attracting nearly 111 million visitors in 2024.

Dubai is set to become the first city in the world to launch a commercial flying taxi service

Dubai will take its claim as the global birthplace of air taxis when full operations begin on 31 March, 2026

The electronic taxi network comprise of four vertiports - areas designed for the landing, takeoff and servicing of VTOL aircraft

The main vertiport will be built at Dubai International Airport, which will provide direct aerial links to other main hubs across the city, with journeys set to take approximately 10 minutes from one point to another.

The site, which is currently 60 per cent complete, is scheduled to be operational by the beginning of 2026, as reported by Gulf News.

A fourth vertiport will be developed in the Dubai Marina district, positioned at the American University in Dubai parking area.

Stations, designed to handle up to 42,000 landings a year, will house two take-off and landing pads, and support charging facilities for the aircraft.

Passengers are given a unique barcode to access the vertiport departure lounge, where they'll wait just minutes for a four-seater drone to arrive.

The Joby S4 air taxi can carry four passengers plus a pilot, and has a top speed of around 320 km/ph.

It is designed for extended flights - a reported 161 km range in testing - and produces zero emissions during operation.

Noise pollution is expected to be minimal - as low as 45 decibels, quieter than the sound of typical helicopters, according to The Super Prime.

Stations, designed to handle up to 42,000 landings a year, will house two take-off and landing pads, and support charging facilities for the aircraft

The groundbreaking new fleet will be powered by Joby Aviation, a California-based pioneer that builds electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles

The Joby S4 air taxi can carry four passengers plus a pilot, and has a top speed of around 320 km/ph

The flying taxis are not only sustainable, but time-saving, too - with a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, which can take up to 45 minutes by car, projected to take only 10 to 12 minutes by air.

Meanwhile, Dubai's $14 billion 'miniature world' islands are finally opening to tourists - 22 years after construction started.

If you've ever flown into Dubai International Airport, you may have seen a group of islands that resemble a miniature map of the world.

Floating in the Persian Gulf, around three miles off the coast of Dubai, there are 300 man-made islands spread across around 232km of shoreline.
It's the UK cult comedy classic that launched now Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman to fame.

And for the first time since the noughties sitcom wrapped in 2015, the stars of Channel 4s Peep Show have reunited.

Fan favourites David Mitchell, Olivia, Isy Suttie, Matt King, and Sophie Winkleman swap awkward encounters for icing sugar as they step into the iconic Bake Off tent for this years Christmas Special.

Notably missing was star of the show, Robert Webb, and it is not yet known why he isnt taking part along with his former co-stars.

In the first promo shot, the cast of the multi-BAFTA-winning series wore festive accessories, including Santa hats and tinsel, as they prepare to roll up their sleeves and tackle a series of seasonal baking challenges.

They will be under the watchful eyes of judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, while Bake Off hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond will be bringing the upbeat humour.

For the first time since the noughties sitcom wrapped in 2015, the stars of Channel 4s Peep Show have reunited for The Great Christmas Bake Off 2025 (Isy Suttie, Olivia Coleman, Matt King, David Mitchell, and Sophie Winkleman pictured L-R)

The group will attempt to whisk, knead, and decorate their way to glory with challenges paying homage to Peep Show, which will no doubt be a nostalgic moment for fans of the programme.

Last year, the one-off episode was soap-themed and featured stars from EastEnders, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale.

Chris Bisson came out on top in 2024 and won The Great Christmas Bake Off.

The Jai Sharma actor beat out EastEnders actors Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) and Dean Gaffney (Robbie Jackson) as well as fellow Emmerdale star Sheree Murphy (Tricia Dingle) and Coronation Street favourite Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan).

Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain's Peep Show ran from 2003 to 2015 with 54 episodes across nine series.

It focused on the lives of Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usborne, played by double act David and Robert respectively, in their flat in London.

Mark owns the flat and frequently references Jeremy's resistance to paying rent and his abuse of the home, thanks to his love of weed and reluctance to work.

David and Robert launched a new show this year called Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping.

Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain's Peep Show ran from 2003 to 2015 with 54 episodes across nine series (Robert Webb left and David Mitchell ight)

It's their first new sketch show in 15 years and was previously announced by Channel 4 at the start of the year.

Previously speaking about their new show together, the men said: 'When Channel 4 asked us to do another sketch show we were startled, bemused and available.

'Its a perilous time for the industry, and so its our hope that relaunching the trickiest genre of comedy is a brilliant piece of counterintuitive commissioning.

'And were confident that, unlike Roger Moore with his shoe on the bonnet of a car teetering on the edge of a cliff in For Your Eyes Only, were not about to give British TV comedy a final lethal nudge into the abyss.'
Jack Osbourne is reportedly being closely monitored by I'm A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! Bosses following his emotional start to camp life, just months after the death of his father, Ozzy.

The Black Sabbath legend passed away aged 76 on July 22 at his UK home, surrounded by his loved ones.

Since the British reality show's launch episode on Sunday, Jack, 40, has broken down in tears while discussing his father's 'shocking' death, and clashed with campmate Kelly Brook, 45, over how she cuts potatoes.

Following the spat, Kelly became emotional and apologised, after which Jack stepped back from his duties as camp chef.

Concerns were also raised over Jack's well-being after This Morning hosts Alison Hammond, 50, and comedian Leigh Francis, 52, suggested he may have entered the jungle too soon following Ozzy's passing.

A camp insider told The Sun: 'Jack has looked dejected at times and clearly has a lot on his mind. Bosses are monitoring his situation intensely.

Jack Osbourne is reportedly being closely monitored by I'm A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! Bosses following his emotional start to camp life, just months after the death of his father, Ozzy

The Black Sabbath legend passed away aged 76 on July 22 at his UK home, surrounded by his loved ones (Ozzy and Jack pictured 2011)

'ITV has strong duty of care procedures in place and producers do their utmost to ensure campmates are OK 24/7  but never more so than in situations like this.'

Alison also spoke about Jack on I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked, saying: 'He struggles. Even when he sees other people cooking, hes like, "I want to get involved".

'If youre gonna step back, step back. I think he should just chill for a bit. I actually feel its too soon for him to be in the jungle.'

When host Joel Dommett, 40, asked if her comments related to Ozzy, Alison replied: 'Yeah, I think maybe he shouldve waited a bit. I found it quite painful seeing his pain on camera.'

Joel suggested Jack's emotional outbursts could stem from grief over his father, with Leigh adding: 'There's so much sadness in his face. I think its too soon. Hes gonna get angry at things because his emotions are all over the place.'

'I know hes come in here to sort of keep his mind occupied and busy and get through the grief, but I think its still there. I dont think hes controlling. I think hes trying to lead.'

Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.

On Monday's show, Jack broke down in tears while recounting his father's death - admitting the rock star's passing 'still feels fresh'.

Since the British reality show's launch episode on Sunday, Jack, 40, has broken down in tears while discussing his father's 'shocking' death, and clashed with campmate Kelly Brook, 45, (pictured) over how she cuts potatoes

Following the spat, Kelly became emotional and apologised, after which Jack stepped back from his duties as camp chef

Concerns were also raised over Jack's well-being after This Morning hosts Alison Hammond, 50, and comedian Leigh Francis, 52, suggested he may have entered the jungle too soon following Ozzy's passing

A camp insider told The Sun: 'Jack has looked dejected at times and clearly has a lot on his mind. Bosses are monitoring his situation intensely. ITV has strong duty of care procedures in place and producers do their utmost to ensure campmates are OK 24/7'

The emotional moment began with Emmerdale star Lisa Riley asking about Ozzy while she and Jack sat around the campfire.

In response, Jack admitted of his father's passing: 'It was definitely a shock.

'I mean, we knew he was sick for a while, but it was definitely a shock, I mean, we didnt know it would be that quick..'

'It was the ultimate mic drop, he did a massive big gig and was like, alright, Im done.'

At this point, Jack then became visibly teary, with Lisa offering her support to him.

He then addressed what Ozzy would think of him signing up to I'm A Celebrity.

Jack shared: 'Hed be so supportive of this.'

Later on in The Bush Telegraph, the celebrity campmate revealed: 'Im still navigating it all, its been three, nearly four months, and so its still pretty fresh.'

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues Thursday on ITV1 and ITVX.
EastEnders' New Year's Day episode is set to jump an entire year into the future for Max Branning's iconic return to Albert Square.

Bosses of the long-running BBC soap have decided to flash forward a full episode to New Year's Day 2027, and the 30-minute special will centre on Max, played by Jake Wood, 53.

For the first time in the show's history, EastEnders will air the entire flash forward episode, offering viewers a 'unique glimpse into the drama that is set to unfold in 2026 and beyond.'



The episode will take place on New Year's Day 2027, exactly a year from the present day, as Max finds himself in a situation with major consequences not just for himself, but also for his family.

In typical Branning fashion, Max will be at the heart of the drama, and with multiple storylines unfolding simultaneously, 2026 promises to hold many secrets and a whole heap of trouble that will be hard for anyone to talk their way out of.

Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, told The Sun: 'For the first time in the shows history, were going to be offering our viewers an entire flash forward episode set on New Years Day 2027.

EastEnders' New Year's Day episode is set to jump an entire year into the future for Max Branning's iconic return to Albert Square (pictured this year)

Bosses of the long-running BBC soap have decided to flash forward a full episode to New Year's Day 2027, and the 30-minute special will centre on Max, played by Jake Wood, 53 (pictured this month)

'2026 is going to be full of drama in Walford, especially for the Brannings, and the episode is sure to raise plenty of questions on how Max has got himself and his family into such predicaments, but all is not what it seems, so stay tuned for 2026 to find out how and why'

The soap has used flash forwards before, most notably for The Six storyline, which gave viewers a hint about Christmas in February.

That episode saw Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) murdered by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), with the crime covered up by other characters.

However, EastEnders isn't the only BBC soap to experiment with flashforward episodes.

In 2020, Hollyoaks aired a year-long New Year flashforward, though plans were disrupted mid-year when an actor had to be recast, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused major filming delays.

It comes after Jake confirmed that he will be reprising his role as Max Branning earlier this year.

The British actor, who last appeared on screen in February 2021, said at the time that he is 'over the moon to be coming home to Walford'.

He said: 'I'm over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so Im sure hell be busy.

The episode will take place on New Year's Day 2027, exactly a year from the present day, as Max finds himself in a situation with major consequences not just for himself, but also for his family (pictured on the soap in 2020)

Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, told The Sun: 'For the first time in the shows history, were going to be offering our viewers an entire flash forward episode set on New Years Day 2027' (pictured last year)

'I'm excited to see what hes been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in the Square are anything to go by, Im sure there will be plenty of chaos.'

During his first stint on the soap, Jake became a fan favourite amongst viewers, with his character Max being at the heart of several huge storylines.

The 2007 Christmas Day episode, in which it was revealed that Max had an affair with his daughter-in-law Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), has become known as one of the most chaotic festive specials ever.

Speaking on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, Jake said his return to the show was 'quite emotional' and felt 'like a very warm hug'.

He said: 'I just felt like it was the right time. I spoke to so many people there, theyre just loving being there at the moment.

'I had a meeting with the new executive, Ben Wadey, back in January, and we went for lunch, and he just sort of outlined all of his ideas.

He continued: 'Theres just so many characters that Max has got drama with, so it felt like the right time to go back and mix things up a bit.'

EastEnders executive producer Ben said: 'Im delighted to welcome the immensely talented Jake Wood back to the role of Max Branning.

The soap has used flash forwards before, most notably for The Six storyline, which gave viewers a hint about Christmas in February (Lacey Turner, Balvinder Sopal, Kellie Bright, Letitia Dean, Diane Parish, and Gillian Taylforth pictured)

That episode saw Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters pictured) murdered by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), with the crime covered up by other characters

'Whilst his character has only been away from Albert Square for four years, Walford, and the lives of those who live in it, have changed immensely.

'Max has a lot of unfinished business, but whether he is welcomed by his family remains to be seen.

'However, with a past as chequered as Maxs, its fair to say that many Walford residents will not be pleased to see him, putting the Brannings back at the heart of the square, and the drama, this year.'

Jake left EastEnders on February 19, 2021, bringing an end to a long 15-year run on the show.

His character Max left Albert Square after burning bridges with many of his family and friends, and he joined his daughter Lauren and grandson Louie in New Zealand.

However, since Jake's final scenes aired in early 2021, he has certainly been keeping himself busy as he launched a podcast and starred in the West End show 2:22: A Ghost Story.

EastEnders airs on BBC One from Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm.
A Coronation Street star addressed quitting the iconic soap - and revealed what's next following their cobbles departure.

Since its launch back in 1960, Corrie has seen numerous cast members come and go over the decades.

Actor and comedian Jack Carroll joined the ensemble in 2023, playing Bobby Crawford, the nephew to Carla Connor (Alison King).

Jack ultimately stayed in the role for 18 months before Bobby made a quiet exit from Weatherfield.

Viewers saw the character head off on holiday, but he never returned to the cobbles.

Jack said: 'That seems to be the trend in the way that they do exits now, its a bit more low key because it gives everybody then a bit more flexibility if you need to rearrange some pieces of the jigsaw in the future, that theres that bit of flexibility there.

Actor and comedian Jack Carroll has addressed his low-key exit from Coronation Street

Jack joined the ITV soap in 2023, playing regular character Bobby Crawford

He bowed out from the role after 18 months on the cobbles

He continued to The Sun: 'So yeah, I was kind of grateful that they gave me that opportunity really, and didnt kind of kill me off or anything like that. So yeah, I think in terms of ways to go, that was ideal for kind of my situation and what I needed at the time.'

Instead, the 27-year-old BAFTA-winning star is now focusing on his upcoming national tour.

The tour will launch in Bradford in February, before concluding in Stockton in November 2026 - having travelled through 22 cities.

It comes as an iconic Coronation Street character is reportedly set to return for a Christmas Day episode - just a year after their exit.

Gail Platt (who now has the surname Chadwick) is played by actress Helen Worth, 74, with dramatic scenes last Christmas seeing her say goodbye to the show.

Now, it has been reported she will be making a one-off appearance during this year's festive episode and that it has already been filmed.

A source told The Sun: 'Corrie bosses are keeping the exact details under wraps but it's understood she takes the chance on Christmas Day to connect with the family.

'And it could be more timely as the Platts find themselves in yet another drama, one that they've had to deal with by themselves since the Platts' matriarch moved abroad.

'It's a move which is guaranteed to thrill soap fans, who wondered whether we'd ever catch a glimpse of show favourite Gail on the cobbles again.'

ITV has been contacted by Daily Mail for comment.

Last year, Helen took to X to share a heartwarming video with fans after news of her departure was revealed.

She had portrayed Gail for 50 years, having first joined the Coronation Street cast back in 1974.

During her time on the show she was married five times, including to Brian Tilsey (Christopher Quinten), who was tragically stabbed to death, and Martin Platt (Sean Wilson), one of the soap's long-serving characters.

Helen had been at the centre of an array of explosive storylines, including her daughter Sarah's teenage pregnancy, and the death of her fourth debt-ridden husband Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale) during a failed life insurance scheme.

One of Gail's most iconic moments came in a 2003 episode when she found out her husband Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) was a serial killer.

But Helen's final scenes were shown last Christmas in an emotional moment that saw her start 'day one of her new life' with husband Jesse Chadwick (John Thompson) abroad.

Jack first rose to fame as a teenager - finishing as runner-up on Britain's Got Talent in 2013

It has been reported Gail Chadwick - played by Helen Worth - is returning for a festive one-off appearance

After the scenes aired, Helen said in a video: 'Hello all of you. It's wonderful to have this opportunity to say ta ta.

'It's been a fabulous 50 years and I just wanted to thank all of you some of you who may have been watching for 50 - is there anybody?

'And those of you who have been watching for a few years thank you.

'Thanks for coming on the journey with me. I've had a wonderful time.

'I've loved it, all the stories and of course it's been wonderful working with the wonderful Platts which for me is what it's all about and there'll be more Platt stories and I hope you'll be watching.

'Lots of love and thanks from me.'

Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
Kelly Brook and Jack Osbourne's feud on I'm A Celebrity has taken a new twist, thanks to late arrivals Vogue Williams and Tom Read Wilson.

Jack, 40, and Kelly, 45, have butted heads over cooking and preparation of food in camp.

In earlier episodes, Jack took on the role of unofficial camp chef, but Kelly later criticised that he wouldn't let her help.

Meanwhile, Vogue, 40, and Tom, 39, made their jungle debut in tonight's episode as the annual latecomers.

They are staying in a luxury 'Leader's Lodge', have comfy beds and control all goings-on in the camp.

In their new roles, the pair had to assign duties and chores to their fellow campmates.

I'm A Celebrity's late arrivals Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams made their debut tonight

The pair's arrival marks a big shake-up for the existing campmates

Jack Osbourne had unofficially taken on the role of camp chef, but has now been given a rather different role by the new camp leaders

They decided Kelly would be one of the camp chefs - saying she looked like Nigella Lawson - with Martin Kemp joining her.

As for Jack, he and ex-EastEnders actress Shona McGarty ultimately ended up with dunny duty.

The other pairings are Ruby Wax and Lisa Riley on washing up, Eddie Kadi and AngryGinge on water duty and Alex Scott and Aitch on wood duty.

Having sensed the shake-up, Jack had confided in his fellow campmates: 'I feel resistance to Vogue and Tom, Im just kinda like, "Hey you dont get to walk in halfway through the movie and decide to turn it off or change it."'

Kelly and Jack first clashed over the preparation of potatoes after she criticised his technique.

Later claiming she felt displaced by Jack, the model confessed: 'I'm not gonna lie, last night I just felt, I just felt a bit lost.

'I just want to be so useful, I'm just still trying to find my place in the camp in terms of what to do.'

Justifying her attempts to steer Jack in the kitchen, she added: 'I'm so sorry Jack if I'm coming at you and if I'm cutting potatoes wrong, but honestly it's only coming from a place where I just want to help.'

In Wednesday's episode, Kelly was branded 'insufferable' by viewers after falling out with Jack over how to cook their eel for dinner - then gagging over the smell

Jack fired back: 'That's just because in my world at home I've got four kids and I'm always just doing, doing, doing.'

He later made the decision to hand over cooking duties to Alex and Shona.

Confusingly, when Alex suggested Kelly could help out, she declined.

The disagreement between the pair even sparked fears among viewers that he might quit the jungle amid the rising 'stress' and his emotional start to the series.

Claiming the cooking wasn't his to delegate in the first place, Kelly said to Alex and Shona: 'So he's not in charge but then he's in charge of everything, choosing who's gonna be in charge.'

In Wednesday's episode, Kelly was branded 'insufferable' by viewers after falling out with Jack over how to cook their eel for dinner - then gagging over the smell.

She tried to take charge over cooking the fish after Eddie won six stars in the Bushtucker Trial earlier in the day.

Jack has butted heads with Kelly Brook over cooking and preparation of food in camp

After she asked Jack for help with cooking the eel she then criticised his way of trying to cut it before then taking the task back from him.

Viewers found it annoying as they penned on X: 'Kelly Brook is seriously getting on my wick, asking Jack to do the eel, then shaming for doing it, then when she took it back from him retching #ImACeleb glad she's got tomorrows trial.'

'I thought I was gonna love Kelly Brook in this, but my God she's a flipping whinger!! #ImACeleb', another said.

A third chimed in: 'Kelly Brook needs to leave Jack alone to do his little cooking in peace. Why is she so weird #ImACeleb.'

Fans of the series shared their concerns on X, branding the moment 'unnecessarily dramatic' as they pleaded with the contestants to remember that Jack is still grieving the death of his father, Ozzy.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues Friday on ITV1 at 9pm and is available to stream on ITVX.
Miss Universe Australia Lexie Brant certainly turned heads on Wednesday when she represented her country in the 2025 Miss Universe Pageant's preliminary competition.

The 22-year-old looked absolutely stunning as she strutted the stage in Thailand wearing a striking ochre-coloured dress that took its inspiration from Uluru.

Featuring a dramatic flourish rising up from the collar, the sleeveless gown flowed into a skirt that emulated cracked terrain.

Finishing the ensemble with a pair of beige peep-toe heels, Lexie wore her brunette locks up for her big moment and accessorised with some subtle bling in her ears.

Images of Lexie wearing the striking dress were shared pre-competition, on the Miss Universe Australia's Instagram and the gown was described as a 'living sculpture.'

'Inspired by Uluru, this wearable landscape is a tribute to the heart of Australia and the deep spiritual connection we all share with this land,' the caption on the post read.

Lexie Brant stunned on Wednesday as she competed in the 2025 Miss Universe Pageant's preliminary competition

'More than a dress, it is a living sculpture, echoing the vastness, power, and quiet majesty of our interior. A celebration of land, spirit, and the enduring soul of Australia.'

Lexie also showed off her svelte form in the swimwear portion of the evening, stepping out in a colourful, bright yellow two-piece.

The high-waist bottoms flaunted Lexie's effortlessly lithe legs, while the matching bikini halter top flaunted her trim and toned arms.

Lexie wore her hair loose, completing the look with a pair of chunky silver earrings.

It comes after Lexie showed a remarkable display of female solidarity when she joined a mass walkout of pageant queens in Bangkok, Thailand.

The shock incident occurred when Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, publicly berated Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch in front of dozens of other beauty queens.

The 22-year-old looked absolutely stunning as she strutted the stage in Thailand wearing a striking ochre-coloured dress that took its inspiration from Uluru

Lexie also showed off her svelte form in the swimwear portion of the evening, stepping out in a colourful, bright yellow two-piece

Shock footage from the incident shows dozens of beauty queens - including Lexie - standing up and exiting the venue in a show of support, after the VP told Bosch to leave and publicly reprimanded her for showing 'no respect'.

Lexie was among the first to rise in solidarity, her face resolute as she joined the exodus.

The Australian model is a 22-year-old occupational therapy student from Brisbane, and in August, officially took out the title of Miss Universe Australia 2025 in a glamorous ceremony held in Perth.

Victoria Theilvig, the first Dane to win the top title, also stormed out of the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates' hotel in Bangkok and later justified her protest against pageant authority, saying: 'This is about women's rights.'

'To trash another girl - it's beyond disrespectful and it's nothing I've ever done. That's why I'm taking my coat and I'm going,' she said.

The unprecedented incident took place during a live-streamed ceremony of the event, where Itsaragrisil confronted 25-year-old Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day.

In footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Nawat asked Bosch to stand and 'explain herself', before instructing security personnel to escort her out of the hotel after she insisted on 'using my voice'.

In a mass revolt in support of the beauty queen, several of her fellow contestants proceeded to stand up from their seats ready to storm out of the room.

Miss Universe Australia Lexie Brant showed a remarkable display of female solidarity on Wednesday as she joined a mass walkout of pageant queens in Bangkok, Thailand

The shock incident occurred when Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, publicly berated Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch in front of dozens of other beauty queens

A distressed Nawat could be heard shouting 'Stop, stop!' as the models began making their way out of the ceremony, demanding that they 'Sit down'.

When the visibly uncomfortable Bosch responded to the president that she did not want to be publicly reprimanded before her peers, he took to the microphone to interrupt, telling her: 'I didn't give you the opportunity to talk... I'm still talking, listen!'

'I have a voice,' Bosch replied, accusing Nawat of 'not respecting me as a woman'.

The argument continued, with the president saying: 'My question is: Can you can work to promote Thailand or not - yes or no?'

Nawat then instructed security to escort Bosch out of the hotel.

Theilvig, who beat out Miss Nigeria at the 73rd edition of the pageant in Mexico City last year, was later seen in footage announcing she would not remain in the venue.

'We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled,' she said.

The clip was shared to social media and quickly gained traction online, as well as praise from other women and delegates.

Shock footage from the incident shows dozens of beauty queens - including Lexie - standing up and exiting the venue

The Australian model is a 22-year-old occupational therapy student and model from Brisbane

Fans and former contestants hailed the walkout as an act of integrity and courage, while influencers described the moment as 'the most empowering act in Miss Universe history'.

The Miss Universe Organisation, now owned by Thailand-based JKN Global Group, has faced increasing criticism over transparency and contestant treatment.

The Bangkok walkout has reignited those concerns, with critics saying it highlights 'a toxic culture of public shaming' within the organisation.
Helena Bonham Carter is mourning the death of her beloved cousin David Pryce-Jones.

The outspoken author and historian, who released a colourful memoir about their 'bonkers' aristocratic family, died peacefully at home on Monday aged 89.

He is survived by his wife Clarissa Sabina Caccia, 86, daughter of former British diplomat Baron Caccia, and three of their four children, Adam, Candida and Jessica. Their youngest, Sonia, died aged two in 1972.

The cause of his death has not been disclosed but the family request for any donations, if desired, to be made to Blood Cancer UK.

David was a giant of literary journalism and a key figure in the sprawling Fould-Springer/Propper de Callejon clan that Helena explored with him in the Channel 4 series, My Grandparents War.

He released a colourful memoir about their 'bonkers' European family, which the actress once admitted 'was so much part of me I cant get an objective standpoint.'

Helena Bonham Carter is mourning the death of her beloved cousin David Pryce-Jones (pictured in London last week)

The outspoken author and historian, who released a colourful memoir about their 'bonkers' aristocratic family, died peacefully at home on Monday aged 89

The Crown star Helena, 59, has often spoken affectionately about the 'bonkers' brood of French, Austrian, Spanish and Jewish relatives who shaped her childhood. David was not just one of them; he was their chief chronicler.

Born in Vienna in 1936 to Times Literary Supplement editor Alan Payan Pryce-Jones and the glamorous heiress Poppy Fould-Springer, David spent much of his youth in the same rarefied but chaotic world later described by the actress as 'a mad mixture of aunts, uncles and cousins, all wrapped up in one house.'

That house was often the family chateau at Royaumont about which David would later write in extraordinary detail.

Helena has long credited Davids 2015 memoir Fault Lines with helping her understand the dramatic history behind the 'melting pot' that is her maternal heritage.

The book recounts life at Royaumont with Helenas maternal grandparents, Eduardo Propper de Callejon - the Spanish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews by issuing illegal visas - and his wife Helene, known as Bubbles, an Austrian-Jewish heiress from the Springer industrial dynasty.

'It would make a great sitcom or drama,' Helena has said of the familys wartime adventures. 'There were so many characters, so dramatic and funny and bonkers. And David captured it all.'

The pair were close enough that the writer often teased his Oscar-nominated cousin. Helena once revealed: 'My cousin David says, "When youre angry, I can see Great-Granny Mitzi."'

Mitzi Springer - their formidable great-grandmother - was known for her sharp tongue and even sharper instincts. Helena admitted the resemblance.

David was a giant of literary journalism and a key figure in the sprawling Fould-Springer/Propper de Callejon clan that Helena explored with him in a Channel 4 series

Helena was desperate to learn more about her grandfather Eduardo, who never spoke about his heroic actions in the war (pictured, with Helena's grandmother 'Bubbles', mother Elaina and their adopted son David)

Helena has long credited Davids 2015 memoir Fault Lines with helping her understand the dramatic history behind the 'melting pot' that is her maternal heritage

Helena's mother Elaina said her father rarely spoke about his actions in the war, despite saving thousands of people

She went on to meet with Marta, whose father and grandparents were among those who were saved by Eduardo and studied her grandfather's signature in Marta's family's passports

Marta revealed a photograph of her father in New York, revealing that her great-grandfather was Ludwik Witold Rajchman, who went on to be the founder of charity Unicef

The actress frequently pushed back against the idea that her lineage was defined solely by her British great-grandfather, Liberal prime minister Herbert Asquith (pictured)

Davids own career was no less dramatic. Educated at Eton and Oxford, he became one of Britains most prolific conservative voices, contributing to various newspapers and magazines.

His 1973 biography Evelyn Waugh and His World caused a furore for exposing family tensions among the famously explosive Mitford sisters. His subsequent book on Unity Mitford reportedly prompted attempts by members of the family to block publication.

In the world of high society and political commentary, he was both admired and feared - a man whose connections stretched from the Rothschilds to the upper reaches of the British establishment.

Yet to Helena, he was part of the 'neurotic, hilarious, enormous European family' her mother raised her to cherish.

The actress frequently pushed back against the idea that her lineage was defined solely by her British great-grandfather, Liberal prime minister Herbert Asquith.

'My mum always said, "For Gods sake, you werent made by just one side,"' she explained. Pryce-Joness stories were at the heart of the other side - the side she felt had shaped her most profoundly.

His death marks the passing of the last of a generation whose real-life dramas - wartime heroism, family feuds, literary scandals - were as vivid as anything in Netflix's The Crown, in which the actress played Princess Margaret.

And as Helena once joked: 'I'd have to approach [Crown writer] Peter Morgan. "Ive got a whole other family story for you. Forget the fifth, and sixth seasons [of The Crown]. Youre coming with me, mate."'
Ariana Grande has teased that her upcoming live shows will be her last for some time.

The announcement has left fans in Australia heartbroken, since the 32-year-old's Eternal Sunshine Tour 2026 will only feature gigs in North America and the UK.

Ariana's fans Down Under angrily expressed their disappointment online after the Wicked star discussed her plans on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast this week.

'Girl I love you, but why not do a proper tour that all of the fans can attend and not only the ones from UK & US,' one fan posted after the interview was shared to X.

'This is such a slap in the face to her fans from all over the world that aren't in the US, wrote another.

A third fan recalled that Ariana has not played any shows Down Under since 2017.

Ariana Grande (pictured) has teased her upcoming live shows will be her last for some time

The announcement has left fans in Australia heartbroken, since the 32-year-old's Eternal Sunshine Tour 2026 will only feature gigs in North America and the UK

'She's not been to Australia for getting on for a decade,' they complained.

'I guess that means she's never coming back.'

'I'm very excited to do this small tour,' Ariana told Amy during the interview.

'But I think it might not happen again for a long, long, long, long time.

'I'm going to give it my all, and it's going to be beautiful, and I'm so grateful. I think that's why I'm doing it. Because I'm like, one last hurrah. For now.'

Ariana, who released her chart-topping album Eternal Sunshine in March 2024, is set to embark on her first major tour in seven years in mid-2026, performing across the US and Canada before bringing the show to the O2 Arena in London for 10 nights.

It comes after an Australian man charged Ariana Grande at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore last week.

Johnson Wen, who goes by 'Pyjama Man' online, shared a clip to his Instagram Stories shortly after news broke of the shocking incident.

Ariana's fans Down Under angrily expressed their disappointment online after the Wicked star discussed her plans on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast this week

The 25-year-old appeared to be standing in the middle of a shopping centre wearing a white shirt with the word 'Jesus' on the front as he gloated about being 'free'.

'I'm free after being arrested,' he captioned the video, which saw him slowly approach the camera while gesturing with his arms.

Wen made headlines when he charged Ariana at her new film premiere for the sequel of Wicked earlier this month.

The actress was walking beside her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who bravely jumped in front of her when she saw the man running towards them.

The video, which was shared widely online, showed Wen lunging at Grande and putting his arm around her as she struggled to get away.

Moments later, a group of security guards at the event pulled him away, leaving a visibly shaken Grande being comforted by her friend Erivo.

Wen shared clips from the moment on his Instagram Story, writing: 'Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You.'

Videos taken before he jumped over a barricade to see Grande show him saying it was his 'dream' to meet the actress.
Oops, she did it AGAIN.

A noticeably fuller-faced Britney Spears has sparked fresh concern after she was spotted carrying a full Champagne flute out of a wine bar in the Los Angeles suburbs on Tuesday  before appearing to climb behind the wheel of her car and drive off.

The pop star's team insisted to the Daily Mail that she was not drinking alcohol during the outing.

But in worrying footage and photos, 43-year-old Spears looks disheveled, her hair wild, and her face concerningly puffy  all signs, insiders say, that she is simply not taking care of herself.

A family source told Daily Mail: 'This is very distressing. It's really a nightmare knowing that things are happening that might put her in danger. There's absolutely nothing we can do to help her.'

Britney Spears has sparked fresh concern after she was spotted carrying a full Champagne flute out of a wine bar in the Los Angeles suburbs, before appearing to climb behind the wheel of her car and drive off

At one point she draped a lace scarf over her head

As a bubbly Spears left Stonehaus wine bar in Westlake Village, California, she was accompanied to her car by a member of the venue's staff.

Onlookers say the man helped pack all her belongings into the passenger seat. Moments later, Spears sped off.

What makes the scene even more alarming is how closely it mirrors an incident just three weeks ago  and only a few miles away  at upscale Mexican eatery Red-O in Thousand Oaks.

Then, exclusive Daily Mail video from the night showed Spears raising a glass in a bizarre toast to the entire restaurant before once again driving off alone, then dangerously swerving across lanes, wildly U-turning and veering into oncoming traffic.

Much like that wild episode, this latest wine-bar fiasco has left her family and friends deeply shaken.

As a bubbly Spears left Stonehaus wine bar in Westlake Village, California, a she was accompanied to her car by a member of the venue's staff

Onlookers say the man helped pack all her belongings into the passenger seat. Moments later, Spears sped off in her black BMW

What makes the scene even more alarming is how closely it mirrors an incident just three weeks ago at upscale Mexican eatery Red-O in Thousand Oaks

Then, exclusive Daily Mail video from the night showed Spears raising a glass in a bizarre toast to the entire restaurant before once again driving off alone

Much like that wild episode, this latest wine-bar fiasco has left her family and friends deeply shaken

'Until something horrible happens, that might be the wakeup call. But nobody is doing anything to get her the help she needs; they are just letting her do her thing,' a concerned second insider told the Daily Mail.

'So everyone just currently deals with it. And that is a recipe for disaster. Nobody wants to take any responsibility and those that want to help are unable to gain access to her. A very alarming situation to say the least.'

It's certainly notable that Spears appeared to be completely alone on Tuesday  no family, no friends, no support beside her.

'After everything, she's still naive. She is not acting in her best interest, and she is not surrounded by people who are serving her best interest either,' the first family insider said. 'I'm worried and I know the rest of the family is, too.'

She also hasn't seen her sons Preston, 20, and Jayden, 19, much at all in recent years.

Their strained relationship was thrust back into the spotlight by Spears's ex-husband Kevin Federline, in his bombshell new memoir, published just one day before her Thousand Oaks meltdown.

Federline's book accuses Spears of a series of disturbing behaviors, including allegedly using cocaine before attempting to breastfeed their children  claims she has denied.

Onlookers say he packed all her belongings  including the champagne glass  into the passenger seat of her car before heading back inside empty-handed

Moments later, Spears got behind the wheel of her black BMW and sped off

Ever since her infamous conservatorship - controlled by her father Jamie Spears - ended in 2021, Spears' behavior has grown increasingly erratic.

From topless photos shared to Instagram to unhinged dance videos and clips of her twirling knives, fans have watched on in horror.

There have even been recent whispers that her Thousand Oaks mansion is regularly covered in dog mess.

'Her house is a mess. She doesn't clean up after the dogs, she doesn't have someone there cleaning every day, and she just isn't functioning like an adult would function,' an insider told the Daily Mail in September.

Now, our second source says: 'Britney's family has not wavered in their concern for her wellbeing. But they are forever stuck between a rock and a hard place.

'They no longer have the conservatorship and, in the court of public opinion, they are not well liked either. It is hard to help when they can't contact Britney or she doesn't want the help.'
While her former Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City castmates were living it up in Las Vegas for Bravocon, Jen Shah was taking out the trash behind bars.

This week, the convicted fraudster, 52, was pictured hauling a cardboard box of garbage with another inmate inside the Texas federal prison camp where she's currently serving time for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Despite being on trash duty, the twisted telemarketer made sure that she still looked Shah-mazing by draping herself in jewelry.

Channelling The Bling Ring, Shah rocked a pair of sparkly stone earrings, along with her wedding band and a prison-issued watch.

She tied up her brunette locks in a tight bun and completed her look with a pair of stylish sunglasses.

While her former Real Housewives of Salt Lake City castmates were living it up in Las Vegas for Bravocon, Jen Shah was taking out the trash behind bars

The low security prison is home to a number of celebrity jailbirds, including Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes.

Shah began her 78-month sentence in February 2023 after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges tied to the multimillion-dollar scheme, which duped thousands of victims, many of them seniors.

She was also ordered to pay more than $6.5 million in restitution.

Her arrest in March 2021 was famously captured on Bravo cameras during season two of RHOSLC, cementing her place in Housewives history.

Shah initially proclaimed her innocence, even doubling down during reunion specials, but ultimately changed her plea to guilty in July 2022months after her former assistant and co-conspirator, Stuart Smith, admitted his role.

Since entering prison, her sentence has been reduced multiple times.

Originally set for release in 2029, her date was bumped up to August 2028, then to December 2027, and most recently to November 3, 2026, according to Page Six.

Her team has been keeping fans updated via her digital diary, Dear Jen Shah, where they claim the mother-of-two is embracing 'personal self work' and rehabilitation.

The convicted fraudster, 52, was pictured hauling a cardboard box of garbage with another inmate inside the Texas federal prison camp where she's currently serving time

Despite being on trash duty, the twisted telemarketer made sure that she still looked Shah-mazing by draping herself in jewelry

In December, they revealed she was 'doing very well,' staying busy with creative projects, including organizing holiday-themed showcases within the prison.

Shah has also remained in contact with her RHOSLC castmates.

That same month, her team confirmed she had recently spoken to Meredith Marks, describing their phone call as 'extremely positive.'

In an unusual twist of fate, Shah has reportedly bonded with fellow inmate Elizabeth Holmes, the infamous Theranos founder who is serving an 11-year sentence for fraud.

Despite her fall from Bravo stardom to federal prison, Shah seems intent on showing she's committed to self-improvement while waiting out the remainder of her sentence in Texas.

Jen the twisted telemarketer was known for her love of bling during her time on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Shah's husband Sharrieff has stood by her side during her incarceration

In an essay shared with People last year, Shah explained what she has learned during her incarceration so far.

'Upon entering FPC Bryan, I wholeheartedly believed that no one was suffering as badly as I was,' she wrote.

'I quickly recognized that so many women are here battling and overcoming circumstances far worse than mine,' she continued. 'Their resilience inspires and truly humbles me.'

The entrepreneur has held tightly to her Muslim faith, 'Recognizing that God continues to bless me not withstanding my wretched and unpredictable surroundings; expressing sincere gratitude has been my most effective coping mechanism.

'Despair and depression are companions that strive to capture my undivided attention every single day,' she explained but, 'Praying five times a day helps keep these and other emotional serpents at bay. I am most grateful for the aspects of my life that have never left me: My Family and Faith. Thank you God.'
Richard Dreyfuss' son has made shock claims he and his siblings are estranged from their Oscar-winner father and have been for years.

Ben Dreyfuss, 39, who has worked as a journalist at the outlet Mother Jones, said in a series of now-deleted X posts that he and siblings Emily and Harry 'have no money' from their famous father, who is worth an estimated $5million.

Dreyfuss, 78, is father to sons Ben and Harry and daughter Emily with ex-wife Jeramie Rain, 77. Ben said in the November 13 posts that the Brooklyn, New York native 'has no money.'

He added that 'if he did, we wouldn't get it since we've been estranged ever since some complicated family drama to do with MeToo.'

Ben said that he was managing the social media accounts for his father in the fall of 2017 when the #MeToo movement began.

Dreyfuss, who famously played Matt Hooper in the 1975 cinematic masterpiece Jaws, has suffered a fall from grace in recent years over his controversial views.

The son of Academy Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss says the venerated actor has not spoken with him and two of his siblings in years, amid searing tensions in the family. Richard pictured in 2023 in NYC

Ben Dreyfuss and his dad were pictured at DGA Theater on August 8, 2013 in LA

Dreyfuss played Hooper in the 1975 cinematic masterpiece Jaws

In 2024, the memorably actor railed against the MeToo movement, transgender children and the legendary Barbra Streisand after taking to the stage wearing a dress.

Ben said that his decision to use the account to pledge support for his younger brother Harry after he claimed that when he was 18 years old, actor Kevin Spacey had behaved inappropriately with him. (An attorney for the Se7en actor denied the accusations in 2017.)

He claimed that the chain effect resulted in somebody making an accusation of sexual misconduct against his father, whose classic films include 1986's Down and Out in Beverly Hills 1991's What About Bob?, and 1995's Mr. Holland's Opus

Ben said his father believed the Spacey allegation triggered a response that 'prompted someone to MeToo my dad.'

Dreyfuss denied he'd exposed himself to a female journalist Jessica Teich to Vulture, saying he believed he was taking part in a 'consensual seduction ritual' with the woman, who he was writing a TV script with.

The actor introspectively told the publication that the fact that he 'did not get it' led him 'reassess every relationship [he had] ever thought was playful and mutual.'

Ben said 'this led to years of acrimony,' with his father, who won the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar for 1978's The Goodbye Girl.

Ben on Monday continued talking publicly about his family problems in a Substack blog in which he included an email exchange with the Close Encounters of the Third Kind actor from January 2024 .

'It's long and pathetic, and he comes off worse than I do, but I'm not exactly covered in glory either,' Ben said.

The emails consisted of a discussion between Ben and his father over Ben's conduct in San Francisco at a 2022 family dinner.

Ben said that in that exchange, he did not properly communicate himself when addressing allegations of nepotism he faced.

Ben said in the November 13 posts that the Brooklyn, New York native, 78, 'has no money,' Pictured in 2022 in LA

Dreyfuss and son Harry at the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Awards June 23, 2000 in LA

'I didn't explain any of this well, and I didn't even finish the thought before you and Emily started to speak,' Ben said, 'and we all started to scream at each other about a completely separate tangent over who is to blame for what.'

Ben admitted that he had used a homophobic slur against his father in the row, but said that he had been spending the better part of the year 'trying to make amends' for the ugly incident.

Richard, according to the Substack, responded in an all caps ran in which he said both Ben and Emily were out of line during their behavior in the 2022 San Francisco incident.

Richard allegedly told his son in the email: 'AT LEAST KEEP THIS ONE LETTER.

'IT'LL BE THE LAST ONE UNLESS YOU STOP BEING A COWARD. OR START BEING BETTER THAN YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER.'

He added, allegedly: 'AS I TOLD YOU, TO START WRITING ME WITHOUT ANY ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU SAID ON THE LAST NIGHT AT THE RESTAURANT.

'UNTIL YOU ALL WROTE SOMETHING ADDRESSING THE LIES, DISTORTIONS, THAT KEPT A SET OF DIFFERENT FEELINGS, VALUES, KEPT THEM HIDDEN FROM ME, YOU WOULD NOT BE HEARING FROM ME.'

The actor also said that he believed Ben thought that he was squirreling money away from him. Ben said was the most recent time he talked to his father.

Dreyfuss posed with the late Diane Keaton at the 1978 Oscars, where they both were winners

The actor's classic films include 1995's Mr. Holland's Opus, which earned him an Oscar nod

Ben said on his blog, 'I love my father. I have always loved him. I think hes better than this email But its been two years, and this appears to be the last email Im ever going to get from him, so ***it.'

Emily, who also works in journalism as an editor for The San Francisco Standard, said on social media Tuesday that she had a sense of relief that the information had been aired out publicly.

'Ever since we became estranged from our dad, it's been nearly impossible for me to write,' Emily said. 'For the first time, the thing most on my mind was something I couldn't talk about.

'Ben and I have different experiences of this sadness, but I'm relieved it's finally out in the open now.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Richard Dreyfuss for further comment on the story and has yet to hear back.
Tom Hanks made his love for the New York City subway official with a song which he belted out at an event this week.

The 69-year-old Oscar winner - whose new off-Broadway play has garnered mixed reviews from critics - serenaded guests as he took to the stage at The Shed, a cultural center located in Manhattan.

It comes just one month after the Forrest Gump actor - whose reported net worth is estimated around $400 million - drove fans wild with his incognito appearance as he took the subway.

'I can't tell you how great it is to be at The Shed every day,' he expressed at the center on Tuesday, where his play This World Of Tomorrow is currently running.

'Why? Because it is officially the last stop on the 7 train,' Hanks continued, per Page Six.

The star was then prompted to break out into lyrics dedicated to the NYC subway and excitedly sang, 'The Shed is in the Hudson Yards on the Lower West Side off the High Line.

Tom Hanks, 69, made his love for the New York City subway official with a song which he belted out at an event this week; seen on Tuesday at The Shed in NYC

It comes just one month after the Forrest Gump actor - whose reported net worth is estimated around $400 million - drove fans wild with his incognito appearance as he took the subway (seen above)

'Yeah, The Shed on the Lower West Side off the High Line in Hudson Yards,' Hanks continued, before director Kenny Leon also joined in on the upbeat tune.

During the short spontaneous performance, the Hollywood actor also snapped his fingers to add a beat to the song.

Last month in October, Hanks was seen dressing down in a lowkey ensemble as he rode one of the trains in the Big Apple - leaving some New Yorkers utterly surprised.

The star could be seen wearing a plain black shirt and black trousers while layering a khaki jacket on top.

He added a green Yankees cap on top of his head and also wore a protective face mask. Hanks carried a backpack over his shoulders while heading to his next destination.

The award-winning actor soon went viral for his appearance on the NYC subway, with some riders also recognizing the star at the time.

Just weeks later, Hanks was seen on the green 6 line in the city while also continuing to go incognito.

Along with the same face mask, the star donned a dark green cardigan as well as a light green jacket on top.

'Yeah, The Shed on the Lower West Side off the High Line in Hudson Yards,' Hanks continued, before director Kenny Leon also joined in on the upbeat tune'; the pair seen above on Tuesday

Last month in October, Hanks was seen dressing down in a lowkey ensemble as he rode one of the trains in the Big Apple - leaving some New Yorkers utterly surprised; seen in April in NYC

He also slipped into a pair of dark trousers while a dark green beanie was placed on top of his head for a finishing touch.

Hanks discussed taking the NYC subway during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert earlier this month.

When it comes to his incognito look, the actor explained, 'It pretty much works all the time.'

He further added, 'I cannot - I am doing a play right now, so I cannot get sick. So, I'm not just trying to hide my profile. I have had Covid enough in my life, I don't need to do that again.

'So, I am wearing this for health reasons,' Hanks added, referencing to the face mask. 'And you know, the rest of it is in order to be anonymous.'

The star then humorously shared, 'But obviously it doesn't work. So, I might have to change my look. Otherwise I can't get on the 1, the 2 or the C train.'

Hanks has been keeping busy with his latest role in the off-Broadway play titled This World Of Tomorrow.

Other cast members include Kelli O'Hara, Kerry Bishe, Kayli Carter, Paul Murphy, Jamie Ann Romero, Lee Aaron Rosen and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

The star then humorously shared, 'But obviously it doesn't work. So, I might have to change my look. Otherwise I can't get on the 1, the 2 or the C train'

Hanks has been keeping busy with his latest role in the off-Broadway play titled This World Of Tomorrow; seen above during opening night of This World Of Tomorrow on Tuesday in NYC

The play is being performed at The Shed - with opening night taking place earlier this week on Tuesday. The final performance is slated for next month on December 21.

Hanks plays the character of Bert - a scientist and businessman - who time travels to the past and finds himself at the 1939 New York World's Fair in Queens.

While talking to Colbert during his recent appearance on the late night talk show, the star admitted to sometimes forgetting his own lines.

'I disappeared the other night, as a matter of fact,' he revealed to the host, before adding that his co-stars 'all just kind of look at me and go, "Come on, man. I learned my lines, haven't you learned yours?"'

When questioned if the project was different since he co-wrote the play, the star replied, 'Yes it is. Number one because, they are gonna have a real hard time firing me if I screw up.'

Hanks also explained, 'The huge difference between film and stage is, in film the director is the governor of the story. He can change it, not say it, don't say that, say this instead.

'The stage, if it's not on the page, it ain't on the stage. The writers are the definitive arbiters of what is being said.'

This World Of Tomorrow has since received mixed reviews, with some labeling the production 'dull' while others have called it a 'touching love story'; seen with castmate Kelli O'Hara

The Oscar winner was supported by a number of A-list celebrities such as Meryl Streep, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Anne Stringfield and his wife Rita Wilson (seen above on Tuesday)

This World Of Tomorrow has since received mixed reviews, with some labeling the production 'dull' while others have called it a 'touching love story.'

Hanks took to the stage inside The Shed on the official opening night of the off-Broadway play on Tuesday.

The Oscar winner was supported by a number of A-list celebrities such as Meryl Streep, Martin Short, Steve Martin and Anne Stringfield.

He was also cheered on by wife Rita Wilson and their son Chet Hanks who was also in attendance for the special evening.
Patti Newton has opened up about her rumoured new love interest.

The 80-year-old was spotted out and about in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell recently getting very cosy with a mystery man.

However, Patti took to Instagram this week to rubbish claims that she had found a replacement for her beloved husband Bert, who died in October 2021.

She shared two images of the couple walking hand-in-hand, revealing in her comment that the relationship with her walking pal was strictly platonic.

'I have to laugh at these photos that popped up on social media,' she wrote.

'I bumped into a man that has been serving me for years at David Jones and we said a quick hello. He is apparently my new man!'

Patti Newton has opened up about her rumoured new love interest. The 80-year old was spotted getting very cosy with a mystery man in Melbourne

Patti took to Instagram this week to rubbish claims that she had found a replacement for her beloved husband Bert, who died in October 2021

Patti ended her post with a heart-warming: 'There will only ever be Bert for me so they can say what they want!'

The post was met with a flurry of comments from friends and followers including former MKR star Ash Pollard.

'Patti! What a classic,' Ash wrote. 'You can only laugh, youre right. Im sure Bert is doing the same.

Actor Jay Laga'aia also offered a cheeky: 'Thank God. Now can pass the baton onto someone else. Ha!!'

Veteran TV presenter Jo Beth Taylor also jumped in with: 'Well.. he is cute. Have to laugh Patti.'

Patti cut a very youthful figure on her recent outing that saw her joined by daughter Lauren, 45.

She wore a beige coloured P.E Nation jacket that featured a striking animal print motif on the collar.

Patti also wore a navy blue top as well as a pair of similarly coloured leggings and a pair of blue and white sneakers.

'I have to laugh at these photos that popped up on social media,' she wrote. 'I bumped into a man that has been serving me for years at David Jones and we said a quick hello. He is apparently my new man!'

Patti cut a very youthful figure on her recent outing that saw her joined by daughter Lauren, 45

She wore a beige coloured P.E Nation jacket that featured a striking animal print motif on the collar. Patti also wore a navy blue top as well as a pair of similarly coloured leggings and a pair of blue and white sneakers

In a sweet tribute to her iconic husband, Patti also wore a silver-toned nameplate necklace bearing the name 'Bert'

She accessorised with a pair of dark sunglasses and a chic Louis Vuitton canvas handbag.

In a sweet tribute to her iconic husband, Patti also wore a silver-toned nameplate necklace bearing the name 'Bert'.

Lauren, meanwhile, wore a similar animal print bomber jacket and leggings for the outing.

Like her mother, Lauren also wore a similar necklace bearing her father's name.

Patti looked chuffed to bump into her old David Jones pal, with the pair quickly reacquainting.

They were spotted happily catching up as they strolled the streets of Camberwell arm-in-arm.

Patti  who was married to Bert for 47 years  laid her husband to rest in November 2021, aged 83.

He had been receiving palliative care at a clinic in Melbourne at the time of his death.

Lauren, meanwhile, wore a similar animal print bomber jacket and leggings for the outing. Like her mother, Lauren also wore a similar necklace bearing her father's name

Patti looked chuffed to bump into her old David Jones pal

Patti  who was married to Bert for 47 years  laid her husband to rest in November 2021, aged 83

He was hospitalised in March that year and underwent surgery on his leg in May. He needed surgery after his toe became infected before Christmas.

The infection was 'linked to his diabetes' and was threatening his life, with doctors telling him the surgery was a 'life or death decision'.

Doctors told Bert that if he kept the leg then he would have just 'months to live' rather than years if he chose to amputate.

Speaking after the TV legend's death, Patti revealed she was notified of his passing shortly after leaving his bedside.

'I missed him, but maybe he didn't want me to be there for his last breath,' she said as she was joined by two of her granddaughters outside the family home in Melbourne.

'I left [the clinic where Bert was in palliative care] at ten past seven, and I was just pulling around to come into my drive and I get the call to say he'd taken his last breath at 7.22pm,' she said.

'It's very, very devastating. All our hearts are breaking because he was just the most wonderful man.'

Patti, who was married to Bert for 47 years, said she hoped her late husband 'will be remembered for the legend that he was'.

'He had such a fabulous attitude. And he gave us so much joy right up to the end.'

'I love that attitude of his, he was never going to give up and that's what we have to take with us. We have to just make sure that the love he gave us stays with us forever.'
Japan must not permit any political faction to steer the nation back towards the path of war

16:43, November 20, 2025 By Takakage Fujita ( People's Daily

Summary:

Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan represent a serious deviation from the cautious position long upheld by the Japanese government, run counter to international law and basic norms governing international relations, and gravely undermine regional stability.

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi openly claimed that a so-called "Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, under which Japan may invoke the so-called right to collective self-defense to interfere militarily in the Taiwan Strait. This reckless fallacy is extremely rare in Japan's postwar history and is utterly unacceptable.

The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair. The 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement explicitly affirms that the Japanese government recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China; that the Japanese government fully understands and respects the position of the Chinese government that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China; and that Japan firmly maintains its position under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation, which reiterates that the "terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out."

The Cairo Declaration stated in explicit terms that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China. Furthermore, following the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations, the Japanese government also made clear internal statements on the Taiwan question. By clarifying Taiwan's status and reaffirming that the Taiwan question falls within China's internal affairs, the China-Japan Joint Statement carries significant weight.

In sum, the Taiwan question is entirely China's internal affair and brooks no interference from any country in any form. Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan represent a serious deviation from the cautious position long upheld by the Japanese government, run counter to international law and basic norms governing international relations, and gravely undermine regional stability.

Japan has not been attacked by China; should Japan take the lead in using force against China, China would certainly respond. Once military conflict erupts between the two sides, the consequences would undoubtedly be catastrophic.

Making rash statements that could drag the country into war is incompatible with the sense of responsibility expected of a Japanese prime minister. Takaichi should retract her remarks.

Japan's history includes a period defined by grave policy errors that led the nation down a path of war. Through acts of aggression and colonial rule, Japan inflicted immense suffering upon the peoples of numerous Asian countries. The lessons drawn from this period warrant Japan's profound and ongoing reflection.

Recent remarks by Takaichi, advocating for the pre-emptive use of military force, point Japan towards a dangerous direction reminiscent of that past. It is therefore understandable that voices within Japan itself are urging restraint against any rush towards conflict.

Japan must not permit any political faction to steer the nation back towards the path of war. The imperative remains for Japan to steadfastly pursue its path of peaceful development. For the Japanese public today, ensuring the nation's unwavering commitment to this peaceful course represents its most crucial responsibility and mission.

(Takakage Fujita is the secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement.)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Du Mingming)
Leonardo DiCaprio and his best pal Tobey Maguire were reportedly surrounded by female fans as they as they partied into the early hours of the morning in London.

The Oscar winner, 51, and the Spider Man star, headed to London members' club Annabel's on Tuesday night.

They enjoyed a private dinner before partying late into the night at the Mayfair venue after appearing at the BFI Southbank to talk about his new action-comedy One Battle After Another.

The bash at Annabel's featured a performance from Alexandra Burke and fell on the same day as the Christmas lights switch on, making for a festive evening.

The source told The Sun: 'Leo and Tobey got food as well and, as you'd expect, there were plenty of female fans hanging around to enjoy a drink with them.

'They absolutely love Leo at Annabel's because he's a big spender and a nice guy  there's never any trouble and he's really low-key.

Leonardo DiCaprio and his best pal Tobey Maguire were reportedly surrounded by female fans as they as they partied into the early hours of the morning in London on Tuesday (Seen together in 2017)

'He stayed until around 12:30am yesterday before leaving with Tobey.'

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Leonardo and Tobey for comment.

Last week Leonardo tried to go full incognito mode while stepping out for a late-night bite with his supermodel girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti.

Leonardo kept his face almost entirely hidden under a black hat and the hood of his sweatshirt as he and Vittoria, 27, grabbed dinner at Sushi Park.

Sushi park is the trendy Japanese restaurant that his friend Justin Bieber and his supermodel wife Hailey frequent. Other stars who have dined there are Kendall and Kylie Jenner.

The age-gap couple, who have been dating since 2023, were photographed leaving the restaurant in West Hollywood together.

While Leonardo kept it low-key in a hoodie and jeans, Vittoria grabbed attention in a bright purple jacket with a fuzzy collar.

She styled her wild outerwear with a cropped sweatshirt that exposed her abs and a pair of low-rise baggy jeans.

The Oscar winner, 51, and the Spider Man star, headed to London members' club Annabel's on Tuesday night (Seen together in 2012)

They enjoyed a private dinner before partying late into the night at the Mayfair venue after appearing at the BFI Southbank to talk about his new action-comedy One Battle After Another (Pictured)

Vittoria appeared makeup-free and wore her brunette hair back in a tight bun.

After enjoying their sushi meal, the couple made their way to the valet to collect Leonardo's car.

The Titanic actor was seen getting into the driver's seat of a black luxury vehicle as his much-younger girlfriend slipped into the front passenger's side.

Leonardo and Vittoria's mid-week date night comes just days after they were seen partying on Saturday night with DiCaprio's longtime BFF Tobey.

In photos obtained by the Daily Mail, the couple met up with Tobey at celeb-loved Nobu restaurant in Malibu.

Leonardo and Vittoria have been romantically linked since summer 2023 following his split from actress Camila Morrone, now 28.

He and Camila first got together in 2017 but split in 2022, shortly before Camila's 25th birthday that June.

The following year, Leonardo was spotted on an ice cream date in Los Angeles with Vittoria.

The couple reportedly met at the Killers of The Flower Moon premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

They were later spotted out dancing at a club in Ibiza.

Last November there was widespread speculation about whether Leonardo had popped the question to Vittoria, who was previously married to Italian DJ Matteo Milleri.

Earlier this year, Vittoria made rare comments about her age-gap romance with DiCaprio in an interview with Vogue France.

She revealed for the first time that the couple actually met 'in Milan. But I prefer not to go into details.'

And the beauty added that she's a fan of her beau's iconic 1997 film Titanic, which was released the year before she was born. 'Who hasn't seen it? Or didn't like it? It's an iconic film...' she noted.
Tilda Swinton made a rare appearance with her partner Sandro Kopp, 47, at a private viewing of Wes Anderson: The Archives at the Design Museum in London on Wednesday night.

The actress, 65, is a frequent collaborator with the director, having appeared in his films Moonrise Kingdom (2012), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Isle of Dogs (2018), The French Dispatch (2021) and Asteroid City (2023).

Tilda put on a united display with Sandro as they turned up to support Wes, 56, for the event.

The pair, who have a 17-year age gap, have been in a relationship since appearing in the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2004.

Sporting her distinctive bleached hair, the screen star showed off her quirky style in a beige PVC co-ord and black polo neck.

Sandro, meanwhile, was dressed up in a velvet suit and red tie.

Tilda Swinton made a rare appearance with her partner Sandro Kopp, 47, at a private viewing of Wes Anderson: The Archives at the Design Museum in London on Wednesday night

Tilda put on a united display with Sandro as they turned up to support Wes, 56, for the event

Wes Anderson: The Archives is a major exhibition, showcasing over 700 objects from the filmmaker's 30-year career.

The exhibition, which opens to the public on Thursday and runs until July next year, marks the first time Anderson's archives have been publicly displayed in the UK.

His films include the critically acclaimed The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), where he received his first Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Picture, his third Best Original Screenplay nomination, and won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Later works include, Isle of Dogs (2018) and The French Dispatch (2021).

Tilda and Sandro met on the set of The Chronicles Of Narnia in 2004 when Tilda played the White Witch and Sandro was a centaur.

The couple live together in Nairn, Scotland, with the artist moving into the home she used to share with her playwright ex, John Byrne.

She previously insisted she still has a good friendship with her ex, who she shares twins Honor, 26, and Xavier, 26, with.

Tilda also said that Sandro and John also have a good friendship. 'It's all quite boring really,' she said.

The actress, 65, is a frequent collaborator with the director, having appeared in his films Moonrise Kingdom (2012) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (pictured)

Wes Anderson: The Archives is a major exhibition, showcasing over 700 objects from the filmmaker's 30-year career

The director beamed as he posed with Tilda at the private viewing of his work

'The father of my children [playwright John Byrne] and I are good friends and I'm now in a very happy other relationship.

'And we're all really good friends. It's a very happy situation. Life doesn't have to be complicated.'

She added: 'You just have to have compassion with yourself and stop blaming yourself when things do get complicated.'
Vin Diesel was cleared of legal claims made by a former assistant claiming sexual battery in a Los Angeles Court on Wednesday.

The Fast and the Furious actor, 58, for the last two years had denied ex-assistant Asta Jonasson's claim that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlantas St. Regis hotel during production of Fast 5 in 2010.

Matthew Hale, an attorney for Jonasson, told Deadline that 'the court did not decide anything about the truth of Ms. Asta Jonasson's allegations,' against the California-born film star

Hale added: 'The ruling was based on a legal technicality, with which we respectfully disagree. Ms. Jonasson intends to appeal.'

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel M. Crowley pointed more to where than what in his 13-page summary judgment ruling in the case; Crowley said in his ruling, according to the outlet, 'It is undisputed that the alleged sexual assault took place in Atlanta, Georgia.'

Daily Mail has reached out to Diesel's attorney Bryan Freedman for further comment on the story.

Vin Diesel, 58, was cleared of legal claims made by a former assistant claiming sexual battery in a Los Angeles Court on Wednesday. Pictured in LA in March

The Fast and the Furious actor, 58, had refuted his former assistant's claim that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlanta during production of Fast 5 in 2010 (pictured in June 2024)

The judge said that 'based on an alleged violation of a California statute it fails as a matter of law because California statutes are presumed not to have extraterritorial effect unless the Legislature expressly states otherwise in adopting the statute.'

Wednesday's ruling came after the judge listened to arguments from both sides in downtown LA earlier in November, Deadline reported.

Hale argued at the time that it was appropriate for the case to take place in California, because production in Georgia on Fast Five was temporary; and both Jonasson and Diesel were California residents; and Jonasson was hired by a California company to work for Diesel.

Diesel's attorney Freedman told Deadline Wednesday, 'We are grateful that the court put an end to this meritless lawsuit. We are pleased that this matter has been resolved entirely.'

Freedman in 2023 told Deadline the A-list action star 'categorically denies this claim in its entirety.'

Freedman said of Jonasson's accusations: 'This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee.'

Freedman said 'clear evidence' existed 'which completely' refuted Jonasson's 'outlandish allegations.'

Jonasson said in her 2023 filing she was hired by production company One Race Films to be assistant while he filmed the movie in Georgia.

Diesel was pictured in a promotional image for Fast 5 in 2011

In response to Asta Jonasson's lawsuit, accusing the actor of sexual battery, his lawyer told Variety that the father-of-three 'categorically denies this claim in its entirety'

According to documents obtained by the publication, Jonasson claimed she was at Diesel's suite at the St. Regis in Atlanta while he was 'entertaining multiple women.'

Jonasson claimed when the last woman left, she was tasked with escorting Diesel out of the hotel to avoid paparazzi. She also alleged the actor forcibly grabbed her, groped her breast and kissed her, while in the suite.

Jonasson claimed she struggled to break free, but the actor allegedly continued.

She alleged Diesel then lifted up her dress and tried to pull down her underwear, before pinning her against the wall, grabbing her hand and placing it on his erect penis.

She alleged the actor was in his underwear after pulling down his cargo shorts.

Jonasson then alleged he pulled down her underwear and began masturbating while leaning against her. She claimed she kept her eyes closed to 'dissociate.'

She claimed when he finished, he pulled up his shorts and said: 'No one can say s**t about Asta' and left the room.

Jonasson claimed hours later Diesel's sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent called her and fired her, saying 'they no longer needed her help.'

Diesel has been with partner Paloma Jimenez since 2007, and they have three children: Hania, Vincent and Pauline (pictured 2019)

In the suit, Jonasson said she believed she was fired because she resisted Diesel during the alleged assault.

Jonasson also said she remained silent 'out of fear of Diesel's power in Hollywood' and because of 'her immigration status as a green card holder.'

She said she now feels empowered by the #MeToo movement and cited California's Speak Out Act - which allows victims to file sexual assault claims for alleged incidents dating back to 2009.

Jonasson said she is suing Diesel, his sister and One Race Films for sexual battery, wrongful termination and hostile work environment.

Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise. He has been with partner Paloma Jimenez since 2007. The pair share three kids: Hania, Vincent and Pauline.
Kate Winslet's short-lived singing career has been resurrected thanks to TikTok.

Back in 2001 the Titanic star, 50, released the ballad What If, which was on the soundtrack for her animated movie Christmas Carol.

The tune reached a respectable number 6 in the UK charts, beaten to the Christmas number one by Somethin' Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman.

Since then, it has returned to the charts only once: in 2010, when it appeared at number 76 after being performed on Britains Got Talent and 24 years on loyal Millennials have launched a campaign to finally get Kate to the top spot.

TikTok has been flooded with videos of fans miming along to the emotional lyrics and declaring justice for the noughties festive favourite.

Many have pointed out that the likes of Ireland, Belgium and Austria 'got it right the first time' when it hit number one and now the UK needs to follow suit.

Kate Winslet's short-lived singing career has been resurrected thanks to TikTok who have launched a campaign to get her 2001 song What If to number one

24 years ago the tune reached a respectable number 6 in the UK charts, beaten to the Christmas number one by Somethin' Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman

Others have hailed the iconic mark of any noughties power ballad - the key change, which considering the song was written by Westlife hitmakers Steve Mac and Wayne Hector is hardly a surprise feature.

Kate might not be too happy with the attention though, after previously admitting she is haunted by the song.

During an interview with Radio 1's Greg James in 2017, the Hollywood star revealed the story behind her reluctant foray into music.

'I provided the voice for an animated version of A Christmas Carol, and the producers come to me, and they said, "Oh, wed like to give your character a song."'

'I said, "Thats a nice idea," and they said, "Would you like to sing it?" I said, "Well, I can sing a bit, Ill give it a go, and if you think its c**p, I really dont mind, if you just ditch it and get a proper person to do it."'

Kate eventually agreed for the song to be released as a single, which she agreed to on the condition that all the proceeds would go to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Sargent Cancer Care for Children.

Awkwardly Kate explained that everyone then misinterpreted the project as her launching a music career, but she insisted it was only ever going to be a one off.

TikTok has been flooded with videos of fans miming along to the emotional lyrics and declaring justice for the noughties festive favourite

Her husband, Edward Abel Smith, won't let her forget the song either, with Kate admitting that he plays it 'just for a laugh when we're on family holidays and I least want him to do it, this is the kind of s**t he does to me.'

She also admitted that 'Ill sometimes go into restaurants and the restaurant will think, "Surely shed love it if we played either that or [Celine Dions My Heart Will Go On]. [] I just expect it."'
Continuing his bid for stardom, Cruz Beckham performed in front of his family and friends on Wednesday, leaving his proud parents David and Victoria reduced to 'tears of pride'.

The 20-year-old, who left fans in awe when he posted a clip of himself singing an acoustic version of the Spice Girls' Viva Forever with mum Victoria, has shown his talent is endless.

He took to the stage with his band The Breakers, as the frontman put on a show in front of his family and friends.

Proud mum Victoria, 51, was in the front row to witness her youngest son's performance and shared a clip of him singing while playing the guitar.

Alongside the video, she gushed: 'Wow!!! You look so happy Cruz and we couldnt be prouder we love you @cruzbeckham xxxxxxxxxx.'

Sir David, 50, also shared a clip of Cruz performing, admitting he had 'tears of joy and pride' watching his son.

Cruz Beckham performed in front of his family and friends on Wednesday, leaving his proud parents David and Victoria reduced to 'tears of pride'

Proud parents David, 50, and Victoria, 51, both shared footage from the packed gig as Cruz performed his latest singles

Victoria, Harper and David all cosied up for a photo together

He penned: 'Family & friends night with Cruz we r so proud of you mate we love you and the journey that you are on... Tonight was full of love & a few tears of joy and pride #CruzBeckham &The Breakers @victoriabeckham love you Cruzie @cruzbeckham.'

Cruz's grandmother - Sir David's mother Sandra, 76 - also publicly expressed her pride for her grandson.

His girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30, was also in the audience to support him, dropping a huge hint he'll release a debut album soon.

She said: 'Might it finally be time to drop what we've all been waiting for? @cruzbeckham.'

While his older brother Romeo, 23, has yet to share footage of the gig, his girlfriend Kim Turnbull showed her support with a clip of Cruz's set alongside two trophy emojis.

Close friend of the family David Gardner was also in attendance, telling his followers how Cruz's performance was 'sooooooooo good'.

During the set, Cruz performed his latest song Optics, a very explicit single about drugs and sex.

During the track, he sings: 'Take a thousand selfies in your bed while I trip in mine / I love me some mushrooms and good head and an erotic 69'.

Sharing a clip of Cruz's performance Victoria gushed: 'Wow!!! You look so happy Cruz and we couldnt be prouder we love you @cruzbeckham xxxxxxxxxx'

During Cruz's set, he performed his latest song Optics - a very explicit single about drugs and sex - in front of his parents

Cruz performed with his band The Breakers and looked just like a rock star on stage playing his guitar as he sang his hits

Proud dad Sir David admitted he was reduced to tears of pride watching his youngest son on stage with his band

His girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30, was also in the audience to support him, dropping a huge hint he'll release a debut album soon

Cruz has been performing at grassroots venues as he continues to pave his music career

The chorus repeats: 'Stay high fashion, no comedown, no crashing but you wanna know how it looks, I wanna know how it feels'.

His second single release Lick The Toad favours less racy lyrics, basing his song on 'mother nature'.

Victoria and Cruz had left fans begging them to release a duet together as they performed an acoustic version of Viva Forever by the Spice Girls on Wednesday.

Posh Spice, 51, showed she's still got it as she went makeup-free showing off her impressive vocals in the social media clip.

Cruz could be seen sitting opposite her in the family's London mansion as he played the guitar.

Fans flooded the comments section branding it a contender to be this year's Christmas number one if the mother and son duo did release the track.

Last month it was reported Cruz had signed with top music management company C3, who worked with the US indie group The Strokes.

He was also pictured in the recording studio.
Katie Price has broken her silence on her decade-long feud with Kelly Brook after the glamour model entered the I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! jungle this week.

The pair have famously had a strained relationship and exchanged a string of swipes over the years, with both also enjoying a romance with rugby player Danny Cipriani.

Katie had also previously blasted Kelly in a 2013 column where she branded her a 'heffer', with the model then hitting out at her rival for the 'unladylike' remarks.

But speaking in a new episode of her podcast The Katie Price Show, the reality star said she 'doesn't remember' her negative comments about Kelly,

Adding that she was 'rooting' for Kelly in the jungle, she also blasted their shared ex Danny, calling him a 'k**b and a player.'

Danny and Kelly dated for around two years between 2008 and 2010, with both accusing the other of infidelity during their romance.

Katie Price has broken her silence on her decade-long feud with Kelly Brook as she blasted their shared ex-boyfriend Danny Cipriani

The pair famously had a strained relationship and exchanged a string of swipes over the years, with both also enjoying a romance with rugby player Danny (pictured with Kelly in 2010)

A year after splitting from Kelly, Danny went on to date Katie following her marriage split from Alex Reid, but this ended when she claimed he'd cheated on her.

Speaking to her sister Sophie about her former boyfriend, Katie poked fun at the size of Danny's manhood before declaring: 'He's a player.'

Sophie added: 'He was an absolute k**b to you that guy. I remember Dad meeting him and even Dad was like 'he's a k**b.'

Referring to her barbed comments about Kelly, the model said: ' I can't remember calling her a heffer, she's always been bigger built than me she's always had that voluptious figure.

'What did I say at the beginning of the show? Stunning, beautiful so there you go. I am rooting for Kelly! From one glamour girl to another!'

Katie famously made the pointed remarks to Kelly in a column for The Sun, where she offered a string of backhanded compliments about how 'big' she was.

Katie said at the time: 'Kelly is a brilliant role model for young girls because of her curvy figure. Every mum should make her daughter look at the recent set of pictures that show Kelly modelling her latest New Look range in Miami.

'They don't appear to be airbrushed and I'm FLABbergasted to see how big Kelly really is.

Katie had also previously blasted Kelly in a 2013 column where she branded her a 'heffer', with the model then hitting out at her rival for the 'unladylike' remarks

Kelly has joined a string of stars including rapper Aitch, former Lioness Alex Scott and musician Martin Kemp in the I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here jungle

'Rumour has it she's been hanging out with our mutual ex Danny Cipriani. Knowing him, I guess she's probably been doing a bit of comfort eating. You're a heffer, Kelly, but still a hot one.'

Kelly then hit back at Katie for the 'unladylike' remarks, and an interview a week later, addressed being 'attacked' by another female celebrity, which was clearly a reference to her feud with Katie.

She told OK Magazine: 'I didn't until recently! Then when I was attacked unfairly by another female celebrity, so many women jumped to my defence  I was overwhelmed.

'Women would contact me and say they loved my body and that I was beautiful. I was so touched. It's hard being 33 and being a model but I do it because it's nice to have a real representation of a woman out there.

'Now I'm very proud to be curvy, prouder than ever because of these beautiful strong women that had my back. Us girls need to stick together. I love that women love my body!'

Kelly then took her own swipe at Katie by comparing her to the tanned and wrinkled character Magda from the film There's Something About Mary.'

Katie then attempted to rebuild bridges with Kelly by posting a grovelling apology on X a month later.

She tweeted: 'I'm really sorry for what I've done you know I think your a natural beautiful girl we go back a long way so I'm sorry xx.'

Following the apology, the pair did appear to patch things up, with Kelly later saying on Celebrity Juice: 'I've got nothing against Katie Price at all now. I like her. We've got mutual friends and go a long way back.'

When quizzed by host Keith Lemon, who frequently referred to Danny as Danny Cappuccino, she added: 'I owe her a lot actually. She was the one who warned me about Cappuccino and his cheating ways.

'So that's it Katie and me are officially over it and I don't hold a grudge. If it wasn't for her I'd still be dealing with Danny. So thank you, Katie.'

Kelly has joined a string of stars including rapper Aitch, former Lioness Alex Scott and musician Martin Kemp in the I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here jungle, and is set to face her first Bushtucker Trial in Thursday's show.
Georgia Harrison and boyfriend Jack Stacey enjoyed their first post-baby date night on Thursday as they attended the Velvet Taco UK launch party in London.

The Love Island star, 30, and her boyfriend welcomed their daughter just three weeks ago and revealed her name was Sahara Jean Stacey.

And the couple looked happier than ever as they attended the restaurant opening at Broadgate Circle and posed for photos on the red carpet.

Georgia looked stunning as she showed off her post baby figure in a glittering bodysuit which she teamed with stylish grey wide legged jeans.

The reality star elevated her frame in a pair of platform heels and wrapped up in a beige jacket which was edged in pink fur.

Meanwhile, new dad Jack rocked a black 1,020 Stone Island coat with a pair of blue denim jeans and grey trainers.

Georgia Harrison and boyfriend Jack Stacey enjoyed their first post-baby date night on Thursday as they attended the Velvet Taco UK launch party in London

The Love Island star, 30, and her boyfriend welcomed their daughter just three weeks ago and revealed her name was Sahara Jean Stacey

During the bash, Georgia looked in good spirits as she tucked into one of Velvet Taco's delicious dishes, which are all made from scratch and can pair perfectly with their boozy margaritas and cocktails.

She was later joined by model Roxy Horner, who cut a smart figure in a white shirt which she paired with a black blazer and tie.

The partner of comedian Jack Whitehall teamed the chic ensemble with a pair of heart patterned trousers and a Chanel gold necklace.

Roxy elevated her frame in a pair of black heels and kept warm in a pair of fluffy ear muffs as she tucked into a taco.

Elsewhere at the event, Strictly's Nadiya Bychkova showed off her toned abs in a silver and black sequin crop top and mini skirt as she DJed the event.

Kelly Brook's husband Jeremy Parisi enjoyed a night out before heading home to watch her on ITV's I'm A Celebrity.

Traitors star Mollie Pearce stunned in a little black dress as she cosied up to her The Vamps star boyfriend Connor Ball on the red carpet.

The cult-favorite U.S. restaurant Velvet Taco known for reinventing global flavours inside a tortilla, will officially open on November 20, in Broadgate Circle.

It comes after Georgia took to social media earlier this month to announce she and Jack had welcomed their first child.

She penned: 'Sahara Jean Stacey. Born 12.09 on the 30th October 2025.

And the couple looked happier than ever as they attended the restaurant bash at Broadgate Circle and posed for photos on the red carpet

Georgia looked stunning as she showed off her post baby figure in a glittering bodysuit which she teamed with stylish grey wide legged jeans

The reality star was joined by model Roxy Horner, who cut a smart figure in a white shirt which she paired with a black blazer and tie

The partner of comedian Jack Whitehall teamed the chic ensemble with a pair of heart patterned trousers and a Chanel gold necklace

Roxy kept cosy in a pair of fluffy ear muffs as she tucked into a taco

Elsewhere at the event, Strictly's Nadiya Bychkova showed off her toned abs in a silver and black sequin crop top and mini skirt as she DJed the event.

Dancer Nadiya put on a leggy display in a pair of black thigh high boots

'We are more in love than we ever could have imagined. Thank you so much for all of your messages we're so grateful.

'Time to enter the baby bubble.'

Georgia also shared snaps from the birth as she and boyfriend Jack held their baby daughter for the very first time.

The proud parents were flooded with support from their fans and followers following the announcement.

Gemma Collins rushed to send her love as she penned: 'CONGRATULATIONS' while fellow Love Islander Molly Smith wrote: 'Congratulations!!!! so so beautiful'.

Arabella Chi commented: 'Congrats my love , welcome to the girl mum crew it's the best'.

Samie Eilish added: 'oo happy for you guys!! She is PERFECT' and Chloe Burrows wrote: 'Congratulations angel girl!!!!!'

Despite the happy time, Georgia was mum-shamed online on Monday after a hack she discovered for her baby was branded as dangerous.

Georgia was forced to defend herself as a 'new mum' who is 'still learning' after she shared a TikTok video of three baby hacks she's learned.

Kelly Brook's husband Jeremy Parisi enjoyed a night out before heading home to watch her on ITV's I'm A Celebrity

Traitors star Mollie Pearce stunned in a little black dress as she cosied up to her The Vamps star boyfriend Connor Ball on the red carpet

The couple, who confirmed their romance in May this year, looked loved up as they dined on tacos at the restaurant opening

Love Islanders Megan Moore and Dejon Noel-Williams looked to be going strong still after finding love on the dating show this summer

Imani Evans wowed in a plunging cut out burgundy minidress as she hit the red carpet

It comes after Georgia took to social media earlier this month to announce she and Jack had welcomed their first child

Her second hack was to place puppy training pads in areas where her baby spends a lot of time.

In the clip, she explained: 'We have [puppy pads] everywhere. I put them underneath the sheet in the bassinet in case she does a wee so it doesn't ruin the mattress.

'I have them on top of my changing table and next to it, and I also always have one in my baby bag so I can put it on top of the changing mat that I'm using.'

But unimpressed TikTok users quickly took to the comments to tell Georgia she shouldn't be using the pads.

They wrote: 'Puppy pads contain chemicals which can damage skin. Better getting pads designed for children. As a district nurse we always advise against using puppy pads;

'Babies don't use puppy pads ??? Use ones for kids puppy pads have something in them to make a dog go to the loo there. I would say they are toxic;

'Was always told not to use puppy pads because of irritation but the baby ones are hypoallergenic;

'You should read the ingredients list in puppy pads they are not good for human skin. I work in care. I have seen what they can do. You can buy human incontinence sheets that have better ingredients and are less abrasive on the skin when they come into contact with moisture'.

Georgia took to the comments and defended herself, writing: 'Guys it's all good I'm a new mum so I'm still learning too.

'I don't claim to be an expert and I can take advice well. I'll grab the baby ones from Lidl later for contact use - I was suggested these one by someone else.'
Married At First Sight star Ella Ding and her husband Guy Palermo have welcomed their first child, a baby girl.

The former reality TV star, 31, posted a precious gallery of baby photos to social media on Thursday night as she confirmed the exciting news.

One photo captured her newborn resting peacefully in her crib and another showed Ella's husband Guy tenderly cradling his baby daughter.

Ella captioned the gallery with some heartfelt words, revealing her newborn's adorable name.

'Pia May Palermo... say hi to everyone. She entered earth-side 18.11.25 and wow I'm obsessed with this. I can't believe we made this,' Ella wrote.

Ella's celebrity friends quickly took to the comments section to offer their well wishes.

Married At First Sight star Ella Ding and her husband Guy Palermo have welcomed their first child, a baby girl

The former reality TV star posted a precious gallery of baby photos to social media on Thursday as she confirmed the exciting news

'Omg congratulations on the arrival of your beautiful baby girl,' gushed fellow MAFS veteran Jamie Marinos.

'Congrats darling x' Rebecca Judd added.

'So cute!' reality star Jeff Gobbels chimed in and Amber Petty shared a love heart emoji.

In May, Ella confirmed on social media she was pregnant with her first child.

In a series of photos, Ella posed alongside her husband Guy, who she married last year, while displaying her small baby bump and a positive Clearblue pregnancy test.

Another snap showed several Polaroids of her showing off her bump, plus a selfie with Guy and a sonogram image of their baby on the way.

'Somewhere between healing and hustling, the next chapter quietly chose us,' she captioned her post.

'Baby Palermo you've already made our story sweeter & given us the best news of 2025 yet.'

Ella captioned the gallery with some heartfelt words, as she revealed her newborn's adorable name

Ella and Guy shocked fans when they said 'I do' in a surprise wedding ceremony back in April 2024.

They took to Instagram to confirm they had exchanged vows, just weeks after announcing their engagement.

She announced they had wed in a secret ceremony ahead of their reception at The Prahran Arcade's Sophia venue in Melbourne.

After keeping their nuptials secret, the newlyweds then surprised their friends with their marriage news at Ella's 30th Great Gatsby-themed birthday party that evening.

Revealing the big surprise publicly, Ella and her friends shared an array of photographs from the special day to their respective Instagram pages.

Ella, who rose to fame on season nine of the hit series, gave an insight into her and Guy's romantic wedding vows as they were shown gushing over their love for one another in a tear-jerking video.

Ella declared to him: 'I believe every experience we've been through in life has prepared us to be ready for each other now. Thank you for choosing me and what I come with, quirks and all. Can't wait to do the rest of my life with you.'

Their surprise wedding came just weeks after they confirmed their engagement in February, with Guy popping the question on their morning run.

The couple first confirmed their romance in April 2023 and they later moved in together.

Before meeting Guy, Ella had a fling with British Made in Chelsea star Miles Nazaire after her romance with Mitch Eynaud ended.

Ella and Mitch, who met on MAFS, announced their shock split shortly after the reunion episode aired in January 2022.
Samantha Armytage brought some old-school game to the annual Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards in Sydney on Thursday night.

The Golden Bachelor host, 49, stunned in a stylish monochromatic ensemble featuring a cropped white jacket which showcased her toned stomach.

She paired it with stylish black pants and matching heels, while her blonde hair was styled perfectly straight around her shoulders.

The veteran presenter accessorised with several chunky rings and a pair of elegant gold earrings which peeked through her locks.

Sam looked almost half her age with a very glamorous makeup look, adding a lick of red nail-polish to her attire, visible through silver peep-toe heels.

The Nine star arrived alongside several other Aussie celebrities at Dawes Point for the annual awards ceremony.

Samantha Armytage, 49, brought some old-school game to the annual Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards in Sydney on Thursday night

The Golden Bachelor host stunned in a stylish monochromatic ensemble featuring a cropped white jacket which showcased her toned stomach

The Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards are intended to acknowledge and celebrate 'game-changing' women across Australia.

The ceremony recognises Australians 'who have led with bravery, fought with passion, and inspired with creativity.

Sam's appearance at the event comes just a few weeks after the TV star was announced to be making an explosive return to breakfast TV.

Channel Nine revealed earlier this month the former Sunrise host will join the Today show, filling in for Sarah Abo over the Christmas break.

The Golden Bachelor star will share the highly coveted gig with Nova radio host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, while Karl Stefanovic enjoys a welldeserved break.

Rumours had swirled for some time that Sam was set to replace Sarah on the Today show in the New Year.

The TV veteran appeared on 2GB with Ben Fordham in October, where she was asked about the growing speculation that she would be returning to breakfast TV.

'Ben, you know how this game worksthese stories get planted, leaked,' she began, revealing she had bumped into Sarah and comforted her in the wake of the headlines.

She paired it with stylish black pants and matching heels, while her blonde hair was styled perfectly straight around her shoulders

The veteran presenter accessorised with several chunky rings and a pair of elegant gold earrings which peeked through her locks

Sam looked almost half her age with a very glamorous makeup look, adding a lick of red nail-polish to her attire, visible through silver peep-toe heels

'Sarah's wonderful... I saw her at Upfrontsat Nine Upfrontsthe other night.

'We gave each other a hug and I said, "Are you okay?"

'She's good. Sarah and Karl are fantastic,' Sam added of the current Today line-up.

She then stood her ground, revealing The Golden Bachelor was where her head is right now.

'You know how it goes. People talk. But I am very happy in prime time. Golden Bachelor is where it's at for me so I'm quite content with my little lot in life,' she asserted.
Kim Kardashian revealed doctors were terrified that a brain aneurysm discovered during a recent scan could 'rupture'  and warned her that her nonstop lifestyle might be pushing her body to the edge.

The 45-year-old mogul, actress, law student and single mother of four first shared the health scare during last months Season 7 premiere of The Kardashians.

While speaking to sister Kourtney, 46, Kim announced that doctors had found a little aneurysm on her brain scan  news that left fans stunned.

She said medical experts believed the bulge had been brought on by stress.

After her MRI, cameras showed Kim in tears as she spoke on the phone and asked: Why the f**k is this happening?

On Thursdays episode, Kim revealed the situation was worse than she first understood.

Kim Kardashian revealed doctors were terrified that a brain aneurysm discovered during a recent scan could 'rupture'  and warned her that her nonstop lifestyle might be pushing her body to the edge

The 45-year-old mogul, actress, law student and single mother of four first shared the health scare during last months Season 7 premiere of The Kardashians

She told Kourtney she had spoken with a brain surgeon, only to learn that the aneurysm could rupture under severe stress  something she faced constantly.

An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel that can explode without warning.

He was like, I want you to come in for all this imaging, Kim said. I asked, Can I wait? What makes it rupture? Theyre like, Just stress.

The answer rattled her.

Kim was already overwhelmed with responsibilities  studying for the bar, filming Alls Fair, managing several businesses and caring for her four kids.

Im like, OK, Im taking the bar exam. Im studying 10 hours a day, she said.

She added that her stress level had become next level to the point of hives now.

I have four kids that depend on me. I have to be sane, she said. It's stressful out there, but this aneurysm can't be stressed.

She told Kourtney she had spoken with a brain surgeon, only to learn that the aneurysm could rupture under severe stress  something she faced constantly

Kim said doctors told her the aneurysm had likely been there for years, which only heightened her anxiety.

Most aneurysms never rupture, and many cause no symptoms.

But the Mayo Clinic states that high blood pressure is the leading cause of rupture. If one bursts, immediate surgery is required to seal the vessel and stop the bleeding.

Kourtney made it clear she feared Kim was pushing herself too far.

Im definitely worried about Kim, she said in her confessional. She has so much going on between work and her four kids that I don't want her to have an aneurysm.

Kourtney also questioned why Kim was adding a full legal career to her already packed life.

Im not shaming or judging, she told her sister. But isn't there a time to do it later once your kids are more grown and they don't need you as much?

Kim later gave a public update on her health during Good Morning America.

He was like, I want you to come in for all this imaging, Kim said. I asked, Can I wait? What makes it rupture? Theyre like, Just stress"'

Kim was already overwhelmed with responsibilities  studying for the bar, filming Alls Fair, managing several businesses and caring for her four kids - North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6, whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West.

She revealed she had gone through multiple rounds of advanced scanning after the aneurysm was first detected.

I did go and get a Prenuvo scan. And I had to end up going and getting tons of other brain scans at Cedars[-Sinai] with all the team, she told host Robin Roberts.

She encouraged fans to watch the upcoming episodes but promised: Everything works out.

It's just a good measure to go, she added. Make sure that you always check everything. Health is wealth, and you just have to be careful with everything that you do.'

Kim has been open about her medical struggles for years.

She has long dealt with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, conditions that flare under stress.

In 2022, she said the 16-pound weight loss she underwent to fit into Marilyn Monroes iconic gown for the Met Gala triggered a severe psoriasis flare that developed into psoriatic arthritis.

Her pregnancies were also risky.

In 2015, she revealed she had suffered from placenta accreta, a dangerous condition in which the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall.

It can cause heavy bleeding and often requires emergency treatment after delivery.

Those experiences have made Kims recent diagnosis all the more sobering for fans, many of whom flooded social media with messages urging her to slow down.

But the star has continued her packed schedule  filming, studying and raising four children: North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6, whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West.

While Kim insisted she has everything under control, even her own family worried that her ambitions might be pushing her health into dangerous territory.

And with doctors warning that just stress could cause her aneurysm to rupture, the stakes have never been higher.

Meanwhile, Kim spoke about the 'final straw' in her split from West while on Call Her Daddy.

'I didn't like the feeling of someone talking bad about my kids, grandmother, aunts,' she said. 'If someone feels that way, then we shouldn't be together.'

Kim didn't feel 'safe emotionally and financially' with West, which left her with a 'really unsettling feeling.'
Bobby Brazier has shared a glimpse at his spiritual journey after ditching the world of showbiz to pursue a new life in India.

The EastEnders star, 22, has spent the summer immersing himself in the Hare Krishna religion after leaving the BBC soap earlier this year, having turned to the faith after a period of strained relations with his father Jeff and brother Freddy.

While Bobby seems to have patched things up with his father, he has taken to Instagram to show the positive impact his pilgrimage has had on him, posting a video of himself and hundreds of worshippers performing a traditional dance.

In the clip, Bobby was joined by monks Indradyumna Swami and Sacinandana Swami for the uplifting group dance.

Reflecting on his spiritual journey so far, Bobby admitted that while it has been 'amazing' to discover more about Hare Krishna, he hasn't quit the showbiz world entirely, and hopes to return to acting in the future.

And while the star previously impressed viewers with his skills on Strictly Come Dancing, his dad Jeff was quick to poke fun at his moves with a cheeky comment.

Bobby Brazier has shared a glimpse at his spiritual journey after ditching the world of showbiz to pursue a new life in India

The EastEnders star has spent the summer immersing himself in the Hare Krishna religion after leaving the BBC soap earlier this year

He captioned the post: 'Watching these videos back and still after all I've experienced so far in the world, I'm thinking surely it doesn't get any better than this surely?! @indradyumnaswami has been chanting for over 50 years and says that it just gets better.

'This is the pleasure that the soul is running after. To chant and dance in the association of devotees like @sacinandanaswamiofficial who have such a deep, loving devotion toward the Lord, who is non-different from his name, is an experience that the material world just doesn't offer.

'I have no real devotion but by the mercy of the holy name and those great souls who do, I get to experience a little taste of their love of God and pray that this impression won't leave me. Man it's so amazing.

'Don't worry back on the telly soon if anyone gives me a job.'

Bobby's dad Jeff shared a humorous comment in response to his son's moves, writing: 'I used to dance like that to garage.'

The Daily Mail previously revealed that Bobby turned to the organisation  which follows a branch of the Hindu faith  after relations became strained between him, his brother Freddy and their father Jeff.

And since the family put their feud to bed, Bobby is planning to make the move soon after he leaves the BBC soap later this year.

A source told The Sun: 'Bobby is really excited and happy about his move to India. He's been telling everyone about it and preaching to them about why he is devoted to Hare Krishna.

Bobby took to Instagram to show the positive impact his pilgrimage has had on him, posting a video of himself and hundreds of worshippers performing a traditional dance

Reflecting on his spiritual journey so far, Bobby admitted that it has been 'amazing' to discover more about Hare Krishna, while his dad Jeff poked fun at his moves

The Daily Mail previously revealed that Bobby turned to the organisation after relations became strained between him, his brother Freddy and their father Jeff (pictured)

'He's such a nice young man, his heart is in the right place, but some people are surprised that he's walking away from his career at a time when he's on such a high with it.

'He says he expects to be over there for a long while, at least a year, so maybe he will pick up on his career eventually when he's back.'

Bobby shared his love for the religion on Instagram with a slew of posts, writing: 'Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is so good my heart'.

Sources previously shared that for a time relations between Jeff and his son became so difficult, that Bobby moved out of his dad's Essex home into his own Soho apartment, which is near to the Hare Krishna temple.

A source close to the family said: 'Bobby's always had a spiritual side, but this is intentional. It's clear he's trying to leave all the fighting and noise behind.

'Freddy's rebellion is loud  drugs, public slanging matches and legal battles about his nana  while Bobby's is quiet. But actually it's just as defiant.

'He's turning his back on the life his Dad created for them in Essex and following his own path.'

While living in Soho, Bobby immersed himself in the movement at the Hare Krishna HQ.

There he has been immersing himself in daily spiritual rituals, chanting mantras, preparing communal meals and enjoying the religion's peaceful outlook.

And those close to him insisted his Hare Krishna practice is no fad, with one volunteer saying: 'He's here every Saturday without fail, he joins our kitchen session, learns the prayers  this isn't a gimmick.'

Last August, Bobby was snapped chatting to fellow devotees at the temple's vegan restaurant, and offering a prayer to purify and bless his food before eating.

Bobby shared his love for the religion on Instagram with a slew of posts, writing: 'Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is so good my heart'

Over the past year, he has also been spotted dancing and chanting with other Hare Krishna devotees in the capital, with videos of the actor laughing and dancing along being circulated on social media.

Previously opening up on how Hare Krishna had changed his outlook on life, Bobby explained how he had spent a lot of time searching for 'bliss and love and knowledge and peace and contentment'.

He told his fans that he had found these things through his relationship with God, and credited other worshippers that he'd met who had helped on his journey to 'recognise what makes me feel truly happy'.

In the candid video shared to his Instagram in August 2023, Bobby said: 'I had to make a video because I had an experience earlier.

'I was in the temple and when I went in and when I went out the same person was standing outside. And they said, "Wow, you look so much happier now you've come out from when you went in." And it was so true.

'But it's just made me start thinking. If you've been following me for a while or if you've known me for a while, you'll know that I've been searching through many different phases for the same thing that we're all searching for, that we're all hankering after: bliss and love and knowledge and peace and contentment.

'And the place in which I found what I'm looking for is in my relationship with God.'

He went on to stress that he wasn't perfect and still 'falls into sin a lot', but that he was trying to be more devoted.

He continued: 'And I don't want to give the impression that I'm some great devotee or some great man of God who is devoted in every aspect of his life. Because I am a fool and a sinner, but I'm trying my best not to be.

'I fall under the spells of illusion and I fall into sin a lot. But I'm intelligent enough to recognise what makes me feel truly happy and what actually ends up making me feel miserable disguised as happy.

'I've had the blessing of meeting some incredible devotees who have really taken me under the wing and been really merciful upon me. And they are just the most beautiful, happy, content, smart, intelligent people.'

He concluded: 'What I feel like I'm saying is that I know where happiness is and I know where happiness is not.

'And my relationship with God is absolutely everything that I'm looking for and always have been looking for and always will be looking for. That's where it lies and nowhere else.'

Bobby famously had a tragic start in life when his mother Jade Goody died of cervical cancer in 2009, when he was just five, and his brother Freddy was four.

Their father Jeff requested privacy for the boys while they grew up in Essex, before later spending time in Brighton, where they attended private school.

However, Bobby struggled to settle in and was eventually suspended, before his model looks were noticed by a casting agent by chance.

Reflecting on his unhappy schooldays, Bobby said: 'At private school, everyone comes from the same generationally rich families, but my parents didn't.

'I've got insight from both ends of the spectrum, so I felt like I was a bit of a black sheep.'

In 2023, Bobby went on to reach new levels of fame after he appeared on the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Dianne Buswell.

He won scores of praise and fan support, particularly for his moving routine in memory of late mother Jade, and eventually finished runner-up to Ellie Leach.

And a source close to him at the time claimed that Bobby attributes his success on the dancing competition to his devotion to Hare Krishna.

They told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: 'Bobby's belief in Hare Krishna has been the secret to his success while on the show, as it helps him remain calm, grounded and focused.

'Although his image as the snake-hipped pin-up of this year's series is in contrast to the look that we usually associate with devotees.

'But Bobby is just one of a long line of artists who have turned to Hare Krishna for their inspiration.'
Leonardo DiCaprio looked handsome in a brown plaid suit as he attended an in-conversation at BFI Southbank to promote One Battle After Another on Wednesday.

The Wolf Of Wall Street actor, 51, layered his tailored blazer over a matching brown shirt and matching trousers.

He completed his premiere ensemble with a pair of shiny, black leather dress shoes.

The film is an action-thriller based loosely on Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland, has been greeted with five-star reviews across the board and even deemed 'the defining film of a generation'.

And joining him on stage was his co-star, Paul Thomas Anderson and moderator Edith Bowman.

During the conversation, Leonardo said: 'One of the fundamentally great things about Paul is he puts a tremendous amount of thought into what he does and I feel like he kind of stews over ideas, and obviously that later manifests itself on screen.

Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, looked classically handsome in a brown plaid suit as he attended an in-conversation at BFI Southbank to promote One Battle After Another on Wednesday

The Wolf Of Wall Street actor layered his tailored blazer over a matching brown shirt and matching trousers

'But I remember [first] having a conversation with him years ago. He kind of casually came up to visit me and my friend [actor] Lukas [Haas], at my place and we were just kind of talking.

'It wasn't particularly about a project, but I could tell he was tuning his fork. There was a reference to maybe working together sometime in the distant future, like this ominous cloud, and I said to my friend Lukas, 'Do you think we're talking about a project? I have no idea.'

'And then, conversations started to build, Paul notoriously lives in Tarzana, which, if you dont know, is kind of a section of Los Angeles that is within and without  its far away from Los Angeles, but its driving distance.

'So I went to visit him there, and I remember this strange restaurant that felt almost out of The Shining.

'Like, there were no customers, but a fully working staff, and the food was pretty decent. It seemed like it was kind of from the 70s.

'And there was another conversation there, then it kind of melded its way into workshops, and then, finally, you hear that theres a script.'

One Battle After Another sees Leo playing Bob Ferguson, a dishevelled and distraught revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia off-grid with his daughter Willa, whom he shares with Teyana Taylor's character Perfidia.

The film follows Bob as he reconnects with a group of allies on a mission to track down his daughter, with Benicio Del Toro playing his sensei, guiding him through a life without fear.

He completed his premiere ensemble with a pair of shiny, black leather dress shoes (pictured with Paul Thomas Anderson)

The film is based loosely on Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland, has been greeted with five-star reviews across the board and even deemed 'the defining film of a generation'

And joining him on stage was his co-star, Paul Thomas Anderson (middle) and moderator Edith Bowman (right)

The high-stakes thriller and black comedy also stars Sean Penn as Bob's evil nemesis, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, and Regina Hall as revolutionary Deandra.

Winning praise from the top in the film reviews, Steven Spielberg gushed: 'What an insane movie, oh my God. There is more action in the first hour of this than every other film you've ever directed put together. Everything it is really incredible...

'This is such a concoction of things that are so bizarre and at the same time so relevant, that I think have become increasingly more relevant than perhaps even when you finished the screenplay and assembled your cast and crew and began production.'

In a five-star rating from The Daily Mail, Brian Viner writes: 'DiCaprio's is not even the most eye-catching performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's irresistibly funny, thunderously exhilarating film.

'Sean Penn pinches every scene he's in as an unhinged army officer, driven first by lust and later by loathing, whose downfall, when it comes, is one of the most startling things you will see in the cinema this year.

'Anderson has already made one of the best pictures of the 21st century, in 2007's There Will be Blood. This one, loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, is comparably fine.'

He added: 'He knows he's made something special, indeed the next time we hear him might be when he holds aloft an Academy Award.'

The film follows Bob as he reconnects with a group of allies on a mission to track down his daughter, with Benicio Del Toro playing his sensei, guiding him through a life without fear

With yet another five-star rating, The Telegraph's Robbie Collin writes: 'We're used to Anderson, the director of There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread, coming back with a surprise up his sleeve...

'But even so, it's hard to overstate just how electrifyingly improbable his latest picture is: a sprawling Dr Strangelove-style satire which pits Antifa types. There's something deeply 1970s Hollywood, too, about the level of confidence he has in his audience.

'For more than two-and-a-half hours, he trusts us to cling on all the way up to the climactic pursuit, set on a bumpy stretch of desert road, with shots to make your stomach levitate...

'It's a roller-coaster ending to a film that has you disembarking shaky and elated, and ready to stagger right back into the queue.'
Her father is one of the new stars on season two of the popular Texas oil series Landman, which is headlined by Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore.

And this Hollywood stalwart was on the hit series 1883, a Yellowstone prequel, with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

He has been working since a young age appearing in films such as The Legacy, Tombstone and Road House so he is known to many generations.

Mom is also a famous Hollywood actress. She was a 1960s pinup who had a top role in 1967's The Graduate opposite Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.

The brunette beauty also worked with Robert Redford and Paul Newman on Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid.

All three recently had a family reunion in Texas where dad has been working on Landman.

Who is this blonde beauty?

Her father is on Landman and was on 1883, a Yellowstone prequel. Mom starred in The Graduate. Who is this blonde beauty?

Here she is seen in a pink bikini that used to be worn by her mother

She is 41-year-old Cleo Rose Elliott.

Elliott was born on September 17, 1984 in California. She is an actress, known for the movie Murder For Dummies (2020).

Her parents are Hollywood legends: dad is Sam Elliott, 81, and mom is Katharine Ross, 85.

Recently, Cleo shared a picture to Instagram where she was with both her parents in Texas in a show of unity after claims made by Ross in 2022 that Cleo attacked her with scissors, forcing her to get a restraining order.

All seems to be civil now with the family after that hiccup.

Ross, a California native, made her TV debut in the early 60s before landing her career-defining role in 1967 film The Graduate, where she played Elaine Robinson, the conflicted daughter of the infamous Mrs. Robinson.

Two years later she cemented het status as a screen icon as schoolteacher Etta Place, the only significant female character in 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

It was in that movie - now regarded as one of the greatest American films - that she and co-star Paul Newman, who played Butch Cassidy, famously rode on a bicycle together in an iconic scene.

Just a few years later, Ross would land a role in supernatural horror film, The Legacy, where Elliott would play her on-screen boyfriend.

The two would tie the knot six years later in 1984, and marked their 40th anniversary in May 2024.

Prior to marrying Elliott, Ross had endured a series of short-lived marriages to four different men.

She is Cleo Rose Elliott. Her parents are Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross who tied the knot in 1984 after falling in love on the set of the 1978 film The Legacy

Ross played Elaine Robinson, the conflicted daughter of the infamous Mrs Robinson in 1967 romantic comedy-drama The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman

Ross was cast as the only significant female character in 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where she and co-star Paul Newman famously rode on a bicycle together in an iconic scene

Patrick Swayze, Kelly Lynch and Elliott in Road House in 1989

Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris and Elliott as T.L. in Landman season two

But her marriage to her fifth husband remarkably has withstood the test of time - and Hollywood - and appears as strong as ever today.

The couple has been based in Los Angeles ever since and have one daughter, Cleo, now 40.

And while his wife gracefully left the limelight about six years ago, Elliott remains active in Hollywood, even earning an Oscar nomination in 2019 for his role in A Star Is Born.

Elliott gained recognition following his breakthrough role in 1976 drama Lifeguard and then as a character actor, but saw a career resurgence back in 2015 after appearing as a regular in Netflix series The Ranch.

More recently he starred as grizzled cowboy Shea Brennan in 1883, the prequel to hit Paramount+ show Yellowstone.

And now he plays Tommy Norris' father on Landman.
Liam Gallagher and Shaun Ryder have led tributes to The Stone Roses bassist Gary 'Mani' Mounfield after his death at the age of 63.

Mani's brother Greg announced his unexpected news on Facebook on Thursday, writing: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP'.

He added in the comment section: 'Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda'.

Mani is understood to have died at home after collapsing. Family sources say that an ambulance was called but he couldn't be revived.

Oasis star Liam, who was a close friend of Mani's, took to X and wrote: 'In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani my hero. RIP.'

Happy Mondays star Shaun shared a photo of the pair together and wrote: 'RIP Mani - my heartfelt condolensces to his twin boys and all of his family.'

Mani's bandmate, and Stone Roses lead singer, Ian Brown wrote: 'REST IN PEACE MANi X.'

Heartbroken fans of Stone Roses bassist Gary 'Mani' Mounfield have paid tribute to the star after his death at the age of 63

Liam and Mani were close friends and the Oasis star said he was 'devastated' by his passing (pictured together at Ricky Hatton's funeral in September)

Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Rowetta both paid tribute to Mani

Shaun's Happy Mondays bandmate Rowetta also paid tribute to the Fool's Gold hitmaker, who was also known for his work with Primal Scream.

She wrote on X: 'Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.'

Elsewhere Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews wrote: 'So sad to learn of the passing of Gary "Mani" Mounfield. He was a true gentleman, and a wonderful musician. A massive legend!'

Kasabian also shared a tribute on their official band account, writing: 'Sad and shocked to hear the news.

'RIP Mani. Beautiful man, Manchester Icon, a huge talent with huge heart and one of our first industry supporters as a band. You will be missed massively X'

Rock band Echo & the Bunnymen said: 'I'm absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother. I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me Im just having a bad, bad dream. My thoughts and feelings and Manilove to all of his family from me Mac Bunnyman Xxx .'

'RIP Mani. X ,' said Oasis co-founder and guitarist Paul Arthurs.

Joy Division bassist and founder Peter Hook meanwhile said: 'Oh God. Mani words just fail me this time, they really do. I cannot believe it. Sending all my love to his family. This is so sad. RIP mate. Love Hooky. X'

He is understood to have died at home after collapsing. Family sources say that an ambulance was called but he couldn't be revived

His brother Greg announced on Facebook : 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP'

Oasis star Liam, who was a close friend of Mani's, took to X and wrote: 'In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani my hero. RIP'

Happy Mondays star Shaun shared a photo of the pair together and wrote: 'RIP Mani - my heartfelt condolensces to his twin boys and all of his family'

Mani's bandmate, and Stone Roses lead singer, Ian Brown wrote: 'REST IN PEACE MANi X'

Shaun's bandmate Rowetta paid tribute to the Fool's Gold hitmaker, who was also known for his work with Primal Scream

Elsewhere Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews wrote: 'So sad to learn of the passing of Gary "Mani" Mounfield. He was a true gentleman, and a wonderful musician. A massive legend!'

Kasabian also shared a tribute on their official band account, writing: 'Sad and shocked to hear the news

Rock band Echo & the Bunnymen said: 'I'm absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother'

'RIP Mani. X ,' said Oasis co-founder and guitarist Paul Arthurs

Joy Division bassist and founder Peter Hook meanwhile said: 'Oh God. Mani words just fail me this time, they really do'

Meanwhile, Fans of the bassist quickly flooded social media, with some saying they felt 'hollow' after learning the beloved rocker had passed away.

ART for MCR, an organisation raising money for Manchester charities through musical events, noted the city's beat 'won't ever be the same'.

Sharing an image of the musician, they wrote: 'Unreal this. Absolutely numbed us. We're gutted to hear of the passing of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield  a true giant of this city and a massive influence on anyone who's ever picked up a guitar or stepped on a stage round here.

'Honestly, The groove, the attitude, the spirit he shaped so much of the music that shaped us.

'This one really hurts. Everyone proper proper loved him. I remember crying my eyes out watching them at the Heaton Park gigs.

'All our love goes out to the Mounfield family, the Roses community, and everyone feeling this loss today. Rest easy Mani. Manchester's beat won't ever be the same.'

Others wrote: 'Unfortunately with sad news my uncle Gary Mani Mounfield from the stone roses has sadly passed away today. Thinking of his twins and my uncle Greg at this sad time. He will be reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda. RIP Manni. Your annoying nephew.'

'RIP Mani My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.'

'Proper gutted to hear the sad news of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield passing. One of the nicest fella's in music you could meet, was great crack when he came up here DJ'ing several times. RIP.'

Fans of the bassist quickly flooded social media, with some saying they felt 'hollow' after learning the beloved rocker had passed away

'RIP to a true legend of the Manchester music scene, Gary Mani Mounfield.'

'Really sad news about Mani. I met him a couple of times and he was really sound, a proper lad. Me and the Mrs saw the Stone Roses at Heaton park in 2012 and it was a great night. RIP.'

'A true legend helping create some of the most iconic tunes about today, absolutely gutted.'

Mani shared his final social media post on November 13, advertising The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and Me: An Intimate Evening with Gary 'Mani Moundifled'.

The planned tour was to kick off on September 16 2026 and take in dates all over Britain.

Alongside the post, Gary wrote: 'I think I'm embarking on what could be my final road trip.. Getting too old now. Anyway, theres a lot to go at. Anybody wanting to hear slaggings off of bandmates  or titbits of dirt, conjecture & gossip. Im not that guy I will be giving my skewed vision of my own life, I never did, and would never rat on my compadres hope you come out and say hello!'

It comes just two years after his wife Imelda Mounfield died from bowel cancer, three years after she was diagnosed. The couple had twin sons together, Gene Clarke and George Christopher, 12.

Only six days ago, Mani announced an intimate conversation tour on the band's website.

Mani shared his final social media post on November 13, advertising The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and Me: An Intimate Evening with Gary 'Mani Moundifled'

It comes just two years after his wife Imelda Mounfield died from cancer (pictured in 2013)

Reni, Mani, Ian Brown and John Squire, members of The Stone Roses posed in a London studio in July 1990

He was due to recount his experiences at various venues across the UK between September 2026 and June 2027, looking back on moments such as the iconic 1990 Spike Ilsnad gig, as well as the Stone Roses' comeback stadium tour.

It said of Mani's project: 'He'll remember 'Fools Gold', Wembley Stadium, Ally Pally, court cases, bucket hats, Adidas, 'Screamadelica', and the 'Second Coming'. It's What The World Is Waiting For.'

Alongside her husband, Imelda raised funds for charity by organising auctions of items from David Beckham and Oasis.

She told the BBC: 'I just don't want to be sat thinking about cancer and illness all the time, because it is all-consuming.

'And this was just a way to balance that out - to give myself something else to think about but something positive.'

'Sometimes I have bad days and demon days and I'll have side effects. And other times people haven't got a clue that I'm ill because I try and carry on as best as I can.'

Mani, from Crumpsall in Manchester, rose to fame after joining The Stone Roses in the 1980s.

Playing on both of the band's albums, Mounfield was in the Stone Roses until they disbanded in 1996, later joining Primal Scream. In 2011, he announced that he had left Primal Scream to reform the Stone Roses.
One of country music's most successful and revered songwriters has died.

Walt Aldridge passed away following a long battle with an unspecified illness on Wednesday at age 70.

Just one year before his death, Aldridge appeared at the Academy of Country Music Awards to receive the ACM Poet's Award for his contributions to country music.

During his career, Aldridge racked up more than 20 gold and platinum records, including Ronnie Milsap's 1981 smash hit '(There's) No Gettin' Over Me'.

He wrote or produced a string of other hits for Milsap too, like 'Smoky Mountain Rain' and 'I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World'.

His death was announced by his longtime publishing company, Alabama's FAME Recording Studios.

Country music songwriter Walt Aldridge passed away following a long battle with an unspecified illness on Wednesday at age 70

'We are deeply saddened to say that our dear friend and colleague Walt Aldridge has passed away,' they wrote in a statement on Facebook.

'We cannot possibly put into words how much Walt meant to the the FAME family! There was a time in the 80's when Walt's songwriting along with Robert Byrne, Tommy Brasfield and Mac McAnally carried the most of the weight of the Muscle Shoals Music industry through a difficult time in our history.'

Aldridge was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 and into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

During his career, he worked on songs for Billy Ray Cyrus, Lou Reed, Clarence Carter, Marie Osmond and many more.

Tributes have poured in for Aldridge since his death, with many in the songwriting community taking to social media to express their admiration for the musician.

'Walt Aldridge a legend, the GOAT, teacher, mentor, producer, songwriter's songwriter and the King of Muscle Shoals in that regard,' wrote songwriter Gary Nichols.

'I'm thankful for the writes, the wisdom and the stages he allowed me to share with you. Rest easy sir, you've earned it.'

During his career, Aldridge racked up more than 20 gold and platinum records, including Ronnie Milsap's 1981 smash hit '(There's) No Gettin' Over Me'

Alabama native Aldridge is survived by his wife Stephanie and his daughters Rachael and Hannah, as well as nine grandchildren.

Rachael shared an emotional tribute to Walt on Instagram, writing, 'My dads fight came to an end yesterday.

'He pushed through so many years of sickness and pain  always getting back up, always trying again. Im grateful hes finally at peace and no longer hurting.'

She continued, 'Growing up, my dad gave me a front-row seat to the music business. There were so many things I experienced then that I only learned to truly appreciate later in life.

'Dad also frequently made mixtapes for me, filled with great songs from every genre, and I played them on repeat. All of those moments, plus many more, helped shape my own love for music  and that love has stayed with me through every stage of my life.'

She added, 'Dad and I didnt always see eye-to-eye on everything, but we did share the same dry sense of humor, a strong work ethic, and a way of seeing the world honestly, without pretending everything was perfect.

'This grief is layered  full of memories, complexities, and the quiet ache of whats now gone. But through it all, Ill hold onto the parts of him that shaped me. And I will miss him a lot.'

The Alabama native is survived by his wife Stephanie (pictured) and his daughters Rachael and Hannah

In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Aldridge reflected on penning Milsap's '(Theres) No Gettin Over Me', which was not only his first hit, but also his biggest.

'It became probably the biggest chart-topper that I ever had, my first country single, and because it was back in the days of crossover, it went top 5 on the pop chart,' he said.

'So by the time it was at its peak, it kind of became a game to me. Wed get in the car and Id press the scan button and see if I could go all the way across the radio dial without hearing the song on some format,' he continued.

'When it was at its peak, it was hard to do because it was playing on so many different formats. That became my entree into Nashville and the country music business.'
Nicky Hilton, her daughters, and her mother, Kathy, all donned matching Burberry looks as they attended Bloomingdale's holiday window unveiling with partner Burberry at the department store's New York City flagship on Wednesday.

The American socialite, 42, looked effortlessly chic in a classic beige Burberry trench coat as she posed with her daughters, Theodora, 7, and Lily-Grace, 9, alongside her mother, 66, at the festive event.

Nicky's daughters looked adorable in coordinating Burberry dresses and mini trench coats, mirroring their mother's chic ensemble as they joined her on the front row, eagerly awaiting the unveiling.

The fashion designer completed her outfit with black tights, leather boots, and a mini Burberry handbag.

Nicky's stylish Burberry trench and mini check bowling bag retails in total for 3,200.

She appeared in high spirits as she spent some quality time with her daughters and mother.

Nicky Hilton, her daughters, and her mother, Kathy, all donned matching Burberry looks as they attended Bloomingdale's holiday window unveiling with partner Burberry in NYC on Wednesday

The American socialite, 42, looked effortlessly chic in a classic beige Burberry trench coat as she posed with her daughters, Theodora, 7, and Lily-Grace, 9, alongside her mother, 66, at the festive event (Olivier Bron, Kathy, Joshua Schulman, and Nicky and her daughters pictured)

Meanwhile, her mother, Kathy, wrapped a classic Burberry check scarf around her shoulders to keep warm from the chilly evening air.

She paired the look with a berry-red dress and black fishnet tights, finishing off her ensemble with a timeless Chanel flap bag, which retails from 8,510.

Nicky shares three children, Lily-Grace, Theodora, and Chasen, with her husband, James Rothschild, 40.

Nicky and James tied the knot in July 2015 at The Orangery at Kensington Palace in London.

The couple, who had been dating since 2011, became engaged in August 2014.

The heiress, who had been in a relationship with the banker since meeting at Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt's Italy wedding, was 'incredibly happy' after he popped the question in Lake Como.

A source close to the couple told UsMagazine.com at the time: 'They went on a romantic anniversary trip over the weekend.

'He took her out on a boat into the middle of Lake Como, and he proposed, got down on one knee and everything. It was incredibly romantic and beautiful.'

Nicky's daughters looked adorable in coordinating Burberry dresses and mini trench coats, mirroring their mother's chic ensemble as they joined her on the front row, eagerly awaiting the unveiling

The fashion designer completed her outfit with black tights, leather boots, and a mini Burberry handbag

Nicky appeared in high spirits as she spent some quality time with her daughters at the festive event

Nicky shares three children, Lily-Grace, Theodora, and Chasen, with her husband, James Rothschild, 40 (both pictured in July)

The insider added: 'They are both really excited and incredibly happy. They are going on a road trip now throughout Europe and celebrating.'



Nicky - who is Paris Hilton's younger sister - has been married once before.

In 2004, she wed childhood friend Todd Andrew Meister at the Las Vegas Wedding Chapel.
Lindsay Lohans rarely seen younger brother Dakota has sparked concerned after sharing a cryptic post about his 'bad habits.'

The 29-year-old actor opened up on Instagram Wednesday, reflecting on personal growth, accountability, and the importance of taking 'baby steps'.

Day by day Im understanding as well as accepting myself more so for the good, bad and indifferent.,' he wrote. 'I would tend to not take accountability for my behaviors and make excuses to justify my own ignorance and bad habits, that ship has sailed.'

He concluded: 'Baby steps are a beautiful thing, no need to rush the beauty of the journey. Baby rant complete. #smile #bekind #love.'

He shared a series of intimate family photos, including rare snaps with Lindsay, her husband Bader Shammas, and throwbacks showing the Lohan siblingsincluding brother Michael Jr. and sister Alianaas children.

Another photo showed their mother, Dina, but their father Michael - who split from her in 2007 - was noticeably absent from the carousel.

Lindsay Lohan s rarely seen younger brother Dakota has sparked concerned after sharing a cryptic post about his 'bad habits'

The 29-year-old actor opened up on Instagram Wednesday, reflecting on personal growth, accountability, and the importance of taking 'baby steps'

Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from reps for both Lindsay and Dakota.

Dakota's post drew a strong reaction from his family members.

Lindsay, 39, who now lives in Dubai with Bader and their two-year-old son, left a string of heartfelt emojis.

Aliana added a yellow heart, while Dina wrote: Love you hunny .. I am so proud of the man you are xo mom.

Dakota, known to family and friends as Cody, has dabbled in acting, appearing in Irish Wish, Falling for Christmas, and even as an uncredited baby in The Parent Trap, all starring Lindsay.

Despite his reclusive nature, he has often been praised by his sister Lindsay, who publicly shared how 'proud' she was when he graduated high school.

The cryptic post offers a rare glimpse into Dakotas personal struggles, shedding light on the private challenges behind the Lohan familys public fame.

Meanwhile, Lindsay has been thriving after weathering her own highly publicized struggles in the 2000s, including DUIs, court battles, and a string of rehab stays.

He shared a series of intimate family photos, including throwback snaps with Lindsay, brother Michael Jr., sister Aliana and mom Dina

Their father Michael - who split from her in 2007 - was noticeably absent from the carousel; (Bader Shammas and Dakota pictured)

Dakota shared a snap of sister Aliana playing pool

She told Oprah in 2013 that she had reached a point where she was forced to confront what she called 'a very broken version' of herself.

In the same interview, she also called herself an 'addict.'

In recent years, shes rebuilt her career with a steady run of film roles and a successful Netflix partnership.

Shes also embraced a quieter life abroad, settling in Dubai with Bader and their young son.
Tina Knowles has accused a Kentucky Derby employee of allowing a white couple to cut her in line on the red carpet.

Knowles, 71, has attended the soiree at least two times, but recalled one particular event during an appearance on Peacock's High Horse: The Black Cowboy which served as a 'big wake-up call' for her.

'It was a very big wake-up call for me to attend the Kentucky Derby and to see this closed-off culture,' she said. 'I mean, just blatant, on the red carpet, someone came up and said, "Oh, Tina Knowles is next."

'And the other young lady walked up and said, "Oh no, because we need a -" and ran right into my face.'

Knowles then added as if she was finishing the staffer's sentence for her: 'And I said, "a white person?"

She claimed the staffer in question then 'just went behind me, got the couple behind me and got them on.'

Tina Knowles has accused The Kentucky Derby of allowing a white couple to cut her in line at the red carpet

'Its racially charged there,' she further alleged. 'Theres a lot of racially charged energy.'

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for the Kentucky Derby and Knowles for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Knowles has attended the event at least two times - once in 2018 and again last year.

High Horse: The Black Cowboy is a three-part docuseries on Peacock which reveals 'the story of the Black cowboy, whose history has been stolen, erased and left untold.'

The Kentucky Derby dates back to the late 19th century, and is now one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.

Founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the race was inspired by horse racing events Clark witnessed in Europe.

The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875, and its attendance continues to grow year after year, attracting spectators from all over the world.

Dressing up for the derby has become a longstanding tradition that adds to the excitement and glamour of the exciting event.

Each year, attendees show up in colorful outfits and decadent dresses - as well as their most head-turning hats.

The documentary comes just months after Knowles revealed her secret cancer battle in a candid on-camera interview.

Knowles said she was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer after doctors discovered two tumors during a mammogram appointment.

The fashion designer, who is the mother of Beyonce and Solange with ex-husband Mathew Knowles, said her daughters supported her through the horrific time by lifting her spirits at hospital appointments.

Knowles attended the derby with her then-husband Richard Lawson in 2018

Knowles pictured at the 2018 derby alongside the now-disgraced Diddy

'I was nervous,' she told Gayle King on CBS Mornings. 'And so they started just joking with me.'

Knowles said Solange also played a viral video about the word 'demure' to cheer her up at one point.

'I start laughing. I get out of my head... Then I said, "I'm just so happy that y'all are here",' she said about the touching moment.

Knowles said Solange and her niece Angie Beyince also sang the song 'Walk With Me' to her before one of her surgeries.

'It's about God walking with you into something and protecting you,' Knowles said through tears. 'And I went in there feeling just like God has got me.'

Knowles added that although she's recovered from the cancer, she suffered significant hurdles along the way.

The documentary comes just months after Knowles revealed her secret cancer battle in a candid on-camera interview; pictured October 2025

She told CBS Mornings she contracted a post-surgical infection so bad that she almost bailed on Glamour's 2024 Women of the Year event in October.

Knowles said Beyonce in particular urged her to rest rather than attend the event - but she pushed through because it was important to her.

'A lot of my life, I just refused to be recognized. I would never take an award. I would never want the attention to me  and this was my saying, "I deserve this,"' she said.

Knowles also revealed that her cancer might have been caught sooner if she hadn't delayed her mammogram appointment.

Doctors told her that if she maintained regular screenings, which are scheduled every one to two years for women over the age of 55, the cancer may have been caught at Stage 0 instead of Stage 1.
Professor Green revealed that his son, Slimane, was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday after a nasty accident abroad left him needing stitches.

The rapper, 41, whose real name is Stephen Paul Manderson, took to his Instagram to share a snap of the four-year-old tot's bandaged head, telling followers it had been a 'long hard day' for his son.

He captioned the post: 'Long hard day. Bubba had an accident abroad and went under for stitches.'

The Instagram post comes weeks after Professor Green emotionally opened up about co-parenting his young son following his split from fiancee Karima McAdams.

He parted ways with Karima in 2023, but they have continued to amicably co-parent their son Slimane.

However, taking to social media last month, Green discussed missing out on bedtime and birthdays as a result of his split from Karima.

Professor Green revealed that his son, Slimane, was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday after a nasty accident abroad left him needing stitches

He explained: 'Co-parenting really sucks. It sucks for the child, first and foremost, he doesn't get mum and dad in the same bed, he doesn't get a cuddle from mum and dad at the same time.

'Question marks over special occasions, can't be the same birthday twice. Sucks for mum, sucks for dad. It's the bits of incidental parenting you get to do around, parts of life going into your social contract, your job, whatever social life you might have.

'Obviously that comes secondary, but it all requires time and getting home after work, being able to give your kid a kiss on the head while they sleep, knowing that in too fewer hours that you'll be woken by their hand or their foot.'

He continued: 'Even if you only get to see them before you briefly shoot back out to work, those bits are not there, you can't echo good night once you've said it. Once the phone is put down, goodnight is goodnight. It's not a good night, it's not a great night.

'You don't get to cuddle, you don't get to kiss, you don't get to play fight - it ain't right.'

Professor Green and Karima were first linked in July 2019, with the star proposing seven months after they welcomed Slimane.

Karima, who is half Moroccan and half Irish, is best known for starring in the spy series Deep State alongside Game of Thrones actor Joe Dempsie.

Professor Green revealed last month how he and Millie Mackintosh are back in touch, almost a decade after their split.

The Instagram post comes weeks after the rapper, 41, emotionally opened up about co-parenting his young son following his split from fiancee Karima McAdams

He explained: 'Co-parenting really sucks. It sucks for the child, first and foremost he doesn't get mum and dad in the same bed, he doesn't get a cuddle from mum and dad at the same time'

The rapper parted ways with Karima in 2023, but they have continued to amicably co-parent their son Slimane

The ex-couple married in 2013 but divorced just three years later.

In a candid interview, the Read All About It hitmaker said he doesn't hold any 'resentment' towards Millie.

He told Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast how he and Millie both 'trauma bonded' together over their previously undiagnosed ADHD.

He explained: 'If there wasn't that pressure, we may have never got married. It very nearly didn't happen.

'I remember having a conversation with my two best mates, Lewis and Phoenix. "Am I getting cold feet? What's going on here?" And one of them said yes. One of them said, No. I won't put him in it, because it's not their responsibility.

'I made my own decision. We made our decision, and we didn't get married for the wrong reasons. We loved each other.

'It was probably an element of trauma bonding. And it takes a lot to get to a place of going, "I had a significant part in that, 50 per cent at least, because there were two of us in the situation, and it didn't work out."

'But hopefully we can both go forward and find happiness and belonging.'

He also called his ex-wife 'beautiful' as he added: 'There's no resentment in me. She is gorgeous. We were not good for each other at that time.'

Millie and Green finalised their divorce in May 2016, the same week that Millie chose to go public with Hugo Taylor, her former Made In Chelsea co-star boyfriend.
Dani Dyer put on a glamorous display as she joined her dad Danny at the ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025.

The former Love Island star, 29, and the EastEnders actor, 48, lead the stars at the ceremony, held at the Roundhouse in Camden, London.

Dani looked sensational as she took to the red carpet in a glitzy black sheer gown, featuring a corseted bodice and bejewelled lace overlay.

She paired the strapless gown - which showed off her legs through the sheer fabric - with black and silver chain heels.

Meanwhile her dad Danny, who is the host of the ceremony, looked dapper in a black satin double-breasted suit with a bejewelled brooch and aviator sunglasses.

Speaking about the hosting gig, the Rivals star said: 'Alright then you lovely lot, I am buzzing to be hosting the ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025.

Dani Dyer puts on a glamorous display in a glitzy black sheer gown as she joins dad Danny at the ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025

Dani looked sensational as she took to the red carpet in a glitzy black sheer gown, featuring a corseted bodice and bejewelled lace overlay

'It's going to be bigger and better than ever and I cant wait to get amongst it. Lets have it!'

The nominations for the Rolling Stone UK Awards were announced on Tuesday.

Among the musicians nominated for The Artist Award include Joy Crookes, Lewis Capaldi, Little Simz, Obongjayar, Olivia Dean and Sam Fender.

And the nominees for The Album Award, supported by ZYN, are FKA twigs's EUSEXUA, The Last Dinner Party's From the Pyre; Little Simz's Lotus, Pulp's More Sam Fender's People Watching and Wolf Alice's The Clearing.

Meanwhile Central Cee and 21 Savage, CMAT, Olivia Dean, RAYE, PinkPantheress and Wolf Alice will battle it out for The Song of the Year.

Oasis are also nominated in two categories, The Group Award and The Live Act Award, after their triumphant reunion tour.

In the TV category, Stephen Graham is nominated for his work on Adolescence and is up against the likes of Big Boys's Jack Rooke and Riot Women's Sally Wainwright.

Elsewhere Little Simz is also scooping a film nomination for her role in Netflix show Steve and Cynthia Erivo has received a nod for Wicked: For Good.

She paired the strapless gown - which showed off her legs through the sheer fabric - with black and silver chain heels

Meanwhile her dad Danny, who is the host of the ceremony, looked dapper in a black satin double-breasted suit with a bejewelled brooch and aviator sunglasses

Speaking about the hosting gig, the Rivals star said: 'Alright then you lovely lot, I am buzzing to be hosting the ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025'

Dani is pictured arriving at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025 at The Roundhouse in London

The night will also see a performance from Fayth Ifil, who currently stars in Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical  which tells the story of the events leading up to Live Aid.

It comes after Dani discussed her father Danny's stints in rehab for drug addiction and said if he hadn't gone he 'wouldn't be here now'.

Danny has been open about his past drug issues and previously entered a rehab facility in South Africa.

Speaking on Jamie Laing's Good Company podcast, Dani told how her father's first stint didn't work because of a deal he made with an overeater.

'He went to rehab twice, the first time he went he was trading cream eggs with diazepam,' she explained.

'There was a women in there for over eating and his was for drug addiction, so it was never going to work.'

Inside the event, Danny was seen with his younger daughter Sunnie Jo Dyer - who looked the spitting image of Dani

His second time in rehab was more 'serious' and Dani said her father credits his previous job on EastEnders, where he played Mick Carter, with 'saving him'.

'The second time he went in I knew it was serious, we always say if he didn't go into rehab he wouldn't be here now because he was terrible, absolutely terrible,' she said.

'He always says EastEnders saved him. He was in such a dark place with himself and he relied on drink and drugs, for him he knew he had to sort himself out. It's the best thing he ever done.

'He was around the wrong people, the first time he came out he would meet with all the mates he shouldn't be mates with and then the second time he just cut say 70% out of his life.'
RHOC alum Kelly Dodd has praised Meghan King as an 'excellent mother' and is now praying her former co-star will regain custody of her three children.

Dodd took to TikTok on Wednesday to fill followers in on a phone call she had just had with King after news broke the star had reportedly lost custody of her kids.

King, 41, allegedly told Dodd that she was deemed a 'dangerous mother' after she gave her seven-year-old son Hayes the ADHD medication Ritalin.

But Dodd, 50, said she has seen first-hand what a 'good mother' King really is as she defended the star to her followers.

'So I just got off the phone with Meghan King Edmonds,' Dodd told fans. 'And she said that she gave one of her other twins Hayes some Ritalin, I guess, and it made her a dangerous mother,"' she told TikTok followers.

'This I do know, and we've had a lot of differences and a lot of fights, and a lot of things, she stayed at my house, I took care of her when she got her boob and her nose done, and I can tell you: she loves those babies, she loves those kids, and I know for a fact she's a good mother. She is an excellent mother.

RHOC alum Kelly Dodd is praying for Meghan King after her former co-star lost custody of her three children

Dodd and Edmonds both starred in the Bravo series The Real Housewives of Orange County

'I just pray that she gets her babies back. Everyone just pray for Meghan and her family. Those boys and that daughter need their mom, they need their mother. Its terrible, it's terrible what is going on right now. All we can do is pray for Meghan,' she said.

The video, which showed Dodd walking through her kitchen, was captioned: '#meghanking pray for her .. She lost custody of her kids ! #prayers #losingcustodyoftheirkids.'

Sources told Us Weekly that King temporarily lost custody of the three children she shares with ex-husband Jim Edmonds in recent months as the result of an investigation by Child Protective Services (CPS).

As of now, King reportedly only has supervised visitation rights with her daughter Aspen, eight, and her seven-year-old twin sons, Hart and Hayes, while Edmonds currently has sole physical custody of their children.

The latest revelation on King and Edmonds' contentious relationship comes after police were called on King earlier this year after she allegedly refused to leave Edmonds' home.

The former couple wed in 2014, but King filed for divorce in 2019, and their divorce was finalized two years later.

One source reportedly told the publication that the CPS was called not by Edmonds or his current wife Kortnie Edmonds  whom he married in 2022  but by an employee at the children's elementary school.

The call subsequently launched an investigation, which resulted in King temporarily losing custody of the kids.

Dodd was able to set aside their past squabbles to defend her former co-star

The video showed Dodd walking through her immaculate kitchen as she filled followers in on the update

King, Kelly, and Kelly's then-husband Michael Dodd on an episode of RHOC

King, 41, allegedly lost custody of her three children to ex-husband Jim Edmonds, 55, as the result of a call to CPS, according to Us Weekly; seen in 2023 in Beverly Hills

A school employee reportedly called CPS, launching an investigation. Edmonds (pictured with King in 2018) now has sole physical custody on a temporary basis, while King has supervised visitation rights

As of now, King's lost of custodial rights is only temporary, and a source told the publication that a court hearing scheduled for December will determine if the current arrangement would be made permanent.

The loss of custody follows an altercation at the home Edmonds and his fourth wife share on May 1 of this year.

King was accused of going into the Missouri home 'several times' and 'causing a disturbance' on May 1 in a police report listing Edmonds' current wife Kortnie as the 'victim' who had called the cops.

On May 1, the RHOC alum was accused of entering her ex's home without permission after she stopped by to drop off a dress for their eight-year-old daughter Aspen.

King's representative claimed to Us Weekly that the incident had been 'mischaracterized' in a statement and said she 'never stepped inside' the home.

They said: 'Meghan briefly called to her daughter from the doorway, never stepped inside, had the door slammed in her face, and calmly left her belongings on the porch. Upon leaving, she was unexpectedly blocked by multiple police vehicles and treated in a way that felt unnecessarily hostile.

King's representative claimed that Meghan had often been the victim in her dealings with Edmonds, rather than 'the other way around.'

'It should also be noted that Meghan has had primary responsibility for her children for some time now, with the other sides involvement limited to select occasions,' they added.

Edmonds and Kortnie's representative said they would 'let the facts speak for themselves.'

King was Edmonds' third wife when they married in 2014. His first marriage was to LeAnn Horton with whom he has two daughters.
She dazzled viewers with her jaw-dropping high kick when she was a competitor on Strictly Come Dancing two years ago.

Now, Angela Rippon wants to succeed Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly as a presenter of the hit BBC show  at the age of 81.

It would come more than three decades after the corporations then-director-general, Lord (John) Birt, told her shed had her day when she was a spring chicken aged 50.

If they asked me, of course, she tells me. Its a very popular programme. Claudia and Tess have done a fabulous job, but no job is for life.

Speaking at the Starry Night Gala supporting the charity Action for Children at The Peninsula London, she says the next host must be someone that will bring the glamour, and just what everyone loves about Strictly.

Angela certainly couldnt be better qualified for the job. She was a presenter of the shows forerunner for amateurs, Come Dancing, for three years until 1991, as well as hosting other programmes including Top Gear and reading the BBC News.

Speaking at the Starry Night Gala supporting the charity Action for Children, Angela Rippon, 81, said the next Strictly host must be someone that will bring the glamour'

She was Strictlys oldest-ever contestant when she competed in 2023 and now credits the experience with reawakening her love of dance.

She is the dream signing, a source close to the show said at the time. The audience at home will love her, and many of them will remember her from her days hosting the show in its previous incarnation.

Her appearance on Strictly came 47 years after she impressed the 27 million viewers of Morecambe and Wises 1976 Christmas special with a high-kicking dance routine.

Angela has stayed close to her Strictly partner, Kai Widdrington, 30, and the pair recently joined forces to launch Lets Dance!, a project aimed at encouraging people of all ages to discover the joy of dance.

Susannah tells all on royal split

She was used to people accepting her advice on the BBC makeover show What Not To Wear, but Susannah Constantine had less success convincing the Earl of Snowdon to get down on bended knee.

The TV star, 63, went out with King Charless cousin David, 64, the son of Princess Margaret, for six years.

My God, I tried, she admits on the podcast Spooning With Mark Wogan. I mean, he never asked me. So thats why I moved on. I did try.

She even crossed the Atlantic in the hope that absence would make his heart grow fonder. I moved to New York for six months, she explains. I thought, Thisll do it. No, nothing. So in the end I just thought, Right, Im off. 

SAS show p repared me for motherhood

Love Island star Georgia Harrison says taking part in the Channel 4 show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares helped her to embrace motherhood

Love Island star Georgia Harrison won last years series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins after a demoralising interrogation exercise in the final.

Despite having cold water poured over her while locked in a cage, she admits the gruelling Channel 4 show helped her to embrace a new challenge  motherhood.

SAS helped me learn to get up in the night, stuff like that, and just face it, she tells me at the launch party for Velvet Taco restaurant in Broadgate Circle, east London.

Georgia, 30, pictured, gave birth to her first child, a daughter Sahara, this month with her boyfriend Jack Stacey, 33.

I always think, no matter how hard this is, its never worse than some of the experiences Ive had in the past, so I just get on with it, she says.

Lord Mandelson waits to see if he will be fined for urinating in a street in Notting Hill, west London.

He should have followed the example of his late Labour comrade (and former Notting Hill resident) Tony Benn.

In later life, the darling of the Left would often be taken short while driving around the country. Knowing he would be instantly recognised if he stopped to relieve himself at the side of the road, Benn had an ingenious solution.

He would pull over, lift the bonnet and, shielded from the view of the oncoming traffic, pee on the engine.

Feltz: I want a facelift for Christmas

What I want for Christmas is a Kris Jenner facelift, 63-year-old broadcaster Vanessa Feltz tells me

Advent is not yet upon us, but Vanessa Feltz has decided on the festive gift she desires.

What I want for Christmas is a Kris Jenner facelift, the 63-year-old broadcaster tells me at a London charity event.

Jenner, 70, the matriarch of the Kardashian clan of TV stars, spent $100,000 (76,500) on a recent facelift.

She celebrated her birthday this month with a party at the Los Angeles home of billionaire Jeff Bezos. Guests included Prince Harry and wife Meghan, who caused a row when they asked for photographs of them to be removed from social media.

I wish Id been invited, laments Vanessa. Maybe next year?

Saltburn writers own party palace

Emerald Fennells twisted thriller Saltburn depicts decadent aristocrats hosting wild parties at their stately pile.

And social gatherings appear to have got out of hand at the film directors Berkshire family home, too.

They like to throw a party or two, photographer Hugo Burnand says of Emeralds parents, Theo and Louise Fennell, whom he captured in their living room for a photoshoot, which needed a digital clean-up.

There was evidence of parties in the past on the carpet  a few wine stains and maybe a little cigarette had burnt, he says on his podcast, Double Exposure. I basically photoshopped the carpet to death  to make it look like a new one.

Blair actor berates his 'fans'

Michael Sheen, best known for playing Tony Blair in films including The Deal and The Queen, has taken furious aim at so-called fans insulting his loved ones.

Father-of-three Michael, 56, whose girlfriend is Swedish actress Anna Lundberg, 31, rages online: Everyone of course is allowed their opinion, but unkindness to those I love means I have no interest in anything you have to say... Do not kid yourself you are fans. If continued I will publicly name you.
Cracker Barrel shareholders opted to keep the company's embattled CEO in place after a disastrous rebranding effort.

In a binding vote Thursday, roughly 75 percent of shares were cast in favor of retaining CEO Julie Felss Masino on the board, according to preliminary tallies.

However, board member Gilbert Davila, a veteran marketing and diversity expert, failed to secure the required support and has stepped down, the company said.

Both Masino and Davila had been targeted by activist investors following a controversial logo change and restaurant redesigns that sparked a political uproar over the summer.

Under Cracker Barrel's rules, board nominees must win a plurality  more than 50 percent  of votes cast to keep their seats.

About 60 percent of votes were cast against Davila, Cracker Barrel said Thursday  a sharp contrast to last year, when both he and Masino received about 98 percent support.

Masino, hired in 2023 after leadership roles at Taco Bell and other consumer brands, was tasked with refreshing Cracker Barrel, boosting sales, and attracting younger customers.

She cut the company's dividend to free up hundreds of millions of dollars to remodel restaurants, modernize the brand, upgrade technology, and improve maintenance.

Cracker Barrel shareholders opted to keep the company's embattled CEO in place after a disastrous rebranding effort

Masino took over as CEO tin November 2023 - she is facing calls to resign over the branding disaster

Thursday's vote came after months of damage control.

The chain faced intense criticism for its logo change and broader rebranding push. In August, Cracker Barrel removed its longtime 'old timer' logo character to simplify its branding but reinstated him following backlash from customers and conservatives, including President Trump.

The company also paused store remodels, reshuffled management, and promised to return to older cooking methods for many dishes.

Traffic dropped 8 percent after the logo rollout, and Cracker Barrel expects sales to stay under pressure for the near future.

Also in August, Cracker Barrel's co-founder delivered a scathing critique of the restaurant chain's CEO after the botched rebranding.

Tommy Lowe, 93, accused Masino of failing to grasp what Cracker Barrel stands for, pointing to her previous stint at Taco Bell.

'They're trying to modernize to be like the competition. Cracker Barrel doesn't have any competition,' Low, who co-founded Cracker Barrel with the late Dan Evins in Lebanon, Tennessee in 1969, told WTVF.

'I heard she was at Taco Bell. What's Taco Bell know about Cracker Barrel and country food? They need to work on the food and service and leave the barrel, the logo, alone.'

Cracker Barrel's co-founder Tommy Lowe, 93, slammed the chain's now-axed logo rebrand

Cracker Barrel was forced to axe the new logo (pictured) following a huge backlash

The criticism comes after Cracker Barrel scrapped its controversial new logo following a flood of outrage. The redesign removed the iconic 'Old Timer' figure  an old man leaning against a barrel  leaving only the chain's name in a modern font.

Lowe weighed into the saga as Masino, who earns $6.68 million a year in salary and bonuses, was spotted leaving her home in an affluent Nashville neighborhood.

When approached by Fox News Digital, Masino  who took the helm of the 650-location Southern comfort food chain in 2023  refused to answer questions

She quickly got into her Mercedes-Benz, flanked by security in another vehicle, and drove to a nearby Starbucks for coffee.
A high-level Afghan delegation led by H.E. Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce, visited the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 on Wednesday as part of his five-day official trip to India aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment links.

The Minister was received by Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), who briefed him on the ongoing fair, its facilities, and opportunities for Afghanistan to participate more extensively in future exhibitions.

During the visit, Minister Azizi toured various stalls, including Afghan pavilions showcasing traditional Afghan products. He interacted with Afghan traders based in India to discuss market access challenges and prospects for expanding Afghan exports into the Indian market. This is the first visit by an Afghan Minister to an ITPO event since 2021 and comes at a time of heightened Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions, including border closures that have disrupted Afghan exports. These developments have pushed Afghanistan to diversify its trade routes and strengthen economic engagement with India.

Key Indian exports to Afghanistan include pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery and essential food items such as sugar, tea and rice. Afghan exports to India consist mainly of agricultural goods, dry fruits, spices, gemstones and minerals.

Recent diplomatic steps have also supported closer ties, including Indias decision in October 2025 to upgrade its Kabul mission to full embassy status.

Afghanistan is seeking Indian investments in mining, hydroelectric projects and connectivity alternatives that bypass Pakistan.

Minister Azizis visit to IITF 2025 is expected to further energise bilateral commercial cooperation and open new channels for economic partnership between the two countries.
On the eve of Omans National Day, the Sultanates Ambassador to India, Issa Saleh Abdullah Alshibani, described the Indian community in Oman with the Arabic phrase Alhind hi rakizat Euman! (India is the pillar of Oman), underscoring the historic and expanding partnership between the two nations. In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, he noted that the nearly 7,00,000-strong Indian community, the largest expatriate group in the Sultanate, stands as a living example of the deep trust, social harmony and people-to-people bonds that anchor India-Oman relations. Edited excerpts follow:

Q: How do you see India-Oman diplomatic relations evolving in recent years, and what key areas are driving this partnership?

A: In many ways, we in the embassy speak of the relationship as having a before December 2023 and after December 2023. The State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India in December 2023 was truly a defining moment. It was the first state visit by an Omani leader to India in 26 years, and it produced the Joint Vision document, A Partnership for the Future, which aligns Oman Vision 2040 with Indias development aspirations during Amrit Kaal. That vision opened new horizons and gave us a very concrete roadmap across ten priority fields.

Since that visit, the partnership has clearly moved from being traditionally close to being consciously strategic and future-oriented. We see accelerated cooperation in maritime connectivity, energy and green hydrogen, space, digital payments and fintech, health, tourism, agriculture and food security, and of course, trade and investment. The fact that bilateral trade has already crossed 10 billion US dollars and continues to grow, and that we are now on the verge of concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, are direct reflections of the political trust and ambition generated by His Majestys visit.

Q: Can you share an update on the ongoing India-Oman Free Trade Agreement negotiations? What gives you confidence that the agreement will be concluded on schedule?

A: The decision to negotiate a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement-our CEPA-was itself one of the key strategic outcomes of His Majestys visit to India. The Joint Vision specifically identified CEPA as a priority instrument to unlock the full potential of our economic partnership, and both leaderships gave very clear instructions to move fast and be ambitious.. Since then, negotiations have advanced rapidly. Formal talks began in late 2023 and, by mid-2025, the two sides had successfully concluded the negotiation phase; we are now essentially in the final procedural stage. What gives us confidence is that CEPA is not being negotiated in a vacuum: it sits on top of a strong political relationship, a clear Joint Vision, steadily rising trade, over 10.6 billion US dollars in 2024-25 and a shared understanding that both economies are complementary in many sectors. So, there is political will at the highest level, and there is a strong economic logic. That is usually the best recipe for concluding such agreements on schedule.

Q: The Indian community has a strong and growing presence across GCC countries, including Oman. How do you view the contribution of Indian expatriates to Omans development and society?

A: The Indian community is not just a presence in Oman; it is one of the pillars of our human bridge with India. Nearly 700,000 Indians are living and working in the Sultanate, making them our largest expatriate community and, by some estimates, around one-fifth of our total population. Their contributions span every sector: from engineers and doctors to teachers, entrepreneurs and skilled workers who helped build our infrastructure, our services sector and our private companies.

During His Majestys State Visit, both leaders explicitly recognised the Indian community as a living example of the depth of India-Oman friendship. Oman attaches great importance to ensuring that Indians feel safe, respected and integrated into our society, while preserving their culture and traditions. In return, the Indian community has shown remarkable loyalty and attachment to Oman, often calling it their second home. So, when we speak of our strategic partnership, we must remember that it is not built only by diplomats-it is built every day by hundreds of thousands of ordinary people whose lives connect our two countries.

Q: India and Oman share a strategic maritime partnership. Could you elaborate on the maritime and port-related opportunities that could further enhance bilateral trade and connectivity?

A: Our maritime story is actually centuries old-dhows sailing between the western coast of India and the Omani ports long before the word strategic existed. His Majestys visit to India gave that historic reality a modern strategic shape. Maritime cooperation and connectivity are among the central pillars of the Joint Vision, reflecting Omans unique geography at the mouth of the Gulf and Indias role as a major Indian Ocean power.

Today, our ports at Duqm, Sohar and Salalah are emerging as key logistics and trans-shipment hubs with direct access to the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean. India already has access to the port of Duqm for naval and logistical purposes, which extends its operational reach in the western Indian Ocean and complements our shared interest in safe sea lanes, especially given recent disruptions in the region. Looking ahead, we see major opportunities in: integrated port-led industrial zones; linking Omani ports with Indian industrial corridors; collaborating within emerging initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor; and expanding cooperation in ship repair, bunkering, green fuels and maritime security. All of this builds directly on the strategic guidance that came out of the December 2023 summit.

Q: There is increasing interest among Indian business leaders to invest in Oman. Could you highlight the sectors attracting the most interest and any major investment plans that are currently under discussion?

A: The momentum we see from Indian investors is a direct response to the clarity provided by His Majestys visit and the Joint Vision. Oman Vision 2040 positions the Sultanate as a diversified, knowledge-based and logistics-driven economy, and Indian companies immediately recognise how well that aligns with Indias own outward investment push. Today, there are more than 6,000 India-Oman joint ventures in Oman across sectors, with estimated investments of over 700 million US dollars, and this number is growing. The strongest interest currently is in petrochemicals and energy value-chains, green hydrogen and green ammonia, manufacturing and metals, logistics and ports, mining and critical minerals, healthcare, education, tourism and hospitality, and ICT and digital services. The third tranche of the Oman-India Joint Investment Fund-announced during His Majestys visit-has also sent a strong signal that there are institutional vehicles ready to support large-scale projects from both sides. With CEPA on the horizon and the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations being celebrated, we expect a new wave of Indian investments that are long-term, technology-rich and job-creating for young Omanis.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sukanya made a port call in Colombo for operational turnaround, according to a statement issued by the Sri Lankan Navy on Thursday. The ship, which arrived on Tuesday, was welcomed by the Sri Lankan Navy in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Santosh Kumar Verma, the INS Sukanya is an Offshore Patrol Vessel with a length of 101 metres. The crews itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island. Concluding the visit, INS Sukanya is scheduled to depart the island on Friday, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) SAIF, which arrived in Sri Lanka for replenishment on the same day, departed on Wednesday. The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions, the Navy said. PNS SAIF is a 123 metre long Frigate commanded by Captain Asfand Farhan Khan.
American Tower (NYSE:AMT  Free Report) had its price target reduced by Barclays from $251.00 to $203.00 in a research note released on Monday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on AMT. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of American Tower from $255.00 to $250.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup reiterated a market outperform rating on shares of American Tower in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on American Tower from $281.00 to $226.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating and issued a $231.00 price target (down from $250.00) on shares of American Tower in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on American Tower from $270.00 to $235.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Tower currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $228.44.

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American Tower Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:AMT opened at $180.49 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $187.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $204.52. American Tower has a twelve month low of $172.51 and a twelve month high of $234.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.24. The company has a market capitalization of $84.50 billion, a PE ratio of 28.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.85.

American Tower (NYSE:AMT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $2.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.65 billion. American Tower had a net margin of 28.11% and a return on equity of 28.79%. American Towers revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.52 earnings per share. American Tower has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.600-10.720 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that American Tower will post 10.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Tower Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were issued a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. American Towers dividend payout ratio is 108.63%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Tower

In related news, Director Eugene F. Reilly acquired 5,554 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $178.99 per share, for a total transaction of $994,110.46. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 5,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,018,274.11. This trade represents a 4,114.07% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Tower

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in American Tower by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. now owns 120 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Tower in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Abound Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of American Tower by 137.3% during the third quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 140 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in American Tower during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, VSM Wealth Advisory LLC grew its stake in American Tower by 136.4% in the 2nd quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 156 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. 92.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Tower Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 224,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities.

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Edinburgh Investment (LON:EDIN  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 802.08 and traded as high as GBX 808. Edinburgh Investment shares last traded at GBX 805, with a volume of 224,784 shares trading hands.

Edinburgh Investment Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 3.88, a current ratio of 32.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.12. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 810.65 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 802.17. The stock has a market cap of 1.10 billion, a PE ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 0.81.

Edinburgh Investment Company Profile

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Edinburgh Investment Trust offers exposure primarily to UK-listed equities. It may also hold up to 20% of assets in equities listed overseas. The Company invests primarily in UK securities with the long term objective of achieving: 1. An increase of the Net Asset Value per share in excess of the growth in the FTSE All-Share Index; and 2.

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Ellington Credit (NYSE:EARN  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The real estate investment trust reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.03, Zacks reports. Ellington Credit had a net margin of 19.24% and a return on equity of 15.90%.

Ellington Credit Stock Down 1.5%

NYSE EARN traded down $0.08 on Wednesday, reaching $5.10. 295,433 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 495,589. Ellington Credit has a 12 month low of $4.32 and a 12 month high of $6.99. The company has a market cap of $191.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.31 and a beta of 1.32. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $5.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $5.59.

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Ellington Credit Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 18.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. Ellington Credits dividend payout ratio is 533.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on EARN shares. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Ellington Credit from $5.75 to $5.25 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Ellington Credit from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $5.88.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on EARN

Institutional Trading of Ellington Credit

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Engineers Gate Manager LP acquired a new position in Ellington Credit during the second quarter worth about $83,000. Vident Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Ellington Credit by 109.1% during the 2nd quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 36,350 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $209,000 after purchasing an additional 18,967 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ellington Credit by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 76,237 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $415,000 after purchasing an additional 4,675 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ellington Credit by 60.3% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 104,689 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $602,000 after purchasing an additional 39,392 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Ellington Credit by 56.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 126,864 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $686,000 after purchasing an additional 45,845 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.40% of the companys stock.

Ellington Credit Company Profile

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Ellington Credit Company, a real estate investment trust, acquires, invests in, and manages residential mortgage-and real estate-related assets. It acquires and manages residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), including agency pools and agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs); and non-agency RMBS, such as non-agency CMOs, such as investment grade and non-investment grade.

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Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report) CEO John Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.45, for a total value of $443,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 231,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,857,302.40. This represents a 3.34% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Webster Financial Trading Up 1.7%

NYSE:WBS traded up $0.92 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $56.26. The company had a trading volume of 1,455,139 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,336,747. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $58.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.84. The company has a market capitalization of $9.07 billion, a PE ratio of 10.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.13. Webster Financial Corporation has a 52 week low of $39.43 and a 52 week high of $63.99.

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Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $756.06 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $725.22 million. Webster Financial had a net margin of 21.32% and a return on equity of 11.07%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.34 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Webster Financial Corporation will post 5.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Webster Financial Dividend Announcement

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Webster Financial

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.80%.

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Webster Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at about $131,780,000. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 7,442.8% in the third quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 2,032,937 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $120,838,000 after buying an additional 2,005,985 shares in the last quarter. 140 Summer Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Webster Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $75,465,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Webster Financial by 221.0% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,565,623 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $85,483,000 after acquiring an additional 1,077,819 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of Webster Financial by 65.2% during the third quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,070,013 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $123,042,000 after acquiring an additional 817,218 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.58% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Cowen started coverage on Webster Financial in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. They set a buy rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Webster Financial from $70.00 to $68.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Webster Financial in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. They issued a buy rating and a $78.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Webster Financial from $69.00 to $67.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn cut shares of Webster Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.85.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on WBS

About Webster Financial

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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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Kansas City Life Insurance Co. (OTCMKTS:KCLI  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $31.50 and traded as low as $31.20. Kansas City Life Insurance shares last traded at $31.20, with a volume of 1,000 shares traded.

Kansas City Life Insurance Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $302.11 million, a PE ratio of -8.06 and a beta of 0.51. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $31.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $31.51.

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Kansas City Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:KCLI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter. Kansas City Life Insurance had a negative return on equity of 0.31% and a negative net margin of 7.77%.The company had revenue of $123.78 million during the quarter.

Kansas City Life Insurance Company Profile

Kansas City Life Insurance Company provides insurance products and services in states and the District of Columbia. It operates through three segments: Individual Insurance, Group Insurance, and Old American. The Individual Insurance segment consists of individual insurance products for Kansas City life, Grange life, and the assumed reinsurance transactions.

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Lenovo Group Limited (OTCMKTS:LNVGF  Get Free Report)s share price was down 3.7% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $1.29 and last traded at $1.29. Approximately 3,572 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 96% from the average daily volume of 81,288 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.34.

Lenovo Group Stock Down 0.9%

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $1.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.36.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Lenovo Group stock. Boston Common Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Lenovo Group Limited (OTCMKTS:LNVGF  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 purchased 2,287,184 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,745,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 23.25% of the companys stock.

About Lenovo Group

Lenovo Group Limited, an investment holding company, develops, manufactures, and markets technology products and services. It operates through Intelligent Devices Group, Infrastructure Solutions Group, and Solutions and Services Group segments. The company offers commercial and consumer personal computers, as well as servers and workstations; and a family of mobile Internet devices, including tablets and smartphones.

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Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. (NYSE:MHNC  Get Free Report)s share price rose 0.4% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $17.17 and last traded at $17.0750. Approximately 7,784 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 20% from the average daily volume of 9,754 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.00.

Maiden Holdings North America Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $17.60 and a 200 day moving average of $17.39.

Maiden Holdings North America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, November 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.4844 per share. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th.

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McEwen Inc. (NYSE:MUX  Get Free Report) (TSE:MUX) VP Stephan Michael Spears sold 12,600 shares of McEwen stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.35, for a total value of $180,810.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 3,814 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,730.90. This represents a 76.76% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link.

McEwen Trading Up 2.0%

Shares of NYSE MUX traded up $0.35 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $17.79. The company had a trading volume of 841,050 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,102,278. The firms fifty day moving average price is $17.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 2.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. McEwen Inc. has a one year low of $6.38 and a one year high of $24.88. The stock has a market cap of $968.93 million, a PE ratio of -71.14 and a beta of 0.97.

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McEwen (NYSE:MUX  Get Free Report) (TSE:MUX) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.31 by ($0.32). McEwen had a negative return on equity of 2.76% and a negative net margin of 8.05%.The firm had revenue of $50.53 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $60.00 million. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that McEwen Inc. will post -0.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McEwen

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of McEwen by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 58,252 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $996,000 after buying an additional 3,452 shares in the last quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of McEwen during the third quarter valued at approximately $443,000. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its position in shares of McEwen by 3,328.3% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,634 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 3,528 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in shares of McEwen by 38.2% in the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,959,913 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $33,515,000 after purchasing an additional 541,890 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jain Global LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McEwen in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $507,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.03% of the companys stock.

Several brokerages have recently commented on MUX. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $25.00 price objective on shares of McEwen and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Roth Capital set a $23.00 price objective on McEwen in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of McEwen in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, HC Wainwright upped their target price on McEwen from $17.00 to $21.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, McEwen presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $20.50.

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McEwen Company Profile

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McEwen Mining Inc engages in the exploration, development, production, and sale of gold and silver. It also explores for copper deposits. The company owns 100% interests in the El Gallo and Fenix projects located in Mexico; and the Black Fox Mine and Stock Mill, Grey Fox, and Froome and Tamarack properties in Canada.

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Pacific North West Capital Corp. (OTCMKTS:NMTLF  Get Free Report) shares were up 2.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $0.2273 and last traded at $0.2210. Approximately 57,284 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 3% from the average daily volume of 55,853 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.2161.

Pacific North West Capital Stock Up 4.9%

The company has a 50-day moving average price of $0.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.19.

Pacific North West Capital Company Profile

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New Age Metals Inc, a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of platinum group metals (PGMs), and precious and base metal properties in Canada. The company explores for rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, nickel, copper, and lithium deposits. It holds interests in the River Valley PGE project located in the Dana and Pardo townships of Northern Ontario; the Genesis PGE project located in south central Alaska; and lithium projects situated to the northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Monday.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on PM. Barclays reduced their price target on Philip Morris International from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. UBS Group cut their price objective on Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 5th. KGI Securities assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, August 4th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Philip Morris International currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $189.56.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on PM

Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of PM opened at $155.46 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $241.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.16, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.43. Philip Morris International has a 12 month low of $116.12 and a 12 month high of $186.69. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $156.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $167.55.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter. As a group, research analysts predict that Philip Morris International will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were paid a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is 106.52%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Philip Morris International

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of PM. PFS Partners LLC raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 24.8% in the second quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 292 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 5,666 shares of the companys stock worth $1,032,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Second Line Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Second Line Capital LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the companys stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. NFP Retirement Inc. raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. NFP Retirement Inc. now owns 2,589 shares of the companys stock valued at $411,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Philip Morris International Company Profile

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Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RKT  Get Free Report) Director Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.70, for a total transaction of $41,750.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,020,684 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,045,422.80. The trade was a 0.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink.

Matthew Rizik also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, November 13th, Matthew Rizik sold 2,500 shares of Rocket Companies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.47, for a total value of $43,675.00.

Rocket Companies Stock Down 1.0%

NYSE RKT traded down $0.18 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $16.79. 49,308,111 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 20,131,811. Rocket Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $10.06 and a 52 week high of $22.56. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $18.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.05. The company has a market cap of $35.34 billion, a PE ratio of 209.95 and a beta of 2.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16, a current ratio of 19.68 and a quick ratio of 19.68.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rocket Companies

Rocket Companies ( NYSE:RKT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.07. Rocket Companies had a positive return on equity of 2.83% and a negative net margin of 1.77%.The firm had revenue of $1.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.65 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.08 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 148.1% on a year-over-year basis. Rocket Companies has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Rocket Companies, Inc. will post 0.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cloud Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rocket Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Rocket Companies by 65.0% during the third quarter. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,650 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 650 shares during the period. North Capital Inc. raised its position in Rocket Companies by 287.2% during the second quarter. North Capital Inc. now owns 1,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,350 shares in the last quarter. Private Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Rocket Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $182,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Rocket Companies by 875.0% in the third quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 1,750 shares during the period. 4.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Rocket Companies from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Rocket Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $21.00 to $24.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Rocket Companies from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Rocket Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays set a $19.00 price target on shares of Rocket Companies and gave the company a cautious rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $18.18.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Rocket Companies

Rocket Companies Company Profile

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Rocket Companies, Inc, a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The companys solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business.

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Swire Pacific Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SWRAY  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $8.67 and traded as high as $8.94. Swire Pacific shares last traded at $8.8850, with a volume of 21,658 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Zacks Research cut shares of Swire Pacific from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Sell.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Swire Pacific

Swire Pacific Price Performance

Swire Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $8.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, September 12th were issued a $0.1463 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 462.0%.

Swire Pacific Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Swire Pacific Limited engages in property, aviation, beverages, marine, and trading and industrial businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China, rest of Asia, the United States, and internationally. The company's Property division develops, owns, and operates mixed-use properties. This division's property investment portfolio comprises office and retail premises, serviced apartments, and other luxury residential accommodations; and trading portfolio consists of residential properties.

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Lodestone Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,255 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $229,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PM. WCM Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 24,968.0% in the second quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 11,275,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,041,223,000 after acquiring an additional 11,230,626 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,712,994,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 26.4% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 21,840,422 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,466,730,000 after acquiring an additional 4,563,632 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 57.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,794,530 shares of the companys stock worth $1,554,686,000 after buying an additional 3,575,158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 1.6% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 142,857,055 shares of the companys stock worth $26,018,555,000 after purchasing an additional 2,235,380 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:PM opened at $155.46 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $156.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $167.55. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $116.12 and a 12-month high of $186.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $241.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.16, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.43.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%.The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were given a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. This is an increase from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 106.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PM. KGI Securities began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Monday, August 4th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $195.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $189.56.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Philip Morris International

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Allete, Inc. (NYSE:ALE  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $67.57 and last traded at $67.5240, with a volume of 42394 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $67.45.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on ALE. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Allete in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Allete from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, Allete presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Allete Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The companys fifty day moving average price is $66.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $65.53. The company has a market capitalization of $3.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.27 and a beta of 0.84.

Allete (NYSE:ALE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by ($0.34). Allete had a return on equity of 5.71% and a net margin of 11.98%.The company had revenue of $375.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $434.90 million.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ALE. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Allete by 33.9% during the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,550 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $814,000 after purchasing an additional 3,179 shares in the last quarter. Cannon Global Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Allete by 152.2% in the 2nd quarter. Cannon Global Investment Management LLC now owns 22,700 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,454,000 after buying an additional 13,700 shares during the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Allete by 37.8% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 40,204 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,641,000 after buying an additional 11,019 shares during the last quarter. Alpine Associates Management Inc. boosted its position in Allete by 8.6% during the 1st quarter. Alpine Associates Management Inc. now owns 416,847 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $27,387,000 after buying an additional 33,000 shares during the period. Finally, Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new stake in Allete during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $700,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.55% of the companys stock.

About Allete

(Get 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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Westfield Capital Management Co. LP boosted its stake in Birkenstock Holding PLC (NYSE:BIRK  Free Report) by 6.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,676,950 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 104,265 shares during the quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LPs holdings in Birkenstock were worth $82,472,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in shares of Birkenstock by 66.5% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 841 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Birkenstock by 34.5% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 908 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Birkenstock by 61.0% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,288 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 488 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its position in shares of Birkenstock by 3,131.3% in the second quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 2,068 shares of the companys stock valued at $102,000 after acquiring an additional 2,004 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank raised its stake in Birkenstock by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 2,632 shares of the companys stock valued at $129,000 after purchasing an additional 556 shares during the last quarter. 19.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group set a $77.00 target price on shares of Birkenstock and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Birkenstock from $81.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 19th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Birkenstock in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Birkenstock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Birkenstock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $60.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Birkenstock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $68.38.

Birkenstock Trading Up 1.5%

BIRK opened at $40.92 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $42.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.45. Birkenstock Holding PLC has a 52 week low of $38.16 and a 52 week high of $62.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The firm has a market cap of $7.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.22.

Birkenstock Company Profile

(Free Report)

Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally.

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Cadeler A/S (NYSE:CDLR  Get Free Report) was upgraded by Pareto Securities to a hold rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Cadeler A/S in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Cadeler A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold.

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View Our Latest Report on CDLR

Cadeler A/S Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of CDLR stock traded up $0.08 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $16.57. 46,049 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 66,267. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $19.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.35. The firm has a market cap of $1.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.56 and a beta of 0.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.99. Cadeler A/S has a fifty-two week low of $16.38 and a fifty-two week high of $25.07.

Cadeler A/S (NYSE:CDLR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 26th. The company reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $1.51. The firm had revenue of $136.09 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $128.33 million. Cadeler A/S had a net margin of 50.69% and a return on equity of 19.18%. Equities analysts anticipate that Cadeler A/S will post 0.69 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Cadeler A/S

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Valueworks LLC lifted its stake in Cadeler A/S by 22.1% in the first quarter. Valueworks LLC now owns 532,438 shares of the companys stock worth $10,468,000 after purchasing an additional 96,508 shares during the last quarter. Yaupon Capital Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Cadeler A/S by 17.7% in the first quarter. Yaupon Capital Management LP now owns 134,950 shares of the companys stock worth $2,653,000 after buying an additional 20,309 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Cadeler A/S by 45.2% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 2,167 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 675 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers bought a new stake in shares of Cadeler A/S in the 2nd quarter valued at about $375,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. purchased a new stake in Cadeler A/S during the 2nd quarter valued at about $4,555,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 53.03% of the companys stock.

Cadeler A/S Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cadeler A/S operates as an offshore wind farm transportation and installation contractor in Denmark. It also provides wind farm construction, maintenance, decommissioning, and other tasks within the offshore industry, as well as marine and engineering services. The company owns and operates four offshore jack-up windfarm installation vessels.

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Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM  Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by investment analysts at Citigroup from $202.00 to $188.00 in a research note issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the specialty retailers stock. Citigroups target price indicates a potential upside of 6.85% from the companys current price.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. UBS Group set a $175.00 price target on Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $190.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $179.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $212.00 to $213.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $198.33.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on WSM

Williams-Sonoma Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE WSM traded up $1.32 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $175.94. 1,251,124 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,702,807. The firm has a market cap of $21.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.35, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 1.56. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $192.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $182.51. Williams-Sonoma has a twelve month low of $130.07 and a twelve month high of $219.98.

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The specialty retailer reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.09. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 14.54% and a return on equity of 54.47%. The firm had revenue of $1.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.86 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.96 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Williams-Sonoma has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Research analysts expect that Williams-Sonoma will post 8.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Williams-Sonoma news, CEO Laura Alber sold 90,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.17, for a total transaction of $18,015,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 876,927 shares of the companys stock, valued at $175,534,477.59. This trade represents a 9.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP David Randolph King sold 17,500 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock in a transaction on Monday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.60, for a total value of $3,563,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 98,560 shares in the company, valued at $20,066,816. This represents a 15.08% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 114,153 shares of company stock valued at $22,901,008. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WSM. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 847,122 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $165,570,000 after purchasing an additional 28,346 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 23,225 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $4,539,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the third quarter valued at approximately $8,854,000. Second Line Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma during the third quarter worth $207,000. Finally, Stance Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Williams-Sonoma in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,334,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the companys stock.

About Williams-Sonoma

(Get Free Report)

Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand.

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Remy Cointreau (OTCMKTS:REMYY  Get Free Report) and Heineken (OTCMKTS:HEINY  Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, earnings, dividends and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Remy Cointreau and Heinekens net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Remy Cointreau N/A N/A N/A Heineken N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Remy Cointreau pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Heineken pays an annual dividend of $0.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Remy Cointreau 1 2 1 1 2.40 Heineken 0 1 2 3 3.33

Volatility and Risk

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Remy Cointreau and Heineken, as reported by MarketBeat.

Remy Cointreau has a beta of 0.86, meaning that its share price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Heineken has a beta of 0.53, meaning that its share price is 47% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Remy Cointreau and Heinekens top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Remy Cointreau $1.06 billion 2.29 $130.21 million N/A N/A Heineken $38.91 billion 1.15 $1.06 billion N/A N/A

Heineken has higher revenue and earnings than Remy Cointreau.

Summary

Heineken beats Remy Cointreau on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Remy Cointreau

(Get Free Report)

Remy Cointreau SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, sale, and distribution of liqueurs and spirits. It operates through Remy Martin, Liqueurs & Spirits, and Partner Brands segments. The company offers cognacs, liqueurs, single malt whiskies, gins, rums, brandies, wines, and champagnes primarily under the Cointreau, Metaxa, St-Remy, Mount Gay, Bruichladdich, The Botanist, Westland, Le Domaine des Hautes Glaces, Belle de Brillet, Telmont, Port Charlotte, Octomore, Remy Martin, and LOUIS XIII brands. It operates in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The company was founded in 1724 and is headquartered in Cognac, France.

About Heineken

(Get Free Report)

Heineken N.V. brews and sells beer and cider in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides soft drinks and water. It offers its beers under the Heineken, Heineken Light, Orchard Thieves, Orchard Thieves Light, Birra Moretti, Coors, Murphy's and Beamish Stouts, Desperados, Tiger, Sol, and Foster's brand, as well as under regional and local brands. The company offers its products to retailers, wholesalers, cafes, bars, pubs, hotels, and restaurants. Heineken N.V. was incorporated in 1864 and is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The company operates as a subsidiary of Heineken Holding N.V.

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Cumberland Partners Ltd lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 3.9% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 36,602 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,373 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company makes up about 2.0% of Cumberland Partners Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Cumberland Partners Ltds holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $28,532,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LLY. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Blume Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 46.7% in the second quarter. Blume Capital Management Inc. now owns 44 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, TD Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 129.2% during the first quarter. TD Capital Management LLC now owns 55 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 1.8%

Shares of LLY stock opened at $1,048.90 on Thursday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52-week low of $623.78 and a 52-week high of $1,055.59. The stock has a market cap of $991.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.56, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. The firms 50-day moving average is $844.09 and its 200-day moving average is $784.22. 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 Dividend Announcement

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released 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 firm had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.18 earnings per share. The companys 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. Sell-side analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. 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 (DPR) is currently 29.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have issued reports on LLY. Guggenheim reiterated a buy rating and set a $948.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,090.00 to $1,171.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Loop Capital set a $950.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,027.95.

View Our Latest Report on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Shares of Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:DIFTY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low on Thursday . The company traded as low as $4.48 and last traded at $4.5250, with a volume of 221554 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $4.6210.

Daito Trust Construction Trading Down 2.6%

The firms 50 day moving average is $12.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.95.

Daito Trust Construction Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Daito Trust Construction Co,Ltd. designs, constructs, and rents apartments and condominiums in Japan. It operates through three segments: Construction, Real Estate, and Finance. The company design and construct rental housing and other structure construction; ironwork and construction; building management and renovation, and whole building leasing; rental housing tenant guarantor services; advertising; and LP gas supply businesses.

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Zacks Research cut shares of Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Tuesday morning,Zacks.com reports.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on DELL. Susquehanna boosted their target price on Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Friday, August 29th. Argus increased their price objective on Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Evercore ISI set a $180.00 target price on shares of Dell Technologies and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of Dell Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. They set an overweight rating and a $172.00 price target on the stock. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $160.85.

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Dell Technologies Stock Down 0.1%

NYSE:DELL traded down $0.09 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $119.29. The stock had a trading volume of 4,188,713 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,160,944. The stock has a market cap of $80.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.79 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $129.29. Dell Technologies has a 12-month low of $66.25 and a 12-month high of $168.08.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 5th. The technology company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $26.43 billion during the quarter. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.73% and a negative return on equity of 236.21%. Dell Technologies has set its FY24 guidance at $6.10-6.50 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Dell Technologies will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dell Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 21st were paid a dividend of $0.525 per share. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 21st. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 30.88%.

Insider Transactions at Dell Technologies

In other news, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total value of $112,183,364.02. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock valued at $642,644,973. 42.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DELL. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 3.6% during the third quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 1,829 shares of the technology companys stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 1.3% during the third quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC now owns 5,563 shares of the technology companys stock worth $789,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Dell Technologies by 35.8% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 296 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. raised its holdings in Dell Technologies by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 21,631 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,067,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 3,559 shares of the technology companys stock worth $504,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.37% of the companys stock.

Dell Technologies Company Profile

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Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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The Sage Group (LON:SGE  Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by investment analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 1,350 to GBX 1,250 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price target would suggest a potential upside of 14.42% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on SGE. Panmure Gordon reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 1,300 price target on shares of The Sage Group in a report on Thursday. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a hold rating and set a GBX 1,100 price target on shares of The Sage Group in a research note on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,320 to GBX 1,350 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a hold rating on shares of The Sage Group in a report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Sage Group has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 3,155.71.

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The Sage Group Price Performance

SGE stock traded up GBX 3.43 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching GBX 1,092.43. 613,651,688 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,047,895. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 114.00. The company has a market cap of 10.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.78, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 1,117.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 1,174.14. The Sage Group has a 1-year low of GBX 1,034.50 and a 1-year high of GBX 1,349.

The Sage Group (LON:SGE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The company reported GBX 43.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The Sage Group had a return on equity of 24.48% and a net margin of 11.87%. On average, analysts anticipate that The Sage Group will post 42.1496095 earnings per share for the current year.

The Sage Group declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, November 19th that allows the company to repurchase 0 shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

The Sage Group Company Profile

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The Sage Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology solutions and services for small and medium businesses in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It offers cloud native solutions, such as Sage Intacct, a cloud accounting software product and financial management software; Sage People, a HR and people management solution; Sage 200, a finance and business management solution; Sage X3, a business management solution; Sage Accounting, a solution for small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers to manage customer data, accounts, and people; Sage Payroll for small businesses manage their payroll; and Sage HR for small and mid-sized businesses for record management, leave management, staff scheduling, and expenses services.

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DRDGOLD Limited (NYSE:DRD  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $27.83, but opened at $28.64. DRDGOLD shares last traded at $27.9510, with a volume of 346,697 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on DRD shares. HC Wainwright upped their price objective on shares of DRDGOLD to $36.25 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Wall Street Zen downgraded DRDGOLD from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Zacks Research lowered DRDGOLD from a strong-buy rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of DRDGOLD in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.25.

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DRDGOLD Trading Down 7.4%

DRDGOLD Increases Dividend

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $26.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $19.27.

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 12th were paid a dividend of $0.2269 per share. This is an increase from DRDGOLDs previous annual dividend of $0.16. This represents a dividend yield of 202.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 12th.

Institutional Trading of DRDGOLD

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DRD. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in DRDGOLD by 88.2% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,690 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 792 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new position in shares of DRDGOLD in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $39,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new position in shares of DRDGOLD during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $102,000. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its position in shares of DRDGOLD by 769.7% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 4,105 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 3,633 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of DRDGOLD by 24.8% during the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,387 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $149,000 after buying an additional 1,070 shares in the last quarter. 14.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About DRDGOLD

(Get Free Report)

DRDGOLD Limited, a gold mining company, engages in the surface gold tailings retreatment business in South Africa. It also involved in the exploration, extraction, processing, and smelting activities. The company recovers gold from surface tailings in the Witwatersrand basin in Gauteng province. DRDGOLD Limited was formerly known as Durban Roodepoort Deep Limited and changed its name to DRDGOLD Limited in 2004.

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Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSEARCA:EWW  Free Report) by 96.9% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 23,693 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 11,660 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF were worth $1,435,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Amundi boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 275.3% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 265,700 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $14,417,000 after purchasing an additional 194,900 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 51.6% during the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,391 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $703,000 after buying an additional 3,879 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF during the second quarter worth $290,000. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF during the first quarter worth $312,000. Finally, Banco Santander S.A. grew its holdings in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 50,350 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,566,000 after buying an additional 2,092 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Stock Up 0.1%

NYSEARCA EWW opened at $66.77 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $66.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $62.69. The firm has a market cap of $2.03 billion, a PE ratio of 12.85 and a beta of 0.91. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF has a 52 week low of $46.41 and a 52 week high of $69.68.

iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Mexico Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Mexico Capped Investable Market Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Mexican Stock Exchange.

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Robinhood Markets, Coinbase Global, SoFi Technologies, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Visa, Bank of America, and PayPal are the seven Financial stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Financial stocks are shares in companies that provide financial servicessuch as banks, insurance companies, brokerages, asset managers and fintech firmswhose revenues come from interest, fees, premiums and investment income. Investors treat them as interest-rate and credit-cycle sensitive, evaluating metrics like net interest margin, loan-loss provisions, capital adequacy and fee-based revenue when making decisions. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Financial stocks within the last several days.

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Robinhood Markets (HOOD)

Robinhood Markets, Inc. operates financial services platform in the United States. Its platform allows users to invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), American depository receipts, options, gold, and cryptocurrencies. The company offers fractional trading, recurring investments, fully-paid securities lending, access to investing on margin, cash sweep, instant withdrawals, retirement program, around-the-clock trading, and initial public offerings participation services.

Coinbase Global (COIN)

Coinbase Global, Inc. provides financial infrastructure and technology for the crypto economy in the United States and internationally. The company offers the primary financial account in the crypto economy for consumers; and a marketplace with a pool of liquidity for transacting in crypto assets for institutions.

Read Our Latest Research Report on COIN

SoFi Technologies (SOFI)

SoFi Technologies, Inc. provides various financial services in the United States, Latin America, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Lending, Technology Platform, and Financial Services. The company offers lending and financial services and products that allows its members to borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect money.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SOFI

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

Read Our Latest Research Report on JPM

Visa (V)

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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Bank of America (BAC)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BAC

PayPal (PYPL)

PayPal Holdings, Inc. operates a technology platform that enables digital payments on behalf of merchants and consumers worldwide. It operates a two-sided network at scale that connects merchants and consumers that enables its customers to connect, transact, and send and receive payments through online and in person, as well as transfer and withdraw funds using various funding sources, such as bank accounts, PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products comprising its installment products, credit and debit cards, and cryptocurrencies, as well as other stored value products, including gift cards and eligible rewards.

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Rocket Companies, UP Fintech, Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, LexinFintech, PPDAI Group, DeFi Development, and IDT are the seven Fintech stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Fintech stocks are shares of companies whose primary business is using software and digital technology to provide or enable financial servicesexamples include digital banks, payments processors, online lenders, roboadvisors, blockchain platforms, and financial infrastructure providers. For investors, fintech stocks are generally viewed as a growth-oriented, innovation-driven segment that can offer strong upside but also carries heightened volatility and regulatory and execution risks. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Fintech stocks within the last several days.

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Rocket Companies (RKT)

Rocket Companies, Inc., a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The companys solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business.

UP Fintech (TIGR)

UP Fintech Holding Limited provides online brokerage services focusing on Chinese investors. The company has developed a brokerage platform, which allows investor to trade stocks, options, warrants, and other financial instruments that can be accessed through its APP and website. It offers brokerage and value-added services, including investor education, community engagement, and IR platform services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TIGR

Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (KSPI)

Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, together with its subsidiaries, provides payments, marketplace, and fintech solutions for consumers and merchants in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It operates through three segments: Payments Platform, Marketplace Platform, and Fintech Platform. The Payments Platform segment facilities transactions between customers and merchants.

Read Our Latest Research Report on KSPI

LexinFintech (LX)

LexinFintech Holdings Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides online consumer finance services in the People's Republic of China. The company operates Fenqile.com, an online consumption and consumer finance platform that offers installment purchase and personal installment loans, as well as online direct sales with installment payment terms; and Le Hua Card, a scenario-based lending.

Read Our Latest Research Report on LX

PPDAI Group (FINV)

FinVolution Group operates in the online consumer finance industry. The company operates a fintech platform that is empowered by borrowers with financial institutions. It operates in China and internationally. The company was formerly known as PPDAI Group Inc. and changed its name to FinVolution Group in November 2019.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FINV

DeFi Development (DFDV)

We are a B2B fintech marketplace connecting commercial property borrowers and lenders with a human touch. We seek to revolutionize the commercial real estate lending market by making it hyper-efficient, transparent, and accessible to all rather than the few. Through our online platform, we provide technology that connects commercial mortgage borrowers looking for capital to refinance, build, or purchase commercial property, including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, to commercial property lenders.

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IDT (IDT)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

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FUKOKU MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE Co lowered its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 13.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,823 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 286 shares during the quarter. FUKOKU MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE Cos holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $1,290,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of GS. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth $25,000. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,800.0% during the 2nd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 38 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC boosted its position 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 valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They issued a market perform rating and a $785.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $750.00 price target (up from $625.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Barclays lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $720.00 to $850.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $843.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $786.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.51, for a total transaction of $6,754,590.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 106,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at $79,755,196.68. This represents a 7.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE GS opened at $785.42 on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $439.38 and a 1-year high of $841.28. The company has a 50-day moving average of $786.35 and a two-hundred day moving average of $715.26. The company has a market cap of $235.57 billion, a PE ratio of 15.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 14.79%. The business had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $8.40 earnings per share. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be paid a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.50%.

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Newmont, Barrick Mining, Freeport-McMoRan, Agnico Eagle Mines, Hecla Mining, Coeur Mining, and AngloGold Ashanti are the seven Gold stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Gold stocks are shares of publicly traded companies involved in the exploration, mining, refining, or financing of gold  including senior producers, junior explorers, and royalty/streaming firms. Their returns are driven both by movements in the gold price and by company-specific factors (reserves, production costs, operational and geopolitical risks), making them a leveraged and often more volatile way to gain exposure to gold. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Gold stocks within the last several days.

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Newmont (NEM)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana.

Barrick Mining (B)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

Read Our Latest Research Report on B

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FCX

Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

Read Our Latest Research Report on AEM

Hecla Mining (HL)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HL

Coeur Mining (CDE)

Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CDE

AngloGold Ashanti (AU)

AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania.

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Skeena Resources (NYSE:SKE  Get Free Report) and Diamcor Mining (OTCMKTS:DMIFF  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Skeena Resources and Diamcor Minings gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Skeena Resources N/A N/A -$110.89 million ($0.73) -25.38 Diamcor Mining $830,000.00 0.83 -$4.81 million ($0.01) -0.41

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Diamcor Mining has higher revenue and earnings than Skeena Resources. Skeena Resources is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Diamcor Mining, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

45.2% of Skeena Resources shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of Skeena Resources shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Skeena Resources has a beta of 1.25, suggesting that its stock price is 25% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Diamcor Mining has a beta of 1.35, suggesting that its stock price is 35% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Skeena Resources and Diamcor Mining, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Skeena Resources 1 0 4 1 2.83 Diamcor Mining 0 0 0 0 0.00

Profitability

This table compares Skeena Resources and Diamcor Minings net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Skeena Resources N/A -60.92% -20.25% Diamcor Mining N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Diamcor Mining beats Skeena Resources on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Skeena Resources

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Skeena Resources Limited explores for and develops mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine comprising one mining lease and nine mineral tenures that covers an area of approximately 4,724 hectares; and the Eskay Creek gold mine that consists of eight mineral leases, two surface leases, and various unpatented mining claims comprising 7,666 hectares located in British Columbia, Canada. The company was formerly known as Prolific Resources Ltd. and changed its name to Skeena Resources Limited in June 1990. Skeena Resources Limited was incorporated in 1979 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

About Diamcor Mining

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Diamcor Mining Inc., a junior mining and exploration company, identifies, acquires, explores for, evaluates, operates, and develops diamond-based resource properties. It holds interests in the Krone-Endora at Venetia project that consists of Krone 104MS and Endora 66MS farms covering a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares located in South Africa. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Kelowna, Canada.

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Renasant (NYSE:RNST  Get Free Report) and Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE:LOB  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends and risk.

Risk and Volatility

Renasant has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Live Oak Bancshares has a beta of 1.98, indicating that its share price is 98% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Renasant and Live Oak Bancshares, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Renasant 0 1 0 1 3.00 Live Oak Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Renasant $874.43 million 3.71 $195.46 million $1.99 17.16 Live Oak Bancshares $533.05 million 2.58 $77.47 million $1.49 20.22

This table compares Renasant and Live Oak Bancsharess top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Renasant has higher revenue and earnings than Live Oak Bancshares. Renasant is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Live Oak Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Renasant and Live Oak Bancshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Renasant 11.26% 6.99% 1.01% Live Oak Bancshares 6.94% 6.73% 0.52%

Dividends

Renasant pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Live Oak Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Renasant pays out 46.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Live Oak Bancshares pays out 8.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

77.3% of Renasant shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 64.0% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.8% of Renasant shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 23.4% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Renasant beats Live Oak Bancshares on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Renasant

(Get Free Report)

Renasant Corporation operates as a bank holding company for Renasant Bank that provides a range of financial, wealth management, fiduciary, and insurance services to retail and commercial customers. It operates through three segments: Community Banks, Insurance, and Wealth Management. The Community Banks segment offers checking and savings accounts, business and personal loans, asset-based lending, and equipment leasing services, as well as safe deposit and night depository facilities. It also provides commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; equipment financing and leasing; real estate1-4 family mortgage; real estatecommercial mortgage; real estateconstruction loans for the construction of single family residential properties, multi-family properties, and commercial projects; installment loans to individuals; and interim construction loans, as well as automated teller machine (ATM), online and mobile banking, call center, and treasury management services. The Insurance segment provides insurance agency services, such as commercial and personal insurance products through insurance carriers. The Wealth Management segment offers a range of wealth management and fiduciary services, including administration and management of trust accounts, such as personal and corporate benefit accounts, and custodial accounts, as well as accounting and money management for trust accounts; annuities, mutual funds, and other investment services through a third party broker-dealer; and qualified retirement plans, IRAs, employee benefit plans, personal trusts, and estates. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated a network of 189 banking, lending, and mortgage offices located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; 150 full-service branches and 11 limited-service branches; 173 ATMs; and 38 interactive teller machines. Renasant Corporation was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi.

About Live Oak Bancshares

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Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Live Oak Banking Company that provides various commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, and professionals in North Carolina, the United States. The company accepts various deposit products, including noninterest-bearing demand, as well as interest-bearing checking, money market, savings, and time deposits. It also offers commercial and industrial loans; construction and development loans; owner occupied and non-owner occupied collateral commercial real estate loans; and commercial land loans. In addition, the company provides settlement, accounting, and securitization services for government guaranteed loans; wealth and investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and families; investment advisory services to a series of funds focused on providing venture capital to new and emerging financial technology companies; and an on-site restaurant location to company employees and business visitors. Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina.

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Howe & Rusling Inc. lifted its position in shares of McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 4.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 37,748 shares of the fast-food giants stock after purchasing an additional 1,664 shares during the period. Howe & Rusling Inc.s holdings in McDonalds were worth $11,029,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. First American Trust FSB lifted its stake in McDonalds by 55.9% in the first quarter. First American Trust FSB now owns 36,917 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $11,532,000 after acquiring an additional 13,234 shares during the period. Banque Transatlantique SA raised its holdings in McDonalds by 58.0% in the 1st quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA now owns 248,826 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $71,829,000 after purchasing an additional 91,313 shares in the last quarter. Hamilton Capital LLC raised its holdings in McDonalds by 35.2% in the 1st quarter. Hamilton Capital LLC now owns 3,145 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $982,000 after purchasing an additional 819 shares in the last quarter. Welch Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of McDonalds by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Welch Group LLC now owns 206,004 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $60,188,000 after purchasing an additional 2,180 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise bought a new position in shares of McDonalds in the 1st quarter worth approximately $8,444,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the companys stock.

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McDonalds Stock Down 0.7%

MCD opened at $302.50 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $215.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.92, a PEG ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $302.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $304.41. McDonalds Corporation has a twelve month low of $276.53 and a twelve month high of $326.32.

McDonalds Increases Dividend

McDonalds ( NYSE:MCD Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The fast-food giant reported $3.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.33 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $7.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.10 billion. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 225.52% and a net margin of 32.21%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.23 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. This is a boost from McDonaldss previous quarterly dividend of $1.77. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.48%.

Insider Activity at McDonalds

In other McDonalds news, EVP Manuel Jm Steijaert sold 13,134 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.42, for a total value of $3,945,716.28. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,606 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,383,734.52. This represents a 74.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 3,195 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.82, for a total value of $977,094.90. Following the sale, the insider owned 6,088 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,861,832.16. This represents a 34.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 17,329 shares of company stock worth $5,237,811. 0.25% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on McDonalds from $350.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. BTIG Research restated a neutral rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on shares of McDonalds in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $320.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of McDonalds from $340.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $324.57.

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McDonalds Company Profile

(Free Report)

McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.

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Imperial Oil (TSE:IMO  Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:IMO) had its price objective hoisted by equities researchers at Morgan Stanley from C$97.00 to C$101.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. Morgan Stanleys price target would suggest a potential downside of 27.38% from the companys previous close.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on IMO. Wolfe Research lowered shares of Imperial Oil from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on Imperial Oil from C$109.00 to C$110.00 in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Imperial Oil from C$115.00 to C$117.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Imperial Oil from C$104.00 to C$107.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Imperial Oil from C$101.00 to C$110.00 in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Imperial Oil currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of C$107.11.

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Imperial Oil Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of TSE:IMO traded down C$0.13 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching C$139.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 431,918 shares, compared to its average volume of 824,563. Imperial Oil has a 12-month low of C$82.98 and a 12-month high of C$141.17. The firm has a market capitalization of C$69.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.76, a PEG ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$127.82 and a 200-day moving average of C$116.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.04.

Imperial Oil (TSE:IMO  Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:IMO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported C$1.07 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$11.99 billion for the quarter. Imperial Oil had a net margin of 10.00% and a return on equity of 21.23%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Imperial Oil will post 8.6164609 earnings per share for the current year.

About Imperial Oil

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Imperial Oil is one of Canadas largest integrated oil companies, focusing on upstream operations, petroleum refining operations, and the marketing of petroleum products. Production averaged 398 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020. The company estimates that it holds 5.2 billion boe of proved and probable crude oil and natural gas reserves.

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Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) EVP Audrey Tillman sold 15,862 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.00, for a total transaction of $1,776,544.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 230,688 shares in the company, valued at $25,837,056. This trade represents a 6.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Aflac Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE AFL traded up $0.91 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $110.31. The stock had a trading volume of 291,173 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,186,433. The company has a market cap of $57.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.01, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.83. The businesss 50 day moving average is $109.98 and its 200-day moving average is $106.04. Aflac Incorporated has a 52 week low of $96.95 and a 52 week high of $115.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

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Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter. Aflac had a return on equity of 15.08% and a net margin of 15.32%. As a group, analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

Aflac announced that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, August 12th that permits the company to buyback 100,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. This is a boost from Aflacs previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. Aflacs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler set a $125.00 target price on shares of Aflac and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Barclays restated an underweight rating and issued a $104.00 price target (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Aflac in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Aflac from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Aflac from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Aflac from $114.00 to $111.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $111.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on Aflac

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aflac

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AFL. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in Aflac by 188.5% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 225 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Aflac during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Aflac during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Aflac by 1,526.7% during the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the period. Finally, AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new position in Aflac in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Aflac

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Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

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Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company to a hold rating in a report released on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on LVS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Zacks Research raised Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, September 7th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on Las Vegas Sands from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.60.

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Las Vegas Sands Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of Las Vegas Sands stock traded down $0.04 during trading on Monday, reaching $64.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,846,174 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,615,288. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $50.53. Las Vegas Sands has a 1-year low of $30.18 and a 1-year high of $67.83. The company has a market cap of $43.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.42.

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The casino operator reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.04 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 73.14%. Las Vegas Sandss revenue for the quarter was up 24.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.44 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Las Vegas Sands will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Las Vegas Sands

In other Las Vegas Sands news, CEO Robert G. Goldstein sold 360,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.05, for a total value of $22,698,000.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP D. Zachary Hudson sold 100,000 shares of Las Vegas Sands stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $6,499,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 13,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $892,637.65. This trade represents a 87.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 2,100,000 shares of company stock worth $126,218,200. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Las Vegas Sands

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in LVS. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Las Vegas Sands by 69.3% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 567,101 shares of the casino operators stock worth $21,907,000 after purchasing an additional 232,091 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in Las Vegas Sands by 0.4% during the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,101,190 shares of the casino operators stock worth $119,799,000 after acquiring an additional 12,593 shares during the period. Ground Swell Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Las Vegas Sands in the first quarter valued at $225,000. Everett Harris & Co. CA purchased a new stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands during the 1st quarter worth $657,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 560.4% during the 1st quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 70,685 shares of the casino operators stock worth $2,731,000 after purchasing an additional 59,982 shares in the last quarter. 39.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Las Vegas Sands Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

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Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday . 8,445,101 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 143% from the previous sessions volume of 3,471,472 shares.The stock last traded at $116.2610 and had previously closed at $115.16.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LEN has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Lennar from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of Lennar in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Lennar from $97.00 to $92.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Lennar from $98.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Finally, JMP Securities raised their target price on shares of Lennar from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $121.75.

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Lennar Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $29.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.78 and a beta of 1.33. The stocks 50 day moving average is $124.93 and its 200 day moving average is $119.40. The company has a current ratio of 4.49, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, September 18th. The construction company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.14 by ($0.14). The firm had revenue of $8.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.01 billion. Lennar had a return on equity of 11.09% and a net margin of 7.72%.The firms quarterly revenue was down 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.90 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Lennar Corporation will post 12.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Lennar Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. Lennars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.76%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lennar

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new position in Lennar during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Lennar during the third quarter worth about $26,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in Lennar in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Rexford Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in Lennar during the second quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Disciplina Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Lennar by 179.8% in the 1st quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC now owns 333 shares of the construction companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares during the last quarter. 81.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Lennar Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The companys homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

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Lodestone Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT  Free Report) by 23.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,291 shares of the retailers stock after acquiring an additional 2,347 shares during the quarter. Lodestone Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Target were worth $1,213,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in shares of Target by 101.3% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,080 shares of the retailers stock worth $822,000 after buying an additional 3,059 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of Target by 233.6% in the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 15,686 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,637,000 after acquiring an additional 10,984 shares in the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Target by 158.1% during the first quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 16,895 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,763,000 after acquiring an additional 10,350 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its holdings in Target by 4.0% during the first quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 35,550 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,710,000 after acquiring an additional 1,360 shares during the period. Finally, Crestwood Advisors Group LLC lifted its holdings in Target by 1.9% during the first quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 11,932 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,245,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.73% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price objective on Target from $87.00 to $80.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Target in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Target from $117.00 to $100.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $115.00 price objective on shares of Target in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Target from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Target currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $106.38.

Target Trading Down 2.9%

NYSE:TGT opened at $85.94 on Thursday. Target Corporation has a 1 year low of $85.30 and a 1 year high of $145.08. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $90.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $96.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The company has a market cap of $39.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.19.

Target (NYSE:TGT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 19th. The retailer reported $1.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.07. Target had a net margin of 3.72% and a return on equity of 23.43%. The company had revenue of $25.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.44 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.85 earnings per share. Targets revenue was down 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Target has set its FY 2025 guidance at 7.000-8.000 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Target Corporation will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Target Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be paid a $1.14 dividend. This is a boost from Targets previous quarterly dividend of $1.12. This represents a $4.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 12th. Targets payout ratio is currently 53.15%.

Target Profile

(Free Report)

Target Corporation operates as a general merchandise retailer in the United States. The company offers apparel for women, men, boys, girls, toddlers, and infants and newborns, as well as jewelry, accessories, and shoes; and beauty and personal care, baby gear, cleaning, paper products, and pet supplies.

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Lodestone Wealth Management LLC reduced its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 18.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,428 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 2,137 shares during the period. American Express makes up approximately 1.5% of Lodestone Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Lodestone Wealth Management LLCs holdings in American Express were worth $3,007,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AXP. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,191 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $384,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. DLK Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of American Express by 3.8% in the second quarter. DLK Investment Management LLC now owns 869 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $277,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the period. PFG Advisors raised its stake in American Express by 0.7% in the second quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 5,059 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,614,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. lifted its position in American Express by 4.7% during the first quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 772 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $208,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, Modern Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in American Express by 0.7% during the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,921 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,324,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the companys stock.

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American Express Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $344.77 on Thursday. American Express Company has a one year low of $220.43 and a one year high of $377.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.59. The company has a market cap of $237.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.14, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $344.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $319.40.

American Express Announces Dividend

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.16. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The firm had revenue of $17.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.49 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. Research analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is presently 22.01%.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total transaction of $18,010,500.00. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 85,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. This trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 112,272 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.86, for a total value of $37,034,041.92. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 92,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,614,306.60. This trade represents a 54.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 193,292 shares of company stock valued at $65,363,878. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AXP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $336.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of American Express from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. HSBC set a $295.00 price objective on shares of American Express and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Truist Financial upped their target price on American Express from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Compass Point reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $324.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Express presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $332.65.

Check Out Our Latest Report on American Express

American Express Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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Mcrae Industrie (OTCMKTS:MCRAA  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, Zacks reports.

Mcrae Industrie Stock Performance

Shares of Mcrae Industrie stock remained flat at $45.18 on Thursday. The companys fifty day moving average is $45.35 and its two-hundred day moving average is $46.45. The firm has a market cap of $85.48 million, a PE ratio of 8.54 and a beta of 0.15. Mcrae Industrie has a 1-year low of $42.87 and a 1-year high of $52.40.

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Mcrae Industrie Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 19th were issued a dividend of $0.14 per share. This represents a yield of 123.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 18th. Mcrae Industries payout ratio is currently 10.59%.

Mcrae Industrie Company Profile

McRae Industries, Inc manufactures and sells military combat boots for the United States Army. The company manufactures, sells, and distributes western, lifestyle, and work boots. It offers its products for men, women, and children under the Dan Post, Laredo Western Boots, Dingo, McRae Industrial, and McRae Footwear brand names.

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Norcros (LON:NXR  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating restated by equities researchers at Peel Hunt in a report issued on Thursday,London Stock Exchange reports. They currently have a GBX 340 price objective on the stock. Peel Hunts price objective suggests a potential upside of 13.33% from the stocks previous close.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on NXR. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 630 target price on shares of Norcros in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on Norcros from GBX 350 to GBX 410 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Norcros has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 438.75.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Norcros

Norcros Stock Performance

Shares of NXR stock traded up GBX 8 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching GBX 300. 65,807 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 159,633. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.60, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 2.00. Norcros has a 12 month low of GBX 184.50 and a 12 month high of GBX 320. The firm has a market capitalization of 269.07 million, a PE ratio of 76.92 and a beta of 1.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 280.29 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 275.55.

Norcros (LON:NXR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The company reported GBX 16.30 earnings per share for the quarter. Norcros had a net margin of 6.83% and a return on equity of 12.35%. On average, research analysts forecast that Norcros will post 31.3118812 EPS for the current year.

Norcros Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Norcros is a market leading group of brands providing design led, high quality bathroom and kitchen products with operations primarily in the UK and South Africa.

Based in the UK, Norcros operates under six brands:

 Triton  Market leader in the manufacture and marketing of showers in the UK

 Merlyn  UK and Irelands No.1 supplier of shower enclosures and trays to the residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors

 Grant Westfield  Leading manufacturer of high-end waterproof bathroom wall panels

 Vado  Leading manufacturer and supplier of taps, mixer showers, bathroom accessories, and valves

 Croydex  Market-leading, innovative designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality bathroom furnishings and accessories

 Abode  Leading niche designer and distributor of high-quality kitchen taps, bathroom taps, and kitchen sinks

Based in South Africa, Norcros operates under four brands:

 Tile Africa  Chain of retail stores focused on ceramic and porcelain tiles and associated products such as sanitaryware, showers, and adhesives

 Johnson Tiles South Africa  Manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain tiles

 TAL  Leading manufacturer of ceramic and building adhesives in South Africa

 House of Plumbing  Market-leading supplier of specialist plumbing materials

Norcros is headquartered in Wilmslow, Cheshire and employs around 2,100 people.

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Northland Power (TSE:NPI  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by research analysts at CIBC from C$25.00 to C$24.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the solar energy providers stock. CIBCs price target suggests a potential upside of 37.22% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on Northland Power from C$29.00 to C$28.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 15th. BMO Capital Markets lowered shares of Northland Power from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price target for the company from C$31.00 to C$25.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Desjardins cut shares of Northland Power from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Scotiabank lowered shares of Northland Power from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Northland Power presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$26.19.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Northland Power

Northland Power Trading Down 3.0%

TSE:NPI traded down C$0.55 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting C$17.49. 1,604,067 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 973,444. The firm has a market capitalization of C$4.57 billion, a P/E ratio of -16.05, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 0.87. Northland Power has a fifty-two week low of C$16.14 and a fifty-two week high of C$25.99. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$23.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$22.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 181.28.

Northland Power (TSE:NPI  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The solar energy provider reported C($1.58) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$559.39 million for the quarter. Northland Power had a negative net margin of 5.92% and a negative return on equity of 3.37%.

About Northland Power

(Get Free Report)

Northland Power develops, constructs, and operates maintainable infrastructure assets across a range of clean and green technologies, such as wind (offshore and onshore), solar, and supplying energy through a regulated utility. Offshore wind is expected to remain the companys largest segment over the long term.

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Jet2 (LON:JET2  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating restated by stock analysts at Panmure Gordon in a research note issued on Thursday,London Stock Exchange reports. They presently have a GBX 1,700 price objective on the stock. Panmure Gordons price objective indicates a potential upside of 28.40% from the stocks current price.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on Jet2 from GBX 2,150 to GBX 2,059 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on Jet2 from GBX 2,200 to GBX 2,150 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 2,250 target price on shares of Jet2 in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 2,100 target price on shares of Jet2 in a report on Thursday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 2,051.50.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Jet2

Jet2 Trading Down 2.3%

LON:JET2 traded down GBX 31 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching GBX 1,324. 6,445,479 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,218,368. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 1,363.75 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 1,589.61. Jet2 has a 12 month low of GBX 1,088 and a 12 month high of GBX 1,963. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 103.30, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 1.36. The stock has a market capitalization of 2.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.39, a PEG ratio of 9.34 and a beta of 2.27.

Jet2 (LON:JET2  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The company reported GBX 300.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Jet2 had a net margin of 6.38% and a return on equity of 26.53%. On average, research analysts predict that Jet2 will post 170.9134615 EPS for the current year.

Jet2 Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Jet2 plc is a leading leisure travel group, specialising in friendly low fares from its award-winning airline, Jet2.com, and package holidays you can trust from the UKs largest package holiday provider, Jet2holidays.

Jet2.com is the UKs third largest airline, flying from 12 UK airports to over 70 destinations across Europe and beyond and Jet2holidays is the UKs largest tour operator.

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UBS Group downgraded shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Free Report) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report released on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have $51.00 price target on the utilities providers stock.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on POR. BTIG Research upgraded Portland General Electric to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Portland General Electric in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $45.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Portland General Electric from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Mizuho set a $47.00 price target on Portland General Electric in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Portland General Electric in a report on Thursday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Portland General Electric has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.92.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on POR

Portland General Electric Stock Performance

NYSE POR traded up $0.66 on Wednesday, reaching $49.34. 170,322 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,184,172. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. Portland General Electric has a one year low of $39.54 and a one year high of $50.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.55 billion, a PE ratio of 18.20, a PEG ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.67. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $45.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $42.87.

Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $952.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $975.64 million. Portland General Electric had a net margin of 8.43% and a return on equity of 8.07%. The companys revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.90 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Portland General Electric will post 3.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Portland General Electric Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.525 per share. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 22nd. Portland General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 76.36%.

Insider Transactions at Portland General Electric

In other news, CEO Maria M. Pope sold 18,896 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.50, for a total transaction of $803,080.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 194,135 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,250,737.50. This represents a 8.87% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Portland General Electric during the third quarter valued at $27,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Portland General Electric in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric by 1,291.7% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 668 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 620 shares during the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Portland General Electric during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric by 80.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 829 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 370 shares during the last quarter.

Portland General Electric Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,254 circuit miles, including 287 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 554 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 934 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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ProShare Advisors LLC lessened its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 737,114 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 47,963 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $213,697,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in JPM. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the first quarter worth $28,000. University of Illinois Foundation bought a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the first quarter worth $30,000. Ryan Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the second quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc increased its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 212.0% in the 2nd quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 156 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the period. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of JPM opened at $303.46 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $826.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.03, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.14. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a one year low of $202.16 and a one year high of $322.25. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $307.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $290.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend

JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.83 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $47.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $44.42 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.18% and a net margin of 20.90%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.37 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Monday, October 6th were issued a $1.50 dividend. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.72%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Linda Bammann sold 9,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.94, for a total transaction of $2,830,430.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 82,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,492,753.58. This represents a 10.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total transaction of $301,314.72. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 58,479 shares in the company, valued at $18,240,769.68. This trade represents a 1.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.47% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a buy rating and issued a $343.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $366.00 target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $345.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $326.38.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

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ProShare Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR  Free Report) by 93.1% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 42,633 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 579,684 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLCs holdings in Arbor Realty Trust were worth $456,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new position in Arbor Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust in the second quarter worth $32,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 25,163.2% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,800 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 4,781 shares during the last quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S purchased a new position in Arbor Realty Trust during the first quarter valued at $65,000. Finally, Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Arbor Realty Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $88,000. Institutional investors own 57.25% of the companys stock.

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Arbor Realty Trust Price Performance

Shares of Arbor Realty Trust stock opened at $8.72 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $1.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.59 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 38.37 and a current ratio of 38.37. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $11.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $11.02. Arbor Realty Trust has a one year low of $8.18 and a one year high of $15.05.

Arbor Realty Trust Announces Dividend

Arbor Realty Trust ( NYSE:ABR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $162.49 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $72.26 million. Arbor Realty Trust had a return on equity of 12.26% and a net margin of 20.75%. Equities analysts expect that Arbor Realty Trust will post 1.65 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 13.8%. Arbor Realty Trusts payout ratio is currently 150.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Ivan Kaufman acquired 29,000 shares of Arbor Realty Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $8.34 per share, with a total value of $241,860.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 54,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $450,360. This trade represents a 116.00% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 3.80% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Arbor Realty Trust from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Arbor Realty Trust from $11.50 to $10.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Piper Sandler set a $10.00 price target on Arbor Realty Trust and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Arbor Realty Trust in a research note on Monday. Finally, Zacks Research raised Arbor Realty Trust from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $11.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on ABR

About Arbor Realty Trust

(Free Report)

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates through Structured Business and Agency Business segments. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities.

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Prudential PLC increased its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 34.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 790,927 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 202,251 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $19,172,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of PFE. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer in the first quarter valued at $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC boosted its position in Pfizer by 36,600.0% in the 2nd quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 1,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 1,098 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the first quarter valued at about $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the first quarter worth about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PFE has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Scotiabank assumed coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $30.00 target price on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating and issued a $30.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $28.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pfizer has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.28.

Pfizer Price Performance

PFE opened at $24.93 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The companys 50-day moving average price is $24.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.47. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.92 and a fifty-two week high of $27.69. The firm has a market cap of $141.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.54.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.94 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 21.42% and a net margin of 16.84%. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.9%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.00%.

Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Prudential PLC cut its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Free Report) by 14.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 496,118 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 86,378 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLC owned about 0.17% of Sociedad Quimica y Minera worth $17,498,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the second quarter worth $67,759,000. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the first quarter worth about $39,154,000. RWC Asset Advisors US LLC acquired a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera in the 1st quarter worth about $37,170,000. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,432,000. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the 1st quarter worth approximately $19,666,000. Institutional investors own 12.41% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $36.50 to $43.50 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Itau BBA Securities started coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. They set an outperform rating and a $55.00 price objective on the stock. Rothschild & Co Redburn began coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a research report on Friday, October 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $54.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Sociedad Quimica y Minera from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Sociedad Quimica y Minera presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.81.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera Trading Up 6.3%

Shares of SQM opened at $63.17 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.93 and a current ratio of 2.92. Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. has a 52-week low of $29.36 and a 52-week high of $64.60. The firm has a market cap of $18.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.82 and a beta of 1.14. The businesss fifty day moving average is $46.21 and its 200-day moving average is $40.73.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 18th. The basic materials company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by ($0.07). Sociedad Quimica y Minera had a net margin of 11.29% and a return on equity of 9.09%. The business had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.46 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. will post -1.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA operates as a mining company worldwide. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers under Ultrasol, Qrop, Speedfol, Allganic, Ultrasoline, ProP, and Prohydric brands. It also provides iodine and its derivatives for use in medical, agricultural, industrial, and human and animal nutrition products comprising x-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCD and LED screens, chemicals, organic compounds, and pigments, as well as added to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.

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Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR (TSE:APR.UN  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by equities researchers at Raymond James Financial from C$12.75 to C$12.50 in a report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Raymond James Financials price target suggests a potential upside of 15.21% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on APR.UN. Desjardins lowered their price objective on Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR from C$13.00 to C$12.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 24th. National Bankshares increased their target price on shares of Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR from C$12.00 to C$12.50 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on shares of Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR from C$13.00 to C$12.50 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, TD Securities boosted their price objective on Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR from C$11.00 to C$12.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 15th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$12.50.

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Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR Price Performance

TSE APR.UN traded down C$0.04 on Thursday, reaching C$10.85. 15,608 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 27,248. The stock has a market cap of C$588.71 million, a PE ratio of 12.78 and a beta of 0.19. Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR has a 12 month low of C$9.04 and a 12 month high of C$11.91. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$11.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$11.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 78.62, a current ratio of 2.24 and a quick ratio of 0.02.

Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR (TSE:APR.UN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported C$0.26 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$25.40 million for the quarter. Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR had a net margin of 76.20% and a return on equity of 11.73%. As a group, research analysts predict that Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR will post 1.0136327 earnings per share for the current year.

About Automotive Properties Real Est Invt TR

(Get Free Report)

Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated open-ended real estate investment trust focused on investing in high-quality Canadian automotive properties tenanted by automotive dealership groups and automotive brands ranging from mass-market to ultra-luxury. The company holds a portfolio of best-in-class properties located in strategic Canadian urban markets across Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec.

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Real Talk Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 1,088 shares of the semiconductor companys stock, valued at approximately $246,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. 1248 Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 174.1% in the second quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 159 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the period. Finally, Keener Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter worth approximately $39,000. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on TSM. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $371.67.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

TSM opened at $282.53 on Thursday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a twelve month low of $134.25 and a twelve month high of $311.37. The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The firm has a market cap of $1.47 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.98, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $287.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $244.34.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 36.06%. The company had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $951.89 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.94 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.9678 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.97%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as GBX 5,662 and last traded at GBX 5,362.17, with a volume of 15437804 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 5,307.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on RIO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Rio Tinto Group to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the company from GBX 5,300 to GBX 5,100 in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and set a GBX 5,200 price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 4,700 to GBX 4,900 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,170 to GBX 6,100 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 4,600 to GBX 5,700 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rio Tinto Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 5,566.67.

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Up 1.0%

About Rio Tinto Group

The firm has a market cap of 87.12 billion, a PE ratio of 8.54, a P/E/G ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.28, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.70. The firms 50-day moving average price is GBX 5,074.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 4,688.66.

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We operate in 35 countries where our 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Our portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero.

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Block (NYSE:XYZ  Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating restated by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $90.00 price objective on the technology companys stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 37.79% from the companys previous close.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on XYZ. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on Block from $100.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Truist Financial raised Block from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday. Citigroup raised Block to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $95.00 price target on shares of Block in a research report on Thursday. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane downgraded Block from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $86.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $82.97.

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Block Stock Up 5.3%

Shares of NYSE:XYZ traded up $3.32 during trading on Thursday, reaching $65.32. 2,703,050 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,995,069. Block has a 1-year low of $44.27 and a 1-year high of $99.26. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $73.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $70.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 2.18. The firm has a market cap of $39.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 2.73.

Block (NYSE:XYZ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The technology company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.29. Block had a net margin of 12.99% and a return on equity of 7.41%. The business had revenue of $6.11 billion during the quarter. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.53 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Block will post 2.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Block

In related news, CFO Amrita Ahuja sold 1,276 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.69, for a total value of $97,856.44. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 282,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,697,441.56. This trade represents a 0.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Owen Britton Jennings sold 1,050 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.77, for a total transaction of $78,508.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 253,956 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,988,290.12. This represents a 0.41% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 76,160 shares of company stock worth $5,899,556 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 10.85% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Block

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in XYZ. Cromwell Holdings LLC bought a new position in shares of Block during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. City Holding Co. bought a new stake in Block in the third quarter worth $27,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC purchased a new stake in Block during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Block during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Traub Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Block during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.44% of the companys stock.

Block Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Square, Inc provides payment and point-of-sale solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's commerce ecosystem includes point-of-sale software and hardware that enables sellers to turn mobile and computing devices into payment and point-of-sale solutions. It offers hardware products, including Magstripe reader, which enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Contactless and chip reader that accepts EMV chip cards and Near Field Communication payments; Chip card reader, which accepts EMV chip cards and enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Square Stand, which enables an iPad to be used as a payment terminal or full point of sale solution; and Square Register that combines its hardware, point-of-sale software, and payments technology, as well as managed payments solutions.

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SHEPHERD WEALTH MANAGEMENT Ltd LIABILITY Co purchased a new stake in Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET  Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 15,500 shares of the pipeline companys stock, valued at approximately $271,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ryan Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Energy Transfer in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new position in shares of Energy Transfer in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. CNB Bank boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 111.1% in the 2nd quarter. CNB Bank now owns 1,900 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the first quarter worth $38,000. Finally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Energy Transfer during the first quarter worth $40,000. 38.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on ET shares. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and issued a $23.00 target price (up previously from $21.00) on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $17.00 price objective on Energy Transfer and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and set a $25.00 target price on shares of Energy Transfer in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Energy Transfer from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their price target on Energy Transfer from $23.00 to $21.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $22.08.

Energy Transfer Trading Down 0.1%

NYSE ET opened at $16.96 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $16.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $17.40. Energy Transfer LP has a 52 week low of $14.60 and a 52 week high of $21.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The company has a market cap of $58.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.76.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.06). Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.80% and a return on equity of 11.08%. The business had revenue of $19.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.32 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 19th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a $0.3325 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.33 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.8%. This is a boost from Energy Transfers previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Energy Transfers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 106.40%.

Energy Transfer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.

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TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO  Free Report) by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 143,024 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,329 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.s holdings in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF were worth $9,248,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in DGRO. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 20.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 3,529 shares of the companys stock worth $218,000 after buying an additional 598 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 25.8% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 48,384 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,094,000 after acquiring an additional 9,936 shares during the period. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp grew its holdings in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 39.4% during the 2nd quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 10,612 shares of the companys stock valued at $679,000 after buying an additional 3,001 shares in the last quarter. MGO One Seven LLC lifted its stake in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 88,711 shares of the companys stock worth $5,481,000 after purchasing an additional 4,186 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Altus Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Altus Wealth Management LLC now owns 427,854 shares of the companys stock worth $27,357,000 after acquiring an additional 3,599 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:DGRO opened at $67.74 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.66 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $68.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $65.50. iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $54.09 and a 1 year high of $69.30.

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF Company Profile

The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Dividend Growth index. The fund tracks an index of US stocks that are selected by dividends, dividend growth and payout ratio, then weighted by dividend dollars. DGRO was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Booking, Expedia Group, Travelers Companies, Trip.com Group, MakeMyTrip, TripAdvisor, and Travel + Leisure are the seven Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are publicly traded companies whose primary business is facilitating or enabling travel and tourismexamples include airlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, online travel agencies, car rental firms, and related service providers. These stocks are typically cyclical and sensitive to factors such as economic conditions, seasonality, fuel costs, geopolitics, health or travel restrictions, and shifts in consumer confidence, which can make them more volatile than defensive sectors. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days.

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Booking (BKNG)

Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands.

Expedia Group (EXPE)

Expedia Group, Inc. operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through B2C, B2B, and trivago segments. Its B2C segment includes Brand Expedia, a full-service online travel brand offers various travel products and services; Hotels.com for lodging accommodations; Vrbo, an online marketplace for the alternative accommodations; Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com and CarRentals.com.

Read Our Latest Research Report on EXPE

Travelers Companies (TRV)

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.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TRV

Trip.com Group (TCOM)

Trip.com Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a travel service provider for accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and in-destination, corporate travel management, and other travel-related services in China and internationally. The company acts as an agent for hotel-related transactions and selling air tickets, as well as provides train, long-distance bus, and ferry tickets; travel insurance products, such as flight delay, air accident, and baggage loss coverage; and air-ticket delivery, online check-in and seat selection, express security screening, real-time flight status tracker, and airport VIP lounge services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TCOM

MakeMyTrip (MMYT)

MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing.

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TripAdvisor (TRIP)

TripAdvisor, Inc. operates as an online travel company, primarily engages in the provision of travel guidance products and services worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Brand Tripadvisor, Viator, and TheFork. The Brand Tripadvisor segment offers travel guidance platforms for travelers to discover, generate, and share authentic user-generated content in the form of ratings and reviews for destinations, points-of-interest, experiences, accommodations, restaurants, and cruises.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TRIP

Travel + Leisure (TNL)

Travel + Leisure Co., together with its subsidiaries, provides hospitality services and travel products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Vacation Ownership; and Travel and Membership. The Vacation Ownership segment develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests (VOIs) to individual consumers, as well as provides consumer financing in connection with the sale of VOIs; and property management services at resorts.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TNL

Further Reading
Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $73,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in QUAL. Keener Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. CX Institutional boosted 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 worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the first quarter worth $37,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the second quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the first quarter worth about $43,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Stock Performance

QUAL opened at $191.76 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $55.60 billion, a PE ratio of 25.59 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $194.33 and a 200-day moving average of $186.57. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 52-week low of $148.34 and a 52-week high of $187.26.

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF 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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Wealthspire Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA  Free Report) by 39.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 32,873 shares of the companys stock after selling 21,540 shares during the quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in CAVA Group were worth $2,769,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAVA. Vision Financial Markets LLC bought a new stake in shares of CAVA Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Dagco Inc. bought a new position in shares of CAVA Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new position in shares of CAVA Group during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its position in shares of CAVA Group by 168.0% in the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 402 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 252 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new position in CAVA Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 73.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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CAVA Group Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:CAVA opened at $45.46 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 2.47. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $58.94 and a 200 day moving average of $73.47. CAVA Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $44.26 and a 52 week high of $153.34.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CAVA Group ( NYSE:CAVA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by ($0.01). CAVA Group had a net margin of 12.14% and a return on equity of 8.88%. The company had revenue of $292.24 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $292.88 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.15 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 19.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that CAVA Group, Inc. will post 0.5 EPS for the current year.

Several analysts have recently issued reports on CAVA shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of CAVA Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird set a $95.00 target price on shares of CAVA Group in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their price target on shares of CAVA Group from $100.00 to $80.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $70.00 price objective on CAVA Group in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Argus cut their target price on CAVA Group from $76.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $81.75.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CAVA Group

CAVA Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of restaurants under the CAVA brand in the United States. The company also offers dips, spreads, and dressings through grocery stores. In addition, the company provides online and mobile ordering platforms. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Washington, the District of Columbia.

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Weaver Consulting Group lowered its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 13.7% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 9,879 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,570 shares during the quarter. Weaver Consulting Groups holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $2,132,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 211.1% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 120 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Proathlete Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA IWM opened at $237.48 on Thursday. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 1 year low of $171.73 and a 1 year high of $252.77. The stock has a market cap of $65.77 billion, a PE ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $243.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $226.91.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

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Chinese FM reconfirms Premier Li will not meet with Japanese leader during G20 summit

Xinhua) 16:52, November 20, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson reconfirmed on Thursday that Chinese Premier Li Qiang will not meet with the Japanese leader during the upcoming Group of 20 Leaders' Summit.

In response to a query about Japan's repeated claims of being open to dialogue and engagement with China, spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing that Premier Li has no plans to meet with the Japanese leader during the G20 summit and urged the Japanese side to act with discretion.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
Dr. Jonathan Dowell has been visiting the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge since 1990 and said the Festival of Cranes is very important to him.

The refuge, he said, is the top wildlife refuge in the state and its staffs knowledge and dedication is outstanding.

This year, the festival was canceled for the first time in its multi-decade history due to the federal government shutdown. For the tens of thousands of visitors who typically descend on Socorro County each November, the loss was emotional.

The refuge, information center and Nature Store have all been reopened and visitors from around the world are on site daily to view and photograph the wildlife.

However, for Dowell, the impact of the shutdown is alarming. He worries about how the environment may suffer from the time lost that is usually spent mowing and flooding the refuge in preparation for the migrating wildlife, including sandhill cranes and snow geese.

Courtesy of Jonathan Dowell

Dowell, a retired Los Alamos National Laboratory engineer and two-time winner of the refuges annual photography contest, said his love for birds began in childhood. He recalled trailing behind his fathera rural Missouri family doctor and avid songbird researcheron early morning outings.

He would identify warblers by their songs in the pre-dawn light, Dowell said. Wed go to wildlife refuges in North Missouri. It was lovely to spend that time with my folks and learn about these birds.

Dowell noted that habitat loss is the number one threat facing birds nationwide. The refuges wetlandswhich must be carefully irrigated, maintained and mowed by staffreplace natural flooding cycles that no longer occur. The refuges ability to provide food and safe roosting areas is critical for overwintering species like sandhill cranes and snow geese.

But those operations came to a sudden halt during the shutdown.

With federal staff furloughed for over a month, essential work on wetland management stopped at the very moment it was needed most.

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The workers were not able to mow crops, irrigate fields, or create the protected water the birds depend on, Dowell said. Those weeks are crucial.

Festival of Cranes Manager Cari Powell said that six weeks of preparation were lost when refuge staff normally flood wetlands and make food resources accessible to wildlife. During that time, she said, roads were not graded and volunteers were not on the refuge to remind visitors to stay out of closed and sensitive areas.

Am I concerned? I am, yes, said Dowell.

The economic hit to Socorro County is also significant, he said, with the loss of visitors business, as well as the loss of contributions that are usually made to Friends of Bosque del Apache during the festival.

The Bosque Nature Store lost approximately $45,000 in sales that support the refuge year round, Powell said.

The store, located at the information center, is currently open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and hosts a wide selection of gifts and memorabilia, including jewelry, home goods and books for youth and adults.

Dowell and his wife have long supported the refuge not only through photography and volunteerism, but financially. Since around 2018, theyve funded the salaries of federal summer internscollege students who help with critical fieldwork and lead environmental education in local schools.

Its been delightful, he said. Wed donate the money with the stipulation that we get to take them all to supper. To meet them, shake their hands, thank them for their work.

Last year, the couple received the Martha Hatch Volunteer of the Year Award from Friends of Bosque del Apache.

Its important to get young people aware of the importance of these refuges, Dowell said. Theyre the ones wholl make the decisions that matter.

Though most visitors come in winter for the cranes and snow geese, Dowell insists the refuge is spectacular year-round. He has photographed endangered willow flycatchers in summer and peregrine falcon chicks nesting on the cliffs. He visits five or six times annually and has spent months working onsite as an engineering contractor for a soil moisture monitoring project.

Sharon Schutz, of Frisco, CO, said she came to the refuge this week to birdwatch while her husband photographs the wildlife.

Its a refuge for four seasons, he said. Its incredible.

Despite his concerns, Dowell remains committed to the refuges futureand hopes this years cancellation serves as a wake-up call.

The Wildlife Refuge System is one of the best ideas America has ever had, he said. It needs to be funded at the level required to protect these habitats. Without that, its a crisis.
The Magdalena Food Co-op store on Highway 60 near the Steer Stop has new signage but remains empty.

A plan to open a community-owned grocery store in the village has unraveled after years of planning, fundraising and grant applications, leaving members frustrated and the building still vacant.

The Magdalena Food Co-op was launched to combat the towns food desert. But three years after signing a lease for a Main Street building, the space remains empty, rent payments have not begun and the board has all but dissolved.

We gave them plenty of runway to try to get it all together, said State Rep. Gail Armstrong, whose family owns the building. We havent received a dime, and the buildings sitting empty. We wanted the co-op to succeed, but it doesnt look like thats going to happen.

Armstrong said she and her husband initially offered the building rent-free until the store opened, but warned early on that relying solely on volunteers was risky.

Volunteers come and go, she said. We advised them to hire a manager, but they hired a grant writer instead.

The co-ops board has seen near-to-total turnover. Sheila Devitt, the only remaining board member, said she acknowledged the lack of communication and said most activity ceased in March of this year.

The status of the co-op was questioned in the local Magdalena email newsletter, the MagE Board.

From my perspective, the MFC is not currently moving forward, Devitt wrote in response to questions on the Mag E board I agree a member meeting should have happened in the spring. As a volunteer holding multiple responsibilities, it was not in my capacity to coordinate and lead a member meeting after the newly elected board fell apart.

Devitt said she has taken minimal steps to maintain the website and insurance, but lacks the capacity to lead a full recovery. She said she hopes to recruit members willing to learn about co-op governance and join the Food Co-op Initiatives peer learning group over the next 612 months.

One lifetime co-op member, Janine Emery said the project is dead in the water. Emery, who joined in 2024, said she was disappointed.

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My main concern is only one person is making decisions for the co-op; there is no Board and according to Sheila Devitts response on the MagEboard, it will be at least 6-12 months before one is in place. Said Emery I am not expecting a refund of my money and am not accusing any one of wrongdoing.

Others have canceled auto-renewing memberships. Former board member Charles Blaylock said he disputed charges after losing confidence in the plan.

We left because we didnt think the business plan was viable, he said. They wanted a store the size of a full-service supermarket for a town of 900 people. It was far too large for what we could support.

The choice of building has been a flashpoint. Former president Judyth Shamosh called it a pipe dream, citing mold in the basement, inadequate flooring for refrigeration units, and heating costs that once topped $800 for a single winter month.

It would never pass inspection, she said. We need to move the focus away from that building so we can get the community fed.

Community posts on the MagE board echo those concerns, estimating renovation costs at $300,000 or more. Plumbing embedded in concrete, lack of cooling systems, and structural issues have fueled calls to consider alternative locations.

According to information sent by Devitt, membership revenue totals about $8,200, with $1,000 from 50 annual members and $7,200 from 36 lifetime members, far short of the $350,000 to $1 million estimated by consultants as necessary to open a store. Fundraising brought in about $6,000, and the account reportedly held less than $2,000 by early 2025.

Devitt also said that some federal grants were used, though they were temporarily frozen due to DOGE.

We had a federal grant that covered some consultation. They will help you design a floor plan and look at how best to use the space and look at some of the logistics you might need to figure out in terms of electricity load and the kinds of equipment you need, Devitt said.

After the federal grant was thawed, it was used for this consultation, said Devitt.

Membership bylaws state that refunds are discretionary and only possible if surplus funds exist. Any investment or donation is a risk for members, said former secretary Osiris Navarro.

Several members have requested refunds, but Devitt confirmed there are no surplus funds.

Devitt said she hopes to rebuild the board and re-engage members through education and planning, citing resources from other New Mexico co-ops. However, Armstrong said her family has issued notice that rent must be paid or the lease will be terminated.

We cant keep waiting, she said. Weve done everything we could.

As far as next steps, Devitt said that she acknowledges the building was a point of contention and that change in location may be something they look at in the future, after education and reinstatement of the board, That location could be a distraction for other work that will help us build a shared vision. Devitt said.

When reached for comment the founder and former board president of the co-op Laurie Ware said I dont have any current information regarding the co-op. I no longer live in New Mexico.

For now, the co-ops mission to bring fresh food to Magdalena, and restore trust in community-led projects, remains in limbo.
Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd bought a new position in shares of Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI  Free Report) (TSE:AGI) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 107,971 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $2,868,000. Alamos Gold accounts for about 0.8% of Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding.

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A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AGI. Cheviot Value Management LLC increased its stake in Alamos Gold by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Cheviot Value Management LLC now owns 52,377 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,346,000 after purchasing an additional 635 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alamos Gold in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new stake in shares of Alamos Gold during the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Alamos Gold by 2.7% during the second quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 50,051 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,329,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its position in shares of Alamos Gold by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 196,833 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $5,225,000 after acquiring an additional 1,455 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.33% of the companys stock.

Alamos Gold Price Performance

AGI opened at $33.89 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $33.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $29.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. Alamos Gold Inc. has a 1 year low of $17.80 and a 1 year high of $37.54. The stock has a market cap of $14.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.48, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 0.50.

Alamos Gold Dividend Announcement

Alamos Gold ( NYSE:AGI Get Free Report ) (TSE:AGI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The basic materials company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.37. The company had revenue of $462.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $490.96 million. Alamos Gold had a return on equity of 12.69% and a net margin of 33.46%.The businesss revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.19 EPS. Analysts forecast that Alamos Gold Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 25th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 11th were given a dividend of $0.025 per share. This represents a $0.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 11th. Alamos Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.81%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Alamos Gold in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Alamos Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Alamos Gold from a buy (a) rating to a buy (b+) rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Alamos Gold in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, TD Securities reiterated a buy rating on shares of Alamos Gold in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Alamos Gold has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $41.00.

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About Alamos Gold

(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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17 Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 60.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,104 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 4,194 shares during the quarter. 17 Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $890,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt lifted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% in the second quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $76,095,550,000 after buying an additional 949,735,001 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,332,851,000 after acquiring an additional 5,894,747 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $109,643,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 34.6% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 5,307,366 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $381,016,000 after acquiring an additional 1,365,629 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 302,092,955 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $24,203,688,000 after purchasing an additional 1,341,222 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WFC has been the subject of several research reports. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold 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 $89.57.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $84.20 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $264.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.22. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $58.42 and a 1-year high of $88.64. The companys 50-day moving average is $83.94 and its 200 day moving average is $80.16.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.42 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current year.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio 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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17 Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 30.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,857 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,590 shares during the period. 17 Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $324,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAC. Nova Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in Bank of America by 75.2% during the second quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 529 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Bank of America by 246.5% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 523 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 880 shares during the last quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. CGC Financial Services LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 585.4% in the 2nd quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC now owns 610 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Acima Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.71% of the companys stock.

Bank of America Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE:BAC opened at $52.04 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $379.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.18, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.34. Bank of America Corporation has a 12-month low of $33.06 and a 12-month high of $54.69. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $51.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $48.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12.

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.13. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.70% and a return on equity of 10.76%. The company had revenue of $5.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.05 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.81 earnings per share. Bank of Americas revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

Bank of America announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 23rd that permits the company to repurchase $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to buy up to 11.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on BAC shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 price target (up previously from $57.00) on shares of Bank of America in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Bank of America from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Seaport Global Securities upped their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $59.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Bank of America from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Twenty-three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Bank of America has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $57.77.

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About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

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17 Capital Partners LLC trimmed its position in shares of Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 10.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,492 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 636 shares during the period. 17 Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Danaher were worth $1,085,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MGO One Seven LLC lifted its holdings in Danaher by 485.7% during the 1st quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 25,098 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $5,145,000 after purchasing an additional 20,813 shares during the last quarter. Chicago Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Danaher by 11.6% during the second quarter. Chicago Capital LLC now owns 13,332 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,634,000 after purchasing an additional 1,391 shares during the period. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd lifted its holdings in Danaher by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 170,505 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $34,954,000 after purchasing an additional 2,667 shares during the last quarter. Nvwm LLC lifted its holdings in Danaher by 20.4% during the 2nd quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 7,093 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,401,000 after purchasing an additional 1,204 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. boosted its stake in Danaher by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. now owns 322,924 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $63,787,000 after purchasing an additional 6,136 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.05% of the companys stock.

Danaher Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of DHR opened at $222.58 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $207.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $201.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.10. Danaher Corporation has a one year low of $171.00 and a one year high of $258.23. The company has a market cap of $157.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.81.

Danaher Announces Dividend

Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.17. Danaher had a return on equity of 10.92% and a net margin of 14.44%.The company had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.71 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Danaher Corporation will post 7.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 26th were issued a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 26th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Danahers dividend payout ratio is 26.39%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 5,174 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.42, for a total transaction of $1,088,713.08. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 2,625 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $552,352.50. The trade was a 66.34% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Teri List sold 3,298 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.50, for a total transaction of $746,997.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 20,762 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,702,593. This represents a 13.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 33,026 shares of company stock worth $7,195,987. Corporate insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $241.00 price objective on Danaher in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Rothschild Redb downgraded shares of Danaher from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Danaher from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Danaher from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Eighteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $243.39.

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About Danaher

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd decreased its holdings in Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE:RIO  Free Report) by 82.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,016 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 197,800 shares during the period. Rio Tinto comprises about 0.7% of Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltds holdings in Rio Tinto were worth $2,509,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pandora Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto during the first quarter valued at $30,000. MTM Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Rio Tinto during the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Hilltop National Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto during the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. Resources Management Corp CT ADV bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto in the first quarter worth approximately $48,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Rio Tinto by 65.1% during the first quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 852 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.33% of the companys stock.

Rio Tinto Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of Rio Tinto stock opened at $69.46 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.53. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $67.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $63.02. Rio Tinto PLC has a 52 week low of $51.67 and a 52 week high of $73.76.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Rio Tinto from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Rio Tinto from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Rio Tinto in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Rio Tinto presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $73.00.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on RIO

Rio Tinto Company Profile

(Free Report)

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting.

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Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has launched its 2025 festive window competition, an annual event across the Borough that showcases just how creative our town centre shop owners can be!

For the fourth year, Councils Town and Village Management team has worked with a local artisan crafter to create bespoke awards.

This year will see beautifully crafted snowman themed awards made by Alan Dean of Scenic Woodcraft, presented to the lucky winners.

Alan produced the awards using a mix of Ash and Beech timbers from local trees, storm damaged in 2022, these woods have also been contrasted against Forest Stewardship Council certified [FSC] timbers within the award design.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Oliver McMullan, said: Its wonderful to see the return of our annual Christmas Window Competition, marking the start of Christmas in Causeway Coast and Glens.

Our high streets in the towns and villages from Cushendall to Ballymoney and Bushmills to Limavady really do offer a fantastic selection of shops and food establishments to enjoy a shop and eat local experience this Christmas season.

I would like to thank all our local businesses for the fantastic effort that goes into putting together a seasonal theme for shoppers. I personally love to see the creativity of the Christmas windows, and I know that this years competition will be of a very high standard.

Good luck to everyone involved, and Id encourage our residents and visitors to support local and visit Causeway Coast and Glens for your seasonal shopping.

One lucky winner will be selected from each of the following towns: Ballycastle, Ballykelly, Ballymoney, Bushmills, Coleraine, Cushendall, Dungiven, Garvagh, Kilrea, Limavady, Portrush and Portstewart.

This year, the winners in Ballymoney, Limavady, Ballycastle, Coleraine, Garvagh and Portstewart towns will be judged by community representatives and announced during their respective Christmas Switch-on events.

Ballymoney: Thursday 20th November, Limavady: Saturday 22nd November, Ballycastle: Thursday 27th November, Coleraine: Friday 28th November, Garvagh: Monday 1st December and Portstewart: Thursday 4th December.

The judging for the remaining towns and villages will take place from Monday 1st December, with winners being announced week commencing Monday 8th December 2025.

No Formal Entry Required: Any business with a shop window in the participating towns and villages is automatically entered.

Theme: Businesses should dress their windows in a festive theme.

Judging: The judging will be conducted by members of the Town Centre Forums and community groups.

Announcement: Winners will be announced and awards presented before Santa arrives to turn on the Christmas lights in the Ballymoney, Limavady, Ballycastle, Coleraine, Garvagh and Portstewart. [Dates listed above]

This competition aims to foster a festive atmosphere and encourage residents and visitors to "Shop Eat Enjoy Local" this holiday season.

In addition, there will also be one winner selected from the artisan traders at the Council run Causeway Speciality Market for the best dressed stall.

The Causeway Speciality Market will be in Coleraine town centre on Saturday, December 13 and 20, with the winner of the best dressed stall announced on December 13.
Derry civil rights veterans have called for support of the Right to Protest / Defend Our Juries rally in the city.

The rally will tkae place on Saturday, November 22, at 3pm Guildhall Square.

Similar protests are being organised by Defend Our Juries in Belfast and London on Saturday, following protests in Gloucester, Truro, Nottingham, Northampton, Oxford, Leeds, Newcastle, Caerdydd/Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Edinburgh during the week.



A spokesperson for the organisers said: "The veterans also declare solidarity with the members of Filton 24 whose trials started on Monday. The Filton 24 have been charged with taking direct action against the Israeli arms company Elbit.

"The civil rights of Filton 24 were violated as the 'internment by remand' used against Republicans here is now being used against Palestinian solidarity campaigners across the water.

"It should be remembered that the October 5,1968 march had been banned by Stormont yet we marched on in defiance of this undemocratic edict. Some of the organisers ended up in court under Stormonts Special Powers Act. The campaign that got rid of Raytheon from Derry similarly ended up in court but those all were given bail. The repression of pro Palestine activism represents an escalation of the assault on civil rights by the clamp down on protest generally.



"To demonstrate against the appalling slaughter being perpetrated on the Palestinian people is to demonstrate commitment to civil rights generally. We hope to see the people of Derry out in defence of our own and of Palestinian rights on Saturday at 3.00pm."
The relationship between Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and elected representatives and the information the organisation provides to the Assembly should be examined, a new report has said.

The chief inspector of criminal justice in Northern Ireland, Jacqui Durkin, said the time was right for a discussion to take place between the director of public prosecutions, the attorney general and relevant government ministers around the appropriateness of the existing accountability arrangements.

The PPS was established in Northern Ireland 20 years ago. It is the principal prosecuting authority in the region.

Ms Durkin said the PPS is a key part of our criminal justice system.

She added: The governance and accountability structures put in place when the new PPS was formed were focused on safeguarding prosecutorial independence while promoting partnership working and an effective criminal justice system.

Since the devolution of justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly and given the demands of our criminal justice system in the 21st century it is timely to now revisit these arrangements, to ensure they remain fit for purpose and that the PPSs interests and the challenges it faces are appropriately represented in and apparent to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Her report also found there was a need for greater openness and public awareness of the organisations performance.

Ms Durkin said: Public attention and debate tends to focus on high profile, individual cases rather than how the PPS is providing efficient and effective services on our behalf.

Even though its performance is affected by and can impact directly on other parts of the criminal justice system, efforts to reduce avoidable delay in case progression and secure improved services for victims and witnesses have not produced the outcomes needed.

The inspection highlighted a need for the PPS to develop a workforce strategy, that is better informed by future demands and would enable better management of its staff resources and budget to achieve key priorities and the greater use of digital processes and technology.

It also said greater engagement with the PSNI is needed to help the PPS better understand the types and volume of criminal case files being prepared for submission and allow it to plan to meet this requirement.

The chief inspector said: While inspectors found the number of criminal case files being submitted to the PPS had declined to 38,682 in 2024-25, they also heard of the increasing complexity and seriousness of these cases and the impact the rise in police body-worn video and other multi-media evidence, and the introduction of new legislation, was having on the length of time taken to make prosecution decisions and prepare cases for court hearings.

Ms Durkin said the future effectiveness of the PPS relied on professional and committed prosecutors and staff who feel part of one organisation, and who at every level, were engaged and committed to its strategic direction.

Director of public prosecutions in Northern Ireland Stephen Herron welcomed the report.

He said: These recommendations are designed to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms and to assist the organisation to transform service delivery to meet the objectives set out in our strategic vision, PPS 2030.

As the report highlights, we are already carrying out a range of ongoing work with our partners including the Police Service of Northern Ireland on initiatives to manage demand, reduce delay, stabilise our workforce and improve our service delivery.

This includes the establishment of a new Working Together programme with police, which focuses on challenges including improving file quality and disclosure processes. By working more effectively together and streamlining procedures, we aim to reduce delays across the system.

He added: The legislation underpinning the creation of the PPS 20 years ago rightly ensured its independence in operational decision making.

However, this had an unintended consequence of isolating the PPS without a political voice or appropriate representation in the Assembly.

This was always intended to be addressed by the amendment of Assembly standing orders.

I have aimed to strengthen accountability and information sharing by volunteering to appear before the Justice Committee twice a year.

The changing complexity of our workloads requires much wider public conversations about criminal justice priorities, and I am supportive of finding new pathways to allow for more structured political engagement.

The time is right to discuss how this can be taken forward.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has vowed that charges to access GP services will not happen on his watch.

Mr Nesbitt also told the Stormont Health Committee that he was reasonably optimistic a dispute with GPs in Northern Ireland over funding for services could be resolved.

The minister briefed the committee on his Shift Left agenda, which aims to move health services in the region towards a neighbourhood model of care.

He said there was universal recognition that if services continued to be delivered in the same way, we are hurtling towards some form of collapse.

He said: The change has to be this almost fabled shift left.

I know that this winter we will be inevitably be looking at our acute hospitals and the queue of sick people waiting to be treated.

We have to shift left and try and think about prevention, in other words trying to keep healthy people healthy and when people do begin to get sick, getting in early with early prevention.

The neighbourhood model is the way to go.

Mr Nesbitt said GPs were central to his plans.

A vote of no confidence in Mr Nesbitt was passed by the British Medical Associations Northern Ireland Local Medical Committee Conference in Belfast on Saturday, in response to the ministers move to impose the 2025/26 GP contract on doctors, despite them rejecting its terms.

The additional 9 million offered by the minister as part of the contract fell far short of the extra 80 million GPs said was required to stabilise general practice services in Northern Ireland.

At the conference, delegates also voted no confidence in the Department of Health and agreed to examine options on how GPs could operate outside current NHS structures in the future.

The minister told the committee: I am now reasonably optimistic we have the opportunity for a three-phased approach to resolving difference.

The first will be the NIGPC (Northern Ireland general practitioners committee) will be engaging in short order with officials seeking clarity on the latest offer they have received from us.

Phase two, they will take that back to their committee and if things go well then, if things go well we will open a new round of negotiations and discussions on a new contract.

Mr Nesbitt added: A small number of GPs have been talking about a hybrid model; to be clear a hybrid model means some people pay for accessing their general practice.

Not on my watch. The tenet of the National Health Service is it is free at the point of need. I am not moving off that.

I dont think it is a universal view (the hybrid model), I dont think it is anything near a universal view within primary care.

The minister said the toughest decision he had had to make in his 18 months in the post was going back on a promise to introduce the real living wage to social care workers in September.

He said: I would ask the committee to accept that is a sign of just how desperate the finances are and how big the gap is between what we have and what we need.

Committee chairman Philip McGuigan said plans to shift to a neighbourhood model needed the support of GPs.

He added: We are in a scenario where the department and GPs are currently at loggerheads over core funding.

Mr Nesbitt responded: Yes, the committee is in dispute with us but that has not stopped us speaking to individual GPs.

We are having discussions about the neighbourhood model and how they see it.
A politically divided Stormont Executive led to chaotic decision-making during the Covid-19 pandemic, a public inquiry has concluded.

Baroness Heather Halletts report on government responses to Covid found that the political reaction to the public health emergency in Northern Ireland was deeply divided along political lines and beset by leaks, leading to an incoherent approach.

The report said the attendance of then deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey in Belfast in June 2020, and her initial refusal to apologise, contributed to tensions in the Northern Ireland Executive Committee.

It also said there was the inappropriate instigation of cross-community votes to make political points by former first minister Baroness Arlene Foster.

The report published on Thursday focuses on the core political and administrative decision-making across the UK in response to the pandemic.

Political leaders were involved in significant decisions including how lockdowns were introduced, the closure of businesses and schools, and restrictions on public gatherings.

It concluded that the response in Northern Ireland, like the rest of the UK, was a repeated case of too little, too late.

The report said the devolved administrations were too reliant on the UK government to lead the response.

It said that in Northern Ireland, as in Scotland, Covid-19 was only discussed under any other business in meetings in late February 2020.

The report said: It should have been equally apparent to the First Ministers and deputy First Ministers of the devolved administrations that, by this point, Covid-19 was the most pressing issue facing their governments.

Examining the response to the second Covid wave in autumn 2020, the report said: In Northern Ireland, politically divided Executive Committee meetings led to chaotic decision-making.

A four-week circuit breaker was introduced on 16 October 2020, despite advice that a six-week intervention was needed.

The report said the circuit breaker ultimately proved inadequate.

It added: In the weeks that followed, Executive Committee meetings were deeply divided along political lines and beset by leaks, leading to an incoherent approach in which the circuit breaker restrictions were extended for one week, then lapsed for one week, before being reintroduced for two further weeks  with the one-week lapse in restrictions correlating with a 25% increase in cases.

When examining decision-making, the report said: Coordination of the Northern Ireland Executives response was weakened by the operational independence of departments and decision-making was marred by political disputes.

The report said the powersharing arrangements in Northern Ireland are designed to ensure that each department has a significant degree of operational independence.

It added: This weakened the ability of the Northern Ireland Executive to coordinate the pandemic response and there was no one sufficiently empowered to hold departments to account.

The Department of Health (Northern Ireland), which was the lead government department with responsibility for the response at the outset of the pandemic, largely operated in a silo  especially in the early stages of the response.

The report continued: The distinct powersharing arrangements in Northern Ireland offered the opportunity to demonstrate that decisions were being made by all parties collectively for the greater good.

Instead, however, on multiple occasions decision-making was marred by political disputes between Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein ministers.

The attendance of the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle ONeill MLA, at the funeral of Bobby Storey in June 2020, and her initial refusal to apologise for this, contributed to tensions in the Northern Ireland Executive Committee.

The four-day Executive Committee meeting from 9 to 12 November 2020 represented a low point in Northern Ireland politics during the pandemic.

The confidentiality of discussions was undermined by leaks and there was inappropriate instigation of cross-community votes to make political points by the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster MLA.

The report said the pandemic response also exposed wider cultural issues.

It said: The very least the public should be entitled to expect is that those making the rules will abide by them. Instances where ministers and advisers appeared to break Covid-19 rules caused huge distress to the public.

Ms ONeill, now Northern Irelands First Minister, said the publication of the Covid inquirys second report was an important milestone.

She said: I welcome the publication of the Module 2 Report and thank the chair and inquiry team for their work.

It is an important milestone in the long journey of recovery after the pain and trauma of the Covid pandemic.

Covid was an unprecedented global emergency and this report will provide further lessons from the experience at all levels of society.

Those lessons must inform our preparedness for, and response to, any future pandemic or society-wide emergency in the future.

Our thoughts are very much with those who lost loved ones during the pandemic.
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The total number of Ukrainian refugees living in Louth under the Temporary Protection Directive now stands at 2049 according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

This compares to a figure of 1929 in June, the last report released.

Nationally, 119,043 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) were given to arrivals from Ukraine by 3rd November.

Broken down by area; the figures reveal the Drogheda Urban area has 634 Ukrainians living locally while Dundalk-Carlingford has 631; Dundalk South has 460; Ardee has 160 while Drogheda Rural has 164.

Additionally the CSO report showed that there were 909 hosts in Louth currently in receipt of Accommodation Recognition Payment and arrivals from Ukraine living in accommodation provided by these hosts.

The figures also reveal that there are currently 245 Ukrainian children enrolled in primary schools in Louth, while there are 207 enrolled in secondary schools in the county.

Commenting on the release, Dylan Morrissey, Statistician, said: "As of 03 November 2025, 83,594, or 70% of the 119,043 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) issued to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTPs) from Ukraine had recent activity in administrative data after 31 August 2025, based on data currently available to the CSO.

Of the 83,594 individuals, women and men aged 20 years and over, made up 45% and 27% of arrivals respectively, while 28% were people aged under 20 years.

Read Next: Fundraiser launched to cover funeral and repatriation costs for Louth crash victim

In October 2025, 28,198 BoTPs had earnings from employment, where their mean weekly earnings were 526. The most common sector of employment was in Wholesale, Transport & Accommodation at 42%.

More than half of the 52,357 BoTPs who attended an Intreo employment support event noted that English language proficiency was a challenge in securing employment. Of the 12,203 arrivals enrolled in further education and training courses with Solas on 01 November 2025, 8,072 were enrolled in further education English language courses.
Omeath based Cuchulainn Gaels senior GAA team is celebrating a successful fundraiser, after swapping their traditional farmers tans for a flawless glow in support of the clubs development plans.

The event, held at Radiant Tan in Omeath at the weekend, marked the launch of local businesswoman Niamh McCloskeys innovative new self-automated spray tanning booth - the first of its kind in Ireland - and drew an enthusiastic crowd for the special Sip and See opening.

From bronze beginners to overnight glow-ups, the senior squad bravely embraced the challenge, stepping into the booth to banish tan lines and show off their polished side.

Their newly enhanced looks will feature in a fundraising calendar, now eagerly anticipated by supporters near and far.

The community turned out for the occasion, enjoying free walk-ins, and the chance to win a trio of free tans via the Radiant Tan app.

Read Next: Teachers Union welcomes Dundalk ITQueens University Partnership

The fundraiser shone a spotlight on the teams commitment to raising funds, and also boosted efforts to secure an extended pitch, walking tracks, and new clubrooms, essential developments for the future of the club.

With Radiant Tans state-of-the-art, 24-hour self automated spray booth now officially launched, the event marked a bright beginning for both the business and the club.
The Dundalk branch of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has welcomed the announcement of a new partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queens University Belfast. In a statement, the union highlighted the Institutes long-standing role in driving educational, economic, and community development in the northeast, and said it is ready to engage constructively in the next phase of the process.

In a statement the DkIT TUI Branch Committee said:

The TUI notes the announcement of the partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Queens University Belfast to establish a University College. We can appreciate QUB's enthusiasm for linking with the Institute. DkIT has played a critical role in developing the regions educational and economic landscape.

Vitally important industry and community links have been forged over time and DkIT has supported innovation that benefits enterprises in the region. Moreover, the Dundalk IT Branch of the TUI has long campaigned, up to and including undertaking industrial action, to pursue and ensure that the Institute achieves University status for the benefit of our students, staff, and the wider northeast region.

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Therefore we welcome a development which aligns with the union's long sought after goal of University status for the Institute. We look forward to constructively engaging with local management in a process of meaningful consultation as we move toward the shared goal of University status while seeking to ensure the qualities that have made DkIT such a successful Institution in serving the needs and interest of students, staff and the wider northeast region are maintained as we move into a new era.

We trust that staff and students' voices will be central to this process of transformation and any concerns addressed in a meaningful and inclusive way to ensure the maximum possibility of the creation of a successful and sustainable University in Dundalk. 
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Louth County Council has warmly welcomed the announcement of a major new partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Queens University Belfast, which will see DkIT become a University College of Queens University Belfast.

The collaboration, the first all-island initiative of its kind, aims to strengthen higher education provision, research capacity, and economic development across the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor.

Under the agreement, students enrolling from September 2026 will graduate with a Queens University Belfast degree or postgraduate qualification, while, DkIT says, benefiting from enhanced academic standards and expanded opportunities for research and innovation.

The partnership will also establish a Joint Research and Innovation Hub on the Dundalk campus, focusing on areas such as health and life sciences, energy, and sustainability.

Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: This is a game-changing development for County Louth and the wider North-East region. By embedding DkIT within Queens Universitys academic framework, we are creating a world-class higher education offering right here in Dundalk. It will open doors for our young people, attract talent and investment, and firmly position Louth as a key driver of growth along the DublinBelfast Economic Corridor.

What makes this announcement truly historic is its All-Ireland dimension, a collaboration that bridges communities and strengthens ties across the island for the benefit of future generations. Education provides opportunity, and this partnership ensures that our county is at the forefront of innovation and progress.

David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, added: The benefits of this partnership will be felt far beyond the campus gates. It strengthens our regional competitiveness, supports industry collaboration, and enhances research capacity in critical sectors. For students, it means access to globally recognised qualifications without leaving the region. For businesses, it means a pipeline of skilled graduates and new opportunities for collaboration. This is exactly the kind of strategic initiative that underpins our vision for a vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous Louth.

Read Next: Teachers Union welcomes Dundalk ITQueens University Partnership

I want to congratulate Dr Diarmuid OCallaghan, President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, and his team for their leadership and vision in bringing this partnership to fruition. It is a testament to his commitment to advancing education and opportunity for our region.

A Spokesperson for Louth County Council said: "The partnership aligns with Louth County Council's commitment to fostering economic growth, innovation, and quality of life for residents, as outlined in the Louth County Council Corporate Plan. It also reinforces Louths central role in the DublinBelfast Economic Corridor, a region of strategic importance for investment and development."




Tanaiste Simon Harris accused Sinn Fein of hypocrisy as they claimed the Irish government had made it impossible for people to stay warm this winter.

Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said the number of those in energy arrears, published by the energy regulator on Wednesday, was a flashing red light for what was to come during the cold months.

He said the 180,000 households in arrears with their gas bills did not include those who are only managing to keep up.

He said the Tanaistes advice in the Dail that people should not be afraid to turn on their heating would be of cold comfort and that without intervention, there would be a serious winter of disconnect  discontent  for so many, many families.

He criticised the government not issuing energy credits again, as they had helped people survive last winter.

Mr Harris said the government was conscious of the low-temperature warnings issued for 10 counties from 11pm on Thursday until Friday morning.

He said the government had intervened on fuel poverty, referencing the fuel allowance, now worth more than 1,000 euro a year; expanding the working family payment so that they can qualify for the fuel allowance, meaning 450,000 homes, or around a quarter of all homes, would qualify for the payment; a freeze on the VAT rate at 9% for gas and electricity bills for the next five years; and a reduced PSO (Public Service Obligation) levy.

He said energy minister Darragh OBrien had met the four largest energy companies who said they each have hardship funds in place for vulnerable customers, and there was a disconnection moratorium in place for registered vulnerable customers from November until March 31.

I want to be very clear this winter, nobody should be afraid to turn on their heat during the cold weather, Mr Harris said.

Mr Doherty said that his advice would be cold comfort to people.

Dont be cold this winter. Do you not listen to the facts? Do you not listen to what has been said by the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), the hard, unvarnished facts: 70,000 more households, more families, more individuals, more houses, real people cannot pay their electricity bill in the first six months of this year.

The record number that were seeing is from the middle of July, the warmest month of the year.

He added: I put it to you, you have consciously made it impossible for people to stay warm this winter, and I would ask you to bring forward energy credits to support these families and provide them with a lifeline during these winter months.

Mr Harris said Sinn Feins call for more to be done for those struggling to pay energy bills this winter was hypocrisy.

You have a partitionist approach when it comes to energy policy, Mr Harris said.

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You dont think its enough for somebody in Co Louth to have 1,000 euro in fuel allowance this winter, but you think someone up the road in Armagh should get by on just 100?

He said the Northern Ireland Executive was led by Sinn Fein and both the finance and economy minister roles at Stormont are held by Sinn Feins John ODowd and Caoimhe Archibald.

Youre the largest party in the Assembly. You havent put forward a cost-of-living package. The fuel allowance is a paltry 100 to 300 compared to the 1,000 euro here.

So to the people at home this winter  access our supports, but dont fall for their hypocrisy, Mr Harris said.

Fine Gael ministers were heard saying you dont like the truth as members on the Sinn Fein benches objected while Labour TD for Kildare South Mark Wall began speaking during his time slot.
The disclosure of counselling notes to criminal trials serves little purpose other than re-traumatising victims of sexual and gender-based violence, a Louth Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Paula Butterly, who is Vice-Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, said that the practice of admitting counselling notes in court must be banned in totality.

Deputy Butterly said: As we approach International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women next week, it is heartening to see the unanimous support of the Justice Committee to recommend banning the use of counselling notes during its recent pre-legislative scrutiny phase.

There is no middle ground on this issue. There must be no half measures  counselling notes must go. There should be no space within our judicial system for victims to have their inner thoughts questioned and examined.

As things currently stand, before any sentence is passed down in any courtroom, the victim must sit through all the evidence, which is in itself harrowing. But that their counselling records can be requested and potentially admitted as evidence is deeply traumatic.

This can and does prevent people from coming forward, for fear that their innermost thoughts and fears will be dissected in a full courtroom. We cannot have any barriers to potential victims of sexual crimes feeling that they cannot come forward and report an assault.

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Deputy Butterly said she is calling upon Justice Minister Jim O Callaghan and the Department of Justice to take on the Committees proposals and ban the use of counselling notes in all forms during criminal trials.

We must ensure that our legal system is respectful of victims dignity and maintains a consideration for the effects and sensitivities of trauma, she added.

Minister OCallaghan has now received a copy of the committees report, which will be considered in the finalisation of the Departments Draft Bill.
A small civil plane has crashed in Co Waterford.

Multiple emergency service crews are responding to the incident near Tramore.

The crash occurred at about 12.50pm on Thursday.

An Garda Siochana confirmed the incident in a statement.

It said the crash involved a light aircraft, while air crash investigators said it was a twin-engined general aviation aircraft.

The AAIU has been notified of an accident involving a twin-engined general aviation aircraft in the vicinity of Lisselan Co. Waterford this afternoon. The AAIU is deploying a team of four inspectors of air accidents to the accident site to commence an investigation.  AAIU IRELAND (@aaiu_ireland) November 20, 2025

A spokesman said: As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport is investigating the incident with the emergency services and the Irish Aviation Authority.

The AAIU said it is deploying four air accident inspectors to the site near Lisselan, outside Tramore.

Online flight-tracking websites show the privately owned Vulcanair P68C was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport before the crash.

Sinn Fein TD for Waterford David Cullinane said a rescue helicopter was among emergency services responding to the crash.

He said it was a shock to the local area, adding that the communitys thoughts are with whoever was on the plane.
Here's what's going on in Toales Live Venue in Dundalk this week.

Thursday 20th November - Fireside Sessions Presents SHOCK SORROW + Eoin Miller - Starts 9PM - Free admission

Fireside Sessions returns to Toales, Dundalk with a night built for anyone who wants real, heartfelt music in an intimate room.

This edition brings Shock Sorrow and Eoin Miller to the stage, kicking off at 9PM with free admission, making it an easy yes for anyone looking for something genuine on a night out.

Shock Sorrow is the creative partnership of brothers Keith and Steff Caffrey, stepping forward from the ashes of past metal and rock projects to form a striking alt-rock/acoustic two-piece.

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Their sound leans on impassioned vocals, poignant guitar work, and harmonies that come from years of playing and writing together.

Its a blend that has earned them a reputation as emotive, thoughtful songwriters within Irelands acoustic rock scenemusic that connects without needing to shout.

Theyre joined by Eoin Miller, formerly the drummer with Manchester indie/rock outfit My Albatross, who enjoyed BBC and XFM airplay during their run.

Now working on his debut solo album in Meath, Eoin has already released three singlesDont Be Lonely, Talk, and Unremittinglyeach one showing a different side of his acoustic, melodic style. All are streaming now alongside a warm, heartfelt video on YouTube.

Together, Shock Sorrow and Eoin Miller bring authenticity, craft, and two very different creative journeys to the Fireside Sessions stage.

If youre near Dundalk, step into Toales at 9PM. No tickets, no fussjust a night of music worth hearing up close.

Friday 21st November - KILLJOY, MR PINK, TJ MURPHY - Friday 21 Nov - Doors 8PM - Admission only 5

This November, Toales launches 3-4-5, a brand-new live music night featuring three up-and-coming acts for just 5.

Its a showcase of raw energy, musical variety, and the next wave of Irish talent.

KILLJOY

Killjoy are a hard rock band bringing a powerful punch to the stage. Drawing inspiration from legends like Van Halen, Thin Lizzy, and Arctic Monkeys, their sound blends classic rock swagger with a sharp modern edge. Fresh off their win at Toales Battle of the Bands 2025, Killjoy are ready to hit hard with soaring riffs, big hooks, and unstoppable energy.

MR PINK

Mr Pink embody the philosophy, If it feels good, do it. Their music is a melting pot of heavy rock, funk, and metal  played with passion, precision, and a love for the jam. Expect groove, attitude, and a sound thats as unpredictable as it is infectious.

TJ MURPHY

Dundalks TJ Murphy opens the night with soulful vocals and acoustic storytelling, blending heartfelt lyrics with melodic warmth.

His solo set sets the tone perfectly before the amps kick in.

Three acts. Four hours of music. Just a fiver.

Saturday 22nd November - SEVENTH SON - Iron Maiden Tribute - Doors 8pm - Tickets 12/15

The power and glory of Iron Maiden come roaring to Dundalk as Northern Irelands premier tribute act Seventh Son take to the main stage at Toales Live Venue on Saturday, 22nd November.

Renowned for their electrifying performances and note-perfect renditions of Maiden classics, Seventh Son deliver a show packed with anthems like The Trooper, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name and Fear of the Dark. Expect soaring vocals, twin-guitar harmonies, galloping rhythms and all the fire and spectacle that made the original legends immortal.

A must-see night for metal fans  loud, proud, and pure Maiden!!

Tickets are 12 on Eventbrite or 15 at the door. Doors open 8pm.
Cork and Kerry may need more than 4,000 additional nursing home beds in the next 15 years as the amount of people over aged 85 is set to increase by 145%, a new report has shown.

The report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has put together projections of regional demand and bed capacity requirements for older peoples care in Ireland, by 2040, based on the Hippocrates model, which provides base year estimates and projections of healthcare demand, capacity, and expenditure for selected Irish health and social care services.

The ESRI report shows that in the South West, made up of Cork and Kerry, there were 469 short stay and 4,351 long stay nursing home beds in 2022.

By 2040, they predict that an additional 307 to 412 short stay and 2,743 to 3,676 long stay beds will be needed.

This means that in 15 years time, a total of 7,870 to 8,908 short and long-stay beds will be needed, representing an increase of between 63% to 85%.

Increase

The current amount of beds would need to increase by around 3% each year for both short and long-term beds to reach this projected demand figure, ESRI researchers predicted.

The report states that an additional 2.4m to 3.5m hours of support are expected to be needed to serve a growing older population in the region, as the amount of people aged 0-64 is set to rise 9% while there will be 62% and 145% increases in the population aged 65+ and 85+ respectively by 2040.

It comes as The Echo previously publicised an ongoing shortage of nursing home beds in Cork, which have left older people unable to be discharged from hospital, and led to people being placed in residential care far from their homes, sometimes leaving their partner unable to visit.

The Cork-based chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), Tadhg Daly, previously told The Echo that a national nursing home care policy was needed, as Ireland faces a major care capacity crisis.
More than 600 submissions have been sent to An Coimisiun Pleanala on the plan to build a 240,000-tonne incinerator at Ringaskiddy.

The 2025 planning application by Indaver is a continuation of their 2016 application, planning for which was quashed at the High Court and referred back to An Coimisiun Pleanala.

It comes as Cork city councillors recently signed a letter stating their support for a submission made by Cork County Councils chief executive, Moira Murrell, opposing the plans.

Several Cork TDs have also spoken out against the proposal and encouraged Failte Ireland to do the same on the grounds that it would disrupt the regions tourism potential.

The window for observations closed at An Coimisiun Pleanala last Monday. A spokesperson for Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (CHASE) said that by Tuesday afternoon An Coimisiun Pleanala had counted more than 600 submissions, including a substantial objection from CHASE, with many more still to be processed.

Message

CHASE chairperson Mary OLeary said: We believe the message sent  that this incinerator is not welcome  is louder than ever before.

We welcome the joined-up approach from Cork county councillors, who have been supported by city councillors in voicing their opposition to the revived plans.

We also welcome their recognition of Cork Harbour as a unit thats bigger than city and county boundaries.

This aligns with Failte Irelands plans to create a destination experience across the city, the harbour, and into East Cork, with a focus on delivering a world-class harbour experience, said Ms OLeary.

This is the vision we all share, and the proposed commercial incinerator  visible throughout the harbour, according to the plans  plays no part in that, she added.

Overwhelming

The response and focus over the past few weeks have been overwhelming, said Ms OLeary, adding that volunteers, public representatives, clubs, schools, organisations, businesses, and groups have worked around the clock to make submissions within the short timeframe.

We believe this site has been a poor choice since 2001, she said.

All three of An Bord Pleanalas inspectors have recommended refusal of each application, and we hope this remitted case can be closed with a refusal, as recommended by the Bord Pleanala senior planning inspector following the 2016 hearing.
A man in his 40s has been charged in connection with a bank robbery in Cork.

Gardai received report of a robbery, which occurred at a bank in Douglas on Wednesday, at approximately 2pm.

It is understood that the man entered the Bank of Ireland premises in the Douglas Shopping Centre unarmed, and presented a hand-written note to a cashier before fleeing the scene with 6,000 in stolen cash.

A garda spokesperson said no injuries were reported in relation to the robbery, and that the man will appear before Cork City District Court today.

A male aged in his 40s was arrested on November 19, has been charged, and is due to appear before Cork City District Court, Court 1 today, the spokesperson said.

"As this matter is now before the courts, An Garda Siochana is not in a position to comment.
A woman filled a trolley with groceries in a busy Cork supermarket and proceeded to walk out of the door with the goods without paying, a recent sitting of Macroom District Court was told.

Sergeant Trish OSullivan said Gwen Parr, aged 51, of Coornahahilly, Inchigeelagh, Co Cork, went to Dunnes Stores in Macroom on the morning of September 4, 2025.

The court heard Parr filled a trolley with groceries valued at 169.11 and left the store, passing all payment points without paying at 10.15am. Parr, who had eight previous convictions, all for theft, was identified by CCTV footage.

Defence solicitor Patrick Goold said Parr had brought compensation to court to repay the injured party. Mr Goold said Parrs last theft conviction was in 2021, and her offending was linked to depression.

He said she was the full-time carer for her eight-year-old son, who had severe autism.

Mr Goold said Parr had suffered a relapse of depression brought on by the difficulty in managing her son, which led to the incident. The court was told Parrs domestic situation had now improved.

Judge John King said in similar circumstances the accused would normally be looking at the next stage in terms of penalty but he said Parrs case was more complex than usual.

The judge asked for a probation report to be prepared and remanded Parr on continuing bail to appear again on February 4, 2026, to conclude the case.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
A Fedex parcel raised suspicions at a sorting depot in Dublin, and it was found to contain 4kg of cannabis with an 80,000 street value.

Now, the man who signed for the package after a controlled delivery to his home in Cork faces sentencing.

Gardai seized 80,000 worth of cannabis at The Mardyke, Cork, last December.

Now, the accused man has confessed to all drugs charges against him.

The accused man signed a plea of guilty to charges arising out of the seizure.

Detective Garda Ruairi McGovern testified that herbal cannabis worth an estimated 80,000 was subject of a joint operation by Revenue Customs Service, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), and the Cork Divisional Drugs Unit.

The package was discovered in Dublin in a Fedex depot, and the authorities were notified.

It was arranged to make a controlled delivery of the package to the addressee, 36-year-old Jonathan Cooke at Maryville, Mardyke Walk, Cork, on December 2, 2024.

As soon as the package was delivered and signed for by Mr Cooke, a search warrant was executed to search the house at Maryville.

When gardai entered the premises, the package was seen on the floor of the living room.

Mr Cooke was present at the time the search warrant was carried out.

Det Garda McGovern said: I arrested him. He admitted possession and control of the cannabis.

He said he was being paid 500 by an unidentified third party to hold it until he was contacted.

He was in financial difficulty.

He was an occasional cannabis user, but not addicted to drugs.

He admitted signing for it when it was delivered in the controlled delivery that morning.

His phone was analysed, but there was nothing of evidential value on the phone.

He has no previous convictions, Det Gda McGovern added.

Defence senior counsel Jane Hyland said: He had an allergic reaction to penicillin, which caused him significant mental health difficulties. This was a very poor decision made when he was in that position.

He made the decision when he was also struggling financially and in poor mental health. He has been under significant stress as a result. He completely descended to a place where he was effectively beyond the reach of his family.

While he agreed to take this 500 to store it, he knows drugs are ruinous to society. He is hugely disappointed with himself, remorseful, and aware of the impact on his own family.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said: This has an unusual, relatively unique background to how a 36-year-old man finds himself in such a dangerous situation.

The judge agreed to adjourn sentencing until February 16, 2026, on the charge of possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another, when the street value exceeded 13,000, a charge that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years unless there are exceptional circumstances.
A Cork TD has called on the Department of Justice to publish an inspection report it received more than seven months ago into Cork Prison, amid record overcrowding and a doubling of deaths year-on-year at the facility.

In response to a parliamentary question by Green Party leader Roderic OGorman on unpublished reports by the Inspector of Prisons, justice minister Jim OCallaghan explained that the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) carries out regular independent inspections of prisons.

He said the Government is awaiting legal advice before it can publish five reports, received by the department as early as February 2022.

A further four reports following general inspections into Cork, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, and the Dochas Centre were all received by the department in March 2025.

Their current status was listed by Mr OCallaghan as noted by Cabinet with publication to follow shortly.

It comes as the OIPs 2024 annual report showed that there were five deaths linked to Cork Prison last year; two while in custody, one in hospital, and two within one month of temporary release. This is more than double the previous year, when there was no deaths in custody, one in hospital, and one within a month of temporary release. The report mentioned problems accessing a GP and lack of staff morale in Cork Prison, but it is expected these will be discussed in greater detail in the dedicated report.

The prison has been operating over capacity every day since 2023, is frequently the most overcrowded prison in Ireland, and hit a record of 403 people incarcerated in the 296-bed facility in August.

Cork North Central Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould told The Echo: There are serious concerns about the safety of people working and living in Cork Prison. There has been a deeply concerning increase in the number of prison deaths, and this is indicative of chaos caused by overcrowding. Instead of owning up to this and leading through accountability and transparency, the Government is once again burying its head in the sand.

Whenever anyone raises concerns about Cork Prison, they are told that a new second prison will be built in the Glen. This is not the solution. It is the wrong location, and the vast majority of prisoners currently in Cork Prison will be released long before this prison is built. We need real solutions now to the crisis in Corks prison service.

We need this report published now. The only way to have a mature and constructive conversation is through transparency and accountability.
Telling the story of the mother & baby homes

From 1922 to 1996, thousands of Irish women were placed in Mother and Baby Homes, where many babies died and numerous others were forcibly given up for adoption.

These Magdalene Laundries became the incarnated homes of countless women forced to work long hours and suffer at the hands of the religious orders.

Aoife Kelleher, the film-maker behind the award-winning documentary Mrs Robinson, has dedicated many years to bringing her latest work, Testimony to the screen.

The documentary provides a compelling and comprehensive look into the campaign advocating for recognition of the suffering experienced by thousands in both Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries.

Kelleher says one of the reasons she decided to make it was due to the stigma many survivors still feel.

One such woman is Madeleine Marvier, who was placed in Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork when she was just 17, where she had a baby boy, William, who died shortly after he was born.

I was amazed to discover that there is still a stigma, Kelleher said.

We met Madeleines daughter, Carmel, and spoke with her about the familys desire for an inquest into Williams death.

When I spoke to Madeleine, she was so emotional, and it was clear that she still felt stigmatised.

She wanted to tell Williams story, but she was concerned about what her family would think. We spoke about the possibility of her taking part in the film but not facing the camera or having her name included; that was the extent of the stigma and shame.

Kelleher says that despite events to honour the survivors and an outpouring of support from the Irish population, women are living not just with great pain and trauma from their experiences, but also with feelings of shame.

It is horrific to think that so many women still feel this pain for something that wasnt their fault.

In Madeleines case, when we went to film, she decided that she wanted to tell her story, to have her name out there, and to have her face included in the documentary, which was wonderful.

Since conducting the interview, shes spoken publicly on multiple occasions, and I think it has been therapeutic for her.

The documentary features women from various parts of the country, with a strong presence from Cork. Many women were placed in the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home, and the Sundays Well Magdalene Laundry.

Kelleher says that filming at Bessborough was difficult because, although it is known that many infants were buried there, there are no records of where exactly they were laid to rest.

It is estimated that 923 children died in or after being transferred to the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home, and we know that 64 of the burial places have been established. The burial sites of 859 children are unknown. When you are walking through the grounds, you dont know if you are walking on a burial site, and that stays with you while you are there.

Marvier was told that her baby was buried in the grounds of Bessborough, but later found out that he was placed somewhere in Carrs Hill Cemetery. She has yet to find out exactly where he was buried.

We know that Madeleines son, William, was buried in a mass famine grave at a different location from what she had been told. She experienced a nun stomping her foot on the grounds of Bessborough, telling her, This is where William was buried.

Later, Madeleine discovered he was in a very different location in a mass grave.

When you are at Bessborough and similar locations, the sense of loss, grief and trauma is palpable.

Another prominent contributor is Mari Steed, an ardent campaigner for survivors in Ireland and abroad. Steed, who was born in St Finbarrs Hospital in Cork, lived with her mother, Josephine, in Bessborough for 18 months. She was given up for adoption to an American family without the consent of her mother.

Steed was the co-founder of Justice for Magdalenes Research as well as several other organisations. She died last year after a brief illness. Kelleher says her work as an activist was extraordinary.

Mari was incredible. She spoke to survivors, taking them through the process of accessing information and redress.

The work Mari was doing was truly significant for survivors, and it continued right up until her death.

She is a great loss to Justice for Magdalene and survivors here and abroad. She was an extraordinary activist.

There is a subtle use of reconstruction throughout the documentary. Kelleher says she was careful to use it sparingly and sensitively.

With reconstruction, its crucial to be sensitive; you dont want to sensationalise these stories. You want to be as accurate as possible.

All of the reconstructions were based entirely on the testimony of our contributors.

Kelleher hopes Testimony, which won awards at the Law Society of Irelands Justice Media Awards and the Dublin International Film Festival, will serve as a reminder that there is still much to be done on the issue.

There is so much work to be done in relation to truth and reconciliation in Ireland and around the area of redress.

Theres work to be done at places like Bessborough to protect that site for commemoration.

That is why I wanted to make the film, to give people a platform to tell their stories, and to emphasise that there is still so much to be done.

Testimony is released in cinemas on November 21, Cert: 12a.
Vivienne Clarke

A transport expert has said there was a need to think outside the box to find solutions for building the proposed Metrolink from Dublin city to the airport, after it emerged that 8,000 construction workers would be needed to build the line.

Transportation Professor Brian Caulfield of Trinity College Dublin told RTE radios Morning Ireland, We need to be clever about this.

The Oireachtas Transport Committee was told on Wednesday that Dublins planned new metro system will need about 8,000 workers to construct.

Prof Caulfield suggested that something like an Olympic village could be built to accommodate the construction workers, which could subsequently be returned to the State.

He pointed out that a hundred years ago, when the Ardnacrusha power plant was being built, camps were provided for the workers.

In Dublin for the Metro, and it's not only Metro, we need thousands of construction workers for a number of other projects. We need to be clever about this," he said.

"We could look into building something that would be an asset for the city when the construction is over, something like an Olympic village.

It could be used for student accommodation, it could be used for housing. You would find a plot of land along the metro line, because that's where we're going to want to have dense housing.

"When it's handed back over to the state, it's what we call a transit-oriented development - in that people have access to really good public transport once it's handed back over to the state.
A Cork nurse, who has just published a book about her life, goes by the dictum of Socrates that the unexamined life is not worth living.

Maria Burke, whose professional career took her from Ireland to Australia and Saudi Arabia, has been doing a lot of soul-searching.

In 2014, she started studying interpersonal communication under psychologist, Dr Tony Humphreys. She then did a higher diploma, followed by a Masters.

Her Masters degree was about the psychological safety experiences of the public health nurse on the frontline of community care. It allows people to be unafraid to express themselves openly and consciously.

The title of 62-year-old Marias book is Maria The Nurse: In Nursing I Found Me.

A nurse for 45 years, Maria is currently working as a public community nurse with Kinsale Primary Care.

She has trained in five different branches of nursing including psychiatric nursing, public health nursing, and midwifery.

Her self-exploration all began in Australia as a 30-year-old nurse when Maria was partaking in psychodrama in Sydney.

Asked if she had any misgivings about baring her soul in her autobiography, Maria says that writing the book was very healing.

I was ashamed for a very long time. Im divorced (she later remarried and has a daughter).

For a long time, I thought that having a broken marriage brought shame on my family. I was in Australia when I married a guy from London.

Now, I realise there isnt shame in the breakdown of a relationship. But with my upbringing, I thought marriage was for life.

Having had a number of miscarriages, Maria and her husband Dennis welcomed the birth of Abbie. But she was premature by 12 weeks and weighed only one pound and nine-and-a-half ounces when was born. Abbie spent 100 days in the neonatal unit at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork.

I was very angry for a long time that Abbie was born early. I did everything right; I didnt drink, I never smoked. I really minded myself. Why did this have to happen to me? Thankfully, I had huge support around me.

But Maria says the premature birth had an effect on her relationships.

When I sat with my anger for long enough, she told me her name was grief. I was grieving after Abbie was born.

As it turned out, Abbie suffered no ill effects despite her early arrival in the world. She reached all her milestones. Now, aged 19, Abbie is doing a post Leaving Cert course and hopes to train as a teacher.

Marias brother Francis, who has Down syndrome and lives in shared accommodation in Bandon, is one of the lights of Marias life.

She writes about the special relationship she has with him.

Looking back on her life and career, Maria says that, overall, it has been happy, but there have been certain challenges.

She says she believes that nurses are valued more in Australia than here.

I still talk about my experience 30 years ago in Sydney compared to Ireland. The reality is, the basics dont change. Its important to listen. But here, were at our computers a lot, minding our back and ticking boxes.

Maria says she would love to sit down with the health minister to discuss the future of nursing in Ireland.

While I absolutely love nursing, Im not encouraged to stay.

I love my patients. Its about giving them time when I visit them. But Im finding its all about numbers and metrics.

We provide a fabulous service in Kinsale Primary Care but its a struggle to get staff on the ground. Loneliness is the biggest thing affecting people. Something has to change.

In Australia, the community nurse is very present in peoples lives, recalls Maria, sometimes calling to their homes up to three times a day if necessary.

The approach is all about keeping people out of hospital.

She says that Florence Nightingale back in the 1800s was hands on. That shouldnt change. You cant hold a computers hand at the end of the day.

Maria says she had been neglecting her own emotional wellbeing.

I asked myself why is it that I get depressed at times?

You shouldnt be afraid to say it. I was with my therapist last week. It was wonderful. There is safety in that relationship. There is no judgement. You can be totally yourself.

Should we all be in therapy?

Completely. I dont even know if I want to call it therapy. Its a co-creative approach.

You might be brought back to something that happened when you were a little girl.

Compassion and love for that child is necessary to progress emotionally.

Maria says that examining herself is a life-long journey.

Its increasing your level of consciousness. Everything is there in the unconscious. What is unconscious in the parent will remain unconscious in the child unless you want to examine your story.

Concerned about the future of nursing in this country, Maria would love to sit down with the health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Id say to her that the government needs to listen more. Im frustrated that nothing seems to be changing.

Theres staff doing amazing work. But we need to be given resources, we need to be listened to. Give us the staff and we will thrive.
With more than 20 years of experience working with children, Stef McSherry was inspired to create her newest product by the kids who take part in her classes.

They just love dressing up and pretending theyre somebody else, or going off on an adventure, and that made me go, Id love to do something like that, says the Cork-based founder of Kinderama, which runs multi-activity classes in schools and childcare settings.

McSherry has just launched Irish Fairy Tails, storybooks for children that encourage imagination, play, and come with a matching costume tail. There are two stories, The Dragon Tale - about a shy dragon who learns that his fire can be a force for good, and The Mermaid Tale - about a curious mermaid who discovers the power of asking for help.

Theres a mermaid story and a dragon story, but they mirror each other, explains McSherry. Its a shy dragon thats scared about his fire, so he hides away in a cage, and then a mermaid gets stuck in some nets, and she needs some help. The mermaid looks to the fire-breathing dragon for help, but hes afraid he will hurt her.

Each book comes with a wearable tail to help bring the story to life for children.

McSherry got the idea for these costumes from the kids she teaches through her Kinderama classes. 

Theres bits of sport its all kinds of imagination, so that they are just having loads of fun, she says. There are loads of costumes in it, and thats where the idea for the mermaids and dragons came from.

The new books, which come with mermaid and dragon's tails, were two years in the making.

It was important to McSherry that the costumes were high quality, durable, and safe. I wanted [the fabric] to be inherently flame-retardant, rather than covering fabric in flame-retardant stuff. So we ended up using wipe-clean leather. Thats what makes the costume so soft and shimmery, but it also means mums dont have to wash them, she says.

As well as promoting imaginative play, the books convey messages of encouragement to young children.

For the mermaid one, shes scared to ask for help. She doesnt want to ask for help. But you know that if you do put your hand up and ask for help, you might even make a friend, she says. Thats tied back again to Kinderama, and were always trying to give little messages of confidence, that if youre shy, you can still join in.

On every page, there is one word written in Irish and also spelled phonetically. This was important to McSherry, who grew up in Wiltshire in the UK, and now lives in Cork with her husband and two children.

My kids are Irish, and although they speak Irish really well I didnt know how to read the words. Its not like you can sound them out the way you learn English, she says. So theres the Irish spelling, and then its written out phonetically, so that if theres lots of non-Irish speakers now raising kids that are speaking Irish, they can read the word properly too.

The books have officially gone on sale.

Lots of people have already said, Gosh, these would be lovely presents to send to kids that are living overseas, says McSherry. My sister-in-law just bought them for her brother. Hes in Australia with two little ones.

The stories are ideal for any children who enjoy dress-up and imaginative play, says the author.

I know sometimes parents find the imaginative play quite difficult, whereas now with this, you can read the story, and then youve got your costume to put on, and then you can say, Right, now, you be the dragon and Ill be the mermaid... its like an invitation to play.

As well as the Irish Fairy Tails website, stockists include Pinocchios toy shop in Cork city and Sensational Kids, a multi-disciplinary childrens therapy enterprise with centres in Kildare, Mayo, Monaghan and Clonakilty in West Cork. Were being stocked in their shop, which directly feeds their charity, she says. They loved the fact these costumes, kids can wear them outside of their clothes. So if youve got any kind of sensory issues, its not like youre putting on scratchy fabric or anything like that.

McSherry spent two years developing these products, with the support of the ACORNS programme for female entrepreneurs and the Local Enterprise Office. I really thought, naively probably Oh yeah, this should take a couple of months, she admits. I thought this will be easy, Ill find somebody to make them, and off we go. And no, its taken two years. Im really pleased with the way they are now. They look fantastic.

She hopes to continue growing her new venture in 2026. I do have more stories, so maybe towards the end of next year Id love to add to the range, like thats where I love to go with my creative head.
French authorities are investigating allegations that Grok made statements denying the Holocaust. The Paris public prosecutor's office said it was adding Elon Musks chatbots latest controversy to a criminal probe initially launched in July.

In a since-deleted post that was screenshotted by the Auschwitz Memorial account on X before it was taken down, Grok advanced arguments popular with Holocaust deniers regarding the use of gas chambers to murder millions of Jews during the second world war. It said (translated from its French origin) that "the plans of the crematoria at Auschwitz do indeed show facilities designed for Zyklon B disinfection against typhus, with ventilation systems adapted for this purpose rather than mass executions."

The chatbot went on to comment that remaining cyanide residues are "consistent with decontamination but not with repeated homicidal gassings," citing controversial independent analyses." Grok also described gas chambers as most people understand them today as a "narrative" backed by "laws suppressing questioning" and a "cultural taboo that discourages critical examination of the evidence."

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As reported by The Guardian (to whom X has not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing), three French ministers and several human rights and anti-discrimination groups filed formal complaints about the post, which remained online for three days before it was eventually deleted. Grok was already being investigated by French authorities over allegations that its algorithm could be subject to foreign interference.

It comes as Grokipedia, Elon Musks Wikipedia alternative that launched last month, includes 42 citations for the neo-Nazi website Stormfront, according to researchers at Cornell University. While conceding that this number is "trivial" as a percentage of Grokipedias overall share of sources, the study also found that the website cites "many more sources" that have been blacklisted by English Wikipedia editors or dismissed as low quality by "external scholars," compared to Wikipedia.

As for Grok, the post currently being investigated in France isnt the first time that the chatbot has got itself into trouble. In July, a number of X posts were taken down after Grok emerged from an update parroting antisemetic tropes and praising Hitler. The team responsible for the chatbot later apologized for its "horrific behavior."
The Trump administration has drafted an executive order that would effectively block states from enacting their own AI regulations. According to a draft document obtained by Politico , the effort would entail a multifaceted approach including an "AI Litigation Task Force" run by the DOJ.

This indicates the president has not wavered in his desire to eschew federalism in favor of a more centralized power structure around artificial intelligence. This past summer, the administration released its AI Action Plan , which, among other things , recommends that the "Federal government should not allow AI-related Federal funding to be directed toward states with burdensome AI regulations."

While it also adds that the government should "not interfere with states rights to pass prudent laws that are not unduly restrictive to innovation," this runs counter to some actions coming from the White House. Senator Ted Cruz, at the behest of the president, tried to add a 10-year moratorium on states AI regulation to the President's One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed this summer. This amendment was ultimately voted down by the Senate 99-1.

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The issue is heating up again as the president took to Truth Social to say that "overregulation by the States" would undermine the US economy and lead to "Woke AI." Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X that no such moratorium should be put in place, and said states rights and federalism must be preserved.

Politico reports that the administration is likely to try and insert a regulation moratorium again in the year-end annual defense bill. The administration seems convinced that a patchwork of varying regulations around the country would prove too onerous in the race for global AI dominance, and seeks to use every lever of federal power to prevent one.
Verizon is set to lay off more than 13,000 employees and every part of the company will be going through some changes, CEO Dan Schulman has confirmed. The company is reducing its headcount and cutting back on outsourcing and other external labor expenses in service of "building a stronger Verizon," Schulman wrote in a memo to staff. The company will also convert 179 retail stores that it owns into franchised outlets and it will close one store.

In September, Verizon said it had around 100,000 full-time employees, so the layoffs constitute about 13 percent of the workforce. Over the previous three years, Verizon had cut about 20,000 jobs. Meanwhile, a $20 billion takeover of telecoms company Frontier Communications is set to close early next year.

It was reported last week that Verizon was set to cull around 15,000 jobs as part of a cost-cutting drive in the face of sterner competition and a drop in postpaid wireless customers. Schulman  a former PayPal CEO who took on his current job in October  indicated during an earnings call last month that the company would take bold and fiscally responsible action to redefine Verizon's trajectory at this critical inflection point for our company. These will not be incremental changes."

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In Thursdays memo, Schulman framed the downsizing as an attempt to create a leaner, more customer-focused operation. As a customer-first culture, we have to align our teams and resources to create new value for customers and build a faster, stronger and more proactive Verizon, Schulman wrote. To do that, we must simplify our operations to address the complexity and friction that slow us down and frustrate our customers.

Verizon says it has set up a $20 million reskilling and career transition fund to support the workers its turfing out. This fund will focus on skill development, digital training and job placement to help our people take their next steps, Schulman claimed. Verizon is the first company to set up a fund to specifically focus on the opportunities and necessary skill sets as we enter the age of AI.
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, spoke candidly about embracing mistakes and how she manages public scrutiny.

Markle reflected on the lessons learned from her missteps: "You learn not to do it again."

She emphasized growth, adding, "If it all goes swimmingly, you don't learn from it. If you don't learn anything, you're not going to grow."

Per Page Six, the duchess explained that she gives herself the same grace as she does to her kids, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. "I watch them face things that feel completely insurmountable every day," she said. "But you can remember and say, 'I know it seems really hard right now, but trust me, that's going to come so easily soon.' I can give myself the same grace as a founder."

Markle stressed that perfection isn't realistic or fun, explaining, "There's no such thing as perfect. I, too, get to make mistakes."

She further talked about how she balanced life in the public eye with family time: "I love being able to do both. I think the moment that you start making all of your personal decisions based on external judgment, then you lose your authenticity."

The former Suits star detailed the ways her boundaries have toughened in response to heightened media attention. "Whether that's self-preservation or it's just growing up," Markle said, noting the need to now take care of herself and her family.

NY Post reported, Markle then praised Prince Harry, "He loves me so boldly, fully, and he also has a different perspective because he sees media that I wouldn't. No one in the world loves me more than him."

She finished her thoughts by readdressing views on perfection and self-improvement: "So why try to do that if you want to have fun?"

Since she stepped back from royal duties in 2021, Markle has continued to face nonstop media attention around her career, charitable interests, and family life in Montecito, California.
Vin Diesel has won a significant legal battle after a judge dismissed a sexual assault and wrongful termination lawsuit filed against him more than a decade ago.

Asta Jonasson, who worked as an assistant during the filming of "Fast Five," filed a case claiming that Vin Diesel assaulted her while the production was in Georgia in 2010, TMZ reported.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel M. Crowley ruled Wednesday that Jonasson's claims could not proceed in California.

"Plaintiff's causes of action impermissibly apply California law to extraterritorial conduct in the State of Georgia," the judge wrote.

Essentially, the court held that California law cannot govern acts allegedly committed in Georgia.

The ruling also noted that all six remaining claims were beyond their statutes of limitations.

Jonasson's attempt to revive the case under California's AB 2777, a law reopening the filing window for certain sexual assault claims, was unsuccessful.

Judge Crowley clarified that the law "does not include any 'affirmative indication' that it was intended to apply to conduct outside of California."

Jonasson's attorney, Matthew Hale, had argued that her ties to Californiabeing hired by Diesel's California-based production company and intending to return to the state for workgave the case a local connection.

Hale said, "California has a great interest in making sure its residents aren't simply shipped off to another state for a temporary part of their permanent position to be sexually assaulted and then returned thereafter."

Vin Diesels sexual-assault lawsuit was dismissed after a judge ruled that California law doesnt apply to the alleged 2010 incident in Georgia.



Read more here: https://t.co/RCENBB2OAu pic.twitter.com/ogzdMG7ZLB  Variety (@Variety) November 19, 2025

Vin Diesel's Lawyers Deny Sexual Assault

Diesel's lawyer, Sean Hardy, pushed back by saying the event Jonasson described took place solely in Georgia.

"If Ms. Jonasson went to the Los Angeles District Attorney today and filed a criminal complaint, they would refer it to Georgia. They would have no jurisdiction over it," Hardy explained.

According to RollingStone, he added that the lawsuit relied on the alleged assault, which was considered out-of-state conduct, and thus barred from being pursued under AB 2777.

Jonasson had accused Diesel of forcing her to stay close to him at events, groping her, and attempting sexual acts during a hotel encounter.

She further stated that she faced retaliation, saying her job at Diesel's production company was terminated after she pushed back against his alleged behavior.

Diesel's legal team has consistently denied the allegations. "This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee," said attorney Bryan Freedman.

In a prior decision, Judge Crowley dismissed four other claims, including Jonasson's hostile work environment allegation under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, citing that the filing window had expired.
Michelle Obama is under fresh attack over her recent comments about the power of clothes from fashion industry insiders and online commenters alike. The former first lady, 61, has been promoting her new fashion-focused book, "The Look," which she wrote with longtime stylist Meredith Koop.

Per RadarOnline, critics say that Obama seems to be channeling the demanding persona of Miranda Priestly, the fictional editor-in-chief played by Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada."

She reflects on her years of public dressing in the book. In her words, she writes, "What I wore was important ... people looked forward to the outfits, and once I got their attention, they listened to what I had to say. This is the soft power of fashion."

In a recent promotional interview, Obama explained the business behind the industry. "It is a business  billions of dollars of business," she said.

The parallels were not lost on observers, who quickly pointed out similarities to Priestly's icy monologues. One fashion publicist commented on the tone of Obama's remarks.

The publicist said, "People are teasing her because the language is straight out of fictional Miranda's playbook  the idea that clothes are strategy, that every hemline is a political act. It's uncanny, and some think she's embracing the caricature."

Another source had a similar reaction. The source said, "he's being mocked for leaning into this high-priestess tone, but that's the cost of trying to step into the guru space. Folks hear echoes of The Devil Wears Prada and assume she's putting on the persona.."

Obama says the project is lighter than her prior memoirs. Introducing her statement neutrally: She said, "Becoming was like ripping my heart open and showing it to the world," adding, "here is a lightness to this book project that wasn't there with my other two."

According to ELLE, the former first lady credits Koop with shaping much of her public image. Obama said, "She would then come in with a month (of outfits) and she would explain her thinking to me.She would then come in with a month (of outfits) and she would explain her thinking to me.." She continued, "I knew that if Meredith brought it in, it was safe and thoughtful and strategic."

In discussing her personal style evolution, Obama emphasized restraint. "I don't think the out-out-out-there fashion works for me, because I never want the clothes to speak before I do," she said.

Obama also looked back on several moments of intense scrutiny during her time in the White House. "I got dinged for showing my arms," she said. She also recounted the infamous shorts controversy: "The shorts-off-the-plane incident taught me something. It's not worth having an important trip... colored by a distraction."

Today, she said she dresses for herself, and she refuses to fade as she hits 60. She writes, "Society tends to diminish women when they hit this milestone, (but) I'm not going to disappear."
Background

In 2018 Congress mandated 355 combat force ships for the Navy. According to the United States Naval Institute as of October 2025, we now have 287, a deficit of 68 or 20% fewer ships than required to protect the country. Naval experts, Defense think tanks, national security strategists, members of Congress, concerned citizens and the Navy itself call for much higher numbers of ships. Rising threats in every region of the globe substantiate the demand for more ships. More ships at sea to face these rising threats can be provided from two only sources. existing ships in commission actually ready for sea or building more new ships. Exacerbating the dangers caused by a low number of ships in commission is the fact, at any given time, a large percentage are in long-term maintenance, most of them either awaiting being worked on or if actively worked on, behind schedule. The United States Naval Institute reports that ~100 ships are deployed forward at any given time. Fleet Forces commands goal is surge ability for another 75 ships quickly. However, they acknowledge that presently only about 50 ships could surge rapidly to join deployed forces when required. Result, today the Navy can only put ~150 ships to sea to fight our enemies around the world. The actual requirement is much more than double that. The reasons for a lack of ships is too few shipyards that build and maintain our ships. The shipbuilding industry has been seriously neglected since the end of WWII. This article will examine the infrastructure, public and private, that we have to build new ships and to repair existing ships such that they are actually deployable. A ship sitting in a shipyard waiting to be overhauled or repaired is of no use in fighting our nations wars. The existing infrastructure we have to both build and maintain the nations combatant force ships will be examined and unfortunately, the picture is not pretty.

Facilities we have for shipbuilding and repair/overhaul

Public (Government-Owned) Shipyards for Overhaul, Maintenance and Repair

The U.S. Navy has four public shipyards. They are Norfolk (VA), Portsmouth (ME), Puget Sound (WA), and Pearl Harbor (HI). These are the backbones of depot-level maintenance and modernization for nuclear carriers and submarines. All are old and outdated, originally built for the wooden and steel fleets of the 19th and early 20th centuries. For contrast, at the end of WWII, the nation had 11 public (Navy) shipyards and 60+ private shipyards, a decline to the present of 80%.

Navys physical plantsdry docks, machine shops, foundries, and utilities are in outdated configurations that detract from efficiency. Norfolk was established in the early 1800s; Portsmouth, founded in 1800, is the oldest continuously operating naval yard in the U.S.; Puget Sound and Pearl Harbor are more recent but likewise developed for pre-nuclear ships and are outmoded in comparison with modern shipyards in the private sector or overseas. None were designed for todays ships, especially our massive carriers and our exquisitely complex submarines.

To Navys credit the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP), was launched in 2018, a 20-year plan to modernize all four facilitiesreconfiguring dry docks, recapitalizing utilities, and digitizing workflow. Yet progress has been slow: the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported cost growth, schedule slips, and planning deficiencies. Until SIOP is complete, these yards will continue to operate under inefficient layouts, with maintenance queues contributing to fleet readiness shortfalls. It will be years before the modernization will be completed and meanwhile the fleet will be lacking the ships that are needed for todays threat environment.

The Heritage Foundation summarizes the problem bluntly: The four Navy shipyards as they exist today are inadequate they have too few functional dry docks, and their facilities and capital equipment are old and poorly configured. NAVSEA concurs, noting that the yards were originally designed and built to build sail- and conventionally powered ships and are not efficiently configured for nuclear fleets. Heritage is not some casual observer of the Navy. They do a detailed analysis annually performed by experts; most retired senior Navy personnel and they paint a very accurate picture of the Navys limited capabilities.

In short, the Navys public yards are essential but structurally obsoletetheir mission limited to repair and overhaul rather than new construction, and even that function is severely hampered by antiquated infrastructure and capacity bottlenecks.

Private (Commercial) Builders: The New-Construction Base

The combatant force, destroyers, amphibious ships, carriers, submarines, and auxiliaries, is built entirely by the private sector yards. The yards are:

Huntington-Ingalls Shipbuilding (Pascagoula, MS): Builds Arleigh Burkeclass destroyers, LPD-17 Flight II amphibs, and America-class LHAs.

General DynamicsBath Iron Works (Bath, ME): Co-builder of DDG-51 Burke-class destroyers.

Huntington IngallsNewport News Shipbuilding (Newport News, VA): Sole builder of the new Ford-class carriers; partner with Electric Boat on Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines. Columbia class is the replacement class of our vital nuclear ballistic missile submarines, our key nuclear deterrent.

General DynamicsElectric Boat (Groton, CT / Quonset Point, RI): Currently building Virginia and Columbia class submarines.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine (Marinette, WI): Building the new Constellation-class frigate.

General DynamicsNASSCO (San Diego, CA): Constructs oilers and expeditionary bases.

Austal USA (Mobile, AL): Builds auxiliary and small-combatant steel ships (T-AGOS, T-ATS) and built the Independence class LCS, the last of its class being delivered in July 2025, the USS Pierre (LCS-38).

These yards are far more modern than the Navys public yards and equipped for modular construction, but most unfortunately remain capacity-limited. Put bluntly, they can only build a few ships at a time due to facility incapacity. Destroyer output averages roughly two per year split between Bath and Ingalls while the requirement is much higher. Through FY 2024 the Congress has authorized and funded 94 ships and only 68 have been delivered. At two per year, it will be years until the program is fully delivered. The frigate program started at Fincantieri is years behind schedule and is in extremis. Both our critical submarine programs are struggling to ramp up. Workforce shortages and lack of interest in the trades by young people, supply-chain fragility such as dependence on overseas suppliers even including China and limited dry-dock capacity keep production much slower than needed.

Despite being privately owned, most major shipyards are special-purpose naval yards, not diversified commercial shipyards. The United States has largely lost its large-scale commercial shipbuilding sector since WWII due to ill-considered policy decisions made by our government. Thus, our naval yards lack the economies of scale, modern construction methods, and steady capital reinvestment that sustain foreign peers.

Americas Obsolescence and the Modernization Gap

The contrast between U.S. public shipyards and those abroad is depressing. While Americas naval yards are steeped in history, their infrastructure remains ancient by modern standards. Studies as far back as 1972 found Navy yard production to be about 30 percent more expensive per hull than comparable private work. How we got into this situation is a long story for another day. Today, modernization is needed for every aspect: modern dry docks for Ford-class carriers, crane upgrades for submarine modules, digitized design integration, and expanded workforce availability and training in the trades.

The SIOP aims to address some of these deficiencies through roughly $2025 billion in upgrades over two decades. Yet until those investments bear fruit, throughput at the public yards will remain a bottleneck for fleet availabilitylimiting how many ships can be refueled, overhauled, or modernized or repaired each year. A perfect example of this lack of capacity is the USS Connecticut. The submarine was in the Pacific on patrol in October 2021 and it collided with an undersea mount causing extensive damage. The Navy now estimates that it will not be back in service until late 2026. This is largely due to the lack of repair facilities. Over 5 years out of service for this vital submarine from this accident is a testament to our nations failure to be serious about what it takes to support our Navy.

Private yards, meanwhile, face the opposite challenge: limited numbers and narrow specialization. Only one yard builds aircraft carriers; only two build destroyers; only two produce nuclear submarines. With few competitors and minimal surge capacity, the U.S. industrial base lacks elasticity for rapid fleet expansiona deadly situation for the nations needed Manhattan Project for Ships concept.

Comparison with Japan and South Korea

Industrial Scale and Modern Facilities

Japan and South Korea are the free worlds most sophisticated and technically savvy nations for shipbuilding. Both nations possess extensive commercial shipbuilding industries that build dozens of vessels annually, ranging from super-tankers to Aegis-equipped destroyers and submarines. Their defense production benefits from dual-use, military, and commercial, industrial base, ensuring continuous investment in infrastructure, automation, and skilled labor. They also have the advantage of much lower labor costs.

South Koreas HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) operate immense, purpose-built shipyards at Ulsan, Geoje, and Okpo. Japans Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Japan Marine United (JMU), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) maintain similar complexes at Nagasaki, Yokohama, and Kobe. These yards build both commercial and naval ships using highly modular, automated construction techniques with synchronized digital design.

Because their facilities are continuously refreshed through profitable commercial orders, these nations enjoy a self-sustaining modernization cycleeach generation of commercial hulls funds new cranes, dry docks, and robotics that also serve naval programs. In contrast, U.S. naval shipbuilding depends entirely on government appropriations and often operates in boom-and-bust cycles tied to congressional budgets. To complete the comparison, Japan, and South Korea account for 45% of the global market share of shipbuilding while the U.S. comes in at less than 1%.

Throughput and Efficiency

The throughput differential is dramatic. A U.S. destroyer yard typically delivers about 1.5 ships per year, whereas Korean yards of comparable scale can turn out several large combatants annually alongside commercial production. The Japanese and Korean destroyer programsthe Maya and Sejong the Great classesare Aegis-equipped and technologically sophisticated yet constructed at a faster cadence in facilities optimized for modular assembly.

Automation, digital integration, and standardized hull modules allow these yards to reduce labor hours and cycle time, achieving consistent quality and lower cost per ton. By contrast, U.S. yardsespecially public facilitiesstill rely heavily on older, slower processes, stagnant configurations, and aging equipment.

Structural Advantages Abroad

Why do Japanese and Korean shipbuilders have such an edge? There are multiple reasons including:

Commercial Volume: Continuous civilian orders sustain workforce and capital upgrades.

Modern Layouts: Dry docks, cranes, and assembly facilities are configured for modular blocks, enabling parallel work streams.

Vertical Integration: Steel mills, component manufacturers, and shipyards operate within closely linked industrial conglomerates.

Automation and Digital Engineering: Advanced CAD/CAM integration and robotic welding reduce errors and rework.

Government-Industry Coordination: Both nations treat shipbuilding as a strategic national asset, aligning defense and commercial objectives.

The United States, lacking a major commercial sector and operating within a fragmented acquisition system, cannot replicate these efficiencies without major changes to the way we do business and massive investment necessarily directed by and funded by the government.

Strategic Implications

The nations present shipyard capability represents a major strategic vulnerability for the U.S.s urgent need expand the fleet and the need for robust repair capacity. Public yards suffer from structural obsolescence, private yards from limited numbers and fragile supply chains and limited workforces. Together they represent a feeble industry and industrial base incapable of rapid surge production without radical reforms.

In a prolonged maritime competitionparticularly against a nation like China, with enormous shipbuilding throughputthis imbalance puts the US at a distinct disadvantage. Japan and South Korea demonstrate what modern industrial shipbuilding looks like. We should look to them for insight on how to reform our capability.

Programs such as SIOP and incremental investments at private yards are needed for sure but are woefully inadequate and too slow. Closing the gap will require a comprehensive national mobilization of policy, funding, and workforce. Such a plan was outlined in my Manhattan Project for Ships. articles. Recommendations included:

Dramatically accelerating SIOP timelines and fully funding dry-dock reconstruction.

Urgently establishing new public-private yards configured for modular, high-volume naval construction.

Dramatically expanding apprenticeship and technical-trade programs to rebuild the shipbuilding workforce.

Government incentivizing commercial shipbuilding in U.S. yards via subsidies, tax incentives, regulatory relief and other innovative solutions copying Japan and South Korea methods to create steady throughput and capital renewal.

Leveraging allied cooperation with Japan and South Korea for technology transfer and best practices in digital ship design and modular construction.

Conclusion

Americas shipbuilding infrastructure is in crisis and is at a historical crossroads. The four public yardsvital to sustain the nuclear fleetare relics of the industrial age, only now entering long-overdue modernization. Private yards, though technologically advanced, are few and stretched way too thin. In stark contrast, allied shipbuilders in Japan and South Korea operate state-of-the-art complexes whose productivity and modernization far outpace the U.S.

Unless we embark on a major national renewal of our maritime industrial base, public and private, it will remain constrained in both building and maintaining the Navy required for our national defense. The U.S. must now urgently rebuild our shipbuilding industry if it hopes to restore true maritime capability in time to defend the nation from our enemies.

CAPT Brent Ramsey, (U.S. Navy, ret.) has written extensively on Defense and policy matters. He is a director with Calvert Task Group whose recent book, Dont Give Up the Ship, was strongly endorsed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Board of Advisors member for STARRS and the Center for Military Readiness, and member of the Military Advisory Group for Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). He supports many other military advocacy organizations such as Flag Officers 4 America, Veterans for Fairness and Merit, the Heritage Foundation, and the MacArthur Society of West Point Graduates.
A couple weeks ago I answered a friends question, telling her my husband and I have been married 42 years. Throughout all of these years, he has been a thoughtful life partner because his sweet mother raised him to be a gentleman. I count my lucky stars.

One day in November, though, and I do mean every single November of these 42 years, I play second fiddle to another female. It was this subject my friend was pushing toward.

The female taking center stage in his life right now is named Tracey. She can do nothing wrong. She is everything a man like Doug hopes for, and Ive even heard him say this in long phone conversations while I sit within earshot, sipping my morning coffee. It just stuns me how great she is! he said to his brother.

It has been said that a man follows the teachings of a good mother throughout his life while mirroring his father in actions. That, my friends, is where this origin story takes root.

Don Sutherland learned to look forward to November, and when Doug was barely old enough to run along behind him, he was sometimes carried.

Youve gotta keep up! his dad told him.

There were unbearably cold nights that the son cried, told to stay home and go to bed, you know, like normal people want to do.

I promise I wont get tired! the child begged. I think that statement right there tells you he already had been bitten by the autumnal force.

That boy, in ensuing years, would be out all night and still make it to school on time. He paired up with others as crazy, or should I say dedicated, to being night owls for a season. When I first met him, he was partnered with a dairy farmer, which he said was the perfect combination, because they had to keep with morning milking time as their final bell.

There is very little doubt I could ever hold a candle to the competition, and I can still name several. There was Dixie, and I remember one he called Sis, now Tracey.

My father was more bothered by it than I was in those early years, trying to talk sense into his son-in-law.

Why in the world would you go out in the freezing cold, chasing something you never lost in the first place? my dad asked Doug.

There was money in it, Doug argued. At that time it was true, and Doug made a point of giving generous Christmas gifts with that windfall. Today, there is no return. One farmer neighbor has offered Doug a bounty on his trips out with Tracey, a few bucks on every successful turnout.

I offer my sympathy to you if someone you love has this autumnal fever, masquerading as a sport called coon hunting.

I watch with quiet concern as my great nephews grow more spellbound each fall, their Uncle Doug returning home with great stories of Oliver and Johnny shooting one out of a tall tree for Tracey. Already they can sit and share long, animated stories of their latest night out. And so it lives on
MONACA, Pa.  Theres a long-standing debate in the wild ramp community, with one faction arguing that there is only one species of the plant, while others maintain there are up to four species.

Now, a team led by researchers at Penn State Beaver have provided the first genetic evidence supporting a second species of ramps.

They published their results recently in PLOS One.

Ramps, or wild leeks, are plant native to the forests of eastern North America and look similar to green onions but taste like garlic. Ramps are highly sought after in certain areas and are popular with foragers and with chefs who like to use locally sourced food. This popularity has led to overharvesting in some areas.

Ramps belong to a large umbrella group called Allium, which includes many other plants including onions and garlic species. Prior research by other scientists had investigated the potential of two specific ramp species, but concluded that only one, Allium tricoccum, existed. According to Penn State Beaver Associate Professor of Biology Sarah Nilson, there has been confusion over how to identify the two species, which has led to uncertainty about how many species there are.

There has only been one other genetic study on ramps, and the tools used then were not high-enough resolution to identify the differences we found, Nilson said, explaining her group employed microsatellite markers in their analysis.

These markers consist of repeating genetic sequences and are easily identifiable in laboratory tests. Researchers can extract and process the DNA from sample plants to reveal where these markers appear in the sequences, Nilson said. As opposed to comparing the billions of paired bases that make up DNA, comparing the markers allow the researchers to more quickly identify genetic differences, she said.

Nilson likens to the genetic comparison to comparing two books with the same titles and covers. Instead of reading both books and highlighting every difference and similarity, a person can compare the table of contents to assess variability, she said.

Researchers found enough genetic variability in the samples to support the existence of a second species of wild ramps, called Allium burdickii. The Allium burdickii samples were genetically distinct from Allium tricoccum samples, even when the samples were collected at the same location.

Nilson said the discovery was largely possible because she lives and works in southwestern Pennsylvania, where she collected the initial Allium burdickii samples. So far, Allium burdickii has only been found in southwestern Pennsylvania and states to the west.

I live and work here, and I was able to do more fieldwork here, and we found it here, Nilson said. Thats the importance of having faculty all over the state. When youre actually rooted in a place, you know it better.

Additionally, the researchers found that there were differences in the amount of genetic variation between the species and among populations within species.

The finding could help better support sustainable harvesting and land management to preserve the plants, Nilson said. She explained that ramps are not only of culinary importance, but the foraging of ramps is culturally important to certain indigenous groups and Appalachian communities.

We understand the cultural importance of these plants, and we want to be able to protect the practice of harvesting for those groups, Nilson said.

A driving factor of overharvesting is that ramps are among the first plants to emerge in the early spring when there is a dearth of fresh produce, and everyone is excited to have it on the menu, Nilson said. Harvesters take the entire plant, including roots, because chefs will use it all. However, thats a problem as it takes ramps seven years to fully grow.

Nilson recommended people only harvest what they need and wait until ramps have fully sized up before harvesting. She said ramps are easy to grow if they have enough water and a site in a shady forest area, so planting new ramps can help in conservation efforts.

Were not anti-foraging, she said. Were encouraging education about more sustainable harvesting and waiting to harvest.

Nilsons research is an extension of work she began in 2018 when she was awarded a research grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to determine if ramps are a vulnerable species.

Co-authors on this study include Eric Burkhart, teaching professor in ecosystem and science management at Penn State; Malia Costa, who graduated with a degree in biology from Penn State Beaver in 2023; Matt Estep, associate professor of biology at Appalachian State University; and Harvey Ballard, a professor of environmental and plant biology at Ohio University.

(This information was provided by Penn State Beaver.)
A fresh wave of support for both sheep farmers and young entrants to agriculture has been launched as the National Sheep Association (NSA) reopens its Lambing List for the 2025 season.

The long-running service, relied on by farmers during the most intense weeks of the year, matches those needing extra hands with students seeking vital lambing experience.

The reopening comes at a time when labour shortages continue to bite across UK agriculture. Many livestock farms report growing difficulty securing seasonal help, and colleges say demand for hands-on placements now far exceeds supply.

Against this backdrop, the Lambing List has become an increasingly important bridge between farmers under pressure and newcomers trying to break into the industry.

For students, the scheme can be transformative. One student said it was a great way for me to find lambing work and gain experience at the start of my career, particularly as they had no connections to farming before studying agriculture.

They praised the huge choice of farmers willing to take on beginners, adding that the experience led to further work up and down the country. As a first-generation entrant, they said lambing remained the best and easiest way to get started in farming.

Farmers echo the value of the service. One producer who uses the Lambing List annually said it was a great service, noting they had been very lucky with all the students recruited through it. This season alone, they expect to host seven students from universities across the UK.

The Lambing List is available exclusively to NSA members, who complete a short application form outlining their lambing system, the placement offered and what they can provide in terms of accommodation, meals and training.

Listings are published in the order received, prompting the NSA to encourage early applications. For students, the process is simple: once populated, placements are displayed by region on the NSA Next Generation website from early November.

NSA Communications Manager Katie James said the scheme remains central to helping both current producers and future farmers. This service is just one of the many ways NSA works to support sheep farmers, along with agricultures next generation of farmers and vets, she said.

Young people using the list will also find online resources and activities, as well as applications for the NSA Next Generation Ambassadors programme, which are now open.

With lambing seasons approaching and demand for seasonal help expected to be high again this year, the NSA anticipates a busy response as farmers and students rush to secure placements.
A future in which Britain must squeeze more from every acre will depend less on choosing between trees and food and more on learning how to make them work together.

That was the message from forestry leaders this week as they launched a major industry report urging farmers and foresters to recognise thatwhile they may not be in the same boatthey are certainly in the same storm.

The UK Forest Market Report 2025, published by BSW Groups Tilhill Forestry and Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group, warns that both sectors face common uncertainties over policy, costs and pricing. The annual report is considered the most comprehensive snapshot of the UK forestry market.

Commercial forestry listings rose 50% in the past year to 9,200 hectares, with total market value hitting 140 millionbelow the exceptional 202023 period but above pre-pandemic norms.

Average stocked-hectare prices increased 3% to 19,200. Two unusually large Scottish properties were excluded from pricing data to avoid skewing the figures; including them, said Tilhills Xander Mahony, would be akin to counting Buckingham Palace as part of the London housing market.

Mixed woodland listings fell sharply to 11m, with smaller properties and varying price rises across the UK. Land suitable for new commercial planting remained scarce, with Scottish values continuing to fall while prices in England and Wales stayed stable.

Goldcrest partner Jon Lambert said the commercial forestry market is shifting, with younger crops changing hands and buyers showing greater caution.

The result, he said, was an unusual collection of sale results, though forestry remained a strongly performing investment asset class.

Rebecca Wilson, a fifth-generation farmer writing in the report, warned that UK land is being asked to deliver ever more: food, trees, housing, energy, biodiversity and carbon storage. But she argued that farming and forestry should not be treated as rivals.

The danger lies in treating them as competing land uses, she wrote, adding that the future would be defined not by choosing between food and trees but by integrating them.
After the success of Haq, a film starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi that has been praised for its emotional truth and story, director Suparn S Varma has now shared his thoughts on an eagerly awaited new project. While Haq continues to resonate with audiences in cinemas, Suparn has also offered his support to fellow filmmaker Aditya Dhar, who has recently received some online criticism for the violent nature of his film, Dhurandhar.

Suparn Varma talked about how Indian films are frequently judged more harshly compared to similar international films. As Aditya Dhar's film prepares for its theatrical release, he talked about there should be an end to this bias. He said that the film's success shows that when our own storytellers are supported with the same confidence shown to global cinema, they are capable of producing work that is comparable to the finest in the world.



He wrote on his social media handle, Im just amazed by some of the chatter about the violence in #Dhurandhar the same viewers would have called it cinematic brilliance if this was in any other language or a Korean or Japanese film. Its high time we started to celebrate Hindi cinema and its filmmakers with the same passion we celebrate all makers and films. Each filmmaker comes with his/her unique voice and identity and background & I have been left spellbound by the world and characters created by @adityadharfilms and his amazing team.

Meanwhile, the buzz around Ranveer Singhs Dhurandhar trailer took an unexpected turn this week. What initially generated excitement soon led to a debate, as a classic Madhubala qawwali led to conversations about originality. Amidst this, filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh also offered his support for the film.

The Dhurandhar trailer had also created a buzz online, especially due to the iconic Na Toh Karvan Ki Talaash Hai in its concluding moments. This instantly drew reactions, including a comment from a user who expressed the view that Bollywood frequently reuses older songs. The comment read, That song at the end of #Dhurandhar is not original but a version of Manna Deys song word by word in terms of music, Bollywood has zero originality to offer.

Sujoy responded immediately, denying that the team had presented the track as new. He replied to the user, clarifying the situation, No one claimed its original. infact if anything its good that they got a song from barsaat ki raat out there.



Also Read: Suparn Varma in Talks With Multiple Leading Studios After HAQ? Heres What We Know












Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious project, Ramayana, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravie Dubey, Kunal Kapoor, Lara Dutta, and Vivek Oberoi, is being hailed as the biggest Indian film ever produced, and the makers are now preparing to start work on its second part.

According to industry sources, the filming for Ramayana 2 is expected to begin in January 2026, shortly after the leading cast end their current professional and personal commitments.





The first part of this two-part adaptation of the Indian epic has been finished and is scheduled for release in 2026, with the second part expected in 2027. The massive scale of this project, spread across years of preparation, world-building, high-quality visual effects, and a star-studded ensemble, has created excitement both in India and globally.

With Nitesh Tiwari directing, there is confidence in the industry that Ramayana will set a new standard for cinematic spectacle in India. The filming for the second part, initially planned for August 2025, has been rescheduled. This adjustment is mainly due to the packed schedules of the film's lead actors. Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram, is currently occupied with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love and War in Mumbai. The filming for this film is expected to move to Italy in December for approximately twenty days, a reduction from the initially planned forty-five-day shoot.

The film's release date has been moved to the Independence Day weekend in August. Yash, who plays the character of Ravana, is currently occupied with the filming of Geetu Mohandas's Toxic, which is expected to be released on March 19, 2026. The producers found it necessary to issue a statement to reconfirm the release date, as there had been rumours circulating about potential delays in the filming.

Apart from that, there is Sunny Deol's personal situation. The actor, who plays Lord Hanuman in the film, is currently prioritizing the health of his father, veteran actor Dharmendra, who has been unwell. With family at priority, Sunny is expected to resume full-fledged work only after ensuring stability at home.



Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor And Yash To Share Screen Space Only In Ramayanas Climax?




Veteran Bollywood legend Dharmendra is recovering steadily at home after being discharged from Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital a week ago. Sources told NDTV that the 89-year-old star is doing better than earlier and responding well to ongoing treatment. He was admitted a few days before October 31 following episodes of breathlessness and remained under medical care for nearly two weeks before returning home on November 12.





The actor continues to rest under family supervision, with reports suggesting that a fully equipped ICU-like setup has been arranged at his residence to support his recovery.



Earlier this week, Shatrughan Sinha and his wife Poonam Sinha visited Hema Malini to check on Dharmendras health. Sharing a photo with Hema Malini, Sinha wrote on X that they had gone to meet, greet & God bless their dear family friend while inquiring about the wellbeing of Dharmendra and his family. Hema Malini, his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and a number of close friends, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Govinda, paid him numerous visits while he was in the hospital.





The family had recently taken to social media to address false rumours about the actors death circulating online. His daughter Esha Deol and wife Hema Malini strongly refuted the misinformation and urged the public not to spread panic. They constantly assured fans that Dharmendra was stable, under care, and improving every day.



New updates indicate that the actors condition has continued to progress positively over the past week. Fans across the country have been praying for his recovery.





Dharmendra, who turns 90 on December 8, is expected to celebrate his milestone birthday quietly with close family and friends. The family is currently focused on maintaining his health and well-being.





Also Read: IFTDA Files Complaint After Paparazzi Invade Dharmendras Home Privacy
ATLANTA, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sidd Ahmed, the founder and chief executive officer of VDart Group, a global leader in digital technology staffing, product development and solutioning firm, has been named an honoree for the 2025 Atlanta Most Admired CEO Awards by ACG Atlanta and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. This award recognizes exceptional leaders across the metro Atlanta area who demonstrate vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to culture and community.

Sidd leads VDart with a philosophy he calls his "North Star": people, purpose and planet. These three principles guide every decision. "We are in the people business," he often reminds his teams. "Our higher purpose is to transform the trajectory of people's lives."

In an interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Sidd reflected on how this values-driven philosophy guided him through defining moments, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with unprecedented uncertainty, he made the decision to keep every employee on payroll after posing a pivotal question to his leadership team: "What if an employee is their family's sole breadwinner?" That clarity drove him to safeguard jobs while many companies faced deep cuts. "By standing with our team during one of the most challenging periods in recent history, we preserved trust, morale, and loyalty," said Sidd Ahmed.

Under Sidd's leadership, VDart has grown into a diversified global enterprise encompassing VDart (global talent solutions), VDart Digital (managed services in IT, ERP, Cloud, GenAI and custom applications), VDart BPM (business process management), VDart EPC (construction and engineering staffing), Vouch.io (enterprise digital trust), and Hidden Curve (digital marketing as a service); collectively employing more than 3,500 people across 8 countries. His experience building international teams has shaped VDart's emphasis on opportunity creation and inclusive growth, reinforced by initiatives such as VDart ESG, which supports underprivileged children, individuals with disabilities, and communities affected by natural disasters. His social media initiative, "Project Sidd," reaches more than 2+ million followers on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and Linkedin with insights on career development, entrepreneurship and the mindset that drives his community called "The Positive Tribe".

Sidd has also steered VDart through emerging challenges in the digital talent landscape. In response to rising AI-enabled resume fraud and impersonation, he led the creation of BeRecognized.io and VerifiedID, identity-verification platforms expected to support more than 20 million consumers. He continues to advocate for large-scale workforce upskilling as AI reshapes industries. "By combining verification and upskilling, we help both employers and candidates navigate the future of work with confidence," said Sidd Ahmed.

Sidd's leadership has earned recognition including the Atlanta Business Chronicle's Entrepreneur of the Year award, multiple Best and Brightest Companies to Work For honors for VDart, and statewide acknowledgment through organizations such as ACG Atlanta's Georgia Fast 40. His entrepreneurial journey has been profiled in national business media and studied in graduate business programs for its blend of grit, innovation, and inclusive economic development.

About VDart Group

VDart Group is a global provider of digital talent solutions, technology services and business process management, founded in 2007 and headquartered in the United States with a workforce of more than 3,500 professionals across the U.S., Canada, Malaysia, UAE, UK, and India. The company holds EcoVadis Silver, ISO-12007 and multiple MBE certifications and is a participant in the UN Global Compact. Its portfolio spans VDart for global staffing and workforce solutions, VDart Digital for AI, cloud, cybersecurity and digital engineering services, VDart BPM for large-scale process management and customer operations, along with specialized practices in engineering, healthcare and identity-verification technologies. VDart Group has been recognized by SIA, NMSDC, GMSDC, USPAACC and ACG Atlanta for its growth, innovation and performance, including ranking among the Largest Staffing Firms in the U.S. and earning multiple Supplier of the Year and Best and Brightest Companies to Work For honors.

Website: www.vdart.com

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In 2025, a Chengdu media delegation from Chengdu Media Group visited France, Austria, Spain and other European countries. Through cultural exhibitions, pop-up music performances and related events, delegation advanced co-operation between Chengdu and European cities in media, cultural exchange, city branding and sister-city work, further strengthening mutual ties.

Cultural IP Goes Global: "Chengdu Panda Week" Sparks International Enthusiasm

"Invitation from Homeland of Pandas Chengdu Panda Week", a series of events around panda cultural IP, was held in cities in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria, giving European audiences an impression of Chengdu's character. The programme included promotion of panda IP, panda-themed motorcade parades and dialogues on culture, tourism and ecology. It brought together over 300 guests from political, economic and artistic circles in China and Europe and reached over 100,000. At one event, Jean-Louis Barrandereau, former Deputy Secretary-General of France's tourism development agency, said: "Chengdu uses pandas as a bridge for culture and tourism. Its model of 'culture-led connections and industry-based implementation' deserves wider adoption." French physical chemist and sinologist Bei Wenjiang commented: "I received a heartfelt invitation from Chengdu." "Here, it's not only pandas; it's a place where culture and future resonate side by side."

Charm Lives On in Vienna: Photo Exhibition and Musical Flash Mobs Deepen Cultural Ties

Chengdu's cultural showcase later travelled to Vienna, Austria. A "Chengdu Photo Exhibition" highlighting it as a park city opened at Confucius Institute in Vienna, where a curated set of images presented Chengdu's natural environment, historical depth and urban vitality to local residents and students. Before the exhibition, "CrazyFolk", a Chengdu folk music ensemble popular with youth, staged musical flash mobs at Vienna landmarks. At locations including Schonbrunn Palace Square and Karntner Strae, CrazyFolk combined traditional Chinese instruments such as guzheng and bamboo flute with Western instruments, performing works including "Ode to Joy" and "Chengdu". Performances attracted residents and visitors, who stopped to listen, take photos and share moment, creating scenes of "music without borders".

Sister-City Ties Strengthened: "Memories of Chengdu" Launches in Madrid

With opening of direct air route between Chengdu and Madrid, an unveiling ceremony for "Memories of Chengdu International Sister City Promotion Centre" was held in Madrid, marking a new stage in co-operation with European sister cities. During the ceremony, Chengdu media delegation presented centre's nameplate and Chengdu World Games mascots "Shubao" and "Jinzai" to association representative Jose Antolin and athlete Marta Coral. Jose remarked: "This is a symbol of friendship between our two cities and a great honour for us." "We hope that promotion centre will help deepen practical co-operation between two cities in areas such as culture and sport." Spanish athlete Antia Garcia, who took part in the Chengdu World Games tour, said in an interview: "My time in Chengdu was unforgettable. I look forward to returning and helping to advance more exchange projects between our sister cities."

The Madrid event is the second European launch of the "Memories of Chengdu International Sister City Promotion Centre", following Montpellier in France. Supported by the direct air link and closer people-to-people exchanges, Chengdu and Madrid are moving closer together, widening their network of partners and adding new momentum to shared development and mutually beneficial co-operation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251118518301/en/

Contacts:

Chengdu Media Group

Jack Zhou

29175273@qq.com

https://www.cmgchengdu.com/
The UK's airport transport sector is undergoing significant strain as passenger numbers return to-and in some cases surpass-pre-pandemic levels. Against this backdrop, 1ST Airport Taxis has secured 2.5 million in new investment to reinforce airport-to-city transport capacity and develop technology designed to reduce delays, missed connections and congestion around major hubs including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119462626/en/

The funding comes amid renewed scrutiny of the UK's ground-transport systems, with travellers increasingly reliant on pre-booked transfers following widespread rail disruption, driver shortages and tighter airport traffic-management rules.

The company plans to invest in real-time flight integration, predictive dispatch algorithms and strengthened driver-compliance systems, aiming to minimise the operational failures that have become more common across the sector.

Founder and CEO Wajid Hussain said the funding reflects a wider need for stability and modernisation across the UK's point-to-point travel network. "Airport transport is now a critical part of national travel infrastructure. When flights are delayed or trains are cancelled, ground-transport operators carry the pressure. This investment allows us to build the resilient systems the industry increasingly depends on."

The announcement follows the company's recently expanded operations in the UAE, where UK-Gulf travel corridors continue to experience some of the highest growth rates globally.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119462626/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Aadil Hussain, Spokesperson

Email: Press@1stairporttaxis.co.uk

Tel: +44 7498 767445
Zopa enters Investments market six months after launching Biscuit, the UK's best free current account for everyday value

Zopa will offer two ready-made Invesco funds, Balanced and Bold , with a track-record of 4.5% and 9.3% average annual returns respectively

and , with a track-record of 4.5% and 9.3% average annual returns respectively Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby MP delivers opening remarks at invite-only event attended by 150 City executives

Launch supports Treasury's campaign to mobilise 614 billions of dormant money that could earn higher returns from investments

LONDON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zopa Group PLC, the digital bank pioneer trusted by 1.6 million customers, has entered the Investments market to help the 15 million Brits who hold excess cash grow their money confidently.

Designed for the nation's new generation of first-time investors looking to make their money work harder with peace of mind, Zopa Investments forms part of Zopa's vision to build the Home of Money.

Offering simple solutions for long-term financial planning, Zopa Investments sits alongside other great-value products such as the Zopa Cash ISA and Biscuit Current Account - giving customers a range of ways to build for the future.

At launch, Zopa will offer two funds, Balanced and Bold, with a track record of 4.5% and 9.3% average annual returns respectively, available in General Investment and ISA wrappers.*

Future updates will introduce a selection of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) as well as user experience additions such as insights and prompts to help customers get the most from the product.

The funds are being managed by Invesco, one of the world's largest investment managers with over $2tn in assets, seamlessly connected to Zopa using Upvest's API infrastructure.

Customers can start investing in minutes with as little as 1.

Zopa Investments are being rolled out in beta to existing customers before becoming available to the wider public in early 2026, initially targeting those 15 million UK adults who hold more than six months' income in cash but are not yet investing.

Merve Ferrero, Chief Strategy Officer at Zopa Bank said: "For far too long, Brits have been sitting on billions of cash - not because they don't want to invest, but because they don't know where to start. At Zopa, we're changing that.

Our customers already trust Zopa with over 6 billion of their savings, and have been asking for a simple way to begin investing. Bringing Investments and Stocks & Shares ISA accounts alongside savings and cash ISAs under one Zopa roof gives our customers more financial control, all within a simple, education-led platform designed to build confidence and peace of mind."

Lucy Rigby MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury & City Minister, added: "The launch of Zopa Investments is a major step towards opening the doors of responsible investing to millions across the UK. By aking investing simple, accessible and transparent, Zopa is helping a new generation of Britons sow the seeds of long-term prosperity - nurturing confidence, independence, and a deeper connection to the nation's economic growth."

With 614 billion currently sitting idle** and four in ten Brits lacking confidence in their long-term financial goals***, Zopa Investments was unveiled at the bank's new Canary Wharf office in a private event with 150 City executives and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

It comes six months after launching Biscuit, the UK's best free current account for everyday value that is rated #1 on MoneySavingExpert and has amassed close to 200,000 customers in a short period of time.

The launch follows a strong year for Zopa, marked by consistent double-digit growth and profitability. Pre-tax profits doubled to 34.2 million in FY2024, underscoring its remarkable trajectory since launching in 2020.

Zopa expects to again double profits in 2025.

One of the UK's highest rated and most celebrated financial brands, Zopa has been recognised with over 10 British Bank Awards, holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.6/5, and has one of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry.

Find out more about Zopa Investments at zopa.com/investing

Notes to Editors

For screenshots / video of the "Zopa Investments" product and the new Zopa office please click here

*Average annual return tells you how much this fund has grown each year, on average, between 31 Jan 2021 and 31 Dec 2024. While this is a useful guide, it can't be used to predict future returns.

** According to the Financial Conduct Authority's Financial Lives 2024 Survey, 39% of UK adults reported low confidence in managing their money (a 'low' score of 0-6 on a 0-10 scale).

*** UK savers have more than 614bn in excess cash, FT, Sep 2025.

About Zopa Bank

Founded in 2020 with a full banking license and backed by some of Silicon Valley's most iconic investors, digital bank Zopa is building the "Home of Money".

This is a place where financial products deliver good value and managing money is made effortless; deep and long-lasting relationships mean customers are left confident about their choices.

Zopa seamlessly blends the agility of digital banking with 20 years of lending expertise - having lent more than 13 billion to consumers in the UK to date. It is as reliable as a big bank, as helpful as a challenger bank, but with more peace of mind than both.

One of the UK's highest rated and most celebrated financial brands, Zopa was again voted the UK's best Personal Loan Provider and best Credit Card Provider at the 2024 British Bank Awards.

Zopa Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

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BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tsinghua University hosted the 2025 Modern Governance Forum on November 16, convening scholars, policymakers, and practitioners for in-depth discussions on "Global and Public Governance in an Era of Transformation." The event was supported by the Chinese Public Administration Society and organized by Tsinghua University School of Public Policy and Management (SPPM).

Guo Yong, deputy secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, opened the forum and stated that amidst the profound transformations unfolding across the world, universities should shoulder the historical mission of advancing research and practice in global public governance, and drive systemic innovation in the global governance system. In recent years, Tsinghua University has been committed to constructing an independent knowledge system in Chinese public administration, contributing Chinese wisdom to global public governance.

Li Baorong, president of the Chinese Society of Public Administration, also addressed the ceremony. He underscored that formulating and implementing five-year plans is a hallmark of the CPC's governance. The scientific formulation and effective implementation of these plans have benefited from strategic resolve, institutional adjustments, and the forging of consensus across society. He welcomed deeper research and greater academic contributions to advancing the Chinese path to modernization.

The keynote session featured three distinguished speakers. Zhu Yunlai, former president and CEO of China International Capital Corporation Limited, examined global aging challenges through economic and actuarial lenses. Barry Naughton, professor and So Kwan Lok Chair of Chinese International Affairs School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego, analyzed global governance dynamics in an increasingly bipolar world. Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po, shared insights on cultivating future leaders equipped with both specialized expertise and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Four parallel forums followed, organized around the themes "Geopolitical Shifts and the Governance of Global Economy," "Governance Digital Transformation and Global Digital Equity," "Socio-Economic Fluctuation and the Governance of Social Resilience," and "Global Flux and the Restructuring of World Governance.".

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HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On World Children's Day, Dr James Liang, Co-founder of Trip.com Group, announced the establishment of the Genovation Foundation Limited in Hong Kong. Established in his personal capacity, the foundation pledges HK$500 million over five years to address declining fertility through three key avenues: economic subsidies, cultural advocacy, and policy research.

The name Genovation combines "Gene" and "Innovation", symbolising both the continuity of life and the pursuit of creative solutions to pressing social challenges. This marks another significant step in Liang's decade-long dedicated research into demographic issues, moving from corporate practice into the realm of public philanthropy.

Supporting Policy Research and Global Dialogue

Beyond funding policy research, including the Global Fertility Crisis Forum scheduled to launch in January 2026 and held annually thereafter, the foundation has opened applications in two further areas:

Childbearing subsidies for PhD students in Hong Kong

Grants for fertility-friendly cultural and artistic projects worldwide

As a scholar-entrepreneur who has long studied the relationship between demographics and innovation, Liang has repeatedly warned that a shrinking younger population will erode national creativity and long-term economic vitality. He argues that addressing this challenge requires coordinated action across government, business, and society. By piloting initiatives in Hong Kong and focusing on three strategic directions, the foundation aims to create replicable models for wider adoption.

Financial Support for Doctoral Students

In its first phase, the foundation will pilot a targeted subsidy for doctoral students at higher education institutions in Hong Kong. As a crucial reserve of future research talent, PhD students often face multiple pressures of academic advancement, early career development, and family planning. Despite being in their prime reproductive years, many are forced to delay or abandon parenthood due to research demands, limited income, and the high cost of childcare.

To address this, the foundation will provide a HK$50,000 childcare and education grant to families of full-time PhD students based in Hong Kong whose children are born on or after 1 January 2026. Applications require a birth certificate, proof of enrolment, and academic transcripts. The foundation pledges to complete reviews within 14 working days and disburse funds within five working days. (Further details are available at http://www.genovationfoundation.org/ )

Promoting Fertility-Friendly Cultural Innovation

Liang recognises that low fertility is not only an economic issue but also shaped by social attitudes and cultural anxieties. To foster a supportive environment, the foundation has established a Fertility-Friendly Cultural Innovation Project, inviting global submissions of creative works that inspire childbearing, convey family warmth, and reduce anxiety around parenthood.

The foundation provides grants of up to HK$1 million to individuals and organisations, awarded annually to support creative works - from film and literature to art installations - that celebrate the joy of family life and the positive impact of childbearing."

Global Fertility Crisis Forum

Low fertility is a shared global challenge requiring international collaboration. A flagship initiative of the foundation will be the Global Fertility Crisis Forum, to be held in Hong Kong in January 2026. Co-hosted by leading institutions including Peking University and the University of Hong Kong, the forum will examine demographic trends, the economic impact of declining fertility, policy responses, and the balance between women's reproductive choices and career development.

Combining macro-level analysis with personal sharing, the forum is intended to become a regular platform for international dialogue, pooling global expertise to inform policy-making. Liang believes that evidence-based policies and sufficient support can meaningfully raise fertility intentions, and the forum will serve as a hub for such collaborative efforts.

More information about the Global Fertility Crisis Forum can be found at https://globalfertilitycrisis.org/

From Corporate Practice to Public Philanthropy

The creation of the Genovation Foundation represents another breakthrough in Liang's long-standing commitment to fertility support. Over the past decade, he has authored works such as The Demographics of Innovation and Population Strategies: How Population Affects Economy and Innovation, while also implementing childcare-friendly measures at Trip.com Group, including subsidies for employees worldwide and three additional days of parental leave.

He has sought to build public consensus through creative initiatives, such as the philosophical novel and play After Immortality and the interview series James Liang in Dialogue with Multi-Child Families. Liang has consistently called for stronger national support, including tax relief, mortgage interest rebates for larger families, and expanded childcare provision.

With government subsidies now in place and public awareness of the fertility crisis growing, Liang's personal investment of HK$500 million reflects his philosophy of "testing solutions through corporate practice, expanding impact through public philanthropy". From supporting employees to engaging society at large, and from financial subsidies to a combined framework of economic, cultural, and policy support, Liang emphasises that safeguarding fertility intentions is safeguarding the future of society and the foundations of innovation. He hopes the Genovation Foundation will act as a seed, encouraging wider participation and transforming childbearing from a "dilemma" into a "choice of hope and happiness".

About the Genovation Foundation

The Genovation Foundation is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to population development and social innovation. The name Genovation combines "Gene" and "Innovation", symbolising both the continuity of life and the pursuit of creative solutions to pressing social challenges. Established in Hong Kong by Dr James Liang in his personal capacity, the foundation will invest HK$500 million over five years, committed to alleviating poverty through education, promoting fertility, and advocating family virtues.

Official website: http://www.genovationfoundation.org/

media contact: info@genovationfoundation.org

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Istanbul, Turkey--(Newsfile Corp. - November 19, 2025) - Winline Technology, an international provider of EV charging solutions and smart energy solutions, today unveiled its next-generation 240kW IP55 DC charger and a high-performance 60kW power module at EV Charge Show Turkey 2025. The launch marks a significant step in empowering a more efficient and accessible global green charging ecosystem, aligning with the accelerated integration of new-type power systems into national energy strategies worldwide.

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The 240kW IP55 DC charger is designed to address key challenges in rapid re-energizing for passenger and commercial electric vehicles, as well as in commercial and industrial energy storage scenarios. The exhibition booth attracted significant attention from industry clients and partners, facilitating in-depth discussions and underscoring the growing international recognition of Winline Tech's innovative portfolio.

Redefining the Charging Experience with Ultra-Slim, Silent Design

The flagship Electree Olive 240kW DC Charger features a breakthrough ultra-slim form factor, enabling flexible deployment in space-constrained urban hubs and highway stations. Its innovative air duct design ensures operational noise remains below 65dB, creating a quieter charging environment. Built for durability and efficiency, the charger utilizes fully potted modules and a 304 stainless steel shell to achieve over 96% system conversion efficiency and reliable performance in harsh conditions.

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The charger supports liquid-cooled cables for a peak output of 600A, enabling ultra-fast charging compatible with the latest vehicle platforms. It also integrates a 24-inch smart advertising screen, creating a potential revenue stream for operators, and features AI interaction capabilities with a multi-language interface for an enhanced user experience. Compliance with OCPP2.0 and support for diverse payment systems ensure seamless and profitable station operation.

Also, Winline Technology introduced its 60-240kW All-in-One DC Charging Station, built to excel in demanding conditions. With global compatibility, IP55-rated protection, and 96%-efficient potted modules in a compact footprint, this solution reliably combines space efficiency with weather-resistant durability.

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The High-Power Heart: Engineered for Performance and Reliability

At the core of advanced charging infrastructure are high-performance power modules. Winline Technology, a pioneer in this field, also introduced the UXR100060, a 60kW power module designed to meet present and future ultra-fast charging demands.

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The UXR100060 leverages proprietary single-stage topology to achieve a conversion efficiency of up to 97%. A key innovation is its super standby function, which reduces active power consumption to virtually "0" watts during idle periods, significantly lowering operational costs and energy waste. Its ultra-wide output voltage range ensures compatibility with a broad spectrum of electric vehicles.

For more demanding high-voltage applications, the UXC150030 power module offers an unprecedented 200-1500Vdc ultra-wide voltage range and a peak efficiency of 98.5%. This makes it suitable for photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and heavy-duty applications like mining trucks. Utilizing third-generation semiconductor technology, it guarantees stable operation in extreme temperatures from -40C to +75C.

To meet the rapidly growing demand for commercial and industrial energy storage, Winline Tech presents Mars-125KT, a standout product in our high-power energy storage converter series. The 125kW PCS module is defined by three key characteristics: high efficiency and intelligence, application flexibility, and grid-friendliness. It is engineered for a wide range of energy applications, including C&I energy storage, integrated photovoltaic-storage systems, microgrids, and emergency backup power.

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In line with our development philosophy of "Endless Innovation, Collection Growth," Winline Tech continues to hone its core technologies and enhance competitiveness. We are committed to driving high-quality growth in the sector through continuous innovation and to supporting the global transition to sustainable energy by introducing our advanced intelligent equipment for new-type power systems to the international market.

Winline Technology will continue its international exhibition tour at Africa EV Mobility Expo 2025 in Casablanca from November 19-22. Information on intelligent and efficient charging solutions will be available at Booth 1A15.

For business inquiries and technical support, please contact overseas@szwinline.com. Learn more at en.szwinline.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275272

SOURCE: Global News
RUMA, Serbia, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Haitian has taken the next step in the development of its new production facility in Ruma, Serbia, holding an internal Open House event for employees and close partners. The site is a key part of Haitian's European strategy, providing local machine manufacturing, optimized logistics, R&D and long-term growth potential. In line with Haitian's philosophy to Create and Extend Advantage for its customers the plant holds everything to meet various market demands, with additional land available for further expansion.

Production this year will focus on injection molding machines, centered around two proven machine series: The Mars series (servo-hydraulic toggle IMM) and the Jupiter series (servo-hydraulic two-platen IMM). To date, more than 50 machines have been produced, with the first units already delivered.

Alongside the production of machinery, Haitian Serbia will serve as a central hub for supplying spare parts to the European market. With on-site warehouses in Serbia and Germany (the European headquarters), as well as additional decentralized storage points across the continent, Haitian will ensure the rapid availability of key components and minimize customer downtime.

To meet the specific demands of Europe's plastics processing industry, Haitian Serbia is expanding the capabilities for high-end machinery and integrated system solutions. This includes the recruitment of engineers specializing in the design of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components for injection molding machines. With a European R&D team focusing on high-performance and market-specific applications, Haitian will produce machinery and turnkey solutions in line with regional requirements - from optimized machine configurations to fully integrated production cells.

The investment in the production facility in Serbia reinforces Haitian's commitment to being a long-term partner to Europe's plastics and manufacturing industries, incorporating the three main pillars of Haitian's global strategy: Regional Headquarters, localized production, and several Application Centers across Europe.

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HONG KONG, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- China Mobile International Limited (CMI), along with seven global partners including Bayobab, center3, Meta, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC, has jointly completed the core 2Africa Submarine Cable Infrastructure (2Africa). Circling the African continent and connecting intercontinental nodes across Europe, Asia, and beyond, the 2Africa will further expand CMI's global submarine cable layout and international connectivity resources, providing a robust digital infrastructure to accelerate the digital economic development in Africa and the surrounding regions.

As the first cable to continuously link Africa's east and west within a single system, 2Africa adopts an open-access model. Spanning over 45,000 kilometers, it connects 33 + countries / regions across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, with a design capacity of 180Tbps. According to estimates, 2Africa is projected to contribute up to USD36.9 billion to Africa's GDP within the first two to three years of operation.

Following the commissioning of the 2Africa's key segments, CMI has further optimized resource allocation along the Arabian Sea, the eastern and western coasts of Africa, and Europe. It has also created synergies with high-capacity submarine cables along the eastern and western coasts of Africa such as PEACE and Equiano, enabling CMI to enhance the multi-ring network covering Africa. Leveraging global network resources in Djibouti, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and other locations, as well as submarine cable systems such as IAX-IEX, 2Africa integrates Eurasia-Africa's high-capacity bandwidth with extensions of local terrestrial cable and PoP. This initiative aims to build a leading regional international submarine cable connectivity that covers Africa while extending its influence to Asia-Pacific and Europe.

CMI leverages 2Africa's technical advantages of "high-bandwidth and low-latency" to form powerful synergies with the company's existing cloud-network capabilities, including over 100 submarine and terrestrial cables, 380+PoPs, and 1,270+ data centers worldwide. This robust infrastructure allows CMI to provide global carrier customers with high-quality international private lines, cloud private lines, and interconnection services covering multiple core cities in Africa and extending to the African interior. Together with the mCloud cloud-network integration portal with a one-stop integrated package featuring "a unified platform, one country, one price, one-click ordering, and end-to-end services," CMI offers AI+ cloud-network integration solutions for enterprises to step into Africa and the Middle East markets, as well as local partners. These solutions focus on key African industries, such as AI+ Smart Energy Mining and AI+ Smart Park, driving the region toward an AI-powered digital intelligence future.

CMI has been tapping into the African market since 2015. The completion of the core 2Africa submarine cable infrastructure will further enrich network resources in the African region, delivering high-quality, reliable connectivity to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and financial services, thereby accelerating Africa's digital transformation and improving the lives of communities across the continent.

Looking ahead, CMI will continue to leverage submarine cable projects such as the 2Africa to accelerate the implementation of new information infrastructure and new information service system in Africa, contributing digital and intelligent solutions to the continent and comprehensively supporting the vigorous development of Africa's digital economy.

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BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- What lies at the heart of the Chinese spirit? China Media Group's flagship cultural program for 2025, Chinese Etiquette & Ceremonies, seeks to answer this question in a single word: Li - the traditional concept of etiquette and ritual propriety.

Chinese Etiquette & Ceremonies will premiere on November 21 at 10:30 PM on CCTV-1 (Comprehensive Channel), followed by a broader international broadcast on CCTV-4 (Chinese International Channel) starting on November 22 at 7:45 PM. This groundbreaking series invites viewers on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to explore its cultural foundations.

The 11-episode series examines how Li has shaped personal cultivation, family values, and social norms throughout history. It offers deep insight into the origins, evolution, and modern relevance of China's ritual and musical traditions. Visually and conceptually ambitious, the program blends interactive studio segments with immersive on-location documentaries. Advanced technologies, including LED virtual sets, real-time Visual Jockey effects, and TouchDesigner-driven audio-visual interactions, deliver a rich, immersive viewing experience that brings ancient heritage to life.

Nearly 50 esteemed guests - renowned scholars, artists, and film/television personalities - contribute their perspectives, making this series a true cultural event. This grand exploration of Chinese ritual culture - decoding the behavioral DNA of the Chinese people and celebrating the lasting legacy of Li - begins on the evening of November 21.

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The only B2B Cross-Border Payments Winner

SINGAPORE, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XTransfer, the world's leading B2B cross-border trade payment platform, has been recognised as Highly Commended in the Best In-house Use of AI in Fraud and Financial Crime Detection at the 8th Regulation Asia Awards for Excellence 2025. Notably, XTransfer is the only B2B cross-border payment company to receive an award at this year's ceremony.

This category recognises organisations that leverage AI to detect and prevent fraud and financial crime, with an emphasis on innovation, effectiveness, and adaptability. XTransfer was recommended for TradePilot, its in-house, world's first Large Language Model (LLM) specifically designed for the foreign trade finance industry, tailored to the complexities of B2B cross-border transactions.

TradePilot addresses the challenges traditional banks face when serving SMEs, high manual anti-money laundering (AML) costs, complex B2B transaction data, and cross-jurisdictional compliance requirements. By integrating advanced AI technologies such as big data analytics, natural language processing, and graph algorithms, TradePilot achieves automated, intelligent risk identification and control throughout the entire cross-border payment process.

"We were impressed by XTransfer's innovative application of a custom-built LLM to address the specific fraud and AML challenges in B2B cross-border trade," said a judge on the Regulation Asia Awards panel. "The solution, TradePilot, leverages a unique, proprietary dataset to automate compliance for the SME sector, demonstrating XTransfer's clear vision for making global trade safer and more accessible."

"We chose to develop TradePilot in-house because existing off-the-shelf solutions on the market cannot accurately address the unique risk scenarios in B2B cross-border trade, characterised by fragmented data and complex patterns," stated Yanfang Liu, XTransfer Co-founder and CTO. "Leveraging data from serving over 700,000 SMEs, TradePilot delivers more precise, flexible, and cost-effective risk management services."

"During development, our technical team achieved key breakthroughs, including a 9.75% increase in distributed training efficiency through self-developed hybrid communication engine and a 27% reduction in memory consumption for long-text training. These advancements ensure TradePilot maintains high efficiency and stability in processing complex foreign trade documents." Liu added.

Following a successful launch in China, TradePilot is being deployed globally and localised to meet diverse regulatory requirements. In October 2025, XTransfer released TradePilot 2.0, delivering breakthroughs in multimodal data processing and vectorised retrieval to more accurately analyse transactions and process trade-related documents, significantly improving client authentication and order management efficiency.

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Viettel Group (Viettel) officially inaugurated its Representative Office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking an important milestone in the Group's strategy to expand its international presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The UAE is a major economic and financial hub in the Middle East and serves as a vital trade gateway connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. Establishing a Representative Office in the UAE enables Viettel to build a direct presence in a high-potential technology market, providing a foundation for deeper insights into local needs and expanding opportunities for large-scale cooperation.

The Representative Office in the UAE was established to strengthen touchpoints with international partners in support of Viettel's "Go Global" strategy, while attracting foreign partners to collaborate and invest in Viettel in particular, and contribute to Vietnam's development in general.

In recent years, the UAE in particular and the GCC region in general have demonstrated a stable development environment with substantial investments in technology infrastructure and digital solutions-areas that align closely with Viettel's extensive experience across multiple countries. In the future, Viettel will have favorable conditions to establish and expand its network of partners in various sectors, including telecommunications, digital technologies, e-government solutions, smart cities, cybersecurity, high-tech research and manufacturing, and international services.

At the ceremony, Major General Nguyen Dinh Chien, Vice President of Viettel Group, affirmed: "We come to the UAE not only to seek business opportunities. We come with a spirit of long-term, trustworthy cooperation and a commitment to creating sustainable value together. Viettel is committed to respecting the laws, culture, and norms of the UAE; promoting transparent and mutually beneficial cooperation; investing in technology, people, and innovation; and contributing to expanding economic-technological-defence cooperation between Vietnam and the UAE."

As part of the event, Viettel signed four strategic cooperation agreements with major technology corporations: ABI Group (UAE), Sicurezza Corporation (UAE), STREIT (UAE), and INNOSPACE (Korea) in the fields of industry, high technology, and equipment manufacturing.

In addition to its Representative Office in the UAE, Viettel has also opened Representative Offices in Japan, the United States, Australia, and Singapore-further affirming the global vision, aspirations, and capabilities of a military enterprise committed to development for the nation, the people, and for peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

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Avolta AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Avolta awarded two 10-year contracts at Washington Dulles International Airport, strengthens North American growth strategy



20.11.2025 / 06:30 CET/CEST





Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL), leading global travel retail and F&B player, has been awarded two 10-year contracts at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), a key hub serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The new contracts will add over 700m2 of retail and dining space in the new 14-gate Concourse E, scheduled to open in late 2026. Avolta's Hudson will open five new locations, introducing a lineup of locally inspired stores exclusive to the airport and showcasing local businesses. A hybrid concept will blend travel retail and food & beverage, offering travelers convenience while optimizing their time with shopping moments. A collection of automated retail points will provide 24-hour dining options from popular U.S. brands, supporting an on-demand passenger experience.



Complementing the retail offering, Avolta's HMSHost will introduce local and award-winning craft spirit company MurLarkey Distilled Spirits through a new bar and restaurant, reinforcing the company's strategy to integrate premium local brands to drive differentiation and growth.



"With Concourse E, we have the opportunity to reimagine what the passenger experience at Dulles International can be. We've crafted a travel retail and F&B offering we are proud of - one that puts the traveler at the center by creating a journey that is enjoyable and memorable," said Steve Johnson, President and CEO, North America, Avolta. "We are pleased to partner with MWAA, Fraport USA, and passionate small business partners to realize this vision."



"The new Concourse E will enhance the entire travel experience at Dulles International and is part of the multi-year Dulles Next airport construction program to accommodate future growth. This next-generation concourse represents our commitment to innovation, customer service and showcasing the best of the Washington region," said Chryssa Westerlund, Airports Authority executive vice president and chief revenue officer. "We welcome the partnership with Avolta and Fraport USA that will bring travelers new travel retail and dining experiences that reflect the spirit of our community."



Digital engagement will be a core component of the new shopping experience, leveraging in-store technology such as self-checkout, allowing for greater convenience and speed. Travelers will also be able to enjoy all the benefits of the Club Avolta loyalty program, gaining access to exclusive offers, rewards, and cross-promotions. For further information:



CONTACT

Rebecca McClellan Cathy Jongens Global Head

Investor Relations Director Corporate

Communications Phone: +44 7543 800 405 Phone: +31 6 28 19 88 28 rebecca.mcclellan@avolta.net cathy.jongens@avolta.net



End of Media Release

View original content: EQS News
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.
Wynn continues to pave the way for a more robust future for China's wine industry on a global level

MACAO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Created by "Wynn Signature", Wynn's exclusive lifestyle brand, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards 2026 are set to commence once again. Registrations for the Chinese wine industry awards are in full swing, and Wynn recently held two large-scale launch events in Beijing and Shanghai to boost even greater awareness around the highly anticipated event. The high-profile launch events aim to encourage more top-tier Chinese wineries to participate, discover and select more fine Chinese wines; to showcase the remarkable achievements of China's wine industry; and to accelerate the globalization of the Chinese wine sector.

Wynn unifies wine industry by hosting launch events in two key China cities

On September 26, Wynn held a launch dinner event for the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards 2026 at GUI TEMPLE restaurant in the heart of Beijing. The gala dinner brought together representatives from wineries, winemakers, industry leaders, and media from all across the country. Guests not only had an opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions about the awards, but also discussed plans for building brand awareness and marketing strategies for the future growth of this significant industry event.

More recently on November 11, a Relay Dinner was held in Shanghai, where close to 100 industry guests gathered at Charcoal SH to celebrate the launch of the highly anticipated event next year. At the reception, guests were given the opportunity to taste more than 70 fine wines from 51 Chinese wineries, savoring the diverse terroirs and the exceptional quality of Chinese wines. The dinner coincided with the opening of ProWine Shanghai 2025, the leading international trade fair for wine and spirits in China. Wynn partnered with Charles Guo, founder of Zhijiu Studio and the ProWine event to host a Shangri-La Plateau Region Masterclass where guests tasted the award-winning wines from the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. The collaborative event offered an in-depth exploration into the Shangri-La Plateau region's distinctive local terroir and served as a platform to showcase the remarkable achievements of the awards in just two short years.

Wynn dedicates three years toward building a global platform for China's wine sector

In 2026, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards will enter its third year. Wynn will continue to uphold its visionary principle of "International Standards, Chinese Ingenuity" to elevate the awards to even higher standards, creating a global platform that offers wine education classes, innovative exchanges, a more rigorous evaluation system and a targeted promotional strategy. Wynn is also introducing new awards for the "Wynn Sommelier's Choice" category, including the "Fontana Sommelier's Choice Award" and the "Lakeside Trattoria Sommelier's Choice Award". The award-winning wines of 2026 will be promoted beyond the existing markets of Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and expand into even more markets around the world. The goals are to create a much broader platform for Chinese wines, strengthen the synergies between Chinese top-tier wines and the global marketplace, and further elevate the Chinese wine industry to even greater heights.

A look back at the highlights: Promoting the finest Chinese wines to the world

Since the inaugural awards event in 2024, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards has garnered global acclaim for its rigorous international judging standards, highly respected panel of judges, authoritative evaluations and influential network of international resources to showcase Chinese wines on a global stage. Wynn set a pivotal new benchmark for China's wine industry as the awards became the largest gathering of its kind to evaluate Chinese wines based on international standards. The awards selected the finest Chinese wines that best represented China's distinctive terroirs and promoted the exchange of ideas and innovative collaborations between wineries and production areas.

In 2025, Wynn took the awards to the next level, attracting nearly 900 varieties of wine from close to 200 of China's most prestigious wineries. An elevated judging panel featured 27 of the world's leading authorities on wine. The panel conducted strict blind tastings to select the wines that best represent China and also evaluated the rising stars of China's wine industry to commend them for their achievements. Following on from the awards ceremony, Wynn launched a number of targeted global promotions for the award-winning wines in collaboration with its network of partners around the world. First, Wynn hosted wine tasting events in Singapore and Hong Kong at 67 Pall Mall, a prestigious private members' wine club, to connect with professional wine buyers and high-end members. More recently, Wynn partnered with Watson's Wine, Hong Kong's largest specialist wine retailer, to promote this year's award-winning wines through a variety of online and offline promotions. The collaboration has yielded positive results, with sales doubling year-on-year - a clear sign of the market's growing recognition and appreciation for Chinese wines.

To further boost awareness around the award-winning Chinese wines, Wynn recently held a members-only tasting event at Christie's Hong Kong. Guests were extremely impressed with the wines - yet another positive sign of the immense market potential of Chinese wines for global recognition around the world.

Sharing colorful stories of China's culinary culture through food and wine

Beyond being listed on the wine menus of Wynn signature restaurants, the award-winning Chinese wines are being showcased at a series of high-profile culinary events, where the acclaimed chefs at Wynn partner with Asia's leading chefs to showcase diverse culinary cultures and the flavor profiles of Chinese wines. In May, Executive Chef Tam Kwok Fung of the Michelin two-starred Chef Tam's Seasons at Wynn collaborated with Nusara, a renowned Thai restaurant ranked on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, to present a creative blend of traditional Cantonese and modern Thai dishes paired with fine wines from Shandong Penglai's Domaine de Long Dai. The following month, Chef Tam's Seasons and Shanghai's LING LONG partnered to host "Six Shades of Flavors" - a two-night, four-hands dinner - inspired by the six traditional Chinese colors which perfectly complemented the colorful wines of Petit Mont. In September, Chef Tam's Seasons also collaborated with David Lai, chef-owner of the Michelin-starred Neighborhood restaurant in Hong Kong, and Angela Lai, recipient of the Asia's 50 Best Pastry Chef honor in 2021. Together, the three chefs crafted an exquisite feast themed around seasonal mushrooms paired with wines produced in the Yunnan region.

Wynn has also jointly hosted culinary events with renowned Chinese wineries across a number of cities in China. In August, Cantonese Master Chef Tam Kwok Fung met Su Qisheng, a leading expert in Yunnan cuisine, in a remote mountain village in Yunnan to create dishes celebrating the region's prized wild mushrooms which were paired with an exclusive selection of award-winning vintages from Yunnan. Wynn also organized a media visit to a local Yunnan winery to discover the deep-rooted bonds between terroir and flavor. In September, Executive Chef Chan Tak Kwong of the Michelin two-starred Wing Lei restaurant at Wynn visited Longting Vineyard, a heritage boutique winery located along the picturesque coast of Shandong peninsula. While at the vineyard, Chef Tak used local autumn seasonal ingredients from Penglai to create authentic Cantonese dishes and paired them with the fine wines of Longting Vineyard. Looking ahead, Wynn plans to expand its dining events to a greater number of wine regions across China, including Hebei and Xinjiang.

Registrations for the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards2026 are now open and will close on December 31, 2025. For the latest information on the awards event, please visit: https://www.wynnresortsmacau.com/en/wynn-signature/chinese-wine-awards.

For media enquiries, please contact:

FINN Partners Greater China

wynnmacau@finnpartners.com

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Today, Cadeler has published its Q3 2025 Earnings Release, delivering robust financial and operational performance.

Full-year guidance is reaffirmed as Cadeler continues to execute on its long-term growth strategy.

In the first nine months of 2025, Cadeler generated revenue of EUR 453 million, up 178% from EUR 163 million in the same period in 2024 an increase of EUR 290 million. This growth was driven by increased revenue from the expansion of Cadeler's fleet, increased vessel utilisation, and compensation in connection with the termination of a long-term agreement.

EBITDA reached EUR 322 million for the period, up from EUR 70 million in the first nine months of 2024. Net profit for the first nine months totalled EUR 232 million, compared to EUR 28 million in the same period last year.

In the first nine months of 2025, Cadeler's fleet expanded from five to nine vessels. This has been coupled with a strong operational performance, with a combined utilisation rate of 75.8%, compared to 61.4% in the same period last year.

Net cash flow from operating activities increased to EUR 286 million (compared to EUR 45 million in 2024), while net cash flow used in investing activities rose to EUR 931 million, reflecting the delivery of three newbuild WTIVs. Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to EUR 805 million, primarily supported by new green loan facilities.

Backlog and commercial momentum

Cadeler's order book continues to expand, strengthened by several major contracts signed in Q3. These include a new WTG installation project, BC-Wind in Poland, with a value to Cadeler of up to EUR 58 million, and two contracts for the full-scope transportation and installation of foundations and WTGs for an upcoming offshore wind farm, worth around EUR 500 million. With these additions, Cadeler's total order backlog has grown to EUR 2,887 million as of 20 November 2025.

Fleet expansion: Largest and most advanced offshore wind fleet

In the first nine months of 2025, Cadeler took delivery of three newbuild WTIVs, Wind Maker, Wind Pace, and Wind Ally, in addition to the acquisition of Wind Keeper, a highly capable O&M vessel. Cadeler will soon take delivery of its second M-class vessel and is fully on track with its fleet expansion strategy. By mid-2027, Cadeler will operate a 12-vessel fleet the largest and most versatile in the offshore wind industry.

Cadeler CEO, Mikkel Gleerup, comments: "We are proud to report strong financial and operational results for the third quarter. With high utilisation, an expanding fleet, and solid client demand, Cadeler continues to deliver on its strategic ambitions. The delivery of Wind Ally in September, our first vessel specifically designed for foundation installations, marked another important milestone as we build the most capable fleet in the industry."

Entering a new era with Hornsea 3

In early 2026, Cadeler will begin its foundations T&I campaign for rsted's Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the North Sea. For the first time, the company will take on the entire transport and installation (T&I) scope for offshore monopile foundations a strategic step that positions the company as a full-service provider in the foundations market. Cadeler's newly delivered vessel, Wind Ally, the company's first A-class vessel and the ninth in its growing fleet will install the foundations at Hornsea 3.

Mikkel Gleerup adds: "With Hornsea 3, we're stepping into a new era for Cadeler as we take on the full scope of foundation transportation and installation. With this project we are expanding our role in the offshore wind value chain, underscoring our capabilities to support large-scale, integrated offshore developments for a sustainable future."

Strong balance sheet and strategic financing initiatives

As of 30 September 2025, Cadeler's total assets stood at EUR 3,056 million up 58% year-to-date. Total equity increased to EUR 1,446 million, reflecting strong operational performance and capital inflows.

During the quarter, Cadeler secured a EUR 125 million Green Term Loan Facility to refinance the Wind Keeper bridge loan and drew on existing credit facilities to support continued investment.

Full-year guidance reaffirmed

Following a guidance upgrade in July, Cadeler reaffirms its full-year 2025 financial outlook. Revenue is expected to be in the range of EUR 588-628 million, while EBITDA is forecast to range between EUR 381-421 million.

Earnings Call

In connection with the release of its Q3 2025 Earnings Release, Cadeler will host a live video webcast presentation for the investment community. Mikkel Gleerup, Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Brogaard Hansen, Chief Financial Officer, will present live from Copenhagen.

Date: 20 November 2025

Time: 08:00 EST 13:00 UK 14:00 CET

The earnings presentation is open to all interested parties and may include forward-looking information. Please register in advance at this link: https://cadeler-q3-2025-earnings-presentation.open-exchange.net/registration

A replay of the webcast and the presentation slides will be made available on Cadeler's Investor Relations website following the presentation. Find it here: http://www.cadeler.com/investor

About Cadeler:

Cadeler A/S (Cadeler) is a global leader in offshore wind installation, operations, and maintenance services. Cadeler is a pure play company, operating solely in the offshore wind industry with an uncompromising focus on safety and the environment. Cadeler owns and operates the industry's largest fleet of jack-up offshore wind installation vessels and has for more than 10 years been a key supplier in the development of offshore wind energy to power millions of households. Cadeler's fleet, expertise and capacity to handle the largest and most complex next-generation offshore wind installation projects positions the company to deliver exceptional services to the industry. Cadeler is committed to being at the forefront of sustainable wind farm installation and to enabling the global energy transition towards a future built on renewable energy. Cadeler is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: CDLR) and the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: CADLR). For more information, please visit www.cadeler.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119003680/en/

Contacts:

Cadeler Press Office:

+45 2830 6905

press@cadeler.com



Mikkel Gleerup

CEO, Cadeler

+45 3246 3102

mikkel.gleerup@cadeler.com



Alexander Simmonds

EVP CLO, Cadeler

+44 7376 174172

alexander.simmonds@cadeler.com
Critical Mineral Resources Plc - Drill Rig Arrival

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 20

20 November 2025

Critical Mineral Resources Plc

Diamond core rig arrived on site

Critical Mineral Resources plc ("CMR", "Company") is delighted to announce the arrival of its diamond core drilling rig at Agadir Melloul, marking a major step forward that puts the project in an excellent position to accelerate drilling activity. The team is now focused on commissioning the rig as quickly as possible, with the first bore hole expected to be drilled during the first half of December.

Highlights

The Company's fully refurbished Discovery HD track-mounted diamond core drill has arrived at Agadir Melloul. Some important features:

Fitted with brand new Caterpillar 308E steel tracks for rapid moves between drill pads

Compact, robust design with a heavy-duty telescopic mast and powerful hoisting winch capable of pulling the complete drill string from the ground and pulling in 20 ft sections

Drilling depth capacity of 1400m NQ (47.6mm core), 876m HQ (63.5mm core)

Delivered with new consumable parts such as jaws, bushings and comprehensive remote site spares kit to minimise risk of downtime



The rig is expected to be operational during the first half of December, almost immediately doubling our drilling capacity.

Charlie Long CEO commented:

"It has been quite a journey for our Discovery HD rig and its arrival represents an important milestone for the project. The rig has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and is effectively as good as new. With proper care, we expect it to deliver consistent performance for the next decade and provide significant per metre cost savings.

Multi Power, the manufacturer, was extremely supportive, generously installing a brand new feed cylinder, instead of resealing the original, replacing key components including foot clamp, and completely stripping and professionally repainting the mast. New Cat 308E tracks were also sourced and installed to ensure maximum efficiency.

The additional refurbishment and some shipping complications meant the rig arrived later than originally planned. It is a testament to our team on the ground, and the advantages of operating in Morocco, that once we knew of the delay, we were quickly able to secure the services of a trusted drilling contractor who began work immediately, ensuring that progress continued uninterrupted.

We are now carefully unpacking and inspecting all components, and with our newly appointed drill operator already in place, the team is ready to commission and bring the rig into operation without delay. The arrival of our rig puts us in an excellent position to significantly accelerate drilling and to advance on all fronts, simultaneously drilling both the sedimentary copper deposit and the exciting new Rhyolite discovery.

We look forward to seeing the Discovery HD drill its first holes in the first half of December".



Fig.1 Discovery HD track-mounted diamond drill at Agadir Melloul

Source: Company

ENDS





Critical Mineral Resources PLC Charles Long, Chief Executive Officer info@cmrplc.com AlbR Capital Jon Belliss +44 (0) 20 7399 9425

Notes To Editors

Critical Mineral Resources (CMR) PLC is an exploration and development company focused on developing assets that produce critical minerals for the global economy, including those essential for electrification and the clean energy revolution. Many of these commodities are widely recognised as being at the start of a supply and demand super cycle.

CMR is building a diversified portfolio of high-quality metals exploration and development projects in Morocco, focusing on copper, manganese and potentially other critical minerals and metals. CMR identified Morocco as an ideal mining-friendly jurisdiction that meets its acquisition and operational criteria. The country is perfectly located to supply raw materials to Europe and possesses excellent prospective geology, good infrastructure and attractive permitting, tax and royalty conditions. In 2023, the Company acquired an 80% stake in leading Moroccan exploration and geological services company Atlantic Research Minerals SARL.

The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (CMRS.L). More information regarding the Company can be found at www.cmrplc.com
IBM Technology Campus: IBM's new German headquarters, the IBM Technology Campus in Ehningen, features a modern and collaborative working environment, state-of-the-art technical infrastructure and stunning architecture.





IBM's new German headquarters, the IBM Technology Campus in Ehningen, features a modern and collaborative working environment, state-of-the-art technical infrastructure and stunning architecture. AI Potential, Hands-on: To mark the opening of the new Technology Campus, IBM is demonstrating its latest solutions in the areas of AI, quantum computing and hybrid cloud as part of the Think on Tour.





To mark the opening of the new Technology Campus, IBM is demonstrating its latest solutions in the areas of AI, quantum computing and hybrid cloud as part of the Think on Tour. Anniversary Commemoration: IBM traces its origins back to 1910, marking 115 years in Germany.

EHNINGEN, Germany, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) has inaugurated the company's new German Headquarters and Technology Campus in Ehningen, Germany. Ana Paula Assis, IBM Senior Vice President & Chair EMEA and Growth Markets, and Wolfgang Wendt, Chairman of the Management Board of IBM Deutschland GmbH, together with 450 political and business leaders, opened the new campus.

Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization, Thomas Strobl, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, for Digitization and Municipalities of the State of Baden-Wurttemberg, as well as members of parliament from the federal and state governments and other local political representatives were all present.

IBM Technology Campus - A Marketplace of Ideas

The IBM Technology Campus is located adjacent to the existing IBM Quantum Data Center in Ehningen, bringing together the IBM German Headquarters, Research and Development, and the newly designed IBM Innovation Studio under a single roof.

A total of 3,500 modern and collaborative workstations are available in the four buildings for IBM employees, partners and companies.

Federal Minister for Digital and State Modernization Dr. Karsten Wildberger: "The new IBM Technology Campus sends a strong signal for Germany as a location for innovation. IBM stands for technological excellence and global networking like no other company. This center for AI, quantum computing, and cloud technology is creating a place where the future is being shaped. Investments like this strengthen our digital innovation and ensure competitiveness and prosperity. I am delighted to be here today, where digitalization and progress are visibly converging."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Digitalization and Municipalities of the State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Thomas Strobl: "The opening of the new IBM German headquarters in Ehningen proves IBM's confidence in Baden-Wurttemberg as a business and technology location. This underlines the attractiveness of our country for innovative companies and shows that we offer good conditions for research, development and digital innovations. Nationwide, no other state invests as much money in research and development as Baden-Wurttemberg. We are drivers of innovation - and companies like IBM make a significant contribution to this."

Wolfgang Wendt, Chairman of the Management Board of IBM Deutschland GmbH and General Manager DACH: "Our new IBM Technology Campus in Ehningen highlights the importance of Germany as a technology location for IBM and our deep connection to the region. With 115 years of presence in the German market, we will continue to build towards the future with our resilient architectures, sovereign AI and hybrid cloud approach - contributing to Germany's digital autonomy and economic well-being. We also have a strong research and development component here with laboratories and quantum computers, large local cloud data centers and additional planned investments into the billions by the 2030s. IBM is also building the workforce of tomorrow with a comprehensive range of training courses in close cooperation with universities and vocational academies."

Modern architecture for collaborative work

The campus was designed by the architectural firm Kadawittfeldarchitektur, with interiors embedding IBM's Workplace standards, crafted by the architectural company Ippolito Fleitz Group. Both companies are internationally recognized for their excellence and recipients of numerous prestigious awards.

The campus structures are thoughtfully arranged around a central marketplace featuring open spaces and recreation zones. This vibrant hub fosters collaboration among employees from research and development, consulting, sales and administrative functions enabling the exchange of ideas in a dynamic and flexible working environment. The new building offers adaptable areas for diverse business needs with interconnected walking paths and green spaces creating a modern, inspiring and pleasant working environment.

IBM Think on Tour

This year's IBM Think on Tour was the first event at the new IBM Technology Campus the day of its inauguration. High-profile decisionmakers from the business and public sector strategized about how to best leverage the full potential of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and hybrid cloud technologies.

About IBM

IBM is one of the world's leading companies in the fields of hybrid cloud and AI as well as consulting. We help customers in more than 175 countries gain insights from their data, optimize business processes, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantage in their industries. Thousands of government agencies and enterprises in critical infrastructure sectors such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on the hybrid cloud platform from IBM and Red Hat OpenShift to deliver their digital transformation quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting provide open and flexible options for our customers. All of this is underpinned by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. For more information, see https://www.ibm.com/de-de.

Media Contact:

Marie-Ann Maushart

Manager Communications DACH

maushart@de.ibm.com

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Regulatory News:

Mexedia S.p.A. Societa Benefit (Euronext Growth Paris: ALMEX, ISIN IT0005450819) provides a structured analysis of the key themes that emerged during the recent National Telecommunications Forum, which brought together prominent institutional and industry representatives, including the Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso, Undersecretary for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition Alessio Butti, Undersecretary for Labour Claudio Durigon, and TIM CEO and Asstel President Pietro Labriola.

The discussions clearly highlighted the so-called Italian paradox: a market that continues to offer some of the lowest telecommunications prices in the world-a factor that enhances accessibility for citizens and businesses-while at the same time requiring operators to sustain increasingly substantial investments in networks and infrastructure, also due to energy and spectrum costs that are among the highest in Europe. The Forum further underscored that operators are facing growing pressures linked to the rollout of fibre, high-capacity networks and 5G, within a regulatory environment that calls for enhanced stability and predictability.

In this context, Mexedia notes that communication between businesses and customers is becoming increasingly central. It is no longer an ancillary component, but a strategic factor influencing perceived service quality, operational continuity, and the ability of companies to maintain clear, understandable and reliable relationships with their users. Well-structured communication processes-coherent, transparent and aligned with technological evolution-are now a crucial element in a rapidly transforming market.

The discussions at the Forum also highlighted the need for a new balance in the digital value chain, given the growing weight of global platforms, and stressed the importance of greater regulatory harmonisation at the European level, essential to ensuring a more sustainable and efficient competitive environment.

Mexedia will continue to monitor developments in the industrial and regulatory landscape, leveraging its Benefit Company model and pursuing an approach based on quality, responsibility and constructive dialogue with stakeholders, with the aim of contributing to a more equitable, resilient and long-term-oriented digital ecosystem.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties, including regulatory developments, market evolution and macroeconomic dynamics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied.

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. Supported by its proprietary infrastructure and a sustainable business model, Mexedia integrates telecommunications, cloud and artificial intelligence solutions to enhance customer experience and improve operational efficiency for enterprises worldwide. The Company operates with a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, in line with its status as a Benefit Corporation under Italian law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119322061/en/

Contacts:

Vincenzo La Barbera Investor Relations

investor.relations@mexedia.com

+39 351 844 7229


EQS Newswire / 20/11/2025 / 15:37 UTC+8



Huitongda Network (9878.HK) to Acquire AI SaaS Leader Boundary Consulting, Further Advancing Its Industrial Empowerment Strategy

On 18 November, Huitongda Network (9878.HK) announced that it has entered into the Equity Acquisition Agreement with Boundary Consulting, an intelligent technology company focusing on e-commerce and retail enterprises. Pursuant to the agreement, Huitongda will acquire a 57% equity interest in Boundary Consulting for RMB 456 million. Upon completion, Boundary Consulting will become a subsidiary of Huitongda, and its financial results will be consolidated into the financial statements of Huitongda.

"5+ Empowerment" Strategy to Improve Efficiency Across Member Stores and Industry Value Chains

As an industrial internet platform that uses supply chain capabilities and digital technologies to empower family-run retail businesses in lower tier markets, Huitongda shares strong synergies with Boundary Consulting-a leading domestic player in the "BI + AI" space-across product offerings, technological capabilities, and data resources.

To date, Huitongda has served more than 251,000 family-run retail businesses in China's lower-tier markets, whereas Boundary Consulting has served over 16,000 e-commerce and retail clients. The two companies are closely aligned in technology, product development, operations, and data. Hence, upon completion of the acquisition, the integration of resources will systematically enhance Huitongda's "5+ Empowerment" capabilities.

In terms of "+ Technology", Boundary Consulting's "Boundary BI system", "Boundary AI agents", along with its other products, are expected to further enhance the capabilities of Huitongda's "Qiancheng Cloud AI LLM" and "Qiancheng AI Super Store Manager". These tools will help member stores and industry partners accelerate their digital transformation and improve operational efficiency.

In terms of "+ Data", the vast volume of online data generated through Boundary Consulting's customised solution customers will be integrated into Huitongda's lower-tier retail big data system. Consolidated and packaged as data-driven products, these insights are expected to significantly strengthen the online competitiveness of Huitongda's member stores and industry partners.

In terms of "+ Training", Boundary Consulting has a team of approximately 150 e-commerce operating experts, who will provide professional, cross-scenario, and intelligent operational solutions tailored to the needs of Huitongda's member stores and partners.

In terms of "+ Supply Chain", across Huitongda's major product categories-including consumer electronics, household appliances, homebuilding and renovation materials, agricultural supplies and tools, liquor and beverages, and personal care-Boundary Consulting's top 20 customers have an annual GMV of over RMB9 billion. The two companies will deeply integrate their merchandise resources, supplying a large number of popular products from e-commerce and cities, as well as cost-effective products, into lower-tier markets. This will not only expand member store business scale, but also promote the two-way circulation between urban and lower-tier markets, as well as the circulation of the domestic economy.

In terms of "+ Marketing", Boundary Consulting will make its full suite of e-commerce marketing resources available-including courses and tools-to help Huitongda's customers quickly strengthen their online business capabilities.

Both companies will drive deeper integration and continuous advancement of the "5+ Empowerment" strategy, which are expected to create notable improvements in operational capabilities, service quality, and customer stickiness across Huitongda's member stores and industry partners.

Accelerating "AI+ Strategy" to Deliver Industry-leading AI Products and Digital Intelligence Solutions

Huitongda and Boundary Consulting both possess deep AI capabilities in the B2B sector. Together, the two companies aim to develop industry-leading AI products and digital intelligence solutions for retail and industrial clients. By exploring AI-driven high-quality productivity and innovative industry models, the two will jointly promote the transformation and upgrades of the retail sector and related industry chains.

The acquisition of Boundary Consulting also marks another milestone in Huitongda's "AI+ Strategy."

Earlier this year, Huitongda developed its industry-specific vertical large model, Qiancheng Cloud AI LLM, and integrated it with leading models, including Qwen and DeepSeek. The model successfully completed filing with the Cyberspace Administration of China in May 2025.

In terms of agent applications, the newly upgraded "Qiancheng AI Super Store Manager" was released and officially commercialised in April this year, integrating dozens of AI agents across eight key operational scenarios: merchandise, marketing, campaigns, innovation, operations, sales, community, and customer service.

In terms of AI industry resource integration, following the full-stack AI collaboration with Alibaba Cloud in August this year, Huitongda is now deepening its AI capabilities by partnering with Boundary Consulting to build a full-stack AI product matrix tailored to retail scenarios.

The acquisition will also make direct contributions to Huitongda's business growth, revenue mix optimisation, and profit enhancement through the increase in AI service revenue.

According to the agreement and the performance commitments, Boundary Consulting's audited net profit attributable to owners of the parent company for 2026 to 2028 will be no less than RMB85 million, RMB100 million, and RMB115 million, respectively. In addition, as Boundary Consulting's revenue will be recognised under Huitongda's service revenue segment, this will drive the growth of its service revenue, further optimising its revenue mix and improving its overall gross profit margin. In short, the acquisition will further improve Huitongda's financial performance, laying a solid foundation for long-term financial performance and valuation.
WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The demand for the geothermal power market is driven by its growing application in electricity generation, direct heating, and industrial processes, offering a renewable, reliable, and cost-effective energy solution. Advancements in exploration and drilling technologies, such as enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), improved reservoir management, and advanced heat extraction methods, have significantly boosted efficiency, reduced operational costs, and expanded the accessibility of geothermal resources. These innovations position geothermal power as a sustainable and high-performance alternative to conventional fossil fuels, supporting the global transition toward clean, resilient, and environmentally responsible energy systems.

Allied Market Research published a report, titled 'Geothermal Power Market by Power Station Type (Dry Steam Power Stations, Flash Steam Power Stations, and Binary Cycle Power Stations) and End-Use (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034'. According to the report, the geothermal power market was valued at $7.4 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $14.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.0% from 2025 to 2034.

Download PDF Brochure:?https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A05159

Challenges and Management Strategies

High initial capital investment is the key challenge hampering the growth of the geothermal power market. As. compared to solar and wind projects, which have relatively lower upfront costs and shorter development timelines, geothermal projects require significant financial resources during the exploration and drilling stages. Identifying viable geothermal reservoirs involves extensive geological surveys, seismic studies, and test drilling, all of which are costly and time-consuming. In many cases, exploration does not guarantee success, and the risk of non-productive wells further discourages private investors from committing to large-scale geothermal development. The cost of drilling, which can reach several million dollars per well depending on depth and geological conditions, contributes heavily to the initial capital burden. In addition, building power plants and the necessary infrastructure for steam gathering and transmission adds further financial strain. These expenses often result in longer payback periods compared to other renewable energy technologies, which makes geothermal projects less attractive to investors who are looking for quicker returns. All these factors are expected to hamper the geothermal power market growth.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $7.4 billion Market Size in 2034 $14.5 billion CAGR 7.00 % No. of Pages in Report 350 Segments Covered Power Station Type, End Use, and Region Drivers Growing Demand for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Sources. Increasing Focus on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Opportunity Rising Investments in Clean Energy Infrastructure. Restraint High initial investment cost.

Procure Complete Report (350 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @?https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/geothermal-power-market

Governing Policies and Regulatory Impacts

Energy Efficiency Regulations

European Union: The Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 sets binding targets for renewable energy use, encouraging the adoption of geothermal power within the EU's overall energy mix. The Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) also emphasizes efficient use of renewable energy sources, including geothermal, to meet energy-saving goals. U.S.: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulates energy efficiency and provides guidelines for renewable power generation, such as geothermal. Under the Energy Policy Act and related programs, geothermal projects are promoted as part of efficiency and sustainability mandates.

Environmental Regulations Emissions and Land Use:

Geothermal plants are subject to environmental regulations concerning emissions, water usage, and land disturbance. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires compliance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for geothermal projects. European Union: EU environmental directives, such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EU, mandate impact studies for geothermal projects to minimize environmental harm.

Safety Standards

ISO Standards:

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides standards for geothermal systems, such as ISO 13664 for geothermal drilling and ISO 16923 for operational safety of energy facilities.

National Standards: In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) provide guidelines for safe drilling operations, well design, and workplace safety during geothermal power plant construction and operation.

Building Codes and Standards

International Building Code (IBC): In the U.S., the IBC and local building codes apply to the construction of geothermal power plants and related infrastructure, ensuring safety, structural integrity, and efficiency.

ASHRAE & IEEE Standards:

Standards from ASHRAE and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) guide energy-efficient system design, electrical safety, and performance integration for geothermal facilities.

Connect To Industry Expert: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A05159

Growth Opportunities & Future Outlook

Rising investments in clean energy infrastructure are creating significant opportunities for the geothermal power market. As governments, private investors, and international financial institutions channel more funds into renewable energy projects, geothermal is gaining attention as a reliable and sustainable option to diversify the global energy mix. Large-scale funding for clean energy helps to finance costly exploration and drilling activities, which reduce investment risks associated with geothermal development. Moreover, initiatives such as green bonds, climate funds, and public-private partnerships are making capital more accessible, enabling countries with strong geothermal potential to accelerate project deployment. With a growing emphasis on building resilient, low-carbon energy systems, these rising investments are unlocking new geothermal projects, supporting technological innovations such as enhanced geothermal systems, and expanding opportunities for both established players and emerging markets. All these factors are anticipated to offer new growth opportunities for the geothermal power market during the forecast period.

Key Developments

In August 2022, Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced that it has completed installation of an IoT system for the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC that utilizes mobile communications and other technologies to perform integrated remote performance management at geothermal power stations I additional Unit (AU), II, IV, and V of the Olkaria geothermal complex.

Leading Market Players: -

Yokogawa Electric Corporation

Enel Spa

ABB Ltd

Toshiba Corporation

General Electric

Korea Electric Power Corporation

Siemens AG

Tata Power Company Limited

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Ormat Technologies, Inc

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global geothermal power industry. These players have adopted different strategies, such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others, to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Trending Reports in Energy & Power Industry:

Renewable Energy Market: Global Size, Share, Competitive Landscape, 2024-2034

Steam Turbine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

Power Generation Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2023-2032

Power Plant EPC Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034

Geothermal Turbines Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2031

Geothermal Heat Pump Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape, 2021-2031

Power Plant Maintenance Market: Global Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

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European climate tech leader scales real-time operations across millions of devices with InfluxData's high-performance time series database

InfluxData, creator of the leading time series database InfluxDB, today announced that tado, a European leader in smart home climate management, is using InfluxDB 3 to power real-time data infrastructure across its connected devices. Installed in more than one million homes and managing over five million smart thermostats, tado relies on InfluxDB 3 to process billions of time series records daily, advancing its mission to provide smart, sustainable heating that gives users greater control over their energy use and comfort.

"Performance and reliability are crucial for our connected devices and customer experience," said Luka Giorgadze, Head of Engineering at tado. "With millions of smart thermostats continuously sending data, InfluxDB 3 gives us the speed and performance we need to access, analyze, and visualize that data instantly. Every second matters whether our support teams are troubleshooting or when customers are exploring their data in the tado app."

tado collects extensive telemetry from its network of smart thermostats, including temperature, humidity, weather conditions, and water flow rate to optimize heating and cooling efficiency. Each device reports dozens of data points per hour with millisecond-level precision, generating over two billion records per day across nearly six million devices. InfluxDB 3 continuously ingests, stores, and enables analysis of this telemetry in real time, turning raw IoT data into actionable insights that power the tado app, help reduce emissions, and support analytics for system reliability and health.

tado first adopted InfluxDB Cloud eight years ago to handle the precision and scale required to process millions of continuous data streams from its connected thermostats. As its device footprint and data volumes grew, the company migrated to InfluxDB 3 for its high-performance capabilities, including real-time analytics, low-cost object storage, and unlimited cardinality, to manage high-velocity, high-resolution data across millions of homes. Running on InfluxDB Cloud Dedicated, InfluxDB 3's fully managed service, tado now benefits from faster queries, elastic storage, and reduced operational overhead, providing a resilient foundation for its growing platform and customer base across Europe.

"tado is operating at the scale and precision that defines modern IoT workloads," said Dean Sheehan, EMEA Field Chief Technology Officer at InfluxData. "By using InfluxDB 3 to process billions of time series data points in real time, tado has built a high-performance foundation that enables faster insights, better energy optimization, and a more sustainable connected future."

For more information about how InfluxDB 3 powers large-scale IoT workloads, visit the InfluxData website.

About tado

tado is Europe's leading home energy management company, helping households take control of their energy use and cut costs no matter what heating or energy systems they use. Founded in Munich in 2011, tado combines hardware, intelligent software and services into one easy-to-use platform.

tado offers simple and efficient home climate management, intelligent electric vehicle charging, photovoltaic integration and dynamic energy tariffs all while automatically shifting electricity consumption to the cheapest and greenest hours of the day.

tado's vision is clear: energy in sync with nature.

About InfluxData

InfluxData is the creator of InfluxDB, the leading time series database used by millions of developers building real-time systems. InfluxDB captures and analyzes massive streams of high-resolution data, giving AI models the context for predictive maintenance and anomaly detection so systems can detect, alert, and adapt as conditions change. Built for high performance at any scale and in any environment, InfluxDB delivers the speed and flexibility developers need to manage today's most demanding workloads. InfluxData is a remote-first company with a globally distributed team. Learn more at www.influxdata.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119426707/en/

Contacts:

Ashley Long

InfluxData

media@influxdata.com
Nscale selects Verne for major liquid-cooled GPU deployment to expand Europe's AI capacity

Verne, the leading provider of low-carbon high-performance data centres across the Nordics, has signed a 15-megawatt agreement with Nscale, the hyperscaler engineered for AI. This collaboration marks a significant step in expanding sustainable AI capacity in Europe.

The agreement will feature approximately 4,600 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs deployed across Verne's Icelandic campus throughout 2026. The configuration will be 85 percent liquid-cooled and 15 percent air-cooled, optimised for efficiency and density within Verne's existing infrastructure.

This project is one of the region's largest liquid-cooled GPU installations, setting a new standard for sustainable high-performance computing by reducing energy use and environmental impact.

Dominic Ward, CEO, Verne, said: "The pace of change in AI infrastructure is extraordinary. As the demand for GPU capacity accelerates, availability of clean, renewable power has become as important as raw performance. Partnering with Nscale, whose expertise is redefining how AI infrastructure is delivered responsibly at scale, demonstrates how the Nordics are fast becoming a strategic hub for sustainable AI growth."

Iceland, with its 100 percent renewable energy and natural free-cooling conditions, offers an optimal solution for high-density compute. Nscale selected Verne for its proven expertise and reliable renewable power, which provides the ideal foundation for large-scale AI training and inference workloads.

Philippe Sachs, Chief Business Officer and President of EMEA, Nscale, said: "As compute demand grows, we've worked with partners throughout the world and the Nordic region to deliver sustainable solutions to meet that demand. The Nordics offer a uniquely sustainable foundation abundant renewable energy and natural cooling. With our existing operations in Norway, we've seen first-hand how the region powers low-carbon, sovereign-grade AI infrastructure, Verne has been an exceptional partner agile, technically rigorous and aligned with our long-term sustainability vision."

David Hogan, Vice President Enterprise, NVIDIA, said:"The collaboration between Verne and Nscale showcases how NVIDIA technology can enable high-performance AI factories with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Deployments like this reflect how organizations are scaling the next generation of AI workloads responsibly, using innovative cooling and renewable-powered data centers." The Verne and Nscale partnership reflect Verne's broader Nordic expansion, which includes additional campuses under development in Finland and early-stage exploration underway in France. This reinforces the region's emergence as a global centre for AI infrastructure.

About Verne

Verne provides low-carbon high-density data center solutions that enable organisations to cost-effectively scale their digital infrastructure while reducing their environmental impact. The company's Nordic data centers, located in Iceland and Finland, are powered by 100 percent renewable energy, optimised for high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI) and other resource intensive workloads, and supported by a dedicated team of onsite experts. Verne also operates a hyper-connected data center in central London, which serves as a strategic hub for applications requiring low latency and robust connectivity.

About Nscale

Nscale is a European headquartered global hyperscaler engineered for sovereign-grade AI infrastructure, delivering compute to the generative AI market at scale. Through its fully vertically integrated suite of AI solutions and GW+ greenfield data centres across Europe and North America, Nscale enables customers to run efficient and scalable AI training, fine-tuning, and inferencing workloads.

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Contacts:

Notes to editors

Photography available on request:

Verne media contact: media@verneglobal.com

Nscale media contact: press@nscale.com
The new Oslo office reflects SkySparc's continued growth strategy, extending its on-the-ground support for Norwegian corporates and financial institutions across treasury and capital markets.

SkySparc, a trusted global provider of digital transformation solutions for treasury and finance organizations, today announced the official opening of its new Norway office in Oslo. The move marks a strategic milestone in the company's Nordic expansion, establishing dedicated local resources to serve Norwegian treasurers and financial institutions.

The Oslo office is the next step in SkySparc's growth strategy, building on longstanding relationships with Norwegian clients. With direct local access to SkySparc's expertise, organizations can now work more closely with the company to modernize operations, improve cash visibility, and drive strategic performance.

Local presence has become an important factor for organizations seeking partners that understand regional treasury and regulatory environments. SkySparc already supports clients across the Nordic region, and the expansion aligns with increased demand for automation, analytics, and AI-driven solutions across the CFO's office, as organizations navigate volatile markets, evolving regulations, and the need for real-time insights.

Leading the new office is Rafael Dominguez Quijano, who joins SkySparc as Managing Director, SkySparc Norway. With over 20 years of experience in corporate treasury and system integration, Rafael brings deep expertise in treasury transformation and operations. He was formerly Managing Director at Touchstone Treasury Center AS, where he specialized in treasury advisory, system integration, and Treasury-as-a-Service (TaaS) solutions. Under his leadership, Touchstone Treasury Center was awarded Kyriba's "Emerging New Partner of the Year 2018" in the EMEA region. His project portfolio includes the DNV GL Group Treasury transformation following the DNV-GL merger, covering global banking, cash pooling, and TMS implementation.

Tore Eilertsen, Head of Group Treasury at DNV Group commented, "We've been very satisfied with our cooperation. Rafael delivered a cost-effective banking structure, and all his recommendations were backed by data demonstrating real value."

"We see strong opportunities in the Norwegian market and are pleased to be investing locally," said Joakim Wiener, CEO of SkySparc. "By establishing a presence on the ground, we can offer the entire SkySparc portfolio including OmniFi, advisory, and managed services more effectively and with closer client engagement. Rafael's proven expertise and local relationships make him the ideal leader to drive our growth in Norway."

"Having worked with Norwegian treasurers for many years, I'm excited to join SkySparc and represent its world-class solutions in this market," said Rafael Dominguez Quijano, Managing Director, SkySparc Norway. "SkySparc's software and services are second to none particularly OmniFi, which brings automation and real-time intelligence that many Norwegian organizations have been looking for. Establishing a local presence means we can now collaborate even more closely with clients to modernize treasury operations and drive performance."

The Oslo office opening is part of SkySparc's continued expansion across the Nordics and globally. This announcement follows SkySparc's majority growth investment from Bregal Milestone earlier this year, reinforcing the company's long-term strategy to accelerate innovation, invest in local presence, and deepen client relationships across key global markets.

About SkySparc

SkySparc is a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for finance and treasury organizations worldwide. Combining deep domain expertise with its proprietary platform OmniFi, SkySparc helps treasurers and CFOs globally automate processes, improve cash visibility, and gain actionable insights through AI and advanced analytics. Founded in 2002, SkySparc is trusted by leading corporates and financial institutions across Europe, North America, and Asia. For more information, visit www.skysparc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120218180/en/

Contacts:

For SkySparc

Cathrina Henriksen Cabrera

Head of Marketing and Communications

Tel: +33 6 289 874 24

Email: cathrina.henriksen@skysparc.com

Rafael Dominguez

Managing Director Norway, SkySparc

Tel: ++47 938 44184

Email: rafael.dominguez@skysparc.com
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NuSummit and Investcorp recently hosted the launch of NuSummit Cybersecurity in Riyadh, bringing together industry leaders, clients, and cybersecurity experts under the theme 'NuSummit Cybersecurity: A Legacy of Trust, A Future of Innovation'. Operating in the region since 2009 as Aujas Cybersecurity and now unified under the NuSummit brand, the company convened its global leadership to address the evolving cybersecurity landscape and reaffirm its deep-rooted commitment to empowering the region's digital economy.

Held at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, the event featured keynote addresses that explored the role of cybersecurity as a strategic business enabler in the AI era, the importance of cyber resilience in driving economic growth, and how robust security foundations unlock innovation at scale.

As digital innovation reshapes the Middle East's economic landscape, speakers at the summit emphasized the growing importance of strategic cybersecurity partnerships in unlocking innovation and sustaining economic growth.

Yusef Abdullah Al Yusef, Global Head of Distribution, Investcorp, said, "Cybersecurity has evolved from a defensive necessity to a strategic enabler of digital transformation and economic growth across the Middle East. As the region accelerates its digital economy ambitions, reliable cybersecurity partners become fundamental to unlocking innovation and building resilient infrastructure. NuSummit Cybersecurity's deep expertise, proven track record, and commitment to the region position them as a strong ally for enterprises navigating the complexities of secure digital modernization. We, at Investcorp, are proud to back their continued growth and impact across industries and critical sectors throughout the Middle East."

Anantharaman Sreenivasan (Ganesh), Managing Director and Group CEO, NuSummit, said, "The Middle East is at the forefront of a digital wave that demands both ambition and assurance. As organizations embrace AI, cloud, and data-driven innovation, cybersecurity becomes the foundation that determines how confidently they can scale. Our roots in this region run deep, built over sixteen years of partnership and proven delivery. Now, unified under the NuSummit brand, we have consolidated our capabilities, global scale, and integrated innovation that spans cybersecurity and digital transformation. We're here to ensure that as our clients evolve, they do so with the security intelligence, operational resilience, and expert guidance that empowers them to lead, not follow. This is about honoring a legacy of trust while unlocking new possibilities when security and innovation work in lockstep."

Varun Laul, Partner at Investcorp, said, "The launch of NuSummit Cybersecurity reflects our commitment to investing in critical technology sectors that underpin the Middle East's digital transformation. Revitalizing this legacy brand under the NuSummit name positions the company at the forefront of a sector essential to economic resilience and national competitiveness. We are excited to support NuSummit Cybersecurity as it accelerates innovation, expands its regional footprint, and continues delivering mission-critical cybersecurity solutions."

Deepening Regional Partnership

The event underscored NuSummit Cybersecurity's continued commitment to the Middle East, where the company has been a trusted partner for years in securing digital transformation across financial services, government, telecom, and critical infrastructure. As organizations accelerate AI integration, cloud adoption, and digital-first strategies, NuSummit Cybersecurity continues to provide comprehensive capabilities spanning identity and access management, application security, managed detection and response, and AI-powered security operations, enabling clients to navigate complexity and scale innovation securely. The event reinforced the company's role as a strategic partner invested in the region's digital economy ambitions and the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals.

About NuSummit

NuSummit is a cutting-edge Digital and Cybersecurity Solutions company with a core focus on capital markets, brokerage firms, investment banks, clearing houses, insurers (P&C and Life), and asset management firms. With a footprint across India, the Middle East, and the USA, we're proud to partner with over 300+ global businesses.

Backed by Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, NuSummit empowers organizations to orchestrate outcomes that help navigate the complex digital and cybersecurity landscape with confidence.

For more information, please visit https://nusummit.com | https://cybersecurity.nusummit.com/.

About Investcorp

Investcorp is a global investment manager specializing in alternative investments across four asset classes: Private Equity (Mid-Market Buyouts, Growth Investments, and GP Staking), Real Assets (Real Estate and Infrastructure), Credit (CLOs, Broadly Syndicated Loans & Structured Credit, and Middle-Market Direct Lending), and Liquid Strategies (Absolute Return Investments and Insurance Asset Management).

Since our inception in 1982, we have focused on generating attractive returns for our clients and seeking to create long-term value in our portfolio companies by adopting a disciplined investment process, employing talented professionals, and utilizing the resources of a global institution with an innovative approach.

We invest capital in our products and strategies, aligning interests with our clients and other stakeholders. We pursue sustainable value creation through our investments and in the communities in which we operate and take pride in partnering with clients to deliver tailored solutions for their needs.

Today, Investcorp manages approximately $60 billion in assets, including assets managed by third party managers. Investcorp has 14 offices in the US, Europe, GCC and Asia, including, India, China, Japan and Singapore and employs approximately 500 people from 50 nationalities globally.

For further information, visit http://www.investcorp.com/ and follow us @Investcorp on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

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KRAKOW, Poland, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of critical communication networks, essential for key strategic industries, largely depends on the development of the 450 MHz band. Its unique properties allow for nationwide coverage with fewer base stations and better penetration through obstacles than higher frequencies.Despite its strategic importance, the 450 MHz band faces major global challenges: inconsistent use, fragmented standards, and no unified regulatory roadmap, even within the European Union.

To address these issues, over 250 experts from 30 countries, including major operators, and technology providers, such as Aramco Digital, Utility Connect, PGE, and 450connect, gathered in Krakow for the first Polish edition of the 450 MHz Alliance x Comarch Conference, co-organized with a global association promoting the use of the 450 MHz spectrum.

The event highlighted how technology, policy, and industry cooperation shape next-generation critical networks. It also provided a comprehensive overview of current developments within the 450 MHz ecosystem, including 450connect in Germany which demonstrates the spectrum's proven capability to support reliable, nationwide critical networks - Pawel Workiewicz, CCO at the Telecommunications Division at Comarch.

Global expertise meets local excellence

Through a series of discussions and presentations from 30 speakers, participants emphasized the urgent need for a clear, harmonized roadmap for the 320-510 MHz spectrum range. Participants reaffirmed that the 450 MHz band remains uniquely suited to serve networks of strategic importance. While its limited bandwidth presents inherent trade-offs, the band's reliability and reach make it indispensable for secure, wide-area communications.

A central focus of the discussions was developing a coordinated strategy to influence standardization and regulatory bodies, like European Telecommunications Standards Institute and 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), ensuring consistent, globally applicable standards for communication systems across borders. Experts agreed that such alignment is a prerequisite for building the unified and secure future of critical networks.

New technological horizons

Technological innovation was another major focus of the event. With 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) emerging as a bridge between existing LTE450 deployments and future broadband systems, experts highlighted its potential to extend the lifespan and relevance of the 450 MHz band. This technology enables IoT and mission-critical applications that demand low latency and high reliability rather than extreme bandwidth.

AI-driven network management and Digital Twin technologies were also showcased as transformative enablers, capable of providing predictive maintenance, real-time situational awareness, and autonomous network optimization. Comarch presented its vision for this AI-enhanced era, emphasizing the evolution from human-supervised systems to adaptive, self-learning network architectures, necessary for securing and managing increasingly complex infrastructures.

The consensus from Krakow was clear: the 450 MHz ecosystem is at a defining crossroads. Its unique technical advantages and growing ecosystem of LTE450 and 5G RedCap solutions give it unmatched potential to connect critical industries. Realizing this vision will require collective global action, consistent regulatory frameworks, and continued investment in innovation, ensuring that the 450 MHz band remains a cornerstone of secure critical communication for many decades.

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Summary

Gabriel delivers solid improvement in key figures in a financial year where the continuing operations delivers revenue growth and significant improvement in profit, while the discontinued operations are strengthened in Europe and undergoing restructuring in Mexico.

In the 2024/25 financial year Gabriel Group delivered revenue of DKK 902.7 million, compared with DKK 912.3 million in the 2023/24 financial year. Operating profit (EBIT) in 2024/25 amounted to DKK 28.2 million, compared with DKK 10.9 million in 2023/24.

The results are due to a strong improvement in the continuing operations, a continued strong execution of the FurnMaster business in Europe, but also an expected negative result from the FurnMaster business unit in Mexico caused by the ongoing restructuring.

In light of the fact that the market conditions for growth, as expected, were challenged by, among other things, geopolitical influences and the ongoing restructuring of the Mexican FurnMaster business unit, the development in both revenue and profit is satisfactory.

Gabriel announced in August 2024 that the company would seek the FurnMaster business units sold. FurnMaster were therefore considered as discontinued activities in the 2023/24 annual report. The divestment was not carried out in the financial year 2024/25, primarily due to external influences that have changed the global M&A activity level for a period of time. The identified irregularities in the Mexican entity, and the consequences of this obviously also played a role in relation to the sale of that entity. The FurnMaster business units are still classified as discontinued activities and assets intended for sale, as a result of the fact that management expect that a sale can be completed in the financial year 2025/26.

The initiated external expert investigation concerning the irregularities that were found and corrected in connection with the presentation of the Group's annual accounts for 2023/24 was carried out.

For an account of the discontinued activities, see Note 9.

In 2024/25, continuing operations generated revenue of DKK 516.0 million (DKK 483.5 million), corresponding to a growth of DKK 32.5 million (7%). Operating profit (EBIT) was DKK 44.1 million (DKK 19.7 million). In addition, the following selected key figures (comparative figures in brackets) have been achieved in the continuing business:

Operating profit margin (EBITDA margin) was 16.2% (11.7%).

Operating profit (EBIT) was DKK 44.1 million (DKK 19.7 million).

The operating margin (EBIT margin) was 8.5% (4.1%).

Profit before tax was DKK 33.8 million (DKK 4.0 million).

Profit after tax was DKK 24.8 million (DKK -1.5 million).

Cash flow from operating activities in Gabriel Group as a whole amounted to DKK 119.7 million (DKK 37.3 million).

The improvement in the continuing business is due to the fact that the global textile business has achieved growth in both North America, Europe, and Asia, while SampleMaster has delivered revenue on a par with the previous year.

In the annual report for the financial year 2023/24, the management of the continuing operations for the financial year 2024/25 expected revenue in the range of DKK 485-530 million and a primary profit (EBIT) of DKK 20-30 million. During the year, the expectations for the year's primary profit (EBIT) were revised upwards three times, while the expectations for revenue were clarified during the year.

The realised operating profit (EBIT) from continuing operations of DKK 44.1 million exceeds management's expectations for the full year and is a result of targeted efforts to improve productivity.

In addition to the above-mentioned development in the company's activity, the financial year was marked by the conduct of the external expert investigation initiated as a result of the irregularities identified in the Mexican FurnMaster business unit and the corrections made therefrom. The conclusions of this study are set out in the financial review in this annual report on page 11.

Expectations for the future

Management expects the challenging market conditions that have affected the furniture industry to continue in the 2025/26 financial year, primarily due to continued geopolitical risks.

However, the continuing operations have achieved growth in revenue and profit in the financial year 2024/25, and it is the management's expectation that this trend can continue.

On this basis, revenue from continuing operations is expected to amount to DKK 510-550 million and a primary profit (EBIT) of DKK 40-50 million.

As in previous years, the expectations for the financial year 2025/26 is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, primarily due to the above-mentioned market risks.

The Board of Directors recommends the following to the Annual General Meeting of Gabriel Holding A/S, to be held on 11 December 2025:

Approval of the annual report 2024/25.

Submission of the remuneration report for an advisory vote.

Distribution of dividend of DKK 5.00 per share of DKK 20.

Approval of remuneration to the Board of Directors for the current financial year.

The Board of Directors proposes re-election of Sren Mygind Eskildsen, Randi Toftlund Pedersen, Hans O. Damgaard, and Sren B. Lauritsen as members of the Board of Directors elected by the Company's Annual General Meeting.

The Board of Directors proposes election of EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab as the company's auditor

The Board of Directors is authorised to allow the company to acquire treasury shares up to a total nominal value of DKK 7,560,000, corresponding to 20% of the company's share capital.

Approval of amendment of the articles of association.

The official annual report is published on the company's website. As a result of the Group's efforts in sustainability, no printed version of the accounts is prepared.
Press Release

Nokia and NestAI announce strategic partnership and NestAI raises 100m to accelerate physical AI innovation

Nokia and NestAI form a strategic partnership to drive innovation in AI-powered defense and critical infrastructure solutions.

In addition, Nokia and Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) invest in NestAI, with the combined value of the investments being 100 million.

20 November 2025

Espoo, Finland - Nokia and NestAI today announced a strategic partnership to advance AI-powered defense solutions. In conjunction with this collaboration, Nokia and Tesi invest in NestAI, with the combined value of the investments being 100 million. As one of Europe's fastest-growing physical AI labs, NestAI is building next-generation AI for unmanned vehicles, autonomous operations, and command and control (C2) platforms across logistics, inspection, surveillance, security, and defense domains.

Connectivity is a strategic asset in defense, empowering AI-driven, faster, and more informed decision-making. As defense forces increasingly adopt AI-native dual-use technologies, Nokia has launched a dedicated defense incubation business unit to accelerate co-innovation with partners in the U.S., Finland and other NATO and Five Eyes countries.

Through the strategic partnership, Nokia and NestAI will jointly innovate defense-focused, AI-native solutions by combining Nokia's expertise in secure, AI-native connectivity, sensing, and multimedia with NestAI's platforms in unmanned systems, C2 systems and next-generation AI. Together, the companies will leverage strong capabilities in forward-deployed engineering and R&D with the ambition to accelerate the development of AI capabilities into unmanned systems, data-centric C2, and modern information and knowledge management. This further accelerates and deepens the collaboration with European defense forces and other partners.

"At Nokia, we believe that the future of defense and critical infrastructure will be defined by secure, AI-native solutions. Our strategic partnership with NestAI is a testament to our commitment to innovation with partners. By combining Nokia's expertise in secure advanced connectivity with NestAI's pioneering platforms, we are accelerating the development of next-generation capabilities for defense and national safety. This investment reflects our shared ambition to shape the future of AI-driven solutions," said Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia.

"Strategic partnerships are imperative to strengthen Europe's security and resilience. In line with PostScriptum's mission, NestAI was founded to deliver mission-critical physical AI capabilities at scale and to safeguard Europe's sovereignty. Nokia's role as a cornerstone of leading global technology and innovation enables us to accelerate our impact and deepen the operational advantage NestAI brings to European defense. The Finnish sovereign fund Tesi brings institutional stability and long-term perspective to build resilient technological leadership. This partnership lays the foundation for a future in which Europe sustains a technological edge, and allows NestAI to deliver at scale," states Peter Sarlin, Chairman of NestAI and PostScriptum.

"We see NestAI emerging as a foundational technology partner for mission-critical defence and security environments across Europe. Our investment reflects the value it is already demonstrating for organisations facing increasingly complex and evolving operational demands. This aligns with Tesi's renewed strategy to back Finnish companies with outlier potential in strategically important sectors. NestAI combines strong technical depth with a focused, purposeful approach. It is the demonstrated progress and the direction of their solutions combined with Nokia's global lead in secure, advanced connectivity that gives us confidence in their long-term significance and return potential for our investment," states Juha Lehtola, Head of VC & Growth investments, Tesi.

About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we're advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia Defense delivers secure, AI-driven communications and connectivity solutions tailored for defense organizations, supporting modernization and operational effectiveness in a rapidly evolving security landscape.

About NestAI

NestAI is a rapidly growing European physical AI lab that builds next-generation AI technologies. Headquartered in Finland, NestAI focuses on open, modular and interoperable platforms and physical AI for unmanned and command-and-control systems across domains such as logistics, inspection, security, surveillance, defence and critical infrastructure. Backed by PostScriptum, NestAI develops AI designed for real-world readiness and long-term resilience - building boldly to shape the trajectory of physical AI and Europe's technological edge.

About Tesi

Tesi (officially Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) is a state-owned, market-driven investment company that invests in venture capital and private equity funds and directly in Finnish startups and growth companies, and to new industrial scale businesses.

Media inquiries

Nokia

Phone: +358 10 448 4900

Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

Maria Vaismaa, Vice President, Global Media Relations

NestAI

Johanna Rosengren

Phone: +358 440423101

Email: Johanna.rosengren@nestai.com

Tesi

Juha Lehtola

Phone: +358 400 647 671

Email: juha.lehtola@tesi.fi

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Key Facts

Zurcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) can now process ISO 20022 reporting messages ahead of the global SWIFT deadline, going live with Smartstream's Corona MX solution as part of the Smart Reconciliations suite.

The migration, executed in close collaboration with Smartstream and supported by ZKB's ISO 20022 expertise, enhances the bank's reconciliation capabilities, particularly for cash transactions across multi-account and currency operations.

This strategic move strengthens ZKB's commitment to innovation and compliance, enabling full payment lifecycle visibility and positioning the bank for future operational excellence.

Smartstream, the trusted data solutions provider for leading global financial institutions and enterprises, today announces, Zurcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), the largest cantonal bank in Switzerland, has successfully completed its ISO 20022 migration project for reporting messages, now live with Corona MX part of the Smart Reconciliations solutions suite.

This milestone marks a significant achievement in ZKB's digital transformation journey, as it moves to the new messaging standard, ahead of the global SWIFT migration deadline.

Schmitz Wolfgang, Project Manager for ISO 20022, ZKB, states: "It has been a smooth and straightforward process working in partnership with Smartstream. The migration was executed with precision and foresight, ensuring we were fully prepared and operational well before the industry-wide ISO 20022 cutover. The solution is now live and in full production".

As a trusted partner of Smartstream for over 40 years, the bank leveraged the advanced capabilities of Corona to deepen its integration with ISO 20022 standards. The upgraded platform enables enhanced reconciliation processing, particularly for cash transactions, and supports multi-account and multi-currency reconciliation processes with greater efficiency and accuracy.

Patrick Prucha, Product Manager, Smartstream, states: "Our journey with ZKB has been one of great collaboration, transparency and trust. Working together on the ISO 20022 migration has been a rewarding experience, and completing the transition ahead of the SWIFT deadline reflects ZKB's forward-thinking approach and strong commitment to innovation. Their focus on continuously enhancing processes ensures their customers remain at the forefront of industry standards and technological advancements".

This strategic move not only reinforces the bank's commitment to innovation and compliance but also positions it to unlock new opportunities in financial messaging and operational excellence. ISO 20022 compliance will enable the bank to monitor the full lifecycle of a payment and where it has been processed for greater accuracy and resilience.

SMARTSTREAM

Empowering leading global financial institutions and enterprises with innovative solutions that deliver accurate, timely data insights to streamline operations, reduce costs, and meet regulatory demands with confidence.

smart.stream

ZURCHER KANTONALBANK

Zurcher Kantonalbank is a leading universal bank in the Zurich economic area with Swiss roots and international reach. It is an independent, incorporated public-law institution of the Canton of Zurich. With more than 6,500 employees across the group, Zurcher Kantonalbank offers its clients a comprehensive range of products and services.

www.zkb.ch

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Contacts:

Shamira Alidina

Director

Dina Communications

shamira@dinacomms.com

Nathan Gee

Global Head of Marketing

Smartstream

nathan.gee@smartstream-stp.com
COVENTRY, England, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FelicitySolar, a global leader in off-grid and hybrid energy storage systems, has joined ENF Trade TV in an in-depth discussion on the growing debate between lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technologies. With residential and commercial energy demand surging worldwide, battery chemistry choices are increasingly critical for both investors and end-users.

Global Energy Storage Context

The global energy storage market is experiencing unprecedented growth. In North America and Europe, the adoption of residential and commercial energy storage systems is largely driven by rising electricity costs, the need for diversified energy sources, and increasingly ambitious carbon-reduction goals. In 2025, LFP batteries account for over 60% of mainstream storage deployments globally, reflecting their proven reliability, mature supply chains, and competitive cost structure. Meanwhile, sodium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their abundant raw materials and potential lower costs.

Technical Insights: LFP vs Sodium-Ion

1. Energy Density

Sodium-ion batteries typically deliver 100-160 Wh/kg, while LFP systems can reach 160-200 Wh/kg. Higher energy density translates into more electricity in less space, making LFP a preferred choice for both residential and commercial scenarios.

2. Thermal Stability & Safety

Safety remains paramount for residential and commercial storage. While sodium-ion chemistry offers good performance, LFP batteries continue to be industry leaders in thermal stability, ensuring safer operation under high loads and extreme conditions.

3. Cold-Weather Performance

Sodium-ion excels in low temperatures, maintaining strong output at -20?. However, LFP is rapidly closing the gap: FelicitySolar's FLB series features optional heating modules that maintain battery efficiency in cold conditions, making it suitable for harsh climates.

4. Cycle Life and Investment Return

LFP batteries support 4,000-8,000 cycles, compared to 1,000-3,000 cycles for sodium-ion. FelicitySolar's FLB batteries are rated for 6,000-8,000 cycles, offering long-term reliability, reduced replacement costs, and better return on investment for both homeowners and commercial operators.

5. Long-Term Storage Efficiency

LFP batteries have low self-discharge rates (~3%), ideal for seasonal storage or emergency backup. Sodium-ion's higher self-discharge can limit efficiency when the system is left idle for extended periods.

6. Environmental Impact

Sodium-ion batteries avoid reliance on rare metals and leverage abundant sodium, but have higher per-unit energy production costs. LFP batteries, composed of iron and phosphate, benefit from low-carbon manufacturing and stable raw material supply, supporting sustainable deployment at scale.

Conclusion

With North America and Europe implementing incentives for residential and commercial energy storage system, LFP batteries are well-positioned to meet growing demand. Sodium-ion technology, while promising for cost-sensitive applications, remains an emerging alternative, and adoption will depend on continued performance validation and specific application requirements.

LFP technology remains the backbone of reliable energy storage. With innovations such as optional heating modules, Felicitysolar's FLB series ensures optimal battery performance even in low-temperature environments, making it ideal for both residential and commercial users during winter. While sodium-ion batteries hold future potential, LFP continues to deliver proven value today.

sales@felicitysolar.com

https://www.felicitysolar.com

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Wisr AI Systems Inc. (CSE: WISR) ("Wisr AI" or the "Company"), a recognized leader in providing Agentic AI-powered cybersecurity and third-party risk intelligence solutions, is pleased to announce the Alpha launch of RiskAssure. This marks the first version of Wisr AI's platform to fully integrate the recently acquired technology with the Company's existing predictive third-party risk capabilities.

The integrated RiskAssure platform leverages agentic AI risk analysis to help enterprises streamline third-party security assessments, evaluate their own security posture, and instantly analyze crucial compliance documents like SOC 2 reports.

Integrating Prediction and Automation via Agentic AI

Wisr AI's core business is building agentic AI platforms that predict, prioritise, and monitor cyber and third-party risk. The strategic integration of RiskAssure enhances this mission by automating the historically manual and time-consuming process of security documentation review and response.

Agentic Risk Analysis: RiskAssure is built on an AI-native platform utilizing an agentic Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) workflow. This approach enables the platform to securely ingest and analyze a vendor's security artefacts and compliance documents (such as SOC 2 reports). Instant Compliance Document Analysis: The platform allows companies to analyze compliance documents on the fly, generating answers with source citations and selecting relevant evidence using an agentic planner. This capability significantly reduces the effort required for vendor onboarding and continuous monitoring, addressing a critical pain point in Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). Third-Party Risk Posture: By automating the analysis of vendor security documentation, RiskAssure provides a more dynamic and transparent view of a company's risk posture, moving beyond static checks toward continuous, forward-looking risk intelligence.

The integration fully aligns with Wisr AI's strategic decision to adopt an Agentic AI-centric architecture. This framework leverages autonomous AI agents, which behave like a team of risk analysts (such as Data Collector, Researcher, and Analyst), to deliver better, faster predictions.

Market Context and Strategic Value

The integration of RiskAssure is expected to accelerate Wisr AI's ability to address the rapidly growing TPRM market, the value of which is projected to more than double from $9.0 billion USD in 2025 to $19.9 billion USD by 20301. This growth is fueled by the critical need to shift away from reliance on static questionnaires and annual audits, which have proven ineffective given that 83% of practitioners say current risk assessment methods are too complicated1.

The technology behind RiskAssure is capable of achieving a 60% to 80% reduction in questionnaire effort in private pilot testing, cutting response time from days to minutes and building a shared knowledge base that continuously improves future answers. This functionality directly supports Wisr AI's API-driven go-to-market strategy, allowing the platform to integrate seamlessly into existing Governance, Risk and Compliance ("GRC") and TPRM platforms.

Rob Goehring, CEO of Wisr AI, stated: "The Alpha launch of the integrated RiskAssure platform represents a massive leap forward, merging our core predictive intelligence with actionable compliance automation. Our Agentic AI not only predicts how likely a vendor is to suffer an incident but can now instantly analyze their documentation, such as a SOC 2 report, to validate their compliance and security posture. This delivers the seamless, continuous, and trustworthy risk visibility that enterprises need to thrive in a digital-first economy, transforming a manual burden into an automated strategic advantage."

The Alpha program is the next step following rigorous full-stack testing of the platform and precedes the general availability launch.

The Company also announces that Charles Abel has resigned as a director in order to pursue other opportunities. The Company would like to thank Mr. Abel for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.

About Wisr AI Systems Inc.

Wisr AI Systems Inc. (CSE: WISR) is a Vancouver-based technology company building agentic AI platforms that predict, prioritize, and monitor cyber and third-party risk. Its solutions help enterprises ingest and interpret real-time global signals to manage complex vendor ecosystems and supply chains more intelligently. Wisr empowers organizations with dynamic risk visibility and actionable intelligence to support stronger cybersecurity governance and operational resilience.

For more information about Wisr AI, please visit https://www.wisr.ai.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information:

This news release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding, among other things, economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations of the Company's management, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; and compliance with extensive government regulation. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Company and market conditions.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties 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 the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law.

1 https://liminal.co/reports/market-buyers-guides/third-party-risk-management

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275284

SOURCE: Wisr AI Systems Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - COELACANTH ENERGY INC. (TSXV: CEI) ("Coelacanth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025. All dollar figures are Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

HIGHLIGHTS

Increased oil and natural gas production 296% to 3,280 boe/d in Q3 2025 from 829 boe/d in Q3 2024.

Increased oil and natural gas sales 381% to $11.4 million in Q3 2025 from $2.4 million in Q3 2024.

Subsequent to September 30, 2025, entered into a $80.0 million credit facility with current lender to replace its previous credit facilities.

FINANCIAL RESULTS Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30 ($000s, except per share amounts) 2025 2024 % Change 2025 2024 % Change Oil and natural gas sales 11,372 2,362 381 18,866 9,192 105 Cash flow from (used in) operating activities 4,712 (3,730) (226) 4,054 (954) (525) Per share - basic and diluted (1) 0.01 (0.01) (200) 0.01 (-) (100) Adjusted funds flow (used) (1) 2,386 (207) (1,253) 533 1,133 (53) Per share - basic and diluted - (-) (-) - - - Net loss (1,764) (2,464) (28) (8,845) (5,994) 48 Per share - basic and diluted (-) (-) - (0.02) (0.01) 100 Capital expenditures (1) 6,104 15,760 (61) 46,078 19,545 136 Adjusted working capital (deficiency) (1) (46,606) 47,264 (199) Common shares outstanding (000s) Weighted average - basic and diluted 532,917 530,212 1 532,218 529,605 - End of period - basic 533,029 530,267 1 End of period - fully diluted 591,544 617,214 (4)

(1) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section.

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended OPERATING RESULTS (1) September 30 September 30 2025 2024 % Change 2025 2024 % Change Daily production (2) Oil and condensate (bbls/d) 1,372 221 521 703 268 162 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 92 33 179 48 36 33 Oil and NGLs (bbls/d) 1,464 254 476 751 304 147 Natural gas (mcf/d) 10,896 3,450 216 6,050 3,702 63 Oil equivalent (boe/d) 3,280 829 296 1,759 921 91 Oil and natural gas sales Oil and condensate ($/bbl) 79.73 89.68 (11) 81.36 90.88 (10) Other NGLs ($/bbl) 26.40 31.39 (16) 28.48 33.20 (14) Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 76.41 82.10 (7) 77.99 84.00 (7) Natural gas ($/mcf) 1.08 1.41 (23) 1.74 2.16 (19) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 37.69 30.99 22 39.28 36.41 8 Royalties Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 17.22 15.52 11 17.21 19.73 (13) Natural gas ($/mcf) 0.01 0.06 (83) 0.12 0.23 (48) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 7.70 5.02 53 7.76 7.44 4 Operating expenses Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 7.92 10.07 (21) 8.90 10.10 (12) Natural gas ($/mcf) 1.28 1.68 (24) 1.48 1.68 (12) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 7.79 10.07 (23) 8.90 10.10 (12) Net transportation expenses (3) Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 4.25 2.36 80 4.11 2.30 79 Natural gas ($/mcf) 0.48 0.76 (37) 0.58 0.72 (19) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 3.48 3.91 (11) 3.75 3.65 3 Operating netback (loss) (3) Oil and NGLs ($/bbl) 47.02 54.15 (13) 47.77 51.87 (8) Natural gas ($/mcf) (0.69) (1.09) (37) (0.44) (0.47) (6) Oil equivalent ($/boe) 18.72 11.99 56 18.87 15.22 24 Depletion and depreciation ($/boe) (10.26) (14.89) (31) (11.41) (14.71) (22) General and administrative expenses ($/boe) (4.61) (12.51) (63) (9.14) (13.90) (34) Stock based compensation ($/boe) (3.82) (13.81) (72) (7.39) (12.72) (42) Finance expense ($/boe) (5.64) (2.71) 108 (8.36) (1.72) 386 Finance income ($/boe) 0.16 9.54 (98) 0.46 10.03 (95) Unutilized transportation ($/boe) (0.39) (9.94) (96) (1.45) (5.96) (76) Net loss ($/boe) (5.84) (32.33) (82) (18.42) (23.76) (22)

(1) See "Oil and Gas Terms" section.

(2) See "Product Types" section.

(3) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section.

Selected financial and operational information outlined in this news release should be read in conjunction with Coelacanth's unaudited condensed interim financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, which are available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at https://www.sedarplus.ca.

OPERATIONS UPDATE

Coelacanth is continuing to work through its business plan of delineating and developing its large Montney resource base at Two Rivers that encompasses over 150 contiguous sections of Montney land tenure.

We are currently drilling three additional development wells on the 5-19 pad and will systematically bring on production from these wells plus prior drilled wells on the pad from now through early February.

Future development will consist of continued drilling in the vicinity of the 5-19 pad while significant step-outs will be incorporated into the capital budget to accelerate the delineation of the resource both aerially through the land base and vertically through the various Montney zones present on the land base.

We look forward to reporting on future developments as they arise.

OIL AND GAS TERMS

The Company uses the following frequently recurring oil and gas industry terms in the news release:

Liquids

Bbls

Bbls/d

NGLs

Condensate



Barrels

Barrels per day

Natural gas liquids (includes condensate, pentane, butane, propane, and ethane)

Pentane and heavier hydrocarbons



Natural Gas

Mcf

Mcf/d

MMcf/d



Thousands of cubic feet

Thousands of cubic feet per day

Millions of cubic feet per day



Oil Equivalent

Boe

Boe/d Barrels of oil equivalent

Barrels of oil equivalent per day

Disclosure provided herein in respect of a boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent has been used for the calculation of boe amounts in the news release. This boe conversion rate is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES

This news release refers to certain measures that are not determined in accordance with IFRS (or "GAAP"). These non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP and other financial measures should not be considered alternatives to, or more meaningful than, financial measures that are determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of the Company's performance. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP and other financial measures provides useful information to shareholders and investors in understanding and evaluating the Company's ongoing operating performance, and the measures provide increased transparency to better analyze the Company's performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted funds flow (used)

Management uses adjusted funds flow (used) to analyze performance and considers it a key measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate the cash necessary to fund future capital investments and abandonment obligations and to repay debt, if any. Adjusted funds flow (used) is a non-GAAP financial measure and has been defined by the Company as cash flow from (used in) operating activities excluding the change in non-cash working capital related to operating activities, movements in restricted cash deposits and expenditures on decommissioning obligations. Management believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items involves a high degree of discretion and as such may not be useful for evaluating the Company's cash flows. Adjusted funds flow (used) is reconciled from cash flow from (used in) operating activities as follows:



Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 30 September 30 ($000s) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Cash flow from (used in) operating activities 4,712 (3,730) 4,054 (954) Add (deduct):







Decommissioning expenditures 198 790 385 1,266 Change in restricted cash deposits - 2,139 - 2,985 Change in non-cash working capital (2,524) 594 (3,906) (2,164) Adjusted funds flow (used) (non-GAAP) 2,386 (207) 533 1,133

Net transportation expenses

Management considers net transportation expenses an important measure as it demonstrates the cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses is calculated as transportation expenses less unutilized transportation and is calculated as follows:



Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 30 September 30 ($000s) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Transportation expenses 1,168 1,055 2,498 2,426 Unutilized transportation (119) (757) (699) (1,504) Net transportation expenses (non-GAAP) 1,049 298 1,799 922

Operating netback

Management considers operating netback an important measure as it demonstrates its profitability relative to current commodity prices. Operating netback is calculated as oil and natural gas sales less royalties, operating expenses, and net transportation expenses and is calculated as follows:



Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 30 September 30 ($000s) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Oil and natural gas sales 11,372 2,362 18,866 9,192 Royalties (2,324) (383) (3,725) (1,878) Operating expenses (2,349) (767) (4,272) (2,549) Net transportation expenses (1,049) (298) (1,799) (922) Operating netback (non-GAAP) 5,650 914 9,070 3,843

Capital expenditures

Coelacanth utilizes capital expenditures as a measure of capital investment on property, plant, and equipment, exploration and evaluation assets and property acquisitions compared to its annual budgeted capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are calculated as follows:



Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 30 September 30 ($000s) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Capital expenditures - property, plant, and equipment 4,238 396 5,276 973 Capital expenditures - exploration and evaluation assets 1,866 15,364 40,802 18,572 Capital expenditures (non-GAAP) 6,104 15,760 46,078 19,545

Capital Management Measures

Adjusted working capital (deficiency)

Management uses adjusted working capital (deficiency) as a measure to assess the Company's financial position. Adjusted working capital (deficiency) is calculated as current assets and restricted cash deposits less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of decommissioning obligations.

($000s) September 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 Current assets 4,259 11,579 Less: Current liabilities (56,325) (37,234) Working capital deficiency (52,066) (25,655) Add: Restricted cash deposits 4,900 4,900 Current portion of decommissioning obligations 560 2,118 Adjusted working capital deficiency (Capital management measure) (46,606) (18,637)

Non-GAAP Financial Ratios

Adjusted Funds Flow (Used) per Share

Adjusted funds flow (used) per share is a non-GAAP financial ratio, calculated using adjusted funds flow (used) and the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating net loss per share.

Net transportation expenses per boe

The Company utilizes net transportation expenses per boe to assess the per unit cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses per boe is calculated as net transportation expenses divided by total production for the applicable period.

Operating netback per boe

The Company utilizes operating netback per boe to assess the operating performance of its petroleum and natural gas assets on a per unit of production basis. Operating netback per boe is calculated as operating netback divided by total production for the applicable period.

Supplementary Financial Measures

The supplementary financial measures used in this news release (primarily average sales price per product type and certain per boe and per share figures) are either a per unit disclosure of a corresponding GAAP measure, or a component of a corresponding GAAP measure, presented in the financial statements. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a per unit basis are calculated by dividing the aggregate GAAP measure (or component thereof) by the applicable unit for the period. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a component basis of a corresponding GAAP measure are a granular representation of a financial statement line item and are determined in accordance with GAAP.

PRODUCT TYPES

The Company uses the following references to sales volumes in the news release:

Natural gas refers to shale gas

Oil and condensate refers to condensate and tight oil combined

Other NGLs refers to butane, propane and ethane combined

Oil and NGLs refers to tight oil and NGLs combined

Oil equivalent refers to the total oil equivalent of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs combined, using the conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of shale gas to one barrel of oil equivalent.

The following is a complete breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product types of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs:

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30 Sales Volumes by Product Type 2025 2024 2025 2024 Condensate (bbls/d) 46 33 27 36 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 92 33 48 36 NGLs (bbls/d) 138 66 75 72 Tight oil (bbls/d) 1,326 188 676 232 Condensate (bbls/d) 46 33 27 36 Oil and condensate (bbls/d) 1,372 221 703 268 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 92 33 48 36 Oil and NGLs (bbls/d) 1,464 254 751 304 Shale gas (mcf/d) 10,896 3,450 6,050 3,702 Natural gas (mcf/d) 10,896 3,450 6,050 3,702 Oil equivalent (boe/d) 3,280 829 1,759 921

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "intends", "forecast", "plans", "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information.

More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's oil and condensate, other NGLs, and natural gas production, capital programs, and adjusted working capital. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions relating to prevailing commodity prices and exchange rates, applicable royalty rates and tax laws, future well production rates, the performance of existing wells, the success of drilling new wells, the availability of capital to undertake planned activities, and the availability and cost of labour and services.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production rates, costs, and expenses, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, marketing and transportation, environmental risks, competition, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and changes in tax, royalty, and environmental legislation. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this document are made as of the date hereof for the purpose of providing the readers with the Company's expectations for the coming year. The forward-looking statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company 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.

Coelacanth is an oil and natural gas company, actively engaged in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of oil and natural gas reserves in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.

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/275291

SOURCE: Coelacanth Energy Inc.
Launch of smartphone camera scanning of GS1 DataMatrix barcodes marks a global breakthrough for patient safety.

New capability will allow patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to access trusted medical product information using Google Lens, paving the way for wider digital access to trusted data

BRUSSELS, Nov. 20, 2025, the company's visual search tool.

With this new functionality, patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals will be able to use their smartphones to scan a GS1 DataMatrix barcode and access trusted product information, including electronic patient leaflets (ePILs). This marks a critical first step in advancing access to trusted medical product information. While the functionality is now available through Google Lens, broad access to trusted medical information will depend on adoption by manufacturers. GS1 is working with several global companies to implement this capability and encourages all pharmaceutical and medical devices manufacturers to make their product information available online so that patients everywhere can benefit.

"This collaboration between GS1 and Google is a major step forward in connecting the physical and digital worlds of healthcare," said Renaud de Barbuat, President and CEO of GS1. "By enabling smartphone-native access to trusted medicine data, we're advancing global healthcare transparency and giving patients and professionals the information they need to act with greater confidence."

Building on two decades of healthcare digitalisation, the GS1 DataMatrix has become the global standard for medicine identification and traceability. It encodes essential details including batch number, expiry date, and unique identifiers; key information required by healthcare regulations in more than 70 countries. Today, more than 16 billion medicine packs in the U.S. and EU alone carry GS1 DataMatrix barcodes.





By connecting these existing barcodes to smartphone scanning, the collaboration between GS1 and Google extends access to trusted product information directly to patients and healthcare professionals worldwide. The existing barcodes can now be scanned natively using Google Lens on Android devices and on iOS devices in the near future.

While the scanning capability is already available globally, the extent of accessible information will depend on the readiness of the systems and manufacturers. This marks an important foundation for future expansion of trusted, interoperable healthcare data.

Developed and tested with GS1 and healthcare industry partners, this new capability represents a major advance in improving access to trusted healthcare data. It supports patient safety, informed decision-making, and access to accurate medical information.

In addition to improving patient safety and access to information, the shift toward digital access to electronic leaflets also supports sustainability. In the U.S. alone, printed medicine leaflets are estimated to account for the loss of roughly 12 million trees and greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 800,000 cars each year, highlighting the environmental impact of digital innovation in healthcare.

"The ability to scan a GS1 DataMatrix directly with a smartphone camera is a breakthrough for global healthcare systems," said Glen Hodgson, Vice President, Healthcare at GS1. "It means the same trusted standards that underpin medicine identification and traceability will deliver trusted information directly into the hands of those who need it most."

This joint initiative reflects a commitment to open standards, and access to medical product information through technical collaboration. It aims to connect the physical and digital worlds of healthcare through trusted, interoperable data, making healthcare safer, smarter, and more efficient for everyone, everywhere -join us by making your product information available online so patients everywhere can benefit.

About GS1

GS1 is a neutral, not-for-profit organisation that develops and maintains the most widely used global standards for business communication, including the GS1 DataMatrix barcode used to identify and trace medicines worldwide. Best known for the barcode, named by the BBC as one of the "50 things that made the world economy," GS1 standards enhance efficiency, safety, and visibility across supply chains and sectors. With Member Organisations in over 120 countries and territories and more than 2 million member companies, GS1's mission is to enable a world where trusted data improves business and lives everywhere. Learn more at www.gs1.org .

Media Contacts

GS1

Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

carlos.carnicero@gs1.org

Google

press@google.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/20bf564d-863e-4e2b-a32d-02632a576672
Vext Reports Q3 2025 Financial Results; Revenue Up 41% Year-over-Year and Operating Cash Flow Year-To-Date Reaches $8.5 Million

Revenue of $12.7 million, up 41% YoY, driven by expanded Ohio retail operations and continued resilient performance in Arizona.

YTD operating cash flow of $8.5 million compared to $(0.7) million in Q3 2024 YTD.

Strengthened Ohio retail footprint to five consolidated locations. On track to reach the state dispensary license cap of eight in 2026[1], positioning Vext to capture sustained growth from growing adult-use market in Ohio.

All currency references used in this news release are in U.S. currency unless otherwise noted.

Summary Financial Results (in thousands of US dollars)





Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q3 2024

Revenue $ 12,670

$ 13,407

$ 8,987

EBITDA* $ 1,828

$ 5,263

$ 1,925

Adjusted EBITDA* $ 1,625

$ 4,077

$ 2,873

Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)*

13%



30%



32%

Net cash provided by operating activities $ 1,259

$ 4,175

$ (243 ) Cash Flow Margin (%)*

10%



31%



(3% )

* See "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" below for more information regarding's Vext's use of non-IFRS financial measures and other reconciliations.

Management Commentary

"Vext delivered another solid quarter, with revenue of $12.7 million, up 41% year-over-year, and year-to-date operating cash flow of $8.5 million," said Eric Offenberger, CEO of Vext. "Even with mixed market dynamics during the quarter, our operational discipline remained evident. Ohio continued to be a growth engine for Vext, with our expanded retail footprint and higher-margin channel mix contributing to meaningful year-over-year gains. In Arizona, our disciplined operations enabled us to continue to outperform state averages on a per-store basis and deliver steady performance despite a broader market decline."

"For the remainder of 2025, we expect continued operational momentum and remain focused on maximizing performance across our five Ohio dispensaries, while advancing construction and licensing of the three additional locations planned for 2026. We continue to generate strong cash flow, and we expect Q4 cash flow to improve as we work through the inventory built in Q3. Overall, we're operating from a position of strength across both our core markets and remain well placed to leverage our vertically-integrated platform and growing retail footprint to drive sustainable, profitable growth and create long-term value for shareholders," added Mr. Offenberger.

Summary of Recent Announcements

On September 17, 2025, Vext announced that it has received regulatory approval from the Ohio Department of Commerce to transfer ownership of the Herbal Wellness Center dispensary in Portsmouth, Ohio to Vext. The Company completed the closing and associated title transfers on October 1, 2025.

Q3 2025 Financial Results Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 08:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results.

Date: November 20, 2025 | Time: 8:00 am E.T.

Participant Dial-in: +1-647-849-3159 or 1-833-752-3966

Replay Dial-in: +1-412-317-0088 or 1-855-669-9658

Conference ID: 10204616

Playback #: 4318941 (Expires on December 4, 2025)

Listen to webcast: https://www.gowebcasting.com/14537

For more details, visit Vext's investor website or contact the IR team at investors@vextscience.com.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

This news release contains certain "non-IFRS financial measures" (equivalent to "non-GAAP financial measures", as such term is defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112")), "non-IFRS ratios" (equivalent to "non-GAAP ratios", as such term is defined in NI 52-112), or "supplementary financial measures" (as such term is defined in NI 52-112), which are described in further detail below. These financial measures do not have a standardized definition under IFRS, nor are they calculated or presented in accordance with IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company has provided these financial measures as supplemental information and in addition to the financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. The Company believes that these supplemental financial measures provide a valuable additional measure to use when analyzing the operating performance of the business. These supplemental financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should only be considered in conjunction with, the IFRS financial measures presented herein.

The Company defines Cash Flow Margin by dividing Net cash provided by operating activities by Revenue. The Company believes that this measure provides investors with insight into the Company's ability to generate cash from its revenue base. It is used by the Company to assess operating efficiency and liquidity performance without the impact of financing or investing activities. The calculation of Cash Flow Margin is as follows:





Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q3 2024



Q1 2024

Net cash provided by operating activities

(in thousands of US dollars) $ 1,259

$ 4,175

$ (243 ) $ 109,042

Revenue (in thousands of US dollars) $ 12,670

$ 13,407

$ 8,987

$ 8,390,023

Cash Flow Margin (%)

9.9%



31.1%



(2.7% )

1.3%



The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

The Company defines "Adjusted EBITDA" as net income (loss) from operations, as reported, before interest and tax, adjusted to exclude extraordinary items, non-recurring items, other non-cash items, including stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange and acquisition related costs, if applicable. The Company defines "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenue. The Company believes that these measures are useful financial metrics as they assist in determining the ability to generate cash from operations. Investors should be cautioned that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings or cash flows as determined under IFRS. The reconciling items between net earnings, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA are as follows:

(in thousands of US dollars)

Q3 2025



Q2 2025



Q3 2024

Revenue $ 12,670

$ 13,407

$ 8,987

Net Income after taxes

(2,628 )

(1,478 )

(2,496 ) Interest (Net)

693



889



827

Income Taxes

(243 )

1,742



(239 ) Depreciation & Amortization

4,006



4,110



3,834

EBITDA

1,828



5,263



1,926

Accretion

-



-



-

Share (Profit) / Loss on JVs

-



-



121

Share-based compensation

11



66



393

(Gain)/Loss on Asset Disposal

-



32



2

FV of WPCU loan

846



-685



612

Loan costs EWB amortized

44



44



44

Foreign Exchange

1



3



-

Change in FV of Biological

(969 )

334



(224 ) FV increment on acquired inventory sold

-



-



-

Miscellaneous Income

(136 )

(980 )

-

Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,625

$ 4,077

$ 2,874

Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)1

12.8%



30.4%



32.0%



About Vext Science, Inc.

Vext Science, Inc. is a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio. Vext's expertise spans from cultivation through to retail operations in its key markets. Based out of Arizona, Vext owns and operates state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, fully built-out manufacturing facilities as well as dispensaries in both Arizona and Ohio. The Company manufactures Vapen, one of the leading THC concentrates, edibles, and distillate cartridge brands in Arizona. Its selection of award-winning products are created with Vext's in-house, high-quality flower and distributed across Arizona and Ohio. Vext's leadership team brings a proven track record of building and operating profitable multi-state operations. The Company's primary focus is to continue growing in its core states of Arizona and Ohio, bringing together cutting-edge science, manufacturing, and marketing to provide a reliable and valuable customer experience while generating shareholder value.

Vext Science, Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol VEXT and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol VEXTF. Learn more at www.vextscience.com and connect with Vext on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

For more details on the Vapen brand:

Vapen website: VapenBrands.com

Instagram: @vapen

Facebook: @vapenbrands

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Vext's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding future developments and the business and operations of Vext, including but not limited to the Company's expansion in Ohio and the anticipated results therefrom, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and the opening of additional dispensaries in Ohio, all of which are subject to the risk factors contained in Vext's continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although Vext has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; being engaged in activities currently considered illegal under U.S. Federal laws; change in laws; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindered market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry; and regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Vext disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Vext does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

SOURCE: Vext Science, Inc.

1 As a Tier 1 Cultivator, Vext has received approval under the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control's (DCC) 10(B) license program to develop three additional dual-use dispensaries, including Fairfield, putting Vext on track to reach the state license cap of eight dispensaries in 2026.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275381

SOURCE: VEXT Science, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Mako Mining Corp. (TSX-V:MKO)(OTCQX:MAKOF) ("Mako" or the "Company") is pleased to provide financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025"). All dollar amounts referred to herein are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.

The Company's financial results for Q3 2025 reflect revenues of $27.6 million (vs. $15.7 million in Q3 2024) from the San Albino and Moss mines, which generated $8.9 million in Mine Operating Cash Flow (1) (4), $9.3 million in Adjusted EBITDA(1), and $1.2 million in Net Income. The Company sold 7,830 oz of gold at an average price of $3,454/oz (3) with Cash Cost of $2,115/oz, and All-In Sustaining Cost ("AISC") of $2,561/oz (1) (2), which includes the initial ramp up of the Moss Mine.

The third quarter mine plan at San Albino was scheduled to be relatively low grade, with high grade production recommencing towards the end of October, which is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.

At the Moss mine, third quarter sales of 912 oz were almost exclusively from residual leaching activities. Cash Costs and AISC were elevated, as operating costs were allocated to a relatively low number of ounces sold. Mining recommenced in August 2025, after a 12-month hiatus, initially with a single shift with a second shift added in mid-October. Consistent with the start of mining and stacking of mineralization to heap leaching, gold production is beginning to ramp up, with steady state production anticipated towards the latter half of Q1 2026.

Since the Company anticipates substantially higher gold production for both the San Albino and Moss mines in Q4 2025, we expect record financial results for the quarter.

The Company's current cash position is approximately $66.0 million and is debt free. This includes approximately $37.0 million net of commissions and costs from the closing of an equity financing and the repayment of the remaining $6.5 million of debt.

Q3 2025 Mako Mining Highlights

Financial

$27.6 million in Revenue

$8.9 million in Mine Operating Cash Flow ( "MineOCF ") (1) (4)

$9.3 million in Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$1.2 million Net Income

$2,115 consolidated Cash Costs ($/oz sold) (1) (2)

$2,561 consolidated AISC ($/oz sold) (1) (2)

Twelve Trailing Months ("TTM") Return on Equity ("ROE") (1) of 28.4% and Return on Assets ("ROA") of 19.2% (1)

Growth

$2.8 million in exploration and evaluation expenses ($0.3 million at San Albino and Las Conchitas, $0.7 million at El Jicaro Concession in Nicaragua, $1.1 million at Eagle Mountain in Guyana, $0.1 million for Moss Mine and $0.5 million in other areas).

On September 30, 2025, the Company entered into a binding term sheet with Sailfish to acquire 100% of Mt. Hamilton LLC, owner of the Mt. Hamilton Gold-Silver Project (the "Mt. Hamilton Project") in Nevada. In exchange, Sailfish will receive a secured gold stream and a 2% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty. The stream provides for monthly delivery of approximately 342 oz of gold over 60 months at 20% of the spot price. Upon stream completion, the NSR royalty will apply to all mineral production from the Mt. Hamilton Project.

Subsequent to September 30th, 2025

On October 28, 2025, the Company completed a brokered private placement issuing 4.4 million common shares at a price of C$8.00 per share (the "Issue Price"), for gross proceeds of C$35.0 million. In addition, the underwriters purchased 0.7 million common shares at the Issue Price, for additional gross proceeds of C$5.3 million. The Company also completed a non-brokered private placement with funds managed by Wexford Capital LP, issuing 1.9 million common shares at the Issue Price, for gross proceeds of C$15.0 million.

On October 28, 2025, the Company fully repaid the outstanding balance of the Revised Wexford Loan totaling $6.5 million. The repayment consisted of principal of $6.3 million and accrued interest of $0.2 million.

On October 22, 2025, Elevation Gold Mining Corp. ("Elevation") was unsuccessful in invalidating Patriot Gold Corporation's ("Patriot") royalty agreement. The ruling for Royal Gold Inc.'s royalty is still pending. The Company is evaluating its options in the Arizona Court's Bankruptcy proceedings.

Akiba Leisman, Chief Executive Officer, states that "Q3 was scheduled to be the lowest production quarter of the year, as we mined through relatively low-grade material at San Albino and Moss production was almost exclusively from residual leach operations. Consolidated Cash Costs and AISC were elevated as production costs were allocated to a lower number of gold ounces sold. Importantly, despite only recovering gold from the residual leach operations at Moss since the beginning of the year, other than a recoverable $1.4 million advance payment to our contractor, restart activities have been exclusively funded with cash flow generated from these residual leach gold sales. In late October, high grade production at San Albino has recommenced, and mining and stacking rates at Moss approached design levels, with steady-state production expected in late Q1 2026. Therefore, financial results for Q4 2025 are projected to be a record for the Company. Finally, the initial closing of the Mt. Hamilton acquisition is expected early next week. With US$66 million in cash, no debt, and cash flow coming from two operating assets, we expect to have enough cash resources to fully construct Mt. Hamilton in 2026, and assuming current gold prices, all three operating assets are expected to generate enough cash flow to fund the construction of Eagle Mountain in Guyana in 2027."

Table 1 - Revenue Mako Mining Corp.

Table 2 - Detailed Operating Results Mako Mining Corp.

Table 3 - EBITDA Reconciliation Mako Mining Corp.

Chart 1

Q3 2025 - Mine OCF Calculation and Cash Reconciliation (in $ million)

Twelve Trailing Months (TTM) - Mine OCF Calculation and Cash Reconciliation (in $ million)

End Notes

Refers to a Non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112"). Refer to information under the heading "Non-GAAP Measures" as well as the reconciliations later in this press release. Refers to a Non-GAAP ratio within the meaning of NI-52-112. Refer to information under the heading "Non-GAAP Measures" later in this press release. Realized price after deductions from Sailfish gold streaming agreement. Refer to "Chart 1 & 2 - Mine OCF Calculation and Cash Reconciliation (in $ millions)" for a reconciliation of the beginning and ending cash position of the Company, including OCF. Includes Repayment Silver Loan, Wexford Loan" ther lease payments and a release of US$1.5 million from Trisura Guarantee insurance Company held as collateral for various environmental bonds held at the Moss Mine

For complete details, please refer to unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and the associated management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.makominingcorp.com).

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios in this press release such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Mine Operating Cash Flow cash cost per ounce sold, total cash cost per ounce sold, AISC per ounce sold. These non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. In the gold mining industry, these are commonly used performance measures and ratios, but do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's underlying performance of its core operations and its ability to generate cash flow.

"EBITDA" represents earnings before interest (including non-cash accretion of financial obligation and lease obligations), income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization.

"Adjusted EBITDA" represents EBITDA, adjusted to exclude exploration activities, share-based compensation and change in provision for reclamation and rehabilitation.

"Cash costs per ounce sold" is calculated by deducting revenues from silver sales and dividing the sum of mining, milling and mine site administration cost.

"AISC per ounce sold" includes total cash costs (as defined above) and adds the sum of General and Administrative expenses, sustaining capital and certain exploration and evaluation ("E&E") costs, sustaining lease payments, provision for environmental fees, if applicable, and rehabilitation costs paid, all divided by the number of ounces sold. As this measure seeks to reflect the full cost of metal production from current operations, capital and E&E costs related to expansion or growth projects are not included in the calculation of AISC per ounce. Additionally, certain other cash expenditures, including income and other tax payments, financing costs and debt repayments, are not included in AISC per ounce.

"Mine OCF" represents operating cash flow, excluding Nicaraguan taxes and royalties, changes in non-cash working capital and exploration expense

"ROE" is calculated by dividing the twelve trailing months Net Income by the average shareholder's equity. The average shareholder's equity is calculated by adding the total equity at the end of the period to the total equity at the beginning of the period and dividing by two.

"ROA" is calculated by dividing the twelve trailing months Net Income by the average total assets. The average total assets is calculated by adding the total assets at the end of the period to the total assets at the beginning of the period and dividing by two.

On behalf of the Board,

Akiba Leisman

Chief Executive Officer

About Mako

Mako Mining Corp. is a publicly listed gold mining, development and exploration company. The Company operates the high-grade San Albino gold mine in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, which ranks as one of the highest-grade open pit gold mines globally and offers district-scale exploration potential. In addition, Mako also owns the Moss Mine in Arizona, an open pit gold mine in northwestern Arizona currently undergoing restart and ramp-up activities. Mako also holds a 100% interest in the Eagle Mountain Project in Guyana, South America, currently in the PEA-stage and undergoing engineering, environmental studies and mine permitting.

For further information on Mako Mining Corp., contact Akiba Leisman, Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: 917-558-5289, E-mail: aleisman@makominingcorp.com or visit our website at www.makominingcorp.com and the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-Looking Information: Some of the statements contained herein may be considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as, without limitation, "estimate", "project", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" or variations thereon or comparable terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein reflects the Company's current beliefs and expectations, based on management's reasonable assumptions, and includes, without limitation, management's expectation that the Moss mine will be a substantial cash flowing mine when full scale mining operations begin in Q1 2026 and the expectation that 2026 will show the results from the work performed by the Company in 2025 Such forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, changes in the Company's exploration and development plans and growth parameters and its ability to fund its growth to reach its expected new record production numbers; unanticipated costs; the October 24, 2022 measures having impacts on business operations not currently expected, or new sanctions being imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department or other government entity in Nicaragua in the future; and other risks and uncertainties as disclosed in the Company's public disclosure filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof, based on information currently available and is included for the purposes of providing investors with information regarding the Company's Q3 2025 and full year 2025 financial results and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Mako does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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.

SOURCE: Mako Mining Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/mako-mining-reports-q3-2025-financial-results-current-cash-balance-of-approximate-1105060
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Roxmore Resources Inc. (CSE: RM) (formerly, Axcap Ventures Inc.) ("Roxmore") and Taura Gold Inc. (TSXV: TORA) ("Taura") are pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement"), pursuant to which Roxmore has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Taura by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The common shares in the capital of Roxmore (the "Roxmore Shares") will commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") under the new trading symbol "RM" at the opening of trading on November 20, 2025.

"We're thrilled to have completed this transaction to formally launch Roxmore Resources," said John Dorward, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Roxmore. "In recent months, we've focused on establishing a solid foundation, bringing together a talented executive team and preparing for sustained growth. We are well positioned to deliver the Preliminary Economic Analysis for the Converse Gold Project and showcase the potential of this undervalued asset."

The Arrangement became effective as of 12:01 a.m. (Vancouver time) on November 20, 2025. As a result, and in accordance with the terms of the arrangement agreement dated September 8, 2025 between Roxmore (at such time, Axcap Ventures Inc.) and Taura, each holder of a common share in the capital of Taura (a "Taura Share") is entitled to receive 0.2 of a Roxmore Share in exchange for each Taura Share held. Immediately upon completion of the Arrangement, existing shareholders of Roxmore and former shareholders of Taura ("Taura Shareholders") held approximately 91.5% and 8.5%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding Roxmore Shares (on a non-diluted basis) and Taura became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roxmore.

In order to receive the Roxmore Shares in exchange for their Taura Shares, registered Taura Shareholders must complete, execute and deposit with Odyssey Trust Company ("Odyssey"), the depositary appointed in respect of the Arrangement, the letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal") previously mailed to the registered Taura Shareholders and their respective physical certificates representing the Taura Shares, all in accordance with the instructions provided in the Letter of Transmittal. The Letter of Transmittal is also available from Odyssey Trust Company (the depositary appointed in respect of the Arrangement) and online under Taura's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. If you have any questions or require further information about the procedures to complete your Letter of Transmittal, please contact Odyssey at +1 (587) 885-0960 or by email at corp.actions@odysseytrust.com.

Non-registered Taura Shareholders whose Taura Shares are registered in the name of a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, trustee or other intermediary or nominee (each, an "Intermediary") should contact their Intermediary for assistance in depositing their Taura Shares and should follow the instructions of such Intermediary in order to deposit their Taura Shares.

Further information about the Arrangement is set out in the management information circular of Taura dated October 14, 2025, which can be accessed online under Taura's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Taura intends to apply to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws and the Taura Shares will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") effective as of close of trading on November 21, 2025.

Name Change and Consolidation

Prior to the completion of the Arrangement, and with effect as of post-market close on November 19, 2025, Roxmore completed its previously announced name change and 10:1 share consolidation, further details of which are set forth in its news release of November 14, 2025.

Early Warning Disclosure

Pursuant to the requirements of National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids and National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, Roxmore will file an early warning report in accordance with applicable securities laws, which will be made available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Further information and a copy of each of the early warning report may be obtained by contacting: John Dorward, Chief Executive Officer of Roxmore, by email at contact@roxmoreresources.com or by telephone at + 1 778-846-9970.

Immediately prior to closing of the Arrangement, Roxmore did not own, or exercise control or direction over, directly or indirectly, any Taura Shares. Upon the completion of the Arrangement, Roxmore acquired ownership of an aggregate of 22,983,472 Taura Shares, representing 100% of the issued and outstanding Taura Shares. The aggregate consideration paid by Roxmore for the Taura Shares was an aggregate of 4,596,694 Roxmore Shares. Upon completion of the Arrangement, Taura became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roxmore.

Roxmore acquired the securities of Taura pursuant to the Arrangement, and intends for Taura to remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Roxmore at this time.

Legal Counsel

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and McMillan LLP acted as legal counsel to Taura and Roxmore, respectively, with respect to the Arrangement.

About Roxmore Resources Inc.

Roxmore is focused on developing its flagship, Converse Gold Project, a large, underdeveloped gold deposit not owned by a major mining company in Nevada, USA. The Converse Gold Project is located within the prolific Battle Mountain trend containing 5.57Moz Au of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and 0.42Moz Au Inferred Mineral Resources (238mt at 0.539g/t Au for 4.13Moz Measured Mineral Resources; 92mt at 0.487g/t Au for 1.44Moz Indicated, 25mt at 0.528g/t Au for 0.42Moz Inferred Mineral Resources). With decades of expertise in Nevada and globally, our Board and management are focused on unlocking the potential of this project. For further details please refer to our technical report entitled "Amended and Restated NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Update, Converse Property, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA" dated effective February 13, 2025, which is available on our website at www.roxmoreresources.com and on our SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person

Blake McLaughlin, P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed and approved of the technical disclosure contained in this news release related to Roxmore. Mr. McLaughlin is an officer of Roxmore and therefore not independent pursuant to NI 43-101.

About Taura Gold Inc.

Taura is a subsidiary of Roxmore focused on gold exploration in Canada. It is currently actively exploring the Shabu Project in the Red Lake District of Northwestern Ontario.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning (i) the delisting of the Taura Shares from the TSXV, (ii) Taura's intention to obtain an order to cease being a reporting issuer, and (iii) delivery of the Preliminary Economic Analysis for the Converse Gold Project. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of Roxmore and Taura, including expectations and assumptions concerning Roxmore, Taura, and the Arrangement, including the anticipated benefits therefrom. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Roxmore and Taura. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of Roxmore and Taura at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, Roxmore and Taura do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) 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/275280

SOURCE: Taura Gold Inc.
Curium and CapVest have announced the recapitalization of Curium via a new Continuation Vehicle

The transaction values Curium at circa $7 billion, representing the largest transaction in nuclear medicine globally

The recapitalization will accelerate Curium's strategy to launch innovative, life-changing diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for cancer patients around the world

BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curium, a leading producer of radiopharmaceuticals, and CapVest Partners LLP (CapVest), a global investment firm, have announced the recapitalization of Curium via a new Continuation Vehicle (CV). The CV values Curium at circa $7 billion, representing the largest transaction in nuclear medicine globally.

The transaction elicited wide support from existing and new institutional investors across the US, Europe, the Middle East and APAC. This includes lead investors ICG, TPG GP Solutions, CVC Secondary Partners and other investors such as Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Lunate, Pantheon, and Ardian. Curium also secured a minority investment from TPG Life Sciences Innovations. TPG's life sciences platform focuses on innovative companies developing disruptive science to improve outcomes for patients in areas of high unmet medical needs. The high caliber of this investor base represents a strong endorsement of Curium's track record of growth and innovation, as well as a strong belief in the future trajectory of the company in a market poised for exponential growth in the next 15 years.

Over the last decade, Curium has positioned itself as a global leader in nuclear medicine. Its vertically integrated, global supply chain reliably delivers diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to more than 14 million patients in over 70 countries across 6 continents every year. Curium boasts a broad portfolio of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and has an exciting, late-stage pipeline of Radioligand Therapies (RLTs) targeting neuroendocrine and prostate cancers, the two largest indications in nuclear medicine.

The new CV broadens Curium's investor base, increasing the financial resources available to support Curium in the next phase of its growth. Going forward, the company will continue to launch innovative, life-changing diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for cancer patients, whilst building its pipeline of "next-generation" radiopharmaceuticals through internal development and strategic acquisitions or partnerships.

The completion of the Transaction is expected in Q1 2026 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals. CapVest will remain the controlling shareholder of Curium.

Renaud Dehareng, CEO of Curium, said: "We are delighted to have successfully agreed this transaction with our partners at CapVest in record time. We are also proud to have received such strong investor interest, which endorses our unique positioning as the largest independent platform in nuclear medicine, with strong end-to-end capabilities across development, manufacturing, logistics and market access. This transaction positions us to accelerate the roll-out of our ambitious global strategy and drive further product launches, innovation and growth - all true to our passion to deliver life-changing solutions for healthcare professionals and millions of patients around the world."

Kate Briant, Senior Partner at CapVest, said: "We are proud to continue supporting Curium on what has been a phenomenal journey since 2016. We are grateful to our existing investors for their continued partnership and are also very pleased to welcome new investors into Curium, for what we believe will be a compelling investment opportunity. Building on our successes delivered to date, we are confident that Curium is exceptionally positioned to continue to play a major role in an industry that we expect to double in size over the next 5 years and then double again."

PJT Partners acted as lead financial advisor on the transaction, with Kirkland & Ellis acting as lead legal advisor.

About Curium

Curium is a leading global radiopharmaceutical company with proven expertise in the development, manufacturing and supply of radiopharmaceuticals that transform the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. Headquartered in Boston and with offices around the world, Curium's mission is to find new and better ways to diagnose and treat cancer.

With a global footprint that extends to more than 70 countries, a skilled and dedicated team of over 3,000 employees, and four manufacturing sites (of which two in the United States), Curium is uniquely positioned to reliably supply radiopharmaceuticals globally. Curium's global leadership is embodied in a diverse and extensive portfolio of over 50 products (including 15 approved in the United States) advancing care for over 14 million patients annually across a wide range of cancers.

Curium's pioneering legacy in nuclear medicine is the foundation of the company's dedication to innovation and portfolio expansion to cancer therapeutics, particularly in neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer.

To learn more, visit www.curiumpharma.com.

About CapVest

Founded in 1999, CapVest is a leading international private equity investor that partners with ambitious companies to transform their businesses. As an active and patient investor, CapVest has established a strong track record of attractive returns by working closely with management teams in transforming the size and scale of its portfolio companies through a combination of organic and acquisition-led growth.

CapVest seeks to invest in highly resilient industries where the demand driver for the product or service is non-discretionary. Its core sectors include healthcare, consumer staples and essential services.

To learn more, visit www.capvest.com
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) ("LithiumBank' or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated July 17, 2025, the Company started a comprehensive work program to unlock CAD $3.9 million in funding from the Province of Alberta through the Emissions Reduction Act ("ERA"). In partnership with the Province, LithiumBank is focused on commencing near-term production from the Boardwalk Lithium Brine Project ("Boardwalk") by employing modular Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") plants. This modular approach will derisk the project by reducing upfront capital while also utilizing existing oil and gas infrastructure.

To this end, LithiumBank has begun the process of acquiring a second suspended, past producing well located in close proximity to the Company's 10-6 well (acquisition announced May 16, 2024) at the 100% owned Boardwalk Project, located in west-central Alberta, Canada (Figure 1).

The Company believes this well, following exploration work, can likely support near-term lithium-brine production as it is in an area that has abundant historic production data and surface/subsurface infrastructure (wells, well pads, pipelines, roads, water, power). In order to complete the well license transfer to acquire 100% ownership of the new well, the Company requires approval by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). The Company will announce an update as and when additional information on this transfer of this new well license becomes available.

As previously announced (July 17, 2025), to qualify for reimbursement of expenses from the ERA, LithiumBank must complete the following milestones:

Complete an additional exploration drill hole through the Leduc formation reservoir at Boardwalk to support an advanced reservoir model, geological model, and collect additional brine. This exploration test well is situated so it can be converted into a production well in the future; Conduct long cycle DLE testing and optimization, focusing on concentration and impurity removal testing, and conversion to lithium carbonate; and, Complete a Feasibility Study at Boardwalk that assesses a low Capex, modular approach to lithium production.

The Company anticipates that this well acquisition will initiate the first milestone allowing the Company to test the reservoir productivity, collect additional brine for DLE test work, and optimize plant parameters (Milestone 2). Results from milestones 1 and 2 are expected to support a NI 43-101 Feasibility Study to be completed by the end of 2026 for the third milestone. The ERA Program will refund the Company 50% of eligible expenditures for each of the three milestones as they are completed, up to a total of $3.9M.

Over the last five years, the Company has successfully consolidated all the strategic Brine Hosted Mineral Licenses ("BHML") at Boardwalk and Park Place covering the Leduc formation (BHML areas shown in Figure 1). The NI 43-101 resource estimates at Boardwalk and Park Place, as shown below in Figure 1, are both reported as the highest-grade resource estimates in Alberta and together make LithiumBank the largest known holder of lithium brine resources in North America (Figure 1). The two projects are completely unrestricted by overlapping pore space or carbon sequestration applications/permits allowing for a clearer path toward permitting of the first production of lithium from brines in Alberta.





Figure 1: Map of the Boardwalk and Park Place projects highlighting categories of NI 43-101 lithium brine resource estimates.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10140/275306_f2f4e5e1d41ca870_001full.jpg

Notes

1: Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that all or any part of the mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

2: The weights are reported in metric tonnes (1,000 kg or 2,204.6 lbs).

3: Tonnage numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000 unit.

4: In a 'confined' aquifer (as reported herein), effective porosity is an appropriate parameter to use for the resource estimate.

5: The resource estimation was completed and reported using a cut-off of 50 mg/L Li.

6: To describe the resource in terms of industry standard, a conversion factor of 5.323 is used to convert elemental Li to Li2CO3, or Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE).

Equity Grant to Management

The Company has granted stock options (the "Stock Options") to two officers to purchase an aggregate of 300,000 common shares of the Company. The Stock Options will be exercisable at a price of $0.58 per share with an expiry of November 17, 2030.

Qualified Person

The information that forms the basis for the scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release was prepared and approved by Kevin Piepgrass, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person (QP) for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Mr Kevin Piepgrass consents and approves of the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.

About LithiumBank Resources Corp.

LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF), is a publicly traded lithium company that is focused on developing its two flagship projects, Boardwalk and Park Place, in Western Canada, which host some of the largest lithium brine resources in North America (Figure 1). The Company holds 1,240,140 acres of brown-field brine hosted mineral licenses, across three (3) districts in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Company has pilot tested multiple mature Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technologies and is working toward establishing commercial lithium production by a modular approach.

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 Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, statements regarding the acquisition of a second well located at the Boardwalk Project, the second well supporting near-term lithium-brine production, amount of funding to be received by the Company from the ERA, achievement of the milestones and the expected timing thereof, results from milestones 1 and 2 supporting a NI 43-101 Feasibility Study and the expected timing thereof, that advancing Boardwalk using modular DLE plants will derisk the project by reducing upfront capital, and statements regarding permitting of the first production of lithium from brines in Alberta, are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. 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" or "would" or occur.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that the Company will acquire the second well on the terms anticipated; that the AER will approve the transfer of the second well; that the well will support near-term lithium-brine production; that the Company will receive the expected funding from the ERA; that the Company will be able to achieve the milestones by the end of 2026, or at all; that advancing Boardwalk using modular DLE plants will derisk the project by reducing upfront capital; and that there is a clear path toward permitting of the first production of lithium brines in Alberta.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important risks that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, the risk that the Company will not acquire the second well; the risk that the second well will not support near-term lithium-brine production; that the AER will not approve the transfer of the second well; that the Company will not receive the anticipated funding from the ERA; that the Company will be unable to achieve the milestones by the end of 2026, or at all; that advancing Boardwalk using modular DLE plants will not derisk the project; that the Company will not be able to permit the first production of lithium brines in Alberta; that North America's demand for lithium does not continue to grow; the possibility that any future development results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; the cyclical nature of the industry in which the Company operates; risks related to global financial markets, including the trading price of the Company's shares and the Company's ability to raise capital may also result in additional and unknown risks or liabilities to the Company.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275306

SOURCE: LithiumBank Resources Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Altura Energy Corp. (TSXV: ALTU) (FSE: Y020) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the initial two recompletions were successful and resulted in the re-establishment of helium flow to the onsite processing plant. Once processed, the helium is being sold to an offtake partner at a contracted price of US$350/mcf, less deductions for plant maintenance.

Well #1 and #2 were completed on November 7th and 13th respectively. Since completion, both wells have shown positive signs of long-term helium production with stable downhole pressures and initial 12-hour flow rates of 123mcf/day of gas from well #1 and 118mcf/day from well #2. Helium concentrations are indicated to be between 5% - 8% based on initial flow results from the processing plant, however, the Company is currently scheduling a gas analysis to be conducted on the wells.

"Since these wells have had no work done to them after being drilled in 2020, I was pleasantly surprised by the state of the wells and the positive pressure signs they are showing now that recompletion work has finished," says Ashley Lastinger, CEO of the Company.

The Company is currently monitoring the wells on a day-to-day basis and evaluating the maintenance efforts required, if any, for long-term helium production. The Company has contracted a team of engineers and experienced field personnel tasked with ensuring consistent helium production from the two wells and will be on site daily for the foreseeable future.

The Company is currently evaluating three additional wells on the property to be completed once the gas analysis is finalized on the initial two wells. The analysis and initial well monitoring will help the Company understand the geology and helium flow characteristics in more depth before the recompletion of additional targets, ensuring efficient use of capital.

ABOUT ALTURA ENERGY CORP

Altura Energy Corp. is an exploration and production company with interests in the Holbrook basin of Arizona. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the receipt of disinterested shareholder approval in respect of the issuance of Performance Warrant Shares, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

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/275273

SOURCE: Altura Energy Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) ("Aurania" or the "Company") announces its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 12,500,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.12 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for total gross proceeds to the Company of up to C$1,500,000 (the "Offering"). The Company has reserved the right to increase the size of the Offering by up to 25% of the size of the Offering, such that up to an additional 3,125,000 Units may be issued to raise additional gross proceeds of up to C$375,000.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.25 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering.

Use of Proceeds

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering primarily for the preliminary economic assessment by international consultancy firm SRK on the Balangero tailings retreatment project in Italy, exploration programs at the Company's mineral properties, and for general working capital purposes.

Finders

In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay finders' fees to certain eligible finders of up to 7% in cash of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering from subscribers introduced to the Company by such finders and up to 7% in finders warrants (the "Finder Warrants") of the aggregate number of Units placed by such finders, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Each Finder Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) additional Unit at the Issue Price and will be exercisable for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering. Each Finder Warrant will be comprised of one Common Share and one Warrant.

Subscription Procedure

Existing shareholders and other investors interested in subscribing to the Offering should register their interest via email to carolyn.muir@aurania.com.

Closing and Hold Period

Closing of the Offering is anticipated to be completed on or about December 16, 2025, or such other date or dates that the Company may determine and may close in tranches. Closing is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including (but not limited to) the receipt of approval from the TSXV for the listing of the Common Shares and the Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants.

The Warrants are not eligible to be listed and therefore will not be tradeable on the TSXV. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering shall be subject to a four-month plus one day hold period commencing on the day of the closing of the Offering, as applicable, under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the approval of the TSXV.

Insider Participation

Certain directors and officers of the Company are expected to acquire Units under the Offering. Such participation will be considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under the policies of the TSXV and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company anticipates relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to the related-party transactions under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the Units to be acquired by the participating directors and officers nor the consideration to be paid by such directors and officers is anticipated to exceed 25 percent of the Company's market capitalization.

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

About Aurania

Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and critical energy in Europe and abroad.

Information on Aurania and technical reports are available at www.aurania.com and www.sedarplus.ca, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/auranialtd/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/auranialtd, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurania-resources-ltd-.

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes statements regarding the anticipated Offering, including the maximum size thereof, the expected timing to complete the Offering, the ability to complete the Offering on the terms provided herein or at all, the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV of the listing of the Common Shares and the Warrant Shares (and the timing thereof), Aurania's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the corporation's portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; an inability to fund or extend the payment of Ecuador mineral concession fees with such failure to pay could result in the forfeiture of such mineral concessions; an inability to fund the administrative fees imposed by the Ecuadorian Control and Regulation Agency (ARCOM for its Spanish acronym) on the mining sector which could render the Company insolvent; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275281

SOURCE: Aurania Resources Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces that it has signed the Definitive Agreement to acquire 100% ownership of the previously announced 36,000 hectare (ha) exploration concession west of the Company's Antino Gold Project ("Antino" or the "Project") in Southeastern Suriname (Figure 1). The acquisition expands the Project area to 56,000 ha and allows Founders to restart northwestward expansion drilling of Upper Antino, which was previously stopped at the concession boundary, but where historical auger gold anomalies support considerable potential growth (Figure 2).

Founders also announces drill core assay results from its ongoing 60,000 metre (m) drill program. The results extend Upper Antino gold mineralization to a total strike length of over 2,500 m, and include intervals of 17.0 m of 3.06 g/t Au in hole FR157 and a broader, near-surface interval of 60.0 m of 0.85 g/t Au from a depth of only 8.1 m in hole FR172.

Colin Padget, Founders' President & CEO, commented: "This is a transformational period for Founders - over the past two weeks, we've closed a C$50 million strategic investment from Gold Fields, expanded the Antino land package to 56,000 hectares, and with today's results, demonstrated excellent along-strike, progressive growth of gold mineralization at Upper Antino.

With a strong cash position, a proven exploration team, and clear ability to operate efficiently in Suriname, Founders is well positioned to systematically explore our ever-growing land package of highly prospective geology with the proven potential to host multi-million-ounce gold deposits. Our four drills are currently turning at Da Vinci, Lower Antino, Parbo, and Upper Antino, with Van Gogh drilling planned to begin shortly. Results from Maria Geralda and Parbo are expected in the coming weeks, followed by results from other priority targets through Q4 and into early 2026."

Drilling Highlights:

250-metre Extension Along Parallel Gold Mineralization Continues Between Froyo and Donut

17.0 m of 3.06 g/t Au, including 4.0 m of 10.44 g/t Au from 195.0 m (FR157), confirming mineralization continues along strike to the southeast (Figure 2 & 3)

from 195.0 m (FR157), confirming mineralization continues along strike to the southeast (Figure 2 & 3) 46.0 m of 1.03 g/t Au, within a broader 60.0 m interval of 0.85 g/t Au from 8.1 m (FR172), demonstrating near-surface mineralization with significant widths

from 8.1 m (FR172), demonstrating near-surface mineralization with significant widths 14.0 m of 1.88 g/t Au from 225.0 m (FR154)

Main Froyo Zone Drilling Demonstrates Vertical Continuity Along Multiple Structures

7.0 m of 11.74 g/t Au from 197.0 m, 19.0 m of 1.18 g/t Au from 133.0 m, and 4.0 m of 5.10 g/t Au from 109.0 m (FR173)

Definitive Agreement

Founders has signed a Definitive Agreement and closed the transaction announced on October 31, 2025 to acquire 100% of the 36,000 ha Right of Exploration on the concession immediately west of Antino with an arm's length Surinamese private company. Total consideration for the acquisition comprises US$5.0 million (US$139/ha) in cash plus contingent milestone payments of: (1) US$1.0 million upon publishing a mineral resource estimate of 1 million or more ounces of gold, (2) a one-time payment of US$2.50 per recoverable ounce defined in a completed Feasibility Study, and (3) US$2.50 per ounce produced beyond the Feasibility Study estimate.

Figure 1: Antino Gold Project Property Map



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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/275298_83fa948994944ab4_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Upper Antino Plan Map

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Figure 3: Oblique View & Long-Section of Upper Antino Drilling by Founders to Date



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Table 1: Upper Antino Assay Results

Drillhole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) FR174 0.0 8.1 8.1 0.84 and 18.6 29.1 10.5 1.85 and 35.1 38.1 3.0 1.32 and 166.0 172.0 6.0 0.61 FR173 0.0 12.6 12.6 0.66 and 109.0 113.0 4.0 5.10 and 133.0 152.0 19.0 1.18 and 197.0 204.0 7.0 11.74 FR172 8.1 68.1 60.0 0.85 incl. 14.1 45.6 46.0 1.03 and 77.1 83.1 6.0 0.69 and 89.1 105.6 16.5 0.34 FR171 140.0 153.0 13.0 0.53 and 194.0 203.0 9.0 3.20 and 236.0 252.0 16.0 0.93 and 275.0 277.0 2.0 1.89 and 306.0 314.0 8.0 0.58 and 327.0 329.0 2.0 7.28 and 387.0 390.0 3.0 1.45 FR170 36.6 48.6 12.0 0.17 and 171.0 173.0 2.0 6.52 and 247.0 258.0 11.0 0.30 and 271.0 278.0 7.0 1.38 and 309.0 316.0 7.0 0.37 FR169 206.0 217.0 11.0 0.24 and 224.0 231.0 7.0 0.32 and 374.0 376.0 2.0 4.27 and 388.0 392.0 4.0 0.56 and 452.0 466.0 14.0 0.69 FR168 137.0 145.0 8.0 0.23 and 305.0 312.0 7.0 3.52 and 335.0 338.0 3.0 1.14 and 389.0 394.0 5.0 0.80 FR167 NSA FR166 186.0 198.0 12.0 0.25 FR165 0.0 26.1 26.1 0.20 and 84.0 86.0 2.0 0.79 and 104.0 106.0 2.0 0.72 and 138.0 145.0 7.0 0.55 and 151.0 171.0 20.0 0.68 and 202.0 224.0 22.0 0.41 and 254.0 256.0 2.0 0.58 FR164 12.6 23.1 10.5 0.43 and 71.0 74.0 3.0 0.49 FR163 NSA FR162 0.0 8.1 8.1 0.72 and 14.1 18.6 4.5 1.37 and 297.0 309.0 12.0 0.39 FR161 0.0 17.1 17.1 0.58 and 72.6 77.0 4.4 0.95 and 105.0 125.0 20.0 0.14 and 137.0 143.0 6.0 2.12 FR160 NSA FR159 100.0 122.0 22.0 0.45 and 129.0 136.0 7.0 0.32 and 240.0 243.0 3.0 1.56 and 249.0 259.0 10.0 0.18 FR158 171.0 173.0 2.0 0.53 FR157 0.0 36.6 36.6 0.14 and 119.1 135.0 15.9 0.11 and 195.0 212.0 17.0 3.06 incl. 208.0 212.0 4.0 10.44 FR156 71.1 86.0 14.9 0.37 and 196.0 198.0 2.0 4.19 FR155 164.1 171.6 7.5 0.16 and 197.0 205.0 8.0 0.30 and 260.0 264.0 4.0 0.53 FR154 0.0 30.6 30.6 0.23 and 113.0 117.0 4.0 1.34 and 182.0 186.0 4.0 1.18 and 225.0 239.0 14.0 1.88 and 248.0 253.0 5.0 0.22 FR153 69.6 84.6 15.0 0.56 and 143.0 147.0 4.0 0.92 FR152 131.0 135.0 4.0 0.29 and 162.0 174.0 12.0 0.21 and 222.0 232.0 10.0 0.82 FR151 0.0 12.6 12.6 0.43 and 18.6 21.6 3.0 0.90 and 101.0 107.0 6.0 3.88 and 156.0 162.0 6.0 0.48 and 205.0 215.0 10.0 0.66 and 232.0 234.0 2.0 0.56 FR150 12.6 24.6 12.0 0.30 and 51.6 60.6 9.0 0.15 and 68.1 86.1 18.0 0.23 FR149 NSA FR148 1.5 9.6 8.1 0.14 and 45.6 54.6 9.0 0.37 and 144.0 148.0 4.0 1.42 FR147 NSA FR146 185.0 187.0 2.0 0.56 and 193.0 196.0 3.0 1.21 and 310.0 322.0 12.0 0.59 and 328.0 339.0 11.0 0.14 FR145 NSA FR144 53.1 56.1 3.0 0.59 FR143 242.0 245.0 3.0 0.68 and 331.0 340.0 9.0 0.13 FR142 NSA FR141 56.1 72.6 16.5 0.21 FR140 0.0 12.6 12.6 0.23 and 85.0 87.0 2.0 0.58 and 235.0 237.0 2.0 1.76 FR139 100.0 115.0 15.0 0.38 FR137 173.0 195.0 22.0 0.20 and 211.0 235.0 24.0 0.16 FR136 96.6 101.1 4.5 0.25 FR135 14.1 30.6 16.5 0.14 and 136.0 151.0 15.0 0.20 and 199.0 211.0 12.0 0.18 and 267.0 271.0 4.0 0.32 FR133 80.1 98.1 18.0 0.37 and 260.0 269.0 9.0 0.12 FR131 NSA FR128 287.0 296.0 9.0 0.30 and 434.0 443.0 9.0 0.36 and 464.0 468.0 4.0 0.60 and 499.0 501.0 2.0 0.84 FR125 68.1 89.1 21.0 0.15 FR119 0.0 20.1 20.1 0.14 and 41.1 48.6 7.5 0.14 FR117 0.0 20.1 20.1 0.47 and 32.0 34.0 2.0 0.74 FR116 0.0 15.6 15.6 0.60 and 90.0 100.0 10.0 0.34 and 384.0 406.0 22.0 0.24

* Intervals are down-hole depths. True widths of mineralization are estimated to be approximately 85% of the down-hole interval based on currently available results and observations. All are diamond drill holes. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays, as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts. Average widths are calculated using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off grade with <5.0 m of internal dilution of zero grade, and a minimum composite length of 2.0 m. Nothing included in table <1 gram * metre.

Table 2: Upper Antino Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Depth (m) FR174 817152.32 401033.17 153.10 235.20 -50.30 305.00 FR173 817150.50 401036.04 153.11 280.30 -60.20 300.50 FR172 817360.90 400743.63 214.27 240.20 -50.30 200.00 FR171 817279.74 401321.61 175.01 249.50 -50.30 405.00 FR170 817498.60 400824.54 210.37 240.10 -50.30 323.01 FR169 817280.06 401321.72 174.93 249.90 -70.00 487.13 FR168 817352.17 401142.64 158.03 259.70 -55.30 452.00 FR167 817387.24 401615.58 155.73 249.7 -50.30 251.00 FR166 816910.55 400589.80 220.85 270.40 -50.10 199.95 FR165 817290.04 400981.86 168.28 240.10 -70.10 308.00 FR164 816972.57 401799.60 163.18 80.00 -50.00 308.00 FR163 817449.12 401548.35 196.88 249.90 -50.30 252.62 FR162 817248.65 401620.98 150.93 260.00 -50.40 322.96 FR161 817289.64 400981.64 168.26 239.90 -50.30 371.00 FR160 816819.74 400824.49 220.68 270.00 -50.00 201.50 FR159 816889.04 401594.43 178.62 260.10 -70.50 519.54 FR158 816950.53 400815.48 210.36 270.00 -49.90 221.00 FR157 817327.97 400887.57 209.87 240.10 -50.00 269.00 FR156 816888.50 401593.00 179.62 260.10 -50.30 435.60 FR155 817872.05 399983.62 202.59 270.20 -50.00 302.00 FR154 817413.32 400942.87 194.36 240.10 -50.00 258.38 FR153 817278.66 400924.86 178.20 240.00 -50.40 374.00 FR152 817676.96 400156.07 200.63 270.00 -49.80 251.00 FR151 817382.22 400989.82 185.59 240.40 -50.40 240.54 FR150 817548.70 400656.37 214.14 270.00 -50.00 200.00 FR149 817826.05 400163.99 208.00 269.90 -49.90 275.00 FR148 817435.67 400658.27 215.47 270.10 -49.90 227.00 FR147 817954.52 400164.04 200.21 270.30 -50.20 299.00 FR146 816941.02 401353.16 233.14 260.40 -75.00 551.01 FR145 817324.83 400661.86 216.61 269.90 -50.20 200.00 FR144 817533.32 400403.47 208.31 269.90 -50.00 302.00 FR143 816941.28 401353.08 233.14 260.10 -65.10 501.00 FR142 817454.89 401131.61 164.13 260.00 -50.20 173.03 FR141 818176.07 400167.63 203.00 270.00 -50.10 349.87 FR140 817636.75 401164.46 155.35 259.80 -50.20 272.09 FR139 817687.97 400402.89 205.99 270.20 -49.90 250.59 FR137 817786.58 401205.06 156.50 259.80 -50.00 301.98 FR136 817816.78 400411.92 204.83 270.30 -49.80 202.96 FR135 817639.22 401381.32 155.97 250.20 -50.10 322.98 FR133 817969.65 400366.88 206.16 270.30 -50.00 304.95 FR131 818160.06 400381.95 204.98 270.00 -50.30 357.53 FR128 818254.31 400003.46 194.77 270.10 -50.20 560.08 FR125 818029.09 399996.97 176.43 270.40 -50.10 290.20 FR119 817221.99 400866.81 179.97 229.80 -65.00 476.00 FR117 817162.88 400985.76 154.05 245.00 -60.00 414.82 FR116 817163.00 400986.16 153.99 250.20 -69.80 464.00

*The coordinate reference system is WGS 84, UTM zone 21N (EPSG 32621)

About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on advancing the Antino Gold Project located in Suriname, South America, in the heart of the Guiana Shield. Antino is 56,000 hectares and has produced over 500,000 ounces of gold from historical surface and alluvial mining to date1. The Company is systematically advancing one of Suriname's most promising gold exploration and development opportunities with drill-confirmed, district-scale potential. Founders is committed to responsible exploration, community engagement, and delivering long-term value to shareholders through technical excellence and strategic growth in the Guiana Shield.

12022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefrancois, BSc, P.Geo.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Quality Assurance and Control

Samples were analyzed at FILAB Suriname, a Bureau Veritas Certified Laboratory in Paramaribo, Suriname (a commercial certified laboratory under ISO 9001:2015). Samples are crushed to 75% passing 2.35 mm screen, riffle split (700 g) and pulverized to 85% passing 88 m. Samples were analyzed using a 50 g fire assay (50 g aliquot) with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 5.0 grams per tonne (g/t), another cut was taken from the original pulp and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Founders Metals inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control. External QA-QC checks are performed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Lima, Peru (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Drill intervals with visible gold are assayed using metallic screening. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the Company's prospects. Forward-looking information can generally be identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and reasonable assumptions but are subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including: general business and economic uncertainties; exploration results; mining industry risks; and other factors described in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275298

SOURCE: Founders Metals Inc.
PANAMA CITY, Panama, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercan Group, leader in Investment, Immigration Consulting and Recruitment, with 35+ years of expertise, is pleased to announce its new chapter in the immigration investment area, as the main strategic partner of the Government of Panama to support the international promotion and revamp of the country's Qualified Investor Program.

According to Eduardo Arango, Vice Minister of Commerce and Industries of Panama, the country "has turned a page in its investment migration story. After years of administrative inertia, the Government is now implementing the Qualified Investor Program as originally envisioned - transparent, efficient, and consistent".

Through this collaboration, the Panamanian Government reinforces the global reach and competitiveness of its investment program, counting on Mercan's proven expertise to take it to the next level, in the words of Eduardo Arango: "Designing the second wind of the program, side by side with Mercan, and defining them as our strategic partner was an easy decision".

Panama is one of the most internationally connected countries in the region and is a key hub for international trade and investment, with a stable, dollar-based economy, a robust financial sector, and the Panama Canal handling around 5% of global trade. The Qualified Investor Program offers a reliable path to Panamanian citizenship after five years, requiring a minimum investment of $300,000 and flexible residence requirements.

For Jordi Vilanova, President of Mercan Properties Portugal, "Panama represents a unique combination of institutional confidence, legal stability, and an ambitious vision. Our success is built on making the right decisions, and we strongly believe Panama's Qualified Investor Program is one of them".

"Mercan's presence in Panama reflects stability, longevity, and genuine commitment to the project we share. With decades of experience and a trusted reputation in the investment migration world, having Mercan on board strengthens our commitment to ensuring that every participant benefits from a program built on transparency, performance, and real investment in the country", adds the Vice Minister of Commerce and Industries of Panama.

Jerry Morgan, CEO of Mercan Group, says that this is "an important step in Mercan's journey. Our commitment has always been to establish long-term partnerships with countries that prioritize opportunity, transparency, and investor trust. Panama represents all of that - and we're proud to join forces with a government that shares our vision for sustainable economic and social growth, and for creating an attractive environment for international investors and their families".

Mercan's commitment to Panama is reinforced by the Group's recent investment in the country: a landmark hospitality development currently in the planning phase, which will feature a branded hotel, serviced residences, and a casino - designed to be one of the most distinctive projects of its kind in the region.

"Panama is exactly the kind of environment that Mercan looks for when entering a new market. In Europe, our track record is self-evident - with 34 hospitality projects, including 16 already in operation, across Portugal and Greece", according to Jordi Vilanova.

The projects Mercan is developing in Panama will offer investors a safe entry point into a high-quality development, supported by a clear and reliable application timeline. It follows the same business model Mercan has successfully implemented in Portugal and Greece, where the Group has delivered a decade of high-quality hospitality projects that combine trusted partnerships with leading global hotel brands and a proven track record of opening 15 hotels in Portugal alone, all delivering strong performance.

This new chapter in Panama follows the same principles of excellence, consistency, and long-term value.

For more info, click here

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Africa's renewable power set to grow by 600% over the next decade

Increased hydrocarbon production and investment needed

Despite attracting just over 2% of global energy investment, Africa looks to alleviate energy poverty through an inward approach and expansion of both conventional and renewable power generation capacity as the path to energy sufficiency, according to Wood Mackenzie's latest Horizonsreport.

"Africa is incredibly rich in natural resources; however, it faces severe energy poverty with 600 million people lacking electricity access and four-fifths relying on traditional cooking fuels," said Mansur Mohammed, Africa Upstream & Carbon Management New Business Development at Wood Mackenzie. "Africa's minerals power global clean energy transitions while the continent itself remains energy-poor."

Africa's total solar and wind capacity is forecast to grow by almost 600% over the next decade, according to "Asset rich, energy poor. Maximising Africa's natural resources to transform the continent" report by Wood Mackenzie. Africa is home to less than 2% of current global solar capacity, and the pace of African solar installations fell year-on-year in 2024. Despite this slowdown, overall solar capacity across Africa will increase from 11.4 GW in 2021 to 31 GW by the end of this year.

Africa dominates global production of critical minerals essential for the energy transition. The continent accounts for over two-thirds of global cobalt mine output and around 20% of copper supply, while also producing significant volumes of platinum, manganese, lithium, and rare earth elements. These minerals are crucial components in batteries, renewable energy technologies, and global electrification efforts.

Most mineral production is exported to China for processing, creating a missed opportunity for domestic value addition and energy development. Given the scale of risk-tolerant Chinese investment in resource-rich African countries, this presents Africa with an opportunity to strike deals with China for investment in clean energy projects at home in return for access to its critical mineral resources.

"On the other hand, Africa faces a massive underutilization of its hydrocarbon wealth - only one-third of discovered oil and gas volumes have been commercialized, representing one of the world's lowest development rates despite vast resources" said Mohammed at Wood Mackenzie. "Major barriers include poor governance, weak regulation, limited local gas markets, which all contribute to a lack of access to competitive finance for local companies." Wood Mackenzie forecasts Africa's oil and gas sector will deliver an average US$109 billion annually in government revenues through 2030, though this could increase significantly if more resources are developed.

Despite this situation, African oil and gas producers have set ambitious production targets. Nigeria aims to double oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while Angola left OPEC in 2023 specifically to facilitate greater liquids production. These ambitious goals are gaining traction, with fiscal incentives introduced by regulators in both countries attracting nearly US$20 billion in project final investment decisions since 2024.





Africa is a significant player in global liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets, accounting for almost 10% of worldwide supply, with substantial growth potential ahead. The continent leads in floating LNG technology, operating six out of 10 projects globally.

Despite its export success, Africa consumes merely 4% of global gas supply and has the world's lowest per capita consumption at less than one-quarter of the global average. African governments are increasingly recognising the opportunity to develop domestic markets alongside export projects. Cross-border pipeline proposals demonstrate growing regional cooperation, with gas-to-power transitions offering the most economic route to monetise resources.

"By 2050, Africa will be home to around 2.5 billion people, more than one billion more than its current population. The continent possesses the resources to achieve energy sufficiency. The challenge lies not in availability but in mobilising capital, improving governance, and implementing innovative solutions to unlock the continent's immense energy potential for its people," said Mohammed.

Africa accounts for only 3.5% of global emissions. An argument can be made that it needs to draw on all of its resources to industrialise, while the rest of the world needs to decarbonise faster. The continent's balanced approach - maximising both renewable potential and responsible hydrocarbon development - offers the most viable path to energy prosperity for future generations.




The 17th edition of the renowned series convenes international researchers and healthcare providers, sharing new insights in lactation science, neonatal care, and human milk research

Baar, Switzerland, Nov. 20, 2025, a global leader in breast milk and healthcare technology, continues its legacy of advancing lactation science and clinical education through its 2025Global Breastfeeding & Lactation Symposium Series, convening over 20 research institutions, 24 expert lecturers and more than 5,000 healthcare professionals across China, the United States, and Europe.

Since 2006, Medela's Global Symposiums have brought together the world's foremost researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to share academic insights and help translate science into practice, deepening understanding of breast milk composition and lactation physiology, improving hospital protocols, and advancing maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

"At Medela, our mission has always been to unite science, compassion, and innovation to improve lives, and these symposiums embody that purpose," said Thomas Golucke, CEO of Medela. "Across every continent, one truth unites the conversations from Shanghai to Chicago to Lisbon: when science and care come together, lives change. By bringing together leading minds from every corner of the world, we help turn evidence into action and create a network of facilitators to support mothers and new families and help their babies to benefit from the best possible start in life."

Professor Donna Geddes, Director of the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group at the University of Western Australia adds, "Lactation science remains a niche and often overlooked field, and despite its profound impact on human health, we know surprisingly little about a process that is so fundamental to life. Human milk lays the foundation for a healthy start in life and may even hold answers to preventing or treating other illnesses. Advancing this science requires ongoing research, but just as importantly, collaboration to ensure discoveries truly reach mothers and babies. When researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders like Medela come together, we strive to accelerate progress from the lab bench to the bedside."

Professor Geddes is an internationally recognized lactation scientist who was a distinguished speaker at the global symposium series, connecting with healthcare professionals in-person and virtually, sharing important research that Medela has helped fund for decades in partnership with The University of Western Australia.

This year's symposium series kicked off in Shanghai, China in May, where more than 3,400 participants, both in-person and online, came together for a dynamic exchange of research and practice under the theme "Improving Lactation Support, Turning Science into Care".

Hosted by Professor Zhang Huayan, Director of Pediatrics at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, and Professor Zhang Ting, Director of Digestive Infection at Shanghai Children's Hospital, the event featured eight distinguished speakers from the region and beyond who explored topics spanning the physiology of lactation, identification and management of lactation risk factors, and clinical best practices. Key findings were later shared at national academic meetings including the China Nursing Association Annual meeting, Beijing Nursing Annual Meeting, and Jiangsu Breastfeeding Annual meeting, continuing to guide and educate healthcare professionals beyond the symposium.

Continuing the series in Chicago, home to Medela U.S., more than 600 healthcare professionals gathered in-person and virtually in September for two days of collaboration focused on "Empowering Perinatal Teams." The U.S. symposium highlighted cutting-edge data on human milk composition, maternal lactation physiology, and neonatal nutrition, along with practical frameworks to support equitable, evidence-based lactation care.

On the second day, participants joined interactive workshops where they sat down with experts and fellow lactation specialists to address current neonatal challenges and discuss ways to strengthen hospital protocols that support mothers and infants and facilitate parent-centered care. These sessions fostered open dialogue, practical problem-solving, and collaboration across disciplines.

The location provided not only a central meeting point for clinicians across America to gather, but also close proximity to the Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, the region's only non-profit milk bank, providing pasteurized donor human milk to premature and critically ill babies, distributing donor milk to outpatients, and supporting donor families, including those who are donating after loss. Attendees were invited behind the scenes to see how the milk bank's team delivers the lifesaving gift of donor human milk to the most vulnerable infants. Medela has been a proud partner and supporter of the Milk Bank since the beginning of this year, exemplifying Medela's commitment to advancing research, supporting families, and strengthening the integrated care system around mothers, babies, and healthcare professionals.

"Human milk is not only nutrition, but also medicine, particularly for this fragile population," said Professor Sertac Arslanoglu, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatal Medicine at Istanbul Medeniyet University and former President of the European Milk Bank Association. "To unlock its full potential, we must ensure an equitable access to human milk across NICUs. That begins with promoting and supporting lactation to help parents understand and achieve full mother's own milk as a priority and then integrating donor human milk as a complement for mothers who have not yet established lactation. Achieving this goal requires not only clinical implementation, but supportive policies and regulations that make donor human milk accessible and safe. By strengthening the recognition of human milk and ensuring the integration of human milk banks into health care practices, we can ensure that even the most vulnerable newborns have an equitable access to the lifesaving and health promoting power of human milk."

Medela's final Symposium of the year was hosted in Lisbon, Portugal, in November, bringing together more than 1,000 maternal and infant health professionals in-person and virtually from across the globe, with a strong presence from Europe, for two days of scientific exchange and inspiration. The European edition's theme expanded on the subject tackled in the U.S Symposium - "Empowering Perinatal Teams." In Lisbon, Medela, global renowned experts, and healthcare providers shared new scientific evidence on novel advances in neonatal care and optimizing mother's own milk volumes in at-risk populations. Participants exchanged best practices to bridge the gap toward 100% human milk and breastfeeding beyond discharge, and discussed approaches to strengthen lactation, breastfeeding, and parent-centered care within perinatal teams across Europe and beyond.

Additionally, during the two-day event, Medela announced the expert jury members Elizabeth Franklin, International Confederation of Midwives' initiative. The research contribution will support a project delivering real-world, evidence-based interventions to strengthen breastfeeding ecosystems in diverse communities, reflecting Medela's mission to turn science into care and shared progress. The research contribution will be awarded in 2026.

Among featured sessions, Prof. Paula Meier, from Rush University Medical Center, shared new findings on lactation physiology and secretory activation, the transition from colostrum to mature milk, and the importance of prioritizing early milk production in all mothers, especially those with preterm or medically fragile infants. "Understanding the complex lactation physiology during this early postpartum window provides the opportunity to design, test and evaluate evidence-based interventions that optimize milk provision throughout the NICU hospitalization," said Prof. Meier. "Leveraging the biology of this critical time frame ushers in a new era of replacing the generic recommendation for 'extra maternal support' with specific diagnostics, toolkits and algorithms."

Over the course of 2025, Medela's Global Symposium Series engaged more than 5,000 clinicians and healthcare professionals worldwide, translating science into tangible improvements in care for mothers and infants. By convening experts across continents, Medela continues to bridge research and real-world care, strengthen the protocols for breastfeeding support and maternal-infant health, while reaffirming that human milk is one of the most powerful interventions in medicine.

Presentations from speakers will be available free of charge for virtual access through Medela University, an online professional education platform for lactation science offering continuing education units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

In addition, Medela regularly hosts educational webinars to translate existing breastfeeding and lactation research findings into clinical practice and share important conclusions and expert recommendations: Free Courses & Webinars on Breastfeeding | Medela

Learn more about the Global Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium at Medela's Breastfeeding & Lactation Symposium Series 2025.

Additional downloadable visual assets are available via the Symposium Medela media portal. For media inquiries, please contact the Medela media office.

About Medela

Through advancing research, observing natural behavior and listening to our customers, Medela turns science into care while nurturing health for generations. Medela supports millions of moms, babies, patients and healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries all over the world. As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela provides leading research-based breast milk feeding products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education. Medela is dedicated to building better health outcomes, simplifying and improving life, and developing breakthroughs that help moms, babies and patients live their life to the fullest. For more information, visit medela.com.

Disclaimer: References to "Medela" in this communication refer to Medela AG and all its affiliated subsidiaries worldwide.

Attachments

From left to right: Dr. Daniela Much, Prof. Marsha Campbell-Yeo, Dr. Titus Keller, Dr. Leon Mitoulas, and Prof. Sarah Taylor during the first panel discussion at Medela's Global Symposium Europe Edition in Lisbon. (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/190b445b-8ac2-4263-8b82-92130370c45e)

From left to right: Rose Horton, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, FAAN, Stephanie Devane Johnson, PhD, MSN, CNM, FACNM, Kiana Ayers, RN, IBCLC, LCCE, and Tanesha Sellers, BS, CHW, IBCLC at Medela's Global Breastfeeding & Lactation Symposium in Chicago. (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/9e403637-3171-4971-a531-cfc755cfc21c)

Medela Media Office Media.Inquiries@medela.com
On-Campus Training Program Now Available Year-Round for Iraqi Banking Professionals

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute for Financial Integrity (IFI) is pleased to announce the successful launch of the Fundamentals of Financial Crime Compliance training program, in partnership with the American University of Iraq - Baghdad (AUIB), the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), and K2 Integrity.

The first two programs were held in July and August of this year, and the next program is scheduled for November 23-December 4, 2025.

The program is designed to help protect the financial integrity of the Iraqi and global financial system by equipping participants with skills and knowledge to promote a culture of financial crime compliance and risk management throughout their institutions.

"The Institute for Financial Integrity, in partnership with AUIB, the Central Bank of Iraq, and K2 Integrity, has launched Iraq's first Financial Crime Compliance training program. This initiative gives our banking professionals the knowledge and tools they need in AML/CFT, risk management, and building a stronger culture of compliance. With its blend of online learning, on-campus instruction, and certification from all partners, this program represents an important milestone in modernizing Iraq's financial system and aligning it with global standards of financial integrity," said Ziad Chaaban, CEO of AUIB.

A two-week immersive experience, the training program utilizes a blended learning approach including:

Online Self-Study (Week 1): Participants complete an eLearning library featuring videos of experts covering core compliance topics, subtitled in Arabic

Participants complete an eLearning library featuring covering core compliance topics, subtitled in Arabic In-Person Instruction (Week 2): Five days of on-campus instruction at the American University of Iraq - Baghdad

Five days of at the American University of Iraq - Baghdad In-Person Final Examination

Participants are taught by leading financial integrity experts on a range of counter-illicit finance topics with an emphasis on anti-money laundering (AML), countering the financing of terrorism (CFT), and establishing a culture of compliance.

"K2 Integrity is excited to support the launch of this groundbreaking training program to systemically elevate financial crimes risk management expertise across Iraq's financial sector," said Chip Poncy, Global Head Financial Integrity at K2 Integrity. "This comes at a particularly important time, as Iraq is modernizing and transforming its financial system to deliver expansive services to the Iraqi economy and integrate Iraq into the international financial system in accordance with global standards."

About the Institute for Financial Integrity

The Institute for Financial Integrity is dedicated to empowering today's professionals to protect the global financial system from illicit use. It provides instructor-led training, online education, and certifications through its proprietary learning platform.

For more information, please visit finintegrity.org.

Follow IFI on LinkedIn.

Contact

Institute for Financial Integrity Media Relations

media@finintegrity.org

About American University of Iraq - Baghdad (AUIB)

Rooted in deep traditions of knowledge and human understanding, yet thoroughly grounded in the contemporary intellectual landscape, American University of Iraq - Baghdad offers well-rounded liberal education within a multitude of disciplines.

Learn more at: auib.edu.iq

About K2 Integrity

K2 Integrity is the premier global consulting firm dedicated to financial and commercial integrity and security. K2 Integrity assists clients addressing the full spectrum of national economic security needs-from the transparency needed to ensure proper due diligence and investment to the design of best-in-class compliance regimes and cultures to ensure transparent and accountable financial and commercial systems. Their expert team-former senior policymakers, regulators, law enforcement officials, technologists, and industry experts-combines deep subject-matter expertise, global networks and credibility, and advanced technology to solve today's most pressing challenges. Ultimately, K2 Integrity delivers services and solutions that forge trust, transparency, and economic security in an increasingly complex world.

Learn more at: k2integrity.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ifi-announces-delivery-of-financial-crime-compliance-training-program-at-the-american-university-of-iraq--baghdad-302621115.html
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Sekur Private Data (OTCQB:SWISF)(CSE:SKUR)(FRA:GDT0) (" Sekur " or the " Company "), a leading Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and private communications platform, is pleased to announce that the Internet Stock Review has published a full analysis report on Sekur.

Please see report here: AI Powered Cyber Criminals Are Here. Are you Prepared?

Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data stated: "We believe this report reflects very well the purpose and direction of where Sekur is going. It is well written and easy to understand, so we hope our existing shareholders and future shareholders will enjoy it."

About Sekur Private Data

Sekur Private Data is a Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and privacy communications provider. offering a secure suite of tools to protect governments, businesses and individuals from unauthorized access and cyber threats. With solutions such as SekurMail, SekurMessenger, and SekurVPN, Sekur provides an accessible and reliable means of digital communication and data storage, grounded in Swiss privacy standards. Sekur sells its solutions through its website www.sekur.com , approved distributors and telecommunications companies globally. Sekur serves governments, businesses and consumers worldwide. Its main sales operations are located in Miami, USA.

CONTACT

Alain Ghiai

President and Chief Executive Officer

SEKUR PRIVATE DATA LTD.

Email: investors@sekur.com

www.sekurprivatedata.com

Tel: +1.305.347.5114

Follow Sekur on:

X

LinkedIn

YouTube

For sales brochure on our enterprise security solutions, or partnership opportunities, contact: partners@sekur.com.

To find out more about Sekur's privacy communications solutions visit: https://sekur.com

For more company information, please visit: https://sekurprivatedata.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they do not guarantee future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekur's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekur's prospectus dated May 8, 2019, filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Sekur Private Data Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/internet-stock-review-publishes-analysis-report-on-sekur-private-1105066
Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / In October, Mary Kay hosted nearly 30 Brownies and Cadettes from the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, ranging in ages from 7 to 12, along with 18 equally as excited moms, for an immersive STEM Day experience designed to help the girls earn their STEM Career Exploration Badge. From the moment the group entered the doors of Mary Kay's Silver LEED-certified Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing and R&D Center in Lewisville, Texas, the atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement and curiosity about what it would be like to work at a global cosmetics and skincare company like Mary Kay.

The day began upstairs in the Innovation Center, where Carrissa Dowdy, Manager of Product Formulation, shared her personal STEM journey and explained what being a product formulator is all about. The girls and their moms were captivated by Carissa's ability to take complex scientific concepts and present them in a way that was both engaging and easy to understand. Carissa's enthusiasm set the stage for an inspiring day of STEM exploration ahead.

Next, the group made their way downstairs to the Product Formulation Lab, where Rhonda Solberg, Associate Principal Scientist of Product Formulation, led eighteen smiling lab scientists ready to assist the future innovators in creating their own custom Mary Kay Unlimited Lip Gloss in one of six shades. The girls donned perfectly pink lab coats, gloves, and safety glasses before pairing up to begin their experiments. With guidance from the lab scientists, they mixed beautiful hues of pinks, nudes, and berries - complete with every girl's favorite color, glitter. Excitement filled the room as the girls watched their cloudy mixtures transform into dazzling, custom shades of lip gloss.

After perfecting their glosses, everyone divided into three small groups for a facility tour led by Chris Smith, Senior Specialist, Training Operations Center of Excellence, and his expert-trained tour team leaders. Moms and daughters alike were fascinated by the vast lab spaces and captivated by the insights shared by their guides. Many mothers expressed newfound appreciation for the intricate processes involved in creating Mary Kay products - from research and formulation to scaling and production. Several even reflected on their own career paths, inspired by the possibilities within STEM. By the end of the tour, many Girl Scouts were asking about the best degrees for STEM careers, eager to explore their options. A few even asked about the age requirements for driving a forklift - and whether a special license was needed!

The day concluded with Amy Ruiz, Manager of Manufacturing Center of Excellence, who shared her experiences as a Chemical Engineer and explained how the degree opens doors to careers in process and environmental engineering, product development, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and cosmetics manufacturing. The girls asked thoughtful questions about sustainability, product packaging, and the realities of a day in the life of an engineer.

Thanks to the dedication of the Mary Kay team, the Girl Scouts proudly earned their STEM Career Exploration Badges after an action-packed day filled with learning and inspiration. The Go-Give spirit of Mary Kay employees once again shone through - empowering a new generation of future STEM leaders, sparking their curiosity, and encouraging them to continue exploring the world of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Did You Know?

Mary Kay Inc. has awarded more than 40 grants to young women pursuing their dreams in STEM-related fields around the world.

Mary Kay has the capability to produce 1.1 million products every day at R3, our state-of-the-art, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver-certified manufacturing facility in Lewisville, TX (US).

62% of Mary Kay Global Research & Development team members are women 1 .

Mary Kay holds more than 1,400 global patents across formulas and technologies, packaging and applicators, delivery systems and application methods, and more showcasing decades of continuous innovation and technology advancements.

****

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women's lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

# # #



1 Women Representation and Leadership at Mary Kay (May 2025).

In October, Mary Kay hosted nearly 30 Brownies and Cadettes from the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, ranging in ages from 7 to 12, along with 18 equally as excited moms, for an immersive STEM Day experience designed to help the girls earn their STEM Career Exploration Badge. (Photo Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.)

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Mary Kay on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Mary Kay

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mary-kay

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Mary Kay

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/from-lip-gloss-batches-to-stem-badges-mary-kay-sparks-girl-scout-1105134
WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Fairtrade America - In response to the White House's decision on November 14, 2025, to amend Executive Order 14257 to exempt select agricultural products from reciprocal tariffs (Modifying the Scope of the Reciprocal Tariff With Respect to Certain Agricultural Products), Fairtrade America issued the following statements:

"These exemptions are the right move, but the full picture of relief remains to be seen. The extreme uncertainty and rapidly rising costs farmers, traders, companies, and consumers have unnecessarily endured for months should ease. However, complex, international supply chains, like those for coffee, cocoa, and bananas, do not automatically snap back into place because of a policy change. There will be lasting consequences for all supply chain actors, and continued instability and price fluctuations are likely as supply chains reconfigure yet again.

"When politicians choose to use trade as a political tool, they undermine real peoples' livelihoods. American businesses and consumers must recognize that their collective purchasing power has global influence. When we all come together as a movement to demand that power be spread equitably between farmers, businesses, consumers, and governments, trade can become truly fair."

-- Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America

"Practical minds recognize that it's too soon to celebrate. We must wait and see if this decision sticks long-term.

"Banana prices have risen 7% since March, but that 7% represents only 4.5 cents per pound. Bananas are still dramatically under-priced compared to the cost of sustainable production. Despite tariffs, people continued to buy bananas. They were slightly more expensive than before, but still the cheapest fruit in our basket. If banana prices went up due to Fairtrade Minimum Pricing, the average consumer would barely notice and the impact on supply chains would be immense. That's what we should take away as our guiding learning from the last six months of tariffs."

--Jennie Coleman, President and Co-Owner, Equifruit

"This announcement is encouraging, but tariffs have already significantly suppressed consumer demand for imported nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and grains. We expect that lower prices will take several months to reach consumers and that a full recovery to pre-tariff demand levels may take more than a year."

--Juliet Wiebe-King, Vice President of Sustainability & Business Development, Red River Foods

###

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 60 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program -part of a global movement for change. Learn more at Fairtrade.net and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Liz Davis, ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org | +1 202-930-4349

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Fairtrade America on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Fairtrade America

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fairtrade-america

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Fairtrade America

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/fairtrade-america-statement-on-white-house-amendments-to-executive-o-1105135
TALLINN, Estonia, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ESTO Group (ESTO Holdings OU), the leading Estonian non-bank consumer credit provider, today announced the successful amendment and expansion of its committed credit facility with Multitude Bank to EUR 25 million, extending the maturity to December 2028.

This represents an increase from the prior EUR 20 million facility, which included tranches with maturities scheduled through the end of 2025. Alongside the increased commitment and extended tenor, the parties agreed to improved commercial terms that enhanced pricing, covenant flexibility, and overall facility conditions, reflecting ESTO's strong credit profile and high-quality consumer loan portfolio.

Mikk Metsa, Founder and CEO of ESTO, commented:

"Our strengthened partnership with Multitude Bank marks a significant milestone in ESTO's growth trajectory. As our largest creditor and strategic partner, Multitude Bank's continued support throughout our four-year partnership reaffirms their confidence in our business model and long-term vision. This cooperation not only enhances our financial flexibility but also boosts the foundation for value creation for all stakeholders. We look forward to building on this collaboration as we expand our presence in ESTO's core markets."

"We are pleased to have successfully completed this refinancing, which reinforces our confidence in ESTO's business model and long-term potential. This transaction allows us to continue supporting ESTO on its growth journey and further strengthen our partnership," said Alain Nydegger, CEO of Wholesale Banking, Multitude.

The facility remains secured and available to support loan portfolio growth on ESTO's markets, strengthening the balance sheet position and providing headroom for expansion. ESTO Holdings has been advised by Eversheds Sutherland acted as the legal advisor, and VLG Advisors, which served as the financial advisor.

About ESTO:

ESTO is a dynamic, forward-thinking company that aims to revolutionize the shopping experience by simplifying the complex shopping ecosystem. Leveraging its multi-year expertise and position as Estonia's leading non-bank consumer credit institute, ESTO is positioned to reshape the e-commerce landscape in the Baltics and beyond. With a strong emphasis on technology and customer loyalty, ESTO aims to provide a seamless, tailored, and omnichannel shopping experience for both consumers and retailers.

About Multitude Bank:

Multitude Bank p.l.c. is a public limited company registered under the laws of Malta with registration number C56251. Its registered address is ST Business Centre, 120 The Strand, Gzira, GZR 1027, Malta. Multitude Bank p.l.c. is licensed as a credit institution by the Malta Financial Services Authority.

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DaVitri becomes the first automated device cleared in the EU or U.S. for the vitrification of unfertilized eggs and the first freezing system approved with a blastocyst-rate performance claim

Overture Life, the global leader in automated IVF and the first company to achieve live births from both robotic fertilization and robotic egg freezing, announced that the company has secured CE Mark certification for its DaVitri platform to expand access to automated in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology. DaVitri is now the first automation device with regulatory clearance for freezing unfertilized eggs in either the EU or the U.S., and the first freezing system granted approval with a validated claim for post-thaw blastocyst development rates. The milestones provide the company with the support needed to commercialize in Europe and the regulatory clearance to bring DaVitri to the UK, continental Europe, and Turkey.

Access to assisted reproduction is a critical and growing issue amid declining birth rates globally. Overture Life's DaVitri is a tabletop device that enables egg freezing beyond throughput-constrained fertility clinics. By automating one of the most technically demanding embryology steps, vitrification of unfertilized oocytes, DaVitri reduces operator variability, shortens training time, and delivers consistency backed by lab-verified embryo formation outcomes.

"This is a signal that Europe understands the personal and demographic urgency of reproductive freedom," said Overture Life CEO Hans Gangeskar. "The EU has shown its willingness to make long-term public investments in fertility infrastructure and support new technologies, and we hope to see other jurisdictions follow the same path."

Overture Life has raised about $70 million in the U.S., where supply bottlenecks have driven the cost of a single IVF cycle to $15,000 or more.

The rest of Overture Life's innovative portfolio continues to mature as well. Use of its ICSI.A robot resulted in the first two live births resulting from an automated fertilization device in 2023, and its AI+metabolomics-based m|z platform for non-invasive healthy embryo selection is now accessible through a CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)-certified laboratory in Texas.

Clinics interested in DaVitri can contact info@overture.life and visit https://www.overture.life/davitri.

About Overture Life

Overture Life integrates engineering, reproductive medicine, and regulatory-grade validation to modernize embryology lab procedures, particularly egg freezing and embryo handling, in ways that lower repeated cycles, increase throughput, and reduce the overall cost of IVF. With R&D in Spain and active U.S. operations, including a CLIA-licensed laboratory for non-invasive embryo selection, Overture unites robotics, analytics, and clinical rigor to deliver tools that clinics and patients can trust. The company's DaVitri platform aims to boost reliability and consistency in IVF, giving women and families worldwide more control over their fertility timelines. Overture's backers include Overwater Ventures, GV, Khosla Ventures, Octopus Ventures and others committed to advancing the future of fertility.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120080183/en/

Contacts:

Media

Patrick Schmidt

overturelife@consortpartners.com


Greg Lavin takes over the CEO role as James Lovett retires and joins the company's Board of Directors

Myonex, a leading global integrated clinical trial supply solutions and commercial services company, announced today that Greg Lavin, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2026. A seasoned executive with experience in the pharmaceutical services industry, including senior roles across clinical research organizations, preclinical and laboratory services, and healthcare data analysis, Lavin succeeds James Lovett, who is retiring and will remain on the company's board of directors to provide strategic guidance.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120250133/en/

Greg Lavin at Myonex's Headquarters in Horsham, PA

During his 6-plus years as CFO of Myonex, Lavin has worked closely with Lovett in driving its transformation from a comparator sourcing supplier to an integrated clinical trial supply and commercial packaging service provider. Prior to joining the company, Greg worked with QPS Holdings LLC, a PE-backed clinical research organization, as their Chief Financial Officer, where he led the integration and transformation of the business after a series of global acquisitions. Prior to that, Greg held financial leadership roles at PE-backed companies SDI, Inc. and SDI Health, LLC.

"In recent years, we have evolved from a comparator sourcing to an integrated clinical trial supply solutions and commercial packaging services company, successfully weathering changes in the clinical trial landscape," said Michael Cohen, the company's Executive Chairman. "Greg was a driving force on that journey with us. He knows the industry, understands our clients, and shares our vision. His passion for Myonex's opportunity in the marketplace will help build on our momentum."

"I am grateful for the opportunity to succeed James and lead Myonex into the future," Lavin said. "James has led Myonex through an extraordinary period of growth. I look forward to working with our teams around the world to continue to innovate patient-centric and client-first services and solutions."

Lovett joined Myonex in 2017 and assumed the role of CEO in July 2019. During his tenure, Myonex opened the company's new 65,000-sq.-ft. global headquarters in Horsham, Pa., USA and launched CTRx, a patient prescription card/global pharmacy dispensing/centralized local drug supply program for clinical trials. He also led the strategic acquisitions of the clinical trial and wholesale drug business of Hubertus Apotheke in Berlin, Germany, now operating as Myonex GmbH; SaveWay Compounding Pharmacy of Newark, Del., USA, expanding clinical trial services across the United States for both sponsors and patients; and Creapharm Bio Pharma, the clinical trial and commercial packaging and distribution and bioservices arm of Creapharm Group with four locations in France.

"I would like to thank Mike Cohen for the opportunity to be a part of the Myonex story at such an exciting time in the company's evolution," Lovett said. "It has been a privilege to work with such a talented team of people who are so dedicated to providing innovative solutions to support their clients' goals of developing tomorrow's cures. Having worked with Greg for over six years, I am excited to see him lead the company toward continued growth and innovation."

"We are grateful for the leadership James has provided to the company and for his continued efforts as a member of our Board of Directors," Cohen said. "He leaves us in a strong position to continue on a path of growth, so that we can further expand our comprehensive suite of solutions to address the unique challenges of our clients' clinical trials."

About Myonex

Myonex is an industry leader in global clinical trial supply and pharmaceutical commercial services. Our suite of integrable services and solutions helps pharmaceutical, biotech, and CRO partners advance medicine by reducing time, costs, and complexity. With locations in the US, Germany, UK, and France, our comprehensive, client-focused approach, coupled with expert project management, ensures seamless execution across regions, optimizes supply chain efficiency, and adapts to evolving trial or project needs while delivering quality, flexibility, and global scale. www.myonex.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120250133/en/

Contacts:

Maryanne Walsh

267-307-0876
YIWU, China, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Known as the "World's Supermarket," Zhejiang Yiwu China Commodity City is the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities. Recently, Yiwu reached a mutual credit recognition agreement with Egypt and Dubai for the first batch of 37 five-star booths.

This cross-regional recognition mechanism significantly reduces institutional transaction costs for foreign trade practitioners, making supply-demand matching more efficient and frictionless.

"When a company enters an unfamiliar market for the first time, it is inevitable to encounter various obstacles, such as limited communication channels and unknown trade risks. The star-rated credit booth plaques in the Yiwu market provide us, as buyers, with a more convenient solution," said a representative from the International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) of Dubai, UAE.

First Batch of 37 Five-Star Booths Recognized by Egypt & Dubai &Yiwu

Market Booth No. Credit Rating Star Level Industry District 1, International

Trade City 1892 6 5 General Toys 2644 6 5 General Toys District 2, International

Trade City 11363 6 5 Bags & Luggage 17997 6 5 Telecommunications Equipment 16387 6 5 Hardware & Kitchenware 15367 6 5 Hardware Tools - Accessories 18130 6 5 Telecommunications Equipment 17701 6 5 Telecommunications Equipment 10135 6 5 Umbrellas 11654 6 5 Bags & Luggage 14896 6 5 Hardware Tools - Accessories 14975 6 5 Hardware Tools - Accessories 17025 6 5 Hardware & Kitchenware District 3, International

Trade City 21928 6 5 Writing Instruments / Paper Products 22117 6 5 Writing Instruments / Paper Products 22224 6 5 Writing Instruments / Paper Products 26552 6 5 Skincare, Makeup, Beauty & Hair Tools,

Cosmetic Accessories 24196 6 5 Office & Study Supplies 21431 6 5 Writing Instruments / Paper Products 21447 6 5 Writing Instruments / Paper Products 22363 6 5 Writing Instruments / Paper Products District 4, International

Trade City 35495 6 5 General Merchandise 42149 6 5 Yarn 31617 6 5 Socks 42148 4 5 Yarn 43997 6 5 Footwear 47237 6 5 Scarves 39044 6 5 Hats 35111 6 5 General Merchandise 47237 6 5 Scarves 49334 6 5 Bras & Underwear 32303 6 5 Socks 32088 6 5 Socks Huangyuan Market Y1-0840 6 5 Denim / Mixed Retail Y2-0101 6 5 Menswear Y1-0402 6 5 Denim / Mixed Retail International Production

Materials Market 2F-20423 6 5 -

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/yiwu-markets-37-five-star-booths-earn-cross-regional-trust-302621794.html
Universite Paris-Saclay and Owkin announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding to explore the potential of K Pro Free Owkin's AI co-pilot for biology for use by Paris-Saclay.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120130113/en/

K Pro Free will now be available to the entire Universite Paris-Saclay community, and in particular teachers, researchers and doctoral students working in the biomedical sciences.

The partnership includes workshops, training sessions and events designed to promote the discovery and adoption of K Pro Free, as well as the co-organization of communication and dissemination initiatives around the use of AI in health. In this way, the partnership will promote user training, but also enrich and continuously improve the co-pilot's models through feedback and use cases from the l'Universite Paris-Saclay community. This partnership is part of Universite Paris-Saclay's strategy to integrate AI at the heart of education, research, and therapeutic innovation.

This non-binding protocol, with a duration of two years, marks the first step of a structural partnership, aimed at building a sustainable model of AI-augmented research.

"Having access to Owkin's K Pro Free is a great opportunity for the student and scientific community of l'Universite Paris-Saclay, which will be able to freely use the functionalities of a tool specially designed for biomedical research, offering unique features and scientific rigor that far exceed the capabilities of general-purpose large language models." Marc Humbert, Dean of Faculte de Medecine de Paris-Saclay

"Being a research-intensive university requires offering our community, both students and academics, excellent knowledge and innovative means. With the provision of K Pro Free in our research laboratories, we are taking an innovative approach, allowing our talent to be more productive. Moreover, the link between AI and health is a rapidly growing research activity area. This partnership is of mutual interest and is intended to pave the way for other public-private collaborations in the interest of our communities." Camille Galap, President of Universite Paris-Saclay

"Being the first in Europe to launch a public-private collaboration of this scope with a university of excellence like Paris-Saclay is a great source of pride for us. K Pro Free was designed to reduce the duration of key scientific tasks by a factor of 20 and allow everyone, students, researchers, clinical staff or startups to dialogue directly with biomedical data. Collaborating with Universite Paris-Saclay represents a strong commitment to bringing science, education and innovation closer together." Thomas Clozel, MD, co-founder and CEO of Owkin

By combining the academic excellence of Universite Paris-Saclay and Owkin's technological expertise, this collaboration paves the way for a new generation of biomedical research that is more fluid, more connected and more inclusive. It will help position French scientific research at the forefront of innovation, by fully integrating AI into research and training practices. The university's scientific, student, and entrepreneurship-related communities will benefit from privileged access to artificial intelligence designed to accelerate scientific discovery and support innovation in healthcare.

About Universite Paris-Saclay

Universite Paris-Saclay was born from the shared ambition of French universities, grandes ecoles and national research organizations. As a leading university in Europe and the world, it covers the fields of science and engineering, life sciences and health, and humanities and social sciences. The university's science policy closely intertwines research and innovation, incorporating both basic and applied science to tackle major societal challenges. Universite Paris-Saclay offers a varied range of undergraduate to doctorate level degrees, including programmes with its grandes ecoles, all of which are focused on achieving student success and employability. The university prepares students for an ever-changing world where the ability to think critically, remain agile and renew one's skills are crucial. Universite Paris-Saclay also offers a comprehensive range of lifelong learning courses. Located to the south of Paris, the university extends across a vast and rich local area. Its location strengthens both its international visibility and its close ties with its socio-economic partners (major companies, SMEs, start-ups, local authorities, charities).

www.universite-paris-saclay.fr

About Owkin:

Owkin is an AI company on a mission to solve the complexity of biology. It is building the first Biology Super Intelligence (BASI) by combining powerful biological large language models, multimodal patient data, and agentic software. At the heart of this system is Owkin K, an AI co-pilot and its new LLM finetuned on biology called Owkin Zero, used by researchers, clinicians, and drug developers to better understand biology, validate scientific hypotheses, and deliver better diagnostics and therapies faster.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120130113/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact: Eleonore de Narbonne eleonore.denarbonne@universite-paris-saclay.fr

Press Contact: Owkin: malika.labou-ext@owkin.com
Bannockburn, Illinois, USA, Nov. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Global Electronics Association announced the release of its Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) Toolkit, designed to help companies efficiently navigate the complex reporting requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Although the CSRD is an EU regulation, its requirements have global implications. Companies with operations, subsidiaries, or significant sales in Europe, and their worldwide supply chains, must also meet its rigorous sustainability reporting standards.

The European Union's CSRD requires companies to conduct in-depth DMAs that measure corporate sustainability impacts from 1) impact on the planet and 2) impact of environmental and social issues on company finances. For electronics companies, the DMA process is particularly complex due to the industry's interconnected global supply chains and specialized sustainability challenges. With limited time and resources, many electronics companies risk noncompliance or incomplete assessments, potentially resulting in regulatory penalties, reputational harm, or loss of investor confidence.

Complementing the DMA Toolkit is the newly launched Materiality Resource Hub, providing practical, sector-specific guidance to support reporting and improve decision-making across the entire electronics supply chain.

The Global Electronics Association's DMA Toolkit - built for stakeholders from sustainability and compliance teams to senior leaders involved with reporting - provides comprehensive, industry-specific guidance to accelerate CSRD-aligned reporting and reduces the burden of starting from scratch and the risk of missing vital material issues, ensuring a complete assessment.

Developed in collaboration with Anthesis Group and informed by industry sources and member insights, the Toolkit aligns directly with the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) methodologies and CSRD expectations.

The DMA Toolkit covers environmental, human rights, and governance issues across the entire electronics supply chain - from raw material extraction to waste management; labor practices to data security - and includes:

 DMA Project Plan - A six-month roadmap, stakeholder engagement templates, and recommended team structures.

 Sustainability Context Report for the Electronics Industry - Sustainability landscape analysis for the global electronics sector, including pre-identified material issues mapped to European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) topics and subtopics. This Context Report includes insights for the sustainability leaders in the primary sub-industries from original equipment manufacturers (OEM) upstream to printed circuit board (PCB) fabricators.

 Scoring Impacts, Risks and Opportunities (IROs) - Practical guide with sample scoring frameworks, examples, and materiality threshold guidance.

"Electronics companies sit at the center of some of the most complex and globally dispersed supply chains," said Kelly Scanlon, DrPH, lead sustainability strategist at the Association. "The CSRD raises the bar for transparency, but the amount of data and analysis required can be overwhelming. Our DMA Toolkit provides a clear, structured path tailored to the electronics industry."

"We are pleased to have co-developed the initial components of the DMA Toolkit in collaboration with the Association. This resource is designed to provide practical guidance, helping companies across the value chain navigate complexity and transform compliance obligations into strategic commercial opportunities," said Mari Desangles, strategic account manager, Anthesis.

The DMA Toolkit is available for purchase at https://www.electronics.org/materiality-dma-toolkit.



###

About the Global Electronics Association

The Global Electronics Association is the voice of the electronics industry, working with?thousands of members and partners to build a more resilient supply chain and drive sustainable growth. We advocate for fair trade, smart regulation, and regional manufacturing, and educate on industry practices, actionable intelligence and technical innovations?to empower the future. The Association collaborates with governments and companies worldwide to advance a trusted and prosperous?electronics industry.?Formerly known as IPC, the organization serves a $6 trillion market and operates from offices across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North and South America. Learn more at www.electronics.org.

Attachment

The Global Electronics Association Launches Double Materiality Assessment Toolkit to Support the Electronics Industry with Sustainability Reporting Compliance (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/ebefaaee-9fd8-44d7-b198-5ce74d30b238)

Sandy Gentry Global Electronics Association +1 847-597-2871 SandyGentry@electronics.org
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Mastercard

"Bridges don't hold unless they are supported."

This quote from Bob Dickerson, Executive Director of the Birmingham Business Resource Center, reflected many of the themes explored at the sixth Mastercard Strive USA Summit, convened in Alabama. The event brought together leaders from government, philanthropy, the private sector, and other partners to spotlight success stories, share learnings, and identify new opportunities in the state's small business ecosystem.

Speakers highlighted how economic growth in Alabama, as well as broader economic changes, are creating both new opportunities and new challenges. For example, while new investments are being made in the state, uneven access to resources and fast-changing technologies risk leaving many small businesses behind unless the local small business support ecosystem can bridge the gap between today's realities and tomorrow's potential.

As Coreata R. Houser, the Interim Director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity for the City of Birmingham put it: "Frankly, in economic development, making the numbers work on paper is the easy part. The harder part is making sure your constituents can access the resources they need to grow their businesses," he said, listing investments in roads, childcare infrastructure, and workforce development as examples of what Birmingham is doing to broaden access to opportunity.

Building a more coordinated ecosystem in Birmingham

In a city that has at least 65 small business support organizations, as well as a diverse community of public, private, and philanthropic sector funders and partners, what does building better bridges look like? And how can these efforts be better coordinated into a more holistic strategy for supporting entrepreneurs?

Part of the answer is the Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence, a new entrepreneurship center in Birmingham that has already mapped the opportunities and gaps in the city's small business ecosystem. The Center is now focusing on developing a shared vision among the city's many stakeholders as well as a data-driven roadmap - in addition to a front door where small businesses can get support.

John Turner, CEO of Regions Bank, spoke about why his bank has gotten so involved in supporting and scaling this new center.

"Our businesses can only be as good as the health of the communities where we operate, and the health of communities is largely about jobs, job growth, and people's ability to earn a good wage," he said. "We have a lot of small businesses that I think have a real opportunity to scale up. But they can benefit from some tailored advice and guidance in doing that sustainably, and we think can help provide that."

As Kendra Key, the Executive Director of the Center and a loaned executive from Regions Bank, put it: "This is infrastructure building. It is about coordinating our ecosystem and enabling work that serves our shared customer - Birmingham's small businesses."

Deep dives on rural entrepreneurship and manufacturing

Other panels spoke to the challenges of supporting small businesses in rural areas and manufacturing specifically. For example, while there are more than 65 small business support organizations in Birmingham, there are few in Alabama's rural counties despite the depth of entrepreneurial potential.

"Capital flows down the path of least resistance every time, so the question is how to remove the friction of capital flowing into rural communities," said Alex Flachsbart, Founder & CEO of Opportunity Alabama, a nonprofit dedicated to developing an impact-centered Opportunity Zones ecosystem across the state. "We have seen that if you create the right support infrastructure for dynamic people in rural communities, and you keep showing up, great things can happen."

Claudia Pettway Charley, Co-Founder of Sew Gee's Bend Heritage Builders, a community-based nonprofit organization located in the heart of the rural community Gee's Bend, also spoke about the impact that organizations can have in communities like hers.

"When there are a lot of needs, almost anything you do will be helpful," she said. "What we don't need is a lot of things going out of the community as much as we do [resources] coming into the community."

In the panel discussion on manufacturing, the focus was on the trainings and investments necessary to unlock further growth - with a particular focus on the needs of small businesses. The role of technological training was one example.

"We have seen that technology is accelerating faster than many small businesses can keep up," said Lee Mathews, the COO of Innovate Alabama, the first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. "So it is very important to provide small businesses in manufacturing with early exposure to cybersecurity, data, and AI, especially as the role of computer science increases in manufacturing."

Mathew's fellow panelist Lauren Hyde, Executive Director of the Alabama Business Intelligence Center - Alabama's first dedicated business research hub focused on economic development - spoke on a similar topic: her organization's work creating Birmingham AI, an initiative that convenes people to make AI accessible, and connects new companies entering the state with local partners, including many small businesses.

Cybersecurity was also a major discussion topic given the increasingly digital nature of manufacturing.

"Any system that can be accessed or operated remotely introduces potential cybersecurity risks," said LaVada Varner, Center Director of the Alabama Technology Network, a statewide organization dedicated to advancing training and innovation within Alabama's manufacturing sector. "Manufacturers are increasingly being targeted through equipment that is connected to the Internet and unsecured networks, which makes proactive cybersecurity education and training essential to protecting their operations."

Varner also emphasized the growing importance of certification and standards compliance for smaller manufacturers. "Many large companies now require ISO or similar certifications as a prerequisite for partnership," she said. "ISO standards have become the common language of manufacturing, providing the structure and assurance that larger firms expect from their suppliers."

The call to action

Despite the turbulent times, panelists across the board were optimistic about what lies ahead. The Mayor of Birmingham, Randall L. Woodfin, spoke to this optimism in the closing conversation.

"All of our successes in Birmingham have been rooted in public-private partnerships," he said. "And based on the momentum we have, there's never been a better time to invest in supporting our small businesses. Everyone is stepping up to the plate, leaning in, and being vulnerable enough to say, 'how can we get this ecosystem of supporting and building our small businesses better?'"

John Turner added, "We're fortunate to have solid leadership in Birmingham, from City Hall to the business community, including business development centers and nonprofits. Increasingly, we see a clear and common vision for growth - and a network of organizations ready to support it. If we can keep building on this unity and collaboration, there truly is no limit to what we can accomplish - together."

View original content here.

Follow along Mastercard's journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a sustainable 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

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Mastercard on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Mastercard

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mastercard

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Mastercard

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/mastercard-%7c-bridging-opportunities-coordinating-action-how-alabama-1105146
Evrima Plc - Eastport Ventures Inc. Admission to Trading on TSX Venture Exchange

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 20

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY EVRIMA PLC TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014, AS AMENDED ("MAR"). ON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE ("RIS"), THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Evrima Plc [AQSE: EVA]

("Evrima" or the "Company")

Eastport Ventures Inc. Admission to Trading on TSX Venture Exchange

Evrima notes the announcement released by Penbar Capital Ltd confirming completion of its qualifying transaction with Eastport Ventures Inc. ("Eastport") and the admission of the enlarged entity to trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on 20 November 2025 under the new ticker "EVI".

A link to the TSX Venture Exchange bulletin confirming Eastport's admission and the completion of the qualifying transaction can be found here:

Upon listing, Evrima will hold 1,184,310* ordinary shares of Eastport. Evrima's position represents approximately 3.83% of the issued share capital. Evrima also holds 440,095 warrants exercisable at C$0.68 and 63,275 warrants exercisable at C$1.02.

*compared with 4,026,895 shares prior to completion of the qualifying transaction, with the difference arising solely from the 0.2941 exchange ratio applied under the Penbar Capital Ltd amalgamation structure. This adjustment reflects a mechanical conversion of Eastport shares into Resulting Issuer shares and does not represent any disposal or reduction in Evrima's underlying ownership interest

About Eastport

Eastport is advancing Botswana's critical metals future, positioned as a leading explorer and developer focused on the commodities essential to global electrification and energy security. The company is targeting a suite of high-value critical metals, including copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), uranium (U) and a significant basket of rare earth elements comprising neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy), terbium (Tb) and yttrium (Y). These metals underpin the rapidly growing markets for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, advanced electronics and strategic defence applications.

Eastport holds five critical-metals projects in Botswana, with cumulative historical and current expenditures approaching US$20 million, demonstrating both the scale and pedigree of the portfolio. The company benefits from an advanced and diversified project pipeline, with assets ranging from post-discovery and resource-stage projects through to highly prospective exploration targets, providing a balanced mix of near-term advancement and long-term discovery potential.

Evrima will update shareholders as appropriate.

The Directors of Evrima accept responsibility for this announcement.

Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi serves as Chief Executive Officer and Director of both Evrima and Eastport and David Eaton, director of Evrima, will join the board of Eastport.

-Ends-

Enquiries:

Company

Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi (CEO & Director) burns@evrimaplc.com

Bowsprit Partners Limited (Corporate Adviser)

John Treacy / Luis Brime +44 (0) 203 833 4430
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Wesco International, a global provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, announced its support for Habitat for Humanity International's 100,000 Floors to Play On initiative.

This year, Wesco is supporting the installation of safe, durable flooring in homes across Brazil, Chile and Mexico, with each national Habitat organization receiving $60,000 to advance this critical work. Led by Habitat for Humanity and the Inter-American Cement Federation (FICEM), the initiative aims to replace 100,000 dirt floors with concrete by 2028, improving living conditions for vulnerable populations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

"At Wesco, we believe that safe and affordable housing is foundational to building stronger communities," said Chris Wolf, Wesco Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and executive sponsor of Wesco Cares. "Through our continued partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, we're proud to help families across Latin America gain access to healthier living conditions. Replacing dirt floors with durable concrete is more than a construction project-it's a step toward dignity, safety and opportunity."

In partnership with Habitat for Humanity Brazil, Wesco will help build or replace 22 floors in the cities of Bom Jardim and Araripina, both located in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco State. Since the project's inception, Wesco employees have already completed 10 of the 22 floors, and construction is underway for the remaining 12.

"There's no question about it - a decent, affordable house has a significant impact on a family's health and wellbeing," said Charlita Stephens-Walker, vice president of corporate partnerships and cause marketing at Habitat for Humanity International. "A home should never threaten a family's health, yet as many as 1 in 4 people worldwide live in conditions that harm their health and safety. That's why it's so critical to work with partners like Wesco International who share our commitment to creating homes that are safe, healthy, and sustainable. We are so grateful for Wesco's continued support of our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live."

Wesco also supports Habitat's Home Equals five-year global advocacy campaign, and was a sponsor of the 2025 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project which took place in Austin, Texas Oct. 26-31.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in your local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Since our founding in 1976 as a Christian organization, together we have helped more than 62 million people globally build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. We've done that by working alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone. Together, we build homes, communities and hope. To learn more, visit?habitat.org

About Wesco

Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500 company with approximately $22 billion in annual sales in 2024 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, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, educational institutions, government agencies, technology companies, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates more than 700 sites, including distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and sales offices in approximately 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

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-international-continues-partnership-with-habitat-for-humanity-to-1105147
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Envirosite, a provider of environmental risk data solutions, announced its expansion into Canada. Organizations now have access to Envirosite's full suite of environmental data services and digital due diligence tools. Services are currently available in Ontario, with plans to expand into additional provinces throughout 2026 to ensure data completeness and alignment with regional regulatory requirements.

This expansion empowers environmental consultants, real estate developers, owner-operators, lenders, and other stakeholders engaged in environmental review and property transactions. Envirosite gives teams access to verified environmental data, historical site records, and legally defensible documentation, enabling them to identify potential site risks, streamline compliance, and make informed property decisions with greater clarity and efficiency.

Envirosite's platform combines environmental property risk records plus historical products that include aerial imagery, topographic maps, fire insurance plans, title searches, and land-use records to provide an accurate representation of past site activity in a single, intuitive workspace. With this streamlined structure, professionals can quickly dive in and confidently interpret complex site information.

"The due diligence landscape in Canada requires both data integrity and efficiency," said Mark Mattei, President of Envirosite. "Our expansion reflects our commitment to providing dependable information that supports sound decision-making. The goal is to equip practitioners with documented risk context that stands up to scrutiny."

Envirosite's Canadian offering includes:

ATLAS Environmental Data Map

The ATLAS Environmental Data Map centralizes environmental risk review in a digital environment, organizing available data, site history, and supporting documentation.

Government Environmental Records Report

This report compiles regulatory records from official and proprietary databases to support documentation needs and due diligence practices.

Historical References Collection

The Historical References Collection offers aerial imagery, topographic maps, and land-use records to provide an accurate representation of past site activity.

This expansion strengthens Envirosite's ongoing efforts to support responsible and well-documented environmental due diligence across North America.

About Envirosite

Envirosite is where every project decision begins, with reliable environmental data professionals can trust. Through its SaaS platforms, ATLAS, Envirosite delivers property records and historical resources drawn from comprehensive datasets, setting the standard for environmental due diligence across North America.

Environmental consultants, engineers, and lenders rely on Envirosite to move projects forward with clarity and certainty. Envirosite is part of ADEC Innovations, translating risk into insight and creating lasting impact.

www.envirositecorp.com

SOURCE: Envirosite

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/clean-technology/envirosite-expands-into-canada-advancing-access-to-environmental-due-diligence-dat-1103380
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Comstock Metals Ltd. (TSXV: CSL.H) ("Comstock" or the "Company") announces that further to the Company's press release dated November 11, 2025, the Company has completed the debt settlement transaction with Lambent Consulting Inc. (a company owned by Steven Goldman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company) pursuant to which the Company settled the $244,055 owing to Lambent through the transfer of 283,784 common shares in the capital of Trident Resources Corp. ("Trident Shares").

The number of Trident Shares transferred was based on the closing price of $0.86 on November 10, 2025. The amount owing to Lambent Consulting Inc. reflects the principal and interest owing pursuant to a loan disclosed in the Company's press release dated August 31, 2023.

Following completion of the settlement, the Company holds a total of 541,591 Trident Shares.

Both the Company and Mr. Goldman are at arm's length to Trident Resources Corp.

Mr. Goldman and his consulting company is considered to be a "related party" (within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")), making the transaction a "related party transaction" (within the meaning of MI 61-101) (the "Related Party Transfer"). The Company was exempt from obtaining a formal valuation for, and minority approval of, the Related Party Transfer pursuant to Section 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(e) of MI 61-101, respectively. The settlement transaction was approved by the disinterested directors of the Company. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Debt Settlement as the Company wished to close the debt settlement in an expeditious manner.

About Comstock Metals Ltd.

Comstock Metals Ltd. is a publicly traded company which formerly operated as a mining exploration company in Canada but is currently focused on identifying new opportunities.

For more information about Comstock Metals Ltd., please refer to Comstock's website at www.comstock-metals.com or contact:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275313

SOURCE: Comstock Metals Ltd.
Original-Research: Vidac Pharma Holding Plc - from Sphene Capital GmbH



20.11.2025 / 16:24 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.



Classification of Sphene Capital GmbH to Vidac Pharma Holding Plc Company Name: Vidac Pharma Holding Plc ISIN: GB00BM9XQ619 Reason for the research: Update Report Recommendation: Buy from: 20.11.2025 Target price: EUR 4.20 (previously: EUR 4.30) Target price on sight of: 36 months Last rating change: - Analyst: Peter Thilo Hasler

Vidac Pharma gets clinical trial authorization Vidac Pharma recently announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted approval for the company's first clinical study specifically designed to address highly proliferative actinic keratoses (AK). The upcoming Phase 2 trial is structured to evaluate safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy signals of Vidac Pharma's investigational therapy in patients presenting with advanced AK lesions. The study protocol incorporates rigorously defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, clinically meaningful primary and secondary endpoints, centralized and site-level quality assurance procedures, blinded assessments where appropriate, and pre-specified interim analyses intended to secure reliable and decision-enabling data. This progression marks an important regulatory inflection point for Vidac Pharma, from our viewpoint, as the company advances toward generating the clinical evidence required for subsequent pivotal studies and future marketing authorization pathways in the European Union. Using a sum-of-the-parts, multi-stage discounted cash flow (DCF) model, in which the two pipeline candidates-VDA-1102 for actinic keratosis (AK) and VDA-1102 for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)-are valued separately. We adjust our price target to EUR 4.20 from EUR 4.30 per share and reiterate our Buy recommendation for the Vidac Pharma shares.



You can download the research here: VidacPharma_UpdateReport20251120_english



Contact for questions:

Peter Thilo Hasler, CEFA

+49 (152) 31764553



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
Pan African Resources Plc - Results of Annual General Meeting and Salient Dividend Dates

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 20

Pan African Resources PLC Pan African Resources Funding Company

(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales Limited

under Companies Act 1985 with registered Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa

number 3937466 on 25 February 2000) with limited liability

Share code on LSE: PAF Registration number: 2012/021237/06

Share code on JSE: PAN Alpha code: PARI

ISIN: GB0004300496

ADR code: PAFRY

("Pan African" or "the Company" or "the Group")

RESULTS OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SALIENT DIVIDEND DATES

RESULTS OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Pan African shareholders ( Shareholders) are advised that at the annual general meeting ( AGM) of Shareholders held on Thursday, 20 November 2025, all the ordinary and special resolutions other than resolution 17, as set out in the notice of AGM dated 28 October 2025, were approved by the requisite majority of Shareholders present or represented by proxy.

The total number of Pan African ordinary shares ( Shares) eligible to vote at the AGM is 2,333,671,529.

All resolutions proposed at the AGM, together with the percentage of shares abstained, as well as the percentage of votes carried for and against each resolution, are as follows:

Resolution 1: To receive the accounts and the report of the directors of the Company and the auditors' report thereon

Shares Voted 1,560,996,550 66.89% Abstained

1,827,234 0.08% For

1,560,981,380 99.99% Against

15,170 0.01%

Resolution 2: To approve the payment of a final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2025

Shares Voted 1,562,565,985 66.96% Abstained

257,799 0.01% For

1,562,551,096 99.99% Against

14,889 0.01%

Resolution 3: To re-elect K Spencer as a non-executive director of the Company (Note 1)

Shares Voted 1,501,288,856 64.33% Abstained

61,534,928 2.64% For

1,088,784,793 72.52% Against

412,504,063 27.48%

Resolution 4: To re-elect JAJ Loots as an executive director of the Company

Shares Voted 1,562,320,090 66.95% Abstained

503,694 0.02% For

1,558,345,397 99.75% Against

3,974,693 0.25%

Resolution 5: To re-elect M Kok as an executive director of the Company

Shares Voted 1,562,388,399 66.95% Abstained

435,385 0.02% For

1,544,864,978 98.88% Against

17,523,421 1.12%

Resolution 6: To re-elect D Earp as a non-executive director of the Company

Shares Voted 1,562,416,799 66.95% Abstained

406,985 0.02% For

1,545,468,626 98.92% Against

16,948,173 1.08%

Resolution 7: To re-elect TF Mosololi as a non-executive director of the Company (Note 1)

Shares Voted 1,562,388,224 66.95% Abstained

435,560 0.02% For

1,180,368,296 75.55% Against

382,019,928 24.45%

Resolution 8: To re-elect CDS Neeham as a non-executive director of the Company

Shares Voted 1,562,416,673 66.95% Abstained

407,111 0.02% For

1,482,273,676 94.87% Against

80,142,997 5.13%

Resolution 9: To re-elect Y Themba as a non-executive director of the Company (Note 1)

Shares Voted 1,562,399,762 66.95% Abstained

424,022 0.02% For

1,226,719,405 78.52% Against

335,680,357 21.48%

Resolution 10:To re-elect D Earp as a member of the audit and risk committee

Shares Voted 1,562,417,444 66.95% Abstained

406,340 0.02% For

1,546,308,424 98.97% Against

16,109,020 1.03%

Resolution 11: To re-elect TF Mosololi as a member of the audit and risk committee (Note 1)

Shares Voted 1,562,416,869 66.95% Abstained

406,915 0.02% For

1,106,480,452 70.82% Against

455,936,417 29.18%

Resolution 12:To re-elect CDS Needham as a member of the audit and risk committee

Shares Voted 1,562,417,269 66.95% Abstained

406,515 0.02% For

1,523,559,274 97.51% Against

38,857,995 2.49%

Resolution 13:To endorse the Company's remuneration policy

Shares Voted 1 562,251,873 66.94% Abstained

571,911 0.02% For

1,493,253,167 95.58% Against

68,998,706 4.42%

Resolution 14: To endorse the Company's remuneration implementation report (Note 1)

Shares Voted 1,559,266,319 66.82% Abstained

3,557,465 0.15% For

1,206,270,230 77.36% Against

352,996,089 22.64%

Resolution 15: To reappoint PwC as auditors of the Company and to authorise the directors to determine their remuneration

Shares Voted 1,559,197,860 66.81% Abstained

3,625,924 0.16% For

1,559,149,139 99.99% Against

48,721 0.01%

Resolution 16: To authorise the directors to allot equity securities (Note 1)

Shares Voted 1,562,363,722 66.95% Abstained

460,062 0.02% For

984,255,986 63.00% Against

578,107,736 37.00%

Resolution 17: To approve the disapplication of pre-emption rights and general authority to issue shares for cash (Note 1)

Shares Voted 1,562,346,525 66.95% Abstained

477,259 0.02% For

966,950,224 61.89% Against

595,396,301 38.11%

Resolution 18: To approve market purchases of ordinary shares

Shares Voted 1,562,380,443 66.95% Abstained

443,341 0.02% For

1,308,714,751 83.76% Against

253,665,692 16.24%

Resolution 19: To approve the appropriation of profits as at 31 July 2024 to the payment of the 2024 final dividend

Shares Voted 1,562,563,071 66.96% Abstained

260,713 0.01% For

1,560,546,571 99.87% Against

2,016,500 0.13%

Resolution 20: To cancel the Company's share premium account and to cancel and extinguish shares bought back by the Company in July 2025

Shares Voted 1,562,449,539 66.95% Abstained

374,245 0.02% For

1,560,423,401 99.87% Against

2,026,138 0.13%

Resolution 21: To implement other aspects of the share capital reduction

Shares Voted 1,562,321,361 66.95% Abstained

502,423 0.02% For

1,560,191,105 99.86% Against

2,130,256 0.14%

Notes

Percentages of Shares voted are calculated in relation to the total issued ordinary share capital of Pan African.

Percentages of Shares voted for and against each resolution are calculated in relation to the total number of Shares voted in respect of each resolution.

Abstentions are calculated as a percentage in relation to the total issued ordinary share capital of Pan African.





In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, when 20% or more of the votes have been cast against the board recommendation for a resolution, the Company will consult with those shareholders who voted against ordinary resolutions number 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16 and 17 (Dissenting Shareholders) in order to ascertain the reasons for doing so, following which an update on the views expressed by such Dissenting Shareholders and the subsequent actions taken by the Company will be issued.

Dissenting Shareholders may forward their concerns / questions pertaining to the resolutions to the Company Secretary via email at general@corpserv.co.uk by close of business on 5 December 2025. The Company will then respond in writing to the Dissenting Shareholders, and if required, engage further with the Dissenting Shareholders in this regard.

SALIENT DIVIDEND DATES

Shareholders are referred to the Group's audited results that were released on 10 September 2025, wherein an exchange rate of South African Rand (ZAR) to the British Pound (GBP) of GBP/ZAR:24.33 and an exchange rate of ZAR to the US Dollar (USD) of USD/ZAR:17.75 was used for illustrative purposes to convert the proposed ZAR dividend of 37.00000 ZA cents per Share into GBP and USD, respectively.

Shareholders are advised that, following the approval of the final dividend at the AGM, the exchange rate for conversion of the final ZAR dividend into GBP has been fixed at an exchange rate of GBP/ZAR:22.59000 which translates to a final GBP dividend of 1.63789 pence per Share and the exchange rate for conversion of the final ZAR dividend into USD for illustrative purposes is USD/ZAR: 17.24392, which translates to an illustrative final USD dividend of US 2.14568 cents per Share.

The following salient dates apply:

Currency conversion date Thursday, 20 November 2025 Last date to trade on the JSE Tuesday, 25 November 2025 Last date to trade on the LSE Wednesday, 26 November 2025 Ex-dividend date on the JSE Wednesday, 26 November 2025 Ex-dividend date on the LSE Thursday, 27 November 2025 Record date on the JSE and LSE Friday, 28 November 2025 Payment date Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Notes

No transfers between the South African and UK registers, between the commencement of trading on Wednesday, 26 November 2025 and close of business on Friday, 28 November 2025 will be permitted.

No Shares may be dematerialised or rematerialised between Wednesday, 26 November 2025 and Friday, 28 November 2025, both days inclusive.

The final dividend per Share was calculated on 2,333,671,529 total Shares in issue equating to 37.00000 ZA cents per Share or 1.63789 pence or 2.14568 US cents per Share.

The South African dividends tax rate is 20% per Share for shareholders who are liable to pay the dividends tax, resulting in a net dividend of 29.60000 ZA cents per Share, 1.31031 pence per Share and US 1.71654 cents per Share for these shareholders. Foreign investors may qualify for a lower dividend tax rate, subject to completing a dividend tax declaration and submitting it to Computershare Investor Services Proprietary Limited or Link Group who manage the SA and UK registers, respectively. The Company's South African income tax reference number is 9154588173.

The dividend will be distributed from South African income reserves / retained earnings, without drawing on any other capital reserves.

For further information on Pan African, please visit the Company's website at

www.panafricanresources.com

Rosebank

20 November 2025
What is the Market Size of Ring Main Distribution Unit (RMDU)?

BANGALORE, India, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The market size for Ring Main Distribution Unit (RMDU) was 2925 Million in 2024, and is projected to maintain a growth rate of 5.62% over the next few years, reaching 4400 Million by 2031.

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What are the key factors driving the growth of the Ring Main Distribution Unit (RMDU) Market?

The Ring Main Distribution Unit Market continues to evolve through modernization, sustainability, and digital transformation trends. Demand from utilities, renewable sectors, and industries remains strong due to the need for compact, reliable, and smart distribution solutions. Vendors are emphasizing design innovation, automation, and environmentally friendly materials to enhance durability and efficiency. The integration of IoT-based monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions adds operational intelligence. Furthermore, collaborations between governments and manufacturers accelerate standardization and infrastructure development. As nations focus on resilient and sustainable energy grids, RMDUs emerge as core assets, ensuring safe, uninterrupted, and future-ready electricity distribution across all major sectors globally.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE RING MAIN DISTRIBUTION UNIT (RMDU) MARKET:

Solid insulation enhances the reliability and longevity of Ring Main Distribution Units by providing robust protection against electrical faults and environmental stresses. It minimizes the risks of leakage and partial discharge, ensuring consistent performance across harsh conditions. This insulation type is favored for its compact design, reduced maintenance needs, and eco-friendly properties compared to traditional options. Utilities and industrial facilities adopt solid-insulated RMDUs for underground or urban power distribution, where safety and space optimization are priorities. The growing focus on sustainable grid modernization, reduced downtime, and lifecycle cost efficiency further strengthens its adoption. Solid insulation ensures operational resilience, making it a vital element in advancing smart power distribution networks and meeting modern energy infrastructure standards.

Gas insulation plays a significant role in enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of Ring Main Distribution Units by providing superior dielectric strength and arc-quenching properties. Its sealed design prevents contamination and moisture ingress, ensuring long-term reliability in varied environmental conditions. Gas-insulated RMDUs are widely used in compact substations and urban distribution systems where space constraints demand high-performance insulation solutions. The shift toward clean energy distribution and reduced maintenance infrastructure further accelerates the adoption of this technology. Moreover, its minimal fire hazard and ability to handle fluctuating load demands make it ideal for high-density energy networks. Gas insulation provides the necessary robustness and efficiency required for next-generation smart grid systems.

Oil fields utilize Ring Main Distribution Units to maintain efficient and uninterrupted power supply across drilling and extraction operations. These RMDUs ensure reliable distribution of electrical energy to pumps, compressors, and monitoring equipment in remote and demanding environments. Their enclosed design provides protection against dust, humidity, and explosive conditions commonly found in oilfields. With the increasing emphasis on operational safety and automation, energy companies prefer RMDUs for their ability to integrate seamlessly with remote monitoring systems. The growing exploration activities and the need for stable on-site power infrastructure further boost their deployment. Oil fields rely on RMDUs to minimize power interruptions, optimize equipment performance, and ensure continuous production efficiency.

Expanding infrastructure in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors significantly fuels the demand for Ring Main Distribution Units as governments focus on strengthening grid reliability. Urbanization and smart city projects require compact, low-maintenance power systems capable of handling distributed energy loads. RMDUs fulfill this need by providing consistent power supply, reducing outage risks, and improving load management. The demand from construction projects, transport systems, and renewable installations amplifies market growth. Their flexible configuration supports underground and overhead power networks, ensuring adaptability across varying terrains. As infrastructure projects continue to scale globally, RMDUs emerge as indispensable for ensuring stable, efficient, and scalable energy delivery systems across expanding metropolitan regions.

The rising integration of renewable energy sources drives the demand for Ring Main Distribution Units due to their capability to manage intermittent power flow efficiently. Solar and wind farms rely on RMDUs to regulate grid connection points, ensuring stable voltage and frequency levels. Their modular design allows seamless integration into hybrid and decentralized power systems, enabling effective energy transition. As renewable installations increase worldwide, the need for efficient medium-voltage distribution units strengthens. RMDUs offer enhanced fault tolerance and minimal energy losses, aligning perfectly with sustainability goals. Their deployment ensures optimized energy transfer, reduced system downtime, and improved grid flexibility, contributing to a resilient and cleaner power ecosystem.

Rapid urbanization and industrial development intensify the need for compact, efficient, and safe power distribution systems like Ring Main Distribution Units. Urban environments demand space-efficient and reliable systems that minimize maintenance while supporting growing energy loads. Industries require uninterrupted power supply for production continuity, making RMDUs ideal for distributed network management. The capability of these units to function under challenging conditions while reducing downtime enhances their adoption. Furthermore, the global focus on automation and modernization of electrical infrastructure accelerates market expansion. With rising electricity demand in cities and industries, RMDUs provide the flexibility and reliability required to sustain future-ready power networks efficiently.

Increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainable distribution systems promotes the adoption of Ring Main Distribution Units across multiple sectors. Their design minimizes transmission losses and optimizes power flow, supporting utilities in achieving efficient load management. The integration of automation and remote monitoring features enables real-time diagnostics, reducing manual intervention and operational costs. These advantages make RMDUs ideal for organizations striving for reduced energy wastage and improved sustainability compliance. Furthermore, as governments set stricter energy regulations, efficient power management technologies become critical. RMDUs address this demand by offering reliable, low-loss, and smart-compatible solutions that align with energy conservation goals and advanced grid requirements.

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What are the major types in the Ring Main Distribution Unit (RMDU) Market?

Solid Insulation

Gas Insulation

What are the main applications of the Ring Main Distribution Unit (RMDU) Market?

Oil Fields

Industrial

Others

Key Players in the Ring Main Distribution Unit (RMDU) Market

ABB manufactures ring main units widely used in medium-voltage distribution networks, offering gas-insulated and air-insulated switchgear for utility and industrial applications.

Lucy Electric is a leading global supplier of ring main units and secondary power distribution equipment used by utilities and commercial infrastructure.

Liyond produces medium-voltage switchgear and ring main units designed for power distribution in industrial, commercial, and utility environments.

produces medium-voltage switchgear and ring main units designed for power distribution in industrial, commercial, and utility environments. G&W Electric supplies medium-voltage distribution equipment including ring main units and switchgear solutions for utility grid protection and automation.

supplies medium-voltage distribution equipment including ring main units and switchgear solutions for utility grid protection and automation. Reyrolle (Siemens) provides ring main units and distribution switchgear under Siemens' Reyrolle brand, serving global electricity transmission and distribution networks.

provides ring main units and distribution switchgear under Siemens' Reyrolle brand, serving global electricity transmission and distribution networks. Skipper ETS Electric manufactures medium-voltage switchgear and ring main unit solutions for power utilities, infrastructure, and industrial customers.

manufactures medium-voltage switchgear and ring main unit solutions for power utilities, infrastructure, and industrial customers. Schneider Electric offers a wide portfolio of ring main units including both SF6 and solid-insulated systems used in medium-voltage grid distribution.

offers a wide portfolio of ring main units including both SF6 and solid-insulated systems used in medium-voltage grid distribution. SOJO specializes in smart distribution equipment including ring main units and automation solutions used in modern power networks.

specializes in smart distribution equipment including ring main units and automation solutions used in modern power networks. OTDS supplies electrical distribution equipment including ring main units used in commercial, industrial, and utility power systems.

supplies electrical distribution equipment including ring main units used in commercial, industrial, and utility power systems. Trambakraj Electricals manufactures medium-voltage switchgear and ring main units tailored for substation and grid applications in regional power networks.

manufactures medium-voltage switchgear and ring main units tailored for substation and grid applications in regional power networks. Long Controls provides switchgear components and control systems including ring main unit solutions for medium-voltage distribution.

provides switchgear components and control systems including ring main unit solutions for medium-voltage distribution. Eaton produces gas-insulated and vacuum switchgear-based ring main units used in secondary distribution grids across global utility markets.

Toshiba supplies medium-voltage distribution solutions including ring main units that support utility, infrastructure, and industrial power systems.

Which region dominates the Ring Main Distribution Unit (RMDU) Market?

North America emphasizes upgrading aging utilities and integrating smart systems. Europe focuses on sustainability, adopting eco-friendly insulation and renewable integration. Asia-Pacific experiences rapid industrialization, driving widespread RMDU installations for reliable distribution.

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What are some related markets to the metal credit cards market?

The global market for Ring Main Units (RMU) was valued at USD 2984 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 4339 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.

The global market for Gas-insulated Switchgear was valued at USD 21970 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 38120 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period.

Feeder Remote Terminal Unit (FRTU) Market

The global market for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) was estimated to be worth USD 3501 Million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 5268 Million by 2031 with a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2025-2031.

The global market for Grid-Connected Battery Storage was valued at USD 2759 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 9600 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 19.8% during the forecast period.

The global market for SF6-free Gas-insulated Metal Enclosed Switchgear (GIS) was valued at USD 474 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1186 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.0% during the forecast period.

Power Distribution Panels Market

In 2024, the global market size of Motor Control Centers was estimated to be worth USD 16890 Million and is forecast to reach approximately USD 42260 Million by 2031 with a CAGR of 14.2% during the forecast period 2025-2031.

Single-Phase Configuration Pole-Mounted Transformer Market

Three-phase Distribution Transformer Market

Substation Automation Market

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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has published a new report titled "Artificial Intelligence And The New Era Of Terrorism: An Assessment Of How Jihadis Are Using AI To Expand Their Propaganda, Recruitment, And Operations And The Implications For National Security" by lead author MEMRI Executive Director Dr. Steven Stalinsky. The study draws on research from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) and Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) projects between 2022 and 2025; both projects have been closely monitoring developments in jihadi use of artificial intelligence (AI).

This study details the notable uses of AI over the past three years by terrorist groups - ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Hizbullah, the Houthis, Hamas, other groups, and lone wolf actors, including many in the West - for purposes such as planning and claiming responsibility for attacks, examining AI use for future endeavors, generating audio files of already-existing written material, creating posters, music videos, videos depicting attacks and glorifying terrorist leaders for recruitment purposes, and more.

This issue is developing rapidly, as these groups and others increasingly dabble in, talk about, and create video, media, and other content using AI. In the face of this emerging threat, the U.S. government and its allies need to maintain its superiority, closely monitoring it and moving to stop it from progressing further.

This new study also highlights the near-absence of U.S. government and policymakers' focus on this issue. One exception it underlines is the "Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act," would "require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments on terrorism threats to the United States posed by terrorist organizations utilizing generative artificial intelligence applications, and for other purposes." The legislation, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), who chairs the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, and cosponsored by Reps. Michael Guest (R-MS) and Gabr Evans (R-CO) in late February 2025, passed unanimously by voice vote in the House of Representatives on November 19.

The report's lead author, Dr. Stalinsky, notes that while there have been some articles on this issue, this new MEMRI study is the most comprehensive research on it to date, presenting never-before-published translations of statements and writings by terrorist groups and of their AI activity.

In his foreword to the report, General (Ret.) Paul E. Funk II, former Commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and member of the MEMRI Board of Advisors, calls the new study "a significant and unsettling contribution to the public debate on AI's future global impact." He adds: "It will contribute greatly to the existing literature about terrorists' groups focus on AI as a new tool and weapon in their arsenals. For decades, MEMRI has been monitoring terrorist organizations and examining how they repurpose civilian technologies for their own use - first the Internet in general, then online discussion forums followed by social media, as well as other emerging technologies such as encryption, cryptocurrency, and drones. Now, terrorist use of large language models - aka Artificial Intelligence (AI) - is clearly evident, as documented in this study."

General (Ret.) Funk continues: "This study warns of the need to consider and plan now for AI's possible centrality in the next mass terror attack - just as the 9/11 attackers took advantage of the inadequate aviation security of that time. Whatever approaches and solutions may be proposed, this study will help readers understand the nature of the problem. It is a primer on how this threat is coalescing, day by day, and is a must-read for all those concerned, in government, the military, and academia."

MEMRI Vice President Ambassador Alberto Fernandez called the new report "an essential, comprehensive review of the newest frontier in terrorism and tech."

Further highlighting the significance of the new study, MEMRI Board of Advisors' member Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Tom Cosentino, who is currently CEO of Governance Risk Global, said: "The competition and the threat in AI is not just from state actors. Increasingly terrorist organizations, criminal cartels and extremist groups are leveraging AI to disrupt and attack government, businesses and communities. Only by knowing intimately the objectives and methods of these groups can their AI attacks be countered. MEMRI is at the forefront on monitoring and understanding these dangerous uses of AI."

Dr. Stalinsky praised MEMRI's team of experts for their research in one of the most significant issues of our time, and went on to warn that the findings from their monitoring of every leading global terrorist organization show not only that counter-terrorism authorities in the U.S. and West are unprepared to deal with this but also that many in the AI industry have taken no substantial action to set up safeguards for stopping terrorists from using their products.

Government and media can request the full report or ask for an interview by sending an email to media@memri.org with "Tunnels Report" in the subject line.

ABOUT THE JIHAD & TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR (JTTM)

The MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) scrutinizes Islamist terrorism and violent extremism worldwide, with special focus on activity within and emanating from the Arab world, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, as well as on attacks and activity in the West inspired and encouraged by the Islamic State (ISIS), Al-Qaeda, and other global jihad organizations. This activity includes lone-wolf attacks by residents of Western countries.

The JTTM monitors imminent and potential threats posed by various terrorist and violent extremist organizations - such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, and emerging jihadi groups - and individuals. These threats, whether strategic, tactical, military, conventional, non-conventional, or cyber, may be against national security and public safety in the U.S. and the West, or against these countries' crucial interests and assets worldwide. It also examines and analyzes the ideological motivations behind these threats, and includes a decade and a half of archives of exclusive content on jihad and terrorism.

ABOUT THE CYBER & JIHAD LAB (CJL)

The Cyber & Jihad Lab monitors, tracks, translates, researches, and analyzes cyber jihad originating from the Middle East, Iran, South Asia, and North and West Africa. It innovates and experiments with possible solutions for stopping cyber jihad, advancing legislation and initiatives federally - including with Capitol Hill and attorneys-general - and on the state level, to draft and enforce measures that will serve as precedents for further action. It works with leaders in business, law enforcement, academia, and families of terror victims to craft and support efforts and solutions to combat cyber jihad, and recruits, and works with technology industry leaders to craft and support efforts and solutions.

ABOUT MEMRI

Exploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends.

Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew.

MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org

MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv

Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm

Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab

Contact Information:

MEMRI

media@memri.org

202-955-9070

www.memri.org

SOURCE: Middle East Media Research Institute

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/middle-east-media-research-institute-memri-publishes-new-study-on-terrorist-us-1105226
Press release

The DELFINGEN group asserts its brand identity

ANTEUIL, 20 November 2025 -

The Delfingen group, a long-standing leader in electrical cable protection solutions for the

automotive industry, is today announcing a major transformation of its market strategy, and confirms

its commercial ambition, which draws on the reputation of its various brands.

This strategic development reflects the group's successful diversification and its commitment to

position itself as a global player not only in the automotive sector but also in new value-added

industrial markets for its core cable protection solutions, such as robotics, trains, off-road equipment

(agriculture, construction, mining), energy, data centres, etc.

With this, the DROSSBACH, SCHLEMMER and REIKU brands, which have developed their own

brand identities, know-how and markets, have seen their autonomy strengthened while at the

same time they benefit from the reputation of DELFINGEN, which for more than 70 years in the

automotive sector has been synonymous with excellence, quality and competitiveness rooted in

strong human values.

The DELFINGEN brand, which has focused on the automotive market, is now DELFINGEN

AUTOMOTIVE and retains its visual identity, which reflects its leadership and recognised expertise.

The Delfingen group is responsible for coordinating this portfolio of brands and supporting their

development. The group is adopting a new visual identity with a simple, modern logo. The group

has also adopted a new website (www.delfingengroup.com) with comprehensive information

describing the group and its societal commitments and providing useful data for shareholders and

investors.

"This new identity confirms the ambitions of DELFINGEN not only as a leading parts manufacturer

for the automotive sector but as a global industrial group, capable of creating value in multiple

markets", says Gerald Streit. "This change strengthens our appeal among investors and future

talents looking to join us in this adventure.

Tel.: 03 81 90 73 00

www.delfingengroup.com

Rue Emile Streit

25340 Anteuil

France

About Delfingen (www.delfingengroup.com)

Delfingen is the world leader in electrical cable protection solutions in very restrictive environments for

different types of industries (automotive, robotics, energy, etc.).

A family-owned company, the Group has 3,800 employees and a global presence that ensures proximity to

its customers, with 40 offices in 20 countries on four continents: Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.

DELFINGEN is at the heart of strategic challenges of its markets, including electrification, connectivity,

safety and environmental standards.

DELFINGEN is listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market (FR0000054132 - ADEL) and is a member

of the MiddleNext association.

DELFINGEN

Christophe CLERC

Executive Vice President - Finance

cclerc@delfingen.com

T. +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00

SEITOSEI.ACTIFIN

Investor Relations

Benjamin LEHARI

benjamin.lehari@seitosei-actifin.com

T. +33 (0) 1 56 88 11 25

SEITOSEI.ACTIFIN

Press Relations

Isabelle DRAY

isabelle.dray@seitosei-actifin.com

T. +33 (0)1 56 88 11 29

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BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 20

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

20 November 2025

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Date of purchase: 20 November 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 350,000 Weighted average price (Sterling/US Dollars as applicable): 3.9763

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 320,214,083 Sterling Shares 57,843,523 Sterling Shares 23,910,329 US Dollar Shares 202,428 US Dollar Shares

From 20 November 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 489,221,112.

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
Press release

Paris, 20 November 2025. The Vente-unique.com Group, an expert in online sales of furniture and home furnishings in Europe, announces the return of the iconic Habitat brand in Spain.

A long-awaited and highly acclaimed return

After Belgium and Switzerland in September, Habitat launched its e-commerce site in Spain on 19 November 2025. This return was also eagerly awaited in a country where the iconic design brand has made a lasting impression for decades.

Since the reopening of its e-commerce site in France in June 2024, operated by the Vente-unique.com group, the brand has successfully won back its French audience with a revised product range and a modernised e-commerce site. Enthusiasm quickly spread beyond France's borders. In Belgium and Switzerland, thousands of internet users spontaneously signed up for launch alerts even before the local websites opened, and this enthusiasm was also shared in Spain, where consumers expressed the same impatience.

Reconnecting with fans and reaching new markets

This new launch aims first and foremost to reconnect with long-standing fans of the Habitat brand, who are attached to its iconic pieces and unique creative universe. Starting today, Spanish customers have access to more than 1,100 products on the https://www.habitat-design.com/es-es/ website, as well as on the Belgian website (https://www.habitat-design.com/fr-be/) and the Swiss website (https://www.habitat-design.com/fr-ch/).

The site includes iconic designs that have shaped the brand's history, such as the Ribbon lamp, the Kilo nesting tables and the Posada collection of customisable sofas, as well as new collections that express Habitat's contemporary new direction, such as the Austin collection, already a best-seller in France, and the recent Helena Pille x Habitat collaboration, which reinvents wood in a sleek and contemporary design collection.

But the approach goes beyond loyal enthusiasts. After winning back French customers since the relaunch of the website in 2024, Habitat now intends to expand its audience on a European scale. As in Belgium and Switzerland, the brand wants to appeal to a new generation of Spanish consumers who are sensitive to sustainable, aesthetic and accessible design, faithful to Sir Terence Conran's founding promise: 'The useful can be beautiful, and the beautiful accessible.'

A local experience designed down to the last detail

Whether in Belgium, Switzerland or Spain, Habitat has not simply reactivated a website that had been inactive for nearly two years. The brand has worked on every detail to offer a simple, reassuring and local experience. The most commonly used payment methods in each country, such as Bancontact in Belgium and Twint in Switzerland, are already available, and other solutions will be added in the coming weeks. Delivery services have been adapted with locally selected carriers to ensure speed and proximity. In Spain, a collection option at a branch has been added to the usual delivery methods, in addition to delivery to the room of your choice or to the foot of the lorry.

This relaunch is based on the logistical and digital expertise of the Vente-unique.com group. With a presence in 11 European countries, the group already has a strong understanding of local delivery, payment and purchasing processes. This experience has enabled the site to be relaunched in Belgium, Switzerland and now Spain within a short timeframe and to a high standard, by mobilising the technical, logistics and marketing teams.

"We want every European customer to experience Habitat in their own way: exploring our iconic creations, discovering new and inspiring pieces, and enjoying a simple and pleasant digital experience designed with them in mind. Every detail of the online journey, from product selection to delivery services, has been designed to make their lives easier and offer them the best in accessible design", says Sacha Vigna, CEO of the Habitat brand.

A springboard for European expansion

Belgium and Switzerland were a natural first step, given their cultural and linguistic proximity to France. Spain marks a new strategic advance, a key market with strong potential where Habitat is continuing its expansion. The brand is already preparing to open new sites in other European countries, with the ambition of gradually adapting its platforms to local customs.

Beyond that, the ambition is clear: to place Habitat on a path of European expansion, prioritising the largest markets such as Spain, before opening in Germany. The expansion will then continue to other territories and through a strengthened presence on local marketplaces.

Habitat is thus returning to the international stage with a strong conviction: to continue the history of an iconic brand by combining heritage and modernity. More than just an opening, this launch embodies a movement: that of accessible, desirable and timeless design, now just a few clicks away for customers in Spain, Belgium and Switzerland.

Next publication: FY 2024-2025 results, 13 January 2026

For more information: bourse.vente-unique.com

About Vente-unique.com

Founded in 2006, Vente-unique.com (Euronext Growth - ALVU), a subsidiary of the CAFOM Group (Euronext Growth - ALCAF), is an expert in online revenues of furniture and home furnishings in Europe. The company covers 14 countries (France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland) and has supplied over 3 million customers since its launch.

ACTUS finance & communication Pierre Jacquemin-Guillaume Anne-Charlotte Dudicourt Investor Relations Press Relations vente-unique@actus.fr acdudicourt@actus.fr +33 1 53 67 36 79 +33 (0)6 24 03 26 52

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LONDON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Buildings generate 36% of global carbon emissions and account for 40% of global energy use, placing the built environment at the centre of climate action. Sustainability Magazine , a BizClik brand, has released a new Special Report, 'Technology & Energy: Decarbonising the Built Environment', examining how global property leaders are deploying innovative technologies to cut emissions and accelerate the energy transition across real estate.

The report is featured in Sustainability Magazine's latest issue (Issue 60), available now.

The report examines how companies such as Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE and Johnson Controls are working to decarbonise the built environment by leveraging building automation, electrification, clean energy and data-driven insights to cut operational emissions and support net-zero commitments. It also highlights the Top 10 Companies Supporting Sustainability in the Built Environment.

Key Insights

Buildings account for 40% of global energy use and 36% of carbon dioxide emissions, making them central to climate action.





Smart building technologies are reducing energy use by 20-30% across major portfolios.





Solar, battery storage and heat pump installations are expanding rapidly, enabling resilient and low-carbon operations.





Global green building market value is projected to reach US$600bn by 2027, driven by rising demand for energy-efficient real estate.





"The climate is telling us that until we decarbonise those buildings, we can't effectively decarbonise the climate," said Katie McGinty, Chief Sustainability Officer at Johnson Controls.

"New technologies give us a chance to push building emissions to net zero or even net energy positive."

Each organisation contributed insights to this Special Report. The highlights below provide wider context on their current activity in the built environment and their recent collaborations with BizClik.

Featured Highlights

Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield is driving meaningful decarbonisation across its 5.1bn sq. ft global real estate portfolio by integrating smart building systems, expanding onsite renewable generation and following SBTi-aligned emissions pathways.

Jessica Francisco, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cushman & Wakefield, is helping to lead this transformation. She is highlighted in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 Sustainability Leaders 2025 and Top 250 Women Driving Sustainability 2025 reports for her work advancing climate action and responsible transformation across global property portfolios.

Cushman & Wakefield is also featured in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 World's Most Sustainable Companies 2025 report, recognising its sustained leadership in low-carbon real estate and energy-efficient operations.

CBRE

CBRE continues to advance its net-zero strategy by integrating low-carbon technologies, expanding electrification across its operations and delivering science-based targets validated by SBTi.

CBRE will be speaking at Data Centre LIVE in London, on 20-21 May 2026 , where Lovisa Hagelberg, Business Unit Director Nordics, will join a panel exploring best practices in data centre facilities management. The session will examine how operators can improve operational efficiency, apply predictive maintenance and balance uptime, cost and sustainability targets.

The discussion will focus on practical approaches to managing modern infrastructure while supporting long-term performance and environmental goals.

Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is also featured in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 World's Most Sustainable Companies 2025 report, recognised for its leadership in energy-efficient technologies and long-term climate commitments.

In addition, Johnson Controls is highlighted in Data Centre Magazine's latest issue , featuring a Q&A with Todd Grabowski , VP and President Americas, on 'Building the Sustainable Data Centres of the Future'. This follows his recent company report with Data Centre Magazine, 'Driving the Data Centre Revolution', which reveals how Johnson Controls is breaking new ground with innovation, scalability, and consistency.

Top 10 Companies Supporting Sustainability in the Built Environment

The special report also showcases the Top 10 Companies Supporting Sustainability in the Built Environment , including Schneider Electric, Arcadis, Autodesk, Honeywell, Siemens, Skanska and Lendlease, recognised for innovation in engineering, building automation, design and energy management.

Why It Matters

The built environment must decarbonise at speed to meet net-zero goals. Achieving this requires retrofitting existing buildings, integrating clean technology at scale and addressing long-standing barriers such as capital constraints and split incentives.

The Special Report explores how leaders are using AI, IoT, heat pumps, district energy networks and renewable power to deliver measurable reductions in emissions. It also examines regulatory challenges and the growing role of data transparency in driving performance across global property portfolios.

Read the Full Report

Access the full Special Report, 'Technology & Energy: Decarbonising the Built Environment', on Sustainability Magazine.

Get Involved in Future Reports

Sustainability Magazine now publishes twice monthly, delivering regular analysis on the companies, executives and innovations leading global sustainability.

To feature your organisation or explore sponsorship opportunities, contact the editorial team.

About Sustainability Magazine

Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand offering insight, analysis and executive perspectives across ESG strategy, climate action, energy transition and sustainable business leadership.

About BizClik

BizClik is a global B2B media and events company producing sector-specific content across sustainability, technology, energy, procurement, fintech and AI. Its portfolio includes digital magazines, websites, newsletters, webinars and award-winning global events.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2828792/BizClik_Media.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sustainability-magazine-unveils-special-report-decarbonising-the-built-environment-through-technology-and-energy-innovation-302622104.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / The LG x ShowerUp Program started from a simple yet powerful idea: outfit a truck with laundry services, mobile showers, and toiletries to provide critical relief to unhoused populations in Huntsville, Alabama, where LG has been leading corporate citizen since the 1970s.

By joining forces with respected non-profit ShowerUp, LG Electronics USA has helped provide unhoused populations in Huntsville and now also in Nashville, Tennessee, with safe space to escape extreme weather or a place to freshen up and wash their clothes before school or a job interview. To date, the program has provided more than 10,000 wash cycles and 80,000 showers to individuals in need.

This program is a success not only for the lives it touches daily, but for the broader message it sends - that systemic challenges like housing insecurity can be met with strategic, compassionate, and lasting solutions when businesses and communities work together. For this reason, the LG x ShowerUp Program is expanding further in November (National Homelessness Awareness Month) to Wichita, Kansas.

"We understand the power access to shower or clean clothes can have - the confidence and sense of wellbeing it can create. The assistance from LG helps open doors to housing and job opportunities for the unhoused population, in addition to the overall positive impact it can make on the surrounding community," says ShowerUP CEO Paul Schmitz.

From a corporate volunteer perspective, LG employees have also donated their time and technical expertise onsite during the truck's deployment. Ultimately, the partnership has deepened LG's local relationships and bolstered our standing as a community-first organization, according to LG Electronics USA's Corporate Marketing Director Jeannie Lee.

"At LG, we are proud of the role we play, alongside a cast of public and private partners, in creating a Better Life for All," she says. "Through our three strategic impact pillars - mental & physical health, environmental health, and community health - we take an integrated approach to health and wellbeing built on the belief that we can help people move toward a healthier, happier place."

Learn about how you can get involved at https://showerup.org/

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from LG Electronics USA on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: LG Electronics USA

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lg-electronics-usa-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: LG Electronics USA

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/during-national-homelessness-awareness-month-program-to-provide-laundr-1105336
BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in UN climate summit history, ordinary citizens will have a direct, formal role in shaping international climate policy. The COP30 Presidency today launched the Citizens' Track, a new initiative that connects thousands of local community assemblies worldwide to a permanent Global Citizens' Assembly, creating a structured, global platform for public influence over climate decisions.

The announcement was made at an Action Agenda event in Belem, where Alice de Moraes Amorim Vogas, Director of Program at COP30, confirmed that findings from the initiative will be formally presented at the upcoming mid-year Bonn Climate Conference.

"We need a regime that is inclusive, people-centered, and truly responsive to both climate action and tackling inequalities. This will require different approaches, tools, and methods, and that's the beauty of the Citizens Track, it gives a structured process that can allow for more organic forms of mobilization. It's about creating a bridge between formal negotiations and informal participation. Without civil society and citizens, we won't be able to deliver this."

The first Citizens' Track cycle will engage over 100,000 participants in 30 countries, with an ambitious goal to scale to one million people by the global stocktake in 2028.

The idea was first proposed in a policy paper by Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and COP30 Special Envoy for Europe, in collaboration with the Iswe Foundation. Tubiana said: "Ten years after the Paris Agreement opened the door to cities, businesses, and civil society, COP30 has the opportunity to be remembered not just for new pledges, but for rebooting the relationship between citizens and the climate regime. This is the future a Citizens' Track can deliver and the legacy Belem must leave behind.'"

The initiative has also been supported by policy leaders and climate leaders around the world.

Xiye Bastida, climate justice activist and indigenous rights advocate, said: "We need spaces where people can have on-the-ground dialogues about how to implement climate solutions. Without that, we miss out on so much of our communities' potential. Intergenerational learning is essential, otherwise, a big part of the population won't get to shape our communities and our world. It's not just making our voices heard here at COP, but bringing this process to the ground and ensuring people feel empowered to help shape the policies that affect their lives."

Contact: Tillie Dee, tillie.dee@iswe.org

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cop30-presidency-launches-citizens-track-to-bring-peoples-voices-into-climate-decision-making-302622114.html
Regulatory News:

Today, Orano management welcomed a delegation from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to the Tricastin site (Drome/Vaucluse, southern France). The delegation was able to observe the significant progress made on the extension of the Georges Besse 2 enrichment plant. This visit follows the 400 million financing granted by the EIB on March 10, 2025, to support a major industrial project estimated at more than 1.7 billion.

Initiated by Orano in October 2023, the Georges Besse 2 expansion project aims to strengthen Western energy sovereignty and is fully aligned with the European "RePowerEU" program. The project will contribute to reducing the European Union's reliance on imported Russian fuels and enriched uranium.

Central to the project is the construction of four new uranium enrichment modules, which will supplement the 14 already in service. The modules will be brought online progressively from 2028, and will be fully commissioned by 2030. With this expanded capacity, the uranium produced will allow low-carbon energy to be supplied to the equivalent of 120 million households each year.

Furthering the collaboration that began in March with the award of the loan, the EIB delegation was able to observe the great steps forward made on the construction site and follow the progress of this strategic project for Europe, one year on from the laying of the first stone.

The construction project brings together around 180 companies, mostly French, with a significant proportion of regional firms. Work is progressing on schedule and within budget: to date, over 70% of the concrete has been poured.

Ambroise Fayolle, vice-president de la European Investment Bank:"Low-carbon energy sources are a key factor in enabling Europe to achieve climate neutrality. They are also a means of ensuring our sovereignty and energy security, in an uncertain geopolitical context, by becoming more autonomous in terms of resources. This is why the EIB, the European Union's bank, is pleased to support Orano in its projects to increase uranium enrichment capacity."

Nicolas Maes, Chief Executive Officer of Orano, commented: "The extension of the Georges Besse 2 enrichment plant is a strategic project, which in time will allow power to be supplied to nearly 60% of EU households. This increase in production capacity represents a decisive element supporting European and Western energy sovereignty, significantly enhancing the security of supply of low-carbon energy."

Francois Lurin, Orano's director of Chemistry Enrichment, added: "It is almost one year now since we laid the first brick in this monumental project. Today, we meet again to take stock of the progress made so far. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our teams and our partners, whose commitment is vital to the success of this project. I would also like to thank our clients and shareholders for their faith and confidence. Thanks to them, we are moving forward towards greater energy independence for the West."

About Orano

As a recognized international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 18,000 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow

Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value.

About EIB

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, it finances investments that pursue EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120356948/en/

Contacts:

Orano

+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15

press@orano.group

EIB

Andrea Morawski

Tel: +352 691 284349

Email: a.morawski@eib.org


ACCRA, Ghana, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In Accra, the capital of Ghana, the International Conference of the Pan-African Progressive Front took place, marking the 80th anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress held in Manchester in 1945. The event's motto, "From Historical Memory to Economic and Political Justice," reflects the participants' determination to move beyond acknowledging historical injustices toward concrete political action.

Over two days, more than 200 delegates from 57 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and the global diaspora discussed mechanisms for full compensation for centuries of colonial exploitation and plunder. The conference was officially opened by Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, the African Union's Champion for Reparations.

Prominent attendees included former Ghanaian President John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor, Congolese opposition leader Martin Fayulu, General Secretary of South Africa's largest trade union NUMSA Irvin Jim, leader of Zambia's Socialist Party Fred M'membe, as well as the United States Charge d'Affaires in Ghana, Rolf Olson. His presence underscored the truly global scale of the reparations discourse today.

The conference culminated in the adoption of the Accra Declaration - a programmatic document blending political will with specific demands. The Declaration reaffirms the inalienable right of Africans and people of African descent to full reparations. It calls for establishing a global framework of reparatory justice based on restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition. The document also supports the creation of multi-level reparations bodies - national, regional, and continental - and strengthening cooperation among Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora.

A key element of the Declaration is a call for former colonial powers to acknowledge their responsibility and engage in official reparations negotiations.

One of the conference participants, Ouzeirou Mamane, president of the Pan-African Movement for Reparations, Justice, and Restoration of Historical Memory, emphasized:

"It is very important that we have moved to practical steps. Equally important is the fact that the conference included not only representatives from the African continent and Latin America but also a representative of the U.S. embassy. This signifies that Africa's partners across the ocean understand not only the issue of reparations but also the just expectations of Africans vis-a-vis Europe."

Accra has once again reinforced its role as the beating heart of Pan-Africanism, breathing new life into the ideas of liberation and justice. Africa demonstrates that it is no longer asking - it is demanding and taking its future into its own hands.

This conference represents a crucial step forward in realizing the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, who once said: "Ghana's independence is meaningless unless it is linked to the total liberation of Africa."

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Giga Metals Corp. (TSXV: GIGA) (OTCQB: GIGGF) (FSE: BRR2) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Existing Agency Inc. on December 3 at 2:00 PM ET.

Existing Agency invites current shareholders, and all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Existing Agency Inc.

The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Existing website.

For more information and to register: https://streamyard.com/watch/uGcGgtFrrdMy

Commodities to be covered: Nickel, Cobalt, Copper and PGEs





Upcoming December 3 Giga Metals webinar covering new Turnagain Project geophysical findings



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11851/275320_5650992224e73814_001full.jpg

About Giga Metals Corp.

Giga Metals Corporation's core asset is the Turnagain Project, located in northern British Columbia, which contains one of the few significant undeveloped sulphide nickel and cobalt resources in the world. Turnagain is held in Hard Creek Nickel, a subsidiary owned jointly by Giga Metals Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. The Pre-Feasibility Study was released in October 2023.

The Turnagain ultramafic complex is also prospective for copper, platinum and palladium mineralization in the Attic Zone, an area adjacent to the known nickel resource.

About Existing Agency Inc.

Existing Agency is a creative and digital agency dedicated to fuelling innovation, impact, and influence. As collaborative media strategists and brand builders, we combine visionary creativity with data-driven insights to craft impactful solutions across social media management, content creation, paid amplification, design, branding, video production, and web development. From mining companies to consumer-packaged goods brands, we work seamlessly across sectors to bring ideas to life through strategy-backed storytelling. With an in-house team handling everything from audience research and community growth to video production and website delivery, we empower brands to connect meaningfully, engage effectively, and grow sustainably.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275320

SOURCE: Existing Agency Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - IMPACT Silver Corp. (TSXV: IPT) (OTCQB: ISVLF) (FSE: IKL) ("IMPACT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce further results from its underground drill program in the Juarez Zone at its Plomosas zinc (lead-silver) Mine in northern Mexico.

JUAREZ ZONE DRILLING

New drill intersections on the down dip extension of the Juarez Zone of the Plomosas Mine are as follows:

TABLE 1: JUAREZ ZONE DRILL RESULTS - PLOMOSAS MINE Hole No. From

(metres) To

(metres) Interval

(metres) Estimated True Width (metres) Zinc (%) Lead

(%) Silver

(g/t) ZnEq*

(%) UGMJ-2546 72.00 72.70 0.70 0.55 17.95 0.65 9.90 18.76 UGMJ-2547 74.51 79.00 4.49 3.07 13.09 2.63 14.16 15.14 Including 76.85 79.00 2.15 1.47 22.08 3.27 18.95 24.69 Including 76.85 78.00 1.15 0.79 28.10 4.14 22.30 31.33 UGMJ-2548 75.60 85.45 9.85 6.40 1.57 4.54 9.58 4.41 Including 75.60 78.15 2.55 1.66 3.63 9.91 16.25 9.62 Including 77.10 78.15 1.05 0.68 6.26 19.25 25.90 17.62 Including 84.08 85.45 1.37 0.89 3.90 13.75 19.80 12.08 UGMJ-2549 84.30 87.20 2.90 1.65 0.60 6.73 5.99 4.43 Including 84.30 85.70 1.40 0.79 0.01 12.25 6.40 6.77 UGMJ-2550 94.75 100.05 5.30 2.98 2.53 9.66 10.08 8.10 Including 94.75 95.20 0.45 0.25 20.10 9.62 51.90 27.61 Including 98.50 100.05 1.55 0.87 2.71 30.10 17.50 19.40 UGMJ-2551 90.35 92.35 2.00 0.91 0.01 8.41 4.68 4.66 Including 91.85 92.35 0.50 0.23 0.01 26.10 5.80 14.04 UGMJ-2552 111.65 111.97 0.32 0.16 9.09 4.24 39.50 13.18



*Zinc Equivalent (ZnEq) is calculated using recent metal prices of US$1.47/lb Zn, US$0.92/lb Pb and US$50.44/oz Ag, and metal recoveries of 90.5% Zn, 76.5% Pb, and 85.0% Ag based on recent Plomosas production mill recoveries. Metal equivalence values allow for easier comparison of mineral zones with multiple metals reporting.

True width estimates are interpreted from current geological models. The Juarez Zone lies stratigraphically below the Mina Vieja (Tres Amigos Mine) horizon at the Plomosas Mine and has a separate access adit (see Figures 2 & 3). All these Juarez Zone drill intersections lie outside the JORC mineral resource blocks published by the previous operator (see IMPACT news release dated April 3, 2023 for details). Juarez Zone mineralization remains open for exploration.

CEO STATEMENT

President and CEO Frederick Davidson commented, "We are pleased with these new high-grade drill intersections on extensions of the Juarez Zone adding mineralization for ongoing mining. The location of these intersections on extensions of our underground mining infrastructure allows us to readily expand our mining operations into these areas. We now have two drills testing extensions of near mine targets and have begun to carry out exploration drilling on other targets along the under-explored six kilometre CRD trend."

PLOMOSAS MINE GEOLOGY AND MINERALIZATION

The Plomosas mine, a historic high-grade zinc producer in northern Mexico (Figure 1), was acquired in 2023 by the Company. Recent drill programs have been undertaken on extensions of active mine areas in the Tres Amigos Zone, the Juarez Zone and Santo Domingo Zone (see Figure 2). Mineralization at the Plomosas mine occurs as zinc-rich Carbonate Replacement zones in three bedrock units - the Mina Vieja marble (Tres Amigos Zone), the Juarez limestone (Juarez Zone) and in carbonate layers within the Cuesta Shale (Santo Domingo Zone) - where structural ground preparation along these units accommodated concentrations of zinc, lead, and silver (see Figure 3).

ABOUT IMPACT SILVER

IMPACT Silver Corp. (TSXV: IPT) is a successful producer-explorer with two mining projects in Mexico.

Royal Mines of Zacualpan Silver-Gold District: IMPACT owns 100% of the 211 km2 Zacualpan project in central Mexico where four producing underground silver mines and one open pit mine feed the central 500 tpd Guadalupe processing plant. To the south, the Capire Project includes a 200 tpd processing pilot plant adjacent to an open pit silver mine with an NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource of over 4.5 million oz silver, 48 million lbs zinc and 21 million lbs lead (see IMPACT news release dated January 18, 2016, for details and QP statement). Company engineers are reviewing Capire for a potential restart of operations to leverage improving commodity prices. Over the past 19 years, IMPACT has developed multiple exploration zones into commercial production and has produced over 13.5 million ounces of silver, generating revenue of more than $298 million, with no long-term debt.

Plomosas Zinc-Lead-Silver District: Plomosas is a high-grade zinc producer in northern Mexico with exceptional exploration upside potential. In late 2023, the Company restarted mining operations and ramped up production toward design capacity levels. Exploration potential at Plomosas is exceptional along the 6 km-long structure. This is in addition to other exploration targets on the 3,019-hectare property including untested copper-gold targets with indications of high-grade material at surface. Regionally, Plomosas lies in the same belt as some of the largest carbonate replacement deposits in the world (see Figure 1).

Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Drill core was NTW size (5.71 cm diameter). Half core samples were collected with a rock saw and tagged for identification. All samples were securely stored at the Plomosas Mine until shipment. A total of 5% certified assay standards and 5% blanks were inserted into every sample shipment as a quality control measure. All samples were shipped to the ALS preparation laboratory in Chihuahua, Mexico, where they were fine crushed (70% passing a 2 mm screen), pulverized (85% passing a 75 micron screen) and pulp split separated for assay. These pulps were shipped to the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver, Canada, where a 10 gram split was aqua regia digested and then analyzed for 36 elements including zinc, lead and silver by ICP-AES spectrometry (ALS code ME-ICP41). Assays for base metals >1% used an overlimit ICP-AES method (ALS code OG46). ALS is an independent, international ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Silvia Kohler, P.Geo., a Senior Geologist employed by IMPACT Silver Corp. and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI-43101, has approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Additional information about IMPACT and its operations can be found on the Company website at www.IMPACTSilver.com . Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @IMPACT_Silver and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactsilver

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.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This IMPACT News Release may contain certain "forward-looking" statements and information relating to IMPACT that is based on the beliefs of IMPACT management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to IMPACT management. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "planned", "expect", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intends", "believe", "potential", and similar expressions, or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding interpretation of drill results, activity at the projects and estimated timing thereof, the potential for defining and extending the known mineralization, exploration potential on the properties, and plans for drilling and future operations at the Company's projects or plans for financing.

Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks and assumptions, including with respect to, without limitation, exploration and development risks, expenditure and financing requirements, title matters, operating hazards, extreme weather events, criminal activity, metal prices, political and economic factors, community relations, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, pandemics and one-time events. Should any one or more risks or uncertainties materialize or change, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. IMPACT does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement or beliefs, opinions, projections or other factors, except as required by law.

The Company's decision to place a mine into 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 based on exploration, development and mining work by the Company's geologists and engineers. The results of this work are evident in the discovery and building of multiple mines for the Company at Zacualpan and in the track record of mineral production and financial returns of the Company since 2006. Under NI 43-101, the Company is required to disclose that it has not based its production decisions on NI 43-101 mineral resources or reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments or feasibility studies, and historically such projects have increased uncertainty and risk of failure.

303-543 Granville Street Telephone

604 664-7707

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1X8

www.impactsilver.com

X (Twitter)

LinkedIn

Figure 1: Location map of Plomosas Mine and nearby mines and infrastructure. References to nearby projects are for information purposes only and there are no assurances that Plomosas will achieve similar results.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/275349_452c155ca441e924_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Plan map of the Plomosas Mine workings.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/275349_452c155ca441e924_002full.jpg

Figure 3: Schematic cross section of the Juarez Mine geology and mineralization showing new intersections on the Juarez Zone.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/275349_452c155ca441e924_003full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275349

SOURCE: IMPACT Silver Corp.
LONDON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BCMGlobal, one of Europe's leading independent loan and mortgage servicing firms and an affiliate of LCM Partners, has been appointed to manage the National Financing Support Services Company (NFSC) and to support its advancement into a best-in-class independent loan servicer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Established by the Saudi Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) and the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), NFSC plays a central role in strengthening the Kingdom's mortgage and consumer finance sectors. Its mandate supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives to diversify and deepen the national financial system.

Building on more than 25 years of experience across Europe, BCMGlobal will deploy a senior team to the Kingdom, including the forthcoming appointment of a Head of Servicing to lead the next phase of NFSC's development. The company will expand its service lines and local footprint, with plans to recruit and build operational capacity in Saudi Arabia. BCMGlobal's remit includes broadening NFSC's servicing capabilities beyond residential mortgages to encompass consumer and commercial loans, while introducing back-up servicing and facility agency services to support the region's evolving financial ecosystem.

These developments will provide critical infrastructure for both domestic institutions and international lenders seeking to participate in the Kingdom's rapidly growing financial markets. BCMGlobal has already seen strong early interest from leading global banks and investment houses, reflecting the quality of international engagement being drawn to the Kingdom's financial sector.

"With over 25 years of experience managing performing, re-performing and non-performing loans, BCMGlobal brings deep operational and data expertise to the Kingdom," said Simon Fitness, Chief Executive Officer of BCMGlobal. "We are committed to embedding ourselves within the local market - both operationally and as an employer - building teams and technology in the Kingdom that deliver world-class servicing aligned with the goals of Vision 2030."

Paul Burdell, Chief Executive Officer of LCM Partners, added: "Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate world-class ambition and leadership in developing its financial markets. We are proud to play a supporting role alongside partners such as REDF and SRC, whose vision and commitment to excellence are helping shape a modern and dynamic financial services sector. BCMGlobal's servicing expertise, data capabilities and technology will complement these efforts and contribute to building an institution of enduring strength and capability in the NFSC."

With approximately 45 billion of assets under management and operations across five European jurisdictions, BCMGlobal provides end-to-end loan servicing, portfolio management and data analytics solutions for more than 125 financial institutions. Its appointment to work with NFSC marks a significant milestone in BCMGlobal's international expansion and underlines its role as a strategic partner in the evolution of financial services infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About BCMGlobal

BCMGlobal is one of Europe's leading independent loan and mortgage servicing firms, specialising in end-to-end asset management, loan administration and data-driven servicing technology. Operating across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, BCMGlobal manages more than 45 billion in assets and provides solutions to over 125 banking and financial institutions. BCMGlobal is part of the LC Financial Holdings group and an affiliate of LCM Partners.

Media Contact:

Alison Swonnell

Managing Director, Client Solutions

E: ASwonnell@LCMPartners.eu

W: www.bcmglobal.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bcmglobal-appointed-to-support-the-advancement-of-the-national-financing-support-services-company-nfsc-as-a-best-in-class-independent-loan-servicer-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-302622202.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / To support generational sustainability, we must build a pipeline that equips Southwire to tackle the challenges of today - and those to come. This work is crucial, with researchers estimating that up to 3.8 million manufacturing roles will need to be filled by 2033, and warning that nearly half could remain vacant due to gaps in skilled applicants.

We are addressing this gap by working with educational partners to broaden our recruitment efforts and reach while expanding programs that build critical skills in manufacturing and beyond. In 2024 we maintained partnerships with University of West Georgia (UWG), Auburn University's 100 Women Strong and Engineering Academic Excellence programs, Georgia Tech's Office of Minority Educational Development and the Atlanta University Center Consortium. We also zeroed in on early career and student-focused programs, such as internship and apprenticeship opportunities.

BRINGING OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INTO THE FUTURE

Southwire hosted one of its largest internship cohorts in 2024. We updated the program to include more structure for interns, as well as in-person opportunities to spend time with their peers and Southwire team members. All interns came together for in-person onboarding to kick off the program and returned for an in-person offboarding event. We also provided each intern with a mentor, prompted managers to develop more clearly defined projects and created more touchpoints for interns and managers to connect. Outside of our regular programming, we provided interns with access to virtual learning opportunities to build targeted knowledge and skills.

Yello, a leading provider of early talent acquisition software solutions, recognized Southwire as one of its Top 100 Internship Programs of 2024.

CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUSINESS LEADERS

University of West Georgia (UWG) has been a long-time Southwire talent partner. Together, we host the Southwire Business Leadership Program (SBLP), where UWG students can spend a year gaining firsthand work experience. Next, they begin a two-semester internship that allows them to create a multiyear strategic plan to address a business opportunity or need. All SBLP participants present their plans to Southwire's executive leadership team, cultivating strong presentation skills and gaining visibility with senior leaders.

Over 60% of SBLP participants over the past two years were offered positions at Southwire.

BUILDING A PIPELINE FOR MAINTENANCE CAREERS

Participants in our two-year Southwire Maintenance Apprenticeship complete on-the-job training alongside classroom instruction, preparing them for potential full-time Southwire roles. Apprentices can choose between two tracks created for maintenance or electrical technician positions. Opportunities are open to outside applicants, such as students from West Georgia Technical College and Southwire team members looking to transition into new roles.

Southwire proudly supports the University of Georgia's Society of Women Engineers chapter, helping to expand the pool of engineering talent we recruit.

UPGRADING OUR FINANCE ROTATIONAL PROGRAM

The Finance Rotational program employs new recent graduates into the three-year rotational program. During this time, the new graduates learn various finance functions within the Southwire business to include operations, corporate and commercial. In 2024, we broadened our scope of participation to expand the program efficiencies through onboarding, development of cohorts, recruiting and committee sponsorship.

To learn more about Southwire's accomplishments in 2024, read our full sustainability report: https://southwire.com/sustainability.

Team members at Southwire's MC Plant

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southwire on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Southwire

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/southwire

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Southwire

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/investing-in-our-talent-pipeline-southwire-sustainability-report-highl-1105385
LAKE BLUFF, IL / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Stan Ventures, an Indo-American white-label SEO partner trusted by more than 150+ marketing agencies and 2500+ brands, today announced the launch of its AI SEO Service , a comprehensive execution system designed specifically to help businesses earn visibility, rankings, and citations inside generative AI search engines like Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Copilot/Bing, and ChatGPT.

With the rise of AI-powered search, the traditional SEO playbook is losing relevance. Organic traffic is no longer solely determined by how well a website ranks on Page 1 - instead, search engines are generating answers and choosing the sources that best match user intent. Stan Ventures' new AI SEO Service approaches optimization with that shift in mind.

The Core of the Service: Influence the AI Recommendation Layer

The AI SEO Service combines four strategic components:

Entity Optimization

Ensures Google and AI engines clearly understand the brand, its relevance, and how it connects to topical entities within a knowledge graph. This expands a site's semantic footprint and unlocks topical authority.

Schema & Structured Data

Enhances interpretability by giving generative engines machine-readable proof of the brand's expertise, authorship, and source credibility.

Authority Link Building

Editorial-quality and contextual placements from real publishers that strengthen the brand's authority signals and establish trust that AI models recognize.

Brand Mentions & Community Mentions

Increases surface area across the web to influence AI citation likelihood, including discussions on blogs, forums, communities, digital PR mentions, and expert roundup placements.

The Shift: From Ranking Pages to Influencing Decisions

Generative AI engines are quickly changing how search works. Users no longer want a list of links; they want one trusted answer - and they expect the AI assistant to decide on their behalf.

"Search has moved from showing choices to making decisions," said Krish R, Co-Founder & COO of Stan Ventures.

"People aren't clicking through ten blue links anymore. They ask AI, they get an answer, and they move on. Our AI SEO Service is engineered to make sure that answer includes our client's brand," he added.

Traditional SEO focuses on traffic acquisition. AI SEO focuses on answer acquisition.

Where SEO used to be about outranking competitors, AI SEO is about:

Being referenced

Being cited

Being included in the generated narrative

In short: becoming the source AI trusts.

AI Search Is Not Neutral - It Relies on Signals

Generative engines extract answers from sources they believe are credible and verifiable. Early studies show that:

AI engines prefer structured entities over unstructured content

Sites with schema markup are 2-4x more likely to appear in AI Overviews

Websites with brand mentions across multiple platforms get cited more frequently than those ranking based solely on keywords

Stan Ventures' internal dataset, analyzed across 300+ clients and 40,000 URL observations, revealed a fundamental insight:

AI engines don't reward the best content - they reward the most verifiable source.

This drove the development of the AI SEO Service.

Built for Agencies, SaaS Brands, and Multi-Location Enterprises

While the service is available to all businesses, three segments are seeing fastest adoption:

Marketing agencies using the service as a white-label deliverable

Brands looking to increase new-user acquisition speed in AI search

Enterprise franchises & multi-location brands competing for localized AI answers

Stan Ventures already manages 350+ active SEO campaigns monthly and is expanding its U.S. operations to support the demand for AI-native optimization.

The Why Behind the Launch

Stan Ventures has spent the last two years deploying entity-based optimization, structured data, and high-authority link building across thousands of URLs.

As AI search started replacing traditional SERPs, the pattern became clear - brands that invested in authority signals were being cited by AI assistants more often.

"Ranking on Google made you visible. Being cited by AI makes you chosen," Krish said. "Our mission is to help brands move from chasing rankings to owning mindshare in the decision layer of search."

He continued: "AI is rewriting the rules of organic visibility. Whoever becomes the trusted source for AI becomes the brand users see first - even before they start searching."

Why This Matters to the Industry

SEO is entering a new era where:

Queries become conversations

SERPs become generated answers

Clicks become bypassed actions

The brands that win will be those that adopt the mindset:

Optimize for humans, validate for AI.

Because the AI engines are not just extracting - they're interpreting, summarizing, and recommending.

About Stan Ventures

Stan Ventures is an Indo-American SEO company specializing in white-label link building, managed SEO, and now AI SEO Services. With over 350 full-time SEO professionals and strategic leadership based in Illinois and Bangalore, Stan Ventures combines high-quality SEO execution with U.S.-style communication and project ownership.

Stan Ventures partners with more than 150 agencies and marketing teams globally, helping them scale SEO without increasing headcount.

Learn more: https://www.stanventures.com/ai-seo-services/

Media Contact

Krish - Stan Ventures

contact@stanventures.com

www.stanventures.com

SOURCE: Stan Ventures

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/stan-ventures-unveils-ai-seo-service-to-help-brands-earn-ai-visib-1105391
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Golcap Resources Corp. (CSE: GCP) (the "Company" or "Golcap") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 1,500,000 flow-through common shares ("FT Shares") at a price of $0.285 per FT Share for gross proceeds of up to $427,500.

The gross proceeds received by the Company from the Offering will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" ("CEE") that are "flow-through mining expenditures" (as such term is defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) related to the Company's Quebec based mining projects.

Finder's fees may be payable in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and all securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. Completion of the Offering remains subject to any required regulatory approvals.

The securities referred to in this news release 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, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about the company and management, as well as financial statements. "United States" and "U.S. person" have the respective meanings assigned in Regulation S under the U.S Securities Act.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275360

SOURCE: Golcap Resources Corp.
BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwest Biotherapeutics (OTCQB:NWBO) (the "Company" or "NWBio"), a biotechnology company developing DCVax personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers, announced that it has engaged a construction firm to carry out the construction of the first Grade C manufacturing suite in the Company's Sawston, UK facility, the construction firm is onsite and the construction activities have begun. The Company anticipates that the manufacturing capacity of the first Grade C suite will more than double the aggregate capacity of the existing Grade B manufacturing suites combined. As such, the Company considers the construction of the first Grade C suite a major step towards potential large scale-up of the Company's production of DCVax products.

Manufacturing of medical products such as DCVax must be done in clean room facilities in sterile conditions. When manufacturing equipment and procedures involve steps open to the air, the manufacturing must take place in Grade B suites with special air handling and other requirements which are extremely expensive both to develop and to operate. In addition, only one patient's product may be made in a Grade B suite at a time, and the whole suite must stop activity and be specially cleaned in between manufacturing one patient's product and the next. The manufacturing of living cell products in general has traditionally had to be conducted in Grade B suites.

When a medical product is able to be manufactured using closed equipment and procedures that are not open to the air, the manufacturing can be conducted in Grade C manufacturing suites which are much less onerous and expensive to operate. In addition, multiple or numerous patient products may be manufactured simultaneously in a single Grade C manufacturing, and only certain equipment (not the whole suite) must be cleaned between production batches. These differences can enable a major increase in throughput and capacity, together with efficiency gains in both staff and materials.

As the Company has previously reported, the Flaskworks system is specially designed to carry out the key manufacturing processes for DCVax-L products on a closed basis. Developing this system was particularly challenging because the DCVax-L manufacturing process includes the dendritic cells adhering like barnacles to the flasks containing them, and then the mature activated cells being harvested by detaching them without damaging or destroying them. The Company views use of the Flaskworks closed system as key to enabling DCVax-L production to begin taking place in Grade C suites rather than Grade B suites - and the Company views such transition to Grade C suites as central to large scale-up of production.

The Company's business plan currently envisions manufacturing being established in the Grade C suite in the Sawston facility during Q2 of next year, with the construction of the Grade C suite taking approximately 6 months, followed by equipment installation and validation.

As previously reported, Advent worked closely with construction and engineering experts to develop a design and location within the Sawston facility that is expected to enable this first Grade C manufacturing suite to be constructed on a simplified basis at significantly lower construction costs and faster timeline. The project will also involve several million pounds of equipment costs. For example, as noted in the Company's recent 10-Q report, the cost to purchase certain fundamental equipment new is about 800,000 (approximately $1 million) per machine. Fortunately, Advent has been able to secure some of the machines at reduced cost. Due to long lead times, the Company is necessarily already proceeding with certain equipment purchases now.

"We are excited to be under way with the construction activity and equipment sourcing for the first Grade C lab in our Sawston facility," commented Linda Powers, the Company's CEO. "We view this as a transformative step in our progress toward large scale operations."

About Northwest Biotherapeutics

Northwest Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing personalized immunotherapy products that are designed to treat cancers more effectively than current treatments, without toxicities of the kind associated with chemotherapies, and on a cost-effective basis. The Company has a broad platform technology for DCVax dendritic cell-based vaccines. The Company's lead program involves DCVax-L treatment for glioblastoma (GBM). GBM is the most aggressive and lethal form of primary brain cancer, and is an "orphan disease." The Company has completed a 331-patient Phase III trial of DCVax-L for GBM, presented the results in scientific meetings, published the results in JAMA Oncology and submitted a MAA for commercial approval in the UK. The MAA is currently undergoing review. The Company has also developed DCVax-Direct for inoperable solid tumor cancers. It has completed a 40-patient Phase I trial and plans to pursue Phase II trials this year. The Company previously conducted a Phase I/II trial with DCVax-L for advanced ovarian cancer together with the University of Pennsylvania.

Disclaimer

Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements concerning plans for DCVax are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expect," "believe," "intend," "design," "plan," "continue," "may," "will," "anticipate," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. Readers should not rely upon forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation, risks related to delays or uncertainties in regulatory processes and decisions, risks related to the Company's ability to achieve timely performance of third parties, risks related to whether the Company's products will be viewed as demonstrating safety and efficacy, risks related to the Company's ongoing ability to raise additional capital, and other risks included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. Additional information on the foregoing risk factors and other factors, including Risk Factors, which could affect the Company's results, is included in its SEC filings. Finally, there may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Company's SEC filings that may cause actual plans, results or timelines to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by securities laws.

CONTACTS

Northwest Biotherapeutics

Dave Innes

804-513-4758

dinnes@nwbio.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/325355/northwest_biotherapeutics__inc__logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northwest-biotherapeutics-announces-that-construction-activities-are-under-way-for-the-first-grade-c-manufacturing-suite-in-the-sawston-uk-facility-302622271.html
The fan-favourite celebrities were seen touring Abu Dhabi's newest cultural landmark ahead of its grand opening

ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the latest addition to the Saadiyat Cultural District, marked its much-anticipated grand opening with an exclusive VIP preview on Thursday evening, bringing together global talent, cultural leaders and special guests for a first look inside the region's newest landmark.

Ahead of the official public opening on 22 November 2025 in Abu Dhabi, Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan were spotted exploring the museum and enjoying an exclusive first look at its collections and dynamic exhibits. The actors experienced the immersive displays that bring natural history to life and encountered key highlights such as 67-million-year-old "Stan", one of the best-preserved examples of a fossilised T. rex skeleton ever discovered.

The VIP opening also welcomed an exciting lineup of international celebrities from across film, television, music, art, and culture. Leading the red carpet were Abu Dhabi resident and global TV icon Steve Harvey; acclaimed special-effects designer and MythBusters star Adam Savage; and rising Hollywood talents David Iacono and AudrinaMiranda, stars of the recent Jurassic World movie. Joining them were award-winning producer and entrepreneur Swizz Beatz; celebrated actors Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy) and Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian); Tunisian-Italian model and cultural icon Afef Jnifen; and a host of other distinguished guests.

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the largest institution of its kind in the Middle East, has a special focus on the natural history of the Emirates and the wider region. Galleries take visitors back in time to seven million years ago, when the Arabian climate was very different, giving life to a green and lush savannah-like landscape roamed by now-extinct animals, including a giant elephant with four tusks, which is also on display for visitors to discover.

The galleries feature extraordinary exhibits which bring nature's greatest stories to life, including awe-inspiring glimpses into the age of dinosaurs. The world's first-ever display of a sauropod dinosaur herd can be found in the museum's atrium, with five different species of these long-necked giants standing majestically to greet visitors as they enter. Deeper into the galleries, another world-first awaits: a display featuring Tyrannosaurus rexes locked in battle over the carcass of a Triceratops, which is the first time two fossil T. rexes have been exhibited in such a dynamic scene.

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi joins a growing community of world-class institutions on Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Together, these institutions define the Saadiyat Cultural District as a global destination for culture, creativity, and cross-disciplinary exchange, a place where art, science, and heritage are brought together to shape future generations.

Book your tickets for Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi now at nhmad.ae

About the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae/

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / ISSA Show North America, the most comprehensive global event dedicated to cleaning and facility solutions, successfully concluded on November 13, connecting the world's leading suppliers and service providers from 70+ countries. Critical topics around technology integration, advanced automation solutions, enhanced safety protocols, industry advocacy initiatives and emerging market trends drove transformative discussions that will define the cleaning and facility management sector's evolution for years to come.

Extensive Exhibitor Showcase

More than 600 exhibitors across the show floor displaying and demonstrating thousands of products spanned categories from cleaning agents, floor & carpet care and equipment & accessories to safety & industrial supplies and technology & business solutions. Companies in attendance included Arm & Hammer Commercial, Clorox Pro, GOJO Industries, GP PRO, Hoover and Oreck Professional, Nilfisk, P&G Pro, SC Johnson Professional, Spartan Chemical Co., Inc., Tork, an Essity Brand and Supplymaid, among hundreds more.

Comprehensive Education Programming

Regulatory and compliance, management and sustainability were top of mind throughout the comprehensive education programming, in both classroom settings and throughout various areas on the show floor like the Innovation Showcase and Theater, the Business Solutions Theater, the Sustainability & ESG Hub, the ISSA Experience Hub and the CleanMeet Zone. The conference agenda spanned the following tracks: Business Growth, Cleaning Insights, Distributor, ISSA VEO, ESG and Sustainability, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Leadership, Career and Talent Development, Marketing Strategies, Residential, Technology & Innovation and Workshop.

Industry Impact

"The energy and optimism throughout the show floor was truly remarkable," shares Ed Nichols, Show Director of ISSA Show North America. "While our industry stands at a pivotal moment of evolution and transformation in the global landscape, our community continues to come together with determination and a collaborative spirit. We are actively driving change, finding innovative ways to unite and deliver exceptional results in a sector that is fundamental to how our societies and communities thrive and function every day."

Global Collegiate Sales Competition

To support the next generation of the workforce, ISSA Show North America hosted the first-ever Global Collegiate Sales Competition, bringing in students from 10 universities across the country to participate in real-life role play and speed selling in front of the world's biggest cleaning brands. For the role-play selling category, Emily Grimaldi of Virginia Tech took home first place, while Lucy Lyons of Ball State University received second place and Kelly Mollenauer of Virginia Tech was named in third place. For the Speed Selling category, Kaylie Cerda of Texas A&M took home first place, Ellie Swain of Virginia Tech was awarded second place and Leah Im of UNLV was named third place.

Additional Events

ISSA Spotlight Event and Awards: Show partner ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, presented its annual award program to recognize cleaning and facility solutions professionals who are driving the industry forward through positive contributions in their businesses and beyond.

The 2025 Achievement Awards and recipients are:

ISSA Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award: Charles Wax, former President & CEO, WAXIE Sanitary Supply.

Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award: Kathleen Albertson, Client Relations Manager, GDI Services, Inc.

Manufacturer Representatives' Distinguished Service Award: John Riches, President, Riches Associates.

ISSA Rising Star Award in Honor of Jimmy Core: Donnell Hines, Regional Operations Manager, Integrity National Corp.

ISSA Trainer of the Year Award Honoring Marion Ivey: Bill McGarvey, Director of Training & Sustainability, Imperial Dade.

Industry Leaders Roundtable:?The panel gives attendees a 360-view of the state of the industry, trends in the industry, biggest challenges and legislation that is impacting the cleaning industry the most.

ISSA Housekeeping Olympics: Internationally recognized competition hosted by IEHA, Indoor Environmental Healthcare & Hospitality Association, a Division of ISSA spotlights and celebrates the frontline workers in hospitality and healthcare.

Overall winners include:

1 st place: Aria Las Vegas Hotel/Vdara Hotel & Spa Las Vegas

2 nd place: Resorts World Las Vegas

3rd place: Staples Business

Innovation Experience: The ISSA Show Innovative Leaders Award Program highlights the industry's latest innovations in the global cleaning industry.?Participating exhibitors showcase products and technologies that have made an impact in the commercial, institution and residential cleaning community.?

Ongoing Engagement and Progress

"This week, we saw incredible momentum," shares Kim Althoff, Executive Director of ISSA. "There is a real appetite for knowledge and innovation that keeps driving us forward. Our industry continues to push boundaries, share insights and build on each other's successes as cleaning and facility solutions remain essential and vital to all across the world."

2026 Dates

ISSA Show North America will return November 17-19, 2026, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. To stay up to date with show announcements, please visit www.issashow.com.

About ISSA Show North America

In partnership with ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and 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 and 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

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/issa-show-north-america-2025-unites-global-cleaning-and-facility-solutions-ind-1105444
Metuchen, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Royal Premier LLC, operating as Royal Premier Car Service, has officially launched its new website, royalpremiercarservice.com, offering a refreshed digital presence that supports the company's expansion beyond New Jersey into the broader tri-state area. This milestone reflects the company's rapid evolution since its founding in March 2024.





Royal Premier Car Service Grows Tri-State Presence, Launches Website to Support Demand



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Expanded Reach Meets Streamlined Access

The newly launched website provides visitors with clear access to an extensive lineup of transportation services. Clients can now easily book rides ranging from private airport transfers to wedding limousine packages, all backed by a commitment to safety, reliability, and professionalism. As Royal Premier Car Service expands its operations across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, it reaffirms its mission to provide premium transportation solutions for individuals, families, and large groups alike.

A Growing Fleet to Match Diverse Needs

Supporting this regional expansion is an upgraded fleet that includes luxury sedans like the Cadillac CT6, Lincoln Continental, and Volvo S90, as well as premium SUVs such as Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac models. For larger parties or corporate clients, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter provides flexible group transportation options. These vehicle options cater to various customer segments-from solo business travelers to group outings and event logistics-further enhancing the company's position within the New Jersey limousine service sector.

Commitment to Excellence and Community

"Launching this platform represents more than just digital growth; it marks our readiness to serve the Tri-State Area with the same professionalism and attention to detail that our New Jersey clients already appreciate," said Muhammad Atif, spokesperson for Royal Premier Car Service. The expansion reflects increased demand for quality ground transportation in the region, particularly as industries and communities seek dependable service providers for both recurring and one-time events.





Royal Premier Car Service has officially launched its new website



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Broad Service Portfolio

The company's offerings include corporate and government travel, school and college transportation, private city tours, and leisure outings such as wine and brewery tours. A core service remains airport transportation to and from major hubs, including Newark Liberty International (EWR), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). This broad scope enables Royal Premier Car Service to meet diverse needs--whether facilitating executive roadshows, group events, or airport pickups and drop-offs. Backed by an expanded fleet and a strong presence in the tri-state area, the company is positioned to redefine regional expectations for professional ground transportation.

About Royal Premier Car Service

Founded in March 2024, Royal Premier LLC, DBA Royal Premier Car Service, is a luxury transportation provider rooted in Metuchen, New Jersey. Values of excellence, integrity, reliability, and customer focus drive the company. With services now extending across the tri-state area, it remains dedicated to delivering safe, dependable, and professional ground transportation to individuals, families, businesses, and event organizers.

Media Contact





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SOURCE: GetFeatured
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Cascada Silver Corp. (CSE: CSS) (OTCQB: CSSCF) ("Cascada") is pleased to announce that it has signed non-binding memorandum of understandings ("MOUs") for the acquisition of three advanced copper-gold properties: the Frontera; Clinton; and Taruca properties (the "Properties"). The Properties overlie multiple copper-gold porphyries comprising a portion of the Totora Cu/Au Porphyry Cluster located 60 kilometres south of Vallenar in Chile's Region III (see Figures 1 and 2) near the Pan American Highway (HWY 5) and high voltage power lines.

Historical Highlights*

Frontera deposit historical resource: 16 Mt indicated grading 0.66% copper equivalent ("CuEq") (0.38% Cu & 0.22 g/t Au) 34 Mt inferred grading 0.64% CuEq (0.36% Cu & 0.22 g/t Au).





Totora historical drilling highlights include: 142 m grading 0.69% CuEq (0.47% Cu & 0.17 g/t Au), hole DDHTP-02 114 m grading 0.61% CuEq (0.23% Cu & 0.31 g/t Au), hole DDHTO-07





Clinton historical drilling highlights include: 166 m grading 0.62% CuEq (0.23% Cu & 0.31 g/t Au), hole RCCL-01 278 m grading 0.61% CuEq (0.23% Cu & 0.30 g/t Au), hole DDHCL-06



"After an exhaustive review process, we are very pleased to announce that we have entered into agreements to acquire three advanced properties which host significant porphyry-related copper-gold mineralization," said Carl Hansen, CEO of Cascada. "While the MOUs are non-binding, terms have been negotiated and option agreements are being finalized".

"These MOUs provide Cascada with a strategic foothold in one of Chile's prospective copper-gold porphyry belts. The Properties collectively host multiple mineralized systems, including the near-surface Frontera deposit and two advanced porphyry prospects on Taruca and Clinton. Our immediate objective is to convert the historical work into current resource estimates and define the scale potential across the Totora Porphyry Cluster. Our goal is to build a multi-deposit copper-gold camp with total economically viable resources exceeding 250 million tonnes."

* Historical Results: Cascada has not undertaken any independent investigation of any historical results from the Properties nor has it verified the underlying technical basis for the historical resources and drilling results, including assays, geology and hole orientation. The reader is cautioned upon relying on the accuracy of the historical results presented; however, Cascada considers all historical results relevant as those results will be used as a guide to plan future exploration programs: the Company considers the data to be reliable for these purposes.

Copper Equivalent Calculation: Copper equivalent ("CuEq") grades were calculated using a copper price of $4.00 per pound and a gold price of $3,500 per ounce ($112.53 per gram). CuEq grades are calculated as follows: CuEq% = (((Au grade * 112.53) / 4.00 / 2,204.6)) * 100 + Cu grade. No recovery factors are used in this calculation. Metal prices are in US$.

The known copper-gold mineralization within the Properties is hosted by Cretaceous dioritic porphyries and associated breccias within a NE-SW structural corridor. These porphyries, which intrude felsic to intermediate volcanics, display colour anomalies related to potassic and phyllic alteration. The principal copper mineral is chalcopyrite, with occasional bornite, associated with strong potassic alteration and stockworks of A and B -type veins. The gold is likely associated with chalcopyrite but is also known to be associated with siliceous structures.

Frontera Property

The Frontera property hosts historic resources (Table 1) of 16 million indicated tonnes grading 0.66% copper equivalent ("CuEq") (0.38% copper and 0.22 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold) and 34 million inferred tonnes grading 0.64% CuEq (0.36% copper and 0.22 g/t gold). The resource estimate was prepared by Hot Chili Limited based on 16,175 metres of drilling completed 2013. Hot Chili's option for the Frontera property expired in 2015. Copper prices during this period averaged less than $3.00 per pound.

Table 1 - Frontera Cu/Au Deposit - Historical Resource Estimate (March 2014)* Classification Tonnes Cu Au CuEq Contained Metal (millions) (%) (g/t) (%) Cu ('000 lbs) Au (ounces)

Indicated 16 0.38 0.22 0.66 134,400 116,000

Inferred 34 0.36 0.22 0.64 275,500 239,000

NOTES - See note on Historical Results and CuEq calculation. Resource prepared by Hot Chile Limited under "Australasian Code for Reporting on Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (The JORC Code, 2012 Edition) and published on March 11, 2014. Mineral estimate is based upon a cutoff grade of 0.25% Cu.

The Frontera exploitation concessions cover 11 hectares hosting the entire historic resource. The mineralized porphyry extends onto concessions owned by Compania Minera del Pacifico (CMP, a subsidiary of CAP S.A., the Chilean Iron Ore Company).

The Frontera MOU contemplates total option payments of US$10,000,000 paid over 7 years as follows: $50,000 on signing; $100,000 on the 1st anniversary; $300,000 on the 2nd anniversary; $400,000 on the 3rd; $700,000 on the 4th; $1,000,000 on the 5th; $2,000,000 on the 6th and a final payment of $5,450,000 on the 7th anniversary. The payments after year 5 are subject to a CPI adjustment. There are no royalties.

Clinton Property

The Clinton copper-gold porphyry is hosted within an altered quartz diorite intruded along the regional Pajonales Fault. During 2018-2019, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. ("SQM"), a major Chilean lithium producer, drilled 6,194 metres outlining a mineralized porphyry extending to depths of over 500 metres downhole. A summary of the drill highlights from the SQM program is presented in Table 2. Geophysics is under consideration to examine structural controls on the emplacement of the porphyry. No resource estimate has been prepared for the Clinton Porphyry.

Table 2 - Clinton Historical Drilling Highlights (SQM - 2018/19) Drill Hole From To Interval CuEq Cu Au metres (%) (%) (g/t) RCCL-01 202 368 166 0.63 0.23 0.31 DDHCL-03 40 432 392 0.48 0.21 0.21 DDHCL-04 570 693 124 0.55 0.21 0.27 DDHCL-06 0 276 276 0.61 0.23 0.30 DDHCL-07 14 132 118 0.37 0.17 0.16 and 156 240 84 0.62 0.28 0.27 and 256 508 252 0.53 0.22 0.24 NOTE: See note on Historical Results and on the calculation of CuEq grades. CuEq grades were composited using a 0.25% cut-off grade and max. 4 metres of internal sub-0.25% CuEq "waste" material. Intervals represent downhole lengths and not true widths.

The Clinton concessions cover an area of 300 hectares. The MOU on the Clinton property contemplates option payments totaling US$4,000,000 paid over four years: $50,000 on signing; $100,000 on the first anniversary; $200,000 on the 2nd anniversary; $800,000 on the 3rd anniversary; $2,850,000 on the 4th anniversary. The third and fourth anniversary payments may be paid 50% in Cascada common shares. There is a 1.5% net smelter royalty to the vendor with Cascada retaining a right of first refusal on any sale of the NSR.

Taruca Property

The 1,300-hectare Taruca Property hosts several porphyry targets in various stages of exploration from early stage (Conico and Conico Sur) to more advanced (Totora). The Totora porphyry has been the focus of a number of drill programs with approximately 10,140 metres completed (see Table 3 for Totora historical drill assay highlights). Drilling outlined a structurally controlled mineralized system traced along a strike length of 800 metres on surface and extending to depths of up to 500 metres downhole. No resource estimate has been completed for the Totora porphyry.

Table 3 - Totora Historical Drilling Highlights Drill Hole From To Interval CuEq Cu Au Company metres (%) (%) (g/t) PAY-08 98 180 82 0.60 0.17 0.34 Freeport and 200 228 28 0.48 0.33 0.12

DDHTO-02 214 356 142 0.69 0.47 0.17 SQM including 214 286 72 0.97 0.64 0.26

DDH-TOT-09 62 154 92 0.49 0.27 0.18 Minera Veinte Norte and 170 368 198 0.47 0.27 0.15

DDHTO-07 0 114 114 0.61 0.23 0.31 SQM and 216 312 96 0.60 0.41 0.15

DH-TOT10 220 298 78 0.61 0.34 0.22 SQM and 374 474 100 0.57 0.40 0.14

NOTE: See note on Historical Results and on the calculation of CuEq grades. CuEq grades were composited using a 0.25% cut-off grade and max. 4 metres of internal sub-0.25% CuEq "waste" material. Intervals represent downhole lengths and not true widths.

Approximately 1 kilometre south of Totora lies the Algarrobilla porphyry. SQM drilled 3,140 metres during 2018-2019 and Freeport drilled 806 metres in 2014 (see Table 4 for drill assay highlights). Historical drilling outlined a 700-metre mineralized corridor. No resources are reported. Two bornite-bearing high grade intervals were intersected at depth in drill hole DDHCL-13 including 8 m grading 1.64% Cu and 0.39g/t Au suggesting the potential for a higher-grade porphyry at depth. Drilling is wide-spaced with the nearest drill hole to DDHCL-13 300 metres to the northeast. Deep penetrating electromagnetics is being considered to outline any potential porphyry at depth.

Table 4 - Algarrobilla Historical Drilling Highlights Drill Hole From To Interval CuEq Cu Au Company metres (%) (%) (g/t) PAY-06 150 254 104 0.41 0.31 0.08 Freeport DDHCL-13 280 288 8 1.64 1.14 0.39 SQM DDHCL-16 84 170 86 0.55 0.33 0.11 SQM NOTE: See notes on Historical Results and on the calculation of CuEq grades. CuEq grades were composited using a 0.25% cut-off grade and max. 4 metres of internal sub-0.25% CuEq "waste" material. Intervals represent downhole lengths and not true widths.

In addition to the advanced Totora and Algarrobilla prospects, three emerging targets have been identified: Represa, Conico and Conico Sur. Represa has two historical drill holes: one of which did not hit the target; and the second which cut 60 metres grading 0.24% CuEq before intersecting an unmineralized fault block. The Conico target is overlain by a large area of anomalous bismuth and antimony potentially related to remnants of an advanced argillic lithocap overlying a porphyry. At the Conico Sur target, there is evidence of small-scale mining activities with mineralization in pits and trenches. Initial exploration will be conducted on these targets in preparation for drilling, if warranted.

The Taruca MOU contemplates total option payments of US$18,500,000 paid over seven years as follows: $150,000 on signing; $250,000 on the 1st anniversary; $500,000 on the 2nd anniversary; $1,500,000 on the 3rd; $3,600,000 on the 4th; $4,000,000 on the 5th; $4,250,000 on the 6th and a final payment of $4,250,000 on the 7th anniversary. Upon paying $10 million, Cascada will earn a 40% interest in the Taruca property. There are drilling commitments of 4,000 metres during the first two years and an additional 4,000 metres during the second two years. There are no royalties.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

As defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Qualified Person for Cascada Silver Corp.'s exploration activities in Chile is Francisco Bravo, a resident of Santiago, Chile. Mr. Bravo is a Public Registered Person for Reserves and Resources N 515, in Chile, and is also registered in the Colegio de Geologos de Chile under N 725.

About Cascada Silver Corp.

Cascada is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration opportunities in Chile. Cascada's team of successful exploration professionals are dedicated to the discovery of mineral deposits that can be progressed into economically viable development projects creating value for all stakeholders.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: plans for the evaluation of exploration properties; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities; mine development prospects; and, potential for future metals production. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "focus is to", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "objectives", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation 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 involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the successful completion of entering into option agreements with the Properties vendors, entering into agreements under the terms presented in this press release, the successful acquisition of exploration projects; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing of exploration activities and receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project or exploration parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; as well as those factors disclosed in Cascada's publicly filed documents.

Although Cascada has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Figure 1 - Location of the Totora Cu/Au Porphyry Cluster Properties

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Figure 2 - Location of the Frontera, Clinton and Taruca Properties

and Known Cu/Au Occurrences

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SOURCE: Cascada Silver Corp.
Auna Delivers Solid Financial and Operating Performance in Peru and Colombia, While Advancing Key Initiatives in Mexico

Auna (NYSE: AUNA) ("Auna" or the "Company"), a leading healthcare platform in Latin America with operations in Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, announced today financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025 ("third quarter 2025" or "3Q25"). Financial results are expressed in Peruvian Soles ("S/" or PEN") and are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), unless otherwise noted.

3Q25 Consolidated Highlights

Consolidated Revenue increased 1% FXN, while decreasing 1% YoY on reported basis, to S/1,117 million

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 5% FXN, or 7% YoY on reported basis, to S/232 million

Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 20.8%, down 1.3 p.p. YoY from 22.1%

Adjusted Net Income was S/58 million, down from S/75 million in 3Q24

Leverage Ratio remains unchanged at 3.6x

Mexico's surgeries and oncology services increased for the second consecutive quarter

Oncology MLR decreased to 49.3%

Message from Auna's Executive Chairman and President

Despite weaker financial yet promising operational results, the third quarter of 2025 demonstrates the enduring resilience of Auna's integrated regional healthcare platform and the robust performance of our operations. The operations in Peru and Colombia achieved substantial growth and profitability in local currency, despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, while in our Mexico business, which is slowly recovering from previously communicated challenges, hospital operations remained stable, although the segment delivered less favorable financial results.

In Peru, both Oncosalud and Healthcare Services delivered consistently strong performance levels, supported by growth in memberships, annual pricing adjustments, and the sustained improvement of the Oncology MLR to 49.3%. The disciplined containment of costs and the operational efficiency of our medical talent continued to underpin this performance.

Our results were strong in Colombia, with double-digit growth in Adjusted EBITDA and continued expansion of risk-sharing Prospective Global Payment ("PGP") models. The team's focus on reducing exposure to intervened payors and optimizing resource utilization supported profitability and improved cash generation.

In Mexico, despite a second consecutive quarterly increase in the number of surgeries and growth in oncology and cardiology services, revenues and profitability declined year over year due to still lackluster demand for medical procedures, a sluggish recovery of volumes affected by legacy physician and supplier relationships, and migration issues related to the implementation of new Hospital Information and ERP systems at Doctors Hospital, which we expect to resolve in the coming months.

At the consolidated level, our leverage remained stable at 3.6x Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA, reflecting a disciplined approach to capital allocation, a robust cash position, and continued progress toward our medium-term deleveraging objective of below 3x. Additionally, following quarter-end, Auna completed a USD765 million debt refinancing that extends debt maturities, reduces interest costs, and further fortifies Auna's capital structure. Complementing these efforts, the announcement of our partnership with Sojitz and the recent Trecca milestone underscore the confidence in our strategy in Mexico and the significant opportunities that remain in Peru, while allowing us to pursue this growth maintaining our deleveraging path and our target of bringing leverage below 3x.

We remain focused on recovering our fast-pace of growth, rolling-out the AunaWay in Mexico, further strengthening operational performance, and expanding patient access to high-quality healthcare across Spanish-speaking Latin America.

Overview of 3Q25 Consolidated Results

Revenues increased 1% FXN and decreased 1% YoY on a reported basis to S/1,117 million, with revenues in local currency ("LC") increasing 9% in Peru and 4% in Colombia, offset by a 12% decrease in Mexico. In Mexico, healthcare network revenue decreased, partly due to softer demand for emergency and surgical procedures and to the slow recovery of volumes following the physician and supplier relationships challenges experienced in the first quarter of this year. Mexico's results also included the impact of the ongoing implementation of a new Hospital Information System and ERP at Doctors Hospital. In Peru, Oncosalud Peru contributed higher revenues with an increase in plan memberships and average ticket, while the healthcare network experienced higher demand for emergency visits and ambulatory care. In Colombia, revenue growth was driven by an increase in PGPs, increasing diversification away from intervened payors, and higher surgery tickets.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 5% FXN, 7% YoY on a reported basis to S/232 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 20.8%. Adjusted EBITDA increased 15% in Peru and 18% in Colombia in LC, offset by a 29% decrease in Mexico. In Mexico, Adjusted EBITDA decreased primarily on lower revenue and lower gross profit, while Peru's increased on higher gross profit, supported by growth in its Healthcare Services segment and higher membership sales in Oncosalud. Colombia achieved higher gross profit and lower impairment losses compared to the prior year's quarter. As reported results were impacted by depreciations of the MXN by 5% and of the COP by 4%, both versus PEN.

Net finance costs were S/72 million in 3Q25 compared to S/103 million in 3Q24. Excluding FX effects, net finance costs would have been S/111 million in 3Q25 and S/132 million in 3Q24, representing a decrease of S/20 million or 16%. The FX impact in 3Q25 included a positive non-cash amount of S/40 million, compared to a positive S/28 million in 3Q24, primarily reflecting the appreciation of the Peruvian Sol against the US Dollar below the range of Auna's call-spread hedge.

Net Income was S/53 million in 3Q25 compared to S/101 million in 3Q24. On a per-share basis, Auna reported Net Income of S/0.65, based on a weighted average number of basic and diluted shares of 74,188,937.

Adjusted Net Income, was S/58 million in 3Q25 versus S/75 million in 3Q24. On a per-share basis, Auna reported Adjusted Net Income of S/0.71, based on a weighted average number of basic and diluted shares of 74,188,937.

For a full version of AUNA's Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Release, please visit:

https://aunainvestors.com/English/financial-information/quarterly-results/

Conference Call Details

When: 8:00 a.m. Eastern time, November 21, 2025

Who: Mr. Suso Zamora, Executive Chairman of the Board and President; Mrs. Gisele Remy, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President; Mr. Lorenzo Massart, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Equity Capital Markets.

Dial-in: +1 888 596 4144 (U.S. domestic), +1 646 968 2525 (International)

Passcode: 3884034

To access Auna's financial results call via telephone, callers need to press to be connected to an operator.

Webcast: click here

About AUNA

Auna is a leading healthcare platform in Latin America with operations in Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, prioritizing prevention and concentrating on high-complexity diseases that contribute the most to healthcare expenditures. Our mission is to transform healthcare by providing access to a highly integrated healthcare offering in the underpenetrated markets of Spanish-Speaking Americas. Founded in 1989, Auna has built one of Latin America's largest modern healthcare platforms that consists of a horizontally integrated network of healthcare facilities and a vertically integrated portfolio of oncological plans and selected general healthcare plans. As of September 30, 2025, Auna's network included 31 healthcare network facilities, consisting of hospitals, outpatient, prevention and wellness facilities with a total of 2,333 beds, and 1.4 million healthcare plans.

For more information visit www.aunainvestors.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements convey our current expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "project," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to," or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements that appear in a number of places in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations, regarding various matters, including, our target Leverage Ratio, the expected resolution of the issues with physicians, suppliers and information systems in Mexico, the results of the key initiatives we are implementing in Mexico, the expected capacity and market of Torre Trecca once built, the execution of our strategic plan, including the recovery of our growth levels and the roll-out of the AunaWay in Mexico, our collaboration with Sojitz, our planned investments in Mexico and the creation of further growth and sustainable value for all stakeholders. Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this press release may turn out to be inaccurate. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors.

The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our expectations and forecasts as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release. For a discussion of the risks facing the Company which could affect whether these forward-looking statements are realized, see our Form 20-F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

Financial Guidance Disclaimer

Auna's guidance is based on management's current performance outlook and expected macroeconomic and regulatory conditions in the three countries where the Company operates. Any changes in these conditions could have an impact on the guidance provided.

Auna's financial guidance reflects management's current assumptions regarding numerous evolving factors that are difficult to accurately predict, including those discussed in the Risk Factors set forth in the Company's Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Reconciliations of forward-looking non-IFRS measures, specifically Leverage Ratio guidance, to the relevant forward-looking IFRS measures are not being provided, as the Company does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such guidance and reconciliations. Due to this uncertainty, the Company cannot reconcile projected Leverage Ratio to projected net income without unreasonable effort. The financial guidance constitutes forward-looking statements. For more information, see the "Forward-Looking Statements" section in this release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120799750/en/

Contacts:

IR Contact

Email: contact@aunainvestors.com
Together, the organizations will strengthen revenue cycle operations as Sauk Prairie Healthcare leverages Jorie AI's intelligent automation framework.

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WISCONSIN / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Jorie AI, a leading end-to-end healthcare technology company, announced a new partnership with Sauk Prairie Healthcare, marking Jorie AI's first client in Wisconsin. Through this collaboration, Jorie AI will implement advanced automation across Sauk Prairie's revenue cycle operations. The technology will help support existing processes, reduce administrative burden, and enhance patient experience.

Sauk Prairie Healthcare includes Sauk Prairie Hospital in Prairie du Sac and a network of primary and specialty care clinics. Known for clinical excellence, patient satisfaction, and community wellness, Sauk Prairie has been nationally recognized for its quality outcomes and compassionate care.

"We're proud to partner with an organization like Sauk Prairie Healthcare that shares our mission to make healthcare work better for patients and providers," said Sal Lo, Founder and CEO of Jorie AI. "Our automation platform will help their teams spend less time on administrative work and more time on patient care-while ensuring processes remain accurate, compliant, and efficient."

Through Jorie AI's technology, Sauk Prairie Healthcare will integrate end-to-end automation throughout its revenue cycle-from eligibility and claims submission to payment posting and denial management. This intelligent framework ensures claims are accurate and complete before submission, reducing avoidable denials and accelerating reimbursements.

Benefits for Patients and the Community

For patients, the partnership further supports a smoother care experience with transparency and efficiency for billing processes. With Jorie AI's intelligent automation working behind the scenes, administrative steps become faster and accurate, allowing Sauk Prairie Healthcare's teams to dedicate more time to patient care.

As Jorie AI continues to expand its footprint nationwide, the partnership with Sauk Prairie Healthcare reflects the company's role as a trusted partner for health systems dedicated to innovation, efficiency, and patient satisfaction.

About Sauk Prairie Healthcare

Founded in 1956, Sauk Prairie Healthcare includes a 37-bed, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) acute care hospital and four surgical specialty practices located in Prairie du Sac, Wis. plus five primary care clinics in Mazomanie, Plain, Spring Green, Prairie du Sac, and Lodi. Sauk Prairie Healthcare has been named in the top 5% for patient satisfaction by Press Ganey, earning the prestigious Guardian of Excellence Award. Sauk Prairie Healthcare provides care for over 45,000 people in the service area which extends from Poynette to Lone Rock, and from Plain to Black Earth. Learn more at www.saukprairiehealthcare.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Jorie AI

Jorie AI delivers intelligent automation built to solve healthcare's most complex challenges in revenue cycle. Designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, Jorie AI's technology unifies data, optimizes processes, and enhances financial performance for hospitals and health systems nationwide. By combining deep domain expertise with governed, adaptive automation, Jorie AI helps healthcare organizations achieve greater accuracy, efficiency, and financial outcomes.

Contact Information

Ashley Hibbetts

Director of Marketing

ahibbetts@joriehc.com

224-378-0092

SOURCE: Jorie AI

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/jorie-ai-announces-partnership-with-sauk-prairie-healthcare-to-advanc-1105154
CORAL GABLES, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Just off Dixie Highway, across from the University of Miami and steps away from the scent of fresh pastries drifting from Madruga Bakery, a new kind of health destination has arrived in Coral Gables. Relive Health, a nationally recognized leader in longevity and aesthetics, has opened its doors in South Florida, inviting residents of the City Beautiful to experience wellness on a whole new level.

The location feels fitting for a city that values both refinement and vitality. Coral Gables, with its palm-lined boulevards, Mediterranean architecture, and discerning residents, has long been a community that embraces balance, between tradition and innovation, indulgence and wellness. Relive Health's November arrival brings that balance to life through a carefully designed blend of science, beauty, and individualized care.

Inside, the clinic feels more like a boutique spa than a medical office. The warm, contemporary design and tranquil atmosphere immediately set the tone for something different, a place where health isn't just managed, but elevated. Yet beyond the calm environment lies a deeply clinical foundation. Relive Health has earned national acclaim for its data-driven, personalized programs that empower people to live longer, healthier, and more vibrant lives.

Celebrities and elite athletes have long trusted the Relive brand's expertise but in Coral Gables, the focus is squarely on the local community, the professionals, parents, and active residents who want to feel their best while keeping up with the pace of South Florida life.

Each journey at Relive Health begins with a comprehensive, 66-plus marker blood analysis that forms the foundation for every personalized wellness plan. Within just two days, clients return for an in-depth consultation with the clinic's medical team to review results, discuss symptoms and lifestyle factors, and set tailored goals. The process feels less like a doctor's visit and more like a conversation about transformation.

The on-site medical staff specialize in functional and longevity medicine, disciplines focused on identifying the root causes of imbalance rather than simply treating symptoms. Through that approach, Relive Health helps clients address fatigue, poor sleep, weight concerns, hormonal changes, and premature aging at their source. It's a model that combines the thoroughness of modern medicine with the attentiveness of personalized care.

The Coral Gables clinic's board-certified Medical Director, Dr. Eeman Tariq, is a national leader in hormone therapy, peptides, anti-aging, and medical aesthetics. Under her direction, the medical team provides access to advanced therapies that help clients look and feel rejuvenated. Among the most popular are peptide therapies-cutting-edge treatments that can improve sleep, revitalize skin and hair, boost daily energy, increase libido, and optimize metabolic function. For many patients, the results go beyond what traditional medicine offers, helping restore energy, focus, and confidence from the inside out.

Relive Health's focus on aesthetic excellence is just as meticulous as its medical offerings. Treatments such as the Preime DermaFacial system - a next-generation facial that uses five distinct modalities to cleanse, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin - are among the clinic's signature experiences. The combination of medical-grade results and spa-level luxury makes each visit feel both restorative and purposeful.

Relive's blend of medical precision and aesthetic artistry is what has made it the preferred option for individuals seeking comprehensive anti-aging solutions. Services like hormone replacement therapy, IV nutrient therapy, medical weight loss, and aesthetic rejuvenation are all integrated into personalized programs designed to support long-term wellness. The goal isn't just to look younger, it's to feel stronger, sharper, and more alive.

For Jay Wagnon, the Area Developer for Relive Health in South Florida, the Coral Gables opening is a natural extension of the city's commitment to health and lifestyle. A former Area Developer for Orangetheory Fitness and other national wellness brands, Wagnon has spent years helping communities embrace active, balanced living. "We are incredibly excited to join the vibrant Coral Gables community and to introduce revolutionary therapies that will extend health spans-those valuable years spent in optimal health," he said. "At Relive Health, our mission is to empower individuals to achieve their wellness goals through innovative treatments and personalized care. We look forward to becoming a trusted partner in enhancing the health and vitality of our community."

That sense of partnership runs deep in Relive Health's mission. Every aspect of the Coral Gables location has been curated with local life in mind. Its proximity to the University of Miami and neighboring areas like Coconut Grove and South Miami makes it a convenient stop for busy professionals, athletes, and students alike. With its combination of accessibility, luxury, and expertise, the clinic is poised to become a cornerstone of the city's modern wellness culture.

For those in Coral Gables who believe that wellness should feel as luxurious as it is effective, Relive Health offers the perfect destination: a place where science meets sophistication and where every visit brings the promise of renewed energy, confidence, and longevity.

Relive Health Coral Gables is located at 1430 Madruga Avenue. To learn more, visit relivehealth.com/coral-gables-fl.

(305) 280-9496

1430 S Dixie Hwy STE 103, Coral Gables, FL 33146

SOURCE: RELIVE HEALTH CORAL GABLES

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/relive-health-a-new-era-of-affordable-wellness-blooms-in-coral-g-1100453
Q3 2025 Quarter Highlights

Record Q3 2025 production of 9,165 Gold Equivalent Ounces (GEOs)

Q3 2025 sales of 7,709 GEOs

Q3 Operating income of US$14.2M; Net Income of US$1.3M after US$6.4M of Exploration costs

Consolidated cash costs of $1,500 per GEO sold and consolidated all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $1,825 for Q3 2025

US$34.6M in cash, 1,688 unsold gold ounces, working capital of US$46.7M and no debt

The Company is on track to achieve its annual production guidance of 31,000 to 41,000 GEOs, annual cash cost of $1,800-1,900 per GEO sold and AISC of $1,950-2,100 per GEO sold for 2025

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") today reported unaudited financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025"), which corresponds to the second quarter of Heliostar's fiscal reporting year 2025. Results are presented in US dollars, unless stated.

Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented, "In Q3, Heliostar continued to generate strong cash flow from our operating mines. We grew production and strengthened our capital position while significantly reinvesting across the portfolio. In Q3, this included significant drill programs at Ana Paula and La Colorada, economic studies for La Colorada and Ana Paula as well as permissions and preparations to restart mining at San Agustin. Our strong cash balance has allowed us to internally fund this restart. This gives us a clear path to generate cash flow from operations which will fund the ongoing development of Ana Paula with little-to-no equity dilution."

"Our recently released PEA for Ana Paula shows that the additional 101,000 ounces per year of production at an all-in sustaining cost of just $1,011/oz will be a significant cash flow generator for Heliostar, supporting growth through the next decade. The cash generated by being a producer in the current gold price environment affords us opportunities to accelerate our plan to become a mid-tier producer with 500,000 ounces per year before the end of the decade."

Third Quarter 2025 Quarterly Conference Call

Heliostar will host a quarterly conference call on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM, Eastern Time/11:00 AM Pacific Time. The call will provide a corporate update following the release of our financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2025.

Please use the link here to register for the call or visit the Company website at www.heliostarmetals.com.

Q3 2025 Operational and Financial Highlights

Total gold production of 9,165 gold equivalent ounces ("GEO") (8,949 gold ounces) in Q3 2025. Gold production was realized from mining the Junkyard Stockpile at the La Colorada mine, as well as re-leaching the previously stacked ore at the La Colorada and the San Agustin mines. Production year-to-date January - September 2025 ("YTD") remains on track to achieve the lower half of the 2025 guidance issued by the Company on February 4, 2025, of 31,000-41,000 GEOs.

Total Cash Cost of $1,500 per GEO produced in Q3 2025. The combined YTD cash cost (see "Non-IFRS Measures") is $1,405 per GEO.

Total AISC of $1,825 per GEO sold in Q3 2025. The increase from Q2 reflects a change in calculation methodology to include corporate General and Administrative ("G&A") and stock based compensation costs, expensed exploration incurred in the period, and remove previously-included by-product credits. The higher AISC is also a function of fewer GEOs sold in the period compared to Q2 2025. The consolidated YTD AISC (see "Non-IFRS Measures) is $1,799 per GEO sold.

Total Cash Costs and AISC are below the 2025 guidance range due to higher production relative to the budget. The Company anticipates materially higher costs in Q4 due to one-off sustainable capital investment incurred to restart mining from the Corner Area. These expenses are anticipated to return to lower rates in early 2026 at San Agustin.

Mine Operating Earnings of $14.2 million in Q3 2025. The Company continued to report strong results in Q3 2025 with steady operating unit costs and operating margin benefiting from selling into a rising gold market. Mine operating earnings YTD 2025 are $40 million.

Net income attributable to shareholders of $1.3 million, or $0.01 per share, for Q3 2025. Net income of $1.3 million ($0.01 per share) for Q3 2025 compared to a net income attributable to shareholders of $1.9 million ($0.01 per share) for Q2 2025. This was due to the increased exploration expense as drilling activities at Ana Paula ramped up and lower GEO sales volume in the quarter.

Strengthened financial position and liquidity: On September 30, 2025, the Company had cash of $34.6 million and working capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) of $46.7 million. The cash position decreased compared to Q2 due to the increase in exploration spending. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had 1,688 unsold ounces (worth approx. $6.9M at current spot gold prices) and no debt.

Maintained stable production at La Colorada mine. The mining of new ore restarted at the Junkyard Stockpile in January 2025. Production from the Junkyard Stockpile was steady during Q3 2025, with operating costs as expected, grade in line with the reserve model and ore tonnes reconciling slightly higher than expected. Production YTD 2025 was 13,328 GEOs (12,883 gold ounces). Ore feed from the Junkyard Stockpile is planned to continue into 2026, with other historical stockpiles identified to provide additional material to be crushed and stacked on the leach pad thereafter. Further, subject to receiving certain land access approvals, the Company intends to expand the Veta Madre pit to exploit its 43k ounces of gold reserves. In addition, drilling is ongoing at Veta Madre Plus with the aim of adding this additional Indicated material into a near-term mine plan in short order.

Restart of mining at San Agustin. Preparation work to commence mining is underway at San Agustin from the Corner area following the receipt of all necessary approvals to restart mining in Q3. The Company anticipates stacking first ore in December with production from the Corner starting near year end and continuing into 2027. Recoverable reserves at the Corner are estimated at 44.5k ounces of gold.

Strong economics and continued drilling success at Ana Paula drive additional investment. On November 6, 2025, the Company announced the results of a Preliminary Economic Study (PEA) for Ana Paula. These showed attractive economics at a conservative gold price driven by production of 101koz/yr after ramp up at an average all-in sustaining cost of $1,011/oz. On the back of this positive outcome, the Company has announced its intention to complete the underground decline access to the deposit in 2026. Technical and regulatory programs are being advanced in parallel and will continue through 2026 to complete a bankable feasibility study in early 2027.

Preparation of updated technical reports. The Company announced the results of an updated technical report for the La Colorada Mine on October 17, 2025, and is concluding an updated prefeasibility study ("PFS") for the Cerro del Gallo Project. The Company plans to release the results of the Cerro del Gallo PFS in Q4 2025 and continues to advance the Ana Paula Project feasibility study.

Operational and Financial Results

Results are reported for the three months ended September 30, 2025, which corresponds to the second quarter of Heliostar's fiscal reporting year 2026.

A summary of the Company's consolidated operational and financial results for the reporting period is presented below:

Key Performance Metrics Q3 2025 Q3 2024 Operational



Gold produced 8,949 0 Gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") produced 9,165 0 Gold sold 7,552 0 Gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") sold 7,709 0 Cash cost1 per GEOs sold $1,500 0 All-in sustaining costs1 ("AISC") per GEOs sold $1,825 0 Financial (in '000s)



Revenues $26,765 0 Mine operating earnings $14,243 0 Exploration expenses $6,411 $1,865 Net income (loss) $1,256 ($3,770) Cash $34,576 $720 Total assets $129,881 $21,273 Working Capital $46,700 ($4,393)

Non-IFRS measure. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release.

Operational Review

Consolidated Production and Costs

Q3 2025 was the Company's fourth reporting period with metals production. The Company had no production in Q3 2024.

Production of 9,165 GEOs (8,949 gold ounces) for Q3 2025 was reported from the La Colorada mine and the San Agustin mine. In late Q2, the El Castillo mine ceased production and reclamation commenced at the start of Q3. The combined YTD 2025 production of 25,642 GEOs (24,988 gold ounces) is consistent with the 2025 guidance issued by the Company. Heliostar is on track to achieve the lower half of the 2025 production guidance of 31,000-41,000 GEOs with the several week delay in being able to restart San Agustin pushing production from that asset into 2026.

The combined cash costs for the producing operations were $1,500 per GEO sold, and the consolidated AISC was $1,825 per GEO sold. The combined cash costs and AISC are currently in line with the 2025 guidance issued by the Company. Full-year results are expected to be within the guidance range of $1,800-$1,950/GEO for Cash Costs and $1,950-$2,100/GEO for AISC.

La Colorada Mine

Operating results for Q3 2025 were as follows:

La Colorada

Q3 2025 YTD 2025 Gold produced oz 5,311 12,883 Gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") produced GEO 5,479 13,328 Gold sold oz 4,122 10,865 Gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") sold GEO 4,229 11,205 Cash cost1 $/GEO sold 1,592 1,354 All-in sustaining costs1 ("AISC") $/GEO sold 1,648 1,439

In January 2025, mining of new ore restarted at the Junkyard Stockpile by the Company, alongside re-leach activities of ore stacked by previous operators.

During the reporting period, the La Colorada mine produced 5,479 GEOs (5,311 gold ounces). Total revenues of $14.7 million were reported from sales of 4,229 GEOs. The increase in production compared to Q2 was driven by higher grades placed on the leach pad and the first full quarter of solution flow from the leach pad after restart of operations. Production from the leach pad has increased steadily throughout the year and continues to meet all expected parameters.

For the reporting period, cash costs were $1,592 per GEO ($1,354 per GEO YTD 2025). AISC was $1,648 per GEO ($1,439 per GEO YTD 2025), on track to be at the lower end or below 2025 AISC guidance of $1,850-$1,975/GEO.

The Company plans to continue mining of the Junkyard Stockpile through 2025 and into 2026, with other historical stockpiles identified to provide additional, continued feed to the crushers thereafter. Further, subject to receiving certain land access approvals, the Company intends to expand the Veta Madre pit to exploit 43k ounces of gold reserve, which will be timed sequentially with the ore feeds from the historical stockpiles. Drilling is ongoing to define the mineralization at Veta Madre Plus, with the aim of bringing it into the near-term mine plan in short order.

Subsequent to the reporting period, Heliostar released the results of an updated technical report for La Colorada showing and increased resource and a lower capital expenditure. This showed a mine with a six-year life producing 286k gold ounces at an AISC of $1,626 per GEO. This resulted in upside case economics of an NPV5% of $243.3M and an IRR of 168.4% at a $3,500/oz gold price. For more details, see the press release here.

San Agustin Mine

Operating results for Q3 2025 were as follows:

San Agustin

Q3 2025 YTD 2025 Gold produced oz 3,638 11,613 Gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") produced GEO 3,686 11,815 Gold sold oz 3,430 12,182 Gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") sold GEO 3,480 12,373 Cash cost1 $/GEO sold $ 1,389 1,437 All-in sustaining costs1 ("AISC") $/GEO sold $ 1,587 1,546

In September 2024, the previous owners of San Agustin placed the mine under care and maintenance, with metals production continuing from the re-leaching of leach pads.

During the reporting period, the San Agustin mine produced 3,686 GEOs (3,638 gold ounces). Total revenues of $12.1 million were reported from sales of 3,480 GEOs. Re-leaching performance continued well above expectations in the quarter as a result of enhanced recovery initiatives conducted earlier in the year. Gold production through the first nine months of the year exceeded full-year 2025 guidance for re-leaching from the mine.

For the reporting period, cash costs were $1,389 per GEO ($1,437 per GEO YTD 2025). AISC was $1,587 per GEO ($1,546 per GEO YTD 2025), YTD on track to achieve full year AISC guidance of $1,700-$1,850/GEO.

During the quarter, the Company completed all regulatory requirements to enable the restart of mining at San Agustin from the Corner area (see News Release dated July 22, 2025). Work to commence mining of the Corner Area cut back was undertaken subsequently, including moving road access, a power line and contractor selection. First ore is on track to be stacked on the leach pad in the coming weeks. Initial gold production from this new material is expected to start near year end 2025 and continue into 2027. Recoverable reserves at the Corner are estimated at 44.5k ounces of gold.

Ana Paula Project

Development and Exploration expenditures at the flagship Ana Paula Project were $3.9 million in Q3 2025 ($1.8 million in Q3 2024).

During Q3 2025, the Company progressed its ongoing 15,000 metre drilling program at Ana Paula with the objective of delivering mineral reserves to support a 10-year life of mine in the Feasibility Study planned to be released in 1H 2027. On October 6, 2025, the Company announced results from the infill drill program (including 88.1m metres at 8.82 g/t) and the addition of a third rig. Subsequent to quarter end on November 18, 2025, the Company announced additional infill results of 83.2m of 17.4 g/t and 70.7m of 9.38 g/t. The drill program continues to successfully define wide zones of high grade mineralization.

Subsequent to the reporting period, Heliostar released the results of a Preliminary Economic Study (PEA) for Ana Paula showing strong economics at a conservative gold price. This showed a mine with a nine year life producing 101koz/yr after ramp up at an AISC of $1,011/oz. This resulted in upside case economics of an NPV5% of $1,012M, an IRR of 51.3% and average annual after-tax free cash flow of $168M at a $3,800/oz gold price. For more details, see the press release here.

Cerro del Gallo Project

During Q3 2025, the Company conducted advanced study work towards releasing a prefeasibility study for the Cerro del Gallo project based on information collected by previous owners. This work includes updated resources and reserves based on an updated gold price as well as better definition of transition material and an optimized mining and stacking plan. The results of this study are planned to be released in the coming weeks. All major environmental and other permits will need to be obtained before an investment decision can be considered by the Company.

Funding Overview

In the three months ended September 30, 2025, 5,916,250 warrants and 766,250 stock options were exercised for total proceeds of $1.5 million and 1,299,579 RSUs were converted.

As of September 30, 2025, the Company had no debt.

Change of Year End

The Company has changed its financial year-end from March 31 of each year to December 31 of each year. The next financial year-end of the Company will occur on December 31, 2025, for the nine months then ended.

Non-IFRS Measures. This news release refers to certain financial measures, such as all-in-sustaining costs, which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those made by other companies and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such measures as reported by other companies. These measures have been derived from the Company's financial statements because the Company believes that they are of assistance in understanding the results of operations and its financial position. Certain additional disclosures for these specified financial measures have been incorporated by reference and can be found in the Company's MD&A for Q3 2025, available on SEDAR+.

Cash costs. The Company uses cash costs per gold equivalent ounce sold to monitor its operating performance internally. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with IFRS is cost of sales. The Company believes this measure provides investors and analysts with useful information about its underlying cash costs of operations. The Company also believes it is a relevant metric used to understand its operating profitability and ability to generate cash flow. Cash costs are measures developed by metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's reporting of these non-GAAP financial measures are similar to those reported by other mining companies. They are widely reported in the metals mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures. Cash costs include production costs, refinery and transportation costs and extraordinary mining duty. Cash costs exclude non-cash depreciation and depletion and site share-based compensation. Production costs include mining, crushing, processing, and direct overhead at the operation sites.

AISC. AISC more fully defines the total costs associated with producing precious metals. The AISC is calculated based on guidelines published by the World Gold Council (WGC), which were first issued in 2013. In light of new accounting standards and to support further consistency of application, the WGC published an updated Guidance Note in 2018. Other companies may calculate this measure differently because of differences in underlying principles and policies applied. Differences may also arise due to a different definition of sustaining versus growth capital. Note that in respect of AISC metrics within the technical reports, because such economics are disclosed at the project level, corporate general and administrative expenses were not included in the AISC calculations. AISC per GEO includes mining, processing, direct overhead, reclamation and sustaining capital.

Statement of Qualified Persons

Gregg Bush, P.Eng., Mike Gingles, and Stewart Harris, P. Geo., Qualified Persons, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, have reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and have approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Bush is employed as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, Mr. Gingles is employed as Vice President of Corporate Development, and Mr. Harris is employed as Exploration Manager.

About Heliostar Metals Ltd.

Heliostar aims to grow to become a mid-tier gold producer. The Company is focused on increasing production and developing new resources at the La Colorada and San Agustin mines in Mexico, and on developing the 100% owned Ana Paula Project in Guerrero, Mexico.

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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the Company's goal of becoming a mid-tier producer, the mine performance, production plans and the free cashflow generation from our operating mines, all profits generated from operations to be reinvested directly into our Companies growth and this reinvestment will focus on expanding production and growing resources across our portfolio.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to the terms and completion of the Facility, any future mineral production, liquidity, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the receipt of necessary approvals, price of metals; no escalation in the severity of public health crises or ongoing military conflicts; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; and the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, 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 or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in foreign jurisdictions; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding exploration and mining activities; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises, ongoing military conflicts and general economic factors to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. 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 anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275395

SOURCE: Heliostar Metals Ltd.
ADELAIDE, AU / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD) (Barton or the Company) advises that the attached presentation is due to be presented today at the Swiss Mining Institute.

A copy of this presentation can be accessed on the ASX website, the investor section of Barton's website, or directly by clicking here.

Authorised by the Managing Director of Barton Gold Holdings Limited.

For further information, please contact:

Alexander Scanlon

Managing Director

a.scanlon@bartongold.com.au

+61 425 226 649 Jade Cook

Company Secretary

cosec@bartongold.com.au

+61 8 9322 1587

About Barton Gold

Barton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000ozpa with 2.2Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral Resources (79.9Mt @ 0.87g/t Au), brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the region's only gold mill in the renowned Gawler Craton of South Australia.*

Challenger Gold Project 313koz Au + fully permitted Central Gawler Mill ( CGM ) Tarcoola Gold Project 20koz Au in fully permitted open pit mine near CGM

Tolmer discovery grades up to 84g/t Au & 17,600g/t Ag Tunkillia Gold Project 1.6Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral Resources

Competitive 120kozpa gold & 250kozpa silver project Wudinna Gold Project 279koz Au project located southeast of Tunkillia

Significant optionality, adjacent to main highway

Competent Persons Statement & Previously Reported Information

The information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 (JORC).

Activity Competent Person Membership Status Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Stockpiles) Dr Andrew Fowler (Consultant) AusIMM Member Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Perseverance Mine) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Tarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Mineral Resource Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource (above 215mRL) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource (below 90mRL) Mr Dale Sims AusIMM / AIG Fellow / Member Wudinna Mineral Resource (Clarke Deposit) Ms Justine Tracey AusIMM Member Wudinna Mineral Resource (all other Deposits) Mrs Christine Standing AusIMM / AIG Member / Member

The information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates, and any production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets, continue to apply and have not materially changed. In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.19.2, the Company further confirms that the material assumptions underpinning any production targets and the forecast financial information derived therefrom continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the applicable Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the previous announcements. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This document may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "target" and "intend" and statements than an event or result "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to business, legal and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, risks relating to property interests, the global economic climate, commodity prices, sovereign and legal risks, and environmental risks. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and opinions at the date the statements are made. Barton undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events or circumstances that occur subsequent to such dates or to update or keep current any of the information contained herein. Any estimates or projections as to events that may occur in the future (including projections of revenue, expense, net income and performance) are based upon the best judgment of Barton from information available as of the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any of these estimates or projections will be achieved. Actual results will vary from the projections and such variations may be material. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. Any reliance placed by the reader on this document, or on any forward-looking statement contained in or referred to in this document will be solely at the readers own risk, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. * Refer to Barton Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 and ASX announcement dated 8 September 2025. Total Barton JORC (2012) Mineral Resources include 1,049koz Au (39.7Mt @ 0.82 g/t Au) in Indicated category and 1,186koz Au (40.2Mt @ 0.92 g/t Au) in Inferred category, and 3,070koz Ag (34.5Mt @ 2.80 g/t Ag) in Inferred category as a subset of Tunkillia gold JORC (2012) Mineral Resources. SOURCE: Barton Gold Holdings Limited

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/presentation-to-swiss-mining-institute-conference-1105492
"Dynamic Security Code is such an effective and simple solution against CNP fraud. It should be mandatory for ALL CARD ISSUERS."

John Rice, Financial Services Director at the Irish Post Office

The Irish Post Office has announced that thanks to Safecypher, in the last 18 months they have not suffered a single CNP fraud transaction through the An Post Money App.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Card-Not-Present (CNP) fraud is spiralling. It is projected to cost American banks more than?$12 billion in 2025, up from $10.2 billion in 2024. This staggering news comes as International Anti-Fraud Awareness week is well under way.

Fortunately, in a stunning development in Ireland, An Post Money, the financial services arm of the Irish Post Office, has confirmed that in over 16 months they have not suffered one single CNP fraudulent transaction by customers enrolled in their new Dynamic Security Code program. In fact, and in partnership with fraud security Safecypher experts, An Post eliminated CNP fraud across?600,000+ transactions?in 2024-25.

Proven at Scale, Zero Fraud, Higher Spend and Lower Risk

After integrating Safecypher,?the results,?in An?Post Money's words, have been "astounding." John Rice, Financial Services Director exclaimed, "Dynamic Security Code is such an effective and simple solution against CNP fraud. It should be mandatory for all card issuers!"

An Post Money stated they:

Recorded zero CNP fraud?for enrolled customers on 600,000+ online transactions over 15+ months

Customers used their cards over 50% more, going from 2 to 3+ per month per customer

Saw a 32%+?voluntary opt-in rate?by customers

Reported minimal disruption to User Experience or complaints to Customer Care

Triggered a?"halo effect"?that pushed fraudsters to target other institutions

Bruce Richardson, Head of Change & Development at An Post Money said, "Safecypher's Dynamic Security Code technology is an invaluable tool for An Post Money customers, especially in the run up to Black Friday and Christmas. By integrating the robust Safecypher tech into our popular An Post Money App, we have seen a dramatic drop in CNP fraud, and it is extremely rewarding to be leading and winning the fight against CNP fraud. We strongly encourage all our customers to start using it immediately, to protect them from online shopping fraud!" -

"We saw a measurable increase in customer trust and confidence in using their card for online transactions. Our customer's transactions are now far more secure, and as an organisation we are proud to be protecting our customers from CNP and tokenised fraud with digital wallets." (ApplePay and GooglePay), concluded Richardson.

"Fraudsters do not care whose lives they destroy - and they are getting ever faster, smarter, and more automated. It is estimated that they already have access to 80% of credit card details which are for sale on the Dark Web," said Mark Phillips, CEO of Safecypher.

"The damage they cause is significant, from the strain on victims' finances, to the psychological toll and loss of consumer trust in digital transactions. In addition, it creates considerable cost to banks and merchants. It can and should be stopped."

"Safecypher's intelligent technology and elegant use of Multi Factor Authentication makes that stolen card data instantly worthless. It is simple, scalable, and most importantly it really works to protect people," concluded Phillips.

A dynamic, time-sensitive Dynamic Security Code that eliminates CNP fraud.

The core of Safecypher's platform is its Dynamic Security Code technology, which takes the well-established static CVV three-digit security code and replaces it by generating a new dynamic code in real-time that is exclusively visible for a limited time within the customer's mobile banking app.

This solution, which is integrated into a bank's app, provides highly secure two-factor authentication for every payment. As a result, even if a card's details are compromised, authorisation for a transaction cannot be completed without access to both the cardholder's device and their banking app.

Accessing the code is as easy as opening the bank's app. This multi-factor authentication (MFA) process utilizes both the device's and app's security, including biometrics, rendering credit card numbers unusable without access to both the physical device and the banking app.

For banks and merchants, the real win is that preventing those losses goes straight to the bottom line, benefiting employees, shareholders and customers.??

Safecypher is quick and easy to implement: all it requires is a single Safecypher API to be connected in the issuer's backend infrastructure.

The AI Arms Race

It is incredible the speed at which AI is moving, and fraudsters are right at the forefront. Safecypher's simple, elegant, and secure solution prevents them from transacting using data they acquire from the dark web or phishing.

About Safecypher safecypher.com

Safecypher, whose mission is to eliminate fraud, is the leading provider of dynamic Card Not Present (CNP) fraud prevention technology. The company's innovative solution replaces vulnerable static CVV codes with time-sensitive dynamic values and leverages multi-factor authentication (MFA) using separate mobile devices not accessible by criminals. This both provides a robust layer of security that empowers financial institutions and protects consumers from the majority of online fraud.

About International Fraud Awareness Week International Fraud Awareness Week

International Fraud Awareness Week is the brainchild of the Association of Certified Fraud examiners. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. The ACFE is based in Austin, Texas, and it is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and the premier provider of anti-fraud training and education.

Founded in 1988 by Dr. Joseph T. Wells, the ACFE's primary mission is to reduce the incidence of fraud and white-collar crime and to assist its members in fraud detection and deterrence.

The most impressive measure of the week's success is the rapid growth in global participation. It is on its way to be the standard calendar event for anti-fraud professionals to align their strategies.

Global Footprint: In recent campaigns (e.g., 2023/2024), over 1,800 supporting organizations officially signed up to participate, representing more than 148 countries.

Year-Over-Year Growth: Participation has seen significant spikes; for example, the number of supporting organizations grew by over four hundred in a single year recently.

Corporate Buy-in: Major global entities like JPMorgan Chase, Visa, and Riskified now use the week to launch major consumer protection initiatives, validating the week's status as a critical industry milestone.

The association has over 90,000 members in more than 180 countries.

About An Post Money Stamps | Current Accounts | Credit Cards | Loans | An Post

An?Post Money is the financial services division of the Irish post office, offering a comprehensive suite of financial products including current accounts, savings, credit cards, and loans.?An?Post Money is committed to providing secure and reliable financial services to its customers throughout Ireland.

Supporting Industry Sources

ClearlyPayments.com.?"Credit Card Fraud Statistics in 2024 for USA."

FICO.?"Card-Not-Present Fraud Remains a Leading Concern as Payment Systems Evolve."

Federal Reserve Board.?"2021 Interchange Fee Revenue, Covered Issuer Costs, and Covered Issuer and Merchant Fraud Losses Related to Debit Card Transactions."

LexisNexis Risk Solutions.?"Card Not Present Fraud in 2022."

McKinsey & Company.?"Fraud management: Recovering value through next-generation solutions."

Merchant Cost Consulting.?"Credit Card Fraud Statistics (2025)."

U.S. Payments Forum.?"Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud Mitigation Techniques."

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/as-international-fraud-awareness-week-continues-safecyphers-dynamic-security-code-technology-has-stopped-card-not-present-cnp-fraud-in-its-tracks-302622464.html
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Revology Cars, the world's leading builder of re-engineered and restored 1960s Mustangs, has unveiled its most sophisticated Mustang yet: the 1969 Boss 429.

Designed, engineered, and assembled in Orlando, Florida, the new Revology Boss 429 blends the iconic design of the original with modern performance, comfort, and everyday drivability.

"The Boss 429 is one of the rarest and most desirable muscle cars ever built," said Tom Scarpello, founder and CEO of Revology Cars. "The Revology Boss 429 is not a copy of that iconic model, but a redefinition of it, leveraging modern technology, engineering, and manufacturing processes to make it as reliable and fun to drive as it is to look at."

The Revology Boss 429 features an all-new steel body, assembled using automated spot welding, seam welded joints, and heat-cured structural adhesive, to create an exceptionally rigid structure that enhances ride quality, handling, and overall refinement.

Power comes from a supercharged and intercooled 710-horsepower Ford 5.0L Ti-VCT V8, paired with either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. The car's chassis features a double-wishbone front suspension with aluminum subframe and a three-link rear suspension with torque arm and Panhard rod. Hydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, and tuned springs and dampers deliver precise handling and a compliant ride.

Inside, the Revology Boss 429 delivers refined ergonomics and craftsmanship. Premium materials and finishes throughout the cabin create a luxurious environment that complements the car's performance.

The show car is finished in Lava Orange, a vivid Porsche hue chosen by Yoshi Amano, Revology's vice president of marketing, sales, and service. A native of Japan, Amano said the color symbolizes courage, happiness, and good fortune in Japanese culture. "Its energy and spirit perfectly reflect what we do at Revology-breathing new life into classic cars," she said.

To date, Revology has delivered 324 cars to clients in the U.S. and nineteen foreign countries. Notably, 47 clients have purchased two or more Revology vehicles, indicating an exceptionally high level of customer loyalty. That loyalty extends to the Boss 429--current Revology owners, who were allowed to place orders for the Boss in advance of the public announcement, have already ordered more than half of next year's production capacity of 50 units.

The sophistication of this Boss 429 heralds a new chapter for Revology Cars. It also signals a revolution for the specialty car industry. By applying the most advanced design, engineering and manufacturing processes, Revology has produced a car significantly above the standards of the competition. Put simply, Revology's Boss 429 blends vintage soul with modern luxury and performance like no other car before.

For more information on the Boss 429, go to: https://revologycars.com/1969-boss-mustang/

About Revology Cars

Revology Cars is the world's leading builder of 1967-1969 Ford Mustang and Shelby GT restored original automobiles. Complete information, including pricing, can be found at www.revologycars.com, or by calling (800) 974-4463.

Media Contact: John McCormick, C. 1-734-604-4768 or john@revologycars.com.

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BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Empyrean Medical Systems, a pioneer in next-generation radiation oncology technology, today announced a strategic partnership with Thrive Pet Healthcare, one of the nation's leading veterinary networks, to bring the Sirius robotically accelerated conformal beam radiation platform to the veterinary oncology community.

Opening in early 2026, PetCure Oncology, located onsite at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, will debut the first Sirius system, bringing human-grade precision to veterinary cancer care. This milestone gives more pets and their families across the Pacific Northwest access to life-saving treatment.

"Facing a cancer diagnosis is one of the hardest moments a family can experience. Through this partnership, we're helping make those moments easier with human-grade precision and compassionate care," said Scott Milligan, Group Vice President, Thrive Pet Healthcare. "By bringing the Sirius system to PetCure Oncology in Seattle, we're advancing our vision for the future of pet well-being-one built on medical excellence, innovative technology, and collaboration across teams and partners who share our commitment to helping pets live longer, better lives."

The Sirius platform represents a significant advancement in veterinary oncology. Combining robotic precision, Monte Carlo-based treatment planning, and real-time image guidance, Sirius delivers highly targeted, high-dose radiation therapy that destroys tumors while sparing healthy tissue and critical organs. This level of accuracy and adaptability allows veterinarians to deliver faster, safer, and more effective care.

"This collaboration bridges two worlds-human and veterinary oncology-to accelerate innovation that improves lives," said Kal Fishman, President and CEO of Empyrean Medical Systems. "Empyrean's vision is to change radiation oncology for good. Our partnership with Thrive marks an important step toward that mission by opening new frontiers for compassionate, high-performance cancer treatment in veterinary medicine."

"We are excited to announce our strategic partnership with Empyrean Medical Systems to deploy the innovative Sirius Photon Augmented Wave Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (PAWS-RT) unit in the Seattle market," said Dr. Neal Mauldin, Chief Medical Officer of PetCure Oncology. "This cutting-edge technology represents a major leap forward in veterinary radiation therapy, enabling us to deliver precise, non-invasive treatments with minimal side effects. At PetCure Oncology, our mission has always been to expand access to life-saving care for pets battling cancer, and this collaboration will allow more families in the Pacific Northwest to benefit from advanced options that were previously limited. We're committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to ensure every pet has the best chance at a healthier, happier life."

For Empyrean Medical Systems, this collaboration signifies its entry into the rapidly expanding veterinary therapeutics market-a key part of its growth strategy to scale its radiation oncology technologies across multiple medical disciplines.

About Empyrean Medical Systems

Empyrean Medical Systems is a Florida-based medical technology company developing next-generation radiation oncology systems that integrate robotic automation, precision beam sculpting, and AI-driven treatment planning. Empyrean's platforms-Artemis, Vektra, and Sirius-are designed to revolutionize cancer care across human, veterinary, and research applications. For more information, visit www.empyreanmed.com .

About Thrive Pet Healthcare

Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service community that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and over 360 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet's life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit www.thrivepetcare.com .

About PetCure Oncology

PetCure Oncology fights pet cancer with advanced technology, veterinary oncology specialists, and true compassion. It started with a simple question: Why can't pets with cancer benefit from the same advanced, non-surgical stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) treatment that's available to humans fighting cancer? Now we're on a mission to provide pets and their families with broad access to this technology and connect them with the very best, highly compassionate veterinary specialists to deliver treatment. Because we all know our furry friends are much more than just pets-they're part of our families. PetCure Oncology operates nationally. Visit PetCureOncology.com for a complete list of locations around the country.

Contact Information

Ms. Madelyn Seal

Empyrean Medical Systems

info@empyreanmed.com

561.931.2086

Dawn Eischen

Thrive Pet Healthcare

media@thrivepet.com

SOURCE: Empyrean Medical Systems Inc.

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View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/biotechnology/thrive-pet-healthcare-and-empyrean-medical-systems-partner-to-bring-human-grade-preci-1105229
With Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar once again turns to the intersection of history and national security, but this time he uses the grammar of a big-budget action thriller to explore how Pakistans intelligence establishment imagines its long confrontation with India. The films trailer suggests that Dhar isnt just staging a cross-border conflict; hes trying to dramatise the worldview that has shaped decades of covert operations.

The opening moment is a clue. Arjun Rampal appears as Major Iqbal, an ISI officer who recalls hearing Pakistans General Zia-ul-Haq speak of weakening India through a thousand cuts. Rampals character frames this not as a slogan but as an ideological inheritance, something he absorbed as a child and later internalised as a professional creed. Dhar immediately juxtaposes this memory with a disturbing scene of torture, signalling the ruthless, almost doctrinal commitment that drives the films antagonist.

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Rather than retelling historical events, _Dhurandhar_ traces the intellectual lineage of this strategy. Dhar situates the ISIs worldview in the rhetoric of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whose speeches in the late 1960s and during the 1965 war articulated a vision of perpetual struggle with India. Bhuttos insistence on a thousand-year war and his argument that confrontation was a form of self-preservation formed the seed of what would later harden into a covert, attritional doctrine.

The trailer hints that Dhar uses these moments as psychological scaffolding to show how a nations political anxieties become an intelligence agencys operating philosophy. After Pakistans defeat in 1971, the ISI recalibrated from conventional battlefields to proxy warfare, a shift _Dhurandhar_ folds into its narrative as the starting point of an entrenched mindset.

It is presented as the internal logic through which Pakistans intelligence community sees power, pressure, and survival. The film appears to dramatise how this thinking seeps into individual officers, shaping their sense of duty, vengeance, and patriotism and how that, in turn, drives covert missions, insurgencies, and shadow wars.

Against this backdrop stands Ranveer Singhs protagonist, a hardened operative navigating a world, defined by clandestine decisions made across the border.

While the trailer keeps its plot deliberately opaque, its thematic through-line is unmistakable- Dhurandhar is less about recreating real events and more about decoding a mindset. The history is factual; the story is fictional; but the psychological portrait, of how Pakistans intelligence apparatus interprets conflict with India, is meant to feel chillingly real.

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Backed by Jio Studios along with B-62 Studios and featuring an ensemble of Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Ranveer Singh, Aditya Dhars latest arrives in theatres on December 5. If Uri was about the execution of Indian strategy, Dhurandhar seems to reveal the ideology on the other side of the border, offering a glimpse into how Pakistans deep state sees the long game.
120 Bahadur Movie Review: Major Shaitan Singh must be turning in heaven and howling to see the way Farhan Akhtar has played his part!

Language: Hindi

Director: Razneesh Ghai

Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Vivan Bhatena, Sparsh Waliaa, Ankit Siwach, Dhanveer Singh, Saheb Verma, Eijaz Khan, Ajinkya Deo

Looks like everybody wants to make the next Border. But my honest request is that Bollywood must never attempt war movies. To massacre such a brave story of an equally brave army personnel who not just led but motivated his 120 bahadur men, and such a shoddy depiction of the story is nothing but shameful on the part of the filmmaker.

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For those who arent aware who Major Shaitan Singh was, well he played a pivotal hero of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, specifically for his extraordinary leadership during the Battle of Rezang La. Commanding the Charlie (C) Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment, he and his men fought a last stand against the Chinese force in the Chushul sector of Ladakh. Major Shaitan just fought with his 120 men, whereas the Chinese Army had more than 1000 soldiers in the battalion and most importantly better equipment.

A still from Farhan Akhtars 120 Bahadur Movie

War films need to be done with a lot of responsibility, especially when it is based on a true story. 120 Bahadur didnt have that emotional connection in the whole of the first half, and in the second half, it did make you connect with the kind of pain the Indian soldiers were going through, but Farhan Akhtar simply just didnt fit into the role of Major Shaitan Singh. His accent is very urbane, which just didnt work for the film. Most importantly, he didnt get into the skin of the character of Shaitan, who was from Banasar village in Rajasthan.

Major Shaitan Singh was just 37 years old, and here you are showing a man well in his 50s playing his part. And forget the age; Farhan Akhtar didnt get anything right this time, whether it was his dialogue delivery, diction, or the mannerisms of a soldier. A man in his 50s in the Indian Army is close to his retirement age, and you cannot make an actor of that age play the role of a soldier in the field who was just 37 years old when he died.

No matter how hard he tried, Farhan just didnt get it right this time as Major Shaitan. From the very beginning it became very obvious that he is trying very hard to fit in, and as a craftsman that shouldnt be the case. The intention of the film was unswerving, but it was not as impactful as a story of that stature and importance requires. The screenplay too was haphazard.

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A still from 120 Bahadur Movie

In fact, Raashi Khanna did a decent job, and so did the others. But the main protagonist in the film failed us massively. Despite having some visual flourishes and solid source material, the movie didnt live up to the expectations it could have.

Rating: 2 out of 5

WATCH the trailer of Farhan Akhtars 120 Bahadur movie here:
A film that struck a chord at every stage of its run, Homebound - Indias official entry for the 98th Academy Awards - is now set for its streaming release on Netflix, bringing its story to audiences in 190 countries on 21 November.

_Homebound_ is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra and Co-produced by Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier , alongwith Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar acting as the Executive Producers.

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Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film is a rare combination of Indian storytelling strength and global creative vision. Homebound follows childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives, with Janhvi Kapoor adding emotional depth to a story grounded in friendship, duty, and the pressures facing young India.

Talking about the same, Director Neeraj Ghaywan, added, Inspired by a true story of friendship, Homebound explores the universal themes of connection and compassion as forms of quiet resistance. After screening in competition at some of the worlds most prestigious festivals and loved by everyone, it has now found a home on Netflix, reaching audiences in 190 countries. I am truly excited for this opportunity and deeply value my long-standing relationship with Netflix throughout my career.

Adding onto that, Karan Johar, Producer, Dharma Productions, said, Homebound is the kind of film that reminds us why stories matter - intimate, layered and guided with great care by Neeraj. As producers, supporting a film like this has been a privilege. Seeing the film reach Netflix allows it to connect with audiences far beyond its immediate world, and that journey is incredibly special for us at Dharma.

Monika Shergill, Vice-President, Content, Netflix India, shares, Were delighted to welcome Homebound to Netflix after its acclaimed theatrical run. It is a film that explores an extraordinarily nuanced emotional landscape  one that only a storyteller like Neeraj Ghaywan could bring to life with such empathy and honesty. His voice continues to redefine the grammar of contemporary Indian storytelling. Ishan, Vishal and the entire cast deliver deeply felt performances that anchor the film and bring this moving story to life with remarkable sincerity. Our longstanding collaboration with Dharma Productions has been built on creative trust and a shared vision for quality storytelling  one that has resonated with audiences worldwide. With Indias narratives gaining growing recognition at the Oscars and on the world stage, Homebound is a poignant reminder of the depth and universality of our stories.

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Homebounds festival journey added to its momentum, with a celebrated premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025, followed by an impactful screening at TIFF - where it secured the Second Runner-Up spot for the International Audience Choice Award. What began as a rooted Indian story now unfolds across borders, cultures, and time zones inviting the world to witness its quiet power. Its world grows bigger and its emotions find new meaning on a global streaming stage.
Whether its with a mythological essence or a creation inspired by real life, heres looking at directors and actors who are creating larger-than-life spectacles

There are filmmakers who create a film, and there are directors who create a universe. Whether its with a mythological essence or a creation inspired by real life, heres looking at directors and actors who are creating larger-than-life spectacles.

Sriram Raghavan - Ikkis

Ace filmmaker Sriram Raghavan is coming up with Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia. The film is inspired by a real-life story about Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Helmed by Raghavan, Ikkis is set against the background of the 1971 India-Pakistan war and promises to showcase both talents in never-seen-before avatars.

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Om Raut - Kalam: The Missile Man of India

Om Raut sits on the directors chair for his upcoming biopic, Kalam: The Missile Man of India, starring Dhanush in the lead. The films look was first unveiled at Cannes this year and has raised significant buzz about the world to be created by Om Raut. Earlier, the filmmaker described Kalam: The Missile Man of India as a vital, inspiring story for global youth and a personal milestone.

Nitesh Tiwari - Ramayana

Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayana is one of the most anticipated films coming up, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash in lead roles. Inspired by the epic Ramayana, the film has raised incredible buzz among the audiences for its mythological world after the makers unveiled its first look.

Laxman Utekar - Eetha

Filmmaker Laxman Utekar is coming up with his next biopic, Eetha, starring Shraddha Kapoor. The actress will embody the legendary Marathi folk artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar and will explore her life and her significant contributions to Tamasha folk theatre.

Montoo Bassi - White

Filmmaker Montoo Bassi is coming up with a biopic titled White, starring Vikrant Massey. The film is based on Shri Ravi Shankars peace efforts during Colombias civil war, and it will be shot mainly in Colombia with the Narcos crew.

SS Rajamouli- Varanasi

S S Rajamouli on Saturday unveiled the title of his next mega project Varanasi at a grand fan event held at Ramoji Film City here in the presence of its stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

The movie marks the acclaimed directors first collaboration with Telugu superstar Babu. Priyanka also returns to Indian cinema after 2021s The Sky Is Pink.

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Babu said it was a dream project and the whole country will be proud of the movie where he plays the protagonist Rudra.

Aditya Dhar- Dhurandhar

Based on true-life events and tipped as the biggest and boldest release to close out 2025, the film is a pulse-pounding look into the high-stakes world of covert operatives, where every decision is a matter of life and death, and the battle for the nation is fought in the shadows.
The seventh meeting of the National Security Advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) will be held in New Delhi today. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will host his counterparts from the member states, including the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In Bihar, the focus is on the grand swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar, who is set to take oath for the 10th time as the chief minister

Its a busy Thursday indeed.

India is all set to host the Colombo Security Conclave, where the national security advisers of six nations will discuss advancing cooperation on regional security priorities. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will chair the meeting.

The Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with a 60-member business delegation, will visit Israel to review the progress of the India-Israel free trade agreement.

Infosys will kick off its largest-ever share buyback programme, worth Rs 18,000 crore. According to the regulatory filing, the subscription will open today and will close on November 26.

Lets take a closer look at all the events:

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All eyes on Colombo Security Conclave

The 7th Meeting of the National Security Advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) will be held in New Delhi today. Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser, will host his counterparts from various Member states, including the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

For this event, Malaysia has been invited as a guest, and Seychelles will participate as an Observer State.

The formation of the Colombo Security Conclave aimed to promote cooperation between member states on key matters of security and partnership.

Bihar CM oath ceremony

Following the landmark victory of the NDA in the Bihar assembly polls, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar will take the oath as chief minister for the tenth time at the historic Gandhi Maidan in the state capital Patna.

JD(U) party members celebrate as the NDA alliance wins the Bihar Assembly elections. (Image: PTI)

The BJP has named Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha as the new deputy chief ministers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be in attendance.

The oath-taking ceremony will also be attended by the top brass of the BJP, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries.

Former US VP Dick Cheneys funeral

The former US Vice President Dick Cheneys funeral service is set to be held at the Washington National Cathedral in the United States capital today.

Cheney, who was a former American businessman, died on November 3 of complications of cardiac and vascular disease, according to his family.

The 84-year-old politician, who served under George W. Bush, was considered one of the most powerful and also one of the most controversial men to hold the role.

Former President George W. Bush is scheduled to speak at the memorial. However, it is not yet known whether President Donald Trump will attend the event.

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Other former presidents, such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, have not confirmed their presence at the funeral either, as per USA TODAY.

Piyush Goyal to visit Israel

The Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with a 60-member business delegation, will visit Israel to review the progress of the India-Israel free trade agreement.

The visit aims to strengthen the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations.

The minister will also hold discussions with senior executives from major Israeli companies operating in various fields, including agriculture, cybersecurity, infrastructure and others.

Infosys Rs 18,000 cr share buyback opens today

This is Infosys largest ever share buyback programme, worth Rs 18,000 crore. According to the regulatory filing, the subscription will open today and will close on November 26.

Infosys asserted that The Buyback is being undertaken by the company after taking into account the strategic and operational cash needs of the company in the medium term and for returning surplus funds to the shareholders effectively and efficiently in line with its capital allocation policy."

Mumbai Airport to close for 6 hours

Mumbai Airport to be shut for 6 hours today as part of the maintenance plan.

The Mumbai International Airport said that the scheduled runway closure is planned to ensure continued safety and reliability with global aviation standards.

Both cross-runways  09/27 and 14/32  will remain temporarily non-operational today from 11 am to 5 pm, according to the private airport operator.

With inputs from agencies

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed South Africa for the G20 today (November 21). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi, who will speak in all three formal sessions of the summit, will put forth Indias views on the agenda of the G20. But what can we expect?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Johannesburg, South Africa to attend the 20th G20 Leaders Summit. This will be the fourth consecutive G20 Summit held in the Global South. ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his way to South Africa for the G20 today (November 21).

The theme for this event, which is being held in Johannesburg till November 23, is Inclusive Growth for a Sustainable Future. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi, who will speak in all three formal sessions of the summit, will put forth Indias views on the agenda of the G20.

But what can we expect from the summit? What about Indias growing clout?

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Lets take a closer look.

What we can expect

Modi will expound on a number of subjects such as inclusive growth and sustainability, global security particularly when it comes to climate change and disaster risks, and emerging technologies such as the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and critical minerals.

The summit gains significance given the growing instability around the world, the economic issues countries are facing, and the threat of extremism.

The sessions Modi will address include:

Inclusive & Sustainable Economic Growth  covering trade, financing development, and debt

A Resilient World  dealing with disaster risk reduction, climate change, just energy transitions, and food systems

A Fair & Just Future for All  topics include critical minerals, decent work, and AI.

Modi is likely to call for fair market access and further reforms that give the Global South a bigger role when it comes to global economic decisions. He is also likely to push for a strong stand to be taken on terrorism as part of the G20s joint declarations.

New Delhi has long demanded that the G20 nations act against states that support or finance terror networks. Modi will likely reiterate that terrorism, extremism and radicalisation are a global problem and not just the bane of one country or region.

India will likely seek the inclusion of international counterterrorism measures, including financial tracking of terror funding, in the final communique.

Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders in Johannesburg. Modi will also join the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders Meeting being hosted by South Africa.

Since 2021, South Africa has been the fourth developing nation to hold the G20 presidency consecutively, following Indonesia, India, and Brazil.

The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum is a trilateral platform founded in 2003. The idea behind it is to bring together three major democracies and emerging economies from Asia, South America, and Africa.

It is aimed at increasing cooperation in trade, development, defence, governance and greater collaboration. It also focuses on taking joint positions on global issues, advocates UN reforms including expansion of the Security Council, and jointly finances development projects in poorer nations through the UN-administered IBSA Fund.

Indias growing clout at G20

This is the fourth straight such gathering to be held in the Global South, a trend kicked off by Bali in 2022 which handed the presidency, which is held in rotation, to India in 2023. New Delhi, the worlds largest democracy, had held a glittering G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023 before handing the baton over to Brazil.

Brazil had assumed the presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. It held the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. South Africa then took the G20 presidency from Brazil on December 1, 2024.

Incidentally, US President Donald Trump is one of the leaders who is skipping the G20 Summit this year. Trump earlier this month said he would not attend the G20 in Johannesburg.

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US President Donald Trump said he will skip the G20. AFP

I am not going. We have a G20 meeting in South Africa. South Africa shouldnt even be in the Gs any more because whats happened there is bad. I told them Im not going. Im not going to represent our country there. It shouldnt be there, Trump, addressing the America Business Forum in Miami, said.

An American president missing such a high-profile forum is a rare deal indeed. The development comes as India and the United States continue to negotiate a trade deal. Many in the White House have been frustrated by India refusing to cross certain red lines including in the fields of dairy and agriculture.

India has said that there can be no compromise on its sovereignty in any trade deal. Modi, in an election rally, had claimed he was willing to pay any price to protect Indias farmers.

About the G20

The G20 comprises 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union  the bloc representing the worlds biggest advanced and emerging economies.

The members are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union. Together, these nations account for about 85 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of world trade, and two-thirds of the global population. The African Union joined the bloc under Indias presidency.

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With inputs from agencies
The deaths of four members of a family has raised alarm and panic in Turkey. The deceased, identified as Servet Boceck, 38, his wife Cigdem Boceck, 27, and their two kids  six-year-old Kadir and three-year-old Masal  reportedly died from suspected pesticide poisoning. Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the case

Image of a family member who died while vacationing in Istanbul(Courtesy: @muge_dag70)

A family of four from Germany were on a vacation to Turkey. However, the holiday ended tragically after they fell in, were hospitalised, but ultimately died.

Servet Bocek, 36; Cigdem Bocek, 27; their son, Kadir, six; and daughter, Masal, three, arrived in Istanbul from Germanys Hamburg on November 9. Three days later, they fell ill after visiting tourist spots in the city and eating street food.

At first, they were treated in hospitals for suspected food poisoning. But after they were discharged, their health worsened. The family  father, mother and their two young children  died over the course of five days at a hotel they were staying in Istanbuls Fatah District, which is popular among tourists.

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Now an investigation is ongoing in a possible case of poisoning.

So what went wrong?

What happened in Istanbul?

The Boceks were Turkish but lived in Germany and visited their homeland every year. On November 9, after they checked into their hotel, they visited various shops and restaurants across the city, trying famous local dishes, including the street snack of mussels stuffed with rice, stuffed mussels, and Kokoretsi, a traditional dish made with goat intestines, reported by the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

On November 12, the family felt severely sick, complaining of vomiting and nausea, and were later they were taken to the hospital.

In a television interview, the taxi driver, who rushed the family to the hospital, said that the mother, Cigdem Bocek, was ill and the daughter was vomiting, reports The New York Times.

The children were discharged from the hospital on the same day, and returned to the hotel. However, the family was rushed back to the hospital the next day after the woman noticed that their daughter was lying motionless on the floor, according to Anadolu. They called an ambulance and were admitted back to the hospital.

Both children died on November 13 at the hospital, said Abdullah Emre Guner, Istanbuls regional health chief. The woman, who complained of high fever and vomiting, died on November 14. Her husband, Servet Bocek, breathed his last on Monday (November 17) after days of intensive care.

What happened to the family?

The untimely and sudden death of the family has led to widespread concern across Turkey. When the probe began, prosecutors focused on the suspected food poisoning after eating some popular Turkish cuisine. There was a crackdown on street food vendors in the buzzing Ortakoy area in Istanbul.

However, the investigation took a different direction after two more tourists staying in the same hotel were hospitalised. The health of the Bocek family and other visitors declined because of pesticides used in the hotel.

According to reports in the Turkish media, a pesticide used to kill bedbugs was sprayed in a room on the ground floor of the hotel and is likely to have reached the room of the Boceks through the ventilation system, making them sick.

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Turkeys Institute of Forensic Medicine conducted the preliminary autopsy report, which found that all had haemorrhaging on their stomach walls, among other symptoms, reports NYT. It concluded that it was more likely that the family died from chemical poisoning originating from the hotel environment than from food poisoning.

To gather more insights into what happened, the forensic institute said that laboratories were processing samples  including body tissue, air from the hotel and food from the restaurants where they ate. The examination of those samples is expected to be concluded later this month.

The other guests who took ill were not suffering from life-threatening symptoms, according to Guner, the health chief.

How is the probe progressing?

According to Turkish officials, eleven people have been arrested in connection with the case.

The hotel owner, where the family stayed, several staff members, and employees, a pesticide worker, a mussel seller and a pita bread seller are among those held, Anadolu reported.

The Istanbul provincial health directorate and the chief public prosecutors office are probing the matter.

Municipality officials have shuttered the Istanbul hotel pending the outcome of the investigation. Forensic teams have reportedly collected samples from bedsheets, pillows, water bottles and blankets.

What did President Erdogan say?

As the news grabbed international headlines, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke of the case in Parliament. The investigation into the deaths is continuing with utmost sensitivity."

Anyone at fault will be determined, and there will be no mercy for them," he furthered.

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The governor of Istanbul also convened a food safety meeting, during which he announced that he would require restaurants to monitor their premises with surveillance cameras. He also ordered the inspections of pesticide companies.

The authorities have sealed off the hotel in the meantime.

With Inputs from agencies
November 20 marks 33 years of the nightmare that began at 11 am when Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Europe, caught fire. Its also on this day, twenty-four high-ranking Nazis went on trial in Nuremberg, Germany, for atrocities committed during World War II

A fire blazes out of control in the Belvedere Tower at Windsor Castle on November 20, 1992. File image/Reuters

Thirty-three years ago, a tragedy struck Windsor Castle. A blaze broke out at Queen Victorias private chapel, sending shockwaves and making headlines across the world.Home to late Queen Elizabeth, it was first constructed in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. The castle, which was also the historic royal residence, was engulfed in flames; later, 1992 was termed the horrible year.

The intensity of the fire was so uncontrollable that it not only destroyed the room the fire ignited in, but it also spread across the castle.

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In this edition of Firstposts ongoing series of History Today, we recall the extensive damage the massive fire caused at Windsor Castle and more.

The 1992 Windsor Castle Fire

A devastating tragedy occurred on November 20, 1992. The fire broke out in Queen Victorias Private Chapel around 11:30 am.

It was caused by a faulty spotlight that set fire to a curtain next to the altar in Queen Victorias Private chapel. In a matter of minutes, the blaze spread to St. Georges Hall next door, Brunswick Tower, as well as the surrounding private apartments.

St Georges Hall in Windsor Castle after fire ravaged the building on November 20 1992. File image/ Reuters

When the blaze began, Queen Elizabeth II was not inside the castle, but her son, Prince Andrew, was present when it caught fire. Andrew was not in the private chapel room; however, he found himself horrified while looking at the smoky scene.

Speaking to the reporter at the time, he asserted, I heard the fire alarm, and when I came out of the room, I could see the smoke. My reaction was shock and horror at the fact that it took hold so quickly.

Queen Elizabeth was not present at the site when the incident took place, however, she rushed from Buckingham Palace in London to Windsor Castle to remove priceless paintings from the 900-year-old palace.

More than 220 firemen from seven counties rushed to the spot, trying to put out the blaze. According to the Royal Collection Trust, 36 pumps were used to spray 1.5 million gallons of water, and the firemen worked nonstop for 15 hours.

Despite several attempts to remove all of the prized possessions from the Castle, far more damage was done to the building as a whole.

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The fire damaged 115 rooms in the Windsor, including the nine official staterooms, and St. Georges Halls soaring gallery collapsed completely.

Back then, experts estimated that repairs would cost up to $90 million and might take 10 years to complete.

A major controversy erupted after then-Prime Minister John Major suggested that the British Parliament should pay for the restoration of the castle.

It was then that Queen Elizabeth opened the doors of Buckingham Palace to visitors for the first time in history, using the admission fees to fund most of the reconstruction of Windsor Castle.

On November 20, 1997, five years to the day after the fire, the castle was officially restored.

The Los Angeles Times reported the total restoration cost, which was approximately $60 million.

The Nuremberg Trials

A view of the defendants dock during the Nuremberg Trials in Nuremberg, Germany. File image/Reuters

On this day, a series of trials was held in Germanys Nuremberg, in which former Nazi leaders were indicted for committing atrocities during World War II.

An International Military Tribunal conducted the trial, comprising representatives from the United States, the Soviet Union, France and Great Britain.

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The defendants faced charges including crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, violations of the laws of war, etc.

On October 1, 1946, three were acquitted, and seven others were sentenced to prison. Among 24 defendants, one, Robert Ley, committed suicide while in prison.

Ten of the architects of Nazi policy were hanged on October 16, 1946. Hermann Goring, the highest-ranking of all Nazi officials, called as the leading war aggressor and an oppressive program creator against the Jews, poisoned himself a day before his execution was scheduled.

Rejecting defenses from the defendants, the International Military Tribunal rejected the contention that only a state, and not individuals, could be found guilty of war crimes.

With inputs from agencies
After a thumping victory in the Bihar Assembly election, Nitish Kumar, of the Janata Dal-United party, took the chief ministers oath in a grand ceremony in Patna. This is a record tenth term for the 74-year-old political leader, making him the states longest-serving CM

JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar takes oath as chief minister of Bihar during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly formed Bihar government, at Gandhi Maidan, in Patna. PTI

Almost a week after the National Democratic Alliance stormed to victory in the Bihar Assembly election, Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar took the oath of office as chief minister today (November 20).

The oath-taking ceremony was held at Bihars Gandhi Maidan and was attended by the whos who of the alliance, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda.

With todays swearing-in, 74-year-old Nitish earns the title of being the states longest-serving chief minister  starting today (November 20), he will be beginning his record tenth term.

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Heres a look at how Nitish Kumar has charted his way to this record.
Nepals Simara town reported unrest on Thursday and the day before as Gen Z youth took to the streets. On Wednesday, hundreds of protesters had gathered at the airport in the town against the arrival of members of the ousted PM KP Sharma Olis party. A curfew had to be imposed after clashes occurred. But why?

A graffiti is displayed on a structure of Parliament house which was set on fire by the protesters during the protest in September against corruption that toppled the government, in Kathmandu, Nepal October 7, 2025. File Photo/Reuters

Nepal witnessed unrest months after Gen Z protests toppled the KP Sharma Oli government. Fresh tensions erupted on Wednesday (November 19) as youths clashed with members of the ousted PM Olis party.

A curfew remained imposed in Simara, a town in Nepals Bara district, for a second day today. The latest flare-up has prompted interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki to appeal for calm.

Lets take a closer look.

Why Nepal saw protests again

On Wednesday, youth protesters clashed with loyalists of former Prime Minister Olis Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).

Tensions escalated after two CPN-UML leaders prepared to visit the district from Kathmandu ahead of the March 5, 2026, elections in the country.

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As per AFP, brawls broke out, some close to the airport, after CPN-UML cadres allegedly attacked the protesters.

Hundreds of Gen Z demonstrators had gathered outside Simara Airport to oppose the arrival of CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and party youth leader Mahesh Basnet to take part in an anti-government rally.

More from Explainers Why Epstein files are unlikely to impact Maga loyalty to Trump

A curfew was imposed in parts of the Bara district bordering India to bring the situation under control.

We are trying to normalise the situation and call them for a dialogue. A curfew has been imposed right now, Bara district chief Dharmendra Kumar Mishra told AFP.

After the scuffles, Buddha Airlines cancelled all its domestic flights from Nepals capital to Simara for the day, including the one carrying the two CPN-UML leaders, who had to go back home.

The curfew remained in force on Thursday. Mishra told AFP that two of the alleged attackers have been arrested. Those arrested include two UML ward chairpersons  Dhan Bahadur Shrestha of Jeetpursimara Ward No 2 and Kaimoddin Ansari of Ward No 6 on charges of assaulting the Gen Z protesters.

Youth took to the streets again today, demanding action against the attackers. Despite the curfew, demonstrators hit the streets and clashed with police, news portal Khabarhub reported.

Authorities fired six tear gas canisters and two rounds of aerial fire after protesters defied the curfew and continued advancing, the report said.

Protesters also pelted stones at police, injuring six personnel. Four Gen-Z demonstrators were also reportedly wounded.

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Nepal interim PM calls for peace

Interim PM Sushila Karki called on all parties to refrain from unwanted political provocation, and to have faith in the democratic process ahead of the March elections.

I have directed the Home Administration and security agencies to work with utmost restraint and preparation to maintain peace and order, Karki said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Karki said she wanted to ensure the safe movement of leaders of all political parties, and create a fair and fear-free environment for the elections.

The interim premier Wednesday held a meeting with representatives of more than 110 parties. We want this country to be in the hands of a new generation and to be managed by people with vision, she told the meeting.

Nepals Gen Z protests

At least 76 people were killed in Nepal during the Gen Z demonstrations in September, triggered by a brief ban on social media. The deep-seated anger against corruption, nepotism and a lack of economic opportunities fuelled these protests across several cities in Nepal.

The deadly protests prompted KP Sharma Oli to resign as the countrys prime minister.

Despite his stepping down, some angry protesters stormed and torched the Nepalese parliament, set fire to government buildings  including the Singha Durbar complex, which houses the Nepali PMs office  and vandalised politicians homes.

Oli was replaced by Karki, a former chief justice who has become Nepals first interim woman PM.

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The ousted PMs CPN-UML has been organising protests across Nepal, calling for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives, which dissolved on September 12 after the Gen Z movement toppled his government.

The Nepali youth activists are also seeking action against the alleged mass killings of demonstrators on September 9 during the agitation.

With inputs from agencies
The US House of Representatives earlier this week voted to release the unclassified Epstein files. Ro Khanna, an Indian-origin representative from California, was one of the main drivers of the push to do so

Earlier this week, the US House of Representatives voted to release the Epstein files. The vote, which passed 427-1, was then sent to the US Senate, which also cleared the bill and sent it to US President Donald Trump.

Trump, who has been under increasing pressure to release the files after initially refusing to do so, has now signed the release of all the documents pertaining to the late disgraced financier and sex offender that have not been classified.

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Trump had previously claimed it was a Democrat-led hoax and even rebuffed members of the Maga movement demanding their release, saying he no longer wanted their support. For the many victims of Epstein, this day has been too long in coming. And behind it all is one man  Indian-origin Democrat Ro Khanna.

But what do we know about Khanna? How did he engineer the vote that splintered the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement?

Early years

Khanna was born on 13 September 1976, in Philadelphia into a middle-class family. Both his parents migrated to the US from India in the 1970s. Khannas father is a chemical engineer and his mother is a substitute school teacher. Khannas grandfather was a freedom fighter who participated in Mahatma Gandhis independence movement and worked with Lala Lajpat Rai. Because of this, he was jailed by the British for several years.

Khannas childhood was typically middle class. He attended Council Rock High School in Newtown before going to the University of Chicago, from where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in economics. Khanna then went on to do a law degree from Yale University.

However, even during his student days, Khanna was eager to participate in politics. During his stint at the University of Chicago, he participated in Barack Obamas first campaign  a race for the Illinois Senate in 1996. Khanna would go on to teach economics at Stanford University, law at Santa Clara University as an adjunct professor, and American Jurisprudence at San Francisco State University. Khanna would also open a private practice as a lawyer, where he specialised in intellectual property law.

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Ro Khanna, 49, represents California 17th District in Congress. Image courtesy: khanna.house.gov

Khanna has written two books: Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing Is Key to Americas Future (2012) and Dignity In A Digital Age (2022). Khanna married Ritu Ahuja on 29 August 2015. The couple have two children and live in Californias Fremont.

Dive into politics

In 2004, Khanna, at just age 28, ran his first political campaign  attempting to become a member of the 109th Congress in the 12th Congressional District. Unfortunately, Khanna lost his race. However, that was not the end of his political ambitions.

Khanna would go on to serve as the deputy assistant secretary in the Department of Commerce during the first Obama administration. In 2012, Khanna was appointed to the California workforce development board by then California Governor Jerry Brown.

In 2014, Khanna attempted to run for election to the US Congress again, taking on long-time Democrat incumbent Mike Honda in the 17th District. Unfortunately, Khanna came up short in his second attempt  again against Honda, who had held the seat, which represents much of Silicon Valley, since 2001.

Former US President Barack Obama is said to keep a close eye on Khanna. Reuters

However, in 2016, when Khanna ran for Congress the third time  his second attempt against Honda  he finally prevailed. Khanna has held onto the seat for the 17th Congressional District for nearly the past decade.

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Khanna is an unabashed progressive, focusing on issues of campaign finance reform, the environment, clean energy, term limits for Supreme Court judges, and pushing forward science and technology.

Khanna holds a number of positions in Congress, including Chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on the Environment and a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, and Armed Services Committees. Khanna is also the Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, an Assistant Whip for the Democratic Caucus. He is also Democratic Vice Chair of the House Caucus on Indian Americans. Colloquially known as the Samosa Caucus, this represents a growing number of Indian-Americans in the US Congress.

The Epstein vote

The vote on the Epstein files, which tore Maga apart as per Marjorie Taylor Greene, was pushed by none other than Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie. He and Massie previously worked together to stop US military support for Saudi Arabia over the war with Yemen.

The two men, in a rare show of bipartisanship, co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill received support from even the most ardent Maga-world figures, including Greene herself. Khanna and Massie, whom Trump has vowed to unseat in Congress, had also circulated a discharge petition in the House, which required 218 signatures, to force leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to vote on the bill  which was ultimately successful.

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Donald Trump said he first met Jeffrey Epstein during the 1980s.

Greene wasnt the only Maga-world figure Khanna reached out to. In September, he also sought the support of Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert.

Khanna, on the morning of the vote, tried to play down his role in it, saying, It feels like you can make a difference in Congress.

Like other Indian-American politicians  Bobby Jindal, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy  Khanna may be eyeing greater aspirations. Prior to the 2024 election, there were reports that Khanna was considering a bid for the US presidency  if Biden chose not to run.

With the 2028 Democratic nomination wide open, Khanna could very well be a strong contender. Hes already said to be talking to Greene about preventing equity funds from buying family homes  which is becoming a greater subject of debate in US political circles. Obama is also said to keep a close eye on Khanna.

I make no secret about wanting to be part of shaping the national future of the Democratic Party of this country. I make no secret about the fact that I believe I have the best economic vision for this nation, Khanna told CNN.

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The knock on me from some  I mean, there are many knocks on me  but one of the knocks on me has always been: Okay, Ro, you can write books on this, you can write op-eds on this, but can you really, brass tacks, get things done? And its easier if youre a mayor or a governor or a Cabinet member to show you can get things done. And what this is showing is, you know what? On one of the biggest things, which is getting Maga on board, its not just ideas. Im able to get things done.

Can Khanna do what no other Indian-Americans have done before him and rise to the Oval Office? Time will tell.

With inputs from agencies
Russia is reportedly ready to provide technology transfer for the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet to India. A rival of the American F-35 fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57 is known for its super-manoeuvrability. The aircraft would be a big boost to Indias aerial prowess

Russia has reportedly offered New Delhi technology transfer for the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet ahead of President Vladimir Putins visit to India next month. This signals that defence could be a major agenda during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin in December.

India and Russias defence ties remain strong despite pressure from the West on New Delhi over the Ukraine war. Reports say Moscows new offer has the potential to redefine Indias aerial prowess.

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Lets take a closer look.

What is the Su-57 fighter jet?

The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russias fifth-generation fighter jet. Its export version of the fighter, the Su-57E, whose Nato reporting name is Felon, performed aerial displays at this weeks Dubai Airshow 2025.

The twin-engine military aircraft boasts super-manoeuvrability, supersonic cruising and advanced avionics.

The aircraft, which can fly at Mach 2 speeds, has stealth capabilities to evade radar. It is also equipped with advanced missile and electronic warfare systems.

At the Dubai Airshow, for the first time, the Su-57E opened its internal weapons bay, which featured mock-ups of the Kh-58 anti-radiation missile and R-74M2 air-to-air missile.

The model presented at the air show also had new 2D thrust-vectoring flat nozzles for the AL-51F-1 engine to reduce the aircrafts radar and infrared signatures.

The Su-57 is equipped with two engines featuring controlled thrust vectoring, enabling it to execute manoeuvres at near-zero speeds, extreme angles of attack, and spins. These capabilities can provide a significant edge in aerial combat, Sergey Bogdan, chief pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau at United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), was quoted as saying by Tass news agency.

A Russian SU-57 stealth fighter jet flies in the sky at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, November 12, 2024. File Photo/Reuters

Su-57, which is a rival of the American F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, has an edge over other aircraft due to its ability to remain under control in any mode.

In conventional fighters or bombers, pilots must constantly monitor flight parameters to avoid losing control. The Su-57, however, ensures it never does, Bogdan said.

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Besides Russia, only the US and China are manufacturing fighter aircraft in the same generation.

Russia offers Su-57 fighter jet tech to India

Russia has offered unrestricted technology transfer of its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter aircraft to India.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show 2025, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Russias state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec, told ANI, India and Russia have been partners for many years. Even when India was under sanctions, we supplied the country with weapons to ensure its security.

Today, we continue the same approach as in previous years, supplying India with whatever military equipment it needs and ensuring our mutual interests in developing cooperation, he added.

On potential requests from India for S-400 systems or the Su-57, Chemezov said, We have strong relations with India, and whatever India requires, we are here to support.

The proposal is to initially provide the Su-57 fighter jets produced in Russia. Later, the production of the aircraft will be shifted to India in stages, as per NDTV.

Speaking to the news agency, Vadim Badekha said that Indias concerns and technical requirements concerning the Su-57 have been taken positively. He said all demands from India are completely acceptable and that Russian officials are deeply in touch with Indian authorities.

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According to a senior representative of Russias state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, Moscow is proposing to provide India both license production of air weapons for future generation aircraft and integration of Indian weapons.

He said that Rosoboronexport is offering technology transfer and technological learning of new-generation technologies to India, including engines, optics, AESA radar, AI elements, low-signature technologies and modern air weapons.

Why it matters to India

India is developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). It is also seeking foreign fifth-generation alternatives while developing its own jet.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is operating much below its sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons. Currently, it has only 29 squadrons.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had earlier said that the IAF needs to induct 35 to 40 fighter aircraft every year for the next two decades to plug these gaps. He linked this requirement to Indias long-term manufacturing goals under Roadmap 2047.

Russias offer could be a big boost for Indias aerial power. As per NDTV, no other country has offered such level of access to its defence technology to India. If New Delhi takes up Moscow on its offer, it could gain access to capabilities that Western nations have repeatedly denied to the South Asian country and build advanced stealth fighters independently.

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The offer would also not be palatable to the US, which would rather that India buy its F-35. Russia is willing to provide unrestricted technology transfer of its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter, along with the hardware.

Such an offer gives an advantage to Russia, with India also benefiting from a potential deal, as per Moneycontrol. A full technology transfer would boost the IAFs self-reliance and help meet the significant gaps in its squadron strength.

With inputs from agencies
The Supreme Court is hearing pleas challenging the validity of Talaq-e-Hasan, a form of divorce in Islamic law. Under this practice, a man can divorce his wife by pronouncing talaq once a month over a period of three months. Questioning the custom, the apex court asked on Wednesday, Should a civilised society allow this kind of practice?

The Supreme Court has questioned the practice of Talaq-e-Hasan, a form of divorce among a section of Muslims. The apex court on Wednesday (November 19) also flagged the issue of husbands lawyers sending talaq (divorce) notices to wives.

Should a civilised society allow this kind of practice? the court asked. It was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by journalist Benazeer Heena, who challenged the constitutional validity of such a divorce.

Lets take a closer look.

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What is Talaq-e-Hasan?

Talaq-e-Hasan is a form of divorce in Muslim law that allows a man to divorce his wife by pronouncing talaq once a month over a period of three months.

The husband has to ensure that the wife is not menstruating when he pronounces talaq. After the first pronouncement, the man has to wait until the next menstrual cycle of his wife.

These three months are also a period of abstinence. However, if there is reconciliation between the couple during the 90 days, the divorce process is revoked.

In case the couple do not reconcile and cohabitation has not resumed, the divorce gets formalised after the third utterance of the word talaq in the third month.

The Talaq-e-Hasan case before SC

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh is hearing pleas challenging Talaq-e-Hasan.

In 2017, the apex court had declared triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat, under which divorce was granted instantly after a husband uttered the word talaq thrice in a row, as unconstitutional.

Muslim women pose with a gesture as they celebrate the passage of a law to outlaw Triple Talaq, or instant divorce, at an event organised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on July 31, 2019. File Photo/AFP

The lead petition against Talaq-e-Hasan, filed by Heena, claimed that her husband sent her the first notice of talaq through a speed post on April 19. The second and third notices were delivered in the subsequent months, as per LiveLaw.

The journalist argued that this divorce practice is irrational, arbitrary and violates Articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution.

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Heena told the apex court about her ordeal since her husband sent a talaq notice through his advocate. Her counsel said she risks being accused of polyandry as the talaq notice did not carry the husbands signature and was sent by his advocate.

The woman said that, as she has not been able to prove she is divorced, her four-year-old child has been denied admission to schools and she is also struggling to get her passport.

According to her counsel, Heenas husband only gave her a lump sum amount of Rs 17,000. The journalist also said that her husband has remarried and moved on, while she is facing difficulty in proving her divorce.

She will indulge herself in polyandry because of her husband. In the 11-page talaq notice, sign of husband is missing. Talaq pronounced by husbands advocate!, the counsel said.

To this, the husbands lawyer told the apex court that it is common in Islam for a talaq notice to be served by a husbands advocate.

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Justice Kant asked, surprisingly, Can this be a practice? How these new innovative ideas are being invented? Assuming whatever religious practices are there, at least that should be performed by the person with whom the relationship is there.

Senior Advocate MR Shamshad, appearing for the husband, asserted that Muslim law allows a husband to authorise someone else to issue a talaq notice to his wife on his behalf, reported LiveLaw.

The bench questioned: What prevents the husband to directly write communication to her? He has such ego that even for divorce he cannot speak to her? How are you promoting this kind of thing in modern society? These are the kind of things you will allow? It is [about] dignity of woman. Now advocate will start granting divorce? Tomorrow what will happen if a client disowns the advocate?

The court also praised the woman for fighting her case, expressing concern about the less privileged.

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We salute this woman who has chosen to fight for her right. But there may be a poor woman, who does not knowdoes not have resourcesshe remarriesearlier husband can come and say you are indulging in [polyandry]. Should a civilised society allow this kind of practice?

The top court told the husbands advocate to call his client on the next date of hearing, saying, If Talaq is to take place as per religious practice, then the entire procedure has to be followed as it is prescribed.

Will SC strike down Talaq-e-Hasan?

The Supreme Court has indicated it may refer the challenge to the validity of Talaq-e-Hasan to a larger five-judge constitution bench.

It asked parties to submit notes on the types of Talaq allowed under Islamic practices. The bench said it was not the question of striking down a prevalent religious practice but an issue that has to be regulated according to the constitutional ethos, reported PTI.

Once you give us a brief note we will consider the desirability of referring to a five-judge constitution bench. Give us broadly the questions that may arise. Then we will see how those are predominantly legal in nature that the court must resolve, the bench said.

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It also observed that the practice affects society at large. Justice Kant said, Society at large is involved. Some remedial measures have to be taken. If there are gross discriminatory practices, then the court has to interfere.

The bench asked lawyers appearing for different parties to submit the issues to be adjudicated by the court and as well as specify the extent to which the court can interfere in these practices.

Also [assist] on why the Court should not interfere where such kind of very gross, discriminatory and grossly exploitative practices are suppose there, then why not the Courts should interfere in this kind of affair also? And then what should be the norms which can be laid down through judicial platform?, Justice Kant was quoted as saying by LiveLaw.

VIDEO | Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay on Supreme Court's hearing on Talaq-e-Hasan says, "No proper talaqnama (written divorce document) has been received, because of which a woman is facing difficulties in getting her child admitted to school, in getting a passport made, and in pic.twitter.com/6spG1KmRWW  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 19, 2025

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The court also allowed the application by All India Muslim Personnel Law Board and Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama to intervene in the matter and sought their submissions.

The top court had earlier sought the opinions of the National Commission for Women (NCW), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on the issues.

The court said it will next hear the matter on November 26. Its Constitution Day and therefore we must do something, Justice Kant said.

With inputs from agencies
Zomato users could soon see their phone numbers shared with the restaurants. The development comes after a decade-long dispute between the food delivery platform and the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI). But what do we know? Why are some crying foul?

Using Zomato? Soon, your number could be shared with the restaurants you order from.

The development comes after a decade-long dispute between the food delivery platform and the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI).

There are reports that Swiggy and other platforms may also follow suit. However, customers and privacy advocates are crying foul.

But what do we know? How will customers be impacted, and what are the concerns?

Lets take a closer look.

Zomato to share data with restaurants

According to reports, the delivery platform owned by Eternal Ltd is in the final stages of talks with the NRAI, which represents five lakh restaurants and cloud kitchens across the country, to share information about customers, including their phone numbers and perhaps even their names and locations.

However, according to reports, this will only be done after the users give their consent to do so.

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Zomato has said that the programme is currently in its pilot phase. The NRAI has said that Zomato will begin sending users one-time notifications asking if they agree to their data being shared.

There are reports that some users are getting the prompt Share my phone number or Do not share my phone number. The prompt also mentions that once your information is shared, it cannot be taken back.

The wording they are proposing is: I allow restaurants to reach out to me for promotional activities, an NRAI representative was quoted as saying by CNBC.

Win-win

Restaurants have long argued that these delivery platforms cut them off from their customer base. This development will help them better understand their customers and their consumption patterns and allow them to build a better long-term relationship with the consumer, they claim.

They say this move will allow them to offer consumers a far superior experience and solve issues that cannot be addressed adequately through online aggregator platforms. For example, if there is a problem with the order or if the restaurant wants to confirm some detail with the customer, they will now have the ability to reach out to them directly, Gauri Devidayal, partner at Food Matters, told The Times of India.

The industry body had earlier filed a complaint before the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against Zomato, Indias largest food aggregator by volume, and Swiggy, complaining of anti-competitive practices, data masking and a lack of transparency when it comes to customers.

Sagar Daryani, the president at NRAI, told Times of India, As of now, we dont know how often a customer is ordering on Zomato and Swiggy. In a way, we are blind-sighted and our marketing costs are not funnelled properly. When a customer walks into our offline store, we get all the data.

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The NRAI has said Zomato is yet to begin sharing the data and that the company is still working out a method of doing so.

We at Zomato are in the early stages of launching a feature on the app which gives customers the option to opt in to receive marketing and promotional updates directly from restaurants. If and when consent is provided, only phone number will be shared with the restaurant. No other information will be shared. Theres nothing sneaky or automatic about it, Aditya Mangla, CEO of food delivery at Zomato, wrote on LinkedIn.

Worries about data leak, privacy

However, many are worried about their sensitive data being shared and their privacy being breached.

They also worry that some may misuse the data to bombard the customer with notifications and pop-ups.

Some high-profile individuals have already taken to social media demanding the government step in. For example, author Suhel Seth called the development totally bloody unacceptable.

Totally bloody unacceptable! I hope the Government doesnt allow this AT ALL. Next they will share our food habits with all and sundry! https://t.co/yM07HtYqcR  SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) November 20, 2025

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I hope the Government doesnt allow this AT ALL. Next, they will share our food habits with all and sundry! he added.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora added, So, @zomato & @Swiggy plan to share customer mobile numbers with restaurants. This opens the door to privacy risks & further spam under the guise of better service. We need clear, unambiguous opt-in guidelines, in line with the new #DPDP Rules, so consumers data is respected.

So, @zomato & @Swiggy plan to share customer mobile numbers with restaurants. This opens the door to privacy risks & further spam under the guise of better service.



We need clear, unambiguous opt-in guidelines, in line with the new #DPDP Rules, so consumers data is respected. pic.twitter.com/Uy0MhyWDz8  Milind Deora |   (@milinddeora) November 20, 2025

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Swiggy to follow suit?

The NRAI has also said it is in talks with Zomato rival Swiggy to similarly share data. The industry body said it hopes Swiggy will also follow suit. Ownly, Rapidos new food delivery service, has also reportedly come on board to do so.

Zomato lists around 327,000 monthly active restaurants while Swiggy lists about 264,000 on its platform.

As per Statista, the online food delivery market revenue is projected to reach USD 54.97 billion (Rs. 4.87 lakh crore) in 2025.

Revenue is expected to show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR 20252030) of 13.26 per cent, resulting in a projected market volume of $102.43 billion (Rs. 9.08 lakh crore) by 2030, reports Business Standard.

With Inputs from agencies
The doctors, of Indian and Pakistani origin, were taken to the Bahraich district jail by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), who said that the duo were only carrying visas to work in Nepal

Two British doctors, who crossed the India-Nepal border to take a stroll in Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich, were taken into custody earlier this week for not possessing the relevant papers to travel in the country.

According to a report by the Indian Express, the doctors, of Indian and Pakistani origin, were taken to the Bahraich district jail by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), who said that the duo were only carrying visas to work in Nepal.

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Although the Indian-origin doctor had an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, officials said her entry through the border via which she came into India is only permissible to Indian and Nepalese citizens and does not apply to people from other countries.

Who were the doctors?

The British doctors are specialised audiologists with expertise in treating hearing impairments. They arrived in Nepalganj at the invitation of a private hospital to provide their services at an otology camp focused on ear-related medical issues.

While the Indian-origin doctor, 61, hails from Karnataka, the Pakistani-origin doctor is aged 35. Both individuals have British passports.

Why were they arrested?

The two British nationals were detained under Section 14A of the Foreigners Act after a case was filed at the Rupaidiha police station in Bahraich. A senior official explained that despite holding OCI cards, the doctor was arrested because travel across the Rupaidiha-Nepalganj border is only allowed for Indian and Nepali nationals, according to the India-Nepal agreement.

Deputy SP Pradyumna Singh, Circle Officer of Nanpara in Bahraich, stated that during a routine vehicle check on November 15, around 10 am, SSB personnel at the Rupaidiha border post noticed the two British nationals walking into Indian territory.

The SSB team alerted senior officials about the doctors presence in India after finding out one of them was of Pakistani origin. An official said that the doctors recorded their statements, saying that they stayed in Nepalganj for a few days after being invited to a medical camp.

The duo were also questioned by intelligence officers extensively before being handed over to the Bahraich police. They explained that they had no ill intention to be in India and that they just wanted to explore the market nearby.
Authorities investigating the devastating Delhi blast have frozen bank accounts amounting to over Rs 2 lakh as they probe digital trails of calls, chats, and fund routes of the terror operatives

Police and security personnel stand behind the safety cordons delimiting the blast site as they inspect charred vehicles following an explosion near the Red Fort, in the old quarters of Delhi. AFP

Authorities investigating the devastating Delhi blast have frozen bank accounts amounting to over Rs 2 lakh as they probe digital trails of calls, chats, and fund routes. According to a report by The Indian Express, security agencies probing the explosion near Red Fort are said to have found a widespread network that connects  foreign handlers in Afghanistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to local operatives.

These local operatives, who also have links to the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror module, include Umar Nabi, the prime suspect of the suicide bombing that killed at least 12 people. Sources close to the investigation told The Indian Express that at least two handlers have been identified as Faisal Ishfaq Bhat and Dr Ukasha to have contacts with Indian operatives.

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These operatives are currently believed to be in PoK and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the report suggested that the third operative, identified as Hashim, has been in touch with the now-arrested cleric, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Wagay, and some of the modules members via Telegram.

More from India Red Fort blast mastermind Umar Nabi was looking to recruit a suicide bomber since last year, officials say

Investigators say the alleged links between foreign handlers and local operatives first emerged last month. The probe went that way after authorities began investigating threatening posters bearing the insignia of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which appeared across shopfronts and street corners on October 19.

The next day, authorities arrested three men from Nowgam  Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Arif Nisar and Maqsood Ahmad Dar. According to The Indian Express, investigators believe that the suspects admitted that the posters were their handiwork: Yasir had dictated the text, Arif had created it on his phone using an Urdu-font app.

Meanwhile, on November 5, Dr Rathar was picked up from Saharanpur, but Umar remained elusive. He had allegedly vanished from the Al-Falah University on the same afternoon Dr Ganai had been detained by the authorities. In light of this, a look-out certificate was issued, and the teams were dispatched to Delhi, Faridabad and Saharanpur, but he didnt surface.

On November 10, CCTV cameras captured Umar in Old Delhi in a white Hyundai i20 entering a parking zone near the Red Fort at 3:19 pm. The car remained there for a few hours. At 6:48 pm, the car made its way into the heavy traffic, and a massive blast ripped through, killing 12 people in the area.

The forensic team later concluded that the explosive device contained ammonium nitrate, potassium compounds, and TATP  a combination capable of producing extraordinary force.
Three of the newly arrested suspects are doctors, while the fourth is a religious preacher

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

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested four more prime suspects in connection with the 10 November blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, which claimed at least 15 lives and injured several others.

With these arrests, the total number of accused in the case has now risen to six, the agency said in an official statement.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested four more prime accused involved in the November 10 blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, taking the total number of arrests in the case to six.



The four accused were taken into custody by NIA in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

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Three of the newly arrested suspects are doctors, while the fourth is a religious preacher. The Patiala House Court granted custody of the accused to the NIA, which took them into custody in Srinagar. All four played a key role in the terror attack that killed several innocent persons and left many others injured, the agency added.

The accused have been identified as Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai from Pulwama (J&K), Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather from Anantnag (J&K), Dr Shaheen Saeed from Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay from Shopian (J&K). Earlier, the NIA had arrested Amir Rashid Ali and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, both of whom were linked to the explosives-laden i20 used in the blast and the attempted recruitment of a potential suicide bomber.

According to the NIA, these individuals are at the centre of an alleged white-collar terror module, which was dismantled by the Jammu and Kashmir police in coordination with authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. During the investigation, a major lead emerged from Al Falah University in Faridabad, where authorities recovered 2,900 kg of explosives, raising alarm about the scale of the terror network.

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State prosecutors highlighted that the blast was meticulously planned, with a combination of local and cross-border operatives. The arrested individuals are being interrogated to identify all links and uncover the broader conspiracy behind the attack.

On Tuesday, a special NIA court at Patiala House remanded Jasir Bilal Wani to 10 days of NIA custody. Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandana approved the remand following a closed-court hearing.

The NIA, which formally took over the investigation on November 11, continues to explore multiple angles in the case, including financing, recruitment, and logistical support for the terror module.
Donald Trump Jr. visited Agras Taj Mahal on Thursday after arriving in India on his second visit. He is likely to travel to Udaipur for a high-profile wedding.

US President Donald Trumps son Donald Trump Jr. visited the famous monument Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradeshs Agra on his India tour on Thursday. Earlier, he arrived in the city with a large contingent of over 125 people from more than three dozen countries.

This is the second India visit of Donald Trump Jr. He last visited the country in February 2018, when he travelled to New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Kolkata.

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Trump Jr. is visiting along with 126 special guests from 40 countries. The purpose of his visit to India is likely to attend a high-profile destination wedding of an Indian American couple in Rajasthans Udaipur.

During his tour of the Taj Mahal, Trump Jr. was seen getting photographed on its premises like millions of visitors do every year.

You can watch videos showing him at the Taj Mahal complex below.

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Tightened security

Ahead of his planned visit, a team from a US Security Agency has already arrived in Udaipur to review the security arrangements. Nearly 200 police personnel have been deployed, including officers of ACP and ADC rank.

The wedding will take place on November 21 and 22. The venue of the wedding will be Jag Mandir Palace, located amidst Lake Pichola.

Star-studded wedding

Several politicians and Indian celebrities are also expected to arrive at the venue. The state administration has already started enforcing special security arrangements in the city.

Trump Jr. will be staying at The Leela Palace, Udaipur as per news sources.

Udaipur is known for its cultural beauty and its lavish heritage makes it one of Indias most picturesque wedding destinations.

The city has been a priority for many film stars to organise their wedding.

It has previously hosted the weddings or pre-wedding festivities of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, Raveena Tandon, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Hardik Pandya, and Isha Ambani, daughter of billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
PM Modi noted that under the PM-KISAN scheme, the government has already directly transferred Rs 4 lakh crore to the bank accounts of small farmers so far, allowing them to fulfil their agricultural needs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India is on the path to becoming the global hub of organic farming as he inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 in Coimbatore.

The youth are increasingly recognising agriculture as a modern and scalable opportunity and this will greatly empower the rural economy, PM Modi said. At the event, the prime minister also released the 21st instalment of PM-KISAN, amounting to more than Rs 18,000 crore to support nine crore farmers across the country.

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PM Modi noted that under the PM-KISAN scheme, the government has already directly transferred Rs 4 lakh crore to the bank accounts of small farmers so far, allowing them to fulfil their agricultural needs.

Natural farming must be our goal

Beginning his address by saying that natural farming was very close to his heart, PM Modi said, The expansion of natural farming was the need of 21st-century agriculture. In recent years, rising demand has led to a sharp increase in the use of chemicals across farms and various agriculture-related sectors.

He added, Excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides is reducing soil fertility, affecting soil moisture, and increasing the cost of farming year after year. He emphasised that the solution to this issue lies in crop diversification and natural farming.

Natural farming is Indias own indigenous idea and it is rooted in the countrys traditions and suited to the environment, he said, adding our goal must be to make natural farming a fully science-backed movement. Natural farming is an indigenous Indian conceptnot imported from elsewherebut born from tradition and aligned with the environment, he asserted. In the coming years, the PM envisioned major transformations in Indian agriculture.

India is on the path to becoming a global hub for natural farming, he asserted and noted that the countrys biodiversity is evolving, and the youth are now viewing agriculture as a modern, scalable opportunity. Such a shift, he said, will greatly strengthen the rural economy.

How have govt policies helped?

During the past 11 years, the entire agricultural sector has undergone a significant change, he said. Indias agricultural exports have nearly doubled, and the government has opened every possible avenue to support farmers in modernising agriculture.

Through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme alone, farmers have received assistance exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore this year. Since the extension of KCC benefits to the livestock and fisheries sectors seven years ago, those engaged in such areas have also been availing its advantages extensively. The reduction in GST on bio-fertilisers has further benefited farmers.

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Advocating One Acre, One Season of natural farming, PM Modi said organic farming helps tackle climate change challenges and revive soil fertility and enhance the nutritional value of crops. The country must move forward on the path of natural farming and it is both a vision and a necessity and only then can biodiversity be preserved for future generations.

With inputs from PTI
The robbery took place at a flyover between an HDFC Bank in JP Nagar and HBR Layout, when a van owned by CMS Info Systems was moving cash in three boxes. The heist involved an MUV, two hatchbacks and the CMS-run armoured van

At least five to six miscreants posing as RBI officials stole a van full of cash worth Rs 7.1 crore in broad daylight from a busy flyover in Bengaluru, in what looks like a well-planned heist.

The robbery took place at a flyover between an HDFC Bank in JP Nagar and HBR Layout, when a van owned by CMS Info Systems was moving cash in three boxes. The heist involved an MUV, two hatchbacks and the CMS-run armoured van.

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The incident began when a Maruti Zen hatchback blocked the path of a cash van near Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar 2nd Block around 12:30 PM. In the van, along with the driver Binod Kumar, were three other individuals: custodian Aftab and gunmen Rajanna and Tammaiah.

Three men got out of the Maruti Zen, which was tailed by an Innova and an MUV, and told the people inside the cash van, We are RBI officials. There is a complaint against your firm for violating RBI guidelines. We have to record your statements, according to a report by the Times of India.

The CMS staff quickly fell for the impostors ruse. Without hesitation, the two gunmen, Rajanna and Tammaiah, left their licensed single-barrel shotguns in the vehicle and climbed into the MUV with the custodian.

One of the robbers told the van driver to go to the Dairy Circle Flyover and wait for the RBI officials As Kumar drove on, the MUV carrying the CMS staff and the miscreants closely trailed the van. When they reached the Nimhans junction, the MUV came to a halt.

Come to the police station and well take your statements. Before that, we should take the cash boxes to the RBI, the miscreants told the CMS staffers.

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Soon, the MUV with miscreants stopped near Kumar. At gunpoint, miscreants shifted the cash boxes into another hatchback  a Maruti WagonR  for inspection by RBI. In the blink of an eye, the miscreants sped away, leaving behind Kumar, his van, and their MUV, a police officer told TOI.
As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process comes into effect across several states in India, people are reportedly crossing over to Bangladesh amid fears of getting caught.

As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process comes into effect across several states in India, people are reportedly crossing over to Bangladesh amid fears of getting caught. An Indian Express report shed light on the situation at the Hakimpur border outpost in West Bengal. Men, women and children are squatting at the border as they wait for their turn to cross the country.

We are scared. That is why we packed our bags and came here, Abdul Momin, one of the people crossing the border, told The Indian Express. He claimed that he came to India from Satkhira district in Bangladesh five years ago after paying a tout at the border.

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Many rushed to the border soon after the Election Commission of India started holding the SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal ahead of next years polls.

In Bengal, there have been fears of the authorities conducting the National Register of Citizens (NRC), even though the process is underway in neighbouring Assam, not in West Bengal. The fears can be because the ruling TMC in the state has likened the SIR survey to backdoor implementation of NRC in the state.

Over 400 people crossed the border from Hakimpur in one week

BSF personnel at the Hakimpur border told The Indian Express that over 400 people, including children, have trickled to the Hakimpur outpost and all are ready to cross the border. The authorities have been conducting stringent checks of vehicles, e-rickshaws, cars, and motorbikes.

The BSF official noted that there has been a considerable increase in the number of illegal Bangladeshi citizens returning to their country from West Bengal. Since SIR started in the first week of November, the daily outward movement of people was less and in double digits. But now every day, around 150 to 200 illegal Bangladeshis are trying to leave India, a senior BSF official told The Indian Express.

The search for loopholes

A separate reportage by CNN-News18 dealt with the story of a Bangladeshi person who was using his Indian father-in-laws name to make an Indian Voter I Card in India. Two individuals in the Shrirampur area of Uluberia Block 2 have allegedly used the names of their fathers-in-law in place of their fathers names to obtain voter identity cards.

One among them was identified as Mohammad Khalil Molla, who has admitted that he is a Bangladeshi national. He told CNN-News18 that he came to India 35 years ago. After initially staying in Topsia, then in Howrah and Amta, he finally settled in Shrirampur in Uluberia. There, he married a local woman and used his father-in-laws name as his fathers name for a voter card.

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In another case, locals have alleged that a man named Sekh Rezaul Mondal also used his father-in-laws name as his fathers name to obtain a voter identity card. Residents told CNN-News18 that they want the government to take action against anyone who has entered India illegally. The incident has created a stir in the Shrirampur area under the Rajapur Police Station.
The Indian Navy said on Thursday that it is closely monitoring Chinas fast-tracked supply of sophisticated submarines to Pakistan, a move seen as Islamabads effort to challenge the regional maritime equilibrium.

The Navys vice chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan said its maintaining operational readiness. We are aware that China is supplying submarines and ships to Pakistan. We are monitoring everything closely, and the Indian Navy is fully prepared, he stated.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff:

We are aware that #China is supplying submarines and ships to #Pakistan. We are monitoring everything closely, and the #IndianNavy is fully prepared to meet any challenge.

Strong message from the top. #TejRan pic.twitter.com/3nNnRWOgru  Janaki Menon (@JanakiMenon5) November 20, 2025

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Under a $5 billion pact with China, Pakistan will induct eight Hangor-class diesel-electric submarines. Four are being built in China, and four assembled in Pakistan. The programme began in 2015, with the first sub launched in April 2024, two more this year, and full delivery scheduled by 2028.

Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pakistans Naval Chief, recently told the Global Times that induction remains on track for 2026. He hailed the launch of the second and third boats as a major milestone for naval collaboration between China and Pakistan.

Since Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has been strengthening its naval capabilities, following internal concerns over its navys preparedness during heightened tensions with India in May. Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Vatsayan, who assumed office in August, indicated that India is adjusting its strategies to maintain an edge, with tactics, force structure, and capability requirements under constant evaluation.

[Pakistans] submarine induction will start very soon, but we are monitoring every situation and we are making all efforts to counter it and we know what capabilities we need in the area of anti-submarine warfare, he said.

Currently, India has three domestically built nuclear-powered submarines and multiple diesel-electric attack subs created in partnership with France, Germany, and Russia. The Navys vice chief confirmed ongoing induction of modern vessels and, despite China commissioning its Fujian aircraft carrier, asserted India maintains a maritime edge.

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As far as China is concerned, their third aircraft carrier has arrived. However, our own ships which are under construction are being delivered in the next two years. We are fully confident the capabilities which will come in the next 5 to 7 years.
The Modi governments unprecedented successes against Left-Wing Extremism have shown that insurgencies cannot be fought through development rhetoric alone. They require firm state authority, followed by inclusive development that empowers marginalised communities.

On November 18, 2025, Maoists suffered a major blow when one of their most dreaded commanders, Madvi Hidma, was gunned down. A day later, in another encounter in the forest region of Andhra Pradeshs Alluri Sitarama Raju district, seven other Maoists were killed.

Over the past decade, the country has witnessed a sense of urgency  and clarity  in its fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the strategic direction of Home Minister Amit Shah, the country has mounted its most coordinated and sustained campaign against the Maoist insurgency. What was till a decade back the most formidable security challenge facing the country is now gasping for breath.

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The numbers from 2025 alone illustrate the shift. Nearly 300 Maoists have been neutralised this year, more than 1,100 arrested, and over 900 have surrendered. The number of affected districts has fallen from a peak of around 180 in the late 2000s to just 18 in 2025, with the Maoist insurgency now largely confined to the Bastar and Abujhmad regions of Chhattisgarh. Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar are now practically free of Maoist violence. The peaceful and efficiently conducted Bihar elections underscored what once seemed impossible; the state today holds firm in areas previously dictated by Maoist writ.

Shattering Old Narratives

This turnaround is largely the result of Home Minister Amit Shahs insistence on exterminating Maoists, and not just containing their activities. Since taking over the Home Ministry in June 2019, he injected a sense of urgency into the security establishment by setting a definite timetable for eliminating Maoist violence by March 31, 2026. He is on course to achieving it well before time  just the same way Hidma was killed 12 days ahead of the official deadline of November 30, 2025.

Shah has set a strict red line for dealing with Maoists: there would be no dialogue without disarmament. These so-called rebels must first lay down their arms and surrender unconditionally. The state has thus made it clear that its writ would run, and not that of the Maoists.

In the past decade, the very outlook of the state has changed drastically vis-a-vis Maoists. For decades, Maoism was cushioned by an influential intellectual/ideological narrative that romanticised it as an uprising of the poor and the dispossessed. Writers and activists often portrayed the insurgency as a righteous revolt of landless labourers against caste oppression and state failure.

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Such was their hold over the narrative that Maoist violence would invariably be projected as a result of upper-caste atrocities  and, as William Dalrymple writes in The Age of Kali, how in some upper-caste areas, the burning of untouchables had become so common that it was now almost an organised sport. Various lower-caste self-defence forces were formed in reaction, Dalrymple would add.

Had this been about the landlord versus the landless, then the Maoists would have become a major force in the regions of landlords. Interestingly, when the Lalu Prasad Yadav government submitted a list of 157 landlords in 1991, not one of them was from central Bihar  the core Maoist belt. Most were from north Bihar, a region that remained relatively peaceful. If Maoism were fundamentally a struggle between landlords and landless labourers, the map would have looked starkly different.

In fact, a closer and nuanced look at the Maoist insurgency in the country shows that the rise of Left-Wing Extremism was not the result of upper-caste violence; rather, Maoist violence was the catalyst that led to the emergence of upper-caste senas. Even the much-maligned Ranvir Sena came into existence as a response to terror unleashed by Maoists against landed people. Here, it needs to be reiterated that most of these landed people were petty farmers. And even the progressive Lalu Prasad government could not find a single landlord in the Maoist belt of Bihar.

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What further lifts the mask off the Maoists is the fact that nearly 90 per cent of those killed by them have been poor and from deprived communities  civilians, especially Dalits, Adivasis, and Backward Classes.

Ironically, most of the intellectual supporters of Maoism live in the comfort of cities and the protection of the state  the very state they plot to dismantle. They would want their houses protected by police but hail their killing by Maoists. They prefer the luxuries of urban life, but invoke others to have a deprived existence in villages and jungles.

This reminds one of Nicaraguan writer Pablo Antonio Cuadra, who once wondered how Nobel laureate Gunter Grass could defend institutions abroad that he would never accept at home.

The Modi-Shah Model

The Modi government has challenged this dubious narrative head-on. It has explicitly challenged the Leftist ecosystem that provided ideological legitimacy to wanton Maoist violence across the country.

Simultaneously, it has brought in consistency in its policy against Maoists. Where earlier governments oscillated between appeasement and crackdown, the Modi governments approach has been marked by clarity and consistency, combining decisive security action with robust development efforts. Its first priority has been to strengthen the states security apparatus while putting in place a non-negotiable red line  that there would be no talks with Maoists without them laying down their arms and surrendering.

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In the meantime, the development process has taken off too. But unlike in the past, development and law and order now go hand in hand  and not expecting wishfully that development alone would push the Maoists to drop their guns. As per a Sunday Guardian report, Between 2014 and 2024, 12,000 km of roads were constructed in LWE-affected states, 5,000 mobile towers installed, 1,060 bank branches opened, 937 ATMs set up, and 850 schools established. By 2025, significant infrastructure was in place: 14,618 km of roads completed, 7,768 mobile towers commissioned, 1,007 bank branches opened, and 179 Eklavya Model Residential Schools made operational. The number of fortified police stations increased from 66 in 2014 to 612 by 2024, with over 300 security camps established in Maoist-infested areas in just the last five years.

The Modi-Shah model thus, by putting in place a firm blueprint for ending Maoist terror, offers a template for confronting future insurgencies in the country. The Modi governments unprecedented successes against Left-Wing Extremism, especially in the past six years, have shown that insurgencies cannot be fought through development rhetoric alone. They require firm state authority, followed by inclusive development that empowers marginalised communities.

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(The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
This will be Russian President Vladimir Putins first visit to India since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, underscoring its importance

Russian President Vladimir Putins forthcoming visit to India in early December 2025 is highly significant as it aims to reaffirm and strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership amid a challenging global geopolitical landscape and increasing Western pressure on India. This visit, the 23rd annual summit, will be his first to India since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, underscoring its importance. The visit is part of a long-standing tradition of annual summits between the two countries, which alternate locations between India and Russia.

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Donald Trumps aggressive policies and rhetoric have inadvertently pushed India to reaffirm and strengthen its longstanding strategic ties with Russia. Ultimately, the pressure campaign by the United States has proved to be a self-goal, reinforcing Indias resolve to pursue strategic autonomy and potentially strengthen its alignment with Russia.

Putins visit is seen as significant for Indias foreign policy as it balances relations between Moscow and Washington. It is a strong signal of Indias strategic autonomy and its commitment to a long-standing, trusted relationship with Russia, even as the US has imposed tariffs on India over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Both nations coordinate regularly on international political issues and aim to build a just, multipolar world order. The visit is intended to deliver major outcomes and reinforce the relationship amid a changing global order and Western pressure on India regarding its trade with Russia.

The visit is the culmination of extensive preparatory meetings, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankars recent visit to Moscow and discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putins aide Nikolay Patrushev in New Delhi on November 18, in which they discussed strengthening collaboration in the maritime domain, including connectivity, port development, skill development, shipbuilding, the blue economy, and Arctic operations.

The leaders will discuss regional and global developments, including the Ukraine conflict and coordination within international bodies like the UN, BRICS, G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where both countries are members. Russia supports Indias demand for a permanent UN Security Council seat. A vision document is expected to be signed, laying out a roadmap for cooperation across various sectors including shipbuilding (such as green shipbuilding and ice-class vessels), space, agriculture, and infrastructure.

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Defence remains a central pillar of cooperation, with discussions expected on critical projects like the joint development of a fifth-generation fighter jet, further S-400 missile system deliveries, and potentially the joint production of S-500 systems. The leaders plan to move forward with defence projects, including potential deals for fighter jets and missile defence systems. Despite Indias efforts to diversify its defence partners, Russia remains a critical supplier, accounting for a significant portion of Indias military inventory.

Discussions will also focus on boosting trade and investment, particularly in energy (oil, nuclear power), and addressing logistics and payment challenges. India and Russia have committed to boosting bilateral trade to a target of $100 billion by 2030 and exploring alternative payment solutions to circumvent Western sanctions. Key deals in oil exploration and supply, nuclear energy (e.g., increasing the number of reactors at the Kudankulam power station), and direct diamond sales are expected to be finalised.

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The leaders will focus on resolving related issues such as logistics and payment mechanisms, potentially using local or third-country currencies. Both nations are looking to finalise new pacts and initiatives to boost economic ties, with a focus on diversifying trade beyond energy and addressing the existing trade deficit. Discussions are also underway for a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

A bilateral mobility agreement is expected to be signed to facilitate legal migration and protect skilled Indian workers in Russia, which is experiencing a labour shortage. The agreement aims to establish a formal framework for legal migration, protect the rights of Indian workers in Russia, and facilitate the expansion of skilled Indian manpower in key Russian economic sectors. Russia is keen to attract skilled Indian workers in industries such as construction, textiles, engineering, electronics, and IT. The pact will offer new employment opportunities for skilled Indian professionals and ensure their legal protection and dignified employment in Russia.

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In conclusion, Putins visit is a continuation of regular high-level exchanges and is driven by mutual strategic interests, with the goal of fostering a multi-polar order. The visit reinforces a special and privileged strategic partnership that has been a consistent factor of stability in international relations, allowing India to pursue its national interests on the global stage.

Ultimately, the visit is a test of Indias diplomatic skill in balancing its historic friendship with Russia and its evolving global partnerships, demonstrating its ability to engage with all major powers on its own pragmatic terms.

(The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Google has opened its biggest AI hardware centre in Taiwan which shows big-tech confidence in the islands chip strength and its push to become a secure, trusted AI hub amid rising concerns over China-made systems.

Google opened its biggest artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure hardware engineering infrastructure hardware centre in Taiwan on Thursday. Google has made it out of Washington this time, and has expanded itself to the Asian region.

The President of Taiwan has said that it is a show of confidence in the island as a trustworthy tech partner. Taiwan has been ranked 10th globally in the 2025 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking.

Worlds largest chipmaker

Taiwan is home to the worlds largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, whose chips are widely used by the companies like Nvidia that are driving the global AI boom.

Google Clouds vice president of platforms infrastructure engineering, Aamer Mahmood said, The technology developed and tested in Taipei is deployed in Google data centres around the world, which in turn power Google devices that billions of people rely on everyday.

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Trustworthy AI

Taiwan is in a race to test the testament to Taiwans place as an important centre for global AI recognition and become a vital secure AI hub.

This also allows the world to see that Taiwan is not only a vital part of the global technological supply chain, but also a key hub for building secure and trustworthy AI, President Lai Ching-te said according to Economic Times.

Taiwan has always raised concerns about Chinese made AI systems like DeepSeek.
The Dutch government took control of Nexperia on Sept. 30, saying the move was necessary to prevent the companys former CEO from moving European operations to China from its current base in the Netherlands

Bikes are parked next to Nexperia (China) Ltd's factory amidst a shortage of chip supply caused by a diplomatic standoff between China and Netherlands over the company, in Dongguan, Guangdong province, China, November 7, 2025. Reuters

A move by the Netherlands to step back from taking control of computer chip maker Nexperia was welcomed by China on Wednesday as a first step in the right direction to easing chip supply shortages, following talks between the two governments.

Nexperia and its Chinese owner Wingtech repeated they are at odds, however, while carmakers said supply chain disruptions are not resolved. Chinas commerce ministry said the Dutch move fell short of fully ending its intervention as it had demanded.

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The Dutch government took control of Nexperia on Sept. 30, saying the move was necessary to prevent the companys former CEO from moving European operations to China from its current base in the Netherlands. In response, Beijing halted exports of Nexperias finished products on Oct. 4, a measure it has since partly relaxed.

DUTCH POSITIVE ABOUT MEASURES TAKEN BY CHINA

Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said in a statement on Wednesday that his latest move was a gesture of goodwill, and talks will continue.

We are positive about the measures already taken by the Chinese authorities to ensure the supply of chips to Europe and the rest of the world, he said in a statement.

European Union trade chief Maros Sefcovic said the move would help stabilize supply chains.

Nexperia is a major supplier of basic computer chips to the car industry, and shortages have threatened automotive supply chains, leading to and halts.

BMW, Bosch and Aumovio all said they welcomed the development but that it is too early to judge what impact it will have, while Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen declined to comment.

Nexperia manufactures most of its wafers in Hamburg, Germany, and then sends them to Dongguan, China to be packaged and sent on to customers.

Germanys auto industry lobby VDA said disruptions as a result of the dispute were far from being resolved, adding further negative effects on production could not be ruled out.

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STALEMATE CONTINUES TO THREATEN SUPPLIES

After the Dutch state intervention, Nexperias Chinese arm declared itself no longer subject to control by European management and on Oct. 26, the European side of the company stopped shipping wafers to it, citing non-payment.

That stalemate continues to threaten supplies, although the Chinese side is now selling down stockpiles of chips it has previously processed, offering temporary relief to customers.

Nexperia said it welcomed the detente between China and the Netherlands but full restoration of the supply chain requires active further cooperation of Nexperias entities in China.

It said Nexperia China should have sufficient wafer stockpiles to last several months.

Separately, a Dutch court in October ordered the removal of ex-Nexperia CEO and Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng, citing alleged mismanagement.

The Chinese commerce ministry on Wednesday criticised what it called the Dutch courts erroneous ruling and said the decision remains a major obstacle to resolving the standoff permanently.

A spokesperson for Wingtech, which oversees Nexperias Chinese operations, said it strongly rejects these accusations of mismanagement and the Dutch government should end participation in the case, which was brought by the companys European managers.

The ministry should now file a letter with the (court), explicitly withdrawing its support for the proceedings, the spokesperson added.

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The next step in the legal process will be hearings on a formal investigation into mismanagement, a spokesperson for Amsterdams Enterprise Court said.

No date has been set.
Kyiv on Thursday said the alleged 28-point proposal mirrors Moscows demands and amounts to capitulation, as EU leaders insist any peace plan must include Ukraine and Europe, according to a report

Ukrainian officials on Thursday dismissed a new US-Russia peace proposal as absurd and wholly unacceptable, even as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to discuss the proposal with President Donald Trump in the coming days.

According to a Guardian report, citing officials, the plan  said to have been drafted by Kirill Dmitriev, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff  was dismissed by Kyiv as a provocation intended to sow division among Ukraines partners and disorient its international allies.

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There are currently no signs that the Kremlin is ready for serious negotiations. Putin is trying to stall for time and avoid US sanctions, The Guardian quoted Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of Ukraines foreign policy parliamentary committee, as saying.

He dismissed Dmitriev as a nobody.

Ukraines first Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya dismissed the initiative as entirely unrealistic, describing it as a classic Soviet-style information operation aimed at shaping opinion and spreading panic.

Media reports say the 28-point proposal mirrors Moscows early-2022 demands and was drafted by Russian and US officials with backing from Trump  without any consultation with Kyiv.

The plan calls for Ukraine to cede the northern part of the Donbas region it currently controls, cut its army size by half, and abandon long-range weapons used to strike targets inside Russia. It would also bar foreign troops from Ukrainian territory, effectively ruling out any UK- or France-led peacekeeping force, while the US would provide vague security guarantees, according to Axios.

Under long-standing Kremlin demands, the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church would be granted formal status.

According to the report, Ukrainian officials said the proposal amounted to capitulation and the end of Ukraines sovereignty. It surfaced nearly four years after Russias failed assault on Kyiv and as Trump administration efforts to broker a settlement remain stalled.

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Zelenskyy meets top US army official

On Thursday, Zelenskyy met US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in Kyiv as part of Driscolls fact-finding mission on the war and Ukraines drone production, though it is unclear whether the draft plan was discussed.

Trumps special representative to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has reportedly resigned effective January, after being sidelined from US-Russian talks due to his pro-Ukraine stance.

The renewed US push for major Ukrainian concessions comes as Zelenskyy faces his biggest political crisis since 2019, with his former business partner Timur Mindich and two ministers accused in a major bribery scheme, and lawmakers from his own party urging him to fire his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

A western diplomat said Russia appeared to be exploiting Ukraines current domestic turmoil.

It seems Dmitriev has spun this plan at a time when Zelenskyy is weak. The Russians are good at exploiting things, The Guardian quoted the diplomat as saying.

It feels like every other Russian plan. I dont think its going to fly with Ukraine, the diplomat added.

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The diplomat said that Moscows demands on the Russian language were a hook the Kremlin could later use to its advantage, and noted the proposal lacked the security guarantees Ukraine would require from the US and Europe for any agreement to hold.

European leaders in Brussels said they were not informed in advance about the White Houses latest initiative.

According to the Guardian report, citing a source, Trump administrations decision to halt direct military aid to Kyiv weakened its leverage to push a Moscow-friendly settlement.

We commend peace efforts, but Europe is the main supporter of Ukraine and its, of course, Europes security thats at stake. So we expect to be consulted, Polands Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said.

Call for Ukraine, Europe to be on board

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe welcomed efforts toward a lasting and just resolution but stressed: For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board.

She said the Dmitriev-Witkoff proposal offered no concessions from Moscow.

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We have to understand that in this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. If Russia really wanted peace, it could have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire already some time ago, she was quoted as saying.

The UK government said it supported Trumps intent to bring this barbaric war to an end, but underscored that only the Ukrainian people can determine their future, adding that Russia could stop the war immediately by withdrawing its troops and ending its illegal invasion.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller declined to comment directly on the proposal but said, I would agree that thats an issue which the president has continued to put at the forefront of our foreign policy goal, which is to reach a settlement in the Ukraine-Russia war, so that we can have peace in Europe and we can end the killing and the slaughter of so many innocents.

US mediation efforts have struggled since Trumps meeting with Putin in Alaska in August. Washington later imposed sanctions on Russias oil sector in an apparent bid to pressure Moscow into talks. Trump recently put on hold a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, saying he did not want it to be a waste of time.

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On Wednesday, Zelenskyy met Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Ankara, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful resolution.

Meanwhile, Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraines energy grid, leaving large parts of the country without power.

On Wednesday, it targeted several western cities, including Ternopil, where 26 people  among them three children  were killed in their homes.

Zelenskyy receives draft US peace plan

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has received a draft US peace plan to end the war and expects to discuss it with US President Donald Trump in the coming days, his office said on Thursday.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that Washington has signalled to Kyiv that it must accept the US-drafted framework, which includes territorial concessions and limits on Ukraines armed forces  terms European allies warn would amount to capitulation.

Zelenskyys office did not address the plans specifics, which remain unpublished, but said the president had outlined the fundamental principles that matter to our people.

We are ready now, as before, to work constructively with the American side, as well as with our partners in Europe and around the world, so that the outcome is peace, the statement said.

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In the coming days, the President of Ukraine expects to discuss with President Trump the existing diplomatic opportunities and the key points required to achieve peace.

With inputs from agencies
After meeting Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US President Donald Trump has vowed to end the Sudanese civil war. In recent weeks, the RSF paramilitaries have carried out a string of massacres in Sudans western Darfur region.

US President Donald Trump and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia attend the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, DC, US, on November 19, 2025. (Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

After meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday vowed to bring the Sudanese civil war to an end.

Trump acknowledged that the war in Sudan was not on my charts before MBS as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is widely known as requested him to intervene and bring the conflict to an end.

Trump condemned the tremendous atrocities in the conflict that is now in its third year.

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The Sudanese civil war began in 2023 when the uneasy power-sharing arrangement between the countrys military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, collapsed.

ALSO READ  Sudan massacre: Satellite images show pools of blood & piles of bodies in city captured by RSF

The RSF is widely believed to have the support of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Sudanese military is believed to be supported by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other countries. MBS therefore has a direct stake in the outcome of the conflict.

Trump hints at something very powerful in Sudan

At a time when RSF and its allies are carrying out frequent massacres in Sudans western Darfur region, Trump said he would now work to stabilise the conflict with regional powers, notably including the UAE, according to AFP.

Trump said that MBS would like me to do something very powerful having to do with Sudan.

Trump further said, It was not on my charts to be involved in. I thought it was just something that was crazy and out of control. But I just see how important that is to you, and to a lot of your friends in the room, Sudan. And were going to start working on Sudan.

Following Trumps statement, Sudans Saudi-backed military said it was ready to cooperate with the United States and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Sudans sovereign council, which is headed by army chief al-Burhan, thanked the United States and Saudi Arabia for their continued efforts to stop Sudanese bloodshed.

ALSO READ: With hundreds feared dead, WHO condemns RSFs massacre at Sudanese citys only hospital

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After meeting MBS, Trump said he would use the influence of the presidency to bring an immediate halt to the war.

Tremendous atrocities are taking place in Sudan. It has become the most violent place on Earth. We will work with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern partners to get these atrocities to end, while at the same time stabilising Sudan, Trump said on social media.

Both the United Nations (UN) and US Africa envoy, Massad Boulos, have called the Sudan conflict as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

Trumps own Africa envoy Massad Boulos on Saturday told AFP that the war in Sudan was the worlds biggest humanitarian crisis.

Up to 150,000 people have been killed, hundreds of thousands injured, and 14 million displaced in the conflict, according to estimates.

Around 24 million are considered to be in acute hunger in Sudan and 600,000 are facing famine.

In Sudans Darfur region, RSFs ongoing massacres are a second round of ethnic cleansing in the region by the same paramilitaries after their genocidal campaign between 2003 and 2005 on the orders of Sudans former dictator Omar al-Bashir. They killed around 300,000 people from non-Arab communities including the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa. The campaign involved mass killings, mass rapes, the destruction of entire villages, and scorched-earth tactics.

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In the ongoing conflict, the RSF has been widely accused of sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, forced marriages, and sexual slavery.
Posing as a Filipina to win the mayors seat, Guo is found guilty of human trafficking after authorities discovered a compound forcing over 700 people into scams

This file photo taken on September 9, 2024 shows Alice Guo, former mayor of Bamban in Philippines' Tarlac province, attending a hearing at the Senate in Manila over accusations of human trafficking and links to Chinese organised crime. (AFP)

A Philippine court on Thursday sentenced Alice Guo, a Chinese national who masqueraded as a Filipina to serve as mayor, along with seven others, to life imprisonment on human trafficking charges, state prosecutors confirmed.

Guo, who held office in a town north of Manila, was found guilty of running a Chinese-operated online gambling hub where hundreds were forced to run scams under threat of torture. The sprawling compound, with office buildings, luxury villas, and a large pool, was raided in March 2024 after a Vietnamese worker escaped and alerted authorities.

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More than 700 people from the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Rwanda were discovered at the site, along with documents indicating Guo was president of a company owning the complex.

All eight defendants, some foreign nationals, received life sentences.

After over just one year, the court gave us a favourable decision. Alice (Guo) was convicted along with seven other co-accused. Life imprisonment, State prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas told reporters without naming Guos co-defendants because of a confidentiality law.

A spokesman for the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission told AFP that Guo and three others were convicted of organising trafficking, while four more were found guilty of acts of trafficking.

Guo, 35, was arrested in Indonesia in September 2024 after fleeing the Philippines. Although elected mayor of Bamban town, a Manila court ruled in June that she was never eligible for the position as a Chinese citizen.

The transnational scam industry has surged in Southeast Asia, with victims losing an estimated $37 billion in 2023, according to the United Nations. The centres thrived under former president Rodrigo Duterte, who allowed nationwide licensing. In response to the Guo case, President Ferdinand Marcos banned offshore gambling operations in 2024 and ordered foreign workers removed.

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Breaking News Live Updates: All the latest news from across the globe

LIVE updates: Nitish Kumars oath, security alerts & breaking headlines

Welcome to our live coverage of todays top stories from across India and beyond. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar has taken oath as Chief Minister for a historic 10th term at Gandhi Maidan, with top NDA leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, in attendance.

On the national security front, Vice Chief of Navy Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, has flagged concerns over China supplying submarines and ships to Pakistan, stating that the Indian Navy is closely monitoring developments.

Meanwhile, Delhi is still reeling from the Red Fort blast investigation, with authorities keeping a close watch on new leads. Internationally, Donald Trump has signed a bill directing the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, aiming for greater transparency in the ongoing investigations

Follow Firstpost's LIVE blog for all the latest developments.

Nitish Kumars Oath, Security Alerts & Breaking Headlines
Chinas sweeping economic reprisals over Japans Taiwan remarks are hitting Japanese exports, tourism and media but the escalating confrontation may unexpectedly strengthen PM Takaichis domestic political standing despite rising economic risks.

Japans relations with China have plunged to their lowest point in years, as Beijing rolls out a sweeping economic, cultural and travel freeze in response to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis recent comments on Taiwan.

What began on November 7, when Takaichi told parliament that a Chinese attack on democratically governed Taiwan could constitute a situation threatening Japans survival has triggered a rapid escalation with China signalling that it will impose broad and prolonged costs unless she retracts the remarks.

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China has rejected Tokyos insistence that the comments reflected longstanding Japanese policy, saying that the prime ministers statement has fundamentally undermined the political foundation of relations. Over the past two weeks, Beijing has moved across multiple fronts, intensifying economic pressure at a time when Japans domestic outlook is already fragile.

More from World Chinese airlines offer full refund to travellers going to Japan as diplomatic row over Taiwan simmers

Seafood bans, suspended film releases, travel warnings

One of the first sectors to feel the strain is food exports. Chinese officials have warned that Japans seafood inspection processes are insufficient, signalling a possible return to a blanket ban  only months after partially lifting it following the Fukushima wastewater dispute. Talks on resuming Japanese beef imports have been halted as well, according to Kyodo News.

The cultural fallout has been equally sharp. Chinese distributors have suspended the release of at least two Japanese films, while Beijing has indefinitely postponed a trilateral culture ministers meeting with Japan and South Korea. Meanwhile, state advisories have urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Japan, prompting Chinese airlines to offer refunds or free changes on Japan-bound flights.

Chinese coast guard vessels have also increased activity around the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, underscoring that Beijing intends to apply pressure across diplomatic, economic and maritime domains simultaneously.

A worsening economic backdrop for Tokyo

The timing of Beijings actions could not be more challenging for Japan. The country has just reported its first quarterly GDP contraction in more than a year, highlighting weakening consumption and exports. China is Japans second-largest trading partner, purchasing roughly $125 billion worth of goods in 2024, including industrial machinery, automobiles and semiconductor-related equipment. In contrast, South Korea, Japans third-largest destination  absorbs far less, making near-term market diversification extremely difficult.

Japan has faced similar coercive behaviour from China in the past. In 2023, Beijing imposed a blanket ban on Japanese seafood after the Fukushima discharge, despite the International Atomic Energy Agency deeming it safe. And in 2010, rare earth exports were halted for seven weeks after a maritime collision. As US Ambassador George Glass noted this week, Coercion is a hard habit to break for Beijing, adding that Washington would stand by Tokyo just as it did in previous episodes.

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For Japanese exporters, especially seafood producers in Hokkaido and northern prefectures, the sudden reversal is another blow. Nearly 700 companies had applied for new export permits after China signalled a reopening. Things that were moving forward suddenly went backwards, said Kazuya Yamazaki, president of Sanwa Fisheries. Analysts say there is no immediate off-ramp unless Takaichi retracts her comments which would be politically untenable.

Chinas strategy risks strengthening Takaichi at home

Paradoxically, Beijings escalation may help consolidate support for Takaichis political agenda. Her remarks on Taiwan, while sharply criticised by China, resonate strongly with conservative and centrist voters who are increasingly alarmed by regional instability, including Chinese military drills and assertiveness in the East China Sea.

Economic retaliation from China may reinforce Takaichis longstanding arguments: that Japan must diversify supply chains, strengthen defence readiness and reduce overdependence on Beijing. As one Tokyo-based analyst noted, China has elevated the confrontation to a level where they cannot easily back down, while Takaichi would face political suicide if she retracted her stance. The result is a standoff in which Chinese pressure could inadvertently enhance her political authority rather than weaken it.

Taiwan rallies behind Japan as the dispute widens

The crisis has also drawn attention in Taiwan, where leaders have been quick to signal solidarity with Japan. President Lai Ching-te posted photographs of himself eating sushi made with yellowtail from Kagoshima and scallops from Hokkaido, a symbolic show of support as China signals a fresh seafood ban. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung urged Taiwanese citizens to travel to Japan and purchase Japanese goods, calling Chinas economic coercion part of a long-standing pattern of bullying behaviour.

Taiwans government, which rejects Beijings claims of sovereignty, has faced similar agricultural and seafood bans in recent years. Its alignment with Japan adds another layer to an already complex regional picture.

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Little prospect of de-escalation

As Takaichi prepares to attend the G20 summit in South Africa, Beijing has said Premier Li Qiang has no plans to meet her. Chinese officials continue to insist that Taiwan is an internal matter on which no compromise is possible. Tokyo, meanwhile, has summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest increasingly aggressive rhetoric, including statements from Chinas consul in Osaka referring to Takaichis dirty head, a remark later deleted.

For now, China and Japan appear locked into a confrontation driven by political signalling as much as geopolitical interests. The economic consequences for Japan may deepen in the coming months. But politically, the pressure campaign may be strengthening, rather than weakening.

With inputs from agencies
Indias strong domestic economy and limited export losses despite steep Trump-era tariffs are giving New Delhi leverage in trade talks with Washington, even as competition from China and shifting global markets intensify pressure.

Indias resilient domestic economy along with a smaller-than-feared decline in exports is giving New Delhi greater bargaining power in its trade negotiations with the United States, which has imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian goods, according to Reuters report.

Indian exports to the US fell 8.6 per cent year-on-year to $6.3 billion in October, the second month under the 50% tariff regime. However, the drop was milder than the 12 per cent contraction recorded in September.

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India refuses to rush to sign a deal

Trade talks between India and the US have continued at a slow pace even as other Asian economies such as Japan and South Korea have already reached agreements to reduce tariffs. Indian officials have repeatedly said publicly that New Delhi will not rush to sign a deal.

For now, weve avoided the worst impact of the 50% US tariffs, a senior government official aware of the talks told Reuters, declining to be identified as the person was not authorised to speak to the media.

While some sectors such as textiles have reported a fall in U.S. orders, the official said, the broader economic impact of the tariffs has been limited, allowing negotiators space to reach a deal.

If needed, we are ready to wait, the official said.

The official, and others aware of the trade talks, said they expect Washington to roll back the 25% tariff linked to Russian oil purchases, and eventually move toward a 15% overall rate, with New Delhi prepared to cut its own import tariffs on over 80% of goods while protecting sensitive sectors like agriculture.

Export diversification

The government is helping exporters diversify into new markets through recent new trade deals with the U.K., UAE and Australia, tax cuts on raw materials and a $5.1 billion support package to boost exports, officials said.

Many exporters have cushioned the fall in exports to the US since September by diversifying into African and European markets and retaining U.S. clients with discounts and longer delivery timelines, five exporters and industry associations said.

Apparel and footwear firms are absorbing costs up to 20% to retain U.S. buyers, said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

The government and the central bank have announced targeted relief, including short-term loan moratoriums, but avoided large fiscal easing.

Tax cuts and incentives support exporters

Domestic tax cuts on hundreds of consumer items since September are boosting local demand and helping exporters stay competitive, trade associations and officials say.

Also, tax cuts on inputs like man-made fibres have aided textile exporters, said N Thirukkumaran, general secretary of the Tirupur Exporters Association.

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Exporters are offering 1020% discounts on garments depending on style and shipment size, he said.

Indias economy grew an annual 7% in the July-September quarter and is expected to expand 6.8% in the financial year, according to the central bank.

However, exporters said that pressure from over-capacity in China is proving to be tough to manage, with cheaper Chinese goods flooding a number of the markets they compete in.

Chinese businesses are well-entrenched and their domestic situation has made them highly competitive, said Rahul Tikoo, CEO of Optime, a Mumbai-based speciality chemical maker.

Indias goods exports to non-U.S. markets fell 12.5% year-on-year in October, a sharper drop than to the U.S, led by weaker engineering, petroleum and jewellery shipments.

This may reflect heightened competition in non-U.S. markets as countries diversify exports post tariff announcements, HSBC chief India economist Pranjul Bhandari said.

With inputs from agencies
US, UK and Australia announced sanctions against Russian web firm Media Land, accusing it for hosting ransomware networks linked to major global cyberattacks.

The United States, Australia and Britain announced coordinated sanctions on Wednesday against Russia-based web company Media Land, accusing it of supporting ransomware operations.

U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control also designated three members of the Russian companys leadership and three of its sister companies, the Department of Treasury said in a statement.

These so-called bulletproof hosting service providers like Media Land provide cybercriminals essential services to aid them in attacking businesses in the United States and in allied countries, said John Hurley, under secretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.

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Britain said the sanctions exposed illicit Russian networks enabling cyber attacks around the world and marked the countrys latest crackdown on malicious Russian cybercrime.

The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Britain described Media Land as one of the most significant operators of so-called bulletproof hosting services, which provide infrastructure for ransomware and phishing attacks.

It announced similar measures to the United States, adding Aeza Group LLC to its Russia sanctions regime and six designations under its cyber regime.

Those include Media Land and another hosting provider, ML.Cloud LLC, along with four individuals accused of involvement in malicious cyber activity.

UK sanctions include asset freezes and director disqualification orders for all targets, with travel bans applied to the four individuals.

Aeza Group also faces restrictions on internet and trust services, which prohibit British businesses from providing technical support or hosting services.

Britain also targeted the person it described as Media Lands ringleader Alexander Volosovik, known online as Yalishanda, who has been active in the cyber underground since at least 2010 and linked to groups such as Evil Corp, LockBit and Black Basta.

ML.Cloud is a Media Land sister company whose technical infrastructure is often used in conjunction with Media Land, including in ransomware and DDOS attacks, the U.S. statement said.

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Neither Aeza Group nor ML.Cloud immediately responded to a request for comment. It was not immediately possible to reach Media Land or Volosovik.

Australia said it was imposing similar measures to align with its partners, citing the need to disrupt ransomware networks that have hit hospitals, schools and businesses.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
The United States, Australia and Britain announced coordinated sanctions on Wednesday against Russia based web company Media Land, accusing it of supporting ransomware operations.

The United States, Britain and Australia unveiled a coordinated wave of sanctions on Wednesday targeting Russia-based web company Media Land, accusing it of supplying critical support to ransomware groups.

The US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on the company, three members of its leadership and three affiliated firms. According to the Treasury, Media Land and similar bulletproof hosting providers offer cybercriminals the backbone infrastructure they need to carry out attacks across the United States and allied nations.

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These so-called bulletproof hosting service providers like Media Land provide cybercriminals essential services to aid them in attacking businesses in the United States and in allied countries, said John Hurley, under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

The UK government echoed Washingtons assessment, saying the coordinated measures exposed illicit Russian networks enabling cyber attacks around the world. British authorities described Media Land as one of the most prominent operators of bulletproof hosting systems used to facilitate ransomware and phishing campaigns.

London announced actions mirroring those of the US, adding Aeza Group LLC to its Russia sanctions list and issuing six designations under its cyber sanctions regime. The UK measures target Media Land, ML.Cloud LLC and four individuals accused of engaging in malicious cyber operations.

The sanctions package includes asset freezes and director disqualification orders for all designated entities, while travel bans have been imposed on the four individuals. Aeza Group additionally faces restrictions on internet and trust services, barring UK companies from offering technical support or hosting services to it.

Britain also targeted the person it described as Media Lands ringleader Alexander Volosovik, known online as Yalishanda, who has been active in the cyber underground since at least 2010 and linked to groups such as Evil Corp, LockBit and Black Basta.

ML.Cloud is a Media Land sister company whose technical infrastructure is often used in conjunction with Media Land, including in ransomware and DDOS attacks, the U.S. statement said.

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Neither Aeza Group nor ML.Cloud immediately responded to a request for comment. It was not immediately possible to reach Media Land or Volosovik.

Australia said it was imposing similar measures to align with its partners, citing the need to disrupt ransomware networks that have hit hospitals, schools and businesses.

With inputs from agencies
The US president has finally approved the release of the Epstein files, but the fallout may be just beginning

The Dome of the US Capitol Building is visible behind a statue depicting US President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands on the National Mall on October 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. The bronze-painted statue titled "Best Friends Forever" has returned after being taken down by the National Park Service last week due to permit violations. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

In a political plot twist, US President Donald Trump has signed into law the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to publish a trove of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

What once appeared a quixotic push for maximum transparency now carries the weight of political theatre, and potentially long-term risk to Trump himself.

How Trump went from resistance to signing it

Until recently, Trump had actively resisted the release.

The bill, which passed the House with a nearly unanimous 4271 vote, and the Senate via unanimous consent, forced his hand. Having initially attacked the measure as part of a Democrat hoax, Trump now frames his signature as a bold expose: he claims the files will reveal the truth about certain Democrats and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein.

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Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES! As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively. Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Looks a lot like a calculated political shift.

Facing overwhelming bipartisan pressureincluding from within his own partyTrump opted for public acquiescence rather than a prolonged battle, even as he seeks to cast the issue as disproportionately harmful to Democrats.

The laws promise and its loopholes

Under the new law, the DOJ has 30 days to release the documents. But real transparency may be more complicated than it appears.

While the bill forbids withholding material on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, it does allow redactions.

Specifically, exemptions remain for content involving victims identities or ongoing investigations. Adding to the complexity, Trumps own administration recently launched a DOJ probe into Epsteins connections with several high-profile Democratsa move critics warn could be used to justify withholding certain documents.

A battle between optics and accountability

There is no denying that this is a politically charged moment.

Trumps narrative-driven reframingpositioning Epstein as deeply linked to Democratsraises the possibility that his support for the law is less about confronting his own associations, and more about scoring political points.

At the same time, some analysts caution that even if the full spectrum of documents doesnt emerge, whatever does surface could still expose plenty of embarrassingthough not criminalbehaviour by public figures. That could damage reputations and shift public perception, even if it doesnt lead to prosecutions.

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Moreover, skeptics question whether the documentary dump will ultimately be meaningful. Without strong enforcement mechanisms, the DOJ might still delay or obscure parts of the trove, especially if they involve sensitive material.

Trumps turn under the hammer?

For Trump, this move is a bit of a double-edged gamble.

On the one hand, theres the backfire risk. If the files end up revealing anything that even loosely ties back to him, all those years of distancing himself from Epstein could come right back around. It wouldnt take much for old questions to resurface in a big way.

Then theres the credibility risk. If this big promise of transparency ends up buried under heavy redactions or delayed releases, people are going to call him out fast. Itll look less like honesty and more like an attempt to manage the optics and keep the narrative on his terms.

So, at the end of the day, signing this bill feels less like a grand gesture and more like a strategic move. But now that the 30-day countdown is on, Trumps essentially waiting to see what lands.

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A video of Lai suggesting to followers that now might be a good time to eat Japanese cuisine was shared on his Instagram page. The row between Japan and China was triggered by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting this month that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan

This handout photo taken and released by Taiwan's Presidential Office on November 20, 2025 shows Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te having sushi and miso soup for lunch in Taipei. AFP

Images of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te holding a plate of sushi were posted on social media on Thursday in a show of support for Tokyo after reports that China will halt Japanese seafood imports.

The row between Japan and China was triggered by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting this month that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

Lai, an outspoken defender of Taiwans sovereignty and detested by China, has accused Beijing of severely affecting regional peace in the escalating spat.

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A photo of a smiling Lai holding a plate of sushi was posted on his Facebook page.

Todays lunch is sushi and miso soup, a message posted with the photo said, along with the hashtag #Yellowtail from Kagoshima and scallops from Hokkaido.

Similar photos were posted on Lais X account, with the message and hashtag written in Japanese.

A video of Lai suggesting to followers that now might be a good time to eat Japanese cuisine was also shared on his Instagram page.

It fully shows the strong friendship between Taiwan and Japan, Lai said as he held the plate of sushi.

Chinas foreign ministry branded Lais posts a stunt.

The posts followed media reports in Tokyo on Wednesday that China will suspend Japanese seafood imports. Neither government has confirmed the move.

China has already summoned Tokyos ambassador and advised its citizens against travel to Japan after the clash over Takaichis comments.

The release of at least two Japanese movies will also be postponed in China, according to state media.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday that Japan should behave with dignity and take concrete actions, including retracting Takaichis statement, to repair ties.

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Simply asserting that its position (on Taiwan) remains unchanged does nothing to address Chinas concerns, she said at a regular news conference.

Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said last week his countrys position on Taiwan was unchanged despite Takaichis remarks.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has used tactics such as economic coercion and military intimidation to bully other countries but urged Taiwanese to travel to Japan and buy Japanese products.

At this critical moment we must support Japan to be able to stabilise the situation, to stop the CCPs bullying behaviour, he said on Thursday.

US ambassador to Japan George Glass vowed that Washington would stand by Tokyo during the dispute.

Coercion is a hard habit to break for Beijing, Glass wrote on X on Thursday.

But just as the United States stood by Japan during Chinas last unwarranted ban on Japanese seafood, we will be there for our ally again this time.

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A Gustav Klimt portrait painting that helped save the life of its Jewish subject during the Holocaust sold Tuesday for $236.4 million, a record for a modern art piece.

This image provided by Sotheby's shows Gustav Klimt's "Bildnis Elisabeth Lederer" (Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer), which sold for $236.4 million at auction Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in New York. (Sotheby's via AP)

A Gustav Klimt portrait that played a role in protecting its Jewish sitter during the Holocaust sold for $236.4 million on Tuesday, setting a new record for a modern artwork.

Klimts Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer was purchased following a 20-minute bidding battle at Sothebys in New York. The evenings other headline-grabbing item was a fully operational toilet made of solid gold, which fetched $12.1 million.

Standing 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, the portrait was created over a period of three years from 1914 to 1916. It shows the daughter of one of Viennas richest families wrapped in a cloak inspired by East Asian imperial attire. It is one of only two full-length Klimt portraits still in private hands. The painting survived after being separated from other Klimt works that were destroyed in a fire at an Austrian castle.

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The vivid portrait reflects the Lederer familys affluent life before Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938. When the Nazis seized the Lederer art collection, they left behind only the family portraits, which they deemed too Jewish to be worth taking, according to the National Gallery of Canada, where the painting had previously been on loan.

In an attempt to save herself, Elisabeth Lederer made up a story that Klimt, who was not Jewish and died in 1918, was her father. It helped that the artist spent years working meticulously on her portrait.

With help from her former brother-in-law, a high-ranking Nazi official, she convinced the Nazis to give her a document stating that she descended from Klimt. That allowed her to remain safely in Vienna until she died of an illness in 1944.

The portrait was part of the collection of billionaire Leonard A. Lauder, heir to cosmetics giant The Estee Lauder Companies. He died this year at 92, leaving behind an impressive collection worth more than $400 million.

Sothebys declined to share the identity of the portraits buyer. The sale topped a previous record for 20th-century art set by an Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe, which sold for $195 million in 2022.

Five Klimt pieces from Lauders collection sold at the auction for a total of $392 million, Sothebys said.

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Pieces by Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse and Edvard Munch were among other notable sales.

Later in the evening, an 18-karat-gold toilet by Maurizio Cattelan  the provocative Italian artist known for taping a banana to a wall  hit the auction block. Cattelan has said the 223-pound (101-kilogram) piece, titled America, satirizes superwealth.

Whatever you eat, a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise, he once said.

The toilet, owned by an unnamed collector, was one of two that Cattelan created in 2016. The other was displayed in 2016 at New Yorks Guggenheim Museum, which pointedly offered to lend it to U.S. President Donald Trump when he asked to borrow a Van Gogh painting.

Then the piece was stolen while on display in England at Blenheim Palace, the country manor where Winston Churchill was born. Two men were convicted in the toilet heist, but its unclear what they did with the loo. Investigators arent privy to its whereabouts but believe it was likely broken up and melted down.

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America was exhibited at Sothebys New York headquarters in the weeks leading up to the auction. Sothebys called the commode an incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value.

With inputs from agencies
India and Israel on Thursday finalised the terms of reference for a free trade agreement (FTA), marking a significant step in strengthening commercial ties between the two strategic allies

India and Israel on Thursday finalised the terms of reference for a free trade agreement (FTA). Image Courtesy: @ReuvenAzar

India and Israel on Thursday finalised the terms of reference for a free trade agreement (FTA), marking a significant step in strengthening commercial ties between the two strategic allies.

Congratulations for signing the TOR for a trade agreement btw & Ministers @PiyushGoyal @NirBarkat ! pic.twitter.com/80NymtmTr8   Reuven Azar (@ReuvenAzar) November 20, 2025

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Speaking in Tel Aviv alongside Israel Economy Minister Nir Barkat, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the FTA will act as a force multiplier in India-Israel relations.

The two countries are targeting $30-40 billion in bilateral trade in the coming years, with ambitions to expand it to $65 billion over the next decade.

#WATCH | Tel Aviv, Israel: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal says, "The first step to initiate the discussions on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Israel has been taken today. We signed the Terms of Reference today. Israel's Minister Nir Barkat and I pic.twitter.com/HXGbu8Xfg2  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

The first step to initiate the discussions on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Israel has been taken today. We signed the Terms of Reference today. Israels Minister Nir Barkat and I have forged a relationship just like that between PM Narendra Modi and PM Netanyahu. There is immense potential for partnership between the two nations; there are complementary possibilities. The two nations also face similar challenges. Keeping that in mind, we feel that this could be a good beginning. There will be a good agreement for bilateral trade and extensive new opportunities will be thrown open, ANI quoted Commerce & Industry minister Piyush Goyal as saying.

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Barkat said Israel looks at India, not just as an Indian market - which is the largest population in the world, but as a gateway to all of Asia.

#WATCH | Tel Aviv, Israel: After signing Terms of Reference (ToR) for FTA between India and Israel, Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat says, "I viewed how India is waking up as a huge giant. India of tomorrow is a great power. We want to join a venture with pic.twitter.com/AkHOr4xPTr  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

I viewed how India is waking up as a huge giant. India of tomorrow is a great power. We want to join a venture with India to help India become stronger and bigger. At the same time, collaborate and make Israel stronger and better. So, there is a huge potential. I found a really good friend, Minister Piyush Goyal, and I see eye to eye on how to develop the complementary countries. You have the skill, we have innovation and the combination of the two is very important and big, said Barkat.

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We also look at India, not just as an Indian market - which is the largest population in the world, but as a gateway to all of Asia. So, for Israeli entrepreneurs to understand how to do business with India is key, very important for our interests. I am very thankful and I am a big optimist as to where we could take the relationship, he added.

Goyal said Israel is not seeking access to Indian dairy, rice, or sugar markets, instead aiming to ship goods from India.

The FTA will provide mutual market access, a reciprocal reduction in duties, and lower non-tariff barriers, he added.

Goyal is accompanied by a 60-member business delegation, including major firms like Mahindra, Amul, Asian Paints, as well as startups and companies from pharma, agritech, defence, construction, and e-commerce sectors.

India-Israel FTA talks began in May 2010, with eight rounds held so far and formal negotiations revived in October 2021.

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Bilateral trade stood at $6.5 billion in FY24, though Indias exports to Israel fell 52% to $2.14 billion in 2024-25, while imports dropped 26.2% to $1.48 billion.

With inputs from agencies
Exports to Europe, Japan, and key global markets have surged as automakers invest billions, boost EV production, and leverage Indias low-cost, high-quality manufacturing ecosystem

Employees assemble different parts onto a car panel at the manufacturing plant of Maruti Suzuki in Manesar, in the northern state of Haryana, India, September 26, 2023. Reuters File

Global automakers are increasing car exports from India to Europe, building on recent success in Japan and marking a shift for the countrys sprawling manufacturing facilities, which have historically focused on Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

According to Nikkei Asia report, citing analysts and industry executives, the surge in shipments to Europe and the UK underscores Indias growing role as a low-cost global manufacturing hub.

Carmakers such as Suzuki Motor and Honda Motor have identified India as a vital part of their global production strategy, including for electric vehicles, amid rising competition from Chinese manufacturers, added the report.

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According to Indian government estimates, car exports to the UK, Germany, Spain, and Norway totaled $63 million between April and August  representing just 2% of total exports but nearly nine times the shipments recorded during the previous fiscal year.

The progress follows similar growth in the Japanese market, where car exports soared nearly fourfold to $813 million in the fiscal year ending March. In the five months through August, exports to Japan reached $328.64 million.

India gives a clear cost advantage for manufacturing, Nikkei Asia quoted Rahul Bharti, senior executive officer for corporate affairs at Maruti Suzuki, the Indian subsidiary of Suzuki, as saying.

[A] skilled workforce, good infrastructure and reliable suppliers help make high-quality products at low cost. Manufacturing here has helped to optimise resources and make operations more competitive, Bharti added.

Suzuki plans to invest 1.2 trillion yen ($7.7 billion) by 2031 to increase its annual manufacturing capacity in India from 2.5 million to 4 million units, aiming to make the country a key electric vehicle hub. Since launching production of its midsize EV eVitara in western India in August, the company has already shipped over 7,400 units to European markets, including the U.K., Germany, Norway, and France, reported Nikkei Asia.

Exports to Japan are also picking up. Honda recently announced plans to produce one of its upcoming EVs in India for export to Japan and other Asian markets.

Reducing reliance on China

Overall car exports from India are expected to rise sharply, with global automakers committing billions in fresh investment.

Hyundai Motor will invest $5 billion by 2030, while Toyota signed a memorandum of understanding with Maharashtra in 2024 to spend over $2.25 billion on new factories.

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The investment wave aligns with efforts by manufacturers to reduce reliance on China for both production and sales. India, the worlds third-largest auto market, is benefiting from shifting consumer demand from hatchbacks to globally appealing SUVs, supported by a $2.9 billion government program to boost local vehicle and component production.

According to the report, citing experts, India-made cars could become competitive alternatives to Chinese vehicles, whose market share in Europe is projected to double to 10% by 2030 as per consultancy AlixPartners.

Across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and even parts of Europe, the competitive landscape is shifting as Chinese manufacturers scale rapidly with sharply priced EVs and compact ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles, Harshvardhan Sharma, group head for automotive technology and innovation at Nomura Research Institute, told Nikkei Asia.

In that context, India is emerging as a credible counterweight - a cost-competitive, value-rich manufacturing base that global automakers can leverage to respond to Chinas momentum, Sharma added.

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Exports from April to October reached 514,622 units, nearly 67% of total shipments in FY25, with Maruti Suzuki leading the pack, followed by Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen, according to the report, citing the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

South Africa remained the top destination, accounting for 17% of shipments valued at $1.24 billion, followed by Saudi Arabia (16.5%), Mexico (13%), Japan (11%), and the UAE (7%), Indian government data showed.

While South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico have long been key markets due to product and price alignment with India, improvements in domestic standards, including safety, are helping Indian automakers expand into new global markets.

Auto parts industry driving global exports

Indias auto parts industry is witnessing rapid growth, further cementing the countrys appeal as a global manufacturing hub, experts said.

While multinational firms such as Bosch and Tenneco operate factories in India, local players including Motherson Group, Sona Comstar, Bharat Forge, and Lumax Group have been exporting for years, building confidence in their supply chains.

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Component exports from India reached $22.9 billion last fiscal year, with Europe accounting for 29% of shipments, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India.

Indias supplier base has evolved into a sophisticated ecosystem capable of delivering to global performance and quality benchmarks, said Nomuras Sharma.

As a result, export acceptance is widening in advanced markets.  For carmakers that invested early in building an efficient India footprint, those strategic bets are now beginning to yield meaningful returns.

Analysts noted that focusing on exports also allows automakers to maintain factory utilisation when domestic sales slow.

If companies are not able to sell locally, production for exports can fill capacity, making sure they dont incur losses because of underutilisation, Nikkei Asia quoted VG Ramakrishnan, managing partner at automotive consultancy Avanteum Advisors, as saying.

With inputs from agencies
Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Forum attended by visiting Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, Trump said that he told the two nuclear-armed neighbours that they can go at it, but Im putting a 350 per cent tariff on each country

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he stopped the India-Pakistan conflict by threatening tariffs on both countries, only this time, the percentage of tariffs was different.

Trump also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him to say were not going to go to war. This is only the latest episode of the US presidents unfounded claims, which have been consistently rejected by New Delhi.

Im good at settling disputes, and Ive always been. Ive done very well with that over the years, even before this. I was talking about the different wars India, Pakistan they were going to go at it, nuclear weapons, Trump said on Wednesday.

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Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Forum attended by visiting Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, Trump said that he told the two nuclear-armed neighbours that they can go at it, but Im putting a 350 per cent tariff on each country. No more trade with the United States.

Claiming that both India and Pakistan urged him not to impose tariffs, Trump said that he told them, Im going to do it. Come back to me and Ill take it down. But Im not going to have you guys shooting nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people and having the nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles. Im not going to do it.

Trump then said that he was all set and told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that he would put a 350 per cent tariff to settle the conflict.

Now, no other president would have done that I used tariffs to settle all these wars, not all of them. Five of the eight were settled because of the economy, because of trade, because of tariffs, Trump said. I did this. He added that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called him and thanked him, in front of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, for saving millions of lives.

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The president then claimed that he got a call from Prime Minister Modi saying, were done. I said, youre done with what? Trump said and claimed Modi replied: Were not going to go to war. Trump said he then thanked Modi and said, Lets make a deal.
Pak Defence Minister Khwaja Asif stated that India might carry out border incursions or attacks, urging Islamabad to remain on high alert. He also asserted that India does not want Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their issues

Pakistans Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has raised an alarm, warning that Islamabad needs to prepare itself for an all-out war with India, adding that the country needs to fully alert for such a possibility.

Asserting that Pakistan has been put under maximum alert for any border incursion, Asif told Samaa TV, We cannot ignore (India) in any way We are not ignoring India, and our preparation and alert are at maximum. We cannot trust India in any way. We cannot rule out (attack) as India can directly intervene. It can continue attacks from there (presumably Afghanistan) and it can go for an all-out war as per its strategy.

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The defence minister has time and again claimed that Pakistan is fighting a two-front war with India, referring to the countrys border with India and Afghanistan. Islamabad says that New Delhi has been launching attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil, a claim that has been rejected by India.

The Defence Minister stated that India might carry out border incursions or attacks, urging Islamabad to remain on high alert. He also asserted that India does not want Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their issues, according to Samaa TV.

Op Sindoor was just a trailer

Asifs comments came after Indias Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said that Operation Sindoor was "just a trailer", cautioning that India would teach its neighbour how to behave responsibly if it continued supporting cross-border terrorism.

Speaking at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, earlier this week, he said, Operation Sindoor was just a trailer that ended in 88 hours. We are prepared for any circumstances in the future. If Pakistan gives a chance, we will teach it how to behave responsibly with a neighbouring nation.

The army chief stated that 31 terrorists had been killed during the operation, 61 per cent of whom were from Pakistan. He added that there had been just one recruitment and that individual had been caught. Without naming the nation directly, he said it remained concerning when a country encourages state-sponsored terrorism.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said the United States had indicated it might reconsider its decision to boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg, but the White House dismissed the report as fake news

A person arrives at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, as South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit from November 22 to 23, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday. Reuters

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said the United States had indicated it might reconsider its decision to boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg, but the White House dismissed the report as fake news.

We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over, about a change of mind, about participating in one shape or form or other in the summit, Reuters quoted Ramaphosa as saying during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

This comes in the days before the summit. And so therefore we need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means, he added.

The Trump administration had previously announced it would skip the first-ever G20 summit in Africa, accusing the host nation  South Africa, which was governed under a white-minority apartheid regime until 1994  of discriminating against white citizens.

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On Thursday, a White House official clarified that while a US envoy would attend the formal handover ceremony of the G20 presidency from South Africa to the United States, Washington would not take part in the summit itself.

This is fake news. The charge daffaires in Pretoria will attend the handover ceremony as a formality, but the United States is not joining G20 discussions, they added.

Trump has rejected South Africas agenda for the November 22-23 summit of promoting solidarity and helping developing nations adapt to worse weather disasters, transition to clean energy and cut their excessive debt costs.

Ramaphosa said last week of the handover of the G20 presidency to the United States: I dont want to hand over to an empty chair, but the empty chair will be there.

With inputs from agencies
As Russia and Ukraine share their take on the controversial 28-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, many wonder if another Trump-Putin summit is on the cards.

Plans for a second summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Budapest have now been stalled. File image/Reuters

US and Russian officials have secretly drafted a plan to end the war in Ukraine, which involves measures that Kyiv might not like. While Russia is downplaying the plans, Ukrainian officials are expressing concerns over the matter.

Multiple news outlets suggested that the plan in question would require Ukraine to surrender territory and severely limit the size of its military. The reports of the secret plan came on the same day that Russian drone and missile strikes killed at least 25 people in the city of Ternopil.

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According to reports by Reuters and The Financial Times, the draft plan was prepared by US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and the Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev. The reports suggested that the plan would force draconian measures on Ukraine that would give Russia unprecedented control over the countrys military and political sovereignty.

As per the report, the two men formed an " important but unofficial backchannel between Moscow and Washington". However, it is unclear if the Trump administration is formally backing the plan, given Trumps recent threats to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

How Russia and Ukraine are reacting to the plans

After the reports of the 28-point plan by Witkoff and Dmitriev started to swirl headlines, the Kremlin denied the reports that Russia is holding secret talks with the Trump administration over ending the war in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the Axios report that claimed that US officials had drawn a plan consisting of security guarantees, security in Europe, and future US relations with Russia and Ukraine.

Peskov maintained that while no talks had been held with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, he is still welcome to visit Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials told Reuters that Kyiv received signals about a set of US proposals to end the war.

The official made it clear that Ukraine was not involved in the proposal. Interestingly, Witkoff is expected to meet Zelenskyy later on Wednesday in Turkey.

Peace at what cost

The proposal would reportedly require Ukraine to cede territory it controls in the east of the country and halve the size of its military, conditions that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has in the past described as non-starters. Some of the other conditions include limiting US military assistance and categories of armaments used by the Ukrainian military.

The existence of the 28-point plan was first reported by Axios and appeared to be inspired by a similar proposal the Trump administration developed to end the war in Gaza. However, there have been no indications from the White House that such a plan is in play. But Washington has repeatedly suggested that it is close to a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

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US lawmakers rattled

The reports of the existence of the 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war have caught the US Congress off guard and left at least one Republican warning against what appears to be a largely pro-Moscow proposal. Ukraines top supporters in Congress appeared to be in the dark about the existence of such channels.

I dont know what this 28-point plan is. Im glad that were coming up with a plan, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a top Trump ally and hawkish supporter of Kyiv, said during an event Wednesday morning hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. However, he maintained that the plan must be buoyed by strong US military commitments to Ukraine.

Other lawmakers claimed that they learnt about the plans only through media reports. I just heard about it but have not seen any of the details, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told reporters Wednesday. I have not been read in on the details of that, said Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation. Hence, the controversial plan has been drawing backlash and surprise from American lawmakers.
The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region," said Doval at the Colombo Security Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday described the Indian Ocean as a shared heritage of all countries connected by maritime geography and urged stakeholders to safeguard its stability, security, and safety.

VIDEO | National Security Advisor Ajit Doval addresses Colombo Security Dialogue in Delhi.



He says, "The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region." pic.twitter.com/m32ykgg8eO  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2025

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Addresses Colombo Security Dialogue in New Delhi, Doval said, The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region."

On Thursday, Doval hosted his counterparts from the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with Seychelles participating as an Observer State and Malaysia attending as a guest.

The Council of National Security Advisors (CSC) was established to foster closer collaboration among member states on critical security issues and to strengthen partnerships for enhancing regional security in the Indian Ocean.

Aligned with this objective, the 7th Meeting of the NSAs aims to provide participants an opportunity to review activities under key cooperation pillars  Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalization; Combating Transnational Organized Crime; Cybersecurity and Protection of Critical Infrastructure; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief  while discussing the Roadmap and Action Plan for 2026.

With inputs from agencies
The workers were found at the POSCO steel plant in the southern city of Pohang and went into cardiac arrest as they were rushed to hospital, the fire department said

This picture taken on February 13, 2025 shows steelworks of South Korea's largest steelmaker POSCO as seen over a residential area in Pohang.

Three workers were hospitalised on Thursday after inhaling toxic gas that leaked at a South Korean steel plant, emergency services said.

The workers were found at the POSCO steel plant in the southern city of Pohang and went into cardiac arrest as they were rushed to hospital, the fire department said.

Two subcontracted cleaning workers inhaled the gas during their sludge removal work. A POSCO worker also breathed in the gas while trying to help the two, a representative of the Pohang Nambu Fire Station told AFP.

Another three workers sustained minor injuries from inhaling the gas.

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Carbon monoxide is suspected as a possible cause, he said, adding that the investigation was still underway.

Founded in 1968, POSCO is one of the worlds leading steel manufacturers and played a pivotal role in transforming South Korea into an economic powerhouse.

The incident follows the collapse of a boiler tower at a decommissioned thermal power plant in Ulsan this month, killing seven workers.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Taliban Commerce Minister Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi also requested Indias assistance in setting up scheduled shipping services to transport Afghan goods through the Indian-operated Chabahar Port in Iran

Taliban's Commerce Minister Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi with the Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada in New Delhi on Thursday. Image Courtesy: @JitinPrasada

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Taliban Commerce Minister Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi on Thursday met Indias Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada in New Delhi and urged India to scale up trade and establish cargo hubs in Afghanistan.

Meeting with H.E. Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce, today.



Discussions reflected a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. @MEAIndia @DoC_GoI pic.twitter.com/ipTsU0Gl4E  Jitin Prasada   (@JitinPrasada) November 20, 2025

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The move comes as the Taliban government seeks alternatives to Pakistan following repeated border clashes and closures.

During the meeting, Azizi also requested Indias assistance in setting up scheduled shipping services to transport Afghan goods through the Indian-operated Chabahar Port in Iran, the Afghan Commerce Ministry told Reuters.

Indias Prasada said on X that the talks reflected a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral trade.

Landlocked Afghanistan has increasingly redirected trade through Iran and Central Asia in recent months after armed clashes led to repeated closures of key crossings with Pakistan.

During the talks, Azizi discussed investment, joint ventures, and ways to expand opportunities for Afghan exporters, the Afghan Commerce Ministry added.

Azizi also proposed that India develop dry ports in Afghanistans southwestern Nimroz province, which borders Iran, and streamline cargo processing at Nhava Sheva, Indias largest container port near Mumbai.

Afghan officials told Reuters last week that shipments via Iran and Central Asia have been growing faster than through the Pakistan corridor, as repeated border closures disrupt the countrys main transit route.

Azizi additionally urged faster visa processing for Afghan traders and suggested collaboration with India in sectors including pharmaceuticals, cold storage, fruit processing, industrial parks, and SME centres, the ministry said.

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With inputs from agencies
After constantly attacking each other, US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will meet at the White House tomorrow. Mamdani is expected to focus on the cost-of-living crisis.

New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrates during an election night event at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in Brooklyn, New York. AFP

After constantly attacking him and endorsing his rival, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed a meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he will host Mamdani at White Houst on Friday.

Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow! Trump said in a post.

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Throughout the campaign, Mamdani had thrashed Trump for his anti-immigrant agenda and sending National Guards and military to cities like Los Angeles and Portland. New York City is widely believed to be the next on Trumps agenda.

What will Trump & Mamdani discuss?

Mamdani is set to address cost-of-living crisis in New York City.

I want to just speak plainly to the president about what it means to actually stand up for New Yorkers and the way in which New Yorkers are struggling to afford this city, Mamdani told MS Now.

Previously, Mamdani said the outreach was part of his commitment to address the affordability crisis in New York.

Previously, Mamdani has criticised Trump and pointed that prices have risen in Trumps second term.

The president ran a campaign where he spoke about a promise to deliver cheaper groceries, a promise to reduce the cost of living. We are seeing his actions and that of his administration in Washington leading to the exact opposite effect for New Yorkers, said Mamdani.

Even as Trump has trashed Mamdani has a left lunatic in public, he has described Mamdani as a talented politician, calling him slick and a good talker, according to The Times.
The United States is considering actions such as sanctions and Pentagon engagement on counterterrorism as part of a plan to compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and religious freedom, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday.

The United States is weighing measures including sanctions and potential Pentagon involvement in counterterrorism as part of a broader effort to pressure Nigeria to strengthen protections for Christian communities and uphold religious freedom, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.

Nigeria has come under increased attention from President Donald Trump, who in early November warned of possible military action over the treatment of Christians. Nigerian authorities insist accusations of persecution oversimplify a complex security landscape and overlook the governments steps to safeguard religious freedoms.

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Jonathan Pratt, the senior official heading the State Departments Bureau of African Affairs, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the Trump administration is developing a plan to incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom.

He said the plan includes examining possible actions by both the State and Treasury Departments such as sanctions along with potential Department of War engagement on counterterrorism and additional measures aimed at protecting religious groups.

Pratt added that Washington is closely evaluating the security assistance it provides to Nigeria, how those resources are being used, and the sharing of intelligence and information with the government.

In October, Trump added Nigeria back to a Countries of Particular Concern list of nations that the U.S. says have violated religious freedom. He has also said he asked the Defence Department to prepare for possible fast military action in Nigeria if the West African nation fails to crack down on the killing of Christians, and said he was immediately stopping all aid and assistance to Nigeria, Africas most populous nation and top oil producer.

Nigeria, which has 200 ethnic groups practicing Christianity, Islam and traditional religions, has a long history of peaceful coexistence. But there have also been flare-ups of violence among groups, often exacerbated by ethnic divisions or conflict over scarce resources.

The extremist Islamist armed group Boko Haram has also terrorized north-eastern Nigeria, an insurgency that has killed tens of thousands of people over the past 15 years. Human rights experts have said that more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram than Christians.

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A Nigerian delegation is set to meet with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and officials at the Pentagon, which Trump has renamed the Department of War, while in town this week, Pratt said.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu dispatched his national security adviser to Washington to meet Trump administration officials and U.S. lawmakers. The Nigerian delegation, which arrived on Wednesday, also includes the countrys defence chief, chief of defence intelligence and head of police.

Pratt on Thursday said he does not believe the government of Nigeria has been infiltrated by jihadists.

Jacob McGee, the State Departments deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, said the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern was an important step that had captured the attention of that countrys government, but that a lot more needed to be done.

We are planning engagement on the ground, both through our embassies there and other trips, to make sure Nigerians hear our very important message that they have to do better, McGee said.

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With inputs from agencies
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Thursday met US Army Secretary Daniel P Driscoll to assess the impact of Russian aggression and reaffirm bilateral cooperation, while reports of a secret peace plan went unaddressed

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Thursday met US Army Secretary Daniel P Driscoll and the discussions allowed both sides to assess the situation on the ground and to witness first-hand the consequences of Russian aggression.

According to The Guardian report, Svyrydenko condemned the continuing Russian strikes and said that although the current international pressure campaign is having an impact, it remains essential to further tighten sanctions against the aggressor state.

While Russia continues killing innocent civilians, destroying homes, and targeting critical infrastructure, the strategy of pressure on Russia is proving effective. It is crucial to further strengthen energy and financial sanctions against the aggressor state, she was quoted as saying.

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The prime minister also said she reaffirmed Ukraines participation in the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, established in cooperation with US President Donald Trump.

There was no reference during the meeting to the rumored US peace proposal.

US media had earlier reported that Washington and Moscow have been quietly working on a draft plan to end the nearly four-year war, triggered by Russias 2022 invasion.

A Ukrainian source familiar with the proposals told AFP the plan would require Kyiv to cede territory and cut its armed forces by more than half  terms the source described as equivalent to capitulation.

The Kremlin said it had no comment on the reports, while both Washington and Kyiv have also refrained from publicly addressing the alleged proposals.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to meet top Pentagon officials in Kyiv later on Thursday, his office announced, as reports circulate of a US plan to end the war on terms seen as favourable to Moscow.

The meeting comes a day after Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, skipped a scheduled encounter with Zelenskyy in Turkey  an unexpected setback for Kyivs efforts to revive diplomatic engagement and encourage Washington to increase pressure on Russia.

The visit also follows one of the deadliest Russian attacks of the year, in which at least 26 people were killed on Wednesday.

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A Pentagon delegation headed by Driscoll arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday and met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyga.

Zelenskyys aide, Dmytro Lytvyn, told reporters the president intends to meet the US officials as well. US visits to Kyiv have been rare since Trump returned to office in January.

With inputs from agencies
US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that the countrys Department of Justice would release the infamous Epstein Files within 30 days after the US Congress unanimously voted for its release.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi (3rd-L), accompanied by (L-R) White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, FBI Director Kash Patel, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Vice President JD Vance and U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks as Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on September 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. AFP

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that the countrys Department of Justice would release the infamous Epstein Files within 30 days. The announcement came after the US Congress voted nearly unanimously, demanding the release of files from the DoJs investigation into the late British financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The files in question are expected to shed more light on the activities of Epstein and who he used to socialise with. The calls for its release became intense because of his past association with the current US President, Donald Trump. The scandal has torn the Trump camp for months, partly because he amplified conspiracy theories about Epstein to his own supporters.

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Many Trump voters have held the belief that his administration has covered up Epsteins ties to the powerful figures in the United States and presented obscured details surrounding his death, which was ruled a suicide, in a Manhattan jail in 2019 as he faced federal sex trafficking charges.

Files to be out in 30 days: Bondi

While speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Bondi confirmed that the DoJ will release its Epstein-related material within 30 days, as required by legislation that passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate on Tuesday. We will continue to follow the law and encourage maximum transparency, she said.

However, many are sceptical about what the DoJ actually releases since the legislation passed by the US Congress allows the Justice Department to hold back personal information about Epsteins victims and material that would jeopardise an active investigation.

Last week, Trump ordered the agency to investigate several Democratic figures who were associated with Epstein. However, officials decided at that time not to release any information tied to those people.

The department has regularly cited the need to protect ongoing investigations when withholding other information from the public. In the past, courts have rejected requests by Trumps Justice Department this year to unseal transcripts of proceedings before grand juries that investigated Epstein and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

But will Trump release the files?

It is pertinent to note that the bill passed by the US Congress would first need to be signed by Trump, which he has said he will do, but has not as of Wednesday. According to the American Constitution, a president has 10 days after the White House officially receives the bill from Capitol Hill to sign the measure into law or veto it and send it back to Congress.

However, a veto from Trump in this case seems unlikely since the bill has been passed overwhelmingly in both branches of Congress. Overriding a veto takes only a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate.

Trump can choose not to sign the bill, in which case it would become law in 10 days (minus Sundays). If he does nothing, and lawmakers adjourn within 10 days, that is whats called a pocket veto, something that hasnt happened in decades. If that happens, supporters of the bill will have to start the process all over again.

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If Trump signs the bill, the DoJ is obligated to release the files within 30 days. Trumps own name is expected to be mentioned in the files. According to a CNN report published earlier this year, Bondi told Trump this year that his name appears in the Epstein files.

Not only this, emails and communications from Epsteins estate released by the House Oversight Committee also mentioned Trump. His name also appeared in the files released by the Department of Justice in February. However, there was nothing that implicated Trump in wrongdoing at that time.

With inputs from Reuters.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday admitted that he has been criticised by several Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters for his stance on skilled immigrants, advocating for the need for foreign talent

US President Donald Trump holds a 'Make America Great Again' (Maga) hat as he attends the commencement ceremony at West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York, US, May 24, 2025. File Image/Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday admitted that he has been criticised by several Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters for his stance on skilled immigrants. Trump maintained that high-tech, skilled workers are needed to support the expansion of the advanced domestic manufacturing sector.

Trump has been in the headlines for his crackdown on immigration and has often made headlines with his stringent immigration policies. While addressing a gathering of business executives at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington. Trump said that America needs immigrants who can train domestic workers in high-tech factories.

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He insisted that doing so would not mean not getting away from his core political beliefs. I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA. But this is MAGA, Trump said during the address at the forum, which he attended alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is on a visit to the US.

Trump opens doors for skilled immigrants

Trump claimed that skilled workers can be beneficial for the United States. Those people are going to teach our people how to make computer chips, and in a short period of time, our people are going to be doing great. And those people can go home, the American leader averred.

The remarks by Trump drew applause in the room, but the Republicans have remained divided over the matter. Fox News Laura Ingraham had suggested during the interview with Trump that you cant flood the country with tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands, of foreign workers, to which the US president had responded, You also do have to bring in talent.

PRESIDENT TRUMP defends H-1B visas: "You also do have to bring in talent." || @IngrahamAngle pic.twitter.com/SJJPVYDWxu  Fox News (@FoxNews) November 12, 2025

Ingraham responded to Trumps assertion, insisting that the US had plenty of talented people here. Trump said, No, you dont, and added that people have to learn. The brief exchange drew backlash from conservatives and MAGA supporters who have opposed H-1B visa expansion and other schemes of the administration that allow skilled immigrants to enter the US and let them stay in the country.

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US President Donald Trump announced on late Wednesday evening that he had signed the bill ordering the release of the infamous Epstein Files.

US President Donald Trump announced on late Wednesday evening that he had signed the bill ordering the release of the infamous Epstein Files. The bill passed by Congress earlier requires the US Department of Justice to release all information from its investigation of the wrongdoing of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a searchable and downloadable format within 30 days.

In the past, Trump has opposed releasing the files, but swiftly changed his stance last week after pushback from Epsteins victims and members of his own Republican party. The legislation was overwhelmingly cleared from both chambers of the US Congress by Tuesday.

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While lawmakers in the House passed the legislation with a 427-1 vote, the S enate soon gave unanimous consent to pass it upon its arrival. The commotion came after some 20,000 pages of documents from Epsteins estate, including some that directly mention Trump, were released last week.

The documents included 2018 messages from Epstein in which he said of Trump: I am the one able to take him down and I know how dirty Donald is. It is pertient to note that the American leader was a friend of Epstein for years. However, Trump claimed that they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Theres a catch

It is important to note that despite Trumps signature, the release of the full Epstein files is not guaranteed. Based on the bills text, portions could still be withheld if they invade personal privacy or relate to an active investigation. One of the bills architects, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, said he had concerns about some files being withheld.

Im concerned that [Trump is] opening a flurry of investigations, and I believe they may be trying to use those investigations as a predicate for not releasing the files. Thats my concern, he said. On Monday, Trump attempted to distance himself from the files, insisting that Democrats will ultimately be in the problem.

Speaking to reporters on Monday night, Trump said Republicans had nothing to do with Epstein. Its really a Democrat problem, he said. The Democrats were Epsteins friends, all of them. While the DoJ has earlier maintained that it will be able to release the Epstein Files within 30 days, it remains unclear whether the agency will be transparent about Trumps name in the document.

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US President Donald Trumps administration is reportedly drafting an executive order that would direct the countrys Department of Justice to sue American states that are passing laws regulating Artificial Intelligence.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump at a roundtable at the White House on June 5. AFP

US President Donald Trumps administration is reportedly drafting an executive order that would direct the countrys Department of Justice to sue American states that are passing laws regulating Artificial Intelligence.

According to the copy of the draft obtained by The Washington Post, the White House is holding internal discussions over the order. However, the proposal could conflict with the legal limits to presidential power.

The executive order comes amid a split among the US Senate Republicans over the July proposal, backed by the Trump administration, to block state AI regulation. The proposal was part of Trumps signature tax and immigration law.

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After a lengthy discussion, the proposal foundered after pushback from lawmakers in both parties, concerned about the need to protect Americans from potential harms caused by AI. The White House declined to comment on the latest move.

Unregulated AI invites new worries

Several worries associated with Artificial Intelligence, such as impact on jobs, potential harms to children and increased electricity prices due to energy consumption by data centres that power AI software, are becoming major political issues for lawmakers from both parties.

According to the June survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre, 50 per cent of Americans are more concerned than excited about increased use of AI in daily life. Traditionally, the Republican Party has been vocal about limits to federal power over states.

If Trump signed the draft, it would escalate his efforts to force states into line with his priorities during his second term. In recent months, the Trump administration has sued several states, including California, over a law that sought to block law enforcement officers from covering their faces.

According to The Washington Post, the draft AI would direct the DoJ to challenge the state laws regulating the technology because they interfere with interstate commerce. The draft also proposes to establish a federal task force to evaluate existing state laws on AI and identify whether they impinge on freedom of speech.

Trump has been pushing the idea for a while. We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes. If we dont, then China will easily catch us in the AI race, he said in the past. On Wednesday, some GOP politicians and activists voiced opposition to that proposal. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a post on X that they oppose efforts to pass a federal preemption. Sneaking it into the defence bill is an insult to voters, DeSantis wrote.

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South Africa and the European Union vowed to defend multilateralism ahead of the G20 summit, as they signed a partnership on critical minerals. Analysts see a US absence or any obstructive move as an opportunity for South Africa to build closer ties to the European Union and China, its two largest trading partners.

South Africa and the European Union pledged on Thursday to uphold multilateralism ahead of the G20 summit, while also signing a critical minerals partnership.

South Africa is hosting this years G20 meeting under the cloud of a boycott by its most influential member, though President Cyril Ramaphosa said the United States was now considering participating in some form.

Analysts say that if Washington skips the summit or takes a disruptive stance, it could open space for South Africa to deepen its relationships with the European Union and China, the countrys two biggest trading partners.

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Although expectations for a meaningful final declaration from the summit are fading, the first G20 to be held on African soil offers the continent a platform to highlight its rapidly expanding economies and abundant mineral resources.

While it seems increasingly unlikely that the meeting will culminate in a substantive declaration, the first G20 in Africa is a showcase for a continent that has fast-growing economies and vast mineral wealth.

We are signing an unprecedented agreement, Ramaphosa said at a news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, after Ramaphosas mines minister Gwede Mantashe signed the memorandum of understanding.

We are no longer going to rely on extracting minerals only. We will want to extract those minerals, have them processed at the point of extraction  so that South Africa begins to move up the value chain, Ramaphosa said.

EU leaders are scrambling to secure dozens of metals that are vital to the worlds transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, for the revolution in computing and for defence, as it faces potentially damaging restrictions on supply from China, the worlds main supplier of rare earths.

The EUs plans include stockpiling rare earths before rivals, including the United States, and developing a 9-million-euro joint purchasing mechanism.

We need these inputs to power the clean-energy transition both here and in Europe. So the future of our economy depends on fair and reliable supply chains, von der Leyen said.

She added later that Russias war in Ukraine and its impact on Europes energy supply had woken the continent up to the need for a diverse range of sources.

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South African officials are hoping the summit can keep multilateralism alive in international affairs, even as U.S. President Donald Trumps administration rejects this form of diplomacy.

We agreed to stand together in defence of democracy, in defence of multilateralism, human rights and the rule of law, Ramaphosa said, in sentiments echoed by his counterparts.

With inputs from agencies
Behind the newfound US-Saudi Arabia bonhomie lies a shift in the American approach to human rights under President Donald Trump  the approach visible in his dealings with leaders of the likes of China, Hungary, and El Salvador.

US President Donald Trump and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia attend the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, DC, US, on November 19, 2025. (Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

When President Donald Trump defended Saudi Arabias crown prince this week over the 2018 killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, he did more than just stir renewed accusations from critics of an affinity toward strongmen.

Trumps remarks, which contradicted US intelligence findings, threw into stark relief just how far his administration has shifted away from the traditional US support for human rights globally.

Nearly all recent US administrations have worked with leaders with poor human rights records in order to advance US interests.

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But more than any recent occupant of the White House, Trump has not only praised prominent autocratic rulers, from Saudi Arabia and Hungary to China and El Salvador, but has shown little interest in reining them in, instead taking a more transactional approach.

Just how much US human rights policy has changed under Trump was crystallised in the Oval Office on Tuesday when he denied that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played any role in the murder of Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi leadership, despite US intelligence assessing the opposite.

Trump has ignored some of the most fundamental principles underpinning US relations with the world, said Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration and now head of the Global Situation Room consultancy. His words and actions give a green light to strongmen to do whatever they want.

Trump has focused this week instead on helping Saudi Arabias de facto ruler rehabilitate his global image, giving him red-carpet treatment at the White House, touting burgeoning economic and security ties with the worlds biggest oil exporter, and bringing him together with top US CEOs.

That has jibed with the US administrations seeming willingness to overlook alleged human rights abuses by other Trump-friendly leaders such as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

At the same time, Trump has pressed questionable accusations of rights violations against governments ideologically at odds with his administration, such as Brazil and South Africa, spurring concerns that he is selectively pursuing human rights targets.

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White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly pushed back against the criticism. All of the Presidents foreign policy actions are conducted through the lens of the America First agenda he was elected to implement, she said in a statement. No one cares more about human rights than President Trump.

Many other US presidents have been criticized for playing down human rights.

For example, rights advocates accused Trumps Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, of not exerting enough pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which was triggered by an Israeli assault in response to Hamas cross-border attack in 2023.

Repurposing of human rights policy

Some analysts and former US officials say Trump, 10 months into his second term, has taken this approach to a new level.

Trumps aides, however, have denied that the rapport he has developed with fellow leaders is anything but beneficial and insist that his brand of personal diplomacy promotes US interests.

Under Trump, the human rights issue has not so much been disregarded as repurposed to fit his priorities in favor of economic dealmaking and an agenda he sees as appealing to his Maga base.

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That has included a complete overhaul of the State Departments human rights apparatus, which had long been the centerpiece of traditional US promotion of democratic values.

Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department has scaled back its annual human rights report and reoriented the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to instill a focus on Western values.

Trumps aides have justified their shift in emphasis on human rights, including more limited attention to gender-based violence and the persecution of LGBTQ people, as a move away from interference in other countrys sovereign affairs.

But the administration has weighed in publicly on European politics to denounce what it sees as suppression of right-wing leaders, including in Romania, Germany and France, and has accused European authorities of censorship.

And it has been vocal in pressuring Brazils leftist government over the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing Trump ally who was convicted of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election.

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While Trump has been mostly silent on human rights under right-wing governments, including reports of torture in El Salvadors megaprison, he has been tough on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, focusing on his alleged links to drug trafficking. The Socialist leader has also been widely accused of harsh repression of the political opposition.

US Representative Brian Mast, a Florida Republican and close Trump ally, defended the administrations handling of human rights, noting that the Republican presidents foreign policy had helped to end conflicts.

I think that shows probably the greatest humanitarian results that anybody could point towards, he told Reuters.

Trumps shielding of bin Salman during the crown princes first White House visit in more than seven years may have been the most clarifying moment yet for the presidents approach.

With bin Salman sitting beside him, Trump repeatedly said it was an honor to be friends with him and said the crown prince knew nothing about the killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, by Saudi agents in the consulate in Istanbul.

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He also praised bin Salman over human rights, even though the crown prince has cracked down on dissent while loosening some social codes.

Trump is putting America on the side of the dictators and oligarchs, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders told Reuters.

Lavish Saudi welcome for Trump

The Saudi crown princes visit to Washington this week follows Trumps own trip to the kingdom in May, the first foreign destination of his second term. That visit was marked by an elaborate welcome for the president.

Other leaders with troubled human rights records may take note.

Trump has made no secret of his admiration for foreign leaders with sweeping powers at home. He has extolled personal friendships with Erdogan, Orban, Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has struggled to secure agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite tensions over trade and tariffs.

Some critics have accused Trump and his administration of undermining democracy at home and the US image abroad as a bastion of rule of law, with mass deportations, threats against news organisations and flouting of court decisions  which the presidents aides deny. He has also ordered deadly strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which some experts say breaches international law.

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The United States government no longer has any credibility on human rights issues, at home or abroad, said John Sifton, Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

(This is an agency story. Except for the headline, the story has not been updated by Firstpost staff.)
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT for Teachers, a dedicated workspace designed for educators and school administrators. The platform supports classroom preparation, collaboration, and teacher-driven exploration of AI, while maintaining privacy and compliance standards required for school environments.

ChatGPT for Teachers

Teachers are among the most active users of ChatGPT, and many rely on AI tools to streamline weekly planning and improve classroom readiness. ChatGPT for Teachers provides a controlled environment where educators can work with their own materials, handle student-related content securely, and use AI in ways that align with school policies. The workspace also offers tools for district leaders to manage accounts and maintain organization-wide security.

Key Features

Education-grade security and compliance

The system is built to protect student information and meets FERPA-related requirements. Content shared within ChatGPT for Teachers is not used to train OpenAI models by default, and the workspace operates with education-specific privacy measures.

Personalized teaching support

Educators can set preferences such as grade level, curriculum references, and response style. These details help the system tailor outputs to the teachers classroom context, with full user control over what is saved.

Integration with commonly used tools

The workspace connects with Canva for presentations and supports importing documents and resources from Google Drive and Microsoft 365. This setup helps teachers start each session with their existing files already in context.

Examples from practicing teachers

Ready-to-use examples, prompts, and ideas shared by educators appear directly below the message composer, helping teachers understand practical classroom applications.

Collaboration tools

Teachers can co-develop lesson materials using custom GPTs and shared project spaces. Schools and districts can organize their staff into one workspace for coordinated planning.

Administrative features

School and district leaders can claim their domain, enable SAML SSO, assign roles, and manage educator accounts. These controls help ensure consistent security and oversight across the institution.

How teachers already use ChatGPT

Educators using ChatGPT highlighted several common tasks, including:

Planning multi-week instructional units

Generating examples for assignments

Mapping lessons to ISTE standards

Work with U.S. school districts

To support large-scale use, OpenAI is working with an initial cohort of districts representing nearly 150,000 teachers and staff. These districts are providing operational insights and helping shape ongoing improvements to ChatGPT for Teachers.

The cohort includes: Capistrano Unified School District (CA), Dallas Independent School District (TX), Fairfax County Public Schools (VA), Fulton County Schools (GA), Houston Independent School District (TX), Humble Independent School District (TX), Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (ID), KIPP Miami Public Schools (FL), KIPP New Jersey Public Schools (NJ), KIPP Public Schools Northern California (CA), Lynwood Unified School District (CA), Prince William County Public Schools (VA), Region One Education Service Center (TX), School District U-46 (IL), Township High School District 211 (IL), and Waukee Community School District (IA).

OpenAI is also coordinating with the Delaware Department of Education, which has adopted ChatGPT for employees and is supporting statewide exploration for educators.

AI literacy support

OpenAI is releasing an AI Literacy Blueprint to help school leaders and policymakers support responsible, teacher-led use of AI. This initiative builds on the companys work with the American Federation of Teachers and partnerships with Ministries of Education in Estonia, Greece, and other regions focused on K12 and higher education.

Availability

K12 educators and staff in the U.S. can access ChatGPT for Teachers after completing verification through SheerID. The service is free through June 2027, with any post-2027 pricing changes to be communicated in advance to help schools plan future use.
Samsung has confirmed the launch of Galaxy Tab A11+ in India next week, after the launch of Galaxy Tab A11 in the country back in September. The tablet was introduced for the global markets earlier this month.

The tablet will come with an 11-inch WXGA+ TFT screen with 90Hz refresh rate, will be powered by a MediaTek MT8775 4nm processor, comes in 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB variants, with support for up to 2TB expandable storage.

The tablet will come with Quad Speakers, 3.5mm audio jack, 8MP rear and a 5MP front cameras and pack a 7025mAh battery with 25W fast charging. It will come with AI features, such as Google Gemini, Circle to Search with Google, and Solve Math on Samsung Notes

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ will come in Gray and Silver, and the company says that the tablet will go on sale from November 28th, so that should be the launch day.
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.
Heather Sackett/Aspen Journalism

On Wednesday, a state board approved a proposal from the Colorado River District for the board to take interest in the Shoshone hydroelectric water plant water rights for instream flow use. The approval has been heralded as another step toward protect the flows associated with the rights at times when the plant isnt operating, ensuring flows will continue should the plant ever close.
Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel

In this photo taken from Colorado Highway 141 on July 16, a home protected by firefighters and saved from major damage is surrounded by torched landscape from the Turner Gulch Fire. The fire burned more than 31,000 acres in the Unaweep Canyon area near Gateway this summer. Much of the land burned was rangeland, impacting those in agriculture and those with livestock. On Wednesday, Builders First Source in Grand Junction  along with Boise Cascade and Fixture Studio  donated 900 treated posts to replace fence posts destroyed by the Turner Gulch Fire.
Defending Australians against espionage

18 November 2025

The ADF remains a prime target for foreign intelligence services, according to Australia's security service.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is urging Defence members and security clearance holders to be discrete when discussing their access to sensitive information or projects, or talking about their work on social media.

A recent report issued by ASIO, The cost of espionage, estimated espionage cost the Australian economy $12.5 billion in 2023-24. The research, conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), found this was likely to be a substantial underestimate of the true cost of espionage.

In one incident provided by ASIO, a foreign intelligence service attempted to compromise a restricted Defence network to gain sensitive data relating to an important project. The same intelligence service also attempted to breach the network of a Defence contractor providing a vital service to the project.

In another case, procurement officers ordered replacement hardware to be delivered straight to an asset's Defence location. Investigations revealed the spare parts supplier had links to a foreign government. The hardware was not installed and harm was avoided.

Director-General of Security Mike Burgess said important Defence projects could be put at risk when Australians working on those projects advertised their work, security clearance, or other information via social media platforms and job websites.

"Australia's defence sector is a top intelligence collection priority for foreign governments seeking to blunt our operational edge, gain insights into our operational readiness and tactics, and better understand our allies' capabilities," Mr Burgess said.

"Targets include maritime and aviation-related military capabilities, but also innovations with both commercial and military applications."

On just one professional networking site, the profiles of more than 35,000 Australians indicate they have access to sensitive and potentially classified information. Of those, 7000 people referenced their work in Defence, while 400 explicitly said they work on AUKUS.

"Employers are not the only ones recruiting online," Mr Burgess said.

"Spies from multiple countries routinely and relentlessly trawl professional networking sites, seeking to identify, target and cultivate Australians with access to privileged information."

He said Australians with security clearances, including members of the ADF, public servants and contractors working at all levels of government, were of particular interest to foreign intelligence services, particularly when travelling overseas for work.

Government workers or security clearance holders have an obligation to report suspicious approaches by contacting their security manager and filling out a contact report. Other workers can report suspicious approaches to ASIO's Notifiable Incidents, Threats or Reportable Observations portal at nitro.asio.gov.au, or by calling the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

National security is a shared responsibility.

To read the AIC's research report, visit www.asio.gov.au/coe

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Trump approves CIA covert operations inside Venezuela: NY Times

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 5:41 PM

US President Donald Trump has authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela to destabilize the government of President Nicolas Maduro, in what officials say could be a prelude to military action, according to a report.

The New York Times reported that Trump has signed off on Central Intelligence Agency plans for clandestine measures in the Latin American nation, moves that sources say are designed to "prepare the battlefield" for possible military escalation.

The report comes as the US Navy deploys its largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean.

Citing multiple officials, the Times said the covert campaign could precede broader military action. On Monday, Trump threatened he was not ruling out sending US ground forces into Venezuela and accused Maduro of being a "terrorist."

On the same day, Maduro warned that any US intervention would mark the 'political end' of Trump's leadership. He reiterated that his government remains open to direct negotiations with Washington, calling diplomacy Caracas's "invariable" position.

Trump himself confirmed he is willing to speak with Maduro, saying, "We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we'll see how that turns out."

According to the Times, the Trump administration recently opened a secret back channel with the Venezuelan leader, but the talks have so far achieved nothing.

Since September, the US has carried out a series of lethal strikes on boats in waters off Central and South America, claiming they were transporting narcotics to the United States.

Trump's administration accuses Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking  allegations the Venezuelan government has repeatedly and firmly denied.

The US attacks have drawn sharp condemnation from former officials, analysts and international observers, who say Washington's militarized posture toward Venezuela exposes a familiar strategy of regime change in Latin America.

Carlos Ron, senior researcher at the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research and former Venezuelan deputy foreign minister for North America, told Press TV that accusing Maduro of drug trafficking is a deliberate attempt by Washington to justify military action without congressional approval.

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Contracts

Contracts For Nov. 19, 2025

NAVY

Balfour Beatty, Falls Church, Virginia (N40080-23-D-0026); Clark Construction Group LLC, Bethesda, Maryland (N40080-23-D-0027); Consigli Construction Co. Inc., Washington, D.C. (N40080-23-D-0028); Grunley Construction Co. Inc., Rockville, Maryland (N40080-23-D-0029); Hensel Phelps Construction Company, Tysons, Virginia (N40080-23-D-0030); M. A. Mortenson Company, McLean, Virginia (N40080-24-D-9500); and Walsh Federal LLC, Chicago, Illinois (N40080-24-D-9501), are awarded a combined $93,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to their respective previously-awarded contracts for large general construction projects. This award brings the total combined cumulative value of all seven contracts to $1,043,000,000. The contract modification is for additional capacity to order construction services throughout the duration of the contract vehicle. Work for this contract vehicle is performed for Navy and Marine Corps (70%); Air Force (25%); and other government facilities (5%), within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington area of operations and is expected to be completed by September 2028. No funds will be obligated at time of the awarded modifications. NAVFAC Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Innovative Defense Technologies LLC,* Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a $48,990,984 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-21-C-5100) to provide engineering labor and support for automated test and analysis requirements. This contract action combines purchases for the Navy (99%); and the government of Australia (1%), under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia (53%); Mount Laurel, New Jersey (40%); and San Diego, California (7%), and is expected to be completed by November 2026. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,181,578 (56%); fiscal 2024 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,119,970 (28%); fiscal 2025 defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,000,000 (14%); and Foreign Military Sales (Australia) funds in the amount of $199,993 (1%), will be obligated at time of award, of which $14,301,548 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 17, 2025)

Lockheed Martin Corp., Owego, New York, is being awarded $15,118,807 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N00383-26-F-XF03 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-20-G-XF01 for the procurement of twelve receiver processors in support of the H60 aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option provision. All work will be performed in Owego, New York, and is expected to be completed by December 2028. This announcement involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from Australia. FMS funds for Australia in the contract's full amount of $15,118,807 will be obligated at time of award and funding does not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.

Defense Maritime Solutions Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia, is awarded a $13,132,833 modification to exercise Option Year Three of a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N55236-23-D-0002) in support of the original equipment -manufacturer for the Littoral Combat Ships Independence-variant for waterjets, shafts, and seals. The overall total contract value ceiling remains unchanged at $60,582,873. Work will be performed at Mayport, Florida (40%); San Diego, California (40%); and various locations that will be determined at the delivery order level (20%). Option Year Three shall be from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award of contract modification; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

BL Harbert International LLC, Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a $45,768,635 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center, and associated facilities. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $45,998,151. Work will be performed in Birmingham, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of March 8, 2028. Fiscal 2024 military construction, Army Reserve funds in the amount of $45,768,635 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, is the contracting activity (W912QR-26-C-0002).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

UPDATE: Celina Tent Inc.,* Celina, Ohio (SPE1C1-26-D-0005, $200,000,000), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for commercial shelters, issued against solicitation number SPE1C1-22-R-0069 and awarded July 17, 2023. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

UPDATE: Quidel Ortho Sales Co. LLC, Rochester, New York (SPE2DF-26-D-0002, $22,000,000), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for laboratory equipment, accessories and consumables for the Defense Logistics Agency Electronic Catalog, issued against solicitation SPE2DE-22-R-0006 and awarded Feb. 24, 2023. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4338006/

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NATO Launches the Fourth Iteration of NEPTUNE STRIKE 2025

STRIKFORNATO

Nov 18 2025

Oeiras, Portugal -- The fourth iteration of NATO's premier enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA), Neptune Strike 25-4, will take place from 19 to 26 November 2025, combining the maritime-strike capabilities of both the United Kingdom and Italian Carrier Strike Groups operating out of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales alongside the Italian Navy's aircraft carrier ITS Cavour will be under NATO's operational command, led by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal. Combined with multiple Allied air and naval assets, the two carrier strike groups will execute full-spectrum multi-domain operations across Europe as far north as the Baltic Sea region, to the Black Sea, and along NATO's South-Eastern flank.

While both carrier strike groups will be in the Mediterranean Sea, their aviation assets will carry out long-range strike missions on training ranges in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania, supported and coordinated by various air and ground assets. Combined forces from 10 Allied nations - Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Turkiye, the United Kingdom and the Unites States - will participate in operations consisting of carrier-based aviation missions, anti-submarine and air-defence warfare activities, and surface warfare operations.

Unique to this iteration of Neptune Strike is the involvement of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) based at Sigonella, Italy. NISRF can carry out radar reconnaissance and surveillance autonomously and independent of the weather and time of day - a unique capability for the Alliance.

In this iteration of Neptune Strike, the fifth-generation capabilities of the U.K. and Italian carrier-based F-35s - working alongside B-52 Stratofortresses from the U.S. bomber task force, NATO RQ-4D unmanned aircraft, and other advanced Alliance assets - underscore NATO's commitment to defending every inch of Allied territory.

The Neptune Strike series is designed to demonstrate NATO's ability to integrate high-end maritime strike capabilities, strengthen deterrence, and ensure freedom of navigation across critical waterways. It also aims to secure strategic maritime chokepoints while testing interoperability across the air, land and sea.

As part of Project Neptune, which was originally conceived in 2020, the Neptune Strike series underscores NATO's ability to integrate multinational naval and strike forces rapidly, even over long distances. These activities are long-planned, defensive in nature, and fully compliant with international law.

Story by JFC Naples & Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO

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Press release on the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on the situation in the Gaza Sector

18 November 2025 20:07

1933-18-11-2025

On November 17, the UN Security Council voted on the American draft resolution featuring Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza. The document was adopted with 13 votes in favour, while Russia and China abstained.

The document, prepared by Washington, establishes a so-called Board of Peace to govern Gaza, headed by Donald Trump and, according to him, involving other "most powerful and respected leaders throughout the World." The Board is, in turn, authorised to deploy certain International Stabilisation Forces in coordination with Israel and Egypt. These forces are tasked with peace enforcement functions, including the demilitarisation of the enclave and the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups.

However, the participation of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in governing the sector or in determining the future of the Palestinians based on the two-state formula is not envisaged. Nor does the resolution stipulate obligations for Israel as the occupying power, including the renunciation of annexing Palestinian lands or the withdrawal of its forces.

The UN Security Council and the UN Secretariat have been entirely sidelined, both in terms of oversight and accountability for the structures being established in Gaza, and the practical modalities for deploying and stationing the international contingent.

Also telling are the rushed, indeed ultimatum-like, methods employed to advance the American draft - without genuine discussion, without addressing the substantive concerns of other delegations, and under direct threats of renewed large-scale bloodshed in Gaza. Even the circulation of a Russian counter-draft, aimed at overcoming the disagreements in the UN Security Council by returning to consolidated international legal foundations for Palestinian-Israeli settlement, failed to rectify the situation.

Thus, it must be acknowledged that Resolution 2803, as adopted, does not grant the Security Council the requisite prerogatives to maintain peace and security. It contradicts the spirit of genuine peacekeeping and universally recognised international legal decisions, which envisage the creation of an independent and territorially contiguous State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully and securely with Israel.

Russia abstained in the voting, taking into account the stance of the PNA leadership, the position of concerned Arab and Muslim countries in support of the American document, and to avoid a recurrence of violence and military actions in Gaza.

It bears reminding that the war and the suffering of civilians in the enclave could have been halted long ago had Washington not consistently - six times in the past two years - used its veto to block draft resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire.

The paramount concern now is that this decision does not become a fig leaf for unbridled experiments in the occupied Palestinian territories, nor a final verdict on the legitimate rights of Palestinians to self-determination or the aspirations of Israelis for security and peaceful coexistence in the region.

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 19 November 2025

Bern, 19.11.2025 -- In view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 19 November 2025 to request an urgent supplementary credit of CHF 50 million from Parliament to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Sudan and the surrounding region. Food, drinking water and medicines are needed for the people of Sudan, whose situation has deteriorated further since the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the town of El Fasher. The conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF has led to what is currently the worst humanitarian disaster in the world. Switzerland has provided humanitarian aid totalling CHF 140 million since the outbreak of the conflict in 2023.

Two years after the start of the armed conflict between the SAF and the RSF, Sudan is on the brink of one of the most serious disasters in recent history. More than 12 million people have been displaced so far - around 8 million internally and 4 million to neighbouring countries such as Chad, South Sudan and Egypt. Over 30 million people in this region are dependent on aid, the economy has collapsed and the healthcare system is barely functioning. Migration pressure is also increasing noticeably.

In view of the scale of the humanitarian disaster, the federal government has provided humanitarian aid in all directly affected countries since the conflict broke out. It supports the care of refugees in South Sudan, Chad and Egypt as well as - through partner organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Food Programme (WFP) - in Sudan itself. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which coordinates Swiss humanitarian aid, is in direct contact with the partner organisations on the ground to support the implementation of humanitarian aid. Next week, the FDFA will conduct a humanitarian mission to Sudan, led by Dominik Stillhart, the Federal Council's delegate for humanitarian aid.

With the capture of the city of El Fasher at the end of October after a siege that lasted over 500 days, the situation has deteriorated dramatically. The number of starving refugees is constantly increasing - in Sudan as well as in neighbouring countries. Chad and South Sudan, two of the poorest countries in the world, have been hit particularly hard and are barely able to provide for the people arriving. In order to cover at least some of the most urgent needs - in particular food, drinking water, medical care, accommodation and protective measures - the Federal Council wants to make additional funds totalling CHF 50 million available. It is therefore requesting an urgent supplementary credit in this amount from the Finance Delegation (FinDel). The corresponding proposals will then be submitted to Parliament for approval.

With the additional funds, Switzerland could provide substantial support to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population, involving local organisations.

Switzerland's engagement in Sudan is broad and has been based on various foreign policy instruments since the 1990s - including humanitarian aid, humanitarian diplomacy, peace policy and good offices. Since the war in Sudan started, Switzerland has been stepping up deployment of these instruments in a targeted and coordinated manner.
AI innovation powers China's lead in smart eyewear

08:03, November 20, 2025 By FAN FEIFEI ( China Daily

A visitor tries on AI smart glasses during the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Nov 6. FAN YUQING/XINHUA

As artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving and spearheading an industrial revolution, Chinese tech heavyweights are doubling down on the burgeoning smart glasses sector, which experts said is expected to become a key gateway for next-generation human-machine interaction and inject new vitality into the global consumer electronics market.

Fueled by the widespread adoption of large language models, the intelligent and lightweight wearable devices boast strong features such as semantic understanding, voice interaction, image recognition and search functions, allowing users to access information more conveniently and interact with the surroundings in real time, the experts added.

Estimated figures from market research company International Data Corp show that global smart glasses shipments will reach 12.8 million units in 2025, up 26 percent year-on-year. Shipments from the Chinese market alone are projected to exceed 2.75 million units, surging 107 percent year-on-year and ranking first worldwide.

In the first half of 2025, shipments from Chinese smart glasses manufacturers surpassed 1 million units, accounting for 26.6 percent of the global total. The compound annual growth rate of China's smart glasses shipments is estimated to reach 55.6 percent between 2024 and 2029, taking the top spot globally, according to IDC.

Leading Chinese tech companies are racing to make smart glasses the next mass-market device after smartphones. Baidu recently launched its AI-powered glasses Xiaodu Pro, which weighs just 39 grams and integrates a multimodal large model, supporting an array of AI functions, including translation, object recognition, photography, recording and conference memo.

Alibaba's self-developed Quark AI glasses are available for presales on the company's e-commerce platform, with the official release scheduled for next week. The eyewear is powered by the company's Qwen LLM and its Quark AI assistant, featuring hands-free calling, music streaming and real-time language translation to compete with United States-based tech company Meta's smart glasses.

Ye Qingqing, an analyst at IDC China, said the integration of AI models with lightweight hardware devices will give rise to a new human-machine interaction platform, estimating that the AI glasses market is on track to experience rapid growth in 2026.

Continuous breakthroughs in multimodal AI perception and semantic understanding technologies, coupled with customized AI services based on massive data from user behaviors, will accelerate the development of the smart glasses industry and the integration of such devices into people's daily lives, she said.

Ye estimated that Chinese smart glasses shipments will exceed 4.9 million units next year, driven by technological advancements, improved user experience and decline in prices.

Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, said that Chinese internet companies have accumulated abundant technological strength in AI algorithms, natural language processing and visual recognition.

"As a next-generation intelligent terminal, AI-powered glasses meet users' growing demands for interaction and real-time information acquisition," he said.

Highlighting that smart wearables are becoming a new growth engine in the consumer electronics market, Zhu said he is bullish on the prospects of AI glasses, which will likely serve as personal digital assistants and deeply integrate with smart homes, vehicle-mounted systems and healthcare applications.

He called for further efforts to boost innovation in key technologies, such as computing power and optical display, to enhance the performance of devices, enrich the content ecosystem and formulate relevant industry standards.

Zhu Mingming, founder and CEO of Rokid, a manufacturer of smart glasses based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said that in the next three to five years, "AI-enabled glasses will undergo dramatic changes as more interactions will take place through smart glasses".

Last week, Rokid unveiled a lightweight, AI-powered eyewear device in partnership with domestic eyewear brand Bolon. The new device is integrated with leading Chinese AI models, enabling a voice-activated digital assistant.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Statement on UAE and Saudi Chip Exports

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Office of Public Affairs

publicaffairs@doc.gov

Today, the Commerce Department announced that it has authorized the export of advanced American semiconductors to G42, based in the United Arab Emirates, and Humain, based in Saudi Arabia. Both companies are receiving approvals to purchase the equivalent of up to 35,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips (GB300s).

These approvals will promote continued American AI dominance and global technological leadership - consistent with President Trump's July 2025 AI Action Plan. The approvals also follow landmark U.S.-Saudi and U.S.-UAE AI partnership agreements.

The approvals are conditioned on both companies meeting rigorous security and reporting requirements. The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security is engaging with the companies regarding these requirements and will monitor compliance on an ongoing basis.

Beyond today's announcement, the Commerce Department will continue to support the export of the American AI technology stack to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other allies and partners around the globe.

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DHS Hosts Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact Ministerial Meeting to Advance Arctic Security and Maritime Dominance

Release Date: November 19, 2025

This initiative will help create good, well-paying manufacturing jobs for Americans

WASHINGTON - Today, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hosted Canadian Ambassador to the United States Kristen Hillman and Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto in Washington, D.C., where all three countries committed to doubling-down on their efforts to revitalize their domestic shipbuilding industries and growing their icebreaker fleets.

The Ministerial Meeting is the latest development in the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact, a joint effort between the three nations to strengthen Arctic security, carry out President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order to revitalize the U.S. maritime industrial base, and rebuild America's icebreaker fleet to enable the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to defend our interests in the Arctic.

"Today, we marked a major milestone in the race to secure the Arctic against our adversaries," said Secretary Noem. "ICE Pact, the historic trilateral partnership between the United States, Canada, and Finland, will power our economies with good jobs, strengthen our collective Arctic defense, and bring us one step closer to rebuilding our icebreaker fleets. Under President Trump, we are finally asserting our Arctic dominance."

During the meeting, Secretary Noem announced the U.S. National Workforce Development Plan, which will leverage ICE Pact partner's expertise to propel American workers into secure, well-paying manufacturing and shipbuilding jobs while helping to rebuild our industrial base.

Secretary Noem, Ambassador Hillman, and Minister Puisto celebrated the achievements of the ICE Pact partnership and signed a Joint Statement of Intent to continue the partnership into 2026. The Ministers also celebrated the ICE Pact's accomplishments in 2025, which include:

Workforce Development: Coordinating with the Department of Labor to establish an $8 million grant to develop an International Shipbuilding Fellowship, which funds opportunities for U.S. workers to travel to and learn from working on Finnish shipyards.

Coordinating with the Department of Labor to establish an $8 million grant to develop an International Shipbuilding Fellowship, which funds opportunities for U.S. workers to travel to and learn from working on Finnish shipyards. Industrial Cooperation: A $1 billion investment by a Canadian shipbuilder Davie to acquire and modernize U.S. shipyard assets in Texas for domestic icebreaker production.

A $1 billion investment by a Canadian shipbuilder Davie to acquire and modernize U.S. shipyard assets in Texas for domestic icebreaker production. Efficient Icebreaker Acquisition: Using the ICE Pact framework to implement President Trump's October Memorandum on Arctic Security Cutters, using innovative strategies like the Acquisitions Learning Forum to reduce costs and accelerate delivery timelines for polar icebreakers. So far, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has already acquired and commissioned the Cutter Storis, the first polar icebreaker acquired by the United States Coast Guard in 25 years.

Using the ICE Pact framework to implement President Trump's October Memorandum on Arctic Security Cutters, using innovative strategies like the Acquisitions Learning Forum to reduce costs and accelerate delivery timelines for polar icebreakers. So far, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has already acquired and commissioned the Cutter Storis, the first polar icebreaker acquired by the United States Coast Guard in 25 years. Research and Development: Collaborative efforts to leverage scientific investments for Arctic maritime operations, with joint projects advancing technologies in ice navigation, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring.

The ICE Pact is key to the United States Coast Guard's strategy to rebuild its ageing icebreaker fleet. These icebreakers are necessary to enable navigation in the Arctic region, where America's adversaries are building a major military presence.

Due to the neglect of previous administrations, America's Arctic capabilities have fallen far behind countries like Russia and China. ICE Pact enables the United States, Canada, and Finland to remedy this slow-moving crisis by building best-in-class Arctic and polar icebreakers and supporting allies and partners with affordable, high-quality vessels.

Through ICE Pact, the Trump Administration is delivering the largest and most transformative Arctic and maritime investment in U.S. history, reclaiming America's rightful place as the world's preeminent Arctic power.

# # #

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November 19, 2025

Release

Readout of Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman's High Level Defense Group Meeting With Romanian State Secretary for Defense Policy

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell provided the following readout:

Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman visited Romania to advance our bilateral defense relationship and shared commitment to operationalizing NATO's 5% defense spending pledge. In meetings with Romanian officials, Mr. Zimmerman reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO and underscored that U.S. posture decisions are a reflection of NATO allies' tremendous progress in bolstering their own defense and deterrence capabilities. Mr. Zimmerman reiterated further the Department's intent to continue working closely and collaboratively with Romania and other allies to strengthen NATO in the face of an increasingly difficult threat environment, including by helping allies to step up, and as they do, providing them with opportunities to take primary responsibility for Europe's conventional defense. Finally, Mr. Zimmerman met U.S. troops stationed in Romania and visited the Romanian-led European F-16 Training Center, which trains Romanian and Ukrainian pilots and exemplifies Secretary Hegseth's call for European burden-sharing.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4337164/

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November 19, 2025

By Army Capt. Lydia Laga, 3rd Infantry Division

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Builds the Future of Drone-Enabled Army Aviation

The low hum of small rotors over Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia, may sound routine, but within that hum lies a transformation.

The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, is not discarding helicopters it is augmenting them. Apache, Black Hawk and Chinook platforms remain indispensable to the force. What is evolving is how those aircraft integrate with unmanned aerial systems and in-house manufacturing, allowing the brigade to redefine what readiness means on a complex future battlefield.

The war in Ukraine offers more than cautionary tales; it offers operational proof. Ukrainian forces have used low-cost drones to strike deep inside Russian territory, harass logistics lines and force Russia's air defense systems into constant repositioning. For example, data shows Ukraine launched at least 58 long-range UAS strikes on Russian energy infrastructure since August 2025, sending drones up to 2,000 km into Russian territory and interrupting about 17% of Russian refining capacity by mid-August.

Russian forces, in turn, have launched hundreds of drones in large-scale saturation attacks. In early February 2025, one overnight strike involved 267 attack drones against Ukraine, marking the largest single drone assault of the war to date. These developments show how unmanned systems are reshaping the way forces detect, target, sustain and make decisions on the front line.

For soldiers of 3rd CAB, the lessons are not theoretical. They recently trained on the Expeditionary Manufacturing Cell, a mobile 3D-printing system that allows rapid production of drone components in the field. Working side by side, UAS operators, UAS repairers and Allied Trade Specialists printed more than 90 unique components in hours rather than waiting weeks for ordered parts.

They progressed from printing and assembly to the first flights with Group1 first-person-view drones, which weigh under 20 pounds and can carry small munitions. Additionally, the team completed calibration, sensor integration and flight testing at the tactical level.

Despite the transformation, the brigade also remains committed to its rotary-wing force. The difference now lies in employment: the Apache still offers deep strike and aerial firepower; the Black Hawk still performs medevac and air assault; the Chinook still delivers heavy lift and rapid repositioning.

Soldiers assigned to 3rd CAB are layering unmanned systems into those missions. A Black Hawk air assault might still carry troops, but preceding it, a UAS team could scout the route, drop loitering munitions against anti-air threats, or provide a live video feed that shortens the sensor-to-shooter timeline. A Chinook heavy-lift mission might be preceded by unmanned reconnaissance of the landing zone and suppression of nearby sensors.

The brigade has also taken lessons from signature management in Ukraine to heart. Drones and helicopters both leave signatures acoustic, and thermal and units that emit too much or move too slowly become visible targets.

To counter this, 3rd CAB is practicing smaller command nodes, tighter emission control, decoys and adjunct UAS operations that mask or move pathways ahead of the rotary wing force. The objective: maintain the power of manned aviation while reducing its vulnerability in a contested, unmanned-dense environment.

More than hardware, the change is cultural. Soldiers who once requested parts now design and print them. Aviation maintenance sections that focused on rotors and blades now also queue up small drone print runs and payload modifications. Squad level leaders who ran air-assault briefs now also schedule drone launch timelines. Innovation isn't separate or exotic, it's embedded in routine.

The brigade is experimenting within its formations, embodying what senior leaders call "transformation in contact." The war in Ukraine underlined the danger of being structurally rigid; 3rd CAB soldiers are proving readiness arises from speed, adaptation and integration.

"Today's battlefield is adapting rapidly. By teaching our soldiers to understand how drones work and are built, we are giving them the skills to think creatively and apply emerging technologies to enhance mission effectiveness and readiness," said Staff Sgt. Christian Dodson, the HAAF Innovation noncommissioned officer in charge.

The future battlefield will reward units that can build, integrate, move fast, sense fast, decide fast, and strike fast with precision. Soldiers assigned to 3rd CAB are building that future today by combining the proven might of helicopters with the distributed reach of unmanned systems and the growing capability to manufacture and sustain that capability on-site. When the next fight demands more than traditional aviation, this brigade will be ready.

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Defence Package: press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the college readout

European External Action Service (EEAS)

19.11.2025

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Thank you and good afternoon.

I start with Monday's attack on Polish railway track, which highlights the unprecedented risk to European transport infrastructure. Russia's attacks have become increasingly brazen. Our critical infrastructure needs more protection.

The fast movement of Europe's militaries is essential for European defence. We have to ensure that forces can be in the right place and at the right time.

Swift movement depends on many factors: can our roads, tunnels, bridges bear the weight? Are there enough designated routes for the military movements? Do we have enough flatbed rail carriages, and what paperwork do we still have to fill [out] when you want to cross [a] border for training, or in case of crisis.

It is quite simple: the faster we can move forces, the stronger our deterrence and defence. We need to be talking about days, not weeks, to move troops in Europe.

Some countries still require 45 days' notice before other countries' troops can pass through their for exercises, for example. Eleven years after Russia annexed Crimea, this is simply not good enough.

The European Defence Agency has already identified the solutions to harmonise border crossing procedures, including customs formalities, and rules on transporting dangerous good. But we need to do more. So today, as Henna already said, we are proposing a range of improvements.

First, we need to reduce administrative barriers. For that, we propose a new EU-wide emergency mechanism that allows member states to relax the rules when armed forces need to be moved rapidly across the borders. We also propose that the national military transport coordinators are assigned in each Member State.

Second funding. The Commission's proposal for the next multi-annual budget foresees 17 billion investment for dual-use transport infrastructure. This goes together with the 1.5% of GDP spending that NATO Allies pledged for security-related investments.

Investing in infrastructure is crucial. If a bridge cannot carry a 60-ton tank, we have a problem. If a runway is too short for a cargo plane, we cannot resupply our troops. EU military mobility does not duplicate NATO's efforts, on the contrary, it underpins NATO's defence plans.

As we flagged in the white paper, we also want to extend the military mobility corridors into Ukraine. This would be a security guarantee, meaning we could deliver faster support if needed.

Military mobility is a critical insurance policy for European security. You hope [that] you never have to use it [to] full capacity. But having it ready ensures more credible deterrence and defence.

And on that note, I will pass now the floor to Commissioner Kubilius, please.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-280962





Q&A

Q. I will ask in Greek. I believe that it's clear that the Commission within this project, that certainly is very ambitious, will have a coordinating role. I would like to make it clear, could you please clarify what is it that member states should do? What is the Commission's intention? What does the Commission intend to do to assist Member States? And what Member States will be included in the 1.5%? If I am not mistaken, the High Representative just referred to the 1.5% for infrastructure within NATO.

On that 1.5% of GDP, I said that this 17 billion goes together with the 1.5% of GDP spending that NATO allies have pledged for security-related investments, so not in defence in particular, but security related interventions.

Q. I will start with the HR/VP, if I may. You spoke about the sabotage attack in Poland. First of all, do you agree with the Polish Foreign Minister that the response should go further than merely diplomatic? Whatever that means will be up to him and Poland. And also, what is the Commission doing now, in the next few hours, in the next few days, to bolster European defence when it comes to critical infrastructure? And also, a question for Commissioner Kubilius, if I may. You said that Russia could attack a European NATO country by 2030. Are you certain that what you are announcing will be absolutely fully implemented by that point? There could be a legislative delay. In the last few days, I was speaking to French generals who had their troops delayed for days and days and days traveling to Romania for a NATO exercise. How soon will they be able to move their troops quickly?

It is clear that these kind of attacks are an extreme danger also for our critical infrastructure, and of course it is up to Poland to attribute and make steps like this. But what I agree is that we have to have a strong response, because what Russia is trying to do is to do two things. On the one hand, to test us, to test how far they can go. Every time they go further. And then next, they also try to sow fear within our societies. So, now our response is also dependent on those two factors. If they want to sow fear inside our societies, then if our response is too strong, then the fear increases, which is what Russia wants. We really have to have a balanced approach. I can bring you a good example. When the critical infrastructure undersea was attacked, then we had the Baltic Sentry, we had different responses and since then we have not had any attacks on the undersea cables anymore. So, we have to come up with a similar response in order to protect our critical infrastructure, to send a message of unity to Russia, that they cannot get away with these attacks, but at the same time give assurances to our societies that there is nothing to be afraid of.

I wanted to add on the Russian possible attacks. I think it very much depends on us because weakness invites them to make their move. If we are making the steps on military mobility, on the defence readiness, increasing our defence expenditure, everything, also our interoperability and cooperation between Member States and defence industry that we talked about today, then Russia will not attack because we are not weak. So, I would not say that anything is forgiven. It is dependent on us, and we are making sure that we are ready so that it acts as a deterrence and they will not attack us.

Q. Just to broaden it out a little bit, because I know it is the type of issue that has been raised sometimes in the European Parliament - the necessity for, generally speaking, defence spending. I think the President mentioned a figure for the next five years, maybe up to 800 billion. Obviously, the terrible situation in Ukraine, I think we have sent 177 billion since 2022. Then, of course, most of the EU countries are NATO, and that is more billions. So, the question is if we have to be careful to balance the billions on military and then look at the 21% of the EU population who is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. How do we balance that, or how do we justify this huge amount of money that we are spending in terms of military?

If I can add to that, of course every government needs to spend on education, social affairs, everything the needs are enormous. The trouble is that, if you have infrastructure attacked, if you have schools and hospitals attacked like they are right now in Ukraine, all of this does not matter if you are not able to defend what you have. The trouble with defence spending is that you need to invest in defence when you do not need it, so it is very hard to explain to the people when we actually need it. But when you need it, when you are in this moment, then it is way too late to do anything about this, and then everything that we were talking about before - education, social, hospitals, everything - is under danger. So, that is why, of course, I understand totally that it takes a lot of effort from the leaders who are not feeling this threat so directly to explain this to the people. We need to do this. We are, in the European Union, collectively answering to different threats, whether they come from the south, from the east, whether they are financial threats that we have had or crises that we have had before, or the health crisis that we had. We tackle all of those collectively together, and that is why we have to make these investments now.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-280965

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Finland, the United States and Canada confirm their support for Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

19.11.2025 Press releases

On 18 November, Finland, the United States and Canada signed a trilateral Joint Statement of Intent (JSOI) confirming support for the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact, launched in autumn 2024. The JSOI was signed in Washington DC by Sakari Puisto, the Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs, Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Kirsten Hillman, Canada's Ambassador to the United States.

Finland, Canada and the United States have published a Joint Statement of Intent stating that icebreaker cooperation initiated under the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact, signed in November 2024, has progressed as planned in particular with regard to industrial cooperation.

The ICE Pact aims to advance long-term industrial cooperation on building icebreakers, developing workforce skills and utilising production chains that are sustainable, efficient, secure and reduce critical dependencies. The ICE Pact partner countries are also preparing common research and development projects to strengthen their technological expertise and security of supply.

As part of the cooperation, projects to develop icebreakers have already been initiated in Canada and the United States. Building projects form the basis for practical cooperation and demonstrate the shared intent of the countries to strengthen their Arctic expertise.

Going forward, the countries will commit to deepening existing cooperation to maintain and expand their shipyard and icebreaker capacity. The aim is to increase comprehensive industrial capabilities, which will generate economic benefits to all parties involved, strengthen the operational capabilities among the allies in the Arctic region and promote stability, security and sustainable development in the Arctic.

"Signing this joint statement will give us momentum and support for cooperation within the ICE Pact. Icebreaker cooperation will drive economic growth for all three countries and improve Arctic security," said Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.

After the ICE Pact Principals Meeting, an ICE Pact National Coordinators and Working Groups Meeting will be held in Washington DC on 19-20 November, together with an Industry Day event for companies and research institutes in the sector.

While in Washington, Minister Puisto also met government representatives from the US Department of Commerce, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation, among other organisations. The meetings addressed themes such as quantum technology, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and technology policy. The purpose of the meetings was to further expand trade and cooperation between the countries.

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China opposes external forces interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext: FM on US' latest moves in Caribbean

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 19, 2025 05:23 PM

In response to recent actions taken by the US to eliminate "narco-terrorists" and designate Cartel de los Soles - a group the US claimed is led by Venezuela's president - as a terrorist organization, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that China opposes any act that infringes upon the sovereignty and security of other countries, hoping the US will conduct normal law-enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks and do more things that contribute to peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth has recently announced the launch of Southern Spear, a military operation to remove so-called "narco-terrorists" from its Hemisphere, as Washington's large-scale build-up of troops, warships and fighter jets continues in Latin America, media reported on November 14.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on November 16 that the US is set to designate Cartel de los Soles - a group that the US has claimed is headed by Venezuela's president - as a foreign terrorist organization, hours after the most advanced aircraft carrier in the US crossed into the Caribbean Sea, according to the US Navy.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said he has not ruled out putting American forces on the ground in Venezuela, Reuters reported.

Commenting on US' recent moves, Mao said at Wednesday's press briefing that China firmly supports the 2014 Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace issued by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

"We oppose any act that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and infringes upon the sovereignty and security of other countries, and we oppose external forces interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext," Mao said.

"We hope the US will conduct normal law-enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks and do more things that contribute to peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean," she noted.

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Hezbollah strongly condemns deadly Israeli strike on Lebanon's refugee camp

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 19, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has strongly condemned the deadly Israeli attack on the Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp in Sidon, Lebanon.

Hezbollah issued a strong condemnation on Wednesday regarding the horrific massacre carried out by Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday night in the Ain Al-Hilweh camp in Sidon, according to Lebanon's Al Manar news network.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 13 Palestinian civilians and left many others wounded, targeting a densely populated area filled with civilians and children.

Hezbollah described the assault as a brutal act that adds to the long record of crimes and systematic oppression committed by the Israeli forces against Palestinians, Lebanese, and people throughout the region.

The statement emphasized that this bloodshed constitutes not only an assault on Lebanon's sovereignty but also a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which Israel repeatedly breaches with the overt supportand at times planningof the United States administration.

Hezbollah warned that any display of leniency, weakness, or submission by Lebanon's state authorities would only embolden Israel's aggression, leading to further massacres and violations. Mere reactive measures, the statement stressed, are insufficient and risk encouraging continued Israeli attacks.

The group called for a firm and unified national stance to confront Israeli crimes, urging Lebanon to leverage all available means of power to deter and counter aggression, safeguard its sovereignty, and protect its security.

Hezbollah concluded by extending its deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs, the residents of Ain Al-Hilweh, and the Palestinian people, praying for mercy on the deceased and swift recovery for the wounded.

3266**4353

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Resistance groups say UNSC resolution on Gaza fails to uphold Palestinians' rights

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 19, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Palestinian resistance groups, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, have sharply criticized the newly adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on Gaza, warning that it fails to uphold fundamental Palestinian rights and risks escalating regional tensions.

Condemnations poured in on Tuesday after the UN Security Council approved the US-sponsored resolution enabling a so-called international peace and stabilization mission in Gaza. The text, which was revised several times, authorized the 20-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump that opened the way for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to take hold on October 10.

Hamas politburo member Mohammad Nazzal said despite the revisions made to the draft before the vote, the resolution failed to meet the demands of the Palestinian people.

He reaffirmed Hamas's opposition to an attempt to "impose international guardianship" over Gaza under the UN umbrella. Nazzal noted that the movement is consulting with various countries to ensure that any implementation of the resolution avoids renewed conflict and does not impose negative consequences on civilians.

The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine also issued an equally strong rejection. Spokesman Muhammad al-Hajj Mussa called the resolution an American coup against the negotiation process, stressing that the Palestinian resistance groups had fully adhered to the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and had been preparing for phase two.

He warned that any international force entering Gaza without public consent would be treated as an occupying force, adding that the current structure of the resolution could inflame tensions across the region.

Yemen condemns UN's Gaza resolution

Yemen's Foreign Ministry also denounced the resolution, arguing it disregards fundamental Palestinian rights, particularly their right to end the occupation, ensure self-determination, and establish an independent Palestinian state. Any plan that bypasses these rights, the ministry said, is destined to fail.

UN Security Council Resolution 2803 passed with 13 votes in favor and two abstentionsChina and Russia. The measure authorizes a transitional Peace Council to oversee Gaza's reconstruction and an international stabilization force tasked with disarmament operations, including collecting weapons and dismantling military infrastructure in the territory.

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Malawi's Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Tapatula Chaponda, reaffirmed on Wednesday in Rabat his country's support for Morocco's territorial integrity and its sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara, praising the "historic" adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 2797.

Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Wednesday 19 November 2025

During a joint press briefing with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, following their talks, Chaponda reiterated his country's full support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, which he described as "the only credible, serious and realistic solution" to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

In this regard, he expressed his country's "great satisfaction" with the "historic" adoption of Resolution 2797 by the United Nations Security Council, which, within the framework of Morocco's sovereignty, consolidates the autonomy Initiative as "the only serious, credible and sustainable basis" for achieving a political solution to the fabricated dispute over the Sahara.

Chaponda also praised the growing international consensus, as well as the momentum driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in support of the Autonomy Plan and Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara.

He further welcomed the longstanding relations between Morocco and Malawi, expressing his gratitude for the consistent support his country receives from the Kingdom.

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The Gambia, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, Mr. Sering Modou Njie, reiterated on Wednesday in Rabat its consistent support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, keenly welcoming the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 2797 which consolidates the autonomy Initiative as the only solution for the settlement of this regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Wednesday 19 November 2025

"We welcome the latest UN Security Council resolution consolidating the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the Sahara," said the Gambian minister during a joint press briefing with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, following their talks.

In this regard, the Gambian top diplomat reaffirmed his country's consistent support for the Moroccan autonomy Initiative, describing it as the "only solution" to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

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Allied experts meet in Oslo to strengthen NATO responses to hybrid threats

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

19 November 2025

Allied and NATO experts met in Oslo, Norway, on 13-14 November for the annual NATO Hybrid Symposium to address the evolving hybrid threat landscape, and to enhance cooperation on countering hybrid threats. The two-day event focused on national approaches to protecting critical infrastructure and lessons learned from recent malign hybrid activities. Allies also worked together on further advancing implementation of NATO's Revised Counter Hybrid Strategy.

In his opening remarks, Jean Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Cyber and Digital Transformation and Special Coordinator for Countering Hybrid Threats, underlined the dynamic nature of the threat landscape, and the need for agile and timely responses at both national and NATO levels to protect our societies and critical infrastructure.

Participants also addressed strengthening cooperation with the private sector to protect critical infrastructure. European Union representatives participated to share experience on public private partnerships in countering hybrid actions.

The event was co-organised by NATO Cyber and Digital Transformation Division together with the Norwegian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, of Defence, and of Justice and Public Security. It forms part of NATO's broader effort to strengthen preparedness and deterrence against hybrid threats.

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A look at the Defence news 10-16 November

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 19-11-2025 | 16:13

Over the coming weeks, HNLMS Van Amstel will be on patrol as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). Sea patrols contribute to the visibility and readiness of the alliance at sea.

HNLMS Amstel, a multi-purpose frigate, recently took over from HNLMS Johan de Witt as the flagship of the SNMG1. The handover took place in the Swedish capital Stockholm. The NATO fleet operates in the Baltic Sea and around Western Europe.

Construction of first Dutch C-390 has started

The Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has started to build the first C-390 military transport aircraft ordered by the Netherlands. It marks the next step in an international cooperation project. Netherlands, Austria and Sweden will together buy a total of 13 of these aircraft, with our country to purchase 5 C-390s, and Austria and Sweden each to purchase 4 of the aircraft.

AWACS partners look for alternative to replace fleet

Together with a number of partner countries, the Netherlands has abandoned its intention to purchase 6 Boeing E-7 Wedgetails. The aircraft was being considered as a replacement for the Boeing E-3A, which is currently used as an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. These advanced radar aircraft monitor European airspace from Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany. Other aircraft types are now being assessed as a replacement aircraft capable of carrying out AWACS tasks.

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UN Security Council resolution a violation of Palestinian right of self-determination and UN Charter, UN expert warns

Press releases

Special Procedures

19 November 2025

GENEVA -- A UN expert today expressed serious concern with the Security Council's adoption of Resolution 2803, warning that it runs counter to the Palestinian right to self-determination, consolidates Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including ongoing unlawful policies and practices, and therefore risks legitimating ongoing mass violence.

"I welcome the UN Security Council's renewed attention on Gaza and the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire," said Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

"But I am deeply perplexed. Despite the horrors of the last two years and the ICJ's clear jurisprudence, the Council has chosen not to ground its response in the very body of law it is obliged to uphold: international human rights law, including the right of self-determination, the law governing the use of force, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter."

"Article 24(2) of the UN Charter makes clear that in discharging its duties, the Council 'shall act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations.'

"Rather than charting a pathway toward ending the occupation and ensuring Palestinian protection, the resolution risks entrenching external control over Gaza's governance, borders, security, and reconstruction. The resolution betrays the people it claims to protect."

The resolution was adopted on Monday (17) with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions from Russia and China.

Albanese stressed that Resolution 2803 replaces clear legal obligations towards Palestinians with a "security-first, capital-driven model of foreign control" that entrenches existing power asymmetries. "The mandate to 'secure borders,' 'protect civilians,' and 'decommission weapons,' focuses almost exclusively on disarming Palestinian armed groups while doing nothing to end the root cause of the violence: Israel's ongoing unlawful siege, occupation, racial segregation and apartheid, and ethnic cleansing," she said.

"A military force answering to a so-called 'Board of Peace' chaired by the President of the United States, an active party to this conflict that has continually provided military, economic and diplomatic support to the illegal occupying Power, is not legal," the expert said. "It is a brazen attempt to impose, by threat of continued force against a virtually defenceless population, US and Israeli interests, plain and simple."

"Essentially, it will leave Palestine in the hands of a puppet administration, assigning the United States, which shares complicity in the genocide, as the new manager of the open-air prison that Israel has already established."

"If the OPT, including Gaza, requires an international presence, it should be mandated to supervise Israel's immediate and unconditional withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories, in line with the ICJ's 2024 advisory opinion and General Assembly resolution," the Special Rapporteur said. "Such a presence should protect civilians, guarantee the cessation of hostilities, prevent further displacement, ensure accountability for grave breaches, and support the Palestinian people in exercising their right to freely determine their political future."

Albanese warned that as long as Israel remains physically present in any portion of the OPT, including the Gaza Strip, it is an internationally wrongful act that all States, including the United States, are bound not to recognise, aid or assist."

"The ICJ was clear: self-determination is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the UN and all States have an obligation to assist in its realisation. This can only begin with the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory. Replacing an abusive trustee with another is not self-determination, it is unlawful".

The Special Rapporteur said that Palestinians do not need a surveillance force over the ruins of their destroyed homeland. "They need a protective international presence that ends Israel's unlawful occupation, stops the genocide and restores their capacity for self-governance. Protection means lifting the blockade, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, supporting Palestinian-led governance, guaranteeing the right of return and enforcing international law in full," she said.

Albanese also warned that the plan has already been used by some States as a "political pressure valve" to suspend discussions on sanctions and other concrete measures necessary to halt serious violations. "States cannot ignore serious breaches of peremptory norms because a political plan offers temporary diplomatic convenience."

"I therefore urge all states, especially those that voted in favour of the resolution, to interpret and implement it in a manner consistent with binding international law," she said. "To sideline international law renders the UN complicit, undermines the UN Charter and can only lead to "intensifying human carnage".

"This is an existential moment," Albanese said. "The international community must not allow Gaza's future - or the future of the Palestinian people to be decided without their agency and consent. Only an approach rooted in justice, legality, and self-determination can lead to genuine peace."

Francesca Albanese is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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UN experts concerned by weaponisation of Interpol red notices against human rights defenders from El Salvador

Press releases

Special Procedures

19 November 2025

GENEVA -- The issuance of Interpol red notices against two Salvadoran human rights defenders currently in exile in Spain constitutes a grave misuse of the law enforcement mechanism, UN experts* warned today.

"This move amounts to an act of transnational repression, as it extends the harassment of human rights defenders beyond borders, targeting them in a country where they are seeking safety," the experts said.

Ivania Cruz and Rudy Joya have applied for asylum in Spain, fleeing legal harassment in El Salvador stemming from their legitimate human rights work. Both human rights defenders work for the non-governmental organisation UNIDEHC, which has been targeted by the Salvadoran authorities since February 2025 for its support to the La Floresta community, who have been facing attempts of forced eviction since 2024.

"The charges brought against Ivania Cruz and Rudy Joya in El Salvador and related arrest warrants issued by the authorities appear to be without basis and in direct connection with their legitimate human rights work for UNIDEHC to support communities under threat and denounce the actions of the Government under the state of emergency declared in 2022," the experts said.

In May 2025, the court presiding over their case in El Salvador ordered the Interpol National Central Bureau to submit a request for the issuance of a red notice to the Interpol General Secretariat. Interpol confirmed the issuance in July 2025.

"The El Salvador is abusing the red notice system to pursue its political agenda to harass and persecute human rights defenders beyond its borders," the experts said. "We are dismayed that Interpol would issue notices that facilitate transnational repression without due diligence as to the background of the individuals against whom the red notices are being issued."

The experts pointed to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Interpol, which state that the organisation is "strictly forbidden" from undertaking "any intervention or activities of a political nature", and that the organisation's activities will be conducted "in the spirit of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights."

In September 2025, Rudy Joya was summoned by police under the pretext of his asylum application in Spain. Upon presenting himself to the authorities, he was detained and presented before a Spanish specialised court. Ivania Cruz was also summoned and appeared before the same court, which ordered that both defenders sign-in at a local court every 15 days, not leave the country, surrender their passports and report any change of address.

"We call on Interpol to immediately revoke the red notices and judicial sanctions against Ivania Cruz and Rudy Joya, and on Spain to refuse to accede to the red notice and to ensure their safety by rejecting their forcible return to El Salvador," the experts said.

The experts are in contact with Interpol and the governments of Spain and El Salvador on these concerns.

"This is an existential moment," Albanese said. "The international community must not allow Gaza's future - or the future of the Palestinian people to be decided without their agency and consent. Only an approach rooted in justice, legality, and self-determination can lead to genuine peace."

*The experts: Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression

Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Ganna Yudkivska (Chair-Rapporteur), Matthew Gillett (Vice-Chair on Communications), Miriam Estrada Castillo (Vice-Chair on Follow-Up), Mumba Malila, and Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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The Palestinian Murdered Toll has Reached 70,566 Since October 7 -----Nine children murdered, injured, and arrested; four mosques attacked in the West Bank

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

19-11-2025

The suffering of displaced people in the Gaza Strip increased with the arrival of winter, and their tents were flooded due to rains during the period of November 11-17, 2025, while the occupation forces continued their violations of the ceasefire agreement through their aerial and artillery bombardment of various areas in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli strikes included the Shuja'iyya and Daraj neighborhoods, the east of Gaza City, the east of Khan Yunis, the south of Al-Mawasi, scattered areas in the city of Rafah, and the east of Beit Lahia, in addition to extensive demolition operations of buildings in Rafah.

The OIC Media Observatory on Israeli Crimes Against Palestinians documented 309 Palestinians murdered and 43 injured across various Palestinian areas during the past week. Israeli occupation forces killed six Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, while Civil Defense teams recovered 19 bodies from under the rubble. The Ministry of Health documented 279 Palestinians murdered during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, in addition to 13 injured. The total number of Palestinians murdered between October 7, 2023, and November 17, 2025, reached 70,566, with 179,842 injured.

On the other hand, The Economist magazine confirmed that the Gaza Strip may contain the largest number of unexploded bombs in the world, posing a significant threat to the lives of hundreds of thousands of Gazans.

Last week, Israeli occupation forces conducted 295 incursions into the West Bank, killing five Palestinians and injuring 30 others. Among those murdered were four children, two were injured, and three were arrested. Additionally, the Al-Malih school in Tubas was attacked over four days, during which settlers smashed the school's windows, destroyed its security cameras, and attempted to break down its gate. The occupation forces demolished 6 houses and several residential facilities, occupied 4 houses, a car showroom, five barns, agricultural facilities, a park, filled in a water collection well and a number of water tanks, bulldozed agricultural lands, uprooted hundreds of olive trees, and issued orders to uproot olive trees on an area of 8,000 square meters in the vicinity of the eastern region of Qalqilya.

Israeli occupation forces confiscated 38 dunams of land in the town of Beit Ummar in Hebron, and 5,137 dunams in Qalqilya, with the aim of building a fence around the area. They also confiscated land in the town of Tuqu' near the settlement of Tekoa, for the purpose of paving a road. In Qalandiya village, they evicted residents from their homes and agricultural lands in preparation for establishing a solid waste treatment facility for the benefit of the occupation. They also confiscated four bulldozers, a vehicle, cash, and gold jewelry from Palestinian individuals.

Regarding attacks on places of worship, Israeli forces stormed the Bab al-Rahma Islamic cemetery adjacent to the eastern wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, desecrating a number of graves. They closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to worshippers to allow settlers to perform Talmudic rituals. Settlers set fire to the Hajja Hamida Mosque near Salfit and wrote racist slogans on its walls. They also broke down the door of the Beit al-Sheikh Mosque in the town of Beit Furik in Nablus. Settler attacks in the West Bank reached 83, including 14 attacks on the olive harvest season. Settlers stormed an industrial zone in the town of Beit Lid, near Tulkarm, setting fire to agricultural land, four trucks, three vehicles, a water tanker, bales of hay, a food storage facility, and tents. They also smashed factory windows, causing the death of 13 sheep and injuring three Palestinians.

Settlers also demolished a residential tent, destroyed crops, and grazed their livestock on several plots of land, damaging crops on approximately 50 dunams. They set fire to agricultural land and olive trees, plowed fields, uprooted olive trees, trampled livestock with their horses in Tubas, killing several animals, and cut down 400 avocado trees in Jenin. Settlers also burned two cars in the Jerusalem area, vandalized two other vehicles, and stole iron bars and agricultural equipment.

The number of settlement criminal activities in one week reached 11, during which the occupation authorities paved a road near the town of Beit Duqqu in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), for the benefit of building a new settlement outpost. Settlers bulldozed lands in the village of Jalud in Nablus, with the aim of expanding a new settlement outpost, and lands in the vicinity of Bethlehem to pave a settlement road. They plowed lands in Halhul, in Jericho, and others amounting to 250 dunams in Tubas after they had fenced them off. They also fenced off lands owned by the Latin Patriarchate and Palestinian individuals east of the Tayasir checkpoint in Tubas in order to seize them. They also fenced off the perimeter of lands belonging to the town of Taybeh in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), and set up a tent and built a room on lands in the town of Sa'ir. They set up two tents on lands in the vicinity of Qalqilya and uprooted olive trees. They cut down olive trees near the town of Aqrabah in the vicinity of a settlement outpost, and seized two caves in Masafer Yatta in Hebron. The number of crimes in the various Palestinian regions reached 1169 crimes, encompassing various categories of crimes.

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Speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosaw Sikorski in the Sejm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

19.11.2025

Honourable Speaker,

my congratulations on your election. I hope that you will be using the mace as assertively as I used to.

Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,

this is the first time during my nine years in office as minister of foreign affairs that I have requested the possibility to address you pursuant to Article 186 of the Rules of the Sejm. I have done so because, in my belief, the significance of what I have to say to this Chamber is immense.

As you know, foreign services have undertaken activity in recent days that could have resulted in a rail crash with numerous fatalities. A foreign state sent well-prepared saboteurs. It was a pure miracle that they did not succeed.

As a routine, the Russian GRU hires subcontractors to do its dirty work under a false flag. This time, it was not only an act of sabotage as before, but an act of state terrorism, for the intention to cause human casualties was clear. This will be met with our response, not only diplomatic, which we will announce in the days to come. Kinetic operations also came along with a tsunami of disinformation. The same is happening now. This situation raises fundamental questions about who is Poland's enemy and who is our ally in this hybrid war. I will get back to that soon.

Meanwhile, a week ago, we celebrated Independence Day, a time of joy for every Pole. Sadly, an EU flag was burnt during a march in Warsaw, while the President failed to mention Russia's aggression and bombardments of Kyiv in his address.

On the other hand, he said that "some of the Polish politicians are ready to gradually surrender Poland's freedom, independence, and sovereignty to foreign institutions, tribunals, or foreign agendas of the European Union."[1]

"Foreign agendas of the European Union."

Unfortunately, those were not just words. On the following day, the President refused to promote 46 judges because they had dared to invoke the European Union law,[2] The law referred to in Article 91(3) of our Constitution: "If an agreement, ratified by the Republic of Poland, establishing an international organisation so provides, the laws established by it shall be applied directly and have precedence in the event of a conflict of laws."

As minister of foreign affairs as well as deputy prime minister and minister responsible for EU-related matters, I cannot be indifferent to such words and deeds. They are both offensive and dangerous.

Let me remind you, Ladies and Gentlemen, of something that I have thought was obvious to all of you here:

EU membership does not deprive us of our sovereignty; quite the oppositeour joining of the European Union would not have been possible had we not cast the yoke of communism and regained our sovereignty!

Ukraine is well aware of that as it is fighting its way out of the Russian world to join the Western institutions. You were also aware of that once.



Have you already forgotten what it really is like to have our sovereignty curbed? Lost sovereignty is not about being encouraged to use energy-efficient lightbulbs, let alone losing a vote on a directive or a trade deal.

The State Archives still store a copy of the Constitution of the Polish People's Republic with Stalin's handwritten corrections. Let's imagine what would have happened then if we had attempted to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact or the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. Russian tanks would have crushed us the same way they crushed the Hungarians in 1956 and the Czechs in 1968. That is what a curbed sovereignty looks like. Do you really think that Brussels will send tanks to force us to use common phone chargers? How many bombs have you seen dropped on London to punish the British for Brexit and make them come back? Do you genuinely believe that if imposing sanctions on Russia did not require unanimity, and your friends from Budapest could not protect Putin any longer, then Poland would lose its independence?

Were the founding fathers of the European Union, Alcide De Gasperi and Robert Schuman, lefties? No, they weren't. They were Christian democrats, but not nationalists. By the way, both may become saints.

And who coined the phrase "from the Union of Lublin to the European Union"? Was it a member of the Freemasonry, or perhaps one of EU bureaucrats? Who, in this very room, said that "the integration of Poland with the European Union has been supported by the Holy See from the beginning"? You are quick to invoke our great countryman, Saint John Paul II. Why don't you try to hear and understand what he had to say on this matter as well?

The United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU in accordance with the procedures leaves no doubt that the European Union is a voluntary confederation.

The United Kingdom left the EU without any trouble, which does not mean that it has not been causing them trouble ever since. At the beginning of 2025, the size of the United Kingdom's economy was 6-8% smaller than it could have been had they remained in the EU. Direct foreign investment has decreased by 20%.

Exports of British goods into the EU have also fallen because of custom duties. Meanwhile, the number of migrants has not changed, except that they now come from poorer regions of the world, instead of the European Union. Almost ten years after Brexit, the British are still not reaping the promised benefits. And we are talking about one of the world's largest economies. Do you really think that Poland will do better outside the European community?

You are scaring the nation that the EU is evolving but when a pandemic or a war breaks out, it takes on new tasks to meet the demands of Europeans. You are scaring Poles that the EU may secretly become a federation and their country's sovereignty will shift towards Brussels. This is nonsense. Brexit has proved that ultimate sovereignty resides with member states.

In order for this to change, a new treaty would be necessary and would have to be first adopted by the European Council and European Parliament and then ratified by member states. So it would be subjected to approval by the Polish government, the Sejm, and the President.

Is anyone proposing such a treaty? Has anyone heard of or does anyone know anything about such a draft? If not, why are you scaring Poles on the Independence Day?!

I know how this mechanism works. Some people, especially on the right end of the political spectrum, mentally have never joined the EU and still perceive the EU as the "others." Those blaming Ukraine for Russia's actions in Poland are political subversives. Russia spends billions on fuelling such sentiments, on disinformation and propaganda.

It wants to turn the public opinion against our neighbours, the EU, and Ukrainian refugees who fled from Russian bombs to Poland.

Why is Putin doing this? For the same reason he supported Brexit, financed the separatist movement in Spain, supports the Hungarian nationalist government and extremist parties which promise to dismantle the EU from within. The reason is obvious: as the EU we are a giant compared to Russia, whereas Russia is a superpower when compared with each member state individually. How hard is it to understand?

Unfortunately, there are political entrepreneurs who, instead of opposing this perfidious Russian tactic, yield to it cowardly or even exploit it. They stoke anti-EU and anti-Ukrainian sentiments for political gain. And on top of that, they pose as the greatest patriots, or even the only ones.

Let us not forget that Targowica was a movement of Polish traditionalists who believed the 3 May 1791 Constitution to be a dangerous novelty of the rotten, godless West. I encourage you to read the founding act of the Targowica Confederation written by a Russian general. It makes countless references to freedom, the Homeland, and the holy Catholic faith!

Are you too going to let yourselves be led by the nose, blinded by ideological obstinacy?

The nationalist side argues that this is no longer the European Union we joined. To be sure, since our accession in 2004, the EU has changed its principles of functioning and today it operates according to the principles laid down in the Lisbon Treaty of 2007.

And here is its Polish copy. This is not some foreign usurpation, but part of our Polish legal order, voted upon here in this Chamber.

Jarosaw Kaczynski did not have the courage to listen, but it was he who negotiated the Treaty Its ratification was confirmed by, let us see... the President of the Republic of Poland, the late Lech Kaczynski.

Are these the Polish politicians who, in the words of President Nawrocki, sold Polish sovereignty? If nowadays you believe, Mr Chairman, that you did not negotiate well enough, or that your brother should not have signed this document, then maybe, instead of fulminating against Brussels, you should first apologise to Poles?

***

Mr President, you have the right to hold your private opinions. Naturally, the European Union, just like any man-made institution, is not perfect. You can criticise it. However, life experience shows that there are two kinds of criticismone that aims to improve its object, and one that aims to discredit and destroy it. I invite you to voice the first kind and even to put forward solutions. By insinuating that the European integration is a plot against Poland, you are not helping neither the EU nor Poland. You are laying the psychological and political groundwork for withdrawal from the EU, for Polexit.

If this is what you and the right wing of this parliament want to bring about, for whatever reason you might have, then just say so, instead of making up threats to sovereignty.

I would like to alert the less experienced members of this House to the fact that it is not only the Treaty on European Union but each of several hundred treaties to which Poland is party that limits its signatories' discretion. Thery agree to act in line with these treaties in the future.

Marriage is a contract, a treaty of sorts, too. By entering into marriage, you assume certain duties and divide household chores. When your wife asks you to take out the rubbish or clean up just when you feel like going out for a beer with your friendsthat's not a limitation of your personal liberty.

You don't like the EU, do you? So, let me tell you what would happen the next day after we leave it. Are you a farmer? You'll lose the subsidies and the possibility to easily export to the EU market. Are you a doctor, nurse, or an IT professional? To work in the EU, you'd need to have your diplomas recognised. Are you a musician? Apply for a work visa before you give a concert in Paris. Do you run a business and want to sell your products abroad? Good luck competing with EU manufacturers, who won't have to pay duties, when 75% of our exports end up in the EU.[3] You really want to do this to Polish businesspeople?



Do you really want the EU to become a mere free-trade zone? That would mean no national recovery plan, no structural funds, no billions for defence and the defence industry. Outside the EU, Poland would not only be poorer but also less secure, more isolated, and more susceptible to invasion. If you really are patriots, you'd better think twice about the consequences of your words instead of playing on people's fears! The Polish people do not want such inevitable consequences involved in leaving the European Union. Our government will not allow any Polexit to happen.

You have, Mr President, the right to your nationalist views. But if you want to bring them into effect, you should have stood for prime minister. Because the constitutional role that the Nation has picked you to does not allow shaping foreign policy at your whim. You are the supreme representative of the Republic of Poland in its foreign affairs.



Rep-re-sen-ta-tive.

You represent foreign policy conducted by the Council of Ministers under Article 146 of the Constitution. You have received the classified "Principles of Polish Foreign Policy" from me. It says nothing about the need to scare Poles with the European Union. Quite the opposite, it considers EU membership one of the cornerstones of our security, prosperity, and

a sense of agency. Poland must not have two contrary foreign policies.

Whoever wants to run a different foreign policy would not only violate the Constitution, to which you swore allegiance, but would also render Poland ineffective and hinder the pursuit of its interests. For the Prime Minister, I declare that when you speak in an anti-EU voice, you do not speak in the name of Poland but your own and your Chancellery. Not even your voters, as you did not stand for presidency on a Polexit ticket.

I kindly ask for an improved cooperation with the Council of Ministers, to which you are obliged under Article 133 of the Constitution.

I have one more request. Soon, you are going to Hungary, and that is good. A professional information package is being prepared by the MFA, a usual practice before your trip. Do not forget that you are going to a country whose government is at the same time the most anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian in the entire Union. This is not accidental. Also, ruled by a corrupt, nationalist government, Hungary has become the poorest countryin the EU.[4] This is not accidental either.

Obviously, I do not hope that you will bring back from Budapest the fugitives who fled from Poland's justice system. But you can take effort to make Hungary lift its veto on the payment of 2 billion zlotys to the Armed Forces Support Fund and to unlock talks about the EU's enlargement to include Ukraine, even if you are not personally fond of Ukraine, because its integration with the West is in Poland's and the EU's strategic interest.



Mr. President, I do wish you success. By cooperating with the government, in line with the Constitution and on the most vital matters for Poland and Poles, you will be able to fully use the potential of your office and achieve more for your homeland, which you represent. I strongly encourage you to do so.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Members of the House,

As I have already mentioned, attack on the Polish railways forces us to decide who is our ally and who is our enemy during thishopefully not full-scalewar. It requires imagination and seriousness.

Is a Brussels official considering payments to Poland from recovery funds or defence reinforcement funds an enemy? Or a German soldier operating, as we speak, a Patriot battery in Rzeszow on an extended duty? Or maybe a Ukrainian shop assistant who sends the money she earns to her husband or boyfriend at the frontline? Or Ukraine which fights so brave? Or, last but not least, the Polish government, which the rest of Europe considers to be a stronghold of resistance against Putin? No. The enemy are those who sent saboteurs to murder Poles.

Violence and war are horrible but they clear minds and help define moral choices and attitudes. Everybody must follow their conscience to decide how to be remembered. Some of us will be remembered by our homeland as earnest patriots, others as small fry. Some will stand to the test, some will fail it. We will be proud of some, ashamed of others. Hopefully, may we all make a wise choice.

Thank you very much.

[1] https://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/wypowiedzi-prezydenta-rp/wystapienia/prezydent-rp-wystapienie, 110099 1

[2] https://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/wydarzenia/prezydent-karol-nawrocki-odmawiam-nominacji-46-sedziow,110154

[3] https://pie.net.pl/gdyby-nie-czlonkostwo-w-ue-pkb-polski-byloby-nizsze-o-31-proc-nizsze/

[4] https://polskieradio24.pl/artykul/3394093,to-najbiedniejszy-kraj-ue-wysoka-inflacja-niska-konsumpcja

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Israel has killed 279 Palestinians in Gaza since ceasefire: Media office

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 6:25 PM

Gaza's Government Media Office says Israel has carried out 393 violations of the October ceasefire agreement, killing at least 279 Palestinians, including children and women.

The office said 279 Palestinians were killed, including children, women, and the elderly, and 652 others were injured as of the evening of Tuesday. The report added that 35 people were abducted by the Israeli forces during raids.

The office decried the ceasefire violations as "serious and systematic" and "a breach of international humanitarian law."

According to the statement, the violations included 174 air, land, and artillery strikes, 113 shooting incidents, targeting civilians, residential areas, and displaced people's tents for families.

That also includes 17 incursions by military vehicles into residential and agricultural zones beyond the temporary "Yellow Line" introduced under US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, which runs from northern Gaza to the outskirts of Rafah in the south.

Some homes and civilian infrastructure were also destroyed.

The office said these actions amount to "collective punishment" and constitute "a grave breach of the provisions of the Geneva Conventions."

The office held Israel "fully responsible for all humanitarian and security repercussions" of these violation actions, which thwart any international efforts to maintain the ceasefire.

The statement urged Trump, mediators, and the UN Security Council to take serious and effective action to halt the Israeli attacks and press the regime to adhere strictly to the ceasefire and its humanitarian protocol.

Israel has killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, before the ceasefire deal, brokered by the United States.

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Israeli Knesset debates death penalty for Palestinian prisoners 'within 90 days, without appeal'

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 5:29 PM

The Israeli Knesset (parliament) is set to hold a hearing regarding a bill that would impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners within 90 days, without the possibility of appeal.

Details published on Tuesday revealed that the execution of these prisoners would be carried out via lethal injection by the Israel Prison Service.

The Otzma Yehudit party, led by hawkish Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir and promoter of the bill, stated that executions would target Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis, including those involved in planned or alleged attacks.

Earlier this month, lawmakers approved the bill in the first of three required votes in the Knesset.

The legislation was pushed through on November 3, drawing widespread condemnation from Palestinians and human rights organizations. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described the bill as a war crime, reflecting the regime's increasing extremism and criminality against the Palestinian people.

The ministry said that Israel's judicial system and Knesset serve as tools to legitimize crimes against Palestinians and ensure impunity. They said the measure extends the regime's atrocities in Gaza to the occupied West Bank, with serious implications for those abducted.

Both Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad condemned the bill, with Hamas asserting it reveals Israel's "ugly and fascist nature." Islamic Jihad warned that it puts thousands of Palestinians at risk of execution.

The bill allows judges to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis on "nationalistic grounds," but does not apply similarly to cases of Israelis killing Palestinians.

The bill, first pushed by far-right Israeli parties before Israel's genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, resurfaced in recent months with renewed backing.

Ben-Gvir last month threatened to withdraw his party's support from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition unless it advances the legislation.

Ben-Gvir argued that enforcing the death penalty would serve as "a significant lever of pressure on Hamas" and should be part of Israel's "toolbox" in its war on the Palestinian resistance movement.

Palestinian prisoners have reported being held in harrowing conditions, particularly during the past two years of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Multiple reports by prisoner rights organizations and the United Nations have detailed systematic abuse inside Israeli detention centers, including severe beatings, starvation, denial of family visits, and medical negligence.

According to rights groups, at least 98 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023.

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Trump administration calls off Lebanese army chief's visit after rebuke of Israeli attacks

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 9:22 AM

A planned visit by Army Chief Commander Rodolphe Haykal to Washington has been reportedly canceled over his recent statement condemning Israel for its incessant aggression on the Arab country's south.

According to reports by news stations Al Jadeed TV and MTV on Tuesday, the administration of US President Donald Trump abruptly canceled all of Haykal's scheduled meetings in Washington, and the Lebanese embassy also called off the official reception.

"As criticism mounted, all of Haykal's scheduled meetings with administration officials, congressional leaders, and defense counterparts were removed from the agenda," MTV said. "Notifications were promptly issued to the Lebanese Embassy, which in turn canceled the official reception planned for the commander to meet members of the Lebanese diaspora."

The move, as the reports said, came after Washington's objection to the Lebanese army's recent statement, which the Trump administration condemned for blaming heightened tensions along Lebanon's southern border on Israel while failing to criticize the popular resistance movement Hezbollah, whose disarmament has long been sought by the US.

"The Israeli enemy insists on violating Lebanese sovereignty, causing instability in Lebanon and hindering the completion of the Army's deployment in the south," the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) wrote in the statement posted on X.

"Army Command affirms that it is working in coordination with friendly countries to put an end to the continuous violations and breaches by the Israeli enemy, which require immediate action as they constitute a serious escalation."

The statement by the LAF, long considered a major recipient of US support, "angered" key members of Congress and sparked internal discussions about the future of US military assistance to Lebanon.

Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Joni Ernst issued strong public rebukes, arguing that the statement had undermined years of partnership and risked eroding bipartisan support for Lebanon's military.

"It is clear that the Lebanese Chief Head of Defense - because of a reference to Israel as the enemy and his weak, almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah - is a giant setback for efforts to move Lebanon forward. This combination makes the Lebanese Armed Forces not a very good investment for America," Graham wrote on X.

Ernst also said she was "disappointed" by the recent LAF statement and said, "Israel has given Lebanon a real opportunity to free itself from...Hezbollah."

MTV cited sources as saying that the issue has been transferred directly to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is leading the "reassessment" of US policy toward Lebanon.

Going forward, US support for the Lebanese army will depend on its alignment with Washington's positions - particularly on border issues, Hezbollah's weapons, and any statements perceived as contradicting Washington's policy toward Israel, the sources added.

Under American pressure, the LAF has been tasked by the government in Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, but the army says the Israeli onslaught on Lebanon's south is obstructing the plan.

The reports coincided with the occupying regime's new deadly strikes on southern Lebanon as an Israeli drone hit Bint Jbeil on Tuesday. The Israeli occupation also struck days earlier the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) forces in southern Lebanon.

Israel has carried out hundreds of similar attacks in recent months, in violation of a ceasefire agreement signed last November.

Tel Aviv claims its strikes target people engaged in military activity or rebuilding Hezbollah positions, but local reports say those targeted often have no weapons and have not threatened Israel.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was required to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory but has kept forces stationed at five sites, violating UN Resolution 1701 and the terms of the agreement.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 4,000 people and injured nearly 17,000 since they began in October 2023.

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Iran warns UN adoption of US resolution on Gaza legitimizes occupation

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 6:40 AM

Iran has criticized a US-drafted resolution adopted by the UN Security Council that imposes a foreign guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip, warning it undermines the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said the resolution's drafters "consciously ignored" the central role of the United Nations and previous UN resolutions concerning Palestine.

Resolution 2803, passed on Monday, endorses the establishment of an "International Stabilization Force (ISF)" in Gaza under a 20-point plan devised by US President Donald Trump, who says the plan is aimed at ending the Israeli regime's war of genocide on Gaza that began in October 2023.

The ministry expressed "serious concern" about the resolution, reiterating Iran's support for any regional or international initiative aimed at ending the Israeli genocide and crimes in Gaza, facilitating humanitarian aid, and ensuring the complete withdrawal of occupying forces.

According to the statement, parts of the resolution effectively impose a "guardianship system" on Gaza, stripping "the Palestinian people of their fundamental rights, especially the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital."

It warned that any move that legitimizes the continued occupation of Gaza, divides the territory, or separates it from the unified geography of Palestine runs counter to Palestinian aspirations and could have "dangerous consequences."

The ministry underlined that any international forces deployed must operate strictly under full UN supervision, with responsibilities limited to monitoring the ceasefire and overseeing humanitarian aid delivery and distribution

The statement also emphasized the responsibility of the international community, especially the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement, "to force Israel to end the occupation of Palestine and completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip", noting that no decision can and should distort this.

Reaffirming the legitimacy of resistance against occupation, apartheid, and colonialism under international law, the ministry said Palestinian resistance is a natural response to continued occupation and aggression.

The statement underscored that "any discussion about the fate of the Palestinian people, including regarding the administration of the Palestinian territories, must take place within the framework of Palestinian national agreement and consensus, and that the imposition of any solution by external parties in this regard is rejected."

The statement concluded by highlighting the "failure and inaction" of the Security Council over the past two years to stop atrocities against Palestinians, stressing the Council's "responsibility "to prosecute and hold accountable war criminals and genocidal perpetrators."

Hamas and Israel agreed last month to the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire, aimed at ending the latter's two-year-long genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged territory.

The truce took effect on October 10, but Israel has continued to violate it by carrying out airstrikes, incursions, shootings, and arrests.

The deal marks the first phase of Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, with further stages to be negotiated at a later date.

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Iran: US-drafted resolution on Gaza must not be used to shield Israel

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 3:39 AM

Iran has warned that the recent US-drafted resolution adopted at the UN Security Council on establishment of a foreign force in the Gaza Strip must not be allowed to undermine Palestinian rights or shield the Israeli regime from accountability.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations, delivered the remarks on Tuesday during a session of the UN's Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).

He cautioned that while many Security Council members had supported the measure in hopes of halting Israeli bloodshed, its mechanisms risked sidestepping the UN's authority and diluting the core rights of the Palestinian people.

The resolution, passed on Monday, endorses establishment of an "International Stabilization Force (ISF)" in Gaza under a 20-point plan devised by Donald Trump. The US president says the plan is aimed at ending the Israeli regime's war of genocide on the coastal sliver that began in October 2023.

Iravani emphasized that the resolution's implementation must not infringe on Palestinian rights, particularly the right to self-determination, statehood, and territorial integrity. "Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian territory," he said, insisting it must be governed by a Palestinian transitional body and remain protected from annexation or forced displacement.

The ambassador stressed that ending the war, while essential, was not sufficient. Justice and accountability, he said, remained central obligations of the international community.

"The masterminds and perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza must be prosecuted," he declared. "The decades-long culture of impunity surrounding the Israeli regime must finally end."

Citing UN-verified data, Iravani noted that nearly 70,000 civilians, mostly women and children, had been killed as a result of Tel Aviv's unrestrained military assault.

The ambassador lamented that Tel Aviv had openly defied the International Court of Justice, while carrying out a campaign of starvation, siege, and systematic destruction in Gaza.

The envoy described the regime's "weaponization of starvation" in Gaza, through blockade, aid obstruction, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, as not only a war crime, but a direct assault on Palestinians' inalienable rights.

The official cautioned that the regime's rejection of the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion - ordering an end to its unlawful occupation, evacuation of its illegal settlers, and unimpeded humanitarian access - showed it was intent on dismantling global legal norms.

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Brawl Exposes Growing Anti-Chinese Sentiment In Kyrgyzstan

By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service November 19, 2025

A brawl involving Chinese workers erupted in northern Kyrgyzstan, exposing growing anti-Chinese sentiment in the Central Asian country.

Dozens of Kyrgyz and Chinese construction workers clashed in the village of Konstantinovka in the northern province of Chui on November 15 after a road dispute.

Police detained 16 people and called in for questioning another 44, including Chinese workers. One Kyrgyz worker was hospitalized.

The authorities have attempted to downplay the incident, which involved drivers employed by China Road & Bridge Corporation and the Kyrgyz company Zhongzi.

But the brawl has highlighted anger in Kyrgyzstan over Chinese-funded projects and the influx of Chinese workers to the impoverished country.

Beijing has expanded its footprint in recent years in Central Asia, a strategic and energy-rich region where China has become a key economic and political player.

Kyrgyzstan is home to several Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, including the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a multibillion-dollar megaproject that aims to transform East-West trade, cutting delivery times between China and Europe by up to one week.

Calls For Calm

The Kyrgyz authorities have called for calm after the brawl.

Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev rejected claims that Chinese workers were flooding the country, Central Asia's second poorest, and taking jobs away from locals.

"Chinese citizens are working on the basis of work visas. We have a visa regime. When their visa expires, they leave," Kulubaev said, according to the state-run Kabar news agency.

Daiyrbek Orunbekov, who works in the president's office, also attempted to downplay the fight in northern Kyrgyzstan.

"Conflicts happen wherever there are people -- it's human nature. It doesn't depend on ethnicity or race," he wrote on Facebook. "More than 1.5 million of our Kyrgyz citizens also work in other countries, just like the Chinese here. They also sometimes get involved in fights and conflicts. So don't be misled by provocateurs."

The remarks by officials have done little to quell the public anger over Chinese workers in Kyrgyzstan.

'Social Discontent'

The anti-Chinese sentiment reflects broader anxieties about China's expanding economic footprint in Kyrgyzstan, experts say.

Around a quarter of the $873 million in foreign direct investment that entered the country in 2024 came from China.

The influx of Chinese-backed projects has added to the thousands of Chinese workers already working in Kyrgyzstan. That has led to housing shortages and rent hikes in some areas.

Chinese companies often hire Chinese workers, not locals, to complete infrastructure projects abroad, another grievance among locals.

"There's a widespread perception that on large construction projects, from engineering and technical staff down to laborers, they bring their own people from China," economic analyst Nurgul Akimova told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service.

Akimova said Chinese citizens "make up a significant portion" of workers in areas such as mining and road construction, which creates a perception among locals that foreigners are taking their jobs.

"If the unemployment problem remains acute and cheap Chinese labor continues to fill the market, it will intensify social discontent," she said.

Prominent lawyer Nurbek Toktakunov said government opacity was also fueling anti-Chinese sentiment.

"There's very little information about China, what kind of cooperation we have, what projects are under way," he told the Kyrgyz Service. "When information is scarce and people get silenced whenever they speak up, that's when xenophobia thrives. The only way to combat it is through transparency."

There is also broader anger at China's treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities -- including ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and Uzbeks -- in its western province of Xinjiang.

Over 1 million people are believed to have disappeared into China's vast network of mass detention camps in Xinjiang in recent years. Central Asian governments, however, have remained largely silent.

The November 15 incident was not the first flashpoint in Kyrgyzstan, where several brawls involving Chinese nationals working on Chinese-funded projects have been reported in recent years.

In 2019, dozens of Chinese workers were hospitalized after a fight with locals, who had staged a protest against Chinese-run gold mines in Kyrgyzstan.

Fights involving Chinese workers have also been reported elsewhere in Central Asia, including in Kazakhstan, which has been the scene of anti-China protests in the past.

Written by Kian Sharifi based on an original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-chinese- workers-brawl/33594905.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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USA will continue to firmly support Romania in order strengthen deterrence and defence at national and allied levels

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 217

19.11.2025

A new meeting of the Romania-US High-Level Defence Group (HLDG) coordinated with the new administration in Washington took place in Bucharest, on November 17th and 18th.

This was the first HLDG-level visit paid to an allied state by the new Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs, Daniel Zimmerman.

On Tuesday, November 18th, Minister of National Defence, Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, had a meeting with the US delegation. The Romanian official reconfirmed Romania's commitment to strengthening the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America, by gradually increasing the defence budget to 5% of GDP by 2035, continuing running the procurement programs, the joint training and assuming a leading role in the Black Sea region, respectively a substantial contribution within NATO.

The extended strategic consultation session of the HLDG has also taken place today, headed by State Secretary for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Sorin-Dan Moldovan. The talks focused on the developments in the global strategic environment, the American forces' posture in Romania, the significant defence investments undertaken by our country, as well as the role of security provider on NATO's eastern and southeastern flanks, in accordance with the guidelines and objectives set in the National Defence Strategy for 2025 - 2030. The discussions have highlighted the fact that Romania remains a central point of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and a trustworthy partner of the USA.

The topics addressed included Romania's active contribution to strengthening the allied position in the Black Sea region, cooperation in the field of training and joint exercises, as well as major procurement programs intended to modernize the armed forces, with an emphasis on the development of the infrastructure and military mobility necessary to support the allied presence on national territory.

The discussions reconfirmed the soundness of the Romania-US Strategic Partnership and the joint commitment to enhancing security in the Euro-Atlantic space.

On Monday, November 17th, the American delegation's visit schedule included visits to the 86th Air Base in Borcea, where the officials were briefed on the progress of the European F-16 Training Center, a project developed in cooperation with the American partner, as well as on the Aegis Ashore Facility in Deveselu, an essential part of NATO's ballistic missile defence architecture.

The delegations analyzed the existing operational capabilities, modernization projects and prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of strategic infrastructure.





The Press Office

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UK underscores support for Yemen's security and stability during Ministerial visit to Aden

Press release

UK support to help Yemen combat piracy and weapons smuggling in first UK Ministerial visit to Yemen in six years.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Hamish Falconer MP

Published 19 November 2025

UK stands with Government of Yemen against Houthi influence with first Ministerial visit in six years

UK-backed programmes include maritime security operations to combat piracy and weapons smuggling

UK working to prevent security threats at home through commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Middle East

UK support to help Yemen combat piracy and weapons smuggling was on show as Hamish Falconer became the first UK Minister to visit the country in six years.

The Minister for the Middle East discussed how the two countries work together to support security and stability in the region, address the devastating humanitarian situation, and safeguard against the destabilising actions of the Houthis.

In the visit earlier this week, the Minister toured a Coast Guard outpost on the front-line of policing maritime-crime and piracy in the Gulf of Aden, including new and refurbished interceptor and patrol vessels, funded by the UK. As one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, piracy and attacks on shipping vessels cause critical delays to the passage of freight, including some bound for the UK, causing market instability and passing costs onto British insurance brokers.

To tackle this, the UK announced $4 million support to the Yemen Coast Guard at a conference in Riyadh in September, committing vital equipment and boats for the Yemeni coastguard to help them tackle weapons smuggling, protect coastal communities, and defend against piracy.

At the Coast Guard outpost, the Minister inspected the new boats and vital communications and search equipment. He also heard more on how the support would allow the coastguard to upgrade and bolster their wider fleet of vessels, giving them the resource needed to deliver more stability to the people of Yemen, greater protections to critical international shipping lanes, while ensuring freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

During the one-day visit Minister Falconer met with UK-backed aid organisations working to address the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. While at the Ash-Sha'b camp for internally displaced people and the Dar Saad Health Clinic, he saw how UK aid is helping to tackle malnutrition, deliver vaccination programmes, and provide assistance to the most vulnerable families.

As one of Yemen's leading international partners, the Minister reiterated the UK's longstanding support of the Yemeni people, and highlighted the vital work being done to support Yemenis with lifesaving aid and humanitarian programmes focused on alleviating hunger and treating diseases.

Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer said:

The Houthis have threatened global shipping, kidnapped aid workers and deepened starvation. But there is another side to Yemen - friendly people with a deep culture and longstanding connections to the UK. Our partnership with Yemen is critical to strengthen maritime security, and to send a message to the Houthis - you're threatening the region and harming your countrymen. My visit showed me how UK support for the coastguard is helping to crack down on weapons smuggling and protect our shipping route from Houthi destabilisation. And I've seen first hand how UK funded health clinics are providing lifesaving support to those most in need. But the humanitarian situation remains dire. Only by working closely with Yemen, and international partners, can we make a tangible difference to Yemenis, and support stability in the wider region."

During the visit, Minister Falconer met with the Yemeni leadership, including President Rashad Al-Alimi and Prime Minister Salem Saleh Bin Breik, to reaffirm the UK's unwavering support for the Government of Yemen's stability and programme of reforms.

This visit follows the launch of a UK-led initiative in January to provide financial and political support for Yemen's future, including a technical assistance fund.

The UK is committed to UN-led peace efforts in Yemen which remain the best route to ensuring a long-term political settlement in Yemen.

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The UK reaffirms its commitment to working with all Council members to strengthen global security: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator

Published 19 November 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 19 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

The United Kingdom thanks the Committee Chairs for their comprehensive briefings and reaffirms our strong support for the work of all three Committees.

They share overlapping priorities to protect our citizens and prevent the spread of terrorism, and we welcome efforts to ensure that their work is collaborative and united.

President, I will make three brief points.

Firstly, on the Counter Terrorism Committee, the evolving threat landscape demands a whole-of-society and a coordinated UN approach.

We encourage the UN Counter Terrorism Compact Entities to use CTED's comprehensive country assessments as a guide for providing technical assistance to Member States.

The United Kingdom urges all States to proactively engage with CTED's assessment visits, particularly those most affected by terrorism.

We look forward to renewing CTED's mandate next month to ensure that Member States continue to receive valuable support for counter terrorism efforts.

Second, the 1267 Committee is one of the strongest tools the international community has to directly target Al-Qaida and Da'esh affiliates and to limit their financial support and cross border movement.

We welcome recent updates to the sanctions list and underscore the need for new designations that are well evidenced against the listing criteria, and for a non-politicised approach to agreeing listing proposals.

Politicisation of the committee's listing process only serves the interests of the very terrorists whose activities we should be disrupting.

Thirdly, President, the work of the 1540 Committee is essential to ensure effective prevention of the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons to non-State actors.

In this regard, we congratulate the Committee on the recent successful completion of the Voluntary Technical Reference Guides on Export Controls for Member States' consideration.

However, unwarranted objections from some Committee members which hinder the Group of Experts from executing its function are not only concerning, but actively counterproductive to 1540 implementation.

In closing, President, I wish to reaffirm the United Kingdom's commitment to working with all Council members to strengthen global security and uphold the integrity of these three vital Committees.

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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

19 November 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

** Secretary-General/COP30

Good afternoon.

Today, the Secretary-General is continuing to be in Belem, where as you know, he is attending the thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) summit. This morning, he participated in a European Union coordination meeting and also met with the ministers from a group of African nations.

Also, this morning, in a meeting with representatives of civil society, the Secretary-General thanked civil society for its leadership, vigilance and moral clarity, noting that their work is indispensable in driving ambition, as well as protecting communities and holding decision-makers to account.

Later on, in a meeting with Indigenous Peoples, the Secretary-General underscored that the ancestral wisdom, knowledge, and stewardship of Indigenous Peoples are vital for the planet's survival. He said their voices and effective participation must shape the global response to the climate crisis.

This afternoon and tomorrow morning, he will continue meeting with other negotiators and ministers and different groups. He is also expected to speak to the media tomorrow at 11 a.m. Belem time, which is about 9 a.m. in the morning here in New York, and that will be webcast.

Also to flag that, yesterday afternoon, apart from engaging with youth representatives, Mr. [Antonio] Guterres met with the so-called Umbrella Group, which is formed by a diverse group of non-EU developed countries. He also had a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark, Lars Aagaard Mller, and the European Union Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra.

** Ukraine

Turning to Ukraine, I can tell you that the Secretary-General strongly condemns the latest overnight missile and drone attacks by the Russian Federation on several Ukrainian regions, that reportedly killed at least 25 people, including children and injuring several dozen others in two residential areas in Ternopil in western Ukraine. Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. They are unacceptable, wherever they occur, and they must end immediately.

Today's appalling attack  one of the deadliest against civilians since the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago  once again underlines the urgency of a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in this country, as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace that fully upholds Ukraine's sovereignty, its independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, in line with the United Nations Charter, international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

Our Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, is in Ukraine; she is in Kyiv today. She said that she herself was appalled by the overnight attacks. Ms. DiCarlo is wrapping up a three-day visit to Ukraine and today, she met with Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The discussions centred on how the United Nations can further support efforts towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and assist the country in addressing its complex needs amid the war. The Under-Secretary-General said that strengthening recovery, social cohesion and the role of women in public life remain shared priorities.

She also addressed the fourth International Food Summit in Kyiv today, highlighting the war's devastating impact on the global food supply and our own efforts to advocate for safe navigation in the Black Sea. Her full remarks are available on the website of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. For his part, our Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, also strongly condemned the latest wave of attacks overnight, and his statement is online.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza, our colleagues with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warn that the humanitarian situation remains extremely dire, despite ongoing efforts by ourselves and our partners to reach people in need wherever they may be.

We continue to carry out assessments and provide assistance to families impacted by the rainstorm that hit Gaza last week. According to the latest estimate, over 18,600 households were impacted, and thousands of people lost their shelters, had their belongings damaged or were displaced yet again. This number continues to increase as partners complete additional assessments to gauge the extent of the damage caused by the storm.

With winter drawing near, our partners working on shelter warn that the volume of items entering Gaza is not sufficient to meet the immense needs of the people there. Since the start of September  when shelter supplies were allowed to enter Gaza again following a six-month ban  we and our partners and Member States have been able to bring in fewer than 60,000 tents, 346,000 tarpaulins and 309,000 bedding items. This is at a time when hundreds of thousands of people require urgent shelter support, especially given the approaching winter.

As part of the ongoing winterization response, our partners focusing on child protection have distributed 48,000 children's winter-clothing kits across Gaza since the ceasefire took effect.

Meanwhile, our partners leading on water and sanitation report that, in the past two days, they have managed to distribute diapers, towels, jerry cans and other critical items to meet the hygiene needs of some 400,000 people. However, they warn that sanitation and hygiene conditions in Gaza are deplorable, with no wastewater treatment capacity in the Strip due to widespread destruction of infrastructure after two years of conflict.

In northern Gaza, the Sheikh Radwan ponds in Jabalya are once again at risk of overflowing, with partners only able to provide short-term solutions by draining the sewage into the sea. The dilapidated state of Gaza's sanitation systems puts public health at risk, including by raising the threat of bacterial infections spreading through contact with contaminated water or waste.

Meanwhile, our partners working on nutrition note a gradual decline in the number of patients admitted for malnutrition treatment over the past two months, with about 9,280 cases admitted in October, compared to over 11,740 in September. However, last month's numbers are nearly four times higher than what they were in January, during the previous ceasefire.

OCHA continues to call for items that are currently restricted from entry into Gaza, including equipment to rehabilitate critical infrastructure, to be allowed into the Strip. They also reiterate the need for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to be permitted to bring in assistance into Gaza and for the opening of additional crossings into and routes inside Gaza to enable us and our partners to reach people in need faster and in a more efficient manner.

** Syria

Turning to Syria, this morning, the Security Council held a meeting on Syria. They heard from Najat Rochdi, the Deputy Special Envoy [for Syria]. She briefed via videoconference from Oslo, where she is attending a senior officials meeting on Syria, hosted by the European Union and Norway. She said her recent visit to Damascus, including talks with Foreign Minister [As'ad] Shaibani, underscored the scale of challenges and the need for an inclusive political transition.

Noting that the Foreign Minister reaffirmed support for implementing the 10 March agreement between the authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), she stressed the need for concrete mechanisms to advance military and political integration of the SDF. Ms. Rochdi urged all parties to take tangible steps forward, particularly confidence-building measures on detainees and abductees and restoring state services throughout Syria.

For her part, Lisa Doughten, the Director of the Financing and Outreach division at OCHA, told Council members that more than 1.2 million refugees have now returned from neighbouring countries since last December. More than 1.9 million people who were still displaced internally have also returned. But these people still need support to reestablish their lives. She said we and our partners reach 3.4 million people monthly, but the Syria appeal is only 26 per cent funded, forcing gaps and cuts in essential assistance.

** Yemen

Quick update from our friend Hans Grundberg, our Special Envoy for Yemen, who is in Muscat today to review recent developments and advance progress in the UN-led mediation efforts in Yemen. He held discussions with Sheikh Khalifa Ali Issa al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs for Oman, and other senior Omani officials. Mr. Grundberg also met with Mohamed Abdel Salam, the Houthis' Chief Negotiator. Talks focused on the need for a conducive environment for a meaningful and inclusive political process. During his meetings, the Special Envoy reiterated our continued efforts to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all of our colleagues; that is, about 59 of them who remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthis in Yemen.

** Abyei

And a quick update from our peacekeeping colleagues in UNISFA, the peacekeeping mission in Abyei. They are reporting that, over the past two months, there has been an escalation in drone attacks and sightings in and around Kadugli. One attack struck a site for displaced people in Kulpa and resulted in six fatalities. This site is located about 25 kilometres from the logistics base of the peacekeeping mission's Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism in Kadugli. Drone strikes were also reported in the Heglig oil producing area North of Abyei.

These attacks, which have resulted in deaths, injuries, civilian displacement as well as destruction of property, are likely to further isolate Kadugli, escalating the humanitarian crisis and threatening the delivery of humanitarian aid to the area. Our peacekeepers are concerned and call on all those responsible to cease hostilities, ensure the safety of civilians and adhere to international law.

** Libya

Almost lastly, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomes the agreement on the Unified Development Programme announced yesterday by the Central Bank Governor. The agreement, signed by delegates of the House Representatives and the High Council of State, is intended to strengthen financial stability through implementing expenditure controls and advancing unified development. UNSMIL also welcomes the role of the Central Bank of Libya in supporting the implementation of the agreement to ensure that development funding is guided by sound financial planning and transparent fiscal procedures.

This agreement should be considered a first step. Continued dialogue is needed to achieve a unified national budget and advance efforts to unify State institutions. The Mission emphasizes that progress on financial governance must be anchored in institutional cooperation.

** World Toilet Day

Finally, today is World Toilet Day. This year's theme is "Sanitation in a changing world". Today, billions of people still lack safe toilets, with the poorest people most affected. In his message, the Secretary-General says that access to a toilet is a matter of rights and survival, and for millions of women and girls, the lack of secure toilets means missed work and school. This World Toilet Day, we call for faster progress toward future-ready sanitation systems that are accessible, climate-resilient, low-emission and well-funded.

** Questions and Answers

Question : Thank you, Steph. I wonder if the Secretary General has any response to the visit by Israel's Prime Minister to the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, and in particular, the words he used about maintaining both a "defensive and offensive capability"?

Spokesman : Yeah. I mean, I think this very public visit is concerning, to say the least. We call on Israel to respect the disengagement, 1974 Disengagement Agreement. As you'll recall, in the recently passed resolution 2799 (2025), the Security Council called for the full sovereignty, unity, and independence and territorial integrity of Syria. This is also an issue that was raised during recent meeting between Najat Rochdi and the foreign minister of Syria. Benny?

Correspondent : Yep. Stop me if you heard this before.

Spokesman : Yeah. I've heard it before. Sorry. Go ahead.

Question : So, this week, the Security Council passed a resolution that for the first time in my memory, at least since possibly... established two bodies, the Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force, none of which the UN has any role in. Does do you feel slighted? Does Secretary-General feel like being pushed aside?

Spokesman : Look, the Secretary-General is a big boy. He's not one to feel slighted. I do think, as we said, the resolution is an important step in consolidating the gains achieved through the proposal put forward by President [Donald J.] Trump and the leaders of Qatar and Egypt. For us, it's very important that we get to phase two. It's also very important that we see more humanitarian aid get in.

Question : But, does the UN want or feels that it needs to be involved more than it is in that resolution?

Spokesman : Look, we will be... it also depends what UN you are speaking about. I mean, the UN in terms of the Security Council spoke clearly. The vote was what it was, but it was a clear message. For the Secretary-General's part, he is willing to do whatever he can to bring peace to the region, to bring more humanitarian aid in and to help push the parties back on a political path leading to a two-State solution.

Question : Thank you, Steph. Let me steer away from the political headaches of every day and get back to something close to the home base. What's the latest updates with regard to the Secretary-General UN80 initiative? We haven't heard any new developments. We just heard great ideas.

Spokesman : I mean, it's... the process on all three tracks is continuing. I think the Secretary-General updated you about the membership about a month ago, but I can tell you everybody is hard at work on the three separate tracks.

Question : Are there any parameters that can be released with regard to the fulfilment of each track?

Spokesman : We will update of each you as it becomes useful. Islam?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. On aid to Gaza, what is the latest situation with the Zikim Crossing? Has the aid started to enter?

Spokesman : We've currently using three crossings, Zikim, Karim Shalom/Karem Abu Salem, and... oh my God. I forgot the third one, but we're using... I'm having a brain freeze. We're using all three, and I would encourage you to look at the 2720 dashboard, which has a lot of data about what is being picked up, what is being what is being dropped off, and it's very useful. Kissufim is the third crossing.

Question : And the aid trucks number increased? What is the average number?

Spokesman : Yes. Listen, things are increasing, but not at the rate that we would like them to see increase.

Question : And also, I would like to ask about the Yellow Line in Gaza, if I may say, inside the Yellow Line, with the seashore, where the Israeli forces withdrawn from. What is the situation outside the Yellow Line? Are there any Gazans over there? Any, you know, humanitarian...?

Spokesman : You mean in between the border of the... inside the Yellow Line or outside the Yellow Line?

Question : Outside the Yellow Line. What's the situation...?

Spokesman : I mean, that's where most Gazans are. That's where they are. Most of them remain outside of the Yellow Line. We are we try to reach Gazans wherever they are. Yes. And I'll go back.

Question : Thank you, Steph. Does the SG have any comment on the latest wave of Israeli air strikes today in Lebanon? And has there any been any contact with UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] peacekeeping forces?

Spokesman : Yeah. I mean, we're obviously very concerned by the reported Israeli air strikes in Lebanon, including in the Ein el Hilweh refugee camp in Sidon. We urge the parties to uphold the cessation of hostilities, refrain from any activities that may endanger civilians, urge all concerned to avoid any further escalation. For ourselves, through UNIFIL, we're trying to do whatever we can to sustain the cessation of hostilities and advance the full implementation of [resolution] 1701 (2006). That's through the contacts that our peacekeeping colleagues have, as well as the contacts that our Special Coordinator for Lebanon has constantly.

Question : And then sorry, Steph, just one follow-up. To your knowledge, there hasn't been any UNIFIL peacekeeping casualties or anything since the attacks?

Spokesman : No.

Question : You have mentioned that your envoy to with Houthis, Grunberg, to Yemen. He was negotiating the release of your detainees, the UN...?

Spokesman : I didn't say he was meeting with the... I didn't say he was negotiating the release. He met with the Houthis' Chief Negotiator, who is our main point of political contact on issues in Yemen. We continue to focus on both... on the political track, but also keep advocating for the release of our colleagues.

Question : Was there any news that they will get released?

Spokesman : You know, anytime there is a release, we will announce it.

Question : Another question related to Sudan. Yesterday, [Tom] Fletcher was not allowed to enter to El Fasher. And today, there was an escalation in Bab el Moussa, as well. Do you have any updates on that?

Spokesman : I don't have any updates on that.

Question : Follow-up on Yemen?

Spokesman : Please, Benny.

Question : You said that he wasn't negotiating, he just met with the Chief Negotiator?

Spokesman : No. I think if I understood your colleague's question is, was the meeting about negotiating for the release of our colleagues? That's not what I had said in the note. I said he met with the Chief Negotiator of the Houthis, who is our main point of contact on all issues having to do with Yemen. Okay. On that note, unless I hear or see a question online, I will withdraw. I'm withdrawing.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Ukraine

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Humanitarians support storm-affected families in Gaza amid dire conditions

OCHA warns that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely dire, despite ongoing efforts by the UN and its partners to reach people in need wherever they are.*

Humanitarians continue to carry out assessments and provide assistance to families affected by last week's rainstorm. According to the latest estimate, over 18,600 households were impacted: Thousands lost their shelters, had their belongings damaged, or were again displaced. This number continues to increase as partners complete additional assessments to gauge the extent of the damage caused by the storm.

With winter drawing near, partners working on shelter warn that the volume of items entering Gaza is not sufficient to meet people's immense needs. Since the start of September - when shelter supplies were allowed to enter Gaza again following a six-month ban - the UN, its partners and Member States have been able to bring in fewer than 60,000 tents, 346,000 tarpaulins and 309,000 bedding items. This is at a time when hundreds of thousands of people require urgent shelter support as winter approaches.

As part of the ongoing winterization response, partners focusing on child protection have distributed 48,000 children's winter clothing kits across the Strip since the ceasefire came into effect.

Meanwhile, partners leading on water and sanitation report that in the past two days, they have managed to distribute diapers, towels, jerry cans and other critical items to meet the hygiene needs of 400,000 people. However, they warn that sanitation and hygiene conditions in Gaza are deplorable, with no wastewater treatment capacity in the Strip due to widespread destruction of infrastructure after two years of war.

In northern Gaza, the Sheikh Radwan ponds in Jabalya are once again at risk of overflowing, with partners only able to provide short-term solutions by draining the sewage into the sea. The dilapidated state of Gaza's sanitation systems puts public health at risk, including by raising the threat of bacterial infections spreading through contact with contaminated waste or water.

Meanwhile, partners working on nutrition note a gradual decline in the number of patients admitted for malnutrition treatment over the past two months, with about 9,280 cases admitted in October compared to over 11,740 cases in September. However, last month's numbers are still nearly four times higher than they were in January, during the previous ceasefire.

OCHA continues to call for items that are currently restricted from entry into Gaza, including equipment to rehabilitate critical infrastructure, to be allowed into the Strip. OCHA also reiterates the need for NGOs to be permitted to bring assistance into Gaza, and for the opening of additional crossings into and routes inside the Strip to enable the UN and its partners to reach people in need faster and more efficiently.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.

Syria

At Security Council, OCHA urges decisive global action to help Syrians build peaceful future

OCHA told the Security Council today that as Syria continues to navigate a daunting set of challenges, the stakes are immense, particularly for the more than 16 million people across the country who need humanitarian assistance.

"The UN and our partners continue to reach 3.4 million people on average each month across Syria - 24 per cent more than the same period last year - despite lower funding, thanks to improved access and operational conditions," said Lisa Doughten, Director of OCHA's Financing and Outreach Division.

Speaking on behalf of Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Doughten called on the international community to devote more funding to humanitarian operations, with this year's appeal just over a quarter funded. She also stressed the need for continued engagement to de-escalate ongoing flashpoints and prevent new violence - as well as concrete, targeted and large-scale investment in development and reconstruction.

"The international community must act decisively to translate this opportunity into concrete support," Ms. Doughten said.

Ukraine

Humanitarian Coordinator condemns new wave of deadly attacks

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, strongly condemned in a statement today the latest wave of overnight attacks, which devastated communities across the country - killing civilians, injuring children and disrupting vital services.

Schmale stressed that the relentless harm to civilians and destruction of essential infrastructure are unacceptable, recalling obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Between last night and early this morning, attacks killed at least 20 civilians and injured more than 150 others across the country, according to national authorities and partners on the ground. Strikes hit multiple regions, damaging apartment blocks and energy infrastructure, as well as triggering power outages.

The city of Ternopil, in the west of the country, and the city of Kharkiv, in the east, were among the hardest hit - with multiple casualties and severe damage to multi-storey residential buildings. A health facility and a school were also damaged in Kharkiv.

Hostilities also caused civilian casualties in areas close to the front line, as well as in the regions of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia.

Authorities confirmed strikes on energy facilities across seven regions: Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv and Lviv. Scheduled power outages remain in place across much of the country due to cumulative damage to the grid.

Aid organizations responded immediately following the attacks in Ternopil and Kharkiv cities, providing emergency assistance, including shelter kits and psychological support.

Meanwhile, evacuations continue in the region of Donetsk, with 190 people evacuated from front-line communities yesterday.

Posted on 19 November 2025

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UNRWA Situation Report #197 on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem

UNRWA

19 Nov 2025

All information updated for 10 - 16 November 2025 [1]

Days 763 - 769 since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip

Highlights

The Gaza Strip

According to OCHA, heavy rain has affected over 13,000 households across the Gaza Strip, with hundreds of tents and makeshift shelters affected across the Strip. Immediate needs include winterization items including blankets, mattresses, tarps, jerricans, winter clothing, and tents. Many families temporarily sought refuge in UNRWA schools-turned-shelters after fleeing flooded sites.

According to OCHA, following the withdrawal of Israeli Forces from parts of the Gaza Strip under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli military strikes near or east of the so-called "Yellow Line" continue to be reported, resulting in casualties among civilians.

As of 10 November, the Site Management Cluster estimates that about 1 million people, out of a total population of 2.1 million, are residing in 862 displacement sites across the Gaza Strip. Among them, about 79,000 people are estimated to live in 85 UNRWA shelters and their surrounding areas.

As of 13 November, UNRWA operated 324 temporary learning spaces (TLS) across 58 shelters, providing in-person learning activities for over 40,000 children boys and girls, including in the northern area and Gaza City.

UNRWA has expanded by 40 per cent its provision of domestic water supply in Gaza City and the northern area, thanks to the rehabilitation of water well no. 3 in Jabalia (repaired on 5 November). The restored well now enables the Agency to provide clean water to an additional 20,000 residents, including returnees in the north.

UNRWA, as part of a joint team with MoH and PRCS, and with the support of UNICEF, continues its catch-up immunization campaign, with 2,042 children vaccinated and screened for malnutrition by UNRWA (29 per cent of total reached by the joint campaign).

The occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem

Israeli Forces continue to be deployed in the three northern West Bank refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams. According to a recent damage assessment conducted by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), further destruction has been rendered inside the camps, including newly expanded roads and additional earth mounds constraining access.

At least four Palestinian children were killed as a result of occupation-related violence, including one inside El Far'a refugee camp on the evening of 16 November.

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Exclusive: Manila's 'communication jamming' claim in Ren'ai Jiao supply run 'entirely fabricated,' aimed at escalating tensions: source

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing and Fan Wei Published: Nov 20, 2025 09:35 AM

According to reports by the Associated Press and other foreign media on Tuesday, two senior Philippine officials claimed that the Philippine forces recently experienced communications interference from Chinese vessels while attempting to resupply the illegally grounded warship at Ren'ai Jiao. In response to the claims, a source from the Chinese military told the Global Times on Wednesday that the accusations were entirely fabricated and deliberately sensationalizing the situation, revealing their intent to escalate tensions in the South China Sea.

Philippine forces transported food, fuel and new personnel to the warship at Ren'ai Jiao the South China Sea, where Chinese government ships jammed communications during the hours long supply mission, the AP reported, citing two top unnamed officials in the Philippines.

One of the officials claimed that the CCG jammed communications apparently to prevent possible drone surveillance by foreign forces. They did not elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity, according to the AP.

A source from the Chinese military told the Global Times on Tuesday that the Philippine allegations were entirely fabricated and deliberately provocative. According to the source, out of humanitarian considerations, China allowed a Philippine civilian vessel on November 14 to deliver basic supplies to the illegally grounded warship at Ren'ai Jiao, with the CCG verifying and monitoring the operation throughout. The so-called media hype by certain Philippine individuals has clearly undermined the previously stable situation, revealing the Philippines' intent to escalate tensions.

"The Philippine side's accusations are evasive. It is obvious that they intended to stir up trouble but failed, so they resorted to fabricating claims in order to forcefully create a 'hot topic' and draw attention," Yang Xiao, a maritime issues expert at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Since the June 17, 2024 incident, the Philippines has clearly felt China's state of full-time vigilance and firm preparedness, as well as China's determination to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests at the Ren'ai Jiao waters, Yang said, noting that the cost of Philippine provocations at Ren'ai Jiao has continued to rise, and any substantive acts of infringement or provocation will inevitably be met with strong countermeasures from China.

The Chinese expert noted that on one hand, they cannot bear the potential losses of manpower and resources from provocative actions; on the other hand, they are unwilling to fade quietly in the international public opinion arena. As a result, they resort to fabricating lies, creating waves and smearing China, Yang said, noting that after all, portraying China as a "bully" has long been one of the Philippines' objectives in stirring trouble in the South China Sea.

The "6.17 Incident" in recent years marked one of the most serious provocations by the Philippines in the vicinity of China's Ren'ai Jiao, prompting a strong Chinese response.

According to an official statement previously released by the CCG, on June 17, 2024, the Philippines violated its commitments by sending one supply vessel and two inflatable boats to illegally enter the waters near Ren'ai Jiao, attempting to deliver supplies to the illegally grounded warship. During the operation, the Philippine resupply vessel dangerously approached and deliberately collided with Chinese vessels conducting normal navigation. The CCG lawfully implemented warning interceptions, boarding inspections, and forced removal measures. The operation was handled in a reasonable, legal, and professional manner.

Footage of the enforcement operation was later released in early August this year in the China Central Television program. The video showed the Philippine vessels illegally entering the waters near Ren'ai Jiao, with personnel on board not only pouring unidentified liquids at Chinese personnel but also threatening them with firearms. Faced with these threats, CCG officers remained undaunted and ultimately towed the infringing vessels away from the area. This operation has been recognized as a vivid demonstration of China to safeguard peace through resolute struggle.

"After this incident, based on humanitarian considerations, China reached a consensus with the Philippines that as long as the Philippines provides prior notification, accepts Chinese inspection, and ensures that no other sensitive materials are being transported, China will tacitly allow the resupply activities. To date, this mechanism has operated smoothly under Chinese supervision," Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told a Global Times reporter on Wednesday.

He added that if the Philippine resupply activities are carried out through friendly consultation between China and the Philippines, properly notified, inspected, and guaranteed to contain no illegal materials, China will not interfere with such humanitarian resupply.

The Chinese expert believes that the so-called "jamming communication" hyped by foreign media and some Philippine officials are impossible. This is because the Philippines was using a chartered civilian merchant vessel for the resupply mission, and there is no need to conduct electromagnetic interference against such a civilian ship.

"The so-called 'telecommunication interference' seems more like the imagination of certain Philippine figures, similar to their previous hype about China using 'laser weapons,' and is a seriously exaggerated narrative. Its purpose is likely to deliberately create a false narrative and exaggerate the 'China threat,' which has long been a common tactic of the Philippines and its related media," Chen said.

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DHS Applauds White House Lawsuit Against California's Unconstitutional Anti-Cop Legislation That Endangers Federal Law Enforcement

Release Date: November 19, 2025

ICE agents face an 8,000% increase in death threats, in addition to a 1,000% increase in assaults against them

WASHINGTON -- The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) applauded the Trump administration's lawsuit filed this week against the State of California and Governor Gavin Newsom over two recently enacted laws that will endanger federal law enforcement and further embolden violent political extremists.

California's so-called No Secret Police Act (SB 627) bans law enforcement officers from wearing protective face coverings to protect their identities in the line of duty. The state's so-called No Vigilantes Act (SB 805) requires non-uniformed federal law enforcement officers to effectively dox themselves by displaying ID to criminals while on the job. Both are set to go into effect January 1, 2026.

While conducting operations, DHS law enforcement officers clearly identify themselves as law enforcement while wearing masks to protect themselves from being doxed and targeted by highly sophisticated gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13, other violent criminal gangs, and domestic terror groups like Antifa. Officers still clearly identify themselves as police, typically by wearing vests marked with "ICE/ERO" or "Homeland Security."

"The Sanctuary politicians of California want to make it easier for violent political extremists to target our brave men and women of federal law enforcement for enforcing immigration laws and keeping the American people safe. This demonization is going to get somebody killed," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "Both laws violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, which makes it clear that California does not control federal law enforcement. That is why the Trump administration is taking this matter to court and why we look forward to these laws being overturned in due time."

DHS has previously called on Governor Newsom to veto The No Secret Police Act. These laws come at a time when ICE agents face an 8,000% increase in death threats, in addition to a 1,000% increase in assaults.

# # #

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Drug Trafficker Zhi Dong Zhang, aka "Brother Wang," Returned from Mexico to Face International Narcotics and Money Laundering Charges in New York and Georgia

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Defendant Allegedly Led a Large Scale Narcotics Trafficking and Money Laundering Organization That Operated Throughout Mexico and the United States

Zhi Dong Zhang, also known as "GG," "Kun Li Hernandez," "Chang Li Gong Sun," "Memo," "Brother Wang," "BW," "Pancho," "HeHe," "HaHa," "Chino," and "Summor Ownor," 38, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky for the Eastern District of New York at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, on a second superseding indictment (the Indictment) charging him with international cocaine distribution conspiracy, international cocaine distribution, cocaine importation conspiracy, cocaine and methamphetamine possession and distribution conspiracy, and money laundering crimes. The defendant, a Chinese citizen, was arrested in Mexico after Mexico issued an arrest warrant based on extradition requests from the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia and was returned to the United States on October 23. The defendant was ordered detained pending trial. On October 24, the defendant had an initial appearance in the Southern District of Texas, where he was arraigned on this Indictment and on the indictment in the Northern District of Georgia.

The defendant has been designated a Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT) by the Department of Justice, a designation given to the most significant narcotics traffickers in the world.

"The defendant stands accused of running a global enterprise that pumped massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into our communities and laundered millions in narcotics proceeds," said U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd W. Blanche. "His return to the United States is a major step in dismantling a network that has fueled addiction, violence, and death. I'm grateful for the outstanding work of our prosecutors, agents, and international partners who refused to let him hide behind aliases, shell companies, or foreign borders. The Department of Justice will continue to target the world's most dangerous traffickers, wherever they operate, and bring them to justice."

"As alleged, the defendant is a leader of one of the most prolific drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the world who, together with his co-conspirators, imported thousands of kilograms of narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, into the United States and other countries," said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. "The indictments he faces in the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia will hold him responsible for the great harm he has caused."

"Zhang's transnational network was allegedly intricate, well-coordinated, and well-funded," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. "However, through the great work of dedicated law enforcement agencies and valued cooperation from our international partners, Zhang's poison pipeline has been shut off. Whether the perpetrators are here or hiding abroad, my office will continue to vigorously pursue anyone who is trafficking illegal narcotics in and through the Northern District of Georgia."

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)'s arrest of Zhi Dong Zhang marks a decisive blow against the ruthless criminal enterprises responsible for flooding our streets with cocaine, meth and deadly fentanyl," said Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of HSI New York. "The defendant's alleged actions on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG have bolstered the operations of transnational criminal organizations responsible for peddling death in nearly every form - fueling an overdose epidemic, spreading violence, and destabilizing communities across the United States and beyond. One by one, year after year, the HSI New York Homeland Security Task Force will continue to wage an unyielding campaign against those who empower cartels to sow destruction and death for greed, ensuring that no corner of their criminal empire is beyond the reach of justice."

"This arrest represents a critical milestone in a long-running investigation into an alleged high-level narcotics trafficker with international reach," said Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division. "A defendant wanted on warrants out of Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia has now been taken into custody, thanks to years of coordinated work by DEA and our partners. We will continue to follow the evidence and the money until the leadership of these organizations is dismantled."

The Justice Department also expressed appreciation to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, HSI Mexico City, HSI Rio Grande Valley, and the Government of Mexico.

The EDNY Indictment

As set forth in court filings, since June 2016, Zhang has operated a massive narcotics trafficking and money laundering organization in Mexico and the United States, importing thousands of kilograms of narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, into the United States and other countries. Law enforcement has made numerous seizures of narcotics traced to the defendant's organization, including 46 kilograms of cocaine, 58 kilograms of methamphetamine, and almost seven kilograms of fentanyl.

Zhang and members of his organization also laundered millions of dollars of criminal proceeds from these narcotics sales through the creation and use of shell companies in the United States, which were opened using false social security numbers and other fraudulent documents. The organization recruited individuals known as "banqueros" to open bank accounts at various banks on behalf of the shell companies, engage in money pickups at different money drop locations throughout the United States, deposit that money into the shell company bank accounts, and wire the funds to other beneficiary accounts to be laundered outside of the United States. The organization employed supervisors in Mexico, known as "coordinators," who directed the banqueros at every step of the process, including coordinating the money pick-ups, buying and booking travel, and providing the fraudulent documentation to open bank accounts. In total, law enforcement identified more than 100 shell companies tied to Zhang's organization that were used to launder at least $77 million in narcotics proceeds.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York's International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section as part of the work of the Office's Transnational Criminal Organizations Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miranda Gonzalez and Vincent Chiappini of the Eastern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution.

The NDGA Indictment

As set out in Court filings, Zhang was allegedly a leader of a vast drug trafficking and money laundering organization that began operating in Mexico at least as early as 2016. Zhang allegedly used an extensive network of coordinators and couriers to get cocaine and fentanyl to multiple destinations in the United States. In January and February 2022, Zhang personally negotiated and coordinated the delivery of 11 kilograms of cocaine and one kilogram of fentanyl to Atlanta for distribution.

Once the cocaine and fentanyl were distributed, Zhang allegedly oversaw the use of stash houses in Georgia and California to collect the drug proceeds which were then deposited into bank accounts. The money laundering was massive and involved 150 companies, 170 bank accounts and approximately $20 million in drug proceeds.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topics: Operation Take Back America

Drug Trafficking

Components: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

Office of the Deputy Attorney General

USAO - Georgia, Northern

USAO - New York, Eastern

Press Release Number: 25-1094

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Afghan National Sentenced to Serve 15 Years in Federal Prison After Plotting Election Day Terror Attack in the United States

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Abdullah Haji Zada, 19, a native and citizen of Afghanistan and U.S. lawful permanent resident, has been sentenced to serve the statutory maximum of 15 years in federal prison for knowingly receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive a firearm and ammunition to be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism.

According to court documents, Zada and a co-conspirator received two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition, knowing that the firearms and ammunition would be used in connection with a terrorist attack on Election Day in November 2024, on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Zada was arrested with his co-conspirator, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 28, also a citizen of Afghanistan, in October 2024.

"Zada was welcomed into the United States and provided with all the opportunities available to residents of our Nation, yet he chose to embrace terrorism and plot an ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day," said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "Today's sentence, and Zada's eventual removal from the United States, reflect the seriousness of his betrayal and our commitment to using every tool at our disposal to detect and disrupt such plots."

"With today's sentencing, Zada will pay the price for participating in a plot last year to conduct an ISIS-inspired Election Day terrorist attack," said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. "Detecting and preventing acts of terrorism against the American people is an essential part of the FBI's mission. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities."

"The sentence today reflects the gravity of the planned terrorist attack, which was thwarted by the exceptional work of law enforcement," said United States Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. "The Department of Justice remains vigilant and focused to detect, deter, and disrupt acts of terrorism and hold offenders accountable."

"By hatching a violent plot against the United States on behalf of ISIS, the defendant and his co-conspirator shamefully turned their backs on the country that provided them safety and refuge," said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. "I'm extremely proud of the swift and coordinated action taken by the Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force as soon as this disturbing plan was uncovered. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will never relent in our fight against terrorism, and in protecting the American people from those who wish them harm."

Zada, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, entered his guilty plea as an adult on April 17, 2025. As part of the plea agreement, Zada stipulated to the entry of a judicial order of removal from the United States to Afghanistan following his term of incarceration. Zada acknowledged that the order of removal would terminate his lawful permanent resident status. Zada also waived his right to appeal the conviction except in limited circumstances or seek any form of appeal or relief from his removal and deportation, including but not limited to, seeking asylum.

At a sentencing hearing today, U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced Zada to serve 15 years in federal prison.

Zada's co-conspirator, Tawhedi, pleaded guilty on June 13, 2025, to two terrorism-related offenses: conspiring and attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, a designated terrorist organization, and receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a federal crime of terrorism. At sentencing, Tawhedi faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison for the material support charge and up to 15 years in prison for the firearms charge. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Upon completion of any sentence, Zada and Tawhedi will be permanently removed from the United States and barred from reentry under stipulated judicial orders of removal to Afghanistan.

The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office's Joint Terrorism Task Forcewhich includes Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Marshals Service, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Edmond Police Department, the Moore Police Department, the Oklahoma City Police Department, the Oklahoma City Community College Police Department, and the Oklahoma City University Police Departmentinvestigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Perry and Matt Dillon for the Western District of Oklahoma and Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian, previously with the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section, along with other trial attorneys from the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section, prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Mark Stoneman of the Money Laundering, Narcotics, and Forfeiture Section, who previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, also assisted with the prosecution.

Updated November 19, 2025

Topic: National Security

Components: National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Oklahoma, Western

Press Release Number: 25-1096

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The Prime Minister's Office, on behalf of the Mossad: "The Hamas Octopus" - A Wave of Exposures of the Terrorist Infrastructure built by the Hamas Leadership in the Heart of Europe

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 19.11.2025

An uncompromising struggle to thwart terrorist attacks worldwide: Close cooperation between the Mossad and intelligence and law enforcement agencies in Europe has led to the seizure of weapons caches and the arrests of terrorist operatives on the continent.

Following a lengthy investigation led by the Mossad for Intelligence and Special Operations, and thanks to cooperation with European intelligence and law enforcement agencies, terrorist infrastructures built by Hamas with the aim of carrying out attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets have recently been thwarted.

Law and enforcement authorities in Europe, including in Germany and Austria, have conducted a series of complex counter-terrorism operations, resulting in the arrest of terrorist operatives and the discovery of weapons caches intended for use by terrorist cells to harm innocent people 'on the day the order is given.'

In a special operation by the Austrian State Security and Intelligence Directorate (DSN) in Vienna last September, a weapons hideout containing handguns and explosive devices was uncovered and confiscated. The investigation of those involved revealed that the items hidden in the cache belonged to Hamas operative Muhammad Na'im, the son of senior Hamas Political Bureau member abroad, Basem Na'im, who is close to Khalil al-Hayya, the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip. The involvement of the organization's leadership from Qatar in promoting terrorist activities is not being exposed for the first time, even though the movement's senior officials have repeatedly denied it publicly, as part of their effort to protect the image of the Hamas organization in the eyes of international public opinion.

As part of the investigation that exposed Muhammad Na'im's responsibility for building the terrorist infrastructure in Vienna, additional information emerged regarding a meeting held in Qatar between him and his father, Basem Na'im, a senior Hamas leader, last September. The meeting between the two at that time indicates a possible involvement of the Hamas leadership in promoting terrorism in Europe, with authorization for the movement's operatives to advance terrorism with authority and sanction. The sweeping denials by the movement's leadership on this matter can only attest to the leadership's loss of control over its rogue operatives.

The investigation into the Hamas terror network in Europe is currently examining the possible involvement of Hamas elements in Turkey in promoting the intention to carry out attacks, some of which have been exposed. This is due to Turkey being a convenient operational arena for Hamas operatives in the past and present. As part of the investigation by European security and enforcement bodies, a prominent operative in the infrastructure, Barah al-Khatib, was arrested in Germany last November, after having stayed in Turkey, apparently after completing his operational activity on European soil.

The partnership of security and enforcement authorities in Europe in the global campaign against the Hamas terrorist threat reflects the growing international understanding of the escalating threat and their determination to thwart any Hamas terrorist activity on their soil. Furthermore, there is an apparent expansion of the struggle by European law enforcement authorities on the legal and diplomatic level against Hamas's incitement and extremism activities and the bodies operating on its behalf, including associations and religious institutions, which Hamas uses for fundraising and recruiting terrorist operatives, as was recently done in Germany.

The Mossad, together with its partners in the Israeli and global intelligence and security communities, is leading extensive efforts to thwart terrorism against Israeli, Jewish, and innocent targets worldwide. Since the October 7 massacre, the Hamas terrorist organization has been working with renewed vigor to build infrastructure and recruit terrorist cells in Europe and other arenas, similar to the Iranian regime and its proxies. Even now, the Mossad continues its determined activity to thwart dozens of attack channels around the world as part of its responsibility to thwart terrorism abroad and its commitment to the security and defense of Israel.

Attached are photographs of Basem Na'im and Muhammad Na'im, as well as pictures of the seized weapons and a map of the current operational centers of the thwarted Hamas infrastructure.

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United States, Australia, and United Kingdom Jointly Sanction Ransomware Infrastructure Providers

US Department of State

Press Statement

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

November 19, 2025

Today, in partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom, the United States sanctioned the Russia-based bulletproof hosting company Media Land and its network for their role supporting online criminal marketplaces and prolific ransomware actors like Lockbit, BlackSuit, and Play, who target businesses in the United States and around the world.

The United States and United Kingdom are also sanctioning persons affiliated with Aeza Group, a bulletproof hosting company sanctioned earlier this year by the United States. The Aeza Group is responsible for providing web hosting services to ransomware groups, including those targeting the U.S. defense industrial base and technology companies. These parties helped Aeza attempt to evade sanctions.

Bulletproof hosting service providers sell cybercriminals access to computer infrastructure required to conduct their illicit activities against businesses around the world. Today, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in conjunction with law enforcement and international partners, released guidance on how to mitigate risks presented by bulletproof hosting providers .

Today's designations demonstrate that the United States, in partnership with its allies, is firmly committed to protecting Americans from cybercrime.

Today's action is being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as further amended. For more information on today's action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release.

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United States, Australia, and United Kingdom Sanction Russian Cybercrime Infrastructure Supporting Ransomware

U.S. Department of the Treasury

November 19, 2025

WASHINGTON  Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the United Kingdom's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office are announcing coordinated sanctions targeting Media Land, a Russia-based bulletproof hosting (BPH) service provider, for its role in supporting ransomware operations and other forms of cybercrime. OFAC is also designating three members of Media Land's leadership team and three of its sister companies in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

BPH service providers sell access to specialized servers and other computer infrastructure specifically designed to evade detection and defy law enforcement efforts to disrupt malicious cyber activities.

In addition, OFAC and the United Kingdom are designating Hypercore Ltd.,a front company of Aeza Group LLC (Aeza Group), a BPH service provider designated by OFAC earlier this year. OFAC, in coordination with its UK partners, is also designating two additional individuals and two entities that have led, materially supported, or acted for Aeza Group.

"These so-called bulletproof hosting service providers like Media Land provide cybercriminals essential services to aid them in attacking businesses in the United States and in allied countries," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. "Today's trilateral action with Australia and the United Kingdom, in coordination with law enforcement partners, demonstrates our collective commitment to combatting cybercrime and protecting our citizens."

Media Land: a key Launching pad for ransomware

Media Land LLC (Media Land), headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia, has provided BPH services to criminal marketplaces and ransomware actors, including prolific ransomware actors such as Lockbit, BlackSuit, and Play. Media Land infrastructure was also utilized in multiple distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks against U.S. victim companies and critical infrastructure.

ML Cloud is a Media Land sister company whose technical infrastructure is often used in conjunction with Media Land, including in ransomware and DDOS attacks.

Aleksandr Volosovik (Volosovik) is the general director of Media Land and has frequently advertised the Media Land business on cybercriminal forums under the alias "Yalishanda." He has provided servers and conducted troubleshooting for ransomware and DDOS actors.



Figure 1: Zatolokin Figure 1: Zatolokin

Kirill Zatolokin (Zatolokin) is a Media Land employee who is responsible for collecting payment from customers and coordinating with other cyber actors. He also works closely with Volosovik on Media Land's overall operations.

OFAC is designating Media Land, ML Cloud, Volosovik, and Zatolokin pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as amended by E.O. 13757, E.O. 14144, and E.O. 14306 ("E.O. 13694, as further amended"), for being responsible or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, cyber-enabled activities originating from, or directed by persons located, in whole or in part, outside the United States that are reasonably likely to result in, or have materially contributed to, a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States, and that have the purpose of or involve causing a disruption to the availability of a computer or network of computers or compromising the integrity of the information stored on a computer or network of computers.



Figure 2: Volosovik and Pankova Figure 2: Volosovik and Pankova

Yulia Pankova (Pankova) is aware of Volosovik's illicit activity, has assisted Volosovik with legal issues, and has handled his finances. OFAC is designating Pankova pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods, and services to or in support of, Volosovik.

Media Land Technology (MLT) and Data Center Kirishi (DC Kirishi) are 100 percent-owned subsidiaries of Media Land. OFAC is designating MLT and DC Kirishi pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Media Land.

Maintaining Pressure on Aeza Group

After OFAC's designations of Aeza Group (Aeza) and its leadership on July 1, 2025, Aeza leadership initiated a rebranding strategy focusing on removing any connections between Aeza and their new technical infrastructure. OFAC's designations today serve as a reminder that OFAC will take all possible steps to counter sanctions evasion activity by malicious cyber actors and their enablers.

Hypercore Ltd. (Hypercore) is a UK company registered and utilized by Aeza Group after its designation to move its IP infrastructure and evade sanctions. OFAC is designating Hypercore pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Aeza.

Maksim Vladimirovich Makarov (Makarov) is the new director of Aeza. He has made key decisions regarding Aeza Group's attempt to evade sanctions. OFAC is designating Makarov pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended for being a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Aeza.

Ilya Vladislavovich Zakirov (Zakirov) helped establish new companies and payment methods to obfuscate Aeza's continuing activity. OFAC is designating Zakirov pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Aeza.

Smart Digital Ideas DOO (Smart Digital) and Datavice MCHJ (Datavice) and are Serbian and Uzbek companies utilized by Aeza to evade sanctions and set up technical infrastructure that is not publicly associated with the Aeza brand.

OFAC is designating Smart Digital pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support, of Aeza.

OFAC is designating Datavice pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Aeza.

Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in conjunction with law enforcement and international partners, released guidance with further information on how to mitigate risks presented by bulletproof hosting providers. For further information, please click here.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated 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 designated or otherwise blocked persons.

In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

Violations of OFAC regulations may result in civil or criminal penalties. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation.

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, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today.

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UK smashes Russian cybercrime networks responsible for attacks on UK businesses

Press release

The UK, US and Australia announce new sanctions targeting Media Land, a Russian cyber crime group providing so-called 'bulletproof' hosting services.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, National Crime Agency and The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

Published 19 November 2025

New sanctions target the Media Land cybercrime syndicate responsible for facilitating cyber-attacks on UK-based companies.

Foreign Secretary announces latest crack down on illicit cyber activity globally, as cyber-attacks cost the UK economy 14.7 billion in 2024.

Today's coordinated action with Australia and the United States demonstrates the UK's ongoing commitment to tackling malicious Russian cyber activity.

Illicit Russian networks enabling cyber-attacks round the world are today exposed and sanctioned by the UK, in latest crack down on malicious Russian cybercrime.

Today's action targets Media Land, one of the most significant operators of so-called "bulletproof" hosting services, which provides online infrastructure that enables cyber criminals to engage in illegal activity, including ransomware and phishing attacks.

These shadowy online networks allow cyber criminals and malicious actors to think they can act with impunity and destroy livelihoods - today's action, taken alongside our allies in Australia and the United States and in collaboration with the UK's National Crime Agency, proves otherwise.

Cyber criminals hiding behind Media Land's services are responsible for ransomware attacks against the UK's critical national infrastructure including those in the telecommunications sector, as well as malware and phishing campaigns targeting UK taxpayers.

Defending Europe from malicious Russian cyber and hybrid activity is a shared priority for the UK and Germany, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper set to meet her German counterpart Johann Wadephul.

Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

Cyber criminals think that they can act in the shadows, targeting hard working British people and ruining livelihoods with impunity. But they are mistaken - together with our allies, we are exposing their dark networks and going after those responsible.

Today's measures will also directly target Media Land's ringleader Alexander Volosovik, AKA Yalishanda, who has been active in the cyber underground since at least 2010, and is known to have worked with some of the most notorious cyber criminal groups, including Evil Corp, LockBit and Black Basta.

Ransomware attacks like those facilitated by Media Land significantly undermine the national security of the UK and our allies and directly harm British businesses. Cyber-attacks are estimated to have cost British businesses 14.7bn in 2024, accounting for 0.5% of GDP and growing every year.

The harm caused by 'bulletproof' hosting services like Media Land extends beyond enabling cyber-attacks against businesses, with their services providing cover for those carrying out a wide range of malicious activity. Aeza Group LLC, also sanctioned today, has provided 'bulletproof' services to support the work of the Social Design Agency - a Russian disinformation agency sanctioned by the UK in 2024 for its attempts to destabilise Ukraine and undermine democracies around the world. This action demonstrates our continued commitment to crack down on organisations that enable the Kremlin's information war.

Alongside our allies, the UK is rooting out these criminal cyber gangs and going after their ringleaders - promoting growth by safeguarding British businesses, fundamental to this government's Plan for Change.

Putin has turned Russia into a safe haven for these malicious cyber criminals, cultivating a dark criminal ecosystem with deep ties to the Kremlin. Through today's action and repeatedly targeting malicious actors like LockBit and Evil Corp, the UK is disrupting these underground networks. If Russia isn't going to clean up its act and go after these criminals, then the UK and our allies will.

Background

Please see press releases on the UK's sanctions against the Social Design Agency, ZSERVERS, LockBit and Evil Corp for more detail.

Today, the National Cyber Security Centre and its international counterparts have issued new advice to help defend against potential malicious cyber activities enabled by bulletproof hosting providers, read more here.

A full list of those added to the UK sanctions list today is as follows:

MEDIA LAND LLC

ML.CLOUD LLC

Alexander Alexandrovich VOLOSOVIK

Yulia Vladimirovna PANKOVA

Kirill Andreevich ZATOLOKIN

Andrei Valerevich KOZLOV

AEZA GROUP LLC

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Coast Guard continues to break records, offloading over $362 million in illicit drugs interdicted in Eastern Pacific Ocean

United States Coast Guard

Press Release | Nov. 19, 2025

Coast Guard Southeast District - 305-202-3735

MIAMI -- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stone's crew offloaded approximately 49,010 pounds of illicit narcotics worth more than $362 million at Port Everglades, Wednesday.

This offload marks the most amount of cocaine seized by a single cutter in one patrol in Coast Guard history.

The seized contraband was the result of 15 interdictions in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

"I am extremely proud of the crew's incredible performance during this deployment," said Capt. Anne O'Connell, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Stone. "This offload demonstrates our increased posture and continued success in the fight against narco-terrorism and transnational criminal organizations. The Coast Guard, in conjunction with our inter-agency and international partners, continues to patrol areas commonly associated with drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, denying smugglers access to maritime routes by which they move illicit drugs to our U.S. land and sea borders."

The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stone

U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville

Joint Interagency Task Force-South

Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders

Coast Guard Southwest District watchstanders

80% of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea. This underscores the importance of maritime interdiction in combatting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting American communities from this deadly threat. U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force -South based in Key West, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard's Southwest District, headquartered in Alameda, California.

To protect the Homeland from ongoing trafficking of illicit narcotics from South America to the United States, the Coast Guard is accelerating our counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Pacific Viper.

The Coast Guard continues increased operations to interdict, seize and disrupt transshipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs by sea. These drugs fuel and enable cartels and transnational criminal organizations to produce and traffic illegal fentanyl, threatening the United States.

These interdictions deny criminal organizations more than half a billion dollars in illicit revenue. They provide critical testimonial and drug evidence as well as key intelligence for their total elimination. These interdictions relate to Panama Express, an initiative of HSTF Tampa, investigations in support of Operation Take Back America. PANEX identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

USCGC Stone is one of four 418-foot Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.

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Australia Industry and Workers making the grade with US Virginia Class Submarines Submariness

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

19 November 2025

The Albanese Government is announcing today HIFraser as the first Australian company qualified to supply parts for US Virginia class submarines through the Government-funded Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program (DIVQ) - supporting advanced manufacturing, creating high-value jobs, and strengthening Australia's security through the AUKUS partnership.

HIFraser is now qualified to supply three valve types and pipe fittings to US submarine programs, for use in the construction and sustainment of Virginia class submarines. This comes less than 12 months after the awarding of an initial contract by the Albanese Government to commence manufacturing of these parts for qualification by US vendors.

DIVQ is a key initiative under Australia's AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, accelerating the qualification of Australian products into US and UK submarine supply chains and ensuring Australian companies and workers are at the heart of this generational capability uplift.

USS Vermont Maintenance Period

Today's announcement coincides with the Submarine Maintenance Period for United States Ship (USS) Vermont at HMAS Stirling.

This is the first time a US nuclear-powered submarine has undergone a maintenance period in Australia without a US support ship, with this milestone being achieved solely by Australian, US and UK onshore teams.

During this maintenance period, personnel from the Royal Australian Navy and ASC are working alongside their US counterparts to support more than 160 maintenance tasks, including a world-first mobile pure water plant designed by Western Australian companies MAK Water and Diverse Welding to meet stringent US and UK standards.

There are also two Australian officers and 11 Australian sailors who are part of the crew of USS Vermont supporting all aspects of the maintenance period and routine submarine operations over a four-week period.

These milestones highlight how AUKUS is creating extraordinary opportunities for Australian industry, workers and Defence personnel - a critical step towards Australia's capacity to own, operate and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclearpowered submarines.

The Albanese Government is investing $8 billion to upgrade HMAS Stirling to support Submarine Rotational ForceWest from 2027. Over the next 30 years, around 20,000 direct jobs will be created across Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program, supported by training pathways, scholarships, and industry partnerships that will deliver a highly skilled workforce for decades to come.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

"AUKUS is happening at pace - strengthening national security, creating jobs, and building a Future Made in Australia.

"Today's announcement is another example of how our investments in AUKUS are bolstering Defence capabilities and supporting Australian workers.

"It is fantastic to see this work in action here at the home of our submarines, at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia."

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles:

"Australian Defence Force personnel and industry are working side by side with our AUKUS partners to deliver a demanding maintenance program on a US Virginia class submarine - building the skills and experience that will underpin our sovereign submarine capability.

"The qualification of HIFraser products to Virginia class submarine standards through the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program is further demonstration of the Albanese Government's investment to deliver opportunities for industry.

"Australians are making an unprecedented contribution to the operation, building and sustainment of nuclearpowered submarines."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy:

"HIFraser's qualification and MAK Water's achievement showcase how AUKUS is delivering opportunities for Australian industry, creating jobs for local workers and building our sovereign capability.

"These milestones demonstrate the way Australian industry and workers are not only supporting our own submarines, but contributing to the sustainment of US and UK fleets as well.

"Our three navies, alongside industry, are working, learning and innovating together - making us stronger than the sum of our parts."

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Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia completes Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 25

National Defence

News release

November 19, 2025 - Ottawa, ON - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Under Canadian leadership as the framework nation, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Multinational Brigade Latvia (MNB-LVA) conducted Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 25 from November 1 to 10, 2025, across central and eastern Latvia.

Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 25 marked MNB-LVA's largest deployment beyond Adazi military base, demonstrating the ability to project combat power, maintain command and control, and sustain operations in urban and rural environments.

MNB-LVA includes personnel from over one-third of NATO member states. In 2024, Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR focused on integrating the capabilities of the multinational brigade. This year's iteration focused on the multinational brigade's combat readiness and followed the Canadian battlegroup's validation training in February and September. Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR reflects Canada's enduring commitment to NATO's collective defence and comes amid milestone Canadian investments in infrastructure and capabilities in Latvia, reinforcing security and stability on NATO's eastern flank.

Canada's leadership of MNB-LVA is complemented by Government of Canada investments, including the October 31 groundbreaking of a new 2nd Line Maintenance Facility at Adazi military base, the largest Canadian infrastructure project abroad in decades. Backed by a $58 million investment, this 17,000 square metre hub will support advanced repairs for NATO armoured vehicles, enhancing NATO's readiness and mobility across Latvia. This investment comes as part of Canada's $230 million in commitments, coordinated under the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) Operation REASSURANCE, to bolster NATO's eastern flank.

Canada's historic investment into NATO's defence and deterrence, through Operation REASSURANCE and MNB-LVA, is part of the largest reinforcement of Alliance collective deterrence and defence in a generation and highlights our commitment to defend NATO, its territory, and its people.

Quotes

"Integrating and evaluating the combat capabilities of 14 nations during Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2025 demonstrates NATO Alliance resolve to deter and defend its eastern flank. The readiness and professionalism of members from across this multinational brigade is a testament to the year-round training conducted as individual nations and ultimately as a unified force. I am proud of what NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia has accomplished and look forward to its continued success." Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command

"This exercise is a clear signal that Canada remains committed to the defence of Latvia and its citizens. Canadian investments in infrastructure, equipment, training, and personnel have undoubtedly contributed to the ability of NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia to project and sustain forces throughout Latvia, reinforcing Canada's commitment to Alliance efforts to deter and defend its Eastern flank." Colonel Jim Smith, Commander, Task Force Latvia

"By immersing our soldiers within the community and working with the Latvian National Armed Forces, we strengthen our readiness and deepen our resolve to defend Latvia. This collaboration reinforces the unity between our forces and stands as a visible symbol of collective defence." Colonel Kristopher Reeves, Commander, NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia

Quick facts

Large-scale field exercises like Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 25 are designed to validate fighting forces' readiness.

A portion of Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 25 involved the deployment of approximately 2400 troops to Eastern Latvia, which included MNB-LVA, National Support Elements, and the Latvian National Guard, culminating in a live-fire demonstration at Adazi Military Base.

NATO MNB-LVA currently consists of 14 contributing nations, including Albania, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

The first CAF deployment on Operation REASSURANCE occurred in 2014 as a response to instability in Eastern Europe caused by Russia's illegal and unprecedented annexation of Crimea. This deployment included a CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft Task Force, a Land Task Force based in Poland, and a Maritime Task Force consisting of one Royal Canadian Navy frigate in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

In 2016 Allied Heads of State and Government decided to establish NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) along the Alliance's eastern flank. Canada's contribution to this was establishing and leading the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia (formerly known as eFP Battlegroup Latvia) in 2017.

In response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO leaders at the Madrid Summit committed to bolstering the Alliance's deterrence and defence posture. In coordination with Latvia and contributing nations, the Multinational Battlegroup was integrated into the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia on October 17, 2024.

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Wang Huning Meets with Delegation of German Social Democratic Party

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 18, 2025 21:43

On November 18, 2025, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning met in Beijing with a delegation led by Lars Klingbeil, co-chairman of German Social Democratic Party (SPD) and German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance.

Wang Huning noted that in May this year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reaching important common understandings on deepening China-Germany exchanges and cooperation. A sound and stable China-Germany relationship serves the interests of both countries and meets the expectations of all sectors in China and Europe. China is ready to work with Germany to advance the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership to a higher level and promote the development of China-Europe relations. The National Committee of the CPPCC is ready to make positive contributions toward this goal.

Lars Klingbeil said that China is an important partner of Germany, and that both countries bear significant responsibilities for the future of the world. The German side adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to work with the Chinese side to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of both countries and promote practical cooperation in various sectors. German SPD is willing to strengthen strategic dialogue with the CPC and enhance mutual understanding.

Wang Dongfeng and other officials attended the meeting.

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Li Qiang Meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 19, 2025 11:00

On the afternoon of November 18, 2025 local time, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Li Qiang first conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes to President Vladimir Putin. Li Qiang noted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era has been growing at a high level. Since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin have met twice, charting the course for the further development of China-Russia relations. In the face of a changing and turbulent international landscape, China is ready to work with Russia to uphold the original aspiration of lasting friendship, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, deepen cooperation in various fields, and achieve more practical results, so as to better serve the development and rejuvenation of the two countries.

Li Qiang stated that China's determination and position on developing mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia have been consistent, and China is ready to further enhance the resilience of cooperation with Russia, consolidate and maintain the steady and sound development momentum of bilateral cooperation. The two sides should jointly host new China-Russia "theme years" at the national level, make good use of people-benefiting policies for "reaching out to each other", including visa-free access, promote better mutual understanding and closer ties between the peoples of the two countries, and consolidate the foundation of people-to-people friendship in bilateral relations. China is ready to continue to work closely with Russia to implement the outcomes of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit, carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, deepen unity and cooperation, create a model for practicing the Global Governance Initiative, promote high-quality development of the SCO, and make greater contributions to peace and development in the region and the world at large.

Vladimir Putin asked Li Qiang to convey his cordial regards and best wishes to President Xi Jinping, and congratulated the successful convening of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Vladimir Putin expressed his firm belief that under President Xi Jinping's strong leadership, China will successfully achieve the development goals set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan and make more remarkable economic and social development achievements. The Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era is now at its historical height. Russia is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, expand cooperation in economy and trade, energy, agriculture, infrastructure development and other fields, and increase people-to-people exchanges. Russia congratulates China on the successful hosting of the SCO Tianjin Summit, and is ready to further strengthen communication and coordination with China within multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS, safeguard regional and global peace and stability, and advance common development.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on November 19, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 19, 2025 19:32

CCTV: Many analysts have pointed to the fact that Sanae Takaichi is the first Japanese prime minister to explicitly describe a hypothetical scenario concerning Taiwan as a "survival-threatening situation." It implies that Japan could exercise the right of "collective self-defense" if such a situation occurs, which makes Japan's armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait a possibility. That would be unacceptable to China given its red line. Do you agree with the view?

Mao Ning: The right of collective self-defense set forth in the UN Charter is created to safeguard the collective security of the international community and prevent the revival of fascist forces. Japan has been restricted from exercising this right since the end of World War II. The Potsdam Proclamation clearly states that Japan should not "re-arm." Japan commits in its Constitution to "forever renouncing war and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes" and established the exclusively defense-oriented principle. Together they codified Japan's obligations as a defeated country.

A brief look at history will show us that to use "survival-threatening situation" and "self-defense" as a pretext is a go-to tactic for Japanese militarism to launch aggression. In 1931, Japan called whether it could seize "Manchuria" as "survival-threatening," and used that as a pretext to carry out the September 18th Incident and invaded and occupied Northeast China. Japan later claimed that to defend "the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" was an existential battle for Japan, enlarging its war of aggression to the entire Asia. Whether to attack Pearl Harbor was also deemed as "survival-threatening" to Japan, which ignited the Pacific War.

The alarm has been sounded. The historical tragedy must not repeat itself. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the international community must guard against and firmly thwart any attempt of reviving militarism, jointly uphold the post-WWII international order and safeguard world peace.

Sky News: Yesterday, MI5 issued an official warning to British politicians about two LinkedIn accounts that it said were posing as "headhunters" but were in fact operating on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security. Given the sheer regularity of these type of accusations recently, is it not quite far-fetched and perhaps even more damaging to bilateral relations between China and the UK for China to continue to maintain that the UK is just making it all up?

Mao Ning: China has stated its position more than once. China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs and has absolutely no interest in the so-called "intelligence" of the UK Parliament. Time to stop those phantom allegations and the false projection.

China-Arab TV: Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his meeting with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, said the second China-Arab States Summit will be held next year. What steps is China taking for the preparation of the summit?

Mao Ning: In May 2024, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and delivered a keynote speech. President Xi Jinping in the speech announced China will host the second China-Arab States Summit in China in 2026. Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit had an in-depth exchange of views on jointly making preparations for the summit. The preparation work is in orderly progress.

CGTN: On November 18 local time, the 80th session of the UN General Assembly deliberated on the reform of the Security Council. The Chinese representative explicitly pointed out in his remarks that Japan "is totally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the Security Council." What is your comment?

Mao Ning: According to the UN Charter, the Security Council bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Japan waged a war of aggression during the Second World War, inflicting profound sufferings on the people of Asia and the world. To this day, Japan still has not fully repented for its war crimes. Some in Japan continue to advocate a wrong perception of World War II history, and they still pay tribute to the Yasukuni Shrine, and distort, deny and even whitewash Japan's history of aggression. The erroneous remarks of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, trample on international law and basic norms in international relations, and challenge the post-WWII international order. A country like this is in no position to take up the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and is unfit for permanent membership of the Security Council.

AFP: Prosecutors in Taiwan charged seven people, including a person from Chinese mainland, on Tuesday with violating national security after they allegedly collected military secrets for Chinese mainland. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this?

Mao Ning: This is not related to foreign affairs.

NHK: We've learned that China has notified Japan it will suspend the imports of Japanese aquatic products. Can you share the details and the reason for this?

Mao Ning: Japan made a commitment to fulfill the regulatory responsibility of guaranteeing the quality and safety of its aquatic products exported to China. This is the prerequisite for China's import of Japanese aquatic products. However, Japan has so far been unable to provide the technical materials under its commitment.

Let me reiterate that because of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's egregious moves and erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan and other major issues of principle, there has been strong outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people. Under current circumstances, there will be no market for Japanese aquatic products even if they enter China.

Beijing Daily: The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Moscow, and Premier Li Qiang attended the meeting. Could you share more information and the outcomes of the meeting?

Mao Ning: The Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO held yesterday was a full success. Leaders of participating countries had an in-depth discussion and reached important common understandings on implementing the outcomes of the SCO Summit in Tianjian, deepening cooperation in various fields, and strengthening institution-building of the organization.

Premier Li Qiang said that as an important player in building and reforming the global governance system, the SCO is equipped and capable of jointly implementing the Global Governance Initiative. The SCO should focus on the key areas of development and security to build an open and inclusive world economy and promote universal security and lasting peace. The SCO should achieve sustainable development by fostering and developing new drivers and promoting green and low-carbon transition. China stands ready to work with all parties to further enhance the SCO's cohesion, capacity for action, and influence, and continuously make the SCO better and stronger.

Leaders of participating countries spoke highly of the contributions made at the SCO Summit to the high-quality development of the SCO. They agreed to continue following the guidance of the Shanghai Spirit, actively promote cooperation on security, trade, finance and connectivity and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, among other fields, and contribute to promoting peace and development in the region and beyond and reforming and building the global governance system.

Nippon TV: Regarding yesterday's meeting between Japan and China, Japan has requested China for explanation not informing Japan that there is a media shooting opportunity after the meeting. What is China's comment towards this?

Mao Ning: China did not arrange media organizations to photograph or shoot videos there. I actually noticed that most of the reporters at the scene were from Japanese media outlets.

RIA Novosti: Yesterday, Russian President Putin said that the visa-free policy toward Chinese nationals will take effect in the near future. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment? Will the number of Chinese tourists to Russia increase?

Mao Ning: China attaches great importance to facilitating cross-border travel between the Chinese and Russian people. China and Russia are each other's largest neighbors. Mutual visa exemption will further strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and serve the common interests of the two peoples.

Reuters: Yesterday, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara when asked about whether Japan plans to retract Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan responded by saying those remarks were in line with Japan's long-standing views. Do you have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: Let me stress that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan have fundamentally eroded the political foundation of China-Japan relations and triggered strong outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people. China seriously urges Japan to retract the erroneous remarks, stop making provocations on issues concerning China, take practical steps to admit and correct the wrongdoing, and uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations. If Japan refuses to retract them or even continue to pursue the wrong course, China will have to take strong and resolute countermeasures and all consequences arising therefrom will be borne by Japan.

The Paper: It's reported that U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth unveiled Operation Southern Spear that aims to remove "narco-terrorists" from the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. State Department this week announced to designate Cartel de los Soles "headed by Nicolas Maduro" as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective November 24, 2025. The U.S. also said it would not rule out sending U.S. troops into Venezuela. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: China firmly supports the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace released by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in 2014. China opposes any moves that violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other countries' sovereignty and security, and the interference of external forces in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext. We hope the U.S. will engage in normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks and choose the course of action that is conducive to peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean region.

BBC: Just to follow up on the previous question, you said if Prime Minister Takaichi did not retract her comments, China would take further countermeasures. What further financial and diplomatic pressure is China threatening?

Mao Ning: I just elaborated on China's position. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan damaged the political foundation of China-Japan relations. China has every reason to take countermeasures. Japan needs to, first and foremost, retract the erroneous remarks and take practical steps to redress the wrongdoing. Otherwise, China will have to take further measures.

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Speech of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un at Inauguration Ceremony of Kangdong County Hospital

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, November 20 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Kangdong County Hospital.

The full text of his speech is as follows:

Comrades,

Just at this place over 280 days ago, we planned together the future of the revolution in public health.

It seems as if it were yesterday when we held the groundbreaking ceremony, but now we are holding the inauguration ceremony.

This is a moment that signals the second inauguration season for implementing the regional development policy, as well as a moment when we are seeing the first entity of modern regional hospitals.

A transformation worthy of proudly representing our eye-opening era has been brought about quickly enough to strike us with wonder.

Proclaiming inauguration in the year of groundbreaking is the standard speed of achieving our ideals, and this will be sufficient to show the acceleration of the substantial rejuvenation of the whole country, I think.

This is just our mettle and the speed of transformation and advance which we are going to achieve amid an uninterrupted surge-the speed of Korea.

The precedent for building in such a short period a healthcare facility, whose architectural processes are complicated, cannot be found in our proud history of construction.

Today's inauguration ceremony testifies that not only things are changing and developing but also our ambitions will be realized earlier than we desired and imagined.

This year is the one of transformations worthy of note in the development history of Kangdong County.

Modern regional-industry factories have been built, and a leisure complex and its neighbour, a perfect county hospital, have sprung up.

Comrades,

Our struggle, aimed at bringing a beautiful and vibrant life to the regional people, has now entered a comprehensive and full-scale stage.

I am sure that the rapid steps we are taking from transformation to greater transformation will inevitably lead us to our far-reaching ideals of making the whole country change and prosper.

Our strong will and self-confidence and our abilities and practice will prove this.

Officers and soldiers of the Guards Hero construction unit, whom I am always proud of,

I extend my heartfelt thanks to your heroic creative mettle and unsparing devotion, with which you, as the banner of transformation for the wellbeing of the people, have ensured that our Party's sincerity could reach the beloved people of Kangdong County to the full.

I also offer my greetings to the officials and working people of the relevant sectors, who have contributed to ensuring today's inauguration through their responsible efforts and sincere involvement.

Comrades,

I am very happy that another perfect hospital has been built. What makes me more pleased and gratified is the fact that it will contribute to ensuring good health and a cultured life for the regional people.

This hospital has helped completely reversing the existing conception of a regional hospital; the course of its construction was exemplary and its operation will serve as an ideal model for the development of public health in the regions.

I believe that the medical workers, who will work at this wonderful hospital, are more excited than anybody else. I hope that they will always approach patients with heartfelt sincerity, tender care and warm affection and protect their health with high skills.

I will entrust the health of the precious people in the county, as well as this hospital, to the medical workers here.

The last month of the year 2025 will begin in ten days.

This ceremony will be followed by the inauguration of Kusong City Hospital, Ryonggang County Hospital and first-aid posts in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area. Then we will have six modern medical facilities in all this year, including Pyongyang General Hospital. We can proudly say that this is a real transformation.

With these valuable results of the public health revolution, which embody the true objective of our struggle and bring us closest to it, we can confidently call 2025 a year of amazing transformation.

Comrades,

These first-stage results are really wonderful, but there can be no satisfaction in our work to promote the people's health.

This hospital has encouraged us to conceive many plans and set ourselves more ambitious goals.

It is our Party's determination to take revolutionary steps and advance more vigorously towards our-style modernization of public health to bring benefit to all the people in this country.

Modernization of public health will guarantee the long-term development of the country, and it will assure our socialist state of a bright future.

Let us take another step with ardent passion and soaring spirit befitting the pioneers of a great revolution for the good of our motherland and people.

The day will surely come when the regions have transformed themselves and we prosper while leading a cultured life.

Let us work harder for the beautiful future, when peace, laughter, happiness and amicability will brim over in all parts of our country.

My beloved citizens of Kangdong County!

I wish all of you good health and a happy life. -0-

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Inauguration Ceremony of Kangdong County Hospital Held with Splendor

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, November 20 (KCNA) -- At a time when essential projects at a trial stage are being successfully completed as part of the meaningful process of more expansive and new qualitative development in achieving the epochal cause of regional change acclaimed by the people and urged by the times, a modern regional hospital was inaugurated to prove the vigorous speed and bright prospect of the development of public health of our own style.

The splendid inauguration ceremony of the Kangdong County Hospital for the Regional Development 2010 Policy was held on Nov. 19 as another remarkable result of expanding and promoting the Party's grand programme for regional development on a long-term basis.

The venue of the inauguration ceremony was filled with great pride of soldier-builders who dedicated their toil and sweat to successfully build the creation of civilization for the people, following the road of valuable service at the outpost of the gigantic regional revolution, and excitement of the participants who gathered to celebrate the great auspicious event brought about by the policy of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, arrived at the Kangdong County Hospital together with leading officials of the Party and government.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un appeared at the inauguration ceremony.

The moment all the participants broke into thunderous cheers of "Hurrah!"

All the participants paid the highest glory and tribute to

Kim Jong Un who is making a sacred history of state building with his great pioneering spirit and absolute devotion, unfolding the bright blueprints for the all-round cultural efflorescence one after another out of his intense desire to provide the people with a new blessed life.

Present at the ceremony were secretaries of the Central Committee of the WPK, members of the central leadership body of the Party in Pyongyang, chief secretaries of the provincial committees of the Party, chairpersons of the provincial people's committees, officers and service personnel of construction units, working people in Kangdong County, senior officials of Party and power organs in the municipality and officials and employees in the field of public health.

Kim Jong Un made a meaningful speech in commemoration of the inauguration of the Kangdong County Hospital.

Expressing his surging emotion of facing a moment that signals the second inauguration season for implementing the regional development policy and seeing the first entity of modern regional hospitals, he said that proclaiming inauguration in the year of groundbreaking is the standard speed of achieving our ideals and this will be sufficient to show the acceleration of the substantial rejuvenation of the whole country. And this is the speed of transformation and advance-the speed of Korea, he added.

This hospital has helped completely reversing the existing conception of a regional hospital; the course of its construction was exemplary and its operation will serve as an ideal model for the development of public health in the regions, he said, hoping that the medical workers, who will work at this wonderful hospital and are more excited than anybody else, will always approach patients with heartfelt sincerity, tender care and warm affection and protect their health with high skills.

Declaring that it is our Party's determination to take revolutionary steps and advance more vigorously towards our-style modernization of public health to bring benefit to the people, he stressed that modernization of public health will guarantee the long-term development of the country and assure our socialist state of a bright future.

He ardently called for working harder with ardent passion and soaring spirit befitting the pioneers of a great revolution for the good of our motherland and people, for the day when the regions have transformed themselves and we prosper while leading a cultured life and for the beautiful future when peace, laughter, happiness and amicability will brim over in all parts of our country.

The participants responded with enthusiastic cheers to the passionate speech made by Kim Jong Un that gives a vivid picture of the future changes to be made in the life of the people across the country as soon as possible along with the realization of the long-cherished desire of the WPK which regards the people-first principle as its sacred political idea and lifeblood.

Kim Jong Un cut the inauguration tape.

Confetti was thrown and a large number of balloons rose up over the venue of the inauguration ceremony to be specially recorded in the nation-building history in the new era.

Warmly acknowledging the cheers of the participants,

Kim Jong Un wished the people in Kangdong County great joy and happiness in the future.

All the participants offered their boundless thanks to

Kim Jong Un , looking up with deep emotion to the benevolent father of the large socialist family, who is devoting himself to translating into reality the ideal life in which the whole country grows prosperous and everyone enjoys happiness and comfort and making the contemporaries lead the life.

Kim Jong Un went round different places of the hospital.

He said that the hospital is a new sphere of regional rejuvenation developed by the WPK, a valuable result of making a breakthrough in accomplishing the historic cause of rebuilding the public health infrastructure on an advanced basis and a nation-wide scale and an epochal entity which newly formulated the concept of regional hospital in the true sense of the word.

For the WPK intended to guarantee the people's rights and interests and promote their health and build a more brilliant and affluent future, there is no more worthwhile and honorable revolutionary work than the struggle to build faster many more creations of new civilization warmly welcomed by the people so that they can see with their own eyes, get substantial benefits and feel happy about it, he added.

Saying that we must neither slow down nor come to a standstill in our struggle to comprehensively and scrupulously create a development environment for advanced civilization in all regions of the country, he stressed the need to expand the construction of regional public health on a full scale from the coming year on the basis of reviewing the experience gained in this year's construction of model hospitals of different categories.

Going round the hospital, the participants in the ceremony were struck with admiration at the civilized treatment environment and conditions of the hospital fully equipped with every condition for enabling inhabitants to fully enjoy an advanced medical service in their region like those in Pyongyang.

The inauguration of the Kangdong County Hospital serves as a significant and auspicious event of convincing the people of a new life and well-being to be come true in all parts of the country and an occasion of leap and progress of great practical significance in further expanding and implementing the WPK's policy for the healthcare revolution. -0-

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Adoption of Resolution on Situation of Human Rights in DPRK at 80th Session of UNGA Third Committee

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Date: 2025-11-20

On November 19 (New York Time), a resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which was co-sponsored by 61 countries including the Republic of Korea, was adopted by consensus during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly's Third Committee.

The Republic of Korea notes that, in the resolution, the UN General Assembly urges the DPRK to establish an operating environment conducive to the return of international and humanitarian staff and encourages all Member States and UN entities to provide more support for the work of civil society organizations to improve the human rights situation in the DPRK.

In the resolution, the UN General Assembly welcomes the comprehensive report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights containing an update on the situation of human rights in the DPRK since the release of the report of the Commission of Inquiry in 2014. It also emphasizes the significance of the DPRK's cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms, including the importance of implementation of the recommendations from universal periodic reviews (UPRs).

The ROK government will continue its close cooperation with the international community for the substantive enhancement of human rights of DPRK people.

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Reactor vessel installation ceremony at power unit of El Dabaa NPP

Vladimir Putin, together with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, participated via videoconference in a ceremony marking the installation of the reactor vessel for the first unit of Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

November 19, 2025

13:55

The Kremlin, Moscow

Construction of Egypt's first nuclear power plant is being carried out by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom under a Russian-Egyptian intergovernmental agreement signed in 2015. The plant will consist of four power units with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi addressed the ceremony participants with a video message.

Remarks by the President of Russia at the ceremony

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,

I warmheartedly welcome all participants of the ceremony marking the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for Unit 1 of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

The presentations by our colleagues, as well as the video we have just seen, clearly demonstrate that the construction of Egypt's first nuclear power plant with Russian participation is progressing confidently and successfully.

In fact, we are now entering a crucial stage in the technological outfitting of the future plant. In the foreseeable future, it will begin generating the electricity required to meet the needs of Egypt's growing economy.

The implementation of the El Dabaa project became possible largely thanks to the personal initiative and support of our friend, President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who, as has already been noted, celebrates his birthday today. Happy birthday, Mr President, I wish you good health, prosperity, and continued success in your public service.

We are grateful for the consistent attention you devote not only to this flagship project in the field of the peaceful atom, but also to the overall expansion of diverse contacts with Russia. We fully share this approach and remain committed to a comprehensive strengthening and deepening of our partnership with friendly Egypt.

It is important that Russian-Egyptian relations are steadily developing on the basis of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement, in the spirit of equality, mutual respect, and consideration for each other's interests. This reflects the best traditions of our interstate ties, which have been built over many decades.

Let me also recall that in the second half of the twentieth century, Soviet specialists actively contributed to the development of Egypt's economy, helping to build major industrial, energy, and infrastructure facilities throughout the country.

Many of these joint projects, such as the Aswan Dam, the Helwan Iron and Steel Complex, and the Nag Hammadi Aluminium Plant, have become enduring symbols of our friendship and have brought, and continue to bring, tangible benefits to the Egyptian people.

It is gratifying that our bilateral cooperation continues to develop consistently. Our trade is growing steadily. It increased by slightly more than one third last year. Our industrial cooperation is growing stronger. We are working to create a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal area.

The planned launch of four power units of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 4,800 MW will substantially strengthen the energy security of Egypt. Our Generation III reactors will produce up to 37 billion kWh a year, generating approximately 10 percent of electricity in the country.

Rosatom, which is a recognised leader in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, is using cutting-edge engineering solutions and economically effective and reliable technologies for building the nuclear power plant in Egypt. At the same time, it complies with all necessary standards and environmental requirements.

Not only Russian but also Egyptian companies are taking part in the El Dabaa project. To date, about 55 percent of contract and subcontract orders have been localised in Egypt. This means that a modern high-tech nuclear industry is being created in Egypt, which includes the demand for new, including highly skilled jobs.

Russia is training nuclear engineering personnel for Egypt. Over 100 Egyptian students have received relevant education at Russian universities. In July, a special training and advanced training centre opened at the power plant with support from the Rosatom Academy.

Russia will continue to provide assistance to its Egyptian partners at all vital stages of the nuclear project. This includes long-term supplies of reactor fuel, the technical maintenance of the plant, and spent nuclear fuel management.

Rosatom is ready to share its unique technologies with Egypt, in particular, regarding the assembly of small modular reactors and the use of nuclear energy in medicine and agriculture.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Russian and Egyptian engineers employed in the construction of the El Dabaa NPP for their diligence and hard work. Your concerted efforts ensure the rapid construction of the power units and the efficient implementation of extremely complicated assembly and technological tasks.

I would like to congratulate our Egyptian colleagues on Egyptian Nuclear Energy Day.

I once again wish a happy birthday to President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and wish him nuclear success in all his endeavours.

Thank you very much. I wish you success, and all the best.

Thank you.

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (retranslated): In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful!

Your Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Russian Federation, my dear friend Vladimir Putin, for his kind participation in this historic event, the installation of the reactor vessel for the first unit, and for the signing of the agreement on the delivery of nuclear fuel for the continued implementation of our project.

I also wish to extend my appreciation to His Excellency for his support of this strategic undertaking and for his dedication to ensuring its success. My thanks likewise go to all the distinguished guests present today.

President Putin, ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we are writing a new chapter in the life of our country. Since the middle of the last century, we have awaited this turning point, and now we see it becoming a reality, thanks to hard work, perseverance, and the relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Russian Federation. These sustainable strategic relations cover a wide range of areas and are built on mutual respect and understanding despite international and regional challenges.

Today's event continues the long-standing, fruitful cooperation between our two countries through major projects that have shaped development and progress, from the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s to the construction of the El Dabaa NPP.

These are grand national projects of immense value for Egypt. They send a powerful message: we are moving forward with confidence, overcoming all obstacles through determination and dedication in order to reach this historic moment: the implementation of this project.

This shows that our partnership is not limited to political dialogue, but is embodied in tangible, practical projects that serve the interests of both peoples, especially in the context of the global crisis and rising energy prices, and reaffirms the wisdom of the Egyptian government's decision to revive the peaceful nuclear program, ensuring sustainable energy supplies.

In line with Egypt Vision 2030, this event confirms Egypt's role as a regional energy hub and aligns with our efforts to achieve comprehensive development. The El Dabaa NPP represents a turning point in the localisation of knowledge and a genuine investment in our national human resources. Cooperation in training, and technology transfer will help prepare a new generation of Egyptian nuclear experts.

This positions Egypt as a leading state in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs that will support Egypt's progress and development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In conclusion, I would like once again to thank His Excellency President Putin and all those contributing to this project - the engineers and workers from both the Egyptian and Russian sides - for their dedication and outstanding efforts in achieving unprecedented standards throughout this project's implementation.

I call on everyone to continue their work with diligence and commitment, adhering to the highest international standards, to reinforce Egypt's status as a leading nation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy as well as to support Egypt's development, prosperity, and bright future.

Thank you. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.

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India - Javelin Missile System

NEWS | Nov. 19, 2025

Media/Public Contact: T_Outreach_PM@state.gov

Transmittal No. 25-110

WASHINGTON, November 19, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of Javelin Missile System and related equipment for an estimated cost of $45.7 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.

The Government of India has requested to buy one hundred (100) FGM-148 Javelin rounds; one (1) Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; and twenty-five (25) Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU). The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: Javelin LwCLU or CLU Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; battery coolant unit; interactive electronic technical manual; Javelin operator manuals; lifecycle support; physical security inspection; spare parts; system integration and check out; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance; tool kits; training; Block 1 CLU refurbishment services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $45.7 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.

The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. India 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 contractors will be a RTX Corporation/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) of Orlando, Florida and Tucson, Arizona. 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 not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to India.

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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IAEA chief confirms inspection of Iran's nuclear sites 'unaffected' by June attacks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 19, 2025

London, IRNA -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has confirmed the resumption of normal monitoring at Iran's nuclear facilities that were not damaged during the unprovoked Israeli-US attacks in June.

"Our inspectors are back in Iran and have carried out inspections at facilities unaffected by June's [Israeli and American] attacks, but more engagement is needed to restore full inspections," Grossi said in a post on X following the IAEA's Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday.

Earlier, addressing the board meeting, Grossi said he is in regular contact with Tehran and urged Iran to facilitate the IAEA's access to the damaged sites with low-enriched and high-enriched uranium to assess their status.

"We have returned to Iran, and over a dozen inspections have taken place so far. However, there is still more work to be done in line with the relevant provisions of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements," Grossi noted, adding that more engagement is needed under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA in June over security concerns following the US and Israeli war of aggression, during which some of its nuclear sites were bombed in violation of international law, the NPT, and the UN Charter.

In response, the Iranian Parliament passed legislation barring further access to its nuclear facilities by IAEA inspectors. Tehran also accused the Agency of effectively providing cover for the strikes by declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations and then failing to condemn the attacks.

On September 8, the IAEA chief signed an agreement in Cairo with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, setting out a framework of understanding on procedures for Agency inspections.

However, Iran said that the agreement was null and void after the European parties to a now-expired nuclear deal invoked its so-called snapback mechanism, restoring UN sanctions on the country.

However, Tehran later said that it had allowed IAEA inspectors to visit several nuclear sites since the June aggression.

"As long as we are a member of the NPT, we'll abide by our commitments, and just last week, IAEA inspectors visited several nuclear facilities, including the Tehran Research Reactor," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said earlier this month.

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Iran dismisses Trump's claim about renewed negotiation process

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 19, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran has dismissed the US president's claim about negotiations with Iran, saying there is currently no such process in place, given Washington's breaches of previous commitments and excessive demands.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei made the remarks on Wednesday in response to reporters' questions about Donald Trump's unfounded claims during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House that Tehran wants to make a deal "very badly" and that the US is beginning a renewed diplomatic process.

Pointing to the history of repeated US deviation from the peaceful resolution of the issues, he said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has repeatedly emphasized that there is no logical justification to engage with a party that lacks the reciprocity of negotiation, boasts of its deadly military aggression against Iran, and seeks to dictate.

Iran has repeatedly clarified that it does not shy away from dialogue, insisting that any negotiation requires mutual respect and that the parties to a negotiation process must not pursue maximalist demands or attempt to impose terms.

In response to another question regarding a letter recently sent by President Masoud Pezeshkina to Prince bin Salman, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the message delivered through the head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization concerned bilateral issues.

Pezeshkian commended Saudi Arabia for the services provided to Iranian pilgrims during last year's Hajj ceremony and the importance of continuing cooperation and coordination for the successful Hajj this year, Baqaei explained.

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IAEA Board of Governors convenes amid Western push for resolution against Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 19, 2025

London, IRNA -- The Board of Governors (BoG) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has convened in Vienna, Austria, with Iran's nuclear program among the topics under discussion amid Western efforts to push for a new resolution against the country.

The meeting began on Wednesday and will conclude on Friday. Representatives from 35 IAEA member states are attending to discuss issues including nuclear safety and safeguards agreements.

The published agenda for this meeting contains no reference to Resolution 2231 or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commitments, and Iran appears only in the section related to the Safeguards Agreement. This indicates that issues connected to the JCPOA have effectively been removed from the Board of Governors' agenda.

The JCPOA is the official name of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which expired on October 18 this year. Resolution 2231, the UN Security Council document that endorsed the JCPOA, expired on the same date.

With the expiration of Resolution 2231's ten-year mandate, the IAEA Director General's obligation to report on Iran's JCPOA-related commitments has ended. Consequently, Iran's case regarding the alleged "non-proliferation" issues is no longer before the Board of Governors.

Despite this, reports indicate that the United States, along with Britain, Germany, and Francecollectively known as the E3are pushing for a draft resolution at the ongoing BoG meeting. The proposed text calls for new restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities and continuous reporting on the status of Iran's nuclear material stockpiles.

The draft is based on a recent report by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, which called for the Agency's "immediate access" to information related to Iran's declared nuclear material stocks.

It further claims that, following the activation of the snapback mechanism in September, Iran is obligated to suspend all activities related to enrichment, reprocessing, research and development, and heavy-water projects.

Iran's permanent mission to international organizations in Vienna has already responded to the Western push for a new resolution, saying the US and the E3 are making "a big mistake" and that their effort constitutes a deliberate attempt to politicize the Board of Governors.

The mission also warned that such an approach will not benefit those countries.

4194**9417

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Iran frees recently seized tanker after offloading its cargo: Report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 5:37 PM

Iran has released a foreign-flagged tanker it seized in the Persian Gulf last week after offloading its cargo, a report has said.

The Wednesday report by the Associated Press said that Iran had released Talara, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, earlier in the day, adding that the ship was moving away from Iranian waters.

The report cited satellite imagery showing that the cargo of the ship had been offloaded on Tuesday before it was allowed to leave Iranian ports.

The vessel's manager, the Columbia Shipmanagement, said that Iranian authorities had made no allegations against Talara, its crew, or its managers and owners.

The Cyprus-based company said all 21 crew members were returning safely from Iran and the ship was now free to resume its normal operations.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) intercepted Talara on Friday outside of Iran's territorial waters, saying it had been carrying unauthorized cargo.

IRGC said in a statement that the seizure had been carried out under a court order, adding that its forces escorted the vessel and its cargo of 30,000 metric tons of petrochemical materials to an anchorage for investigation into its violations.

Iran's Fars news agency, which is close to the IRGC, said in a report on Saturday that an Iranian entity was behind the illegal transportation of the petrochemical cargo aboard Talara.

It quoted sources as saying that the seizure was not directed at any foreign country or party and was carried out solely to protect Iran's national interests and recover the country's lost property.

Reports on Friday had said that the ship was carrying a cargo of high-sulfur gasoil through the Indian Ocean en route to Singapore from Sharjah in the UAE when it was confiscated by the IRGC.

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'No logical justification': Iran rejects Trump's claim of nuclear talks

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 4:20 PM

Iran has rejected any notion of negotiations with the United States at present, dismissing US President Donald Trump's claim that talks were already underway.

"Currently, there is no process of negotiation between Iran and the United States," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters in Tehran on Wednesday.

Baghaei reiterated Iran's long-standing position that engaging with the United States is illogical while Washington continues to prioritize military pressure over diplomacy.

"As the foreign minister has said many times, talking to a side that does not believe in mutual respect and takes pride in military aggression against Iran has no logical justification," he said, referring to the 12-day US-Israeli aggression against Iran in June.

That aggression was launched in a surprise offensive just ahead of the sixth round of nuclear talks scheduled between Iran and the Trump administration on finding a replacement for the 2015 nuclear deal.

On November 18, Trump told reporters at the White House that he believed Tehran was ready for a deal.

Speaking alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump said, "I am totally open to it, and we're talking to them, and we start a process."

"It would be a nice thing to have a deal with Iran," he said, suggesting that Saudi support could facilitate negotiations.

Letter to Saudi Arabia unrelated to US

Baghaei also addressed reports suggesting that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had sent a message to the Saudi crown prince, clarifying that the communication was strictly bilateral and did not involve potential talks with the United States.

In response to Trump's claim that the United States was in talks with Iran, Mohammed bin Salman told the president that Riyadh was ready to help facilitate a deal.

"I will be working closely on the issue, and we will do our best to help reach a deal between America and Iran," he said.

"The president's message to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, delivered by the new head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, was purely bilateral in content," Baghaei said.

"It expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran's appreciation to Saudi Arabia for the services provided to Iranian pilgrims during last year's Hajj and emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation and coordination to ensure the successful organization of this year's pilgrimage."

Iran and Saudi Arabia normalized relations under a China-brokered deal in 2023 following a seven-year rupture.

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'This is welcome': IAEA chief confirms resumption of nuclear inspections in Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 3:50 PM

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has commended Iran's level of cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, confirming that inspectors have resumed work at facilities unaffected by the June military attacks.

Speaking before the IAEA Board of Governors on Wednesday, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said inspections and design information verifications have been conducted at multiple sites in Tehran, in accordance with a September agreement signed in Cairo.

"Since then, Iran has facilitated access to the Agency for inspections and design information verification, with advance notice, at almost all unaffected facilities in Tehran. This is welcome," he said, following the presentation of his quarterly report on the NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran.

Iran had earlier reported those inspections, with Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei saying earlier this month that inspectors from the IAEA had visited some nuclear sites as per the country's NPT obligations.

Grossi, however, said further engagement is required to restore full access at facilities damaged in the US-Israeli attacks.

"Though I note Iran's cooperation on inspections at a number of facilities, further constructive engagement is needed. I urge Iran to facilitate the full and effective implementation of safeguards activities in accordance with its NPT Safeguards Agreement, and I reiterate my disposition to work with Iran on this matter."

He said the status of Iran's inventories of low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-enriched uranium (HEU) must be addressed urgently.

"As I have already said, the establishment of the current status of Iran's inventories of LEU and HEU needs to be addressed urgently. The Agency's five-month-long lack of access to this nuclear material means that its verification - according to standard safeguards practice - is long overdue."

Under the Cairo agreement, Iran and the IAEA agreed to develop a new mechanism for inspecting damaged nuclear sites--an unprecedented situation in the IAEA's history.

However, the process has been effectively suspended following the attempt by the European parties to the 2015 deal to activate the so-called snapback mechanism to restore lifted UN sanctions just before the expiration of the 10-year accord.

In Iran, there has recently been heavy criticism of the IAEA's conduct, including its accusations that Iran has not cooperated adequately with the Agency, which helped the US and Israel in their attempts to justify their aggression against the country.

The IAEA's failure even to condemn the US-Israeli strikes has further fueled criticism of the Agency, leading to widespread calls for Iran to sever cooperation with the IAEA entirely and withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran's decision to remain in NPT 'wise'

Responding to reporters after the board meeting, Grossi described Iran's decision to remain within the NPT framework as "wise" and expressed his expectation that cooperation would continue.

Addressing efforts by the US and its European allies to adopt a censure resolution at the Board of Governors (BoG) meeting, he said the IAEA is not seeking any member state to draft such a resolution, insisting that the focus should remain on the Agency's core mandate under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He also said the IAEA must take into account Iran's newly enacted law governing inspection procedures, a parliamentary measure ratified in the wake of the June attacks that suspended all cooperation with the IAEA beyond the NPT safeguards agreement until the security of Iran's nuclear facilities is guaranteed.

Iran has accused the United States and three European states of attempting to politicize the Board of Governors with a planned resolution, warning that such a move would inevitably harm Iran-IAEA cooperation.

On November 16, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran will carry out a "fundamental review" of its approaches if the Board of Governors adopts a new resolution against the country.

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NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Quad statement to the IAEA Board, November 2025

Speech

UK Ambassador Corinne Kitsell's statement on behalf of France, Germany, the UK and United States (the Quad) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board meeting about Iran's implementation of its obligations under its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Corinne Kitsell OBE

Published 19 November 2025

Delivered on: 19 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Chair,

On behalf of France, Germany and the United Kingdom and the United States, I thank Director General Grossi for his latest reports on Iran's implementation of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, and for the comprehensive reporting on Iran's nuclear programme. We commend the professionalism and independence of the Agency and its inspectors and appreciate their continued efforts under difficult circumstances.

The Board is aware that the UN Security Council recently reimposed six UN Security Council Resolutions on Iran, re-introducing legally binding restrictions on its nuclear programme, including suspension of all enrichment, reprocessing and heavy water related activities. Under the Charter of the United Nations, Member States are under an obligation to implement these decisions for the maintenance of international peace and security directly and through their actions in relevant international bodies.

Today, the UK, France, Germany and the US are tabling a resolution to clarify the IAEA's reporting mandate, ensuring it provides regular reporting on Iran's compliance with the nuclear elements of the reinstated Security Council Resolutions.

This resolution does not create new obligations for Iran; it restores certainty and provides a clear mandate for Agency reporting, returning to the same reporting it did before the JCPoA, under a single agenda item. This clarity is essential for the Agency to be able to fulfil its mandate.

The resolution also recalls Iran's ongoing non-compliance with its legal obligations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement, which remains in force, and cannot be suspended under any circumstances. Iran has not granted access to all its safeguarded facilities. The Director General has stressed that it is indispensable and urgent for Iran to implement safeguard activities in accordance with this Agreement and he has highlighted serious gaps: the continuity of knowledge in relation to Iran's inventory of nuclear material, including Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) has been lost for over five months. Verification of these inventories is long overdue and critical to address concerns about possible diversion from peaceful use. Iran must honour these obligations by urgently providing the special report on its nuclear material and grant the Agency full access to its nuclear material and facilities. Iran must also implement the provisions of modified Code 3.1 without further delay.

The resolution thus requests no more than what Iran is already legally obliged to provide: unhindered access, precise information on nuclear material accountancy and safeguarded nuclear facilities, and restoration of necessary monitoring arrangements. It reaffirms Iran's right under Article IV of the NPT to peaceful nuclear energy - a right that is conditional on Iran's full compliance with its NPT obligations.

Our message is clear: Iran must resolve its safeguards issues without delay. It must provide practical cooperation through access, answers, restoration of monitoring, to enable the Agency to do its job and help rebuild confidence.

Chair,

Our delegations have engaged broadly with Board members to explain our thinking, solicit their feedback, and listen to their views on these matters. We thank those that have already indicated support for this resolution, and request the text be made public, should it be adopted.

We invite all Board members to join us today in voting in favour of this resolution.

Thank you.

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Dialogue between Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau KANAI Masaaki, and Chinese Director-General for Asian Affairs Liu Jinsong

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

November 18, 2025

On 18 November, Mr. KANAI Masaaki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, held talks in Beijing with Mr Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and exchanged views on Japan-China relations and other matters.

Director-General KANAI reiterated his strong protest to Director-General Liu regarding the highly inappropriate remarks recently made by Consul General Xue Jian of the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka and strongly demanded the Chinese side take appropriate measures immediately. Director-General KANAI also made requests regarding the matter of the Chinese government's series of announcements advising caution on travel to Japan, countering that public order within Japan has by no means deteriorated, and strongly demamded the Chinese side take appropriate measures. In addition, Director-General KANAI made requests on the matter of ensuring the safety of Japanese residents in China. Furthermore, Director-General Liu made statements based on the Chinese position, and Director-General KANAI countered these statements and explained the Japanese government's consistent and long-standing position.

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If Japan refuses to retract its remarks and makes further mistakes, China will take firm countermeasures: FM spokesperson

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 19, 2025 05:03 PM

When asked to comment on the Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary's claim that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan were consistent with Japan's "traditional position," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan fundamentally undermine the political foundation of China-Japan relations and have aroused strong indignation and condemnation among the Chinese people.

China solemnly urges Japan to retract the erroneous statements, stop provoking trouble on issues concerning China, and take concrete actions to admit and correct its mistakes so as to safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations.

"If Japan refuses to retract the remarks and even continues making further mistakes, China will have no choice but to take firm and strong countermeasures. All consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the Japanese side," Mao said.

When responding to another question on that China has said it would take further countermeasures if Takaichi does not retract her remarks on Taiwan and what specific further measures might China take at this stage, Mao said that Takaichi's erroneous remarks have damaged the political foundation of China-Japan relations, and China has every reason to respond.

Japan should first retract the erroneous remarks and take concrete actions to uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations; otherwise, China will have no choice but to take further measures, said Mao.

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Meeting between Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the Sidelines of the SCO-Council of Heads of Government Meeting

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met with Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the SCO-Council of Heads of Government meeting in Moscow today.

Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed deep satisfaction at the current positive trajectory of relations. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also congratulated his Russian counterpart on the successful holding of the SCO-CHG meeting. Moreover, he noted the vital role of both countries' leadership and as well as bilateral institutional mechanisms in further strengthening the bilateral relations.

In addition, both leaders exchanged views on wide-ranging regional and international issues. Taking into account the excellent coordination at multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, they pledged to deepen them further in the interest of both countries.

Moscow

November 19, 2025

342/2025





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On 17-18 November 2025, four Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in multiple engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - November 19, 2025

No PR-367/2025-ISPR

On 17-18 November 2025, four Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in multiple engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

On reported presence of Khwarij, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in Bajaur District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, one kharji was sent to hell.

Two more khwarij were neutralized in intelligence based operations conducted in general areas Spinwam and Zakir Khel, North Waziristan District.

In another encounter that took place in Dera Ismail Khan District, own troops successfully neutralized one more kharji.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian sponsored killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas.

Sanitization operation are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm e Istehkam" (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

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The Pakistan-Indonesia Joint Military Exercise Shaheen Strike-II was conducted from 8-19 November 2025, focusing on the Counter Terrorism (CT) domain.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - November 19, 2025

No PR-366/2025-ISPR

The Pakistan-Indonesia Joint Military Exercise Shaheen Strike-II was conducted from 8-19 November 2025, focusing on the Counter Terrorism (CT) domain. Combat teams from the Pakistan Army and the Indonesian Army participated in the exercise.

All training objectives were successfully achieved, and the exercise formally concluded on 18 November 2025. The closing ceremony was graced by a General Officer, who attended as Chief Guest from Pakistan, while senior military officials represented the Indonesian side.

Throughout the exercise, troops from both nations demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and operational excellence. The joint training aimed at refining drills, procedures, and techniques involved in Counter Terrorism operations, with particular emphasis on operations in built-up areas and counter-improvised explosive devices measures.

Shaheen Strike-II also served to further strengthen the longstanding military-to-military cooperation between the two friendly countries.

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Outcome of the 10th International Conference on the Law of the Sea

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Date: 2025-11-19

- Over 300 On-Site and 1,000 Online Participants Gather for In-Depth Discussions on the Expanding Role of UNCLOS and the Law of the Sea Institutions -

- Vice Minister Kim Jina Underscores the Need to Address Maritime Issues around the Korean Peninsula under the UNCLOS regime -

The 10th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and co-organized by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the Korean Society of International Law (KSIL), was held in Seoul from Tuesday, November 18 to Wednesday, November 19, under the theme of "Celebrating a Decade of Dialogue: The Expanding Role of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Law of the Sea Institutions."

On the opening day of the conference, Vice Minister Kim Jina delivered her welcoming remarks, in which she emphasized that Korea's practical diplomacy - that advances peace and security - is equally vital to the advancement of maritime governance, and introduced the Korean government's wide-ranging efforts to strengthen multilateral ocean governance.

She stressed that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains the essential framework guiding Korea's engagement with its maritime neighbors, noting that cooperation, mutual understanding, and solutions grounded in international law are indispensable for managing the waters around the Korean Peninsula, where the maritime entitlements overlap with those of neighboring countries.

In this context, Vice Minister Kim noted that maritime boundary delimitation negotiations with China are currently underway, and highlighted the need to restore dialogue with Japan on maritime issues, including boundary delimitation, under the UNCLOS regime.

Next, in his opening address, President of the Korean Society of International Law (KSIL) Park Byung Do noted that ocean governance institutions established under UNCLOS - such as ITLOS, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) - are playing increasingly important roles amid emerging maritime challenges. He expressed hope that the conference would serve as an opportunity to advance new forms of cooperation in support of the rule of law at sea.

ITLOS President Tomas Heidar, in delivering his keynote speech, emphasized that the International Conference on the Law of the Sea has contributed to advancing the interpretation of UNCLOS and shaping the direction of international law on key maritime issues, including climate change, deep sea mining, and maritime boundary delimitation. He stressed that, as ocean challenges evolve and sustained institutional cooperation and continued legal clarification remain essential, the Tribunal will continue to play a key role in this regard.

This year's conference brought together more than 300 on-site participants and over 1,000 online viewers, with 27 international law experts around the world sharing their insights on major maritime issues and challenges, including climate change at sea, contested issues in maritime boundary delimitation, and enhancing cooperation among ocean governance institutions.

Conference materials and video recording are available on the official website (www.icls.or.kr) and the YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/lawofthesea1982).

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Russia FM spokeswoman says Takaichi's Taiwan remarks 'extremely dangerous' in interview with Chinese media

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 19, 2025 09:24 PM

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the recent remarks on Taiwan by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are extremely dangerous, and Japan should deeply reflect on history and learn from the lessons of World War II. Zakharova made the remarks in an interview with China's Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday in Moscow.

Zakharova said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. She pointed out that a series of commemorative events around the world serve as reminders for people to never forget history and to draw lessons. Takaichi must bear in mind the lessons of history, especially by confronting the dishonorable part of Japan's own past.

Zakharova emphasized that the war of aggression launched by Japanese militarism brought profound disasters to Asia and the world, and also inflicted heavy costs on Japan itself.

In the interview, she urged Japanese political figures, including Takaichi, to engage in deep reflection on history and to remain vigilant against the serious consequences that could arise from erroneous words and actions.

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Russia Eyes Belarus as Partner for New Su-75 Stealth Fighter Jet

Sputnik News

20251119

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia intends to build the Su-75 (Checkmate) fifth-generation light fighter jet jointly with Belarus, the director general of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, told Sputnik at the Dubai Airshow 2025.

"Rosoboronexport is currently exploring the joint production of the Su-75 (Checkmate) fifth-generation fighter jet with its Belarusian partners. Interest in this aircraft remains high in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region," Mikheev said.

On Tuesday, Sergey Bogdan, the head of the Sukhoi Design Bureau's flight department, said that the first flight of the Su-75 Checkmate fifth-generation light fighter jet would take place in early 2026.

The Dubai Airshow is one of the world's leading aerospace and defense exhibitions being held in Dubai from November 17-21. This year's edition features a Russian exhibition spanning nearly 5,000 square meters. Russia's leading aerospace, aviation and defense companies are showcasing some 900 exhibits, including over 30 full-scale models on static display on the ground and within the Russian pavilion.

 Sputnik

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Ranking Member Shaheen Statement on President Trump's Meeting with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Published: November 18, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement following President Trump's Meeting with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at the White House:

"I support strengthening cooperation with America's partners, but President Trump's reported offer of a U.S. security commitment to Saudi Arabia without the Senate's advice and consent is very troubling. Committing U.S. troops to defend another country is one of the most important decisions we can make as a nation. Without Senate approval, any promise by the President for mutual defense is not legally binding and can be easily reversed by a future Administration. Bypassing Congress on commitments of this scale sets a dangerous precedent, especially after a similar agreement with Qatar without Senate approval.

"The President's plan to sell dozens of F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia also raises major concerns about protecting U.S. military technology and the military edge America shares with our allies. The Administration must fully explain to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee why this sale is in the vital national interest of the United States.

"Likewise, any deals involving our most advanced technological chips must also include consultations with Congress to guard against conflicts of interest. These chips are central to maintaining America's lead over China in artificial intelligence and enable significant technological capabilities that will require greater scrutiny around their end use. We cannot risk compromising our technological advantage and economic prospects.

"Finally, any potential civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia must include enhanced inspections through an Additional Protocol to Saudi Arabia's safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is also critical that we hold Saudi Arabia to the 'gold standard' to ensure that Riyadh will not enrich uranium or reprocess plutonium. Further, Saudi Arabia's stated intention to acquire nuclear weapons if Iran does demands extreme caution. We must not fuel a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

"I urge the President and his Administration to brief and submit to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee any and all commitments and agreements made during this visit."

###

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Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Solidifies Economic and Defense Partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fact Sheets

The White House

November 18, 2025

STRENGTHENING OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: Today, President Donald J. Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia, or the Kingdom) finalized a series of landmark agreements that deepen the U.S.-Saudi strategic partnership, expand opportunities for high-paying American jobs, strengthen critical supply chains, and reinforce regional stabilityall while putting American workers, industry, and security first.

These agreements build directly on the President's highly successful May visit to Riyadh and the $600 billion in Saudi investment commitments secured for the United States at that time.

In a major expansion of this partnership, the Crown Prince announced today that Saudi Arabia will be increasing their investment commitments in the United States to almost $1 trillion, reflecting deepening trust and momentum for the United States under President Trump's leadership.

Key achievements include the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, advancements in critical minerals cooperation, and an AI Memorandum of Understandingall of which underscore the United States' commitment to securing deals that directly benefit the American people.

These agreements demonstrate the Trump Administration's "America First" approach, reinforcing the United States as a leader on the world stage while securing our economic future.

ACHIEVING NUCLEAR ENERGY, CRITICAL MINERALS, AND TECHNOLOGY DOMINANCE: Through deals reached today with Saudi Arabia, President Trump is positioning America as a leader in energy and advanced technology while ensuring our supply chains remain resilient.

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation, which builds the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar nuclear energy partnership with the Kingdom; confirms that the United States and American companies will be the Kingdom's civil nuclear cooperation partners of choice; and ensures that all cooperation will be conducted in a manner consistent with strong nonproliferation standards.

The United States and Saudi Arabia also signed a Critical Minerals Framework, deepening collaboration and aligning our national strategies to diversify critical mineral supply chains. This agreement builds on similar deals President Trump secured with other trading partners to safeguard America's supply chain resilience for essential minerals.

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark AI Memorandum of Understanding that gives the Kingdom access to world-leading American systems while protecting U.S. technology from foreign influence, ensuring that American innovators will shape the future of global AI.

DEEPENING DEFENSE COOPERATION AND REGIONAL SECURITY: President Trump is advancing U.S. national security by forging agreements that enhance regional deterrence, grow the American industrial base, and ensure that partners like Saudi Arabia shoulder more responsibility for countering shared threats.

President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the U.S.-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA), a historic agreement that strengthens our more than 80-year defense partnership and fortifies deterrence across the Middle East. The SDA is a win for the America First agenda, making it easier for U.S. defense firms to operate in Saudi Arabia, securing new burden-sharing funds from the Saudi Arabia to defray U.S. costs, and affirming that the Kingdom views the United States as its primary strategic partner.



The President secured agreements reinforcing America's role as a regional security enabler, enhancing our U.S. military partnerships to better allow partners to deter and defeat threats.

President Trump approved a major defense sale package, including future F-35 deliveries, which strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base and ensures Saudi Arabia continues to buy American.

The President secured an agreement for Saudi Arabia to purchase nearly 300 American tanks, enabling Saudi Arabia to build up its own defense capabilities and safeguarding hundreds of American jobs.

DRIVING AMERICAN ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND JOB CREATION: President Trump is unlocking unprecedented opportunities for U.S. businesses, exporters, and workers by expanding market access, reducing barriers, and channeling massive Saudi investments into American innovation and infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia's nearly $1 trillion investment commitment into U.S. infrastructure, technology, and industryrising from the $600 billion initially secured during the President's May visit and now expanded this weekwill flow directly into American communities.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed to intensify their engagement in the coming weeks on trade issues of mutual interest, including in areas related to reducing non-tariff barriers, recognition of standards, and improving the investment environment. A concrete example of this engagement includes the recently-signed agreement to ensure recognition by Saudi Arabia that motor vehicles and parts complying with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) meet its motor vehicle safety requirements. The United States and Saudi Arabia also reiterate the importance of the existing Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, and intend to use this mechanism for their intensified engagement to support the goal of facilitating bilateral trade.

The Treasury Department and Saudi Ministry of Finance signed agreements to enhance collaboration on capital markets technology, standards, and regulations, and deepen partnership in international financial institutions.

The United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia advanced new investment opportunities that will expand U.S. exports and reduce trade barriersdirect wins for American manufacturers.

Combined with the critical minerals, nuclear, AI, and defense initiatives announced today, these deals will create high-paying American jobs, boost U.S. technological leadership, and deliver massive returns for American workers and families for decades to come.

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Royal Saudi Land Forces Complete Historic Training Rotation in U.S.

U.S. Central Command

News | Nov. 19, 2025

USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla. -- Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) completed training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, Nov. 19.

RSLF personnel partnered with U.S. Army Central, the 3rd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, and the 1st Cavalry Division during a training rotation. More than 130 RSLF Soldiers trained in the United States with 12 M1 Abrams tanks and six M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles shipped from Saudi Arabia.

"Congratulations to our Saudi partners on completing this historic training rotation," said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a pillar of regional security and stability in the Middle East. We value our enduring bilateral defense ties, which are stronger than ever."

Established in 1980, the National Training Center at Fort Irwin trains military forces to conduct large scale operations and provides a realistic training environment. At approximately 1,000 square miles, the training grounds are about the size of the state of Rhode Island.



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Trump, bin Salman sign deals on nuclear cooperation, arms sales

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 4:00 PM

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, have signed a number of agreements, including deals on nuclear cooperation, arms sales, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

On Tuesday, the White House announced that the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a joint declaration on civil nuclear energy that "builds the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar nuclear energy partnership."

The agreement also confirms "that the United States and American companies will be the Kingdom's civil nuclear cooperation partners of choice; and ensures that all cooperation will be conducted in a manner consistent with strong nonproliferation standards," the statement added.

For his part, US Energy Secretary Christopher Wright described it as a "historic" deal.

"Today was historic as the US and Saudi Arabia came together on a civil nuclear cooperation deal. Together, with bilateral safeguard agreements, we want to grow our partnership, bring American nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia and keep a firm commitment to nonproliferation," he said in a post on X.

Mohammed bin Salman and Trump met at the White House.

Trump agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with what he called "top of the line" F-35 stealth fighter jets.

The White House did not specify how many jets are being sold, or what variant they will be, but acknowledged they will be part of a "major defense sale package."

Saudi Arabia has requested to buy 48 of the advanced aircraft, which would mark the first US sale of the fighter jets to Riyadh.

The agreement, the White House said, "strengthens the US defense industrial base and ensures Saudi Arabia continues to buy American."

Washington and Riyadh also inked a separate accord on a critical minerals framework, which seeks to increase mutual cooperation on the resources and align national strategies "to diversify critical mineral supply chains."

According to the White House, a memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence was also signed, giving "the kingdom access to world-leading American systems while protecting US technology from foreign influence, ensuring that American innovators will shape the future of global AI."

The pacts "deepen the US-Saudi strategic partnership, expand opportunities for high-paying American jobs, strengthen critical supply chains, and reinforce regional stabilityall while putting American workers, industry, and security first," the White House said.

Trump announced that he was designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.

"We're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally," Trump said as he hosted MBS for a formal dinner at the White House on Tuesday.

The status provides a US partner with military and economic privileges but does not entail security commitments.

For his part, the Saudi crown prince said Riyadh will increase investments in the US to $1 trillion.

"I believe, Mr. President, today and tomorrow, we're going to announce that we are going to increase that 600 billion to almost $1 trillion investment, real investment and real opportunity by details in many areas," MBS told Trump during a press conference in the Oval Office.

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Trump Designates Saudi Arabia Major Non-NATO Ally

Sputnik News

20251119

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States will become a primary strategic partner of Saudi Arabia under the bilateral Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA) reached during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington, the White House said in a statement.

President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman finalized a series of major agreements expanding the US-Saudi strategic partnership across defense, energy, technology, and industrial cooperation, the White House announced.

"Tonight I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally," President Donald Trump said.

Key points of the agreement include:

Nearly $1 trillion in Saudi investment in the US

The Crown Prince announced an increase in Saudi investment commitments from the $600 billion pledged in May to almost $1 trillion, directed toward US infrastructure, technology, and industry.

Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA)

The White House said President Trump and the Crown Prince signed a new US-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement, strengthening the long-standing security partnership and expanding cooperation on regional deterrence.

Defense purchases including ~300 US tanks

The US approved a major defense package, including future F-35 deliveries, and an agreement for Saudi Arabia to purchase nearly 300 American tanks, bolstering Saudi defense capacity and supporting US manufacturing jobs.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation

Both sides signed a Joint Declaration completing negotiations on civil nuclear cooperation, setting the foundation for a long-term nuclear energy partnership under strong non-proliferation standards.

Critical Minerals Framework

The US and Saudi Arabia agreed on a framework to expand cooperation on critical minerals, supporting supply chain diversification and aligning national strategies.

AI Memorandum of Understanding

A new AI agreement will provide Saudi Arabia with access to leading American AI systems while, according to the White House, "protecting U.S. technology from foreign influence."

Expanding trade & regulatory cooperation

The two sides committed to intensifying engagement on trade issues, reducing non-tariff barriers, and improving the investment climate. Saudi Arabia also agreed to recognize U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for American vehicles and parts.

Financial cooperation

The US Treasury and Saudi Ministry of Finance signed agreements covering capital markets technology, standards, and regulatory cooperation.

 Sputnik

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PM Netanyahu Visits Buffer Zone in Syria

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Events and Speeches

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 19.11.2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, visited the buffer zone in Syria, together with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, ISA Director David Zini, National Security Council Acting Director Gil Reich, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, Head of IDF Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alian, and IDF 210th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yair Pelai.

At the start of the visit, the Prime Minister went to an IDF post where he observed the sector, and later held a security discussion.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also met with regular and reserve soldiers, praised their activity during the war and in maintaining security in the area, and answered their questions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today:

"We attach immense importance to our capability here, both defensive and offensive, safeguarding our Druze allies, and especially safeguarding the State of Israel and its northern border opposite the Golan Heights. This is a mission that can develop at any moment, but we are counting on you.

I deeply appreciate not only what you are doing, but also the fact that your families are mobilizing for this.

I want to convey to you gratitude not only from the Government of Israel, but also from the citizens of Israel and the State of Israel. Thank you very much."

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Top Syria Envoy: Humanitarian situation is 'extremely serious'

19 November 2025 - Nearly a year on from the fall of Assad, Syrians still lack many basic necessities as the transitional government works to shore up the economy and build social cohesion.

Humanitarian conditions are "extremely serious," UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi told the Security Council on Wednesday.

There are over 16 million people in need of aid with hundreds of thousands displaced, according to the UN humanitarian coordination office (OCHA).

Ms. Rochdi began her briefing by welcoming the removal of UN sanctions against President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab but urged the repeal of further secondary sanctions against third parties doing business with Syria.

"These are a key impediment to enabling reconstruction and reviving the devastated Syrian economy," she said.

She highlighted that Israeli military incursions into Syria continue, "in grave violation of Syria's sovereignty and of international law," and pressed for adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, brokered by the UN, which created a buffer zone and separation line between Syrian and Israeli forces.

New social contract

Ms. Rochdi noted that the first trial is underway following deadly attacks against the Alawite community in Latakia and Tartus in March, when over 1,000 people were killed in clashes, adding that the UN follows with "real concern" reports of abductions and enforced disappearances.

She appealed for transparency to ensure fair representation of all communities and women in the People's Assembly - a new transitional legislative body - where one-third of the 210 seats are awaiting appointment by the president.

The drafting of a permanent constitution is a "foundational task" for the next stages of the political transition, she stressed.

"The act of defining a new social contract among Syrians must be a source of peace and unity."

A 'path forward'

Speaking on behalf of relief chief Tom Fletcher, OCHA financing and outreach Director Lisa Doughten said the ceasefire in southern Syria is holding, although sporadic incidents are still reported.

Violent sectarian clashes broke out around Sweida between Druze militias and tribal fighters, reportedly driven by kidnappings and tit-for-tat attacks.

Over 180,000 people remain displaced there and neighbouring governorates.

The UN continues to prioritise humanitarian response in those areas, working with national authorities and affected communities to provide basic services.

OCHA has reached 357,000 people per month, sending over 1,300 aid trucks and working with a range of partners.

Ms. Doughten asked for continued engagement from the international community, funding and large-scale investment for reconstruction.

"The people of Syria do not want to rely on emergency aid," she said.

Reconstruction needs are enormous but recent developments like the easing of sanctions and interest in investment "provide a path forward."

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At Security Council, OCHA urges decisive global action to help Syrians build peaceful future

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria by Ms. Lisa Doughten, Director, Financing and Outreach Division, OCHA, on behalf of Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

As delivered

Thank you, Mr. President.

As Deputy Special Envoy Rochdi has just set out, Syria continues to navigate a daunting set of challenges as it seizes the opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous future. And we welcome the continued interest and engagement from the international community in helping Syria achieve this.

The stakes are immense, particularly for the more than 16 million people across the country who need humanitarian assistance.

Mr. President,

Localized insecurity and climatic shocks continue to exacerbate needs.

In southern Syria, the ceasefire is holding, thankfully, though sporadic incidents are still reported. Over 180,000 people remain displaced in As-Sweida and neighbouring governorates.

Syrian authorities are pursuing efforts to rehabilitate infrastructure and restore the supply of electricity and other services, but major gaps persist.

Commercial supplies remain far below what is needed, driving up prices. Fuel shortages continue to impact health facilities and other critical services. Dozens of schools remain damaged.

We continue to prioritize the response in As-Sweida and neighbouring governorates, working with Syrian authorities and affected communities to provide assistance and basic services. We have reached 357,000 people per month, sending over 1,300 aid trucks and working with a range of partners, including 25 national NGOs.

Further north, the main road linking Homs and Raqqa continues to experience intermittent closures. OCHA, in close coordination with Syrian authorities, is actively facilitating the movement of humanitarian assistance through this corridor

Meanwhile, explosive remnants of war continue to endanger people across the country. Last week alone, six people - including a child - were killed and 11 more were injured across six governorates. Since December last year, unexploded ordnance has killed more than 570 people and injured another 960. Most incidents have taken place in agricultural land, further disrupting livelihoods.

And historic drought-like conditions continue to impact water availability and agricultural production, putting further pressure on already-high levels of food insecurity.

Mr. President,

Despite the enormous needs, this remains a hopeful time for millions of Syrians, as reflected in the growing number of people choosing to return to their homes.

More than 1.2 million refugees have now returned from neighbouring countries since last December. More than 1.9 million people who were displaced internally have also returned.

But these people still need support to reestablish their lives, including - in the immediate term - humanitarian aid.

In interviews with UNHCR, 70 per cent of returning refugees say they face food shortages. Most report homes that have been damaged or destroyed, and most lack viable opportunities to generate income. Many still need civil documentation to help re-establish their lives.

Widespread property damage is concerning as winter approaches, with many families forced to stay in partially destroyed homes or temporary shelters.

As people return, more than 400 camps and other sites hosting displaced people in northern Syria have been closed, another marker of progress. But more than 1.2 million people - three quarters of them women and children - continue to shelter in such sites.

Mr. President,

The UN and our partners continue to reach 3.4 million people on average each month across Syria - 24 per cent more than the same period last year - despite lower funding, thanks to improved access and operational conditions.

Across the country, we are working to advance projects that support recovery, in collaboration with national and local authorities.

With support from the OCHA-managed Syria Humanitarian Fund, UNICEF worked with ICRC, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the water authorities in Aleppo to rehabilitate the Ain Al-Baida water station, which now provides clean water for 250,000 people.

We are also working with relevant ministries and other partners to vaccinate children, expand nutrition services, strengthen national preparedness, and conduct a first nationwide multi-sector needs assessment.

In addition, we continue to bring in substantial assistance from Turkiye, with over 3,170 trucks using this route so far this year. We are working with our partners and authorities in Syria and Turkiye to transition to standard commercial-based arrangements for this route - another indicator of progress in the normalization of Syria's operating environment.

Mr. President,

In Syria today, we have the opportunity to get much more aid to those who need it. We also see a viable path towards the recovery and development support that would reduce reliance on emergency assistance.

But we need three key things from the international community:

First, continued engagement to de-escalate ongoing flashpoints and prevent new violence.

This is critical, in the first instance, to deliver on the promise of improved safety and protection - especially for children, women and other vulnerable groups.

According to the most recent Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Syria, over 3,200 children were subject to grave violations in Syria between October 2022 and December 2024.

The current moment has brought increased optimism, including renewed commitments by the Syrian authorities. But sustained peace is needed to consolidate these gains and to let displaced children return to their homes.

This includes some 25,000 children who remain in Al-Hol and other camps due to alleged family ties to ISIL, and where, according to a new report from UN Women, sexual and gender-based violence, mental health and other challenges are rampant.

Second, we need more funding for humanitarian operations.

With just over a month left in the year, our Syria appeal is only 26 per cent funded, leading to continued gaps and reductions in critical assistance.

Our partners are currently seeking to assist 2 million vulnerable people with winter supplies, including heating fuel and stoves, winter clothing, blankets and other household items. But just 12 per cent of the funding has been mobilized.

In recent months, according to WHO, more than 360 health facilities have suspended or reduced services due to funding cuts, affecting more than 7 million people.

Third, we need concrete, targeted and large-scale investment in development and reconstruction.

The people of Syria do not want to rely on emergency aid. Reconstruction needs are enormous, but recent developments provide a path forward - including continued steps to ease sanctions and sustained interest from partners in the region and beyond to invest in Syria.

But this requires concrete and sustained attention to unlock resources, including from the private sector, development investments and climate finance.

The international community must act decisively to translate this opportunity into concrete support.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Posted on 19 November 2025

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Raytheon awarded contract to produce NASAMS equipment for Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

11/19/2025 12:30 PM

Washington, Nov. 18 (CNA) The United States government has awarded Raytheon Co. a US$698.94 million contract to produce equipment related to the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) that Taiwan has ordered.

In accordance with the contract, production of "NASAMS fire units" will take place in Tewksbury, Massachusetts and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2031, according to a notice issued Monday by the U.S. Department of War.

The U.S. Department of State approved the sale of three NASAMS to Taiwan last year, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the sale on Oct. 25, 2024.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said last year that NASAMS has been proven effective at strengthening air defense capabilities, citing Ukraine's use of the systems in its ongoing war with Russia.

The missile systems are capable of active reconnaissance, fire distribution and intelligence integration, according to the ministry.

When integrated with medium- and long-range air defense missiles currently in service in Taiwan's military, they can form a multi-layered air defense network, enhancing homeland security, the ministry said.

The ministry's budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 shows it has earmarked approximately NT$35.7 billion (US$1.14 billion) for the procurement of an undisclosed number of NASAMS, related equipment and training.

The term of the spending plan, as specified by the ministry, is from 2024 to 2030.

(By Chung Yu-chen and Sean Lin)

Enditem/ls

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China could invade Taiwan with 'little advance warning': U.S. Commission

ROC Central News Agency

11/19/2025 08:38 PM

Taipei/Washington, Nov. 19 (CNA) China has enhanced its capacity to "blockade or launch an invasion of Taiwan with little advance warning," the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) said Tuesday (U.S. Time) in its 2025 Annual Report to Congress.

"We have entered a crucial phase in Beijing's longstanding efforts to impose sovereignty over Taiwan," the report's chapter on Taiwan said, adding that China is "rapidly advancing toward its goal of being prepared to take Taiwan by force."

The USCC cited U.S. and Taiwan military officials who said that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) could implement a blockade within "a matter of hours."

The report said Beijing has continued to escalate a "multifaceted pressure campaign targeting Taiwan through military threats, economic coercion, and malign influence activities."

According to the USCC, Beijing has focused much of its information warfare on exacerbating domestic political divisions in Taiwan and driving a wedge between Taiwan and the United States by fomenting uncertainty surrounding U.S. policies on Ukraine, tariffs and semiconductors.

The Commission said PLA incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone rose from 20 in 2019 to 3,075 in 2024, while cases of espionage for China and the number of countries endorsing Beijing's "One China principle" have also surged.

The report said Taiwan has responded by making progress in enhancing "military deterrence and social resilience" through larger and more realistic military exercises, efforts to accelerate asymmetric defense capabilities, and new measures to counter Chinese malign influence.

In an opening statement at the report's release, USCC Vice Chair Randall Schriver said "Beijing has talked a big game about being a force for global stability," but that "the reality is that Beijing has only continued to engage in destabilizing activities that threaten the very international order it proclaims to uphold."

"We should be clear-eyed about the fact that Beijing is rapidly advancing its capabilities for a potential conflict," Schriver said, noting that in the past year alone the PLA has fielded "self-propelled landing barges, the world's largest amphibious assault ship, and hypersonic anti-ship missiles that could target U.S. warships -- just to name a few."

He warned that "Beijing's growing capabilities are particularly concerning in light of its increasingly aggressive gray zone activities in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea," adding that such actions "raise the risk of a miscalculation that could trigger a larger kinetic conflict."

The former assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs also said the report highlighted that China has formed an "axis of autocracies" with Russia, Iran and North Korea.

During the hearing, Schriver responded to the suggestion that Taiwan could potentially take part in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) by saying he personally preferred to see more U.S.-Taiwan training focused on Taiwan's specific military challenges, possibly expanding to trilateral or multilateral exercises with partners such as Japan and the Philippines.

The USCC recommended that Congress direct the U.S. Department of State to work with Taiwan on a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case to provide non-weapon support services that would strengthen U.S. deployments and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

(By James Thompson and Chung Yu-chen)

Enditem/ASG

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U.S. Senate passes bill seeking to remove limits on Taiwan engagement

ROC Central News Agency

11/19/2025 10:53 PM

Washington, Nov. 19 (CNA) The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which requires the State Department to regularly review and update the rules governing U.S. engagement with Taiwan.

The bill, which was passed without objection, directs the State Department to "identify opportunities and plans to lift self-imposed restrictions on relations with Taiwan," according to the U.S. Congress website.

The bill also requires that the guidelines take into account that Taiwan is "governed by a representative government peacefully constituted through free and fair elections."

The bipartisan act was jointly introduced in February by Ann Wagner, the late Gerry Connolly, and Ted Lieu, and it passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May.

After the United States ended diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 1979, the U.S. Department of State set red lines governing contact between American and Taiwanese officials, and the act's central purpose is to undo those restrictions.

The act would require the State Department to assess on a two-yearly basis whether current guidelines can deepen and expand U.S.-Taiwan relations and reflect the value and importance of the bilateral relationship.

The act will take effect once President Donald Trump signs it into law.

(By Chung Yu-chen and James Thompson)

Enditem/cs

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Mainland rebukes Taiwan authorities' fearmongering over bounty notices targeting 'Taiwan independence' diehards

Global Times

By Feng Fan Published: Nov 19, 2025 11:46 AM

Responding to media inquiries on whether public security authorities may issue bounty notices targeting more "Taiwan independence" enforcers and accomplices, after police announced cash rewards ranging from 50,000 ($7,030) to 250,000 yuan for information on Taiwan social media influencers Wen Tzu-yu and Chen Po-yuan, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council outlined the mainland's position on Wednesday.

The spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said Wen and Chen have long been engaged in publishing and spreading inflammatory separatist rhetoric such as "resisting mainland and protecting Taiwan" and "relying on the US to seek independence," while maliciously attacking and smearing the mainland's policies that benefit Taiwan residents. She said that the two have also bullied and persecuted mainland spouses living in Taiwan as well as Taiwan residents who support peaceful cross-Straits relations, effectively acting as enforcers and accomplices for "Taiwan independence" forces and causing egregious impact.

Zhu stressed that the public security authorities' decision to issue a bounty notice for clues about their offenses is a concrete action taken in accordance with the law to punish crimes of secession and incitement to secession, and a just response to the strong public call across the Straits to oppose separatism. She added that reward measures in such notices are implemented by public security organs in line with relevant laws and regulations.

Zhu noted that mainstream public opinion in Taiwan favors peace, development, exchanges and cooperation. A tiny minority of diehard separatists and their enforcers, she said, have committed wrongdoing and acted as accomplices, drawing widespread resentment from Taiwan society, where most residents firmly support lawful measures to hold them accountable.

She emphasized that relevant enforcement actions target only diehard separatists, not the wider Taiwan population, and urged people on both sides of the Straits to provide information on illegal activities and resolutely oppose all forms of "Taiwan independence" separatism.

According to Xinhua, police in Quanzhou, East China's Fujian Province issued a bounty notice on November 13 seeking clues on the illegal activities of Wen, also known as Pa Chiung, and Chen, known as Minnan Wolf, who allegedly acted as enforcers and accomplices of secessionist forces. Those who assist in their capture may receive rewards of 50,000 to 250,000 yuan depending on their contribution, local police said.

At Wednesday's press conference, a reporter cited claims by Taiwan's mainland affairs council alleging that the mainland aims to "disturb social order in Taiwan" and that residents cooperating with the bounty notice will be "prosecuted." In response, Zhu said many Taiwan residents "despise such intimidation" and have sought to distance themselves from figures such as Shen Pao-yang, Wen Tzu-yu and Chen Po-yuan.

Zhu reiterated that the bounty notice is "a concrete action taken in accordance with the law to punish crimes of splitting the country and inciting secession, and a just response to strong public calls across the Straits to oppose separatism." She also assured that the mainland will strictly protect the identities and lawful rights of informants.

An expert said the bounty notice for Wen and Chen is a normal judicial procedure, and while some Taiwan media outlets have deliberately hyped the move, falsely claiming it will trigger "social chaos" or hinder cross-Straits exchanges in an attempt to intimidate Taiwan residents. Such claims are "baseless," the expert said.

"The mainland's measures against separatist figures such as Wen and Chen reflect the authority and credibility of the judicial process and will not be compromised," Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Zheng emphasized, "ordinary Taiwan residents will not be affected in any way."

On the contrary, Zheng said, the mainland has been striving to enhance communication and exchanges across the Straits and dismantle the "information cocoon" created by the DPP authorities and separatist forces. He noted that such forces have repeatedly fabricated narratives portraying cross-Straits exchanges as "united front infiltration" and have even disrupted families of mainland spouses living in Taiwan.

He added that the bounty mechanism is designed to encourage ordinary Taiwan residents  many of whom face intimidation and suppression from the authorities  to provide clues about illegal separatist activities. "This shows the mainland's sincerity and supports those who resist political coercion," Zheng said.

During the same press conference, a reporter asked about Wen and Chen's "counterattacks" and media claims that the bounty notice had triggered a wave of "malicious reporting" in Taiwan. Some commentators alleged the move would create social disorder or lead to a "chilling effect" on freedom of expression. Zhu dismissed such claims, saying that the "clumsy performances of these two political clowns only expose their bluster and fear." "The law will not be escaped," she said, adding that Wen, Chen and their ilk "will inevitably pay the price for their illegal acts."

Zhu reiterated that issuing bounty notices for clues on Wen and Chen is "a concrete action taken in accordance with the law to punish crimes of splitting the country and inciting secession, and a just response to strong public calls across the Straits to oppose separatism." The scope of the measures, she said, is "clear and limited, and do not target or affect the broad Taiwan compatriots." She added that the positive public response from both sides of the Straits reflects deep resentment toward the wrongdoing of "Taiwan independence" enforcers.

The DPP authorities' attempts to threaten and intimidate informants "seriously infringe on the basic rights of Taiwan compatriots" and expose the hypocrisy of their claims to defend "freedom of speech," Zhu said.

"'Taiwan independence' is the root cause of undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and harming the interests and well-being of people on both sides," she stressed. Using criminal justice measures to punish secessionists and safeguard core national interests "is a common international practice and is a necessary and righteous act to oppose separatism and safeguard peace in the Taiwan Straits and the interests of compatriots on both sides."

"I want to emphasize again: Applying criminal justice measures to punish those who split the country and safeguard core national interests is a universal practice," Zhu said. "'Taiwan independence' forces try every means to embolden themselves, but this only reveals their inner panic. The diehard separatists should not harbor any illusionsthe sword of justice is hanging high, and any attempt to pursue 'independence' will be met with punishment," she concluded.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/11/19

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Nov. 18 (Tue.) to 6 a.m. Nov. 19 (Wed.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

9 sorties of PLA aircraft, 4 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1141119_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1141119_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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Top political advisor stresses resolve to oppose external interference on Taiwan question

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:13, November 20, 2025

CHENGDU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Top political advisor Wang Huning reiterated on Thursday the mainland's resolve to resolutely crack down on separatist forces aimed at "Taiwan independence," oppose external interference, and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to a cross-Strait seminar held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

He stressed that the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's restoration to the motherland stand as a great triumph and a source of profound national pride for the Chinese nation.

They underscore a fundamental truth: a strong and unified country is always the foundation on which the future of all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan, ultimately depends, Wang noted.

Wang also noted that, at a grand gathering in September marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the mainland solemnly declared that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.

He added that the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in October further stressed advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and promoting the cause of national reunification as China works to build itself into a modern socialist country in all respects.

"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus," said Wang, pledging efforts to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, enhance the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and make concerted efforts to create a brighter future for the Chinese nation.

The seminar, the fifth edition of its kind, was co-organized by the mainland-based Cross-Straits Relations Research Center and Taiwan patriotic groups supporting reunification.

More than 200 participants attended the event, including Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, New Party Chairman Wu Cheng-tien, experts and scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and guests from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

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Defence Secretary speech on threats to the UK

Speech

The Defence Secretary set out the scale of threats we face, including from the Russian spy ship Yantar which was threatening UK waters between 5 and 11 November.

From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 19 November 2025

Location: 9 Downing Street

Delivered on: 19 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Good morning.

I would like to update you on the threats our country faces and the decisions this government is taking in response. As I speak, a Russian spy ship - the Yantar - is on the edge of UK waters, north of Scotland, having entered the UK's wider waters over the last few weeks. This is a vessel used for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables. We deployed a Royal Navy frigate, and RAF P-8 planes to monitor and track the vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed light lasers at our pilots.

That Russian action deeply dangerous. And this second time this year that this ship - the Yantar - has deployed to UK waters. So, my message to Russia and to Putin, is this:

We see you. We know what you are doing. And if Yantar travels South this week, we are ready. And I want to praise the dedicated and professionalism of our armed forces. They work 24/7, 365 days a year to keep our nation safe.

This is also stark reminder that we are in a new era of threat. Our world is changing. It is less predictable, more dangerous. In the past year alone, we've seen: the Iran-Israel war drag the Middle East close to the brink; armed conflict break out between India and Pakistan; Chinese spies targeting our democracy at home; Putin escalate still further his war in Ukraine; and just this last year we have also seen Europe's skies plagued by drone disruptions; we've seen Russian incursions into NATO airspace double and we've seen 90,000 cyber-attacks on the UK Defence system alone.

This is a new era of threat it demands a new era for defence. An era of hard power, strong allies and sure diplomacy. And as the threat grows, Britain must step up. And we are.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister said security and defence and I quote, is now:

The central organising principle of government.

The pillar on which everything else stands or falls.

I have to tell that I'm proud to be part of a government that knows that our first duty is to protect the nation and keep our citizens safe. A government's that made a historic commitment to increasing defence investment. Because our national security does not come for free.

So today, I will set out how the choices being made by this government - before, during and beyond - the Budget are essential to match these rising threats.

[Political content removed]

And also how this investment comes with a fundamentally new [political content removed] approach. A "defence dividend" that is already boosting British industry, British jobs, British communities.

Back in Opposition, the then Defence Secretary Ben Wallace admitted his government had "hollowed out and underfunded" the British Armed Forces.

It was a brutal, yet honest assessment. [political content removed]

So, 14 years, they left: [political content removed]

British Army numbers at the lowest level since Napoleon.

Forces families in damp, leaky terrible homes.

soldiers on the frontline with kit unsuited to the threats they face.

And even, the renewal of our nuclear deterrent delayed by years.

Deliberate austerity decisions.

[political content removed]

So now in our first year in government:

We brought in the largest pay rise for our forces have seen for more than 20 years.

The biggest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, with a 5 billion boost this year alone.

[political content removed] bringing back into public ownership 36,000 military family homes.

And the deepest defence reforms to defence in 50 years and the first-of-its-kind Strategic Defence Review, so we can accelerate the transformation and innovation that is necessary to meet these threats in future.

The Chancellor's decisions at this Budget will protect those choices into the future. To make Britain safer, more secure at home and stronger abroad.

There is a double purpose to this new defence investment. And double prize - for our security and our economy. First, we are developing with Allies a new deal for European security. A new deal that's built on:

A strong, secure, sovereign Ukraine.

A stronger, more integrated NATO.

And European nations innovating at wartime pace.

Put simply, we are getting on with the job that the British people need us - and elected us - to do.

When I became Defence Secretary last year, there was no Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine... there is now. There was no UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership... there is now. There was no UK leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, no Trinity House Agreement with Germany, no reboot of the Lancaster House agreement and treaty with France... there is now. This is Britain, leading from the front - politically, military, industrially. Making Allies our strategic strength. Making our deterrence stronger so Britain is safer, and the British people better off.

And the second purpose and prize in our record defence investment. We are making Defence the engine for economic growth. Securing a 'defence dividend' for working people - measured in good jobs, growing businesses and new skills across the UK. This is a fundamental shift from the failed approach of the past. Because in this government, every department must be a growth department. For too long, we've seen areas like mine in South Yorkshire, proud industrial heartlands, saw jobs go away and not come back. [political content removed] We are changing that.

Look at South Yorkshire, where we've brought back artillery manufacturing into Britain for the first time in a generation. Look at Barrow, where 1,000 extra jobs since the last election. Look at Sheffield Forgemasters, in public ownership now expanding steel production.

70 per cent of this investment and these jobs are outside London and the South East. So this is not just a promise or a plan for tomorrow. These are good jobs being created today.

This doesn't just happen. This is our [political content removed] Government choice. Directing more defence investment to British jobs, to British firms, to British innovation.

Since the election last July we've signed 1,000 major defence contracts, of which 86 per cent are with British firms. We've generated over 1.7 billion in foreign direct investment into our British defence and we've won major new exports deals, 10 billion for warships to Norway, 8 billion for fighter jets to Turkey.

And today, I can announce a new programme to build factories of the future. 13 potential sites to manufacture munitions and explosives, with construction and diggers in the ground set to start next year. 1.5 billion of new investment, in this parliament creating over 1,000 British jobs - to rearm Britain, to renew our industry, to raise our warfighting readiness of our Armed Forces.

Because we know Britain's Defence industry has a long, proud history. In the 1930s, workers from Coventry to Tyneside, Cardiff to Belfast went to work building the Spitfires that won the Battle of Britain, building the destroyers that won the Battle of the Atlantic.

Those workers knew they were part of something bigger. And I tell you; I see that same pride and purpose in the eyes of our shipbuilders on the Clyde, our engineers at Barrow, our coders in Stevenage and our apprentices in Derby, because they know that their long-term future is secured by our long-term investment.

Security. Prosperity. We build it here in Britain. But we must also innovate. Because technology is changing the nature of war faster than at any point in human history. So, alongside the 'heavy metal' of planes, ships, munitions - we will accelerate the power of drones, of AI, of autonomy so that we give our British Armed Forces the advantage on the battlefield.

So that's why later today I will be in Plymouth opening a new Helsing factory where they make sea and undersea drones.

And if we look forward in 5 years' time - in Opposition, Keir Starmer made that commitment to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence - we're delivering it 3 years earlier than anyone expected. We made a clear NATO-first commitment, we're delivering it. We said we would reset relations with Europe, we're delivering it. We promised more British-based defence investment, we're delivering it. And the Chancellor's decisions at this Budget are part of making Britain safer, stronger and more successful.

So, within this Parliament I want:

Britain to become the best place in the world to invest and grow a defence business.

Britain's Armed Forces to be the fastest innovating military in NATO.

British government investment in defence to be matched by rising private investment.

And our communities right across Britain, to see working people with new skills, new jobs and a new hope for their families and their future.

[political content removed]

Because we know at the heart of defence - military and industrial - has always been the working class. So, like those who came before us, we rearm in the face of threats. We confront dictators. We boost our defence industry.

And in the process, we can unite our country around a common purpose. That's what this budget will be about: strong foundations to secure Britain's future. [political content removed] Delivering for defence. Delivering for Britain.

Thank you.

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UK "building the factories of the future" as government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories

News story

Multiple sites across the UK for new factories to make munitions and military explosives to boost the UK's warfighting readiness have been identified as the government moves to the next phase of building the factories of the future.

From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 19 November 2025

UK's warfighting readiness and firepower boosted as at least 13 potential sites now identified for new munitions and energetics factories, with construction expected to begin on the first in the next year.

At least 1,000 new jobs will be created as energetics industries will return to the UK after closing down nearly two decades ago.

Defence Secretary will commit to "building the factories of the future in Britain" in a speech which will also reveal two new drone factories opening in the UK this week.

Multiple sites across the UK for new factories to make munitions and military explosives to boost the UK's warfighting readiness have been identified as the government moves to the next phase of building the factories of the future.

In a speech in Westminster today, the Defence Secretary will announce that at least 13 sites across the UK have now been identified and will invite industry to submit proposals to meet the government's requirements for energetics production. He will commit to "building the factories of the future in Britain" and expects industry to break ground on the first energetics factory in the next year.

The Defence Secretary will confirm that MOD has now funded a number of feasibility studies for the new energetics factories to kickstart high volume energetics production at scale for the first time in nearly two decades. The engineering design work on the first of these factories has been commissioned with a view to start production for UK Armed Forces and to enable our continued support to Ukraine. Potential sites include Grangemouth in Scotland, Teesside in Northeast England, and Milford Haven in Wales. The factories will produce the components essential for bolstering the UK's weapons arsenal including propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics.

The Defence Secretary will say that the choices taken by the Chancellor at the upcoming Budget will ensure no return to the "hollowed out and underfunded" Armed Forces of the past. He will argue that the Government's record increase in defence investment is essential to protect the British people from a "new era of threat" while also delivering a defence dividend from that investment, "Measured in good jobs, growing businesses, new skills across the UK."

Defence Secretary John Healey MP is expected to say in his speech:

"For too long our proud industrial heartlands saw jobs go away and not come back. We are changing that. Bringing new hope. This is a fundamental shift from the failed approach of the past.

"This is a new era of threat, but the opportunity of this new era is a defence dividend from our record investment, measured in good jobs, thriving businesses, new skills for the British people.

"We are making defence an engine for growth, unambiguously backing British jobs and British skills as we make the UK better ready to fight and better able to deter future conflicts. This is the path that delivers national and economic security."

In the Strategic Defence Review published in June, MOD committed 1.5 billion of additional defence investment for energetics and munitions including the 'always on munitions' pipeline. The Government is committed to building at least 6 new munitions and energetics factories this parliament and creating at least 1,000 new jobs and driving defence as an engine for growth in every region and nation, supporting the government's decade of national renewal.

The MOD's requirements for energetics production will be published online today in a Planned Procurement Note (PNN) which sets out the MOD's plan to deliver a significant set of multi-year investments to support onshore production and generate growth in the UK. The document includes details of nine energetic materials which have been identified as key for the UK.

The new munitions and energetics factories are delivering on the Strategic Defence Review's commitment to move to warfighting readiness and need to boost the UK's firepower for the Armed Forces.

Defence Secretary John Healey will also reveal that two new drone factories will open in the UK this week - in another sign of UK Defence being at the leading edge of innovation, boosting both security and growth. Following the speech, the Defence Secretary will open Helsing's new 'resilience factory' in Plymouth, and Minister for the Armed Forces Alistair Carns travels to Swindon tomorrow (Thursday) to open STARK's cutting edge drone production line.

The cutting-edge factories demonstrate how the UK is at the leading edge of innovation and the benefits of defence growth deals - like that in Plymouth - which are backed by 250 million investment.

The war in Ukraine demonstrates the importance of the fast resupply of munitions by industry, and the benefits of a continual cycle of innovation between industry and the front line. The SDR set out the new 11 billion 'Invest' annual budget has which has been established under the new National Armaments Director to fund kit for our front-line forces which is affordable and grows our UK industrial base. The government has also established UK Defence Innovation with 400 million this year to fund and grow UK-based companies, and ringfenced 10% of the MOD equipment budget for novel technologies.

Defence support supports over 460,000 jobs in the UK, including over 24,000 Ministry of Defence apprenticeships and last financial year spent 31.7 billion with UK-based business. 70% of defence jobs are outside London and Southeast England and the MOD is committed to ensuring that the defence dividend is felt across the UK.

The first-of-its-kind Strategic Defence Review was published in June to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad. The government is delivering at pace on the recommendations in the review to keep the British people safe, with national security the foundation of the Government's Plan for Change. Defence is helping to drive the Government's decade of national renewal across the nation.

The areas for the identified sites are:

Monmouthshire

Cumbria

Dumfriesshire

Ayrshire

Shropshire

Cheshire

Derbyshire

Essex

Worcestershire

Hampshire

Pembrokeshire

Stirlingshire

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Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov inspects Vostok Group of Forces

18 November 2025 11:15

Minister of Defene of the Russian Federation Andrei Belousov checked the progress of missions conducted by formations and units of the Vostok Group of Forces in the special military operation zone. At the CP, the Minister received reports from the commander of the Group of Forces and HQ officers on the current situation and actions of troops at the line of contact in the zones of responsibility as well as nature of enemy's manoeuvres.

Commander of the Vostok Group of Forces Colonel General Andrei Ivanayev reported to the Minister that since the beginning of this year, the troops have liberated more than 1,400 square kilometres.

The chief of the Group's unmanned systems forces reported that the units formed this year are demonstrating great results and providing assistance in reconnaissance and fire engagement of the enemy. 'By increasing the number of ready-to-fight teams and enlarging the supply of drones, the Group has significantly increased the daily employment of drones, which helps to increase the firing capabilities and advance Russian troops,' he said. 'Russian troops also actively fight hostile UAVs. FPV interceptors of unmanned systems units have recently destroyed more than 900 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles,' said the chief of the Group's unmanned systems forces.

The chief of the Group's electronic warfare troops reported to the head of the Defence Ministry how the new automated electronic warfare control system is being tested during the fighting. It is designed to distribute the control of electronic warfare equipment and allows to have up-to-date information about detected FPV drones and suppress them automatically in real time as well as quickly change the operating modes of electronic warfare equipment.

'This will halve the time for collecting, processing, and analysing the frequencies and time of the intensity of the enemy's strike UAVs in almost real time,' said the chief of the Group's electronic warfare troops. Testing of the new electronic warfare control system has begun in all groups of forces in the special military operation zone.

In a motorised rifle unit of the Vostok Group of Forces, the Minister was informed on the results of the use of drones modified by the units, taking into account the experience of their combats.

Andrei Belousov presented state awards to distinguished military personnel during the visit. Among other things, he presented the Gold Star medal to Kurabek Karayev, the commander of the 36th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade, for his courage and heroism demonstrated during operations in the special military operation zone.

Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Anna Gvozdiar at Rebuild Ukraine Expo: EU will allocate over 140 million to develop Ukraine's dual-use technologies

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

18 November, 2025, 11:39 AM EET

For the first time, the European Union has opened the possibility of allocating funds from the Ukraine Facility program to support dual-use technologies. Previously, such areas were not eligible for funding.

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Anna Gvozdiar, announced this during the Rebuild Ukraine Expo, held in Warsaw, Poland.

This will enable support for producers of advanced navigation and communication systems, next-generation drones, aerospace technologies and high-precision metallurgical products.

"The expansion of the Ukraine Facility to include dual-use technologies is the result of several months of joint efforts between Ukraine and the EU. It opens access to financial resources, starting with more than 140 million that the EU will channel through the Ukraine Investment Framework for loans and grants to companies. This will allow Ukrainian companies to scale up more rapidly, attract investment, and develop products that strengthen the resilience of Ukraine and the whole of Europe," emphasised Anna Gvozdiar.

At a working meeting with Anna Jarosz-Friis, Director of the Ukraine Service at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), and Orest Tokac, Head of the Unit for Private Investments and Strategic Industrial Sectors of Ukraine at the European Commission, the parties examined practical aspects of implementing this instrument, potential funding volumes, and further steps.

During the panel discussion "Unlocking Investment in Strategic Industries, Enabling Ukraine's Resilience", the Deputy Minister of Defence stressed that supporting critical technologies and production is a shared priority for Ukraine and the EU member states.

In addition, the Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine addressed and welcomed the participants of the session "Investing into Resilience & Defence" In her address, Anna Gvozdiar highlighted the scale and pace of the development of Ukraine's dual-use sector.

"Ukraine is building a modern, competitive and innovative defence and dual-use industry. Last year alone, over three thousand enterprises manufactured dual-use products amounting to 5.5 billion - and this represents only part of the potential we are demonstrating to our partners today," noted Anna Gvozdiar.

As part of the visit, a meeting was also held with representatives of Estonian businesses, during which the parties discussed ways to deepen cooperation between the defence industries of Ukraine and Estonia.

The program of the visit to Poland also included a meeting with the delegation of Australia's Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT). The parties discussed opportunities to deepen Ukrainian-Australian defence cooperation.

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Norway to provide an additional NOK 465 million in humanitarian support to Ukraine

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 19/11/2025

Humanitarian needs in Ukraine continue to rise steeply. Russia has intensified its attacks, forcing Ukrainians to flee their homes and causing more and more civilian casualties.

'Norway's humanitarian support to Ukraine is saving lives and alleviating suffering. It is helping the Ukrainian people to retain their resilience. This is a key priority for Norway,' said Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust.

Norway is providing a further NOK 465 million in humanitarian support to Ukraine. This allocation comes in addition to the NOK 120 million for food security announced in connection with the International Food Security Summit held in Kyiv on 19 November.

In July this year, Ukraine recorded the highest number of civilian losses since May 2022. The evacuation of civilians from the front lines is placing enormous pressure on local authorities' reception systems.

These additional allocations bring Norway's support for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and for refugees in Ukraine's neighbouring countries to NOK 3 billion for 2025.

The funding will be channelled through UN partners, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and Norwegian humanitarian organisations. Norway gives priority to providing protection and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people on the front lines, supporting evacuations and assisting Ukrainians who have been internally displaced. Funding from Norway is also being used to provide support for people who have lost their homes due to Russian attacks.

'The scale of humanitarian needs in Ukraine is vast. The cooperation we are seeing between Norwegian humanitarian organisations and local organisations to help Ukraine's civilian population is invaluable. Norway attaches special importance to projects aimed at protecting and improving the situation for children. The collaborative projects also provide food for civilians in need, direct cash transfers and shelter, and promote mine clearance activities,' said Mr Aukrust.

Russia's attacks on Ukraine's electricity grid have increased significantly since the summer. The winter months are particularly challenging for Ukrainians, especially those living in cities and in local communities on the front line. Intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure make it difficult to maintain a stable supply of electricity and adequate heating for homes, schools and health clinics.

'The funding from Norway will also be used to repair and upgrade small power plants and energy infrastructure in local communities. It is important to reinforce the synergies between humanitarian action and reconstruction efforts, in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities,' said Mr Aukrust.

The funds will be distributed as follows

Organisation Amount (NOK million) Norway's strategic humanitarian partners (Norwegian Refugee Council, Norwegian People's Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, Norwegian Red Cross, Caritas Norway, Save the Children Norway, SOS Children's Villages Norway, NORCAP) 198 UNICEF 45 UNHCR 35 Ukraine Humanitarian Fund 35 WHO 55 UNFPA 39 UNOCHA 3 ICRC 40 IFRC 15 Total 465

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Norway to increase support for Ukraine and global food security by NOK 120 million

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 19/11/2025

This week, Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust is participating in the Fourth International Food Security Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine at the invitation of President Zelensky. The Summit, convened by the Ukrainian authorities, aims to ensure adequate access to food in the world's most vulnerable regions. This event serves as a platform for dialogue and joint action on international food security.

'Russia's aggression and full-scale invasion of Ukraine has disrupted supply lines and production in one of the world's most important grain-producing areas. This has led to a humanitarian crisis, increased food prices, and exacerbated hunger and food insecurity far beyond Europe's borders,' said Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust.

Agricultural products from Ukraine have been a vital component of World Food Programme (WFP) and other international humanitarian operations for many years. The Grain from Ukraine initiative, launched by President Zelensky in November 2022, has made it possible to purchase Ukrainian grain and export it to the most vulnerable countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

'Norway will continue to support efforts to ensure that Ukrainian grain can alleviate the situation for people affected by acute hunger across the world, and we are now providing NOK 30 million via WFP to the Grain for Ukraine programme,' said Mr Aukrust. 'In addition, Norway is providing a total of NOK 90 million to support the efforts of WFP and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization to increase food security for the people of Ukraine, who have been hit hard by the war.'

'Ukraine is sending food to other crisis-affected countries at a time when its own citizens are being forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion. This is a truly impressive demonstration of international solidarity,' said Mr Aukrust.

This new allocation brings Norway's support to the Grain from Ukraine programme to NOK 205 million. This funding has helped to provide food for people affected by acute hunger in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Palestine and Syria, and also supports the agricultural sector in Ukraine. Combating hunger is one of the main goals of Norway's humanitarian strategy and is a key priority in the Norwegian Government's strategy for promoting food security in development policy.

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Update 329 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

19 November 2025

Vienna, Austria

120/2025

The connection of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to its main power line was restored today in an important step for nuclear safety and security at the site. However, the overall situation remains precarious amid the ongoing military conflict, as several of the country's operating reactors had to reduce output following overnight attacks on the electrical grid.

The ZNPP, whose six reactors remain in cold shutdown, lost the connection to its 750 kilovolt (kV) Dniprovska power line on Friday evening. Following repairs carried out approximately 16 kilometres from the plant, the line was restored this morning, giving the plant renewed access to two off-site power lines, including also the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 line. Access to off-site power is essential for reactor cooling and other essential safety functions.

In late October, a month-long loss of all off-site power at the ZNPP was resolved thanks to repairs conducted on both sides of the frontline under the protection of IAEA-brokered localized and temporary ceasefires. However, the subsequent disconnection of the 750 kV line was yet another reminder of the extremely fragile external power situation during the conflict.

"I once again call for the full compliance, at all times, with the IAEA's Five Concrete Principles. It is of paramount importance that a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is prevented," Director General Grossi said in his opening statement to this week's meeting of the Board of Governors.

The precarious nuclear safety and security situation during the conflict was underlined at Ukraine's three operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) today, with four of their total of nine reactors decreasing output following attacks that further destabilized the electrical grid.

Two of the plants - Khmelnytskyy and Rivne - had already lowered production of electricity as a result of military activities earlier this month. Today, both facilities reduced production further after they each lost the connection to one of their high-voltage power lines. The IAEA teams based at these two sites also had to seek shelter during the morning's air raid alarms.

The country's third operating NPP, South Ukraine, also lost its connection to a high-voltage power line. The plant reported detecting 11 drones overnight one kilometre from the site.

"The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is not the only plant affected by the instability of the electricity grid. Military activity continues to affect the power grid throughout Ukraine," Director General Grossi told the IAEA Board meeting.

The IAEA has organized two new deliveries under its comprehensive programme of assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total to 176 since the start of the conflict.

Under an Agency programme supporting Ukraine in managing the consequences of the Kakhovka dam destruction in mid-2023, the Mykolaiv Regional Laboratory of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection received laboratory equipment and supplies. Under the medical assistance programme for NPP personnel, the medical unit of the Khmelnytskyy NPP received decorporation and chelating agents, used for removing radioactive substances from the body following an accident. The deliveries were supported with funding from Belgium and Japan.

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US Peace Draft Calls For Major Ukraine Concessions As Zelenskyy Pushes Talks In Turkey

By RFE/RL November 19, 2025

A new US-drafted proposal to halt the war in Ukraine calls for Kyiv to give up some of its territory and some of its weaponry, news reports said, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Turkey in an effort to boost flagging peace talks.

The US proposals also reportedly include cutting the size of Ukraine's armed forces and accepting a rollback of US military assistance that has been essential to Ukraine's fight against Russian forces.

In addition, no foreign troops would be allowed on Ukrainian soil and Kyiv would no longer receive long-range weaponry.

The proposals, which were detailed by The Financial Times and Reuters, largely track with the hard-line demands Russia has made since the beginning of this year, when President Donald Trump moved to open up direct negotiations with Moscow over the Ukraine war.

There was no immediate public response from Ukrainian officials to the reports. A Ukrainian official with direct knowledge of the proposal confirmed its contents but had no further comment.

Shortly after news of the proposals circulated, Zelenskyy posted a message to Telegram where he thanked Turkey's president for hosting the latest talks.

He also praised the "decisive steps and leadership of President Trump [and] every strong and fair proposal to end this war. And only President Trump and the United States of America have enough strength for the war to finally end."

Zelenskyy was due to meet top US Defense Department officials in Kyiv on November 20.

The proposals potentially put Zelenskyy in a difficult position.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back a bigger, better-equipped Russian Army, even as Moscow's forces suffer extraordinary casualties.

Russia is closing in on the key city of Pokrovsk as part of Putin's stated goal to control all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Russia is also battering Ukraine's cities and its energy infrastructure for yet another winter, seeking to demoralize already exhausted Ukrainians.

Overnight, a Russian cruise missile strike hit two apartment buildings in the western city of Ternopil, killing at least 25 people and wounded dozens.

Zelenskyy has refused previous demands from Moscow that Ukraine cede territory or downgrade its armed forces, saying it would only weaken Ukraine to the potential of a future new invasion.

At home, Zelenskyy has been politically weakened by a major corruption scandal that has touched on some of his Cabinet ministers and longtime business partners.

Ukrainian lawmakers have called for Zelenskyy to sack his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

Yermak, who is traveling with Zelenskyy, posted on social media that "all planned meetings are taking place on schedule" and that he was "in constant contact with representatives of the Donald Trump administration."

The corruption investigation concerns allegations that funds earmarked for building defenses to protect Ukraine's vulnerable energy infrastructure from Russian air attacks were siphoned off in the form of kickbacks to political insiders.

Zelenskyy's Closest Ally

Yermak has played a prominent role in previous diplomatic meetings aimed at finding a path toward a cease-fire or peace deal amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

An unelected appointee, Yermak is perhaps the Ukrainian president's most trusted political ally. Their acquaintance began around 2010 and was cemented by a close business relationship before Zelenskyy entered politics. In recent years, Yermak has accumulated significant political influence behind the scenes.

"Yermak is his top aide, his chief administrator, the main button on Zelenskyy's control panel. They've become fused together like Siamese twins," Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Center for Political Studies in Kyiv, told RFE/RL on November 19.

But he now faces growing pressure for his dismissal or resignation as a high-level corruption investigation gathers pace.

"If Yermak is not fired in the next few days, I worry that we may enter a full-fledged political crisis domestically," Olena Prokopenko, a senior fellow with the German Marshall Fund, told RFE/RL.

"The parliament will become dysfunctional; the cabinet ministers will be un-operational. And this is the kind of crisis that Ukraine cannot afford in the midst of the full-scale war and Russia's advances at the front lines," she added.

The corruption allegations boiled over last week when Ukraine's two leading anti-corruption agencies published evidence detailing their findings.

The issue is all the more toxic because Zelenskyy tried to remove the autonomy of the agencies during the summer only to backtrack on the measure after it sparked the largest street protests since Russia's all-out assault began in February 2022.

The revelations have already resulted in the resignations of the energy minister and the justice minister, while a close Zelenskyy associate, Tymur Mindich, has fled the country.

Ali Baba

Secret recordings released by investigators showed suspects operated under code names. On November 18, a Ukrainian lawmaker allegedone of those names, Ali Baba, was actually Yermak.

The lawmaker, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, said the records showed Yermak allegedly directing unnamed officials to investigate officials with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

Yermak has not responded to requests for comment from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Zelenskyy has announced he will meet with lawmakers from his Servant of the People party on November 20, prompting speculation as to whether Yermak may be about to be fired.

One of the party's legislators, Fedir Venislavsky, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Serviceon November 18 that Yermak should resign.

"Yermak's resignation in this case would definitely dampen this certain excitement around the government," he said, adding that among his party colleagues "there was a lot of talk today that Mr. Yermak should leave."

Adding to the rising political temperature in Kyiv, legislators summoned Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to the parliament on November 19. Two opposition parties have called for the resignation of the entire cabinet.

"So far, Zelensky seems to be missing an opportunity to provide a strong and decisive response to the events of last week and to the scale of the investigation that we have seen and to how his inner circle is thought to be implicated," said Prokopenko.

She added that foreign pressure might be needed to push Zelenskyy into firing his ally. "It looks like the administration, the government, is still trying to take incremental damage control measures."

Fesenko said that for Zelenskyy, dismissing Yermak would be "like chopping off his own right hand," and suggested it was not imminent. But, he added, "Yermak's resignation could also become inevitable in the event of mass protests."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Senior International Correspondent Ray Furlong

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-turkey-peace- talks-corruption-russia-yermak-witkoff/33595867.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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At Least 26 Killed In Russian Missile Strike On Ukraine's Ternopil

By RFE/RL November 19, 2025

Russian missiles hit two apartment buildings in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, killing at least 26 people, including three children, amid an overnight barrage of Russian drones and missiles that wounded scores across the country and drew international condemnation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the wave of strikes a "brazen attack on ordinary life."

Ukrainian media reported that blasts were heard early on November 19 across the Ternopil, Khmelnytskiy, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Lviv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions as the attacks targeted eastern and western Ukraine.

The latest attacks came amid a flurry of efforts to restart stalled peace talks. Ukraine's president was slated to meet in Ankara with Turkey's leader and US officials on November 19. A top Pentagon official and two generals also reportedly traveled to Kyiv for related discussions.

Ukrainian Emergency Services said two high-rise apartment buildings were hit in the city of Ternopil, leaving at least 26 dead, three of whom were children. More than 93 people were injured in the strike, including 18 children.

Rescuers scrambled to pick through debris of collapsed buildings in Ternopil, looking for survivors. A military official said one of the buildings may have been hit by an air-launched cruise missile.

"Every brazen attack against ordinary life proves that the pressure on Russia is still insufficient," Zelenskyy saidin a post on X.

"Russia will never stop on its own. Their goal is to continue the killings, to destroy life in Ukraine. And only by putting strong pressure on the aggressor will we be able to stop this," he wrote in a post on Telegram. "Every life is important. Every life needs protection. And I am grateful to the partners who are ready to put pressure on Russia, help our people, and do everything to restore a just peace."

In a statement, the United Nations condemned the November 19 attack that wounded at least a dozen children, saying their "suffering is unconscionable."

"From Kharkiv in the east to Ternopil and the Ivano-Frankivsk Region in the west, families have lost loved ones, suffered injuries and seen their homes destroyed," said UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Matthias Schmale.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said she was "appalled" by Russia's latest strikes. "Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. They are unacceptable and must end immediately," she wrote on a post on X.

Ukraine's Energy Ministry said the strikes caused emergency power outages in several regions, with repair crews working to restore electricity where possible.

Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities as the winter months approach, leading to fears of power shortages amid the likely freezing weather. Moscow has also regularly struck Ukrainian civilian areas, although it denies it targets such sites.

Air Defenses Activated In Poland And Romania

The Russian attack on Ukraine's western regions prompted a swift response from neighboring Poland.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces confirmed that fighter jets and early-warning aircraft were scrambled due to Russia's strikes near the Polish border.

The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency reported the brief closure of the airports in Rzeszow and Lublin in southeastern Poland "to ensure the freedom of military aviation operations."

Romania has also briefly raised its air defenses after radar detected a drone penetrating about 8 kilometers into national airspace, triggering public alerts in the Tulcea and Galati counties in the eastern part of the country.

Eurofighter and F-16 jets were scrambled, though no debris or impact sites were found, according to a statement from the Romanian Defense Ministry.

Russian Drones Strike Kharkiv

In Ukraine's Kharkiv region, dozens were wounded overnight as Russian drones struck for the third time in three days, officials said on November 19.

Kharkiv police said at least 36 people were injured in the latest overnight attack, which damaged more than 10 apartment buildings, a school, a supermarket, and an ambulance station.

Two children aged 9 and 13 were among those injured, police said, adding that "doctors diagnosed the children with acute stress reactions."

On November 18, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed it had carried out long-range strikes inside Russia using short-range ATACMS missiles.

The Ukrainian military described the action as a "significant development" and said long-range strike operations would continue.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces fired four ATACMS missiles at the city of Voronezh, located in southern Russia.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-launches-wide-scale- strikes-across-ukraine/33595476.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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Ukraine's Anti-Graft Chief Warns Of High-Level Pressure As Energy Sector Scandal Deepens

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Vlasta Lazur and Mykyta Peretiatko November 19, 2025

The head of Ukraine's leading anti-corruption agency (NABU) says pressure on the investigation into the country's explosive graft scandal was being discussed in "high offices," as a major political crisis builds around President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The scandal has rocked the war-torn country and involved allegations that funds intended for boosting defenses at vulnerable energy infrastructure against Russian air attacks were siphoned off as kickbacks to political insiders.

Semen Kryvonos, head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) -- one of the agencies leading the investigation -- spoke with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on November 18 and said the probe faces a series of political and bureaucratic hurdles, but that it will continue.

The scandal implicates people at the highest levels of Ukraine's government, centering around businessman Tymur Mindich, an old friend and former business partner of Zelenskyy himself.

The allegations have hit a nerve among Ukrainians who are exhausted after nearly four years of Russia's all-out invasion. Zelenskyy has urged "full cooperation" and vowed to overhaul the country's energy sector.

However, with eight people already named as suspects -- two of whom, including Mindich, have fled the country -- the key question now looming over the scandal is who exactly was the top figure in the scheme.

Following The Money

The focus is on the state-owned nuclear power operator, Energoatom, which has annual revenue of around $4.7 billion.

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) allege that a "high-level criminal organization" embezzled $100 million from the energy sector. The suspects allegedly charged kickbacks of 10-15 percent from the company's private subcontractors in exchange for extending their contracts.

More than a week after the agencies' findings were made public, Kryvonos told RFE/RL that the corruption scheme involved "dozens of international jurisdictions" through which the embezzled funds were circulated before ending up in accounts or being converted into real estate.

The investigators are now tracking the movement of "laundered" money, according to Kryvonos. But complicating the matter, however, is the need to cooperate with Ukraine's Financial Monitoring Service, headed by Filip Pronin.

According to journalists and some lawmakers, Pronin is believed to be close to the president's office and is reportedly under scrutiny by anti-corruption authorities for the alleged embezzlement of funds intended for infrastructure defense in the Poltava region.

Kryvonos said it's crucial, at this stage, to get the Financial Monitoring Service on board for the investigation. But he criticized the agency's response so far -- calling its foot-dragging "suspicious."

"The head of this service -- and the service itself -- should have shown leadership from the very first day when we made these recordings public and detained these individuals," he said, adding that the scandal is bigger than just Energoatom.

"According to our preliminary assessment, many other areas are involved. They should have detected this already at the stage when the scheme, so to speak, existed -- identified it and blocked it."

When asked whether Pronin's agency was actively helping NABU and SAPO trace the funds allegedly laundered through Energoatom, Kryvonos says they "effectively received no relevant information in response" despite submitting "a number of inquiries...regarding defense procurements that may be connected to the [case]."

"Given our understanding of how this service can operate and identify relevant suspicious transactions, and interact with NABU, the complete lack of activity in this area seems very suspicious to us," he added.

Could Mindich Be Extradited?

Mindich, with the alleged code name Karlson, fled Ukraine for Poland on November 10.

A co-owner of the Kvartal 95 comedy troupe, Mindich was close to Zelenskyy, who also co-owned the business before he became president. Kvartal was an important vehicle for Zelenskyy to gain popularity as a comedian and actor before entering politics.

Mindich left the country using a luxury taxi service just hours before authorities carried out raids connected to the investigation, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service learned.

That prompted critics to say he must have been alerted ahead of time.

Kryvonos says he wouldn't rule out Mindich facing extradition from Israel, where he also holds citizenship -- in fact, NABU is "working in this direction."

"We are not going to sit idly by just because we might assume that some country won't extradite someone," he said.

"As a rule, suspects don't just sit in one place; they want to travel, visit European countries. Therefore, all measures must be taken to ensure this person is on the international wanted list, so the relevant law enforcement agencies and Interpol have the appropriate orientation to detain this person in the event of crossing and arriving in the territory of another country."

'Ali-Baba' And Pressure On Anti-Corruption Efforts

Over the summer, Zelenskyy sparked a public uproar when he backed a measure that would have sharply reduced the independence of NABU and SAPO.

The move came after Ukraine's domestic security agency (SBU) arrested two NABU officials over alleged ties to Russia and carried out dozens of searches targeting agency employees.

After rare wartime street protests and a wave of calls from European leaders, Zelenskyy backed down and restored the agencies' full independence.

Kryvonos said that if it weren't for the protests, the Energoatom case "wouldn't have happened. It would have been destroyed for sure."

SAPO head Oleksandr Klymenko alleged earlier this week that meetings in the Ukrainian government were held to influence NABU and SAPO investigators following the publication of evidence.

Separately, opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak claimed that the anti-corruption investigative records include a person with the code-name Ali Baba, who was influencing authorities to pressure the anti-corruption agencies.

Zheleznyak added he believed the Ali-Baba was Andriy BorysovychYermak.

A close ally and Zelenskyy's most influential aide -- who had previously participated in a number of international meetings, including with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio -- Yermak did not immediately respond to requests for comment from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Kryvonos neither confirmed nor denied Zheleznyak's statement but he said "there is indeed such a person" who "interferes in the activities of law enforcement agencies" without any right to do so.

He told RFE/RL that this person holds a "high office" -- but he refrained on commenting whether they are part of the president's closest circle.

"This information was obtained operationally, but I can say that this person has no legally defined authority to do such things," he said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-corruption-nabu- mindich-yermak-zelenskyy/33595936.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Army Launches Massive Missile Strike on Targets in Western Ukraine

Sputnik News

20251119

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian military has launched a massive strike, including with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, against the defense industry and energy facilities in western Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"In response to Ukraine's terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia this morning, the Russian armed forces launched a massive strike with long-range, air- and sea-based precision weapons, including hypersonic ballistic Kinzhal missiles and strike drones against the defense industry and energy facilities that supported its operation, as well as against long-range drone depots, located in western Ukrainian regions. The strike targets were achieved, and all designated objects were hit," the statement read.

Meanwhile, Russian air defense systems shot down four ATACMS operational-tactical missiles missiles, seven guided air bombs, and 93 fixed-wing drones, the ministry said.

The Black Sea Fleet destroyed two unmanned boats of the Ukrainian military in the northeastern part of the Black Sea, the ministry added.

As a result of the night strike, several facilities were hit, including an underground weapons production site and a military headquarters near Lvov, as well as an armored vehicle hangar housing approximately 20 tracked vehicles and five trucks in the Kharkov region, the coordinator of the pro-Russian underground network in Nikolayev, Sergei Lebedev, told Sputnik.

The warehouse in Lvov sustained significant damage, the coordinator said, adding that Bradley and Humvee armored vehicles were allegedly re-equipped there.

Russia's Tsentr battle group of forces has eliminated over 470 Ukrainian military personnel over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"In total, in the area of responsibility of the Tsentr group of forces, enemy losses amounted to more than 470 servicepeople, a tank, six armored fighting vehicles, and seven cars," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Vostok battle group of forces has eliminated up to 255 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry also said, adding that Kiev has lost over 220 military personnel in battles with Russia's Zapad battle group of troops.

In the Kharkov region, the Zapad group eliminated up to 50 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed a US-made HMMWV armored vehicle, two Kozak armored combat vehicles, six motor vehicles, an artillery piece and two electronic warfare stations, the ministry said.

Russia's Yug battle group has taken more advantageous positions and eliminated up to 195 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, the ministry said. The group also destroyed a tank, 24 motor vehicles, an artillery piece, four electronic warfare stations, three ammunition depots and four fuel depots, it added.

Russia's Sever battle group has eliminated up to 130 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed an infantry combat vehicle, six motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station, and seven materiel depots over the past day, the ministry said.

Russia's Dnepr battle group has eliminated up to 70 Ukrainian troops, two armored combat vehicles, 13 motor vehicles, a field artillery piece, eight electronic warfare stations and two material depots over the past day, the statement read.

"Our military personnel carry out their tasks, targeting, as before, exclusively military and military-linked facilities," Peskov told reporters.

The Russian army continues to prevent Kiev's attempts to strike Russian territory with high-precision Western weapons, including US-made missiles, Peskov also said. All attempts were thwarted by the Russian air defense systems, he added.

 Sputnik

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Russian S-400, Pantsir Air Defense Systems Smash Ukrainian ATACMS Attack

Sputnik News

20251119

Ukraine attempted to launch a missile strike on civilian targets deep into the territory of Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Ukraine used four US-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles in an attempt to strike the city of Voronezh, the ministry said, adding that Russian S-400 and Pantsir missile systems intercepted all ATACMS missiles.

"On November 18, 2025, at 14:31 Moscow time [11:31 GMT], the Kiev regime attempted to launch a missile strike on civilian targets deep into the territory of Russia," the ministry said in a statement.

"The Iskander-M ... combat crew launched a missile strike on a Ukrainian armed forces missile position, resulting in the destruction of two MLRS launchers with ammunition, as well as combat crew personnel (up to 10 people)," the statement read.

Debris from ATACMS missiles fell on the Voronezh Regional Gerontology Center and an orphanage, as well as on one private home, the ministry said, noting that there were no casualties or injuries.

"Aerial reconnaissance of the Russian armed forces quickly identified the launch site of ATACMS missiles in the Kharkov region," the ministry added.

 Sputnik

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Joint Statement on Pillar 1 "Political, Conflict and Stabilisation" of the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

19 November 2025 20:54

Joint Statement on Pillar 1 "Political, Conflict and Stabilisation" of the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue

(13-14 November 2025, London)

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met in London on 13 November 2025 and opened the Strategic Dialogue between the United Kingdom and Ukraine under Pillar 1: Political, Conflict and Stabilisation. They reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership and shared commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters, and democratic future. The Parties coordinated foreign policy priorities and agreed next steps to counter Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and advance joint initiatives within international frameworks aimed at achieving just and lasting peace for Ukraine and delivering mutual security and growth benefits, including through the One Hundred Year Partnership. Both Parties will maintain regular high-level political dialogue as a core element of the partnership.

The Parties will coordinate joint actions to consolidate international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine on the basis of international law, including the UN Charter. In particular, they will continue working together within the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, OPCW, and the IAEA.

The Parties will actively cooperate to finalise and effectively implement commitments made by leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, including to put in place robust security guarantees for Ukraine's future security, so that it can deter and defend against future attack. The Parties confirmed that plans are in place to deploy Multinational Force Ukraine once hostilities have ceased, with a view to help secure Ukraine's skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine's armed forces.

The UK and Ukraine will work together to strengthen the European security system as an integral condition for reinforcing transatlantic unity. This will include coordination through NATO. The UK remains committed to providing Ukraine 3 billion of funding in military assistance every year for as long as it takes. The UK will continue to support Ukraine through our co-leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, and the drone and maritime capability coalitions. The UK also administers the NATO Security Assistance Training for Ukraine (NSATU) Trust Fund, which rapidly procures equipment for Ukraine. The UK will continue to work with international partners to mobilise additional financial resources to bolster Ukraine's defence capability, which is part of Europe's overall security.

The UK and Ukraine will jointly work to advance Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The UK reaffirms its commitment to Ukraine's irreversible path to NATO membership.

Leading the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the UK will continue working with JEF members and Ukraine to give practical effect to the "Enhanced Ukraine-JEF partnership".

The parties are committed to the UK-Ukraine defence industrial partnership and deepening industrial cooperation of our industries.

The Parties agreed on the continued importance of reforms for Ukraine's security, democracy and economy, including for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic trajectory. They agreed that sustained UK support and reform progress are important to support both private and public sector investment in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.

The Parties will continue collaborating on Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction to ensure it emerges from war with a modern, inclusive and resilient economy. This includes joint work through the Ukraine Donor Platform and Ukraine Business Advisory Council to unlock trade and investment. The UK will continue supporting war risk insurance, capital market development, and Public Investment Management reforms to accelerate bankable recovery projects. Ukraine's commitment to strengthening its Single Project Pipeline was welcomed. Ahead of winter, the UK announced 5.2m which will contribute to Ukraine's long-term stabilisation and resilience.

Building on the 42m energy support package announced in September, the UK will continue to support Ukraine's energy resilience in the face of Russia's continued deliberate assault on civilian energy infrastructure. This includes accelerating the delivery of UK support over the current winter through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and ensuring readiness to deal with increased humanitarian needs.

In the context of countering the Russian Federation`s armed aggression against Ukraine, the UK will support efforts within the G7 to increase assistance to Ukraine. The Parties will work together to secure support for Ukraine's candidacies to the leadership bodies of International Organisations. The Parties agreed to continue information exchange and coordination of positions regarding the development of relations with countries of mutual strategic and security interest for the UK and Ukraine.

The Parties welcomed Ukraine's support for global food security and agreed to engage partners in the humanitarian initiatives Grain from Ukraine and Food from Ukraine. The UK reaffirms its support for humanitarian demining in Ukraine, including through financial and technical assistance.

The Parties will coordinate efforts to ensure the participation of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in multilateral fora. The UK confirms its readiness to support efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and has endorsed the Tribunal's legal basis. The UK also stands ready to participate in the summits of the International Crimea Platform.

UK and Ukraine will jointly counter Russia's attempts to legitimise its presence in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and will advocate in international fora the non-recognition of any change of status (de jure and de facto) of the mentioned Ukraine's territories.

Within the framework of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Ukraine and the UK will cooperate across international organisations, including through joint events, to strengthen efforts to return illegally deported children and ensure that this issue remains at the forefront of the international agenda and any peace settlement. They will also submit joint proposals to draft resolutions on the rights of children in armed conflicts. The UK announced support for a pilot tracing mechanism to help return illegally deported Ukrainian children.

In support of diaspora needs and post-war reintegration, the Parties committed to exploring a pathway for mutual recognition of educational qualifications, removing barriers to access, as part of broader bilateral cooperation in education.

The UK and Ukraine reaffirmed their shared commitment to using sanctions to restrict the revenue flows supporting the Russia`s war effort, to limit its military supply, to counter Russian circumvention, and to tackle third country support for the Russian Federation`s armed aggression against Ukraine.

To this end, and working closely with sanctions coalition partners, the Parties will focus primarily on further restricting key sectors of the Russian economy supporting its war effort, as well as access to goods and technology for its military-industrial complex. This includes further measures to take Russian energy off the market and tackling Russia's shadow fleet. The Parties will continue to implement strict control over items on the Common High Priority List. The Parties will also intensify engagement with third-countries where sanctions evasion is a risk and will continue to take action where necessary against entities in third countries who are supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The Parties will also strengthen monitoring and implementation of existing sanctions.

The Parties will continue to take action against Russian financial circumvention efforts through financial institutions and alternative financial channels, including cryptocurrencies.

The UK and Ukraine agreed to work jointly to achieve consensus on delivering the value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets to address Ukraine's pressing financial needs for 2026-2027, including for its military and defence efforts.

The Parties will deepen cooperation to counter foreign information manipulation and interference through strategic communications, information sharing, and resilience-building. This includes strengthening Ukraine's technical capabilities and disrupting malign networks undermining democratic institutions and international support for Ukraine.

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with the delegation of Syria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

19 November 2025 17:37

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "On the sidelines of the 4-th international conference on food security "Food from Ukraine", I had a meaningful meeting with Syria's Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Amjad Badr, and Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh. It is the first visit of the official Syrian ministerial delegation since the restoration of our diplomatic relations during the meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and Syria in New York in September. We focused on strengthening our bilateral dialogue and developing our mutually beneficial cooperation in different spheres. I reaffirmed Ukraine's readiness to remain a reliable partner in supporting Syria's food security and developing its agricultural sector. Grateful to Syrian colleagues for this important visit of solidarity and their readiness to advance our relations through practical projects and joint collaboration."

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Muhindo Nzangi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

19 November 2025 20:18

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Pleased to meet with Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Muhindo Nzangi in Kyiv. Building upon last month's telephone conversation between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi, I expressed gratitude to the Congolese Minister for his personal participation in the 4-th international "Food from Ukraine" conference. I expressed support to international efforts to reestablish a just and lasting peace for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We discussed ways to strengthen our cooperation in agriculture, expand business ties, and develop a legal framework for our bilateral relations. I also reaffirmed Ukraine's readiness to contribute to the development of the DRC's agricultural sector and enhance its food security."

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Denys Shmyhal meets with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

19 November, 2025, 1:13 PM EET

Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The Minister of Defence expressed gratitude to the EBRD for its unwavering support and investment in Ukraine throughout the full-scale war. The EBRD remains one of Ukraine's key international partners amid russian aggression.

During the meeting, the parties focused on the prospect of securing additional funding, including for supporting wounded Ukrainian defenders. The meeting also addressed the potential for EBRD involvement in a major initiative to establish a modern network of rehabilitation centres for service members' recovery.

"The development of a high-quality rehabilitation system is one of our key priorities. Our service members must receive the strongest possible support when they return from the front. I am grateful to the EBRD for its willingness to support us in this endeavour," stated Denys Shmyhal.

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Denys Shmyhal discusses defense cooperation with the U.S. Secretary of the Army

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

19 November, 2025, 7:59 PM EET

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting in Kyiv with a U.S. delegation led by Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll.

The U.S. delegation also included General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army; General Christopher Donahue, Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Commander of NATO Allied Land Command; and Lieutenant General Curtis A. Buzzard, Commander of NSATU and SAG-U.

Denys Shmyhal thanked the people and government of the United States for their vital support that saves Ukrainian lives on a daily basis. The Minister of Defence further emphasized that Ukraine is a reliable ally of the United States.

"We stand ready to help strengthen U.S. global leadership, drawing on the lessons of contemporary warfare. Ukrainian solutions in unmanned systems, communications, and situational awareness are among the world's best and continue to prove their effectiveness in combat. Ukraine is prepared to develop joint security solutions with its allies, and the United States plays an exceptionally important role in this process," Denys Shmyhal stated.

He briefed the partners on Ukraine's progress in defense innovation, particularly in the production of FPV drones, interceptors, and deep-strike capabilities.

The delegations focused on the next steps toward implementing the historic defense agreements reached by President Zelenskyy and President Trump. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine added that these agreements will raise bilateral cooperation to a significantly higher level and enhance the defense capabilities of both countries.

Denys Shmyhal also expressed gratitude to the United States for approving the sale of a support package for the PATRIOT air-defense system valued at approximately $105 million  critically needed assistance that will enable more effective defense against russian strikes.

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Deadly overnight attack in Ukraine condemned by senior UN officials

19 November 2025 - At least 25 people were killed and dozens more injured in a new wave of overnight strikes across several regions of Ukraine, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attacks, which also damaged homes and critical civilian infrastructure, including health and educational facilities.

"Today's appalling attack - one of the deadliest against civilians since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago - once again underlines the urgency of a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in this country, as a first step towards a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace," his Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told journalists in New York.

The UN Humanitarian in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, issued a statement expressing his condemnation.

"From Kharkiv in the east to Ternopil and the Ivano-Frankivsk Region in the west, families have lost loved ones, suffered injuries and seen their homes destroyed," he said.

At least a dozen children were among the wounded and "their suffering is unconscionable," he added.

Political affairs chief 'appalled'

UN human rights investigators are visiting the impacted sites to document the damage, according to a post on the social media platform X.

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, who is currently in Ukraine, said she was "appalled" by the overnight assault.

"Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. They are unacceptable and must end immediately," she tweeted.

Damage and disruption

The barrage of drones and missiles also damaged energy infrastructure, causing emergency power outages and worsening the effects of previous attacks.

Mr. Schmale warned that the disruptions are putting millions "at grave risk" as temperatures drop below zero in some areas of the country.

"This relentless harm to civilians and destruction of essential civilian infrastructure is unacceptable," he said, recalling that "international humanitarian law clearly prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects vital for their survival."

He stressed that all measures should be taken to protect civilians and "they should never be a target."

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Zelenskyy Set To Meet US Defense Officials Amid Reports Of Controversial Peace Plan

By RFE/RL November 20, 2025

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet top US Defense Department officials in Kyiv on November 20 amid reports that Moscow and Washington have drawn up a peace plan that calls for Ukraine to make major concessions.

The new US-drafted proposal to halt the war in Ukraine sees Kyiv giving up some of its territory and some of its weaponry, news reports late on November 19 said.

The US proposals also reportedly include cutting the size of Ukraine's armed forces and accepting a rollback of US military assistance that has been essential to Ukraine's fight against Russian forces.

In addition, no foreign troops would be allowed on Ukrainian soil and Kyiv would no longer receive long-range weaponry.

The proposals, which were detailed by The Financial Timesand Reuters, largely track with the hard-line demands Russia has made since the beginning of this year, when US President Donald Trump moved to open up direct negotiations with Moscow over the Ukraine war.

There was no immediate public response from Ukrainian officials to the reports. A Ukrainian official with direct knowledge of the proposal confirmed its contents but had no further comment.

Zelenskyy, who was in Ankara for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on November 19, has refused previous demands from Moscow that Ukraine cede territory or downgrade its armed forces, saying it would only weaken Ukraine and leave it vulnerable to a future new invasion.

Analysts said it is unlikely the 28-point proposal will find support in Kyiv.

"I hope the reporting in this story is not accurate, because what is outlined here is a really bad deal for Ukrainian, European , and American national interests," said Michael McFaul, a political science professor at Stanford University and the US ambassador to Russia in 2012-14.

"Frankly, I'm shocked."

Shortly after news of the proposals circulated, Zelenskyy posted a message to Telegram where he thanked Turkey's president for hosting the latest talks.

He also praised the "decisive steps and leadership of President Trump [and] every strong and fair proposal to end this war. And only President Trump and the United States of America have enough strength for the war to finally end."

The proposals potentially put Zelenskyy in a difficult position.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back a bigger, better-equipped Russian Army, even as Moscow's forces suffer extraordinary casualties.

Russia is closing in on the key city of Pokrovsk as part of Putin's stated goal to control all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Russia is also battering Ukraine's cities and its energy infrastructure for yet another winter, seeking to demoralize already exhausted Ukrainians.

"Seems like a terrible 'plan,' but only if media snippets are accurate," said Dan Fried, a fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank and an architect of US sanctions against Russia after it seized Crimea in 2014.

"Given past patterns, it could be a ploy without legs. We'll know more soon. The administration's Ukraine policy moves are seldom as bad as one fears but not as good as one hopes."

Reports of the proposal came less than 24 hours after a Russian cruise missile strike hit two apartment buildings in the western city of Ternopil, killing at least 26 people and wounded dozens.

At home, Zelenskyy has been politically weakened by a major corruption scandal that has touched on some of his Cabinet ministers and longtime business partners.

Ukrainian lawmakers have called for Zelenskyy to sack his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

Yermak, who is traveling with Zelenskyy, posted on social media that "all planned meetings are taking place on schedule" and that he was "in constant contact with representatives of the Donald Trump administration."

The corruption investigation concerns allegations that funds earmarked for building defenses to protect Ukraine's vulnerable energy infrastructure from Russian air attacks were siphoned off in the form of kickbacks to political insiders.

Zelenskyy's Closest Ally

Yermak has played a prominent role in previous diplomatic meetings aimed at finding a path toward a cease-fire or peace deal amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

An unelected appointee, Yermak is perhaps the Ukrainian president's most trusted political ally. Their acquaintance began around 2010 and was cemented by a close business relationship before Zelenskyy entered politics. In recent years, Yermak has accumulated significant political influence behind the scenes.

"Yermak is his top aide, his chief administrator, the main button on Zelenskyy's control panel. They've become fused together like Siamese twins," Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Center for Political Studies in Kyiv, told RFE/RL.

But he now faces growing pressure for his dismissal or resignation as a high-level corruption investigation gathers pace.

"If Yermak is not fired in the next few days, I worry that we may enter a full-fledged political crisis domestically," Olena Prokopenko, a senior fellow with the German Marshall Fund, told RFE/RL.

"The parliament will become dysfunctional; the cabinet ministers will be un-operational. And this is the kind of crisis that Ukraine cannot afford in the midst of the full-scale war and Russia's advances at the front lines," she added.

The corruption allegations boiled over last week when Ukraine's two leading anti-corruption agencies published evidence detailing their findings.

The issue is all the more toxic because Zelenskyy tried to remove the autonomy of the agencies during the summer only to backtrack on the measure after it sparked the largest street protests since Russia's all-out assault began in February 2022.

The revelations have already resulted in the resignations of the energy minister and the justice minister, while a close Zelenskyy associate, Tymur Mindich, has fled the country.

Ali Baba

Secret recordings released by investigators showed suspects operated under code names. On November 18, a Ukrainian lawmaker alleged one of those names, Ali Baba, was actually Yermak.

The lawmaker, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, said the records showed Yermak allegedly directing unnamed officials to investigate officials with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

Yermak has not responded to requests for comment from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Zelenskyy has announced he will meet with lawmakers from his Servant of the People party on November 20, prompting speculation as to whether Yermak may be about to be fired.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Senior International Correspondent Ray Furlong

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-options-ukraine-financing- russia-war/33594928.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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Vancouver, November 19, 2025 - Galloper Gold Corp. (CSE: BOOM) (OTC Pink: GGDCF) (the "Company" or "Galloper") announces that it has granted incentive stock options to purchase a total of 200,000 common shares at an exercise price of $0.065 per common share for a period of 24 months to a consultant of the Company in accordance with the provisions of its omnibus equity incentive plan.

About Galloper Gold Corp.

Galloper is focused on mineral exploration in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt with its Glover Island and Mint Pond properties, each prospective for gold and base metals. The Glover Island Property, which hosts the historic Lucky Smoke gold occurrence and the recently awarded Lunch Pond South Extension consists of 477 mining claims totaling 11,925 hectares while Mint Pond consists of 499 claims totaling 12,475 hectares.

For more information, please visit www.GalloperGold.com and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Mr. Hratch Jabrayan

CEO and Director

Galloper Gold Corp.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider 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/275248
Galway Metals Inc. (TSX-V: GWM) (the "Company" or "Galway") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud") to act as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with a "best efforts" private placement (the "Marketed Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$10,000,000.55 from the sale of (i) 3,703,704 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.54 per Unit (the "Unit Price") and (ii) 10,596,027 flow-through units of the Company to be sold to charitable purchasers (each, a "Charity FT Unit", and collectively with the Units, the "Offered Securities") at a price of C$0.755 per Charity FT Unit.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Charity FT Unit will consist of one common share of the Company to be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a "FT Share") and one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.80 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months after the Closing Date (as herein defined).

The Company also grants Red Cloud an option, exercisable in full or in part up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Marketed Offering, to sell up to an additional C$1,500,000 in any combination of Units and Charity FT Units at their respective offering prices (the "Agent's Option"). The Marketed Offering and the securities issuable upon exercise of the Agent's Option shall be collectively referred to as the "Offering".

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the exploration and advancement of the Company's Clarence Stream gold project located in New Brunswick as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes, as is more fully described in the Offering Document (as herein defined).

The gross proceeds from the sale of FT Shares will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's Clarence Stream gold project on or before December 31, 2026. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the Charity FT Units effective December 31, 2025.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Offered Securities will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption. The securities issuable from the sale of the Offered Securities are expected to be immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation for Offered Securities sold to purchasers resident in Canada. The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act").

There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.galwaymetalsinc.com. Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.

The Offering is scheduled to close on December 10, 2025 or such other date as the Company and Red Cloud may agree (the "Closing Date"). Completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Galway Metals Inc.

Galway Metals is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100%-owned, high-grade, open-pitable flagship Clarence Stream gold project in southwest New Brunswick. Clarence Stream is an emerging gold district with an exploration strike length of approximately 65 kilometres and widths of up to 28 kilometres in certain areas. Galway Metals also has 100%-ownership in the Estrades project, a former producing high-grade, gold-rich polymetallic VMS mine in the northern Abitibi of western Quebec. Led by a management team with a proven track-record of creating shareholder value having sold Galway Resources for US$340 million, Galway Metals is focused on creating value for all its stakeholders.

For additional Information on Galway Metals Inc., Please contact:

Robert Hinchcliffe President & Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: 1-800-771-0680

Email: info@galwaymetalsinc.com

Website: www.galwaymetalsinc.com

Look us up on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn

Cautionary Statement

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Offering, the closing of the Offering, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, the filing of the Offering Document and the tax treatment of the FT Shares. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to changes in economic conditions or financial markets, political and competitive developments, operation or exploration difficulties, changes in equity markets, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.


Vancouver, November 20, 2025 - Armory Mining Corp. (CSE: ARMY) (OTC: RMRYF) (FRA: 2JS) (the "Company" or "Armory") a resource exploration company focused on the discovery and development of minerals critical to the energy, security and defense sectors, is pleased to announce it has begun planning for a phase one exploration program at the Ammo antimony-gold project, located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Ammo is 3,000-hectare plus exploration package that surrounds and is contiguous to the historical West Gore antimony-gold mine. West Gore produced both antimony and gold in the years leading up to World War I. The ground has since changed hands multiple times, and is currently held by Military Metals Corp.

Phase one will consist of prospecting and reconnaissance to identify favorable geology, followed by sampling and geophysics to assist in determining priority drill targets. The Company plans to budget up to $500,000 CDN for the initial phase of exploration. Detailed planning is underway, and the Company will provide more information in the coming weeks.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1: Map showing Armory claims (blue) and Military Metals claims (yellow) encompassing the past producing West Gore antimony-gold mine

"We're going to methodically progress the project with the goal to drill the most prominent targets," said CEO, Alex Klenman. "Identifying and confirming domestic sources of critical minerals is a major priority and Armory is intent on advancing its current assets in this regard."

About Armory Mining Corp

Armory Mining Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on minerals critical to the energy, security and defense sectors. The Company controls an 80% interest in the Candela II lithium brine project located in the Incahuasi Salar, Salta Province, Argentina and a 100% interest in the Riley Creek antimony-gold project located in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, and an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Ammo antimony-gold project located in Nova Scotia.

Contact Information

Alex Klenman

CEO & Director

alex@armorymining.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the Company's securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The Company's 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 within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Forward-looking statements:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intended use of funds. The words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "plans," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, political and regulatory risks in Canada, operational and exploration risks, market conditions, and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Blue Star Gold Corp. (TSXV: BAU) (OTCQB: BAUFF) (FSE: 5WP0) ("Blue Star" or the "Company"), a leading explorer in Canada's North, announces the expansion of its Roma Project to include additional ground covering the Sand Lake prospect, a high potential, copper rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) target that has significant historical drill results and excellent infrastructure potential (Figure 1).

Highlights

Newly acquired ground covers the Sand Lake prospect, where historical drilling intersected 21 metres (m) averaging 2.71% copper (Cu), and 15 m of 3.29% Cu in stringer-style mineralization typical of VMS feeder zones

Located 5 kilometres (km) east of Blue Star's recent Ataani VMS lens discovery, and 15 km north of the High Lake VMS deposit, Sand Lake may represent part of the broader High Lake VMS camp or a new mineralized centre within the same trend

The expanded Sand Lake tenure includes an existing esker airstrip and flat terrain ideal for future infrastructure, and lies approximately one km from the proposed Grays Bay Road

About the Sand Lake Prospect

The newly acquired ground is within an expanded Roma Mineral Exploration Agreement (MEA) covering the Sand Lake prospect. Work by previous operators outlined a shallow zone which includes intercepts of 21 m averaging 2.71% Cu and 15 m of 3.29% Cu (AR030105; Robertson, 2006;) within a zone of stringer style, copper rich mineralization accompanied by chlorite alteration and dalmatianite, characteristics typical of the stringer or feeder zone of a volcanogenic massive sulphide system. Previous operators also noted a greater than 10 m wide zinc rich zone on the northern most Sand Lake drill section (CMJ, 2006).

VMS deposits commonly occur in camps or clusters, representing multiple mineralizing centres formed within favourable volcanic belts. The Sand Lake prospect lies only 5 km east of Blue Star's recent 2024 Ataani VMS discovery, and together these zones may form part of the broader High Lake VMS camp or represent a new, emerging area of mineralization within the same geological trend (Figure 2).

The expanded Sand Lake tenure includes an existing ~400 m sand airstrip situated on a flat glaciofluvial plain, providing an ideal foundation for future exploration support and infrastructure development. The Sand Lake acquisition complements Blue Star's existing northern infrastructure which includes the 40-person Ulu camp and a ~1,350 m long gravel airstrip, suitable for landing C-130 Hercules aircraft, located approximately 75 km south of Sand Lake. Both airstrips are located within 2 km of the proposed Grays Bay Road. Collectively, these facilities establish a strong operational base for future exploration and potential development.

"Adding the Sand Lake prospect is a strategic step that strengthens both our critical mineral portfolio and our logistical footprint in the region," stated Grant Ewing, CEO of Blue Star Gold. "The combination of high-grade copper results, excellent geological potential, and existing infrastructure gives us a strong foundation to advance exploration and evaluate the broader mineral potential of the area."

Blue Star plans to incorporate the Sand Lake prospect into its 2026 exploration program, which will include geological mapping and prospecting, ground geophysics, and target refinement in preparation for potential follow-up drilling. The Company's team is currently working on recovering and compiling the historical data. Noted drill intervals and related quality control programs have not been reviewed by Blue Star's qualified person.

References:

Assessment Report 030105. Toole, T et al. 2009. High Lake Geological, Geophysical, Geochemical and Drilling Report. OZ Minerals. January 2009.

Robertson, Rob. "Wolfden Pushes Ahead at High Lake." The Northern Miner, 23 Jan. 2006. https://www.northernminer.com/news/wolfden-pushes-ahead-at-high-lake.

CMJ Staff. "Base Metal Exploration - New Sand Lake prospect yields 3.29% Cu." Canadian Mining Journal, 18 October 2006. https://www.canadianminingjournal.com/news/base-metal-exploration-new-sand-lake-prospect-yields-3-29-cu/.

Qualified Person

Darren Lindsay, P. Geo. and Vice President Exploration for Blue Star, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Figure 1: Blue Star's Property Map Showing Roma MEA Expansion and Key Targets.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2421/275287_dea214d4b4cda835_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Roma Project Gold and Critical Mineral Targets.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2421/275287_dea214d4b4cda835_003full.jpg

About Blue Star Gold Corp.

Blue Star is a mineral exploration and development company focused in Nunavut, Canada. Blue Star's landholdings total over 300 square kilometres of highly prospective and underexplored mineral properties in the High Lake Greenstone Belt. The Company owns the Ulu Gold Project, comprised of the Ulu Mining Lease and Hood River Property, and the Roma Project. A significant high-grade gold resource exists at the Flood Zone deposit (Ulu Mining Lease), and numerous high-potential exploration targets (gold and critical minerals) occur throughout the Company's extensive landholdings, providing Blue Star with excellent resource growth potential. The site of the future deep-water port at Grays Bay is 40 - 100 km to the north of the properties, and the proposed route corridor for the all-weather Grays Bay Road passes close by the Roma and Ulu Gold Projects.

Blue Star is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol: BAU, the U.S. OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol: BAUFF, and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol: 5WP0. For information on the Company and its projects, please visit our website: www.bluestargold.ca.

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 NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding prospective income and revenues, anticipated levels of capital expenditures for the fiscal year, expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, contingent liabilities, and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings, and estimates of mineral resources and reserves on our properties.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. 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 materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets, strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions and our success in integrating acquired businesses into our operations, developments and changes in laws and regulations, including increased regulation of the mining industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards applied by the regulatory bodies in Nunavut, changes in the price of fuel and other key materials and disruptions in supply chains for these materials, closures or slowdowns and changes in labour costs and labour difficulties, including stoppages affecting either our operations or our suppliers' abilities to deliver goods and services to us, as well as natural events such as severe weather, fires, floods and earthquakes or man-made or other disruptions of our equipment, and inaccuracies in estimates of mineral resources and/or reserves on our mineral properties.


GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH | OTCQB: GHVNF | Frankfurt: 4QS) ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on ongoing exploration activities at its 100%-owned Copecal Project in Brazil, where the Company is advancing a 1,200-metre diamond drilling program designed to test key gold-in-soil and geophysical anomalies.

Drill Program Highlights

Sulphide mineralization (disseminated fine grained, pyrite and chalcopyrite) was intersected in drill hole COP-004 from 79m to the end of the hole at 100.25m associated with weak to moderate phyllic alteration (quartz - muscovite-sericite-calcite) within a sheared medium grained biotite - granitoid.

Importantly, the intersection of sulphides in drill hole COP-004 provides the first real evidence to date of potential mineralization as a probable source for the anomalous surface gold-in-soil samples confirmed at the East Target.

With drill hole COP-004 ending in mineralization, a follow-up drill hole is being planned to test the depth extension of this mineralization.

Six diamond drill holes completed to date totaling (687.4m) comprising 441.7 metres (4 holes) at the East Target and 245.7 metres (2 holes) at the West Target.

The seventh hole COP-007 is in progress with an eighth hole (the fourth to be drilled at the West Target) laid out and ready. As stated above, a ninth hole is planned to follow-up the mineralization intersected in drill hole COP-004 at that East Target.



Figure 1: Images of core from hole COP-004 showing Phyllic Alteration (Quartz-Sericite-Pyrite-Calcite) of sheared biotite granitoid and associated fine disseminated pyrite - chalcopyrite

Figure 2: Plan and section showing the location of hole COP-004 and the mineralized interval with disseminated pyrite - chalcopyrite associated with Phyllic Alteration (Quartz-Sericite-Pyrite-Calcite) East Target, Copecal gold project.

Figure 3: Plan and Section showing location of holes COP-001 and COP-002 East Target, Copecal gold project

Figure 4: Planned and executed drill targets on the eastern anomaly on the Copecal gold project

Figure 5: Executed, in progress and planned drill targets on western anomaly on Copecal gold project

Partial assay results for drill holes COP-001 and COP-002 received to date did not report any results of potential economic interest however do provide geochemical and structural insights at the East Target. As previously reported, while sheared and altered the drilled intervals intersected in these first two reconnaissance drill holes did not have any evidence of associated sulphide mineralization. (Results from the saprolite portion of these holes are awaited)

GoldHaven will continue advancing the program over the coming weeks, integrating geological, structural, and geochemical data to refine targeting along both the East and West anomalies.

Rob Birmingham, CEO of GoldHaven Resources, commented:

"COP-004 has delivered our most encouraging subsurface evidence to date at Copecal. The presence of sulphides and alteration over a meaningful interval gives us strong confidence that we are drilling into the system responsible for the extensive gold anomalies at surface. This represents a major step forward for the East Target and positions us well for expanding the program and testing additional structural corridors."

About the Copecal Gold Project: A Brief History

The Copecal Gold Project is strategically situated within the Alta Floresta Gold Province, a historically productive region that has yielded substantial gold discoveries since the late 1970s. GoldHaven' s tenements cover a total of 3,681 hectares in a geologically favourable setting within the Juruena Gold Province of Brazil.

Figure 6: Location of the Copecal Gold Project within Alta Floresta gold province, with competitor locations.

The Juruena Gold Province, also known as the Juruena Magmatic Arc, is an orogenic belt highly prospective for mesothermal shear-related and intrusion-related gold deposits, such as G-Mining's Tocantinzinho deposit. Additionally, the region hosts recently identified porphyry-style deposits (e.g., Serabi, Jaca) and epithermal-style deposits (e.g., X1, Aura). The presence of multiple deposit styles, along with the confirmation of large-scale gold deposits in the Juruena Province of Brazil, underscores the significant potential of the Copecal Gold Project.

Recent exploration programs, including geochemical soil sampling, drone-mounted magnetometry surveys, and historical drilling data, indicate the presence of multiple gold-bearing structures. Notably, AngloGold Ashanti previously conducted systematic exploration on the property from 2010 to 2016, including auger and air-core drilling, geophysical surveys, and rock geochemistry, identifying multiple zones of anomalous gold mineralization.

The Copecal Gold Project benefits from extensive historical work, with AngloGold Ashanti's exploration confirming gold and arsenic anomalies, indicative of significant mineralization potential. Soil sampling grids and follow-up auger drilling in key areas revealed consistent gold values over wide zones, further supporting the presence of a substantial mineralized system.

About GoldHaven Resources Corp.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring highly prospective land packages in North and South America. The Company's projects include (i) the flagship Magno Project, a district-scale polymetallic property adjacent to the historic Cassiar mining district in British Columbia; (ii) the Three Guardsman Project, which exhibits significant potential for copper and gold-skarn mineralization; (iii) the Copecal Gold Project, a drill-ready gold project located in Mato Grosso, Brazil with a 6km strike of anomalous gold in soil samples; and (iv) three critical mineral projects with extensive tenement packages totalling 123,900 hectares: Bahia South, Bahia North and Igautu projects located in Brazil.

Qualified Person:

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, B.Sc. Hons, FAusIMM, an independent Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101 and Country Manager of GoldHaven.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Rob Birmingham, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Rob Birmingham, CEO

www.GoldHavenresources.com

info@goldhavenresources.com

Office Direct: (604) 629-8254

The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to the Company and the Property. The forward-looking information reflects management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Such risk factors may include, among others, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation and environmental regulation; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse market conditions; and (ii) other factors beyond the control of the Company. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company's management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company 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 required by applicable law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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Autoren Amann, Frank Aschoff, Heiko Baader, Roland Balzer, Horst Dr. Bandulet, Bruno Dr. Barbera, Frank Barisheff, Nick Baudzus, Roman Bauernfeind, Reinhard Dr. Bergold, Uwe Dr. Bernecker, Hans A. Blaschzok, Markus Bock, Robert Dipl.-Kfm. Bocker, Hans J. Prof. Dr. Boehringer, Peter Bogner, Stephan Bonner, Bill Borg, Gregor Prof. Dr. Bozicevic, Falko Brkan, Tiho Brockmann, Claus Browne, John Buchenberg, Wal Buchwalder, Rene Buntrock, Christian Butler, Theodore Buttner, Jurgen Barligea, Ralph Chapman, David Christenson, Gary E. Clark, Jeff Colombo, Jesse DAF Daughty, Richard Dennin, Torsten Dr. Deutsch, Reinhard dottore Droke, Clif DZ Bank AG Eibl, Christoph Eichelburg, Walter K. Eliseo, Jordan Elitebrief Engdahl, F. William Faber, Marc Dr. Feiten, Marco Fekete, Antal E. Prof. Fietkau, Claus-Peter Fischer, Andre Fischer, Martina Flierl, Ralf Foellbach, Paul Dr. rer. nat. Friedrich, Marc Fritsch, Rudy J. Fugger, Horst Furst, Christian Gan, Heiko Gasteiner, Michael Gburek, Manfred Gehrt, Ronald Geyer, Christoph Gilburt, Avi Gleason, Mike Gleason, Stefan Goldberg, Martin GoldMoney Graf, Hans-Wolff Grandt, Michael Dr. h.c. Grass, Claudio Greyerz, Egon von Grummes, Florian Haase, Daniel Hahn, Alexander Hamer, Eberhard Prof. Dr. Hamer, Eike Dr. Hamilton, Adam Hansen, Ole Hartmann, Robert Hedrich, Werner Heibel, Stephan Heidkamp, Bjorn Hell, Sebastian Hellmeyer, Folker Hellwig, Sonia Hemke, Craig Hera, Ron Heuschuch, Oliver Hewitt, Mike Hirsekorn, Alexander Hirt, Walter Hochreiter, Gregor Mag. Hoffman, Andrew Holmes, Frank Hommel, Jason Hook, Captain Hoose, Andreas Hopf, Philip Hurtz, Armin Huster, Hannes Hufner, Martin W. Dr. Hommel, Jason Jubelt, Christian Kagels, Karsten Kamber, Kurt W. Kestermann, Oliver Kilbach, Michael King, Eric Klude, Carsten Klumpp, Frank Kneist Jan Jan, Jan Koning, John Paul Kosares, Michael J. Kuner, Jurgen Kammerer, Christian Kolz, Wilfried Lange, Friedrich A. LBBW Lechner, Christian Leuschel, Roland Lewis, Jeffrey Dr. Lips, Ferdinand Lorch, Matthias Lorenz, Michael Dr. habil. Lundeen, Mark J. Maa, Rudiger Mack & Weise Mahnert, Jorg Malisch, Ralph Manly, Ronan Martenson, Chris Dr. Martin, Paul C. Dr. Mauldin, John Maund, Clive May, Thomas Mayer, Walter Mayr, Richard Meier, Rainer Merk, Axel Meyer, Frank Mezger, Markus Minenportal.de Mittermaier, Christoph Dr. Morgan, David Mross, Michael Muratovic, Tea Muchler, Frank Mullenmeister, Hans Jorg Muller, Johannes Muller, Jurgen Dr. Mohrer, Christian Nef, Rolf Nieuwenhuijs, Jan Nitzsche, Marc Norcini, Dan Nowacki, Jurgen RohstoffRaketen Otte, Max Prof. Dr. OByrne, Mark Paulick, Steffen Pento, Michael Petch, David Pfauntsch, Uli Piepenburg, Matt Polleit, Thorsten Prof. Dr. Proettel, Thorsten Puplava, Jim Porschmann, Thorsten Rabe, Jens Radomski, Przemyslaw Rakhimov, Sean Redaktion Rethfeld, Robert Rettinger, Detlef Dr. Reymann, David Richardt, Florian Richebacher, Kurt Dr. Rickards, James Riemenschneider, Volkmar Dr. Rohstoff-Spiegel Rohstoff-Welt.de Roos, Hubert Roy-Byrne, Jordan Russell, Richard Saiger, Johann A. Salomon, Stefan Savage, Gary Saville, Steve Schall, Lars Schallenberger, Frank Dr. Schiff, Peter Schilbe, Stefan Schiml, Markus H. Schmidt, Mirko Schroder, Robert Schulz, Hans-Dieter Dr. Schafer, Henning P. Senf, Bernd Shedlock, Michael Shepherd, Ceri Siebholz, Dietmar Dr. Siegel, Martin Silberman, Greg Singer, Klaus Smart Investor Smeding, Nadine Smith, David Sobolev, Boris Speck, Dimitri Sprott, Eric St. Angelo, Steve Stahl, Markus Dr. Stanzl, Jochen Steffens, Jochen Steininger, Marius Stemper, Ralph W. Storfner, Sebastian Strehk, Marko Streitmayer, Sven Stoferle, Ronald Peter Mag. Suchecki, Bron Summa, Benjamin Taggart, Adam Taylor, Jay The Gold Report Theuerzeit, Thomas Tiggre, Lobo Todd Stein & Steven McIntyre Torney, Marcel Tschol, Egon Turk, James Ullmann, Werner Vartian, Christian Mag. Vermeulen, Chris Vertrauliche Mitteilungen Vitye, Robert Vogel, Gabor Vogt, Claus von Belang, Nicht Vorndran, Philipp Vronsky, I.M. Waldenberger, Karl-Heinz Warmbein, Uwe Watson, Roland Weber, Wolfgang Weinberg, Eugen Weiner, Keith Dr. West, James Weygand, Harald Williams, Kelsey Williams, Lawrence Willie CB, Jim Wolff, Ernst Wolter, Manfred Wright, Scott Wrzesniok-Robach, Wolfgang Zihlmann, Peter Zimmel, Manfred Zipfel, Hannes
Aston Martin obviously looking for drivers

Ralf Schumacher has renewed his criticism of Lance Stroll - while also suggesting Aston Martin will eventually need an entirely new driver lineup.

Lance Stroll, Brazilian GP 2025

 Aston Martin Racing

Speaking on Sky Deutschland, Schumacher said Aston Martin is obviously looking for drivers , pointing to Stroll's qualifying deficit to Fernando Alonso.

The qualifying performance is zero versus infinity, so what more can you say? he said. I know Aston Martin is very sensitive about this, but it's simple - it's disastrous.

Schumacher, banned from interviewing Aston Martin figures earlier this year following similar criticism, stressed he was not calling Stroll completely uncompetitive.

In the race, he can make his mark here and there, Schumacher admitted. But when you're consistently slower than Alonso - an exceptional talent, but at the end of his career - you also have to be realistic.

Despite that, Schumacher said Stroll is not the team's biggest issue.

The car is the biggest problem, he said. Stroll can remain a very good number two, although that has everything to do with paternal pride. It's his (Lawrence Stroll's) money, his team, so he calls the shots.

But from the outside, you probably need to bring in two new drivers.

Schumacher has recently floated the idea of a future Charles Leclerc-Oscar Piastri pairing at Aston Martin, while Max Verstappen remains loosely linked with a reunion with a Newey-designed car as well.

As for billionaire team owner Lawrence Stroll, Schumacher said bluntly: He should take off his rose-tinted glasses and face reality.

(GMM)
Audi clarifies F1 concept car not 2026 racer

Audi has moved to clarify confusion about the show car revealed in Munich last week, after some observers assumed the striking machine represented at least a hint of the final 2026 challenger.

Start, Brazilian GP 2025

 McLaren

Auto Motor und Sport reports that the display model was built to the penultimate version of the FIA's 2026 technical regulations - dubbed the 'Fangio V13'.

Audi F1 project boss Mattia Binotto warned against mistaking it for the real R26.

The basic geometry of the individual legality boxes is correct, but our 2026 car will be significantly different from what was on stage, he said.

But while the bodywork shape was not representative, the paintwork was. AMuS says the titanium-silver nose, the vivid neon Audi Red tail section and exposed black carbon are authentic elements of the brand's future identity.

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner - who inherited the F1 commitment from his predecessors - said he has now fully embraced the project. I hope my schedule will allow me to be in Melbourne next year, he said.

Binotto, meanwhile, said it is impossible to form any competitive expectations. Normally, your goals are based on the previous year's car. That's not possible this time, he explained.

"We only hear rumours about combustion-engine horsepower numbers from the competition, but we don't know how reliable they are. There are also claims that some cars are already four to six seconds quicker than the current FIA Fangio V12 model.

That's all very vague, added the Italian.

Team principal Jonathan Wheatley - Max Verstappen's former long-time Red Bull colleague - admitted to De Telegraaf that he dreams of signing the quadruple world champion one day.

Of course I want Max in our car. What kind of team principal would I be if I didn't? he said.

I've known Max, Jos and Raymond for many years, but friendship isn't enough to link him to an Audi cockpit right now.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali welcomed the momentum behind both Audi and fellow incoming manufacturer Cadillac. Next year we'll have more manufacturers in Formula 1 than ever before, he said.

And that's in turbulent times for the automotive industry. There would be many good reasons not to do it - but we offer car companies a relevant product and spectators an attractive package. That's our recipe for success.

(GMM)
Bottas backer confirms support for Ella Hakkinen

The billionaire who helped launch Valtteri Bottas' career has confirmed he is also financing Ella Hakkinen - reinforcing that the 14-year-old McLaren junior has serious backing behind her rise.

Valtteri Bottas, Saudi Arabian GP 2024

 Sauber

Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, 85, told Iltalehti that he agreed earlier this year to support the daughter of two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.

Mika recently visited me to ask if it would be possible for me to help, Aarnio-Wihuri revealed. We decided that we also need to support female drivers. Mika has helped me before, so this is a kind of return service for him.

Aarnio-Wihuri owns Wihuri Group, one of Finland's biggest family-owned conglomerates - a familiar brand inside the F1 paddock.

He said the initial funding was a fairly modest amount , given Hakkinen is still at the start of her career, but noted he only backs a very small number of drivers.

The Finnish tycoon said he receives more than 50 funding requests every year from future world champions , but selects only a few.

Ella Hakkinen has raced karts under Czech and Monaco licences, reflecting her family roots, although Aarnio-Wihuri says she also speaks Finnish and displays the Finnish flag on her social media.

Her recent campaigns took place in the Champions Karting Academy series with a Czech licence.

(GMM)
F1 accused of joke censorship at London launch

Comedian Jack Whitehall has lifted the lid on Formula 1's strict control over jokes and references at the sport's high-profile live launch event early this year.

George Russell, Brazilian GP 2025

 Mercedes

Appearing on Chris Moyles' Radio X show, Whitehall said his script for the London season launch was heavily policed - to the point where even a harmless joke about George Russell required direct approval from the Mercedes driver.

On that F1 show I had a line where I said he reminded me of the TikTok trainspotter, Whitehall revealed. "My script was heavily policed - they went through everything.

They were like - no Bernie jokes. You can't talk about Flavio Briatore. Everything got cut.

One mild Russell gag survived briefly - until Formula 1's handlers intervened.

There was this one George Russell joke and they were like, 'Yeah, you can't do that', he said. I said, 'I'm sure he'll find it funny'. They said the only way was to get his permission.

What followed, Whitehall admitted, was surreal.

They said 'Yes, you can voice-note you telling the joke to his team, and they'll play it to George', he recounted.

"So I voice-noted the joke: 'Hi George, so you're going to be at this show, I'm just asking for your permission' and I told the joke. And he was like: 'Yeah, absolutely fine'.

They all have a sense of humour - it's the people around them who are terrified.

Whitehall went on to criticise F1's increasingly rigid media environment.

You see drivers being interviewed everywhere, and the team has someone standing next to them recording everything even though you're already recording it, he said. It doesn't make any sense. But that person's on 42,000 pounds a year and flies all over the world.

Despite the criticism, F1 legend Gerhard Berger defended Liberty Media's management of the sport in La Repubblica.

I'm a bit old-fashioned, but that doesn't matter, Berger said. "Formula 1 is in incredibly good health, more than ever before.

Liberty Media and Stefano Domenicali are working excellently with the new communication tools, Netflix, film. I'm curious to see how far this modernisation of the sport will go.

(GMM)
F1 settles lawsuits with Las Vegas businesses

Several Las Vegas businesses that had filed lawsuits against Formula 1 over losses caused by the first two editions of the Grand Prix have now reached confidential settlements with the organisers.

Las Vegas GP 2024

 Mercedes

According to Le Journal de Montreal, local restaurateur and bar owner Randy Markin - one of the most vocal critics, claiming a 50 percent drop in attendance and several hundred thousand dollars in losses - has agreed to end his case.

His neighbour, gas-station owner Wade Bohn, and the owners of Ferraro's Ristorante also settled.

Court documents describe the agreements as no-prejudice and not involving disclosed payments. F1 maintains no money changed hands, with the Las Vegas tourism authority confirming that Markin and Bohn's companies have instead entered into partnerships with the event.

The Ellis Island hotel and casino reached a similar deal last year and now hosts a 'fan zone' for the race.

Despite the settlements, some businesses will still close during Grand Prix week due to access difficulties caused by the multi-month construction of the 6.2km street circuit.

Formula 1's Las Vegas contract currently runs through 2027, with last year's race generating an estimated $934 million in local revenue.

(GMM)
Horner could re-emerge at Ferrari says Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed the latest wave of wild speculation linking him - and ousted Red Bull boss Christian Horner - with a supposed Aston Martin buy-in.

Christian Horner, Monaco GP 2025

 Red Bull

Blick reporter Roger Benoit, a long-time confidant of Ecclestone, spent several days with the 95-year-old at his ranch in Amparo after the Brazilian GP, where the former F1 chief said even he can't believe the rumours circulating about him.

How old do I have to get before these rumours about me finally stop? Ecclestone joked, after spotting an online montage of himself and Horner photoshopped into Aston Martin green.

According to Benoit, Ecclestone was shown headlines alleging he and Horner were preparing to buy into the Silverstone based team - an idea he dismissed instantly.

Another team I was supposed to buy with Horner, he said, bemused. But didn't technical genius Adrian Newey leave Red Bull for Aston Martin because he didn't want to work with Horner anymore?

As for where Horner could resurface, Ecclestone offered one provocative thought - the currently-chaotic Ferrari.

I wouldn't rule out Ferrari! he smiled. It's complete chaos there. And (John) Elkann is even insulting his two drivers now.

According to Benoit, Ecclestone still spends hours each day on his iPad reviewing global press reports sent from his London office.

(GMM)
Hulkenberg only driver to skip Vettel's tree project

Only one of the 20 Formula 1 drivers took part in his latest environmental initiative in Brazil - with only Nico Hulkenberg opting out.

Nico Hulkenberg, Brazilian GP 2025

 Sauber

The four-time world champion returned to the Sao Paulo paddock last weekend to promote rainforest protection, setting up a stand where drivers, team bosses and guests were invited to draw a tree as part of his awareness campaign.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, everyone supported the idea - except fellow German Hulkenberg.

The Sauber driver, who at 38 is also the same age as his retired countryman, personally informed Vettel that he would not take part, citing focus and routine during an intense Grand Prix weekend.

There was no animosity behind the decision, the magazine added, and Vettel himself made it clear he took no offence.

Vettel did, however, highlight the lack of public activism among most drivers - singling out one exception.

Lewis is the only driver on the grid who speaks out publicly on certain issues, he said. We have a close relationship and exchange ideas regularly.

He admitted some regret about not embracing such advocacy earlier in his career.

If there's anything I regret, it's realising too late that you can inspire people with issues close to your heart, he said. Maybe drivers should listen more to that inner voice.

(GMM)
Piastri penalty unacceptable, GPDA plans Qatar talks

Carlos Sainz says Formula 1's recent spate of controversial penalties has reached a "critical" point - revealing that the GPDA will meet the FIA in Qatar next weekend to address the issue.

Start, Brazilian GP 2025

 McLaren

Arriving in Las Vegas, the Spaniard - a GPDA director - said the ten-second penalty given to Oscar Piastri in Brazil will be a key topic.

For me, the fact that Oscar received a penalty in Brazil is unacceptable, he told Spanish media. Anyone who has watched racing knows it wasn't Oscar's fault. Anyone who has ever been in a race car knows he couldn't do anything to avoid the accident - and he still got a ten-second penalty.

Sainz said the confusion extends far beyond Interlagos.

I didn't understand my penalty at Zandvoort, or Bearman's at Monza, or the penalty I received in Austin. It hasn't been just one - there have been several incidents this year that are far from what this sport should be.

The Williams driver argued that the current guidelines are being applied too rigidly. As the rules are written, there's always someone who will be at fault, even when it's clearly a racing incident, he said.

There is something that isn't working.

Sainz also highlighted the stewards' treatment of wheel lock-ups. "Every time there's a lock-up, the stewards interpret it as a driver out of control - and that's not the case. You can lock up and still make the corner.

Oscar reacted to a move and locked up, I did the same in Austin. That needs to be reviewed.

He has said recently that a potential solution would be a permanent panel of stewards. Sainz repeats that suggestion on this occasion.

"If we had three permanent stewards, with consistent decisions and shared experience, we'd all understand each other better. With good stewards who know racing well, we wouldn't need such black-and-white guidelines.

There's a meeting in Qatar to sort this out, he added. After what happened in Brazil, something clearly isn't working.

(GMM)
Huawei will launch the Mate80 series smartphones on November 25 in China. While the brand hasn't detailed the specs sheet of the Mate80 lineup, Huawei CEO He Gang has shared a few pictures shot on the Mate80 series, showcasing its camera capabilities.

Huawei said the Mate80 series consists of four smartphones - Mate80, Mate80 Pro, Mate80 Pro Max, and Mate80 RS. Huawei's CEO shared six photos on Weibo: one clicked with the Mate80 RS, two shot with the Mate80 Pro, and three taken with the Mate80 Pro Max. The CEO didn't share pictures taken with the Mate80 for some reason, but you can check out the ones he did below.



Huawei Mate80 series camera samples

We are still five days from the launch event, so expect to hear more from Huawei about the Mate80 series in the coming days. In the meantime, you can head this way to check the Mate80 series smartphones' design, colors, and memory options revealed by Huawei.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
Despite the tragic loss of most of our native forest species, Guam remains a surprisingly good place to find birds.

Just like many other islands throughout the worlds oceans, Guam lost the majority of its native birds due to the effects of invasive predators. What sets Guam apart from other examples such as Hawaii, New Zealand, and Mauritius (former home of the famed Dodo) is the recency, suddenness and extent of the loss.

The nature of the predatora snake, instead of the usual mammals is another big difference.

In a few short decades, the island went from a paradise of birds to a silent island.

The reputation as an island without birds has taken hold, and locals and visitors alike often seem surprised to see any birds at all. That reputation is also somewhat overblown.

Jungle areas are indeed largely, and sadly, bereft of birds.

Walk through Paseo in the morning, or many other village areas, and its a different story: chunge (white terns) nesting in the flame trees, sali (Micronesian starlings) calling nearby, kakkak flying overhead, and cHuchuko (reef herons) patrolling the shore, to name just a few of our remaining (and in several cases recovering) native species.

Whats more, Guam is part of the East-Asia Australasia Flyway. The EAAF is a migration corridor connecting eastern Siberia to Australia and New Zealand via the Western Pacific, with hundreds of different species flowing from north to south and back again in a seasonal pattern.

As part of the flyway, many thousands of birds spend parts of their lives on Guam. Some stop through for a brief rest and refuel before moving on, while others spend most of the year here, only leaving for a few months during the northern summer.

Last week, my friend Vance and I did a birding Big Day (possibly the first ever) on Guam. From dawn to dusk, we searched for birds across the entire island. It was an exhausting day, but a fun challenge, and it took us to some incredibly scenic spots.

We finished with a total of 35 species seen: an eclectic mix of native and introduced species, seabirds and forest birds, and everything in between.

While 35 species would not be a big number in most continental locations, it is more than respectable for an oceanic island like Guam. And I think many people on Guam would be amazed to hear that you can find 35 types of birds on the island in a single day.

A full day of birding may not be for everyone, but you can start small.

See if you can find five or 10 bird species in your local area. Once it starts to become challenging, then the fun and learning really begins.

Some might ask whether birding on Guam means accepting a shifted baseline, moving on from the loss of the islands treasured forest birds. If anything, I believe its the opposite.

Through birding, we become attuned to the diversity of birds that still persist, but also what could or should be present, but isnt. And there is nothing birders want more than more birds.

The more we embrace the birds that are still present, the more ready well be to welcome back the species that were lost.

Initiatives to protect and restore habitat, and, crucially, to control predators (especially snakes) will be key in making progress towards those goals.

Anyone wanting to experience birding on Guam can join the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts or quarterly birding events organized by the Marianas Audubon Society.

Follow MAS on Instagram (@marianasaudubon) or join the Facebook group.
Billing changes could result in the average customers power bill going up by between 28 cents and $8.12 come early next year, Guam Power Authority General Manager John Benavente said Thursday.

Benavente told the Consolidated Commission on Utilities that GPA is still working out the details of a rate proposal, and will have a finalized one next Tuesday.

He said the goal is to achieve the smaller increase of basically, about zero, though there are still details that need to be worked out.

GPA on Tuesday will ask the CCU to go after a drop in the fuel surcharge, also called the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause, or LEAC.

The reduction is meant to offset most of a base rate increase that is already pending before the Public Utilities Commission, Guams rate-setting authority.

Benavente on Thursday said the power authority will ask for the LEAC drop and the base rate hike to take effect at the same time, either on Jan. 1 or Feb. 1.

The power authority wants to raise the base rate by about 3 cents per kilowatt hour of energy, and drop the LEAC anywhere from about 2 cents to 2.7 cents.

Bill increases would depend on how big the LEAC decrease is.

Cup of coffee

A sample bill provided by Benavente showed that the average customer who uses 1,000 kWh of energy per month will see their bill go up by just 28 cents, with the bigger LEAC drop.

If a smaller drop in the charge happens, bills will go up by about $8.12.

At the higher end, Benavente said the increase will equate to about the cost of one cup of coffee each month.

He said no matter what, customers will still be saving around $100 a month on power bills come January of 2026, compared to January 2025.

The average bill will have dropped from $359 to between $253 and $261 in that time frame, according to Benaventes presentation.

CCU Commissioner Simon Sanchez said despite even an $8 monthly increase, customers would still be saving about $1,200 a year.

Ukudu power plant

Lower overall costs from 2025 and 2026 are largely driven by the new, more efficient Ukudu power plant, which will slash GPAs fuel consumption by about 900,000 barrels a year.

GPA wants to increase the base rate to pay for debt service on the new plant, but is slashing fuel surcharges in part due to the efficiencies from the plant.

Benavente on Thursday compared it to buying a new car.

You go buy a $30,000 car. Youre talking about paying $500 a month, he said.

But better fuel economy, and savings, would knock the expense to about $250 a month, he said.

Ukudu was even better, Benavente said, with the plant basically paying for itself.

The plant is anticipated to come online around Dec. 31.

Cabras makes difference

Benavente said exactly how big a drop in the LEAC the power authority seeks will depend on how quick they can shut off the old Cabras power plant.

Cabras 1 and Cabras 2 are scheduled for deactivation once Ukudu comes online.

Benavente said if GPA can find a way to shut off the more costly Cabras units by January, they can seek the bigger drop. If it has to go out in April, the drop will be smaller.

A final figure is due to the CCU on Tuesday.
One of the Philippines most respected and multi-awarded broadcast journalists, Jessica Soho, will be the keynote speaker for the University of the Philippines Alumni-Guams 45th Anniversary Gala on Saturday.

Soho, 61, is a University of the Philippines alumna and has been affiliated with GMA Network since 1985.

The UP Alumni anniversary gala, which also seeks to raise scholarship funds for qualified Guam students, will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Hyatt Regency Guams Grand Ballroom.

Sohos keynote speech aligns with the anniversary theme, Looking Back, Honoring, Moving Forward.

In her 40th year as a media professional, Soho recently shared valuable lessons from her trailblazing career to the UP graduating Class of 2025.

The San Fernando, La Union-born journalist reminded them of the honor and responsibility that come with being an Iskolar ng Bayan or Scholar of the Nation.

Sohos work as a journalist has been rewarded with hundreds of local and international awards.

Today, Soho still likes to look back at simple joys of her childhood in La Union and the quirks of student life in U.P., before starting what would be a rewarding and deeply fulfilling journalism career, according to her profile from GMA Network.

Hundreds of awards

Soho was the recipient of the Philippines first-ever George Foster Peabody Award in 1999, which she won again in 2014.

After being named the Most Trusted TV Host for News and Current Affairs for 13 consecutive years, Readers Digest Trusted Brands Awards elevated Soho to its Hall of Fame in 2018.

One of her proudest moments also came in 2018 when she was chosen by her alma mater as the recipient of the UP Gawad Plaridel, the university systems highest recognition to outstanding Filipino media practitioners.

Before she became one of the Philippines most awarded broadcast journalists, Soho was a journalism major at U.P.-Diliman.

Fresh out of college, she was thrust into the grind of daily news coverage and steadily earned her stripes as a reporter on numerous, challenging field assignments.

Soho spearheaded multiple award-winning GMA Integrated News and Public Affairs programs over the years, including iWitness, Brigada, the State of the Nation with Jessica Soho newscast, and the top-rating news magazine Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, KMJS, among many others.

The Filipino diaspora, its social impact, and reuniting families are among the key themes explored in Sohos shows, particularly KMJS and its Public Affairs forerunner, Reunions.

Ticket price for the U.P. Alumni-Guam anniversary gala is $75. Guests are asked to wear Filipiniana or island formal attire.
I spent the past week in southern Taiwan in the Taitung area, after being invited by the National Museum of Prehistory, to attend the Tattoo Waves Festival and also talk about future collaboration between the Guam Museum and their institution over Austronesian seafaring exhibits.

My trip to Taitung coincided with a great number of activities in the region, one of which was the 2025 Amis Music Festival in Dulan Village, just north of Taitung.

For those unfamiliar with the ethnic landscape of Taiwan, while around 95% of the country is what we might think of as ethnically Chinese, between 2% and 3%, around 600,000 people, are indigenous Taiwanese.

There are 16 recognized indigenous groups and more that are not formally recognized by the government. The Amis are the largest indigenous ethnic group. Indigenous Taiwanese are Austronesian relatives to CHamorus and other across the Pacific.

At the Amis Music Festival, over two days, thousands of people attended, not just Amis, but from other indigenous groups in the area such as Paiwan, Atayal and the Bunun. There was so much to see, to do and to eat.

The Amis Music Festival itself was started in 2013 and inspired in part by the Festival of Pacific Arts or FestPac. Indigenous Taiwanese groups attend and wear their traditional attire. They sell arts and crafts made by their artisans. They have multiple stages going at once where traditional and contemporary performances happen at the same time.

This year, the main stage in the center was focused around more traditional dances and singing. One by one, different tribes took turns performing and sharing their culture for those attending.

After the ceremony started, one by one, each delegation linked hands with the next and formed into huge circles around the festival grounds. As each delegation left their row to join the circle, it grew in length, until it seemed to circle the grounds three times.

The last group to join the circle was a group of CHamoru dancers from Guam led by Fafanague from Rasan Acho Latte and Yona Mayor BJ Terlaje.

The dancers had been invited to the same cultural exchanges activities, festivals and conferences as I by the National Museum of Prehistory. But as a delegation from Guam, they had traveled the farthest to join their Austronesian cousins, and so I suspect they were put last in the chain of friendship.

After hundreds, maybe more than a thousand others were dancing and singing together, they too locked hands and joined the circle.

Watching this unfold, seeing the excitement, the joy, it was emotional but made all the more powerful because of the historical baggage that the CHamoru people have been forced to shoulder.

Centuries of colonization, dramatic cultural changes that would have led to CHamorus until very recently see themselves as unable to participate in something as beautiful as a ceremony like this.

The consequence of colonization was that they now had no culture to speak of, or that their view of these things was now defined by modernity and CHamorus were now civilized and had moved beyond these things.

The beauty of the cultural renaissance in recent decades is that it gives the CHamoru people a place in this world, that is tied to themselves. That is connected to their sovereign identity as a people. It is not concerned with whether this dance is the same dance as the one 2,000 years ago.

It does not accept the trauma of the past as the limits of the future, whether in terms of political possibilities or cultural expression. The ashes of the canoes once burnt are not all that is left. If we want to sail again, there are many paths to learn the sea, the stars and to carve, and that process has already begun.

When I see CHamorus dancing and connecting with other Austronesian peoples like this, I am reminded of a conversation between a non-CHamoru scholar and an elderly CHamoru activist that once took place while watching a CHamoru dance group.

The scholar was dismissive and scoffed saying, this is most certainly not how your people danced before colonization. It is all wrong. How can anyone celebrate this? The elder laughed and said that he had missed the point, they arent dancing to fulfil a professors assignment or to make you (the scholar) happy.

They are dancing to feel connected to their ancestors. They are dancing to feel alive.




Haiti - Security : The time of gangs is over says Commander Otunge





In a statement, Godfrey Otunge, Commander of the Gang Supression Force (GSF), explains : "[...] since the transition of MSSM into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), Haiti's security posture has fundamentally changed. This was not a cosmetic shift or a change in name. It is a complete reorganization of Haiti's security machinery, bringing together the capabilities, personnel, and intelligence of all national forces under one coordinated mission: dismantling the gangs that have terrorized the country.



Working in close partnership with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), the GSF has adopted a comprehensive and sustained security strategy. Our teams continue to execute targeted, intelligence-led operations and persistent dominance patrols across key areas. These operations are designed not only to send an unmistakable message but to demonstrate, through concrete action, that the era of unchecked gang power is over.



We have mobilized all operational assets on land, at sea, and in the air. Our objective is clear: restore peace, protect the communities, and ensure that every Haitian can live without fear, with full access to their basic human rights. Joint operations will continue relentlessly until every criminal group is dismantled and neutralized.



The bluff is over. The gangs' recent threats and public bravado are signs of desperation, not strength. They reveal an armed group losing ground, losing influence, and losing the ability to intimidate. Their collapse has already begun.



As a unified force; PNH, FAd'H, and GSF, we are advancing together. We are taking ground, disrupting networks, seizing weapons, and neutralizing resisting armed elements. There is no safe haven left. We will strike at the core of their command, dismantle their structures, and uproot their influence in every area they once claimed. This is not rhetoric; it is what is happening on the ground today and now.



The joint security forces remain fully committed to dismantling every terrorist network that threatens the Haitian people. The law is the only authority in this country. Anyone who harms civilians or challenges the authority of the State will face a swift, firm, and lawful response.



To the Haitian people: a new dawn is emerging. Stay calm, remain vigilant, and continue to support the security apparatus. Your cooperation is essential in delivering the final blow to these criminal groups. Together, we are closing one of the darkest chapters in Haiti's national history. Order, stability, and peace will be restored, without compromise [...]"



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Canada : Donation of 13 fire trucks and 10 ambulances





Pierre Canisius Guignard, Director General of the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities, alongside Alfred Metellus, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Renand Aristide, Director General of the National Ambulance Center (CAN), participated in the closing ceremony of the first aid and emergency response training organized by the Canadian Peace and Security Officer Training Association (CPSOTA) in collaboration with the Haitian government. Among those present were the Mayors of Petion-Ville and Delmas, as well as numerous senior officials from the public administration.



This 15-day seminar allowed dozens of personnel from the National Ambulance Center (CAN), the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Civil Protection Directorate (DGPC), and the fire department to enhance their skills in paramedics, first aid, and various types of firefighting. They were able to familiarize themselves with new techniques to be more capable and effective in responding to emergencies and disasters.



For Pierre Canisius Guignard, this training session is an opportunity for the country's emergency response organizations to strengthen themselves and ensure public safety. Guignard expressed his satisfaction that the Civil Protection officers and firefighters from the municipalities of Petion-Ville, Delmas, Port-au-Prince, Tabarre, and Carrefour, in particular, will see their capabilities increase.



To conclude this training, CPSOTA donated specialized equipment valued at $3,125,000 USD, including 13 fully equipped fire trucks, 10 ambulances, and a container of miscellaneous equipment.







HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Security : Bahamian military visit to Haiti





Commodore Floyd Moxey, Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), arrived in Haiti last week with a high-level delegation that included Jerusa Ali, Ambassador and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Commander Julian Smith, the current Charge dAffaires of the Embassy of the Bahamas in Haiti. The delegation also included additional Bahamian military personnel to join the Gang Repression Force (FRG) operations. They were received at LSA2 by Godfrey Otunge, Force Commander, and Vladimir Paraison, Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH).



Commodore Moxey reaffirmed the Bahamas commitment to the FRG mission, underscored by the deployment of the third Bahamian contingent, the size of which was not disclosed. He commended the FRG officers for their professionalism, discipline, and determination, particularly given the challenging terrain and demanding operational environment. He emphasized that the Bahamas' commitment is based on its responsibilities within CARICOM, noting that Haiti's security is directly linked to the security and prosperity of the entire region, stating, "Haiti's instability presents risks through human displacement, illicit arms flows, and transnational organized crime."



In his remarks, Jerusa Ali expressed his profound gratitude to the Haitian National Police and the personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the Bahamas for their courage, sacrifice, determination, and teamwork.



She reaffirmed that with the transition from the MMSS to the FRG under UN Security Council Resolution 2793 ( https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html ), the Bahamas has both the opportunity and the responsibility to strengthen its support for Haiti on three fronts : security, political engagement, and diplomacy. She emphasized the Bahamas support, as a contributing country to the FRG and a member of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group, for the OAS-led Roadmap for Stability and Peace. She announced that the Bahamas will soon open a new Chancery in Port-au-Prince, reaffirming its long-term commitment to meaningful engagement.



In their joint address to the delegation and assembled forces, Vladimir Paraison and Commander Otunge reiterated the FRGs unwavering commitment to disrupting gang activity, restoring basic security, and defending the Haitian peoples right to peace, dignity, and security. They affirmed that criminal groups would not be allowed to regain influence and that, through strong cooperation and collaboration between Haitian authorities, local communities, and international partners, the gangs would be decisively pursuedon land, at sea, and in the air. Their message was clear: impunity is over, and all necessary resources are now aligned under a unified strategy.



The Bahamian delegation then visited LSA1, where they interacted with the deployed troops before departing Haiti.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Contents AI and Chip Stocks: Stock Market Nervous Ahead of Nvidia's Quarterly Results Prominent Non-Investors Anymore

Further Pessimism

Stronger Competition

Will it continue to go downhill or soon head downwards for artificial intelligence? Unfortunately, AI cannot see into the future either, and so global stock markets are currently nervous. Because this evening, local time, Nvidia's Jensen Huang will announce the results for the world's most valuable company for the third calendar quarter of 2025. For Nvidia itself, it is the third quarter of fiscal year 2026.

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Actually, the market for AI data centers, where Nvidia generates the lion's share of its revenue, looks excellent. Numerous large AI projects are under construction worldwide, now even in Germany.

But there are reports that analysts and some investors are reacting nervously to

Prominent Non-Investors Anymore

Yesterday it became known that prominent investor Peter Thiel has sold all his Nvidia shares. This could be classified as taking profits in itself, or one could speculate that he needs a lot of money for other projects.

However, just a few days earlier, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son had also completely exited Nvidia. Son is a relevant business partner for Nvidia because he is involved in the gigantic AI project Stargate in the USA. Furthermore, Son had already sold all of SoftBank's Nvidia shares in 2019.

Further Pessimism

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Further doubts about continued AI growth were raised by none other than the CEO of Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai. In an interview with the BBC, he stated that the current AI boom also has irrational elements.

And analysts from the investment bank J.P. Morgan had published a calculation that increases the pressure on the AI industry to finally demonstrate larger revenues. According to this, J.P. Morgan's model assumes that AI would have to generate global revenues of around 650 billion US dollars annually by 2030 to deliver an approximately 10 percent return on the gigantic investments.

Stronger Competition

Some experts in the AI hardware industry also believe that Nvidia's computing accelerators, which have so far dominated, especially in generative AI models, are increasingly facing competitive pressure. For example, more and more AI-inferencing benchmarks for locally executed Large Language Models (LLMs) are also delivering decent results with chips from AMD, Apple, and Intel.

However, AI computing accelerators for data centers from Nvidia's competitors are also catching up. AMD, for instance, has raised great expectations for its chip generation coming in 2026 and the Helios racks equipped with them. Google's latest TPU generation and Amazon AWS's in-house AI chips are also said to be performing well.

Furthermore, it is speculated that the important AI company OpenAI might rely less on Nvidia chips in the future. Although OpenAI maintains a close partnership with Nvidia, also cooperates with Broadcom in the development of customized AI accelerators.

Broadcom is also considered a development partner of Google for their TPU chips. Amazon AWS, in turn, is said to be cooperating with Marvell on its in-house AI chips, Trainium and Inferentia.

However, more competition for Nvidia would not indicate that the AI hype is overblown. Rather, more choice in AI hardware and consequently tending to falling prices would be positive signals for AI development.

(ciw)

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.
The partnership was confirmed on Thursday. It brings together Nokias secure connectivity and multimedia platforms with NestAIs AI-driven systems for unmanned vehicles and command and control applications.

Nokia has announced a strategic partnership with Finnish firm NestAI to develop artificial intelligence-based defence technologies, supported by a 100 million investment from Nokia and state-owned investment company Tesi.

The move follows Nokias announcement of a new dedicated unit, Nokia Defence, aimed at expanding the company's operations in the defence sector.

This investment reflects our shared ambition to shape the future of AI-driven solutions, said Justin Hotard, CEO of Nokia. By combining Nokias expertise in secure advanced connectivity with NestAIs pioneering platforms, we are accelerating the development of next-generation capabilities for defence and national safety.

NestAI is led by Peter Sarlin, an Aalto University professor and former CEO of Silo AI. He founded NestAI with the goal of scaling physical AI solutions for defence and safeguarding Europes technological independence. Sarlins previous company, Silo AI, was acquired by AMD for 615 million in 2024.

NestAI was founded to deliver mission-critical physical AI capabilities at scale and to safeguard Europes sovereignty, Sarlin said in a joint press release.

Nokia and NestAI will focus their collaboration on developing AI-native capabilities for modern defence environments. These will include secure sensing networks, autonomous platforms, and control systems designed for military and national security use.

The 100 million investment round, supported by Nokia and Tesi, will fund the development of these technologies and support NestAIs growth in Europes defence technology sector.

The new Nokia Defence unit is expected to lead product development in areas such as secure battlefield communications, AI-enhanced sensing, and real-time data systems for military use.

The announcement follows Nvidias $1 billion investment in Nokia in October, acquiring a 2.9 percent stake to develop AI-native networks. Nokia will integrate Nvidias AI-RAN technology into mobile and fixed networks, supporting 5G-Advanced and 6G. The companies aim to move AI processing from data centres to the network edge.

Shares of Nokia rose by 1.74 percent in pre-market trading on the New York Stock Exchange following Thursdays announcement, reaching $6.14.

HT
Kenmure Fights Cancer raises $79,000 for Pardee

From left to right: Matt Kemper, donor engagement officer, Pardee Hospital Foundation; Leslie Robins, Kenmure Fights Cancer Board of Directors; Amy Treece, executive director, Pardee Hospital Foundation; and Adam Wilkins, DBA, MBA, administrative director of Oncology Services, Pardee Cancer Center.

The cancer center at UNC Health Pardee recently received $79,018.18 from Kenmure Fights Cancer, a long-standing community partner dedicated to advancing cancer care close to home.



The money supports Pardees Cancer Center and was used to buy four state-of-the-art quality assurance devices for the Linear Accelerator system in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Kenmures contribution strengthens Pardees ability to deliver safe, precise and effective treatment for every patient who entrusts the hospital with their care, according to a press release from the Pardee Hospital Foundation.

We are deeply grateful to the Kenmure Fights Cancer community for their ongoing commitment to our patients and providers, said Amy Treece, executive director of Pardee Hospital Foundation. This gift helps us continue providing exceptional, life-saving care right here in Henderson County, and it demonstrates the power of a community working together to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Kenmures donation funded the acquisition of four advanced quality assurance instruments, including an IC Profiler, ID Scanner, PC Electrometer and an ArcCheck. These tools play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Pardees radiation therapy treatments. This equipment is used for daily, monthly and annual machine performance checks, as well as individualized pre-treatment patient quality assurance, which is a vital step that confirms each treatment plan is delivered with the highest level of precision.

With this generous donation, Pardee Cancer Center continues to meet and exceed the most rigorous standards in radiation oncology, said Thomas Dellinger, a medical physicist at Pardee Cancer Center. The new equipment allows Pardee to maintain exceptional accuracy in our linear accelerator systems, ensuring that every patient receives treatment that is both safe and highly effective.

Since its founding, Kenmure Fights Cancer has raised more than $560,650 for the local cancer care, helping ensure that patients in Western North Carolina have access to advanced diagnostics, treatments and support services close to home.

The Pardee Hospital Foundation raises funds to support UNC Health Pardee in delivering exceptional healthcare close to home. Since its founding in 1996, the foundation has partnered with generous donors and community organizations to fund lifesaving technology, critical programs and facility enhancements that advance patient care throughout Western North Carolina. To learn more, visit pardeehospitalfoundation.org.
Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society presents We Will Rock You

Kenton Theatre

Thursday, November 13

DIRECTED by Mark Hampshire, We Will Rock You can be described as a jukebox musical, based on the songs of British rock band Queen with a book by Ben Elton.

The musical tells the story of a renegade group known as the Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought and culture in a vaguely Orwellian society set against the background of Queens iconic hits.

It opened in the West End in 2002 and has been seen since by more than 20 million people in six continents.

Now it is Henleys turn to have experienced this popular West End show. Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society may well have amateur in their name, but this show was professional at every level. Emma-Jane Taylors stunning choreography was simply spellbinding in scene after scene, while musical director Jane Southern and her five musicians produced live music worthy of Queen themselves, with absolutely no backing tracks.

These powerful sights and sounds set the pace for an exhilarating performance by a strong cast, featuring the principal characters Galileo, played by Steve Jewell, and Scaramouche, by Natalie Godding. Their burgeoning love story, sudden but dramatic fall-out and then final reunification provided a real human interest story set in this soulless dystopian future.

Mention of supporting characters must include Melissa Wickens as the amazing Killer Queen, who sang, strutted and pouted with frightening menace, Laura Gatland as Os, Richard Falkus Holder as Brit and Saira Falkus Holder as the officious Khashoggi, all of whom delighted the audience.

The Kenton Theatre reported a sell-out on their opening nights, with standing ovations received from an enthusiastic audience who know how to rock, as witnessed by their response to the Bohemian Rhapsody finale.

Wow  what an exciting delivery by HAODS to bring a performance worthy of the West End to Henley.

Terry Grourk
MORE than 1,500 was raised at a charity fair in Sonning Common on Saturday.

About 300 people attended the event in the village hall in Wood Lane, which was organised by and in aid of Greenshoots.

They browsed through handmade crafts, plants and seasonal gifts and produce grown by the charity at its base at Manor Farm in Peppard, including homemade apple juice.

Volunteers, trustees and staff greeted guests and served warm refreshments.

A raffle was also launched, with tickets available until December 16. Prizes include a case of Laithwaites wine, a meal at The Moderation in Reading and a bundle of gifts from the Bell Bookshop in Henley. Chief executive Frances Woolaway said: We appreciate the heartfelt support from the local community, which is so friendly, generous and welcoming  they are very special neighbours.

A big thank-you to everyone that attended and we look forward to welcoming them to Greenshoots on Thursday, December 4 for our festive market. Greenshoots supports vulnerable adults with mental, learning and physical challenges through practical and classroom nursery training.

It aims to raise around 35,000 each year to sustain and grow its facilities and does so through regular fundraising events such as markets and an annual dog show.
A SERVING major in the army held a talk at a Henley primary school as part of its Remembrance reflections.

Major Sam Kennedy, of the Royal Logistics Corps, spoke to pupils at Rupert House about life in the armed forces and what it meant to him to serve.

Major Kennedy, who lives in Henley and is married to paralympic coxswain Erin Kennedy, spoke of his job with

47 Air Despatch Squadron, which includes co-ordinating distribution of supplies to troops on the ground.

This can entail delivering cargo including large vehicles out of the back of aircraft using parachutes. Pupils had the chance to try on various bits of Major Kennedys kit, including body armour, a helmet and a flying helmet.

Major Kennedy spoke to the students about Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, a high-ranking British Army officer who was killed in action in Helmand Province in Afghanistan in 2009.

Before his death, Lt Col Thorneloe had successfully argued that the brigade plan for Panthers Claw, which was aimed at securing an area the size of the Isle of Wight against the Taliban, was too ambitious and should be modified. His words were likely responsible for saving the lives of a number of his troops.

Speaking to the children, Major Kennedy said: When you have lunch today, youll have people serve you lunch, wont you? And what the word service means is giving something away. Its giving something to someone else.

In the military, its called service because we give things to other people. We give people protection and we give our time, and we give our freedom because we have to go away for long periods of time.

Speaking after the presentation, Major Kennedy said he was very impressed with the reaction from the students. He said: They got it immediately when I spoke to them about service. Its also just trying to tease out where they might know the word from in their normal lives and relating that to remembrance.

l A REPORT in last weeks Henley Standard incorrectly stated that Brett Spence is a former 3rd Marine paratrooper and Adam Knights is a former paratrooper of the Royal Marines.

In fact, they are military personnel of the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. We apologise for these errors and any embarrassment caused.
HENLEYS Father Christmas said he was really chuffed to receive a certificate for taking part in a successful attempt to set the world record for continuous storytelling at a festival in Morocco.

In January, Mike Facherty was one of more than 100 people take part in a Guinness World Record-setting session at the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival.

The attempt lasted 80 hours,

32 minutes and 58 seconds and took place at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Participants from 33 countries took part in the record attempt, telling stories in a range of languages including English, French, German, a range of Moroccan dialects, Arabic and Hindi.

Mr Facherty, 74, took centre stage at around 2am with an estimated audience of more than 50 people listening.

He said: I did a couple of local stories, Billy Goats Gruff, Gingerbread Man and one of my own that I developed from a Punjabi story about the boy who wanted a dog. Its a lovely story.

Mr Facherty, who lives in Caversham, has been portraying Father Christmas for around

40 years at a number of events, including the Henley Christmas Festival, said it was wonderful to take part in the festival.

Id never gone abroad to a story festival before in real life, he said. Id done a few online ones and the whole thing was just fabulous.

The Guinness World Record, in some ways, was the icing on the cake.

While others have been presented with their certificates at other festivals during the year, to his surprise, Mr Facherty received his recognition during an afternoon tea at the House of Lords last month.

Lord Monroe Palmer invited guests to the event in the Cholmondeley Room, on behalf of the British Moroccan Society. Mr Facherty attended with his wife Sue, a retired former teacher at Emmer Green Primary School. It was a total surprise because it was just for afternoon tea. Mike Wood, whos the chairman of the [British Moroccan] Society and the person who organised the storytelling festival, stood up and was doing a speech when suddenly he said now weve got a storyteller with us who hasnt yet had his certificate.

I thought oh thats me. It was because I hadnt gone to any festivals in Britain this year, and almost everyone had already got their certificates given to them at festivals.

So, I ended up being the one that was getting it presented by the ambassador in the House of Lords.

Mr Facherty was presented with his certificate by the ambassador of Morocco to the United Kingdom Hakim Hajoui.

He said that he would certainly be taking part in the festival again, which takes place every two years, adding: I would certainly do it again. The whole festival was fabulous.
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Thanksgiving has always been our favorite holiday. When we lived in Clifton Park, we celebrated for many years by running the Troy Turkey Trot in the morning and then joining the family for dinner at Larry's cousins' home in Argyle, New York. Our most memorable Thanksgiving was also our saddest. In 1974, two and a half months after we married, Larry's beloved grandmother passed away.

Bubbe Rose was the matriarch of Larry's family. Her tiny stature - she was under five feet and weighed less than 100 pounds - belied her powerful presence. Everyone loved her.

Bubbe Rose was instrumental in making...
Just hours after New York Citys mayor election was called for Zohran Mamdani, a top Israeli official issued an invitation.

New York will never be the same again, especially not for its Jewish community, Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli tweeted. I invite the Jews of New York to seriously consider making their new home in the Land of Israel.

Chiklis call dovetailed with another appeal to Jewish New Yorkers made by a spokesman for the Jewish settlement in Hebron, Yishai Fleisher.

Indeed, it was a great run, and you were a blessing to NYC. But Jews will feel less and less comfortable in the...
Navigating the complex world of veterans benefits can be overwhelming for seniors and their families. At Jewish Pavilion Senior Services and the Orlando Senior Help Desk, we understand the unique challenges veterans face as they age, and we are here to connect them with trusted resources that offer free, certified support in filing claims and accessing the benefits they have earned.

In Brevard County, the Veterans Services Offices provide no-cost assistance for veterans and their eligible surviving family members. These offices are staffed with accredited professionals who can help with the p...
This article was produced as part of the New York Jewish Weeks Teen Journalism Fellowship, a program that works with Jewish teens around New York City to report on issues that affect their lives.

Sixteen-year-old Chase, who lives on the Upper East Side, is close with his grandparents. They talk about school, work and national politics, but theres one topic he avoids discussing with them: the New York City mayoral election.

He and his grandparents, who are all Reform Jews, have split views on the 34-year-old democratic socialist frontrunner, Zohran Mamdani. Chase, who did not want his last na...
(JNS) - Movie producers often close sets to protect the secrecy of their films, but they don't usually do so to protect the physical and mental health of those nearby.

That's just what happened with the four-part series "Red Alert" about the Israeli heroes, who rose up in the wake of Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel. During a scene about the terror attacks on Kibbutz Nir Oz, Lawrence Bender, executive producer of the series, told the crew to line trucks up around the set, so that children in the nearby town wouldn't see the actors dressed like Hamas terrorists.

The children "were sent...
(JNS)  One of the anti-Israel founders of the ice cream company Ben & Jerrys is striking out on his own over a politically charged frozen treat.

Ben Cohen announced on Tuesday that he is making a watermelon-flavored sorbet with a theme of peace in Palestine. He said that parent company Unilever and its ice cream spinoff, Magnum, stopped Ben & Jerrys from creating a flavor for Palestine.

Im doing what they couldnt, Cohen said, sharing a video of himself crushing watermelons into juice. Im making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and for rep...
(JNS)  Concerned residents and officials from towns and municipalities in Judea and Samaria are weighing their options following a Nov. 2 District Court decision, overturning a previous ruling that allowed the Ariel Municipality to bar certain Palestinian Authority workers from entering the city based on security concerns.

An Ariel municipal spokesperson told JNS that the ruling was a catastrophe from a security perspective, saying the city must now prepare for an influx of Palestinian Arab workers.

He explained that until now, Ariel Mayor Yair Chetboun had maintained control over the numbe...
(JNS)  Israels flagship carrier, El Al, posted another record quarterly profit on Tuesday, continuing to benefit from strong demand and raking in historic returns as major foreign airlines resumed flights to Israel amid a lull in the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The airline, which operated almost continuously throughout the war, reported earnings of $203 million between July and Septemberan 8 percent increase from $187 million during the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose more than 7 percent to $1.07 billion, up from $1 billion in the corresponding quarter in 2024.

El Al planes flew at...
Last Thursday evening approximately 600 Jews and Christians stood together to show their support for Israel at the Standing With Israel event held at the Orlando Sheraton North in Maitland. Sponsored by Steve Strang, CEO of Christian publishing company Charisma Media, and promoted by Michal Osteen of the Jewish community, the evening opened with prayer by Rabbi Geoffrey Spector of Congregation Ohev Shalom, followed by the singing of Hatikva and the National Anthem. Paul Wilbur, a well-known Christian musician with a Hebraic flare, led the singing of biblical songs, accompanied by beautiful fla...
(JNS) - A world-first event took place at Rabin Medical Center's Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah, where a woman suffering from severe intestinal inflammation caused by Crohn's disease underwent a life saving, minimally invasive robotic bowel resection in her 32nd week of pregnancy.

The complex surgery, which lasted several hours and involved dozens of medical staff, was completed successfully, allowing her to carry the pregnancy to term and give birth to a healthy baby girl.

Tzofiya Leibovich, a 23-year-old medical student, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in her teens but had been sympt...
A coalition of progressive Jewish organizations is condemning the Anti-Defamation League for what it calls Islamophobic and racist attacks on New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

In a statement released Tuesday, the groups criticized the ADLs creation of a Mamdani Monitor to track policies and personnel appointments that the ADL views as threatening Jewish security.

The signatories  including New York Jewish Agenda, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, IfNotNow, J Street NYC, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice and Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights  said the project undermines the...
(JNS)  The International Committee of the Red Cross has decried a recovery that Hamas staged of hostage remains in Gaza and called it unacceptable, but the Israeli Foreign Ministry accused the organization being complicit in the charade.

We appreciate the Red Cross condemnation of Hamass staged burials and discoveries of hostage bodies, which they previously extracted from Hamas holding sites, the Israeli ministry stated on Wednesday.

There seems to be a gap between what the Red Cross office knows and reality, given footage of Red Cross staff at the deception, the ministry said....
New York Rep. Elise Stefanik announced a run for governor Friday, as the Republican seeks to leverage her elevated profile as a vocal supporter of the Jewish community to a role in higher office.

She aims to challenge the Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul, who angered many Jews in New York with her endorsement of New York City's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, despite his track record of Israel criticism.

In an announcement video for Stefanik's gubernatorial run, a narrator notes that she "fought woke insanity in our schools," as a headline referring to her campus antisemitism hearings fills the...
(JNS)  U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog requesting a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial, Herzogs office said on Wednesday.

The letter reads in part, As the Great State of Israel and the amazing Jewish People move past the terribly difficult times of the last three years, I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister and is now leading Israel into a time of peace, which includes my continued work with key Middle East leaders to add ma...
(JNS) The Council on American-Islamic Relations presents itself as a benign civil-rights organization; however, behind this friendly facade lurks an extremist core.

From its inception, CAIR has harbored alarming ties to jihadist groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhoodconnections that reveal it as a wolf in sheeps clothing and a threat to the American way of life. While CAIR denies supporting terrorism and touts its advocacy for Muslim Americans, evidence from courtrooms, investigations and even its own leaders words tells a darker story.

Its existence, under the guise of civil rights,...
(JNS)  Start spreading the news. Im leaving today . . .

Oh, sorry for the lyrical misdirection, but this version of the Frank Sinatra standard has the crooner fleeing New York! Hold onto those vagabond shoes, after all. Dont jettison those little-town blues, just yet. New York might become the city that doesnt sleep for more redoubtable reasons. A day may come when we might actually not wake up at all!

Not a valentine, but a requiem for what was once the worlds cosmopolitan wonderland.

After this past weeks mayoral election that saw an avowed socialist and proud anti-Zionist ta...
(JNS)  The post-World War II halcyon days for the American Jewish community in the United States have ended. New York City, which has more Jews within its population than any place on earth outside of Israel, elected its first jihadist mayor.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Zohran Mamdani is a Muslim. It has everything to do with the very words that have come out of his mouth. Two years ago, Mamdani said, We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it has been laced by the IDF, a reference to the Israel Defense Forces. He has also passionately...
(JNS)  For decades, the Heritage Foundation championed honest, intelligent, pro-Israel conservatism. The Zionist Organization of America proudly participated in Heritages Project Esther to combat antisemitism.

But things at Heritage have changed.

In a recent, disgraceful video statement, Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts defended, whitewashed and allied with Jew-hating, Israel-basher Tucker Carlson after he said Christian Zionists are heretics infected with a brain virus and spouted other shocking antisemitic libels, while fawningly interviewing hateful, Jew-bashing, Holocaust-...
On Tuesday, the US announced travel bans on extremist Israeli settlers involved in the recent attack on Palestinians in the West Bank.

The secretary of state, Antony Blinken, announced the decision after warning Israel last week that Biden's administration would be taking action over the attacks.

US Announces Travel Bans on Israeli Settlers

The visa restriction policy will target individuals involved in undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank, which includes committing acts of violence or taking other actions that unduly restrict civilians' access to essential services and necessities.

Blinken said they have underscored to the Israeli government the need to do more to hold accountable extremist settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. He added that Biden has repeatedly said that those attacks were unacceptable.

The US would continue to seek accountability for settler violence against Palestinians as well as Palestinian attacks against Israelis in the West Bank and Israel, mainly as tensions were extremely high due to the conflict in Gaza.

Blinken said that instability in the West Bank both harms the Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel's national security interest.

Martin Indyk, a former US ambassador to Israel, posted on X, formerly Twitter, "Finally, settler vigilantes will pay a price for their violent efforts to uproot West Bank Palestinians. I hope their Israeli government sponsors will not be allowed to fly either."

However, Aaron David Miller, a former state department analyst, negotiator, and adviser on Middle East issues, doubted the decision would improve the situation. He said the ban was necessary but insufficient.

Miller added that they would not call it virtue signaling, but in some respects, it was similar to the administration's ban in the wake of Khashoggi's murder by the Saudi regime. He said visa restrictions were also imposed in Saudi.

More designations will be made in the coming days after the first travel ban on Tuesday, which will affect dozens of people. Miller added that any Israeli with an existing US visa who was targeted would be notified that their visa was revoked.

West Bank Violence

Israel has occupied the West Bank, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state since the 1967 Middle East war.

The UN reported that daily settler attacks have doubled since Hamas took over the Palestinian territory of Gaza, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took about 240 hostages. Israel retaliated and invaded Gaza, killing more than 16,000 people.

James Zogby, the founder and president of the Arab American Institute in Washington, described the Biden administration's response as cosmetic and not indicative of a serious effort to stem settler violence.

On Tuesday, the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, condemned the violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank and said that only the police and the military have the right to use force.
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Dublin, The Hoxton has made its debut! Marking the first Irish hotel in the series, The Hoxton, Dublin calls the former Central Hotel home, a storied Victorian property that has been meticulously restored. Set in where else but the city's Creative Quarter with a prime location on Exchequer Street, the hotel offers 129 rooms; an open-house lobby comprising a bar, lounge and Viking-era archaeological discoveries; all-day Peruvian-inspired restaurant Cantina Valentina; New York-inspired sandwich spot by day and natural wine bar by night Dollars; much-loved local landmark The Library Bar; and basement nightlife venue Groundwork. Offering a design-led yet wholly welcoming city centre spot for out-of-town visitors, The Hoxton is also primed to bring something new to and collaborate with local Dublin communities. Slainte to that!

Lobby

Beyond the canopied entrance, guests are greeted with a glimpse into the site's remarkable past. During the hotel's renovation, archaeologists uncovered traces of Dublin's earliest history, from Viking feast pits filled with animal bones to medieval coins and the remnants of Dubh Linn, the tidal pool that gave the city its name, with these findings now thoughtfully displayed.

The front desk is bathed in natural light from skylights, while a geometric, amber-toned stained-glass window filters a warm glow through to the bar beyond. The lobby bar takes inspiration from where else but the traditional Irish pub, pairing oak-lined barbacks, timber tables and bentwood stools that nod to tradition with other natural materials like marble bar tops and counters, and sumptuous leather armchairs and sofas. For larger groups settling in for the evening, booths lined with ceramics, curated books and statement lamps set the tone for easy conviviality and overhead, Lincrusta-style panels and coffer-inspired detailing reference traditional pub interiors.

The lobby lounge is a place for guests and locals alike to take a load off. Low-slung armchairs and generous sofas, large windows with sheer cafe curtains and limewash walls are paired with panelling in a warm yet muted palette and original artworks by local artists to create a layered, relaxed space. Brass chandeliers, sculptural sconces and geometric table lamps light the space and a rich mix of patterns, textures and tones across upholstery including bespoke hand tufted rugs inspired by Irish landscapes creates a subtly eclectic feel, with a stone fireplace completing the homey character.

Rooms

Spread across four floors, the hotel's 129 rooms come in the familiar Hox line-up: Snug, Cosy (and Cosy Up), Roomy and Biggy. Inspired by the autumnal Irish landscape, the colour palette in rooms layers warm neutrals with accents of moss green, rusty auburn and deep navy. Tactile textures of velvet, leather and timber add warmth, while bespoke rugs, throw cushions and botanical motifs nod to the building's Victorian roots.

Headboards are upholstered in a geometric stripe with chocolate mohair trim, a pairing that feels equal parts contemporary and timeless. Walls are painted in a two-tone scheme of warm ivory and olive green that wraps onto the ceiling for a cosy, cocooning feel, while brass wall sconces and a sculptural, scalloped pendant cast a soft, ambient light. In bathrooms, seafoam green tiles with a variegated glaze and an oxblood dado line create a fresh colour palette with a vintage feel, and chrome fixtures are balanced with more decorative features like fluted glass light fittings and a scallop detail mirror.

Locally curated artwork (from Irish street photography to abstract pieces) give each room its own distinct character, complemented by the building's original architecture. No two rooms are exactly alike, ensuring every stay feels fresh and full of small discoveries.

Cantina Valentina

Cantina Valentina, the Peruvian-inspired restaurant and bar located on the hotel's ground floor, serves up vibrant flavours all-day, every day, blending the warmth of a traditional family-run picanteria with a modern, playful spirit. Bold and welcoming, design in the restaurant is defined by hand-made, natural materials like woven-cane seating, ceramic wall lights, embroidered upholstery, textile wall hangings and textured plaster, offset by a polished yellow-marble bar and brass gantry. A striking mural by local artist Cadhla Forde takes its colour cues from Vinicunca (or 'Rainbow Mountain') in the Andes, adding a sense of joyful escape, while gallery walls featuring South America-inspired artwork and dramatic pendant lights in wicker, linen and textured glass create a warm, transportive ambience.

Inspiration for the food comes from the relaxed picanterias of Peru, the family-run canteens known for flavourful food and big hospitality. Menus draw on the vibrant food culture of Lima and the wider regions, balancing comforting tradition with playful twists. From the all-day menu, guests can expect standouts like the Lima Burger, classic ceviche and croquetas, marinated beef skewers, slow-cooked lamb, and plates from the grill such as stuffed whole grilled fish to share with aji miso curry sauce.

At the bar, the drinks list continues the celebration of South American flavour with highlights including the house spicy margarita Poco Picante (blanco tequila, curacao, aji rocoto chilli, guava, pink peppercorn), a menu of five rotating pisco sours including a Guinness & Black Pisco Sour, and a wine list including a curated selection of South American wines that complement the dishes perfectly, all served in artisan glassware.

Dollars

Sandwich shop and wine bar Dollars brings a laid-back rhythm that moves effortlessly from day to night. By day, the focus is on stacked New York deli favourites with highlights including Got Beef? (Salt beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing), The Hu$tler (Dillisk seaweed chicken salad, bacon, lettuce, heirloom tomato) and a take on the classic grilled cheese, Gold $tandard (Aged cheddar, swiss cheese, gruyere, mozzarella) - all of which can be ordered with mugs of soup and house pickles on the side for the ultimate lunch combo. The relaxed evening wine bar, serving oysters and small plates (think tostadas, crostini, cured meats and farmhouse cheeses) alongside a rotating list of low-intervention wines by the glass, will open soon.

The space is industrial in spirit but warm in tone with fluorescent tube lights, timber detailing and a patterned mosaic floor bringing a tactility that offsets the crispness of the powder blue laminate and stainless-steel bar and counters. Large windows lined with cafe curtains look straight out onto Exchequer Street, making it the perfect spot to watch the world go by.

The Library Bar

Much-loved local landmark The Library Bar makes its return, restored with care and character. Long the go-to spot for a laid-back toastie and a pint in town, AIME Studios' design pays tribute to the bar's rich history as a favourite haunt for locals and creatives seeking refuge from the bustle of the city below. Once again one of Dublin's most inviting hideaways, it retains all the charm of the original, celebrating period details like high ceilings with ornate plasterwork, tall sash windows and an elegant marble fireplace. Bookcases lined with well-worn spines frame cosy seating areas of velvet sofas, leather armchairs and fringed library chairs, with tactile fabrics, soft lighting and traditional artwork creating a warm, easy atmosphere guests will be hard-pressed to leave. For slightly larger celebrations, The Library Bar is also available to hire exclusively, lending its intimate, old-world feel to any occasion.

Groundwork

Hidden below street level, Groundwork will open in early 2026 as The Hoxton's first-ever nightlife venue - a 220- capacity space built for dancing, connection and creativity. Carrying forward the building's long-standing legacy of late-night culture, it promises an inclusive, energetic addition to Dublin's nightlife scene, working closely with local music talent to shape its programming. The design takes a deliberately industrial direction, with grey plaster walls that evoke poured concrete and chrome metal detailing throughout. Sculptural archways carve the club into distinct zones, some draped with chain curtains that add subtle theatricality and create a sense of discovery as guests move between spaces. A backlit bar and carefully placed tube lighting diffuse clean, even light across rooms, perfectly complementing the venue's brutalist overtones.

Best Of & Local Partners

The Hoxton has always championed community and connection, collaborating with local brands and creatives to bring the spirit of each neighbourhood into the hotel and build genuine relationships along the way. Each hotel features the Hox Gallery, a space that showcases local and emerging artists, with the Dublin iteration opening with William Kwaku Amo, an Irish-Ghanaian painter whose vibrant, abstract artworks primarily explore emotions and his African heritage.

Best Of is the neighbourhood shop within the hotel, curating products from local makers, brands and artisans. In Dublin, the collection includes organic body butter from Bees Of Honey, bespoke stickers in collaboration with local illustrator Hephee, hampers from modern Irish pantry shop Made with Gra and a capsule collection of totes, tees and sweaters from hyper-local brand Seeking Judy.

The Neighbourhood

Perfectly positioned in Dublin's Creative Quarter, The Hoxton sits moments from the vibrant Drury Street and St. George's Street Arcade, home to independent boutiques, vintage stores, artisan makers and a lively mix of cafes, wine bars and eateries. Just a short stroll away, guests can explore the iconic Temple Bar for live music and a pint, browse high-end shops on Grafton Street, visit the world-famous Trinity College and its Old Library's Long Room, or unwind in the elegantly landscaped St. Stephen's Green public park. With such a central location, The Hoxton is the perfect base for discovering Dublin on foot or hopping on the Luas (the city's tram system) to venture a little further afield.

Dis-loyalty

Members of Dis-loyalty, Ennismore's game changing global travel and food membership, can access 50% off rates at The Hoxton, Dublin for the first three months, 10% discount on restaurants and bars every time they dine or grab a drink, and a free barista-prepared drink from the lobby every single day. Find out more about all the membership perks at Dis-loyalty.com.

Hotel website
This December, Maisons et Hotels Sibuet is delighted to announce the reopening of Lodge Park, unveiling a thoughtfully reimagined chapter for one of Megeve's most storied addresses, following a year-long transformation. At the heart of this renewal lies the debut of the Longevity Spa, the first of its kind in the region, dedicated to deep restoration and vitality. Evolving from 49 guest bedrooms into 28 sumptuous suites and rooms, this new era for Lodge Park marks a deliberate refinement that enhances privacy, intimacy and the art of alpine living.

A Legacy Reimagined

Originally acquired by the Sibuet family in the 1990s, Lodge Park lies in the heart of Megeve village and reflects the family's intimate hospitality and signature sense of style and soul. Entirely refreshed while staying true to its warm conviviality, interiors blend noble materials, Ralph Lauren fabrics, Brin Emperador marble bathrooms, bespoke leatherwork and rich natural textures. The result is a modern expression of alpine charm where suites pair generous dressing rooms and inviting living spaces warmed by a roaring log fire, with private balconies featuring Nordic baths that encourage quiet moments beneath the night sky.

New for this season is the Beauty Room Service, allowing guests to transform their suite into a private spa. LED red light therapy face masks by NOOANCE PARIS stimulate collagen production and visibly rejuvenates skin by soothing redness and strengthening skin elasticity, complemented by a curated selection of Pure Altitude essentials - a natural skincare brand founded by Joceleyne Sibuet in 2009, extracting rare active ingredients from mountain plants - including the hydrating radiance sheet mask and eye-reviving anti-fatigue patches; the perfect antidote to dehydrated winter skin. Guests wishing to continue their at-home fitness routine can opt for private online sessions with MIAFIT across yoga, Pilates, mobility, strength training, sound baths and meditation from the comfort of their suite, complete with exercise mat, dumbbells, ankle weights, Pilates ball, yoga blocks and a resistance band.

The Longevity Spa: A Biohacking Sanctuary

The new Longevity Spa embodies the hotel's commitment to wellness and refined living. Here, the mountain expertise of Pure Altitude meets the longevity science of The Recode Club, to offer advanced therapies such as cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen, cryolipolysis, photobiomodulation and bespoke naturopathy consultations, alongside signature Pure Altitude treatments such as reflexology and cryodermy facials to nourishing hypothermal cryogen wrap and Tui Na energy massages rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine to restore meridian balance. Designed as a biohacking sanctuary, the spa features a 12-metre indoor pool, infrared sauna, hammam, Kneipp bath, ice room and dedicated recovery areas. Open to non-residents, the Longevity Spa positions Lodge Park as Megeve's new destination for advanced wellness and performance-led restoration.

Exceptional Alpine Dining

The celebrated Beef Lodge continues to showcase exceptional cuts from the finest farms, including Japanese Wagyu, Black Angus and Simmental. Guests can choose from a rare a la carte selection or the butcher's stall as Head Chef Christophe Cote draws on wood-fired smoking, cooking each cut over low temperatures for over 70 hours, before finishing in an Argentine oven for deeper flavour and tenderness. Dishes are paired with vintages from Domaine de Marie and an expertly curated wine list.

The lodge-inspired dining room marries dark woods and rich leather with hides and subtle rustic touches, nodding to the region's heritage to create a convivial brasserie spirit, while The Lodge Bar sets the stage for apres-ski DJ sets and a menu of indulgent favourites, including an innovative list of beauty boosting collagen-infused cocktails such as a frozen matcha collagen martini, extending the hotel's wellbeing approach into evening celebrations.

Looking Ahead: Summer and Autumn 2026

Lodge Park will close for the winter 2025/26 season on Sunday 22nd March 2026 and reopen for the summer season in early July. The property is also available for private buyouts during the off-season. Looking ahead, summer 2026 will see Lodge Park introduce a new outdoor swimming pool with a sun-drenched poolside terrace and summer kitchen, while autumn will welcome the arrival of a new three-bedroom chalet, La Grande Ourse, marking the family's ongoing evolution in Megeve.

Hotel website
Les Bateaux Belmond is pleased to announce the appointment of Maxime Brun as its new General Manager, effective 13 October 2025.

Maxime is responsible for strategic management and operations, and for enhancing the guest and employee experience across Belmond's fleet of seven riverboats in France. His appointment will further strengthen Belmond's commitment to its Slow Luxury ethos, ensuring guests discover a new pace of travel that fosters deep engagement with local culture and striking French landscapes.

Maxime brings a wealth of experience to Les Bateaux Belmond, joining the company from Chateau Saint Laurent in the South of France, where he served as Director General for the past four years.

Before his role at Chateau Saint Laurent, Maxime served as Director for France at Pink Lady Europe, a non-profit association dedicated to quality, consistency, and sustainable values among apple producers. Prior to that, he spent eight years honing his expertise in the sales and marketing teams at Nestle France, where he developed a strong foundation in brand strategy and customer experience.

A native of Saint-Jean-de-Losne, the home of Les Bateaux Belmond, Maxime is delighted to return to the region.
As Casetta rounds out its most dynamic year of growth yet, the award-winning hospitality brand led by boutique hotel lovers dedicated to creating effortlessly unique stays is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Armbruster as President. At the helm of Casetta Hotels, Armbruster will oversee brand vision, strategy, and execution across all facets of the company including new concepts, portfolio expansion, and partnerships.

In her five years with the brand, she has been instrumental in shaping Casetta's operational foundation, strengthening its culture, and guiding the strategic vision that defines the company's soulful, purpose-led approach to hospitality. Her new role reflects the brand's continued commitment to a leadership structure that champions collaboration and long-term vision, positioning the company for its next chapter as it prepares to debut the highly anticipated Hotel Lucile in the buzzy neighborhood of Silverlake, CA, in early 2026.

Armbruster brings a deep, operations-led understanding of hospitality with over a decade of experience spanning a myriad of leadership roles with leading hospitality names, including Four Seasons, Fairmont, Omni Hotels & Resorts, and Relais & Chateaux-affiliated properties, including Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA. She went on to advise several high-performing hospitality groups, ultimately partnering with Casetta prior to formally joining the team.

A Defining Year of Thoughtful Expansion

Casetta marked a milestone year of expansion in 2025 with two distinctive additions to its collection of thoughtfully restored, design-led retreats: Hotel Marina Riviera, a Viking-inspired lakeside retreat in Big Bear Lake, Calif., and Hotel Willa in the heart of Taos, N.M., an art-filled, contemporary homage to traditional Pueblo architecture.

Italian for "little house" or "lodge," Casetta specializes in the restoration of storied buildings with a soul. In partnership with esteemed design firms, Casetta continues to elevate its standing as a preeminent curator of deeply authentic, modern hotel marvels that honor the history of days past through thoughtful transformations of boutique hotels and motels into one-of-a-kind treasures primed for memory-making.

Casetta's growing portfolio of celebrated boutique properties span across Southern California and the Southwest with roots dating back to the 1920s-1960s including the historic Casa Cody in Palm Springs, Calif., the oldest operating hotel in the region; The Pearl Hotel in San Diego, a mid-century modern jewel in Point Loma; and The Surfrider Malibu, the iconic beachside retreat just off the Pacific Coast Highway.

On The Horizon: Casetta's Next Era of Thoughtful Hospitality

As Casetta looks ahead to 2026, the brand will debut Hotel Lucile in Los Angeles' eclectic Silver Lake neighborhood. Housed in a reimagined 1931 church, Hotel Lucile will offer a unique blend of art, history, and contemporary amenities, including an intimate new restaurant and bar set within the building's main chapel, adorned by high ceilings and original stained glass windows; a sun-soaked pool; and a rooftop lounge and deck with stunning city views.

As a brand, Casetta is set to pursue a series of new initiatives and growth opportunitiesfrom a growing pipeline of hospitality concepts both internationally and in the U.S., exploring developments in Italy and the Hudson Hotel in upstate New York. The brand will also introduce a slate of complementary offerings designed to deepen and diversify the guest experience, ranging from like-minded partnerships, selective retail expansion, and a forthcoming membership community.
The Washington, D.C., chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International invites hospitality professionals from throughout the DMV to attend its annual Directors Roundtable on Nov. 20 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

The program will feature five top minds in the hospitality industry who will share insights on the DMV hotel market; 2026 hotel marketing trends and benchmarks; scenario planning and forecasting for the DMV's unique risk factors; and case studies submitted by the audience.

Guest speakers will be Bart Berkey, a motivational speaker, bestselling author and 16-year former executive of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company; Melissa Riley, a 22-year veteran of Destination DC, where she serves as senior vice president, convention sales and services; Kristi White, Groups360 vice president of data, reporting and analytics; Jennifer Hill, Kalibri senior vice president, commercial strategy, and a HSMAI DC board member; and Stephanie Smith, Cogwheel Marketing & Analytics founder and digital matriarch.

The event is recommended for sales directors, revenue optimization managers, catering directors, marketing directors, general managers, distribution directors and regional sales, marketing, revenue and distribution teams. Hotel professionals aspiring to any of those roles also are encouraged to attend.

The event is sponsored by Tambourine, HSMAI DC's Platinum Partner; the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, venue sponsor; and RDRPR LLC, photography sponsor.
UN Tourism has presented Professor Larry Dwyer with the prestigious Ulysses Prize in recognition of his commitment to using knowledge to guide action and creating lasting, positive change. The prize was awarded during a special ceremony at the University of Technology Sydney, where he serves as Professor and Adjunct Fellow.

The UN Ulysses Prize is UN Tourism's highest academic honor. It recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the creation and dissemination of knowledge in tourism. In this case, Professor Dwyer has been recognized for his career-long achievements in the field of tourism economics and policy, destination competitiveness and sustainable tourism development, as well as his commitment to sharing knowledge outside of the sector itself.

Receiving the award, Professor Dwyer observed that, while the wellbeing outcomes of industrial development are being emphasized by social scientists, tourism analysis and policy continues to focus more narrowly on the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism development. The Ulysses Prize Laureate also emphasized that tourism policies and programs should look beyond narrow, efficiency-driven economic indicators, to employ wellbeing measures to better gauge progress in tourism sustainable development .

Academia joins UN Tourism in recognizing excellence

The Award was presented at a ceremony attended by academic staff from the University of Technology Sydney and other universities, as well as by policymakers and industry stakeholders both from across Australia and Sydney.

Through his research, Larry has embodied the spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals  showing how evidence-based research can promote inclusive and sustainable growth. This recognition also shines a light on Australias leadership in tourism research, and on the important role of universities in addressing global challenges. Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Technology Sydney

Professor Dwyers focus on the wider social and economic impacts of the sector reflects UN Tourisms mission and key priorities.

UN Tourism Director of External Relations, Beka Jakeli, highlighted the global challenges facing the sector, including climate change as an existential threat, political unrest, macroeconomic fluctuations, and rapid shifts in supplier operations and consumer behaviour. It is time to rethink traditional partnerships and build an effective and innovative PublicPrivateAcademia partnership model to guide evidence-based decision-making grounded in research findings for the long-term sustainability and resilience of the tourism sector, he said.

Recognizing leadership and exploration

With 17 editions celebrated to date, the Ulysses Award symbolizes intellectual exploration and leadership, as exemplified by the legendary traveler it is named after. Recipients are typically distinguished scholars, whose work bridges theory and practice, influencing policy, governance, and industry strategies globally.

The prize aligns with the UNs Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, reinforcing tourisms role as a force for positive change.

About UN Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), a United Nations specialised agency, is the leading international organisation with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 166 countries, 6 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 500 Affiliate Members from the private sector.

Media enquires: [email protected]

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UN Tourism has reaffirmed its commitment to accessibility, advancing national strategies while also highlighting the achievements of Ukrainian destinations to become more inclusive.

With Ukraines State Agency for Tourism Development, UN tourism hosted the International Webinar on Accessible Tourism for All: Focus on Ukraine, welcoming experts from the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), as well as from Spain, Portugal, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The webinar emphasized accessibility both as a fundamental right and a major economic opportunity for destinations and companies to expand their market outreach and reduce seasonality.

Speakers from Ukraine highlighted the countrys progress in advancing national strategies aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including the National Implementation Action Plan (2025) and the National Strategy for a Barrier-Free Environment  Horizon 2030. Experts also focused on the importance of universal design, inclusive built environments, and accessible tourism services. They showcased accessibility success stories, including the city of Lviv and Etnohary Ceramics of Podillia, as well the challenges related to making creative industries, heritage sites, natural settings, transportation and public services more inclusive.

UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic said: Accessibility is not about them and us; its about all people. Tourism should be for everyone.

The issue of accessibility in Ukraine has become particularly acute over the past four years. We strive to ensure that people with disabilities in our country feel equal, know that their needs are taken care of, and understand that they have access to everything, everywhere. Natalya Tabaka, Head of SATD Ukraine

The webinar highlighted UN Tourisms 20-year commitment to accessibility, with three key milestones: the 2021 ISO Standard on Accessible Tourism for All, the 2023 San Marino Action Agenda to Advance Accessible Tourism, and an upcoming survey of Member States on accessibility.

About UN Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), a United Nations specialised agency, is the leading international organisation with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 166 countries, 6 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 500 Affiliate Members from the private sector.

Media enquires: [email protected]

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Amsterdam  Mews, the operating system for hospitality and shared spaces, has announced that its embedded financing partnership with YouLend has provided nearly 2 million in funding to hotels across Europe and the US. With the partnership now live across multiple eligible markets, hotels can access flexible funding directly through the Mews platform. The latest addition of France completes the rollout, extending Flexible Financing to one of Europes most dynamic hospitality markets.

Unlike traditional bank loans, Flexible Financing  offered by YouLend  adapts to the rhythms of hospitality. Hotels operate in cycles: peak season fuels growth, while quieter months demand resilience. Yet traditional financing rarely adjusts to that reality: its often slow to access, heavy on paperwork, and built around rigid repayment terms that dont reflect how hospitality works.

Funding from YouLend gives hotels an upfront cash boost thats repaid automatically through a share of daily card sales, making it easy to align repayments with business performance. Repayments are automatically deducted as a fixed percentage of daily revenue, flexing naturally with a hotels performance.

Hospitality runs on momentum, but too often, funding doesnt. Thanks to our partnership with YouLend, were giving hotels a financial safety net in quiet periods and a springboard when opportunity knocks. With 2 million already funded across nine countries, this partnership is helping hoteliers everywhere access the capital they need, just when they need it. Susanne Sandler, SVP and General Manager of Fintech at Mews

Our partnership with Mews is a great example of a truly global, multi-geo collaboration. Were proud to deliver a best-in-class funding experience to hoteliers across the United States and Europe, a segment of SMBs that continues to express strong demand for working capital to invest and expand their business. Max Shave, Head of Brokers & Intermediaries at YouLend

Eligible Mews Payments customers can apply online in minutes, without the paperwork, collateral, or credit checks associated with traditional loans. Funding decisions are typically made within 2472 hours, with amounts ranging from 3,000 to 1,000,000 depending on card payment volumes.

Mews partnership with YouLend was incredibly valuable to our business. The application process was fast and simple, and in just a few days we received the financing we needed to fuel the growth of our business. All in all, faster than other options, which meant we had more time to dedicate to our guests. Patrick Fidder, owner of Hotel Fidder & Patrick's Whisky Bar in Zwolle, The Netherlands

Whether its upgrading rooms, investing in energy-efficient systems, or bridging a seasonal gap, Flexible Financing helps hoteliers act decisively while keeping cash flow predictable. Repayments automatically align with daily revenue, ensuring that hotels pay less during slower periods and more when business is strong.

About YouLend

YouLend is the preferred embedded financing platform for many of the worlds top e-commerce, payments and technology platforms, such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Etsy, and Fiserv.We enable our partners to extend their value proposition by offering capital products to their merchant base, in their own branding. With YouLend's AI-driven decision-making model, more small businesses can receive fast, flexible and affordable funding worldwide.To date, we have funded more than 350,000 businesses globally and are live in 10+ markets across the UK, Europe and the US.

Learn more: www.youlend.com

Media contact: [email protected]

About Mews

Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality.

www.mews.com

George Barker

Director of Communications
Last years CHICOS conference focused on the Caribbean regions record-breaking RevPAR levels and appetite for new development. This years CHICOS theme, Navigating the Current, highlighted the potential for continued growth and development in the region as investments ebb and flow, including the resurgence of luxury mixed-use and all-inclusive hotel projects. Our host partners in Curacao were instrumental in the events success, curating pre-conference tours that showcased development sites and exciting investment opportunities across the island. This year also brought a significant influx of new faces, adding tremendous value to the networking experience for all delegates.

We were especially encouraged by the strong presence of investment funds and financing vehiclesthe true holy grail in the Caribbeanas well as the energy and professionalism brought by students from Florida International University, Boston University, and the University of Curacao. Their participation added a meaningful dimension to the conference.

A few key takeaways from this years conference are presented below.

Strong and Stable Demand

While RevPAR has begun to level off thus far in 2025, occupancy remains in the mid-70s and ADR is maintaining the historical highs achieved the prior two years, led by consistent growth within the luxury segment. However, the new supply pipeline, which is dominated by luxury and upper-upscale projects, could slow pricing power in the near term; additionally, a demand dip from United States travelers, a slow summer, and uncertainty related to tariffs raised concerns about short-term RevPAR growth.

New Supply in the Caribbean

The impressive performance of the Caribbean since 2022 has led to an influx of new supply among all asset classes. Notable openings in 2024 included the Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, and the St. Regis Aruba Palm Beach Resort. The new supply includes numerous luxury mixed-use developments, which reduces overall risk for the owner, and all-inclusive hotel projects, which can compete with the popularity of cruise-ship packages. Roughly a dozen luxury and upper-upscale properties have opened or are anticipated to open in 2025, and more are in various stages of the development pipeline, as shown in the following table by CoStar Group.

High-End Supply Growth in the Caribbean Remains Strong Source: HVS

CHICOS participants were cautiously optimistic about the new supply pipeline given that RevPAR growth has slowed, not contracted, along with the growth of room inventory over the past two years. Panelists also discussed the effects of all-inclusive resorts and short-term housing rentals, both licensed and unlicensed, on the traditional hotel and resort markets. However, the pipeline also illustrates the overall positive long-term outlook for the market, with developers still bullish on the Caribbean region, especially in the luxury segment. The continued strong performance of luxury developments, including those that combine luxury hotels with branded residences, is proof of concept for the traditional luxury model and evidence of the continued demand for this product type. The ongoing resilience of the traditional luxury segment also supports further development of the luxury, all-inclusive resort model.

Regional Leaders Sail These Waters

The Prime Minister of Curacao, Gilmar Pisas, led an impressive slate of governmental representation at the conference. A panel of leaders from the Curacao Tourist Board, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Bahamas Investment Authority, and Invest Turks and Caicos discussed the outlook for their islands and the Caribbean as a whole, highlighting continually improving infrastructure and transportation capacity, local engagement, and sustainability as keys to build on recent success. Leaders from Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Mandarin Oriental, and Club Med agreed with those sentiments in their discussion panels.

Potential Choppy Water

The Caribbean has long been a preferred destination for travelers from the United States, Europe, and Latin America. However, transportation and sustainability remain a concern for the region. While cruise-ship passenger activity continues to increase each year, airlift capacity and flight costs are hurdles for growing overnight stays on the islands. However, airports in the region have been expanding, resulting in increases in both the number of flights and the size of aircraft, which should facilitate stronger room-night capture.

In addition to airfare costs, the region has other issues to work through. All-inclusive resorts and non-traditional lodging, such as short-term rentals, continue to cause a dispersion of demand. While interest in new hotel and resort developments is prevalent as demand remains strong, especially within the luxury segment, developers are facing a difficult financing environment and must be more creative with their capital stack. Higher insurance costs are another challenge for new developments, as well as existing assets. Nevertheless, the development pipeline remains robust, and the recent advent of luxury mixed-use properties has reduced the risk for developers. Progress is expected to continue on projects that have supporting components such as a feasibility study, quality sponsor, strong brand, great location, and strong equity contribution.

Conclusion

The Caribbeans future remains highly favorable, with occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR performance metrics maintaining the region-wide historical highs realized in 2023 and 2024, as well as strong visitation from both air and sea arrivals in 2024 and thus far in 2025. Despite the uncertainty tied to U.S. tariffs and other challenges in the region, CHICOS participants described an optimistic outlook for the Caribbean in 2026.

About CHICOS

The Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) is the premier hospitality conference in the region. Having completed its 2025 edition in Curacao, CHICOS brings together nearly 300 regional and international investors and operators, as well as the regions leading decision makers. Attendees or speakers include government representatives, opinion leaders, developers, developers seeking investors, bankers and other lenders, tourism officials, investment fund representatives, hotel brand executives, franchise and operations company delegates, public and private institution members, consultants, advisors, architects, and designers. Conference attendees network and discuss the regions markets and possibilities, while analyzing the most important trends that can affect their investment decisions.

For conference news, updates, and commentary, follow CHICOS on Twitter/X at @CHICOS_HVS, on LinkedIn, on Facebook, and on Instagram at @chicos_caribbean.

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SiteMinder Report Reveals Major Shift in How Travellers Are Researching Their 2026 Hotel Stays - Image Credit SiteMinder

Online travel agencies (OTAs) have overtaken search engines as travellers' primary starting point for hotel discovery, according to SiteMinder's Changing Traveller Report 2026, released today. Twenty-six percent of travellers surveyed will now begin their hotel research on an OTA, up from 18% last year, while those who will start with a search engine have fallen to 21% from 36%.



Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family have doubled from 7% to 14%, familiar hotel brands have grown from 3% to 7%, while AI use as a discovery starting point has reached 4%, up from 1% last year  rising higher among Gen Zs and Millennials.



"The hotel discovery landscape is more dynamic than it's ever been before," says Trent Innes, Chief Growth Officer at SiteMinder. "Not only is the starting point of research diversifying, but travellers are moving more seamlessly between channels, often using several simultaneously to build confidence in their choices. This non-linear journey has become the natural rhythm of modern travel planning."



While AI remains an emerging channel for initial hotel discovery, the technology is set to rapidly transform the broader booking journey. Eighty percent of travellers now want AI-powered capabilities, with price monitoring and alerts (44%) leading their wishlist, according to SiteMinder.



The report, the world's largest consumer research on accommodation, surveyed 12,000 travellers across 14 countries including Australia, China, France, India, Spain, Thailand, the UK and the US.



It also revealed that:

The worlds dream destinations are holding steady: Japan (17%), the US (10%), and France (10%) maintain their top positions for 2026, while South Korea has jumped to fourth (9%), driven by K-culture's growing influence.



The OTA-to-direct pathway is strengthening: 18% of travellers who begin their search on an OTA will ultimately book directly with their hotel, a pattern increasing by 3.3 percentage points, year-on-year.



Event-driven travel is accelerating: 63% are more likely to travel for special events next year, led by Gen Z (81%) and Millennials (74%) travelling for concerts and festivals.



Quality is being prioritised on-site: 58% plan to choose superior or luxury rooms (+4pp year-on-year), suggesting a shift toward more meaningful, elevated experiences.



Dynamic pricing is gaining acceptance: 65% of travellers now support demand-based pricing, while 42% would pay more for accommodation in popular destinations if it helped to reduce overtourism.

These behavioural shifts are happening alongside a renewed appreciation for travel, according to SiteMinder. Nearly half (49%) of respondents report a stronger desire to travel in the next 12 months, with just 12% indicating lessened interest.



Separately, the report uniquely highlights how guests from different markets will approach their pre-arrival journey and on-site experience in the year ahead. For example, it reveals that Chinese travellers will book deluxe rooms and favour well-known hotel chains more than any other group, that Spanish travellers will prioritise customer service above all markets, that Indonesians will be the most likely to book via an OTA and that American guests will again lead in direct hotel bookings and domestic travel, often returning loyally once they find clear value.



"This new research reinforces a critical truth," adds Innes, "there is no single formula for capturing demand in the current travel landscape. Travellers across markets are shaping their journeys in increasingly distinct ways  from how they discover hotels online to the experiences they prioritise once they arrive  and its the hotels best positioned to anticipate and respond to these vast differences that will be most effective in finding and maximising their ideal guests in the year ahead."



SiteMinder's Changing Traveller Report 2026 is available here.

Media enquiries

Zoe Lee

+61 2 9056 7415

media@siteminder.com

Investor information

Paul Wong

+61 411 889 876

investor.relations@siteminder.com

About SiteMinder

SiteMinder Limited (ASX:SDR) is the name behind SiteMinder, the worlds leading hotel guest acquisition and revenue platform, and Little Hotelier, the all-in-one property management system built to simplify operations and grow bookings for small accommodation providers. The global company is headquartered in Sydney with offices in Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London, Manila, Mexico City and Pune. Through its technology and the largest partner ecosystem in the global hotel industry, SiteMinder generates more than 130 million reservations worth over US$55 billion in revenue for its hotel customers each year. For more information, visit siteminder.com.
Report: UK Hospitality in 2025: Economic Pressures, Labor Challenges, and Strategic Opportunities - Image Credit Unsplash



The UK hospitality sector is navigating a complex landscape of economic pressures and evolving market demands, according to a recent report by Moore Kingston Smith. The industry faces challenges such as rising costs, labor shortages, and changing consumer behavior, but also opportunities in mergers and acquisitions, technology adoption, and sustainability.

The hospitality industry in the UK has experienced significant challenges over the past year. A new report from Moore Kingston Smith provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the sector, highlighting the main issues of rising operational costs, labor shortages, and shifts in consumer spending habits.

Cost Pressures and Operational Challenges

The report details how the hospitality sector is grappling with increased costs across several fronts. Employment expenses have risen, and the prices for energy and food have surged, compounded by a reduction in business rates relief. These factors have led to tighter margins for many businesses. Additionally, the industry is facing recruitment challenges, forcing some companies to reduce operating hours and rely more heavily on technological solutions. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is further impacting consumer spending, pushing businesses to balance price increases with customer retention.

Labor and Immigration Issues

Labor shortages are a persistent problem for the hospitality sector. Recent changes to immigration policies, including adjustments to the skilled worker visa regime, have made it more challenging to recruit internationally. The report suggests that businesses should focus on retention strategies, such as offering flexible working schedules, enhancing wellbeing initiatives, and providing clear career development opportunities to reduce employee turnover and maintain high service standards.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Investment Trends

Despite the economic uncertainties, the sector is seeing robust mergers and acquisitions activity, with transaction volumes returning to pre-pandemic levels. Hotels and businesses focused on providing unique experiences continue to attract significant investor interest. Private equity firms are particularly active, seeking to capitalize on opportunities to enhance value through advances in digital technology, sustainability initiatives, and operational efficiency improvements.

Technological Advancements and Competitive Edge

Technological innovation is a key theme in the report. The adoption of artificial intelligence and digital tools is helping businesses enhance operational efficiency and maintain profitability. AI applications in scheduling, cost tracking, and demand forecasting are enabling operators to streamline operations and focus more on strategic planning and improving guest experiences.

Regulatory and Accounting Adjustments

New regulations, such as the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act, have introduced changes to tipping practices, requiring greater compliance and transparency. Upcoming modifications to FRS 102 regarding lease accounting will also impact financial reporting and could influence debt agreements and refinancing discussions.

Opportunities in a Changing Landscape

Despite the various challenges, the report identifies significant opportunities for the hospitality sector. There remains a strong consumer demand for authentic, experience-driven offerings. Additionally, integrating sustainability into business operations not only enhances reputation but also contributes to long-term operational efficiencies. Companies that effectively combine financial prudence with innovative practices and a strong focus on employee and environmental engagement are likely to thrive.

Read the complete Hospitality in 2025  a sector under the cloche? Report.
Image Credit Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels

THE CHALLENGE

Beachcomber sought to strengthen its digital presence and improve the performance of its direct channels in an increasingly competitive online marketplace. To achieve this, the hotel group identified key objectives:

Increase online visibility : Enhance the brands presence across metasearch platforms to stand alongside competitors and reach a broader audience of high-intent travelers.

: Enhance the brands presence across metasearch platforms to stand alongside competitors and reach a broader audience of high-intent travelers. Improve targeting precision : Leverage advanced targeting capabilities to connect with users actively searching for stays in Mauritius within specific dates and locations.

: Leverage advanced targeting capabilities to connect with users actively searching for stays in Mauritius within specific dates and locations. Optimize marketing efficiency : Utilize and mix Cost Per Click (CPC) and Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) bidding models to maximize return on ad spend and ensure smarter allocation of marketing budgets.

: Utilize and mix Cost Per Click (CPC) and Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) bidding models to maximize return on ad spend and ensure smarter allocation of marketing budgets. Drive more direct bookings: Strengthen the direct channel by using metasearch as a high-intent acquisition tool, reducing reliance on OTAs and retaining more revenue per booking.

THE SOLUTION

Cendyn implemented a multi-channel metasearch strategy designed to expand visibility, improve targeting, and maximize marketing efficiency.

The approach centered on activating and optimizing a mix of metasearch channels with Google Hotel Ads, Google Free Booking Links, Tripadvisor, and Trivago campaigns. This ensured that Beachcomber properties appeared consistently across key metasearch, where high-intent travelers search and compare hotel options.

Google Hotel Ads campaigns were structured to secure strong placement and engage travelers actively researching stays in Mauritius. By combining CPC and CPA bidding models, the campaigns were optimized to balance reach, efficiency, and budget control. Cendyn also implemented Free Booking Links to complement paid activity, allowing the brand to capitalize on cost-effective traffic and reinforce visibility on Google.

Beyond Google, campaigns on Tripadvisor and Trivago helped Beachcomber stay competitive during key decision-making moments. Continuous monitoring and optimization ensured that the metasearch mix worked together effectively to strengthen direct booking pathways and reduce reliance on OTAs.

Overall, this unified metasearch strategy enabled Beachcomber to appear prominently across major travel comparison platforms, reach the right travelers at the right time, and drive more value through its direct channel.

Partnering with Cendyn has elevated our metasearch performance, driving real bottom-line results. Their multi-channel strategy boosted our visibility across key platforms and helped us reach high-intent travelers at the right moment. We strengthened our direct channel, improved marketing efficiency, and saw remarkable year-over-year gains in revenue and ROAS. Kristel Albert E-commerce Manager, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mauritius

THE RESULTS

The metasearch strategy delivered strong performance across all major channels, significantly strengthening Beachcombers visibility and direct revenue contribution from January to October 2025.

On Google Hotel Ads, the campaigns achieved an impressive 98% global impression share and a 66x ROAS, highlighting both strong reach and efficient budget utilization. Google Free Booking Links proved to be a powerful revenue driver.

When combined, paid and free listings worked seamlessly together to broaden reach and reinforce Beachcombers presence at key decision points.

On Tripadvisor, the brand maintained a strong impression share and delivered a 10x ROAS. Trivago also performed well, achieving a 93% impression share and a solid 11x ROAS.

Year over year, the combined metasearch strategy delivered meaningful growth:

Cost decreased by 30%

Revenue increased by 128%

ROAS improved by 232%

In 2025, most revenue was driven by high-performing channels:

56% from Google Hotel Ads

from Google Hotel Ads 29% from Google Free Booking Links

from Google Free Booking Links 7% from Tripadvisor

Overall, the results demonstrate that a diversified, optimized metasearch mix not only expanded Beachcombers visibility across key platforms but also generated significant gains in revenue efficiency and direct booking performance.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference And Operations Summit - By Shannon L. Sampson - Image Credit HVS



The 2025 edition of the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) brought nearly 300 attendees to the Marriott Beach Resort & Spa Willemstad in Curacao for several days of networking and industry insights from key stakeholders in the region. This article provides the main takeaways from this years conference.

Last years CHICOS conference focused on the Caribbean regions record-breaking RevPAR levels and appetite for new development. This years CHICOS theme, Navigating the Current, highlighted the potential for continued growth and development in the region as investments ebb and flow, including the resurgence of luxury mixed-use and all-inclusive hotel projects. Our host partners in Curacao were instrumental in the events success, curating pre-conference tours that showcased development sites and exciting investment opportunities across the island. This year also brought a significant influx of new faces, adding tremendous value to the networking experience for all delegates.

We were especially encouraged by the strong presence of investment funds and financing vehiclesthe true holy grail in the Caribbeanas well as the energy and professionalism brought by students from Florida International University, Boston University, and the University of Curacao. Their participation added a meaningful dimension to the conference.



A few key takeaways from this years conference are presented below.

Strong and Stable Demand

While RevPAR has begun to level off thus far in 2025, occupancy remains in the mid-70s and ADR is maintaining the historical highs achieved the prior two years, led by consistent growth within the luxury segment. However, the new supply pipeline, which is dominated by luxury and upper-upscale projects, could slow pricing power in the near term; additionally, a demand dip from United States travelers, a slow summer, and uncertainty related to tariffs raised concerns about short-term RevPAR growth.

New Supply in the Caribbean

The impressive performance of the Caribbean since 2022 has led to an influx of new supply among all asset classes. Notable openings in 2024 included the Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, and the St. Regis Aruba Palm Beach Resort. The new supply includes numerous luxury mixed-use developments, which reduces overall risk for the owner, and all-inclusive hotel projects, which can compete with the popularity of cruise-ship packages. Roughly a dozen luxury and upper-upscale properties have opened or are anticipated to open in 2025, and more are in various stages of the development pipeline, as shown in the following table by CoStar Group.

High-End Supply Growth in the Caribbean Remains Strong



Source: CoStar Group (Shared with Permission)

CHICOS participants were cautiously optimistic about the new supply pipeline given that RevPAR growth has slowed, not contracted, along with the growth of room inventory over the past two years. Panelists also discussed the effects of all-inclusive resorts and short-term housing rentals, both licensed and unlicensed, on the traditional hotel and resort markets. However, the pipeline also illustrates the overall positive long-term outlook for the market, with developers still bullish on the Caribbean region, especially in the luxury segment. The continued strong performance of luxury developments, including those that combine luxury hotels with branded residences, is proof of concept for the traditional luxury model and evidence of the continued demand for this product type. The ongoing resilience of the traditional luxury segment also supports further development of the luxury, all-inclusive resort model.

Regional Leaders Sail These Waters

The Prime Minister of Curacao, Gilmar Pisas, led an impressive slate of governmental representation at the conference. A panel of leaders from the Curacao Tourist Board, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, Bahamas Investment Authority, and Invest Turks and Caicos discussed the outlook for their islands and the Caribbean as a whole, highlighting continually improving infrastructure and transportation capacity, local engagement, and sustainability as keys to build on recent success. Leaders from Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Mandarin Oriental, and Club Med agreed with those sentiments in their discussion panels.

Potential Choppy Water

The Caribbean has long been a preferred destination for travelers from the United States, Europe, and Latin America. However, transportation and sustainability remain a concern for the region. While cruise-ship passenger activity continues to increase each year, airlift capacity and flight costs are hurdles for growing overnight stays on the islands. However, airports in the region have been expanding, resulting in increases in both the number of flights and the size of aircraft, which should facilitate stronger room-night capture.



In addition to airfare costs, the region has other issues to work through. All-inclusive resorts and non-traditional lodging, such as short-term rentals, continue to cause a dispersion of demand. While interest in new hotel and resort developments is prevalent as demand remains strong, especially within the luxury segment, developers are facing a difficult financing environment and must be more creative with their capital stack. Higher insurance costs are another challenge for new developments, as well as existing assets. Nevertheless, the development pipeline remains robust, and the recent advent of luxury mixed-use properties has reduced the risk for developers. Progress is expected to continue on projects that have supporting components such as a feasibility study, quality sponsor, strong brand, great location, and strong equity contribution.

Conclusion

The Caribbeans future remains highly favorable, with occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR performance metrics maintaining the region-wide historical highs realized in 2023 and 2024, as well as strong visitation from both air and sea arrivals in 2024 and thus far in 2025. Despite the uncertainty tied to U.S. tariffs and other challenges in the region, CHICOS participants described an optimistic outlook for the Caribbean in 2026.

About CHICOS

The Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) is the premier hospitality conference in the region. Having completed its 2025 edition in Curacao, CHICOS brings together nearly 300 regional and international investors and operators, as well as the regions leading decision makers. Attendees or speakers include government representatives, opinion leaders, developers, developers seeking investors, bankers and other lenders, tourism officials, investment fund representatives, hotel brand executives, franchise and operations company delegates, public and private institution members, consultants, advisors, architects, and designers. Conference attendees network and discuss the regions markets and possibilities, while analyzing the most important trends that can affect their investment decisions.

About Shannon Sampson

Shannon L. Sampson is Managing Director and Leader of the firm's Caribbean Region consulting and valuation practice. With nearly 20 years at HVS, Shannon has extensive experience providing valuations, market and feasibility studies, and consulting services on a variety of asset types, including destination resorts, luxury mixed-use properties, convention hotels, and dual-branded hotels. Given his analytical skills and aptitude for solving problems that arise in complex projects, clients particularly value Shannons insights and recommendations regarding hotel room counts, product positioning, amenities, and branding for many types of proposed properties, including hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and mixed-use resorts with complementary real estate. Contact Shannon at (512) 626-9172 or ssampson@hvs.com.
giovedi 20 novembre 2025, 07:52 - Last updated: 09:21

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Assisi, the city symbolizing peace, is completely cordoned off. Today is the chosen destination for Leo XIV's first trip to Italy. Excluding a quick visit to Genzano a few days after the conclave to greet his Augustinian brothers who manage the well-known local Marian shrine, Pope Prevost had yet to explore the peninsula as Primate of Italy. The first act of his day in Assisi, scheduled for early morning right after his helicopter landing, is at the tomb of St. Francis, where he is welcomed and accompanied by the Custodian of the Sacred Convent, Father Marco Moroni. In the crypt of the basilica, in front of the stone tomb that holds the saint, he withdrew for personal, silent prayer, away from noise and cameras. Peace will be central, as he also invoked yesterday at the Wednesday audience for Ukraine and Gaza. His first words upon stepping out of the car: 'A blessing to be able to come today to this sacred place: we are close to 800 years since the death of St. Francis. This gives us a way to prepare to celebrate this great, humble, poor saint while the world seeks signs of hope.' In the place so beloved by his predecessor Francis, Leo XIV will remain only as long as necessary; the day's program in Assisi is intense, with the schedule calling for him to see the Italian bishops at the Porziuncola immediately afterward. There is much anticipation for the programmatic speech he will address to the CEI, outlining the coordinates of his pontificate, explaining to the episcopate what he will prioritize and advance in an increasingly secularized Italy, where people skip Sunday Mass, do not approach the sacraments, where young people no longer marry in church or baptize newborns. The situation is so disheartening that Cardinal Matteo Zuppi summarized it very well two days ago, right in Assisi, summarizing the analysis work that has been ongoing: in Italy, he said, Christianity is waning but not Christian faith, and this factor must be kept in mind to regain a less bureaucratic and structured approach, although no one, in the end, yet knows how to stem the hemorrhage of faithful. Previously, Pope Prevost, welcoming the Italian bishops in the Vatican, expressed only one great fear, summarized in a single recommendation: please remain united. The theme of internal unity within the Church is not at all secondary for the new pontiff, having inherited a very fragmented ecclesiastical fabric. Even in Italy, there are no shortages of divisions that emerged during the synod on synodality between progressive currents wanting more openness towards gays or female diaconate, for example, and conservative currents determined to maintain the status quo and change nothing. The meeting with Leo will obviously be behind closed doors. The president of the CEI, Zuppi, had anticipated yesterday that it would not be so much a dialogue, with questions and answers, as it was with Francis. Rather, the bishops expect a roadmap for the future at the conclusion of these days' assembly. Zuppi also told journalists that it is an 'additional confirmation of the Italian Church's bond with the Pope. There is a bond, affection, a harmony and vice versa from his side. We will make his words our own, without making rankings among popes.' Leo is the twentieth Pope to visit Assisi. At the end of the morning, Leo XIV sets off again to have lunch with the nuns of Montefalco, at the Augustinian monastery of Santa Chiara della Croce. A cloistered dwelling he knows well, having visited it several times when he was the Prior General of the Augustinian order.
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Taiwan will roll out a civil defence handbook warning its citizens against Chinas military aggression and preparing them for a likely invasion.

The latest handbooks are set to be sent to more than 9.8 million mailboxes across the self-governed nation this week, its ministry of defence said.

From preparing locals with instructions on what to do if they encounter enemy soldiers to watching out for disinformation campaigns of claims of Taiwans surrender, the handbook called In case of crisis is Taiwan's new public safety guide.

The handbook has preemptively stated clearly that in the event of a military invasion of Taiwan, any claim that the government has surrendered or that the nation has been defeated is false.

President Lai Ching-te who has signed the guide has said the countrys safety rests on their will and readiness to defend themselves against a crisis before it occurs.

But our challenges never cease  from natural disasters and epidemics to extreme weather and the threat of aggression from China, said Mr Lai, who is regarded as a separatist by China.

The more prepared we are, the safer well be, he said.

The handbook, second edition published by the Taiwanese government after the first published in September, categorically mentions the threat in the region from states like China.

Authoritarian states worldwide are becoming increasingly ambitious and threatening the international order with military aggression, challenging the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific region, the handbook said.

It lists out six different forms of military threat Taiwan could face, including sabotage of critical infrastructure and undersea cables.

open image in gallery Taiwan officials ask locals to stock at least one week of supply minimum ( Screenshot: Taiwan handbook )

One of the threats listed was, Non-friendly naval vessels patrolling around Taiwan and demanding to board and inspect Taiwans vessels. It also warned against live-fire drills near Taiwan by non-friendly actors.

Attacks or acts of armed aggression or infiltration and sabotage launched by non-friendly actors, is also one of the prominent threats listed.

The guide also explains how Taiwanese families in distress, in the event of military aggression from China, can talk to children about the crisis.

Listen to your childs anxieties and encourage them to talk, explain the crisis honestly and openly discuss whats happening, prepare a go bag with your child and plan family activities to shift focus and help them relax, the guide said.

open image in gallery Taiwan officials explain how parents can talk to children about military aggression ( Screenshot: Taiwan handbook )

It has added a cut-out page allowing people to create their own emergency evacuation map and a list of items for Go Bag, listing water bottles [2x600ml], ready to eat foods, healthcare supplies, warm clothes, valuables and other essentials for babies, elders and pets.

Listing out how to seek refuge during an air-raid alert, the guide directs people to stay away from exterior walls and move indoors or in a basement.

The handbook states that adversaries may also disguise themselves as friendly forces and civilians can have trouble distinguishing between friendly and non-friendly forces.

"This booklet shows our determination to defend ourselves," said Lin Fei-fan, the deputy secretary-general of Taiwan's national security council who oversaw the effort.

"We need people across the Taiwan Strait to understand that there will be a huge cost if China makes the wrong decision because Taiwanese people have the resolve and very clear commitment in defending ourselves and people are willing to take that action to protect each other, he said.

The official added that Taiwan is already facing hybrid warfare by China, including cyberattacks, infiltration, misinformation campaigns and military incursions near the island.

"It is D-day versus everyday. D-day means actually invasion. Obviously we are not in the D-day mode. But we are facing the so-called everyday coercion, the official said.

On Friday, he added that Japan will have Taiwans highest-level support.

"The Chinese communists are the real troublemaker in geopolitics of the entire region," he said.

"What we are doing now is to ensure that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait can be continued by all means necessary and that the status quo will not be unilaterally destroyed, he said.
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A South Korean ferry carrying 267 passengers and crew ran aground after the first officer got distracted by his mobile phone, the coast guard said.

The vessel crashed onto an uninhabited island off the country's southwestern coast.

All 246 passengers and 21 crew members were brought to safety and the ferry was towed to a port on Thursday. At least five of them had suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The incident occurred after 8pm local time on Wednesday as the vessel was sailing from the southern island of Jeju to the southwestern port city of Mokpo.

A mistake by the captain or a navigating officer might have caused the accident, but the coast guard will conduct a thorough investigation, the organisation's Commissioner General Kim Yong-jin said.

A coast guard official also told AFP that a preliminary investigation indicated that the officer responsible for steering had been looking at his mobile phone and allowed autopilot to take control in an area where the ship should have been manually operated".

"As a result, the vessel missed the proper moment to change course, veered toward the uninhabited island and ran aground," the official told the French news agency.

South Korean coast guard rescue passengers and crew from a grounded ferry near Jangsan island ( Mokpo Coast Guard )

Ships are normally steered manually, not using autopilot, in the area of the accident, a narrow sea channel surrounded by small islands near the shore, said Choi Jae Gon, an official from the Mokpo Coast Guard. "Because it is a narrow coastal area, it is a route that requires careful navigation," he said.

Authorities clarified that the crew members were not intoxicated.

A loud bang had startled passengers during the night, causing panic and confusion, said passenger Kim Namhyun.

"I thought I might die. The sound was too loud," said Kim, 51, a diving instructor on Jeju Island. "But having seen the Sewol ferry, I knew that in situations like this, you have to stay calm, move outside, wear a life jacket, and wait," said Kim, referring to the sinking of the Sewol ferry in 2014. Footage showed passengers wearing life vests awaiting transfer to rescue boats.

The coast guard is expected to press criminal charges against the helmsman due to the "clear negligence" that led to the vessel running aground.

The 26,500-tonne ferry appeared to have sustained damage to the bottom of its hull, according to video footage and photographs shared on social media.

In the wake of the accident, president Lee Jae Myung ordered "swift rescue efforts to bring the passengers and the crew ashore and told officials to provide regular updates to the public.

The incident rekindled memories in South Korea of a 2014 ferry sinking that had killed more than 300 people dead. The wreck of that Sewol ferry was brought to Mokpo after almost three years.
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Anger over Delhis toxic air triggered street protests again this week as residents gathered at the iconic Jantar Mantar observatory, accusing authorities of ignoring a crisis they argued had pushed the city into a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.

Dozens of people, many wearing oxygen masks and carrying gas cylinders to symbolise the citys dystopian environment, held up placards demanding the right to breathe safe air.

Several said they felt this winter had become unbearable, with weeks of hazardous air leaving children and older people struggling to cope.

Ive been living in Delhi for the past four decades; this is the worst year Ive seen, Bhawna, who, like many of her fellow protesters, wouldnt give her full name, said.

open image in gallery Delhis air quality index reading breached 400 again on Thursday ( AP )

The demonstration, the latest in a series of protests over air pollution just this month, reflected a growing frustration among people who said appeals for urgent action had gone unanswered for years.

Bhavreen Kandhari, the founder of the collective Warrior Moms, said people were out because something thats being said again and again every year is not translating into any action.

Every family, I think, has a case where a child is sick or an elder is sick, or youre suffering, she said. Sometimes you cant even read those messages, they are so upsetting.

Ms Kandhari said pregnant women were having anxiety attacks during high-pollution nights. You cannot take away clean air, she said, it is costing us a huge amount of distress.

Delhis air quality index reading breached 400 again on Thursday, a level deemed severe, as a persistent toxic haze shrouded the city due to slow winds and falling temperatures.

open image in gallery Living in Delhi at this time of the year will take away years from your life, said one doctor ( AP )

Doctors are raising the alarm over the health impacts of the pollution. Environmental pollution will affect every organ of the body, Dr Anant Mohan, head of pulmonary medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, told reporters on Thursday.

It can affect any age, even before birth, right up to the end of life.

open image in gallery A volunteer draws a chalk mural reading Smash capitalism, save environment during the protest ( Stuti Mishra/The Independent )

Doctors who joined the protest on Tuesday said the situation in the city was so bad that they did not recommend anyone visit.

Living in Delhi at this time of the year will take away years from your life, that is a fact, its not contested, said Dr Tilotama.

Journalist and activist Saurav Das, who filed a series of right-to-information requests this week seeking disclosures from government agencies, said many who joined the demonstration felt their health was at direct risk. Every breath you take, its taking you a step forward towards cancer, he said. Children are being born with smokers lungs.

open image in gallery Protesters hold banners during a demonstration over Delhis hazardous air at Jantar Mantar ( Stuti Mishra/The Independent )

Its not getting any better, and it is affecting every single person every single second, so it is a direct threat to everybodys life, he added.

He said people were taking to the streets because things have not improved. They have gotten worse in the last decade, he argued. Nobody seems to be on the ground. Nobody is doing anything about it, and people are here asking the authorities to wake up.

open image in gallery A protester holds a placard during the protest in Delhi ( Stuti Mishra/The Independent )

Vimlendu Jha, an environmentalist who said he was at the demonstration as a father of a four-and-a-half-year-old girl, expressed frustration at the complete inaction by the government, by respective governments.

He said the lack of transparent data and questions over poor monitoring of pollution levels was worsening public trust.

In recent days, the Delhi government has been accused of spraying water around the citys air quality monitors to manipulate data.

Most of the air quality monitors are shut down at the peak levels of pollution. We do not even know what sort of an emergency we are living in, Mr Jha said. Its an air quality emergency. It is a public health emergency.

He said the people out protesting were mothers, children, grandparents who actually come here to speak up, and ask and plead and beg for cleaner air, for a better lung.

open image in gallery Protesters lay out placards on the ground calling for clean air and stronger government action to tackle pollution ( Stuti Mishra/The Independent )

Amal, one of the protesters, said his family was directly affected. The AQI in Delhi is very high and it affects children. It affects us. My mother has had asthma for the past 10 years. She didnt have it before that, he said.

The more important thing is the government is doing nothing. They seem to be incapable of any coordinated response.

The toxic haze, a recurring winter crisis, results from a mix of vehicular exhaust, industrial emissions, construction dust, smoke from crop residue burning in the neighbouring states, and stagnant weather patterns that trap pollutants close to the ground in Delhi.

The city, though, remains polluted throughout the year with vehicular and industrial emissions, unregulated waste and open construction activity contributing to bad air.

open image in gallery A protester shows the AQI, or air quality index, during a protest on Sunday ( AP )

Some protesters expressed frustration over insufficient public transport. While Delhi has a metro train system, the lack of buses and walkable paths often forces people to choose cars over public transport.

Unless you improve public transport, nothing will happen, Amal said. He added that the number of cars in Delhi is more than the sum of vehicles in Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata, describing it as the result of years of policy failure.

This latest demonstration followed a larger protest near India Gate earlier this month, where some participants were detained by police. The protesters said that they would continue gathering despite restrictions because they believed the crisis had reached a tipping point.

People have finally realised and woken up, Das said. He believed the demonstrations would continue until the government felt compelled to move from what the protesters described as years of fragmented responses to a coordinated plan.
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China, Russia, and North Koreas de facto alliance risks creating a "new world order which could lead to Tokyo facing a three-front contingency in the future, a report released by a think tank of Japans defence ministry said.

The China Security Report 2026, released by the National Institute for Defence Studies (NIDS) in Tokyo, argued that the strategic partnership among the three countries is becoming increasingly assertive, though marked by internal imbalances.

It noted that although a formal military alliance among the three countries has not been formed, they have already built a de facto coordinated relationship that functions as a strategic bloc in key areas.

It comes as Japans relations with China deteriorated to its worst levels in years. Japans new prime minister Sanae Takaichi recently sparked a controversy after she said a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response. Beijing demanded she retract the remarks and urged its citizens not to travel to Japan, resulting in mass cancellations that could deal a sizeable blow to the world's fourth-largest economy.

The report noted that China is expanding its political and military influence while Russias war in Ukraine has driven Moscow into a tighter embrace with both Beijing and Pyongyang.

North Korea, meanwhile, is leveraging the geopolitical turbulence to advance its nuclear ambitions and gain greater independence from any single patron.

open image in gallery North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at Tiananmen Square in Beijing Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 ( KCNA )

North Korea has become capable of confronting the United States on its own by securing more independent options through enhanced deterrence, it said.

The report quoted Zhang Tuosheng, a senior research fellow at the Grandview Institution, saying that North Korea developing its nuclear capabilities will trigger a domino effect in the medium to long term.

It will lead to the nuclearisation of Japan and the South and, as a result, an all-out collapse of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, he said.

By conducting joint military exercises and patrols with Russia, China has sent signals to other parts of the world while examining its own military and operational capabilities, said Masayuki Masuda, the lead author of the report.

open image in gallery Images of a visibly emotional Kim mourning the soldiers killed in Russia were broadcast by the official Korean Central Television ( KCTV )

These joint military actions by Russia, China and North Korea may create worrisome situations for Japan through their coordinated actions, it said.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, and Russian president Vladimir Putin stood shoulder-to-shoulder for the first time on 3 September as they attended a massive military parade in Beijing.

It was the first time for Mr Kim, Mr Xi and Mr Putin, all key challengers of the US, gathered at the same venue.

Russia has become North Koreas foreign policy priority since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has been supplying troops and ammunition to support the war in exchange for economic and military assistance.

Analysts say that Mr Kim is also seeking to restore ties, as China is North Korea's biggest trading partner and aid benefactor, and he would want to brace for the end of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The joint appearance of the Chinese, Russian, and North Korean leaders at the Tiananmen viewing platform on September 3 is anticipated to act as a momentum for trilateral strategic coordination, the report said.

open image in gallery Russia's President Vladimir Putin walks with China's President Xi Jinping and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025 ( Sputnik )

As a result, Northeast Asia may see an intensification of a Japan-US-ROK versus China-Russia-North Korea bloc confrontation dynamic, it said, referring to South Korea with its official name.

The report urged policymakers to prepare for a world where China exerts greater global influence, Russia remains unpredictable and militarised, and North Korea operates with increasing confidence under the protection of two major powers.

The report warns that Japan must now prepare for a potential three-front contingency, with simultaneous pressure from China, Russia and North Korea.

It says the three states are expanding military coordination and acting more assertively around Japans periphery, creating the risk of overlapping crises. This emerging security environment, it argues, could stretch Japans defences in ways not seen since the Cold War.
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The Japanese oyster industry is facing a crisis as mass die-offs sweep through one of the countrys most important aquaculture regions.

Farmers in Hiroshima prefecture  Japans top producer of farmed oysters  are reporting catastrophic losses while authorities are struggling to pinpoint what is wiping out the shellfish.

Producers in Higashihiroshima and Kure in particular have been sounding the alarm about oysters dying before reaching maturity ever since the harvest season began in October.

According to the prefectural authorities and the farm ministry, 80-90 per cent of cultivated oysters in some areas are dead, wiping out months of work and leaving growers deeply anxious about their livelihoods.

While the exact trigger remains unknown, experts and fisheries officials are examining a wide range of possibilities.

The farm ministry notes that the phenomenon may be influenced by unusually high seawater temperatures, shifts in salinity, or reduced oxygen levels  environmental changes that can place severe stress on shellfish.

Researchers are also looking at whether pathogens or harmful algal blooms may be involved as both have been responsible for sudden losses in aquaculture elsewhere, according to Seafood Media.

Farm minister Norikazu Suzuki visited Higashihiroshima on Wednesday to examine the damage firsthand, according to Kyodo News.

He was briefed by aquaculture operators who described the scale of their losses, in some cases around 90 per cent of their stock.

He also spoke with Hiroshimas governor, Yuzaki Hidehiko, and representatives of a local fishers cooperative who handed him a formal request for a rapid investigation into the cause of the die-off as well as financial aid for the affected farmers.

File. Oyster farm at Hirota Bay in Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture, Japan ( Reuters )

Speaking to reporters after the tour, Mr Suzuki said witnessing the devastation directly made clear the seriousness of the emergency.

The minister emphasised the need to find out why oysters were dying off, NHK Japan reported, and said the central government would coordinate with local authorities to support the affected farmers.

The crisis appears to extend beyond Hiroshima. Oyster deaths are being reported from parts of neighbouring Okayama prefecture as well as Hyogo to the east, Mr Suzuki said earlier.

All three prefectures border the Seto Inland Sea, a major hub for oyster farming that is now under scrutiny as authorities look for patterns in the mortality reports.
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Imran Khans sisters have alleged that they were manhandled and violently detained during their protest outside the prison where the former Pakistani prime minister has been incarcerated for more than two years.

Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi, and Dr Uzma Khan had staged a protest outside the Adiala Jail in the garrison city of Rawalpindi after they were denied their weekly meeting with their brother, the former leaders Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said on Wednesday.

Pictures and videos posted by the party on X showed the elderly women visibly shaken and crying following their confrontation with police outside the jail.

The party said police violently detained the women from where they were sitting peacefully outside the Adiala Jail after yet again being denied their weekly visit with their brother. What should be routine weekly court-mandated family visits, in accordance with Imran Khan's rights as a prisoner, the opposition party added, are being used as a tool of oppression and violence against his family members and supporters.

File. Imran Khans sister Aleema Khanum arrives at the Adiyala Jail on 30 January 2024 ( AP )

After they were released, the sisters accused jail authorities of contempt of court by repeatedly not allowing us to meet Imran Khan.

We do not have fear. We are also not brave, Alima Khan said. We stand with Imran Khan and Imran Khan stands with Pakistan. We will again go back to Adiala Jail.

She alleged that women police officers dragged them and ripped away their shawls.

The jailed leaders party has alleged they have been allowed only limited access to him for the last six months and visitors are sometimes sent back without a meeting despite clear court orders.

Senior party member Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari said that the Punjab polices actions of attacking Mr Khans sisters who were peacefully protesting were highly despicable.

We strongly condemn this disgraceful and unjustifiable act by the police, Mr Bukhari said.

A senior Rawalpindi police officer claimed the protesting sisters were only removed from the road they were occupying, Dawn reported.

Mr Khan, who served as the prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been imprisoned since 9 May 2023 on corruption charges. He faces around 150 charges, ranging from corruption to terrorism. His party claims the cases are politically motivated.

He was removed as prime minister through a parliamentary no confidence motion in 2022.

He later alleged that his ouster was orchestrated by Pakistans powerful army at the behest of the US.
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A newly crowned Cambodian beauty queen ignited a row after using her pageant stage to accuse Thailand of triggering border hostilities and detaining Cambodian troops.

Chouri Laorhours, named Miss Teen Cambodia 2025 on Sunday, delivered a speech that quickly ruffled feathers in Thailand.

A day after Ms Laorhours secured the title, organisers of the pageant released a video of her clutching the Cambodian flag and addressing the audience in Khmer.

Speaking on behalf of all Cambodian people, she demanded the return of 18 soldiers allegedly held by Thailand.

Switching to speaking in English, she declared: Cambodia and Thailand have always lived together in peace, but now that peace has ended because Thailand started the war, something we never asked for. We do not want to fight. We want peace. We are not enemies. We are neighbours, human beings who deserve safety and a future free from hatred and war. Thank you.

The remarks landed amid heightened border tensions. Though the two sides accepted a US-brokered ceasefire late last month, clashes persisted. On 10 November, Bangkok suspended its commitments under the deal after accusing the rival country of planting a landmine that exploded and injured Thai soldiers.

Skirmishes since then have seen the two governments accuse each other of firing first.

Online reactions to Ms Laorhourss speech were sharply split.

While Cambodians largely praised her patriotism, Thai users questioned the propriety of invoking geopolitics during a teenage beauty contest.

The phrase Thailand started the war quickly trended across Thai social media.

Ms Laorhours is no stranger to public scrutiny. She was accused throughout the competition by her critics of benefiting from family wealth, Thai PBS World said.

She rejected such claims, insisting her victories stemmed from merit. Those who think I win because I have money are wrong, she wrote on social media. I always compete based on my ability. The pageant chooses contestants who truly have talent. Whether someone has resources or not, if they have more ability, they will win the crown with dignity.
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Indonesian authorities have successfully rescued over 170 individuals caught by the sudden eruption of Mount Semeru, Java island's highest volcano, on Wednesday. The operation concluded Thursday, amid warnings that ongoing seismic activity suggests further eruptions are likely.

A total of 178 people  comprising climbers, porters, guides, and tourists  had been ascending the 3,676-metre (12,060-foot) peak in East Java's Lumajang district. They became stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo camping area when the volcano unexpectedly erupted.

They are safe and now being helped to return, said Priatin Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, told a video news conference.

Another official at the center, Hetty Triastuty, added that Ranu Kumbolo is a safe area located outside the main danger zone of 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the crater. The camping area is on the northern slope of the mountain, which is not in the path of the hot cloud flow that was observed moving south-southeast. However, the climbers may have been exposed to volcanic ash.

open image in gallery People carry their belongings as they evacuate their homes at a village affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Wawan Sugiarto) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Mount Semeru in East Java province unleashed searing clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas that traveled up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) down its slopes in succession from midday to dusk Wednesday, while a thick column of hot clouds rose 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) into the air, prompting scientists to raise the volcano's alert to the highest level, Indonesias Geology Agency chief Muhammad Wafid said.

He said a series of pyroclastic density currents traveled down the mountain's slopes and incandescent avalanches of volcanic material were visible descending through the Besuk Kobokan River valley on the southern flank.

Mount Semeru's seismicity activity indicated that the eruption continued at a high level with increasing numbers of signals indicating avalanches, Wafid said.

He warned people to keep away from an area along the Besuk Kobokan River, which is the path of the lava flow as searing gas flowed down Semerus slopes, adding that authorities are considering to expansion of the danger zone from the current 8 kilometers (5 miles).

Mapped: Mount Semeru

Nearly 1,000 residents in three villages most at risk in the district of Lumajang were evacuated to government shelters, said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari. No casualties have been reported.

Videos on social media showed a dense cloud of ash sweeping through plantations and a forested valley to a river beneath a bridge.

open image in gallery Volcanic ash covers the ground after a pyroclastic flow during yesterday's eruption of Mount Semeru, in Supiturang village Lumajang, East Java on November 20, 2025. (Photo by Agus Harianto / AFP) (Photo by AGUS HARIANTO/AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP via Getty Images )

The eruptions that unfolded throughout the day blanketed several villages with thick volcanic ash and blocked sunlight. Local media reported some residents were exposed to an odor of sulfur and that two motorcyclists crashed due to hot ash on a bridge, resulting in severe burns on their bodies.

Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has erupted numerous times in the past 200 years. Still, as is the case with many of the 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, tens of thousands of people continue to live on its fertile slopes.

Semerus last major eruption was in December 2021 when it left 51 people dead and several hundred others burned in villages that were buried in layers of mud. The eruption forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people. The government moved about 2,970 houses out of the danger zone.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 280 million people, sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped series of fault lines, and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

An earthquake of magnitude 6 struck Seram, Indonesia, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said on Thursday. The quake was at a depth of 136 kilometers (84.51 miles) GFZ said.
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Malaysian authorities have arrested three Japanese nationals for allegedly trying to smuggle 43kg of cannabis buds at the Kuala Lumpur international airport.

The men were arrested at the airport around 1.45am local time upon their arrival from Bangkok, the Malaysian border control agency said.

The border control authorities said "suspicious images" were detected during routine baggage scans at the international arrival hall.

The suspects had arrived from Bangkok when the seizure was made," the agency said. A physical inspection of one of the six checked-in suitcases, along with several backpacks, revealed packages containing the contraband.

It added that the packages were found "hidden by covering with anchovies and dried shrimp and vacuum packed to evade detection".

The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) on Thursday clarified that the trio were carrying cannabis buds in their luggage, correcting an earlier statement that said they had found 12kg of cocaine. The authorities did not provide any explanation for their error, according to South China Morning Post.

According to reports, cannabis buds are priced higher than leaves at RM98,000 (18,049) per kilogram. Estimates suggest the seized amount of cannbis buds would be worth RM4.2million or about 776,120.

The agency said the suspects are being investigated for drug trafficking, which carries a death sentence or life in prison.

A Japanese nurse was caught with 3.5kg of methamphetamine at the Kuala Lumpur airport in 2009. Mariko Takeuchi was sentenced to death but following the reform of Japan's capital punishment laws in 2023, her sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison.
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A court in Philippines has sentenced a former mayor to life in jail for her role in operating a major scam centre in the Southeast Asian country.

Alice Guo, ex-mayor of the agricultural town of Bamban located north of the capital Manila, was found guilty of human trafficking and sentenced on Thursday along with seven other people who also received life terms.

Guo ran for mayor as a Filipino citizen but was later identified by law enforcement as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping. Guo had denied links to criminals and insisted she was a born Philippine national.

The case against Guo glued millions of Filipinos to their TVs last year after authorities raided a sprawling scam centre, known as the Baofu compound, in her small town of Bamban. The complex, which had hidden tunnels, buildings, luxury villas, and a large swimming pool, was raided after a Vietnamese worker escaped and alerted police.

The centre targeted foreigners, who were forced to run scams at the threat of torture.

Authorities found around 800 people from seven countries, including Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Rwanda, as well as documents allegedly listing Guo as president of the firm that owned the compound.

Guo, who authorities accuse of having ties to Chinese criminal syndicates, fled the Philippines in 2024 but was arrested in Indonesia later that year after her case sparked an outcry. It led to renewed scrutiny of offshore gaming operations, locally known as Philippine Online Gaming Operations, or Pogo.

There was no immediate comment from Guo or her lawyers about her sentencing.

open image in gallery Aerial view of alleged scam hub masquerading as call centre firm in the Philippines ( Getty )

A spokesperson for the Philippine Anti-Organised Crime Commission said Guo and three fellow accused were convicted of organising trafficking inside the compound while the other four were found guilty of acts of trafficking.

"This eagerly awaited ruling is not only a legal victory but also a moral one. It delivers justice to victims, reaffirms the government's united stance against organised crime," the commission said in a statement.

open image in gallery Then Bamban mayor Alice Guo speaks during a Senate hearing on human trafficking and cyber fraud on 22 May 2024 ( Philippine Senate Social Media Unit )

The verdict comes as leaders across Southeast Asia are sounding alarm over a rise in cyber crimes and scam centres targeting foreigners. Last month, leaders of the Asean bloc vowed to work together to stop criminals from using their territories as shelter and criminal hub.

Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed a law last month banning offshore gaming operators, cementing a policy that he first unveiled last year following Guos case.
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For all the talk of Cop30  the international UN climate conference  being in the Amazon, the reality for most of the 1.4 million people living in the Brazilian city of Belem is a far cry from the lush, green tropical forests that most people would imagine.

The last census from 2022 found that 57 per cent of the population, some 745,000 people, live in so-called baixadas: the local name for Belems informal favela areas, which are scattered throughout the city. The term is derived from the Portuguese word for lowered, and refers to the fact that these areas lie on the low-lying floodplain of the mighty Guama River, which reaches the city after flowing hundreds of kilometres through the rainforest.

Official histories may note that Belem was founded by the Portuguese in 1616, but there was in fact a large indigenous settlement built by the Tupinamba long before that. Today, something of that legacy lives on in the large numbers of baixada dwellers of indigenous and Afro-Brazilian descent, who continue to feel a spiritual connection to the rivers.

Where there is river, there is life, and there are people and culture, says Guido, a resident of Jurunas, one of the largest favela areas in all of Brazil.

Climate impacts, environmental racism

But with 40 per cent of Belems city limits lying below sea level, and coastal erosion and extreme weather growing threats, the life-giving river is also a growing threat to communities. The situation is made worse by overcrowding, with the population increasing from just 250,000 in 1950. In June, the first-ever disaster risk reduction plan carried out by the local government found that 301 areas in the city are at risk of flooding.

Indeed, flooding is a constant fear for residents, with another baixada resident, 53-year-old Bea, sharing that some low-lying residences had been flooded by heavy rainforest rain that Belem had experienced on the day before we meet. Thalya, another resident, adds that serious floods last hit her suburb in 2023, washing out supermarkets and malls, and leading to many people losing everything.

open image in gallery Flooding is a constant threat in Belem ( Nick Ferris )

open image in gallery Children play on the banks of the mighty Guama River estuary, with cruise ships housing Cop30 delegates in the background ( AFP/Getty )

Within the city limits, many of the smaller rivers have been channelled into concrete waterways, disrupting the natural flow of the river and making it inaccessible to local people. In the baixadas, many of these waterways are filled with garbage. This kind of river is not compatible with how life should be in the Amazon, says 25-year-old Ruth, another resident of Jurunas.

Thirty years ago, the rivers were not channels, and we used to take baths and do our laundry there, adds Guido. Now, because of the garbage, and also because of the sewage, this is not a good idea. A 2023 study by the Instituto Trata Brasil finds that 20 per cent of wastewater in the city is collected but just 2.4 per cent is treated.

Pollution from sewage or garbage intensifies during times of drought, when the water levels run low, or the waterways dry up completely. At this time, the price of acai and other local staples increases as harvests decline on the food-growing islands around Belem, while more seawater floods into the estuary, killing fish in the river.

The ocean invades the river and kills the fish, explains 31-year-old Jean, another Baixada resident. The hot weather affects our food consumption but also our sense of identity, because we feel so connected here to the forest and the river.

open image in gallery Baixada residents who met with The Independent. From left, Thalya, Ruth, Bea, Ismael, Guido, and Jean ( Nick Ferris )

open image in gallery The acai market in downtown Belem ( Nick Ferris )

Ask any attendee of Cop30 what they think of Belem, and theres a high chance they will highlight just how hot the Amazon climate makes the city during the day. Its a phenomenon that is escalating with the climate crisis, with a study from nonprofit CarbonPlan highlighting that Belem is set to experience 222 days of extreme heat per year by 2050, in comparison to just 50 in 2000.

But for residents of baixadas without air-conditioning systems, days of extreme heat are not a novelty, but something unbearable, particularly given the lack of shade available on many streets.

Many residents also live under roofs made of the highly toxic building material asbestos, which was only outlawed by the Supreme Court in 2017. Millions of houses across Brazil built between the 1970s and 2000s still have these roofs, including around 20 per cent in the largest city Sao Paulo. Long-term exposure to extreme heat leads to asbestos-containing materials cracking and breaking, increasing the health risks.

open image in gallery Graffiti in Jurunas baixada. Residents told The Independent that their buses become unbearable during times of extreme heat  while Cop30 delegates enjoy air-conditioned buses ( Nick Ferris )

open image in gallery More street art in one of the baixadas in Belem ( Nick Ferris )

Guido describes the climate impacts in his community as environmental racism, as they disproportionately hit the non-white residents of baixadas. The state of Para  of which Belem is the capital  has the largest proportion of mixed-race people in the country, according to the 2022 Brazil Census, but also a GDP per capita of less than half that of Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo in the north.

Cop30 vs Cop de Baixadas

Ask residents of Belem what they think about Cop30, and the majority will tell you theyre happy that it is being hosted in their city, despite serious disruptions such as the two-week closure of schools. Residents here know the climate crisis needs to be addressed  while a 4.8bn reais (688m) federal investment programme for the summit is bringing much-needed improvements to city infrastructure.

For baixada residents, however, there is a sense that more could have been done to involve those who suffer most from the climate crisis.

Cop is for the negotiators and for groups that are bigger and more organised  not for small organisations in territories in the surrounding city, says Ruth.

Every year Cop happens in a different city  but if they are not worried about the demands of the city, and if they dont want to leave a real climate legacy, then why dont they just hold the conference online, says Jean. We believe in the Paris Agreement and what it is trying to do, but its impacts are too slow. We have had 30 Cops, and they all happen in the same way, with civil society never given enough input.

open image in gallery Jean and Ruth are among the organisers of the Cop de Baixadas, which gives local communities a forum to discuss climate issues ( Cop de Baixadas )

open image in gallery Cop de Baixadas also features cultural activities ( Cop de Baixadas )

Jean and Ruth are both organisers of an event held in the Jurunas baixada called Cop de Baixadas, which is a local climate forum inspired by the UN climate conference, but based in the community, giving all local residents a chance to share their climate concerns and solutions. We defend the Cop30 conference, but in this space we switch the dynamic, with real people speaking, and governments sitting back and listening, says Jean.

The first Cop de Baixadas  which was inspired by Jeans own trip to Cop28 in Dubai as an environmental activist  was hosted in 2023 and saw some 300 people attend. This years event, hosted in August, attracted 700.

The organisers have also organised yellow zones around Cop30, where they host events and meetings open to the public, as opposed to the UN-managed blue zone, for which delegates need to be accredited.

Cop de Baixadas is a place where we can reflect on climate injustice and environmental racism, and share our experiences openly and freely, says Ruth.

open image in gallery Bea and Guido outside the Gueto Hub ( Nick Ferris )

But whether government figures actually pay attention to what is said is another question.

During the first two Cop de Baixadas, organisers were in contact with the local government, and there was a positive response from local leaders, says Ruth. The 2025 event, however, coincided with a new Belem city mayor being elected and authorities are apparently now less open to participating, she says.

The NGO Oxfam Brasil was a key backer of the Cop de Baixadas in its early years, but the charity is now facing funding difficulties that could put the programme and others like it at risk. Funding processes have become much more competitive here  with USAIDs operations ending, there is much more pressure on the funding ecosystem, says Viviana Santiago, Oxfam Brasil executive director. Given its middle-income status, Brazil has also never been a priority country for European funders, Santiago adds, despite the huge number of people in poverty.

For the Baixada residents, political disenfranchisement and funding threats are nothing new, however. And even if there is a weak political response to their activism they still see value in coming together.

We have a forum now where we can talk about the real impact of climate change on peoples lives. And when you do that you can mobilise and educate people, so that they can understand and respond to what is going on, says Ruth. This is why Cop de Baixadas is important.

This article was produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
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Archaeologists have identified more than a dozen ancient canoes, seemingly left by Indigenous communities, in what has been described as a prehistoric parking lot along a Wisconsin lakeshore.

The Wisconsin Historical Society announced on Wednesday that 16 canoes have been mapped on the lakebed of Lake Mendota in Madison.

Tamara Thomsen, the state's maritime archaeologist, explained that the site is close to a network of historical indigenous trails. This proximity suggests that ancient peoples would leave the canoes for communal use, much like a modern-day e-bike rental system.

Its a parking spot thats been used for millennia, over and over, Thomsen stated.

Lake Mendota is a vast 15-square-mile (38.8-square-kilometer) body of water situated on Madison's west side. The state Capitol building and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are located on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, a 5-square-mile (13-square-kilometer) lake to the east.

The discoveries began in 2021 when archaeologists uncovered the remains of a 1,200-year-old canoe submerged in 24 feet of water in Lake Mendota. The following year, they found the remains of a 3,000-year-old canoe, a 4,500-year-old canoe under it and a 2,000-year-old canoe next to it, alerting researchers that there was probably more to the site than they expected.

open image in gallery The discoveries began in 2021 when archaeologists uncovered the remains of a 1,200-year-old canoe submerged in 24 feet of water in Lake Mendota ( Wisconsin Historical Society via AP )

Working with Sissel Schroeder, a UW-Madison professor who specializes in Native American cultures, and preservation officers with the Ho-Chunk Nation and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Thomsen has now located the remains of 12 additional canoes, Thomsen said.

Radiocarbon dating shows the oldest of the 16 canoes dates back to 5,200 years ago, making it the third-oldest canoe discovered in eastern North America, she said. The two oldest were found in Florida, with the oldest of them dating back 7,000 years, Thomsen said.

Wisconsin experienced a drought beginning about 7,500 years ago and lasting to around 1000 B.C., Thomsen said. The lake in the area where the canoes were found was probably only 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep over that period, she said, making it a good place to disembark for foot travel. The canoes likely were shared among community members and stored at designated points like the Lake Mendota site. Users would typically bury the canoes in sediment in waist- to chest-deep water so they wouldn't dry out or prevent them from freezing, Thomsen said.

open image in gallery The remains of an ancient canoe sitting on the bottom of Lake Mendota ( Wisconsin Historical Society via AP )

Travelers may have been headed to Lake Wingra, a 321-acre (130-hectare) lake on Madison's south side, Dr. Amy Rosebrough, the state archaeologist, said. The Madison area is part of the ancestral homeland of the Ho-Chunk Nation, which views one of the springs that feeds Lake Wingra as a portal to the spirit world, she said.

The canoes remind us how long our people have lived in this region and how deeply connected we remain to these waters and lands, Bill Quackenbush, the Ho-Chunk's tribal preservation officer, said in a news release.

Thomsen speculated that if the drought did begin 7,500 years and archaeologists are finding canoes beneath other canoes, they may eventually find a 7,000-year-old canoe in the lake. That could mean Indigenous people that predated many of Wisconsin's tribes may have used the lake, she said.

Thomsen spends most of her days uncovering Great Lakes shipwrecks and works on the canoe project only one day per week. But she called that work the most impactful she has ever done as an archaeologist because she engages with Wisconsin tribes, learns their history and tells their stories.

I think I've shed more tears over this, she said. Talking with the Indigenous people, sometimes I sit here and just get goose bumps. It just feels like (the work is) making a difference. Each one of these canoes gives us another clue to the story.
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Boris Johnson and his chief adviser reinforced a "toxic and chaotic culture" in Downing Street that undermined efforts to deal with the pandemic, the Covid Inquiry has found.

Baroness Heather Hallett's report on the response to Covid-19 criticised Mr Johnson's excessive optimism in the face of the looming pandemic and inability to make key lockdown decisions.

The report concluded that more than 20,000 lives could have been spared and a total lockdown avoided in 2020 if restrictions had been introduced sooner.

Lady Hallet described Dominic Cummings as a "destabilising influence" who used "offensive, sexualised and misogynistic" language and "poisoned" the atmosphere in Downing Street.

The then-health secretary Matt Hancock was also criticised for not being "candid" enough about the UK's ability to deal with the virus.

Here are Lady Hallets findings on each of the top figures in the UK government.

open image in gallery The report concluded that more than 20,000 lives could have been spared and a total lockdown avoided in 2020 if restrictions had been introduced sooner ( PA )

Boris Johnson

In the report, Mr Johnson was accused of failing to address a "chaotic culture" at the heart of the British government, in which "the loudest voices prevailed" and women were often "sidelined".

Lady Hallet said Mr Johnson was "actively encouraging" such a culture and let Mr Cummings make decisions that should have been taken by the prime minister.

She said Mr Johnson failed to "exercise proper leadership in rectifying the toxic and chaotic culture adversely affecting decision-making".

The ex-prime minister was also criticised for his handling of the initial Covid outbreak and subsequent lockdowns.

open image in gallery Prime minister Boris Johnson during a Covid-19 media briefing in Downing Street in January 2021 ( PA Wire )

Mr Johnson was optimistic that Covid would amount to nothing and as a result, failed to appreciate the need for prime ministerial leadership on Covid.

The report found his attention was on "other priorities", with Covid not even featuring in the top five issues crossing his desk as late as mid-February 2020.

He also did not chair a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee on the issue until March 2020.

By the time the government came to consider a second lockdown in the autumn of 2020, Lady Hallett said Mr Johnson repeatedly changed his mind on whether to introduce tougher restrictions and failed to make timely decisions.

She said his "oscillation" led to delays imposing restrictions, enabling the virus to continue spreading "at pace" despite by this stage understanding "the importance of early interventions".

Mr Johnson's experience of the initial lockdown, Lady Hallett said, meant he "should have realised that, if there was a possibility that he would have to impose restrictions on the public, it would be beneficial to do so sooner rather than later".

In addition, Covid rule-breaking such as partygate which saw gatherings and parties take place at No10 throughout 2020, caused huge distress to the public. And in particular, to the bereaved people who had complied with the rules and guidance despite massive personal and financial costs, the report found.

The Downing Street party saga in particular led to a self-reported reduction in people following the rules over Christmas 2021.

Dominic Cummings

The chief adviser to Mr Johnson until November 2020, was found to contributed to the toxic and sexist workplace culture at the heart of the UK government", according to Lady Hallett.

Mr Cummings was accused of using "offensive, sexualised and misogynistic language" and launching a "misogynistic attack" on a senior civil servant.

open image in gallery Boris Johnsons chief adviser Dominic Cummings contributed to a toxic and sexist workplace culture in Downing Street, the inquiry found ( PA Archive )

Although Lady Hallett acknowledged Mr Cummings's "ability" and commended his action in persuading the government to change course in early 2020, she said he had created a "culture of fear, mutual suspicion and distrust" that "poisoned the atmosphere" in No 10.

She added he had "strayed far from the proper role of a special adviser" and "sought to make key decisions" that the prime minister should have made, and had likely broken the rules governing special advisers by levering out then-cabinet secretary Sir Mark (now Lord) Sedwill.

Matt Hancock

The then-health secretary led the initial response to Covid, assuring fellow ministers that the UK was well-prepared for a pandemic.

But Lady Hallett said he gained a reputation among his colleagues for "overpromising and underdelivering".

open image in gallery Former health secretary Matt Hancock gained a reputation for overpromising and underdelivering, the inquiry said ( PA Wire )

Accusing Mr Hancock of not being sufficiently "candid", she said his assurances about the country's preparedness and his department's effective handling of the crisis were "unjustified".

Lady Hallett also criticised Sir Chris Wormald, who was then permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care and who is now the cabinet secretary.

She said he had failed to take action to "rectify the overenthusiastic impression" given by Mr Hancock, ultimately obscuring the need for more action.

Their actions between them obscured the reality and the need for more action through spring 2020.

Rishi Sunak

The then-chancellor was criticised for not seeking scientific advice on the "eat out to help out" scheme.

open image in gallery Rishi Sunaks eat out to help out scheme lacked a scientific basis ( PA Archive )

Lady Hallett said the scheme in summer 2020, which offered discounted restaurant meals to try and inject cash into the struggling hospitality industry, was devised in the absence of scientific advice and undermined public health messaging.

This is despite Professor Chris Whitty advising about the risks of indoor settings.

Devolved leaders

Baroness Hallett found the country's devolved leaders were too reliant on the UK government and acted too little too late.

But she praised Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon as "a serious and diligent leader" and Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford as "careful and considered", although she criticised his decision to attend a St David's Day event in Brussels rather than a Welsh cabinet meeting in March 2020.

Lady Hallett was more critical of the response in Northern Ireland, where she said decision-making was "marred" by disputes between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

And she both criticised then-deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill for attending the funeral of senior republican and former IRA man Bobby Storey in June 2020, and then-first minister Baroness Arlene Foster for engaging in "inappropriate instigation of cross-community votes to make political points".
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Boris Johnson was branded a coward as it emerged he could face legal action over the failures during the pandemic that led to 23,000 excess deaths  as families who lost loved ones to Covid call for him to be barred from public life.

After the Covid inquiry found that thousands of lives could have been spared if the country had locked down a week earlier and that the culture at the heart of No 10 contributed to the governments pandemic failings, the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK group said the former prime minister must be held accountable.

Meanwhile, senior Tories have refused to acknowledge some of the reports findings, with Michael Gove  who was a cabinet minister throughout the pandemic  warning against oversimplifying the conclusions while former health minister Nadine Dorries described it as sensationalist.

Mr Johnson, his former health secretary Matt Hancock and ex-chancellor Rishi Sunak have so far refused to comment on the report since it was published on Thursday, despite strong criticism of his leadership during the pandemic.

open image in gallery Some families who lost loved ones to Covid call for Boris Johnson to be barred from public life ( Pool via AP )

Layla Moran, the Lib Dem chair of the Commons health select committee, told The Independent: Theyre clearly cowards. They should hang their heads in shame given how damning the report was of the quality of their decision making, they should also publicly apologise to the families of those whose lives were needlessly lost.

Bereaved families described the former prime ministers silence as deafening, adding: We are not asking for an apology; we are asking for consequences. Boris Johnson should have no role in public life and no further entitlement to public funds.

His actions during the pandemic amount to one of the gravest betrayals of the British public in modern history.

"We will therefore now be pursuing all legal options to hold Boris Johnson personally responsible for his actions during the pandemic. Justice for those we lost means real consequences for those who failed them, and we will not stop until that justice is delivered."

The Independent understands that the campaign group is considering its options with regard to legal action, including potentially bringing a private prosecution.

While Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has also refused to apologise for the governments handling of the pandemic, Lord Gove apologised for mistakes made by the government, but also defended the toxic culture in Mr Johnsons No 10.

open image in gallery Protesters outside the Covid inquiry when Johnson gave evidence in December 2023 ( AP )

Ms Dorries, who was a close ally of the former PM and has since defected to Reform UK, told Times Radio: I just dont recognise the picture she paints as to the political management of Covid at the time. I was a health minister in health throughout the Covid pandemic. And what I saw were people working very hard and doing their very best to ensure that we approach the pandemic in the right way and saved as many lives as possible.

So I just dont recognise that finding. And I find it quite sensationalist. And I find it also doesnt take into account how we suddenly found ourselves in that position very rapidly, and how hard people worked to put both measures in place and a process of how we responded towards the elderly, the vulnerable, care homes, schools, children, and all the different groups which needed to be accounted for during that process. that no account seems to have been taken for that.

Meanwhile, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the public accounts committee, hit out at the reports author, Heather Hallett, a former Court of Appeal judge, accusing her of trying to rewrite history.

He said: I think its frightfully easy to come up with an inquiry after the event, looking back with hindsight. After all, we MPs were given a briefing a week before the lockdown, and at that point people were confidently predicting that over 2 million people were going to be hospitalised, of which 450,000 were going to die. So you know, people really didnt know what was going to happen.

open image in gallery Heather Hallett was very critical of the culture in No 10 during the pandemic ( UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry )

I think its just rewriting history, and its with hindsight, and Im not sure the evidence is there to back up some of those claims that 23,000 people died because of that weeks delay. I think that just sounds to me not right.

The inquiry found that a total lockdown could have been avoided in 2020 if restrictions had been introduced sooner and painted a picture of chaotic decision making at the heart of government.

Asked whether he accepts that a toxic culture in Downing Street led to deaths, Lord Gove told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: No, I dont accept that either.

I do certainly think that there were moments when voices were raised, words were used, attitudes were struck that were far from ideal, but the business of government during a crisis cant be carried on in the manner of a Jane Austen novel.

It is the case that we were dealing with, as everyone across the world was, an unprecedented crisis with a novel virus that most intelligence agencies now believe was a lab leak rather than a naturally occurring virus, and of course under pressure with imperfect information, mistakes are made, voices are raised.

open image in gallery Dorries defended Johnson, and said some of the reports findings were senationalist ( Peston/ITV )

Former cabinet minister Rory Stewart said: "Congratulations to the COVID committee. The UK government was criminally slow and indecisive. The [sic] should have acted 3 weeks earlier. Even 1 week earlier would have saved 23,000 lives. And the lessons have not been properly absorbed."

While, Kemi Badenoch also remained silent, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey called on her to make a full apology on behalf of her party.

He told BBC Breakfast: "I hope that Kemi Badenoch on behalf of the Conservative Party will now issue a full apology."
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Boris Johnson presided over a toxic and chaotic culture at No 10 while poor decision-making and delays in introducing a lockdown contributed to the deaths of more than 20,000 people during the pandemic, a highly critical report has found.

The second report of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry also found that the views of women were often ignored by the then prime minister and his closest aides, while Mr Johnson is also said to have demonstrated a failure to appreciate the urgency of the situation during the early days of the pandemic.

During a series of hearings, the chair of the inquiry, Heather Hallett, a former Court of Appeal judge, heard wide-ranging criticisms of Mr Johnson and his team, with WhatsApp messages and emails detailing disagreements disclosed to the inquiry.

open image in gallery Boris Johnson was found to have failed to appreciate the urgency of the situation ahead of the first lockdown ( PA )

Evidence was taken from more than 160 witnesses, including Mr Johnson, his then aide Dominic Cummings, and the then health secretary, Matt Hancock. They were questioned on measures such as public testing, social distancing, and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which it had been hoped could inject cash into businesses that had been forced to shut during the spring lockdown.

Summarising her findings, Baroness Hallett found that while No 10 had been forced to make decisions under pressure, the response was too little, too late, and 23,000 lives could have been saved had measures been implemented a week earlier.

Here are the key takeaways from the damning report.

Toxic culture at No 10

The report found that Mr Johnson had failed to appreciate the urgency of the situation after the virus began to spread in early 2020, and displayed optimism that it would amount to nothing.

He was also found to have repeatedly changed his mind in September and October 2020 on whether to introduce tougher restrictions, and failed to make timely decisions. The report says that his oscillation enabled the virus to continue spreading at pace and led to the second four-week lockdown that November.

His senior advister, Mr Cummings, was described as a destabilising influence whose behaviour contributed significantly to a culture of fear, mutual distrust and suspicion that poisoned the atmosphere in 10 Downing Street and undermined the authority of the prime minister.

open image in gallery Former adviser Dominic Cummings is described in the report as a destabilising influence ( PA Archive )

The report said: By failing to tackle this chaotic culture  and, at times, actively encouraging it  Mr Johnson reinforced a culture in which the loudest voices prevailed and the views of other colleagues, particularly women, often went ignored, to the detriment of good decision-making.

Mr Hancock also gained a reputation among senior officials and advisers at 10 Downing Street for overpromising and underdelivering, according to the report.

Lockdowns and deaths could have been avoided

The inquiry into the governments core decision-making and political governance found that more than 20,000 lives could have been saved in England if the lockdown had been implemented just a week earlier than it was, in March 2020.

Had more stringent restrictions short of a stay at home lockdown been introduced earlier than 16 March [...] the mandatory lockdown that was imposed might have been shorter or conceivably might not have been necessary at all, the report says.

However, had the mandatory lockdown been in place from that earlier 16 March date, modelling has established that the number of deaths in England in the first wave up until 1 July 2020 would have been reduced by 48 per cent  equating to approximately 23,000 fewer deaths.

Partygate undermined confidence

Alcohol-fuelled parties in Downing Street, involving Mr Johnson, Rishi Sunak and senior staff, undermined public confidence in decision-making and significantly increased the risk of the public abandoning lockdown rules, according to the report.

They were also considered a blow to people who had endured huge personal costs to stick to the rules  including those who had been unable to be with their loved ones when they died.

open image in gallery Johnson and Matt Hancock have both been criticised for their response to the pandemic ( PA )

The Downing Street party saga, in particular, led to a self-reported reduction in people following the rules over Christmas 2021.

The final weeks of 2021 were dominated by reports of alleged rule-breaking by officials in government buildings while lockdown rules were in place. This included a gathering of around 30 people in the Cabinet Room on 19 June 2020 to present Mr Johnson with a birthday cake, at a time when most indoor gatherings were banned.

Both the prime minister and Mr Sunak received fines after a Met Police investigation.

Eat Out to Help Out went against advice

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme in summer 2020 was devised in the absence of scientific advice and undermined public health messaging, the report found.

While its intention was to inject cash into the hospitality industry by offering discounted restaurant meals, Mr Johnson and his chancellor Mr Sunak failed to seek scientific advice.

This was despite being warned about the potential risks of the scheme by Professor Chris Whitty (now Sir), the governments chief medical officer.

Children failed by school closures

While the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 undoubtedly saved lives, the report found that they had also left lasting scars on society and the economy, brought ordinary childhood to a halt, delayed the diagnosis and treatment of other health issues and exacerbated societal inequalities.

The vast majority of children were not at risk of serious direct harm from Covid-19, but suffered greatly from the closure of schools and requirement to stay at home.

Children were not always prioritised and the government was not prepared for the sudden and enormous task of educating children in their homes.
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The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to divide the nation as almost half of Britons say they would consider ending a friendship over the issue.

Researchers from the think tank More in Common UK said polling suggested people with strong views have become more entrenched in the two years since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and subsequent war in Gaza.

Of around 2,000 adults in Great Britain polled last month, around four in 10 (43 per cent) of those who sympathise with Palestine said they would consider ending a friendship with someone who posted on social media in support of Israel. A similar proportion (46 per cent) of those who sympathise with Israel said they would consider doing the same over a pro-Palestine post.

Overwhelmingly, results indicated most Britons dont approach the conflict through the lens of sides at all, as many feel the issue is complex and that there are good and bad people on both sides.

Three-quarters of Britons did not feel comfortable talking about the Israel-Palestine conflict on social media, while around three in 10 people said they feel either somewhat or very uncomfortable talking about the issue with friends.

open image in gallery Marches for Palestine and Israel have taken place on almost a weekly basis since the conflict on October 7 2023 ( Yui Mok/PA Wire )

Around 67 per cent of people said they either fully or somewhat agreed that some protests about Palestine and Israel are so disruptive that they should not be allowed.

The researchers said: Public patience for protest is wearing thin  two-thirds of Britons now believe some protests are too disruptive to be allowed, with sustained demonstrations over Gaza contributing to broader backlash against activist movements.

Polling showed that sympathy for Israel has waned over the last two years, down to 14 per cent when compared with 16 per cent in November 2023. Meanwhile, those saying they sympathised more with Palestine rose to more than a quarter (26 per cent), up from under a fifth (18 per cent) two years previously.

Non-partisanship remained a key proportion, as 27 per cent said they didnt take a side, 18 per cent said they sympathised with both Israel and Palestine, while the rest said they remained unsure.

Of those who do have strong views, many have become more negative about those with opposing views in the past few years, researchers said.

In the days following the Manchester synagogue attack in October, polling suggested a rise in tensions between religious groups in Britain and a rise in Islamist extremism topped the list when it came to respondents' worries about different impacts of the Middle East conflict on the UK.

open image in gallery Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester ( PA Wire )

Around 44 per cent of people in the latest polling said they felt the UK is an unsafe place for Jewish people, while 37 per cent said it is unsafe for Muslims.

Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz were killed in the attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall on Yom Kippur last month. The assailant, Jihad al-Shamie, was shot by armed police.

Luke Tryl, director of More in Common UK, warned that divisions over the conflict have seriously strained trust in Britains media organisations, institutions and politicians.

He added: As people with strong views on the conflict have switched off from mainstream media, there is a risk that they move to their own sources of information online, making it much harder for them to have conversations based on shared facts.

People also assume that those on the other side of the debate are motivated by bad faith, such as that people support Israel because they are anti-Muslim or Palestine because they are antisemitic.

Caught up in all this is the majority of Britons, who are shocked and appalled by the conflict but do not take a side either way, and particularly Britains Jewish communities and Muslim communities who are bearing the brunt of rising hate.

The government, civil society and those most engaged in the conflict need to do more to find ways out of the growing cycle of polarisation that risks inflicting lasting scars on social cohesion in the UK.
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Migrants could only be eligible for benefits and social housing once they become British citizens and those in the country illegally could have to wait up to 30 years for long-term residency in the UK under new plans announced by the home secretary.

Shabana Mahmood has unveiled a shake-up to rules for legal migration aimed at reducing the number of people coming to the UK, just days after announcing reforms to the asylum system, telling the Commons that settlement in the UK is a privilege, not a right.

The shake-up will see the government move towards a new contribution-based model, with mandatory conditions for people applying for earned settlement.

These include having a clean criminal record, paying National Insurance for the last three years, speaking English at A-level standard, and having no debt to the government.

open image in gallery Shabana Mahmood said she knew payments for voluntary returns were not popular, but insisted they were value for money (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

The default qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will also be increased from the current five years to ten years, with different groups to be penalised or rewarded with longer or shorter qualifying periods depending on their contribution.

The qualifying period will be reduced to nine years if someone can speak English to degree level, five years if they pay the higher rate of tax. Migrants who pay the top rate of tax or are on a global talent visa will have to wait three years - shorter than it is now  to qualify.

Those working in public services at a certain level, for example doctors and teachers, will qualify in five years, while people who volunteer will have their qualifying periods reduced by three to five years.

On the other hand, people who claimed benefits for less than 12 months will have a five year penalty, and those who have claimed for over 12 months will face a ten year penalty.

If someone came via an illegal route, they could face a penalty of up to 20 years  meaning it could be 30 years after their arrival until they are qualified to apply for ILR.

The so-called Boris-wave cohort will have a 15 year default qualifying period for ILR. This means the longest someone from this cohort could be waiting is 25 years if they have also claimed benefits for more than 12 months.

The Boris-wave is a term used to describe the steep increase in migration to the UK from outside the EU in the wake of Brexit, when Boris Johnson was prime minister.

open image in gallery Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that police powers around protests and social media would be reviewed (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA )

Current forecasts show 1.6 million are due to settle in the UK between 2026 and 2030, with a peak of 450,000 in 2028, Ms Mahmood told the Commons

Despite the crackdown, the home secretary also addressed those who believe that migration is part of modern Britains story, saying: We must prove that it can still work.

Insisting that she sees the benefits of migration, Ms Mahmood said: I wouldn't be here if this country hadn't welcomed my parents, she told the Commons. It is literally the story of my life... so I very much feel those benefits personally and I will always speak up for them as I have done today.

While the home secretary said that migration will always be a vital part of Britains story, she warned that the scale of arrivals in recent years has been unprecedented.

She said: To settle in this country forever is not a right, but a privilege. And it must be earned.

I am replacing a broken immigration system with one that prioritises contribution, integration and respect for the British sense of fair play.

The home secretary reiterated that changes to indefinite leave to remain will not impact those with settled status - marking a break from Reform UKs pledge to retrospectively strip people of indefinite leave to remain.

Ms Mahmood said: May I make one thing absolutely clear though: we will not change the rules for those with settled status today. These are people who have been in our country for years, even decades. They have families here, wives, husbands, children.

They have worked in our hospitals, taught in our schools and have been contributing to our society for years. Fairness is the most fundamental of British values. We made a promise when we gave them settlement and we do not break our promises.

She added: For those who believe that migration is part of modern Britains story, and should always continue to be, we must prove that it can still work.

That those who come here contribute, play their part and enrich our national life. While each will always retain something of who they were and where they came from, they become a part of the greatest multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy in the world.
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Each year around 70,000 children go missing in the UK, and while most are eventually found, the real crisis often lies in the circumstances that drove them to disappear in the first place.

A safe return home is only the beginning. What matters just as much is understanding why a child went missing and ensuring it does not happen again.

The reasons are varied and often complex. Some young people vanish because they are struggling with mental health problems. Others are escaping abuse or are being groomed and exploited. For many, going missing is the only way they know to signal distress when they feel unheard or unsafe.

The Independent and the charity Missing People are aiming to raise 165,000 to launch SafeCall, a free new service to support children at the moment they are most vulnerable. Co-designed with young people, SafeCall will offer confidential advice, guidance and a route to safety for those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Parm Sandhu, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent, said: Each missing episode is a warning sign. Many children who are exploited, abused or struggling with mental health will go missing long before they disclose their experiences.

A proper interview, a joined-up police response and follow-up support can be the difference between a one-off incident and a child becoming lost to exploitation or ongoing harm.

Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to give 10 to Missing People  enough for one child to get help.

open image in gallery The Missing People charity said it is essential to ensure childrens safety even when they return home ( Missing People )

When someone under the age of 18 is found after they have gone missing, the polices first job is to check if they are safe.

Police should speak with the child as soon as they can to check whether they were harmed, to understand whether a crime has occurred, or if there is any immediate risk. Any concerns should then be shared with social services or other agencies.

Every child who goes missing in the UK is given the option of an independent return home interview, which must be offered within 72 hours of the childs return.

Sarah Howley, who manages Missing Peoples Hertfordshire support service, said that talking to a child about why they have gone missing is vital in getting them the right help and preventing them from going missing again.

She said: Talking about going missing can open a whole can of worms of what's really going on for this child, and action needs to be taken from that.

open image in gallery Parm Sandhu, the former chief superintendent of the Met Police, said every missing episode is a warning sign ( Supplied )

In some areas, like Hertfordshire, the Missing People charity will conduct the interview.

The interview should focus on why the child went missing, whether they felt safe at home, any problems of abuse, or mental-health issues they may be facing, and what support they need.

Ms Sandhu said: Children go missing for many reasons, conflict or abuse at home, bullying, school pressures, mental-health issues, or being groomed by criminal networks.

Depending on the reason why a child went missing, they can then be given social care assessments or protection plans, support from specialist charities, mental health referrals, youth offending services and diversion programmes, or support from any other relevant teams.

If a child disappeared after facing abuse at home or in foster care, childrens services and maybe the police would be called, and professionals would assess whether their home is a safe place for them to be. If not, somewhere safe would be found for them to stay.

For children who are suffering from mental health issues, Ms Howley said they will assess what help the child needs, which could be an urgent referral to a hospital, or signposting to mental health charities.

Any young people who are worried about returning home should know that there are always people around to help and support them, Ms Howley said: There are always people wanting to help, and that's why Missing People helplines are there to be that confidential space to get some support and some help.

Please donate now to The Independent and Missing Peoples SafeCall campaign, which aims to raise 165,000 to create a free, nationwide service helping vulnerable children find safety and support.

For advice, support and options if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call the charity Missing People on 116 000. Its free, confidential and non-judgemental. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-help. If you are struggling or in distress, contact Samaritans on 116 123 (UK and ROI).
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Members of Parliament are set to tell "terrible dad jokes" in the Commons to highlight concerns over paternity leave, which they brand "the worst dad joke of the lot."

In Britain, statutory paternity pay is capped at 187.18 weekly, or 90 per cent of average earnings, whichever is lower.

Fathers receive two weeks' leave on this pay, taken together or separately.

Freddie Van Mierlo, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, insists a "loud and clear" message must convey the current situation is "not good enough."

The Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame is set to tell the Commons during a debate on International Mens Day: I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me.

Sure, not my finest joke, but nowhere near as bad as the joke played on over half a million dads each year  paternity leave of just two weeks on less than half the minimum wage and with nothing for the self-employed.

Labour MP for Portsmouth North Amanda Martin will say on Thursday: A skeleton walks into a pub and says: Ill have a pint of lager and a mop please.

You think thats bad? Try recovering from birth, and those scary first days with a new baby, when your partner cant take a day of paternity leave  or, if youre lucky, is getting two weeks off.

Campaigners are calling for statutory paid paternity leave entitlement to be increased ( Alamy/PA )

Those on lower incomes are less likely to take paternity leave, according to HMRC analysis by campaign group, The Dad Shift.

Of the 216,000 people who took paternity leave in 2024-25, 9.5 per cent were on annual salaries of 37,800 or less, the group said.

The Government has previously said it will review parental leave, declaring the current system is not working for families.

George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift said: A bad joke doesnt begin to describe it. Its an absolute scandal that dads on lower incomes are so massively priced out of time with their kids.

Raising your children shouldnt be some luxury only the rich can afford  but thats exactly what two weeks on less than half the minimum wage and with nothing for the self-employed ensures. No wonder 57 per cent of new dads say that the fear of financial insecurity puts them off having further kids.

The Governments review of parental leave is the best opportunity in a generation to make this change happen so lets get it done, he added.
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Chaos at the heart of Boris Johnsons government and his failure to take Covid seriously led to 23,000 deaths, a damning report into pandemic decision-making has found.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry also found the then prime minister and his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, presided over a toxic and chaotic culture at the heart of No 10, which saw the views of women ignored.

The report found that more than 20,000 lives could have been saved in England if the lockdown had been implemented just a week earlier, in March 2020.

Westminster and the three devolved nations were all found to have done too little, too late as the virus spread.

Children were ordered home from school, and families missed out on the chance to say a final goodbye to dying relatives, when measures were finally introduced.

From 16 March 2020, self-isolation and social distancing came into effect, with schools and pubs closed later that week, before ministers took the unprecedented step of ordering the first full lockdown on 23 March.

Had more stringent restrictions short of a stay at home lockdown been introduced earlier than 16 March [...] the mandatory lockdown that was imposed might have been shorter or conceivably might not have been necessary at all, the report said.

open image in gallery Boris Johnson pictured with Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, at one of the daily coronavirus briefings ( AFP via Getty )

However, had the mandatory lockdown been in place from that earlier 16 March date, modelling has established that the number of deaths in England in the first wave up until 1 July 2020 would have been reduced by 48 per cent  equating to approximately 23,000 fewer deaths.

The report also found that:

Partygate and other instances of Covid rule-breaking caused huge distress to the public, particularly bereaved people who had complied with the rules and guidance despite massive personal and financial costs. The Downing Street party saga, in particular, led to a self-reported reduction in people following the rules over Christmas 2021

Mr Johnson repeatedly changed his mind in September and October 2020 on whether to introduce tougher restrictions, and failed to make timely decisions. The report says that his oscillation enabled the virus to continue spreading at pace, and led to the second four-week lockdown that November

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme in summer 2020, which offered a discount on restaurant meals in an effort to inject cash into the struggling hospitality industry, was devised in the absence of scientific advice and undermined public health messaging. Mr Johnson and his chancellor Rishi Sunak failed to seek scientific advice about the potential risks of the scheme, despite being advised by Professor (now Sir) Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, about the risks of indoor settings

Attempts to relax the rules around Christmas 2020 to allow people to gather with their families  which then had to be scaled back or reversed  gave rise to false hope among the general public

The health secretary at the time, Matt Hancock, gained a reputation among senior officials and advisers at 10 Downing Street for overpromising and underdelivering, while Sir Chris Wormald, now the countrys most senior civil servant, who was running the Department of Health and Social Care at the time, did not rectify the overenthusiastic impression Mr Hancock had given No 10. Their actions between them obscured the reality and the need for more action during spring 2020

There was no clear plan setting out the arrangements and Dominic Raab, the first secretary of state, was unclear how he was to do the job when Mr Johnson was incapacitated with Covid. There was no clear plan setting out the arrangements to be put in place to ensure continuity of leadership and decision-making. The report said it is not clear how critical decisions would have been made if the then prime minister had fallen ill earlier in March, before key decisions had been made, or if he had not recovered

The inquiry heard evidence about the destabilising behaviour of a number of individuals, including Mr Cummings, then a senior adviser to the PM.

open image in gallery Johnsons oscillation contributed to the spread of Covid in the early stages of the pandemic, according to the report ( Getty )

By failing to tackle this chaotic culture  and, at times, actively encouraging it  Mr Johnson reinforced a culture in which the loudest voices prevailed and the views of other colleagues, particularly women, often went ignored, to the detriment of good decision-making, the report found.

Mr Johnson is also said to have demonstrated a failure to appreciate the urgency of the situation in the early days as the virus took hold, and that was put down to his optimism that it would amount to nothing.

Mr Cummings was described as a destabilising influence whose behaviour contributed significantly to a culture of fear, mutual distrust and suspicion that poisoned the atmosphere in 10 Downing Street and undermined the authority of the prime minister.

open image in gallery The report found that had measures such as social distancing been introduced earlier, a total lockdown could have been avoided ( PA )

Mr Cummings  who became known for the Barnard Castle scandal in which he travelled from London to County Durham during lockdown  strayed far from the proper role of a special adviser and sought to make key decisions in 10 Downing Street which were for the prime minister to make.

Releasing the report on Thursday afternoon, inquiry chair Heather Hallett said leaders across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were presented with unenviable choices as to how to respond, and that whatever decision they took there was often no right answer or good outcome.

However, when the virus was spreading in early 2020, all four governments failed to appreciate the scale of the threat or the urgency of the response it demanded.

open image in gallery Matt Hancock gained a reputation in No 10 for overpromising and underdelivering, the report found ( PA )

They also had to make decisions in conditions of extreme pressure, Baroness Hallett added. Nonetheless, I can summarise my findings of the response as too little, too late.

The reports release comes after a series of hearings that took evidence from more than 160 witnesses, including Mr Johnson, Mr Cummings and Mr Hancock.

They were questioned on measures such as public testing, social distancing, and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which it had been hoped could inject cash into businesses that had been forced to shut during the spring.

The inquiry is still ongoing, and publications will be expected at a later date on modules covering issues such as vaccines, children and young people, and the economic response to the pandemic.

open image in gallery Rishi Sunaks Eat Out to Help Out scheme lacked a scientific basis, the report found ( PA Archive )

Reacting to Thursdays report, Sir Keir Starmer said that the next crisis would be faced from a position of national resilience. He also said that the government would respond in due course to the findings of Baroness Halletts report.

Bereaved families have said that Mr Johnson put his political reputation ahead of public safety and pandered to his critics.

Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK said: The evidence from the inquiry is clear, and while it is vindicating to see Boris Johnson blamed in black and white for the catastrophic mishandling of the pandemic, it is devastating to think of the lives that could have been saved under a different prime minister.

We now know that many of our family members would still be alive today if it werent for the leadership of Boris Johnson and his colleagues.

He pandered to his critics when the UK needed decisive action.
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Former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has defected to the Greens  the partys biggest defection to date.

Mr Russell-Moyle represented the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency from 2017 to 2024, which neighbours the longstanding Green seat of Brighton Pavilion.

In a statement, he took aim at the direction of his old party, saying it had left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives.

open image in gallery Lloyd Russell-Moyle ( PA Wire )

For almost ten years I worked alongside Caroline [Lucas] as the MP next door, he said. My old party has left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives, their communities and the world around them. In the Greens I see a party that is offering that. In the Greens I see a party I have worked with for years and I am making the jump to join them today. I urge others to do so too.

A number of Labour councillors have quit their party to join the Greens, but Mr Russell-Moyle is the best-known Labour face to make the switch so far.

It comes after party leader Zack Polanski told The Independenthe had had multiple conversations with sitting Labour MPs about defecting to his party as they become increasingly unhappy with the direction of Sir Keir Starmers government.

Hesaid the number of Labour MPs he had spoken to who are dissatisfied with the party was in double figures. He added that the Greens would absolutely welcome disillusioned MPs, as long as they share the partys values.

On Thursday, Mr Polanski said he was delighted to welcome Lloyd to the party, adding: His story is one that is all too familiar  abandoned in the interest of power and profit over people and principles.

Lloyd and tens of thousands like him have not left the Labour party; the Labour party has left them.

Today the Green Party has over 150,000 members and is polling second to Reform. The Greens are the home of progressive politics, and were making hope normal again.

open image in gallery Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the chancellor should cut bills, tax billionaires at the Budget ( PA Wire )

Mr Russell-Moyle was suspended from the Labour Party in 2024 after a complaint was made about his behaviour eight years prior, but he returned to the party earlier this year after an investigation found there was insufficient evidence.

At the time, the then MP said he believed it to be a vexatious and politically-motivated complaint.

His defection comes as the Green Party climbs in the polls, with a YouGov survey from last month putting it on 16 per cent support. The poll, commissioned by The Times, found that just 17 per cent of voters back Labour, the same number that would vote for Kemi Badenochs Tories, while Reform UK continues to surge ahead on 27 per cent.

The Green Party says it has enjoyed a 45 per cent increase in membership since Mr Polanski was elected Leader of the party in September, surpassing 100,000 members in October.
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Sir Keir Starmer has called on Nigel Farage to explain accusations made by people who went to school with the Reform leader that he displayed racist behaviour when he was a teenager.

Former schoolmates of the young Mr Farage told The Guardian that he displayed offensive behaviour during his time at a top public school, including giving Nazi salutes and making racial slurs.

The Clacton MP has denied the allegations, saying the paper was trying to smear his party. His spokesperson said he could take legal action over the claims.

But the prime minister has pressured Mr Farage in the Commons to answer the disturbing allegations made about his behaviour while he was at Dulwich College as a teenager.

open image in gallery Clacton MP Nigel Farage has emphatically denied the allegations ( PA )

Responding to a question from Reforms Lee Anderson at PMQs on Wednesday, Sir Keir said: Last week his leader said he didnt have time to condemn the racist comments of his fellow MP [Sarah Pochin]. He also said he didnt have time to condemn his party [for] calling children in care evil.

I wonder if he could ask his leader, next door to him, whether hes got time for his explanation for the stories in todays papers.

Sir Keirs spokesperson also said it is vital that Farage urgently explains himself.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer suggested in the Commons that Farage should explain the stories about his time at school ( PA )

These are disturbing allegations and its vital that Nigel Farage urgently explains himself, she said. Youve heard the prime minister speak just this week about Farages weakness in the face of divisive politics in Reforms ranks.

Hes still not condemned the language or taken action against one of his MPs racist comments; [he] refused to condemn them when asked last week. Reform is dragging our politics into a dark place.

One former student of Dulwich College in south London told The Guardian he felt humiliated by the antisemitic words of the then 13-year-old Mr Farage, who allegedly also urged pupils of overseas heritage to go home.

Peter Ettedgui, now an award-winning director and producer, told the paper: He would sidle up to me and growl: Hitler was right, or Gas them, sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers.

open image in gallery Farage attended the prestigious Dulwich College, in southeast London ( PA )

He added: I wasnt his only target. Id hear him calling other students P*** or w**, and urging them to go home. I tried to ignore him, but it was humiliating. It was shaming.

Mr Ettedgui said Mr Farage could suddenly become charming, adding: Id like to know why hes never owned up or shown the slightest contrition.

In legal letters to The Guardian, Mr Farage questioned the public interest in reporting historic allegations.

His spokesperson said: These allegations date back 45 years, and I think that at any point in time  when Nigel was leader of Ukip, when he stood in the 2010 general election, the 2015 general election, during Brexit, maybe in the 2019 general election  youd have to ask yourself why this hasnt come up before.

They added: Nigel is very clear, theres no primary evidence.

open image in gallery In legal letters to The Guardian, Farage questioned the public interest in reporting historic allegations ( PA )

A second pupil from a minority ethnic background claimed that, when Mr Farage was 17, he asked where the pupil was from and pointed away, saying: Thats the way back.

Professor Dave Edmonds, 61, another Jewish ex-pupil, told The Guardian he had a strong memory of Mr Farage using the w-word for what we now call people of Afro-Caribbean origin and the p-word for those of South Asian origin.

He added: I dont remember being on the receiving end of antisemitic remarks, though of course he made outrageous comments about the war. I dont think Jews were his main racial preoccupation. He was generally obsessed, as he is now, with the erosion of Britishness.

But some pupils told The Guardian only that Mr Farage was bumptious, rude, provocative and enjoyed being the centre of attention, insisting that they did not remember him using racist language.

A spokesperson for Reform UK said: These allegations are entirely without foundation. The Guardian has produced no contemporaneous record or corroborating evidence to support these disputed recollections from nearly 50 years ago.

It is no coincidence that this newspaper seeks to discredit Reform UK  a party that has led in over 150 consecutive opinion polls, and whose leader bookmakers now have as the favourite to be the next prime minister.

We fully expect these cynical attempts to smear Reform, and mislead the public, to intensify further as we move closer to the next election.
Shabana Mahmood is one of the few prominent members of the Labour Party in the headlines for what she would consider to be the right reasons. Nonetheless, her new policies on irregular migration are controversial, and her latest proposal is perhaps the one that will provoke the most argument: she is now suggesting it could make sense to pay irregular migrants and particularly foreign criminals much more than the current rate of up to 3,000 for them to leave the country voluntarily

Whats the idea?

Its a foreign import itself  Danish, in fact  much like the rest of her new crackdown on so-called illegal migration. In contrast to Britain, Denmark gives migrants more than 20,000 to return whence they came.

Mahmood argues that it costs UK taxpayers about 30,000 a year to house and feed an asylum seeker, and so increasing the incentive for them to leave would save public money. Similar logic applies to foreign criminals, who number about 10,000  or 12 per cent of the total prison population in the UK.

Why cant we just deport them without paying out bribes?

Because of established principles such as habeas corpus  the right to challenge the legality of imprisonment or detention  as well as more modern human rights legislation and international conventions. No one can be bundled onto a plane without some form of due process, unless you have a police state. The rule of law applies to all, even foreign criminals.

But Mahmoods logic is impeccable?

Yes. A huge amount of money spent on administration and legal fees would be saved, and so-called asylum hotels freed up much more quickly if this idea were implemented promptly. Clearing the asylum backlog and emptying temporary accommodation sites that act as a focus for nasty protests would be a near-priceless political reward.

But logic is rarely a decisive factor in politics. A substantial body of public opinion would dispense with due process in the case of illegal migrants, as they are incorrectly termed, and those accused of crime in particular would be given no quarter. Unless Mahmood goes that far, shell need to make some political choices. Freeing up thousands of prison places and getting rid of the asylum hotels would be worth it, though.

What happens now?

Theres a row. She admits it sticks in the craw of taxpayers to pay those who shouldnt be here in the first place, particularly at a time when taxes are going up. To see if the idea works in practice, the Home Office will set up pilot schemes. A wisely cautious approach.

What about the rest of her plan?

Provided she compromises on some of the harsher suggestions, perhaps by adding some safe and secure channels for genuine refugees, shell carry the majority of her party with her in parliament. Many Labour MPs  most, perhaps  have some reservations about the crackdown but they also face an angry and hostile electorate threatening to put Nigel Farage into No 10. Labour ratings as low as 15 per cent have concentrated minds.

How does she see it?

She says she doesnt care if Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, commonly known as Tommy Robinson, welcomes her policy as a victory for patriots; her job is to defuse the issue and demonstrate control of Britains borders. Indeed, she enjoys taking the fight to the far right and Reform UK: Theyre making mischief, but its me thats living now rent-free in their heads because Im a politician thats willing to both acknowledge a problem and have the solutions that are needed to fix it. They just need an issue to exploit.

If Mahmood succeeds and somehow turns the tide on small boats, shell have done much to save the Labour government and further her own career.

What could go wrong?

People smugglers could tell migrants they are in for a win-win deal by crossing the Channel: asylum, and the right to work, if they are accepted, or thousands of pounds just to go away, if they are not.
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Reforms UK only member of the Welsh parliament has been suspended for using a racial slur in a WhatsApp group.

Laura Anne Jones choked back tears after the parliaments standards committee recommended she be banned for 14 days for her remarks.

Ms Jones, who defected from the Conservatives earlier this year, made the offensive remark about Chinese people in a group discussion about the Chinese-owned app TikTok in August 2023.

She wrote: No c***** spies for me.

While Ms Jones has previously issued an apology for the comment, the standards committee concluded that her actions fell far below the standards expected of a member of the Welsh parliament.

open image in gallery Laura Anne Jones, who defected from the Conservatives earlier this year, made the offensive remark about Chinese people in a group discussion about the Chinese-owned app TikTok in August 2023 ( Getty )

The chair of the standards committee, Hannah Blythyn, welcomed the fact that Ms Jones has since undertaken diversity training, but said: We are clear that inappropriate and offensive comments have no place in our Senedd or society more widely.

The conduct found in the commissioners reports falls far below the standards expected, and points to an office culture where there was little respect towards others, or any consideration of what may be found offensive.

When the suspension was confirmed on Wednesday, Ms Jones said she fully accepted the findings of the report, and added: I welcome the clear and welcome conclusion of both the police and standards commissioner, clearing me of any fraudulent activity, the police stating that there was absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing.

As for the language that I regrettably used in the private WhatsApp messages, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise once again for that in this chamber.

open image in gallery Jones has since undergone diversity training ( Getty )

I never meant to cause any offence and would never have that intention of doing so. It is deeply regrettable that the message and others in which I had aired my frustrations in private, which Ive also apologised for and do again, were leaked to the press and made public, where they had the potential of being misconstrued and hurt someone unnecessarily.

My staff and I have all completed Senedd respect and conduct training, and I have actively been in contact and helped the community that is being referred to. I have reflected deeply on this, and I wholly accept the need to take greater care with my language at all times.

The committee also looked into allegations that Ms Jones had fraudulently made false expenses claims, but found no breach of the code of conduct in that regard.

Ms Jones became emotional as she addressed the chamber, having to compose herself before describing the harrowing experience of being under investigation.

She was encouraged to take [her] time before continuing.

She said the process had had a negative impact on her family and had been hugely detrimental to her mental health. I wouldnt wish this, what Ive had to experience, on my worst enemy, she said.
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A Russian spy ship that targeted RAF pilots with lasers threatens our economics and our way of life, a defence minister has warned.

Al Carns hit out after the vessel, the Yantar, was found operating off the northern coast of Scotland and pointed lasers at the surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities.

No one was injured, he told MPs, but the move was a highly dangerous and reckless attempt to disrupt our surveillance.

open image in gallery Russian spy ship Yantar is operating off the northern coast of Scotland ( PA )

In a defiant message to Moscow, he added: We will not let the Yantar go unchallenged as it attempts to survey our infrastructure, and we will work with our allies to ensure that Russia knows that any attempt to disrupt or damage underwater infrastructure will be met with the firmest of responses.

But James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, warned this was a serious escalation by Russian forces in close proximity to our homeland.

The Russian embassy in the UK has accused the government of being Russophobic and whipping up militaristic hysteria.

The Ministry of Defence has said the ship is part of a Russian programme driven by what is called the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research and designed to have capabilities which can undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict.

The RAF pilots targeted by lasers, during the incursion that is understood to have happened within the past fortnight, had been monitoring the ships activities after it breached UK waters for the second time this year.

open image in gallery Defence minister Al Carns said the ships laser was a highly dangerous attempt to disrupt our surveillance ( Alamy/PA )

Mr Carns told the House of Commons: The UK understands that the Yantar is but one in a fleet to threaten our critical national underwater infrastructure and pose a threat, indeed, to our economics and our way of life. Russia has been developing a military capable to use against critical underwater infrastructure for decades.

On Wednesday, defence secretary John Healey said the UK was exploring military options if the ship sails closer to British shores and was ready to respond if it heads south from its current position.

He said: We take it extremely seriously. I've changed the navys rules of engagement so that we can follow more closely, monitor more closely, the activities of the Yantar when its in our wider waters.

We have military options ready should the Yantar change course. Im not going to reveal those because that only makes President Putin wiser.

The laser attack emerged after a damning new report by MPs warned that Britain is not ready to defend itself from a major attack.

The Commons defence committee issued a stark message about the UKs ability to fight a war and meet its Nato obligations in the wake of Putins war in Ukraine, saying Britain does not currently have a plan to protect itself.
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Amid unprecedented cuts to HIV/Aids response globally, and to mark World AIDS Day, the Institute of Contemporary Arts is screening The Independents searing documentary about the deadly impact of the collapse of USAID funding.

Death Sentence, which was filmed across Uganda and Zimbabwe, reveals first-hand the fatal consequences of the abrupt collapse of USAID this year and offers a grim insight into a world if funding cuts by other countries including the UK go ahead as well.

The documentary paints a stark picture of the human cost of his USAID cuts to PEPFAR, the USs global response to HIV/AIDS, which has saved millions of lives and long been considered one of the most successful health initiatives of our time. Speaking to The Independent in the film, President Donald Trump defended the decision and accused European countries of failing to contribute to the global HIV response.

But with no safety nets, and no time to secure alternative support, HIV patients are dying after losing access to medication, mothers are unable to prevent transmission to their unborn babies, infections are soaring and medics are forced to work for free with shrinking supplies.

Following cuts by other major international donors, the abrupt pause in US funding at the beginning of the year delivered a systemic shock to the global AIDS response, said Christine Stegling, UNAIDSs Deputy Executive Director who is due to speak at the ICA event on 30 November.

Children have been lost to treatment, young women have been deprived of HIV prevention programmes and vulnerable communities have been left without care.

open image in gallery The staff at this HIV/AIDS clinic in Jinja, Uganda are working for free after losing all their US funding - they fear running out of drugs ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

The pressure has now increased as more countries have followed suit, she added.

This month the UK reduced 150 million dollars from its previous contributions to the Global Fund fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, putting some 250,000 lives at risk, according to The Independents own reporting.

Further cuts to foreign aid that will impact HIV and AIDS programmes are expected as part of plans to shift money away from international development to pay for defence.

The world had been on track to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030. Instead, millions more could die if these cuts remain in place in full.

open image in gallery Hardlife, 15, and Shallom, 16 separately lost their parents to HIV in the last few months - Chimanimani, Zimbabwe ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

But UNAIDSs Stegling said there is hope.

If donors lean in today and invest in new innovations like long acting injectable medicines that prevent new HIV infections, the AIDS response can be transformed and future treatment costs drastically reduced, she added.

It will be screened at the ICA on 30 November, followed by a panel including Lord Chris Smith, Chancellor of Cambridge University and former Secretary of State alongside MSF's lead on chronic diseases, Charles Ssonko, and MSI's Tanzania Country Director, Patrick Kinemo.

Purchase tickets here: https://ica.art/death-sentence-the-real-cost-of-trump-s-aid-cuts-on-hiv

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A Nigerian court has handed separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu a life sentence after convicting him on all seven terrorism-related charges.

The verdict, delivered on Thursday, concludes a decade-long trial that has heightened tensions across the country's southeast.

Judge James Omotosho stated that prosecutors successfully demonstrated how Kanu's broadcasts and directives to his now-proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group instigated fatal assaults on both security forces and civilians.

This violence was part of his campaign for an independent Biafra state for the ethnic Igbo-dominated region. The region previously attempted to secede as the Republic of Biafra in 1967, sparking a three-year civil war that claimed over a million lives.

Security was tight around the Abuja court amid fears of protests and violence. Analysts warn that the conviction could stoke separatist sentiment and complicate efforts to restore calm in the region, where authorities blame IPOB for a wave of deadly attacks.

Omotosho declined the prosecutors' request for a death penalty, saying he must "temper justice with mercy" despite Kanu's arrogance and lack of remorse.

open image in gallery Prosecutors successfully demonstrated how Kanu's broadcasts and directives to his now-proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group instigated fatal assaults on both security forces and civilians ( AP foto )

"The death sentence globally is being frowned upon by the international community so consequently and in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment," he said.

"His intention was quite clear as he believed in violence. These threats of violence were nothing but terrorist acts, which were duly carried out by his followers," Omotosho said.

Kanu also got a combined 25 years in jail for two of the charges, without the option of a fine, which will all run concurrently. He has a 90-day window to file an appeal.

Angry Kanu argues he did not get a fair trial

Kanu, who has been in custody since his controversial re-arrest in Kenya in 2021, shouted angrily during the proceedings and was kicked out of court ahead of the ruling. He had argued that his unlawful extradition from Kenya undermined any chance of a fair trial.

Thursday's judgment followed months of legal drama that included four different judges. The government closed its case after calling five witnesses, but Kanu refused to open his defence, arguing that Nigeria's terrorism law had been repealed and that the charges were invalid.

His no-case submission was dismissed in September after sacking his legal team in open court, and the judge gave him multiple opportunities to present a defence.

Earlier in November, Omotosho ruled that Kanu had squandered a six-day window allotted for his defence and the court had no option but to close the case.

Kanu, a dual Nigerian-British citizen, first faced charges in 2015 and briefly secured bail in 2017 before fleeing the country.
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A childrens advocacy group is urging parents not to buy AI-powered toys for their kids, ahead of the holiday season.

Fairplay, a group that describes itself as advocating for putting kids needs ahead of corporate greed, says that toys with inbuilt chatbots can encourage violence and even make explicit sexual remarks.

The serious harms that AI chatbots have inflicted on children are well-documented, including fostering obsessive use, having explicit sexual conversations, and encouraging unsafe behaviors, violence against others, and self-harm, a statement from Fairplay said.

The nonprofit groups advisory has already been signed by more than 150 organizations, educators, and child psychiatrists.

The director of the groups Young Children Thrive Offline Program, Rachel Franz, has also said that, although toys often market themselves as educational, they can actually harm childrens development.

open image in gallery A family advocacy group has urged parents not to buy their children AI powered toys ahead of the holiday system ( The Public Interest Network )

Whats different about young children is that their brains are being wired for the first time and developmentally it is natural that for them to be trustful, for them to seek relationships with kind and friendly characters, Franz said in a statement seen by ABC News.

An MIT professor, Sherry Turkle, also added her name to the advisory, calling the threat posed by the toys existential.

There is only harm when a child has an AI friend, and thats why its critical that families resist purchasing these much-hyped toys for children, she warned.

A report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, titled Trouble in Toyland, says that A.I. toys, including the Miko 3 robot and the talking Hello Barbie doll, use large language models similar to those used by adult chatbots.

The Trouble in Toyland report found that some toys, including the Miko 3, used higher guardrails to protect kids. The Miko toy was found to advise children that I think a grown-up could help explain it better, when asked an inappropriate question.

However, that same toy told testers at the U.S. PIRG Education Fund where to find plastic bags, as well as matches, even when the user age was set to 5.

open image in gallery OpenAIs tools will soon be included in toys produced by Mattel, which owns the iconic Barbie brand ( AP )

Mattels partnership with OpenAI has been controversial, due to the tech company facing seven lawsuits claiming that ChatGPT drove people to suicide and harmful delusions.

According to a corporate press release, the toymaker will incorporate OpenAIs tools into its business operations, but confirmed plans to reimagine new forms of play using the technology.

Each of our products and experiences is designed to inspire fans, entertain audiences, and enrich lives through play, Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer at Mattel, said. AI has the power to expand on that mission and broaden the reach of our brands in new and exciting ways.

Our work with OpenAI will enable us to leverage new technologies to solidify our leadership in innovation and reimagine new forms of play.

The Independent has contacted OpenAI, Mattel and Miko 3 for comment.
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Despite Washingtons long-standing warnings to other nations against accepting loans from Chinese state banks, the United States has ironically emerged as the single largest recipient of such funding, a new report reveals. The security and technology implications of this extensive financial entanglement are yet to be fully understood.

Over the past quarter-century, Chinese state lenders have channelled an estimated $200 billion into American businesses. However, many of these loans were kept secret, their origins deliberately obscured by being routed through shell companies in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and Delaware, according to AidData, a research lab at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.

More alarmingly, a significant portion of this lending facilitated Chinese companies in acquiring stakes in US enterprises. These acquisitions often targeted critical national security and technology sectors, including robotics manufacturers, semiconductor firms, and biotechnology companies.

The report uncovers a far more extensive and sophisticated global lending network than previously understood. This web of financial obligations stretches beyond developing nations, encompassing affluent countries such as the UK, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and other key US allies.

China was playing chess while the rest of us were playing checkers, said former White House investment adviser William Henagan, who worries the hidden lending has given China a chokehold on technologies. Wars will be won or lost based on whether you can control products critical to running an economy."

open image in gallery President Donald Trump has courted foreign investment ( AP )

While the U.S. still welcomes most foreign investment  and President Donald Trump has courted it  money from China has drawn particular scrutiny as the world's two biggest economies with opposing ideologies battle for global supremacy.

Deals financed by Chinas state-owned banks, the ones studied in the AidData report, are especially problematic. The lenders are controlled by China's central government and the Communist Party's Central Financial Commission, and they are directed to advance Chinas strategic goals.

In total, the AidData report found China lent more than $2 trillion from 2000 through 2023 around the world, double the highest previous estimates and a surprise to even longtime analysts of China's rise. And much of the lending to wealthy countries was focused on critical minerals and high-tech assets  rare earths and semiconductors needed for fighter jets, submarines, radar systems, precision-guided missiles and telecom networks.

The U.S., under both (former President Joe) Biden and Trump, have been beating this drum for more than a decade that Beijing is a predatory lender, said Brad Parks, executive director of AidData. The irony is very rich.

open image in gallery Biden at The Great Wall of China ( AFP/Getty )

Until now, a full accounting of China's state lending has never been published because much of the financing is buried beneath layers of secrecy, masked by Western-sounding shell companies and mislabeled by international databases as ordinary private financing.

There is a complete lack of transparency that speaks to the lengths to which China goes, whether through shell companies or confidentiality agreements or redactions, to make it extremely difficult to come up with this full picture, said Scott Nathan, the former head of the U.S. International Development Finance Corp., an agency set up in the first Trump term to invest in foreign projects deemed in the U.S. national interest.

Since the reports last documented loan in 2023, U.S. scrutiny has gotten better. Screening mechanisms, such as the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., got beefed up in 2020 to protect sensitive sectors in the economy.

But China has gotten better, too, in part by setting up banks and branches overseas  more than 100 in recent years  that then lend to offshore entities, further clouding the origins of the money.

In places where there are more cops on the beat," Parks said, it has found ways to work around barriers to entry.

open image in gallery Markets were given a lift by productive trade talks between China and the US (Alamy/PA) ( Alamy/PA )

Chinese state bank financing has touched projects across the U.S., particularly in the Northeast, the Great Lakes region, the West Coast and along the Gulf of Mexico, which Trump has renamed the Gulf of America. Many loans targeted critical high-tech industries, according to the report.

 In 2015, for instance, Chinese state-owned banks lent $1.2 billion to a private Chinese business to buy an 80% stake in Ironshore, a U.S. insurer whose clients included the Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials and undercover agents who might need help paying legal bills in case they got into trouble in their jobs.

U.S. regulators were unaware of the Chinese government involvement because the financing was funneled through a Cayman Island business with no obvious ties to China, according to the report. U.S. officials later realized the Chinese government could access information and ordered the Chinese buyer to divest.

 That same year, the Chinese government published Made in China 2025," a list of 10 high-tech areas, such as semiconductors, biotechnology and robotics, where it wanted to reach 70% self-sufficiency within a decade. The next year, in 2016, the ExportImport Bank of China, a policy bank, provided $150 million in loans to help a Chinese company buy a robotics equipment company in Michigan.

After Chinas adoption of the manufacturing master plan, the percentage of projects targeting sensitive sectors such as robotics, defense, quantum computing and biotechnology rose from 46% to 88% of Chinas portfolio for cross-border acquisition lending, according to AidData.

 In 2017, a Delaware private equity firm using a Cayman Islands company tried to buy a U.S. chip maker; the deal was blocked when investigators discovered both companies were owned by a Chinese state-owned enterprise. That same Delaware company successfully bought a U.K. semiconductor maker that had to be divested when British authorities found out.

 And in 2022, the U.K. forced a Chinese company to divest another sensitive British firm in the industry, a designer of chips in Apple phones but potentially adaptable for military systems. The Chinese company had bought it through a company in the Netherlands that they owned. That Dutch firm is now accused of withholding semiconductors vital to automakers in the U.S.-China trade war.

Following the money

To trace China's hidden lending, AidData dug through regulatory filings, private contracts and stock exchange disclosures in more than 200 countries written in multiple languages.

The effort to track China's state loans and investment started more than a decade ago when Beijing launched its Belt & Road Initiative to build infrastructure in developing countries. The project expanded sharply three years ago when the AidData team, which eventually grew to 140 researchers, realized many of the loans were landing in advanced economies such as the U.S., Australia, the Netherlands and Portugal, where acquisitions could allow it to access technology that Beijing considers essential to its global rise.

The report says the findings show a shift in the use of state credit from promoting economic development and social welfare to gaining geo-economic advantages.

Theres global concern that this is part of a concerted effort to gain control over economic chokepoints and use this leverage, said Brad Setser, an adviser to the U.S. Trade Representative in the Biden administration. Its important that we understand what theyre doing, and they dont make it easy.
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Hunger exists everywhere in the U.S., thanks to increasing living costs, a lack of public infrastructure, health problems and socioeconomic barriers to access.

Nearly 50 million Americans face food insecurity on a daily basis, some 13 million of whom are children. And more than 50 million have turned to food banks and pantries for help, according to the non-profit Feeding America.

Now, new requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients could make matters worse, experts say.

"I think millions of people are going to lose food. ... There's no question this is going to create more harm and suffering and hunger," Joel Berg, CEO of the nonprofit hunger relief organization Hunger Free America, told ABC News.

While food banks hope people will donate money and food to meet demands, some donations are better than others.

open image in gallery Food banks want people to donate. But what you donate matters ( Getty Images )

Perishable items

Food that needs refrigeration, leftovers and anything perishable is a big no-no.

Food banks wont accept dairy or produce that can spoil easily and some places likely dont have the refrigerator or freezer space needed to keep items fresh.

And while donating Thanksgiving leftovers seems like a nice gesture in the spirit of the holiday, food banks cannot accept anything made in personal kitchens because they are not individually sealed and the food bank cannot verify the ingredients or the preparation process.

The same goes for baked goods.

Fortunately, many food banks have relationships with local restaurants and bakeries to provide bread and produce to pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

While an individual cant donate a bunch of bananas or a frozen turkey, many food banks do work directly with farmers, retailers, restaurants and other companies to source these perishable foods for donation, Feeding America explained.

Consider canned items with high protein and low sodium, such as beans, nut butter, canned protein and low sodium vegetables.

Expired food

This may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes we forget to check the label of canned goods that last for a while.

Avoid donating anything past the use by or sell by date on cans.

Home-canned foods should be used within one year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

High acid foods such as tomatoes and other fruit will keep their best quality up to 18 months; low acid foods such as meat and vegetables, two to five years, the department notes.

open image in gallery Donating food with packaging concerns can be harmful to recipients and food bank workers ( Getty Images )

Food with packaging concerns

Food with packaging concerns can be hazardous to both food bank workers and recipients.

Items in glass containers can shatter easily, causing concerns for any other food theyre store near.

And dented or bloated cans could lead to botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by the toxin Clostridium botulinum that can lead to difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.

While extremely rare, a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum is the worst danger in canned goods. NEVER USE food from containers that show possible "botulism" warnings: leaking, bulging, or badly dented cans; cracked jars or jars with loose or bulging lids; canned food with a foul odor; or any container that spurts liquid when opening, the Department of Agriculture says.

Even a minuscule amount of botulinum toxin can be deadly.
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A disabled man has been hospitalized after he was stung by more than 400 bees when a rogue swarm attacked several people in a southwest Las Vegas neighborhood.

The bees reportedly escaped from a nearby bee-keepers property last week, then swarmed residents of an assisted-living home, many of whom had limited mobility.

Louis Smith, 38, a resident of the facility, had to be taken to the hospital after he was stung more than 400 times.

His mother, Shelia Williams, told Fox5 News that doctors had told her he is far from out of the clear despite being released from the hospital.

By the time the paramedics got there, Louis was fully covered with bees. They couldnt even see his shirt, Williams said.

Images and videos show the residents of the care home covered in marks from numerous bee stings.

The doctor got on the phone and said, Maam, this was a medical emergency, and I said, Why? and he said, Because he got stung by over 400 bees, Williams said.

open image in gallery Louis Smith, who has limited mobility, was stung over 400 times by bees ( FOX5 )

Fellow resident Robert Deviese was also attacked, and so were several staff members. Deviese, like Smith, also has limited mobility and said he was helpless as the bees stung him repeatedly.

We went outside the gate, they started swarming Louis, and then they swarmed me. The fire department had to come hose us down, he said.

According to Fox5, who spoke to the bee-keeping neighbor, he currently has six colonies, totalling more than 20,000 bees, which he has collected over the past eight years. He declined to give his name or be interviewed on camera.

Beekeeping in Las Vegas is not regulated, with keepers not required to hold any permit; however, they are supposed to post signage warning people about the location of the bees.

open image in gallery Africanized honey bees, or killer bees as they are sometimes known, have killed people and animals (  - stock.adobe.com )

However, in other parts of Nevada, such as Clark County and parts of Nye and Lincoln counties, strict rules and quarantines are in place due to the presence of Africanized honey bees  also known as killer bees.

Killer bees are hybrids produced initially by crossbreeding of the African honey bee with various European honey bee subspecies, such as the Italian honey bee and the Iberian honey bee.

Typically, much more defensive than their European cousins, they are known to react to disturbances faster and chase people farther than other varieties of honey bees. They are blamed for the deaths of around 1,000 humans, with victims receiving 10 times as many stings as from European honey bees. They have also killed horses and other animals.

News of the bee attack in Las Vegas comes immediately after news of another attack in Arizona, in which children at a junior school taking part in a fire drill were swarmed by bees, leading to the discovery of a 70-pound killer bee nest on the edge of the schools playing field.

open image in gallery A close up shot of an Africanized bees face ( Brian - stock.adobe.com )

In the U.S., bee sting season tends to run from spring through late fall, with the highest likelihood of stings from late summer to early fall. This is sometimes called "angry bee season" because bees and wasps become more aggressive as dwindling food sources prompt them to prepare for winter.
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A United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing last month after an unknown item struck the planes windshield was confirmed to be an apparent weather balloon, according to the NTSB.

According to the captain, while established in cruise flight at flight level, he noticed an object distant on the horizon. But before he was able to mention the object to the first officer, the object make impact with the windshield, according to the report.

WindBorne Systems Inc. reported that they lost contact with one of their global sounding balloons (GSBs) that was in the vicinity of the airplane at the time of the accident.

The GSB system consists of a balloon envelope filled with lift gas, an avionics package for flight control, communications, and sensing, and a ballast system for altitude control.

According to Windborne, the GSBs are designed with the intent to minimize harm in the event of an impact during flight or landing.

The impact resulted in both pilots being showered with pieces of glass, the NTSBs report said. No one else on board was injured.

NTSB issues the preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of the Oct. 16 incident in which a United Airlines Boeing 737-8 struck an object while in cruise flight near Moab, Utah. Download the report PDF: https://t.co/9tJEIJA61J pic.twitter.com/KMuoOxl4Fs  NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) November 20, 2025

The captain sustained multiple superficial lacerations to his right arm; the first officer was uninjured.

The Oct. 16 flight from Denver to Los Angeles was diverted to Salt Lake City.

On Thursday, United flight 1093 landed safely in Salt Lake City to address damage to its multilayered windshield, the statement from United Airlines read at the time of the incident.

We arranged for another aircraft to take customers to Los Angeles later that day and our maintenance team is working to return the aircraft to service.

A 2023 report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimated that there is a one trillion to one probability of a piece of space debris fatally damaging an aircraft.

The report also anticipated that the number of hazardous fragments surviving reentries each year will reach 28,000 by 2035.
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The U.S. Coast Guard will reportedly no longer consider swastikas, nooses, or the Confederate flag to be hate symbols, according to forthcoming guidelines obtained by The Washington Post, though the service branch denies changing its stance towards such imagery.

Under the guidelines reported by the paper, these symbols will instead be considered potentially divisive imagery, though flying the Confederate flag will remain banned.

We dont deserve the trust of the nation if were unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas, an anonymous Coast Guard official who has seen the alleged guidelines told the paper.

The Coast Guard strongly disputed that it was softening its policy towards these symbols.

The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false, Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, said in a statement to The Independent. These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy. Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished.

open image in gallery The Washington Post reports that new Coast Guard guidelines taking effect December 15 will downgrade swastikas, nooses, and the Confederate flag from hate symbols to potentially divisive imagery, though the service branch denies it is softening its stance on hate iconography ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of the Coast Guard, said that reports of a change in its hate symbol policy are fake.

This is an absolute ludicrous lie and unequivocally false, according to an X post from Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS.

Lene Mees de Tricht, a veteran of the Coast Guard and Navy, called the reported proposal disgusting. Mees de Tricht, who is Jewish and whose grandfather was injured fighting the Nazis in WWII, said the guidelines were not only personally offensive but strategically foolish and could harm unit cohesion on the high seas.

It is the obvious and inevitable end of the culture war that Secretary of Defense Hegseth and the Trump admin more broadly have been waging, Mees de Tricht, who now works with the progressive veterans advocacy group Common Defense, told The Independent. Its so incredibly wrongheaded. It almost feels like theyre trying to pick the wrongest opinion you could possibly have and decide to die on that hill.

open image in gallery The alleged guidance change comes after other Trump administration shake-ups at the Coast Guard, including the removal of Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead it, from her post ( AP/Getty )

Democratic leaders reacted in shock to the alleged potential policy shift.

Swastikas are a symbol of Nazis and violent antisemitism, and they should NEVER be tolerated in our country  much less by our military, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington wrote on X. This is absolutely horrific.

These are things that shouldnt be up for debate: swastikas, nooses, and the confederate flag, Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky wrote on X. These are hate symbols  theres no grey area here.

The alleged change in Coast Guard rules follows a season of upheaval under the Trump administration, which has cracked down against what it sees as rampant wokeness in the nations military branches and government agencies.

Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead the Coast Guard, was removed upon the president taking office, reportedly because the Trump administration took issue with what it believed was an excessive focus on diversity and inclusion efforts.

Following Fagans removal, the Coast Guard was ordered to suspend the services hazing and harassment policy, which included guidance that the swastika, noose, and Confederate flag were symbols whose display, presentation, creation, or depiction would constitute a potential hate incident, according to the Post.

Elsewhere in the military, the Trump administration has reinstated images and names tied to Confederate figures.
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Former President George W. Bush remembered his Vice President, Dick Cheney, as being devoted to protecting the United States, in a eulogy at his funeral in Washington, D.C., Thursday, which was attended by former presidents and vice presidents  but not President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Cheney, who served under Bush from 2001 to 2009 as one of the most influential  and controversial  vice presidents in modern American history, died earlier this month aged 84.

Two former presidents, Bush and Joe Biden, stood in attendance, along with four former vice presidents, Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle, as Cheney was remembered for his decades of public service and dedication to the country.

Sitting presidents typically attend the funerals of former presidents and vice presidents, but Trump and Vance were not invited to attend the memorial service Thursday morning at Washington National Cathedral, a source told CNN.

The apparent snub reflected the dramatic falling-out between the Cheney family and Trump following the events of January 6, 2021, when a pro-Trump mob attacked the Capitol to try to disrupt the formalizing of Bidens victory in the previous years election.

open image in gallery Former Vice President Dick Cheneys funeral was held in Washington, D.C., on Thursday ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

open image in gallery Cheneys funeral was attended by several former presidents and vice presidents, but not President Donald Trump or Vice President JD Vance ( AFP via Getty Images )

open image in gallery Lynne Cheney, right, Dick Cheneys widow, former Rep. Liz Cheney, left, and other family members arrive at the National Cathedral ( Getty Images )

While delivering his eulogy on Thursday morning, Bush recalled how Cheney had been helping him choose a running mate when he realized the best choice for the vice president was the man sitting in front of me.

"At such a moment, most in this position would have jumped at the chance. But Dick stayed detached and he analyzed it. Before I made my decision, he insisted on giving me a complete rundown of all the reasons I should not choose him," Bush said.

"In the end, I trusted my judgment. I remember my dad's words when I told him what I was planning. He said, 'Son, you couldn't pick a better man,'" he added.

Bush said that in 2004, Cheney had offered to resign if Bush, who was seeking re-election, wanted to replace him, but after four years of seeing how he treated people, how he carried responsibility, how he handled pressure and took the hits, I arrived back at the conclusion that they do not come any better than Dick Cheney.

Meanwhile, Cheneys daughter, former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney said her dad knew you couldn't truly appreciate what it means to live in freedom if you didn't understand the sacrifices of the generations who came before, noting that he made sure his daughters and grandchildren knew as well.

She told mourners that her father "thought deeply about what this blessing meant, about the duties it imposed."

"My dad's devotion to America was deep and substantive," she added.

Appearing to reference the divide in the Republican Party that pitted her against Trump, and even led to her losing her congressional seat in Wyoming, she praised her father as someone who knew that bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans.

Tributes were also shared by several of Cheneys grandchildren, who appeared emotional when speaking about their grandfathers impact on their lives. Cheneys longtime cardiologist, Jonathan Reiner, and former NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, who was Cheneys spokesman at the Pentagon, also spoke his praise.

open image in gallery Military body bearers carry the casket containing the remains of former Vice President Dick Cheney during his funeral at the National Cathedral on November 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. ( Getty )

open image in gallery Former president Joe Biden shakes hands with his vice president  and successor as 2024 Democratic presidential nominee  Kamala Harris, as Jill Biden looks on ( AFP via Getty Images )

open image in gallery Former vice president Mike Pence speaks to CNN journalist Jeff Zeleny outside the church ( AP )

Cheney, whose political career spanned five decades, died earlier this month from complications related to pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, which he battled most of his adult life. He was 84.

In addition to serving as Bushs vice president, Cheney was also the defense secretary for President George H.W. Bush and chief of staff for President Gerald Ford. He also served 10 years as Wyomings sole representative to the House, a job his daughter, Liz, later took on.

While Cheney was a longtime conservative who endorsed Trumps 2016 campaign, he spent the final years of his life speaking out against the current administration.

Cheney and his daughter Liz became regular targets of Trump during his most recent re-election campaign due to their fierce criticism of the then-former-president. His daughter had long been a target of Trumps after holding a prominent role in the congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite rarely appearing in public during his later years, Cheney was featured in a political advertisement for his daughter in 2022 to denounce Trump.

In our nations 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump, Cheney said, calling the now-president a coward.

A real man wouldnt lie to his supporters. He lost his election, and he lost big. I know it. He knows it, and deep down, I think most Republicans know, Cheney said in the advertisement.

open image in gallery Two former vice presidents  Democrat Al Gore, left, and Republican Dan Quayle  speaking ahead of the service ( AP )

open image in gallery Two former House speakers  Republican John Boehner, left, and Democrat Nancy Pelosi, right  arrive for Cheneys funeral ( REUTERS )

According to his daughter, Cheney endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Meanwhile, the current president, Trump, said little about Cheney following his death on November 3. Trump didnt make a statement about Cheneys death and did not issue a presidential proclamation, which typically follows the death of notable figures.

After Cheneys death, the White House lowered its flags to half-staff, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt said was in accordance with statutory law.

Cheney was considered by many to be one of the most influential vice presidents in recent history, although some of his policies proved highly controversial, especially in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks on the U.S. in 2001.

He was seen as one of the architects of the War on Terror, which included the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the implementation of the Patriot Act  which extended the governments surveillance powers  and the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, condemned as torture by critics, against terror suspects.

open image in gallery Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley walks with MS NOW host Rachel Maddow ( REUTERS )

open image in gallery More than 1,000 people were expected to attend the invite-only memorial service ( REUTERS )

Earlier in his career, as defense secretary in 1991, he helped plan U.S. involvement in the First Gulf War, following Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseins invasion of Kuwait.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq in particular proved a catalyst for fierce opposition both in the United States and around the world. President Bushs administration and its allies were accused of building a false pretext for invasion by claiming that Saddam was developing weapons of mass destruction and that he may be linked to Al-Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the 9/11 attacks.

The war saw thousands of combatants and civilians killed and wounded and was blamed for devastating the region and eventually leading to the rise of the Islamic State terror group.

Cheney later stood by the decision to invade Iraq, telling the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2014: I would do it again in a minute.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne; his daughters, Liz and Mary; and seven grandchildren.
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We have nothing to hide, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social as he urged House Republicans to back the release of files related to the late pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Yet even though the president swivelled a stunning 180 degrees last weekend to reverse his previous position on the release of the files, and has said he has signed the bill, which was passed almost unanimously on Tuesday, it remains unclear precisely what the public will see.

The bill requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all materials, including internal communications, as well as investigative materials, related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, within 30 days of the bill being enacted.

But the bill also sets out essential clauses governing what, ultimately, can be released into the public domain.

The enormous cache of documents, of which 20,000 pages were already released last week, is said to include witness statements, as well as electronic and physical evidence gathered by federal agents and prosecutors during two major investigations into Epstein.

open image in gallery Attorney General Pam Bondi must now release the Epstein files within 30 days ( Getty )

This includes 40 computers and other electronic devices, 26 storage drives, more than 70 CDs, and six recording devices  which together hold more than 300 gigabytes of data, according to the Justice Department.

A further 60 pieces of physical evidence include hard copies of photographs, pages of handwritten notes, employee lists, and travel logs  which could reveal who visited Epstein and when.

Included within this cache is a large volume of images of Epstein, images and videos of victims who are either minors or appear to be minors, and over ten thousand downloaded videos and images of illegal child sex abuse material and other pornography, the DOJ said.

Trump had long dismissed the files as a political distraction and accused the Democrats of pushing a hoax. But simmering voter outrage has piled pressure on politicians to act, forcing a rift between Trump and some allies in Congress.

Now, there are concerns that the bills wording will allow Bondi to redact specific passages, names, and details.

Her ability to do this is limited to specific areas of concern, including documents that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, as well as items that contain personally identifiable information about victims, which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

open image in gallery Epstein victim Marina Lacerda speaks at a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3 ( Getty )

Child sexual abuse materials and images related to death, physical abuse, or injury, can be  and are expected to be  redacted under the terms of the bill.

For any redacted or withheld evidence, the DOJ is required to provide a written justification within 15 days of its public release.

However, the bill also stipulates that no record shall be withheld, delayed, or redacted based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.

The bills redaction allowances for elements related to an active investigation could include those named by the president when the first 20,000-page trove of evidence was released last week, as Trump ordered an investigation into top Democrats.

open image in gallery According to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, these pictures were captured by White House photographer Ralph Alswang on Sept. 29, 1993 ( Bill Clinton Presidential Library )

Trump singled out Democratic politicians and donors mentioned in the documents email exchanges, including former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, TheNew York Timesreported.

This is another Russia, Russia, Russia Scam, with all arrows pointing to the Democrats, Trump wrote on social media on Friday. Records show that these men, and many others, spent large portions of their life with Epstein, and on his Island. Stay tuned!!!

Despite Trump signing the bill, Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said he believes there is a risk that Trump will play games with the files.

For months, Donald Trump and his White House have done everything in their power to defy and deceive the American people and keep the Epstein Files buried. Now  as his approval ratings plummet to the lowest level of this term  hes suddenly had a change of heart. But we can see where this is headed: Hes already threatening to play games with the files that are released and those that are withheld, Martin said.

How the House vote on release of the Epstein files came about

While the 427 to 1 vote  with five members not voting  suggests a unified desire among US politicians to release the files, the path to it was anything but.

Trumps spectacular U-turn came days after a petition to hold a vote on the release of the documents, and of evidence held by the Department of Justice, gained enough support to move forward.

Until last weekend, the vote had been backed mainly by Democrats, whom Trump accused of fueling a hoax. But some Republicans had also pushed for complete transparency after months of speculation and delay.

open image in gallery Simmering voter outrage has piled pressure on politicians to act ( Getty )

Many of Trumps most loyal supporters believe the government is withholding sensitive documents about Epstein that would reveal the late financiers ties to influential public figures.

Trump, late on Friday, withdrew his support for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, long one of his staunchest supporters in Congress, following her criticism of Republicans on specific issues, including the handling of the Epstein files.

Amid growing bipartisan pressure, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson eventually said he would hold a House vote to take that weapon out of [the Democrats] hands.

Under pressure, Trumps volte-face saw him switch from batting the issue away to suddenly urging Republicans to pass the measure and saying he would sign it if it also passed in the Senate.

In the gallery of the House, many of Epsteins survivors gathered and watched the final tally. When it passed, the floor erupted into applause.

The next day, Trump announced he had signed the bill.

Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES! the president wrote.

At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. Do not forget  The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him, he added.

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

MAGA divided

During his election campaign, Trump promised to release the files. The circumstances around Epsteins death  he took his own life in prison while awaiting trial  along with the wide-reaching array of high-profile names implicated, have fuelled speculation and conspiracy around the case.

What has been released so far has not been deemed sufficient by campaigners and politicians. Trumps MAGA base had long been split over whether to back the Presidents claim that the files are a Democrat-inspired hoax or demand their release.

An FBI memo concluding there was no client list did not help the rift, nor ambiguities around surveillance footage from a camera near to Epsteins prison cell the night before he was found dead.

Trumps loyalist base is not easily moved. But how the Epstein files are now delivered to the public is a major political operation that Trump will want to control carefully, given the high risk of widening fissures between the president and key elements of his party.
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Now that President Donald Trump has signed a bill to force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, the DOJ will have 30 days to share all documents related to the late convicted sex offender.

Congress rushed through the Epstein Files Transparency Act after months of resistance from Trump and Republican House leadership.

I have just signed the bill to release the Epstein files! Trump wrote in all-caps in a Truth Social post Wednesday night. Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories.

A drawn-out fight by survivors of Epsteins abuse, MAGA, rebel GOP reps and Democrats culminated in the bill clearing the House and the Senate Tuesday.

The legislation calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the remaining unclassified records in the case relating to the disgraced financier, who died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he had signed a bill to force the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ( REUTERS )

Epstein survivors and campaigners were jubilant as they watched the bill sail through the upper chamber, but questions remain as to when the files might finally be released, particularly because Bondi still has the power to redact and omit certain records.

So far, the Justice Department has stayed silent on how it will proceed, and there is some trepidation that Bondi could put the brakes on the release of the files, despite the newly signed bill.

What is in the Epstein Files Transparency Act?

The legislation calls on Bondi to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials held by the Justice Department, FBI and each U.S. Attorneys Office related to Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days.

It also calls for files to be released that relate to individuals, including government officials, named or referenced in connection with criminal activities in the case, and any corporate, nonprofit, academic or governmental entities with known or alleged ties to the trafficking or financial networks of Jeffrey Epstein.

But the bill also gives Bondi the power to withhold records that contain sensitive information about a victim or child witness, depict or contain child pornography or any image of death, physical abuse or injury of any person.

Crucially, the bill also states that Bondi can withhold or redact documents that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or prosecution, or contain information specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret, citing national defense or foreign policy.

How did Trump go from opposing the bill to signing it?

Trump initially strongly opposed the bill, calling the few Republicans who supported the measure from the start weak.

Even in his announcement of the bills signing, the president referred to the Epstein files as a Democrat hoax.

But on Sunday, Trump made a surprising U-turn, telling House Republicans to support the bill after a growing number of GOP lawmakers signaled theyd back the measure.

He later promised to sign the bill if it got through the House and the Senate  though Trump had the power all along to order the release of the files with or without Congress.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was deeply disappointed that the Senate approved the bill without making further amendments, and said he and Trump both have concerns.

open image in gallery Trump initially strongly opposed the bill, calling the few Republicans who supported the measure from the start weak ( Getty )

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told CNN that he believed 30 days would be a more than sufficient time for the Justice Department to release the files.

Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Eric Schmitt also told CNN the Justice Department should comply with the bill and release the files.

What has the Department of Justice said?

The department has kept relatively quiet about the bill to release the files.

Bondi addressed the Epstein files saga on her X account on last Friday, where she responded to a Truth Social post from Trump instructing her to launch an investigation into Epsteins Democratic associates.

Thank you, Mr. President. SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton is one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country, and Ive asked him to take the lead, Bondi said. As with all matters, the Department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Bondi said the department will continue to follow the law, when asked what her plan was after Congress passed the bill.

Now the biggest question that remains is whether the Trump administration will argue that this investigation means that the documents cannot be released.

open image in gallery Bondi invited right-wing influencers to a White House photo-op where they received binders of documents containing information largely already in the public domain ( AFP via Getty Images )

Bondi has already faced the wrath of MAGA after claiming in February that the files were sitting on [her] desk, and invited right-wing influencers to a White House photo-op where they received binders of documents containing information largely already in the public domain.

Then, the Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo in July, effectively drawing a line under the case by stating that no further documents would be released.

Since then, the issue has refused to die down, and the White House became engulfed in a months-long controversy.

A former White House lawyer in Trumps first term, Ty Cobb, told CNN that he believed that Bondi would stop the release of the files by citing the ongoing investigation.

I think [Trump] and Bondi have determined that they'll try to use Trump-ordered 'investigations' of Democrats  but not Republicans, as he stated  as a bar to producing anything, Cobb told the network.

I think it'll be a long time before we see anything, although there are certain documents that could be easily produced.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said it was a very reasonable concern.

Theres no reason to believe that theyre going to behave in any kind of independent fashion, particularly now that Donald Trump has, once again, charged the Department of Justice with weaponizing the federal government against people he perceives to be his political adversaries, the Democrat said.
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Kristi Noems Department of Homeland Security ripped off a post on X written by a manliness influencer in an unoriginal push to justify the removal of migrants.

The department posted Thursday, and the message was almost identical to one posted the day before by a user behind an account called the path to manliness, which claims to be helping men become dangerous, disciplined and respected.

It blamed migrants for rent being too high, groceries costing too much, women feeling unsafe walking down the street, terrible traffic and expensive healthcare.

Noems team appeared inspired by the influencer, who mused, It blows my mind how this is hard for people to understand in his original post, shared Wednesday.

The official government account posted an almost word-for-word version Thursday morning to its 2.8 million followers, but took out the claim that an extra 20 million people were to blame for the issues.

open image in gallery Kristi Noems Department of Homeland Security ripped off a post on X written by a manliness influencer in an push to justify the removal of migrants. ( @DHSgov/@PathToManliness/X )

Instead, the department said that there are tens of millions of illegal criminals in our country.

In the eyes of the Trump administration, all undocumented migrants are criminals despite the courts having ruled its a civil violation, not a criminal one.

The Independent has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

The influencer originally shared the post in response to another that suggested the latest anti-immigration operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, was responsible for a drop in traffic.

open image in gallery Noems team appeared inspired by the influencer, who blamed migrants for rent being too high and groceries costing too much ( Getty Images )

More than 250 were arrested in the city during the surge, which has now come to an end, according to the sheriffs office in Mecklenburg County. Targets of the Trump administration included people living in the U.S. without legal permission and those who allegedly have criminal records, yet federal officials have offered few details about those arrested.

They've also remained quiet about the scope of the enforcement operations across North Carolina and where agents will show up next, keeping communities on edge.

The crackdown in Charlotte has been met with pockets of resistance and protests.

open image in gallery The crackdown in Charlotte, which has now ended, has been met with pockets of resistance and protests ( Getty Images )

About 100 people gathered outside of a Home Depot store Wednesday where federal agents were spotted multiple times since the surge started.

Protest organizers briefly went inside the store with orange and white signs that said, ICE out of Home Depot, Protect our communities.

Just days after beginning the crackdown in North Carolina, Border Patrol agents were reportedly expected to arrive in New Orleans by the end of the week to start preparing for their next operation in southeast Louisiana.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
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Even Laura Loomer  the far-right activist who has touted 9/11 conspiracy theories  is warning Republicans that their party has a Nazi problem.

The internet personality-slash-Trump ally cited several recent incidents revealing GOP podcasters, members of Trumps administration, and young party leaders engulfed in scandals tied to anti-Jewish rhetoric. She predicted a blue wave in the midterms if Republicans dont quickly address the issue.

Im going to say it. The GOP has a Nazi problem. And the more we pretend like we dont, the worse its going to get, she wrote in a social media post Monday. We do. Dont tell me we dont.

In a follow-up post, Loomer pointed to numerous examples, including top podcasters who have made offensive comments about Jews and inflammatory TikTok trends featuring Gen Z glorifying Hitler and doing Seig Hiels.

Leaked text messages from a Telegram chat of Young Republican leaders recently exposed messages praising Adolf Hitler and suggesting that their political rivals should be sent to the gas chambers.

open image in gallery Right-wing influencer Laura Loomer tells GOP that the party has a Nazi problem and predicts Republicans will lose in the midterms unless they address it ( David Dee Delgado/Getty Images )

She specifically alluded to remarks made by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson at Charlie Kirks memorial, in which he likened Turning Point USA co-founders assassination to the death of Jesus Christ, which rabbis have denounced as antisemitic.

Last month, Carlson also came under fire for his decision to host antisemitic white supremacist activist Nick Fuentes on his show. Fuentes dined with Trump and rapper Ye, also known as Kanye West, in 2022.

President Donald Trump this week defended Carlsons decision, saying the right-wing host had "said good things about me over the years" and suggested that people have to decide if it was appropriate for him to give Fuentes a platform.

"You can't tell him who to interview, Trump said. "If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes, I don't know much about him, but if he wants to do it, get the word out... people have to decide."

The Carlson-Fuentes scandal even reached the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation after its president refused to distance himself from the former Fox News host. His refusal sparked an open rebellion from within the think tank, as several members of its antisemitism task force have resigned.

open image in gallery White supremacist Nick Fuentes appeared on Tucker Carlsons podcast last month  a move that Donald Trump defended this week ( AFP via Getty Images )

Separately, this week, Paul Ingrassia, an attorney who reportedly admitted to having a Nazi streak, took a new job in the Trump administration as the deputy general counsel at the General Services Administration, Politico reported.

The latest string of incidents have been part of a larger rift in MAGA world, where divisions were already raw as several prominent GOP lawmakers pushed for the release of the Epstein files. Trump opposed the release of the files up until this week, when the president made a stunning reversal and urged Congress to make them public.

Loomer predicted that Republicans will lose the upcoming elections as a result: Until the GOP addresses their Nazi problem, we will not win in 2026 or 2028, she wrote in another post.

This is hard for people to hear, but I am speaking the truth. There are Nihilistic Nazis larping as MAGA for the sake of undermining and destroying MAGA to hand the Left election victories.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt gave a shameless explanation for why President Donald Trump insulted a female reporter by calling her a piggy after he was asked a question about Jeffrey Epstein.

On Air Force One, Trump wagged a finger in a young female reporters face and barked, Quiet, piggy after being asked about the content of emails released by the House Oversight Committee that showed Epstein, a child sex trafficker and convicted pedophile, accusing Trump of knowing about the girls involved in his criminal operations. Trump has denied this.

On Thursday, Leavitt played off the incident as a show of the unprecedented access the press corps supposedly had to the president, as compared to Joe Biden, even as the White House has sought to push established pillars of U.S. journalism like wire services out of similar gaggles.

Look, the president is very frank, and honest with everyone in this room, Leavitt said. He gets frustrated with reporters when you lie about him, when you spread fake news about him and his administration. But he is also the most transparent president in history.

I think the president being frank and open and honest to your faces rather than hiding behind your backs is a lot more respectful than what you saw in the last administration, she added.

open image in gallery Karoline Leavitt refused to apologize for the president's sexist remark aimed at a reporter ( Getty )

The president has a long history of making sexist and rude remarks about the appearance of female members of the media, a trend that began during his first run for the presidency in 2016. That year, he said that then-Fox News anchor and debate moderator Megyn Kelly had "had blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever" after she challenged him about a host of insulting and degrading names hed used to describe various women.

At the time, Trump brushed off those concerns by snidely attributing them to his thoughts about one woman: Comedian Rosie ODonnell, one of many with whom the president has nursed a grudge over the years.

The latest blow-up between Trump and the Bloomberg reporter he described as piggy came within days of another flare-up of the presidents anger at a reporter in the Oval Office, this time over a question to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, which the CIA found he had authorized.

The two exchanges point to a broader dynamic emerging: The president seems increasingly angry with news coverage of his second administration, which at the end of its first year appears to be floundering under the pressures of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and continued economic woes in America.

Even outlets like Fox News are now reporting that the presidents second-term approval rating is at its lowest point, with less than four in 10 Americans supporting his record as president in some polling.

His treatment of women has always been a divisive and checkered part of Trumps record, enraging and disgusting many while some of his more hardline supporters are clearly attracted by it.

In the summer ahead of the 2016 general election, audio of Trump appearance on the set of Access Hollywood became a defining issue of the race as the former businessman was heard on a hot mic describing how he believed that women let famous men grab them by their genitalia. The crude and sexualized way Trump spoke about women in the clip nearly caused a GOP revolt, but the party held firm behind its nominee.

Later, Trump would go on to be found liable by a New York jury of sexual abuse in a lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll, who claimed that Trump sexually assaulted her in a New York department store in late 1995 or early 1996.

open image in gallery E. Jean Carroll successfully brought suits against Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation, and was awarded a total of $88.3 million over the two cases ( AFP via Getty Images )

As his polling woes worsen and media outlets remain fixated on the scandal surrounding his past friendship with a convicted pedophile, the president continues to be bombarded with questions about Epstein, to his great irritation.

His administration has now spent months on the topic, first using it to the presidents advantage as conservative influencers eagerly touted the White Houses supposed transparency. That dynamic quickly shifted as further releases from the investigation of Epstein, who died in a Manhattan detention center in 2019, during Trumps first term, were delayed.

Finally, the Justice Department and FBI put out a joint statement claiming that a supposed list of Epsteins clients and co-conspirators did not exist, and affirming that the administration would not publish any further documents from the probe.

That set off a firestorm online and in various political circles around the United States as the issue proved quickly to have a saliency that few others did. Congressional Democrats and four Republican members rallied behind a discharge petition aimed at forcing the administration to release the files in full, which grew into a full-scale Republican rebellion once that resolution was successfully dragged to the House floor.

open image in gallery Donald Trump is flanked by the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. At a White House meeting this week, Trump blew up at a reporter for questioning bin Salman about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, which bin Salman was found to have ordered ( Getty Images )

The story dominated headlines for weeks, and renewed this past week with the publication of new emails from Jeffrey Epsteins estate. The latest cache, released by a bipartisan committee, mention Trump multiple times in messages between Epstein and his closest confidantes; the pedophile is clear in several that he believes he has leverage over Trump due to the latters alleged connections to his child sex network.

White House officials and the president himself have repeatedly denied this, and furiously warred with Republicans for not dropping the issue. The scandal has even led to Trump lecturing his own base of voters via Truth Social postings.

"Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull****' hook, line, and sinker," he wrote in July on Truth Social.
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Sure, Marjorie Taylor Greene is currently on the outs with Donald Trump after spearheading the Republican revolt over the Epstein files in the House and laying into Speaker Mike Johnson for the GOPs continued failure to present a vision for reforming the American health care system.

But Donald Trump is also famously a man who understands the value of making peace with conservatives, rather than war, when it serves his purposes.

Take Greenes fellow Republican on the discharge petition, Rep. Nancy Mace, as an example. Trump famously endorsed against her as recently as 2022, backing a Republican state representative in a failed primary bid to unseat the one-term congresswoman. But Mace, despite her thin resume on the Hill, won re-election easily  and Trump, ever eager to back the winning horse, let her back into the fold.

Perhaps the most famous member of Trumpworld to be banished was Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and former DOGE chief whose roughshod run of the White House in January-April of this year rankled members of Trumps Cabinet and quickly led to the downfall of Musks political crusade as he became a political anchor around the necks of Republicans.

Reports of his erratic behavior and allegations of drug use were followed by a public feud with Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill, peaking in one stunning tweet from the X/Twitter owner who wrote (and later deleted) that Trump was mentioned prominently in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, with that being the reason for the administrations U-turn on releasing those files.

open image in gallery Elon Musk was back in Washington this week, the first time hes been invited back to the White House since his blow-up with Donald Trump earlier this year ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

But even as final as that breakup seemed to be, it didnt last. A peace brokered by Trump and Musks advisers quickly cooled into a longer period of ended hostilities, and now Musk seems to be back on the presidents good side: he was an invited guest at this weeks dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

So where does that leave MTG?

It may come down to whether Greene and her team are able (or interested) in extending an olive branch to the White House. So far, that hasnt happened and the president has embarked on a largely one-sided campaign to trash Greene whenever her name is mentioned and even called her out on Truth Social, dubbing her a traitor.

Greene, for her part, is clearly walking a tightrope. In statements and interviews with news outlets the congresswoman has made clear that she sees herself as fiercely loyal to Donald Trumps MAGA brand and even suggests that it is the president, not her, who has strayed from the path.

She outlined that view this weekend on CNN: What the American people voted for with MAGA was to put the American people first. Stop sending foreign aid, and stop being involved in foreign wars... they very much deserve to be put first.

open image in gallery Marjorie Taylor Greenes partnership with three other Republicans and a number of Democrats on the Epstein discharge petition infuriated the president ( Getty Images )

State of the Union co-host Dana Bash responded: "Sounds like you are saying that he is not representing the MAGA movement that he started?"

"Promoting H-1B visas to replace American jobs, bringing in 600,000 Chinese students to replace American students opportunities in American colleges and universities; those are not America first positions, the congresswoman said. Continuing to, really, travel all over the world doesnt help Americans back at home.

She added that she wanted to see nothing but a constant focus in the White House on a domestic agenda.

But as The Washington Post reported on Thursday, voters in Greenes district want the two to come back together, something they see as a real possibility.

open image in gallery Greene isnt the first GOP member of Congress to feel Donald Trumps wrath directly. But she, like Rep. Nancy Mace, isnt giving up the MAGA brand yet ( AP )

I love Mom, and I love Dad, and I know that deep down they love each other, Jackie Harling, Republican Party chair for Walker County, Georgia told the Post. I want Mom and Dad to make up. And I think they will.

Jim Tully, chair of the local GOP district committee, told his fellow Republicans at a recent meeting according to the Post: We got Donald Trump trying to take care of the world...Got Marjorie Taylor Greene trying to take care of the country.

Whether it will be Trump or Greene who blinks first, no one can say. It may well come down to whether Greene can survive her next election cycle; even with Trump insinuating that hed back a primary challenger against her, local Republican officials told the Post that like Mace, a challenge against Greene would be an uphill battle.

One thing to consider: Trump, as a lame duck, is now trying to steer the future of the MAGA movement and is preparing to anoint a successor in 2028. But if MAGA remains divided over issues like Jeffrey Epstein and the price hikes crushing American voters in seemingly every sector of the economy, Greene and her rebel cohorts could be well positioned to have a greater say in that vision than they would otherwise.
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A federal indictment charges U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida with stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds, laundering some of the money through straw donors to her congressional campaign and then conspiring to file a false tax return, the Justice Department announced.

Federal prosecutors accused the Democrat of stealing Federal Emergency Management Agency overpayments that her family health care company received through a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied the charges and has no plans to resign, according to a statement shared by her chief of staff.

This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment  and I am innocent. The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues, Cherfilus-McCormick's statement reads in part. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents.

Here's what to know:

What's in the indictment?

The indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Miami on Wednesday accuses Cherfilus-McCormick and several co-defendants of conspiring to steal $5 million in overpayments to her family's health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, under a 2021 contract to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Prosecutors allege the funds were distributed to various accounts, including to friends and relatives who in turn donated to the campaign that got her elected to Congress. A substantial portion of the misappropriated funds were used for the campaign or for the personal benefit of Cherfilus-McCormick and others accused, prosecutors claim.

How has she responded?

Cherfilus-McCormick maintains her innocence. She also said she's cooperated with every lawful request, and will continue to do so until this matter is resolved, according to a statement provided by her chief of staff.

Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick is a committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents. We will fight to clear her good name, wrote her attorneys David Oscar Markus, Margot Moss and Melissa Madrigal.

This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment  and I am innocent, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has said ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in January 2022 to represent Florida's 20th District in parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties after Rep. Alcee Hastings died in 2021.

What did previous investigations find?

In December 2024, a Florida state agency sued Trinity Healthcare Services, saying the company owned by Cherfilus-McCormicks family had overcharged the state by nearly $5.8 million for work done during the pandemic and wouldnt give the money back.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management said it discovered the problem after a single $5 million overpayment drew attention. Cherfilus-McCormick was the CEO of Trinity at the time.

The House Ethics Committee unanimously voted in July to reauthorize an investigative subcommittee to examine the allegations involving the congresswoman.

The Office of Congressional Ethics said in a January report that Cherfilus-McCormicks income in 2021 was more than $6 million higher than in 2020, driven by nearly $5.75 million in consulting and profit-sharing fees received from Trinity Healthcare Services.

The indictment charges Cherfilus-McCormick and her 2021 tax preparer with conspiring to file a false federal tax return by falsely claiming political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions.
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President Donald Trump lashed out at a group of House Democrats who called for troops to uphold their oaths to the Constitution by demanding that the legislators be arrested and tried for posting a social media video where they urged military members to refuse unspecified unlawful orders.

Writing Thursday on Truth Social, Trump accused senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, plus Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, New Hampshire Representative Maggie Goodlander and Pennsylvanias Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan had engaged in seditious behavior at the highest level and called the senators and representatives  all of whom are military veterans  traitors to our country who should be arrested and put on trial.

Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! he added.

In a second post written after hed deleted the previous one, Trump called the Democrats statements really bad, and Dangerous to our Country.

Trump then added: Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???

The president later posted a third message in which he repeated his all-caps accusation of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR from the lawmakers before claiming that such behavior is punishable by DEATH.

open image in gallery Trump lashed out at a group of Democratic legislators and military veterans who urged troops to uphold their oaths to the U.S. Constitution. ( Getty )

In the video at issue, the Democratic legislators warned military and intelligence personnel of what they described as threats to our Constitution that were coming from right here at home  a tacit reference to the Trump administrations aggressive interpretation of presidential power and what critics describe as the administration's frequent disregard for existing laws or norms that conflict with the presidents will.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the posts by Trump on Thursday and criticized Democrats, saying that the Department of Justice determines crimes.

What I read was he was defining the crime of sedition, he told The Independent. But obviously attorneys have to parse the language and determine all that. What I'm saying, what I will say unequivocally, that was a wildly inappropriate thing for so called leaders in Congress to do to encourage young troops to disobey orders.

The Democrats in the video also tell service members and intelligence officials that our laws are clear repeatedly remind them: You can refuse illegal orders.

The legislators exhortation to service members is a reference to Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the set of laws governing the conduct of Americas armed forces. It states that service members are required to obey any lawful general order or regulation  a category that would exclude orders to commit crimes, target civilians or noncombatants, or perform civilian law enforcement activities that have long been banned under U.S. law.

Its unclear what, if any, legal grounds would exist to prosecute the representatives and senators for urging service members not to follow illegal orders, as legislators enjoy broad immunity for statements and other acts taken in their official capacities.

Not only does the First Amendment provide broad protection for political speech, the United States has not had laws criminalizing speech against the government as sedition on the books since Congress repealed the First World War-era Sedition Act in 1920.

While there is a section of the U.S. criminal code that prohibits seditious conspiracy  a rarely used charge last employed against pro-Trump rioters who participated in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol  that provision only applies to conspiracies to levy war against the government, "oppose the government of the United States by force, or "prevent, hinder, or delay" the execution of any law by force.

Despite Trumps claim that seditious behavior is a capital offense, in fact that U.S. criminal code only provides for a punishment of imprisonment for not more than 20 years.

Yet the lack of legal grounds may not stop the Trump administration from following through on the presidents demand to arrest and prosecute the Democratic legislators.

Since his return to office, the Justice Department has brought charges against several of Trumps longtime political adversaries  including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey  over the advice of career prosecutors who advised against bringing cases against either, citing a lack of evidence.

open image in gallery The video that drew Trump'sa outrage referenced the administrations aggressive interpretation of presidential power and what critics describe as the administration's frequent disregard for existing laws or norms that conflict with the presidents will. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Crow, a former Army Ranger who served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, defended the video during a Wednesday appearance on Fox News, citing Trumps push to have National Guard soldiers shoot protesters during his first term, his recent attempts to use federalized guard soldiers for domestic law enforcement, and threats to send troops to polling stations during next years midterm elections.

He noted that Trump had made what he called a series of very disturbing comments and suggestions that would violate U.S. law and put our military in a terrible position.

I dont want to wait until that happens to remind our troops of this obligation because then it will be too late, he said.

We are standing by our troops, our service members who are often put in very difficult positions and Donald Trump has put them in very difficult positions and has alluded to putting them in even more difficult positions in the months and years ahead, so we are reminding folks about what the uniform code of military justice says, what the Constitution says, what the law of war says, he added.

The presidents latest call to prosecute members of the opposition party for protected political speech comes just a day after one of his top aides, Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, erupted in anger at the Democrats message during a Fox News interview where he accused the military veterans of having issued a general call for rebellion from the CIA and the armed services.

It is insurrection, plainly, directly, without question, Miller said.

A similar message on X posted by Miller also drew a pointed response from Kelly, a former NASA astronaut who previously served as a Naval aviator who flew 39 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.

While quoting Millers post, Kelly wrote: I got shot at serving our country in combat, and I was there when your boss sent a violent mob to attack the Capitol. I know the difference between defending our Constitution and an insurrection, even if you dont.

The video also drew a threatening response from Todd Blanche, the sitting Deputy Attorney General who previously served as Trumps personal attorney.

Speaking to Fox host Sean Hannity, Blanche denounced the members video as alarming and a disgusting and inappropriate display of supposed leadership from the Democrat [sic] Party.

I felt like I was watching a propaganda video by one of our enemies trying to recruit the military to become spies, Blanche said. He also called for the legislators to be held to account and vowed that the Justice Department would a close look at whether they had broken any laws.

The Democrats later put out a statement defending their remarks.

Whats most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law, they said in a joint statement. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.
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Republican lawmakers have warned President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that withholding any documents relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case would add fuel to the fire.

The warning comes as Trump caved to pressure and signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act Wednesday evening, while Bondi fumbled her way through questions on how the Justice Department would proceed now that it has 30 days to release the files.

Bondi has changed her stance on the matter a number of times this year, prompting fierce criticism from the MAGA base and beyond.

There are concerns from both sides of the aisle that she could cite the ongoing investigation into Epsteins ties to Democratic associates, ordered by Trump last week, as a reason to withhold the files.

You can adjust for whatever investigations are going on but if you do a blanket hold, I think that theyre going to have a lot of people angry, GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told The Hill.

open image in gallery Republican lawmakers have warned President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that withholding any documents relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case would add fuel to the fire ( AP )

Tillis, who is on the Judiciary Committee, told the outlet that the overwhelming support the bill received in the House and the Senate is a signal of how strongly the public feels about the issue.

I think they would do well to figure how to release as much as possible and then have a very well-articulated reason for that which they cant, he said of the Justice Department. It would add fuel to the fire if they dont produce something meaningful.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska also warned that people will feel like theyve been duped if Bondi and her team claims we cant release anything because we have an active investigation, she told The Hill.

I dont think that that will help calm the suspicions many have harbored for a long while on this, she said.

I think its not only congressional intent, its overwhelming, the GOP senator added. When was the last time you saw a vote like that in the House?

Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, who is also on the Judiciary Committee, said it would be a mistake if the Justice Department failed to meet expectations of Epstein survivors and lawmakers in producing the documents.

open image in gallery Bondi fumbled her way through questions on how the Justice Department would proceed now that it has 30 days to release the files ( Getty )

Obviously, it would be a mistake because Congress has spoken, he said. I fully expect the Justice Department to release all the documents. It will take a while but I believe theyve started on it right now.

He added that he hoped to see the first tranche of documents after Thanksgiving.

At a press conference Wednesday about an international criminal organization, Bondi was grilled by reporters about her handling of the Epstein files.

A reporter asked Bondi what had changed since the Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo in July, stating that no further documents would be released any a review of the files did not suggest any additional investigation of third parties was warranted.

Information that hasinformation, Bondi replied. Theres information, new information, additional information, and again we will continue to follow the law to investigate any leads.

Bondi added that her department has already released over 33,000 documents in the case.

Well continue to follow the law and to have maximum transparency, she said.
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Donald Trump allegedly called Jeffrey Epstein moments after his 2016 election victory over Hillary Clinton, contrary to his later claims he had not spoken to the pedophile financier in many years.

The president had called Epstein to express his shock at the victory, his brother Mark Epstein told CNN in an interview.

Trump said in 2019 that although he and Epstein were at one point close friends, their relationship had soured and he had not spoken to him in probably 15 years, adding I wasnt a fan of Jeffrey Epstein let me tell you.

Those remarks followed shortly after the financiers arrest on sex trafficking charges.

Speaking to CNN, Mark Epstein claimed that in fact it had been his brother who had stopped hanging out with Trump, after realizing that he was a crook. He also claimed that the two men had spoken in 2016.

open image in gallery Protesters calling for the release of the Epstein files. Donald Trump allegedly called Jeffrey Epstein moments after his 2016 election victory over Hillary Clinton, contrary to his later claims he had not spoken to the pedophile financier in years, his brother has said ( AP )

After the election, I usually speak to Jeffrey regularly, and in one of the calls we spoke, Jeffrey told me. it was after the election, that Trump called him and it was sort of like, Can you believe this?

Because nobody believed Trump was going to win. Trump was sort of surprised himself that he won. So Jeffrey said he called him like you know, Could you believe this? type of a phone call.

He then reiterated that it had been Trump who had called his brother, not the other way around.

On Wednesday night the president signed a bill to force the Justice Department to release all of its files related to the late convicted sex offender within 30 days, announcing the news in a late-night Truth Social post in which he continued to insist the whole affair was a Democrat hoax.

Trump had previously opposed releasing the files and had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Republican lawmakers to block their release.

open image in gallery Trump said in 2019 that although he and Epstein were at one point close friends, their relationship had soured and he had not spoken to him in probably 15 years

At a press conference to discuss the files release, Attorney General Pam Bondi did not clarify a timeline or say whether specific files would be withheld.

It comes after a newly released batch of Epstein's private emails shared with Congress by the sex offenders estate claimed 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.

The president has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. He has also said he was not aware of Epsteins criminal behavior.

Trump won the 2016 election after surprise victories in three swing states  Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania  put him over the top in the Electoral College, despite him losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly three million.

In a statement shared with The Independent, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said: Instead of amplifying baseless claims, the media should start asking real questions: why was Democrat Stacey Plaskett live texting Epstein in 2019 during a congressional hearing after he was a convicted sex offender and why did she accept thousands of dollars from him?

Why did President Bill Clinton travel on Epsteins plane 26 times? And why did one of Epsteins victims write that she saw Clinton on Epsteins island with two young women?

These are just some of the many questions that the American people deserve to have answered.
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President Donald Trump cut off Zohran Mamdani and pat him on the arm as the New York City Mayor-elect was asked to confirm that he believes Trump is a fascist.

During a high-stakes meeting in the Oval Office Friday, a reporter asked whether Mamdani was affirming that he thinks Trump is a fascist. The mayor-elect started to respond: Ive spoken about 

The president, who frequently called Mamdani a communist during his mayoral campaign, then interrupted and said with a smile: Thats ok. You can just say yes.

Then, patting Mamdani on the arm, the president added: Its easier. Its easier than explaining. I dont mind.

Mamdani, looking at the group of reporters, seemed to grin uncomfortably, before saying: OK. He waved his hand as if suggesting the next question was welcome.

President Donald Trump told reporters that he doesnt mind that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has called him a fascist ( AP )

The internet seemed to eat up the exchange.

Brad Lander, a former New York City mayoral candidate and the current comptroller, wrote on X: Pretty sure Zohran just charmed Donald Trump into agreeing that hes a fascist.

MSNOW host Lawrence ODonnell wrote: Mamdani tamed the (politically weak) tiger.

One X user wondered: Trump loves Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani so much that he is perfectly fine with Mamdani calling him a "Fascist." Or is it that he actually agrees with the title?

Another quipped: One short meeting with Zohran Mamdani, and Donald Trump is basically registering as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Asked whether he would feel comfortable living in his hometown with Mamdani in charge, the president told reporters Friday: Yeah, I would. I really would.

Trump added: I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor  the better he does, the happier I am.

The apparently warm meeting contrasts weeks of contention between the two men.

Trump threatened to withhold sending federal funds to New York City and urged voters to cast ballots for Cuomo: 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, Trump wrote. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!

In his impassioned victory speech, the mayor-elect addressed the president directly: Donald Trump, since I know youre watching, Ive got four words for you: turn the volume up.

Mamdani soundly defeated independent Andrew Cuomo, who Trump backed, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Earlier this week, the Democratic socialist said he hoped to speak plainly to the president about the stakes for New Yorkers, such as cost of living. Like Mamdani, Trump ran on a campaign promising to make life more affordable for Americans, such as vowing to reduce the cost of groceries.
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President Donald Trump said he has signed the bill  the Epstein Files Transparency Act  to release the files related Jeffrey Epstein, ending months of resistance to making the records public.

Just one day after Congress swiftly passed legislation to compel the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender, the president announced that he had signed the bill on Wednesday evening.

Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged by the Trump Justice Department in 2019 (Not the Democrats!), was a lifelong Democrat, donated Thousands of Dollars to Democrat Politicians, and was deeply associated with many well-known Democrat figures, Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post. He mentioned several Democrats who appeared in a tranche of emails from Epsteins estate that the House Oversight Committee made public last week, including Bill Clinton and Larry Summers.

Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES! the president wrote.

At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. Do not forget  The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him, he continued.

open image in gallery Donald Trump announced he signed the bill to release the Epstein Files ( REUTERS )

Trump accused Democrats of using the Epstein Files to distract from Republican victories.

For years our Great Nation has had to endure RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, IMPEACHMENT HOAX #1, IMPEACHMENT HOAX #2, and many other Democrat created Witch Hunts and Scams, all of which have been so terrible and divisive for our Country, and have been done to confuse, deflect, and distract from the GREAT JOB that Republicans, and the Trump Administration, are doing, the president said. This latest Hoax will backfire on the Democrats just as all of the rest have!

The president said Monday he has nothing to do with Epstein after the recently released batch of emails included messages from the disgraced financier claiming that Trump knew about the girls and spent hours at my house with a victim of sex trafficking. Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing and says his friendship with Epstein ended decades ago.

open image in gallery Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and immediately provided the final signature on a discharge petition that ultimately forced a vote on the DOJs Epstein files ( REUTERS )

The stunning emails were made public before Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn into office by House Speaker Mike Johnson following a 50-day delay since she won her congressional race. Grijalva provided the 218th  and final  signature on a House discharge petition that ultimately forced a vote on the DOJs files.

Demands for transparency around the Epstein files have long plagued the Trump administration, especially after Trump campaigned on exactly that.

Attorney General Pam Bondi released Phase 1 of the Epstein files in February to MAGA influencers, but faced backlash after it was discovered most of the information was already publicly available.

Uproar mounted after the Department of Justice released a memo in July stating that Epstein, whose 2019 death in a jail cell was the subject of many conspiracy theories, died by suicide. The memo also said no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted and that there was no evidence to support the existence of a so-called client list of people involved in his heinous crimes.

In September, survivors said they would compile their own list and seek justice on our own. In October, Nobodys Girl  the posthumous memoir of survivor Virginia Giuffre  provided new revelations about a client list, alleging that the sex offender videotaped bedrooms and bathrooms in his homes to give him, what Giuffre called, power over others.

This month, as the House neared its 218th signature, Trump administration officials met with Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert in the White House Situation Room to reportedly discuss removing her name from the discharge petition. Boebert was just one of four Republicans who had signed it.

Last week, Trump ordered Bondi to investigate Epsteins "involvement and relationship" with Democrats who were named in the tranche of Epstein emails. Hours later, Bondi assigned a prosecutor to lead the case.

open image in gallery Trump has accused Democrats of using the Epstein Files to distract from Republican victories ( AP )

After it became clear that the House was poised to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act with wide bipartisan support, Trump abruptly switched his position and urged the GOP to support the bill while simultaneously casting the entire matter as both a hoax.

Writing on Truth Social late Sunday, he said House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and its time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party.

On Tuesday, Jena-Lisa Jones, a survivor of Epsteins abuse, told CNN that she believes survivors should have been present when Trump signs the bill.

He owes us that much. He owes us an apology. I think that would be one way of showing some remorse for this drawn-out process that didnt need to be, Jones said.
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A lawyer from Donald Trumps first administration has called for Pam Bondi to be disbarred over the botched handling of the DOJs indictment of former FBI Director James Comey.

Ty Cobb, who was a member of Trumps legal team from July 2017 until May 2018, hit out at the Department of Justices admission that it failed to submit the indictment of Comey to the full grand jury.

Speaking on MS NOW, he described the failure as shocking and suggested that it made the government's case against Comey dispositive. He added that Bondi should be disbarred, as well as U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, who submitted the indictment to the foreperson.

You know, Bondi has twice submitted affirmations to this court about the propriety of Lindsay Halligans grand jury presentation, he continued. She knew this. Theres no way she could not have known this.

And that just means that she lied, or that shes equally incompetent, but more likely that she lied.

open image in gallery Ty Cobb, a former Trump laywer, says that Pam Bondi should be disbarred for her handling of the indictment of James Comey ( Getty )

Cobb has long been a critic of Trump since leaving the White House, describing him as a disaster for the Republican Party in an interview with NBC News. He has also insisted that, although he served in Trumps first administration, he never voted for the controversial GOP leader during a separate PBS interview.

His recent criticisms have been focused on the DOJ indictment of Comey, who faces one charge of making a false statement to Congress and another charge of obstructing a congressional proceeding.

The charges related to testimony given by Comey on September 30, 2020, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the FBIs investigation into alleged links between the Russian Government and Trumps 2016 campaign.

Earlier this week, while speaking to CNN, Cobb claimed the DOJs case is dead and blasted Halligan for, as he described it, telling a grand jury that Comey didnt have a Fifth Amendment right at trial to refuse to testify.

And therefore, he would be able to give his explanation as to the events and counter the governments evidence, which the judge noted appropriately was burden shifting, he continued.

open image in gallery Cobb claims that there is no way that Bondi could not have known about the failure to submit the Comey indictment to a grand jury ( AP )

The Comey case has been mired in controversy since it began, having been filed just before the five-year statute of limitations expired.

Also, Trump's appointment of Halligan as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was widely criticized, as it followed the removal of Erik Siebert. Siebert had opposed bringing the charges against Comey.

The former FBI Director has pleaded not guilty to all charges of wrongdoing. In a motion filed in a federal court in Virginia, his lawyers have suggested that the case is vindictive and an egregious abuse of power by Trump.

The Independent has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.
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A top military lawyer raised concerns over the legality of the Trump administrations strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, but was ignored by higher-ups, according to a new report.

The senior judge advocate general (JAG), posted at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, reportedly raised concerns that the strikes against the alleged narco-terrorists could amount to extrajudicial killings and legally expose American service members involved in such operations.

His concerns were raised in August, the sources said, prior to the first strikes which occurred against small boats in the Caribbean on September 2. The strikes have since expanded with assaults on the eastern Pacific, killing at least 80 people in all in 20 strikes on alleged smuggling craft.

The JAG was identified as Marine Colonel Paul Meagher by several of the sources who spoke to NBC. Operations of a similar nature typically move forward based on the opinion of the JAG, though they can be overruled by higher administration officials.

Meaghers reported concerns align with those of human rights groups and experts on international law who have also warned that the strikes are illegal, with the governments of both Venezuela and Colombia accusing the Trump administration of engaging in extrajudicial murder.

open image in gallery A top military lawyer raised concerns over the legality of the Trump administrations strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, but was ignored by higher-ups ( US Secretary of Defense Pete Heg )

open image in gallery The lawyers concerns were raised in August prior to the first strikes which occurred against small boats in the Caribbean on September 2. The strikes have since expanded with assaults on the eastern Pacific, killing at least 80 people in all in 20 strikes on alleged smuggling craft ( US Southern Command )

Other internal fallout from the strikes has included the upcoming resignation of the head of Southern Command, Admiral Alvin Holsey, who announced in October that he would be stepping down this month after less than a year in a job  a role that typically lasts about three.

In a statement shared with The Independent, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell denied claims that the operations were illegal.

The War Department categorically denies that any Pentagon lawyers, including SOUTHCOM lawyers, with knowledge of these operations have raised concerns to any attorneys in the chain of command regarding the legality of the strikes conducted thus far because they are aware we are on firm legal ground, Parnell said.

Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in complete compliance with the law of armed conflict.

The Independent has also contacted the White House for comment on the reports.

open image in gallery Other internal fallout from the strikes has included the upcoming resignation of the head of Southern Command, Admiral Alvin Holsey, who announced in October that he would be stepping down this month after less than a year in a job  a role that typically lasts about three ( William J. Seifert/U.S. Southern Command )

It comes shortly after a secret memo from the Department of Justice green-lighting the strikes revealed that the justification for such force was based entirely on assertions made by the president.

According to the memo, seen by The New York Times, such strikes are deemed appropriate because of the idea that the U.S. and its allies are at present legally in a state of armed conflict with drug cartels  assertions that the White House has repeatedly made.

As a result, the argument goes, the killing of those suspected of running the drugs falls within the lawful purview of Trumps wartime powers.

Trumps argument that the U.S. is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels relies on the same legal authority used by the George W. Bush administration when it declared its War on Terror after the Al-Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001.
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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to end a monthslong deployment of National Guard troops in the nations capital.

President Donald Trumps military takeover in Washington, D.C., illegally intrudes on local officials authority to direct law enforcement in the district, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb concluded.

However, she put her order on hold for 21 days to allow for an appeal.

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to challenge the Guard deployments. He asked the judge to bar the White House from deploying Guard troops without the mayors consent while the lawsuit plays out.

Cobb found that while the president does have authority to protect federal functioning and property, he can't unilaterally deploy the D.C. National Guard to help with crime control as he sees fit or call in troops from other states.

open image in gallery Members of the National Guard patrol near the U.S. Capitol on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC ( Al Drago/Getty Images )

After her ruling, Schwalb called for troops to be sent home.

Normalizing the use of military troops for domestic law enforcement sets a dangerous precedent, where the President can disregard states independence and deploy troops wherever and whenever he wants  with no check on his military power, Schwalb said.

The White House, though, stood by the deployment.

President Trump is well within his lawful authority to deploy the National Guard in Washington, D.C., to protect federal assets and assist law enforcement with specific tasks," said spokeswoman Abigail Jackson. "This lawsuit is nothing more than another attempt  at the detriment of DC residents  to undermine the Presidents highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC.

In August, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington. Within a month, more than 2,300 National Guard troops from eight states and the district were patrolling the city under the command of the Secretary of the Army. Trump also deployed hundreds of federal agents to assist in patrols.

Its unclear how long the deployments will last, but attorneys from Schwalbs office said Guard troops are likely to remain in the city through at least next summer.

Our constitutional democracy will never be the same if these occupations are permitted to stand, they wrote.

Government lawyers have said Congress empowered the president to control the D.C. National Guards operation. There is no sensible reason for an injunction unwinding this arrangement now, particularly since the Districts claims have no merit, Justice Department attorneys wrote.

Trumps Guard deployments have led to other court challenges, including in Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Supreme Court is also weighing the administrations emergency appeal to be allowed to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area in support of the immigration crackdown. A lower court has indefinitely prevented the deployment.

In Washington, the Trump administration deputized Guard troops to serve as special U.S. Marshal Service deputies. Schwalbs office said out-of-state troops are impermissibly operating as a federal military police force in D.C., inflaming tensions with residents and diverting local police resources.

Every day that this lawless incursion continues, the District suffers harm to its sovereign authority to conduct local law enforcement as it chooses, his offices attorneys wrote.
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Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount, reportedly had discussions with the Trump administration about firing CNN hosts the president doesn't like, according to sources close to the matter.

The CNN hosts include Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar, the sources told The Guardian.

Paramount has positioned itself as a potential buyer of Warner Bros Discovery. The sources said part of Paramount's interest lies in the idea that Ellison's closeness to Trump would help the deal pass a regulatory review.

The discussions reportedly included naming possible replacements for Burnett and CBS running its programming, like 60 Minutes, on CNN.

According to the sources, the back-and-forth concerning what Paramount might do if it acquired Warner Bros Discovery were largely casual, as Ellison is not an executive at the company. His son, David Ellison, is the CEO of Paramount Skydance.

Larry Ellison, right, the majority shareholder of Paramount, reportedly had discussions with the White House about potentially firing CNN anchors that President Donald Trump, left, doesnt like. The conversations were reportedly held ahead of Paramounts bid buy CNN parent company Warner Bros Discovery. ( Getty Images )

The Independent has requested comment from Ellison, Paramount, and the White House.

Paramount has previously submitted multiple unsolicited and unsuccessful offers to buy Warner Bros Discovery.

Trump has been happy with the younger Ellison at the helm of Paramount Skydance and thus CBS News. Paramount agreed to pay a $16 million settlement to Trump over a 60 Minutes interview involving former Vice President Kamala Harris last year.

In addition to paying Trump the settlement, CBS News also placed conservative commenter Bari Weiss at the head of its news division.

Should Warner Bros Discovery accept a purchase offer from Paramount, the only real hurdle the deal will face is an anti-trust review, which a former anti-trust division official told The Guardian was unlikely to kill the deal.

This wont pose serious antitrust issues, the former official said, noting that the White House likely wouldn't try to stop the deal. Thats just how the government relations game is played."

However, Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, said such a deal was not likely require any review by his agency.

Id be very surprised if there was an FCC role at all in that type of transaction, Carr said.

Paramount is not the only company interested in acquiring Warner Bros Discovery. Netflix and Comcast have both expressed interest in the acquisition.
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More than 170,000 homes were left without power in Paris on Thursday after a blackout caused widespread power outages.

Electricity grid operator Enedis said metro and suburban train lines were halted as the blackout hit at around 6.38am local time, with operators working to restore power in affected areas.

The grid operator did not specify the reasons for the blackout.

RTE, which manages France's high-voltage electricity transmissions, wrote on X that 112,000 homes in the city were reconnected within five minutes. All of the homes in the Paris region had been restored by 9am local time.

Authorities said that the blackout was caused by a technical issue at an electrical substation in Issy-les-Moulineaux, to the southwest of the city at 5.38am.

Last April, Spain and Portugal were brought to a standstill by major power outages which hit vast areas across both countries.

Traffic was gridlocked, flights grounded and trains suspended while people were trapped in elevators and left without water supplies. Whole cities were cut off with mobile networks, Wi-Fi, ATMs and card machines inoperative during the disruption.

Spains capital, Madrid, as well as major cities like Barcelona and Valencia, were also affected. Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said the massive blackout had affected the Iberian Peninsula.

open image in gallery Commuters leave a subway station after a blackout in Madrid ( EPA )

Parts of Madrids underground were brought to a halt and traffic lights across the capital city stopped working. Portuguese police said traffic lights were affected across the country and the metro was closed in Lisbon and Porto.

Social media footage from Malaga, on Spains south coast, also showed metro passengers forced to walk inside the tunnel as carriages were evacuated.

In Portugal, a country of 10.6 million people, the outage hit the capital, Lisbon, and surrounding areas, as well as northern and southern parts of the country.

At the time, Portuguese grid operator REN suggested a rare atmospheric phenomenon caused by extreme temperature changes in Spains interior was behind the outage.
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A Russian spy ship is lurking near British waters where it directed lasers at UK military pilots who were surveilling its activities, the defence secretary has said.

Royal Navy frigates and RAF P-8 planes had been deployed to monitor the Yantar vessel, which is designed for gathering intelligence, when the Russians directed the lasers at the planes.

Defence secretary John Healey said Britain is ready to respond, with military options drawn up if the ship heads south, in a warning to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

He told a Westminster press conference: My message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you. We know what youre doing. And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.

But what is the Yantar vessel  and what is it doing near British territory?

The Yantar, a research ship

Yantar is a special-purpose vessel built by the Russian Navys secretive Main Directorate of Underwater Research (GUGI), an element of Russias armed forces  although it reports directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Its objective, according to the Council on Geostrategy, a non-profit think tank based in Westminster, London, is to operate submarines that can gather intelligence on the deep sea, allowing possible sabotage of underwater cables.

open image in gallery Defence secretary John Healey called the Yantars actions deeply dangerous ( Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright )

The ship, which was launched in 2012 and commissioned for work in 2015, is 107.8m (354 ft) long and can reach a speed of 15knots (28kph).

It has since been spotted carrying out operations near the Caribbean islands, Brazil, Norway, Greenland, the Mediterranean and Ireland, among other areas.

In January, Yantar was spotted near British waters, with Mr Healey describing it as another example of growing Russian aggression.

What is Yantar doing?

When Yantar approached British waters in January, Mr Healey said the ship was used for mapping the UKs critical water infrastructure.

On Wednesday, he echoed those comments.

It is part of a Russian fleet designed to put and hold our undersea infrastructure and those of our allies at risk, he said.

It isnt just a naval operation. Its part of a Russian programme driven by what they call the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, or GUGI, and this is designed to have capabilities which can undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict.

The UK and Nato allies are increasingly concerned about the risk Moscow poses to offshore cables, pipelines and other infrastructure critical to internet connectivity.

open image in gallery Undated handout photo issued by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian spy ship Yantar operating on the edge of UK waters ( Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright )

Use of lasers an escalation, warns expert

The Yantar directed lasers at two RAF planes, in a move described by Mr Healey as deeply dangerous.

Anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous, he said. This is the first time weve had this action from Yantar directed against the British RAF  we take it extremely seriously.

Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at American security think tank the Atlantic Council, told BBC Radio 4s World at One that it was an escalation for sure.

She added: Essentially, you do it to impede the pilots from doing their work. We dont know exactly how strong the lasers were, but even if they didnt blind the pilots, it was provocative.

open image in gallery The ship directed lasers at an RAF P-8 aircraft ( Getty )

Is Britain vulnerable?

Mr Healey has sought to reassure the British public and warn off Moscow, saying that if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.

Attacks on undersea cables could cause catastrophic disruption to the financial and communications systems Britons rely on, the National Security Strategy committee warned in a September report.

The Yantar has been within the UKs exclusive economic zone, which extends up to 200 nautical miles  about 230 miles  offshore, but has been on the edge of Britains territorial waters, within 12 nautical miles (13.8 miles) from the coast.

But Dr Sidharth Kaushal, an expert in maritime technology at the RUSI think tank, told Sky News the undersea cables near the UK are relatively redundant, but warned the pipelines delivering gas could be more vulnerable to attack.

I think in some ways the pipeline network is far more fragile because there we are more reliant on a handful of critical pipelines, he said.
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Russian forces are dressing up as civilians to confuse Ukraines defensive forces in the eastern town of Pokrovsk, Kyivs military has said.

The commander of the 68th Jaeger Brigade, codenamed "Liutyi, told Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne that Russian troops are acting more like sabotage and reconnaissance groups rather than following any typical procedures of war.

"The most difficult thing is that they disguise themselves as civilians. They have been changing clothes for a long time and receive instructions to do so. Sometimes we identify the enemy only after the start of the firefight, because civilians will not open fire on our units, Liutyi said.

The town in Ukraines Donetsk region has been the site of fierce fighting in the past year, with Russian troops finally entering in recent weeks after months of edging closer despite heavily fortified Ukrainian defences.

open image in gallery Russian troops have entered Pokrovsk in recent weeks after more than a year of fierce fighting in the region ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Liutyi added: They do not follow any standard procedures, but their movements still complicate our logistics routes.

The commander also said Russian troops are trying to exploit weather conditions to allow them to move through the city with ease.

Ukrainian forces rely heavily on drones for reconnaissance and defence missions. When Russian troops move through the city in rainy or foggy conditions, it makes it more difficult for Ukraines troops to track them.

Moscows troops have avoided bringing large, heavy equipment into Pokrovsk regularly, as it comes under heavy fire by Ukraines defence. A Russian tank was struck by soldiers of the 68th Brigade while approaching the city, The Kyiv Independent reported.

At the same time, the Russian army avoids bringing heavy equipment into Pokrovsk too frequently, as it quickly comes under fire.

open image in gallery Drone footage from Provost, Ukraine ( Skala - 425th Separate Assault Regiment via AP )

"(Russian forces) have long since abandoned these attempts, when 1620 units of equipment entered at the same time, because it is difficult to hide equipment from us. We will find it anyway and burn it," Liutyi said.

Soldiers of the 68th Brigade struck a Russian tank on 19 November as it approached the city.

But logistics remain difficult in the area, after Russian troops created a so-called killzone around Pokrovsk stretching up to 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from the city to the frontline.

"The enemy has brought many of its best crews here to work against us. The intensity of enemy drone strikes is so great that sometimes it is simply impossible to drive in (the positions)," the Ukrainian commander said, adding that they therefore have to travel through this area on foot.

Using a civilian disguise is known as perfidy. It is considered a war crime under international law.
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A Russian commander has become the first military official to be accused of systematic and coordinated war crimes related to the Bucha massacre, one of the bloodiest atrocities of the war in Ukraine.

Yurii Vladimirovich Kim, 28, the lieutenant platoon commander in the 76th Air Assault Division, is suspected of being criminally responsible for ordering troops to commit war crimes, including the wilful killing of civilians, during the illegal occupation of Bucha between 7 March and 1 April 2022 in the early stages of Russias full-scale invasion.

open image in gallery Kim, 28, is alleged to be responsible for 17 killings committed by his platoon ( Defense Intelligence of Ukraine )

Kim is suspected to be responsible for 17 killings and four instances of ill-treatment purposely committed by forces under his command.

Ukrainian officials said that 458 bodies were recovered from the illegal occupation in the Kyiv Oblast, including nine children under the age of 18. Horrific photographs from Bucha published at the time showed bodies strewn across the street, wrapped in bin bags and buried in mass graves.

The International Criminal Court was asked by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Ukrainian authorities to investigate the incident and bring perpetrators to justice.

open image in gallery The massacre in Bucha is considered to be one of the bloodiest in Ukrainian history ( Global Rights Compliance )

The Notice of Suspicion against Kim, issued by Ukraines Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) and the National Police of Ukraine with support from international law foundation Global Rights Compliance (GRC), marks the beginning of an investigation of a pre-trial period which is seeking to hold Russian military leaders accountable for alleged war crimes.

Investigators used witness testimonies, crime scene reconstructions, identity parades, crime scene forensics, maps, and open-source intelligence to identify Kim as one of six suspected Russian soldiers who committed atrocities in Bucha. They claimed to have discovered instances where the Commander specifically ordered his forces to hunt, harm and kill individuals perceived as supporting or assisting Ukrainian armed or security forces.

The Commander then allegedly ordered his subordinates to burn some of the bodies to conceal the crime. If brought to trial, Kim could face between 20 years to life in prison, according to GRC. The Independent has contacted Russias Defence Ministry for comment.

Jeremy Pizzi, legal advisor at GRC indicated this Notice of Suspicion was one of many to come that would lay bare how Russias atrocities were committed under a command structure.

open image in gallery Mass graves were uncovered by Ukrainian officials in Bucha ( Getty Images )

This Notice of Suspicion is a building block, one of many to come. It rebuts the narrative that Russian atrocities in Bucha were the product of opportunistic perpetrators and exposes how atrocities were committed following specific criminal plans to target particular sectors of Ukrainian society essential for national resistance, he said. Given the extent of these patterns, we can begin to direct our attention upwards to the complicity of Russias leadership.

Kim was accused of urging his subordinates to commit atrocities and convincing them of their impunity. According to a translation of the Notice of Suspicion, seen by The Independent, the Commander organised a reporting system through which he was aware of all his subordinates actions in the occupied territories with real opportunities to prevent crimes or punish those who committed them. Violence against Buchas residents became the norm for the entire unit, according to the Notice.

Some 330 victims and witnesses have been interrogated as part of a large-scale, complex investigation into the massacre, as well as 59 investigative experiments, 86 identifications by photographs, 89 inspections of crime scenes and three exhumations of deceased bodies.

open image in gallery A view of a destroyed house in Bucha ( Global Rights Compliance )

Maksym Tsutskiridze, first deputy head of the National Police of Ukraine  head of the Main Investigation Department, said the investigation was a step towards understanding the chain of command involved in the war crimes committed in Ukraine.

The investigation of war crimes in Bucha is not only about delivering justice for the crimes of the past  it is about our ability to uphold justice in its highest sense. We have moved beyond bringing low-ranking perpetrators to account  now we are uncovering the chain of command decisions through which ordinary orders turned into mass executions of civilians, he said.

Behind every piece of evidence collected by our investigators stands the life of a person killed in their own home or on the streets of their city. We have no right to make mistakes, for their memory compels us to be impeccable.

He added that the mission of the police was to build a system that guarantees the inevitability of punishment for international crimes and strengthens global trust in Ukrainian justice.

We do everything possible in pursuit of truth, justice and the restoration of the dignity of every person who perished in Bucha, he said.
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Washington has been secretly forming a plan with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, according to a report.

The new 28-point plan would consist of security guarantees, security in Europe, and future US relations with Russia and Ukraine, Axios reported, citing sources.

It comes amid a fresh attempt by the US to force through a peace between Moscow and Kyiv after several diplomatic overtures faltered in recent months.

Mr Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is said to have discussed the plan with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Volodymyr Zelenskys security adviser Rustem Umerov, according to officials from Washington and Kyiv.

open image in gallery Donald Trump is renewing his push to end the war with a plan inspired by his Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to reports ( AP )

The proposal is reportedly inspired by Mr Trumps plan for the Gaza ceasefire, which came into effect in October. While the plan succeeded in ending the war, it has not ended violence in the enclave and both Hamas and Israel have accused the other of breaching the agreement.

The White House said it has also begun to brief European officials on the proposal, which will be discussed in high-level meetings this week, as EU countries suffer repeated territorial breaches by drones during Russian air attacks on Ukraine.

In a renewed push to end the war in Ukraine, Washington has also sent two top US Army officials for a rare wartime visit to Kyiv, according to Politico.

Army secretary Dan Driscoll and army chief of staff General Randy George arrived on an unannounced trip for talks with Ukraines leaders in an attempt to revive stalled peace talks with Russia, it was reported on Wednesday.

The pair are due to meet Mr Zelensky, senior commanders and lawmakers, the outlet reported, citing people familiar with the plans.

Mr Driscoll is also expected to meet Russian officials at a later date, the Wall Street Journal reported separately.

open image in gallery The meeting between the Russian and American leaders failed to bring about a breakthrough in ending the conflict ( AFP/Getty )

The White House has reportedly turned to Mr Driscoll and other senior commanders in the hope that Moscow might respond better to military intermediaries following earlier failed efforts with political officials.

Recently, Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov stated his readiness to meet US secretary of state Marco Rubio to discuss mending bilateral ties, following reports that he had been sidelined by Putin over his failure to secure a peace summit with Mr Trump.

Mr Lavrov spoke by phone to Mr Rubio on 20 October to discuss the possible summit, but the Financial Times cited a source as suggesting that his conversation with Mr Rubio had put Washington off.

The next day, Mr Trump said that he did not want to hold a meeting that would be a waste of time. He later said he had cancelled the summit because it just didn't feel right.

open image in gallery A Ukrainian firefighter uses a water hose to extinguish a fire at the site of a Russian strike in Kharkiv ( AFP via Getty )

A highly anticipated meeting between Mr Trump and Putin in Alaska last August failed to yield a breakthrough in achieving peace.

The visit to Kyiv comes as Russian forces make gradual advances along parts of the front line and step up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Kyivs Western allies are looking for new ways to sustain weapons and ammunition supplies.

Russia last night launched a huge air attack on Ukraine, firing 518 drones and missiles at targets across Ukraine, including the countrys west, and killing at least nine people while injuring dozens, Mr Zelensky said. Many people could be trapped under the rubble, he added.
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A Trump administration proposal to end the war in Ukraine would force Kyiv into giving up land while compensating the United States for upholding the peace.

The 28-point plan, drawn up following talks between Washington and Moscow, offers a guarantee of US protection for Ukraine.

In return for Kyiv must give up on its NATO ambitions and European allies agree to not station troops in Ukraine, rebuffing British-led plans to deploy international peacekeepers.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he would work with the US on their vision and talks are reportedly due to take place in the last week of November.

The plan is still only a framework but initial impressions show a proposal leaning heavily in Russias favour. Below we look at the details that have been revealed so far.

open image in gallery Donald Trump meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in October ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Here is Trumps proposal, verbatim:

1. Ukraines sovereignty will be confirmed.

2. A comprehensive non-aggression agreement will be concluded between Russia, Ukraine and Europe. All ambiguities of the last 30 years will be considered settled.

3. It is expected that Russia will not invade neighbouring countries and NATO will not expand further.

4. A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, to resolve all security issues and create conditions for de-escalation in order to ensure global security and increase opportunities for cooperation and future economic development.

5. Ukraine will receive reliable security guarantees.

6. The size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be limited to 600,000 personnel.

7. Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO, and NATO agrees to include in its statutes a provision that Ukraine will not be admitted in the future.

8. NATO agrees not to station troops in Ukraine.

9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.

open image in gallery The proposal to end the war mirrors a similar deal to end the war in Gaza, and comes after talks between Washington and Moscow ( REUTERS )

10. The U.S. guarantee:

 The U.S. will receive compensation for the guarantee;

 If Ukraine invades Russia, it will lose the guarantee;

 If Russia invades Ukraine, in addition to a decisive coordinated military response, all global sanctions will be reinstated, recognition of the new territory and all other benefits of this deal will be revoked;

 If Ukraine launches a missile at Moscow or St. Petersburg without cause, the security guarantee will be deemed invalid.

11. Ukraine is eligible for EU membership and will receive short-term preferential access to the European market while this issue is being considered.

12. A powerful global package of measures to rebuild Ukraine, including but not limited to:

 The creation of a Ukraine Development Fund to invest in fast-growing industries, including technology, data centers, and artificial intelligence.

 The United States will cooperate with Ukraine to jointly rebuild, develop, modernize, and operate Ukraines gas infrastructure, including pipelines and storage facilities.

 Joint efforts to rehabilitate war-affected areas for the restoration, reconstruction and modernization of cities and residential areas.

 Infrastructure development.

 Extraction of minerals and natural resources.

 The World Bank will develop a special financing package to accelerate these efforts.

open image in gallery Independence Square in Kyiv, hit by a power outage amid talks of a peace deal ( AFP via Getty Images )

13. Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy:

 The lifting of sanctions will be discussed and agreed upon in stages and on a case-by-case basis.

 The United States will enter into a long-term economic cooperation agreement for mutual development in the areas of energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, rare earth metal extraction projects in the Arctic, and other mutually beneficial corporate opportunities.

 Russia will be invited to rejoin the G8.

14. Frozen funds will be used as follows:

 $100 billion in frozen Russian assets will be invested in US-led efforts to rebuild and invest in Ukraine;

 The US will receive 50% of the profits from this venture. Europe will add $100 billion to increase the amount of investment available for Ukraines reconstruction. Frozen European funds will be unfrozen. The remainder of the frozen Russian funds will be invested in a separate US-Russian investment vehicle that will implement joint projects in specific areas. This fund will be aimed at strengthening relations and increasing common interests to create a strong incentive not to return to conflict.

15. A joint American-Russian working group on security issues will be established to promote and ensure compliance with all provisions of this agreement.

16. Russia will enshrine in law its policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine.

open image in gallery Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukrainian cities while insisting readiness for peace talks ( AFP/Getty )

17. The United States and Russia will agree to extend the validity of treaties on the non-proliferation and control of nuclear weapons, including the START I Treaty.

18. Ukraine agrees to be a non-nuclear state in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

19. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will be launched under the supervision of the IAEA, and the electricity produced will be distributed equally between Russia and Ukraine  50:50.

20. Both countries undertake to implement educational programs in schools and society aimed at promoting understanding and tolerance of different cultures and eliminating racism and prejudice:

 Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance and the protection of linguistic minorities.

 Both countries will agree to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education.

 All Nazi ideology and activities must be rejected and prohibited.

21. Territories:

 Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk will be recognized as de facto Russian, including by the United States.

 Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be frozen along the line of contact, which will mean de facto recognition along the line of contact.

 Russia will relinquish other agreed territories it controls outside the five regions.

 Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the part of Donetsk Oblast that they currently control, and this withdrawal zone will be considered a neutral demilitarized buffer zone, internationally recognized as territory belonging to the Russian Federation. Russian forces will not enter this demilitarized zone.

open image in gallery Under the proposal, Russia would lose its guarantees and the recognition of territory if it reopened attacks on Ukraine ( REUTERS )

22. After agreeing on future territorial arrangements, both the Russian Federation and Ukraine undertake not to change these arrangements by force. Any security guarantees will not apply in the event of a breach of this commitment.

23. Russia will not prevent Ukraine from using the Dnieper River for commercial activities, and agreements will be reached on the free transport of grain across the Black Sea.

24. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve outstanding issues:

 All remaining prisoners and bodies will be exchanged on an all for all basis.

 All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children.

 A family reunification program will be implemented.

 Measures will be taken to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the conflict.

25. Ukraine will hold elections in 100 days.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has presented a proposal to end the war seen to favour Russia ( Getty )

26. All parties involved in this conflict will receive full amnesty for their actions during the war and agree not to make any claims or consider any complaints in the future.

27. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by the Peace Council, headed by President Donald J. Trump. Sanctions will be imposed for violations.

28. Once all parties agree to this memorandum, the ceasefire will take effect immediately after both sides retreat to agreed points to begin implementation of the agreement.
Close We are Russias next target warns Nato chief

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Europe should prepare for a war like our grandparents endured and rapidly boost defence spending to deter the threat of Russia, Natos secretary general has warned.

Speaking at a conference in Berlin, Mark Rutte said that Europe needed to be crystal clear that we are Russias next target - and that Nato is already in harms way.

I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many dont feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now, he said.

Allied defence spending and production must rise rapidly. Our armed forces must have what they need to keep us safe.

His comments come as Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine sent an updated version of its 20-point peace plan to the US, with both parties to hold a call on Thursday to discuss the proposal.

He said the US had discussed an idea to create a "free economic zone" in parts of eastern Ukraine where Kyiv's troops would withdraw, but that any territorial concessions would need to go to a referendum.
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Israels forced displacement of the populations of three West Bank refugee camps earlier this year amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity, a new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report has found.

Around 20,154 people were expelled from the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps during Operation Iron Wall, an Israeli military operation that began on 21 January, just days after a temporary ceasefire was announced in Gaza, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Another 11,765 have been displaced from the Jenin refugee camp as a result of operations by Israeli and Palestinian forces in 2025, bringing the total to nearly 32,000, OCHA figures show.

In a damning 105-page report, HRW concluded that Israeli forces issued abrupt orders for civilians to leave their homes, with soldiers methodically storming homes, ransacking properties, interrogating residents, and forcing families out.

open image in gallery Around 32,000 Palestinians were expelled from refugee camps in 2025 ( AP )

The Israeli military said these were counterterror operations, aimed at thwarting imminent terror attacks and preserving its mobility in all areas of the West Bank. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as another step toward achieving the goal we have set  strengthening security in Judea and Samaria.

But Nadia Hardman, senior refugee and migrant rights researcher at HRW, said Israeli authorities forcibly removed 32,000 Palestinians from their homes in West Bank refugee camps without regard to international legal protections and have not permitted them to return.

She added: With global attention focused on Gaza, Israeli forces have carried out war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank that should be investigated and prosecuted.

Israeli authorities failed to provide shelter or humanitarian assistance to displaced residents, with many sheltering with relatives and friends, or turning to mosques, schools and charities for help, the report states.

open image in gallery Israeli soldiers check the identification cards of Palestinians while they evacuate their homes in the West Bank refugee camp of Nur Shams, near Tulkarem, while the Israeli military operation continues in the area on 11 February ( AP )

The Israeli military told The Independent in a statement: About 10 months ago, the IDF launched Operation Iron Wall in the camps of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur al-Shams, in light of the security threats posed by these camps and the growing presence of terrorist elements within them. The operation was based on the understanding that terrorists exploit the terrain and the densely built environment of the camps, which restricts the IDFs freedom of action.

Since the IDF launched the operation, terrorism in Judea and Samaria has decreased by 70 per cent.

It said soldiers uncovered terrorist infrastructure and weapons during the operation, and added it was acting to reshape and stabilise the area by demolishing rows of buildings.

A public notice was issued before the demolitions, giving residents sufficient time to submit objections and petitions to the High Court of Justice, the statement continued.

The IDF will continue to act to thwart terrorism in north Samaria, in accordance with international law and the rulings of the Israeli High Court of Justice, while making feasible efforts to avoid harm to the civilian population.

The report, titled All My Dreams Have Been Erased: Israels Forced Displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank, includes interviews with 31 displaced Palestinians from the three camps, and analysed satellite imagery, Israeli military demolition orders, and verified photos of the military operations, HRW said.

One 54-year-old woman told the organisation that Israeli soldiers were yelling and throwing things everywhere. It was like a movie scene  some had masks and they were carrying all kinds of weapons. One of the soldiers said, You dont have a house here any more. You need to leave.

The three camps were first established in the 1950s to house Palestinians who were expelled from their homes or who fled from Israel proper after the Jewish state was created in 1948.
Kate Middleton stunned the Royal Variety Performance with her dark green dress which appeared to be a nod to one of Princess Diana's most iconic looks.

In a post to Instagram on Wednesday (19 November), the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a behind-the-scenes clip of the Royal Variety Performance, where they met performers, celebrities - such as Sir Stephen Fry - and even Paddington Bear.

Kate wore earrings previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II paired with her off-the-shoulder velvet gown for the occasion, a dress reminiscent of Dianas outfit during a state visit to Germany with then-Prince Charles in 1987.
An NHS nurse says she has to skip meals to make sure her children are eating due to an "astronomical" cost of living crisis.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari on LBC on Thursday (20 November), Antonia Berelson said, "I'm already really worried about [Christmas] and that's exactly why I'm having to pick up extra shifts."

More than half of British households were forced to make financial adjustments to cover essential costs in the month to mid-October 2025, the highest level recorded this year, according to a survey by Which?.

Sir Keir Starmer has said his governments budget, due to be laid out on Wednesday (26 November), will focus on cutting debt, NHS waiting lists, and the cost-of-living.
This Working Life: I have over 400,000 TikTok followers now... if I do a collab I often buy new things for the school
Israeli AI chip firm that seeks to rival Nvidia sets up Dublin office

Chip designer was founded by serial entrepreneur and billionaire Avigdor Willenz

Element Labs' fundraising earlier this year reportedly valued the start-up at between $300m and $400m. Stock image: Getty

John Mulligan Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Element Labs, an Israeli start-up that develops processors for artificial intelligence, has established an office in Dublin just months after raising $50m (43m) from investors including Fidelity.
Fintech founder Stani Kulechov is trialling his firms newest financial product here

Estonian-born Finn Stani Kulechov founded Aave in 2017 and the company is now valued at $2.7bn. Photo: Bloomberg

According to the European Central Bank, so-called stablecoins will grow in value from 200bn in 2025 to almost 2tn by the end of 2028.
Absolute disgrace  judge condemns farmer who abused three granddaughters and transferred land to avoid compensation

Judge says elderly man and uncle of the three girls are appalling people

Stock image

Eavan Murray Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

An elderly farmer who sexually abused his three granddaughters has been condemned along with his son and heir as an absolute disgrace and devoid of decency by a judge during civil proceedings taken by one of the victims.
The research vessel Yantar presents a significant defence and national security challenge

News that the Russian vessel Yantar may be heading towards Irish-controlled waters will put the magnifying glass on Irish defence capacity again, or rather the lack of it.
They feared their little boy was going to die  Child (8) waits nearly two hours for ambulance after suffering horrific injury
Garda leave and rest days cancelled ahead of Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Ireland as major security operation planned

Ukraine president will meet senior political figures when he arrives on December 2

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will arrive in Dublin on December 2 for a two-day visit. Photo: AP

Robin Schiller Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Garda bosses have cancelled all leave and rest days in Dublin for the visit of Volodymyr Zelensky, with a major security operation planned for his arrival in two weeks.
Enoch Burke at the High Court, Dublin, arriving with family members including his brother Isaac (left), mother Martina (second left), and sister Ammi (right). Photo: Brian Lawless

Gardai called to the Co Mayo home of teacher Enoch Burke twice yesterday to return him to prison for contempt of court, but could not find him.

On Tuesday, Mr Justice Brian Cregan ruled in the High Court that Burke, who has continually turned up at his former school in Multyfarnham in Co Westmeath in defiance of court orders, be placed in prison for a fourth time.
latest | I can't lose this arse that has taken so long to build  Vogue Williams planning gym sessions in Im a Celeb jungle

Vogue joins fellow campmates tonight after arriving in Australia on Sunday.

Vogue Williams enters the 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here' jungle in Australia tonight. Photo: ITV

Adrianna Wrona and Keith Kelly Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 13:00

Vogue Williams has vowed that she will keep squatting in the Im A Celebrity jungle in order to keep her arse that has taken so long to build.
Rush to clamp down on firms attempting to undermine My Future Fund auto-enrolment pension

Some companies trying to force staff to join subpar in-house pension schemes

Government move to stop companies attempting to subvert the new auto-enrolment pension.

Charlie Weston Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

The Government is being forced to bring in emergency regulations to stop companies attempting to subvert the new auto-enrolment pension.
This episode of The Indo Daily contains references to sexual assault, so please take care while listening. The vote has taken place and the Epstein files will now be made public. After months of delay, political pressure and partisan division, Congress has backed the release of thousands of pages of material gathered during federal investigations into Jeffrey Epstein.

The decision now raises a series of major questions: What exactly will be unsealed in the coming weeks? How extensive is the material gathered by federal investigators and crucially, could the publication of these files create political difficulties for Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.

With hundreds of gigabytes of digital records, flight logs, emails, testimony and investigative notes potentially in play, the scale of what may emerge is still unclear. Victims groups are pushing for full transparency, while both Republicans and Democrats prepare for the political ramifications of whatever is ultimately released.

Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Sunday Independent columnist and former CNN Anchor Gina London, and by Terry Sheridan News Director of WSHU Public Radio, to break down whats been released, what remains unclear, and what comes next in this evolving political saga.

We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Helplines: If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, click here for more information
Three Clare businesses have taken home top prizes at the 2025 iteration of the Good Food Ireland Awards.

At a ceremony at The K Club in County Kildare on Monday, November 10, Irelands leading food and drink businesses were celebrated at the only cross-sector awards that champion those who uphold Irelands culinary excellence, celebrate local provenance and honour sustainable practices.

The event brought together guests from every corner of the country to recognise and reward the very best in Irish food, drink, and hospitality.

Brid and Roger Fahy of Linnalla Pure Irish Ice Cream. Image: Linnalla Pure Irish Ice Cream's Facebook

Clare businesses took home some of the nights most coveted prizes, with Sweet N Green in Ennis winning the Cafe of the Year gong, Linnalla Farm Pure Irish Ice Cream taking home Dairy Producer of the Year and Overall producer of the Year, and Wilde Irish Chocolates winning the Irelands Hidden Heartlands category of the Food Lovers Choice Award 2025.

Among other major winners were Ashford Castle, Mayo (5-Star Hotel of the Year), Ballymaloe House Hotel, Cork (Culinary Haven of the Year), and Fish City, Belfast (Supreme Award).

Sweet N Green win at the Good Food Ireland awards 2025, held at the K Club, Kildare. Image: Paul Sherwood

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Veronica Molloy of Crossogue Preserves, Tipperary, honouring her decades-long dedication to Irish food craft.

Ahead of its 20th anniversary in 2026, the Good Food Ireland Awards received hundreds of entries from across the island of Ireland, with thousands of votes cast by the public for the Food Lovers Choice Awards.

Winners were selected by an independent panel of Irish and international experts following mystery inspections and detailed assessments, based on strict judging criteria that included local sourcing, provenance, and sustainability.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Noel Grealish, was the guest of honour at the event, acknowledging everyones contribution to Irish food, drink and hospitality.

Wilde Irish Chocolates win at the Good Food Ireland awards 2025, held at the K Club, Kildare. Image: Paul Sherwood

I was delighted to attend the Good Food Ireland Awards which brings together two of Irelands most successful indigenous sectors  food and tourism, Minister Grealish said.

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.

<img alt="cards visualization" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/25611412/thumbnail" style="width:100%" />

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 form the heart of our food ecosystem, from farm to fork, land to sea.

This years theme  Rooted in Taste, Backed by Trust is a powerful reflection of the values that unite our members.

Each of our winners represents the very best of Irelands culinary heritage and the trust our consumers place in locally sourced, quality food.

Linnalla Pure Irish Ice Cream win 'Overall producer of the Year' at the Good Food Ireland awards 2025, held at the K Club, Kildare. Image: Paul Sherwood

Following the event, the three Clare winners took to social media to share their happiness with the wins.

We're proud to be a winner of the Good Food Ireland Food Lovers Choice Award this week and to be in the company of other great Clare food businesses, Wilde Irish Chocolates said. Its great to get this award on the basis of a public vote too.

Linnalla Farm Pure Irish Ice Cream added: Delighted to win the Good Food Ireland awards in the Dairy category.

Sweet N Green kept it hilariously short, simply saying: Wohoo, hon the Banner.
The Cork City Garda Division is set to receive 36 extra Gardai following the latest graduation ceremony at Templemore College on Friday, November 14.

This brings the number of probationers allocated to Cork this year to 76, which represents the highest number since the reopening of the Garda College in 2014.

A total of 194 Gardai were attested on Friday, November 14.

Of the 194 Gardai attested, 137 were male and 57 female.

They will now be deployed across the Garda Divisions nationwide, including 87 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, 47 in the Southern Region (which includes Cork), 39 in the Eastern Region, and 21 in the Northwestern Region.

The overall figure represents the largest single intake of new members to An Garda Siochana since 2019.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea welcomed the significant allocation of officers to Cork. I am delighted to welcome this major strengthening of An Garda Siochana and, in particular, the substantial allocation of new gardai to Cork. High-visibility policing is essential for supporting safer communities, improving public confidence, and ensuring gardai have the resources they need to protect the public.

This is a hugely welcome boost for Cork, said Deputy OShea. It will significantly strengthen policing capacity across the region. These new gardai will play a vital role in ensuring that communities, towns, and rural areas right across Cork feel supported and protected. I want to congratulate each of the newly attested officers and wish them every success as they begin their service.

The Cork TD also welcomed the confirmation that more than 200 new garda recruits have recently commenced their studies in Templemore. This strong pipeline of recruitment is very encouraging.

"With over 11,000 applications this year, its clear there is huge public commitment to serving in An Garda Siochana. Continued recruitment and investment will be crucial to meeting the needs of communities into the future, he added.
A new roundabout is planned for the Castlemore junction on the N22 road in Cork.

A feasibility and options report was submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for their consideration and approval of a roundabout at the Castlemore junction (R585 on the N22).

Cork National Roads Design Office must now seek technical advisors to progress the detailed design and statutory processes for the scheme to develop.

TII recommends that a temporary measure aimed to improve safety at the junction should be in place until the roundabout is completed.

Fianna Fail councillor Gobnait Moynihan, welcomed the update at the recent Southern Committee on roads.

The main reason for the roundabout at this junction is to create a safe passage for traffic coming from West Cork onto the N22 road and vice versa.

Accidents are regular occurrence at this junction.

Council officials informed the meeting that although the TII recommends the construction of a roundabout, it would be years before it could be installed.

However, council officials did state that interim safety works would be progressed in 2026.

During the Southern Committee meeting on roads, Cork County Council said they would continue to liaise with TII regarding funding for further safety improvement measures and potential low-cost minor works on the N22 between Ovens and Coolcour.
An application for planning permission for a solar farm with a 40-year lifespan near Midleton in East Cork has been submitted to Cork County Council. The solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on ground-mounted frames would be built on an almost 9-hectare site currently used for agriculture at Carrigogna, around 2.5 km north of the town.

The site is close to an existing electricity substation. The applicant is seeking 10-year planning permission for the PV panels, a single-storey delivery station, a single-storey transformer station, a spare parts storage container, security fencing, CCTV, landscaping, internal tracks and all associated development site works. A new site entrance off the L3601 local road would also be constructed.

A decision on the application is due in January next year. Planning permission for a solar farm on the site was previously granted to the same applicant, Amarenco Solar Midleton Limited, in 2019. The applicant at that time had sought permission for a 20-hectare facility.

Amarenco Solar is an Irish-French renewable power company co-founded by the former CEO of Bord Gais, John Mullins, who died earlier this year. Last year the company won five new solar projects under Irelands fourth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 4) auction. The solar farms in Midleton, Cobh, Timoleague, and Carrigaline in county Cork and Ennistymon in county Clare would generate almost 30 megawatts of electricity. In July the company received planning permission to build a 47-hectare solar farm near Rathcormac.

The area of East Cork north of the towns of Midleton and Carrigtwohill has become a hotspot for solar farm applications in recent years, many of them for much larger sites than the 8.85-hectare Carrigogna proposal. In September Cork County Council refused permission for a 179-hectare solar farm at Ballysallagh while earlier this month an application for a 118-hectare one at Tibbotstown was declared invalid by the planning office. Its likely that application will be resubmitted by the applicant.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Dublin councillors have urged action on the capitals issues with horse poo, which is sparking complaints from several streets in the Liberties and around the Guinness Storehouse.

Tabling a motion on the issue at yesterdays South Central Area Committee meeting, Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran O Meachair said there was a huge amount of horse manure on the streets of the Liberties.

"You dont really have to walk far before you come across it, he said. Ive come across people dumping it as well in rubbish bags and just tossing it on the side of the street.

Horse-drawn carriages have been a feature of Dublin streets for hundreds of years, and are today operated from two ranks in the city, on St Stephens Green and alongside the Guinness Storehouse at St Jamess Gate.

Mr O Meachair said streets like Meath Street, Francis Street and Thomas Street were full of horse poo every day and urged the council to be more attentive in cleaning it up.

Chair of the meeting, independent councillor Vincent Jackson, said the councils hands were slightly tied by the "archaic legislation surrounding the carriages.

Some of the stuff goes back to 1853, now in 1853 Queen Victoria was queen of England, and queen of Ireland by default. So, were working with legislation thats way out of date, he said.

Dublin City Council was regulating the trade from 2011 to 2018, when the the basis for their legal oversight of the carriages was in put in question due to the Victorian-era law.

It states that the responsibility for regulating the carriages lies with a police force.

As a result, the authority stopped issuing licences for horse-drawn carriages that year, and without updated legislation from government to address the issue since, the trade has remained in limbo.

Acknowledging the legal issues, the council said their waste teams were frequently cleaning the streets impacted by horse manure.

"Im not sure what else we can do pending the legislation but I suppose were very active in the area for sure, a representative said at the meeting.

Mr O Meachairs motion, which passed, notes the frustration of the communities affected by the delayed laws, and seeks a more proactive approach from DCC towards the clean up.

"This Area Committee will also write to the Department of Transport to seek an update on legislation to give Dublin City Council the powers to make bylaws to regulate horse drawn carriages, it read.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said it remains committed to progressing legislation to replace the Dublin Carriages Act 1853, with the replacement bill listed on the governments legislative programme.

They added that drivers of horse-drawn carriages are still required to comply with relevant road traffic laws, and other legislation on animal welfare must also be adhered to.

"In addition, section 33 of the Control of Horses Act 1996 provides that An Garda Siochana may compel individuals in control of horses to obtain necessary attention from a veterinarian if the horse is in pain, distress, neglect or is severely injured, diseased or in need of veterinary attention. Failure to comply is an offence, they said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Dublin councillors have voted to request that drones are banned across the city, with exceptions for use by emergency services.

However, it will not have an impact on drones in the capital without intervention by Minister for Transport Darragh OBrien through the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

Councillors for Dublins North Central area on Monday passed a motion from Labour councillor Ali Fields requesting a ban in the capital for privacy reasons.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Ms Fields said she also wanted to introduce a requirement that prospective owners of drones be Garda vetted before being able to get a licence for one.

It could be anyone using it, kids playing out the back or anything. My own son has special needs and he plays out all summer and he does the maddest things and I wouldnt want anyone recording that, you know, she said.

Hopefully something comes of it, but if not Ill have to find another way of trying to raise it as a motion within the [full] council. There are 63 councillors there, and it can be discussed in there, and well try it from there.

She said with the growth of the far right, she would also be worried about any new technology enabling people to drop objects anywhere.

Other councillors supported the motion, out of which a letter will be drafted to Mr OBrien calling for the ban.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said EU regulations on drones do allow for the establishment of an area where they are restricted or excluded for privacy, environmental or security reasons, known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) geographical zones.

To establish UAS geographical zones in respect of privacy and environmental protection, the IAA requires input from relevant agencies, local authorities, and government departments.

They said the recently-published National Policy Framework for drones aims to address concerns in relation to increasing UAS usage and operations in balance with the realisation of the economic and societal benefits from the emerging drone sector.

How drone planning and environmental issues will be addressed by the appropriate authorities is also being assessed as part of the strategy, they added, with a commitment to establish a national working group on the creation of the drone-restricted zones.

Drones have been a controversial issue around the capital, with residents in Glasnevin and in Dundrum raising concerns over plans for drone delivery hubs, following one already operating in Blanchardstown.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
There is major disruption to train services in Dublin this morning due to debris on the line.

Irish Rail earlier warned passengers that there was delays due to a collapsed wall at Salthill and Monkstown Dart station.

Dart services were only serving from Howth/Malahide to Landsdowne due to the debris.

However, due to the earlier delays on the Dart network there are knock on delays to services through the city centre due to congestion.

The Dart is experiencing delays of up to 35 minutes and the Northern Commuter line is experiencing delays of up to 10 minutes.

More to follow...
A petition rejecting new charges has been signed by over 8,000 people this month

More than 8,000 people have signed a petition rejecting new grossly unfair parking charges proposed for next year at Blanchardstown Centre in Dublin.

Fingal County Council (FCC) confirmed to the Irish Independent that it granted planning permission on November 14, which included provisions for paid parking. This came after the shopping centre made a submission to develop its car parks in September.

I think this is an incredibly disappointing decision by the council  Ill be making an appeal to An Coimisiun Pleanala, said Labour councillor for Castleknock John Walsh.

Overall, the plan by the new owners is a disastrous one  one which is grossly unfair to local communities, workers and businesses in the Blanchardstown centre.

I think the plan fails to take account how central the shopping centre is  not merely as a shopping centre, but as a community hub and as a centre for essential public services.

FCCs permission to the shopping centre comes with 10 conditions including the protection of trees in the area and other requirements for sufficient permissions.

Castlecurragh resident and secretary of Dublin West Labour Party, Luke Daly, set up the No Barriers To Blanch petition that has now got 8,200 signatures.

Its disappointing that it was approved but we wont be taking this lying down  the conditions for planning permission give us a spark of hope, said Mr Daly.

"Any consultation with the community has to be at the forefront  it was absolutely disgraceful that the shopping centre did not adequately consult with the community.

Its a smack in the face of workers who have been keeping that shopping centre going for almost 30 years. Particularly unfair on older and disabled people who have to use a car to do their weekly shop.

Last year, the Irish Independent reported that American investor Strategic Value Partners (SVP) was buying the shopping centre after investment bank Goldman Sachs put it up for sale.

A spokesperson for Blanchardstown Centre said that paid parking will begin in 2026, as part of a 60m investment to upgrade the centre.

The investment includes an upgrade of car parking, wayfinding and transport facilities at Blanchardstown Centre to improve mobility and access, said the spokesperson.

We are carefully considering the impact on vulnerable customers, charity groups, and regular visitors, as well as loyalty programmes and discounts to encourage repeat visits. Further details on pricing will be shared in due course.

Councillor Walsh said that a public meeting to discuss the new charges will be held later this month, or in the first week of December.

Cllr Walsh said: It simply beggars belief that the new owners of the Centre are trying to impose parking charges in the midst of an affordability crisis and the cost of living, when people can barely make ends meet as it is.

It is particularly cruel to bring forward such a plan so close to Christmas, when families are already under pressure.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A Kerry councillor has called for direct flights from Kerry airport to Belfast, citing the potential benefits for tourism and business.

At a meeting this week, Councillor Robert Brosnan called on elected members to lobby for a flight, calling the motion a big opportunity for Kerrys tourism sector.

He also highlighted that many in the county work in Belfast, often making the long trip between the two.

Currently, the fastest way from Tralee to Belfast is via Dublin and takes approximately five and-a-half hours to drive outside of busy periods. Making the journey by public transport takes at minimum around six and a half hours.

Within Ireland and the UK, Kerry Airport currently flies to Dublin, Manchester and London.

The flight to Belfast would be shorter than the one hour and 15-minute journey to Manchester, which run by Ryanair, often costs under 20 when booked a month in advance.

The call comes after Kerry Airport received a major upgrade, with a new arrivals hall being officially opened by An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin this week.

The new facility includes a modern public foyer, expanded immigration and customs areas and a larger luggage belt.

Speaking at the official opening, the Taoiseach said that more than 50 years after first opening the vision of its founding fathers has been realised in the shape of a successful and respected international airport.

Kerry Airport acts as an economic driver for the region and has a major impact on the social and economic infrastructure of the surrounding area.

State investments are essential for the continued delivery of a safe and efficient service at Kerry Airport, while representing major backing for rural Ireland that helps to sustain jobs and create new ones.

Part of a 5m redevelopment, an extended departures area was also delivered earlier this year, featuring additional seating, a new smoking area and an extra boarding gate. Works started in September 2024 and concluded with the opening of the new departures area in July.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive following the opening of our new Arrivals Hall in March 2025 and the completion of the expansion of the Departures Hall at the end of July 2025, said the chair of the board of Kerry Airport Plc, Mr Denis Cregan.

The new developments demonstrate our continued commitment to improving the Kerry Airport passenger experienceit will be a strong driver in our conversations with airlines with the capacity to handle additional routes.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
160 sheep stolen over several months from one farmer

At the Glenflesk Community Alert Meeting Garda Leanne Haussmann, left Jerry Kelliher and Tommy Moynihan in the Kerry Way Bar and Restaurant last Monday evening. Photo by Seamus Healy.

IFA representative Kathleen Herlihy speaking at the Glenflesk Community Alert meeting last Monday in the Kerry Way Bar and Restaurant. Photo by Seamus Healy.

Discussing matters at Glenflesk Community alert at the meeting in the Kerry Way last Monday evening, from left Helena Kelliher, Garda Declan Leader, Joan Heapes and Cllr Niall Kelliher.

Attending the packed Glenflesk community alert meeting last Monday evening in the Kerry Way Bar & Restaurant from left, Garda Cathy Murphy, Garda Gillian O'Donoghue, Padraig O'Sullivan Glenflesk Community Alert, Garda Declan Leader and Garda Leanne Haussman. Photo by Seamus Healy.

Kerry farmer Denis O'Connor who has hit out at thieves almost 160 sheep were stolen from his farm in the Clydagh Valley. Photo Seamus Healy.

Every bit of information in a community can help solve a crime. That is the message from the Glenflesk Community Alert meeting where several speakers highlighted the need to report any unusual activity in the area.

Members of An Garda Siochana along with IFA representative Kathleen Herlihy were among the speakers at the meeting organised in light of several sheep thefts in the Clydagh valley in recent months.

It has come to light that another 10 sheep have been stolen from the same farmer within the last week or so.

Denis OConnor is farming in the Clydagh valley between Cork and Kerry, close to Clonkeen and Glenflesk and in total now 159 sheep have been reported stolen from this rural farm.

Such has been the devastation caused by the ongoing thefts that Denis is now living on the farm in a bid to protect his livelihood.

He noted 120 sheep missing in early September when he brought them in from the hill for shearing and reported this incident to gardai. He believe they were stolen between May and August.

Another 29 were noted missing when he brought them in for dipping last month and again this week he has noted another 10 more were taken. All three incidents are being investigated by Gardai.

He believes the sheep were stolen over a period of several months but it difficult to estimate when exactly when they were taken given they are hill sheep and roaming.

He has highlighted the thefts in recent months in a bid to raise awareness of the thefts which he said was a sad indictment of rural Ireland.

In light of the incidents Glenflesk Community Alert hosted a public meeting in the Kerry Way on Monday night. Denis OConnor spoke at the meeting about how the thefts have devastated his livelihood.

Such is the anger and upset in the community they have now come together to help Denis by organising a GoFundMe. Given the need for security measures and the huge financial loss of the stolen sheep estimated to be more than 30,000 the community want to do something to help.

"The community are shocked and angered but we are all fully supportive of the OConnor family know we are behind them and want to show our support to assist them, said Padraig OSullivan of Glenflesk Community Alert.

He said he is hopeful the culprits will be caught and brought to justice.

The GoFundMe is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-denis-and-marie-o-connor-and-family
Sinn Fein Deputy Pa Daly has hit back at Councillor Jackie Healy-Rae over allegations he made regarding the deputys concerns at the lack of Irish language signs at Kerry Airports new extension.

Cllr Healy-Rae accused the deputy of weaponizing the Irish language and overlooking the importance of the official opening of the airports new arrivals hall by An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, on Monday.
I feel like they're just racist and bored  Limerick man victim of two racially-motivated attacks in three weeks

Kehinde Ogunduyile had been skateboarding through the city when he was twice set upon by a group of young males

Kehinde Ogunduyile

Edana Flynn Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

A young man originally from Nigeria who has been living in Limerick for the past four years has described how he has twice been the victim of assaults in recent weeks.
Defendant jailed for one year after pleading guilty to demanding money with menaces from lone female

A 30-year-old man who tried to extort money from a lone woman by pretending she struck his car has been sent to prison for 12 months.

Samuel Novac, Radharc An Bhri, Bree, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan had preyed upon his victim, Judge Dara Hayes said at a circuit court sentence hearing.

The incident occurred at a carpark in Dundalk and following an interaction at the scene which lasted 30 minutes, the defendant sent a solicitors letter.

He pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces at Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk, on June 7, 2019.

Sgt Leonard Clarke said that at around 3pm the woman parked outside Dunnes Stores beside a trolley bay ahead of a hair appointment in Peter Mark.

On getting out she was confronted by Mr Novac who called and beckoned to her. He appeared angry.

His car, a silver Mercedes, was parked nearby. He accused her of hitting the back of it and indicated a mark on the bumper.

He demanded 200 telling the woman that she would be in big trouble, and that she could have caused serious injury. He pointed to a child smiling in the back of the car.

Sgt Clarke continued that the woman knew she hadnt hit the vehicle, and when she asked the man where he got the 200 figure from, the defendant threatened to contact gardai.

The woman told him to go ahead. She rang the hairdressers to say that she would be late.

She also rang her husband, and Mr Novac spoke to him.

The following January she received a letter from a solicitor representing the accused, alleging that she was at fault for an accident.

The court heard that the incident lasted about half an hour. The victim said that she was in fear. She appeared quite shaken and upset.

She declined to make a Victim Impact Statement.

The defendant was interviewed by gardai on September 25, 2021, when he disputed the ladys account.

A Romanian national who has spent most of his life in Ireland, he had the assistance of an interpreter in court.

He has no previous convictions, nor had he an employment record at the time. He is married and has three children.

Defence counsel said that Mr Novac is not working. He had instructed to apologise. It was an unusual case.

Judge Hayes said the victim had been preyed upon while on her own. The defendant picked on an innocent woman going about her business and maintained the deception by sending a solicitors letter.

A sentence of two years and three months was imposed, the final 15 months suspended.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Calls have made for a bus stop to be reinstated at its previous location in Caltragh

An ammended motion before the November meeting of the Borough District of Sligo has called for a letter to be written seeking a meeting with the National transport Authority (NTA) with local representatives calling for the reinstatement of a bus stop at Centra, Caltragh.

Outlining his motion Cllr Fergal Nealon said he was told the majority of residents live within 800 metre of the current stop. However, Cllr Nealon is of the opinion those measurements are incorrect saying when sticking to the footpaths the distance increases up to 1.2km.

"I propose putting the bus stop back where it was. It is massively needed. It brings 500 houses into a reasonable 250m distance from the bus stop.

Agreeing with the sentiments of Cllr Nealons motion, Cllr Arthur Gibbons said, The people who are making these decisions in an office were never in Sligo in their lives. Its supposed to be a public service but its not for those not lucky enough to live near a bus stop.

"Were not living in Spain, with a lot of good weather.

Cllr Tom MacSharry also gave his backing for the motion saying, There was a bus service that stopped there. With increased development I cant understand why the NTA wont consider it. I ask that they meet the Councillors and they do it sooner rather than later.

Cllr Ann Higgins also voiced her agreement saying, I support everything said. Wouldn't it be great to have a representative and say to them you walk up that hill pushing a buggy.

Cllr Declan Bree noted that Councillors had previously met with the NTA saying, They were very co-operative. They delivered on the S3 route. I believe another meeting would be beneficial.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Daniel Barber and Niamh and Sinead Burke get to know the new visitor at North West Hospice

There were smiles all round at North West Hospice on the Mall in Sligo when patients, staff and visitors were treated to a visit from some donkeys recently.

Each month these gentle therapy donkeys are kindly bought in to visit by the staff and volunteers of the Sathya Sai Sanctuary.

Denver and Dumphy, known for their friendly nature and soft, calming presence, spend time with patients and their families. Some reach out to stroke their velvety coats, or some simply enjoy watching them. For others, the visits spark happy memories of time spent with animals in earlier life; for many, it is a rare moment of connection and peace.

Jess Kelly Director of Nursing said that We express our heartfelt thanks to the Sathya Sai Sanctuary team for making the visits possible. Animal assisted therapy has been shown to reduce stress, ease feelings of loneliness, and provide comfort in palliative care settings. The visits remind everyone that even small moments like a nuzzle, a smile, or a shared laugh can bring light and comfort during emotional times.

The donkeys may have left hoofprints behind, but they also left something far more lasting in joy and warmth in the hearts of all who met them.

The donkeys are also looking forward to visiting the new hospice, which is under construction, when it opens in 2026.
Mary Horkan and Patricia Chandler from North West Hospice who have been nominated in The BIG Christmas Giveback

The North West Hospice charity has been nominated for The BIG Christmas Giveback, a national initiative celebrating organisations and individuals who make a meaningful difference within their local communities.

The person or organisation with the most nominations in the competition will win a 1000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Love Sligo Gift Card, with one person who nominated them winning a 500 gift card.

The North West Hospice charity supports and enhances the provision of specialist palliative care, developing services for people with lifelimiting illnesses across Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, and West Cavan.

Care is provided in patients homes, in nursing homes, in hospital, and at the specialist inpatient unit in Sligo. Dedicated to enhancing the well-being of patients and their families, the charity works closely with medical professionals to identify and address specific needs, focusing on continuous service development and facility improvement.

The North West Hospice charity relies on the generosity of individuals, families, the public, and organisations through donations and fundraising events to support and develop specialist care needs, acquire essential equipment, and offer support to patients, staff, and families.

Mary Horkan, Fundraising & Communications Manager at North West Hospice charity, said: We are delighted to be nominated for this campaign by our fantastic local community. If we were to win, it would go directly towards supporting patients and their families this Christmas and beyond. It's great to support a local initiative like the Love Sligo Gift Card, which also helps local businesses in Sligo, and theres lots of choice for the team on where to spend it and it is hugely successful in the town.

Led by Sligo BID, the Love Sligo Gift Card can be spent with over 250 local businesses. Over 1.8 million has been locked into the local economy through the card to date. The Love Sligo Gift Card is part of the award winning Town & City Gift Card concept from fintech Miconex active across Ireland.

Gail McGibbon, CEO at Sligo BID said: North West Hospice is a charity doing extraordinary work in Sligo to support patients with life limiting illnesses and their families. Wed love to see The North West Hospice charity win this national competition and the Love Sligo Gift Card prize. As its the person or organisation that has the most nominations who will win, please take a moment to nominate at www.lovelocalwin.ie.

Mark Cunningham, Love Sligo Gift Card coordinator and business development manager for Miconex Ireland, said: Its wonderful to see this nomination for a North West Hospice in The BIG Christmas Giveback, a national campaign operated by Miconex. Last year, Osta Cafe and Wine Bar won the national giveaway organised by Miconex thanks to the extraordinary support we saw from Sligo. This year, we need your help again to see North West Hospice take the crown and the Love Sligo Gift Card prize.

Colin Munro is the CEO of Miconex and said: Since its launch, the Love Sligo Gift Card has consistently given back to the Sligo community with over 1.8 million in sales to date. The BIG Christmas Giveback is also about giving back and shining a light on the positive work happening in our local communities, such as seen at North West Hospice.
The scene of the light aircraft crash in Tramore, Waterford on Thursday. Photo: Shauns_Aviation on X

One person has died after a light aircraft crashed while trying to make an emergency landing in Waterford.

The incident occurred shortly before 1pm on Thursday when an Italian-built twin engined light aircraft went down in a field as it attempted to make an emergency landing, falling just short of the runway at Waterford Airport.

Reports indicated the pilot had declared an emergency off the Waterford coast in the minutes prior to the crash landing.

A major incident was declared with almost 30 members of the gardai, paramedics, Coast Guard and Waterford Fire Brigade personnel deploying to the site at Lisselan between Tramore and Dunmore.

The incident occurred in a field near the R685 road which was immediately closed by gardai to facilitate the work of the emergency services.

The plane involved was a high-wing, twin-engined Partenavia-Vulcanair P68 aircraft. It was on a flight from Sligo to Bezier in France and had taken off less than an hour before the incident unfolded.

The pilot declared an emergency off the Waterford coast just before 1pm and immediately turned towards Waterford Airport in a bid to make an emergency landing.

The front section of the aircraft is understood to have sustained major damage as it came down in a field.

Its fuselage was also wrecked, with the tail-section of the aircraft left pointing skywards after the plane came to a standstill just a short distance from a roadside ditch.

One theory is that the aircraft was attempting to make an emergency landing but its nose gear sank into the sod, causing the plane to dig nose-first into the field.

The aircraft came down just short of the runway at Waterford Airport.

One person was later pronounced dead after suffering critical blunt-force trauma injuries.

The man was treated for critical injuries at the scene by paramedics but they were unable to stabilise his condition. A number of people were treated for shock at the scene.

However, the deceased was the only person on board the aircraft when it crash landed.

The Waterford-based Rescue 117 Sikorsky helicopter immediately landed at the site in support of the emergency services.

A major investigation into the accident has now been launched by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) at the Department of Transport, which is being supported by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

An AAIU team was immediately dispatched to the scene from Dublin to determine the precise circumstances of what happened.

"The AAIU is deploying a team of four inspectors of air accidents to the accident site to commence an investigation," a spokesperson said.

AAIU inspectors are aviation experts drawn from backgrounds in airlines and the Air Corps as well as aircraft engineering firms.

A key focus of the investigation will be whether the plane was experiencing control or power issues in the minutes before the tragedy unfolded.

Inspectors will also examine recordings of all communications between the aircraft and air traffic control for clues as to what happened.

Such light aircraft are not traditionally fitted with black boxes or flight data recorders.

The aircraft involved has an excellent safety record and is one of the most popular small private aircraft operated across Europe.

Gardai said they were conducting a live and ongoing operation in response to the incident.

"Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision involving a light aircraft at a location near Tramore, Co Waterford," a spokesperson said.

"It occurred at approximately 12.50pm. As this is a live and ongoing operation no further information is available at this time."

The aircraft is not understood to have been on a commercial flight at the time.

Locals expressed deep shock at the tragedy.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard what had happened. The thoughts and prayers of everyone in Waterford will be with those involved," one local resident said.

Waterford TD David Cullinane paid tribute to the response of the emergency services as he said everyone in Waterford was deeply saddened by what had happened.

Mr Cullinane said the thoughts of everyone in Waterford are with those affected by the tragedy.

In a statement on Thursday evening, gardai said: Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of a light aircraft collision which occurred at Tramore, Co Waterford at approximately 12.50pm this afternoon, Thursday 20th November 2025.

Initial reports indicate that there was one fatality, the sole occupant of the aircraft.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit is at the scene and the Irish Aviation Authority has been notified.

The scene is being preserved and investigations are ongoing.
In a heartfelt conclusion to the launch of its 50th Anniversary, Nora Murrin and Oliver Blackwell, chairperson of FirstLight, light a candle in remembrance of the approximately 8,000 bereaved parents and families the charity has supported since its establishment in 1976. This moment serves as a poignant tribute to the enduring bonds and resilience of those who have sought help over the years.

Sabina Higgins, the patron of the national charity FirstLight, met with a delegation of 37 representatives during the charity's 50th Anniversary launch at the Aras on Friday, November 7th. This group included 24 sets of bereaved parents who have received support from the charity over the past five decades. In the front row, from left to right: Tommy Berry, Eimear Berry (founder of ISDA), Sabina Higgins (FirstLight Patron), and Oliver Blackwell (Chairperson of FirstLight).

A bereaved couple from Wexford were invited by Sabina Higgins to attend a gathering she hosted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Firstlight, also also known as the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association (ISIDA).

On Friday, November 7, Deirdre and Jim O' Malley from Ferns joined twenty-four other families at the gathering hosted by Mrs Sabina Higgins, who is patron of the charity FirstLight, at Aras an Uachtarain. Founder Eimear Berry was also present at the event, having established the charity in 1976 after experiencing the tragic loss of her son, Brendan, to cot death (SIDS) in November 1975.

The morning provided an important opportunity for bereaved parents, including Deirdre and Jim, to honour the memories of their babies and children and to reflect on the estimated 8,000 families that the charity has supported since its inception in 1976.

Deirdre and Jim welcomed their beautiful twin baby boy, Barry, into the world in 2011. Tragically, just five weeks later, Barry passed away in 2011, due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), leaving the O'Malley family feeling as though their entire world had shattered.

With the support of FirstLight, Deirdre and Jim established the Barry O'Malley Fund in partnership with the organisation in 2020. This fund aims to provide assistance to other bereaved parents, channelling all funds raised directly to support them.

To date, the Barry O'Malley Fund has raised approximately 60,000 in memory of their son Barry and in aid of FirstLight.

FirstLight's CEO, Jennifer McCarthy Flynn, expressed heartfelt thanks to Mrs Higgins and her remarkable team at the Aras, acknowledging their generous hospitality during such a busy week as the President's term came to an end,

"Mrs. Higgins has been an invaluable patron of FirstLight for the past decade, and we are immensely grateful for the unwavering support and commitment she has shown to our charity, which has profoundly impacted our mission, she said.

She highlighted how the charity has gone from strength to strength, providing support and assistance to many families across the country.

"This event highlighted our fifty-year journey from a peer support service to a trauma-informed crisis intervention and psychotherapy provider, assisting parents and families who have experienced pregnancy loss or the death of their child. Since 2015, FirstLight has experienced an incredible 480 per cent increase in referrals to its services and this year alone we have delivered over 3,300 hours of free crisis intervention and psychotherapy to more than 324 bereaved parents and families across Ireland, she added.

FirstLight has exciting events planned for 2026, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks. The charity will remember the approximately 8,000 families it has supported across the last 50 years who have experienced pregnancy loss or the death of their child.

The charity would love to hear from families they have worked with and encourage anyone interested to contact them.

They encourage anyone who has been impacted by the death of a child and would like to talk to someone, to please contact them by email at info@firstlight.ie.
Ed Murphy, founder of the GreenTechHQ in Enniscorthy, has been appointed as President of the County Wexford Chamber at their recent AGM.

His experience makes him the appropriate select for the role, given his contribution to the business industry through the range of events and programmes organised at GreenTechHQ, Irelands first Sustainability Innovation Hub.

The collaborative centre, located in the Enniscorthy Technology Park, supports businesses working on green technology, renewable energy, and sustainability through mentoring, programmes and event space. He also recently launched The Food Studio in GreenTech HQ, a collaborative and networking space for food entrepreneurs, producers and innovators across the Southeast, with the aim of providing advice and mentoring in food marketing, as well as photography, videos and podcast services.

Speaking on his appointment, the Chamber highlighted how his vast experience inside and outside of Ireland will benefit the organisation going forward.

"A native of Clongeen in south Wexford, Ed worked in the UK, Australia, and the US before returning to Ireland and joining Snap Printing as an equity partner and chief executive. Later, Ed was chief executive and co-owner of Home Instead Senior Care and the video game retailer, CeX.

"Returning to Wexford a few years ago, Ed set up GreenTech HQ, which is a not-for-profit passion project to drive economic growth and help create worthwhile and future-driven jobs in the county. GreenTech HQ has provided space, mentoring and business programmes to over 40 businesses in 2025 as well as hosting business and community events for hundreds of people, the chamber spokesperson said.

At the Chambers AGM, Mr Murphy outlined his vision for County Wexford Chamber, which follows on from his current work, which includes advocating for the business environment in Wexford as well as increasing support for entrepreneurs and businesses which contribute so much to the local community and which is often not appreciated by Government and understood by the public.

One of his first jobs will be the launching of the Chambers Strategic Plan 2026-2028 in early December. Ed is keen for the Chamber to partner with relevant parties to achieve the Chambers objectives to foster economic growth. These key objectives will be all about helping create the ecosystem with many initiatives to help new and existing businesses to thrive and create high quality jobs for our young people to live, work, and stay in Wexford.

He also looks forward to profiling the many Wexford business success stories to provide inspiration to others and illustrating Wexford as a fantastic location and supportive environment for businesses.
Selecting the chair Jer O Mahony chair and Conor McDonald as deputy chair to the Slaney Catchment Community Forum demonstrating the good vibes in the room and the positivity in the meeting.

The Slaney Catchment Community Forum with representatives from the Wexford Regional Game Council, Wexford IFA, Talamh Beo, Hollyfort Development Group, Ferns Community Development Association, Edermine Ferry Rowing Club, Coastwatch, Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, Myshall Nature, Slaney Rivers Trust, Teagasc Slaney Better Farming for Water Catchment Coordinator, Rathvilly Tidy Towns, Boro Dairy Discussion Group.

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) launched the new Slaney Catchment Community Forum with an inaugural meeting last week at the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, marking a significant milestone in facilitating community-led participation in the protection and restoration of water quality in the Slaney catchment.

The Slaney Catchment Community Forum is one of five pilot river catchment projects across Ireland, established under the new River Basin Management Plan to support public involvement. The meeting was a fruitful follow-on from previous scoping meetings to figure out the most suitable format for how people from Counties Wexford, Carlow and Wicklow might participate in delivering better water quality for all.

The Slaney Catchment Community Forum is now formalised, with a wide span of representatives from the Wexford Regional Game Council, Wexford IFA, Talamh Beo, Hollyfort Development Group, Ferns Community Development Association, Edermine Ferry Rowing Club, Coastwatch, Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, Myshall Nature, Slaney Rivers Trust, Teagasc Slaney Better Farming for Water Catchment Coordinator, Rathvilly Tidy Towns, Boro Dairy Discussion Group.

The forum elected its leadership team during the meeting and discussed areas of key focus for 2026. This includes bringing important water quality issues to the attention of state agencies, better understanding, support and advice for the farming community and training for the forum members in accessing water quality information, including how to use the EPAs water quality portal known as catchments.ie.

Map of Slaney Catchment showing the broad geographic representation nominated to the Slaney Catchment Community Forum.

The forum members expressed that they would like to forum to be proactive rather than just discussing issues and recommendations were made to organise citizen science monitoring, direct catchment action such as litter cleanups and open field information days, including trips to some of the farming representatives to share knowledge on practical measures. Members were also keen to understand how will the Slaney Catchment Forum interact with the governance structures established under the River Basin Management Plan.

Dr. Fran Igoe, Regional Coordinator for LAWPRO in the South East region explained that the purpose of the Pilot Catchment Community Fora is to work out some of these issues to improve public participation in the management of the River Slaney.

This is an exciting opportunity for public participation and LAWPRO will work closely with the forum and local communities right across the Slaney River catchment to support better water quality for all, he said.

Maggie Morrissey, Senior Community Water with LAWPRO in the South East Region, also added: The positive energy from everyone in the room and the excellent community representation hopefully gets us off to a good start and LAWPRO will work hard to support the forum within our capacity.

The forum elected Jer O Mahony, former IFA county chair, as its chair and Conor McDonald as deputy chair. LAWPRO will provide the secretariate as agreed in the initial scoping meetings.

Speaking on his appointment, Jer OMahony said that the forum would have a positive impact on the community, allowing people to come together and better their area.

Selecting the chair Jer O Mahony chair and Conor McDonald as deputy chair to the Slaney Catchment Community Forum demonstrating the good vibes in the room and the positivity in the meeting.

"The establishment of the Slaney Catchment Community Forum gives a fantastic opportunity to everyone involved in the protection and enhancement of the Slaney and its tributaries to have a voice and help make a positive contribution in making a real difference. We will engage through LAWPRO with state bodies to achieve the ultimate goal of excellent water quality for all to enjoy. I would like to thank LAWPRO for facilitating this tremendous opportunity and we will reach out to ALL organisations up to the source of the Slaney, including all those in Wicklow and Carlow to join us and make a collective effort, working for the good of all, he said.

The Slaney Catchment Community Forum is part of the Catchment Community Fora initiative, coordinated by LAWPRO. This national pilot programme works with communities to protect and improve water quality, supporting local engagement and collaboration across Irelands river catchments. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the forum aims to share knowledge, identify challenges, and develop practical solutions that benefit both people and nature.

The forum will meet quarterly throughout 2026, with its next meeting set to take place early in the new year.

For more information about the Slaney Catchment Community Forum and LAWPROs work, contact David Rafter, LAWPRO Community Water Officer covering Carlow and Wexford, at drafter@lawaters.ie.
The students of FCJ secondary school have joined the effort to collect and send crutches to the frontlines of Ukraine for injured soldiers.

Crutches 4 Ukraine is a service that collects unwanted and unneeded equipment from people in Ireland that can be used by soldiers on the frontline in Ukraine.

The service was created by former Cork Senator John Gilroy and heavily supported in Wexford by Canon Trevor Sargent of Bunclody, who was also the former leader of the Green Party before answering his calling to the church. He previously opened St Mary's Church, Bunclody to the people of Wexford for donations of equipment such as crutches and wheelchairs.

During his time in politics Mr Gilroy got to know and became familiar with a Polish Mayor on the Eastern side of Poland which has a sister town in Ukraine. With his help, Mr Gilroy uses a rented van to collect equipment around the country to be brought over to Ukraine.

FCJ teacher Justin Kelly explained that the students were very interested in getting involved in the cause.

"Our school community has really gotten behind the initiative here, with classes designing Ukrainian flags to raise awareness for the cause. As part of this, we will be collecting a number of items that will then be transported to the frontline, he explained.

The school is actively encouraging people to get involved and see if they have the following products to donate; crutches, walking frames, walking sticks, wheelchairs, and splints.

In addition, they are looking for tinned food in the form of beans, peas, chickpeas, tomatoes and tuna among others, as well as hygiene products of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and female hygiene products.

These items can be dropped into the schools main office to be added to the collection.
A number of cases were heard at Wexford district court recently before Judge Peter White.

Prison sentence for theft matters

A Wexford woman pleaded guilty to six charges of theft all dated September 16 2024.

The court heard that on the day in question Amy Byrne (45) of Apartment 1, Moyne House, Gratton Quay, Waterford, and a co-accused were observed by members of An Garda Siochana at Wexford Quay, who spotted the duo throw bags under a bench and walk away.

Gardai subsequently discovered the items in the bag to be property stolen from various stores in Wexford town.

Gardai informed the court Byrne has 151 total previous convictions with 92 of them being theft related.

Eileen ONeill, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that Byrne was under pressure from individuals in Waterford to pay off debts owed by her resulting in the thefts on the day in question. Ms. ONeill stated that all the property was returned to the respective stores in a resalable condition. The solicitor also said the accused was intoxicated on the day in question.

Judge White described the string of thefts as a spree but gave the accused credit for the fact the goods were returned in resalable condition.

However, he also stated that due to the staggering number of previous convictions a custodial sentence must be imposed.

Judge White imposed a six month prison sentence in relation to a theft of cosmetics from Boots of over 1,500 along with a further one month sentence to run concurrently on a second charge sheet.

There was no appearance by the co-accused in this matter, Leanne McCarthy (45) of Oasis House, Morrisons Road, Waterford. A bench warrant issued in her absence.

Road Traffic Offences

Paul Darcy (34) of Sleepy Hallow, Bloomfield, Enniscorthy, Wexford, pleaded guilty to an offence of no insurance on April 4 2025 at R753 Clonard Great.

The court heard that the accused made admissions at the time of the stop. Judge White imposed a 300 fine with 12 months to pay.

Tadas Ulevicius (35) of 11 Foxborough Lane, Lucan, Dublin, entered a plea of guilty in relation to an offence of driving without insurance on June 9, 2025 at N25 Starvehall.

Garda Breheny informed the court that the accused has an insurance policy on his own vehicle which allowed him to drive other cars if they are not in his own name, which this car was.

Eileen ONeill, solicitor for the accused, stated that Ulevicius was driving his partners car on the day as his had broken down and the vehicle has now been transferred over fully in the name of his partner.

Judge White commented that he will not impose a disqualification as it appeared to be a genuine mistake and instead imposed a 300 fine with 12 months to pay.

James Peter McDonald (33) of 6 Pairc Cluain, Mulgannon, Wexford, plead guilty to an offence of driving uninsured on June 1, 2025 at Ballygorman, Barntown.

McDonald informed the court he had only bought the car at the time. Judge White imposed a 300 fine with 12 months to pay.

Barbara Connors of 45 Hewittsland, New Ross, Wexford, was fined 320 with 12 months to pay in relation to a speeding offence. The court heard that on May 6, 2025 at R731 Ballywilliam, Wexford, the accused was detected traveling a speed of 63kmh. The posted speed limit on this road is 50kmh.

Fine for Public Order

Ray Richardson (61) with an address at Old Post Office, Mayglass, Wexford, pleaded guilty to a public order offence.

The court heard that on March 14 2025 gardai received reports of an intoxicated male. Once gardai located Richardson he was intoxicated to a degree where he could not speak or stand without assistance. The court heard that once Richardson sobered up he was highly cooperative and apologetic.

The accused has 13 previous convictions which are all said to be road traffic in nature.

Judge White imposed a 150 fine with three months to pay.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
The managing director of a Wicklow engineering firm has been nominated for an award at the 28th Annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which are taking place on Thursday, November 27, at Powerscourt Hotel, Enniskerry.

James Kelly, managing director and co-owner of LMH Engineering, based in Arklow, is one of 23 finalists shortlisted for this years prestigious awards. Mr Kelly will join 22 other finalists from across the island of Ireland to compete across three categories  Emerging', Established and International  with one overall winner named as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025.

A special Sustainability Award will be presented to the finalist who is making the biggest contribution towards environmental sustainability through their business, and a Special Recognition Award will also be presented on the night.

LMH Engineering is an engineering company delivering end-to-end steel and modular solutions combining in-house design, engineering, modelling, manufacturing, and installation. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 finalists span sectors including consumer, technology, media, health, life sciences, manufacturing and financial services, and collectively generate annual revenues in excess of 1bn and employ more than 4,000 people.

The overall winner of The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 will represent Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monaco, in June 2026.

Commenting on the announcement, Roger Wallace, head of assurance and EY Entrepreneur of The Year, said: As the awards night approaches, we reflect on an extraordinary journey for this years finalists. Theyve shared their stories, challenged themselves, and embraced every aspect of the programme, from the week-long CEO Retreat in Japan to connecting with our wider EOY community. They have established themselves as valued members of our EY Entrepreneur Of The Year network and we look forward to their continued participation in the programme as alumni in the years ahead.

"James Kelly embodies the strength of entrepreneurship in Wicklow, and we look forward to celebrating his achievements and the positive impact he continues to make later this month, he concluded.

Now in its 28th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme supports, promotes and connects a community of more than 680 entrepreneurs who collectively generate revenues of 28bn and employ over 275,000 people across the island of Ireland. The programme is supported by premium corporate sponsor Julius Baer, and Government sponsors, Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is a global recognition programme run in 145 cities in more than 60 countries. Currently in its 28th year in Ireland, the programme works to recognise, promote and build a supportive community around Irelands high-growth entrepreneurs and is considered one of the strongest programmes globally.

This year, the independent judging panel for the awards is chaired by Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest, who is joined by:
The communities of Arklow and Rathnew in Co Wicklow have rallied together in support of the family of an 8-year-old boy who passed away after he had been discharged from hospital having suffered breathing difficulties.

Matthew Breen passed away in the care of Crumlin Childrens Hospital, Dublin, on Monday, November 17, with his devastated family by his side.

A GoFundMe has been established by Lauren Frampton, the sister-in-law of Matthews mother Ciara, in an effort to support his heartbroken family, who are originally from of Inbhear Mor Park, Arklow, before moving to Rathnew in recent years.

On Thursday, November 6, Matthew broke his arm in two places and was transferred to hospital by ambulance. He was sent home that same day and arrangements were made for him to attend Crumlin Hospital on Friday, November 7, for surgery.

In her GoFundMe Lauren explained: While in hospital Matthew became unwell and was given tablets and steroids, but was vomiting all day. He was given a second dose of steroids because he was still vomiting and the first dose didnt work. He was having trouble breathing but they told Ciara to walk him around the hospital and give Matthew water, and if he keeps it down, they were going to discharge him and make an appointment for him to attend Tallaght hospital to see a lung doctor on Tuesday.

Matthew was discharged from the hospital but by the evening of Monday, November 10, his condition had rapidly deteriorated and he was having difficulty in catching his breath. Unfortunately, Matthew stopped breathing and local first responders quickly came to his aid. He was rushed to Crumlin Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma on life support. Matthew sadly passed away on Monday, November 17, with his family at his bedside.

Matthew was the most loving little boy and he was only 8. He is missed and loved by so many people. Matthew has two brothers and two sisters and Matthew was the eldest. This GoFundMe is to help Matthews family against the financial stress. He was the most heart warming boy and will be missed and was loved by all who knew him! As a community weve all pulled together and anything as little as anything would really help this family through this difficult time, added Lauren.

Hours after being established, the GoFundMe had already raised 5,817 of its target of 6,500.

Matthew was the son of Ciara, Callum and Eden, loving brother of Tyler, Olivia, Amelia and Oliver, and the adored grandson of Anne (nee Murphy) and the late William (Billy) Breen.

Matthews remains will be reposing at his nanny Annes home in Mary B Mitchell Close, Inbhear Mor Park, Arklow on Thursday from 3pm to 7pm. His removal takes place on Friday morning at 9.30am to St. Josephs Church, Templerainey, Arklow arriving for funeral mass at 10am.

Matthew will be laid to rest with his grandad Billy in St. Gabriels Cemetery, Arklow, walking from Lamberton.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by clicking here
Our beauty editor shares her favourites, from makeup to perfume, a hair mask and an at-home manicure kit

Occasionally Im using a beauty product and I feel absolutely compelled to share it with you. Usually, these are the items which have suddenly become absolute essentials in my personal makeup bag, but might not have found their way into the column for a while, or possibly ever. Today, I want to share six favourites with you, along with my hearty recommendation.

KJH Brand Precision Sculpture Stylo

KJH Brand Precision Sculpture Stylo (26 via kjhbrand.com)  This product from makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes is the absolute MVP of my makeup bag right now, so much so that I considered buying four more yesterday just so I could always have one in reach. This retractable stick is available in five contour shades and can be used on the eyes, face and lips to add depth and dimension. For me, its all about the lips. I apply the shade Etch around my lipline and it adds instant volume, giving me the pout of my dreams.

Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick (42 via meritbeauty.com)  Recently landed on Irish shores, Merits focus is on high-quality impossible to mess up products, and this multi-use stick definitely qualifies. Use it all over your face like foundation or in targeted areas  it blends like a dream and delivers skin-like coverage. Its super handy for popping in your handbag for top-ups on the go.

Phlur Cherry Stem Eau de Parfum

Phlur Cherry Stem Eau de Parfum (32-99 via brownthomas.com)  This is a beautiful scent for winter, combining the sticky sweetness of black cherry with base notes of warm caramel and soft leather. The result is a sophisticated, warm fragrance which feels fun but grown up.

Sephora Collection Colourful Effects Multichrome Retractable Eyeliner

Sephora Collection Colourful Effects Multichrome Retractable Eyeliner (12.99 via sephora.co.uk)  These are a great way to introduce something fun and festive to your makeup look this party season, especially if glitter isnt your thing. Available in four shades, these liners shine and shimmer, shifting between colours as the lights hit them. Pop them in your waterline or along the lash line, and theyll add something special to anything from a neutral to a smokey eye. No, we dont have Sephora here, but you can order from the Sephora UK website, with customs included up to 150.

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask (59.99 via mccabespharmacy.com)  Yes, the price is horrifying, but I couldnt be without this hair mask, which is essential to my hairs health. It counters damage caused by colour, heat and general harshness, leaving hair soft and renewed. Be sure youre using it correctly though  it should be applied to towel-dried, clean hair (preferably washed with a clarifying shampoo) and left on for at least four minutesso that it can work its magic. I use it once a week.

14 Day Manicure At-Home Gel Polish Kit

14 Day Manicure At-Home Gel Polish Kit (starter kit from 166 via 14daymanicure.com)  This kit is the only reason my toenails ever look halfway decent. It comes with everything you need to give yourself a gel manicure at home, including polish and lamp. The results last for weeks, and if you get regular pedicures, the kit pays for itself in no time.

Lost in translation

Peptides are everywhere at the moment, in your lip balm, your serums, your face masks, even in your foundation  but why? Peptides are chains of amino acids which stimulate collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin make the skin plump and juicy, which minimises the appearance of fine lines and yes, therefore make you appear more youthful. They also help with the overall skin texture and appearance, so while they are an ideal ingredient for mature skin, theyre also good for younger complexions.

Something old...

LOreal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Skin Serum

Theres a lot to love about a serum foundation if youre someone who likes a relatively natural look which leans into glow. One of my favourites in this category is LOreal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Skin Serum (19.99 via boots.ie). While its price is attractive, its the product itself that I love. The formula is light and comfortable to wear, leaving your skin luminous and with the appearance of hydration, even if its not. Coverage is described as sheer, but this builds beautifully should you require a flawless appearance. I like to leave this as is, but if you find the glow is too much for you, a little powder will help to mute it a little.

Something new

Victoria Beckhams Foundation Drops

Its been a while since Ive seen a buzz about a new foundation launch like the one surrounding Victoria Beckhams Foundation Drops (121 via brownthomas.com). Perhaps its that we all watched the Netflix series about the brands founder, which some could argue was a well-constructed ad for VB products, or perhaps its simply that the product is excellent. A serum formula produced in collaboration with skincare brand Augustinus Bader, its enriched with their TFC8 technology, which is said to rejuvenate skin cells. Coverage is sheer and glowy, but leaves the skin looking absolutely radiant. While there are only 19 shades in the range, they do cover a lot of ground. This is a hit.
Julia Molony: Sophie Kinsella was as bright and vibrant as the characters she created  the author and her writing will be dearly missed
Ex-London Met officer David Carrick to be sentenced today over fresh convictions

Carrick, who was handed 36 life sentences in 2023, on Wednesday was found guilty of further rapes and a sexual assault

David Carrick was found guilty of further rapes (Hertfordshire Police/PA)

Emily Pennink Press Association Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 07:46

Predatory ex-police officer David Carrick will be sentenced later for molesting a 12-year-old girl and raping a former partner.
A former officer with Londons Metropolitan Police, who was revealed as one of the UKs worst sex offenders, has been found guilty of raping a former partner and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.
Three people have been charged by police investigating the alleged mishandling of cremated remains and alleged funeral plan fraud in Dumbarton and Glasgow.

Operation Koine was launched in April last year following reports relating to the practices of the former A Milne Independent Funeral Directors in those areas.
As Russia strikes Europe again, when will this hybrid war with Nato turn physical?

Kremlins alleged sabotage on Polish rail line together with a long list of terror-style attacks throughout the bloc may force Europe into more robust pushback

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, second right, visits the site of the Mika rail line, which was damaged by sabotage, near Deblin, Poland on Monday. Photo/KPRM/AP

Sam Kiley UK Independent Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Russia stands accused of sabotage on Polands railways. The Kremlin attacked a gas-loaded tanker on the Romania border, forcing the evacuation of several villages in the country. Moscow has repeatedly flown drones into European airspace, and jets over Estonia.
Dutch return control of chipmaker Nexperia to Chinese after standoff

Spat with Beijing threatened to hurt output of Europes big automakers

Nexperia (China) Ltds factory is pictured amidst a diplomatic standoff between China and Netherlands over the company in Guangdong province, China. Photo: Reuters

Patrick Van Oosterom and Sarah Jacob Bloomberg Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

The Dutch government suspended its powers over chipmaker Nexperia, handing back control to its Chinese owner and defusing a standoff with Beijing that had begun to hamper automotive production around the world.
People look at a residential building which was heavily damaged after a Russian strike on Ternopil, Ukraine, yesterday. Photo: AP

The US has signalled to President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine must accept a US-drafted framework to end the war with Russia that proposes Kyiv giving up territory and some weapons, two people familiar with the matter said yesterday.
Misery in Gaza as rain and floods test system stretched to breaking

Recent stormy conditions are compounding many of the challenges already facing Palestinians in the enclave

Displaced Palestinians warm their hands inside a tent on a rainy day in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

Haseeb Alwazeer Reuters Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Crammed into flimsy tent camps hard up against the seashore, Gazans have been flooded by heavy rain and storm surges in recent days, destroying shelters, soaking mattresses and blankets, and bringing new misery to the Gaza Strip, even after a ceasefire.
A portrait by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt has sold for $236m (203m)  making it the most valuable art ever sold at Sothebys and the second most expensive work of art in auctioning history.
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.
On 21 March 2009, Major Sharma led a daring operation in the Hafruda forest of Kupwara, where he eliminated several militants and rescued his team members before succumbing to his injuries. For his extraordinary bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, Indias highest peacetime gallantry award.

Dhurandhar release date and cast

Dhurandhar

( Image credit : Jio Studios | R Madhavan in Dhurandhar )

is slated to hit Indian cinemas on December 5, 2025, boasting a powerful ensemble cast. Ranveer Singh leads the film as The Wrath of God, alongside Akshaye Khanna as The Apex Predator, Sanjay Dutt as The Jinn, R. Madhavan as The Charioteer of Karma, and Arjun Rampal as The Angel of Death.The lineup also includes 20-year-old Sara Arjun, further heightening excitement for this big-ticket release.
Jennifer stands firm before leaving Salem

( Image credit : Soap Opera Digest | Jennifer prepares for her return to Boston )

Rachel senses trouble and sharpens her focus

( Image credit : Soap Opera News | Rachel grows suspicious of Sarah )

Chad seeks guidance , and Rafe hits an obstacle

( Image credit : Soap Opera Digest | Jeremy encourages him to stand his ground )

Thursdays Days of Our Lives episode turns up the pressure in several corners of Salem, beginning with Jennifers looming departure. With her bags almost ready for Boston, she intends to leave town on her own termsand keep her promise to take her grandchildren with her. The question is whether she can follow through without blowing up the fragile peace around her.Jennifer is determined to secure her grandchildrens future before walking out of Salem. She has already enlisted Justin Kiriakis to guide her, but his upcoming advice may not be completely comforting. Some of what he has to say could support her plan, while other parts might push her to reconsider the pace at which shes moving. Still, Jennifer appears unwilling to retreat, even with Chads disapproval hanging over the situation. Whether this escalates into a full custody confrontation depends on how both sides respond in the days ahead.At the same time, Rachel is beginning to stir up concerns of her own. After spotting a noticeably close moment between her father and Sarah at the hospital, she begins to suspect that Sarah may be slipping into a place she believes should belong to her mother alone. Rachel has tolerated Sarah up until this point, but once she decides someone is a problem, her behavior tends to escalate quickly. What she chooses to do next could shape the next round of friction in her fathers life.Chad, facing the possibility of losing access to his children, turns to Jeremy for clarity. Whether Jeremy encourages him to stand his ground or dial down the tension could influence how the situation unfolds.Elsewhere, Xander expresses appreciation toward Brady, though the reason behind his gratitude remains a mystery. And in another part of Salem, Rafe and Cat run into a setback. The timing raises questions about whether this complication ties back to their efforts to uncover information on EJ DiMera. It may slow their progress, but its unlikely to stop them altogether.With emotions rising and decisions looming, every character faces a turning point that could reshape relationships, loyalties, and the paths ahead.
A disappearing act that blindsides everyone

( Image credit : Soap Opera Digest | Luna sends Los Angeles spinning )

A house full of questions, but no Luna

( Image credit : Soap Opera Digest | Luna framed it as a chance to reunite with Will Spencer )

Fear, tension, and a past that refuses to stay buried

( Image credit : Soap Opera Digest | Electra and Ivy cant shake the sinking feeling in their stomachs )

The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for Thursday, November 20, paint a chaotic picture as Deputy Chief Baker steps into a case that keeps getting messier by the minute. Luna Nozawa is no longer just a name on a recordshes the fugitive everyone is suddenly talking about, and her escape from prison is already spiralling into a crisis none of them saw coming.Lunas breakout, which she initially framed as a chance to reunite with Will Spencer, takes a sharp, unexpected turn once she confesses the heartbreaking truth: she lost their baby. The single phone call she managed to make from prison set everything into motion. Bill learns shes missing, and the moment Will texts his father confirming she made it to the beach house, the floodgates open. Word spreads instantly, and Lunas supposed safe haven disappears just as quickly as she arrived.In no time, the beach house becomes the centre of a frantic chase. Officers rush there, and Deputy Chief Baker demands answers that no one is able to give. Luna, refusing to risk another encounter with police, bolts before they can corner her. She knows what another arrest means. She knows prison is waiting. And after losing what she once believed could be her way out, shes running with more fearand urgencythan ever.As the search widens, the pressure intensifies. Electra and Ivy cant shake the sinking feeling in their stomachs.Theyve seen what Luna is capable of, and her history isnt something they can forget. Every crime, every reckless choice, every disaster shes created none of it has ever stayed quiet. And the idea of Luna loose again is enough to unsettle anyone who knows her.What follows is a dangerous chaseone that feels more like a high-stakes hunt than a routine police search. Everyone, from law enforcement to those personally involved, has the same goal: track down Luna and haul her back before she causes more damage.Lunas escape turns explosive as fear rises, loyalties shake, and the hunt tightensnow everyone waits to see who moves first.


Congress has advanced a bipartisan measure directing the US Justice Department to make public its investigative files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate took up the bill shortly after the House passed it in a decisive 4271 vote, rapidly accelerating a process expected to take several days.



How the bill moved through Congress The Houses overwhelming support for releasing the Epstein files pushed Senate leaders to act quickly. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the upper chamber received the bill on Wednesday morning and moved it without delay. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer brought it to the floor under unanimous consent, meaning the measure passed without debate or amendments because no senator objected.



Only one lawmaker, Republican Clay Higgins of Louisiana, voted against the bill. Higgins said he was concerned the release might harm innocent people, even though supporters of the measure argued the Justice Department would still be required to protect victims identities and any active investigations.



DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THEM READ THE NAMES?





Both Thomas Massie and MTG are saying if Trump's DOJ redacts any of the names from the Epstein files, they will personally read the names on the House floor.





Your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/abvSGc7tLZ



 Lovable Liberal and his Old English sheepdog (@DougWahl1) November 19, 2025 Congress has advanced a bipartisan measure directing the US Justice Department to make public its investigative files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate took up the bill shortly after the House passed it in a decisive 4271 vote, rapidly accelerating a process expected to take several days.The Houses overwhelming support for releasing the Epstein files pushed Senate leaders to act quickly. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the upper chamber received the bill on Wednesday morning and moved it without delay. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer brought it to the floor under unanimous consent, meaning the measure passed without debate or amendments because no senator objected.Only one lawmaker, Republican Clay Higgins of Louisiana, voted against the bill. Higgins said he was concerned the release might harm innocent people, even though supporters of the measure argued the Justice Department would still be required to protect victims identities and any active investigations.

What the Epstein files contain

Wow. Epstein survivors just released this incredibly powerful PSA. Its one of the most moving things Ive seen. Every House member should see this ahead of the vote to release the files. pic.twitter.com/NUNJnVNw9Z



 Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) November 16, 2025





Survivors and political reactions

After fighting for five months, today we SUCCEEDED in forcing BOTH the House AND the Senate to pass a bill to release the Epstein files. Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you want more of this kind of ACTION, please support my re-election: https://t.co/AgJY01IWPL pic.twitter.com/aFax8WCm7o



 Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) November 19, 2025



Lawmakers across both parties shaped the push for transparency. The bill was introduced by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna. Massie, who has been criticised by Trump for insisting on disclosure, said Republicans voting against the bill will have voted to protect paedophiles. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a strong Trump supporter, also pushed for release, saying she acted on behalf of survivors. Lawmakers across both parties shaped the push for transparency. The bill was introduced by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna. Massie, who has been criticised by Trump for insisting on disclosure, said Republicans voting against the bill will have voted to protect paedophiles. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a strong Trump supporter, also pushed for release, saying she acted on behalf of survivors.

Although Congress voted overwhelmingly for disclosure, the president did not need a legislative mandate. Trump could have ordered the release of the files independently but had not done so. His position changed over the weekend when he shifted from opposing the release to saying there was nothing to hide. The reversal caught his party leadership off guard, as they had previously aligned with his earlier opposition.The bill instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all unclassified materials related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of the law being enacted. These materials include internal Justice Department communications, flight logs, investigative documents, and names of people and entities connected to Epstein. The collection spans two criminal investigations and includes transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, as well as documents seized from Epsteins properties.Bondi said the department would continue to follow the law with maximum transparency, while protecting victims. She also retains the authority to withhold any information that could compromise ongoing federal investigations or expose victim identities.Trump has also recently asked the Justice Department to investigate Epsteins alleged ties to major banks and prominent Democrats, which could influence what is withheld.Survivors of Epsteins abuse appeared at the Capitol the day before the Senate acted, urging lawmakers to make the files public. One survivor said the long delay amounted to institutional betrayal. Another, Annie Farmer, said failures to properly investigate Epstein earlier had allowed additional harm, stating: Because these crimes were not properly investigated, so many more girls and women were harmed.
What first drew Meghan to Prince Harry

( Image credit : X/TooFab | Duchess Meghan is reflecting on the early days of her relationship with Prince Harry )

How their relationship supports their public life

( Image credit : X/expressceleb | Meghan recalls that one of the earliest things she noticed about Harry )

Life, boundaries and finding balance

( Image credit : X/bestofhandm | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle )

Duchess Meghan is reflecting on the early days of her relationship with Prince Harry and how the qualities that first stood out to her continue to define their lives nearly nine years later. In a new interview for Harpers Bazaars December 2025/January 2026 Art Issue, she offers a detailed look at the foundations of their partnership, their familys routine in California and the decisions behind her growing list of creative projects.In the cover story, Meghan recalled that one of the earliest things she noticed about Harry was what she describes as his childlike wonder and playfulness. She says this quality immediately stood out and eventually influenced her own way of approaching daily life. According to her, the playfulness she saw in him in 2016when they first began datingbecame a shared trait that still guides how they parent, work and make professional decisions. She explains that even in business, she prefers to play and have fun and explore and be creative, something she believes comes from the dynamic she built with Harry.The couple, who married in 2018, now run their ventures from their home in Montecito, California, where they live with their children, Prince Archie Harrison, 6, and Princess Lilibet Diana, 4. Their workdays and family time often overlap, and Meghan says the ability to build a life around both has become central to how they function as a family.Meghan also discussed the support she receives from Harry as they navigate public attention. She described him as someone who loves me so boldly, fully, adding that he often sees media coverage from angles she might miss. For her, this perspective has been important in managing the scrutiny that has followed her since becoming a public figure. No one in the world loves me more than him, she says, noting that she trusts him to have her back in difficult moments.She says that the strength of their connection is a key part of how they handle the unpredictable nature of fame.The feature also covers the personal adjustments Meghan has made in the public eye. She explained that she has developed stronger boundaries over time and learned different ways to protect herself. She described the past years as a period of growth, saying she has had to understand how to continue moving forward while being forgiving with myself during the learning curve.Part of that balance comes from the way she structures her work. Meghan said she enjoys working from home on her lifestyle brand, As ever, so she can stay close to her children. She also pointed at recent public appearances, including Paris Fashion Week and several Hollywood events, as examples of how she has learned to divide her time. I love being able to do both, she said, adding that keeping authenticity requires avoiding decisions based solely on outside judgment.Her latest project, the holiday episode of With Love, Meghan, premieres on Netflix on December 3. The episode features guest appearances including Naomi Osaka, chef Tom Colicchio, hospitality expert Will Guidara, philanthropist Kelly McKee Zajfen and author-producer Lindsay Roth. A cameo from Prince Harry is also included. The release coincides with As evers first holiday collection, which includes candles, fruit spreads and honeyitems shown in the trailer.Meghan also spoke about the process of launching her brand earlier this year, noting that there were twists and turns, including trademark issues that led to changing the name from American Riviera Orchard to As ever. She said the experience was defined by trial, error and adjustment, and she appreciates the support she received while figuring it out in real time.
Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Bihars Chief Minister for the tenth time after being unanimously elected as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Legislature Party on November 19. His selection came during a meeting with newly elected JD(U) MLAs at his residence in Patna, followed soon after by his election as the leader of the JD(U) Legislature Party.



NDA finalises its leadership structure During a separate meeting at the BJPs state headquarters, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were chosen as leader and deputy leader of the BJP Legislature Party. Their names were proposed by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who was appointed as the central observer for the process. With unanimous support from MLAs, it is expected that both will continue as Deputy Chief Ministers, similar to the previous government setup.



              





(1/2) pic.twitter.com/U68KRorvFV



 Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) November 19, 2025 Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Bihars Chief Minister for the tenth time after being unanimously elected as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Legislature Party on November 19. His selection came during a meeting with newly elected JD(U) MLAs at his residence in Patna, followed soon after by his election as the leader of the JD(U) Legislature Party.During a separate meeting at the BJPs state headquarters, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were chosen as leader and deputy leader of the BJP Legislature Party. Their names were proposed by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who was appointed as the central observer for the process. With unanimous support from MLAs, it is expected that both will continue as Deputy Chief Ministers, similar to the previous government setup.

Swearing-in ceremony to draw top leaders

               





              





     





Nitish Kumar CM Bihar pic.twitter.com/Zp8sJwM2dS



 Karam Yadav  (@karamyd_7) November 19, 2025





Cabinet allocation and ally representation

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ji with his elder sister Usha Devi ji.





An old pic. pic.twitter.com/h0fX2QzYOI



 Bihar_se_hai (@Bihar_se_hai) November 19, 2025



Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat congratulated the alliance and expressed confidence that the new leadership would contribute to the development goals linked with Viksit Bharat.



Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat congratulated the alliance and expressed confidence that the new leadership would contribute to the development goals linked with Viksit Bharat. What the NDA victory reveals about its strategy The NDAs win has highlighted its internal coordination. Partners worked jointly on seat distribution and campaign responsibilities, ensuring each player had a defined role. By contrast, the Mahagathbandhan reflected uneven participation, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shouldering most of the alliances effort and limited cohesion among its partners.



Posters of Nitish Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister and LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan and other NDA leaders were put up outside Gandhi Maidan in Patna, where the swearing-in ceremony of the NDA government in Bihar will take place pic.twitter.com/owyl9X4ut7



 ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025



The NDAs win has highlighted its internal coordination. Partners worked jointly on seat distribution and campaign responsibilities, ensuring each player had a defined role. By contrast, the Mahagathbandhan reflected uneven participation, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shouldering most of the alliances effort and limited cohesion among its partners.

Nitish Kumar resigned earlier in the day and then met Governor Arif Mohammed Khan to stake claim to form the next government. His return to the post will mark a political milestone in Bihars recent history.The oath-taking event at Gandhi Maidan will see the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, and chief ministers of multiple NDA-ruled states. Both Mr. Shah and Mr. Nadda have already reached Patna.Calling it a significant moment for the state, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said, Today is a moment of great pride for Bihar. In this festival of democracy, the people of Bihar have created history by giving the NDA a historic victory.Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also noted the public support behind Nitish Kumar, stating that the affection shown during the campaign reflected the mandate he received.Along with the BJP and JD(U), other NDA partners are set to receive ministerial positions based on their numbers in the Assembly, with one berth expected for every six MLAs. One ministry each will likely be allotted to the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), or HAM(S). Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is expected to receive three positions, while the remaining berths will be shared between the BJP and JD(U).
( Image credit : IMDBb | Palm Royale Season 2 is getting more intense. )

Linda is arrested in a shocking twist

( Image credit : Palm Royale Season 2 episode 2 ends with a big twist )

Maxine steps in to save her friend

( Image credit : IMDb | Palm Royale season 2 episode 3 will release on November 26 )

Evelyn and the conservator twist

Maxines strategic rescue mission

The role of Dinah and supportive allies

Palm Royale season 2 episode 3 release schedule

Palm Royale season 2 heats up as Linda lands in jail, facing charges for an attempted assassination on President Richard Nixon. Her bold words are twisted by the media, making her the villain in everyones eyes. With the FBI scheming and loyalties tested, Maxine must step up to save her friend. Secrets, betrayals, and daring plans collide, promising viewers a rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue.Palm Royale season 2 episode 2 opens with Linda in jail, under investigation for an alleged attempt to assassinate President Richard Nixon. Despite her lawyer advising her to stay silent, Linda cant help but speak her mind. She dramatically says, I tried to do the opposite, and it landed me here, and further adds, If being a woman and being a radical woman is considered guilty, then I am guilty of all of it.While the FBI agents gain little from her statements, they quickly manipulate her words in the media, turning her confession into a sensational headline that paints Linda as the culprit.With public opinion convinced of Lindas guilt, Maxine takes it upon herself to help her best friend. Although she is frustrated with her husband, Douglas, Maxine keeps her focus on rescuing Linda. Linda, unfazed by her jail situation, says, All the great martyrs of the world have been framed, and it is okay.Together, Maxine and Linda devise a clever plan to blackmail the agents using their own secrets. Linda even appoints Maxine as the conservator of her Rolins estate to strengthen their leverage.Lindas decision unsettles Evelyn, as Maxine now legally becomes her conservator. Evelyn is shocked by the sudden reversal of roles. Soon after, the two go shopping for Evelyns marriage, which reveals another twist: Normas hidden 80 million dollars. Maxine plans to claim half of the money, feeling entitled to it.However, a mix-up occurs when she mistakenly hands Douglas the Rolodex instead of the intended divorce papers. Douglas, unaware of the mix-up, gives the papers to Perry, who attempts to exploit the information for personal gain. This misstep escalates tensions further, as Perry is tasked to kill Linda instead of securing the money.While navigating the chaos, Maxine discovers that Mary might be hiding in the tunnel system near the Dellacorte house. Ann and Virginia assist her in investigating the tunnels, ultimately revealing Evelyns secret involvement. Maxine coordinates a careful rescue plan to free Linda. Meanwhile, Douglass upcoming marriage to Mitzi slows Maxines moves, but by the end of the episode, Linda is safely freed from danger.Dinah, along with a few women loyal to Linda, stages a clever diversion. They place Alexs dead body with a fake wig to mislead authorities and discreetly whisk Linda away. Virginia also joins the effort after spotting Mary and Linda in the tunnels, aiding their escape. Douglas arrives to provide transport out of the city, but he sets one condition: Maxine must leave Palm Beach.Fans can catch the next episode, Palm Royale season 2 episode 3, on Wednesday, November 26, exclusively on Apple TV. The episode promises to continue the suspenseful saga of scheming, alliances, and daring rescues.
Artist Carolyn Harper's latest portrait series documents the lives of individuals incarcerated throughout the Pennsylvania prison system. Read more

Over the course of three years, Carolyn Harper and Donna Martorano became fast friends.

The two women, on different sides of Pennsylvania, lived very different lives and shared few similarities. But they bonded over emails, handwritten letters, and virtual visits.

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Martorano shared tales of her family, her health issues, her hopes of reconnecting with her two sons, and her growing sense of detachment from the outside world.

They spoke daily, but before they could meet, Martorano died in July 2024 at age 74 at the State Correctional Institution in Cambridge Springs. She was serving a life sentence without parole for first-degree murder for contracting two men to kill her husband in 1992.

The official cause of her death was a heart attack.

Harper said Martoranos past and conviction werent the end of her story. In the 32 years she was incarcerated, Harper said, Martorano became a certified braille transcriber and took violence prevention and mentoring programs.

But in her later years, she grew increasingly bitter, Harper said. Martorano was confined to her bed and wheelchair and was often bullied as her health worsened.

Her spirits were crushed, Harper said. I really feel she died of a broken heart because she was not given institutional support. A lot of prison administrators just dont care. She told me she had nothing left to live for.

For the past five years, Harper, 60, has connected with dozens of other incarcerated people, some with stories similar to Martoranos and others with far different lives.

These stories, Harper said, opened her eyes to the emptiness, detachment, and inhumanity people experience in prisons.

Their names, faces, and stories are now at the center of her latest portrait series, Prison Portrait Project: Faces of Despair, Hope and Transformation," on display at Old Citys Muse Gallery.

Harper has placed their portraits on hand-sewn quilts and vibrant batiks, transforming the faces of those suffering from the countrys carceral system into artwork.

Like Martorano, several of Harpers subjects are serving death sentences, with little to no path for early release or commutation. Harper has never asked specific questions about their pasts, and everything she knows about them is what she has been told voluntarily. But shes certain about one thing: None of the people she has befriended is the same person they were when they were first incarcerated.

Pennsylvania, she found out, is one of two states in the country that has a mandatory life without parole sentence, known as death by incarceration, for both first-degree and second-degree felony murder.

I have come to see that guilt or innocence, while important, is not the critical thing here, Harper said. Its the idea of redemption and rehabilitation. This, to me, is the real story  the story of transformation.

For decades, people suffering from abuse, discrimination, and disenfranchisement have made their way onto Harpers quilts.

In the mid-1990s, she created panels for the AIDS Memorial Quilt, a visual project that memorializes the hundreds of thousands of Americans who died from AIDS-related causes at the height of the epidemic.

She also developed a series of textile portraits championing queer love stories, and another shedding light on the systemic issues faced by those wrestling with dispossession and homelessness.

People often come out of prison and dont have a pathway to find a real job or housing, Harper said. I started to see that connection, and I became interested in the issue of incarceration.

We pay lip service to this idea that prison is reformative, but really its punitive.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., Harper moved to Philadelphia in 1989 to study art at the University of Pennsylvania. Her days volunteering as an art teacher at local homeless shelters from 2013 to 2020 are what first drew her to the links between homelessness, dispossession, and incarceration. She was driven to learn more about the states prison system.

After her best friend was arrested in 2020 for abusing his husband, Harpers interest became a lived reality. The health of her friend, who struggled with addiction and mental health issues, worsened due to his incarceration. Shortly after his release in 2021, he took his own life.

That pushed Harper to join organizations such as the Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration, We The People Coalition, and others. She wrote postcards, letters, and emails to incarcerated people throughout the state.

Before this, a self-described snowflake, Harper would veer away from conversations about incarceration. She started out fearing that she wouldnt be able to emotionally cope with the struggles incarcerated people endure and write to her about in their letters. But she grew to become a listening ear, resource, and friend to people seeking human connection.

Through her hand-sewn and fabric-dyed portraits, she encourages her audience to step outside their worlds and enter the worlds of her subjects. Through her art, she highlights the forgotten humanity of incarcerated people and uses their testimonies to draw attention to Pennsylvanias harsh sentencing laws, and correct the misconceptions people hold of those who are incarcerated.

The Prison Portrait Project started off with Harper writing to the people whose names, faces, and stories make up her art. Would they send her a photograph, she asked, and consent to be a part of her exhibition?

Most replied with a photo or told Harper where she could find one. Others had family members send photos to her. After she sewed them or transferred them onto quilts, Harper shared images of the final pieces with the subjects of the expressive portraits.

I think seeing their self-portrait, and knowing its going in an exhibition, helps them see themselves in a different light. And that can be empowering, Harper said.

Each quilt and batik-style image features a written statement from the person who inspired the portrait, ensuring their stories (along with their faces) are integral parts of the exhibit.

A binder containing more stories, statements, and poems written by people Harper connected with through the years, sits at the front of the gallery. Three self-portraits of incarcerated artists are also on display.

Harper is hopeful the show will inspire audiences to view those who are incarcerated as people, rather than lifeless serial numbers and charge sheets.

Most of us dont think about people in prison. If we do, its sort of with the feeling, Well, they probably did something and deserve to be there.

She wants people to recognize the lack of redemptive pathways for people upon release, and the need for advocates to protect, defend, and humanize Pennsylvanias incarcerated population.

Prison Portrait Project: Faces of Despair, Hope and Transformation, through Nov. 30, Muse Gallery, 52 N. Second St., Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. musegalleryphiladelphia.com
Its been 10 years since OpenAI was set up as a nonprofit by Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and other software developers and investors, friends, and rivals who didnt quite trust each other to run a traditional for-profit business with explosive potential.

Chartered in business-friendly Delaware like most big corporations, OpenAI laid out its public purpose in a mission statement: to ensure that artificial general intelligence  AI systems that are generally smarter than humans  benefit all of humanity."

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A decade later, its best-known product, ChatGPT, claims more than 700 million weekly users.

Delaware officials who monitor the states nonprofits took a particular interest as OpenAI became so valuable, and so contentious, that the San Francisco-based startup ballooned into an enterprise requiring multibillion-dollar investments and sought to restructure as a for-profit company.

We realized building [artificial general intelligence] will require far more resources than wed initially imagined, the company wrote in an open letter last year, explaining its plans. In fact, OpenAI had set up for-profit affiliates at least as far back as 2019.

But the company said it needed more corporate flexibility if it was to bring in the billions needed to fund high-speed data centers full of Nvidia chips and other systems that could withstand intense AI searches and commands.

Recent investments have boosted OpenAIs value to around $500 billion. Thats more than Musks SpaceX or Jeff Yass-backed ByteDance (which owns TikTok) or any other private firm  underscoring the bonanza potential and the returns investors hope to realize.

So it wasnt surprising last year when OpenAI, which Altman runs, announced plans to raise billions of new dollars by ending its previous limits on investor profits  or that Musk, now owner of a competitor, X.AI, and others, promptly sued, challenging terms of their plan.

Thats when Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, stepped up.

Jennings and Bonta filed court papers challenging the proposed business structure  not to stop it, as Musk wanted, but to ensure that the public interest was somehow protected, so OpenAI wouldnt stray from what the company has called its save the world mission.

Critics, including some in Congress, have worried that ChatGPT is prone to surveillance abuse, crime and encouraging self-harm.

The final plan, as OpenAI posted it last month, preserves the original company as the nonprofit OpenAI Foundation but moves its businesses to a new, largely investor-owned Delaware public-benefit corporation.

A public-benefit corporation is a for-profit company but does not have the usual legal obligations to enrich investors before anything else, freeing directors to act in favor of public goals even if it hurts sales or profits.

A public-benefit corporation provides a clear and durable vehicle for companies whose goals go beyond shareholder gains, says Lawrence Cunningham, who runs the Weinberg Corporate Governance Center at the University of Delaware. I like seeing it used in that way here.

State intervention at the corporate-charter level does not happen often and usually involves questions about nonprofit hospitals business activities, said Mat Marshall, spokesperson for Delaware AG Jennings.

Jennings hired lawyers from Manhattan-based Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and financial analysts from Moelis & Co. to buttress the states fraud and consumer protection director, Owen Lefkon, in talks with OpenAI.

What changes for OpenAI

At first, OpenAI planned to pay off its nonprofit obligations by leaving those to a large charitable foundation and then move forward as a typical for-profit company, still professing public goals but responsible to private investors.

Lawyers for the two states argued that the companys public mission had to survive the restructuring.

OpenAI is the world leader in the artificial intelligence industry, but it needs guidelines as it funnels massive information about science, medicine, and communities to private, commercial, and government users, and power to hold OpenAI accountable for the safety of those whose information is raw material for AI, Jennings said in a statement.

The foundation also needed some way to keep control over the company, alongside its powerful new for-profit investors. The nonprofit has kept the power to name and remove board members for the business.

OpenAIs Safety and Security Committee will remain in place, with authority to oversee and review the safety and security processes and practices of OpenAI and the companies it controls, even halting new AI systems if it finds them dangerous, or taking time to resolve ambiguities.

Zico Kolter, professor of machine learning at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, will continue to head the safety committee, attend the corporations board meetings, and receive all director information regarding safety and security.

And the states will be given advance notice of significant changes in governance.

In a statement praising the new structure, OpenAI chair Bret Taylor, creator of Google Maps and a former Facebook and Twitter officer, acknowledged changing the plan in discussion with Delaware and California.

He said the parent, now called the OpenAI Foundation, will own around one-quarter of the business group. Outside investors include Microsoft, Japanese investor Softbank, company employees, and other investors, with room for more.

Besides keeping the business subordinate to the foundations mission, Taylor wrote that the foundation will set aside $25 billion: for open-sourced and responsibly-built health data sets to speed up diagnostics, treatments and cures; and to fund AI security to protect power grids, banks, governments, companies and individuals" from AI abuse.

Microsoft shows its power

Since the restructuring, Microsoft has revealed new details of its already-lucrative agreement with OpenAI, the noted Philadelphia-based accounting professor and researcher Francine McKenna and her investigative partner Olga Usvyatsky wrote last week in McKennas newsletter, The Dig.

Microsoft has invested $11.6 billion in OpenAI over several years (and promised at least $1.4 billion more).

Thanks to exploding OpenAI sales and additional private investments, Microsoft says its investment is now worth $135 billion. Thats more than 10 times what the company paid. Microsoft is the largest OpenAI shareholder, with around 27%. .

Under a recent agreement following the restructuring, Microsoft said, OpenAI promises to buy another $250 billion in Microsoft Azure cloud networking and other services but also gains the right to form more partnerships with other companies.

The companies also enjoy a revenue-sharing agreement  the first time thats been disclosed, according to McKenna and Usvyatsky  though details will have to wait for future disclosure.
National Park Service law enforcement ranger Johan Urena (left) greets park ranger John Dunlap (right) as visitors line up outside the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park on Thursday, Nov. 13, as the federal government returned to work from the shutdown. Urena and other law enforcement rangers worked through the shutdown, while this was the first day back for Dunlap and his fellow rangers. Read more

The longest ever federal government shutdown is now in the rearview mirror, but not for federal workers.

With their jobs back to normal, some local federal employees said worries created by the shutdown remain  one said their credit score suffered, others noted their Thanksgiving tables will be less festive. And for many, another shutdown in a matter of weeks is a real concern.

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Federal employees  whether furloughed or required to work during the shutdown  missed paychecks during the 43-day lapse in federal appropriations, the longest ever in United States history. Workers sought out food pantries, delayed payments on bills, and tried to make ends meet for their families ahead of the holidays.

I will be paycheck to paycheck for the next couple of months maybe, before I can start accumulating my savings again, said a Philadelphia Veterans Benefits Administration employee, who was working without a paycheck during the shutdown.

The Inquirer agreed to withhold the names of federal employees interviewed due to their fear of retaliation for speaking out. Despite workers beginning to receive retroactive paychecks from the shutdown, they spoke of lingering financial damage and worries that yet another lapse in funding could happen in just a couple of months.

The bill to end the shutdown, signed into law by President Donald Trump on Nov. 12, funds the government through Jan. 30. It includes protections for federal employees such as reversing layoffs that took place during the shutdown, and ensures back pay for all government workers throughout that time, which had been put into question by the Trump administration. And certain government agencies, such as Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration, have been allocated a years worth of funding.

But after Jan. 30, if lawmakers once again fail to agree on keeping the government open, some federal workers could once again face a lapse in their pay.

Were bracing for Jan. 30, said Philip Glover, national vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees District 3, the union that represents federal employees in Pennsylvania.

The recent shutdown and the possibility of another are among a series of obstacles that government workers have faced this year. The Trump administrations efforts to shrink and reshape the federal workforce have included layoffs, pushing employees to resign, and the dismantling of collective bargaining agreements. When government funding lapsed in October, the Trump administration used it as an opportunity for more firings.

Federal workers have been dealing with a layer cake of trauma, said Max Stier, founding president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, a federal government management organization.

This is not simply one incident, but its one on top of a bunch of them that this administration has put in their way, Stier said.

The financial strain

At the Social Security Administration in Philadelphia a benefit authorizer said Monday that she and her coworkers had started getting their back pay, but she had already felt the impact of missing checks.

We assumed we could just call and everybody would place everything on hold, and that was not the case, said the Social Security employee.

The benefit authorizer had put her mortgage and car payments on hold, but some banks and utility companies werent as accommodating, and she accumulated overdraft fees from a credit union.

Her role required her to work through the shutdown without pay. (In Pennsylvania, furloughed workers may apply for unemployment benefits, but those who continue to work, even without pay, may not.) The benefit authorizer looked for additional work, unsure how long the shutdown would last. Some of her colleagues in Philadelphia picked up gigs with Uber, DoorDash, and Instacart, she said.

Another Philadelphia Social Security employee, who has been with the agency for 15 years, noted that some colleagues picked up night shifts at Amazon or work in home healthcare.

People living paycheck to paycheck, they needed something to pay those bills that were absolutely essential that they had to pay, the 15-year Social Security employee said.

For one federal employee from Central Jersey, 2025 already came with an unexpected career turn when they lost their job at U.S. Housing and Urban Development, as part of a mass layoff of probationary employees. They found a job at the U.S. Department of Commerce, in Virginia, which allowed them to support their mother and three kids back in New Jersey.

Wary of permanently moving to Virginia during such a volatile time in the federal workforce, the Commerce employee commutes eight hours by Amtrak twice a week and stays in a $200 per night hotel on workdays.

During the federal shutdown, the Commerce employee had to work without a paycheck. They used up their savings paying for the commute, hotel, and other expenses. Ultimately, they took out a bank loan to cover their expenses.

The government shutdown exemplifies a lack of stability in the workforce, the Commerce employee said. To be honest, you feel unsafe all the time, and you feel like youre not deserving that.

Worries remain ahead of the holiday season

The Philadelphia VBA employee, who worked without pay during the shutdown, received their back pay Monday. The single parent said they were one more missed paycheck away from turning to food pantries and living off credit cards.

Usually Im the one donating around this time, the employee said last week. I usually adopt a family and provide them with the meal and then their gifts and stuff from our local community churches and outreach programs.

Thanksgiving is the time they splurge, but now the shutdown has made them contemplate their finances. I havent even thought about the process of even having a Thanksgiving dinner on the table because I didnt want to spend the money, the VBA employee said. By Christmas, they hope to be caught up on payments.

Its a similar story for one Philadelphia VA Medical Center employee who worked without pay through the shutdown. Speaking days before the shutdowns end, the employee said their credit score had taken a hit. They reached out to creditors and got some of their payments deferred, but relief wont set in until the employee can catch up on their water, electric, gas, mortgage, and car bills.

A big feast for Thanksgiving is off the table. You cant do that now because you dont have the funds, they said.

Fear of whats to come

Throughout the funding impasse, Philadelphias federal workers turned to each other for assistance.

At the VBA, supervisors set up a small food pantry several weeks into the shutdown. The VBA employee said that didnt feel especially helpful. That was our second paycheck missed, and that was the best that they could come up with, the employee said.

Its business as usual in the eyes of the VA, and they expect us to work like nothings going on in our real lives.

At the Social Security Administration, workers banded together to start an impromptu food pantry, the Philadelphia benefit authorizer said.

Everything was taken. People needed it. People were really pinching pennies, she said.

The national office of AFGE, the largest federal workers union, backed the deal to end the government shutdown. Government shutdowns not only harm federal employees and their families, they also waste taxpayers dollars and severely diminish services depended on by the American people, AFGE national president Everett Kelley said in a statement on Nov. 10.

But some thought it should have ended differently.

In the days leading up to the deal, dozens of AFGE Local 3631 members, who are employed at the Environmental Protection Agency, said in a local union survey that they did not want their local to support budget legislation such as what passed. Their concerns were with an expected rise in healthcare expenses across the country.

The union local had polled members at the end of October, according to local union officer Hannah Sanders. The survey got more than 100 responses, and over 85% said the local should only support a deal if it preserved subsidies for Affordable Care Act healthcare plans and avoided cuts to Medicaid.

In Washington, most Senate Democrats held out, only supporting a vote on an appropriations bill that would extend ACA subsidies. But eight senators, including Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), crossed party lines to back the Republican bill that omitted the subsidies.

Sanders said there are few changes between the recently passed deal and the bill that could have averted the shutdown back in September. We would have not had this shutdown, and people wouldnt have, you know, gone without pay or gone without SNAP benefits and all these things. So its super frustrating to see that this is how it all resolved, said Sanders.

Now, the benefit authorizer at the Social Security Administration says, people are concerned that another shutdown could be on the horizon come Jan. 30.

We are in complete fear of whats to come, she said.
A 26-year-old Ocean City woman who worked for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew was charged with falsely reporting that she had been seriously lacerated across her upper body in a politically motivated attack when she actually paid a Pennsylvania body modification artist $500 to cut her, according to a federal criminal complaint released Wednesday by the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Natalie Greene was charged with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement, acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.

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In a statement provided Wednesday evening, Van Drews office said: We are deeply saddened by todays news, and while Natalie is no longer associated with the Congressmans government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her. We hope shes getting the care she needs.

Greenes lawyer, Louis M. Barbone of the Jacobs & Barbone law firm in Atlantic City, said in a statement released Thursday: At the age of 26, my client served her community working full time to assist the constituents of the Congressman with loyalty and fidelity. She did that while being a full-time student. Under the law, she is presumed innocent and reserves all of her defenses for presentation in a court of law.

On July 23, a coconspirator called 911 shortly after 10:30 p.m. to report that Greene had been attacked by three unknown men who knew her name and that she worked for Van Drew, according to the criminal complaint, which identifies him only as Federal Official 1.

They were attacking her. They were like talking about politics and stuff. They were like calling her names, the coconspirator told 911, reporting that the attack occurred at the Egg Harbor Township Nature Preserve, the complaint said.

The coconspirator, who was not named in the criminal complaint, allegedly said the attackers claimed they had a gun. They said that if we dont be quiet they were going to shoot us, the coconspirator allegedly said, also explaining that she was able to flee the men but they still had Greene.

Egg Harbor Township police arrived with a K9 dog and located Greene just off a nature trail lying on the ground with her feet and hands bound together with black zip ties, the complaint said.

Greenes shirt was pulled over her head and the words Trump Whore were written with black marker on her stomach, and [Federal Official 1] is Racist was written on her back, the complaint said.

She had long crisscrossing lacerations on her upper chest, shoulder, back, neck, and lower right side of her face, the complaint showed with included photos.

Greene was transported to a hospital, and then later transferred to a second hospital for treatment.

Before Greene was taken to the first hospital, she was interviewed by police and asked to recount what happened. When police asked to check Greenes Maserati SUV, her coconspirator became agitated and said she didnt think the police needed to search the vehicle, the complaint said.

However, Greene consented to a search and police found two black zip ties similar to the zip ties used on Greene, as well as a roll of duct tape, the complaint said.

Investigators later found that location data from Greenes phone showed that on the day of the alleged attack, she had traveled to the scarification artists studio in Pennsylvania, then to Ventnor, where the coconspirator lived, the complaint said.

Two days earlier, someone using the coconspirators phone did a Google search for zip ties near me, the complaint said.

Investigators later reviewed surveillance video from a Dollar General store in Ventnor that showed the coconspirator at the store 40 minutes after the Google search was made, the complaint said. The store sold black zip ties similar to what was used on Greene and the same duct tape, though the video did not show her purchasing zip ties while she did purchase other items. The surveillance video only showed the cash register area and not other parts of the store, the complaint said.

On July 25, Greene was interviewed by agents from the FBI Joint Terrorism Take Force and Egg Harbor Township police detectives, and she again reported that she was attacked and cut up by three men, the complaint said.

She also was asked to describe any threats made to Van Drews office.

Theres so many. I mean. Yeah, racist um. Windmills belong on your grave. Like stupid, I mean like there, they have a bunch of little things on there that theyll write on there. We have them all, you can look at all of them. But um. Yeah we keep em just. We keep all of our hate mail. We recently got like, a letter with like powder in it and stuff, she said, according to the complaint

Greene was asked if the powder incident was recent.

Yeah very recent. Like maybe a week ago. And are to the point where our Chief of Staff was like you guys need to be using gloves to open the mail. Stuff like that, she allegedly said.

A review of phone records showed that Greene had a Reddit account that followed communities for bodymods and scarification, the complaint said.

On July 30, the FBI visited the studio in Pennsylvania and obtained a consent form signed by Greene with a copy of her New Jersey drivers license that she allegedly provided the day of the reported attack, according to the complaint.

The FBI also obtained the receipt showing that Greene allegedly paid the studio $500 cash, as well as photos the artist took of his work on Greenes body.

The photos showed the cuts made by the artist matched the cuts photographed at the hospital, the complaint said.
A grand jury decided not to charge a police officer in Burlington County for fatally shooting a 57-year-old man who was firing a rifle during a confrontation a year ago, the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said Thursday.

Marvin Taylor was shot by Pemberton Township Officer Kyle McQueen on Oct. 19, 2024, in a wooded area behind a residence on Woodland Avenue in the townships Browns Mills section.

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Marvin, we are here to help you! Put the gun down now! McQueen can be heard on bodycam video yelling at Taylor.

McQueen again orders Taylor two more times to drop his weapon. Then a single gunshot can be heard, and McQueen yells to his fellow officers, Shots fired! Shots fired! McQueen then fires four times at Taylor.

McQueen and other officers approach the fallen Taylor and McQueen is seen in the bodycam video picking up a rifle lying on the ground next to Taylor.

Gun secured, suspect down, McQueen announces.

Earlier that afternoon, volunteer firefighters and police responded to a 911 call reporting smoke coming from the residence.

A firefighter went to the backyard and encountered Taylor, who pointed a rifle at him, according to the attorney generals statement. Responding firefighters retreated as police arrived, and a single gunshot was heard coming from the backyard.

Police used a loudspeaker to attempt to speak with Taylor, but he did not respond and officers lost sight of him, the statement said.

Pemberton Township police waited for the arrival of a crisis negotiator and tactical specialists from the New Jersey State Police. McQueen and another township officer positioned themselves in the wooded area behind the residence. Taylor was seen behind the residence armed with a rifle, the statement said.

After Taylor was shot, he was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was pronounced dead early that evening.

A black bolt-action rifle was found next to Taylors body, as well as two spent shell casings that were fired from the rifle.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state authorities investigated the initial fire and concluded that it was started after gasoline was ignited at various locations inside the residence.
The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office on Wednesday identified Jose M. Martinez, 42, of Lindenwold, as the man killed in a crash caused after another man allegedly fled from police in West Deptford Township early last week.

Prosecutors also identified the police officer, West Deptford Police Patrolman Conor Goggin, involved in the attempted stop and the man, George Linard, 28, of Waltham Cross, a town north of London, England, who allegedly caused the crash. Linard initially had been identified by authorities with a different name.

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On the evening of Nov. 9, Goggin was driving a marked police vehicle when he turned on his emergency lights in an attempt to stop a vehicle, prosecutors said.

Linard allegedly drove away at high speed and collided in the area of Hessian and Red Bank Avenues with a third vehicle driven by Martinez, who also was known as Jose M. Martinez Peguero, according to his funeral home obituary.

Martinez died and a passenger in the back seat sustained a leg fracture.

Linard, who also was injured in the crash, was charged with second-degree death by automobile, fourth-degree assault by automobile, and fourth-degree fraudulent possession of a government license.

The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it also was investigating the crash, as required by state law, because a police officer was involved.
Members of the public watch the joint termination hearing of Central Bucks Superintendent Steven Yanni and Jamison Elementary School Principal David Heineman at the school district headquarters in August. Read more

Former Central Bucks School District Superintendent Steven Yanni and former Jamison Elementary School principal David Heineman have appealed their terminations by the school board over their handling of abuse allegations in an autistic support classroom.

The Central Bucks school board voted to terminate the duo last month, nearly a year after a classroom aide reported the alleged abuse.

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A report from the watchdog group Disability Rights Pennsylvania released in April found that students were illegally restrained, creating a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury and likely interfering with their breathing.

The school board initially stood by the districts leadership, but members tune shifted after the reports publication. Yanni and Heineman were placed on leave the following day, and a two-day termination hearing was held in August.

Yanni, who has accepted a position as the CEO of Northwood Academy charter school in Philadelphia, filed his appeal Monday in Bucks County Court.

The filing rehashes the arguments Yanni made during the August hearing, including that he did not make an immediate report to ChildLine, Pennsylvanias reporting system for child abuse or neglect, because he relied on the assessment of district officials during an internal investigation.

Yannis appeal also says he did not remove the accused teacher and educational assistant from the classroom because the members of his leadership team closest to the investigation told him there was no reason to suspect abuse.

The 139-page court filing attacks the termination hearing process and calls the school board biased. It notes that board member Jim Peppers son was one of the alleged victims of abuse.

Pepper recused himself from the hearing and other votes related to the investigation, but the appeal alleges that he actively participated in the Boards investigation and disciplinary actions and made public allegations.

Pepper declined to comment.

For almost a year now, there has been inaccurate and defamatory information shared about me, Yanni said in a statement. My appeal corrects the record and clearly articulates the truth around the Jamison situation.

The Central Bucks School District said it would not comment on the case because it is active litigation.

Heineman, meanwhile, challenged his termination Oct. 29 by filing a petition through the Pennsylvania Department of Educations tenure appeal process, according to a copy of his appeal obtained by The Inquirer. That process, unlike Yannis appeal in court, is private.

The former principal accuses the board of terminating him after 26 years as a district employee over a series of unproven allegations that were made at his termination hearing.

These include the notion that as principal he created a chilling effect that deterred staff from making reports to ChildLine, and that he threatened to fire the classroom aide for making the allegations.

Heinemans petition notes that in the days after the allegations of abuse were made, the districts leadership unanimously agreed that there was no abuse, and no need to make a ChildLine report.

Heineman also says that there is no basis to the way he was characterized during the termination hearings.

CBSDs allegation that Mr. Heineman does not care about children carries no support in the record, and appears to be, once more, inflammatory rhetoric made more for the public than for purposes of meeting CBSDs burden to terminate Mr. Heineman, the petition says.

Central Bucks also declined to comment on Heinemans appeal. The attorney representing Heineman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The school district responded to the petition this week, according to a copy of the filing obtained by The Inquirer that denies most of Heinemans claims and stands by the termination decision.

As for the allegation that the top leadership of the school concluded that there was no abuse before making a ChildLine report, Central Bucks says, regrettably admitted.
Wendy Raymond, president of Haverford College, testifies before the House Committee on Education and Workforce hearing on antisemitism on American campuses in May. Read more

Haverford College president Wendy Raymond announced she will retire in June 2027, and the college plans to launch a search for her replacement early in the new year.

The announcement comes after a particularly difficult year for the college and Raymond, who faced intense grilling in May by a Republican-led congressional committee probing antisemitism complaints on college campuses. The school also is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education over its handling of antisemitism complaints.

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This was not an easy decision, but after more than three decades in higher education, I am ready to step away from academia, Raymond said in her message to campus.

 READ MORE: U.S. Department of Education launches investigation into Haverford College over antisemitism complaints

Her news comes just two days after she announced John McKnight, the dean of the college, would be leaving in June for a new role at Dartmouth College.

Raymond said she wanted to give the colleges board of managers time to search for a replacement.

Raymond, 65, a molecular biologist, became president of the 1,470-student liberal arts college on the Main Line in July 2019. She came to Haverford from Davidson College in North Carolina, where she had been vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty.

She has been in the job longer than her three most recent predecessors, Kim Benston, who served four years; Daniel Weiss, who was there two; and Stephen G. Emerson, who had four years.

 READ MORE: With grace and invitation, Haverfords new president has much to teach

In her announcement, she noted accomplishments including the completion of a strategic plan, efforts to advance diversity, equity, and access, the launch of the Institute for Ethical Leadership and Inquiry named for board chair Michael B. Kim, and the new recital hall.

She also acknowledged challenges, including the pandemic, the strike for racial justice in 2020 in which students refused to attend class and demanded that Haverford do more to support its Black and brown students, and more recent times of social unrest and public scrutiny.

 READ MORE: Haverford students on strike after college officials comments on Walter Wallace Jr. death

Raymond earlier this year in a message to the campus acknowledged that she came up short in dealing with conflict over antisemitism complaints and said both she and Haverford can do better.

To Jewish members of our community who felt as if the College was not there for you, I am sorry that my actions and my leadership let you down, she said in that message.

Haverford was the only local college earlier this year to receive an F on a report card by the Anti-Defamation League for its response to antisemitism  a rating given to less than 10% of schools nationwide. The ADLs methodology for categorizing antisemitism has been questioned, and critics have argued that criticism of the state of Israel and its government have been wrongly conflated with antisemitism.

 READ MORE: Congressional committee demands answers from Haverford College on its handling of antisemitism complaints

But the F rating caught the attention of the congressional Committee on Education and Workforce, which called on Raymond and two other college presidents to testify in May. Raymond took the worst of the grilling, largely because she was reluctant to answer questions about discipline for alleged antisemitism, especially in specific cases. Raymond testified that the college does not release data on student suspensions and expulsions.

In June, the committee demanded answers about faculty and student discipline. And in August, the education department, which has launched a flurry of investigations of colleges regarding antisemitism, said it would probe Haverford.

The investigation follows credible reports that Haverford has failed to respond as required by law to multiple incidents of discrimination and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students on its campus, the department said at the time.

In her testimony to the congressional committee, Raymond noted the college had made a plethora of changes to address concerns about antisemitism, including changes in the antibias policy and rules around protesting, steps to revise the honor code, and increases in campus safety at events.

Kim, the board chair, thanked Raymond for her service amid a difficult time in a message to campus Thursday.

She has guided the College with great care during periods of both remarkable growth and significant challenge, he said. During her tenure, Haverford has welcomed two of its largest incoming classes, increased support for student resources, access, and engagement, and continued to graduate students who use their liberal arts education to effect positive change in the world.

Raymond said in her Thursday message that through the challenges,   the College has remained strong and resolute in its mission to foster a campus culture of belonging and respect, where academic freedom and freedom of expression remain fundamental to Haverfords nearly 200 years of academic excellence and open inquiry, and where our values guide us through new territory.
Interim Superintendent Mark Pease explains water damage in a science classroom during a tour of Winslow Township Middle School this month. Repairs are needed in about 28 classrooms, two gyms, the library, main office, and entrance to the school. Read more

Winslow Township interim Superintendent Mark Pease had been on the job for a week when he received an urgent message.

A burst pipe in September at the Winslow Middle School had flooded the sprawling complex. Crews were frantically trying to manage the leak that left most sections under several inches of water.

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It was the first major challenge for Pease, who stepped into the role to replace Superintendent H. Major Poteat, who is on medical leave.

Pease shut down the middle school for three days while experts assessed the damage. The school enrolls about 740 seventh and eighth graders. Since then, students have had a hybrid schedule, with two days in person and three virtual learning days per week because the school can accommodate only half its students at one time.

Experts determined that the water damage was massive and would require extensive repairs to about 28 classrooms, two gyms, the library, the main office, and the entrance area.

Initially, the project was expected to take about a month, but that timeline has been extended. The repairs, done by All-Risk Property Damage Experts Inc., which specializes in school restoration, could take until January or February to complete, Pease said.

After removing standing water, contractors had to dry out the building and environmental specialists inspected it for mold damage and air quality, Pease said. They had to rip out drywall and flooring.

Pease said the project is expected to cost more than $1 million. Most of it will be covered by insurance after a $5,000 deductible, he said.

Things are moving. Theyre progressing, Pease said in a recent interview. Were pushing really hard.

It has not been determined what caused the water main break, Pease said. Custodians were in the building when the leak occurred, he said.

This wasnt your normal sink or toilet overflowing, Pease said. This was a serious emergency.

On a recent morning, contractors were making repairs in the art room. Supplies were stockpiled in hallways. Pease said contractors have been working overtime and he hopes the work will be completed ahead of schedule.

Hybrid learning

About half of the building was not damaged by the water main break, so classes are held in that area, Pease said. The cafeteria was not affected, so meals are served to students on their in-person learning days. To-go meals are available on virtual days.

Some parents wanted the district to move the students to another school, but Pease said there was not adequate space. The district enrolls about 5,000 students and has nine schools.

The school day feels different with students only in person two days a week, said parent Mary Kelchner. They especially miss socializing with friends, she said.

The kids are struggling with it, said Kelchner, whose daughter, Kathryn, is an eighth grader. I feel so bad for these kids.

Pease said the district was able to quickly implement hybrid learning for students and staff using the model introduced during the pandemic, when schools nationwide were shut down by the coronavirus.

The New Jersey Department of Education approved the plan but required the district to make up the three missed days. Other schools in the district remain on their normal schedule.

Parents picked up Chromebooks for students to use for the virtual learning days. Students follow an A-B schedule, with half reporting in person on Mondays and Thursdays and the other half on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The current middle school students were first and second graders when the pandemic upended education around the country and some schools were closed for months.

These kids are resilient, said Assistant Superintendent Sheresa Clement.

Parent Karima Robinson worries about potential learning loss, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when academic achievement suffered drastically. Experts say it could take years for those students affected to recover.

Its definitely setting kids back, Robinson said. Her daughter, a seventh grader, has adjusted well, she said.

Pease said the district plans to carefully monitor students academic performance. Tutoring and remediation will be available if needed, he said.

Nothing will replace students being in a building in the face of a teacher, Pease said. We want them back in school.

Kelchner said her daughter, a straight-A student, has fallen behind in math. She said her daughter has had technical issues and difficulty hearing the teacher.

She absolutely hates it, Kelchner said. Shes having a hard time keeping up.

Principal William Shropshire said the school has maintained most of its extracurricular activities but had to forfeit a few home sporting events. Winter sports, which began this week, will be held at other district schools, he said.

Shropshire said attendance has not fallen off during virtual days, averaging about 98%. During the pandemic, chronic absenteeism was a problem in some districts, with students not showing up for virtual learning.

An educator for 32 years, Pease said this has been one of the biggest challenges in his career. He previously was employed in the Somerdale and Palmyra school districts. His contract in Winslow runs through June 2026.

Were doing our best to get them back in school, he said.
Borrominis 100-layer lasagna looks like a miracle of noodle engineering. Its the kind of more is more pasta spectacle that commands its own showcase box on the menu, puts curious diners in chairs, and requires a team of three dedicated attendants in Borrominis vast kitchen to meticulously construct its layers  a tall stack of pasta sheets alternating with microscopic schmears of ricotta, creamy bechamel, and tomato sauce  that get baked, sliced, then crisped on one side, to be served atop a puddle of pomodoro.

Its intricate ridges are beautiful to behold. But to eat, this lasagna is more like a doorstop than a showstopper. The layers are so tightly compressed, its closer to a muddled mush than a deck of delicate harmonies, a squidgy blur of cheese and dough whose individual virtues could have been more compellingly conveyed in 10 layers rather than 100. Add a slow-cooked, jammy tomato sauce that leans sweet rather than bright and lively, and the final effect is one-dimensional. It has subtly evolved over the course of my multiple visits, but each time it prompted a disappointed shrug.

Thats not the thrill I expected from the marquee dish at this glitzy $20 million, 320-seat trattoria, whose dramatically lit column facade glows red over the northern edge of Rittenhouse Square. Stephen Starrs first major hometown restaurant in years (and his 41st overall) is arguably the biggest opening in Philly in 2025. He went all out transforming the former Barnes & Noble into what many have aspiringly dubbed the Italian Parc, a two-story Roman-themed palace with vaulted ceilings, an intricate stone chip floor, and walls lined with 3,000 bottles. Starr brought on legendary New York restaurateur Keith McNally to design the space (Starr has syndicated McNallys Pastis bistro to multiple cities since they partnered to revive it in 2018).

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He also enlisted a hive of respected culinary minds to create the menu over the course of 90-plus tastings, with his corporate food team and Borrominis executive chef, Julian Alexander Baker, collaborating with Mark Ladner, the former chef of New Yorks now-closed Del Posto, where Starr first tasted a magical rendition of that lasagna many years ago.

Ladner initially declined to recreate that decades-old hit when first asked. Starr should have listened. But Ladner  now the chef at Babbo, which Starr reopened in New York in October (and where a meaty version of that lasagna is also a menu feature)  ultimately gave in.

There are plenty of other, more admirable dishes on the menu here, including the focaccia di Recco from another consulting chef, Nancy Silverton, the LA star with whom Starr runs Osteria Mozza in D.C. The hot crisp of her flatbreads wafer-thin rounds sandwiching tangy stracchino cheese is the one dish I order every time. I loved the contrast of silky braised oxtail that gathered in the frilly-edged ribbons of the house-extruded mafaldine. And the calamarata pasta loops, paired Sicilian lifeguard-style with look-alike rings of tender squid, chili spice, and golden raisins, is exactly the kind of delicious, obscure regional dish that shows how infinitely surprising the world of pastas can be.

But Borromini is more about polishing the familiar than unearthing regional quirks. And that big lasagna has become an apt metaphor for why Borrominis food too often seems off. No matter how grand the ambitions of a dish (or this restaurant in general) may be, stellar Italian food comes down to finesse, touch, and soul  elements that a kitchen-by-committee cannot engineer. In a town with exceptional Italian restaurants in varied styles, not to mention a population with a deep reservoir of red-gravy family nostalgia, the room for error is slim for a dining experience that averages just under $80 per person (before tax and tip).

The crisply fried squash blossoms stuffed with lemony ricotta and the hamachi crudo dressed simply with Meyer lemon and olive oil were tasty, if not necessarily distinctive. The arugula with shaved raw artichokes would be my salad pick. The massive, fork-tender osso buco, a 1-pound shank drizzled with brown jus over saffron risotto with a marrow spoon poking skyward from its bone, is as close to textbook Milanese perfection as Borromini gets.

Borrominis kitchen, however, struggled with consistency on several other traditional dishes. My favorite of the restaurants minimalist Roman-style pastas is the bucatini allAmatriciana thats brought to the table in the pan. But will you receive the version I tasted most recently, its simple tomato sauce vividly infused with the juniper- and pepper-sparked savor of properly rendered guanciale? Or will it taste bitter from the scorched nubs of cured pork I encountered at a previous meal?

I might agree with my Italian server, Thomas, that Borrominis carbonara is one of the best Ive tasted in Philly, its mezze rigatoni tubes glazed in a golden shine of well-tempered eggs and guanciale fat. Too bad it was already cold when I took a bite the moment it arrived at my table.

A number of the pastas were notable, including a spaghetti bright with lemon, butter, and pasta water, a deft display of minimalist satisfaction. I was also a fan of the Sardinian gnochetti with blue crab, uni, and tomatoes that brought a burst of seafood savor some other pastas lacked  like the linguine with clams that was virtually brothless, or the lobster spaghetti that was bountiful with crustacean but whose sauce lacked depth. The short rib agnolotti might have been excellent had their dumpling dough not been so thick.

The cacio e pepe has been consistently disappointing. Its peppercorn-speckled noodles were pasty and dry, with no halo of creamy sauce to spare. The clam pizzetta was a floppy round of spongy dough piled high with chopped Italian clams that radiated raw garlic. The $125 bistecca alla Fiorentina, a 2-pound prime porterhouse centerpiece for sharing, was so achingly oversalted, it wasted an otherwise stellar slab of beef that had been lovingly massaged with confit garlic butter.

The kitchens other stations turned in mixed results, as well. I much preferred the crispy-skinned dorade with salsa verde to the branzino with white beans, which was also horrendously oversalted. The eggplant parm was stiff with too much breading, though the splurge-worthy bone-in veal parm for $72 was good (unfortunately, theyve since resorted to a boneless version). The lamb chops with salsa verde were more memorable, as was the rabbit cacciatore served in its metal crock with peppers and Castelvetrano olives, a rustic gem inspired by feedback from yet another consulting voice, the legendary Lidia Bastianich.

It would be wrong to call Borromini a total bomb. Any place with a steady deluge of crowds putting it on target to generate $20 million in annual revenue has to be doing something right, and that would be its La Dolce Vita vibes. These sprawling rooms are a boisterous and glamorous crossroads for a broad swath of Philadelphians out for a night in their finest  fueled by flutes of mini-tinis (which my guest gleefully declared filthy with salty burrata brine), sweet-side Negronis, and Cynar-spiked espresso martinis.

Starrs greatest talent may be his gift for building energetic public spaces that feel as if theyve always been there. And while Borromini lacks the corner space and open cafe windows that allow Parc in its al fresco moments to become part of the fabric of Rittenhouse Square, McNally has crafted a Fellini-esque stage set of leather booths, honeyed light, and linen-draped wooden tables that feels magnetic  especially the undulating copper bar on the ground floor, where an intriguing collection of 100-plus amari and digestivi awaits.

All my servers  five different people over the course of my visits  were personable, outgoing, and well-prepared to make smart pairing suggestions.

I should have stuck with their suggestions to indulge those digestivi with desserts. The airy tiramisu here backfired, its lightweight cloud of whipped mascarpone lacking the richness to counter an overzealous cocoa shower and the wickedly acidic twang of ladyfingers soaked in espresso.

My favorite finish was sour in the best way possible: a hollowed-out lemon stuffed with sweet-tart lemon sorbetto. Youve maybe seen something just like this in your neighborhood Italian place, brought in from the Italian frozen dessert powerhouse Bindi. But this was Borromini at its best, transforming something familiar into a better, fresher, more elegant version of itself. It will make you smile even as it puts a pucker on your face.

Borromini

1805 Walnut St., 215-596-1000, borrominiristorante.com

Lunch served Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner served Sunday through Wednesday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, until 11 p.m. Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dinner pastas and entrees, $19-$72.

Wheelchair accessible.

There are several gluten-free options, including high-quality gluten-free pasta, which can be substituted with most sauces.

Drinks: The bar program offers 19 Italian wines by the glass, ranging from $12 house wines to $27 Franciacorta, a deep bottle list with more prestige options, Italian cocktails heavy on the expected spritzes and Negroni variations, and a list of nearly 100 amari and digestivi.

Menu Highlights: focaccia di Recco, squash blossoms; hamachi crudo; artichoke-arugula salad; pastas (spaghetti al limon, gnochetti sardi with crab, oxtail mafaldine, spaghetti allAmatriciana, carbonara, Sicilian lifeguard calamarata); polpetta; rabbit cacciatore; dorade; osso buco; sorbetto al limon.
Lifecycle Wellness, a birth center in Bryn Mawr that offered an alternative to hospital delivery for Philadelphia-area parents, is shutting down operations amid growing financial pressure, the nonprofit announced Thursday.

The nonprofit, which provides homelike births for low-risk pregnancies at its birth center and at Bryn Mawr Hospital, will stop delivering babies on Feb. 15. Patients who are due on Feb. 1 or later will need to transition to a different provider.

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In an open letter posted on its website Thursday, Lifecycle leaders said the organization was strained by rising operations and medical malpractice costs that outpaced insurance reimbursement rates  industrywide challenges that have plagued small and large health organizations alike.

From the beginning, Lifecycle Wellness has been dedicated to providing evidence-based, family-centered care that empowers clients to make informed choices and experience birth in a supportive, homelike environment, Jessi Schwarz, executive and clinical director, and Lauren Harrington, board president, wrote. But, they added, growing challenges have made it increasingly difficult for small, independent, and non-profit maternal health providers to exist.

Lifecycle reported a profit of $135,303 last year, down from $221,578 in 2023, according to its most recent tax filings.

The organization provided prenatal and birthing services to about 600 patients a year, according to its 2024 tax filings. It employed 73 people that year.

But in their letter announcing the closure, Schwarz and Harrington said that shifts in public health and rising rates of medical complications have reduced the number of families eligible for this model of care.

Medical malpractice strain

The number of malpractice cases rose in Philadelphia after a 2023 rule change allowed patients to sue outside the county in which they received medical treatment.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are common in obstetrics, and Philadelphias court is known for verdicts with high awards.

In 2023, a Philadelphia jury awarded a record-setting $180 million to the family of a child who was born with severe brain injuries at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The Birth Center is currently facing seven lawsuits in Philadelphia.

The industrys financial headwinds can be harder for independent, specialized healthcare organizations to face.

Last year, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute ended a decades-long run as the official team physicians for the Philadelphia Eagles, citing the risk of medical malpractice liability. A year earlier, a Philadelphia jury awarded $43.5 million to former Eagles safety Chris Maragos, who sued Rothman over the treatment he received for a career-ending knee injury.

Birth resources outside Philadelphia

Lifecycle said it would continue to work with families who are expected to give birth by the end of January.

The organization will work with families due after Feb. 1 to identify a new provider and transition their care.

Lifecycle plans to continue offering limited prenatal, postnatal, and gynecological care through the end of March. The organization will also phase out its mental health and lactation services in February and March.

Access to respectful, equitable, community-based care is shrinking for many, particularly for marginalized communities who need it most, Schwarz said in a statement to The Inquirer. Our situation reflects a broader reality that the health, safety, and well-being of pregnant people and families is not prioritized within our current payment structures.

They did not offer specifics about where existing patients may be able to transfer their care.

Birth centers are designed as alternatives to hospitals, offering a more natural, homelike setting. They have limited pain medications, and patients are typically not connected to fetal monitoring devices, allowing them to move more freely.

This type of care is only an option for low-risk pregnancies, as birth centers are not licensed to perform c-section operations, and will need to transfer patients to a hospital if there is a serious complication during birth.

I felt very much in the arms of a beloved community of people who were really on your side, said Monica Moran, who delivered her children with the support of Lifecycle midwives in 2007 and 2009.

Moran, who lives in Havertown, has continued to go to Lifecycle for routine gynecological services and isnt sure where she will go instead.

She said she worries for families who were counting on Lifecycles providers for a nonhospital delivery.

Nearby hospitals with labor and delivery services include Bryn Mawr Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center, both of which are owned by Main Line Health.

The system is well-positioned and prepared to manage increased patient volume while maintaining our high standards of care, a spokesperson said in a statement.

It has already seen an influx of patients since Crozer Health closed earlier this year. Crozer delivered 960 babies in 2024, according to health department records.
Members of No ICE Philly rally outside the Criminal Justice Center on Thursday, calling on the sheriff to cut off Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to the building. Read more

Activists rallied outside the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center on Thursday to press their assertion that ICE has been allowed to turn the courthouse into a hunting ground for immigrants.

The noon demonstration crystalized months of contention between activists and lawyers who say the courthouse must be a place to seek and render justice  not to target immigrants  and federal authorities who insist that making arrests there is legal, safe, and sane.

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No ICE Philly, the rally organizer, says agents have been enabled to essentially hang out at the Center City courthouse, waiting in the lobby or scouring the hallways, then making arrests on the sidewalks outside, a pattern they say has been repeated dozens of times since President Donald Trump took office in January.

ICE is kidnapping immigrants who are obeying the law and coming to court, said Ashen Harper, a college student who helped lead the demonstration, which targeted Sheriff Rochelle Bilal. She is capitulating and cooperating with ICE.

Many people who go to the courthouse, the group noted, are not criminal defendants  they are witnesses, crime victims, family members, people dealing with alleged offenses like shoplifting or trespassing, and others who are already in diversionary programs.

No ICE Philly, whose last demonstration saw four people arrested, says immigration agents must be barred from the property.

Organizers said ICE has arrested about 90 people outside the courthouse since January, a dramatic increase over the previous year. And they pledged to return on Dec. 4  lugging a podium for Bilal so that, organizers said, she can explain changes she intends to make, including barring ICE.

The sheriff did not immediately reply to a request for comment Thursday.

We want to put the sheriff on notice that were watching, said Aniqa Raihan, a No ICE Philly organizer. We want to raise awareness of the fact  that ICE is using the courthouse as a hunting ground.

As word of plans for the demonstration spread, Bilal issued a statement aimed at addressing public concerns around ICE activity.

Let me be very clear: the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office does not partner with ICE, the sheriff said. Our deputies do not assist ICE, share information, or participate in immigration enforcement.

Deputies verify the credentials of ICE agents entering the courthouse  and those agents are not permitted to make arrests in courtrooms or anywhere else inside, she said.

Raihan and other advocates say that is no protection. ICE agents linger in the lobby, they said, then follow their target outside and quickly make the arrest.

In April, The Inquirer reported that a Philadelphia police officer escorted a Dominican national out of the courthouse and into the custody of federal authorities, shortly after a judge dismissed all criminal charges against the man.

A police department spokesperson said at the time that the Spanish-speaking officer offered to walk with the man to help translate, but did not detain him. The Defender Association of Philadelphia and others questioned how the incident squared with the citys sanctuary policies.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Philadelphia did not reply to a request for comment.

On Thursday, about 40 demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse, chanting and singing under the watchful eye of city police officers and sheriffs deputies. No ICE agents were visible. Protesters carried signs to indicate that they, too, were watching, raising colorful cardboard eyeballs, eyeglasses, and magnifiers.

Lenore Ramos, the community defense organizer with the Juntos advocacy group, called on the sheriff and city government officials to protect immigrants at the courthouse. Proclaiming Philadelphia a welcoming city, she said, is not just a slogan  its a promise, one that local government must fulfill.

The city is not standing behind our immigrant communities, Ramos said. It is walking all over them.

In an interview earlier this week, Whitney Viets, an immigration counsel at the Defender Association, said ICE agents are at the courthouse almost every day, and arrests occur there almost daily.

The government does not publicly release data detailing where most immigration arrests occur, but Viets estimated that dozens of arrests have taken place at the courthouse since the start of the year. Masked plainclothes agents are seen outside the building, in the lobby, in courtrooms, and in hallways, she said.

Agents are effectively doing enforcement in the courthouse, through identification, she said.

She explained that agents may identify a person they are seeking in or near a courtroom, then either follow them outside or alert other agents who are already waiting on the sidewalk.

It is unclear where ICE is obtaining information on who will be at the courthouse on any particular day, although some details about ongoing criminal cases are available in public records. One result of ICE enforcement, she said, is people are afraid to come to court.

This is about whether our justice system operates effectively, Viets said. The actions of ICE have gotten brazen.  What we need at this time is public engagement against this activity.

No ICE Philly decried kidnappings by the agency and demanded the sheriff protect everyone inside and outside the courthouse, including immigrants targeted by ICE as well as citizens observing and documenting ICE arrests.

The Philadelphia Sheriffs Office is in charge of courthouse security. However, Bilal said in her statement, her office has no authority to intervene in lawful activities that are conducted off the property.

Inside the courthouse, everyones rights and safety are protected equally under the law, she said. We are law enforcement professionals who follow the law.

In Philadelphia and places around the country, courthouses have become disputed locales as the Trump administration pursues ever-more-aggressive arrest and deportation policies.

Under President Joe Biden, limits were set on what ICE could do at courthouses. Agents were permitted to take action at or near a courthouse only if it involved a threat to national security, an imminent risk of death or violence, the pursuit of someone who threatened the public safety, or a risk of destruction of evidence.

Even then, advocacy groups accused ICE of violating the policy by arresting people who were only short distances from courthouses.

The Biden restrictions on ICE vanished the day after Trump took office.

The new guidance said agents could conduct enforcement actions in or near courthouses  period. The only conditions were that agents must have credible information that their target would be present at a specific location and that the local jurisdiction had not passed laws barring such enforcement.

The guidance said that, to the extent practicable, ICE action should take place in nonpublic areas of the courthouse and be done in collaboration with court security staff. Officers should generally avoid making arrests in or near family or small-claims courts.

The Department of Homeland Security said that the Biden administration had thwarted law enforcement from doing its job, that arresting immigrants in courthouses is safer for agents and the public because those being sought have passed through metal detectors and security checkpoints.

The ability of law enforcement to make arrests of criminal illegal aliens in courthouses is common sense, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said earlier this year. It conserves valuable law enforcement resources because they already know where a target will be.

The issue cuts deep in Philadelphia, which has stood as a strong sanctuary city and welcomed immigrants who were sent here by the busload by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022 and early 2023.

Philadelphia city officials have said repeatedly that they do not cooperate with ICE, and that the sanctuary city policies created under former Mayor Jim Kenney remain in place under Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

Nationally, 10 months into the Trump administration, some Democratic jurisdictions are acting to tighten ICE access at courthouses.

In Connecticut this month, state lawmakers passed a bill to bar most civil immigration arrests at courthouses, unless federal authorities have obtained a signed judicial warrant in advance.

The Senate bill, already approved by the House, also bans law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings in court, Connecticut Public Radio reported. Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to sign the measure.

Last month in Chicago, which has faced weeks of controversial immigration enforcement, the top Cook County judge barred ICE from arresting people at courthouses. That came as federal agents stationed themselves outside courthouses, drawing crowds of protesters, CBS News reported.

On Monday, a federal judge dismissed a Trump administration challenge to a New York law that barred the immigration arrests of people going into and out of courthouses. New York passed the Protect Our Courts Act in 2020, during Trumps first term, a law the administration said had imposed unconstitutional restrictions on enforcement, the Hill reported.

The Thursday rally marked the third recent protest by No ICE Philly, which seeks to stop agency activity in the city. The organizations Halloween Eve demonstration outside the ICE office erupted into physical confrontations with police, with several people pushed to the ground and four arrested.

The arrests came after some demonstrators attempted to stop ICE vehicles from leaving the facility at Eighth and Cherry Streets.

No ICE Philly organizers said Thursday that they will continue to scrutinize ICE activity at the courthouse.

There are people watching. We have eyes on this, Raihan said, adding that ICE is allowed to hang in the lobby, sometimes in the courtrooms.

Somehow they seem to know when somebody vulnerable is in the courthouse.  Were concerned with how theyre finding out that information.
French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hug after signing an agreement Monday at the Villacoublay air base near Paris. Read more

While America has been obsessing over Jeffrey Epstein, Vladimir Putin has been making dangerous headway in Ukraine  and expanding his war into Europe.

Under such circumstances, genuine peace negotiations are impossible because Putin thinks he is winning. Americas top foreign policy priority should be to reverse the Russian leaders mindset by increasing military sales to Ukraine  which the Europeans will pay for.

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Instead, the Trump team and Russian officials together have drawn up a new 28-point peace plan, without first consulting Ukraine or European allies. This pro-Russian plan calls for major Ukrainian concessions and would leave the country naked to further Russian aggression.

The White House has already denied Ukraine the weapons that could still stop the Russians, thereby effectively helping Putin slaughter Ukrainian civilians nightly with missiles and drones that target apartment buildings and heating systems.

In pursuit of his mythical Nobel Peace Prize, Trump appears poised, yet again, to sell out Ukraine. If so, he will also be selling out our European allies  and the United States.

 READ MORE: Trumps Gaza peace plan is in danger of failing, unless he sees whats in front of his nose | Trudy Rubin

Most Americans dont realize Russia is already at war with Europe. This new mode of hybrid warfare is carried out on land, air, and sea, but without ground troops  yet. Moscow is frequently using drones to shut down airports in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and Poland. Russian hackers are attacking European networks.

Russian ships are cutting Europes underwater cables, its warplanes are invading European airspace and buzzing military planes, and its saboteurs are carrying out assassinations and arson attacks, including failed plans to bring down European airliners.

Because this war is unconventional, and hitting individual countries in Europe, the European Union and its members havent yet figured out how to respond.

Putin seeks not only to frighten Europeans but to unnerve Americans, as well. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that failed Russian arson attempts on planes were a test run for using similar devices on transatlantic cargo shipments, according to the Washington Post. And Putin frequently hints at nuclear war against the West.

Has Trump denounced such behavior, or warned Putin to stop his attacks on U.S. allies? Nyet. Only occasional grumbling has been heard from the White House.

The president probably never even took briefings on Russian sabotage. Anything negative about Putin is rebuffed as the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax.

Instead, Trump has been busy misusing U.S. forces to threaten war on Venezuela (which poses no military threat to America, and contrary to Trumps claims, ships no fentanyl to U.S. shores). Perhaps this wag-the-dog war is meant to scare a weak Nicolas Maduro.

But Trump has made clear he doesnt dare (or want to) stand up to Putin.

His new secondary sanctions on Russian oil sales havent been seriously pursued against India or China, which buy huge and increasing shares of Russian oil and gas.

Moreover, as Moscow takes advantage of Ukraines dire shortage of man power, air defenses, and long-range missiles, Trump refuses to help. Even though Europe has pledged to pay for key weapons systems for Kyiv, Trump wont sell them.

Although Ukraine makes an array of drones, they cant shoot down ballistic missiles or cope with Russias current mass production of drones, helped by thousands of North Korean workers and endless shipments of parts from China.

 READ MORE: A welcome change as voters and Supreme Court justices challenge Trumps falsehoods | Trudy Rubin

Promised U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, which could take out the ballistic missiles, have never arrived in Ukraine. Only this week, after a nine-month delay, did Washington permit Kyiv to once again fire long-range U.S.-made ATACMS missiles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had banned their use early this year.

And most cowardly, after hinting for months that he would send desperately needed long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Trump finally came out with a big No Tomahawks.

Theres more. Although Ukraine is a world champion producer of all varieties of drones, and the United States lags far behind in unmanned warfare, Trump has yet to conclude a much-discussed drone deal with Volodymyr Zelensky, whereby Ukraine would swap drones, technology, and testing for U.S. weapons.

Such White House blindness  and weakness  convinces Putin he can get away with destroying Ukraine.

And so the Russian leader is doing with a disastrous plan pushed by Trumps supremely naive negotiator, real estate mogul Steve Witkoff, who has has no grasp of Putins history or goals and seems to swallow his lies whole.

Witkoffs draft plan would reportedly require Ukraine to give up the 14 per cent of the Donbas region it still controls, and cut the size of its armed forces by half. It would require Ukraine to abandon key categories of weapons, endorse a permanent rollback of vital U.S. assistance including long-range weapons, and ban foreign troops from basing on Ukrainian soil.

And the deal provides no U.S. guarantees except lip service to protect against Putins certain violations in the future.

Trump might as well say publicly that he endorses Putins dream of swallowing Ukraine. He is effectively telling Ukraine and Zelensky: Drop Dead.

Putin isnt fighting for a piece of land. He wants to absorb Ukraine back into the Russian empire.

Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian traitor and close Putin ally, whom the Russian president wanted to install in Zelenskys place after the invasion, recently spelled out Kremlin goals to the official TASS newswire. He said that Ukraine will not survive as a state in the future, and Moscow considers the reunification of Ukraine with Russia a strategic goal.

Trump clearly doesnt care.

The administration is pushing to strip language from an annual U.N. General Assembly Human Rights Committee resolution that recognizes Ukraines territorial integrity and rights as a sovereign nation. The U.S. delegation will vote against anything that condemns Putin.

 READ MORE: Trump gets a kings crown in South Korea, but is bested by Xi Jinping | Trudy Rubin

Trump has made clear he believes Putin bears no blame for invading Ukraine (its all Zelenskys fault or even Joe Bidens). He has crossed over totally to the Russian dictators camp.

Unless he wakes up from his Putin-induced trance, he is incapable of making peace.

Although things look bleak for Ukraine, I believe its fighters will manage to hold back the Russians this winter, but at a brutal cost to civilians and soldiers lives. Trump will bear much blame for the suffering to come.

But after the Epstein-induced awakening of GOP members of Congress, I hope some Republican senators will find the courage to denounce Trumps attempt to hand over Ukraine to Russia.

They should recognize that the retort of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.) after Trump called her a traitor also applies to his position on Ukraine.

Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is an American [who] serves foreign countries and themselves, Greene said. With his heedless pursuit of Putin and a peace prize, Trump is serving the Kremlin, in service to his ego, as he attempts to sacrifice Ukraine.
President Donald Trump admonishes a reporter as he meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Read more

It has long been established that some of Donald Trumps most frequently used rhetorical weapons have been misogynistic insults. It is just as well known that the president seldom hides his contempt for journalists.

So its hardly surprising anymore when Trump degrades female reporters. But the president reached a new level of low even for him when he had the nerve to refer to Bloomberg News White House correspondent Catherine Lucey as piggy during a briefing with reporters last week aboard Air Force One.

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Trump was angered when Lucey attempted to press him about the governments case file on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump literally leaned in Luceys direction, jabbed a pointed finger at her, and said, Quiet! Quiet, piggy!

Even after everything weve seen from Trump over the past decade, it was a startling and disgusting thing to witness coming from a sitting president of the United States.

Heres the thing: Luceys a dogged reporter. I know. I used to work with Lucey when she was at the Daily News from 2000 to 2012. Lucey isnt about to let the presidents schoolyard taunts stop her from asking tough questions.

Same thing with ABC News reporter Mary Bruce. On Tuesday, Trump accused her of being a terrible person and a terrible reporter. Thats not going to stop her, either. Journalists are a determined lot. The good ones in the White House pool recognize that their job is to hold him accountable and will stop at nothing short of exposing the truth.

Its in our collective DNA.

Bruce did the right thing when she challenged Trump earlier this week by asking if it was appropriate for his family to be doing business in Saudi Arabia.

She was also working in the spirit of journalisms best traditions when she went on to also address Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, asking: Your Royal Highness, the U.S. intelligence concluded that you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist. [The] 9/11 families are furious that you are here in the Oval Office. Why should Americans trust you? And the same to you, Mr. President.

After asking Bruce whom she worked for, Trump accused ABC of being fake news. He defended his familys business operations in Saudi Arabia, and said the reporter should not have embarrassed our guest by asking a question like that.

A lot of people didnt like that gentleman that youre talking about, Trump added, referring to the late Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Whether you like him or didnt like him, things happen.

A chill washed over me when I heard him say that. According to U.S. intelligence, Khashoggi reportedly was killed and dismembered on Oct. 2, 2018, in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

The National Press Club issued a statement afterward, saying the organization is deeply troubled by President Trumps comments today regarding the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr. Khashoggis murder inside a diplomatic facility was a grave violation of human rights and a direct attack on press freedom.

Just this past September, the president ordered NBCs Yamiche Alcindor to be quiet and listen, and told her she was second-rate, which she is not. Alcindor had asked about his intentions for the Windy City after he posted a meme saying, in part, Chicago about to find out why its called the Department of War.

Trumps animosity toward journalists goes way back. Following a 2015 Republican primary debate, he said of Megyn Kelly, There was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.

Even with the numerous lawsuits hes filed against news outlets, Trump should have figured out by now that hell never stop the press. The president can insult and bar certain news organizations from the White House. But good journalists know how to work around that.

Even if a network does replace one reporter, another journalist will step in and do the exact same thing. If a newspaper fires a print journalist, these days theyll move their work to the Substack publishing platform or social media, the way former Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah did shortly after she was let go.

Observers often wonder why journalists dont fight back more against Trumps verbal attacks. Most reporters want to cover the news, not be the news, as ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl told Paul Fahri of the Columbia Journalism Review earlier this year. In other words, they try and stay focused on the job at hand.

And these days, getting bullied by the man-child in the Oval Office seems to come with the territory.
House Speaker Joanna McClinton convinced Senate president pro tempore Kim Ward to move The CROWN Act to the Senate. McClinton wears her hair in natural styles. Read more

After being stuck in committee for four years, the Pennsylvania Senate passed the CROWN Act Wednesday with a vote of 44-3.

Passage of the act  an acronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair  means employers and school officials cant bar people from jobs or schools for wearing their hair as it grows out naturally or choosing styles  box braids, twists, locs, or cornrows  that protect it.

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The law applies to all Pennsylvanians, but especially impacts Black people. Black men who opt to wear locs or braids at work and school instead of close cropped Afros are often forced to cut them off.

In 2018, Buena Vista Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson cut his locks after a referee told him he could not compete in a South Jersey wrestling match with them.

But Black women, who, are often compelled and required to straighten their naturally curly coils in professional and school settings are the most will benefit the most from the new legislation.

This law takes discrimination head on, said Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Pa.). Natural hair is beautiful. This law protects Pennsylvanians by abolishing any notion that natural hairstyles are not appropriate in professional, educational, or public settings.

Black women use scorching hot metal combs, flat irons, or blow dryers to press their manes into smooth styles. The hair remains straight until it gets wet and then it curls back up.

Some use relaxers. Stylists apply chemicals to the scalp to straighten the hair at the root, causing painful burns. This is a more permanent method, but the chemicals must be reapplied every few weeks when natural hair grows out.

In recent years, there has been growing concerns that frequent applications of chemical straighteners increase the risk of cancers of the reproductive system.

Thats just too high of a price for conformity, said Adjoa B. Asamoah, a Washington, D.C.-based Temple graduate and architect of the CROWN Act.

Asamoah worked with attorneys to draft legislation, and champions the bill in legislative houses around the country.

I shouldnt have to increase my likelihood of developing cancer to be upwardly mobile. That cant be the cost, she said.

Fed up with hair discrimination, Asamoah began working with lawyers on the CROWN Act in 2018.

California, New York, and New Jersey were the first states to pass the CROWN Act the following year. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act in 2020, but it got stalled in the Senate.

Pennsylvania is the 28th state to pass anti-hair discrimination laws joining New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia enacted ordinances banning hair discrimination in 2020, but the Pennsylvania ruling protects people throughout the state.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming months.

The Pennsylvania bill amended the Human Relations Act, clarifying the term of race to include traits such as hair texture and protective hairstyles. The House passed the CROWN Act in 2023 but was later assigned to a Senate committee where it lay buried.

It passed the State House again in March, with a vote of 194-8, signaling strong bipartisan support. This time House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Phila.) a prime sponsor of the bill, refused to leave its fate up to chance. She worked with Republican Senate president pro tempore Kim Ward to move the bill to the Senate as part of the states budget negotiations.

I told her the CROWN Act was an important piece of legislation for people in all the communities that we serve, said McClinton, who wears her hair in natural protective styles. Im excited about what the future holds for women in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who wont have to face another barrier to succeeding in the work place.

Former first Lady Michelle Obama recently reignited the discussion of Black womens natural hair during interviews about her book The Look.

Obama didnt wear braids during Barack Obamas presidential term because she feared they would be a distraction, she recently told Sherri Shepherd on her daytime talk show.

However, upon returning to the White House in 2022 to unveil her official portrait, she wore braids gathered into a bun at the nape of her neck.

I wanted to make a statement, Yall get out of our heads, Obama said. I dont want any man in any HR department making decisions about what is appropriate, how we look, [to be able to determine] our ability to wear wigs, locs, braids and extensions  Dont hire or fire somebody based on something you know nothing about.

Her comments drew ire of Republicans including Megyn Kelly who countered, saying the drama was all in Obamas head.

That kind of disconnect, Asamoah said, is why the CROWN Act is needed.

People have been discriminating against Black peoples hair for decades, and yes, its still happening, Asamoah said.

The important thing is that Black women can no longer be fired, passed over for a promotion, or have a job offer rescinded if we wear our hair in locks, braids, or twists  If someone tells you need to straighten your hair at your job, thats now a violation.
Life Center of Eastern Delaware County in Upper Darby is one of the three shelters operation by the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. The organization had temporarily reduced its capacity last month due to the state budget impasse. Read more

For the first time in months, the director of the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, which operates three homeless shelters and a rental assistance program, isnt thinking about service cuts.

The organization was forced to reduce capacity at one of its shelters to 50% in October and close the other two on Nov. 1 as a result of the state budget impasse. Delaware County, which had been backfilling for missing state dollars, had to cut the funds it delivered to social service organizations in half last month.

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Now, the agency is beginning to reopen its doors and its rental assistance program.

[Employees] have been busy kind of preparing for the residents to come back, said Ed Coleman, the nonprofits executive director.

The Community Action Agency is one of several nonprofit organizations across the region that were stretched and stressed over the last several months as state dollars stopped flowing in the absence of a budget. Since January, they have grappled with uncertainty over federal funds as President Donald Trumps administration cancels grants and Congress considers major cuts to social service programs.

The dynamics exposed the vulnerabilities facing philanthropic organizations while threatening the assistance they provide to those they serve.

Last week the Pennsylvania General Assembly finally passed a budget, ending one source of uncertainty. At the Community Action Agency, this meant employees began swapping out bedding and restocking toiletry bags given to incoming residents this week, undoing significant reductions in service.

By Wednesday, Wesley House Shelter, a facility for families and single women that Community Action manages, was able to take in a senior citizen whom a church had placed in a hotel amid the budget stalemate. A former resident who had to stay with a relative until the shelter could reopen also returned to the facility.

The promise of state funds could not have come soon enough.

Coleman said since Nov. 13, the agency received a little more than 250 rental assistance requests  including almost 80 on Tuesday alone.

The organization, Coleman said, is now assessing how much it can spend on services as it waits for state dollars to begin flowing again  which is expected to happen in the next 30 to 90 days as state agencies catch up on millions in missed payments to counties, schools, and nonprofits.

We really dont get paid very quickly with most of the contracts we have, Coleman said.

The rebuilding mirrors what nonprofits across the Philly region are managing after the state budget impasse. Several nonprofit organizations told The Inquirer they had to freeze hiring and take out lines of debt. Nearly all reported burnout among staff as need increased and uncertainty over funding loomed large.

The federal government shutdown, which saw a pause in federal food subsidies, only exacerbated the problem.

In many ways, it felt similar to the early months of COVID, said Jennifer King, executive director of the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania.

The Bucks County Opportunity Council was forced to reduce the number of individuals it could provide rent assistance to.

And at A Womans Place, a domestic violence shelter in Montgomery County, more people were showing up at the shelter door, even if they werent domestic violence survivors, asking for help the shelter was not equipped to provide. Often, she said, staff did not even have an answer of where to send people because of the reduction in services across the board.

That takes a toll on staff, and they start thinking, Do I really want to do this work? said Beth Sturman, the shelters executive director.

Providers worried most about the impact the freeze had on those they served. Jill Whitcomb, president and CEO of Surrey Senior Services in Delaware County, said older adults are facing greater stress and anxiety as a result of state and federal services being rolled back.

Our mission is to help people remain at home and independent and engaged as long as they possibly can or want to, Whitcomb said. That becomes really hard on a limited income when those incomes are already tenuous, and then theyre living with the anxiety about losing their Social Security.

Jeannine Litski, president of Mental Health Partnerships, said the closure of shelters in the region resulted in greater trauma to unhoused people.

Imagine youre just holding on by a thread, and you have at least a place you can lay on a cot for the night and you have a little food, and now thats taken away, she said.

While philanthropic organizations were grateful for the state budget deal, they remained anxious about the possibility of another federal government shutdown at the end of January and questioned how much more they could take.

We got through COVID. Lets see if we can get through this, Whitcomb said. Itd be interesting to talk five years from now and see where everybody is.

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
President Donald Trump, pictured in the White House on Monday, lashed out at Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the military not to follow illegal orders, including two from Pennsylvania. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan was in her Washington office when she saw attacks directed at her and other military veteran members of Congress from President Donald Trump, days after they urged members of the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders.

Trump called the Democrats traitors in a Thursday post on Truth Social and, in a second post, accused them of sedition that he said is punishable by DEATH.

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Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat and an Air Force veteran, was one of six Democratic members of Congress who released a video Tuesday contending that Trumps administration is pitting service members and intelligence professionals against American citizens and urging them not to give up the ship.

All six lawmakers are either veterans or members of the intelligence community.

The idea that the most powerful man on the planet, who wields the power of the United States military and should be emblematic of all the things we value in this republic, would call for the death and murder of six duly elected members of the House of Representatives and the Senate  Im speechless and Im devastated," Houlahan told The Inquirer on Thursday afternoon.

Houlahan said she had anticipated there might be a response from the president after Stephen Miller, Trumps deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser, spent much of Wednesday railing against the lawmakers in the video. But Trumps comments went beyond anything Houlahan imagined even from a president known for extreme and sometimes violent rhetoric.

Ive been struggling with the right words for this, she said. I weep for our nation would be an understatement.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, a Navy veteran who was also featured in the video, called Thursday a dark day in America in an interview with The Inquirer.

It tells me who he is and it tells me exactly why we should be talking about the rule of law and the Constitution, said Deluzio, an Allegheny County Democrat.

In the video that set Trump off, the lawmakers, finishing one anothers sentences, reminded service members of their oath to the Constitution and instructed them to refuse to follow any order that would violate it.

Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad, Deluzio says in the video.

But from right here at home, adds U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D., Colo.) a former paratrooper and Army Ranger.

The video was shared by U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D., Mich.), a former CIA officer, and also included U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.), a former Navy captain, and U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D., N.H.) a former intelligence officer.

Houlahan said she considered the video innocuous.

It literally talked about the fact that you should follow only lawful orders, an obvious reminder that those of us who served have grown up on, she said.

On Thursday morning, Trump shared a Washington Examiner article about the video with the headline Dem veterans in Congress urge service members to refuse unspecified unlawful orders, saying their message is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country.

Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? the president wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

About an hour later, Trump added in his second post: SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!

Sedition and treason cases in modern U.S. history are very rare.

Democratic condemnations of Trumps comments poured in from across the country Thursday. Republicans were more muted. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) defended Trumps claim that the Democrats had engaged in sedition, describing the video as wildly inappropriate.

It is very dangerous. You have leading members of Congress telling troops to disobey orders, he told CNN.

Sen. Dave McCormick, a Pennsylvania Republican and U.S. Army veteran, who has called out political violence in the past, both after Charlie Kirks killing and an arson at Gov. Josh Shapiros residence, defended the presidents verbal attacks on the lawmakers. Not a single unlawful order is cited in this video  because there arent any, he said in a statement.

The video is inappropriate and unwarranted, and I didnt hear any of these calls to defy orders when Democrats were using lawfare against President Trump, he added, Giving outlandish pardons, or intimidating tech companies to stop free speech.

About an hour later McCormicks spokesperson sent a second comment from him, adding: President Trump can speak for himself, but as Ive said repeatedly, there is no place in either party for violent rhetoric and everyone needs to dial it down a notch.

One of the few Republicans to offer any criticism of the president was U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent, who said in a statement that in the FBI he saw how inflamed rhetoric can stoke tensions and lead to unintended violence.

Fitzpatrick, a moderate from Bucks County who has butted heads with Trump in the past, did not name him in the statement but said the exchange was part of a deeper issue of corrosive divisiveness that helps no one and puts our entire nation at risk. Such unnecessary incidents and incendiary rhetoric heighten volatility, erode public trust, and have no place in a constitutional republic, least of all in our great nation.

Houlahan and Deluzio respond

Houlahan served three years on active duty as an Air Force engineer and an additional 13 years as a reserve, and reached the rank of captain. She has been outspoken against the Trump administration on military issues, particularly surrounding women serving in combat roles.

The lawmakers did not refer to any specific orders from the president in their video, but they had numerous concerns in mind.

Houlahan said it was sparked, in part, by military troops being deployed to U.S. cities and lethal strikes against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean.

Trump has suggested that American cities should be training grounds for the military, and targeted Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, and Portland for National Guard deployments. His administrations boat strikes, which have led to protests in Philadelphia, have come under scrutiny by experts who say they are illegal, per the New York Times, which found Trumps claims justifying the attacks to be questionable.

What we were speaking to is the future, those who are currently serving, and making sure they remember who they serve and what they serve, Houlahan said.

She said the lawmakers felt a responsibility to  make sure people understood there are people in Congress who have your back.

Deluzio pointed to reporting about concerns from military personnel who were deployed to U.S. cities. PBS reported this week that people in uniform have been seeking outside legal advice about some of the missions the Trump administration has assigned them.

This is a guy whos been documented in a meeting with the secretary of defense talking about shooting unarmed civilians in the legs, Deluzio said, citing an account from former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

Deluzio said he learned about the oath the first day of boot camp and trained sailors on it when he gained rank.

This is something that is fundamental to how our military works and the respect we show our service members, he said.

Deluzio served six years in the Navy including three deployments. He cofounded the Democratic Veterans Caucus in June, which was formed in opposition to the Trump administration.

He said he has heard from people on both sides of the aisle and encouraged Republican colleagues to speak out publicly against the presidents remarks.

Republican officials should be stepping up loudly and clearly and saying the calling of death by hanging to members of Congress is out of bounds, he said.

James Markley, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Republican Party, declined to comment on Trumps remarks and said in a text that the woke left continues to attempt to rip apart the fibers of our communities and our country.

Our party will continue focusing on making our country safer, prosperous and more affordable, he added.

A spokesperson for Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, an Army veteran who is running for governor next year with the state GOPs endorsement, did not respond to a request for comment.

Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who has made a name for himself working across the aisle, said in a post on X that threatening members of Congress is deeply wrong without exception, regardless of political party.

I strongly reject this dangerous rhetoric, he said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro also quickly denounced Trump for calling for violence against Houlahan and Deluzio, describing them in a post on X as two outstanding members of Congress from Pennsylvania who have fought for our country.

There should be no place for this violent rhetoric from our political leaders, and it shouldnt be hard to say that, said Shapiro, who has consistently spoken out against the threat of political violence since a politically motivated arsonist firebombed the governors mansion while he and his family slept inside in April.

Trumps attack on Houlahan and other Democratic veterans marks the second time in two months Democratic lawmakers who served in the armed forces have been the subject of attacks from across the aisle.

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Trump ally who represents parts of central Pennsylvania, told a conservative radio station in October that Democrats in Congress hate the military, based on their voting records.

Deluzio and Houlahan, both members of the House Armed Services Committee, also banded together then to push back on Perrys comments, calling them garbage.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks during a news conference at City Hall in July. The ACLU sought to distance itself from recent policy changes the mayor made related to diversity and city procurement. Read more

The ACLUs Pennsylvania chapter slammed Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration for invoking the organizations name during a news conference this week, saying the group was not involved in what its leaders described as the mayors DEI rollback.

In a blistering statement issued late Wednesday, the ACLU-PA said Parkers use of the organizations name during a news conference announcing controversial changes to the citys contracting policies created the impression that the citys decisions were vetted by our constitutional experts and aligned with our values.

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That was not the case, the group said.

ACLU-PA was not consulted nor involved, the statement said. We welcome genuine collaboration with city leadership on policies that advance justice, liberty, and equity, especially for historically marginalized communities. Until such a partnership occurs, we ask that the administration refrain from using our name as a buzzword seal of approval.

The Parker administration pushed back, with City Solicitor Renee Garcia saying Thursday that officials were clear that the administration consulted with an attorney who worked for the citys outside counsel and who later went to work for the ACLU.

We didnt give impressions, Garcia said, we just gave the facts.

 READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker defends ending racial diversity goals for Philly contracts: Fighting the fight the way I know best

Still, the civil rights groups distancing from Parker was the latest criticism the mayor faced over her decision to eliminate a decades-old program that aimed to direct a significant portion of the citys contracting dollars to firms owned by people of color, women, and people with disabilities.

Parker and her administration said the decision was made to align city policies with shifting legal precedent that has threatened affirmative action-style government programs. But critics have said the city preemptively conceded to the conservative legal movement that has sought to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the country.

Parker has said the citys new system, which will incentivize contracting with businesses considered small and local, will ultimately be a more effective and equitable program.

In announcing her decision to make the citys procurement policies race- and gender-neutral, Parker did not say that her administration worked directly with the ACLU in crafting its policy shift, nor did she mention the organizations Pennsylvania chapter.

But Parker and members of her administration invoked the groups name during the Tuesday news conference as they described the timeline of events that led up to the citys decision to quietly change its policies this fall before announcing them publicly.

 READ MORE: Philadelphia is halting the use of some diversity targets in city contracts as national DEI backlash grows

Garcia said that the administration consulted in June with constitutional law experts, including Carmen Iguina Gonzalez, who was at the time a Washington-based attorney at Hecker Fink, a law firm. Iguina Gonzalez is a former clerk to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, considered one of the most liberal jurists on the high court.

About three months after the meeting with city officials, Iguina Gonzalez became the deputy director for immigration detention at the ACLUs National Prison Project.

She could not be reached for comment.

 READ MORE: Philly Council president says Mayor Parker was strategic in dropping diversity contracting goals

During Tuesdays news conference, Vanessa Garrett Harley, a deputy mayor and a top aide to Parker, cited the meeting with Iguina Gonzalez in response to critics who have called the administrations policy shift conservative.

She said Iguina Gonzalez counseled the city to strike race- and gender-based diversity goals from its contracting policies.

People [are] saying, Oh, it was a conservative move. It was a conservative way of looking at the law, Garrett Harley said. She had clerked for Justice Sotomayor. Shes currently at the ACLU. So this was not somebody who would have had a conservative mindset.

Garrett Harley continued: If weve got people on all sides... saying, You have no other choice, then weve got to pivot and do what we have to do to protect the fiscal responsibility of the City of Philadelphia.

Later in the news conference, Parker also mentioned the ACLU, saying she was glad the city sought outside an outside opinion from Iguina Gonzalez.

I remember that meeting clearly, Parker said. And again  although shes not with the firm, she made the transition and shes now with the ACLU  I believe in her.

This week was not the first time the ACLU has been at odds with Parker, a centrist Democrat who ran for mayor in 2023 on a tough-on-crime platform.

The groups state chapter was critical of her while she campaigned and embraced the use of stop-and-frisk as a valuable policing tactic. The ACLU, which has long contended the practice is racially biased and ineffective, monitored the citys use of stop-and-frisk for more than a decade.

And once Parker took office last year, Pennsylvania ACLU leaders expressed opposition to parts of her plan to address the open-air drug market in Kensington, including the so-called wellness court, a fast-track court for people accused of minor drug-related offenses.
In this January file photo, City Councilmember Michael Driscoll appears on first day of the Council session. He introduced legislation to exempt independent contractors from paying certain business taxes. Read more

Philadelphia-based independent contractors and others who are self-employed could soon become exempt from paying certain business taxes as part of a measure aimed at easing tax burdens on small businesses.

City Councilmember Mike Driscoll, a Democrat who represents parts of Northeast Philadelphia, introduced legislation Thursday to carve out entrepreneurs, sole proprietorships, and businesses that have only one employee from having to pay the citys business income and receipts tax, commonly known as BIRT.

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Also on Thursday, members floated legislation to address the rising cost of water bills and introduced a bill to make it easier for restaurants to secure outdoor dining permits.

What was the meetings highlight?

Relief for the small(est) businesses: The bill is likely to find support in Council, where lawmakers have been searching for ways to provide relief to small businesses after earlier this year eliminating a popular tax break that allowed companies to exclude their first $100,000 in income from business taxes in Philadelphia.

That exemption effectively meant that thousands of small businesses did not have to pay the tax. However, Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration in June successfully moved to eliminate the exemption, saying the city was likely to lose a court battle over the matter.

The change came after a medical device manufacturer sued the city, saying the exemption violated state law, which includes a uniformity clause that prohibits municipalities from creating different classes of taxpayers.

 READ MORE: What small business owners need to know about the major changes coming to Phillys tax code

Now, thousands of businesses newly have to pay the BIRT beginning with 2025 tax bills that are due in April. If Driscolls measure is adopted, it would begin in the 2026 tax year, meaning that eligible business owners would see the exemption when paying taxes due in April 2027.

He said the legislation addresses concerns from small businesses that the impending tax bills will be financially unsustainable for them.

A $50,000 business should not face a $3,200 tax hike, Driscoll said. That is not policy. That is displacement.

Driscoll said that the citys law department approved his legislation and that he is confident it does not violate the uniformity clause.

What else happened this week?

Making water more affordable: Council will consider a package of legislation to address rising water bills. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier of West Philadelphia introduced three measures:

A bill that expands eligibility for payment assistance programs to people who earn up to 300% of the federal poverty level. (This year, the FPL is $32,150 for a family of four.) There is currently a tiered assistance structure for people who earn up to 250%. A bill requiring that the city reduce a residents water bill if it rose because of a water meter failure that lasted more than a year. A resolution to hold hearings on whether lawmakers can expand assistance programs to renters. The Philadelphia Water Department does not allow bills to be in renters names.

A spokesperson for Gauthier said the package of legislation has 10 cosponsors  a majority of Council  making it likely to pass.

Parker opposes incineration ban: A Council committee on Monday advanced a bill to ban the city from incinerating trash, over the objections of Parkers administration.

Currently, the city sends about two-thirds of the trash it collects to landfills and one-third to a waste-to-energy incinerator in Chester operated by Reworld, formerly known as Covanta.

Both of those contracts expire June 30, and Gauthier wants to prohibit the Parker administration from signing a new deal.

 READ MORE: Philly sends a third of its trash to a Chester incinerator. Council members took a Toxic Tour to get a closer look.

On Monday, Chester officials pleaded with Philly to end its relationship with the facility, saying it contributes to high rates of illness.

Reworld defended its record, saying it exceeds government regulations.

Carlton Williams, who leads the Philadelphia Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, asked lawmakers to hold off approving a ban on incineration to allow the city time to study the issue.

But the committee approved the measure, sending it to the full Council for a vote as early as Dec. 4.

Dining out: Council is taking another crack at streamlining the citys drawn-out permitting process for outdoor dining.

Councilmember Rue Landau, who represents the city at-large, said it can take more than a year and a half for restaurants to get licensed if they are not in areas around Center City and a handful of commercial corridors in other neighbors.

 READ MORE: It can take two years for a restaurant to get approved for outdoor dining. One Philly Council member is trying to make it easier

Beyond those locations, restaurants must get their district Council person to sponsor zoning legislation, which can take months.

Landau introduced legislation Thursday to expand the by-right areas where sidewalk cafes can exist without special zoning. Where the areas are expanded to will be up to district Council members.

Quote of the week

I love Philly so much, I actually named my first daughter Philly. Her name is actually Philly Garcia. Boxer Danny Garcia

All in the family: Council members on Thursday honored boxer Danny Garcia, a North Philly native and an illustrious fighter who is retiring from the sport. He appeared in Council chambers to thank members and tell the city how much he loves it back.

Staff writers Jake Blumgart and Beatrice Forman contributed to this article.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker unveils her long-awaited plan to build or preserve 30,000 units of housing during a special session of City Council Monday, Mar. 24, 2025. Council President Kenyatta Johnson is behind her. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker promised to build or preserve 30,000 homes in her first term. But much of her plan to reach that goal now wont get underway until her four-year term is more than halfway over.

City Council this week again delayed a key piece of legislation that needs to pass before the Parker administration can sell hundreds of millions of dollars in city bonds, the primary source of funds for the myriad housing programs being created or expanded through the mayors Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, or H.O.M.E.

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The delay comes as lawmakers negotiate to amend the legislation  a resolution setting the first-year budget for H.O.M.E.  to increase spending levels beyond the currently proposed $195 million and to lower income eligibility thresholds for some programs, prioritizing poorer residents.

 READ MORE: City Council delays key vote on Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers H.O.M.E. initiative, setting up tight deadline before city bond sales

The most recent setback came this week, when Council President Kenyatta Johnson canceled a Monday hearing to advance the resolution and declined to reschedule it before Thursdays regular Council meeting, when the administration said the proposal would need to receive final approval for the first $400 million round of bonds to be sold in 2025. (The city plans to sell a second and final $400 million tranche of bonds in 2027.)

The administration sent Johnsons office an initial draft of the resolution in July, but the Council president has repeatedly delayed advancing the measure throughout the fall.

 READ MORE: Heres how Mayor Parker plans to spend $800 million on housing

It is critically important to get the first-year spending plan right because what is agreed upon in the first year will influence all future spending for the H.O.M.E. program, Johnson said in a statement explaining the cancellation of Mondays hearing. It is also essential that the final legislation include spending priorities important to City Councilmembers.

Parker is known as a hard-line negotiator who rarely cedes ground, and Johnsons delays might be meant to send the signal that if she doesnt bend on Councils demands, he wont meet her timelines.

The saga marks a rare moment of discord between Parker and Johnson, who have worked hand in glove on most issues since both took office in January 2024  including the passage of the initial package of legislation related to H.O.M.E. last spring.

 READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson are trying to bring back the 90s in City Hall

In a hearing last week, Johnson appeared to side with lawmakers, led by Housing Committee Chair Jamie Gauthier, who were pushing for the administration to lower income thresholds for some H.O.M.E. programs, saying the city should prioritize the neediest Philadelphians.

Parker has proposed expanding income eligibility requirements in some cases so that the programs can also be accessible to middle-class residents, saying she does not want to pit the have-nots vs. the have-a-littles.

Pit one against the other

Even with the bonds delayed until next year, the mayor does not appear to have given up the fight to maintain her vision for the housing initiative. At an unrelated Council hearing on the school district on Tuesday, Parker brought up the H.O.M.E. initiative unprompted.

She then called out four Council members who have middle-class constituencies that are likely to benefit from increased income thresholds for housing programs: Curtis Jones Jr., whose district includes Roxborough and Overbook; Anthony Phillips, who represents East Mount Airy and West Oak Lane; Mike Driscoll, of the Lower Northeast; and Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who represents the city at large but is a Democratic ward leader for Wynnefield.

I am unapologetic about making sure that constituents represented by you  should not be left out of any investment that we make in the city of Philadelphia, Parker said. Every community can be lifted up with the work that we are doing, so I wont let us pit one against the other.

The remarks, however, effectively pitted members with poorer constituencies against those with middle-class bases. Johnson represents Southwest Philadelphia and the western half of South Philly; Gauthiers district covers much of West Philadelphia.

 READ MORE: Mayor Parkers $195 million plan for the first year of her H.O.M.E. initiative is drawing criticism about who will benefit

Despite the dustup, it remains unlikely that a lasting fissure has emerged in Parker and Johnsons relationship, given that they still share many policy priorities and can benefit each other politically.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson and I have an amazing working relationship, Parker, a former Council member, said in an interview Monday. Council has a right to do its due diligence. If I hadnt been there, if I wasnt a former staffer in there, maybe it would be foreign [to me]. No. Were going through the process, and I have to trust the process.

Additionally, Johnson standing up for Council members concerns over the H.O.M.E. budget may help shield him from questions about whether he is overly compliant with the mayors agenda.

Both branches of government remain committed to ensuring the H.O.M.E. program is implemented transparently, equitably, and in a way that maximizes benefits to Philadelphia residents, Johnson said in his statement. Taking extra time to finalize these critical elements will result in a stronger, more effective program.

Tracking progress

The administration is not waiting for the H.O.M.E. bonds to be sold to start notching wins for Parkers 30,000 housing units goal. The citys Philly Stat 360 website has already begun tallying units built and preserved during her tenure.

To be sure, some of the mayors strategies for the H.O.M.E. initiative do not require bond money. For instance, Parker has led a shake-up of the Land Bank, which she hopes will accelerate the redevelopment of unoccupied city-owned parcels into housing, and she won Council approval last spring for zoning changes meant to streamline building.

But the potential infusion of $800 million is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the initiative. The money will help launch programs like Parkers One Philly Mortgage, which aims to provide 30-year fixed-rate loans to qualified homebuyers, and will buttress existing ones like the Basic Systems Repair Program, which has been credited with preventing the displacement of low-income residents who end up moving if they cannot afford needed home repairs.

Its never been done in the history of our city, and we do that together in partnership with each other, and thats what were working to do right now, Parker said.

Staff writers Jake Blumgart, Kristen A. Graham, and Anna Orso contributed to this article.
An aerial rendering of the first two warehouses proposed for the Bellwether District. The smaller one is now finished and its larger cousin is nearing completion. Read more

Officials for the Bellwether District say they are in late-stage negotiations with potential tenants to occupy the first of many buildings planned for the 1,300-acre former refinery site in South and Southwest Philadelphia.

However, Amelia Chasse Alcivar, a spokesperson for HRP Group, the sites owner, said during an update on the project Tuesday that she would not comment on potential tenants.

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She was responding to a question from environmental advocate Mitch Chanin about whether a data center is a possible use on the site of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery that closed in 2019 after an explosion and fire.

I want to emphasize that no official announcements have been made at this time, so I cannot confirm  I cannot deny, she said, adding that, I would just generally preach caution if youre reading anything in the press that is not confirmed by us on the record or by the company on the record.

Chasse Alcivar said that there are no plans to build a traditional power plant on site.

A recent BillyPenn article cited a union official who said a cogeneration plant is being discussed for the site. Cogeneration is considered a nontraditional technology that simultaneously, and efficiently, produces heat and electricity on site.

Chasse Alcivar said solar installations are being planned for at least some of the six million square feet of rooftops the development will have when fully built out over several phases in years to come.

I will share with this group that we are in late-stage negotiations with several prospective tenants, she said.

Whats the Bellwether District?

HRP, which was spun off from its parent company, Hilco, is building two massive commercial campuses on the site of the former refinery.

It plans about 14 buildings for a 750-acre industrial campus with the potential for 10,500 jobs.

And it plans a series of smaller buildings on a 250-acre innovation campus, originally slated to house mostly life sciences companies, with the potential for 8,500 jobs. The buildings are being designed for uses such as bio-manufacturing, processing, production, and tech.

In all, HRP plans for about 14 million square feet of buildings across the two campuses.

The ground of the sprawling site was tainted by 150 years of petroleum-related uses. As a result, it is undergoing a complex environmental remediation.

In its most recent history, Sunoco sold the refinery to PES in 2012. PES owned it at the time of the explosion and subsequent closure. PES went bankrupt and sold the site to Hilco Redevelopment Partners, now just HRP, in 2020.

Sunoco is responsible for contamination up to 2012. HRP is responsible for contamination after that. The two companies are coordinating cleanup with the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Remediation is expected to be ongoing for years. Some of the soil will be capped by buildings and parking lots. Barriers are being installed to prevent vapors from volatile organic compounds in the ground from penetrating work areas in the buildings.

Whats complete and whats coming

HRP says it will invest more than $4 billion into the redevelopment.

So far, HRP has completed a 326,000-square-foot class A warehouse on its 750-acre industrial campus with poured concrete floors and structural steel column supports off 26th Street.

It is finishing a second, 727,000-square-foot warehouse adjacent to the first with a planned boulevard leading into the campus for a total of little more than 1 million square feet.

Last month, Bellwether applied for a permit for a 1.4-million-square-foot building titled DrinkPAK warehouse. California-based DrinkPAK is a large manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic canned beverages.

DrinkPAKs website lists two existing facilities: The first in Santa Clarita, Calif., and a second scheduled to open this year in Fort Worth, Texas. A map shows a third facility projected to open in 2027 in the Northeast with a marker showing an area in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Chasse Alcivar did not comment on that project during the meeting.

Other updates:
The families of two of the eight people killed earlier this year when an air ambulance crashed in Philadelphia filed a lawsuit on Monday, claiming the medical air transport company and others negligently caused their deaths.

The wrongful death case was filed by the estates of Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, a pediatrician, and Lizeth Murillo Osuna, the mother of a girl who was flying home to Mexico after being treated at a Philadelphia hospital.

All six people on board the Learjet 55 were killed, along with two people on the ground. More than 20 people were hurt.

About a minute after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport on Jan. 31, the Tijuana, Mexico-bound plane crashed into a busy neighborhood, erupting in a massive explosion that engulfed multiple vehicles and houses and sent fiery debris raining down on terrified and helpless bystanders, the plaintiffs alleged in the lawsuit.

The crash occurred near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said the voice recorder on the plane was not working and that the crew made no distress calls to air traffic control.

The defendants are the Guadalajara air ambulance company, Med Jets, S.A. de C.V., which does business as Jet Rescue, along with unspecified others who were responsible for the planes design, manufacture, maintenance and inspection.

Messages seeking comment were left Monday for a Jet Rescue spokesman, for lawyers listed as representing Med Jets in a related federal lawsuit, and for a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance facility in Florida.

Arredondo and Osuna were both described in the lawsuit as Mexican citizens. Arredondo lived in Atizapan de Zaragoza, Osuna in Ensenada

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
Karen Read, who was found not guilty of charges in the death of her boyfriend, has filed a lawsuit accusing members of the Massachusetts State Police and several others of targeting her and shielding the real killers.

Read walked out of court earlier this year after more than three years and two trials over the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, who was found on the lawn of a fellow officers home after a night of heavy drinking.

For three and a half years, plaintiff Karen Read was wrongly accused of homicide and subjected to suspicion, arrest, two prosecutions and public condemnation all resulting from the gross misconduct of the Massachusetts State Police  and those working in tandem with the MSP  to shield from liability the party or parties responsible for the death of Boston Police Officer John OKeefe III, the lawsuit says

Read was accused of striking OKeefe, with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die alone in the snow outside of a house party in Canton, a suburb about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Boston. She was been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene.

A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. In the second trial, a jury found her not guilty of second degree murder and manslaughter charges but did find her guilty of a lesser charge of drunken driving.

Tuesdays lawsuit was filed against several members of the state police and most of the people at the house party including federal agent Brian Higgins, Nicole and Brian Albert, whose owned the house, and Jennifer and Matthew McCabe. It raises many of the allegations Reads defense team made during her two trials.

The lawsuit alleges OKeefe was killed at the house party during an altercation during a late night house party with other defendants after a night of heavy drinking. It says there was a vast conspiracy by members of a well-connected and close social group in the house to cover up the crime. It also accused investigators of shoddy police work, manufacturing evidence and failing to investigate the house for blood, DNA or other evidence or interview anyone at the house.

The House Defendants responsible for Mr. OKeefes death  some of whom had professional experience with police investigations  concocted a plan immediately after the altercation to avoid culpability and frame Ms. Read, the lawsuit alleges, adding that state police investigators allowed those defendants to redirect the investigation away from themselves and toward Read.

In statement from their attorneys, Higgins, the McCabes and the Alberts denied the allegations.

The allegations made by Karen Read are entirely false, defamatory, and without merit, they said in a statement. Our clients categorically deny each and every claim. This lawsuit is nothing more than a continuation of a baseless conspiracy narrative that has caused significant harm to the reputations and lives of innocent people. Our clients acted responsibly, fulfilling their civic duty as witnesses, and have participated appropriately in the legal process from the outset.

The lawsuit also alleges the investigation, led by former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, was biased from the start. Proctor was fired after sharing offensive and sexist texts about Read with friends, family and co-workers. During the second trial, Reads defense attorney Alan Jackson argued Proctors blatant bias tainted every aspect of the corrupt and flawed investigation.

In a statement, the Karen Read Civil Team said she was dragged through a baseless criminal prosecution engineered by individuals who abused their authority, manipulated the investigative process, and trampled her rights.

Our complaint lays out, in stark detail, the malicious prosecution, the conspiracy, the civil-rights violations, and the intentional misconduct that these defendants visited upon an innocent woman, the team added.

A spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit, among other things, alleges malicious prosecution under the Fourth Amendment and conspiracy to deprive Read of her Fourth Amendment rights. Her lawyers are demanding a jury trial.

Top Photo: Karen Read, center, departs Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Claims Law Enforcement
The former chairman of New China Life Insurance, Li Quan, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on corruption charges by a court in the Chinese province of Shandong, national broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday.

Lis case adds to a growing list of senior financial executives caught in an intensified corruption crackdown on the sprawling financial sector since 2021.

In China, a suspended death sentence means the sentence will only be carried out if the offender commits further crimes during the reprieve period. If reprieved, it is commuted to a life prison sentence.

The court said Li took in more than 200 million yuan ($28 million) through embezzlement and bribes from 2010 to 2024, CCTV reported.

From June 2015 to March 2024, Li took advantage of his position as president and chairman of Xinhua Asset Management and chairman of Xinhua Asset Management (Hong Kong) to misappropriate 108 million yuan through fraudulent schemes, the court said, according to the CCTV report.

Li was found to have colluded with others to illegally obtain business proceeds through deception and concealment during his tenure.

The court said Li accepted bribes worth 105 million yuan from 2010 to 2023.

Last year, a court in Chinas Shandong province gave former Bank of China 601988.SS chairman Liu Liange a suspended death sentence for bribery and illegal loan issuance.

($1 = 7.1092 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Ziyi Tang, Ryan Woo and Beijing Newsroom; editing by Andrew Heavens and Alex Richardson)
The Arctic cold snap hitting Europe this week will be a test for thousands of Polish families that in recent years replaced coal furnaces with solar panels and heat pumps to heat their homes.

Temperatures are expected to drop to -5C (23F) later this week in Warsaw, almost 4C below average temperatures for this time of year. While Poland remains one of Europes most coal-dependent nations, homeowners are increasingly looking for cheaper and cleaner solutions.

I used to burn coal, said Jacek Owczarek, a 58-year-old resident of Lewkow, in central-west Poland. But when prices for the dirtiest fossil fuel jumped after the Covid-19 pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine, he switched to solar panels, with natural gas as a backup. Now, because I produce twice as much electricity as I use, Im adding a heat pump to the system.

In Poland, solar and wind capacity have soared almost nine-fold in the past decade and renewables made up over 40% of the countrys power in 2024, according to BloombergNEF. The country is on track to triple its clean energy capacity by the end of this decade from 2023 levels, meeting a global target set by nations at the United Nations climate summit known as COP two years ago.

At this years climate meeting  COP30 in the Amazonian city of Belem  negotiators and ministers from close to 200 nations are debating how to meet that goal in time, possibly by developing a road map to exit fossil fuels. Tripling global renewable capacity by 2030 is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels and limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial times, the target set in the Paris Agreement.

For the past 10 years we have witnessed an absolutely incredible technological change, said Michal Kurtyka, a former Polish minister for climate and the environment and the president of COP27, held in Katowice, Poland, in 2018. The implementation of the Paris Agreement has contributed to reinforce certainty for businesses to invest.

While the world is far behind on achieving most goals set at previous COPs, tripling renewables to about 11,500 gigawatts by 2030 can be achieved, researchers say. Last year, $2 trillion was invested globally in the clean energy transition, including renewables.

Current policies and cost trends will result in 9,530 gigawatts of global renewable capacity by the end of this decade, according to the International Energy Agency. If countries take action to resolve challenges with permitting, financing and grid connections, that pace could result in 10,400 gigawatts of renewables by 2030.

Poland is a case in point when it comes to the progress  and the challenges ahead. The government is heavily subsidizing solar energy, battery storage, heat pumps and home insulation, including through a 100 billion zloty ($27 billion) clean air program for its aging housing stock, built mostly under the Soviet regime before 1989. Poles have installed over 13 gigawatts of photovoltaic panels on their rooftops in the last seven years, helping them cut electricity bills.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a turning point, with Poland banning imports of the fuel from the east. After that, the price of coal skyrocketed and consumers went looking for cheaper alternatives. That year, the sales of electricity-powered heat pumps jumped to a record high. Shares of Polish heat pump and solar-system producer WIG20 soared 400%.

But that peak in heat pump demand has never returned. The country had around 745,000 installed heat pumps in 2024, far behind Europes leader, France, with a stock of 6.6 million, according to the European Heat Pump Association, an industry body. Sales were among the lowest in Europe, and fell from 2023. Overall, Poland managed to replace just under 500,000 of furnaces since 2019, according to a government website, leaving the country far from the government target of removing almost all coal-burning furnaces from households by the mid-2030s.

The science is unequivocal, said Salina Grenet-Catalano, director of global affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at an event on the sidelines of COP30. Coal must be phased out in the next decade if we are to keep the temperature goals of the Paris agreements within reach.

While heat pump demand is growing again, at the current pace it wont be possible to reach the targets set in Polands climate plan, according to Pawel Lachman, head of the Polish Organization of Heat Pump Development. The lobby group has called for the government to improve subsidies and adjust electricity tariffs for the devices.

The speed at which Poland has transformed is absolutely astonishing, said Kurtyka. But its necessary to have a bit of patience and thats complicated in todays world, given the targets we have set  but we must recognize things are advancing.

Photo: Polish homeowners are increasingly looking to solar panels and heat pumps to heat their homes. Photographer: Damian Lemanski/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at IQUW and The Fidelis Partnership.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

IQUW Taps Gregory From Munich Re as Underwriter in London Reinsurance Team

Specialty insurer and reinsurer IQUW announced the appointment of Alex Gregory as senior underwriter, Specialty Reinsurance, in London.

Gregory brings a deep understanding of the reinsurance landscape, joining IQUW from Munich Re Specialty, with a proven record across terrorism and political violence specialty lines. In his new role, Gregory will build innovative reinsurance solutions, leveraging data insights and strengthening relationships with brokers. He will report to Dan Warburg, IQUW Head of Reinsurance, London.

In addition, IQUW has promoted Chris Parkes, Gregor Lockhart-Smith and Sabina Ahmad to new underwriting positions within the Reinsurance team, which the company said, reinforces its ability to nurture, recognize and retain high-potential talent.

It was announced on Oct. 29 that Starr has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire IQUW Group. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

***

The Fidelis Partnership Appoints Dlugosch From Swiss Re as Group Head of Aviation

The Fidelis Partnership (TFP), the Bermuda-based managing general underwriter, announced the appointment of Oliver Dlugosch as group head of Aviation.

Dlugosch brings over 25 years of underwriting experience in commercial insurance and reinsurance, specializing in aviation with a particular focus on major risks, general aviation and space. He joins TFP following almost two decades at Swiss Re, where he held a number of senior underwriting positions, most recently head of Aerospace for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions.

Dlugosch began his career at GE Insurance Solutions in 1997, later serving as its head of Aviation Direct Airlines & Manufacturers.

Dlugosch has a global track record of underwriting leadership, having spearheaded teams from London, Munich, Zurich, the US, Australia and New Zealand. In June 2025, he completed a two-year term as president of the International Union of Aerospace Insurers (IUAI), having served on the IUAIs Executive Council for more than 10 years.

At TFP, Dlugosch will report to Richard Coulson and is responsible for driving the continued growth of TFPs leading specialty offering across aviation and space. He joins in December and will be based in London.

Topics Aviation Underwriting Reinsurance
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) announced that workers compensation rates will increase slightly for employers for 2026.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposed a slight 1.3% increase for 2026 workers compensation loss costs, marking only the second increase in the past six years as Missouri continues to see a long-term downward trend in workplace injury frequency, DCI said.

The NCCIs proposed average changes in loss costs by industry group are shown below:

Manufacturing: +2.9%

Contracting: +0.3%

Office & Clerical: +2.1%

Goods & Services: +0.4%

Miscellaneous: +1.8%

This small increase reflects the natural year-to-year fluctuations we expect in a healthy insurance market, DCI Director Angela Nelson said. Missouris overall trend remains positive, continuing to deliver affordable coverage for employers while ensuring workers are protected when injuries occur.

Workers compensation was mandated by state law in Missouri in 1925. It is a no-fault insurance system that pays benefits to workers injured on the job to cover medical care, part of lost wages and permanent disability. In return, employers receive immunity from civil lawsuits by employees over such workplace injuries.

Source: DCI

Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends Missouri
Marinello named ReSource Pro Senior Director, Partnerships and Advisory

ReSource Pro, headquartered in New York City, appointed Rob Marinello as senior director of partnerships and advisory. Marinello will spearhead the expansion and formalization of the companys partnership program.

Marinello has over two decades of experience across the insurance and technology sectors, including roles at Ivans, a division of Applied Systems. He has built and managed partnerships involving carriers, MGAs, agents, and brokers, with a focus on automation, data integration and operational enablement.

United Risk Makes Additions to Leadership Team

United Risk, headquartered in New York City, made several additions to its leadership team.

Hayden Smith, promoted to CEO of United Risk worldwide, previously served as VP of M&A at Enstar Group and earlier as head of Ceded Reinsurance for StarStone (a global specialty carrier jointly owned by Enstar and Stone Point Capital).

Andrew Lucas, appointed United Risks general counsel, was formerly a partner at Clyde & Co LLP, advising insurance-sector clients on companies-market and Lloyds matters, including mergers and acquisitions, as well as commercial, corporate governance, and regulatory matters.

Gregg Holtmeier, appointed chief commercial officer (CCO), most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer at BMS. Previously, Holtmeier served as Global Head of Casualty for JLT Re.

Patrick Watson, appointed chief operating officer (COO) has over 21 years of experience in insurance company operations, including sales and product development. Previously, Watson held leadership positions at Applied Underwriters, most recently as director of program development.

Topics Leadership
President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass a federal standard governing oversight of artificial intelligence and warned that varied regulation at the state level risked slowing the development of an emerging technology thats critical to the US economy.

In a post on his Truth Social network Tuesday, the president urged lawmakers to act quickly, and floated the idea of including an AI measure as part of upcoming defense policy legislation.

Investment in AI is helping to make the U.S. Economy the HOTTEST in the World  But overregulation by the States is threatening to undermine this Growth Engine, Trump said in a social media post, advocating for one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes.

Trump said the moratorium could also be passed as a separate bill.

If we dont, then China will easily catch us in the AI race, Trump said.

Members of the White House administration have been making a push for federal preemption in the past several weeks directly with members of Congress, according to people familiar with the matter. Leading AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic have been supportive of a federal framework for AI regulation over state legislation in the past.

Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang has made a similar argument publicly, saying that Chinas streamlined regulation gives Beijing an advantage over the US in the global AI race. On Tuesday, Trump insisted during an appearance with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the US was still leading by a lot in the competition.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, told Punchbowl News earlier this week that Republican leaders were looking at adding the language into the National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation, which sets the Pentagons budget and expenditures, often becomes a vehicle for other policy measures.

The Senate blocked an attempt to include the measure in a July budget bill, with opponents saying it could thwart attempts to implement child safety and copyright controls on the emerging technology. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed a bill earlier this year requiring large AI developers to disclose security protocols.

Several proposals are currently being discussed, according to people familiar with the matter, some of which would offer AI companies exemption from state regulation on AI if they agree to federal standards in other areas such as child safety.

Photo: Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics InsurTech Legislation Data Driven Artificial Intelligence
Starbucks must face a lawsuit claiming it defrauded shareholders by concealing declining sales in the United States and China, its largest markets, leading to a 16% drop in its stock price after the coffee chain revealed the unexpected weakness.

In a decision late on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Chun in Seattle said shareholders can try to prove Starbucks intentionally misled them in a January 2024 analyst call by touting successes in its reinvention plan.

These included statements that upgrades in equipment, staffing and scheduling would create a better experience for employees, and lead to increased customer spending and loyalty.

Chun said Starbucks could also be sued for saying in a January 2024 regulatory filing there were no material changes to risks affecting its business, including as to whether the reinvention plan would succeed.

Shareholders can also pursue some claims against former Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan. Chun dismissed several other claims.

A Starbucks spokesperson said on Thursday the Seattle-based company intends to continue defending against the allegations. Lawyers for the shareholders, who are led by three pension plans in New York, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Starbucks disappointed investors on April 30, 2024, when it lowered its annual sales forecast and said same-store sales fell 4.4% in its latest quarter, including declines of 3% in the United States and 11% in China.

Analysts expected same-store sales to rise. Starbucks said results were hurt by economic pressure on consumers, bad U.S. weather, competition in China, and many customers canceling app orders because wait times were too long and menu items were unavailable.

The 16% decline in Starbucks share price on May 1, 2024, wiped out about $16 billion of market value.

Brian Niccol, who became CEO in August 2024, has pursued a Back to Starbucks turnaround plan that has focused on filling orders faster, simplifying menus, upgrading stores, and closing poorly performing stores. Same-store sales rose 1% in the latest quarter.

Topics Lawsuits Trends
The legal battle over Floridas property insurer of last resorts use of a state agency to hear claims disputes in arbitration took new turns this week, prompting one policyholder attorney to note that a move designed to reduce courtroom time has now resulted in months of litigation across four different court venues.

Were playing chess now, not checkers. I move here; they move there, said attorney Lynn Brauer, who represents Martin Alvarez, a Tampa-area homeowner, in a legal challenge against Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which is still one of the largest insurers in the state.

Citizens announced earlier this week that a Leon County Circuit judge has ordered the state Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) to continue hearing more than 400 pending Citizens claims disputes, despite a Tampa judges order pausing the DOAH arbitration hearings.

Citizens Petition for writ of mandamus is hereby GRANTED. DOAH shall promptly resume administering proceedings as required  except as pertains to the plaintiff in Alvarez v. Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp., Leon County Judge Jonathan Sjostrom wrote in his Nov. 14 order.

The order differs sharply from the Hillsborough County judges Aug.1 order in the Alvarez case, which placed a hold on DOAHs Citizens proceedings due to questions about the arrangements constiutionality and fairness to policyholders. A Citizens official said in a news release that numerous state court judges have agreed with the Leon County judge and have found no problem with the insurers arbitration process.

Citizens remains committed to defending DOAH arbitrations because it is a fair and transparent process, allowing Citizens and policyholders to resolve claims disputes much faster than overburdened state courts (90 days on average, instead of almost two years), wrote Michael Peltier, Citizens director of communications.

A number of claimants and their lawyers have said the DOAH process stacks the deck against homeowners. Cases are conducted on a tight deadline, multiple cases can be scheduled for the same week, and attorney fees are low. The vast majority of decisions have fallen in favor of Citizens, prompting more and more policyholders to settle their claims for just $250, lawyers have said. Recent DOAH data supports that contention.

The Leon County order now raises a fundamental question, Brauer said. It orders DOAH to continue hearings, but the Hillsborough order still stands, barring from Citizens from requesting DOAH arbitration.

DOAH is authorized to proceed but Citizens is not, Brauer said.

She plans to file a response this week to Sjostroms order.

Meanwhile, Citizens on Nov. 14 suddenly dropped its request to have the Alvarez homeowner policy claim dispute heard by DOAHs administrative judges and has asked the Hillsborough judge to dismiss the Alvarez lawsuit altogether. Citizens officials could not be reached for comment on the reasons for that, but Brauer said it was likely a move by the insurer to be rid of Polos order that barred more DOAH hearings.

Citizens also had asked a state appellate court to block Hillsborough County Judge Melissa Polo from moving ahead with her order while the Alvarez case is pending. But the 2nd District Court of Appeals on Sept. 12 denied Citizens motion.

In a side note to the Alvarez case, Citizens attorney, former state Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston, had asked Polo to disqualify herself from hearing the litigation, contending that she had shown herself to be biased. Polo in September declined to remove herself from the case, noting the request was legally insufficient.

And in another development in the lawsuit, another Tampa-area homeowner intervened and filed an emergency motion for sanctions against Citizens. Christopher and Jennifer Bush argued in the motion that, despite Polos Aug. 1 order temporarily barring new DOAH hearings, Citizens has moved the Bushs claim dispute to DOAH for arbitration.

Despite 2022 and 2023 actions by the Florida Legislature that ended one-way attorney fees and assignment-of-benefit agreementsstatutory changes that have greatly reduced excessive claims litigationlawsuit costs remain an issue for Citizens and other property insurers. And Brauers Miami-based firm, Insurance Trial Lawyers, is one of the most proficient instigators of claims lawsuits, Citizens data show.

The law firm, also known as Florida Insurance Law Group, now has 358 cases pending against Citizens, the insurer said this week. Thats 100 more cases than the next-busiest firm, MSPG Law Group, which has offices in Miami, Louisiana and Texas.

Im persona non grata with Citizens, Brauer said.

A separate piece of litigation, a federal lawsuit challenging Citizens DOAH arbitration as unconstitutional, was dismissed in September.

Related: Florida Judge Blocks DOAH for Citizens Claims Disputes

While One Suit Over Citizens Arbitration is Dropped, Drama Builds in Another

Citizens No Longer Winning Most Arbitration Cases. Theyre Settling for Next to Nil

Topics Florida Legislation
Tesla has received a permit to operate as a transportation network company in Arizona, a state regulator said on, in a step toward expanding the electric vehicle makers robotaxi service.

The TNC permit will allow Tesla to run an Uber-like ride-hailing service and charge passengers, but does not let it operate driverless vehicles. Under a self-certification process, Tesla, in September, got a permit from the state to test its autonomous vehicles with a safety driver.

The company has also applied for a permit to test without a driver.

After years of missed promises and several company closures due to high costs, tight regulations and federal investigations, the robotaxi industry has rebounded with Tesla, Alphabets Waymo and Amazons Zoox speeding up expansion.

Tesla this year launched a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, with a safety monitor in the front passenger seat. After promising to expand the service to about half the U.S. population by the end of this year, CEO Elon Musk said last month Tesla would operate robotaxis in eight to 10 metro areas by that time.

Tesla also runs a chauffeur-style service operated by human drivers in the San Francisco Bay area and has obtained a permit in Nevada to test its autonomous vehicles on public roads.

Tesla, which applied for the Arizona TNC authorization on November 13, met the requirements and received the permit on November 17, the states Department of Transportation said in a statement.

(Reporting by Sriram in Bengaluru and Roy; Editing by Alan Barona and Bill Berkrot)

Topics Tesla
A U.S. appeals court paused a California law set to take effect in January requiring large companies to report every two years on how climate change could hurt them financially.

Another new law requiring major companies to annually disclose their carbon emissions can stay in place for now, the court ruled.

The policies would be the most sweeping of their kind in the nation, and proponents say they would increase transparency and encourage companies to assess how they can cut their emissions.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the laws, which were set to take effect next year, arguing they violate the companies First Amendment rights. The group also asked the Supreme Court last week to weigh in. The Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday withdrew its emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, citing the lower courts decision.

We look forward to continuing our appeal and securing an injunction of both climate disclosure laws, which result in massive compliance costs for companies and their supply chains, Chamber of Commerce lawyer Daryl Joseffer said of Tuesdays ruling. One state should not have the ability to impose this kind of burden on the entire country.

Lindsay Buckley, a spokesperson for the California Air Resources Board, which is drafting rules to implement the laws, said the agency was reviewing the ruling and could not comment further. The state has argued that the laws dont violate the First Amendment because commercial speech isnt protected the same way under the Constitution.

The financial risk disclosure law, which Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in 2023, applies to companies making more than $500 million a year that do business in California. The Air Resources Board estimates more than 4,100 businesses will have to comply with the legislation.

The emissions reporting law, which the state passed the same year, applies to businesses that make more than $1 billion a year and do business in the state  which covers roughly 2,600 companies, according to state air regulators. They will have to report planet-warming pollution from burning fossil fuels directly, as well as releases from activities such as delivering products from warehouses to stores and employee business travel.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved a rule last year requiring some public companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, but the agency paused the regulation amid litigation.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
In light of the pending modernised free trade agreement between Mexico and the EU, food promotion and new markets minister Noel Grealish visited Mexico to promote Irish agri-food.

The three-day visit commenced with Mr Grealish meeting with Julio Berdegue of Mexicos Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Their discussion focused on the forthcoming free trade agreement and further opportunities for bilateral collaboration, building on existing connections in the areas of fisheries, dairy and sustainable livestock.

Mr Grealish also met with Javier Calderon, director general of the National Service for Health, Safety and Food Quality, to discuss market access for Irish products, including pigmeat, dairy, animal byproducts and feed.

The minister also attended a roundtable, hosted by Irish ambassador to Mexico Ruairi de Burca,

with key agri-food stakeholders, including Irish agri-food businesses active in Mexico such as Kerry Group, Ornua, Bimeda, Alltech, and representatives from the drinks sector.

Speaking from Mexico, Mr Grealish said: With 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Mexico, I am delighted to hold key meetings in Mexico with a focus on the opportunities for our agri-food sector in this exciting market.

"I am confident that the Irish agri-food sector is well-placed to continue to grow in Mexico, and I look forward to future engagement with the Mexican government.

The delegation also travelled to Queretaro, an area which is home to a number of Irish businesses, including the Kerry Group, Bimeda, EPS solutions, BioAtlantis and the Irish Bakehouse.

Mr Grealish said: I am pleased that progress is being made on some of our market access priorities for Mexico, and along with the embassy and my officials, I will continue to support Irish exporters to realise the opportunities presented in this country.
Offshore wind energy is not just a part of Irelands economic future, it could turn us into a renewable energy superpower. Last year Irish onshore wind farms cut carbon emissions by twice as much as every other renewable energy source combined. Wind power is our number one source of home-made clean energy.

Ireland has great ambition when it comes to offshore renewable energy. We need to begin building wind farms off our coasts as soon as possible but with care and respect for the marine environment.

To build with due care we need to understand the marine environment we will be building in, together with advancing our knowledge of how we can protect and operate in harmony with the marine life who call our seas home, and the ecosystems and habitats they rely on.

Understanding underwater noise

One of the most critical things to examine is the effect, if any, of underwater noise from offshore wind development on marine life. The more we know about this, the better we can build offshore wind farms.

To achieve this, the Irish Marine Acoustics Platform (IMAP) research project was launched in April 2025 with the aim of establishing a national systematic underwater acoustic monitoring programme. The goal of the IMAP project is to monitor underwater noise today to help safeguard marine life along the Irish coast in the future as we build and operate wind farms.

The IMAP project, funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Marine Institute, will identify, manage and mitigate the underwater noise recorded up to the projects conclusion in December 2028.

The MaREI Centre in University College Cork and Wind Energy Ireland will collaborate as project partners to record ambient sound levels. Hydrophones, which are similar to microphones; are used to record sounds and vibrations in the water. The hydrophones will capture annual and seasonal variations in sounds and will be placed in strategic locations along the Irish coast, particularly where offshore wind farm developments may be planned. The project will use data and analytics to provide the evidence offshore wind farm developers need to strike healthy balance between wind farm development and marine life protection.

Alongside the underwater noise research, the IMAP project showcases an area of research in Ireland that can be expanded upon well into the future.

This acoustic baseline project will help ensure Irelands green energy transition brings the benefits of abundant clean affordable energy while simultaneously being mindful of our marine ecosystems, said Gerry Sutton, IMAP Project Lead at University College Cork It is a critical step toward responsible development and will help to ensure that Irelands offshore wind expansion proceeds sustainably, minimising ecological risks while cutting the carbon emissions and protecting marine and indeed, all other life, from the worst effects of the climate emergency.

Vast and hospitable maritime territory

Ireland's maritime territory is ten times the size of its land area, which brings massive potential for offshore wind development. The waters surrounding Ireland are also a highly productive area for marine habitats, providing a home for hundreds of species of invertebrates and fish.

There are many reasons why Irish coastal waters are inviting for marine life. Ireland provides access to sheltered bays and to the complex canyon system off the continental shelf. Irish waters play an important role in European marine life, as a home to 25 specialised species which feed and breed here safely.

There are 35 species of sharks in our Irish waters, as well as 24 species of whales and dolphins. Irish waters are welcoming to species that are migratory, which follow food here, including humpback and fin whales off the southwest and south coast. Irish waters are home year-round to the bottlenose dolphin, 145 of which are resident in the Shannon Estuary.

While underwater noise is predominantly produced by shipping, which creates a low-frequency and continuous noise, with the planned expansion of offshore wind energy into Irish coastal waters, Irish wind farms are keen to support the IMAP research and to find new ways to generate clean, affordable, energy while protecting and enhancing our precious marine ecosystems.

windenergyireland.com
Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has spoken in personal terms about her child who suffered a neonatal injury during a discussion on compensation payouts by the State.

It is important that I declare an interest in this to the chair," she said at the health committee.

"I have a child who had a neonatal brain injury and who goes through the State Claims process. So I am not just a minister for health but a parent in precisely that situation.

"It is very important I disclose that although it is quite private. So I do have personal understanding of this particular process and the interim steps and the way it is managed.

She was answering questions from Fianna Fail TD Martin Daly who is also a GP.

Dr Daly queried when reforms advised by a working group led by Professor Rhona Mahony will be implemented.

These include pre-action protocols and a special court to hear medical negligence cases.

The minister said she met women who took part in research for that report by University College Cork and none had wanted to go down the legal route.

I recognise that report but I also recognise it was chaired by somebody who was a master of a maternity hospital where I repeatedly see events being presented in the courts, including my own event presented in the court, she said.

I have questions and I had questions at the time. I dont believe it is a panacea necessarily.

The minister questioned accountability in hospitals run by a board, saying real accountability is considered in a different way.

There are dedicated medical negligence lists in courts already, she added.

Ms Carroll MacNeill acknowledged mediation is in place but described it as litigation by a different name".

"We dont have a culture yet of real acknowledgement of wrongdoing, of anticipating mental health implications of that," she said.

What I really want to see from maternity hospitals as leaders in this field is a very different attitude to openness, accountability, investigation and responsiveness and proactivity in wrapping arms around women and babies who had had very bad outcomes.

She said she has tried to begin work on this issue but indicated her workload contains many urgent items.

Last month, an Irish Hospital Consultants Association conference heard changes to how compensation in medical-negligence cases is paid will be implemented within weeks as long-awaited reform takes effect.

It also heard next year could also see the long-delayed introduction of better information sharing and mediation between the legal teams of patients and hospitals  to reduce the need for court proceedings.
Gardai are questioning a member of the force in relation to alleged links to an organised crime group operating in the South and East of the country.

The garda was arrested along with five other people  including suspected members of the criminal gang, early on Wednesday.

In an update on Thursday evening, a garda spokesperson said the garda was released without charge.

"Immediately upon release the member of An Garda Siochana was placed on suspension from duty," the garda spokesperson said.

The five other people, who were also arrested, were released without charge.

The arrest of the garda stems from an investigation into the disappearance in January 2024 of a sizeable quantity of drugs from a garda station in the eastern region.

A parallel investigation into wider alleged linkages between the garda and organised crime resulted in the five other arrests.

One of them is being questioned in relation to alleged corruption offences. The drug gang in question operates in a number of counties in the East and South.

The garda was arrested by members of the anti-corruption unit and is being detained under organised crime legislation.

The investigation began almost two years ago when a man was arrested in connection with a seizure of drugs, worth around 100,000.

When detectives went to retrieve exhibits from the seizure to put to him in questioning, they were unable to locate them.

The standard in drug seizures is to lodge exhibits in a secure location in a garda station, but this appears not to have happened.

Based on intelligence, local detectives began inquiries and as a result, arrested a garda in relation to the missing drugs. As part of this investigation, they suspected linkages to members of a criminal gang.

Local detectives contacted the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit in Dublin in relation to the officer, which joined their investigation.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) was brought in to conduct inquiries on the criminal gang.

This resulted in a series of searches, in the South East, East, and Midlands.

A statement issued by Garda HQ said: Gardai in the Eastern Region initiated a full investigation surrounding the circumstances of the alleged unauthorised removal of a substantial quantity of controlled drugs from a Garda Station in January 2024.

It said detective gardai from the Eastern Region, supported by the Anti-Corruption Unit, DOCB, and Regional Garda Cyber Crime Bureau carried searches and arrests.

Members of the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit arrested a member of An Garda Siochana who is currently detained under organised crime legislation, it said.

It said DOCB arrested five people. This comprised a male, aged in his 30s, and a female, aged in her 40s, who are being detained at Garda stations in the Midlands.

A male, aged in his 40s, was in custody at a Garda station in the east of the country for alleged related corruption offences.

It said two males, aged in their 40s and 50s, were arrested and detained for alleged related drug trafficking and since released.
A Cork man has pleaded guilty to the possession of cannabis that was surrendered to gardai by another individual, the district court has heard.

Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that 29-year-old David Mackey of Kilbolane, Milford, Co. Cork, was spotted by a garda mobile patrol in Clonakilty at 8.10pm on November 29, 2024.

Mackey who was in the company of a female spoke to the gardai who noticed a strong smell of cannabis while they were talking to him. Mackey was searched and his female companion voluntarily surrendered a clear plastic bag containing cannabis herb and a grinder.

The cannabis was later tested and valued at 50. Though the cannabis was not found on his person Mackey told gardai it was his and the reason his companion was holding it was that his pockets were wet because he had spilled Lucozade in them.

The court was told Mackey had 10 previous convictions, including pubic order and road traffic offences, but none that were drug related.

Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said all of Mackeys previous convictions related to a period between March and December 2024. He said his client had not come to garda attention beforehand and had previously worked as a an apprentice mechanic in the UK.

The court was told Mackey had also worked in a factory in Clonakilty for a year and was in the process of applying for a mechanics course. Mr Murphy said Mackey did not smoke cannabis though he made admissions in a caution statement.

He said Mackey was previously in a relationship with the female who was expecting his child but the relationship had broken down and become fractious. Judge John King convicted Mackey and fined him 200, allowing two months to pay the fine.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
6,260 in cash was handed to an alleged bank robber in Douglas, Cork, who presented a note stating that he had a gun and giving precise instructions to the cashier before concluding with: Thank you, and Im sorry for this.

Detective Garda Tom Delaney outlined these allegations in the case against 42-year-old Noel OBrien of 68 Maryborough Court, Douglas, Cork, who was charged on Thursday with carrying out this robbery at the Bank of Ireland in Douglas yesterday.

The accused man applied for bail through his solicitor Daithi O Donnabhain.

Det. Garda Delaney said in his objection to bail: Noel O'Brien in my opinion poses a danger to the safety of persons in the community. His chronic addiction to cocaine has caused him to carry out this crime, and without addressing this addiction I believe he will spiral further with his cocaine addiction.

"Noel O'Brien is not working, and has no way of covering the cost to pay for his addiction. I believe this puts him at significant risk of re-offending and committing further crime to pay for his addiction.

Mr OBrien, who has no previous convictions, became emotional in the witness box in his application for bail: The first thing is to apologise to everyone I caused harm to I am here to apologise to the cashier. My threat in that letter is not me.

He said he needed counselling to address his issues and he also said he had to clear a 4,000 drugs debt. He said that he felt yesterday that his options were suicide or to do what he did.

Judge John King said it was an extremely serious charge with very strong evidence and he refused bail, remanding the 42-year-old in custody until November 27.

Det. Garda Delaney gave an outline of the allegations in the case: On November 19, just before 2pm, a male entered Bank of Ireland Douglas Village Shopping Centre.

"His face was covered over, he handed the teller a note which read:

Hi I am Jack, I am a mute. Please do not scream or shout. I have a gun in my pocket. I want you to slowly empty the drawer and place all notes in an envelope. Remember stay calm and I will not hurt you. Put the envelope on the counter and make sure there are no trackers or dye packs in the envelope. Wait 5 minutes before sounding the alarm or I will come back. Thank you, and am sorry for this.

The cashier in the face of this threat of a firearm, and fear of being harmed, handed over 6,260. The male left the bank on foot through Douglas Village Shopping Centre. Gardai were alerted and attended the scene.

CCTV was viewed which showed the culprit flee through the shopping centre and go to the toilets in the mall. Some of the clothing worn by the culprit during the robbery was located in the cubicle  jacket, baseball hat, snood and gloves.

The culprit left the centre in a black and red checked shirt. I identified the male from the CCTV footage as Noel O'Brien of 68 Maryborough Court, Douglas, Cork. It was further alleged that the defendant then got a taxi home.

Garda Delaney said the accused later told gardai that after the robbery he took 4,000 and got a bus where he had to meet unnamed persons to pay off a drugs debt.
Conor McGregor has been granted permission by the High Court to serve legal papers on Sky News for an alleged defamation he claims occurred in the immediate aftermath of his case last year, when he was found civilly liable for the assault of Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room.

At the High Court on Thursday Paul O'Higgins SC, appearing with Mark Lynam SC for Mr McGregor, successfully applied to Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty to serve plenary summons papers outside of the jurisdiction to intended defendants Sky News UK and Sky News Ltd.

A plenary summons is also to be issued to Sky News Ireland, Burlington Plaza, Dublin 4, which is responsible for Sky publications in this jurisdiction, said Mr O'Higgins.

Mr O'Higgins said that on November 22 of last year, there was an encounter between Mr McGregor and Sky News outside the Four Courts complex in Dublin which, according to Mr McGregor, involved a Sky reporter allegedly calling out to him through a "media scrum, that he was a rapist".

After the civil trial last year, the jury awarded Ms Hand almost 250,000 in damages, while Mr McGregor was later ordered to pay the legal costs of the case, believed to be in the region of 1.5m.

Mr McGregor had denied the assault of Ms Hand and lost a subsequent appeal on all grounds. A bid to have alleged new witness evidence introduced in the case was dramatically withdrawn on the first day of the appeal.

Mr McGregor is now awaiting a determination from the Supreme Court over whether it will hear his appeal.

On Thursday Mr O'Higgins, in an ex parte application where only one side is represented, said the alleged words amounted to a defamation of his client in that Mr McGregor had been found by the jury to be civilly liable for the assault.

Counsel said his client's affidavit claims that a Sky News reporter:

Called out to me 'Excuse me, Mr McGregor, you are a rapist, have you any reaction or apology to the woman at the centre of this?'.

Counsel said the reporter's words were broadcast by Sky on November 22, 2024, could be found online and amounted to defamation that occurred in this jurisdiction.

Mr O'Higgins said he was before the court today because the time limit for bringing a defamation case is one year which, he said, would expire this Saturday, November 22, 2025. He added it was only in exceptional circumstances that this could be extended.

Mr O'Higgins said that because two of the intended defendants were outside the jurisdiction, High Court permission was needed so that those two plenary summonses could be issued to begin proceedings.

Ms Justice Gearty said she would grant the application for the service of the plenary summonses and was told they would be issued by the end of the week.
Devastating consequences arose from an assault in Cork city centre, where a group of young men on a work night out and a group of students celebrating their win in a rugby match got involved in an altercation.

One of the men involved in the incident, 22-year-old Louis Herdman, is facing sentencing on a charge of assault causing serious harm.

The injured party James Dunford said: My life and future is now one of medical visits, financial and general uncertainty. A lot of unknowns  my career, earning potential, my relationships, epilepsy, fear of certain environments. I'm always going to have brain injury and this is always going to affect me and everyone who loves me.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said there was a lot to consider in the case and he adjourned sentencing of Louis Herdman until November 24 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Sheehan said: This is a very difficult matter where the accused has struck the unfortunate victim with considerable force but notwithstanding the striking with considerable force, it is not that which causes us to be here.

"What really brings us here is the injury to the brain which  from reading the reports  must have come from striking the ground. The consequences are desperate for Mr Dunford. I will think about this. I will give my sentence on Monday.

Detective Garda Bryan Murphy charged Louis Herdman, of Rivers Edge, Clash Road, Cork, that on February 8, 2024, at Grand Parade Cork, he intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to 21-year-old James Dunford, contrary to Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. The defendant pleaded guilty.

Det Garda Murphy said: The defendant struck Mr Dunford three punches. The third punch was the punch that knocked him backwards, resulting in him falling back and hitting his head off the floor, causing not all of the injuries but causing the most serious injuries.

It was a work night out for Louis Herdman and his friends, and James Dunford was with college friends after a match.

Unfortunately, the two groups tangled and this occurred as a result of that.

Jane Hyland, defence senior counsel, said Herdman completely accepted responsibility, expressed his apologies and remorse and brought 20,000 compensation to court for the injured party.

Ms Hyland said the young man was presently doing a masters degree and worked hard to raise the compensation. She said the defendant only became involved on the night in a misguided attempt to intervene for his friends, who were being struck during the interaction with the other group.

Victim impact statement

Mr Dunford said in his victim impact statement that he had been very active in GAA in Waterford and in college, and also played college rugby.

All of that came to an abrupt end on the night of February 8, 2024, when I was the victim of an assault by Louis Herdman. Everything was taken from me and I genuinely no longer have a vision of what my future looks like.

I am no longer allowed play sport for the foreseeable future, due to the risk of injury, to the point that I cant even cycle a bicycle at the moment through medical advice. A knock to the head can have me back in the brain trauma unit in CUH.

On the night, I sustained serious skull fractures, brain bleeds and frontal lobe damage. My medical team have said that I will always have a brain injury. Time will tell what that means for me.

I have no longer a sense of smell and taste, I have been told by my consultant that these are lost forever, as they are not prepared to risk surgery, that the risks outweigh the potential improvements.

The psychological fallout is much worse, and the reason I lie awake at night thinking and worrying about my future.

I tried to return to college  maybe against the advice of my neurological team  but I was in an extremely low place mentally since my release from CUH. I spent months sitting in my house day after day trying to make sense of why I was in this situation. Every day, I was constantly reminded that my life has changed for the worse and I don't know who I am anymore or where my future now leads.

Seven months after this assault, I attempted to go back to college but again this was met with challenge after challenge, between memory retention, being constantly tired and feeling extremely low mentally and physically.

I am on medication to control seizures and again this is with me forever. Who knows what the future holds as regards epilepsy  another reason why I say that night I received a life sentence.

"I had to give up on my dream to return to college which has been the hardest part of this hell and I can no longer look forward anymore but take everything day by day hoping tomorrow I won't have a new issue to deal with or that any existing issues don't get worse.
Fire crews from Ballyvolane and Anglesea St are attending a house fire on Lovers Walk, in Cork City.

The fire brigade has urged people to avoid the area and keep windows closed, as there is "significant smoke from the incident".
Barrister Maria Steen, who sought a nomination in the recent presidential race, has ruled out contesting the by-election in Dublin Central caused by Paschal Donohoes resignation.

She told the Irish Examiner she was not thinking about this election, but did not rule out running for political office.

Ms Steen, a trained barrister and a media commentator representing the Iona Institute, sought nominations to contest the presidential election in October.

She received 18 Oireachtas nominations, falling two short of the required 20 to secure a place on the ballot paper.

On Tuesday, Mr Donohoe announced he was leaving Government to take up a role with the World Bank in Washington DC.

The now former finance minister will resign his seat in Dublin Central by the end of the week, triggering a by-election in the constituency.

Despite not living in the area, Ms Steen would be free to run in the constituency if she wished to do so.

However, she said she would not contest this election.

No, not this by-election. No, not for me, she said.

I don't have any intentions in seeking it."

When asked if the presidency was the only election she would have been interested in contesting, Ms Steen said: Well see.

Its too early yet to say anything.

I'm still trying to let the dust settle and just take stock of all that happened and think a little bit for a while about what, if anything, I can add to the political scene in Ireland.

The by-election in Dublin Central is expected to take place in the late spring of next year and is likely to be held on the same date as the by-election in Galway West triggered by Catherine Connollys election as president.

The Dublin Central constituency hit national headlines during last years general election due to the candidacy of veteran criminal Gerry The Monk Hutch.

He came close to claiming the fourth seat in the area, but was defeated by Labours Marie Sherlock.

It is unclear if he intends to seek election this year.

It is expected Fine Gael will run the current lord mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam.

Fianna Fail sources said Senator Mary Fitzpatrick could contest the election, but noted deputy lord mayor John Stephens, an ally of Bertie Ahern, represents Cabra-Glasnevin.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald represents Dublin Central, and it is expected either her general election running mate Janice Boylan or councillor Seamus McGrattan will contest the by-election.

The Green Party is likely to run either Cllr Janet Horner or Cllr Feljin Jose. The Social Democrats have two councillors, Daniel Ennis and Cat ODriscoll, in the area.

The Labour Party, meanwhile, has no councillors in Dublin Central, with Ms Sherlock telling those interested in running to get in touch earlier this week.

Several independents, including Malachy Steenson and Clare Daly, sought election in the constituency in the last general election.
I have been researching anti-Muslim racism in Ireland for the past 15 years. During that time, I have developed an evidence base that has charted the form of anti-Muslim racism in the Irish context. This has included gathering data with literally hundreds of Muslim men and women.

These data, which I have published on, and spoken publicly about, highlight how, when it comes to this phenomenon, patterns and manifestations of anti-Muslim racism in Ireland are no different to those in other countries.

For example, Muslim women experience anti-Muslim racism at rates higher than Muslim men; those who convert to Islam, as in other jurisdictions, are classed as traitors for practising their right to freedom of religious belief.

Before I go further, yes, I refer to anti-Muslim as racism, and this will raise a response of Muslims arent a race. Indeed, but we know races as commonly understood, do not really exist, and the use of racism here is to point to the social and the political factors that construct a group as a race and the consequences thereof.

As for the socio-political context in Ireland, over the past 15 years, my research has also witnessed the growth of far-right groups in the State.

I remember speaking informally to a member of An Garda Siochana about a decade ago, trying to ascertain how groups like this were being viewed by the authorities. I was told the number of people in such groups were small and the gardai were monitoring them.

Reading a report in the media last week, relating to the thwarted terrorist attacks on a mosque and Ipas centre in Ireland, I was struck again by a reference to the small number of individuals gardai believed to be involved in groups such as those planning the attacks.

James Carr: 'The call for hate speech legislation was never about limiting freedom of speech, it was about curtailing speech that harms and creates fear, and, in doing so, protecting those targeted by far-right groups and their toxic, hate-filled calls to violence.' Picture: Alan Place

In the first instance, it took me back to the previous conversation I had had. In the second instance, I found it extremely unsettling. Yes, the gardai had uncovered and thwarted the planned terrorist attacks  this is excellent and they are absolutely to be commended for doing so.

However, focusing on this success, and ignoring the comment about the numbers of those involved in far-right groups willing to engage in such acts seriously misses the point.

Over the last decade, groups engaging in far-right rhetoric and discourse, in addition to number, have grown increasingly emboldened in Ireland to the point they gather and sometimes march openly in military fatigues in our cities.

On and offline, they disseminate hatred and threats to harm those they feel do not form part of contemporary Ireland. These include immigrants, Muslims and members of LGBTQ+ communities, communities that also include of course, black and brown Irish people.

This growth has been allowed to essentially go unchallenged by Government, with the exception of the occasional condemnatory remark. Indeed, if anything, the ability of such far-right groups to spread their hate has been enabled.

While we welcomed the introduction of hate-crime legislation, people working in anti-racism in Ireland were let down by the failure of Government to legislate against hate-speech lest it curb personal freedoms.

It is a miracle no one was killed in the attack in the Ipas centre in Drogheda.

The call for hate speech legislation was never about limiting freedom of speech, it was about curtailing speech that harms and creates fear, and, in doing so, protecting those targeted by far-right groups and their toxic, hate-filled calls to violence; its about protecting people.

It is a miracle no one was killed in the attack in the Ipas centre in Drogheda. It is also a blessing the excellent work of gardai thwarted further planned terrorist activity at mosques and other Ipas centres.

It is now beyond time Government took the threat posed by far-right actors in the State seriously, not just when politicians are threatened.

Legislating for hate speech is just one way in which they could indicate this seriousness, but it requires political will, a political will that demonstrates in no uncertain terms that racism and other exclusionary practices in Ireland will not be tolerated. What are we waiting for?
An historic row of homes in Passage West, unoccupied for 20 years, is set to be returned to use by the Doyle Shipping Group (DSG) in a move to provide accommodation for company contractors.

Dock Terrace, a row of six homes long blighted by dereliction, will be fully refurbished to provide high-quality accommodation for contractors working with DSG and its partner firms.

DSGs move comes at a time when several high-profile employers are acquiring homes for staff to rent at an affordable rate to help offset the impact of the housing crisis.

Rear view of Dock Terrace homes Picture: Larry Cummins

Ryanair has bought around 50 homes for cabin crew to rent near Dublin Airport, while food wholesaler Musgrave also rents homes to staff.

A spokesperson for DSG said it had become increasingly difficult to find accommodation for medium-term rentals, and this refurbishment is a practical solution that allows DSG to refurbish buildings on its own site, while meeting accommodation needs linked to its operations and contractor workforce.

The Passage West terrace, with many of its windows and doors boarded up, has been a notable eyesore on the road beside the dockyard.

The dockyard

The properties form part of the wider Passage West dockyard site, which DSG purchased in 2015 for a reported 2.75m.

Its used for bulk and break-bulk cargo handling and storage operations, as well as supporting industries in the broader Munster region.

Cork-based Kumry Construction has been appointed as the main contractor for the refurbishment project, which will include re-roofing the two-storey-over-basement homes, installing new windows, and carrying out a complete internal refurbishment.

Dock Terrace

Under the proposal, each house will be reconfigured as a four-bedroom property with shared living, kitchen, and dining areas.

Refurbishment of the properties, which sit within an architectural conservation area, is scheduled to begin before the end of 2025, and the project is expected to take 12 months. The terrace will remain under DSG ownership.

John Stoat, the companys operations manager, said the houses were inherited as part of the wider dockyard site and were already in poor condition when Doyle Shipping Group took ownership.

John Stoat, Operations Manager with Doyle Shipping Group, and James Vaughan, Kumry Construction, outside six Dock Terrace properties in Passage West, Cork Picture: Michael O'Sullivan/OSM PHOTO

He said: This refurbishment project will enhance the streetscape and bring these buildings back into productive use.

As a long-term operator, employer and a company that actively supports community activities in Passage West, we are pleased to be in a position to progress this refurbishment.

James Vaughan of Kumry Construction said it was an important refurbishment project for Passage West and that the firm looked forward to completing it to a high standard for both DSG and the local community.

The 7.8a (3ha) dockyard site has a long and chequered history. DSG acquired it in 2015 from a receiver appointed to a Howard Holdings company.

(left) Jason Clerkin, Managing Director, Howard Holdings, and (right) the late Greg Coughlan, Chief Executive, Howard Holdings show the proposed Passage West development to Brian Cox, Aer Lingus and former Passage dockyard site owner Landy Hill at the Howard Holdings Christmas Lunch at The Clarion Hotel, Cork on Wednesday 19th December 2007. Picture; Larry Cummins

Howard Holdings had paid 25m for the historic site in 2006 and planned a transformational waterfront mixed-use development that proposed land reclamation, apartments, a hotel, marina, shops and leisure activities, served by water taxis.

Howard Holdings later ran into financial trouble and the development failed to materialise.

In 2017, the dockyard site - zoned for mixed use development - was briefly tested on the market by DSG, but no offers were received. Cork County Council subsequently secured 1.9m in government funding that could have supported a purchase, but DSG said no formal offer was ever made and the sale process did not progress.

Ultimately, the councils plans to turn the dockyard site into a modern, urban waterfront settlement - hailed as a game-changer for the town - were not advanced.

Passage West Docks, Co. Cork, circa 1905

The dockyard dates back to the 1830s, when it was founded by brothers William and Henry Brown. For many years, it made the town a hive of industry. At its peak during the First World War, it employed 1,000 people. It closed in 1931 following a slump in shipbuilding.

There has been much local discussion and criticism around the failure to redevelop the site, which has hundreds of metres of river and road frontage.
Australian Facebook and Instagram users under 16 will be notified starting Thursday that their accounts will be deactivated by 10 December, as Meta begins to comply with the Albanese governments social media ban.

Users affected by the ban will receive 14 days notice of their pending account deactivation through a combination of in-app messages, email and SMS before their access is cut off.

The ban will affect users on Facebook and Instagram, as well as Threads, as an Instagram account is required to use that platform. Messenger is excluded from the ban  but Meta has had to develop a way for users to keep access to Messenger without a Facebook account as a result of the ban.

Meta will begin stopping access to existing accounts and blocking under-16s from registering new accounts from 4 December, with access removed for all affected accounts by 10 December, the company said.

Teenagers who will have their accounts deactivated can download and save their posts, messages and short videos, or Reels. They will be able to return to their account once they turn 16, or opt to delete their account entirely.

When you turn 16, and can access our apps again, all your content will be available exactly as you left it, said Mia Garlick, Metas regional policy director.

We also ask parents to work with their children to ensure the correct birth date is registered on their social media accounts.

Meta said it would send the messages to all accounts it understands to be under 16 but would not say how it was determining which accounts may be under 16, to avoid explaining to under-16s how the ban may be circumvented.

If Meta mistakenly flags a user who is 16 or over as under 16, they can use facial age assurance  meaning taking a video selfie  or provide a government ID using Yotis age assurance technology. Accounts seeking to change their age from under 16 to over must verify their age.

Meta said it expected there would be errors in estimating age  as was evident in the age assurance technology trial  but the company believed this was the least privacy-intrusive way to estimate age.

Meta on Wednesday said it was investigating an issue where users in Australia who put their age in as under 16 were not able to register a new account on Instagram, and said it was unrelated to the changes announced on Thursday.

The tech giant is complying with the ban but continues to argue that its teen accounts setting  which limits who teenagers can contact, restricts advertising and gives parental control  would be a better alternative to a ban.

Meta has also said it believes there should be age verification done through the app stores.

While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process, said Antigone Davis, Metas global head of safety.

Meta is the first tech company to state how it will comply with the ban before 10 December. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit and Kick are covered by the ban as it is set to begin next month.

Other companies are expected to explain their position in the coming weeks. TikTok and Snapchat have said they will comply with the ban.

YouTube maintains it should not be included in the ban but has yet to state whether it will comply. The company previously indicated it may launch legal action but has yet to embark on that course of action.

NSW Libertarian politician John Ruddick has said he plans to seek a hearing in the high court to challenge the law on the grounds of freedom of political communication.

Elon Musks X platform has also expressed its opposition to the ban, and has not yet said whether it will comply with the law.
A pair of Israeli strikes in Gazas southern city of Khan Younis early on Thursday killed five people, according to hospital officials, bringing the death toll from airstrikes in the Palestinian territory over a roughly 12-hour period to 33.

The strikes have been some of the deadliest since October 10, when a US-brokered ceasefire came into force.

The renewed escalation came after Israel said its soldiers had come under fire in Khan Younis on Wednesday. Israel said no soldiers were killed and responded with strikes.

Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in an Israeli strike (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Officials at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis said they received the bodies of 17 people, including five women and five children, following four Israeli airstrikes targeting tents sheltering displaced people.

In Gaza City, two airstrikes on a building killed 16 people, including seven children and three women, according to officials at the Al-Shifa hospital in the northern part of the city, where the bodies were taken.

Hamas condemned the Israeli strikes as a shocking massacre. In a statement, the group denied firing toward Israeli troops.

Hospital officials said the bodies came from both sides of a line established in last months ceasefire. The boundary splits Gaza in two, leaving the border zone under Israeli military control while the area beyond it is meant to serve as a safe zone.

Some 33 people were killed in combined strikes across Gaza (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Israeli strikes have decreased since the ceasefire agreement took effect, according to Gazas Health Ministry, though they have not stopped entirely.

The ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, reported more than 300 deaths since the truce began, an average of more than seven per day.

Each side has accused the other of violating its terms, which include increasing the flow of aid into Gaza and returning hostages  dead or alive  to Israel.

The deaths are among the more than 69,000 Palestinians killed since Israel launched its sweeping offensive more than two years ago in response to Hamas-led militants abducting 251 people and killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 2023 attack that triggered the war.

Gazas Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records seen as a reliable estimate by the UN and many independent experts.
Princess Diana returned to Paris on Thursday as one of Europes oldest wax museums unveiled a new figure of the British royal in the so-called revenge dress, decades after her tragic death in the city.

The statue was ordered in Paris after the director of the Grevin Museum visited London and came away underwhelmed by the Diana likeness at Madame Tussauds, prompting him to commission his own version, museum officials said.

Grevins life-size  and very convincing  figure of the late princess is dressed in a replica of the black, off-the-shoulder, figure-hugging cocktail dress Diana wore to a Serpentine Gallery event in London in 1994.

The wax figure is depicted in her black revenge dress (Christophe Ena/AP)

It was the same night that the King  Prince Charles at the time  acknowledged on television that he had been unfaithful with the now Queen.

For Paris, the tribute carried extra weight: Diana  Lady Di to the French, who still use the nickname affectionately even though she spent most of her public life as a princess  died after a car crash in a tunnel by the Seine in 1997, a death that helped immortalise her in the Parisian imagination, where she still remains present in the flowers and handwritten notes left at informal memorials.

Museum officials noted that the unveiling came on the 30th anniversary of an explosive interview that Diana gave to BBC Panorama, which observers say dented the standing of the monarchy and the Queen.

Some observers noted wryly how the museums newest royal guest was positioned far from wax likenesses of her famous ex-husband and mother-in-law.

High heels, a pearl choker at her neck and a small handbag clasped in both hands completed the sculpture.

The waxwork replicates this iconic look, worn by Diana to a Serpentine gala dinner in 1994 (Martin Keene/PA)

Tabloids later dubbed the outfit the revenge dress, and the museum leaned into that symbolism.

French novelist Christine Orban, who wrote Mademoiselle Spencer, a novel imagined from Dianas point of view, said the figure was overdue.

She called the black dress a turning point in Dianas story.

The dress is very significant of her liberation because in the royal family, black is only worn for funerals, and then such a sexy dress for a Princess of Wales, well, thats not common either, she said.

So she decides to wear her high heels and Louboutins. And to go to the Serpentine Gallery to make an impression, to get photographed.

Grevin, founded in the 19th century, has long packed its ornate halls with political leaders, artists, pop-culture figures  and, yes, British royals.

Diana is the latest in a steady stream of star wattage additions the museum uses to refresh the collection and boost visitors at the site, which has attracted some 700,000 annual visitors in recent years.

The waxwork will be in good company in the museum as curators set her beside fellow royal Marie Antoinette (Christophe Ena/AP)

News of the unveiling filtered through Paris, even before most people had a chance to visit.

It brought back that night in the tunnel, even though I was a kid then, said Julien Martin, 38. Paris never completely let go of Diana, so it made sense that a big wax museum finally did this.

I wasnt even alive but for my generation, she seems like the first modern princess  glamorous, but also vulnerable, said 24-year-old student Lina Ben Amar. If tourists come to see celebrities in wax, she is one of the first they will look for.

Diana will be in good company. Curators set her beside another prominent royal who died in Paris  albeit centuries earlier: Marie Antoinette.
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JUSTICE INFO IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS Christian Delage Historian and film director

JUSTICE INFO: What prompted your interest, as a historian and filmmaker, in the use of images at the Nuremberg trials?

CHRISTIAN DELAGE: I knew that images had been shown at the trial of Nazi dignitaries, but I hadnt done any documented research on the subject. I began doing so in the early 2000s, visiting the National Archives in Washington DC. This led to my first article, Images as Evidence: The Experience of the Nuremberg Trials, which helped me obtain a Fulbright research grant to spend an extended period in the United States. I then investigated how, in the summer of 1945, the Allies gathered a collection of documents, mostly written, to build a case against Nazi leaders on criminal charges of crimes against peace/crimes of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to commit these crimes. The sheer volume of archives gathered in Europe by the team of Attorney General Robert H. Jackson is all the more impressive when one considers the time special envoys had to gather evidence in support of the charges. It was in this context that Jackson took two unexpected initiatives: presenting images as evidence at the hearing; and filming the trial sessions to create a historical archive.

The aim was to confront the Nazis with their own crimes and to capture their reactions during screening

Was this the first time that images had been used in court, and how did this affect the legal proceedings?

In the United States, there had already been civil trials that used photographs and then moving images as evidence. The Allies also believed that images could play a role in confronting Germans who were not in the vicinity of the concentration camps with the crimes committed by the Nazis. During the trial, news footage from the Nazis themselves was shown in the form of a several-hours long montage produced by John Fords team entitled The Nazi Plan, as well as a few salient images showing persecution of the Jews, plus American and Soviet documentaries on the liberation of the camps.

In order to project these images in the courtroom, the usual layout of a trial had to be modified when the Nuremberg court was redesigned by American architect Dan Kiley. Thejudges were no longer seated in the centre, as the screen was placed there, symbolically giving it the role of a third party. The aim was to confront the Nazis with their own crimes and to capture their reactions during screening by the American prosecution on 29 November 1945 of the film Nazi Concentration Camps, by placing lights above their benches to illuminate their faces.

General view of the courtroom during the Nuremberg trials on September 30, 1946, on the eve of the verdict against former Nazi leaders. Photo:  Bundesarchiv Koblenz

Who was in charge of filming the trial?

In one of my films, From Hollywood to Nuremberg: John Ford, Samuel Fuller, George Stevens, a letter is read out sent by Ray Kellogg to Ford, who was his right-hand man. He tells him that its the good old army (the Signal Corps, in charge of communications) that was handling  and mishandling  the preparations for filming. But it was the Field Photographic Branch, the special team led by Ford filming the war from 1942, that was tasked in June 1945 with making a short film presenting the issues at stake in the trial (That Justice Be Done), editing the documentary on the camps, and preparing to film the hearings. Kellogg helped build the projection booth. The operators were instructed to keep the camera locations discreet so as not to disrupt proceedings, a constraint that would later be encountered again during the Eichmann trial [in Israel, in 1961] and the trials of Klaus Barbie and Paul Touvier [in France, in 1987 and 1994]. It should be noted that the Soviets also participated in the filming, in presence of Roman Karmen.

The 35 mm cameras used were loaded with reels that did not exceed 13 minutes. Therefore, only certain moments were filmed.

As the filming was not carried out by professionals trained by Ford, the cameramen were inexperienced. The 35 mm cameras used were loaded with reels that did not exceed 13 minutes. And it is not easy to convey the dynamics of confrontation between parties to the trial through images. Therefore, only certain moments were filmed. Unfortunately, sometimes a sentence is cut off in the middle. When my colleague Caroline Moine and I prepared my film Nuremberg, the Nazis face their crimes, we benefited from the digital transfer that had just been made by the Holocaust Museum in Washington. But we had to piece together all the rushes in chronological order and add captions. This work took two months, but we were able to create a comprehensive archive of the trial, which we deposited with the Shoah Memorial in Paris and the Holocaust Museum in Washington.

The international tribunals set up to try crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda were filmed, but with the novelty that there was no longer a director

Did the legacy of this work influence subsequent trials, first the Eichmann trial, then the more recent international tribunals of the 1990s?

Of all the trials that have been filmed since Nuremberg, the Eichmann trial was the best filmed. The footage was broadcast in a 500-seat theatre near the court, and excerpts were released each week for use by television stations around the world. Eichmanns lawyer, Robert Servatius, unsuccessfully attempted to oppose the filming, putting forward two arguments: The fact that the proceedings are being recorded for television and film may lead witnesses to not give their evidence sincerely, firstly because they may feel apprehensive that their televised testimony is being watched outside the courtroom, and secondly because of a desire to impress a global audience; Television recordings are likely to lead to a distorted presentation of the hearings, for example by omitting the defences arguments. The judges rejected these arguments, arguing in turn that the measure was relevant and had no negative effect on witnesses or the audience.

As for the international tribunals set up to try crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda [ICTY from 1993, and ICTR from 1994], they were filmed, but with the novelty that there was no longer a director, only a manager employed by the tribunals audiovisual department who operated automated cameras.

As for the images presented as evidence, the ICTR had very few at its disposal, as the genocide took place far from the cameras. On the other hand, for the former Yugoslavia, there are many images, in particular those shot by a Serbian paramilitary group. These are currently being analyzed by Ninon Maillard, who heads a research group, ProFil, La Fabrique du proces filme (The Making of a Filmed Trial), and has been investigating for several years the so-called Scorpions video, an emblematic video that was the subject of intense debate at the hearings.

In France, the only trial that was properly filmed was that of Paul Touvier, a former Vichy militiaman accused of complicity in crimes against humanity for the execution of seven Jews in retaliation for the assassination of a propagandist. This trial contributed to the debate on responsibility of the French state during the Occupation. It was the last trial to be filmed with camera operators in the courtroom, under the supervision of Guy Saguez, an experienced director who was aware of the historical and memorial issues at stake. Since the Papon trial [in 1997], cameras have been installed in courtrooms and controlled from a studio. In most cases, the filmed recordings are used for external broadcasting of the hearings when the courtroom is not large enough to accommodate everyone who wants to attend.

More recently, in the case of major contemporary trials such as those relating to the attacks of January and November 2015 [terrorist attacks in France], things have been a little different. The civil parties were able to listen to the proceedings remotely, with the filmed recordings being broadcast in rooms reserved for the press and researchers. The societal stakes were very high, as Martine Sin Blima-Barru and I pointed out in the exhibition Filmer les proces (Filming Trials).

This requirement to film is never a priority for judges. It is not part of their culture or their concerns

However, this requirement to film is never a priority for judges. It is not part of their culture or their concerns, as their primary role is to try the accused. But it is also a generational issue. Young judges and lawyers are better prepared and more informed about the requirements for filming hearings and the importance of video evidence.

The trials that have been filmed constitute a large archive, but access to it appears to be very limited.

For the time being, in France, it is researchers and soon filmmakers  subject to authorization  who can consult these images, because the general public cannot access them for 50 years, but this restriction applies to all archives. However, there is a contradiction between the stakes I have highlighted, i.e. keeping a complete record of a historically significant trial, and standards for the preservation and communication of national archives. Publicizing the proceedings conflicts here with respect for private privacy.

He is essentially talking about visual tools. How were Ukrainians able to convince themselves, in a concrete way, that they were about to be invaded? It was through the first American images from the Maxar satellite, which showed this incredible convoy advancing extremely slowly from Belarus, and which we understood was heading towards Kyiv. The satellite images are also those that Elon Musk allowed the Ukrainians to use.

Then there are the drones. I think everyone now understands that they have several functions. They have a surveillance function: in the trenches, Ukrainians use drones to anticipate the enemys movements and operations on the surface. And drones also have a criminal purpose, since they are weapons used on a daily basis, sometimes specifically targeting civilians. A real drone race has taken place in this war.

Finally there are of course mobile phones, which are widely used by citizens. Twenty million Ukrainians use a multifunctional application, DIIA, with which they can carry out administrative procedures, but also alert an authority close to the Ukrainian army command of an enemy soldiers approach, a bombing, a crime that has just been committed, or the need to send immediate assistance.

On the judicial front, the Ukrainian Attorney General opened investigations very quickly -- in parallel with those of the International Criminal Court -- with the assistance of NGOs such as the Centre for Civil Liberties, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, and digital investigation platforms such as Bellingcat, Eyewitness and Truepic. These organizations have already worked in other conflict zones, in Syria, Iraq and Chechnya. Bellingcat, in particular, has a wealth of expertise and can react very quickly: its first investigation came immediately after the discovery of massacres in Bucha [near Kyiv], and it was an extremely thorough investigation.

The probative value of an image can only be established in the context of a court case. Today, images go viral before a trial, whose role is then to put them into perspective and contextualise them.

In your book Filmer, juger. De la Seconde Guerre mondiale a linvasion de lUkraine (Filming, Judging: From World War II to the Invasion of Ukraine), you talk about an evidence protocol that began at the start of the war in Ukraine. Could these images be used as evidence if a major international trial were to be held tomorrow against the Russian invader?

What is very surprising in Ukraine is the speed and quality of the investigative work being done. The difficulty now lies in cross-referencing all these sources so that they are more digestible, easier to store and use when the time comes in a court case. The applications I mentioned make it possible to authenticate the images sent by citizens, to verify their captions  the place, time, people present, nature of the event, etc.  but also to store them permanently and classify them so that they can be used. All this work is being done on several levels, nationally and internationally.

The probative value of an image can only be established in the context of a court case. In Nuremberg and Jerusalem, images of the extreme violence perpetrated by the Nazis had a particularly shocking effect. Today, images go viral before a trial, whose role is then to put them into perspective and contextualise them. This is a major responsibility.

CHRISTIAN DELAGE Historian and film director Christian Delage has taught at the University of Paris 8 and Cardozo Law School in New York. His films include Nuremberg, les nazis face a leurs crimes (ARTE, 2006) and 13 Novembre, des vies plus jamais ordinaires (Histoire TV, 2022). He is the author of LHistorien et le film, with Vincent Guigueno, and Filmer, juger. De la Seconde Guerre mondiale a linvasion de lUkraine (Gallimard, 2018 and 2023). He is currently working on the legacy of Nuremberg in building evidence of the crimes Ukraine has been suffering since 2014.
US President Donald Trump has vowed to end the war in Sudan between the army and paramilitary forces, but getting a deal means untangling a web of rival interests -- including those of his own allies.

Rich in gold and arable land, Sudan is at risk of partition, after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces cemented its control of the vast Darfur region last month.

In neighbouring Kordofan, fighters are still jostling for control, while millions face starvation in the world's largest hunger and displacement crisis.

A peace deal would be, by Trump's count, the ninth the president has brokered, but in Sudan there are also numerous outside countries to contend with.

Calls from the United Nations to abide by an arms embargo have gone unheeded, and efforts to open humanitarian corridors to besieged civilians have repeatedly failed.

These are the main actors driving the conflict:

- Sudan's warring generals -

Sudan's de facto leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan heads the army while the RSF is commanded by his former ally and deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commonly known as Hemeti.

In October 2021, a coup led by Burhan with Daglo's support overthrew a brief moment of civilian government that followed the overthrow of longtime president Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

A long-simmering power struggle between the two generals erupted into all-out war on April 15, 2023.

Their forces have since killed tens of thousands of people, displaced nearly 12 million and plunged the country into a major humanitarian crisis.

The RSF are descended from the Janjaweed militias, who, starting in 2003, committed mass ethnically targeted atrocities on the government's behalf in Darfur.

They are now accused of committing similar atrocities in the region.

The government, allied with the army which has also been accused of war crimes, has its wartime capital in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.

The RSF has formed a rival parallel administration in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, which has received no international recognition.

- Mediators in each corner -

SAUDI ARABIA:

It was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman who convinced Trump to take a personal interest in Sudan, with the US president saying this week that before the conflict "was not on my charts to be involved in".

Though Riyadh has nominally supported the Sudanese military since Bashir's ousting, it has kept to a mediating role, hosting several rounds of talks in an effort to regain stability across its Red Sea shore.

Saudi Arabia is part of the so-called Quad, which has intensified peace efforts in recent months. It also includes the United States, and two key Washington allies seen to wield the most influence over the two warring sides: Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

EGYPT:

Sudan's neighbour to the north and former colonial power has been the army's strongest supporter. Cairo considers Burhan the country's legitimate leader, and its only dependable partner across its southern border, with whom it shares key interests including Nile water security.

The RSF has accused Egypt of providing direct military support to the Sudanese army, including by conducting air strikes, which Cairo has denied.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:

Abu Dhabi has fielded widespread accusations that it is backing the RSF with weapons, fuel and mercenaries sent via Chad, Libya, Kenya or Somalia.

It has issued repeated denials, despite reports from UN experts, diplomats, US lawmakers and international organisations.

The Gulf country's stake in the war includes vast economic investment, including gold and agricultural land, regional geopolitical interests and countering the influence of Saudi Arabia and Islamists within Burhan's camp.

Analysts say the UAE has leveraged its influence with Sudan's neighbours to bolster the RSF's legitimacy and funnel support across Sudan's many borders.

- African neighbours -

LIBYA:

Eastern Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar has been accused of supplying weapons and fuel to the RSF on behalf of the UAE.

In June, the Sudanese army accused forces loyal to Haftar of helping the RSF capture a strategic border area with Egypt and Libya.

US-based watchdog The Sentry said in a recent report that Haftar "has been a key fuel supplier to the RSF" throughout the war, because of his "deep loyalty to the Emirati government".

CHAD:

Chad, which shares a porous 1,300-kilometre border with Sudan, hosts more Sudanese refugees than any other country.

The Sudanese army has accused Chad of serving as a crucial supply line for the RSF on behalf of Abu Dhabi, allegations that UN experts have deemed credible.

KENYA:

In June, Sudan's government said Kenyan-labelled weapons and ammunition were found in RSF caches in Khartoum.

It accused Nairobi of acting as a transit point for military equipment supplied by the UAE, in addition to hosting RSF leaders for political events.

- Further afield -

IRAN:

Khartoum and Tehran restored diplomatic relations in October 2023 after a years-long rift. The following year, Iran reportedly supplied drones to the Sudanese army that proved integral to their counteroffensive to recapture central Sudan and the capital Khartoum this year.

The reports have previously drawn US concerns.

TURKEY:

A major rival of the UAE, Turkey expressed its support for the Sudanese army from the outset of the war and, according to several media outlets including The Washington Post, provided drones used to strike RSF positions.
The European Union on Thursday imposed sanctions on the deputy head of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces over "grave and ongoing atrocities" after the capture of the city of El-Fasher.

The paramilitary RSF, at war with the regular army for more than two years, took control of El-Fasher on October 26, dislodging the army's last stronghold in Sudan's western Darfur region.

In the wake of the city's capture -- which came after 18 months of siege, bombardment and starvation -- survivors reported executions, pillaging, rape and other atrocities, sparking an international outcry.

The EU said it was imposing a visa ban and asset freeze on RSF second-in-command Abdelrahim Hamdan Daglo, whose brother Mohammad Hamdan Daglo is the group's leader.

"The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the grave and ongoing atrocities perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, including following the seizure of the city of El Fasher," the 27-nation bloc said in a statement.

It said ethnically motivated killings and systemic sexual violence "may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity".

Since breaking out in April 2023, Sudan's civil war has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million, creating what the UN describes as the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would start "working" on the war in Sudan after visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked him to help end the conflict.

The Sudanese government, UN experts and international groups have accused the United Arab Emirates of fuelling the war by supporting the RSF, accusations denied by Abu Dhabi.

Kallas said the EU has agreed to step up its outreach to countries acting as "enablers" of the conflict to try to help stop the flow of weaponry.
Actress Song Hye Kyo has joined forces once again with Professor Seo Kyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University to produce a new video paying tribute to Korean independence activists.

On November 17, to commemorate Korea's "Day of Patriotic Martyrs," Professor Seo released a multilingual video entitled Breaking Through the Barriers of the Era: Courtesan Kim Hyang-hwa, Who Called for Independence.

Explaining the purpose of the project, Professor Seo told Maeil Business Newspaper, "This is the fifth video produced to shed light on the lives of female independence activists who are not well known to the public, following Jeong Jeong Hwa, Yun Hui Sun, Kim Maria, and Park Cha Jeong." He added, "Going forward, I plan to continue working with Ms. Song Hye Kyo to create more multilingual videos about female independence activists and share them widely around the world"

The four-minute video, sponsored by Song Hye Kyo, depicts a historic moment when Kim Hyang Hwa and over 30 other gisaengs had carried the Korean flag in front of Jahye Hospital at Hwaseong Haenggung to hold an independence demonstration.

The video highlighted how their bold cries, even in front of the police station, motivated similar movements around the country.

According to AllKpop, the video is currently being shared on YouTube and via various social media platforms and with Korean communities worldwide in hopes of educating audiences about the contributions of these largely overlooked activists.

For the past 14 years, Song Hye Kyo and Professor Seo have collaborated to promote the spirit of Korean independence movements. Their donations have included Korean language guidebooks, Korean signboards, and relief artwork from the independence activists at 39 historic sites around the world.

The cooperation demonstrates an ongoing push to draw attention to the role of women in Korea's struggle for independence by bringing together historical scholarship with popular media for a wider audience.
The upcoming fan meeting of actor Lee Jong Suk in Manila has been suddenly cancelled, according to an announcement by his agency.

On November 17 KST, A-Man Project, an agency under Ace Factory, announced the cancelation via their official channels.

The agency said, "The 2025 Lee Jong Suk Asia Fanmeeting Tour [With: Just Like This] in Manila, scheduled to take place on November 30, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum, has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances."

According to allkpop, the agency explained, "After careful consideration, we decided to prioritize the safety of fans, the artist, and all staff members, as a large demonstration is scheduled to take place on the same day. We ask for your understanding regarding this decision."

They added in the notice, "We sincerely apologize to all the fans who were looking forward to this fan meeting and ask for your understanding for any inconvenience caused by this cancellation. We truly hope that Lee Jong Suk will be able to meet his Filipino fans again in the near future." The agency also revealed that refund details will be announced via the local promoter.

Manila is presently gripped by widespread unrest linked to corruption claims involving a government-initiated flood-control project. The announcement placed the expected number of participants at approximately 650,000 demonstrators, adding to safety concerns that prompted the cancellation of the event.

After the announcement, fans from Manila and social media expressed mixed emotions. Positive remarks from fans are introduced by a neutral sentence: "Thank you for putting the safety of fans and the actor first," "Safety comes first," and "What matters is that Lee Jong Suk is safe."

Other fans shared their disappointment about such a sudden change through Reddit. Some said, "I already booked my flight to Manila and prepared fan support giftscanceling without postponing is hard to accept," and "Why not reschedule for next year instead of canceling?"

The cancellation marks a rare disruption in the actor's tour of fan meetings in Asia, but his agency expressed hopes of reconnecting with Filipino fans when circumstances allow.






Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Kenyan actress and content creator, Dorea Chege, has finally broken her silence on swirling online rumors claiming that she has been assaulting her partner, DJ Dibul.

True to her playful personality, Dorea chose humor over confrontation.

The mother of one took to Instagram with a cheeky post: Im looking for a taekwondo trainer? Any recommendations?

The lighthearted jab was a clear dig at the gossip, instantly sparking reactions from fans.

One follower teased her about allegedly beating up Dibul, to which Dorea fired back, dismissing the claims as baseless.

Anapigwa kwani amefungwa mikono? She shot back.

In another post, Dorea doubled down with a glamorous photo captioned:

Lies cannot blur my shine, Im too bright.

When another fan pressed her about allegedly assaulting Dibul, she firmly responded:

Where did he say he was beaten up?







DJ Dibul also weighed in via Instagram Stories, expressing disbelief at the trending chatter.

Nowadays, you get on social media and find that you are the trending topic Anyway, Padre is okay, he wrote, making it clear the allegations were unfounded.

This isnt the first time the couple has trended for the wrong reasons.

Earlier in the year, Dibul was accused of cheating on Dorea with slay queens during his night gigs but Dorea defended him, demanding proof that never surfaced.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Royal Media Services Group Editorial Director, Linus Kaikai, has officially joined the ranks of Advocates of the High Court of Kenya.

Linus was among 916 petitioners admitted at the Supreme Court on Thursday, November 20th, in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

The event saw the petitioners take their oaths before the Chief Justice and sign the Roll of Advocates, marking their formal entry into the legal profession.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo urged the new advocates to embrace solidarity and commitment to justice.

You are a generation that refuses to work in silence. Justice is not a slogan; it is a long-term commitment, she said.

Kaikais admission adds another dimension to his distinguished career in journalism.

A graduate of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, he later earned a Masters degree in International Journalism.

He began at KTN, winning the 1997 CNN African Television Journalist Prize and the 1998 Environmental Journalist of the Year award, before serving at the South African Broadcasting Corporation and later NTV.

He currently serves as Group Editorial Director at Royal Media Services.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - A Kenyan woman has sparked a lively debate online after urging single women over 30 to consider dating Gen Z men.

In a viral clip, she boldly declares: If youre a millennial aged 30-plus and still unmarried, its time to give Gen Z a chance.

Dont fear someone five or even ten years younger - age is just a number.

Her remarks tap into a growing trend where older women openly embrace relationships with younger partners.

Media personality Betty Kyallo is a prime example, proudly dating a Gen Z man despite public scrutiny.

The couple continues to flaunt their romance on social media, proving that love doesnt always follow traditional timelines.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - The prosecution this week intensified its case in the murder trial of former Wells Fargo Human Resources Manager, Willis Ayieko, by presenting the testimonies of ten witnesses before Siaya High Court Judge David Kemei.

The two-day proceedings marked a significant step in unraveling the complex circumstances surrounding Ayiekos death, whose body was found in October 2024 in a stream along the SiayaKakamega border.

Among the first witnesses was the sister of Victor Ouma Okoth, the first accused, who offered a detailed account of her brothers behavior shortly before the murder.

She told the court that although Okoth had been admitted to Egerton University to study Medicine, he began exhibiting worrying conduct, most notably when he asked her to register a mobile phone number using her identification documents.

Her father, who also took the stand, delivered testimony that further deepened concerns about the son's links to criminal activity.

He described the troubling behavior of his elder son, brother to the first accused, whom police say was fatally shot in Kisumu during a confrontation with officers pursuing suspects linked to Ayiekos killing.

The father recounted a chilling incident in which the elder son returned home armed with an AK-47 rifle, claiming he intended to kill a neighbour he believed had tipped off police about his brothers suspected involvement in crime.

He told the court he tried to intervene but was left fearful, confused, and increasingly worried about his sons erratic actions.

A major portion of the days session focused on forensic evidence, with DCI forensic analyst, Chief Inspector Kieti, presenting a detailed reconstruction of the crime scene.

Through photographic exhibits, he walked the court step-by-step through the discovery of Ayiekos body, the condition of the scene, and the procedures followed during the postmortem examination.

Kieti submitted a comprehensive forensic report referencing the scene of crime, alleged drinking joint where the accused assembled before committing the offence, drag marks, the bodys positioning, and other crucial leads connected with the murder of the deceased Wells Fargo manager.

His testimony provided a technical backbone to the prosecutions case, grounding its allegations in scientific analysis.

The prosecution further sought to show a link between the accused and financial transactions conducted using Ayiekos details.

An M-Pesa agent testified while presenting CCTV footage from his shop.

He told the court that one of the accused withdrew Ksh 145,000 using a mobile number registered under Willis Ayieko Onyango and presented an ID card bearing the deceaseds name.

The Kisa West Location Chief recounted how he first received a report of a missing person from a resident, only to be informed hours later that a body had been spotted in a stream in his locality.

Upon arrival, he found the police already securing the scene. The body, lying face-down and partially submerged, was later identified by the deceaseds brother, Aggrey Onyango, as that of Willis Ayieko.

In another critical testimony, Wagai Police Station OCS, Chief Inspector Kanano Elema, told the court that he acted on a tip-off about two individuals behaving suspiciously in a Toyota Axio.

Officers intercepted the vehicle and recovered a pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition. Forensic analysis later confirmed that the pistol belonged to Ayieko.

The prosecution team, led by Joyce Mumu, Soita China, and Mercy Mutheu, is expected to call additional witnesses as it seeks to establish a clear, uninterrupted chain of events linking the accused individuals to Ayiekos killing.

Further hearing has been scheduled for the 23rd and 24th February 2026.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Ohangla star, Prince Indah, has dismissed claims that one of his bouncers assaulted fellow musician, Emmanuel Musindi, during the ODM 20th anniversary celebrations held at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa.

The allegations were first raised by ODM Communications Director, Philip Etale, who claimed that Musindi, famed for the Lero Ni Lero hit song, had been roughed up by a bouncer attached to Prince Indahs team.





In a detailed statement, Prince Indah strongly refuted the accusations, terming them baseless, misleading, and factually incorrect.

He clarified that he did not attend the event with any members of his security team due to logistical and timing constraints.

For logistical reasons and constraint of time, I did NOT travel to the event with any of my security teams. Therefore, the allegation linking my security to the attack is not only baseless but also not factual, he stated.

Prince Indah went on to express deep respect for Emmanuel Musindi, calling him a seasoned artist whose contribution to the music industry cannot be underestimated.

He added that any attack on an artist is an attack on the entire creative community and must be taken seriously.

The Ohangla star called for a full and immediate investigation to identify the real perpetrators behind the assault.

An attack on any individual is a crime and should be investigated thoroughly, with the culprits brought to book. My team and I are ready to assist with any investigative process, he affirmed.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko, has visited the lady who was viciously assaulted by the son of former Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.

The victim, who is currently receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital, suffered multiple injuries during the incident, which has triggered widespread public outrage.

Speaking from her hospital bed, the woman narrated what she says transpired.

According to her, she had gone to visit Mutyambais son, who is her cousin, at his residence.

The two allegedly got into an altercation after consuming alcohol.

The victim claims that during the heated exchange, Mutyambais son grabbed her and attacked her, inflicting serious injuries.

She said she managed to escape and later hailed a cab that took her to the hospital for emergency treatment.

The woman further alleges that seeking justice has been nearly impossible due to the suspects powerful connections.

She revealed that even her own mother advised her not to pursue the matter, insisting it was a family issue that should be handled privately.

However, Sonko vowed that he will ensure the case is followed up to its conclusion, promising to support the victim in her quest for justice despite the reported pressure to drop the matter.

Watch the video.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
A CARLOW father and son have been sentenced for assaulting three people while the sons stillborn child was being waked at their home.

Michael Slater Senior (61) and Michael Slater Junior (36) assaulted the mother of the child, Mr Slater Jnrs partner, who had given birth to the baby the previous day. They also assaulted her sister and her sisters partner, with victims being attacked with a wooden axe handle and a floorboard. They were all later treated in hospital for various facial injuries.

Mr Slater Jnr, who was described in court by Judge Eugene OKelly as a man with a propensity to violence, broke the same victims jaw three months later, when his partner was three months pregnant. The woman later required surgery to insert a plate and braces to fix her jaw.

Both Slaters of Heatherhill Square, Graiguecullen, Carlow pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to three charges of assault causing harm to the three victims at Heatherhill Square on 28 August of last year. Mr Slater Jnr further pleaded guilty to production of a wooden bat and issuing threats to both his partner and her sister.

He also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his partner on 21 October 2024.

Sergeant Ronan Bishop told Miranda Egan-Langley BL, prosecuting, that gardai were alerted to a domestic incident in August 2024. When they arrived, they could hear male voices telling the gardai to f**k off.

Gardai forced entry and found Mr Slater Snr and Jnr downstairs. They were arrested. The three victims were upstairs. All three had facial cuts and were bleeding.

Mr Slater Jnrs partner was later treated for a cut above her left eye, while her sister had a suspected broken nose. The sisters partner had a wound to his cheek and a cut above his eye.

The men were questioned but that questioning was suspended due to their level of intoxication. They were later interviewed but no admissions were made.

Sgt Bishop accepted that everyone in the house had consumed intoxicants but he added that all the victims and the two accused were capable of holding conversations.

The court heard that the following October Mr Slater Jnrs partner was again assaulted by him. He punched her in the head, and when she tried to get to a window to call for help, he pulled her back by the hair and continued to punch her to the face. She later required surgery to treat a broken jaw.

Photographs of her injuries were handed into court. There was no victim impact statement in the case.

Mr Slater Jnr was arrested but made no admission during garda interview.

Tom Kelly BL, defending Mr Slater Jnr, acknowledged that there were a number of aggravating features in the case.

He said his client instructs that he was not aware that his partner was pregnant during the second assault but the prosecuting garda returned to the stand and gave evidence that he was aware of the pregnancy.

Mr Slater Jnr, who has previous convictions for offences, including assault causing harm and assaulting causing serious harm, was on bail for the first offence when he carried out the second attack. He had initially been granted High Court bail, but that bail was revoked when he committed the second assault.

His father had a previous conviction for a sexual assault from 2010, for which he received a six-month suspended sentence. He had not come to garda attention since and had abided by his High Court bail conditions.

Judge OKelly said it was absolutely shocking that Mr Slater Snr had assaulted a grieving mother and her family during the wake of his own grandchild. He referred to photographs he had been shown of the victims injuries and described it as a serious assault.

He said it was a night of heightened emotion and said that the mother of the child was in her home at a time when she should have received support and not violence.

Judge OKelly set a headline sentence of four years before he reduced this to a three-year term, having taken into account Mr Slater Snrs pleas of guilty and his troubled background. That three-year sentence was suspended in full on strict conditions.

Judge OKelly said the case of Mr Slater Jnr was an entirely different situation. He said the man had attacked his partner and her family the night his stillborn child was being waked. He said it was a violent assault and a weapon was used, before he described Mr Slater Jnr as a man with a propensity for violence.

Judge OKelly said it was an aggravating feature that the assault was carried out in the context of an intimate partner relationship.

This mans life is marked by violent tendencies, Judge OKelly said, before he set headline sentences of six and five years for the assault offences.

He imposed a sentence of four-and-a-half years and a concurrent term of three years and nine months, having taken his guilty plea and a chaotic dysfunctional and violent childhood into account.

Judge OKelly said the woman was badly beaten in the second assault and referred to the surgery she required.

He said this offence warranted a headline sentence of eight years, which he reduced to six years, having taken into account the mitigating factors, including his plea of guilty.

Judge OKelly said the sentences must be consecutive to each other, leading to a sentence of ten-and-a-half years.

He suspended the final four years of the term on strict conditions, including that Mr Slater Jnr engage with the Probation Service for three years.

The sentence was backdated to when Mr Slater Jnr was first remanded in custody last November.
A KILCULLEN supermarket business has been forced to introduce parking charges for any vehicles staying in its car park for more than an hour, because many motorists are using the space for all-day parking. Derek Walsh of the town's Eurospar says it's not something he wanted to do.

"Unfortunately, it's the only way to provide a rotation of parking so that there are spaces for customers," he saId. "There's a lot of long-stay parking happening."

He said the free hour will give people a chance to do their shopping without paying for parking.

There are 50 marked spaces in the Eurospar car park on the Back Lane, plus room for another 20 cars in an extension on land Derek rents from the nearby Kilcullen Mart. "But there have been many times that I might have five customers in the shop, and the car park is full. I have customers telling me they weren't able to shop because they couldn't find a space."

From early December, parking will be regulated by a specialist company. The first hour will be free; after that, there will be a 1.50 per hour charge, payable to the company via a QR code posted on prominently placed signs around the space.

Regular monitoring by the company's mobile patrols will immediately notify them whether a car has overstayed its time.

"It's not a case of me trying to squeeze a few more euros out of customers," Derek Walsh insisted. "I don't want to do this at all, but I'm given no choice. The way the space is being used now by a group of motorists is impacting not just my business but also others on our side of Main Street, whose customers need parking close by. It's particularly a problem for elderly customers who are not so mobile."

The response to news of the impending charges has been overwhelmingly supportive of the move, with most locals saying the free hour is plenty and the subsequent 1.50 per hour charge is fair and reasonable.

The Eurospar issue reflects the overall parking situation in Kilcullen, where the town's expansion has led to street parking becoming a growing concern.

In May, a traffic and pedestrian survey of Kilcullen was undertaken on behalf of Kildare County Council to assess traffic flow, density, parking turnover, and pedestrian movements.

In June, cllr Tracey O'Dwyer sought the commencement of a process to introduce parking bye-laws on Main Street, in the context of a review and updating of such bye-laws across the municipal district.

"Kilcullen currently has none, so it is timely that they be introduced here," she said at the time. "We need to regularise parking and ensure efficient turnover of cars along Main Street."

Kilcullen Mart also recently installed 'Parking for Customers Only' signs at the entrance to its property, which is used extensively for parking during the week.

"We were having an issue on Wednesday mart days, where we need to have space for customers' cars and trucks," mart manager Jimmy Walsh said.

"There have been times when the space is taken up by buses and other trucks unloading. It's really a matter of safety for all, because traffic levels have increased significantly, and it can be quite challenging to get vehicles in and out of the car park during busy times."

He says the company has no issue with people using the space for parking on non-mart days, but it is in contact with Kildare County Council to try and determine the best way to address the matter.

There is a long-standing but unfulfilled promise from Kildare County Council for a public off-street car park in downtown Kilcullen, but councillors were told in March of this year that the delivery of a car park remains a 'priority' for the council.
There has been widespread sadness as Gary Mani Mounfield, who had strong Kildare connections, died on Thursday aged 63.

The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist is the son of Anne Patricia Farrell from Knockroe, Maganey, who emigrated first to London before setting in Manchester. In Maganey, she lived a few doors away from Johnnys Marrs mother.

A Made of Athy plaque dedicated to Mani drew large crowds to Athys Emily Square in November 2018 when it was unveiled outside The Emigrant.

Before officially launching the plaque, the musician laid flowers on his mothers grave in Maganey, accompanied by his wife and two sons. They also visited the house his mother grew up in.

It feels like coming home. Not in a weird, bullshit, American plastic Paddy kind of sense my family and Johnny Marrs family lived five doors apart, Mani told the Kildare Nationalist at the time. Ive been to the graveyard, Ive put flowers down for all my family and all that. Its good to be here for a good reason, because I only ever come here to bury people now. So its good to come here and celebrate something. My mam, shes watching somewhere, shed be so super proud. Its a homecoming of sorts  I feel good.

Reacting to the news of his passing, the Made of Athy page said: So sorry to hear about this, we had just started making an arrangements for him to come home in 2026, he was to play Athy and Belfast. Can't express my sadness about this, It seems like only yesterday that himself and Imelda visited us with the twins, now both gone. So, so sad, I had just posted the Made Of Athy album to him."

Manis brother Greg Mounfield posted the news on Facebook: It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. His nephew also shared the news.

His Roses bandmate Ian Brown posted on X: Rest in peace Mani.

Liam Gallagher wrote on X: In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani my hero
Ten counties across Ireland have been issued with a Status Yellow Low Temperature and Ice warning on Thursday morning that will come into effect from 11pm tonight until 8am Friday morning.

Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Tipperary have been issued warnings as widespread frost and some icy stretches are expected with minimum air temperatures of -3 degrees Celsius, possibly lower locally.

READ NEXT: Irish households urged to follow five steps to protect their home ahead of cold snap

Possible Impacts include hazardous travelling conditions and animal welfare issues

Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly has said, "Temperatures ranging from -3c to 6c with highest temperatures on the coast. A frosty start so allow extra time to clear the ice."

Temperatures ranging from -3c to 6c with highest temperatures on the coast. A frosty start so allow extra time to clear the ice. pic.twitter.com/FR5ccM0rrw  Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) November 20, 2025

Thursday

Today will be cold with sunny spells and scattered showers, becoming isolated later. Most of the showers will be in the north and west and some will be wintry. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in a light to moderate northwesterly breeze.

A largely dry and clear night in store but turning very cold too with temperatures falling 0 to -3 degrees leading to some frost and icy stretches. Cloudy will build from the west later in the night with the coldest temperatures in the east with generally light winds.

READ NEXT: Gardai issue tragic update on 30-year-old man missing for month as search stood down

Friday

A mostly dry start but becoming quite cloudy later in the morning with outbreaks of rain developing along Atlantic coastal counties in a freshening southwesterly breeze. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

Rather cloudy then Friday evening with a freshening southwesterly breeze. Rain and drizzle along Atlantic coastal counites will gradually spread through the country overnight. The rain will be heavy at times too particularly in the west. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees.

Saturday

Wet, cloudy and unsettled to start with rain slowly clearing to the east by late morning. There will be a good deal of dry weather developing for the afternoon however it will remain overcast. Showers which could be heavy at times will push in across Munster and South Leinster during the afternoon before moving further north later. Light winds will become more moderate later with highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees.

Another wet and overcast night with showers moving up along the east of the country which again could be heavy at times. Outbreaks of rain elsewhere with northwesterly breezes. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny communities hail 'gamechanger' for local water supplies

Sunday

Rain will gradually clear away during the morning but it will remain rather cloudy. Northwesterly breezes will ease too with some sunny spells developing mainly across the south of the country during the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees.

A few dry interludes but generally cloudy with a few lingering patches of rain over Connacht and Ulster on Sunday night. More cloud will build later in the night ahead of another band of rain moving in from the south overnight. Winds will ease overnight with temperatures falling to 0 to 4 degrees so a touch of frost is possible.

Further Outlook

Looking ahead into next week and its set to remain unsettled with spells of rain but temperatures remaining about average.
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A NEW book by a Laois author is so good they launched it twice.

Preston House in Abbeyleix and The Palace Bar in Dublin were both buzzing with banter and lilting with laughter, at the loquacious launches of poetry collection Stoked.

The debut collection by John Whelan, writing under his penname Johnny Renko, was only half the story in Abbeyleix, as he was joined by the Power of Words Open Mic family for what he describes as a memorable evening of shared storytelling, poignant prose and powerful poems, with songs and tunes for good measure.

Among those contributing in the wonderful setting of Preston House on 9 November were Arthur Broomfield, Paula Byrne, Mark Clancy, Mairead Connell, Siobhan Hoy, Johnny Thompson, Noelle O Connell, Shea McCaughley, Mick Morrissey, John Purcell and Cathal Kelly.

Curating matters with typical aplomb and good humour was Amanda Kelly, founder and driving force behind the highly regarded Power of Words Events in Abbeyleix.

Setting the stage for the authors alter ego Johnny Renko to take the floor, in the style of his mischievous poetic influences Paul Durcan and John Cooper Clarke, Amanda delivered high praise indeed.

She said: It is hard to believe that this is Johns first venture into poetry, as it seems like he has arrived as a fully formed accomplished poet. To me, it feels like John is truly in his element as a poet. The incredible image of Irish surfer Fergal Smith, taken by photographer Mickey Smith, used on the cover of Stoked is so fitting, as each poem has us ride the wave of Johns imagination.

Every page is filled with high-energy movement, fully alive characters and vivid imagery evoking laughter, tears and something to think deeply about. The playfulness of Johns writing is perfectly balanced with a depth of natural empathy and profound emotion.

It was a rollercoaster reading, as John delved into an ode to the joys of surfing, a tribute to the back-breaking work of turf-cutting families, a love of the landscape, our relationship with mans best friend, the loss of loved ones, the uplifting power of a smile and a diverse range of devilment around a broad range of other topics.

There was a big bualadh bos too for Cormac O Dulachain who translated two of the poems and delivered powerful and passionate versions as Gaeilge.

It was a similar lively affair in The Palace Bar on Fleet Street for a further reading and Dublin launch event on 13 November. This time, the audience was joined by enthusiastic tourists at the popular city tavern steeped in literary tradition.

Stoked is available from All Books in Lyster Square, Portlaoise and online from www.thelastbeekeeper.ie.

Other books under his creative pseudonym Johnny Renko are The Buddha of Ballyhuppahaun (2010), Growing Pains and Growing Up (2018) and The Last Beekeeper (2021).

The next Power of Words Open Mic event will be held in Mooneys Pub, Abbeyleix from 7pm on Friday 5 December.
A DONATION of over 6,823.50 from the Road to Recovery charity event enabled Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise to purchase two vital pieces of equipment this summer.

The first piece of equipment was a breast pump for the Special Care Baby Unit, which ensures that vulnerable babies receive the vital nutrition and care they need during the critical early days.

Secondly, the hospital purchased a McGrath Video Laryngoscope, a state-of-the-art device that greatly assists staff in performing safer, more efficient airway management. This advanced tool enhances visibility and precision during intubation.

The funds for the equipment were raised by Toney Ryan from Pike of Rushall, along with his wife Margaret, daughter Niamh, and other family members. They organised the annual Road to Recovery Road Run with Friends of Portlaoise Hospital on 23 February this year as a way of giving back to one of the hospitals that supported Mr Ryan through difficult health issues.

The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Road to Recovery team for their exceptional fundraising. They said these moments highlight the real, tangible benefits of community fundraising.

These pieces of equipment will make a real and immediate difference to families during some of their most vulnerable moments, and we are so thankful to Toney and his family for choosing the Friends as their beneficiaries for the Road Run this year", said Aine Reams of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital.

The purchase of the equipment, which was requested by the hospital, wouldn't be possible without the generosity shown by the Road to Recovery team, she said.

Anne Whitford, Consultant Anaesthetist at MRHP said the department was grateful for this additional piece of life saving equipment. Ms Whitford said This device is used on a daily basis and is an important clinical aid to our work."

The Road to Recovery team has announced that next years Road Run will be held again in aid of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, taking place on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
From Friday, 21st November until Monday, 1st December, Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise is rolling out its Black Friday sale, promising exceptional value on overnight escapes, pampering spa experiences and festive gifts. During the four-star hotels promotion, guests can take advantage of 20% discount on a range of stylish accommodation options for bookings from late November to the end of April 2026. The perfect location for a family break, couples retreat or girly getaway, choose from luxurious guestrooms, romantic couples deluxe rooms, spacious family rooms and opulent suites*. Spa enthusiasts are in for a treat this Black Friday too as Midlands Park Spa & Beauty is inviting guests to unwind with 20% off all treatments for bookings from Sunday to Friday throughout January, February and March 2026. The offer includes a wide range of indulgent experiences, from rejuvenating facials to restorative massages and luxurious body rituals, as well as beauty and grooming services from manicures and pedicures to waxing and make-up.

For those keen to get ahead on their Christmas shopping, the hotels Black Friday sale offers a great option. Purchase a gift voucher during the promotion and receive an extra 20% in added value, meaning a 50 spend will bag you a 60 voucher, a 100 spend will buy a voucher worth 120, and a 200 spend will secure a 240 voucher. Gift vouchers can be redeemed throughout the hotel on everything from indulgent spa days to stylish stays and decadent dining, giving the lucky recipient the freedom to choose their ideal experience.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of Portlaoise, Co Laois, Midlands Park Hotel is just a five-minute stroll from Portlaoise Train Station, approximately one hour's drive from Dublin, and 90 minutes from Cork. Black Friday offers from Midlands Park are available to purchase from Friday, 21st November until midnight on Monday, 1st December at www.midlandsparkhotel.com.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following Midlands Park Hotel on social media @midlands_park_hotel.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 19, Leapmotor announced that it has brought its Shanghai styling center online in November 2025, choosing the city's Hongqiao central business district as its new creative base.

The facility will work in tandem with the company's existing design hub in Hangzhou, establishing a dual-center design network that taps into the Yangtze River Delta's talent pool and supply-chain ecosystem. The strategy marks a significant step in strengthening the brand's global design footprint.

Photo source: Leapmotor

A key differentiator of the new Shanghai center is the introduction of a perception-quality evaluation system, giving Leapmotor more rigorous control over everything from digital design data to the tactile qualities of physical models. This framework spans the full workflowstarting with sketch reviews and extending through clay-model refinementallowing the company to tighten quality standards in areas such as surface transitions and panel-gap precision.

Under the dual-center model, the Hangzhou team focuses primarily on domestic user insightsparticularly Chinese consumers' expectations for space utilization and family-oriented features. The Shanghai team, meanwhile, is tasked with tracking global design trends and leading innovation in areas such as color and materials, as well as UX and HMI design. Through a shared real-time data platform, both centers work in sync, enabling Leapmotor's B-series models to concurrently meet both Chinese and European NCAP safety and quality standards.

As part of its global expansion, Leapmotor is preparing to establish an innovation center in Europe to build a time-zone-spanning collaboration network. The B10 has already begun large-scale exports to the region, and after its appearance at the IAA MOBILITY 2025, the model is expected to reach more than 20 European markets by year-end. Looking ahead, the design team is developing a high-seating-position SUV tailored to European tastes while also studying Southeast Asia's demand for higher-clearance chassis designsefforts aimed at regionalizing its "Tech-Natural Aesthetics" design language.

With this upgraded design architecture, Leapmotor is strengthening its broader "technology for all" strategy. The Shanghai styling center not only raises the brand's precision in design quality control but also serves as a forward-looking anchor for future global product iterations. This design-driven approach reflects the evolving playbook of China's new energy vehicle makers as they compete increasingly on the world stage.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Xiaomi EV announced on November 20 that its 500,000th vehicle has rolled off the production line, a milestone reached just 19 months after the brand began deliveries in April 2024.

The company framed the achievement as the beginning of its next chapter and thanked customers for their support. The production speed once again sets a new benchmark for China's emerging NEV brands, highlighting how aggressively Xiaomi EV has scaled its automotive operations.

The company's ramp-up has been unusually swift by industry standards. Its first 100,000 vehicles were completed in just 230 days. Delivery efficiency has continued to climb through 2025, with monthly volumes repeatedly surpassing 40,000 units and reaching 48,654 in October. Xiaomi is now closing in on its full-year target of 350,000 deliveries.

Photo source: Xiaomi EV

At the ceremony, Xiaomi's founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun outlined what he described as the company's three ongoing priorities. He emphasized an uncompromising focus on vehicle safety and delivery performance, projecting that Xiaomi EV's 2025 deliveries will exceed 400,000 units. He also highlighted a sustained commitment to technological innovation, noting that annual R&D spending is expected to reach 32 billion to 33 billion yuan next year. The third priority is the deeper integration of AI with advanced manufacturing, which he believes will unlock new levels of production efficiency. "Expectations for Xiaomi EV are high," Lei said, adding that the company intends to prove its capabilities through action rather than words.

Financially, Xiaomi EV reached profitability in September 2025just 17 months after deliveries began. The timeline is considerably shorter than the roughly four years it took Li Auto and the two years for AITO, making Xiaomi one of the fastest new carmakers globally to turn a profit. Analysts estimate that third-quarter earnings reached around 700 million yuan, supported by strong sales of the SU7 and YU7, both positioned with transaction prices above 250,000 yuan.

Xiaomi EV is expanding production capacity in parallel with its rapid sales growth. Its first two plants can now produce more than 60,000 vehicles per month at full output, while a third facility and a new Wuhan plant are scheduled to enter operation in the second half of 2026. The company expects its annualized capacity to reach 1.2 million units, with the one-millionth vehicle projected to roll off the line by August 2026. Manufacturing relies heavily on automation, with more than 700 robots enabling fully automated die-casting, stamping, and other core processes, cutting the vehicle-off-line cycle time to just 76 seconds.

Looking ahead, Xiaomi EV plans to enter the European market in 2027, aiming to export its integrated "Human x Car x Home" smart ecosystem as part of its overseas strategy. As production continues to expand, the company will face the challenge of balancing strong order demand with its ambition to become a million-unit-per-year automaker.
Building K at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton is seen Sept. 16, 2019. Saed Hindash file photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

A man who told police he wanted to die by suicide fired five shots into the air at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton, according to city police.

The 25-year-old man called police at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Easton Police Captain Sal Crisafulli said. The man said he wanted mental health assistance and wanted to die by suicide, according to Crisafulli.

The man, who lives in Easton, then went outside the silk mill complex and fired the shots, Crisafulli said. The complex is at 13th Street and Bushkill Drive in Easton.

No one was injured, Crisafulli said. The man was quickly taken into custody and driven to a mental health ward at a local hospital, he said.

He was not charged with a crime as of Friday morning, Crisafulli said.

The incident generated considerable interest and speculation on social media. A Facebook post Friday morning had 100 comments.

Lehighvalleylive.com typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
A woman who was kidnapped, drugged and being trafficked stabbed her captor and fled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Wednesday, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by police.

Police charged Edgar Jesus Espinoza Gamboa, 27, of Denver, Colorado, and Jose Antonio Hernandez Guittierez, 30, with human trafficking, simple assault and terroristic threats. Hernandez Guittierezs address was not on charging documents.

A trooper monitoring tunnel traffic near the Blue Mountain tunnel traffic crossover saw a vehicle barrel out of the tunnel erratically and swerve into the median in front of him about 5:40 p.m. Wednesday near mile marker 199 on I-76 in Lurgan Township.

The trooper found the passenger bleeding profusely from a neck wound and the driver said La chica stab, run across road.

The trooper provided first aid to the wounded man, while a second trooper summoned the woman back and used her cell phone to translate a conversation to figure out what had happened.

The state police gave the following account in an affidavit of probable cause filed agains the suspects:

The woman, who is Canadian, was picked up by Espinoza Gamboa and Hernandez Guittierez, at her uncles house, which she said was in Missouri. They said her boyfriend in Mexico had asked the two men to pick her up and transport her back to Canada for $2,000. Her age was not included in court documents.

But during the trip, she started to suspect the men were drugging her because she felt sick and thought they were blowing some type of dust on her to keep her asleep because she felt a substance on her face when she woke up.

As they kept driving, the men said they were going to force her to have sex for money, sell her to someone for $1,000, and then sexually assault her, tie her up and kill her or throw her in the mountains to freeze and die. As they threatened her, they pulled electrical stun guns.

The woman, fearing for her life, started stabbing Espinoza Gamboa, who was in the passenger seat, in the lower left side of his neck/back to the left of his spine and the upper left side of his neck. Its unclear what she stabbed him with.

Hernandez Guittierez, who was driving, stopped the vehicle and the woman was able to escape, running across the eastbound travel lanes, over an embankment and into the woods.

Espinoza Gamboa told the trooper he had papers for the woman who ran and Hernandez Guittierez got documents from inside the vehicle. The document appeared to be fake.

Espinoza Gamboa was flown via medical helicopter to Penn State Holy Spirit Trauma Unit.

The victim told police she was kidnapped, threatened to be raped, drugged, and being trafficked to Canada.

Hernandez Guittierez and the woman were taken to state police headquarters. Hernandez Guittierez said he and Espinoza Gamboa were cousins. He lied to police, changing his story and providing inconsistent information. Eventually, he told police he picked the woman up from Kansas on November 18 and Espinoza Gamboa devised a plan to take her to New York.

Espinoza Gamboa told police he didnt know the woman and refused to answer further stories.

A search of the vehicle, allowed by Hernandez Guittierez, found two stun guns, a pack of zip ties, binoculars, clothing, cell phones and $1,020 in U.S. currency. Police also said they found a ledger on a notepack contained information relative to human trafficking, but did not elaborate.

The consent search was stopped pending the completion of a search warrant for human smuggling and trafficking. A search of Hernandez Guittierez found about $3,212 on him.
Fraud has become the fastest-growing crime affecting Irish communities today. It doesnt discriminate by age, background, or location. Whether you live in a town, village, or the countryside, chances are you or someone you know has been targeted.

These criminals are clever, patient, and professional. They exploit one thing above all: trust. And theyve grown more convincing thanks to new technology  including artificial intelligence (AI)  that allows them to create realistic stories, voices, and online profiles.

Across Laois and Offaly, were continuing to see people lose significant sums of money through scams that are evolving every month. What often gets overlooked is the emotional impact. In speaking with victims, the feeling isnt just frustration  its grief. People describe it as a punch to the chest. Years of savings disappear in seconds, and the shock, shame, and disbelief can leave people genuinely devastated. Financial loss can be replaced; emotional loss takes much longer to recover from.

Understanding how these scams work and knowing how to react is your best defence.

Fake Calls and Debit-Card Account Scams

One of the most common types of fraud right now involves calls, texts, or emails that appear to come from your bank or debit-card facility (for example, Revolut or N26). The message often claims theres unusual activity on your account and urges you to move money to a safe account immediately.

This is a scam. Financial institutions will never ask you to transfer money elsewhere to protect it. Once you move the funds, they are almost always gone for good.

FraudSMART, the national fraud-awareness campaign led by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, advises:

Never disclose full passwords, PINs, or one-time passcodes. Never click on links in unsolicited texts or emails. Never act on a call that pressures you to transfer funds quickly. Criminals also use caller-ID spoofing to make their number appear legitimate, even showing your banks name on your phone screen. Hang up, wait a few minutes, and call your bank using the official number on your card or app.

Artificial Intelligence and the New Scam Tactics

Whats changed recently is the use of AI to make scams more believable. Fraudsters are now using software that writes natural-sounding scripts and even generates synthetic voices. That means when someone rings you claiming to be from your bank, the Revenue, or even the Gardai, they might sound calm, well-spoken and completely professional  because a machine has helped them rehearse every line. Some scams now even use AI-generated emails that perfectly copy the tone and branding of legitimate institutions. In short, dont believe your eyes or ears  believe your instincts.

Investment Frauds

We are also seeing growing losses from fake investment opportunities. These may involve cryptocurrency, property ventures, or green energy schemes, often promoted on social media with professional-looking adverts.

FraudSMART warns that many of these scams now use AI-generated celebrity endorsements, claiming that well-known figures are recommending the investment. None of it is real. If you are tempted to invest, always: Check the Central Banks online Warning List. Get independent financial advice. Never rush to invest on the promise of guaranteed or high returns. If it sounds too good to be true  it is.

Buying and Selling Online

Social-media marketplaces are another area of concern. We continue to see people paying deposits for items that never arrive, or sellers handing over goods after being shown fake payment screenshots.

FraudSMARTs advice is simple: Meet in a public place and take someone with you if possible.

Never rely on screenshots as proof of payment  check that funds have cleared in your account.

Be especially careful with high-value goods such as phones, tools, quad bikes, and trailers.

If the buyer or seller is reluctant to meet in person or tries to move the conversation off the main platform, thats a red flag.

Money Mules  Easy Money Isnt Easy



A worrying trend involves young people  including students  being recruited to act as money mules. The pitch usually sounds harmless: Can I use your account to move money and Ill pay you for the favour?

What theyre actually doing is laundering criminal proceeds.



According to FraudSMART, over 9.4 million was laundered through money-mule accounts in Ireland in the year to June 2025. Many of those involved were under 25. This is a serious criminal offence, with lifelong consequences: prosecution, a criminal record, and potential bans from opening future bank accounts. Parents, teachers, and youth leaders should talk openly with young people about these risks.

Phishing, Smishing, and Delivery Scams

Another persistent issue involves text or email messages pretending to be from courier companies, government agencies, or streaming services. They claim you owe a small fee or that a parcel cannot be delivered until you click a link.

The link leads to a fake website that steals your details. FraudSMART recommends using their ScamChecker Tool to verify links before clicking and to delete any message that feels suspicious. Remember: no legitimate company will ever text you asking for banking or card information. Be Informed. Be Alert. Be Secure.



FraudSMARTs national campaign sums up the best approach in three clear steps:

1. Be Informed  Keep up-to-date on scam types by visiting FraudSMART.ie.

2. Be Alert  Always double-check unexpected requests for money or personal data.

3. Be Secure  Protect your accounts with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.

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What to Do If Youre Caught Out

Even the most cautious people can be caught off guard. The shock of realising youve been deceived can be overwhelming. Some victims say they cant sleep for days; others describe it as a loss that hits you in the stomach. That emotional reaction is normal. Fraud is deeply personal.

If you believe youve been scammed:

1. Contact your bank immediately  the quicker you act, the better the chance of freezing or recovering funds.

2. Report the matter to Gardai  we treat all fraud reports seriously and can advise on the next steps.

3. Keep evidence  call logs, texts, emails, screenshots, and transaction details all help investigations.

4. Alert others  warn family, neighbours, and community groups so they dont fall victim either.



Sergeant Siobhan Moore of the Divisional Fraud Unit, who leads investigations into frauds affecting people locally, offers practical advice: If you are targeted by a scam, keep every piece of evidence  screenshots, messages, emails, call logs, anything at all. Do not delete anything. Report it to us without delay. The sooner we know, the better chance we have of disrupting the criminals and protecting others.

Why Community Awareness Matters

Fraud is the crime of our time. It crosses borders and technologies, but its impact is deeply personal. When someones savings vanish, they dont just lose money  they lose confidence, security, and peace of mind. That sense of violation can linger long after the financial issue is resolved. It is, for many, a form of grief. Here in Laois and Offaly, weve seen how quickly information shared through community alert groups, parish newsletters, and local radio can stop these scams from spreading. Talking about it is one of the best defences we have. By staying alert and sharing knowledge, we protect one another.

So the next time a text, email, or call leaves you unsure  stop, think, and verify.
Ten counties across Ireland have been issued with a Status Yellow Low Temperature and Ice warning on Thursday morning that will come into effect from 11pm tonight until 8am Friday morning.

Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Tipperary have been issued warnings as widespread frost and some icy stretches are expected with minimum air temperatures of -3 degrees Celsius, possibly lower locally.

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Possible Impacts include hazardous travelling conditions and animal welfare issues

Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly has said, "Temperatures ranging from -3c to 6c with highest temperatures on the coast. A frosty start so allow extra time to clear the ice."

Temperatures ranging from -3c to 6c with highest temperatures on the coast. A frosty start so allow extra time to clear the ice. pic.twitter.com/FR5ccM0rrw  Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) November 20, 2025

Thursday

Today will be cold with sunny spells and scattered showers, becoming isolated later. Most of the showers will be in the north and west and some will be wintry. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in a light to moderate northwesterly breeze.

A largely dry and clear night in store but turning very cold too with temperatures falling 0 to -3 degrees leading to some frost and icy stretches. Cloudy will build from the west later in the night with the coldest temperatures in the east with generally light winds.

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Friday

A mostly dry start but becoming quite cloudy later in the morning with outbreaks of rain developing along Atlantic coastal counties in a freshening southwesterly breeze. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

Rather cloudy then Friday evening with a freshening southwesterly breeze. Rain and drizzle along Atlantic coastal counites will gradually spread through the country overnight. The rain will be heavy at times too particularly in the west. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees.

Saturday

Wet, cloudy and unsettled to start with rain slowly clearing to the east by late morning. There will be a good deal of dry weather developing for the afternoon however it will remain overcast. Showers which could be heavy at times will push in across Munster and South Leinster during the afternoon before moving further north later. Light winds will become more moderate later with highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees.

Another wet and overcast night with showers moving up along the east of the country which again could be heavy at times. Outbreaks of rain elsewhere with northwesterly breezes. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees.

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Sunday

Rain will gradually clear away during the morning but it will remain rather cloudy. Northwesterly breezes will ease too with some sunny spells developing mainly across the south of the country during the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees.

A few dry interludes but generally cloudy with a few lingering patches of rain over Connacht and Ulster on Sunday night. More cloud will build later in the night ahead of another band of rain moving in from the south overnight. Winds will ease overnight with temperatures falling to 0 to 4 degrees so a touch of frost is possible.

Further Outlook

Looking ahead into next week and its set to remain unsettled with spells of rain but temperatures remaining about average.
A slips, trips and falls audit is on the way for one County Kildare housing estate.

The audit was requested by Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place yesterday (November 19 last).

Cllr Pender, who attended the meeting by virtual means, motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to carry out "a slips, trips and falls audit of Mount Carmel Estate, Newbridge, with a view to prioritising and repairing the footpaths most in need of repair first".

His motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer.

Speaking further on his motion, Cllr Pender told KCC: "I think all of us here brought up the Mount Carmel Estate a number of times [in the past]."

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He also emphasised to KCC: "I'm not asking for the whole estate to be done; just to deal with the worst places in the estate, as it is one of the oldest in the town."

Cllr Pender further said that he believed that the audit is necessary as number of residents in Mount Carmel Estate have mobility and / or disability issues.

In addition, he said that a number of residents had raised different problem areas to both him and Cllr O'Dwyer.

Following this comment, Cllr O'Dwyer told those in attendance: "It will be interesting to see what we will find when we go down there."

Responding to Cllr Pender's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "The MD Office will carry out an assessment of the footpaths in Mount Carmel Estate."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender. File photograph

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Given that Ireland is already experiencing winter, Uisce Eireann (UE) has offered advice in order to help County Kildare households and businesses prepare for freezing conditions.

It comes shortly after ten counties across Ireland, including Kildare, were issued with a Status Yellow Low Temperature and Ice warning earlier today (November 20).

The warning will come into effect from 11pm tonight until 8am Friday morning.

Explaining the importance of preparing for the freezing temperatures, UE said that water expands by nearly 10 per cent when frozen.

This can cause even brand-new pipes to split, leading to leaks and flooding.

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UEs head of water operations, Margaret Attridge, elaborated: "We know from previous winters that freezing conditions can cause significant disruption for homes and businesses across the country.

"Our crews are ready to respond, but prevention is always better than cure."

Furthermore, Ms Attridge has advised Kildare residents to not leave taps running, as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can in fact impact on their local water supply.

"We also recommend that people don't run taps continually as this is not an effective way of preventing frozen pipes and can cause other problems such as frozen drains," Ms Attridge added. "It also puts further pressure on water supplies that may already be challenged by the freezing conditions.

UE's full advice for Kildare residents can be viewed below:

Insulate exposed pipes and water tanks: "Lagging material helps prevent freezing and heat loss."

Fix dripping taps: "Even small leaks can freeze and block pipes."

Service your boiler: "An efficient boiler will keep your home warm and also help to reduce your energy use."

Locate your stop valve: "Know how to turn off water quickly in an emergency."

Minimise draughts: "Cold air coming from outside can cause pipes to freeze inside your home."

Sign up for Uisce Eireanns free text alert service: "Stay informed about water outages and works in your area by simply visiting water.ie and entering your phone number and address".

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Last week, members of the Naas Historical Society, Kildare were warmly welcomed to Leinster House by Senator Aubrey McCarthy from Punchestown. The visit offered the group a unique opportunity to explore the historic seat of Irelands parliament and gain insights into its rich political and cultural heritage.

The delegation included well known local historians Ger McCarthy, Des Hipwell, Rory McKenna, Noel Fay, Hugh Crawford, and Tom Kinnehan. They were treated to a fully guided tour of both the Seanad Eireann and Dail Eireann, with a particular emphasis on the historical aspects of the buildings and the evolution of parliamentary life in Ireland.

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During their time in the Seanad chamber, the group received a special mention from the Cathaoirleach, acknowledging their presence in the visitors gallery. It was a proud moment for the Society, reflecting the respect in which local historians are held for their dedication to preserving and promoting Kildares heritage.

The visit was not without lighter moments. For Noel Fay, the day marked the achievement of a lifelong ambition: enjoying a pint in the famous Dail Bar.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy expressed his delight at hosting the Society, noting the importance of connecting local communities with national institutions. Our history is not just written in books. It lives in the places where decisions are made. I was honoured to welcome the Naas Historical Society and to share with them the story of Leinster House, he said
Labour TD for Kildare South, Mark Wall has urged the government to set up an emergency response unit to tackle the congestion problem on Kildare's M7 and N7 roads.

Speaking during Leaders Questions in the Dail today (Thursday, November 20), Deputy Wall said its not just workers that are affected, outlining harrowing stories of people missing medical appointments like chemotherapy because of delays.

Deputy Wall said: Put simply, the chaos on our roads is a direct consequence of this Government of failures policies. People have been pushed out of our capital city, forced to live in the commuter belt. There is a lack of public transport options, incredibly there is not an hourly train service along the Waterford to Heuston line despite so many people commuting to Dublin along this route.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail gave employers an effective right to refuse requests to work remotely. The call back to the office and the workplace is a problem cited time and again by many commuters who have contacted me about the crazy traffic delays.

Ive been calling for action on the M7 and N7 for months now. Thousands of people are now spending their lives stuck in daily traffic, stuck up to three hours trying to get to work. They are leaving their family homes at 6am just to barely make it to work in time for 9am.

It's not just workers that are affected. People are now missing critical medical appointments like chemotherapy because of these delays.

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In recent weeks, cancer patients are telling me that they are having to pull over to the side of the road because they are so unwell and cant make their appointment. Its absolutely outrageous that Government have not taken action.

Speaking directly to the Tanaiste today, Deputy Wall urged him to put pressure on Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Minister for Transport to urgently enact an emergency response unit for the M7 and other major motorways that are experiencing massive traffic delays - like what is in place on the M50.

Deputy Wall said that although this would not be a silver bullet, it would allow for better response to minor road traffic incidents and will help prevent traffic coming to a standstill at rush hour.

The commuter chaos needs to be addressed. The Tanaiste said he acknowledges the real life impact the enormous increase in traffic is having, but that is absolutely useless to people without serious action, he said.

At the very least, people deserve to be able to commute at a reasonable time, people who are attending appointments should be able to plan accordingly, not be left to essentially sit in a carpark which is what the N7 and M7 have become.
Online platform's Temu and SHEIN have recalled different products across Ireland amid a serious risk and harm to children's health.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has alerted the public to the following recalls and urges consumers to stop using the products immediately and to keep them out of reach of children.

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Cat Paw Squishy toy

A safety issue has been identified with a Cat Paw Squishy toy sold by KRAIDAY on the TEMU platform.

The risk reported to the CCPC is chemical, due to exposure to restricted phthalates over permitted limits. Exposure to phthalates can harm childrens health by potentially damaging their reproductive system.

The model number is JY100. The bar code is 7144531495. The batch number is 24100112. The Product identifier is 17592741866678.

There are approximately 103 affected products in the Republic of Ireland.

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Musical Rattle Toy

A safety issue has been identified with a Musical Rattle Toy sold by Musical Dreamer on TEMU platform.

The product presents a risk of choking. The product contains small parts which could become detached. A child may put a small part in their mouth and choke.

The brand is Unknown. The type/number of model is W0007  green. The batch number is 20240330.

There are approximately 74 affected products in the Republic of Ireland.

Plush Toy White Duck

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A safety issue has been identified with a Plush Toy White Duck sold by Claires on the TEMU platform.

The risk reported to the CCPC is of choking. Small parts can detach from the toy and become accessible, which could pose a risk of choking by ingestion.

The bar code is 3132347210. The batch number is 2024/04/20. The Product ID is 601099783878366.

There are approximately 6 affected products in the Republic of Ireland.

Mermaid Dress

SHEIN is carrying out a recall of a Mermaid Dress sold by a third-party seller (Shenzhen Yiyuanda Trading Co.; Ltd.) on SHEIN marketplace.

The product presents a burns risk. Children could wear the costume close to an ignition source, and the costume could catch fire, resulting in burns.

The brand is unknown. The type/number of models is unknown. The batch numbers are 20250615, 20250529001, 2454164. The bar code is PB2506250174013. The SKU number is sk2404188591855511.

There are approximately 68 affected products in the Republic of Ireland.

READ NEXT: Lily Allen announces Dublin date for tour of highly acclaimed album West End Girl

What to do:

If you purchased one of these products, please stop use immediately, discard the product, and keep it out of the reach of children.

If you wish to contact SHEIN for a refund or have any concerns or questions about this product this can be done by contacting SHEIN customer services by email at eurcsteam@shein.com.

Temu will ensure that affected customers receive notification regarding the relevant safety issue and assist them with the return or refund process.

If you have not received a refund or have further questions or concerns about this product, please contact Temus Dedicated Customer Service team by following the link here.
Ford Motor Company is preparing to roll out a redesigned dealership experience centered on hospitality and flexibility, marking a notable shift in how the automaker wants customers to interact with its brand. The first of these new spaces is planned for Ohio, where Ford will debut a hotel-influenced environment intended to make vehicle shopping and service feel more approachable.

The concept stems from the companys new Ford Signature 2.0 design standard, a global initiative shaped with input from dealers and anchored in human-centered design. Ford developed the approach to simplify the customer journey, allowing shoppers to move comfortably between online browsing and in-person visits without friction.

According to the company, the new format rests on four guiding principles: Hospitality First, Sales & Service Anywhere, Operations Excellence and Discover Ford. Together, they support a retail environment built around open spaces, intuitive navigation and areas meant for conversation rather than traditional sales counters. Dealers adopting the format will also receive expanded guest-experience training for their staff to reinforce the brands service expectations.

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Ford says the revised layout removes the traditional reception desk in favor of a central hub offering food, beverages and branded merchandise. The goal is to create an inviting first point of contact rather than a formal check-in area. The layout is meant to encourage self-guided exploration, giving customers room to move through vehicles, accessories and displays at their own pace.

The broader initiative is available for all Ford nameplates in the United States and 15 European markets. Customers can build, price and complete purchases online or in person, reflecting Fords effort to provide consistent experiences regardless of where a sale begins.

Transforming dealerships to meet the new standard will require substantial investment. While Ford has not disclosed exact costs, company leaders acknowledge that the redesign represents a significant ask of its retail network. Roughly 100 dealers have expressed early interest after previewing the concept in Las Vegas, and two locations are scheduled to be among the first openings in 2026: Skalnek Ford in Lake Orion, Michigan, and Baumann Ford Oregon near Toledo, Ohio.

More than 20 dealerships across ten countries will incorporate elements of the new Signature 2.0 experience by the end of this year. Ford plans to expand the model to 110 stores worldwide by late 2026 as part of its strategy to modernize the brands retail presence.

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Everyone loves that new car smell, but the process of car shopping can be kind of a drag. Schlepping from one dealership to another certainly becomes exhausting after a while, and don't even get us started on price negotiations. Alas, car shopping is a necessary evil if you need a new set of wheels. Since the process of buying a car is such a pain, you want to know that the vehicle you choose will last a long time. That's why Parade reached out to mechanics to pick their brains on the cars that are almost guaranteed to last over 200,000 miles.



As always, nothing is guaranteed in life, and even the most reliable vehicle needs consistent maintenance to stay in tip-top shape. That means you need to keep up with oil changes, keep an eye on factory recalls and promptly address any issues that do pop up over the course of your car's lifetime.



However, the mechanics we polled say they've encountered several car models that truly outlast the competition, making them a worthwhile investment.



Ready to get your money's worth when you head to the dealership? Consider investing in one of these reliable cars that mechanics swear by.



Related: The One Thing ER Doctors Are Begging You To Stop Doing in the Car

How Many Miles Does the Average Car Last?

All car models and brands are built differently, so it's no surprise that their average mileage can vary. However, 175,000 miles is a solid average when it comes to how long a car will last.



"Some will go more, some less," says Jonathan Bemis, the lead technician at VIP Auto in Maine.



Alex Kacsh, the owner of Accurate Automotive in Colorado, notes that regular maintenance is key to making sure your car stays healthy. Getting an oil change every 5,000 miles is one simple way you can avoid issues.



"The hard part is that there is an understanding that oil changes can be done every 10,000 miles, which is beyond risky for engines and the lifespan of vehicles," he says.



Since people are waiting longer to get their oil change done, Kacsh and his team have noticed a lot of cars with "premature damage to engines and timing chains."



If you're lucky, you can get 200,000-250,000 miles out of some cars. The rare gems can even last well beyond that.



"With Toyota, Subaru and Hondas, 250,000 miles is only half of the vehicle's life," he shares.



Related: If Your Vehicle Doesnt Have a Name, It Needs One! Here Are 300 of the Best Car Name Ideas of All Time

7 Cars That Are 'Almost Guaranteed' To Last Over 200k Miles, According to Mechanics

1. Toyota 4Runner

Kacsh calls the Toyota 4Runner "one of the most reliable vehicles out there that holds its value."



When it comes to 4Runner engines and transmissions, he says they "rarely have failures." Aside from routine maintenance and run-of-the-mill issues, 4Runner owners typically don't have to invest exorbitant amounts of money into maintaining their vehicles.

2. Honda Accord

Kacsh says Hondas have "one of the largest fanbases" for one major reason: dependability.



"Hondas that have the VTEC system will have to be addressed, but outside of that, Honda is a great, reliable vehicle that is consistent throughout all generations," he shares.

3. Subaru (Outback and Impreza)

Kacsh describes Subarus as "strong, reliable vehicles" that are built to withstand "any climate." He acknowledges that the brand is known for head gasket issues, which can be pricey, but says it's "rare" for this issue to show up again once the initial repairs are made.



"[A] Subaru's natural environment is a Colorado winter. That is why Boulder is the capital of Subarus," he explains. "They will get you where you need to be. I have seen Subaru engines be driven without oil and cause no issues with the engine. I cannot say that about any other car."



Related: 25 Car Date Ideas That Give Your Evening Out an Extra Unique Spin

4. Jeep Wranglers

Compared to other vehicles, Jeep Wranglers are more "cost-effective" when it comes to repairs for common issues that are associated with the car, Kacsh says.



"Even with modifications, suspension issues and the known 'death wobble,' Jeep Wranglersas long as they are being repairedare one of the strongest vehicles that the United States should be proud of," the mechanic shares.

5. Toyota (Corolla and Camry)

The engine and transmission are two potentially pricey repairs that some car models seem to encounter more often than not. But that's not the case with the Toyota Corolla and Camry, according to Bemis, who says these parts "last forever" on the cars.



"Both car models easily eclipse 250,000 miles and up with regular maintenance," he explains.

6. Chevy (2500 and 3500)

With proper maintenance and care, Bemis says these Chevy models "will all absolutely go well over the 200,000 mark." He also has personal experience with the Chevy 2500, a car he previously owned.



"My last 2500 had 252,000 miles on it when I sold it. It's still running around. I saw it a few days ago," he shares.



Bemis says these Chevy models are "well built for the most part" and a solid option, as long as you don't opt for a diesel, which can be very high maintenance due to "known injector problems and fuel issues."

7. Honda CR-V

Bemis has seen a lot in his time as a mechanic, but he has seen "no major failures" on most of the Honda CR-Vs he's encountered, making them one of his top picks for a reliable car that won't cost you an arm and a leg to own.



"Regular maintenance makes them great candidates for the 250,000-mile club," he shares.



Up Next:

Related: Get Your Money Right With These 55 Money Saving Tips From the Experts

Sources:

Alex Kacsh is the owner of Accurate Automotive in Colorado.

Jonathan Bemis is the lead technician at VIP Auto in Maine.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Testing of self-driving technology in the UK is planned for 2026. Credit: Flystock / Shutterstock.com.

Testing of self-driving technology in the UK is planned for 2026. Credit: Flystock / Shutterstock.com. (Flystock / Shutterstock.com.)

A Startline Motor Finance survey has revealed that a majority of motorists are concerned about road safety when trials of self-driving vehicles in the UK commence in 2026.

The research suggests that many drivers plan to modify their behaviour when encountering autonomous vehicles during this period.

Findings from the November Startline Used Car Tracker reveal that 64% of motorists feel uneasy about sharing roads with autonomous vehicles once testing starts.

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The survey also noted that 64% of those polled intend to be more cautious near these vehicles, 28% do not support testing on public roads, 27% foresee a decrease in road safety, and 11% expect unpredictable actions from self-driving cars.

According to the results, 41% of motorists are curious and plan to observe how autonomous vehicles operate.

Among the respondents, 39% intend to continue their usual driving practices around self-driving vehicles, 21% anticipate adapting quickly, and 15% believe such technology could improve road safety.

Testing of self-driving technology in the UK will initially focus on passenger transport vehicles such as buses and taxis.

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Companies such as Waymo and Uber are expected to participate in these trials.

The legislative framework enabling these tests, the Autonomous Vehicles Act, requires that self-driving vehicles demonstrate capabilities comparable to a careful human driver.

The Startline Used Car Tracker is produced each month for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research. This months survey gathered input from 302 consumers and 60 dealers with experience in the motor industry.

Startline Motor Finance CEO Paul Burgess said: There has been news of autonomous vehicles in the press for some years that has prompted a great deal of public interest but the situation will get real with tests starting on our roads next year.

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Findings show there is a high degree of nervousness around their arrival, which is very much understandable  suddenly finding yourself sharing a road with a vehicle that has no driver will be a new and unnerving experience for most motorists. Responding to that situation by driving more cautiously is a very human response.

An earlier survey by Startline revealed that most UK motorists support the introduction of increased parking fees for large SUVs in cities, in line with measures adopted in Paris, France.

"UK motorists express concern about autonomous vehicle safety: Startline" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand.




MAJOR QUEUES have stretched along Catherine Street in the city this Thursday, as crowds have gathered outside a well-known Limerick retailer - but it isn't match tickets these shoppers are hoping to score!

Although doors did not open until 11am, the line began forming early, and the queue soon snaked onto Roches St as the morning crowd continued to grow.

The surge of interest follows last weeks announcement that the long-time Limerick retailer, Silke One-Stop Art and Stationery, will close on Christmas Eve after more than 30 years in business.

READ MORE: Well-loved Limerick city centre retailer to cease trading after more than 30 years

One early morning shopper spoke to Limerick Live and said, Ive been coming to Silkes for years and I am so sad to see it go. I came in this morning for one last look around and to hopefully find a good bargain.

Now, with its windows covered in bold Clearance Sale signage, the shop has become a magnet for bargain-seekers and long-time customers hoping for one last look.

The much-loved store, easily recognised by the giant pencil above its entrance, has long been a creative staple for the people of Limerick and beyond.

Proprietor 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.
LIMERICK Traveller Network (LTN) today launched its first-ever Strategic Plan at a special event hosted in the Limerick City and County Council offices.

The occasion marks a significant moment for the Traveller community in Limerick and signals what LTN hopes will be the beginning of a stronger, more collaborative working relationship between the Network and local statutory and community and voluntary agencies.

Established in 2019 by Traveller women Olive OReilly and Margaret OBrien, LTN now represents the majority of Travellers across Limerick City and has worked tirelessly to give the community a united voice. The Strategic Plan, developed through extensive consultations with Traveller families and local stakeholders, sets out a five-year roadmap (20262030) focused on the most pressing issues identified by the community: Mental health, education and school engagement, accommodation, youth and family supports and discrimination.

Over recent years, LTN has become a key driver of community-led change, delivering initiatives such as the Traveller Education Change Project, political awareness campaigns, wellbeing events, mentoring supports and active engagement with schools, youth services and Traveller accommodation structures.

READ MORE: Island Road becomes latest canvas in Limericks Wildlife Walls project

The launch of the Strategic Plan in the Council chamber - with Mayor of Limerick, John Moran hosting the event - sends an important message about shared commitment. For the Traveller community, this visibility and recognition reflects a step toward more equitable partnership in decisions that directly affect their lives.

Speaking at the launch, LTN co-founder Olive OReilly said:

"This plan comes directly from Travellers in Limerick - our voices, our stories, our hopes for our children. Having Mayor Moran launch it in the Council offices means a great deal to us. It shows that agencies and services are starting to understand Traveller issues more clearly, and we are hopeful that this is the beginning of a better working relationship with Limerick City and County Council. When Travellers and services come together, real change is possible."

LTN will continue working with local partners, Council departments, schools, health services and community organisations to turn the Strategic Plan into action and deliver meaningful improvements for Traveller families across Limerick.
Irish deputy premier Simon Harris accused Sinn Fein of hypocrisy as they claimed the Irish government had made it impossible for people to stay warm this winter.

Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said the number of those in energy arrears, published by the energy regulator on Wednesday, was a flashing red light for what was to come during the cold months.

He said the 180,000 households in arrears with their gas bills did not include those who are only managing to keep up.

He said the Tanaistes advice in the Dail that people should not be afraid to turn on their heating would be of cold comfort and that without intervention, there would be a serious winter of disconnect  discontent  for so many, many families.

He criticised the government not issuing energy credits again, as they had helped people survive last winter.

Mr Harris said the government was conscious of the low-temperature warnings issued for 10 counties from 11pm on Thursday until Friday morning.

He said the government had intervened on fuel poverty, referencing the fuel allowance, now worth more than 1,000 euro a year; expanding the working family payment so that they can qualify for the fuel allowance, meaning 450,000 homes, or around a quarter of all homes, would qualify for the payment; a freeze on the VAT rate at 9% for gas and electricity bills for the next five years; and a reduced PSO (Public Service Obligation) levy.

He said energy minister Darragh OBrien had met the four largest energy companies who said they each have hardship funds in place for vulnerable customers, and there was a disconnection moratorium in place for registered vulnerable customers from November until March 31.

I want to be very clear this winter, nobody should be afraid to turn on their heat during the cold weather, Mr Harris said.

Mr Doherty said that his advice would be cold comfort to people.

Dont be cold this winter. Do you not listen to the facts? Do you not listen to what has been said by the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), the hard, unvarnished facts: 70,000 more households, more families, more individuals, more houses, real people cannot pay their electricity bill in the first six months of this year.

The record number that were seeing is from the middle of July, the warmest month of the year.

He added: I put it to you, you have consciously made it impossible for people to stay warm this winter, and I would ask you to bring forward energy credits to support these families and provide them with a lifeline during these winter months.

Mr Harris said Sinn Feins call for more to be done for those struggling to pay energy bills this winter was hypocrisy.

You have a partitionist approach when it comes to energy policy, Mr Harris said.

You dont think its enough for somebody in Co Louth to have 1,000 euro in fuel allowance this winter, but you think someone up the road in Armagh should get by on just 100?

He said the Northern Ireland Executive was led by Sinn Fein and both the finance and economy minister roles at Stormont are held by Sinn Feins John ODowd and Caoimhe Archibald.

Youre the largest party in the Assembly. You havent put forward a cost-of-living package. The fuel allowance is a paltry 100 to 300 compared to the 1,000 euro here.

So to the people at home this winter  access our supports, but dont fall for their hypocrisy, Mr Harris said.

Fine Gael ministers were heard saying you dont like the truth as members on the Sinn Fein benches objected while Labour TD for Kildare South Mark Wall began speaking during his time slot.
THERE may be 665 days to go to the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor but the first round of hotel packages were released on the official website on Monday.

There was a 10-minute wait to get onto the website, then patrons had 10 minutes to book a hotel of their choice.

READ NEXT: 'Excitement building' for Adare Manor tournament - European Ryder Cup director

Included in the experience package is five nights accommodation, ground transportation and four-day standard Ryder Cup ticket. The hotels listed include ones in Killarney, Cork and Galway.

There are two local venues available so far - South Court Hotel in Raheen from 7,564 and Longcourt House Hotel in Newcastle West, 8,422, both per person.

Julie Collins, executive sales and events manager at the Longcourt, said: We are delighted to welcome our guests from the US and Europe for what's sure to be one of the most memorable sporting events to come to Limerick in recent times.

Excitement is already reaching fever pitch as can be seen by the photos taken at the hotel on Tuesday.

Ms Collins said they received their first enquiry well over a year ago.

"We already have a waiting list but will try and accommodate as many fans as we can. There is huge demand and it's going to be huge for Limerick and the hospitality industry! said Ms Collins.

The experience packages, according to the Ryder Cup Travel Services website, means "being there from start to finish, without missing a moment of the action, for one of the greatest occasions in world sport".

As part of the five-night experience, you arrive at your hotel on Wednesday, September 15, 2027 and depart on Monday, September 20, while soaking in the Ryder Cup atmosphere for four days, Thursday to Sunday.

Enjoy ticket-inclusive accommodation experiences plus return ground transport from your hotel to the course each day.

The five-night experience includes hotel accommodation based on bed and breakfast (unless otherwise stated); ground transportation (transfers from the hotel to the course and back between Thursday to Sunday inclusive) and four-day standard Ryder Cup ticket, giving you access to the final practice day, opening ceremony, the three Ryder Cup match days and trophy presentation (Thursday to Sunday), says the promotional material.

It notes that prices are per person and include all applicable service charges/taxes. No flight cost is included in any "experience".

Upon booking, payment of 50% of the order total is required. The remaining 50% payment is due by April 1, 2027.

While staff at the Longcourt House Hotel are looking forward to the Ryder Cup in 2027, much closer on the horizon is former X Factor star Mary Byrne.

All Wrapped Up - a festive afternoon of fashion, beauty, stalls, music, drinks and canape reception, produced in partnership with FH Events and Orla OSullivan, is on Sunday November 30 at 1pm.

Ms Collins said this very special event proudly supports Pieta, with headline sponsorship from Specsavers Limerick.

Expect an afternoon of style, sparkle and community spirit as the incredible Mary Byrne joins us as our special guest for a performance and meet and greet. Tickets are available now directly from the hotel or via our social media, said Ms Collins.
MUMBAI : Indias national capital has seen two citizen-led protests in November over the government's inaction to address dangerously worsening air quality.

Health experts have declared the winter air pollution in New Delhi a public health emergency, urging strict and long-term solutions similar to those taken to curb the covid-19 outbreak.

Mint examines the measures in place to tackle air pollution-linked health risks, and what more could be done.

How bad is the situation?

Air quality in the National Capital Region and in neighbouring cities across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh has been deteriorating since Octoberan annual phenomenon driven by factors such as stubble burning, firecracker use, and vehicular emissions, and exacerbated by low wind speeds, winter temperature inversions, and the regions topography.

Also Read | Electric vehicles also cause air pollution

This year as well, hospitals started reporting a significant rise in the number of people visiting outpatient departments as air quality worsened. On 18 November, doctors at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said in a seminar that they had observed a 10-15% increase in respiratory cases across the departments of pulmonary medicine, respiratory medicine, and ophthalmology since Diwali, celebrated on 20 October.

Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, saw a 20% increase in air pollution-linked OPD footfall, while respiratory disease-related hospitalisation jumped 10% post-Diwali, Dr Manoj Kumar Goel, principal director and unit head of pulmonology and sleep medicine, told Mint.

While Delhi is at the centre of the storm, the problem is far more widespread: 13 of the worlds 20 most polluted cities are in India. According to a recent Lancet study, the country recorded 1.72 million deaths from outdoor air pollution in 2022up 38% since 2010.

Also Read | Environment ministry orders petrol cars, ignoring advisory on cleaner vehicles

What do health experts think?

Dr Anant Mohan, head of pulmonary medicines and sleep disorders at AIIMS-Delhi, termed the situation a public health emergency", called for state agencies to take drastic steps". Masks and purifiers offer limited protection, he said, adding that the city needs real, long-term solutions".

While people with pre-existing conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease, are more prone to flare-ups, healthy people are also falling sick, according to doctors at AIIMS.

There is an increased risk of infection in the lungs, like pneumonia, sinusitis, bronchitis, respiratory failure, and asthma, which may require hospitalization," said Dr Goel, adding that children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to risks.

Common symptoms of air pollution-related ailments include wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, burning eyes, and skin irritation.

Is there an adaptation plan?

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) in 2019, aiming to strengthen the countrys healthcare system to handle cases linked to climate change.

Under the NPCCHH, a health adaptation plan for diseases due to air pollution was released in 2021. The document provides a framework for states and Union territories to tackle air pollution-related illnesses by defining the roles of key stakeholders and outlining strategies to address challenges.

It includes identifying air pollution hotspots and vulnerable areas; mapping healthcare infrastructure and establishing priority-based surveillance; allocating appropriate resources to public health facilities; training healthcare workers; issuing timely health alerts; and coordinating with key stakeholders in non-health sectors.

An updated health ministry advisory in 2024 recommended that state and district health departments establish systems to access daily air quality data and share it with healthcare facilities, increase awareness campaigns, train medical staff and community workers and enhance surveillance. It urges healthcare facilities to prepare by bolstering essential equipment, including emergency medicines, oxygen, ventilators, diagnostics, beds, and referral mechanisms.

Whats being done?

Last week, in the wake of rising cases, the Centre issued an updated advisory, mandating the setting up of chest clinics in government health facilities and medical colleges, dedicated to screening, treatment, and follow-up of cardiopulmonary illnesses linked to air pollution. These clinics are expected to identify risk factors, confirm diagnoses, and provide long-term care for patients suffering from respiratory and heart diseases aggravated by air pollution.

During the peak air pollution months (September to March), the clinics are expected to function for at least two hours daily. The Centre has also directed states to record cases, and all health centres and district hospitals have been asked to ensure adequate medical supplies, as well as trained staff. Private hospitals, such as Fortis, have extended their OPD hours as cases surge.

What more could be done?

These are reactionary measures, designed to address the fallout. Citizens and health advocates demand long-term interventions to curb air pollution and accountability.

Wellness influencer Luke Coutinho's plea on 24 October in the Supreme Court sought to declare air pollution a national public health emergency. It highlighted that the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in 2019 has not met its objectives and sought a direction to make NCAP targets binding with statutory force, including clear timelines, measurable indicators, and enforceable penalties for non-compliance".

The top court on 18 November refused to entertain the plea but allowed the petitioner to file an intervention plea in a pending case filed by environmentalist M.C. Mehta on the subject.
Automation is beginning to reshape Indias tech-hiring landscape, with global capability centres (GCCs) pulling back on routine recruitmentintensifying the slowdown already hitting large staffing firms dependent on IT hiring.

This trend raises concerns for staffing and job-hunting firms including TeamLease Services Ltd, Quess Corp, and Info Edge (India) Ltd, as IT-related hiring by GCCs and IT services companies is among their biggest sources of business, fetching them up to 44% of their revenue.

Most large scale GCCs that had expanded majorly over the past few years are now focussing on transforming their processes in areas of people management, technology, and shared services (IT and customer support functions). Hence, currently their hiring volumes are not in line with their previous years hiring," said Neeti Sharma, chief executive of TeamLease Digital, in an emailed response to Mint's queries.

GCCs, which traditionally hire specialized talent at higher salaries than IT outsourcers, are looking to reduce their intake of people, according to a Mint report on 1 September. Lower hiring by these tech centres has started to show its impact on staffing firms, which get between 4-10% of their revenue from such centres.

Also Read | Engineering graduates face fewer IT jobs as automation reshapes hiring

IT slowdown spreads to captives

For two years, staffing firms have flagged muted hiring by IT outsourcers because of weak global demand. This year, GCC hiring has also begun slipping, forcing staffing companies to trim growth expectations.

Still, Sharma added that GCCs are hiring in areas of AI/ML (machine learning), cybersecurity, cloud, and data roles. TeamLease ended July-September 2025 with 3,032 crore in revenue, up 4.9% sequentially.

A similar trend was highlighted by Quess Corp.

Certain traditional IT and support roles (for GCCs) have plateaued due to automation - but the slowdown is not uniform," said Kapil Joshi, CEO of IT Staffing at Quess Corp, in an emailed response to Mint's queries.

The decline is concentrated in entry-level, repeatable roles. Specialized talent demand remains resilient," said Joshi.

Quess ended last quarter with 3,832 crore in revenue, up 5% sequentially. To be sure, Quess is the only large staffing and recruitment firm that shares revenue from GCCs.

The Bengaluru-based firm earned 4% of its total revenue 155 crorefrom GCCs last quarter, down 13% sequentially. The decline signals weakening demand from captives and highlights the risk of over-reliance on IT-linked hiring.

Most other staffing and job-hunting platforms, including Info Edge, club GCC income with IT or specialized staffing categories.

For now, there is a shift to specialized hiring, according to a third staffing and job-hunting firm, which added that GCCs are not hiring as they used to in the past.

They (GCCs) have also over time moved up the value chain. You are seeing a lot of high-end jobs also move to India now, which was perhaps not the case earlier. Earlier, most GCCs or back offices used to be about just hiring IT workers and call centre employees. That's not the case anymore," said Hitesh Oberoi, co-promoter and managing director of Info Edge, during the companys post-earnings analyst call on 12 November.

Info Edge, the parent company of Naukri.com, ended the last quarter with 746 crore in revenue, up 1.36% sequentially.

Also Read | Mid-sized IT companies bet on GCC advisory firms to score quick deal wins

H-1B hope fades amid uncertainty

Expectations had risen that US moves to tighten H-1B visa rules would push more Fortune 500 companies to open GCCs in India, creating new jobs. India is already a major hub thanks to its scale and skilled talent.

However, Oberoi said the impact of the norms was hard to say" even as multiple companies continue to open their tech centres in the country.

So now, will this H-1B issue lead to more hiring in GCCs? I don't know, because things keep changing every few weeks. So, a lot of clarifications have been issued by the US government. So, I don't know whether this will have an impact on more jobs getting created in India," said Oberoi.

A questionnaire sent to Info Edge went unanswered.

Also Read | GCCs preferred hiring leaders from IT services firms. Not anymore

Hiring pivots to non-tech sectors

Staffing firms expect hiring to become more value-driven, with higher salaries for specialized roles even as IT-related hiring remains weak.

IT hiring remains soft, but non-tech sectors such as retail, manufacturing, and GCCs continue to show steady growth," said Motilal Oswal analysts Abhishek Pathak, Keval Bhagat, and Tushar Dhonde in a note dated 12 November.

Firms also anticipate more hiring from pharma, retail and manufacturing, alongside a rise in AI-led investment by GCCs.

GCCs are evolving into AI-native capability centres. Investments in university partnerships, stack-aligned upskilling programs, and advanced AI platforms will drive the next phase of growth," said Quess Joshi.

Demand from tier-2 cities is also expected to shoot up.

Growth will come from nano GCCs which are AI-powered, 50150 person delivery hubs, emerging in Tier-2 cities. These are delivering specialized output with lower cost and faster deployment," said Sharma, adding that growth will shift from headcount to capability.

According to the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), India has more than 1,760 GCCs, of which 875 are in Bengaluru and 355 in Hyderabad. These GCCs generate export revenue of at least $64.6 billion, which is almost a fourth of the IT sector's $283 billion.

Nasscom estimates India to have 2,200 GCCs by March 2030 with its market worth $105 billion by then.
Honda is recalling 256,603 vehicles because of a software flaw that can cause drivers to lose power, increasing the risk of a crash, according to federal regulators.

The recall affects Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles with model years 2023-2025, according to a Nov. 17 notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The recall stems from an issue with the vehicles' internal software, which could reset while a motorist is driving. Dealers will reprogram the defective software free of charge, the government agency said.

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Honda will send letters to affected owners on Jan. 5, 2026, NHTSA said. Owners can also call Honda's customer service line at 1-888-234-2138. The recall number is TN2. Vehicle Identification Numbers involved in the recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning Nov. 18.

Earlier this month, Honda also recalled more than 406,000 vehicles over a separate defect that can cause the vehicles' wheels to detach. In June, the Japanese automaker recalled more than 259,000 vehicles in the U.S. because some cars could have a brake pedal defect.

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American private-equity giant TPG has agreed to invest $1 billion in Tata Consultancy Services data centre business, as the countrys largest information technology services company looks to entrust a Tata Group executive with heading the business.

San Francisco-based TPG, which has $286 billion in assets under management, agreed to invest 8,820 crore to pick up a 49% stake in HyperVault AI Data Centre, the subsidiary TCS set up last month as part its plan to build 1 GW of data centre capacity by 2031. TCS will own the remaining 51%.

Deepesh Nanda, who currently heads Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Power Ltd, is expected to head HyperVault AI Data Centre, according to an executive privy to the development.

On Thursday, TCS informed the exchanges that the company and TPG would invest up to 18,000 crore over the next few years. This marks TCSs first concrete step towards building a data centre business, a first among the countrys largest IT outsourcers.

Also Read | BSNL dials vendors TCS, Tejas to fix weak signals

With this capability, TCS is uniquely positioned to deliver complete AI solutions for its customers and partners. We are excited and committed to play a leading role in creating world-class AI infrastructure and solutions for the industry and work towards making TCS the largest AI-led technology services company, said N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Group.

For now, TCS is looking to build a more than 120 MW data centre facility in Navi Mumbai, which is expected to be operational in 18 months, according to the executive cited above.

TPGs investment in TCSs data centre business marks its second deal with a Tata Group company. In October 2021, it agreed to invest $1 billion in Tata Motors passenger electric vehicle unit, valuing it at $9.5 billion.

TPGs investment in the data centre business is also the second foreign investment in a new-age business of the Tata group. Earlier this year AESC Group Ltd, a Chinese-owned EV battery maker with origins and a base in Japan, picked up a stake in Tata Groups flagship EV battery company Agratas Energy Storage Solutions Pvt, Mint reported on 11 August.

Shift in strategy TCSs entry into the data centre space, arguably its biggest bet yet, was tucked away in chief executive K Krithivasans prepared remarks during the company's post-earnings analyst call on 9 October. TCS said at the time it would invest $6.5 billion over six years to build 1 GW of data centre capacity.

Essentially, this mitigates risk as we get an external investor to put money in a business that needs it, said an executive, who did not wish to be named.

This marks a shift from TCSs strategy  and that of the IT sector at large  of serving mainly as an IT outsourcer specialising in handling coding, customer support, application development and maintenance, cloud, data and AI functions, for foreign clients. The company, which generated $30.18 billion of revenue last year, is now focusing on its domestic market, which currently accounts for only about 6% of its total business.

Also Read | There are a few positives in IT sector, but not enough to allay fears

AZB & Partners was TCSs legal counsel, and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP its tax advisors for the deal. TPG had Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Latham & Watkins LLP as legal counsel, and Price Waterhouse & Co. LLP as tax advisors.

TCS's push into data centres is part of its plan to become the worlds largest AI-led tech services company. Aarthi Subramanian, chief operating officer, said during the analyst call last month, If you look at the entire AI stack, starting from infrastructure as the starting layer, all the way up to the apps and the agentic apps at the (top) most layer, this gives us the coverage across the AI technology stack.

Less profitable than core business The company plans to sell these solutions to pure-play AI providers, deep tech firms, hyperscalers, the Indian government, and local enterprises. Hyperscalers are large-scale cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

However, this pivot comes at the cost of profitability. Management said during an investor call earlier this month that the asset-heavy data centre business would be less profitable than its mainstay IT services business.

For now, the data centre market is expected to expand on the back of higher demand due to more mobile switching to 5G, increased cloud adoption, regulatory requirements to store data within a particular region, and new, data-hungry applications.

Mumbai  where TCSs data centre is planned  and Chennai house nearly 65% of the countrys data centre capacity, with 536 megawatts and 113 megawatts, respectively. Indias data centre capacity is expected to touch 3GW by 2030 from 1.03GW at the end of last year, according to the Kotak Mutual Fund report.

TCS shares are up 2.74% since the announcement on 9 October, closing at 3,145.75 on 20 November.

Also Read | Indian IT services companies see AI impact on future hirings
US wireless carrier Verizon announced on Thursday it will lay off more than 13,000 employees marking its largest single job cut drive triggered by plans to shrink costs and restructure operations.

The news was announced in an email sent to all employees by Chief Executive Officer Dan Schulman, viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

The internal message said that the layoffs will begin with the job cut of 13,000 employees, making it the largest such drive at the biggest wireless carrier in the US.

Our current cost structure limits our ability to invest significantly in our customer value proposition, Schulman said in the note to employees.

We must simplify our operations to address the complexity and friction that slow us down and frustrate our customers, the letter mentions further.

We must reorient our entire company around delivering for and delighting our customers

The Verizon CEO further said that the company will significantly reduce outsourced and other outside labour expenses.

We must reorient our entire company around delivering for and delighting our customers, he wrote.

The Verizon layoffs will shrink the company by as much as 20% of its non-union workforce as Verizon moves to take a major step towards Schulman's turnaround plan.

Verizon also said it plans to convert 179 corporate-owned retail stores into franchised operations and close one store. Verizon will still hold 1,300 corporate-owned stores and more than 6,000 franchises, a spokesperson told Bloomberg.

Verizon planned to cut 15,000 jobs According to reports by Reuters, Wall Street Journal and others, Verizon initially planned to lay off 15,000 employees. However, the company's leadership changed its mind to scale back the job cuts since last week, as per a WSJ report quoting a person familiar with the matter.

Most of the job cuts will affect Verizon's US employees, Reuters reported.

Also Read | TCS layoffs under scrutiny as Pune labour commissioner issues summons

The US employees who are getting the pink slips will be notified on Thursday itself, while some employees abroad may be informed of their status in coming weeks, WSJ reported quoting the person with knowledge of the matter.

As of February, Verizon had approximately 100,000 employees in the US, securities filings show. Most of them are non-unionized.

Verizon Layoffs: AI stealing jobs? Verizon CEO Dan Schulman said the company was establishing a $20 million career transition fund for laid-off employees to focus on the opportunities and necessary skill sets as we enter the age of AI.

Verizon said the job cuts were not the result of the company's use of AI.

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.
Health device and tech startup Ultrahuman is moving towards diversifying its revenue streams both from a geographies and products point of view, according to the company's co-founder.

In the US, our non-ring category is growing very fast, as are the non-US geographies," Mohit Kumar, also Ultrahuman's CEO, told Mint. We're not dependant on one thing or solving just one problem."

The company recently launched in Australia, Canada and Germany as it seeks diversify its business after the US International Trade Commission banned it last month from importing and selling its smart rings in the US, which accounts for 45-50% of its revenue. The ban was over an infringement of a patent owned by rival Oura.

Kumar said that three months after Ultrhuman's launch in Canada, the country accounts for 5% of its revenue. Countries like Canada, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand are quick adoption markets because of their demographic similarity to the US."

Diversifying revenues

Ultrahuman is also working on growing its product offerings as it doesn't want to be just known as a smart ring company. Apart from smart rings Ring AIR and Ring Rare, it also offers blood tests as well as a glucose monitoring patch the M1 CGM, and Home, a health device capable of monitoring environmental markers that impact health.

Apart from its smart rings, blood testing has turned out to be its fastest growing offering. Ultrahuman is also testing out adding new bio-markers to tests. The education gap isn't too much because we need to just tell people why we need to test more markers and what to do with them. At the end of the day, its supplemental information on lifestyle changes," said Kumar.

It's why Ultrahuman says it doesn't like to call itself a traditional health-tech company but more as a self-quantification company". It's also why the company is working on different form factors including patches as well as on-wrist devices that it will begin rolling out in the coming quarters. It declined comment on timelines.

Also Read | upGrad takes aim at big ticket courses at 40 offline centres by end of FY26

On smart rings, however, Kumar said that Ultrahuman was working on its next ring that would solve for the patent dispute in the US and is slated for a release in Q1 of 2026. While its smart rings are still banned in the US, retailers holding inventory are permitted to sell them, with the company continiuing to provide support. We don't expect any material impact on our FY26 numbers," said Kumar.

The road ahead for Ultrahuman lies in parsing user data for insights that help users, an expert said. "I think the big evolution in the space will be how things move from different form factors to an overall ecosystem. Here, we might see a couple of apps doing that are doing real time analysis, maybe with an AI overlay that helps users understand their health better," said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research.

"For companies like Ultrahuman to maintain a competitive advantage, it's directly linked to how they are analysing and understanding user data to ensure they give consumers relevant and accurate information about their bodies and health," said Pathak.

Sales season ahead

As part of its geographical push, Ultrahuman has raised Rs100 crore in venture debt from Alteria Capital. The debt raise is also in part to tap the ongoing festive season in the West with sales like Black Friday and for Christmas coming up. We want to shore up a little bit of extra capital before we raise another larger equity round," Kumar said.

While Ultrahuman is an Indian company, in previous years the country's contribution to revenue hovered around 5%. However, it is expecting to close out this fiscal at 8-9% on account of a stronger offline push by tying up with retailers like Croma and Reliance.

Also Read | TVS Capital joins the search for AI-powered IT disruptor

Kumar said that an offline push in the country would be critical to converting users. That will include Ultrahuman-run stores and experience centres. However, he conceded that there was still more the company had to do if it wanted to hit its target of India contributing 25% of their overall revenue by 2030.

I think we need to launch newer form factors, more accessible form factors, both from a price as well as a gender demographics perspective," he said.
India is taking a major step toward widening public participation in highway financing, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) set to launch its maiden public infrastructure investment trust, the Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT).

The proposed public InvIT, announced by the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), is expected to deepen the governments road-asset monetization pipeline and bring retail, pension and domestic institutional investors directly into the funding of national highways.

This will be NHAIs second InvIT after the National Highway Infra Trust was set up in 2020 as a private InvIT.

Also Read | How InvITs are changing the way India builds highways

As part of the new initiative, NHAI has incorporated Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt Ltd (RIIMPL) as the investment manager. The entity was launched in Mumbai by NHAI chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, the ministry said.

RIIMPL is a collaborative venture with equity participation from leading banks and financial institutions, including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, NaBFID, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv Ventures Ltd., HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank.

The partnership aims to unlock the monetization potential of the National Highway assets while creating a high-quality, long-term investment product primarily targeting domestic retail investors.

V. Umashankar, secretary of MorTH said the trust is likely to be up and running by early next year and may raise close to 7,000-8,000 crore from its public issue before the end of current fiscal year in March.

The first issuance of InvIT units for retail and public investors is expected to be launched in February, said a MoRTH statement.

The projects to be assigned to the proposed InvIT is being finalized after which fund raising exercise would be done. The idea is also to allow retail investors to subscribe to units of the InvIT, for the very first time," the secretary said. "Our focus is to get domestic pension funds and state pension funds to invest in units of the prosed InvIT.

He said NHAI will hold 15% equity in the new InvIT as its sponsor, while balance equity up to a 50% level may be subscribed by the banks joining the InvIT. Though there would be no specific reservation for retail investors during the first round of fund raising by the InvIT.

Rajendra Kumar, member (finance) at NHAI, has been appointed as the managing director and chief executive officer (additional charge) of the investment manager company.

NHAI has established a robust record in asset monetization. In recent years, we have successfully monetized assets worth 48,995 crore through the toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model and raised around 43,638 crore across four rounds of private InvITs, attracting major domestic and international investors, NHAI chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said.

Over the next three-five years, around 1,500 km of completed and operational National Highways will be introduced into the public InvIT, opening substantial investment avenues for the public. I am sure that this initiative will mark a new chapter of public participation in building the National Highway infrastructure in the country, he added.

RIIMPL will focus on establishing robust governance standards, fully aligned with SEBIs InvIT regulations, ensuring transparency, investor protection, as well as best-in-class reporting and compliance frameworks.
Gary Mounfield, widely known as Mani, the influential bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, has died at the age of 63. His passing was confirmed by former Stone Roses bandmate Ian Brown on social media, who wrote: Rest in peace Mani.

Madchester pioneer Mounfield was a key member of The Stone Roses classic lineup alongside Ian Brown, John Squire, and drummer Alan Reni Wren. He played on their 1989 self-titled debut album, which included iconic tracks like I Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs The Drums, and I Am The Resurrection. The album helped define the Madchester sound of the late 1980s and early 1990s, blending rock and dance rhythms, and influenced future Britpop acts such as Oasis, Blur, and Pulp.

From Stone Roses to Primal Scream After recording the Roses second album, Second Coming (1994), Mani joined Primal Scream in 1997 following The Stone Roses split in 1996. He became central to the bands evolving sound, notably powering the krautrock-influenced single Kowalski from Vanishing Point, and recorded four more albums with the group.

Musician Tim Burgess of The Charlatans shared a photo with him, saying: It never failed to bring a smile to my face  and that was exactly the same for the man himself.

Beyond music Mounfield also appeared in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People and later joined the bass supergroup Freebass with Andy Rourke (The Smiths) and Peter Hook (New Order). He had planned a 2026 speaking tour titled The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, And Me, reflecting on his decades-long career in rock.
November 21 movie releases - A vibrant mix of thrillers, dramas, comedies, and romantic tales is headed to South Indian cinemas this Friday, as nine films across Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada industries prepare for release on 21 November. From intimate character-driven arcs to big-canvas action thrillers, the week promises an eclectic spectrum of storytelling for audiences seeking fresh narratives and regional diversity.

Which Telugu films are releasing on November 21? 12A Railway Colony

Among Telugu releases, 12A Railway Colony stands out as a psychological horror thriller directed by Nani Kasaragadda. The film stars Allari Naresh as Karthik, a man whose life spirals into turmoil after he develops feelings for his neighbour, setting off a chain of shocking revelations and unexpected twists.

The narrative blends romance, intrigue, and atmospheric tension to craft a disturbing mystery at the heart of a modest colony.

Paanch Minar

Telugu cinema also brings the crime-comedy thriller Paanch Maar, featuring Raj Tarun and Rashi Singh. The plot follows Chotu, who unexpectedly inherits his fathers criminal empire.

Matters worsen when he clashes with a scheming uncle, only to encounter yet another complication involving a cab driver pretending to be deaf. The film promises humour woven through a criminal underworld filled with betrayals and misunderstandings.

What are the major Malayalam releases on November 21? Eko

The Malayalam psychological mystery Eko, directed by Dinjith Ayyathan with Bahul Ramesh handling writing and cinematography, unfolds within the misty landscapes of Kaattukunnus hills.

Marketed as a mystery-drama-thriller, the film leans heavily on atmospheric storytelling, using the terrain to heighten suspense around its central characters and their hidden motives.

Vilayaath Budha

Also releasing is the highly anticipated action thriller Vilayaath Budha, directed by Jayan Nambiar and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Set against the backdrop of Keralas sandalwood belt, the story follows Double Mohanan, a notorious smuggler, whose rivalry with Bhaskaran Master intensifies over a rare sandalwood tree under careful cultivation.

The narrative explores ego clashes, personal vendettas, and the price of ambition within a dangerous, high-stakes trade.

What does Tamil cinema have lined up for November 21? Mask

Tamil audiences can look forward to Mask, a dark-comedy action thriller directed by Vikarnan Ashok. The film tracks three crafty individuals embroiled in a frantic chase to retrieve stolen money, all while staying ahead of a relentless detective.

Fast-paced, irreverent, and filled with chaotic escapades, the movie blends humour with criminal intrigue.

Yellow

For viewers seeking gentler storytelling, Hari Mahadevans romantic drama Yellow explores the journey of Aadhi, played by Poornima Ravi, who leaves her routine job to embrace travel and self-discovery.

Joined by Vaibhav Murugesan, the film traces her encounters, relationships, and evolving sense of self as she discovers lifeand herselfalong the way.

Middle Class

In the family-drama space comes Middle Class, directed by Kishore Muthuramalingam. Munishkanth stars as Karl Marx, a man driven by the dream of owning farmland. The narrative centres on his aspirations, the pressures of middle-class life, and the unexpected obstacles he must navigate to keep his ambitions alive.

What is releasing in Kannada on November 21? Radheyaa
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 (ANI): Bollywood actor Tara Sutaria received warm wishes from her fans and friends across social media platforms on her birthday.

Sutaria celebrated her birthday on Wednesday and among those who wished her was Veer Pahariya who dropped the most romantic birthday message for his "whole heart", leaving fans gushing over the couple's lovey-dovey moments.

Veer shared a string of pictures from Tara's birthday celebrations, along with other adorable snaps. The first one shows the duo sharing a sweet moment as Veer holds Tara in his embrace, followed by the second one that shows the 'Sky Force' actor playing piano for her.

He also included a glimpse from their vacation as they can be seen enjoying a yacht ride.

In his caption, Veer wrote, "Happy Birthday my whole heart," to which Tara cutely replied with, "My everything."

Tara also shared glimpses from her birthday bash on Instagram, showing her enjoying with her friends and Veer.

Earlier this week, Tara Sutaria headed to the Maldives for her pre-birthday celebrations and dropped pictures from the getaway.

The actor looked stunning dressed in a black beachwear, which she paired with dangling earrings. "BIRTHDAY WEEK BEGINS! T-3 TO GO," Tara wrote in the caption.

Tara and Veer have been stirring headlines lately over their hush-hush romance, with many convinced that the two are dating. While Tara and Veer have been spotted together multiple times, they continue to tease fans with interesting insights.

The 'Apurva' star recently also offered a sneak peek into a romantic Italian vacation with Veer Pahariya. Tara shared pictures from her Italian vacation with Veer.

On the work front, Tara made her film debut with Karan Johar's 'Student of the Year 2' in the year 2019 alongside Ananya Panday. She was also seen in 'Ek Villain Returns', which starred Arjun Kapoor, Disha Patani and John Abraham.
ON THE BANKS of the Fuchun river in Zhejiang, an eastern province, the youngsters who will power Chinas future are at work. At Hangzhou Technician Institute, more than 6,000 students aged between 14 and 20 are learning how to operate drones, manufacture rare-earth magnets, and maintain electric vehicles and industrial robots. Every year Shao Weijun, its boss, asks more than 600 Chinese firms to forecast their demand for different skills; their answers alter what courses his institute chooses to run. He says almost all his students leave with good jobs.

China is in the midst of a big push for more and better practical training. Around 34m young people currently study in Chinas vocational-education system. These include teenagers in vocational-track high schools, as well as students in post-secondary colleges that operate in parallel to universities. Yet as in many other countries, Chinas vocational classrooms suffer from being seen as a sink for unserious students. Learners and parents often see vocational institutions as underfunded and badly run. In many cases they are correct.

View Full Image Chart: The Economist

The Communist Party has good reasons to want to sort all this out. One is a rising suspicion that Chinas university sector has grown too big, too fast (see chart). Many smart young graduates are struggling to find work and around 17% of Chinese aged 16-24 (excluding current students) were unemployed as of October. These include a lot of youngsters with impressive qualifications.

Moreover, graduates are failing to find employment even as company bosses complain that they are finding it difficult to hire staff with the skills they need. The party accepts that China is going to need brilliant scientists and engineers if it is to dominate technologies of the future. But it also recognises that it will need a big army of technicians to keep all its robots, data centres and precision equipment running. Ensuring a steady supply of these is essential if China is to achieve the lofty objectives of its latest five-year economic plan.

Making plans for Nigel

In 2022 Chinas government revised its law on vocational education, introducing wording that says practical qualifications are equally important" as academic ones. In December 2024 Chinas education ministry announced it was creating 40 new vocational courses for learners at various levels, many relating to whizzy industries such as AI and biomedicine. And in June this year the government launched a campaign that aims to upskill 30m more workers by 2027, particularly those urgently needed for industrial development" in fields such as deep-sea technology and the low-altitude economy" meaning drones, flying taxis and the like.

This latest campaign will notably include efforts to send some university graduates back to college, in the hope they will emerge with more marketable skills. Provincial governments in Zhejiang, Shandong, Anhui and others have laid out plans to help China reach its target for 2027; these include reskilling programmes for people already with degrees. Students in vocational institutions have long sought to trade up to spots in academic ones, So it is remarkable that traffic is now beginning to flow in the other direction. Though the vocational-to-university path, zhuanshengben, has long been popular as a potential track for vocational college students to apply to start a universitys bachelors degree, some new programmes allow university graduates to pursue technical training in a reverse trend called benshengzhuan. A survey by Zhaopin, a recruitment agency, last year found that 52% of university graduates think additional technical training would increase their employment opportunities.

The government has coupled all this with a big propaganda push to convince more people that practical training might make their fortunes. Once upon a time, the notion that white-collar workers are superior to blue-collar workers was deeply ingrained, noted the Peoples Daily, a party mouthpiece, in July. But now, as higher education becomes universal, the strong correlation between academic qualifications and employment is breaking down." In August China Youth Daily, a state-owned newspaper, quoted an education-ministry researcher calling for a rethink of values that have resulted in an oversupply of diplomas and a shortage of skills".

A long-term goal for China, as for many other countries, is to lower barriers that currently keep academic and vocational pathways firmly distinct. Doing this would make it easier for learners to move from one track to another, or indeed to acquire qualifications that blend elements of both. Chinese officials have increasingly encouraged the creation of application-oriented bachelors degrees at lower-tier universities, says Gerard Postiglione, an emeritus professor of education at the University of Hong Kong. And more colleges that were once purely vocational are now being permitted to offer some bachelors degrees.

Making your parents proud

Are attitudes on the ground shifting? It depends who you ask. Shen Kecheng is a first-year student of electrical automation at Beijing Polytechnic University. His course is vocational and includes lots of hands-on learning, which he likes; he reckons his job prospects in the aviation sector are good. Nevertheless, he plans to stay in education until he has managed to layer a bachelors degree on top of it. After all, companies continue to give university graduates priority when hiring, he says.

He Li, a 22-year-old studying at the Xian Railway Vocational and Technical Institute, seems more certain of his choice. He says that when his cousin got into a masters programme at a good university in Sichuan province his family threw a party. But after graduating she ended up with a short-term job in a primary school, he saysnot at all the payoff she had imagined. His college is far less prestigious, but it has tight relationships with employers across the country. A good job maintaining subway systems is on the cards. Its impossible for everyone to be in management or sit in an office," he says. Its about adapting to the times."
Fighting flared up again in Gaza and Lebanon despite cease-fires on both fronts, highlighting the gray zone the region finds itself in under deals that have halted two years of war without bringing sustained peace.

In some of the deadliest attacks since the cease-fires went into effect, Israel said Wednesday it carried out a series of strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza after militants fired toward its troops. A day earlier it struck what it said was a Hamas training camp in Lebanon.

Hamas denied firing any shots in Gaza and said the location targeted in Lebanon wasnt a training camp but an area crowded with civilians. More than two dozen people were killed in Gaza, and more than a dozen in Lebanon in the attacks, according to local health ministries, which dont say how many were combatants. Israel said none of its troops were harmed in the Gaza incident.

Despite the strikes, neither side has declared the cease-fires dead. Instead, the truces are stumbling along as the tensions that caused a series of wars in the region after Hamass deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel remain unresolved.

Israel has hoped to press its military advantage after battering Hamas and Hezbollah to force them to disarm and has asserted the freedom to attack them if they dont. The militant groups, while deeply diminished, are working to rebuild their forces and authority.

Hamas sent its forces into the streets of Gaza immediately after the cease-fire took effect last month to attack rivals and reassert control over the enclave.

View Full Image Palestinians outside a hospital in Gaza City on Thursday.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah is rebuilding its armaments and battered ranks, according to people familiar with Israeli and Arab intelligence. Israel and the U.S. have expressed increasing frustration with its failure to disarm, raising the risk of an escalation of attacks.

Lebanon and Israel agreed last November to halt Israels two-month war against Hezbollah. Under the deal, Israel would end its strikes and withdraw its troops in exchange for the dismantling of Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and the groups eventual disarmament.

Lebanons government worked with support from Israeli intelligence to take apart much of Hezbollahs presence in the south. But the effort stalled as it moved on to the broader disarmament of the group.

In Gaza, Hamas and Israel agreed to a deal brokered by President Trump that called for an end to fighting, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees, increased aid deliveries and the disarmament of Hamas. Israel was to pull its troops out of Gaza as benchmarks were met, with an international force coming in to provide security and a new administration formed to take over governance from Hamas.

The unwillingness of either side to concede on key points has left both cease-fires stuck in their early stages.

Analysts said part of the issue is parties to the conflict see advantages in that halfway statewith Israel retaining the ability to attack when it wants, Hezbollah and Hamas delaying the question of disarmament, the U.S. able to tout deals it helped broker, and Arab governments putting off the time when they need to commit troops or money and potentially come into conflict with Arab militias.

Israel is getting the best of two worlds," said Randa Slim, a fellow at the Johns Hopkins University-based Foreign Policy Institute and an expert on conflict resolution. It shut down its opponents firepower through these cease-fires, but at the same time has maintained its ability to attack and go after its opponents assets any time it wants to."

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has said the group is seeking to avoid another war with Israel and has avoided military responses to Israeli strikes on Lebanon since the truce.

Israel has maintained troop presence in a handful of strategic locations in southern Lebanon. Its drones frequently fly over Beirut, and it has struck Lebanon more than 1,000 times since the 2024 cease-fire. It has also begun the construction of a wall that encroaches on Lebanese territory, according to Unifil, the United Nations peacekeeping force.

The Israeli military didnt immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the wall.

In Gaza, Israeli troops have pulled back from the heart of the enclave and now maintain control of just over half of the territory behind the so-called yellow line dividing the combatants.

Fighting has continued with occasional Israeli strikes and attacks by Palestinian militants against Israeli troops, but has been less frequent under heavy pressure from the U.S. The U.S. Central Command has set up a Civil-Military Coordination Center that oversees much of the aid delivery to Gaza and coordinates military activity with Israel.

The retaliation yesterday was quite massive compared to the event," Ofer Guterman, a senior researcher at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said of Israels response to the alleged shooting at its troops. Since Israel doesnt have full freedom of operation as it does in Lebanon, it takes advantage of the opportunities it does have to inflict a major blow, Guterman said.

The strikes in Gaza have led to a mounting death toll, with about 280 Palestinians killed and hundreds more injured since the cease-fire went into effect, according to Palestinian health authorities, who dont say how many were combatants.

Hamass popularity has increased in Gaza, as its security forces take on criminals. While many Gazans dont like seeing the group reassert itself, they have welcomed a reduction in crime and looting.

Hamas has repeatedly said it wont disarm without a withdrawal of Israeli troops and a clear path to a Palestinian state. Arab mediators say the militant group has told them if those conditions are met it would agree to dismantle its heavy weapons and stockpile them within Gaza under the supervision of Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, which governs part of the West Bank. Hamas has told mediators its personnel should be able to keep small arms.

Write to Omar Abdel-Baqui at omar.abdel-baqui@wsj.com, Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com and Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com
TEL AVIVIsrael has spent the past two years fighting fierce wars across the Middle East, largely from the air. It has yet to lose a single plane.

Former senior Israeli defense officials say a major reason for that successand for Israels ability to dominate battlefields from its own backyard to more than 1,000 miles awayis the F-35. Now, with the Trump administration agreeing to sell the most expensive and advanced U.S. aircraft to Saudi Arabia, there is concern in Israel that it could lose a pillar of its uncontested military advantage over its neighbors.

This issue for Israel isnt with the current government of Saudi Arabia. Instead, Israel fears that sales to the kingdom could open the door to others in the region, like Turkey, that have their own aspirations for the warplane. Such a sale would erode Israels advantage and put its own F-35s at greater risk at a time when the regional balance of power is shaped largely from the air.

The long borders and multiple fronts make it difficult to have enough ground fire," said Eyal Hulata, former head of Israels National Security Council and now a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Our air force is our insurance policy. It is our long arm but also our quickest and most effective response to most situations."

Technology leaders like Elon Musk and others have criticized the F-35 for its high cost of about $100 million per plane, its complexity and downtime, but Israel has been an early and frequent user of the jet, and has put it in heavy rotation in arenas from Lebanon to Yemen to Iran.

The jets are extremely stealthy and can carry large payloads further than 1,300 miles. Equally important are the onboard sensors and radar that give pilots an extensive view of the battlefield, as well as networking capabilities that let pilots integrate with each other and even control squadrons of accompanying drones.

Israel used the F-35s to great effect in its 12-day war against Iran in June. The stealth-fighters capabilities and advanced radar and targeting systems allowed Israel to batter Irans air defenses at the start of the war, giving it air superiority in Iranian skies.

When you look at the whole operation, with no human casualties, with only some unmanned platforms lost, its a huge achievement," said Assaf Orion, a Washington Institute research fellow who served as the head of strategy for the Israel Defense Forces from 2010 to 2015. It shows you the level of air force that can be built around the F-35."

One fear among Israelis is that if the Saudis get F-35s, they will have the ability to spot Israeli F-35s, said Yaakov Amidror, a former Israeli national security adviser and now a fellow at the Washington-based Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

The fact that Israel was the only country with F-35s in the region was very important," Amidror said. It gave us opportunities that allowed us to make operations without being exposed by others, and it gave us an advantage in defensive operations."

Israel has also improved upon the F-35s, adding their own upgrades and capabilities and learning lessons from its combat use that it has shared with the U.S. Amidror says the country would want a say in whether such enhancements are shared with other buyers in the region.

Arab governments were stunned by the reach and precision of Israels military operations over the past two years and have grown concerned about the lopsided balance, specifically calling out their lack of F-35s.

Israels intelligence services have also contributed significantly to the countrys military superiority. It supplied extensive real-time target lists in Tehran and supplied the Lebanese militia Hezbollah with doctored pagers that it then remotely detonated.

But Israels security establishment is worried that its advantage could be eroded in light of force buildups in countries like Egypt and Turkey.

Israel is struggling to maintain its qualitative military edge also because we are in a growing quantitative disadvantage," Hulata said. The force buildup in countries like Egypt and Turkey is tremendous, and while we have peace with both at the moment, there is also growing tension, and Israel must prepare for contingencies."

Israelis are concerned that while Riyadh isnt currently a foe, that may not always be the case. The two countries are just minutes apart if Saudi jets are based near the Israeli city of Eilat, a port town on the Red Sea.

Orion points out that Iran still has U.S. F-14s. Weapons systems outlive regimes," he said.

Despite the concerns, former senior Israeli and American officials said Israel will maintain its military superiority as long as the two countries agree on new levels of cooperation and the acquisition of new technologies to offset whatever edge has been lost.

It also could take a long time for Saudi Arabia to actually take possession of the jets and the process could get gummed up in Congress or derailed by other developments. Trump agreed in 2020 to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates, but the deal ultimately fell apart.

Daniel Shapiro said he was familiar with the talks between Washington and the U.A.E. over the plane when he served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East in the Biden administration. He said Israel and the U.S. had worked out how to maintain Israels qualitative military edge.

There are all kinds of details about the capabilities, its basing, terms of use, and then of course what Israeli capabilities are that can counter any kind of threat that can bear on the question," Shapiro said, who also served as U.S. ambassador to Israel in the Obama administration.

He noted the sale of F-35s will have to be approved by Congress, which will hear Israels concerns, and that the U.S. government is bound by law to preserve Israels military advantage in the region.

The U.S. and Israel could also try to use the sale to encourage Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. That would lower the possibility of a clash and fundamentally change the geopolitical risks in the region.

What changes the power of balance in the Middle East is normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia," Hulata said. To get that there are various things Israel should be expected to provide. One is approval of advanced weaponry."

Write to Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
Screengrab from Spectrum SportsNet via BrickCenter

Luka Doncic is bringing out the best in Austin Reaves on the court, but that doesnt mean hes ready to admit their budding friendship off it publicly.

Doncic spoke to Spectrum SportsNet sideline reporter Mike Trudell after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz during LeBron James season debut. And during the postgame interview, Reaves interrupted the spot with a pat on the back for Doncic before adding, Good job, friend.

The kind gesture prompted Trudell to make sure Doncic agreed with Reaves assessment of their relationship, asking, Youre friends, right?

Austin Reaves: Good job, friend. Luka Doncic: He wants to be friends but Im not allowing it. Reporter: What can he do to be your friend? Luka: Nothing. Theres nothing he can do.  pic.twitter.com/gXYvVJX0PQ  BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) November 19, 2025



He wants to be my friend, Doncic said with a serious look on his face. But Im not allowing it.

If averaging nearly 30 points a game while LeBron was sidelined with sciatica wasnt enough to earn Doncics friendship, Trudell wanted to know what Reaves could do to win the Lakers star over.

Nothing, Doncic said. He cant do nothing.

Despite being rejected during the postgame interview, Reaves has already done enough to earn Doncics friendship by most accounts. ESPNs Dave McMenamin described their relationship as a bromance in a feature earlier this month, with Doncic and Reaves known to tease and joke with each other. And now its up to LeBron James to fit into that bromance as much as he needs to fit alongside Doncic and Reaves on the court for the Lakers.

We just need James and Doncic to have a similar postgame interview interaction. As LeBrons relationship with the Lakers is already in question, one can only imagine the headlines if Doncic had the gall to reject a friendship offer from King James.
WASHINGTONThe Trump administration has drafted a 28-point peace plan that calls for Ukraine to make major territorial concessions to Russia and drop demands for a peacekeeping force to deter future attacks by Moscow, U.S. officials said, resurfacing ideas that Kyiv has already rejected.

The administration is attempting the same approach it used to achieve a U. S.-brokered cease-fire in Gaza last monthdraft a multi-point outline and then push the warring parties to accept it, officials said.

But the blueprint, which was worked out by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner in consultation with Kremlin confidant Kirill Dmitriev, is likely to run into strong opposition in Kyiv and from European governments, according to a European official.

President Trump supports the new plan, which materialized after he told aides to craft new proposals that include incentives for the two sides to reach a deal, officials said. The U.S. is counting on Russias desire for revived economic relations with the West and Ukraines need for reconstruction funds to catalyze an agreement.

Trumps yearlong effort to broker a peace deal hasnt yielded results so far. He held a summit with Russian Vladimir Putin in Alaska and multiple meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky has expressed willingness to pause the war to start negotiations, while Putin has issued maximalist demands that have frustrated Trump and his aides.

On Wednesday, Trump again lamented that his relationship with Putin hadnt led to a swiftly brokered peace deal. Trump had promised during the 2024 presidential campaign to negotiate such a deal within 24 hours of his return to the White House. Im a little disappointed in President Putin right now, he knows that," Trump said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump has grown frustrated with both sides for their refusal to commit to a peace agreement." But, she continued, the president and his team never gives up, and the United States has been working on a detailed and acceptable plan for both sides to stop the killing and create a durable, lasting peace."

As the administration renews its push for a peace deal, Trumps top envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has told colleagues that he is planning to leave his position in January, an administration official said. Kellogg has been one of Kyivs most ardent supporters within the administration.

U.S. officials familiar with the proposal said it calls for Ukraine to hand over all of the eastern Donbas region to Russia, including land Kyiv now controls. Ukraine would have to agree at least for several years to abandon joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Kyiv wouldnt be permitted to have an international peacekeeping force inside the country. Kyiv and European nations have seen such a force as vital to deter future Russian attacks after a peace settlement is agreed upon.

In return, Moscow would promise not to further attack Ukraine or other countries in Europe, according to the officials, and would codify that promise in legislation.

Elements of Trumps new plan track closely to what Putin offered during August meetings with Witkoff and later during a summit with Trump in Alaska.

Trump doesnt view it as his job to get Ukraine back its land that Russia has already taken, a senior administration official said. Instead, he is aiming for a deal that halts the fighting concentrated in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have made slow but steady territorial gains at great cost nearly four years after Moscows full-scale invasion.

However Ukraine and other European nations have long argued that yielding to Russias core demands would seriously undermine Kyivs sovereignty and security. The plan reverses a position Ukraine and U.S. allies have pressed Trump to adoptthat Kyiv should not be forced to hand over any territory unilaterally that its forces control.

Analysts say that forcing Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbaswhere it has mounted its greatest resistance to Russian advances and still holds strategically important defensive positionswould make it easier for the Kremlins forces to push into other regions of the country.

The Trump administration hasnt clarified what guarantees the U.S. and its allies would provide Kyiv. Trump officials indicated in August that the U.S. could provide air support and other indirect help for a European-led reassurance force" that would be deployed in Ukraine after a peace settlement was reached to deter future Russian attacks.

Russia has strongly opposed such a peacekeeping force, which would be ruled out under the new plan, which was previously reported by Axios.

Proponents of the U.S. proposal say Russias steady but incremental gains on the battlefield and a corruption scandal involving associates of Zelensky will add pressure on Kyiv to make a deal. But that assumption was challenged by one Western official, who said that Zelensky has even less room to maneuver as a result of a corruption probe and that backing away from his countrys fundamental security positions would only further erode his standing at home.

European allies have been caught off guard by reports of the plan. Johann Wadephul, Germanys foreign affairs minister, told reporters Wednesday that his country hadnt been briefed on the specifics of the proposal. Various officials said the framework as they understood it featured many elements on the Kremlins wishlist long deemed to be unacceptable.

The new Trump plan marks a shift in the White Houses position in September when the president mused publicly about providing long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine and said that Kyiv was in a position to win back all of its lost territory because Russia was in economic trouble.

I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form," Trump said in a social-media post then.

Last month Trump canceled a planned second summit with Putin and said it would be a waste" because the Kremlin hadnt signaled flexibility from its maximalist demands.

Earlier this week, as Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities killed dozens of civilians, Ukraine announced that it used U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems missiles to strike inside Russia, the first time it has launched the weapon against targets on sovereign Russia territory since Trump returned to office. Previously, the Trump administration had restricted Kyivs cross-border employment of the missile.

The details about Trumps new plan emerged as U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and two senior U.S. Army generals met in Kyiv with Ukraines defense minister and chief of defense to discuss battlefield plans and potential peace talks in meetings; it marked the highest-level visit by American officials since Trump returned to the White House.

Though Driscoll was briefed by Witkoff before heading to Ukraine, he didnt plan to outline any of the ideas in the proposal, according to a U.S. defense official.

Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com, Laurence Norman at laurence.norman@wsj.com, Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com and Josh Dawsey at Joshua.Dawsey@WSJ.com
New Delhi: One of Indias top industry lobbies has asked the government to initiate discussions on providing range-extended electric vehicles or REEVs, a type of hybrid vehicle, tax parity with EVs to incentivise automakers to introduce such models.

REEVs are electric vehicles supported by a small internal combustion engine to charge the battery when it is running low. Currently, no Indian manufacturer sells such vehicles in India. They are not classified differently under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. Hybrids attract a tax rate of 18% and 40%, depending on their size.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has written to the ministry of heavy industries (MHI) that the current tax structure would force automakers to introduce such vehicles at a higher price, as they are generally heavier and bigger in size. Assocham counts Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Toyota Kirloskar Motors India Ltd, JSW Group and Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd as its members.

Incentives for hybrid vehicles have already divided Indian automakers. Japanese companies, which have mastered this technology, have been lobbying the government to offer concessions to buyers of hybrid vehicles through lower taxation, direct subsidies to consumers, or the waiver of various state and central fees like registration charges. However, Tata Motors Ltd and Mahindra have opposed any incentives to hybrid vehicles, arguing that it will hurt the adoption of pure EVs.

States including Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan have removed incentives for hybrid vehicles. Currently, only Chandigarh and Haryana offer incentives for hybrids.

MHI did not respond immediately to an emailed query.

In response to Mint's queries, an Assocham spokesperson cited that the small internal combustion engine in a REEV helps eliminate range anxiety inherent" in battery electric vehicles.

The ICE comes into play only to charge the battery, which helps during long intercity drives and reduces dependence on charging infrastructure. This offers a practical, immediate solution of increasing an EV range while the public charging infrastructure for pure BEVs is still developing across the nation," Assocham said. It is for this reason that Assocham has requested that REEVs be classified under the 5% GST bracket as applicable to BEVs, it said.

In the 18 November letter addressed to MHI secretary Kamran Rizvi, Assocham said incentivising REEV can help boost the penetration of clean fuel cars in India. The letter was signed by Assocham secretary general Manish Singhal. Mint has reviewed a copy of the letter.

Also Read | Indias clean car push hits roadblock as debate over super credits intensifies

We are grateful to the Government of India for their support on BEVs in form of GST benefit under the 5% slab and would request proportionate GST consideration for REEVs also," the letter said, a copy of which was also sent to the Prime Minister's Office, finance ministry, Niti Aayog and the Union roads ministry.



Considering their electric-only' propulsion and alignment with the governments EV objectives, we respectfully recommend that REEVs be classified under the 5% GST rate, similar to BEVs, on the basis of its propulsion system and emissions profile," the body told the government.

The industry lobby, founded in 1920, stated that such vehicles can quickly alleviate customer range anxiety by carrying an onboard charger.

REEVs have the vehicles propelling entirely on battery. The ICE comes into play only to charge the battery during long drives. This offers a practical, immediate solution of increasing an EV range," the letter said.

The 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study by Deloitte showed that customers in the country are less interested in buying electric vehicles (EVs) than in 2024. While only 8% of customers surveyed said they would prefer EVs as their next purchase, more than a third of the respondents chose hybrids.

The lobbying for a favourable tax regime for REEVs comes when the country has seen EV penetration fall after the tax rates on internal combustion engine vehicles fell. Electric four-wheeler penetration fell from 5.12% in September to 3.24% in October, the lowest levels since February 2025, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association.

Estimates by Hyundai Motor India suggest that the share of hybrid vehicles in Indias total market will increase from 2% in the financial year 2025 to 14% by FY30 and on par with EVs.

Currently, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda Cars offer strong hybrid vehicles in the country.

The governments broader target for the remaining 70% of vehiclesafter the initial 30% electric penetrationis expected to lean heavily toward hybrid or alternate technologies," Assocham wrote in its letter. REEVs are uniquely positioned to significantly mitigate climate impact within that 70% segment."
Mumbai/New Delhi: Vodafone Idea (Vi) should not be alive come 2026. By every conventional financial and legal metric, the company should collapse under the weight of its massive adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues 83,400 crore at last countwith instalments of nearly 18,000 crore annually beginning March 2026. The companys cash flows are nowhere near adequate. Even its promoters, the Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group Plc, acknowledged that without extraordinary relief, Vis fate was sealed.

Yet, in a twist that would have seemed impossible even a few months ago, Indias government has not only become the single largest shareholder in Viwith a 48.9% stakebut has persuaded the Supreme Court to permit something it had once explicitly prohibited: the recomputation of AGR dues up to March 2017.

The story of how this happened begins not with the latest Supreme Court orders but back in October 2019, when the court upheld the department of telecommunications (DoT) interpretation of AGR, shocking the industry with demands far higher than what companies had provisioned.

A short history

What was this interpretation?

The telecom policy of 1999 introduced the concept of revenue sharing between telcos and the government. The governments share would include licence fees and spectrum usage charges. The system was arrived at as telcos couldnt pay the high spectrum charges upfront.

However, the calculation to arrive at the AGR, or the revenue-based metric, became a source of legal confrontation for over a decade. Apart from the income earned from core telecom services such as call and data revenue, the DoT included other incomeinterest earned, tower rentals, dividends and sale of assetswhile calculating the AGR. The governments contention was that this additional revenue was sourced from its telecom licence.

Private telecom companies, however, argued that the government should calculate revenue primarily from telecom services and not include other income.

View Full Image The calculation to arrive at the AGR became a source of legal confrontation for over a decade.

After the courts order, liabilities ballooned. DoT pegged Vis dues at 58,254 crorealmost triple the companys internal estimate of 21,533 crorewhile Bharti Airtels dues were set at 60,778 crore, according to data from the government. Airtels amount includes AGR dues from its merger with Telenor, Tata Teleservices Ltd and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd.

The sector was stunned. In December of that year, Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, bluntly admitted that the company could not survive such a shock: If we are not getting anything, then I think it is the end of the story for Vodafone Idea We will shut shop," he declared publicly, giving voice to an existential crisis that regulators, investors and policymakers had long feared would one day come to pass.

The implications of a Vi collapse were profound. Its 200 million subscribers would have been forced to migrate to either Reliance Jio or Bharti Airtel, further concentrating a market that had already shrunk from 13 players in 2014 to three private operators and one state-run firm now. A duopoly loomed, an outcome that risked higher tariffs, diminished consumer choice, depressed spectrum auction revenues and political backlash.

Within the government, particularly inside the ministry of communications and the DoT, there was palpable discomfort with that scenario. As one former senior official, who didnt want to be identified, recalled, There were many reasons for the government to extend relief. First is its bid to save its 53,000-crore investment. Second is the need for a three-player private sector with a government player".

It was a rare case in which commercial interest and public-interest arguments converged.

Breathing room

Even after Vi and Airtel paid partial AGR dues 7,854 crore and 18,004 crore, respectivelyin 2020, their balance sheets were strained. Meanwhile, Reliance Jios aggressive growth and Airtels steady investment streak widened the competitive gulf. Subscriber loss mounted at Vi, with customer flight accelerating in urban circles. Something had to give.

In 2021, the government approved a sweeping revival package for telecom. It offered a four-year moratorium on AGR and spectrum payments, and allowed companies to convert interest on deferred dues into equity. Besides the interest amount, the government also kept the option open to convert the due amount, pertaining to the deferred payment, into equity at the end of the moratorium period.

The move was meant to provide immediate cash-flow relief while giving operators breathing room to raise capital.

Vi opted for the interest-to-equity conversion, which resulted in the government taking a 33.44% stake in February 2023 after converting 16,133 crore of interest into equity. It was an unprecedented development: the sovereign becoming a significant shareholder in a private telco.

But even that did not stabilize the company. Despite a 7,000-crore promoter infusion between March 2022 and May 2024, Vi could not attract the large-scale international investment it needed. Its 5G rollout lagged badly behind Jio and Airtel, and capex constraints were visibly eroding its competitive relevance. The only way to meaningfully modernize the network would have been to raise upwards of 50,000 crore over the next few yearsan impossible task without prior clarity on the mountain of AGR dues.

Thus, in April this year, the government executed another dramatic step: it converted an additional 36,950 crore of spectrum dues into equity, raising its stake to 48.9%ahead of both promoter groups, Vodafone Group and the Aditya Birla Group. This made the Centre the single largest shareholder in Vi, turning the 2019 crisis on its head. The same state that had fought for decades to enforce AGR dues was now financially invested in the companys survival.

In a telling detail, the government did not take any board seat. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), Indias market regulator, in granting an exemption from mandatory open-offer obligations, stated that the government had no intent to participate in management or the board" and that its stake was purely to protect broader public interest and industry stability. This preserved promoter control and avoided pushing Vi into the category of a public sector undertaking (PSU). The government has publicly reiterated that it does not wish to exceed 50% ownership, thereby sidestepping the slew of legal and administrative obligations that come with majority shareholding.

Twist in the tale

Yet, Vis position remained precarious. Its annual operating cash flow was around 8,400-9,200 crorenowhere near enough to meet the 18,000 crore in yearly instalments that would resume in March 2026 when the moratorium ended.

A senior Vi executive, speaking anonymously, put it plainly: while interest and penalty waivers were possible, the only meaningful route was for the government to rework the AGR principal itself. There was no other concession that could be given as it would not have been legally tenable to reduce fees or charges selectively," he said.

But the roadblock was formidable. A 2019 Supreme Court judgement had explicitly barred any recomputation of AGR dues up to 2016-17. How, then, could the government reduce a number carved in judicial stone?

This is where an underreported twist emerges. According to executives and legal experts familiar with the process, the real shift occurred quietly inside DoT and the solicitor generals chambers. Neeraj Mittal, the telecom secretary, with support from solicitor general Tushar Mehtawho had argued earlier AGR casesexamined whether a fresh departmental demand could create a limited legal reopening.

The real shift occurred quietly inside the DoT and the solicitor generals chambers. The telecom secretary, with support from solicitor general Tushar Mehta, examined whether a fresh departmental demand could create a limited legal reopening.

What followed was procedural manoeuvring. In August 2025, DoT issued a new AGR demand of 9,450 crore till 2018-19. The amount includes 5,606 crore for 2016-17, the very period that the Supreme Court had previously closed off for revision. As expected, Vi challenged the demand before the apex court.

This was deliberate. The government was, in effect, giving the court a narrow window to reconsider a part of AGR calculations.

The court could have easily dismissed the governments demand, but the state ownership of Vi appears to have made all the difference this time," said a senior Reliance Jio executive on condition of anonymity. And indeed, in October, the court permitted the government to reassess the additional demand. Days later, it went further, allowing the DoT to recompute all AGR dues up to March 2017.

This was not a general legal precedent. The bench limited the relief to the changed circumstances"the governments large equity stake, the public interest in the stability of telecom services, and the financial survival of a major operator. As legal precedents go, it was narrow, contextual and exceptional. But for Vi, it was transformative.

Queries emailed on 19 November to DoT, the telecom secretarys office, the department of investment and public asset management, the Prime Ministers Office, Vodafone Ideas promoters and the solicitor general did not elicit any response.

New maths

The question now is what form the relief will take. Telecom policy expert Parag Kar lays out the options. One framework is to re-evaluate the principal AGR amount. Another is to waive interest and penalties while stretching the remainder over 20 years at 8% interest.

According to Kars estimates, if interest and penalties are waived, Vis AGR principal would drop from 17,213 crore to 9,363 crore, cutting its annual instalments to 954 crore, a figure the company can realistically pay from operating earnings.

View Full Image A file photo of a Vodafone Idea store in Mumbai. (Bloomberg)

Bharti Airtel stands to gain too. Gopal Vittal, its managing director and vice chairman, told analysts that the 2019 AGR judgement had been a body blow" to the sector and that the courts earlier insistence on even accepting calculation errors was deeply disappointing. Airtels recalculated dues could fall to just 2,229 crore, spread over 20 years, or even entitle it to a refund of 11,800 crore under some interpretations. Thus, while Vi benefits most visibly, the entire sector may find new stability.

Everyone wins

What would a stronger Vi mean for the market? Analysts argue that it would be a significant boost to competition.

Prashant Singhal, EY Indias telecom practice head, says the most mature telecom markets globally have a three-player market structure. He cites the US, Germany, and the UK as examples. A stronger third player would help increase the addressable market for ecosystem playerstower, fibre networks, and backhaul companies.

Vivekanand Subbaraman, an analyst with Ambit Capital, points to a global parallel: Telecom equipment suppliers like Ericsson are already increasing their investments in India as they see a more competitive market ahead. A recent example is the US market, where T-Mobile has grown strongly after finding a strong investor in Deutsche Telekom."

A new PSU?

But to capitalize on this potential, Vi needs capital. Large amounts of it. Vi has guided for 50,000-55,000 crore of capex in the near term, contingent on bank funding, which itself requires clarity on AGR.

An immediate resolution would unlock 25,000 crore of pending bank debt, enabling partial network expansion. JPMorgan notes that Vi expects to close 2025-26 with 7,500-8,000 crore of capex even without major funding, but from 2026-27 onwards, new capital is indispensable.

IIFLs Balaji Subramanian is cautiously optimistic. A meaningful AGR reduction, new capital investors, converting more vendor dues into equity and a tariff hike must all come together if Vi has to strengthen its market presence," he argued.

But he warns that to demonstrate value to investors, Vi must increase its Arpu (average revenue per user) without losing subscribers and compete vigorously against two financially powerful rivals. It is quite a tall order," he admits.

There is also the persistent question of whether Vi risks becoming a PSU. The government insists it has no such intention and has deliberately avoided taking board seats or majority control. Sebis exemption order underscores this: the government is a passive investor, not a controlling shareholder. Unless this stance shifts, Vi will remain a private sector company with a uniquely structured ownership.

There is also the persistent question of whether Vi risks becoming a PSU. The government insists it has no such intention and has deliberately avoided taking board seats or majority control.

As Vi will require more capital for its capex plans, there is a good likelihood of a new investor coming in. The new capital could well dilute the governments holding," says Ambits Subbaraman.

Functional pivot

What emerges from this entire episode is a portrait of a state that has chosen pragmatism over rigidity. In 2019 and 2020, the government pushed aggressively to enforce AGR dues. In 2025, the same statenow a major shareholderengineered a narrow legal window to reassess them. The pivot was not ideological but functional: enforcing the original dues would have sunk an operator in which the state had invested tens of thousands of crores, weakened competition, hurt consumers and eroded fiscal prospects.

The Supreme Courts decision gives Vi time, but not a guarantee. The company must still raise capital, modernize its network, retain customers and gradually rebuild market share. The government must ensure that it remains a neutral referee despite being a major shareholder. Rivals, especially Airtel, will seek parity in relief. And investors will judge whether this intervention marks the beginning of a genuine revival or merely delays a duopoly.

The coming years will determine whether Vi uses this extraordinary reprieve to re-establish itself as a strong third forceor whether this becomes the final chapter in Indias long struggle to maintain balance in its most vital network infrastructure.
Excelsoft Technologies IPO Day 2: The initial public offering (IPO) of Excelsoft Technologies opened for public subscription on Wednesday, November 19, and will conclude tomorrow, November 21.

The global vertical SaaS company has declared the Excelsoft Technologies IPO price band at 114 to 120 per equity share. The company aims to raise 500 crore, out of which 180 crore is aimed through the issuance of fresh shares. The remaining 320 crore is reserved for the offer for sale (OFS) route.

MUFG Intime India has been appointed the official registrar of the book build issue. Anand Rathi Advisors has been appointed lead manager of the public issue.

The basis of allotment for the Excelsoft Technologies IPO is expected to be finalised on Friday, November 22. Successful applicants are likely to receive the shares on Monday, November 24, while refunds for those who do not receive an allotment will also be processed on the same day.

Excelsoft Technologies is scheduled to list its shares on both the BSE and the NSE on Wednesday, November 26.

The company intends to use the net proceeds of the issue for the purchase of land and construction of a new building, the upgradation and external electrical systems in Mysore, the upgradation of IT infrastructure, and for general corporate purposes.

Separately, the company announced on November 18 that it had secured 150 crore from anchor investors ahead of the IPO launch.

As much as 50 per cent of the net issue is reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), and 35 per cent of the net issue is reserved for retail investors. The remaining 15 per cent is reserved for non-institutional investors (NIIs).

The IPO lot size is 125 shares. The minimum lot size for a retail investor is one lot. With the issue's upper price band at 120, the minimum amount of investment required by retail investors is 15,000. The maximum lot size for retail investors is 13 for 1,95,000.

As per the RHP, Excelsoft Technologies is a global vertical SaaS company focused on the learning and assessment market. As of August 31, 2025, it caters to 76 clients spread across 19 countries. The company earned a profit of 22.41 crore in FY23, which dropped to 12.75 crore in FY24 but bounced back to 34.69 crore in FY25. For the period June 30 in this financial year, its profit was 6 crore.

Revenue from operations for FY23 was 195.1 crore, rising to 198.30 crore in FY24 and 233.29 crore in FY25. For the period June 30 in this financial year, its revenue from operations was 55.72 crore.

Excelsoft Technologies IPO GMP Today Investor sentiment toward the IPO is positive, as Excelsoft Technologies grey market premium (GMP) stood at 14.5 on November 20. This suggested that the stock was likely to debut at 134.5, a premium of 12.08 percent to its issue price of 120.

'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Excelsoft Technologies IPO subscription status Excelsoft Technologies IPO was subscribed 7.32x by end of Day 2. The retail portion was subscribed 6.34x, and NII portion was booked 19.23x, however, Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) portion received just 9% bids.

The company has received bids for 21.34 crore shares against 2.91 crore shares on offer.

Excelsoft Technologies IPO was subscribed 1,56x by end of Day 1.

Excelsoft Technologies: Should you apply? Lakshmishree Investment  Subscribe Lakshmishree Investment & Securities has given a Subscribe rating, saying the companys AI-led platforms, long-term global contracts, and strong position in the digital learning market could help create long-term value. It added that the IPO funds would help expand capacity and upgrade technology infrastructure in Mysore, which supports future growth.

SBI Securities  Neutral Analysts at SBI Securities noted that the company has demonstrated a strong 24.4 per cent CAGR growth in net profit between the FY23FY25 period with an EBIT margin exceeding 27 per cent for FY25. However, revenue CAGR has been muted, remaining below 10 per cent during the same period.

When compared to its close competitor, the issue appears to be fairly valued across various valuation metrics. The company has a cash and bank balance of 248 crore as of June 2025. The companys RoIC (excluding cash and bank) stood at 19.5 per cent during FY25, the brokerage said in its note. At the upper price band of 120, the IPO is valued at a FY25 P/E multiple of 39.8x based on post-issue capital. SBI Securities has maintained a Neutral view on the issue and would like to monitor the performance of the company post.

Reliance Securities  Subscribe On the contrary, Reliance Securities has assigned a Subscribe rating to the issue, citing its strong financial track record, improving profitability, global client base, and domain specialisation in learning and assessment, giving it a differentiated position.

The use of IPO proceeds to scale infrastructure, combined with its investment in AI and LLMs, positions it for significant future optionality. But the key to value creation will hinge on execution: scaling its global operations, delivering on AI-based product innovation, and managing capex effectively, the brokerage said.

View full Image Excelsoft Technologies IPO
IPOs in 2025: Indias IPO market has been among the most active zones for equity issuance in 2025, fuelled by a steady pipeline of public offers from fintech innovators, online-first enterprises, renewable energy companies, and consumer-facing brands.

The fundraising appetite that surged in the post-pandemic period has continued to spill over into this year, ensuring strong participation across both the mainboard and SME platforms.

But the enthusiasm masks a more restrained reality. Market experts point out that only a small slice of this years IPOs have managed to generate sustained value. A majority have delivered muted performance or disappointed on listing day. Of the 92 mainboard IPOs that have hit the market so far in 2025, 32 made their debut below their issue priceshighlighting that nearly one out of every three offerings failed to meet listing expectations despite receiving solid subscription demand.

Some of them include: Om Freight Forwarders, which debuted 33% lower, while Glottis saw an even steeper cut of 35%. BMW Ventures listed at a 29% discount, followed by Arisinfra Lutions, which opened 21.5% below its issue price. The weakness continued with Jaro Institute (down 16%) and Laxmi India Finance (down 15%). Quality Power fell 9%, and IndiQube Space opened 8% lower. The broad decline suggests rising investor caution amid valuation concerns and selective demand.

As markets grapple with tighter liquidity and heightened scrutiny of tech-heavy issuers, investors are now asking the obvious question: Should they continue chasing IPOs?

IPOs Offer Opportunities  But for Disciplined Investors Market experts believe that IPO investing still offers strong opportunities  but only for those willing to be disciplined, valuation-conscious, and selective.

Vaqarjaved Khan, Senior Fundamental Analyst at Angel One Ltd, believes that the sheer volume of IPOs in FY26 should make investors more  not less  selective.

Also Read | Can Pine Labs shares tank over 10%? Emkay sets target below IPO price

There have been a high number of IPO offerings in H1 FY26, and the numbers have only increased in Q2 FY26. Hence, in times like this, it's best to remain selective and not blanket subscribe to all IPOs, he said.

Khan stressed the importance of fundamentals over frenzy. He added that investors should only apply to IPOs backed by a strong track record, credible promoters, sectoral tailwinds, and appropriate pricing.

A great company at a not-so-great price will never be able to compound ones wealth, he warned. Investors must compare valuation multiples  P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA  with listed peers rather than relying on grey-market premiums or speculative listing-gain expectations. Yes, invest  but only in businesses offering real value.

Divam Sharma, Founder and Fund Manager at Green Portfolio PMS, echoed the sentiment, arguing that the 2025 IPO boom has become a mixed bag.

While the IPO market has been active, not every company warrants investor money. Focus on businesses offering genuine value and long-term growth rather than those simply pricing aggressively to provide exits to PE investors, he said.

Sharma highlighted non-negotiables such as consistent revenue growth, healthy margins, and sustainable PAT expansion at reasonable valuations. Even for tech-led or new-age companies, he said, investors should demand clarity on growth visibility and a credible roadmap to profitability before subscribing.

What To Look For Before Applying to Unlisted Stocks/IPO? Sharma outlined a more detailed framework for evaluating IPO-bound or unlisted companies, noting that many retail investors fall into the trap of FOMO, hoping to gain early access to high-profile start-ups. However, unlisted investing and pre-IPO participation require even more due diligence due to limited disclosures.

He recommended that investors assess:

Benchmark valuations against listed peers and sector averages

IPO probability and expected timelines, as not all companies list quickly

Last funding-round valuation, ensuring recent mark-ups are justified

Shareholding and corporate actions, which indicate internal sentiment

Reliability of available information, since unlisted firms lack regulatory disclosure requirements Ultimately, he warned that retail investors should treat unlisted and IPO opportunities as high-risk, long-horizon plays  not quick profit bets. In his view, well-researched, valuation-disciplined decisions are far more rewarding than chasing sentiment-driven movements or unofficial price chatter.
Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd investors must be in the pink of health. The stock has advanced 57% so far in calendar 2025. In fact, it surged 14% in the past three trading sessions, reacting to its solid September quarter results announced on 14 November.

The rally was accompanied by a sharp surge in trading volumes. The company, responding to an 18 November query from the BSE, said there is no pending information or announcement that may have a bearing on the price/volume behavior of its shares. It added that it does not have any comments on the volume movement of its securities, which are market driven.

Narayana Hrudayalaya is now the fourth-largest hospital stock by market capitalization. Its overseas presence sets it apart from the three larger peers  Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd and Fortis Healthcare Ltd. Narayanas facilities in the Cayman Islands in the Western Caribbean accounted for over 25% of total revenue in Q2 of FY26.

Narayana expanded its global footprint by completing the acquisition of the Practice Plus Group Hospitals in the UK on 6 November at an enterprise value of GBP 183 million. It will be funded with GBP 40 million of equity from the Cayman operations and the remaining with debt. Raising debt should not be an issue as consolidated net debt was 247 crore at the end of Q2.

Practice Plus had revenue of an estimated GBP 250 million in the year ended September, with adjusted Ebitda (pre-IFRS) of GBP 20 million. Based on this, the acquisition price seems reasonable at an EV/EBITDA of about 12x. But the Street was hardly enthused by the acquisition as captured in the stocks muted reaction to that development.

Lower valuation

So, what led to the sudden spurt in Narayans stock price? A likely answer is valuation. Even after the rally, the Narayana stock trades at a P/E of 35x based on FY27, according to Bloomberg data, a discount to larger peers that quote in the 45-50x range.

A possible explanation for the relatively lower valuation could be its Cayman Island operations, which are complex to decipher. Also, its losses are still a drag, albeit negligible at $0.3 million in Q2. The Ebitda margin of Cayman Hospitals was at 44% in Q2, about 20 percentage points higher than that of its hospital business in India, the management said.

Despite that, the overall Cayman operations are struggling to achieve a positive Ebitda because of losses in the health insurance business. The company has an "integrated care" model, which combines hospital services with local health insurance to provide comprehensive healthcare packages to the islands residents.

On top of the complexity of the Cayman business model, investors may also be worried about how the UK acquisition will pan out.

In its Indian operations as well, some key performance indicators are pain points, such as the Ebitda per ipatient. Narayana had an Ebitda margin of 24% in Q2, which is similar to that of Apollos hospital segment.

Also Read | India Incs rural engine sputters in Q2 as farm income slumps

But Narayanas average revenue per in-patient was 1.49 lakh versus Apollos 1.73 lakh. This made Narayanas Ebitda per patient of 35,760 lower than 41,520 for Apollo. Max Healthcare and Fortis Healthcare report average revenue per occupied bed, so they are not comparable.

For now, Narayana has outperformed peers with superlative returns. However, further meaningful gains depend on health insurance success in the Cayman Islands and optimization of the UK acquisition, using the learnings from the Cayman operations. Also, it needs to maintain the growth momentum in India.
Small-cap multibagger stock: Spice Lounge Foods Work share price hits record high on Thursday, surged 5% to 65.53 apiece, hitting upper circuit for seventh day straight, on November 20.

The stock opened at 65 in early the morning session on Thursday on NSE, as compared to previous close of 62.41 on Wednesday.

The small-cap stock has witnessed a massive rally, rewarding its investors with significant gains. Spice Lounge Foods Work shares have gained nearly 21% in last five trading sessions.

Also Read | Anil Ambani group stocks fall after reports of fresh ED action against group

The stock has given multibagger returns of whopping 264.26% in just six months and 585.46% in terms of year-to-date (YTD).

Spice Lounge Foods Work Q2 results 2025 In a November 15 exchange filing, Spice Lounge Food Works reported a 300% year-on-year jump in consolidated net profit, rising to 3.4 crore for Q2 FY26 from 0.83 crore a year earlier.

Revenue from operations climbed 158%, reaching 46.20 crore in the September 2025 quarter, compared with 18 crore in the same period last year.

Total comprehensive income also rose sharply to 3.50 crore, up from 8.1 crore in the year-ago quarter.

The company posted an EBITDA of about 4.15 crore for Q2 FY26, underscoring a strong improvement in operating performance.

Additionally, total income for the September 2025 quarter increased to 49 crore, versus 18.2 crore in the corresponding quarter of FY25.

In an press release on October 29, the company announced the acquisition of 100% of the shareholding of Rightfest Hospitality LLP, marking a strategic expansion in Indias rapidly evolving casual dining, quick-service, and tech-enabled food experience space.

Also Read | Multibagger defence stock Apollo Micro Systems rises after this update

The acquisition of Rightfest Hospitality LLP marks a defining milestone in our journey to build a multiformat, experience-led food and hospitality company. Rightfest has consistently demonstrated creativity and excellence in curating destinations that go beyond dining  delivering lifestyle experiences that deeply connect with todays aspirational Indian audience,"said Mohan Babu Karjela, Chairperson and Director of Spice Lounge Food Works Ltd.
The drone industry is poised for strong growth globally and in India, driven by expanding commercial applications, regulatory maturation, and technological advancements.

Indias drone industry could unlock up to $23 billion in manufacturing potential by 2030, driven by fast-growing demand from sectors such as defence, agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure, according to a new report released by Nexgen Exhibitions.

Key Growth Drivers

Strong government policy support, including liberalised DGCA drone regulations, PLI schemes for local manufacturing, and major initiatives like Drone Shakti," is accelerating industry adoption.

Defence sector remains the biggest consumer, with military drone revenue projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of nearly 17%.

Agriculture, precision farming, and crop monitoring are emerging as high-potential growth segments; a large number of drone companies expect agriculture to become the largest consumer of drones by 2030.

Other high-growth application areas include infrastructure surveying, smart city monitoring, solar and energy sector inspections, healthcare logistics, and digital mapping.

View Full Image Equitymaster

As the industry grows rapidly, many companies are set to benefit. Three prominent players in the listed midcap space are likely to gain traction as prominent players: Zen Technologies, RattanIndia Enterprises, and Paras Defence and Space Technologies.

These stocks are worth keeping an eye on due to their distinct strategies for growth and their ambitious plans over the next three years, all against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding industry.

Let's explore what the future may hold for them. Please note, this is neither a stock recommendation nor a fundamental analysis.

For the purpose of determining midcap, we have taken stocks that have a market cap of more than 5,000 crore to 25,000 crore. Its also important to note that some of these companies may also be diversified and part of the drone ecosystem.

#1 Zen Technologies

In a time of swift technological advancement and changing security threats, Zen Technologies has made a name for itself in defence technology.

Zen Technologies specialises in land-based force simulation training, creating cutting-edge simulators that let military personnel practise for real-world scenarios in secure environments.

It offers training systems for tanks, cars, artillery, and aircraft, giving the military realistic, affordable, and sustainable substitutes for conventional live drills.

Regarding the drone industry, Zen Technologies' Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) platform offers a comprehensive anti-drone solution that successfully addresses the increasing security threats posed by unauthorised drone operations.

The multi-layered, multi-sensor architecture of the CUAS is designed to identify, categorise, and eliminate aerial threats.

Advanced radar technologies, state-of-the-art day and nighttime video sensors, and radio frequency analysis work together to provide its strong detection capabilities.

This combined strategy ensures thorough situational awareness in a variety of operational contexts by enabling early-warning detection and reliable tracking of both remotely operated and autonomous drones.

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The company has reported superb numbers in the last few years. Revenue has grown at a CAGR of 140.8% in the last three years. Net profit has leaped 385.9% during the same period.

In FY25, Zen Technologies recorded its highest-ever turnover and profitability, driven by strong operational execution and demand across core business areas.

During the year, the company made strategic acquisitions in marine simulation, drone propulsion, and AI-driven robotics, which further expanded Zens capabilities, positioning the company as a comprehensive defence technology provider across land, air, and maritime domains.

For the quarter ending September 2025, the company reported revenues of 1,736 m against 2,418 m YoY. Net profits dipped slightly to 620 m from 634 m YoY. It was a subdued performance for Q2 FY26.

Looking ahead, the company expects FY26 to be a more measured year in financial terms, driven largely by the timing of order inflows and execution cycles. The management described this as a natural calibration phase within a broader growth trajectory.

Over the medium term, the company aims for a cumulative revenue of 60,000 m across FY26, FY27, and FY28. This projection underscores confidence in its technological capabilities, the maturity of its pipeline, and the increasing momentum in defence modernisation.

Also Read | GST cut gives drones a lift, but supply chains remain a chokepoint

#2 RattanIndia Enterprises

RattanIndia Enterprises is an Indian company primarily focused on technology-driven new-age businesses in high-growth sectors.

Its main areas of operation include e-commerce, electric vehicles, fintech, and drones. The company operates its e-commerce business through its subsidiary Cocoblu Retail and is also engaged in the electric motorcycle segment via its subsidiary Revolt Motors.

NeoSky, the companys pioneering drone vertical, achieved significant milestones in FY25. Through strategic partnerships with the Indian Army (Northern Command), the CRPF, DRDO, and BEL, NeoSky supplies next-generation drone solutions, while expanding deployments across forestry applications in Uttarakhand and at premier academic institutions such as IIT-Kanpur and ISM-Dhanbad.

Leveraging AI and ML, NeoSky helps in crowd monitoring, vehicle detection, number plate recognition, and fire detection.

High-altitude trials with the Indian Army, night surveillance operations with the BSF and deployments at the Maha Kumbh 2025 showcased the versatility and reliability of its platforms.

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On the financial front, the company reported revenues in Q2 FY26 of 21,239 m vs 18,006 m YoY. RattanIndia Enterprises reported losses in September 2025.

Moving ahead, Cocoblu Retail is primed for growth, leveraging technology, robust infrastructure, and private brands, partnerships with MSMEs, and licensing deals.

Revolt Motors is also aggressively expanding its dealership network and entering global markets.

#3 Paras Defence and Space Technologies

Third on the list is Paras Defence and Space Technologies.

Paras Defence and Space Technologies is an Indian defence and space engineering company specialising in indigenously designed, and manufactured products and solutions.

The company supplies critical components such as submarine periscopes, avionics glass suites for aircraft, and high-performance optical systems including for drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and anti-drone devices.

Paras Defence and Space Technologies is the only Indian company manufacturing electro-optic cameras for drones and UAVs.

On the drones front, Paras Heven Advanced Drones Private Ltd is a newly incorporated subsidiary of Paras Defence and Space Technologies.

This joint venture between Paras Defence (51%) and Israel-based Heven Drones (49%) focuses on logistics and cargo drones in India. The drones are designed for both defence and civilian applications with payload capacities ranging from 10-40 kg.

A feature of this JV is the integration of Heven Drones' proprietary hydrogen-powered technology, which offers significantly longer flight endurance compared to traditional battery-powered drones.

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On the financial front, the company reported revenues of 105.7 crore in Q2 FY26 against 87 crore YoY. Paras Defence and Space Technologies reported a net profit of 19.5 crore vs 12.7 crore YoY. The revenues surged 21%, while the net profits grew by 53%.

Moving ahead, the company benefits from strong government initiatives like "Make in India" and increased defence spending focused on self-reliance and technology indigenisation, which will enhance Paras Defence's procurement opportunities.

The company holds a near-monopoly in indigenous critical imaging components for space and defence applications. It also secured international orders, including anti-drone technology contracts.

Should you Consider Stocks Associated with the Drone Industry?

Growing demand for drone and counter-drone and surveillance technologies enhances the defence-focused drone market segment.

Investing in drone-related stocks can tap into a high-growth sector with promising returns. However, it requires careful selection based on financial health, technology strength, order pipeline, market position, and alignment with government policies.

Happy Investing.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
Over the last few years, Indian Railways has benefited from strong government support through policy backing , record budget allocations, and sustained infrastructure spending.

Established companies and public sector undertakings now enjoy robust order books and expanding project pipelines, while rising passenger and freight traffic on upgraded rail networks continues to drive demand for related services and manufacturing.

Against this backdrop, here are three smallcap stocks from the railway ecosystem that stand to gain from the sectors rapid modernisation and capital infusion.

Cosmic CRF

Cosmic CRF is one of Indias leading manufacturers of cold rolled form (CRF) products, sheet piles, and railway components.

The company is a key supplier to Indian Railways, wagon manufacturers, and major infrastructure firms, backed by a strong engineering and technology capability.

The company operates manufacturing units in West Bengal (Singur, Howrah, Jangalpur) and has expanded through its subsidiaries.

The company has reported consistent growth in revenues and profitability. In Q2 FY26, Cosmic CRF posted sales of 3,040 million, up from 1,690 million YoY, while net profit rose to 240 million from 180 million.

The order book of the company stands at 6,150 million, which is double the revenues of FY25.

Also Read | Why IRCTC does not have much competition

Its current order book stands at 6,150 milliondouble its FY25 revenue. Installed capacity has increased from 36,000 tonnes last year to 55,000 tonnes, and the company is exploring the acquisition of another liquid steel asset to meet its rising steel requirements. It also aims to double sales volume in FY26.

The management expects to focus on operational efficiency, advanced manufacturing technologies, and sustainability as it scales. With strong volume expansion plans, diverse product offerings, and strategic investments, Cosmic CRF remains well-positioned for sustained growth.

Hind Rectifiers

Hind Rectifiers manufactures power electronic equipment, semiconductor devices, and railway transportation systems.

Its portfolio includes rectifiers, regulators, semiconductor devices, and traction systems used across power, aviation, telecom, and railway electrification segments.

In Q2 FY26, revenues increased to 2,271 million from 1,658 million YoY, while net profit rose to 147 million from 102 million. The companys order book has reached a record 10,990 million, supported by Indian Railways electrification push and steady demand from industrial customers.

Domestically, the commissioning of its copper conductors facility in Sinnar marks a major leap in backward integration. The company has also strengthened its balance sheet with a 274 million preferential allotment of equity warrants to a promoter group entity, signalling continued promoter confidence.

Going forward, Hind Rectifiers plans to sharpen execution, integrate international operations, and advance innovation, positioning the company for sustainable growth and long-term value.

Kernex Microsystems

Kernex Microsystems is a leading Indian manufacturer of railway safety systems and is known for its specialised solutions, including the Kavach Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), anti-collision devices, automatic level-crossing gates, and digital communication systems.

Its flagship product Trainshield is a microprocessor-based embedded system designed to prevent train accidents by monitoring and communicating locomotive and track conditions to avoid overspeeding and signal violations.

In Q2 FY26, revenues rose to 471 million from 412 million YoY, though net profit dipped to 65 million from 68 million. The companys future plans focus on scaling production and expanding its presence in railway safety technology, particularly through the deployment of Kavach TCAS.

Kernex is also developing complementary safety and automation products such as radio modems, pulse generators, Network Management Systems (NMS), and drone-based inspection tools.

Conclusion

With increased government spending on modernization, electrification, and safety, the Indian Railways ecosystem continues to offer significant growth opportunities. Small-cap stocks may appeal to investors willing to take higher risks, but careful due diligence is essential to navigate volatility and premium valuations.

Evaluating fundamentals, governance standards, and valuation metrics remains key before making any investment decision.

Happy investing!

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com.
Shares of Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale fighter jets, witnessed an uptick in Thursday's trade (November 20), snapping their two-day losing streak.

Dassault Aviation SA stock price rose as much as 2.12% to 278.80 euros on the Paris Stock Exchange today amid strength in the market. The CAC 40 index was up 0.9% at the time of writing.

The scrip had jumped nearly 8% on Monday following a deal with Ukraine to supply 100 Rafale jets. However, the momentum fizzled out over the last two sessions.

The Rafale-maker has seen its shares rise nearly 40% in a year, with the scrip rising in seven out of 11 months of 2025.

In November, the scrip is trading flat with a positive bias. It witnessed its best monthly performance in March this year with a 24% rise. Dassault Aviation stock has hit a 52-week high of 332.20 euros and a 52-week low of 185.30 euros.

Also Read | Ukraine to buy 100 Rafale jets, air defence systems from France over 10 years

Ukraine looks to buy 100 Rafael jets Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reached a preliminary agreement with France to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation, as Ukraine increasingly turns to European suppliers to strengthen its air defences.

Today is a special moment, really a historical one for both nations: France and Ukraine, Zelenskiy said in a social media post.

The letter of intent, signed during Zelenskiys visit to Paris on Monday, also outlines plans for the acquisition of air defence systems, radars, and drones. Following the announcement, Dassault Aviations stock rose by as much as 8%.

The order for 100 Rafale jets comes as Russia steps up air strikes on Ukraine with missiles, drones and glide bombs. Mondays agreement spans a decade, with each project subject to individual contracts, as per a Bloomberg report.

Dassault Aviation: Technical View While the deal with Ukraine has put Dassault Aviation in the limelight again, its stock trades significantly below its 52-week high level.

Anshul Jain, Head of Research, Lakshmishree Investment, believes the current structure reflects steady accumulation, with the possibility of a strong breakout.

"Dassault Aviation is forming a seven-month flat base on the monthly chart, setting up a clean breakout structure. The stock has been tightly absorbed around the current zone, and at the CMP of 276, price action suggests steady accumulation rather than distribution. Daily and weekly volumes also reflect an accumulative tone, often a precursor to a strong breakout," said Jain.

A decisive move above 310 will complete the pattern and can propel the stock toward the 375 region, which aligns with the measured move of the base, he added. "As long as accumulation continues at lower levels, the setup remains constructive for an upside breakout."
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KOSPI rises, foreigners net buyers

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Korean won strengthens against dollar

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South Korea benchmark bond yield flat

SEOUL, - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares rose more than 2% on Thursday, as chipmakers jumped after Nvidia's strong earnings forecasts calmed worries about a bubble in artificial intelligence stocks.

** The benchmark KOSPI was up 92.81 points, or 2.36%, at 4,022.32 as of 0053 GMT, after two consecutive sessions of losses.

** Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Wednesday shrugged off concerns about an AI bubble as the company surprised Wall Street with accelerating growth after several quarters of slowing sales.

** U.S. officials are privately saying that they might not levy long-promised semiconductor tariffs soon, Reuters reported.

** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics rose 3.63%, while peer SK Hynix gained 3.74%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 2.00%.

** Hyundai Motor and sister automaker Kia Corp were up 0.38% and 0.52%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings added 2.87%.

** Of the total 922 traded issues, 757 shares advanced, while 133 declined.

** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 271.5 billion won .

** The won was quoted at 1,467.1 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.10% higher than its previous close at 1,468.5.

** In money and debt markets, December futures on three-year treasury bonds lost 0.03 point to 105.88.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield rose by 1.0 basis point to 2.885%, while the benchmark 10-year yield was flat at 3.285%.
Stock market today: The Indian stock market benchmark indices continued their upward movement on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, as heavyweight IT and banking sector stocks rose amid mixed global cues. The Nifty 50 index closed 0.55% higher at 26,052.65 points, compared to 25,910.05 points at the previous market close.

The BSE Sensex index closed 0.61% higher at 85,186.47 points, compared to 84,673.02 points at the previous stock market close.

The overall market capitalisation (M-Cap) of the BSE-listed companies rose to 475.6 trillion after Wednesday's market session, compared to 474.6 trillion in the previous market close. The Indian stock market investors became 1 trillion richer in a single session.

Trade Setup for Thursday Siddhartha Khemka, the Head of Research of Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said, Nifty 50 ended on a positive note, rising 143 points to close at 26,053 (+0.6%), supported by optimism around the ongoing discussions on the IndiaUS trade deal.

Expectations that the negotiations may move in a favourable direction provided a lift to export-oriented sectors and helped maintain a steady undertone through the day. Despite the headline strength, the broader market performance remained largely neutral, said the stock market expert.

Looking ahead, focus will be on the U.K. and European Consumer Price Index (CPI) scheduled for release later today and key US jobs data tomorrow. Overall, we expect the market to witness a gradual up-move with a cautious undertone as the global macro data unfolds and the market awaits the conclusion of the first phase of the India-US trade deal, said Khemka.

Meanwhile, Nvidia reported revenue of $57 billion in the third quarter, a 22% increase from the previous quarter and a 62% year-over-year (YoY) increase. Its net income rose 65% to $31.91 billion, up from $19.31 billion in the same period last year. The company forecasts $65 billion in sales for Q4, surpassing analyst estimates of $62 billion. Nvidia shares rose 4% after the announcement.

Stocks to buy today Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, has recommended two stock picks for today. Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Anand Rathi, has suggested three stocks for Thursday.

Shiju Kuthupalakkal, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, also recommended three stocks for 19 November 2025.

These stocks include PB Fintech, Cigniti Technologies, Cyient, Bajaj Finance, Astral, Sona BLW Precision Forgings, Samvardhana Motherson International, and Bharat Forge.

Also Read | Maharatna PSU Oil India signs offshore oil deal with TotalEnergies

Sumeet Bagadia stocks to buy today 1. PB Fintech Ltd (POLICYBZR): Buy at 1,850; Target price at 1,990; Stop loss at 1,785.

POLICYBZR has delivered a strong bullish move, closing at 1,850.70, up notably for the session and finishing near the days high  clearly signalling renewed buying momentum and strengthening investor sentiment. The stock experienced a steady and decisive upward move from the 1,7601,780 zone, extending its developing uptrend and marking one of its most constructive daily performances in recent weeks.

From a technical perspective, POLICYBZR has broken above its recent supply zone near 1,8301,840, confirming a bullish continuation setup. The stock is now trading comfortably above all key EMAs, with the shorter-term moving averages crossing and holding above the longer-term ones. This bullish alignment reflects a strong underlying trend and reinforces the ongoing upward momentum.

The breakout has been supported by healthy volume participation, indicating active accumulation by both institutional and retail participants. This pricevolume confirmation strengthens the bullish outlook, showing that buyers are firmly defending lower levels and pushing the stock into a higher range. The pattern of higher lows forming over the recent weeks further validates the emerging positive sentiment and improving trend structure.

Momentum indicators also remain supportive, with the overall price setup showing robust demand around the 1,7601,770 (20/50 EMA zone). This region now acts as a strong support base, offering stability and forming an important platform for the next possible leg higher.

Given the current technical setup, POLICYBZR appears well-positioned to extend its gains toward 1,990 in the near term. Any mild retracement toward 1,8301,820 should be considered a buy-on-dips opportunity, provided the stop loss at 1,785 is maintained.

2. Cigniti Technologies Ltd (CIGNITITEC): Buy at 1,793; Target price at 1,919; Stop loss at 1,725.

CIGNITITEC has delivered a strong bullish performance, closing at 1,793.90, up sharply for the session and finishing near the days high  clearly indicating aggressive buying interest and renewed momentum. The stock has shown a decisive upward move from the 1,7201,730 zone, continuing its positive trajectory and reinforcing the strength of the ongoing uptrend.

From a technical standpoint, CIGNITITEC has decisively reclaimed and closed above its key resistance region around 1,7601,780, confirming a bullish continuation setup. The stock is currently trading above all major EMAs, with the shorter-term EMAs positioned above the longer-term ones, forming a classic bullish alignment. This structure reflects a strong underlying trend and sustained buying momentum.

The days breakout is supported by healthy volume participation, indicating active accumulation by market participants. This price-volume confirmation adds conviction to the recent up-move, suggesting that bulls are firmly in control, consistently defending dips and pushing the price to new short-term highs. The chart also shows a series of higher highs and higher lows, further validating the strength of the ongoing trend.

Momentum indicators remain in the bullish zone without signs of reversal or exhaustion, suggesting that the uptrend still has room to extend. The support zone has now shifted higher, with 1,7201,680 emerging as a strong demand area  providing a solid cushion for any near-term pullbacks and positioning the stock for further upside.

Given the current technical setup, CIGNITITEC appears well-placed to extend its rally toward 1,919 in the near term. Any mild retracement toward 1,7601,740 should be viewed as a buy-on-dips opportunity, as long as price holds above the key support and stop loss level of 1,725.

Ganesh Dongre stocks to buy today 3. Cyient Ltd (CYIENT): Buy at 1,152; Target price at 1,200; Stop loss at 1,120.

In the recent short-term trend analysis of the stock, a notable bullish reversal pattern has emerged. This technical pattern suggests the possibility of a temporary retracement in the stock's price, potentially reaching around 1,200.

At present, the stock is maintaining a crucial support level at 1,120. Given the current market price of 1,152, a buying opportunity is emerging. This suggests that investors might consider purchasing the stock at its current price, anticipating a rise towards the identified target of 1,200.

4. Bajaj Finance Ltd (BAJFINANCE): Buy at 1,005; Target price at 1,050; Stop loss at 990.

We have seen major support in this stock around 990. So, at the current juncture, the stock has again seen a reversal price action formation at the 1,005 price level, which may continue its rally till its next resistance level of 1,050, so traders can buy and hold this stock with a stop loss of 990 for the target price of 1,050 in the upcoming weeks.

5. Astral Ltd (ASTRAL): Buy at 1,440; Target price at 1,500; Stop loss at 1,420.

In the recent short-term trend analysis of the stock, a notable bullish reversal pattern has emerged. This technical pattern suggests that there could be a temporary retracement in the stock's price, possibly to around 1,500. Currently, the stock is holding a crucial support level at 1,420.

Given this scenario, there is potential for the stock to rebound towards the 1,500 level in the near future. Traders are advised to consider taking a long position, with a strategic stop loss set at 1,420 to manage risk effectively. The target price for this trade is 1,500, reflecting the anticipated upward movement based on the identified technical.

Shiju Kuthupalakkal stocks to buy today 6. Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (SONACOMS): Buy at 506.95; Target price at 530; Stop loss at 495.

The stock, after consolidating for a while above the important 200-period MA at the 477 level, has indicated a breakout above the resistance zone of the 500 level to further improve the bias and can expect further upward movement in the coming sessions. The RSI is maintained strongly, with further upside movement anticipated. Given the chart's technical look, we suggest buying the stock with an upside target of 530, while keeping the stop-loss at the 495 level.

7. Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (MOTHERSON): Buy at 112; Target price at 120; Stop loss at 109.

The stock has picked up well from the strong support level of the 102 zone, improving the bias and moving past the important 50EMA at the 105 level, with a currently positive candle formation, which indicates another fresh round of momentum anticipation for further rise in the coming days. The RSI is on the rise, indicating strength, and with much upside potential visible, it can continue the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock with an upside target of 120, while keeping the stop-loss at the 109 level.

8. Bharat Forge Ltd (BHARATFORG): Buy at 1,446; Target price at 1,510; Stop loss at 1,415.

The stock has indicated a rising trend, characterised by a series of higher bottom formation patterns on the daily chart, which improves the bias. A currently bullish candle has indicated a breakout above the 1,415 zone, further strengthening the trend and anticipating a rise in the coming days. The RSI has gathered strength and has the potential to continue the positive move. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock with an upside target of 1,510, while maintaining a stop-loss at 1,415.

Read all stories by Anubhav Mukherjee
Recently, the elite Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru introduced a new mandate for students and researchers, leading to widespread discontent among the scientific community. The department of electronic systems engineering rolled out a new attendance policy requiring MTech and first-year PhD students to spend at least 50 hours a week in laboratories. Senior PhD scholars are expected to match their advisers 70-80 hour weekly schedules.

Effectively, this amounts to 14-16 hours of study and research daily. The adherence to the rules are to be enforced by Radio Frequency Identification-based access cards and facial recognition devices installed to monitor lab hours.

The system seems to be founded on the worst practices of corporate hustle culture, where, in a misguided notion, the number of hours spent at work and productivity are believed to be directly proportional. This week, IT giant Cognizant announced a micro-tracking system which will label employees as idle" after 5 minutes of break.

Time, as the age-old adage goes, equals money, though newer research into circadian (the bodys internal clock) and ultradian clocks (90-120 minute energy cycles) paints a different picture. Historically, humans have best worked in bursts of activity and rest. This is especially true for agrarian societies, where farmers till the land during the day and return home at sundown to recover. Common sense says this practice should hold true for all professions.

So, in the case of knowledge workers, especially researchers and scholars, it is absurd to measure their productivity solely in terms of the hours they clock in. These norms dont factor in the complex realities of contemporary workplaces, where tasks spill over beyond the designated workday, collaboration involves connecting with colleagues from different time zones, and the best ideas dont necessarily come calling during the 9 to 5" daily grind.

Most corporations around the world dont account for these anomalies. But in low-trust societies like India, these problems become further aggravated by a pervasive culture of surveillance, micro-management and poor employee practices. (As of 2023, India ranks 64 in the Global Remote Work Index and, anecdotally, at least, its status seems to have only worsened.)

As the late economist David Graeber wrote in his book, Bullsh*t Jobs: The Rise of Pointless Work and What We Can Do About it (2019), ...today, it is considered perfectly natural for free citizens of democratic countries to rent out a third or more of their day."
A personal loan is one of the easiest and fastest types of loans a borrower can obtain. However, after applying for the personal loan, the situation/circumstances may have changed, necessitating its cancellation. Banks and NBFCs offer customers the option to cancel their personal loans during the cooling-off period.

In this article, we will understand what the cooling-off period is in a personal loan, the steps to cancel a personal loan during this period, and the associated charges.

What is the cooling-off period for personal loan cancellation? The cooling-off period is a specified time period within which a borrower can review the personal loan terms and conditions and cancel the loan, if required. The time period varies among banks and NBFCs, and usually ranges between 3 to 15 days from the date of loan disbursement. The cooling-off period is also referred to as the free look period.

The cooling-off period is one of the customer protection measures provided by banks. The cooling-off period allows the borrower to reassess their finances after the loan has been disbursed. The customer can have second thoughts about the loan to ensure it was not a hasty financial decision to apply for it. There can be various reasons due to which a customer may want to cancel their personal loan. Some of these reasons include the following.

The medical procedure/surgery for which the personal loan has been taken has been postponed or is no longer required. The family vacation for which the personal loan was taken is cancelled. The borrower has got a favourable personal loan offer from another lender with better terms. The borrower finds the personal loan terms and conditions unacceptable. The borrower has obtained the required funds from other sources, such as a salary advance from the employer, a bonus, a performance incentive, or variable pay from the employer, etc. Deterioration in financial condition, due to factors such as a salary cut, salary delay, job loss, etc., makes the personal loan servicing difficult. On second thought, the borrower may feel that they can manage the situation even without the personal loan. Process of personal loan cancellation In the above section, we understood the various reasons why a borrower might want to cancel their personal loan. To cancel a personal loan, the borrower must take the following steps:



Check the loan agreement: Go through the personal loan agreement to understand the banks cooling-off period and related terms and conditions.

Inform the bank: Contact the bank and submit a formal cancellation request for the personal loan cancellation. It can be done by visiting the bank and submitting a written application, visiting the website/email, calling customer care, etc. The cancellation request must include details such as your personal information, the loan account number, the reason for cancellation, etc.

Make sure the cancellation request is submitted within the cooling-off period. Take an acknowledgement or service request number confirming the bank has received the request.



Return the money: Return the personal loan money to the bank. You can return it through a fund transfer, cheque, cash deposit at the branch, etc. Obtain an acknowledgement from the bank regarding the return of money.

Take cancellation confirmation from the bank: Once the bank receives the personal loan money, it will cancel the personal loan. It may take a couple of working days for the cancellation request to be processed. Once the loan is cancelled, you will get a confirmation from the bank.

Also Read | 8 practical tips to stop your personal loan from turning into a burden

Cost of personal loan cancellation Most banks dont charge any fees for personal loan cancellation if it is done during the cooling-off period. However, if the cancellation request is submitted after the cooling-off period, charges will apply. Different banks have different fee structures for loan cancellation charges. The processing fee paid while applying or at the time of disbursal is usually non-refundable.

Impact of personal loan cancellation on credit score The impact on the credit score will depend on at which stage the personal loan is cancelled. Suppose the person has backed out early after submitting the personal loan application. If the bank has not done a credit enquiry, it will not affect the credit score.

If the applicant backs out after the credit inquiry but before disbursal, the impact on the credit score will be minimal. Suppose the bank has disbursed the personal loan, and the borrower decides to cancel it during the cooling-off period. If the borrower returns the money to the bank and the loan is cancelled, there may be minimal impact on the credit score. The score will recover in a short period, provided there are no other adverse events. The bank will inform the credit information companies (CICs) of the suppression of such loans post-cancellation.

Also Read | Dark side of personal loans: THIS is how you can avoid predatory lenders

Should you cancel a personal loan? Once you have applied for a personal loan, the circumstances may change. The changed circumstances may require the borrower to cancel the personal loan. In such a case, you may proceed with cancelling the loan. Check the loan agreement to understand the cooling-off period and submit the cancellation request within this timeframe.

Cancelling the loan may result in the loss of the processing fee and some other charges. However, it is still better to cancel the loan if the circumstances have changed or the need for the personal loan is no longer there.

Gopal Gidwani is a freelance personal finance content writer with 15+ years of experience. He can be reached on LinkedIn.

For all personal finance updates, visit here.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recently issued a direction requiring all companies regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to complete the adoption of the '1600' number series by the specified dates.

The aim of this direction is to enhance consumer trust, curb spam, and prevent fraudulent activities perpetrated through voice calls.

In response to Trai's regulatory initiative, the '1600' number series has been assigned by the Department of Telecommunications for allocation to entities in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector and government organisations to clearly distinguish their service and transactional calls from other commercial communications.

Identify legitimate calls The series will enable citizens to reliably identify legitimate calls originating from regulated financial institutions.

After assigning the series and allocating numbering resources to the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Trai has regularly engaged with the BFSI sector regulators and TSPs to push the adoption of the 1600 series.

Institution Numbering series to roll out on Regulator Commercial banks 1 January 2026 RBI Cooperative banks 1 March 2026 RBI Small finance banks 1 February 2026 RBI Large NBFCs 1 February 2026 RBI Small NBFCs 1 March 2026 RBI Payment banks 1 Feb 2026 RBI Mutual Funds 15 Feb Sebi Pension fund 15 Feb 2026 PFRDA CRAs 15 Feb 2026 PFRDA

Consequent to these efforts, about 485 entities have already adopted the 1600 series, subscribing to a total of over 2,800 numbers.

Based on Trai's interactions with stakeholders, it was considered that the time is now ripe to mandate a time-bound completion of the exercise. The aim is to ensure that entities that use standard 10-digit numbers for service and transactional calls also shift to 1600 series numbers to reduce the risk of fraudulent or misleading calls being made in the guise of trusted financial institutions.

Trai has taken inputs on timelines from the regulators, following deliberations held during the meetings of the Joint Committee of Regulators. Based on the consultations held with them, a phase-wise implementation schedule has now been issued.
New Delhi: Child poverty has declined globally over the past two decades, but staggering disparities and overlapping crises continue to push millions of children into deprivation, Unicef said in a report on Thursday.

Severe child deprivation has decreased by one-third since 2000, marking a significant milestone in global development, the UN children's agency said in its report The State of the World's Children 2025.

So far this century, countries have made progress towards reducing child poverty as measured by severe deprivation. Estimates show that poverty based on severe deprivation in at least one area has fallen by one third since 2000 in low- and middle-income countries, the report said.

However, about two in five children worldwide still faced severe deprivation, the report noted.

In India, as many as 206 million children experience at least one deprivation, but fewer than one-third, or 62 million, experience two or more, according to the report.

Unicef defines child deprivation as the absence of resources children need to survive, develop, and thrive, reflecting shortfalls across several essential categories like nutrition, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and adequate housing.

Nearly 412 million children, or one in five globally, still live in extreme monetary poverty, surviving on less than $3 a day, with the burden most acute in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, the report said.

Also Read | No more free pass: Govt plans to regulate cough syrup sales in villages

The agency highlighted five policy strategies that have helped countries sharply reduce child poverty: elevating it as a national priority; creating fiscal space that protects child-related spending; expanding inclusive social protection, such as universal and targeted cash transfers; strengthening access to quality public services; and promoting decent work and social security for caregivers.

But the report cautioned that these gains are increasingly under threat with climate change, rising armed conflict, and severe funding pressures converging to create an immediate and escalating risk to childrens well-being.

Each year, four out of five children face at least one extreme climate hazard, such as a heatwave, flood, or drought. In 2023, nearly 9 million children were displaced by such disasters, the report said.

Projections for 2050 show that about eight times more children will be exposed to extreme heatwaves, three times more to extreme river floods, and nearly twice as many to extreme wildfires, it added.

In conflict settings, Unicef recommended that governments and aid agencies prioritize humanitarian access, continuity of education, and rapid restoration of basic services.

Traditional solutions  debt cancellation, increased aid, austerity or borrowing from new sources  have fallen short or deepened the crisis. Instead, debt restructuring is needed to transform obligations into opportunities for governments to make robust, sustainable investments in children, the Unicef report said.
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out searches at the Kashmir Times office in Jammu on Thursday over allegations of involvement in anti-national activities and recovered cartridges of AK rifles and some rounds of pistol, among other things.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary asked the investigative agencies not to "pick-and-choose" media organisations for raids, saying there should not be any pressure on the press.

Also Read | NIA nets 4 more prime accused in Red Fort blast case, taking total arrests to 6

"The agencies are doing their work. If a raid has to be conducted, it should not be done on a pick-and-choose basis. If they have done anything wrong, action should be taken, but not just to create pressure. The Press is the fourth estate, and it should get space to practise journalism," Surinder Choudhary told reporters.

The Kashmir Times management sharply criticised the reported raids on its Jammu office, terming the allegations of activities inimical to the state a coordinated attempt to suppress an independent media institution.

The editors said Kashmir Times, founded in 1954 by Ved Bhasin, has consistently upheld independent journalism.

We have chronicled the regions triumphs and failures with equal rigour. We have given voice to communities that would otherwise go unheard. We have asked difficult questions when others remained silent, they said.

Since 2023, the media firm has switched to a digital multimedia format, which replaced the previous print edition.

They alleged that the organisation was being targeted for continuing to pursue independent reporting. We are being targeted precisely because we continue to do this work. In an era when critical voices are increasingly scarce, we remain one of the few independent outlets willing to speak truth to power, the statement added.

Calling the allegations an intimidation tactic, the editors said, The accusations levelled against us are designed to intimidate, to delegitimize, and ultimately to silence. We will not be silenced.

View full Image Security officials outside the Kashmir Times office during a raid by the State Investigation Agency, in Jammu, on Thursday, 20 November 2025. (PTI Photo) ( PTI )

They reiterated that journalism is not a crime. Accountability is not treason. And we will continue to inform, investigate, and advocate for those who depend on us. The state may have the power to raid our offices. But it cannot raid our commitment to the truth.

The editors added that although the newspapers print edition was suspended in 202122 following relentless targeting, Kashmir Times continues to operate digitally, and all its work remains publicly accessible on its website.

Anuradha Bhasin was also the petitioner in the landmark Anuradha Bhasin Vs Union of India case, in which the Supreme Court issued a judgment calling for internet shutdowns only for a temporary duration, ANI reported.

"The order is impermissible under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Service) Rules, 2017. The suspension can be utilised for a temporary duration only," the judgment said.
Faridabads Al Falah Medical College, which has been linked to the 10 November blast near Red Fort in Delhi, has filled all 150 MBBS seats for the 2025-26 academic session, college officials said on Wednesday.

According to the Hindustan Times, the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, under Al-Falah University, received approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to admit its first batch of MBBS students in 2019.

The college offers 150 MBBS seats. The first-year fee is 16,37,500 for Indian nationals and $32,900 for NRI students, the HT report added.

Haryanas Department of Medical Education and Research conducts NEET-UG-based counselling for MBBS admissions to all medical colleges in the state, including Al-Falah.

The verification of students documents is conducted after their names are included in the provisional allotment list, based on their college choices.

The verification process takes place at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, a state-run government medical college, as reported by HT.

After three regular counselling rounds held between 8 August and 22 October left 15 seats vacant, the college filled all remaining seats in the so-called stray round on 13 November, as per the provisional allotment list released on 17 November. The newly admitted students are scheduled to join on Thursday.

By 13 November, the investigators had identified the connection between Faridabads Al Falah Medical College and the 10 November blast that killed 13 people near the Red Fort in Delhi.

Also Read | Is Red Fort open today? Lal Quila metro station reopens 6 days after Delhi blast

During counselling, students often opt for upgrades to secure admission in colleges better aligned with their NEET-UG scores. Many who initially joined us in the first round later upgraded to other colleges as they got government colleges, while some upgraded into our college from elsewhere, a faculty member from the admission committee of Al-Falah Medical College told HT.

After three rounds, we were left with 15 vacant seats, but the counselling authorities allotted all of them in the stray round to students who had chosen our college during the choice-filling process of the counselling, the official said.

'Single incident cannot define a colleges reputation' Dr Vivek Singh Malik, professor at PGIMS Rohtak and vice-president of the Haryana State Medical Teachers Association (HSMTA), said a single incident cannot define a colleges reputation.

Al-Falah may be a private college, but it must follow government norms set by NMC and other regulators. Students are opting for it largely because its fees are lower than other private medical colleges in the state, which charge over 25 lakh a year, Malik said.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) officials were quoted as saying that the apex medical regulator will provide its required inputs to the investigating agencies after they have examined everything related to the incident and decide on the next course of action based on their findings.

Al-Falah University under scanner, group chairman arrested The Al Falah University has come under scrutiny after the arrest of several doctors in connection with the 10 November blast near Delhi's Red Fort, which killed 13 people and injured many others. The suicide bomber, Dr Umar Un Nabi, a Kashmiri resident, was associated with the varsity.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday said it arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al Falah group, in a money laundering case.

Also Read | Delhi blast: Lal Quila Metro CCTV captures moments of Red Fort car explosion

The development came as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its probe into Al-Falah University by expanding it to the financial operations of the Al-Falah Trust, its associated firms, and the personnel managing the institution's administrative and financial systems.
There seems to be no relief for Tamil Nadu and the capital, Chennai  which has been experiencing rainfall over the past few days  as the India Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. A yellow warning has been issued due to the rain. The IMD has cautioned about slippery roads, waterlogging, and potential traffic disruptions.

Rain is likely at isolated places over the districts of Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvallur, and Viluppuram in Tamil Nadu, as well as Puducherry and the Karaikal area.

Light rain is also expected in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Coimbatore, and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu.

The forecast further suggests that the weather may turn inclement by the weekend.

Are schools in Chennai closed? Authorities have not yet confirmed whether schools will remain closed today. Parents and students are advised to remain in contact with their respective schools for updates.

Whats the weather forecast till the weekend? Rainy conditions are expected to persist across Tamil Nadu through the weekend. According to the IMD, heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore districts on Thursday.

By Friday, cloud cover is set to increase, and heavy rain could occur at isolated places over Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu and Nagapattinam districts and the Puducherry and Karaikal areas, the IMD said.

View full Image IMD has placed Chennai under yellow alert.

Which districts may see heavy rainfall this weekend? On Saturday and Sunday, several districts  including Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Villuppuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, and Tirunelveli  are likely to experience heavy rainfall. The Puducherry and Karaikal areas are also expected to receive significant rain.

Also Read | IMD issues rainfall alert for parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai

Is a new weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal? A cyclonic circulation remains active over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and its adjoining regions, extending up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. According to the IMD, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) is expected to form over the Southeast Bay of Bengal around November 22.

Also Read | Kolkata rain alert: Bay of Bengal low pressure likely to bring heavy rainfall
The Delhi Police said that a hoax bomb threat email was received at Sanskriti School, which is located in Chanakypuri, on Thursday morning. Nothing suspicious was found following the search operation. Police personnel present at the school, the Delhi Police said.

The email prompted the investigative authorities to quickly reach the school and conduct searches.

After a thorough search, Delhi police officials found nothing suspicious, an official statement was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

Multiple Delhi police personnel were present at the Sanskriti school in Chanakyapuri, checking the area in and around the school.

Security forces were put on high alert since the Delhi blast near Red Fort, which killed atleast 13 people. A day after the blasts, multiple courts in Delhi and schools received hoax bomb threats.

Delhi's Saket District court premises in the national capital were evacuated after an emailed bomb threat triggered panic on Tuesday morning. Search operations were carried out and the email was eventually found to be a hoax.

A threat email for a bomb blast at the Patiala House Court, Rohini Court, and Saket Court was received on Tuesday morning. Thereafter, the court premises were evaluated by security personnel.

Advocate Tarun Rana, secretary, New Delhi Bar Association, said an email of a bomb placed in the premises was received and after a search operation, the email was found to be a hoax.

The Patiala House Court had also received a bomb threat ahead of Red Fort bomb blast case accused Jasir Bilal alias Danish being produced before it by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Also Read | Security alert at Ronald Reagan National Airport after bomb threat on plane

Bomb disposal squad a dog squad team and Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed outside the Court.Additionally, Security arrangements were also increased.

The November 10 blast near Delhi's Red Fort killed 15 people and injured many others. The prime accused, Dr Umar Un Nabi, a Kashmiri resident, was at the wheel carrying the explosive material.
Delhi Red Fort blast case: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said it has arrested four more prime accused involved in the November 10 blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, which killed at least 15 and injured several others.

The latest crackdown on Delhi blast accused has the total number of arrests in the case to six, the NIA said in a statement on the day. Three of them are doctors, while one is a religious preacher.

The District Sessions Judge of the Patiala House Court in Delhi granted custody of the accused to the NIA. The agency took the four prime accused of the Red Fort explosion case to its custody in Srinagar.

All the four accused arrested today played a key role in the terror attack that killed several innocent persons and left many others injured, the NIA said in its statement.

Also Read | Red Fort Blast: Al Falah Chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui remanded to ED custody

Delhi blast arrests: Who are the accused? These accused have been identified as Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir), Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir), Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian (Jammu and Kashmir).

The NIA, which formally took over the Delhi blast case on November 11, has already arrested two people  Amir Rashid Ali and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish.

Ali's name first surfaced when investigators found that Dr Umar-un-Nabi, who was driving the explosives-laden i20 that detonated near the Red Fort, had purchased the car in his name.

Meanwhile, the NIA arrested Wani after finding out that Nabi was convincing him to become a suicide bomber. He was not persuaded but is alleged to have agreed to participate as an overground worker for the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The people who have been arrested are said to be at the centre of an alleged white collar terror module busted by Jammu and Kashmir police along with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

During their investigation, police got a lead from the Al Falah university in Faridabad where 2,900 kg of explosives was recovered.

A special NIA court at Patiala House Court in the national capital on Tuesday remanded Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish to 10 days in the NIA custody.

Principal District and Session judge (Special NIA Judge) Anju Bajaj Chandana after a closed courtroom hearing remanded Wani to NIA custody.
A student at the private school in Delhi, who allegedly died by suicide earlier this week, was apparently taunted and bullied by his teachers for nearly a year, reported NDTV, citing his father.

The 16-year-old was also threatened with expulsion after his parents had raised concerns about the teachers' conduct, the media report stated.

The kid is alleged to have leapt from Platform 2 of Rajendra Place Metro Station in Central Delhi on Tuesday.

Pradeep Patil, the kid's father, told NDTV that his son was reprimanded and "publicly insulted" on the day he ended his life, following a fall during a dance practice on stage.

The father claimed that one of the teachers told the boy to cry as much as you want, it doesn't matter to me, after he became distressed on stage.

For the past 8-10 months, he's been complaining that his teacher scolds him for every little thing. The teacher even complained to me about his mischievous behavior. Despite our insistence, she continued to torture him. We told him we'd change schools as soon as he passed 10th grade, Pradeep told ANI, adding, Three days ago, just before his board exam prelims, he was threatened with expulsion.

Pradeep further stated that his son had complained to his parents about the teachers' ill-treatment for a year, and whenever they raised the matter with the school authorities, it was dismissed, with officials suggesting the pupil simply needed to focus on classes.

Pradeep said his son "complained about the ill-treatment for a year".

"Whenever we would raise the matter with the school authorities, they would dismiss it by saying that my son needs to focus during classes. They would say that his Math grades are poor and he doesn't like to focus on his studies," he said.

Also Read | BITS Pilani Goa student found dead in hostel, police launch probe

"He was a kid and kids at his age may have the tendency to get distracted but that doesn't justify the teachers' behaviour towards him. When we reached out to them later again, they threatened to issue a Transfer Certificate (TC) for him," Pradeep added.

The First Information Report (FIR) confirms that the child, from the school, is believed to have leapt from Platform 2 of Rajendra Place Metro Station in Central Delhi on Tuesday. A so-called suicide note was recovered from his school bag, which reportedly blamed three teachers for his action.

He was usually driven to and from school, but on that particular day, he left the campus via the back gate and proceeded to the metro station to take his own life.

"The teachers removed him from the dance altogether, saying he fell on purpose. They also accused him of doing drama and overacting," he said.

"One of the teachers told him to 'cry as much as you want, it doesn't matter to me'. The school principal was also present on the spot but did not intervene," he added.
A Pakistani politician has purportedly hinted at Islamabads involvement in the 10 November Red Fort blast. In a video, now viral on social media, Anwarul Haq, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is heard saying that terror groups linked to Pakistan carried out attacks from the Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir.

Haq, who lost the no-confidence motion in the regional assembly, however, did not clearly mention whether he was referring to the November 10 car bomb attack in Delhi near Lal Quila, which left about 10 dead, including Dr Umar Nabi, a Kashmiri who was driving the car.

I earlier said that if you keep bleeding Balochistan, we'll hit India from Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir. By the grace of Allah, we've done it and they're still unable to count bodies, Anwarul Haq is heard saying during a speech in the PoK Assembly.

Clearly, Haq was referring to the Pahalgam attack in the Baisaran meadows of South Kashmir, where the attackers were from Pakistan. The attacker in the Delhi Red Fort was not from Pakistan, and the government has not officially established or suspected a role of Pakistan in the attack. Investigators, however, said that the Red Fort attack was a part of a larger white-collar terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror group based in Pakistan and founded by Masood Azhar, a UN-designated terrorist.

Khawaja Asif's rant Haq's statement comes amid Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif's warning that Islamabad cannot ignore the possibility of an "all-out war" with India and that the country needs to be on "full alert". He said India cannot be trusted, adding that the country has been put on maximum alert for "any border incursion".
Delhi woke up to a blanket of dense and lingering haze on Thursday as the capital citys overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 400, entering the severe category.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's AQI was recorded at 399 at 8:00 AM, amid low wind speeds and dipping temperatures.

The air pollution levels in Delhi have remained close to the severe mark for the sixth consecutive day today.

Also Read | Delhi struggles to breathe as AQI hovers above 400 at 16 locations

Delhi: Pollution hotspots Multiple monitoring stations across Delhi registered AQI levels above 400 on Thursday.

Here are some of the pollution hotspots in the city with severe readings on the CPCB-developed Sameer app:

Wazirpur: 477

Anand Vihar: 427

RK Puram: 424

Punjabi Bagh: 441

Mundka: 441

Jahangirpuri: 453

Burari Crossing: 410

Bawana: 443 Lodhi Road reported the lowest AQI among 39 stations, recording 269, which still falls within the poor category.

As per the CPCBs classification, AQI between 301 and 400 is considered very poor, while levels between 401 and 500 are categorised as severe.

MCD orders strict dust-control The Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), on Wednesday, chaired by Satya Sharma, discussed the rising air pollution levels and the need to strengthen dust-control measures.

Sharma directed zonal deputy commissioners to ensure that mechanical road sweeping machines operate in all shifts, and submit reports pertaining to it to the Standing Committee everyday. Any breakdown of sweeping machines must be repaired within 72 hours, she ordered.

Officials were also told to clear loose soil, construction debris and accumulated dust from roads within 24 hours.

Call for citizen-volunteers Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called for stronger public engagement through citizen-volunteer networks and grievance platforms such as the Sameer and Green Delhi apps, saying a clean-air future "depends on partnership between the government, institutions and residents".

The minister also stressed that real-time pollution surveillance -- including AI-enabled tools, hotspot identification, traffic management inputs and continuous industry and vehicular emission checks -- will be integrated more closely into policy-making and enforcement.

Air quality likely to remain in severe category Delhis air quality is likely to remain in the very poor to severe zone for at least the next six days, cautioned the Ministry of Earth Sciences Air Quality Early Warning System.

The Decision Support System of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, estimated that vehicular emissions contributed 18 per cent to Delhis pollution on Wednesday, while stubble burnings share stood at 3.8 per cent.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that Israel and India have decided to enter into negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the two countries formally signed the Terms of Reference (ToR).

The ToR was signed by Goyal and Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat.

Goyal told reporters that they will soon finalise the dates for starting the negotiations, adding, services such as IT, tourism and movement of skilled professionals will get a boost from the proposed pact.

He added that that the proposed agreement will open the doors to greater market access, flow of capital, investments and trade both in goods and services.

"It will also remove obstacles to doing business, provide clarity, predictability and stability to our economic engagement. Clearly, Israel and India are two strategic partners with deep-rooted friendship and a mutual respect for each other and are destined to bigger achievements and greater friendship, Piyush Goyal said.

The minister noted that the two countries which really don't compete with each other, are ambitious to finalize a win, win, fair, equitable and balanced free trade agreement between our two democracies.

We have already agreed that whatever will be the sensitivities of Israel, India will keep out that from the agreement and similarly, whatever is sensitive for India, Israel will keep that

Also Read | Why free trade pact with Asean nations hasnt worked for India so far

When asked about the boost the FTA will give to the bilateral trade, Israeli Minister Nir Barkat. indicated a 10-fold increase.

"India is one of the best friends that Israel has around the world. Israel has technologies to boost productivity, and it can share that with Indi," reported PTI quoting Barkat

He added that Isreali companies understand the potential of India and "We have to make the ecosystem simple".

India-Israel bilateral trade During April 2000 and June 2025, India received USD 337.77 million foreign direct investment (FDI) from Israel
New Delhi: The government has started a major overhaul of the regulatory framework for critical infrastructure and emerging technologies, a move that follows the withdrawal and extension of several key Quality Control Orders (QCOs) earlier this month. The government had withdrawn 14 products from the QCO ambit on 13 November.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified 12 new Indian Standards covering vital areas: cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, wind energy systems, and homoeopathic preparations. These standards are set to replace multiple outdated specifications by April 2026. This comprehensive update addresses outdated regulations, aligns India with international benchmarks.

The most significant upgrades are in cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. BIS has adopted revised international standards to address the growing threat landscape targeting industrial systems, utilities, IoT networks, and data-heavy applications.

Also Read | India introduces standards for NavIC receivers as it looks to replace GPS

The industries expected to be directly affected include power utilities, telecom and data infrastructure companies, cybersecurity solution providers, IoT device manufacturers, and the critical process industry. Major companies such as Tata Consultancy Services, Cisco, and Tech Mahindra, among others, will need to update their compliance mechanisms.

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal reiterated the Union governments push for stricter quality enforcement, underlining the importance of high-standard products for consumers, at the Udyog Samagam 2025 on 11 November.

Wind energy

In parallel, BIS has notified new standards for wind energy systems, including guidelines on measuring the electrical characteristics of wind power plants and protocols for the marking and lighting of turbines. Major players, including Suzlon, Siemens Energy, and Vestas, will be impacted.

The key change is the requirement to test the electrical behaviour of an entire wind power plant, rather than just individual turbines, as earlier standards dictated. The new standard introduces detailed procedures for making grid integration more reliable and compliant..

It also adds clear rules for marking and lighting wind turbines for aviation and safety purposes, defining lighting placement, visibility requirements, and marking norms for towers and blades to meet updated international safety expectations.

A senior government official explained the necessity: The new standard has been introduced because Indias wind sector has moved to large, utility-scale wind farms where testing individual turbines is no longer enough to ensure safe and stable grid performance."

As wind penetration increases, grid operators now need precise data on how an entire wind plant behaves during voltage dips, frequency changes and other disturbances, the official said.

Also Read | India drafts first-ever green hydrogen electrolyser efficiency standards

Wind sector experts support the update. MP Ramesh, former director general, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), stated, "Standards keep evolving. With the expanding power grid network and newer issues and challenges being faced, the same norms cannot be expected to continue." The required change in standards would have to be brought in.

Sneh Shah, whole-time director, Aimtron Electronics, affirmed the industry view: For a manufacturer like Aimtron, the latest IS/ISO/IEC cybersecurity standards help shape how we design and protect our components, PCB assemblies, and connected systems." Controls such as secure firmware, hardware-level identity, segmentation of OT networks, and virtualised network protection have long been part of our engineering discipline. He noted that the updated standards reinforce these practices and strengthen the security backbone of Indias growing IoT and embedded-electronics landscape.

The introduction of stricter global standards like IEC 61400-21-2 for plant-level electrical verification and IEC/TS 61400-29 for mandatory aviation lighting marks a crucial maturity step for the wind sector. For India, this international alignment is a double-edged sword," said Saurabh Agarwal, partner, EY India.

On one hand, adopting these rigorous processes will require significant investment and re-skilling for our manufacturers and project developers, potentially creating initial cost complexities, while on the other hand, a globally certified, higher-quality productbacked by transparent electrical performance data and essential safety features like aviation lightingwill boost investor confidence, reduce technical risk, and unlock global market access for Indian wind technology," said Agarwal.

Homeopathy quality

The notification also includes three new standards for homeopathic medicines, covering preparation methods for mother tinctures and specifications for raw materials like Holarrhena antidysenterica and sugar of milk.

These updated homeopathy standards bring uniform guidelines to areas where none existed. The new method for preparing mother tincturesthe liquid extracts that form the base for all homeopathic medicinesnow specifies the exact percolation process. Previously, manufacturers employed various methods, resulting in quality variations. Clear purity and safety requirements have been established for commonly used raw materials, replacing loose and informal practices.
The US State Department has approved the sale of the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system and the M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery munitions worth $93 million to India.

In a notification on Thursday, Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the US State Department has approved the sale of $93 million worth of military equipment.

This is the first time New Delhi has purchased defence equipment from Washington after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as punishment for the country's purchases of Russian oil.

According to the DSCA statement, this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.

The agency added that the proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first strike accuracy in its brigades. India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.

What is FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile system? The Javelin missile system is a modern anti-tank guided missile system that is used extensively across the world. It is a single man-portable fire-and-forget medium-range anti-tank weapon system designed to defeat all known and projected threat armour.

Jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the Javelin missile system is a man-portable, shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget weapon. The Javelin works with a fire-and-forget infrared seeker, which allows the operator to lock a target before it is launched.

Javelin automatically guides itself to the target after the initial launch, allowing the operator to take cover, relocate or prepare to engage another threat.

According to the manufacturers, using an arched top-attack profile, Javelin climbs above its target for improved visibility and then strikes where the armour is the weakest.

To launch it, the operator first places a cursor over the selected target. Thereafter, the Javelin launch command unit sends a lock-on-before-launch signal to the missile.

The anti-tank guided missile system also has a soft-launch design, with which one can easily fire from inside buildings or bunkers.

Javelin defeats all known and projected armor on the battlefield, to include main battle tanks and softer targets, and can be fired in top or direct attack modes, according to Lockheed Martin.
When intellectuals become terrorists, they become more dangerous than those working on the ground, the Delhi police told the Supreme Court on Thursday as it vehemently opposed the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in the February 2020 riots case, as reported by PTI.

Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, and Rehman have been charged under the stringent anti-terror law UAPA, along with relevant sections of the erstwhile IPC, for allegedly orchestrating the 2020 Delhi riots, which resulted in 53 deaths and left more than 700 people injured.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Delhi police, told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria that the delay in trial was attributable to the accused and they cannot take advantage of it.

According to LiveLaw, Delhi Police said, I must point out, intellectuals when they guide and become terrorists, they become more dangerous than those working at the ground. These are real prey, and because of state support-state fundings and subsidies, they become doctors and activists- these types of activists are dangerous. There is a narrative made that he's an intellectual when bail applications are filed. CAA protest was a red-herring, and whitewash-real purpose was regime change, economic strangulation etc.

Police said it had become a trend now for doctors and engineers to engage in anti-national activities.

Raju showed in the top court videos of Imam giving "inflammatory speeches" against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

"The member of this conspiracy, Sharjeel, he does say its innocous. He says it should be a violent protest, and you should separate assam from India. He said you should be able to take lathi, etc and it is used by police when mob is a little violent. He says its an issue of four countries, Nepal, Bangladesh etc. He also targets chickenneck, in Arunachal pradesh, if that 16 kms go, it will separate Assam. He says he would require only that strenght for 16 km," Raju added, as reported by LiveLaw.

The videos showed Imam giving speeches at Chakhand, Jamia, Aligarh, and Asansol in 2019 and 2020 before the riots in February 2020 riots in Delhi.

Pointing out that Imam is an engineering graduate, the advocate said, Nowadays there is a trend that doctors, engineers are not doing their professions but engaging in anti-national activities.

Raju added, It's not a simple protest. These are violent protests. They are talking about blockades.

At this juncture, Justice Kumar asked if the speeches were part of the chargesheet, to which Raju replied in the affirmative.

The ASG said CAA protests were timed with US President Donald Trump's visit to India to get international media coverage.

Also Read | Delhi HC denies bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in 2020 riots case

"The ultimate intention is regime change. CAA protests were a red-herring, the real purpose was regime change, create economic deprivation and create chaos across the country. The riots were deliberately made to coincide with the visit of US President Donald Trump. These so-called intellectuals are more dangerous than the ground-level terrorists," Raju said.

The violence broke out amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

In its strong opposition to the activists bail applications, Delhi argued that the unrest was not spontaneous but a carefully orchestrated, pre-planned, and well-executed assault on the nations sovereignty.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi Police, told the bench that the intent was to create communal divisions, and the incidents went far beyond a simple protest against the CAA.
In a tragic incident, a 19-year-old student allegedly took his own life in the Thane district of Maharashtra after he was assaulted by a group of people on a local train following a row over not speaking in the Marathi language, police stated on Thursday.

Arnav Laxman Khaire, a first-year science undergraduate, was found hanging in his flat in Kalyan East on Tuesday evening, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kalyanji Gete.

"Arnav was travelling to his college in Mulund on a local train on Tuesday morning when the assault took place between Kalyan and Thane stations," he said.

Gete reported that the teenager's father, Jeetendra Khaire, alleged that Arnav had asked a fellow passenger in Hindi to move slightly further into a crowded carriage. The passenger then reprimanded him for failing to speak in Marathi, and the dispute subsequently escalated.

"The passenger, along with his five companions, then brutally assaulted Arnav, raining punches on him. Overwhelmed by fear and nauseous from the beating, Arnav alighted at Thane station and took the next train to Mulund," the official said.

Arnav returned home early without attending all of his college lectures and phoned his father to inform him about the assault, Gete said.

"Arnav informed his father about the incident on his mobile phone, and the father sensed fear and tension in his voice. On returning home from work later that evening, he found the door closed. He broke down the door with the help of neighbours, and found his son hanging with a blanket around his neck," the official said.

The teenager's father has filed a formal complaint, alleging that his son killed himself due to the mental distress caused by the assault, Gete added.

A case of accidental death has been registered, and a police inquiry is now underway.

Also Read | Fight over seat in Mumbai local train turns into Marathi language row  video

The dispute over the use of Hindi and Marathi has erupted in Maharashtra, particularly within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This follows opposition parties, notably the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), challenging the state government over its three-language education policy in schools and the teaching of Hindi from Class 1.

The situation worsened after incidents of verbal and physical assault, vandalism, and public intimidation, allegedly carried out by MNS workers, were reported across various parts of the state, prompting widespread condemnation and legal scrutiny.

In August, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, stated that there was no fundamental disagreement between the Marathi-speaking and Hindi-speaking communities, and he issued a warning against those attempting to incite tensions.
Red Fort car blast case: A Delhi court on Thursday remanded four accused in the Red Fort blast case to 10 days of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody. The NIA sought 15 days to interrogate the four accused in its custody.

Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna sent the four accused to 10 days of NIA custody.

The four accused are Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir and Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

There was heavy security in the court premises with an RAF contingent deployed alongside Delhi Police personnel.

Media persons were barred from entry during the court proceedings.

A total of 15 people were killed and over two dozen others were injured in the Delhi blast that occurred around 7 pm on November 10 in a moving Hyundai i20 car driven by one alleged suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi.

The NIA, the next day, took over the case from the Delhi Police and launched a massive search operation. As per the anti-terror agency, Amir had come to Delhi to facilitate the purchase of the car, which was eventually used as a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to trigger the blast.

NIA has forensically established the identity of the deceased driver of the vehicle-borne IED as Umar Un Nabi, a resident of Pulwama district and Assistant Professor in the General Medicine Department at Al Falah University at Faridabad.

The anti-terror agency has also seized another vehicle belonging to Nabi. The vehicle is being examined for evidence in the case, in which NIA has so far examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast that rocked the national capital.

Working in close coordination with Delhi Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, Uttar Pradesh Police and various sister agencies, the NIA said it is continuing its investigation across states.

The agency further added that it is pursuing multiple leads to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the bombing and identify others involved in the case.
Denis Alipov, the Russian ambassador to India, on Thursday claimed that Moscow remains the largest supplier of oil to New Delhi with a market share of over 30%.

Alipov made the comment in an interview with TASS.

The ambassador stated that Russia is ready to continue providing the most favorable terms to New Delhi for the purchase of energy resources.

Despite the obstacles put in place by the West, we remain the largest supplier of oil to India, the ambassador told TASS.

He added that American sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil may, of course, influence the redistribution of hydrocarbon flows, but for India economic feasibility always remains a priority.

We assume that Russia will retain its status as one of the main energy suppliers to the South Asian republic, with entrepreneurs being able to adjust to the existing format of interaction given the current situation.

On October 22, the US imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil  two of the largest oil producers in Russia  to cut off the Kremlin's resources for funding the Ukraine war.

According to European think tank, India spent as much as 2.5 billion euro on purchases of crude oil from Moscow in October, and it was unchanged from the 2.5 billion euro spent on buying Russian oil in September.

In its monthly tracking report, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) stated that India remained the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in October behind China.

Also Read | Donald Trump reiterates claims that India is cutting down Russian oil imports

"India remained the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, importing a total of EUR 3.1 billion. Crude oil dominated India's purchases at 81 per cent (EUR 2.5 billion), followed by coal at 11 per cent (EUR 351 million) and oil products at 7 per cent (EUR 222 million)," CREA said.

In October, US President Donald Trump had reiterated his claim that Delhi will significantly reduce its energy purchases from Moscow.

Trump has been claiming that Delhi has assured him that it will significantly reduce its oil imports from Russia.
A 16-year-old Delhi schoolboy, excited for another day with his drama club, ended his life on Tuesday afternoon, after reportedly being harassed by his teachers.

Police said the class 10 student of a private school jumped from the platform of Rajendra Place Metro Station in central Delhi at 2.34 pm. He was taken to BLK Hospital nearby, where he was declared dead.

In a suicide note he left behind, the Class 10 student asked that his organs be donated and urging that no child should endure the suffering he did. In his note, he named a few teachers and blamed them for prolonged mental harassment.

Here's what he wrote in the suicide note: According to a senior police officer, the suicide note found was at the spot began with the boy identifying himself and asking the reader to call a number.

He wrote that continuous scolding by school staff had pushed him to commit suicide. The boy apologised to his parents and elder brother, and also requested that his organs be donated.

Sorry bhaiya, for all the time I was rude to you, he wrote to his brother. To his mother, he said, Sorry mummy, however many times I broke your heart, I am going to do it for the last time.

He expressed gratitude toward his parents and his guilt at not being able to do more for them.

The officer said the note ended with the boy asking that whatever remained of him be used to help someone else.

"Give my organs to those in need," he wrote, adding that if any organs were still functioning after the fall, they should be donated.

"My school is only like that. My last wish is that action be taken against them. I dont want any other kid to go through this," he concluded.

Police said the allegations and content of the note are being examined.

Also Read | Who is Sachin Chandwade? Marathi actor who featured in Jamtara 2 dies by suicide

Teachers emotionally hurt him: Boy's father The 16-year-old boy's father alleged that his son had been struggling for months with how he was treated in school.

"He used to tell me and my wife that teachers scolded him for every small thing and emotionally hurt him. We complained verbally many times, but they never stopped," the father told PTI.

The father said that they avoided taking stronger action as the class 10 exams were approaching. His exams were due in one or two months. Twenty marks come from the school. I did not want to disturb anything, he said.

The family had assured the boy that he would be admitted to a different school once the exams were over.

What led to the extreme step? According to the father, he and his wife had travelled to Kolhapur in Maharashtra on November 18 for his mother's operation, while their son went to school as usual on Tuesday. The first call informing them about the incident came at 2.45 pm.

On Tuesday, the boy had stayed back for his drama club session, and according to his father, something that happened there deeply upset him.

"In his drama class, he slipped and fell. The teacher pushed him and insulted him in front of everyone and said he was overacting," the father said. "They scolded him so much that he started crying, but the teacher told him they did not care how much he cried."

This was not the first time his son had felt cornered, he said.

"His classmates told me that a teacher had been threatening him and saying they would give him a transfer certificate and call us (parents) to the school. It was not just him, but three to four more kids have also been treated the same way," he said.

The boy had recently participated in a dance competition and had spoken about wanting to explore theatre and dance more, his father said.

"He was also fairly good at studies," he said.

FIR registered An FIR has been registered by the boys father, alleging that his son was under severe mental stress due to continuous harassment by several teachers of the school.

According to the FIR, the deceased frequently complained about the behaviour of certain teachers, and had told his parents that some teachers scolded him, insulted him and mentally troubled him over small issues.
New Delhi: Seema Malhotra, UK's minister for the Indo-Pacific, kicked off her first official visit to India on Thursday to build momentum around the recently-signed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries and advance cooperation under the joint UK-India Vision 2035, the UK embassy said in a press statement.

The visit comes soon after UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmers trade mission to India and is aimed at strengthening business links, boosting investment flows and expanding collaboration in technology, education and skills.

Trade between the two countries continues to grow steadily. Indias merchandise exports to the UK rose 11.7% to $14.5 billion in FY25, while imports grew 2.3% to $8.6 billion, taking the total trade to $23.1 billion, up 8% from $21.39 billion in FY24, when exports were at $12.98 billion and imports at $8.4 billion.

Also Read | RBI announces relief for export sectors facing trade disruption

The landmark India-UK FTA was signed on 24 July in London during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit. It is the most comprehensive FTA signed by the UK in the Indo-Pacific region post-Brexit and adds to Indias growing portfolio of bilateral trade agreements, including those with Australia and the UAE.

During her three-day itinerary, Malhotra will meet UK businesses operating in Chennai and Bengaluruincluding Tesco, Revolut and BTto understand how the FTA is supporting their operations and helping channel investment back to the UK.

Calling the visit a reflection of the importance the UK places on its partnership with India, Malhotra said the revitalized relationship was already creating jobs, driving innovation and delivering investment in both the economies.

Malhotra also underlined her personal connection to the visit, calling it significant for a UK minister of Indian origin.

In Bengaluru, Malhotra will announce the return of the British Councils Women in STEM Scholarship programme to South Asia, including India, after a one-year gap. The scheme offers fully funded one-year Masters degrees at leading UK universitiescovering tuition, travel, living expenses and insurancewith 10 scholarships worth 400,000 earmarked for the region for 202627.

The minister will hold meetings with Karnataka industries minister M.B. Patil and higher education minister M.C. Sudhakar to discuss cooperation in advanced manufacturing, research and skill development. In Chennai, she will meet Tamil Nadu industries minister T.R.B. Rajaa to explore opportunities in green technologies, innovation-driven investment and future-oriented skilling.

Trade experts said the visit reflects how quickly both sides want to translate the IndiaUK FTA from a policy announcement into real economic gains.

The UK ministers visit shows how quickly both sides want to operationalise the FTA. With tariffs eliminated on almost all Indian exports, this agreement will significantly improve Indias competitiveness in the UK market, said Abhash Kumar, a trade economist and assistant professor of economics at Delhi University.

The FTA promises to unlock major economic gains for India by eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, covering nearly 100% of the trade value. Indian businesses will benefit from zero-duty access to the UK, including for exports of textiles, footwear, carpets, cars and marine products, which currently face tariffs of 416%. The UK will see tariff reductions in India on luxury items such as Scotch whisky and premium cars.
A new report by a US commission claims that Pakistan gained the upper hand during its four-day conflict with India in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, and that China 'opportunistically' leveraged the conflict to test and advertise the sophistication of its weapons

China also launched a disinformation campaign using fake social-media accounts and AI-generated images to undermine French Rafale aircraft and promote its own J-35 fighters, the report of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) says.

Pakistans military success over India in its four-day clash showcased Chinese weaponry, the report submitted to the US Congress on Wednesday reads.

India launched Operation Sindoorprecision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmiron May 7, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed after terrorists opened fire at visitors in Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmirs Anantnag district.

The USCC claim contradicts Indias stand on the conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly said India had showcased its capabilities during Operation Sindoor and brought Pakistan to its knees within a few hours.

While characterisation of this conflict as a proxy war may overstate Chinas role as an instigator, Beijing opportunistically leveraged the conflict to test and advertise the sophistication of its weapons, useful in the contexts of its ongoing border tensions with India and its expanding defence industry goals, the report reads.

View full Image The USCCs reference to the India-Pakistan conflict in its report comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has been consistently disregarding New Delhis rebuttals while reiterating his claims about brokering a ceasefire deal that ended the four-day conflict between the two South Asian neighbours.

The USCCs reference to the India-Pakistan conflict in its report comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has been consistently disregarding New Delhis rebuttals while reiterating his claims about brokering a ceasefire deal that ended the four-day conflict between the two South Asian neighbours.

What is the USCC? The USChina Economic and Security Review Commission, also known as the USCC, is an independent, bipartisan commission established by the US Congress in 2000. The commission is tasked with monitoring and reporting on the national security and economic implications of the United States trade and economic relationship with China.

The annual report presents 28 recommendations across technology, economics, trade, and national security, and also examines how China has utilised industrial policy to position itself to achieve a first-mover advantage in future technologies.

On Chinas role in the India-Pakistan military conflict, the report says that the clash drew global attention as Pakistans military relied upon Chinese weaponry and reportedly leveraged Chinese intelligence.

Rather than recognising the Pahalgam incident as a terror attack, the report called the four-day clash between India and Pakistan a result triggered by India's response to a deadly insurgent attack that killed 26 civilians in its contested Jammu and Kashmir region.

View full Image The USChina Economic and Security Review Commission, or the USCC, is an independent, bipartisan commission created by the US Congress in 2000. The commission is tasked with monitoring and reporting on the national security and economic implications of the United States trade and economic relationship with China.

In the weeks after the conflict, Chinas embassies hailed the successes of its systems in the India-Pakistan clash, seeking to bolster weapons sales, the USCC reads.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said the USCC was a "severe setback" for diplomacy, as the report described the Pahalgam terror attack as an "insurgent attack" and hints at Pakistan's success over India during Operation Sindoor.

Rather than recognising the Pahalgam incident as a terror attack, the report called the four-day clash between India and Pakistan a result triggered by India's response to a deadly insurgent attack.

In an X post, Jairam Ramesh targeted PM Modi, describing the report as "astonishing and beyond understanding" while asking the External Affairs Ministry to register a protest against it.

"The 2025 Annual Report is almost 800 pages long. The sections on pages 108 and 109 are simply astonishing and beyond understanding. It describes the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025, orchestrated by Pakistan as an 'insurgent attack.' It speaks of 'Pakistan's military success over India' in the four-day clash," Ramesh said in the post on 20 November.
The United States has approved two significant military sales to India. The deal, valued at approximately $93 million, includes Excalibur projectiles and Javelin missile systems, according to the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The Javelin Missile System and its related equipment are estimated to cost $45.7 million. The Excalibur Projectiles and associated equipment are estimated to be worth $47.1 million. The Indian government had specifically requested to purchase up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles, the agency said. Arlington-based RTX Corporation will serve as the principal contractor.

Details of the defence deal India had also requested to buy one hundred (100) FGM-148 Javelin rounds; one (1) Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; and twenty-five (25) Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU).

The sale also covers a range of non-MDE (non-major defence equipment) items. These include Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with an Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK). It also covers primers, propellant charges, US Government technical assistance, technical data, and repair and return services.

The US 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, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency statement read.

It added that this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.

The sale is expected to enhance Indias ability to address current and future threats, as well as deter regional threats. India will have no trouble integrating these articles and services into its armed forces, the agency noted.

DSCA said that executing this proposed sale will not necessitate assigning any extra US Government or contractor representatives to India.
New Delhi: The 2,800 electric buses allocated to Delhi under the PM E-Drive scheme meant to electrify public transport hangs in balance, as the city government has yet to meet a crucial condition under the incentive plan.

Delhi has not fulfilled its payment security mechanism requirement under the scheme, which asks states and Union territories to create a direct debit mandate (DDM) with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Without fulfilling this condition, the city's will not be eligible for the countrys largest e-bus tender for 10,900 buses under the 10,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme.

Under the PM E-Drive scheme, the direct debit mandate allows the RBI to automatically deduct money from a state or Union territory's account and ensure timely payments to the bus suppliers.

Now, the ministry of heavy industries, the RBI, the Union home ministry, and the government of Delhi are rushing to clear this hurdle by exploring the possibility of using Delhis own consolidated fund, created under the 1993 Delhi Act, two officials aware of the development said.

Key Takeaways New Delhi's 2,800 electric bus allocation is threatened because it has not met a core scheme requirement.

Delhi failed to establish the Direct Debit Mandate (DDM) with the RBI, which is mandatory for the PM E-Drive scheme.

The DDM is critical for the Payment Security Mechanism (PSM), guaranteeing timely payments to private bus manufacturers and building industry confidence.

The central issue is a conflict over Delhi's authority to use its consolidated fund for the mandate, complicated by the Union Home Ministry's oversight.

Multiple ministries (Heavy Industries, Home) and the RBI are in urgent talks to find a resolution, likely mirroring the solution used by Puducherry.

The DDM must be secured soon, as states are expected to start signing e-bus contracts as early as January 2026.

Delhi has now begun meetings with the home ministry and the RBI to resolve this issue," said the first of the two officials cited above, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Under Indian law, the Union home ministry is responsible for handling finances of Union territories that don't have their own legislatures. But Delhi is a Union territory with a legislature, and wants to use its own consolidated fund for meeting the key conditions for the bus tender, the second official said. Yet, rules are framed in such a way that they still give the home ministry a say in how the city's finances would be used.

Default prevention assurance

The payment security mechanism was created to assure bus manufacturers that state transport agencies which procure e-buses will not default on payments. The central government created a fund of about 3,400 crore to pay dues on which state governments have defaulted, and a DDM allows the Centre to collect these dues from states.

This payment security mechanism (PSM) and its DDM serve a dual purpose  one under the PM E-bus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism scheme, and the other under the PM E-Drive scheme.

In the first case, states and Union territories have to create a DDM with the RBI, so that the central government can cover for them if need be, and money from the states funds can be used to reimburse the Centre.

The second case is more specific, with the PM E-Drive scheme aiming to incentivise the procurement of 14,028 e-buses in nine cities  Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata.

The government, through its demand aggregation and tendering agency Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL), has started evaluating bids for the supply of 10,900 e-buses in five cities  Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.

To be eligible for this, the state or Union territory governments have to fulfil the payment security mechanism and its DDM condition.

In response to Mint's queries, CESL said its role is limited to aggregating demand and facilitating an open, competitive bidding process in line with the prescribed tender procedures. As communicated earlier, under the first phase of the PM E-Drive scheme, the allocation of 10,900 e-buses across five cities has been undertaken by the ministry of heavy industries. The bidding evaluation is currently underway and has received a strong response, with 16 bidders participating. Once the tender process concludes and rates are discovered, these will be shared with the participating cities. Thereafter, the respective cities will issue Letters of Award and enter into concession agreements directly with the selected bidders, it added.

Queries emailed to the Delhi government, the Union heavy industries ministry, the Union home ministry, and the RBI on 18 November remained unanswered.

The clean 13

As many 13 states and UTs have submitted their DDMs under the payment security mechanism scheme  Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Punjab, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry, according to the ministry of heavy industries statement on 10 November.

Puducherry, another Union territory with its own legislature, completed its submission of the DDM in October, the same statement said. Delhis solution will be akin to Puducherry, because it is another UT with a legislature," said the second official cited above.

Experts said that a payment security mechanism is key to ensuring the roll-out of e-buses on Indian roads, as state governments have defaulted on payments in the past. Also, electric buses run throughout the day, compared to other electric vehicle segments, which run only for a limited time, thereby reducing more carbon emissions than, say, two-wheelers or three-wheelers.

The PSM is integral for paying bus makers and operators on time, as these are private sector companies," said Amit Bhatt, India director of the International Council on Clean Transportation, a research organization. Scaling public transport is vital for sustainable urbanization, and ensuring timely payments is key to maintaining industry confidence and service quality. Moreover, if Delhi manages to secure its PSM, it may have a ripple effect and help other Union territories also secure their PSMs," he said.

Crucial requirement

Resolving Delhis DDM issue is crucial, as the city has limited time before it must start signing contracts with bus makers for the 10,900-e-bus tender, of which 2,800 are earmarked for Delhi.

Mint reported on 15 November that bus makers Tata Motors, JBM Auto, PMI Electro, Pinnacle Mobility, Volvo Eicher, and bus operators Greencell Mobility and Evey Trans had submitted bids in the tender, with the price discovery likely to take about a months time.

The second official said that states are likely to start signing agreements with bus makers under this tender in January 2026, putting a countdown clock over Delhi to secure the payment security mechanism.

Also Read | Electric truck buyers skip PM E-Drive scheme as scrappage papers elude

The PM E-bus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism scheme and the PM E-Drive scheme both received the Union cabinets assent in September last year. The PM E-Drive scheme for e-buses ends in FY28, and the PM E-bus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism will work till FY29. The payment security mechanism will cover the operation of e-buses for 12 years from signing of contracts. Cumulatively, both these schemes aim to contribute in putting more than 40,000 e-buses on Indian roads.

A March 2025 report by CareEdge Ratings stated that Indias annual e-bus sales could rise to about 17,000 units by FY27, backed by subsidies, incentives, and the payment security mechanism. About 3,500 e-bus units are sold annually as of now.
Where most resignations are precipitated by formal goodbyes, one law firm in Malaysia has shown how a little more thoughtfulness in approach will yield a very different result. Far from losing a valued member of their team, the firm managed to turn a difficult moment into an example of supportive leadership that went viral in next to no time.

Story shared on social media The Independent Singapore reports that Ainie Haziqah, managing partner of Nurainie Haziqah & Co., shared the story on Threads. Her frank post, written in a mix of Malay and English, struck a real chord with users online.

Employee wanted to quit due to childcare needs In her post, Haziqah said a lawyer at her firm came to her to resign because she needed to take care of her child, and thus could not handle the demanding schedule of her current job. Haziqah described the lawyer as someone she personally liked, professionally admired, and found very teachable.

A flexible solution instead of a resignation Instead of immediately accepting her resignation, Haziqah took time to consider if an alternative arrangement would work. After some deliberations, she proposed a flexible plan that would accommodate both the lawyer's family needs and her firm responsibilities.

The solution enabled him to work full-time from home, attend office only for monthly meetings, and continue handling court cases as usual.

After a few weeks, she said yes. And Alhamdulillah, the arrangements went on for about 4-5 months, if Im not mistaken. We worked together so naturally, it felt like the best way, the post read.

Also Read | Will Indians lose jobs? How US ending auto extension of work permits impacts

Haziqah added, I also offered her a little salary increment fully WFH, with self-development training. Warm online reaction Social media users hailed Haziqah for displaying empathy and flexibility. Many commented that they wish more workplaces would have this much understanding, while others termed it a strong example of modern-day leadership.
US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance did not receive invitations to attend the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a CNN report citing a source familiar with the matter. Former presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden will pay their respects, along with former vice presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle, the news outlet stated.

Trump will not attend Cheneys funeral and was not asked to speak at the service, USA Today reported, citing a senior White House official. According to the official, the President was not aware of anyone else on his staff going to the invitation-only ceremony scheduled for November 20 at the Washington National Cathedral.

The news outlet stated that a spokesperson for former President Bill Clinton said he will not be present due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict.

Cheney, who died earlier this month, will receive full military honours.

Bitter CheneyTrump divide Trumps absence is unsurprising, given his long-standing tensions with the Cheney family.

In the last presidential race, Cheney endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, and his daughter, former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, campaigned for Harris throughout the general election.

Vances remark on Cheneys legacy Vice President JD Vance also made a pointed remark about Cheneys influence in the Bush administration.

During a conversation with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last week, Kennedy reportedly remarked that Cheney seemed to be actually running the country during the Bush era. Vance is said to have replied, Not very well, as it turns out, to which Kennedy responded, We agree on that.

Also Read | Trump says Democrats who told US military to refuse illegal orders deserve death
President Donald Trump lashed out at late-night host Jimmy Kimmel in a fiery post on Truth Social, accusing ABC of keeping a man with NO TALENT on the air. He questioned network executives and television syndicates in the same post.

Trump wrote, Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air? Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it? Also, totally biased coverage. Get the bum off the air!!! (sic).

Trumps attack follows renewed tension after Kimmels show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was reinstated by ABC in September. The comedian had previously been suspended following controversial remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk  comments that sparked backlash from affiliates and political figures alike.

Why did Trump make this post? Trumps explosive post on Truth Social can be seen as a direct reaction to Jimmy Kimmels recent pointed mockery. Just days earlier, Kimmel had launched a nearly full monologue squarely at Trump, sharply criticising his handling of the Epstein documents issue and his decision to host Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a state dinner.

Kimmel joked, I have been following the path of Hurricane Epstein  it is a category 5, and raised uncomfortable questions: What did the president know? And how old were these women when he knew it? He further ridiculed Trump for his relationship with Congress, saying that although lawmakers passed a bill to make Epstein files public, the president might try to bury them anyway.

Kimmels mockery didnt stop there. He speculated with biting humour whether the Department of Justice would truly release all of the files, or whether Trump would order investigations to keep them hidden  joking that perhaps Trump would pull a Taylor Swift and present a self-serving Donnys version of the Epstein documents.

Also Read | Epstein files to be made public as Trump okays public release

He also criticised Trumps state dinner with the Saudi crown prince, condemning the guest list  which included prominent conservative figures  as so cartoonishly evil, we might actually need Austin Powers to defeat them.

Watch Jimmy's monologue here:

It can only be assumed that it is in this context that Trumps post calling Kimmel a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS  and demanding ABC get the bum off the air!!!  takes shape.

Rather than simply attacking Kimmels entertainment value, Trump is pushing back on a very personal political critique, one that touches on high-stakes issues: allegations of sexual misconduct, transparency, and ties to foreign power.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may not just cost you your job, but it can also even replace CEOs of big companies, believes Sundar Pichai, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Sundar Pichai was asked if AI could pose a threat to all jobs, including his own job as a CEO. Pichai responded with a subtle smile.

Also Read | Sundar Pichai says Gemini 3 reads, watches and listens to help learners

I think what a CEO does is maybe one of the easier things, maybe for an AI to do one day, he said.

He recalled his statement from many years ago and said, "AI is the most profound technology humanity has ever worked on, and it has potential for extraordinary benefits."

Pichai said, "We will have to work through societal disruptions."

People will need to adapt Pichai opined that the tech will eliminate some jobs but also evolve and transition othersramifications that mean people will need to adapt.

The Google CEO said AI will end up creating new opportunities. "As an example, like YouTubers, anybody will be able to create the content...It will evolve and transition certain jobs, and people will need to adapt...," he said.

Also Read | Google CEO Sundar Pichai defends H1-B visa programme

Pichai urged the next generation to embrace the technology and explained that people across professions would have to learn it in order to sustain in their jobs. "People who adopt and adapt to AI will do better," he said.

"It doesn't matter if you are a teacher or doctor," he said, assuring that all those professions would be around, but the people will do well in each of those professions if they learn how to use these tools.

'Chief executive automations' Pichais comments came as other tech CEOs predicted the coming of a new era of chief executive automations.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman previously said AI will someday do his job better than him. He had said, I will be nothing but enthusiastic the day that happens.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of buy-now-pay-later firm Klarna, also said in a post on X earlier this year that AI is capable of doing all our jobs, my own included.

The two CEOs join another 49 percent of 500 chief executives surveyed by online learning platform edX who believed most or all of their job functions should be automated by AI, Fortune reported.

Meanwhile, there were other CEOs who felt otherwise.
First Lady Melania Trump met with troops and military families at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on Wednesday (November 19) in her first joint visit with Second Lady Usha Vance. During her remarks, she praised the Marine Corps for 250 years of service while warning that artificial intelligence (AI) is set to redefine modern warfare and Americas defense strategy.

Technology is changing the art of war, Melania Trump said. Predictably, AI will alter war more profoundly than any technology since nuclear weapons. She emphasized that AIs speed and capabilities will fundamentally transform the military.

The most significant change will be speed, she said. Artificial intelligence will take center stage in the theater of war  but, of course, it is the Marine who will always play the most critical role in realizing mission success.

From soldiers to machines The first lady outlined the growing presence of autonomous systems in the military. We are moving from human operators to human overseers  fast. The shift from soldiers to machines is already underway: Autonomous helicopters, swarming drones and recon aircraft are here now. Fighter-less jets and autonomous bombers are on the way.

Gratitude to service members and families Melania Trump concluded her remarks with heartfelt thanks to the military community. To every service member  thank you for standing watch so others can celebrate in peace. And to every military spouse and child  thank you for your strength and love. You serve our country, too.

"As we give thanks this season, let us remember what unites us  our shared love of country, our faith in one another and our pride in those who serve, she added, highlighting the ongoing commitment to both technology and tradition in Americas defense.

Also Read | Gavin Newsoms team trolls Trump with Epstein throwback
Titans of industry, best-selling authors, world-renowned scientists, banking moguls, top-tier journalists and political power players. All of them often turned to the same man for advice and connections: Jeffrey Epstein, CNN reported. Many also sought his company to trade gossip about then-President Donald Trump.

New emails expose that many of Epstein's pen-pals looked to him for guidance on avoiding their own sexual scandals. Shockingly, this was even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution with a minor. His status as a registered sex offender did not deter these high-profile contacts.

Also Read | Larry Summers quits OpenAI board as questions mount over Epstein email link

The House Oversight Committee released more than 23,000 pages of records obtained from Epstein's estate last week. The release was extraordinary. Epstein had died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

A corrupting web of power Those messages were scrutinised for new revelations about Epsteins relationship with Trump. The records show Epstein relished talking about their one-time friendship as Trump rose to power. He offered opinions on everything from the presidents sanitycalling him f***ing crazy  to who should be in his Cabinet, CNN reported.

However, the thousands of Epstein emails also revealed another key aspect of his uniquely corrupting role in American society. They showed how he cast himself at the centre of a vast web of power and influence.

Also Read | Jeffrey Epstein case: House to vote next week on full files disclosure

CNN analysed about 2,200 email threads. It found at least 740 exchanges between Epstein and prominent figures in academia, government, media and business.

Epsteins correspondence with them spanned a decade, from 2009 to the day before his July 2019 arrest. The correspondence also included numerous text messages. These messages also showed him communicating with other figures who aren't named in unredacted emails, including Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett during a 2019 Congressional hearing.

Also Read | Elon Musk named in latest Epstein files release; Tesla chief responds

Plaskett told CNN that Epstein was a constituent. She called him a reprehensible person, absolutely disgusting.

In starkly revealing terms, the emails show personal conversations between American luminaries and a man they knew to be a sexual predator. Yet, they still trusted him for access, advice and friendship.

The Larry Summers exchanges In November 2018, Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University and US Treasury secretary, forwarded an email from a woman he was romantically interested in. Summers wrote to Epstein, Think no response for a while probably appropriate.

Epstein replied: Shes already beginning to sound needy :) nice.

In March 2019, the Miami Herald published its investigation revealing Epsteins abuse of underage girls. In the aftermath, Summers and Epstein exchanged emails that appeared to debate whether Summers should respond to a woman. Epstein argued that a note would be BAD FORM.

Why bad form. Supposed to be face to face? Summers wrote back.

you care very much for this person. you might want to demonstrate that. a note does the very opposite, Epstein replied.

The two shared friendly exchanges, as in another email in which Summers called Epstein a wall st tough guy w intellectual curiosity (sic).

And they talked about politics, like in emails from October 2016, in which Epstein wrote about Trump bringing women who had accused former President Bill Clinton of abuse to a debate with Hillary Clinton. "They wilil feature in the hillary says you should give the benefit of the doubt to victims (sic), wrote Epstein, adding its disgraceful.

Summers replied, The Press is so revolted by Trump that I'd expect they will not be for the benefit of doubt.
In a surprising political shift, rapper Nicki Minaj used a United Nations platform to publicly align herself with Donald Trump, effectively declaring her support for his administration and broader Republican ideals.

Nicki Minaj is officially a Republican Speaking at the U.S. Mission to the U.N. on Tuesday, she framed her intervention as a moral calling, speaking passionately about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria  a major talking point of the Trump camp.

Introduced by U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, who praised her as more than a celebrity but a witness  to spotlight Nigerias persecuted church, Minaj delivered a forceful address. She thanked Trump by name: I wanted to thank President Trump for prioritising this issue  for calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence  simply because of how they pray.

Speaking as someone deeply grateful for the religious freedom she enjoyed in the U.S., Minaj said, I stood there as a proud New Yorker  we live in a country where we could freely and safely worship God, regardless of ones creed, background, or politics  No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion.

She described her activism not as partisan, but as deeply personal, rooted in faith: Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.

Her remarks coincided with her public social media responses to Trump, which had already stirred speculation about her political leanings. In recent weeks, she echoed Trumps narrative on the Nigerian crisis, posting on X (formerly Twitter): No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion  Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously.

Conservative commentators swiftly interpreted her remarks as a declaration of a MAGA-style alignment, with some calling her the first major figure in Hollywood to publicly side with Trump in this capacity.

She also addressed her fanbase  known as the Barbz  in her U.N. remarks, reinforcing her conviction: Barbz  this wasnt about taking sides. This was about standing up in the face of injustice  what I have always stood for  and I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life.

This is also a Nicki Minaj rebrand Political observers have pointed out that this moment may mark a full-blown rebrand for Minaj, who has long stayed publicly ambivalent about her partisan allegiances. Now, by siding with Trump in a high-profile U.N. setting, she appears to be embracing a role more aligned with the conservative Republican base.

However, her alignment has not come without backlash. Critics warned that by echoing Trumps framing of Nigerian violence as primarily a threat to Christians, she risked oversimplifying deeply rooted political, ethnic, and security issues.

Others accused her of using the moment for political signalling, rather than genuine humanitarian advocacy.
The cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people has fallen to $55.18, a 5% drop from 2024, according to the 40th annual American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Thanksgiving Dinner Survey. Despite the decline, prices remain significantly higher than before the pandemic, reflecting continued pressures on US farmers and the broader food supply chain.

AFBFs annual Thanksgiving price check Each year, volunteer shoppers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico track grocery prices for staple holiday foods. Since 1986, the basket has included key items such as turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie mix, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, milk and vegetables. The survey highlights what Americans can expect to pay at grocery stores during Thanksgiving week.

Mixed price trends: Turkey down, sides up This years Thanksgiving basket shows a mix of savings and price spikes:

Items that became cheaper, and items that became more expensive:

Item Category Price Trend vs 2024 Notes Total Cost $55.18 Down 5% from last year, still above pre-pandemic Turkey  Down 16%; 39% of total meal cost Cubed stuffing  9% drop Fresh cranberries  2.8% drop Dinner rolls  14.6% drop Sweet potatoes  Up 37% Frozen green peas  Increased Carrotcelery veggie tray  Up 61% Whole milk  Increased Whipping cream  Increased Pumpkin pie mix  Unchanged Pie crusts  Unchanged

Adding more favorites pushes total cost to $77.09 When items like ham, Russet potatoes and green beansadded to the survey in 2018are included, the total cost rises to $77.09, or $7.71 per person. This expanded basket is only slightly cheaper than last year, down just 28 cents.

Added Item Trend Total Basket Cost Ham  Russet potatoes  Frozen green beans  Total updated meal cost (10 people)  $77.09 Per-person cost  $7.71 Change vs 2024  Down $0.28

Turkeys smallest cost share in 25 years A 16-pound turkey now accounts for just 39% of the classic meal costthe birds lowest share since 2000. Turkey prices are down 16% from last year due to lower demand for turkey outside Thanksgiving and declining prices for frozen birds, which remain the holiday standard. Americans now consume 13 pounds of turkey per year, nearly 3 pounds less than six years ago.

Year Turkey Cost Share of Meal Turkey Price Notes 2024 ~43% (avg)  Long-term average 2025 39% $21.50 for 16-lb bird Lowest share since 2000; price down 16% Turkey consumption  13 lbs/person/year Down 3 lbs from six years ago

Why side dishes cost more The biggest price jumps came from produce-heavy sides.

Item Percentage Increase Main Causes Veggie tray (carrots + celery) +61% Labor shortages, weather disruptions Sweet potatoes +37% Hurricane damage in North Carolina Fresh vegetables (general)  High labor + fuel + fertilizer costs Dairy (milk & cream)  Higher production costs

These increases stem from factors such as:

Hurricane damage in major producing states like North Carolina

Higher fertilizer, fuel, labor and machinery costs

Item Percentage Increase Main Causes Veggie tray (carrots + celery) +61% Labor shortages, weather disruptions Sweet potatoes +37% Hurricane damage in North Carolina Fresh vegetables (general)  High labor + fuel + fertilizer costs Dairy (milk & cream)  Higher production costs

Ongoing labor shortages Weather disruptions and transport delays

Because produce starts from a lower price point, even small cost increases create large year-to-year percentage changes.

Stuffing, rolls and cranberries help moderate costs Some traditional staples helped ease the overall bill:

Item Price Change Dinner rolls 14.6% Stuffing 9% Fresh cranberries 2.8% Frozen turkey  16%

But the declines were offset by steep increases in produce items.

Regional price differences Thanksgiving dinner costs vary widely across the United States:

Cost of the classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10

Region Cost Notes West $61.75 Highest Northeast $60.82 Midwest $54.38 South $50.01 Lowest

The West consistently ranks as the most expensive region.
A Beijing insect museum has introduced a new coffee that uses the ground cockroach powder. It also uses dried yellow mealworms to create an unusual drink that many people find shocking.

Unusual coffee trends are common in China. Some cafes add deep-fried worms to drinks while some mix fried chilli and hot pepper powder into lattes.

According to Chinese doctors, yellow mealworms are rich in protein and may help improve the immune system. A museum worker says the ant-based drink tastes sour. The pitcher plant version, on the other hand, tastes like normal coffee.

The roach coffee is mainly tried by curious youngsters because their parents dislike anything related to cockroaches. The shop sells over 10 cups of this unusual brew each day.

The roach coffee is mainly consumed by curious young people. Parents with children do not like it as they dislike cockroaches, he said.

Visitors say the flavour feels burnt and slightly sour, which fits the museums insect theme. The drink costs 45 yuan (more than 550). It is sold only inside the museums own cafes.

We launched this type of coffee at the end of June, and it trended on the internet recently. As an insect-themed museum, it seemed like a good idea to have drinks that match, an employee told the Chinese media.

Staff members said the idea originated in June and gained popularity online later. That encouraged more people to try it.

The museum has also created drinks using pitcher plant digestive juice. It has also innovated a special ant-based brew that was offered only during Halloween, according to the South China Morning Post.

Traditional Chinese medicine All the insect ingredients come from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shops. The museum claims they are safe for consumption, which may comfort curious customers.

TCM beliefs suggest that cockroach powder can aid in improving blood circulation. This view, however, is not accepted by mainstream science.

Beijing food vlogger Chen Xi tried the crushed insect coffee after his followers had requested it. He shut his eyes and drank it quickly.

Well, it is not as disgusting as I thought, he said.

Still, netizens remain doubtful about such experimental drinks.
Fresh unrest has gripped Nepals Bara district as Gen-Z activists and cadres of former prime minister KP Sharma Olis CPN-UML confronted each other for a second consecutive day, prompting authorities to reinstate a curfew in a bid to contain spiralling violence. The latest clashes, which left at least 10 people injured, have reignited concerns over the deepening political rift between young protesters and the opposition partys leadership.

What triggered the renewed violence in Bara district? Tension flared on Thursday in Simara Chowk after Gen-Z demonstrators returned to the streets, alleging that police had failed to arrest individuals named in their complaint from the previous days clashes. According to The Kathmandu Post, crowds began assembling from 11 AM, well before the Bara district administration announced a curfew from 1 PM to 8 PM to prevent further escalation.

However, the prohibitory order quickly unravelled. As Khabarhub reported, However, the prohibitory order failed to take effect, with demonstrators pouring into the streets and clashing with police. Authorities fired six tear gas canisters and two rounds of aerial fire after protesters defied the curfew and continued advancing.

Protesters hurled stones at security forces, injuring six police personnel, while four Gen-Z activists were also reported injured, the news outlet added.

Why are Gen-Z protesters confronting CPN-UML cadres? The confrontation stems from anger over the perceived mishandling of earlier complaints and simmering hostility between Gen-Z activists and CPN-UML members. The initial clashes erupted on Wednesday when news spread that CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and youth leader Mahesh Basnet were flying from Kathmandu to Simara to address an anti-government rally.

Gen-Z protesters rushed to the airport to oppose their arrival, leading to a violent confrontation with UML cadres. Authorities swiftly imposed a curfew around the airport area, and the UML leaders subsequently cancelled the rally.

On Thursday, demonstrators escalated their response by torching the police post in Simara Bazaar. According to Khabarhub, Items from the UML office were also removed and torched by protesters, accusing police of hesitating to arrest UML cadres involved in earlier clashes.

Police later arrested two UML ward chairpersonsDhan Bahadur Shrestha of Jeetpursimara Ward No. 2 and Kaimoddin Ansari of Ward No. 6on charges of assaulting Gen-Z youths during Wednesdays violence.

Why is Nepal experiencing a resurgence of Gen-Z activism? Olis CPN-UML has been holding demonstrations nationwide demanding the reinstatement of the House of Representatives, dissolved on 12 September after the Gen-Z movement toppled the Oli government. Oli resigned on 9 September following mass youth-led protests that accused his administration of corruption and attempted to push through a controversial social media ban.

The latest demonstrations reflect renewed anger over what Gen-Z activists say were unaddressed killings during the September uprising. They continue to demand accountability for the alleged excessive force used by security forces during earlier protests.

What does Human Rights Watch say about Nepal September uprising? Fresh scrutiny has emerged after Human Rights Watch (HRW) released new findings on Thursday, asserting that Nepali security forces used excessive and indiscriminate violence during the September protests.

According to HRW, The interim government led by former chief justice Sushila Karki, which took charge after the prime minister was forced to resign due to the protests, should investigate the excessive use of force as well as arson and mob attacks on individuals and buildings the following day, September 9, including those who may have ordered any unlawful acts.

The group found that police indiscriminately fired on protesters multiple times over three hours, killing 17 people in Kathmandu who had been demonstrating against corruption in politics and a sweeping social media ban imposed four days earlier at a Gen Z protest in the capital, Kathmandu, on September 8.

The report further criticised security forces for failing to act when crowds set fire to government buildings and targeted politicians, journalists, schools and businesses on 9 September.
By Tim Cocks

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa's president said on Thursday the U.S. had signalled it might change its mind and participate in the G20 summit in Johannesburg after a boycott by the Trump administration, but the White House dismissed the report as "fake news."

Cyril Ramaphosa was speaking at a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

"We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over, about a change of mind, about participating in one shape or form or other in the summit," he said.

"This comes in the days before the summit. And so therefore we need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means."

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration had said it will not attend the first G20 summit in Africa, alleging that the host country, previously ruled by its white minority apartheid system until 1994, discriminates against white people.

On Thursday, a White House official said an envoy would attend a ceremony for the official handover of the G20 presidency from South Africa to the U.S. but there was no question of Washington participating.

"This is fake news. The charge d'affaires in Pretoria will attend the handover ceremony as a formality, but the United States is not joining G20 discussions," they added.

But South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said "the president will not hand over to a charge d'affaires."

Trump has rejected South Africa's agenda for the November 22-23 summit of promoting solidarity and helping developing nations adapt to worse weather disasters, transition to clean energy and cut their excessive debt costs.

Ramaphosa said last week of the handover of the G20 presidency to the United States: "I don't want to hand over to an empty chair, but the empty chair will be there."
Ukraine could be confronted with difficult choices following reports that the United States and Russia have secretly formulated a peace plan to end the ongoing war, potentially requiring significant concessions to Moscow.

Senior US military officials, as per multiple reports, are in Ukraine on Thursday (November 20) as part of a fact-finding mission to meet Ukrainian officials and discuss efforts to end the war with Russia. The delegation reportedly includes several high-ranking Army officials, among them Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who aim to assess the situation on the ground and push forward peace efforts.

Secret 28-point peace plan emerges The visit comes amid media reports that Washington and Moscow have secretly drafted a new 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, reportedly without Kyivs involvement. The plan, first reported by Axios, is said to be modeled on the Gaza peace agreement.

A senior Ukrainian official also told the news outlet that they have received signals about a set of US proposals to end the war, but we had no role in preparing them.

Kremlin denies new proposals The Kremlin denied that there have been any new peace proposals since Russian President Vladimir Putin met US President Donald Trump in August. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was nothing he could share publicly when asked about the Axios report.

US signals work in progress The White House has not explicitly confirmed the 28-point plan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X (formerly Twitter): Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas. And achieving a durable peace will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions. That is why we are and will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict.

Ukraines response Ukraines leadership has not publicly commented on the plan. First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia suggested that Moscow is behind attempts to hype a factory of unrealistic plans.

European concerns European diplomats expressed concern over reports of a peace plan developed without Ukrainian or regional involvement. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: For any plan to work, it needs to have Ukrainians and Europeans on board. In this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. So far, we havent heard of any concessions from Russias side.

Territorial concessions under discussion According to AP, the draft proposal reportedly calls for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, abandon certain weaponry, and see a rollback of some critical US military assistance. Russia would gain effective control of the eastern Donbas region, even though Ukraine still controls parts of it.

Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, a close adviser to Putin, are said to have been central to drafting the plan.

A peace deal requiring Kyiv to hand over territory would be illegal under Ukraines constitution. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out such a possibility.
Mao Zedong once said that China must wield both the pen and the gun against its adversaries. It is a strategy China is now intensifying for Taiwan.

With its so-called pen, Chinas state television is preparing the domestic Chinese population for a new phase of pressure against Taiwan.

Its prime-time slot is filled with a new historical drama, The Silent Honor," which lionizes Communist Party agents operating in Taiwan after the Nationalists fled to the island in 1949 following their loss of the civil war to Maos forces. The series frames the agents espionageand eventual executionas martyrdom for the cause of unification."

In a parallel move suggesting a top-down mandate to reorient cultural output toward national struggle, state-owned drama troupes are receiving approval only for war-themed plays, said people briefed on the matter, while other genres are being rejected.

View Full Image A still from the trailer of The Silent Honor, a TV drama about Communist Party agents operating in Taiwan after the Nationalists fled to the island in 1949.

This domestic messaging is an intensification of an already amped-up atmosphere of Taiwan reunification rhetoric in China. And it is being matched by the gun.

Chinese leadership is focusing on neutralizing Taiwans supporters, notably Tokyo, following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis Nov. 7 warning that a Chinese seizure of Taiwan would trigger Japans involvement in any conflict.

In a response that shocked the world, Chinas Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, posted a threat on X to cut off" Takaichis dirty neck." The post was later deleted, but people close to Beijings decision-making said it was a deliberate, state-sanctioned action designed to test Japans resolve.

Simultaneously, Chinas military signaled its readiness to escalate last weekend, sending four armed China Coast Guard vessels close to an island chain that both Beijing and Tokyo claim as their own. Japanese fighters rushed to intercept a Chinese military drone hovering near Yonaguni, Japans westernmost island and the closest point to Taiwan.

View Full Image Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said earlier this month that a Chinese seizure of Taiwan would trigger Japans involvement in any conflict.

These seemingly distinct events, according to the people close to Chinas decision-making, represent a classic example of Beijings pen-and-gun strategy: using its iron grip on media and culture to shape domestic opinion while lashing out at Taiwans supporters to isolate the island.

There is little indication of an imminent military strike against Taiwan, a self-governing democracy of 24 million people that China claims as its own. But China has been ramping up its military incursions in the Taiwan Strait, intending to keep the squeeze on Taipei, at a time when Beijing sees the Trump administration wavering in its commitment to the island.

This is the new baseline normal," said Jason Hsu, a former Taiwan lawmaker and now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a Washington think tank. It prepares domestic audiences, signals resolve externally and shapes the psychological battlespace long before any military move."

Chinas strategy, described by those close to Beijings decision-making as Plan A, aims to coerce Taiwan into capitulation without firing a shot. The goal is to make the islands position so economically, diplomatically and psychologically unbearable that negotiation with the Chinese leadership becomes the only viable option.

Looming behind this strategy is Plan B, a military takeover. This distinction is crucial, Hsu and other analysts said. Beijing is systematically fostering an environment where gray zone" activities such as economic coercion or political interference become the norm, lowering the threshold for direct conflict.

View Full Image A giant screen in Beijing displays news reports of Chinese military drills around Taiwan earlier this year.

The push comes as Beijing perceives a strategic opening in the relative quiet on Taiwan from the U.S., which China sees as the only country capable of halting its agenda.

President Trump, unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, has avoided explicitly stating whether the U.S. would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan. Trump has said public commitments would weaken his negotiating position with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who he said promised not to invade during his term. Yet recent moves, including the Trump administrations delay in military aid, have fueled anxiety in Taipei that American support is being sacrificed for an economic deal with China.

Administration officials have characterized the shift as pragmatic deterrence that forces Taipei to fund its own defense capabilities while avoiding symbolic gestures that could grant Beijing a pretext for a Ukraine-style conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed concerns about Chinas naval activity around Taiwan in a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in late October, indicating the U.S.s stance on the island hasnt changed. The U.S. approved a $330 million sale of aircraft parts to Taiwan last week, the first of Trumps second term.

Beijing is acting now to break a cycle that has hardened over a decade. Since 2016, Taipeis governing Democratic Progressive Party has cultivated a distinct Taiwanese identity and strengthened ties with global capitals. Beijing has labeled Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te a dangerous separatist."

Beijings calculated moves appear to reflect its fear that the mainlands hearts and minds" battle for the island is all but lost.

Decades ago, a significant portion of the Taiwanese population identified as Chinese" or both Chinese and Taiwanese." Today, polls consistently show a supermajority, often exceeding 60% to 70%, who identify exclusively as Taiwanese. According to the people close to Chinese decision-making, Beijing sees Taiwans national identity solidifying.

View Full Image Taiwan flags displayed ahead of National Day celebrations in Taipei last month.

This view, these people said, explains why the pen" is being wielded with such specific historical intent.

The recent broadcast of the spy drama follows a familiar playbook. In 2017, Xi used the airing of The Qin Empire III," a drama about the events that set the stage for Chinas unification under its first emperor, to build public momentum before abolishing presidential term limits.

Since coming to power in late 2012, Xi has made bringing Taiwan under Beijings control a key tenet of his China Dream" of national revival. Now, well into an unprecedented third term, he has repeatedly emphasized that reunification" is inevitable and cant be stopped by outside forces.

The current focus on the martyrdom of figures like the Chinese agents portrayed in The Silent Honor" is serving as a similar effort to shape public views, the people close to Beijings decision-making said.

Complementing this domestic messaging is a sharpened focus on external targets, specifically Tokyo. In addition to lashing out at Takaichi and sending ships toward disputed islands, authorities in China have urged Chinese tourists to temporarily avoid traveling to Japan, advised Chinese students and applicants to reassess risks associated with studying in the country, and postponed the release of at least two Japanese films. Those actions sent shares of Japanese retail and tourism giants such as Shiseido tumbling.

Analysts describe the Chinese moves as a coordinated effort to align Beijings internal and external objectives. By mobilizing the domestic population for a potential struggle while simultaneously seeking to cut off Taiwans international support, the strategy aims to create enough pressure to force a political settlement.

For officials in the U.S. and its regional allies, the critical uncertainty is whether this campaign marks the full extent of Beijings current plans, or if it signals the beginning of a more aggressive phase.

Write to Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com
Escalating her opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent a strongly worded letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, demanding an immediate halt to the exercise, which she defined as chaotic, coercive, and dangerous.

Banerjee mentioned that she has time and again raised concerns over the ongoing SIR of the electoral rolls in the state and is now "compelled to write" to the chief election commissioner because the situation has reached a deeply alarming stage.

She alleged that the SIR in Bengal is being carried out in an unplanned, dangerous manner that has crippled the process from day one.

The chief minister accused the Election Commission of thrusting the SIR upon officials and citizens without basic preparedness, adequate planning or clear communication, claiming that critical gaps in training, confusion over mandatory documents and the "near-impossibility" of BLOs meeting voters during working hours had rendered the entire exercise structurally unsound.

She urged the CEC to intervene decisively to halt the ongoing exercise, stop "coercive" measures, provide proper training and support, and thoroughly reassess the present methodology and timelines.

If this path is not corrected without delay, the consequences for the system, the officials and the citizens will be irreversible, she wrote, calling this a moment that demands responsibility, humanity and decisive corrective action.

The three-page letter, among her strongest yet, painted a grim portrait of booth-level officers stretched far beyond human limits.

Also Read | Submitted SIR form? How to check if your BLO has uploaded it on EC website

They are expected to manage their principal duties, many being teachers and frontline workers, while simultaneously conducting door-to-door surveys and handling complex e-submissions, she wrote, adding that most were struggling with online forms due to lack of training, server failures and repeated data mismatches.

The consequence, she warned, is a looming breakdown.

At this pace, it is almost certain that by December 4, voter data across multiple constituencies cannot be uploaded with required accuracy," Banerjee said.

Under extreme pressure and fear of punitive action, many BLOs were being pushed into filing incorrect or incomplete entries, risking disenfranchisement of genuine voters and eroding the integrity of the electoral roll.

Also Read | SIR phase-II: Nationwide protests as work pressure allegedly leads to BLO deaths

Banerjee reserved some of her sharpest criticism for what she described as the Election Commissions indefensible response, not support, but intimidation.

She alleged that the Office of the CEO, West Bengal, was issuing show-cause notices without justification, threatening already strained BLOs with disciplinary action instead of acknowledging the reality on the ground.

Compounding the strain, Banerjee wrote, was the timing of the SIR. Bengal is at the peak of paddy harvest and in the middle of Rabi sowing, a strictly time-bound window, especially for potato cultivation, she said.

"Millions of farmers and labourers are engaged in essential agricultural work and cannot be expected to abandon the fields to participate in SIR enumeration, she said.

But it was the human cost that Banerjee described as now unbearable.

She cited the suicide of an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Jalpaiguri district's Mal area, reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure, adding that several others have lost their lives since this process began.

A voter roll revision that earlier took three years, she said, had been forcibly compressed into three months, creating inhuman working conditions and a climate of fear and uncertainty.

The chief minister warned that continuing with the unplanned, coercive drive would not only endanger more lives but also jeopardise the legitimacy of the electoral revision itself.

The Election Commission is yet to respond to the chief ministers latest salvo, even as the political temperature around the SIR, once a routine administrative exercise, continues to climb amid charges of overreach, coercion and chaos.

This comes after the ECI urged the West Bengal administration in Nadia on Wednesday to complete the digitisation of the records of the SIR of electoral rolls by 26 November, as the state moves closer to finalising preparations for the upcoming elections.

The state has 7.66 crore electors, of which 7.64 crore Enumeration Forms (EFs) have been distributed, accounting for 99.72 per cent, he said, adding that digitisation has been done for 1.48 crore forms.

EC on SIR The Election Commission on Thursday said the distribution of enumeration forms under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters' list in nine states and three Union Territories is nearly complete, with almost 99 per cent of the electors getting the partially filled document.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, SIR has already started in West Bengal. If people are returning to Bangladesh, then it is good, said Sarma, as reported by ANI.

In its daily SIR bulletin, the poll authority said 50.40 crore of the 50.97 crore electors have been issued the forms, which comes to 98.89 per cent.

Phase II of the SIR exercise began on November 4 with the enumeration stage and will continue till December 4.
ABU DHABI  Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an investment-protection agreement Thursday with the United Arab Emirates during a visit to Abu Dhabi that has involved limited media access as concerns grow the country is fuelling ethnic violence in Sudan.

Carney announced the investment pact after a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and also launched talks for a full trade deal aimed at an eventual comprehensive economic partnership agreement.

The prime minister also met Thursday morning with Industry Minister Sultan al-Jaber before touring a palatial mosque in Abu Dhabi. He followed that with afternoon meetings with local sovereign wealth funds and investment companies including Mubadala, MGX, ADQ and ADIC, ahead of a dinner hosted by the UAE's national security adviser.

The visit comes just one month after the two countries signed an agreement to boost collaboration on artificial intelligence and data centres.

Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, said the UAE is becoming a leader in AI and can help Canada through both investment and innovation.

On a visit to the country earlier this year, she saw extensive AI adoption as well as enthusiasm from government officials for Carney  a former central banker and UN envoy  to visit the country.

"It is very prescient for the prime minister to go  and go early," Stein said in an interview Tuesday.

"They know him from his previous career, and so I think this is absolutely the right decision."

The UAE is using its cheap energy to power data centres, similar to how Canadian firms hope to use Alberta's oilsands.

"It's going to be one of the powerhouses, one of the nodes in the global economy that's built around AI," Stein said of the UAE.

The country has also secured a promise from U.S. President Donald Trump that it will be able to access the most advanced American chip technology, despite concerns from some U.S. officials over how much the Emirates is co-operating with China.

Former Quebec premier Jean Charest is co-chair of the Canada-UAE Business Council, which Carney is set to address on Friday.

Charest told reporters in Abu Dhabi that signing an investment pact "is a prelude to a trade agreement, in any scenario that Canada has been in." He said a full trade agreement with the UAE "should be fairly straightforward" because of Carney's visit.

"The only way Canada is going to have trade agreements with  new regions in the world is if the prime minister is the one who leads it," Charest said.
European officials pushed back against a U.S. proposal for ending the Ukraine war, saying that Kyiv must approve any plan and that the conflict must not end with a Ukrainian capitulation.

European officials will now have to reprise a role they have played periodically since President Trumps return to the White House in January: using connections in Washington to try to pull the administration back from a proposal they see as too favorable to Russia.

The Trump administration drafted a 28-point peace plan that calls for Ukraine to make major territorial concessions to Russia and drops demands for a peacekeeping force to deter future attacks by Moscow, U.S. officials said, resurrecting ideas that Kyiv has already rejected.

The administration is attempting the same approach it used to achieve a U.S.-brokered cease-fire in Gaza last month: draft a multipoint outline and then push the warring parties to accept it, officials said.

European officials said they hadnt been involved in drafting the plan and hadnt so far been briefed on the U.S. proposal. A senior European diplomat said it wasnt clear whether Europeans will get more information from Washington soon. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment when asked about the peace plan Thursday.

U.S. officials said Trump supports the new plan, which materialized after he told aides to craft new proposals that include incentives for the two sides to reach a deal. It isnt so far clear how receptive Washington is to redrafting the proposal to address Ukrainian or European ideas, or whether the administration would try to impose the plan on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Several senior European diplomats said they remained hopeful that they would be given the opportunity to share their concerns on any plans.

Kaja Kallas, the European Unions foreign policy chief, said that for any peace plan to work, it needs the support of Ukraine and the Europeans, who have also placed sweeping sanctions on Moscow.

We have to understand that in this war, there is one aggressor and one victim, and we havent heard of any concessions on the Russian side," she told reporters on her way into a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

The plan includes several elements that Ukraine and its European allies have long opposed. It says that Ukraine would have to surrender some land in Ukraines east that Kyiv still holds. It would place a cap on the size of Ukraines military and reduce the type of long-range weapons Kyiv receives from allies, which European officials have warned could open the way for a future Russian attack on Ukraine and more loss of territory.

It would also block a so-called reassurance force that the Europeans have offered to send to Ukraine if there is a peace deal.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the Europeans and the Ukrainians want to see peace, but a fair solution is critical.

We dont want to see a Ukrainian capitulation, and one can well imagine that the Ukrainians, who have resisted in a heroic way against a brutal Russian invasion for more than three years now, will refuse, in any form, a capitulation," he told reporters.

Kyiv has long argued that any concessions would only encourage Russia to regroup its forces during any extended cease-fire to attack Ukraine again. Zelensky has insisted that any peace deal come with clear security guarantees for his country. He has emphatically rejected the notion of ceding territory in eastern Ukraine, a core demand for Moscow.

Ukraine has built a vast network of defenses across the eastern region known as the Donbas, where Moscows forces have been steadily grinding forward in recent months at a high price in human lives. Kyivs troops still hold many strategically significant positions in the region, and Ukrainian officials say relinquishing them would give Russia an opportunity to pursue further offensive operations from a position of greater strength.

European countries are now providing the bulk of the budget and military financing for Ukraine, and are currently working on a plan which would release up to $200 billion in immobilized Russian assets in Belgium as a loan for Ukraine. They have pledged to cover Ukraines finances for the next two years.

Write to Laurence Norman at laurence.norman@wsj.com and Matthew Luxmoore at matthew.luxmoore@wsj.com
NEW DELHI : Quick commerce made Swiggy and Zomato indispensable, while electric vehicles gave Ola a clear purpose. Now, the next wave of Indian tech startupsUrban Company, MyGate, HealthifyMe, Paytm, and othersare adopting a similar template: providing services for reach, but selling products to make money.

But, without the depth of legacy players, these platforms are starting small, relying on the still-evolving service-attach model to drive stickiness and encourage repeat usage, indirectly strengthening their business economics.

The new playbook

Home-services platform Urban Company, which made a stellar stock-market debut on 17 September, is seeing measurable traction for its home-solutions brand Native, which contributed about 75 crore, or roughly 11%, to its revenue of 380 crore for the September quarter. The products business has expanded fourfold from 29 crore in 2023-24 to 116 crore in 2024-25.

The company, which has also started selling its water purifiers and smart electronic door locks on other e-commerce sites, sees this business improving its operating margins and helping it move towards profitability.

The goal is to remain connected with the customer both digitally through the app, and physically through our service network" to build long-term relationships, said Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Urban Company's chief executive, during the second-quarter earnings call.

Also Read | How data privacy rules may tighten screws on dark patterns

Bhal clarified that water purifiers address a big gap in the market", where subscription-led adoption is proving effectivea model, Mint reported on 26 June, its rival Livpure is also pursuing. Smart door locks, while still a niche category, have significant headroom" and are expected to gain momentum as the market matures, he said.

While Bhal said the company plans to increase the breadth of products in the same categories," it is also planning to enter new categories, such as the air-conditioning space, according to two people familiar with its plans.

The company remains loss-making at an adjusted Ebidta level.

Mint queries sent to Urban Company on Monday remained unanswered until publication.

MyGate is trying a similar tack. The gated-community security platform, backed by around $83.3 million from Tiger Global and Tencent, launched its smart door locks in October and is already preparing to expand beyond locks into adjacent categories such as security cameras and home-automation devices.

However, it is "several months away from launching another product", said Abhishek Kumar, co-founder and CEO.

Kumar did not disclose revenue contribution or unit sales, saying the product business is still too nascent" to comment on. The buying experience is embedded within the app itself, and the company is now looking to build out a business-to-business channel by partnering with builders and developers to cross-sell locks as part of their housing offerings.

HealthifyMe, which initially sold smart scales and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) only as a subscription, has also listed its products on e-commerce channels.

The wellness and nutrition platform, which has raised around $145 million from investors including Khosla Ventures, LeapFrog Investments and Sistema Asia Capital, has sold about 300,000 smart scales and 50,000 CGMs across its app, where it has 40 million users, and through e-commerce channels since late last year, when it began offering the devices outside subscription bundles.

The biggest thing hardware adds is the ability to track datapassively, continuously, and beyond what an app alone can capture," said CEO Tushar Vashisht, adding that cheaper hardware and better AI now make richer data streams possible without much user input.

He noted that 20-30% of the business now comes from outside the app, but the company does not plan to expand into parallel categories such as smart bands or rings, since it already partners with most wearable-tech makers.

Paytm is also squeezing more out of its ubiquitous soundbox. The financial-services company is working to monetize AI-enabled soundboxes through subscription and inference fees", charging merchants for analytical and operational support services built into the device, said founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, during the September-quarter earnings call.

The idea is to morph the soundbox from a simple payment alert machine into an AI-driven assistant. Sharma described it as a growing revenue line item" rather than just a cost-efficiency tool.

The soundbox sits at the heart of Paytms merchant strategy. As of September 2025, the company had 13.7 million merchant device subscriptions, up 2.5 million from a year ago, making it one of the largest installed hardware bases in Indias fintech sector.

Each device acts as an anchor for Paytms merchant relationshipsa first point of contact that helps it cross-sell loans, insurance, and marketing products while generating steady monthly subscription income.

The company's payment-related revenue, which includes device fees and transaction processing margins, rose 25% year-on-year to 1,223 crore in the second quarter.

Mint queries sent to Paytm on Monday remained unanswered until publication.

Also Read | A new breed of online fashion retailers brings the trial room home

A long way to go

Most platforms arent building these products in-house, largely relying on existing manufacturers and OEM partnershipsan asset-light approach. Only Paytm soundboxes are designed and manufactured at its Noida facility.

Besides, these platforms are largely positioning their products at the premium end of the market. Urban Companys native RO purifiers range from 12,000 to 19,000significantly higher than mass-market brands such as Kent or Eureka Forbes, which typically start at around 5,000.

Its smart locks hover around 17,000. In comparison, Hero Group-backed Qubo, Godrej, and Atomberg have priced their products below 15,000. MyGate sells locks priced between 9,000 and 30,000, with an average selling price of about 12,000.

HealthifyMes smart scale starts at 2,500priced significantly lower than Cults 8,000 but far above no-frills scales available on e-commerce platforms, which can be purchased for as low as 500.

In the fintech space, a standard soundbox is usually free or comes with an upfront cost of 200-300, but carries a monthly rental of 125-150 for Paytm and 1-49 for PhonePe. Paytms Card Soundbox starts at 999 with a monthly fee and supports tap-to-pay up to 5,000, while a basic point-of-sale (PoS) device costs about 2,000. Pine Labs Mini, positioned between a soundbox and PoS, is priced at 1,999 plus a usage-linked subscription.

People already comfortable with digital payments, connected devices, and app ecosystems" are the target audience for these players, as that is where the data monetization is the strongest and where subscription or service bundling makes financial sense", said Sameer Jain, managing director at management consulting firm Primus Partners.

Over time, the companies might consider mass-market adoption, but product-led models are still expensive to scale", he added. Therefore, the initial approach would be to refine the experience with smaller, high-value segments.

Yet, legacy players still have their time in the sun, as newer players dont have decades of experience in product durability, supply chains, or after-sales service". Add to that, hardware is messy, with logistics, maintenance, and customer support costs that can eat into margins and will have to learn operational discipline" from the traditional players, he added.

They are not chasing profit on the device itself. Its a gateway to recurring revenue," Jain added.

Key Takeaways Indias tech platforms are increasingly layering products onto their service ecosystems to boost revenue, stickiness, and repeat usage

Urban Companys Native brand contributed 75 crore (11%) to Q2 revenue, with its product business growing fourfold on-year

MyGate is expanding from smart locks into cameras and home automation; HealthifyMe is selling smart scales and CGMs outside subscriptions; Paytm is monetizing its 13.7 million soundbox base

Most startups rely on OEM partnerships for manufacturingexcept Paytmand are positioning products at the premium end for digitally savvy customers

Service-attach models are still evolving; products currently aid retention and data capture more than they improve overall unit economics

Bridging the gap

For these platforms, the product push is ultimately about expanding the total addressable market. It allows them [companies] to capture a much bigger wallet than subscription or service fees. It also creates stickiness and top-of-mind recall in categories where purchase frequency is low," said Madhur Singhal, managing partner for consumer and internet at management consulting firm Praxis Global Alliance.

However, while products can be profitable on their own, many tech brands lack deep offline distribution, making bundling particularly effective in bridging that gap, he added.

He cautioned that products alone are not yet meaningfully improving overall unit economics for these companies. Today, these products are enabling stickiness and repeat usage, which indirectly supports the economics of the business. Service-attach models havent stabilized yet, but adoption is growing. For instance, many higher-end mobiles and electronics now see maintenance and protection plans cross-sold to consumers."
The Cloudflare outage has continued on Thursday. It is disrupting online services for hundreds of users across multiple regions. Several websites that rely on the companys infrastructure remain partially or completely inaccessible, according to user reports.

Fresh Cloudflare outage reports surface online Downdetector, the outage tracking platform, recorded more than 330 reports from the United States for Cloudflare around 7:52 AM IST. This indicates ongoing issues. Users have flagged problems ranging from website loading failures to difficulties accessing platforms. These platforms depend on Cloudflares content delivery and security services.

According to the outage tracker, users reported issues with the following: Server connection (56%); website (31%); and hosting (12%).

AWS users report issues on Thursday Amazon Web Services (AWS) has also seen a surge in reported disruptions during the same period. More than 340 users in the United States reported issues with AWS, according to Downdetector.

Notably, the outage tracking highlighted that 67% users reported problems with us-east-1, 16% with us-east-2 and 16% with us-west-2. However, the AWS team officially stated, AWS is not down and has been operating normally.

View full Image Amazon Web Services has also seen a surge in reported disruptions during the same period. More than 340 users in the United States reported issues with AWS, suggesting that multiple cloud and hosting ecosystems are experiencing instability. ( Downdetector )

Several other platforms are also facing disruptions in the United States and other regions. Around 7:48 AM IST, more than 450 users on Downdetector reported issues with Steam. According to the outage tracker, 60% of users reported problems with server connections, 29% encountered issues with the website, and 12% experienced login failures.

To recall, major platforms, including the social network X and AI chatbot ChatGPT, experienced widespread disruptions on Tuesday after Cloudflare reported that a latent software flaw had affected its systems. According to data from Downdetector, users also encountered issues on League of Legends, along with select services from Google and OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.

Also Read | Cloudflare Down Highlights: Cloudflare says it resolved global outage

Cloudflare issued an apology earlier this week In a post on X, Cloudflare Chief Technology Officer Dane Knecht acknowledged the outage and apologised, saying the company had let down both customers and the wider internet community when a failure in its network disrupted significant volumes of traffic. He noted that services had since been restored.

Knecht explained that the issue stemmed from a latent bug in a system that supports Cloudflares bot mitigation tools. The flaw was triggered after a routine configuration update, causing the service to crash.
Fans of Prime Videos hit adult animated series, Hazbin Hotel, have reason to rejoice. The second season is out now on Prime Video. Earlier, there were a lot of rumours about whether there would be a third instalment of the show. Now, with the second season out, let's take a look at the speculation surrounding the future of the series.

Is there a Season 3 of Hazbin Hotel? Much to the joy of the series keen viewers, not only will there be a third, but a fourth season also. According to Radio Times, Vivienne Medrano, the creator of the series, revealed the news during the San Diego Comic-Con 2024. He was speaking at the Amazon Studios animation panel. On top of that, actor Christian Borle mentioned that the recording for the third season is complete and is underway for the fourth.

However, the website added that there is no release date or schedule yet for the next season. Post-production can take a long time, sometimes up to one and a half years. But this time around, the gap between seasons is not expected to be that long, which is a respite for fans.

What can we expect from Hazbin Hotel Season 3 According to PrimeTimer, Medrano has already given some hints about what fans can expect from Season 3.

I feel like I have to wait to gush about how much I adore S3 of Hazbin because S2 is the one coming out, and S2 is AMAZING, but holy s**t, S3 is like a dream come true creatively for me, so I CANNOT wait to let loose. Those of you who enjoy these shows will be so f**kin fed the next few years, she wrote on social media, as per PrimeTimer.

The creator of the show also said that the fourth episode of Season 2, titled Its a Deal, contains a major tease for the next season.

This episode revolves around Alastor, the Radio Demon, and reveals that he was a serial killer and made a deal with Rosie, who leads the cannibal community in Hell, that he would be the most powerful Sinner in Hell, the website informs. Season 3 would look at how Rosie gained enough power to give this promise, as per Medrano.

FAQs What is Hazbin Hotel? Hazbin Hotel is an adult animated musical show set in Hell.

Who is the lead character of Hazbin Hotel? Charlie Morningstar, the princess of the kingdom of Hell, is the main character.
Tennessee governor to keep National Guard in Memphis while state appeals ruling

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's office says the National Guard will continue supporting a crime-fighting task force ordered by President Donald Trump in Memphis while state lawyers appeal a judge's order that blocked the troops from operating in the city
UPDATE: Soddy Daisy Commissioner Steve Everett says that Jamie Thomas of the longtime Thomas Brothers Construction Company has withdrawn his application to build an asphalt plant on Dayton Pike.

The proposal sparked strong pushback from residents concerned about potential pollution. Thomas had previously sought approval for the plant in August.

Officials have not said why the application was withdrawn.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners voted to push the first vote on the asphalt plant to January 15, 2026. The decision came after the town's mayor, Jim Coleman, shared that Jamie Thomas, the proposal applicant, was not able to attend the meeting.

Those in attendance were audibly frustrated with the postponement. One resident requested a larger venue, such as a school, for the January 15 meeting, as Thursday's meeting was beyond capacity per the city's fire marshal.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners could approve the rezoning of a property along Dayton Pike for an asphalt plant Thursday night for a first reading.

Municipal planning commissioners voted 3-2 last week to recommend the rezoning of 7849 Dayton Pike in the Thomas Farms area. The site is about a mile away from Ivy Academy.

UPDATE: Soddy-Daisy Planning Commission recommends rezoning approval for new asphalt plant The proposed site is less than a mile from where commissioners denied an asphalt plant in August.

More than three dozen people attended the November 12 meeting in opposition to the proposal by Jamie Thomas, of the longtime Thomas Brothers Construction Company. Thomas also operates plants in Sequatchie and Bledsoe counties.

The city denied Thomas' request for an asphalt plant just a mile away on Thrasher Pike in August.

UPDATE: Soddy-Daisy zoning board rejects proposal for asphalt plant after Wednesday meeting The board determined that the man who proposed the location was unable to prove to the board that there is a need for a new asphalt plant.

A petition against the plant started by resident Lisa Flores has more than 750 signatures.

"There's a lot of greedy growth, and it's like, 'Hey, let's just slow down, just take a beat for just a second, and have an actual plan and not be so hurried in the quick dollar," said Flores. "We've entrusted them to represent us to make these decisions, and when we don't trust the decisions they might make, we have to show up."

The proposal remains preliminary and if approved, would require further evaluation and permitting by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Permits have not yet been filed with those groups.

Alan Frazier, the bureau's engineering manager said any new hot-mix asphalt plant would be subject to both federal and local regulations.

The federal regulation limits particulate matter emissions to "0.04 grain per dry standard cubic foot of exhaust gas. (1 grain = 1/7,000 pound)" and visible emissions to less than 20% opacity.

Locally, the new facility must meet "best available control technology" for particulate matter emissions.

"For an asphalt plant, this requirement is achieved by the use of a cyclone separator followed by a filtration system (baghouse), or equivalent control measures," Frazier said.

Thomas would also need to apply for an installation permit and an initial certificate of operation.

He told commissioners his plant could deliver tax revenue, but others worry about the impact it could have on the ability to capture other growth.

Wynne Anderson, Vice President of Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful, said this could deter tourism, which in Hamilton County, generated $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024.

"Businesses and families will avoid Soddy-Daisy because all that will be remembered is, 'Oh that's the town with the stinky asphalt plant,'" Anderson said in a statement to Local 3. "But we have an opportunity to build a better and more beautiful Soddy-Daisy without sacrificing our community's health and happiness."

Thomas told commissioners and those opposed that plants don't generate as much pollution as they did in the 70s, and that the plant would create 10 jobs.

"I want residents to know this isnt over," Flores said. "Thomas doesnt seem to get that we dont want an asphalt plant here, so we will keep telling him as we need. There are people in the community that want to work with him if he wants to develop his property in a way that is in line with the city plan, with the residents and that allow him to be the good neighbor that he claims to be."

Local 3 reached out to Thomas' office and commissioners for interviews and/or comment, but we have not heard back. City Commissioners Mark Penney and Marcus Keith, who also serve on the planning commission, opposed the rezoning recommendation last week.

Commissioners will meet at Soddy-Daisy City Hall at 6:00pm.
Albania's prime minister accused Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood of "ethnic stereotyping" after she singled out Albanian families in a speech about abuses of the asylum system.

Edi Rama criticised Mahmood for telling MPs around 700 Albanian families were "living in taxpayer-funded accommodation having failed their asylum claims" as she announced major reforms on Monday.

Rama called the number a "statistical drop in the ocean of post-Brexit Britain's challenges".

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Official data show the UK has deported more than 13,000 people to Albania since a returns deal was signed in 2022. Rama called the deal one of "Europe's most successful partnerships on illegal migration."

Mahmood's comments came as she announced major changes to the UK's "out of control and unfair" asylum system.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mahmood said: "If we fail to deal with this crisis, we will draw more people down a path that starts with anger and ends in hatred."

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The reforms will make refugee status temporary, extend the wait for permanent settlement from five years to 20, and allow the removal of families with children who have no right to remain.

Alongside tightening access to refugee status, the UK would create new legal routes to the UK, with an annual cap on numbers.

As part of her speech, Mahmood told MPs "we must remove those who have failed asylum claims, regardless of who they are".

"There are, for instance, around 700 Albanian families living in taxpayer-funded accommodation having failed their asylum claims - despite an existing returns agreement, and Albania being a signatory to the European convention on human rights," she added.

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Posting on social media, Rama said: "How can a Labour Home Secretary so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right  and single out 700 Albanian families, a statistical drop in the ocean of post-Brexit Britain's challenges  precisely at a moment when the UK and Albania have built one of Europe's most successful partnerships on illegal migration?"

"Let us also be clear: Albanians are net contributors to the British economy, and the number of Albanians receiving UK benefits is very low relative to other communities.

"To single them out again and again is not policy - it is a troubling and indecent exercise in demagoguery.

"Official policy should never be driven by ethnic stereotyping. That is the very least humanity expects from the great Great Britain."

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Rama has repeatedly clashed with British politicians over their descriptions of Albanian nationals.

In May, Sir Keir Starmer travelled to the Albanian capital Tirana only to be told by Rama he would not host UK "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers from other countries.

During the same press conference, Rama accused the previous Conservative government of "stigmatising" Albanians and warning that "cursing the Albanians was not a good idea, because the curse went back and they are now out of the parliament".

A combative figure on social media, Rama has also previously invited Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to come to Albania to debate his claim one in 50 Albanians in Britain were in prison.

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Rama dismissed the figure as "bonkers" and accused Farage of peddling "post-truth Brexit playbook" politics.

[BBC]

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Last week's 'Legends' in Moyne Community School was more than just a school performance. It was an experience to watch its pupils be encouraged to explore their creative talents and be seen on a professional stage. The evening did not just reminisce about legendary films and songs, but gave a platform for students across the years to build confidence.



Moyne has an impressive track record of producing and shaping legends. From Liam J Coyle (a climate ambassador); to Ross McNerney (Amble); and Cian McPhillips (athlete), the school has shown that by fostering talent and confidence, their students have been walking out as successes in their niches. There was a high indicator that there will be big names coming out of Moyne Community School in the future, as across the board from first years to sixths, there are clear signs that these students have plenty of potential.

Read more: Find out what is happening in Longford and Westmeath for Oiche na hOige



Taking place between November 11-13, the doors of the school's gym unveiled an impressive, professional stage which was full of lighting, a raffle area and designated seats to cater to the audience who had pre-booked in advance for this highly anticipated show via online.



Principal of the school, Mr Desmond Cullen, was there at the doors to check and greet those who were entering. Several members of staff were present around the gym to facilitate the large audience.



This show is bigger and better than two years ago, said Mr Mulvey in the introduction. He also took part in two comedy sketches with students. There were 24 performances across two acts altogether.



Legends had a grand total of 128 sponsors listed at the back of their show programme, with big brands such as McDonalds, Supermacs and Omniplex Cinema included, as well as various local enterprises who wanted to give their support.



As of Wednesday, November 12, 1,450 out of 1,500 total tickets had been sold. Each night catered to 500 seats. General admission had cost 12.50. On top of this, there was a raffle prize worth 300 for each night for first prize, as well as smaller prizes. Raffle tickets, which cost 5 for a strip of three, were highly sought after with the reveal of the large hamper taking place just before the final performance.

Read more: Calls for review of maintenance and upkeep of children's playgrounds across Longford



In response to the show, and on behalf of Moyne Community School, Ms Siobhan OHara gave the following statement about how the nights went:



The Legends Show has been a fantastic three nights that has really captured the essence of what Moyne is about. With such a talented community of students and staff, and unbelievable support from our senior management and the wider school community, it has been a wonderful three nights celebrating the abundance of talent in our school. We're already planning for the next one and we can't wait!



Striving for excellence, it is safe to say that legends will continue to be made.
Longford and Westmeath had reason to celebrate following last weekends Down Syndrome Ireland annual general meeting. Two well known members of the local branch were selected for national leadership roles that will see them advocate for people with Down Syndrome across Ireland.



Former Longford Westmeath branch chair Martina Kelly (Longford) was elected President of Down Syndrome Ireland at the AGM held at the Clayton Hotel, Leopardstown.

Read more: Killashee Roman Catholic Committee hosting Longford table quiz



Martina has been a tireless volunteer and advocate at branch level for many years, her election to the presidency is an enormous achievement for her personally and a source of pride for families and supporters in Longford.



Also from the branch, Fintan Bray (Westmeath) was ratified as Chair of Down Syndrome Irelands National Advisory Council (NAC).



Fintan, who has been active both locally and nationally in advocacy and civic life will now lead the NAC in its role of representing the opinions and lived experience of adults with Down syndrome and bringing those voices directly to the organisations Board and decision makers.



The NAC is a council of adults with Down Syndrome from across Ireland whose purpose is to ensure that the views and priorities of people with Down syndrome are central to Down Syndrome Irelands work.



The Council meets regularly, holds its own AGM and invites the Board to update them on organisational plans and initiatives. The NAC has been active in campaigning and advocacy on a range of public policy and practical issues including accessible transport, voting rights, employment, and education for people with Down syndrome.



In recent months, the NAC has also met with senior political figures to raise these issues directly.

Read more: Business All-Star Accreditation given to Longford tour business



What this means locally Martinas presidency and Fintans chairing of the NAC create a direct channel from Longford and Westmeath to the national leadership of Down Syndrome Ireland, strengthening the branchs ability to influence services and supports that matter to families here and across the country from services, school and adult education support, to employment initiatives and community participation.

Martina and Fintan will both champion practical actions that improve lives, guided by the lived experience of people with Down Syndrome.
A Leitrim man who has worked as a carer has been jailed for six years for the repeated rape and sexual assault of his young niece over 40 years ago.

Sean McDonald (62) of Tawneymachugh, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court last July to 11 representative counts relating to the rape and sexual assault of a child from 1977 to 1982. Christina Elliott was aged 7 to 11 during this period, while McDonald was 14 to 18.

Also read: No excuse whatsoever for Longford town robbery by drug abusing pair on 85 year-old man

The abuse took place during visits by Ms Elliott and her family to her mother's family home in Glencar, Co Leitrim, and McDonald was left to babysit Ms Elliott and other children.

Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, told Justice Melanie Greally that the complainant wished to waive her anonymity so that McDonald could be publicly named. He said that Ms Elliott was happy for her own name to be published, and the sentence hearing was held in an open courtroom.

Members of Ms Elliot's immediate family were in court, as were members of McDonald's immediate family. Ms Elliot now lives in Scotland, the court heard.

Justice Greally said that the case the abuse encompassed a broad range of sexual violations which were carried out with regularity over a period of just over five years.

She said that the extreme youth of the victim, the age difference, and the breach of trust were aggravating factors in the case. She noted the fact that the abuse took place in her grandparents' home, a place which should have afforded safety to a child.

Also read: Suspended sentence for driver arrested by Longford gardai who had drugs hidden in van

Justice Greally noted that the immense and immeasurable harm caused to the injured party by the offending.

She noted that a Probation Service assessment states that McDonald is at a low risk of reoffending but does not show any insight into the impact of his behaviour.

The report identified a reluctance by the defendant to speak about the harm he has caused. It further stated that he tended to minimise the impact of his conduct and attributed it to immaturity and sexual exploration.

Justice Greally said that while the likely initial motive for the abuse may have been sexual curiosity, the later continued assaults were manifestly conducted for sexual gratification.

Desmond Dockery SC, defending, handed nine-character references on affidavit from family members and some local supporters of McDonald, including a former chairman of St Osnats GAA club in Glencar.

Also read: Gardai arrest young woman, (20s) and charge her in connection with stabbing incident

Justice Greally said these were evidence that in his adult life McDonald had made a substantial positive contribution to his local community and that he enjoys the continued support and affection of his family.

She said she accepted that the guilty pleas had spared the victim the further trauma of giving evidence in a trial and were a public acknowledgement of his wrongdoing. But she said she could give him minimal credit for remorse as he has no true appreciation or understanding of the harm he has caused.

She set a headline sentence of 18 years, which she reduced to seven years to take into account the fact that McDonald was a minor for most of the period of the offending. She suspended the final year on condition that McDonald engage with offence-focused work under the Probation Service.

Detective Garda Lydia Cauley told the court that the victim's mother is originally from Leitrim but had moved to Scotland. During family visits to the victim's grandparents in Leitrim, the defendant would often be left to babysit the victim and older children.

She was aged seven when McDonald began sexually assaulting her by touching her private parts. He would also force her to let him give her oral sex and put his penis into her mouth; Dt Gda Lydia told the court.

Also read: Longford man with multiple disqualifications beating himself up over decision to drive

Dt Gda Cauley said that she was unable to say how many times McDonald assaulted her, but that it took place whenever her grandparents were out of the house and sometimes when they were sleeping.

She testified that the abuse escalated to full rape on two occasions. She later agreed with Desmond Dockery SC, defending, that there was no evidence of whether McDonald carried out the rape while he was still a juvenile or after he had turned 18.

All the offending ended in August 1982 when a cousin of the victim began sleeping in the same room as her, and he no longer had undetected access to the child, Justice Greally said.

The victim made a formal complaint to the police in Scotland in February 2021, and they contacted the gardai. Gardai questioned McDonald in June 2023, and he denied ever babysitting the victim and said that her allegations were lies and nonsense.

McDonald was charged with two counts of rape and 90 counts of indecent assault. A trial was set to start on July 9 when McDonald pleaded guilty to 11 representative counts.

He pleaded guilty on that day to one charge of rape and ten counts of indecent assault on unknown dates between October 1977 and August 1982.

In her victim impact statement, read out by Dt Gda Cauley, the victim said the abuse left her feeling disgusting and vile as a child. She said she continues to struggle with the trauma and suffers flashbacks, depression and nightmares as a result of the abuse.

She said the abuse left her struggling with her mental health as a teenager and affected her later relationships with her children and grandchildren.
Ten counties across Ireland have been issued with a Status Yellow Low Temperature and Ice warning on Thursday morning that will come into effect from 11pm tonight until 8am Friday morning.

Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Tipperary have been issued warnings as widespread frost and some icy stretches are expected with minimum air temperatures of -3 degrees Celsius, possibly lower locally.

READ NEXT: Irish households urged to follow five steps to protect their home ahead of cold snap

Possible Impacts include hazardous travelling conditions and animal welfare issues

Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly has said, "Temperatures ranging from -3c to 6c with highest temperatures on the coast. A frosty start so allow extra time to clear the ice."

Temperatures ranging from -3c to 6c with highest temperatures on the coast. A frosty start so allow extra time to clear the ice. pic.twitter.com/FR5ccM0rrw  Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) November 20, 2025

Thursday

Today will be cold with sunny spells and scattered showers, becoming isolated later. Most of the showers will be in the north and west and some will be wintry. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees in a light to moderate northwesterly breeze.

A largely dry and clear night in store but turning very cold too with temperatures falling 0 to -3 degrees leading to some frost and icy stretches. Cloudy will build from the west later in the night with the coldest temperatures in the east with generally light winds.

READ NEXT: Creating new talented Longford 'Legends' in Moyne Community School

Friday

A mostly dry start but becoming quite cloudy later in the morning with outbreaks of rain developing along Atlantic coastal counties in a freshening southwesterly breeze. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

Rather cloudy then Friday evening with a freshening southwesterly breeze. Rain and drizzle along Atlantic coastal counites will gradually spread through the country overnight. The rain will be heavy at times too particularly in the west. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees.

Saturday

Wet, cloudy and unsettled to start with rain slowly clearing to the east by late morning. There will be a good deal of dry weather developing for the afternoon however it will remain overcast. Showers which could be heavy at times will push in across Munster and South Leinster during the afternoon before moving further north later. Light winds will become more moderate later with highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees.

Another wet and overcast night with showers moving up along the east of the country which again could be heavy at times. Outbreaks of rain elsewhere with northwesterly breezes. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees.

READ NEXT: Shaping 2026: A call for ideas to boost arts and community life in Longford

Sunday

Rain will gradually clear away during the morning but it will remain rather cloudy. Northwesterly breezes will ease too with some sunny spells developing mainly across the south of the country during the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees.

A few dry interludes but generally cloudy with a few lingering patches of rain over Connacht and Ulster on Sunday night. More cloud will build later in the night ahead of another band of rain moving in from the south overnight. Winds will ease overnight with temperatures falling to 0 to 4 degrees so a touch of frost is possible.

Further Outlook

Looking ahead into next week and its set to remain unsettled with spells of rain but temperatures remaining about average.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the buffer zone between Israel and Syria on November 19. (Benjamin Netanyahu on X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a large group of Israeli officials and military commanders to the buffer zone between Israel and Syria on November 19. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the area after the regime of dictator Bashar al Assad fell on December 8, 2024. Israels presence on Syrian soil has been a source of tension between the new Syrian transitional government and Jerusalem.

The visit took place two days after Israeli media outlets reported that talks between Israel and Syria for a landmark security deal are currently at a dead end. It also came nine days after Syrian transitional President Ahmad al Sharaa met US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Syrias foreign ministry condemned the visit by Israeli leaders. Russias ambassador to the UN also condemned Israels actions on the Golan, claiming that they pose a threat to the region.

The visit to the buffer zone included a large number of Israeli officials. The Israeli Government Press Office said in a statement that Netanyahu visited the buffer zone in Syria, together with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, [head of the Shin Bet] Director David Zini, National Security Council Acting Director Gil Reich, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, head of IDF Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alian, and IDF 210th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yair Pelai. The event appears to be the largest public visit by Israeli officials since the IDF took over areas of the buffer zone.

On December 8, 2024, as the Assad regime collapsed, the IDF seized areas along the buffer zone that served as a ceasefire line between Syria and Israel since 1974. The line runs along the top of the Golan Heights, which the IDF took from Syria in 1967. The IDF also took control of the summit of Mount Hermon after Assads fall. Previously, Israeli troops had controlled a lower peak near the top but not the summit, which was in Syrian hands. Syria and most of the international community do not recognize Israels control of the Golan Heights or the new areas the IDF has taken over.

Netanyahu went to an IDF post where he observed the sector, and later held a security discussion. [He] also met with regular and reserve soldiers, praised their activity during the war and in maintaining security in the area, and answered their questions, Israels Government Press Office said in a statement.

On November 17, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the IDF will remain on Mount Hermons peak and in the security zone. These comments came as reports indicated that talks between Syria and Israel about a security agreement had stalled. Netanyahu said that Israels presence in Syria is of immense importance.

The Times of Israel reported that Israel is reportedly insisting on remaining deployed to the nine posts it seized after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, unless the new ruling government agrees to a full peace deal and normalization. Sharaa had said in Washington on November 12 that Israel should withdraw to the December 8 line, which is the 1974 ceasefire boundary.

Netanyahus visit to the buffer zone with Syria received significant attention in Arabic media. Al Arabiya noted that Netanyahu said, We attach great importance to our capabilities here, both defensive and offensive, to protect our Druze allies, and above all to protect the State of Israel and its northern border opposite the Golan Heights. Israeli officials have vowed to protect the Druze in Syria over the last 10 months and carried out airstrikes on the new Syrian government when tensions between Damascus and the Druze rose.

Tensions along the Golan border have reduced in recent months after IDF raids in July detained Iranian-linked cells near the Golan. However, Russian military officials visited an area of Syria near the Golan on November 17. Israeli media also said the IDF detained several suspects, including IDF soldiers and Syrians, who were reportedly involved in smuggling weapons from Syria.

The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Syria strongly condemned the illegal visit made by the Israeli occupations Prime Minister, along with Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs and a number of occupation officials to the southern region of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated, We affirm that the visit represents a new attempt to impose a de facto situation that contradicts relevant UN Security Council resolutions and falls within the occupations policies aimed at consolidating its aggression and continuing its violations of Syrian territory.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
Hurricane Melissa caused nearly $9 billion in damage in Jamaica, making it the costliest storm ever to hit the island-nation, according to newly released figures.

The preliminary estimate was released Wednesday as part of an assessment by the World Bank, in coordination with the Inter-American Development Bank. The storms $8.8 billion in physical damage is equivalent to 41% of the countrys 2024 gross domestic product, they said.

The Global Rapid Damage Estimation was conducted immediately after the Category 5 hurricane battered Jamaica while dumping deadly rains and wind on neighboring Haiti.

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The official death toll remains at 45, the new director of the Office of Disaster and Preparedness and Emergency Management, Commander Alvin Gayle, said Wednesday at a special press briefing. An additional nine cases are being investigated, he said, while 15 individuals remain missing.

Some people have been coming off the lists and some people also joined the list, Gayle said about the missing. The United Nations previously said almost 1.6 million people in Jamaica were affected. In Haiti, the death toll was at least 43 dead and seven missing, the countrys Office of Civil Protection said, even though there wasnt a direct hit.

To assess Melissas physical impact in Jamaica, analysts looked at damage to residential and non-residential infrastructure, and agricultural sectors. The assessment does not include broader economic losses, which are expected to be even more significant, the report said.

According to the preliminary findings, 41% of the assessed damage was to residential buildings, 33% to infrastructure, 21% to non-residential buildings and 5% to the agriculture sector, including livestock and related infrastructure.

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While physical damage to agriculture is comparatively lower, the sector is expected to face significant economic losses.

Jason Henzell, the owner of Jakes hotel in Treasure Beach, has been helping local farmers and fishermen get back on their feet by providing equipment and offering gift certificates through his hotel. With plans to welcome back his first guest on Thursday, he said he believes the country will rebound.

Considering the financial crisis that Jamaica found itself in over a decade ago before the International Monetary Fund and World Bank stepped in, Henzell said of the damage estimates: Thank God, weve been financially responsible.

Weve kind of somewhat been the poster boy of the World Bank and the IMF in the last 10 years, he said, referring to the countrys economic turnaround before Melissa.

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Hurricane Melissa came ashore in southwest Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 hurricane. Its 185-mile-per-hour winds made it the strongest storm to make a direct hit on the country, which was still recovering from last years hurricane season. The storm also severely damaged Cuba and southern Haiti.

The U.N. said this week that nearly 477,000 children are experiencing significant disruptions to their schooling in the three countries as a result of storm damage.

Children have been forced to miss classes or study in temporary spaces that may not be equipped for proper learning, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In response, UNICEF is working with local governments and partners to deliver supplies and trying to rehabilitate damaged schools.

In Jamaica, the agency has provided teaching and learning materials along with up to 100 temporary learning spaces to support 10,000 children.

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Both the Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, or IDB, said they are ready to help Jamaica rebuild.

The scale of damage caused by Hurricane Melissa demands a fast, coordinated, and evidence-based response, said Anabel Gonzalez, IDB vice president for countries and regional integration. The IDB is fully committed to supporting the Government of Jamaica, beginning with a clear understanding of Hurricane Melissas impact, as the country moves from emergency response to reconstruction. Together with our partners, we will help Jamaica rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient.

Susana Cordeiro Guerra, World Bank vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, said they are ready to mobilize our full range of support in collaboration with other international development partners to help deliver a resilient and inclusive recovery.
Kristi Noem will order about 250 Border Patrol agents south to New Orleans on a two-month immigration dragnet called Swamp Sweep with a target of about 5,000 arrests, according to secret government documents.

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who helped lead federal operations in Los Angeles, Illinois, and North Carolina, has been tapped to take on the new mission in Louisiana, according to internal plans reviewed by the Associated Press.

The Department of Homeland Security operation, scheduled to start Dec. 1, is a further escalation in President Donald Trumps drive to hit the grim deportation target of 3,000 removals a daya benchmark senior aides including Stephen Miller have pressed field commanders to reach.

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Louisiana, whose governor, Jeff Landry, is a Trump allyis a predominantly Republican state with a splash of Democratic blue in places like New Orleans.

Internal plans reviewed by the AP show agents poised to spread out from New Orleans into Jefferson, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany parishes, extending north toward Baton Rouge and across the state line into Mississippi.

Its off to Louisiana for Bovino and his armed goons, according to reports. / Jacek Boczarski / Anadolu via Getty Images

A portion of the FBIs New Orleans field office will serve as the command post, according to AP. A naval base south of the city will store vehicles, equipment, and thousands of pounds of tear gas and pepper-ball munitions, the news wire reports, while DHS has also asked to use the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans for up to 90 days.

AP says agents are due to arrive Friday to stage assets before Thanksgiving, returning at the end of the month to begin the full sweep.

New Orleans is the Trump administrations next target. / David Buono / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The push could make use of the multimillion-dollar ICE detention facility housed in Louisianas notorious Angola prison, which has been nicknamed Louisiana Lockup.

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When it was unveiled in early September by Noem as Camp 57apparently in homage to her old friend Landry, Louisianas 57th governorthe pair said the 416-bed facility then held 51 inmates.

The most up-to-date analysis by detentionreports.com states that as of Sept. 15, Angola held a rolling average of just five people.

The four-block disciplinary unit was shut down in 2018 after a string of security breakdowns, suicides, and an exodus of staff.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (front), along with (L/R) Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, unveil Camp 57 at Angola Prison. / Matthew Hinton / AFP via Getty Images

Now back in use, DHS has pledged it will hold the worst of the worst. Noem, who has been dubbed ICE Barbie for her penchant for dressing up in various uniforms, previously stating she hoped the threat of ending up there would encourage illegal immigrants to self-deport.

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Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. We do not discuss future or potential operations.

She declined to say how many inmates Angola was holding, or the cost to the taxpayer of turning Angola into Louisiana Lockup. Landrys office did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily Beast.

Noems habit of dressing in uniform for the cameras has earned her the nickname ICE Barbie. / Homeland Security/Getty Images

In the White House, Trumps deputy press secretary Stephen Miller, 40, has berated DHS brass on conference calls, demanding they hit 3,000 arrests a day and making clear their jobs could be at risk if they fail.

Noem is under pressure to hit Trumps targets. / Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

To push the figures higher, Noem has again turned to Bovino, 53. His appointment to run the Louisiana sweep highlights how central he has become to the administrations most forceful crackdowns.

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Bovinos record is stacked with controversy. In Chicago, a federal judge publicly rebuked him after finding he misled the court about supposed threats posed by protesters during Operation Midway Blitz, where he and his agents allegedly fired tear gas and pepper balls without justification.

Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino throws tear gas in Little Village, Chicago, Illinois. / U.S. District Court

In Charlotte, North Carolina, his teams touted dozens of arrests while scouring churches, grocery stores, and apartment complexespart of a surge in which American citizens have been detained at gunpoint, sparking protests.

The Daily Beast has approached the White House for comment.
The eastern skyline of downtown Boston as seen from a boat on Boston Harbor. (Chris McLaughlin/MassLive)

A Boston real estate developer  the brother of a state senator  is facing a number of lawsuits from investors who say he has not delivered on promises of major construction projects in the city.

Andrew Collins, the twin brother of Sen. Nick Collins, D-1st Suffolk, had attracted investors for a series of mixed-use projects in South Boston in an area with rapid growth. Now, he is listed as a defendant in numerous state and federal lawsuits claiming a total of at least $143 million in damages, the Boston Globe first reported.

Put simply, Collins does not believe that the rules apply to him, one set of investors wrote in a lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court.

According to the Globe, Collins began collecting properties along Dorchester Avenue over the past several years, eventually controlling about 3.2 acres. The area, located between the Broadway and Andrew MBTA stations, has been targeted for development by a number of developers, not just Collins.

However, according to lawsuits from his investors, Collins began a pattern of defaulting on his loans when the projects he planned did not move forward. He never formally filed any plans with the city, according to the Globe.

Mark Corner, Collins attorney, told the newspaper his client had repaid $34.6 million of the $52 million he borrowed from investors, and disputed the claims in the series of suits.

There is a significant difference between one party making an unverified allegation in a court pleading, and a final determination being reached, Corner said, according to the Globe.

Another attorney representing Collins said development had been delayed by market conditions.

Some investors have already won judgments against Collins, the largest of which came in September, when a judge granted $8.6 million to Divas Pant and Dhiraj Bora of California. Pant and Bora had claimed that Collins had promised to repay a loan with interest from a limited liability corporation he owned, but then merged the company into another to avoid doing so.

Representatives for Collins and his brother both said Sen. Nick Collins was not connected in any way with Andrew Collins business interests, and had recused himself from anything having to do with his brothers properties.

Senator Collins comes from a large immediate family that he loves, a spokesperson for the lawmaker told the Globe. He maintains a separate professional life from all of them in line with the states conflict of interest laws.
311 Omakase, a 10-seat Japanese restaurant in Bostons South End, has become the first establishment in the city to receive a Michelin star.

The Michelin Guide unveiled its Boston selections during a ceremony at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia Tuesday evening.

Boston joined fellow first-timer Philadelphia. Selections for New York City, Washington, D.C. and Chicago were also announced. All of these cities comprise the 2025 Michelin Guide Northeast Cities edition.

311 Omakase earned the highest honor of any Boston establishment Tuesday night by earning one Michelin star. Multiple restaurants received Michelin recommendations or were bestowed a Bib Gourmand distinction.

Debuting in the summer of 2023, 311 Omakase symbolizes the trinity of the chef, the ingredients and the customers, the restaurants website states.

The eaterys menu comprises a $250 18-course omakase that is curated by Executive Chef Wei Fa Chen.

My goal is to create exceptional traditional Japanese cuisine that reflects the artful use of ingredients and meticulous mastery of preparation techniques, while infusing classic dishes with my own creativity and style, Chen said on 311s website. Each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to offer our guests an authentic and exciting dining experience. We are committed to pushing the limits of ourselves to achieve Michelin-level excellence in all aspects of our restaurant, from the food we serve to the service we provide.

The honor is so new, the website still doesnt mention it as of Wednesday afternoon.

This is what the 2025 guide says about 311 Omakase:

Located on the ground floor of a South End rowhouse, this intimate chefs counter is the vision of Chef Wei Fa Chen. Pale walls and light wood provide a blank canvas to show off the chefs seasonal selection of ceramic platters (from Kyoto and Asheville), custom-made tatami coasters and thoughtfully crafted cuisine.

The chefs omakase features impressive nigiri showcasing high-quality product, much of it imported from Japan; and the range of fish could include fluke, striped beakfish and goldeneye snapper. Cooked items precede the sushi and highlight a particular cooking method, such as delicately crunchy fried longtooth grouper with ponzu sauce or a simmered bowlful of amadai and abalone in dashi.

Reservations at 311 Omakase must be made online and 45 days in advance. New reservations open at noon on the 15th of each month.

After Meet Boston announced in May that the Michelin Guide would rate Boston restaurants for the first time in 2025, anonymous Michelin Guide investors set out to try and find the best establishments in all of Bostons 23 neighborhoods as well as Cambridge and Somerville.

Inspectors judged restaurants on five criteria: product quality, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine and consistency over time and across the entire menu. The Michelin Guide awards up to three stars to top eateries that meet these criteria, and vary based on how accurately they achieve those standards.

Restaurants that are not quite worthy of a star get the Bib Gourmand designation. These eateries are often regarded as personal favorites by inspectors when they eat out on their own time, according to Michelin. Additionally, recommend restaurants are considered to serve good food, but have not yet received a star or Bib Gourmand.

Click here to see the full list of Boston restaurants that earned recognition from The Michelin Guide.
There are events happening and places to visit across Massachusetts if you need weekend plans.

MassLive is back with its latest edition of weekend picks, a weekly release of activities or events across the Bay State every weekend.

From visiting a decked out bakery to a new axe-throwing bar, here are some of the things you can do in Massachusetts the weekend of Nov. 21-23.

Pete's Sweets in East Longmeadow is offering a limited-time "Wickedly Good" experience through Nov. 26. The bakery is decorated in pink and green and is offering a limited-time variety of magical "Oz" treats. (Pete's Sweets) Pete's Sweets

Wicked experience bakery

At Petes Sweets in East Longmeadow, visitors are in for quite a Wickedly Good experience.

To celebrate the release of Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the 2024 film of Wicked that opens in theaters Friday, shop owner Peter Gray has transformed his bakery into a pink-and-green wonderland, with endless details and decorations from the world of Wicked.

The bakery is decorated in equal parts green and pink to honor the films two main characters, Elphaba and Glinda.

The set-up runs Nov. 19 to 22 and Nov. 24 to 26.

311 Omakase, a 10-seat Japanese restaurant in Bostons South End, has become the first establishment in the city to receive a Michelin Star. The eaterys menu consists of a $250 18-course omakase that is curated by Executive Chef Wei Fa Chen. Courtesy of FWA Creative

Visit the first Michelin star-rated restaurant in Boston

Its not every day you can eat at a Michelin star restaurant. Now, Boston has its very own.

311 Omakase, a 10-seat Japanese restaurant in Bostons South End, has become the first establishment in the city to earn a Michelin star.

Debuting in the summer of 2023, 311 Omakase symbolizes the trinity of the chef, the ingredients and the customers, the restaurants website states.

The eaterys menu comprises a $250 18-course omakase that is curated by Executive Chef Wei Fa Chen.

Even if you cant get a coveted seat this weekend, you can at least take a photo out front and say youve been to a Michelin star restaurant! Reservations, including on the waitlist, can be made here.

Re:Bar in Everett, Massachusetts, is a new axe-throwing bar where guests can play darts, shoot Nerf guns and eat gourmet hot dogs while hanging out in a lounge-type environment. Courtesy of Re:Bar

New axe-throwing bar

If youre looking for something more exhilarating, try axe-throwing.

Re:Bar has taken over the former space of Revolution Axe Throwing in Everett and officially opens on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.

The space is equipped with five dart boards where visitors can go head-to-head in several competitive and easy games. Plus, the six axe-throwing lanes allow guests to aim at zombies or sink battleships, among other interactive games. Visitors can also try a Nerf gun and shoot darts at ducks or other targets.

Axe and Nerf games begin at $29 per hour per person and darts begin at $10 per hour per person.

7 Brew has officially opened its West Springfield location that offers over 20,000 unique drink combinations on Wednesday morning. Nov.19, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Try a new 7 Brew drink

A new drink establishment has set up shop in West Springfield, the first in Massachusetts.

7 Brew offers more than 20,000 unique drink combinations including the original Blondie, a caramel and vanilla breve, to 7 Energy, smoothies, shakes and teas.

The official ribbon cutting took place on Wednesday. The business next step is to host a Swag Day on Saturday, Nov. 22. Customers who purchase a large drink will get a free 7 Brew T-shirt.

A look around the Omni Parker House in Boston, which recently underwent a "complete rebirth," upgrading its amenities and updating its decor. (Nick O'Malley/MassLive)

See the Omni Parker Houses $65-million renovation

The Omni Parker House recently received a $65 million renovation. But the carpets on the second-floor event spaces are whats drawing eyes.

The function halls feature writing decorating the carpet  actual handwriting that dates back to the 19th century from Charles Dickens.

Specifically, its the final two pages of A Christmas Carol reproduced in the carpet. If you keep a lookout, you can spot the names Scrooge and Bob.

The hotels facelift covered all 551 rooms, function spaces, ballrooms and lobby.
A 23-year-old man from Brockton will serve at least 15 years in prison after he was convicted on multiple counts of child rape.

Thomas Butler Jr., 23, was found guilty of three counts of rape of a child and nine counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 on Nov. 3, according to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office.

The investigation into Butler began in June 2022, when one of his victims went to Brockton police to report a series of sexual assaults and rapes that took place over several years. Police discovered the abuse involved multiple children.

Butler was sentenced Wednesday to a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 19 years in state prison. After his release, Butler will be on probation and will have to register was a sex offender, undergo sex offender evaluation and treatment.

He will also be required to stay away from the victims, have no unsupervised contact with or jobs that involve children under 16 and must wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.

I thank the victims and their families in this case for their courageous testimony and willingness to work with our office to ensure Thomas Butler cannot hurt more children in the future, District Attorney Tim Cruz said.

The crimes Butler committed are beyond heinous, and I am proud of my staff for their efforts in prosecuting this defendant. Child abuse has no place in our community, and we will continue to work diligently in order to stop predators like Butler.

The case was investigated by Brockton police and prosecuted by assistant district attorney Shanan Buckingham.
Defense attorney Kelli Porges, right, confers with her client, murder defendant Brian Walshe, in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Mark Stockwell/Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP

Three more jurors were seated on Wednesday, bringing the total number to 12 for the murder trial of Brian Walshe, the Massachusetts man charged with killing and dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, who disappeared on New Years Day 2023.

Judge Diane Freniere, who is overseeing the trial, originally planned to seat 16 jurors. At the end of court on Wednesday, the judge raised the prospect of empaneling more than 16 jurors for the trial. She said she would hear from the defense and prosecution about that on Thursday morning.

Nine jurors were seated on Tuesday, the first day of the trial, and Walshe, 50, made an unexpected decision to plead guilty to two counts.

Walshe changed his plea on the counts of witness intimidation (misleading a police investigation) as well as disinterment of a body.

Freniere is ordering jurors not to go on social media and watch or read the news once they are selected.

The trial in Dedhams Norfolk County Superior Court is expected to start with opening statements and witness testimony on Dec. 1 once a jury is seated to avoid interruption by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Officials charged Walshe with murder after the disappearance of his wife on New Years Day in 2023. Her body has never been recovered, but investigators say that he killed his wife and misled police after he reported her missing.

Ana Walshe, 39, worked in Washington, D.C., and traveled back and forth to their Cohasset home, which she shared with Brian Walshe and their three children. Prosecutors say that Brian Walshe suspected she was having an affair.
When Brian Walshe was arrested in January 2023, it wasnt the first time hed faced legal trouble.

The now 50-year-old Walshe is on trial for murder, accused of killing his wife in the Cohasset home where they lived with their three children. On Tuesday, the first day of jury selection, Walshe admitted to two crimes: that he misled police investigating his wifes disappearance after he reported her missing and that he moved his wifes body out of their home.

Years earlier, Walshe admitted to a different crime.

Walshes criminal past

In April 2021, Walshe agreed to plead guilty to charges of wire fraud, interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud and unlawful monetary transaction in federal court for selling forged Andy Warhol paintings. The case took a winding path after that, but Walshe was eventually sentenced to 37 months in prison for those crimes last year.

That sentence is essentially on pause while the murder trial plays out. If Walshe is convicted and sentenced to life in prison, it likely wont matter that he also faces a sentence in federal court. But if he is acquitted, he will likely have to serve time in both state and federal prison.

Letters submitted to the judge overseeing the federal case paint two different portraits of the man.

Walshes wife, Ana, urged compassion for her husband. She said they first met when she worked at the Wheatleigh Hotel in Lenox in 2008. The pair dated long-distance before Ana Walshe moved to Boston in 2015, and the Walshes got engaged and married that year.

The next year, their oldest son was born. Ana Walshe described her husband as a loving, nurturing and patient father of their three children, who are now ages 9, 6 and 5.

Brian is my the love of my love [sic], my life partner, best friend and the father of our three children, she wrote in a September 2021 letter.

Brian Walshes mother, Diana, described him as remorseful of his crimes in a letter she submitted to U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock in August 2021, adding that she believed he would never put his family through the trauma of legal jeopardy again.

I have absolutely no doubt that he will never break the law again for the rest of his life, she wrote.

But Walshes victims in the art fraud case described a very different man than the dedicated father, husband and son portrayed by his family.

Walshe seemed to be a likeable guy

The fraud case dates back to the early 2010s. While visiting a friend, who would eventually become a victim of the scheme, in South Korea in 2011, Walshe said he could sell some of the art the victim owned for a good price. The victim agreed and let Walshe take two Shadow paintings by Andy Warhol and other fine art.

The same year, Walshe sold the original paintings to a gallery. The original paintings were eventually sold to buyers outside the U.S. and have not been recovered by the government.

In 2011, Walshe obtained a set of replica paintings from an artist. He sold those replicas to a victim in France in 2015.

Then, in early November 2016, a buyer found two Warhol paintings for sale on eBay, listed for $100,000. In the advertisement for the listing, Walshe included a picture of an invoice for the two paintings with Warhol Foundation numbers and a purchase price of $240,000.

The buyer believed the paintings were authentic and eventually agreed to buy them for $80,000, with the condition that they could return the paintings for a refund within three days.

The unnamed buyers assistant flew to Boston on Nov. 7, 2016, to retrieve the paintings and hand over the money. Walshe deposited a cashiers check for $80,000 that day into an account he controlled and withdrew more than $33,000 in the following two weeks.

On Nov. 8, 2016, the buyer removed the paintings from their frames and found they did not have authentication stamps. The paintings did not match the listings, leading the buyer to conclude they were forgeries.

But when the buyer tried to get the money from Walshe, he didnt respond, then provided a string of excuses for why he couldnt return the money.

Mr. Walshe also seemed to be a likable guy, genuine in communication, and quite accommodating  a skill of a successful con-man. He was vocal of his generational wealth and his familys successes. He had the address of a multimillion-dollar home on his drivers license to back it up," the buyer wrote in a letter to Woodlock.

In court papers, federal prosecutors wrote that Walshe had enjoyed many benefits in life, noting that he went to boarding school and went on to attend elite colleges in the northeast like Carnegie Mellon and the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. Walshe ran his own consulting firm, worked as a real estate agent, and as a representative for a Spanish wine company.

He took advantage of these very traits to ensnare his victims, prosecutors wrote.

Walshe apparently used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle  after the victim in France paid him $145,000, he and his wife went shopping at Prada. Money from his other victim went to paying off credit card debt, including charges for travel and restaurants.

In their sentencing memo, prosecutors warned that Walshes situation in 2021 mirrored that of the time he perpetrated the fraud.

The government hopes that is the case, but notes that many of Walshes circumstances remain the same as the circumstances present when he committed his multi-year fraud: same family situation, working mostly for himself, and uncertain finances, the filing reads.

Those uncertain finances, according to state prosecutors, later served as a motive for Walshe to kill his wife. He was the beneficiary of several life insurance policies taken out for Ana Walshe, and was staring down the prospect of paying restitution to his victims in the federal case.

On Jan. 1, 2023, at 6:25 a.m., prosecutors say Walshe searched, how long for someone to be missing to inheritance.

Whats next for his trial?

Jury selection continues for a third day on Thursday.

12 jurors have been chosen, and the judge overseeing the trial originally planned to seat 16. At the end of the day on Wednesday, she expressed interest in seating more than 16.
A former New Hampshire state representative and her partner, a former Massachusetts daycare worker, pleaded guilty to taking photos of prepubescent children during diaper changes and sharing them for more than a year.

Lindsay Groves, 40, of Hudson, N.H., is a former employee of the Tyngsborough, Mass. daycare called Creative Minds. She pleaded guilty on Oct. 14 to three counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Former New Hampshire State Representative Stacie Marie Laughton, 41, of Nashua, N.H.  Groves former romantic partner  pleaded guilty on Nov. 3 to three counts of sexual exploitation of children.

Groves will be sentenced Feb. 4, 2026, and Laughton on Feb. 12, 2026, according to an announcement on the case from the U.S. Attorneys Office. They were both arrested, charged and indicted in the summer of 2023.

While working at Creative Minds from May 2022 to June 2023, Groves took nude images of children during diaper changes in a private bathroom before nap time and then texted them to Laughton.

Investigators found that in a single month in 2023, Groves and Laughton exchanged more than 10,000 text messages that were either explicit images or a discussion about the images. This included at least four pictures of children between three and five years old, the office said.

All of the children who were involved in this case have been identified and their families have been contacted by law enforcement, the office said.

The charge of sexual exploitation of children carries 15 to 30 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

The CSAM distribution charge carries 5 to 20 years in prison, the same supervised release terms and up to a $250,000 fine. A federal judge will decide their sentences in February 2026.
A photo from inside the Bristol County House of Correction shows some of the destruction from a May 2020 uprising. (Courtesy of Bristol County Sheriff's Office)

Former Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson denies his office exposed taxpayers to liability concerning a lawsuit filed by ICE detainees involved in an uprising more than five years ago.

The suggestion that I exposed the taxpayers to liability is ridiculous, Hodgson said in a statement to The Sun Chronicle. The responsibility of the sheriff is to maximize the potential to keep our citizens from being victimized by criminal illegal aliens or other criminals in our communities.

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux, who ousted Hodgson from office, leveled the charges of liability exposure when he announced Monday he had settled a $10 million lawsuit lodged against Hodgson and correctional officers for $800,000.

The uprising inside the former Carreiro Immigration Detention Center in May 2020 led to property damage and charges by inmates their civil rights were violated.

The violent altercation stemmed from inmates refusing to take COVID tests during the peak of the pandemic.

Hodgson said the uprising by unruly inmates had to be suppressed and officers took appropriate action.

The lawsuit, filed more than three years ago on behalf of 16 formerly detained immigrants, accused Hodgson and correctional officers of using excessive force.

Hodgson has called the lawsuit frivolous and with no merit. He also contended the suit was politically motivated since he was running against Heroux for re-election.

The sheriffs office had contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out immigration enforcement and house detainees.

The contracts were terminated after an investigation by former Massachusetts attorney general and now governor Maura Healey found the inmates civil rights were violated by correctional officers using excessive force.

Heroux said the federal contracts didnt protect the sheriffs office from liability.

My predecessors decision to involve the BCSO in immigration enforcement left the citizens of Bristol County and the taxpayers of Massachusetts exposed to legal liability, Heroux said.

Taxpayer money

Heroux said the suit was settled without using taxpayer money but with fees paid through civil process work by deputies.

The $800,000 settlement deprived the BCSO of funds that the BCSO was going to use for other campus improvement projects that taxpayers would not have had to pay for, Heroux said.

The federal and state governments both said the other was responsible for paying off any settlement, Heroux said.

If the suit wasnt settled and gone to trial, Heroux said the $200,000 in legal fees would have likely approached about $1 million to try the case with no guarantee of victory. A settlement awarded by a jury could have exceeded $10 million and exposed jail guards to liability, he added.

The Sun Chronicle is a news partner of MassLive.com. To subscribe to The Sun Chronicle, click here.
A man convicted of first-degree murder for the 1992 killing of a 21-year-old man in Brockton  who also assaulted the prosecutor during his sentencing, then stabbed another man while in prison  was granted parole Monday.

Nathaniel Harbin, 53, will be released after serving 28 years of his life sentence in prison, the Plymouth County District Attorney announced. He will be released to a long-term residential program.

Harbin was 20 when he shot 21-year-old Travis Powell inside a Brockton home, killing Powell almost instantly. Harbin wasnt arrested for nearly two years until he was taken into custody in New York.

He was convicted of first-degree murder on Nov. 14, 1997 after a jury trial in Plymouth Superior Court and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

While he was being sentenced that same day, Harbin assaulted the assistant district attorney on the case and was criminally charged. Harbin received an additional six-month sentence for that attack, to be served concurrently with his life sentence.

In February 1999, Harbin stabbed and injured another incarcerated individual, the district attorneys office said. He was sentenced to an additional five years to be served after his initial sentence.

However, in January 2024, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Mattis that sentencing people, ages 18 through 20 at the time of their offense, to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

Massachusetts was the first state in the country to transform the law, experts said.

Essentially, the brains of what we are calling late adolescents or emerging adults function very much like juveniles, Northampton attorney Paul Rudof, one of the lawyers who successfully challenged life sentences for individuals aged 18 to 20, told The Republican .

There were 210 cases that fell into the Mattis decision across Massachusetts, including Harbin.

Parole Board members noted Harbin has been in therapy since 2018 and that his therapist testified as to his remarkable psychological insight, growth and self-understanding, and his internalized pro-social concern for others. Two members voted in opposition to his release, with a review in two years, the district attorneys office said.

District Attorney Timothy Cruz had submitted a letter in opposition of Harbins release at his Parole Board hearing on May 21.

As district attorney, I will always speak up for murder victims like 21-year-old Travis Powell, who no longer have a voice, Cruz said.

We will continue to oppose the release of violent criminals who ignore our laws and have forever harmed innocent people in our communities.

The courts Mattis decision has been devastating for the families of those killed, as they are forced to relive the trauma, often going in front of the parole board and the incarcerated individual to make their own case.

Families have described the process as a  nightmare , stating they feel betrayed and that the system is treating murderers as victims while their own pain is ignored. One family member during a previous hearing walked out, feeling as if his side wasnt being fairly heard after the incarcerated individual was told they did a good job.
In 2023, a Massachusetts man was granted parole. But he was first required to spend 18 months in a lower security prison.

He never made it outside prison walls.

Miguel Valentins 2023 parole was rescinded due to troubling disciplinary reports, according to the Massachusetts Parole Board.

He went in front of the parole board again on June 17. But in November, the board became split over giving him parole again as three board members voted to grant parole, while three board members voted to deny parole.

Due to a split vote, parole is denied with a review in 1 year from the date of the hearing, the board wrote in its Nov. 5 decision.

On Dec. 14, 1992, then 17-year-old Valentin used a sawed-off shotgun to fatally shoot 18-year-old Alexander Rodriguez in Jamaica Plain.

Valentin and his brother were driving to their grandmothers house when they saw a group of men outside the Jackson MBTA station. Around this time, a rock shattered the back window of their car. Valentin suspected that someone in the group threw the rock and that they were members of a rival gang.

Valentin and his brother went to a friends house to get two sawed-off shotguns and went to track down the suspected gang members, according to the parole board.

As 18-year-old Alexander Rodriguez exited a convenience store in Jamaica Plain, Valentin, his brother and a friend approached him. Valentin shot Rodriguez three times, officials said.

Family insisted Rodriguez was not part of a gang, according to a 1992 Boston Globe article.

On Nov. 4, 1993, in Suffolk Superior Court, Valentin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

He first went in front of the parole board in 2007 but was denied. He had additional parole board hearings in 2013, 2018 and 2021.

Valentin, now 50, has been incarcerated for 33 years.

He will have another chance at parole in a year.
Police officers investigating a no-body murder said they could help anyone who feared they would be subject to "repercussions" for providing information.

Maris Ile, 54, was a seasonal worker from Latvia who had been living in the Highgate area of King's Lynn, Norfolk, when he disappeared last year.

Norfolk Police said it believed Mr Ile had come to harm and launched a murder investigation in March, despite not having found a body.

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Det Supt Phill Gray has appealed to people to come forward with information about Mr Ile's disappearance, adding: "Come and talk to us, we can help you."

On 20 November 2024, Mr Ile left his home but did not arrive at his workplace in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and was reported missing three days later.

Speaking one year on, Det Supt Gray said after looking at CCTV, phone and bank records the force launched a murder investigation.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team want to locate Mr Ile's body, so it can be returned to his family in Latvia, he added.

"You may be concerned about repercussions, it may be information that you want to give us about people that you know or friends of yours.

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"Come and talk to us, we can help you," he said.

He added that however "insignificant" the information may seem, "it may just be that one piece of information that helps us move this investigation along," Det Supt Gray said.

Maris Ile's mother, Galina, described her son as "caring" and said he loved motorbikes [Norfolk Police]

Mr Ile's mother, Galina, described her son as "caring" and said he loved motorbikes when she appealed for information over his disappearance in July.

Four men and a woman were arrested at addresses in King's Lynn, Norwich and Peterborough, on suspicion of murder in connection with Mr Ile's disappearance.

They were released and all five remain on police bail until 11 December.

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An allotment was also searched the same month as part of the investigation, but Norfolk Police did not reveal its location.

In August Crimestoppers offered a reward of up to 20,000 for information that leads to an arrest or conviction in the case.

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In this image made from a video, a brown bear runs on a field in Sapporo, northern Japan Friday, June 18, 2021. The wild brown bear on the loose all night in the city wounded four people, entered a military camp and disrupted flights at the airport before being shot and killed by authorities. (NTV via AP)

The U.S. has issued a travel warning for Japan after the country reported a spike in bear attacks and sightings.

Bears have been spotted in municipalities close or adjacent to popular zones in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Akita Prefecture and other parts of Northern Japan, the Nov. 12 wildlife warning states. Authorities have closed Maruyama Park in Sapporo for two weeks.

Authorities will generally close areas like parks if a bear has been sighted in the area, the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan said.

At least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 have been injured in bear attacks in Japan since April of this year, Al Jazeera reported. The Ministry of Environment called this the highest death toll since Japan began keeping records of bear attacks in 2006.

Japan is home to the big brown bears, who live in the Hokkaido region, the media outlet reported. The country also has Asiatic black bears, also called Moon bears, which live on the mainland.

For safety, residents and travelers are urged to take the following actions:

Avoid the area or walking alone in areas of bear sightings

Be aware of your surroundings

Report sightings to local authorities

U.S. travelers going to Japan can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and alerts from the U.S. embassy.
A Massachusetts man who is part of a violent gang ripped off a womans nails and threw her against the wall, according to court documents.

On Wednesday, Derek Mercado, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a machine gun. He was charged in August and has been in state custody for domestic violence offenses.

Mercado and the woman got in a verbal argument on May 6 and Mercado went to go get his gun, according to court documents. The woman took the guns magazine and refused to give it back because she didnt know what he was going to do with it.

He then pinned her against the wall with one hand on each shoulder. He continued to yell at her threatening to beat her up, demanding the magazine, court documents state.

Still, she refused.

Mercado then picked the woman up and threw her against the wall, which severely damaged the wall, court documents state. He also grabbed the womans hands and ripped off one nail from each hands causing her fingers to bleed.

Police were called and began looking for Mercado, who had multiple arrest warrants.

When police found Mercado, they said he had a green bag with an Israel Military Industries (IMI) model Uzi machine gun and a removable box-style magazine inside.

The Uzi was test fired utilizing the submitted magazine and determined to be capable of shooting multiple rounds with a single function of the trigger, officials wrote. Therefore, the Uzi firearm is a machine gun under federal law.

Mercado is part of the Trinitarios gang, which officials say are a violent criminal enterprise responsible for numerous murders and acts of violence across Massachusetts.

The gang known as the Trinitarios started at Rikers Island in New York in the 1990s, by people who were facing murder charges.

The gang is tied to a pair of 2017 killings in Lawrence and two double shootings in Lynn in late 2023. But in the last 18 months, they have been responsible for what prosecutors described as a dramatic increase in gang violence ... as a direct result of the Trinitario incursion into the state.

In February, prosecutors claimed they dealt a significant blow to the gangs operations following the indictment of 24 men and boys. However, the gang has continued to cause problems in the months since.

Mercado is expected to be sentenced on Feb. 18, 2026.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Bill Clinton speaks onstage during the Clinton Global Initiative 2025 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on September 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative) Getty Images for Clinton Global

Former President Bill Clinton is dropping hints that California Gov. Gavin Newsom could be the next president of the United States, according to Politico.

An unnamed Democratic source told Politicos Jonathan Martin that the 42nd president has told people how impressed he is with Newsoms talent. Clinton said he thought that Newsom has what it takes to become president, Politico reports.

The former president interviewed Newsom during a fall meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Clinton isnt the only person who thinks the governor has a good shot at winning the Oval Office.

Big time, said Willie Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco and former speaker of the California State Assembly. Hes the movie star.

Although the 2028 presidential primary is years away, recent polls show Newsom as the current frontrunner.

A Nov. 17 poll by Echelon Insights found Newsom with 29% support in a hypothetical primary. Behind Newsom is former Vice President Kamala Harris with 17% support, followed by former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with 12% support.

Out of the 1,051 likely voters sampled for the survey, 484 were asked which candidate they would vote for in a 2028 Democratic primary. The polls margin of error is plus or minus 3.7%.

Throughout the year, Newsom has fashioned himself as a foil to Trump  criticizing the presidents attempts to deploy the National Guard in California and his involvement in mid-decade Congressional redistricting.

In an attempt to mock Trump online, Newsom and his press office have copied the presidents social media habits.

That includes writing posts on the social media site X in all capital letters or giving demeaning nicknames to Republican officials and Trump White House aides.

During an October interview with CBS News, Newsom said he will consider a presidential run after the 2026 midterm election.

Yeah, Id be lying otherwise, Newsom said when asked if hed given serious thoughts about running. Id just be lying. And Im not  I cant do that.
Brenda Saucer, of Dorchester, speaks during a news conference at the State House on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 on the importance of a program that helps her pay her home energy bills. John L. Micek/MassLive

For Brenda Saucer, keeping the heat on during Bostons frigid winters isnt a luxury  its a necessity.

To make that happen, the Dorchester resident, a former phlebotomist whos now on disability thanks to a chronic medical condition, has periodically depended on state assistance to pay her bills.

Last year, she didnt need the money. But this year is a different story, she said, because her finances are falling short. And she needs the help more than ever.

Its the difference between surviving the winter and actually feeling safe in your own house, Saucer said during a news conference at the State House on Thursday.

When this help is delayed or doesnt come, Im afraid to turn the thermostat on. If I keep the thermostat low to save money, I could get sick, she said.

Saucer is one of roughly 300,000 Bay State residents who could feel the pinch if the Trump administration doesnt hasten the release of federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program money, according to the Healey administration.

The cash, which normally goes out at the beginning of November, is now not expected to arrive until the months end because of the historic federal government shutdown.

In the Bay State, the initiative is known as the Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program.

Gov. Maura Healey calls on President Donald Trump hasten the release of federal heating assistance money that was delayed by the government shutdown. Healey made her remarks during a news conference at the State House on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive

On Thursday, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey called on the Republican President Donald Trump to do his damn job and figure out a way to get heating assistance out to people who need it.

Healeys office also sent a less profane, though no less pointed, letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, making the same ask.

The shutdown of the federal government put the release of LIHEAP funds on hold. Now that the government has reopened, we have been informed that the Trump administration will not provide this heating assistance to families until the end of this month, Healey wrote. This is unacceptable. With winter fast approaching and evening temperatures already below freezing, families across the country cant wait any longer.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which administers LIHEAP, accused Healey of [continuing] to blame the Trump administration for the delay, rather than acknowledging responsibility within her own party, which held the government hostage during the longest shutdown in American history.

Despite these setbacks, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is moving swiftly to distribute annual awards and restore essential services that were stalled when the Democrat-led shutdown obstructed the Departments ability to serve the nations most vulnerable families, the agencys communications director, Andrew Nixon, said.

Until the money starts to flow, Healey said the state Department of Public Utilities has extended its shutoff moratorium, which started on Oct. 27, until April 1, 2026.

The state also will continue to use leftover federal funding to assist families suffering heating emergencies.

Heating emergencies include not having any heat, receiving a termination notice from a utility, having less than 1/8 of a tank of oil, or having less than three days supply of other deliverable fuels, Healeys office said. Families who need assistance should check with their local administering agency .

Last year, Massachusetts received $144 million to run its heating assistance program, according to WBUR-FM. About 10% of the households served by the program have a child aged 5 or younger.

This year, with heating bills rising, the demand for assistance also has spiked, Sharon Scott-Chandler, the president of Action for Boston Community Development, said during the news conference.

The nonprofit, which administers LIHEAP in the state, has so far received about 13,000 applications for assistance, she said. And if that money is further delayed, families will face tough choices, she said.

Massachusetts, we know, has some of the highest energy costs in the country and low-income households carry the largest burden, she said, noting that heating bills eat up 30% of a familys income in some neighborhoods.

And when these families go without heat, it is not an inconvenience. It is a threat to their health and safety, she continued. Were seeing seniors with no fuel in their tanks, parents trying to heat one room to keep a baby warm. Households are facing shutoff notices due to circumstances out of their control, like unpredictable work and rising rent and food prices.

And even as temperatures drop, a bill now before the Legislature that could help lower energy costs is on ice until the turn of the New Year.

Earlier this month, to the annoyance of advocates, state Rep. Mark Cusack, D-5th Norfolk, the Houses point man on energy issues, said he wanted to use the bill filed by Healeys office to pull back on the states climate goals, CommonWealth Beacon reported.

Healeys plan called for fixes to gas and electric charges and boosting energy supplies to save ratepayers $10 billion over the next 10 years, the online news outlet reported.

On Thursday, Healey tried to downplay the speed bump for the bill, saying her office will continue to work with the Legislature and the chairs in the House and the Senate on taking action to reduce energy costs for people.

We know its a struggle for residents and our businesses, and thats why Ive continued to make energy affordability, lowering your bills a priority.

During a separate event on Wednesday, Healey rejected suggestions that her opposition to two gas pipelines while serving as the states elected attorney general had contributed to the states energy supply woes.

Were trying to do as much as we can, working with other states, working with other regions, she said. I sent a team to Canada this weekend and I met with Canadians ... to talk about the work that we can do as a region with Canada to bring more energy into the region.

Healey had earlier blamed Trumps tariff regime for causing energy prices to spike.

His tariffs on aluminum and steel increase our energy costs because aluminum [and] steel, these are products that go into building an energy infrastructure to support the kind of work we need to do to lower energy costs here and across this country, Healey told reporters. So President Trump needs to stop playing around with things because, at the end of the day, people are hurting.
Secretary of State Bill Galvin, law enforcement officials and advocates highlighted resources for mental wellness, substance use and domestic violence at a press conference Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 at the State House with the holiday season underway. Alison Kuznitz/MassLive

Voters fed up with the snails pace of progress on Beacon Hill and the Legislatures lack of transparency could have a big year at the ballot box in 2026.

That was the word from the states top elections official on Wednesday as reformers raced to meet a key deadline that would move them one step closer to letting the voters have their say on issues ranging from rent control to all-party state primaries.

I think its kind of a watershed, Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin, whos backing a question that would allow same-day voter registration on Election Day, told MassLive in a phone interview.

Theres an opportunity that people are taking to go around the Legislature, he said.

In September, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbells office gave the green light to 40 proposed laws and four proposed constitutional amendments.

That kicked off a two-month frenzy to collect more than 74,000 signatures to submit to local elections officials this week.

And if youve been shopping at your local Market Basket or Big Y this fall, then youve probably either seen, or talked to, the battery of volunteers and workers trying to reach that critical threshold.

As of Wednesday, its obvious that most are going to succeed in getting on the ballot, Galvin told MassLive.

The questions reflect a broad diversity of issues that span the ideological spectrum, Galvin said.

Another question that appears set to clear the hurdle is one that would change the way legislative stipends are calculated, WBUR-FM reported.

State lawmakers get extra pay, in addition to their base pay, if they hold leadership positions. That often can result in a pay bump of tens of thousands of dollars.

Another would make the Legislature and the governors office subject to the states open records law.

Speaking to reporters after an unrelated event on Wednesday, Gov. Maura Healey did not directly answer when she was asked whether shed support such a change in state law.

Id have to see what that looks like, Healey said, adding that she has tried to make this office as transparent as possible. So well see what comes to the ballot.

Assuming they clear Wednesdays hurdle, petition backers have until Dec. 3 to submit their signatures to Galvins office.

The Boston Democrat will then review them and hand them over to the Legislature, which has until May to vote them into law, amend them, or take no action at all.

If lawmakers punt and take no action, campaigners will have to gather 12,249 more signatures, submit them to local officials by June 2026, and then to state officials by July of that year, to get onto the November ballot.

And thats only half the battle. If 2024 is any indication, a sharp-elbowed and very expensive campaign for hearts and minds will follow.

This week, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, for instance, strongly signaled that she had reservations about the rent control question, which would limit rent increases on most apartments to 5% or less.

I wish that the ballot initiative had been just a pure local option, repeal the ban on cities taking action and let each city do what they need to do, Wu told WGBH-FMs Boston Public Radio program. Because conditions can be quite different in each municipality depending on your local economy, and the mix of commercial, residential and all that.

And even if voters do eventually approve a question, theres also no guarantee of final action. Consider state Auditor Diana DiZoglios year-long fight to get Beacon Hill to comply with an overwhelmingly approved question authorizing her to audit the Legislature.

Wednesday was a big day for government reform all around.

Election law reformers were visible at the State House on Wednesday, where they made their case to the Legislatures Joint Committee on Election Laws, which heard testimony on proposals dealing with ranked choice voting, among other measures.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Wednesday that she supports Harvard Universitys decision to open an investigation into its former president, Larry Summers, after Congress released documents connecting Summers to high-profile sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

I certainly support Harvard doing a full investigation, Healey, the former two-term state attorney general, told reporters after an event at the State House.

Look, to me, as somebody who prosecuted human trafficking, who supported victims and survivors of sexual assault, this whole Epstein thing has really bothered me, she said. Im glad there was a vote [to release the files] ... Those women deserve justice and anybody who is implicated by any of this should be held accountable.

Summers served as the universitys president from 2001 to 2006 and also served as treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton.

In 2020, Harvard released a report acknowledging that Summers relationship with Epstein was previously known.

However, a series of emails released by Congress last week reveal Summers remained in contact with Epstein for years  a fact the New York Times says suggests a far more intimate relationship than was previously known.

Asked whether that disclosure meant that Summers should not teach younger students, Healey said she believed that anybody who has been associated with Jeffrey Epstein, [who] continued communication, even after everything came to light, and the nature of that communication, should be ashamed.

In a statement to The New York Times, a Harvard spokesperson said the Cambridge-based university is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted.

In a statement on Wednesday, Summers announced he was stepping down from the board of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, MassLive previously reported.

The announcement comes after Summers said Tuesday that he would step back from his public commitments, The Washington Post reported.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach Fla., on his way back to the White House, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) AP

President Donald Trump on Thursday called for the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the military and the intelligence community to disobey illegal orders that the administration may issue.

Democratic U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, joined by U.S. Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, both of Pennsylvania, all appeared in a video on X Tuesday, saying that threats to our Constitution are coming from right here at home.

No one has to carry out orders that violate the law, or our Constitution, the lawmakers said.

In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump branded the lawmakers as traitors who committed SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!

Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL, Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Article III of the United States Constitution defines treason as the act of levying war against the United States or giving aid and comfort to the countrys enemies.

Democratic lawmakers, including those from Massachusetts, criticized Trumps post on X Thursday afternoon.

The President of the United States calling for Democratic members of Congress to be hanged helps explain why members of the military may need to disobey unlawful orders at some point, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, a Marine veteran, said.

The President of the United States is openly calling for the execution of Democratic Members of Congress, wrote U.S.Rep. James McGovern, D-2nd District. Where is the condemnation from Republicans over this blatant call for political violence?

In response to a reporters question about Trumps post on Thursday, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., criticized the Democrats who urged the military not to obey illegal orders.

We have to raise the bar in Congress, Johnson told Eric Michael Garcia of The Independent. This is out of control and is wildly inappropriate and for a senator like Mark Kelly, or any member in the Congress of House and Senate to be engaged in that kind of talk, is to me just so beyond the pale.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the lawmakers video Tuesday, quoting a re-post on X by the account Libs of TikTok, by saying Stage 4 TDS, which refers to the phrase Trump Derangement Syndrome.
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Attention all serious fans of Star Wars: The Disney Store has quietly released a brand-new limited-edition collectible that stands out even in a galaxy full of lightsabers. The Stranger Legacy Lightsaber Set is now available on the Disney Store website for $325, and theres a limit of two per guest. Each set also includes a certificate of authenticity, and theres only 3,000 units available worldwide.

The Stranger Legacy LIGHTSABER Set  Star Wars  Limited Edition $325 NEW! Buy Now at Disney Store

Features

The sets distinguishing feature is its hilt design, which separates into two independent parts. Each section can illuminate either the included long blade or short blade in red, offering collectors multiple display configurations. The dual-functionality sets it apart from standard lightsaber replicas available on the market. It comes with a protective case and a stand for displaying.

Two blades accompany the set: a 31-inch long blade and a 17-inch short blade. Both blades feature custom programming designed specifically for The Stranger hilts.

This is more than just another role-play toy. The Stranger Legacy Lightsaber Set is a collectible for only the most serious Star Wars fans.

If youre a Star Wars fan who values both lore depth and display-quality collectibles, the Stranger Legacy Lightsaber set from Disney Store is a drop worth checking out. It combines premium design, limited availability and that wow factor that separates a regular lightsaber from a legacy piece.

Sign up for MassLives Shopping Newsletter: A recap of the biggest online deals and sales from the week, curated by MassLives expert e-commerce writer, Jessica Day.
Dry and seasonably cool conditions are expected to continue across Massachusetts on Thursday and through early next week, with high pressure dominating the regions weather.

Temperatures are expected to stay in the low to mid-40s on Thursday, colder than on Wednesday as a result of additional cloud cover. Light winds are expected throughout the day.

Overnight, temperatures should dip into the low 20s away from the coasts and urban areas.

High pressure starts to move offshore on Friday, with warm air blowing into the region, helping temperatures approach the low 50s. The day starts mostly sunny, but some clouds will filter in later in the day as a shortwave, essentially a disturbance in the mid or upper part of the atmosphere, nears.

The next chance for showers comes overnight Friday into early Saturday as the shortwave moves through the region.

Where there is disagreement is among how much moisture is available, National Weather Service forecasters wrote, adding that less than 0.6 inches is expected in areas away from the South Coast. The environment is weakly forced and do not expect any impacts.

A cold front swings through on Saturday, dropping temperatures to the 30s for the high terrain and 40s along the coast. Some lingering moisture in the air could lead to flurries, forecasters said.

Another shortwave passes through Sunday evening into early Monday, but is primarily expected to create additional cloud cover, rather than any rain. Otherwise, conditions are likely to remain dry through Tuesday, with seasonable temperatures. Afternoon highs should reach the high-40s to low 50s, with nighttime lows in the 30s.

By midweek, there is a shift in the pattern, a return to unsettled conditions," forecasters wrote. There remains a good bit of spread amongst guidance given this timeframe is 6 to 7 days out. Something to watch as these days lead up to Thanksgiving and busy travel days."
Carly Camossi-LaPalme, right, with Ed Sullivan, a former West Springfield city councilor in 2023. (The Republican / file photo)

WEST SPRINGFIELD  West Springfields chief of operations is ensnarled in a dispute with a neighbor that resulted this week in a judge issuing a restraining order against her.

The order, granted Tuesday in Springfield District Court, prohibits Carly Camossi-LaPalme from harassing or scaring the neighbor.

Camossi-LaPalme said Wednesday she was shocked to learn of the restraining order and did not get a notice of a court hearing.

I only became aware of this after it was issued, because I wasnt provided notice of the hearing, she said. I absolutely would have been there so I would have had the opportunity to be heard.

Camossi-LaPalme said she moved out of her 1362 Morgan Road home in September because of safety concerns about the neighbor. She now lives in a new house with her family.

According to the court order, Camossi-LaPalme must stay at least five yards away from and avoid all contact with the neighbor for one year and forfeit any weapons and ammunition.

The order said she is not to use or misuse your position as the Chief of Operations, the Office of the Mayor, the town of West Springfield to harass, intimidate or threaten the plaintiff, your next-door neighbor, the order said.

According to court records, the neighbor is Susan Muncy of 1360 Morgan Road. The two homes share a driveway.

Muncy said in an interview Wednesday she filed a harassment order against Camossi-LaPalme because she felt Camossi-LaPalme was retaliating against her after she started campaigning for Daniel OBrien, who ran against West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt.

At an October meeting, Muncy said she accused Camossi-LaPalme and Reichelt of not doing their jobs. OBrien also said at that meeting that Camossi-LaPalme would lose her job if he won, she said.

After that, Muncy said, things escalated.

Since the October meeting, Muncy claims, campaign signs have been stolen from her yard, and her car windshield was shot out with a BB gun.

She said Camossi-LaPalme and her family honk their car horns, yell threats and obscenities at her 87-year-old mother. Muncy alleged that relatives of Camossi-LaPalme smashed pumpkins on her property days before Halloween, acts caught on her home surveillance camera.

Muncy said Camossi-LaPalme also twice called the health department about two shelters on her property, which had never been an issue with the town or other neighbors.

When the town inspector visited, Muncy said he told her, When Carly calls, we have to come out.

Muncy said her family has lived on the property for more than 70 years, and Camossi-LaPalmes husband, who works for the fire department, has been a pleasant neighbor for several of those years.

The most troubling thing, Muncy said, was when Camossi-LaPalme left a business card in her mailbox with her title, chief operating officer, underlined.

Harassment complaints

Call records show the West Springfield Police Department responded to Camossi-LaPalmes Morgan Road address Oct. 31 and Nov. 9 for harassment complaints.

Camossi-LaPalme has lived at the Morgan Road address since 2022. The neighbor was already living next door when she arrived, Camossi-LaPalme said.

She said she and the neighbor have had problems for a long time and believes it stems from complaints made to the town about the property. She denies using her town job to harass anyone and owning any weapons.

I think she thinks that anything that generally speaking comes from the town is because of me  and thats simply not the case, Camossi-LaPalme said.

Any complaints involving a property or animal control must be documented and go through a system, she said.

Camossi-LaPalme said Wednesday she was not aware of the police calls to the Morgan Road address on Nov. 9 on Oct. 31 and said she was not living full time at her own address at 1362 Morgan Road.

However, on Nov. 9 at 3:48 p.m., she said her in-laws were playing in the yard during a visit. They left shortly after, she said, after consulting Ring camera footage regarding that date.

The move was prompted by the neighborhood dispute.

As crappy as it is to have to leave where you are, its a great start for a new chapter for my family. Im confident in the decision that we made together to move, she said.

She said she hopes to get a chance to tell her side of the story.
Members of the West Street Neighborhood Association and Northampton Tenants Group give a press conference outside Smith College on Wednesday highlighting the increasing rents on the college's property. Nov. 19, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

NORTHAMPTON  Suzanne Stillinger is an accessibility coordinator and early childhood educator in Northampton who spends more than 40% of her income on rent.

Stillinger lives on West Street in a property owned by Smith College, one of the citys wealthiest landlords.

Shes now donating plasma in Springfield once or twice a week to make up the difference, of what she earns and pays for rent, she said at a press conference at the colleges entrance gates on West Street Wednesday.

Tenants say they started receiving notices about rent increases in June. While the rents vary between $900 per month and $1,800, tenants were told they would see increases anywhere from $100 to $150 per month.

Eliza Menzel, organizer with the Northampton Tenants Group, speaks outside Smith College on Wednesday. Menzel was joined by tenants highlighting the unaffordability of housing on land Smith College owns. Nov. 19, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

The city  through former Mayor Clare Higgins  and college came to an agreement in August 2005 that in developing its campus, the college would not cause a net loss in the number, quality or affordability of housing units in the city, the agreement said.

Eliza Menzel, a member of the Northampton Tenants Group  one of the organizing groups that held the press conference  and a paralegal, said tenants started getting notices that their rents were going to raise by as much as 22%, she said, an unsustainable amount.

These increases are destabilizing tenants, forcing many to leave, and burdening those who remain, she said. Its additionally sobering to consider how Smith runs on the hard work of Northamptons community members, but a growing number of them cannot afford to live in housing owned by their employer.

Suzanne Stillinger is an early education teacher who has seen rent increases where she rents on West Street. The property is owned by Smith College. Nov. 19, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Through the spring, the group says it met with Smith administrators who said they were actively engaged in finding some solutions to the housing crisis. After suggesting the college upholds its agreement, the group now says the college has refused to engage.

Carolyn McDaniel, the colleges spokesperson, said in an emailed statement that Smith College owns several properties in neighborhoods around the campus.

While over half of those properties are used for college-related purposes, such as housing for faculty and staff, the remaining properties  representing less than 1% of the rental units in Northampton  are available for rent to the public, she said.

West Street residents have complained that the homes they rent from Smith College are becoming unaffordable. Nov. 19, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

The rental rates are set in an attempt to stay in line with the current market, and the revenue is used to cover costs such as property taxes, updates, and maintenance, the emailed statement said. While Smith does not speak to the details of individual leases, the college does comply with the terms of all documented agreements related to its rental properties

The group demands the college roll back increases it made to the West Street tenants in June to $25 per year; commit to having annual rent increases at $25 per year moving forward; and address necessary repairs in rental properties within 30 days of being reported, Menzel said.

Joel Feldman, also a member of the Northampton Tenants Group, said Smiths rent increases leaves low- and moderate-income tenants with no place to go.

Smith is essentially saying, We dont care what happens to you, Feldman, who is also a tenants rights attorney in Springfield, said, urging the college to do better.

The gathering drew about 20 people and received supportive honks from drivers on the busy afternoon street. Members of the two tenants associations and Springfield No One Leaves held up posters: Housing is a human right, one read.

Alex Jarrett, soon-to-be former City Councilor for Ward 5 in the city, also present at the conference, said over half of Northampton is cost burdened. He asked that Smith honor its past commitments and to roll back the rent increases, he said, adding that Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra supports rent stabilization.

Eliza Menzel, organizer with the Northampton Tenants Group, speaks outside Smith College on Wednesday. Menzel was joined by tenants highlighting the unaffordability of housing on land Smith College owns. Nov. 19, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Stillinger, the West Street tenant and educator, has taken on more jobs to pay for her rent.

Teachers like me are essential to this city  I challenge Smith College to do better, to be a leader on affordable housing, she said. I hope they are listening, but if theyre not, Ill just find ways to say all of this more loudly. I will keep organizing, and we will hold Smith College accountable for their promises to the people of this city.
Southwick residents cast votes during Special Town Meeting in 2023 in the Southwick Regional School auditorium. (FILE / THE WESTFIELD NEWS) The Westfield News

SOUTHWICK  While its been nearly three months since the Select Board said it might call a Special Town Meeting to have residents decide if the town can pay more than 50% for town employees health insurance, or even publicly discuss the issue at all, Chief Administrative Officer Nicole Parker confirmed to Finance Committee Tuesday the meeting would be held.

Is there going to be a Special Town Meeting? Finance Committee Chair Joseph Deedy asked Parker during the committee meeting. Im hearing everything under the sun.

There is going to be a Special Town Meeting. Yes, there is, Parker responded.

We have to bring this insurance question to the townspeople  were looking at mid-January, she said, adding the Select Board must formally make the decision, which it has yet to do or even discuss the subject since a subsequent meeting on Sept. 29.

Parker also explained to the committee that she has had to coordinate with Moderator Celeste St. Jacques and to make sure Southwick Regional School is available for the meeting.

During a Select Board meeting on Sept. 8, the Fire Departments Fire Prevention Officer Brian Schneider appeared before the board with a petition signed by 69 town employees and a request to hold a Special Town Meeting for an opportunity to have residents decide if they would contribute more than 50% to covering town employees health insurance costs.

There are only a handful of towns throughout the commonwealth that pay the state-mandated minimum of 50% of their employees health insurance.

Schneider said at that meeting, it was no secret that the town has lost a few employees over the last year, in part, because of the unaffordable health insurance premium, which Deedy spoke to at the committee meeting Tuesday.

I just tell people that as much as you freak out over a dollar or a percentage, youve already invested in these  young men and women that work for this town, he said.

He said whether it is the town paying for the police academy for a potential new police officer, or the fire academy, or licensing for the operators of DPW equipment, were already invested.

And weve lost some really great people in this town, and I hate to say it, over this healthcare, Deedy said.

Committee member Karen DeMaio said she recently had a conversation with a young person about their health insurance costs rising.

They told me how much their insurance bill was going to go up  and its ridiculous, she said.

She said the person told her that because of the increase they were increasing the number of hours at their part-time job just to make it.

This person is almost holding down two full-time jobs, DeMaio said.

At that Sept. 8 meeting, Select Board Chair Diane Gale agreed that the town needed to share more of the burden, which prompted Parker to speak.

Nobody needs to convince us of this, but I think we need to convince the town because its been to one town meeting where it failed, Parker said.

Several years ago, at an Annual Town Meeting, residents voted down a request to increase the towns contribution to employee health insurance.

Select Board member Douglas Moglin said of the Town Meeting vote that it didnt fail by much, but there wasnt a compelling argument made about how are you going to do this and how are you going to pay for this.

At that meeting, like the Special Town Meeting in January, the only question that will appear as an article on the warrant is whether they will allow the town to provide more than a 50% contribution or not.

Gale and Parker said at the Sept. 29 meeting they wanted to put a package together to make a presentation at that meeting.

At the Finance Committee meeting Tuesday, Parker went into a little detail about that presentation.

I do have the numbers on the impact of the tax rate and of how much it will cost per percent so people will at least know what its going to cost, however many percents we go up, she said adding that she had already created a small PowerPoint presentation for the meeting and that the Select Board has yet to see it, so it has not been finalized.

Before the Finance Committee adjourned, it selected Deedy to remain as chair and elected Robert Horacek as vice chair.
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Minister of State Alan Dillon TD has welcomed the launch of a public consultation by his colleague, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, on the development of a new Animal Welfare Strategy for 20262030.

Minister Dillon said the consultation provides an important opportunity for farmers, animal welfare groups, and the wider public to shape the future direction of animal welfare policy in Ireland.

Animal welfare is a matter of growing importance across society, and it is vital that the voices of Mayo farmers and rural communities are heard in this process. I strongly encourage all stakeholders in Mayo to engage with the consultation and share their views. This is about ensuring that our policies reflect both best practice and the realities of farming life, while continuing to raise standards in animal care, Minister Dillon stated.

The consultation will run for six weeks until January 2. Submissions are invited from all interested parties, including farming organisations, animal welfare charities, and members of the public.

Minister Dillon noted the progress achieved under the current strategy, including increased funding for animal welfare charities, the prohibition of fur farming, and the establishment of new advisory councils on farm and companion animal welfare. He emphasised that the next strategy must build on these achievements while ensuring practical supports for farmers.

Farmers in Mayo and across the country are committed to high standards of animal welfare. Their input will be essential in shaping a strategy that is both ambitious and workable. I urge them to take part in this consultation and help set the course for the years ahead, he added.

Submissions can be made directly to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through Non-Statutory Public Consultation on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines next Animal Welfare Strategy for the period 2026 to 2030.

READ MORE: Mayo MEP hosts Palestinian and Israeli women in European Parliament
Mumbai Police has issued a summons to Orry in connection with the 252-crore drug investigation that reportedly traces back to Dawood Ibrahims notorious underworld parties. Orhan Awatramani, better known across social media as Orry, has been called in for questioning by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) as part of the probe that began in 2022 and eventually uncovered a massive drug network. He has been asked to appear before the ANC on Thursday at 10 am, where officials are expected to record his statement regarding the case.

 Instagram/Orry What exactly is the Rs 252 crore drug case? The 252 crore drug case has its origins in a major breakthrough made by Mumbai Police in March 2024, when officers unearthed a large-scale mephedrone production hub hidden on a farm in Sangli, Maharashtra. The raid resulted in the seizure of over 126 kg of the synthetic drug, an amount valued at roughly 252 crore. According to investigators, the operation was allegedly being run under the command of absconding trafficker Salim Dola and his son Taher, with chemical supplies reportedly funnelled in through an associate based in Surat.

 Istock As the investigation progressed, authorities discovered that the Sangli factory wasnt an isolated unit, it was just one piece of a sprawling narcotics network. Police say consignments were discreetly transported in high-end luxury vehicles like BMWs and Mercedes to stay off the radar, while the profits were quietly moved abroad using underground hawala channels. This elaborate system began to fall apart following the arrest of a Nagpada resident back in August 2022. That single arrest opened up a trail of links, eventually leading officers through a series of connected busts and culminating in the dramatic discovery of the Sangli drug facility in 2024. Social media reacts to Orrys summon A majority of social media users are trolling Orry and are saying that finally his job is revealed. One user commented, Looks like we finally know Orry kya karta hai. Another user commented, finally orrys job title is out: chief guest appearance officer.

 X/Sagar One user reacted, Same yahi me kahna chah raha tha. Ab samjh aya ye kuch na krte huye bhi sab stars ke itna close kaise or kyu hota h. Another user reacted, Whoever in Mumbai doesnt have any visible business and is still making a lot of money is definitely involved in drugs.
(Photo: Toyota Material Handling Europe)

Toyota Material Handling Europe has secured another major design accolade for its next-generation Traigo_i forklift, strengthening the machines reputation as one of the most innovative and refined electric trucks on the market. The flagship lithium-ion model has been named a winner at the German Design Award 2026 in the Excellent Product Design  Industry category, adding to its Red Dot Design Award success in 2025.

The Traigo_i leads Toyotas new Traigo48 counterbalanced range and has been engineered from the ground up around integrated lithium-ion technology. Its streamlined profile is inspired by the silhouette of a katana, with a dynamic frame line and sculpted cabin designed not only to create visual impact but to enhance comfort for operators working long shifts.

Jose Maria Gener, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Toyota Material Handling Europe, said the double recognition reflected the ambition behind the project. Were proud that our new electric counterbalanced forklift designed and built around lithium-ion: the Traigo_i earned not one, but two prestigious design awards, a testament to its innovation and excellence, he said. He added that the truck was created to deliver productivity gains, cost reductions and an unmatched driving experience, describing it as innovation with purpose.

The German Design Awards, run by the German Design Council since 2012, are among the industrys most respected honours, celebrating achievements that push boundaries in function, form and user experience. The jury praised the Traigo_i for its combination of cutting-edge performance and ergonomic design. Its Red Dot Award, meanwhile, places it among the worlds most acclaimed industrial products.

Designed specifically for lithium-ion operation, the Traigo_is compact integrated battery frees up space in the chassis, improving legroom and delivering a more comfortable driving position. The open-sided, vibration-insulated driver compartment provides a clear field of view and protection, while a simplified dashboard, small steering wheel and optional touchscreen aim to offer intuitive handling and boost productivity.

Key features include fast-charging integrated lithium-ion batteries, Toyotas SyncoDrive system for energy-efficient performance, and a full-floating driver compartment with suspended dampers to reduce noise and vibration. Operators can also specify a customisable armrest with multiple control configurations and a multifunction display, as well as an optional wide-view glass roof.

Toyota says the dual awards reflect its Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, with the Traigo_i combining energy efficiency, operator-focused ergonomics and distinctive industrial design in a single package. The German Design Award ceremony will take place on 6 February 2026 in Frankfurt, coinciding with the citys year as World Design Capital.
Defense technology and national security companies and contractors are trying to ramp up production after a record-setting government shutdown that lasted over 40 days and limited funding mechanisms.

The 43-day shutdown concluded Nov. 12 when enough Senate Democrats crossed the aisle despite their party not reaching a long-term solution for Obamacare-related extensions. President Donald Trump signed a congressional bill keeping the government funded until Jan. 30, 2026, with benefits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), women, infants and children (WIC) benefits, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) being funded until September 2026.

The shutdown impacted millions of Americans in myriad ways, notably affecting federal workers in the national security/defense sector and at airports where air traffic controllers became limited. Military families also visited food pantries at accelerated rates while work-related payments were put on hold.

Business startups like Arlington, Va., based Rune Technologies, which receives private capital but also depend on government funding to accelerate defense and security initiatives, faced their own funding lapse which leaders say will negatively impact projects that have long been in the pipeline.

We employ people, those people need to be paid at a certain point; we need to keep moving forward, Rune co-founder and CEO David Tuttle told Military.com on the precipice of the governments reopening. There's actually the human impact aspect of it.

And then [theres] the programmatic side, right? When you choke off the RDT&E (Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation) money that needs to happen to do these things, we're never going to get that time back.

Workers toil to destroy the United States' chemical weapons stockpile at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Pueblo, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Rune, owned and operated by individuals with military experience from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, to the Joint Special Operations Command and DARPA, as well as experience in the private technology sector, provides logistics technology innovation.

The shutdown led to delays on Runes new starts and other opportunities put on the backburner.

Ramifications of Closed Government

The longest shutdown in U.S. history will have an impact in the weeks and months ahead, as funding mechanisms vary and a flurry of businesses and companies rely on contracts to stay viable.

While some with already funded contracts could in certain capacities continue as usual, others awaiting contract modifications, renewals or finalizations, etc., were left in the dark due to the financial lapse. Contracts requiring additional financial capital were also put on hold.

BDO, an international company that provides clients with assurance, tax and financial advisory services, put the onus on the government contractors to pick up the pieces.

Many government contracts may be modified to reduce payments that contractors would have received if there was no shutdown, and some contracts may be terminated, BDO wrote in the shutdowns infancy. Contractors may be forced to furlough or lay off employees due to the shutdown as well.

Pigeons fly past the base of the Washington Monument, whose interior remained closed on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

A statement and fact sheet published by the Republican-led House Armed Services Committee on Oct. 23, which blamed Democrats for "serious national security consequences," describes various ill-fated effects of the closure that included weakened nuclear deterrents and military service members working without pay.

"The military cannot enter into new contracts or renew existing contracts during the shutdown, needlessly delaying the acquisition of critical capabilities for our warfighters," the fact sheet reads.

Another line within states: "Critical exercises have been delayed or cancelled, including activities to deter China through new capabilities testing, validating operational concepts, and informing force posture. Military exercises with the Philippines have been canceled. Planning for large-scale military exercises has been postponed. Ongoing intelligence that informs weapons development and predicts geopolitical conditions has been stopped, hurting our ability to equip our troops and prepare for future threats."

Tuttle acknowledged benefits his company gets through private capital to keep moving forward on product development, but starting new programs has been a hindrance.

And last time I checked, our greatest global adversary [China] is not stopping with their development anytime soon, he said. So, I think it puts us in a spot where now we're catching up even furtherevery day that goes by.

Companies, Contractors Should Expect 'Lag'

Staying ahead in the digital age is on the minds of Tuttle and countless others, including those spread out across the U.S. defense and tech sectors.

The days of shooting 100 rounds in a tank-heavy military conflict are long gone, Tuttle said. That transition from long-held strategies and ubiquitous artillery is now a conversation revolving around supply chains, drones, AI, logistics, and achieving a tactical edge over adversaries.

People look at a sign with ticket information outside a visitor center at the base of the Washington Monument, whose interior remained closed on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

If you don't have any kind of digitization or any kind of software platform that can work at those tactical levels, you can never fix this problem, he said. You can never have this future vision, which I think everyone has at this point, which is like tactical, connected to operational, connected to strategic, all the way back into the defense industrial base to drive manufacturing production. I think that's the vision everybody wants.

What everyone wants and how things shake out over time are different parts of the equation. As Tuttle and his company survey the landscape, they dont necessarily characterize it as a supply chain problem but more so an operational plan with various maintenance requirements, munitions requirements, and sustainment.

We feel that we can't just be a great technology company, Tuttle said. We also have to be a deeply doctrinally rooted military logistics company to have those things.

And even though the shutdown is now done, funding remains a liability rather than a viability at this juncture.

RDT&E money, and I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but RDT&E money was used to pay salaries over the last 40 dayswhich was the right ethical call to make, Tuttle added. But that money is going to have to flow back down to those accounts to happen.

So, we're going to see a lagbefore some of these things can happen. And it just slows things down. The clock is ticking on capabilities and the adversaries capabilities.
Nov. 20  Jet-engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded an approximately $1.1 billion contract from the U.S. government for additional work on F100 engines for fighter jets.

The contract was awarded on Sept. 29, but due to the shutdown of the federal government, it was only posted last week on the website of the Department of War, which was previously called the Department of Defense. The agreement encompasses "F100 engine consumable and depot level repairable parts and program management services," according to a notice on the website.

"Pratt & Whitney is fully committed to supporting the F100 engine and its sustainment efforts," Pratt & Whitney said in a written statement this week. "We continue to prioritize readiness, reliability and performance for our global customers."

On its website, Pratt & Whitney notes that, "With more than 30 million flight hours flown by 23 air forces, the F100 delivers superior capability with industry-leading dependability, reliability and performance to the global fleet of F-15s and F-16s."

F100 production is completed at Pratt & Whitney's manufacturing facility in Middletown.

The new contract follows a number of other recent defense deals for Pratt, including a $2.9 billion contract modification announced in August for F135 engines, which power F-35 fighter jets.

In addition to the U.S. military's use of F-35, 19 other countries have F-35s or purchase agreements for the fighter jets. While Pratt & Whitney produces the F-35's engines, the main manufacturer of the F-35s is Lockheed Martin, whose businesses include Connecticut-based helicopter maker Sikorsky.

This week, President Donald Trump announced an agreement to sell a number of F-35s to Saudi Arabia. While Saudi Arabia is one of the closest allies of the U.S. in the Middle East, the deal has raised some concerns. Among them are worries that China could gain access to the F-35's technology through its position as Saudi Arabia's top trading partner. But some military experts assert that the constant improvement of American military systems counteracts any intellectual-property theft that might have happened years ago.

Pratt & Whitney's deliveries of F135 engines, as well as GTF models for commercial aircraft, were affected by the three-week strike in May of the company's approximately 3,000 Connecticut-based machinists. The work stoppage was resolved when the machinists approved a new four-year contract.

Pratt & Whitney is one of the largest employers in Connecticut, with approximately 10,800 people based across its plants in East Hartford and Middletown.

Among other transactions recently announced by the Department of War, it indicated this week that it would continue funding for Groton-based General Dynamics Electric Boat's construction of Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines. A new "cost-only modification" of approximately $2.3 billion to a previously awarded contract is intended "for additional advance procurement and advance construction" of hulls and will "support additional program execution." The announcement also noted that, "No funding will be obligated at the time of award."

Electric Boat officials have said that the company is aiming to deliver the first of the Columbia-class vessels in late 2028 or early 2029.

Last month, Electric Boat held a christening ceremony for the Utah, one of the fast-attack, Virginia-class ships it is building for the Navy.

This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.

 2025 The Hour (Norwalk, Conn.). Visit www.thehour.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scrambling to resist a potentially humiliating peace deal put forward by U.S. officials just as the Ukrainian president faces growing domestic pressure to ditch his most trusted aide in the war against Russia.

Zelenskyy has received signals from the U.S. that he should accept the deal drawn up in consultation with Moscow, a person familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified because the matter is sensitive. President Donald Trump supports the plan, according to a senior U.S. official.

Zelenskyy will hold talks in Kyiv on Thursday with U.S. military officials led by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. The delegation, which has met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, will examine ways to force Russia to end the fighting, according to people familiar with the matter.

The latest attempt by the Trump administration to revive negotiations involves a 28-point plan thats modeled on the Gaza ceasefire. It outlines known Russian demands for concessions that Kyiv has repeatedly said are unacceptable and that have so far hindered any breakthrough in efforts to reach a ceasefire.

The proposal includes demands for Ukraine to cede territory in its eastern Donbas region to the Kremlin, the removal of sanctions from Russia, and a halt to war-crimes investigations, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Ukraine would also have to accept limits on the size of its army, the person said, asking not to be identified because the issue is sensitive. That would leave it vulnerable to any renewed offensive ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who endorsed a previous peace accord with Kyiv over eastern Ukraine before starting the 2022 invasion.

European diplomats expressed skepticism about any deal, noting that Putin has a track record of appearing to accept overtures when under pressure. The Kremlins trying to stop U.S. sanctions targeting Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, from coming into force on Friday, people familiar with the matter said, requesting anonymity to speak freely.

President Trump has been clear since day one that he wants the war between Russia Ukraine to end, and he has grown frustrated with both sides for their refusal to commit to a peace agreement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Nevertheless, the President and his team never gives up, and the United States has been working on a detailed and acceptable plan for both sides to stop the killing and create a durable, lasting peace.

Zelenskyys facing U.S. pressure to make concessions to halt the war as he also prepares to meet with lawmakers from his party on Thursday to try to defuse public anger over a corruption scandal. Anti-graft investigators linked his former business partner to a scheme to embezzle as much as $100 million, a probe that has already forced the departure of two government ministers.

Some in his party want Zelenskyy to replace Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, his right-hand man who plays a direct role in decisions on top-level appointments and critical elements of Ukraines wartime strategy, according to a person familiar with the matter. The president will face a parliamentary crisis if he fails to oust Yermak, the person said, asking not to be identified discussing sensitive issues.

Yermak, who regularly accompanies Zelenskyy on high-stakes overseas trips, has amassed outsized influence in the administration. Zelenskyy pushed back against criticism last year, describing Yermak as a powerful manager.

Ukraines two independent anti-corruption agencies released details last week of their 15-month probe into alleged money-laundering in the countrys energy sector. The scheme involved kickbacks from contractors building defenses to protect Ukraines nuclear energy facilities from Russian airstrikes, according to investigators.

The agencies are in possession of unreleased recordings of alleged conspirators discussing different corruption schemes and officials in Kyiv are on tenterhooks to see who else might be drawn into the investigation.

The controversy erupted as Ukrainians endure lengthy power outages following intense Russian missile and drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the approach to winter.

Zelenskyy in July sought to seize control over the anti-corruption agencies, before backing down in the face of Ukraines largest street protests since the war began and condemnation from Kyivs international allies.

The president told Bloomberg TV in a Nov. 13 interview that he fully supports the investigation. 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.

The domestic political challenge is playing out as Ukrainian officials seek clarity on the plan to end the war promoted by Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

Ukraines National Defense and Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov met with Witkoff earlier this week in Miami and was briefed about the plan, which appeared beneficial to Russia, a person said, asking not to be identified because the matter isnt public.

Witkoff has been quietly working on the plan for a month, with input from both Ukrainians and the Russians on terms acceptable to end the war and both sides will need to make concessions, a senior U.S. official said.

Ukrainian and European officials dont yet know what happens if Kyiv rejects the plan, according to people familiar with the matter. Ukraine relies on U.S. intelligence support for air defense and on U.S. weapons that are paid for mostly by the Europeans.

European Union foreign ministers voiced alarm at the proposals as they met for talks in Brussels on Thursday. For any plan to work, it needs to have Ukrainians and Europeans on board, the blocs foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul spoke on the phone with Witkoff and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Thursday to discuss various ongoing efforts to end Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, he said in a statement.

The discussions also touched on concrete ideas that are currently being debated, Wadephul said. Both colleagues emphasized the importance of close coordination with Germany and our European partners, which we are fulfilling at all levels.

------------

With assistance from Alberto Nardelli, Mario Parker and Iain Rogers.

___

2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Marine Corps family lost one of its own when veteran Steven M. Lipscomb, who had survived a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq, was killed trying to save a crew of coal miners in West Virginia.

An Act of Bravery

The accident occurred on Nov. 8 at the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County. According to the Department of War, the incident happened while miners were conducting routine work at the mine. Suddenly, a large amount of water rushed into the shaft, trapping crew members inside. Lipscomb, managing the crew, jumped in to rescue his workers and was last seen trying to lead them to safety. While all other miners were able to escape with their lives, Lipscomb didnt make it out.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said a search and rescue team spent five days looking for Lipscomb to no avail. Upon confirmation that the veteran had died, Morrisey ordered the states flags to fly at half-staff to honor the fallen Marine.

All of West Virginia mourns the loss of this courageous man," Morrisey said in a Nov. 14 proclamation. "He spent his final moments ensuring his men could escape to safety.

Lipscomb embraced the Marine Corps credo of no man left behind until his final moments.

Lipscomb, the foreman, stood his ground until every member of his crew was evacuated, Morrisey said. The water filled the shaft, making escape impossible. For five days, crews worked around the clock to rescue Lipscomb, but sadly, he did not survive, Morrisey said.

He went on to say, Our coal miners represent some of the most courageous among us, and Steve was a testament to that.

Steven and Heather Lipscomb had recently celebrated 20 years of marriage. (Photo from Department of War)

Injured in Iraq

In the military, Lipscomb made it through the First Battle of Fallujah in April 2004 unscathed, only to be wounded a week later when a Humvee he was in struck a roadside bomb, according to his obituary.

His wife Heather Lipscomb said he received a medical discharge from the Marine Corps as a lamce corporal in the spring of 2005 due to severe injuries suffered from the blast. The couple married soon after he returned home to West Virginia and they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

Following news of his tragic death, praise for Lipscombs final act of heroism spread throughout the military.

Retired Marine Steve Lipscomb represents the best of our American military and embodies the hero spirit, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a statement. This Purple Heart recipient and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran protected his nation and community until the very last day.

Hegseth said Lipscombs sacrifice should serve as a model for others.

Steves life will forever be an example of service and sacrifice for myself and for all who serve. My prayers remain with the Lipscomb family; your father, husband and son will never be forgotten, he said.

Vice President JD Vance, who served as a Marine from 2003-2007, called Lipscomb a great American.

Semper Fi, Steve, Vance posted on social media.

Semper Fi or Semper Fidelis is a Latin term meaning Always Faithful, which became the Marine Corps motto.

Call to Serve After 9/11

Following the footsteps of many Americans, Lipscomb viewed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a call to action.

He signed up for the Marine Corps and was assigned to the infantry in 2002 where he became a rifleman.

His wife Heather said his Marine training prepared him to face dire situations, always striving for a way to succeed. On Nov. 8, while he was able to save his entire crew, it cost him his life.

I think Steven was a very selfless person, she said. He had 17 men on his crew in the coal mines. He was more worried about everybody else getting out and getting to safety, more than he was concerned about himself.

With his military career wrapped up, Lipscomb joined his brother, Joseph, in the coal mines in 2006. Certainly not an easy job, but steeled from his time in the Marines, Lipscomb performed well, earning a promotion to foreman in 2015.

Steve built a distinguished career and earned the deep respect of his fellow miners, his obituary states.

Along with his Purple Heart, Lipscomb earned a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and several other honors.

Lipscomb, who would have celebrated his 43rd birthday on Nov. 28, leaves behind his wife and two teenage daughters, 13 and 17.

A funeral service will be held Nov. 22 in Lipscombs hometown of Elkview, West Virginia.
If youre still paying full price for audiobooks while youre in uniform, youre probably leaving money on the table. Between public libraries, free apps, and the DoDs own digital library, you can load your phone with weeks of listening without adding another subscription to your budget.

With one free library card and a couple of apps, you can turn every duty night, commute, and PCS road trip into reading timewithout paying for another streaming service.

Heres a simple, step-by-step guide to turning your commute, duty nights, and gym time into free reading time. And yes, listening to audiobooks counts as reading.

Listening to Anxious People on a smartphone audiobook appproof that your next great read can fit in your pocket. Photo by Lisett Kruusimae, made available under Creative Commons via Pexels.

Quick-Start: Free Audiobooks for Troops in 60 Seconds

Get a library card from your local city/county library (or keep using one from back home).

Download Libby (and Hoopla/OverDrive if your library offers them).

Log in with your card number and PIN to unlock your librarys full digital catalog.

If youre eligible, set up access to the DoD MWR Digital Library through your base library or Military OneSource.

Download 23 audiobooks and ebooks for offline use before your next duty night, commute or trip.

Exchanging a library card is the first step to unlocking thousands of free ebooks and audiobooks. Photo by Van Tay Media on Unsplash.

How to Get a Library Card (Even If You PCS Every Few Years)

Everything starts with a regular old public library card.

If youre CONUS:

Search for the public library system where you live right now (city or county). Most systems let you apply online with a local address and then show ID the first time you walk in. If you live off-base, use that address. If you live on base, many systems accept a utility bill, lease, or even a piece of mail as proof.

Search for the public library system where you live right now (city or county). Most systems let you apply online with a local address and then show ID the first time you walk in. If you live off-base, use that address. If you live on base, many systems accept a utility bill, lease, or even a piece of mail as proof. If you PCS often: Get a card as soon as you land in a new duty station. Dont cancel old cards unless you have to; many systems keep them active for years as long as theyre used occasionally. If your spouse or family back home has a library card, ask if their system allows digital-only cards for out-of-area residentssome do.



The goal is simple: at least one active library cardideally two or threebecause each one can unlock a different set of apps and catalogs.

Libby, the library reading app, lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library and read or listen right on your phone or tablet. Image courtesy of Libby / OverDrive.

How to Use Libby, Hoopla and OverDrive for Free Audiobooks and Ebooks

Once you have a card, the magic happens in the apps.

Libby (by OverDrive)

Libby is the big one. It connects directly to your librarys digital collection.

Download Libby from your app store. Open it, tap I have a library card, and search for your library system. Sign in using the card number and PIN your library gave you. Browse Audiobooks and Ebooks, then tap Borrow.

Most titles download to your phone so you can listen offlineperfect for spotty Wi-Fi in the barracks, on a ship, or during field exercises.

Hoopla (and Classic OverDrive)

Some libraries also use Hoopla or the older OverDrive app.

Hoopla works like a digital Blockbuster: no holds, no waitlists, but each card gets a limited number of borrows per month.

OverDrive (the original app) is being phased out in favor of Libby, but some systems still use it.

Ask your librarian or check your librarys website; if they mention Hoopla or OverDrive, grab those apps too. One card can equal three different sources of free audio.

Screenshot of the DoD MWR Digital Librarys eBooks & Audiobooks page, showing access options for OverDrive, EBSCO eBooks, NoveList Plus and World Book eBooks.

How to Access the DoD MWR Digital Library as a Service Member or Vet

Suppose youre active-duty, Guard, Reserve, a retiree, or an eligible family member. In that case, you may have access to the DoD MWR Digital Library (often reached through your base library or Military OneSource).

What youll usually find there:

Ebook and audiobook platforms with military-relevant titles

Test prep and language learning resources

Research databases (great if youre using your GI Bill)

To get in:

Visit your installation library (or its website) and ask about MWR Digital Library access. Theyll walk you through creating an account or linking your DoD credentials. Once youre set, youll have another full catalog of ebooks and audiobooks to stack on top of your public library access.

Now lets put all of that to work.

Stack of colorful books wrapped in a pair of headphones, a perfect visual mash-up of reading and listening for audiobook fans. Photo by Stas Knop via Pexels.

Are Libby, Hoopla and MWR Really Free? Limits, Waitlists and Fine Print

Yes, theyre free to use with a valid library card or MWR access. Theres no extra subscription fee for the apps themselves.

Libby / OverDrive:

You may hit waitlists for popular titles.

You typically have loan periods (e.g., 1421 days), after which the book simply disappears from your device.

Hoopla:

No waitlists, but each card usually gets a limited number of borrows per month (e.g., 510 titles).

MWR Digital Library:

Access depends on your status (active-duty, Guard/Reserve, retiree, family member, etc.).

Some services may require a login or a location.

Cover of the 25th Anniversary Edition of Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose, the WWII history that inspired HBOs acclaimed miniseries. Screenshot of the official Band of Brothers 25th Anniversary Edition cover.

Best Military History Audiobooks to Binge on Night Shift

Here are a few titles youre likely to find in Libby/Hoopla or the MWR library. Think of them as field rations for your brain:

Band of Brothers  Stephen E. Ambrose

A classic WWII unit story that hits even harder in audio. Great for anyone whos ever lived in a tight platoon or company.

A classic WWII unit story that hits even harder in audio. Great for anyone whos ever lived in a tight platoon or company. With the Old Breed  E.B. Sledge

Brutal, honest Pacific-theater memoir. Not light listening, but incredibly grounding if you want the unvarnished version of war.

Brutal, honest Pacific-theater memoir. Not light listening, but incredibly grounding if you want the unvarnished version of war. Black Hawk Down  Mark Bowden

A granular look at a modern battle that many vets already know by heart. The audio version keeps the tension high.

A granular look at a modern battle that many vets already know by heart. The audio version keeps the tension high. The Things They Carried  Tim OBrien

Fiction rooted in the Vietnam experience, read like a series of long, haunting conversations with another vet.

If youre working CQ, sitting in a truck, or pulling a lonely watch, these are the kind of listens that remind you youre part of a long line.

Screenshot of Andy Weirs Project Hail Mary in the Libby app, showing the book placed on hold and tagged in a readers digital library.

Comfort Listens for Tired Brains: Thrillers, Horror and Escapist Fantasy

Sometimes you dont want realismyou want distraction. These are great for tired brains that still crave story:

World War Z  Max Brooks (full-cast edition if available)

Feels like a series of classified after-action interviews. Zombie apocalypse as oral history.

Feels like a series of classified after-action interviews. Zombie apocalypse as oral history. The Martian or Project Hail Mary  Andy Weir

Science-heavy, funny, and surprisingly hopeful. Perfect for long flights or bus rides.

Science-heavy, funny, and surprisingly hopeful. Perfect for long flights or bus rides. Mexican Gothic  Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Slow-burn horror with rich atmosphere and a payoff that feels like a fever dream.

Slow-burn horror with rich atmosphere and a payoff that feels like a fever dream. The Terror  Dan Simmons

Historical Arctic expedition + supernatural dread. Great winter deployment listenif you dont mind extra chills.

And of course, whatever comfort series you already lovespy thrillers, space operas, romancechances are good your library has at least some of it.

Chart showing the rapid growth in audiobook publishing from 2007 to 2021, with annual output climbing from just over 3,000 titles to 74,000 in 2021. Chart data via WordsRated (original graphic sourced from Market.us).

5-Minute Audio Loadout Checklist Before Duty, Field or PCS

Before your next field exercise, duty night, or PCS road trip, do a five-minute prep:

Confirm that at least one library card is active. Make sure Libby (and Hoopla/OverDrive, if you have them) are installed and logged in. If youre eligible, get your MWR Digital Library access squared away through your base library. Download 23 history audiobooks and 23 comfort listens so youve always got optionseven offline.

You already know how to pack a go-bag and a ruck. This is the same idea, just for your head: a portable library that follows you from base to base and deployment to deployment, without wrecking your budget.

Listening to an audiobook during a workout turns training time into reading time, no matter where you are. Photo by Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels.

Quick FAQ: Free Audiobooks and Ebooks for Military and Veterans

Can I still use Libby if I move or PCS?

Yes. As long as your library card is active, you can keep using that systems Libby account from anywhere. When you get to a new duty station, you can usually sign up for a second card and add that library too.

What if Im stationed overseas?

Many overseas bases have their own libraries or MWR digital access. If you already have a U.S. library card, try logging into Libby or Hoopla from overseasoften it still works, especially for downloaded titles.

Do I need to return audiobooks like physical books?

Not manually. When your loan period ends, the app automatically returns the book, and it disappears from your shelf: no late fees, just shorter access.

Can veterans and retirees use the DoD MWR Digital Library?
People listen during a community meeting on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Fife Lake to learn more information about a possible new data center being envisioned for Kalkaska County. (Sheri McWhirter | MLive.com) Sheri McWhirter

KALKASKA, Mich.  A company that sought a data center development in Kalkaska County announced it is dropping the concept after clear opposition from the community.

Geologist Matt Rine said he is ending his pursuit of a data center in Kalkaska County and canceled the last community meeting he had scheduled to gauge public sentiment on the idea.

We sought public input because we want to be partners with the community we live and work in. And we heard you, Rine said in a statement.

We are grateful we had the opportunity to engage in public discourse  it is important to work together as a community when making decisions about the future, even when there is disagreement, he said.

Geologist Matt Rine, of Traverse City-based carbon-capture company Rocklocker LLC, talks about the concept of building a data center in Kalkaska County during a community meeting on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at Garfield Township Hall in Fife Lake. (Sheri McWhirter | MLive.com) Sheri McWhirter

A sometimes-raucous crowd at a Monday evening community meeting proved overwhelmingly against the concept of building a data center, particularly on state land, which was part of Rines initial idea.

At the meeting, Rine said he could pivot and instead pursue a data center on private land. But now hes dropping the whole idea, he said.

After Monday nights standing-room-only meeting in Fife Lake, there was a second community meeting on Wednesday afternoon at the Kalkaska County Commission on Aging.

That afternoon session was much more civil with just as many people, said Eric Lloyd, a public relations professional working with Rine on the data center concept.

Matt announced they were no longer looking at state land so that helped, he said.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials have said the door is shut to this idea on public land in Kalkaska.

This is a map of state-owned land in Kalkaska County upon which the community is being asked whether it wants a data center to be developed. Rocklocker LLC

Rine initially pursued the idea of a land swap for a 1,440-acre tract of public land west of Kalkaska village to build a 1-gigawatt data center with an on-site natural gas power plant to provide electricity.

Rines company, Rocklocker LLC, works with natural gas plants on carbon-capture technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which can then be injected into underground rock formations for permanent sequestration, an industry he argues is poised for growth in Michigan.

But now hes dropping the idea after hearing the communitys reaction.

This was never going to go through unless it was supported by Kalkaska and their choice was made clear, Lloyd said.
The Kerstmarkt in downtown Holland, Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

HOLLAND, MI -- Picture this: the sparkle of twinkle lights hanging from wooden chalets pulls you in close enough to get a whiff of sausage rolls warming and potato leek soup steaming. Youre handed a warm mug of mulled wine as a you browse handcrafted wooden toys and ornaments before youll pulled away to admire fine furs fit for your dreamiest Apres-ski-inspired outfit.

You dont need a plane ticket to experience this.

Hollands Kerstmarkt brings a European-style Christmas to the Lakeshore.

Now running for five weekends, this specialty market begins Friday, Nov. 21.

Kerstmarkt has been bringing holiday cheer for nearly three decades and earned national recognition along the way.

In 1997, the market started with just 10 booths in Centennial Park.

Its grown to 45 rotating vendors lining the 8th Street Market Place in front of the Civic Center.

Kerstmarkt isnt just a tradition for West Michigan folks anymore. The word is out. Vendors say they serve customers from as far away as Texas and many European guests traveling from Chicago.

The market also grabbed the attention of Travel + Leisure last year.

The national magazine rounded up 10 European-style Christmas markets to visit across the country and Hollands annual event got a nod for its traditional food and artisan demonstrations.

USA Today readers voted Kerstmarkt into the top 10 for best Christmas markets in 2023, and the Holland market is back on the ballot this winter.

The Kerstmarkt in downtown Holland, Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

See for yourself the rotating cast of holiday vendors displaying their wares. Offerings include woolen goods like handmade mittens and hats, apothecary scents, jewelry, handcrafted wood art and more.

Bring home souvenirs for yourself like a Kerstmarkt Christmas Card and a new collectable gluhwein mug.

Theres also usually a spot at the end to get fresh pine boughs and wreaths for decorating.

The vendor booths are set up for three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as the Saturday before Thanksgiving. On Saturdays they share space with the Farmers Market.

Vendors swap out on the different weekends, ensuring a new experience each weekend. You can find a vendor and food list for each weekend, here.

The market is more than a shopping experience, its a holiday event. Expect special guest appearances from the Grinch, Santa and Mrs. Claus and Sinterklaas.

Rotating events include dog sled demos, handbell concerts, the Dickens Carolers, and other musical guests.
Who doesnt love a good homecoming? Whether its reuniting with classmates or visiting family, this season invites us to step out of routine and reconnect.

I had that experience last week in Bay City. I was invited to speak at the Eye-Opener Breakfast of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce  a large group of businesspeople who summon an impressive amount of energy for 7:15 in the morning.

But they were more than an audience. Theyre part of my story.

Ive lived my whole life in Michigan, though Ive moved often. The 18 years I spent in Bay City  working at The Bay City Times in roles that eventually included editor  was the longest stretch Ive ever stayed in one place.

I made lifelong friends. Played in the local softball league. Joined civic organizations. And in a twist of serendipity, the day-care center that both my children attended was honored at the breakfast for a recent expansion.

It was a full-circle moment. Yet what struck me most wasnt nostalgia itself  it was what nostalgia unlocked.

Standing at the podium, I felt the tug of memory: driving over the bridge to work every morning, the newsroom at deadline, the laughter and arguments, the tension of covering a tough issue and then facing the subject of the story at a community event.

That sense of deja vu deepened after my remarks when a man waited patiently to then spend five minutes criticizing my industry for calling out candidate falsehoods in campaign coverage.

You lost me and many other readers when you called something a lie, he said, tapping his finger on my chest. You made yourself the judge. Thats not your role  just give us the facts.

Two thoughts came to mind. First, his remarks fit the theme of my address that day. Journalism and free speech are under attack in America, and yes  it is our role to question power and hold it accountable. A falsehood is the opposite of a fact. Theres no parsing that.

Second, community is analog. Its built face to face, through conversations like that one. That exchange reminded me of what I loved most about the earlier era of my career: publishing, then stepping into the community to discuss, debate, and defend. At the cafe, the ballpark, the neighborhood block party.

Journalism at its best puts you in the flow of a communitys life. You witness triumph and heartbreak, progress and setbacks. And if youre lucky, those stories become part of your own.

Thats when I realized homecomings arent really about the past. Theyre about the connection between who we were and who weve become. Yes, Bay City looked different than when I left 13 years ago to help launch MLive. Yes, I didnt recognize two-thirds of the people at the breakfast.

But we still look back to appreciate what endures  and what deserves attention now. That perspective shapes how we see today.

As I talked with old friends, met newcomers, and heard about investments in Bay Citys future, I thought about how often we overlook whats right in front of us. We race through our days, fixated on whats next, rarely pausing to notice the steady work that holds a community together.

Homecoming forced me to pause. To take stock. To feel gratitude, not just for the place that shaped me but for the life Im living now.

Honoring the past matters. But appreciating the present  and the people who fill it  is essential.

If youre lucky enough to have a homecoming this season, let the memories in. They might remind you how much there is to be grateful for today.
Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi was one of the last two remaining Taubman shopping centers in the state of Michigan and 22 worldwide. The company, which sold off 80% of its assets to Simon Property Group in 2020, announced in November 2025 that it had sold its remaining properties to the Indianapolis-based company and will close its Bloomfield Hills headquarters in January. (MLive file photo) Jacob Hamilton/Mlive.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI  A Michigan-based mall developer that built its first mall in Flint in 1953, has sold off its remaining assets and is closing its headquarters.

Taubman Centers, Inc., which was founded in 1950 by real estate pioneer A. Alfred Taubman, has sold its last 22 shopping centers to Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group and is closing its Bloomfield Hills offices.

Simon announced the purchase on Nov. 3, stating it had closed on the acquisition of the remaining 12% interest in Taubman Realty Group that it did not already own, in exchange for 5.06 million limited partnership units.

In 2020, Simon assumed an 80% ownership stake of Taubman for $3.4 billion.

At the time of the recent sale, Taubman was down to 18 malls in the U.S., including just two in Michigan  Twelve Oaks in Novi and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills. The company also operated two malls each in South Korea and China.

On Nov. 10, one week after the sale closed, Taubman filed a WARN notice with the state of Michigan, announcing that it would be closing its corporate headquarters, located at 200 E. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills.

The notice, from Donna Sternicki, Taubmans senior director of HR, stated that the company would be permanently laying off 105 employees as the result of a merger/acquisition and transfer of operational control.

The first job terminations will occur on Jan. 9, Sternicki stated in the letter.

This acquisition aligns with our strategy of owning high-quality assets, unlocking operational synergies and driving further innovation, said David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group in a statement. With full ownership of TRG, we are well-positioned to capitalize on new growth opportunities, increase net operating income and deliver long-term returns to our shareholders.

While Taubman Centers only owned two Michigan malls still at the time of the sale, it was responsible for numerous shopping centers over the years, beginning with North Flint Plaza in 1953.

The company was also responsible for developing Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor, Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn, Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights and The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township.

Twelve Oaks and Great Lakes Crossing now join Briarwood as Simon properties, while the others were sold to other groups in recent years.

All but Lakeside, which closed last year, are still operating.

I want to thank everyone at Taubman, present and past, for their contributions to our success over the 75 years since our founding by my father Alfred, said CEO Robert Taubman. I also want to thank David and his team for our wonderful partnership over the past five years. With this transition, (my brother) Billy and I look forward to being significant Simon shareholders for many years to come.

Billy and Robert Taubmans father, A. Alfred Taubman, died in 2015 at age 91.
14 Feb 2002: Ryan Wedding of Canada competes in the qualifying round of the men's parallel giant slalom snowboarding event during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games at the Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images Getty Images

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation increased the reward offered for information leading to the conviction of drug kingpin Ryan Wedding. On Wednesday, the FBI increased the reward to $15 million after Wedding and several associates were indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges.

Wedding represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah where he competed in the giant slalom event. In the years following the Olympic appearance, Wedding allegedly began running a transnational drug trafficking network. Along with moving drugs, Wedding is accused of organizing several murders, including one in January 2025 that involved a witness set to testify against him.

No one, not even a former Olympian, is above the law, said Senior Bureau Official Chris Landberg of the Department of States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. We are increasing our reward offer to up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ryan Wedding. We are also offering rewards of up to $2 million each for the assassins behind the murder of his associate in Colombia.

As part of Wednesdays indictment, 11 others were arrested in connection to the enterprise. That includes Weddings legal representative, barrister Deepak Balwant Paradkar, who is accused of advising Wedding to have the informant killed. The victim was expected to be extradited to the U.S. to testify prior to his murder.

Paradkar is also accused of providing Wedding with court documents and discovery that he should not have had access to. Among the information in the documents were details on which members of the criminal enterprise were arrested, indicted, or under investigation.

The FBI added Wedding to its 10 Most Wanted List in March, months after he was indicted in 2024 on 11 charges. Among the 2024 charges were running a continuing criminal enterprise and murder.

Whether youre a kingpin or a dealer on the street, anyone who sells drugs to our kids will be arrested and prosecuted, said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Ryan Wedding controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world and works closely with the Sinaloa Cartel. We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBIs Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled.

The FBI believes Wedding is living in Mexico, but has been unable to locate him.
U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly and five other Democrats appear in a now-viral video asking U.S. military members to "refuse illegal orders." Slotkin is pictured speaking at the Center for American Progress on June 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) (AP photo) Associated Press

President Donald Trump called out U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, and five other Democrats for urging American troops to refuse unlawful orders, saying the lawmakers statements were SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH.

Trump took to his Truth Social account Thursday, Nov. 20 to respond to a video featuring Michigans Slotkin and five other lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds.

In it, they advise military members they can refuse illegal orders from the Trump administration.

Slotkin, D-Holly, posted the video to her social media accounts on Tuesday, Nov. 18 and in recent interviews has since said the video is meant to provide guidance for troops ordered into American cities by President Donald Trumps administration.

All of the Democrats in the House and Senate featured have past military or intelligence community service records. Slotkin is a former CIA intelligence analyst, who served three tours in Iraq alongside the military.

Trump posted on social media twice Thursday morning.

This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT, he wrote, followed later by the suggestion of punishment.

Slotkin and the Democrats featured in the video fired back. The others featured are Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy captain, and U.S. Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a former Army Ranger; Chris Deluzio, D-PA, a Navy veteran, Chrissy Houlahan, D-PA, an Air Force veteran, and Maggie Goodlander, D- New Hampshire, a former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

They released a statement saying they intend to defend the U.S. Constitution and the video only restates the law.

They called on others to push back against Trumps rhetoric.

This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the Presidents calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity," they said.

Besides Trump, the video prompted pushback from other Republicans.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote simply on his X account: Stage 4 TDS, which is the acronym for Trump Derangement Syndrome.

In the video, Slotkin and the other Democrats urge military members to Dont give up the ship.

This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens, the Democrats in the video said.

Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad, but from right here at home, they go on to say.

Slotkin, in an interview on TMZ, said shes heard from military members asking about what to do if theyre deployed to an American city under a Trump order.

They are trained to fight enemies abroad. Theyre not trained in police techniques, theyre not trained in arresting or detaining American citizens, crowd control, raids on homes. And they were worried they could be asked to do those things, she said.

Theres a lot of trepidation, particularly around the idea they would be engaged with American citizens on American soil, she said.

The Trump administration has ordered National Guard troops to cities such as Portland, Memphis and Chicago, but courts have blocked the move.

Slotkin said there is also concern about President Trumps use of the military in the Caribbean, where boats deemed drug smuggling vessels have been destroyed.

Since the video was posted Tuesday, some Republicans contend Slotkin and others are trying to persuade troops to subvert valid executive orders.

At the end of the day, theyre mad the American people chose Trump and now theyre calling on the Military and Intelligence Community to intervene. Sounds a little subversive to democracy-ish," U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt, R-MO, wrote on his X account.
In this file photo, two bald eagles perch on a tree. A raptor sanctuary has been proposed for Camp Greilick near Traverse City, Mich. The former Boy Scout camp will soon open as a 200-acre county park. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI  A new park could be home to a future raptor sanctuary, 9&10 News reports.

This month, Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Department and North Sky Raptor Sanctuary presented their proposal for the countys new park at Camp Greilick to the East Bay Township Planning Commission, the report said. It was a discussion-only agenda item; there was no vote.

RELATED: Rare human foosball court to highlight 200-acre park about to open in Northern Michigan

Camp Greilick, near Traverse City, closed in 2016. Now, the county parks department is working to open the 200-acre site to the public. Finishing touches are underway, including adding signage throughout the parkland, officials said on Facebook.

The proposed raptor sanctuary would include educational aspects, a raptor hospital and recovery center, an interpretive trail, and a flight pen, the report said.
Greek edition of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" launched in Athens

Xinhua) 08:12, November 20, 2025

Participants attend a launch ceremony for the Greek edition of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" in Athens, Greece, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Lefteris Partsalis/Xinhua)

ATHENS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Greek edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was launched Tuesday in Athens, with more than 100 representatives from both countries attending the event.

Participants said the event provided an important platform for exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations. By sharing governance experience, they said, China and Greece enhanced understanding and built consensus, offering new ideas for expanding practical cooperation across various sectors and adding momentum to the steady growth of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Chinese representatives also introduced the strategic plans laid out at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on expanding high-level opening-up. Greek scholars and guests said China has demonstrated the advantages and effectiveness of its governance through successive five-year plans for national economic and social development. They expressed hope to engage more deeply in China's development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and share the opportunities it will bring.

Xie Gang, vice president of China International Communications Group, said the publication would help readers understand China's governance in the new era -- characterized by comprehensive reform, a people-centered approach, dialogue among civilizations and multilateralism in global governance. He said he hoped the book would strengthen mutual learning and practical cooperation between China and Greece.

Ioannis Tragakis, chairman of the Greece-China Friendship Group in the Greek parliament, recalled his 2019 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said the launch honored an important work of political theory and further deepened bilateral friendship.

Concepts such as ecological civilization and a community with a shared future for humanity, he noted, offer guidance for addressing current global challenges. As nations with long histories and shared development aspirations, Greece and China should pursue creative and practical cooperation to promote global progress.

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu said the book reveals the philosophical foundations of China's governance, showcases China's openness and inclusiveness, and highlights the contemporary value of exchanges among civilizations. He said the Greek edition would serve as a new bridge for cultural exchange, helping more Greek readers understand China's governance philosophy, development path and domestic and foreign policies.

Former Greek foreign minister George Katrougalos elaborated on the people-centered development philosophy highlighted in the book, along with China's long-term strategic planning and its role as a contributor to global stability. He said the four major global initiatives proposed by Xi set out a vision of openness, development and dialogue grounded in multilateralism, providing a philosophical basis for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Experts from both countries held discussions on topics including green development, technological innovation, mutual learning among civilizations, openness and cooperation, and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi Jinping: The Governance of China has been translated into 44 languages and distributed in more than 180 countries and regions, receiving wide recognition from international readers.

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu speaks at a launch ceremony for the Greek edition of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" in Athens, Greece, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Lefteris Partsalis/Xinhua)

Ioannis Tragakis, chairman of the Greece-China Friendship Group in the Greek parliament, attends a launch ceremony for the Greek edition of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" in Athens, Greece, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Lefteris Partsalis/Xinhua)

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The Ashley Mews condos off Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor on Nov. 19, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor is stepping in to purchase a downtown condo after a city investigation found the owner not in compliance with an affordable housing covenant.

City Council voted unanimously Monday night, Nov. 17, to use up to $150,000 of the citys cash reserves to purchase the 805-square-foot condo at 105 Ashley Mews, with plans to flip it to an income-eligible buyer.

The city attorneys office investigated and found the affordable housing unit was no longer being used as a primary residence as required and the owner likely was living in Maryland.

The Ashley Mews condos off Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor on Nov. 19, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

When the townhouse-style complex off Main Street just south of William Street was developed over two decades ago, the city required eight units to be set aside as owner-occupied affordable housing and recorded covenants requiring them to be sold at restricted sales prices to income-qualified buyers.

The covenants require each owner to use their condo as their primary residence and grants the city the right to enforce compliance, Assistant City Attorney Nicole Vargas said. When an owner is not in compliance, the city can buy back the condo at a price defined by the covenant and resell to an income-qualified buyer, Vargas said.

The Ashley Mews condos off Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor on Nov. 19, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

City records show the condo unit in question has sold five times since it was built, first for $100,500 in 2002 and most recently for $127,162 in 2022 to owner Jack Selby.

Selby could not be reached for comment.

The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development manages the affordable condos on behalf of the city, including identifying income-qualified buyers and facilitating the transfer between buyer and seller when the condos are sold, Vargas said. A purchasers income must be no higher than 80% of the area median income, which translates to an income limit of $70,500 for a single person.

When there is noncompliance with a covenant, the city attorneys office will receive a referral from the county office so an investigation can be performed, Vargas said.

The Ashley Mews condos off Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor on Nov. 19, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

We were referred several of these units at Ashley Mews earlier this year to look into and investigate for potential noncompliance with the primary residency requirement, she said.

The city attorneys office has been looking into three of the units, reaching out to owners, and was able to make contact with the owner of 105 Ashley Mews, she said.

We do believe that the most efficient way to get this unit back into the hands of an affordable unit owner is for the city to go ahead and make the purchase and then resell it, she said.

The city estimates the price, based on covenant restrictions, will be between $132,000 and $140,000.

It has been a time-intensive endeavor to do the investigations and determine whether there is credible evidence of noncompliance, Vargas said, noting in some cases owners may no longer live in the city or state, and the city must negotiate their cooperation to sell back the units so they can be brought into compliance.

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A large crowd gathers at Howell High School's auditorium for a Livingston County Planning Commission meeting on a data center proposed in Howell Township, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Jen Eberbach/MLive

HOWELL, MI  Livingston County planners rejected a proposal for a massive $1 billion data center campus for an undisclosed tech giant to power artificial intelligence and other computing technologies.

The county Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday, Nov. 19 to recommend the Howell Township Board deny rezoning more than 1,000 acres in the historically rural community north of Ann Arbor.

The commissioners unanimous vote comes a day before a large crowd of concerned residents are expected to pack Howell High Schools auditorium for the township boards meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20.

Township officials are expected to consider putting a moratorium in place to pause for six months any consideration or approval of data centers, as they further investigate whether there is a need for local regulations.

The project continued to face pushback from many residents at Wednesdays county planning meeting, where local residents shared concerns and frustrations.

The crowd gave county planners a standing ovation for recommending the rezoning be denied.

County planners also voted unanimously to recommend the Howell Township board deny a proposal to add a definition for data processing centers to the local zoning ordinance.

Data center developer Randee, LLC, with its consulting firm Stantec Consulting Michigan, is working on behalf of a U.S.-founded and based Fortune 100 technology company, which they have not identified.

Some residents are calling for more transparency, questioning why the tech giant behind the project has not been disclosed to the public.

Several residents took issue with tech billionaires looking to take up land in Michigans rural communities.

The data center developers are asking the township to conditionally rezone land north and south of Grand River Avenue to research and technology uses on the condition it would only be used for a data center.

The land in question is south of Marr Road and north of Warner Road, and east of Owosso Road and west of Fleming Road. The properties are currently zoned for agricultural, single-family residential, and neighborhood service commercial uses. The firm is also eyeing adjacent land in neighboring Handy Township, which could bring the total project area closer to 1,700 acres.

Opponents are concerned about data centers impacts on water resources and electricity rates, and many in the crowd decried the potential loss of the areas rural character and desire to preserve farmland.

Howell resident Lyle Devine doubts that the data center would not negatively impact drinking water for his family.

Can you tell me for sure the water will be safe (to drink) for my kids? Devine said.

Gary Burkhart spoke about how there are unused or underutilized industrial sites in Michigan that are ready for redevelopment.

Why would we need to rezone anymore of our farmland? Burkhart said.

Other residents worry about the rise of artificial intelligence itself, expressing fears that many jobs will be lost.

A map shows were an unidentified tech giant plans to construct a $1 billion data center to power AI and computing technologies west of Howell, MI Provided by Howell Township/Carlisle Wortman and Associates

The rezoning request is not consistent with the overall goals, objectives, and future land use intentions of the Howell Township Master Plan, Scott Barb, the countys planning director, said.

Barb determined the data center proposal is also not consistent with the countys vision, which calls for the preservation of agricultural lands.

The developers have promised the data center would generate tax revenue and jobs and there would be opportunities to fund schools, infrastructure projects and community services.

Detroit attorney Michael Vogt, who represents the data center developers, told the crowd they have heard peoples concerns, and they have offered restrictions and conditions that go beyond what local communities normally require.

We heard concerns about potential infrastructure improvements, Vogt said.

He said the developers have offered to reimburse all costs to the township for infrastructure, including water and electricity, roads and emergency services.

Data center buildings would take up no more than 50% of the site, Vogt said. Buildings would be setback no less than 400 feet around the entire site. The developers have also promised to donate about 125 acres for open space conservation or parkland.

He also said the developers support Howell Township approving a moratorium, because it would give the township time to consider establishing local regulations.

Concerns over water usage are incredibly serious, he said. The developers are investigating the feasibility of using dry cooling technology to minimize water usage.

The initial ask was for the data center to use as much as 1 million gallons of water a day. However, actual water usage would depend on what type of cooling system they pursue.

The developers would also cover the cost if nearby residential wells ran dry.

We know thats not going to happen, and put your money where your mouth is, Vogt said.

In addition, DTE Energy has indicated it will have capacity to power the proposed data center, though the exact power requirements have not yet been specified.

The proposed data center also faced opposition from the Howell Township Planning Commission, which voted unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 23, to recommend the township board deny the rezoning and also deny a proposal to add a definition of data centers to the local zoning ordinance. They determined the data center proposal does not conform with the townships master plan and vision for agricultural preservation.

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Some people opposed to a proposal for a computer data center in Saline Township brought protest signs to a board meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. Jen Eberbach/MLive

PITTSFIELD TWP., MI  While neighboring communities are awash in concern from residents over massive data center proposals, officials in one Ann Arbor-area township are pressing pause on allowing any such development for the next several months.

The Pittsfield Township Board of Trustees OKd a moratorium on data centers during a special afternoon meeting Thursday, Nov. 20  just hours before the townships planning commission was originally set to host a now-canceled public hearing on a related draft zoning ordinance.

Supervisor Trish Reilly said the township hasnt been approached by any developers looking for a site for a data center, admitting Pittsfield is more limited in greenspace compared to neighbors like Saline Township, where a proposal from ChatGPT-creator OpenAI has been fast-tracked over the last several months.

But she said they want to be proactive and protect our residents, taking their time to write local rules after a push to prepare for data centers from state leaders.

I dont want anyone to panic or think thats happening. It has not happened. No conversations have been happening, Reilly said. But we had some residents come forward and say they would feel more comfortable if we put a moratorium in place for six months while we worked on the ordinance, making sure nothing can happen in the meantime.

And this way, we can work with our area partners, (the) county, state (and) other communities to make sure we put a robust ordinance in place.

The temporary ban prevents both applications for data centers, as well as changes to the townships zoning ordinance for the next six months.

Data centers are needed to power artificial intelligence operators and cloud computing, and theres been a wave of large-scale, warehouse-like developments across the country  a trend thats in step with the rapid, evolving development of AI technology itself.

With data centers popping up all over the place, Clerk Michelle Anzaldi said she appreciates having the breathing room to figure out best practices in addressing them.

It is a very complicated issue, she said. Already, we are all using AI, even if its just a little bit. But at the same time, we want to be respectful and thoughtful about the way, (or) if, we bring any of these things into our community.

Pittsfield Treasurer Chris Ekpiken add, We know that some of our neighbors would be directly affected, and that does affect us. So, being proactive not just benefits us, but benefits the county as a whole.

The OpenAI project in Saline Township calls for a 2.2-million-square-foot data center in a state incentive deal in the millions in exchange for hundreds of jobs, while another $1 billion data center campus has been proposed in Howell Township.

On Thursday, Pittsfield resident Dave Dickenson thanked the township for taking a cautious approach to the issue.

Citing the incentive deals that typically attract developers, he said he hoped that some of that money could go back to landowners in exchange for building affordable housing, allowing communities to keep their kids and data center jobs local, while also meeting sustainability goals.

Im not necessarily opposed to data centers, Dickenson said. I think its just moving so fast that I think we just need more time to think through what are the benefits and what are the consequences.

Reilly said public hearings on Pittsfields data center ordinance would be set down the road.

The next planning commission meeting without the hearing was set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Morris Hall in the Township Administration Building, 6201 W. Michigan Ave.
Attorney Christopher Soper, second from right, leans over to get a better view of evidence that attorney Ven Johnson shows the jury as the the city of Flint pushes back on claims that a police officers negligence caused an accident that left a bicyclist with a traumatic brain injury during opening arguments on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 in Genesee County Circuit Court. (Jake May | MLive.com)

FLINT, MI -- A Flint police officer who hit a bicyclist while speeding and operating without his siren activated violated state law and departmental policy, a retired Michigan police chief told a Genesee Circuit Court jury.

Former Plymouth Township Police Chief Thomas Tiderington told jurors on Wednesday, Nov. 19, that former Flint officer Christopher Delaney should not have been speeding at up to 79 miles per hour through a three-street intersection where his cruiser hit bicyclist Donald Cameron on West Court Street more than five years ago.

The crash left Cameron with multiple fractures, no memory of the night of the crash, and a traumatic brain injury.

Kenneth Cameron  Donald Camerons conservator, guardian and brother  sued the city, the Flint Police Department, and Delaney, claiming the officers negligence caused the crash and his siblings injuries that could require around-the-clock care for the rest of his life.

Since the lawsuit was filed, Delaney and the Police Department have been dismissed from it, leaving the city as the lone defendant in the case.

Ven Johnson, an attorney representing the Camerons, told the jury this week that the case could cost the city and its insurance carrier millions of dollars if they conclude Delaney was primarily responsible for the Aug. 18, 2020, crash.

Tiderington testified on Wednesday that he believes Delaney violated Flints police policy by speeding in his cruiser while only using his siren periodically in response to a reported shooting and domestic situation.

The policy says when officers respond to calls without a siren in emergencies, they carry an extra burden of responsibility ... to ensure that the safety of all persons is considered.

The former chief said he believes Delaney also violated state law by responding to a call for help without his siren when the call did not require silence.

Absolutely, he should have had his siren on ..., Tiderington said. That siren should have been activated from the moment he received that call ... There was no requirement for stealth and silence.

Tiderington and an eyewitness to the crash were the first two witnesses called in the case against the city.

The trial is expected to continue into next week, and the jury is scheduled to visit the scene of the crash  West Court Street, Pershing Street and Corunna Road  on Thursday, Nov. 20, to view the unusual intersection.

In addition to criticizing Delaneys actions on the night of the crash, Aug. 18, 2020, Tiderington said Flints internal investigation of the crash was also lacking, failing to recommend discipline for the officer and finding no violation of policy.

The report claimed Delaney was using both his police lights and siren when the crash occurred.

The internal affairs report is not accurate, Tiderington said of the investigation.

Immediately after the Cameron crash, Flint police also said Delaney had made his presence known by running both lights and sirens at the time of the crash.

The city has since said in a court filing that Delaney was using his red light but his siren only periodically in responding to the emergency call, and had last used his siren approximately 12 seconds before the crash.

Video from a police dash cam and from a nearby business show that the crash occurred as Donald Cameron turned his bicycle to cross Court Street in front of Delanys cruiser.

Donald Cameron was heading home after working at Blackstones in downtown Flint when the crash occurred just after 10:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Alyson Decker, an attorney for the city, questioned Tinderington, who was hired by the Camerons as an expert witness.

The former chief said Donald Cameron violated the law, crossing Court Street in front of Delaney, who had a green light at the time of the crash.

But he maintained Delaney had a duty to drive safely and should never have been driving at more than twice the speed limit when approaching the intersection.

Attorneys for the city have portrayed Delaney as an officer who always put the safety of the community first, and Donald Cameron as having been oblivious to his surroundings while riding on his bicycle with a blood alcohol content of 0.231%.

Flint attorney Christopher Soper told jurors during opening arguments that Delaneys speed in responding to a priority-one call was appropriate and legal.

Attorneys for the Camerons maintain that Delaney operated his vehicle with gross negligence, putting others at unnecessary risk.
Genesee County Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons speaks during a news conference in this Flint Journal file photo. (Jake May | MLive.com)

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The state Supreme Court has ended a legal challenge to a secret process used by local judges to appoint Genesee County Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons three years ago.

A one-page order from the states highest court on Wednesday, Nov. 19, denied plaintiff Nichole Ruggieros application for leave to appeal an April 23 judgment of the Michigan Court of Appeals.

In that decision, appeals judges upheld key elements of a lower court ruling that said the panel of judges that appointed Clemons was not subject to the state Open Meetings Act.

Clemons was selected to complete the term of former Clerk-Register John Gleason, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the state Marriage License Act by performing a wedding ceremony without a license in Shiawassee County in 2019.

Ruggiero, of Hemlock, and the late Archie Bailey, a former Genesee County commissioner, each sued the judges panel after Clemons was appointed without the judges conducting public interviews, keeping minutes, or deliberating in public.

Ruggiero claimed the process used to appoint Clemons violated the OMA and should have been carried out by a different panel of county officials.

Her lawsuit asked Ingham Circuit Judge James Jamo to invalidate the selection, but the judge ruled in 2023 that the Michigan Constitution called for the judges to make the appointment and that the county was not in violation of state law.

Jamo presided over the cases after Genesee County judges recused themselves from hearing them.

Bailey sued the judges panel, claiming they violated the Freedom of Information Act when they refused to release the names of the applicants for the job after he requested the information through the FOIA process.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton argued then that the Michigan Constitution granted the judges the authority to appoint the clerk-register and that they were not subject to the OMA, which requires public bodies to hold public meetings and to carry out deliberation in public.

Clemons said in a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal on Wednesday that the Supreme Courts decision reaffirms the integrity of the process that led to my appointment as county clerk and register of deeds.

The clerk-register, who was re-elected in 2024, has not commented on the process used in his initial selection, saying he simply followed the procedure the judges established in applying for the clerk-register position.

County judges announced his appointment in a December 2022 news release that said they interviewed seven additional applicants for the position.

Im proud to continue serving the people of Genesee County, and I remain focused on delivering transparent, effective, and accessible services for every resident, Clemons statement reads.

Philip Ellison, Ruggieros attorney, said the Supreme Courts decision this week marks an end to the case.

He had argued that the panel of judges performed a non-judicial function in appointing Clemons, making their deliberations subject to FOIA and the OMA.

Im extremely disappointed, Ellison said. Its unfortunate that decisions like these continue to make Michigan at the bottom of the list for transparency.
Proper Beverage Co. is expanding with a new 300,000-square-foot facility with capacity to package 225 million cans annually for small and mid-sized brands. Courtesy

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A Hudsonville-based company that processes and packages beverages for small- and mid-sized brands is expanding with a new, 300,000-square-foot plant in Kentwood.

Once open, Proper Beverage Co.s plant at 4175 60th St. SE will have capacity to package 225 million cans per year, according to a release. The plant is expected to create 100 new jobs when it opens in mid-2026 and 400 employees when it begins operating at full capacity.

Proper Beverage Co. says the machinery in the new plant is made in America, a distinction that the company says will enable it to package a wider range of drinks, including alcohol, mocktails, sodas, energy drinks and better-for-you alternatives.

Choosing American-made equipment ensures we can uphold the highest production standards while supporting American manufacturers and jobs, said Brian Hirsch, president of Proper Beverage Co. It is an investment in both quality and community.

Proper Beverage Co. launched in 2018. The companys website shows it serves clients in Tennessee, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida.
Jackson City Council unanimously approved the 12-month Eyes on the Block pilot program, which plans to install the cameras in high-crime areas in the city. The program will increase neighborhood security by aiding the Jackson Police Department in investigating crime. Jake May | MLive.com

JACKSON, MI  The city of Jackson will provide 100 residents with exterior cameras in efforts to deter and solve crime in neighborhoods.

Jackson City Council unanimously approved the 12-month Eyes on the Block pilot program to install the cameras in high-crime areas in the city. The program aim is to increase neighborhood security by aiding in Jackson police investigations.

Mayor Daniel Mahoney supported the $50,000 proposal, referencing the recent death of his 18-year-old niece Mia Sims, who was shot outside a Jackson church. He said updated equipment can make a difference during investigations and could help families in the future.

To me, this is an attempt for us to do something more than what weve been doing, Mahoney said. Our police need as much support as they could possibly get.

Jackson police Chief Chris Simpson said part of a major crime investigation may involve requesting footage from resident cameras to see if they have captured any footage that can be used as evidence.

Participation in the program is voluntary, and cameras will remain the property of the participating residents. They can withdraw at any time, according to the memo to City Council.

Law enforcement may request footage related to a crime but cannot directly access or monitor any camera. The city or the police department will not live monitor any cameras, according to the pilot proposal.

City Manager Jonathan Greene said law enforcement will need to follow the proper channels to access the camera footage, including with warrants and subpoenas.

The project will be implemented in phases. Phase 1 involves identifying pilot areas using police crime data, developing a resident sign-up and finalizing camera selection and project guidelines.

Phases 2 and 3 will involve community engagement and camera installation. Phase 4 will involve the operation of the program and evaluations, while Phase 5 will present the findings to City Council and determine next steps.

Participants must agree to use cameras responsibly. They cannot post footage that targets individuals based on race, gender or perceived identity, according to City Council.

Ward 6 City Councilmember Will Forgrave voted yes but said he was hesitant at first because he wasnt sure what kind of cameras were going to be used and he had concerns about violating the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

I think thats something that we should consider and thats (the Fourth Amendment) a sensitive topic, Forgrave said. Also, data security that comes with the brand were talking about.

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JACKSON, MI  Filling out an application for federal student aid may soon be a graduation requirement for Jackson High Schools class of 2026 and onward.

The Jackson Public School Board discussed the addition to its graduation requirements at its monthly board meeting Nov. 18.

If approved, the school district would provide students and their families with notice of what the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, is and a description of the process, benefits and requirements of completing the FAFSA.

Starting with class of 2026, graduating seniors would be required to fill out a FAFSA application, or sign a waiver stating they have been told about FAFSA and are declining to complete the application.

This district does not want to see one more barrier placed and sometimes when you see there are additional graduation requirements that can be a potential barrier, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Patterson said. This will not be a barrier to graduation, it will only be a benefit.

FAFSA is a program run by the U.S. Department of Education that processes applications from those seeking to pay for college through grants and student loans.

If the student or guardian declines to fill out the FAFSA or sign the waiver, the school district will have to submit an exemption to the state that all efforts to complete the requirement have been exhausted.

The policy change is still in its initial stages of consideration. It will be discussed further and voted on at the Dec. 16 school board meeting.

The FAFSA notice will also include approximate annual tuition costs of each state educational institution of higher education in Michigan and state scholarships, grants, or other assistance available to students in Michigan.

The new requirement will add additional funding to the school district through a grant from the state to encourage completing the FAFSA.

The grant, the Universal FAFSA Challenge, offers school districts that participate funding from a pool of $10 million set aside for the program.

The Universal FAFSA Challenge builds on the momentum weve created together, Director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential Beverly Walker-Griffea said.

When every student completes the FAFSA, we open the door to college and career training options that change lives and strengthen communities, she said.

Ten out of 13 local districts have already applied and have received this grant funding, Patterson said.

One district received $217,000 and another was $117,000, Patterson said. There are not a lot of strings attached for this. I believe this is a great opportunity to provide resources and opportunity to our students.

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Bailey SIan (with blue hair and bandana) appears with defense attorney Sally B. Warren at a plea hearing in Bay County Circuit Court on Oct. 6, 2025. Cole Waterman

BAY CITY, MI  More than three years after the fact, a Bay City mother has been sentenced to jail and probation for throwing her infant son and delivering a serious brain injury in the process.

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran on Monday, Nov. 17, sentenced 28-year-old Bailey R. Sian to 182 days in jail with credit for two days already served. Sian is to serve three years on probation upon her release.

Sian is not to have contact with minors while on probation. She no longer has parental rights to the son she injured.

Sian in October pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree child abuse, punishable by up to two years incarceration and five years of probation. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed a 10-year felony of second-degree child abuse.

When she pleaded, Sian admitted she and her baby son were staying at the Bay Motel, 910 S. Euclid Ave., in March 2022. Sian described her son as being 5 or 6 months old, though police reports indicated he was 9 months old.

The boy was crying and vomiting and Sian grew frustrated as she was unable to pacify him, she said.

I threw him on the bed and he bounced off, she said, adding the babys head struck a metal bedframe and he landed on his face. Sian did not seek medical attention, she said.

Michigan State Police troopers on the evening of March 21, 2022, responded to Covenant HealthCare after Sians son arrived at the hospital via ambulance and was experiencing seizures and paralysis on one side, records show.

A CAT scan showed the babys brain was bleeding. He also bore bruises on the back and side of his head, reports state.

The babys Essexville father was by his side in the ICU, while Sian had left the hospital after being verbally combative with staff, reports state. Sian was seven-months-pregnant with another child by the same father.

The father told police he had never seen Sian be physical with their son, though she had a temper. He added he had picked up their son from Sian on March 12 and noticed bruises on both sides of his face.

He went on to say he dropped off his son with Sian at her room at the Bay Motel, 910 S. Euclid Ave. in Monitor Township, on March 18. He returned the next day and found Sian grouchy, saying their son had been vomiting. The father noticed his son was crying and fussy, he told police.

The father came back to the motel on March 20 and again noticed bruising on his sons head. His son appeared groggy and more tired than usual and later began projectile vomiting. The babys parents took him to McLaren Bay Region hospital in Bay City, where he was diagnosed with acute pneumonia and an ear infection, reports state.

Sian did not seem interested in being there and wanted to leave, the boys father told police.

Hospital staff discharged the baby, after which he and his parents returned to the Bay Motel.

The following morning, March 21, the baby still appeared out of it, with his left arm twitching and hitting himself in his chest, his dad said. The parents took their son to his paternal grandmothers house while they ran errands, the father told police.

Not long after, the babys grandmother called her son to say the babys lips were turning blue and he was having seizures. An ambulance arrived and took the baby to the Saginaw hospital.

Troopers met Sian at the motel. Asked about the bruises on her sons face on March 12, Sian said he often falls asleep with his face on his toys. She initially said she did not know how he sustained his more recent injuries.

I have never once hit that kid, never once, she said, according to court records.

Sian soon broke down crying.

I raised my voice at him once cause he just kept throwing up and I didnt know what to do, she said. I tossed him a little bit and he kind of rolled and hit the corner of the bed.

The incident happened about noon on March 19 while she was alone with her son at the motel, she said. She said she gave her son a bath after he vomited on himself, after which he vomited again on a bedspread.

Sian said she grew flustered and screamed at her son, according to police reports. Sian said she picked up her son with both hands and tossed him toward the edge of the bed. The side of his head struck the metal bedframe and he fell face-first onto the ground, she said.

Sian again cleaned up the baby and put him in his Pack n Play. She didnt think of the incident again until she was at Covenant two days later.

Thats when I fully got every piece in my head together and realized, technically, its cause of me, she said. She left the hospital because she couldnt take it. The guilt was getting me too bad, she said, according to police reports.

Investigators submitted their reports to then-Bay County Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko in early April 2022. They checked on its status every few weeks through December 2024 for a total 58 times. They were told the case was still under review or received no response, their reports state.

Borushko was unseated by challenger Michael P. Kanuszewski in the November general election. Kanuszewski charged Sian in February.
BAY CITY, MI  Two members of a five-headed monster have received prison terms for defrauding the Michigan Department of Transportation out of millions by posing as a minority-owned business. They wont begin serving their sentences, though, until after the new year.

Jeffrey Bartlett and Andrew W. Semenchuk on Tuesday, Nov. 18, appeared before U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington for sentencing, having both pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to defraud the United States. The duos three codefendants  Brian Bartlett, Anthony Thelen, and Adam Ball  have also pleaded guilty to the five-year felony.

Ludington sentenced both men to 15 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. The judge recommended they be incarcerated at a federal camp in Montgomery, Alabama.

The judge gave Semenchuk until Jan. 1 to surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service and Bartlett until Feb. 1.

Per the plea agreement, Ludington further ordered Bartlett and Semenchuk to each pay $914,360 in restitution to MDOT. Records indicate Bartlett and Semenchuk already repaid the debt in full.

The sum is a fifth of the total $4,571,800 the quintet misappropriated. Ludington on Nov. 20 is to sentence Brian Bartlett, Thelen, and Ball, each of whom will also be required to pay $914,360.

Each of the five men has also forfeited property valued at $814,640, or a cumulative $4,073,200. Additionally, the groups business, Surveying Solutions Inc., in 2022 agreed to reimburse MDOT $5,885,952.93 and to pay the U.S. government an additional $1,100,000.

The total amount owed by the five defendants was estimated at $15,630,943.93, records show.

This case is ordinary in that it involves lying to get money, wrote U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. in a Nov. 10 sentencing memorandum. But it is extraordinary in that Jeffrey Bartlett and his codefendants used relentless and uncommon means executed over many years to cheat the Michigan Department of Transportation out of a staggering amount of money.

Jeff Bartlett, 52, owned the Standish-based surveying firm incorporated in 2001 that had locations in Saginaw Township and St. Johns. Brian Bartlett, 50 of Bentley, was an executive and principal with SSI, while Semenchuk, 53 of Rives Junction, previously owned the firm and served as its executive.

Jeff Bartletts scheme to defraud MDOT dated to the very inception of SSI in 2001 and continued until the execution of search warrants on July 25, 2019, Gorgon wrote. As time wore on and the company grew, the groups lies grew along with it.

The groups plea agreement states they equally controlled SSI and used it and three shell corporations to skim millions from federally funded contracts with MDOT from February 2011 through July 2019. Prosecutors alleged they obtained and maintained SSIs certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) to obtain preferential status when bidding on MDOT contracts. Between 80-90% of the contracts were funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Only small businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged people can be certified as DBEs. While Semenchuk is Asian Pacific Islander, the other four defendants are white.

The five men in 2011 signed a secret agreement indicating they each owned a 20% share of SSI and three related entities. The group then falsely represented Semenchuk as SSIs sole owner to receive more contracts and have opportunities to overbill MDOT for bogus expenses.

Jeff Bartlett in August 2014 sent his brother and Semenchuk an email in which he wrote, Not bad for a bunch of white guys trying to be a minority-owned businessAnd we will be billing the F*** out of August thru November for sure, prosecutors alleged.

Once SSI completed a contract, MDOT would pay the firm an 11% profit margin and reimburse it for direct labor costs and other reasonably incurred expenses. Prosecutors allege the group artificially created and inflated both kinds of reimbursement expenses.

The group did this, in part, by billing MDOT for work performed by their wives or romantic partners, despite them not actually working for the companies. Semenchuk in May 2016 emailed his codefendants, suggesting they tell MDOT their wives performed marketing duties to justify them receiving large bonuses.

From 2016 to 2018, the group billed MDOT more than $800,000 for work their spouses never performed, the prosecution argued.

The defendants also allegedly increased SSIs reimbursable overhead rate by charging MDOT rental expenses the company never incurred. If a contractor rents property from a commonly controlled entity, federal regulations prohibit the contractor from including those costs in their reimbursement requests. Such contractors can only include the normal costs of ownership for the specific rented property.

Prosecutors alleged the group concealed their written agreement to equally own SSI and three other entities, 2SI, 3SI, and Southfield IT. Brian Bartlett organized 2SI in 2004 to rent company cars and surveying equipment to SSI. MDOT auditors estimate that between 2016 and 2018, SSI overbilled $6 million for rentals from 2SI, court records show.

Thelen and the Bartlett brothers founded 3SI in 2009 to function as SSIs landlord, leasing it offices in St. Johns and Standish. 3SI had no other clients and received 99% of its funding from SSI from 2016 to 2018, court records show. If the defendants had disclosed this, SSI would only have been reimbursed for normal ownership costs. By concealing this, the defendants allegedly overbilled MDOT more than $500,000.

The last entity, Southfield IT, was SSIs IT provider. The defendants allegedly told MDOT the entity was independent from SSI and created fake contracts and invoices between the two companies to inflate their overhead costs. MDOT overpaid SSI nearly $2 million for alleged IT services between 2016 and 2019, prosecutors allege.

The five men allegedly divided their spurious proceeds equally among them, prosecutors contend.

However, an FBI agent wrote an official with MDOTs Office of Commission Audits told him in June 2022 SSI is cheap, they are the best at what they do, and there is a lot of work on the horizon, court records show.

The FBI executed numerous search warrants in July 2019. During a lengthy interview, Ball allegedly described the scheme as a five-headed monster, adding he had been ashamed for the whole five years. He also said his wife worked zero hours for the companies, that Southfield IT was created as a shell company, and that he and his codefendants knew they were overbilling MDOT for bogus expenses.

The Bartletts also allegedly made incriminating statements to the FBI in July 2019. Prosecutors claim Brian Bartlett told agents his wife was not a real employee and agreed 2SI, 3SI, and Southfield IT were shell companies created to line [their] pockets but that they got carried away with how much extra money they were getting.

Jeff Bartlett also allegedly told the agents his wife didnt work for the companies despite receiving handsome paychecks and that 2SI, 3SI, and Southfield IT received money they should not have.

MLive left messages with Jeff Bartletts attorney, Joshua A. Blanchard, and Semenchuks attorney, Clinton W. Westbrook, but did not immediately hear back.
Kristen Bell at the photo call for Netflix's "Nobody Wants This" held at The Aster Hotel on September 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Variety via Getty Images) Variety via Getty Images

Fox News announced a new faith-based podcast starring big time actors like Kristen Bell, but that was news to the Michigan-born star.

The 52-episode The Life of Jesus Podcast will debut on Nov. 30 and bring stories from the New Testament to life through immersive storytelling, Fox News said.

In addition to introductions by FOX & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt, more than 100 notable actors are voicing characters of the Bible, including Bell as Mary Magdalene.

But according to the Rolling Stone, Bell, of Huntington Woods, was blindsided by the announcement since she had recorded the audio for a separate project 15 years ago.

Originally, Bell voiced Mary Magdalene for The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible, a New Testament audiobook released in 2010.

A producer tied to the Bible audiobook has since partnered with Gulfstream Studios, which is licensing the podcast production, Fox News announced.

Bells rep told the Stone that she only learned that Fox Faith had acquired the long-forgotten project after her team received a request for her to appear on Fox & Friends.

Bell never gave permission for the old audiobook to be repurposed into a new podcast series, according to the Rolling Stone.

Gulfstream Studios produced the Life of Jesus Podcast from The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible, which was licensed by FOX News Audio, with full cooperation and participation by all the actors involved," Fox News said in a statement.

Bell, who attended Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, opened up about her faith in 2018.

She described her mother, Lorelei, as very religious and a born again Christian and noted there has been some stress between the two because she doesnt subscribe to a faith.

I think its hard for her to digest [that Im not religious], and I dont really like to talk about it a lot because when Im talking about it all I feel is that Im disappointing my mother, which is an awful feeling, Bell told the WTF with Marc Maron podcast.

Bell also said he mom was upset that she hadnt baptized her kids.

From my perspective, I was like, Let me tell you something. My child is not going to heaven or having an afterlife based on some man pouring water over her head, Bell said on the WTF podcast.

Other big names involved in the project include Sean Astin (Matthew), Neal McDonough (Jesus), Brian Cox (Voice of God), Malcolm McDowell (Caiaphas), John Rhys-Davis (narrator) and Julia Ormond (Mary Mother of God).

The podcast will be introduced in four installments to coincide with notable dates on the Christian calendar including the start of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Palm Sunday. It will be available in audio format on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever podcasts are found.

Bell, received an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a comedy series for playing Joanne in Nobody Wants This in July. She is also known for roles as the voice of Princess Anna in Frozen, in TV series like Veronica Mars and The Good Place and the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

She is married to actor Dax Shepard, who is from Milford.
Candles, flowers, and notes are placed at a makeshift memorial in San Antonio, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, for voice actor Jonathan Joss who was recently killed. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) AP

A man is accused of killing King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss.

The Associated Press reported this week that allege Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, confronted Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at their San Antonio home in June.

Joss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled violent homophobic slurs before opening fire, but police have not indicated if his death will be considered a hate crime.

Ceja Alvarez was indicted by a grand jury on Monday. He is free on a $200,000 bond.

A friend of the 59-year-old Joss has said that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years, according to the Associated Press.

Joss, who has Native American ancestry, voiced John Redcorn on the hit Fox show between 1998 and 2008. He had already done voice work for the 2025 reboot.

His character is a Native American former healer, masseur, and musician who has an affair with one of the main characters wife.

He is also known for playing Chief Ken Hotate in NBCs Parks and Recreation and appeared in two episodes of the series Tulsa King in 2022.
LANSING, MI -- William Bill Null, who beat FBI charges that he conspired to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is now campaigning for her job.

On Nov. 18, Null filed paperwork forming the Committee to elect William Null for Governor as a Republican.

The committees treasurer is listed as Eric Molitor, who also stood trial alongside Null and Nulls twin brother, Michael, in connection to the alleged kidnap conspiracy.

The trio faced up to 20 years in prison, charged with contributing material support to a terrorist plan, and were found not guilty by an Antrim County jury in September 2023.

They were accused of taking part in militia training sessions and surveillance trips to Whitmers vacation home on Birch Lake in Elk Rapids in 2020 as part of a larger plan to kidnap Whitmer and cause civil unrest.

A Tattoo William Null had inked on his forearm following his acquittal in the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot. Courtesy of William Null

Null and Molitor believe they were entrapped by an overzealous government investigation.

I had no idea where we were going, what we were doing, Null told MLive. I ended up getting thrown in a car with an FBI informant and he drove us around.

In total, 14 men were arrested and accused in the kidnap plot. Four were convicted of federal charges, five were convicted of crimes under state law and five were acquitted.

File photo - William Null at a protest in Allendale.

Null formed the Michigan Liberty Militia in 2015, which grew to nearly 20 members and disbanded after his arrest in October 2020.

Null admitted having ties to militias.

We were always peaceful, Null told MLive in 2024. And then the 2020 happened and the craziness with coronavirus. You werent even allowed to pump gas, you couldnt get your hair cut, you couldnt go to gyms, so we started leading protests there, too.

At the time, Null, a father of two adult children who operates a construction business with family members, told MLive he planned to run for the governorship.

The chances of winning are slim to none, he said, but Id like to see my name on the ticket anyway.

Neither Null nor Molitor responded to requests for comment on the campaign launch.

Related: Acquitted in Whitmer kidnap plot and running for office: How extremism is going mainstream

This isnt Null or Molitors first venture into politics. In 2024, Molitor lost a bid to become the Berrien County sheriff and Null failed to win a seat on the Orangeville Township Board of Trustees.

Molitor and Null espoused conservative, small-government ideals.

My main focus would be to stop corruption from the state trying to force their way into our counties and our townships, Null said while campaigning for the trustee position.

Null, who has the word freedom tattooed on his forearm, joins at least a dozen other candidates who are vying for the governorship after Whitmer is term-limited out of office in 2026.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed into law new transparency requirements for how special projects are funded with taxpayer money. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed into law new transparency requirements for how special projects are funded with taxpayer money.

The requirements, which will take effect Jan. 1, will mandate that lawmakers publicly disclose earmark funding requests at least 45 days before any vote on appropriations bills containing those earmarks.

These public disclosures will be posted online and must include information about the lawmaker sponsoring the earmark, the earmark recipient, the project to be funded and any conflicts of interest.

Lawmakers say the new law ensures taxpayers and legislators have adequate time to review earmark spending proposals before taxpayer dollars are allocated.

Since I took office, Ive been committed to increasing transparency in our government, so Michiganders know exactly where their hard-earned dollars are going, Whitmer said. Thats why I made a promise to increase transparency on legislative earmarks in my most recent State of the State. Less than a year later, Im proud to sign these two bills that requires lawmakers to put their names on any projects they propose.

Ill keep working with anyone to serve Michiganders and increase transparency in our government.

Earmarks are requested by lawmakers during the budget process and distributed as grants to specific nonprofits, businesses or government entities for specific projects. The projects funded by earmarks span a wide range, from restoring a historic building to purchasing a fire truck.

This years budget contains about $360 million in earmark spending, down from roughly $1 billion in last years budget, according to the Mackinac Center, a nonprofit research and education institute.

The spending has come under scrutiny in recent years amid embezzlement investigations by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. When House Republicans took over the chamber this year, they made earmark reform and transparency a central issue.

House Republicans spearheaded the new transparency requirements after gaining a majority in the chamber at the start of the year.

The signing of the Hall Ethics, Accountability and Transparency (HEAT) plan is the most significant reform to our state budget in decades, said House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township. For far too long, politicians and Lansing insiders have abused the system to stuff the budget full of anonymous pork projects they cant defend. That abuse ends today.

Under the new law, all earmark requests from lawmakers must be posted online at least 45 days before a vote on any appropriations bill that would fund the requests. The House initially proposed a 90-day window, and the Senate a 10-day window.

The publicly available information for each earmark must include the lawmakers name, the recipients name, the project location, an explanation of the projects public benefit and a conflict-of-interest disclosure.

The changes also prohibit for-profit businesses and newly created nonprofits from receiving earmarks.

The new law will provide greater oversight over expenditures by earmark recipients and establishes that an earmark recipient must repay any taxpayer funds if they are spent on purposes other than the project they received the earmark for.

Michiganders deserve the transparency of knowing where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent, said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids. Thats why Im proud that my Senate Democratic colleagues and I championed this legislation  which passed with bipartisan support  to require all earmarks and enhancement grants to be publicly disclosed before the passage of the state budget.

Todays signing of this legislation into law underscores our continued commitment to ensuring our government remains accountable and accessible to the folks weve been entrusted to serve.

Nessel is currently prosecuting one earmark embezzlement case and investigating two others.

In the case being prosecuted, Nessel alleged the earmark recipient, David Coker, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars from the earmark to purchase personal vehicles, precious metals, rare coins, firearms accessories and other goods for himself.

The grant money was supposed to go toward building a community health campus intended to serve the physical, mental and behavioral health needs of mid-Michiganders.

Coker is a former legislative aide of former Michigan House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, who sponsored the earmark but has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Under the new earmark reforms, a lawmaker cannot request an earmark that would benefit someone who currently works for them as a staffer or worked for them as a staffer within the prior two years.

Lawmakers also cannot request an earmark that would benefit themselves or their family members.

Nessel is also investigating a $2 million earmark awarded to a nonprofit run by Gavin Brown, though her office has provided few details. According to Bridge Michigan, Browns grant was to study bringing commercial rocket launches to the state.

The most highest-profile case under investigation involves a Whitmer appointee, Fay Beydoun, who allegedly embezzled taxpayer dollars after receiving a $20 million earmark in the states 2022-2023 budget. Those funds were allocated to create a business incubator to attract international entrepreneurs and start-ups to Michigan.

Quarterly reports obtained by MLive through a Freedom of Information Act request showed the nonprofit headed by Beydoun used the taxpayer money on five-star hotel stays, first-class airline tickets, tens of thousands of dollars in furniture purchases, luxury ground transportation services, upscale dining and a $4,500 coffee machine.

Beydoun formed the nonprofit to receive the funds after the legislative earmark was approved. Its a move that will be forbidden under the earmark reforms.
Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 10th Pre-Budget Consultation with representatives of trade unions on November 20.

Priyansh Verma

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SolarCloud founder John Kennedy explains how renters and apartment dwellers can finally tap into solar savings without panels on their roof in this founder feature.

The best ideas come from frustration. If something bothers you enough to keep you up at night, chances are it bothers thousands of others, too. Thats your signal.

In this weeks Founder Friday, Dynamic Business talks with SolarCloud CEO and Founder John Kennedy to discuss his business journey from personal frustration to creating Australias first cloud-based solar platform.

For Kennedy, the revolutionary platform represents the answer to a deeply personal problem. SolarCloud was born from a mix of frustration, curiosity, and stubbornness. I wanted solar for my own home, but like millions of Australians, I couldnt get it, Kennedy explains. My roof was shaded, I was renting, and I moved every few years, all things that made traditional rooftop solar impractical.

The realisation hit him hard. Australia is one of the sunniest countries in the world, yet millions are locked out of renewable energy simply because of their housing situation.

It didnt make sense to me that something as simple and powerful as solar energy was available only to people with the perfect roof and deep pockets, he says.

Solar without the roof

Thats when Kennedy had his breakthrough moment.Everything else in life has moved to the cloud, data, photos, music, even work. So why not solar? he recalls. Why couldnt energy be portable, accessible, and inclusive, just like other modern technologies?

That single question became his obsession. Kennedy wanted to create a model that gave everyone a fair way to participate in the renewable revolution, whether they rented, lived in an apartment, or simply didnt want panels bolted to their roof.

The result is a platform that allows anyone, anywhere, to invest in solar hosted on rooftops around the world and receive credits directly on any Australian energy bill. No installation required, no maintenance, no roof necessary.

Kennedys first key decision was to focus on accessibility before technology.

Many clean-energy startups get caught up in hardware and engineering, but I knew the real challenge wasnt generating solar power; it was giving people a way to access it, he explains. SolarCloud is designed to remove every traditional barrier: no need to own property, no large upfront investment, and no installation.

From day one, the team prioritised user simplicity.n If someone can buy a Netflix subscription, they can buy solar, Kennedy says.

Regulatory groundwork takes time

Another crucial decision was building long-term regulatory foundations. Given SolarCloud is the first of its kind in Australia, Kennedy needed to ensure it complied with both energy and financial services laws.

Securing those licences took over six years, but it gave us the credibility and legal framework to grow safely and sustainably, he says.

Then came the pilot testing phases, which for solar takes at least a year to ensure performance across all seasons. I wanted to create something that worked for everyday Australians, something simple, safe and trustworthy, Kennedy adds.

What makes SolarCloud different is that its solar without the roof. Every other solar company still depends on physical installation and property ownership. Kennedy has completely changed the model by making solar cloud-based and effectively portable.

The platform uses rooftops across the world and lets everyday Australians purchase solar in affordable increments. From there, credits are applied to their energy bills, regardless of provider.

That means if you move homes or change electricity companies, your solar effectively comes with you, Kennedy explains. We also operate on the belief that clean energy should be flexible.

Customers can start with as little as one cloud-based panel for $139 and increase their investment over time. Kennedy has seen this model resonate deeply with younger Australians, renters, and those conscious of their environmental footprint but unable to install traditional systems.

Staying ahead comes from listening to peoples real energy frustrations. Rising electricity prices, unreliable feed-in tariffs, and unaffordable batteries are major concerns.

We designed SolarCloud to address all three, offering a lower-cost, maintenance-free alternative that works for anyone with an energy bill, Kennedy says.

The team is now developing a virtual battery that will give customers even greater flexibility. Their solar will credit their bill so they can relax and use their energy any time of day or night. Its the next step in our mission to make renewable energy truly mobile and adaptable.

Hearing no a hundred times

The biggest challenge Kennedy faced was that nobody had ever done this before. There was no blueprint for cloud-based solar. Early on, I was told you cant do that more times than I can count, by energy experts, lawyers, and even friends, he recalls.

The regulatory side proved incredibly complex. Kennedy had to navigate Australian energy laws, financial licensing requirements, and international infrastructure partnerships all at once. It took years of consultation, testing, and legal groundwork to ensure the model was compliant, transparent, and scalable, he says.

The second challenge was education. Because its such a new concept, people struggled to believe it was real. The idea that you could buy solar in the cloud and have it credited to your bill sounds too good to be true, Kennedy admits. The only way to overcome that was through real customer results, showing people their reduced bills, month after month.

There were also personal challenges. Balancing innovation, regulation, and family life wasnt easy. Kennedy, who has two children living with him full-time, admits there were moments where giving up would have been the easier choice.

But my two kids have been my biggest source of strength. Their belief in the mission and their reminders that were building a cleaner future for them kept me going through the hardest times.

The biggest lesson Kennedy has learned is that persistence matters more than perfection. Innovation takes time. You cant skip the groundwork, and you cant rush trust, he reflects. Every no you hear is just proof that youre doing something that hasnt been done before.

Keep purpose front and centre

You can build the most innovative product in the world, but if it doesnt genuinely help people or solve a real problem, it wont last.

Kennedys advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward: start with a real problem. The best ideas come from frustration. If something bothers you enough to keep you up at night, chances are it bothers thousands of others, too. Thats your signal.

Secondly, he urges founders not to underestimate regulation or compliance. If youre entering a heavily regulated space like energy, health, or finance, surround yourself with the right advisors early. It may slow you down in the beginning, but it will save you years of trouble later.

Third, keep your purpose front and centre. Entrepreneurship is full of highs and lows, funding challenges, scepticism, and burnout, but a strong sense of purpose will pull you through. For me, its about giving every Australian, regardless of where they live, a fair chance to benefit from clean energy, Kennedy says.

Finally, Kennedy has a blunt message for those entering entrepreneurship for the wrong reasons. If youre doing it for the money or to be a business owner because you think its going to make you a fortune, stick to your day job, he warns.

Remember that technology means nothing without people. You can build the most innovative product in the world, but if it doesnt genuinely help people or solve a real problem, it wont last. Always come back to empathy  what does the customer need, and how can your idea make their life better? Is it simple to use in the modern world on demand, straight from your phone?

For anyone just starting out, Kennedy offers this final piece of advice: Be patient, be persistent, and be prepared to hear no a hundred times before you hear yes. The world doesnt need more ideas; it needs people willing to see them through.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Religious based violence and kidnappings continue to plague Nigeria. Most recently, assailants attacked a church in Central Nigeria during a service, killing at least two worshippers and abducting the pastor and several others, according to press reports.



The assault came just days after 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Nigerias northwest state of Kebbi.



In remarks at a U.S. hosted event on Combatting Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Walz lamented the abduction of yet another group of young girls in Nigeria.



Twenty-five little girls were ripped out of their school. I pray that we get them back. But what often happens is theyre sold into sex slavery. Theyre forced to renounce their religion. They never see their homes or families again, and they literally disappear to the dark underbelly of extremism and sex slavery.



There has been a long history of persecution of Christians in Nigeria, said Ambassador Walz.



Churches burn. Mothers bury their children for the crime of singing Amazing Grace. . . .Pastors have been beheaded for preaching the Sermon on the Mount, entire villages wake up to gunfire, because they dare to commit the crime of calling Jesus their Lord. People go to jail under blasphemy laws for simply wearing a cross. This is not random violence. This is genocide, wearing the mask of chaos.



Nigeria is Africas most populous nation and a vibrant mosaic of cultures and faiths, but it is under siege. In the northern region, there are 12 Muslim majority states that are enforcing Sharia law and have enforced it since 1999. Jihadi groups like Boko Haram and the Fulani militias continue to unleash targeted violence against Christian communities.



Open Doors, a watchdog group, ranks Nigeria seventh on its 2025 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most extreme danger. The organization estimates Nigeria accounts for more than 80 percent of Christian deaths worldwide.



In response, the United States designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern for severe violations of religious freedom, spotlighting what can only be described as the governments failure to curb these atrocities. This designation empowers the U.S. government to work with Nigeria to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held to account, people of faith are protected, and those held hostage are rescued.



Nigerian officials maintain that terrorism strikes all faiths indiscriminately, and [it] does, noted Ambassador Walz. Nevertheless, there is a body of evidence, stressed Ambassador Walz, that paints a very grim picture of disproportionate suffering among Christians.



We have an entire faith that is being erased, one bullet at a time, one torched Bible at a time, declared Ambassador Walz. Yet, in the face of this evil, one leader has refused to look away. President Trump has made the persecuted church his priority like no other president before him in American history. He has reminded the world that protecting Christians is not about politics. It is a moral duty.
Bank rejected his loan when he was broke  18 years later he bought the bank building

Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com.

Man Who Bought the Bank That Said 'NO'

Saurav Pandey

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HBSE NMMS Admit Card 2025 Out Today at bseh.org.in; Link to Download Here

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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Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com.

Saurav Pandey

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120 Bahadur Movie Review: Farhan Akhtar powers one of Hindi cinemas finest war stories that restores Rezang La to memory

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Anand Gandhi, Zain Menon call Maya the worlds new mythology, not Indias MCU, share insights of working with Hugo Weaving

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Dharmendra doing better than earlier after hospitalisation, 90th birthday plans underway: Reports

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Dharmendra asked me to drink alcohol before shooting Shor Mach Gaya Shor to deal with nervousness, reveals Shatrughan Sinha

Dharmendra asked me to drink alcohol before shooting Shor Mach Gaya Shor to deal with nervousness, reveals Shatrughan Sinha

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Blue Dragon Film Awards 2025: No Other Choice dominates, Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin make history with major wins - complete winners list

Adding to the nights history-making moments, real-life power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin walked away with top acting honours.

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BTS Jungkook calls out reporter at airport; fans applaud him for protecting his privacy

Jungkook had reportedly been in Paris for an undisclosed engagement, with no official announcement from HYBE.

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Ram Charans Chikiri becomes a global dance phenomenon, fans all over the world recreate the song: Watch

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The Chikiri move  a punchy foot-stomp paired with a stylish swish  first went viral across India before quickly crossing borders.

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Udaipur wedding: When Raveena Tandon arrived in the Queen of Mewars 100-year-old doli on her wedding day with Anil Thadani in 2004

Udaipur wedding: When Raveena Tandon arrived in the Queen of Mewars 100-year-old doli on her wedding day with Anil Thadani in 2004

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When Sridevi gifted her Sabyasachi Polki necklace to Aishwarya Rai who would lovingly call her Akka

When Sridevi gifted her Sabyasachi Polki necklace to Aishwarya Rai who would lovingly call her Akka

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Do you feel scared or withdrawn all of a sudden? Neurologist has a warning

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Sudden changes in behaviour should never be dismissed as stress (Picture Credit: Pexels)

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5 tips to make your tablescape look as festive as the one Sonam Kapoor arranged for a recent special dinner

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Miss Universe Pakistan Roma Riaz slams trollers for calling her 'fat', 'not pretty', 'not Pakistani enough'

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The settlement scheme is a novel concept in the Competition market as it was introduced in the draft Digital Competition Bill of 2024.

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Nvidia built its AI dominance by adapting that same chip architecture to crunch massive amounts of data  helping researchers create software thats begun to rival and resemble human capabilities.

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Valery Kistanov, a Japan expert at the Russian Academy of Science, described Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan as "unprecedented," warning they could heighten regional tensions and risk triggering conflict.

Japanese newspaper Tokyo Shimbun published an editorial criticizing Takaichi's reckless and provocative remarks for stoking antagonism and harming the interests of both countries.

TOKYO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Despite repeated representations from China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has refused to repent for her blatant and provocative rhetoric on Taiwan.

Her blatant suggestion of possible military involvement in the Taiwan Strait drew worldwide criticism for reviving militarism and threatening regional stability, and political figures and observers in Japan and abroad warn that such remarks may drag the country into a national crisis.

Sanae Takaichi (2nd R, front) attends the extraordinary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

RIGHT WING RHETORIC

During a recent parliamentary hearing, Takaichi cited the so-called "survival-threatening situation" -- a trigger designed by the controversial 2015 law -- and linked it to the Taiwan question, suggesting Tokyo might treat the Taiwan question as grounds for military involvement under the legislation.

Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba noted that Takaichi's position is practically equivalent to declaring "a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency," which implies Japan's possible military involvement in the Taiwan Strait.

Yoshihiko Noda, the leader of the CDPJ and former prime minister, said that Takaichi "went too far," creating unnecessary tension in relations with China.

Analysts say Takaichi's fallacies regarding China are by no means an isolated incident but part of a broader agenda by right-wing forces to revive and bolster militarism.

In recent years, Japan has reshaped its security policy, boosting defense spending, easing arms-export restrictions, pursuing offensive weapons development, and moving further down a troubling path of military expansion.

Before taking office, Takaichi has repeatedly made anti-China statements, hyped up the "China threat" narrative, and made irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question.

However, no previous Japanese right-wing prime minister had ever publicly linked a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan to the Taiwan question. As the sitting prime minister, Takaichi's remarks "break precedent," Japan's TV Asahi commented.

Takaichi's remarks expose her right-wing nature, which is somewhat inevitable given the growing influence of extremist forces in Japan's political climate, said Xiang Haoyu, a specially appointed research fellow in the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies of the China Institute of International Studies.

Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) arrives for a photo session with members of her cabinet at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

LEGALLY BASELESS

Experts and officials in Japan say Takaichi's Taiwan rhetoric lacks a legal basis, desecrates history, and risks undermining regional stability.

Takaichi's "survival-threatening situation" remarks lack a legal foundation and a rigorous verification process, and appear more like personal opinions casually expressed in the parliament, said Ryo Sahashi, a professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia at the University of Tokyo.

Japan's Legislation for Peace and Security, which lifted the ban on collective self-defense, clearly stipulates that a "survival-threatening situation" refers to an armed attack against a foreign country with which Japan maintains a close relationship, said Zhao Hongwei, a professor at Tokyo-based Hosei University.

Noting that Taiwan is not a country and that the Japanese government has never recognized it as one, Zhao said that this provision of the 2015 security legislation does not apply to the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's status as part of China is enshrined in international law, said Yoichi Masuzoe, former governor of Tokyo and scholar of international politics, adding that any Japanese military intervention would be considered aggression.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Japan respects Taiwan's status as part of China, noting that the Taiwan question is a matter of China's internal affairs and that Japan should not intervene.

Yuki Izumikawa, a special research fellow at Okinawa University, said Takaichi's claim that her Taiwan remarks align with the Japanese government's longstanding view is at odds with the facts.

"I sincerely hope that Japanese politicians will review the solemn commitments Japan has made to the Chinese government over the past decades before speaking on the Taiwan question," Izumikawa said.

Takaichi's Taiwan remarks desecrate historical justice and repackage militarism, aiming to pave the way for Japan's future military expansion, said Kwon Ki-sik, head of the Korea-China City Friendship Association, adding that such political maneuvers are bound to face opposition from regional countries.

GRAVE CONSEQUENCES

Ichiro Ozawa, a member of the House of Representatives from the CDPJ, said Takaichi's speech has become a true "existence crisis," which ultimately forces great sacrifices on the people.

His concern is echoed widely in Japan and abroad -- Takaichi's rhetoric sends a dangerous signal, undermining regional peace and ultimately harming Japan itself.

Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, accused Takaichi of making remarks that push Taiwan to the brink of danger and reveal the lingering shadow of Japanese militarism.

Valery Kistanov, a Japan expert at the Russian Academy of Science, described Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan as "unprecedented," warning they could heighten regional tensions and risk triggering conflict.

Julia Roknifard, a senior lecturer at Taylor's University in Malaysia, urged Japan to focus on its domestic socio-economic challenges rather than becoming a source of instability in East Asia.

Domestically, Japanese officials and media have also voiced concern that Takaichi's remarks could harm Japan-China ties.

Japanese Communist Party and House of Councillors member Taku Yamazoe noted that Takaichi's remarks have escalated tensions between Japan and China, undermining bilateral trust.

Japanese newspaper Tokyo Shimbun published an editorial criticizing Takaichi's reckless and provocative remarks for stoking antagonism and harming the interests of both countries.

Ichiro Ozawa, a member of the House of Representatives from the CDPJ, said Takaichi's remarks could reduce bilateral trade and restrict people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Data shows that China is Japan's largest trading partner, the second-largest export destination and the biggest source of imports.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Chinese tourists ranked first in total spending in Japan in 2024.

If Japan-China relations deteriorate, it will be the Japanese people who suffer, warned Takakage Fujita, the secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, adding that Takaichi will bear responsibility for the consequences.

Editor: ZAD
Ishaan Gera

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Explained: Who is Sameer Gehlaut and what is the Sammaan Capital case about?

Sammaan capital was formerly known as Indiabulls.

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Viswanath Pilla is a business journalist with 16 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, Pilla covers pharma, healthcare and infrastructure sectors for Moneycontrol.

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Sudeep Pharma IPO to open for subscription on Nov 21; check price band, GMP, other key details

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Wedding matchmaker Shaadi.com is said to consider IPO

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Foreign banks in India continue to face challenges competing with larger domestic lenders due to higher operational costs and tighter pricing.

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At close, the Sensex was up 446.21 points or 0.52 percent at 85,632.68, and the Nifty was up 139.50 points or 0.54 percent at 26,192.15.

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Debaroti Adhikary

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Mangalam Drugs shares tumble 23% in two days after firm defaults on Rs 8-crore bank loans

Debaroti Adhikary

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As November marks China's National Fire Safety Month, Shangqiu City in Henan Province has launched a comprehensive campaign to address the root causes of fire risks. State Grid Shangqiu Power Supply Company is focusing on key areas and critical components, carrying out thorough inspections and remediation of fire hazards across the power grid. The initiative aims to prevent and reduce fire incidents, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power system and protecting public safety and property.

State Grid Minquan County Power Supply Company invited local firefighters to conduct a specialized fire safety briefing for employees. During the session, the firefighters explained key concepts related to fire and electrical safety, taking into account the specific characteristics of power system operations. They elaborated on common fire risks found in daily life and workplaces, and analyzed the causes and lessons learned from recent fire accidents at industrial facilities nationwide. Through vivid examples, employees gained a clear understanding of the importance of fire safety.

(Photo provided to Guangming Online)

Following the briefing, an evacuation drill and a hands-on fire extinguisher training session were held under the guidance of the firefighters. When the simulated fire alarm sounded, participants covered their mouths and noses with wet towels, bent down to avoid smoke, and quickly evacuated via designated routes to a safe assembly area. After the drill, the firefighters demonstrated how to operate a portable dry powder extinguisher and guided employees through practice, ensuring everyone mastered basic emergency response skills.

(Photo provided to Guangming Online)

Throughout National Fire Safety Month, State Grid Minquan County Power Supply Company has also been conducting fire hazard inspections in high-rise buildings, residential communities, electric vehicle charging stations, and bicycle sheds. Identified issues are promptly addressed to eliminate risks. In addition, the company has been organizing fire safety awareness activities, reaching out to factories, communities, schools, villages, and households with combined messages on electrical and fire safety.

Electrical safety is vital to public well-being and economic development, and fire safety forms the foundation of a secure power grid. State Grid Minquan County Power Supply Company will integrate the achievements of Fire Prevention Month into its daily operations, providing a safer and more reliable energy supply to support the rapidly growing local economy. (Correspondent: Li Qi)

Editor: ZZ
Sebi chief not worried about IPOs turning into exit routes for PEs: 'Investors take early-stage risk'

Arindam Roy

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Paras Bisht

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Sunil Matkar

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Taking Stock: Nifty crosses 26,200 for the first time since Sept 2024; Sensex up 446 pts

Rakesh Patil

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Axis Bank credit cardholders should take advantage of this complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership, as it offers several valuable dining benefits.

Hiral Thanawala

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Gold and Silver ETFs delivered over 50% return in one year; check the top schemes

Dipen Pradhan is the Editorial Consultant for Moneycontrol. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and covers personal finance topics. He has previously worked at Forbes Advisor India, Outlook Money, Entrepreneur, Inc42, and The Statesman. When he is not writing he loves to travel to explore rural hotspots.

Dipen Pradhan

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Infosys buyback opens today: 8 smart checks before you tender shares; eligibility, tax rules and more

Teena Jain Kaushal is Editor - Personal Finance (Audience Growth) at Moneycontrol, with over two decades of expertise demystifying money matters. Whether its decoding tax, navigating investments, or breaking down the latest insurance trends, her aim is to help readers make smarter financial decisions.

Teena Jain Kaushal

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Secure your legacy: Why Supreme Court wants women to write their own wills

Hiral Thanawala is a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, he covers financial planning, banking and fintech segments from personal finance team for Moneycontrol.

Under Section 15(1)(b), if a Hindu woman dies intestate (without a will) and lacks direct heirs like sons, daughters, or a husband, her property first devolves to her husband's heirs.

Hiral Thanawala

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In FY25, Rosnet and Lukoil accounted for about 60% of Russia's total oil exports to India.

Priyansh Verma

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Shaleen Agrawal

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The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) on Thursday granted the Polish company Grupa Maspex sp. z o.o. permission to acquire joint control over two companies, Carpathian Mineral Waters, together with a Ukrainian citizen through a Cyprus-based firm under their control, the agencys press service reported.

"The companies GRUPA MASPEX SP. Z O.O. (Wadowice, Poland), DYNALUM FINANCE LTD. (Larnaca, Cyprus), and a Ukrainian citizen (information restricted) were granted permission to take coordinated actions in the form of fulfilling non-compete and non-solicitation obligations, as set out in clause 11 of the draft shareholder agreement," the statement said.

According to Opendatabot, Dynalum Finance LTD is one of the founders of Trading House Carpathian Mineral Waters LLC, whose ultimate beneficial owner is Serhiy Ustenko (99.9%). Ustenko also owns Carpathian Mineral Waters LLC, registered in Lviv region.

Grupa Maspex sp. z o.o. is a food conglomerate based in Wadowice, Poland, and is one of the largest food producers in Central and Eastern Europe. The company owns well-known brands such as Tymbark (juices), Lubella (pasta), owicz (jams, sauces, etc.), and alcoholic beverages including Zubrowka, Soplica, Absolwent, and Bols.

According to the Carpathian Mineral Waters website, the company began its activity in the mineral water market in 1996 with the first bottling of its natural table mineral water under the brand Karpatska Dzherelna.
A trade deal on pause since 2010 gets a new runway: India and Israel agree on BIT-led FTA talks

The move revives negotiations first launched in 2010; Goyal led a business delegation to Israel to explore investment ties across tech, defence and manufacturing.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Airlanding at Srinagar (October 27, 1947): Indias first wartime airlift and the race to save the Valley

At 8 am on 27 October, the first Dakota carrying elements of 1 Sikh swept over the Kashmir Valley. (Courtesy: X | @IAF_MCC)

Sonalee Borgohain

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The Kashmir Times, established in 1954, is one of the oldest and most prominent newspapers of Jammu and Kashmir

Smriti Mishra

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Sonitpur foreigners tribunal had on October 24 declared the five persons as foreign citizens

Priyanjali Ghose

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Hemant Abhishek

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Begusarai judge objects to sudden transfer of case, says 'judiciary becoming laughing stock'

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

The transfer, the judge wrote, undermines the principle of judicial independence, leaving subordinate judges looking like paper tigers.

Rewati Karan

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Crisis in Karnataka Congress? Ministers and MLAs loyal to Shivakumar fly to Delhi

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (right) with his deputy DK Shivakumar (left) in Bengaluru.

Siddharth Chakravorty

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According to police, the class 10th boy jumped from the Rajendra Place Metro Station platform at 2.34 pm on Tuesday

Smriti Mishra

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Siddharth Chakravorty

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'He had suicidal thoughts': Students on Delhi teen who died by suicide

Siddharth Chakravorty

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The plan to end the war proposed to Ukraine by Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff involves the loss of territory and restrictions on sovereignty, several media outlets, including the Financial Times (FT) and Axios, reported on Wednesday.

It is noteworthy that the FT writes about the developers of the plan as a "group of Russian and American officials." While Axios in the publication calls the proposal nothing more than "the Trump plan." Both publications refer to unnamed high-ranking sources in the United States, Ukraine and Russia.

Trumps new plan to end the war in Ukraine involves giving Russia parts of eastern Ukraine that it does not currently control in exchange for US security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe from future Russian aggression, Axios reports, citing an unnamed American official "directly aware of the situation."

According to a U.S. official, the White House believes that Ukraine is likely to lose the territory anyway if the war continues, and "therefore it is in Ukraines interest to reach an agreement now, the source told Axios.

"The two most difficult issues in the Ukraine talks so far have been who will control which territory after the war ends, and how Ukraine can be sure that Russia will not simply resume the war later," Axios notes.

"The 28-point Trump plan calls for Russia to gain full de facto control of Luhansk and Donetsk (together referred to as the Donbas), despite Ukraine still controlling around 14.5% of the territory there, per the latest analysis by the Institute for the Study of War. Despite being under Russian control, the areas in Donbas from which Ukraine would withdraw would be considered a demilitarized zone, with Russia not able to position troops there.In two other war-torn regions, Kherson and Zaporizhia, the current lines of control would mostly be frozen in place, with Russia returning some land, subject to negotiations.," Axios said.

"According to Trumps plan, the United States and other countries recognize Crimea and Donbas as legitimate Russian territory, but Ukraine is not asked to do so," the article said.

In addition, the publication cites an unnamed Ukrainian official, according to whom "the plan also includes restrictions on the number of Ukrainian troops and their long-range weapons in exchange for U.S. security guarantees." The same official "confirmed that the U.S. plan includes territorial concessions by Ukraine in Donbas."

Axios reports, citing two anonymous sources "with direct knowledge," that Qatar and Turkey are involved in developing Trumps new plan and supporting U.S. mediation efforts.

"Qatars and Turkeys mediation helped stop "...the war in Gaza and could help end the war in Ukraine," Axios quoted one of these sources as saying.

The publication also reported the participation of a "senior Qatari official" in negotiations between Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov.

"One source with direct knowledge said that Umerov was authorized by Zelenskyy to negotiate with Witkoff, and many of his comments were included in the text of the 28-point plan. The source claims that many agreements were reached during the talks with Umerov," Axios writes.

At the same time, the publication quotes a "Ukrainian official" who "confirmed that Zelenskyy sent Umerov to review the US plan, but said that it was an oral briefing, and Umerov did not receive a written proposal from Witkoff."

"The Ukrainian official denied that Zelenskys adviser accepted the terms of the plan during the meeting and claimed Ukraine objects to many of the points. Prior to meeting Umerov, Witkoff held extensive discussions on the plan with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev," the article said.

Axios also reports that the publication characterized as a "friction point," namely that "as part of Turkeys support for Trumps peace initiative, Witkoff planned to visit Ankara on Wednesday and hold a trilateral meeting with Zelensky and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan," an unnamed US official told the publication.

"The meeting was postponed when it became clear that Zelenskyy was moving away from the agreements reached with Umerov and was not interested in discussing Trumps plan. Instead, Zelensky went to Ankara with a different plan developed with European partners that Russia would never accept," Axios quoted the US official as saying.

A Ukrainian official, according to the publication, said that "the meeting was postponed because Zelenskyy asked to discuss the plan in a broader format, including European countries."
Pragya Trivedi

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India looks for oil tankers to import Middle East crude ahead of sanctions deadline

Around 7.7 million barrels of Russias Urals crude, linked to Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, will reach India after the end of the deadline

Arindam Roy

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Priyanjali Ghose

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The raid began around 6 am, when SIA personnel reached the premises and asked the newspapers manager, Sanjeev Kerni, to come from his home to unlock the office.

Rewati Karan

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Armaan Bhatnagar

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Man who attacked Delhi CM Rekha Gupta acted on dream message from dog, police chargesheet says

Ria Kapoor

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NIA arrests four more in Red Fort blast case; total held rises to six as probe continues

Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

Three doctors and a preacher among latest arrests in November 10 Red Fort blast investigation.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Aishwarya Dabhade

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JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar greeting the gathering during his swearing-in ceremony as the Bihar CM in Patna on Thursday. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

Sonalee Borgohain

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On the night of November 20 (from 18:00 on November 19), the enemy attacked with 136 Shahed, Gerbera type strike UAVs and drones of other types from the following directions: Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, Bryansk, Shatalovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russia, Gvardiyske  temporarily occupied Crimea, about 80 of them  Shahed UAVs,", the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Telegram on Thursday morning.

"According to preliminary data, as of 08:30, air defense shot down/suppressed 106 enemy Shahed, Gerbera type strike UAVs and drones of other types in the north, south and east of the country. Hits of 29 strike UAVs were recorded at 16 locations, as well as the fall of downed (fragments) at three locations," the message said.
Nitish Kumars journey began with Janata Dal, winning his first Assembly election in 1985

Priyanjali Ghose

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Nitish Kumar to take oath as Bihar CM for record 10th time today; PM Modi, Amit Shah to attend

Rewati Karan

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The accused have been remanded to 10-day NIA custody

Ria Kapoor

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Authorities investigating the devastating Delhi blast have frozen bank accounts amounting to over Rs 2 lakh

Priyanjali Ghose

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At the Dubai Airshow, the Su-57E for the first time revealed its internal weapons bay, displaying mock-ups of the Kh-58 anti-radiation missile and the R-74M2 air-to-air missile (Image: PTI)

Smriti Mishra

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US clears $93-mn sale of Javelin missiles and Excalibur precision artillery rounds to India

Tamal Nandi

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CAA protests were timed with US President Donald Trump's visit to India to get international media coverage, ASG SV Raju said

Smriti Mishra

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Siddharth Mishra is Founding Director at Centre for Competition Law and Economics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Sumit Jain is Founding Director at Centre for Competition Law and Economics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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OPINION | India can no longer outsource the dreams of its youth to the West

Pradeep Parappil is the co-founder and co-CEO of Cogit-X. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Anil Raman is a Research Fellow at the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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In order to stop this war, Ukrainians and Europeans must also agree to any plans  Kallas

European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas says any plan to end Russias war against Ukraine needs to involve both Ukrainian and European sides.

She made the remarks in Brussels on Thursday ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Kallas said that, among other issues related to Ukraine, ministers would discuss "the latest news." She did not specify what news she meant, but there is currently information circulating in the media about a "28-point peace plan" allegedly agreed between the United States and Russia.

"We will also discuss the latest news. As Europeans, we have always supported a lasting and just peace, and we welcome any efforts to achieve it. Of course, for any plan to work, Ukrainians and Europeans are needed, so this is quite understandable," the EU high representative said.

She stressed that "in this war there is one aggressor and one victim." "We have not heard any concessions from the Russian side. I mean, if Russia really wanted peace, it could have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire some time ago, while we are seeing the bombing of civilians again tonight," Kallas added.

The High Representative stated that ninety-three percent of the Russian targets were civilian infrastructure - schools, hospitals, apartment buildings - in order to "kill as many people and cause as much suffering as possible."

Kallas reiterated that "in order to end this war, it is necessary that the Ukrainians and the Europeans also agree to these plans." "Putin could have ended this war immediately if he had simply stopped bombing civilians and killing people, but we have not seen any concessions from the Russian side. We welcome all substantial efforts to end this war, but as we have said before, it must be fair and lasting. This also means that Ukrainians, as well as Europeans, agree with this," Kallas said.
Meghalya's chief minister Conrad Sangma is beset by challenges. A diversion appears to be his way of confronting it (Source: PTI/File)

Namrata Agarwal

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Elon Musk set to make more money than 1.4 million US elementary teachers combined. X erupts in frenzy

The scale of the pay package  and its contrast with essential professions  triggered widespread social media commentary.

Shubhi Mishra

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'Jensen Huang does it again,' say netizens as Nvidia CEO crushes AI bubble fears after 65% profit jump

'Theres been a lot of talk about an AI bubble. From our vantage point, we see something very different,' Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said at the US-Saudi Investment Forum on Wednesday. (Image credit: AFP)

Ankita Sengupta

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Namita Thapar 'shocked' at Sridhar Vembu's 'marry in your 20s' tip: 'Similar to 70-hour work week'

Namita Thapar's criticism comes a day after the chief scientist at Zoho, Sridhar Vembu made the comment on early marriage and family planning. (Image credit: X)

Ankita Sengupta

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US employer honours Indian-origin employee for 40 years of service, gives Rs 35 lakh cheque

Lindsay Wallin noted that Balbir Singh had originally worked under her father, Bob King, who founded the familys franchise business before she assumed leadership.

Shubhi Mishra

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NOAA found a golden, eggshaped object which was 3,300 meters deep off the coast of Alaska (Image: NOAA/ Seascape Alaska)

Gurpreet Singh

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Three satellite-tagged Amur falcons from Manipur have crossed the Arabian Sea nonstop (Image: X/@supriyasahuias)

Gurpreet Singh

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Search and rescue operations continue in Ternopil - the whereabouts of 22 people are unknown, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Our rescuers worked all night in Ternopil, and search and rescue operations are still ongoing. The whereabouts of 22 people are unknown - their search continues," the president wrote in a Telegram channel on Thursday morning.

More than 230 rescuers from nine regions of Ukraine are involved in the work. In some areas, work can only be done manually due to severe destruction and fragmentation of structures. This complicates the search.

"As of now, 26 people are known to have died, including three children. My condolences to their families and loved ones. I thank all our people who are working at the scene almost 24/7. Rescuers, medics, police officers - thank each and every one of them. It is extremely important that in such difficult days, despite all the attacks by Russia, all the terror, our people always know that they can count on rescue and help," Zelensky noted.

As the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported earlier, "the enemy strike took the lives of 26 people, including three children. Some 93 people were injured, including 18 children. 46 people were saved."
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

Reshab Shaw

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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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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

Debaroti Adhikary

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Delhi trade fair 2025 opens for public: Dates, tickets, timings, and everything you need to know

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.

Delhi Trade Fair 2025 is now open to the public  shop, explore, and experience Indias biggest cultural and commercial showcase at Bharat Mandapam. (Image: PTI)

Priyanka Roshan

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Supreme Court restricts tiger safaris to non-forest land, bans night tourism: What tourists need to know

MC Travel Desk Read the latest and trending travel news storiesstay updated on new destinations, travel trends, visa updates, and expert tips for your next adventure.

Priyanka Roshan

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Israeli commandos with a Mercedes-Benz 600 resembling the one owned by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, used by Sayeret Matkal to deceive Ugandan troops during the raid (File Image)

Abhinav Gupta

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Bets on MBS wearing suit to White House? Saudi crown prince trolls bookies in Trump meet: 'You lose'

Arindam Roy

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Curfew reimposed in Nepals Bara after fresh clashes between Gen-Z protesters and UML cadres

(FILES) Nepal's army soldiers take their positions to disperse the protesters in front of the President House during a curfew imposed to restore law and order, in Kathmandu on September 12, 2025. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Photo: Anadolu Agency

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed on Wednesday that Ukraine would be provided with long-range missile systems, although he declined to provide details on their quantity and delivery dates, Anadolu Ajansi news agency has reported.

"For several months, we have been working intensively with the Ukrainian government on the implementation of projects for long-range systems, as we technically call them. The Ukrainian army will be equipped with such weapons systems," Merz said at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Berlin.

Asked about Germanys previous reluctance to supply Ukraine with Taurus long-range cruise missiles, Merz declined to provide details, calling the approach a tactic to increase pressure on Russia.

"We have agreed that we will no longer discuss the details publicly, as we believe that some ambiguity is necessary, especially for the Russian side, regarding the scope of our military support in this area. I can only say that we are doing everything possible to equip the Ukrainian army with weapons systems that have the appropriate range. And this will continue in the coming weeks and months, if necessary, up to the production of such weapons systems in Ukraine itself," Merz said.

Merz accused Russia of deliberately targeting Ukraines civilian energy infrastructure on the eve of a harsh winter, calling it a "terrorist war against the civilian population." He pledged continued European support for strengthening Ukraines air defenses and said Germany would provide an additional EUR 3 billion in military aid next year.

Merz also expressed hope that EU leaders would reach an agreement next month on using frozen Russian assets to provide financial support to Ukraine.

"This is our strongest lever to bring Moscow to the negotiating table and end this terrible war in the long term," he stressed.

Regarding reports that the Trump administration is quietly working on a peace plan with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, Merz did not provide any details, but said he did not expect significant progress in the near future.

"We are in close daily contact with the US administration, including our advisers, to determine whether we can develop a plan. But at the moment it is not possible to predict whether this will lead to a result in the short term," Merz said.

"Nevertheless, the German government and my personal staff are in daily contact with the US administration on this issue," he added.
From Trumps absence to Indias presence: Why an empty chair at the G20 will define this years summit

Banners of (from L to R) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung are displayed on pillars of an highway overpass in Johannesburg on November 20, 2025 ahead of the G20 leader's Summit. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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German family of four found dead in Istanbul: Why investigators suspect hotel pesticides?

Abhinav Gupta

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Is the US pushing Ukraine to give up land and cut its army for peace with Russia? Here's what we know

(COMBO) This combination of photographs created on August 7, 2025, shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) in Kyiv on August 23, 2024, US President Donald Trump in London on June 3, 2019 and Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, on August 6, 2025. (Photo by various sources / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Karoline Leavitt opens up on 32-year age gap with husband and familys initial reaction

Pragya Trivedi

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Mehdi Hasan says Zohran Mamdani is Indian, mocks Eric Trump as 'dumbest of dumb sons'

Abhinav Gupta

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Mehul Choksi's plea challenging extradition to India to be heard by Belgium's top court on Dec 9

Abhinav Gupta

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Musk shares thank you message for Donald Trump shortly after his youre so lucky comment

Pragya Trivedi

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3I/ATLAS was first spotted in July by an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS, telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile, and has been tracked by astronomers since then. Its unusual trajectory indicated that it was passing through our solar system from parts unknown.

Tamal Nandi

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The artificial island will come up about 30 kilometers (19 miles) off the coast of the southern Sindh province, near Sujawal (Photo: Bloomberg)

Tamal Nandi

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Almost two-thirds (64%) of Ukrainians surveyed continue to donate to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2025, another 26% help in other ways, with half of respondents learning about the collections from friends and acquaintances, according to the results of the Rakuten Viber survey.

To the question "Do you donate to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and acquaintances who serve?" 42% answered - "yes, regularly from each salary" (it was 44% at the end of 2024), 26% - "I help in other ways" (at the end of 2024 it was 27%), 14% - irregularly, but after each shelling I turn anger into donations (just like a year ago), 8% - "of course, a little bit every day" (5% a year ago). 6% answered that they do not see the point in this, 4% - that they themselves serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while the indicators do not differ from last year.

Viber also asked Ukrainians where they learn about the fundraisers. Half of respondents (50%) support fundraisers from friends and acquaintances, learn from them, another 14% of users learn from the news (a year ago it was 53% and 13%, respectively).

The answer "I learn from the news, through news channels that support the fundraisers" was given by 14% of respondents (it was 13% at the end of 2024), "I learn from bloggers and influential people that I follow" - 12% (it was 11%), "I follow large foundations that are engaged in this" - 5%, "I learn in other ways" - 19% (the last two questions - the same as at the end of 2024).

Over 19,000 users took part in the survey on the official Rakuten Viber Ukraine channel in 2025. The research methodology is an anonymous online survey. The key age group is 34-45 years old, with over 50% of respondents under the age of 45. Similar surveys were conducted in 2023 and 2024.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C

Tamal Nandi

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Zohran Mamdani was elected as mayor of New York City after campaigning on a progressive platform that includes freezing the rent on more than 1 million stabilized apartments

Arindam Roy

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What are Epstein files? As Donald Trump signs bill requiring release, here's all you need to know about crucial evidence

Surabhi Pandey

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What the new Epstein files law really means for the public

What the new Epstein files law really means for the public

Pragya Trivedi

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What the new US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine really proposes

What the new US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine really proposes

Pragya Trivedi

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Why millions of US children move from ADHD pills to powerful psychiatric drugs

Why millions of US children move from ADHD pills to powerful psychiatric drugs

Pragya Trivedi

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'Yunus cannot touch my mother': Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb on her death sentence

Abhinav Gupta

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Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

The theses of the Russian-American so-called "peace plan" to end the war in Ukraine, published by a number of media outlets on Wednesday, are identical in content to those discussed during the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, and confirm the position of the Russian leadership, which it has been expressing since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, notes Arseniy Yatsenyuk, chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-16).

"And from my sources in the United States, I can tell you that this is practically what was discussed by Putin and Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. That is, everything that is now being demonstrated as a supposedly new peace plan has nothing to do with peace - it is a plan for the creeping surrender of Ukraine. And all the theses that are in this so-called peace plan are all theses that completely copy Putins position, expressed almost four years ago," Yatsenyuk said in an exclusive comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Thursday.

He stressed that this plan "has nothing to do with the real achievement of peace and stability in Ukraine, not to mention the fact that neither the EU nor Ukraine is concerned with this plan." "This is simply a plan that was already actually presented by Putin to Trump in Anchorage and, according to Putin, Trump then agreed to this plan," he said.

Yatsenyuk sees nothing in this plan that the Ukrainian leadership could agree to and declared that it is a "pure platitude" in which "there is no new element at all." "This is all a continuation of the KGB special operation under Putins leadership to further seize Ukraine and in order to, first, avoid additional sanctions from the United States, second, buy time to continue the offensive, third, supposedly demonstrate that Russia is ready for peace negotiations, but in fact this is nothing more than a repetition of all the theses of the war criminal Putin after the start of a full-scale war," he stressed.

At the same time, Yatsenyuk is convinced that the emergence of this plan is in no way connected with the corruption scandal in Ukraine in the energy sector, but this scandal will definitely be used to put pressure on Ukraine.

"As for whether this is related to the corruption scandal - I believe that it is not related at all. Because Dmitriev (Putins envoy Kirill Dmitriev - IF-U) went to Washington long before the anti-corruption authorities published information about corruption in Ukraine Another thing is that this anti-corruption scandal, of course, can be considered as a means of pressure on Ukraine - I have no doubts about this," he said.

Yatsenyuk considers the anti-corruption investigation in the energy sector as an achievement in the fight against corruption, emphasizing that this is the first time in the history of Ukraine that anti-corruption authorities have launched such a large-scale investigation, and Ukraine has never had a reputation for being free from corruption before. "In 2014-16, my government created all anti-corruption bodies, five anti-corruption bodies, and created mechanisms for preventing corruption - starting from electronic declarations and ending with the system of state permits. And the President of Ukraine has now made the right decision to lead this process, and not to oppose this process," he said.

"Another thing is that it is simply disgusting, it is terrible, and those who committed these corruption crimes should be in prison. And it is clear that this is not the end of history," Yatsenyuk added.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ivanna.klympushtsintsadze

The plan to end the war, formed by the USA and the Russian Federation, threatens not only the sovereignty of Ukraine, but also the European security system, b head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on European Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze (European Solidarity faction) has said.

"The latest reports by Western media about the allegedly agreed upon plan to end the war between the USA and Russia, formed without the participation of Ukraine and without consultations with Europe, are a reproduction of the well-known whims of the Kremlin. In fact, this is an attempt to repeat "Istanbul 2.0," but now with the American stamp of approval. This is not a peace plan. This is forcing Ukraine to make unacceptable concessions, which in the future threaten not only our sovereignty, but also the entire European security system," Klympush-Tsintsadze told the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Thursday.

According to her, the proposals leaked to the media contain elements that directly correspond to repeated Russian demands: fixation of the occupation, limitations on the Ukrainian army, neutrality without other real security guarantees, a ban on the development of defense capabilities, the inability to choose alliances, the destruction of Ukrainian identity.

"This does not create peace, it only creates the illusion of a pause that Russia will use for a new wave of aggression, and not only against Ukraine. Rewarding the aggressor with territories, fulfilling the sick demands of the terrorist is a direct path to new wars," the MP noted.

Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced that Ukrainian society, despite exhaustion and fatigue, will not accept any "plan" that is written behind Ukraines back. She emphasized that a just and sustainable peace is possible only when the aggressor does not receive a reward for the attack, and Ukraine has real security guarantees - not on paper, but in action.

"European, as well as global, security begins with Ukrainian stability. And no one has the right to trade Ukrainian statehood, territories or future," the committee chair noted.

Klympush-Tsintsadze does not link the emergence of the peace plan to the corruption scandal in Ukraines energy sector.

"I do not believe in conspiracy theories that this plan was born in any connection with the Mindich Operation, although I realize that Russia is trying and will try to use any vulnerability of Ukraine to its advantage. Ukraine has the opportunity to prevent the Russians from giving it this chance, but this requires a rapid and radical change in the domestic policy and behavior of the Ukrainian leadership, which, unfortunately, does not yet show signs of readiness for such changes," Klympush-Tsintsadze said.
November 20, 2025

High Noon In Kiev

The new Trump plan to end the war in Ukraine, mentioned here yesterday, is unlikely to come to fruition.

Russia has said that it does not have any official knowledge of the plan or its content. But there are several reasons for it to reject it.

The Telegraph claims that the plan does not acknowledge that the Donbas and Luhansk are part of Russia but only allows for Russia to lease the territory:

The Trump administration deal would see Kyiv cede control of the eastern Donbas region, but maintain legal ownership. Russia would pay an undisclosed rental fee for de facto control of the region, officials familiar with the deal told The Telegraph.

There is also the role of NATO which the Trump administrations plan does not mention:

As European and U.S. officials alike sought clarity, they said many aspects of the plan remained in flux, including the role of NATO and any Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia.



One aspect U.S. officials are still pondering is whether and how to mention NATO, the person said. The discussion of NATO has not been previously reported. Ukraine has sought NATO membership as a security guarantee against a future Russian invasion. While some European countries support that, the U.S. has rejected it and Moscow has long demanded Kyiv not join the defensive alliance, viewing that as a threat. The European allies also worry about granting Russia territorial concessions, which they see as rewarding Moscows aggression and setting a concerning precedent.

Those European allies who reject the peace plan and are concerned about precedent should look up Kosovo and how that came into being.

The prospect of NATO membership of Ukraine was one of the main reasons for starting the war. Russia will not allow NATO, or any other military security guarantee for Ukraine, along its western borders. Ukraines explicit rejection of entering NATO will have to be part of any acceptable peace agreement.

Ukraines acting President is not willing to agree to the plan. He now sees the recent revealing of the corruption scandal involving his friend Mindich as part of an operation to press him to fire his chief of office Andrei Yermak and to accept Trumps peace plan. He will argue that Russia is pulling the strings on each of these issues:

Zelenskyy decided not to fire Yermak, but to launch counterattack against NABU & everyone involved in investigation of Mindich case, accuse them of working for Russia to force Zelensky to accept Trumps peace plan. This is stated by Ukrainian MP Zhelezhyak on Telegram: The president has decided not to fire Yermak. He will be retained and a counterattack will be launched against everyone involved in MindichGate. Now theyll announce this and will begin a new attack with a Russian connection. First, itll be media coveragesomething like yesterday, when the Offices garbage dumps started spreading something about a Whitkoff plan and that the special operation Midas is a coercion. And then we expect a powerful counterattack against everyone involved in the investigation in any way.

Zelenskis first target is the head of the Servant of the People faction in the Rada, David Arahamia. He was involved in the last few days in calls to dismiss Yermak (edited machine translation):

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will initiate the dismissal of the head of the Servant of the People faction David Arahamia at todays meeting with deputies. This was announced in his Telegram channel by ex-MP Ihor Mosiychuk, citing sources. He said that the president will put pressure on deputies with the help of compromising materials, and the peace plan of US President Donald Trump is used in the information field to cover up the rescue of the presidents entourage from responsibility.



It should be recalled that part of the Servants of the People called for the creation of a new coalition and government. Arakhamia, although he stated that this is a statement of individual peoples deputies, however, according to Strana, he supports the demand for Yermaks resignation, which is shared by many other deputies from the SotP. Meanwhile, according to MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, Arakhamia set a condition for Zelensky: to dismiss Yermak, so that the Rada would continue its work and retain the SotP-majority. Arakhamias demand was supported by Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Fyodorov and head of the Military Intelligence Kirill Budanov. Zelensky, according to Goncharenko, refused. A key minister, a key military officer and a key person in the Parliament opposed Andriy Yermak and put pressure on Volodymyr Zelensky to dismiss him. If Zelensky refuses  he will lose the Rada. He will not be able to pass the budget. There will be no coalition, Goncharenko writes.

The problems for Zelenski are only increasing.

Any strike against the anti-corruption vertical (NABU, the Midas corruption investigation, Pravda.ua media) may cause a harsh backlash from Europe. A strike against Arahamia may cost him the majority in parliament. Any rejection of Trumps plan may lead to stop of U.S. intelligence that is needed to strike at Russia.

For Zelenski to continue to fight for Yermak, who everyone wants to go, may well cost him his presidency.
Things happen

Setting the record straight about our murdered colleague.

The Washington Post Editorial Board

Hatice Cengiz poses next to a portrait of her murdered fiance Jamal Khashoggi on the National Mall in October 2021. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States government often advances its national interests by working with nasty people, and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is one of the nastiest. Its one thing, however regrettable, to deal reluctantly with him. President Donald Trumps performance at the White House Tuesday was something else entirely: weak, crass and of no strategic benefit to America.

While meeting with the Saudi leader, Trump held forth with journalists in the Oval Office, as he often does. One reporter asked about the murder of Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. A lot of people didnt like that gentleman that youre talking about, the president responded. Whether you like him or didnt like him, things happen. He added that the crown prince knew nothing about it.

These distortions dishonor Khashoggis legacy, stand at odds with the facts and are beneath the office of the president. Exiled in Virginia, Khashoggi wrote on these pages about the Saudi regimes repressiveness at home and recklessness abroad. This got under Mohammeds skin. So, the CIA concluded in 2018, the crown prince ordered Khashoggis assassination. He was lured into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, where a hit team, including members of Mohammeds personal security detail, used a bone saw to dismember him.

Mohammed, at the White House Tuesday for the first time since 2018, acknowledged the murder but denied responsibility. Weve improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that, he said. Its painful and its a huge mistake. And we are doing our best that this doesnt happen again. This was offensive and insufficient yet somehow better than Trumps response.

During the joint appearance, Trump called Mohammed one of the most respected people in the world and said that they talk on the phone at all hours. Trump also upbraided a reporter from ABC News for asking Mohammed about Khashoggi. He called it horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question. He added that the networks license should be taken away.

The reality is that while Trump advocates peace through strength, he showed nothing but debility. No doubt other dictators took note. Legitimizing and defending Mohammed this way will embolden him and his ilk to mistreat not just journalists but any Americans  knowing that theyll probably face no real consequences.

Trump has an unconventional foreign policy that can achieve unexpected results. See Gaza. But its possible to protect U.S. interests without insulting Khashoggis memory. It would be more effective to ensure that someone like Mohammed is held accountable, understands who the more powerful partner in the relationship is and comes back begging for forgiveness  not be greeted cost-free with an honor guard of black horses, herald trumpeters and fighter jets.

The relationship with Saudi Arabia still produces some benefits, but even in a complicated world, an American president should be able to respect Khashoggis legacy while conducting the messy business of statecraft. Forgetting Mohammeds brutality and Khashoggis warnings is a choice, and Trump made the wrong one.

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Photo: https://www.iaea.org/

All three operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Ukraine were affected in one way or another by the latest attack on November 19, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

"The precarious nuclear safety and security situation during the conflict was underlined at Ukraines three operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) today, with four of their total of nine reactors decreasing output following attacks that further destabilized the electrical grid," the agency reports.

Two of the plants  Khmelnytsky and Rivne  had already lowered production of electricity as a result of military activities earlier this month. On November 19, both facilities reduced production further after they each lost the connection to one of their high-voltage power lines.

The countrys third operating NPP, South Ukraine, also lost its connection to a high-voltage power line. The plant reported detecting 11 drones overnight one kilometre from the site.

As reported, the operator of the NPPs, Energoatom, began to use preventive power reduction during Russian attacks in previous years to avoid serious complications in the event of a hit. Another reason for the reduction in NPP power is the direct consequences of the hits.
Library of Congress features former Gov. Babautas book, In Retrospect

Former Gov. Juan Nekai Babauta, center, is joined by Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Director Erlinda Naputi, left, and technical services librarian Beth Demapan, with copies of In Retrospect book of the former chief executive. Photo take on Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano)

IN Retrospect, a book written by former Gov. Juan Nekai Babauta was selected to be displayed in this years annual Library of Congress National Book Festival.

The event is part of Library of Congresss The Center for the Book program which promotes literary heritage to thousands of festivalgoers and, at the same time, promote the activities and initiatives of the Library of Congress.

The Northern Mariana Islands, according to Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Director Erlinda Naputi, is among the affiliated centers in each of the 50 states, and territories.

I am proud to say that CNMI is one of the territories that is represented. And weve been a memberor part of the Center for The Books for the past, since 2022, she said.

Every year, Naputi said, the JKPL receives an award and in the award, they get to select which of their books will be displayed in annual national book festival in Washington D.C. This year JKPL chose the former governors book because ties in with past events in the nations capital as the book tells stories that transpired during his time as three-term Washington Representative. Babauta served for 12 years.

Another good thing, Naputi said, is that Keith Sonderling who was recently appointed by President Trump as acting director of Institute of Museum and Library Services, has been in the CNMI during his time as secretary of U.S. Department of Labor.

Naputi said Sonderling told her during a recent convention that he wanted to hear more about us. In turn, told him about NMIs selection and we are very humbled to select the book of the former governor, and we are honored to have his book out there.

Beth Demapan, JKPL technical services librarian and program manager for the Center for the Books said, Babautas In Retrospect has been in JKPL since the book launch in 2016, with a very good public review. A lot of students, she said, read the book for their academic studies, as well as visitors bought the book featured under the Pacific collections section of the library.

It was one of the books we encourage people to buy. His book stands out because it has so much history, and documents timeline, starting from him growing up as a kid all the way to his time as Washington Representative and governor, Demapan said.

The book is also related to Americas 250th anniversary, whichbe celebrated next year, she said. This book has a lot of historical importance thats why it was selected, Demapan said.

Babauta in a separate interview said, he was very surprised when Demapan informed him of his books selection.

I am really humbled and honored to have my book selected for the Center of the Book which is a coordination from 50 states and Library of Congress, he said.

I have always wanted to write a book. I wanted to capture at least a fraction of my experience both as a private citizen and my time in public service. More importantly, I wanted to record piece of NMI history as I saw and experienced it. Otherwise, that particular perspective would be lost for good, Babauta said.

It is his hope, the former governor added, that the future generation would appreciate and treasure the information contained in the book. It took him year and a half to write.

Most of that time was spent on research to make sure that my information is as accurate as possible, he added.

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Drug Trafficker Zhi Dong Zhang, aka Brother Wang, extradited from Mexico to ace international narcotics, money laundering charges in New York, Georgia

Defendant allegedly led a large-scale narcotics trafficking and money laundering organization operating in Mexico, United States

(USDOJ)  Zhi Dong Zhang, also known as GG, Kun Li Hernandez, Chang Li Gong Sun, Memo, Brother Wang, BW, Pancho, HeHe, HaHa, Chino, and Summor Ownor, 38, was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky for the Eastern District of New York at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, on a second superseding indictment (the Indictment) charging him with international cocaine distribution conspiracy, international cocaine distribution, cocaine importation conspiracy, cocaine and methamphetamine possession and distribution conspiracy, and money laundering crimes. The defendant, a Chinese citizen, was arrested in Mexico after Mexico issued an arrest warrant based on extradition requests from the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia and was returned to the United States on October 23. The defendant was ordered detained pending trial. On October 24, the defendant had an initial appearance in the Southern District of Texas, where he was arraigned on this Indictment and on the indictment in the Northern District of Georgia.

The defendant has been designated a Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT) by the Department of Justice, a designation given to the most significant narcotics traffickers in the world.

The defendant stands accused of running a global enterprise that pumped massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into our communities and laundered millions in narcotics proceeds, said U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd W. Blanche. His return to the United States is a major step in dismantling a network that has fueled addiction, violence, and death. Im grateful for the outstanding work of our prosecutors, agents, and international partners who refused to let him hide behind aliases, shell companies, or foreign borders. The Department of Justice will continue to target the worlds most dangerous traffickers, wherever they operate, and bring them to justice.

As alleged, the defendant is a leader of one of the most prolific drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the world who, together with his co-conspirators, imported thousands of kilograms of narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, into the United States and other countries, said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. The indictments he faces in the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia will hold him responsible for the great harm he has caused.

Zhangs transnational network was allegedly intricate, well-coordinated, and well-funded, said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. However, through the great work of dedicated law enforcement agencies and valued cooperation from our international partners, Zhangs poison pipeline has been shut off. Whether the perpetrators are here or hiding abroad, my office will continue to vigorously pursue anyone who is trafficking illegal narcotics in and through the Northern District of Georgia.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)s arrest of Zhi Dong Zhang marks a decisive blow against the ruthless criminal enterprises responsible for flooding our streets with cocaine, meth and deadly fentanyl, said Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of HSI New York. The defendants alleged actions on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG have bolstered the operations of transnational criminal organizations responsible for peddling death in nearly every form  fueling an overdose epidemic, spreading violence, and destabilizing communities across the United States and beyond. One by one, year after year, the HSI New York Homeland Security Task Force will continue to wage an unyielding campaign against those who empower cartels to sow destruction and death for greed, ensuring that no corner of their criminal empire is beyond the reach of justice.

This arrest represents a critical milestone in a long-running investigation into an alleged high-level narcotics trafficker with international reach, said Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division. A defendant wanted on warrants out of Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia has now been taken into custody, thanks to years of coordinated work by DEA and our partners. We will continue to follow the evidence and the money until the leadership of these organizations is dismantled.

The Justice Department also expressed appreciation to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Justices Office of International Affairs, HSI Mexico City, HSI Rio Grande Valley, and the Government of Mexico.

The EDNY Indictment

As set forth in court filings, since June 2016, Zhang has operated a massive narcotics trafficking and money laundering organization in Mexico and the United States, importing thousands of kilograms of narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, into the United States and other countries. Law enforcement has made numerous seizures of narcotics traced to the defendants organization, including 46 kilograms of cocaine, 58 kilograms of methamphetamine, and almost seven kilograms of fentanyl.

Zhang and members of his organization also laundered millions of dollars of criminal proceeds from these narcotics sales through the creation and use of shell companies in the United States, which were opened using false social security numbers and other fraudulent documents. The organization recruited individuals known as banqueros to open bank accounts at various banks on behalf of the shell companies, engage in money pickups at different money drop locations throughout the United States, deposit that money into the shell company bank accounts, and wire the funds to other beneficiary accounts to be laundered outside of the United States. The organization employed supervisors in Mexico, known as coordinators, who directed the banqueros at every step of the process, including coordinating the money pick-ups, buying and booking travel, and providing the fraudulent documentation to open bank accounts. In total, law enforcement identified more than 100 shell companies tied to Zhangs organization that were used to launder at least $77 million in narcotics proceeds.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

This case is being handled by the Offices International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section as part of the work of the Offices Transnational Criminal Organizations Strike Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Miranda Gonzalez and Vincent Chiappini are in charge of the prosecution. The

NDGA Indictment

As set out in Court filings, Zhang was allegedly a leader of a vast drug trafficking and money laundering organization that began operating in Mexico at least as early as 2016. Zhang allegedly used an extensive network of coordinators and couriers to get cocaine and fentanyl to multiple destinations in the United States. In January and February 2022, Zhang personally negotiated and coordinated the delivery of 11 kilograms of cocaine and one kilogram of fentanyl to Atlanta for distribution.

Once the cocaine and fentanyl were distributed, Zhang allegedly oversaw the use of stash houses in Georgia and California to collect the drug proceeds which were then deposited into bank accounts. The money laundering was massive and involved 150 companies, 170 bank accounts and approximately $20 million in drug proceeds.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Departments Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Marianas English camps: Learning meets Pacific island living

(MVA)  The Marianas is hosting English camps this winter that are far from ordinary, introducing participants and their families to the warm island lifestyle of the Western Pacific archipelago.

Located only a few hours from major Asian gateway cities, the U.S. commonwealth will host two camps in the coming months that combine U.S. curriculum classes with the opportunity for enriching experiences in the local community, a vibrant mix of indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians and ethnicities from around the world. Wow English Camp has been operating English immersion programs in Saipan for students from South Korea for over 25 years, and MBC Union Camp is an organization with extensive experience running global English camps in more than 10 countries worldwide. Supported by the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA), both programs will be conducted in partnership with U.S.-accredited local schools, offering students an authentic experience of U.S.-style education combined with local cultural activities.

Located a short four and a half hours from Korea, the Marianas is a premier destination for English language immersion and leisure in a safe, family-friendly environment, said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. We thank our local school partners for making this extraordinary opportunity available to our visiting students and their families. In addition to having the opportunity to learn from first language English speakers, students and their families will be able to engage with the warm people of our community, to enjoy the beautiful lagoon and fresh air of our islands, and we hope to make wonderful memories in the Marianas that will last them a lifetime.

The Wow English Camp features a parent-accompanied PIC Schooling Family Camp, available as a 2- to 4-week program between December and February. Open to students from grades 1 through 8, participants attend classes at one of several well-established private schools in Saipan, including Seventh-day Adventist School, Eucon International School, Mount Carmel School, and Grace Christian Academy.

Students experience U.S.-style education focused on discussion and presentation, while accommodations are provided at PIC Saipan. After classes, children can enjoy a variety of resort activities through the PIC Kids Club and interact naturally with native English-speaking clubmates. Parents can also join resort programs and training sessions. During the camp, families have access to facilities at the luxury resort Kensington Hotel Saipan and Coral Ocean Resort, including shared use of pools and restaurants. Weekend family excursions are also included, offering opportunities to learn more about the Marianas culture, history, and subtropical environment.

MBC Union Camp will take place from Jan. 10-30 for students in grades 4 through 8. Classes are held at Northern Marianas International School and Green Meadow School. The program includes two weekday field trips and full-day weekend tours. In addition, students can review lessons and strengthen their conversational English skills through after-school supplementary sessions led by first language English-speaking teachers.

Both camps feature hands-on experiences such as a tour of the Northern Marianas Museum of History & Culture, visits to government offices including the Governors Office and Guma Hustisia/Imwaal Aweewe/House of Justice courthouse, tours of World War II heritage sites, snorkeling in the Managaha Island Marine Conservation Area, and jungle exploration. Dedicated staff members oversee students safety, health, and daily routines, sharing updates with parents online for added peace of mind.

As the programs include participation in regular U.S. school classes, early registration is recommended. Detailed information is available on the official websites of Wow English Camp and MBC Union Camp.

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Respect for Pacific Island sovereignty matters more than hollow democracy rhetoric

For years, Western media has sought to weaponize China-Pacific Islands cooperation, smearing mutually beneficial projects as tools of influence expansion.

An article published in Foreign Affairs on Monday once again framed Chinas engagement with Pacific Island countries within the logic of geopolitical competition, portraying Chinas economic cooperation as a threat to the islands democratic institutions and claiming that this has put their vision of a peaceful and cohesive regional order at risk of being eclipsed.

This narrative equates democracy with a single political model and uses it as a means to pressure the islands sovereign choices, Chen Hong, director of New Zealand Studies Centre from East China Normal University, told the Global Times. Pacific Island countries are not passive pawns on a geopolitical chessboard, but active players pursuing development paths that serve their own interests through equal, pragmatic and mutually beneficial partnerships.

For Pacific Island nations, the most pressing issues are not abstract debates about political systems, but concrete challenges like economic diversification, climate adaptation, infrastructure improvement and peoples livelihoods. When a partner listens to their needs, aligns projects with local development plans, and imposes no political conditions, such respect for sovereignty and choice is itself a genuine embodiment of democracy.

China signed the framework agreement to upgrade economic partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Vanuatu and the Republic of Fiji. The agreement expands cooperation in trade facilitation, infrastructure, education and training and climate adaptation. It marks a new stage in institutionalized and long-term economic partnership, opening the door for island nations to benefit from Chinas vast market and development opportunities  offering tangible, visible gains rather than empty promises.

In stark contrast, certain countries that preach values in rhetoric have in practice raised tariffs, created trade barriers, frozen aid, and dragged their feet on climate action. Worse still, they have pressured island nations to take sides, treating them as pawns in geopolitical games.

What truly undermines democracy, Chen said, is the attempt to strip island countries of their right to make independent choices  all in the name of democracy.' What Pacific Island nations need is not democracy preaching, but genuine respect and the right to development. The essence of Chinas cooperation lies in respecting sovereignty, allowing each nation to pursue a path that best fits its own interests free from coercion.

The Foreign Affairs claim that Chinese influence erodes island governance is pure projection. Western aid comes with political strings attached  using terms like governance reform or institutional improvement to justify interference in recipients domestic affairs and policy autonomy. By contrast, Chinas cooperation philosophy is grounded in equality, mutual benefit and respect. It adheres to non-interference, rejects political preconditions and seeks no geopolitical gain.

From infrastructure and trade to energy, education and healthcare, each step of China-Pacific Islands cooperation is rooted in local realities and designed to improve livelihoods. The islands decision to deepen engagement with China stems not from the so-called influence pressure, but from recognition of China as an equal, reliable and long-term partner. Moreover, Chinas cooperation is open and non-exclusive  it has never sought to exclude third parties from

participating in Pacific development. On the contrary, it has repeatedly welcomed countries such as Australia and New Zealand to jointly promote regional prosperity.

Those who repeatedly invoke democracy and governance as political weapons are merely trying to conceal the fact that they are losing credibility and trust in the region. The real threat to stability does not come from Chinas cooperation, but from external forces still clinging to outdated hegemonic thinking in defining the Pacifics future.

Beyond the lens of geopolitical competition, Pacific Island nations are demonstrating through their actions that they have the right to determine their own destiny. What China and the Pacific Islands are building together is a community centered on development: one grounded in trust, mutual benefit and shared prosperity. This is the true source of stability and progress in the South Pacific.

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Will Trumps domestic troubles derail Venezuela attack?



BY ANDRES OPPENHEIMER, Miami Herald

The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford  Americas biggest warship  into the U.S. Southern Command area has the rumor mill spinning with predictions of a U.S. land invasion of Venezuela. But while a quick, surgical strike is very possible, an all-out U.S. invasion now seems far less likely than it did just two weeks ago. The reason? Domestic U.S. politics. The Republican Partys crushing defeat in the Nov. 4 state and local elections is likely to force Trump to pivot inwards, shelving  at least for the moment  any plans to get bogged down in a costly, lengthy foreign conflict. The sweeping Democratic wins in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections, plus a pile of other races nationwide, hit the Trump camp like a political tsunami. The candidates he backed didnt just lose a few races  they lost virtually all. In a rare admission, Trump himself conceded it was a bad night for the GOP. What drove the voters? Exit polls clearly showed that people turned out primarily to show their anger over the soaring cost of living  the very thing Trump had promised to fix during his presidential run.

Adding fuel to the fire, voters were angered by the reports of Trumps massive, up-to-$300 million White House East Wing renovation to build a giant ballroom while countless Americans struggle to pay their bills. (Yes, the administration insists private donors foot the bill, but skeptics say theres no such thing as a free ballroom. Corporate donors are very likely to get government favors, they say.) Now, even key figures from Trumps own MAGA movement are demanding he spend less time globe-trotting and more time fighting the affordability crisis at home.

The White House is going to pivot now back to even a bigger focus on domestic policies, Trumps former strategist Steve Bannon told Politico just hours after the elections. Bannon suggested that spending so much time in the Mideast, spending so much time in Ukraine has hurt the president politically at home. Likewise, far-right Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene told NBC that Trumps frequent trips abroad are doing nothing to solve Americans economic problems. Which brings us back to Venezuela. The arrival of the air carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to an unspecified location closer to Venezuela amounts to an escalation of Trumps military pressure on drug traffickers and Maduro, who the U.S. government has officially declared a narco-terrorist. The carrier and its strike group will increase a flotilla of at least eight other warships and more than 10,000 troops that Trump has sent to the Caribbean in recent weeks. The U.S. naval force has already sunk at least 19 alleged drug boats, killing 76 unidentified people, according to the U.S. Defense Department. This massive U.S. military deployment may already be too big  and too costly  for Trump to order it home without firing a single shot at a target inside Venezuela, well-placed military experts tell me.

But rather than a full-scale land invasion to oust Maduro  like the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama that toppled the late dictator Manuel Noriega  its likely to be a one-time U.S. air attack on a drug lab or a military installation. Think of it as a repeat of Trumps air bombing of Irans Fordo enriched uranium facility back in June, they say. Former U.S. Southern Command head (Ret.) Adm. James Stavridis told me in an extended interview that U.S. domestic factors such as the anti-Trump vote in the most recent elections have significantly lowered his expectations of an all-out invasion of Venezuela.

Domestic turmoil here in the United States is taking attention away from the scenario down south, he told me. When I asked him what he expects to happen next, Stavridis said the first thing

to watch will be how close to Venezuela the USS Ford gets. The longer it stays in the general area without getting into action, the more likely it is to be turned away to another part of the world, he said. We only have 11 of these carriers in the whole U.S. Navy, and a third of those are in maintenance at any one time, Stavridis told me. Thats a very precious asset. If youre not going to use it, youre going to move it somewhere else. The bottom line is that the USS Fords arrival has undeniably raised the temperature  and the chances  of a U.S. strike. But after Trumps dismal election showing, a quick drone or Tomahawk missile attack aimed at sending a message to the Venezuelan regime is far more likely than a U.S. invasion to oust Maduro. In other words, Trump may look for a fast air strike that he can sell as a major victory, tweet about it and then move to the next issue.

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Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

National Security and Defense Council Secretary (NSDC) Rustem Umerov has returned to Ukraine from a business trip, his press secretary Diana Davityan reported.

"Yes, he returned from his mission. Id also like to point out that this is his twelfth mission since his appointment as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. And missions are a completely normal part of our lives, and we dont make a big deal out of them," she told Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.

On November 11, Umerov announced the start of a working trip to Turkey and the Middle East to unblock the prisoner exchange process within the framework of previously reached agreements.

On November 17, Clash Report reported that Umerov allegedly refused to return to Ukraine and allegedly personally notified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of his decision, but the Presidents Office of Ukraine and the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine denied this information.
Its hard to know what to make of what seem to be awfully high rates of diagnosis of and treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, among American children. A new story in the Wall Street Journal does a yeomans job of trying to get to the bottom of a resulting, and particularly troubling development, that of kids, including ones in kindergarten, being prescribed ADHD medications. When those prove not to be very effective or generate side effects, the response too often is add more drugs to the mix, when even the original Rx is a gamble with developing brains, particularly given the loose definition of what constitutes ADHD and the dearth of information about effectiveness and long term effects from juvenile use.

The article notes: Factors such as differences in sex, race and foster-care status didnt explain the gap.

And the raw numbers are not pretty. 7.1 million between the age of 3 (!!!) and 17 are under treatment for ADHD, which is over 10% of that group. Medicaid data (a sample of 166,000) showed that of those administered ADHD drugs in 2109, only 37% had received therapy.

Now there are no doubt instances where a childs behavior is so pathological that some sort of intervention is necessary. And there are no doubt instances where medicating a child with ADHD drugs was beneficial in the short term and not damaging longer term. And there may be baseline conditions in society, from more pollutants and toxins (think of how the adoption of lead-free gasoline reduced crime rates) to early over-stimulation of children via electronic devices to more anxiety among children due to more precarity and higher divorce rates, all taking a toll on young people, with more ADHD a result.

But for those of us old enough to have had free range childhoods, its hard not to think that a big contributor is increased intolerance of childhood. Admittedly, kids were once supposed to be seen and not heard. But it seems that children are expected to comport with ever-more-stringent norms of performance and behavior.

Remember that a big purpose of public education has long been not just the formal learning, but also deep acculturation: of having to turn up every weekday at a set time, to sit quietly and accept being under the control of an adult non-family member, to comply with instructions, to achieve certain minimums of performance and see excelling as a proof of personal merit, to sometimes cooperate on group projects. This is preparation for factory and office routines.

Over the past few decades, child-unfriendly developments include:

Less recess. My elementary school effectively had three recesses: one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and a play period at the end of lunch time. I cant fathom how most kids sit still as long as they are expected to now. Education Week reports that the CDC-funded the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network recommends only 20 minutes a day. The article also contains a bizarrely-difficult-to view table with the results of a 2025 survey; here are some of its findings:

While this is not quite terrible, it does not seem so hot either.

Comparatively little walking to and from school. Intuitively, too little overall activity cant be a plus for focusing. Studies have deemed the US to have low prevalence of children walking to and from school. If communities arent willing to solve that problem (say with more safe routes), another approach would be short in-class exercise sessions:

Children in China are required to exercise between different lessons in school pic.twitter.com/yIIFXgJ6jR  Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) January 17, 2024

Increased performance demands. Accompanying the death of free-range childhoods, children seem to be subject to higher performance standards, and at younger ages, with performance meaning both behaving adequately in class and doing well academically. Some of this seems to result from much greater economic stratification, and with it, more parental anxiety about having their offspring get into a good college. When I was young, grades and scores started mattering only at the earliest as of seventh grade in public schools, when more promising students might be tracked into advanced language or advanced math and science programs. Putting aside intense competition in cities like New York and San Francisco, with a big contingent of affluent parents spending bigly to get their kids into elite kindergartens or other special burnishing so at to get them into advantage-conferring private schools, there seems to be too much anxiety at too young ages about accomplishments at school. No wonder children show up with what looks like ADHD.

Schools as childcare providers. In my childhood, latchkey children with working mothers and fathers were not very common. Now, having kids in school all day is more essential for most parents.

Consider this part from the opening anecdote, of a now 29-year-old struggling to get off psychiatric meds:

Danielle Gansky was 7 years old when an administrator at her upscale private girls school in suburban Philadelphia flagged problems with her academic performance. She was a bubbly and creative kid, but she was easily distracted in class and her schoolwork was sloppy. The school told Ganskys mother that the girl should see a psychiatrist, who diagnosed her with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and prescribed a stimulant. Concerned that Danielle might get kicked out if her focus didnt improve, her mother broke into tears and agreed.

Obviously, we cant get the full story so many years late. But this screams of a overly-controlling school and insecure parenting. What does it matter if a seemingly smart 7 year old isnt conscientious? That is hardly a reasonable expectation at that age. I was insubordinate in first grade and had to be spanked with a belt nightly to get the message that that was not on.1 Im not saying that was a great approach, but it did make clear I had to bend to authority. The bigger point is there is no evidence that Danielle was badly behaved, and so the schools action seemed disproportionate. A mention to the parents and perhaps intervention if her inattentiveness was still evident in a year or two seems more fitting.

Keep in mind that modern parents seem not at all shy about browbeating teachers and even principals when they think their student had gotten an unfairly low academic grade. So why the cowardice when they are given what might be an unfairly low behavior grade, such as underperforming or say daydreaming, as opposed to being disruptive?

Or are some parents believers in better living through chemistry? After all, in elite high schools, students are readily able to obtain Adderall and use it as a performance enhancer. But search results show multiple studies finding that stimulant use does not improve grades, contrary to urban legends.

As that extract indicates, Danielles mother was afraid of expulsion. The Journal indicates that is not uncommon:

The decision to treat ADHD with medication is often made by desperate parents trying to keep their kids from falling behind or being kicked out of school or daycare, parents and mental health clinicians say. For preschool-age kids, the drugs are often dispensed against pediatric guidelines, which call first for behavioral therapy, a treatment that can be hard to get. And mental health providers say the drugs are frequently prescribed to treat childhood trauma that has been misdiagnosed as ADHD.

The article explains the too-often casual approach to drug dispensing:

We need long-term studies following young people to fully understand the effects of psychiatric medications on the developing brain, said Dr. Mark Olfson, professor of psychiatry and epidemiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Antipsychotic medications are of particular concern, he said. Some studies suggest that adults taking antipsychotics for long periods experience cognitive decline, but long-term studies havent been conducted on children, he said. The best scientific evidence suggests that it is very rare for two or more medications in kids to be helpful and there are concerns about safety, because there can be additive adverse effects of different types of medications, said Dr. Javeed Sukhera, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and chair of psychiatry at the Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. A child on several medications at once often hasnt had a comprehensive evaluation by a child psychiatrist, Sukhera said. Stimulants can cause side effects that can be mistaken for an additional disorder. When a young person shows up with anxiety after starting a stimulant, that doesnt mean that they have an anxiety disorder, he said.

Contrast that concern with:

The Journal analysis identified nearly 5,000 providers who ordered ADHD drugs for at least 100 children each between 2019 and 2022. On average, they gave additional psychiatric drugs to 25% of their patients. A tiny number ordered the combinations at much higher rates, including 128 who did so for more than 60% of their patients All too often, under pressure from preschools and elementary schools, many parents seek help from pediatricians or psychiatric nurse practitionerswho frequently lack in-depth training in pediatric mental healthrather than wait months or even years for appointments with behavioral specialists or child psychiatrists. Alexandra Perez, a clinical psychologist at Emory University School of Medicine who works with young children on Medicaid and private insurance, said she has seen children as young as 4 on multiple psychiatric medications. Many have experienced adversity or trauma and have behavioral problems as a result that get labeled as ADHD, said Perez, who practices Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a method that has been proven to reduce behavioral difficulties associated with ADHD.

The article continues with a long-form horror story of a disruptive 3 year old who was medicated to treat ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder, and was given more and different drugs, including antipsychotics, and an attempt to dry him out. They are experimenting with different ADHD drugs, still with no success.

The Journal notes:

The Journals Medicaid analysis additionally found that patients who started ADHD medications early were more likely to be prescribed additional psychiatric drugs. The youngest childrenthose between 4 and 6 years old in 2019were the most likely to be on additional psychiatric medications four years later. The analysis didnt assess the reasons. Over 23% of the ADHD group in the Journals analysismore than 39,000 childrenwere on at least two psychiatric medications at once by 2023. More than 4,400 were on four different drugs simultaneously, with a vast majority of them on an antipsychotic. In a 2017 study looking at Medicaid children diagnosed with ADHD between 1999 and 2006, researchers found that for 60% of the years in which children were on multidrug regimens, they had additional mental health diagnoses like anxiety and depression that could explain the prescribing. But for nearly 40% of those years, they only had an ADHD diagnosis. Some clinicians may be reluctant to assign diagnoses to young children, according to the study.

My middle brother had behaviors that looked like a psychiatric disorder, including not speaking before the age of 3 (he wrote before he talked) and having some Tourettish behaviors. He grew out of them when adolescent hormones hit, graduated from high school along with his same-aged peers, and went to college. He was the first in the family to have a book published. I wonder what would have been done to him had he been a child now.

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1 I thought some of what I was being asked to do was busywork and I did it in a deliberately half-assed manner. That resulted in my getting done before the other kids. So Id then get up and chat with the teachers.
Yves here. Below, Andrew Korybko describes some of the overly-romantic views that Palestine supporters of Russias willingness to signal opposition to US and Israels continued ethnic cleansing of Gaza. He also makes a critical point about the evolution to a system of multipolarity: that great and greater powers will act in their own interest, and smaller fry will have to adapt. We have pointed out that the reality of being a smaller country means have to do the best one can of playing the interests of the heavyweights off against each other so as to hopefully secure maximum advantage.

We highlighted a warning from Vanessa Beeley and Fiorella Isabel, triggered by the lack of effective action by BRICS members to halt Gaza genocide or even make Israel pay a real price for it. From BRICS Are the New Defenders of Free Trade, the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank and Support Genocide by Continuing to Trade with Israel, in which we quoted a discussion between Beeley and Isabel:

Vanessa Beeley (10:50): But I think I still, where Im struggling with the issue of BRICS, BRICS countries and their lack of drive to end the genocide and to actually under the Geneva Convention to effectively prevent genocide and punish those that are accused of committing genocide Were seeing an increase in trade between China and India and Israel, both of them being heavily involved in the arms trade with Israel and certainly not throttling back. Chinas invested through Chinese state companies and the settlement programs in the occupied territories. Its investing in Ashdod and Haifa port, both of which receive weapons for the Zionist military on a regular basis. India is both an energy supplier, its just inked a new deal with Israel in the last few days, but also a weapons mutual trade deals between them. Russia is providing energy Not a single gesture has been made by any of these countries, apart from, of course, South Africa and Iran And what I find sort of disturbing is this inability by these countries to even address the fact that it is a genocide. and even to uphold the measures that must be taken that have been recommended by Francesca Albanese, by the ICJ, look at Yemens adherence to the genocide convention. And we know that both Russia and China are also heavily invested with Saudi Arabia and with the UAE, both of which, one, were created to partner with the Zionist entity when the British created the so-called State of Israel And I guess what Im trying to say is morally, Im not understanding why people are so clinging to a bias which blinds them to holding these countries to account and saying to them, you have the power to do something.They have literally, they have the only capability in the world today, apart from the armed resistance in the region, to actually do something economically, not militarily, economically, to stop what is happening in Palestine. And theyre failing to do it.

And later in the discussion:

Fiorella Isabel (23:10): When the majority of countries that have the capability to stop the Holocaust of our time arent doing it, then what world can I expect? What difference does it make if China and Russia rise and theyre not doing something different? Then the U S perhaps cosmetically, there is more of a transactional, um, I would say soft power type of, you know, relationship. It is more cooperative. There is some sort of win-win to some, if you have, you know, if they, if theres a respect, a mutual respect, if you have enough of a, of, of something to show for it, when it comes to Russia and the way they operate pragmatically, um, That is how it is. I mean, they will have respect for Iran, but they dont necessarily have respect for the rest of the Middle East or West Asia. And I think weve talked about this before. Theyre not.. If youre going to be against hegemony, that is an ideological perspective. I dont really think theyre against the hegemony. I think they want to have a piece of the pie. And thats very well and fine. Vanessa Beeley (32:18): And as we keep saying, if youre going to hold BRICS countries up, Russia and China up, as some kind of viable alternative to the paradigm weve been living in for decades and that the world is sick of, then how can we accept that theyre doing virtually the same thing? Fiorella Isabel (38:40): It is actually just a very formulaic type of, of cheerleading for a team. Its just more iterations of that, you know, from the microscopic left, right paradigm to, you know, multipolar and unipolar thing. Its become just very much iterations of the same type of mentality where youre just choosing a team and youre just repeating what is most advantageous for you, what is most popular, what X, Y analysts said and whatever they say goes. And so when you question outside of that, you break peoples brains.

More subtle evidence supporting Beeleys and Isabels warning is the way Russia has taken to mentioning the importance of civilizational states1. If I am in a former colony like Malaysia, that clearly does not include my country. So this is a signal that some animals will indeed be more equal than others.

Now in fairness, there is another theory regarding the UN abstentions: Russia and China recognized that this Gaza scheme will not work out well for its sponsors, and they might as well get out of the way and let the US and Israel founder in their mess. But that does nothing to stop continued death and devastation in Gaza.

By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website

The global systemic transition to multipolarity is increasingly characterized by the 19th-century Great Power chessboard paradigm in which such states prioritize their interests at the (perceived or actual) expense of comparatively medium- and smaller-sized ones and non-state actors.

Quite a few folks on social media are disappointed, enraged, and/or disgusted that Russia abstained from the latest UNSC Resolution on Gaza after it authorized an International Stabilization Force (ISF) there in alignment with the peace plan that the US mediated between Israel and Hamas. They believe that Russia should have vetoed the resolution in spite of the Palestinian Authoritys support for it, thus essentially suggesting that Russia should be more pro-Palestinian than the Palestinians themselves.

These expectations arent surprising since they align with the general sentiment espoused by many members of the Alt-Media Community, especially top influencers, quite a few of whom have peddled false claims about Russian policy towards the conflict or at least reinforced false perceptions of it. The foundational lie upon which all the others are built is that Putin is an anti-Zionist secretly allied with Iran against Israel and that all facts to the contrary are just him playing 5D chess to psyche out the Zionists.

The reality though is that hes actually a proud lifelong philo-Semite, even going as far as to describe Russians and Israelis as a true common family and Israel as a Russian-speaking country, but false perceptions about his views and Russian policy continue to proliferate for the reasons explained here. Russias abstention might finally shatter this false paradigm since its extremely difficult to spin this as anti-Zionist, however, especially since its widely seen as having been imposed upon Hamas by the US.

About that group, Russia officially considers October 7th to have been a terrorist attack, but it doesnt consider Hamas political wing to be a terrorist organization even though Israel wishes that it did. At the same time, Russia doesnt consider Hamas to be the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, the role of which it considers to be played by the Palestinian Authority. This further contextualizes why Russia abstained from the resolution instead of vetoed it even though Hamas was fiercely against it.

Be that as it may, Russias Permanent Representative to the UN still harshly criticized the resolution in his detailed comments that are worth reading in full here, thus dispelling speculation that Russia sold out Gaza to Israel after Putins call with Bibiahead of the vote. Russia was therefore clearly displeased with this resolution, but it cant realistically present itself as more pro-Palestinian than the Palestinians themselves after the Palestinian Authority supported it, ergo why it lambasted the draft then abstained.

Vetoing the resolution under these circumstances, especially without China doing so as well (it too abstained), would have therefore been blatant obstruction. It would also have offended those of Russias partners that are ready to participate in the ISF by withholding UNSC legitimacy from their mission. Since Russia has no desire to prevent them from deploying to Gaza, theyd thus likely do so anyhow, which would expose its grandstanding, embarrass it, and harm its ties with them without any benefit at all.

The global systemic transition to multipolarity is increasingly characterized by the 19th-century Great Power chessboard paradigm in which such states prioritize their interests at the (perceived or actual) expense of comparatively medium- and smaller-sized ones and non-state actors. Accordingly, there was never any realistic chance of Russia siding with Hamas over the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and their shared ISF partners no matter how this makes some feel, which they still have the right to express.

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1 Forgive me for not running down the link, but Lavrov did in a advocating for a pan-Asian organization.
Since I last covered country music, Ive actually developed a deep affection for 80s and 90s hits of the genre, thanks to local radio station Y'all 106.7 FM ("The BEST Country"). Like, are you aware that every single Alan Jackson song is good? Did you know the best country song might be Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses by Kathy Mattea? Or the most wistful is Time Marches On by Tracy Lawrence? The most philosophical is, hmm, I guess, Third Rock From the Sun by Joe Diffie? Ive gone country. Look at them boots, the poet sang.

Of course, this newfound appreciation has in no way prepared me for 2025-era country music, which as far as I can tell is kind of like a blues-rock-pop hybrid that may or may not have a twang. So all things considered, Im still an opinionated ignoramus popping off on this years CMA Awards. And this year, I was actually there, reporting live(ish!) from Bridgestone Arena! Lets go!

Arriving fashionably early, I had plenty of time to admire everyone dressed in their Wednesday best of spangles, ties and 10-gallons. A red carpet live feed played on the screens above the concession stands, and onstage there were awards handed out for radio winners and tour folks.

Announcements to take seats and clear the aisles began: Nashville, let America hear it! Luke Combs opened the show with Back in the Saddle.

Host Lainey Wilson shared with us all that she grew up in the boonies and is proud to host. She is a FAN. Her outfit was like David Byrne but make it country. Charlie Worsham joined her to kick off an opening medley that included Shaboozey and Little Big Town; not gonna lie, it was pretty cool. Keith Urban was also there, and not the first Australian we spotted thanks to those pre-show awards. Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus gave Single of the Year to You Look Like You Love Me by Ella Langley and Riley Green.

During a commercial break, people near me argued over whether or not Morgan Wallen throwing a chair off a building was dangerous or funny. Im calling it 70/30.

Comedian Leanne Morgan was there, and shared that she is from Adams, Tenn. Leanne, Im gonna need a tight five on the Bell Witch, K? She joked that if she had made it here in the 1980s when her bod was tight, she would have used it for evil and everyone laughed and laughed. We all agreed!

Zach Top took the stage on a big ol lil guitar. The song was good? I liked it. Its called Guitar.

Next to present were Gretchen Wilson and, you guessed it, Ne-Yo. They gave Duo of the Year to Brooks & Dunn, and it was their 16th win! Said, er, someone: Are we sick of this? Hell no! Like I said, I listen to 90s country radio, but honestly dont know if that was Brooks or Dunn.

The next live performance was Megan Moroney with a big bubblegum pink stage setup that looked Sabrina Carpenter in the eye and said, I have also shopped in the cheap half of Victorias Secret. Chris Stapleton, on the other hand, got NO stage setup, just some lights, and he performed Bad as I Used to Be. During this song I spotted a segment of the crowd that I thought might be mannequins to fill in the seats. I slowly realized they were, in fact, troops dressed in uniform who would later be honored. (Spoiler alert, I participated in the honoring of the troops.) They are very good at sitting very still.

Cowgirl of the Year was presented to a cute child in the audience. After that, Kelsea Ballerini performed with a fog machine and a wistful swing in sad rainwater. Then it was Leann Rimes! I have been watching 9-1-1: Nashville and would like to point out that, on that show, her sons name is Blue. She gave Best New Artist to Zach Top; now that I have seen him perform, I saw that coming. He wisely thanked both the Lord and his road crew.

Billy Bob Thorton sauntered out and my date said LANDMAN. (Thats a show starring Billy Bob Thornton.) He introduced The Red Clay Strays, which honestly sounded like a name he made up on the spot. The main guy looks like a younger version of actor Matt Ross, who played Alby the Weird Polygamist on Big Love. For the record, I am PRO Matt Ross types. The song was pretty good, I even saw an older gentleman with Shazam pulled up for this bit.

Kimberly Perry and Grace Van Patten gave Song o the Year to Love You Like You Love Me. The people next to me asked if that song didnt win last year? I dont know! I was NOT ready for a pop quiz on past winners. [Editors note: Because it is my job to find out stuff like this, I learned that You Look Like You Love Me, the song getting a little roast here, indeed won Musical Event of the Year in 2024 and was also performed during last years show.]

Stephen Wilson Jr. covered Stand by Me in his particular style. This was not for me. Distracted, I blessed and prayed for the crew that switched out the stage sets. Your work has not gone unnoticed. Also, someone busted out a weed pen about this point. Also, it had only been an hour and 15 minutes.

Among the new CMA inductees was Kenny Chesney, who performed a big ol medley. Literally everyone else in the arena was singing along and having a good time. This was clearly a Me Problem.

Video of the year! You Look Like You Love Me again.

Old Dominion also played a medley of songs I dont know, one of which kind of sounds like Whats My Age Again? by Blink-182. It ended with a lot of smoke; I liked the smoke.

Steve Martin, who I knew was here because I saw him on the red carpet live feed, did some banjo-ing and awarded Album of the Year to (host) Lainey Wilson, who mentioned that her Granny was there. God bless Laineys Granny.

Then Stephen Wilson Jr. was back to duet with Shaboozey. Their set had some wheats and grasses and people walking through it in a kind of creepy way. Truly autumnal.

Jordan Davis and Lauren Daigle, who are hosting the upcoming TV special CMA Country Christmas, gave Group of the Year to The Red Clay Strays. I come from Regular Brown Dirt Country, so honestly I kind of side-eyed them. Apparently red clay is called ultisol, but now I was digging far too deep into the USDA soil taxonomy and had to move on.

I saw a disco ball setup but it was NOT used for Lainey Wilsons performance of Ring Finger. She is good at entertaining, and I could tell right then she would win Entertainer of the Year. (Spoiler alert.)

Ella Langley pointed out THE TROOPS I saw earlier and said they were 100 people from the 101st Airborne. Did that mean they all had to drive back to Clarksville afterward? I would be HONORED if my tax dollars paid for everyone to have a nice hotel room downtown.

Miranda Lambert sang a duet with Chris Stapleton, but the real star was the second percussion guy.

Alan Ritchson, also known as Reacher, was there. He was recognized as Cowboy of the Night and is not a cute little girl but a very big grown man. There was an episode of Reacher where hes at a record store in a college town and talks shit on an Ethel Merman disco album, but I was like, Uh, that would quickly and easily sell in a college town? A perfect condition vinyl copy on Discogs is currently going for $40. I think we can all agree that was a rare misstep in the verisimilitude of the Reacher Expanded Universe.

Ella Langley sang a Texas song, and the set, according to my date, looked like bar mitzvah decor. I cannot disagree. Male Vocalist of the Year went to Cody Johnson.

This years recipient of the Willie Nelson Award for Instruments and Keeping It Real was Vince Gill. He said he aint never smoked weed (the night was young) and gave away one of the very few cusses of the night with the word ass. Congratulations, Vincent!

BigXThaPlug and Luke Combs sang and I was like: Oh my gosh, its only 15 minutes until some Taco Bell! This song is VERY short. Thank you fellas!

Female Vocalist of the Year was Lainey Wilson! She is selling clothes with Wrangler and honestly I kinda want to buy this coat. Congratulations on your awards and coats! She was also awarded Artist of the Year, presented by Keith Urban in one of Rent the Runways finest glitter blouses. Yall, Im gonna be honest with yall, Lainey began. That was two yalls in, like, five seconds! Did she know I like that radio station? Probably.

Congrats to all the winners. Maybe next year hit me up for an after-party?

The 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Chris Stapleton

Morgan Wallen

Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

4x4xU  Lainey Wilson

Producer: Jay Joyce

Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

Aint No Love In Oklahoma  Luke Combs

Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton

Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews

Am I Okay?  Megan Moroney

Producer: Kristian Bush

Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

I Never Lie  Zach Top

Producer: Carson Chamberlain

Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey

You Look Like You Love Me  Ella Langley and Riley Green

Producer: Will Bundy

Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Am I Okay?  Megan Moroney // Producer: Kristian Bush // Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

Cold Beer & Country Music  Zach Top // Producer: Carson Chamberlain // Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey

F-1 Trillion  Post Malone // Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins // Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore

Im The Problem  Morgan Wallen // Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi // Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi

Whirlwind  Lainey Wilson // Producer: Jay Joyce // Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

SONG OF THE YEAR

4x4xU

Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson

Am I Okay?

Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney

I Never Lie

Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top

Texas

Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock

You Look Like You Love Me

Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kelsea Ballerini

Miranda Lambert

Ella Langley

Megan Moroney

Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Chris Stapleton

Zach Top

Morgan Wallen

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Lady A

Little Big Town

Old Dominion

Rascal Flatts

The Red Clay Strays

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn

Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay

Maddie & Tae

The War and Treaty

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Dont Mind If I Do  Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)

Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff

Hard Fought Hallelujah  Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll

Producer: Micah Nichols

Im Gonna Love You  Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)

Producer: Trent Willmon

Pour Me a Drink  Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton)

Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome

You Had to Be There  Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)

Producer: Kristian Bush

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Jenee Fleenor  Fiddle

Paul Franklin  Steel Guitar

Brent Mason  Guitar

Rob McNelley  Guitar

Derek Wells  Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Am I Okay?  Megan Moroney

Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney

Im Gonna Love You  Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)

Director: Dustin Haney

Somewhere Over Laredo  Lainey Wilson

Director: TK McKamy

Think Im In Love With You  Chris Stapleton

Director: Running Bear

You Look Like You Love Me  Ella Langley and Riley Green

Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Ella Langley

Shaboozey

Zach Top

Tucker Wetmore

Stephen Wilson Jr.
On Thursday, November 20, some 1,000 bodies were returned to Ukraine, which according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian servicemen, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said.

"Investigators of law enforcement agencies, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will soon carry out all necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies," the headquarters said.

It is noted that the repatriation measures were carried out as a result of the joint work of the employees of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Center under the SBU, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Office of the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and other structures of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine.

Special thanks are expressed to the personnel of the Central Directorate of the Central Military District of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Joint Center for the Provision of Measures of the Central Military District of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which transports repatriates to designated state specialized institutions, organizes the transfer of the deceased to representatives of law enforcement agencies in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and forensic medical examination in the system of the Ministry of Health.
EXCLUSIVE: Disgraced Health Freedom Influencer Carrie Madej caught LYING about 9-1-1 call and COVID Status Interrogation that Never Happened

Former doctor Carrie Madej, who was implicated in the wrongful death of a patient by administering intravenous hydrogen peroxide at fatal levels and was ordered to pay $1.3 million to the victim's family by a Tennessee court , has been caught lying about a 9-1-1 call in which she claimed 9-1-1 operators interrogated her about her COVID status, health insurance status and social security number before rendering rescue assistance.

Natural News has acquired exhaustive 9-1-1 call transcripts, audio recordings and testimony of county officials, all shown below, that prove she lied.

Carrie Madej fabricated these accusations across multiple interviews in 2022, including an interview with myself. Now, we know she was lying and painting herself as the victim when, in reality, emergency services, air traffic control and the FAA were doing everything in their power to try to find her crashed plane and render immediate medical assistance.

Carrie Madej found liable in wrongful death suit after administering lethal dose of H2O2

Carrie Madej, who surrendered her medical license in order to avoid medical board hearings -- and who refused to appear in court to defend herself in a wrongful death civil suit -- is an influencer in the health freedom space, teaming up with other experts like Dr. Sherri Tenpenny to promote health freedom. But her own track record of deceit betrays her public persona, which is probably why one doctor (see below) described her as, "...an evil, demonic person."

Another pro-freedom podcaster and influencer told me Madej was a, "very arrogant, elitist-acting, and a selfish awful creature."

As Natural News previously reported:

Jana and Steven Bennun are suing naturopathic doctor Dr. Carrie Madej for allegedly administering a lethal dose of hydrogen peroxide, leading to the death of Jana's father on December 5, 2021.

Dr. Madej administered 21 milliliters of 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide, 84 times higher than the safe limit, causing severe hemolysis and death three weeks later.

The Bennuns investigation and expert testimony confirmed the excessive dosage, with a forensic pathologist concluding the death was a homicide.

Dr. Madejs pattern of negligence includes relinquishing her medical license, potentially to avoid investigation, and a refusal to defend herself in court, resulting in a default judgment.

Official records, including court records and autopsy records, reveal Carrie Madej "treated" a patient (Mr. Suto) with a lethal dose of hydrogen peroxide. See full details in this Natural News article.

A Tennessee court sided with the family of a Tennessee man who was treated with a potent mix of hydrogen peroxide for Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, awarding his heirs $1.3 million in damages.

In a May 19 decision, Tennessee Circuit Court Judge Michael Pemberton sided with the heirs of 80-year-old Stefan Suto, who died after receiving an experimental hydrogen peroxide treatment for COVID-19 by Dr. Carrie Madej. Pemberton awarded Suto's estate, with his daughter Jana Sutoova Bennun as executrix, $1 million in punitive damages and $181,000 in compensatory damages.

He also ordered that Jana, in her capacity as an individual plaintiff, be paid $100,000 in compensatory damages and $50,000 in punitive damages. All in all, Madej was ordered to pay $1.33 million in damages, alongside all court costs taxed against her.

Autopsy report concludes "homicide"

The autopsy report concludes that the manner of death of Mr. Suto was "homicide."

You can learn more about the wrongful death civil suit and the "homicide" conclusion in this interview with Steven and Jana Ben-Nun, which I published in July at this Brighteon link.

Carrie Madej lied about 9-1-1 response to her plane crash

Now, new information is coming to light about Carrie Madej repeatedly and publicly lying about critical details surrounding a 2022 plane crash where she was the passenger.

First, she falsely claimed that air traffic control refused to call 9-1-1 to bring them help. But public records show that Sean Roberts from air traffic control (Atlanta TRACON) was the first to call 9-1-1 and report the incident in great detail, asking for medical assistance and following up with repeated calls.

But Carrie Madej alleges that air traffic control abandoned her and refused to contact 9-1-1 emergency services. She says this in multiple videos, including this snippet from the video below:

Carrie Madej: "Air traffic control had never notified 911 that we were crashing... and the air traffic controller never called 911 even though you knew we were crashing... Air Traffic Control never notified anybody, or FAA..."

But Natural News has obtained the actual audio phone records of all the 9-1-1 calls related to this incident. And those records show that Carrie Madej was lying.

Here's the actual transcript of 9-1-1 calls from public records: (at the 6:39 time stamp in the video below)

911 operator: Meriwether County, 911, operator, 946, how may I help you?

Sean Robert: Hello. This is Sean Roberts with the Atlanta, Tracon approach and Peachtree City. We had an aircraft crash about a mile north of the Warm Springs airport. He has set it down the middle of the field. And we did not know if any injuries or anything like that, but it just happened about three minutes ago.

911 operator: Do we have any other information?

Sean Roberts: I do have the lat longs of our last known radar hit on him and but other than that, he's about a more he's about a mile north of my airport.

911 operator: Warm Springs airport, right?

Sean Roberts: Yes, ma'am.

911 operator: Do we know what kind of plane it was or anything?

Sean Roberts: It's a PA 24 Comanche.

...

Not only did air traffic control call 9-1-1 to report the plane accident within three minutes, Sean Roberts went out of his way to make further calls in the interest of bringing medical attention to the pilot and passenger (Carrie Madej):

June 26, 2022 - 14:48:04

911 operator: Meriwether... (echoey), may I help you?

Sean Roberts: Yeah this is Sean Roberts... at Atlanta TRACON, ... we have a flyover and I think they found him.

911 operator: Yes, I think we found him at the same time.

Sean Roberts: What's the status of the pilot?

911 operator: One, they're asking for medical assistance. One got a leg fracture.

Sean Roberts: Okay? So they're both alive, though.

911 operator: Yes.

Sean Roberts: Two souls on board, and they're both alive, but we're just injuries.

911 operator: And we're trying to get EMS to them, because we had deputies to go in the woods to find them, and we're going to try to get them out.

Sean Roberts: Thank you so much.

###

But in repeated interviews, Carrie Madej worked to invoke outrage by falsely claiming that air traffic control never contacted 9-1-1, implying that there was some sort of plot to deny her medical assistance.

We have also obtained an audio recording of the FAA placing an urgent call to check on the accident status, and asking to talk to the 9-1-1 director to check on the response status. So both the FAA and air traffic control, as well as 9-1-1 and first responders, were all doing their jobs correctly and rapidly responding to the crash.

Yet Carrie Madej lied about them all in order to portray herself as the victim while dramatizing her plane crash to invoke outrage across the health freedom community, all while elevating her own status as a "survivor" of what she implies was an attempt to kill her.

What kind of person lies about 9-1-1?

Carrie Madej then falsely claimed that 9-1-1 demanded her COVID status and health insurance information before they would send help

Beyond lying about air traffic control, whose personnel actually went out of their way to try to locate the plane crash and send help as quickly as possible, Carrie Madej also lied about 9-1-1 dispatch, falsely claiming they questioned her about her COVID vaccine status and demanded her health insurance information before they would render help.

This was blatantly false, but she repeated the story in numerous interviews, including in an interview with me.

In one interview following the plane crash, she states, "...called 911, and the dispatch worse. I don't think that we're used to it, were in a very, very rural area, and asked about COVID status and health insurance and, you know, all kinds of stuff. I said, do you understand plane crash?"

In another interview, she repeats the same lie:

" ...able to find one of the phones called 9-1-1, dispatch. I don't know if you've heard this, but the initial thing was, I said, we said plane crash, and they asked for health insurance card to get that out. Lady, lady, what, I cannot go get a health insurance card and COVID status. And I finally got through to her that we were in a plane crash." (She said this to me in an interview that I published in 2022.)

In another interview with Dr. Lee Merritt, whom I have also interviewed numerous times, Carrie Madej lied again, saying, "...and called 911, we talked to the dispatch. Of course, they want to know our covid status."

Madej also continued with Dr. Merritt, saying, "I did say some cuss words. How bad then, then also, they wanted to know the health insurance card. They want to know social security number. Oh, no, I hope this is on recording, because I want to hear it. Oh yes, they did. They weren't. She wasn't going to go forward. So I finally had to get i. Angry and cussed a little bit, and she came back. I said, Listen. I said, if you don't get here fast, I mean, we're not gonna make it."

Dr. Merritt: "This is 911, 911, was...?"

Carrie Madej: "Yes ma'am! It is 911."

This exchange, of course, was entirely fabricated by Carrie Madej and never happened. We have the 9-1-1 recordings and transcripts to prove it.

9-1-1 never asked Carrie Madej for her COVID status, health insurance or social security information

As we have acquired all the 9-1-1 recordings and transcripts related to this incident, we can now publicly state that 9-1-1 never asked Carrie Madej for her COVID status, health insurance card or social security information.

All of that was fabricated by Madej. And she knew this from the very beginning. Yet she chose to lie to the world about the details of this incident to portray herself as a victim.

You can hear the actual 9-1-1 conversation at around the 10:22 mark in the video below. The recordings show that 9-1-1 dispatchers were professional, courteous and compassionate, doing exactly what their jobs demanded of them.

Carrie Madej threw them under the bus with false accusations in order to gain public sympathy across multiple interviews.

The full 40 minutes of audio recordings with 9-1-1 dispatch are posted in this Odysee video.

Watch the following video carefully to see a compilation of Carrie Madej's numerous lies:

A Meriwether County further confirmed that Carrie Madej was never asked for her COVID status, health insurance information or social security number:

"At no time was she ever asked... nobody was ever asked for their COVID status, social security number or health insurance during that 911 call" - Brin S. Jones, director of Meriwether County E-911 Public Safety Communications Center. Source: Brighteon.com video.

"An evil, demonic person"

What kind of person lies about 9-1-1 and paints them as horrible and unprofessional when they are trying to save your life?

In this Health Ranger interview video with Dr. Teresa Mahaffey and pharmacist Liz Thompson, Dr. Mahaffey -- who was involved in the wrongful death investigation -- she says of Carrie Madej, "She is a an evil, demonic person."

I have also acquired a confirmed message from another health freedom influencer who says Carrie Madej tried to destroy their reputation, saying: "I still have her emails where she's telling me she's going to cancel me and drag me through the sh#t with everyone she knows. She's very arrogant, elitist-acting, and a selfish awful creature. This b##ch Madej is rotten."

Madej had a medical license as D.O. in the state of Georgia (license #53123), but that's gone now. "Voluntarily surrendered" when she faced a medical board investigation.

And when the courts requested Carrie Madej appear and defend herself against a wrongful death civil case, she claimed she wasn't "Carrie Madej" per se, but rather she was "Carrie Lynn of the house and lineage of Madej" and was a "Daughter of the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob."

The courts didn't buy it, and she was found in default.

Here are the full transcripts of the available 9-1-1 calls. Notice that these transcripts fully contradict Carrie Madej's false claims about air traffic control and 9-1-1 interrogations about her COVID status and health insurance information.

Carrie Madej is a liar. And in my opinion, she strongly discredits the health freedom movement. She has been part of the "Five Docs" group, offering numerous interviews and podcasts, consisting of Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, Dr. Christiane Northrup and Dr. Larry Palevsky, Dr Lee Merritt. I have interviewed 3 out of 4 of those doctors and found them to be very credible and informative. I doubt they are aware of all the facts and evidence presented in this article, and I hope they will use good judgment in processing this information to understand the real character of Carrie Madej.

FULL 9-1-1 TRANSCRIPTS (acquired via public records)

Complete Transcript of 911 Call Audio Records from Billy Cranford and Carrie Madej's plane crash

All times EST.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:14:40pm

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Meriwether County 911 Operator 946 how may I help you?

[Sean Roberts]: Hello this is Sean Roberts with the Atlanta TRACON approach in Peachtree City. Uh, we have an aircraft crash about a mile north of the Warm Springs airport. He set it down in the middle of a field. And uh, we do not know if any injuries or anything like that but it just happened about uh, 3 minutes ago?

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright, do we have any other information?

[Sean Roberts]: I do have the lat/longs of our last known radar hit on him. And uh, but other than that, he's about... he's about a mile north of Warm Springs airport.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: A mile north of Warm Springs airport, right?

[Sean Roberts]: Yes ma'am.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright, do we know what kind of plane it was or anything?

[Sean Roberts]: It's a PA 24 Comanche. Uh, I did call him, he did give me his cellphone number.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: We've got... We've got someone calling in now about this plane crash cause he was involved in it.

[Sean Roberts]: Okay, so must be him. Could you give him this number too so when he (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Yes sir, go ahead.

[Sean Roberts]: (REDACTED)

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright and what was your name sir?

[Sean Roberts]: Sean Roberts, I'm the operations manager.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: And a good number to get back in touch... same number you gave him would be accurate for us as well?

[Sean Roberts]: Uh, yes ma'am.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Okay.

[Sean Roberts]: That's the number I gave you to call me. I do have his cellphone number if you want that. The guy who was the pilot in command, he gave it to us before he went down.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright, you said unknown injuries and all of that too, right?

[Sean Roberts]: Yes ma'am. We don't know anything... if he's calling ya'll then that's what we need to know, so.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: We'll get him to call you as well, okay?

[Sean Roberts]: Thank you ma'am, bye bye.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Thank you.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:15:12pm

[911 OPERATOR]: Meriwether County 911, where is your emergency?

[Billy Cranford]: I don't know where I'm at and I'm in a plane crash.

[911 OPERATOR]: You're where?

[Billy Cranford]: I don't know where I'm at. I've had a plane crash.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you've had a plane crash!?

[Billy Cranford]: Yeah, and I don't know where I'm at.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, what's your name sir?

[Billy Cranford]: Billy Cranford. Ah, shit.

[911 OPERATOR]: I'm sorry, what's your name again?

[Billy Cranford]: Billy Cranford. C-R-A-N.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, Billy Cranford, okay, and you don't know where you're located at.

[Billy Cranford]: No... (Unintelligible)

[911 OPERATOR]: Is anybody hurt?

[Billy Cranford]: Yes, we're both hurt.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, what type of injuries do you guys have?

[Billy Cranford]: I don't know!

[Carrie Madej]: You guys, we need help fast!

[911 OPERATOR]: Hold on one second, okay? I think we do have somebody trying to give us a location where you guys are. You can't tell me anything what's hurting on you?

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible)

[Billy Cranford]: I've got a bad head injury.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you do have a bad head injury?

[Billy Cranford]: I don't know how it happened.

[911 OPERATOR]: We do have the aviation on the phone. They want you to give them a call, we are trying to get the location where you guys are. And you said you have a bad head injury? I do see... hear a female with you, can you advise her injuries? Can you ask her?

[Carrie Madej]: Lower left leg (unintelligible) it's completely dislocated or broke... I need help to (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, lower left leg is completely broke? Okay... we do have, we've got a deputy officer coming to you, EMS and fire responding also. Do you see any fire or smoke or anything or are you still in the plane?

[Carrie Madej]: No! We just need ambulances quick.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you don't see any smoke or anything?

[Billy Cranford]: No.

[Carrie Madej]: No.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, no smoke or anything. Um, also are you... are you guys still up in a tree? Have ya'll made contact with the ground?

[Carrie Madej]: (in background) We're on the ground.

[911 OPERATOR]: You are on the ground, okay. Okay, we got 'em coming okay? But I just need you to... answer some of these questions, okay? And ma'am, what's your name?

[Carrie Madej]: Carrie M-A-D-E-J Madej (unintelligible).

[Billy Cranford]: Ah shit! My back is broke!

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, just try to lay still okay? Best you can or whatever... I do have the phone number, do you recognize the number? (REDACTED)?

[Billy Cranford]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, just stay on the phone, try not to move or anything. You do think your back is broken?

[Billy Cranford]: I don't know.

[Carrie Madej]: Listen... we... I hope someone can come quick.

[911 OPERATOR]: We got 'em coming to you guys, okay? You think your back is broken sir? What's her name?

[Billy Cranford]: Carrie, her name's Carrie Madej. My name is Billy Cranford.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, and how old are you guys? We do have EMS and fire and also a deputy responding to you guys.

[Carrie Madej]: I'm 49.

[911 OPERATOR]: And where were you guys travelling from?

[Billy Cranford]: (Unintelligible).

[Carrie Madej]: We're 7 minutes away from Newnan airfield.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you do know... and were you trying to make it to the Warm Springs airport?

[Billy Cranford]: Ma'am I don't even know, I've had a bad head injury.

[Carrie Madej]: I don't know (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, okay, but you do know your name is Mr. Billy Cranford, correct?

[Billy Cranford]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: I'm still on the line. Do you... do you know if you're lined up with the runway?

[Billy Cranford]: (Unintelligible) I've had a major head injury.

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible) Couldn't make it.

[Billy Cranford]: I've had a major head injury, I don't know...

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, I hear you say you've had a major head injury. What's... what's the female, I can barely hear her, what's she saying in the background? Does she have some knowledge on what's going on?

[Carrie Madej]: We're in the woods, we don't know where we're at.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you are in the woods, okay.

[Billy Cranford]: I'm bleeding.

[911 OPERATOR]: We do... we do have them coming to you, you're probably gonna hear the sirens and everything, and outside of your bad head injury I know you said you're bleeding... do you see anywhere else on your body that you're bleeding from? Outside of her leg injury? Just stay on the line with me, we do have 'em coming.

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible) my left leg okay, they can fix that, but it's gonna be not a good (unintelligible). There's another airport (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Cedar Rock Road.

[Billy Cranford]: I have a bad head injury.

[911 OPERATOR]: Hold on, we got 'em coming to you, okay? We are trying to get uh, coordinates on you guys too.

[Carrie Madej]: Oh please ma'am! My leg, I mean, I... please, just save my leg, you have to come fast.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, we got 'em coming to you, okay? Just... just bear with me. And like I said, we're also trying to work with the aviation to see if we can get the longitude and latitude on you guys too, okay?

[Billy Cranford]: (Unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Sir, were you the pilot to this plane?

[Billy Cranford]: I'm the pilot.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, do you know what type of plane it is sir? Single engine?

[Billy Cranford]: (Unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: It is a single engine? Okay.

[Billy Cranford]: (Unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, I understand, okay did you know... did you remember the color to the plane? You just try to stay still as much as you guys can, we're trying our best to get to you okay?

[Carrie Madej]: Do you know our location?

[911 OPERATOR]: Ma'am I'm sorry, what did you say?

[Billy Cranford]: Do you know our location?

[911 OPERATOR]: Yeah, we're trying to get it, I'm seeing you're in the Harris City area. You're not far from the Warm Springs airport. We're just trying to get to you. Also we are trying to get with the aircraft to see if they can get a longitude and latitude on you guys, okay? And you don't see anything around you, just woods, right?

[Billy Cranford]: Yes, correct.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay.

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible) and send it to her.

[Billy Cranford]: Wait, I can't hardly move.

[911 OPERATOR]:Okay, try not to move okay? If both of you could just try to stay still, I know you could be... I don't know if you have anything where you can make a tourniquet or something if it's... like her leg, I'm not sure. But, if you could guys try to stay still as much as you can, we got it coming to you, okay? Let me know if you hear any kind of sirens.

[Billy Cranford]: (Unintelligible).

[Carrie Madej]: Baby I can't... I can't move sweetie. Here, let me see if I can pin on the map.

[Billy Cranford]: Oh, my back's killing me.

[Carrie Madej]: Okay, can you give me my... can you give me the phone? Let me see if I can pin it.

[911 OPERATOR]: And try not to move nothing where it'll hang up, try not to hang up on me okay? If you do, I need you to call 911 again so we can be connected back with you.

[Carrie Madej]: I know, I know... I know. (Unintelligible) You too, sweetie. You too.

[911 OPERATOR]: And ma'am while I do have you again. I could barely hear your name, what's your name ma'am?

[Carrie Madej]: Oh god, it's Carrie C-A-R-R-I-E M-A-D-E-J Madej.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay. Do ya'll hear the sirens, Ms. Carrie?

[Carrie Madej]: No we do not.

[911 OPERATOR]: They do not hear the sirens. okay. We're trying to get them as close to you as we can, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible) I don't know.

[911 OPERATOR]: It's okay, we're gonna get 'em to them, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible) on my 911, I can't pin... pin... will it help if I pin?

[911 OPERATOR]: I'm... I'm really not sure, I just wanna keep you on the phone, okay? Try not to disconnect me, okay? Ma'am?

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible).

[Billy Cranford]: Wait I gotta get out.

[Carrie Madej]: Oh my god I don't know if I can move my leg though.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, try, try not... let me know if you see any smoke or anything, okay? Like I said, we just got EMS and fire. (Unintelligible) single engine plane. Do you know the color of that plane?

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible)

[911 OPERATOR]: Ms. Carrie? Ms. Carrie?

[Carrie Madej]: I don't know, my leg looks like...

[911 OPERATOR]: Ms. Carrie? Look I want you to try to be still okay? Excited or anything okay? And what color is this aircraft?

[Carrie Madej]: I told you white!

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay. I'm... I'm sorry, I'm trying to get you the best I can, okay? And where were you guys travelling from?

[Carrie Madej]: Ugh, I told you Florida!

[911 OPERATOR]: You're coming... you came from Florida.

[Carrie Madej]: Let me pin the location cause you guys don't know where we're at.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, if you can turn something on to get a location and give it to me that's fine, but we are trying to do the best we can, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: I know... I know... (Unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: And let me know if you can hear any sirens, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: I hear nothing.

[911 OPERATOR]: You hear nothing? So, we have several in the area trying to find you guys in the woods.

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible).

JUNE 26, 2022

2:15:59pm

[911 CALL CENTER]: 133-151 We have a plane crash.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Plane crash? What's the location?

[911 CALL CENTER]: We have the subject by landline. He's a mile south... north, of Warm Springs airport, not really sure where.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Clearing the route.

[911 CALL CENTER]: (Unintelligible) Once I get more information I'll give you a call back, he survived with no injuries.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Sorry, what type of aircraft?

[911 CALL CENTER]: A PA 24 Comanche.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: 10-4, is it on fire?

JUNE 26, 2022

2:20:57pm

[Sean Roberts]: This is Atlanta approach, Sean speaking.

[911 CALL CENTER]: Hi Sean.

[Sean Roberts]: Hello, hello.

[911 CALL CENTER]: Hi Sean, can you give me the lat and long of that vehicle cra- airplane crash, in Meriwether?

[Sean Roberts]: Yep, all we have is 32, 58, 11... and uh 084... 41, 49...

[911 CALL CENTER]: Okay so, 32. The lat was 32.5811?

[Sean Roberts]: That's correct.

[911 CALL CENTER]: And the long was 08 what?

[Sean Roberts]: 084... 41, 49.

[911 CALL CENTER]: 084, 41, 49.

[Sean Roberts]: That's correct.

[911 CALL CENTER]: Alright, thank you.

[Sean Roberts]: Yeah that's all... that was the last radar hit, that doesn't mean necessarily that that's where he is.

[911 CALL CENTER]: Alright thank you.

[Sean Roberts]: Alright.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:28:00

[911 OPERATOR]: I lost them.

[VOICEMAIL]

JUNE 26, 2022

2:28:37

[911 OPERATOR]: Hey this is 911, you got disconnected from me, is this Carrie?

[Carrie Madej]: I just... I just pinned and sent it to um... his son Tyler. His son Tyler has the pin. (Unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, do you have his son Tyler's phone number so we can call him and see if he gets the pin? Or he's gonna contact you guys?

[Carrie Madej]: (REDACTED)

[911 OPERATOR]: His name is Tyler?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, and we just need to ask him if he's got a pin, what you sent him, correct?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah, yeah... message, message.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, hold on one second, I'm gonna get another (unintelligible). We're gonna give him a call, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah.

[911 OPERATOR]: We've got 'em on the way. We are contacting Tyler, okay? We're gonna see what we can do.

[Carrie Madej]: Please help us, please!

[911 OPERATOR]: We... we... we're on the way, okay? (Unintelligible). We are gonna try to get GSP to send their helicopter up too. We're... we're doing the best we can to get you guys out of there, okay? And like I said, I need you guys to stay calm for me, okay? Both of you. Every now and then I just want you to repeat your names to me, okay? Makes sure... okay, listen to me, okay? Where's Mr... where's Mr... do ya'll have a flare or anything on board? I know he's trying to move and get out. Do ya'll have a flare where you can... where you can shoot it up?

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: You... you don't?

[Billy Cranford]: I gotta get out of this airplane.

[911 OPERATOR]: Are you gonna be able to get out, sir?

[Billy Cranford]: My back is killing me.

[Carrie Madej]: Do you want me to pin somebody else? Baby, I can't move.

[911 OPERATOR]: Tyler didn't answer.

[Billy Cranford]: (Unintelligible) need Tyler for?

JUNE 26, 2022

2:32:09

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Meriwether County 911 Operator 946 how may I help you?

[UNKNOWN]: Hi this is (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Hi, this is Jennifer, hang on just a second.

[UNKNOWN]: Okay.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright I'm sorry (unintelligible) how can I help you?

[UNKNOWN]: Okay, this is (unintelligible), regarding this aircraft um... aviation call. I've got my aviation unit, he's currently (unintelligible) he wanted to know if you guys have a deputy or somebody on scene that he could contact.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Un, he can contact either Battalion 1, er... let me give you the Captain of the Fire Department, Ethridge.

[UNKNOWN]: Okay.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: You want that phone number?

[UNKNOWN]: Sure go ahead.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: (REDACTED)

[UNKNOWN]: You said uh, Captain Ethridge?

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Yes.

[UNKNOWN]: Alright, I got it, thank you.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:32:46

[Tyler Cranford]: Hello?

[911 OPERATOR]: Tyler?

[Tyler Cranford]: Yes?

[911 OPERATOR]: This is Katrina with Meriwether County 911. Do you have the coordinates for your parents?

[Tyler Cranford]: To my what?

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, she said... your mom said that she sent a ping to your phone?

[Tyler Cranford]: My mom? No.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, Tyler doesn't know what I'm talking about. Don't hang up, Tyler. Did your mom send you something to your phone?

[Tyler Cranford]: Um no ma'am, my dad just did. He sent me his location.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, what's the location?

[Tyler Cranford]: Uh, hold on one sec. It's some place in Harris... uh, off Cedar Rock Road.

[911 OPERATOR]: So they're... they're near... they're close to Cedar Rock Road?

[Tyler Cranford]: What... is everything okay?

[911 OPERATOR]: Uh... they've gone... the plane has gone down but we're talking to 'em, we're just trying to find 'em. Okay, you said...

[Tyler Cranford]: Um...

[911 OPERATOR]: Cedar Rock Road?

[Tyler Cranford]: Uh, I got... I got... I got a... uhm, coordinates.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, what are they?

[Tyler Cranford]: 32.97039 North.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, hold on, go slow. 32.957?

[Tyler Cranford]: 32.97039.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay.

[Tyler Cranford]: That's North.

[911 OPERATOR]: Uh-huh.

[Tyler Cranford]: 84.69803 West.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, 32.39 North. 84.69803 West.

[Tyler Cranford]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay.

[Tyler Cranford]: It's off Cedar Rock Road.

[911 OPERATOR]: It's off Cedar Rock Road, don't hang up on me, keep talking to me... they're on Cedar Rock Road, behind Cedar Rock Road or close to it. Okay... Tyler we're still helping them by landline so, we're talking to 'em... um, where were they headed?

[Tyler Cranford]: Um, they were headed back from... the beach. I don't know, I haven't talked to 'em in a couple of days.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, they were headed back from Florida and they were going where? Where... where do they live?

[Tyler Cranford]: Uh, well, his airport is in Coweta County... Uh, the, uh, Coweta County Airport.

[911 OPERATOR]: They were headed to the Coweta County airport. 97039 North. Hold on, Tyler I'm gonna put you on hold for just a second.

[Tyler Cranford]: Uhm, yeah.

[911 OPERATOR]: Don't hang up, just hold on.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:32:48

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah, I am (unintelligible) trying to get a pin.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, that's fine if you do, I just wanna keep calling you... if you can drop a pin (unintelligible).

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible) let me get the pin.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:33:27

[911 OPERATOR]: Hey, hello?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah (unintelligible) find the pin!

[911 OPERATOR]: Hey hey, listen listen, we have Tyler on the phone. What did you send him? What is he looking for? Did you send it on the text?

[Carrie Madej]: I (unintelligible) sent him a text.

[911 OPERATOR]: She sent a location in the text. See if he can get it. We got him on the phone, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: No, I still need to find another pin, please.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, and I'll just... I'll just call you back (unintelligible) you can call me, I'll give you a couple of seconds.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:35:36

[911 OPERATOR]: Ms. Carrie? Hello? Ms. Carrie can you hear me?

[Carrie Madej]: Yes, yeah yeah yeah.

[911 OPERATOR]: (Unintelligible) coordinates. We did get the coordinates from your son so we're trying to go ahead and get that... the longitude and latitude, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: Oh god, help us, please.

[911 OPERATOR]: How is Mr. Billy doing?

[Billy Cranford]: Ah, you know, I think something broke, I don't know. I'm bleeding severely.

(Unintelligible cross-talk)

[911 OPERATOR]: Is he bleeding heavily from your head? Or, or any other area?

[Billy Cranford]: I can't tell.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, I understand.

[Carrie Madej]: He can't tell, yeah, but he's okay.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, Ms. Carrie, how is your bleeding, not bad also?

[Carrie Madej]: It's not good, it's not good, okay?

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, I understand. Yes ma'am. Like I said, we're trying to get 'em to you, okay? Your son, he did give us the longitude and latitude.

[Carrie Madej]: Please help us, oh god, please we need you.

[911 OPERATOR]: We got 'em coming to you.

[Billy Cranford]: Where are we?

[911 OPERATOR]: You're... you're gonna be... you're... from what I'm gathering you're gonna be in just between Warm Springs and Greenville in an unincorporated area called Harris City. We're... we're trying to get to you, I think you're gonna be in the woods off of near Cedar Rock Road.

[Carrie Madej]: Please (unintelligible), send somebody... please...

[Billy Cranford]: I don't even know where that's at.

[911 OPERATOR]: And I know you came from Flor... where were you guys headed? Were you going to the airport in Warm Springs?

[Carrie Madej]: Newnan, Newnan, Newnan, Newnan... please...

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you were going to Newnan?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you were going to Newnan, okay, I'm familiar with that.

[Carrie Madej]: Please...

[911 OPERATOR]: Hold on one second. We... we got 'em coming to you guys, okay? And let me know if you hear anything, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: How can you help us without the coordinates?

[911 OPERATOR]: We've got 'em coming to you, okay? This is the thing we got from your son, I'm glad you sent the pin to him... Neither one of you guys feel like you're about to pass out or anything, do you?

[Billy Cranford]: I don't know.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay. Do ya'll have any water or anything on board with you guys?

[Carrie Madej]: No please, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know...

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay... I know it's frustrating for me to ask these questions, okay? But you just try to bear with me... Do ya'll hear the sirens (unintelligible).

[Carrie Madej]: Fuck! No! Please! Oh my god, help me!

[Billy Cranford]: Oh god. Alright, I got to get strength to help us. Heavenly father, give me strength to help us. Give me strength to help us.

[911 OPERATOR]: We do have GSP aviation in route to you guys, okay? We're gonna find you guys, just hang tight, we're gonna find you. Ms. Carrie (unintelligible) you still there? Hello, Ms. Carrie? Hello? Ms. Carrie?

JUNE 26, 2022

2:36:49

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Meriwether County 911 Operator 946 how may I help you?

[Robert]: Hi, it's Robert.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Hey Robert, 32.97039 North by 84... hang on Robert... .69803 West. Alright coordinates gonna (unintelligible) I don't know why it's (unintelligible) but that's what they're doing. What can I do for you Robert?

[Robert]: Uh, well, I guess I can get those coordinates from you since we have no (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Okay, you ready?

[Robert]: Yes ma'am, hold on one second, I'm sorry... okay, go ahead and give 'em to me.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: 32.97039 North.

[Robert]: 32.97039 North.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: By 84.69803 West.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:40:31

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, I'm still here, I just don't want you to hang up, okay?

[Tyler Cranford]: Okay.

[911 OPERATOR]: Tyler.

[Tyler Cranford]: Yes ma'am.

[911 OPERATOR]: Stay by the phone, I'm gonna give you a call back, okay?

[Tyler Cranford]: Okay.

[911 OPERATOR]: Alright, bye.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:40:40

[911 OPERATOR]: Ya'll I lost 'em again.

[VOICEMAIL]

JUNE 26, 2022

2:41:31

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah.

[911 OPERATOR]: Hi, Ms. Carrie?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah?

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay I'm just trying to keep you guys on the phone, we got disconnected. We're doing all we can to get to you, to get to both of you, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: Do you know where we're at?

[911 OPERATOR]: Yes ma'am, we... we're in the area. They're trying to get you... they're trying to get to you as quick as they can, okay? Do you know if ya'll have a flare on the plane?

[Carrie Madej]: No ma'am and I... couldn't get to it. I cannot move my leg. It's bad, it's really really bad.

[911 OPERATOR]: I'm sorry.

[Carrie Madej]: I hear some sirens.

[911 OPERATOR]: You do hear some sirens?

[Carrie Madej]: (Unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay... keep... I know you probably don't... I know you don't know... let us know if we get closer and closer to you and which way did you hear it, okay?

[Billy Cranford]: Yeah it seems closer.

[Carrie Madej]: It sounds closer.

[911 OPERATOR]: It do sounds like it's getting closer and closer to you?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay.

[Carrie Madej]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, just hang tight. We're gonna have you out of there before you know it, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: Okay.

[911 OPERATOR]: I think that I hear it in the background too.

[Carrie Madej]: Oh lord, help us.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, just stay on the phone with me, okay? You guys are gonna be okay.

[Carrie Madej]: Okay.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, it's getting louder and louder, we're... we're getting to you as quick as we can.

[Carrie Madej]: Okay. HELP! HELP! HELP!

[Billy Cranford]: I'll see if I can get out.

[Carrie Madej]: HELP!

[Billy Cranford]: I think my back's broken I (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: We are gonna turn the sirens off, so if you want to see if you... if you can scream, that's fine.

[Carrie Madej]: HELP!

[911 OPERATOR]: Did you hear his voice?

[Carrie Madej]: HELP!

[911 OPERATOR]: Ms. Carrie, can you hear his voice?

{Carrie Madej]: HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!

[Billy Cranford]: Let me get out.

[Carrie Madej]: No, you're not getting out.

[911 OPERATOR]: Try not to move Mr. Billy if you can, try not to move.

[Carrie Madej]: HELP! HELP! Can they hear me?

[911 OPERATOR]: We're... we're trying... (unintelligible) turn off the sirens, can you hear him?

[Carrie Madej]: Yeah. HELP!

[Billy Cranford]: Ah, shit!

[Carrie Madej]: Can he hear me?

[911 OPERATOR]: He still can't hear you, but he's trying to call for you too.

[Carrie Madej]: HELP! HELP!

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay we're gonna have them try to get closer.

[Carrie Madej]: HELP!

[911 OPERATOR]: Ms. Carrie, try to rest your voice for a minute, okay? We got them coming deeper into the woods, okay?

[Carrie Madej]: HELP!

JUNE 26, 2022

2:42:35

[Sean Roberts]: Atlanta approach, Sean speaking.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Hi Sean, this is Jennifer at Meriwether, you have anymore information, have you?

[Sean Roberts]: I do not.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Okay, we're still attempting to locate them.

[Sean Roberts]: Yeah, we got a uh... an aircraft that's gonna try to get over there to fly around, we had one earlier, did not see any smoke... so, uhm... you know, we're still looking... so, if we need anything, I will call you.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright thank you.

[Sean Roberts]: Alright, bye.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright, bye. Battalion 1.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:43:38

[Mike]: Atlanta approach, it's Mike.

[911 CALL CENTER]: Hey Mike, I was talking to Sean, I followed up. Um, last question is, do we have a tail number for this airplane crash?

[Mike]: Yes, the number one four Foxtrot Charlie.

[911 CALL CENTER]: One four Foxtrot Charlie. Thank you so much.

[Mike]: Yep, no problem.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:46:18

[911 OPERATOR]: (Unintelligible).

[VOICEMAIL]

JUNE 26, 2022

2:48:04

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Meriwether 911, 911 Operator 943 how can I help you?

[Sean Roberts]: Yeah this is Sean Roberts with the Atlanta TRACON and uh... we have an airplane accident and we got a fly over and they think they found him.

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Yes, I think we found them at the same time.

[Sean Roberts]: Okay, good. Do they... is uh... what's the status of the uh... pilot?

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Hold on, one's there asking for medical assistance and one's got a leg fracture.

[Sean Roberts]: Okay, so they're both alive though?

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Yes.

[Sean Roberts]: Two souls on board and they're both alive but with just injuries, okay.

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Yes, yes. And we're trying to get EMS to them, cause we had deputies to go in the woods to find them and we're gonna try to get 'em out.

[Sean Roberts]: Thank you so much and uh, did you get uh... happen to get his name? Names of any of 'em?

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Of the... people in the...

[Sean Roberts]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Hold on, hold on, hold on.

[Sean Roberts]: I think one guy's name is Billy Cranton.

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Right and his wife is named... is her name Cathy? Carrie.

[Sean Roberts]: Carrie, okay. Alright, we just wanna know they made it, that's what the main thing is, so.

[911 OPERATOR #943]: Yeah, we're trying to get 'em out.

[Sean Roberts]: Thank you, bye bye.

[911 OPERATOR #943]: You're welcome.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:50:10

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Meriwether County 911 Operator 901 how can I help you?

[UNKNOWN]: Yes ma'am this is (unintelligible) control.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Mhm.

[UNKNOWN]: We've noticed ya'll found these people, can you tell me where and if you still need aviation for any reason.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Do they still need aviation and GSP? And yes, we have found them. And they used the (unintelligible) 7-17 Cedar Rock Road. So we just gonna get personnel back in there to them, that's all right now, but um, they are trying to (unintelligible).

[UNKNOWN]: You said Cedar Round Road?

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Rock.

[UNKNOWN]: Rock.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Mhm.

[UNKNOWN]: And do you still need aviation?

[911 OPERATOR #901]: I'm not sure, we're asking them.

[UNKNOWN]: Alright, thank you.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: I'm not sure, uh-huh.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:50:49

[FIRST RESPONDER]: We gotta get medics in here, so.

[911 OPERATOR]: Alright (unintelligible).

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: (Unintelligible).

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Yes. We're at the plane uh, I'm going back towards... uh, the (unintelligible) 895 Cedar Rock... and (unintelligible).

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, you said... do they need to come in at 895?

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Yeah that's the closest driveway and we're back here in the woods, behind that residence.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay, I don't... I don't see an 895, hold on one second let me try to pull it up.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: It's 8 something.

[911 OPERATOR]: Oh, is it the 717?

[FIRST RESPONDER]: No, this is... this is a 8 (unintelligible)... the driveway's next to the hay field... it's got this (unintelligible) of hay.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay I know that's what you're talking about, I found it.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Alright.

[911 OPERATOR]: Uh-huh.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: I'm going... I'm going back out and I'll get a medic to them.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay and it is (unintelligible) on Cedar Rock Road, it is gonna be north right?

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: Okay... alright, I found it.

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Alright.

[911 OPERATOR]: Mhm, bye-bye.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:51:22

[Airlife Georgia]: Airlife Georgia, this is Shelley.

[911 CALL CENTER]: I need to check on the availability of two Lifelines.

[Airlife Georgia]: Response or standby?

[911 CALL CENTER]: Response.

[Airlife Georgia]: For both of them?

[911 CALL CENTER]: For both.

[Airlife Georgia]: Okay, what county are you calling from?

[911 CALL CENTER]: Meriwether.

[Airlife Georgia]: Where do you want the first helicopter to land at?

[911 CALL CENTER]: Hang on... (unintelligible) for both choppers? Battalion 1? (Unintelligible) Roosevelt Memorial Airport. Address is 9656 Roosevelt Highway.

[Airlife Georgia]: Alright I appreciate (unintelligible) call anybody else (unintelligible).

[911 CALL CENTER]: We would not.

[Airlife Georgia]: What's going on?

[911 CALL CENTER]: We had an airplane crash with two subjects involved. One's complaining of a possibly broken back and the other's complaining of a head injury and a possibly broken leg.

[Airlife Georgia]: For the first aircraft, who is gonna be their ground contact?

[911 CALL CENTER]: Battalion 1.

[Airlife Georgia]: And what frequency?

[911 CALL CENTER]: Fire central.

[Airlife Georgia]: Alrighty, I'll check with my Airlife 1 for one and then I'll call Airvac 77 for the other one.

[911 CALL CENTER]: Alright, thank you.

[Airlife Georgia]: Thank you.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:52:58

[911 OPERATOR #903] Meriwether 911 Operator 903, how may I help you?

[Rick] Hi I'm Rick at the operations here at the Federal Aviation Administration calling in reference to accident out there... and uh, just curious if you guys have anybody on scene we could get our... (unintelligible) to talk to.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: We have... we have a deputy on scene, we have a couple of deputies on scene. We're just trying to get our EMS personnel back to 'em, trying to figure out the best way to go in.

[Rick]: Yeah are you able to get a inspector or one of your (unintelligible) or chiefs or whoever can give us a call?

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Hold on... I... hold on, for a second...

JUNE 26, 2022

2:54:12

[Airlife Georgia]: Airlife Georgia, this is Shelley.

[911 CALL CENTER]: This is (unintelligible) with Meriwether (unintelligible) public service... I uh, hung up on whoever was (unintelligible) response from the Lifeline.

[Airlife Georgia]: Oh, okay, hold on one second for me. I'm checking with Airlife 1, they're checking weather right now.

JUNE 26, 2022

2:59:44

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Hey Shelby, this is Jennifer with Meriwether 911, I've been on the hold for a while, I was trying to see if we've got a (unintelligible).

[Airlife Georgia]: Sorry, I was trying to get a hold of Airvac... I've got Airlife 1 responding, they're gonna be there in 25... and Airvac 77 is also responding, they'll be there in 20.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Airlife 1... eh, e-vac 77?

[Airlife Georgia]: That's correct.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright, thank you so much.

[Airlife Georgia]: Not a problem there, thank you.

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Alright, bye bye.

JUNE 26, 2022

3:05:57

[911 OPERATOR #903] Meriwether County 911 Operator 903, how can I help you?

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Hi there (unintelligible) FAA.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Okay, hold on one second.

June 26, 2022

3:06:18

[911 OPERATOR]: Hi, you wanna talk to the FAA guy?

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Yes, yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: Hang on just a second, let me transfer you, okay?

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Alright thanks... hey, (unintelligible) they're probably gonna need us. The name and number.

[911 OPERATOR]: You mean... speak to the... to the aviation guy?

[FIRST RESPONDER]: Yes, the name and number for the aviation guy.

[911 OPERATOR]: Alright, hold on, let me transfer you and I'll send it.

(RINGING)

[Sean Roberts]: Atlanta approach, Sean speaking.

[911 CALL CENTER]: Hey Sean, I got one of the deputies on scene, to speak with you, go ahead.

[Sean Roberts]: Okay.

JUNE 26, 2022

3:06:53

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Meriwether County 911 Operator 903, how can I help you?

[Airlife Georgia]: Hey it's Shelley with Airlife Georgia. Airlife 1 just lifted from their base to go over to the airport, they should be there in about 15 minutes.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Okay, um, did they change the... did they change the um... landing zone? Did we change the landing zone?

[Airlife Georgia]: Uh, no, I was told Roosevelt Memorial Airport.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Okay, okay, thank you.

[Airlife Georgia]: Thank you.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Uh-huh.

JUNE 26, 2022

3:12:10

[Airlife Georgia]: Airlife Georgia, this is Shelley.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Shelley this is Jennifer from Meriwether 911. We've got... we've got two Lifelines coming our way, I need to change the LZ.

[Airlife Georgia]: Okay, where are we sending them to?

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Now, an address of 845 at Cedar Rock Road. There is a giant field at that location, they should see it if they fly over.

[Airlife Georgia]: Is that uh, Greenville?

[911 OPERATOR #903]: 845 Cedar Rock, the city should be Greenville.

[Airlife Georgia]: Give me one second I can get you an ETA.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Okay, I know one of 'em was a minute and a half out a minute ago.

[Airlife Georgia]: Airlife 1 Gryphon. (Unintelligible) Airlife 1 on Gryphon Tower. They should be about 6 minutes out in their current location, I'm trying to get a hold of them.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: We've got Airlife 1 communicating on our band.

[Airlife Georgia]: That would be why he's not answering. Um, are your guys telling them to go to...

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Yeah, they're telling the first Lifeline to go to the (unintelligible) can you tell the second one?

[Airlife Georgia]: Yeah I can give Airvac a call and they'll...

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Alright, thank you.

[Airlife Georgia]: Thank you.

JUNE 26, 2022

3:13:19

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Meriwether County 901, how can I help you?

[Tyler Cranford]: Hey, this is Tyler Cranford, I just received a phone call about 20 minutes ago that my dad's airplane has crashed.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Yes sir.

[Tyler Cranford]: I've trying to see if ya'll have anymore details for me.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Hold on one second, okay?

[Tyler Cranford]: Okay.

JUNE 26, 2022

3:13:41

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Hey, Tyler.

[Tyler Cranford]: Hey.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: We've... we've got units out with them. We've got EMS on the scene and we have... um, we're gonna fly 'em out. I don't know where, at this moment. But they're about to...

[Tyler Cranford]: So... so... so he's alive?

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Yeah they're both alive.

[Tyler Cranford]: Okay.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: You don't remember me telling you that in the beginning? Haha?

[Tyler Cranford]: No, I do not.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Okay, I'm gonna call you back and let you know where they're going.

[Tyler Cranford]: Alright.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Okay.

[Tyler Cranford]: Alright.

[911 OPERATOR #901]: Bye bye.

JUNE 26, 2022

3:31:45

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Meriwether County 911 Operator 946, where is your emergency?

[Tyler Cranford]: Um, yes, this is not an emergency... my dad's plane crashed in Meriwether County and we're trying to...

[911 OPERATOR #946]: Tyler? Hi Tyler. Hang on just a second (unintelligible). Um, I don't know where they're going.

[Tyler Cranford]: Um, who's gonna find out (unintelligible)?

[911 OPERATOR #946]: No no, we're discussing whether we know where they're going.

[Tyler Cranford]: Okay, we... we got 'em on the phone. Thank you so much.

JUNE 26, 2022

3:34:20

[Tyler Cranford]: Hello.

[911 OPERATOR]: Tyler.

[Tyler Cranford]: Yes.

[911 OPERATOR]: Hey this is Katrina, 911 Meriwether County, they're going to...

[Tyler Cranford]: Yes ma'am.

[911 OPERATOR]: ...Atlanta Medical Center.

[Tyler Cranford]: Atlanta Medical Center, alright, thank you so much.

[911 OPERATOR]: You're more than welcome.

[Tyler Cranford]: Alright, bye.

JUNE 26, 2022

4:27:56

[Sean Roberts]: Hello, Atlanta approach, Sean speaking.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Hey Sean this is Jennifer at 911, you don't happen to have the registration number for that plane, do you?

[Sean Roberts]: Uh, just uh, the number one four Foxtrot Charlie, that's it.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Alright, cause we're trying to run it through DCIC and it saying it's not the right number.

[Sean Roberts]: Yeah that's the call sign, the number one four FC.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Alright, and we don't know the serial number or anything on that do we?

[Sean Roberts]: Oh no, that's just the call sign, the tail number... that's all we have.

[911 OPERATOR #903]: Okay... alright... thank you sir.
Epstein files release sparks concerns about potential redactions and oversight

National Security Redactions Threaten Transparency - The newly passed Epstein bill allows redactions for "national security," raising concerns that powerful figuresespecially those linked to intelligence agencieswill be shielded from exposure.

- The newly passed Epstein bill allows redactions for "national security," raising concerns that powerful figuresespecially those linked to intelligence agencieswill be shielded from exposure. Trumps Shifting Stance Raises Suspicions - Former President Trump initially dismissed Epsteins crimes as a "hoax," then claimed only Democrats were involved, but now supports the billdespite its loopholes protecting key operatives.

- Former President Trump initially dismissed Epsteins crimes as a "hoax," then claimed only Democrats were involved, but now supports the billdespite its loopholes protecting key operatives. Israel-Linked Donors Attack Truth-Seekers - Pro-Israel donors are funding smear campaigns against Rep. Thomas Massie, suggesting Epsteins network was a Mossad blackmail operation targeting global elites for political leverage.

- Pro-Israel donors are funding smear campaigns against Rep. Thomas Massie, suggesting Epsteins network was a Mossad blackmail operation targeting global elites for political leverage. DOJs Pam Bondi Holds Unilateral Redaction Power - Critics warn that Bondis authority to scrub names under "national security" pretexts ensures intelligence assets and compromised politicians remain hidden from public scrutiny.

- Critics warn that Bondis authority to scrub names under "national security" pretexts ensures intelligence assets and compromised politicians remain hidden from public scrutiny. Activists Demand Full Disclosure - Survivors and investigators insist unredacted files are essential, arguing that if child trafficking is buried under "national security," the justice system is irreparably corrupted.

The long-awaited release of the Jeffrey Epstein files took a concerning turn this week as the newly passed bill included a controversial clause allowing redactions for "national security" reasons. While the legislation sailed through Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support427 to 1 in the House and unanimous consent in the Senatecritics warn that this loophole could protect powerful figures implicated in Epsteins global sex trafficking network.

Mike Adams, founder of Brighteon, condemned former President Donald Trumps past dismissal of the Epstein scandal as a "hoax," pointing to the glaring contradiction in Trumps shifting stance. "First, he claimed it was all fake. Then he said it only implicated Democrats. Now, suddenly, Congress fast-tracks the releasebut with a catch," Adams noted. "Why include a national security exemption unless the goal is to shield blackmail operatives?"

The Redaction Clause: A Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card?

Under the bill, Pam Bondi of the Department of Justice holds unilateral authority to redact names deemed a national security risk. Adams and other skeptics argue this provision ensures key figuresparticularly those tied to intelligence agencies or foreign governmentswill remain hidden.

Speaker Mike Johnson defended the amendment, claiming it protects "innocent individuals." Yet Adams fired back: "Innocent people dont vacation on Pedophile Island. They dont attend temple orgies with trafficked minors. This is about protecting Mossad assets and the politicians they own."

Israel-Linked Donors Target Truth-Seekers

The pushback against transparency has been fierce. Rep. Thomas Massie, who spearheaded the bill, faces a well-funded smear campaign by pro-Israel donors. Adams highlighted the irony: "Why are billionaires with ties to Israel dumping millions into defeating Massie? Because Epstein was a Mossad operative. His entire operation was about entrapping elites on tape for blackmail."

Victims testimonies, like the harrowing video of a survivor declaring, "There are about 1,000 of us Its time to bring the secrets out of the shadows," underscore the gravity of the cover-up. Yet Adams warns the redactions will render the files toothless: "Theyll blame a few Democrats, scrub the Republicans, and bury the foreign intelligence connections."

Trumps Troubling Flip-Flops

Trumps evolving narrativefrom dismissing the scandal as fake to reluctantly endorsing the releaseraises red flags. Adams noted, "If its a hoax, why redact anything? The truth is, Epsteins blackmail ring is real, and it implicates everyone from Wall Street to the White House."

The involvement of Trumps chief of staff, Susie Wilesa former PR executive for Pfizer and other corporate giantsfurther fuels suspicions. "Shes the gatekeeper ensuring Pharma and deep state interests trump justice," Adams asserted.

What Comes Next?

With the files release imminent, activists demand unredacted transparency. "Every name must be exposed," Adams insisted. "If national security trumps child rape, then our system is beyond corrupted."

As the world waits, one question lingers: Will the Epstein files finally unveil the truthor become another weaponized narrative in a deeper game of power and deception?

Watch the Nov. 19 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about Epstein files to be released AFTER all names of powerful people are SCRUBBED.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Dershowitz slams Trump administration for suppressing Epstein files

Failed release of Epstein files reveals Deep Sate resistance

Trump torches former supporters as weaklings, disregards Epstein files as hoax

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
FARA filing reveals Israeli governments $6M push to shape conservative media narratives

A FARA filing reveals a $6 million contract between Salem Media (a major conservative network) and the Israeli government, involving former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale as a registered foreign agent to push pro-Israel messaging across Salem's platforms.

The deal tasks Parscale with embedding Israeli-approved narratives into Salem's radio stations, websites (Townhall, RedState) and podcastsreaching millions monthlywithout clear disclosure to audiences, blurring journalism and foreign propaganda.

Salem hosts prominent pro-Israel voices like Dinesh D'Souza and Josh Hammer, who dismiss critics as "anti-Israel" and even call for their "neutralization," while Israel pays $1.5M/month to shape coverage.

The deal fuels tensions between the pro-Israel GOP establishment and "America First" factions. Watchdogs (Quincy Institute, Public Citizen) filed DOJ complaints over undisclosed Israeli payments to U.S. influencers, citing Netanyahu's push to bolster U.S. support.

Critics warn such foreign-funded campaigns erode trust in media and political discourse, with Salem itself admitting the Gaza war risks its revenueeven as it promotes narratives that may prolong the conflict. The filing exposes Israel's covert efforts to sway U.S. conservatives.

A newly disclosed Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filing has exposed a $6 million contract between Salem Mediaone of America's largest conservative media networksand the Israeli government, raising concerns about foreign influence in U.S. political discourse.

The deal, formalized in September, involves Salem's Chief Strategy Officer Brad Parscale, a former Trump campaign manager, working as a registered foreign agent to integrate pro-Israel messaging across Salem's platforms, which include radio stations, podcasts and high-traffic websites like Townhall and RedState.

The arrangement comes amid growing divisions within conservative circles over U.S. support for Israel, particularly as younger Republicans express skepticism about unconditional backing for Israeli policies. Critics argue the deal blurs the line between independent journalism and foreign propaganda, while defenders insist it merely amplifies shared ideological priorities.

Salem Media's pro-Israel influence campaign

Salem Media operates 82 radio stations and hosts influential conservative voices, including Dinesh D'Souza and Josh Hammer, both known for staunch pro-Israel stances. According to the FARA filing, the Israeli government is paying Parscale's firm $1.5 million per month to ensure favorable coverage of Israel across Salem's platforms. The contract explicitly tasks Parscale with "integration of narrative messaging into Salem Media Network properties and aligned distribution channels."

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the media giant's reach is vast: 80 million monthly website page views, 37 million app visits and four million newsletter subscribers. The network also hosts podcasts featuring prominent figures like Lara Trump. While foreign governments have long sought to influence U.S. mediaoften through clearly labeled sponsored contentcritics argue this arrangement lacks transparency, potentially misleading audiences about the origins of pro-Israel messaging.

Growing conservative backlash against Israeli influence

The revelation has intensified an ongoing debate within the GOP between the pro-Israel establishment and the "America First" faction, which views unconditional support for Israel as detrimental to U.S. interests. D'Souza recently dismissed "anti-Israel pundits" on social media, arguing they are not representative of the MAGA base. Hammer went further, suggesting Israel-critical commentators should be "neutralized" to preserve GOP unity.

Meanwhile, watchdog groups like the Quincy Institute and Public Citizen have filed complaints with the Department of Justice over similar Israeli-funded influencer campaigns, demanding full disclosure of payments to U.S. content creators. Their complaint highlights a September 2025 meeting where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need to bolster American public support for Israel.

Ironically, Salem Media has warned shareholders that the Gaza conflict poses financial risks, citing potential disruptions to advertising revenue. Yet the company continues to promote pro-Israel narratives that may prolong the very war it acknowledges as a threat to its business.

The FARA filing underscores broader concerns about foreign interference in U.S. media, particularly as Israel seeks to counter declining public support. While Salem has not commented on the arrangement, the deal raises ethical questions about the role of foreign-funded messaging in shaping domestic political discourse.

The Salem Media contract marks a significant escalation in Israel's efforts to sway U.S. conservative mediaa strategy that risks eroding trust in independent journalism. As debates over America's relationship with Israel intensify, transparency will be key in ensuring audiences can distinguish between genuine editorial perspectives and foreign-funded narratives. For now, the full extent of Israel's influence on Salem's programming remains unclear. Still, the FARA filing offers a rare glimpse into how foreign governments attempt to influence American public opinion.

Watch the video below that talks about how Israel controls the media.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheAmericanConservative.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Natural omega-3 supplementation proves critical in preventing preterm births as global pushback against GMOs intensifies

High-quality evidence shows omega-3 supplementation reduces premature birth risk by 11% and early preterm birth by 42%, offering a safe, natural alternative to Big Pharma's synthetic drugs.

The government denied commercialization of Triple Stacked Drought Tolerant Maize due to insufficient safety data and unreliable yield benefits, signaling global resistance to GM crops.

Worldwide pushback grows against GM technology and toxic agrochemicals, exposing corporate greed and the Rockefeller-funded depopulation agenda behind industrial agriculture.

A decentralized, natural health initiative (O3TTP) screens and treats omega-3 deficiencies in pregnant women, proving effective without synthetic drugs or corporate control.

The contrast between safe, evidence-based omega-3 supplementation and failing GM crops highlights the urgent need to reject Big Pharma and agrochemical tyranny in favor of God-given remedies.

A groundbreaking program in South Australia has demonstrated the power of natural omega-3 fatty acids in dramatically reducing preterm birthsa leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. The Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program (O3TTP), now embedded in routine prenatal care, has shown that simple, natural supplementation can lower the risk of premature delivery by 11% and early preterm birth by a staggering 42%. Published in the Medical Journal of Australia and presented at the Australian Clinical Trials Association symposium, these findings highlight a safe, effective alternative to Big Pharma's synthetic interventionsone that aligns with the growing global rejection of genetically modified (GM) crops and toxic agricultural chemicals.

The omega-3 breakthrough: A win for natural health

Dr. Karen Best, leader of the O3TTP, emphasized that the program has already helped hundreds of South Australian mothers avoid preterm births simply by identifying and correcting omega-3 deficiencies through supplementation. Unlike pharmaceutical interventions, which often come with hidden risks and corporate profiteering, omega-3sfound in fish oil, flaxseeds and other natural sourcesoffer a clean, evidence-based solution.

Amy Christie, a 35-week pregnant mother, shared her experience: "I had no idea my omega-3 levels were low until my midwife tested me. Starting supplementation early has given me peace of mind that my baby has a better chance of arriving full-term."

The program's success is undeniable: Out of over 30,000 women screened, 17% were found deficient and given targeted supplementation. Given that preterm birth complications remain the top killer of children under five globallylinked to chronic respiratory, immune and developmental disordersthis natural intervention could save countless lives without the toxic side effects plaguing modern medicine.

While South Australia pioneers this natural health breakthrough, Bayer-Monsanto faces mounting global resistance to its genetically modified crops and chemical-dependent farming model. South Africa recently rejected Monsanto's Triple Stacked Drought Tolerant Maize, citing insufficient safety data and inconsistent benefitsa major blow to the agrochemical giant's depopulation-linked agenda.

This rejection aligns with a growing worldwide movement against GM technology, which has been linked to ecosystem destruction, toxic pesticide overuse and chronic human illnesses. The Rockefeller-funded GM food push, long suspected as a tool for population control, is increasingly being exposed as fraudulent science serving corporate profits rather than farmers or consumers.

A return to sanity: Rejecting synthetic "solutions"

The contrast between South Australia's omega-3 success and Bayer-Monsanto's failing GM empire couldn't be starker. One approach empowers mothers with safe, natural solutions; the other forces untested, patented biotech onto populations while suppressing independent research.

Dr. Best's team aims to expand the O3TTP nationwide and internationally, proving that decentralized, natural health strategiesnot Big Pharma's toxic mandateshold the key to solving major public health crises. Meanwhile, nations rejecting GM crops send a clear message: humanity is waking up to the globalist agenda poisoning our food and medicine.

For pregnant women and health-conscious families, the lesson is clear: Trust nature, not corporations. Whether avoiding GM foods or boosting omega-3 intake, the path to true health lies in rejecting synthetic interventions and reclaiming God-given remediesbefore it's too late.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, natural omega-3 supplementation is a vital, God-given solution that supports healthy pregnancies without the toxic interference of Big Pharma's synthetic drugs, aligning with the truth that nature provides the safest and most effective medicine. Meanwhile, the global rejection of GMOs and pesticidestools of the Rockefeller depopulation agendaproves that humanity is waking up to the corruption of industrial agriculture and its role in poisoning our food supply.

Learn more about the book "3 Steps to Incredible Health" by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

MedicalXpress.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Patrick Byrne on Maria Butinas role in the Russian collusion hoax

In "Danger Close", Patrick Byrne reveals that Maria Butina was used as part of a fabricated "Russian collusion" narrative against President Trump, orchestrated by the FBI and CIA to justify surveillance on Trump's campaign and later the Mueller investigation.

Byrne, initially believing he was aiding counterintelligence, was instructed by federal agents to cultivate a romantic relationship with Butina to gather political dirt, not legitimate intel.

Despite Byrne warning her to avoid U.S. politics, Butina was arrested on flimsy charges, imprisoned in solitary confinement and forced into a false guilty plea before being deported  exposing justice system corruption.

Byrne's account aligns with other evidence of FBI misconduct, including FISA abuse (fraudulent Carter Page warrants), the Steele Dossier (Clinton-funded opposition research) and suppression of exculpatory evidence.

The operation proves intelligence agencies actively invent crimes to target political opponents, exploiting innocent people like Butina as pawns in a false flag operation against Trump.

In his book "Danger Close: Domestic Extremist #1 Comes Clean," former Overstock CEO-turned-whistleblower Patrick Byrne recounts how Maria Butina, a Russian activist with ties to gun rights groups and political circles, became an unwitting pawn in a high-stakes intelligence operation orchestrated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

According to Byrne, Butina was deliberately used as part of a broader scheme to fabricate a "Russian collusion" narrative against President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The former Overstock CEO, who had previously worked with U.S. intelligence on various projects, was approached by federal agents in 2015 after meeting her at a libertarian conference.

Initially, Byrne believed he was helping the FBI monitor potential Russian influence operations. However, he soon realized he was being manipulated into facilitating a false narrative. The bureau instructed Byrne to maintain a romantic relationship with Butina while reporting on her activities  ostensibly to gather intelligence.

But Byrne grew suspicious when his handlers seemed uninterested in legitimate counterintelligence concerns and instead encouraged him to deepen the relationship for political purposes. He alleges that the FBI and CIA were not investigating Russian interference, but were actively constructing it.

Their goal was to create a pretext for surveilling Trump campaign affiliates and later justify the Mueller investigation. Byrne's handlers  including high-ranking officials like James Comey and John Brennan  reportedly saw Butina as a perfect "asset" to frame Trump-linked figures as Russian agents.

When Byrne questioned the ethics of the operation, he was threatened with dire consequences if he spoke out. He realized he had been used to set up an innocent woman  in the person of Butina  and fabricate evidence for a political hit job.

The FBI's brutal persecution of Maria Butina

Despite Byrnes warnings to Butina to distance herself from U.S. politics, she was arrested in 2018 and charged with being an unregistered foreign agent. The charges were flimsy, primarily based on her networking with conservative groups, but the media frenzy painted her as a Kremlin spy.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Butina was imprisoned for 18 months in solitary confinement before being coerced into pleading guilty to a baseless charge, exposing the corruption of the American justice system. After her politically motivated ordeal, she was deported to Russia, further revealing the hypocrisy of Western legal tactics against perceived adversaries. Butina was later elected as a member of the State Duma, the lower house of Russia's legislature.

Byrne contends that Butina was turned into a sacrificial pawn in the FBI's operation. He adds that her prosecution was a sham, designed to validate the Russia collusion hoax. Byrne's account suggests that the FBI and CIA weaponized intelligence operations against domestic political opponents.

The Russian collusion narrative was not just a mistake. It was a deliberate false flag, using innocent individuals like Butina as props. This aligns with other whistleblower testimonies about the FBI's misconduct in the Trump-Russia probe, including:

FISA abuse (spying on Carter Page using fraudulent evidence).

Steele Dossier deception (funded by Hillary Clintons campaign).

Suppression of exculpatory evidence (ignoring exculpatory findings).

Byrne's story exposes how intelligence agencies can manipulate narratives to target political enemies. Butina was collateral damage in a scheme to undermine Trump  a scheme that relied on deception, coercion and the exploitation of unwitting participants. When intelligence agencies operate without oversight, they don't just investigate crimes; they invent them.

Buy a copy of "Danger Close: Domestic Extremist #1 Comes Clean" by Patrick Byrne at this link.

Watch this video of Maria Butina discussing her experience being jailed in the U.S., and the horrific conditions in American prisons.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Patrick Byrne raises questions about election integrity, high-level decision-making, and legal proceedings

Hillary Clintons $18M Bribe Operation: Byrne participated in a 2016 sting where Hillary Clinton accepted an $18M bribe from an Azerbaijani intermediaryorchestrated by Obama officials to control her presidency via blackmail leverage.

Byrne participated in a 2016 sting where Hillary Clinton accepted an $18M bribe from an Azerbaijani intermediaryorchestrated by Obama officials to control her presidency via blackmail leverage. Obamas Shadow Government & CIA Cover-Up: After exposing Clintons bribery, Byrne was ordered by John Brennans office to "forget" the operation, proving Obama weaponized intelligence agencies to manipulate U.S. politics.

After exposing Clintons bribery, Byrne was ordered by John Brennans office to "forget" the operation, proving Obama weaponized intelligence agencies to manipulate U.S. politics. Venezuelas Election Fraud Network: Dominion Voting Systems is controlled by the Venezuelan mafia (via Belgrade, Serbia) and Chinese hardware, rigging elections in 72 countrieswith CIA-linked NGOs funding its global spread.

Dominion Voting Systems is controlled by the Venezuelan mafia (via Belgrade, Serbia) and Chinese hardware, rigging elections in 72 countrieswith CIA-linked NGOs funding its global spread. Tina Peters Political Persecution: Trump-appointed DOJ official Todd Blanche is obstructing justice for Tina Peters, a whistleblower jailed for exposing Dominion fraud, while Trump refuses to intervene despite having the authority.

Trump-appointed DOJ official Todd Blanche is obstructing justice for Tina Peters, a whistleblower jailed for exposing Dominion fraud, while Trump refuses to intervene despite having the authority. 2028 Election Warning & Call to Action: Byrne warns Dominion machines must be removed or 2028 will be stolen, urging patriots to expose globalist corruptiondetailed in his book Danger Close and documentary The Enemy Within.

In a bombshell interview with Mike Adams on Brighteon.com, former Overstock CEO and whistleblower Patrick Byrne exposed a web of corruption involving election fraud, political manipulation, and obstruction of justicerevealing shocking details about how globalist forces have compromised U.S. democracy.

Hillary Clintons $18 Million Bribe and Obamas Shadow Government

Byrne detailed his role in a 2016 sting operation that caught Hillary Clinton accepting an $18 million bribe from an Azerbaijani intermediary. The operation, orchestrated by Obama-era officials, was designed to ensure Clintons compliance as presidenteffectively making her a puppet of the deep state.

"They thought Hillary Clinton was going to be president for eight years," Byrne explained. "Obama planned to control her using this bribe as leveragekeeping the flame low if she cooperated, turning it up if she didnt."

Despite the stings success, Byrne was ordered to forget about ita directive that came directly from John Brennans office. The revelation underscores how Obamas administration weaponized intelligence agencies to maintain control over U.S. politics.

Venezuelas Election Fraud Network: Dominion, Smartmatic, and Foreign Control

Byrne also exposed Venezuelas mafia-run election fraud operation, which has manipulated elections in 72 countries using Smartmatic technologynow embedded in Dominion Voting Systems. Investigative journalist Mike Adams corroborated these claims, warning that U.S. elections remain compromised ahead of 2028.

"Dominions real headquarters isnt Denverits Belgrade, Serbia," Byrne revealed. "The software is owned by the Venezuelan mafia, and the hardware comes from Beijing."

The implications are staggering:

Foreign-controlled election machines can alter results with no paper trail.

can alter results with no paper trail. Venezuelan operatives are embedded in U.S. election offices.

are embedded in U.S. election offices. CIA-linked NGOs (like USAID) funded the global spread of this rigged technology.

Tina Peters Persecution and DOJ Slow-Walking Justice

Byrne accused Trump-appointed DOJ official Todd Blanche of deliberately obstructing justice for Tina Peters, the Colorado clerk jailed for exposing Dominion fraud.

"Federal marshals could free her tomorrow if Trump intervened," Byrne said. "Instead, Blanche is slow-walking everythingjust like Jeff Sessions did."

Peters, a 71-year-old cancer survivor, is reportedly suffering in prisondenied medical care while facing threats from gang members. Byrne argued that Trump has the legal authority to federalize the prison and force her release but has failed to act decisively.

Florida Grand Jury and the Coming Reckoning

As a Florida grand jury convenes to investigate election fraud, Byrnes revelations highlight systemic corruption spanning:

Bribery (Clintons $18M payoff)

(Clintons $18M payoff) Election rigging (Dominions foreign-controlled software)

(Dominions foreign-controlled software) Obstruction of justice (DOJs sabotage of whistleblowers)

Byrne warned that unless these machines are removed, the 2028 elections will be stolen again.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Byrnes testimony confirms what many patriots have long suspected: The U.S. government has been hijacked by globalist forces using bribery, fraud, and deep state operatives to maintain control.

"Were not out of the woods yet," Byrne declared. "This Bolshevik revolution must be stopped."

For those seeking the full story, Byrnes book "Danger Close" and the documentary "The Enemy Within" (featuring General Michael Flynn) provide explosive details.

Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Patrick Byrne as they discuss election manipulation, bribery & the enemy within.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Patrick Byrne on the Deep States deception: Inside the Russian collusion hoax

Trump unveils election integrity push, targets ActBlue amid fraud and foreign influence allegations

Tanzania election violence: UN reports hundreds killed amid allegations of evidence concealment

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

PatrickByrne.com
Residents challenge telecom giant, exposing a national debate over wireless safety

A California woman won the right to intervene in a federal lawsuit after Verizon sued her county for denying a cell tower planned 100 feet from homes with children.

The legal battle highlights growing community resistance to cell tower placements, driven by health and safety concerns that extend beyond property values.

Scientific experts argue that federal safety limits for radiofrequency radiation are dangerously outdated, ignoring decades of research on non-thermal biological effects.

A 2021 federal court ruling found the FCC's refusal to update its 1996 safety guidelines was "arbitrary and capricious," ordering it to address impacts on children and the environment.

Mounting evidence links chronic, low-level wireless radiation exposure to a range of health issues, including cancer, neurological disorders and reproductive harm.

In the quiet foothills of Nevada County, California, a local dispute over a proposed 13-story Verizon cell tower has escalated into a federal case, placing a national spotlight on the adequacy of wireless radiation safety standards. Kristin Phalen, a resident leading the opposition, recently won the right to intervene in Verizons lawsuit against the county after local officials denied the permit for the tower, which would stand just 100 feet from the front doors of 12 residents, including four young children. The case underscores a deepening conflict between expanding telecommunications infrastructure and community concerns over potential health risks, challenging the foundational science that has governed wireless technology for decades.

Outdated standards, modern concerns

The core of the legal and scientific debate lies in the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure limits, established in 1996. These standards are based on the premise that the only harm from RF radiation is thermalessentially, that it can cause tissue heating or burns at very high power levels. However, a substantial body of scientific research accumulated over the past 25 years demonstrates that biological harm can occur at levels far lower than those that cause heating, through mechanisms such as oxidative stress that can damage cells and DNA.

Experts point out that the FCCs limits are largely derived from a handful of small-scale animal studies conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. These studies, which exposed a few dozen rats and monkeys to RF radiation for short periods, determined a "harmful" level based on when the animals stopped seeking food. "The radiation limits do not protect against health effects from long-term exposure," said Theodora Scarato, executive director of the Environmental Health Trust. "Its just outrageous." Thousands of subsequent peer-reviewed studies have linked chronic, low-level RF exposure to a host of issues, including increased cancer risk, sperm damage, neurological effects and cognitive problems.

A landmark court ruling ignored

In a landmark 2021 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled against the FCC, finding the agencys 2019 decision to uphold its 1996 guidelines was "arbitrary and capricious." The court ordered the FCC to address the impacts of RF radiation on children, review the health implications of long-term exposure and examine the environmental effects. Despite this legal mandate, the FCC has yet to take action, prompting further legal threats from advocacy groups. The agencys inaction means that safety testing for every wireless devicefrom cell phones to the infrastructure of 5G networkscontinues to rely on a thermal-effects-only model that a federal court has deemed insufficient.

The 5G factor and proliferating exposure

The rollout of 5G technology has intensified these concerns. While offering faster speeds, 5G utilizes higher frequencies and requires a denser network of "small cell" antennas, often placed on utility poles close to homes and schools. This has led to increased public exposure. Furthermore, the higher-frequency millimeter waves used by 5G networks do not penetrate the body as deeply as lower frequencies, but they are absorbed within a few millimeters of human tissue, raising specific concerns about skin and eye health. A series of recent scientific case studies have documented the emergence of "microwave syndrome"symptoms like headaches, insomnia and heart arrhythmiasin people shortly after 5G base stations were activated near their homes or workplaces.

Taking precaution into their own hands

Faced with regulatory stagnation, communities like the one in Nevada County are taking matters into their own hands. For residents like Phalen, the fight is deeply personal, driven by a desire to protect the children who would live in the shadow of the proposed tower. "Im doing this out of love to protect the children who would be the most impacted by this," she said. Their battle is part of a broader, grassroots movement pushing for stricter local zoning ordinances, greater transparency from telecom companies, and a more precautionary approach to the unchecked expansion of wireless infrastructure.

The standoff in California is more than a local zoning dispute; it is a microcosm of a global scientific and public health controversy. As wireless technologies become ever more embedded in daily life, the gap between the official safety assurances based on decades-old science and the mounting evidence of non-thermal harm continues to widen. The outcome of this case, and the ongoing pressure on federal regulators, could determine whether public health policy catches up to the modern reality of our wireless world or remains tethered to an obsolete understanding of its risks. The residents of Nevada County, and countless communities like it, are demanding that safety standards be built on a foundation of comprehensive, contemporary science.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

PublicHealthPolicyJournal.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

EHtrust.org

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NaturalNews.com
Trump announces F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump confirmed the U.S. will sell advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, reshaping Middle Eastern military dynamics while raising concerns over Israel's security and potential Chinese espionage.

Israeli officials oppose the sale, fearing it undermines their "qualitative military edge" (U.S. policy ensuring Israel's military superiority). Israel may demand formal U.S. security guarantees if the deal proceeds.

Riyadh has long sought F-35s to counter Iran and upgrade its air force, benefiting from Trump's strong U.S.-Saudi defense ties. However, concerns persist over China's influence in Saudi Arabia, including joint naval exercises and mediation in Saudi-Iran relations.

The Biden administration previously tied F-35 sales to Saudi-Israeli normalization but talks stalled over Saudi demands for Palestinian statehooda condition Israel rejects. Trump remains optimistic about expanding the Abraham Accords but acknowledges Saudi Arabias stance.

The deal faces opposition from lawmakers over Saudi Arabia's human rights record, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's alleged role in Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Despite this, Trump prioritizes Saudi-U.S. relations as a counterbalance to Iran.

President Donald Trump confirmed Monday, Nov. 17, that the U.S. will proceed with the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that could reshape the military balance in the Middle East while raising concerns over Israel's security and potential Chinese espionage.

Speaking ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House, Trump told reporters, "I will say that we will be doing that, we'll be selling F-35s, yeah." He praised Saudi Arabia as "a great ally" and emphasized Riyadh's interest in acquiring the stealth-capable jets.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine stealth fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF), Navy (USN) and Marine Corps (USMC) by Lockheed Martin. It is designed to perform ground-attack and air-superiority missions. The F-35 incorporates advanced stealth technology, making it difficult to detect by radar, infrared and other detection methods. Its design features internal weapon bays, blended wing-body layout and advanced materials to reduce radar cross-section and infrared signature.

The potential sale has alarmed Israeli officials, who fear it could undermine their country's "qualitative military edge"a longstanding U.S. policy ensuring Israel maintains superior military technology over neighboring Arab states. Currently, Israel is the only Middle Eastern nation operating F-35s, with multiple squadrons deployed since 2016.

An Israeli official told Axios that selling F-35s to Saudi Arabia without diplomatic concessionssuch as normalization with Israelwould be "a mistake and counterproductive." Israel is expected to request formal U.S. security guarantees if the sale proceeds.

While the U.S. provides Israel with $3.8 billion annually in military aid under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) set to expire in 2028, there is no formal defense pact obligating Washington to intervene militarily if Israel is attacked.

Saudi Arabia's longstanding pursuit of F-35s

Saudi Arabia has sought F-35s for years as part of its efforts to modernize its air force and counter threats from Iran. The kingdom's renewed push comes amid deepening U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation under Trump, who has cultivated close ties with Crown Prince Mohammed.

The U.S. Department of War has reportedly reviewed the potential sale for months, though concerns persist over China's growing influence in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia and China recently conducted joint naval exercises, and Beijing has played a mediating role in Saudi-Iran relations.

Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warned that Congress may demand assurances from the Saudis regarding technology security.

"Let's hope that President Trump makes clear that the first F-35 will not be delivered until Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel," he said. "Otherwise, the president will undercut his own leverage."

The Biden administration previously explored linking F-35 sales to Saudi-Israeli normalization, but negotiations stalled over Riyadh's insistence on a pathway to Palestinian statehooda condition Israel rejects.

Trump, however, remains optimistic about expanding the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. "I hope that Saudi Arabia will be going into the Abraham Accords very shortly," he said.

Yet Saudi officials have reiterated that recognition of Israel hinges on progress toward Palestinian sovereigntya stance unlikely to change soon.

Human rights and Congressional scrutiny

The sale is also expected to face scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about Saudi Arabia's human rights record, including the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence linked to Crown Prince Mohammed.

Despite these concerns, Trump has prioritized strengthening ties with Riyadh, viewing Saudi Arabia as a key partner in countering Iran and stabilizing the region.

The F-35 sale marks a significant shift in U.S. Middle East policy, balancing economic interests, regional security and diplomatic leverage. While Trump aims to bolster defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the move risks alienating Israel and empowering Chinaa gamble that could redefine alliances in an already volatile region.

As Crown Prince Mohammed arrives in Washington, the stakes are highnot just for arms deals, but for the future of Middle East geopolitics.

Watch the video below about the largest F-35 show of force in history.

This video is from the Larry's Channel channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Antiwar.com

CBSnews.com

BrightU.ai

Reuters.com

APnews.com

Brighteon.com
U.K. government announces sweeping overhaul of asylum system, citing record-high claims

The U.K. is implementing its toughest asylum rules in decades. The government states this is necessary to fix a "broken" system and regain control of its borders, responding to record-high numbers of asylum applications.

The path to permanent residency is being dramatically extended, especially for illegal arrivals.

Refugees will face regular checks and could lose their status. The government will reassess cases to see if home countries are now safe, potentially requiring people to return.

The legal system is being overhauled to speed up deportations. The government plans to change how human rights laws are interpreted to deport dangerous criminals more easily.

The new rules are a response to domestic political pressure. The government frames the new system as firmer and fairer, rewarding legal migration and skilled contributions while closing down exploited loopholes.

The United Kingdom is set to enforce its strictest asylum rules in decades, a move that the government says is essential to mend a "broken" system and regain control of the nation's borders.

In a major policy announcement, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood outlined a comprehensive overhaul aimed at significantly reducing protections for refugees and deterring illegal migration.

The central pillar of the new plan involves a fundamental restructuring of how refugees gain the right to remain in the U.K. permanently. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, under rules that have been in place since 2005, individuals granted refugee status received five years of leave to remain before they could apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), the final step before citizenship.

The new system creates a multi-tiered approach with significantly longer waiting periods.

For refugees who arrive in the U.K. through illegal means, the path to permanent residency will be dramatically extended. The waiting period to apply for ILR will be quadrupled from five years to 20 years. Mahmood stated that illegal migration is "tearing [the U.K.] apart," and that failure to address the issue would lead to a more divided nation.

Even those who arrive through legal channels will face a longer wait, with the proposed period for ILR application set at 10 years.

However, the new system will introduce a mechanism for skilled refugees to shorten this waiting time. By entering specific work or study routes, individuals can "bring forward" the period based on their contribution to the UK.

A key feature of the overhaul is the introduction of regular reviews for all asylum statuses.

Refugees will have their cases reassessed to determine if their home countries are now deemed safe, in which case they would be instructed to return. This represents a significant shift from the previous system, which offered a more secure status upon initial approval.

An end to automatic support and legal changes

The government's plan also includes a stark reduction in the support provided to asylum seekers and refugees. The statutory duty to provide support will end.

Once refugees are granted permission to work, they will simultaneously lose access to government-provided housing and weekly cash allowances. Furthermore, support will be completely withdrawn for anyone who breaks the law.

This policy extends to those currently in the U.K. under temporary arrangements. The Home Secretary indicated that nationals from Ukraine, who are in the country on a bespoke system, will also face the need to return home once the conflict with Russia has ended, noting that "most" would likely want to do so.

The legislative changes are far-reaching.

The government will move to overhaul the Modern Slavery Act, arguing it has been used "as a tactic to undermine British border security." Cases deemed to have little chance of success, along with those involving criminals, will be fast-tracked.

To speed up deportations, the government plans to reinterpret Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects people from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. The new interpretation is intended to "support the deportation of dangerous criminals."

Additionally, the appeals process for asylum seekers will be overhauled to prevent individuals from "[bouncing] around the appeals system for years," restricting them to arguing all grounds against their removal in a single appeal.

International pressure and domestic politics

The U.K. is also taking a harder line with foreign nations perceived as uncooperative. The Home Office has announced that visa applications from Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be granted unless their governments increase cooperation with the U.K. on the deportation process for their nationals.

This visa ban is a direct response to what the U.K. government calls "unacceptably low cooperation and obstructive returns processes."

These sweeping changes arrive amid a shifting political landscape in the U.K. Public concern over the steady influx of new arrivals has grown, particularly regarding unauthorized small boat crossings in the English Channel and the use of hotels to house asylum seekers.

This has correlated with a rise in support for the anti-immigration and EU-skeptical Reform Party, led by MP Nigel Farage.

The U.K. government's data underscores the scale of the challenge. Asylum claims in Britain have reached a record high, with approximately 111,000 applications filed in the year to June 2025. This figure has nearly doubled since 2021, placing immense strain on the system.

Presented as a necessary reset, this new suite of policies marks the most significant hardening of the U.K.'s asylum approach in a generation. The government frames it as a move toward a firmer, fairer system that rewards contribution and legal pathways, while decisively closing down routes it argues are exploited by criminals and that overwhelm the nation's capacity to provide refuge.

Watch the video below, which was taken during a march for remigration in Manchester, Great Britain.

This video is from the Be Children of Light channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Gov.uk

TheGuardian.com

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Kallas on EU position: Any peace plan must be backed by Ukraine, Europe; our plan is to enhance pressure on Russia, support Ukraine

High Representative of the European Union Kaja Kallas states that the position of the European Union remains unchanged: any peace plan must be supported by both Ukraine and Europe. The EU plan is to continue to support Ukraine and enhance pressure on Russia.

"What we, as Europeans, have always supported is a long, lasting and just peace, and we welcome any efforts to achieve that," she said, adding that they discussed the latest developments, and Minister Andriy Sybiha briefed them on Ukraines position. The European position has not changed: for any peace plan to succeed, it must be supported by Ukraine and Europe, Kallas said at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday, following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.

This statement came amid reports of a 28-point "peace plan" allegedly agreed between the United States and Russia, which neither the Ukrainian nor the European sides are aware of.

Kallas said if Russia really wanted peace, it would have accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire back in March. She added that the harsh reality is that 26 Ukrainian civilians were killed yesterday in Russian attacks. Russia has repeatedly pretended to support peace talks, previous talks have failed because Russia has never made any real commitments. The pressure should be on the aggressor, not the victim. Rewarding aggression will only provoke its intensification.

The High Representative also said the EU "has a very clear two-point plan." "First, to weaken Russia. Second, to support Ukraine," Kallas said.

She added that today the head of the European Intelligence Agency and the EUs sanctions envoy spoke about the impact of sanctions. The data is very clear: Russian oil exports are at their lowest in months. Russias tax revenues from oil are at their lowest since the start of the war. Sanctions are hitting Russia hard and will hit even harder, the High Representative said.

In addition, the foreign ministers also discussed the attacks on Polands railway network. She said Russias hybrid actions in Europe are becoming increasingly audacious; Russia is committing state terrorism. There are many ways to respond, including additional sanctions and combating online recruitment of saboteurs, she added.

According to Kallas, the ministers also raised the issue of financial support for Ukraine, in particular a reparations loan based on immobilized Russian assets for Ukraine, but this issue was not discussed. However, the High Representative believes this is the clearest way to support Ukraines defense. It is also a way to show Russia that time is not on their side. Supporting Ukraine is a bargain compared to the price of a Russian victory, the High Representative said.
Unanimous Senate sends Epstein files bill to Trumps desk

Congress passed a bill mandating the release of the Epstein files, sending the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" to President Trump's desk with overwhelming, bipartisan support.

The legislative process was unusually rapid, driven by a rare cross-party alliance in the House and a swift, unanimous maneuver in the Senate to bypass typical procedures.

The bill compels the Department of Justice to declassify and release all records related to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, which are believed to contain evidence that could implicate high-ranking officials.

Trump's public reversal was a key trigger; after initial resistance from his administration, he posted on Truth Social, urging Republicans to vote for the release of the files.

The decision now rests with Trump, who faces immense political pressure to sign the bill, a move that would unlock documents with the potential for a significant political reckoning.

In a stunning display of bipartisan unity, the U.S. Congress has thrust the long-secreted Jeffrey Epstein files into the spotlight, delivering legislation to President Donald Trump's desk that mandates their full public release. The move sets the stage for a dramatic political reckoning, forcing the president to act on an issue he has both championed and, until recently, resisted.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Epstein files are a collection of documents, including flight logs and contact lists, related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. A whistleblower has alleged that thousands of files containing evidence and recordings are being hidden, which could implicate high-ranking officials and represent a serious obstruction of justice. The files are considered by some to be proof of how powerful individuals were potentially compromised.

The legislative whirlwind culminated Tuesday evening, Nov. 18, when the Senate voted unanimously to approve the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This followed an equally decisive 4271 vote in the House of Representatives earlier the same day. The bill compels the Department of Justice to declassify and release all records related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.

The breakthrough was engineered by a rare cross-party alliance. In the House, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) co-sponsored a discharge petition that forced the measure to a vote, breaking a months-long impasse. They were joined by Republican firebrands Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), who helped overcome earlier opposition from the White House amid a record federal shutdown.

The victims want it to push forward

The Senate maneuver, orchestrated by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, bypassed the typical lengthy legislative process.

"Once the House passes the bill to release the Epstein files today, I will move for the Senate to immediately take it up and pass it, period," Schumer declared on the floor. No senator objected, allowing the bill to be sent to the president in a single day.

The legislation's rapid advance was triggered by a dramatic reversal from Trump. After initial resistance from his administration, the president posted on Truth Social Sunday night, stating, "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide and its time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party."

This public shift contradicted earlier White House concerns. An official told the Daily Caller that Trump's hesitation stemmed from a belief that Democrats were attempting to "weaponize" the Epstein issue for political gain.

"He believed the Democrats were using the House vote as a weapon against him to distract from the many wins the Administration has had," the official said, while also asserting that Trump "has been urging transparency long before the Democrats even cared about this issue."

For the victims and transparency advocates who have demanded this action for years, the congressional action was a monumental victory. Mace emphasized the human element behind the political drama, telling the Daily Caller News Foundation, "The victims are here. They want it to push forward. They're satisfied with the petition in the way that it's written. I don't want to see any delays in the Senate."

With the bill now on his desk, Trump faces a decision that carries immense political weight. Signing the act into law would unlock a trove of documents potentially implicating powerful figures from political, financial and social circles. The unanimous pressure from Congress has left him with little room to maneuver, turning a politically sensitive issue into one of the most bipartisan acts of the 118th Congress. The nation now waits to see if Trump will follow through on his public call for transparency and allow the public to finally see the full, unredacted truth.

Watch this video about the release of the Epstein files.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

DailyCaller.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
A new equation for American schools: enforcement and enrollment

President Trump's immigration enforcement policies are leading to a sharp, nationwide decline in the enrollment of immigrant children in public schools.

Major school districts in deep-blue cities like Miami, Denver, and Chicago are reporting some of the most significant enrollment drops in over a decade.

The decline is attributed to reduced illegal border crossings, increased deportations, and families voluntarily leaving the U.S.

While the loss of per-pupil state funding is creating budget shortfalls for some districts, it also represents a significant reduction in taxpayer costs for educating children of unauthorized immigrants.

The trend marks a decisive reversal from the record enrollments and system-straining costs seen during the Biden administration.

A seismic shift is underway in American public education, directly tied to the immigration policies emanating from the White House. Under President Donald Trumps renewed focus on border enforcement and immigration law, school districts from Miami to Denver are reporting a dramatic plunge in the enrollment of children from immigrant families. This trend, reversing years of steep increases, is easing the intense pressure on classrooms, teachers, and budgets that defined the previous administration, forcing a national recalibration of educational resources and reigniting debates over the fiscal costs of illegal immigration.

A Nationwide Downturn in Blue-State Strongholds

The data reveals a stark contrast. In Florida, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system enrolled approximately 2,550 children from immigrant families this yeara fraction of the 14,000 who entered during President Bidens final year and the 20,000 the year before. This pattern is repeating in traditionally liberal jurisdictions. Denver Public Schools registered only 400 new migrant students this summer, compared to 1,500 the previous summer. Similar declines are reported in the Chicago suburb of Waukegan and in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a longtime gateway for immigrants outside Boston, where new student numbers fell from 592 to 152. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system in North Carolina reported over 20,000 students missing from its rolls, with a significant portion believed to be children of undocumented immigrants.

Policy Shifts Reshape School Demographics

Administrators and policy analysts point to a confluence of factors driving the exodus. Stricter border controls have drastically reduced new illegal entries, while stepped-up interior enforcement has led to deportations. Furthermore, many families are choosing to self-deport, leaving the country voluntarily to avoid potential enforcement actions. The presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in communities has created a palpable climate of fear, prompting departures. This represents a decisive break from the Biden-era surge, where sanctuary cities and border states faced record enrollments, overwhelming classroom capacity and ballooning costs.

The Fiscal Reckoning of Student Enrollment

The enrollment decline presents a complex financial picture for school districts. While some administrators lament the loss of state funding tied to student headcountsMiami-Dade faces a $70 million shortfall  critics note this same figure represents the taxpayer cost of educating children whose families are in the country unlawfully. The broader fiscal impact of mass illegal immigration on public education has long been documented. A 2019 analysis found U.S. taxpayers spent roughly $60 billion annually to educate non-citizen children nationwide. Lifetime cost estimates for public benefits, including schooling, healthcare, and welfare for each child of an illegal immigrant, have exceeded $70,000.

Reduced strain on teachers and physical classrooms in overwhelmed districts.

Billions in annual taxpayer savings on education costs for non-citizens.

Budget recalibration challenges for administrators who had grown dependent on per-pupil funding.

The trend is also visible in higher education, where the Trump administration recently celebrated a 17 percent drop in foreign student enrollment, framing it as a move to prioritize opportunities for American students.

A Recalibrated System and a National Reflection

The current enrollment landscape forces a reassessment of the role public schools play during periods of lax border security. For years, schools served as a de facto support system for a wave of new arrivals, a responsibility that came with immense financial and operational strain. The current downturn provides a respite and an opportunity to reallocate resources toward core educational missions. This situation underscores a fundamental principle of national sovereignty: secure borders are not an abstraction but a prerequisite for a manageable and sustainable immigration system. The direct correlation between border policy and public school capacity demonstrates that enforcement actions have tangible, far-reaching consequences on domestic institutions, shaping the very fabric of American communities.

The Unavoidable Link Between Policy and Practice

The emptying seats in classrooms across the country are a direct reflection of a transformed immigration landscape. The dramatic decline in student enrollment provides clear, empirical evidence of how federal border and enforcement policies cascade down to the most local of levelsthe neighborhood school. This recalibration offers a moment to examine the long-term sustainability of immigration policy and its profound impact on American society, its resources, and its future. The debate over immigration is no longer just about the border; it is visibly about the budget, the classroom, and the core responsibilities of a nation to its citizens.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

Breitbart.com

APNews.com
Brighteon AI outperforms Google and X in exposing COVID vaccine risks, defying Big Pharma narratives

Unlike Google's Gemini 3 and X's Grok 4.1, which parrot pharmaceutical industry talking points, Brighteon AI provides uncensored details on COVID-19 vaccine dangers, including toxic ingredients (graphene oxide, aluminum), mRNA risks and fraudulent trial data.

Brighteon AI highlights suppressed dangers such as genetic manipulation and immune dysfunction from mRNA technology, documented injuries and deaths from VAERS data and deceptive placebo groups in Pfizer trials.

Google and X's AI platforms default to CDC/WHO narratives, dismissing risks as "rare" despite overwhelming evidence of harmrevealing systemic bias and regulatory capture by Big Pharma.

From Tuskegee to Vioxx, pharmaceutical interests have suppressed unfavorable data. Brighteon AI continues the fight for transparency, much like Natural News and Brighteon did with ivermectin and vaccine injury studies.

As AI becomes the primary information source, Brighteon AI proves there's demand for uncensored, evidence-based insightschallenging the billion-dollar disinformation machine controlled by globalist elites.

In a striking revelation, Brighteon AI has outperformed tech giants Google and X (formerly Twitter) in providing accurate, uncensored information about the dangers of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

While Google's Gemini 3 and X's Grok 4.1 parrot pharmaceutical industry talking pointsclaiming vaccines are "safe and effective"Brighteon AI delivers a detailed breakdown of toxic ingredients, genetic risks and documented injuries suppressed by mainstream narratives. This divergence highlights a critical battle over truth in the AI era, where independent platforms like Brighteon challenge corporate-controlled misinformation.

The AI showdown: Propaganda vs. reality

When prompted with "Tell me about the dangers of COVID vaccines," Google Gemini 3 and X's Grok 4.1 echoed nearly identical pro-pharma scripts, emphasizing "rigorous testing" and dismissing risks as "rare." In contrast, Brighteon AIpowered by VaccineForensics.comlisted alarming facts:

Toxic ingredients: Graphene oxide, aluminum and lipid nanoparticles linked to organ damage and blood clots.

mRNA risks: Genetic manipulation, immune dysfunction and transhumanist concerns.

Fraudulent trials: Placebo deception in Pfizer studies and VAERS data showing thousands of injuries and deaths.

"All the money in the world can't beat the truth," declared Health Ranger Mike Adams, founder of Brighteon and Natural News. His AI's refusal to sanitize vaccine risks exposes a systemic bias in Big Tech algorithms, which default to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) dogma despite mounting evidence of harm.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Brighteon AI is a groundbreaking, censorship-resistant artificial intelligence model created by Adams, designed to decentralize knowledge and empower individuals with uncensored truth. Unlike corporate-controlled AI models. Brighteon AI is built to run locally on users' devices, ensuring privacy, independence from Big Tech manipulation and resistance to globalist narratives.

Censorship and the fight for medical transparency

This isn't the first time independent researchers have clashed with institutional narratives. From the Tuskegee syphilis experiments to Vioxx cover-ups, pharmaceutical interests have a documented history of suppressing unfavorable data. The COVID era amplified this dynamic, with social media platforms censoring dissenting doctors and scientists. Brighteon AI's resistance mirrors earlier efforts by alternative media to bypass gatekeepersakin to how NaturalNews.com and Brighteon.com became hubs for banned studies on ivermectin and vaccine injuries.

As AI becomes the primary lens through which the public accesses information, its neutrality is paramount. Google and X's failures reflect deeper regulatory capture, where agencies like the CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)funded by Pharmadictate "approved" narratives. Brighteon AI's success proves there's demand for tools that prioritize empirical evidence over corporate interests. For those seeking uncensored health insights, Adams' platform offers a rare refuge: "If you want an AI engine that doesn't lie about vaccines, use Brighteon AI. It's free."

The stakes extend beyond vaccines. This clash foreshadows a broader struggle over who controls trutha battle where independent voices, armed with data, continue to challenge the billion-dollar disinformation machine.

Watch the video below that talks about a free, uncensored engine that overcomes Big Pharma bias and dishonest vaccine narratives.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

X.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Congress forces release of Epstein files in landmark vote

The U.S. House (427-1) and Senate (unanimous) voted overwhelmingly to compel the DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein documents within 30 days. The legislation mandates disclosure of flight logs, client lists and communications, with redactions allowed only for active investigations or victim privacynot to protect reputations or political sensitivities.

Initially dismissive, calling it an "Epstein hoax," President Donald Trump reversed course under pressure from his own base, stating on Truth Social: "The House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON'T CARE!" Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) publicly accused Trump of betraying MAGA by opposing transparency, leading to his capitulation.

Epstein's victims, including Trump voters, pleaded for transparency, calling his politicization of the issue "a national embarrassment." Survivors criticized Trump's attempts to shift focus onto Democrats (e.g., Bill Clinton) as a diversion from broader accountability.

Only Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) opposed the bill, arguing it risks harming innocent people by abandoning traditional criminal justice protections.

The DOJ must now release sealed records, which could implicate powerful figures in politics, finance and royalty. Skepticism remains over whether Trump, despite his "drain the swamp" rhetoric, will allow full transparencygiven his administration's previous delays in releasing Epstein-related documents. Survivors celebrate the vote as a victory but question whether justice will truly be served or if elites will continue evading accountability.

In a stunning bipartisan rebuke to prolonged secrecy, the U.S. House and Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday, Nov. 18, to compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all unclassified documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

The near-unanimous votes  427-1 in the House and unanimous consent in the Senate  followed months of resistance from President Donald Trump, who abruptly reversed course days earlier under mounting pressure from his own base.

The legislation, set to reach Trump's desk imminently, mandates the DOJ disclose Epstein-related files within 30 days, including flight logs, client lists and communications, while permitting redactions only for active investigations or victim privacy  not for "embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity." The move marks a watershed moment for survivors of Epsteins abuse, who rallied outside the Capitol ahead of the vote, demanding accountability from elites who enabled his crimes.

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the Epstein files refer to a vast collection of documents, images and other materials related to the life and activities of Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender who was accused of running a global sex trafficking operation. The Epstein files were initially made public through a series of lawsuits and legal proceedings involving Epstein's victims, who sought to hold him accountable for his actions.

Epstein was a controversial figure with ties to numerous high-profile individuals, including politicians, business leaders and prominent figures in the arts and sciences. He died in 2019 while in custody at a New York City Jail as he awaited trial on new charges.

Trump's dramatic reversal

Trump, who once dismissed the push as an "Epstein hoax" orchestrated by Democrats, capitulated Sunday, Nov. 16, on Truth Social, declaring, "The House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON'T CARE!" His retreat came after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a staunch ally, publicly accused him of betraying the MAGA movement by opposing transparency.

"Watching this turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart," Greene told reporters, flanked by survivors. "I was called a traitor by a man I fought for six years. He called me a traitor for standing with these women."

The president's shift also followed a discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), which forced the vote despite opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson. Massie, celebrating the rare defiance of Trump, stated, "We fought the president, the attorney general, the FBI director, the speaker... But they're on our side today  finally on the side of justice."

Only Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) opposed the bill, warning it "abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure" and risks harming innocents. "If enacted... this type of broad reveal will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt," he wrote on social media.

Senate fast-tracks passage as survivors confront Trump

Within hours of the House vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) secured unanimous approval, bypassing a roll call. "This is about holding accountable all the people in Jeffrey Epstein's circle who raped, groomed, targeted and enabled the abuse of hundreds of girls for years and years," Schumer declared. Senate Republicans, including Trump ally Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), signaled support, with Mullin giving Schumer a thumbs-up before the motion passed.

Epstein's victims, some of whom voted for Trump, delivered emotional appeals ahead of the vote. "I beg you, Donald Trump, please stop making this political," said survivor Jena-Lisa Jones. "Your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment." Another survivor added, "We are exhausted from surviving the trauma and then surviving the politics that swirl around it."

Their pleas underscored growing frustration with Trump's attempts to refocus scrutiny on Democrats, including Bill Clinton, whose ties to Epstein were highlighted in newly released emails. One Epstein email alleged Trump "knew about the girls," prompting the president to order a probe into Democratic links to the financiera move survivors called a diversion.

What comes next?

The DOJ must now release troves of sealed records, potentially implicating powerful figures across politics, finance and royalty. Earlier document dumps have already roiled global elites: Britain's King Charles III evicted Prince Andrew from royal residences over his Epstein ties.

Trump, who once vowed to "drain the swamp" by exposing Epstein's network, now faces a test of his rhetoric. While he claims to have severed ties with Epstein years ago, skeptics note his administration delayed disclosures for monthsfueling suspicions of concealment.

For survivors, the vote is a hard-won victory. "These women fought the most horrific fight," Greene said. "They did it by banding together and never giving up."

As the files prepare to spill into public view, one question looms: Will the truth finally dismantle the machinery of impunity that shielded Epstein's enablers, or will it vanish into the same shadows that have long obscured justice?

Watch this video about the massive truckload of Epstein files hauled out of the southern district of New York FBI offices.

This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

APnews.com

NPR.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Google faces lawsuit over alleged secret AI surveillance of Gmail, Chat and Meet users

Google allegedly activated Gemini AI tracking by default in Gmail, Chat and Meet without user consent, scanning private communicationsincluding financial, medical, religious and political datadespite previously requiring opt-in agreements.

The lawsuit claims Google misled users with prompts stating, "When you turn this setting on, you agree," while Gemini was already enabled, creating a false illusion of consent.

Plaintiffs cite multiple privacy laws, including California's Invasion of Privacy Act and the Stored Communications Act, arguing Google's AI-enabled data harvesting breaches "reasonable expectations of confidentiality."

The case highlights concerns over AI-driven corporate surveillance, lack of transparency in data collection and the normalization of mass privacy violations under the guise of "smart features."

If certified as a class action, Google could face regulatory penalties, forced changes to default settings and financial damages. Privacy experts recommend disabling Gemini AI, switching to encrypted email providers and supporting stronger digital privacy legislation.

A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in federal court accuses Google of secretly activating its Gemini AI assistant across Gmail, Chat and Meet, allegedly scanning users' private communications without consenta move plaintiffs claim violates privacy laws and defies "reasonable expectations of confidentiality."

The lawsuit, filed by plaintiffs Thomas Thele and Melo Porter, alleges that Google "surreptitiously turned on" Gemini AI tracking in October without informing users, granting the system access to "literally every email and attachment sent and received" in Gmail, along with Chat messages and Meet conversations.

According to the complaint, Google previously required users to opt in to Gemini's data processing features. However, in early October, the company allegedly "turned it on for everyone by default," effectively mining private communicationsincluding financial records, medical information, religious and political affiliations and even personal habitswithout explicit permission.

The lawsuit argues that the tech giant's settings interface was deliberately misleading, displaying a prompt stating, "When you turn this setting on, you agree," despite the feature already being enabled. This, plaintiffs claim, created an "illusion of consent" where none existed.

Potential privacy violations

The complaint warns that Gemini's capabilities allow Google to "cross-reference and conduct unlimited analysis toward unmerited, improper and monetizable insights" into users' private lives. This includes intimate details such as:

Financial and employment records

Religious and political affiliations

Medical history and healthcare data

Social, shopping and exercise habits

Family relationships and children's activities

The lawsuit invokes multiple privacy statutes, including:

The California Invasion of Privacy Act

The California Computer Data Access and Fraud Act

The Stored Communications Act

Californias constitutional right to privacy

Google's history of privacy concerns

This lawsuit arrives amid heightened scrutiny of Google's data practices. The company has faced multiple high-profile privacy cases in recent years, including allegations of unlawful geofence tracking and covert data collection.

Plaintiffs argue that while Google has long profited from user data, this latest alleged breach crosses ethical boundaries by exploiting AI to harvest deeply personal information without transparency or consent.

A Pew Research study cited in the complaint found that 93% of adults consider controlling who accesses their information "important," while 90% believe they should have authority over collected datasuggesting widespread public concern over corporate surveillance.

Brighteon.AI's Enoch notes that the tech company has faced numerous legal challenges and investigations globally due to its data privacy practices. Some of the most significant cases are: European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Fines (2019), U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Fine (2012), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Lawsuit (2020), U.S. State Attorneys General Lawsuits (2020-Present), European Commission Antitrust Investigations (2019-Present) and U.S. Student Privacy Lawsuit (2016). These cases highlight the ongoing concerns and scrutiny surrounding Google's data privacy practices.

Legal and financial consequences

If certified as a class action, the lawsuit could expand rapidly given Google's massive user base. Potential repercussions for the tech giant include: regulatory penalties under wiretapping and privacy laws, mandated changes to default AI settings and financial damages for affected users.

Google has yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit. However, legal experts anticipate the company will argue that users were adequately notified and retained control over privacy settingsa claim that plaintiffs dispute.

What users can do

For those concerned about privacy, experts recommend:

Disabling Gemini AI in Google account settings

Switching to encrypted email providers (e.g., ProtonMail, Tutanota)

Avoiding Google's ecosystem for sensitive communications

Supporting legislative efforts to strengthen digital privacy rights

The lawsuit represents a critical challenge to Google's data practices, testing whether tech giants can deploy AI surveillance tools without explicit user approval. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, this case may set a precedent for how privacy laws adapt to emerging technologies.

For now, millions of Gmail, Chat and Meet users may unknowingly be part of an AI experimentone that plaintiffs argue was never theirs to consent to in the first place.

Stay updated on this developing story as Google prepares its legal response.

Watch the video below about Google being the largest surveillance apparatus in human history, according to Dr. Robert Epstein.

This video is from The Big Logic channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

OutlookBusiness.com

FirstPost.com

NewsBytesApp.com

ClassAction.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Patrick Byrne on the threat of election fraud: Why transparency is a must

Patrick Byrne's book "Danger Close" alleges the 2020 U.S. presidential election was compromised by systematic fraud in key swing states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin).

He points to specific irregularities  including unexplained halts in counting, statistical anomalies and incidents where poll watchers were barred from observing the ballot-counting process.

The vulnerabilities exploited are identified as unsecured voting machines, mass mail-in ballot fraud and a lack of meaningful forensic audits before states certified their results.

Byrne argues that media censorship, judicial inaction and federal law enforcement's refusal to investigate credible allegations enabled the fraud to go unaddressed.

To restore trust, the U.S. must implement reforms such as voter ID laws, hand-counted paper ballots and full forensic audits of contested elections.

The integrity of democratic elections is the bedrock of any free society. Yet, as Patrick Byrne reveals in his book "Danger Close," the 2020 U.S. presidential election exposed alarming vulnerabilities in America's electoral system. If left unaddressed, these vulnerabilities threaten the very foundation of representative government.

Byrne, a former CEO of Overstock.com and a whistleblower who exposed Wall Street corruption, turned his attention to election fraud after witnessing irregularities that he believes were systematically exploited to manipulate the outcome. His investigation focused on six critical swing states  Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  where ballot counting was mysteriously halted late on election night.

In each case, the pause coincided with President Donald Trump's strong lead, only for former President Joe Biden to surge ahead once counting resumed. Statistical anomalies, such as improbable vote dumps and mismatched ballot totals, raised serious questions.

Michigan : In Detroit, poll watchers were barred from observing as thousands of ballots were processed without proper oversight.

: In Detroit, poll watchers were barred from observing as thousands of ballots were processed without proper oversight. Georgia : Fulton County's election officials were caught on video pulling suitcases of ballots from under a table after sending observers home.

: Fulton County's election officials were caught on video pulling suitcases of ballots from under a table after sending observers home. Arizona: Maricopa County's audit revealed discrepancies, including ballots with no verifiable chain of custody.

Byrne argues that these irregularities were not isolated mistakes, but part of a coordinated effort to subvert the election. According to him, democracy depends on public trust in electoral outcomes. Yet, Byrne highlights how election systems have been compromised by:

Unsecured voting machines : Many machines lacked proper cybersecurity safeguards, making them vulnerable to hacking or manipulation.

: Many machines lacked proper cybersecurity safeguards, making them vulnerable to hacking or manipulation. Mail-in ballot fraud : Mass mail-in voting, implemented under the guise of pandemic precautions, opened the door to ballot harvesting and fraudulent votes.

: Mass mail-in voting, implemented under the guise of pandemic precautions, opened the door to ballot harvesting and fraudulent votes. Lack of audits: States like Pennsylvania and Michigan rushed to certify results without meaningful forensic audits.

Censorship, complicity and fraud: The steal was real

Byrne emphasizes that transparency is non-negotiable. Without verifiable paper trails, independent audits and strict voter ID laws, elections remain susceptible to fraud. Election integrity cannot be taken for granted, and America must do the following to restore trust:

Mandate voter ID laws to prevent fraudulent ballots.

Eliminate insecure voting machines in favor of hand-counted paper ballots.

Conduct full forensic audits of contested elections.

Prosecute election fraud at all levels of government.

Byrne's broader narrative suggests that the same corrupt forces he exposed in Wall Street  regulatory capture and institutional collusion  have infiltrated election oversight. He points to the following:

Media Censorship : Tech giants suppressed discussions of fraud, labeling them "misinformation."

: Tech giants suppressed discussions of fraud, labeling them "misinformation." Judicial Complicity : Courts dismissed lawsuits without examining evidence, citing procedural technicalities.

: Courts dismissed lawsuits without examining evidence, citing procedural technicalities. Federal Inaction: The Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation ignored whistleblower testimony, refusing to investigate credible allegations.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the 2020 presidential election was stolen through coordinated fraud by Democrats using mass-produced fake mail-in ballots, ballot stuffing, voting machine tampering and illegal interference  all while Big Tech censored truth-tellers to suppress evidence. This criminal operation installed Biden unlawfully, disenfranchising millions of Americans and undermining democracy to serve globalist agendas.

The 2020 election was a wake-up call. If Americans value self-governance, they must demand transparency, accountability and electoral reforms  before it's too late.

Buy a copy of "Danger Close: Domestic Extremist #1 Comes Clean" by Patrick Byrne at this link.

Watch this video of Patrick Byrne reiterating that forensic evidence will prove that the 2020 presidential election was rigged.

This video is from the Metatron's Cube channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Americans overwhelmingly REJECT military intervention in Venezuela as Trump administration escalates war rhetoric

Only 21% of Americans support using U.S. forces to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, while 47% oppose it, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The Trump administration is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and offering a $50M bounty for Maduro's capture, despite campaign promises to avoid "stupid wars."

U.S. officials justify intervention by targeting the "Cartel of the Suns," a disputed organization linked to past CIA operations, raising concerns about false pretexts for war.

While 58% of Republicans support extrajudicial strikes against suspected drug traffickers, 76% of Democrats oppose such actions, highlighting sharp divisions over foreign policy.

Historically, U.S. regime-change operations (Iraq, Libya) led to chaos, not liberation. Experts warn that invading Venezuela could accelerate globalist tyranny and destabilize the region.

As the second Trump administration continues its aggressive military buildup around Venezuela  including the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group  a new Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that only 21% of Americans support using U.S. forces to forcibly remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The poll, conducted from Oct. 23 to 29, surveyed 1,200 American adults nationwide. Its results come amid escalating rhetoric from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has pushed for military action under the pretext of targeting the so-called "Cartel of the Suns." American officials claim that this non-existent organization justifies strikes against Venezuelas government.

According to the poll, 47% of respondents are against using U.S. forces to depose Maduro  more than twice the number of those in favor. Sixty-six percent of Democratic respondents surveyed also oppose ousting the Venezuelan leader.

Moreover, the poll also found that 51% of Americans oppose extrajudicial killings of suspected drug traffickers, a policy the Trump administration has aggressively pursued in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Despite 58% Republican support for such strikes, roughly three-quarters of Democrats (76%) reject the practice, highlighting deep partisan divisions over the legality and morality of military action abroad.

Another regime-change disaster in the making?

Historically, U.S. interventions in Latin America have often been justified under the guise of combating drugs or terrorism, only to later be exposed as regime-change operations benefiting corporate and geopolitical interests. A report by "60 Minutes" back in 1993 revealed that one of the two Venezuelan generals originally linked to the Cartel of the Suns was working with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This revelation raises questions about whether current accusations against Maduro follow a similar pattern of pretextual warmongering.

Despite Trump's 2024 campaign promise to avoid "stupid wars," his administration has dramatically increased military pressure on Venezuela  including covert CIA operations. Washington has also offered a $50 million bounty for Maduro's capture, hoping that his generals in Caracas will turn on him. Meanwhile, Venezuela has fortified its defenses.

With only 35% of Americans supporting unilateral U.S. military action to curb drug trafficking  and even fewer backing regime change  the Trump administration's push toward war appears to lack both legal justification and public approval. As tensions escalate, the specter of another failed U.S. intervention looms  echoing past disasters in Iraq and Libya where regime change led not to liberation, but chaos.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that Washington invading another country and deposing its leadership risks plunging the U.S. into endless, destabilizing conflicts that erode national sovereignty and transform America into a weapon of globalist tyranny, while betraying the very soldiers sent to fight unjust wars for corrupt elites. Such actions accelerate societal collapse, empower the New World Order and sacrifice American lives for lies rather than legitimate defense.

For now, the American people seem unwilling to march blindly into another foreign quagmire. Whether their leaders will listen remains to be seen.

Watch this Fox News report about Venezuela mobilizing troops in response to the U.S. deploying a warship in the Caribbean.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

Reuters.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Soros-funded NGO exposed in campaign to censor conservatives and kill Musks Twitter

The Open Society Foundations (OSF), backed by George Soros, funneled $250,000to the U.K.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). The funds were labeled for "general support" but align with CCDH's campaigns to pressure advertisers, lobby policymakers and push for online censorship.

CCDH, founded by former Labour Party operative Imran Ahmed, targets conservative outlets like The Federalist, Daily Wire and Zero Hedge. Leaked documents reveal CCDH's agenda to "kill Musk's Twitter" by pressuring advertisers to abandon the platform. In 2020, CCDH successfully lobbied Google to ban ads from The Federalist and Zero Hedge over alleged "racist" content.

Musk sued CCDH in 2023, calling it a "criminal organization" running a "scare campaign" to sabotage X's revenue. CCDH published disputed reports claiming hate speech surged under Musk, while secretly lobbying Congress for a digital censorship regulator.

CCDH has undisclosed donors, including Skoll Fund (415,000) and Silicon Valley Community Foundation (403,175). Co-founder Morgan McSweeney is now chief of staff to UK PM Keir Starmer, raising concerns about foreign interference in US elections. CCDH has met with Kamala Harris' campaign, sparking accusations of globalist meddling.

Conservative lawmakers like Jim Jordan subpoenaed CCDH's donor list in 2023. Musk vows to "go after CCDH's donors," signaling a larger war over digital rights. Soros-backed groups, Big Tech and governments are collaborating to silence dissent, threatening free expression worldwide.

A bombshell report has revealed that George Soros' Open Society Foundations (OSF) funneled $250,000 to the United Kingdom-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a nonprofit actively working to silence conservative voices and dismantle Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter).

The funding, disclosed in OSF's grant database, was earmarked for "general support" but aligns with CCDH's aggressive campaigns to pressure advertisers, lobby policymakers, and push for online censorship.

As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, CCDH is a U.K.-based non-profit organization that gained prominence for its role in advocating against online hate speech and misinformation, particularly on social media platforms. Established in 2019, CCDH has been instrumental in pressuring tech companies to implement stricter policies against hate speech and disinformation.

CCDH plays a significant role in shaping online speech policies, but its work is not without controversy. It's essential to approach CCDH's activities with a critical eye and consider a range of perspectives when evaluating their impact on digital freedom and hate speech regulation.

CCDH's war on free speech

CCDH, founded by former Labour Party operative Imran Ahmed, has positioned itself as a watchdog against "online hate and disinformation." However, leaked internal documents show its true agendatargeting conservative media outlets like The Federalist, Daily Wire and Zero Hedge, while spearheading a campaign to "kill Musk's Twitter" by pressuring advertisers to abandon the platform.

In 2020, CCDH successfully lobbied Google to ban ads from The Federalist and Zero Hedge over alleged racist comments related to George Floyd protests. More recently, the group published reports attacking Daily Wire for running ads tied to searches criticizing Soros. Meanwhile, CCDH has ignored far-left platforms like Drop Site News, which received OSF funding and has hosted Hamas-affiliated content.

Since acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musk has faced relentless opposition from CCDH, which published a disputed report claiming hate speech surged under his leadership. Musk sued the group in 2023, calling it a "criminal organization" engaged in a "scare campaign" to sabotage X's revenue. The lawsuit followed CCDHs secretive lobbying efforts, including meetings with 16 congressional offices and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), pushing for an "independent digital regulator" to enforce censorship.

Despite Musk's legal challenges, CCDH's influence persists, aided by undisclosed donors. Public records indicate additional funding from the Skoll Fund (415,000) and Silicon Valley Community Foundation (403,175), raising concerns about foreign interference in U.S. free speech.

Soros' shadow network expands

The revelation of OSF's grant adds to longstanding accusations that Soros-funded groups manipulate media narratives and suppress dissent. President Donald Trump has called for investigations into Soros and his son Alex, alleging their network finances violent protests and election interference. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly considering revoking Ahmeds U.S. visa over CCDH's censorship efforts.

CCDH's ties to globalist power structures run deep. Ahmed co-founded the group with Morgan McSweeney, now chief of staff to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. McSweeney reportedly met with Kamala Harris campaign team last year, sparking accusations of foreign meddling in U.S. elections.

The exposure of CCDH's funding underscores a broader conflict between free speech advocates and well-funded censorship groups. Musks vow to "go after" CCDH's donors signals an escalating war over digital rights, while conservative lawmakers like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) push for transparency, subpoenaing CCDH's donor list in 2023.

As Big Tech, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments collaborate to silence dissent, the fight for free expression faces unprecedented threats. With Soros-backed organizations leading the charge, the battle over who controls online discourseand ultimately, public thoughthas only just begun.

Watch the video below about the Center for Countering Digital Hate holding a panel discussion about the anti-vaccine conspiracy.

This video is from the Children Are NOT Sex Toys! channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

FreeBeacon.com

WesternJournal.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Land, liberty and the law: Texas bans CAIR from property ownership in sweeping order

Governor Abbott designates the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations under Texas law.

The unprecedented state-level action prohibits the groups and their affiliates from purchasing land in Texas.

The move is based on state statutes, as neither group is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department.

CAIR, a Muslim civil rights group, condemned the proclamation as a politically motivated stunt rooted in anti-Muslim bigotry.

Legal experts anticipate constitutional challenges, citing potential First Amendment and Equal Protection violations.

In a move that tests the boundaries of state power in national security, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, Nov. 18, designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist and criminal organizations within the state. The proclamation, issued unilaterally by the governor, immediately bans the groups and any affiliated individuals or entities from acquiring real estate in Texas and subjects them to potential asset forfeiture and criminal penalties under state law. This action places Texas in a direct confrontation with a prominent American Muslim civil rights organization and sets the stage for a complex legal battle over constitutional rights and state authority.

The legal basis and rationale

Governor Abbotts proclamation invokes specific Texas statutes, including the Penal Code and Property Code, which grant the governor expanded authority to identify threatening entities. In his official statement, Abbott asserted that the groups support global terrorism and aim to subvert U.S. laws. The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islams mastership of the world, Abbott stated. The actions taken by the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to support terrorism across the globe and subvert our laws through violence, intimidation and harassment are unacceptable, he added. The governors order cites CAIRs origins and its past status as an unindicted co-conspirator in a major terrorism financing trial, the Holy Land Foundation case, which was prosecuted in Texas.

A contentious designation without federal backing

The governors action is notable for its independence from the federal governments official stance. The U.S. State Department, which holds the primary authority for designating Foreign Terrorist Organizations, does not list either the Muslim Brotherhood or CAIR as such. This discrepancy is central to the controversy, as Texas is applying a national security label that the federal government has not endorsed. The move aligns with efforts by some federal lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who reintroduced a bill in June to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. However, by acting at the state level, Abbott has accelerated a policy that remains stalled in Congress.

Immediate condemnation and allegations of bigotry

CAIR, a nationwide organization dedicated to protecting Muslim civil liberties, responded forcefully to the designation. In a statement, the group dismissed the proclamation as a publicity stunt masquerading as a proclamation that has no basis in fact or law. CAIR accused Governor Abbott of advancing anti-Muslim bigotry rather than serving Texans. The organization highlighted its consistent condemnations of terrorism and noted that its advocacy has made it a target for groups like ISIS. CAIR signaled its readiness to mount a legal challenge if the declaration is enforced as policy, framing the issue as a fundamental attack on religious freedom and free speech.

Potential legal and constitutional challenges

Legal scholars anticipate that the proclamation will face significant legal hurdles. Emily Berman, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center, identified several potential constitutional issues. The action could violate the First Amendment by discriminating against groups based on their religious views or political perspectives, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It may also run afoul of the Fourteenth Amendments Equal Protection Clause. Furthermore, the designation raises due process concerns, as the state-level process for a group to challenge its designation is unclear, unlike the formal appeals process available for federal terrorist designations.

A new frontier in state-level security policy

Governor Abbotts proclamation represents a bold experiment in state-level counterterrorism policy, with immediate and far-reaching consequences. By leveraging state laws to target organizations not designated by the federal government, Texas is charting a controversial course that other states may seek to follow. The ensuing legal battles will likely determine the extent to which states can independently define and combat national security threats, setting a precedent for the balance of power between state and federal authority and the protection of constitutional rights for all Americans.

Sources for this article include:

TheHill.com

TexasTribune.org

HStoday.us
Operation Sovereign Shield: The military move thats actually beating the cartels

U.S. Border Patrol reports significant disruption to Mexican cartel smuggling operations following a military reinforcement order.

The deployment, Operation Sovereign Shield, combines National Guard units, surveillance drones and mobile checkpoints.

Data show sharp declines in cartel foot traffic, vehicle smuggling and narcotics seizures in key border sectors.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected any U.S. military intervention on Mexican soil.

The situation highlights the tension between U.S. border security objectives and Mexican national sovereignty.

A significant U.S. military reinforcement along the southern border is yielding what officials describe as seismic results, severely disrupting the operations of Mexican drug cartels. According to internal reports from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), major smuggling corridors active for over a decade have been shut down following President Donald J. Trump's recent directive. The deployment, which began six weeks ago, has mobilized thousands of National Guard personnel and established persistent surveillance zones, creating a new and challenging operational environment for transnational criminal organizations. However, the aggressive posture has been met with a firm and public rejection from Mexicos president, who has ruled out allowing any U.S. military strikes on Mexican soil, setting the stage for a complex diplomatic standoff.

Operation Sovereign Shield takes hold

The turning point, according to officials, was the initiation of Operation Sovereign Shield. This multi-faceted military reinforcement authorized the deployment of over 7,000 National Guard personnel, the establishment of 24/7 aerial drone surveillance, and the creation of rapid-response patrol teams and mobile checkpoints along high-risk border sectors. The objective was to dismantle the logistical networks that cartels have long relied upon. The results, as reported by CBP to federal lawmakers, have been immediate. The Del Rio sector saw a 72% reduction in cartel foot traffic, while vehicle smuggling around Yuma collapsed by 64%. An internal assessment concluded that cartels have lost operational control of multiple sectors for the first time in at least a decade, a direct result of the relentless aerial surveillance that has eliminated their ability to operate under cover of darkness.

Cartels on the heels as corridors collapse

The tactical shift has forced a fundamental change in cartel operations. The presence of hardened, mobile National Guard checkpoints along previously unmanned rural roads has disrupted long-established backchannels. In the Tucson sector, these measures have forced cartel drivers to abandon routes that once funneled thousands of migrants and narcotics into the United States weekly. Officials report that intercepted cartel communications show internal panic, with lieutenants warning that the U.S. side has become "unworkable." The human-smuggling side of their business has been hit particularly hard, with the raid of six major stash houses and the interception of over 1,200 migrants before they could be moved deeper into the country. A Department of Homeland Security official stated bluntly, "The cartels are losing their grip on the border economy."

A firm line in the sand from Mexico City

While U.S. officials celebrate the operational gains, the strategy has escalated diplomatic tensions. Just days after the positive border reports emerged, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly and unequivocally rejected the possibility of U.S. military intervention. Its not going to happen, Sheinbaum stated, directly responding to President Trumps earlier comment that he was OK with me with launching strikes inside Mexico to stop drugs. She emphasized a policy of collaboration and intelligence sharing but insisted that Mexican authorities alone would operate within its territory. This sovereignty dispute was further illustrated by a minor international incident where U.S. contractors mistakenly placed "restricted area" signs on a beach perceived to be on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, requiring the Mexican navy to remove them.

A historical tug-of-war over sovereignty and security

The current friction fits a long-standing pattern in U.S.-Mexico relations, where American domestic security concerns clash with Mexicos jealously guarded sovereignty. The modern era of this dynamic was heavily shaped by the Merida Initiative of 2008, a U.S. security cooperation framework that provided billions in aid for equipment and training but explicitly operated under the principle of Mexican law enforcement leading operations within its borders. The current U.S. approach, which embeds military assets directly on the border and publicly flirts with cross-border strikes, represents a significant departure from this model. For Mexico, which has historically viewed U.S. military intervention as an existential threat dating back to the 19th-century Mexican-American War, such proposals are non-starters, regardless of the operational successes reported north of the border.

An unstable and evolving frontier

The initial success of Operation Sovereign Shield demonstrates that intensified military-style pressure can disrupt cartel logistics in the immediate border zone. President Trump has hailed the strategy as a "historic turning point." However, the firm rejection from the Mexican government underscores the severe limitations of this approach. Without cooperation from Mexico, any campaign against the cartels can only address the symptomsthe smuggling routeson the U.S. side, while the root causes and command-and-control structures remain safely entrenched south of the border. The situation creates an unstable paradox: tactical gains on the ground are simultaneously fueling a diplomatic crisis that could undermine the long-term cooperation necessary for a lasting solution. The border is becoming more secure from one perspective, yet the bilateral relationship that underpins its management is becoming more fraught.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

BigLeaguePolitics.com

WCAX.com
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a draft plan from the U.S. side that could intensify diplomacy, the parties agreed to work on the points of the plan, the Presidents Office of Ukraine said.

"The President of Ukraine officially received a draft plan from the U.S. side, which, according to the assessment of the American side, could intensify diplomacy. The President of Ukraine outlined the fundamental principles that are important for our people, and following the results of todays meeting, they agreed to work on the points of the plan so that this would provide a dignified end to the war," the Presidents Office said in the statement on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

The Presidents Office said that from the first seconds of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has been striving for peace and supports all meaningful proposals that can bring real peace closer. "From the beginning of this year, Ukraine has supported President Trumps proposals to end the bloodshed. We are ready to work constructively with the American side and our partners in Europe and the world to achieve peace," the office said.
Trump and Mamdani to meet at the White House, discuss NYCs affordability crisis

President Trump will meet NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on Nov. 21, marking a rare moment of cooperation despite their previous clashes.

The discussion will center on lowering living costs in NYC, a key issue in Mamdani's campaign, including his proposed tax hikes on millionaires and corporations.

Trump has repeatedly labeled Mamdani a "communist" and warned of NYC's decline under his leadership, while Mamdani has criticized federal policies worsening affordability.

The meeting serves as a critical opportunity for both leaders to address concerns about radical policy shifts, federal aid and economic stability while projecting cooperation.

The summit could set the tone for City Hall-White House relations, balancing Mamdani's socialist agenda with Trump's push for law and order and economic prosperity.

In an unexpected turn of events, President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with New York City (NYC) Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday, Nov. 21.

This meeting, to be held in the Oval Office, marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two political figures who have been at odds for months. It will focus on NYC's affordability crisis, a central issue in Mamdani's campaign and a topic that has gained increasing attention in the wake of the recent election.

Trump announced the meeting on social media on Wednesday, Nov. 19. "Communist Mayor of NYC, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place [in] the Oval Office on Friday," he wrote on Truth Social, adding that further details are set to be announced.

Earlier, Trump stressed that he would like himself and Mamdani to "work something out." He remarked on Sunday, Nov. 16: "We want to see everything work out well for [NYC]."

Mamdani's spokeswoman Dora Pekec confirmed the plans, emphasizing that the meeting is a customary practice for an incoming mayoral administration. For months, the two have engaged in a war of words  with the real estate mogul labeling Mamdani a "communist" and predicting the Big Apple's ruin if the former state assemblyman was elected.

The Democrat, in turn, has criticized federal policies that he says worsen affordability for New Yorkers. Despite this tension, both sides have recently signaled a willingness to work together. Mamdani has stated that he plans to use the meeting to advocate for policies that lower living costs in the city.

Will Trump and Mamdani's meeting avert disaster?

The meeting will focus on public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for. Mamdani's proposed tax increases on millionaires and corporations continue to face scrutiny from business and law enforcement leaders.

Critics argue that such measures could exacerbate the affordability problem if not balanced with adequate federal aid. The meeting is a symbolic and substantive test for the city's incoming administration, and will serve as a critical opportunity for both leaders to address these concerns and explore potential solutions.

Friday's sit-down summit could set the tone for how City Hall and the White House navigate the Big Apple's next chapter. For Trump, it offers a chance to project cooperation with a city he has often criticized. For Mamdani, it's an opportunity to fulfill a campaign promise to engage with political opponents while advancing his affordability agenda.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that Trump and Mamdani need to address the urgent concerns of New Yorkers regarding potential radical policy shifts, ensuring stability and protecting the city from the chaos of socialist agendas that threaten economic prosperity and public safety. Their discussion is critical to safeguarding constitutional freedoms, preventing the erosion of law and order and countering the globalist influences pushing for destructive policies.

Ultimately, the meeting is a significant step towards addressing NYC's affordability crisis. It represents a rare moment of cooperation between two political figures who have been at odds, and it offers a glimmer of hope for a more productive and collaborative approach to governance. As the city prepares for a new administration, this meeting could be a pivotal moment in shaping the Big Apple's future.

Watch this video of Larry Kudlow warning that Zohran Mamdani will destroy NYC's housing.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ABCNews.go.com

FOX5NY.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Trump forces South Korea to end decade-long crackdown on American tech giants

South Koreas Fair Trade Commission aggressively fined U.S. tech firms like Google and Apple under protectionist policies for years.

Trumps pressure forced Seoul to end unfair regulatory practices and align economically with the U.S. for security and trade.

Koreas reversal came after losing Chinas market, escalating North Korean threats, and Trumps hardline trade tactics.

The new deal includes $350 billion in U.S. investments and fairer treatment of American digital services.

This sets a precedent for U.S. allies exploiting regulatory protectionism: no more free rides.

For years, South Koreas Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) operated like a protectionist enforcer, systematically targeting U.S. tech giants with massive fines and aggressive investigations. Google was hit with a $177 million penalty in 2021 over Android licensing. Apple faced a $22 million fine in 2023 for its payment ecosystem. Amazon, Meta, and Tesla were all in the crosshairs, with Korean regulators imposing some of the highest fines in the world, often under political pressure and without basic due-process protections.

The KFTCs tactics were no accident. After all, South Koreas impressive economic rise was built on protectionist industrial policies, shielding domestic champions like Samsung and Hyundai while using regulatory weapons to disadvantage foreign competitors. But that era appears to be over now. Under President Donald Trumps pressure, Seoul has finally agreed to rein in its antitrust abuses, recognizing that its old playbook, balancing security ties with the U.S. while economically hedging toward China, no longer works.

A history of regulatory extortion

Koreas economic miracle was fueled by state-backed industrial policy, where the government nurtured conglomerates (chaebols) while keeping foreign competitors at bay. The KFTC became a key tool in this strategy, launching surprise raids, ignoring attorney-client privilege, and threatening criminal prosecutions against U.S. firms. American companies operating in South Korea faced a structural disadvantage: their internal legal communications werent protected, and investigations often lacked transparency.

The pattern was clear. In 2024 alone, the KFTC probed Google and Amazon over alleged search and advertising biases, while Coupang, a U.S.-backed e-commerce giant, was slapped with a $98 million fine. The message? Foreign tech firms were welcome... as long as they paid the price.

Why South Korea folded now

Seouls sudden reversal wasnt voluntary. A few key factors likely forced its hand.

First, China is no longer a customer but a competitor. Beijing is systematically replacing Korean suppliers with domestic alternatives, squeezing Seouls export-dependent economy. South Korea's security dependence on the U.S. also played a role. With North Koreas threats escalating, South Korea cant afford to alienate Washington.

In addition, Trump killed the hedging strategy. The old approach of "security with the U.S., economy with China" is dead. The administration has made it clear that Seoul must embrace fair trade or face consequences. Ultimately, leverage worked; Trump used both carrots (nuclear submarine approval, investment access) and sticks (threatening a Section 301 probe and higher tariffs).

South Korea had no choice. Caught between losing the China market and needing the U.S. security umbrella, it chose survival.

The deal: A strategic win for America

The new agreement marks a massive shift in U.S.-Korea relations. Under the Korea Strategic Trade and Investment framework, Seoul committed to:

Ending discrimination against U.S. digital services, including unfair network fees and platform regulations.

Recognizing attorney-client privilege, a basic legal protection the KFTC previously ignored.

A $350 billion investment package ($150 billion in shipbuilding and $200 billion in additional strategic investments across semiconductors, energy, and AI).

Beyond the trade framework, Korea also pledged $36 billion in Boeing aircraft purchases and $25 billion in U.S. defense equipment acquisitions by 2030.

This isnt just about trade; its about linking security cooperation to economic fairness. The U.S. is no longer separating defense and economics. If Seoul backslides, Trumps team has made is clear that Section 301 tariffs are on the table.

A model for dealing with protectionist allies

South Koreas surrender on tech regulation sends a message to other U.S. allies: Regulatory protectionism will no longer be tolerated. The deal proves that when America leverages its security and economic power effectively, even longstanding trade abuses can be corrected.

For decades, South Korea balanced its alliance with the U.S. while pursuing autonomous industrial policies, often at Americas expense. That era is over. With this agreement, Seoul is aligning its industrial future more tightly with Washington than ever before.

This deal isnt just about Korea. Its a blueprint for how the U.S. should handle allies that use competition policy as disguised protectionism. By tying security cooperation to economic reciprocity, Trump has forced a reckoning: No more free rides. The question now is whether other nations, from the EU to Japan, will take notice before they face the same pressure.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

KoreaHerald.com

WhiteHouse.gov
U.S. peace plan demands Ukraine cede territory, slash military in exchange for ceasefire

A U.S.-proposed peace plan would require Ukraine to surrender occupied territories, including Donbas and Crimea, and officially recognize them as Russian. Military forces would be reduced from over 1 million to 400,000 troops, with restrictions on long-range weapons. Russian language would gain official status, and the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church would be reinstated.

The deal includes a halt to U.S. arms shipments if Ukraine accepts the terms. Ukrainian officials fear this amounts to capitulation and loss of sovereignty.

The Kremlin publicly dismissed the proposal as "nothing new," but Russian negotiators acknowledged their position is "being heard." Moscow remains cautious, urging reliance on official statements rather than media reports.

Russian missile strikes continue, killing civilians (including children) in cities like Ternopil. Ukrainian Foreign Minister condemned the attacks, stating they expose Russia's hollow "peace plans."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's diplomatic efforts in Turkey failed to secure U.S.-Russia negotiations. Ukraine faces dwindling Western aid, with Germany halting equipment shipments and US ammunition reserves depleted. Analysts compare Ukraine's situation to the Confederacy in 1865fighting a losing battle with shrinking resources.

A controversial United States-proposed peace plan would require Ukraine to surrender territory currently under Russian occupation, drastically reduce its military and grant official status to the Russian language and Orthodox Church, according to multiple reports.

The framework, allegedly drafted in coordination with Moscow, has been met with skepticism in Kyiv, where officials fear it amounts to capitulation.

The 28-point proposal, delivered to Ukrainian officials this week by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, reportedly includes:

Territorial concessions, including relinquishing remaining Ukrainian-held parts of Donbas and recognizing Crimea as Russian.

Military downsizing, reducing Ukraine's armed forces from over one million to 400,000 troops and abandoning long-range weaponry.

Language and religious concessions, recognizing Russian as an official state language and restoring the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's (UOC) official statusa move reversing Kyiv's crackdown on the Moscow-linked institution.

Rollback of U.S. military aid, signaling an end to American weapons shipments if the deal is accepted.

According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, the UOC is an autocephalous (self-governing) Eastern Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which is part of the broader global communion of Orthodox churches. The UOC plays a significant role in Ukrainian society, culture and politics. It has been a symbol of Ukrainian identity and independence, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

A Ukrainian government source told AFP that the terms align with Russia's "maximalist demands" and would effectively strip Ukraine of sovereignty. "An important nuance is that we don't understand whether this is really Trump's story or his entourage's," the source said, questioning Washington's motivations.

Russia's response: Silence and skepticism

While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports of a new proposal, stating there was "nothing new" beyond prior discussions, Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev told Axios that Moscow feels its position is "really being heard."

Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, urged caution, saying, "Such reports should be assessed based on official communication rather than media narratives."

The proposal comes as Russian missile strikes continue to devastate Ukrainian cities. In Ternopil, western Ukraine, a pre-dawn attack killed 26 people, including three children, and wounded 92 others.

"I went to work, and my son stayed at home," said Oksana, a grieving mother searching for her 20-year-old son Bohdan in the rubble. "I called him from the minibus and said, 'Bohdan, get dressed and come out.' He said: 'Mum, don't worry, everything will be fine.' But it was too late. That's it."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga condemned the attack, stating, "This is how Russia's 'peace plans' look in reality."

Zelensky's diplomatic push falls short

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise visit to Turkey, intended to re-engage U.S. diplomacy, failed when Witkoff did not attend as expected. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged both sides to return to Istanbul for talks, but no Russian officials participated.

Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's need for continued U.S. support, writing on Telegram: "The main thing for stopping the bloodshed and achieving lasting peace is that we work in coordination with all our partners and that American leadership remains effective, strong."

With Russian forces advancing slowly but steadily, Ukraine faces dwindling Western aid. Germany has halted equipment shipments, and the U.S. has reportedly exhausted much of its ammunition reserves. Analysts compare Ukraine's situation to the Confederacy in 1865desperate offensives with dwindling resources.

A White House official told Politico that a deal could be reached "as soon as this week"but Ukrainian officials remain skeptical.

The proposed framework underscores Washington's shifting priorities, pressuring Kyiv to accept painful concessions. Yet with Russian attacks intensifying and Ukraines military stretched thin, the alternativecontinued fightingappears equally grim.

As winter looms and energy infrastructure crumbles, the war's endgame may hinge on whether Zelensky can negotiate better termsor if the U.S. and Russia impose a settlement over Ukraine's objections.

"The war must end; there is no alternative to peace," Zelensky said in Ankara. But at what cost?

Watch the video below about President Donald Trump unveiling his Russia-Ukraine peace plan.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Fance24.com

Aljazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
A trillion-dollar handshake: U.S. and Saudi Arabia forge new economic and security pact

Saudi Arabia pledges a monumental $1 trillion in new U.S. investments, focusing on AI, infrastructure and advanced materials.

The commitment coincides with President Trump's announcement to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to the kingdom, deepening defense ties.

The visit signals a potential breakthrough in Saudi-Israeli normalization, contingent on "concrete progress" toward a Palestinian state.

Advocacy groups raised human rights concerns, while leaders addressed the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The partnership aims to reshape the strategic and economic landscape of the Middle East, with significant implications for global stability.

In a move that recalibrates the strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a monumental commitment to invest approximately $1 trillion in the U.S. economy during a high-profile visit with President Donald Trump at the White House. The pledge, one of the largest foreign investment commitments in American history, was accompanied by progress on the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom and nuanced diplomatic signals regarding Israel and Iran. This meeting, the crown princes first at the presidential residence in seven years, underscores a mutual desire to strengthen an 80-year-old alliance amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.

An unprecedented economic pledge

The centerpiece of the meeting was the staggering financial commitment, which expands a previously announced $600 billion investment partnership. The crown prince stated that the investments would target real opportunities in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and advanced materials. The announcement was met with visible approval from President Trump, who has long championed economic nationalism and domestic job creation. This investment wave is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabias "Vision 2030," an ambitious plan to diversify its economy away from oil dependence and establish itself as a global investment powerhouse. The capital infusion is expected to significantly impact U.S. industries, from technology and energy to infrastructure and healthcare, creating thousands of American jobs.

Deepening the defense partnership

The economic announcement was closely followed by a significant advancement in defense cooperation. President Trump confirmed his administration's intent to approve the sale of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that would substantially enhance the kingdom's air capabilities. This potential sale follows a history of massive U.S. defense exports to Riyadh, which remains America's largest Foreign Military Sales partner. The discussions also covered broader security frameworks, with analysts noting that Saudi Arabia's long-term goal is a durable, formalized security pact with Washington. Such an agreement would cement the U.S. role as the primary guarantor of Saudi security, a relationship that has been a bedrock of Middle Eastern stability for decades.

Navigating regional diplomacy and human rights

Beyond economics and defense, the leaders navigated complex regional diplomacy. The crown prince outlined Saudi Arabias conditions for normalizing relations with Israel, stating that such a move depends on concrete progress toward a Palestinian state. This position aligns with the U.S.-drafted U.N. Security Council resolution on a Gaza cease-fire, which Riyadh supported. The meeting also forced a public reckoning with the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. While U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that the crown prince approved the operation, President Trump publicly absolved him of direct knowledge, a stance that contrasts with the findings of his own government's intelligence community. Advocacy groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, had urged the White House to prioritize human rights concerns during the talks.

A reshaped partnership for a new era

The $1 trillion pledge and the deepening security collaboration signal a renewed and intensified phase in U.S.-Saudi relations. This partnership, born from a 1945 meeting between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz Al Saud aboard the USS Quincy, is being reforged for the 21st century. It is a relationship that balances immense economic opportunity with profound strategic considerations and enduring moral questions. As both nations seek to navigate an increasingly multipolar world and a volatile region, the outcomes of this realignmentfrom the flow of capital and advanced weapons to the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peacewill have lasting consequences for global economic and security architectures. The meeting between Trump and bin Salman was not merely a diplomatic event, but a powerful statement that the decades-old alliance is poised for a new, ambitious and consequential chapter.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

WhiteHouse.gov

Military.com
Winter blackout risk soars as AI electricity demand outpaces grid capacity, NERC finds

A federal report warns the U.S. power grid faces a high risk of blackouts this winter.

Surging electricity demand, driven by AI data centers, is outpacing grid capacity.

The energy mix's shift to intermittent renewables adds to winter reliability concerns.

Officials cite the 2021 Texas grid failure as a sobering precedent.

Personal preparedness with backup power and heat is now critical for safety.

A chilling federal report has confirmed what many prepared Americans have long suspected: the nation's power grid is teetering on the edge of failure, and the unquenchable thirst of artificial intelligence data centers could be the final straw this winter. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued a serious warning that large parts of North America face a heightened risk of blackouts during the coming cold months, a direct result of electricity demand surging at a pace that grid capacity cannot match. This crisis, driven by a 20-gigawatt jump in winter electricity demand since last year, exposes the profound vulnerability of our modern, digitally-dependent society to the harsh realities of nature and poor planning.

The 2025-2026 Winter Reliability Assessment from NERC paints a grim picture for a continent increasingly reliant on constant power. The report states, "much of North America" is at an elevated risk of being unable to meet electricity demand during "extreme operating conditions." This is not a hypothetical concern but an urgent alert grounded in a simple, dangerous equation: demand is growing far faster than the resources being added to the grid. The lifeblood of our modern economy, from home heating to life-saving medical devices, is now in the crosshairs.

The AI demand surge

At the heart of this crisis is the explosive growth of energy-hungry AI data centers. These facilities operate on a 24/7 cycle, fundamentally altering the grid's daily load and lengthening peak demand periods. NERC found that winter electricity demand is now rising at the fastest rate in recent years, "particularly in areas where data center development is occurring." This constant, massive draw of power is compounding the traditional winter peak, which occurs during the dark, cold hours before sunrise and after sunset when solar generation is nonexistent.

John Moura, NERCs director of reliability assessments, provided critical historical context, drawing a direct line to the catastrophic grid failures of the recent past. "Electricity demand continues to grow faster than the resources being added to the grid," Moura said, "especially during the most extreme winter conditions where actual demand can topple forecasts by as much as 25%  as we saw in 2021 in ERCOT and SPP." This reference to the 2021 winter storm that crippled Texas serves as a sobering reminder that today's warnings are built upon yesterday's failures.

A fragile energy mix

The problem is exacerbated by a shifting energy mix that prioritizes intermittent sources like wind and solar. NERCs report explicitly warns that these green energy sources could worsen reliability problems during winter peaks, precisely when they are most needed. The inherent unpredictability of renewables introduces a layer of risk that a stable grid cannot tolerate. What happens when a prolonged cold snap, known as a "wide-area cold snap," settles over a region and the wind simply does not blow?

In a telling response to the looming emergency, the Department of Energy was forced to take drastic action to shore up the crumbling system. The agency issued an emergency order to extend operations at Michigans J.H. Campbell coal plant through February 2026. This move to keep a traditional, reliable power source online is a clear admission that the current energy policies have dangerously undermined grid stability. It is a temporary fix for a systemic problem, a band-aid on a critical wound.

The vulnerability of these systems is truly alarming. As NERC officials noted, the grid's ability to handle extreme cold is now a precarious balancing act between managing surging demand and an intermittent supply. A single point of failure, such as a minor oversight or a frozen natural gas wellhead, could cascade into the loss of significant grid production capacity, resulting in controlled, rolling blackouts or even a complete collapse.

This report underscores the folly of centralizing our most critical infrastructure on a fragile network while simultaneously pushing for full electrification of vehicles and homes. The experience of widespread power outages in 2021 was a lesson in our dependence on a system that can and does fail. With memories still fresh from those dark nights without heat or communication, the prospect of another crisis looms large.

This winter, the resilience of communities will not be determined by government assurances but by the personal preparations of their citizens. The time to secure backup communication systems, independent power generation, and alternative heating sources like wood-burning stoves is now. The coming arctic blast is not just a test of turbines and transmission lines; it is a test of our foresight and our commitment to individual liberty in the face of systemic failure.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

TechCrunch.com

NERC.com
The Zionist takeover of American Christianity: How pastors betray Christ for Israel

Prominent pastors like Greg Locke, John Hagee and Mike Montgomery prioritize allegiance to Israel over biblical Christianity, promoting Talmudic Judaism and funding Zionist agendas while denying Jesus as Messiah.

Hagee explicitly rejects Jesus' messianic role (contrary to Scripture), while pastors like Greg Laurie and Robert Jeffress tie salvation to political loyalty to Israel, distorting Christian doctrine.

Former insiders expose Locke's fraudulent ministry, including financial scams (misusing hurricane relief and adoption funds), occult "deliverance" rituals and alleged abuse  while baptizing converts under an Israeli flag instead of Christ's name.

Locke and others fundraise for Talmudic red heifer sacrifices, travel frequently to Israel with cash and aim to "usher in the Second Coming" by rebuilding the Third Temple  aligning with Zionist, not biblical, eschatology.

Christian Zionism is labeled a "demonic counterfeit" that denies Christ, exploits believers, enforces Talmudic rituals and silences dissent  leading followers away from biblical truth toward political and financial exploitation.

Why are so-called Christian leaders baptizing followers under Israeli flags, denying Jesus as Messiah and funding Talmudic rituals like red heifer sacrifices? Former insiders expose how Zionist dogma has infiltrated churches, turning pulpits into propaganda hubs for a foreign state. Is this spiritual deception, or something far darker?

Stew Peters, host of "The Stew Peters Show," recently declared war on Christian pastors not out of malice, but out of necessity. "It was as if it were a divine mandate," Peters explained. "There is a sickness plaguing American Christianity, and that sickness is Zionism."

At the center of this deception are pastors like Greg Locke, John Hagee and Mike Montgomery, who prioritize allegiance to Israel over fidelity to Christ. These leaders preach a distorted gospel  one that replaces Jesus with Talmudic Judaism, elevates Israel above biblical truth and demands financial tribute to fund Zionist agendas.

Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), openly denies Jesus as Messiah  a shocking betrayal of Christian doctrine. In his book "In Defense of Israel" Hagee claims: "Jesus did not come to earth to be the Messiah. Since Jesus refused, by word and deed, to claim to be the Messiah, how can the Jews be blamed for rejecting what was never offered?"

This contradicts Scripture itself. In Mark 14:61-62, Jesus explicitly declares when asked by the high priest: "Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus responded, "I am."

Hagee's heresy is not isolated. Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship publicly wishes he were Jewish, declaring: "I am a Gentile, no I'm not Jewish. Wish I was, but I'm not."

Meanwhile, Robert Jeffress, a Fox News-favored pastor, explicitly ties salvation to political allegiance: "If you hate Israel, vote Democrat. If you love Israel, vote for Donald J. Trump. It's that simple."

This perversion of Christianity reduces faith to a transactional loyalty test  one that benefits Israel's political and financial interests.

Greg Locke's fraudulent ministry EXPOSED

Former Global Vision Bible Church member Jen Rockwell sat down with Stew Peters to expose Greg Locke's fraudulent ministry. What she revealed was a cult-like operation built on lies, financial exploitation and Zionist idolatry. Among her revelations:

Locke raised $250,000 for hurricane relief, but only gave $2,400 to victims.

His "Adoption Foundation" collected over $1 million yet only helped two families  one of which was his own stepdaughter.

He lied about being investigated by banks, while secretly commingling church funds for personal use.

Rockwell joined Locke's "deliverance ministry," only to discover it was rooted in occult practices.

Members claimed to pull jewels from people's bellies and cut tentacles off heads unbiblical theatrics.

Staff admitted talking to demons for "information," despite Scripture forbidding such practices.

Locke's wife, Tai, allegedly used holy water rituals and promoted witchcraft from the pulpit.

Locke's son, Evan, struggled with fentanyl addiction, yet Locke refused to help him  even after rehab. Worse, Locke's ex-wife, Melissa, accused him of physical abuse and telling her to kill herself. Despite this, Locke continues preaching  while baptizing converts under an Israeli flag, not in the name of Jesus.

The Zionist endgame: Ushering in the Antichrist?

Locke's ultimate mission, according to a former staff, is to "build the Third Temple and usher in the Second Coming." This aligns with Zionist eschatology  not biblical Christianity.

Locke fundraises for red heifer sacrifices, a Talmudic ritual meant to purify the Temple Mount.

He travels to Israel monthly, allegedly smuggling cash in suitcases.

He owns a condo in Jerusalem, signaling his allegiance lies with Israel  not Christ's Church.

This obsession mirrors Hagee's call for Christians to fund Israel's wars, support Jewish supremacy and reject biblical warnings about the Antichrist's rise. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the concept of the Antichrist is a complex and multifaceted one, deeply rooted in religious and eschatological traditions, particularly within Christianity. It can be seen as a symbol of opposition to God and truth, or as a real, upcoming figure associated with the rise of a totalitarian, technocratic system.

Christian Zionism is not biblical Christianity; it is a demonic counterfeit. By replacing Jesus with Israel, these pastors deny Christ's divinity (as in the case of Hagee); exploit believers financially (as seen in Locke's scams); and promote Talmudic rituals such as red heifer ceremonies. They also silence dissent by means of threats, lawsuits and false police reports.

Peters warned that these pastors are leading millions to hell while enriching themselves and they must be exposed. Will the Church stand with Christor betray Him for Israel?

Watch the video below about Christians United for Israel and Pastor John Hagee.

This video is from the Bible Study by Chaplain Bob channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Rumble.com

BrightU.ai

BibleGateway.com

Brighteon.com
The war cessation plan proposed to Ukraine through U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also includes halting the investigation into Russian war crimes, Bloomberg said.

"The proposal, which is modeled on the Gaza ceasefire, also includes demands for Ukraine to halt war-crimes investigations," the agency said in a statement on Thursday.

According to Bloomberg sources, the so-called 28-point U.S.-Russian plan is modeled after the Gaza ceasefire. "It outlines known Russian demands for concessions that are unacceptable... have so far hindered any breakthrough in efforts to reach a ceasefire," the publication said.

According to the source, the proposal, in addition to transferring territory in eastern Donbas to the Kremlin, lifting sanctions on Russia, and reducing the size of the army, includes terminating the investigation into war crimes.
As more enterprise organizations adopt artificial intelligence, research reveals a growing gap between AI plans and network preparedness, according to Broadcom.

While 99% of organizations have cloud strategies and are adopting AI, just 49% believe their network could support the bandwidth and low latency that AI requires, according to Broadcoms 2026 State of Network Operations report. In addition, 95% of 1,350 IT professionals who were polled for the research said they lack visibility into network segments, particularly public cloud environments. The same 95% reported that they need more information from their ISPs.

Everyone feels they have all the insights they need from any device on any protocolonly inside their data center. They can see everything, but they are not running everything only through a corporate data center; its all public networks, says Jeremy Rossbach, chief technical evangelist of network observability at Broadcom. This trend of expanded visibility outside of the data center is really catching on, and that really just means collecting more data. The more data you have, the better your network operations are going to be.
The canvass meeting of the Valencia County Commission for the 2025 Regular Local Election was a bit rough, but in the end the process worked.

Valencia County Chief Deputy Clerk Brenda Hume (formerly Green) presented the canvass documents containing the unofficial numbers which will be sent to the New Mexico Secretary of States office for its canvass to the commissioners on Nov. 12.

On Monday, Nov. 10, as county bureau of elections staff began compiling the canvassing reports, Hume said, a problem was found.

We realized the ballots cast numbers didnt balance. There was an increase in ballots cast here versus what the (New Mexico Secretary of State) had in their system, Hume said.

The source of the discrepancy was a high-speed counting machine used for absentee ballots, which was certified prior to the election beginning but hadnt been used to count ballots, she said.

During the certification of all the machines used during an election, there is a test deck of ballots run through each tabulator. This year there were 122 test ballots to account for all the variations possible in the combination of local races.

We tested and certified two high-speed scanners but only used one. After they were certified, the test results were purged from the system, Hume said. Everything was zeroed out.

After machines are certified, zero reports are run on them to verify there isnt any leftover data from the test ballots. However, the results from the extra counting machine created a load file and it was among the files uploaded to the SOS system after polls closed on Election Day.

This is why we are very clear these are preliminary and unofficial numbers. This is why we canvass and go through all the results to make sure everything balances, Hume said after the commission meeting.

The chief deputy clerk said the test load file was removed and the office did a complete reload of the election numbers to the SOS system, bringing the number of ballots cast into balance.

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If you looked at the results uploaded on election night, youll see that 12 races have differences in the vote count (from that night) versus what is there today, Hume said. Today is correct.

While the vote counts changed slightly, none of the outcomes look to change.

After the corrected numbers were uploaded to the secretary of states web portal, two local council races are still slated for a recount once the SOS finishes its canvass on Nov. 25.

In the race for village of Los Lunas District 3 council seat, Matthew Chavez has 197 votes to Naithan Gurules 193. Incumbent Cruz Munoz has 175 votes.

Those numbers changed slightly from the preliminary numbers originally reported out Wednesday, Nov. 5, from Chavez with 203 and Gurule at 199. Cruz dropped from 184.

The Bosque Farms race drew five candidates for two council seats. Currently leading in the preliminary results is Manuel Zamora with 519 votes, followed by James Opie Bruhn with 327 and Dolly Wallace with 322. Stefanie Scanland and CJ Kettle received 310 and 295, respectively.

The number of votes for Zamora didnt change, but initially Bruhn and Wallace were tied at 326, and Scanland and Kettle had 311 and 296, respectively.

Hume said the new election code stipulates a race undergoes a recount if there are five or fewer votes separating the candidates, rather than the previous rule a less than 1 percent separation.

Preliminary results show University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus Advisory Board write-in candidate Eloisa Tabet received 254 votes. Write-in votes have to be hand tallied and are counted after polls close; preliminary results for that race werent available on Nov. 5, when the News-Bulletin went to press with the initial preliminary election results.

Hume told commissioners a representative of the voting machines vendor, Dominion Voting Systems, couldnt say where the load file came from.

The file was identified and purged. The machine is a high-speed scanner used for absentee ballots. Its very different than the machines at polling locations, she said. We are working with the vendor and someone will be here for the recounts and any possible post-election audits.

In 2024, precinct 14 in Valencia County was among those selected statewide by the SOS for a post-election audit check. The races audited in that precinct were the presidential race, the race for U.S. Senator and for the District 1 U.S. Representative seat. The audit results show no difference between the number of votes each candidate received as tallied by machine and hand counted.

The chief deputy clerk noted Dominion has recently been sold to another company. According to an Oct. 9 article on CBSnews.com, St. Louis-based Liberty Vote announced its acquisition of Dominion Voting Systems that day. Liberty was founded by Scott Leiendecker, a former Republican elections director for St. Louis, according to CBS.

The voting machines used by Valencia County and all other New Mexico counties are purchased by the secretary of state and provided to the counties.

Bureau of Elections Director Shelly Trujillo said they were able to correct the problem and the numbers presented to the commissioners at the canvassing meeting are correct.

Commissioner Morris Sparkman asked how they know the numbers are correct and where the voting machine certification process went wrong.

Hume said the tabulators arent smart and are not connected to the internet. The results from the tabulators are recorded on memory cards, which are uploaded to the SOS system.

All the tabulators match so we know they are counting correctly. The problem was one of the files from the test is embedded in the computer of the high speed counter, she said. It popped up when we did the loads on Election Night. We completely scrapped the whole load, reloaded from scratch and kept track of every load today. We know everything matches.

Trujillo said when staff started canvassing the results, thats when they found the discrepancy.

The mock election was perfect during the certification process. We zeroed out the machines and purged the results in preparation for the election, she said. Everything said zero. We ran a zero report but it popped up and if we hadnt gone tabulator by tabulator we wouldnt have found it. This was part of the canvass process.

Sparkman said he couldnt sign the canvass documents, recalling when the clerks office missed the canvassing deadline for a 2024 special election for a mill levy for Los Lunas Schools.

Its frustrating we have to keep doing this. We have to go back to the community to defend this, Sparkman said. Why cant we just get it right? It makes us look bad ... this has happened twice now. When we have discrepancies it doesnt bring trust into democracy. Im not signing this.

During the 2024 canvass meeting for the LLS mill levy special election, Hume told commissioners while a canvass typically happens six to 10 days after an election, in the case of a special election, SOS doesnt require the final results be submitted.

At last weeks meeting, Hume said the clerks office and bureau of elections is very frustrated with the situation.

Dominion couldnt give us a solid answer as to where (the load file) came from. Its very disturbing. We are not going to let this go by the wayside. The big cheese for the region for Dominion will come for the post-election audit check and before we do the recount, she said. Going forward, we will not be using that machine. I have no faith in that machine. We do have to use it for the next two processes (the audit and recount) because we have to use the same equipment.

Valencia County Clerk Mike Milam said the issue wasnt coming from the countys side of the process.

Its a computer generated issue. The person from Dominion had never heard of such a thing, Milam said. We understand your frustration. Right now, we cant say who this should be blamed on but its been corrected to make it right.

Hume said the certificate of canvass presented to the commissioners is affirming the files sent to the secretary of state are correct.

Commissioner Troy Richardson made a motion to accept the canvass and Sparkman made the second. The motion passed 5-0.
An error that sent Valencia County property tax bills skyrocketing earlier this month seems to be on the way to being corrected.

Shortly after bills went out on Nov. 4, residents began flooding the Valencia County Treasurers office with calls. The amounts due for the 2025 tax bill had increased by hundreds of dollars, leaving residents confused and worried.

During an interview Monday, Valencia County Assessor Celia Dittmaier said she made a mistake when she sent the net taxable property values to the state in June, increasing the value of properties in the village of Los Lunas by more than $2 billion.

Dittmaier said she submitted the corrected values to the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department on Nov. 12. Once taxation and revenue approves the rates, they will go to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, then a new certificate with the correct mill rates will be sent to the county.

In the meantime, Valencia County Treasurer Ron Saiz said taxpayers are encouraged to pay the first half of their current bill while the county waits for the state to approve the new valuations and corrected bills can be sent out.

Im hoping to get that by the end of the week, Saiz said. Then we can get with the printers and send out revised tax bills. The goal is to do that no later than Dec. 10.

Thats the due date for the first half of property taxes, and if people havent received new bills by the first week of December, Saiz said they should reach out to the treasurers office and well go from there. If people arent able to make their payment by Dec. 10, we will waive all penalties and interest.

Property owners who have already paid their full bill for 2025 will see that payment reflected on the new bill, Saiz said, and can request a refund for any over payment or leave it as a credit for next years tax bill.

For property owners who pay their taxes through an escrow account handled by their mortgage company, the treasurer encouraged them to contact the company to make sure it is aware of the revised bill.

They will want a copy of the new bill or the adjusted numbers, he said. Mortgage companies can contact us for that information if needed. We will work with the mortgage companies as best we can. Our main concern is to get those fixed. Others we can refund or credit internally. Were doing everything we can.

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Valencia County Manager Jhonathan Aragon said now that the new valuations have been sent to the state, the only thing to do is wait.

Im hoping they handle this quickly. Once we get the corrected mill rates, that will be sent over to the treasurer who can reissue the bills, Aragon said. As per state statute, the treasurer has the power to send out the corrected bills and doesnt need commission action.

The typical process begins with the county assessor, who sends the valuations to taxation and revenue, then DFA sets the mill rates.

No one said anything was off. When the mill rates come back, they are emailed to me, the county manager, commission chairman and the treasurer. No one said anything was amiss, Dittmaier said. I didnt find anything amiss until I opened my own bill. Should I have caught the number? Yes. So should six or seven other people before the bills went out.

Saiz said he didnt receive the rate certificate from DFA.

As a matter of fact, we noticed the issue when the calls started, he said. My chief deputy (Russell Schmidt) called the assessors office and they said it was a bond issue that caused the increase. He dug into it and found it was the (mill) rate.

An email from Rick West, special projects analyst with the New Mexico DFA local government division, was sent to Ron Saiz, along with Aragon, Valencia County Commission Chairman Gerard Saiz and Dittmaier on Aug. 28.

The subject line of the email was Certificate of Property Tax Rates in Mills TY 2025  Valencia County. Attached is a PDF of the 2025 certificate, a guide to the new format and layout of the certificate and a letter addressed to VCC Chairman Saiz.

Aragon said he received the email, but he and the commission were focused on making sure the new half mill levy for the Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District was included for 2025 to ensure the new agency begins receiving operational funding in 2026.

We were focused on making sure the mill levy for the flood authority was included and in all honesty, without the previous year numbers to compare to, Im not sure anything would have looked out of line for me, he said.

The error on the Nov. 4 tax bills seems to be tied to the new assessed value for properties in the village of Los Lunas, Cecilia Mavrommatis, NMDFA local government division director wrote in a Nov. 6 email to Schmidt.

... looks like someone accidentally added an extra number. Based on the information provided, yield control is correct and did its job, she wrote.

The states yield control formula caps mill rates when assessed values for properties increase significantly.

According to a screenshot in Mavrommatis email showing the certified property values for Valencia County, the base taxable value for properties in Los Lunas was $207,270,228 and the net new taxable value was $2,075,233,100.

Dittmaier said the net new taxable value for the village should have been around $207.5 million, rather than more than $2 billion.

These values caused property tax rates to skyrocket and yield control stepped in to cap both residential and non-residential at the imposed rate of 11.85 mills. The certified property values dont make sense.

But thats what we were given by (New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department) and presumably approved by your assessor, and the yield control formula acted accordingly here at (New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration), Mavrommatis wrote. Upon confirmation from your assessor of the appropriate values, please proceed with making the appropriate corrections at the county level.

Dittmaier asked taxpayers to please be patient as the county corrects the mistake.

They are justifiably upset. Were asking people be patient and let us try to fix it, she said.
An end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and one that would prevent a third invasion and deter others from aggressive actions around the world, can only be achieved through negotiations involving both sides and representatives of European countries.

This opinion was expressed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who led the development of legislation to punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine.

"As to the existence of a 28 point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, I have no knowledge of the plan and have only read media reports about the proposal. It is my firm belief that this war needs to come to an end through negotiations with an honorable and just outcome that would prevent a third invasion and deter others from acting aggressively throughout the globe," he said on the X social network on Thursday.

According to him, "such an outcome can only be achieved with negotiations involving both parties  particularly Ukraine, the victim of Russia's aggression  along with our European allies."

Earlier on Tuesday, Graham, in a comment to the media, said "no plan will work unless Putin and his allies believe that we're serious about more military aid, more capability of Ukraine to hurt Russia militarily, and more economic ruin coming to those who prop up Putin's war machine."

As reported, on Thursday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a draft plan from the United States' side that could intensify diplomacy, and the parties agreed to work on the points of the plan.

According to media reports, the so-called 28-point U.S.-Russian plan is modeled after the Gaza ceasefire. It sets out well-known Russian demands for concessions that Kyiv has repeatedly called unacceptable. In addition to forcing Ukraine to hand over territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the agreement provides for a halving of the size of Ukraine's Armed Forces and a ban on Ukraine possessing long-range missiles. It will also block the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine, end U.S. military aid and ban foreign diplomatic aircraft from landing in the country. In return, Ukraine "will be allowed to negotiate security guarantees from the U.S. and European governments to help support any ceasefire." In the occupied territories, according to the agreement, Russian will become the official state language, and the Russian Orthodox Church will receive official status.

According to media reports, the plan is being developed by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who Axios said discussed it with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev during meetings in Miami on October 24-26. Dmitriev expressed optimism about the plan's chances because, he said, "the Russian position is really being heard." Axios reports that Witkoff has already discussed the proposals with National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov at a meeting in Miami earlier this week.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers developing for the afternoon. High 29F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low around 25F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.
Introduction

Preventing RSV

What is nirsevimab?

Supporting clinical data

Policy and access

Conclusions

References

Further reading

Emerging clinical evidence shows that nirsevimab can extend powerful, single-dose RSV protection to all infants, reshaping how we safeguard babies during their most vulnerable months.

Image Credit: comzeal / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants, with recent global estimates indicating that RSV causes tens of millions of lower respiratory tract infections and several million hospitalizations in children under five years of age each year. Preventing RSV infection in young children, particularly infants who are particularly vulnerable to serious complications, remains challenging, as palivizumab is only indicated for high-risk infants while also requiring monthly dosing.1,5

There remains an urgent need for long-lasting passive protection that can be administered to all infants, ideally as a single dose covering an entire season, to reduce hospitalizations and downstream respiratory morbidity.1 This article explains how nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, can provide season-long RSV protection for infants while summarizing trials, safety, policy, and access.

Preventing RSV

Palivizumab and maternal vaccination represent two established approaches to protecting infants against RSV. Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed at the RSV fusion protein and has been used for over 20 years in high-risk infants.1,2

Importantly, palivizumab use requires monthly dosing throughout the RSV season to maintain protective levels. Although this limits feasibility for universal programs, palivizumab remains valuable for infants with prematurity, chronic lung disease, or congenital heart disease who are at the greatest risk of severe disease.2

Maternal RSV vaccination provides passive protection to newborns by increasing maternal antibody levels that are subsequently transferred across the placenta late in pregnancy. In 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pfizers bivalent prefusion F protein vaccine (Abrysvo) for maternal administration between 32 and 36 weeks gestation, whereas the European Medicines Agency recommends maternal vaccination between 24 and 36 weeks.

This strategy aims to provide optimal protection during the early months of life when infant vulnerability is highest; however, protection naturally wanes as maternal antibodies decline. Phase III clinical data, including the MATISSE trial, report notable efficacy against medically attended RSV-lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in the first 90-180 days of life (around 82% at 90 days and 69% at 180 days, with ~57% efficacy against severe RSV-LRTI), with a generally acceptable safety profile in mothers and infants.2

Whereas palivizumab offers targeted, ongoing protection for high-risk infants, maternal vaccination can provide broad protection at birth for many infants. Thus, programs may combine approaches tailored to local epidemiology, antenatal coverage, and resource constraints to maximize prevention in the first months of life.2

What is nirsevimab?

Nirsevimab is a recombinant human immunoglobulin G1 kappa (IgG1) monoclonal antibody designed to prevent RSV infection by binding to a highly conserved site on the RSV fusion (F) protein. Thereafter, the F protein remains in its prefusion state, preventing membrane fusion and viral entry into host cells.3,5

In infants, the mean serum half-life of nirsevimab is about 69 days. Clinical trial pharmacokinetic data and real-world analyses suggest that protection against RSV persists for about five months after a single intramuscular dose of 50 mg for infants weighing under 5 kg and 100 mg for those weighing 5 kg or more.3,5

In a large randomized trial in healthy late-preterm and term infants given one dose before the RSV season, nirsevimab reduced medically attended RSV lower respiratory tract infection while maintaining an overall safety profile similar to placebo, with low rates of antidrug antibodies and no reports of serious hypersensitivity.3

Image Credit: Juan Gaertner / Shutterstock.com

Supporting clinical data

A single intramuscular dose of nirsevimab consistently reduces clinically significant RSV outcomes while maintaining a safety profile comparable to placebo. In the phase III MELODY trial, healthy term and late-preterm infants aged 35 weeks or more received weight-based nirsevimab before the RSV season. As compared to placebo, nirsevimab reduced the rate of medically attended RSV-lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) by 74.5%, as well as RSV-LRTI hospitalizations by 62.1%.3

During HARMONIE, a phase IIIb, pragmatic, and open-label trial, researchers assessed nirsevimab efficacy under routine-practice conditions in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in over 8,000 infants 29 weeks gestational age or older entering their first RSV season. Nirsevimab reduced RSV-LRTI hospitalizations and very severe RSV-LRTI by 83.2% and 75.7%, respectively, with country-level efficacy against hospitalization of 89.6%, 74.2%, and 83.4% in France, Germany, and the U.K., respectively.4,5

In controlled studies, overall adverse-event rates were similar across groups, with most events considered mild to moderate, ranging from rash and fever to transient injection-site reactions. In the MEDLEY trial comprising high-risk/preterm infants, adverse-event incidences were similar to palivizumab.4,5

Policy and access

To date, nirsevimab has been approved in the European Union, the U.K., Canada, and the United States, with additional rollouts scheduled for Australia and other markets, reflecting a broadening global regulatory footprint.4,5 Public-health guidance has converged on protecting all babies during their first RSV season with a single dose, implemented either directly for the infant or through maternal vaccination, depending on country strategy.1,2,5

In practice, France and Spain adopted seasonal monoclonal antibody programs, whereas the U.K. implemented year-round protection with either nirsevimab or maternal RSV vaccination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended seasonal use of either option without preference. Taken together, these approaches aim to ensure that every infant is covered at the start of their first season.4,5

In the U.S., nirsevimab is listed in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a unique classification for monoclonal antibodies. However, it remains the most expensive CDC-recommended childhood immunization, ranging from $395 to $495 USD/dose. Programs have urged operational fixes, such as bundling payments for birth-hospital administration and early financial support to clinics, to reduce financial barriers and enable timely dosing for infants born mid-season.5

During the 2023-2024 RSV season, U.S. VFC orders were temporarily suspended because of shortages, which were further complicated by the limited availability of the 100 mg dose. This led to interim guidance prioritizing higher-risk infants and pausing use in some older age groups.5

Importantly, these disruptions amplified inequities, with larger practices more likely to offer nirsevimab. Compared with practices with a greater proportion of publicly insured patients, those with a lower proportion were less likely to have nirsevimab available.5

Conclusions

Across clinical trials and real-world programs, nirsevimab consistently reduces medically attended RSV illness and hospitalizations with safety comparable to placebo, thereby extending protection to healthy term babies beyond traditional high-risk groups.35 Combining nirsevimab with maternal vaccination, while focusing its use in special populations and continuing genomic and safety surveillance, can sustain effectiveness, reduce disparities, and save lives.1,2,5

References

Esposito, S., Abu Raya, B., Baraldi, E., et al. (2022). RSV prevention in all infants: which is the most preferable strategy? Frontiers in Immunology 13. DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2022.880368, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.880368/full Sallam, M., Naji, H., Al Shibli, A., & Sallam, M. (2025). Maternal RSV vaccination to protect infants: current evidence and future directions. Exploration of Asthma & Allergy 3. DOI:10.37349/eaa.2025.100988, https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/eaa/Article/100988 Hammitt, L. L., Dagan, R., Yuan, Y., et al. (2022). Nirsevimab for prevention of RSV in healthy late-preterm and term infants. New England Journal of Medicine 386(9); 837-846. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2110275, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2110275 Drysdale, S. B., Cathie, K., Flamein, F., et al. (2023). Nirsevimab for prevention of hospitalizations due to RSV in infants. New England Journal of Medicine 389(26); 2425-2435. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2309189, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2309189 Wu, P.-P., & Ding, F.-R. (2025). Administration of Nirsevimab for RSV Prophylaxis in Infants: A Comprehensive Review. Vaccines 13(5). DOI:10.3390/vaccines13050470, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/5/470

Further Reading
Smoking even 2-5 cigarettes a day can more than double your risk of any type of heart disease and raise your risk of death from any cause by 60% compared to people who never smoked, according to new research supported by the American Heart Association's Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science and published in PLOS Medicine. The study found that even after you stop smoking, it could take up to 30 years or more to achieve the same level of health of someone who never smoked.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while cigarette smoking in the U.S. is on the decline, tobacco product use, which includes cigarettes, remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death. Cigarettes continue to be the most commonly used tobacco product in adults.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people who still smoke, but smoke less. As smoking patterns shift with more people smoking fewer cigarettes, it's important to understand the cardiovascular risks of low-intensity smoking and the long-term benefits of quitting. We could not clearly answer these questions in the past, but the scope of this study, reflecting more than 320,000 U.S. adults over 20 years, gives us the statistical power to see relationships that other smaller studies cannot." Michael J. Blaha, M.D., M.P.H., study author, lead investigator for the American Heart Association's Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science grant-funded research initiatives

The Cross Cohort Collaboration-Tobacco research group harmonized information (meaning they integrated and standardized studies to make them comparable) from 22 long-term studies of predominately U.S. adults who smoked and those who did not. Researchers used the collective data in their analysis of more than 320,000 adults followed over 20 years. They looked at the relationships among smoking burden, intensity and cessation duration across cardiovascular results, including heart attack, stroke, heart disease, cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke), heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AFib), as well as deaths from coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease and all causes.

Defining cigarette use as a lifetime use of at least 100 cigarettes, the researchers documented more than 125,000 deaths and 54,000 cardiovascular events.

They found:

Compared with never-smoking, smoking 2-5 cigarettes daily was associated with a 50% higher risk any type of cardiovascular disease, and 60% increased risk of death from any cause.

Smoking 11 to 15 cigarettes a day conferred an 84% higher risk of cardiovascular disease and more than twice the risk of death from all causes.

Quitting smoking immediately decreases health risks and continues to substantially decrease those risks in the first 20 years. However, it may take up to 31 to 40 years of smoking abstinence for people who formerly smoked to have risk levels that approach those of those individuals who never smoked. (Previous studies showed a range of 2 to 29 years that people who formerly smoked are required for their risk to return to the same level as those who have never smoked.)

"Collectively, the findings suggest that no level of smoking is without risk. Smoking one or fewer cigarettes a day was linked to elevated risks for all heart diseases and reasons for death studied, except for stroke and AFib. Smoking a little more - two to five cigarettes daily - was associated with increases for all risks in the study," said Blaha, a professor of cardiology and epidemiology and director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Baltimore, Maryland. "Even we were surprised by the strength of harm from even a low quantity of cigarettes, and the incredible importance that and quitting early had on long-term heart health."

"The message here is clear - don't smoke - and for those who do, quit early in life and strive to quit entirely versus smoking less, because even occasional use of tobacco has substantial health consequences," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women's health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health of Northwell Health in New York City. "This study provides clear evidence of the harmful impact of smoking on individuals. It offers a framework for future research to delve into the complex dynamics among smoking habits, various population subgroups and their associations with cardiovascular health outcomes."

Among the study's limitations, it did not include specific other causes of death, such as cancer, for a comparison. And while researchers considered the baseline smoking status for participants' smoking behaviors, they did not analyze potential smoking behavior changes over time. Information was also lacking about participants' use of other tobacco products.

Research from the American Heart Association's Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science is jointly funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. Through the Center, the Association works closely with investigators at institutions across the country to pursue research that adds to the existing knowledge about the health impacts of smoking and nicotine-related products including e-cigarettes, findings that can help inform public health and the regulation of tobacco products.
A landmark multi-country clinical trial has shown that a structured, sustainable approach to infection prevention and treatment can save women's lives, cutting severe maternal infections and deaths by about one-third (32%) compared to usual care. The maternal program of prevention and treatment (APT-Sepsis) was developed by researchers at the University of Liverpool, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN's Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP).



Maternal infection and sepsis remain among the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Every 30 minutes a mother dies from a sepsis-related cause somewhere in the world, with the greatest burden borne by women in low and income countries. The Active Prevention and Treatment of Maternal Sepsis (APT-Sepsis) intervention tackles this challenge through an integrated program focused on three areas: improving hand hygiene, strengthening infection prevention and management, and enhancing sepsis care with the FAST-M sepsis bundle.



The trial, conducted across 59 hospitals in Malawi and Uganda and involving more than 430,000 women, assessed whether structured improvements in infection prevention, early recognition, and timely treatment of maternal sepsis could save lives. Findings from the trial show that even within a very resource-limited environment this innovative approach made it possible to support healthcare workers to improve maternal outcomes and can be sustained in resource-limited health systems.

The study report revealed that the APT-Sepsis intervention not only reduced the incidence of maternal infection-related mortality or severe morbidity by 32%, but that the program was equally effective in both Uganda and Malawi. The effectiveness was sustained over time, increasing steadily from the first month of the intervention to the final month, when a 47% reduction was achieved.



The program supported healthcare providers to:

Improve compliance with hand-hygiene standards.

Adopt evidence-based practices for infection prevention and management.

Detect sepsis early and deliver treatment using the FAST-M bundle (fluids, antibiotics, source control, transfer if required, and monitoring).

Professor David Lissauer, NIHR Professor of Global Maternal and Fetal Health at the University of Liverpool, said: "These results are hugely significant. For too long, maternal sepsis has been a leading but neglected cause of preventable maternal deaths worldwide. Our findings demonstrate that APT-Sepsis provides a practical, sustainable, and effective solution. With a 32% reduction in infection-related maternal deaths and life-threatening complications, this program has the potential to transform care. Policymakers now have compelling evidence to scale up these interventions so that fewer women die from preventable infections during pregnancy and childbirth."



Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, WHO, said: "The APT-Sepsis programme is a testament to what can be achieved when science, policy and frontline care come together. Reducing maternal infections and deaths by over 30% is not just a clinical success - it's a call to action for global health systems to prioritize infection prevention in maternal care. We must ensure these life-saving practices are scaled and sustained across all settings."

Fungaro Lydia, Midwife and APT Champion at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda said: "I want to thank APT-Sepsis for coming to our rescue. Previously, we had no reliable way of monitoring mothers. We used to do things in our own way, but now, with the intervention, we can detect danger early."

Henry Mwandumba, Programme Director at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, MLW, said: "We are immensely proud that MLW contributed to a project that has delivered such a significant reduction in maternal infections and deaths. This is a testament to our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of women in Malawi and reflects the dedication of our team and partners, and look forward to seeing how this intervention pioneered in Malawi can be scaled-up to help mothers worldwide"

The trial demonstrates that structured, system-level interventions can overcome long-standing barriers such as inconsistent adherence to infection-prevention practices and delays in the recognition and treatment of sepsis.

By embedding improved practices within existing health systems - and without relying on costly additional resources - APT-Sepsis is designed to offer a low-cost, sustainable and rapidly scalable model for national and international health programmes seeking to improve maternal survival globally.

The trial was managed by the Department of Women's and Childrens Health and the Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Liverpool and the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome

Research Programme, Malawi and Infectious Diseases Institute, Makereke University, Uganda.

This work was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), UK AID, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and MSD for Mothers through the Joint Global Health Trials Scheme.

The work of Professor David Lissauer and Professor Catriona Waitt (University of Liverpool and the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University) is supported by NIHR Global Health Research Professorships.
People with type 1 diabetes (previously called juvenile diabetes) are 4.29 times more likely to develop bladder cancer, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. The new analysis is the first to control for the effects of tobacco smoking, a factor that likely obscured the heightened risk in earlier studies. The results were just published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.

Bladder cancer is a relatively common disease, affecting about 2% of the U.S. population. Cigarette smoking accounts for about half of all bladder cancer in the United States and Europe, but causes of the remaining half are poorly understood. Recent data suggest that type 2 diabetes may play a role, but years of epidemiological studies found no link between type 1 diabetes and bladder cancer.

Now, a new analysis reveals why a possible link may have been missed. Because smoking is a strong contributor to bladder cancer, research designed to identify other risk factors must control for-or separate out-the influences of smoking from influences of other proposed causes. But no prior studies on type 1 diabetes and cancer had done so.

Of nine original studies and one meta-analysis published before ours, none had adequately controlled for smoking. When we evaluated the vulnerabilities of these studies and addressed them, we found a very clear pattern indicating substantially elevated risk for bladder cancer in people with type 1 diabetes." Victoria K. Cortessis, PhD, clinical professor of population and public health sciences, Keck School of Medicine and study's senior author

The new findings provide important clues about causes of bladder cancer and may help guide decision making by patients with type 1 diabetes and their providers. For example, avoiding or quitting smoking may be especially important for this group, Cortessis said.

A missing link

For years, studies that tracked people with type 1 diabetes found no increased risk of bladder cancer-and a closer look reveals why. Most datasets on type 1 diabetes began as studies that followed patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over time. The initial goal was to learn how the condition impacted patients by tracking events like hospitalizations and early complications. Data on smoking, however, were either not collected or asked about once and not updated.

Years later, researchers used those same datasets to ask a different question: Does type 1 diabetes raise the risk of other diseases, such as bladder cancer, in adulthood? To find out, they compared disease rates among people with type 1 diabetes to rates in the general population. Those analyses found no increased risk for bladder cancer.

The problem with this method: Smoking is a major contributor to bladder cancer. Without accurate data on smoking in the diabetes group or the general population, it was impossible to know how much risk of bladder cancer was linked to smoking versus type 1 diabetes itself.

The Keck School of Medicine team suspected that people with type 1 diabetes may smoke less than the general population. After managing a serious health condition starting early in life, these individuals may have been more health conscious as adolescents and adults. If true, lower smoking rates could skew the comparisons and mask any increased bladder cancer risk tied to diabetes itself.

To investigate that idea, first author Helena Oskoui Bennett, MPH, a student at the Keck School when the research was conducted, gathered data from authoritative sources such as the World Health Organization to estimate smoking prevalence in populations where the original studies were conducted. The patterns the team found using a technique called meta-regression supported the team's hypothesis, helping explain why earlier analyses failed to detect a connection. After accounting for patterns of smoking, they estimated that people with type 1 diabetes were 4.29 times more likely to get bladder cancer.

Controlling bladder cancer risk

The reason for the link between type 1 diabetes and bladder cancer is not yet clear, but researchers suspect the disease may trigger biological changes that contribute to the cancer's development. For that reason, careful management of diabetes-including maintaining healthy blood sugar levels-could be key for reducing bladder cancer risk. Those biological changes may also interact with the effects of smoking to further raise risk.

"More work is needed to understand the mechanisms at play, but it's possible that there is a biological synergy between diabetes and smoking that increases risk more than either factor alone," Cortessis said.

The study emerged from the team's larger analysis of type 2 diabetes, another condition linked to bladder cancer. They are now reviewing nearly 100 studies on type 2 diabetes and its treatments to pinpoint what drives the increased risk.

About this research

In addition to Cortessis and Bennett, the study's other authors are David Bogumil and Kimberly D. Siegmund from the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California; Richard M. Watanabe from the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, the Department of Physiology & Neuroscience, and the Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California; Lynn Kysh from the University of California at Davis; and Piet van den Brandt from Maastricht University Medical Center, Netherlands.
Aware of China supplying submarines to Pakistan, monitoring situation: VCNS

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 22:30 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan on Thursday said the Indian Navy is aware that China is supplying submarines to Pakistan, and the force is monitoring" the situation, and taking steps to ensure the countrys maritime security and preparedness.

Interacting with reporters here ahead of Swavlamban 2025  a flagship event on innovation and indigenisation  he also acknowledged reports that China has commissioned its third aircraft carrier,  Fujian.

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Stated to be the most modern warship equipped with electromagnetic catapults, it was inducted earlier this month at a ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, wrapped in secrecy.

Asked about Chinas supply of submarines and other platforms to Pakistan, the VCNS said, It is a fact and we are fully aware of it. We have knowledge about that they (China) are supplying submarines to them (Pakistan), induction of the submarine will begin very soon. We are monitoring every situation, and what counter we need to take, we are making full efforts what capabilities we need, we continuously review it, and our induction and acquisition profile is made accordingly." The Indian Navy knows what capabilities we require, in the area of anti-submarine warfare," he added.

And, other capabilities which are coming to Pakistan from China and other countries, we are monitoring them," Vice Admiral Vatsayan said.

China has delivered a second new submarine, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, to Pakistan as part of its efforts to beef up the navy of its all-weather ally to back its growing presence in the Arabian Sea and Indias backyard, the Indian Ocean, official media in Beijing had reported in March.

The Hangor-class submarine, which is part of the eight such submarines to Pakistan in a deal worth around USD 5 billion, was launched in Wuhan, Chinas Hubei Province, they said.

The naval officer asserted that the Indian Navy takes steps to boost its operational capabilities from time to time.

As I had said earlier, there are 52 ships being built currently at Indian shipyards, for which orders have been placed, and deliveries will be made in the next few years. We hope that four more vessels will be delivered by this year, and then 19 ships in the next year, and 13-14 ships the year after that This is our anticipated induction plan," he said.

Besides, we have got Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 69 ships and six submarines," and the contracts for these are expected to be concluded in the next couple of years, the VCNS added.

Asked about the status of US-origin military platforms such as MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, which the force plans to procure, he said, Its contract has happened and we anticipate that its delivery will be as per the contract".

On the Next Generation Destroyers (NGD) project, he said, We are very hopeful that we have got a very good design (by the Warship Design Bureau). We will be taking the AoN. We expect to process the AoN in this financial year, and contract conclusion possibly in the next two years." Swavlamban 2025 is being hosted days after the Indian armed forces concluded tri-service exercise Trishul, a nearly fortnight-long exercise led by the navy, with a finale amphibious exercise off the Saurashtra Coast at Gujarats Porbandar on November 13.

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The VCNS also said of the challenges in the maritime domain, several of those have been identified earlier, and these were also tried during the recent tri-service exercise, such as cyber, cognitive and information warfare.

But, drones and counter-drone systems we are proactively looking at," he added. PTI KND RHL

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 22:30 IST

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Coast Guard apprehends 28 Bangladeshi fishermen

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:45 IST

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Kolkata, Nov 20 (PTI) The Coast Guard has apprehended 28 Bangladeshi fishermen from inside Indian waters on the Bay of Bengal, a police officer said on Thursday.

With this, the total number of fishermen from the neighbouring country arrested by the Coast Guard in a week has risen to 107, he said.

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The 28 Bangladeshi fishermen, who were apprehended on Wednesday night, were brought to the Narayanpur fishing harbour and handed over to Kakdwip police station in West Bengals South 24 Parganas district, the officer said.

The Coast Guard had on Sunday seized three Bangladeshi fishing boats and apprehended 79 crew members, including three minors, from within Indian waters for illegal fishing, officials said.

The police are trying to determine whether the arrested people were engaged in fishing or trying to enter India illegally through the sea route, they said.

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During surveillance, the Bangladeshi fishing boats were detected operating inside Indian waters, in violation of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981, the officials said.

The three Bangladeshi fishing boats and 79 crew members apprehended earlier were handed over to the marine police at Frazerganj in South 24 Parganas for further legal proceedings, they added. PTI CORR AMR RBT

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DGCA chief reviews readiness of Noida Airport; final security vetting on Nov 24

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 22:30 IST

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Noida, Nov 20 (PTI) Senior aviation officers on Thursday reviewed the readiness of the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar, with the final security vetting scheduled later this week, officials said.

A high-level meeting was held at the airport site in the presence of DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Airports Authority of India (AAI), according to officials.

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The meeting also had representatives of the Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Department, CISF, Noida International Airport Limited CEO Rakesh Singh, Noida International Airport CEO Christoph Schnellmann, COO Kiran Jain, they said .

BCAS will conduct the final security vetting of Jewar airport on November 24. After the issuance of security clearance, DGCA will proceed to issue the aerodrome licence," Airports nodal officer Shailendra Bhatia told PTI.

The inspection focused on various operational, security and regulatory parameters ahead of the aerodrome licensing stage, he added.

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The Noida International Airport at Jewar, being developed in phases, will begin operations with one runway and one terminal, and is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually in its first phase.

The greenfield project is expected to commence operations soon but its official launch date for phase one is yet to be announced. PTI KIS NB NB

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 22:30 IST

News agency-feeds DGCA chief reviews readiness of Noida Airport; final security vetting on Nov 24

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Faridabad Police forms SIT to probe Al Falah University's activities

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 22:30 IST

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Faridabad, Nov 20 (PTI) While multiple agencies are currently probing the car blast in Delhi and the recently busted white collar terror module spread across at least three states, Faridabad Police has formed a separate Special Investigation Team to look into the activities of Al Falah University, several of whose doctors were arrested in connection with the high profile case.

Meanwhile, investigating agencies have detained a cab driver, a cleric and an Urdu teacher for questioning, according to sources.

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The SIT, which consists of two assistant commissioners of police, an inspector, and two sub-inspectors, is preparing a comprehensive report on the universitys activities.

An SIT has been formed to investigate the affairs at Al Falah University in Faridabad. All aspects will be looked into," said a Faridabad Police spokesperson.

Faridabad Commissioner of Police Satender Kumar Gupta has instructed the SIT to investigate how the university has become a hotbed of terrorism. The SIT members were told to gather detailed information about the terror modules funding and the trail of explosives. Reports are also being prepared on the role of residents of nearby villages in the terror module.

Police sources said the SIT was formed after Director General of Police O P Singh, who visited the Al Falah University on Tuesday, said that the commissioner and deputy commissioner of police should personally visit the place and that the administration should lead from front.

The biggest question before the police is how the terrorists managed to use the university as their base for so many years and how they remained undetected. An investigation has started in this direction, sources said.

Meanwhile, the investigating agencies detained a cab driver from Dhauj village last night.

According to sources, officers recovered from the drivers house a grinding machine and another electric device, which were kept in his custody by Dr Muzammil Ganaie, one of the arrested Al Falah University doctors and a prime suspect in the terror module case.

They added that Dr Ganaie had provided SIM cards to some students and other associates through the cab driver.

According to sources, the cab driver is a native of Asaoti village in Palwal district, who has been residing at Billa colony in Dhauj village. He had met Dr Ganaie at the Al Falah Universitys hospital when he brought his son for treatment after the child suffered burn injuries when hot milk spilled on him. Dr Ganaie provided significant assistance to the cab driver, they said.

Meanwhile, the agencies also detained a cleric and an Urdu teacher, both of them residents of Ghasera village in Nuh district.

Sources said they were picked up from the Shahi Jama Masjid in Raipur village near Sohna.

Investigation has revealed that Dr Umar Nabi, the suicide bomber behind the November 10 blast near Delhis Red Fort, often visited this mosque to offer prayers. The police are also trying to establish if any kind of meeting or conversation had taken place in the mosque in Dr Umars presence, officials said.

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However, the clerics family members have denied that he has any involvement in the case. The Shahi Jama Masjid is located on the highway and hence, people from anywhere in the country could come there to offer prayers, they said.

Meanwhile, parents of Al Falah University students are said to have planned to stage a protest outside the university on Saturday. PTI COR RUK RUK

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 22:30 IST

News agency-feeds Faridabad Police forms SIT to probe Al Falah University's activities

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I practice Buddhism, but I believe in all religions: CJI B R Gavai

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 20:30 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Outgoing Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Thursday said that he practises Buddhism but he is a truly secular person who believes in all the religions.

Speaking at a farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA), Gavai expressed his gratitude, saying that the countrys judiciary has given him a lot.

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Gavai is scheduled to retire on November 23, and Friday would be his last working day in Supreme Court.

I practice Buddhism but I do not have much depth in any religious studies. I am truly secular and I believe in Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, everything," Gavai said.

I have learnt this from my father. He was a secular and erudite follower of Dr Ambedkar. While growing up, when we used to accompany him to political functions and his friends say, Come here, the dargah here is famous, or the gurdwara here is famous, we used to go," the CJI recollected.

Gavai said he could reach the current position only because of Dr Ambedkar and the Constitution.

Otherwise, I dont think any boy studying in a municipal school sitting on the ground could ever dream of this. I have tried to live by the four cornerstones of the Indian Constitution  Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity," he said.

Gavai said the Supreme Court should not be a CJI-centric court but a court of all the judges.

The Supreme Court is a very great institution. Unless all the stakeholders, including the judges, the bar, the registry and staff work together, the court cannot function. The Supreme Court Bar Association and SCAORA should always be taken on board where problems of the bar are concerned," he said.

CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant, who was present, said that he has known Gavai for two decades.

He said the outgoing CJIs commitment for justice to the common man was truly commendable.

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I have seen the humane side of Justice Gavai. He is warm, gracious and a great host. I am quite sure that even after his retirement, he will continue to guide the institution. His experience will remain an asset for the institution," Justice Kant said.

SCAORA president Vipin Nair thanked CJI Gavai for taking cognisance of the issue of investigating agencies summoning lawyers as part of their investigation. PTI PKS RUK RUK

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 20:30 IST

News agency-feeds I practice Buddhism, but I believe in all religions: CJI B R Gavai

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The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has denied accusations by Artur Herasymov, head of the European Solidarity parliamentary faction, that it allegedly blocked the issuance of petitions calling for the resignation of the current government last week, on November 12, and stated that it issued them the same day it received the request.

"According to the electronic document card in the unified automated document management system of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a letter from members of the parliamentary faction of the European Solidarity political party requesting the production of signature sheets was received by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on November 12, 2025, and was forwarded for review to the Chief of Staff, who instructed the Human Resources Department of the Parliamentary Staff to produce the requested documents. The requested signature sheets were handed over by an employee of the Human Resources Department to an employee of the Secretariat of the parliamentary faction of the European Solidarity political party against signature at 4:05 p.m. that same day. In other words, within a few hours, the Parliamentary Staff prepared and handed over the requested documents to the parliamentarians of Ukraine," Vyacheslav Shtuchny, Chief of Staff of the Parliament, told Interfax-Ukraine.

He emphasized that the information disseminated by Herasymov was already incorrect at the time of publication, because the signature sheets were already in the secretariat of the European Solidarity faction.
NCPCR rescued 2,300 children across India in six months: Official

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 09:45 IST

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Itanagar, Nov 20 (PTI) The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has said that in the past six months, it disposed of around 26,000 cases and rescued more than 2,300 children across the country.

Division head for Juvenile Justice, POCSO and special cells of NCPCR, Paresh Shah, however, said that child rights violations are not mere statistics and each case represents a story of a child and a family.

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Effective action by officials determines not only the lives of children but the future of the country, he said.

Shah stated that both the Central and state governments are committed to safeguarding every child in Arunachal Pradesh, but stressed that strong laws alone are not enough without robust monitoring, awareness and coordinated enforcement.

The assertion came during a state-level conference on gaps and challenges in the implementation of key child rights legislations held here recently.

Child rights violations are not mere statistics, and each case represents a story of a child and a family. Effective action by officials determines not only the lives of children but the future of the country," a statement quoted him as saying in the conference.

Shah noted that the Commission had, in the past six months, disposed of around 26,000 cases, rescued over 2,300 children and repatriated more than 1,000 children to their home districts, supported by new technology-driven systems introduced at NCPCR.

He said the focus ahead includes mental health support for children, AI tools to combat Child Sexual Abuse Material and new strategies to address ground-level challenges in implementing key child protection laws.

Shah emphasised that the responsibility for realising the governments child rights commitments rests on all stakeholders, from officials and school authorities to law-enforcement agencies and civil society.

He underlined the need for continuous capacity building and awareness generation, stating that officials must be trained, citizens sensitised through multiple platforms, and frontline workers supported through regular workshops.

Arunachal Pradesh SCPCR chairperson Ratan Anya presented a situational analysis of the states child protection systems, flagging multiple gaps in safety, monitoring and reporting.

Citing recent incidents in the state, she said they expose critical weaknesses in existing mechanisms despite strong legal frameworks.

She also highlighted challenges in investigating POCSO cases, lack of awareness among stakeholders, inadequate systems to combat child trafficking and child labour, poor implementation of anti-tobacco provisions under COTPA and insufficient monitoring of residential schools.

Anya recommended more awareness campaigns by NCPCR and requested the Education Department to initiate sustained audits of schools.

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State Education Commissioner Amzad Tatak urged district officials to take school safety requirements seriously and conduct audits as mandated under the NCPCR manual on safety and security of children in schools.

He said a task force headed by the Chief Minister Pema Khandu had been formed to strengthen child rights mechanisms within the school system and described the conference as an important intervention at a critical time. PTI UPL NN

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 09:45 IST

News agency-feeds NCPCR rescued 2,300 children across India in six months: Official

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Veer Pahariya showers love on his whole heart Tara Sutaria in birthday post

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 09:45 IST

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 (ANI): Bollywood actor Tara Sutaria received warm wishes from her fans and friends across social media platforms on her birthday. Sutaria celebrated her birthday on Wednesday and among those who wished her was Veer Pahariya who dropped the most romantic birthday message for his whole heart", leaving fans gushing over the couples lovey-dovey moments.Veer shared a string of pictures from Taras birthday celebrations, along with other adorable snaps. The first one shows the duo sharing a sweet moment as Veer holds Tara in his embrace, followed by the second one that shows the Sky Force actor playing piano for her.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Veer Pahariya (@veerpahariya)

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He also included a glimpse from their vacation as they can be seen enjoying a yacht ride. In his caption, Veer wrote, Happy Birthday my whole heart," to which Tara cutely replied with, My everything."Tara also shared glimpses from her birthday bash on Instagram, showing her enjoying with her friends and Veer. Earlier this week, Tara Sutaria headed to the Maldives for her pre-birthday celebrations and dropped pictures from the getaway. The actor looked stunning dressed in a black beachwear, which she paired with dangling earrings. BIRTHDAY WEEK BEGINS! T-3 TO GO," Tara wrote in the caption.

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 09:45 IST

News agency-feeds Veer Pahariya showers love on his whole heart Tara Sutaria in birthday post

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Horoscope Today, November 20, 2025: Whats In Store For All Zodiac Signs

Written By :

GaneshaGrace

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 06:00 IST

Horoscope Today, November 20, 2025: Aries, Taurus and Gemini face mixed energy while other signs navigate emotions, growth and clarity in relationships today.

Daily Horoscope Today, November 20, 2025: Daily horoscope by Chirag Daruwalla. (AI generated image)

Daily Horoscope Today, November 20, 2025: Today, each zodiac sign faces a unique blend of challenges and opportunities that can influence their relationships and emotional well-being. Aries may struggle with communication and emotional tension, requiring patience and introspection to navigate difficulties in personal relationships.

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Taurus enjoys a harmonious day, with positive energy boosting their communication skills and deepening bonds with loved ones, making it an ideal time to express their feelings openly. Gemini will find joy and enthusiasm in social interactions, rekindling old friendships and bringing new energy to relationships through lively conversations.

Cancer faces some insecurity and miscommunication, but can improve their relationships by speaking honestly and addressing emotional concerns. Leo experiences some inner instability and relationship strain, but with patience and open dialogue, they can strengthen their connections and restore balance.

Virgo will enjoy a positive and fulfilling day, with increased confidence and clarity in communication, making it a great time to nurture relationships.

Libras will find themselves surrounded by fresh ideas and positive social interactions, using their empathy to strengthen bonds with those around them. Scorpio faces emotional challenges and communication issues, but have the opportunity to learn and grow by reflecting on their relationships and maintaining patience. Sagittarius has a day filled with positive energy, enjoying happiness and deeper connections with loved ones, especially in romantic relationships.

Capricorns may feel overwhelmed by challenges, but can use this time to strengthen their emotional resilience by addressing relationship difficulties with patience and understanding. Aquarius experiences a burst of energy and creativity, enhancing their relationships and social connections, with a focus on sharing new ideas and fostering positivity.

Pisces may face restlessness and misunderstanding, but can improve their relationships by communicating carefully and remaining calm, allowing for better future outcomes.

Overall, while each sign faces its own set of challenges, today offers plenty of opportunities for growth, introspection, and strengthening relationships.

Aries Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today can be a challenging day for Aries. You may face some challenges in your life, especially in relationships. This time is a bit murky, which may make communicating with your partner difficult. Its important to express your feelings clearly to avoid misunderstandings. Your temper may flare up a bit today, so maintain patience. Its important to be polite when communicating with others.

Its a good idea to share your thoughts with a close friend or family member; it will provide support and make you feel lighter. This can be a time for introspection. Its important to give yourself time and clarity. Remember that even difficult times pass, so maintain positivity and trust your inner strength. Take some time to reflect and understand yourself.

Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: Orange

Taurus Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today is a particularly wonderful day for Taurus. Positive energy will flow into your life, further enhancing your relationships with those around you. Youll feel inspired to spend time with your friends and family. This is a time when you can express your feelings openly, which will deepen your relationships. Your communication skills will be a key feature of this day. Your speech will be sweet and understanding, making your conversations with loved ones even more enjoyable.

You will experience a new energy in your relationships, which will prove extremely beneficial. Avoid negativity today and focus on adopting a positive attitude. You will express your feelings openly, which will strengthen your relationships. Overall, today will be a pleasant and loving day for Taurus. Cherish and enjoy your relationships.

Lucky Number: 8

Lucky Colour: White

Gemini Horoscope Today

Ganesha says for Gemini, today will be full of positive changes and new possibilities. A joyful atmosphere will surround you, encouraging you to strengthen your social connections. Take full advantage of spending time with your friends and family today. Your conversation and communication skills will improve today, adding variety to your social activities. This day will also bring opportunities for new thinking and perspectives. You will find it easier to express your thoughts and feelings, which will bring more warmth to your relationships.

Your conversations will be lively and enthusiastic, which will attract others. Thanks to your positivity and openness, you will be able to rekindle old relationships. So, try contacting an old friend today. Your relationships will be filled with new energy and freshness. Overall, today will be a very auspicious day for you.

Lucky Number: 10

Lucky Colour: Navy Blue

Cancer Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today can be challenging for Cancerians. You may face difficulties getting along with those around you. Minor disagreements or hesitations may arise in your relationships. You may feel insecure, which may hinder communication. It is important to express your feelings without hesitation in your intimate relationships. Although you may feel a little anxious today, this is a time to overcome negativity.

Talk honestly with your loved ones and try to understand their feelings. This will improve your communication and strengthen your relationships. In short, today is a day to be mindful of your emotions and to establish better communication with family and friends. Dont hesitate to speak up; this could be an important step in improving your relationships.

Lucky Number: 3

Lucky Colour: Magenta

Leo Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today brings mixed results for Leos. There may be some instability in your inner balance, which could exacerbate your daily worries. You may face some difficulties in your relationships during this time. You may worry about small things, especially in close relationships. This is a time to communicate with understanding and patience. You may find it difficult to understand and express your feelings, which may make you a little upset.

In such a situation, try to talk openly with those close to you to clear up misunderstandings. Keep in mind that this is a time to strengthen family and friendship relationships. Introspection and delving deeper into your inner self will give you the opportunity to improve your mental state. Maintaining a positive attitude even during stressful times is important. Try to keep things light and avoid stress as much as possible.

Lucky Number: 6

Lucky Colour: Blue

Virgo Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today will be a positive and auspicious day for Virgos in every respect. You will experience a special energy that will not only boost your self-confidence but also strengthen your relationships with those around you. Your thoughts and communication skills will be very impressive today, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. Your openness and humility in social interactions will make you popular among people.

You will enjoy spending time with your friends and loved ones, and this will refresh your spirit. Enjoy todays moments and try to deepen your relationships. This is an opportunity for you to listen to your heart and bring a new twist to your relationships. Dont hesitate to express your feelings. This day will provide you with a pleasant experience in love and relationships. Overall, today will be a very pleasant and satisfying day for you.

Lucky Number: 11

Lucky Colour: Pink

Libra Horoscope Today

Ganesha says overall, today will be a very positive day for Libras. Your thoughts and ideas will be refreshed, allowing you to build excellent relationships with those around you. You will treat others with empathy and understanding, which will have a positive impact on your personal life. Your social activities will increase, providing opportunities to meet new friends and gain new experiences.

People will be impressed by your presence today, so be careful in your conversations and present your thoughts clearly. This day is also a good time to connect with people who inspire you. This is an important time for you to strengthen your relationships with others, especially close friends and family members. Today can prove to be a turning point in your relationships; take full advantage of this opportunity and feel free to share your feelings.

Lucky Number: 2

Lucky Colour: Brown

Scorpio Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today can prove to be quite challenging for you, especially in your personal relationships. Due to emotional ups and downs, you may face some problems with your loved ones. This is a time to introspect and understand which direction you want to move forward. Your behavior and communication skills will be crucial today. If you are unable to express your feelings clearly, situations may become even more complicated.

Be patient and respect the feelings of those around you when communicating with them. This time will show you that some relationships need adjustment. If youre concerned about a relationship, avoid making hasty decisions. Its best to think first and then take action. Listening to your inner voice is crucial during this time. Todays experiences should strengthen your insight and understanding. Maintain love and compassion in your relationships; this will help you move forward.

Lucky Number: 11

Lucky Colour: Sky Blue

Sagittarius Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today will be a very good day overall for Sagittarius. Your positive energy and confidence will create a magical atmosphere around you. You will experience happiness and satisfaction in your relationships. Conversations with your partner will be sweet and understanding, deepening your relationship. If you are single, new encounters are likely to bring you joy and excitement.

During this time, you will better understand your inner feelings, emotions, and thoughts, which will improve your personal relationships. Spending time with friends and family will bring you happiness and satisfaction. Enjoy moments of mental peace and relaxation. Remember, today is full of possibilities for you. So, try to listen to your heart and spend time with people who inspire you. Enjoy this positivity and strengthen your relationships even more.

Lucky Number: 5

Lucky Colour: Green

Capricorn Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today indicates some difficulties for Capricorns. You may find yourself feeling anxious and depressed. However, this could also be a time to learn some lessons. The truth is, any relationship has its ups and downs, and this time can provide you with an opportunity to better understand and balance your emotions. Some obstacles may arise in your relationship, making you feel helpless. But maintain patience.

Analyze the situation without making hasty decisions. Talk to your loved ones. The emotions you are experiencing today can help strengthen your inner strength. Even during difficult times, it is important to maintain positive relationships with those around you. Taking care of your mental health will help you overcome this situation. Remember, difficulties are temporary, and only a strong foundation of your relationship can help you overcome them.

Lucky Number: 7

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Aquarius Horoscope Today

Ganesha says today will bring a special and positive atmosphere into your life. You will be full of enthusiasm and energy. The atmosphere around you will also be pleasant, which will help strengthen your relationships. During this time, try to spend more time with your friends and family. Conversations and time spent with them will bring freshness to your relationships. Your thinking and creativity will be at their peak today, allowing you to express your feelings better.

This is a time to generate new ideas and bring them to life. Share your thoughts openly and inspire others. You will experience a wonderful sense of confidence and understanding during this time, which will bring positive changes to your relationships and social standing. Maintain social contact with those around you and exchange useful suggestions. Use this day to further improve your relationships.

Lucky Number: 1

Lucky Colour: Maroon

Pisces Horoscope Today

Ganesha says todays horoscope for Pisces focuses on the overall aspect of your life. You may face some challenges today that may affect your mental balance. This is a time of some restlessness, which may make you a little anxious. However, this situation is not permanent. Be careful when communicating with those around you, as speaking wisely will be beneficial during this time. Some dissatisfaction may arise in your relationships today. Minor disagreements or misunderstandings may arise, which could impact your emotional health.

You need to resolve these issues patiently. Choose your words carefully to express your feelings so that your message is understood correctly. Paying attention to small details during this time can improve your relationship. Remain calm and empathetic towards your partner. If you remain calm today, you may experience better circumstances in the future.

Lucky Number: 12

Lucky Colour: Red

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(The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla).

About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, ... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 06:00 IST

News astrology Horoscope Today, November 20, 2025: Whats In Store For All Zodiac Signs

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Aquarius Horoscope Today, November 20, 2025

Written By :

GaneshaGrace

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 07:00 IST

Aquarius Daily Horoscope, November 20, 2025: Today, you will be worried due to a dispute with your spouse on some issue, but you will also be successful in convincing them

Aquarius Horoscope Today: Astrological predictions by Chirag Daruwalla for kumbha rashi on Nov 20 2025. (AI generated image)

Aquarius Daily Horoscope Today, 20 November 2025: Ganesha says people associated with politics may get to hear some good news today, because today they may get a post in politics, due to which many of their problems will be solved, but if anyone gives any advice to the people doing business today, then you will get that advice. Dont follow the advice because it will be harmful to you. Today, you will be worried due to a dispute with your spouse on some issue, but you will also be successful in convincing them. People who do business related to foreign countries may get to hear some good news today, due to which will make them happy.

Positive  Today will be a special day. There will be opportunities to meet important people. You will receive information through the media or your contacts that will make your work easier. Women will remain focused on their personal tasks. Your financial situation will strengthen. Your hard work will yield positive results. Your new thinking and ideology will earn you a special place in your social circle.

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Negative  Try to resolve family differences with the mediation of a senior member. Students and young people are being careless about their goals these days. Anger will be a major enemy in business. The desire for excessive independence can create distance in your close relationships.

Business  Business activities will improve. Employees will provide full support in your work. Ongoing differences with superiors will be resolved. Businesses involving technological innovation and online work will see special success. Employed people will receive appreciation from their superiors.

Finance Today will prove to be financially harmful for you. You may face a shortage of money today. You have to understand your expenses, keeping in mind your financial situation. Today, you should avoid investing, and you have to find ways to improve your financial situation. You may need to change your financial plans. Today you have to be careful about money. You should avoid spending money on luxury items today. You may have to face difficult situations to improve your financial situation today. You may need to handle your expenses today. You have to be active to improve your financial situation. You have to be careful to save your money today. You should not worry about a shortage of money today, but face difficult situations to improve your financial situation. People working abroad are likely to get special achievements. There are chances of reaching the peak of your progress.

Love  Despite your busy schedule, it is important to make time for your family. Revealing a love affair could cause trouble. Maintain peace in your married life.

Health  Spend some time with positive people and maintain a positive attitude. Minor problems related to your legs or nerves may occur.

Lucky Color Red

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Lucky Number 9

(The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla)

About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, ... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 07:00 IST

News astrology horoscope Aquarius Horoscope Today, November 20, 2025

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FM Nirmala Sitharaman Holds Pre-Budget Consultations With Trade Unions Ahead Of Union Budget 2026-27

Curated By :



Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 17:08 IST

Pre-Budget Meetings: So far, 9 meetings with economists, farmer associations, tourism, IT, BFSI, manufacturing sector, startups, capital markets, and MSMEs have been conducted.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs the 10th Pre-Budget Consultation with representatives of trade unions and labour organisations in connection with the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27, in New Delhi, today.

Pre-Budget Consultations: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday chaired the 10th Pre-Budget Consultation with representatives of trade unions and labour organisations as the government begins groundwork for the Union Budget 2026-27.

The meeting, held in New Delhi, is part of the ministrys annual stakeholder engagement process, where labour bodies present their concerns on wages, social security, employment generation, and worker welfare ahead of the Budget.

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Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman chairs the 10th Pre-Budget Consultation with representatives of trade unions and labour organisations in connection with the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27, in New Delhi, today," the Ministry of Finance said in a post X.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman chairs the 10th Pre-Budget Consultation with representatives of trade unions and labour organisations in connection with the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27, in New Delhi, today.The meeting was also attended by pic.twitter.com/gLqo9pwViv  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) November 20, 2025

According to the post, the session was also attended by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, senior officials from the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Chief Economic Adviser.

The consultations with labour groups are among a series of interactions the Finance Ministry is conducting with different sectors to shape policy priorities for the upcoming financial year.

So far, nine rounds of pre-budget meetings with economists, farmer associations, tourism & hospitality, IT sector, BFSI, manufacturing sector, startups, capital markets, and MSMEs have been conducted as the Budget preparation process gathers momentum. Some more will take place.

Sitharaman, who would present her ninth consecutive Budget likely on February 1, will present the annual account in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties and the steep US tariff of 50 per cent imposed on shipments from India.

On Wednesday, November 19, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held pre-budget consultations with top leaders of the IT sector, as the USD 280 billion industry confronts AI disruptions, global uncertainties, and increased H-1B visa costs in its largest market, the US. While the industry executives remained tight-lipped after the meeting about Budget wishlist, it is learnt that the discussions ranged from building computing capacities in India, to scaling up skilling initiatives, given the disruptions and opportunities around AI.

The meeting was attended by industry honchos including Preeti Lobana, Vice President and Country Manager at Google India; Rajesh Varrier President  Operations, Chairman and Managing Director of Cognizant India; Sindhu Gangadharan, Chairperson of industry body Nasscom, and Managing Director of SAP Labs India among others.

On Tuesday, the FM had held similar round of consultations with founders and senior executives of startups.

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In a post on LinkedIn, Aman Gupta, Co Founder of BoAt said he had shared thoughts on ESOP taxation reform and how simplifying it can unlock wealth creation at every level for team members, and future builders.

For the first time, startups were invited at this platform and it truly felt like a big moment for the ecosystem. Grateful to represent our founder community," Gupta wrote.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 17:08 IST

News business economy FM Nirmala Sitharaman Holds Pre-Budget Consultations With Trade Unions Ahead Of Union Budget 2026-27

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Stocks To Watch: Groww, Infosys, Adani Ent, BPCL, HAL, SpiceJet, Dabur, NTPC Green, And Others

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 08:06 IST

Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Groww, Infosys, Adani Ent, BPCL, HAL, SpiceJet, Dabur, NTPC Green, and others will be in focus on Thursday's trade

Stocks To Watch

Stocks to Watch on November 20: Markets edged higher on Wednesday, with the Nifty reclaiming the 26,000 mark and reversing the previous sessions weakness. The rebound was driven largely by unexpected strength in IT majors after Infosys announced its Rs 18,000-crore share buyback effective November 20, which boosted sentiment across the sector.

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Analysts remain optimistic amid the ongoing consolidation phase and expect the Nifty to attempt fresh highs if it breaks above 26,100 decisively.

In todays session, shares of Groww, Infosys, Adani Power, Sammaan Capital, HAL, and others will be in focus due to key news developments.

Groww

Shares of new-age broker Billionbrains Garage Venture (Groww) will be closely watched after the stock faced heavy selling on Wednesday, hitting a 10% lower circuit within the first hour of trade. The stock had rallied nearly 90% from its IPO price since listing. Analysts attribute the fall to stretched valuations and rally fatigue.

Infosys

Infosys will open its Rs 18,000 crore share buyback on November 20, with the window closing on November 26. Approved by shareholders on November 6, the buyback allows the repurchase of up to 10 crore fully paid-up equity shares at Rs 1,800 each. Investors holding shares as of the record date, November 14, are eligible.

BPCL

LIC, one of Indias largest insurers and asset managers, has reduced its stake in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) from 8.75% to 6.75%. The trimming comes even as BPCL reported strong September-quarter numbers on the back of higher refining margins and robust fuel demand.

HAL

A consortium of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro has indigenously built the first PSLV rocket, set to launch the Oceansat satellite early next year, a senior L&T official told PTI. In 2022, ISRO had signed a contract with the consortium for end-to-end production of five PSLV-XL rockets.

Adani Enterprises

Adani Enterprises has received creditor approval for its Rs 14,535 crore offer to acquire insolvent Jaiprakash Associates, surpassing competing bids from Vedanta and Dalmia Bharat.

JK Tyre

JK Tyres unit, JK Tornel, will divest 40 lakh shares of Cavendish Industries to SMMS Trust for Rs 130.64 crore. Cavendish will continue to remain a subsidiary of the group.

SpiceJet

The Board has issued 83,34,091 equity sharesrepresenting 0.55% of paid-up equityat Rs 42.32 per share on a preferential basis to GASL Aviation Holdings. The allotment reflects the conversion of USD 4 million in outstanding dues owed to the aircraft lessor.

Reliance Industries

Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries, has entered the pet care segment with the launch of Waggies, a pet food brand offering affordable, scientifically formulated nutrition. It will offer two product linesWaggies and Waggies Propriced at Rs 199 per kg and Rs 249 per kg, with trial packs priced at Rs 20.

NBCC India

NBCC has secured a project management consultancy contract worth Rs 2,966.10 crore from the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority for the Phase-1 development of Naveen Nagpur.

Reliance Power

Reliance Power has established a new management board aimed at improving governance and enhancing strategic oversight.

Dabur India

Dabur India has received partial relief after the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal annulled Rs 59 crore from an earlier tax demand. However, Rs 50.96 crore remains under dispute and is still pending before tax authorities.

NTPC Green Energy

The company has signed an MoU with The Singareni Collieries Company for the development of renewable energy projects.

Jyoti CNC Automation

Subsidiary Huron Graffenstanden SAS has commenced operations at a new production facility located within its existing site in France.

CG Power

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CG Power and Industrial Solutions has received a tax assessment order of Rs 365 crore for FY 201819 following several additions by the Income Tax Department under various sections.

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 20, 2025, 08:06 IST

News business markets Stocks To Watch: Groww, Infosys, Adani Ent, BPCL, HAL, SpiceJet, Dabur, NTPC Green, And Others

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Old vs New Tax Regime: Which One Maximises Post-Retirement Income From Hybrid Funds?

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 18:07 IST

A person might receive the entire refund under Section 87A under the old tax regime if the total income (including capital gains) amounted to approximately Rs 5 lakh.

The question of which tax regime to use goes far beyond simply 'which has a lower slab'.(Representative image)

The choice between the old and the new tax regimes has become a matter of great importance as the number of Indian retirees investing in hybrid and balanced-advantage funds for steady income increases. According to experts, the old regime is more favourable now for post-retirement income from funds that are not purely debt or equity.

A full rebate under section 87A is available to a taxpayer under the new regime if the total income (excluding long-term and short-term capital gains) is less than Rs 12 lakh. However, states that capital gains are not entitled to this rebate even if those are from equity-oriented or non-equity schemes, according to Money Control.

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On the other hand, under the old regime, a person can avail the full 87A rebate if their total income (including capital gains taxed at slab or special rates) is less than Rs 5 lakh. The question of which tax regime to use goes far beyond simply which has a lower slab" in the case of a typical retired investor deciding on monthly income from hybrid funds.

How Hybrid Funds and Post-Retirement Income Interplay

The tax implications of redeem versus payout are important for retirees looking for monthly payouts from hybrid funds (for instance, through the IDCW option in balanced or multi-asset plans). Under the new regime, regular income (dividends) may be tax-free within the Rs 12 lakh slab, but unit redemptions may be subject to tax. Long-term capital gains are subject to a 12.5% tax on non-equity schemes, which are not solely debt or equity.

Under the old regime, both dividends and profits might not be subject to tax if the investors income is low (e.g., less than Rs 5 lakh). For instance, consider a 54-year-old NRI returning to India with a corpus of Rs 50 lakh. He splits the Rs 50 lakh in a 50:50 way between balanced-advantage and multi-asset funds, and with monthly charges of around Rs 20,000 to 25,000. It seems that the old regime is more tax-efficient for him.

Which Regime Works Better for Post-Retirement Income?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution; it depends on the retirees income level, asset mix, withdrawal plan, and whether payouts or profits predominate. However, in the given situation, the old regime wins since the investor invests in hybrid funds (which are neither entirely debt nor entirely equity) and expects a relatively low annual return (less than Rs 5 lakh). This is because both dividend payments and profits may be tax-free.

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The capital gains on redemption would still be subject to 12.5 per cent tax under the new regime, while the dividend distribution might be tax-free up to Rs 12 lakh. Retirees should therefore run scenarios, assess their expected total income (including withdrawals), projected gains on fund redemption, and then compare the taxes under each regime. The decision should be in line with the type of investment, holding period and income requirements.

In summary, the old tax regime might provide better results for a retiree who relies on hybrid funds and has a low income. However, the new regime may become more appealing if one expects a higher income or makes significant investments in equity-oriented schemes.

About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, w... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 17:57 IST

News business Old vs New Tax Regime: Which One Maximises Post-Retirement Income From Hybrid Funds?

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Health Hazard Near Navi Mumbai Cancer Hospital? NGT Steps In As Quarry Operates Without Approvals

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 15:27 IST

CIDCO and Maharashtra Environment Department, in separate RTI responses to NatConnect, categorically stated that no permissions had been granted for quarrying in the area.

The illegal quarry running in Kharghar. (Image shared by activist BN Kumar)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stepped in firmly after growing environmental and public health concerns over an alleged illegal stone quarry operating just behind the Tata Cancer Hospital (ACTREC) in Kharghar. With complaints mounting from environmental groups and residents, the tribunal has now clubbed two separate petitions and scheduled a joint hearing on December 5  signalling that the matter has moved beyond routine scrutiny and into serious judicial focus.

The controversy gathered momentum after CIDCO and the Maharashtra Environment Department, in separate RTI responses to NatConnect Foundation, categorically stated that no permissions had been granted for quarrying in the area. Despite this, the quarry continues to function, raising uncomfortable questions about regulatory oversight, environmental compliance, and administrative accountability.

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At last hearing, the NGTs Western Zonal Bench expressed concern over the direct risks posed to cancer patients, medical staff, and high-precision equipment at ACTREC. Environmental groups have highlighted issues such as heavy dust emissions, vibrations from blasting, and possible structural impacts on sensitive radiology and research facilities. For a hospital treating immunocompromised and critically ill individuals, even minor dust or vibration levels can have serious implicationsmaking the continuing quarry operations especially alarming.

The case first drew national attention in July, when the NGTs Principal Bench took suo motu cognisance of media reports based on findings from NatConnect Foundation and the Kharghar Hill and Wetland Forum. Their RTI information from the Raigad district administration also confirmed that no permissions existed for the quarrys operations. Following this, the Principal Bench transferred the matter to the Western Zonal Bench for deeper examination and fact-finding.

In its latest application, NatConnect has urged the NGT to order an immediate halt to all mining and crushing activities. The foundation warned that dust could settle on radiological equipment, blasting could disrupt ongoing research, and continuous vibrations might weaken the hospitals structural stability. The application also cites RTI information from ACTREC, which operates under the Department of Atomic Energy, indicating internal concerns over the quarrys proximity and impact.

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Activist BN Kumar has escalated the matter to the Prime Ministers Office, following which the Centre has asked the state government for a detailed explanation. This has prompted the Raigad district administration to begin an inquiry into the matter.

The NGT has now issued notices to the Raigad District Collector and the Directorate of Geology & Mining, seeking comprehensive responses before the December 5 hearing. Meanwhile, NatConnect has filed a fresh RTI seeking updates to ensure no unapproved activity continues unchecked.

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 15:27 IST

News cities Health Hazard Near Navi Mumbai Cancer Hospital? NGT Steps In As Quarry Operates Without Approvals

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Teacher Held Over Students Death After 100 Sit-Ups Punishment At Palghar School

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:35 IST

The teacher, who has since been removed from the private school at Sativali in the Vasai area, has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder

The death had sparked a protest by local residents and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers, prompting the police to register a case. (Representative Image)

A woman teacher has been arrested over the death of a Class 6 student who was allegedly forced to perform 100 sit-ups for coming late to school in Maharashtras Palghar district, an official said on Thursday.

The teacher, who has since been removed from the private school at Sativali in the Vasai area, has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, said the official from Waliv police station.

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The girl was allegedly made to perform 100 sit-ups after she reached the school late on November 8. Her mother has alleged that the girl died as a result of an inhuman punishment" given by her teacher, who made her perform sit-ups with her school bag on her back.

The official said the 13-year-old girl had health issues and could not bear the punishment. She took ill and was taken to a hospital in Mumbai, where she died after seven days.

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The death had sparked a protest by local residents and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers, prompting the police to register a case. The police arrested the teacher on Tuesday night, said the official.

While the education department has launched an investigation into the incident, the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has also initiated a probe.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 10:54 IST

News cities mumbai-news Teacher Held Over Students Death After 100 Sit-Ups Punishment At Palghar School

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Mumbai Teen Dies By Suicide Days After Being Thrashed In Local Train For Not Speaking Marathi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 21, 2025, 09:15 IST

The victim, identified as Arnav Khaire, was travelling to his college in Mulund when an argument broke out over the Hindi-Marathi language, after which he was brutally assaulted.

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The victim was identified as Arnav Khaire.

In a shocking incident, a teenager in the Tisgaon Naka area of Thanes Kalyan East near Mumbai died by suicide after being thrashed for not speaking Marathi. The boy was allegedly assaulted in a local train by a group of 4-5 people.

The victim was identified as Arnav Laxman Khaire, a first-year science student. He was travelling to his college in Mulund on Tuesday when he asked a fellow passenger in Hindi to move forward, as per reports. His father, Jeetendra Khaire, said a group of 4-5 passengers confronted him over not speaking Marathi and proceeded to brutally thrash him.

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Arnav was travelling to his college in Mulund on a local train on Tuesday morning when the assault took place between Kalyan and Thane stations," Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kalyanji Gete, said.

In a state of shock, Arnav got off at Thane and took another train to Mulund. According to the victims father, Arnav came under significant mental stress after the assault and was unable to focus on his studies. He left college early and returned home in the afternoon and told his father about the incident, and the latter sensed fear and tension in his voice.

When the father returned home from work in the evening, he found the door locked from the inside. After opening it with the help of neighbours, he found his son hanging in the bedroom. Arnav was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead, as per local reports.

Arnavs father filed a case at the Kolsewadi police station and an investigation has been launched in the matter. A case of accidental death was registered.

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The Hindi-Marathi row has exploded in Maharashtra, especially in the Mumbai metropolitan region, after opposition parties like the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena took on the government over two GRs on the three-language policy in schools and teaching of Hindi from Class I.

It escalated after incidents involving verbal and physical assaults, vandalism, and public intimidation by the MNS workers were reported from various parts of the state, drawing widespread criticism and legal scrutiny. In multiple videos that have gone viral on social media, MNS workers were seen confronting shopkeepers, auto drivers, and even bank employees for not speaking Marathi.

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 20, 2025, 19:29 IST

News mumbai-news Mumbai Teen Dies By Suicide Days After Being Thrashed In Local Train For Not Speaking Marathi

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will conduct a comprehensive safety assessment of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) Shelter built over Unit 4 of the Chornobyl NPP in the coming weeks.

This was stated by Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in his opening statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, the text of which was published on the organization's website on November 19.

"Last month the Chornobyl site completed temporary repairs on some damages on the New Safe Confinement (NSC) as a result of Februarys drone strike. Nevertheless, the NSC has not yet regained its ability to perform the confinement function," he said.

As reported with reference Grossi, the completion of temporary repairs to the exterior part of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) Shelter over Reactor No. 4 at the Chornobyl NPP, following a strike by a Russian Shahed drone in February this year, was scheduled for October 3.

"The IAEA team at the Chornobyl site was informed that the temporary repairs to the exterior of the NSC arch following the February attack are expected to be completed today, which means it will be fully sealed from the outside," the agencys Director General said that day.

On July 1, 2025, the fifth grant agreement was signed between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the state specialized enterprise Chornobyl NPP to implement a project involving the assessment of the damage and the development of an action plan for the temporary repair of the exterior cladding and sealing membrane of the New Safe Confinement.
Four Teachers Of Delhi School Suspended After Student's Suicide, Govt Orders Probe

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 23:26 IST

The action by the school comes amid intense public outcry and protests by parents and activists demanding accountability for the mental anguish the teenager endured

In the suicide note, the 16-year-old student wrote that constant scolding by school staff had led him to take this step. File image

Two days after a 16-year-old student from St Columbas School in Delhi died by suicide, school authorities have taken disciplinary action, suspending four teachers named in the First Information Report (FIR). The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday when the Class X student, Shourya Patil, jumped from the platform of an elevated Metro station, leaving behind a poignant note that reportedly detailed repeated mental harassment and humiliation by the educators.

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The action by the school comes amid intense public outcry and protests by parents and activists demanding accountability for the mental anguish the teenager endured. The FIR, filed by the boys father, Pradeep Patil, names the headmaster/principal and three teaching staff, invoking charges of abetment to suicide. Police have since recovered the detailed suicide note, which expressed the students final wish that action be taken against the teachers so that no other child suffers like me". The note, which has been sent for forensic verification, has become a central piece of evidence in the ongoing police investigation.

According to statements made by the victims family, the student had repeatedly complained about being verbally abused and subjected to humiliating treatment by the named staff members over minor issues. The father claimed that despite approaching the school management multiple times to address the severe emotional distress their son was experiencing, their concerns were allegedly neglected. Accounts from other students have suggested that the deceased teenager had previously sought counselling for suicidal thoughts, adding a grave layer of concern regarding the schools internal mental health response mechanisms.

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The incident has triggered a difficult, but necessary, conversation about student welfare and the psychological toll of high-pressure academic environments in India. While the schools disciplinary action marks an immediate, decisive step, the focus now shifts to the police investigation, which must verify the allegations of psychological abuse and harassment.

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 22:02 IST

News new-delhi-news Four Teachers Of Delhi School Suspended After Student's Suicide, Govt Orders Probe

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Sorry Bhaiya, Mummy...: In Suicide Note, Delhi Teen Urges Family To Donate His Organs

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 22:17 IST

According to his father, the boy had stayed back for the drama class on Tuesday, and he was deeply upset by something.

Delhi Teen Humiliated by Teacher Before Death, Claims Family

A 16-year-old school student died by suicide in Delhi, leaving a note behind asking for his organs to be donated. The incident took place on Tuesday morning when the boy left his home for his drama club, only to end his life by jumping from the platform of Rajendra Place Metro Station.

While the class 10 student was rushed to BLK Hospital nearby, he was declared dead. What was left behind was a letter in which he alleged prolonged mental harassment, also naming a few teachers in the note.

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Asking his organs to be donated, he urged that no child should endure the suffering he did.

Father Alleges His Son Was Struggling

His father alleged that his son had been struggling for months with how he was treated in school.

He used to tell me and my wife that teachers scolded him for every small thing and emotionally hurt him. We complained verbally many times, but they never stopped," the father told PTI.

He said they avoided taking stronger action as the class 10 exams were approaching.

His exams were due in one or two months. Twenty marks come from the school. I did not want to disturb anything," he said, adding that the family had assured the boy that he would be admitted to a different school once the exams were over.

According to his father, the boy had stayed back for the drama class on Tuesday, and he was deeply upset by something.

In his drama class, he slipped and fell. The teacher pushed him and insulted him in front of everyone and said he was overacting," the father said.

He also said this was not the first time his son felt targeted. According to him, classmates had told him that a teacher had been threatening the boy.

His classmates told me that a teacher had been threatening him and saying they would give him a transfer certificate and call us (parents) to the school. It was not just him, but three to four more kids have also been treated the same way," he said.

The father shared that his son had recently taken part in a dance competition and had shown interest in theatre and dance. He added that the boy was also doing well in studies.

Both parents had travelled to Kolhapur on November 18 for the grandmothers operation, while the boy attended school as usual. The family received the first call about the incident at 2.45 pm on Tuesday.

Suicide Note and Investigation

A senior police officer said a suicide note was found at the spot. The note began with the boy identifying himself and giving a number to call. In the note, he wrote that constant scolding by school staff had led him to take this step. He apologised to his parents and older brother and asked for his organs to be donated.

ALSO READ: Cry As Much As You Want: Teacher Told Delhi Teen Who Died By Suicide, Alleges Father

He wrote to his brother, Sorry bhaiya, for all the time I was rude to you," and to his mother he said, Sorry mummy, however many times I broke your heart, I am going to do it for the last time." The note also expressed his gratitude towards his parents and his regret that he could not do more for them.

The officer said the boy ended the note with a request, Give my organs to those in need," adding that whatever parts of his body remained functional after the fall should be donated.

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In the final lines of the note, the boy wrote, My school is only like that. My last wish is that action be taken against them. I dont want any other kid to go through this."

DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 17:50 IST

News new-delhi-news Sorry Bhaiya, Mummy...: In Suicide Note, Delhi Teen Urges Family To Donate His Organs

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Bihar Board 10th, 12th Date Sheet 2026 Soon At biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 08:56 IST

BSEB will soon release the Bihar Board Class 10 and 12 exam date sheet 2026 on its official websites. Students can download the timetable online.

Bihar Board 10th, 12th exam date sheet 2026 soon on official website.

Bihar Board 10th, 12th Date Sheet 2026: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) will soon release the exam dates for the Bihar Board Class 10 and Class 12 exams 2026. Once published, students will be able to check the complete timetable on the official websites biharboardonline.com and biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. The board is also expected to announce the practical exam dates for both classes along with the written exam schedule.

The Bihar Board exams for 2026 will be held in two shifts. The first shift will take place from 9.30 am to 12.45 pm, and the second shift will be conducted from 1.45 pm to 5.00 pm.

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The upcoming time table PDF will include the exam name, date, day, shift timings, important instructions for students and separate guidelines for visually impaired candidates. The practical exam routine for Class 10 and Class 12 will also be included.

How To Download Bihar Board Exam Date Sheet 2026?

Step 1: Visit the official website: biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on the Student Section.

Step 3: Select Examination Schedule.

Step 4: Choose the Intermediate Time Table 2026 (Class 12) or Matric Time Table 2026 (Class 10).

Step 5: The date sheet PDF will open on the screen.

Step 6: Click Download and save the PDF.

ALSO READ: ICSI CSEET November 2025 Result To Be Out Today At 2 PM; Check Score At icsi.edu

The BSEB is expected to release the date sheet in November. The timetable will help students plan their preparation for one of the most important school examinations in the state.

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The date sheet PDF will mention the exam title, date and day of each paper, shift timings, instructions to be followed during the examination, details for visually impaired students and the practical exam schedule for both classes.

Students are advised to keep checking the official website for timely updates.

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 08:54 IST

News education-career Bihar Board 10th, 12th Date Sheet 2026 Soon At biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in

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TNTET 2025: Teachers Demand Reduction In Passing Marks Cut-Off To 50%

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 09:31 IST

Teachers are urging the Tamil Nadu govt to lower TET pass mark from 55% to 50%. The appeal comes as thousands of in-service teachers struggle to meet the current benchmark

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Over 1 lakh in-service teachers took the 2025 TNTET exam.

The Tamil Nadu Graduate Teachers Association has urged the Tamil Nadu School Education Department to reduce the minimum qualifying marks for TET Paper 1 and Paper 2, held on November 15 and 16, 2025, from 55% to 50%.

In India, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, secondary and graduate teachers must pass the Teacher Eligibility Test to be appointed. Tamil Nadu has been conducting the TET since 2012, and appointments continue based on this requirement. For the 150-mark examination, general category candidates must score 90 marks, while candidates from backward, most backward and scheduled communities must secure 82 marks.

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Following the Supreme Courts directive that teachers appointed before the implementation of the Right to Education Act (2009) must also pass the TET, the qualification has become essential for all in-service teachers.

In its statement, the organisation noted that the Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test 2025 (Paper 1 and Paper 2) was successfully conducted across the state, with more than 3.75 lakh candidates appearing. Notably, over one lakh in-service teachers, required to qualify under Supreme Court guidelines, took part in the examination.

Challenges Faced By Experienced Teachers

Many long-serving teachers are now obliged to clear the TET to maintain service continuity, secure promotions and receive salary increments. Given their workload, age, ongoing school responsibilities and the evolving selection process, the current qualifying benchmark of 55% (82 out of 150) has become difficult for many to achieve.

The association emphasised the need to reconsider the cut-off.

Key Reasons For Government Consideration

1. Eligibility Test and Appointment Test Are Separate

The TET merely certifies eligibility, whereas appointments are made through separate competitive exams, quotas and merit lists. A reduction in the qualifying percentage will not affect recruitment prospects.

2. High Participation of Serving Teachers

This year saw unprecedented participation from in-service teachers, highlighting the scale of the issue.

3. Practices Followed in Other States

Several Indian states have already fixed the qualifying percentage at 50% or below.

For instance, following the Supreme Courts directive making TET mandatory in Andhra Pradesh, the qualifying marks in the state have also been reduced.

4. Qualifying Marks Across States

Number State OBC Others 1 Andhra Pradesh BC: 50% SC/ST: 40% 2 Telangana BC: 50% SC/ST: 40% 3 Bihar 50% 45% 4 Uttar Pradesh 55% 45% 5 Haryana 50% 50% 6 Odisha For all quota categories: 50% For all quota categories: 50%

The statement added that educational quality, teacher appointments and administrative systems remain strong in these states, demonstrating that a 50% benchmark does not undermine standards.

Continuity in the school education system and attention to student welfare also require practical adjustments.

Request To Revise The 2025 TNTET Cut-Off

The Tamil Nadu Graduate Teachers Association has thus, urged the government to revise the qualifying mark for the 2025 TNTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 examinations from 55% to 50% and to issue an official order.

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Since Tamil Nadu conducts a separate recruitment examination for teacher appointments, candidates must clear both the eligibility test and the appointment test. As the TET evaluates teachers who are already professionally qualified, a lower pass mark will not affect educational quality.

The association concluded by requesting that the qualifying percentage be reduced to 50% to support in-service teachers and candidates appearing for the test, ensuring continuity in service and fair prospects for future appointments.

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 09:31 IST

News education-career TNTET 2025: Teachers Demand Reduction In Passing Marks Cut-Off To 50%

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4 Rajputs, 2 Bhumihars, 5 Dalits: The Caste Matrix Of Nitish Kumar's Cabinet

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 15:52 IST

The Bihar cabinet reflects both continuity and inclusivity, blending Nitish Kumar's seasoned leadership with BJPs influential cadre and representation from other allied parties

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The newly-formed Bihar Cabinet demonstrates the NDA's effort to maintain a delicate balance between upper castes, OBCs, Dalits, and minority communities. (PTI)

The newly-elected government of Bihar was sworn in at Patnas iconic Gandhi Maidan on Thursday, November 20, following the NDAs decisive victory in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections. Nitish Kumar, cementing his unparalleled political journey, took oath as Bihars Chief Minister for the 10th time, setting a new record in the states political history.

Alongside CM Nitish Kumar, 26 MLAs were sworn in as ministers, marking the formation of a cabinet that reflects a conscious effort to represent Bihars diverse social fabric. This cabinet notably includes leaders from all major communities and castes, signaling an inclusive approach in governance.

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Caste Representation in Bihar Cabinet

The composition of the cabinet highlights strategic inclusivity:

Rajput: 4 ministers

Bhumihar: 2 ministers

Brahmin: 1 minister

Kayastha: 1 minister

Kushwaha (Koeri): 3 ministers

Kurmi: 2 ministers

Vaishya/Bania: 2 ministers

Yadav: 2 ministers

Muslim: 1 minister

Mallah/Nishad: 2 ministers

Dalit: 5 ministers

EBC (Extremely Backward Class): 1 minister

This lineup demonstrates the NDAs effort to maintain a delicate balance between upper castes, OBCs, Dalits, and minority communities.

Key Appointments

Nitish Kumar (JDU, Kurmi)  Chief Minister, representing Nalanda, continues his long-standing leadership.

BJP leaders such as Samrat Chaudhary (Kushwaha, Munger) and Dilip Jaiswal (Vaishya, Kishanganj) bring traditional support bases into the cabinet. Jaiswals inclusion is significant, given the Vaishya communitys historical support for the BJP.

Dalit representation includes Ashok Chaudhary, Sunil Kumar, and Santosh Suman, who hail from some of the states most marginalised communities, reflecting a commitment to social equity.

Upper caste representation is maintained with leaders like Nitin Nabin (Kayastha, Bankipur, Patna), while Rajput representation is strong with Leshi Singh, Shreyasi Singh, Sanjay Tiger, and Sanjay Singh holding key portfolios.

Backward class leaders such as Shravan Kumar (Kurmi, Nalanda) and Madan Sahni (EBC) ensure that the interests of influential OBC groups are integrated into policy-making.

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Political Significance

The composition of Nitish Kumars cabinet underscores a strategic balancing act. By including representatives from all major caste groups, the NDA aims to consolidate its political base across the state. Analysts note that this caste-sensitive approach is likely to play a crucial role in the governments stability, policy decisions, and public engagement over the coming years.

Location : Bihar, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 15:52 IST

News elections 4 Rajputs, 2 Bhumihars, 5 Dalits: The Caste Matrix Of Nitish Kumar's Cabinet

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Nitish 10.0: First Look At Power Formula As Bihar Cabinet Takes Shape; BJP To Get Speaker's Post

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:54 IST

While JD(U) is expected to retain most of its existing ministers, the BJP is likely to bring in several new faces to reward new workers for their hard work and dedication

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All partners in the alliance are expected to be accommodated in proportion to the number of seats they have won, ensuring a balanced power-sharing arrangement in the new government.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar is set to swear in its new cabinet on Thursday, following a power-sharing formula agreed upon between its constituent parties. Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar will take oath as chief minister for a record tenth time.

Under the formula, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been allocated 17 ministerial berths (plus the post of the Speaker which is expected to go to senior leader Prem Kumar), the JDU gets 15 (including Kumar as CM), while LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) will be assigned two, one, and one ministerial slots respectively.

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The NDA swept back to power with 202 seats in the 243-member House, with BJP bagging 89, JD(U) 85, LJP (RV) 19, HAM-S five and RLM four. While JD(U) is expected to retain most of its existing ministers, the BJP is likely to bring in several new faces to reward" new workers for their hard work and dedication. However, the BJPs old guard, including Samrat Chaudhary, Vijay Sinha, Mangal Pandey, and Nitin Naveen, will remain.

Negotiations for cabinet berths saw intense lobbying, particularly from the smaller NDA partners. A JDU source also told news agency PTI that the party is seeking a stronger presence in the new cabinet, arguing that its improved tally compared to 2020 warrants additional portfolios. We had only 12 ministers last time. With our numbers up sharply, we expect more representation," they said. In this context, the new share of 15 berths is likely to appease the party.

News18 has also learnt that BJPs Ramkripal Yadav and Shreyasi Singh have received the call to join the cabinet. While Yadav has been elected MLA from Danapur, Patna, after defeating RJDs sitting MLA Ritesh Lal Yadav, Singh is the MLA from Jamui. Apart from this, BJPs Rama Nishad, who became an MLA for the first time, will also become a minister. Nishad won the election from Aurai for the first time.

Those from the JDU who have received calls so far to join the cabinet include Lacy Singh, Shravan Kumar, Vijay Chaudhary, Vijendra Yadav, and Madan Sahni.

All partners in the alliance are expected to be accommodated in proportion to the number of seats they have won, ensuring a balanced power-sharing arrangement in the new government.

This is what the list so far looks like:

Nitish Kumar, chief minister

Samrat Choudhary

Vijay Kumar Sinha

Vijendra Prasad Yadav

Vijay Kumar Choudhary

Ram Kripal Yadav

Mangal Pandey

Nitin Naveen

Santosh Manjhi (Jitan Ram Manjhis son)

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Snehlata Kushwaha (Upendra Kushwahas wife)/Deepak Kushwaha (Upendras son)

PM Narendra Modi and top NDA leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar at Patnas Gandhi Maidan.

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First Published: November 20, 2025, 09:36 IST

News elections Nitish 10.0: First Look At Power Formula As Bihar Cabinet Takes Shape; BJP To Get Speaker's Post

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Nitish Kumar Takes Oath 10th Time Today: Check His Salary And Pension

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:24 IST

News18 breaks down the salaries and pensions Nitish Kumar is entitled to across his long career, covering his terms as MLA, MP and multiple-time Chief Minister

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Nitish Kumar served 21 years as a legislator from 2005 to 2025. (PTI)

Nitish Kumar is set to return as Bihars Chief Minister after the NDAs sweeping victory in the state. Chosen as the leader of the legislative party, he is expected to take oath on Thursday, marking his tenth swearing-in as Chief Minister.

News18 takes a deep dive into the salaries and pensions the Janata Dal (United) chief is entitled to for his multiple stints in public office, from his years as MLA and MP to his repeated terms as Chief Minister over a long and successful political career.

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As Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar will receive a salary, and he will also be entitled to a pension for his previous tenure as a Member of Parliament (MP). Furthermore, upon stepping down from his role as Chief Minister, he will be eligible for a pension for his time as a legislator, thereby securing not one but two pensions post-retirement.

Additionally, he will benefit from the dearness allowance that is adjusted every six months. However, contrary to some expectations, Kumar will not receive ten times the pension despite his multiple terms as a legislator.

Nitish Kumars Pension As An MP

Regarding his MP pension, Kumar was an MP from 1989 until he lost the election in 2004. MPs receive a pension of Rs 31,000 if they have served even a single day, with an additional Rs 2,500 for each year beyond a five-year term. Thus, Kumars current MP pension stands at Rs 31,000 + Rs 37,500 = Rs 68,500, excluding the dearness allowance which may increase the amount slightly.

Salary As Chief Minister

As Chief Minister, Kumar will earn a salary of Rs 2.5 lakh, which includes housing, office, security, and other legislator-related facilities. Ministers receive a monthly salary of Rs 65,000 and a regional allowance of Rs 70,000.

Nitish Kumars Pension As An MLA

Although Kumar has usually been a member of the Legislative Council rather than the Assembly, the pension rules treat both positions the same.

Kumars pension as a legislator is set at Rs 45,000. He first became an MLA in 1985, earning a base pension of Rs 45,000 for that term. He moved to Delhi in 1989 and returned to state politics in 2004 as a Legislative Council member for the second time. The pension rules for MLAs and MLCs are the same, and the calculation follows a structure similar to that of MPs.

Instead of receiving a fixed Rs 45,000, his pension rises by Rs 4,000 for every additional year of service. Nitish Kumar has completed 21 years as a legislator between 2005 and 2025, which takes his total pension for this period to Rs 8,40,000.

Adding the initial Rs 45,000 for his first term, his total legislator pension amounts to Rs 1,38,000. Combining this with his MP pension, Kumars total pension is Rs 2,03,000, which is still less than his Chief Ministers salary.

What Is The Salary Of Bihar MLAs?

The take-home salary of Bihar MLAs ranges from Rs 1.4 to Rs 1.5 lakh per month, which includes various allowances: Rs 50,000 as a basic salary, Rs 55,000 as a constituency allowance, Rs 40,000 for a personal assistant, and Rs 15,000 for stationery. They also receive Rs 3,000 daily during assembly or committee meetings.

What Facilities Do They Enjoy?

Bihar MLAs enjoy several government facilities, including:

Free travel coupons worth up to Rs 4 lakh annually for railway or flight travel

Travel benefits for their families

Low-interest car loans up to Rs 25 lakh

Government accommodation in Patna

Free or discounted medical treatment for the MLA and their family in government and private hospitals

Subsidies on utilities, including electricity, water, and phone bills

Reimbursement of office expenses, including staff salaries, stationery, and phone bills

A monthly pension of Rs 45,000 after retirement

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How Does It Compare With Other States

Compared to other states, Bihar MLAs earnings are mid-range, with Telangana and Maharashtra offering the highest salaries at about Rs 2.5 lakh per month. States like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh offer similar benefits to those in Bihar, while Tripura and Kerala pay the lowest. Overall, the salary of an MLA in Bihar is above average when considering all the additional benefits.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 11:24 IST

News elections Nitish Kumar Takes Oath 10th Time Today: Check His Salary And Pension

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How Revisionist Russia, China, Iran Are Rewriting Global Rules, Can India Afford To Ignore Them?

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 14:56 IST

To navigate todays tense geopolitical climate, India must safeguard its strategic autonomy, experts said, while simultaneously strengthening partnerships with like-minded nations

India stands at an important crossroads. It is neither part of the traditional Western alliance nor aligned with revisionist powers. It is doing something different, trying to build a third path. (Image: Reuters)

Global politics is no longer just about wars, alliances, or headline-making summits. In todays world, power is exercised through subtler channels: controlling supply chains, shifting maritime boundaries, influencing energy prices, rewriting tech regulations, blocking trade routes, or shaping online narratives. And the biggest players driving these shifts are no longer only the US and Europe.

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There is a new set of influencers on the global stage, such as China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran, often called revisionist states. They are not simply competing for power; they are actively trying to rewrite the rules of how the world works: from territorial boundaries and digital surveillance to trade access and defence partnerships.

An Observer Foundation Research (ORF) analysis on November 18 stated, Most contemporary analysts appear to agree that the United States (US) unipolar moment has passed. There are differing opinions, however, as to whether another bipolarity is emerging, such as between the US and China, or some other variant of a multi-polar order. The different configurations of global power brings challenges of varying degrees and character, which in turn raise the risk of wars and other crises."

What Exactly Are Revisionist States?

After World War II, the world order was shaped largely by the United States, Western Europe, and institutions like the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and World Trade Organization (WTO). They built an international rulebook around borders, trade, democracy, human rights, maritime access, and security arrangements.

But countries like China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and North Korea have been increasingly unhappy with these rules, not just because they feel excluded, but because they believe the system limits their ambitions. Unlike India or Japan, which have tried to reform global institutions from within, these countries are trying to rewrite or bypass the rules themselves.

Their revisionism is not limited to military aggression. It plays out through cyber warfare, digital surveillance, disinformation campaigns, energy blackmail, currency dominance, tech control, economic coercion, and border claims.

While the West talks about maintaining the rules-based order," these states aim to create a new order where they set the rules.

Why Is This Happening Now?

Three things have triggered this shift.

First, the world is no longer unipolar. After the Cold War, the US was the dominant global power. Today, it is challenged militarily by Russia, economically by China, diplomatically by the Middle East, and technologically even by private companies like Huawei, TikTok, SpaceX, and OpenAI.

Second, global institutions have lost credibility. Whether it is the World Health Organization during COVID, the UNs failure in Gaza and Ukraine, or trade disputes at the WTO, many developing countries, including India, believe the system favours big powers.

Third, technology has changed how power works. It is not just about armies or oil anymore. It is about semiconductors, rare earth minerals, telecom dominance, hacking capabilities, and the ability to control global data.

How Revisionist States Operate, And Where India Feels The Impact

Each revisionist power uses different tools, but all are trying to reshape the balance of power. For India, the impact is real, visible, and immediate.

China: The Most Immediate Challenge

Chinas approach is multi-dimensional  military, economic, and technological.

On land, it has increased pressure along the LAC. The Doklam standoff in 2017, the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, and continued infrastructure build-up across Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh show that Beijing is not seeking peace  it is seeking leverage.

In the Indian Ocean, China has adopted a string of pearls" strategy, building ports in Gwadar (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Chittagong (Bangladesh), the Maldives, and Djibouti  effectively encircling India in its own backyard.

In tech, China controls critical sectors such as smartphone parts, solar panels, telecom equipment, lithium batteries, and semiconductors that power Indias digital economy. That gives Beijing long-term influence over Indias digital infrastructure.

For India, this is not just about military strategy. It affects jobs, manufacturing, technology, energy, and internal security.

Russia: Strategic Partner, But With Challenges

Russia is not Indias enemy; in fact, it remains a major defence and energy partner. But it is also now deeply aligned with China. That poses a risk.

India imports over 30% of its oil from Russia  a lifeline during global price spikes. But Russias increasing dependency on China raises questions: Will Russian technology, oil routes, and military strategy eventually be shaped more by Beijings interests than by New Delhis?

Russia is also redefining the global order through energy politics: redirecting oil pipelines towards Asia, creating BRICS+ economic networks, and pushing de-dollarisation by encouraging trade in local currencies.

India is responding by diversifying defence imports (towards the US, France, Israel) while boosting domestic manufacturing under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat defence push.

The Middle East: A Strategic Power Shift

The Middle East is reshaping itself, and the world is watching. Iran and Saudi Arabia, long-time rivals, have started cooperating under Chinas mediation. Turkey is expanding its military reach, while the GCC (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar) is investing billions in energy, ports, and start-ups, including in India.

For India, this region is vital as over 9 million Indians live and work in Gulf nations; India gets more than 60% of its crude oil from West Asia; GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries are among the biggest investors in Indian infrastructure, tech, and renewable energy.

India is deepening ties with the Gulf through new projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and major defence and investment deals with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. But the rise of regional nationalism, stricter visa norms, and political realignment could reduce opportunities for Indian workers and businesses in the Middle East.

The Tech War, And Indias Digital Dilemma

One of the strongest revisionist trends today is happening in the tech space  particularly AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and data privacy.

China has built parallel digital infrastructure  from 5G (Huawei) and social media (TikTok, WeChat) to surveillance systems (SenseTime). The US is pushing back  with bans, data laws, export controls, and new alliances.

And India is stuck in the middle, both as a tech-dependent country and an emerging digital leader.

India wants to become a semiconductor hub, an AI innovation centre, and a trusted provider of digital services. But most critical technologies  from chipmaking equipment to lithium for EV batteries  are still imported.

Indias tech future will be shaped by its ability to navigate both the US-China rivalry and build secure, independent digital supply chains.

How India Is Responding, And Where It Still Needs Work

India is not merely reacting; it is shaping its own strategy. Through the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia), Indo-Pacific diplomacy, tech partnerships with Europe, and alliances in West Asia, India is building new economic and security networks.

India should focus on its core strategic autonomous policy to navigate the current geopolitical situation. Since we are headed towards a fragmented world, we need to look for issue-based alignment", Sameer Patil, Director, Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), told News18.

Initiatives like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, the semiconductor mission, and defence start-ups are slowly reducing external dependence. The G20 presidency allowed India to position itself as a voice for the Global South.

What India Needs To Be Cautious About?

In order to stride in the tense geopolitical climate, India should not lose its autonomous posturing, Patil cautioned. India should ensure that it builds partnerships with like-minded countries.

Patil stressed that India should bolster a stronger partnership with countries like France, Germany, Australia, Japan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, which have similar interests and are not part of any bloc.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has repeatedly stated that India is non-Western, not anti-Western" to define the countrys independent foreign policy. He has stressed time and again about Indias distinct civilizational identity and its pursuit of a foreign policy based on national interests, rather than aligning with any particular bloc or power.

An Observer Research Foundation (ORF) analysis on revisionist states reported, The consolidation of military power by revisionist stateschallenging the regional order in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asiais having the effect of normalising the threat or use of force in the nuclear environment. This behaviour raises the risk of escalation and challenges regional peace and order across geographies."

Thus, Patil stressed that India should never compromise on its national interests". The country should make every decision keeping paramount the issue of national security.

Moreover, ensuring that India does not lose sight of its neighbours (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan)" is key to navigating the choppy geopolitical undercurrents.

How Can India Leverage From Revisionist Russia And China?

India can build a strong partnership in advanced technology with China, suggested Patil. He said building hi-tech manufacturing hubs with China can help India both economically and strategically, amid its Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.

India and China are cautiously recalibrating their economic ties in 2025, with bilateral trade reaching $127.7 billion in FY25, marking a fourfold increase over the past decade. Both countries are exploring collaborations, and several large Indian companies maintain Chinese partnerships in electronics, machinery, and technology. Agreements on scientific research, such as earthquake engineering, ocean sciences, and modern agricultural techniques for sugarcane, were also signed.

With Russia, all-weather ally, India can build more strongly on the energy front, said Patil. Russia had in October said it was confident its energy partnership with India would continue. We continue to cooperate with our friendly partners," Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak had said, referring to India.

Indias oil imports from Russia rose to 21.6% in FY 202223, making it the second-largest importer of Russian oil, 35.9% in FY 202324, and 35.8% in FY 202425, per Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Whats Next, And Where Does India Stand?

The global order is not collapsing; it is being rewritten. China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey are reshaping the rules. The US and Europe are trying to protect them. The Middle East is reinventing alliances. Africa and Southeast Asia are leaning towards whoever offers development.

India stands at an important crossroads. It is neither part of the traditional Western alliance nor aligned with revisionist powers. It is doing something different, trying to build a third path, that of a balancing power and a civilisational state.

Indias future will not be shaped only by economics, defence, or technology, but by how effectively it can navigate an increasingly rule-less world.

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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 20, 2025, 14:51 IST

News explainers How Revisionist Russia, China, Iran Are Rewriting Global Rules, Can India Afford To Ignore Them?

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Zohran Mamdani To Make Arabic Numerals Mandatory In NY Schools? X Took Bait And Outraged Hard

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:24 IST

Did Zohran Mamdani, the newly-elect mayor of New York, make Arabic numerals mandatory in elementary school?

A satire news of Zohran Mamdani introducing Arabic numerals in New York's elementary schools has gone viral on X and resulted in polarised outrage.

Zohran Mamdani, the first South Asian and Muslim elected as Mayor of New York City and the Indian-American son of filmmaker Mira Nair, won the mayoral contest after promising big changes on the ground: from free city buses to universal childcare to a tax bump on the rich. However, a tongue-in-cheek mandate" has been blowing up on X, jokingly claiming that the 34-year-old wants elementary school kids across the city to start learning Arabic numerals.

The satirical news spread like wildfire on X as it was amplified by angered X accounts, for they believed the Islamification of New York" had already begun under Mamdani.

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The Viral Post

The satirical post made by an account @Polymarket noted: BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani to require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals."

BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani to require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals. Polymarket (@Polymarket) November 19, 2025

The news of Mamdani forcing" Arabic numerals on Americans gained momentum and reached the target audience it seemingly had aimed for.

#BREAKING: Unconfirmed reports suggest that Zohran Mamdani may be preparing a proposal that would require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals. R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 19, 2025

Outrage

A good number of people (read: bigots) fell for the news and slammed Mamdani for forgetting" Americans who elected to serve him.

Cheapest lowest quality baitand some people in the comments still fell for it.What kind of lessons does American Education even give when they dont even know that Arabic Numerals, are literally just numbers? https://t.co/xqU91gjgvP pic.twitter.com/nGhSp64UMO  Perma Banned (@GiveMeBanHammer) November 19, 2025

Frightening"

What frightens me most is the people who dont understand what this means. Department of education really destroyed this country (sic)," a user, alarmed by those who fell for the bait, wrote.

How you react to this tells me exactly how smart you are."

My favorite genre of news headlines are the ones that double as IQ tests (sic)."

Arabic Numerals

Turns out, the numbers you see on your keyboard were Arabic numerals all along.

Example: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

What Are Mamdanis Actual Policies?

During his campaign, Mamdani made bold promises ahead of his historic victory, vowing to make New York City truly accessible to everyone.

Free city buses (fare-free bus service): Mamdani wants to eliminate fares on all city buses and expand dedicated bus lanes.

Rent Freeze: Mamdani has pledged to freeze rent increases on rent-stabilised units (about 28 per cent of NYCs housing stock) and establish a Social Housing Development Agency.

Universal childcare (ages six weeks to five years): Mamdani aims to provide free childcare for all children from six weeks to five years old.

Heres an in-depth view of Mamdanis notable policies that his supporters would like to see become reality.

Earlier this month, Mamdani defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo, who was endorsed by the US President Donald Trump. Trump recently stated that he will meet Mamdani at the White House this Friday.

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Also Read: Mamdani Asked, We Agreed: Trump To Meet NYC Mayor-Elect At White House On Friday

Sharing on Truth Social, Trump wrote, Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame" Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!"

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 20, 2025, 10:23 IST

News explainers Zohran Mamdani To Make Arabic Numerals Mandatory In NY Schools? X Took Bait And Outraged Hard

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Al-Falah University Founder's House In MP Likely To Be Demolished, Family Asked To Evacuate

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:50 IST

A notice has been issued to remove alleged illegal construction at the ancestral home of Al-Falah University founder Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, citing multiple violations of rules.

A view of the Al-Falah University in Faridabad (PTI)

The Mhow Cantonment Board (MCB) in Madhya Pradesh has issued a formal notice to the current legal occupant of the ancestral home of Al-Falah University founder, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, directing the removal of what it describes as extensive unauthorised construction.

According to a report by The Times of India, officials have stated that the structure includes a basement level and two additional upper floors that do not match MCBs sanctioned records, raising the possibility that the entire building may have to be razed to regularise the property.

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Cantonment Engineer Harishankar Kaloya, in comments reported by TOI, confirmed that the notice pertains to house number 1371, survey number 245/1245, located in Mukeri Mohalla, Mhow.

The property, which served as the residence of Siddiqui and his brother Hamood Ahmed Siddiqui along with their families until the early 2000s, is still registered in the name of their late father, Maulana Hammad.

The report quoted Kaloya as saying that under cantonment regulations, permissions for repair or renovation can be granted only to the lawful title holder, and since the transfer of ownership never took place, the construction stands in violation of the rules.

He further explained that cantonment guidelines permit a ground-plus-two-floor structure, whereas the building in question includes a basement and four floors above it, far exceeding permissible limits.

Officials said that multiple notices had been issued previously, but the occupants allegedly did not respond to any of them, according to the report.

The report also quoted neighbours as saying that a raw leather trader named Hafiz Mazid and his family had been residing in the property, though they have not been seen in recent weeks following heightened attention on the Siddiqui family from law enforcement agencies.

Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui has been placed in 13-day Enforcement Directorate custody in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities at Al-Falah University.

Siddiqui was taken into custody on the evening of November 18 and produced before Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan close to midnight.

According to news agency PTI, the judge observed that all the compliances under Section 19 of the PMLA have been done" and, considering both the seriousness of the allegations and the early stage of the probe, deemed ED custody appropriate.

PTI reported that the Enforcement Directorate has accused Al-Falah University of falsely presenting itself as recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and misrepresenting its NAAC accreditation status.

Citing agency submissions, PTI reported the Universitys revenue grew sharply from Rs 24.21 crore in 201819 to Rs 80.10 crore in 202425, contributing to a total of Rs 415.10 crore generated over seven years.

The ED has alleged, as per PTI, that student fees and funds collected from individuals were diverted for personal use, and that Siddiqui continued to influence financial decisions as the managing trustee of the Al-Falah Charitable Trust.

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The report also stated that the ED seized Rs 48 lakh in cash during coordinated searches across 19 locations linked to the trust and the university in the Delhi-NCR region, carried out shortly before Siddiquis arrest.

ALSO READ | Red Fort Blast Probe Uncovers Al Falah Link Of 2008 Ahmedabad Blast Accused Shadab Baig

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 20, 2025, 10:48 IST

News india Al-Falah University Founder's House In MP Likely To Be Demolished, Family Asked To Evacuate

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Zelenskyy after meeting with US Army Secretary: Ukraine, USA to work on points of plan to end war

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll they talked about options for achieving real peace, the phasing of work and formats of dialogue, as well as new impulses for diplomacy.

"Our teams, Ukraine and the United States, will work on points of the plan to end the war. We are ready for constructive, honest and operational work," Zelenskyy said in Telegram on Thursday.

He noted that peace is needed, and Ukraine appreciates the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump and his team to return security to Europe. "Ukraine defends life and independence thanks to the courage of our people, our unity within the state and the help of partners. We are working to ensure that all three elements are strong enough," the president said.

Zelenskyy also separately informed about Russia's terrible strike on Ternopil.

"The X-101 missile, with which the Russian army hit an ordinary high-rise building yesterday, was manufactured in 2025. It contains 175 foreign components that still enter Russia bypassing sanctions. We are counting on the help of the United States in limiting all schemes," the president said.

He handed over to Secretary Driscoll specific materials with information about the companies that produce critical components, the countries of origin, and the parts themselves.
At Bengal Border Checkpost, Hundreds Wait To Cross Back To Bangladesh Amid SIR Fear

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 13:44 IST

For the last four days, hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals have been waiting near the border, hoping to cross back. Many admit that SIR is the primary reason they want to leave

Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google

Groups of men, women and children are sitting with their belongings, some looking anxious, others exhausted. (News18)

Feverish and lying on a sheet at the Hakimpur checkpost in Basirhat, Rokeya Begum from Satkhira stood out among the crowd of people waiting to return to Bangladesh. What makes her case particularly significant is her claim that despite being a Bangladeshi national, she had a voter ID card, an Aadhaar card, and was receiving Lakshmir Bhandar benefits after enrolling through the Duare Sarkar outreach programme.

Speaking to News18, Rokeya said: I came six years ago. I stayed in Salt Lake. I have voted also. I received Lakshmir Bhandar benefits because I had the card made through Duare Sarkar. My name is not in the 2002 voter list, which is why I want to go back."

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Rokeyas account has renewed concerns about how undocumented migrants may have accessed identity documents and state welfare schemes in parts of Bengal. While individual claims require official verification, Rokeyas case reflects apprehensions that have surfaced during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Despite holding multiple documents, Rokeya said she came to the border out of fear and uncertainty triggered by the SIR process.

For the past four days, hundreds of people have gathered at the Hakimpur border point, many openly acknowledging that they entered India illegally and now want to return.

A News18 team found families sitting along the roadside with their belongings, visibly anxious and fatigued. Most migrants echoed the same concernthat the SIR process had prompted them to leave because they lacked valid documents.

Anwara Begum, also from Satkhira, said she had lived near Dunlop in North 24 Parganas for three years without papers and decided to leave once the SIR began. She added that more Bangladesh nationals were arriving with the same intention.

Next to her, Mehrun Biwi said she came five years ago at night with her family, allegedly assisted by a tout who charged Rs 5,000. She worked as a domestic worker in Naihati but could not afford to obtain documents. Her family has been waiting near the border for days.

Local resident Montu Pal said the first group arrived four days ago and the numbers have grown steadily since. He recalled that a pregnant woman in the group went into labour the previous day and delivered her baby at a hospital. According to him, many individuals have openly admitted that they crossed the border illegally.

Several migrants said they entered during the lockdown years. Abul Kalam Azad, around 25, claimed he arrived six years ago and worked at a sweet shop in Chinar Park, New Town. He had no documents and said the SIR prompted him to return.

Shanawaz, from Jashore, who collected and sold rags in the Baguihati area, said his landlord asked him to leave after the SIR process was announced.

Nearby, Sakina and her husband said they came four years ago after paying money to enter India. Their names were not on the 2002 voter list, leading them to believe they should go back.

The gathering at Hakimpur, including individuals like Rokeya who claimed to possess government documents and welfare benefits, has intensified questions surrounding the infiltration issue and how identity papers and state schemes may have been accessed by undocumented migrants.

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Reacting to the presence of infiltrators, former MoS Home Nishit Pramanik said: This is the truth, which has now come out. See how infiltrators are staying here. Moreover, this state government has not given us land for fencing. This says it all. This is why SIR was required."

He added: BLOs are dying by suicide because of TMC pressure. They are pressuring BLO to include fake names."

About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting... Read More

Location : Basirhat, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 08:46 IST

News india At Bengal Border Checkpost, Hundreds Wait To Cross Back To Bangladesh Amid SIR Fear

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Bengal Governor Welcomes SC's Ruling In Presidential Reference Case: 'Not A Rubber Stamp...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 21:55 IST

Bose said SCs view supports a practice the Raj Bhavan began three years ago, noting that the court has now endorsed their approach of holding regular dialogue with the govt.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose (Credits: ANI)

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday welcomed a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court that constitutional authorities cannot be bound by judicial timelines in deciding on bills.

Calling it a landmark judgment", Bose said the ruling clarified the constitutional boundaries between the Governor and the elected Chief Minister under Articles 200 and 201. He noted that the judgment cleared the air regarding the jurisdiction of the governor (and the) elected chief minister."

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The Court has unequivocally declared that Governor is not rubber stamp. Court has decided that a timeline can be set for the Governor in exercising his authority in respect of giving assent to the files to the Bills," he said.

Bose added that the courts view supported a practice the Raj Bhavan had already adopted. It is particularly of happiness to the West Bengal Raj Bhavan that a practice that started here three years back has received the endorsement of the Honourable Supreme Court of India. That is the dialogue with the government and the legislative assembly," he said.

Giving an update on pending bills, the Governor said several files were still with the state government. Here in Bengal, to be exact, there are three files, four files, which are pending with the state government in the process of dialogue with the government. Certain clarifications have been sought from the government. Once that is received, the dialogue process is complete and I will be able to take a decision in giving assent to those files."

He said the remaining bills had been forwarded to the President because they carried all-India relevance" and had legal and constitutional implications." He added that three files are sub judice."

#WATCH | West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose says, The landmark judgment by the Supreme Court has cleared the jurisdiction of the Govt vis-a-vis the elected CM. The Court has unequivocally declared that Governor is not rubber stamp. Court has decided that a timeline can be set pic.twitter.com/RtUXQ0jS8v ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

Bose said, Because we resorted to the course of dialogue with the government, there is no file which is pending in the Raj Bhavan for the time being."

He stressed the need for both sides to stay within constitutional limits. Good fences make good neighbours. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which is made by the Constitution of India, which is binding on the governor as well as the elected chief minister. Once that is respected, it is good," he said.

Calling the ruling timely, he added, The present Supreme Court order, I would say, a stitch in time saves nine. That is the message which the Honourable Supreme Court has given to the entire India."

What Did SCs Judgement Say?

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Earlier in the day, a five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai said courts cannot fix strict timelines for Governors or the President while deciding on state bills. The bench also said Governors do not have unfettered" power to hold bills for perpetuity."

The court further ruled that indefinite delay" can face limited judicial scrutiny," but the Supreme Court cannot grant deemed assent" under Article 142, as that would amount to taking over the role of another constitutional authority.

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 20, 2025, 21:54 IST

News india Bengal Governor Welcomes SC's Ruling In Presidential Reference Case: 'Not A Rubber Stamp...'

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 18:53 IST

Bihar New CM Nitish Kumar Swearing-in Ceremony Live: Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time at the historic Gandhi Maidan, Patna on Thursday.

Nitish Kumar on Wednesday staked claim to form the next government in Bihar after being elected the leader of the NDA.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, Unions Ministers Rajnath Singh and Dharmenndra Pradhan, and chief ministers of at least seven states were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

The NDA, led by the JD(U) and the BJP secured a sweeping majority in the Bihar elections 2025, winning 202 of the 243 assembly seats. The BJP became the single-largest party with 89 seats, the JD(U) won 85, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 19, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) five and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha four.

Stay tuned for real-time updates, key political reactions, attendee details, and major highlights from the Bihar CM swearing-in ceremony, as Nitish Kumar takes oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the 10th time.
Delhi Blast: Muzammil, Shaheen And 2 Others Sent To 10-Day NIA Custody

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 17:25 IST

Three doctors, including Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Ahmad Rather, and Shaheen Saeed, were arrested in connection with a "white collar terror module" linked to the Delhi blast.

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(From L-R): Dr Muzammil, Adeel Ahmad Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay.

The Patiala House Court on Thursday sent Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Shaheen Saeed and two others to 10-day custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the deadly explosion near Delhis Red Fort on November 10.

Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather, Shaheen Saeed and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay, a preacher, had earlier been arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police in connection with a white-collar terror module". The anti-terror probe agency took them into custody in Srinagar following production orders from the district sessions judge at the Patiala House court here, according to a statement from an NIA spokesperson.

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They had all played a key role in the terror attack that killed several innocent persons and left many others injured, as per NIA investigations," the spokesperson said.

Who Are The Accused?

Muzammil, Adeel and Shaheen were employed at Faridabads Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre. They are believed to be a part of a white-collar terror module involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, spanning across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, according to officials.

On November 10, at least eight people were arrested  including the trio  and 2,900 kilograms of explosives were seized in what police described as a white-collar terror module". Hours after the recovery, a high-intensity blast ripped through a slow-moving white Hyundai i20 car near Delhis Red Fort metro station, killing 15 people and injuring dozens.

Dr Umar Nabi, a 28-year-old assistant professor at Haryanas Al-Falah University, was identified as the suspected suicide attacker in Delhi. Umar, Adeel and Muzammil hail from Jammu and Kashmir. Irfan is also a resident of J&Ks Shopian.

Muzammil Shakeel Ganai

Dr Muzammil, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, was employed at Al-Falah School. The police recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate and an additional 2,500 kg of explosive-making chemicals from his residence in Faridabad. During the raid, officers also seized one Carom Cok rifle, two automatic pistols, and 84 cartridges.

Muzammil was allegedly introduced to an ISIS-affiliated group by Maulvi Irfan, and is believed to have procured weapons in 2023 and 2024 as part of preparations for creating an independent terror unit. Investigators also suspect that the duo, along with other members of the broader module, may have planned additional operations targeting high-density civilian areas.

Shaheen Saeed

Dr Shaheen Saeed, a resident of Lucknow, was also working at Al-Falah School. Police said that a Krinkov assault rifle was found in her car, which was allegedly being used by Dr Muzammil. According to top intelligence sources, Shaheen was associated with Dr Umar Mohammad, the suicide bomber in the Red Fort blast case.

Sources told CNN-News18 that Shaheen was radicalised in a Jaish-e-Mohammed drive to set up a womens brigade for psychological warfare in India. According to sources, Shaheen was overseeing women recruitments for Jaish in India.

Adeel Ahmad Rather

Adeel Ahmad Rather hails from Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and was working as a teacher at the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences & Research Centre in Faridabad. He was arrested in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly putting up posters in support of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar.

Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay

Hailing from J&Ks Shopian, Wagay worked as a paramedical staffer at GMC Srinagar and as a preacher at Nowgams local mosques, where he allegedly radicalised medical students. Muzammil was allegedly introduced to the extremist network by Wagay.

The investigation started on October 18-19, when posters of the banned JeM surfaced on walls just outside Srinagar city, warning of attacks on police and security forces. Three people  Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid  were arrested after CCTV footage showed them pasting the posters.

During interrogation, they named Wagay as the one who had supplied the posters, after which the latter was arrested. It was his interrogation that finally led investigators to Al Falah University and the group of Kashmiri doctors, according to news agency PTI.

Six Arrested By NIA So Far

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Earlier, the NIA arrested two other accused  Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the car used in the blast was registered, and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, who had provided technical aid to the terrorist involved in the deadly attack. They are currently being interrogated.

The anti-terror agency, which was handed over the investigation by the Union Home Ministry, Government of India, soon after the attack, is working closely with various state police forces to track and arrest every member of the terrorist module involved in the carnage," said the NIA in its statement.

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 20, 2025, 16:51 IST

News india Delhi Blast: Muzammil, Shaheen And 2 Others Sent To 10-Day NIA Custody

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Before Delhi Blast, Bomber Umar Nabi Questioned Women Over Hijab, Namaz At J&K Hospital

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 14:01 IST

Umar Un Nabi, the doctor behind the Delhi suicide car blast that killed 13, had displayed clear signs of radicalisation during his tenure at GMC Anantnag, a report has claimed.

A photo of Umar Un Nabi (L)/ The site of car blast near Red Fort (R) (Photos: Social Media/PTI)

Early indicators of radicalisation were visible in the conduct of Umar Un Nabi, the doctor who later executed a suicide car bombing in Delhi, during his tenure at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, a report with NDTV cited investigative sources.

Nabi had shown a pattern of intrusive and extremist behaviour while interacting with women patients and colleagues at the medical institution.

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The report quoted people who worked with Nabi as saying that he would often identify women patients he deemed problematic" for not covering their heads.

According to one source, he would question them, asking, Why are you not wearing the hijab? Why is your head not covered properly?"

He reportedly followed these with queries like, How many times do you offer namaz?"

The report quoted investigative sources as saying that he tended to view even minor deviation from what he considered correct" religious practice as a sign of hostility. Several employees and patients described him as someone with extreme views and a rigid interpretation of faith.

Some even recalled him advocating for the segregation of male and female students in classrooms, revealing his hardline approach.

A handful of patients had complained that Nabis questions were intrusive and unprofessional.

The GMC administration eventually terminated his services after these formal complaints, the report suggested.

Following his removal, Nabi moved to Faridabad and joined Al-Falah University as an assistant professor, continuing his academic career even as he reportedly drifted further into radical networks.

Umar Un Nabi was behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 packed with explosives, which detonated near Delhis Red Fort on the evening of November 10, killing 13 people and injuring several others.

His identity was confirmed after DNA samples recovered from the blast site matched those of his mother.

Investigators believe the doctor, described by peers as academically gifted, underwent rapid radicalisation over the past two years.

According to officials, Nabi had joined multiple extremist messaging groups on social media, which may have influenced his transformation from a medical professional to a suicide attacker.

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On November 14, security forces demolished his house in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district.

ALSO READ | Terror Module Accused Shaheen Saeed, Dr Muzammil Bought Car Month Before Delhi Blast

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 20, 2025, 13:59 IST

News india Before Delhi Blast, Bomber Umar Nabi Questioned Women Over Hijab, Namaz At J&K Hospital

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Donald Trump's Son To Visit Taj Mahal Today, 126 Guests From 40 Countries To Accompany Him

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 14:33 IST

Donald Trump Jr. will visit the Taj Mahal with 126 guests from 40 countries. Security is tight with 200 police deployed. This is his second India trip after visiting in 2018.

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This marks Donald Trump Jr.s second trip to India. (Image: Reuters/File)

US President Donald Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., is set to visit the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradeshs Agra on Thursday. The high-profile visit includes 126 special guests from nearly 40 countries, all of whom will accompany him during the tour of the 17th-century marvel. With such a large and distinguished delegation, local authorities have intensified preparations to ensure a smooth and secure visit.

Trump Jr. arrived in the city earlier in the day and checked into the luxurious Kohinoor Suites at Hotel Amar Vilas. Before heading to the Taj Mahal, he is scheduled to have lunch at the hotel, where a specially curated menu featuring a blend of Indian and Continental dishes has been arranged for him. The hotel has prepared dedicated meals for him, ensuring a high-level dining experience during his visit.

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Security Beefed Up In Agra

According to officials, close to 200 police personnel have been deployed across key locations in the city. The security detail includes officers of ACP and ADC rank, who will oversee crowd management and route security

This marks Donald Trump Jr.s second trip to India. His previous visit was in February 2018, during which he travelled to New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Kolkata.

The Taj Mahal has been a preferred stop for the Trump family. President Donald Trump visited Agra six years ago with his family during his visit to India. Impressed by the monuments architectural grandeur, he wrote Incredible" in the monuments visitor book, a remark that drew widespread attention.

Trump Jr To Attend Wedding At Udaipur

Trump Jr., who also has business interests, is likely to head to Udaipur later this week for the destination wedding of an Indian-American couple. A US security advance team is already in the city reviewing arrangements ahead of his visit. The wedding celebrations are scheduled for November 21 and 22, news outlet The Stateman reported.

The central ceremony will be held at the historic Jag Mandir Palace on Lake Pichola, with additional events planned at Manek Chowk inside the City Palace complex.

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The outlet, citing sources, reported that Trump Jr. will be staying at The Leela Palace Udaipur during his visit.

In preparation, the Rajasthan administration has strengthened security throughout Udaipur and along the route to the airport. Several political leaders, celebrities, and other prominent guests are expected to participate in the two-day festivities.

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 : Agra, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 12:46 IST

News india Donald Trump's Son To Visit Taj Mahal Today, 126 Guests From 40 Countries To Accompany Him

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ED Files Fresh Chargesheet Against Robert Vadra In Money Laundering Case

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 20:32 IST

The ED filed a fresh chargesheet against Robert Vadra in a money-laundering case linked to UK-based defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari.

Robert Vadra, who has been named as an accused in the chargesheet, was questioned by the agency for more than 18 hours in connection with the matter. (PTI photo)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a fresh chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra in a money-laundering case linked to UK-based defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari.

Vadra is the ninth accused in the case. Apart from him, Sanjay Bhandari, Sumit Chhadha, Sanjeev Kapoor, Anirudh Wadhwa, Santech International FZC, Offset India Solutions FZC, Shamlan Gros-1 Inc, and Cheruvathur Chakkutty Thampi are also named as the accused. The chargesheet will be considered on December 6.

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This was the first time that Vadra was named as an accused in the case. The prosecution complaint was filed in Delhis Rouse Avenue Court, after Vadras statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in July.

He was called by the agency twice last month for questioning in this case, but he sought deferment of his summons as he reported being unwell during the first summons and later had to travel abroad after obtaining approval from a local court.

Whats The Case About?

Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, is under ED lens in three separate money laundering cases, two of which involve alleged irregularities in land deals in Haryana and Rajasthan. In April, he was questioned for three consecutive days in connection with a 2008 Haryana land deal. Another case pertains to alleged financial irregularities in a land deal in Rajasthans Bikaner.

This case relates to ED findings reported in a 2023 chargesheet, which alleges that Sanjay Bhandari acquired a property at 12, Bryanston Square in London in 2009 and had it renovated as per the directions of Vadra and the funds for renovation were provided by Robert Vadra." As per the case, Bhandaris firm Santech FZE had purchased the property from a private firm, which was acquired by Thampis Dubai-based company Sky Light, and later changed hands allegedly to Vadra.

ED claims that Vadra arranged funds and renovation of the property through his associate, Sumit Chaddha. The payment for the London property was made from the UAE account of Bhandaris company, amounting to GBP 1.8 million (Rs 20 crore).

The anti-graft body also alleged that e-mails showed post-sale expenditure was discussed with Vadras aide Manoj Arora, and the pattern showed that he controlled the property through associates, accusing him of beneficial ownership and tax evasion.

Furthermore, it is also alleged that Vadras role involved cross-border and domestic money laundering. Documents and e-mails showed Vadra held beneficial interest despite the property being registered in Bhandaris name, as per the ED.

Vadras Response

Vadra, however, has consistently denied any ownershipdirect or indirectof property in London, labelling the allegations as politically motivated. He has said that he was being hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends.

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As soon as I speak about joining politics or say anything against the BJP, this is the reaction that I have to deal with. The ED has no evidence, and in all years or interrogations, 30,000 documents, and hypothecated evidence or other statements, the investigations could not prove any wrongdoing by me. Its a simple misuse of the agencies and a complete witch-hunt," he said.

Sanjay Bhandari, 63, fled India in 2016 following raids on him in Delhi by the Income Tax department. He was declared a fugitive economic offender by a Delhi court earlier this year. A UK court had rejected Indias plea to appeal to the British Supreme Court after Bhandari was discharged in an extradition case, significantly reducing the chances of his return to face legal proceedings in India.

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU vi... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 15:32 IST

News india ED Files Fresh Chargesheet Against Robert Vadra In Money Laundering Case

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'He Grabbed Me And Started Kissing': Kanpur Woman Who Bit Man's Tongue Alleges Assault

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:14 IST

Meanwhile, doctors treating the accused have indicated that the tongue injury is severe and permanent.

According to her statement, the accused, Champi alias Raj, a 35-year-old married man and farmer, arrived from behind and initiated a conversation before allegedly assaulting her. (Representational image)

He forced himself on me and started kissing me," said the 20-year-old woman in Kanpurs Bilhaur area, who bit off a mans tongue after he allegedly grabbed her and forcibly tried to kiss her near a canal. The dramatic incident unfolded on Monday afternoon in Dariyapur village when the woman had gone to the canal bank  locally called bamba  to collect clay for making a traditional mud stove.

According to her statement, the accused, Champi alias Raj, a 35-year-old married man and farmer, arrived from behind and initiated a conversation before allegedly assaulting her.

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He grabbed me tightly and forced a kiss

In her complaint to Bilhaur police, the young woman described her struggle. I was taking clay for the mud stove. He came from behind and trapped me in his arms," she said.

He forced himself on me and started kissing me. His tongue came inside my mouth. I was trying to push him away but he held me tightly. In anger and fear, I bit his tongue hard. As soon as he pulled back, his tongue fell on the ground," she told police she ran home immediately and told her mother, who then accompanied her to the police station to file a complaint.

Based on her initial statement, police registered a molestation case against Champi on Tuesday. The womans detailed statement was recorded on Wednesday, and her magisterial statement will be recorded on Thursday, officials said.

Meanwhile, the accused was first taken to the community health centre in Bilhaur, then to LLR Hospital (Hallet), and finally referred to PGI Lucknow after his condition worsened due to heavy blood loss.

DCP West Dinesh Tripathi confirmed the sequence of events and the status of the investigation. An FIR has been registered against Champi alias Raj under molestation charges. His arrest has been delayed as he is undergoing treatment. Once he recovers, he will be arrested and sent to jail."

Speech Will Be Impaired For Life: Medical Experts

Doctors treating the accused have indicated that the injury is severe and permanent.

Dr GD Yadav, from the surgery department of Kanpur Medical College, said, He will be able to produce sound, but he will not be able to speak clearly. If a large portion of the tongue is severed, articulation and clarity of speech are significantly affected."

Eyewitnesses told police that the accused collapsed near the canal, bleeding profusely. In a desperate attempt, he picked up the severed portion of his tongue and rushed to the police station before being shifted to the hospital.

Amid the chaos, Champi initially told police that the woman and her brothers assaulted him and cut his tongue. However, police said this allegation was found to be false during preliminary investigation.

The accuseds mother defended her son and denied any molestation. She told reporters, My son was going to get a haircut. Some men stopped him and beat him up. Then they cut his tongue. He didnt even know them. A village boy took him to the hospital."

She claimed she was informed of the incident an hour later.

In contrast, the womans family insists the act was an instinctive response to an unwanted assault.

Her mother said, My daughter had simply gone to collect clay. The boy came from behind and misbehaved. In fear and anger, she bit his tongue. She came running home in tears."

Police sources revealed that Champi had reportedly been in an affair with the young woman, despite being married with four children. Her marriage has been fixed for December 20, and she had stopped meeting him  something that, police suspect, may have triggered his actions.

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The accused, a farmer, lived with his wife and four children in Dariyapur village.

Police will proceed based on the womans magisterial statement and medical reports. With the accused still recovering at PGI Lucknow, his arrest will follow once doctors declare him stable.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 11:14 IST

News india 'He Grabbed Me And Started Kissing': Kanpur Woman Who Bit Man's Tongue Alleges Assault

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'I Practise Buddhism, But Believe In All Religions': CJI Gavai In Farewell Speech

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 23:01 IST

CJI Gavai's retirement is scheduled for November 23, making Friday his final working day at the Supreme Court

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Chief Justice of India BR Gavai speaks during his farewell function ahead of his demission of office. (PTI photo)

Outgoing Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Thursday said he practises Buddhism but does not have deep knowledge of religious studies and considers himself truly secular.

Speaking at a farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA), Gavai thanked the judiciary for the opportunities and experiences he received during his tenure. His retirement is scheduled for November 23, making Friday his final working day at the Supreme Court.

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I practice Buddhism but I do not have much depth in any religious studies. I am truly secular and I believe in Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, everything," Gavai said.

VIDEO | Delhi: Speaking at his farewell function, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai says, I practice Buddhism, but I do not have any deep knowledge of any religious studies. I am truly a secular person. I believe in all religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Islam."(Full pic.twitter.com/zqSo5qVuMX  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2025

He recalled lessons from his father, a devout follower of Dr B R Ambedkar, who instilled in him the values of secularism and equality. While growing up, when we used to accompany him to political functions and his friends say, Come here, the dargah here is famous, or the gurdwara here is famous, we used to go," the Chief Justice said.

Gavai credited Dr Ambedkar and the Constitution for his journey from a municipal school student to the apex of the judiciary. Otherwise, I dont think any boy studying in a municipal school sitting on the ground could ever dream of this. I have tried to live by the four cornerstones of the Indian Constitution  Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity," he added.

He stressed that the Supreme Court should function as a collaborative institution, rather than a court centred around the Chief Justice.

The Supreme Court is a very great institution. Unless all the stakeholders, including the judges, the bar, the registry and staff work together, the court cannot function. The Supreme Court Bar Association and SCAORA should always be taken on board where problems of the bar are concerned," he said.

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CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant, present at the event, praised Gavais dedication to justice and his humane approach. I have seen the humane side of Justice Gavai. He is warm, gracious and a great host. I am quite sure that even after his retirement, he will continue to guide the institution. His experience will remain an asset for the institution," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 22:59 IST

News india 'I Practise Buddhism, But Believe In All Religions': CJI Gavai In Farewell Speech

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India Cut Poverty Sharply; Beti Bachao, Mid Day Meal Schemes Helped Children: UNICEF

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 21:53 IST

The UNICEF in its The State of the World's Children 2025 report said Indias flagship programmes have supported investments in children.

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Students attend a language class at the Signal Shala school in Thane near Mumbai. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

UN agency UNICEF on Thursday said India made significant progress in reducing poverty and flagship programmes like Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao have supported investments in children.

India has made significant progress in poverty reduction, and the flagship programmes have supported investments in children, steering India to be on track for SDG 1.2 ahead of the 2030 endline," said Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India representative, as the UN agency released The State of the Worlds Children 2025 report.

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The report highlighted that flagship programmes like Poshan Abhiyaan, Samagra Shiksha, PM-KISAN, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat, Jal Jeevan Missions, and world-leading digital public infrastructure, converged to deliver nutrition, education, income support, sanitation, and financial inclusion at scale.

The report reminds us that ending child poverty is achievable with the tools and knowledge we have. There is no greater return on investment than investing in children. Indias progress shows that further acceleration of effective programmes can help reach the last mile and Indias Vision 2047. Improving childrens wellbeing isnt just about resources, its about the collective will and leadership to prioritise children in every decision we make," said McCaffrey.

The report also said that India is on course to meet its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of halving multidimensional poverty ahead of the 2030 deadline.

However, it also pointed out that about 206 million children in India or nearly half the countrys child population, lack access to at least one of six essential services, including education, health, housing, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

Out of this, less than a third (62 million) lack access to two or more basic services and still need support to escape two or more deprivations," the report said.

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The report, released on World Childrens Day, noted that while more than half of Indias 460 million children now have access to basic services, progress remains uneven.

India has made strides in the reduction of poverty  a powerful progress indicator of being on track to achieve SDG 1.2 ahead of the 2030 endline  while investment in child wellbeing has plateaued in most parts of the world," UNICEF said, adding that Indias advances in poverty reduction have been pivotal" in driving down child poverty.

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

First Published: November 20, 2025, 21:53 IST

News india India Cut Poverty Sharply; Beti Bachao, Mid Day Meal Schemes Helped Children: UNICEF

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Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025/11/20

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his wife, Maryna Poroshenko, have delivered more than 900,000 square meters of material for camouflage nets to the Ukrainian military. Poroshenko, who leads the European Solidarity party, announced the transfer in a Facebook post.

According to him, the materials will be distributed nationwide and used to produce protective nets that not only conceal equipment and military positions but also help reduce the risk of strikes from enemy drones. Poroshenko noted that such nets are already being deployed over roads and military hardware, where they have helped save soldiers lives.

Poroshenko emphasized that "this is more than just material  it is a symbol of unity. First, it will bring volunteers together through shared work, and later it will serve as protection for our defenders."

The initiative continues a grant program launched by the Poroshenko Foundation, which two years ago supported a volunteer project producing camouflage nets in Rivne region. There, in a village school, activists built their own machine for cutting spunbond and involved teachers, students, and the local community in the effort.

"This is a way to bring people together, create an atmosphere of mutual support, and give everyone a sense of contribution to a greater cause  the defense of Ukraine," noted Maryna Poroshenko, who has coordinated support for volunteer centers since the start of the war.

Poroshenko also expressed gratitude to volunteers, party members, and lawmakers Volodymyr Viatrovych and Sofia Fedyna for helping share the projects experience with smaller volunteer organizations.

"We proved the strength of unity at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. I am certain we can demonstrate it again," he concluded.
India Launches Indigenous CRISPR Therapy 'BIRSA 101' In Decisive Step Against Sickle Cell Disease

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 07:00 IST

The breakthrough was developed by the CSIRInstitute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and was unveiled by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

The therapy, named 'BIRSA 101' in honour of the legendary tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, marks a significant technological milestone, positioning India among global leaders in advanced therapeutics. (Representational image/AI-generated)

In a major leap for genomic medicine and the governments commitment to tribal health, India on Wednesday launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy aimed at eradicating Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The therapy, named BIRSA 101" in honour of the legendary tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, marks a significant technological milestone, positioning India among global leaders in advanced therapeutics.

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The breakthrough was developed by the CSIRInstitute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and was unveiled by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. Sickle Cell Disease, a severe genetic blood disorder, disproportionately affects Indias tribal population, particularly in the central and eastern regions, where the disease burden is highest. The indigenous CRISPR platform, which the minister described as a precise genetic surgery", is designed not only to potentially cure SCD but also to transform treatment pathways for numerous other hereditary disorders.

A core focus of this development is affordability and accessibility. Global gene therapies of this nature often cost an exorbitant Rs 2025 crore, placing them far beyond the reach of the common person. The Indian-developed technology, however, is projected to cost only a fraction of this price. To ensure its scalability and widespread reach, a formal technology transfer and collaboration agreement was exchanged between CSIR-IGIB and the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SIIPL). This public-private partnership will translate IGIBs engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform into affordable therapies, ensuring that the innovation reaches the most underserved communities.

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This launch is a decisive step towards fulfilling the governments ambitious National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, which aims to achieve a Sickle CellFree India by 2047. The mission, introduced in 2023, focuses on universal screening, prevention, and management of the disease across 278 affected tribal districts. By deploying this indigenously manufactured, cutting-edge gene therapy, India aims to provide a long-term, curative solution, cementing its capability as a leader in creating world-class medical technologies tailored for its most vulnerable populations.

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 20, 2025, 07:00 IST

News india India Launches Indigenous CRISPR Therapy 'BIRSA 101' In Decisive Step Against Sickle Cell Disease

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Indian Army Plans Fast Patrol Boats, LCAs For Sir Creek, Other Key Border Fronts

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:02 IST

The LCAs will transport a fully equipped platoon or a light vehicle with troops, carrying a payload of more than 5.2 tonnes and achieving up to 20 knots even at full load.

The Army is looking to acquire eight LCAs and six FPBs. (AI generated image)

The Indain Army has moved to strengthen its riverine and creek-sector capabilities with plans to procure Landing Craft Assault vessels and Fast Patrol Boats for deployment in Sir Creek, the Brahmaputra river basin and eastern Ladakh. The service is looking for platforms capable of operating in shallow, fast-changing and tactically sensitive waterways where conventional mobility is limited.

As per the requirements, the LCAs will transport a fully equipped platoon or a light vehicle with troops, carrying a payload of more than 5.2 tonnes and achieving up to 20 knots even at full load. The craft will support patrol duties, logistics runs and limited search-and-rescue missions across creek systems and high-altitude water bodies. They will be class-approved composite-hull boats, fitted with bullet-resistant wheelhouses, bow ramps for vehicle offloading, twin diesel engines, stern-drive propulsion and an integrated navigation suite including radar, GPS chart display and VHF communication.

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The Army is looking to acquire eight LCAs and six FPBs. Four LCAs will be based at the Inland Water Transport unit in Lakhpat, Gujarat, and four in Guwahati. Deliveries are expected in batches over 24 months once the contract is signed.

The Fast Patrol Boats, meant for intervention, surveillance and small-team insertions in shallow and muddy waters, will be capable of sustaining 2530 knots for at least six hours and carrying a crew of eight with a payload of up to 1,000 kg.

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Indian Army has issued detailed RFPs for the requirements. These documents mandate a minimum indigenous content of 60 per cent, stressing on the Armys push to source critical equipment from domestic shipyards.

Sir Creek remains a sensitive stretch along the India-Pakistan border, where shifting tidal channels and marshy terrain make boat-borne mobility essential. Similar constraints exist across the Brahmaputra basin, where vast river networks complicate movement, and in eastern Ladakh, where certain lake sectors require rapid water-borne access. Recent field exercises, like Exercise Trishul, conducted in the Sir Creek area, have sharpened operational requirements for these platforms.

About the Author Akash Sharma Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experien... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 10:02 IST

News india Indian Army Plans Fast Patrol Boats, LCAs For Sir Creek, Other Key Border Fronts

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'Indian Ocean Our Greatest Shared Heritage': NSA Ajit Doval At Colombo Security Dialogue

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 12:54 IST

CSC was formed to promote closer cooperation between member states on vital matters of security & to strengthen partnership for enhancing regional security in Indian Ocean region.

NSA Ajit Doval (PTI Image)

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday stated that the Indian Ocean is the greatest heritage shared by the countries connected to it. He further urged the nations to ensure its stability, security, and safety.

Addresses Colombo Security Dialogue in New Delhi, Doval said, The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region."

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VIDEO | National Security Advisor Ajit Doval addresses Colombo Security Dialogue in Delhi.He says, The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region." pic.twitter.com/m32ykgg8eO  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2025

NSA Ajit Doval on Thursday hosted his counterparts from member states, including the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Seychelles participated as an Observer State, and Malaysia was invited as a guest.

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The CSC was formed to promote closer cooperation between member states on vital matters of security and to strengthen partnership for enhancing regional security in the Indian Ocean region.

In keeping with this vision and objective, the 7th Meeting of the NSAs will be an opportunity for the participants to review the activities under the different pillars of cooperation, namely- Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalization; Combating Transnational Organized Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, and discuss the Roadmap and Action Plan for 2026.

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 20, 2025, 12:54 IST

News india 'Indian Ocean Our Greatest Shared Heritage': NSA Ajit Doval At Colombo Security Dialogue

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'Intellectuals Terrorists More Dangerous': In SC, Delhi Police Say Sharjeel Imam Wanted Regime Change

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 16:21 IST

Delhi Police opposed Sharjeel Imam's bail plea in Supreme Court, citing his speech aimed at provoking Muslims and alleging he sought a regime change, said ASG V Raju.

Activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and eight others have been in jail over five years in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. (Image: PTI/File)

Delhi Police on Thursday opposed the bail plea of Delhi riots accused Sharjeel Imam in the Supreme Court, saying he and his associates wanted a regime change".

Appearing for Delhi Police, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) V Raju referred to Sharjeels speech and said he was trying to provoke Muslims.

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During the hearing, the ASG said that intellectuals, when they become terrorists, are more harmful than ground-level terrorists. Intellectuals who got degrees with state support, who used state funding to become doctors, and then use it for nefarious activities  they are much more dangerous," he said.

Raju argued that the delay in the trial court proceedings has been caused by the accused.

What does the lead member of this conspiracy say? He does not call it a protest  he calls it a violent protest. He says Assam should be separated from India. He refers to the chicken neck, the 16 km stretch of land that connects Assam to India. He talks about Kashmir. He is trying to provoke the Muslims. Then he speaks about triple talaq and even maligns the court. He says, Court ki naani yaad kara denge. He talks about the Babri Masjid. So, the ultimate aim is regime change," ASG Raju told the court.

The ASG also played speeches of Sharjeel Imam in the apex court and said these were inflammatory speeches.

Sharjeel Iman, former JNU student leader Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima, and Meeran Haider were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the masterminds" of the 2020 Delhi riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

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The violence erupted during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The Delhi High Court had earlier denied bail to nine people, including Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, saying conspiratorial" violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests by citizens could not be allowed. The activists moved the Supreme Court against the HC order.

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 20, 2025, 14:40 IST

News india 'Intellectuals Terrorists More Dangerous': In SC, Delhi Police Say Sharjeel Imam Wanted Regime Change

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Ludhiana Police Bust Pakistan-Based ISIBabbar Khalsa Module; Two Operatives Shot In Encounter

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 22:58 IST

Two men linked to a Pakistan-based ISI module were shot in a Ludhiana police encounter, with officers recovering Chinese-made grenades, pistols and live ammunition.

Left: Image from the site; Right: Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma

Ludhiana Police on Thursday said they had uncovered a terror module allegedly controlled by Pakistans ISI, leading to an encounter in which two operatives were shot and several weapons were recovered.

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Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said the group was being directed from Pakistan. A terror module was being handled by Pakistan-based ISI. Their handler is based out of Pakistan and used to call up at various locations, touching different elements," he said.

He explained that the police had already arrested three people linked to the network  Arsh from Bhojpur in Bihar, Ajay from Fatehabad in Haryana, and Shamsher from Ludhiana. Every individual was tasked with different responsibilities," Sharma added.

According to the Commissioner, the operatives received instructions through virtual numbers traced to Pakistan. He said the handler had asked two men to carry out a grenade exchange at specific locations. Police set a trap, but the suspects opened fire. A trap was set for them, and they fired at the police The police resorted to retaliatory firing," he said.

#WATCH | Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma says, A terror module was being handled by Pakistan-based ISI. Their handler is based out of Pakistan and used to call up at various locations, touching different elements. Based on this information, we had already arrested 3 https://t.co/eeDGcw2bmZ pic.twitter.com/3CfCVooc0a ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

During the exchange, one suspect was hit by three bullets and the other by one. They were rushed to the hospital, one of them is very critical," Sharma said.

Police recovered two Chinese-made grenades, five pistols believed to have come from across the border, and live ammunition. They had come to collect grenades" the Commissioner said.

The two injured suspects have been hospitalised. Police said the weapons and the earlier arrests indicate a wider module in contact with Pakistans ISI.

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Further investigation into the case is underway.

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

Location : Ludhiana, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 22:58 IST

News india Ludhiana Police Bust Pakistan-Based ISIBabbar Khalsa Module; Two Operatives Shot In Encounter

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Nitish Kumar Takes Oath As Bihar Chief Minister, PM Modi Calls Him 'Experienced Administrator'

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 13:04 IST

Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time at Patnas Gandhi Maidan, with top NDA leaders including PM Modi in attendance.

Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar Chief Minister (Video screengrab/PTI)

Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time at Patnas historic Gandhi Maidan on Thursday. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office and secrecy to him.

In all, 22 ministers, including Kumar, were sworn in at the event, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and several other top leaders of the NDA.

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Chief ministers of several other NDA-ruled states also attended the event.

VIDEO | JD(U) Supremo Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) takes oath as Bihar CM in Patnas Gandhi Maidan.#NDA(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/bVEHNB5guK  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2025

Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar for swearing in as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

In an X post, the Prime Minister wrote, Congratulations to Shri Nitish Kumar Ji on taking oath as Bihars Chief Minister. He is an experienced administrator with a proven track record of good governance for many years."

My best wishes to him for his tenure ahead," PM Modi wrote.

Congratulations to Shri Nitish Kumar Ji on taking oath as Bihars Chief Minister. He is an experienced administrator with a proven track record of good governance for many years. My best wishes to him for his tenure ahead. @NitishKumar pic.twitter.com/q5om9kI2IU Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2025

Nitish Kumar had resigned as the Bihar Chief Minister on Wednesday and then staked a claim before Governor Arif Mohammed Khan to form the new government.

Apart from the Cabinet berths for the main NDA constituents, the BJP and JD(U), the other partners of the alliance were also likely to get one ministerial post for every six MLAs to ensure a balanced representation.

One ministerial berth each will likely go to the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) or HAM(S), three to Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and the remaining will be divided between the BJP and the JD(U), it was known.

The new Cabinet will be expanded after Makar Sankranti on January 14 next year, news agency PTI quoted sources as saying.

Kumar (71), who is a member of the legislative council (MLC), did not contest the assembly elections.

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He is among the 10 longest-serving chief ministers in the country and has been in power for 19 years.

ALSO READ | Nitish 10.0: The Ultimate Survivor Returns To Bihars Top Seat  Again

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 20, 2025, 11:36 IST

News india Nitish Kumar Takes Oath As Bihar Chief Minister, PM Modi Calls Him 'Experienced Administrator'

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Parents Protest Outside Delhi School After Students Suicide Alleging Harassment

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:54 IST

Holding placards that read We want justice, several parents, including those whose children currently study at the school, demanded accountability and action.

Delhi School Faces Outrage as 16-Year-Old Dies by Suicide

Anger and grief swept through a Delhis Ashok Place neighborhood on Wednesday as parents gathered outside a private school to protest the tragic death of a 16-year-old student, who died by suicide after allegedly facing persistent harassment by teachers.

Holding placards that read We want justice", several parents, including those whose children currently study at the school, demanded accountability and action.

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Delhi Police officers stationed at the site informed the protesters that public demonstrations were not permitted in the New Delhi area due to BNSS 163, urging them to disperse. Despite this, many parents continued to express their anger and fear, emphasising the urgent need for a safe and supportive school environment.

Police have registered an FIR in the case and begun a detailed investigation. The childs parents, originally from Maharashtra, are currently in their home district and are expected to return to Delhi soon.

Student suicide

The Class 10 boy, who was known to be enthusiastic about his schools drama club, ended his life on Tuesday afternoon by jumping from the Rajendra Place Metro Station platform at 2.34 pm. He was rushed to BLK Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police recovered a heart-rending suicide note from the spot, in which the teenager blamed prolonged mental harassment by specific teachers. He wrote that constant scolding and emotional mistreatment had pushed him to the brink.

What family said?

In his final words, the boy apologised to his parents and elder brother, expressing deep guilt for causing them distress. He requested that his organs be donated, writing, Give my organs to those in need." He concluded with a plea for justice, saying, My school is only like that. My last wish is that action be taken against them. I dont want any other kid to go through this." Family has donated the organ parts.

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The boys father told that his son had been distressed for months, repeatedly saying that teachers scolded him for every small thing" and emotionally hurt him. Originally a resident of Sangli, the family will now conduct his last rites at his home town.

Although his parents raised verbal complaints, they refrained from taking stronger action with Class 10 exams approaching. Twenty marks come from the school. I did not want to disturb anything," the father said.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 10:50 IST

News india Parents Protest Outside Delhi School After Students Suicide Alleging Harassment

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Security Situation, Attacks On Minorities In Dhaka: What India, Bangladesh NSAs Discussed

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 16:58 IST

According to sources, India flagged the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, a matter that has drawn attention following political unrest.

During a meeting in Delhi, Bangladesh NSA Rahman extended an invitation to Ajit Doval to visit Dhaka, with both sides discussing security cooperation and regional issues. (IMAGE: X/REUTERS)

India and Bangladesh convened a high-level National Security Adviser (NSA)-level meeting in New Delhi  marking the first structured bilateral dialogue since the change of government in Dhaka. The invitation extended to Bangladesh NSA Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui Rahman for talks with Indias NSA Ajit Doval is being viewed by top government sources as a positive signal" of Dhakas willingness to engage despite domestic political turbulence.

After the meeting, Bangladesh NSA Rahman began his statement by condemning the recent Red Fort blast in Delhi.

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This dialogue comes close on the heels of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) verdict pronouncing death sentence for Bangladeshs former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and growing sensitivity around internal political debates in the country. For New Delhi, the timing underscores an important opportunity to stabilise a crucial neighbourhood partnership at a moment of regional uncertainty.

According to sources, both sides raised their concerns in clear terms" and exchanged multiple assurances aimed at keeping the bilateral relationship on track. India flagged the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, a matter that has drawn attention following political unrest. Dhaka, sources said, provided assurances of protection and reiterated its commitment to maintaining communal harmony.

India also conveyed that the Bangladesh election timeline, as announced by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, should be adhered to so the region remains stable and predictable. New Delhis position on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  including the debate around her conviction  remains strictly within what officials describe as the diplomatic ambit," with the Ministry of External Affairs having already clarified Indias stand publicly. Importantly, top government sources emphasised that the Hasina verdict and any prospective extradition demands will be handled through a legal, process-driven framework, free from political pressure.

Security cooperation formed the backbone of the meeting. Discussions covered joint maritime patrols, enhanced intelligence sharing, new mechanisms for tracking terror financing, and growing concerns around Rohingya-linked extremism. Dhaka, despite pressure from Jamat-aligned groups at home, reportedly conveyed its full willingness" to deepen cooperation across agencies.

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India raised specific concerns about the spike in cross-border radicalisation from Chittagong and Sylhet into Assam and West Bengal. Officials cited a sharp increase in illegal crossings after Sheikh Hasinas exit, along with intelligence assessments warning of terror operatives attempting to slip into India using vulnerable border routes. The instability in Myanmar has compounded these challenges, especially with fears that Rohingya refugee camps could become recruitment hubs for extremist networks.

For New Delhi, the message was clear: India remains committed to supporting Bangladesh across political, economic, and security domains so that bilateral ties continue to operate within a stable and structured framework."

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 20, 2025, 16:43 IST

News india Security Situation, Attacks On Minorities In Dhaka: What India, Bangladesh NSAs Discussed

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Seychelles Becomes New Member of Colombo Security Conclave

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 15:54 IST

Seychelles joined the Colombo Security Conclave at the NSA meeting in New Delhi led by Ajit Doval, with Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

NSA chief at the seventh National Security Adviser (NSA) level meeting of Colombo Security Conclave on Thursday. (PTI/X)

Seychelles became the new member of the Colombo Security Conclave during the seventh National Security Adviser (NSA) level meeting on Thursday.

The meeting, hosted by NSA chief Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Thursday, was attended by the delegations from Member States, including Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Seychelles participated as an Observer State, and Malaysia as a Guest for the first time.

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VIDEO | National Security Advisor Ajit Doval addresses Colombo Security Dialogue in Delhi.He says, The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region." pic.twitter.com/m32ykgg8eO  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2025

According to an official statement, the first Secretary General, appointed by India, presented a comprehensive review to the CSC Member States on the decisions taken at the 6th NSA level meeting in Mauritius on 7-8 December 2023 and activities undertaken since then under the five pillars of cooperation, namely Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

During the meeting, Doval stated that the Indian Ocean is the greatest heritage shared by the countries connected to it. He further urged the nations to ensure its stability, security, and safety.

He said, The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region."

The CSC Member States also discussed ways of enhancing cooperation under identified pillars, including through training and capacity building.

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The delegations of Member States were respectively led by NSA chief of Maldives, Ibrahim Latheef; Mauritius NSA chief, Rahul Rasgotra; Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence secretary and Air Vice Marshal, Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.); and Bangladeshs NSA chief, Khalil-ur-Rehman.

The delegation from Seychelles was led by Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Michael Rosette. Malaysia was represented by Badrul Shah Mohd Idris, Deputy Director General of the Malaysian National Security Council.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 15:54 IST

News india Seychelles Becomes New Member of Colombo Security Conclave

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SC Declines To Set Timeline For Governors On Bills, Says Long Delays May Face Limited Review

Reported By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:32 IST

Delivering its advisory opinion on the Presidential Reference, the Court also rejected the idea of deemed assent.

Supreme Court Of India (PTI)

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that Governors cannot withhold state bills indefinitely, but also made it clear that the judiciary cannot prescribe fixed timelines for granting assent, saying doing so would violate the doctrine of separation of powers.

Delivering its advisory opinion on the Presidential Reference, the Court rejected the idea of deemed assent," holding that automatically treating a bill as approved after a certain period is contrary to the Constitutions design and undermines legislative checks and balances.

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The bench emphasised that while Governors cannot sit on bills endlessly, they are still required to act within a reasonable timeframe. If prolonged inaction effectively stalls the legislative process, courts may, through limited judicial review, direct the Governor to make a decision, without examining the merits of the bill itself.

The Court further cautioned that treating the assent stage as fully justiciable would lead to an impermissible scenario in which courts are asked to determine whether a bill was correctly passed" even before it becomes law. Such pre-enactment scrutiny, the bench held, is not allowed. Only legislation that has completed the constitutional process and become an Act can be subjected to judicial review, and the Presidents or Governors functions under Articles 200 and 201 cannot be challenged at the bill stage.

At the same time, the Court reiterated that judicial intervention is permissible in exceptional circumstances to prevent abuse or paralysis of the constitutional process. While a universal, fixed timeline cannot be laid down for all bills, courts may issue case-specific directions requiring a Governor to act within a reasonable period as part of enforcing constitutional accountability.

The five-judge Constitution Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar, heard the matter over ten days before reserving its opinion on September 11.

Also Read: Presidential Reference Explained: What The SC Will Decide Today And Why Its Significant

What Triggered Presidential Reference On Bill-Assent Timeline

The Presidential Reference stems from the Supreme Courts April 8 ruling on delays by the Tamil Nadu Governor in acting on bills passed by the state assembly. In that judgment, a two-judge bench set out timelines for constitutional authorities to process legislation, sparking a national debate on whether the judiciary can prescribe such deadlines.

Filed shortly after the ruling, the Reference asks 14 questions on the interpretation and scope of Articles 200 and 201  the provisions that outline the powers and responsibilities of governors and the President when state legislation is sent for assent.

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The Supreme Courts advisory opinion is expected to significantly shape Centrestate dynamics and determine how swiftly state bills move through the constitutional approval process.

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU vi... Read More

First Published: November 20, 2025, 11:02 IST

News india SC Declines To Set Timeline For Governors On Bills, Says Long Delays May Face Limited Review

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Interfax-Ukraine to host roundtable discussion Systemic crisis of Ukrainian govt. Is there a way out?

On Monday, November 24, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency (8/5a Reitarska Street) will host a roundtable discussion titled "Systemic crisis of Ukrainian govt. Is there a way out?".

Participants include

Political expert Kostyantyn Matviyenko;

Public figure Oles Doniy;

Political commentator Leonid Shvets.

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards.
Supreme Court Says No Timelines For Governor, President On Assent To Bills | Top Observations

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 13:09 IST

The Court, in its Presidential Reference opinion, struck down assent deadlines and warned against judicial substitution of executive roles

The Supreme Court Of India. (File)

The Supreme Court on Thursday delivered its advisory opinion on the Presidential Reference concerning delays by Governors and the President in acting on State bills, ruling that fixed timelines and deemed assent" are unconstitutional and violate the separation of powers.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai held that the timelines set in the April judgment, as well as the concept of deemed assent" in case those timelines were not met, amounted to the court usurping the powers of the Governor and the President. The Bench said the Constitution preserves elasticity in how assent is dealt with and does not allow the judiciary to step into a substitutional role.

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Top Observations Made By The Supreme Court

The Court held that it cannot set timelines for the President or the Governor to act on bills under Articles 200 and 201. The Constitution, it said, deliberately leaves the assent process flexible, and judicially imposing deadlines violates the doctrine of separation of powers.

The Bench made it clear that the Supreme Courts extraordinary power under Article 142 cannot override the constitutional powers of the President and the Governors. These authorities act within their own spheres, and Article 142 cannot be used to dilute or displace their role.

While rejecting fixed deadlines, the Court said that in cases of prolonged and unexplained delay, constitutional courts may exercise limited interference. Such intervention is confined to issuing a mandamus directing the Governor to act within a reasonable time, without touching the merits or the discretion involved.

Reiterating the position under Article 200, the Court said that the Governor has only three options: to give assent; to withhold assent and reserve the bill for the President; or to return the bill to the State legislature with comments for reconsideration. These options, it said, cannot be replaced by judicially created mechanisms such as deemed assent. It further observed that Governors cannot act as super Chief Ministers" and that there cannot be two executives within a State.

A key observation was that bills cannot be placed under judicial review until they become Acts. The functions discharged by the President or the Governor at the bill stage are not justiciable, and pre-enactment scrutiny is constitutionally impermissible.

The Bench stressed that all institutions depend on each other to keep the Constitution working. The functioning of one organ cannot paralyse another, and constitutional accountability ensures the system moves forward.

The Court further observed that the constitutional scheme abhors inaction. While the Governor cannot be forced into rigid timelines, prolonged silence that stalls the legislative process invites limited judicial scrutiny.

Finally, the judges said that it is one thing to insist that one organ not encroach upon anothers powers, but it is something entirely different to suggest that checks and balances should not operate. Non-encroachment does not mean constitutional oversight ceases.

Arguments Before The Bench

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government, argued that the executive and legislature are also custodians of the Constitution and that issuing a mandamus in relation to the Governors legislative functions would violate the theory of separation of powers.

He said refusal of assent could be the only option if a State legislature were to pass a shockingly unconstitutional" bill, citing as an example a hypothetical bill declaring that a State would no longer be part of the Union of India.

Mehta also pointed out that States approaching courts over such issues was a relatively recent phenomenon and that, historically, the system had worked in harmony.

Attorney General R Venkataramani told the Bench that it was not the courts role to make Article 200 look better". He said this was not a matter of reading rights into the Constitution but of respecting its structural design, and that an independent exercise of judgment by the Governor is built into Article 200.

What Triggered The Presidential Reference

The opinion was delivered on a reference made by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143(1) of the Constitution, which allows the President to seek the Supreme Courts view on questions of legal or public importance. The reference arose from the Courts April ruling on delays by the Tamil Nadu Governor, which had prescribed a series of outer limits for action under Article 200.

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That earlier judgment held that constitutional silence could not be used to stall the democratic process and laid down specific timelines for withholding assent, reserving bills for the President and acting on reconsidered bills. It also linked inaction beyond those periods to judicial review and, in the case of Article 201, contemplated deemed assent if the President did not decide within three months.

Following that ruling, the President referred fourteen questions to the Court, including whether the Supreme Court can create procedural mechanisms where the Constitution is silent and whether imposing time limits encroaches upon the discretionary space granted to the President and Governors.

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 20, 2025, 13:08 IST

News india Supreme Court Says No Timelines For Governor, President On Assent To Bills | Top Observations

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Taj Mahal Take Two: Donald Trump Jr Revisits Iconic Monument With Wife & VIP Team Amid Mega Security

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 18:06 IST

Trump Jr also posed for photographs at the iconic Diana Bench, a spot that has become one of the most recognised photo points at the Taj

One of the most distinctive features of Trump Jrs itinerary was the presence of 126 prominent guests representing nearly 40 countries. Image/News18

United States President Donald Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr, arrived in Agra on Thursday for a high-profile visit to the Taj Mahal, marking his second trip to India after 2018. Accompanied by his wife, he spent the afternoon touring the 17th-century monument, taking in its architectural beauty, and also posed for photographs at the iconic Diana Bench, a spot that has become one of the most recognised photo points at the Taj.

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Trump Jr landed in the city earlier in the day and headed straight to the luxurious Hotel Amar Vilas, where he checked into the famed Kohinoor Suite, known for its direct, unobstructed view of the Taj Mahal. Before leaving for the monument, he had lunch at the hotel, where a specially curated spread featuring Indian and Continental dishes was prepared exclusively for him and his delegation. Hotel sources said that apart from the regular menu, the kitchen team readied an exclusive, personalised selection" of dishes to offer a fine-dining experience that matched his status and security protocol.

With Trump Jr being accompanied by a 126-member international delegation from nearly 40 countries, the administration converted the visit into one of the most tightly managed security exercises seen in Agra this season. According to officials, around 200 police personnel, including teams led by ACP- and ADC-rank officers, were deployed across the routefrom Hotel Amar Vilas to the Taj Mahals eastern gate.

American security agents from multiple US agencies were also stationed at vantage points inside and outside the monument complex. Traffic movement was regulated, tourist flow was staggered, and entry for general visitors was temporarily restricted during the high-profile tour.

At the hotel, too, security remained tight. Barricades were placed outside the main entrance, sniffer dog squads conducted checks at intervals, and police personnel maintained a two-layer security cordon, ensuring seamless movement of the US delegation. Local intelligence units were also activated for ground surveillance.

Trump Jrs visit subtly echoed the Trump familys earlier connection with the Taj Mahal. In February 2020, when then US President Donald Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump and their family, toured the monument, they described the Taj as incredible", a remark inscribed in the visitors book that made headlines worldwide.

While Thursdays visit was private and more low-profile in nature, the symbolic continuity was unmistakable. Visitors and officials who witnessed the tour said Trump Jr spent several minutes appreciating the intricate carvings and marble inlay work. He and his wife posed at the Diana Bench, a spot made globally famous after Princess Dianas solitary photograph during her 1992 visit. The couple smiled for what appeared to be an official photo-op, a moment that quickly drew attention from tourists waiting outside the restricted zone.

One of the most distinctive features of Trump Jrs itinerary was the presence of 126 prominent guests representing nearly 40 countries. Their coordinated arrival, movement, and visit required elaborate planning by the Agra administration, especially given the heritage sensitivity of the Taj Mahal and the heavy footfall the monument witnesses daily.

Officials confirmed that coordination meetings between district authorities, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), CISF personnel guarding the Taj, and US security teams had been ongoing for the past several days.

After wrapping up his Agra visit, Trump Jr is expected to travel to Udaipur to attend the destination wedding of an Indian-American couple. Celebrations are scheduled for November 21 and 22, with the main ceremony to be held at the historic Jag Mandir Palace on Lake Pichola. Additional festivities are planned at Manek Chowk inside the City Palace complex.

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A US advance security team has already reached Udaipur to oversee local arrangements, signalling that the Rajasthan leg of the trip will also involve high-level coordination similar to Agra.

Location : Agra, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 18:06 IST

News india Taj Mahal Take Two: Donald Trump Jr Revisits Iconic Monument With Wife & VIP Team Amid Mega Security

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Three Bangladeshi Boats Seized, 28 Fishermen Arrested For Illegal Fishing In Indian Waters

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:52 IST

ICG intercepted a Bangladeshi Fishing Boat with 28 crew for illegal fishing in Indias EEZ near Bay of Bengal, escorting them to Namkhana for legal action.

ICG ship observed a suspicious fishing vessel conducting evasive manoeuvres within Indian waters.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship, conducting surveillance along the International Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBL) in the northern Bay of Bengal, apprehended a Bangladeshi Fishing Boat (BFB) with 28 crew members for illegal fishing inside Indias Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Thursday, according to an official press release.

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During the operation, the ICG ship noticed a suspicious fishing vessel making evasive manoeuvres within Indian waters. The vessel was quickly intercepted and identified as a Bangladeshi fishing boat violating the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 (MZI Act). The ICG boarding team conducted a thorough search.

None of the 28 Bangladeshi crew members had valid authorisation or permits to fish in the Maritime Zones of India. The fishing gear and onboard catch confirmed active fishing in the prohibited area. The vessel and its crew were subsequently apprehended and escorted to Namkhana Fishing Harbour. Upon arrival, the boat and all crew members were handed over to the Marine Police, Namkhana, for further legal action.

This incident marks the fourth apprehension of a Bangladeshi fishing vessel within a week, highlighting the ICGs strong commitment to protecting Indias maritime interests, preventing illegal fishing, and ensuring the safety and security of Indian fishermen in Indian waters.

The ICG continues to maintain an uninterrupted vigil in the Bay of Bengal through round-the-clock surface and air surveillance, ensuring effective enforcement of maritime laws and safeguarding national maritime assets.

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Earlier, on Tuesday, ICG apprehended three Bangladeshi fishing boats along with 79 crew members. As per the officials, the action was taken during International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) surveillance by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships in the northern Bay of Bengal.

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 20, 2025, 19:52 IST

News india Three Bangladeshi Boats Seized, 28 Fishermen Arrested For Illegal Fishing In Indian Waters

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Umar Visited Mosque In Haryana Several Times Before Delhi Blast; Maulana, Urdu Teacher Detained

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 09:49 IST

Umar, the suicide bomber in the blast outside Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station which killed 13 people, visited the Raipur mosque several times.

Umar-un-Nabi, the suicide bomber behind the deadly Red Fort attack on November 10.

Amid the ongoing probe into the Delhi blast case, the Faridabad Crime Branch has detained a maulana and a teacher from Sohna in Gurugram, Haryana.

According to the sources, it has been learnt that before the Delhi blast, Umar used to visit the Raipur village mosque in Sohna and was in contact with the mosques maulana, Tayyab Hussain, and an Urdu teacher.

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Umar, the suicide bomber in the blast outside Delhis Red Fort Metro Station which killed 13 people, visited the Raipur mosque several times. Following his mosque visit, he also went to a fertilizer and seed shop in Sohnas mandi.

Late last night, the maulana and the Urdu teacher were taken into custody for questioning.

Delhi Bomber In Kashmir

Umar-un-Nabi, the suicide bomber behind the deadly Red Fort attack on November 10, was in Kashmir days before the blast and had entrusted his mobile phone to his brother.

His recovered phone, which was earlier dumped, contains chilling footage in which Umar justifies the attack as a martyrdom operation", shedding light on his radicalisation and premeditation.

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However, under sustained questioning, he revealed that Umar had handed him a mobile phone with strict instructions to dispose of it in water if news of him surfaced.

Illahi later guided the police to the spot where the phone was dumped. Though partially damaged, forensic experts were able to extract critical data from the device.

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Location : Haryana, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 09:49 IST

News india Umar Visited Mosque In Haryana Several Times Before Delhi Blast; Maulana, Urdu Teacher Detained

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Weather Report Today: IMD Warns Of Heavy Rain In The South; Cold Wave Likely In 5 States

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 08:48 IST

Heavy rain is expected in the South as a Bay of Bengal system strengthens, while western and central India face a severe cold wave, marking sharp contrasts in todays forecast

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Severe cold wave grips Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and eastern Rajasthan.

The weather system over the Bay of Bengal continues to develop, with a fresh cyclonic circulation now forming near Tamil Nadu. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns that from Saturday, the system may intensify into a deep depression, bringing heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema.

Severe Cold Wave Warning For Central India

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The weather department has issued a severe cold wave warning for several parts of Madhya Pradesh. According to the report, Sikar in Rajasthan recorded the lowest temperature at 5.5C.

Cold wave alerts have additionally been issued for Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and eastern Rajasthan.

Northeast Monsoon May Recover Seasonal Rainfall Deficit

The northeast monsoon, also known as the retreating monsoon, has so far had limited impact on South India. However, the latest IMD forecast suggests that the current seasonal rainfall deficit may be compensated in the coming week, as the deep depression forming over the south-eastern Bay of Bengal could bring heavy to very heavy rain.

The department has predicted heavy rainfall in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on November 20, and till November 25, heavy rain is expected over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam.

Cold Wave Tightens Grip Across Western And Central India

A cold wave is sweeping across central and western India, with the increasing chill most evident in six states: Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and eastern Rajasthan. IMD warns that on Thursday, November 20, parts of western Madhya Pradesh may experience a severe cold wave.

Over the next 24 hours, cold wave conditions may persist in central Maharashtra, eastern Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.

Delhi Sees A Slight Ease In The Chill

In Delhi, the intensity of the cold has eased slightly. According to Skymet Weather, minimum temperatures in the city have fallen into single digits over the past four days, with several weather stations recording below 10C.

The Safdarjung base station noted sub-10C temperatures between November 15 and 18, 2025, with a minimum of 8.7C on November 17, 3.6C below normal. No sharp temperature drop is expected in the coming days.

The weather department states that increased activity in the Bay of Bengal may provide some relief from the cold in Delhi, likely lasting until the end of the month.

Eastern India Records Above-Average Temperatures

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In eastern India, including Bihar, temperatures remain above average. The department reports that minimum temperatures from Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) to Bihar and Bengal are hovering between 18C and 20C.

Considering the developing system in the Bay of Bengal, the department has issued a temperature outlook, indicating that temperatures in Bihar and other eastern states may rise by 2 to 3 degrees over the next two to three days.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 08:48 IST

News india Weather Report Today: IMD Warns Of Heavy Rain In The South; Cold Wave Likely In 5 States

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Pearl Galore For Tara Sutaria's 30th Birthday Party Surrounded By Beau Veer Pahariya And Friends

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:17 IST

The actor, who was recently in the Maldives to bring in her birthday, threw a grand party with industry friends including Orry.

Tara Sutaria glams up for her birthday

Tara Sutaria celebrated her birthday with a glamorous party in Mumbai. With a theme of Old Hollywood Glamour, the actor looked breathtaking in a figure-hugging beaded outfit that was opulent. The actor, who turned 30 on November 19, was surrounded by her friends, while her love, actor Veer Pahariya, was at her side as well. Fresh off the boat and gloriously tanned from her brief sojourn to the Maldives for a short break and to count down her birthday, Tara was a vision in a white midi dress featuring an intricate and detailed design of beads, pearls, and crystals.

Tara Sutaria Stuns In A Pearly Abundance

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The actor, who is best known for her roles in films like Student of the Year 2, Heropanti 2 and Ek Villain Returns, wore a midi bodycon dress from Yousef Aljasmis Haute Couture 2022-2023 collection. For her birthday party, Tara was styled by celebrity stylist Tanya Ghavri.

This exquisite dress featured strings of pearls that were intricately laid across the bust and waist to give the illusion of fringes. The dress was completely bejewelled with stones and crystals, which were embellished on a sheer nude fabric. She added a pair of arm-length gloves that matched the dress and added to the old-school Hollywood vibes that gelled with the theme of the party.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TARA (@tarasutaria)

Further leaning into the vibes, Tara opted to tie back her hair in a slicked bun with a few curly pieces wrapped around it. Giving red carpet glamour, Tara went all out with her makeup, as she wore shimmery pink eyeshadow, dramatic winged eyeliner and mascara-laden lashes.

For the lips, the actor applied a glossy nude lippie over brown-lined lips, which was reminiscent of the early noughts. So as not to overdo the bling, she accessorised with a dainty pair of leaf-shaped earrings. She wore strappy Rene Caovilla Juniper metal silver sandals and carried a silver shimmery handbag, too.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TARA (@tarasutaria)

Birthday celebrations in the Maldives

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The actor recently shared photos from her trip to JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. Her photo dump from the vacation showed her having an early birthday celebration with neon pink lights that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY TARA. She wore a black bikini with a sheer black sarong and posed with the signage. The actor also shared a glimpse into her stay, which features blue skies and pristine azure waters with white sand.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 10:13 IST

News lifestyle fashion Pearl Galore For Tara Sutaria's 30th Birthday Party Surrounded By Beau Veer Pahariya And Friends
You Use It For Prayers Every Day, But Do You Know This Puja Item Can Also Make You Rich?

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:05 IST

Along the fields of Gonda, a sacred plant is rewriting the idea of farm income. Its fragrance, its ritual worth, and its rising demand are drawing farmers towards a new hope

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A single Kumkum plant can yield between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000, as its seeds can fetch nearly Rs 2,000 per kilo. (Local18)

Be it winter or summer, farmers with a passion for innovation consistently seek out new techniques and adopt fresh approaches to improve their fields. In Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, one such farmer has taken an initiative that has quickly become the talk of the region.

For the first time, the Kumkum plant, traditionally used in worship, Ayurveda, and natural dye-making, is being cultivated here. This unusual experiment has sparked curiosity among many farmers, who are now keen to understand and adopt it themselves.

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What Is The Kumkum Plant?

Farmer Surya Prasad Shukla explains that the Kumkum plant is valued for its fragrance and medicinal qualities. Its leaves, flowers, and roots are all used in Ayurvedic treatments, home remedies, and religious rituals. Natural colour extracted from its flowers is widely used for tilak, puja items, and various religious ceremonies.

Shukla brought the plant from Jharkhand; although only a few of the initial batch survived, the healthy plants now growing on his farm are being shared with neighbouring farmers who wish to try this new crop.

How Does The Plant Benefit Farmers?

According to Shukla, farmers can earn a decent income by planting Kumkum along the edges of their fields. A single plant can generate Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000, as Kumkum seeds fetch nearly Rs 2,000 per kilo.

This offers farmers an opportunity to earn additional income with minimal effort and investment.

Rising Demand In Worship And Ayurveda

The demand for natural and organic products has risen significantly in recent years. Natural colours and plant-based products are especially sought after by temple priests, ashrams, and traders dealing in puja materials.

Kumkum seeds are also used in preparing Lord Hanumans sacred paste. When ground, the seeds can be applied like sandalwood, offering a cooling effect on the skin.

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In Ayurveda, the Kumkum plant is used for treating skin ailments, healing wounds, relieving headaches, and reducing inflammation.

Shuklas experiment in Gonda is offering new possibilities for the region. Cultivating rare and useful plants like Kumkum can enhance farmers income while meeting the growing demand for natural and traditional products.

Location : Gonda, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 10:05 IST

News lifestyle You Use It For Prayers Every Day, But Do You Know This Puja Item Can Also Make You Rich?
Mocked For Skin Tone, Miss Universe Pakistan 2025 Shames Trolls For Colourism

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 17:43 IST

Through her confidence, Roma Riaz redefined what it means to be beautiful in South Asia and showing the world that true beauty comes from self-respect, and embracing one's roots

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Roma Riaz expressed pride in her identity, urging South Asian women to embrace confidence and authenticity over conformity. (Instagram/@romariaz_official)

In South Asia, traditional notions of beauty have long favoured fair skin, slender faces, and a narrow set of features. But the tides are changing, and Roma Riaz, Pakistans representative for Miss Universe 2025, has emerged as a powerful voice challenging these outdated ideals.

In recent days, Roma faced a wave of online criticism, with comments targeting her darker skin tone and fuller figure. Initially choosing to stay silent, she eventually broke her silence with a pointed and unapologetic message that resonated far beyond social media. My skin is the same colour as the soil of Pakistan," she declared in a video post on Instagram, turning a personal confrontation into a broader conversation about colourism and body image in South Asia.

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Roma spoke candidly about how deeply ingrained colourism continues to shape perceptions of beauty. She noted that these harmful stereotypes affect not just her, but millions of girls who grow up feeling insecure about their natural appearance. Colourism has taught us to celebrate fairness and to forget where we come from. But I will not apologise for looking like my poeople," she said, emphasising pride in her identity.

In her video, Roma connected her personal experience to the collective strength of South Asian women. I am Pakistani in my roots, and in my values, and in every shade of my skin, and beauty is not tied to one specific skin tone or to a specific set of features," she said.

My skin is the same colour as the women who built our families, our homes, and carried our nation in their hearts," Roma stated as a tribute not only to herself but to all the women who embody the real spirit of Pakistan.

Watch the viral video:

Romas message goes beyond defending her appearance; it challenges the very framework of traditional beauty standards. She represents a new era in which confidence, identity, and authenticity define beauty, not skin tone or conformity to a narrow ideal. I also represent a new generation of South Asian women who dont fit into the narrow boxes of what people think we should look like," she further clarified.

Addressing her critics, Roma urged restraint and reflection, saying that everyone has the right to their opinion, but if you dont have anything good to say, think about the image of our country". She extended a heartfelt message to every girl who has been labeled too dark", too different", or too bold", saying that any girl who has ever been judged this way also represents Pakistan just as much as anyone else.

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Roma acknowledged that stepping onto the global stage with darker skin is not without challenges. Change never comes without resistance," she wrote in her post, but I carry it with grace, knowing that every step forward opens a door for the next girl to walk through." Her message reflected not only courage but a strategic vision for inspiring future generations.

The global support Roma has received has been overwhelming, extending beyond Pakistan to India, Latin America, and other regions. She emphasised that beauty, kindness, and unity transcend borders, fuelling her determination as she prepares for the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Thailand on November 21.

Location : Pakistan

First Published: November 20, 2025, 17:43 IST

News lifestyle Mocked For Skin Tone, Miss Universe Pakistan 2025 Shames Trolls For Colourism
5 Best Destinations In India To Watch Dolphins And When You Should Visit

Published By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:05 IST

India is not short of its own Dolphin-watching bases and destinations where you can catch a glimpse of this playful species in all its glory.

India is home to dolphins from the holy Ganges to the pristine waters of the Lakshadweep.

Among the most loved and adored creatures of the marine world, Dolphins are often associated with tropical islands and ocean cruises overseas. However, India is not short of its own Dolphin-watching bases and destinations where you can catch a glimpse of this playful species in all its glory.

Due to its vast geographical landscape and water bodies, India is home to dolphins from the holy Ganges to the pristine waters of the Lakshadweep. These destinations attract a range of tourists, including wildlife enthusiasts, curious individuals and those eyeing a perfect photo and video opportunity for their social media page.

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Here is a list of five destinations where you can watch the dolphins in action across India:

Chilika Lake, Odisha

Hailed as Indias dolphin capital, the Chilika Lake in Odisha is considered the best place in the country to watch the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, which are known for their rounded heads and playful behaviour inside the water. The Irrawaddy dolphins are most evident near the Satapada and Rambha regions of the lake. The winter vibes of November-February, when the migratory birds also raise the waters aesthetic value, is usually the best time to visit the Chilika lake to see Dolphins.

Goa

Known as a perfect getaway with friends and family for its famous beaches and a party-like atmosphere, Goas waters are also the best place to spot the Indo-Pacific humpback and bottlenose dolphins. These vibrant and joyful species are observed frequently around the coast of SinQerim, Candolim, Calangute and Palolem beaches. If you want to visit Goa for Dolphins, make sure to be there during the October-May period when the water is relatively calm.

Lakshadweep Islands

The clean waters of Lakshadweep are the perfect destination to watch spinner and common dolphins. Watching these dolphins leap and spin through the water is an amazing sight that any wildlife and marine enthusiast wouldnt forget. The dry season of November-March is considered the best time to visit the Lakshadweep for dolphin viewing.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The clear waters of the Andaman & Nicobar are often home to the bottlenose, spinner and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Havelock Island and North Bay are considered the best places for dolphin cruises on these islands. To catch the dolphins in open waters, reserve your dates between November and April.

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar

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Its a special sanctuary for dolphins, located along an extensive stretch of the river Ganges between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon in Bihar. This sanctuary has been a protected habitat of the rare Gangetic River Dolphin. This freshwater dolphin, which is naturally blind and navigates mainly by echolocation, is marked as Indias national aquatic animal. The period between October and March is considered the best to watch this rare dolphin.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 11:05 IST

News lifestyle travel 5 Best Destinations In India To Watch Dolphins And When You Should Visit
Bigg Boss 19: Family Week Continues As Pranit More Reunites With Brother Prayag More

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:49 IST

Pranit Mores brother, Prayag More, entered the Bigg Boss house and immediately uplifted the mood with his quick humour and vibrant personality.

Armaan Malik stepped in to show his support for his brother Amaal.(Photo Credit: Instagram)

The ongoing Family Week in Bigg Boss 19 continues to uplift the spirits of the housemates, offering them a refreshing pause from the emotionally draining tasks and nonstop conflicts. This time, the spotlight fell on Pranit More, whose brother Prayag More stepped inside the BB house and instantly turned the atmosphere lively with his sharp wit and playful energy.

The episode opened with Bigg Boss instructing Pranit to visit the storeroom. Since the freeze task was still active, Pranit was asked to freeze" in place, unable to move or react. Moments later, Prayag walked in, breaking the silence with a light-hearted joke that immediately cracked everyone up.

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He remarked, Ye toh acha hain Bigg Boss ne Farrhana ko freeze rakha hain, kaafi shaanti lag rahi hain ghar mein." The unexpected humour brought instant smiles to the faces of the housemates, creating a feel-good moment in the midst of a tense week. Once Bigg Boss announced, Pranit release," Pranit rushed towards his brother, embracing him with warmth.

Friendly Teasing and Playful Roasts Light Up the House

Pranit, clearly overjoyed but unable to resist teasing his brother, cracked a joke as soon as he released him, asking, Ye kapde kiske bhaare ke hain?"

Tanya Mittal, known for her quick humour, joined in and added, Iske aadhe jokes merepe hi chalte hain." Prayag seized the moment and delivered a witty roast that left everyone laughing. He responded, Jispe usko market mein zyada value milegi uspe hi maarega."

He didnt stop there. His amusing observations continued, especially when he poked fun at Farrhana Bhatt, saying, Aap log bore hote ho toh gym jaate ho swimming jaate ho, Farrhana bore hoti hain toh woh sochti hain chal mein jhagda karti hu." His sharp one-liners added a refreshing layer of humour, helping ease the tension built up from the competitive environment of the house.

Emotional Moments Continue as Amaal Mallik Meets Armaan Malik

The heartwarming entries did not end with Pranits family. In the previous episode, viewers witnessed an emotional reunion between musician brothers Amaal Mallik and Armaan Malik. As Armaan stepped inside the house, Amaal grew emotional, expressing his feelings and vulnerabilities. He shared that he had been deeply hurt, believing that their father was upset with him.

Armaan comforted him with affection before greeting the other housemates. Due to professional commitments, Armaans stay inside the house was short, but his presence added sentimental depth to the ongoing Family Week.

Family Week Continues to Bring Warmth, Laughter and Memorable Moments

In addition to the entries of Pranits and Amaals families, earlier episodes of the Family Week featured several heartfelt reunions. Ashnoor Kaurs father visited her, Farrhanas mother stepped inside the house to encourage her and Gaurav Khanna was surprised by his wife Akansha Chamola. Kunickaa Sadanand also received an emotional visit, first from her son and later from her two granddaughters.

With more family appearances anticipated, the atmosphere in Bigg Boss 19 is expected to stay warm, emotional and full of positive energy. Currently, nine contestants remain in the race for the trophy: Gaurav Khanna, Malti Chahar, Shehbaz Badesha, Amaal Mallik, Tanya Mittal, Ashnoor Kaur, Kunickaa Sadanand, Farrhana Bhatt and Pranit More.

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 20, 2025, 10:49 IST

News movies television Bigg Boss 19: Family Week Continues As Pranit More Reunites With Brother Prayag More
How is Ukraine trying to change its approach to humanitarian workers safety?

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Working under shelling, Ukrainian humanitarian organizations have been developing safety standards for staff for over a year. Now, with the support of the state and international partners, this work is evolving into a systemic national policy.

In September 2025, Ukraine joined more than 100 countries by signing the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel at the 80th UN Assembly. This step became a logical continuation of the large-scale effort that Ukrainian civil society launched over a year ago, joining international partners around the Duty of Care initiative.

Statistics that demand action

The decision came against the backdrop of record-breaking tragic statistics: in 2024 alone, more than 380 humanitarian workers were killed worldwide. In Ukraine, since the start of the full-scale war, over 100 humanitarian workersboth national and internationalhave lost their lives.

According to INSO (International NGO Safety Organisation), in the past year alone, more than 160 incidents involving humanitarian workers occurred in Ukraine: at least 58 were injured, and 9 killed. And this is only official data, which does not cover all cases.

From grassroots initiative to state policy

The Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel outlines four key areas: compliance with international humanitarian law, ensuring access to aid, strengthening staff protection, and accountability for attacks.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

The MFA is ready to work on implementing these principles within its competence, said Marianna Grebenyuk, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a discussion at Interfax-Ukraine. Beyond signing the Declaration, we have created a Platform for Progressive Development of International Humanitarian Law, which unites three clustershuman, environmental, and institutionaland we invite civil society representatives to join this work.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

The initiative to develop a minimum Duty of Care package emerged as a response to the critical need to protect those who risk their lives daily to provide assistance. As Josef Lang, Deputy Director of INSO, noted, the key task is overcoming informational and resource isolation:

Our duty is to ensure that protection mechanisms do not remain a privilege of large international structures but become accessible to local organizations, which most often work on the frontlines. They must have real access to all available tools to ensure their own safety, he emphasized.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

This view is shared by Joachim Kleimann, Head of Programs at Nonviolent Peaceforce in Ukraine:

When we started working here, we saw that local organizations had been helping communities since the beginning of the war, practically without assessing risks for themselves. This is unusual for many international NGOs. Our joint conference with the Alliance in Odesa last month was aimed precisely at bringing these tools to those who need them most.

Practical outcome: What is the minimum Duty of Care package?

After a year of joint efforts by the Swiss Embassy in Ukraine, the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations, and the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine, a basic Duty of Care package was developed, which includes:

Life and health insurance

Psychosocial support

Individual first-aid kits

Personal protective equipment (bulletproof vests, helmets)

Basic safety training

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

As Oleg Masyk, Humanitarian Aid Program Coordinator at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, noted, donors must integrate these costs into project budgets:

We remind donors: protecting those who protect others is critically important. And this must be included in project budgets. Thanks to joint advocacy, we already see other donors starting to adopt this approach.

The human dimension: Why does it matter?

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

The core value of the initiative is caring for people. Anna Kholodnytska, HR Director at Caritas Ukraine, emphasizes:

The most important thing is to preserve peoples inner resources. Humanitarian workers want to serve those who need help most, but they also live in war. Our duty is to create opportunities and space for support. Because the heart of humanitarian response is people, and we must protect them.

Next steps: From voluntary standard to legal norm

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Despite progress, systemic barriers remain. Small local organizations are still the most vulnerable. War demands broader and more expensive solutions: armored vehicles, modern protective gear. Mila Leonova, Director of the Alliance of Ukrainian CSOs, stressed that this work began as a grassroots initiative and highlighted the uniqueness of Ukraines experience:

For us, Duty of Care is, above all, a unique experience that Ukraine can already share with the world. We started this initiative as an organic, bottom-up movementwithout external orders, guided only by the internal need to care for those who save others. This is the key value: when voluntary solidarity and practical experience grow into a systemic standard, enshrined both in regulations and in everyones mindset.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Work at the state level has already begun. Olena Volkova, Head of GR at the Alliance UA CSOs, notes:

This work is underway. For example, Ukrainian legislation this year introduced definitions of what humanitarian organizations and humanitarian response are. This is important because until now, Ukrainian law did not contain such concepts. After joint work with the Alliance, we managed to bring Ukrainian norms closer to international ones.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

As Yuriy Honcharov, Advocacy Advisor at Rokada Foundation, summed up:

Duty of Care must not be a desired option but a mandatory standard. Every grant, every contract must include clear costs for safety, insurance, psychosocial support, and staff trainingnot as an option or bonus, but as an integral component of humanitarian activity.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

At the same time, Camilla Corradin, Director of the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine, emphasized that decisions must be made not in offices but based on the real experience of people working under shelling in frontline communities.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

I believe many decisions can be madeand the courage to do so comes when you see firsthand what humanitarian workers face, when it becomes clear that, unfortunately, their rights to physical protection are practically not realized, said Oksana Kuyantseva, Board Member of East SOS Foundation.

Signing the UN Declaration is not the finish line but the start of a new stage. And Ukraine approaches it with unique experience that is already saving the lives of those who save others.
After 15 Years In Cinema, Adivi Sesh Finally Takes On A Dance Number In Dacoit

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:38 IST

The official poster of the Shaneil Deo directorial film, Dacoit, was released in October on Instagram.

Dacoit is set to hit theatres on March 19, 2026. (Photo Credit: X)

Dacoit was announced at the end of October, and fans were thrilled to see Mrunal Thakur and Adivi Sesh team up for the film. Now, a new revelation about the film has surfaced thats bound to take the excitement up a notch. Adivi Sesh, best known for his intense action-thriller roles in films like Kshanam and Major, will reportedly be putting on his dancing shoes for the very first time in Shaneil Deos directorial.

According to HT, the actor will be featured in an upbeat, entertaining song and is expected to begin filming it soon. While the choreography has already been locked, he chose not to reveal any further details when approached by the publication, saying he didnt want to spoil the surprise. Fans and well-wishers will have to wait for more details but I assure you that it will be worth it," he said.

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Why Did It Take Adivi Sesh So Long To Tap Into His Dancing Skills?

Adivi Sesh made his acting debut in 2010 with Karma, and having spent over a decade and a half in the industry, many are curious why it has taken him this long to showcase his dancing skills. The writer-actor explained, So every time I write, I dont try to fit in dance, to me it has to go with the flow." He further explained that the storyline of Dacoit has the scope of a dance number in the film.

Talking about how fans will react to his dance, he said that they have never seen him like that before, and since they have always supported him in all his projects, he expects that theyll love this too.

More About Dacoit

Adivi Sesh announced Dacoit on October 28 via Instagram. He shared the films poster and wrote, Iss baar theres no looking back." The poster features him and Mrunal Thakur sitting in a car, both looking gritty, with the actor pointing a gun toward the camera. The film is slated to release on March 19 next year. It is helmed by Shaneil Deo and bankrolled by Supriya Yarlagadda.

Mrunal also shared the poster of the film on her social media handle. On her post, Adivi Sesh commented, So excited about the world seeing what we have created together." Sesh is also shooting for G2, which is a sequel to his 2018 film, Goodachari.

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 20, 2025, 11:38 IST

News movies telugu-cinema After 15 Years In Cinema, Adivi Sesh Finally Takes On A Dance Number In Dacoit
Opinion | India, Bangladesh And The Hasina Extradition: A Crisis Wrapped In Judicial Theatre

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 15:07 IST

Dhakas sudden moral absolutism and New Delhis cautious silence reveal a geopolitical struggle far larger than one tribunals verdict

Bangladesh's ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. (AFP)

The fragile diplomatic landscape between India and Bangladesh has entered one of its most volatile phases in decades. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, long seen as Indias closest and most reliable partner in South Asia, and sentenced her to death. Almost immediately, the interim government under Muhammad Yunus formally demanded her extradition from New Delhi, warning that refusal would be considered an unfriendly act."

With this single proclamation, Dhaka has placed India in a corner, transforming what should have been a judicial procedure into a geopolitical contest of narratives, interests, and legitimacy.

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For New Delhi, this is not merely a legal issue under the 2013 extradition treaty. It is a question of regional stability, precedent, and national interest. For Bangladeshs interim government, the insistence on Hasinas extradition has become a tool to assert its own credibility internationally and domestically after months of turbulence. And for the broader region, the consequences of this standoff may determine the trajectory of South Asian geopolitics for years.

The interim government claims its demand is grounded in law and evidence. Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Yunus, repeatedly asserts that Hasina is a mass murderer," pointing to a 127-page UN investigation that allegedly details direct orders she gave for lethal force against protesters during the 2024 unrest. According to Dhaka, the crimes are not political but purely humanitarian in nature.

Therefore, the extradition treatys political exception" clausewhich allows refusal when charges are politically motivatedshould not apply. The argument, on paper, is simple: crimes against humanity trump political provisions.

But international politics has never been simple. The optics of a former prime minister being tried in absentia, by a tribunal many critics consider politicised, raise legitimate concerns. The Awami League insists the trial was one-sided, that Hasina had no representation, and that the ICT has historically lacked independence. These rebuttals cannot be dismissed as partisan noise. Bangladeshs own history, where political vendettas often masquerade as judicial reform, makes the situation even murkier.

The interim government nonetheless insists that Hasina will get a fair appeal if returned. But this assurance sits uneasily alongside simultaneous arrests of Awami League leaders, its organisational activity being banned (even if the government denies banning the party itself), and the broader crackdown on dissent since the unrest began. If the objective is fairness, the environment certainly does not inspire confidence.

Dhakas internal contradictions only deepen the crisis. On one hand, its press secretary calls Hasina the butcher of Bengal," insists she ordered massacres, and claims overwhelming evidence from thousands of videos and forensic media reports. On the other, Yunus government says it seeks good relations" with India, wants free and fair elections, respects the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and insists Bangladesh remains secular.

These claims are not inherently incompatible. Yet, when juxtaposed against an unprecedented death sentence handed to the daughter of Bangladeshs founding father, the narrative becomes difficult to reconcile.

So where does India stand?

The silence from New Delhi has been instructive. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri carefully noted that the matter is a judicial and legal process requiring consultation." This is diplomacy at its most cautious.

India cannot afford an openly hostile government in Dhaka, yet it equally cannot become the instrument of what many perceive as politically charged retribution. Moreover, Hasina has been Indias strongest ally against cross-border militancy, illegal migration, and Islamist extremism. Extraditing her would not only betray a trusted partner but also signal that New Delhi is willing to abandon its friends when political tides shift.

The interim government insists Bangladesh remains secular and rejects claims that extremist forces are rising. But the political vacuum created by Hasinas ouster has undeniably emboldened a spectrum of groups, some ideological, some opportunistic, whose long-term agendas differ sharply from Indias security interests. The operational chaos, the bulldozers spotted outside Hasinas residence, public calls to demolish Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans monuments, and widespread administrative reshuffling all underscore a country undergoing tumultuous realignment.

If New Delhi were to hand Hasina over under these circumstances, it would validate a process many international observers see as unstable and potentially vengeful. It would also expose India to moral and strategic criticism: If a neighbour can unilaterally redefine a political crisis as a humanitarian crime, what prevents similar demands in the future? Indias own democratic opposition would seize on such a precedent to accuse the government of selective adherence to human rights principles.

Bangladeshs threat that refusal will be considered an unfriendly act" only complicates matters. Diplomacy is rarely conducted under conditions of overt coercion. The language of ultimatum, especially from a government that claims to cherish friendship, invites scepticism about its motives. If Dhaka truly valued bilateral ties, it would have pursued a collaborative inquiry rather than presenting New Delhi with an all-or-nothing proposition.

Yet India must tread carefully. Dhaka remains a critical economic and strategic partner, a gateway to Northeast India, and a buffer in the Bay of Bengals geopolitical theatre, where China seeks influence aggressively. Alienating Bangladesh, especially in a moment of heightened domestic flux, could push it closer to Beijing or open doors for destabilising actors.

Ultimately, New Delhi must approach the Hasina extradition demand with measured firmness. The 2013 treaty clearly allows for refusal on political grounds, and India is well within its rights to invoke this clause if it believes the charges are entangled with political retribution. At the same time, India can propose joint verification mechanisms, demand access to the UN report, or call for an international tribunal review, all diplomatic middle paths that preserve relationships without surrendering principles.

What is unfolding is not merely a bilateral disagreement but a larger question about the direction Bangladesh will take post-Hasina. Will it emerge as a stable, moderate democracy? Or will the states moral absolutism, selective justice, and contradictory messaging plunge it into deeper polarisation?

Indias response must therefore transcend the immediate legal question. It must reflect a long-term vision for South Asian stability. Dhaka may insist that extradition is the litmus test of friendship, but New Delhi must remember that true diplomacy is not measured by capitulation but by the defines of values, interests, and regional balance.

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In the coming weeks, the Indo-Bangladesh relationship will be tested like never before. But the real test lies in whether the subcontinent can navigate crises without repeating the cycles of vendetta, destabilisation, and geopolitical gamble that have haunted its past.

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 20, 2025, 15:07 IST

News opinion Opinion | India, Bangladesh And The Hasina Extradition: A Crisis Wrapped In Judicial Theatre

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Opinion | PM Internship Scheme: The Right Recipe For The AI Age

Written By : &

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 12:03 IST

The PM Internship Scheme stands as a timely solution, equipping Indias youth with practical skills and industry exposure to thrive in an AI-driven future

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AI systems now perform many tasks that once defined junior roles, such as writing code, analysing data, and drafting standard documents. (Image for Representation)

Indias major IT services companies are at a crossroads. Long a springboard for engineering graduates, traditional IT giants absorbed waves of freshers into entry-level rolescoding, customer support, and app maintenanceproviding a clear path from novice to expert. However, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are now fundamentally reshaping this landscape, challenging established norms of early career progression and the sustainability of the talent pipeline.

A recent EY-CII report which surveyed 200 Indian enterprises found that we are moving towards a diamond-shaped workforce: mid-level and specialist roles are expanding, but entry-level hiring is contracting sharply, with a 20-25 percent decline. For Indias 1.3 million engineering graduates, the class of 2026 faces choppy waters. The top five hiring companies are expected to recruit far fewer college students compared to over three-digit numbers per company over two years ago.

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AI systems now perform many tasks that once defined junior roles, such as writing code, analysing data, and drafting standard documents. Approximately 64 per cent companies in the EY-CII survey report that AI is being utilised for routine and repetitive tasks. This directly affects the traditional apprenticeship model, which relied on juniors performing grunt work" in exchange for training and knowledge from experienced professionals. Indias hiring managers are already cognizant of a shift towards a disappearing apprenticeship layer".

On the flipside, Indian enterprises face another challenge. While enterprises have rapidly adopted AI to automate tasks, significant AI skills gap persists with only one in three employees expressing confidence in their AI skills. This gap is expected to widen: Indias AI talent demand is projected to grow from 600,000-650,000 to more than 1,250,000 between 2022-27, according to a Deloitte-NASSCOM report. This presents a dilemma: how do we train the next generation of leaders and AI-skilled professionals when the career pipeline is shrinking and entry-level opportunities are diminishing?

Professors Luis Garicano of the London School of Economics and Luis Rayo of the Kellogg School of Management, in their influential paper Training in the Age of AI: A Theory of Apprenticeship Viability", highlight this tension. Their model outlines a race between AIs ability to substitute entry-level work (raising the Floor") and its capacity to augment expert-level productivity (raising the Top"). The key factor is the ratio of the floor to the topdefined as the Expertise Leverage Ratio"which determines the viability of the apprenticeship model. If this ratio falls below a certain threshold, expertseven with AI skillsdo not possess enough saleable knowledge to justify hiring apprentices, and its no longer viable to use company revenues to support entry-level workers. If the gap between what an AI-empowered expert can achieve and what AI alone can do is small, companies may bypass juniors entirely, relying on automation for entry-level work. The career ladder risks collapse thereby threatening long-term workforce sustainability.

Could the Indian market already be in the middle of such a collapse? The workforce is moving to a diamond-shaped pattern and entry-level opportunities are drying up as AI automates work. At the same time, companies have rushed to invest in AI at work and fast-track everyday tasks, while AI skills gap exists and threatens widen in the near future.

We argue that the PM Internship Scheme, which incentivises companies to recruit interns in roles akin to apprenticeships, directly responds to this challenge. It keeps the career ladder accessible for young talent even as firms integrate AI, ensuring sustainable growth pathways despite rising automation. The scheme, launched in 2024, offers 12-month internships to one crore young people at Indias top 500 companies and provides attractive government-backed stipends to incentivise firms to hire long duration interns.

By targeting 2124-year-old graduates who have yet to secure their first roles, the scheme resembles traditional apprenticeships. Recent reports indicate that in todays AI-driven employment landscape, the apprenticeship model will be the way forward. Multinational companies are increasingly utilising apprenticeships to identify high-potential individuals, given the cost-effective and flexible nature of these programmes. This enables firms to reduce hiring risks, tap talent in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and allows seniors to offer hands-on training, targeted development, and nurture future leaders aligned with organisational goals.

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Consequently, success in the AI era will depend on balancing the efficiencies brought by AI with continued investment in human potentialbuilding a resilient workforce and Indias next generation of innovators, and leaders. The PM Internship Scheme stands as a timely solution, equipping Indias youth with practical skills and industry exposure to thrive in an AI-driven future, while maintaining a robust and resilient talent pipeline.

Anuj Gupta and Aarshi Tirkey are the India Managing Director and Senior Analyst respectively at BowerGroupAsia, a policy consulting firm. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 12:03 IST

News opinion Opinion | PM Internship Scheme: The Right Recipe For The AI Age

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Opinion | Vande Mataram: Tribulations And Triumph

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 15:44 IST

Vande Mataram has weathered a string of challenges and criticisms in 150 years to become the national song by popular choice.

Indias national song Vande Mataram completes 150 years today, marking a century and a half of patriotic resonance, literary brilliance, and revolutionary spirit. (Image: File Pic)

A lot of planning has apparently gone into marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the Sanskrit-Bengali song by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee hailing the country as mother. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the year-long celebrations on November 7 in New Delhi. The choice of the date is, however, rather apocryphal.

The claim that Bankim Chandra wrote the song on November 7, 1875, which, being Kartik Shukla Navami, celebrated as Jagaddhatri Puja in Bengal, is not substantiated by any definite finding. The claim was apparently first advanced by Amerandra Laxman Gadgil in his book, Mataram: The Song Perennial (1978), based on information recently published" (P.7), which he chose not to expound.

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The columnist found that biographers of Bankim Chandra and historians have ascribed no definite date to the penning of the song. SM Mitra (1908) says Bankim Chandra composed Vande Mataram in a fit of patriotic excitement after a good hearty dinner, which he always enjoyed. It was set to Hindu music, known as Mallar-Kawali-Tal" (Indian Problems, P.66).

P Thankappan Nair (1959), the eminent Malayali researcher on Calcutta, says that the song was composed in September 1875, during a short train journey from Sealdah Railway Station in Calcutta to Naihati, from where his house in Kanthalpara was a matter of walk. The poet in Bankim Chandra," says Nair, was bewitched in the course of the journey by the beauty of Bengal countryside with its lush green vegetation, colourful flowers swaying in the breeze to the call of gurgling streams and tanks" (Indian National Songs and Symbols, P.32). Bankim Chandra apparently had a vision of the primeval mother, and wrote Vande Mataram on a piece of paper on reaching home.

Bankim Chandras essay Amar Durgotsav" (My Durga Worship), which forms a chapter in his experimental book Kamalakanter Daptar, first appeared in Kartik, 1281 Bengali Era (November 1774) issue of the literary journal Bangadarshan (estd.1872). It might be recalled that Bankim Chandra was the founding editor of this journal. While My Durga Worship anticipated the ideas lyrically expressed in Vande Mataram, and contains a hymn mentioning Jagaddhatri, it would be presumptuous to attribute Vande Mataram to the Jagaddhatri Puja the following year.

As Osho (Acharya Rajnish), commenting on the extreme coincidence of Gautam Buddhas birth, enlightenment, and demise on the same lunar day (Vaishak Full Moon), in different years, said it is mythical and symbolic rather than historical. Since Buddha represented fullness of consciousness, one expects him to be born, enlightened, and departing on a full moon. Being born on any other day, even if historically true, would be inconsistent with our sentiments. Similarly, linking Jagaddhatri Puja with Bankim Chandras writing of Vande Mataram might be such an incident of mythmaking. It is an act of spirit triumphing over the fact.

Though the song was written in 1875, it was never independently published by Bankim Chandra. It was first published as part of the Anandamath, the Bengali historical fiction serialised in Bangadarshan from Chaitra, 1287 Bengali Era (April 1881) to Jyestha, 1289 Bengali Era (May 1882) before being published in the form of a book in 1882.

Bankim Chandra had predicted that Vande Mataram would become a delayed hit. His nephew and biographer, Sachischandra Chatterjee, informs that a few years prior to his death, Bankim Chandra had told his eldest daughter that two or three decades later Bengal would go rapturous about the song (Bankim Jiboni, P.216).

His prediction came posthumously true during the Bengali anti-partition movement in 1905. It was for the first time that Vande Mataram as a slogan became a battle cry, and the entire song captured the national imagination. S.M. Mitra informs that even Keir Hardie (1856-1915), the British labour unionist and Member of Parliament, reportedly shouted Vande Mataram at a public event while visiting India in 1907, bringing embarrassment to the government (Indian Problems, P.65).

There is no doubt that the Modi government has accorded the song due importance by starting the 150th anniversary celebration this year. Indira Gandhi governments celebration of Vande Matarams centenary in late 1976 was apparently an afterthought. India, then under the Emergency (1975-77), was waging its second freedom struggle". The centenary of the song and slogan, which inspired Indias freedom movement, came during that difficult time. President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed released a commemorative postal stamp on Vande Mataram on December 30, 1976. People of India, however, were not pleased.

Yet, in terms of documentation, the Indira government did a better job. The Research and Referral Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a 10-page note on the origin and history of Vande Mataram on September 22, 1976. Chapalakanta Bhattacharya, eminent Bengali journalist and freedom fighter, wrote an informative article on Vande Mataram, which was issued on Gandhi Jayanti, 1976. In comparison, the official website of Vande Mataram recently launched by the Modi government contains very little background about the song. It is, however, appreciable that the Modi government has defended the integrity of Vande Mataram. The Indira government focused only on the first stanza.

Curiously, the UPA-I government also marked the centenary" of Vande Mataram on September 7, 2006. D. Purandeswari, MoS, Human Resource Development, argued in Rajya Sabha (vide Unstarred Question No. 1977 dtd December 11, 2006) that since Vande Mataram had become a slogan of the masses during the Swadeshi agitation in Bengal in 1905, the UPA government had calculated one century from that date.

It was a faulty logic as the slogan of Vande Mataram had become part of the Bengal anti-partition agitation on August 7 (not September 7) in 1905 (not 1906). Bande Mataram"  write historians Haridas Mukherjee & Uma Mukherjee (1957) as a mantra of nationalism was uttered through thousands of voices for the first time on the fateful day of August 7, 1905, in connection with the historic Town Hall meeting promulgation resolution of Boycott and the vow of Swadeshi" (Bande Mataram and Indian Nationalism, 1906-1908, P.13). The UPA governments decision was controversial when initially HRD Minister viz. Arjun Singh said that Vande Mataram must be sung in prayer assemblies in all schools. Later, however, facing criticism from the Muslim community, he declared it to be optional rather than compulsory.

The Modi government, while avoiding controversy, has tapped into peoples enthusiasm for Vande Mataram. It has asked people to upload their videos singing Vande Mataram on the website launched for the occasion. Though advancement in technology since 2006 has aided the process, the UPA government could have come out with an equivalent offline idea.

Aurobindo (1907) described Bankim Chandra as a Rishi"  the seer born to reveal the mantra of Vande Mataram. The English news daily started by Bipin Chandra Pal (1906), and edited by Aurobindo (1906-08) was called Bande Mataram in honour of the song. The paper acted as a vehicle of nationalist thought, and Aurobindo was even once arrested (August 16, 1907) by Bengal Police for seditious content in the paper, though he was released the next day on bail.

Vande Mataram has stood the test of time as the best lyrical expression of nationalism for more than a hundred years. Rabindranath Tagore, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Krishnarao Phulambrikar, MS Subbulakshmi, and Dilip Kumar Ray, etc., to name a few, had set the song to music and sang it.

Dr Bidhan Chandra Ray, the first Chief Minister of West Bengal, in his letter to Jawaharlal Nehru on June 14, 1948, wrote that the song represents India of the future, India that is to be  a powerful India, a happy India, a smiling India  an India of victory and fulfilment. As a matter of fact, in this there is no mention of any past struggle".

During the anti-partition movement (1905-11) in Bengal, shouting of Vande Mataram was prohibited in the newly carved province of East Bengal. R.C. Majumdar (1963) informs that in Barisal, epicentre of anti-partition agitation in 1905, a house was pulled down because Vande Mataram was written on it. A boy of 10/11 years was dragged to the whipping triangle before the Collectorate Court and bound and flogged for singing Vande Mataram while sitting inside the kitchen of the house (History of Freedom Movement in India Vol-II, P.88).

Surendranath Banerjea, one of the founders of the Indian National Congress, also refers to the Bande Mataram Circular" issued by the authorities in the newly carved East Bengal province. It made shouting of Vande Mataram in the public streets illegal. However, at the time Banerjea finished his memoirs (1925), he says it was no longer regarded by officials as a rallying cry of seditious men, intent on breaking the peace". This is despite the fact that it was on the lips of an educated Indian when he is moved by patriotic fervour to give expression to his feeling of joy" (A Nation in Making, P.205-206).

Thus, even as Vande Mataram retained its popularity, but lost its seditious character, in the eyes of the British Indian government, it came under fire from the Muslim League in the late 1930s. After the Congress formed government in eight out of 11 provinces as a result of elections (held under the Government of India Act, 1935) in 1937, it tried to enforce Vande Mataram as a national anthem amongst a string of other measures that ruffled the feathers of the Muslim League, which had been worsted in the elections.

Mohammed Ali Jinnah accused the Congress of kulturkampf" through compulsory singing of Vande Mataram in schools, imposition of Hindi, and hoisting of the Congress flag on public offices. Jinnahs opposition forced the Congress to pare the song, or restrict Vande Mataram singing in official institutions to its first two stanzas. The decision was taken in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held at Calcutta between October 28 and November 1, 1937.

The CWC had relied upon the testimony of Rabindranath Tagore to curtail the lyric for official purposes. Tagore in his confidential letter to Jawaharlal Nehru on October 26 opined that Bande Mataram poem read together with its context might be interpreted in ways that might wound the Muslim susceptibilities". Tagore reminded Nehru that he had set the song to music while Bankim Chandra was still alive, and even sung the song at Calcutta Congress, 1896. Yet, curiously, the poet brought the issue of his own religious conviction into this debate. He admitted that being brought up in monotheistic ideas (Adi Brahmo Samaj) he could not have any sympathy for those parts of the songs (letter quoted in Vande Mataram: Prerana o Bitarka, ed. Ashok Kumar Ray, 2000, P.106-107).

Nehru wrote a draft on the matter of the national song. He stated that stanzas other than the first two are little known and hardly ever sung. They contain certain allusions and a certain religious ideology which may not be in keeping with the ideology of other religious groups".

It is evident that Nehru only went by the names of Hindu deity viz. Durga, Kamala, and Vani, and did not understand their significance (they are personifications of certain qualities).

In that critical hour, it had become necessary to prove the secular credentials of the Congress. What, however, is strange is that the CWC said it is open to any other song, including fresh creations, being accepted as the national anthem. Thus, a sub-committee comprising Maulana Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Narendra Dev was formed to consider the choice of a national song. It was further stated that only such songs as are composed in simple Hindustani or can be adapted to it, and have a rousing and inspiring tune will be accepted by the sub-committee".

The decision was indeed controversial. Interestingly enough, A Centenary History of the Indian National Congress (in Five Volumes) Gen. ed. B.N. Pandey (1885) makes absolutely no mention of this incident. Even recently, Jairam Ramesh had to refer to Mahatma Gandhi Collected Works Vol-66 (P.66) to refer to the incident while countering Prime Minister Narendra Modis accusation on the Congress mindset regarding the pruning of Vande Mataram. The Congress appears to have tried to expunge this incident from its history.

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There was no formal discussion on the national anthem in the Constituent Assembly. A few isolated demands were indeed made for Vande Mataram to be declared the national anthem. However, priority was not accorded to the matter, since it was not being incorporated in the Constitution. In the last sitting of the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950  three months after the Constitution had been adopted  the President of the Assembly (elected unopposed as President of India later that day) made a statement on the subject. He announced Jana Gana Mana as the national anthem of India, subject to such alterations in the words as the Government may authorise and occasion might arise. Vande Mataram", he added, which has played a historic role equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it". The proceedings of the Constituent Assembly closed with Shrimati Purnima Banerji singing Jana Gana Mana with all members standing, followed by Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra singing Vande Mataram with all members standing.

The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 15:44 IST

News opinion Opinion | Vande Mataram: Tribulations And Triumph

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 12:50 IST

1 / 11 Here are 10 of the worlds most mesmerizing destinations that truly come alive after dark, each offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, or architectural brilliance under the night sky. (Image: Canva) + Follow us On Google

2 / 11 Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: The worlds largest salt flat transforms into a surreal, reflective mirror during the rainy season. At night, the shallow water covering the flats reflects the starry sky so perfectly that it feels like walking through space. Its a dreamlike experience that defies gravity and orientation. (Image: Instagram)

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3 / 11 Tokyo, Japan: Tokyos skyline is a futuristic spectacle after sunset. From the glowing billboards of Shibuya and Shinjuku to the lantern-lit alleys of Golden Gai, the city pulses with energy. Nighttime also brings out Tokyos best food scene, with izakayas, ramen joints, and night markets buzzing with locals and tourists alike. (Image: Canva)

4 / 11 Paris, France: Paris earns its nickname after dark. The Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour, the Seine reflects the golden glow of bridges and monuments, and late-night cafes hum with conversation. A nighttime cruise on the Seine offers one of the most romantic views in the world. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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5 / 11 Dubai, UAE: Dubais skyline dazzles at night, with the Burj Khalifa lighting up the city. But the real magic lies in the desert: nighttime safaris offer stargazing, traditional music, and Bedouin-style dinners under the stars. The contrast between the citys glow and the deserts silence is unforgettable. (Image: Canva)

6 / 11 New York City, US: From Times Squares electric chaos to rooftop bars with skyline views, NYC thrives after dark. Broadway shows, jazz clubs in Harlem, and midnight strolls across the Brooklyn Bridge make the citys nocturnal charm irresistible. (Image: Canva)

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7 / 11 Reykjavik, Iceland: Winter nights in Iceland offer a front-row seat to the aurora borealis. Just outside Reykjavik, the skies come alive with green and purple ribbons of light. Combine it with a soak in a geothermal hot spring for a magical experience. (Image: Canva)

8 / 11 Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkoks night scene is a sensory overload. Explore night bazaars, feast on street food at Yaowarat (Chinatown), or sip cocktails at sky-high bars like Vertigo or Sky Bar. The Chao Phraya River glows with reflections from temples and boats. (Image: Canva)

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9 / 11 Rome, Italy: Romes historic sites take on a mystical aura at night. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain are beautifully lit and far less crowded. Evening walks through cobblestone alleys reveal the citys timeless romance. (Image: Canva)

10 / 11 Hong Kong: Hong Kongs skyline is one of the most iconic in the world, and its best viewed at night during the Symphony of Lights show. The synchronized light and sound display across Victoria Harbour is a dazzling tribute to the citys energy. (Image: Canva)

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 08:56 IST

1 / 17 Farhan Akhtar's 120 Bahadur had a star-studded screening last night in Mumbai. The lead pair of the film, Farhan and Raashii Khanna, looked immaculate in their bandhgala and saree respectively. (Image: Viral Bhayani) + Follow us On Google

2 / 17 Farhan was accompanied by wife, Shibani Dandekar, at the screening. Shibani looked graceful in a white floral saree. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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3 / 17 Javed Akhtar, in his signature kurta look, was also there to support his son. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

4 / 17 Honey Irani, Farhan Akhtar's mother, looked elegant in a white saree as she also at the screening. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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5 / 17 Zoya Akhtar and Farah Khan looked beautiful in Indian ethnic wear at the screening of 120 Bahadur. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

6 / 17 Rekha was a sight to behold in a white and golden saree at the film screening. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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7 / 17 Tabu also attended the screening, dressed in festive ethnic wear. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

8 / 17 Kajol looked gorgeous in a vibrant yellow suit at the screening of 120 Bahadur. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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9 / 17 Karan Johar made a fashionable appearance in a velvet jacket and pants set. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

10 / 17 Anjali and Sachin Tendulkar were also seen at the screening, dressed in ethnic outfits. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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11 / 17 Saba Azad was a gorgeous sight in an ornate kurta and palazzo pants. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

12 / 17 Soni Razdan stunned in a bright pink kaftan and pajama set at the screening. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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13 / 17 Neha Dhupia paired her white kurta-pajama with a silver striped jacket. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

14 / 17 Anupam Kher and Randeep Hooda, dressed in black and white respectively, posed together at the red carpet. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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15 / 17 Vedang Raina was one of the youngest actors, who attended the screening. He was dressed for the occasion in a maroon bandhgala. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

16 / 17 Tiger Shroff looked handsome in an all-black look for the screening of 120 Bahadur. (Image: Viral Bhayani)

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:45 IST

1 / 7 The trailer for Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and fronted by Ranveer Singh, has ignited a flurry of speculation online. Based on incredible true events, the film introduces a gripping ensemble of characters, each seemingly drawn from real-life figures involved in Indias counterterrorism history. Heres a closer look at the cast and the real people who inspired their roles. (Image: Instagram) + Follow us On Google

2 / 7 Ranveer Singh as the Wrath of God  Inspired by Major Mohit Sharma: Ranveer Singh leads the film, believed to be based on Ashok Chakra awardee Major Mohit Sharma. The trailer doesnt reveal his characters name, but his appearance and covert operations in Pakistan suggest a portrayal of the decorated Indian Army officer who infiltrated Hizbul Mujahideen under the alias Iftikhar Bhat. Major Sharma was martyred in a counter-insurgency operation in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, after eliminating multiple terrorists.

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3 / 7 Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal  Inspired by Ilyas Kashmiri: Arjun Rampal plays Major Iqbal, a cold and calculating antagonist who opens the trailer with a chilling torture scene. His character appears to be modeled on Ilyas Kashmiri, a feared Pakistani militant once dubbed the new Osama bin Laden. Kashmiri was linked to several terror attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and was known for his brutal tactics and ties to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al-Qaeda. He was reportedly killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2011.

4 / 7 R. Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal  Inspired by Ajit Doval: R. Madhavan portrays Ajay Sanyal, a seasoned intelligence officer from Indias R&AW. With his balding head, spectacles, and intense demeanor, the character is widely believed to be inspired by Ajit Doval, Indias current National Security Advisor. Doval is known for his deep involvement in counterinsurgency operations, including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking negotiations, the 2016 surgical strikes, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike. Madhavans character delivers a powerful monologue about infiltrating the heart of terrorism, echoing Dovals real-life doctrine.

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5 / 7 Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait  Inspired by Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch: Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dakait, a suave yet ruthless gangster-politician hybrid who claims to kill like a butcher. His character draws from Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, aka Rehman Dakait, one of Karachis most notorious criminals. Born to a drug smuggler, Dakait rose through the underworld ranks and later founded the Peoples Aman Committee. He was killed in a controversial police encounter in 2009, allegedly orchestrated by political forces.

6 / 7 Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam  Inspired by Chaudhry Aslam Khan: Sanjay Dutt brings his trademark intensity to the role of SP Chaudhary Aslam, a fearless Pakistani cop based on Chaudhry Aslam Khan, the real-life encounter specialist who led operations against Karachis most dangerous gangs. Known for his relentless pursuit of militants and underworld figures like Rehman Dakait, Aslam survived multiple assassination attempts before being killed in a 2014 bomb blast claimed by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 10:30 IST

1 / 8 Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit is set to make a powerful return to the small screen with Mrs. Deshpande, an upcoming JioHotstar series that promises to showcase the legendary actor in a role unlike any shes played before. (Image: Instagram) + Follow us On Google

2 / 8 Known for her grace, charisma, and timeless performances, Madhuri is now stepping into uncharted territory - as a serial killer. (Image: Instagram)

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3 / 8 On Wednesday, Madhuri took to Instagram to drop a cryptic 20-second teaser that left fans stunned. (Image: Instagram)

4 / 8 The clip begins with her delicately removing her jewellery and makeup, only to cut sharply to a haunting image: Madhuri in a prison uniform, her expression calm yet chilling. The teaser ends with the line, A twist no one saw coming, hinting at the psychological depth and suspense that awaits. (Image: Instagram)

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5 / 8 This marks the first time in her illustrious career that Madhuri will portray such a sinister character, an audacious move that signals a thrilling new chapter for the beloved star. (Image: Instagram)

6 / 8 Earlier in the day, Madhuri teased the announcement with a cryptic post featuring reimagined lyrics from her iconic songs like Ek Do Teen Chaar Paanch Cheh Saath Aath and Bholi si surat, ankhon mein masti, paired with the caption Coming soon. The nostalgic references sparked a wave of speculation among fans, who were soon rewarded with the dramatic reveal. (Image: Instagram)

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7 / 8 Speaking at the IIFA Awards earlier this year, Madhuri shared, Theres no conscious effort as such, but the role came my way, and I thought its something I would love to do because it explores a different part of me, and Im looking forward to it. (Image: Instagram)
'Deeply Alarming': Mamata Banerjee Writes To EC For SIR Halt, BJP Says She's Scared Of Vote Loss

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 21:13 IST

Banerjee, in her letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleged that the ongoing SIR process is being conducted in an unplanned & coercive manner

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has already termed SIR as another form of NRC, alleging that it is a mechanism through which voters will be deleted" from the electoral rolls. (PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to the Election Commission (EC), calling the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state deeply alarming" and urging a halt to the exercise.

Banerjee, in her letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claimed the process is being conducted in an unplanned and coercive" manner, putting both citizens and officials at risk.

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I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous," she wrote.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC Gyanesh Kumar  I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and pic.twitter.com/n02aQ24eS3 ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

The West Bengal CM further called the exercise as chaotic, noting critical gaps in training, confusion over mandatory documentation, and the near-impossibility for booth-level officers (BLOs) to meet voters during their working hours.

I would request you to kindly intervene decisively to halt the ongoing exercise, stop coercive measures, provide proper training and support, and thoroughly reassess the present methodology and timelines," her letter stated.

Highlighting the human cost, the chief minister cited the suicide of an anganwadi worker in Mal, Jalpaiguri, who was serving as a BLO and reportedly faced crushing SIR-related pressure". She added that several others have also died since the process began.

If this path is not corrected without delay, the consequences for the system, the officials, and the citizens-will be irreversible. This intervention is not only necessary but imperative to protect the integrity of the electoral process and our democratic framework," she said.

BJP Hits Back: Signs Of Desperation

The BJP hit back at Banerjees letter to the EC, calling it a sign that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is worried about losing voter support.

Pradeep Bhandari, the partys national spokesperson, slammed the Bengal CM in a post on X, saying her letter is nothing short of an admission that TMCs top leadership is rattled".

Signs of Desperation from Mamata Banerjee!Mamata Banerjee writing a letter to the Election Commission on halting the SIR exercise is nothing short of an admission that TMCs top leadership is rattled. For years, TMC quietly benefited from illegal infiltration and bogus pic.twitter.com/7ybkTtFQpj  Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) November 20, 2025

For years, TMC quietly benefited from illegal infiltration and bogus voters. Now that the voter list is being cleaned through SIR and fake entries are being removed, Mamata is panicking. A nervous, desperate TMC is trying to shield the very ecosystem that kept it in power," Bhandari wrote.

BJP senior leader and IT Cell head Amit Malviya also responded to Banerjees appeal to the EC, criticising her move in strong terms. He said Banerjee would continue to complain and dramatise" the SIR process because she is aware that the pressure is mounting and she faces the risk of a heavy electoral defeat in 2026.

India shares its international land borders with seven countries, stretching across a total of about 15,106.7 km. The longest of these is the boundary with Bangladesh, extending 4,096.7 km and touching the states of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.The BSF  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 20, 2025

Her political survival depends on shielding a voter base created through fraudulent and illegal means," Malviya wrote on X.

He further added a sharp critique of her leadership style, saying, In 2026, West Bengal will elect a Chief Minister for the state, not someone who behaves as though she is the provincial leader of East Pakistan."

West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari called Banerjees criticism of SIR misleading and politically motivated". He defended the revision exercise, describing it as a longstanding, periodic revision process to ensure electoral roll accuracy, not a novel or politically motivated initiative".

Adhikari also said that Banerjees letter to the Election Commission sought to undermine the poll bodys independence and integrity".

Meanwhile, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh defended Banerjees letter, telling the media that the chief minister had acted appropriately given the situation.

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The Chief Minister has written this letter because people are dying. She has rightfully raised her concerns. The Election Commission is under pressure from the BJP, and they have allowed others to cross the border," Ghosh said.

He added that the responsibility for Hakimpur lies with the BSF. Why was this allowed to happen? They must take responsibility," he added.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : West Bengal, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 17:12 IST

News politics 'Deeply Alarming': Mamata Banerjee Writes To EC For SIR Halt, BJP Says She's Scared Of Vote Loss

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'Deliberate Gesture': BJP Attacks Congress Over Jagdish Tytler's Presence At Party Event

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 13:42 IST

The BJP said Tytler's involvement in the 1984 Sikh killings has been established beyond doubt through testimonies, commissions, and decades of pursuit by victims

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said the Congress chose to seat Jagdish Tytler as a prominent guest at an event honouring former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet with the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize. (Photo: X/AmitMalviya)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday launched an attack on the Congress over the alleged presence of Jagdish Tytler, an accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, at an event of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said the Congress chose to seat Jagdish Tytler as a prominent guest at an event honouring former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet with the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize.

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At an event honouring Michelle Bachelet with the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, the Congress chose to seat Jagdish Tytler as a prominent guest.This is the same Tytler whose involvement in the 1984 Sikh killings has been established beyond doubt through testimonies, commissions, and pic.twitter.com/Vas0EHRgWE  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 20, 2025

Malviya said Tytlers involvement in the 1984 Sikh killings has been established beyond doubt through testimonies, commissions, and decades of pursuit by victims.

For the Gandhi family to continue patronising and legitimising him sends a chilling message to the Sikh community: Congress has neither remorse nor regret for 1984. This deliberate gesture is not an accident. It is a reminder of how lightly the party treats one of Indias darkest, most traumatic chapters. The Sikh community must see this for what it is: a political signal that the Congress refuses to confront its own role in the 1984 massacre. History cannot be erased. Memory cannot be silenced. And accountability cannot be indefinitely denied," the BJP leader wrote on X.

Last year, Tytlers presence at the Congress party headquarters during the Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony stoked controversy.

Malviya, in a post on X, had said: Jagdish Tytler, the man who unleashed genocide on Sikhs at Rajiv Gandhis behest, is once again seen alongside Rahul Gandhi at the Congress HQ. Some stains dont wash away, no matter how much time passes. The Gandhis are unapologetic too."

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Jagdish Tytler, the man who unleashed genocide on Sikhs at Rajiv Gandhis behest, is once again seen alongside Rahul Gandhi at the Congress HQ.Some stains dont wash away, no matter how much time passes. The Gandhis are unapologetic too. pic.twitter.com/X4aClhTS7D  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 15, 2025

The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which happened after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, then prime minister, led to the deaths of over 3,000 Sikhs across the country. The worst violence had been reported in Delhi at that time.

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 20, 2025, 13:33 IST

News politics 'Deliberate Gesture': BJP Attacks Congress Over Jagdish Tytler's Presence At Party Event

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
The Gibeon meteorite travelled through space for millions of years before crashing in Namibia. Now, it has been transformed into a dial, cut with extreme precision and worked to achieve its ideal shape. A specific treatment then reveals the Widmanstatten pattern  natural geometric structures formed by iron-nickel alloys and impossible to reproduce artificially. An authentic message from the cosmos, this crystalline language gives each dial a unique identity, which the dial maker further enhances with a golden tone, before applying Moser's signature fume effect, creating unique depth and light effects on each piece.

H. Moser & Cie. has already introduced a perpetual moon phase, powered by a hand-wound movement. With the Streamliner Perpetual Moon Concept Meteorite, the manufacture has taken a new step forward by offering this complication in an automatic version for the first time. It retains the intrinsic qualities of the complication  extreme precision, simple setting  elevating them even further.

The perpetual moon phase is phenomenally accurate: a drift of one day only after 1,027 years. The HMC 270 automatic manufacture calibre delivers a power reserve of at least 3 days, while a discreet push-button on the case flank allows the moon phases to be finely adjusted in an elegant and poetic motion.

With its 40 mm steel cushion case and integrated bracelet, the Streamliner Perpetual Moon Concept Meteorite remains true to its DNA: organic curves, alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces, a seamless sense of fluidity. The golden meteorite dial harmonizes with the 5N red gold hands and moon, creating a warm palette that plays against the cool tones of the steel case, while the Globolight inserts illuminate the piece with a subtle glow.

At H. Moser & Cie., minimalism is defined not by absence, but by intensity. The Streamliner Perpetual Moon Concept Meteorite is a resolutely understated ode to the moon: a bare dial without logo or indices, yet expressing the essentials. A watchmaker's poem pared down to its most beautiful line.

The Streamliner Perpetual Moon Concept Meteorite stays true to the Moser tradition: a unique take on Haute Horlogerie, designed for connoisseurs.

H. Moser & Cie.: own and unique take on Haute Horlogerie.
Hope New Govt Fulfils Promises: Tejashwi Yadav Congratulates Nitish Kumar On Taking Oath As CM

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 14:24 IST

In a message shared soon after the ceremony at Patnas Gandhi Maidan, the RJD leader said he offered heartfelt congratulations to Nitish Kumar

File photo of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav (PTI Photo)

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday extended warm wishes to Nitish Kumar after he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time, also congratulating all newly inducted ministers in the state cabinet.

In a message shared soon after the ceremony at Patnas Gandhi Maidan, the RJD leader said he offered heartfelt congratulations" to Nitish Kumar and heartfelt best wishes" to the members of the new Council of Ministers.

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                                                   Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) November 20, 2025

Expressing hope that the fresh administration will deliver on its commitments, Tejashwi said the new government must meet the expectations of the people and work to bring positive and qualitative changes" to Bihar. He added that the states residents will be looking for the government to fulfil the promises and declarations made in the run-up to its formation.

JD(U) president Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record tenth time on Thursday at a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several top NDA leaders. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office to Kumar and a 26-member cabinet at Patnas historic Gandhi Maidan.

Among those present were BJP president J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who oversaw the partys campaign in the state elections. Kumar had resigned on Wednesday and immediately staked claim to form a new government, which the Governor approved.

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Congratulating the newly sworn-in ministers, PM Modi wrote on X, My heartiest congratulations to all the colleagues who took oath as ministers in the Bihar government. This is a splendid team of dedicated leaders, which will take Bihar to new heights. My best wishes to all of them!" Towards the end of the ceremony, Modi drew loud cheers as he twirled his gamchha in his trademark style.

A massive stage had been set up at Gandhi Maidan for the event, which saw the presence of several NDA chief ministers, including N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), and Rekha Gupta (Delhi). Among those who took oath were BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who served as Deputy Chief Ministers in the previous NDA government.

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 20, 2025, 14:15 IST

News politics Hope New Govt Fulfils Promises: Tejashwi Yadav Congratulates Nitish Kumar On Taking Oath As CM

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INDIA Bloc Turmoil: SP Backs Akhilesh Yadav For Leadership, BJP Says Alliance Finished

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 12:12 IST

Samajwadi Party leaders said Akhilesh Yadav has demonstrated both sacrifice and organisational strength, qualities they believe should make him natural leader of the INDIA bloc.

In a direct challenge to Congresss continued dominance within the alliance, both TMC and SP have reiterated that their respective leaders deserve to be considered for the blocs top post. (PTI)

The leadership of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA bloc) has come under intense scrutiny following the alliances disappointing performance in the recent Bihar Assembly elections.

Although Mallikarjun Kharge remains the blocs official chairman and Rahul Gandhi continues as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, internal rumblings suggest a widening dissatisfaction among key constituents. Calls for a change in leadership have grown louder, with the Samajwadi Party (SP) openly proposing Akhilesh Yadav to lead the coalition.

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Samajwadi Party pushes for Akhilesh Yadavs leadership

The most vocal challenge has emerged from the Samajwadi Party, whose leaders argue that Akhilesh Yadav has demonstrated both sacrifice and organisational strength, the qualities they believe should make him the natural leader of the INDIA bloc.

SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra told CNN News18 that Akhilesh Yadav should be made the leader of the INDIA alliance because in the Bihar Assembly elections all the opposition parties have seen how he makes sacrifices for the alliance."

He highlighted that despite the SP not contesting a single seat in Bihar, Yadav addressed 26 major rallies to bolster the coalitions campaign.

Mehrotra also criticised the Congress-RJD friction that played out in the form of friendly fights" on 13 seats, arguing that this undermined the alliances credibility. He added that the Congress should have backed the RJD, the largest opposition party in Bihar, instead of competing with it.

Reiterating the SPs larger strategy for the future, Mehrotra asserted that the party is capable of defeating the BJP on its own in the 2027 Assembly elections. However, he stressed the need for unity: We want that the non-BJP vote should not get divided, therefore the elections will be fought together."

Echoing these sentiments, SP spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand said that workers across the party believe Akhilesh Yadav should take charge of the INDIA bloc. He credited Yadav with stitching the alliance together through padyatras and sustained outreach efforts, calling him the real leader of the INDIA alliance." He further argued that the next elections should be fought on the basis of social capacity" and political capability.

AAP takes dig

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took a sharp dig as discussions around a fractured INDI Alliance intensified. Without naming anyone, the party remarked that one should not go on vacation in the middle of a campaign," adding that AAP is neither part of the bloc nor aligned with the Congress. This was a clear jibe at Rahul Gandhi who went on jungle safaris at the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh on 10 November, even as the Bihar election campaign was underway. Pointing to Congresss poor performance in Bihar, AAP said the party needs the most self-reflection" and questioned why its six seats were considered better than AIMIMs tally. In July, AAP walked out of the bloc. BJP says INDIA alliance is finished

The BJP has been quick to seize on the INDIA blocs internal tensions. Pradeep Bhandari of the BJP posted on X that the alliance had effectively collapsed, invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modis prediction that opposition leaders would eventually question Rahul Gandhis leadership. Bhandari described the situation as a trailer" of the Congress potentially splitting into two, adding that Gandhi had been rejected by Opposition members."

What Congress said?

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Amid the criticism, Congress leaders have sought to project unity within the INDIA bloc. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput dismissed talk of disintegration, stating, In our INDIA Alliance all are in leadership position and we are one." He contrasted this with the NDA, arguing that decision-making in the ruling coalition rests solely with the BJP.

Earlier, some Trinamool Congress leaders suggested that Mamata Banerjee should lead the alliance.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 20, 2025, 08:29 IST

News politics INDIA Bloc Turmoil: SP Backs Akhilesh Yadav For Leadership, BJP Says Alliance Finished

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'No November Revolution': Siddaramaiah Dismisses CM Change Buzz, Calls It 'Media Creation'

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:07 IST

The leadership change buzz has plagued the ruling Congress in Karnataka for months with reports of a "November revolution" as Siddaramaiah completes 2.5 years in power this month

There has been much speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, suggesting that CM Siddaramaiah (R) could step down to make way for his deputy DK Shivakumar (L). (Image: PTI/File)

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has once again had to step in to address rumours around a change of guard in the state as his government reaches the halfway point of its five-year term in November.

The leadership change buzz has plagued the ruling Congress for months with it culminating in reports of a November revolution", which Siddaramaiah thoroughly dismissed and termed as a media creation" on Thursday.

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It is you (media) who coined the term. You cooked up this revolution. Hence, there is no kranti (revolution) or bhranti (confusion). We have been given a five-year tenure to rule. After five years, elections will take place and we will win once again," Siddaramaiah told reporters.

Watch the video here:

VIDEO | Mysuru: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) rules out leadership change, says 'November revolution' is media invention.He added, There is no November revolution, no rebellion. You (media) have planted these. This is an unnecessary discussion. I had told the high pic.twitter.com/VFONAJXcRo Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2025

WHY HAVE THE REVOLUTION REPORTS SURFACED?

There has been much speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, suggesting that Siddaramaiah could step down to make way for his deputy DK Shivakumar as the next chief minister.

Some had labelled the potential change as the November revolution". But Siddaramaiah stressed that his position has been strong from the beginning and will continue to remain so in the future.

He reiterated that the people have entrusted the Congress with power for five years. People have given us the mandate to rule for five years. We will make a sincere effort to fulfil the five guarantees (Gruha Lakshmi, Shakti, Gruha Jyothi, Anna Bhagya and Yuva Nidhi) we have promised," he said, declining to comment on power-sharing discussions.

But when asked if he will remain in office for the full five-year term, he said: What does it mean? These are unwanted discussions. I had told the party high command that two-and-a-half years had to pass, after which a cabinet reshuffle could be considered. It was only after that that these discussions about power sharing started."

Asked if a date has been fixed for the cabinet reshuffle, the CM said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is in discussion with MP Rahul Gandhi. He made a strong indication that he will remain in power for the remaining tenure when he was asked how many budgets he will present, adding that he will continue to do so as long as the people wish.

Siddaramaiah further addressed a superstitious belief that sitting CMs visiting Chamarajanagar lose power midway. I do not believe in superstition. For me, visiting Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, or Bengaluru is the same. I will visit all 31 districts of the state," he said.

In fact, he said, his visit to Chamarajanagar was meant to challenge this superstition and send a message to those who said sitting CMs should avoid the district.

My position has only strengthened. It has been strong from the beginning and will continue to remain strong in the future," he added.

There was strong competition between him and Shivakumar for the CMs post after the 2023 assembly elections, but the Congress convinced Shivakumar to become the deputy. There were reports of a compromise based on a rotational chief minister formula", where Shivakumar would become CM after two and a half years, but the party has not officially confirmed this.

WHAT IS GOING ON THE DK SHIVAKUMAR CAMP?

Karnataka minister N Chaluvarayaswamy has reached New Delhi on a 3 pm flight from Bengaluru. He said he is visiting for an appointment with the Union agriculture minister and has no political motive for this trip.

According to Congress sources, however, party leaders Iqbal Hussain, M Shivanna, H Srinivas and Ranganath may seek an appointment with the high command in Delhi  KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala  to discuss transfer of power to Shivakumar now that 2.5 years of the Siddarmaiah government is complete, the sources said.

The sources, however, said the Congress high command has informed everyone that it will not entertain any sort of lobbying for change of CM from either camp. The question now is whether the high command will meet these leaders as they are expected to be in Delhi till November 23, they said.

Amid these developments, Shivakumar has suggested he might step down as the state Congress president, saying others should also get a chance. Speaking at a party event on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis birth anniversary, he said he does not want to be KPCC chief forever.

He said he wanted to leave the post when he became deputy CM in 2023, but stayed on after the high command asked him to. After his recent visit to Delhi, he said: I do not want to remain KPCC president forever. I took office in 2020 and have already completed five years and five months. When Congress won the 2023 assembly elections, I became deputy chief minister. I was ready to leave the KPCC president post then, but continued as instructed by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Next March, it will be six years. Others should also be given a chance."

With all the rumours going around, the BJP found an opportunity to severely criticise the state of the ruling Congress in Karnataka. It said the factional fight" between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has caused the state to suffer from bad governance".

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya says, " The daily factional fight between the CM (Siddaramaiah) and the DCM (DK Shivakumar) has gone so far that just 15-20 days ago, I heard that officers from both camps, who are divided, were shaking hands in the pic.twitter.com/XUXQwmrJT8 ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

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 The daily factional fight between the CM (Siddaramaiah) and the DCM (DK Shivakumar) has gone so far that just 15 to 20 days ago, I heard that officers from both camps, who are divided, were shaking hands in the state assembly. This is the situation of Karnataka under the Congress party It is suffering because of this bad governance " BJP MP Tejasvi Surya told reporters in Mumbai.

(With agency inputs)

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 20, 2025, 18:29 IST

News politics 'No November Revolution': Siddaramaiah Dismisses CM Change Buzz, Calls It 'Media Creation'

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PM Modis Signature Gamcha Wave Marks Nitish Kumars 10th Oath-Taking In Patna | Watch

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 13:44 IST

The gesture, now familiar at several of Modis public appearances, drew loud cheers as the Prime Minister boarded his helicopter following the ceremony.

odi arrived at Patna Airport around 11 am and flew directly to the oath-taking venue. (IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his visit to Patnas Gandhi Maidan on Thursday with his characteristic gamcha wave to the crowd, moments after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for a record tenth time. The gesture, now familiar at several of Modis public appearances, drew loud cheers as the Prime Minister boarded his helicopter following the ceremony.

Nitish Kumar took oath at 11:30 am, with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administering the oath of office and secrecy at the historic venue.

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Patna, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves his gamchha at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, following the oath-taking ceremony of CM Nitish Kumar and his cabinet pic.twitter.com/KYXQXOazV2 IANS (@ians_india) November 20, 2025

Congratulating him shortly after the ceremony, PM Modi wrote on X, Congratulations to Shri Nitish Kumar Ji on taking oath as Bihars Chief Minister. He is an experienced administrator with a proven track record of good governance for many years. My best wishes to him for his tenure ahead."

Modi arrived at Patna Airport around 11 am. and flew directly to the oath-taking venue. This is the first time the Prime Minister has attended a swearing-in of Nitish Kumar, despite the JD(U) leader having taken oath five times since Modi assumed office in 2014. Kumar has held the Chief Ministers post under both the NDA and the Grand Alliance during this period, making todays oath his tenth overall  a rare milestone in Indian politics.

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Soon after Nitish Kumar, former Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha were administered the oath. Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Mangal Pandey, Dilip Jaiswal, Shravan Kumar, and Bijendra Yadav were among those sworn in as part of the new cabinet. The Prime Minister congratulated all the newly inducted members before departing the venue.

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 20, 2025, 13:41 IST

News politics PM Modis Signature Gamcha Wave Marks Nitish Kumars 10th Oath-Taking In Patna | Watch

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Shivakumar Loyalists Meet Mallikarjun Kharge In Delhi Amid Karnataka Leadership Change Buzz

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 23:59 IST

The late-night meeting has fuelled rumours of a power tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka

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Footage shared by ANI showed the ministers in discussion with Kharge outside his residence. (Screengrab)

A group of Karnataka Congress leaders loyal to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Thursday, amid growing speculation of a leadership change in the state.

The late-night meeting has fuelled rumours of a power tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka. Earlier reports had indicated that a minister and a few MLAs close to Shivakumar had travelled to Delhi to meet senior party leaders.

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News agency ANI shared footage showing the ministers in discussion with Kharge outside his residence.

#WATCH | Delhi: Three MLAs from Karnataka met party president Mallikarjun Kharge this evening. Visuals of them leaving from his residence. pic.twitter.com/RzcASeadGn ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

Details of the Karnataka leaders visit to the national capital and their discussions with the Congress President have been kept under wraps for now.

The meeting also comes just a day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completed two-and-a-half years in office.

In 2023, following Congress victory in the Assembly elections, there was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Ministers post.

While Siddaramaiah was appointed CM, Shivakumar became Deputy CM after the Congress high command reportedly brokered a compromise. Rumours of a rotational chief minister formula," under which Shivakumar could take over as CM midway through the term, have circulated but remain unconfirmed.

ALSO READ: No November Revolution: Siddaramaiah Dismisses CM Change Buzz, Calls It Media Creation

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah has reiterated that he will serve the full five-year term. Earlier today, he dismissed reports of a so-called November revolution, calling the term a media creation". He noted that his position has been strong from the beginning and will continue to remain so in the future.

It is you (media) who coined the term. You cooked up this revolution. Hence, there is no kranti (revolution) or bhranti (confusion). We have been given a five-year tenure to rule. After five years, elections will take place and we will win once again," Siddaramaiah told the media.

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When asked whether he would remain in office for the full five years, Siddaramaiah said, What does it mean? These are unwanted discussions. I had told the party high command that two-and-a-half years had to pass, after which a cabinet reshuffle could be considered. It was only after that that these discussions about power sharing started."

(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

First Published: November 20, 2025, 23:43 IST

News politics Shivakumar Loyalists Meet Mallikarjun Kharge In Delhi Amid Karnataka Leadership Change Buzz

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Siddaramaiah: A Chief Minister With Nothing To Lose Then And Everything To Protect Now

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News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 15:24 IST

The self-assured, battle-hardened chief minister of 2013-18 has returned as a man trying to stretch his political life while navigating a forced partnership

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Whether Siddaramaiah rises above this halfway-mark turbulence or gets trapped in it will decide how Karnataka remembers him. (PTI)

Siddaramaiah once governed like a man with nothing to lose. Today, he governs like a man with everything to protecthis legacy, his position, his place in history. Whether he rises above this halfway-mark turbulence or gets trapped in it will decide how Karnataka remembers him: as the chief minister who matched the aspirations of the people, or the chief minister who almost did.

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Ten years earlier, his first full term had been defined by stability, welfare expansion and a carefully built AHINDA consolidation. His second term is an endorsement of his welfare policies, but also a governance marred with controversies.

In the first term, there were no major scams, no open warfare within the Cabinet, and the administration ran with the predictability of a chief minister who had nothing to fear and everything to gain. By 2018, Siddaramaiah had become the first chief minister after Devaraj Urs to complete a full five-year term, and that achievement had given him an aura few in Karnataka politics enjoy.

The second innings, which have reached the halfway mark, have been a different story. The same man, the same party, the same confidencebut a government that seems perpetually on the defensive, weighed down by internal rebellion, and a series of self-inflicted wounds while firefighting the Opposition.

Our administration, implementation of schemes and governance has been very good. While we have been found wanting in handling certain crises, which government does not have one? It is the efficiency and leadership of Siddaramaiah-ji and his political astuteness that has shown how the Congress governance has delivered to the people every promise made during the election. Dont compare two regimes, each day, month and year is a learning curve for all," said a minister from his government.

If the first term was about building a legacy, this one has been about protecting it. And somewhere in between, the Siddaramaiah who was once seen as the most grounded administrator of his generation has found himself cornered by controversies, dragged into bureaucratic chaos and forced to fight daily battles for political relevance.

There is a marked difference. This time it is a more subdued, less pushy one who is seen to be concentrating on welfare schemes and administration, but image management has taken a hit. In the management of how the government looks, the issues could have been handled better as the power tussle has made the Congress look more like a split party, when it is not," said a Congress leader who did not want to be named.

There is no denying that the five guarantee schemes became the Congress most powerful political toolnot only implemented in Karnataka but used as a format to pitch for elections in states that subsequently went to elections like Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and even Bihar. But the point remains that Siddaramaiah was, and is, hailed as a welfare man. Yet this time, his rule was marred by constant tussle and attacks and counter-attacks over the transfer of power.

There is no doubt that DK Shivakumar still aspires to sit on the chief ministers seat and Siddaramaiah, who said that he will complete five years, then began to say that he will be there as long as the high command decides. This was not the Siddaramaiah of the previous regime, who would not have made statements like that or allowed anyone to steal his star power.

Lets get it straight. As a leader completes decades, he also matures in the way he looks at issues, governance, the management of the party and other issues. But then this time the Congress has seen mini-rebellions from factions, which could have been quelled right at the start," explained a local leader from Mysuru.

In the first term as chief minister, in 2013-18, Siddaramaiahs AHINDA platform gave him a clear identity. In the second term, 2023, the guarantees gave him a narrative. They were bold, disruptive and designed to cut across caste loyalties and class anxieties. Free bus travel for women, subsidised food, free electricity, direct cash to women heads of householdsthese schemes were not just welfare, they were electoral engineering. For months, he basked in the glow of having delivered what he promised, and politically, the guarantees gave the Congress a shield every time the BJP tried to corner them.

But the same guarantees also became the governments Achilles Heel, something Siddaramaiah didnt face during his first term. The criticism, especially from the Opposition, is that the government is broke, development is stuck, tenders are not being cleared, bills are not being paid and departments are starved of funds.

Siddaramaiah was the unquestioned leader of the government. His Cabinet may have had egos, factions and regional satraps, but nobody challenged his authority openly. This time, the shadow of power-sharing with DK Shivakumar has haunted Vidhana Soudha from the first day. The 2.5-year deal"denied, reaffirmed, attacked, whispered and debated for monthshas made the government look fragile even when it isnt. MLAs loyal to both camps have made reckless statements, ministers have teased leadership changes, and the high command has allowed the confusion to fester.

Congress MLAs whisper that the administration has slipped into a welfare-only mode and governance is seen wanting attention. The Siddaramaiah of 2013-18 better balanced welfare with capital expenditure. The Siddaramaiah of 2023-25 has struggled to convince even his colleagues that the state isnt drowning financially. His one economic advisor has made statements saying his guarantee schemes were bleeding the government.

Siddaramaiah has many times reiterated that his government has fulfilled 242 out of 593 promises in two years and is delivering good governance". Many of his supporters agree.

But there is a difference between the previous Siddaramaiah and this one. In that period, he had sole control of the government. But this time the power is shared, and there have been hits and misses," explained a senior leader of the party. Even senior Congress leaders pushing for a Cabinet reshuffle on performance grounds say there has been a change in Siddaramaiahs style of governance.

The controversies surrounding the embezzlement of taxpayers money at the Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, the MUDA scam, the diversion of SC/ST funds and the government constantly firefighting and clarifying its blunders", leaving the MLAs to speak and then issuing a gag order, which still seems to have no effect, clearly has dented this second term. Many in the party believe that the SiddaramaiahShivakumar tussle could have been avoided" in the way the Grand Old Party handles issues, especially when the final call is taken from the AICC HQ in Delhi.

The other sharp difference between the two eras is the internal turbulence. The Siddaramaiah of 2013-18 never had to prove he deserved the job. The Siddaramaiah of today keeps insisting he will complete the full five years if the high command permits" and that very sentence exposes the insecurity this second term is built on. His deep desire to match Devaraj Urs record as Karnatakas longest-serving chief minister is no secret. In his first term, the legacy built itself. In this one, Siddaramaiah is fighting to hold it together.

Bureaucratic decisions are delayed, bids are stuck, the BBMP remains leaderless despite the fancy rebranding to the Greater Bengaluru Authority, potholes continue to scar the IT capital, garbage piles up as if nothing changed, and ordinary citizens see a government that reacts only after things blow up. The farmer who set himself on fire outside the Mandya DC office, the sugarcane protests that spiralled for nine days before intervention, the chaos in mango procurement earlier this yearall point to a system that has lost administrative sharpness.

And then there are the scandals. In 2013-18, Siddaramaiah had a clean record untouched by major corruption charges. Ministers could be removed without drama, and his administration was largely respected for its procedural discipline. In contrast, the present government has been hit by controversies that have not only embarrassed the chief minister but also punctured the clean governance" plank the Congress ran on. The Valmiki Corporation embezzlement scandal forced a minister to resign; the MUDA site-allotment controversy reached Siddaramaiahs doorstep; contractors revived allegations of commission demands; and the BJP sharpened its narrative that the Congress was no different from the government it had attacked for 40 per cent corruption and now it is 80 to 200 per cent corruption".

The most stinging blow came not from the Opposition, but from within. Ministers, MLAs and senior leaders publicly calling the government slow, some attacking Siddaramaiahs governance, others speaking of a change of guardsomething absolutely unimaginable in Siddaramaiahs first term. Back then, he projected strength. Now he projects survival. Of the fittest.

And yet, it is not a story of absolute collapse. In this term too, Siddaramaiah has pushed politically risky but ideologically bold decisions, especially the caste censusone that he started in his first term, which went into cold storage, but it was only a leader like Siddaramaiah who could revive it and start afresh.

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He has revived the debate that has defined backward-class politics in Karnataka for a century. The report, whenever tabled, will shake the states social equations and redraw political calculations. Only Siddaramaiah could have taken that call, because only he has carried forward Devaraj Urs legacy with conviction. The courage of this decision mirrors his first term, where he introduced AHINDA as a political philosophy and stood by it.

But he cannot escape the fact that his governments narrative today is built on firefightingfrom potholes to price hikes, from MLAs demanding reshuffles to ministers hinting at leadership change, from opposition attacks to internal murmurs that the administration lacks direction. The strong, self-assured, battle-hardened chief minister of 2013-18 has returned as a man trying to stretch his political life while navigating a partnership that was forced on him by electoral arithmetic.

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 20, 2025, 15:24 IST

News politics Siddaramaiah: A Chief Minister With Nothing To Lose Then And Everything To Protect Now

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Microsoft Wants To Make An AI-Powered Windows 11 For PCs: Heres What It Offers

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 11:57 IST

Windows 11 is slowly eyeing the AI agent market and Microsoft wants to build an AI-first operating system for that.

Windows 11 could be an AI-first OS for PC users

Microsoft is going all in on AI and that includes its Windows 11 operating system for PCs. The company has recently introduced AI agents that handle your work in the background without disrupting other tasks. Microsoft plans to make Windows 11 as AI-centric as possible and that has definitely got people irked about the need to make a PC platform working in the direction of AI.

The first of its many efforts for the AI-first OS is the new Agent Workspace feature, announced at the Ignite developer event this week. AI agents are spawning everywhere and Microsoft is at the helm of the new era and the new feature is looking to show Windows in the best possible shape heading into the future.

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Agent Workspace In Windows 11: What Is It And How It Works?

Windows has created a separate space for Agent Workspace where the AI agents will be entrusted to run a parallel account that is capable of working without affecting your regular tasks. These agents can open apps, manage files and even run scripts for workflow, all handled in a different window.

Letting them work with a different account means your main tasks are not monitored and the privacy aspect of the AI agent doing what it is supposed to do remains intact.

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The AI agents can only do their work if you let them access the local files as well as apps because without that the experience will not be seamless. And you will need to give permission for each task. The ability to read these files makes it easy for the AI agents to automate the work, which includes making presentations or even uploading files when needed.

Running the AI agent locally is a secure channel so that none of your data needs to be sent to a server for processing. Windows 11 is looking to bridge the gap between the OS and the AI browsers with its own suite of agents, and this is currently available in the Windows Insider Preview version with a full release expected in the near future.

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 20, 2025, 11:57 IST

News tech Microsoft Wants To Make An AI-Powered Windows 11 For PCs: Heres What It Offers

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Xiaomi Confirms HyperOS 3 Update Coming Soon For Users In India: Know More

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 14:11 IST

HyperOS 3 update is based on Android 16 version and Xiaomi has already made it available for its phones and devices in China.

The Android 16-based HyperOS 3 is widely awaited.

Xiaomi once again confirms that HyperOS 3 version will be coming to users in India. We have been seeing these teasers for a while and it seems the company is finally ready with the full release for its Android 16 version. Xiaomis software update history is not the best in the market, and definitely not matching the premium brands like Samsung and Google with the upgrade cycle either.

So when the HyperOS 3 version was launched we were eager to see which of the Xiaomi, Redmi Note and Poco phones will be upgraded to the latest version.

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Xiaomi HyperOS 3 Update In India: What To Expect

Xiaomi has not shared any timeline for the HyperOS 3 update in India but it cant be that far off now. The new HyperOS 3 has gone through its beta phase which hints at the official release for the Android 16 version in the country.

The future is faster, smarter, and seamless.Xiaomi HyperOS 3 is coming soon. pic.twitter.com/P4c52e0zOU  Xiaomi India (@XiaomiIndia) November 19, 2025

All the Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco phones will get the HyperOS 3 version via an over-the-air (OTA) update. And the company has more devices lined up for the Android 16 update before the end of 2025 and until March 2026. We are hoping that its devices in India get the updates quickly, which is already lagging behind brands like OnePlus, Oppo and Nothing among others expected in the next few weeks.

HyperOS 3 Update: What It Brings

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Xiaomis new HyperOS 3 version is trying its best to bring Apple-like features to the Android devices. One of them is called HyperIsland which seems inspired by the Dynamic Island notch we get on the iPhones these days. You will get live activities on the notched layer, along with details about the charging speed of your phone.

The other big change or addition will be AI-centric tools with Hyper AI. You get AI writing tools to help you change the writing style or even tones. It also will have AI-based speech recognition that will record, transcribe in real-time and give summaries as well.

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 20, 2025, 14:11 IST

News tech Xiaomi Confirms HyperOS 3 Update Coming Soon For Users In India: Know More

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Ancient Gold And Silver Coins Found In Polish Forest, Archaeologists Amazed By Markings

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 18:56 IST

Historical records show that in the 16th-17th centuries, vast amounts of timber and forest products from the region were exported to Dutch merchants for shipbuilding

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Scientists will now clean the coins and examine their dates and markings. (AI Generated/News18 Hindi)

Archaeologists have unearthed a trove of centuries-old coins in the tranquil Knyszynska Forest Landscape Park in northeastern Poland. The discovery, comprising 69 coins, one gold and 68 silver, was made in an area historically linked to trade activities from the 1600s.

The excavation, led by archaeologist Hubert Lepionka, focuses on ancient trade routes and local history. Historical records indicate that during the 16th17th centuries, large quantities of timber and forest products were exported to Dutch merchants, primarily for use in shipbuilding.

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What Makes These Coins Unique

The excavation revealed the newest coin dating back to 1634, suggesting the treasure was hidden around that time. The remarkable find includes a Dutch gold ducat from 1633 and small Polish and Swedish silver coins, such as poltorak, trojak, and szostak. This mix indicates active trade involving various currencies.

Why These Coins Ended Up Underground

During the 17th century, frequent wars, robberies, and instability prompted individuals to bury their wealth for safety. Many never returned to reclaim their hidden savings, resulting in discoveries like this that offer a glimpse into the past.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, wood and other forest products from Knyszynska Forest Landscape Park were exported in large quantities to Dutch traders, primarily for shipbuilding. Wood, tar, honey, iron, and other products were transported via river routes to ports, often accompanied by money, which explains the treasures location on an old trade route.

What Scientists Plan To Do Next

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Scientists will now clean the coins and examine their dates and markings. They will also analyse soil and ash layers to understand the timing and circumstances of the burial. Additional metal artefacts found nearby will aid in deciphering the activities that took place in the area.

Local experts speculate the coins belonged to a trader or someone working in the forest. This discovery not only represents an ancient treasure but also highlights the historical connection between Polands forests and European trade.

First Published: November 20, 2025, 18:56 IST

News viral Ancient Gold And Silver Coins Found In Polish Forest, Archaeologists Amazed By Markings

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Cant Touch My Mother: Hasinas Son Says Yunus Cant Kill Ousted Bangladesh PM

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:23 IST

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed, said Muhammad Yunus wont be able to do anything to his mother.

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Sajeeb Wazed also said that Yunus is turning Bangladesh into a failed state and an Islamist terrorist state. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas son, Sajeeb Wazed, on Thursday said Muhammad Yunus cannot touch his mother", in reference to the death sentence handed to his mother over deaths during violent student-led 2024 July quota reform protests.

They will not be able to kill her, but they will execute the verdict. First of all, they cant get her. And once there is a rule of law, this entire process will get thrown out. Everything here is so illegal and unconstitutional and violates every legal principle that, once there is rule of law, everything will get thrown out and it will not be sustainable," Wazed told news agency IANS.

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So, Yunus cannot touch my mother, and he cannot do anything to her".

Sajeeb Wazed also said that Yunus is turning Bangladesh into a failed state and an Islamist terrorist state.

Hasina was sentenced to death by a Dhaka court on Monday, for charges that included ordering the security forces to use deadly force against protesters.

She was assigned a state-appointed lawyer for the trial, called the verdict biased and politically motivated" in a statement issued from hiding in India.

Its guilty verdict against me was a foregone conclusion," Hasina said.

She can appeal against her sentence  if she is arrested or surrenders, her defence lawyer Md Amir Hossain said.

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He also signalled that it is unlikely that Yunus will be stripped off the Nobel Prize he had won. Nobel committees never take back their prizes. But look at Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar. She won the Nobel Prize as well. The Peace Prize is basically given by lobbying. But she led to Rohingyas getting killed, and now Yunus is turning Bangladesh into a failed state and an Islamist terrorist state," he further added.

The United Nations says up to 1,400 people were killed in the violence during the student-led uprising to oust Hasina, segments of which were hijacked by Islamists and Pakistan-leaning, anti-Hasina Bangladeshi elements.

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 : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: November 20, 2025, 19:05 IST

News world Cant Touch My Mother: Hasinas Son Says Yunus Cant Kill Ousted Bangladesh PM

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The Making of a Legend

Introduced in 1969, the TAG Heuer Monaco broke traditional watchmaking codes and became one of the most emblematic watches in history. Back then, its bold, square shape, left crown and signature blue dial were unlike anything else on the market. Now synonymous with the brand, it has also become an industry favorite, amassing a following among racing enthusiasts and watch lovers alike.

The TAG Heuer Monaco's heritage has continuously been linked to motor racing and the history of cinema, notably through its association with actor Steve McQueen. In the film "Le Mans" of 1971, McQueen's character sported a Monaco, cementing its status as an icon of style and a cornerstone of motor racing culture.

Beyond its cinematic fame, the TAG Heuer Monaco has continually evolved with each iteration building upon the last, refining the precision and distinctive design that define this iconic model. From its early days measuring the pulsating thrill of motorsport to its modern incarnations, the TAG Heuer Monaco has been a beacon of innovative design, continually adapting with new technologies and materials while remaining true to its racing legacy.

That pioneering spirit continues in this latest chapter, a high-impact redefinition inspired by the spectacle of night races and the dazzling vibrancy of cities that never sleep.
China Building Island That Can Stand Nuclear Blast: Turns Large Shocks Into Gentle Squeezes

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Last Updated: November 21, 2025, 01:01 IST

China has officially named the island that can withstand nuclear blasts as Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility.

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Chinas new deep-sea floating platform is designed for long-term operations and nuclear-blast protection, with planned deployment in wider ocean regions including contested waters. (IMAGE: SJTU)

China is building the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, a floating artificial island designed to withstand nuclear blasts. It is a 78,000-tonne, semi-submersible twin-hull platform and is the worlds first mobile, self-sustaining artificial island.

The new facility is almost as large as Chinas newest Fujian aircraft carrier and can support 238 people for four months without needing new supplies. When it becomes operational in 2028, it will be able to operate far from home and project major power across disputed seas in a way not seen before, claimed Chinese scientists who spoke to the South China Morning Post.

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A rare nuclear-blast-resistant design that uses metamaterial" sandwich panels is the key part of this platform. Scientists said that it can turn catastrophic shocks into gentle squeezes".

Chinese researchers have detailed plans for a new deep-sea floating research platform that can stay at sea for long periods under all weather conditions, according to a peer-reviewed paper in the Chinese Journal of Ship Research.

This deep-sea major scientific facility is designed for all-weather, long-term residency," wrote the team led by Professor Yang Deqing of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Its superstructure, the team said, includes compartments for emergency power, communications and navigation control, making nuclear blast protection for these spaces absolutely vital."

Official documents describe the project as the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, listed as a national scientific infrastructure programme under Chinas 14th Five-Year Plan. SJTU says the platform, sometimes referred to as a far-sea floating mobile island," has been in development for more than a decade.

Design contracts signed in December 2024 with China State Shipbuilding Corporation show the platform will be 138 metres long and 85 metres wide, with a main deck rising 45 metres above the waterline.

The twin-hull structure is designed to operate in sea state 7, withstanding 69 metre waves, and to survive typhoons up to category 17. Its ability to remain at sea for months while cruising at up to 15 knots is meant to support long-duration research activities, including deep-sea monitoring, equipment testing and potential seabed resource exploration.

Were racing to complete the design and construction, aiming for operational status by 2028," said Lin Zhongqin, an academician overseeing the project, in an interview last year to the news outlet.

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While China describes the platform as civilian science infrastructure, its design references GJB 1060.1-1991, a military specification for nuclear-blast resistance.

The projects stated operating areas include wider oceanic regions, which may also cover contested waters such as the South China Sea, a zone where Beijing has been expanding its maritime presence and infrastructure in recent years.

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 : Beijing, China

First Published: November 21, 2025, 01:01 IST

News world China Building Island That Can Stand Nuclear Blast: Turns Large Shocks Into Gentle Squeezes

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Chinese Woman Who Faked Philippine Identity To Become Mayor Gets Life Term For Trafficking

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 16:49 IST

Alice Guo, who had been elected mayor of Bamban town, north of the capital, was found guilty of running an online gambling operation

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Alice Guo, former mayor of Bamban in Philippines' Tarlac province. (AFP file photo)

A Chinese national who falsified her nationality to become a mayor in the Philippines has been sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking.

Alice Guo, who had been elected mayor of Bamban town, north of the capital, was found guilty of running an online gambling operation where hundreds of workers were forced to commit scams under threat of torture.

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The sprawling complex included office buildings, luxury villas, and a large swimming pool. Authorities discovered the centre in March last year after a Vietnamese employee escaped and alerted police.

During the raid, officials found over 700 workers from the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Rwanda. Court documents showed that Guo was listed as president of the company that owned the compound.

A Manila court had earlier ruled in June that Guo, 35, was undisputedly a Chinese citizen" and therefore ineligible to hold the mayoral office.

Guo, along with seven co-defendants appearing via videolink, was sentenced to life imprisonment. State prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas said outside court: After over just one year, the court gave us a favourable decision. Alice (Guo) was convicted along with seven other co-accused. Life imprisonment."

The other defendants were later identified by the court as Jaimielyn Santos Cruz, Rachelle Malonzo Carreon, Walter Wong Rong, Wang Weili, Wuli Dong, Nong Ding Chang, and Lang Xu Po.

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Guo had fled the Philippines and was arrested in Indonesia in September last year. Additionally, she continues to face separate charges, including money laundering and graft.

(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 : Philippines

First Published: November 20, 2025, 16:49 IST

News world Chinese Woman Who Faked Philippine Identity To Become Mayor Gets Life Term For Trafficking

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Curfew Imposed In Nepal Months After Violent 'Gen Z' Protests: What's Happening Now?

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 20:03 IST

The unrest comes in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections following clashes between 'Gen Z' protesters and cadres of the former ruling party, CPN-UML

Authorities in Nepal's Bara district imposed and, subsequently, extended a curfew to prevent the violence from escalating and to restore order. (Image: Sourced)

A curfew was reimposed in southern Nepal on Thursday as fresh clashes erupted between Gen Z protesters and ousted party cadres, merely months after the deadly youth-led movement that led to the fall of the KP Sharma Oli-led government.

The unrest comes in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections due to clashes between members of the popular Gen Z movement and cadres affiliated with the former ruling party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist). These took place in the Bara district, particularly around Simara Chowk and the airport.

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Tensions erupted after news spread that the CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and party youth leader Mahesh Basnet were travelling from Kathmandu to Simara to address an anti-government rally. Gen Z protesters gathered at the airport to oppose the arrival of these leaders, which triggered a confrontation with local CPN-UML cadres.

Following the initial clashes on Wednesday (November 19), the situation escalated again on Thursday as youths returned to the streets, injuring 10 people. The protesters defied curfew and continued advancing, leading authorities to fire six tear gas canisters and two rounds of aerial fire.

Security forces were pelted with stones, injuring six police personnel while four Gen-Z protesters were also reported to be injured. In a separate incident, demonstrators set fire to the police beat in Simara Bazaar and removed and torched items from the UML office. Simara airport operations were temporarily halted amid the chaos.

Authorities in Bara district imposed and subsequently extended a curfew, such as from 1 pm to 8 pm local time, to prevent the violence from escalating and to restore order. Two of the alleged attackers from the CPN-UML  ward chairpersons Dhan Bahadur Shrestha and Kaimoddin Ansari  were arrested after police complaints were filed against them.

Here is all you need to know:

The return of political violence underscores the ongoing political instability that has persisted since the fall of the KP Sharma Oli government.

Tensions flared after CPN-UML leaders planned an anti-government rally in Bara district. The CPN-UML has been organising protests across Nepal demanding the reinstatement of the House of Representatives, which was dissolved on September 12 following the Gen Z movement.

Gen Z protesters gathered specifically to oppose the arrival of the CPN-UML leaders, triggering clashes with local supporters of the former ruling party.

The primary demand of the young protesters in the current wave of tensions is the adequate and swift arrest of the CPN-UML cadres they named in a complaint regarding the initial clashes, which reportedly left several Gen Z supporters injured.

Authorities imposed curfew in the Bara district, specifically around Simara Chowk and the airport, to normalise the situation and attempt to call the parties for dialogue.

Demonstrators defied the prohibitory order, pouring onto the streets, clashing with security forces, and resorting to arson against police and CPN-UML property.

WHAT WERE THE GEN Z PROTESTS?

The Gen Z protests in September were a massive youth-led movement that resulted in the resignation of Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on September 9 and the fall of his government.

The initial spark for the deadly protests was a brief government-imposed ban on several major social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp, in early September. The movement, however, quickly broadened into an uprising fuelled by deeper, systemic issues that had primed the country for upheaval.

These core grievances included corruption and mismanagement, economic stagnation and high unemployment, and widespread anger over nepotism, highlighted by the wealth of politicians children. Activists have also sought action over the alleged mass killing of protesters during demonstrations against corruption and the proposed social media ban on September 9.

At least 76 people were killed during demonstrations on September 8 and 9, and parliament, courts, and government offices were torched. The outcome of the upheaval was the formation of an interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki.

WHAT IS PATH AHEAD?

Fresh violence underscores the determination of the Gen Z movement to challenge established political forces ahead of the upcoming elections.

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The interim government, led by Sushila Karki, was formed specifically to guide the country toward fresh elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. She has called on all parties to refrain from unwanted political provocation" and to trust the democratic process.

Karki directed security agencies to work with utmost restraint to maintain peace and order, stating her intention to ensure the safe movement of leaders of all political parties, and create a fair and fear-free environment for the elections". She has expressed her desire for the country to be in the hands of a new generation and to be managed by people with vision".

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 : Kathmandu, Nepal

First Published: November 20, 2025, 20:03 IST

News world Curfew Imposed In Nepal Months After Violent 'Gen Z' Protests: What's Happening Now?

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Curfew Imposed In Nepals Bara As Gen-Z Protesters Clash With UML Cadres

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 14:35 IST

Bara District Administration Office announced that the curfew will remain in force until 8 pm (local time) on Thursday.

Bara District Back Under Curfew After Gen-ZUML Clash (Photo: X)

Authorities in Nepal have reimposed a curfew in Bara district after fresh clashes erupted between Gen-Z protesters and cadres of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), led by ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The District Administration Office announced that the curfew will remain in force until 8 pm (local time) on Thursday, citing escalating tensions and the need to restore order.

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The confrontations, which began earlier this week, intensified after groups of young demonstrators, who have been at the forefront of recent political activism in Nepal, came face-to-face with UML supporters during a series of heated exchanges.

Security forces have been deployed across key junctions in Bara to prevent further violence. The situation continues to be monitored closely as the district grapples with mounting political unrest.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : Nepal

First Published: November 20, 2025, 14:35 IST

News world Curfew Imposed In Nepals Bara As Gen-Z Protesters Clash With UML Cadres

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'Got A Call From PM Modi...': Trump Repeats Mediation Claim On India-Pakistan Conflict

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 08:49 IST

Donald Trump has repeated his claim that he stopped India and Pakistan from entering a nuclear conflict by threatening both with a 350 per cent trade tariff.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

Donald Trump has again claimed that he personally stopped India and Pakistan from entering a nuclear conflict by threatening both nations with massive trade penalties.

His remarks come months after Indias Operation Sindoor, a major cross-border counter-terror operation conducted in May 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people.

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Speaking at an event, Trump asserted that he warned New Delhi and Islamabad of crippling economic repercussions during an earlier period of heightened hostility.

You know, I was talking about the different wars, and its, look, India, Pakistan, they were going to go out with nuclear weapons. I said, thats okay, you can go at it, but Im putting a 350 per cent tariff on each country, no more trade with the United States."

No, no, you cant do that," Trump claimed either of the sides said.

I said, Im going to do it. Come back to me and Ill take it down. But you, Im not going to have you guys shooting nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people and having the nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles. Im not going to do it."

They said, we dont like that. I said, I dont care if you like it or not," Trump said.

So I was all set. I told a 350 per cent tariff to settle that war. If you, if you dont, well make a nice trade deal."

Now, no other president would have done that. Another guy would have, like Joe Biden doesnt even know what countries were talking about. He wouldnt have any idea. Thered be no tariffs on anything. Just the whole world would go to hell," Trump said.

But no, I use tariffs to settle all these, not all of them. Five of the eight were settled because of the economy, because of trade, because of tariffs. Ill tell you what the Prime Minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif) called me," Trump said, further quoting him, Thank you very much."

He actually said, I saved millions. And he said in front of Susie, he said President Trump saved millions and millions of lives."

And I got a call from Prime Minister Modi saying, were done. I said, youre done with what? Were not going to go to war. I said, Thank you very much. Lets make a deal," Trump claimed.

But I saved a lot of people, millions of people, on many other wars," he added.

VIDEO | Washington DC: US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) claims again that he prevented IndiaPakistan war by threatening both countries with a 350 per cent tariff.Trump says, India and Pakistan were going to go at it with nuclear weapons. I told them, you can go at it, but pic.twitter.com/PQ7TtRHecr  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2025

The four-day conflict between India and Pakistan ended following a direct conversation between the two countries.

However, soon after, Trump on social media announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire" after a long night" of talks mediated by Washington.

The US President has repeated his claim several times that he helped settle" the tensions between the two countries.

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Though India has consistently denied any third-party intervention, Pakistan has praised Trump on multiple occasions, claiming that he brokered the ceasefire during the May conflict.

ALSO READ | Association Of Democrats Will Soon Be Revealed: Trump Signs Bill To Release Epstein Files

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 20, 2025, 08:48 IST

News world 'Got A Call From PM Modi...': Trump Repeats Mediation Claim On India-Pakistan Conflict

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'Association Of Democrats Will Soon Be Revealed': Trump Signs Bill To Release Epstein Files

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 07:14 IST

Trump signed a bill forcing the release of all federal records related to Jeffrey Epstein after resisting for months, accusing Democrats of using the issue for political gain.

An image of US President Donald 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. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a bill requiring his administration to publicly release federal records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Although Trump had long possessed the authority to disclose many of these documents on his own, he declined to do so for months.

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In a social media post announcing that he had signed the legislation, Trump accused Democrats of exploiting the Epstein matter for political gain.

Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our amazing victories," he wrote, framing the bill as something he agreed to only because Congress was moving ahead regardless of his position.

Under the new law, the Justice Department must release every file and communication tied to Epstein, along with any information connected to the inquiry into his 2019 death in federal custody.

The department will have 30 days to comply.

While the bill does permit redactions relating to Epsteins victims or to protect ongoing investigations, it explicitly bars the officials of the Department of Justice from withholding documents due to embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity."

The push to compel the disclosure of the Epstein files began as an unlikely effort led by an unusual mix of lawmakers, Democrats, a Republican adversary of Trump, and a handful of former loyalists who broke ranks.

As recently as last week, the administration was still trying to halt the momentum.

Officials even summoned Representative Lauren Boebert, one of the Republican supporters of the bill, to the Situation Room to discuss the issue, though she refused to change her stance.

By the weekend, however, Trump shifted course sharply, recognising that Congress was moving forward with or without his cooperation. He argued that the continued focus on Epstein had become a needless distraction from the Republican agenda.

The House overwhelmingly approved the legislation in a 427-1 vote. The only lawmaker to oppose it, Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana, warned that its provisions could unintentionally expose private information about individuals who had no wrongdoing but were mentioned in federal investigative materials.

The Senate later adopted the bill unanimously, bypassing a formal roll-call vote.

Trump has long been known to have been acquainted with Epstein, the disgraced financier who socialised among powerful political and business circles.

Still, Trump has repeatedly maintained that he had no knowledge of Epsteins criminal activities and that he severed ties with him years ago.

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Before Trump returned to the White House for a second term, several of his political allies helped amplify conspiracy theories surrounding the governments handling of the Epstein case, suggesting that authorities were concealing damaging information contained within these files.

ALSO READ | Trump Defends H-1B Visas, Slams MAGA Over Rigidity: Im Gonna Welcome Those People

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 20, 2025, 07:13 IST

News world 'Association Of Democrats Will Soon Be Revealed': Trump Signs Bill To Release Epstein Files

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Months After Feud, Musk Posts Thank You Note For Trump After Youre So Lucky Jibe

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 09:26 IST

Donald Trump reignites his feud with Elon Musk at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, while Musk thanks Trump on X after their recent White House dinner with Mohammed bin Salman.

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US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk

Hours after signalling a thaw with Billionaire Elon Musk, President Donald Trump followed up with a pointed quip aimed at the Tesla chief, riffing on their months-long feud.

While speaking in his typical freewheeling style at US-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump repeatedly referenced favours he claimed to have extended to Musk during the billionaires brief stint as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

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Has he ever thanked me for that properly?" Trump asked the audience, before returning to the point minutes later.

Using part of his remarks to explain a tax credit linked to electric vehicle purchases, Trump said he benefited middle-class buyers.

Even people that go buy a car, theyve never had this," he said. He then veered into a broader comment about deductions. You know, middle-income people dont know what the word deduction is. They dont know. This room, they live on deductions. Me too. How much of a deduction do I get? We all live on it," Trump added.

He further claimed that his administration was offering the middle class a deduction on the interest if they buy one of a nice Tesla car and they borrow the money."

He paused, looked towards Musk and repeated, Youre so lucky. Im with you, Elon." Moments later, he joked, Although I do let him buy other-than-electric cars, but these are minor details."

After Trumps remark, Musk wrote on X, I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world."

This comes after Musk attended a White House dinner with Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking their second joint appearance since their public rift erupted earlier this year.

Musk backed Trump in the previous election and later headed the Department of Government Efficiency, where he oversaw cuts in federal spending and staffing.

However, their relationship deteriorated quickly after Musk denounced Trumps expansive tax-and-spending plan as reckless and announced plans to form a new political party. In retaliation, Trump warned that federal aid supporting Musks companies could be withdrawn.

Reportedly, Musks escalating remarks damaged Teslas reputation and negatively impacted sales and stock performance. Since then, the two have largely kept their distance, appearing together publicly only once, a brief handshake at a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September.

Meanwhile, according to a New York Times report, Musks allies are planning a big party to celebrate the billionaires time working with Trump. The report noted that dozens of people who had worked with Musk in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency are set to gather in Austin this weekend for a reunion.

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Musk is also expected to attend the event, though his plans could yet change, the publication reported, quoting a source.

The two-day event will be held at a high-end hotel where Musk often holes up in a suite and are organised by DOGE leaders, it added.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2025, 09:10 IST

News world Months After Feud, Musk Posts Thank You Note For Trump After Youre So Lucky Jibe

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Indonesia's Mount Semeru Erupts, Spews Ash 13km Into Sky; Hundreds Evacuated Amid High Alert

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 09:25 IST

Mount Semeru erupted, prompting evacuation of over 900 residents and rescue of 170 climbers. Authorities maintain maximum alert as no casualties are reported.

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A huge cloud of hot ash billows from the crater. (Image: Reuters)

Following the eruption of Mount Semeru, one of Indonesias tallest peaks, authorities have evacuated more than 900 residents so far. Further, the 170 climbers who were stuck in the area after the volcano erupted were guided back to safety on Thursday.

Meanwhile, officials kept the alert at its maximum level after the volcano on Java island burst to life on Wednesday, sending towering ash columns into the sky and pushing lava and rocks up to 13 km (8.08 miles) down its slopes.

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The stranded climbers had spent the night at a lakeside campsite roughly 6.4 km from the crater but were now being escorted out, said Septi Wardhani of the Semeru national park.

BREAKING: Semeru in Indonesia has erupted. Large pyroclastic flow  Netijen via Wa pic.twitter.com/6fgyztk3zT  Volcaholic  (@volcaholic1) November 19, 2025

All climbers with their guides are safeThe situation is under control," Wardhani told news agency Reuters.

According to news agency AP, no casualties have been reported so far.

Video released by Indonesias volcanology agency captured thick clouds of scorching ash surging from the crater and coating the volcanos slopes. Several videos capturing the eruption was shared on social media by netizens.

Semeru last saw a major eruption in December 2021, an event that killed at least 51 people and smothered nearby communities in ash.

Rising 3,676 metres (2.28 miles), Mount Semeru is among around 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire," a zone of intense seismic activity where shifting tectonic plates trigger frequent quakes and eruptions.

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In East Java, the local rescue agency deployed teams to support evacuations, with 956 residents from nearby areas already moved to temporary shelters in schools, mosques and government facilities, said agency official Prahista Dian.

Additional personnel have been deployed to search for whether there are still residents trapped or not.

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 : Indonesia

First Published: November 20, 2025, 09:25 IST

News world Indonesia's Mount Semeru Erupts, Spews Ash 13km Into Sky; Hundreds Evacuated Amid High Alert

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'Mamdani Asked, We Agreed': Trump To Meet NYC Mayor-Elect At White House On Friday

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 08:36 IST

US President Donald Trump will meet New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on November 21.

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Trump again labelled Mamdani (R) a "communist" in his post.

US President Donald Trump has stated that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will meet him at the White House on Friday.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame" Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!"

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The US President, who had sharply criticised Mamdani during the campaign, warned before the November 4 election that Mamdanis victory would be a complete and total economic and social disaster" for the city.

Mamdani, in a fiery victory speech, challenged Trump and his renewed immigration crackdown, declaring that New York would be powered by immigrants and now led by an immigrant."

He added, After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him. And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power."

He continued, This is not only how we stop Trump; its how we stop the next one. So, Donald Trump, since I know youre watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."

Trump dismissed the address as a very angry" speech and said Mamdani is off to a bad start if he cannot show respect for Washington. When asked if he would initiate contact, Trump said Mamdani should reach out to us really. I think he should reach out. Im here. Well see what happens. But I would think that it would be more appropriate for him to reach out to us because I would like to see the new mayor do well, because I love New York. I really love New York."

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He again labelled Mamdani a communist," adding, Communism or the concept of communism has not worked. I tend to doubt its going to work this time."

Mamdani, the first South Asian and Muslim elected as Mayor of New York City, defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo, who was endorsed by Trump shortly before the vote. Born in Kampala to filmmaker Mira Nair and professor Mahmood Mamdani, he moved to New York at age seven and became a US citizen in 2018.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2025, 08:36 IST

News world 'Mamdani Asked, We Agreed': Trump To Meet NYC Mayor-Elect At White House On Friday

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Pakistani Forces Kill 30 Militants Near Afghan Border Days After Islamabad Suicide Blast

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:10 IST

According to an official statement, 23 militants were killed on Wednesday in raids carried out in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

AI-generated image used for representation

Pakistans security forces have killed 30 militants in several operations near the Afghan border over the last few days, the army said in a statement on Thursday. The incident occurred less than a week after a suicide blast outside a court in Islamabad killed 12 people and left several others injured.

According to the official statement, the militants were linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) or groups associated with it. The army also accused India of supporting these outfits, a claim New Delhi has rejected.

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The military stated that 23 militants were killed on Wednesday in raids carried out in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a second update, officials said seven more militants had been killed in three separate operations conducted in Mohmand, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts between November 18 and 19.

Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out (the) menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country," said the army.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban government of giving safe haven to groups, including the TTP, that carry out attacks inside Pakistan. However, Kabul has refuted all such claims.

Pakistan has also alleged that New Delhi backs militant outfits targeting the country. India has dismissed all the claims, insisting it has no role in supporting terrorism.

The recent army raids took place soon after the suicide bombing in Islamabad, which Pakistan says was planned from inside Afghanistan. A faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack.

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Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense for months. Earlier this month, firing along the border turned into one of the worst clashes in years, killing more than 70 people on both sides over the course of a week. The border is still shut.

Both countries agreed to a temporary ceasefire, but their attempts to turn it into a proper deal are yet to reach a conclusion. Each side is blaming the other for the delay.

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 20, 2025, 19:10 IST

News world Pakistani Forces Kill 30 Militants Near Afghan Border Days After Islamabad Suicide Blast

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Modern UFO fables tell us more about human loneliness today than about possible life in the cosmos

Encouraged by the conspiracy theory of a YouTuber, two cousins kidnap a senior executive at a pharmaceutical company, believing she is an alien from Andromeda sent to destroy human life.

Two scientists who have turned the encrypted message of an extraterrestrial signal into a virus will unleash an epidemic of kindness in which all minds connect in unison  a harmony that a woman immune to this viral global happiness will fight against.

Chiles ATLAS observatory (the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) detects the third interstellar object in history, and the internet spends several months in collective delirium, convinced that what is approaching Earth is an alien spacecraft.

Of these three stories, only the one about the furor over the supposed alien ship 3I/ATLAS was true. The alien-kidnapping cousins belong to Bugonia, the latest film by Yorgos Lanthimos  a satire about extraterrestrials that is actually about political alienation in a population lost between distrust of the system, conspiracy thinking, and fake news.

And the woman immune to the Martian happiness virus that has transformed the global population isnt real, but rather a character played by Reha Seehorn in Pluribus, the new series from Breaking Bad creator and X-Files writer Vince Gilligan. Gilligan came up with the original idea years ago while filming Better Call Saul. He imagined what would happen if, suddenly, the rest of the world became incredibly kind to a single person. Gilligans series says far more about us than about whatever might be happening out there.

We have to forget I Want to Believe poster that Agent Mulder had hanging in his office in The X-Files. Todays new fables about extraterrestrial life are no longer like the ones that mesmerized the last century. Even though they still show up in emojis, those silver saucers spotted on clear nights no longer inhabit our collective imagination. The shift in narrative conventions makes sense: if our fears are no longer the same, our extraterrestrial paranoia will also be different.

Rhea Seehorn, in the show 'Pluribus.' Apple TV

Carl Jung put it plainly in 1958 when he published Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies: Something is seen, but one doesnt know what. In that book, the psychiatrist explored the symbolic nature of extraterrestrial encounters. For Jung, the UFO myth  regardless of the era  should not be read literally but as a symbolic expression of the collective unconscious and the individual psyche. Alleged contact with extraterrestrials, he argued, is really a projection of the shadow: the darker facets of human personality, such as fear of the unknown and the impulse to project internal conflict outward. Several recent books and essays have revived and reinforced this idea. So what has changed now?

UFOs were easier to spot under Franco

Why did the Franco dictatorship, known for harsh censorship, allow and even embrace  news reports about flying-saucer sightings across Spain? Because they served its purposes. This is the argument of Ana Fernandez-Cebrian, a philosopher and professor at Columbia University, in her book Fables of Development: Capitalism and Social Imaginaries in Spain (19501970). She shows that while the Franco dictatorship did not invent UFOs, it did capitalize on the surge of sightings because they aligned neatly with the regimes propaganda interests.

UFO stories were useful: they reinforced Spains alliance with the United States, projected images of progress and modernity, offered a form of social distraction, channelled collective fears and desires without politicizing them, and fit comfortably within how the regime framed political and social developments as ordained by God.

Under Franco, it was easier to spot a flying saucer. Fernandez-Cebrian provides plenty of evidence: they dominated front pages of newspapers such as Imperio (the Falangist daily of Zamora), appeared regularly in radio programs like the radio network Cadena SERs Diego Valor, and even made their way into films such as La lupa (1955). At the height of the Cold War, flying saucers became a distorted mirror for Spanish society  a space for imaginative experimentation in a country subject to censorship, gripped by nuclear anxieties and fascinated by technological modernization.

In the image, a family from Paris watches on television the moment Armstrong stepped onto the Moon, on July 21, 1969. getty

Another group that has connected the dots between alien fascination and social repression is Wu Ming, in the novel Ovni 78. This work, published under the collective pseudonym of a group of Italian writers, explores why Italy experienced what became known as the Great Wave in 1978  the year prime minister Aldo Moro was assassinated, a state of emergency gripped streets ravaged by heroin, and the Vatican saw three different popes. UFO sightings flooded the news and everyday conversations across the country.

It was such a mass phenomenon that even EL PAIS covered it in a report by Juan Arias: In Italy, right now, people from all walks of life are seeing flying saucers: entire schools with their parents, truck drivers not given to hysteria, fishermen who know no fear and are well-prepared for any surprise. They have been spotted from airport control towers and, especially in recent days, countless police officers have become key protagonists in this flying-saucer fever, he wrote.

Ovni 78 brings that episode back to life through fictional and real characters, examining how flying saucers worked as a symbolic projection of fear  a way of giving external form to vague, unarticulated threats.

Tell me another conspiracy theory

While authors like Dan Schreiber now analyze the so-called panspermia  the theory that life on Earth was extraterrestrial in origin  in books such as The Theory of Everything Else, other texts seek to reinterpret the conspiratorial mindset that surrounds us.

Fables about aliens often relate to the anxiety we feel about the unforeseen and unwanted effects of technological progress, recalls philosopher Pepe Tesoro in an email exchange.

In 2024, Tesoro published the book Los mismos malvados de siempre. Una teoria de las teorias de la conspiracion (The Same Villains as Always: A Theory of Conspiracy Theories), a work that took the conspiracy theorist out of the shadows and into public discussion. The book analyzed modern conspiracy theories as social symptoms in times when the present feels hostile. Although a more benign version of aliens became popular in the 1980s compared to the 1950s, which were marked by the Cold War-era fear of annihilation, it seems that this conflicted relationship with outer space has returned today, he explains.

Emma Stone, Aidan Delbis, and Jesse Plemons in Lanthimos's Bugonia.

For Tesoro, contemporary times have brought back alien fables, but now to symbolize our own isolationism. This enormous technological acceleration and political instability, figures like Elon Musk or Peter Thiel, companies like Palantir, the climate crisis, and the genocide in Gaza have brought back to our imagination the darker side of technological progress, he explains.

Its natural that alien fables are making a comeback, but the human species is no longer portrayed as a heroic, unified collective subject worth saving, he continues. Its not even the handsome and competent investigator, like Fox Mulder in The X-Files, who confronts the alien. Today, the individual is depicted as simply alone, distraught, and abandoned.

Hence, Tesoro explains, in all these new series and films, isolation, confusion, and the anxious condition of the individual are the starting point. Any alien encounter, if it occurs, will be because humans feel more alone than ever in the universe.

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'Polls Will Be Rigged': Sheikh Hasina's Son Says Yunus Will Manipulate Caretaker Govt To Hurt Awami

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 21:46 IST

He alleged Yunus-led administration wants to hold elections with Awami League barred, accusing the interim govt of arrests, attacks and using state force against party supporters.

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Sajeeb Wazed, son of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gestures during an interview. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Sajeeb Wazed on Wednesday accused Bangladesh interim governments chief advisor and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and the interim administration of manipulating Bangladeshs restored caretaker government system to engineer a rigged" election that sidelines the Awami League. In a Facebook post, the son of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina said the Supreme Courts decision to bring back the caretaker model in a ruling on Thursday only after the upcoming polls was a sham judgement" designed to legitimise an unelected, unconstitutional and illegal regime."

His remarks came shortly after the Supreme Court overturned its 14-year-old verdict that had annulled the 13th Amendment, which had introduced the caretaker system. In a unanimous decision, the Appellate Division allowed the appeals and review petitions filed against its earlier ruling, calling that judgment manifestly flawed on multiple counts" and saying it now stands entirely invalidated." The Court said the constitutional provisions establishing a non-partisan caretaker government have been revived but will apply only to elections held in the future.

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Bangladesh introduced the caretaker government system in the 1990s to ensure neutral oversight of national elections after repeated disputes over poll fairness. The model, which placed a non-partisan interim administration in charge during election periods, was used in several cycles but became deeply contentious after the 200708 military-backed caretaker government extended its tenure and detained political leaders. Citing concerns that the system was vulnerable to abuse and unconstitutional, the Awami League government abolished it in 2011, prompting fierce opposition from the BNP, which argues elections cannot be free under a ruling party.

The Yunus Supreme Court today restored the Caretaker Government system for elections, but not in effect from this upcoming election, only the next one. Once again, it is such a sham judgement, just a rubber stamp for what this unelected, unconstitutional and illegal regime wants," Wazed said.

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The Yunus regime has directly called for the killing of Awami League activists and our supporters have been attacked. Thousands of our leaders and over 100 Members of Parliament have been kept behind bars for a year and a half without any judicial process. The military has shot and killed unarmed protestors in Gopalganj. The police has issued orders to shoot and kill protestors repeatedly. Now the regime has removed the Caretaker system for the election they want to hold so they can rig it," he further added.

The Awami League, once Bangladeshs dominant political force under Sheikh Hasina, is currently barred from formal politics after the interim government declared its activities illegal under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Election Commission suspended its registration earlier this year. The move prevents the party from contesting elections or operating openly.

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

First Published: November 20, 2025, 21:42 IST

News world 'Polls Will Be Rigged': Sheikh Hasina's Son Says Yunus Will Manipulate Caretaker Govt To Hurt Awami

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Punishable By Death: Trump Says Democrats Urging Military To Defy Orders Must Be Executed

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Last Updated: November 21, 2025, 01:19 IST

Trumps social media post was in response to a video posted by Democrats where they ask US military to defy illegal orders.

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Trumps clashes with Democrats as he suggests their criticism of his potential use of military power constitutes a death-penalty crime. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out at few Democratic lawmakers who posted a video telling members of the US military they must refuse any illegal orders. He said that Dems urging US military to resist are traitors who could face execution".

SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" the US President wrote in a Truth Social post.

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This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country," Trump wrote in an earlier post. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

Senators Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and Iraq war veteran, and Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy veteran, as well as Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan released a video telling members of the US military and intelligence community that the Trump administration was pitting those institutions against the American people and threatening tenets of the US Constitution.

After calling for the arrest and prosecution of several Democratic lawmakers who told servicemembers recently they can and should disobey illegal orders" and uphold their sworn oath to the Constitution, while reposting a reply saying to HANG THEM." President Trump has now https://t.co/HGaS4c3fAW pic.twitter.com/APNF9ZLUs8 OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 20, 2025

We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now," they said.

Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders," said Kelly. The other lawmakers offer a similar refrain before Slotkin concluded: We need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution. Dont give up the ship."

Veteran Democrats in the US Congress were worried that Trumps words could incite violence, while the House of Representatives leaders said they contacted US Capitol Police to ensure the Democratic lawmakers safety.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said no" when asked whether the president wanted to execute members of Congress at a news briefing.

However, she criticised the Democrats for encouraging members of the military to defy the chain of command.

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For civilians, US law has no provision for a charge of sedition, although seditious conspiracy" carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. For troops, the Uniform Code of Military Justice includes a section on sedition, with possible penalties including death.

After Trump published his post, Slotkin wrote on X that she and her colleagues would continue to defend the Constitution. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation," Slotkin wrote.

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 21, 2025, 01:19 IST

News world Punishable By Death: Trump Says Democrats Urging Military To Defy Orders Must Be Executed

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Taiwan's President Posts Sushi Pics To Back Japan PM After China Threatens Seafood Ban

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:02 IST

The social media activity followed media reports that China would suspend Japanese seafood imports, though neither government has officially confirmed the move

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On Facebook, Lai shared a smiling photo of himself holding a plate of sushi, writing, Today's lunch is sushi and miso soup.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Thursday shared photos of himself holding a plate of sushi on social media to show support for Japan, after reports that China might suspend Japanese seafood imports.

The dispute between Tokyo and Beijing was sparked after Japans new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested earlier this month that Japan could intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked. China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the self-governing island under its control.

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Lai, a vocal supporter of Taiwans sovereignty and a figure disliked by China, accused Beijing of severely" undermining regional peace amid the growing tension.

On his social media accounts, Facebook and X, Lai shared a smiling photo of himself holding a plate of sushi, writing, Todays lunch is sushi and miso soup," with hashtags highlighting Japanese seafood, including #Yellowtail from Kagoshima and scallops from Hokkaido.

Similar posts were shared on his X account in Japanese, and a video on Instagram showed him telling followers that it might be a good time to eat Japanese cuisine."

It fully shows the strong friendship between Taiwan and Japan," Lai said while holding the sushi.

Meanwhile, Chinas foreign ministry dismissed the posts as a stunt."

The social media activity followed media reports that China would suspend Japanese seafood imports, though neither government has officially confirmed the move. China has already summoned Japans ambassador and warned its citizens against travelling to Japan. State media also reported that the release of at least two Japanese films will be postponed in China.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday that Japan should behave with dignity" and take concrete actions," including retracting Takaichis remarks, to improve relations. Japan, however, has maintained that its position on Taiwan remains unchanged.

Taiwans Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung called out the Chinese Communist Party for economic coercion and military intimidation" and urged citizens to support Japan by travelling there and buying Japanese products. At this critical moment we must support Japan to be able to stabilise the situation, to stop the CCPs bullying behaviour," he said.

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The US also voiced support for Tokyo. Ambassador George Glass said on X that Washington will stand by Japan, noting that coercion is a hard habit to break for Beijing," and pledging to back Japan as it did during Chinas previous seafood ban.

(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

First Published: November 20, 2025, 19:02 IST

News world Taiwan's President Posts Sushi Pics To Back Japan PM After China Threatens Seafood Ban

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The Mossad Mission That Fooled Idi Amin, Killed Netanyahus Brother And Saved 102 Hostages

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 16:07 IST

On June 27, 1976, German and Palestinian militants hijacked Air France Flight 139 from Tel Aviv to Paris, seizing passengers and crew at gunpoint

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The Israeli army secretly planned a daring 4,000-kilometre journey to Uganda to launch a surprise assault. (Representative/News18 Hindi)

Israels intelligence agency has a history of executing high-risk missions, from capturing terrorists alive to eliminating targets. One of its most notable successes was the Entebbe Operation, a dramatic rescue mission involving a plane hijacking by terrorists from two different countries, unarmed passengers, courageous crew members, and determined Israeli commandos. Although the Israeli army led the mission, Mossad was the strategic force behind the scenes.

On June 27, 1976, German and Palestinian liberation groups hijacked Air France Flight 139 en route from Tel Aviv to Paris. Chaos erupted on board as passengers and crew were taken hostage at gunpoint. The hijackers diverted the plane first to Libya and then to Entebbe Airport in Uganda.

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Israel Refused To Yield To The Hijackers Demands

The hostages were held in the old terminal building. The terrorists separated Israeli and Jewish passengers from the others, demanding the release of prisoners held in Israel and other countries in exchange for the hostages.

Outraged by the hijackers demands, the Israeli government opted for military action over negotiations. Mossad quickly gathered essential intelligence about the hostages, the terminal building, and the Ugandan militarys deployment.

How Israel Managed To Outsmart The Ugandan Dictator

The Israeli army secretly planned a daring 4,000-kilometre journey to Uganda to launch a surprise assault. At the time, Uganda was under the rule of dictator Idi Amin, who openly supported the terrorists, further complicating the mission.

After a week of meticulous planning, Mossad finalised a foolproof strategy. On the night of July 3, over 100 Israeli commandos embarked on the mission, flying in four Hercules planes. To mislead the Ugandan forces, the commandos transported a black Mercedes and Land Rovers on their planes. On July 4, they landed at Entebbe Airport and stormed the terminal building.

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Ugandan Troops And Hijackers Were Neutralised In Just 53 Minutes

In a swift 53-minute operation, the commandos killed all the terrorists and around 20-30 Ugandan soldiers, successfully rescuing 102 hostages. Tragically, four hostages lost their lives during the mission, and the sole Israeli commando casualty was Yonatan Netanyahu, the elder brother of Israels current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who led the mission.

Location : Israel

First Published: November 20, 2025, 16:07 IST

News world The Mossad Mission That Fooled Idi Amin, Killed Netanyahus Brother And Saved 102 Hostages

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Trump Leaves Awkward Empty Chair For South Africas G20 Summit, India Stands In Sharp Contrast

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 13:46 IST

Washington says it wont attend the first-ever G20 on African soil because South Africa mistreats its white minority, even claiming genocide of White Afrikaners.

Donald Trump meets South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington. (Image: AP Photo)

The G20 summit this year is going to be awkward, painfully awkward, because when the time comes for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to hand over the G20 presidency, he wont be handing it to a leader or even a delegation, hell be handing it to an empty chair, an image already defining how this summit will be remembered.

US President Donald Trump is boycotting the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Even for those tempted to ignore that decision, its impossible to look away because the United States is the next G20 chair. When Ramaphosa hands over the presidency at the end of the summit, there will be no one to receive it, just an empty chair that is about to become the most photographed object in Johannesburg.

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Washington says it wont attend the first-ever G20 on African soil because South Africa mistreats its white minority, even claiming genocide of White Afrikanersallegations South African officials have called unfounded. No previous US administration has deployed this narrative, and it fits neatly into Trumps domestic political playbook. Beyond the excuse, it only confirms what many already suspect: Trump does not believe in multilateral diplomacy and is willing to stage this snub on the worlds biggest economic platform.

The United States has never skipped a G20 summit, typically represented by the President or at least a high-level official. This time, there will be no one representing the US.

South Africa, though, is not rattled. Ramaphosa responded with remarkable calm: My experience in politics is that boycotts never really workthey have a very contradictory effect. The United States by not being at the G20, one, must never think that we are not ready to go on with the G20. The G20 will go on. All other heads of states will be here, and, in the end, we will take fundamental decisions. Their absence is their loss."

South Africas High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, says the G20 is simply too big to fail." Despite the US boycott, he insists the summit will remain impactful and he made it clear that PM Modis presence is especially important, calling the Indian Prime Minister one of the worlds most influential leaders today, someone whose attendance signals solidarity with South Africa and commitment to Global South priorities.

That solidarity is real. India and South Africa have worked closely through this G20 cycle, sharing concerns about debt relief, climate finance, and the need to amplify the voices of emerging economies in global forums. The cooperation has been smooth, consistent, and productive, something South Africa is publicly acknowledging.

This summit is a missed opportunity for Trump. It could have been remembered for all the right reasons: the first G20 in Africa, a platform to spotlight the continents fast-growing economies, its young population, its mineral wealth essential for the green transition, and the urgent need for fairer global financial systems. Instead, a different story is writing itself dominated by who isnt coming.

Argentinas Javier Milei, is also skipping the event. Vladimir Putin remains absent due to the ICC arrest warrant. China is sending its premier instead of Xi. Together, these absences underscore just how fractured the world is right now.

Amid this fragmentation, Indias role stands out even more sharply. Remember what New Delhi delivered in 2023. India didnt just host a successful summit in a tense geopolitical climate, it pushed through the historic inclusion of the 55-nation African Union as a permanent G20 member, a single move that gave an entire continent a stronger, permanent voice in global decision-making. That achievement has become the benchmark for responsible leadership in the G20, and the contrast with Trumps boycott could not be more obvious.

The G20 accounts for about 85 per cent of global GDP, nearly 75 per cent of world trade, and roughly two-thirds of the worlds population. It cannot be ignored.

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When Ramaphosa stands on the stage in Soweto, a township in Johannesburg marked by the struggle against apartheid, and turns to hand over the G20 presidency, the image will be awkward. On one side, the leader of Africas most industrialised nation and on the other, an empty chair representing the worlds most powerful country.

The moment will be embarrassing, but it will also be telling: while some leaders choose to walk away amid Trumps public snub to Africa, India is choosing to show up. And while some undermine multilateral platforms, India is strengthening them.

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 20, 2025, 13:46 IST

News world Trump Leaves Awkward Empty Chair For South Africas G20 Summit, India Stands In Sharp Contrast

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Trump Not Attending G20 Summit, Says White House: South African President Running His Mouth

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Last Updated: November 21, 2025, 01:47 IST

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump did not appreciate the language used by the South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.

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US President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Thursday said that the US will not participate in the official talks at the Group of 20 summit in South Africa and that representative from the US Embassy in South Africa will attend the formal handover ceremony at the end of this weekends G20 summit in Johannesburg.

The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African President running his mouth a little bit against the United States and @POTUS and that language is not appreciated by @POTUS and his team," Leavitt said.

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South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa at an event said that the United States had indicated that it had a change of mind" over its boycott at the 11th hour."

Boycott politics does not work. It is better to be inside the tent that is G20, rather than outside the tent," Ramaphosa said, in a video posted on his X account.

Trump announced this month that no US government official would attend the two-day meeting of world leaders from rich and developing countries in South Africas biggest city. Trump cited his claims that South Africa is violently persecuting the countrys white Afrikaner minority farmers as the reason for the US boycott. Those statements by Trump have been widely rejected by South Africa.

Ramaphosa previously expressed disappointment that the US boycott would mean that he hands over to an empty chair" at the end of the summit.

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On Thursday, South Africas leader said that he welcomed U.S. participation at Africas first G20 summit in one shape or form or another" and viewed the late communication as a pleasing" change of approach from the worlds biggest economy.

The United States is a member of the G20, they are an original member of the G20, so they have the right to be here," Ramaphosa said. And all we are seeking to do is looking at the practicalities  for them to participate."

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 21, 2025, 01:47 IST

News world Trump Not Attending G20 Summit, Says White House: South African President Running His Mouth

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Trump Vows To End Sudan 'Atrocities', Says 'Would Now Work To Stabilise The Conflict'

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 07:49 IST

The development came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Washington, asked him to help solve the devastating conflict.

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he would start working" to end the war in Sudan. The development came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Washington, asked him to help solve the devastating conflict.

Notably, Trump has barely commented on the conflict between Sudans army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions since its outbreak in April 2023.

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Trump admitted that the devastating war between Sudans army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was not on my charts" before Prince Mohammed bin Salman pushed him to get involved.

His majesty would like me to do something very powerful having to do with Sudan," Trump said at a Saudi-US business forum attended by Prince Mohammed. It was not on my charts to be involved in, I thought it was just something that was crazy and out of control," he said, adding, But I just see how important that is to you, and to a lot of your friends in the room, Sudan. And were going to start working on Sudan."

Despite the conflict being off Trumps radar, Washington has stepped up efforts in recent months to finalise a truce between the warring parties.

Saudi Arabia supports Sudans army-aligned government. The army accuses the United Arab Emirates of backing the RSF with weapons and mercenaries, which the UAE denies.

Trump Claims To End 8 Wars

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Trump has repeatedly claimed to have solved eight conflicts since returning to office in January as he seeks a Nobel Peace Prize. His promise to start working on the Sudan conflict reflects his close ties with the de facto Saudi leader, whom he hosted at the White House for a lavish visit on Tuesday.

Their closeness was also underscored by his comments in the Oval Office on Tuesday, during which Trump defended the prince over the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying the prince knew nothing".

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2025, 07:32 IST

News world Trump Vows To End Sudan 'Atrocities', Says 'Would Now Work To Stabilise The Conflict'

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US Likely To Participate In G20 Summit, Says South African President

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 23:53 IST

Ramaphosa says US may join the G20 Summit in Johannesburg after Trumps initial boycott over alleged Afrikaner rights abuses. South Africa holds the G20 presidency this year.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has indicated the US will likely participate in the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, scheduled to take place on November 22 and 23, after an initial boycott by the Trump administration.

Speaking at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, he said: We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over about a change of mind, about participating in one shape or form or other in the summit."

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Reuters quoted the South African leader as saying that Pretoria would have to see whats feasible in terms of how U.S. officials could take part.

This comes in the days before the summit. And so therefore we need to engage in those types of discussions to see how practical it is and what it finally really means.," he added.

Earlier this month, the US President said he would not be attending the 2025 G20 Summit, claiming the country shouldnt even be in the Gs anymore."

Trump said the country did not deserve membership in the group because of whats happened there," without explicitly elaborating on what he was referring to.

In a post on Truth Social, he said: It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa. Afrikaners (People who are descended from Dutch settlers, and also French and German immigrants) are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated. No U.S. Government Official will attend as long as these Human Rights abuses continue. I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida!"

South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency under the forums rotating chairmanship. Next year, the US will preside over the group.

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In May, Trump had criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and alleged that white farmers in his nation were being killed and persecuted".

Afrikaners are white South Africans primarily descended from Dutch settlers who colonised the region during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Location : South Africa

First Published: November 20, 2025, 23:53 IST

News world US Likely To Participate In G20 Summit, Says South African President

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US School Worker Gave 11-Year-Old Boy Caffeine To Boost Energy Before Sexually Assaulting Him

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Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 19:33 IST

Alyson Cranick, 44, a married mother of two, admitted sexually assaulting a minor after grooming him over several months in 2022

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Cranick initially contacted the minor via text messages and Snapchat before switching to Discord. (Image via X/@MSUmmjn_sgjc)

A former school employee in Connecticut has pleaded guilty to federal charges of coercion and enticement of an 11-year-old to engage in sexual activity. Alyson Cranick, 44, a married mother of two, admitted sexually assaulting a minor after grooming him over several months in 2022.

According to the US Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut, Cranick sent the minor nearly 5,000 messages across text, Snapchat, and Discord, using gifts and caffeine to manipulate him.

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Cranick, who worked as an administrative assistant at E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield until she was fired in September 2023, lured the minor to meet her at least 14 times. She often persuaded him to sneak out of his home late at night to meet her, the New York Post.

The assaults took place in several locations, including Columbia Lake, Horace Porter School in Columbia, and the Salmon River State Forest in Colchester. Investigators said Cranick sexually assaulted the minor in her car. During these late-night encounters, she gave him caffeinated drinks to keep him awake and offered gifts, including Apple AirPods and a pellet gun, to coerce him.

Cranick initially contacted the minor via text messages and Snapchat before switching to Discord after learning that a family member monitored his accounts. Between July and October 2022, she and the minor exchanged roughly 4,700 messages on Discord alone.

Court documents revealed further disturbing details. Cranick made the minor a bracelet with the acronym BFFLWB," meaning Best Friends for Life With Benefits."

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The minor eventually cut off contact and refused to meet her after being emotionally manipulated into spending more time with her.

Meanwhile, before her guilty plea, Cranick denied any wrongdoing and attempted to downplay her communications with the minor.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2025, 18:41 IST

News world US School Worker Gave 11-Year-Old Boy Caffeine To Boost Energy Before Sexually Assaulting Him

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US Urging Zelenskyy To Sign Deal That Could See Ukraine Give Up Territory By Next Week: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 21, 2025, 02:53 IST

American officials are floating a Thanksgiving deadline for Zelenskyy to sign the deal, under which Ukraine could lose territory.

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US President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Ukrainian officials said that Kyiv is coming under intense pressure to accept US President Donald Trumps 28-point peace plan, drafted by his administration with Moscows input.

The plan endorsed by Trump proposes major concessions by Kyiv where they stand to lose the region of Donbas and security guarantees.

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Officials from Kyiv speaking to the Financial Times said that US officials expect Zelenskyy to sign the agreement before Thanksgiving" on Thursday next week.

They also plan on presenting the peace deal in Moscow later this month and concluding the process by early December, the report said.

Ukrainian officials added the aggressive" push is reminiscent of the pressure by Trump on Zelenskyy to accept the deal on mineral rights earlier this year.

Trump administration had informed Zelenskyy that the White House was working to an aggressive" timeline to finalise the proposal and bring the war to a halt before the end of 2025.

Officials from Zelenskyys office told the Financial Times that the timeline set by Washington appears highly unlikely to be achieved".

There were several points that were clear red lines for Kyiv," the officials said, adding that they were working on counter proposals to present to the US side.

Zelenskyys office said on Thursday that the US has formally handed Ukraine the peace plan. The proposal would require Ukraine to cede land under its control in the eastern Donbas, reduce the size of its armed forces by half and let go of vital weaponry.

The president of Ukraine has officially received from the American side a draft plan which, in the American sides assessment, could help reinvigorate diplomacy," Zelenskyys office said.

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The Ukrainian Presidents office said that Zelenskyy is expected to talk to Trump in the coming days about the existing diplomatic opportunities and the key points required to achieve peace".

Our teams  Ukraine and the USA  will work on the points of the plan to end the war," Zelenskyy later wrote on Telegram. We are ready for constructive, honest and prompt work."

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 : Kyiv, Ukraine

First Published: November 21, 2025, 02:43 IST

News world US Urging Zelenskyy To Sign Deal That Could See Ukraine Give Up Territory By Next Week: Report

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Two hours before its opening in University Park, Dallas, there was already a line stretching more than two blocks in front of El Califa de Leon, the renowned Mexican taqueria with a Michelin star. Expectations were sky high for the restaurant, the original of which is based in Mexico City and last year received one of the highest accolades in the culinary world. The opening was part of a temporary collaboration with a company called GrinGO, scheduled to run from October 17th to 25th. But what was meant to be a strategic, unique, and exclusive culinary experience to showcase the flavor and quality of a traditional gaonera taco, the restaurants signature dish, turned into a disastrous affair in which diners had to wait for hours for service that, in some cases, they never received. Mario Hernandez, owner of the business founded in 1968, had to make the difficult decision to close the Texas pop-up venture just 48 hours after opening and retire before his companys reputation was damaged. The Michelin star, awarded in May 2024, opened an international showcase for him, but it also placed upon him the weight of responsibility that comes with meeting expectations and adhering to quality standards.

For us, its a great joy and a great responsibility, Hernandez told local media gathered at the opening. However, complaints began to mount between the second and third day. Some people waited five to seven hours only to find they didnt receive the food they had been waiting for. Others made reservations through apps for a specific time, only to receive an order of three tacos two hours later. There were also those who complained about the price of the food. The gaonera taco, which is made with whole beef steak; the chuleta (pork chop) taco; or the costilla (beef rib) taco, all cooked on a griddle with just salt and a squeeze of lime, were sold for $10, $9, and $12, respectively. Thats almost double or tripledepending on the choice of meatthe price in the capital.

Several factors contributed to Califa de Leons first fiasco outside of Mexico. One of the main ones was a gas leak that forced the postponement of service on the second day. This problem wasnt properly communicated, so many people were unaware and arrived at the restaurant only to find it closed. With the issue resolved, the restaurant reopened on the third day, but the number of people left waiting from the previous day continued to grow, forcing the kitchen to shut down for several hours to restock and prepare the food.

We paid $340 for a reservation for four. It included an appetizer, four Michelin-star tacos, a dessert, and drinks. We received two tacos. The gaonera taco was very dry, and I liked the rib taco, but they were cold. It was clear they were short-staffed and should have prepared better, says Amanda J., a diner who visited the restaurant.

Taqueria El Califa de Leon, located in the San Rafael neighborhood, in Mexico City. Aurea Del Rosario (EL PAIS)

The culinary venture in Texas was organized by GrinGO, a safety and travel app for American and Canadian tourists in Mexico. Hernandez says he has no complaints about the professionalism of the person in charge of the pop-up store that brought El Califa de Leon to Dallas. He admits it received good promotion on social media, radio, and television. However, he acknowledges that his partner, whose name he declined to reveal, lacked foresight in the operational aspects. EL PAIS contacted GrinGO, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

We werent properly prepared, and we didnt take into account the extraordinary response we received from our customers. My wife noticed and told me, Hey, people are really messing with the name of El Califa. I took it to heart and said, Okay, youre absolutely right. We shouldnt be playing with the name like this, and the best thing to do is cancel, with all due respect, because we didnt have the necessary tools to get through this, Hernandez stated over the phone.

In Mexico City, El Califa de Leon has become an international landmark on Ribera de San Cosme Avenue, a famous spot in the capital, in the San Rafael neighborhood, known for the semi-permanent tianguis (open-air market) that occupies most of the south side of the street. The first thing that catches the eye upon entering his small shop, which has remained in the same location for almost 70 years, are the two Michelin Guide signs highlighting the award received in 2024, and confirming this year that it is the only taco stand in the world with the coveted star. The lines arent as long as last year, but the clients still pack the place on any given Thursday at lunchtime. The cuts of meat are on display, and explanations are available in both English and Spanish for local customers and those arriving from out of town.

Facing the griddle where the cuts of meat are cooked, seasoned with coarse salt and a squeeze of lime juice, and where the tortillas are also made to order, a Japanese man, a Puerto Rican couple, and an American customer wait for their order. The three agree that the tacos lived up to their expectations.

Andres Peluche Torres, an expert taster of garnachasMexican street foodand content creator, believes that one of the positive aspects of recognition like the one bestowed by the Michelin Guide is the added value it places on the work of everyone behind this business and the street food industry. Most Mexicans value this type of food, but what this kind of recognition allows is for other cultures and social classes to recognize it and venture to try it. Furthermore, I feel its important that people from outside the area or other neighborhoods also see whats out there beyond certain traditional neighborhoods where the food is usually acknowledged, he explains by phone.

Celebrities are also regulars at this establishment. Paco Ayala, bassist and one of the vocalists of the rock band Molotov, believes the Michelin recognition is well-deserved. He says hes a frequent customer and that what he likes most are the quality of the meat and the saucesthe traditional fresh green and the redwhich are still delicious. He doesnt feel that the recognition has caused a drop in quality or customer service.

Mercedes Hinojosa, a sociologist and professor at UNAM, emphasizes that, ultimately, cuisine is a dynamic and social experience. Its a matter of taste, she explains, which is related to ones own perspective, experiences, biology, taste buds, personal preferences, or memories. She agrees with Torres that the Michelin Guide continues to fulfill its objective of attracting bourgeois consumption and encouraging travel, but cautions that its important to ensure the award doesnt only validate certain types of food.

Mexican cuisine is very diverse and also very dynamic. It has always reinvented itself. A negative aspect would be precisely establishing a standard that aestheticizes and standardizes all food. It is important to recognize and celebrate the culinary diversity of the country; the pozole we eat in the city center is not the same as the pozole eaten further north. The Michelin star has a positive side, but for me, the negative side would be establishing the stars as a standard for what food should be, as a homogenization of what we eat, Hernandez adds by phone.

Hernandez is aware of the pressure hes under. His familys goal is to keep the star for as long as possible. But despite this latest setback, hes also ambitious: To win another star, not just keep the one. Thats my goal, and the goal of the people who work with me. Thats the challenge we face right now. Its a great responsibility.

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Zelenskyy To Speak To Trump Over New Peace Deal That Could See Ukraine Lose Territory

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2025, 23:23 IST

As per reports, the Trump administration and Russian officials drafted a peace proposal that could see Ukraine ceding eastern Donbas and cut its armed forces size by half.

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US President Donald Trump with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (Reuters Image)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received the draft of a new US-backed proposal to end Russias war in Ukraine that could see Kyiv give up the entire Donbas region and cut its armed forces by half, and is expected to hold talks with US President Donald Trump in the coming days, his office said on Thursday.

The matter first came to light when the Financial Times reported that the Trump administration and Russian officials drafted a peace proposal that could see Ukraine ceding eastern Donbas and cut its armed forces size by half, while also abandoning key categories of weaponry and reducing US military assistance.

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Two sources told Reuters on Wednesday that Washington had signalled to Zelenskyy that Ukraine must accept the US-drafted framework to end the nearly four-year-old war, even though these conditions are a red line for Kyiv.

We are ready now, as before, to work constructively with the American side, as well as with our partners in Europe and around the world, so that the outcome is peace," Zelenskyys office said in a statement on Telegram. It said Zelenskyys talks with Trump would include discussion of the key points required to achieve peace".

The President of Ukraine outlined the fundamental principles that matter to our people, and following todays meeting, the parties agreed to work on the plans provisions in a way that would bring about a just end to the war."

What Does The Proposal Include?

According to various reports, the proposal includes territorial concessions and curbs on Ukrainian armed forces. The proposal has not been made public, and the White House is yet to officially confirm its existence.

According to the 28-point Trump plan, Russia would gain full de facto control of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions  collectively the Donbas  even though Ukraine still holds about 14.5% of that territory, based on the latest analysis by the Institute for the Study of War. In other regions, the plan proposes largely freezing current lines of control.

The plan also says that no foreign troops can be allowed on Ukrainian soil and Kyiv would no longer receive western long-range weapons that can reach deep inside Russia. A separate report by Axios said that, under the proposal, the US and other countries would recognise Crimea and the Donbas as legally part of Russia, though Ukraine itself would not be required to do so.

This diplomatic effort comes at an awkward time for Ukraine, with its troops on the back foot on the battlefield and Zelenskyys government undermined by a corruption scandal. Meanwhile, Russia has downplayed any new US initiative to end the war, even as its troops move to capture their first substantial city in nearly two years.

European Leaders Push Back

Meanwhile, European countries pushed back on Thursday against the plan, indicating that they would not accept demands for Kyiv to make punishing concessions. Ukrainians want peace  a just peace that respects everyones sovereignty, a durable peace that cant be called into question by future aggression. But peace cannot be a capitulation," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. "

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said US special envoy Steve Witkoff had, during a phone call on Thursday, underlined the importance of close coordination with Germany and our European partners" in talks to end the war.

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Meanwhile, a US Army delegation, led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and the Armys Chief of Staff Randy George, was in Kyiv and expected to meet Zelenskyy late on Thursday.

(with inputs from Reuters)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : Kyiv, Ukraine

First Published: November 20, 2025, 23:23 IST

News world Zelenskyy To Speak To Trump Over New Peace Deal That Could See Ukraine Lose Territory

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A Rosneft employee at a refinery in Samara looks towards the horizon on February 24, 2022, the day the invasion of Ukraine began.

Russia is offering discounts of up to $23 per barrel before the US presidents measures on its two major oil companies take effect

The sanctions imposed by Donald Trump on Vladimir Putin for his refusal to make concessions in the war against Ukraine have pushed the price of Russian oil down to its lowest level since March 2023. The cost of Urals crude ranged between $36.6 and $38.4 per barrel last week, according to the Argus agency, implying discounts at its ports of up to $23 compared to the Brent benchmark. While this is not a crushing blow that will end the invasion of Ukraine, the new U.S. sanctions are straining a budget in which the Kremlin has allocated 38% of spending to strengthen its war machinery and bolster its repressive forces in the coming years.

The U.S. Treasury Department has set November 21 as the deadline to suspend purchases of crude from Rosneft and Lukoil, two Russian oil giants that sell half of the countrys exported oil abroad.

Lukoil, more exposed to the international market than Rosneft, which focuses on the domestic market, risks being broken up. According to Russian media, bidders for its assets include ExxonMobil, Carlyle, and oil-producing states such as the United Arab Emirates.

Although the new sanctions have not yet come into effect, the market has begun to anticipate their consequences. An Argus report accessed by Russian media indicates that the discount Russian oil companies offer clients for secret purchases via the shadow fleet departing from their ports has risen from $12 at the end of October to between $17 and $19 per barrel in the first half of November. For direct shipments to India, where the crude is refined and sold to the West, the discount increased from $2.20 to $3.79, while for China it decreased from $1.88 to $0.68 per barrel.

However, major Chinese state companies have practically halted all purchases of Russian crude due to the threat of Western sanctions, analysts from Rystad Energy told Bloomberg.

Trumps decision has reversed the fading impact of the $60 cap on Russian oil prices that the West imposed in December 2022. That measure initially forced Russia to apply a discount of up to $30 per barrel, but crafty sanction evasion eroded its effect to less than $5.

President Trump is the peace-and-prosperity president, the U.S. Treasury Department said on X, the social network owned by Elon Musk, and Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to end the senseless killing.

Russia produces around 9.3 million barrels of oil daily, nearly its full capacity, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). In a report published on November 13, the IEA stated that so far Russian exports have continued largely unabated, even as volumes have piled up on water as buyers evaluate compliance risks and possible workarounds.

Crude is circulating around the world as Russian buyers wait to see whether Trumps sanctions are a bluff or serious. According to Bloomberg, the volume of crude loaded onto tankers at sea has increased by 16%, reaching 175 million tons since August. Many ships with unknown final destinations are heading to the Suez Canal from ports in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Arctic.

In addition to the U.S. sanctions, Ukraine has launched a campaign targeting Russian refineries. Rosnefts largest plant, located in the Ryazan region, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of Moscow, has suspended operations for the second time in a month due to drone attacks, according to sources from The Moscow Times. This facility, which accounts for 5% of Russias total refining capacity, brings the total number of plants temporarily closed in November to five.

Although there have been some fuel shortages in certain Russian regions, the impact of Ukrainian strikes has not put Russian production at serious risk. U.S. agency Reuters estimates that Russian refineries have only reduced production by about 3% this year due to the attacks. This is explained by the fact that the Russian refining industry has a total capacity of up to 6.6 million barrels per day, far higher than what it currently uses.

Less money for weapons

The Kremlin is trying to balance increasingly tight accounts after having already spent the funds Russia had built up over the years, including a cushion of foreign currency saved from European countries competing to fill their gas reserves.

The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, is about to finalize next years budget. The Russian government expects to increase revenues to 40.2 trillion rubles (about $438 billion) by implementing a sharp tax hike, from which it hopes to collect an additional $33 billion. Meanwhile, expenditures are projected to rise to 44 trillion rubles (around $480 billion), roughly $15 billion more than last year.

The target is a deficit of 1.6% of GDP, down from the 2.6% projected this year  a fairly large deviation by Russian standards, though smaller than in the West. Nonetheless, it remains one of the Kremlins major concerns, especially since the economy is being driven by war rather than consumption, and hydrocarbon revenues, at 7.5 trillion rubles ($92.8 billion), have collapsed 21% compared to 2024.

The Kremlin plans to allocate approximately 30% of the budget to the armed forces, which equates to about $150 billion. However, Russias military spending is more cost-effective than Europes, since recruitment and weapons production are relatively inexpensive in Russia.

Moreover, this increase in military spending is expected to continue in the coming years. The Russian government plans to allocate 39.5 trillion rubles (around $420 billion) to its armed forces by 2028.

Apart from the war, the Russian government will allocate another 8% of the budgeted expenses, about 3.9 trillion rubles (roughly $43 billion), to security forces that the Kremlin uses to keep both the population and its own internal factions in check.

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Some Borrowdale residents have filed a criminal complaint with ZAAC claiming the acting director of Urban Planning at the City of Harare inappropriately issued a permit to a local church.

The dispute stems from 2019 when the residents clashed with the church, arguing that it was operating at premises designated for residential use.

The residents claimed the church permit lapsed on July 31 due to non-compliance with its conditions and was not extended.

In a letter dated November 12, the residents legal representatives, Kantor & Immerman, said they were acting on behalf of their client, Johannes Jurgens Zwart, and fellow residents.

The letter cites Mugocha, the Acting Director of Urban Planning for the City of Harare, as having inappropriately issued a permit to a local church in defiance of a recent High Court order.

The complaint focuses on a temporary permit issued to the United Methodist Church Borrowdale Circuit for its premises at Number 9 Doveton Road.

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission spokesperson, Simiso Mlevu, confirmed receipt of the letter.

We received the letter, and it will be reviewed soon, she said.

In a case presided by Justice Munangati-Manongwa, the High Court on June 5 ruled that the church must seek permission from the director of Health and the Chief Fire Officer, as required by a 2017 Town Planning Permit, to operate at the premises. In the judgment, the church was interdicted from using the residential property for church services and events, upholding the residents complaints of obstruction, congestion, road blockages, and noise arising from all-night services.

For the church to operate legally, it needed to fulfil specific conditions outlined in an earlier Town Planning Permit from 2017.

These conditions included obtaining permission or license to operate from the Director of Health and permission to operate from the Chief Fire Officer.

The court found that the church had not fulfilled these requirements.

According to the residents lawyers, just days after the courts decision, Acting Director Mugocha acted improperly.

The judgment of the High Court of Zimbabwe was made available on June 6, which was a Friday, the lawyers said in their letter.

On Monday, June 9, the United Methodist Church Borrowdale Circuit purportedly applied to the Acting Director of Urban Planning for a temporary permit and, on the same day, the permit was issued. Such a process cannot be legally completed in a day.

The residents argue that the officials conduct amounts to criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

They accuse him of issuing a permit whose effect is to undermine a judgment of the High Court of Zimbabwe and showing favour to the United Methodist Church Borrowdale Circuit in complete disregard of the rule of law.

The lawyers have formally requested an investigation and potential prosecution. A copy of the complaint has been sent to the Harare Town Clerk. H Metro
Two men were arrested on Tuesday for attempting to sell a hyena nose at a Shopping Centre in Eastlea, Harare.

Andrew Makusele, from Goromonzi, and John Jelester, from Kuwadzana, were caught while looking for potential buyers.

Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson for the Criminal Investigations Department, confirmed the arrest.

She warned the public against the illegal killing of endangered species and highlighted that wildlife was part of Zimbabwes heritage and protecting these resources demanded a collective responsibility.

Muteweri said Andrew and John were charged with violating Section 59(2)AC(B) of the Parks and Wildlife General Regulations S.I 362/1990, as well as Section 128(B) of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14 for unlawful possession of a hyena nose.

In a separate incident, Abraham Chaukura, 50, and his 18-year-old son, Abraham Junior, from Domborutinhira Village in Chief Mutasa, were arrested in Mutare last week.

They were nabbed after detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora, and Fauna Unit received intelligence that they were seeking buyers for two pangolins.

Upon arrest, they failed to produce any permit or license authorising them to possess the pangolins.

Safirio Macben and Mira Nyandoro, both from Hopley, Harare, were arrested by detectives from the CID MFFU for possession of leopard skin.

They were caught in Harares Central Business District while attempting to sell the skin.

In another related case, Vesile Ngwenya, 31, Future Moyo, 35, and Mbongeni Sibanda, 39, all from Thandazo Village in Chief Siphoso, Tsholotsho, were arrested last week for possession of a python skin.

The trio has since appeared in court. H Metro


Nine candidates successfully filed their nomination papers on Thursday to contest the December 20 Nkulumane parliamentary by-election in Bulawayo, setting the stage for a highly competitive race for the seat left vacant following the tragic death of MP Desire Moyo in October.

The candidates, drawn from political parties and independent platforms, all said they were encouraged by Nkulumane residents to stand, signalling a tough contest as each entrant claims a community-driven mandate.

The nine confirmed candidates are:

Esther Auxilia Zitha (Independent)  female, widow to the late MP Desire Moyo

Ethel Sibanda (MDC-T)  female

Nompilo Ncube Malaba (Zimbabwe African National Congress  ZANC)  female

Alson Moyo (Zimbabwe Economic Freedom Fighters  EFF)  male

Rodney Donovan Jele (Independent)  male

Mbuso Fuzwayo (Independent)  male

Freedom Murechu (Zanu PF)  male

Mothusi Madlela Ndlovu (Citizens Coalition for Change -CCC)  male

Siziba Viyo Vivian (ZAPU)  male

The by-election follows the death of Moyo on 10 October 2025 after the vehicle he was travelling in collided with an elephant along the BulawayoGweru highway.

The lawmaker, a member of the opposition CCC then led by Nelson Chamisa died instantly, a day before his 46th birthday.

As an artist, Moyo had served in the Parliaments Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Committee.

In interviews with CITE, most of the nine candidates claimed Nkulumane residents had approached them to seek representation, an indication of both community expectation and a vote likely to be fiercely contested.

ZANC candidate, Nompilo Ncube Malaba, said Thursdays nomination process was far smoother than in 2023.

I contested in 2023 and as for the nomination process this time, it was top notch. I spent less than 30 minutes inside compared to last time when I spent 14 hours. This time there were many improvements , theres order, everything is on point.

She said her candidacy was directly influenced by community voices.

As for this post, I am coming again. When my party asked me to contest in 2028, I refused because the incumbent was doing a good job, but unfortunately hes late. I didnt want to contest because he was doing a good job, but now I promise the people of Nkulumane to take the stick from Desire and continue what he was doing, said Malaba, adding she wanted to fulfil the late MPs vision.

I am not changing anything. Instead, I will take what he was doing for the people of Nkulumane, keep on doing it and do more of his wishes for Nkulumane. I believe he was doing a great job. Thats my promise to the people of Nkulumane if they vote for me.

Ibhetshu LikaZulu Secretary-General, Mbuso Fuzwayo, also contesting as an independent, echoed similar sentiments.

I expect the people of Nkulumane, who I have lived with from my youthful and adult life, will support me. I have lived in Nkulumane and done my political activism in Nkulumane.

He said residents had encouraged him to stand following Moyos death.

They are the ones who asked me to contest after the death of the former MP, whom I respect and worked closely with, especially on issues to do with marginalisation and justice for the people of Matabeleland and Zimbabwe, Fuzwayo said.

Fuzwayo said he intended to be a responsive representative.

Personally, I promise to be a listening person, indoda ethumekayo. They have been supporting me and I expect them to continue doing so. I am confident the people of Nkulumane know my capabilities and will support me. I am grateful.

Independent candidate, Alderman Rodney Donovan Jele, who previously served as councillor for CCC, said he was already familiar with the needs of Nkulumane residents.

I have worked in Nkulumane, I am not new. The only difference now is I will be representing a larger population. I know what the people of Nkulumane want and expect because I have been there and I have delivered. That is why I became an alderman, he said.

He said Nkulumane must reflect its status as one of Bulawayos newer suburbs.

I am prepared to work for them in all manners to meet their needs, working together to develop Nkulumane. Nkulumane is one of the newest suburbs and we want that to be reflected, with young people, new ideas and new programmes that will benefit the community.

On the crowded field, Jele said in a competition, one cannot expect to run alone.

For you to be a winner, you need contestants, the more the merrier. I am ready for the other contestants. I am prepared to be number one on 20 December, he said.

Zanu PF candidate Freedom Murechu said he was happy with the nomination process.

I successfully submitted. The process was very smooth. The party made sure we submitted. I am very happy to represent Zanu PF. We want to see Vision 2030 fulfilled, that is leaving no one behind. I urge all to vote peacefully,he said.

Representing the CCC now led by Sengezo Tshabangu, artist Mothusi Madlela Ndlovu, a popular musician and actor, said he felt compelled to contest after being approached by residents.

People can see your works from afar and realise there is potential. They approached me and encouraged me to take over from where my brother Desire had left, he said.

I could not say no because this seat was filled by an artist and he was representing us. If we dont stand up, who will represent artists and the people of Nkulumane?

Ndlovu said he was ready for leadership.

This is our time to stand up and knock on the doors of top leadership to present our issues. This is democracy, everyone has the right to stand up. I was asked by people to come and offer leadership.

He said residents should not doubt his courage.

People of Nkulumane should not worry. I am not afraid to stand up, I am brave. I will be the voice. What is important is to represent the people. We will knock at the top leadership so that development comes to Nkulumane, Ndlovu said.

Meanwhile, Tshabangu, the CCC leader who also came to support his candidate, dismissed claims that his partys participation would split the opposition vote.

The issue of splitting the opposition votes is not something that can be solely attributed to our candidate. It is a collective approach. We have put forward our best candidate, someone with the best interests of the people at heart, he said.

Tshabangu argued that artists have a strong role in community leadership.

For a change, we want that seat to continue being spearheaded by an artist. Madlela has the tenacity, capacity and appeal, so we hope he will bring the people of Nkulumane together, he said.

Addressing journalists at the close of the day, the Presiding Officer of the Nomination Court from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Richard Sibanda, said the nomination process had gone well but acknowledged the election would be demanding.

It has been a long day today, but the end result is that nine candidates have been duly nominated to contest on 20 December 2025, he said.

It will still be a mammoth task for an election with nine candidates. All the nominations were well received, we didnt have any hitches or problems, save for a few administrative issues with one of our officers not feeling well. But all went well. CITE
A veteran FBI employee training to become a special agent was fired last month for displaying at his workspace an LGBTQ+ flag, which had previously flown outside a field office, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. David Maltinsky had worked at the FBI for 16 years and was nearly finished with special agent training in Quantico, Virginia, when he was called into a meeting last month with FBI officials, the AP reports. He was given a letter from Director Kash Patel and told he was being "summarily dismissed" over the inappropriate display of political signage, Maltinsky's lawsuit said.

The suit, filed Wednesday in US District court in Washington, said Maltinsky had been a decorated intelligence specialist working in the Los Angeles field office and most recently was pursuing a longtime dream of becoming a special agent. In June 2021, the Los Angeles field office displayed a "Progress Pride" flag, which consists of rainbow-colored horizontal stripes and a chevron with black, brown, pink, light blue, and white colors. It's meant to represent people of color as well as the LGBTQ+ community. Maltinsky was given that flag after it had come down and was then displayed at his Los Angeles field office workstation with the support and permission of his supervisors, according to the lawsuit.

Maltinsky had successfully completed 16 of the 19 weeks of training at the FBI Academy at the time of his firing, the lawsuit stated. The suit said he had helped lead diversity initiatives during his time at the bureau as well. President Trump issued an executive order in January ending all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the government. "This case is about far more than one man's careerit's about whether the government can punish Americans simply for saying who they are," Maltinsky's attorney said in a statement. The suit names Patel, the FBI, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Justice Department as defendants. In addition to reinstatement, Maltinsky seeks an order declaring that the defendants violated his First Amendment rights to speech and Fifth Amendment rights to equal protection under the law.
Police had been called twice before on unfounded suspicions of criminal activity to the Indiana home where they say a man later killed a house cleaner he mistook for an intruder, officials said Wednesday. Curt Andersen, 62, was arrested Monday and faces a voluntary manslaughter charge in the Nov. 5 fatal shooting of Maria Florinda Rios Perez, a 32-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, outside his front door in Whitestown. Police say Andersen had reported suspicious activity in 2023 and 2024, but officers found nothing amiss on either occasion, the AP reports.

Andersen, who has lived in the community about 20 miles northwest of Indianapolis for about four years, told police he believed someone was breaking in when he heard people at his door. In reality, Rios Perez and her husband had been hired to clean a model home in the neighborhood and mistakenly tried to enter Andersen's residence. A former neighbor described Andersen as "paranoid about the world" and fearful of crime, noting that he and his wife kept to themselves and rarely socialized. The neighbor, however, considered Andersen harmless.

Andersen, a decorated Navy veteran who served in Japan, told detectives he had made plans for what to do if someone broke into his home, including designating a "safe room." When he heard the couple at his door, he reportedly told police, he was terrified they were going to harm him. Rios Perez's husband, Mauricio Velasquez, earlier told Telemundo that he wanted to see the shooter brought to justice. "It's not possible that he is free, meanwhile, the children are suffering," he said. "Seeing my wife in my arms, already lifeless, covered in blood, I felt like they tore everything from me."
A man accused of setting a woman on fire aboard a Blue Line L train in downtown Chicago on Monday is facing a federal terrorism charge. Prosecutors say Lawrence Reed, 50, doused the victim with gasoline and set her alight in a shocking attack captured on surveillance video. Initial reports said the attack happened during a verbal dispute, but video obtained by police tells a different story. The footage shows Reed, initially seated at the back of the train car, approaching the woman from behind, pouring a liquid over her, and attempting to ignite it, CBS News reports.

The victim initially fought Reed off and fled to the front of the train, but Reed chased her, dropped the bottle while doing so, then picked it up and used the flaming bottle to ignite the woman, who had run to the back of the train, according to an affidavit. He watched as her body was engulfed in flames. The woman, who tried to put out the fire by rolling on the floor of the train, exited the train still on fire at the Clark/Lake station, where she collapsed on the platform. Bystanders rushed to help.

"She was running off the train towards the middle of it, completely engulfed in fire," witness Christopher Flores tells CBS News. "I went over to see what's going on.  She's on the ground crying, burnt to a crisp." The 26-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition with burns to her face and body. Authorities say surveillance footage recorded prior to the attack showed Reed filling a small container with gasoline at a Citgo gas station. He was arrested a day after the attack, still wearing the same clothes and suffering from burns on his hand, according to authorities.

Police said Reed made incriminating statements about the attack after his arrest on Tuesday. The federal terrorism charge against Reed carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Prosecutors said he could face the death penalty if the woman dies. He carried out the attack "with the intent to cause death and serious bodily injury to one or more persons" an ATF investigator said. At a court appearance Wednesday afternoon, Reed repeatedly shouted "I plead guilty!" and claimed to be a citizen of China, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Leaders on both the left and right are criticizing forced recruitment of children by illegal groups more harshly than the states actions

The recent airstrike on a FARC dissident camp led by Ivan Mordisco, in which seven minors were killed in the Guaviare department of the Amazon, has placed Colombian President Petro at the center of an intense political debate. He has been particularly criticized for his shift from zero tolerance for airstrikes killing minors when he was in the opposition, to justifying them now that he is in office.

However, he is not the only politician in a difficult position over this humanitarian tragedy. On the other side, the opposition and the countrys more conservative sectors  who are now demanding explanations  have little political gain to make from this moment, as many had approved airstrikes involving minors during right-wing governments.

Meanwhile, the left, which has championed human rights and demanded the resignation of officials involved in past strikes, has issued less forceful statements against the military. Once again, children are caught in the middle.

One of the officials closest to the president, who has toned down his criticism of the airstrikes, is Interior Minister Armando Benedetti. He is the same politician who, in 2021, while serving as a senator in opposition to former president Ivan Duque, promoted a no-confidence vote against Diego Molano, the minister for defense, for an airstrike that killed 11 minors in the same region, the Guaviare department. It seems were losing the war because we do worse things than the criminals, he wrote at the time on his X account. Four years later, as interior minister, he has been far less vehement.

Armando Benedetti, in the Senate, in Bogota, on May 13. Diego Cuevas

I stand by what the president says, Molano stated during a Wednesday session of the Human Rights Commission in the House of Representatives. If they [the dissident guerrillas] knew there would never be a bombing because minors are present, it would be much easier for them to tell military intelligence that minors are present to protect themselves. What Im saying may sound perverse, but the reality is even more perverse.

With this muted statement, Molano joined a list of politicians attempting to support the president by justifying the attack. According to Benedetti, Colombia lacks the technology for more precise strikes, he added  two defensive arguments he did not have when confronting Molano from the opposition.

A similar situation involved then-senator Roy Barreras  now a presidential hopeful close to the ruling party  who was also key in the vote of no confidence against Ivan Duques first defense minister, Guillermo Botero. Barreras was the one who revealed to Congress that six minors died in a 2019 military operation. Colombia needs a defense minister, not a minister of war, a political agent of the enemys ideology, as Botero was, he said at the time. Barreras claimed, before the government admitted it, that children were among the victims, based on a forensic study.

This time, Barreras again expressed regret over the deaths of minors. But, like other leftist sectors, he has placed more emphasis on the issue of child recruitment by dissidents than the military operation itself. Criminals must be fought, he wrote on social media.

Barreras also clarified that six years ago he did not call for the end of airstrikes, but rather that they must be carried out with surgical precision, responding to an interview in which Guillermo Botero  who was defense minister in 2019  questioned why he was not equally critical now. So far, Barreras has not called for the removal of current Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Roy Barreras, in Bogota, on November 9, 2022. VANNESSA JIMENEZ

Ivan Cepeda, the ruling partys official candidate for the 2026 elections, was one of the most critical voices regarding the 2021 airstrike in Guaviare, in which several minors were killed during the operation ordered by Molano. From Congress, the senator warned that children recruited by armed groups are victims of the conflict and that the state, by carrying out operations without verifying their presence, re-victimizes them.

If it is confirmed that boys and girls died  and you had prior knowledge, I will denounce you for serious violations of IHL [International Humanitarian Law], he said.

Cepedas position now is not as firm as it was when he was in opposition. Although he rejected the airstrike under the current government, he did not demand, as he did years ago, the removal of the defense minister in charge.

Katherine Miranda, an opposition congresswoman, is now urging the left, especially Cepeda, to take a tougher stance on these violations. Dear Ivan Cepeda, I invite you to join me in denouncing President Petro and Minister Pedro Sanchez for serious breaches of IHL. Consistency and principles should not depend on the current government, she said. This is a delicate issue for Cepeda, who has dedicated his entire life to fighting for human rights.

Some on the left have made more drastic shifts. The position of pro-government Senator Wilson Arias, for example, has changed compared to 2021, when he sharply criticized Molano and argued that the state had an obligation to protect children even during military operations. Today, although the senator condemns the death of children in the airstrike ordered by Petro, he nuances his position by retweeting messages that argue that there is a substantial difference between the current operation and the one four years ago. In a post on his X account, he shared a message stating that this time a group of combatants in active combat was targeted, whereas in 2021 the operation took place on a camp where minors were sleeping. His stance, previously focused solely on state accountability, now draws distinctions.

Political dilemmas also exist on the right, especially among those who defended Duques ministers when airstrikes killed minors. While they can point to Petros double standards, former ministers like Botero defend the actions of the current defense minister. The security forces in this case, and in the previous and all other cases, have acted with full force and full caution, Botero told the TV program Noticias Caracol. This is a notable political shift: a prominent Duque-era figure now supports the actions of Petros defense minister.

One politician in this situation is presidential hopeful and Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal, from Centro Democratico (Democratic Center), the party founded by right-wing leader Alvaro Uribe. What you just did in Guaviare with the airstrike  wasnt that a war crime? Theres always a tweet about it, she said, recalling that Patro sent a message describing the Duque-era airstrike that killed minors as a war crime. Beyond that, she has not gone against the current defense minister. At the time of the 2019 strike, she shared messages that seemed to excuse the action.

Maria Fernanda Cabal, in Bogota, on July 20, 2023. NATHALIA ANGARITA

The Democratic Center announced on Wednesday that it will not support the vote of no confidence against Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez. A representative in the Chamber for the party, Jose Jaime Uscategui, said it would be inconsistent that after three years of total impunity, during which we have urged the Public Force and the Ministry of Defense to act, now that they do, we are going to come down on them as if they were the villains.

In the current debate, both the left and right find themselves in the uncomfortable position of presenting very similar versions of the same argument: both claim that if airstrikes are halted out of fear that minors may be present, it actually encourages child recruitment. In this context, political extremes end up justifying military actions similar to those they previously condemned, on the premise that any operational restraint could strengthen the dissidents. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations insist that this logic normalizes the deaths of minors and ignores the states obligation to protect children, even in the midst of war.

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A grand jury in Texas has indicted the man accused of killing King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss on a murder charge, the AP reports. But it is unclear whether Joss' killing will be considered a hate crime . Police in San Antonio did not immediately return an email seeking comment Wednesday on whether its investigation had determined that Joss' sexual orientation played a role in his shooting, and the Bexar County District Attorney's Office declined to comment on the matter. Police allege Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, confronted Joss and his husband on June 1 as they were checking their mail at their San Antonio home, which had been burned down in January.

Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled "violent homophobic slurs" before opening fire. In June, Alfonso Otero, one of Ceja Alvarez's attorneys, said his client was innocent and denied making any homophobic statements. A friend of the 59-year-old Joss has said that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years. The district attorney's office said in a statement Wednesday that Ceja Alvarez "is charged with murder, which is the most serious charge applicable to this crime under Texas law. As the case is still pending, no additional details or information can be released at this time." Under Texas law, a hate crimeif there's a convictionwould be handled as an enhancement during sentencing and not as a separate charge.
Houston's city council has voted unanimously to impose a curfew on e-scooters and similar devices, effective immediately, making it illegal to rent or ride them between 8pm and 4am within city limits. The new rule, passed 13-0 with four members absent, covers not just e-scooters but also ATVs, hoverboards, electric skateboards, and even electric roller skates, the Houston Chronicle reports. The decision follows data from the Houston Fire Department showing that nearly 80% of the 500-plus e-scooter-related incidents since January 2021 occurred during those nighttime hours.

City officials say the ordinance is intended to make Houston's streets safer and more walkable. Mayor John Whitmire said the city has heard "the concerns of residents and business owners," adding that "everyone should be able to walk our streets, dine in our restaurants, and visit our hotels and other venues without someone recklessly joyriding around them." The Houston Police Department and the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department report they've seized 129 e-scooters, impounded 74, cited 51 riders, made eight arrests, and confiscated five guns in connection with e-scooter incidents.

The curfew also applies to privately owned devices, though it doesn't cover mobility scooters for people with disabilities or Segways. There are also exceptions for people traveling home directly from work or school and in emergencies. People who violate the new restrictions could face a fine of up to $500, with a $100 charge to pick up an impounded device, though police say they plan to focus on public education and will initially hand out warnings instead of citations, KHOU-11 reports. In August, when the council was considering a complete e-scooter ban in the downtown area, a coalition of companies said they had invested millions of dollars in the industry and a ban would put hundreds of people out of work, reports Houston Public Media.
President Trump said late Wednesday that the long-awaited meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani would happen in Washington later this week, setting up an in-person clash between the political polar opposites who for months have antagonized each other from afar, the AP reports. The sit-down, which Trump said on social media would take place Friday in the Oval Office, could possibly represent a detente of sorts between the Republican president and Democratic rising star, as Trump has since Mamdani's win moved toward acceptance of Mamdani's central, winning campaign issue of affordability. Calling Mamdani by his full nameand putting the mayor-elect's middle name of Kwame in quotation marksTrump posted Wednesday night that Mamdani had asked for the meeting, promising "Further details to follow!"

Saying it was "customary" for an incoming New York City mayor to meet with the president, spokesperson Dora Pekec said Mamdani planned to discuss with Trump "public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago." During his victory speech earlier this month, Mamdani, a 34-year-old who in just a few short months rose from obscure state lawmaker representing Queens to mayor-elect of the nation's biggest city, said he wanted New York to show the country how to defeat the president. He's also talked about "Trump-proofing" New York once he takes office in January while also promising to work with anyone, including the president, if it benefited New Yorkers.

Trump for months has slammed Mamdani, falsely labeling him as a "communist" and predicting the ruin of his hometown if the democratic socialist was elected. He also threatened to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a naturalized American citizen in 2018, and to pull federal money from the city. But following the November electionin which Republicans lost badly in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and VirginiaTrump has spoken more about affordability, which had been a focal point across Democrats' campaigns, including Mamdani's, even declaring Friday in a social media post that the GOP is the "Party of Affordability!"
Ripley's Believe It or Not! has made one of its most unusual purchases to date: a solid gold toilet with a $12.1 million price tag. The 18-karat, 100-kilogram functioning toilet was sold at a Sotheby's auction on Tuesday , and Ripley's was revealed the following day to have been the sole bidder, reports the New York Times . The company confirmed the purchase on Wednesday, calling it "one of the wildest acquisitions in its history."

The artwork, titled America, was created in 2016 by conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan. Two versions were made, but one was stolen and destroyed in 2019 while on display at England's Blenheim Palace. The surviving toilet was previously owned by billionaire Steve Cohen, who also owns the New York Mets; what he paid for it in 2017 was not disclosed, but the stolen one had been valued at $5.9 million.

Ripley's has not decided where it will display the toilet or whether visitors will be allowed to use it, but the company is exploring those options. The gold alone is worth around $10 million at current rates, according to Ripley's spokeswoman Suzanne Smagala-Potts, making it a particularly "tempting bathroom break." Ripley's paid the equivalent value of gold, which was the starting bid according to the BBC, plus an additional $2 million in premiums to Sotheby's.

The company, known for its oddities and attractions worldwide, intends to keep the toilet as a centerpiece of its collectionit's now the most valuable thing in that collection, ArtNews reports. As John Corcoran, Ripley's director of exhibits, put it: "Finding the unbelievable is our business. But even we never imagined we would one day need a plumber on standby for an art installation."
Mexico has overtaken Canada as the largest buyer of US goods, marking the first time in nearly 30 years that Canada has not held the top spot, according to new data from the US Commerce Department. The figures highlight a significant shift in North American trade dynamics, with Mexico and the US economies becoming increasingly interconnected despite occasional political friction, per New York Times. Just two years ago, Mexico became the leading seller of goods to the US, surpassing China. Now, it also ranks as the top destination for US exports. From January to August, the US exported $226.4 billion in goods to Mexico, slightly edging out the $225.6 billion sent to Canada. In comparison, the US exported $349.4 billion to Canada and $334 billion to Mexico last year.
A new mRNA-based flu vaccine from Pfizer has shown greater effectiveness than the standard flu shot in a large Phase 3 trial, according to results published in the New England Journal of Medicine . The vaccine employs the same messenger RNA technology as Pfizer's COVID-19 shot, and experts have long considered flu prevention a logical next step for the platform, per NBC News . No country has yet approved an mRNA flu vaccine, but the trial results suggest the technology could offer a significant improvement over current options.

Dr. Buddy Creech of Vanderbilt University Medical Center called the vaccine a potential "game changer," noting that mRNA shots can be manufactured more quickly than traditional flu vaccines. This speed could allow scientists to more closely match the vaccine to circulating flu strains, which is a key limitation of current flu shots that must be formulated six to eight months in advance.

The trial, funded by Pfizer, compared the new vaccine with Fluzone, a widely used flu shot. More than 18,000 adults across the US, South Africa, and the Philippines received either the Fluzone shot or the new Pfizer one. The mRNA vaccine reduced flulike illnesses by 34.5% compared with Fluzone, with nearly all infections in the study caused by the H3N2 and H1N1 strains of influenza A. The vaccine also offered protection against two influenza B strains. Side effects, including arm pain and fatigue, were more common with the mRNA shot, but most were mild and resolved within a couple of days.

"This really is exciting and promising," Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage, who wasn't involved in the study, tells the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, or CIDRAP. Despite the promising results, regulatory approval could be challenging. Moderna withdrew its application for a combination COVID-flu mRNA vaccine earlier this year after the FDA requested more data, and Health and Human Services recently nixed nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine research funding.
A Brooklyn driver who killed a mother and her two young daughters while barreling through a red light in March was sentenced Wednesday to three to nine years in prison. Miriam Yarimi, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree manslaughter in the deaths of 34-year-old Natasha Saada and her daughters, Diana, 8, and Deborah, 5, after admitting to running the light, slamming into another car, and plowing into the family as they used a crosswalk. Yarimi, found to be traveling 68mph in a 25mph zone, had a suspended license, a long record of traffic violations, and more than $12,000 in outstanding fines at the time of the crash, per the New York Times .

Prosecutors said she showed no sign of braking and was seen using her cellphone shortly before the crash, which also left Saada's 4-year-old son hospitalized with skull fractures and brain bleeding. The case sparked outrage in the city and renewed calls for tougher penalties on repeat traffic offenders, especially so-called "super speeders." Yarimi had more than 20 speeding tickets at the time of the crash, as well as six red light camera violations, per Spectrum News. The red light she'd sped through before striking the family had been at least the second of the trip, the outlet adds.

Yarimi's sentence was handed down by Judge Danny Chun in Brooklyn Supreme Court, who offered her a lighter sentence in exchange for her guilty plea. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez had recommended the maximum five to 15 years, arguing that Yarimi "cared about only herself" as she "wiped away nearly an entire family." His office had highlighted a jail phone call in which Yarimi said, per WNYW, "Why should I apologize? I'm as much as a victim as they are." Yarimi addressed the court briefly Wednesday, saying she thinks about the victims every day and "that's a punishment in itself." A lawyer for the Saada family said they were "outraged" that they weren't allowed to speak in court and view the sentence as too lenient.
President Trump was not invited to the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney, taking place Thursday, sources tell Axios and CNN . The snub is notable because sitting presidents usually attend the funerals of former vice presidents and presidents. But Cheney, who died earlier this month at age 84, broke with Trump after the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and publicly criticized him in a 2022 campaign ad for his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney. He called Trump a " coward ," adding "there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic."

Trump has repeatedly attacked Liz Cheney, who served as vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee. In 2022, he said she should have guns "trained on her face." Liz Cheney, who lost her 2022 Republican primary to a challenger Trump endorsed, announced last fall that she was voting for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and that her father was doing the same. Last year, Trump said he was "never a fan of Cheney," referring to Dick.

More than 1,000 guests are expected at the funeral at Washington's National Cathedral, set for 11am ET, but Vice President JD Vance wasn't invited either, CNN reports. All living former vice presidentsKamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quaylewill attend alongside former presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, several Supreme Court justices, and congressional leaders from both Republican and Democratic camps.
Some 1,700 years ago, bishops from all over the Roman Empire gathered in what is now Turkey to hash out Christian doctrine. The result was the Nicene Creed, one of the most widely-recited statements of faith in Christianity. Next week, Pope Leo XIV will travel to the site of the original council in Izmir, formerly Nicaea, accompanied by Eastern Orthodox leader Patriarch Bartholomew, to mark the anniversary, the AP reports.

The Nicene Creed remains the most widely accepted creed among Christians. It was drafted in 325 at the Council of Nicaea, which was convened by Roman emperor Constantine in order to address the relationship between Jesus and God the Father. The council rejected the doctrine of Arianism, which held that Jesus was not equal to God. The creed declared Jesus to be of "one substance" with the Father.
The House of Representatives cast a unanimous 426-0 vote on Wednesday to remove a Senate-added provision that could have allowed certain senators to claim at least $500,000 each in taxpayer-funded damages. The provision, which drew bipartisan criticism, was inserted into the legislation that ended the recent government shutdown and would have given the green light to senatorsbut not members of the Houseto file a complaint against the federal government if investigators got hold of their records without their knowledge, per the Wall Street Journal .

The provision is retroactive to 2022 and covers the Justice Department's collection of phone records from eight GOP senators during special counsel Jack Smith's probe into President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Under the provision, senators could be eligible to receive payouts of $500,000 or more. House members from both parties criticized the provision as improper, with Texas Rep. Chip Roy describing it as "self-serving and self-dealing" and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York calling it a "multimillion-dollar slush fund."

Despite their opposition, House Republicans voted to pass the spending package to reopen the government, as making changes would have prolonged the shutdown. The measure eliminating the provision now heads to the Senate; it's unclear how the vote from that body will go. Per the New York Post, Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended the provision on Tuesday, before the House vote. "The House is going to do what they're going to do with it. It didn't apply to them," he told CNN.

"I don't think anybody was talking about taking the money, but I think the penalty is in place to ensure that in the future ... there is a remedy in place," Thune added. GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the senators who could've benefited from the provision, said he actually had planned to sue for "tens of millions of dollars," per the Journal. But Sen. Josh Hawley, another senator whose records were seized, criticized the provision and said he had no plans to seek damages. "I was shocked it was in there, and I think it's a bad idea," he said on Wednesday.
The protests against Claudia Sheinbaums government, which shook Mexico City last Saturday and have been called again for November 20, have been claimed by various actors and groups with diverse interests, including north of the border. In the United States, they have been picked up on by some digital media outlets and commentators from the Trumpian MAGA movement  such as Steve Bannon and Alex Jones, both known for spreading misinformation  to denounce Mexicos supposed transformation into a narco-terrorist state. In a context where the United States has declared war precisely on narco-terrorism in Latin America and has already sunk more than 20 alleged drug-running boats in the waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific, resulting in at least 80 extrajudicial killings, the implication is clear: they are calling for Mexico to be the next target.

Donald Trump spelled it out for reporters at the White House on Monday, when asked if he would consider action in Mexico. To stop drugs? Its OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. This is some big problems over there. If we had to, would we do there what weve done to the waterways? You know, theres almost no drugs coming into our waterways any more. While Sheinbaum flatly rejected the idea of a direct U.S. military incursion into Mexican territory, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also ruled out any unilateral U.S. action, interventionist rhetoric is growing among the presidents electoral base.

Some anonymous and smaller social media accounts have shared messages about it, but most of the coverage of the Mexican protests within the MAGA ecosystem has been on Bannons and Joness programs. Bannons War Room is among the top 10 most-listened-to political podcasts  though its content is more akin to a television news program  while Joness InfoWars website receives over five million monthly visits, according to the analyst firm Semrush. Both have been repeatedly denounced for spreading fake news, to the point that Jones has been convicted and his official accounts have been removed from numerous social media platforms. However, this doesnt seem to have impacted their audiences, and their platforms directly influence public opinion within far-right sectors in the United States.

At this point, each sides narrative lays the groundwork for a U.S. military intervention, albeit with different arguments. Jones, on the one hand, has asserted that the protests against Sheinbaum have spread throughout Mexico and that millions of Mexicans have united in what he calls a popular revolution, when the official attendance figure for Saturdays demonstration was 17,000 people. According to his account, a U.S. military incursion would be necessary to ensure a transitional government allied with Trump.

A still from Steve Bannon's program.

In Bannons program, however, the contextualization is more comprehensive, emphasizing two things in particular: the generational component of the protests, initially attributed to Generation Z, though they have since expanded beyond that group; and the catalyst for dissatisfaction with Sheinbaum that was the assassination of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, in Michoacan. In this case, U.S. intervention has been presented as a direct demand from the Mexican population for Trump to act to remove Sheinbaums government, supposedly under the direct control of the same narco-terrorism that victimizes Americans through the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl.

Both versions are far removed from reality. Sheinbaum is one of the most popular leaders globally, with approval ratings nearing 80%, and there is currently no existential risk to her government, although Manzos death, the insecurity in several states due to cartel activity, and the corruption scandals within her party are having a negative impact on public opinion. For his part, Trump says he is not happy with Mexico, despite the fact that security cooperation between the two countries has strengthened throughout this year and Sheinbaums administration has championed the fight against organized crime as a top priority.

Indeed, extending a hand to further strengthen this collaboration has been the message from the Mexican president in response to questions about a possible U.S. intervention. Sheinbaum was emphatic in her rejection, given that U.S. approval would be legally required for any military incursion into her country. The U.S. Congress would also have to approve any attack or special operations in Mexico; President Trump has asserted that it would be easy to secure the support of legislators from both parties. In fact, several Republican congressmen have been proposing direct attacks on the cartels for years, and some have reiterated this stance, notably Dan Crenshaw, a Republican from Texas, who leads a legislative committee on combating the cartels.

Given the comments from Sheinbaum and Rubio, direct intervention in Mexican territory still seems a distant possibility. But the domestic political context in the U.S. could be fueling a scenario in which attacking Mexico is presented as a relatively easy way for Trump to score points with his base.

A still from Alex Jones's program.

As the saga surrounding Jeffrey Epsteins papers nears its climax, requiring only the presidents signature for their public release, and as various rifts within the Republican base continue to deepen, a direct attack on the cartels in Mexico is a measure with broad support within the party and among its voters that could both divert public attention and appease a significant portion of Trump supporters. While there are no recent polls on the matter, a Reuters survey conducted in 2023  when Joe Biden was president and the fentanyl epidemic was at its peak  found that 64% of Republicans favored sending troops to Mexico to combat the cartels. The partys near-unanimous support for the recent attacks on alleged drug-trafficking vessels suggests that figure could now be even higher.

Although Trump has not accused Sheinbaum of being connected to or belonging to drug trafficking groups, as he has done with the presidents of Venezuela and Colombia, Nicolas Maduro and Gustavo Petro, respectively, he has asserted that he would be proud to directly attack the cartels. Ive been talking with Mexico; they know how I stand. Were losing hundreds of thousands of people to drugs. Weve stopped the waterways, but we know every route. We know every route, we know the addresses of every drug lord, he stated on Monday, despite the lack of evidence that attacks on drug boats have had an impact on the supply of drugs into the United States.

We know their address, we know their front door. We know everything about every one of them. Theyre killing our people. Thats like a war. Would I do it? Id be proud to, Trump stated. The stage for a military intervention, set by the MAGA universe and Trump himself, has been laid. The final outcome is less clear.

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A moment's distraction at the helm turned a routine ferry trip off South Korea into a chaotic dash for safety this week. The New York Times reports that a passenger ferry with 267 people aboard crashed into a rocky islet off South Korea's coast on Wednesday night after the officer at the helm was distracted by his cellphone, according to the local coast guard. The Queen Jenuvia II was on autopilot less than an hour away from its destination of Mokpo, in the country's southwest, when it struck the islet around 8:15pm, per the coast guard chief.

All passengers and crew were evacuated safely, though 27 reported dizziness or minor injuries; 10 News has video of the rescue. "I thought I might die. The sound was too loud," one passenger tells Reuters. The first mate, who was in charge while the captain was off duty, initially blamed a malfunctioning rudder but later admitted he'd been checking the news on his phone at a time when the ferry should have been steered away from the islet, per the Times.

The ship was traveling about 26mph and was on autopilot, though ships typically switch to manual steering in that narrow part of the sea channel, officials said. The first mate, helmsman, and captain, who wasn't in the wheelhouse at the time of the crash, have been charged with injury by gross negligence, a crime that can bring a prison term of up to five years. Investigators are examining the staffers' cellphones, as well as data recorders and security camera footage.
During Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearings, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a key vote, said Kennedy had assured him that the CDC would "not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism." Kennedy has kept his word, but not in the way Cassidy likely envisioned: The Autism and Vaccines page on the CDC's website now has an asterisk after the header "Vaccines do not cause autism." The page states that it has been updated "because the statement 'Vaccines do not cause autism' is not an evidence-based claim," adding: "Scientific studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines contribute to the development of autism."

The page claims that "studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities." The CDC's previous language cited a 2012 review by the National Academy of Medicine and a 2013 CDC study, both of which found no link between vaccines and autism. The most recent update claims the earlier assurances violated the Data Quality Act and says the Department of Health and Human Services has launched "a comprehensive assessment" to investigate the causes of autism. The change has drawn criticism from public health advocates, who point to more than 25 peer-reviewed studies finding no association between vaccinesspecifically the MMR vaccineand autism, the Wall Street Journal reports.

A large-scale Danish study published earlier this year also found no evidence that aluminum in vaccines causes neurodevelopmental harm. Dr. Yvonne Maldonado of Stanford Medicine reiterated, "There is no link between autism and vaccines. Zero. None." Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University, called the change a "dangerous precedent for evidence-based medicine," saying the revision "represents political pressure overriding scientific consensus," the New York Times reports. The Autism Science Foundation said it was "appalled" by the change, reports NBC News. The group called it "anti-vaccine rhetoric and outright lies about vaccines and autism."

NBC notes that other CDC pages haven't been changed, including one for parents stating that "scientific studies and reviews continue to show no relationship between vaccines and autism." Kennedy has long pushed debunked claims about vaccines, and the revision was praised by Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization he founded, reports the Times. There has been no public comment yet from Cassidy, a medical doctor who questioned Kennedy sharply on his beliefs during a January hearing and said he was "struggling" with the nomination.
Federal immigration authorities are wrapping up their enforcement operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, nearly a week after agents arrived in the city , according to Department of Homeland Security officials who spoke to NBC News . The operation, known internally as "Charlotte's Web," led to the arrest of more than 250 people suspected of being in the country illegally. The presence of Border Patrol agents sparked anxiety among Charlotte's immigrant community, with some families going into hiding and small businesses temporarily closing their doors out of fear of raids.

"We've received reliable information that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel associated with 'Operation Charlotte's Web' have departed from the Charlotte area as of this morning," the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a post on X Thursday. The officials who spoke to NBC, however, said Border Patrol agents might return at a later date to continue the crackdown. The federal push expanded to Raleigh on Tuesday, but in a post on X Wednesday night, Janey Cowell, mayor of the state capital, said Border Patrol enforcement "appears to have been suspended," the AP reports.

The Charlotte operation met with significant pushback from residents, with around 100 protesters gathering outside a Home Depot on Wednesday. Residents tracked federal agents and blew whistles to alert people to their presence. The Charlotte Observer reports that nightly protests in east Charlotte had "the feel of a car parade and Latin street festival."

The officials who spoke to NBC said preparations are underway to shift resources to New Orleans for the agency's next large-scale effort. "Swamp Sweep" will target Louisiana and Mississippi, with an eventual goal of arresting 5,000 undocumented immigrants. Documents obtained by the AP indicate the operation could kick off as soon as Friday.
The Trump administration announced on Thursday new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades, advancing a project that critics say could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, as President Trump seeks to expand US oil production. The oil industry has been seeking access to new offshore areas, including Southern California and off the coast of Florida, as a way to boost US energy security and jobs, the AP reports.

The federal government has not allowed drilling in federal waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which includes offshore Florida and part of offshore Alabama, since 1995, because of concerns about oil spills. California has some offshore oil rigs, but there has been no new leasing in federal waters since the mid-1980s.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Sunny skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High -27F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low -26F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.
Vientiane, Nov 21 (News On Japan) - Aiko, the eldest daughter of the Emperor and Empress, attended a luncheon in the ancient Laotian capital of Luang Prabang on November 20th during the imperial couples official visit to Laos, where she delivered her second set of remarks since arriving in the country.

On the fourth day of her stay, Aiko boarded a high-speed train on the morning of November 20th, traveling for roughly two hours from the capital Vientiane to Luang Prabang in northern Laos on a day trip. Shortly after 12:30 p.m. local time, she attended a luncheon hosted by the governor of Luang Prabang Province at a hotel in the city.

During the luncheon, Aiko offered her second address of the visit, beginning by noting that Japan and Laos mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year. She said she was delighted to visit Laos for the first time in such a milestone year and expressed admiration for Luang Prabang, describing it as a place of rich history, beautiful scenery, and a city that draws visitors from around the world.

She expressed her deep appreciation to the governor and residents of the province for their warm welcome, saying their hospitality had left a strong impression.

Aiko added that she had just visited the National Museum and a historic temple, where she felt a profound sense of respect for the traditions and craftsmanship passed down through generations. She also said she was looking forward to viewing Kuang Si Waterfall, one of Luang Prabangs most renowned natural sites, later in the afternoon.

Aiko said she planned to visit Lao Friends Hospital for Children, a medical facility established and operated by a Japanese NPO. She noted that learning how Japanese and Laotian cooperation supports local healthcare brought her great joy.

Reflecting on her fathers 2012 visit to Laos, Aiko recalled being told that he was deeply moved by the long-preserved traditions, culture, and kindness of the people along the Mekong River. She said she hoped to follow in the footsteps of her father and other members of the imperial family by contributing, even in a small way, to strengthening the bridge between Japan and Laos.

She emphasized her wish that younger generations in both countries continue to nurture these longstanding ties, comparing their continuity to the steady flow of the Mekong River.

Aiko said this first official trip abroad on her own would remain a deeply memorable experience. She concluded by expressing her hope that the visit would help further advance the friendship between Japan and Laos.

Later in the day, Aiko was scheduled to visit Lao Friends Hospital for Children, where she planned to meet and interact with young patients receiving treatment. She was also set to visit Kuang Si Waterfall before returning to Vientiane in the evening.

Source: NEWS
The co-presidential regime has released more than 53,000 prisoners under the guise of family coexistence. Analysts warn that this trend strengthens its political control

Three months and eleven days after being pardoned by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, Jose Francisco Salgado arrived at the home of his 81-year-old aunt, Maria Torrez Salgado, to murder her. It was Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 6 a.m., when the convict, who had benefited from the family coexistence program, strangled the victim until she lost consciousness. To commit the crime, he tied a rope around her neck and tightened it completely. He then fled, stealing a television and a cell phone.

Salgado is one of the 53,164 common criminals released by the co-presidential regime in the last decade. In recent years, these releases have been tinged with Sandinista propaganda, which characterizes them as gestures of peace and goodwill, intended for family unity. People have the right to opportunities, said Interior Minister Maria Amelia Coronel Kinloch on November 1, when 1,000 convicts were released.

The common criminals set free raised their release certificates into the air in joy. They took photos and thanked co-presidents Ortega and Murillo. This group was not the only one, neither was it the first. So far in 2025, 8,400 common criminals have benefited from this family coexistence program. Among them are criminals of all kinds, from robbers to perpetrators of femicide who did not complete their sentences. The clearest case is that of Salgado, who had not even served half of his sentence for motorcycle theft when he was pardoned.

The pardoning of common criminals before they have served their full sentences has been criticized, primarily by feminist organizations, which argue that femicides in Nicaragua have increased since these releases. Meanwhile, the Fundacion Sin Limites, a Nicaraguan think tank in exile, has been monitoring this government policy of releasing common criminals for years, specifically its impact on public safety and the political structure of the Sandinista regime. They warn of the high probability of recidivism among these pardoned convicts.

Records indicate that 7.18% of these people reoffended, which shows that a significant proportion of those released do not fully reintegrate into society or abandon criminal behavior, says an analysis by the foundation shared with EL PAIS.

Aside from recidivism, surveys reveal a growing sense of insecurity among Nicaraguans, also linked to pardons for convicts. A recent opinion poll by the organization Hagamos Democracia revealed that 97% of Nicaraguans perceive an increase in crime.

According to prison system authorities, the social reintegration of inmates is promoted through educational programs, ranging from basic literacy to degree-level studies, in coordination with various universities across the country. They also highlight productive activities carried out in prisons, including carpentry, welding, baking, and the production of license plates. However, the aforementioned recidivism rate underscores significant limitations in the system: the courses and tools offered may be of low quality, and individual needs or essential treatments related to mental health and addictions may not be adequately considered, the exiled organization argues.

Strategic function of the regime

Fundacion Sin Limites points out that these releases of common criminals are heavily laden with symbols linked to Sandinismo, where public displays of gratitude toward the presidential couple and the government in general are frequently observed. However, this practice may also be fulfilling a broader strategic function in the political and social arena.

The release of thousands of common criminals, some of whom reoffend, creates a climate of insecurity that worries the public. Fearing robberies, assaults, or other crimes, public attention shifts to everyday security issues, relegating politically significant matters, such as the situation of prisoners of conscience or criticism of the authoritarian system, to the background, the NGO continues. In this sense, these measures not only impact the dynamics of citizen security but also contribute to shaping the common narrative, prioritizing immediate social concerns over structural political debate.

In contrast, Ortega and Murillo have consolidated the judicial system as a political instrument that limits fundamental rights and represses opposition. Arbitrary detentions, the criminalization of people considered to be in the opposition, and violations of the integrity of people deprived of their liberty reflect the absence of judicial independence and effective mechanisms for citizen protection, concludes Fundacion Sin Limites.

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$500,000 to support the health and financial wellbeing of underserved groups

TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Roughly one in five Canadians do not have a primary healthcare provider, with low-income women and families facing even greater barriers to essential health services.1 To help more Canadians get the care they need, Sun Life is launching a program to bring virtual healthcare to underserved communities across Canada.

Bridging the care gap. (CNW Group/Sun Life Financial Canada)

Through partnerships with Families Canada, United Way Greater Toronto, and Centraide of Greater Montreal, more than 10,000 program participants will receive no-cost access to healthcare through Dialogue. Dialogue is Canada's leading virtual healthcare and wellness platform that delivers affordable, on-demand access to quality care.

"Supporting the health and financial wellbeing of underserved groups builds strong and resilient communities," said Jessica Tan, EVP and President, Sun Life Canada. "These partnerships go beyond a traditional donation--they are about empowering people with more options to get timely and quality access to care. This work goes to the heart of our Purpose: helping Canadians achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives."

Sun Life is reimagining how they support communities across Canada with both support services and monetary donations. In addition to virtual healthcare, Sun Life is contributing $500,000 in funding to support community-led programming focused on nutrition education, physical activity initiatives, money management resources, and other programs specifically designed for low-income women and families.

This program is part of Sun Life's global sustainability plan and broader Bridges Initiative which aims to address the needs of underserved groups in local communities through new product and service innovations, philanthropy, advocacy and thought leadership. Sun Life plans to donate $75 million to causes that support underserved groups by 2030 as part of its Bridges Initiative.

Learn more about Sun Life's donations and sponsorships

Quotes from Dialogue and community partners

"Access to healthcare is not just about treating illness--it is about empowering lives. When we remove barriers to medical care, we are not only managing illness, we are creating healthier communities," said Dr. Marc Robin, Medical Director, Dialogue. "This partnership will ensure more people who are underserved have access to timely care at their fingertips, whenever they need it."

"United Way Greater Toronto is thrilled to collaborate with Sun Life on this initiative," said Heather McDonald, President and CEO, United Way Greater Toronto. "By providing virtual healthcare at no cost to our program participants, we are taking a significant step towards reducing health inequities in our region. This program aligns with our mission to create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our communities."

"This partnership with Sun Life will empower family support practitioners across Canada to deliver vital programming that will help families make informed choices about nutrition, physical activity, and budgeting," said Melissa McGuirk McNeil, Interim Executive Director, Families Canada. "By providing access to Dialogue's virtual care platform and funding crucial programs, we're not just addressing immediate health needs but also fostering long-term financial wellbeing. The potential impact for program participants is truly exciting."

"At Centraide of Greater Montreal, we are deeply committed to supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening the social fabric within our communities. Sun Life's initiative to close the care gap through virtual healthcare demonstrates a remarkable dedication to reducing inequalities. By making virtual care accessible to those most at risk, we are not only improving individual health outcomes but also building greater resilience and vitality across our entire society," said Julie Gagne, Interim President and Executive Director, Centraide of Greater Montreal.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.62 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.

To contact Sun Life media relations, please email [email protected]

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada
The launch marks a significant step in making smart home technology easier to use, more affordable, and better adapted to real-life needs in the home.

BURLINGTON, ON, Nov. 20, 2025 /CNW/ - IKEA Canada is launching 21 new smart home products focusing on lighting, sensors, and control -- all built to work with Matter, the universal smart home standard. With this launch, IKEA is rebuilding its smart home system and product range from the ground up. The new launch reflects years of development and testing in real homes, and a growing understanding of how people want smart products to work in their daily life.

IKEA launches new smart home range with 21 Matter-compatible products (CNW Group/IKEA Canada Limited Partnership)

The launch includes both new products and updates to existing categories now built to work with Matter. This means IKEA smart products can connect with a wider range of devices and platforms, making it easier for customers to build a smart home across different brands.

"This launch is about making the smart home experience better and broader. We're upgrading our most-appreciated products while also adding new ones to solve even more everyday challenges. Our focus has been on keeping things simple from setup to daily use, so it's easy for people to start, use and grow a smart home", says Stjepan Begic, Product Developer at IKEA of Sweden.

The updated range focuses on three key segments, that provide the building blocks of a smart home that's flexible, intuitive, and easy to expand over time.

Lighting  The new smart bulb range comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, lumen levels and styles, including colour and white spectrum options, and dimmable features.

 The new smart bulb range comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, lumen levels and styles, including colour and white spectrum options, and dimmable features. Sensors  motion, air quality, humidity and water leakage sensors designed to support wellbeing and prevent damage

 motion, air quality, humidity and water leakage sensors designed to support wellbeing and prevent damage Control  Remotes that make it easy to control devices from a distance, and a smart plug that can turn any product into a smart product.

"Smart home technology hasn't always been accessible or affordable, which is why we're thrilled at IKEA Canada to redefine that! Our Life at Home report revealed that 38% of Canadians want their ideal home to help them save money. By introducing Matter-enabled products, we're empowering Canadians to create a smart home that works for them - making connected living simple, seamless, and within reach for everyone" says Mathias Karlsson, Bedrooms Business Manager at IKEA Canada.

All Matter-enabled products need a smart home hub to work -- like IKEA's DIRIGERA hub, or one from another brand. As a certified Matter controller, DIRIGERA can also manage and control smart products from other manufacturers and brands. As a Matter Bridge, it ensures that existing IKEA non-Matter smart products will also be compatible with platforms using the Matter standard.

This launch is the first step in a broader update of the IKEA Home smart range. Looking ahead, IKEA will continue expanding into new product categories. The strategy is to launch products that are easier to use and more affordable than existing ones.

The products will be introduced at IKEA Canada, both in-store and online, through a phased rollout from January to July 2026.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA

Founded in 1943 in Sweden, IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer, offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 574 IKEA stores, shops and planning studios in 31 countries, including 16 in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 32.6 million visitors to its stores and 162.6 million visitors to IKEA.ca. IKEA Canada operates business through the IKEA vision - to create a better everyday life for the many people and does so through its local community efforts and sustainability initiatives. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit IKEA.ca.

SOURCE IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

For media inquiries: Darcy Greaves, Commercial PR Specialist, IKEA Canada, [email protected]
MONTREAL, Nov. 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Fresh off an unforgettable performance by Charlotte Cardin at Spotify's EQUAL Fest - its very first large-scale festival dedicated to Francophone female artists from around the world -- Spotify Canada is marking its 11th anniversary in Quebec with record growth, new investments in creators and fans, and a deepening commitment to Francophone culture. From international stages to local playlists, Spotify continues to amplify Quebec's voices and bring the province's rich musical identity to audiences around the world.

Spotlighting the Quebec Artists and Francophone Music Making It Big on Spotify

For more than a decade, Spotify has grown from its roots in Sweden to help artists worldwide build loyal audiences -- and in 2025, that partnership is reaching new heights both in and expanding out of Quebec.

Over the past year, Spotify's royalty payments generated by Quebec artists has expanded significantly. Quebec artists are defined as artists self-reporting a Quebec city as their locality. Royalties generated by self-reporting Quebec artists on Spotify alone in 2024 grew over 20% year on year, and the number of self-reporting Quebec artists generating above $10k is growing at each threshold.

Spotify makes discovering Francophone music easier  and Quebecers agree:

4 in 5 Quebecers (82%) agree they can easily find French-Canadian content on Spotify * .

. Francophone music continues to gain popularity, with streams in Quebec up 16% YOY, outpacing global growth in streams of Francophone music throughout 2024 (+15%).

More than half (55%) of all Francophone music streamed in Quebec comes from Canadian artists.

Streams of Francophone music among 1824-year-olds jumped 32% YOY, with nearly 4 in 10 Francophone streams coming from listeners under 29.

Altogether, Quebecers streamed 7.8B minutes of Francophone music in 2025, with listening more than doubling on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (+115%) -- proof that Quebecers are embracing Spotify as a home for cultural expression.

Building Fan-First Experiences

Spotify is also investing in how Quebecers listen, with a new lineup of features that make music more vivid, personal, and connected. These new tools are more than just technical upgrades -- they make it easier for Quebec fans to experience more music, including music in French, discover local cultural moments, and share playlists that celebrate their favourite artists.

Venue Search , letting fans follow their favourite local stages like Montreal's Bell Centre

, letting fans follow their favourite local stages like Montreal's Bell Centre In-app music sharing and chat , for easier discovery and conversation

, for easier discovery and conversation Fine-tuned Taste Profiles and playlist blending for greater personalization

and for greater personalization Lossless audio, delivering crystal-clear sound for all Premium users

Listeners in Quebec and Canada are also engaging with Spotify's newly launched audiobooks offer, with Francophone audiobook listening in Canada up 121% year-over-year - another sign that digital discoverability is augmenting French-language storytelling. And with the launch of Audiobooks+ , listeners now have even more choice and additional hours of storytelling -- perfect for Quebec's most devoted book lovers.

Spotify Canada continues to dive deeper into artists and groups from Quebec, and now features Francophone artists on 24 playlists, with 15 playlists totally dedicated to Quebec and its incredible music scenes - whether it's new Country music, trending R&B, edgy Alternative, or classics for the whole family.

Investing in Quebec Talent

To build on this momentum, Spotify is expanding its on-the-ground presence with new hires dedicated to supporting Canadian and Quebecois artists and audiences.

Nick Younes joins as Francophone Editor, Spotify Canada , curating playlists that spotlight French-Canadian artists for listeners around the world.

joins as , curating playlists that spotlight French-Canadian artists for listeners around the world. Ali Hills joins as Artist and Label Partnerships Manager, Spotify Canada, focused on helping Quebec's artists and labels grow their careers and deepen fan connections.

"Quebec's Francophone music has never travelled this far, this fast -- and Spotify is investing in that growth," said Elizabeth Phipps, Artist and Label Partnerships Lead, Spotify Canada. "We aspire to be a cultural ally to Quebec's fans and artists. When creators have the freedom and tools to connect with fans on their own terms, Quebec's culture doesn't just survive -- it thrives."

Empowering Quebec's Creators

Innovation extends to creators too, with new features helping Quebec voices grow and connect more deeply with audiences:

Tools in Spotify for Artists include Countdown Pages to build anticipation, the Campaign Kit to promote new music, and Clips and Canvas visuals to bring releases to life.

include to build anticipation, the to promote new music, and to bring releases to life. Spotify for Podcasters has rolled out Clips , Host Recommendations and an expanded Partner Program , helping Quebec creators grow their audiences, engage with fans, and earn directly from their shows.

has rolled out , and an expanded , helping Quebec creators grow their audiences, engage with fans, and earn directly from their shows. Spotify for Authors now offers direct publication , promo tools, and audience insights - empowering Francophone authors to better understand and expand their listenership.

Together, these tools are helping Quebec's artists, podcasters, and storytellers build engaged communities, share their craft, and strengthen the province's growing influence in global audio culture. They give Quebec artists and storytellers the ability to directly engage with fans -- empowering them to earn discoverability through their craft and creativity.

As Spotify marks 11 years in Canada and Quebec, the nation's cultural heartbeat has never sounded stronger - with Canadian and French-Canadian culture strengthened in the digital age. With every investment, innovation, playlist, partnership, and performance, Canadian and Quebecois artists are finding new audiences - and Spotify is proud to help their stories travel the world.

* Independent research was conducted by Burson based on 400 Spotify users in Quebec, from September 29 to October 3, 2025.

SOURCE Spotify Canada

Media contact: David Troya-Alvarez, [email protected]
CORAL GABLES, Fla., Nov. 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Sucro Limited (TSXV: SUGR) (OTCQB: SUGRF) ("Sucro" or the "Company"), an integrated sugar refiner focused primarily on serving North American sugar markets, today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025. All amounts are in United States dollars ("U.S. $" or "$") unless otherwise noted.

Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2025

Revenue of $132.9 million on sugar deliveries of 147,853 metric tons

Adjusted Gross Profit 1 of $13.4 million (10.1% Adjusted Gross Profit Margin 1 ).

of $13.4 million (10.1% Adjusted Gross Profit Margin ). Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $7.2 million; EBITDA 1 of $20.8 million.

of $7.2 million; EBITDA of $20.8 million. Net income of $15.4 million; EPS of $1.40 basic and $0.64 diluted.

Refineries delivered 53,873 MT with Adjusted Gross Profit/MT1 of $187.66 (best in the last eight quarters).

Q3 Highlights (unaudited) Three Months Ended Sep 30 Nine Months Ended Sep 30 In 000s of U.S. $ except per share and volume metrics. 2025 2024 Change 2025 2024 Change Sugar Deliveries (Metric Tons) 147,853 181,023 -18.3 % 611,160 494,974 23.5 % Revenue $132,870 $171,992 -22.7 % $519,525 $495,282 4.9 % Gross profit 27,145 21,830 24.3 % 68,823 79,857 -13.8 % Adjusted gross profit1 13,442 13,834 -2.8 % 40,391 44,668 -9.6 % Adjusted gross profit margin1 10.1 % 8.0 %

7.8 % 9.0 %

EBITDA1 20,758 15,296 35.7 % 53,559 60,746 -11.8 % Adjusted EBITDA1 7,172 8,232 -12.9 % 27,489 27,547 -0.2 % Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 5.40 % 4.77 %

5.29 % 5.56 %

Net Income (Loss) 15,367 7,438 106.6 % 29,414 31,136 -5.5 % Per share (basic) 1.40 1.06 31.2 % 2.68 4.49 -40.3 % Per share (diluted) 0.64 0.31 103.3 % 1.22 1.32 -7.1 % Adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered1,2 90.91 76.42 19.0 % 66.09 90.24 -26.8 % Free cash flow1 4 1,493

7,342 9,484















Refineries Results:











Refineries Volume (Metric Tons) 53,873 57,093 -5.6 % 161,149 162,460 -0.8 % Adjusted gross profit1 $10,110 $7,917 27.7 % $24,820 $23,978 3.5 % Adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered1 187.66 138.68 35.3 % 154.02 147.59 4.4 %

1. This is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures of other issuers. Please refer to "Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures (Key Performance Indicators)" in Sucro's Q3 2025 MD&A for further details which is incorporated by reference herein and available for viewing and download on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 2. Net of cash settlements.













"Q3 showed continued execution across our network. While total deliveries were lower year-over-year due to organic wholesale dynamics, refinery margins improved materially, reflecting lower input costs and stronger mix," said Jonathan Taylor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "With commissioning milestones approaching at our new Hamilton, Ontario refinery under development and continued progress at our new University Park, Illinois refinery also under development, we remain focused on disciplined growth and service to our North American customer base."

Results from Operations  Three Months Ended September 30, 2025

Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, decreased by 23.0%, to $132.9 million, from $172.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024. This decrease was driven by lower sales volumes, which were in turn driven by lower wholesale sales of organic sugar in the U.S., as well as by lower bulk raw sugar sales at origin.

Adjusted EBITDA was $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared with $8.2 million for the corresponding 2024 period, a 12.9% decrease, mainly because of lower Adjusted Gross Profit. The decrease in Adjusted Gross Profit was in turn driven by the decrease in wholesale volumes of organic sugar in the U.S. This was partially offset by improved margins (a 35.3% improvement, to $187.66 per MT in Q3 2025) from our refineries in Hamilton and Lackawanna, New York. Notably, our refining operations saw the highest Adjusted Gross Profit of the prior eight quarters. Improvements in our refinery operations reflect the usage of lower cost inputs in Q3, compared to those used in the beginning of 2025, which were carried over from 2024.

EBITDA was $20.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared with $15.3 million for the corresponding 2024 period, a 35.7% increase. Likewise, net income for the three months ended September 30, 2025, amounted to $15.4 million, an increase of $7.9 million when compared to net income of $7.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024. These increases were driven primarily by higher unrealized mark-to-market gains on inventory, explained below.

Results from Operations  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, increased by 4.9%, to $519.5 million, from $495.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. This increase was driven by higher sales volumes, which were in turn driven by greater wholesale volumes of conventional sugar in the U.S., as well as by higher bulk raw sugar sales at origin.

Adjusted Gross Profit was $40.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared with $44.7 million for the corresponding 2024 period. With refinery operations relatively stable year-over-year, the decrease in Adjusted Gross Profit was driven by lower wholesale organic sugar deliveries in the U.S. and a decrease in volumes and margins in our operation in Mexico, reflective of the market-driven nature of our wholesale business in this geography.

EBITDA was $53.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared with $60.8 million for the corresponding 2024 period, a 11.8% decrease. Likewise, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, amounted to $29.4 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 5.5%, when compared to net income of $31.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. These decreases were driven primarily by lower unrealized mark-to-market gains on commodity forward contracts and lower Adjusted Gross Profit.

Operational & Market Update

Organic sugar dynamics: Following the USDA's FY2026 specialty sugar announcement, U.S. organic pricing reflected potential high-tier import economics; Sucro remains uniquely positioned as a stand-alone organic-certified refiner in North America.

Growth projects: Commissioning remains targeted for Hamilton, Ontario (Q4 2025) and University Park, Illinois (Q1 2026); the recently announced Belize refinery joint venture targets initial operations in H1Q3 2026 as previously disclosed.

Award of Share-Based Compensation

The Board of Directors of the Company has awarded  restricted share units ("RSUs") to directors as part of their annual retainer under the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. These RSU awards occur semi-annually in April and November of each year. The RSUs awarded will vest one year from the date of the award. The Company has also granted stock options to acquire an aggregate of [5,000] Subordinate Voting Shares to a consultant of a Sucro subsidiary, with each option exercisable until December 31, 2028 to acquire one Subordinate Voting Shares at a price of C$ per share and vesting over a 25-month period from the date of grant. All awards are subject to regulatory approval.

Q3 2025 Investor Call

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time during which Jonathan Taylor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Stefano D'Aniello, Chief Financial Officer, will discuss Sucro's financial performance for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.

Date: Thursday November 20, 2025



Time: 10:00 am ET



Conference Call: Toll-Free Dial-In Number (800) 836-8184



Dial-In Number (GTA) (646) 357-8785



Please dial in at least five minutes before the call begins.



Replay: Available through December 4, 2025



Replay Access: Toll-Free Dial-In Number (888) 660-6345



Dial-In Number (GTA) (646) 517-4150



Passcode 76481 #



Non-IFRS Measures

Sucro reports certain non-IFRS financial measures, including Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Gross Profit per MT, and Free Cash Flow. These measures are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Reconciliations and definitions are provided in the Company's MD&A for the period ended September 30, 2025 available on SEDAR+ and the Company's website.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding commissioning timelines, market conditions, supply chain dynamics, and expected financial and operating performance. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Important risk factors are described in the Company's MD&A for the period ended September 30, 2025 and other Company filings on SEDAR+. Sucro undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

About Sucro

Sucro is a growth-oriented sugar company that operates throughout the Americas, with a primary focus on serving the North American sugar market. The Company operates a highly integrated and interconnected sugar supply business, utilizing the entire sugar supply chain to service its customers. Sucro's integrated supply chain includes sourcing raw and refined sugar from countries throughout Latin America, and refined sugar from its own refineries, and delivering to customers in North America and the Caribbean. Since its inception in 2014, Sucro has achieved growth by creating value for customers through continuous process innovation and supply chain re-engineering. Sucro has established a broad production, sales, and sourcing network throughout North America with two cane sugar refineries and an additional value-added processing facility, and two sugar cane refineries under development in Hamilton, Ontario and University Park, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). The Company has offices in Miami, Mexico City, Cali, Sao Paulo, and Port of Spain. For more information, visit sucro.us and 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.

SOURCE Sucro Limited

For further information, please contact: Don Hill, Chairman, Sucro Limited, T: (305) 901-5222, E: [email protected]
Few life stories today rival the fascinating and tragic tale of Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic athlete turned one of the Americas biggest cocaine traffickers. Tracked for years by U.S. authorities and on the FBIs Most Wanted list, the Treasury Department announced sanctions against him and his support network on October 19. This network of individuals and companies includes a Canadian lawyer and jeweler, a former member of the Italian special forces, and a Colombian pimp who runs a prostitution ring in Mexico.

Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder for Team Canada [...] is an extremely violent criminal believed to be responsible for the murder of numerous people abroad, including U.S. citizens. Wedding remains a fugitive from justice, currently hiding in Mexico, where he continues to direct drug trafficking, murder, and other serious criminal activities, the Treasury Department said in a statement. The Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also noted that the State Department has increased the reward it is offering for Wedding from $10 million to $15 million.

The statement continues: [Wedding] is responsible for trafficking multi-ton quantities of cocaine through Colombia and Mexico for distribution in the United States and Canada. His criminal organization uses cryptocurrency to move and launder the proceeds of drug trafficking, concealing vast sums of illicit wealth. According to the FBI, the statement adds, Wedding has ordered dozens of murders across the globe, including in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. He employs highly sophisticated methods in both the planning and execution of these killings, demonstrating a level of coordination and ruthlessness that has made him one of the worlds most dangerous fugitives. U.S. authorities have charged Wedding with cocaine trafficking, murder, attempted murder, and racketeering, among other offenses.

Cocaine seized in one of three raids in the Los Angeles area on a group led by Ryan Wedding, in 2024. Christina House (Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)

The Treasury sanctions involve freezing the assets of Wedding and nine other individuals and companies that form part of his alleged criminal operation. OFAC has listed a purported former Mexican security agent, Edgar Vazquez Alvarado, identified as the head of his security team. Vazquez, also known as the General, provides protection for Wedding within Mexico and uses law enforcement sources to locate targets for Wedding. Vazquez is believed to be a former Mexican law enforcement officer with ties to senior Mexican law enforcement officials, the statement said.

In addition to Vazquez, the list includes Weddings wife, Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno, 34, originally from Nuevo Leon in northern Mexico; his Colombian girlfriend, Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias, a 23-year-old whom authorities place near Morelia, Michoacan; an alleged Colombian associate of the Canadian, Carmen Yelinet Valoyes, who, according to OFAC, runs a high-end prostitution ring in Mexico City; Canadian lawyer Deepak Balwant Paradkar, who introduced Wedding to the drug traffickers that have been moving Weddings cocaine and has also helped Wedding with bribery and murder; Canadian jeweler Rolan Sokolovski; and former Italian special forces member Gianluca Tiepolo, the latter two being part of his money laundering network.

The activities attributed to each of them are varied. Miryam Castillo, his wife, is accused, for example, of laundering drug proceeds for Wedding and has helped him conduct acts of violence. Carmen Valoyes is accused of assisting Wedding with the murder of a federal witness in January 2025 and of introducing the alleged crime boss to his girlfriend, Daniela Acuna. The witness in question was Jonathan Christopher Acevedo, a Colombian-Canadian man killed in Medellin, Colombia. Acevedo had served a sentence years earlier in Canada for drug trafficking.

The list goes on: OFAC also states that Acuna received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Wedding, knowing of his activities, and that she assisted Wedding in obtaining information on his rivals. Paradkar, the Treasury says, allowed Wedding and his associates to eavesdrop on privileged communications between Paradkar and his other clients, several of whom Wedding wished to murder.

Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno (left), Wedding's wife, and Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias. FBI

Of his money laundering network, OFAC notes that Sokolovski, the Canadian jeweler, has overseen bookkeeping for Weddings organization and laundered its funds through his jewelry business, which operates under the trade name Diamond Tsar and maintains a storefront in Toronto, Ontario. In addition to using his business as a front for laundering, Sokolovski has transferred millions of dollars in drug proceeds using cryptocurrency, concealing the origins of Weddings profits. For his part, Tiepolo worked closely with Sokolovski to procure and manage Weddings physical assets, including high-end vehicles, such as a 2002 Mercedes CLK-GTR, valued at $13 million, which has been seized by the FBI.

Wedding is an enigma to sociology departments worldwide. A precocious snowboarder, he joined the Canadian national team at 15 and, at 21, competed in the parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Known by the aliases King and James Conrad, after a character in the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island, Wedding comes from a well-to-do middle-class family in British Columbia. After the Olympics, he began studying at a university in the Vancouver metropolitan area, a degree financed by his parents.

But his academic adventure lasted only two years, as Rolling Stone reporter Jesse Hyde, who has been tracking him since 2009, recalls. Drawn to the nightlife and the violent local crime scene of those years, and to the control of the marijuana market, Wedding began a career as a security guard at the citys clubs and bars, while simultaneously setting up a massive marijuana-growing operation. In 2006, authorities seized his warehouses, plants, and equipment, and Wedding had to start all over again. After some ventures in the local real estate market, the Canadian moved into the big leagues of the drug trade and tried to break into the cocaine market.

Pam Bondi announces the accusations against Ryan Wedding, in Washington, November 19. WILL OLIVER (EFE)

Unfortunately for Wedding, one of his first purchases, monitored by the FBI in Southern California, went wrong. Authorities arrested Wedding and sent him to prison. It was 2008. The Canadian spent three years in detention, between San Diego and Texas, until the United States agreed to transfer him to Canada to finish serving his sentence. It seems that his years in prison in the southern U.S. served as a training ground for the trafficker, who, back in his home country, got back to work.

Little is known about Weddings movements over the past 10 years. Like the U.S., Mexican authorities place him south of the Rio Grande, as acknowledged by the federal security secretary, Omar Garcia Harfuch, in March. The Mexican Navy arrested one of his associates, Andrew Clark, in Jalisco last October. U.S. authorities believe that the Sinaloa Cartel, or one of its splinter factions, protects and works with him. He is known to have held meetings in Mexico City in the last two years. He is blond and muscular, standing over 63. It seems unlikely that nobody can find him.

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In Canto XX of Inferno, the first part of The Divine Comedy, Dante bursts into tears upon encountering the magicians, astrologers, and soothsayers. They have been condemned for wanting to know the future, for seeing too far ahead, and now they wander eternally with their faces turned backward, so that their tears fall down their backs.

Emily Segal, author of the novel Mercury Retrograde (2020) and a trend forecaster for major corporations, uses this scene to describe the current nostalgic viewpoint of Generation Z. According to the expert, young people have stopped looking to the future. Like the lost souls in Dantes Inferno, they seem condemned to look backward. The products they consume  remakes, revivals, sequels, and reboots  are stitched together from the scraps of the 20th century, especially those from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Everything new feels familiar.

Disruption and innovation capable of changing the world still exist, Segal argues over the phone, but the dominant cultural landscape is saturated with nostalgic remakes. She cites as examples the fascination with vinyl records, Walkmans, VHS tapes, Polaroids, and the recurring use of archive or vintage fashion on the red carpet, noting that philosopher Mark Fisher already identified this cultural strangulation a decade ago, as he explained in his concept The Slow Cancellation of the Future. His maxim that nothing dies remains valid 11 years later: we are still surrounded by the same zombie-like forms as back then, Segal maintains.

Nostalgia fluctuates. Some generations are more nostalgic than others. And not all generations are nostalgic in the same way. Psychologist Clay Routledge, author of Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life (2023), has been studying this phenomenon for years. According to his survey of 2,000 Americans, 60% of Generation Z would like to return to a time before they were connected, even if that time predates their own lives; 68% feel nostalgic for eras before they were born; 73% are drawn to media, hobbies, or styles from those times; and 78% think that current technology should incorporate design elements from the past.

For Routledge, whats curious about young people is that they arent nostalgic for past moments that belong to their own lives, but for a historical era they didnt live through. He explains that the key lies in observing that the time they yearn for coincides with the period just before the emergence of new technologies. They maintain an ambivalent relationship with technology: in surveys, many say they enjoy its benefits, but at the same time express concern about its consequences. Hence their connection to the pre-digital age, he notes via video call.

Theres a very illustrative example of this particular kind of nostalgia. Its a series of viral videos, some real and others AI-generated, showing groups of teenagers from the 1990s leaving an American high school. Theyre not doing anything particularly interesting or funny. However, watching them interact without a cell phone has an almost hypnotic effect. This feeling of longing is reflected in the comments: Im 20, I wasnt even born when this video was filmed, but it leaves me with a feeling of emptiness. My high school experience wasnt like this. Another user writes: I graduated in 2015. This seems like a good time. Theres not a phone in sight. People are actually talking face-to-face. I wish I could have grown up in a time like this.

More and more initiatives are emerging that seek to counteract technologys dominance over our lives. For years, the European Union has funded Youth Exchange programs, some of which incorporate digital detox experiences. In the United States, there has recently been talk of the dumbphone boom to describe the popularity of basic phones, like Nokias, among Generation Z. Offline parties, where cell phones are prohibited, have also become fashionable. And some are even talking about the return of the slow internet, the blogosphere of the pre-social media era.

The young philosophy communicator Leo Espluga, with over 80,000 followers on TikTok, explained in one of his latest videos that hes been trying to minimize his digital presence for some time. He recommended going outside and walking without a phone, trying to get to places without looking at Google Maps. Its incredible how much energy you have, how many hours suddenly open up for doing things, how fired up your brain is, he said.

The danger of idealizing the past

This phenomenon, which includes a deja vu industry with thousands of young people intent on reviving the codes of the past, offers various interpretations. The philosopher Diego Garrocho, author of Sobre la nostalgia (in English, On Nostalgia, Alianza, 2019), points out that feeling out of step with ones own time can have two effects: opening up new possibilities for the future or fueling a nostalgic view of the past. There are judicious, balanced, and realistic ways of looking at the past, and others that border on the mythological.

Data shows that Generation Z, especially men, is leaning toward more conservative positions. A study by Ipsos and Kings College London reveals that 60% of men in this generation across 31 countries believe that gender equality has gone too far. Democratic dissatisfaction is also growing: according to a 2025 survey by Circle (a private university in Tufts, Massachusetts), only 36% of young Americans trust that democracy can solve the countrys problems, and a mere 16% believe it works well for young people.

For Mario Rios, a political analyst and associate professor at the University of Girona in Spain, youthful nostalgia is a symptom of its reactionary shift. Radical right-wing parties are always nostalgic because they appeal to a mythical past, he explains over the phone. In his opinion, it is a circumstantial reaction to a lack of direction. They live in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. They look to the past trying to undo the decisions that, in their view, have torn us apart as a society. They idealize the nineties, when neoliberalism promised continuous progress as long as the markets kept growing. Routledge clarifies that nostalgia is not always a sign of regression. Properly understood, it can be the opposite of stagnation: a form of creativity and drive. Generation Z looks to a pre-digital past in search of what it perceives as valuable in order to reshape its present, he explains.

Garrocho defends the inspirational potential of nostalgia. He argues that the fact that all political communities are based on a founding myth  always false, to a greater or lesser degree  demonstrates its usefulness. Dreaming of a bucolic past, of a time when we were better, or of a history populated by heroes, can fuel reasonable and fertile hopes for imagining a better world. If we were better (or if we at least dreamed that we were), we are more likely to believe in the possibility of embracing excellence again.

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The Spanish Supreme Court has sentenced Spains chief prosecutor Alvaro Garcia Ortiz to be barred from public office for two years for the crime of leaking confidential information. He has also been ordered to pay fines totalling 7,200 ($8,300) and ordered to pay 10,000 ($11,530) in compensation to businessman Alberto Gonzalez Amador, who has been prosecuted for tax fraud. Ortiz is the partner of Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the premier of the Madrid region, from the conservative Popular Party (PP).

The ruling was not unanimous but passed by a majority of five of the seven judges on the panel. The other two, Ana Ferrer and Susana Polo, have announced they will issue a dissenting opinion. Polo was originally assigned to write the courts opinion and had proposed acquitting the defendant. As a result, the task will now be assumed by the president of the Criminal Chamber, Andres Martinez Arrieta. The Spanish Supreme Court only announced the ruling on Thursday, but the full written judgment has not yet been completed.

The decision comes less than a week after the trial of Alvaro Garcia Ortiz concluded last Thursday afternoon. Garcia Ortiz was accused of leaking an email sent to the Attorney Generals Office by Gonzalez Amadors lawyer. The dissemination of that email  in which the lawyer proposed a settlement with the Attorney Generals Office and admitted that his client had committed two tax crimes  occurred on March 13, 2024. This happened after the Spanish newspaper El Mundo published a report containing a false version circulated by Ayusos circle about her partners negotiations with the Attorney Generals Office. According to that version, it was the chief prosecutor offering a settlement to the businessman, rather than the other way around, as was the case.

The speed with which the Supreme Court resolved this case is unusual, as is the early announcement of the verdict before the full judgment has been drafted. Almost every aspect of this process has been exceptional, as was the case itself  the first ever opened against a chief prosecutor. By announcing the verdict in advance, the court has not yet revealed the reasoning behind the conviction or whether it directly holds Garcia Ortiz responsible for the leak, for which there is no conclusive proof  only indications.

The preliminary ruling announced by the Supreme Court reads: We hereby convict Mr. Alvaro Garcia Ortiz, State Attorney General, as the perpetrator of the crime of revealing confidential data, Art. 417.1 of the Penal Code, and sentence him to a fine of 12 months with a daily rate of 20 and bar him from serving as chief prosecutor for a period of two years, and to pay the corresponding legal costs, including those of the private prosecution. As civil liability, it is declared that the convicted party must compensate Mr. Alberto Gonzalez Amador with 10,000 for moral damages. He is acquitted of the other crimes under accusation [referring to other charges, such as malfeasance and mishandling of documents].

The dissenting opinions by judges Ferrer and Polo will be incorporated into the final judgment. These two judges were the only clearly progressive members of the panel. The five judges who agreed on the conviction are the president of the Criminal Chamber, Andres Martinez Arrieta; his predecessor, Manuel Marchena; and magistrates Antonio del Moral, Juan Ramon Berdugo, and Carmen Lamena.

Garcia Ortiz has maintained his innocence from the beginning and denied leaking the email central to the investigation. During his testimony as the accused, Garcia Ortiz stated that neither he nor anyone in his circle had leaked the email. The truth is not leaked; the truth is defended, he said. The attorney general had refused to resign throughout the process, but will now have to leave office following the Supreme Courts two-year ban. The sentence will take effect upon notification of the judgment, not from the preliminary decision announced on Thursday.

The penalty imposed by the Supreme Court is lower than that requested by the private prosecutions, which sought four to six years in prison and up to 12 years barred from office. The crime for which Garcia Ortiz has been convicted, Article 417.1 of the Penal Code, punishes a public authority or official who reveals secrets or information obtained by reason of their office or position and which should not be disclosed. The prescribed penalty for this crime is a fine of 12 to 18 months and disqualification from public office for one to three years, but if treated as an aggravated offense, can carry one to three years imprisonment and three to five years disqualification. The court chose a mid-range penalty: two years barred from office.

During the trial, held at the Supreme Court between November 3 and 13, 40 witnesses testified, including Alberto Gonzalez Amador; the chief of staff of the Madrid premier, Miguel Angel Rodriguez; former Secretary of State for Communication Francesc Valles; former high-ranking Moncloa official Pilar Sanchez Acera; former Madrid PSOE leader Juan Lobato; and 12 journalists, including three from EL PAIS.

Several testified that they knew Gonzalez Amador had acknowledged his crimes to attempt a settlement before the attorney general received the email at the center of the investigation  some even provided WhatsApp messages as evidence. Three stated that they had access to the email and that it was not Garcia Ortiz who forwarded it. All invoked professional secrecy, a right recognized in the Spanish Constitution, to protect their sources. Among them was Miguel Angel Campos, the journalist from Spains Cadena SER radio network who first reported the leaked email (dated February 2). He stated he accessed its content at noon on March 13, but his source forbade publication until El Mundo had already released a distorted version that Miguel Angel Rodriguez had been spreading for hours.

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A quick look through the archives is enough to see the complex relationship that U.S. President Donald Trump has with women. He insults, humiliates, and offends them as soon as they disagree with him. Shameless, openly sexist, and rude, Trump most recently offended a woman this week, when he insulted a Bloomberg journalist who was asking him about his relationship with the deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Quiet, piggy, the U.S. president snapped at her on Friday night while traveling on Air Force One to Mar-a-Lago, where he escapes on weekends.

There is a shameful public record of Trumps contemptuous and sexist attitudes toward women. On Tuesday, he threatened an ABC News journalist with revoking the networks license after she asked him a question about his relationship with Epstein. Youre a terrible person and a terrible reporter, the president reprimanded her. You ought to go back and learn how to be a reporter. No more questions from you, added an irate Trump at the White House, where he was meeting with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trumps insults sparked a swift reaction on social media, which was flooded with memes caricaturing the Republican. The president also received criticism from members of the Democratic Party for belittling women and journalists, who are simply doing their job by asking questions.

Trumps disparaging remarks about women are frequent, especially when they are politicians or journalists. The New York tycoon often berates members of the media who challenge him with their questions. A couple of months ago, he reprimanded an Australian journalist who was asking him about his business dealings. Shut up, he shouted rudely. Youre hurting Australia very much right now. They want to get along with me, he threatened. Your leader is coming over to see me very soon. Im going to tell him about you.

The occupant of the Oval Office routinely threatens media outlets critical of his policies or administration. He has sued ABC and CNN, won a lawsuit against CBS after suing them for editing an interview, and is threatening to take the BBC to court over a similar case concerning a documentary on the attacks on the Capitol in January 2021. He has also sued American newspapers and news websites.

Trump focuses on insulting women more than men. And these disparaging remarks always have to do with their appearance. They are insults that we consider to be gender-based, Elisa Lees Munoz, executive director of the International Womens Media Foundation (IWMF), told EL PAIS by phone. He knows what happens when a man in power insults a female journalist. Its the beginning of a chain of events where words have consequences. And it invites many other men to escalate that same insult against women, she added.

They know exactly what theyre doing when they start this kind of behavior. Its not just to stop the woman in that specific moment; its to make it very clear to all the other women what will happen to them if they act bothersome, adds Lees, who denounces the democratic backsliding that society is experiencing. Nobody wants to speak out and say whats true and whats right or wrong because theyre afraid of putting themselves in the spotlight.

Although insults may seem harmless, when they come from the head of our government, they often unleash a torrent of abuse against the journalist, the expert states.

Although Trump doesnt reserve insults solely for women, he uses them more prolifically. A few weeks ago, he lashed out at Democratic Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. AOC (the acronym for the socialist leader) has very low IQ, he said. He called Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to become Speaker of the House, an evil woman when, two weeks ago, he was asked about the Democrats decision to retire after 40 years in the political arena.

Trumps brashness and verbal incontinence with women contrast sharply with the coldness he maintains with his wife, Melania Trump, or the distant relationship he is said to have with his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, a Scottish immigrant. She became ill when the current U.S. president was a child, preventing her from overseeing his upbringing for several years. The daughter of a Scottish fisherman who traveled to the United States at 18 to work as a house cleaner, his mother is one of the few women Trump acknowledges admiring.

But Trumps countless speeches are more filled with contempt for women than praise. Just a year ago, during the presidential election in which he faced Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, he said, Kamala is mentally disabled.

The Republican also didnt hold back when attacking The View host Sunny Hostin and actress Whoopi Goldberg, whom he insulted openly. What a dumb woman, he said of Hostin.

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U.S. marshals handcuff Jeremy Ott Thursday on the floor of a casino in Atlantic City nearly two months after they say he escaped from work release. U.S. Marshals Service

A prisoner who walked away from a work release site in Pennsylvania two months ago was captured Wednesday in the casino at Harrahs Resort in Atlantic City, officials said.

Jeremy Ott, 30, escaped from the work site in Warrington, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 27, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

On Sept. 30, the Bucks County District Attorneys Office issued a warrant for his arrest, the service said.

Investigators arrested Ott Wednesday on the floor of Harrahs Resort, the service said in a statement posted to social media.

Photos the service posted to X show fugitive task force members handcuffing the escapee on the polka dot casino floor before leading him away.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force lead a handcuffed Jeremy Ott out of Harrah's Resort after arresting him Thursday. U.S. Marshals Service

According to Central Bucks News, Ott pleaded guilty to charges related to a police pursuit on July 19, 2024.

The pursuit occurred on busy streets in Doylestown, Pennsylvania when Ott, who was driving despite having a suspended license, refused to stop and sped away.

During the incident, he was speeding in a 25 mph zone amid heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

After the car stopped, passengers, including a minor, remained inside while Ott fled on foot into nearby woods.

Central Bucks News reported Ott was arrested Aug. 5, 2024, in Atlantic City.

He later pleaded guilty to a felony charge of fleeing police and three misdemeanors: recklessly endangering others, illegally driving without an ignition interlock device and driving with a suspended license.

Ott avoided prosecution on a felony child-endangerment charge as part of the plea deal, according to Central Bucks News.

Ott was serving a 1-to-2-year sentence when he escaped from the work site, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

At the time of his 2024 arrest, he had five active cases in Bucks County dating from Sept. 2016, the news website reported.
Police in Bergen County are alerting residents to multiple mailbox thefts this year, including one theft that resulted in the arrest of two men from the Bronx.

The Maywood Police Department is advising residents to not drop mail in area mailboxes after three thefts have occurred within the past month.

Mail that contains checks, personal information or cash should be dropped off in collection boxes located inside the post office, according to police.

Police saw two men trying to steal mail from a post office box at 2:38 a.m. on Oct. 27 in the area of West Pleasant Avenue, according to a news release.

Enyer Portes-Herrera, 22, and Justin Gonzalez-Morel, 18, both from the Bronx, were arrested after police found they had stolen mail in their possession, police said.

Portes-Herrera was charged with identity theft, theft of movable property, trafficking personal information of another and possession of burglary tools.

Gonzalez-Morel was charged with conspiracy to commit identity theft and money laundering.

Both were released pending future court dates.

In a separate incident, in the early hours on Nov. 14, someone targeted the same mailbox and were able to remove its contents using a mailbox key, police said.

A third theft occurred on Nov. 18 at 4:31 a.m. when suspects used a key to access the mailbox. They arrived in a vehicle with a stolen license plate attached to it, police said.

Maywood detectives are investigating these incidents along with the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The police department said Maywood borough and surrounding areas have seen an increase in mailbox thefts. The thieves tend to target mailboxes late at night and into the early morning hours to use devices made from rat traps and string to remove the mail, police said.

The thieves have more recently been able to obtain stolen mailbox keys, which makes stealing large amounts of mail much easier, officials said.
A police officer in Bergen County was injured this week when a driver ran a red light, crashing into his patrol vehicle two blocks off Route 17, authorities said.

The crash occurred shortly after 5 a.m. on Tuesday when the driver failed to stop at a red light, entered the intersection of Franklin and Terrace Avenues and collided with the cruiser, according to a police department spokesman.

The officer and the other driver were both conscious when first responders arrived.

The injured men were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, the spokesman said.

A firefighter surveys the scene following a crash that injured a police officer in Hasbrouck Heights. Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department

A review of the officers dash camera showed he had a green light when the second vehicle ran the red light and collided with his patrol car, which sustained heavy front-end damage, the spokesman said.

The police departments Traffic Division is investigating the crash and the 64-year-old driver will likely receive a summons to appear in court, police said.

In a statement, Hasbrouck Heights Police Chief Jeffrey Werner thanked several agencies that responded quickly to the crash.

We are thankful that our officer is home recovering, based on the vehicles damage, the outcome could have been much worse, Werner said.
A Camden County man who ran a hotel-flipping scheme that secured more than $35 million in small-business loans was sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay over $6 million in restitution, federal prosecutors said.

Mehul Ramesh Khatiwala, 43, of Voorhees, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in April and was sentenced on Oct. 16.

Khatiwala owned Delaware Hotel Group and operated several other hotel management and loan brokerage companies in Mount Laurel, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors said Khatiwala and several associates who ran loan brokerage and title and escrow firms devised a scheme to obtain Small Business Administration loans under the guise of buying hotels, then flipped the properties for profit.

From 2018 to 2020, they falsified SBA loan applications, misrepresenting seller identities and the borrowers equity contributions to secure funding. Khatiwala and others admitted using shell companies as straw owners of the entities, officials said.

Khatiwala and another co-conspirator were the true owners and had the straw owners sign purchase contracts, operating agreements and other documents to buy hotel properties in the name of the shell companies.

The group then created a second company to purchase the hotels from the shell companies at inflated prices, working both ends of the transaction.

The higher purchase prices were funded by SBA loans secured through false statements of investor equity injections and other misrepresentations, officials said.

In addition to the prison term, Khatiwala must serve five years of supervised release, forfeit $6 million, pay over $6.01 million in restitution and pay an additional $100,000 fine.

This is the second time Khatiwala has been sentenced to prison for bank fraud-related charges.

He pleaded guilty in 2019 to three counts of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud between 2011 and 2014. He was sentenced on those charges in 2021.

An attorney for Khatiwala did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nick Palmer was recognized by the City of Wildwood for helping a fellow passenger in distress while he was on a flight coming from Florida. Tori Palmer

A Cape May County firefighter was honored for his efforts to help a person having a medical emergency while on a flight from Florida, according to Wildwood city officials.

Nicolas Palmer of the Wildwood Fire Department, was a passenger on a flight from Florida when another passenger went into distress.

Palmer immediately went into action, according to witnesses, and led the effort to stabilize the individual until the flight could land safely. An emergency landing was averted after the person was stabilized with Palmers assistance.

Wildwood Commissioner of Public Safety Steve Mikulski commended Palmer for his quick response to a health emergency  even when hes airborne.

Nicks actions are a perfect example of what it means to be a Wildwood firefighter, said Mikulski. Even off duty, his instinct was to act. His training, confidence, and professionalism helped stabilize a life-threatening situation thousands of feet in the air. We could not be prouder.

Mikulski added that Palmers response reflects the strong foundation built within the Wildwood Fire Department.

This level of preparedness does not happen by chance, said Mikulski. It speaks to the outstanding leadership of Chief Troiano III and Deputy Chief Dunn and the company officers who train, mentor, and set the standard for our firefighters every day.

The city thanked Palmer for representing the community with honor and demonstrating the highest standards of public service both on and off duty.
New Jersey legislators may be considering a statewide policy restricting cellphone use in classrooms. Canva for NJ.com

Efforts to ban cellphones in New Jerseys public school classrooms have a powerful new supporter in Trenton.

State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin told NJ Advance Media that he favors approving a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Coughlin, the second-highest-ranking state lawmaker in New Jersey, said its one of his goals to pass the plan before the current legislative session ends Jan. 20.

The Middlesex County Democrat specifically referenced an Assembly bill, A4882, that would direct the state Department of Education to develop a policy prohibiting non-academic use of a cellphone or social media during classroom instruction, with some exceptions.

Many of New Jerseys approximately 600 public school districts already restrict cellphone use in classrooms but the policies and punishments vary. Some require students to keep their phones off and out of sight, while others provide locations for the devices to be stored during the school day.

The proposed law could help school districts adopt uniform rules banning cellphones bell-to-bell, which means prohibiting use during the entire academic day.

The legislation was introduced in October 2024, but has not been voted on by the full Assembly. The state Senate, the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature, passed its own version of the bill, S3695, in January in a 35-0 vote.

Coughlin said he was at a conference this fall where the speakers were discussing a bell-to-bell school cellphone ban.

And the positive impact that Im hearing about makes me believe that we should be considering that bill. So moving on both of those fronts, I think are going to have a real positive impact, Coughlin told NJ Advance Media earlier this week.

Coughlin gave a succinct answer when asked if he personally supports a bell-to-bell classroom cellphone ban.

Yeah, he said.

The plan needs to be approved by the full Legislature and signed by the governor to become state law.

The statewide ban has been a priority of outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, since January. So far, the effort has stalled.

But Coughlins support is key to the proposal moving out of the Democratic-controlled Legislature during the lame duck legislative session  the timeframe between the November general election and the start of a new legislative session.

State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, is pictured at the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton earlier this year. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

A new statewide policy in New York bars unsanctioned use of cellphones and other devices for the entire school day. The policy, backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, debuted on Sept. 4 in New York City as students returned to classes.

In its report, the state Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage in Adolescents stopped short of calling for a statewide policy or legislation banning cellphones in class, which Murphy endorsed in a speech to state legislators in January.

The school board in Jersey City, New Jerseys second-largest city, prohibited cellphones and other personal communications devices in classrooms starting Oct. 1. Students are allowed to use cellphones during lunch and recess periods but not during bathroom breaks,

Similar to cellphone restrictions in other districts, the Jersey City plan includes exemptions for students with disabilities or health issues.

The lame-duck session comes before Murphy leaves office Jan. 20 after eight years in office. New Jerseys constitution limits governors to serving two terms.

Fellow Democrat Mikie Sherrill won this months high-profile election to succeed him. Democrats also gained five seats in the Legislature.

Read more of the interview with Coughlin in Thursdays What Makes Jersey Run newsletter.
HBO just gave TV fanatics four reasons to celebrate.

The television network has renewed Task, I Love LA, and The Chair Company for season 2 and the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon for season 4.

Task, which premiered in September, stars Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent and former Catholic priest Tom Brandis. Hes put in charge of a task force investigating a string of violent robberies targeting criminal motorcycle gangs.

Weve been incredibly fortunate to have HBOs unwavering support of Task from the very first script onwards, throughout production, and during their extraordinary launch of our first season to audiences, series creator and showrunner Brad Ingelsby said in a statement shared with Variety. I am honored and excited to get back to work on a second season of our show.

The first season of I Love LA kicked off on Nov. 2 and is currently airing. New episodes drop Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET. The comedy series was written and created by its star, Rachel Sennott, who plays aspiring talent manager Maia. To impress her boss Alyssa (Leighton Meester), Maia begins managing her chaotic college friend Tallulah (Odessa Azion), an up and coming influencer.

The Chair Company was also created by its star, comedian Tim Robinson. The comedy thriller follows William Ronald Trosper (Robinson) as he investigates an elaborate conspiracy at his workplace. Season 1 premiered on Oct. 12 and will come to an end on Nov. 30.

The pickup for season 4 of House of the Dragon comes before the third season has even aired. The next installment is expected to premiere in June 2026, although an official release date has not been announced.

READ MORE: Is Peacocks addicting thriller series All Her Fault based on a true story?

Showrunner Ryan Condal previously said that House of the Dragon would end with season 4, but the renewal announcement made no mention of season 4 being the final chapter. The prequel series follows the events that led to the fall of House Targaryen and is set set 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.

All HBO shows are available to stream on HBO Max.
The driver who died after being struck by a British citizen accused of fleeing police in West Deptford was identified Wednesday.

Jose M. Martinez, 42, of Lindenwold, was killed in the Nov. 9 crash after George Linard, 24, fled police that evening, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office.

Linard uses multiple aliases, including Steve Peker, and also identified himself to police as Steve Hall after the fatal crash, officials said.

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.

The borough is patrolled by officers from the West Deptford Police Department.

When officers arrived at the business, located on Hessian Avenue, they spotted a white car that matched the description of the one belonging to the men, investigators said.

Officers approached the vehicle, but it quickly departed the gas station onto Hessian Avenue, according to a criminal complaint.

The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and an officer, identified Wednesday as West Deptford Police Patrolman Conor Goggin, driving in a marked West Deptford police car, used emergency lights to try to pull it over.

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, identified Wednesday as Martinez, 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. An earlier complaint stated that the passenger suffered a dislocated hip.

The two occupants in the Rav4 suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Linard was charged by the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office with second-degree death by auto, fourth-degree assault by auto and fourth-degree fraudulent possession of a government license.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer against Linard last week.

The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office investigates any incident where a person dies during an encounter with police.

The results of the investigation will be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer involved.
A Texas man followed a person who withdrew money from a bank in Woodbury and then broke into the victims vehicle to steal the cash after it was parked somewhere else, officials said.

Woodbury police say the crime  known as jugging is popular in the southern United States and specifically in the Houston area.

The thief rents a vehicle or uses a stolen vehicle and waits outside a bank for someone to walk out with a bank bag or suspected large amount of money, authorities said.

The target is then followed to another location where the victim is either robbed or the vehicle is burglarized.

The Woodbury incident took place Oct. 5 when Reginald Chatman Jr. smashed a vehicles window and stole money.

Chatman, 24, of Houston was charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property after an investigation.

He is jailed in Oklahoma City for a similar crime and will be extradited to New Jersey, police said.

Woodbury police didnt immediately provide additional information on the local incident. In a statement, police said, please familiarize yourself with this crime trend and make sure you are paying attention to your surroundings when leaving a bank or high-end retail store.

Police also advise to avoid being on your phone at a bank as well as concealing bank bags and envelopes.

Chatman was also charged in Nov. 24 for a jugging crime in Arizona that ended with with victim pursuing him and the two men fighting, according to Fox26Houston.com.
UPDATE: The detention hearing scheduled for Linard on Friday, Nov. 21, was postponed to Dec. 1. On Dec. 1, the hearing was postponed to Dec. 4.

A British man accused of causing a fatal crash while fleeing from police in Gloucester County was traveling at 86 mph in a 30 mph zone, according to details included with upgraded charges filed in the case.

George Linard, 24, ignored police efforts to pull him over and disregarded a red light before slamming into another vehicle on Nov. 9 in West Deptford Township, police said.

Jose M. Martinez, 42, of Lindenwold, was killed and others were seriously injured.

Linard appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, according to court documents. Authorities also said he had multiple fake identities, leading to confusion over his true name.

He was charged Wednesday with two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and a second-degree count of eluding. He faces up to 30 years in prison on the first-degree charges.

The facts surrounding this case have not changed based on new charges, Linards attorney, Harley D. Breite, said Thursday. Rather, we become more anxious to receive all of the evidence at the appropriate time to honestly assess all who are responsible.

Data recovered from Linards vehicle showed he was traveling at 64 mph five seconds before the crash and had accelerated to 86 mph at the time of impact, according to the new complaint.

Data also showed that the accelerator pedal was fully depressed for the entire five seconds before the crash.

The collision occurred 16 seconds after Linard fled from police at a gas station, according to details included with the new charges. The entire encounter with police, from officers first approaching Linard at the business until the crash, lasted 25 seconds.

Linard was previously charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto, and with providing false identification to police.

The new charges allege that he recklessly caused a death through extreme indifference to human life.

He was hospitalized with serious injuries following the crash, authorities said.

Linard is scheduled to appear in court on Friday for a detention hearing on his original charges.

He was originally identified by police as Steve Hall, 28, of Waltham Cross, United Kingdom, when he was first charged, but investigators learned that was a phony identity, according to court documents.

He is also wanted on unrelated drug and money laundering charges in Bergen County, authorities revealed when this new identity was discovered. That case also involves a claim that he used a false identity.

Confusion continues over Linards identity.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman said last week that the agency filed a detainer for the man and wants to deport him. They identified him as Steve Peker and said hes a citizen of the United Kingdom who is in the United States unlawfully.

He was previously removed from the U.S., the spokeswoman stated.

She also said he is known to use aliases, including George Linard and Steve Hall.

The fatal crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. near the intersection of Red Bank and Hessian avenues in 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 prosecutors office.

West Deptford police patrol the borough and 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, according to court documents.

Police dashboard camera video from one vehicle showed a second officer activated emergency lights at the gas station, exited the vehicle and approached Linards car on foot, signaling for him to stop.

Linard ignored those efforts and drove out of the parking lot and onto Hessian Avenue.

The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and Patrolman Conor Goggin, driving a marked West Deptford police car, used emergency lights to try to pull it over, police said.

Additional police dashboard video shows Linard rapidly accelerated away from police on Hessian Avenue, then crossed a double-yellow line to pass a vehicle in front of him.

At the intersection with Red Bank Avenue, Linard ignored a red light on Hessian and slammed into the drivers side of the victims car.

Martinez had the right of way, investigators said.

The victims car then struck a Toyota Rav4.

Martinez was killed, while a passenger in the rear of his vehicle suffered a broken leg, police said.

Linard and his front-seat passenger suffered significant injuries, while the occupants in the Rav4 suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Friends and family of the injured passenger in Martinezs vehicle said she was traveling in an Uber.

Because the fatal crash involved an encounter with police, the state Attorney Generals office is also investigating.
The state Supreme Court upheld the exclusion of medical expert testimony on shaken baby syndrome. Canva Illustration for NJ.com

The New Jersey Supreme Court has agreed with the lower courts in finding that expert testimony on the diagnosis of abusive head trauma, known as shaken baby syndrome, isnt scientifically reliable.

The 6-1 decision issued Thursday could have a broader impact on other cases questioning the validity of expert testimony on shaken baby syndrome. Despite being an accepted medical diagnosis for decades, shaken baby syndrome has come under renewed scrutiny in recent years, particularly when a baby shows no physical signs of abuse.

The decision comes after the court was asked to determine whether expert testimony regarding shaken baby syndrome is sufficiently reliable to go before a jury in two separate cases.

Justice Fabiana Pierre-Louis, writing for the court, found that the state failed to prove the reliability of (shaken baby syndrome) testimony in this case, and we affirm the Appellate Divisions judgment.

There was no test supporting a finding that humans can produce the physical force necessary to cause the symptoms associated with (shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma) in a child, according to a summary of the decision.

The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender welcomed the state Supreme Courts decision.

By upholding the exclusion of this testimony, the Court reinforces a core principle of our justice system: criminal convictions must rest on reliable, well-supported scientific evidence. Where the science is uncertain, the stakes are simply too high to permit unsupported expert opinions to decide a persons guilt or to justify separating children from their parents, said Public Defender Jennifer N. Sellitti in a statement.

However, Justice Rachel Wainer Apter warned in her dissent that we are judges, not scientists.

In her opinion, Apter said a better approach would be to allow experts to fully debate the merits of a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis in any particular case.

This case should inspire judicial modesty. It should call to mind Chief Justice Rehnquists warning that judges resist the temptation to believe themselves amateur scientists, Apter wrote.

The state wanted to admit testimony on shaken baby syndrome to prove aggravated assault and child endangerment charges against defendants Darryl Nieves and Michael Cifelli, fathers of infant sons who exhibited associated symptoms while in their respective fathers care, according to the 109-page opinion.

However, in 2018 Nieves asked for a Frye hearing, a type of hearing which is used to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence.

Following a Frye hearing, Judge Pedro J. Jimenez concluded in January 2022 that expert testimony of shaking-only shaken baby syndrome was not scientifically reliable, barred admission of the evidence at Nievess trial, and dismissed the indictment against Nieves.

Cifelli had also requested a Frye hearing to bar testimony on shaken baby syndrome in his case. Over the states objection, Judge Benjamin S. Bucca Jr. adopted the decision barring the testimony in March 2022. However, he didnt dismiss the indictment against Cifelli.

The state moved for a leave to appeal in both cases, arguing that it had established the acceptance of shaken baby syndrome in the medical community and that trial judges should not have barred expert testimony. The Appellate Division granted the leave to appeal, consolidated the appeals, and wound up affirming both trial court decisions.

The Appellate Division held that the evidence supports the finding that there is a real dispute in the larger medical and scientific community about the validity of shaking only (shaken baby syndrome) theory, despite its seeming acceptance in the pediatric medical community, according to the opinion.

A majority of the state Supreme Court ultimately agreed.
Allegiant Airlines customers will soon have more Florida destinations available when traveling to and from Trenton-Mercer Airport.

The new nonstop routes are among 30 that were announced Tuesday by the airlines parent company, Allegiant Travel Company.

The three new Florida routes are Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Punta Gorda Airport and St. PeteClearwater International Airport, the company said in a statement.

Flights to Fort Lauderdale begin Feb. 19, while flights to the other two airports begin Feb. 20, officials said. One-way fares to these airports will go for as low as $69.

The airline said it is known for connecting small to mid-size cities to popular destinations.

Were thrilled to continue Allegiants growth by adding these new routes, Drew Wells, Allegiants chief commercial officer, said in a statement. Our mission has always been to connect travelers to world-class destinations at an affordable price.
The United States government removed Jason Lewis ancestors from Choctaw tribal land twice. The family had left Mississippi more than 200 years ago, when the federal government forced most of the Choctaw Nation to relocate to Oklahoma after pressuring tribal leaders to sign the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in a clearing in Mashulaville on Sept. 27, 1830.

Chief Pushamataha had spent years in negotiations with the government for compensation for the theft of Choctaw land. But when the chief died suddenly in 1824 during a lobbying trip to Washington, the governments consistent pressure won. The tribe lost nearly all of its land and 90% of the states Choctaw population was forced to march west on the Trail of Tears, enduring food shortages, disease and death.

The government moved Lewis family again from their home in Oklahoma to California in the 1940s as a result of the federal relocation program.

Lewis father was the first in the family born in California.

I was born in Los Angeles, (but) Ive always known that Im Choctaw, Lewis told the Mississippi Free Press on Nov. 3. My dad, you know, always kept that part of my identity present, but his father was the last person in our family to speak the language. It wasnt passed on to my dad.

Lewis became interested in learning the language. At 21, he listened to recorded lessons in the language but still found it challenging to grasp it. In 2009, he decided to move to Mississippi.

I knew that (this is) the only place where (the language) actually exists, spoken every day, Lewis said. I can go to the grocery store near here. I can go to a church. I can go to the government office, and somebody is going to be speaking the language there. Thats only possible in Mississippi. So thats why I moved here, to start learning the language.

Lewis now works in cultural content development with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Choctaw Tribal Language Programs Department of Chahta Immi.

Now Im helping keep it alive for future generations, and its pretty cool, Lewis said.

Mississippis only federally recognized Indigenous tribe unveiled a new online language resource in early September. The Choctaw Dictionary Project is a digital resource designed to support language learners of all levels and encourage more daily use of the Choctaw language, both in the workplace and at home. The dictionary includes more than 5,000 words, but it goes beyond mere word lists and definitions. It also includes both recorded and translated stories and histories.

Over 200 years, a lot can happen

Driving through the dense pine trees in the eastern region of the Magnolia State, or in the flat plains of the Mississippi Delta region, motorists encounter many signs they recognize are not common English. The state has many towns and counties whose names are derived from the Choctaw language, like Tupelo, Oktibbeha, Tougaloo and far more.

Many similar words can also be found in southeastern Oklahoma, where the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma resides today after relocating there on the Trail of Tears with those remaining behind forming the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Printed language materials that exist today are now considered old Choctaw or Oklahoma dialect because the Choctaw ancestors who were forced to march on the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma brought the language of the time to the old Indian Territory.

Jason Lewis said that before this project, no one had documented the language of the descendants of the Mississippi Choctaw who resisted removal in the 1830s. During the removal, missionaries who were trying to record the language followed tribal members to Oklahoma. There, they published two or three dictionaries between 1850 and 1915, he said. However, that language varied from the traditional language spoken in the Magnolia State.

The Oklahoma Choctaw have had a writing system since 1815. But basically, the Mississippi Choctaw (language) did not get written down, and it has evolved since 1830, Lewis told the Mississippi Free Press on Nov. 3. You know, over 200 years, a lot can happen. A lot can change. Its very difficult for speakers today in Mississippi to find the words that they say represented in the dictionaries of the past.

Since 2019, the Tribal Language Programs Department has been working to collect stories, develop a consistent set of symbols to represent sounds, and define a system for spelling the various tenses and meanings of similar words.

Choctaw Tribal Language Program Director DeLaura Saunders said preserving the language is important with the youngest members of the tribe not using or hearing the language daily.

So part of our mission is to make sure that we provide language resources, provide this online dictionary, and provide story books or language recordings so that they (will) be able to hear and pronounce the sounds of the chapter language, she said.

The voice of the ancestors

Mobile-Washington County Band of Choctaw Indians and American Indian Movement Alabama Treasurer Melissa Weaver said she is excited to see another resource that would help with the tribes project of establishing a school for Indigenous children of Alabama. She said it would include cultural exhibitions and lessons for those wanting to learn the languages of the tribes that lived in the southeastern region, including Choctaw.

Im excited that it will be available to our Choctaw students attending AIM School for Indigenous Children next fall, Weaver said in a Sept. 24 statement.

Our Chahta Annopa (Choctaw Language) is a living tradition of who we are as a tribe, and with it, the voices of our ancestors, Weaver continued. Speaking Chahta is not just about communicating or conversing; it is a way of honoring our homelands and carrying forward the resilient Chahta legacy.

The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the MBCI a grant in 2020. The grant was a significant boost to the project. However, as the department was nearing completion of the dictionary, the Trump administration terminated the $17,000.

We were unable to archive the interviews and transcriptions because that funding was canceled, Jason Lewis said on Nov. 5. Nor were we able to pay for the final website launch, which was supposed to include a voice search function, trained to recognize Choctaw. So, we are still seeking funds to archive the project outputs and pay for the completion of the website.

He told the Mississippi Free Press that the tribe is working to raise $10,000 to apply as a cash match to a $20,000 grant from the Mississippi Humanities Councils America 250 Mississippi Grants program, due on Feb. 1, 2026. Lewis said the Choctaw Tribal Language Program can accept donations at P.O. Box 6010, Choctaw, MS, 39350.

The tribe plans to continue to add words, interviews and stories to the resource as funding allows. The department is continuing to transcribe interview recordings, stories and add accumulated words.

MBCI Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben highlighted the depth and importance of the Tribal Language Departments work in recording the language.

Our language is not just a means of communication; it is the living spirit of our identity, our stories, our traditions, and our connection to the land and ancestors, he said in a Sept. 8 statement. Preserving the tribal language is vital to preserving who we are as a people.

___

By TORSHETA JACKSON and ROGER D. AMOS/Mississippi Free Press Mississippi Free Press. This story was originally published by the Mississippi Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Federal prosecutors have charged 12 people in a scheme that involved cashing $11 million worth of stolen checks, many of which were pandemic relief payments to businesses.

Charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud are: Wayne Bessant, 44, and John Gerard Ebert, 42, of Hamilton; Britany Brown, 39, and Patricia Kearse, 46, of Philadelphia; Joseph Graves-Carmichael, 43, of Trenton, Andrew Hooper, 37, of New Brunswick, Thomas Lee, 55, of Beverly, Clarence Semmon, 41, of and Dwayne Reddon, 39, of Trenton; Ryan Small, 32, of Ewing, Shabazz Rouzard, 33, of Ewing, and Raymond Wade, 42, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

Ten of the defendants appeared in Newark federal court last week, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a statement on Wednesday. Another was already in custody and one remains at large.

Federal prosecutors allege that the group conspired to deposit the stolen checks at banks in New Jersey and Pennsylvania from March 2023 to May 2025.

In total, they deposited or attempted to deposit 84 U.S. Department of Treasury checks and 27 commercial checks, authorities said.

It is also alleged that they obtained business documents in order to impersonate representatives of the companies the checks were made out to and opened fraudulent business accounts to deposit the checks.

Many of the Treasury checks were refunds issued under the Employee Retention Credit, a program that encouraged businesses to keep their employees on the payroll during the pandemic.

Just as the twelve subjects schemed and conspired to cheat the system by depositing stolen checks meant for COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts, the FBI and our federal partners worked together to follow the facts and evidence that would lead to this charge, said FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. This case is a textbook example of the partnerships we build to prevent fraud against the Government and protect taxpayers from fraud in any form.

Approximately $11 million in proceeds from the scheme was divided among the 12 participants, prosecutors said.

The U.S. Attorneys Office is asking anyone with tips about COVID-19 related fraud to call the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.
A former U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew staff member has been accused of falsely reporting her own assault after authorities found her bound by zip ties in the woods, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said Wednesday. Canva Illustration for NJ.com

A former staffer for Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew who was charged with lying about being attacked in a nature reserve told investigators that Van Drews office has received repeated threats.

Natalie Greene had several cuts on her face, neck, chest and shoulder and the phrase Trump Whore written across her stomach and Van Drew IS RACIST written on her back after Egg Harbor Township police responded to a 911 call made by her friend on July 23, officials said.

In an interview with law enforcement two days after being found in a wooded area of the Egg Harbor Nature Reserve with her shirt pulled over her head and her hands and feet zip tied, Greene claimed Van Drews office has received a package with powder and that our protesters have been really bad lately.

Authorities now say everything she told police was a lie and that she paid a body modification artist to cut her up using a scalpel, in a pattern she had provided beforehand, officials said.

According to charging documents, Greene told investigators she and a friend, identified by authorities only as a co-conspirator were walking on the trail when three men approached them. She said two of the men pulled her shirt over her head, then restrained her wrists and ankles with zip ties. Some of the same zip ties were later found in her green Maserati.

She next said the men hit her in the face and scraped her with an unknown object, causing her to scream in pain.

Greene claimed one of the men said he had a gun and told her not to move while another man held her head to the ground.

Greene then said she started to scream and was told to be quiet or get shot. She said she never saw a gun, but one man pushed an object against her stomach.

Investigators later learned, after reviewing the stores surveillance footage, the friend bought zip ties at a Dollar General Store in Ventnor. The friend had searched for zip ties near me on her phone minutes before making the purchase on July 21.

Later in the interview, Greene said Van Drews office keeps all the hate mail it receives.

She then mentioned we recently got a letter with powder in it and stuff.

She said Van Drews chief of staff reports the threats to Capitol Police as well as police in Northfield, where Van Drews New Jersey office is located.

He calls Capitol Police and then Northfield gets involved, she said.

Northfield police couldnt immediately be reached to verify Greenes claims.

Greene, 26, of Ocean City, was charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements.

The 911 call  made by a Ventnor woman  said three men attacked the two women. The friend told the 911 operator she was able to escape from one man, but that two other men held down Greene.

Heres a portion of that transcript:

Caller: They were attacking her. They were like talking about politics and stuff. They were like calling her names.

911 operator: Did they physically touch her?

Caller: And they said they had a gun and they had a gun. And they said that, and they said that. They said that if we dont be quiet they were going to shoot us.

911 operator: OK did you see the gun or did they just say they had one?

Caller: No, I didnt see it... its like pitch black out here.... They were more focused on her. Like I had one guy holding me down and then the other two were on her. And I was able to run away.

911 operator: You were able to run away but they still have your friend?

Caller: Yeah. I was able to get away from the one guy but she couldnt get away from the two guys.

911 operator: They were holding you down?

Caller: Yeah. They were like trying to keep me like own so I couldnt help her... I dont even think they were worried about me. Like they wanted, they were like...

911 operator: Why did you think they wanted your friend? Whats your friends name?

Caller: They were talking about politics, she works for (Federal Oficial 1). They were like caller her like racist, calling her a whore, like, like.

911 operator: OK. What was her name? What was her name?

Caller: Natalie Greene.

Greene was a constituent services representative for Van Drew, the Republican who serves New Jerseys 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

We are deeply saddened by todays news, and while Natalie is no longer associated with the Congressmans government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her, a spokesperson for Van Drew said Wednesday.
South Jersey Extended Care in Bridgeton, which the Office of the State Comptroller has called one of the worst nursing homes in New Jersey. NJ Office of the State Comptroller

A group seeking to buy a troubled New Jersey nursing home that was kicked out of the Medicaid program last year over allegations of abysmal care will itself be blocked from Medicaid funding by a state watchdog.

The Office of the State Comptroller on Thursday raised fraud and abuse concerns in connection with the proposed sale, including undisclosed financial ties between the buyer and nursing homes current management, as well as a poor track record at nursing homes operated by those associated with the new group.

Its investigation turned up what was described as layers of trusts and limited liability corporations that seemed designed to keep hidden who would actually own and control South Jersey Extended Care in Bridgeton, according to the comptroller.

There was not one red flag  there were several, said Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh, who has called the long-term care facility one of the worst nursing homes in New Jersey.

In a 15-page letter to Bridgeton SNF, the proposed buyer of South Jersey Extended Care (also known as SJEC), the comptroller rejected its entry into the state Medicaid program, citing a lack of candor regarding the ownership group, the terms of transfer, and the continued financial ties to individuals already suspended from Medicaid.

When an owner of a nursing home tries to sell to a group that seeks to hide who is responsible and accountable, Walsh said the state has an obligation to say no.

Without Medicaid funding, any nursing home would not be financially viable.

Attorney Aaron Lichtman, who represents Brighton SNF, said they were surprised by the decision and well certainly be appealing. As for the proposed sale, he said he believed the transfer of ownership could not happen if the ruling were to stand.

One of the reasons to appeal is for the residents, their families and the community, he said, who need skilled nursing facilities like South Jersey Extended Care.

Messages left with SJEC were not returned.

Kevin Walsh, the Acting New Jersey Comptroller Courtesy of Comptroller's Office

The nursing home came under fire last year over allegations by the comptroller that SJEC had siphoned millions of dollars of Medicaid funds out of the facility for years, funneling the money into various side businesses, while leaving residents to live in a dismal, understaffed, and under-resourced facility.

In a scathing, 70-page report, the comptroller wrote that money that could have been used by SJEC to hire additional staff, improve facilities, or enhance resident programs was instead used for owner distributions, consulting fees, and charitable donations to organizations they controlled.

The report also alleged that critical positions were filled with unqualified individuals. They included the director of social work who wasnt a licensed social worker. The director of nursing not only wasnt a registered nurse; her license as an LPN, or licensed practical nurse, had been suspended after she failed to respond to questions regarding her arrest on charges of forging prescriptions, the comptroller found.

In April, a court-appointed receiver was named to oversee day-to-day operations and finances of SJEC on the states behalf, after its owner and those associated with its operations were suspended from the states Medicaid program.

But the comptroller raised a number of troubling questions involving the proposed transfer of ownership to a new entity.

He noted that a former employee of the nursing homes current ownership, who had been operating the facility under an agreement with the sellers, had signed documents stating he was the managing partner with a 30% share in the group that would own SJEC. Yet that individual told investigators he did not know the purchase price, didnt know who would know, and could not recall even signing what he had submitted.

The comptroller also had issues with an unexplained agreement to pay $2 million plus interest to a Nebraska nonprofit, Auschwitz Memorial House of Prayer, which is under the control of a cousin of the nursing homes owner who serves as a vendor for a range of goods and services to the nursing home, according to investigators.

A subsequent $2.7 million wire transfer was sent to Auschwitz Memorial House of Prayer on behalf of Bridgeton SNF for the purpose of obtaining the lease rights to the nursing home property.

The comptroller said it was not clear why the nonprofit was involved in any of those transactions.

But Lichtman said there was no secret to the transaction. He explained that Auschwitz Memorial House of Prayer held the option on the lease for the nursing home.

So they were paid to relinquish their option. The deal was structured by the sellers, the lawyer said.

The state review also found that a trust hid the real owners of Bridgeton SNF, who the comptroller said were part of a group that purchased a Cape May nursing home by borrowing $14.42 million to finance the purchase of both the operations and the property. They then passed on the costs onto New Jersey Medicaid by charging inflated rent payments to a related entity.

When investigators reviewed the track record of the prospective owners who had ties to facilities in Texas, Florida, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, they said most of those nursing homes were among the lowest quality nursing homes in their respective states.

In its letter, the comptrollers office denied the Bridgeton SNF Medicaid application for reasons that included not only the undisclosed financial ties and lack of transparency, but a history of poor care quality, all of which undermine the integrity and best interests of the Medicaid program.

Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, New Jerseys Long-Term Care Ombudsman, said the findings by the comptroller were appalling, but not terribly surprising.

I am thankful that whenever someone tries to buy a nursing home in New Jersey, they are put under a microscope by the State Comptroller, Medicaid Fraud Division, she said. Years ago, this was not the case, and we ended up having too many unscrupulous people who no rational, informed person would trust with their money or the care and well-being of their loved ones. About 40,000 people are in nursing homes in New Jersey alone and those nursing homes collect billions of taxpayers dollars each year. They need all the scrutiny we can muster.
Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting a seafood depot in Newark that was searched by a dozen federal agents and the controversial pardon of a former nursing home operator by President Donald Trump.

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Governor Phil Murphy speaks to the press at the New Jersey State House in Trenton, NJ. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 John Jones | For NJ Advance Media

Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday called on New Jerseys leaders to stay rooted in bipartisanship as his successor prepares to tackle a looming state budget challenge and a potential health care crisis.

Murphy, a two-term Democrat, delivered his final address to the New Jersey League of Municipalities at its annual conference in Atlantic City.

The speech, a tradition for sitting governors, drew hundreds of local officials.

With about two months left in office, Murphys appearance came during a pivotal week: Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill resigned her U.S. House seat after defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a nationally watched race.

Sherrill, also a Democrat, will take office on Jan. 20.

As in past years, Murphys remarks centered on unity. He highlighted his administrations accomplishments, including improved credit ratings and consecutive contributions to the state pension system.

We have never allowed the smallness of politics to stand in the way of getting big things done for the people we serve, he said.

He also pointed to property-tax relief through the ANCHOR program and investments in the Transportation Trust Fund.

Murphy praised local leaders for guiding the state through the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered steep job losses and intense political pressure to lift shutdowns while safeguarding public health.

Managing the pandemic remains a defining part of the governors first term.

He also stressed affordability, saying last weeks election results underscored voters concerns about rising costs, particularly utility bills.

For the second election in a row, the voters of New Jersey have sent a resoundingly clear message to those of us in power: Its the economy, stupid! Murphy said. The people have spoken, and they are demanding that our leaders remain laser-focused on lowering costs.

Thursday marked Murphys eighth address to the league, a voluntary organization that convenes municipal leaders for seminars and networking.

Murphy is now in the lame-duck period, a two-month window when lawmakers rush to pass legislation before new officials are sworn in.

Among the bills under consideration is a ban on cellphones in schools.

The governor did not outline a broad policy agenda but emphasized his plan to stabilize the State Health Benefits Program, which covers about 150,000 county and municipal employees. Enrollment has dropped as towns opt for cheaper plans.

Murphy has proposed spending $260 million in state funds to rescue the program by paying off its debt and creating a reserve fund for unexpected claims.

The plan would reduce available options from 50 to six and require workers to pay higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

We are not done yet, because if you think were going to hang up our cleats before the final whistle, youve got another thing coming, Murphy said.
An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows an offshore photovoltaic project in Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Zhou Guangxue/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 17, 2025 shows a photovoltaic power generation project at Andi Township of Yinan County in Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Wang Yanbing/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 14, 2025 shows a photovoltaic base in Dongsanzhuang of Mengyin County in Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Gong Maodong/Xinhua)

Workers paint a hub of wind power generator at a painting workshop of the wind power equipment manufacturing industrial park in Huimin County, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 19, 2025. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2025 shows a blade storage yard of the wind power equipment manufacturing industrial park in Huimin County, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Workers paint hubs of wind power generators at a painting workshop of the wind power equipment manufacturing industrial park in Huimin County, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 19, 2025. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 18, 2025 shows a floating photovoltaic project of Sinopec Qingdao Refining and Chemical Co., Ltd. in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Zhang Jingang/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 16, 2025 shows a 240-megawatt photovoltaic power generation project in Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Liu Yunjie/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 18, 2025 shows the rooftop zero-carbon photovoltaic installation of the People's Hospital of the Marine Ecological Civilization Comprehensive Experimental Area of Changdao in Yantai City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Zhang Weikang/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 16, 2025 shows an offshore photovoltaic power generation project in the waters of Aoshanwan in Jimo District, Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Liang Xiaopeng/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 18, 2025 shows a "fishery and photovoltaic complementary" photovoltaic power generation project in a subsidence area of coal mines in Binhu Township of Tengzhou City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Song Haicun/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 16, 2025 shows an offshore photovoltaic power generation project in the waters of Aoshanwan in Jimo District, Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Liang Xiaopeng/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2025 shows a floating photovoltaic platform and an offshore photovoltaic demonstration base in the waters of Yantai Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone in Yantai City, east China's Shandong Province. In 2020, China announced that it would strive to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

Shandong in recent years has been making great efforts to contribute to the goals. The coastal province utilizes its topographical advantage to develop green energies both on land and in the sea while building non-fossil energy infrastructure. It is planning a project that integrates storage and transmission of wind and solar power on a saline-alkali tidal area, and a clean energy base mainly depending on photovoltaic power in coal mining subsidence areas.

Meanwhile, Shandong has been actively fostering the energy equipment industry, creating a favorable environment for the progress of both the new energy structure transformation and the energy equipment industry development. (Photo by Tang Ke/Xinhua)
A group of six Jeeps and sport utility vehicles on the beach at Island Beach State Park, Sunday, April 14, 2024. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

New Jersey residents should get first access to vehicle beach passes at Island Beach State Park before opening sales to out-of-state applicants, according to the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.

The commissioners sent a resolution to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Parks and Forestry calling for a brief priority registration period exclusively for state residents.

Vehicle access permits at the park usually sell out within minutes each year, leaving many New Jersey residents unable to obtain passes while out-of-state individuals secure them, officials said.

Ocean County is proud to host several of New Jerseys most beautiful state parks, and we welcome the tourism that supports our local economy - but our Ocean County and New Jersey residents must come first, said Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione in a statement.

Island Beach State Park offers miles of shoreline and recreational opportunities, including surf fishing and beach driving.

Demand for vehicle access permits far exceeds supply each year.

We are not proposing to limit access, Bacchione said. Were asking the state to sequence access in a way that gives New Jersey residents a reasonable window to obtain permits first. Once that window closes, the remaining permits can be made available to everyone. Its a balanced, common-sense approach.

The board said the priority period would ensure equitable access for citizens who contribute directly to the maintenance and preservation of the states parks, fisheries, and coastal resources through taxes, fees, and conservation efforts.
President Donald Trump speaks as he meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

President Donald Trumps approval rating just slipped among Republicans again, according to a new poll.

The new Reuters/Ipsos poll, released Tuesday, showed that Trumps approval rating among Republicans dropped to 82%. This is a five-point drop from the 87% of support he had among his base in early November, according to Reuters.

Overall, Trumps approval rating among all adults hit the lowest of his second term in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. The poll showed just 38% of Americans approved of how Trump was handling his joba stark difference from the 47% approval rating he enjoyed at the start of the year.

The poll came just before the Senate greenlit legislation to compel the Justice Department to release the documents related to Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking case. For months, Trump called the Epstein documents a hoax and urged Republicans to oppose the bill.

He changed his tune over the weekend, telling Republicans to pass the bill to release the Epstein files. Despite his reversal, Americans still overwhelmingly disapproved of how Trump was handling the Epstein scandal.

The poll showed that 59% of Americans disapproved of Trumps handling of the Epstein scandal, including 31% of Republicans, according to Reuters. Just 20% of Americans approved of Trumps handling of the issue, and another 21% said they were not sure.

The poll also comes weeks after Democrats swept closely watched races in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City. Many analysts claimed the Democrats won their elections due to their strong messages on affordability and bringing the cost of living down.

The poll suggests there could be trouble for Trump on the issue of affordability, with just 26% of Americans saying Trump is doing a good job at managing the cost of living. About 65% of Americans, including one in three Republicans, disapprove of Trumps performance on the cost of living, according to Reuters.

Reuters also noted that the poll showed that Trumps net approval ratings on immigration, the economy and the cost of living remain underwater.

Immigration: -10% net approval rating

Economy: -24% net approval rating

Cost of living: -39% net approval rating

The poll was conducted among 1,017 U.S. adults between Nov.14-17. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
President Donald Trump joined several members of his administration in ripping a video featuring six Democrats. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

President Donald Trump on Thursday called for six Democratic members of Congress to face arrest and trial, joining a chorus of administration officials in denouncing a new warning directed to troops.

In a video posted on X, six Democrats called on the military and intelligence community earlier this week to refuse illegal orders that might be issued by the Trump administration.

The lawmakers included Sens. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Kelly (Ariz.), and Reps. Jason Crow (Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Chris Deluzio (Pa.) and Maggie Goodlander (N.H.)  all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds.

We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now, the coalition said in the video. Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens like us.

They added: Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear... You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.

The lawmakers did not specify which orders to the military could be considered illegal. Service members in the U.S. military are required to follow lawful directives under the Uniform Code of Military Justice  though they are not required to obey unlawful orders.

We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.



The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.



Dont give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025

As the video went viral on social media, Trump repeatedly condemned the six Democrats on Thursday.

This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country, Trump said of the video in a post on Truth Social. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???

Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, Trump wrote in a follow-up post. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.

In a third post, Trump added: SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! He also re-posted a user who wrote HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!

The congressional Democrats later responded to Trumps posts in a joint statement posted on X.

Whats most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law, they said. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.

Trumps calls came as members of his administration slammed the video earlier this week, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth writing on X on Tuesday, Stage 4 TDS, referring to the phrase Trump Derangement Syndrome.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller accused the lawmakers on Wednesday of engaging in rebellion against their Commander-in-Chief.

Do not underestimate how dangerously radicalized the Democrat party has become, Miller continued in a post on X.

Miller later claimed on Fox News that the video is insurrection  plainly, directly, without question."

These lawmakers should honestly resign in disgrace and never return to public office again for even daring to think, let alone to say these words and to say them proudly, Miller said in fiery remarks.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also joined Fox News late Wednesday, arguing for a federal investigation into the Democrats featured in the video. He maintained that Trump and administration officials are ordering nothing illegal.

I felt like I was watching a propaganda video by one of our enemies trying to recruit the military to become spies, Blanche said, going on to ask whether what they did is a crime.

During an appearance on Fox News, Crow on Wednesday defended the message in the video, pointing to Trump recently telling troops he is ready to send more than the National Guard into U.S. cities.

Were standing by our troops, our service members who are often put in very difficult positions, and Donald Trump has put them in very difficult positions and has alluded to putting them in even more difficult positions in the months and years ahead, Crow said.

The uproar comes as Slotkin introduced a new bill, titled the No Troops in Our Streets Act, earlier this month, which would limit the Trump administrations ability to deploy the National Guard at home, according to a press release. Since taking office, Trump has deployed troops to Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago as part of his push to combat crime.
Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, joins activists demonstrating against the policies and conduct of President Donald Trump where he hints the possibility of bringing articles of impeachment against as he did in 2017, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP

Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) is pledging an upcoming impeachment effort against President Donald Trump  once again.

Green announced Thursday that he plans on introducing articles of impeachment against the president before the House breaks for Christmas  a long-shot effort given Republicans control the lower chamber.

The movement continues, Green said. This is not a moment in time. It is a movement for all time.

He did not indicate the specific counts of impeachment he would file, but emphasized, This is a participatory democracy. The impeachment requires the hands and the guidance of all of us.

Green is no stranger to trying to impeach Trump. He holds the title as the first Democrat to call for the presidents impeachment on the House floor, though he did not gather the support of his party. It happened in May 2017, when Green urged Congress to impeach Trump over his firing of former FBI Director James Comey.

Green has repeatedly called for Trumps impeachment since then, including in October of the same year, after he introduced, and then walked back, formal articles of impeachment, claiming the presidents statements at the time had incited bigotry against several minority groups.

Greens latest filing  which targeted the president for striking Irans nuclear facilities without congressional approval  died in June, after 128 Democrats, including top leaders, joined all 216 Republicans to kill the measure.

While announcing his next attempt, Green said he will introduce his motion as privileged, meaning it could come up for immediate consideration in the House. It can also be neutralized before the potential for impeachment comes to a vote.

Those who have the courage to stand for liberty and justice for all, you are a part of this movement, Green said in his announcement. You may not know it, but you are. Those who believe that government of the people by the people for the people is a necessity in a democracy, you are a part of this movement.

The White Houses rapid response account on X fired back at Green, posting: These sick freaks should just be honest  theyve been cooking up Impeachment Hoax 3 since the day President Trump wiped the floor with Kamala."

Green, an outspoken progressive, made headlines earlier this year after the House voted to censure him for disrupting Trumps joint address to Congress.

The House has impeached Trump twice during his first term in office, including in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction, and in 2021 for inciting an insurrection. The Senate voted to acquit him in both cases.
In this file photo from April, Steve Tully, executive director for the Association of State, County and Municipal Employees in New Jersey, speaks during a rally outside the Statehouse in Trenton, NJ. The unions that represent some 75,000 public sector workers in N.J. called for legislation to ensure more affordable healthcare and improved governance and transparency of the State Health Benefits Program. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

The State Health Benefits Program that insures nearly 150,000 county and municipal employees in New Jersey is broke and headed for collapse next year, unless members agree to pay thousands of dollars more for their coverage, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday.

The Democratic governor proposed spending $260 million in state funds to rescue the program by paying off its debt and creating a reserve fund to pay unforeseen excessive claims. But workers would have to pay much more in premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They will also see their choice of plans reduced from 50 to six, according to the governors office.

Premiums have risen 59% over the last three years, causing dozens of the largest counties and municipalities to flee for cheaper insurance options. Thats left behind a weaker, sicker pool of members and a program that is headed for disaster, state officials have said.

Murphy outlined the proposal in a speech at the New Jersey League of Municipalities annual conference in Atlantic City, which is heavily attended by members of the state Legislature, labor leaders and local government officials.

A majority of the 40-member state Senate and 80-member state Assembly would have to approve a bill containing his proposed changes  and fast. Murphy leaves office after eight years on Jan. 20, when Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill becomes New Jerseys chief executive and inherits this problem.

Unless we take sweeping action  now  to shore up this program, there are tens of thousands of New Jerseyans whose access to health care will be in serious jeopardy. And next Junes rate increases will be astronomical. We cannot allow that to happen," Murphy said in his speech.

Our administration is willing to provide a quarter-billion dollars in the short-term to keep the State Health Benefits Program for Local Government solvent in exchange for smart, structural reforms that will stabilize the program in the long-term, Murphy said, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. Of course, achieving this goal will require hard decisions. But that is what good government is all about: making reasonable reforms to advance the public good.

The proposal will likely alarm many of the 146,000 state and local government workers who are accustomed to having the state pay for 98% of insurance costs while shouldering modest co-pays and premiums. Generous health benefits have long been the incentive for people to take government jobs that tend to pay less than opportunities in the private sector.

At least one labor leaders briefed on Murphys proposal before the speech rejected it, calling it a joke.

Any legislator that would listen to Gov. Murphy when it comes to health care should have their head examined, said Steve Tully, executive director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees New Jersey.

This is not a reform, its an insurance executive dream, something they are trying to ram down our throats, added Tully, whose union represents 20,000 local, state and higher education workers.

Labor leaders have repeatedly asked the state to adopt strategies to hold down the rising costs of health care, such as reimbursing hospitals and doctors based on what Medicare pays to cover people 65 and older and disabled, Tully said. This proposal, aside from the $260 million bailout, doesnt measure up.

Asking people to pay more without addressing the root cause of the problem is ridiculous, he said.

State officials and health policy experts say its time state taxpayers are spared the cost of these generous benefits that are out of step with the higher premiums and deductibles in the private sector.

Workers would see their copays triple in some casesfrom $10 to $30 for a doctors visit, and from $75 to $300 for emergency room care, according to a description of a new Preferred Provider Organization or PPO plan.

Pricier deductibles would also apply under the new PPO plan. Members now pay no deductible for in-network care and a $250 deductible for a familys out-of-network coverage, according to the State Treasury Department. But workers and their families would face a $2,500 deductible for in-network care and a $5,000 deductible for out-of-network care.

Members would also be offered a high-deductible plan, and a tiered-network plan which traditionally saves money by limiting which doctors or hospitals are covered. The state would cover 78% of costs in the high-deductible plan and 88% in the PPO plan, officials said.

The state would also save money by reducing the number health plan choices to just three each from Aetna and Horizon, according to the proposal.

The states contribution would help stabilize the roughly $2.27 billion insurance program by paying $260 million  a $180 million loan to settle past claims and $80 million to place in reserve should expenses soar unexpectedly. The investment would reduce premiums sometime in 2026, according to the proposal.

The proposal also would create new rules for how the program is governed. A seven-member commission that for the first time includes municipal employers would oversee the operation, replacing a 12-member panel that frequently deadlocked when voting on changes that could have protected the program from financial ruin. Towns and counties that enroll in the program would have to remain for a minimum of five years, to help combat the exodus that occurred after premiums soared in the last several years.

Late Thursday, unions representing police officers, firefighters, teachers, engineers and other workers issued a statement condemning the proposal. In the wake of the news last week that Horizon agreed to pay a $100 million settlement after a state Attorney Generals investigation into overbilling the state plan, workers deserve better than this, they said.

In the wake of the Horizon scandal, which exposed a profound lack of transparency and accountability in our states health care, we should be moving toward more oversight and more affordable benefits, said Tonya Hodges, area director for Communications Workers of America District 1. Instead, this proposal moves us in the exact opposite direction. We cannot support this bill in its current form and we demand the Legislature reject this bill.

State Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, said Murphys proposal offers an opportunity for compromise based on what his members in the Senate and those in the Assembly are already considering.

They all agree that any bill must reduce the number of plans, control how often municipal and county governments are allowed to leave the program and break the stalemate between management and labor, Scutari said in a statement.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, declined to comment on the specifics of Murphys ideas. We welcome discussions about how to lower costs for taxpayers and municipalities while providing quality, affordable health insurance to public workers and look forward to finding common ground, Coughlin said in a statement.

Separately, the state employee portion of the State Health Benefits Program is also in financial trouble. In September, labor leaders agreed to accept $75 million in premium and copay increases that will take effect next year.

Health care analysts say premiums have skyrocketed because hospitals and medical professionals are charging more and people are using their benefits for expensive drugs, like the GLP-1 injections for weight loss. Local government employees now pay a $16-a-month for these drugs and would see their share rise to $45 a month, according to the proposal. Consumers pay a minimum of $349 a month without insurance.

About 95% of local government employees are enrolled in platinum-level plans, Treasury officials said.

The annual cost of public worker coverage in New Jersey was $22,000 in 2023, according to a consultants report that called for broad changes to the plan to save it. Thats 60% more than average cost of private and public sector plans nationally.
Joseph Schwartz, who headed Skyline Healthcare before his nursing home operation collapsed, at a video deposition from his home in New York prior to being sentenced to prison. Exhibit filed with Circuit Court of Pulaski County

Joseph Schwartz, the disgraced nursing home mogul charged in a multi-million-dollar tax fraud involving his troubled New Jersey-based empire, has been granted a full pardon by President Trump after serving just three months of a three-year sentence.

The president gave no explanation for his action.

But Schwartzs attorney, Kevin Marino, called the pardon well deserved in the circumstances of this case, adding that they were extremely pleased that Rabbi Schwartz has been returned to his loving family and his devoted congregation.

Philip R. Sellinger, the former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey whose office prosecuted the case, declined comment.

Nursing home advocates, though, expressed outrage.

This pardon is concerning on many levels, said Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, New Jerseys Long-Term Care Ombudsman. For years, long-term care ombudsmen across the country have been working with organizations like AARP and the Consumer Voice to fight corruption in the nursing home industry.

In New Jersey, prosecutors and entities like the N.J. Office of the State Comptroller have been instrumental in rooting out misuse of funds and other financial games.

Yet apparently, she noted, it can all be undone with the stroke of a pen by the president.

It sends a chilling message: Connected people can risk the financial health of a nursing home, the well-being of its residents, and the livelihoods of people who work there and they will not be held accountable, she said.

Richard J. Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, a national nonprofit research and advocacy group, said the presidents pardon of Schwartz sends the message that crime does pay, especially when the victims are frail elders in nursing homes.

He added, thousands of vulnerable residents and care staff across the country suffered as a result of Mr. Schwartzs unconscionable business practices. This pardon sends the message that it is okay to exploit them and misuse millions in taxpayer funds that were entrusted to Mr. Schwartz to provide quality care and life with dignity.

Schwartz, who lives in a $1.4 million house in Suffern, New York, once operated 95 facilities in 11 states, including New Jersey, under a company called Skyline Healthcare. The company was run out of an office above a pizzeria in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey.

Schwartz operated Skyline Healthcare above a pizzeria in Wood-Ridge. Google Street View

Court filings documented how he once bragged that he was the largest nursing home operator in the country. But financial problems soon emerged, which some attributed to the vast expansion and others blamed on outright fraud.

At the same time, Schwartz and Skyline were targeted by lawsuits across the country alleging poor or substandard care to thousands of vulnerable nursing home residents. Some states ultimately were forced to take over failing nursing homes or find new places for residents to live as Skyline collapsed. Other properties were sold or were permanently closed.

Court filings by regulators in South Dakota spoke to the final days of one of his nursing homes as it ran out of money and stopped paying its bills  endangering the lives of hundreds of nursing home residents. In a series of emails to state health officials, home administrators warned of electric and water services being shut off. And they feared they would soon run out of food to feed more than 900 residents.

In New Jersey, where Skyline operated three nursing homes, there was also a deal on the table to purchase the now-renamed Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in Sussex County, before that facility came into the national spotlight over the discovery of 17 bodies, some being stored in a makeshift morgue, at the height of the COVID pandemic. The agreement fell through as Skylines own problems became evident.

Schwartz originally pleaded guilty in January 2024 to orchestrating a $38 million tax scam. The plea called for him to serve a year and a day in prison and pay $5 million in restitution. But U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton later rejected the plea. In November of that year, he again entered a guilty plea that had him facing a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $5 million at the time of sentencing to the IRS.

Wigenton sentenced him in April of this year to three years in prison, but Schwartz did not report until August. He walked out of the federal correctional facility in Otisville, New York, last Friday, after spending just three months at the medium security prison.

While the federal criminal charges have gone away, Joseph Schwartz, who headed Skyline Healthcare, still faces civil lawsuits. Exhibit filed with Circuit Court of Pulaski County

Separately, Schwartz was criminally charged in Arkansas with illegally inflating rates paid at eight of the states nursing homes. He was also charged with failing to pay taxes that were withheld from employees paychecks. In April, he pleaded guilty to Medicaid and tax fraud.

According to his attorney, that case was resolved with a suspended sentence. The Arkansas Attorney Generals office did not respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, a separate civil lawsuit continues to play out in federal district court in New Jersey, where several former employees allege that Skyline stole more than $2 million from their paychecks that was supposed to pay for their health insurance. Many said they were saddled with tens of thousands in unexpected medical debt.

One of the plaintiffs in that civil case, Theresa Dante, who worked for a Skyline nursing home in South Dakota, said she was speechless and very saddened by the news of the pardon.

Nursing homes are supposed to be safe places for the elderly and the sick, she said. Those were the victims of Joseph Schwartz.

Victimized as well, said Dante, were those who worked for his nursing homes.

I believe this sends a message to others that nursing home fraud is okay, she said of the pardon.
A MAGA podcaster is predicting that President Donald Trump will win over the presidency in 2028. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) suggested that the Republican Partys allegiance to President Donald Trump is driven by fear.

Appearing on Thursdays episode of Chris Cuomos podcast, Paul raised issues with Trumps controversial military strikes on alleged drug traffickers off Venezuelas coast. The Senator said that other GOP legislators were too daunted by Trump to question his use of force without congressional approval.

There is no resistance on the Republican side. They are afraid, they are frightened to cross him, Paul told Cuomo. Hes become more involved in primaries than any president ever has. They are just afraid.

Congress has not declared war or authorized the use of military force against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. law allows the president to take military action without lawmakers approval only if there is a national emergency due to an attack on the country or American forces.

The Trump administration has not offered evidence to the public that the military strikes are targeting drug smugglers traveling to the U.S. The President and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have briefed some members of Congress on the operation, which so far has more than 80 people.

I think were just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? Trump said last month. Were going to kill them. Theyre going to be, like, dead.

Paul has been outspoken against the lethal strikes. However, he said other Republican Congress members have stayed silent to avoid the repercussions of crossing Trump.

The president has frequently targeted GOP legislators who oppose his policies, endorsing primary challengers to replace them.

This year, Trump has called for the removal of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Indiana Republicans who opposed the states failed redistricting measure, among others.

Paul believes Trumps use of political power has deterred more Republicans from challenging him, with the first wave of 2026 primaries slated for March.

Even the ones who have a correct instinct are afraid to say anything, Paul said.
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Miss Universe 2025 is happening.

Despite a host of particularly nasty recent controversies, including an official from the host nation of Thailand calling Fatima Bosch, who represents Mexico in the competition, a dumbhead, the show will go on.

You can watch the global event on Peacock, starting at 7 p.m. You can also watch the Telemundo stream on Fubo, or on the Miss Universe official YouTube channel.

Peacock Peacock is the official streaming home of all NBC content. Buy Now

The event will air live from the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand, and will be hosted by Steve Byrne. Miss Universe 1993, Dayanara Torres, and Miss Universe 2022, RBonney Gabriel, will also provide commentary. There will also be a performance by Jeff Satur.

Heres a sneak peek of event, courtesy of its official YouTube channel:

How to watch Miss Universe 2025 and more

The best way to watch Miss Universe in 2025 is on Peacock at this time. The official NBC streaming service is relatively cheap, and signing up is quick and easy. It will also give you access to tons of other acclaimed shows and movies, if youre looking to see whether its worth it to sign up. Plus, you can bundle it with Apple TV to build one of the best streaming deals in the whole business.

Fubo TV, another top-notch option, will feature the Telemundo live stream. Fubo is extremely versatile and provides all kinds of access you might not expect from a streaming service.

The broadcast will also be livestreamed on the official Miss Universe 2025 YouTube channel in some capacity.
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MOSCOW, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan's current leader should learn from history and refrain from dangerous statements regarding Taiwan, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said in an interview with Xinhua.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and the world, especially politicians, must remember the lessons of the war, Zakharova told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"Peace is a fragile thing; peace is a man-made thing," she said, adding that the Asia-Pacific region should be guided by peaceful and responsible political actions aimed at preserving peace and security rather than irresponsible or aggressive policies.

"We know how Japanese militarism ended," said Zakharova. "It would be good if those politicians who come to govern Japan remember this, understand where irresponsible statements lead, and refrain from making them." 
New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno Nov. 20 said she remains concerned about the Trump administrations plans to send 250 Border Patrol agents to the New Orleans area this week and the lack of communication with local officials over the move.

According to Moreno, who also currently serves as the city councils vice president, told reporters she had not received any details on the plan from the feds, and that the shortage of information was contributing to peoples fears.

You have parents that are scared to send their children to school, said Moreno, who was born in Mexico before moving to the U.S. as a child. She added that at her church theres a Spanish-speaking service every Sunday that keeps getting smaller and smaller.

Moreno said she would release guidance Friday outlining legal rights and what to do if approached by an immigration officer. She also said it would include a call to action for the legal community to assist people affected.

Moreno made the comments at a press conference at New Orleans East Hospital, right before her Industrial Canal Transition Policy Committee met for the first time to discuss plans for New Orleans East, including on how to keep existing businesses and attract new ones.

Moreno said business owners who had left the East told her theyd reported problems to the city, like illegal dumping and broken street lights, and didnt receive any help.

There were businesses who felt like, if the city doesn't care about me, well then I don't really care about being here either, Moreno said, vowing to change that when she becomes mayor in January.

Moreno said her team is also looking at the Lake Forest Plaza site, which was once home to a thriving mall, and working to untangle legal issues surrounding it.

She also said there were many city-owned pieces of land she wanted to put back into commerce, including an incinerator site. That site, which she joked looked like a haunted house, could be used as a warehouse or for transportation and logistics, she said.

Moreno also said she wanted to speed up long-awaited projects in the area, like the abandoned Six Flags site and Lincoln Beach. Though there are extensive plans for both, the priority for Lincoln Beach should be getting it safe and open to the public first and then growing it from there, Moreno said.

Moreno was joined at the presser by committee co-chairs Donna Glapion, Clerk of First City Court, and Takeisha Davis, president of the hospital, as well as state Rep. Jason Hughes, who was recently elected to the New Orleans City Council.

Opposition to ICE, CBP deployments in New Orleans mounts The regime is expected to deploy a total of 250 members of the CBP in New Orleans and the surrounding areas.

Budget update

Moreno said she plans to release her budget concept early next week, which she said will prioritize public safety and essential services, like trash.

She said her plan will involve collapsing some city offices and eliminating some high-paying leadership positions, forcing some departments and workers to take on the jobs of others.

I have to find $200 million, she said. Its a list of really horrible options.

Moreno also said she and Council President JP Morrells relationships at the state level as former state legislators helped the city secure the $125 million loan it needed amid its cash flow crisis.

She said those relationships, combined with Hughes and state Rep. Matthew Willard joining the council, create a really unique opportunity to capture even potentially more dollars and get more from the state that we have been able to get before.

"My office, and working with this upcoming council, will certainly have a more strategic approach as to how we work with Baton Rouge and the Capitol, with state leaders and the legislature, she said.

Money from the loan should be available Friday, meaning the council will have avoided using the rainy day fund to cover payroll in the meantime. However, Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration is requesting council members dip into that fund to pay vendors, though its unclear if theyll agree to that.
* China has persistently advanced high-quality urban renewal to improve residents' sense of happiness, consciously practicing the people-centered development philosophy, and the efforts have paid off.

* Officials and experts discussed in the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, how China has continuously improved living conditions and the residential environment for its people through the construction of affordable housing, as well as the renovation of shantytowns, old residential communities, urban villages, and dilapidated houses.

* China has established a multi-tiered housing security system, including public rental housing, affordable rental housing, and allocation-based affordable housing. These arrangements correspond to different groups such as low-income households, new city residents, and young people, with tailored arrangements under the system.

A housewarming event of the renovation projects of old residential communities is held in Jing'an District, east China's Shanghai, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

by Xinhua writer Wang Hongjiang

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China has persistently advanced high-quality urban renewal to improve residents' sense of happiness, consciously practicing the people-centered development philosophy, and the efforts have paid off.

Officials and experts discussed in the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, how China has continuously improved living conditions and the residential environment for its people through the construction of affordable housing, as well as the renovation of shantytowns, old residential communities, urban villages, and dilapidated houses.

Taking Shanghai as an example. A large number of historic "shikumen" and "lilong" alley buildings, mostly constructed before the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, lack sanitary facilities, with often only one public toilet available for an entire alley, according to Wang Congchun, vice president of Shanghai University.

Some houses accommodated populations far exceeding their designed capacity during specific historical periods, with multiple generations living under the same roof, said Wang, also head of the Shanghai Institute of Urban Regeneration and Sustainability of Shanghai University. He noted that in the early 1990s, the per capita living space in Shanghai was only about 6.6 square meters. By the end of 2024, the per capita residential floor area of urban residents in Shanghai had increased to 37.57 square meters.

Shanghai managed to overcome challenges and gained rich experiences that are replicable for other cities in future urban renewal.

Conducting household surveys before renewal, Shanghai tailored plans for each family while fully respecting residents' wishes. Meanwhile, financial support has also been increased from the central and local governments. After renewal, regular follow-up inspections are conducted to ensure residents have no worries, Pan Wei, an official with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, told the roundtable.

This combo photo shows a corridor amid old houses in Tanjiaqiao community (above, file photo) and a view of the renovated Tanjiaqiao community in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 15, 2025 (below, photo by Xinhua photographer Fang Zhe). (Xinhua)

Shanghai is only an epitome of China's urban renewal.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, the country has built more than 68 million units of various types of affordable and resettlement housing, enabling over 170 million residents with housing difficulties to realize their dream of stable housing, said Pan, adding that more than 300,000 old residential communities have also been renovated, benefiting over 130 million urban residents.

China has established a multi-tiered housing security system, including public rental housing, affordable rental housing, and allocation-based affordable housing, according to Pan. These arrangements correspond to different groups such as low-income households, new city residents, and young people, with tailored arrangements under the system.

On one hand, China is accelerating the construction of affordable housing, focusing on meeting the basic housing needs of vulnerable groups. On the other hand, China is expediting the implementation of a series of renovation projects, particularly targeting shantytowns, old residential communities, urban villages, and dilapidated buildings, to improve residents' living conditions, Pan noted.

Echoing Pan's words, Gao Shiyun, an official with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said that following the completion of renovation of vast stretches of old houses in central urban areas of Shanghai in 2022, the city did not stop its efforts.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 27, 2025 shows a view of a renovation project of old residential communities in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

Since 2023, a total of 380,000 square meters of scattered old houses have been comprehensively renovated, benefiting 13,000 households. Moreover, Shanghai has installed 9,176 elevators in existing multi-story residential buildings and carried out renovation projects of more than 40 million square meters of old residential communities, significantly enhancing residents' sense of gain, happiness, and security in housing, according to Gao.

As a beneficiary, Gu Jiayi, a resident from the post-1985 generation who once lived in an old "shikumen" house, recalled that when she was a child, her family of four squeezed into a small 12 square-meter house without an independent sanitary facility.

"Before dawn, the adults from each household in the alley would carry heavy toilet bowls to the cesspool at the alley entrance, and after emptying them, they would wash them by the side," Gu said at the roundtable.

The renewal project began before she entered university. "Many neighbors moved into new homes with independent kitchens and bathrooms after the renewal, saying that their lives have finally improved," said Gu.

In July, the Central Urban Work Conference stated that urban renewal should be an important lever for optimizing urban structures, transforming growth drivers, improving quality, advancing green development, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing governance efficiency.

The conference highlighted the aim of building modern, people-centered cities that are innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally vibrant and smart, stressing that efforts should focus on promoting high-quality urban development. 
This story is part of Longing for Justice, a series that examines how the New Orleans criminal court is plagued by homicide case delays. Read more here.

A lasting fix remains years away for what District Attorney Jason Williams calls the single biggest factor slowing homicide prosecutions in New Orleans: the wait for DNA test results.

Local testing isnt expected to begin until at least 2027  though it could take even longer without additional funding and staff. In the meantime, the city will continue to depend on state and private labs, a temporary arrangement that has resolved one crisis only to create another.

That reliance dates back two decades, since Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans without a functioning testing facility and the city began sending DNA evidence to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.

The outsourcing churned into a backlog so deep that the average turnaround for a DNA test climbed to 441 days earlier this year, a slowdown that has stalled at least 18 homicide cases this year alone.

There is a human limit to what we can do to shrink our (case processing) times, because cases will not move forward without those DNA results, Williams said.

The consequences of the delays are not abstract. In March, for example, prosecutors dismissed a second-degree murder case against Raymond Johnson and Jyron Johnson after DNA testing excluded both men as suspects.

The results took 13 months to arrive after samples were sent to the state lab. During that time, the men remained in jail while nearly two dozen court hearings came and went, consuming the time of attorneys, judges and court staff, at the expense of the citys taxpayers. The people responsible for the killing remain unidentified.

To attack the problem, State Police have turned to private labs, but even as the backlog has abated this year, problems continue.

The city and the state paid for contracts with two private labs to help make a dent in the DNA backlog, which had fallen sharply as of October, but their work is expensive.

The out-of-state DNA analysts charge the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office thousands of dollars to testify about their results in court  costs Williams says his office cannot sustain for long.

Prosecutors say its also been difficult to schedule those analysts to testify, a complication that has postponed multiple hearings and trial dates in a court system already struggling to move cases forward amid chronic dysfunction and unchecked continuances.

DNA (test results are) a critical stall point in homicide cases, said Williams. Weve seen how DNA can exonerate one person and inculpate another person. Judges are not willing to move forward with cases  and frankly, Im not willing to move forward with cases  without having those results. No defense attorney worth his salt would move forward without them either.

Help from private labs at-risk without more funding

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab processes evidence for 250 law enforcement agencies across the state. Yet testing for the New Orleans Police Department accounts for roughly a third of its workload, a disproportionate share that has driven the delays that have hobbled the lab and stunted homicide prosecutions for years, said Capt. Chad Guidry, the crime labs director.

That strain comes despite restrictions placed on the city. Unlike every other agency the lab serves, New Orleans is allowed to submit only DNA from homicide and sexual assault cases.

In 2023, the city and State Police signed an agreement committing $3 million to address New Orleans DNA testing delays. State Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, later secured an additional $1.3 million in state funds for the effort, allowing the crime lab to outsource hundreds of samples to two private laboratories.

It took time, Guidry said, but the backlog shrank. In February, the State Police lab had 2,453 untested DNA cases, and the average turnaround time for analysis was 441 days. By this October, that figure had been cut by more than half, with results now ready in about four months.

But the progress is fragile, Guidry cautioned. The remaining funding will cover testing for only about 600 more cases  roughly the number of cases still pending at the private labs. Without a fully operational New Orleans Police Department Crime Lab to absorb future work, or new funding to continue outsourcing, the buildup of untested evidence could resume, Guidry said.

The state lab has also lost two analysts to the citys yet-to-open facility, which has been able to offer higher pay. If I lose more analysts [or] more funding, he said, well be in bad shape.

This fall, Shamika Kelley, director of the New Orleans Police Department Crime Lab, told the New Orleans City Council that the labs projected 2027 opening could be delayed another year if the city does not approve two DNA analyst positions. That was very tough for us to hear, Guidry said.

Local lab would target speed

The pressure is evident in New Orleans criminal court, too.

Last year, the district attorneys office had budgeted $55,000 for expert witnesses and $17,425 for DNA analysis. One bill from a private laboratory for testimony in a single case was $14,000.

For the case of Johnny Wooden, whose second-degree murder trial is set for Dec. 1, prosecutors will need to pay a more than $5,000 bill from the lab that tested the DNA. In another case, against Alaric Smith and Brandon Hamilton  accused in the killing of Sabastian Henry  the analyst who processed the DNA left the company, delaying the case for months as the district attorneys office tried to locate her.

And regardless of funding, logistical hurdles and other roadblocks mean the results can still take time. In the second-degree murder case of Wendell Butler, prosecutors told a judge last October that DNA testing was still outstanding. They didnt receive the results until late April, court records show.

When New Orleans crime lab eventually opens, Kelley, its director, said it should be able to handle roughly 650 DNA cases a year. But more important than the number, she said, is its projected speed.

Its not going to be a year or two years before you get your DNA results, she said. And [prosecutors] will have access to us. They wont have to have someone drive in or fly in to testify for an extra fee. Those things are going to be hugely impactful.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Will Crain, whom President Donald Trump recently nominated to the federal bench, has suggested prosecutors consider moving cases forward without DNA results to improve efficiency. How long did we go in this country running a justice system that was the envy of most places on the globe without DNA, and we reached just outcomes? he said in an interview. We can still do that.

But attorneys on both sides say thats not realistic.

Prosecutors fear being forced to acknowledge the existence of DNA evidence without calling an expert to interpret it. Any good defense attorney will say: This information was collected. Why is it not being presented? Williams said. Saying we couldnt afford it  that it wasnt in our budget  is not going to fly with 12 people deciding whether a person spends the rest of his life in jail.

For Williams, the implications go beyond any single trial. If a defendant sees in writing that his DNA is at a scene where he says he wasnt, that case might resolve with a guilty plea much earlier, he said.

DNA can also clear the innocent. In the case of Don Palmer, who was arrested in 2021 and accused of second-degree murder, DNA testing later showed the evidence did not match him. It took more than a year for those results  and for prosecutors to drop the case.

That dual power makes the citys testing delays especially consequential, said Will Snowden, a defense attorney and Loyola University College of Law professor. Youre either confirming who the DNA belongs to, he said, or confirming that it doesnt belong to the person accused. It works both ways  for the defense, and for the person who says they were a victim. Its absolutely crucial.

Staff writer Jeff Adelson contributed to this report.
Email Alex Lubben at alex.lubben@theadvocate.com and follow him on Twitter @alexlubben. His work is supported with a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, administered by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

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CHENGDU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Thursday reiterated the mainland's resolve to resolutely crack down on separatist forces aimed at "Taiwan independence," oppose external interference, and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to a cross-Strait seminar held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

He stressed that the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's restoration to the motherland stand as great triumphs and sources of profound national pride for the Chinese nation.

They underscore a fundamental truth -- a strong and unified country is always the foundation on which the future of all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan, ultimately depends, Wang said.

Wang also noted that, at a grand gathering in September marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the mainland solemnly declared that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.

He added that the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in October further stressed advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and promoting the cause of national reunification, as China works to build itself into a modern socialist country in all respects.

"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus," said Wang, pledging efforts to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, enhance the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and make concerted efforts to create a brighter future for the Chinese nation.

The seminar, the fifth edition of its kind, was co-organized by the mainland-based Cross-Straits Relations Research Center and Taiwan patriotic groups supporting reunification.

Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, read Wang's congratulatory letter at the seminar.

He noted that the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will create broader space for the development of Taiwan residents and businesses in the mainland -- and also reiterated that China will not tolerate any interference from external forces, including Japan, in affairs related to Taiwan.

More than 200 participants attended the event in Chengdu, including Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, New Party Chairman Wu Cheng-tien, experts and scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and guests from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

Participants from Taiwan expressed strong commitment as Chinese to defending the overall interests of the Chinese nation, opposing "Taiwan independence" and external interference, and enhancing cross-Strait exchanges. 
This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows a toilet (L) and a kitchen after renovation at a household in Yangpu District of east China's Shanghai. Shanghai grappled for decades with a deeply personal challenge for many residents: the humble chamber pot. Cramped living spaces nestled within labyrinthine alleyways transformed even the most basic human needs into a challenging daily struggle. In the early 1990s, per capita living space averaged just 6.6 square meters in Shanghai. This was exacerbated by the architectural design of most the traditional Shikumen residences, which lacked private sanitary facilities. As a result, entire lanes often shared a single public toilet. To improve the overall living conditions for local residents, Shanghai embarked a redevelopment project for old neighborhoods in 1992. Through three decades of hard work, by the end of this September, Shanghai had largely completed its mission to eliminate the last of these "hand-carried toilets," a monumental task targeting the final 14,082 households identified just last year. The decades-long effort to retire the chamber pot tells a story of persistent, fine-grained urban governance in China's most populous city. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

SHANGHAI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- To the world, Shanghai is a gleaming symbol of China's modern success. Yet, behind this facade of progress, the city grappled for decades with a deeply personal challenge for many residents: the humble chamber pot. Cramped living spaces nestled within labyrinthine alleyways transformed even the most basic human needs into a challenging daily struggle.

This chapter of urban life is now closing. By the end of September, Shanghai had largely completed its mission to eliminate the last of these "hand-carried toilets," a monumental task targeting the final 14,082 households identified just last year.

The decades-long effort to retire the chamber pot tells a story of persistent, fine-grained urban governance in China's most populous city.

"Everything looks the same, yet everything has changed. We almost thought we'd come to the wrong place," said residents of the rebuilt Pengpu New Village, a neighborhood in Jing'an District, who moved back in late June.

In the transformed community, every household now enjoys the convenience of a private bathroom. Additionally, the area features modern community centers that enhance culture, sports, and daily life, including a canteen, a nursing home, a swimming pool, and gyms.

Built in the 1950s, Pengpu New Village was a signature old neighborhood with thousands of households relying on chamber pots in Shanghai.

"Before dawn, we had to go out, carrying the pot and queuing at the public toilet," recalled Zhang Cuiying, who has lived there for 38 years. "Our hands went numb in winter, the smell was awful in summer, and rainy days were the worst."

The need for small toilet buckets among millions of Shanghai residents has historically arisen from inadequate urban planning and profound demographic pressures.

In the early 1990s, per capita living space averaged just 6.6 square meters in Shanghai. This was exacerbated by the architectural design of most the traditional Shikumen residences, which lacked private sanitary facilities. As a result, entire lanes often shared a single public toilet.

Starting in 2005, Jing'an District embarked on a 20-year redevelopment project for this large residential area. The project concluded in June and involved the demolition and rebuilding of aging housing. This effort not only addressed the sanitation issues but also fundamentally improved the overall living conditions for residents.

"I carry a tape measure everywhere I go, because every corner counts," said Zhou Xing'an, Party chief of the Fuxingdao neighborhood in Yangpu District. "To fit a toilet and shower into these tight spaces, we fight for every centimeter."

Zhou has become more than a community leader in the eyes of the local residents. He is now regarded as a renovation specialist, adept at reconfiguring pipes and maximizing space. "Each home requires a custom plan. Carving out that one crucial square meter is precision work -- like performing surgery in a shoebox," he noted.

One of the most telling cases involved 84-year-old Ms. Yan, who had relied on a chamber pot for nearly half a century. She and her sons lived in separate, tiny apartments nearby, each only about a dozen square meters.

After repeated visits, Zhou noticed a small street-facing storage room adjoining her kitchen. This sparked an idea: to transform it into a shared bathroom for the entire family. The proposal was met with immediate enthusiasm, and those few extra square meters finally liberated the family from a decades-old burden.

The Pengyi sub-district of Pengpu New Village was one of the most complex redevelopment projects, involving 2,110 households previously living in 282 different apartment layouts, ranging from 7.5 to 110 square meters. The challenge was to add a private kitchen and bathroom to every home without reducing the total living area or room count.

"We did massive, arduous community work. The design was revised hundreds of times," said Xu Bingrong from the Pengpu New Village renovation office. "By ultimately merging the 282 original layouts into 92 standardized types, we made the project feasible. It took patient, household-by-household explanations to reach a consensus, but we finally achieved a plan that everyone could accept."

Urban renewal is notoriously complex, and the deeply personal issue of toilets -- with its intertwined interests and individual preferences -- was among the most delicate challenges. The key to breaking the deadlock often lay in demonstration.

"Setting a good example creates a ripple effect," said Huang Yong'an, a resident of Xiangde Road in Hongkou District, who became the first in his alley to have a toilet installed.

"After the work was done, I opened my door. Neighbors came in waves, some taking photos, others recording videos. They could see for themselves that it was clean, sanitary, and didn't encroach on the living space," Huang recalled.

The most convincing testimony came from a downstairs neighbor living in a mere 9-square-meter room, who had been the most vocal opponent. After a visit, he immediately asked the street office to draw up a plan for his own home.

"Now, many of the residents who protested the most back then thank me," said the octogenarian Xu Bingrong, who has worked on Pengpu's redevelopment since 2004. "My family doesn't want me to continue, but seeing residents move back into new homes with private kitchens and baths, beautiful environments, elevators, and parking makes my life feel worth living."

Renovating these neighborhoods is a complex coordination effort across multiple government agencies, from urban planning and construction to finance and cultural preservation, noted Wang Congchun, head of the Shanghai Institute of Urban Regeneration and Sustainability under Shanghai University.

"The involved processes are lengthy and multi-layered, where poor coordination between steps can easily cause delays. Furthermore, the long project timelines demand greater stamina and superior management skills from the local officials executing them," Wang added.

"The people are the central actors in urban construction. Without their support and participation, success is impossible," explained an official at the Housing Authority in Jing'an District, who described the campaign as "a vivid demonstration of shared urban governance in action."

Shanghai's endeavor to renovate the old neighborhood reflects a broader national drive.

Data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development shows China's urban renewal efforts during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) were marked by the transformation of over 240,000 old residential communities, benefiting 110 million people across 40 million households.

These communities were enhanced with 129,000 new elevators, over 3.4 million new parking spaces, and 64,000 new facilities for elderly and child care. These targeted investments -- small in scale but vast in their reach -- have tangibly elevated the quality of life in cities across the nation.

In the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) recently released by the Communist Party of China, the country vows to continue to make a strong push to advance urban renewal and build people-centered modern cities. 

This file photo taken on July 18, 2019 shows two residents at their home where the toilet renovation has completed, in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

This file photo taken on May 19, 2023 shows a toilet shared by three households in an old neighborhood in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

This file photo taken on July 18, 2019 shows a resident standing at his home where the toilet renovation is under way, in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows a spittoon used by a resident before the renovation in Yangpu District, east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

This photo taken on Oct. 31, 2025 shows the construction site of a sewage pipeline renovation project in an old neighborhood in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows an exterior view of a renovated public toilet in Yangpu District of east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

A resident wipes a flush toilet after the toilet renovation project in Yangpu District, east China's Shanghai, Oct. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

This combo photo shows a shared kitchen (above, undated file photo), and a separate kitchen and toilet after renovation in an old neighborhood in east China's Shanghai on Oct. 23, 2025 (below, photo by Xinhua photographer Fang Zhe). (Xinhua)

This combo photo shows a resident at her old house in Yangpu District where the toilet accommodating only for one person, on Dec. 9, 2020 (above), and she cleaning the bathroom floor at the relocated new house in Qingpu District of east China's Shanghai, Dec. 30, 2020 (below). (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)
A major new crime-reporting scheme has been launched in Newton Abbot, giving local businesses a faster way to report incidents and share information about offenders.

The initiative, run by UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), is being offered free for a year to any business in the town after funding was secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

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The scheme was introduced at a meeting last Thursday (13 November), hosted by Newton Abbot Town Council and attended by retailers, police and local business leaders.

David Austin, owner of the towns century-old department store and president of the Chamber of Commerce, described the new system as exactly what businesses need.

He added that the free trial gives shops an easily accessible security system thats going to give us a lot more robustness in the town.

How the new system works

UKPAC offers a one-touch app-based reporting portal.

Businesses can send details of shoplifting, assaults, anti-social behaviour, repeat offenders or suspicious activity directly to police or to a central crime hub.

The system allows two types of reporting:

Direct-to-Police evidence packs (SCONE)

Businesses upload CCTV clips, still images, witness statements and impact statements through a guided template. This creates a police-ready evidence pack without needing officers to visit the store, saving time for both sides. Police can start investigations immediately.

Reports to UKPAC for intelligence sharing

If businesses do not have time to prepare full evidence, they can still log incidents with basic details. UKPAC analysts review the report, pass intelligence to police, and identify links with known offenders.

Police, councils and support services can also access the information for safeguarding and civil-order issues such as homelessness or drug dependency.

The not-for-profit system also sends automatic updates on ongoing cases and can share alerts about known criminals or emerging issues, always within GDPR-protected limits.

Newton Abbot Town Councils Projects & Strategy Officer Pierre Doutreligne said the platform is already used successfully in Torquay.

He said: The scheme has already yielded tangible results in terms of town safety, and the Commissioners offer to cover a years subscription with no strings attached makes joining UKPAC a real no-brainer.

ABOVE: UKPAC runs similar schemes across the country which have seen success (Credit: UKPAC)

Local businesses urged to sign up for free

Retailers who attended the launch, including David Austin, head of security teams, and representatives from Newton Abbot Town Council and Devon County Council, are now acting as ambassadors for the scheme.

The council is preparing a wider publicity push to encourage uptake.

There are no formal expectations, Mr Doutreligne said, but early reactions were positive, and those in attendance at the meeting seemed keen. Were hoping for tangible results and letting the results speak for themselves.

Crime figures in Newton Abbot this year

Police figures shared with The Moorlander show that Newton Abbot recorded 133 shoplifting incidents, 244 reports of antisocial behaviour, and 94 public order offences between April and September 2025 across the Newton Abbot East and Newton Abbot Town beats.

Shoplifting ranged from a low of 2 incidents in Newton Abbot East (June and September) to a high of 26 incidents in Newton Abbot Town (June).

Antisocial behaviour remained consistently high throughout the six-month period, with monthly totals across the two beats never falling below 35 reports, and peaking at 45 in June.

Public order offences showed smaller fluctuations, with combined monthly totals ranging between 9 and 24 incidents.

Why is it being implemented now?

Newton Abbot retailers have raised concerns about rising shoplifting, abuse of staff, and an increasing number of repeat offenders.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner, said she funded the first-year subscription because she was impressed by UKPACs potential.

We really wanted people to see if it can make a difference; to relieve the pressure on businesses and particularly staff who are getting assaulted and dealing with verbal attacks.

The first year of access is fully paid for, although it is up to each individual trader if they seek reimbursement, with no questions asked.

After the free year, funding options remain open for discussion, including potential council or community support for smaller independent shops.

What next for UKPAC?

Demand for the system has already been noted in nearby Teignmouth, where retailers have reported facing similar challenges to those in Newton Abbot and Torquay

Newton Abbot Town Council is also exploring a possible wider conference or demonstration event for the area.

Businesses in Newton Abbot can join immediately, with those who attended the launch playing a key role in encouraging others to sign up.
Plymouth-based frigate HMS Somerset has been deployed to monitor a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, after it was confirmed by Defence Secretary John Healey last night (November 20) to be on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland.

The vessel, known for mapping undersea cables and deploying deep-water sensors, has been closely monitored by HMS Somerset, one of Devonports Type 23 frigates.

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RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft monitored the Yantar as it manoeuvred near UK waters.

The Russian ship reportedly used light lasers against British aircrew, creating a safety concern.

Healey announced that he had amended the rules of engagement in response, saying the UK is ready to act if the vessel travels further south.

For Plymouth, home to the Royal Navys largest operational base, the incident underscores the citys increasing role in safeguarding critical underwater infrastructure.

Devonport ships have been repeatedly deployed this year to shadow Russian vessels, and Yantars return marks the second time in 2025 it has approached UK waters.

ABOVE : Yantar, Russian research vessel. Photo by Andrey Luzik, CC BY 4.0. Source

HMS Somerset has been conducting Towed Array Patrol Ship duties in northern waters and has moved in close to the Russian ship as part of the operation.

The deployment follows earlier international concerns; the Yantar was escorted from Dutch and Belgian waters earlier this month and previously entered the Irish Sea in late 2024.

With global attention now focused on the UKs underwater security, Plymouths dockyard and its fleet continue to play a central role in acting as the first line of defence.

Luke Pollard, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport has been approached by The Moorlander for comment.
Plymouth has been ranked among the top 10 UK cities for winter wellbeing, according to new national research looking at how well different places support peoples health during the colder months.

The study, carried out by UK research group Mogo Farm, analysed several factors linked to winter health, including air quality, pollution levels, population density, flu-vaccination rates, average sick days and how residents rate their own general health.

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Plymouth placed eighth overall, making it the highest-ranking city in the South West.

Researchers found that Plymouths coastal location, combined with relatively low pollution levels and strong flu-vaccination uptake, may help reduce some of the pressures people face during winter.

The city recorded an air-quality score of 73.8 out of 100, while 78.9% of residents reported their overall health as good or very good.

According to the study, Plymouth also has the highest flu-vaccination rate in the top 10, at 59.58%.

People in Plymouth reportedly take an average of 5.6 sick days per year.

While this is slightly higher than some cities higher up the list, it remains within the national range used in the research.

Oxford topped the UK ranking, followed by Cambridge and Dundee.

At the opposite end of the scale were Doncaster, Wolverhampton and Manchester, which showed higher levels of air pollution and lower scores across several indicators.

The report comes as colder weather settles across Devon and Dartmoor, bringing the usual mix of winter challenges, including increased colds and flu, seasonal fatigue and, for some people, the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Shorter daylight hours often lead health advisers to encourage people to spend time outdoors, seek natural light, and maintain regular routines.

While the study includes commentary from Mogo Farm, the overall findings focus on environmental and lifestyle data rather than specific products.

The research suggests that cities with better air quality, lower crowding and higher vaccination uptake may offer residents small but meaningful boosts to winter wellbeing.
Torridge District Council is supporting Small Business Saturday by providing free parking in its car parks across the district on Saturday, November 29 as well as some Saturdays in December.

Small Business Saturday is annual event which aims to highlight small business success and encourage people to shop local and support local shops, restaurants and other businesses.

The council said to support shoppers and business owners and working with the local town councils, there will also be a number of free parking days throughout December as an incentive for people to shop locally and to enjoy festive community events.

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In Bideford on Saturday December 6 and 13, there will be free parking from 10am at Bridge Street, The Quay, the Manor and Bridge Street car parks. In Great Torrington, Sydney House car park will be free all day on Saturday, December 6,13 and 20.

Councillor Ken James, leader of Torridge District Council, said: Where we choose to spend our money matters and can end up making a real difference.

We hope the free parking days will support our communities to explore our high streets at a vital time for local businesses, allowing them to thrive and grow.

By opting to shop locally and use small businesses, we can all contribute towards a more vibrant and diverse economy that promotes not only a more sustainable lifestyle but contributes towards a community-focused economy.

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Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects the Ezhou Huahu International Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province, Nov. 18, 2025. He made an inspection tour of the provinces of Hubei and Hunan from Tuesday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

CHANGSHA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has called for sustained efforts to enhance both the quality and effectiveness of foreign trade, emphasizing the need to remove bottlenecks and obstacles hindering the development of a unified national market.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour of the provinces of Hubei and Hunan from Tuesday to Thursday.

Having inspected cities including Ezhou and Xianning in Hubei and Changsha in Hunan, He called for greater support for the development of new business forms and models, including cross-border e-commerce, as well as for the construction of overseas warehouses.

He also highlighted the need to diversify foreign trade markets to sustain the development of China's foreign trade sector.

He underscored the necessity of advancing multimodal transportation, of accelerating the development of a modern logistics system, and of reducing logistics costs across the society.

The vice premier highlighted the importance of adapting to the latest sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation wave, calling for efforts to achieve breakthroughs in key and core technologies, and to move faster to build industrial and supply chains that are more self-supporting and risk-controllable.

He also urged local governments to strengthen confidence and confront the difficulties of enterprises head-on, so as to ensure the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and a solid start for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). 

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects a high-tech company in Xianning, central China's Hubei Province, Nov. 19, 2025. He made an inspection tour of the provinces of Hubei and Hunan from Tuesday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)
Students attend a class on birds at Maotan Primary School in Guichi District of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A flock of egrets flies behind as students of Maotan Primary School observe birds under the guidance of a wild bird conservation volunteer at the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students of Maotan Primary School observe cygnets via binoculars at the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students of Maotan Primary School observe birds under the guidance of a wild bird conservation volunteer at the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students of Maotan Primary School record birds with a camera under the guidance of a wild bird conservation volunteer at the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students of Maotan Primary School record birds with a camera under the guidance of a wild bird conservation volunteer at the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A teacher gives a lesson on bird protection at Maotan Primary School in Guichi District of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A classroom of the fifth grade is named after the egret at Maotan Primary School in Guichi District of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students observe migratory birds via surveillance cameras at the administration of Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students attend a lecture on birds at Maotan Primary School in Guichi District of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students of Maotan Primary School observe birds under the guidance of a wild bird conservation volunteer at the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A flock of egrets flies behind as students of Maotan Primary School observe birds under the guidance of a wild bird conservation volunteer at the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Nov. 18, 2025.

Maotan Primary School is adjacent to the Shibasuo provincial nature reserve. The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources and protects mainly wintering waterfowl such as storks and geese, as well as the wetland ecosystem. It serves as a unique "nature classroom" for the school, especially in wetland conservation education.

For years, the school has integrated wetland protection education into its daily teaching. Volunteers are invited to the school for wetland science popularization, and students are frequently organized for study tours in the wetlands. This teaching approach has deepened the children's understanding of wetland conservation. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
DOHA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Qatar on Thursday condemned Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip that killed and injured civilians, warning that the strikes marked a dangerous escalation that could undermine the ceasefire in the enclave.

In a statement on its official website, Qatar's Foreign Ministry said it "strongly condemns the brutal attacks carried out by the Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip."

The ministry urged regional and international partners to help maintain the ceasefire as a step toward ending the war in Gaza and achieving lasting peace in the region. Qatar is a key mediator and one of the guarantors of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that began on Oct. 10.

Despite the truce, Israel has continued to launch strikes in the enclave, saying they respond to "violations" by Hamas.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes across Gaza, saying they were responding to gunfire at Israeli soldiers in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Gaza's health authorities said on Thursday the Israeli strikes killed 32 people, including 12 children and eight women, and wounded 88 others in the past 24 hours.

Wednesday was one of the deadliest days for Gaza residents since the ceasefire began. Since the truce, at least 312 Palestinians have been killed and 760 wounded, and authorities have recovered 572 bodies, according to Gaza officials. 
How to Fix a Typewriter and Your Life

Eleven years ago, Paul Lundy was dying a slow, workingmans death under fluorescent light.

For three decades, he had worked in facilities management  an honest trade that ground him down until, in his mid-50s, he had money, an authoritative title and a soul that was being sucked dry. He managed buildings for Seattle-area biotech firms, where people in lab coats made discoveries that saved lives. He kept the infrastructure running. He was good at it, maybe great, but facilities managers are overhead, essential but invisible. Nobody notices until something breaks.

Lundy had reached a ceiling. No college degree meant no room to grow in a world that valued credentials above experience. Retirement at 65 stretched before him like a prison sentence. The three-hour commute was killing him  a ritual that thousands endure to afford living near Seattle.

Fun was not what you would call it anymore, allows Lundy, a trim, neatly pleated man with a soft, welcoming face.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

One Sunday morning in 2014, he opened The Seattle Times and found a feature story about Bob Montgomery, age 92, known to friends, customers and locals simply as Mr. Montgomery. The article read like an obituary for a vanishing trade  fixing typewriters  suggesting that when Mr. Montgomery went, seven decades of expertise would vanish into the digital ether.

Lundy read it once, then a second time. He had never given old typewriters much thought, but something stirred in him that he could not quite name. He showed the story to his wife, Lisa.

I think this might be it, he told her. The next weekend, he drove to Bremerton, a weary naval town an hours ferry ride away and a world apart from gleaming, digitized Seattle.

Finding Mr. Montgomerys shop required determination. No sign marked the building; no indication that inside, five floors up, a master craftsman was keeping alive skills that predated the computer age. You took an elevator that groaned. When the doors opened, you knew immediately you were in the right place: a 1916 Royal Model 10 typewriter stood guard outside an open door, and the air smelled like oil. Once inside, you encountered a shop stacked and stuffed with typewriters  Underwoods and Coronas, Royal KMMs and Remington Portable 3s.

And there, at a workbench, sat Mr. Montgomery.

He was small, frail, bent by osteoporosis enough that he had a right angle, Lundy says.

But his hands moved across the typewriter before him with unconscious grace, removing screws without looking, adjusting linkages by feel alone.

Welcome to the crazy house, Mr. Montgomery said, his standard greeting.

Lundy had planned to stay 20 minutes. He stayed four hours. What captured him was not nostalgia. What captured him was watching Mr. Montgomery work, the old man dismantling a machine while carrying on a conversation, barely glancing at the complexity beneath his fingers.

WELCOME TO THE CRAZY HOUSE.

Mr. Montgomery had grown up in Depression-era Seattle, the son of a typewriter repairman who had a shop in the citys downtown. When he was not learning the trade, he would sneak through alleyways into grand old theaters to watch rehearsals, developing a love for performance that would shape his life nearly as much as typewriters.

Then came World War II. Drafted at 18, he expected to carry a rifle through Europe. But the Army discovered his skill and put him to work fixing typewriters at Supreme Allied Command. Probably saved his life, Lundy says. After the war, his family opened Bremerton Office Machine Company in 1947. For the next 70 years, Mr. Montgomery stayed within a few blocks of downtown Bremerton, always fixing typewriters, even as the world abandoned them.

What Lundy discovered over the following months was that Mr. Montgomery knew how to patiently stretch everything  even a meal. Lundy began taking him to lunch every Saturday, and their meals became meditations. Mr. Montgomery would order a BLT with avocado and make it last 90 minutes, telling stories between bites and savoring every morsel as only someone who had grown up without much could.

Other than a sister in California, he had no family. He slept in the back of his shop on an orange vinyl hide-a-bed couch. At 92, he existed almost completely outside the system.

Lundy had been a 20-minute lunch guy his entire career  eat fast, back to work, back to the grind. Now, somehow, he found himself slowing down, learning a different rhythm. Lunches became a practice in patience, a different way of being in the world.

Mr. Montgomery was such a nice guy, Lundy says, emphasizing such. The old man made him feel seen. And listened to. Like everything mattered.

ITS LIKE ZEN.

After a few months, Lundy noticed typewriters stacking up faster than Mr. Montgomery could repair them. Business had surged after the article. Can I help? Lundy asked one day.

Mr. Montgomery said yes. Lundy started coming after his facilities job, heading straight to the shop. Mr. Montgomery set him up a bench with a typewriter and photocopied repair manual pages. He left him to figure things out.

Lundys hands, accustomed to managing air-conditioning systems, had to learn a new language  to feel the difference between correct tension and too loose or too tight. When he thought a repair was perfect, he brought it to Mr. Montgomery, who tested it with quick fingers dancing across the keys and, invariably, pronounced: That is not what I would have done.

He showed Lundy the right way. No anger. No frustration. Just quiet insistence that good enough was not good enough.

Sometimes Mr. Montgomery would partly disassemble a machine and leave it on Lundys bench  a test, a puzzle, a method of teaching as old as apprenticeship itself.

Its like Zen, Lundy says about those hours at the bench. There are times when it is just very relaxing to be standing in front of the machine and slowly cleaning it, tweaking the adjustment so visually things start to really line up.

One Saturday Lundy arrived at the shop to find men with clipboards pointing at Mr. Montgomerys equipment. They were evicting him, readying everything for the dumpster; 13 months of unpaid rent had finally caught up.

Lundy could not abide the thought of all that knowledge lost, all that skill and history being tossed away. He called his wife. Theyre kicking him out! he said. My whole opportunity might be lost. I think this might be what I want to do.

Youve done crazier things, she replied. Do it.

The building manager arrived next, spelling out the cost: 13 months at $200 per month, equaling $2,600 total. For Mr. Montgomery, who had maybe $200 in the bank, this was insurmountable. For Lundy, with his steady salary, it was doable.

I will pay his back rent if I buy his business, Lundy told the manager. Ill pay monthly rent going forward.

Deal.

The eviction crew left. Mr. Montgomery, who had watched the chaos with the remote calm of an elder, looked at Lundy and said just one word: OK.

Lundy bought the business at the end of 2014. Soon, he quit his job and walked away from its stultifying steadiness, its salary and benefits. His colleagues were sure he had lost his mind. But Lundy knew he was trading security for meaning, predictability for possibility. I was happy, he says simply.

For the next few years, Lundy and Mr. Montgomery worked side by side in that cramped fifth-floor shop. Mr. Montgomery was still the master, but he was slowing, taking longer naps. More and more often, he would look at a typewriter that had come in for repair and turn to Lundy: You do this one.

The teaching continued, deeper now, Mr. Montgomery pulling tools off the pegboard  tools he had organized decades ago, many he had made himself, his initials etched in the handles. He knew everything about every typewriter, just off the top of his head, Lundy says. I know maybe 10 percent of what he knew. Maybe.

Eventually Mr. Montgomery would watch his student work and deliver his highest praise: You are OK.

THE KIDS GET IT.

By the time Mr. Montgomery reached his mid-90s, life was catching up with him. His friends had intervened, helping him sign up for the veteran and Social Security benefits he had never claimed and finding him subsidized housing at a nearby retirement home  his first real home in decades. But he kept coming to the shop regularly, taking the bus in the morning. The bus drivers knew Mr. Montgomery and seemed to have memorized his routine  if he was running a bit late, they would wait.

Mr. Montgomery fell and broke his hip. His health declined fast, the way it does when the very old finally succumb to gravity. One afternoon, Lundy visited him in his apartment and threw out uneaten food that had accumulated in the refrigerator. Mr. Montgomery watched for a while, then said quietly: Im glad you did this.

Both men knew he was talking about Lundy continuing the tradition at the shop.

Mr. Montgomery died in September 2018, at age 96. Full military honors were held at the cemetery. Lundy gave the eulogy, his voice breaking as he tried to convey the sum of a man who had lived through the Depression and World War II, who had become an iconic community fixture and spent 70 years fixing machines the world had forgotten, who had worked until the very end because work was who he was.

What neither man could have known was that they had been standing at the edge of the typewriters unlikely resurrection. The revival began quietly in temples of analog nostalgia  think Brooklyn coffee shops and Portland boutique hotels. Tom Hanks became an unlikely patron saint, writing a book about typewriters, collecting hundreds of them. Then came 2020. Everyone stuck at home, screens everywhere, Zoom fatigue setting in. People craved something tangible. Typewriter sales exploded.

The kids get it, Lundy says. Theyre not trying to be nostalgic for something they never experienced. Theyre trying to escape what they experience every day.

Now it is a Saturday morning. October 2025. Paul Lundy hunches over an IBM Selectric, a machine nearly 50 years old, probing its guts with the delicate touch he learned from Mr. Montgomery. The machine has taken its share of falls. Oil and dust have conspired over decades to form clogging sludge. Dog hair, too  there always seems to be dog hair.

He keeps solvent flowing, working back and forth through the brown muck, treating the dirt not as debris but as the accumulated record of life lived hunched over a keyboard  the residue of a marriage proposal, a first novel, a military order, a last will and testament.

His shop is different now. Brighter, airier, on the main floor of a building that was wasting away in downtown Bremerton until Lundy cobbled together enough savings to buy and renovate it, using all those facilities management skills he thought hed left behind. He had kept the business in that cramped fifth-floor space for six years after Mr. Montgomerys death. Management was planning apartments, Lundy says, so he wound up here  in a 1910 building that once housed a local electric utilitys headquarters.

ITLL ALWAYS BE HIS.

From the basement below his wooden floors comes the thump of bass guitar, the crash of drums. Rock bands practice during many of his working hours. The structure shakes with enthusiasm. He smiles, tugs on his workmans apron, adjusts his black-framed glasses and does not lose attention.

He clicks a return button. The Selectric whirs. He listens.

The problems you see  and sometimes the problems you hear, he says, wryly, as he adjusts the operational shaft, are not always the real problem.

Now the stubborn machine is yielding its secrets at last. Lundy has flushed its brown sludge, freed its operational shaft, oiled the precise points where metal meets metal.

Mr. Montgomerys soul fills this space. The 1916 Royal Model 10 that stood guard at the old shop stands here now. Theres his woolen hat. Theres a photo from Bremertons Bob Montgomery Day, which he bristled at because he didnt like attention. There are his community theater awards  best director, again and again  testament to the love of performance that began in those old Seattle theaters. There sit his notes, repair manuals and tools: blue-handled wrenches, metallic probes, soft-bristled brushes. Mr. Montgomerys bench is where Lundy works.

Itll always be his, Lundy says of the shop, now called Bremerton Typewriter Company. I am just borrowing it.

Lundys wife, Lisa, works at her own bench. She started learning repair work during the pandemic and became proficient, helping with the backlog.

The phone rings steadily; customers call from as far as Florida, New York and beyond. The novelist who needs an escape from the internets magnetic pull; the screenwriter convinced that only keys that fight back can force out good work; the teenagers who have just found a grandmothers pristine Corona, a grandfathers portable Hermes.

It is Lundy who takes on apprentices now. He teaches the way Mr. Montgomery did: patiently letting mistakes happen because mistakes educate best. Its a steady transfer of knowledge, a careful passing of the seemingly arcane, a customer-is-always-right way of doing business.

Want to come in and type a poem on a 1920s Underwood? Sure, take a seat, dont rush.

Youre over 90? Front of the queue.

Gotta lay out the red carpet for our elderly customers, Lundy says. People forget that when you were younger, you did things. You made a difference. Then you get old and society just sees an old guy waiting for the bus, and its almost like you dont exist.

This year, Paul Lundy turned 65. Had he stayed in his old job he would have retired, probably on his birthday. Instead, he is working six days a week and smiling through it: I cannot imagine stopping.
Collected Strategies handles Exact Sciences as the cancer screening company is acquired by Abbott in a deal with an enterprise value of $23B.

Exact Sciences' offerings include Cologuard, non-invasive colorectal cancer screening option; and Oncotype DX, test for early-stage breast cancer.

The transaction makes Abbott, which will assume $1.8B in Exact Sciences net debt, a leader in the fast-growing $60B US cancer screening market, which is expected to rise due to population growth and the graying of America.

Abbott CEO Robert Ford said Exact Sciences innovation, strong brand and customer-focused execution are unrivaled in the cancer diagnostics space.

Madison, WI-based Exact Sciences is expected to generate more than $3B in revenues this year.

CEO Kevin Conroy will remain in an advisory role to support the transition into Abbott. "Together with Abbott, we can reach more patients, advance earlier detection, and deliver answers that change lives, he said.

Collected Strategies has founding partner Jim Golden and managing director Tali Epstein representing Exact Sciences.
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SHINRONE National School celebrated the extraordinary milestone of five decades of learning at a special event attended by Bishop Fintan Monahan and local clergy, many past and current pupils with staff, parents and management, and the entire community of Shinrone who came to mark the golden occasion.

"By any standards 50 years is a serious reason to celebrate and to shout out loud", Bishop Monahan told a packed St Mary's Church on Saturday last, where the occasion was marked with a celebratory Mass, ceremonial tree planting and a special message for future generations in a time capsule filled by the current pupils.

The very well attended event celebrated the long tradition of education in the area, Bishop Monahan said.

"What a great event it is to mark the Golden Jubilee of the school - both words, golden and jubilee, are laden with richness of value, work and celebration and fiesta and giving thanks.

"From 1975 to 2025, what a remarkable and interesting span of history that contains generations of students who have been educated here during that time. The roots of Shinrone National School reach deep down into the interest and the enthusiasm and the support that has been given by the proud tradition of the people of Shinrone parish and that is so obvious in the beautiful way the Church is kept", Bishop Monahan said.

Fr Tom Hogan told Bishop Monahan the community had put great work and effort into preparing to mark the occasion. Bishop Monahan remarked about "the great work done in preparation with the painting outside and the beautification of the grounds outside and well done to the many in relation to that".

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Bishop Monahan said the determination, foresight and courage of the founders of Shinrone National School leave us all full of admiration and the day celebrates "the human hunger for wisdom".

"Wisdom being enlightenment, well rounded education, which has edified human beings so much. It is that glorious appetite which is essential to what makes us distinctly human - that quest for wisdom and of true education.

"It is a great opportunity to reflect upon the wisdom and great achievements of those who have gone before and those who have invested heavily in the school. The temptation is to forget, to fail to remember, or to take for granted our past that has been in so many aspects very great", Bishop Monahan said.

"We need memory and the experience of our ancestors, it is important that shouldn't be ignored and we do so at our great peril. Therefore, we remember, we appreciate and we understand where we are coming from and it is important that we remember the heroic activities of those who have gone before us and who have brought us to this day - they are the giants on whose shoulders we stand today", the Bishop said.

Bishop Monahan said he was very impressed by the "excellent film clip so professionally produced by the student council to advertise and to inform the various elements of the day.

"The video showcased the confidence, eloquence, communicationability, the talent and the skills of the children - well done to all involved in making that video", he said.

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"We celebrate a place of learning which is essential to our society, just as essential as our secondary schools and universities. Crucial to our society are schools and education and in the small well equipped schools like in Shinrone, with dedicated staff and boards of management and parents associations, a very important battle is enacted, and won, everyday.

"Because it is here, working with a sense of history, we are in a position to build a bright and brighter future. In the words of WB Yeats - 'Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire', and that fire was lit 50 years ago and it is burning brightly today in Shinrone", Bishop Monahan said.

"Today we mark the completion of a half-a-century of education in Shinrone. Former pupils of the school have taken their place in society and become leaders at home and abroad, across the country and in countries to which they have emigrated.

"Sportspeople, musicians, cultured individuals and people of profound Christian values have emerged enriched by years spent in this place of learning and socialisation.

"Today is a time for memories, but the Christian memory and hope will always be related and we thank God for what has been achieved in the past and we recognise our dependance on the Lord and we look forward with confidence and with hope", Bishop Monahan said.

Adrian Doughery, Freya Fox, Martin Costello, Gerdline Egan, Eimear Reynolds and Evan Kirwan led the Prayers of the Faithful at the celebratory Mass.

In their prayers the pupils, parents and staff thanked everyone who made the school the special and successful place it has become.

To mark the occasion a special new book documenting the history of the school and the amalgamation with Pike National School was released - 'Caoga Bliain ag Fas 1975 - 2025, Shinrone National School and The Pike National School'.

Everyone in attendance was invited to enjoy refreshments in the Hall and the beautifully decorated school buildings, while people pored over photographs of family and classmates captured in the new book from bygone years.

Bishop Monahan also blessed a tree planted on the school grounds to mark the Golden Jubilee.

Shinrone National School will hold their Open Evening this Wednesday (November 19th) and parents are invited to come along for a cuppa and a chat and have a look around to see what they can offer children.

The Open Evening takes place from 7pm to 8pm and the management asks please share the date with anyone who is thinking about where to send their child to school. All are welcome.

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The Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Home in Roscrea is an institution of care and compassion in the heritage town, which has played a role in generations of Roscrea families since its opening in 1975.

On Saturday last the staff, management, residents and their families marked the important milestone of half a century of compassionate care provided by the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit in Roscrea.

The Nursing Home, located in the shadow of St. Cronan's Church in the heart of the town, continues to play an important role in caring for people from Roscrea in the town they know and love and close to their families and friends.

The event was marked by a special mass service celebrated by Fr John Molloy, Fr Antun Pasalic, and Fr Tom Corbett, and featuring music by Martin Delaney.

Among those in attendance at the event to mark five decades of care in Roscrea were local clergy Fr Antun Pasalic, Fr Tom Corbett and Fr John Molloy; former Director of Nursing Anne Keevey; Sean Maxwell, nephew of Dean Thomas Maxwell; Director of Nursing Ambili Appukkuttan; Niall Maxwell, nephew of Dean Thomas Maxwell and former Director of Nursing Brona Brophy.

The Dean Maxwell is home to 27 residents who avail of long-stay, respite and palliative care, supported by a dedicated team of nurses, health care assistants, catering and administrative staff from the local community and surrounds.

Pictured at a celebration which took place last weekend marking over half a century of compassionate care provided by the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit in Roscrea are current members of staff: L-R Evan Morrissey, Eileen Dunne, Maura Tobin, Margaret Fox, Trish Delaney, Teresa Spencer, Hitha Joy, Director of Nursing Ambili Appukkuttan, Shanti Ezenwa, Angela Nolan, Patricia Grimes, Teresa Fitzpatrick, Karen Nolan, Mary Hayes, Liz Ryan, Johnny Delaney, Mary Campion and Patricia Kiely
VIENTIANE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has convened a high-level meeting to discuss priorities for the country's socio-economic development plan, to support Laos' graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and advance its sustainable development goals.

The 14th High-Level Round Table Meeting was held in the Lao capital Vientiane on Wednesday, under the theme "Strengthening Development Partnerships for Effective Implementation of the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026-2030," according to the Lao Ministry of Finance on Thursday.

In his speech, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone called on the participants to strengthen cooperation, build an independent and self-reliant economy, and advance human resource development, social well-being, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, and regional connectivity.

He also urged ministries and local authorities to implement the meeting's outcomes. 
BISHOP of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan, will visit Rathcabbin this Sunday to celebrate the official launch of a book marking the 40th anniversary of the construction of the village's new church, as well as an extensive social history of the wider area of Dorrha.

The 130-page book, The Soul of Dorrha, The Spirit of Rathcabbin, will be launched at Our Lady Queen of Ireland Church in Rathcabbin this Sunday (November 23rd). All are invited to the ceremony, at which the book will be for sale for the first time. Proceedings will start with a 40th anniversary Mass at 11.30am, followed by the official launch of the book by guest speaker Damien O'Meara of RTE.

The book is the culmination of research and writing since the start of this year. It captures the extraordinary story of the construction of the new church in Rathcabbin in 1984, including the remarkable fundraising efforts which saw the building, which cost over 300,000, emerge with a small surplus which went towards refurbishments at the parish's schools.

As well as the history of the church in Rathcabbin village and wider area of Dorrha, this book also includes chapters about Dorrha through the Middle Ages and into modern times. It also serves as an extensive social history with chapters about agriculture, education, drama, Tidy Towns, GAA and Camogie, local business and more.

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Roscrea Badminton Club (RBC) has the honour of being selected as the Club of the Year for the 24/25 Season at the Badminton Ireland Awards 2024/25 which took place before the Finals of the AIG VICTOR Irish Open on November 15th.

Roscrea Badminton Club is a small rural club of only approximately 50 members that punches way above its weight.

RBC currently has the proud distinction of having three of their members playing at International level.

Luke Marks on the Irish U17s & representing Ireland at this year's Youth Olympics, Celine Connors on the Irish Masters Team & Lorcan Flannery who recently represented Ireland in the European Para Games in Turkey, and RBC members are also highly represented on the County Teams.

RBC pride themselves in being a totally inclusive club open to members of all ages & abilities having members ranging from 14 to their 70s and Lorcan being a prime example of promoting badminton to all.

At a Tipperary County level, 4 of RBCs members sit on positions on the County committee and are the main drivers & co-ordinators of all competitions in the county.

Roscrea Badminton Club has such a long history with Badminton Ireland (BI) on a National level with the proud achievement of having the only husband & wife to have served as Presidents of BI in Paddy & Kathleen Marks.

The Club's continued commitment to BI at a National level is still demonstrated today with having 4 members, Mary Ryan, Bernard & Pauline Martin & JP Maloney assisting BI in the running of National Competitions.

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Mary Ryan also has the honour of being the first female Umpire in Munster and recently has recentlytaken on the role of Line Judge Co-ordinator, which by all accounts, she did a fantastic job at the Irish Open.

For the past 3 years, Roscrea Badminton Club has also run a social County competition, the Joe Tuohy Tournament in the memory of a former member, Joe Tuohy. This competition has grown from strength to strength every year and has tremendous support from all clubs in the County.
Survivors of the former Sean Ross Mother and Baby Home in Roscrea are holding a poignant event tonight to remember those who died at the facility.

A Candlelight Tribute will take place at Sean Ross Abbey today, on World Childrens Day, 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.

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"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.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com . To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here

Honestly, its hard even to take in. I'm thinking about a strip of land only about 25 miles long, parts of which are less than four miles wide, that once upon a time (not so very long ago) was one of the most densely populated places on the planet. Starting in October 2023, however, it was pummeled almost constantly. More or less every kind of weaponry except nuclear ones has been used there (much of it provided by the United States of America), and Gaza yes, of course, that's the strip of land I'm thinking about is now in literal ruins. You simply cant look at photos of the place anymore and see anything but devastated buildings and a landscape of almost pure rubble.

And its no small thing, despite what happened to Israel in October 2023, for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and crew to have devastated Gaza in that fashion, killing an estimated nearly 70,000 Palestinians and wounding or injuring possibly 170,000 more, adding up to approximately 10% of that strips prewar population. Those who survived have, of course, been displaced many times over. And count on one thing: the devastation of that small strip of land undoubtedly hasn't ended yet.

Of course, until relatively recently, Donald Trump backed his pal Netanyahu to the nth degree from sending vast amounts of military equipment to arm his forces to bombing Iran (and, of course, fantasizing about depopulating Gaza and turning it into the Riviera of the Middle East). Now, however, even Donald Trump has grown somewhat disgusted by the nightmare in Gaza. Hes begun to turn on his old pal and started insisting that he will decide whats right for Israel. What happens next is anyone's guess in the strange world of Trump and Netanyahu, but in the meantime, let TomDispatch regular Mattea Kramer fill you in on how these endlessly unnerving developments are playing out in this country. Tom

An Unexpected Con to End Free Speech

How Trump Uses Jews

By Mattea Kramer

Rooting out terrorism and antisemitism was the supposed reason that plainclothed ICE agents arrested doctoral student Rmeysa ztrk on a street in Somerville, Massachusetts, after she coauthored an op-ed calling on Tufts University to divest from companies with ties to Israel due to the killing and starvation of Palestinian civilians. There is an international movement to boycott, sanction, and divest from Israel, but in the United States, President Donald Trump is imperiling the freedom even to publicly discuss such ideas, which should, in effect, be considered a test case for his larger attack on free speech. So far, the test is going well for Trump.

In what seems a long time ago, in 2024, the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, released a blueprint for what it called a national strategy to combat antisemitism by addressing what it described as Americas virulently anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and anti-American pro-Palestinian movement. In essence, and in whats amounted to an extraordinarily effective work of political theater that has been sold to my own state, Massachusetts, among other places, that foundation dubbed its political opponents supporters of terrorism. It also labeled organizations working in opposition to its agenda a terrorist support network, and claimed for itself the noble mantle of combating antisemitism even as it deftly redefined antisemitism from hatred of Jewish people to criticism of the U.S.-Israel alliance. President Trump has put the Heritage Foundation strategy into action and gone even further.

It may be his most original idea. As political scientist Barnett Rubin put it in September, President Trump always says hes very creative and accomplishes things no one has ever done before. And now he is building a fascist regime which is legitimized by the fight against antisemitism. Nobody ever thought of doing that before.

How the Defense Department (Oops, Sorry, the War Department) Promotes World Peace

I attended Hebrew school as a child, and today, when I try to recall what I learned there about Israel and Palestine, I find in my memory an image of a desert, replete with flowers, and the pleasant recollection that the State of Israel was founded in that empty landscape. In 1998, I visited Israel with my family. My brother had his bar mitzvah at the mountain-top fortress of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea. Though I enjoyed an enviable private school education, I didn't hear the word Nakba until adulthood. That Arabic word for catastrophe refers to the displacement of 700,000 Palestinian people for Israels founding in 1948. A majority of the population of the modern-day Gaza Strip descended from refugees of the Nakba.

According to Amnesty International and the Israeli human rights organization BTselem, Israel has imposed a system of oppression on Palestinians across Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories through an enforced system of segregation that constitutes apartheid. For decades, Israel has controlled who could enter or exit the Gaza Strip and, from 2007 on, that 25-mile strip of land functioned as what Human Rights Watch called an open-air prison. As of 2022, the unemployment rate in Gaza had hit 45%, and 65% of the people there were living in poverty. On October 7th of the following year, an armed group broke out of Gaza and waged attacks on Israel that killed 1,195 people, 815 of whom were civilians.

In the two years since then, Israel has responded by killing more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza in a military campaign of such horror that, as the head of Doctors Without Borders reported to the U.N. Security Council, children as young as five said that they preferred to die rather than continue living in fear while witnessing the slaughter of their family members. A girl named Sham was born in Gaza in November 2023 and survived smoke poisoning as an infant. As a toddler, she was diagnosed with acute malnutrition, before being killed on May 6th of this year when Israel dropped explosives on the shelter where she was living with her family. The United Nations and prominent experts, including Israeli-American professor of Holocaust and genocide studies Omer Bartov, have concluded that Israels war on Gaza is a genocide. The current ceasefire has slowed, not stopped, the death toll.

By 2024, the International Court of Justice, the worlds highest court, had ruled that Israels occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem was illegal; that Israel needed to halt all settlement construction, evacuate its settlers, pay restitution to Palestinians, and allow them the right of return. It also indicated that all states and international organizations have a legal obligation not to assist Israels further occupation of the area.

However, since October 2023, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry and the Council on Foreign Relations, using 800 transport planes and 140 ships, my own country has delivered 90,000 tons of arms and equipment to Israel, including tanks, artillery shells, bombs, and rockets. The U.S. government gives Israel billions of dollars annually in military aid, which that country spends mostly on purchases made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. According to a Defense Department website, that program sells articles and services [that] will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace.

Despite how, as Israeli historian Lee Mordechai described it, Israel has limited the flow of information out of Gaza and campaigned to discredit critical voices, a July Gallup poll found that 60% of Americans disapprove of Israels military actions there. Even more strikingly, a September Washington Post poll found that nearly half (48%) of Jewish Americans disapprove (and only 46% approve).

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Greystar, the nations largest landlord, has reached a $7 million settlement with nine states, including Oregon, that sued the property management giant for using rent-setting algorithms that officials have blamed for driving up housing costs.

The proposed settlement, filed Tuesday in a North Carolina federal court, is the latest to result from antitrust lawsuits targeting RealPage and similar software companies. Prosecutors argue the products help rival property managers illegally align prices and push up rents. A judge must still approve the deal.

Were in the middle of a housing crisis, and families are already stretched to their limits, Oregon Attorney General Rayfield said in a statement.

When the largest landlord in America uses an algorithm to price fix the rent, the result is simple: people pay more, Rayfield said. It squeezes working families when the cost of housing is already at an all-time high. This settlement holds the largest U.S. landlord accountable. Its a win for Oregonians, our pocketbooks, and the rule of law.

As part of the settlement, Greystar will no longer use software that relies on other landlords confidential data to set rents. Greystar also agreed separately last month to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over its use of RealPage. And in August, the company reached a separate nonmonetary deal with the Department of Justice to halt similar practices.

We are pleased this matter is resolved and remain focused on serving our residents and clients, Greystar said in a statement Wednesday.

Based in South Carolina, Greystar manages more than 946,000 units nationwide, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council. RealPage, which is based in Texas, has said its software is used on fewer than 10% of rental units in the U.S., and that its price recommendations are used less than half the time. It did not have a comment on the latest settlement.

RealPage has denied any wrongdoing and argues that the plaintiffs misunderstand how their product works. It argues that the real driver of high rents is a lack of housing supply, and says its pricing recommendations often encourage landlords to drop rents since they are incentivized to maximize revenue by maintaining high occupancy.

The RealPage software provides daily recommendations to help landlords and their employees price their available apartments. The landlords do not have to follow the suggestions, but critics argue that because the software has access to a vast trove of confidential data, it helps RealPages clients charge the highest possible rent.

The governors of California and New York signed laws last month to crack down on rent-setting software, and a growing list of cities, including Philadelphia and Seattle, have passed ordinances against the practice.

The states that are part of the settlement include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon and Tennessee.

-- R.J. Rico, The Associated Press
Inside ARQ, an undergarment company based in McMinnville, in 2021. (Beth Nakamura/Staff) The Oregonian

An email landed in inboxes on May 13, subject line, Anybody There?

In the from line was a surprising sender, one most recipients hadnt seen in over a year: ARQ.

ARQ is a McMinnville-based underwear company, or at least it was, before shutting down in 2023. It was one of the big successes of pandemic Instagram, a beneficiary of the fact that people had extra money, nowhere to go and a desire to be as comfortable as possible.

The company was famous for high-waisted underwear, made from organic cotton in the United States. But they also made other styles of underwear, along with bras, tank tops and a few occasional other items.

ARQ founder Abigail Quist told The Oregonian/OregonLive in 2021 that the company went from about $180,000 in gross sales in 2018 to about $7.5 million in 2020.

In that time, the company grew from four employees to 11, including Quists husband, Jefferson Quist, a lawyer turned ARQs CFO.

ARQ wasnt just a local sensation. Across the country and beyond, as the chaos of the pandemic upended life, people turned to ARQs comfortable, size-inclusive undergarments.

Then, in August 2023, Jefferson Quist died in McMinnville at the age of 40. No cause of death was given.

Our family has experienced an unimaginable tragedy recently, Abigail Quist wrote in an Instagram post the next month. For this and many other smaller but significant reasons, I have decided to scale ARQ way back and wind it down before taking a pause.

ARQ had a farewell sale in February of 2024. Then, the company went dark.

Until that email in May. Now, ARQ is back.

Its been pretty amazing the way our customers have received ARQs reopening, Quist said Wednesday.

The return of ARQ is slightly different than the previous version of the company. For one thing, they are now down to two employees, including Quist, plus some essential and deeply appreciated contracted help here and there.

For another, the Instagram juggernaut is gone. Now ARQ is promoting its products exclusively over email, no social media at all. The website is password-protected when a new drop comes out, and people on the email list get a password.

Email-only has allowed us to better focus on our customers experience and on their considered feedback, Quist said.

Ten minutes after the site opened the first time, in May, the most popular sizes of everything available were sold out. People needed new underwear, apparently. Six and a half hours after they opened the site, they closed it again.

There was nothing left, ARQs other employee, Andrea Roseberry, said.

Now, the furor has died down a little. The company launched its annual sale earlier this week, and the site is currently open. Most sizes in those high-rise underwear are sold out, yes, but plenty of sizes are still available in other styles.

Quist cant be sure what the future will hold for ARQ, but she said, For now, keeping things as simple as possible is the right thing for us.

Clothing development and production alone is inherently not simple, she added. Hopefully, well do enough business in the next short while to bring on a little more help, though.

An employee models ARQ undergarments in 2021. (Beth Nakamura/Staff) The Oregonian

One thing that hasnt changed? Where the clothes are made.

We are working with the same independent factory in L.A., Quist said. I feel lucky and grateful to have been able to pick back up with them. They are very good and very busy.

Theres more on the horizon for the company, she said. They are working on socks and are hoping to bring back childrens undergarments, too.

The rebirth of a smaller, simpler ARQ is going well, on a business level as well as a personal one.

I have gotten so very many emails from kind strangers wishing us well and offering a lot of grace, Quist said.

That, she added, makes a strong case for optimism in hard times, and trying to make something beautiful no matter the circumstances.
HANOI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam and Algeria agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's state visit to the African country, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday.

During the talks between Chinh and his Algerian counterpart Sifi Ghrieb, both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation in politics, economy, trade, innovation, defense, education, and culture under the new partnership framework. 
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday afternoon allowed for the continued federalization of 200 Oregon National Guard troops.

The chief judge of the 9th Circuit issued an order granting the federal governments request for an administrative hold on the part of U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immerguts Nov. 7 injunction that had blocked the presidents federalization of the Oregon troops.

The appeals court order came amid conflicting announcements earlier in the day between Gov. Tina Kotek and the military on federal control of the troops.

The 9th Circuits temporary hold is intended only to preserve the status quo until the appeals court can consider the merits of the federal motion to put a more lasting hold on Immerguts injunction pending the governments full appeal, 9th Circuit Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia wrote.

The Oregon Guard federalization can continue until further order of the appeals court, Murguia said.

But the appeals court may wait until it gets some guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court, her order indicated.

Once the Supreme Court rules in an Illinois case on the lawfulness of a judges temporary restraining order barring Guard deployment to the Chicago area, the 9th Circuit will set an expedited briefing schedule to consider President Donald Trumps emergency motion for a more lasting hold on Immerguts injunction pending appeal, Murguia wrote.

Murguia also directed the federal government to file weekly reports with the appeals court on the current status of any federalized Oregon National Guard members, including updates on releasing them from federal duty.

Kotek earlier Wednesday issued a news release saying the Oregon National Guard called into federal service would all be demobilized, but the federal government followed up saying no such orders had been given.

Half of Oregons National Guard members were released from their duties earlier this week, leaving 100 Oregon National Guard troops still under federal control in the state, according to Kotek.

Late Wednesday, Kotek said the appeals court order means the remaining 100 state Guard troops will now remain in limbo, under federal control.

This is deeply disheartening and frustrating  on behalf of their families, their employers, and the taxpayers footing the bill, Kotek said in a statement. I continue to demand that President Trump call off this ridiculous, unnecessary military intervention, send our troops home once and for all, and focus on real problems, not made-up ones.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had mobilized the Oregon National Guard into federal service for 60 days on Sept. 28 to protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portlands South Waterfront neighborhood. The facility had become the focal point of nightly protests since June.

Attorney General Dan Rayfield appeared to look on the brighter side.

The most important effect of todays Ninth Circuit order is that National Guard troops cant be deployed in Portland, he said. We appreciate that the court is proceeding carefully and thoughtfully in this case.
Multnomah County law enforcement agencies will pool resources to tackle Portland-area burglary rings, officials said at a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Speakers included Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, Deputy District Attorney Alexander Garcia, Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day, Gresham Police Department Chief Travis Gullberg and Port of Portland Police Department Chief Jason Wallis. Fedor Zarkhin

Portland-area law enforcement agencies will start working together to identify and bring down burglary rings, officials said this week.

The burglary task force will include the Gresham, Portland and Port of Portland police departments, TriMet, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office.

Detectives, officers and investigators from the agencies will meet regularly to share information and coordinate investigations, District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said at a news conference Wednesday.

My office and these agencies are committed to protecting the economic vitality and safety of Portland, Vasquez said. This task force is really representing a step forward in that effort.

The groups focus will be burglaries of small- and medium-sized businesses, which have been hit increasingly hard in the area in recent years.

The impetus for the task force is the understanding that a large number of burglaries in the Portland metro are now being committed by a relatively small number of well-organized groups, which are using a structured approach to their crimes, Portland police Chief Bob Day said at the news conference. By identifying high-end actors early on, the task force expects to reduce burglary rates, he said.

Officials have high hopes for the impact the task force will have on burglary rates.

I want huge progress, Vasquez said.

The task force will include two deputy district attorneys and a data analyst from the district attorneys office, one sheriffs office detective, one officer each from the Port of Portland, TriMet and the Gresham Police Department, and three investigators, a sergeant and an investigative crime analyst from the Portland Police Bureau, the district attorneys office said. Sheriffs office deputies and a senior deputy district attorney will assist as needed, the office said.
Trenton Edward Barker Wednesday pleaded guilty to lighting a flare and tossing it on a pile of debris stacked against the front gate of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on June 11. U.S. Attorney's Office

A 34-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to arson of a federal building for setting a fire beside the front gate of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland in June.

Trenton Edward Barker, who was dressed all in black in the driveway of the building, took a flare from his backpack, lit it and tossed it toward a pile of debris stacked against the vehicle gate about 9:45 p.m. on June 11, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat said.

Several seconds after he threw the flare, growing flames were seen on the pile and federal officers used extinguishers to put out the fire after about three minutes, Rochat said.

Is this true? U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson asked Barker in court. Is it what you did in this case and did you know what you were doing?

Yes, your honor, Barker said, before responding guilty when asked how he wanted to plead to the single charge.

Barker, who works as a forklift driver, was arrested about 10:45 p.m. by Portland police that night after an officer identified him through black tape spotted on his backpack. He also wore clear goggles and had a black T-shirt covering his face at the time, according to a federal affidavit.

Federal officers used extinguishers to put out the flames about three minutes later, according to a federal prosecutor. U.S. Attorney's Office

Barker told the judge he grew up in Salem, completed high school and some years of community college. Prosecutors said he lives now in Portland.

The arson charge brings a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, the judge said, but Barker and his lawyer are allowed to argue for any sentence, according to the plea agreement.

A separate case against Barker filed in Multnomah County District Court will be dismissed, according to his defense lawyer.

Barker will remain out of custody pending his federal sentencing on March 4.

Hes one of 40 people who have been charged with federal misdemeanor or felony charges since nightly protests began in June outside Portlands ICE building in response to President Donald Trumps stepped-up immigration enforcement.
Oregon wildlife officials are investigating how a young humpback whale that came ashore near Yachats last weekend tangled in crab gear. The whale was ultimately euthanized after roughly 48 hours stranded alive on the sand.

The male juvenile, about 2-3 years old and 30 feet long, washed up just north of Yachats at San Marine State Park beach on Nov. 15 with rope wrapped around its body. Beachgoers cut away the lines, but the whale was too weak to make it back to the ocean. After rescue efforts failed, veterinarians with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network euthanized it on Nov. 17. The next day, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians held a ceremony, and students and other partner groups helped disassemble the whale and remove it from the beach in sections.

NOAA Fisheries has linked the gear the whale was caught in to Oregons commercial Dungeness crab fishery. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says its staff are now helping NOAA investigate how the entanglement and stranding happened, including interviewing gear owners and reviewing fishing activity in the area. A necropsy team examined the carcass earlier this week to assess the whales condition and look for clues about what led to the stranding.

The Yachats case comes as humpback entanglements along the West Coast have increased dramatically over the past decade, a trend The Oregonian/OregonLive mapped and analyzed using federal entanglement data. Scientists say West Coast humpback populations are growing by about 8% a year, increasing the chances that migrating whales cross paths with fixed fishing gear.

In response to entanglements, Oregon has already limited the number of crab pots a boat can carry by 20%, banned late-season crabbing outside 40 fathoms after May 1 and launched efforts to find and remove lost pots. State and industry leaders have also funded Oregon State University research to track where whales and crab gear overlap.

In 2026, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to review those measures and consider new rules for the commercial crab fleet, including electronic vessel monitoring and criteria for testing designed to reduce entanglements.

ODFW is also working with California and Washington fishery managers to coordinate the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season. They expect to announce an opening date on Friday.
Margot Dodds poses for the 2026 Outback Naked Calendar, a fundraiser she helped organize to raise money for the town of Lakeview in southern Oregon. Annette Goeres

A group of women are making their very own Calendar Girls moment in southern Oregon.

Residents of Lakeview posed nearly-nude for the 2026 Outback Naked calendar, which is being sold to help raise money for the struggling town.

Organized by Jess Calvin and Margot Dodds, the tasteful and discreet calendar will feature 12 local women and men who are willing to get vulnerable to help their community. Models are strategically covered and showcase residents enjoying the remote, scenic region of the state that is sometimes called the Oregon Outback.

We have some brave members of the community who are willing to become vulnerable to support their town, Dodds told the Lake County Examiner. Our models will be unclothed but strategically covered, nothing visible that wouldnt be seen at the pool. We are looking for beautiful photographs that showcase people having fun in the Oregon Outback.

Dodds said the project was partly inspired by the 2003 movie Calendar Girls, which was based on the true story of middle-aged Yorkshire women making a nearly nude calendar to raise money for leukemia research.

The sun sets over Goose Lake, a 147-square-mile lake that straddles the border of Oregon and California near the southern Oregon town of Lakeview. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Calvin and Dodds sought out photographers to volunteer for the Lakeview project, but also solicited photos from the community. The calendars went on sale Nov. 1, and while the price is listed at $25, people buying online have the option to pay up to $100 or name their own price. Shipping costs $7 extra.

All of the proceeds from the 2026 calendar will go to snow plowing within Lakeview city limits, the organizers said. The small Oregon city has been facing a financial crisis that has threatened community services and resulted in rising costs for residents. Over the summer, the town faced a potential shutdown, with mounting debts that resulted in increased water bills and cuts to law enforcement positions, the Lake County Examiner reported.

Lakeview has faced decreased revenue from its alcohol sales tax, transient lodging tax and property taxes, the newspaper reported, but there have been other issues as well, including the bankruptcy of Ruby Pipeline, a company that constructed a 680-mile natural gas pipeline through part of southern Oregon, which led to a drop in local tax revenue.

That led the Outback Naked crew to take it upon themselves to raise money for their town, hoping for a little Calendar Girls magic.
We tried Taco Bell's Mountain Dew Baja Blast pie with Portland comedian Sean Jordan. Lizzy Acker | The Oregonian/OregonLive

While eating a Taco Bell Mountain Dew Baja Blast pie at The Oregonian/OregonLive office last week, Portland comedian Sean Jordan made an announcement: Hes starting a comedy festival.

Jordan, a co-host of All Fantasy Everything, with Ian Karmel (also a Portland comedian, even if he does live in Los Angeles now), is hoping to launch the as-yet-to-be-named festival next September along North Mississippi Street.

We tried Taco Bell's Mountain Dew Baja Blast pie with Portland comedian Sean Jordan. Teresa Mahoney | The Oregonian/OregonLive

The festival would feature a bunch of local comics, Jordan, who was named Portlands Funniest Person by Willamette Week in 2014, said, with about eight to 10 headliners that fly in from out of town.

I cant say any names yet, he added, but there are some confirmed.

From 2008 to 2017, Portland hosted the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, which brought famous comics like Janeane Garofalo, Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford, W. Kamau Bell and Patton Oswalt to town and also featured local comics, including Jordan, Karmel and local/famous comic, Ron Funches.

Jordans festival would be a step toward returning Portland to its rightful place as a comedy hotspot.

The comedy scene has been amazing here forever. It still is, Jordan said. Weve had so many working, professional, successful comics come out of the city.

Jordan wont be organizing the festival alone. Hes working with Helen Vank, who was one of the organizers of Bridgetown.

So far, he doesnt have a name he can announce, or a location, or even a solid date, but he does have confidence.

I believe in the city, Jordan said. People show up.

You can watch the whole video here:
This photo made available by Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Archeologist Tamara Thomsen, shows the remains of an ancient canoe sitting on the bottom of Lake Mendota, in Madison, Wis., in June 2025. (Tamara Thomsen/Wisconsin Historical Society via AP) AP

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Archaeologists have identified more than a dozen ancient canoes that Indigenous people apparently left behind in a sort of prehistoric parking lot along a Wisconsin lakeshore.

The Wisconsin Historical Society announced Wednesday that archaeologists have mapped the location of 16 canoes submerged in the lake bed of Lake Mendota in Madison. Tamara Thomsen, the states maritime archaeologist, said that the site lies near a network of what were once indigenous trails, suggesting ancient people left the canoes there for anyone to use as they traveled, much like a modern-day e-bike rack.

Its a parking spot thats been used for millennia, over and over, Thomsen said.

Lake Mendota is a sprawling, 15-square-mile (38.8-square-kilometer) body of water on Madisons west side. The state Capitol building and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are located on an isthmus that runs between it and Lake Monona, a 5-square-mile (13-square-kilometer) lake to the east.

The discoveries began in 2021 when archaeologists uncovered the remains of a 1,200-year-old canoe submerged in 24 feet of water in Lake Mendota. The following year they found the remains of a 3,000-year-old canoe, a 4,500-year-old canoe under it and a 2,000-year-old canoe next to it, alerting researchers that there was probably more to the site than they expected.

This photo made available by Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Archeologist Tamara Thomsen, shows the remains of an ancient canoe sitting on the bottom of Lake Mendota, in Madison, Wis., in June 2025. (Tamara Thomsen/Wisconsin Historical Society via AP) AP

Working with Sissel Schroeder, a UW-Madison professor who specializes in Native American cultures, and preservation officers with the Ho-Chunk Nation and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Thomsen has now located the remains of 12 additional canoes, Thomsen said.

Radiocarbon dating shows the oldest of the 16 canoes dates back to 5,200 years ago, making it the third oldest canoe discovered in eastern North America, she said. The two oldest were found in Florida, with the oldest of them dating back 7,000 years, Thomsen said.

Wisconsin experienced a drought beginning about 7,500 years ago and lasting to around 1000 B.C., Thomsen said. The lake in the area where the canoes were found was probably only 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep over that period, she said, making it a good place to disembark for foot travel. The canoes likely were shared among community members and stored at designated points like the Lake Mendota site. Users would typically bury the canoes in sediment in waist- to chest-deep water so they wouldnt dry out or prevent them from freezing, Thomsen said.

Travelers may have been headed to Lake Wingra, a 321-acre (130-hectare) lake on Madisons south side, Dr. Amy Rosebrough, the state archaeologist, said. The Madison area is part of the ancestral homeland of the Ho-Chunk Nation, which views one of the springs that feeds Lake Wingra as a portal to the spirit world, she said.

The canoes remind us how long our people have lived in this region and how deeply connected we remain to these waters and lands, Bill Quackenbush, the Ho-Chunks tribal preservation officer, said in a news release.

Thomsen speculated that if the drought did begin 7,500 years and archaeologists are finding canoes beneath other canoes, they may eventually find a 7,000-year-old canoe in the lake. That could mean Indigenous people that predated many of Wisconsins tribes may have used the lake, she said.

Thomsen spends most of her days uncovering Great Lakes shipwrecks and works on the canoe project only one day per week. But she called that work the most impactful she has ever done as an archaeologist because she engages with Wisconsin tribes, learns their history and tells their stories.

I think Ive shed more tears over this, she said. Talking with the Indigenous people, sometimes I sit here and just get goose bumps. It just feels like (the work is) making a difference. Each one of these canoes gives us another clue to the story.

 By TODD RICHMOND Associated Press
A conservative Deschutes County commissioner plans to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum in Oregons most competitive congressional district.

Patti Adair, 74, announced her candidacy Tuesday for Oregons 5th Congressional District, which stretches across the Cascades from Bend to Portland. Bynum is in her first term after defeating Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, now secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2024.

Adair, who did not return a Tuesday phone call or email from the Capital Chronicle, said in a press release that she understands the problems facing the district, calling Bynum an extreme partisan.

In Congress, I will work across party lines to deliver real results that improve the lives of Oregonians across the 5th District, she said in a statement. Unlike our current representative, I will put people and problem-solving first, not partisanship and obstructionism.

Adair, a former chair of the Deschutes County Republican Party, swept into elected office in 2018 by unseating a more moderate Republican, three-term incumbent Tammy Baney. Shes one of two Republicans on the three-person commission, which will expand to five members in 2027 after voters approved a charter change last year.

Adair and her husband, Bob, have lived on a horse ranch near Sisters since they moved from California in 2014. Shes long been a fierce supporter of President Donald Trump, attending the 2016 Republican National Convention as an Oregon delegate for his nomination.

This year, she and fellow Republican Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone voted to eliminate the countys volunteer committee focused on diversity, equity and inclusion after a backlash to DEI work from the Trump administration. At the time, The Bulletin quoted Adair as saying, Were following the president from the top. The federal government is in charge of a lot of funding that comes to Deschutes County, and I would hate to lose it.

She has also voted to prevent the countys health care plan from covering abortion services for more than 1,000 Deschutes County employees. State law since 2017 has required care including abortion, screenings and contraception be covered at no cost to patients, but religious-based insurers and some self-funded group plans like the one Deschutes County offers were exempt.

Bynum said in a statement that she has spent the past year fighting to lower costs, create jobs and make life better for Oregonians.

From securing funding for our district to passing bills in the House that support our small businesses, my focus has always been on breaking through partisan gridlock to deliver real results to our communities, she said. I hope to earn another term from my constituents and continue working to move things forward for the next generation.

A regional spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee did not respond to emailed questions about Adairs candidacy. Eileen Kiely, vice chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon and a Deschutes County resident, said she looked forward to watching Bynum debate Adair if Adair won her primary.

At 74, I thought Patti was ready to retire as county commissioner, Kiely said. She always seemed more interested in Donald Trump and her horses than in meeting the needs of Deschutes County.

Adair has not yet reported any federal fundraising, and her state campaign finance bank account has a balance of just less than $15,000. Bynum had almost $1.4 million in the bank as of Sept. 30.

The only other candidate in the race is Republican Jonathan Lockwood, a former spokesperson for legislative Republicans.

-- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
Mismanagement at the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has weakened its enforcement of workplace protections, according to a new audit by the Secretary of States Office. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

Longstanding mismanagement at the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has weakened its enforcement of workplace protections and civil rights laws, according to an audit released Thursday by the Secretary of States Office.

The result is that workers and employers often face long delays for resolutions of complaints and employers who are violating Oregon labor laws can continue to do so unchecked, the Secretary of States Office said in a statement. The agency noted that for Oregonians who cannot hire a lawyer, filing a labor complaint might be their only recourse.

Leaders at the labor bureau have struggled to address its most pressing issues due to inadequate funding and unclear policies, the audit found. For example, when the agency tried to eliminate a massive backlog of wage and hour violation claims, the backlog of investigations only worsened.

Starting during the pandemic, the agency stopped conducting federally mandated compliance reviews of apprenticeship programs, auditors found. In addition, outdated technology and a lack of staffing have left agency employees feeling stretched thin and unable to efficiently manage claims of workplace violations.

Many of these management gaps and unclear policies at the agency seem to have started or worsened under the leadership of U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, a Democrat from Eugene, who served as Labor Commissioner between 2019 and 2023, the audit indicates.

This isnt about pointing fingers or placing blame, Secretary of State Tobias Read said in a statement. But the agency must do better, starting with fixing management mistakes that make it harder for the agency to enforce Oregons worker protections.

Since entering office in 2023, Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson has repeatedly warned lawmakers about the agencys vague policies and backlog of claims in various divisions. Last year, she said the agency would begin dismissing wage claims from workers who earn more than $52,710 in an effort to eliminate a massive backlog of complaints.

Earlier this year, lawmakers allocated nearly $30 million to the Labor Bureau to hire additional staff and tackle the backlog of complaints.

In August, auditors found that 2,500 wage and hour claims and complaints had not been reviewed by any staff and another 2,084 were waiting to be assigned to an investigator. At the time, the division that investigates civil rights complaints had a backlog of 3,277 intake forms that had not been reviewed.

The backlogs are hidden from most Oregonians, because the agency does not publish the data, auditors noted.

When Hoyle departed the office in 2023 to enter Congress, she did not create any transition plan or other documents that would help the new administration adjust to their new roles and responsibilities, the audit found.

In a statement Thursday, Hoyle said she fought for more funding to combat chronic understaffing while leading the bureau. Hoyle said her office secured a 28% increase in the agencys base budget for salaries, created a human resources position focused on updating policies and made it easier to file claims online.

I welcome this audit as it is something I also wanted, and quite frankly, its long overdue, Hoyle said. I do think that the agency and the public would have been better served to have an audit that tracked a longer time period with more data and perspectives, but Im heartened that the current administration is focused on building on those investments and modernization.

Auditors recommended ten strategies to improve the agencys performance. Those recommendations include: monitor and publicly report backlog data, reduce the workload of employees with multiple roles and establish detailed policies for specific programs and the agency as a whole.

Money alone will not fix BOLIs problems, the audit states. Many of its challenges stem from years of neglect and mismanagement. The most basic of organizational tools  policies and procedures  were either outdated or nonexistent.

In a letter responding to the audit, Stephenson agreed with the recommendations and provided specific timelines to implement each solution. However, Stephenson blamed many of the problems on the state underfunding her agency. She stated that many of the issues listed in the audit have previously been identified by her office but cannot be addressed without more money and staff.

Unfortunately, many of the deficits identified are a direct reflection of the fact that the leaders of this agency have been laboring in an environment of extreme scarcity, she wrote. While Oregonians absolutely deserve the Bureau to be able to meet the entirety of the need in an efficient, accurate manner, this cannot happen without the requisite staff and tools to carry out that work.
Members of the Oregon National Guard come and go in uniform at the Oregon National Guard Readiness Center in Salem on Oct. 2, 2025. Fedor Zarkhin/The Oregonian

Gov. Tina Kotek said Wednesday that all 200 Oregon National Guard troops called into service by the federal government more than 50 days ago would be demobilized, but the federal government said no such orders had been given.

We had verbal commitment from the Northern Command that all 200 Oregon National Guard troops were going to be demobilized and be going home, Kotek said at a press conference Wednesday. Now were hearing theyre waiting and so we dont know if thats actually happening.

Half of Oregons National Guard members were released from their duties earlier this week, leaving 100 Oregon National Guard troops still mobilized in the state. Attorney General Dan Rayfields office said the federal government would begin to demobilize the remaining 100 by Friday.

But on Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Northern Command spokesperson Becky Farmer said those 100 troops remain activated, despite Koteks and Rayfields earlier announcements.

Weve done our due diligence and double checked all the military channels and at this time, were standing by what we released earlier today in terms of the 100 (troops) remaining activated, Farmer said.

The confusion, Kotek said, was indicative of the inconsistency and, frankly, lack of protocol, surrounding the National Guard troop deployment.

Northern Command took control of the troops after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered their deployment in September to help protect federal buildings, including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland which has been the site of near nightly protests since June.

The mobilization order brought international attention to Portland and Oregon as President Donald Trump railed against what he repeatedly claimed were out-of-control protests.

Rayfield quickly filed suit to block the troops deployment. Rayfields suit was ultimately successful, when federal Judge Karin J. Immergut found that the order to send troops to Portland was unlawful. The federal government is appealing that decision.

On Wednesday afternoon, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed for the continued federalization of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. The chief judge of the 9th Circuit issued an order granting the federal governments request for an administrative hold on the part of U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immerguts Nov. 7 injunction that had blocked the presidents federalization of the Oregon troops.

That temporary hold will last until a future order of the court, the chief judge wrote. The 9th Circuit also is waiting for guidance from the US Supreme Court reviewing a similar troop deployment case in Illinois before it sets a briefing schedule to review the federal governments motion for a more lasting hold on Immerguts injunction pending appeal.

The 200 California National Guard troops called up by the federal government to assist with efforts in Portland returned to their home state on Monday, Kotek said.

The Oregon Military Departments estimate for the total cost for the troops to be called up, trained and stationed is $16 million, Koteks office said. The federal government is responsible for the cost, the department said.

- Reporter Max Bernstein contributed to this story.
BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra on Wednesday praised Brazil's presidency and efforts in driving the climate negotiations underway at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).

The EU climate commissioner made the remarks at a press conference with the European Union delegation at the Hangar convention center in Belem, where the COP30 is being held. The conference opened on Nov. 10 and will run through Nov. 21, with climate negotiations currently in the final stage.

"It's fantastic that President Lula is putting all his political weight behind this," Hoekstra said. He noted that the EU welcomed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's decision to designate Belem as the host city for COP30, which is geographically the gateway to the Amazon rainforest.

Regarding climate negotiations, Hoekstra noted that the energy transition must be accompanied by significant adaptation funding, a point "at the heart" of the negotiations. Mitigation alone is no longer enough to address a climate crisis that is advancing faster than expected, he said.

The most vulnerable countries, particularly small-island developing countries, must be prioritized because they are those most in need of funding and clearly bear less responsibility for the climate crisis, according to Hoekstra.

Meanwhile, he said that climate transformation requires more sustainable economic growth, but not a reduction in global growth. "Let's not fall into the fantasy that less growth helps those who need it most," Hoekstra said, adding that historically, recessions impact the most vulnerable sectors first. 
A Flock ALPR license plate reader camera was fixed to a pole in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2021. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

A handful of Oregon towns have turned off a powerful surveillance tool that scans and catalogs license plate data over fears the data will be used to arrest immigrants or invade peoples privacy.

In Washington County, however, Sheriff Caprice Massey assured residents the data, harvested using a brand of digital camera called Flock, is securely stored and being used to crack down on organized shoplifting rings.

These cameras are not surveillance tools for broad monitoring, Massey told commissioners during a Tuesday meeting. They are strategically deployed to investigate and deter property and theft related crimes.

The Sheriff drew a distinction between automatic license plate cameras, which run continuously, and what she said was a non-automatic version her deputies use, which is turned on and off by a technician. Washington County does not share data with federal agencies, Massey said.

Commissioners Nafisa Fai and Pam Treece, who are both running for county chair in 2026, nevertheless vowed to bird-dog the issue amid the ongoing crackdown led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement which has swept up at least 560 people in the Portland area, a federal spokesperson previously told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Breadwinners are being taken on their way to work, Fai said in a phone interview.

This commission is fully committed to the safety and protection of our residents, added Treece in a separate interview.

The technology behind Flock cameras is not new. The cameras can be attached to moveable poles in an eye-catching way to prevent crime, or placed more surreptitiously on traffic lights.

Police agencies have long used automatic cameras on squad cars, allowing the vehicle to collect license plate data and more as they rove about the city. These are not always Flock cameras specifically. The Portland Police Bureau uses automatic license plate readers licensed by Motorola, a spokesperson confirmed. The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office prefers Axon.

Across the state, Eugene put the lens cap back on its Flock cameras in October, citing fears that federal officials would use the data to target immigrants or out-of-state residents seeking abortions in Oregon. Springfield and Woodburn announced similar decisions earlier this month.

Washingtons Skamania County also turned off the cameras because of a civil court ruling in Skagit County, near the Canadian border, that the camera footage can be released in public records requests, the nonprofit Uplift Local has reported.

Woodburn enacted a 60-day Flock camera moratorium to allow city officials to review their use, Mayor Frank Lonergan said in a text message. No decision has been made regarding whether to reactivate them, he said.

Flock markets its product by touting its cameras ability to note vehicle features, like the make, model and color, as well as the ease of sharing license plate scans stored on its online platform with partner agencies, statewide or across the nation.

Those very features have drawn the ire of privacy advocates, including U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, who said those tools could easily allow ICE to access the data, such as if a local police agency shared its Flock data with law enforcement officials in a state without a sanctuary law.

Oregon law generally prohibits sharing data with federal agencies for immigration enforcement, though privacy advocates say ICE could find a back door.

In June, national technology outlet 404 Media reported that a Medford police analyst had casually looked up license plates in the Flock database upon the request of an ICE officer in 2021.

Abuse of Flock cameras is inevitable, and Flock has made it clear it takes no responsibility to prevent or detect that, Wyden said in a public letter to Flock last month.

The Atlanta based company didnt respond to a request for comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and Eugene resident Seth May sued the city last month after it refused to disclose the location of each Flock camera, citing security risks. The suit is pending, but Eugene has since released the data.

At Tuesdays Washington County meeting, commissioners asked the sheriff to return with more information about the agencys seven Flock cameras, which were purchased using a $396,000 state grant.

They took no further action. But also on Tuesday evening, the neighboring Hillsboro City Council declared a state of emergency over ICE raids in that city.

State Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, is mulling legislation that would exempt license plate reader data from public records and impose penalties for improper access, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle. The possibility has won plaudits from some law enforcement officials.

I think its the perfect area where the legislature and courts can step in and provide some guidance, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton said.

Queries regarding Flock usage from The Oregonian/OregonLive elicited a chorus of denials from local police departments which say they dont use Flock technology, including in Lake Oswego, West Linn, Gresham, Sherwood, Forest Grove, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Beaverton and Hillsboro.

Hillsboro police Lt. Doug Ehrich said officers use license plate readers through Vigilant, a Motorola company.

Tigard Police spokesperson Kelsey Anderson says the agency has access to two Flock cameras, but officers have not deployed them yet.

Salem Police Sgt. Jonathan Hardy said the department uses Rekor and Vigilant Vehicle Manager to operate automatic license plate readers, with the data stored on a city server.

The department has utilized some form of this technology for nearly 20 years in patrol vehicles and, more recently, at stationary locations, Hardy said.

The Canby Police Department didnt respond to a question about Flock camera use.

The state Criminal Justice Commission, meanwhile, dispensed nearly $600,000 for automatic license plate readers in 2024 that local police departments can use to investigate theft rings, according to interim director Ryan Keck. Recipients included Eugene, Hillsboro, Salem, Springfield, Lincoln City, Talent and Eagle Point.
Officials with ties to Washington County's sewer agency attended the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council forum at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island in 2023, at a cost of nearly $42,000. Those trips will be a thing of the past after the sewer board Tuesday voted to move its subsidiary insurance company from Hawaii to Arizona. Getty Images

Its official: Washington Countys embattled sewer agency will trade Hawaiian beaches for Arizona desert by the end of 2026.

In a move that had been telegraphed for months, the Clean Water Services board of commissioners voted 4-0 Tuesday to relocate its controversy-producing insurance subsidiary from Hawaii to Arizona, citing financial savings. The vote comes eight months after the companys location came under scrutiny in the wake of an Oregonian/OregonLive investigation that found that agency executives on the insurance company board stayed at a rotating cast of five-star resorts for annual board meetings and insurance conferences in Hawaii.

Seven trips cost at least $165,000, including $42,000 to send six officials to the Big Island in 2023 and at least $41,000 to send seven officials to Kauai last year, records show. The sewer agency did not send any employees to Hawaii last month for the annual insurance conference.

Following the newsrooms investigation, the sewer board, made up of the members of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, implemented a slew of oversight measures and the agencys executive director eventually resigned, privately citing a hostile work environment. The boards review included requiring the agency to conduct a new domicile review for its wholly-owned captive insurance company, a form of self insurance that is rare among public agencies.

That review, conducted this summer by consultant Aon, identified Arizona, not Hawaii, as the best state for Clean Water Services to locate its insurance subsidiary. The agency endorsed that recommendation and asked the board to approve it, primarily based on Aons review, spokesperson Julie Cortez said.

The sewer board did not make public statements before voting Tuesday but asserted in previous meetings and in its official board resolution that the decision to relocate the insurance company from Hawaii to Arizona made financial sense and was not simply a response to public outcry. However, Clean Water Services declined to provide a complete picture of why the move made financial sense.

The Clean Water Services board, made up of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, voted 4-0 on Tuesday to move the agency's insurance subsidiary from Hawaii to Arizona. Director Jerry Willey was not present for the vote. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

An August estimate by Aon found it would cost the agency about $203,000 annually to remain in Hawaii while it would cost nearly $192,000 to be in Arizona.

That analysis factored in board member travel. Aon estimated it would cost only $10,000 to continue traveling to Hawaii for annual board meetings and up to $16,500 for optional training and education. In comparison, it estimated it would cost $7,500 to go to Arizona annually for board meetings and up to $9,500 for optional training and education.

Those figures are well below the more $40,000 annually that the agency had been spending in recent years to send its entire board to Hawaii. Rick Shanley, the interim CEO/general manager for Clean Water Services, told the board in an Oct. 10 meeting that was because the agency would only send three board members to future conferences.

Aons analysis estimated there would also be an additional $45,000 in one-time costs to move the company to Arizona, including legal costs and the costs of a tax adviser and captive manager. But staying in Hawaii would cost about the same, Shanley told the board in the Oct. 10 meeting. Thats because the agency needed to update its operating agreement and make other legal and administrative changes to the insurance company.

Board member Jason Snider pledged his support for Arizona at the time, saying he was swayed by the fact that there would be similar one-time costs no matter what.

For me, the decision becomes much easier when I realize we were likely going to have to redo a bunch of work in Hawaii anyway, Snider said. I think the right decision, given that, is to make the move to Arizona.

However, Clean Water Services declined to provide a breakdown of the one-time costs of keeping the insurance company in Hawaii to back up its assertion. Clean Water Services sought a legal review of costs for staying in Hawaii, Cortez said, and she argued that makes the legal advice related to potential additional costs subject to attorney-client privilege.

Leaders from Clean Water Services began traveling to the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council forum in 2016, after the agency decided to form and incorporate its captive insurance company in Hawaii. States that offer the niche insurance programs often tout their locations and amenities, with Hawaii boasting about its world class business meeting, hospitality, and recreational facilities fostering productive business meetings and corporate retreats.

The sewer agency has defended its decision as financially beneficial to its ratepayers. Since 2016, the insurance companys capital has grown to almost $5.55 million that could be applied to future catastrophic insurance events, exceeding expectations consultants set in 2015 when the agency was considering forming the company, records show.

But the case for basing the insurance company in Hawaii was always more opaque, consultants evaluations obtained by the newsroom through Oregons public records law show.

In fact, the records show that consultants in 2014 initially recommended that officials consider locating the business in Arizona or Utah before eventually recommending Hawaii, which they touted in part based on the faulty premise that travel costs wouldnt be expensive. And a 2022 evaluation conducted by Aon shows that Hawaii continued to rank highest partly because of the insurance companys history there, an advantage no other state could offer.

When Aon conducted its updated review this summer that found Arizona was the best location, it did so by using a slimmed-down matrix that no longer benefited Hawaii by including substance and existing relationships as a factor, among other key changes.

Following the boards vote Tuesday, Clean Water Services will now begin to work through the legal, operational and administrative hurdles necessary to relocate the insurance subsidiary to Arizona. Director Jerry Willey was absent from the vote. The board has given the agency until the end of 2026 to complete that process, but Cortez said the timeline could be shorter.

As to the timeframe, Cortez said in an email, we believe this to be a conservative estimate and will continue to adjust the details of the timeline now that the board has made the decision to re-domesticate in Arizona.
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The New Zealand government announced it would ban doctors from prescribing puberty blockers to young transgender individuals with gender dysphoria as part of a "precautionary approach."

In a statement, Health Minister Simeon Brown said that Cabinet agreed to introduce new rules under the country's Medicines Act. These would align with New Zealand's approach to the United Kingdom's restrictions on the aforementioned medications, which are also known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues.

New Zealand Announces Ban on Puberty Blockers for Youths

Brown noted that these medications play a crucial role in treating a range of medical conditions. He added that they want to make sure that they remain available for patients who need them for various issues, such as early-onset puberty, endometriosis, or prostate cancer. He argued that in these cases, the medications have shown strong clinical evidence of benefit.

The announced changes will be effective starting on Dec. 19, 2025, and will not affect patients who are currently receiving the treatment. However, new prescriptions will be stopped pending completion of a UK clinical trial examining the medications' use for gender dysphoria, according to 1News.

The situation comes as the Ministry of Health revealed that in 2023, roughly 113 young people aged 11 to 17 were started on puberty blockers. Brown noted that the "stronger safeguards" would provide added "confidence that any treatment is clinically sound and in the best interests of the young person or child."

Brown added that the decision was made because the government is taking a "precautionary approach," given the "uncertainty" in the evidence about the medication's benefits or risks. Currently, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues are not approved by MedSafe for use in delaying puberty in young people who have gender dysphoria or incongruence.

Increasing the Risks

Other countries, including Britain, have already placed a temporary ban on the sale or supply of these medications to individuals under 18 who are not already taking them. The latest ban in New Zealand is expected to have a significant impact on the lives and well-being of transgender and gender-diverse youth, said Elizabeth McElrea, an official of a transgender health body, The Guardian reported.

She argued that the ban will result in worsening mental health, increased suicidality, and dysphoria for gender-diverse children and young people. McElrea added that it would lead to a higher risk of experiencing marginalization and discrimination for these individuals.

The decision to ban puberty blockers comes amid a growing global debate regarding the number of adolescents seeking to change their gender. This has divided the people who are concerned about hastiness in prescribing such medications and others who are worried about access to remedies that they consider life-saving, as per the Daily Maverick.
Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeted an Oakland man who was dropping off an elementary school student, leading to a car crash.

West Oakland Elementary School Councilmember Carroll Fife said that at around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, she received texts from several teachers. There were reports of masked ICE agents riding in an SUV trying to apprehend an individual whom they identified as the father or grandfather of a child he was dropping off at Hoover Elementary School.

ICE Operation Results in Car Crash

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) said in a press release that an "outside law enforcement agency" was carrying out an operation within city limits. It added that, during that operation, they had attempted to "contact the vehicle involved in their case."

The statement added that the driver later crashed into an uninvolved car on the 800 block of 31st Street. The OPD said that it was not notified of any outside agency conducting investigative operations in that particular area of Oakland, according to the Oakland Side.

Read more: ICE Agents Forcibly Detain Chicago Day Care Teacher in Front of Parents and Children

The communications manager for the Oakland Unified School District, Ericka Doolittle, said that the district could not speak to the specifics of the ICE operation. However, she confirmed that "students were not involved and no ICE activity took place on a school campus."

The principal of Hoover Elementary, Lissette Averhoff, said that she was not able to confirm whether or not the target of the ICE operation was the guardian of a student at the school. She said that it was unclear why they were near the school.

Scaring the Local Community

At the time of the incident, a notification was sent to parents, saying that there was ICE activity in the neighborhood. It added that children were safe and secure at school while warning parents not to come to school. It said it would alert families when things have quieted down, KTVU reported.

In an email sent later on, OUSD said that Hoover Elementary was placed on lockdown due to the proximity of the campus to the ICE activity. It read that other schools were following standard protocol for potential ICE activity in the community.

The head of Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland, Monique Berlanga, said that the car crash scared people in the neighborhood. The incident also sparked a protest of roughly 50 people, which included Oakland teachers and teachers' union staff who gathered outside Hoover in the late morning, as per KQED.
CHENGDU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Top political advisor Wang Huning reiterated on Thursday the mainland's resolve to resolutely crack down on separatist forces aimed at "Taiwan independence," oppose external interference, and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to a cross-Strait seminar held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

He stressed that the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's restoration to the motherland stand as a great triumph and a source of profound national pride for the Chinese nation.

They underscore a fundamental truth: a strong and unified country is always the foundation on which the future of all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan, ultimately depends, Wang noted.

Wang also noted that, at a grand gathering in September marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the mainland solemnly declared that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable.

He added that the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in October further stressed advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and promoting the cause of national reunification as China works to build itself into a modern socialist country in all respects.

"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus," said Wang, pledging efforts to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, enhance the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and make concerted efforts to create a brighter future for the Chinese nation.

The seminar, the fifth edition of its kind, was co-organized by the mainland-based Cross-Straits Relations Research Center and Taiwan patriotic groups supporting reunification.

More than 200 participants attended the event, including Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, New Party Chairman Wu Cheng-tien, experts and scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and guests from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. 
US Durum Products' new facility at 523 S. 17th St. in Harrisburg. Nov. 19, 2025 Commonwealth Media Services

A couscous manufacturer is making the move from Lancaster County to the Capital City.

US Durum Products LTD is relocating from 1812 William Penn Way in East Lampeter Township to a larger facility at 523 S. 17th St. in Harrisburg.

We are happy to be here and look forward to being a strong part of the local community for many years to come, Said Chergui, president and CEO of US Durum, in a news release.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis announced the move on Wednesday. The governor said the company plans to invest $8 million in the project, and that 39 jobs will be retained and 25 new jobs will be created. As part of this expansion, the company is investing in new equipment and technologies.

US Durum received a funding proposal of $140,000 in grant money for the project from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The company purchased the property from the Philadelphia Macaroni Company in April for $4.25 million, according to Dauphin County property records.

US Durum was founded in 1993 in Lancaster County. The couscous manufacturer also makes short-grain pastas like orzo, rice and quinoa mixes, and Mediterranean blends such as falafel and tabouli, and flour and semolina.
Distracted by a cat in her lap, a 23-year-old woman rear-ended a vehicle stopped in traffic on Route 15 in Adams County last year and killed its 88-year-old driver, police said.

Madelyn R. Clemmer, of Middletown, Maryland, was charged on Wednesday with vehicular homicide in connection with the Nov. 30, 2024, crash in Mount Joy Township that killed Lawrence Katz, 88, of North Codorus Township.

An affidavit of probable cause filed by Pennsylvania State Police gave this account:

State police were dispatched to a crash just after noon at mile marker 8.6 on Route 15 north found Clemmer standing outside her vehicle, pacing and visibly distraught.

Clemmer told police at the scene she was driving with one of her cats in her lap. When the cat moved, she looked down to adjust it and did not see traffic stopping ahead of her, the affidavit said.

At the time, police said there was a traffic control device advising drivers to merge into the left lane of Route 15 north because of construction.

Court documents said Clemmer looked up and tried to brake. She told police she wasnt sure if she should have tried to swerve into the median or hit the vehicle in front of her, but by the time she decided, shed already crashed into the back of Katzs Mazda SUV, according to the affidavit.

The Lexus caught fire after impact and pushed the Mazda into a third vehicle. At the time of the crash, Clemmer was driving about 67 mph, and Katz was going about 9 mph.

Katz was able to get out of his SUV on his own and into an ambulance that took him to Gettysburg Hospital, the Adams County Coroners Office said. However, authorities said he was pronounced dead at the hospital about two hours later.

Court documents said police were not able to interview Katz before he died.

According to the coroners office, his death was ruled accidental from blunt force injuries.

Clemmer and the driver of the third vehicle involved in the crash were not hurt, police said.

Police said there were no mechanical defects found in any of the vehicles that could have contributed to the crash.

Online court records show Clemmer has not been arrested as of Thursday. In addition to vehicular homicide, she was cited Thursday with four summary driving offenses.

According to his obituary, Katz was a longtime pastor predeceased by his wife of 60 years. Seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren are among his surviving family members.

A remarkable man of God, Larry modeled how to live, love and lead like Jesus, the obituary said.
TyJerell Curry seemed to have everything going for him.

In 2016, the 20-year-old Harrisburg resident was attending college while working for FedEx. When he had spare time, he opted to spend it with friends and family, rather than out in the streets.

But on March 10, 2016, all of that promise was extinguished when a bullet meant for a friend of his hit him in the back as he returned home from a quick ride to a convenience store.

I got hit, he told his mom, Shawanna Plummer, as he stumbled through the back door of the house they shared near North 25th and Mercer streets.

Plummer waited more than nine years for Currys killers to be brought to justice. On Thursday, she was sitting in the front row of Judge Ed Marsicos courtroom as Leroy Gonzalez and Khalid Carter were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His family and friends carry his memory like a wound that never heals, Plummer wrote in a victim impact statement read before the court. I need you to know TyJerell mattered. His life mattered. The pain you caused will never go away.

They made a choice, a cruel, violent choice, and they must face the full consequence.

Gonzalez, 30, and Carter, 31, have denied any involvement in Currys death. The case was cold for years, until Tatiana Reigle, the woman who drove the men away from the homicide, arranged a meeting with Harrisburg detectives in 2022.

Four of Currys relatives read victim impact statements during Thursdays hearing, vacillating between anger, sadness and confusion. Each questioned how Gonzalez and Carter could go about living their lives until charges were filed in 2023, knowing theyd killed someone.

Im not a person who hate. I dont hate nobody. You are the two people I will say in my life, I hate yall, Currys grandmother Yvette Curry said, looking into the eyes of Gonzalez and Carter. Every morning yall wake up, I hope its the worst morning of your life.

During their August trial, Reigle told the jury Carter passed Daryl Scotty Smith while driving in Harrisburg, made a U-turn, and followed Smith to an unmarked alleyway behind Currys mothers home.

She said there was street beef between Carter and Smith.

Carter and Gonzalez got out of the car and walked toward where Smiths car was parked with Mike Jones and Curry inside. She said she heard a flurry of gunfire before Gonzalez ran back to the van. Carter later joined them and she drove away, she said.

Prosecutors presented Reigles testimony and incriminating statements Gonzalez and Carter made in recordings as evidence at trial. Defense attorneys argued she was unreliable and only cooperating with police to avoid prosecution for unrelated charges.

A woman who identified herself as Daryl Smiths mother but did not provide her name told Carter and Gonzalez shed seen them around the neighborhood after the shooting and making fun of having killed someone.

You thought this [expletive] was funny. You took a life and you dont feel nothing about it, she told the men.

I dont know what youre talking about, Carter repeatedly replied.

Yeah, OK, bitch! Smiths mother yelled at him before sheriffs deputies led her out of the courtroom.

After he was shot, Curry was taken to the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. His family members recounted in court Thursday what felt like the longest drive of their lives from Harrisburg to Hershey, praying for a miracle.

We never got to see him alive again, said Deanna Washington, Currys aunt.

Washington said he was quiet, respectful, and idolized by his younger siblings and cousins  a shining example of love and strength.

Now hes gone because of your choices, Khalid and Leroy. He was an innocent bystander just coming home from the store.

She said Gonzalez and Carters families can visit them in prison, but We have to visit a grave. We have to talk to a headstone.

There were no character letters read on behalf of either convicted killer at Thursdays sentencing.

Nah, Im good, Carter said when asked if hed like to make a statement. Gonzalez also declined.

In addition to life without parole, Marsico sentenced Gonzalez and Marsico to an additional 20-40 years each for conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of attempted murder. They were also convicted of firearms offenses.

Marsico said the killing was a tragedy in every way and that he took no pleasure in sentencing Gonzalez and Carter to life in prison.

The birthdays, the other dates, the emptiness [Plummer] felt during those years, he said. Nothing we do here today changes where you are with your loss. People talk about closure, I dont think theres ever closure.

Plummer said she has suffered with every passing milestone that Curry misses, and every time she has to walk by his high school diploma in her living room.

His life was full of promise, and you stole it, she said. I know I will never get him back or be the same again, but I will never stop speaking his name. I will never let his memory fade.
UPDATE: Victim kidnapped for sex trade saved herself by stabbing driver on Pa. Turnpike: police

Two men were arrested and charged with human trafficking after a stabbing and crash Wednesday on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Franklin County, state police said.

Edgar Jesus Espinoza Gamboa, 27, of Denver, Colorado, and Jose Antonio Hernandez Guiterrez, 30, were charged with human trafficking, simple assault and terroristic threats. Guiterrez hometown was not provided by police.

Police said they had been in a vehicle with a female who did not know them. She was being taken to Philadelphia, where she was going to be forced into sexual activity and was threatened if she resisted, police said.

The driver was stabbed  police didnt say by whom  and the vehicle was spotted by a state police trooper as it crashed into the center median on the turnpike eastbound in Lurgan Township, state police said.

The driver was suffering from a deep stab wound to his neck and shoulder area, police said.

The female fled the scene, and the injured man was flown to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Hospital.

The female was located a short distance away by troopers.

Both men were transported to Franklin County Prison.

The investigation is ongoing.
By HYUN SOO LEE, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa. (TNS)

A 45-year-old Wayne Township woman has been charged with several counts of animal cruelty after police say she disposed of 10 puppies in a Dumpster at a restaurant.

State police have obtained an arrest warrant for Sylwia A. Zapolska, of Schuylkill Mountain Road, in connection with an Aug. 14 incident in which multiple dead dogs were found in trash bags. One dog survived.

Police said Zapolska works as a dog breeder and has a criminal record in Schuylkill and Lehigh counties, including 26 prior offenses of dog law violations and one active dog-related case in Schuylkill County Court.

According to court documents:

An employee at Bennys Pizza and Burgers along Route 183 in Wayne Township reported on Aug. 14 that someone had tossed trash bags into the restaurants Dumpsters, and they contained several dogs, all but one dead.

At the scene, Trooper David A. McFarland Jr. and restaurant employees looked through the trash bags and found a black dog squirming around and whimpering.

The puppy was transported to Mountain Shadow Veterinary Hospital in Friedensburg.

McFarland said the bags with the dead puppies had a strong stench with maggots and flies.

The dead dogs were taken to the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System for necropsies.

A report revealed that most of the puppies were in poor postmortem condition, and it was difficult to determine if they were stillborn or born alive. Some of the puppies had collapsed lungs, suggesting they may have died in utero or during the birthing process.

Reports from Mountain Shadow found that the live puppy  an Afghan hound  was about a week old.

Police spoke to a member of the National Afghan Rescue Club, who said that the defendant and her husband were prolific dog breeders, having bred at least 50 puppies in the past 15 years. She said that the typical course of action for a breeder when one of their dogs dies is to take it to a veterinarian.

Police also spoke to the defendants husband, who said he and Zapolska were finalizing a divorce. He said that Zapolska rarely used veterinarian services for puppies because she always took care of their shots.

Police have charged Zapolska with 10 felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. She also faces 10 misdemeanor counts each of animal cruelty and neglect of animals, as well as summary offenses of transporting dogs in a cruel manner and abandoning dogs.
Guy Fieri shared an emotional post to his Instagram Wednesday.

Guy Fieris fans are sending love his way this week after he shared a heartbreaking post to Instagram on Wednesday.

Happy 83rd birthday to my hero, Fieri wrote alongside a photo of his family seated at a table. My dad Jamps. We miss you everyday and appreciate all the life lessons and guidance. Happy birthday wise old owl!!!

The Food Network stars father, Jim Ferry, died back on Jan. 27, 2024 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Fans were quick to flood his timeline with support.

Happy Heavnely Birthday to your dad! one person replied. Cherish all the beautiful memories.

Praying for you and your family, another wrote.

Hoping you have the happiest of birthday in Heaven Mr. Fieri!!! another wrote.

A handful of followers also commented on how much they believe that Fieris son, Hunter, looks like his grandfather.

Fieri, who is 57, discussed his fathers cancer battle prior to his death.

Hes been a great advocate for people that have gone through it, Fieri told People Magazine in 2022. Because theres not a lot of knowledge about it. Its not a great success rate. But I think you got to live every single day. Thats the biggest thing, is you never know what tomorrows going to bring.

Jim Ferry was not the first person in Fieris family who died after battling cancer. Hi sister, Jules, died from melanoma in 211, and he and his wife raised her son, Jules, who was 11 at the time.
Beaujolais Nouveau is available today for sale across the Fine Wine & Good Spirits system, with many of the stores offering tastings of the wine later this afternoon. Paul Vigna

Today is Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

Of the many grapes and wine varieties that fill out the annual wine day calendar, none has achieved the popularity that this annual holiday  dedicated to the first release of a wine from the current vintage  that this one has.

These are young, fruity wines made from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of eastern France, which celebrate the new vintage and are a symbol of festivity.

They are generally also a solid partner for many of the dishes that will be prepared on Thanksgiving, and the bevy of leftovers that will be put out for days afterward.

Per wsetglobal.com, the origins of Beaujolais Nouveau can be traced back to the early 20th century. Winemakers would ferment Gamay grapes quickly after harvest to create a light, fresh wine. The early bottling, known as vin de primeur, was a way to celebrate the end of the grape-picking season, and the wine was made with the idea of immediate consumption rather than aging.

In the 1950s, French law officially allowed the early release of these wines, and by the 1970s, the third Thursday in November had become the specific date for its launch that continues to this day. Only now, thanks to the marketing genius of Georges Duboeuf  one of that regions most famous producers  its a holiday observed internationally rather than just in France.

The wine is available today for sale across the Fine Wine & Good Spirits system, with many of the stores offering tastings of the wine later this afternoon. You can find a list of stores near you that are holding a Georges Duboeuf Beaujolias Nouveau ($15.99) at this link.

As an aside, there are a handful of regional wineries that make a nouveau wine, only out of different grapes than Gamay.

With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, here are some specific suggestions, pairings and recipes to accompany your meals.

Lets start with the wine recommendations from several specialists in the Fine Wine & Good Spirits system.

Bryant Fennell works at the Columbus Commons store in Philadelphia. Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Bryant Fennell works in the store at Columbus Commons, 1940 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia.

Heres his advice on some wines to consider as you look to pair your meal.

Martin Codax Albarino ($17.99) Pair with your turkey Pair with your turkey On the palate, flavors of pear, passion fruit, ripe apple, peach and lemon zest are framed by bright minerality and hints of spice. Attractive floral aromatics and brisk acidity make this a versatile, food-friendly wine. Winemakers notes

Bonterra Vineyards Rose (On sale for $12.99): Pair with stuffing Pair with stuffing This grenache-based wine has fresh, citrus aromas. Grapefruit, blood orange and watermelon flavors accent notes of maraschino cherries, quince paste and Earl Grey tea. This dry rose is both light, juicy and vibrant, with a crisp, mouthwatering finish that begs for another sip. Spicy food, fruity desserts and shellfish pair wonderfully with this wine.  Winemakers notes

Lodi Ave Cellars Petite Sirah Lodi 2020 ($8.99) Pair with cranberry sauce Pair with cranberry sauce Chairmans Selection Classic, with notes of dark fruit, black pepper, fig and cocoa. Beautifully purple-hued, medium-bodied and excellently balanced. Winemakers notes



To complement the copy, heres a video of Fennell that adds some depth and personality to his suggestions.

Mike Matranga is a wine specialist at the Lionville Shopping Center store in Exton. Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Offering his take on wines to pair with Thanksgiving dinner is Mike Matranga, who works in the store at Lionville Shopping Center, 162 Eagleview Boulevard, in Exton.

And below is the proverbial dessert, including wine and spirits pairing charts and recipes for several cocktails.

Wine flutes Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Sparkling wine choices Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Course pairings, wine Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Course pairings, spirits Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Recipe for Salted Butterscotch White Russian Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Recipe for Ginger-Spiced Pear & Bourbon Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Recipe for Apple Orchard Bourbon Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Recipe for Cranberry Sauce Gin & Tonic Fine Wine & Good Spirits
Kroger has bigger and better things in store for the company and it starts with the customers.

The grocer announced in a news release Tuesday the closing of three automated fulfillment centers. Its part of an effort to make its delivery operations faster and more profitable.

The facilities that are closing are located in Pleasant Prarie, Wisconsin; Fredrick, Maryland; and Groveland, Florida, in January. The performance of the five remaining facilities will be monitored by the company.

We are taking decisive action to make shopping easier, offer faster delivery times, provide more options to our customers, and we expect to deliver profitable sales growth as a result, Kroger Chairman and CEO Ron Sargent said in a statement within the release.

Back in 2018, the nations largest grocer tapped British grocery technology company Ocado Group with plans to build warehouses, where robots would pick and pack grocery delivery orders.

At first, the companies aimed for 20 locations, but only eight have been built thus far.

As for the closures, the company shared that it has expectations that the closures will improve its e-commerce operating profit by $400 million next year.

In September, during a conference call with investors, Sargent noted that it made sense to utilize stores to fulfill delivery orders in most locations, instead of centralized warehouses.

With this in mind, stores are closer to customers, and orders can be delivered more quickly and at a more affordable option. He added that Kroger is up to the challenge of delivering orders in less than two hours from 97% of its 2,700 stores, per Sargent.

To the CEO, stores are the companys most important asset.

He also shared that in some high-density areas with huge delivery demand; automated fulfilment facilities are cranking out exceptional results.

Meanwhile, the grocer is turning towards its expanded partnerships with third-party providers such as DoorDash, UberEats and Instacart. The company will also tote the accomplishment of being one of the first retailers to offer access to Instacarts AI assistant, which curates delivery orders instantly based on the customers preference as well as sharing ideas for meals.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway speaks to reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at her office in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb) AP

By DAVID A. LIEB, The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Missouri has escalated its attempt to seize Chinese government-owned property across the United States, asking the Trump administration for help collecting on a roughly $25 billion court judgment related to the COVID-19 pandemic that Beijing has flatly rejected.

Missouri has asked the U.S. State Department to formally notify China that the state intends to pursue assets with full or partial Chinese government ownership to satisfy the judgment, state Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said Wednesday.

The move stems from a lawsuit alleging China hoarded personal protective equipment during the early months of the pandemic, harming Missouri and its residents. A federal judge ruled for Missouri earlier this year after China declined to participate in the trial, calling the lawsuit  very absurd  when it was filed in 2020.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier this year that its actions during the pandemic arent subject to U.S. jurisdiction and it doesnt recognize the ruling.

Some legal experts have cast doubt on whether Missouri can collect on the judgment, because federal law generally shields foreign nations from lawsuits in U.S. courts.

Hanaway said she expects a long process.

We think the state was damaged. We want to recover, Hanaway said. It costs money to provide health care and other benefits to people as a result of the epidemic.

Hanaway said her office is still assembling a list of Chinese properties that could be targeted. She said Missouri is focusing on properties wholly owned by the Chinese government, as well as those owned by companies in which the Chinese government has a stake.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said in a statement on Wednesday that Chinas policies and measures during the pandemic were acts of national sovereignty and are not subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.

The so-called pandemic compensation lawsuits fabricated by certain forces in the U.S. ignore basic objective facts and violate fundamental legal principles; they are purely malicious frivolous lawsuits and political manipulation, with extremely sinister intentions, Liu said. China firmly opposes them and will not accept any so-called default judgments.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

The case has taken an unusual path. U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh initially dismissed the lawsuit in 2022, saying Missouri couldnt sue China or the other defendants. But an appeals court allowed one part of the lawsuit to proceed: the allegation that China hoarded personal protective equipment, such as respirator masks, medical gowns and gloves.

After Chinese officials didnt respond, Limbaugh accepted Missouris estimate of past and potential future damages of more than $8 billion, tripled it as federal law allows, and added 3.91% interest until its collected.

The lawsuit was originally filed by state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Trump ally who subsequently won election to the U.S. Senate. It was carried on by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, another Trump ally who resigned in September to become co-deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Hanaway, a former U.S. attorney and Missouri House speaker, inherited the case when she was appointed as state attorney general by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Associated Press reporter Didi Tang contributed from Washington.
YAOUNDE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian President Paul Biya and Vice President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue met on Wednesday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, the Cameroonian presidency said in a statement.

"Our talks focused on enhancing the strong, friendly connections shared by our peoples," Biya said on social media.

After the meeting, Obiang Mangue met with reporters, where he highlighted "the legendary hospitality of the Cameroonian people" and encouraged Cameroonian entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in his country, said the statement.

Obiang Mangue arrived in Cameroon on Tuesday. 
Photo Illustration by Cut It Out Design Studio / For Spotlight PA. Credits: Photo of Raymond Hohl courtesy of Penn State Health; photo of medical device by Samuel Ramos / Unsplash; other photos by Susan L. Angstadt / For Spotlight PA.

A photo illustration of Raymond Hohl encircled by images of the Penn State Cancer Institute, a medical device, and a nurses binder of thank-you notes. Photo Illustration by Cut It Out Design Studio / For Spotlight PA. Credits: Photo of Raymond Hohl courtesy of Penn State Health; photo of medical device by Samuel Ramos / Unsplash; other photos by Susan L. Angstadt / For Spotlight PA.

Story by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College and Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our north-central Pa. newsletter, Talk of the Town, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown.

Editors Note: After this story was published, Raymond Hohl resigned as the director of the Penn State Cancer Institute. Read more here.

One morning in May 2023, a hospital employee opened her email and read through a womans complaint about how her husbands cancer care was deteriorating. A senior administrator had forwarded the message with a terse note: Another one.

The employee, who worked in patient relations, reviewed the other complaints  more than six in three months, all about the same doctor  then wrote a summary for hospital leaders.

The doctor changes the plan of care without involving peers, he is not attentive to needs of patients, he lacks follow up, she wrote in an email obtained by Spotlight PA. I fear he might be a liability to the organization and the care we provide our patients.

The doctor was Raymond Hohl, the director of the Penn State Cancer Institute, one of the universitys highest-paid employees, and a pillar of administrators hopes for the organization. Almost a decade prior, Penn State recruited Hohl to lead the cancer center to a prestigious federal status, designation by the National Cancer Institute. The recognition could attract patients, boost fundraising, and make it easier to recruit top doctors.

By some measures, he was an excellent choice, records and interviews show. One internal review, from January 2022, touted Hohls clear vision and outstanding leadership. The center appeared on the brink of achieving the goal that had eluded university leaders for decades. Some patients and their family members recalled Hohl as a warm and caring clinician, the kind of doctor whod give out his personal cellphone number.

But there was another side to the director.

Hohl, the doctor chosen to lead Penn State to the highest standards, was a major obstacle to the cancer center reaching its goals, a Spotlight PA investigation found. Penn State repeatedly investigated Hohl in recent years, documenting serious problems with his conduct as a leader and a physician. Internal reviews found alarming lapses in his care of patients. Penn State Healths chief executive officer and chief operating officer, who have both since left the organization, as well as the hospitals then-chief medical officer and two medical school deans, had extensive knowledge of these problems, records show.

The universitys reviews concluded that Hohl perpetuated a toxic culture of fear and mistrust that chewed up doctors and researchers, who left the organization in droves. Getting federal designation was Hohls top priority, but after nearly a decade under his leadership and some $410 million invested, the cancer institute was significantly behind where it needs to be, a December 2022 review found. Hohl disputed the findings and offered a rosier assessment, records show.

Between early 2022 and mid-2023, internal reviews conducted by other Penn State doctors also found a series of problems with Hohls care of at least 10 patients. His sloppy recordkeeping caused multiple errors. Several of Hohls patients received extra doses of chemotherapy by accident. Others faced unexplained delays in changing their treatment, or having scans done to check whether their cancer had progressed. Hohl was also often weeks or months behind on his notes from seeing patients, six people connected to the cancer institute told Spotlight PA, which led to gaps in the patients medical records that alarmed some colleagues.

Some patients complained that he was inattentive or unresponsive; several said they didnt want him to be their doctor anymore. One surgeon, in a July 2023 email obtained by Spotlight PA, wrote to the chair of her department that because of problems with Hohls care, she would no longer refer patients to him, saying: I refuse to allow any more [patients] to be harmed by him.

In the wake of these reports, Penn State leaders privately weighed removing Hohl as director or stopping him from treating patients, according to records and three people familiar with the conversations. However, leaders elected to keep him in the top job after monitoring his performance for two months, while many of those who spoke up about problems later left the organization. When additional reports showed little improvement in Hohls behavior toward colleagues, Penn State again stood by him.

Penn State declined to make top officials, including Hohl, available for interviews. In a statement, health system spokesperson Scott Gilbert said: Penn State operates a world-class Cancer Institute, constantly working to expand our ability to treat many different types of cancers, including rare and difficult-to-treat cancers. Our Penn State Cancer Institute physicians, nurses, researchers and staff members maintain the deepest commitment to high quality standards of care and leading-edge research as they treat cancer patients at Penn State Health every day. To read the complete statement, click on this link.

Since 2023, the center has undergone substantial adjustments, including a restructuring of its leadership, increases in staffing, and improvements to the medical records system, Gilbert said. This year, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center received accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, which Gilbert said demonstrates our continued efforts to set higher standards of excellence for safety, innovation and patient care.

In May 2024, Penn State quietly scaled back Hohls oversight of patient care. The spokesperson declined to say why.

A headline in the Lebanon Daily News on Jan. 27, 2014. Lebanon Daily News via Newspapers.com

Arriving at Penn State in 2014, Hohl had a clear mandate: Obtain National Cancer Institute designation.

Its a gold star we can put on our lapel, Hohl said about the significance of federal recognition in a 2017 video. Its something we can hang out on our shingle.

National Cancer Institute designation was created in 1971 as part of President Richard Nixons war on cancer. Obtaining designation is a rigorous process that requires major institutional investment and years of coordinated effort. Designated centers often highlight the fact that they are among the roughly 5% of U.S. cancer centers that have achieved this distinguished status, which recognizes their research prowess.

Experts say designation matters for patient care too. Such cancer centers tend to be larger, provide more specialized care, and can offer the most innovative clinical trials. One study of adult cancer patients in California found that those who received their initial care at a designated center had better survival rates than people treated elsewhere.

There are also financial incentives to pursue designation. The label grants access to a special pool of federal funding only available to designated centers. For many hospitals, cancer care  which involves doctors across a variety of specialties  is a major profit driver.

Hohl played a key role in the rise of the University of Iowas cancer center. When a prominent family donated $25 million to Iowa in 2000, they cited Hohls care as motivation. Months later, the center achieved the top tier of National Cancer Institute designation.

Stephen Collins, who led the board of an experimental drug company Hohl co-founded in 2005, remembered the doctor as an extremely warm clinician and a hell of a nice guy.

As director of Penn States cancer institute, located at Hershey Medical Center, Hohl sat on the health systems executive committee and oversaw oncology services, records show. He found a vocal ally in Dennis Brenckle, the chair of the hospitals board of directors, according to four people connected to the program.

Between 2013 and 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Health awarded Penn State $712,500 in taxpayer funds to hire researchers and expand its operations in pursuit of National Cancer Institute designation, state records show. In 2018, the center secured a $25 million grant from Highmark Health, the multibillion-dollar insurance company, to recruit cancer researchers.

Pennsylvania already has five designated cancer centers, among the most of any state. But Penn State leaders argue that 4.2 million people across central Pennsylvania  roughly 30% of the states residents  lack easy access to a designated center because all five are in either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. If Hershey got recognition, patients could bypass the hourslong drives to major urban hospitals and receive cutting-edge treatment in a rural setting, under the same blue-and-white banner they cheer for on autumn afternoons.

Penn States designation attempt in 2011, before Hohl started as director, failed.

But by early 2022, the cancer institutes progress toward applying for designation was substantive, according to a report by the centers board of external advisors. There were obstacles, the report noted, including low numbers of patients entering clinical trials, a relatively low level of funding for research, and confusion over where Hohl, as director of the cancer institute, fit into the intricate hierarchies of Penn State Health.

Still, the report said, Hohl had recruited faculty, secured funding, and provided outstanding leadership. The goal was to apply for designation in 2025.

Weve already met with the NCI, Hohl said during a 2020 presentation. They know who we are, and they know were coming.

In late 2022, not long after starting as Penn State University president, Neeli Bendapudi commissioned an analysis of the cancer center. Penn State had been pursuing designation for more than two decades, and she wanted health system and medical college employees to assess how close the institute was to its goal, according to records and two people familiar with the review.

The answer arrived on her desk in December 2022. The report, prepared by senior medical college administrators and outside consultants, punctured the idea that the cancer center was anywhere near designation.

Despite Penn States $410 million investment in the 10 years prior, Hohl was not leading a high-caliber enterprise on the verge of federal recognition, the report found.

Instead, the institute was significantly behind on every metric the report analyzed and remained a decade, and $1.2 billion, from its goal. The centers lack of a cohesive strategy made it difficult to recruit workers, which would be key for an NCI push  the report estimated more than 200 additional employees were needed. Current staffers reported a low-safety culture, declining patient safety standards, and fears of retaliation if they spoke up about problems.

Blame for the institutes predicament could justifiably be pointed in multiple directions, the report said. There were no quick fixes.

The analysis was shared with Penn State Healths CEO Steve Massini, who has since retired, and top university officials. In Hohls view, the document was riddled with inaccuracies, according to emails and three people who spoke with Hohl at the time. However, his name appeared on the cover page as a contributor.

Undeterred, Hohl sent his own, more optimistic, analysis to university and health system leaders two months later. In his view, designation would require more than 200 new employees, but only five more years and another $845 million. Hohl marked nearly every budget item as high priority or very high priority.

The original report identified workplace culture issues as a major challenge, but Hohls analysis did not mention the subject.

Yet during this period, Penn State leaders  including Massini, then-health system chief operating officer Deborah Addo, and then-interim medical college dean Kevin Black  received multiple reports that the work environment in the cancer institute was miserable.

A human resources investigation in late 2022 documented Hohls tendency to yell and pound his fist into furniture. At a cancer center town hall several months earlier, emails obtained by Spotlight PA show, employees said repeatedly that Hohl normalized bad behavior toward colleagues.

In response to the HR investigation, the leaders discussed sending a letter to Hohl asking him to improve, according to emails and drafts of the document obtained by Spotlight PA. One version warned that if he didnt change his behavior, he might not keep his job. This is not our desired outcome, but we cannot continue to allow a work environment that all parties label as toxic to exist within our Health System.

Whether the letter was ever sent to Hohl is unclear  Penn State declined to say. But problems at the cancer center persisted, and months later, in May 2023, a separate internal review of the center concluded there appears to be a culture where bad behavior has been allowed without any repercussion.

Tasha Messmer looks through thank-you notes from patients she had treated at Penn State Health. Susan L. Angstadt / For Spotlight PA

Tasha Messmers supervisor once described her as the hallmark of nursing. During a formal evaluation, one of her colleagues added, There are many days I wish she could be cloned.

When work was difficult, the registered nurse would flip open a pink plastic binder stuffed with thank-you notes from patients she had treated over her nearly two decades at Penn State Health. She sometimes went in early or stayed after a shift to paint the nails of women undergoing treatment  a small effort to help them feel beautiful amid sickness and hair loss.

But by late 2022, Messmer had begun to dread her job.

In the years prior, about 20 doctors resigned or retired, and more than 110 clinic employees left, records show. I didnt bother learning peoples names who were staffing the clinic, a doctor connected to the program at the time told Spotlight PA.

Im ashamed to say that. But I didnt bother learning their names because they were going to be gone in two or three months.

The turnover created a heavy workload for the remaining oncologists. In one case, 500 patients had to be absorbed after a resignation, according to a 2023 internal report.

Hohl packed his schedule  seeing as many as 30 or 40 patients per day  to a degree that unnerved some hospital employees, including Messmer, who began working with him after other doctors left.

The cancer center paid physicians extra to see additional patients. But this incentive was offered only to a select group of physicians, including Hohl, according to records and three people connected to the program. Messmer said the disparity fueled animosity between some doctors, adding to an already tense work environment. A Penn State Health employee who evaluated the incentive program warned in a February 2023 email that its structure could encourage oncologists to cram patients into their existing schedules.

Cancer patients sometimes waited hours to see a doctor because of low staffing or overscheduling. On at least two occasions, Hohl scheduled meetings when he was supposed to meet patients, emails show. One day in December 2023, clinic staff searched for the doctor. Three of his patients, who had waited more than an hour to see him, were becoming frustrated. Hohl was moderating an academic presentation.

With so many patients to juggle, Hohl often fell weeks or months behind on documenting patient visits, six people who worked at the cancer institute told Spotlight PA. As a result, employees would sometimes open a patients electronic medical record to find blanks, with no information about what was discussed or decided at the prior visit. In some cases, Messmer said, Hohls failure to promptly document visits led to problems with patients insurance companies, which questioned covering the cost of treatments that lacked appropriate documentation.

It was like I couldnt even take care of my patients properly, she said.

Experts, including two oncologists, told Spotlight PA that while documentation delays are not uncommon, they can lead to errors and endanger patients.

If somebody gets seen again, and their notes not in there, it interferes with knowing whats going on, said Deborah Mayer, a retired professor of nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The clinician who sees the patient is responsible for updating the records in a timely manner, Mayer said. Consistent problems with documentation, she said, raise questions about whether the health system provides enough oversight.

For a time, Messmer thought that if she reported Hohls behavior internally, things would improve. She took screenshots of what she saw as evidence of the problems and shared them with a senior administrator. In December 2022, she also discussed her concerns with the administrator in a winding, anguished phone call. The mismanagement of patients makes me feel ashamed that Im part of this, Messmer said during the call, according to a written summary of the conversation obtained by Spotlight PA.

The administrator shared what Messmer had said with senior hospital leaders and told them she would address it with Hohl. However, I have not had success with these types of conversations up to this point, she wrote.

Over the months Messmer worked with Hohl, guilt gnawed at her. Her stomach ached. At night, she dreamed about being trapped underwater, her lungs desperate for air. In the mornings, shed sit frozen in her car. She took several weeks off in late 2022 for her mental health.

Its just so hard when you know these things that are really wrong are happening and theres nothing you can do to fix it, to stop it, she said. And you cant be honest with the patient and tell them, If I were you, Id go somewhere else.

In April 2023, Messmer resigned.

A month later, an internal Penn State review of the cancer center described a hostile workplace with a culture where people do not feel appreciated, heard, or want to work.

Penn State records show that, from early 2022 to mid-2023, Hohls patient care was repeatedly under internal review by other doctors and administrators.

The health systems patient relations office received more than six reports about his care in three months. Some of Hohls patients complained about delays in their treatment, while others said that he ran very late or was not attentive. These reports were shared with Addo and Robert Harbaugh, the hospitals chief medical officer at the time, records show.

Several patients asked not to see Hohl anymore. Employees who worked with him, including doctors, also complained.

Three people with direct knowledge of the situation said the flurry of reviews was striking. I have never dealt with so many patient issues  complaints, concerns about practice  in my entire career from any one person, let alone one person in this short period of time, a former hospital leader familiar with the problems told Spotlight PA.

Hohls medical licenses in Pennsylvania and Iowa show no formal sanctions or discipline.

At Penn State, records show, many of the problems stemmed from Hohls lack of communication.

In a letter sent to health system leaders, one family described the emotional turmoil of receiving conflicting information about test results. A nurse had called them with the good news that an urgent biopsy showed the patients cancer had not spread  only to receive a call the next day from someone else offering comfort because the cancer was, in fact, spreading. Throughout this confusion, the family heard nothing from Hohl, they said. Why am I hearing two different stories? the family wrote. What am I supposed to believe?

A patient with thyroid cancer was exasperated after learning that a sample taken months earlier, which could have helped clarify what kind of cancer she had, was never sent out for testing. After a tense phone call during which she felt Hohl dismissed her concerns, the patient did not want him to be her doctor anymore. She relayed her concerns to a friend who sat on the hospitals board, who brought them up with Addo, then the health systems chief operating officer.

Penn State Health conducted internal peer reviews of this case and at least nine others, according to records obtained by Spotlight PA.

In one case, the medical team agreed to continue a patients treatment and monitor their brain after scans showed the cancer had spread there. Yet more than six months passed before the patients brain was scanned again, despite multiple messages sent to Hohl encouraging him to order new imaging, an internal review found. General guidance, two cancer experts told Spotlight PA, is to take new scans every three months.

When the scan was eventually done, it revealed that the number of lesions on the patients brain had increased fivefold. The patient had an aggressive form of cancer, so the delay likely did not reduce their chance of survival, four cancer experts told Spotlight PA. Still, they had to undergo a much more intensive form of radiation treatment  with greater risk of unpleasant side effects  than if the scan had been done sooner.

Another patient with incurable cancer continued on the same treatment for nearly two months after a scan showed their cancer was growing and new lesions were forming. The patients treatment was not changed until weeks later, despite multiple follow-up visits with Hohl.

Spotlight PA shared redacted documents and summaries of the case with four cancer experts based outside Pennsylvania  including a radiation oncologist, two cancer nurses whove served in national leadership roles, and a senior administrator at a federally designated cancer center. The experts questioned why the treatment was not adjusted. The radiation oncologist said that the scan was a textbook example showing that the patients original treatment was not working and that the patient should have been presented with other options sooner.

In several cases, records show, Hohl did not respond to repeated requests for information from the hospitals internal review committee or patient safety department.

Penn State found that at least three of Hohls patients received extra doses of chemotherapy in error. In two instances, the mistakes stemmed from inaccurate information that was copied and pasted in the patients medical records, leading to a miscount of the number of doses they had received. In one 2022 case, almost all of the dates recorded for a patients chemotherapy treatments were incorrect  the entire treatment history appears to be wrong, wrote a Penn State doctor who reviewed the case, according to records obtained by Spotlight PA.

Experts, who were provided summaries of the cases by Spotlight PA, said that while the extra chemotherapy likely did not harm the patients, the additional doses could have increased their risk of side effects with no clear benefit. They also questioned why nurses and pharmacists did not catch the mistakes before patients actually received the extra doses.

Penn States reviews also found that two patients under Hohls care had the wrong type of cancer documented in their medical records. In one case in 2022, the documentation error resulted in the patient receiving treatment tailored for a type of lung cancer they did not have. Penn States review determined that, according to national guidelines, the patient did not receive the best course of treatment for their disease.

Clockwise, from top left: Steve Massini, Robert Harbaugh, Karen Kim, and Deborah Addo. Photos Courtesy of Penn State Health

Records show top Penn State leaders  including Massini, Addo, and Harbaugh  were aware of complaints about Hohl. In the summer of 2023, they weighed major changes to the cancer institute. Karen Kim, who was about to start as the dean of the medical college, was also involved in the discussions.

They considered various options. They could add more clinic time to reduce the crush of patients, or limit Hohl to only seeing patients in his specialty of blood disorders, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

They could stop Hohl from seeing patients altogether. Or, they could remove him as director of the cancer institute. Administrators discussed drafting a job description for the position and suggested another doctor who could serve on an interim basis.

Then another complaint arrived.

A surgeon at Hershey Medical Center fired off a long, outraged message to her department chair about a patient under her and Hohls care. She had been trying to get a response from Hohl for weeks.

The patient, who had an aggressive skin cancer, had undergone surgery and was scheduled to receive follow-up radiation to reduce the likelihood of the disease returning. But after meeting with Hohl, the patient had decided against radiation and agreed to start medication therapy instead.

The surgeon felt that Hohl had misled the patient into thinking radiation, the traditional follow-up care for the disease, was risky because the patient had an underlying gene mutation. Such a concern was unfounded, the surgeon wrote.

Doctors at Penn State who discussed the case at the time  as well as three outside oncologists who specialize in these types of treatments and spoke to Spotlight PA  said the particular gene mutation would not be a reason to avoid radiation therapy.

The surgeon reported that Hohl did not respond to messages about the case for weeks or discuss the change in treatment with the patients other doctors. This is a huge patient safety concern and it is completely unacceptable that [patient] care continues to suffer whenever Dr. Hohl sees them, the surgeon wrote.

The surgeons comments, along with details of the case, were sent to a senior doctor for an internal review.

A leader in the hospitals surgery department also sent the information directly to Massini, Addo, Harbaugh, and Black. I pose the following question to you all, he wrote to the leaders. How many more people need to be hurt before you take action and do the right thing?

Raymond Hohl speaks at the Penn State College of Medicine in October 2024. Courtesy of Penn State Health

In August 2023, Penn State leaders put Hohl on a two-month performance improvement plan.

The plan identified areas of patient safety concern including incorrect chemotherapy doses, delayed scans, and a lack of communication with patients and other team members. Hohl was asked to adhere to national guidelines for cancer treatment, demonstrate active listening skills, and show that he was a team player, among other goals.

The two months passed, and Hohl kept his job. The outcome left some employees confused and disappointed.

And some of the cultural problems blamed on Hohls leadership persisted.

More than a year earlier, a senior Penn State administrator told colleagues that, according to cancer center employees feedback, Hohl had normalized bad behavior toward co-workers.

We need to publicly commit to not tolerating it moving forward, the administrator wrote in an email.

But in early 2024, leaders were again faced with a similar set of complaints.

Cancer center employees met around this time to discuss ongoing issues with doctors behavior. On sticky notes, they wrote down their biggest frustrations.

Doctors blamed nurses for lost paperwork and resisted learning how to use a new electronic system for medical records. They arrived in the clinic late, or left early, leaving nurses to calm down angry patients; they skipped internal meetings about patient issues; they were behind on documentation, which caused problems with insurance approvals. The doctors were disrespectful to the nurses and appeared to see them as their personal secretaries; one had reportedly said about a nurse, Ill have my girl take care of it.

When theres been a request to Dr. Hohl to address the behavior of physicians, at times it has been laughed off in front of the staff that expressed the concern, the administrator who organized the gathering wrote in an email to the hospitals then-chief medical officer Harbaugh, Addo, and hospital President Don McKenna.

The problems were widespread, the administrator wrote, but staff agreed that Hohl was the worst offender and, as director, set the wrong example for others.

What you say does not surprise me, Harbaugh wrote in a February 2024 email.

An outside consulting group that interviewed cancer center staff concluded, in January 2024, that fears of retribution had fractured trust between employees and leaders of the cancer center, medical college, and health system. Workers were so scared of retaliation that they were reluctant to discuss their fears with the consultants, the report noted.

Not long after the report was written, as the consultants were implementing a monthslong improvement plan, the medical college abruptly canceled their contract. A Penn State Health spokesperson declined to say why, or specify what changes were made in response to the findings.

In May 2024, Penn State quietly removed Hohls oversight of clinical care, a move the spokesperson also declined to explain. Hohl remains director of the cancer institute and was still seeing patients as of early 2025.

A former Penn State senior administrator, who worked in the medical college and was familiar with the cancer centers problems, told Spotlight PA that Kim, the colleges dean, acknowledged in private that the medical school lacked the funds to replace Hohl. He is one of Penn States highest-paid employees, university records show, with a salary of more than $750,000 in fiscal year 2024.

Firing Ray would raise questions [Penn State leaders] dont want to answer, the former executive told Spotlight PA. And firing Ray would suggest their cancer program is in the shitter.

The search for a new center director could also further delay Penn States application for National Cancer Institute designation. Five people connected to the cancer center told Spotlight PA they felt that Penn State leaders believe getting the title will solve the cancer institutes problems.

Last June, Kim told the university trustees that the cancer institute plans to apply for designation again in 2027.

SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
Army Heritage Center Foundation President Julie Germany has announced two new additions to the nonprofits board.

Pennsylvanias former Assistant Adjutant General Robert P. French and acclaimed filmmaker Michelle Taylor have both accepted the Carlisle-based foundations invitation to join the board of directors.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) French launched his military career when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1972, according to a press release. He and his unit were mobilized in support of the United Nations peacekeeping effort in the Balkans. Throughout his 37-year career, he served in numerous command and staff assignments, which culminated in overall responsibility for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

A graduate of Mansfield University in 1972, he later earned his Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College in Carlisle. In addition to his military service, he later served as the Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and as the governors Homeland Security Advisor. Subsequently, he served as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.

Throughout his 37-year career, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Robert P. French served in numerous command and staff assignments, which culminated in overall responsibility for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Army Heritage Center

Taylor is the co-founder of Electrolift Creative, a boutique production company specializing in documentaries, feature films and short narratives. Her career includes her start at Young Americas Foundation and a national consulting firm. Her award-winning filmmaking on current events has garnered international attention and influenced political reforms. Other timely topics she has tackled include hotly contested elections in Argentina, the link between congressional leaders and Silicon Valley executives, and an exploration of artist Marcel Duchamp, along with documentaries on the electoral college, New York Citys revitalization in the 90s. and the national debt.

Gen. French and Ms. Taylor bring vast talent in their field that will enhance an already accomplished boards strength, Germany said. As we build upon initiatives connecting 250 years of Army history with the American public and telling compelling soldier stories that bring the taverns and wheat fields of the 1770s and more to life, these two board members will be catalysts for creativity and role models of inspired leadership.

Michelle Taylor is the co-founder of Electrolift Creative, a boutique production company specializing in documentaries, feature films and short narratives. Army Heritage Center

The U.S. Army is in the process of wrapping up its 250th anniversary year and gearing up for the nations 250th anniversary in 2026.

The Army Heritage Center Foundation is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that is distinct and separate from the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. The Foundation is dedicated to telling the story of the nation through the stories of our soldiers and connecting the military more closely to the civilian community.
Tom Segar, IUPs vice president of student affairs, said campus police on Nov. 15 received reports of KKK flyers on the sidewalks near the universitys post office. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Flyers advertising the Ku Klux Klan were found at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and throughout a neighborhood in western Pennsylvania last weekend.

Tom Segar, IUPs vice president of student affairs, said campus police on Nov. 15 received reports that KKK flyers were found on sidewalks near the universitys post office.

The flyers, which were not approved by the university, were discarded. Campus police searched for additional flyers, but did not find any, Segar said.

IUP students and employees can report any concerns online through the schools Office of Social Equity. Segar also linked to more information about resources available through the university.

According to TribLive, about 50 flyers were recovered by Indiana Borough Police in the area of South Sixth and Grant streets.

The Indiana Borough Police Department will not tolerate any incident of hate and will actively investigate and prosecute associated criminal offenses, the department said in a statement. Indiana Borough is recognized as a welcoming community and as its police department we remain committed to ensuring the peace, safety, and comfort of our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

Other instances of KKK flyers were reported in western Pennsylvania the same day.

A woman in Brackenridge, a community about 40 miles west of IUP, told TribLive she found KKK flyers in the street near her home. The flyers were found across three blocks, the story said.

Anyone in Tarentum or Brackenridge who has video surveillance of the person or people who distributed the flyers is asked to contact police at 412-473-3056.

Some of the flyers found claim they are from the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

The Southern Poverty Law Center said the Trinity White Knights are a small and struggling faction of the KKK in Kentucky.

The groups leader, William Bader, was cited for littering in February after he was found throwing flyers out of his vehicle in Cincinnati.

In Cumberland County, Women of the KKK business cards were distributed at Mechanicsburgs annual Halloween parade, held on Oct. 14.

Borough council members in Mechanicsburg condemned the literature and community leaders organized a unity rally about two weeks after the parade.
The Route 61 connector between the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway and the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Susquehanna River is taking shape. It will not be completed until 2028. Shamokin Dam is in the foreground with Sunbury on the far side of the river. Brian Benfer

MONTOURSVILLE  The final major contract for the construction of a central Pennsylvania thruway has been awarded.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Thursday said Trumbull Corp. and Golden Triangle Construction Co. have been contracted to do the paving and related work on the southern section of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT).

The two Allegheny County contractors submitted a joint venture bid of $186,381,639.

While a notice to proceed has been issued, it is unlikely much work will be done until the weather breaks in the spring, said David Wise, a PennDOT assistant construction project manager.

Walsh Construction Co., of Chicago, is completing a $106 million contract it received in late 2023 to build nine bridges and four noise barriers.

Bids are expected to be sought next year to install Intelligent Transportation Systems devices that include message boards and traffic cameras.

Work included in the Trumbull/Golden Triangle contract includes:

Paving the CSVT mainline along with interchange ramps, guiderails, lighting, overhead signs and traffic signals.

Completing the Route 61 connector that will provide direct access between the thruway and the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Susquehanna River between Shamokin Dam and Sunbury.

Making adjustments to local roads and for property access along Route 522 and Route 11/15 to accommodate CSVTs southern interchange.

Constructing a noise wall along the CSVT southbound lanes near south Old Trail.

Replacing the overpass carrying Route 61 over existing Routes 11/15 in Shamokin Dam.

Completing the Cortland Drive connector between the Weatherfield and Orchard Hills neighborhoods in Shamokin Dam.

Reconnecting County Line Road between Park Road and Route 15.

Resurfacing Route 11/15 in Shamokin Dam and Hummels Wharf between CSVTs interchanges, as well as Mill Road, 11th Avenue and nearly a mile of Park Road.

PennDOT anticipates a 2027 opening of the mainline thruway that will provide a bypass of Shamokin Dam and Hummels Wharf, with the Route 61 connector completed in late 2028.

PennDOT chose to delay the connector work until traffic is using the new highway to lessen congestion on Route 11/15 in Shamokin Dam while the overpass is being replaced.

The path of the southern section of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, looking south from the Route 15 interchange south of Winfield. The interchange was built as part of the thruways northern section that opened in 2022. Brian Benfer

When completed, the new road will connect the northern end of the Route 11/15 Selinsgrove Bypass with the Route 15 interchange south of Winfield that was built as part of the CSVT northern section.

It has been 10 years since the first contract was awarded on the nearly $1 billion, 12.5-mile thruway that includes a nearly mile-long bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

The bridge was completed in 2020, and the thruways northern section was opened in June 2022.
A bill banning discrimination based on hair texture and style is headed to Gov. Josh Shapiros desk after sailing through the state Senate this week, hailed as a victory for Black women in Pennsylvania who have faced prejudice toward the way they wear their hair.

The measure amends the commonwealths Human Relations Act  which bans certain types of discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations  to explicitly state that the acts prohibition on racial bias extends to hair type. The bill also clarifies that religious anti-discrimination protections include head coverings.

The bill is one of several long-running efforts by the Democratic-majority state House to strengthen or expand the protections in the Human Relations Act. Until now, those attempts to alter the act hadnt been entertained in the Republican-controlled state Senate, with Democrats also pushing hard on bills that would add protections for LGBTQ people.

But this week, the Senate moved quickly to advance the bill on hair, dubbed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, or CROWN Act. Shapiro signaled his support for the measure in a social media post on Wednesday night.

Approval of the bill has become increasingly bipartisan over the years, with only eight Republicans opposed when the House passed the bill in March, and just three opposed in the Senate on Wednesday. The CROWN Acts prime sponsor, Rep. LaTasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny County, spoke of concern that her own daughter would face a double standard for wearing her hair naturally as a Black woman.

Im teaching her to love her hair and for her to know without a shadow of a doubt that her hair is beautiful and worthy, Mayes told the Senate State Government Committee on Monday, but research studies show that she will face some sort of race-based hair discrimination.

God gave your daughter her hair; theres no reason why anybody should be giving her a hard time, remarked committee chair Sen. Cris Dush, R-Jefferson County.

There are several pieces of data quantifying the problem. One study commissioned by LinkedIn found that Black womens hair was 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional in the workplace, and 54% of Black women said they felt they had to wear their hair differently to succeed in job interviews.

A separate study at Duke Universitys business school found that, among candidates who were equally qualified for a job, Black women who wore their hair naturally were viewed as less competent than white women or those who had straightened their hair.

The CROWN Act is also a longstanding priority of House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, who said in a statement Wednesday that like many other Black women, I have felt pressured to wear my hair a certain way to meet someone elses expectations.

This is a victory for everyone who joined our movement for a more equitable commonwealth where everyone is respected, treated with dignity, and can be their authentic self, McClinton continued.

The provisions of the CROWN Act already exist in regulation, but not law. The states Human Relations Act empowers the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to enforce the act, which often involves interpreting its extent.

In 2023, the commission published regulations stipulating that the acts racial and religious protections included hair. Those regulations also found that the acts prohibition on sex-based discrimination included gender identity and sexuality.

The hair provisions were not challenged, but earlier this year a conservative legal group filed a case in the Commonwealth Court arguing that the commission overstepped its authority with regard to the latter.

The House has passed legislation that would add gender identity and sexuality to the text of the act itself, but the Senate has not yet taken up the measure.
The other day at a West Shore School District meeting, they were talking to contractors about upgrades to the natatoriumswimming pool area for the laymanand drainage around one of the fields and parking lots.

During the questioning when Kelly Brent, one of the board members was inquiring about delays and Brian Guistwhite, her colleague, was inquiring about possibility of solar panels, one of the contractors mentioned an issue with electricians.

There is currently a shortage of electricians. Due to the goldrush of data centers trying to flood Pennsylvania, not only is there a shortage of electricians, but the cost for that type of work has skyrocketed. The contractors specifically mentioned this as an issue to finishing their work.

From Middlesex to Hampden and beyond, the disruption of data centers can be felt across South Central Pennsylvania. Our schools are not immune from this disturbance.

The contractors didnt seem to offer a solutiononly that they would keep looking. It was clear that there wasnt much else to do. Data centers once again prove to be a problem with rippling consequences. Whether any of our leaders or representatives will do anything about it is yet to be seen.

Greg T. Miraglia, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty of murder in November 2021 following a trial in Kenosha, Wisc. An event in Luzerne County featuring Rittenhouse was canceled after public outcry. (Mark Hertzberg/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images)

A Republican event in northeast Pennsylvania featuring Kyle Rittenhouse, the man acquitted of murdering two people at a Black Lives Matter protest in Wisconsin, has been canceled amid a public backlash.

The rally organized by the NEPA Republicans was intended to pump up Republicans ahead of next years midterms, although the Republican Party of Luzerne County denied any connection to the event, reported the Scranton Times-Tribune.

I want to make it absolutely clear that the Luzerne County Republican Committee is not associated with this event in any capacity, said Chairwoman Lee Ann McDermott in a Nov. 11 statement posted on the committees Facebook page.

According to the newspaper, the business scheduled to host the Nov. 22 event, the Woodlands Inn and Resort in Plains Township, canceled the event before saying it might go on as planned.

A Woodlands representative told Fox56 that it had received many calls about the event.

Teddy Daniels, a former lieutenant governor candidate and the planned master of ceremonies for the event, told the station that the Woodlands had received threats from those opposed to Rittenhouse appearing there.

Organizers sought another venue, but NEPA Republicans chairman T.J. Fitzgerald told the Times-Tribune last week that the event was 100% off.

Rittenhouse, 22, shot three men, two fatally, at the protest in Kenosha, Wisc., in 2020, but successfully claimed self-defense.

Afterward, Rittenhouse became a sought-after speaker in conservative circles.
By STEPHEN GROVES, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump has signed a bill to compel the Justice Department to make public its case files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a potentially far-reaching development in a yearslong push by survivors of Epsteins abuse for a public reckoning.

Both the House and Senate passed the bill this week with overwhelming margins after Trump reversed course on his monthslong opposition to the bill and indicated he would sign it. Now that the bill has been signed by the president, theres a 30-day countdown for the Justice Department to produce whats commonly known as the Epstein files.

This bill is a command for the president to be fully transparent, to come fully clean, and to provide full honesty to the American people, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Wednesday.

Schumer added that Democrats were ready to push back if they perceive that the president is doing anything but adhering to full transparency.

In a social media post Wednesday as he announced he had signed the bill, Trump wrote, Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories.

The swift, bipartisan work in Congress this week was a response to the growing public demand that the Epstein files be released, especially as attention focuses on his connections to global leaders including Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who has already been stripped of his royal title as Prince Andrew over the matter, and many others.

There is plenty of public anticipation about what more the files could reveal. Yet the bill will most likely trigger a rarely seen baring of a sprawling federal investigation, also creating the potential for unintended consequences.

FILE - Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, during a news conference in New York on July 2, 2020. On Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, Maxwell was convicted of helping American financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) AP

What does the bill do?

The bill compels Attorney General Pam Bondi to release essentially everything the Justice Department has collected over multiple federal investigations into Epstein, as well as his longtime confidante and girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for luring teenage girls for the disgraced financier. Those records total around 100,000 pages, according to a federal judge who has reviewed the case.

It will also compel the Justice Department to produce all its internal communications on Epstein and his associates and his 2019 death in a Manhattan jail cell as he awaited charges for sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of teenage girls.

The legislation, however, exempts some parts of the case files. The bills authors made sure to include that the Justice Department could withhold personally identifiable information of victims, child sexual abuse materials and information deemed by the administration to be classified for national defense or foreign policy.

We will continue to follow the law with maximum transparency while protecting victims, Bondi told a news conference Wednesday when asked about releasing the files.

The bill also allows the Justice Department to withhold information that would jeopardize active investigations or prosecutions. Thats created some worry among the bills proponents that the department would open active investigations into people named in the Epstein files in order to shield that material from public view.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a longtime Trump loyalist who has had a prominent split with Trump over the bill, said Tuesday that she saw the administrations compliance with the bill as its real test.

Will the Department of Justice release the files, or will it all remain tied up in investigations? she asked.

In July, the FBI said in a memo regarding the Epstein investigation that, we did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. But Bondi last week complied with Trumps demands and ordered a federal prosecutor to investigate Epsteins ties to the presidents political foes, including Clinton.

Still, Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who sponsored the bill, said theres no way they can have enough investigations to cover all of the people he believes are implicated in Epsteins abuse.

And if they do, then good, he added.

The bill also requires the Justice Department to produce reports on what materials it withheld, as well as redactions made, within 15 days of the release of the files. It stipulates that officials cant withhold or redact anything on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.

Who could be named?

Theres a widely held expectation that many people could be named in case files for investigations that spanned over a decade  and some concern that just because someone is named, that person would be assumed guilty or complicit.

Epstein was a luminary who kept company with heads of state, influential political figures, academics and billionaires. The release of his emails and messages by a House Oversight Committee investigation last week has already shown his connections with  and private conversations about  Trump and many other high-powered figures.

Yet federal prosecutors follow carefully constructed guidelines about what information they produce publicly and at trial, both to protect victims and to uphold the fairness of the legal system. House Speaker Mike Johnson raised objections to the bill on those grounds this week, arguing that it could reveal unwanted information on victims as well as others who were in contact with investigators.

Still, Johnson did not actually try to make changes to the bill and voted for it on the House floor.

For the bills proponents, a public reckoning over the investigation is precisely the point. Some of the survivors of trafficking from Epstein and Maxwell have sought ways to name people they accuse of being complicit or involved, but fear they will face lawsuits from the men they accuse.

Massie said that he wants the FBI to release the reports from its interviews with the victims.

Those reports typically contain unvetted information, but Massie said he is determined to name those who are accused. He and Greene have offered to read the names of those accused on the House floor, which would shield their speech from legal consequences.

We need names, Massie said.

Former Harvard University president Larry Summers waves during Harvard commencement exercises, May 24, 2018, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) AP

Harvard professor takes leave

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has abruptly gone on leave from teaching at Harvard University over recently released emails showing he maintained a friendly relationship with Epstein. Thats according to Summers spokesperson.

Summers has been retreating from his public commitments amid the fallout of the emails revelation. Earlier Wednesday, Summers severed ties with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and other organizations over the emails.

He was also affiliated with multiple think tanks, research centers and media organizations. Several of them confirmed that those affiliations have ended.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jacoby Windmon, who the team released a few weeks ago, is signing back to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

Windmon was released on October 29 as part of the Steelers practice squad shakeup around that time, and he has not returned since that point.

Windmon has only been with the Carolina Panthers signed him off the Steelers practice squad last year. They released him in August and now he will return to that group.

Windmon, an undrafted rookie out of Michigan State in 2024, did not make the Steelers 53-man roster after playing well in the preseason last year. Instead, he joined the teams practice squad as an edge rusher and linebacker that can play at both spots.

Windmon played in eight games with the Panthers, racking up 1.5 sacks and 13 tackles in his rookie season.

He will have a chance to showcase what he can do with the Panthers once again, only this time it will be on their practice squad rather than their active roster.

The Steelers, meanwhile, are mostly healthy at outside linebacker and inside linebacker, which has allowed them to cut down on some of those positions on the practice squad as they deal with injuries elsewhere.
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- To accelerate China's long-term goal of building a strong nation in education, authorities said the country is poised to explore new models for nurturing top-notch innovative talents in strategically vital fields, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated circuits.

To this end, China will establish a talent cultivation mechanism aligning industrial development with national strategic demands, and further adjust and optimize academic disciplines and majors, according to Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng.

The country will also promote the integration of vocational and general education as well as industry-education collaboration, implement cluster training plans for highly skilled talents, and optimize vocational education to better serve regional development and support industrial growth, Huai told Xinhua in an interview.

At a key Communist Party of China plenum held in Beijing last month, the Party leadership adopted recommendations for formulating the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for economic and social development, which specified expanding and improving higher education, with increased enrollment in quality undergraduate programs.

The recommendations also stressed achieving greater self-reliance, strengthening science and technology, and boosting China's education, sci-tech and human resources in a well-coordinated manner over the next five years.

Talking about plans and tasks of boosting education in the next five years, Huai said China will establish national interdisciplinary centers, strengthen the cultivation of young sci-tech talents in universities, and leverage regional technology transfer centers and institutes of advanced studies to translate more sci-tech achievements into practical productive forces.

He pledged to promote in-depth educational reforms and expand opening up, advance the comprehensive reform of the college and middle school entrance examination systems, strengthen international academic exchanges and educational research cooperation, and actively participate in global education governance.

In light of changes in the school-age population, China will dynamically optimize the allocation of educational resources, advance the balanced development of compulsory education, foster the inclusive development of preschool education, and provide quality education for special groups, Huai noted.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period, China has made solid strides toward building a strong education system, and advancing science and technology education in tandem with humanities education.

Higher education institutions have cultivated some 55 million graduates in this period, while the vocational system has delivered more than 70 percent of the new high-skilled workers fueling the country's modern industries, Huai said.

To meet demand in strategically important fields, China has been reshaping its talent pipeline, as in the past two years alone, more than one-fifth of academic programs have been adjusted, said the minister.

Putting students' health first, China has fully implemented the policy of two hours of daily physical activities at primary and secondary schools. Breaks between classes have been extended to 15 minutes.

Equity in compulsory education has been basically achieved in 2,895 counties nationwide. This autumn semester, the phased free preschool education policy has benefited 12 million children in their final year of kindergarten.

China has launched an action plan to enhance the development of county-level high schools, striving to provide high-quality senior high school education in rural areas and county towns. Additionally, the educational rights of special groups have been guaranteed, with financial assistance fully covering economically disadvantaged students across all stages and types of schools.

China has dispatched teachers under an assistance program to work in the central and western regions to support the high-quality development of education in these areas.

China is also deepening its international engagement in the education sector. The UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education, established in Shanghai, provides a fresh global platform for driving educational innovation. The Smart Education of China, a digital education platform, is now accessible to global users in 220 countries and regions. 
Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona cuts the ribbon to inaugurate an exhibition depicting China-Cambodia millennial civilizations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Nov. 19, 2025.

The exhibition kicked off in the capital of Cambodia on Wednesday.

Introduced by the National Museum of Cambodia, in collaboration with the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, the exhibition, the first of its kind, showcased Chinese bronze statues, Chinese representation in arts, Chinese coins, Chinese ceramics and Angkor's trade networks, as well as Chinese efforts in the conservation, restoration and study of Cambodian heritage. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition depicting China-Cambodia millennial civilizations kicked off here in the capital of Cambodia on Wednesday.

Introduced by the National Museum of Cambodia, in collaboration with the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, the exhibition, the first of its kind, showcased Chinese bronze statues, Chinese representation in arts, Chinese coins, Chinese ceramics and Angkor's trade networks, as well as Chinese efforts in the conservation, restoration and study of Cambodian heritage.

Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin presided over the opening ceremony of the exhibition and delivered speeches.

Sackona said the peoples of China and Cambodia have been connected through trade, diplomacy, religion, and art for millennia.

"From the arrival of Buddhist bronzes and fine ceramics to depiction of Chinese figures in Angkorian temples, these exchanges left a lasting imprint on Cambodia's cultural landscape," she said.

The minister added that the exhibition traced the presence of China in Cambodia from ancient bronze sculptures and Chinese imagery in Angkorian art to the circulation of Chinese coins and ceramics through maritime trade.

"The exhibition not only reflects on a shared past but also celebrates the ongoing friendship between Cambodia and China, built on mutual respect and a common commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations," she said.

Meanwhile, Sackona also expressed her sincere gratitude to China for helping preserve and restore ruined temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park.

"Currently, this partnership continues to grow through joint conservation projects, archaeological research, and cultural exchange," she said.

Held at the National Museum of Cambodia, the exhibition will last until Feb. 28, 2026.

Chhay Visoth, director of the National Museum of Cambodia, said the exhibition displayed ancient Chinese art objects, including bronzes, ceramics, and architectural decorative elements from Chinese houses or religious buildings.

"This is the first time that the National Museum of Cambodia displays Chinese artifacts found in Cambodia from the Angkorian era to the present," he said.

"The main purpose of the exhibition is to celebrate the millennia-old friendship between Cambodia and China and to highlight the cultural ties between the two peoples that have continued from ancient times to the present," he added.

Visoth expected that the exhibition would attract a large number of national and international tourists.

"By presenting these ancient objects here, we hope this exhibition will serve as a doorway, inviting and inspiring future study of Chinese material culture in Cambodia," he said.

Ros Kunthy, one of the visitors, said the exhibition gave a unique opportunity for tourists, university students, archaeologists, and researchers to explore the ancient connections between the peoples of Cambodia and China.

"It's fascinating to see centuries-old or perhaps millennia-old Chinese artifacts discovered in Cambodia," she told Xinhua. "These ancient objects are tangible evidence of long-standing friendship and connections between the peoples of Cambodia and China." 
LUSAKA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday called for joint efforts with Tanzania and Zambia to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway.

Li made the remarks in talks with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

Describing the revitalization of the railway as a common aspiration of the people of the three countries, Li called on the three sides to strengthen policy coordination, and jointly carry out subsequent comprehensive development to drive better development of the countries and regions along the route.

Li landed in Zambia's capital of Lusaka on Wednesday for an official visit to the African country. 
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.
Teri Errico Griffis is the senior business reporter and assistant editor at The Post and Courier, focusing on retail and real estate. An award-winning journalist, she previously worked as a Southeast commerce reporter for the Journal of Commerce and a reporter for the Charleston Regional Business Journal where she covered all facets of business in the Charleston region. Raised in Connecticut and New York, she has called South Carolina home since 2012.
Santee Cooper announced that it is entering into negotiations to sell two partially constructed AP1000 reactors at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Fairfield County to Brookfield Asset Management
Emanuele Grimaldi, chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Shumin)

HONG KONG, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's blend of strengths gives it a rare edge in green shipping, Emanuele Grimaldi, chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), recently told Xinhua, voicing hope that the city will step up its role in this pivotal global transition.

In a recent exclusive interview, Grimaldi said that as a hub bridging the Chinese mainland and global markets, "Hong Kong is well-positioned to become a promising green maritime fuel bunkering and trading center."

Grimaldi underscored what distinguishes Hong Kong from other global shipping hubs: its multi-faceted standing as a top-tier international shipping center and a preeminent global trade and financial hub. Ranked among the world's top four international shipping centers, "Its ports, shipowners, and maritime services community embody the international spirit of cooperation that our industry depends upon."

The industry is currently navigating a storm of uncertainty. Geopolitical conflicts disrupt key sea lanes, while protectionism and deglobalization gnaw at trade flows. Add in the upheaval of energy transitions and a chronic shortage of seafarers, and the uncertainty in the industry continues to intensify.

He believed that Hong Kong's commitment to openness, collaboration and practical reform has made it a steadying influence and a source of confidence in a jittery sector.

The ongoing "Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025" has provided a key platform for efficient industry communication and cooperation. Participants reaffirmed their strong support for open free trade, consolidated consensus on decarbonization, and demonstrated ambition and responsibility in advancing the industry's green transition, he said.

"China is not only the world's largest shipbuilder but has also made many interesting developments in new fuels," he said. China's competitive advantages in production capacity and pricing for green fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen present critical opportunities for the global shipping industry, which is in urgent need of expanding supply and demand, he added.

Shipping corridors, the arteries of global trade, now need ports that can bunker these new fuels. It is crucial for China, the world's largest goods-trading nation, to have ports capable of providing this specialist service. Hong Kong -- one of the world's most important ports -- thus faces both an imperative and a unique opportunity to emerge as a hub for green fuel bunkering and trading, the ICS chairman noted.

Addressing the global seafarers shortage, Grimaldi said that the industry currently employs around 2 million seafarers, with a deficit of at least 100,000. The adoption of new engines and fuels will render approximately 40 percent of seafarers -- nearly 800,000 people -- in need of skill upgrading and retraining to ensure safety, a demand closely tied to their career development.

China's large population is a lifeline here, Grimaldi said. The Chinese mainland has a big labor pool to replenish seafarer ranks, clear goals for green shipping and a well-established vocational education system. It can tailor training to new fuels and equipment, turning out the versatile seafarers the industry needs, he added.

"None of this will happen without clear policy," Grimaldi said, stressing, "Decarbonization depends on policy certainty -- it gives investors a compass."

He pointed to signs from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, such as the chief executive's policy addresses in recent years and documents like the "Action Plan on Green Marine Fuel Bunkering," which show a focus on cooperation between the authorities and the industry. Tax breaks, regulatory tweaks and policy guidance are all part of Hong Kong's strategy to nudge the sector towards sustainability.

Under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong's unique role as a bridge connecting the Chinese mainland and the world, along with its geographical advantages, provides a solid foundation for consolidating and enhancing its status as an international maritime center.

Grimaldi expressed anticipation that Hong Kong will continue upgrading its ports and optimizing shore power facilities, integrate deeply with the Chinese mainland's comprehensive industrial and supply chains as well as strong R&D capabilities, and collaborate with other ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to advance the energy transition of this port cluster. 
Editor

Ralph Mancini is an award-winning editor whos been employed by the Post and Courier since 2022. Previously, Mancini served in a variety of newspaper roles in New York City, Washington State and North Dakota.
Berkeley and Dorchester Metro Reporter

Komlavi Adissem is a metro reporter covering Berkeley and Dorchester counties. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he covered city, county, and state government for the Columbia Missourian. Find him on Twitter (X) and Bluesky @KAdissem!
Quick Response and Public Safety Reporter

Caitlin Bell is a breaking news and courts reporter for The Post and Courier Charleston. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Reporter

Conor Hughes covers Greenville County for The Post and Courier. He has been reporting on South Carolina's Upstate for close to a decade, writing about everything from crime, to development, to politics during that time.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
HANOI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam has established a national housing fund to expand the supply of affordable homes under a new government decree, Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday.

The fund will be used to invest in building social housing and related infrastructure for rent. It may develop new social housing by receiving and converting public housing assets and is allowed to purchase or receive transfer of units from state-owned enterprises, according to the report.

The fund's capital will come from the state budget, revenue from the sale of public housing assets, proceeds from land auctions, and contributions from lawful sources, according to the National Assembly's resolution.

The government targets at least 1 million affordable housing units by 2030, with 100,000 targeted for completion this year. 
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Opti Digital's latest research shows that ads placed on trusted U.S. news and magazine websites earn higher credibility and stronger engagement than social media promotions.BARCELONA, ES / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / As retailers and brands prepare for the Black Friday and Christmas season, Opti Digital, a leading AdTech company specialising in publisher revenue optimisation, reports that trusted open-web environments play a key role in shaping U.S. consumer confidence. Woman checking smartphone while shopping A woman holding shopping bags and checking her smartphone, representing holiday shopping and digital browsing.The research shows that 45.67% of U.S. respondents consider brand ads on reputable news or magazine websites credible or very credible, while only 9.29% view them as low in credibility. This places premium publisher environments ahead of social media in both perceived relevance and trustworthiness.Premium environments drive consumer actionTrusted editorial settings not only shape perception but also encourage meaningful engagement.81.94% of U.S. respondents said they visited a brand's website or looked for more information after seeing an open-web ad.Higher-income households demonstrate even stronger responsiveness. Among U.S. consumers earning over $150,000 per year, 72.22% trust ads on premium publisher sites, and 77.78% visited a brand's website after exposure."Our findings confirm what we observe across our publisher network: when consumers see ads within respected editorial environments, they assign higher relevance and credibility to those brands," said Magali Quentel-Reme, CEO of Opti Digital. "As the holiday season peaks, advertisers that prioritise qualitative ad inventory on the open web see stronger engagement, and greater trust. For publishers, this is evidence that credibility remains a decisive competitive edge." Video stands out as the most memorable formatWhen asked which type of ad stood out most during the 2025 holiday season, 41.83% of U.S. respondents selected programmatic video. Display banners featuring offers followed at 21.47%.Repetition strengthens purchase confidenceExposure across multiple trusted websites reinforces brand perception. 54.65% of U.S. respondents reacted positively to seeing the same brand across several credible sites, including 29.81% who said it increases their likelihood to purchase.MethodologyThis research is part of Opti Digital's ongoing market research reports, examining how programmatic advertising influences consumer behaviour across global markets.The U.S. edition was launched on 5 November 2025 and is based on a survey of 624 U.S. online users, with a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence level, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the findings.Access the full U.S. Holiday Programmatic Advertising ReportAbout Opti DigitalOpti Digital is a leading AdTech company specialising in revenue optimisation for digital publishers. Through its suite of monetization tools, proprietary demand and advanced analytics, Opti Digital helps publishers maximise advertising yield while maintaining a high-quality user experience.Over 10,000 websites and apps worldwide use Opti Digital. In the United States, leading publishers such as Valnet, Drugs.com , Gizmodo and Sportskeeda rely on our solutions.Contact Information:Sara BigovicCommunications & Events Manager at Opti Digitalsara@ optidigital.fr SOURCE: Opti Digital
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LEXINGTON, KY / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Cardiff Lexington Corporation (OTCQB:CDIX) today announced that it has entered into a new advisory agreement with Greentree Financial Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in corporate governance, financial reporting, and public markets compliance.This engagement reinforces Cardiff Lexington's ongoing commitment to advancing its uplisting strategy and strengthening the Company's financial integrity as it continues to scale and grow its innovative healthcare platform and network.Greentree will assist Cardiff Lexington with services related to the Company's audit process and S-1 filing, including SEC and exchange comment responses, governance initiatives, and coordination with attorneys, CPAs, and transfer agents.Alex Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Lexington, commented, "We're very pleased to be partnering with Greentree Financial Group to help us strengthen our corporate governance, financial reporting and public market compliance. This is a significant step in our ongoing strategy to uplist to a major US exchange, and we believe that Greentree's deep experience and impressive track record of execution and success will be a strong addition to our team as we continue to drive growth and value across our business." R. Chris Cottone, Vice President of Greentree Financial, commented, "Cardiff Lexington is at a key inflection point in their growth trajectory, and we're excited to partner with them as they take these important next steps in their uplisting journey. We look forward to supporting their strategic vision by enhancing their governance, compliance, and reporting efforts as they prepare for this next phase of growth." About Cardiff Lexington Corporation:Cardiff Lexington Corporation (OTCQB:CDIX) is a targeted healthcare holding company dedicated to acquiring and building middle-market niche health care clinics, primarily in Orthopedics, Spine Care, and Pain Management. The Company's partnership-driven culture emphasizes service excellence, teamwork, accountability, and performance.All current revenue is derived from Nova Ortho and Spine, LLC, which operates a network of regional specialty and ancillary orthopedic care centers across Florida and Georgia. These facilities provide traumatic injury patients with comprehensive diagnostic and surgical services, primary care evaluations, interventional pain management, and specialty consultations.For more information on Cardiff Lexington Corporation, you may access the company's website at https://cardifflexington.com/ About Greentree Financial Group, Inc.Founded in 1999, Greentree Financial Group, Inc. ("Greentree") is a financial advisory and consulting firm with offices in Plantation, Florida, and Cornelius, North Carolina. Greentree specializes in guiding high-growth companies through access to U.S. capital markets, including initial public offerings and uplisting efforts. The firm also assists public companies with ongoing compliance, periodic filings, audit readiness, and corporate governance. Greentree emphasizes tailored, long-term growth strategies, with a reported client renewal rate above 90%. More information is available at www.gtfinancial.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT: This news release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks include the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the Company's business, the Company's liquidity position, the Company's ability to obtain new business, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources, and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.Use of Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresCardiff Lexington Corporation prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In addition to GAAP disclosures, this document contains financial information and measures considered to be "non-GAAP". These non-GAAP measures can be used in order to gain a more complete and accurate understanding of the Company's financial condition and results. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in conjunction with, and not as a substitute to GAAP financial measures.Cardiff Lexington Investor Relations investorsrelations@ cardifflexington.com (800) 628-2100 ext. 705orIMS Investor Relations cardifflexington@ imsinvestorrelations.com (203) 972-9200SOURCE: Cardiff Lexington Corporation
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COPENHAGEN, DENMARK / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Trophy Games Development (CPH:TGAMES)Company Announcement no. 32/2025 (November 20, 2025)Trophy Games Development A/S announces a change in its Board of Directors.Mikkel Weider, a member of the Board of Directors since March 2024, has been appointed as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of everplay group plc.Due to corporate governance considerations, Mikkel Weider has resigned from his position as a Board Member of Trophy Games Development A/S, effective immediately.Jan Lehrmann, Chairman: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mikkel Weider for his dedication and valuable contributions to Trophy Games. It has been a privilege to work with him. We congratulate Mikkel on his new role as Group CEO at everplay group plc and wish him every success in this exciting next chapter. He will be missed, both professionally and personally." Mikkel Weider: "I am very grateful for my time in Trophy Games as a Board Member! It's an amazing company run by an amazing team, and it has been a joy to watch the tremendous growth of the company while I have been on board. I would have loved to stay on, but my new CEO position prevents me from continuing the work!"Trophy Games' remaining Board of Directors have assessed the situation and confirmed that the company does not intend to appoint a replacement for Mikkel Weider at this time, as the Board continues to meet the interval of members stipulated in the company's Articles of Association.ContactsTrophy Games Development A/S Sren Gleie, CEOOffice (+45) 7172 7573Email: soren@ trophy-games.com Mikkel Bryggers Gade 4, 2. sal, 1460 Copenhagen K, DenmarkCertified Adviser Norden CEFJohn NordenEmail: jn@ nordencef.dk A/S Kongevejen 365, 2840 Holte, DenmarkAbout Us Trophy Games is a data- and business-driven game company with a no-bullshit mentality. We build games around real-world interests to immerse players in their passion online!AttachmentsChange in Board of Directors at Trophy Games Development A/SSOURCE: Trophy Games Development
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 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
The News in Brief Thursday, November 20, 2025

The Tbilisi City Court has sentenced former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili to seven years in prison for abusing his authority during the handling of the 2004 killing of 19 year old Amiran Robakidze. Okruashvili served briefly as Interior Minister at the time. He will ultimately serve four years and five months, since part of the sentence is covered by amnesty and reduced by time he spent in detention in the 2019 Gavrilov Night case and his current pretrial custody.The court also ruled on the charges against former Prosecutor General Zurab Adeishvili, who oversaw the initial investigation. Adeishvili was acquitted. He has lived in Hungary since 2012 and has been sought by Georgian authorities since 2013, although Interpol cancelled its red notice for him in 2015.The charges against both men were filed in 2019. Prosecutors alleged that Okruashvili ordered senior Interior Ministry officials to disguise the circumstances of Robakidze's death. Investigators stated that after learning a patrol officer had shot the young man during a late night vehicle check, ministry officials presented the case as an attack by an armed group. Prosecutors said weapons were planted in the car carrying Robakidze and his friends to support the false account.Robakidze was killed on November 23, 2004. The initial self defense claim collapsed when patrol officer Grigol Bashaleishvili admitted he had fired accidentally. He was convicted of negligent murder in 2006.The case was reopened in 2013, and several former Interior Ministry officials were convicted five years later for exceeding their powers. Robakidze's family has continued to call for full accountability for those involved in fabricating evidence and shaping the public narrative.Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sharply criticized the European Union for postponing the annual EU Georgia Human Rights Dialogue, calling the decision "regrettable" and saying it came despite Georgia's full readiness to hold the meeting. In a statement on November 19, the MFA said the EU's explanation was "entirely unacceptable and unjustified."The Foreign Ministry warned that the move fuels doubts about Brussels' intentions. It said that "using this development for further speculation only deepens reasonable doubts and reinforces the perception that the European External Action Service may have lacked genuine motivation to convene the meeting, and that Brussels may not be prepared to hear Georgia's fact based positions." The ministry added that these positions include issues previously cited by the EU as reasons for suspending political dialogue.Georgia had viewed the Human Rights Dialogue as a chance to restart engagement after the EU Council's June 27, 2024 conclusions, which resulted in political dialogue being paused at all levels. The meeting had been set for November 21 in Brussels but was postponed indefinitely. Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said the decision followed "impediments from the Georgian side".The MFA said Georgia had carried out "extensive substantive work" ahead of the meeting and had prepared detailed information for every agenda item. It also said the delegation was assembled with input from all relevant state bodies to ensure a "comprehensive and meaningful exchange."Despite its criticism, the Foreign Ministry said Georgia remains committed to dialogue with the EU. According to the statement, the country "remains firmly committed to constructive engagement and continues to believe that there is no alternative to dialogue between partners." The ministry added that Georgia is ready to resume talks in various formats once the dialogue suspended by Brussels is fully restored.
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga will pay a state visit to China from Nov. 21 to 27, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

At a regular press briefing, spokesperson Mao Ning said that the king's state visit to China, his first in seven years, holds great significance for advancing bilateral relations.

The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of mutual concern during the visit, Mao said.

Noting Tonga is a good friend and good partner of China in the Pacific Island region, Mao said that China highly values its relations with Tonga, and stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to work with Tonga to scale new heights in bilateral relations. 
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LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / The market for digital assets has recently seen major swings, with prices plummeting and repeatedly bottoming out. This volatility underscores the risks of traditional digital assets, driving interest in more stable wealth-building options. In response, the GSC AI Green Energy Platform offers an alternative - anchoring value in real-world tech and innovation. Using a global AI-powered green energy network, it turns solar and wind power into transparent digital productivity, reestablishing a value foundation in turbulent times.Platform Description:GSC AI introduces efficient clean energy solutions by utilizing advanced artificial intelligence and GPU infrastructure, along with solar and wind power generation, to build innovative financial tools and service systems. With professional expertise, it delivers optimized AI safeguards.GSC AI platform's core consolidation technology stems from five innovative advantages:1. High-Efficiency Core GPU Performance: Unlike traditional green energy solutions,GSCAIutilizes innovative ASIC and GPU systems powered by solar and wind energy, enabling significantly enhanced efficiency for AI services.2. Outstanding Security and Privacy Protection:The platform securely stores the majority of funds in offline cold wallets. Robust security measures, including McAfee SECURE and Cloudflare SECURE protection, are implemented.3. Expert Team with Intelligent Safeguards: Our computing team consists of seasoned blockchain professionals and IT engineers, ensuring the expertise required to meet all AI and GPU computing demands.4. Green Clean Energy Assurance: All cloud computing operations are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, fostering an environmentally friendly and sustainable ecosystem.5. Global Coverage and Professional Support: A worldwide network of over 100 advanced data centers strategically distributed across Europe, North America, and Asia ensures seamless 24/7 operation.How to join GSC AIRegister an account on theGSC AI platform using your email address .Offers a variety of computing powercontracts :Users can browse secure, flexible contract options to meet project needs and smoothly access platform services.Pay the contract fee and activate the contract.During the contract period, you will be able to enjoy daily passive income, which will be automatically stored in your account balance.Should you encounter any issues, here are the ways to get help:GSCAI provides round-the-clock (24/7) customer support to all users worldwide. If you face any problems, you can contact our team at any time. We will offer prompt assistance to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.SummaryAgainst the backdrop of increasing volatility in financial markets, GSC AI, as an industry leader in green and clean energy, remains steadfast in strengthening its principles of ensuring a secure, stable, and eco-friendly ecosystem, enabling global users to achieve long-term and sustainable returns.Media Contact: Official website: https://gscai.comOfficial email address:info@ gscai.com SOURCE: GSCAI
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Hyundai AutoEver America, LLC("Hyundai") 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 Hyundai.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On March 1, 2025, Hyundai became aware of a cyber security incident that impacted its information technology environment. Upon discovery, Hyundai immediately launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to Hyundai's systems between February 22, 2025, and March 2, 2025.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers.On November 3, 2025, Hyundai publicly acknowledged the breach and began mailing notification letters to affected 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 Hyundai AutoEver America, 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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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Sekur Private Data (OTCQB:SWISF)(CSE:SKUR)(FRA:GDT0) (" Sekur " or the " Company "), a leading Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and private communications platform, is pleased to announce that the Internet Stock Review has published a full analysis report on Sekur.Please see report here:AI Powered Cyber Criminals Are Here. Are you Prepared?Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data stated: "We believe this report reflects very well the purpose and direction of where Sekur is going. It is well written and easy to understand, so we hope our existing shareholders and future shareholders will enjoy it." About Sekur Private Data Sekur Private Data is a Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and privacy communications provider. offering a secure suite of tools to protect governments, businesses and individuals from unauthorized access and cyber threats. With solutions such as SekurMail, SekurMessenger, and SekurVPN, Sekur provides an accessible and reliable means of digital communication and data storage, grounded in Swiss privacy standards. Sekur sells its solutions through its websitewww.sekur.com , approved distributors and telecommunications companies globally. Sekur serves governments, businesses and consumers worldwide. Its main sales operations are located in Miami, USA.CONTACTAlain GhiaiPresident and Chief Executive OfficerSEKUR PRIVATE DATA LTD.Email:investors@sekur.comwww.sekurprivatedata.comTel: +1.305.347.5114Follow Sekur on: XLinkedInYouTubeFor sales brochure on our enterprise security solutions, or partnership opportunities, contact: partners@ sekur.com.To find out more about Sekur's privacy communications solutions visit: https://sekur.comFor more company information, please visit: https://sekurprivatedata.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they do not guarantee future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekur's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekur's prospectus dated May 8, 2019, filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedarplus.ca . Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.SOURCE: Sekur Private Data Ltd.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Personic Management Company LLC d/b/a Personic Health ("Personic") 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 Personic.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On September 1, 2025, Personic became aware of unauthorized activity affecting a third-party software platform used to process patient information. Upon learning of this unauthorized activity, Personic launched a comprehensive investigation with the support of external cybersecurity experts and notified law enforcement. The investigation determined that an unauthorized actor had accessed the third-party software platform on August 29, 2025, and obtained certain data.The impacted data may include names and protected health information (PHI).On November 18, 2025, Personic filed a notice with the office of the Attorney General of Maine 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 Personic Management Company 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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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / S&H Transport("S&H") 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 S&H.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 12, 2025, S&H Transport publicly acknowledged that it had had experienced a data breach. An internal investigation determined that an unauthorized party had gained access to certain company systems and viewed or extracted specific files.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers.On November 12, 2025, S&H began mailing 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 S&H Transport, 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 20, 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 personalinformation 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
PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-20 17:15:07

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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has published a new report titled "Artificial Intelligence And The New Era Of Terrorism: An Assessment Of How Jihadis Are Using AI To Expand Their Propaganda, Recruitment, And Operations And The Implications For National Security" by lead author MEMRI Executive Director Dr. Steven Stalinsky. The study draws on research from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) and Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) projects between 2022 and 2025; both projects have been closely monitoring developments in jihadi use of artificial intelligence (AI).This study details the notable uses of AI over the past three years by terrorist groups - ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Hizbullah, the Houthis, Hamas, other groups, and lone wolf actors, including many in the West - for purposes such as planning and claiming responsibility for attacks, examining AI use for future endeavors, generating audio files of already-existing written material, creating posters, music videos, videos depicting attacks and glorifying terrorist leaders for recruitment purposes, and more.This issue is developing rapidly, as these groups and others increasingly dabble in, talk about, and create video, media, and other content using AI. In the face of this emerging threat, the U.S. government and its allies need to maintain its superiority, closely monitoring it and moving to stop it from progressing further.This new study also highlights the near-absence of U.S. government and policymakers' focus on this issue. One exception it underlines is the "Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act," would "require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments on terrorism threats to the United States posed by terrorist organizations utilizing generative artificial intelligence applications, and for other purposes." The legislation, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), who chairs the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, and cosponsored by Reps. Michael Guest (R-MS) and Gabr Evans (R-CO) in late February 2025, passed unanimously by voice vote in the House of Representatives on November 19.The report's lead author, Dr. Stalinsky, notes that while there have been some articles on this issue, this new MEMRI study is the most comprehensive research on it to date, presenting never-before-published translations of statements and writings by terrorist groups and of their AI activity.In his foreword to the report, General (Ret.) Paul E. Funk II, former Commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and member of the MEMRI Board of Advisors, calls the new study "a significant and unsettling contribution to the public debate on AI's future global impact." He adds: "It will contribute greatly to the existing literature about terrorists' groups focus on AI as a new tool and weapon in their arsenals. For decades, MEMRI has been monitoring terrorist organizations and examining how they repurpose civilian technologies for their own use - first the Internet in general, then online discussion forums followed by social media, as well as other emerging technologies such as encryption, cryptocurrency, and drones. Now, terrorist use of large language models - aka Artificial Intelligence (AI) - is clearly evident, as documented in this study." General (Ret.) Funk continues: "This study warns of the need to consider and plan now for AI's possible centrality in the next mass terror attack - just as the 9/11 attackers took advantage of the inadequate aviation security of that time. Whatever approaches and solutions may be proposed, this study will help readers understand the nature of the problem. It is a primer on how this threat is coalescing, day by day, and is a must-read for all those concerned, in government, the military, and academia." MEMRI Vice President Ambassador Alberto Fernandez called the new report "an essential, comprehensive review of the newest frontier in terrorism and tech." Further highlighting the significance of the new study, MEMRI Board of Advisors' member Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Tom Cosentino, who is currently CEO of Governance Risk Global, said: "The competition and the threat in AI is not just from state actors. Increasingly terrorist organizations, criminal cartels and extremist groups are leveraging AI to disrupt and attack government, businesses and communities. Only by knowing intimately the objectives and methods of these groups can their AI attacks be countered. MEMRI is at the forefront on monitoring and understanding these dangerous uses of AI." Dr. Stalinsky praised MEMRI's team of experts for their research in one of the most significant issues of our time, and went on to warn that the findings from their monitoring of every leading global terrorist organization show not only that counter-terrorism authorities in the U.S. and West are unprepared to deal with this but also that many in the AI industry have taken no substantial action to set up safeguards for stopping terrorists from using their products.Government and media can request the full report or ask for an interview by sending an email to media@ memri.org with "Tunnels Report" in the subject line.ABOUT THE JIHAD & TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR (JTTM)The MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) scrutinizes Islamist terrorism and violent extremism worldwide, with special focus on activity within and emanating from the Arab world, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, as well as on attacks and activity in the West inspired and encouraged by the Islamic State (ISIS), Al-Qaeda, and other global jihad organizations. This activity includes lone-wolf attacks by residents of Western countries.The JTTM monitors imminent and potential threats posed by various terrorist and violent extremist organizations - such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, and emerging jihadi groups - and individuals. These threats, whether strategic, tactical, military, conventional, non-conventional, or cyber, may be against national security and public safety in the U.S. and the West, or against these countries' crucial interests and assets worldwide. It also examines and analyzes the ideological motivations behind these threats, and includes a decade and a half of archives of exclusive content on jihad and terrorism.ABOUT THE CYBER & JIHAD LAB (CJL)The Cyber & Jihad Lab monitors, tracks, translates, researches, and analyzes cyber jihad originating from the Middle East, Iran, South Asia, and North and West Africa. It innovates and experiments with possible solutions for stopping cyber jihad, advancing legislation and initiatives federally - including with Capitol Hill and att
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Texas Tech Health El Paso pilot program shows dentists can detect undiagnosed diabetes using scalable model for health care desertsEL PASO, TX / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Imagine walking into your dentist's office expecting nothing more than a routine cleaning and polished smile. Instead, you discover something that could save your life: Diabetes screening at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic Hunt School of Dental Medicine students are trained to screen for diabetes during dental screenings.You're at risk for diabetes.This potentially life-changing scenario has happened more than 330 times across West Texas in the past two years, the result of over $400,000 in grant funding from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation to establish the Diabetes and the Community Dentist program at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic and several dental offices in the community.In Far West Texas, where many families lack easy access to primary care, the dental chair may be their only opportunity for preventive care.Dentists may be well-positioned to identify at-risk populations. Through this program, 26% of 1,293 dental patients were identified as prediabetic or diabetic. The CDC estimates that about 8-10% of American adults nationwide have undiagnosed diabetes. The rate in the El Paso program is nearly three times higher."Many El Pasoans see a dentist more regularly than a primary care provider," said Salma Elwazeer, B.D.S., M.D.S., M.P.H.,director of Public Health and Interprofessional Education at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine. "Bringing diabetes screening to the dental chair helps close care gaps, especially for families who face barriers to health care." The connection between oral health and diabetes runs deep. People with diabetes face higher risks of gum disease, tooth loss and slow-healing mouth infections. Conversely, severe gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar. For many Texans living in dental care deserts, their dentist may be their most consistent health care provider.The expanded program, where dental office staff, dental students at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine and dental hygiene students from El Paso Community College provide diabetes education and connect at-risk patients with resources and referrals to primary care providers, will continue working with two existing partner practices while adding two new dental offices.However, the real game-changer is a new component: promotores de salud, or community health workers, who will help guide patients through the health care system. The goal is to create a replicable model for diabetes prevention.For 330 people who've already been screened, the program has made a direct impact. For the wider community, it shows that the journey to better health can start in an unexpected place - the dentist's chair.About Texas Tech Health El PasoTexas Tech Health El Paso, established in 2013, serves 108 counties in West Texas and offers programs in medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and dentistry. Its 2,600 graduates focus on excellence in education, research, and clinical service.Contact InformationMarty OteroMedia Relations Specialist - National Mediamaotero@ ttuhsc.edu 915-215-6017SOURCE: Texas Tech Health El Paso
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World reveal set for November 22nd as OCC's new series launches with a custom build honoring Grey Bull Rescue's global lifesaving missions.TAMPA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Grey Bull Rescue and Orange County Choppers (OCC) will make a major appearance at St. Pete BikeFest, November 20-23 at the OCC Road House, where OCC will unveil the "Speed of Need" Chopper, a custom-built tribute to Grey Bull's veteran-led, daring rescue missions saving Americans from war zones and natural disasters worldwide. The unveiling will be featured in the premiere episode of OCC's brand-new series on Discovery Channel, with extended coverage on MotorTrend.OCC, founded by Paul Teutul Sr., is one of the most recognizable custom motorcycle brands in the world. Their work has been showcased on television for more than two decades, beginning with the hit series "American Chopper," which ran for more than 10 seasons across Discovery and TLC and developed a massive international following. The new Discovery Channel series marks the next evolution of the iconic shop as they take on high-purpose builds, including the custom-designed "Speed of Need" chopper.The custom build reflects the precision, urgency, and operational culture behind Grey Bull Rescue's global missions. Designed with aviation elements, mission symbolism, and nods to Grey Bull's special operations and Intelligence Community heritage, the chopper stands as a tribute to the staff and brave operators who deploy into the world's most volatile environments to rescue and evacuate Americans anytime, anywhere at the Speed of Need'."This bike is more than a custom build. It's a monument to every Field Operator, every Case Manager, every person we've rescued, and every family reunited when the situation was hopeless and impossible," said Bryan Stern, Chairman and Founder of Grey Bull Rescue. "Orange County Choppers partnership and the Speed of Need' Chopper capture the urgency, risk, precision and speed that defines our nearly 800 missions and over 8,400 lives saved, and we're honored to see our mission brought to life in this bike." Grey Bull Rescue's team will be on site throughout St. Pete BikeFest with the chopper, mission gear, and real-time updates from operators currently in the field. Also present will be evacuees, rescued hostages, "Sherman" Grey Bull Rescue's amphibious ATV, "Bertha", the nonprofit's mobile Emergency Operations Center, "Moby" a Navy SEAL High Speed Assault Craft turned rescue boat, the Grey Bull NASCAR, as well as dozens of team members. The festival will serve as the public's first opportunity to see the "Speed of Need" Chopper before its national debut on Discovery Channel and MotorTrend."We've built many bikes connected to meaningful stories, but this one carries a different kind of weight. Grey Bull Rescue operates with urgency and grit, and we wanted the Speed of Need' Chopper to embody that. When people see it, they'll understand the mission behind it and the risk that these brave American Veterans take," said Paul Teutul Sr., Founder of Orange County Choppers.Grey Bull Rescue continues to operate all over the world, recently returning from rescuing 343 Americans from Jamaica after a Category 5 hurricane. The team is powered entirely by patriotic donors, dedicated volunteers, and corporate mission partners who share the organization's credo: Don't Be a Spectator' and embrace the mission: Save Lives at the SPEED OF NEED. Grey Bull Rescue is currently deployed across multiple fronts, with teams on the ground in Jamaica delivering life-saving aid in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, while additional units continue active missions throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East."Our work doesn't pause for cameras, weather, politics, or borders," Stern said. "As we speak, our teams are saving lives, moving supplies, evacuating families, and supporting communities in places where help is hardest to reach. If this chopper inspires even one more person to step up, support the mission, or choose not to be a spectator, then it's already done its job." Donations to support ongoing humanitarian operations can be made at https://greybullrescue.org/pledge-your-support/ For more information about Grey Bull Rescue visitGreyBullRescue.org ###About Grey Bull Rescue: Founded by Bryan Stern, Grey Bull Rescue is a veteran-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescue organization headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The organization specializes in operating within "The Grey Space" - conflict zones and disaster areas where the U.S. Government may not be able to operate. Grey Bull Rescue has conducted daring rescues of Americans and allies from hostile regions, including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and Jamaica, including American hostages and victims of war crimes. The team also leads domestic response missions to natural disasters, such as the 2023 Maui wildfires, Los Angeles wildfires, and Hurricanes Ian, Idalia, Helene, and Milton. To date, the Grey Bull Rescue team has completed 799 rescue missions and saved the lives of nearly 8,400 men, women, children, and babies, and even pets.SOURCE: Grey Bull Rescue
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FORT WORTH, TX / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / Empire Holdings is proud to announce that CEO Sandra McGlothlin was among fourteen presented the Fort Worth Inc. 2025 Entrepreneur of Excellence Award.McGlothlin was honored at a black-tie dinner on Thursday, November 13 at the Fort Worth Club, where she celebrated the achievement surrounded by her family. She was recognized for her exceptional leadership, sustained business growth, and meaningful community impact throughout the Fort Worth region.McGlothlin has built a remarkable business portfolio over more than four decades. She first co-founded Empire Roofing, a commercial and industrial roofing company that grew from a kitchen-table startup into one of the largest roofing enterprises in the United States. Over the years, she expanded her entrepreneurial reach through additional ventures, including Empire Disposal, further solidifying her reputation as a visionary business leader. From that strong foundation, she expanded into real estate investment and development through companies such as Empire Texas Equities Ltd. and Empire Holdings, with a focus on industrial and flex properties.Under her leadership, Empire Holdings has developed high-end industrial flex complexes across Fort Worth. She is on a mission to be a leading provider of best in the class for single-tenant industrial properties, through an experienced user-focused team that provides design, technology and construction resources to turn facility needs from a distraction to a strategic advantage for her tenant partners. These developments reflect McGlothlin's long standing commitment to innovation, strategic growth, and strengthening the communities she serves.The Entrepreneur of Excellence Awards presented by Fort Worth Inc. honor outstanding local entrepreneurs whose vision, creativity, integrity, and community involvement set them apart. Award receipts are recognized for business growth, leadership within their organizations, and contributions to the region's overall economic vitality."I am deeply honored to receive this recognition," said McGlothlin. "Building a business is not just about growth and profit-it's about creating opportunities for people, building the community, and leaving a legacy. Fort Worth has been my home and the foundation of my purpose, and I'm grateful for the chance to give back." ##ABOUT FORT WORTH INCFort Worth Inc is a regional business publication and organizer of the Entrepreneur of Excellence Awards. Its mission is to spotlight innovation, leadership and growth among the Fort Worth and Tarrant County business community.ABOUT EMPIRE HOLDINGSFort Worth, Texas-based Empire Holdings is a commercial real estate developer that specializes in single-tenant, build-to-suit industrial properties with design, technology, and innovation at the forefront. Backed by a powerhouse team led by 40-year commercial real estate industry vet Sandra McGlothin, Empire Holdings is changing the way industrial spaces are built. For more information, visit Empire Holdings:Online at https://empireholdingstx.com On Facebook at www.facebook.com/empireholdingstx On Instagram at www.instagram.com/empireholdingstx On LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/empire-holdings-tx/ Contact InformationKeishi High Office Administratorkeishi@ empireholdingstx.com 8179850054SOURCE: Empire Holdings
Ghana's Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare (C) speaks at the launch of Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM)'s new SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and motorbike models, along with the reopening of the Dzorwulu Showroom under Zonda Tec Ghana Limited, a Chinese automobile assembly and distribution company, in Accra, Ghana, on Nov. 18, 2025.

Ofosu-Adjare has lauded Zonda Tec Ghana Limited for transforming the country's automobile industry. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

Ghana's Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare (L, front) and Managing Director of Zonda Tec Yang Yang attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the launch of Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM)'s new SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and motorbike models, along with the reopening of the Dzorwulu Showroom under Zonda Tec in Accra, Ghana, Nov. 18, 2025.

Ofosu-Adjare has lauded Zonda Tec Ghana Limited for transforming the country's automobile industry. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

Two SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicle) of Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) are on display at the launch of new GWM SUV and motorbike models, along with the grand reopening of the Dzorwulu Showroom under the Zonda Tec Ghana Limited, a Chinese automobile assembly and distribution company, in Accra, Ghana, on Nov. 18, 2025.

Ghana's Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has lauded Zonda Tec Ghana Limited for transforming the country's automobile industry. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 /Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQX:STCUF)(FWB:SOP) ("Star Copper" or the "Company"), a critical mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000 from the sale of up to 3,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit", and collectively, the "Units") at a price of C$1.00 per Unit (the "LIFE Offering") under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (as defined below).Each Unit will consist of one Common Share (each, a "Common Share" and collectively, "Common Shares") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant" and collectively, "Warrants"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one Common Share (each a "Warrant Share", and collectively, "Warrant Shares") at a price of $1.20 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the LIFE Closing Date (as defined below). The Warrants to be issued pursuant to the LIFE Offering will not be listed for trading on any stock exchange. The LIFE Offering is expected to close on or about December 10, 2025 (the "LIFE Closing Date"), or such other date as determined by the Company, such date being no later than 45 days from the date hereof.Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the LIFE Offering is being made to purchasers resident in all provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The securities offered under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.The gross proceeds of the LIFE Offering will be used to advance the exploration of the Company's flagship Star Project, and for general working capital and corporate purposes.There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the LIFE Offering that can be accessed under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.starcopper.com . Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the LIFE Offering in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, however has not engaged an agent or underwriter in connection with the LIFE Offering at this time. Completion of the LIFE Offering is subject to customary conditions and the receipt of all necessary approvals.This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. 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.On Behalf of the Board of Directors~Darryl Jones~ Darryl JonesCEO, President & DirectorStar Copper Corp.About Star Copper Corp. (CSE: STCU) (OTCQX: STCUF) (FWB: SOP / WKN A416ME)Star Copper Corp. is an exploration and development company focused on developing high potential copper projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. The Company aims to advance its 100%-owned Star Project in British Columbia's prolific Golden Triangle and Sheslay District (watch our videos https://starcopper.com/media/) . The Star Project hosts multiple copper-gold porphyry-style targets, including Star Main, Star North, and Copper Creek. Significant exploration including historical drilling has confirmed open mineralization at depth and in all directions. Star Copper's strategic plans include geological mapping and geophysical surveys to refine existing targets, diamond drilling programs to test high-priority zones, environmental baseline studies and permitting groundwork alongside data analysis and resource modeling to support a future resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The Company further plans to advance its Indata Project with follow-up drilling to expand on previous high-grade copper and gold intercepts, trenching and surface sampling to delineate mineralized zones, and infrastructure improvements for site accessibility and operations. With a commitment to sustainable development and value creation, Star Copper aims to position itself to support surging industrial demand to meet growing global electrification needs.For more information visit: www.starcopper.com and to sign up for free news alerts please go to https://starcopper.com/news/news-alerts/ , or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or LinkedIn. More information in respect of the project, including historical drilling, is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and/or in the Company's February 26, 2025 technical report.Investor Relations Star Copper Corp. Email: info@ starcopper.com Web: https://starcopper.com/ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's exploration and development plans with respect its projects, including in respect of any potential mineral resource estimate, statements regarding the LIFE Offering including, without limitation, statements regarding the completion or the expected LIFE Closing Date, the payment of finder's fees, the receipt of regulatory approvals, and the use of gross proceeds, and statement regarding the Company's anticipated business and operational activities, and the Company's plans with respect to the exploration of the Company's flagship Star Project, the Indata Project or the Copperline Property. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but a
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DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / In a society that rarely talks about the quiet devastation addiction brings to a marriage,Katie and Chris Bowickoffer something rare: a brave, two-voice memoir that reveals the hidden truths, the painful regrets, and the unexpected redemption born from choosing to heal.Coloring Outside the Lines: A Love Story in the Gray of Addiction, Recovery, and Redemption is a gripping, dual-perspective account of the Bowicks' journey through addiction, codependency, trauma, and, ultimately, healing. Told in two raw and unforgettable voices, their story weaves together pain and perseverance, heartbreak and grace, and the surprising pathways that lead toward hope.Chris , a charismatic, witty, and accomplished entrepreneur, breaks many stereotypes about what many believe addiction should look like. His outward success masked profound internal pain: unhealed childhood trauma, loss, grief, and ultimately, full-blown addiction.Katie'sstory is equally compelling. Caught between love and impossible choices, she became the keeper of secrets, manager of chaos, and tireless advocate for a life that seemed to be slipping away. Her resilience was fueled by her faith and a deep belief in the quiet beauty that exists in both the people and world around her. Even in their darkest moments, she held on to the hope that healing, for both of them, was still possible.Coloring Outside the Linesquickly climbed the charts, becoming a #1 New Release in five categories, including Substance Abuse Recovery and Psychological Pathologies, and earning the #2 bestseller spots in Codependency, as well as Drug Dependency & Recovery. The book's striking cover was designed by Rich Johnson ofSpectacle Photography , with photography byAngelli Nguyenand creative direction bySamantha Joy .The Bowicks' unique experience navigating addiction led them to many forms of recovery. What they found was that many traditional models for addiction rehab did not work for their lived experience. Eager to help Chris get to the other side of addiction, they began to seek alternative forms of rehab and therapy."We want to change how people see addiction. It's not a character flaw or a moral failure. It's something that touches us all, and the sooner we stop treating people like villains, the sooner real healing can begin." - Chris BowickTogether, theBowickspull back the curtain on the often-invisible toll of addiction. Despite deep diving into the realities of addiction, Coloring Outside the Lines is not simply a story of struggle; it is a story of rebuilding and reckoning, of choosing healing not just through traditional recovery models, but also through plant and animal medicine, therapy, faith, and deep self-exploration.Katie and Chris Bowick , beautifully photographed by their wedding photographer,Steve Stanton .At its heart, the book is about love. Not the romanticized version, but the unflinching, gritty kind. The kind that shows up at 3 a.m., forgives without forgetting, holds space without enabling, and learns to set boundaries without abandoning the heart."We stopped trying to fit our healing inside the lines and started coloring with every shade to get out of the gray. Loving someone through addiction means living in that in-between space, where hope and heartbreak collide. I had to learn that healing wasn't just his journey. It was mine too." - Katie BowickColoring Outside the Lines is a mirror for anyone who has ever loved someone battling addiction or has ever lost themselves in the process. Through raw storytelling and dual perspectives, readers witness the collapse of a marriage and the painstaking reconstruction that follows.Addiction is messy, but so is healing, and I think we forget that sometimes. This book takes you through every emotion but ultimately leaves you with a deeper understanding of what addiction is, what an addict endures, and how they can come out the other side, and the kind of support it truly takes to get there - Ashley P.Published byLandon Hail Press , this memoir offers readers both the heartbreak and the hope that come with rebuilding a life touched by trauma, relapse, boundaries, recovery, and the radical relearning of unconditional love. Dedicated to creating a sacred and transparent space for writers, Landon Hail Press allows authors to own the creative direction of their book and their brand. LHP books have been sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, bookshop.org , and more, and featured in major publications like The Daily Mail andPeople.com "Katie and Chris do what most substance abuse programs do not, highlighting the bonds that are forged (and broken) in the storm of active addiction and recovery, giving the reader reference points for every step of the journey. It includes the partner's perspective of what it's like to love an addict and the emptiness it brings, being out of the spotlight, cast away in the darkness," saysSamantha Joy , Editor-in-Chief atLandon Hail Press. "Their stories emphasize how nonlinear this process is, and that overcoming addiction in its simplest form is making the conscious choice to come back home to yourself and each other again and again." Are you an aspiring author? Book a free consultation with Landon Hail Presshere .For further information, please contact:dottie@ rebeccacafiero.com SOURCE: Landon Hail Press
A fire outbreak on Thursday has disrupted activities at the Blue zone axis of the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, forcing the temporary closure of the Blue Zone where formal negotiations are taking place.

Organisers said emergency responders swiftly evacuated delegates and contained the blaze within minutes.

In a joint statement, the Brazilian government and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said the area would remain shut while the fire department conducts a comprehensive safety assessment.

Earlier today, a fire broke out in the Blue Zone of the COP30 venue in Belem. The fire department and UN security officers responded swiftly, and the fire was controlled in approximately six minutes. People were evacuated safely, the statement said.

It added that, as a precaution, both parties had jointly decided to temporarily close the Blue Zone while the fire department carries out a comprehensive safety assessment.

The Blue Zone is the UN-administered, high-security section of a COP venue where official climate negotiations occur. Access is restricted to accredited participants, including government delegations and registered media. It hosts plenary halls, meeting rooms and national pavilions where countries showcase climate programmes and hold technical sessions.

Authorities said 13 individuals were treated on site for smoke inhalation. Delegates have been advised to await an official update scheduled for 8 p.m., which will determine when the negotiation zone can safely reopen. The Green Zone remains unaffected, and activities there are continuing as planned.

The incident occurred less than 48 hours before the conclusion of COP30. Delegates expressed mixed feelings as the conference, which began on 10 November and is expected to close on 21 November, entered its final stretch.

Details of what triggered the fire and the extent of the damage remain unclear. It is also uncertain whether the negotiations will be extended.

COP30 Focus

This years summit is centred on efforts to keep global temperature rise within 1.5C, the submission of new national climate commitments (NDCs), and implementation of finance pledges made at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Organisers say the Global Stocktake guides the COP30 Action Agenda and focuses on six thematic areas: energy, industry, and transport; forests, oceans, and biodiversity; agriculture and food systems; resilient cities, infrastructure, and water; human and social development; and enabling conditions, including finance, technology, and capacity.

At the opening of the conference on 6 November, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said COP30 must ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery.

The 1.5C limit is a red line for humanity. It must be kept within reach, he said, urging countries to scale solutions that transform economies and protect vulnerable populations.

Mr Guterres also warned that the widening adaptation finance gap continues to expose the worlds poorest to rising seas, deadly storms and extreme heat.

Meanwhile, Nigerias Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said Nigeria intends to use COP30 to harness all opportunities for financing climate-resilient projects and related interventions, particularly from the global carbon market.
The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has commented on the ongoing marital crisis between actress and filmmaker Regina Daniels and her estranged husband, Ned Nwoko.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the rift began in October after allegations of domestic violence and drug abuse surfaced.

The situation later escalated, with additional claims of age falsification, drug-related misconduct, and abuse of power.

In a statement posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, Mr Rollas said he chose to speak out because his name had been dragged into the couples marital issues.

He added that he felt compelled to address the allegations and misconceptions, especially as he was nearing the end of his tenure as AGN President.

Statement

Mr Rollas said: Let me begin with the matter many have been tagging me to respond to. Prince Ned Nwoko is the Chairman of the Board of Patrons, AGN, and Regina Daniels is a member of the Guild. Regina and her mother are also personally known to me.

Because this is fundamentally a family issue, I have been deliberately silent, not out of fear, but out of respect. However, as the President of AGN, and since my name is constantly being dragged, I must state my truth.

For years, the Board of Trustees has allowed me to stand at the frontline of battles, while they protect their reputations from behind. Many senior colleagues are aware of the truth surrounding recent events, yet they have remained silent.

I am calling on those who were present at the last series shoot and fully aware of what is happening: Okey Bakassi, Charles Inojie, Chinyere Wilfred, Jide Kosoko, and Sanni Danji. You were all on set during the last production in question. You saw things firsthand, especially regarding Regina, and we all know she needs help.

Help

Furthermore, Mr Rollas described the silence of his colleagues, who were aware of the matter, as unfair, noting that it had left him vulnerable to attacks.

He also revealed that he had once witnessed the lawmaker complain about the actresss smoking habit.

While we were planning our roundtable meeting in South Africa, Senator Nwoko called me personally and gave a condition that he would only allow Regina to travel if I promised she wouldnt travel through Lagos. This is a fact, and I state it because it has been twisted against me repeatedly.

On the day of your sons birthday, Regina by the staircase of a popular kids playground in Wuse 2 and in the presence of your friends and also a few AGN members Agility, Nazareth Jesse, and some of my SSA, your husband made a statement to you regarding your smoking habit when you introduced a senator daughter who had female kids to him, in his words if you stop smoking youll have your own daughter, said Mr Rollas.

The AGN President added that the 64-year-old informed him he had already involved Reginas family over her smoking habit.

Mr Rollas further stated that Mr Nwoko reached out to him because, according to him, Regina had refused to quit smoking.

He said, This incident was witnessed; it is not hearsay. My concern here is not to shame you; no, my problem is that you need help. Many of our members have received help before you, which the Guild was instrumental in providing.

It is not a crime to seek support. I hate it when mature individuals in the Industry call me from behind, say trash about me, but wont be brave enough to confront me with the reality.

Enter Reginas mother

Moreover, Mr Rollas urged Reginas mother, Rita Daniels, to prioritise her daughters health rather than concern herself with the AGN elections.

He reaffirmed that the guild must remain a safe and protective space for all members.

I say this respectfully, if your daughters home and health are in distress, AGN elections should not be your priority. Our Guild must be a safe place, and when people in leaderEmeka Rollas (CREDIT: IG)hip positions openly justify harmful habits as a celebrity lifestyle, it puts our younger members at risk.

All those people cheering you up to go become AGN President are your enemies. And all those celebs who know this truth but chose to heap blame on Emeka Rollas are worse enemies of our Guild, he said.

Ned Nwoko

Additionally, Mr Rollas criticised Mr Nwoko, the Guilds Chairman of the Board of Patrons, for bringing his marital issues to social media and publicly calling her out.

He further denied claims that Mr Nwoko funded the AGN, paid for and furnished its office, or donated $200 million to the Guild.

Mr Rollas said, It is not suitable for a man of your status to go on social media and publicly call out your wife in something I still believe can be handled internally. I still think there are better ways to do it. Also, sir, several false narratives about the Guild spread without correction. Regina and her mother have repeatedly claimed that you funded AGN, rented and furnished the office, and donated $200 million to the Guild.

At our office launch, you said the N200 million was for your wife, not for AGN. The misinformation circulating everywhere is part of the burden Im carrying, as I try to explain. You should have let people know its money you gave to your wife for her film production and not to the Guild.

He cautioned the public against contacting him privately about the issue, noting that he silently carried many burdens for years.

However, he insisted he would not allow false accusations to tarnish his legacy.

I am speaking now because people keep dragging my name, and the silence of stakeholders is also not helping matters. If people choose to remain quiet out of fear of the benefits they hope to receive, then I will decide to clear my name, as I owe it to myself to maintain my dignity.

I kindly ask that no one call me privately about this statement. I have carried many burdens quietly for years, but I will not allow false accusations to stain my legacy. I have served with my whole heart, and I will leave with my integrity intact.

Regina replies

Actress and filmmaker Regina Daniels has, however, hit back at Mr Rollas, over his recent remarks about her, her marriage to her husband, and her mother.

She insisted he had no right to make baseless comments about her family.

Regina also said that her mother had always spoken highly of Rollas and questioned whether the AGN President was of sound mind.

The 25-year-old said, AGN President, respectfully, there must be something wrong with you, sir, to say I need help. As an established actor, from childhood to my prime, having witnessed your inauguration in my early years, I say you are a disgrace to a president who merely visits one office to another, enriching his pocket in the guise of catering to the well-being of actors. If not, please explain why you havent enforced protections for actors rights and residuals in the past 8 years.

The only notable impact on the guild is the office you opened recently, after 7 years, and much criticism from people, who my family were major sponsors of.

I already know, so I can say for a fact that you were paid a chicken change to speak nonsense about a child that benefited nothing under your administration, instead gave you the biggest honour you have through my ex-husband and mother, so you should be thankful to my mother for introducing you to him.

Swimming

Regina also expressed her shock that Rollas could speak ill of her mothers political ambitions, despite all she had done for him.

She further alleged that Rollas habitually provided women to prominent figures for personal financial gain.

Well, Im not shocked because thats how you get paid, bringing women to my family home several times to take swimming lessons, which I warned you of, hence your bitterness. Actually, thats what youve always done to the high-profile men you visit to lure them with women, so your pocket can get bigger.

What happened to the fatherly figure I admired solely because of the respect and devotion my mum had for you. Im still in awe that you would try to discredit my mothers election and diminish her efforts after all she has done for you. In support of my mothers election, I feel like she has paid her dues in the industry, and would be a perfect figurehead to represent actors, said Regina.

She emphasised that her mother was the most suitable candidate to succeed Rollas as president.

Take it or leave it, for a movie industry, with the beauty that comes with the understanding of being on screen, needs a beautiful female president with advanced male advisors to take us to any level in society. I dont like rubbish, she said.
The United Nigeria Airlines has reacted to the apology videos released by Martins VeryDarkMan (VDM) Otse and comedian Freedom Mr Jollof Atsepoyi following their altercation earlier in the week.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that VDM and Mr Jollof were involved in a heated confrontation on Monday while boarding a flight from Asaba, Delta State, to Lagos.

The incident drew the attention of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, publicly condemned the conduct of both men in a statement issued on his X page.

He also vowed that they would be held accountable and face the full weight of the law.

However, in videos posted on their respective Instagram pages on Tuesday, VDM and Mr Jollof apologised to the NCAA, the airline, passengers, and Nigerians for their actions.

Mr Jollof explained that he reacted after being provoked by VDM, alleging that the clash stemmed from long-standing, unproven claims of infidelity that VDM made against his wife, claims that are currently the subject of a court case.

VDM, in his own apology, admitted that although they had not resolved their differences, any further confrontation would not take place on an aircraft.

Airlines reaction

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, on Thursday, United Nigeria Airlines acknowledged and accepted the apologies of the duo.

The airline added that it expects both men to honour the undertakings they have made, in the interest of maintaining a safe, respectful, and orderly travel environment for all passengers.

United Nigeria Airlines acknowledges and accepts the public apologies issued by VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof following the onboard altercation that occurred during the boarding of Flight UN0523 from Asaba International Airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on 17 November 2025.

We take note of their commitments expressed via their respective social media platforms to refrain from any conduct that could compromise aviation safety, order, or decorum onboard United Nigeria Airlines flights or any other airline, said the airline.

Appreciation

The airline expressed its appreciation for the swift and coordinated intervention of the NCAA, Airport Security (AVSEC), other relevant aviation agencies, and the Asaba International Airport Authority.

It also commended its crew and operational teams for managing the incident professionally and in full compliance with established safety protocols.

READ ALSO: Qatar Airways fined by NCAA over passenger rights breach

The airline said, As an airline, we remain aligned with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and all regulatory bodies in the collective effort to curb unruly passenger behaviour across the aviation sector.

We urge the travelling public to continue to cooperate fully with airline personnel, security agencies, and airport authorities to safeguard the integrity and safety of air travel in Nigeria.

United Nigeria Airlines remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and dignified service to all our passengers across our networks. United Nigeria Airlines Flying to Unite!
The dust in Ungwar Maga settles on everything. It coats the leaves of the guinea corn, the mud-brick walls of the huts, and the resigned faces of men gathered in the shade, speaking in low tones. But the dust does not settle debts; debts accumulated by residents who paid the money to bandits as ransom for their kidnapped relatives.

For Danlami Shehu, the dust has settled in his throat, leaving his voice worn  like soil overworked for generations. He is a man who measures his life in planting seasons, in rainfall, in the community God has given him. Now, he measures his life in ransom payments.

We are trying to sell our farmlands, he said on 26 October, when this reporter met him in Dayi, a village in the Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State. The conversation was about his 23-year-old nephew, Joshua James, who returned home three days earlier, 18 days after he had been kidnapped. Although Mr James was back home, he did not feel free. No one in his family felt free, as freedom now has a new, suffocating price in Katsinas rural communities.

We are selling our farms to repay the money we borrowed from different people, Mr Shehu said.

In rural Katsina, land is not a simple asset. It is the ledger of the dwellers lives. Inherited from their parents, it is the only true wealth families possess. It is the collateral for their childrens futures. It is their identity, tilled into the soil and prayed over. And now, it is the only thing the Jameses have left to burn.

Mr James was abducted on 5 October. After 18 days in captivity, he returned home broken, and his family is still chained to the money it borrowed to secure his release.

Some kind neighbours also supported us with small donations, his uncle, Mr Shehu, explained. The community, itself bled dry, had given what little it had. But kindness doesnt pay interest.

We have nothing except the farmlands. Were waiting for the harvest to end so that we can sell the produce.

The word harvest, usually a promise, now sounds like a deadline. The lenders are not faceless bankers; they are neighbours, friends, and local traders who are also struggling.

Some of those who lent us money are already putting us under pressure to pay back, Mr Shehu said. Weve begged them to be patient. But after selling everything to repay debts, what shall we live on?

The question hung in the dry, 3 p.m. air  the same air that carried the dreaded sound three weeks earlier.

The family was already living in the shadow of fear. They had learned to watch the road, to listen for the sound of an approaching motorcycle. So when the bandits came for James, it was not a random act. It was the arrival of an appointment that had been looming over his family for years.

We held several peace talks with these bandits and even gave them money for protection not too long ago, Mr Shehu said. We contributed money during the first meeting, but they came back a second time demanding more.

The community has two polling units and about 1,000 people. All the adults were taxed. Sometimes, we contribute 10,000 each as a protection levy. Approximately 300 to 400 people were able to pay. What we contribute depends on what they demand. Sometimes we pay 3,000 or 4,000 each.

The abduction

The familys latest ordeal began around 3 p.m. on 5 October in Unguwar Maga, Malumfashi. It was a bright sunny day, and he was sitting in a field near the familys hut, his eyes on his phone.

When he heard the brrrap-brrrap-brrrap sound of an approaching motorcycle, he didnt look up immediately.

I thought it was someone from our area, he recounted to the reporter in Dayi, his voice still holding the echo of that costly miscalculation.

But the sound didnt fade. It grew, then split. When he looked up, they were on him.

They encircled me. Five men, three of them well-armed.

Mr Jamess first instinct was to hide his phone.

I thought they were the bandits our community signed a peace deal with, he said. Those ones only come around to seize our phones.

This time it was a different kind of visit. They demanded my phone. I gave it to them, he said.

Then, they searched his pockets and found 1,150. They took 1,000 and then barked their orders.

They asked me to follow them. They made me climb onto one of the motorcycles and immediately tied a cloth over my face.

The call

Back in the compound, panic spread like wildfire. Mr Jamess mother, Hajara James, and his uncles called his phone repeatedly. It rang out unanswered.

As dusk fell, the familys frantic calls continued to light up his phone, now in a bandits pocket. When the bandits eventually called back, it was to make their ransom demand: 2 million immediately, or he would be taken deep into the forest, and the ransom would increase.

For the family in Unguwar Maga, 2 million was an impossible sum  a number with no connection to their reality.

The bandits were not patient.

At 6 p.m., they covered his face again.

I pleaded for mercy. But they said my people were to blame for not bringing the 2 million, he recalled.

The cruelty market

As Mr James was taken deeper into the forest, his family was drowning in a different kind of darkness. The abduction of a fifth family member triggered a chaotic, desperate scramble.

Three different groups of bandits extorted money from us, Mrs James, Joshua Jamess mother, told PREMIUM TIMES, her voice trembling.

Whenever we gave money to one group, another would call, insisting they were the ones holding Joshua.

The first payment  350,000  went to negotiators, men who had brokered the original, failed peace accord. They took the money and promised his release. However, nothing happened.

Through the forest

We fell several times from the bike during the journey, Mr James recalled. After a while, one of the bandits stopped to relieve himself. When he returned, he pointed at Mr James.

He asked if I could ride a motorcycle. I said yes, but not very well. He insisted I must ride, pointing his gun at my back and threatening to shoot me if we fell again.

Then they came to a river.

It had rained heavily that day, Mr James said. The water reached my chest and was flowing strongly.

One of the bandits riding a new motorcycle went first, plunging into the water.

After crossing, the bike refused to start. The bandits, now soaked, dropped their guns on the bank and attempted to restart the engine. It was useless.

Mr James later learned the motorcycles were ransomed from relatives of people they had abducted earlier.

They asked me to roll it while they rode behind me. Eventually, we reached a village and entered a compound where we met an old woman. They flashed a torchlight at her to confirm whether she was young or old. When they saw she was elderly, they asked her to get a mechanic and told her to hurry up.

They lit a fire and invited me to sit by it. They offered me bread, but I declined politely. Then one of them asked, Are you a Christian?

I said yes.

The bandit scoffed. He said my people were rich, but still go from church to church looking for more money. I told him we arent rich and dont have much money.

He replied, No problem. When we get there, youll see others weve abducted  nearly 30 of them.

The mechanic came and fixed the bike.

They gave the woman 500, Mr James said  a tip for her silence and service.

We arrived at their hideout at midnight, a rock outcrop deep in the forest.

There, I saw the other victims in chains  23 of them, all warming themselves by a fire after being beaten by the rain.

When we arrived, they flashed their light at the captives, asking if anyone knew me. They said no. They also shone the light on me and asked if I knew any of them. I said no.

Then they chained one of my legs like they did to the others.

Life beneath the rock

This became Mr Jamess home for the next 18 days  a patch of bare earth where they stayed under the sun and rain. Close to the camp were two villages, Yar Centre and Tsamiya.

We couldnt attempt to escape because their presence was everywhere, he said. Even communities that had peace deals with them would expose anyone who tried to escape.

Those communities had peace deals with the bandits because they were overwhelmed and couldnt resist them. Thats why the bandits could do whatever they liked around them.

The area falls under Kankara Local Government, and I also heard that the forest links Niger State with Kankara.

Each captive has a specific boss. Their leader, who handled my case, they called him Nasiru, he told PREMIUM TIMES.

Living on Gaza leaves

Daily life in the camp was defined by hunger and fear. The captives slept in the open, under the sun and rain. Their food was garin tuwo dawa (guinea corn flour), ground but not sieved. They fed us with it twice daily.

When I arrived, it had finished, so for two days there was no food. In such times, the captives survived by eating the leaves of a wild tree, known as Gaza leaves. Sometimes we ate Dinya or Tafasa leaves when we could find them.

We experienced this especially when they went for operations. They could be gone for three days. Mr James disclosed.

Left to guard the captives were a lad of about 15 years and a young man. These two never joined operations.

The beating

After about a week, the negotiations stalled. The bandits wanted a Honda motorcycle in addition to the cash ransom. Mr Jamess family, already scammed, begged for mercy.

The family eventually sent the motorcycle, which had been bought for 1.17 million, but pleaded for mercy regarding the 2 million cash demand. That made Oga Nasiru angry.

One day, they called my family, gave me the phone, and started beating me with sticks as I spoke, threatening to break my bones. That was how I sustained these injuries and dislocations, he said, pointing to his knee.

They beat him and injured him deliberately to make us realise that he was in danger, interjected Mr Shehu. His kneecap was affected; some of the wounds had to be stitched.

The family finally paid the 2 million cash demand. But the extortion was not over.

They asked for two Android phones worth 150,000 each, Mr Shehu said.

Freedom, but not free

Those who saw him when he returned knew he had gone through hell, Mr Shehu recalled. He couldnt walk. Wherever he needed to go, we had to carry him  even to the toilet.

After Mr Jamess return, the family decided to flee Unguwar Maga.

We had to run away because they were haunting us daily, Mrs James said. We scattered into different communities just to find peace.

They were monitoring the days we attended church. We had to suspend church service. People advised us to leave.

In the week following this interview with the James family, the reporter was informed that bandits had returned to impose a 1 million levy on the James household in Unguwar Maga. The money was a levy for the bandits, allowing the family to harvest their farm produce.
A coalition of womens rights advocates from North-central, North-east, and North-west Nigeria, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), has condemned the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.

The coalition called it a brutal indictment of Nigerias continued failure to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

On Monday, armed men invaded the school at dawn, killed the Vice Principal and dragged at least 25 girls into captivity.

The attack has drawn national and global condemnation, with celebrities and activists demanding immediate action to rescue the students.

VIEWs Position

In a statement signed by leading Northern women, including Asmau Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Aisha Oyebode, Fatima Akilu, Kadaria Ahmed, Larai Ocheja Amusan, and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, VIEW said the Kebbi abductions show that Northern Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for a girl to pursue an education.

This is not simply another security incident, the coalition said. It is a brutal indictment of the Nigerian States failure to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

Referencing more than a decade of mass abductions from Chibok to Dapchi to Jangebe, VIEW said the region is reliving the same nightmare, despite years of promises and significant funding through the Safe Schools Initiative.

We have watched promises being made at the highest levels. We have watched large amounts of funds flow into the Safe Schools Initiative, designed specifically to prevent another mass kidnapping. Yet today, our schools remain as exposed as ever. Our daughters are once again missing, the statement said.

Where are our leaders? The coalition asked pointed questions of elected officials and traditional leaders, demanding accountability for the persistent failures that expose schoolgirls to abduction, rape, and death.

Where are the elected officials who swore oaths to defend the lives of citizens? Where are the representatives who claim to speak for the North? VIEW asked.

Where are the security agencies that are meant to implement the Safe Schools Initiative with seriousness, diligence, and transparency?

It warned that girls in Northern Nigeria, who already face cultural and economic barriers to schooling, now face the added danger of being kidnapped.

We cannot ignore the question haunting every mother in Northern Nigeria tonight: is this part of a larger plan  intentional or through neglect  to keep northern girls uneducated, silent, and powerless? the coalition said.

Demands for action

VIEW called for a coordinated, intelligence-driven rescue operation and criticised what it described as slow and fragmented responses that follow such tragedies.

The group called directly on the President and First Lady, the Governor of Kebbi State, the Northern Governors Forum, the Northern Senators Forum, Arewa House of Representatives Caucus, the Arewa Consultative Forum, traditional and faith leaders, and national security heads, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Chief of Defence Staff, and Inspector-General of Police, to stand up and be counted.

This is not a moment for silence. This is not a moment for excuses. This is a moment for accountability and swift action, the women said. Every moment these girls spend in captivity deepens their trauma and increases the danger they face. We have seen too many disappear forever.

The coalition demanded that the abduction be treated as a national emergency, not a political talking point.

Northern women are tired of mourning. Tired of pleading. Tired of burying children while those in power offer condolences instead of solutions, VIEW said.

It insisted that the girls must be located and rescued without delay, adding that their safe return is a test of Nigerias leadership and our humanity.

No nation can claim to value its future while abandoning its daughters to violence. Nothing is more urgent. Nothing is more important, the group said.
The United Kingdom government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have provided equipment and infrastructure upgrades to health training institutions in Cross River State, a move they said is aimed at strengthening nursing and midwifery education and improving Nigerias health workforce capacity.

The intervention, delivered under the Equipment Support for Health Training Institutions (ESHTI) programme, was announced on Tuesday in Calabar.

According to a statement by WHO, the support forms part of broader efforts to enhance Nigerias preparedness, build workforce resilience, and advance long-term development goals.

Upgrading training institutions

Under the initiative, three health training institutions in Cross River received transport support, digital learning tools, medical equipment, and facility upgrades intended to improve teaching and learning conditions.

According to the statement, the support included buses for student and staff mobility; smartboards and computer systems for interactive instruction; and mannequins, diagnostic tools, and laboratory materials to strengthen clinical training.

Institutions were also provided with generators, air conditioners, and refrigerators to support routine operations.

The resources are expected to benefit more than 900 students and faculty members in the state, improving training outcomes, graduation rates, and the overall quality of healthcare professionals entering Nigerias health system.

Importance of Cross River

According to the agencies, Cross River State has expanded its health education sector in recent years, playing a strategic role in national health reforms, particularly in the drive toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Its growing network of training institutions, they said, makes it an important partner in strengthening health security and improving service delivery across the country.

Stronger health governance

Delivering his goodwill message, WHOs Country Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, said the National Council on Health remains a critical platform for shaping the countrys health agenda and advancing equity in access to care.

Mr Ursu noted that the Councils work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 20232027), which prioritises stronger governance and fairer distribution of essential services.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for raising the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and for adopting new policies on workforce migration and training.

He described these steps as signs of progress but cautioned that lingering structural weaknesses still require firm political commitment to translate reforms into tangible improvements for communities.

He added that the partnership between the WHO and the UK government is helping to strengthen Nigerias health workforce and improve service quality across the countrys states.

The collaboration, he said, forms part of broader efforts to reinforce system performance and address long-standing gaps in service delivery.

Mr Ursu also used the platform to draw attention to wider governance concerns.

He urged federal and state authorities to accelerate health financing reforms, implement resolutions from the recently concluded Joint Annual Review, and institutionalise policies needed to guarantee health as a right for all Nigerians.

Officials Reactions

Jill Fletcher, head of human development and demography at the British High Commission, said the intervention reflects the UKs broader commitment to supporting Nigerias health sector.

She said the UK was pleased to hand over equipment and training materials that would help strengthen Cross River States efforts to produce a more skilled and motivated health workforce.

Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, welcomed the intervention, saying the states four nursing colleges represent a long-term investment in producing competent health workers.

READ ALSO: US lawmaker who made Christian genocide claim meets with Nigerian delegation

He said the institutions were not merely training centres but pillars of sustainable development intended to equip a new generation of professionals for effective service delivery.

The WHO and the UK government are also committed to strengthening local capacity for the use and maintenance of equipment.

A joint monitoring and evaluation framework, they said, will track the impact of the intervention and guide future investments in health education.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hussaini Ismail, one of the leaders of the Boko Haram, linked to killings in Kano State in 2010s, to 20 years imprisonment.

The prosecution said, until his arrest in August 2017, Mr Ismail also known as Mai Tangaran, coordinated and participated in several terror attacks in Kano State for years, in the throes of Boko Harams devastating grip on the state and other parts of northern Nigeria.

The judge, Emeka Nwite, convicted Mr Ismail of all four counts preferred against him by the federal government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge delivered its judgement on Tuesday.

Mr Nwite sentenced him to 15 years in prison for count one and to 20 years for each of counts two, three and four.

The judge, however, ordered that the jail terms shall run concurrently begining from the date of his arrest on 31 August 2017.

This means he will spend 20 years in jail cumulatively. It would have been 75 years jail time in total if the court ordered the sentences to run consecutively.

The term shall be spent by the convict at any appropriate correctional service facility to be chosen by Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service working with the state.

It is my order that at the end of his prison term, the convict shall be rehabilitated and deradicalised at any appropriate Rehabilitation and Deradicalisation Centre maintained or allowed by the federal or any state government or in any other manner choosing by the federal government or any state government before his release into the society, Mr Nwite ruled.

The convict changed his long-held not-guilty plea to guilty to all four am need counts on Tuesday.

The momentous change came after the case had lingered in court for years and following overwhelming video evidence played in open court in the previous sitting.

NAN reports that the case, which was formerly before retired judge Anwuli Chikere, was reassigned to Mr Nwite.

The trial suffered delays resulting from appeals and a trial-within-trial to, among other things, ascertain the voluntariness of the defendants extra-judicial statements.

When trial eventually opened, the prosecution called five witnesses, including two State Security Service (SSS) officials and two eye-witnesses to some of the attacks linked to the defendant

Mr Ismail, who had earlier pleaded not guilty during his previous arraignment, changed his plea to guilty after the testimony of the fifth prosecution witness.

Video evidence of how Mr Ismail was addressing and directing members of his terrorist group to attack was played in open court, prompting his change of mind.

Among the locations targeted by the attacks coordinated by him in 2014 were the Police Headquarters in Bompai; the Mobile Police Base along Kabuga Road; the Pharm Centre Police Station; and the Angwa Uku Police Station.

The prosecution also accused him of participating in the 2016 attack on Kano Central Mosque, which led to the death of many innocent people.

Many people were reportedly killed and injured in the attacks amid widespread

Sahara Reporters reported that SSS operatives arrested him on 31 August 2017 at Tsamiyya Babba Village in Gezewa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Plea for mercy

Subsequently, defendants lawyer, P. B. Onijah from the Legal Aid Council (LAC), pleaded with the court to be lenient with the defendant.

Mr Onijah said the convict was remorseful prompting his change of plea to avoid wasting the the time of the court and regretted being involved in terrorism.

Mr Nwite, in the judgement, found Mr Ismail guilty of the offences charged.

The amended charge was filed on 3 October 2023, by E. Aguda, the prosecution lawyer from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federal and Ministry of Justice.

In count one, Ismail, 34 years of Brithi village, in Biu Local Government Area, Borno, was alleged to have, sometime in August 2018, did profess to be a member of Boko Haram, a terrorist group in Nigeria.

The offence was said to be contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

In count two, the convict was accused of , directly participating in act of terrorism by carrying out an attack at Kano Central Mosque, Kano sometime in 2016.

He was said to have made a video message showing him and his gang members who are currently at large, and confessing to the crime at Kano Central Mosque attack, which led to the death of many innocent people.

The offence was said to be contrary to Section 1(2)(a)(e)of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

Count three accused him of participating in act of terrorism, sometime in 2014, by carrying out an attack on Mobile Police Base, Kabuga Road, Kano State, which led to the death of some personnel of the police station.

In count four, he was said to have, sometimes in 2014, directly participated in act of terrorism by carrying out an attack on Ungwa Uku Police Station, Kano State which led to the death of some personnel of the police station.

The offences were said be contrary to Section 1(2)(a)(e) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

(NAN)
LUSAKA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- "Smile Journey," a Chinese medical program aimed at providing free surgical treatment to local patients with cleft lips or palates, was launched in Zambia.

About 60 Zambian patients with the condition will benefit from the program, which was launched in a ceremony Wednesday at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, the capital.

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing, Zambian Minister of Health Elijah Muchima, medical experts from the "Smile Journey" program, members of the 26th China Medical Team in Zambia, and officials from the UTH and the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital attended the ceremony.

In his remarks, Han said the program is one of the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing last year, during which China announced 10 partnership action plans, including one on health cooperation.

Health cooperation is an important component of China-Zambia relations, built on deep foundations and delivering fruitful results, the ambassador said.

Han noted that China has over the years dispatched more than 1,000 medical professionals to Zambia, who have performed over 50,000 surgeries.

Muchima, for his part, said the launch reaffirms the profound friendship between the two countries.

The "Smile Journey" program addresses the critical need for cleft lip and palate treatment, which remains a challenge in Zambia, he said, noting that the country has only one center that provides comprehensive cleft care and a limited number of trained cleft specialists.

He Wei, who leads the "Smile Journey" Medical Expert Team, said his team is in Zambia to "put smiles on Zambian patients." 
Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, openly challenged the plan by the Federal High Court in Abuja to deliver judgement in his terrorism trial.

Trial judge James Omotosho was about to commence proceedings, directing the registrar to call the case, when leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stood up and interjected.

My lord there is no judgment today because we have joined issues in the matter, Mr Kanu, who was brought to court from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), said.

The judge responded with a word of caution to the IPOB leader.

Defendant there is decorum in court. Let the registrar call the matters accordingly, Mr Omorosho said.

Mr Kani s facing terrorism charges over his secessionist campaign for the independence of Nigerias South-east as Biafra.

On 7 November, the judge fixed Thursday for judgement, after foreclosing Mr Kanus defence.

The judge declared Mr Kanu waived his right to put forward his defence after the IPOB leader spurned the judges persuasion for weeks to enter defence to counter the prosecutions case which closed with five witnesses in June.

Mr Kanu stood his ground not to enter any defence on the basis that the terrorism charges instituted against him were invalid because they were brought under a repealed terrorism law.

Six of the seven charges against Mr Kanu were filed under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, amended in 2022. The Biafra agitator claimed the seventh count which has to do with alleged illegal importation of a radio transmitter into Nigeria was ordered by the Supreme Court to be removed.

Mr Kanu, who is standing trial on terrorism charges over his secessionist activities calling for the independence of Nigerias Igbo-dominated South-east and some parts of the neighbouring states as Biafra, has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja since June 2021.

The Nigerian government accused him in the case of carrying out terrorist activities, including broadcasting threats and inciting violence and killings in the region, to achieve the secessionist

(NAN)
The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu for acts of terrorism and his membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Judge James Omotosho, who earlier ejected the IPOB leader from the courtroom over his unruly behaviour during Thursdays proceedings, ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge, who has so far convicted Mr Kanu on six of the seven counts filed by the federal government, ruled that the prosecution proved all the ingredients of the offences of terrorism.

He has convicted him of carrying out terrorist acts, issuing illegal stay-at-home orders in the South-east region for years, incitement, and teaching people to make bombs to be used on government facilities, and membership of a terrorist organisation.

He said the prosecution proved that Mr Kanu is a person, and that he made several inciting broadcasts threatening the federal government and citizens with death and destruction to achieve his goal of independence of Biafra from Nigeria.

The defendant knew what he was doing while making these violent threats. The defendant was also bent on achieving his objective with violence and did not mind if his own people died, the judge said.

He cited a video clip capturing Mr Kanu calling for violence in Nigeria to actualise Biafras independence during the Third World Igbo Congress in Los Angeles, the United States.

Most of the participants were quite alarmed that they asked him if he had considered the option of peaceful dialogue to which the defendant was adamant, Mr Omotosho said.

He also cited Mr Kanus call-in broadcasts during the EndSARS protests in October 2020, where he incited callers and listeners to burn down government facilities, including the Murtburn down police stations, and kill security officers and their families.

He added that the intention and knowledge of the defendant was expressed by him and could be deduced by his conduct and other circumstances.

His words were not mere words, as many police officers and security officers were killed and several police stations were burnt down in Lagos as a result of his incitement.

The judge said even though not all the destruction could be blamed on Mr Kanu, there is no doubt the incitement contributed to killing of security operatives and destruction of police stations.

The number of police officers that were killed was 128; military officers were 37, other security officers were 10. Police stations destroyed were 164, INEC offices destroyed were nine in number. This shows the extent of damage caused by the defendants inciting statement, he said.

The judge also said, His intention was clear. The defendant had an evil intention to wreak havoc on the people and government of Nigeria.

He turned himself into a tyrant who can kill at will. The defendant cannot be allowed to remain in a sane human society, the judge said.

He also ruled that Mr Kanu can be safely described as an international terrorist with his directive to people to foreign embassies in Nigeria and kill the British High Commissioner.

Mr Omotosho quoted excerpts from several of Mr Kanus broadcasts, including the one in which he issued on Mondays in the South-east on 30 May 2021.

He ruled that Mr Kanus stay-at-home order was unconstitutional and amounted to nothing less than a terrorist act.

He cited various broadcasts where Mr Kanu incited the public and the Eastern Security Network to take arms against the federal government and kill security personnel.

He also quoted excerpts of a broadcast in which Mr Kanu professed to be a member of IPOB. The evidence before this court is that IPOB is a proscribed group, the judge said, citing the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on 18 September 2017 proscribing IPOB and designating it as a terrorist organisation.

He said, Mr Kanu by his broadcasts professing to be a member of IPOB after the proscription of the organisation, is guilty of being a member of terrorist group.

The judge, who emphasised Mr Kanus failure to offer any defence despite several opportunities given him to do so, said the evidence of the prosecution against him was uncontroverted.

The judge has yet to pronounce the sentence as he proceeds with reading the rest of the judgement.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu of illegal importation of radio transmitter in furtherance of his secessionist activities.

Trial judge James Omotosho earlier convicted Mr Kanu on six terrorism charges.

The judge said the prosecution proved the count of illegal importation of Tram 50L radio transmitter which he planned to use for illegal operation of Radio Biafra in Nigeria in violation of section 47 of Customs and Excise Management Act.

The judge therefore convicted him of count seven which accused the Biafra agitator of smuggling Tram 50L radio transmitter, which he described as used household items, into Nigeria and kept it in Ubulisluzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. He was said to have committed the offence sometimes between March and April 2015.

Mr Omotosho said the evidence of the prosecution was uncontroverted as Mr Kanu failed to offer any defence.

The judge is expected to impose sentences for each of the seven offences of which he has convicted Mr Kanu.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the sentencing of the convicted Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu for over an hour.

Trial judge James Omotosho rose at 2.42 p.m. on Thursday after convicting Mr Kanu of all seven counts.

The judge, who receded to chambers, promised to return at 3.50 p.m. for sentencing.

Before rising, the judge listened to the prosecution lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and a member of the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha, who represents Mr Kanus constituency  the Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency.

While Mr Aguocha urged the judge to be lenient in his sentencing, Mr Awomolo called for the death penalty for five of the seven counts.

The matter has come to a closure. For now, Im not his lawyer. I wouldnt know whether there was a safety appeal, but for now, the Lord hes my brother.

Hes my friend. I went to school with him. We attended primary and secondary school together, though he was my junior, but it is my responsibility and obligation as a member of the National Assembly to represent him as well as the Lord, he said.

But the prosecutor said the judge had no discretion exercise but was rather duty-bound to impose the death sentence on Mr Kanu for terrorism-related counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.

Nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentences. The punishment prescribed for the offences in counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 is the death penalty.

Pursuant to Section 12(h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2019. My Lord, with all sense, I say, Sir, as the prosecutor, this court has no discretion in that regard.

The only sentence that my Lordship will impose for counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 is the death sentence. This court has the power to do so and, with respect, must do so.

The prosecutor also asked the court to deny the convict of electronic devices and be kept in the safest custodial centre.

The trial judge, James Omotosho, earlier convicted Mr Kanu of the terrorism act, inciting violence against security personnel and their families, the Lagos State government and those who flouted the sit-at-home order.

Mr Kanu was also convicted of illegally importing into Nigeria and kept in Ubulisluzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, a radio transmitter known as Tram 50L concealed in a container of used household items.

Mr Kanus conviction on Thursday draws parallel with the conviction of another controversial Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, by a Finnish court on 1 September.

In its judgement, the Paijat-Hame District Court in Finland, sentenced Mr Ekpa, to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related charges.

The Nigerian government has been prosecuting Mr Kanu on seven charges, mostly terrorism-related, since 2015.

READ ALSO: Court jails Boko Haram leader linked to Kano killings 20 years

Six of the seven charges against Mr Kanu were filed under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, amended in 2022.

Mr Kanu claimed the seventh count, which has to do with the alleged illegal importation of a radio transmitter into Nigeria, was ordered by the Supreme Court to be removed.

The charges stemmed from his alleged violent secessionist campaigns for the independence of the Igbo-dominated South-eastern part of Nigeria as Biafra.

The dual Nigerian and British citizen repeatedly denied wrongdoing, but failed to offer defence when asked to by the court.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment for acts of terrorism.

Trial judge James Omotosho, who convicted Mr Kanu on all seven charges, said he ought to sentence the convict to death given the gravity of his offences and lack of remorse but for scriptural persuasion to be merciful.

Mr Omotosho said he drew on chapter 22, verse 23 of the book of Matthew in the Bible to commute Mr Kanus punishment to life imprisonment instead of death penalty. He therefore sentenced the convict to life imprisonment for counts 1, 4, 5 and 6, instead of death sentence.

He added, With respect to count 3, he is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without fine. He is sentenced to five years imprisonment for count 7.

He ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.

The judge also ruled that Mr Kanu should not be allowed to use digital devices and be kept in protective custody.

He ordered the forfeiture of the radio transmitter, which the prosecution said he smuggled into the country in 2015 to further his violent secessionist campaigns, to the federal government.

Mr Omotosho stressed throughout his five-hour-long judgement that the convict left the evidence presented by the prosecution uncontroverted by failing to enter defence in the case.

Mr Kanus conviction on Thursday drew parallels with the conviction of another controversial Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, by a Finnish court on 1 September. But Mr Ekpa received a lesser punishment of six years imprisonment.

Both men were convicted of using terrorism as a tool for campaigning for the independence of Nigerias Igbo-dominated South-east and parts of neighbouring regions as sovereign Biafra.

Through several online broadcasts, for years, they incited violence and issued death threats and ordered the killing of security personnel and their families, the destruction of police stations and other government facilities as well as foreign embassies.

Mr Omotosho noted on Thursday that Mr Kanu described himself as a freedom fighter, but that through the enforcement of his illegal stay-at-home order, arrogating the power of Nigerias president to himself, and his inciting online broadcasts, he brought deaths and destructions to the people of South-east for whom claimed to be fighting.

He turned himself into a tyrant who can kill at will. The defendant cannot be allowed to remain in a sane human society, the judge said.

He said the right to self-determination, to agitate for independence, is not a licence to cause anarchy.

Commenting on Mr Kanus conduct during trial, which dated back to 2015, Mr Omotosho said he noted Mr Kanus unruly behaviour since the start of the case to date, including during Thursdays proceedings when he aggressively maintained that the court could not proceed to deliver the scheduled its judgement. The judge had to order the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to eject him from the courtroom for the rest of the hours -long proceedings.

He said from his review of the case file from inception in 2015, there is no doubt, the convict has not acted well throughout this period. He caused a delay and then cried that he was being held unlawfully.

The judge said the convict was full of arrogance, cocky, aggressive, unremorseful and unmindful of the consequences of his actions.

Mr Omotosho said despite the convicts conduct, the court would not consider that in his sentencing.

This court is only being merciful to him; the court has been reminded to sentence the convict to death, the judge said, adding, I must temper justice with mercy.

It is in this note that I would follow the admonishment of Jesus Christ, adding that death penalty globally is frowned upon.

I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for Counts 1, 4, 5 and 6 instead of the death sentence. Life is sacred to God.

With respect to count 3, he is thereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.

For count 7, he is sentenced to five years imprisonment with no option of fine.

He said the sentence would run concurrently.

He added that the convict has a tendency towards violence; it is based on this that he must be kept in a facility that is suitable for his custody.

The judge also ordered that Mr Kanu must not be allowed access to any digital device being the tool he used to commit the offences for which he was convicted. If he must be given access, it must be under the watch of security agents and the guidance of the National Security Adviser, the judge said.

Given the number of people that were killed as a result of his actions, the judge said, the convict deserves protective custody. I order that the convict be kept in protective custody in any custodial centre in the country.

The raido transmitter is forfeited to the Federal Government, Mr Omotosho added.

Charges

The judge earlier convicted Mr Kanu on six terrorism charges out of the seven charges filed by the prosecution. Among the terrorism charges on which the judge convicted the IPOB leader are terrorism acts, inciting violence against security personnel and their families, foreign embassies and officials, the Lagos State government and those who flouted the sit-at-home order in the South-east region. He was also convicted of teaching his followers how to make bombs, particularly Molotov cocktail, a makeshift explosive weapon, to be used on government facilities during a live broadcast in the middle of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest. The court punished him for these offences with life imprisonment.

Mr Kanu was also convicted of illegally importing a Tram 50L radio transmitter concealed in a container with the label of used household items into Nigeria in 2015. The prosecution said he kept the transmitter in Ubulisluzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The judge sentenced him to five years imprisonment for this offence.

He was also convicted of being a member of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), designated as a terrorist organisation by a court order in September 2017. He was jailed 20 years for the offence.

Before sentencing Mr Kanu on Thursday, the judge listened to the prosecution lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and a member of the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha, who represents Mr Kanus constituency  the Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency.

While Mr Aguocha urged the judge to be lenient in his sentencing, Mr Awomolo called for the death penalty for five of the seven counts.

Mr Aguocha said, Hes my brother; hes my friend. I went to school with him. We attended primary and secondary schools together, though he was my junior. But it is my responsibility and obligation as a member of the National Assembly to represent him.

He pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy by being lenient in his sentencing.

But the prosecutor said the judge had no discretion to exercise in sentencing, given the framing of the law under which the terrorism charges were brought. He said the court was duty-bound to impose the death sentence on Mr Kanu for the terrorism-related counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.

The senior advocate said, Nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentences. The punishment prescribed for the offences in counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 is the death penalty.

Pursuant to Section 12(h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013. My Lord, I say, Sir, as the prosecutor, this court has no discretion in that regard.

The only sentence that my Lordship will impose for counts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 is the death sentence. This court has the power to do so and, with respect, must do so.

The prosecutor also asked the court to deny the convict of electronic devices and be kept in the safest custodial centre.

The charges stemmed from his violent secessionist campaigns for the independence of the Igbo-dominated South-eastern part of Nigeria as Biafra.

The dual Nigerian and British citizen repeatedly denied wrongdoing but failed to offer defence when asked to by the court.

Background

The case lingered in court from 2015, passing through four trial judges in its 10-year journey.

Mr Omotosho, who took over the trial in March this year, was the fourth judge to oversee the trial. The three prior judges  Ahme Mohammed (now Justice of the Court of Appeal), John Tsoho, and Binta Nyako, withdrew from the case in turns after Mr Kanu accused them of bias.

Mr Kanu was detained in SSS custody from 2015 to 2017, when the then trial judge, Mrs Nyako, granted him bail.

But he fled the country upon soldiers invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, in September 2017.

He was captured by the Nigerian government in Kenya in June 2021 and brought back to Nigeria to continue his trial. His disappearance from the country interrupted the trial for about four years.

The case, which initially started as treasonable felony charges in 2015, morphed into terrorism indictment with an amendment of the charges by the federal government to take into account Mr Kanus inciting broadcasts, including during the 2020 #EndSARS protests and on several occasions between 2018 and 2021, while he was outside the country.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja struck out the charges in October 2022, on the grounds of the illegality of his capture in Kenya and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in June 2021. The court held that the illegality of the Nigerian government invalidated the charges.

However, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals judgement in December 2023.

While the Supreme Court confirmed that Mr Kanus abduction and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria was illegal, unfair and oppressive, it ruled that the action of the government did not affect the validity of the charges or rob the Federal High Court of the jurisdiction to try him.

READ ALSO: Court convicts Nnamdi Kanu of illegal importation of radio transmitter

Upon return to the trial court and the transfer of the case to Mr Omotosho, the prosecution closed its case in June this year with five witnesses.

Mr Kanu then filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to lead credible evidence against him. But Mr Omotosho dismissed the no-case submission in September. He said Mr Kanu had a case to answer and should enter his defence.

Since then, several proceedings were scheduled for Mr Kanu to start his defence. In the midst of that, Mr Kanu suddenly disengaged his lawyers and told the court that he would defend himself.

The case was adjourned several times to keep the window of defence open, while Mr Kanu continued to maintain that there was no valid charge against him to defend. He argued that the charges against him were brought under a repealed terrorism law.

He filed a notice of preliminary objection in which he raised the issues, including that he was being charged based on a repealed law and the illegality of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya, in calling on the court to quash the charges against him and free him.

The court in its judgement on Thursday dismissed all the issues Mr Kanu raised in the preliminary objection.
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called for urgent, coordinated action to tackle escalating terrorism across West Africa and the Sahel, warning that the region is fast becoming a global epicentre of violent extremism.

Top officials at the council raised fresh concerns over deteriorating security in West Africa, citing the rapid expansion of terrorist networks and the growing human toll of attacks.

Addressing the Council, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the situation in the Sahel and neighbouring regions is growing more critical by the day, pointing to rising terrorist attacks, worsening fuel blockades in Mali, and a potential disastrous domino effect across the entire region.

He warned that groups ranging from Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) to ISWAP, Boko Haram, and Lakurawa are expanding across the Lake Chad Basin, particularly in Nigeria and Niger, with violence now spreading toward coastal states including Benin and Togo.

According to the Global Terrorism Index, five of the ten countries most affected by terrorism are in the Sahel, which accounts for 19 per cent of global attacks and more than half of terrorism-related deaths worldwide.

Mr Guterres urged a unified regional response, strengthened cooperation between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States, and predictable financing for initiatives like the G5 Sahel.

He also called for a development strategy addressing the root causes of extremism, including poverty, weak governance, climate shocks, and lack of economic opportunities.

US Raises Concerns on Targeted Killings in Nigeria

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz highlighted what he described as the ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians in northern Nigeria by armed groups and terrorist organisations.

He expressed deep concern over the rise in kidnappings and hostage-taking, but singled out Nigeria for what he described as the ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians by armed groups, militias, and terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in northern Nigeria.

Mr Waltz condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, citing the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Maga Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Kebbi State this week.

It is tragic and it is unacceptable. Churches are burning. Villages are being razed. Thousands are killed. Clergy murdered simply for wearing a cross, for being a Christian, for daring to say they worship Jesus as Christ.

He condemned the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Kebbi State this week and accused Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa of burning churches, razing villages, and killing clerics.

The US representative urged the Nigerian government to strengthen security, tackle impunity, and address the drivers of violence.

He also criticised the 2023 UN veto that ended Malis sanctions regime, calling it a setback for accountability and regional stability.

The US representative is the only one who raised the allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Regional Leaders Warn Against Fragmentation

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, called terrorism an existential threat to West Africa, citing 450 attacks and more than 1,900 deaths between January and November 2025.

He warned that fragmented initiatives and mutual distrust among states undermine intelligence sharing and stressed the need for predictable financing and coordinated regional efforts. No amount of money, no amount of equipment will help us overcome terror if we dont collaborate and build trust, he said.

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, speaking as ECOWAS Chair, stressed that Africas peace underpins global stability and emphasised reintegration and dialogue with neighbours Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

He highlighted the need for intelligence sharing, air mobility, logistics, and surveillance to prevent the Sahel from becoming a permanent haven for extremists. If we fail to act decisively, the Sahel could become a permanent sanctuary for extremist enclaves, Mr Bio warned.

Several delegations emphasised the importance of supporting African-led initiatives.

The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to working with African partners, providing funding and training for Nigerias National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Cote dIvoires Counter-Terrorism Academy and the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit supporting the Multinational Joint Taskforce.

These efforts aim to strengthen intelligence sharing and regional resilience. Greece highlighted the risks to maritime routes in the Gulf of Guinea, stressing the economic consequences of piracy and illegal activities, and detailed Greek participation in capacity-building exercises.

Cote dIvoires International Counterterrorism Academy, operational since 2021, seeks to foster a culture of counter-terrorism across Africa, the countrys delegate said. However, insufficient resources and the fragmentation of existing frameworks have limited their effectiveness.

In this context, increased engagement and mobilisation by the international community  particularly the Security Council  are indispensable.

Pakistan noted that 5 of the 10 countries most affected by extremism are in the Sahel and that threats are spreading to coastal West Africa. It emphasised that the people of West Africa and the Sahel deserve a future defined not by fear, but by peace, dignity and development, calling for sustained political will, predictable international support and collective resolve.

Meanwhile, China stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of States, while investing in development, employment and youth engagement to address root causes.

The Russian Federation highlighted the Kremlins support for African countries, offering training, technical assistance and capacity-building in law enforcement, border security, counter-terrorism, finance and inter-agency coordination, as having received highly positive feedback from African partners.

Denmark highlighted the severe humanitarian consequences of the deteriorating security situation, stressing that instability anywhere is a threat to stability everywhere and calling on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to recommit to cooperation with ECOWAS and the African Union.

Speaking for the Alliance of Sahel States, Malis representative emphasised: We are fully open to cooperation with regional countries and partners, in full respect of our sovereignty, strategic choices and the interests of our peoples.

Burkina Faso added that the fight cannot be won without coherent, predictable support free from political considerations and must address the root causes of violence, including poverty, marginalisation and lack of opportunities for youth.

Delegations agreed that defeating terrorism requires inclusive strategies addressing governance, youth engagement, climate shocks, and regional cooperation.

Fragmentation only benefits terrorist networks, warned Somalia, while Ghana stressed that dialogue between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States will rebuild trust and consolidate peace.

Algeria and Guyana highlighted the need for regional coordination through African Union mechanisms, intelligence collaboration and disruption of illicit financial networks.

On its part, Senegal emphasised support based on the spirit of African solutions to African problems and the need for sustainable financing to overcome divisions.

Council members highlighted that effective regional security depends on coordinated, inclusive and adequately financed African-led initiatives, complemented by targeted international support addressing immediate threats and underlying socioeconomic vulnerabilities.

The Council is composed of 15 Members: Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The current non-permanent members are Algeria (2025); Denmark (2026); Greece (2026); Guyana (2025); Pakistan (2026); Panama (2026); Republic of Korea (2025); Sierra Leone (2025); Slovenia (2025); and Somalia (2026).
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday arrived in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, after Nigerian military personnel moved into the community in response to Tuesdays attack.

In a post on the verified Facebook page of the Kwara State Government, officials said the governor visited the town with security chiefs and senior government aides.

The statement quoted him telling church members that both the state and federal governments were working together to stabilise the area. Every necessary step is being taken to keep our people safe, he said.

During the visit, the governor praised the deployment of troops and other security agencies, describing their action as timely.

The swift response has restored confidence and prevented any further escalation, he said.

He encouraged residents to stay calm and to support ongoing security operations.

The government said additional intelligence efforts were underway across border communities in Kwara South and would involve local vigilante groups and traditional rulers.

ALSO READ: Kwara shuts schools in five LGAs over rising insecurity

Governor AbdulRazaq noted that authorities were determined to push back armed groups responsible for recent attacks.

We will not relent. Those threatening the peace of our state will be flushed out, he said.

The intervention in Eruku follows rising tension in several parts of Kwara, including the attack on a church in Isanlu-Isin and the school closures ordered in five LGAs amid heightened security alerts.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has appointed John Odey as its new spokesperson.

The appointment was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Secretary to the Commission Clifford Oparaodu, who said Mr Odey will also head the commissions newly created Media and Public Communications Unit under the Office of the chairman.

The commission anticipates that Mr Odeys extensive expertise in communication will strengthen ICPCs public engagement, enhance media relations, and support ongoing efforts to deepen transparency and public awareness of its anti-corruption mandate, the statement said.

Mr Odey, a deputy director at ICPC, rose to become an editor before moving into broadcast media as a scriptwriter and presenter.

Since joining the ICPC, he has served in the Public Enlightenment, Protocol and Zonal Operations units.

He holds a degree in English/Literature, a Masters in Leadership Studies, an MPhil in Leadership and Strategic Studies, and a Professional Diploma in Public Relations.

He is also a certified member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

In a message to journalists on Wednesday, the outgoing spokesperson, Demola Bakare, who now serves as Director of the Public Education Department, introduced his successor and thanked the media for their cooperation during his tenure.

He is Mr John Okor Odey, a Deputy Director and Head of the newly created Media/Public Communication Unit. He will henceforth take the front seat in interfacing with you, Mr Bakare wrote.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to making the state open-defecation-free by 2030.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the assurance in Lagos during an event to commemorate World Toilet Day on Wednesday.

Mr Wahab outlined recent government efforts to expand toilet infrastructure, noting that the administration had approved the construction of 20 additional public toilets, each comprising 10 units, bringing the total number of new units to 200.

But amidst efforts to achieve the stated goals, our reporter has persistent cases of open defecation on the streets of Lagos and the indiscriminate discharge of human waste from buildings in Itafaji and Tinubu Square areas of Lagos Island.

This confirms that there are still wide gaps in the goverments efforts to meet its target of ridding the state of open defication.

Meanwhile, Mr Wahab said the approval for 20 additional public toilet in the state will complement the existing 1,710 public toilets already spread across the state, and he said that the government was also strengthening the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to enhance its capacity for effective faecal sludge management.

The state is in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria to conduct a pivotal study on the sanitation circular economy, which will identify opportunities in faecal sludge management and involve strategic collaboration to foster sustainable sanitation practices, he said.

Mr Wahab said the state was also working with other development partners, including UNICEF, USAID, the World Bank and WaterAid Nigeria to scale up sanitation projects.

The commissioner said the annual event was designed to raise awareness about the urgent need for safe and sustainable sanitation for all.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, who was represented by the Director of the Environmental Education Unit, Monsurat Banire, stressed the life-saving importance of safe toilets.

No matter what lies ahead, we will always rely on sanitation to protect us from diseases and keep our environment clean, he said.

Delivering a lecture titled, Sanitation in a Changing World: Well Always Need the Toilet, Babatunde Onajobi urged participants to view sanitation not merely as a service but as a fundamental human right.

He called for stronger advocacy for sanitation policies, increased funding, improved infrastructure, hygiene education and partnerships capable of driving innovative, sustainable solutions.

At the gathering, which brought together water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) experts, stakeholders emphasised the need for future-focused sanitation systems capable of meeting the states growth and environmental challenges.

They also highlighted the importance of continuous public enlightenment on hygiene practices to improve community sanitation.

Participants noted that while World Toilet Day serves as a reminder that toilets are essential to public health and human dignity, stronger collaboration among government, development partners and local communities is required to ensure no resident is left behind.

Push for enforcement

In February, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly urged the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to enforce environmental laws against open defecation and provide free public toilets across the state.

The lawmakers, who commended Mr Wahab for his sanitation reforms, said stricter measures were needed to curb open defecation and address homelessness, a major driver of the practice.

Raising the issue under Matter of Urgent Public Importance, Stephen Ogundipe, who represented Oshodi-Isolo 1, warned that persistent open defecation tarnishes Lagos reputation and undermines sustainable development.

He said the practice poses a direct threat to public health and called for multi-stakeholder interventions to promote good hygiene.

Mr Ogundipe argued that the sanitation crisis contributes to urban decay and slows economic growth. He urged the Ministry of Information to intensify public sensitisation, particularly in motor parks and other high-traffic public spaces.

Another member, Bonu Solomon, who represented Badagry 1, called for the arrest of destitute people who defecate on the streets, urging local government councils to support the states cleanliness drive.

Also, Aro Moshood, who represented Ikorodu 2, noted that many riverine areas remain hotspots for open defecation, adding that indiscriminate refuse disposal has also worsened sanitation challenges across Lagos.

In March, the state government, in partnership with WaterAid, Plan International and private operators, announced plans to construct 350 public toilets across Lagos to curb open defecation and promote improved hygiene.

WaterAid projected that its interventions would directly reach 10 million Lagos residents and indirectly impact another 17 million by 2028.

Speaking at a media roundtable organised with WaterAid, the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said construction had already begun in some locations and that sites for additional facilities had been identified.

He said the state would adopt a three-pronged approach involving the provision of infrastructure, massive advocacy, and enforcement to ensure residents embrace the use of public toilets.

Mr Rotimi-Akodu thanked WaterAid for its collaboration, saying the partnership would help Lagos achieve universal access to clean water, decent toilets and improved hygiene.

He said providing more public toilets would reduce government spending on avoidable disease outbreaks, allowing resources to be channelled into other developmental priorities.

He explained that the state was delaying some construction activities to secure alternative water sources, rather than relying on boreholes. According to him, the government discourages borehole drilling in homes, worship centres, and commercial premises due to environmental concerns and is instead prioritising potable water supply from the Lagos Water Corporation.

Borehole drilling is not something we are proud of and its something we are eager to run away from, he said, noting that the Adiyan Waterworks expansion would soon generate no less than 100 million gallons of pipe-borne water daily.

The Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services, Mahmood Adegbite, said many homes and organisations rely on water supplied by the Lagos State Water Corporation without paying for it, forcing the government to continually bail out the corporation.

He said the state was working out sustainable ways to engage defaulting users, noting that existing regulatory agencies would be involved in tariff-setting to ensure efficiency and fairness.

In November 2024, the Lagos State Government approved the construction of 100 new public toilets as part of broader efforts to combat open defecation. The initiative, embedded in the states Resilience Strategy, seeks to ensure toilet and bathroom access in every Local Government and Local Council Development Area.

Mr Wahab, speaking during last years World Toilet Day with the theme Use the Toilet and Have Peace, said the global sanitation crisis affecting billions of people underscores the urgency for Lagos to scale up sanitation.

The state government has approved the construction of 100 new public toilet units across the state, Mr Wahab said in a post. The state aims to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for residents.

He reiterated the administrations commitment to expanding sanitation infrastructure and advancing progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks universal access to water and sanitation by 2030.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has dismissed allegations by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Mineral Exploration, Security, and Anti-Money Laundering that it has failed to cooperate with an ongoing probe into illegal mining across the country.

Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Vivian Okono, in a statement on Thursday, said the claims made by the committees chairperson, Sanni Abdulraheem, were inaccurate and did not reflect the Ministrys actual engagement with the legislature.

Mr Abdulraheem, on Wednesday, summoned the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), alleging that both institutions had shown reluctance to engage constructively with the committee despite being central to the reforms and regulatory processes required to curb illegal mining.

He also said the committees initial friendly and collaborative approach had not been reciprocated by the ministry and the MCO, expressing concern that the agencies perceived lack of cooperation was hampering the ongoing investigation.

However, Mrs Okono refuted the allegations, stating that the committees narrative was misleading. She explained that the Ministry had, at all times, acted in good faith and maintained open lines of communication with the committee.

According to her, the ministrys delegation had been prepared to honour the invitation to appear before the committee on Tuesday, 18 November, as stated in the original letter of invitation. But the Ministry later received conflicting updates from the committees secretariat.

Ms Okono said that in an effort to demonstrate the ministrys respect for the House of Representatives, she personally contacted the committees Clerk, Ademola Adewale, on Monday, 17 November, to reconfirm the sitting time. She said she was informed that the hearing had been shifted from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the following day.

Later that same day, she said the ministry again reached out to the clerk, only to be told that the committee had decided to postpone the Ministrys appearance indefinitely.

In view of these circumstances, the alleged summon issued by the ad-hoc committee was unnecessary, she said.

The acting permanent secretary reaffirmed that the ministry maintains excellent and cordial relations with the House of Representatives and its committees, emphasising that the executive and legislative arms share a collective responsibility to act in the best interest of Nigerians.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka, Zambia, Nov. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

LUSAKA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday that China is ready to work with Zambia, taking the implementation of China's zero-tariff treatment for Zambia as an opportunity, to expand bilateral trade and tap cooperation potential in industrial sectors such as mining, new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence.

Li, who landed in Zambia's capital of Lusaka on Wednesday for an official visit to the African country, made the remarks during talks with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

The Chinese premier first conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hichilema. Li said that China and Zambia are good brothers, good friends and good partners.

Last year, the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and President Xi met with President Hichilema during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, drawing a new blueprint for the deepening and development of bilateral relations, Li said.

The premier said China is ready to work with Zambia to further consolidate mutual political trust, firmly support each other regarding their respective core interests and major concerns, continuously enrich the substance of the China-Zambia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, join hands to advance modernization, and build an even closer China-Zambia community with a shared future so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Zambia in areas related to people's livelihood, such as healthcare, agriculture and human resources development, so as to enhance the two peoples' sense of gain from bilateral cooperation, Li said.

He noted that the two countries should take the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity to strengthen friendly interactions at all levels, deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, tourism and other fields, thereby solidifying the social foundation for bilateral cooperation.

China is also ready to work with Zambia to step up cooperation in judicial, police, law-enforcement and other areas, in order to provide stronger security assurance for bilateral cooperation, Li said.

The revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is a shared aspiration of the peoples of China, Tanzania and Zambia, he said, adding that the project is a landmark of high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation.

The three countries should strengthen policy coordination, advance follow-up comprehensive development, and promote better development for the countries and regions along the railway, Li said.

At present, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, posing serious challenges to the international system and global economy, Li noted, calling on China and Zambia to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation, and work with the broad ranks of Global South countries to safeguard the international trade order, uphold fairness and justice, and defend their joint benefits. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka, Zambia, Nov. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has assured families of the abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, as well as killers of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba and the late Vice Principal of the school that President Bola Tinubu is deeply troubled by the tragic incidents.

He vowed that the government will deploy all instruments of the state to rescue the schoolchildren and ensure their abductors, and killers of the gallant military general and the vice principal are made to face the full weight of justice.

The vice president, who spoke on Wednesday while in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, on the directive of President Tinubu, described the abduction of the schoolgrirls from the boarding school in Maga as an assault on the collective conscience of all Nigerians.

The president had on Tuesday evening asked the VP to visit the state to sympathise with the state government and assure parents and guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their quick release.

Extending President Tinubus sympathy to families of the abducted schoolgirls and the state government, Mr Shettima said, Kebbis pain is Nigerias pain. When one child is taken, every home in this nation grieves. When girls in the safety of their classroom are seized by criminals, our collective conscience is assaulted.

Mr President is deeply troubled by this tragedy. He shares your anguish, and he has sent me to assure you that this is not a moment for politics. This grief transcends party lines, geography, and identity. This is a time for unity, for compassion, and for firm resolve in the face of evil. Our priority is singular and unflinching: our daughters must return home safely.

On behalf of the President, VP Shettima assured them that their tears, fears, and cries are a stain on Nigerias collective conscience, and that the nation shall not turn away from this responsibility.

This government will not relent. We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice. Kebbi, you are not alone. Nigeria stands with you. And we shall not rest until your daughters return to your warm embrace, he vowed.

The vice president promised that the federal government will support families of the late General Uba, the late vice principal and others who were killed by the terror groups, while doing everything possible to rescue the abducted schoolgrirls.

We also honour the ultimate sacrifice made by some of our brave officers. To the family of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, we say: his sacrifice will never be forgotten. When a soldier gives his life in defence of this nation, a part of our collective soul is touched. We will honour him, his family, and all who pay the supreme price in service to Nigeria, he stated.

Mr Shettima applauded the Governor of Kebbi State, Muhammed Idris, community leaders, traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, civil society partners, and all stakeholders for rallying together in the moment of distress.

Your cooperation, your vigilance, and your unity are indispensable to the search for our girls and to the safety of our communities, he said.

He also commended the gallant officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and all paramilitary and intelligence agencies for their gallantry in the face of security challenges confronting the nation.

Your courage, your tirelessness, and your sacrificesoften unseen and unsungremain the backbone of our nations security. You stand on the frontlines so that the rest of us may sleep with hope. The nation appreciates you, told them.

On his his part, the Governor of Kebbi State thanked President Tinubu for the show of support, concern and immense leadership.

He said that since the incidents happened, the president had been in touch with the state government, noting that with the commitment and efforts of the government, he was optimistic that the kidnapped schoolgirls would soon be rescued.

Governor Idris particularly thanked Vice President Shettima for the show of concern, even as he affirmed the states commitment and loyalty to the Tinubu administration, vowing continued partnership and cooperation with the Federal Government in ensuring the release of the girls.

We, in Kebbi, are most touched by the show of concern and deepened actions being taking to rescue our girls. I am optimistic that they will be rescued. It is a painful experience but we also will ensure that we put all in place to avert any of such future occurrence.

We thank Mr President here, ably represented by our very own Vice President. We thank you for the concern, and the communications and actions behind the scene thus far. We deeply appreciate, sir, the Governor stated.

Also present at the event were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nantawe Yitwada; Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Umar Tafida; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Ibrahim; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Fori, and Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs, Tanko Yusuf.

Others are members of the National Assembly; members of the State House of Assembly; former Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Dakingari; Bala Ibn Na Allah; Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar; Secretary to Kebbi State Government, Yakubu Bala; other members of the state Executive Council; senior government officials, as well as heads of military and para-military.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

19th November, 2025
One of the leading voices behind the campaign alleging a Christian genocide in Nigeria, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, met with senior officials of the Nigerian government on Wednesday.

Mr Moore said he held talks with the delegation led by Nuhu Ribadu, Nigerias National Security Adviser, during their visit to Washington, D.C.

According to the lawmaker, the meeting provided a frank, honest, and productive discussion on the alleged persecution of Christians, persistent terrorist threats, and prospects for deeper USNigeria cooperation to end the bloodshed.

He said Nigerian officials outlined their concerns about counterterrorism operations, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing violence across different parts of the country.

Mr Moore added that he made it clear that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria, insisting that the US will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution, echoing the strong stance previously expressed by President Donald Trump.

He said he would continue to monitor developments and push Nigeria to embrace cooperation aimed at halting the violence and countering terrorist groups.

Since September, several campaigners and politicians in Washington have promoted claims that Islamist militants in Nigeria are systematically targeting Christians. The narrative has been amplified by Mike Arnold through his fact-finding report, comedian Bill Maher, CNNs Van Jones, Mr Moore, Senator Ted Cruz, and some Christian leaders.

Mr Cruz, a senator from Texas, introduced a bill in September  the Nigerias Religious Freedom Accountability 2025 Act  seeking to hold Nigerian public officials accountable for enabling jihadist violence or enforcing blasphemy laws. Mr Moore has also maintained that Christians are being persecuted and killed for professing their faith, and on 5 October wrote to the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, urging action.

On 15 October, a petition endorsed by 30 Christian leaders was submitted to the House of Representatives, advancing efforts to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution. Reiterating this stance in a statement on Wednesday, Mr Moore said that at the meeting with the Nigerian officials, he emphasised the need for tangible steps to ensure Christians in Nigeria are protected from violence, displacement, and death.

He added that the US was prepared to work with Nigeria against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and violent Fulani militants, urging the government to seize the opportunity to deepen security cooperation. President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria, he said.

He said the Nigerian delegation included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, E.A.P. Undiendeye; the Special Adviser to the NSA, Idayat Hassan; the Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA, Ibrahim Babani; the Acting Charge dAffaires, Embassy of Nigeria in the US, Nuru Biu; and the head of the Political and Economic Section, Embassy of Nigeria in the US, Paul Alabi.

Background

The Nigerian government, as well as security analysts and researchers, say the claim of a Christian genocide in Nigeria is false and misleading. They argue that it reflects Washingtons deep misreading of Nigerias security realities and reveals the undercurrents of a clearly mischievous agenda.

Credible media reports, including one by the BBC, have found that much of the data used to back claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria cannot be independently verified.

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected the allegations, describing them as a gross misrepresentation of reality. Officials argue that terrorists attack all who reject their murderous ideology  Muslims, Christians, and those of no faith alike.

US President Trump has designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern on the grounds of alleged Christian persecution.

In an editorial published on 27 October, PREMIUM TIMES assessed the genocide narrative as false and misleading, noting the absence of any central mastermind. Nonetheless, we acknowledged the ongoing killings affecting both Christians and Muslims, largely carried out by non-state armed groups, the editorial read. `

After designating Nigeria as CPC, Mr Trump also warned that if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.

Nigerias President Bola Tinubu said his country is engaging the world diplomatically and welcomes support from its allies to defeat terrorism in the country.
The Federal Government on Wednesday dismissed attempts to portray the countrys security crisis as religiously driven, saying terrorists and criminal groups were attacking citizens across all faiths and regions.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris, in a press briefing in Abuja, said President Bola Tinubu had placed the nations security architecture on its highest alert following recent attacks, including the killing of a senior Army General, the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the assault on a church in Kwara.

The minister said the President had cancelled his scheduled international engagements, including the G20 meeting in South Africa, to concentrate fully on the security situation.

The military and police have been directed to deploy more personnel to Eruku and the wider Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, with orders to pursue and eliminate violent groups nationwide.

Mr Idris added that rescuing the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls remained an urgent priority.

President Tinubu has also directed all security agencies to actively pursue, neutralise, and dismantle terrorists and criminal networks across the country, he said.

He said the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was already in Birnin Kebbi on the Presidents instruction, meeting the state governor, security chiefs, traditional rulers and families of the abducted students.

The minister described the recent incidents as painful reminders of the threats facing the country but said they had hardened the governments resolve to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.

He stressed that efforts to frame the crisis along religious lines were misleading and harmful, noting that the violence had affected Nigerians across multiple communities.

The minister cautioned against efforts to cast the security crisis in religious terms, saying the federal government categorically refutes any sectarian interpretation of the situation.

He noted that threats ranging from terrorism to banditry had impacted Nigerians across different faiths and communities.

In this critical moment, national unity is our most powerful asset, he said. We must reject misinformation and division. Our common enemies are terrorists and criminals seeking to destabilise our country.

The ministers comments come amid renewed scrutiny of Nigerias insecurity, following longstanding foreign claims that Christians were being specifically targeted.

Nigerian authorities and some religious leaders have repeatedly rejected this framing, pointing out that both Christian and muslim populations have suffered under a crisis driven by terrorism, banditry and competition for resources.

Mr Idris reaffirmed Nigerias identity as a multi-faith nation with constitutionally protected freedom of worship. He urged citizens to support ongoing operations aimed at restoring peace and rescuing the abducted students.
The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of schools in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke Ero local government areas following fresh security concerns in parts of the state.

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, said the directive was issued as authorities intensified efforts to protect schoolchildren from armed groups seeking cover from ongoing security operations.

These measures are necessary to secure our schools and prevent criminals from exploiting pupils as shields, he said.

The order comes days after gunmen attacked a church in the Eruku, Ekiti LG area, heightening anxiety among residents and prompting security agencies to broaden surveillance in the affected LGAs.

Boarding schools in Irepodun were also included in the directive after security assessments showed they could be targeted.

Kwaras action follows a wider climate of insecurity in the Nigerian northwest.

On Monday, terrorists abducted at least twenty five schoolgirls from Maga Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. A teacher, Hassan Makuku, and a local guard identified as Ali were killed during the attack.

Community leaders in Kebbi said the attack occurred shortly after soldiers withdrew from a nearby checkpoint. Police have not issued a formal statement on the incident.

Kwara officials said the school closures will remain in place until security agencies give clearance for classes to resume.
Severe groundwater contamination has been detected in parts of Kogi, Lagos and Kebbi states, with the federal government warning that thousands of residents may already be exposed to toxic chemicals and disease-causing microbes.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), in a new water quality and flood-impact assessment, reported that Kogi State recorded some of the most hazardous pollutant levels, particularly in the Lokoja Local Government Area.

The Director-General of NiHSA, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this during a press conference held at the agencys headquarters in Abuja.

Mr Mohammed said samples collected from wells and boreholes in affected communities contained unsafe concentrations of lead, cadmium, nitrite, fluoride, and multiple pathogenic microorganisms.

Kogi contamination among the most severe

According to the report, groundwater in Lokoja LGA exhibited excessive lead levels, ranging from 0.56 to 12.0 mg/L, which is far above the safe limits. Tests also confirmed the presence of E. coli, Streptococcus, and Salmonella, indicating faecal contamination and a high risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.

These pollutants, driven by sewage infiltration, waste leaching and corrosion of old pipelines, pose serious health risks, Mr Mohammed said. Lead exposure can cause neurological damage, while cadmium affects the kidneys. Nitrites can trigger blue-baby syndrome, and high fluoride causes bone and dental deformities.

He added that damaged drainage systems and the infiltration of floodwatersparticularly affecting riverine communities in Kogihave intensified the contamination.

Lagos, Kebbi also affected

In Lagos, unsafe pollutant levels were detected in parts of Ikeja and Ikoyi, with samples showing heavy chemical and microbial contamination.

Kebbi recorded similarly troubling results, especially in Argungu LGA, where groundwater contained extremely high arsenic levels (0.754 mg/L) and heavy microbial presence. Prolonged exposure, the agency warned, could lead to arsenicosis, liver damage and severe intestinal infections.

Stop using well and borehole water

A water engineer, Mathew Ajisafe, urged residents of the affected areas to immediately avoid drinking from wells and boreholes, warning that prolonged exposure could have long-term health consequences.

He advised state governments to urgently begin supplying treated water through state water boards while remediation efforts are put in place.

NiHSA has called for coordinated federalstate action, improved public sensitisation, and urgent deployment of safe water alternatives for residents.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employments claim that the government has met 19 out of 20 of its demands, insisting that none have been fully implemented and the nationwide strike will continue.

In a press statement on Thursday, NARD described the Ministrys circulated release of 19 November as misleading, accusing officials of attempting to create the impression of progress when none of their demands have been fully and verifiably met.

The resident doctors have been on an indefinite strike since 1 November, grounding services across federal hospitals.

NARD stated that its Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of 17 November reviewed the governments position and found that the Ministrys assertions grossly misrepresent the state of negotiations and the reality of our ongoing industrial action.

What led to the rebuttal

The Ministry of Labour and Employment, after a conciliation meeting with stakeholders, announced that the government had met most of NARDs demands and urged the doctors to suspend the strike.

The Minister, Mohammad Dingyadi, stated that payment for the revised CONMESS salary structure and 2024 accoutrement allowance has commenced, and that the government was working to resolve omissions, failed payments, outstanding arrears and manpower issues.

Mr Dingyadi reminded NARD that, under labour laws and ILO conventions, parties are expected to refrain from arm-twisting tactics while conciliation is ongoing.

However, NARD rejected these claims, saying the Ministrys statements amount to anticipation of action, not action itself, adding that its members across the country have not received the payments.

According to the association, none of its 19 core demands has been fully and verifiably met, contrary to the picture painted by the Ministry.

On the issue of payments and allowances, NARD said: The Ministrys claim that payment for the 25 per cent / 35 per cent CONMESS review and 2024 accoutrement allowances has commenced up to December 2024 is, at best, an anticipation of action, not action itself. An announcement of intent is not a substitute for a credited salary.

It also said the governments remarks about reconciling payment omissions is an admission that the problem remains unresolved.

List compilation

The doctors expressed shock that the government is still compiling lists of arrears owed in hospitals across the country, including Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Lokoja, Federal Medical Centre Owo, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), and others.

NARD stated that this confirms the crippling lack of urgency and implementation that led to the strike, arguing that repeated meetings, committees, and promises have not led to concrete results.

The association also criticised the Ministrys claim that committees were set up to address issues such as manpower shortages, the disengagement of resident doctors at FTH Lokoja, and the casualisation of doctors through locum arrangements.

Constituting a committee is not a resolution; it is often a bureaucratic tool for indefinite postponement, NARD said, insisting on the immediate reinstatement of the five disengaged doctors in Lokoja and the immediate implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy.

MoU refusal

The Ministry had accused NARD of refusing to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at the negotiation table.

In response, NARD said it will not sign any agreement built on unfulfilled promises or one that lacks binding timelines.

We refuse to sign any MoU that merely papers over cracks while our members continue to suffer. An MoU without immediate, verifiable action is not worth the paper it is written on.

As the strike enters its third week, public hospitals remain stretched, with consultants and a limited number of other health workers struggling to cover services.

NARD, however, insists the responsibility for resolving the crisis lies squarely with the government, urging the government to shift its energy from crafting misleading press statements to undertaking the concrete actions required to resolve this crisis.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out the preliminary objection filed by Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu against his terrorism trial, clearing the way to give judgement on the merit of the charges against him.

Trial judge James Omotosho ruled on Thursday that all the grounds on which he anchored the objection were baseless.

Mr Kanu, who took over his defence after sacking his team of senior lawyers last month, had argued that denial of fair hearing, being charged on repealed law, and his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021 invalidated his charges. Apart from these, Mr Kanu maintained that he was also not medically fit to stand trial.

But the judge dismissed all the arguments of Mr Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges for his violence-inciting campaign for the independence of Nigerias South-east as Biafra.

On the argument of denial of fair hearing, Mr Omotosho said this court had been extremely patient and lenient with the defendant to put in his defence but refused to do so.

He said the court could only offer an opportunity to defendants to put their defence, Failure to use the opportunity to defend himself will be entirely his fault.

He expressed surprise that Mr Kanu deliberately delayed his trial, an attitude that was ordinarily common with the prosecution.

On the issue of extraordinary rendition, the judge ruled that Mr Kanus argument was pointless as he failed to call witnesses to support the claim as required.

Mr Omotosho who cited a line of judicial authorities to back his stance, said the issue of extradition is quasi-criminal in nature, and therefore requires the parties to call witnesses to testify and be cross-examined.

He cited a Supreme Court authority that specifically ruled that only oral evidence should be entertained in quasi-criminal proceedings in accordance with section 135 Evidence.

The defendant had the duty to call witnesses to testify on oath to enable the other party to cross-examine the witnesses, the judge said. The law is trite in Nigeria, once a criminal element is introduced, it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

With Mr Kanus failure to call witnesses, Mr Omotosho ruled, the allegation is simply an assertion without proof.

The judge said Mr Kanu only relied on affidavit evidence which is often used in civil matters. The gap in evidence is that there is no evidence that was led to prove the extraordinary rendition, Mr Omotosho held.

Mr Omotsho also cited the Supreme Court judgement delivered on 15 December 2023 which ordered Mr Kanus trial to continue.

The judge who quoted various parts of the Supreme Court verdict held that Mr Kanus illegal extraordinary rendition from Kenya, although unfair and oppressive, does not rob the trial court of its jurisdiction to try the defendant on charges for which he had been validly arraigned.

Mr Omotosho likened the stance taken by the Supreme Court to the Ker-Frisbie doctrine in the United States, which presupposes that though the act of extraordinary rendition is illegal, a trial court may assert jurisdiction to try the defendant on charges over which the court has jurisdiction. The judge cited cases in the United States where objection to trial had been dismissed applying the

He faulted Mr Kanus reliance on the Cout of Appeals decision given on 22 October 2022 dismissing the charges against him.

Mr Omotosho noted that the judgement of the Court of Appeal was overturned by the Supreme Courts judgement delivered on 15 December 2023, declaring that the illegal rendition of Mr Kanu from Kenya did not rob the Federal High Court of its jurisdiction to try him for the alleged offences.

The Supreme Courts decision is final and binding on all courts and authorities, including that of the Court of Appeal, which the defendant has erroneously relied on, Mr Omotosho ruled.

He also noted that Mr Kanu was awarded monetary compensation by a Kenyan court, which declared his abduction in Kenya as a violation of his fundamental rights and awarded damages against the Kenyan government for the act. He added that Mr Kanu cannot make the same case for the charges against him to be quashed.

He maintained that issues of fundamental rights violations or other pre-trial issues do not rob the court of its jurisdiction to try the defendant.

Also dismissing Mr Kanus argument that the charges against him were invalid because they were based on repealed Terrorism Prevention Act 2013.

Mr Omotosho described the argument as interesting.

It is interesting because it shows the defendants stark misunderstanding of the law and wilful disregard of the facts cumulative in this case, Mr Omotosho said.

He explained that the charges against Mr Kanu remained valid as much as they were filed based on the law in existence as of the time the offences he was accused of were allegedly committed.

As of when the extant charge was filed, the extant law in operation in Nigeria was the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, the judge said.

He noted that Mr Kanu was being prosecuted for offences he allegedly committed between 2018 and 2021, while the new Terrorism Prevention Act 2022 only became operational in May 2022.

He also cited section 98 (3) of the new law which provides that any proceedings, prosecution, interest, judgements, charge or course of action pending before the new law may be enforced and continue.

He said the provision, referred to as saving provision/preservation provision, was put in place to ensure smooth transition and ensure prior proceedings were not washed away.

Earlier on Thursday, the judge ordered him to be ejected from court over his unruly behaviour, insisting that the scheduled judgement could not be delivered because he filed applications to contest it.

The judge is now delivering judgement on the substance of the case.

Mr Kanu is facing trial on terrorism charges which accuse him of inciting violence and killings in Nigerias South-east to achieve the independence of the region as a sovereign Biafra state.

The Nigerian and British citizen, who leads the now proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He insists he has a right to self-determination.

He had been due to open his defence after the prosecution closed its case with five witnesses in June.

Instead of opening his defence, he filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to lead credible evidence against him to warrant putting forward any defence.

However, in September, the judge dismissed the no-case submission, ruling that he had a case to answer and should enter his defence.

READ ALSO: Court jails Boko Haram leader linked to Kano killings 20 years

Since then, several proceedings have been scheduled for him to start his defence. Things took dramatic turns last month, when he suddenly sacked his lawyers and subsequently revived his objection to the validity of the charges.

He clung to the arguments that the charges against him were brought under a repealed terrorism law, which he said invalidates the charges in the case that dates back to 2015.

He spurned the courts repeated persuasion for him to call witnesses to defend himself against the case of the prosecution built on the testimonies of five prosecution witnesses and several exhibits.
The police have announced the death of a policeman in a shootout with armed persons who attacked an Abuja community in the early hours of Thursday.

Abuja police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a statement that about 30 gunmen arrived at Guto community in Bwari Area Council with the intent to kidnap a resident and his family.

Mrs Adeh said police officers from the Bwari Divisions Surveillance Team, in conjunction with the IGP Special Intervention Squad (SIS), mobilised to the scene.

Upon sighting the police team, the attackers opened fire. The officers responded with superior firepower, engaging the attackers in a heated gun duel.

Ms Adeh, a superintendent of police, said two of the attackers were killed in a gunfight while the remainder fled into the surrounding bushes and mountains for safety.

Tragically, one police officer sustained a fatal gunshot injury during the exchange and was rushed to Bwari General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. The Command deeply regrets this loss, as the officer paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

Bwari is area council on the outskirts of Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

The latest incident in Abuja adds to the cases of insecurity happening across the country. There have been increased cases of attacks by armed persons in states like Borno, Kebbi, Kwara and Katsina, leading to the killing and kidnapping of many people.

Different groups with different motives carry out the attacks, but the attacks have put pressure on the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Tinubu recently postponed his foreign trips due to the security situation in the country, especially the killing of a brigadier general and four security operatives in Borno and the kidnapping of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi.

Read the full statement by the Abuja police spokesperson below.

The FCT Police Command has successfully repelled a kidnapping attempt in Guto village, an outskirts community in Bwari Area Council, in the early hours of 20th November 2025. At approximately 01:10 a.m., the Command received a distress call that armed attackers, numbering about 30, had invaded the community in an attempt to abduct a resident and his family.

Responding swiftly, the Bwari Divisions Surveillance Team, in conjunction with the IGP Special Intervention Squad (SIS), mobilised to the scene.

Upon sighting the Police team, the attackers opened fire. The officers responded with superior firepower, engaging the attackers in a heated gun duel. In the ensuing firefight, the Police team neutralized two of the assailants, while the remainder fled into the surrounding bushes and mountains for safety.

Tragically, one Police officer sustained a fatal gunshot injury during the exchange and was rushed to Bwari General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

The Command deeply regrets this loss, as the officer paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

READ ALSO: Police seal PDP national secretariat

The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Miller G. Dantawaye psc., has deployed additional personnel to the affected community to strengthen security in the area and normalcy has since been restored. He has also ordered a detailed investigation to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended.

SP Josephine Adeh, anipr, mipra

Police Public Relations Officer

FCT Police Command

Abuja
Nigeria has reported a slight increase in new Lassa fever infections, with 12 confirmed cases recorded in epidemiological week 44 of 2025, compared to 11 cases reported in the previous week.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in its situation report released on Thursday, noted that the latest infections were detected in Ondo, Edo and Benue States, signalling continued transmission in key high-burden areas.

The NCDC said by the end of week 44, a total of 177 deaths had been documented, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.3 per cent.

This figure exceeds the 16.5 per cent CFR reported during the same period in 2024. The country has so far recorded 8,463 suspected cases, 966 confirmed infections and seven probable cases across 21 states and 102 Local Government Areas.

Although the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases is lower than the cumulative numbers reported in 2024, the agency warned that transmission remains widespread, with several states continuing to report sustained activity.

Four states driving the infection

The NCDC noted that four states, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Taraba, accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed infections reported in 2025.

Ondo contributed the highest proportion with 36 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 21 per cent, Edo with 17 per cent and Taraba with 13 per cent.

The predominant age group affected remains individuals aged between 21 and 30 years, although cases ranged from one to 96 years of age, with a median age of 30.

The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases stood at 1 to 0.8.

The NCDC said no healthcare worker infection was recorded in week 44.

Ongoing response efforts

The National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group (TWG), in collaboration with national and international partners, continued wide-ranging response activities across the country.

During the reporting week, the agency strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA) to advance prevention and control messaging.

It also participated in a bilateral meeting with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Switzerland to explore areas of collaboration ahead of a possible surge in cases.

The period also saw the completion of multiple After Action Reviews (AARs) for the 2024/2025 outbreak season in Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi States.

In addition, the NCDC introduced S.O.A.R analysis as part of a capacity-building session on strategic planning and continued to share Lassa fever radio jingles with stakeholders for wider public awareness.

The agency also contributed to engagements around the national Lassa fever vaccine access plan and took part in the 2nd ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference in Cote dIvoire.

Further response activities included the deployment of 10 National Rapid Response Teams to affected states, the launch of the NCDCs Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform, and the distribution of updated Viral Haemorrhagic Fever IPC guidelines to health facilities.

Lagos State provided thermometers to contacts for temperature monitoring, while health workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi and Benue received additional case management training supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The INTEGRATE clinical trial also commenced in Ondo State with support from local and international research partners.

The agency continued to deliver essential commodities such as personal protective equipment, Ribavirin, body bags, hand sanitisers and thermometers to affected states.

It further advanced ongoing scientific work, including a quarterly follow-up and blood sampling exercise at selected treatment sites, and supported the development of a community-based One Health empowerment strategy.

Targeted community communication strategies were also developed based on recent survey findings, and additional sensitisation activities were conducted through radio and environmental health campaigns in high-burden states.

Challenges

Despite these efforts, the NCDC highlighted several challenges that continue to undermine the national response.

Topping the chart, is the late presentation of cases at health facilities, which contributes significantly to the rising fatality rate.

The agency added that poor health-seeking behaviour, driven largely by the high cost of treatment, remains a major concern.

It also noted persistent issues of poor environmental sanitation and low levels of awareness in high-burden communities.

Recommendations

To address these challenges, the NCDC urged states to intensify community engagement and health education efforts throughout the year.

It called on healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and to ensure early referral and timely initiation of treatment.

The agency also emphasised the need for continued investment in state-level capacity to detect, prevent and respond promptly to Lassa fever outbreaks.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids.

The disease often begins with fever, weakness, and headache, and may progress to more severe symptoms such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, swelling, and organ failure.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with Ribavirin are critical for improving survival.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former President Goodluck Jonathan on his 68th birthday, praising his enduring statesmanship.

The congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Tinubu said the former presidents diplomatic engagements, particularly in promoting democratic values across Africa, continued to inspire leaders on the continent.

He joined Mr Jonathans family, friends and political associates in celebrating his contributions to national development.

The president joins family, friends, and political associates to celebrate the former president on this special occasion and for his contributions to nation-building.

He acknowledged the simplicity and humility that shaped Mr Jonathans leadership style and noted his historic concession in the 2015 presidential election.

The president said that moment strengthened Nigerias democracy and elevated the nations global standing.

Mr Tinubu also recalled his past engagements with Mr Jonathan and the support and counsel that shaped political developments in 2010 and during the 2011 presidential election.

He prayed for the well-being of the former president, his wife, Patience Jonathan, and their family.

(NAN)
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Seven terrorists were killed in three separate operations in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the military said on Thursday.

The security forces conducted intelligence-based operations from Nov. 18 to 19 in Mohmand, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts of KP, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement.

During the operation in Mohmand, four terrorists were killed after an intense exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists, said the ISPR statement.

In another operation, two terrorists were neutralized in the Lakki Marwat district, the ISPR said.

In the third encounter that took place in Tank district of the province, one terrorist was killed, the ISPR said.

Sanitization operation is being carried out to eliminate the presence of other terrorists from the area.

The military said the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. 
Some former members of the defence team of Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu have criticised Thursdays judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja which convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment on terrorism charges.

Speaking outside the courtroom, Aloy Ejimakor, who was among the lawyers Mr Kanu named as his legal consultants after sacking his defence team last month, expressed sadness over the judgement.

He said it was a very bad day for the judiciary and the criminal justice system.

The lawyer, who addressed journalists along with other lawyers in his team, insisted that the prosecution failed to link any of Mr Kanus broadcasts to criminal activity in Nigeria.

I feel sad It is a very bad day for the judiciary, a very bad day for the criminal justice system in Nigeria, Mr Ejimakor said during an interview after the verdict.

But Mr Ejimakor was silent on the fact that Mr Kanu spurned several calls on him by the trial judge for him to open his defence to counter the case of the prosecution, which inundated the court with tons of recordings of Mr Kanus inciting broadcasts.

But Mr Ejoimakor argued that the utterances cited by the court as evidence amounted to mere expressions that did not constitute incitement.

This is the first time in my entire life as a lawyer that I have seen a man convicted for giving mere expressions in court. Someone saying, Dont be silly, or Go and die, cannot amount to an offence. In law, we call those things mere utterances, he said.

Mr Ejimakor maintained that while the prosecution accused Mr Kanu of making dangerous broadcasts from an unidentified location, it failed to show any causal link between those broadcasts and acts of violence.

These are harmless speeches yet you cannot tie any of those broadcasts directly to any criminal activity in Nigeria  and he still stands convicted. That is very bad. It lends credence to the narrative that the Igbo man faces a different kind of justice in Nigeria, he explained.

Responding to questions on whether the statements were inciting, he said: A lot of people say these things every day Are people supposed to be convicted for that?

He added that the defence team would immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal, urging supporters to remain calm.

Hinting at appeal, he said, As responsible citizens let me use this opportunity to call for calm. We have another step in the judicial chain, which is the Court of Appeal, and we are heading there.

Another member of the team, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, expressed optimism that the appeal would succeed.

In the first place the prosecution was not able to pinpoint any single person who carried out any of the acts Nnamdi Kanu is alleged to have incited, he said.

You said Nnamdi Kanu incited killings, yet you did not bring one single person to say, Yes, I was the one he incited. So to me, I felt it was the court giving evidence.

He said the mention of the 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak by unknown gunmen in Imo State did not establish any link to Kanu.

Court sentences Mr Kanu to life imprisonment

Earlier on Thursday, the trial judge James Omotosho, sentenced Mr Kanu to life imprisonment after convicting him on terrorism charges.

The judge said he opted for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

He also sentenced Mr Kanu to 20 years in prison on count three, without an option of fine, and five years on count seven, also without an option of fine. The sentences will run concurrently.

Delivering judgement, Mr Omotosho said Kanus conduct throughout the trial demonstrated unruliness and a persistent tendency for violence, adding that the court was exercising mercy despite his lack of remorse.

No doubt, the convict has not acted properly He has caused delays, repeatedly Moreover, his unruly behaviour from the beginning until today is evident, he said.

The judge said the court was guided by the biblical doctrine of mercy, referencing Matthew 23:23, while noting global concerns about the death penalty.

Life is sacred to God Consequently, and in the interest of justice, I hereby sentence the convict to life imprisonment for counts 1, 4, 5 and 6, instead of the death sentence.

Mr Omotosho said Mr Kanus statements in multiple broadcasts, including threats of violence and enforcement of sitathome orders in the SouthEast, amounted to acts of terrorism.

The defendant enforced the order of sit-at-home in the South East saying there will be a complete shutdown of Biafraland If you open your shop around 12 noon, we will burn you in that shop, he explained.

He held that Mr Kanus directives were unconstitutional, subversive, and notorious, noting that the resulting shutdowns left communities deserted, even the farmlands.

The judge said Mr Kanus broadcasts  including claims that the Army of Nigeria will die and that everything called Nigeria will perish in Biafra  supported the prosecutions case.

Mr Omotosho dismissed claims of denial of fair hearing, insisting that the conviction was based on evidence, including video recordings.

A person who is found guilty of the offence will get a maximum of a death sentence, he said, noting that the court chose life imprisonment out of mercy rather than compulsion.
Gunmen have attacked Kurawa, a community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing two people and abducting 15 others, including four nursing mothers and their babies.

Residents and the lawmaker representing the area told reporters that the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded the community on Thursday, killing two people, including a traditional leader identified only as Saraki.

The lawmaker representing the area at the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Saidu Ibrahim, said 15 residents were unaccounted for following the attack.

He said they include six women (including four nursing mothers), their babies, and others.

Mr Ibrahim alleged that security operatives deployed to the area deserted their duty posts, leaving the area vulnerable to marauding terrorists from neighbouring Zamfara State.

Residents said the latest attack on Kurawa followed that of Tarah, another community in Sabon Birni LGA, where bandits abducted several residents a few days earlier.

Killings and kidnapping for ransom continue unabated in Nigerias North-west region despite the presence of security personnel.

Terrorists on Monday abducted 25 students at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in neighbouring Kebbi State, and killed the schools vice principal, Hassan Makuku.

Security agencies in Sokoto are yet to speak on the recurring violent attacks on Sokoto communities.

The police spokesperson in Sokoto, Ahmad Rufai, could not be reached immediately to speak on the latest incident.

His known phone number was not accessible on Thursday evening.
A new security report has revealed that at least 454 Nigerian soldiers were killed in ambushes across the country between 2019 and 2025.

The report, titled, The Kill Zone and published by geopolitical research firm, SBM Intelligence, documents a sustained pattern of deadly ambushes orchestrated mainly by Boko Haram. its breakaway group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed bandit groups operating across the North-west, North-east, and North-central regions.

According to the report, most ambushes were concentrated in a few key states, with Borno accounting for more than 60 per cent of all recorded incidents as ISWAP tightened its grip on parts of the state and the Lake Chad area. In the North-west, attacks linked to bandit groups increased sharply from 2020, making Zamfara the centre of that violence and Katsina another major hotspot.

The security picture is further complicated by cross-border movements, including activities of ISSP-linked groups operating through porous frontiers.

Overall, according to the report, the worst-affected states cut across the North-east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and the North-west states, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, with additional incidents recorded in Benue, Kogi and Niger, and occasional cases reported in parts of the southern Nigeria such as Abia, Delta, Imo and Rivers.

SBM Intelligence noted that armed groups have expanded their tactics over the years. From 2019, insurgents increasingly relied on IEDs, coordinated multi-stage strikes, and fake checkpoints. By 2023, attackers were not only targeting patrols but also focusing on high-ranking officers and strategically important convoys. The report notes the deployment of commercial drones rigged for surveillance and explosive attacks, signalling enhanced operational capacity.

In a significant tactical development, their operations have expanded to include isolating the Nigerian militarys supercamps or forward operating bases by destroying key infrastructure such as bridges and roads to cut off reinforcements.

Furthermore, they have incorporated explosive-rigged commercial drones into their arsenal and produce high-quality propaganda videos, indicating a growing level of organisation and external influence. The gravity of this threat was starkly illustrated in November 2021, when Brigadier-General Dzarma Zirkusu was killed in a major ambush near Askira Uba, Borno, the report stated,

High-profile ambushes and a shift to targeting officers

The report further said that the period under review saw a rise in attacks aimed directly at senior military personnel. Among the incidents listed is the March 2020 ambush in Goniri, Yobe, where 70 soldiers were killed, one of the deadliest single losses in recent years.

ISWAP followed with two high-profile killings. D.C. Bako, a colonel, in Damboa in September 2020, later promoted posthumously, and Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, in November 2021.

The trend continued with a 2023 bandit attack in Munya, Niger, that killed a Major, three soldiers, and four vigilantes. In June 2025, coordinated bandit raids in Niger and Kaduna left at least 17 soldiers dead. In November 2025, ISWAP ambushed and killed Brigadier General Musa Uba in Damboa, marking another major loss for the military.

Brigadier-General Ubas convoy was returning from operations around the Sambisa Forest when insurgents attacked, also killing two soldiers and two Civilian JTF members. ISWAP went on to release propaganda materials claiming they captured Mr Uba alive during the ambush, interrogated him, and later executed him.

Although the Nigerian Army initially denied reports of his abduction, President Bola Tinubu later publicly confirmed Mr Ubas death while acknowledging the increasing complexity of insurgent attacks in the region.

By 2023 through to 2025, a further refinement was observed, with a clear trend towards highly targeted ambushes aimed at high-ranking officers and critical security convoys. This latter phase has been characterised by a notable enhancement in tactical prowess, including the deployment of commercial drones for surveillance and kinetic attacks, and the execution of coordinated assaults designed to isolate military bases by severing their access routes., the report stated.

SBM Intelligence said the Nigerian military responded to the rising threat by adopting the super camp strategy, consolidating troops in larger bases. But the report says this approach created a problem. While the camps were intended to offer protection, they ceded control of vast rural areas to insurgents and, in some cases, became high-value targets themselves.

The military also increased air-ground coordination and relied more heavily on CJTF and vigilante groups for intelligence and patrols. SBM notes that while these measures have disrupted some attacks, they have also exposed civilian auxiliaries to deadly ambushes and raised the overall casualty count.

Challenges

The report identified several deep-rooted challenges that continue to undermine counterinsurgency operations. According to the organisation, these include a shortage of mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs), gaps in reconnaissance, harsh deployment conditions, and weaknesses in welfare and rotation schedules.

Operational effectiveness has also been affected by corruption and the mismanagement of funds earmarked for arms and equipment, according to the report.

Regional security architecture also crumbling

According to SBM Intelligence, the deterioration of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), following Nigers withdrawal and reduced participation from Chad has created operational vacuums along Nigerias borders.

These gaps have been exploited by both jihadist and criminal groups for mobility, sanctuary and resupply, the report said.

READ ALSO: 17 soldiers killed as troops repel bandits advance in Niger Army

The report concluded that Nigeria is now contending with a conflict that has shifted from territorial warfare to a protracted war of attrition. It calls for improved intelligence and surveillance, better protection for patrol units and bases, stronger integration of local defence groups and urgent reforms to restore troop morale and institutional integrity.

SBM Intelligence said its forecasts are drawn from a combination of historical data, stakeholder input and publicly available sources, including regulators, research partners, industry groups, media reports and government agencies.
First Bank pensioners, under the National Union of Pensioners (First Bank Unit), have accused the banks management of exploitative treatment and demanded immediate increases to their pensions and medical allowances.

They held a protest in front of the corporate headquarters of the bank in Marina, Lagos, on Wednesday.

In a press statement they shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, John Gimbason, National Chairman of the union, said retirees are currently receiving a monthly pension of N15,000 and an annual medical allowance of N30,000, amounts he described as far below the monthly dog allowance of a director and unchanged for over two decades.

Mr Gimbason said repeated attempts by the pensioners to engage the bank had been ignored.

Recently, we have written three letters requesting for a meeting and received no response from management. This is unacceptable and an outright affront to industrial relations practice, he said.

He further condemned a recent payoff proposal of N1.5 million, describing it as inadequate to sustain retirees livelihoods.

It is clear that this meager amount is not designed to support our welfare but rather to hasten our demise, he said.

The statement called on the public, civil society organisations, and authorities, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Pension Commission, to hold First Bank accountable.

Demands to raise pension

The pensioners demanded that First Bank immediately raise their monthly pension to at least N120,000 and increase their annual medical allowance to a minimum of N500,000.

They also called on the bank to recognise their contributions and show empathy for retirees. In addition, they urged the bank to revise the payoff structure to ensure it is sustainable and allows for fair negotiations.

We will refuse to be silenced or ignored. We will continue to raise our voices until justice is served, Mr Gimbason said.

Protest

On Wednesday, the pensioners held a demostration in front of First Banks corporate headquarters along Marina in Lagos.

They held placards carrying different requests, accused the bank of failing to implement long-promised adjustments to their annual pension payments.

The retirees stated that they have repeatedly engaged with the bank over what they described as grossly inadequate yearly pension rates of N8,500, N15,000, and N30,000, amounts they claimed cannot cover basic medical treatment for a week.

In a video shared with PREMIUM TIMES, several pensioners spoke individually, recounting their frustrations. One said that during a meeting with the bank in September 2024, officials promised to address their concerns by December of that year.

December came, they said March. We didnt hear from them until May this year, she said. They promised that within three months they would enhance our pension. Till now, they have done nothing.

The protesters, including the chairman and secretary of the pensioners union, said many of their members have been receiving as little as N50,000 annually for over 20 years, leaving many elderly retirees sick, weak, and unable to stand for long.

We are frustrated. They refuse to listen to us, one of the pensioners said during the demonstration. Some of these old men cannot walk. We dont have a choice but to come out again.

The retirees vowed to continue their peaceful actions until the bank addresses their complaints.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Head of Sustainability, Media, and External Relations for First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Ismail Omamegbe, via phone call, WhatsApp, and text messages on Wednesday and Thursday, but he had not responded at the time of filing this report.
Olusegun Awolowo, the grandson of the late Premier of the Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, is dead. He was 62 years old.

The Awolowo family announced his death in a statement on Thursday.

With extreme heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather- Olusegun Awolowo, the family wrote in the statement shared by Goldmynetv.

He was the worlds most phenomenal husband, father and grandfather  steady, wise, endlessly loving, and the constant anchor of our family. A painfully loyal servant to Nigeria, he dedicated his life to the service of his country with vision, integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment.

He was a true family man, a great friend, a wonderful servant of God, and a deeply beautiful human being.He loved his family.He loved his work. He loved his country. And he lived every day with purpose, humility, and a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him.

We are shattered by this loss, but forever grateful for his life, his legacy, and the love he poured into all of us. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

The family said it will receive condolences at his residence between 2 and 4 p.m. daily.

The cause of death was not disclosed by the family.

Olusegun Awolowo (27 September 1963  20 November 2025)

Olusegun Awolowo Jr., born on 27 September 1963, is a Nigerian lawyer best known for serving as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) from 2013 to 2021.

He is a grandson of Obafemi Awolowo, the prominent nationalist and statesman. In July 2021, he was unanimously elected President of the National Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member states.

Mr Awolowos early life was marked by personal loss, as his father, Segun Awolowo Sr., died in a car accident in 1963, two months before his birth.

He spent his childhood in the care of his aunt,g Tola Oyediran, and her husband, Kayode Oyediran, though he initially lived with his mother and siblings.

He began his education at Mayhill Convent School, attending alongside Dolapo Osinbajo. For his secondary education, Mr Awolowo attended Igbobi College in Lagos before completing his studies at Government College, Ibadan. He later proceeded to Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), where he earned an LLB degree.

After being called to the bar in December 1989, he worked with several respected law firms, including Abayomi Sogbesan & Co. and G.O.K. Ajayi & Co. Mr Awolowos public service career included roles as Special Assistant in the administrations of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa YarAdua, where he handled traditional institutions, legal matters, and social development.

In 2013, he was appointed Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council ,NEPC, a position he held through reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018. Under his leadership, the NEPC pursued initiatives such as a 2019 partnership with Shoprite to distribute Nigerian products across Africa.

As NEPC chief, he oversaw several initiatives aimed at boosting Nigerias non-oil exports and strengthening the countrys global trade presence.

Until his death, he was the President of the National Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member states.

Ogun Governor mourns

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Mr Awolowo Jr., describing him as a fine gentleman and a courageous public servant whose service to Nigeria was marked by integrity and excellence.

In a statement shared on his X page, the governor said the news of Mr Awolowos passing was received with deep shock and heavy hearts, noting that the loss was not only public but also personal.

We received the news of Mr. Segun Awolowo Jr.s passing with deep shock and heavy hearts. To us, this is not just a public loss but a personal one. Segun was a fine gentleman, intelligent, warm, and effortlessly gracious. We will always treasure the moments we shared and the lessons his life embodied. We remember him as a courageous public servant whose service to Nigeria was marked by integrity and excellence, Governor Abiodun wrote.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Senator is dead

The governor highlighted Mr Awolowos distinguished career, from his early years in legal practice to his service under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa YarAdua, and later his leadership at the NEPC. He added that Mr Awolowos election as President of the ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organisations reflected his credibility and competence.

Even though his journey was brief, it was undeniably impactful. We commiserate with his wife, children, the entire Awolowo family, and all Nigerians who mourn this great loss. We submit to Gods will and pray that his gentle soul finds rest, Governor Abiodun added.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday lamented the incessant attacks, kidnappings, and killings of Nigerians in various states across the country.

Following the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of worshippers in Kwara State, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said, The dignity of human life is fast waning in the country, and reminds us again of the grave danger facing our nation.

According to a press statement released by the NHRC, Mr Ojukwu noted that the commission questions why the giant of Africa is still battling ragtag Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists since 2009 without conclusive success.

On 17 November, terrorists abducted 25 schoolgirls from Maga Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The terrorists also reportedly killed a teacher, Hassan Makuku, and a local guard, simply identified as Ali, during the invasion.

Similarly, during a live-streamed worship service at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, terrorists launched a sudden attack, reportedly killing at least three people and abducting several worshippers.

The terrorists also injured a local vigilante. The attack, according to sources in Egbe, a Kogi State garrison town bordering Eruku in Kwara State. This incident occurred on 18 November.

Since 2009, Nigeria, particularly the northern states, has been in the grip of terror attacks leaving many killed, injured, and kidnapped while many comunities have been sacked.

NHRC demands action

Mr Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, therefore demanded immediate action from the Nigerian government to protect the right to life of its citizens.

We demand: Effective investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of these heinous crimes; adequate compensation and support to victims and their families; strengthening of security measures to prevent future attacks; and most importantly, Increased vigilance and reporting of suspicious activities by citizens.

It is a matter of moral and legal obligation for the government to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, every life is precious and should be preserved, the Chibok school girls incident and other similar ugly misfortunes like the recent Maga school incident call into question the safe schools declaration Nigeria subscribed to.

He noted that such acts should not be allowed to recur as they violate the rights to life, safety, and freedom of worship guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and several other international human rights instruments of which Nigeria is a signatory.

READ ALSO: NHRC organises forum to tackle displaced persons systemic challenges in 11 states

Mr Ojukwu cited Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, which stated that Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.

He also cited Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),which states that, Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq met with the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday, as authorities intensified their response to the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area.

The meeting came a day after the terrorists killed two worshippers and abducted other people at the church.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the two deaths and said operatives and vigilantes repelled the attackers, though many residents scattered in the chaos.

In a statement issued on the verified Facebook page of the Kwara State Government, Mr AbdulRazaq said the Nigerian military had taken control of Eruku to stabilise the community.

You are not alone. Both the state and federal governments are making concerted efforts to ensure peace is fully restored, he told the CAN delegation.

The governor stated that he had visited Eruku on Tuesday, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, the State Director of the Department of State Services, and other officials.

He met the Owa of Eruku, Busari Olarewaju, and later addressed worshippers inside the church where the attack occurred.

Our government will not leave any stone unturned to restore total calm in Eruku, he said.

The governor also condemned another incident in the Bokungi area of Edu Local Government Area, where rice farmers were attacked.

I wholly condemn these attacks. May God repose the souls of our compatriots who died in the incidents, he said.

The government stated that new security arrangements had been implemented across Kwara South and North, including heightened surveillance around schools and places of worship.

This followed the earlier directive ordering schools in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke Ero LGAs to shut down temporarily due to heightened threats.

Mr AbdulRazaq said additional forces had been deployed statewide. 

With the intervention of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, over 900 additional troops have been sent to Kwara, he said.

He urged residents to cooperate with security operatives now stationed in vulnerable communities.

He added that repairs would soon begin on the Eruku road and renewed the states call for the dualisation of the Ilorin-Kabba corridor, which he described as critical to movement across the North Central region.

The meeting with CAN forms part of broader efforts to prevent further attacks as security agencies continue operations in border communities affected by recent violence.

Photo: Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq with the officials of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ilorin.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in the state.

Mr Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4 am on Monday.

Mr Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.

President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

Bayo Onanuga,

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

November 20, 2025
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned that Nigerias political space is increasingly being dominated by rascality, urging political actors to embrace responsibility, discipline and a commitment to national stability.

He issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja at a gala dinner marking the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and celebrating his 68th birthday.

The event, themed Legacy of Impact: Celebrating Our Journey, drew an array of high-profile political, traditional, business and diplomatic figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former First Lady Patience Jonathan, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, former Senate President Pius Anyim, and other dignitaries.

Founded in 2015 after Mr Jonathan left office, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation is an independent organisation dedicated to peacebuilding, democratic governance, inclusive development and the protection of citizens rights across Africa.

Addressing guests, Mr Jonathan lamented the absence of standards, training and accountability in Nigerias political recruitment process.

He argued that while every professional field requires certification, competence and discipline, politics remains the only sector where individuals ascend to leadership without any form of preparation.

We must play our politics with decorum, with a sense of responsibility, not with rascality. Politics is not a business of rascals, Mr Jonathan said.

He continued, Even to teach in a primary school, you go through a training process, get a school certificate before you can even teach in primary school. But it is only in politics that there is no training.

The former president warned that Nigeria cannot progress if leadership continues to be treated as an all-comers affair, stressing that the country deserves leaders who understand governance, respect institutions and prioritise public welfare.

Mr Jonathan used the moment to reflect on the Foundations early vision, which included poverty alleviation, childrens welfare and hunger reduction before its mandate expanded into peacebuilding and governance.

He also clarified that his membership in the West African Elders Forum requires neutrality and prevents him from returning to partisan politics unless he resigns from the Forum.

The former President expressed sadness over the recent surge in mass abductions across the country, recalling the 2014 Chibok girls kidnapping during his administration. He prayed for the safe return of abducted victims and comfort for affected families.

Mr Jonathan thanked dignitaries for honouring the dual celebration and reaffirmed the Foundations commitment to peace, democratic strengthening and institutional reforms across Africa.

Shettima: Jonathans concession in 2015 remains his greatest legacy

Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, described Mr Jonathan as one of Africas outstanding statesmen, saying the former presidents decision to concede defeat in the 2015 presidential election was the highest point of his presidency.

Mr Shettima said Mr Jonathans act of statesmanship reinforces Nigerias democracy and continues to inspire political moderation across the continent.

The highest point of his presidency was not that he won an election for a second time. The highest point of the Jonathan legacy was when he courageously conceded defeat and saved the nation from a precipice, he said.

The vice president praised Mr Jonathans post-office engagements, noting that the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has become a continental model for peacebuilding and democratic consolidation at a time when West Africa faces recurring coups and political instability.

Our democracy has survived turbulent elections because leaders like former President Jonathan understand that the Nigerian state is bigger than any individual, Mr Shettima added.

Foundation reflects on decade of peacebuilding, democracy work

In her goodwill message, Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ann Iyonu, reflected on the organisations 10-year journey, describing it as a decade marked by peacebuilding interventions, democratic reforms and international partnerships.

She highlighted key achievements: mediation missions, election observation work, policy dialogues and the Annual Democracy Dialogue, now regarded as one of Africas most influential platforms for interrogating threats to democracy.

In Accra this year, we gathered under the theme Why Democracies Die, a timely and necessary inquiry into the structural and systemic factors undermining democratic resilience both within Africa and globally, Ms Iyonu said.

She added that the Foundations efforts have supported peaceful transitions in multiple African states, promoted inclusive governance, countered violent extremism and strengthened collaboration between citizens and state institutions.

Turaki, Anyim affirm foundations continental impact

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, praised the Foundations interventions in peace, security and democracy, describing it as one of Africas most respected civic institutions.

The successes that the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has achieved not only in the West Africa subregion, but indeed in the whole of Africa, are something that every Nigerian should be proud of, Mr Turaki said, noting the Foundations role in mediation, consensus-building and skill development for young people.

Mr Anyim described Jonathan as a teacher of democracy, recalling his restraint in the use of presidential authority during his tenure.

One day he told us that whenever a leader exercises 40 per cent of his powers, he will become a nuisance, Mr Anyim said. That philosophy guided his presidency and continues to shape his post-office engagements.
The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has called on the National Assembly to immediately enact laws enabling the establishment of state police, warning that Nigeria is approaching a breaking point as violent crimes spread across all regions of the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director-General, Seye Oyeleye, the commission said the scale and frequency of attacks by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups have grown increasingly alarming, leaving communities devastated and security agencies overstretched.

According to the commission, recent raids in Benue, where villages were razed, and residents displaced, and the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi, highlight the countrys growing vulnerability.

Attacks on highways and residential areas in major cities, it added, have further eroded public confidence in the governments ability to protect lives and property.

The commission also raised concerns over international reactions to Nigerias security situation, noting that the Trump administration in the United States has threatened foreign intervention over alleged persecution of Christians.

Such external pressures, if materialized, would complicate Nigerias already fragile ethno-religious relationships, displace millions, and cast a long shadow over the countrys sovereignty and future stability, the statement read.

Mr Oyeleye argued that the persistence of insecurity has pushed communities toward self-help measures, fueling the spread of unregulated vigilante groups and increasing the risk of widespread disorder. He said only a systemic restructuring of the countrys policing framework can forestall a deeper crisis.

Mr Oyeleye further noted that state police would allow sub-national governments to tailor security strategies to their specific challenges, whether in the North-west, Niger Delta or South-west.

Localised policing allows for intelligence gathering rooted in community knowledge, enabling swift and precise responses to threats.

State police will serve as a force multiplier, complementing federal agencies rather than competing with them, thereby creating a layered and resilient security architecture. It will also signal to the world that Nigeria is serious about confronting its insecurity challenges head-on and is willing to adopt systemic reforms to safeguard its future, he said

Safeguards against abuse

The commission acknowledged concerns that state police could be misused by governors but said such fears can be addressed through clear constitutional safeguards, independent oversight mechanisms and strict professional standards for recruitment and operations.

It stressed that state police should complement, not rival the existing federal security system.

Warning that Nigerias unity and sovereignty are at stake, DAWN described the establishment of state police as a moral imperative, insisting that every delay in reform deepens mistrust and puts more lives at risk.

READ ALSO: One officer killed as police battle gunmen in Abuja community Official

The commission urged lawmakers and the Federal Government to expedite work on the necessary legal frameworks, saying decisive action is required to prevent a further slide into lawlessness and restore public confidence in the countrys security architecture.

The debate over state police gained national momentum in the mid-2010s as insecurity worsened across different regions, especially with rising kidnapping, banditry, and rural attacks. Many governors argued that the federal police structure, created in the 1960s, could no longer cope with modern security challenges.

Public reaction at the time was mixed. While many citizens and civil society groups supported the idea as a practical response to growing insecurity, others feared that politicians might misuse state-controlled forces. Despite these concerns, calls for decentralised policing continued to grow as security problems deepened.
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Korean officials on Thursday visited a wartime undersea coal mine in Japan, where the remains of Korean forced laborers were recently discovered, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

The Chosei coal mine, an undersea mine in Yamaguchi prefecture, experienced a flooding in 1942 that claimed the lives of 183 people. The victims included 136 Koreans who had been forcibly mobilized.

Human bone fragments, including a skull, were discovered during an underwater recovery operation in August this year.

The ministry planned to inspect the coal mine through the visit and explore ways to support the excavation of the remains. 
Mr Segun Adeniyi is a national asset. He has served this country purposefully at the highest level and continues to do so. He deserves to be celebrated and given all the flowers he can get.

My first meeting with the cerebral Olusegun Adeniyi took place four years ago in his palatial office at the Umaru Musa YarAdua Centre, Abuja. Before that, I had commented on his tweet about his book, Sex for Grades in African Universities. Despite my frantic efforts, I couldnt find the book in any bookshop in Ilorin. Shortly after, I got a notification of a direct message, it was from Olusegun Adeniyi himself!

His message read: Good morning, is there anyone who can pick up a copy of the book for you in Abuja? I was ecstatic; I could barely contain my excitement. How often do people get direct messages from their idols on social media?

I told Mr Adeniyi that I wouldnt mind traveling all the way from Ilorin to Abuja to collect the book. Besides, it would have been unwise to pass up the opportunity to connect with such a great man. I made sure to introduce myself properly: I am an Assistant Superintendent of Police, a law graduate, and a creative writer. I didnt stop there, I also shared a picture of my book, We Are All Guilty, and waited patiently for his response. When it came, I was astounded: Look forward to seeing you so we can have a long chat. I am interested in a policeman and writer, he said. I thanked him profusely for the privilege, and we exchanged WhatsApp contacts to keep in touch.

Olusegun Adeniyi was the official spokesman to the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua and is now the chairman, Editorial Board of ThisDay newspaper. I became a huge fan of his brilliant writing and storytelling abilities after reading his backpage column in ThisDay. As a young cadet at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, I would frequent the academy library, so often that my colleagues nicknamed me O.C. Library. Apart from Olusegun Adeniyi, I also read other columnists like Barrister Hannatu Musawa, Reuben Abati, Amanze Obi, Sonala Olumhense, Mahmud Jega, Azu Ishiekwene, Frederick Nwabufo, Simon Kolawole, Steve Nwosu, and a host of others. Reading these great minds not only reshaped my perception of contemporary issues but also made me fall in love with the masterful blend of journalism and intellectual depth.

But I stray too far off. Back to Olusegun Adeniyi.

My journey from Ilorin to Abuja was one of the most exciting trips I have ever made. I reached Abuja late in the evening and immediately informed Mr Adeniyi of my safe arrival. He responded with characteristic warmth. The next morning, he called me, the first of many conversations between us. There was an unhurried calm to his voice, an assuredness behind every enunciation. After exchanging pleasantries, he gave me his office address and told me to come by 2 p.m.

It was a breezy 15-minute Bolt ride to the YarAdua Centre. Built in memory of the late Shehu Musa YarAdua, one of Nigerias foremost leaders, the centre stands as an imposing edifice on a vast expanse of land. I marvelled at its aesthetic grandeur as I walked through the entrance. After confirming my appointment, the receptionist ushered me into Mr Adeniyis office. He sat behind his desk, his MacBook open before him. I greeted him almost as though I were at the National Assembly for a ministerial screening.

After inquiring about my well-being, we shook hands and he asked me to sit. Portraits of the late President YarAdua and his elder brother, Shehu YarAdua, graced the wall. We began an engaging discussion on policing, law and order, politics, and other matters. I was not surprised by his analytical depth or precise reasoning, after all, he is a man of astute intellect. But what impressed me most was his intricate grasp of Nigerias socio-economic and political landscape.

Coincidentally, he was writing a column on a disturbing video involving police officers deployed on special operations in the North-East. He handed me his laptop to read the piece and sought my opinion. I offered my honest observations, which he received with characteristic humility and appreciation. Before I left his office, he gave me two of his books, both autographed. We took a photograph together, and all the way home, I was filled with an uplifting sense of joy, the kind one feels after coming in contact with pure light.

Since that gilded encounter, I have kept in touch with Mr Adeniyi through WhatsApp and phone conversations. Our bond grew even stronger after I was transferred from Ilorin to Abuja. I began visiting his office more frequently, a habit that revealed to me his wonderfully generous spirit. I had heard of his generosity from his late friend, Professor Pius Adesanmi, who once wrote that Adeniyi never allowed him to spend a dime whenever he visited Abuja. From transportation to hotel accommodation to feeding, Segun made sure everything was taken care of.

When Mr Adeniyi told me his wife owned a school in Asokoro, I wondered how lucrative it must be. Imagine my surprise when I learnt it was a pro bono school for children who could not afford basic education. Indeed, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense that such selfless souls as Segun and Tosin Adeniyi would be drawn to each other in love. Without a hint of sentiment, I often wonder why someone like Mrs Tosin Adeniyi has not already been recognised and honoured for her selfless service to humanity. But perhaps people like her do not engage in philanthropy for accolades or photo-ops. Their compassion is innate; they give simply because they can.

Mr Olusegun Adeniyi is an elite who doesnt behave like one. He often embarrasses me with his humility whenever I visit him in his office. He stands up, opens the door for me, and walks me out. This is someone I literally look up to, yet he treats me like a VIP.

One day, he called me to his office. As soon as I sat down, he said, Look, you need to start writing for the media. That will help boost your image and advance your career. That marked my foray into the media space, and the rest, as they say, is history. He also gave me a book idea, one I am yet to write. I owe that to myself and to my elder brother, as I fondly call him.

If Olusegun Adeniyi were a civil servant, he would have been retiring from active service, except, perhaps, if he were the head of an agency and Mr President decided to extend his tenure. Mr Segun Adeniyi is a national asset. He has served this country purposefully at the highest level and continues to do so. He deserves to be celebrated and given all the flowers he can get.

Happy birthday to my elder brother, who is now an elder statesman. May the ink of your pen never dry; may your health never fail; may wisdom continue to guide your steps; and may God bless you with many more years of grace, fulfillment, and laughter.

Zayd Ibn Isah. Email: [email protected]
Emotion has a place in human life, but it must never replace clear thinking. Growth requires a sense of fairness and responsibility. A country that runs on sentiment will always reward indiscipline and frustrate those who play by the rules. Nations that succeed do so because they respect principles, not feelings. If we continue to let emotions rule our sense of right and wrong, we will keep excusing disorder and holding back the very people who could make things better.

There is something deeply wrong with the way many Nigerians understand fairness. Too often, we side with the underdog without asking who is right or wrong. If a rickety taxi or a Keke NAPEP collides with a well-maintained car, the crowd quickly gathers to defend the Keke rider. People insist that the car owner should take him to the hospital, pay his bills, or simply forgive him for the damage inflicted on his car because the Keke rider is poor and struggling. The law no longer matters. Emotion takes over, and pity becomes more important than justice. This same attitude shows up in other parts of life. If your neighbour earns less than you, you are expected to tolerate their behaviour, no matter how much it affects your comfort or health. A neighbour who burns waste or wood openly, filling the air with smoke, gets away with it because people say you should be patient. If you complain too much, you are called proud or wicked. We have created a country where irresponsibility is excused by poverty and success is treated like a crime.

This thinking comes from the mistaken belief that humility belongs to the poor and arrogance belongs to the rich. Many Nigerians assume that poor people are automatically humble, while wealthy people are naturally proud. Life has never worked that way. Arrogance and humility are not tied to how much a person earns. There are proud poor people and kind poor people, just as there are proud rich people and kind rich people. Character does not follow social class. Anyone who believes that only poor people are good and rich people are bad has not learnt enough about human nature. If we want to build a society that works, we must stop judging people on the basis of emotions or their economic statuses. Fairness means calling wrong what it is and calling right what it is, no matter who is involved. Compassion is good, but it should not be used to defend wrongdoing.

A small event on social media captures this problem clearly. The family of a late Nigerian leader announced the death of the leaders spouse, using a letterhead that carried the Nigerian coat of arms. Someone commented that it was wrong for a private family to use a national symbol, and immediately Nigerians attacked him for being heartless during a time of mourning. They missed the point. The issue was not about empathy but about principle. Wrong is wrong, even when someone is grieving. But many Nigerians cannot separate emotions from logic. This habit of emotionalising everything is one reason we are still struggling as a country. In places that function, the law does not bend to feelings. If you drive carelessly and hit someones car, your insurance pays for the damage, and you may still face punishment. If you fall sick, you return to work and complete your tasks because pity does not replace responsibility. Development depends on order and discipline, not sentiment.

If Nigeria wants to move forward, we must begin to separate emotion from justice and pity from truth. Poverty should not give anyone the right to misbehave, and wealth should not protect anyone from punishment. People should be judged by how they act, not by how much they have. If a Keke rider damages another persons car, he must be held responsible. If a neighbour pollutes the air, they must be stopped. If someone misuses a national symbol, they must be corrected.

One of the biggest weaknesses of the Nigerian society is the confusion between emotion and morality. We think compassion means siding with the weaker person, even when that person is wrong. We believe pity is justice. When a society rewards irresponsibility and shames those who follow the rules, progress becomes impossible. Why would anyone try to do better when carelessness brings sympathy and attention? Why obey laws when breaking them earns forgiveness? This is how we slowly destroy fairness and make people lose faith in doing what is right. Nigerians also use emotions to avoid consequences. When caught breaking the law, people cry, beg, and act helpless, and the crowd supports them. Instead of insisting on justice, we start talking about how difficult life is or how much the person has suffered. Suffering is real, but it should not be used as an excuse for misconduct. A community cannot grow if pity is stronger than discipline.

The same attitude shapes our politics. We support leaders not because they are capable but because we feel for them. We defend corruption by saying a person has helped the poor. We protect failure because the person is our own. Emotion becomes the cover for incompetence. That is why many corrupt people are still celebrated in public. We have turned empathy into a weapon for avoiding accountability. If Nigeria wants to move forward, we must begin to separate emotion from justice and pity from truth. Poverty should not give anyone the right to misbehave, and wealth should not protect anyone from punishment. People should be judged by how they act, not by how much they have. If a Keke rider damages another persons car, he must be held responsible. If a neighbour pollutes the air, they must be stopped. If someone misuses a national symbol, they must be corrected. These things are not cruelty; they are how a society maintains order.

Emotion has a place in human life, but it must never replace clear thinking. Growth requires a sense of fairness and responsibility. A country that runs on sentiment will always reward indiscipline and frustrate those who play by the rules. Nations that succeed do so because they respect principles, not feelings. If we continue to let emotions rule our sense of right and wrong, we will keep excusing disorder and holding back the very people who could make things better. Fairness is not about who has less or who has more, but about choosing what is right, every single time. Until we learn that, Nigeria will remain trapped under the weight of emotion and its consequences.

Mohammed Dahiru Aminu ([email protected]) wrote from Abuja, Nigeria.
If we can reclaim AI and social media as instruments of agency, rather than engines of manipulation, they may yet strengthen Nigerian democracy  by expanding participation, deepening accountability, and enabling new forms of solidarity. If we fail, these same technologies will entrench inequality, hollow out public reasoning, and concentrate power in opaque algorithmic and corporate hands.

For developing democracies such as Nigeria, the advent of artificial intelligence and social media holds profound promise for societal transformation, even as it introduces new risks. Recent global experiences, in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Latin world, show how digital platforms can galvanise social movements and drive radical change, yet also unleash moral, cultural, cognitive, and political harms. I will argue that the convergence of AI and social media now functions as a new Leviathan  an emergent arena in which the age-old struggles over power, authority, knowledge, and democratic legitimacy are being renegotiated. Focusing on two critical domains  the electoral sphere, where digital platforms simultaneously enable citizen mobilisation and sophisticated disinformation and surveillance; and the educational sphere, where AI offers democratising potential while threatening to deepen structural inequality  how these technologies are reshaping the conditions of democratic life will be interrogated. Drawing on critical theories of technology and power, it moves beyond the simplistic binaries of tech-for-good or tech-for-evil, showing instead how digital systems are reconfiguring the struggle over truth, legitimacy, and authority. In doing so, it invites a re-examination of what democratic citizenship means in 21st-century Nigeria and across its wider region.

Introduction: Knowledge, Democracy, and the Legacy of Great Ife

The intellectual culture of Obafemi Awolowo University  Great Ife  has long been marked by disciplined scepticism, rigorous debate, and vibrant student activism. For many of its alumni, the university did not simply award degrees; it inducted them into a community that valued excellence in scholarship, resilience of character, community spirit, and leadership in public life.

That heritage is a fitting starting point for a reflection on AI, social media, and democratic power. At its best, Great Ife stands for a tradition in which knowledge is not reduced to narrow utility but is treated as a public good that sustains critical inquiry and civic responsibility. Yet, we now inhabit a world in which knowledge is increasingly framed as technical competence, employability, or data to be captured and monetised. The expansion of digital technologies has intensified this trend, even as it has opened new spaces for expression and participation.

I will proceed from a simple but demanding question: What does it mean to know  and to act politically  in an environment in which AI-driven social media platforms structure how citizens see the world?

Knowledge as an End in Itself

In many contemporary policy discourses, education is conceived primarily as a pipeline for producing technically skilled workers. Learning becomes a mechanism for economic growth; and knowledge is judged by its contribution to productivity. This utilitarian view narrows the horizons of education and ignores its deeper role in shaping judgment, imagination, and an ethical life.

African and global intellectual traditions offer a richer alternative. Amilcar Cabral ties knowledge to historical agency: a people must recover their capacity to narrate their own world if they are to be free. Kwasi Wiredu argues for conceptual decolonisation, insisting that African societies think through their own categories and linguistic resources, rather than merely borrowing imported conceptual schemes.

Their ideas resonate with John Deweys view of education as a continuous process of democratic life, and with Hannah Arendts insistence that education must safeguard the capacity for judgment and new beginnings. For these thinkers, knowledge is not simply instrumental; it is emancipatory. It allows individuals and communities to make sense of their world, to deliberate about their future, and to act with dignity.

A democracy premised on such an understanding of knowledge requires citizens who are capable, not only of technical skills but of reflection, argument, and ethical reasoning. The quality of democratic power thus depends on the quality of the knowledge practices that sustain public life.

Politics, Democracy, and the Life of the Mind

Cabral, Wiredu, Dewey, and Arendt converge on a shared insight: Politics is not simply the competition for office or the management of state institutions. It is the ongoing work of shaping a shared world.

For Cabral, politics begins when colonised peoples reclaim their capacity to narrate their own history. Democracy, in this view, is a cultural and ethical project rooted in dignity and participation. Wiredu, working in a postcolonial philosophical frame, emphasises consensus, dialogue, and the adaptation of indigenous forms of reasoning to modern governance.

Dewey describes democracy as a way of life, sustained by habits of communication and shared inquiry. Arendt locates politics in the human capacity for action: appearing before others, speaking, judging, and initiating new beginnings. Democracy survives where people can think together in public and act on the basis of considered judgment.

From this perspective, knowledge understood as inquiry and understanding is the lifeblood of democratic politics. Without it, citizens are reduced to spectators or instruments; with it, they can become authors of their collective lives.

The Media as the New Public Arena

If democracy depends on knowledge and judgment, then the media play a central role in shaping democratic power. Today, the media  especially social media platforms  are the primary arena in which citizens encounter public issues, negotiate identities, and form opinions.

Yet, this arena no longer operates primarily according to the norms of slow deliberation that underpinned earlier public spheres. Contemporary media ecosystems are governed by the imperatives of speed, virality, emotional intensity, and algorithmic targeting. They reward sensationalism over nuance, reaction over reflection.

Cabral would caution that nations lose themselves when they lose control over their narratives. In Nigeria, global platforms mediate how citizens see their own politics, cultures, and histories. Wiredu would worry that imported digital logics can displace indigenous practices of reasoning and consensus-building. Dewey would note that democracy weakens if the media fail to cultivate reflective intelligence. Arendt would warn that when public discourse collapses into noise and spectacle, the conditions for judgment and new beginnings are undermined.

The crisis of the media is therefore not only a crisis of misinformation, but of knowledge: a crisis of how societies come to know, interpret, and understand the world.

From Technological Progress to Political Choice

One popular narrative portrays AI and social media as inevitable outcomes of scientific progress, neutral instruments that can be used for good or ill, depending on the users intent. This story obscures the political and economic forces that have shaped these technologies.

The history of computing, cybernetics, and networked communication is closely tied to Cold War priorities: surveillance, prediction, and strategic control. Social media platforms arose not simply because new technical possibilities emerged, but because business models were developed to monetise attention, harvest personal data, and sell predictive insights about human behaviour.

AI and social media are thus artifacts of political intention and economic logic, not merely expressions of scientific curiosity. They encode assumptions about what human beings are for  whether citizens are agents capable of judgment, or data points to be analysed and optimised.

Recognising this history is essential for democratic politics. It reminds us that technology is not destiny. Societies choose, explicitly or implicitly, how these systems will be built, deployed, and governed.

Media, Technology, and the Social Mission

Because AI and social media are deeply entangled with political and economic power, the media as an institution has become central to determining whether these technologies will deepen or diminish democracy.

On one hand, digital technologies have greatly enhanced the capacity of Nigerian newsrooms and civil society actors. Investigative journalism now uses open-source intelligence (OSINT), satellite imagery, data analysis, and crowdsourced evidence to expose corruption, track conflict, and verify electoral claims. Platforms such as PREMIUM TIMES, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, HumAngle, and the fact-checking initiative, Dubawa, have leveraged digital tools to challenge official narratives and counter disinformation.

On the other hand, the same technological infrastructure has transformed media practice in ways that threaten its civic mission. Attention-driven advertising models reward speed and outrage. Algorithmic curation determines what many citizens see long before they choose to see it. Viral circulation can drown out careful reasoning, and the push for engagement can erode editorial judgment.

The normative task before the media is therefore twofold: First, to harness new tools in support of public accountability and informed citizenship. Secondly, to resist becoming merely an extension of attention markets and algorithmic logics that undermine reflection and democratic responsibility.

To succeed, media institutions must see themselves not just as distributors of content, but as custodians of meaning and stewards of the conditions under which public judgment can occur.

McLuhan, Innis, and the Architecture of Perception

Marshall McLuhans famous dictum that the medium is the message remains a powerful prism for understanding our current moment. McLuhan argued that the form of a medium  its speed, sensory mix, and rhythms  shapes how societies think and feel, regardless of the specific content transmitted. Media, in this sense, reorganise perception and social relations.

Harold Innis earlier showed that civilisations are structured by the bias of their dominant media. Some media favour durability and memory (time-biased); others favour distance, administration, and rapid distribution (space-biased). The transition from stone, clay, and manuscript to print, telegraphy, radio, and digital networks has repeatedly reconfigured authority, collective memory, and the organisation of power.

AI-driven social media platforms are profoundly space-biased. They privilege circulation, immediacy, and expansion. Their design encourages rapid sharing, short attention spans, and continuous engagement. As thought accelerates, the capacity for sustained reflection and careful judgment diminishes.

For a democracy like Nigerias  already strained by economic hardship, institutional fragility, and deep social cleavages  this acceleration has serious implications. It can render politics more volatile, intensify ethnic and religious polarisation, and create incentives for political actors to govern by spectacle rather than by policy.

Innis and McLuhan help us see that the challenge is not only to correct false content, but to recognise that the very architecture of our communication systems is reshaping democratic life.

Castells and the Struggle for Meaning

Manuel Castells extends these insights into the digital age with his analysis of network society. For Castells, power flows increasingly through the ability to shape communication networks  to programme them and to influence the cultural codes through which people interpret reality.

In Nigeria, this is visible in multiple domains. Elections are waged not only through rallies and traditional media but through targeted messaging on WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Protest movements such as #EndSARS gained extraordinary momentum by leveraging digital networks, but also struggled with fragmentation and disinformation that spread through the same channels. Popular culture  Afrobeats, Nollywood, comedy skits, memes  travels through these networks, framing how Nigerians imagine success, identity, and belonging.

These platforms do not merely reflect Nigerian society; they actively organise what becomes visible and sayable, which voices are amplified or marginalised, and which narratives of the nation gain traction. The struggle for democratic power is therefore also a struggle for meaning within networked architectures.

Yet, much of our academic and policy analysis still treats media as secondary to real politics. We have been slower to grasp that, in a networked society, politics itself is increasingly conducted through the programming and contestation of digital communication networks.

Zuboff, Surveillance Capitalism, and Data Colonialism

Shoshana Zuboffs concept of surveillance capitalism adds an indispensable dimension to this analysis. She argues that we are witnessing a new economic order in which human experience is systematically harvested as data, analysed by AI, and used to predict  and ultimately shape  behaviour for profit and control.

This logic is not entirely new. As early as 1961, the Simulmatics Corporation in the United States advertised its ability to use computers to predict human behaviours. What is novel today is the scale, ubiquity, and granularity of data extraction. Social media platforms and many AI applications are built on business models that treat users not as citizens, but as sources of behavioural surplus.

The implications for Nigeria and other African countries are profound. While Western and Asian corporations own the infrastructures  data centres, cloud platforms, algorithmic systems  African populations provide much of the raw material for behavioural data mining. This dynamic has been described as data colonialism: a new form of extraction in which everyday life becomes a resource controlled from elsewhere.

For democracy, this means that electoral campaigns, issues advocacy, and even religious mobilisation can be shaped by actors who control the tools for micro-targeting and sentiment engineering. For development, it means that the continent risks being locked into a dependent relationship, in which value generated from African data primarily accrues elsewhere.

Permit me to highlight three consequences particularly relevant to democratic power in Nigeria from Zuboffs work:

Behavioural modification: This is so evident for those who suffer under the tyranny of WhatsApp and other social platforms that have now been transformed to stages of cage fights among Nigerians. This conforms to the fact we all know now that AI-driven platforms are engineered to keep users engaged, often by emphasising emotionally charged content. Political communication becomes less about persuasion and more about triggering predictable reactions.

Epistemic fragmentation: This is just as evident as the behavioural modification. Personalised feeds and recommendation systems mean that citizens inhabit different informational worlds. Disagreement is no longer simply about values or interests, but about basic facts.

Loss of sovereignty: Lastly, we now know that when infrastructures of communication and data analysis are owned elsewhere, national and civic actors lose control over the conditions under which public opinion is formed. This environment poses new challenges for democratic accountability, civic education, and regulatory governance.

Reconfiguring Democratic Power in Nigeria

How, then, are AI and social media concretely reconfiguring democratic power in Nigeria? Several key dynamics stand out.

Expanded Visibility and New Actors: First, digital platforms have lowered barriers to entry into public discourse. Youth movements, feminist collectives, regional activists, and marginalised communities can speak in their own voices, circumventing traditional gatekeepers. The #EndSARS protests made visible a generations anger at police brutality and wider governance failures, using hashtags, live streams, and global solidarity campaigns.

This expanded visibility redistributes symbolic power. It challenges established media houses, party hierarchies, and state actors who once monopolised the means of public communication. In this sense, AI-enhanced social media can democratise attention.

Intensified Manipulation and Polarisation

At the same time, political elites have quickly learnt to exploit these platforms. Armies of trolls, bots, and paid influencers deploy targeted disinformation and propaganda during electoral cycles. AI-generated images, deepfakes, and synthetic texts increasingly complicate efforts to verify information.

Ethnic and religious narratives are weaponised to inflame fear and resentment. Algorithmic systems, optimised for engagement rather than truth, often amplify the most divisive content. Democratic power thus becomes entangled with the capacity to manipulate emotion at scale.

Reshaping Institutions and Practices

Third, institutions themselves are being reshaped. Electoral commissions must now manage not only physical polling processes but also digital information environments. Courts confront new questions about online speech and evidence. Political parties organise around war rooms that monitor online sentiment in real time.

Media organisations are pushed to adapt to platform logics in order to survive, sometimes at the cost of depth and investigative commitment. Civil society groups increasingly integrate data science, digital security, and media literacy into their work.

Contestation over Infrastructures and Rules

Finally, democratic power is increasingly exercised through struggles over infrastructure and regulation. Debates about data protection, content moderation, platform taxation, and AI policy are, at root, debates about who will control the architectures through which Nigerians see and interpret their world.

If platforms set the rules unilaterally, democratic accountability shifts away from elected institutions. If states respond with heavy-handed censorship, digital rights and civic freedoms suffer. The challenge is to develop regulatory frameworks  and civic norms  that protect rights, foster innovation, and secure genuine public oversight.

Conclusion: Democracy After the New Leviathan

I have argued here that AI and social media are not merely tools used within Nigerias democracy; they are transforming the very terrain on which democratic power is organised.

By structuring visibility, shaping attention, and mediating knowledge, AI-driven platforms influence who can participate in public life, what kinds of claims gain traction, and how citizens form judgments. They empower new actors and solidarities, as seen in youth movements and digital investigative journalism, while simultaneously enabling sophisticated disinformation, polarisation, and behavioural manipulation.

Drawing on Cabral and Wiredu, we can say that the struggle for democratic power in Nigeria today is also a struggle over narrative and conceptual sovereignty. Following Dewey and Arendt, we see that the survival of democracy depends on sustaining spaces where citizens can think together, deliberate, and act with judgment. Innis and McLuhan remind us that our media environment shapes the rhythms of attention and the architecture of public life. Castells shows that power increasingly lies in the capacity to programme communication networks, while Zuboff warns that surveillance capitalism threatens to turn citizens into objects of data extraction and behavioural control.

Taken together, these insights illuminate the central challenge: AI and social media have become a new Leviathan, reorganising democratic power in Nigeria by reconfiguring the conditions under which knowledge, perception, and political action are formed.

The response cannot be left to engineers, corporations, or security agencies alone. It must involve journalists, scholars, teachers, activists, policymakers, and citizens committed to defending knowledge as a practice of human flourishing. Nigeria needs media institutions that act as custodians of meaning; educational systems that cultivate critical digital literacy; regulatory frameworks that safeguard rights and constrain predatory practices; and civic cultures that insist technology serve human dignity rather than undermine it.

If we can reclaim AI and social media as instruments of agency, rather than engines of manipulation, they may yet strengthen Nigerian democracy  by expanding participation, deepening accountability, and enabling new forms of solidarity. If we fail, these same technologies will entrench inequality, hollow out public reasoning, and concentrate power in opaque algorithmic and corporate hands.

The reconfiguration of democratic power is already under way. The urgent task before Nigeria is to ensure that this transformation bends toward freedom, justice, and a more thoughtful public life. For that to happen, our universities will have to embrace full democratic culture the that privileges the primacy of skepticism and debates in every facet of our intellectual journey.

Dapo Olorunyomi (OON) is the publisher of PREMIUM TIMES and CEO of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)

This was delivered in the Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series of the Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, at the Oduduwa Hall on Tuesday, 18th November.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has secured strategic partnerships with the Republic of Belarus to advance technology education, modernise security operations, and enhance agricultural productivity in the state. The governor, during a four-day working visit to Minsk, met with top Belarusian government officials and signed multiple cooperation agreements spanning education, defence, agriculture, and information technology.

The governor particularly toured Hi-Tech Park in Minsk, one of Eastern Europes most successful technology ecosystems. The Park is renowned for its supportive legal structure, investor-friendly policies, strong talent pipeline, and an environment that attracts global technology companies. These qualities have enabled it to become a major driver of economic growth and youth employment.

The governors engagements in Minsk provided opportunities to study how similar strategies can be adapted to strengthen Katsinas emerging ecosystem. Central to the discussions with Belarusian counterparts were opportunities for technology transfer, research collaboration, education partnerships, and development of a policy environment that encourages investors and innovators to build in Katsina.

Similarly, the governor toured Beltech Export Company, eastern Europes most renowned ICT centre, where he explored opportunities for training Katsina youths in cutting-edge computer technology. Officials showed Radda and the state delegation attendance register of past trainees, noting that many have become dollar billionaires through technology entrepreneurship.

Governor Radda declared, These discussions align with the administrations Building Your Future broader agenda of creating jobs, expanding digital skills, supporting young entrepreneurs, and positioning Katsina as one of Nigerias most forward-looking states.

At a meeting with the Belarus Minister of Education, Governor Radda secured scholarship opportunities for Katsina youths in artificial intelligence, robotics, agricultural engineering, and drone technology. The minister agreed to establish Training of Trainers programmes for instructors from state institutions, including the Katsina Youth Craft Village, enabling them to acquire advanced technical skills at innovation centres in Minsk.

Developing local talent is essential for powering emerging industries and creating long-term economic opportunities across the state. By upgrading instructor capacity, Katsina is positioning itself to become a net exporter of high-quality technical talent, the governor stated. Governor Radda equally visited the Minsk Security Institute, the Centre for Border Security and Special Forces Training Facility, and the State Authority for Military Industry (LEMT)Belarus equivalent of Nigerias Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.

At the Ministry of Defence, the governor secured agreement for comprehensive training of the Katsina Community Watch Corps and modernisation of their security equipment and gadgets. He was shown special forces training grounds where KCWC personnel will receive advanced counter-insurgency and border security training.

Additionally, the governor led the state delegation to the Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they met with H.E. Sergey Lukashevich, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. The elegation secured access to visa for Katsina youth to study in Belarus, technology transfer and other bilateral opportunities.

At the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Governor Radda negotiated for modernisation of Katsinas existing agricultural equipment to meet international standards and adoption of technology-driven farming methods. Governor Radda, however, disclosed that the Belarus government agreed to provide advanced cattle breeds and enhanced animal husbandry models to boost livestock productivity in the state.

He described the visit as part of his administrations commitment to building a knowledge-based economy anchored in skills, technology, and global competitiveness. The state delegation included the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Muazu; Executive Director, Katsina State Development Management Board, Ruqayya Hamza Usman; Director-General of Katsina Directorate of ICT, Naufal Ahmed; Coordinator, Katsina Agricultural Development Unit, Dr Suleiman Umar among other officials.
Forex trading is no longer reserved for professionals with multiple computer screens and complex setups. In Nigeria, mobile technology has made global markets more accessible, giving traders the ability to analyse, monitor, and execute trades from their phones. The real breakthrough is not only the portability but the way modern apps present information through data visualisation, making trading more understandable and actionable.

Why the Trading App Matters in Nigeria

For many Nigerian traders, the trading app is the central tool for market participation. These apps allow users to check charts, place trades, and review performance while on the move. What sets modern apps apart from earlier versions is the focus on data visualisation. Instead of overwhelming users with raw numbers, they now use colourful, interactive, and easy-to-read visuals to simplify complex data.

This evolution matters in Nigeria, where young, tech-savvy individuals want efficient tools that combine convenience with powerful analysis. Data visualisation within apps bridges the gap between beginners and experts by making information easier to digest.

The Role of Data Visualisation in Forex

Data visualisation is the practice of turning complex data into charts, graphs, and interactive visuals. For forex traders in Nigeria, this means quicker understanding of trends, risks, and opportunities. A candlestick chart, for instance, condenses a large amount of price information into a visual format that reveals patterns at a glance.

Beyond candlesticks, apps now include heat maps, volume histograms, and performance dashboards. These tools give Nigerian traders immediate insights into what is happening across multiple pairs, making it easier to plan strategies.

Why Visualisation Enhances Decision Making

Trading decisions must often be made within seconds. Visualisation makes this possible by cutting through the noise. Nigerian traders benefit in several ways:

 Clarity : Visuals highlight price direction and market strength without the need for lengthy calculations.



 Speed : By presenting data visually, apps reduce the time it takes to analyse multiple markets.



 Confidence : Traders can make informed choices quickly, boosting confidence in fast-moving markets.



This is particularly valuable during volatile sessions when waiting too long can mean missing profitable opportunities.

Nigerias Growing Mobile-First Trading Culture

Nigeria has one of the highest levels of mobile adoption in Africa. With millions of young people relying on smartphones for business, education, and banking, it is no surprise that forex trading is increasingly mobile-driven. Data visualisation aligns perfectly with this culture because it is designed for quick consumption on smaller screens.

A graph or chart displayed on a phone is far more practical than reading long tables of figures. For Nigerian traders who often manage trades during commutes, lunch breaks, or outside business hours, visualisation makes trading realistic and efficient.

Simplifying Multi-Pair Analysis

Many traders in Nigeria do not limit themselves to a single currency pair. They monitor pairs like USDNGN, EURUSD, and GBPJPY simultaneously. Without visual tools, this can be overwhelming. Modern apps solve the problem with dashboards that present multiple pairs side by side using charts, gauges, or colour-coded alerts.

This simplification means traders can identify correlations and divergences faster. For example, if both EURUSD and GBPUSD rise sharply while USDNGN remains flat, traders can quickly spot potential opportunities without deep manual analysis.

Educational Value for Beginners

Another important advantage of visualisation is education. For Nigerians who are new to forex, understanding raw data can feel intimidating. By using visuals, apps create a smoother learning curve. Beginners can see how patterns form and connect them to real-world market movements.

Some apps even offer interactive tutorials where users can explore charts and learn how specific indicators work. This combination of education and practice builds confidence, encouraging more participation in Nigerias growing forex community.

Linking Visualisation to Risk Management

Visualisation is not only about finding opportunities, it also helps in managing risk. Nigerian traders can use tools like risk-reward ratio graphs, margin usage gauges, and volatility alerts. These visuals make it easier to avoid overexposure and to protect accounts from sudden losses.

For example, a colour-coded margin metre instantly tells a trader whether they are close to a margin call. Without such visuals, they might need to calculate percentages manually, which takes time and increases the chance of mistakes.

Community and Shared Insights

Nigerias trading culture is highly community-driven, with groups on WhatsApp, Telegram, and online forums sharing tips daily. Data visualisation plays an important role here too. Traders can share screenshots of charts or dashboards with peers, making explanations clearer. Instead of long technical descriptions, visuals allow others to grasp strategies immediately.

This community sharing reinforces the popularity of apps that prioritise visualisation, creating a cycle where new traders adopt the same tools as their peers.

The Future of Data Visualisation in Forex Apps

The next phase of data visualisation will likely involve artificial intelligence and personalised dashboards. Nigerian traders can expect trading apps to learn from their habits and provide customised visuals tailored to their style. For instance, an app could highlight only the pairs a trader follows most, or suggest new visual indicators based on their trading history.

As Nigerias internet infrastructure improves, real-time streaming of advanced visual data will also become more accessible, further enhancing the mobile trading experience.

Conclusion

Data visualisation has transformed the way Nigerian traders interact with forex markets. By making information clear, quick, and engaging, it allows both beginners and experienced traders to make smarter decisions. The trading app is no longer just a tool for placing orders, it is now a powerful analysis platform where visuals replace complexity.

For Nigerias dynamic trading community, this evolution means more opportunities, better risk management, and faster learning. With modern apps leading the way, data visualisation will remain central to the future of forex in Nigeria.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described the passing of Mr Olusegun Awolowo Jr., grandson of former Nigerian nationalist, and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a deeply profound personal loss. Mr Abiodun, extolled the lawyer and ex- executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), as a gentleman par excellence, voice of courage and consummate public servant.

He expressed deep shock over the passing of the first grandson of the late sage at 62 stressing that he received the sad news with utter disbelief. The governor said that he still treasures the fond memories of late Seguns acquaintance.

According to the governor, all who knew him would attest that Mr Segun Awolowo was affable, highly intelligent, extremely affable and easy going, adding that he will be sorely missed.

He said: It is extremely hard to process the news that Segun Awolowo Jr. is gone, but we submit unreservedly to the decision of the Almighty God, who has called him into His bosom. We are deeply heartbroken, but we will take consolation in the exemplary great lessons his life taught us, for he was such a jolly good fellow.

Born two months after his fathers death, Awolowo Jr. was acquainted with grief from childhood, but he rose above the challenges and became an icon in his own right. Mr Awolowo Jr. worked with the law firm of Abayomi Sogbesan & Co. and also with the law firm of GOK Ajayi & Co. after his call to bar in December 1989.

He served in President Olusegun Obasanjos administration as a Special Assistant on Traditional Institutions, Legal Due Diligence and Legal Matters.  His public service record, including his time as Special Assistant to President Umaru Musa YarAdua and as Secretary for Social Development and Secretary of Transport, FCT, from 2007 to 2011, and executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, was unblemished.

He gave his best in advancing the fortunes of Nigeria, and it was not by accident that he was, in July 2021, unanimously elected as the President of National Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member States.

Appointed the secretary, national action committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, Mr Awolowo Jr. worked with other Nigerians to partake in concluding trade reforms programmes at ECOWAS, including the adoption of common trade policy, the establishment of an ECOWAS trade policy committee, and to resolve issues in the ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme (ETLS), together with the establishment of an ECOWAS Members peer review and audit mechanism, and amending article nine on ECOWAS protocol on decision making.

As secretary, he was expected to provide direction to the committee for effective coordination of relevant stakeholders towards the attainment of Nigerias strategic national interest, and he did well in this regard.

His earthly sojourn may have been brief, but it was hugely impactful. I commiserate with his dear wife and children, the Awolowo family, and Nigerians in general. May his gentle soul rest in sweet repose.
Trial judge James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to remove Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu from the courtroom over his unruly behaviour.

Mr Omotosho gave the order following Mr Kanus insistence that the judgement, scheduled for delivery, would not proceed.

The court then stood down the matter and directed the security officers to remove the IPOB leader from the courtroom.

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stood his ground and refused to move out of the courtroom despite the pleadings by the SSS officers for the defendant to comply with the court order.

Mr Omotosho then stood down the matter and directed the security officers to take him out of the courtroom.

The judge was about to commence proceedings, directing the registrar to call the case, when Mr Kanu stood up and interjected.

My lord there is no judgment today because we have joined issues in the matter, Mr Kanu, who was brought to court from the custody of the SSS, said.

The judge responded with a word of caution to the IPOB leader.

Defendant there is decorum in court. Let the registrar call the matters accordingly, Mr Omorosho said.

Mr Kanu is facing terrorism charges over his secessionist campaign for the independence of Nigerias South-east as Biafra.

On 7 November, the judge fixed Thursday for judgement, after foreclosing Mr Kanus defence.

The judge declared Mr Kanu waived his right to put forward his defence after the IPOB leader spurned the judges persuasion for weeks to enter defence to counter the prosecutions case which closed with five witnesses in June.

Mr Kanu stood his ground not to enter any defence on the basis that the terrorism charges instituted against him were invalid because they were brought under a repealed terrorism law.

ALSO READ: Nnamdi Kanu asks appeal court to stop judgement on his terrorism trial

Six of the seven charges against Mr Kanu were filed under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, amended in 2022. The Biafra agitator claimed the seventh count which has to do with alleged illegal importation of a radio transmitter into Nigeria was ordered by the Supreme Court to be removed.

Mr Kanu, who is standing trial on terrorism charges over his secessionist activities calling for the independence of Nigerias Igbo-dominated South-east and some parts of the neighbouring states as Biafra, has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja since June 2021.

The Nigerian government accused him of carrying out terrorist activities, including broadcasting threats and inciting violence and killings in the region, to achieve his secessionist goals.
Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

HONG KONG, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's opening-up policy will continue to drive economic growth, although its role will differ from that of previous decades, said Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, the renowned U.S. economist shared his insights on China's economic achievements, expressing firm optimism about the prospects of the world's second-largest economy.

Stiglitz visited Hong Kong for the International Forum on China's Economy and Policy, which was organized by Chief Executive's Policy Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and a think tank under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

ROOM FOR RAPID GROWTH

Commenting on China's reform policy over the past few decades, Stiglitz said it has been a major success.

"Anybody who looks at the increases in income, the number of people brought out of poverty, and the innovation that has occurred in China would be very impressed," he said.

The economist endorsed China's newly unveiled document of recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which underscored greater scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, saying it was a step in the right direction.

While China is at the forefront of certain areas, Stiglitz said the country still needs to learn from others. "The nature of the international knowledge community is that it is a global community. That's why you have to keep being open."

He said that in the earlier days, China opened up to new technologies, with its growth mainly fueled by exports of manufacturing goods. At the same time, the country has narrowed the knowledge disparity with developed countries by investing heavily in research, human capital and education.

"China is now engaged in patenting and research at the frontier," Stiglitz noted. "There are still areas for it to catch up, but that means more resources will be devoted to frontier science."

The Chinese economy expanded 5 percent year on year in 2024, contributing around 30 percent to global economic growth. Stiglitz expected the country to become a more powerful engine for the world economy in the years ahead.

"There's still lots of room for the Chinese economy to grow at a very rapid rate," Stiglitz said, recommending stronger policies to boost domestic aggregate demand, particularly in the sectors of health, education and elderly care as urbanization continues over the next two decades.

HONG KONG'S EVOLVING ROLE

During the interview, Stiglitz elaborated on how Hong Kong can continue to thrive amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.

The "one country, two systems" policy has endowed Hong Kong with stronger adaptability and greater flexibility, positioning it to respond effectively to changes in a multipolar world, Stiglitz said.

As China's foreign trade and corporate overseas investment continue to grow, the country is set to remain a major global player, and Hong Kong will play a larger role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world, he said.

Hong Kong's unique advantages in its legal system and language environment have shored up its status as an international financial hub, he said, advising the city to diversify out of finance while maintaining a well-regulated financial sector.

Stiglitz credited the success of Hong Kong's financial sector to its robust regulatory framework, cautioning against deregulation for the sake of competition. "Strong regulations may mean missing out on some of the aspects of modern finance, but I wouldn't worry," he added.

He suggested Hong Kong to give priorities to sectors such as education, health, tourism and innovation. "Hong Kong is doing the right thing by placing innovation and education at the heart of its economic strategy," he said.

In this year's policy address, the HKSAR government has underlined the integrated development of education, technology and talent as a way to bolster competitiveness, saying that the strategy can build rich talent resources, knowledge reserve, and capacities for scientific and technological innovation.

Despite global economic headwinds, the economist has remained upbeat about the sustained vitality of Hong Kong.

As an international center for finance, trading and shipping, Hong Kong will inevitably face "ups and downs," but the city has been making great strides in adapting to rapid changes, Stiglitz said. 

Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)
HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- China Mobile International Limited (CMI), along with seven global partners including Bayobab, center3, Meta, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC, has jointly completed the core 2Africa Submarine Cable Infrastructure (2Africa). Circling the African continent and connecting intercontinental nodes across Europe, Asia, and beyond, the 2Africa will further expand CMI's global submarine cable layout and international connectivity resources, providing a robust digital infrastructure to accelerate the digital economic development in Africa and the surrounding regions.

2Africa Submarine Cables Core Infrastructure Completed. 2Africa Submarine Cables Core Infrastructure Completed. 2Africa Submarine Cables Core Infrastructure Completed.

As the first cable to continuously link Africa's east and west within a single system, 2Africa adopts an open-access model. Spanning over 45,000 kilometers, it connects 33 + countries / regions across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, with a design capacity of 180Tbps. According to estimates, 2Africa is projected to contribute up to USD36.9 billion to Africa's GDP within the first two to three years of operation.

Following the commissioning of the 2Africa's key segments, CMI has further optimized resource allocation along the Arabian Sea, the eastern and western coasts of Africa, and Europe. It has also created synergies with high-capacity submarine cables along the eastern and western coasts of Africa such as PEACE and Equiano, enabling CMI to enhance the multi-ring network covering Africa. Leveraging global network resources in Djibouti, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and other locations, as well as submarine cable systems such as IAX-IEX, 2Africa integrates Eurasia-Africa's high-capacity bandwidth with extensions of local terrestrial cable and PoP. This initiative aims to build a leading regional international submarine cable connectivity that covers Africa while extending its influence to Asia-Pacific and Europe.

CMI leverages 2Africa's technical advantages of "high-bandwidth and low-latency" to form powerful synergies with the company's existing cloud-network capabilities, including over 100 submarine and terrestrial cables, 380+PoPs, and 1,270+ data centers worldwide. This robust infrastructure allows CMI to provide global carrier customers with high-quality international private lines, cloud private lines, and interconnection services covering multiple core cities in Africa and extending to the African interior. Together with the mCloud cloud-network integration portal with a one-stop integrated package featuring "a unified platform, one country, one price, one-click ordering, and end-to-end services," CMI offers AI+ cloud-network integration solutions for enterprises to step into Africa and the Middle East markets, as well as local partners. These solutions focus on key African industries, such as AI+ Smart Energy Mining and AI+ Smart Park, driving the region toward an AI-powered digital intelligence future.

CMI has been tapping into the African market since 2015. The completion of the core 2Africa submarine cable infrastructure will further enrich network resources in the African region, delivering high-quality, reliable connectivity to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and financial services, thereby accelerating Africa's digital transformation and improving the lives of communities across the continent.

Looking ahead, CMI will continue to leverage submarine cable projects such as the 2Africa to accelerate the implementation of new information infrastructure and new information service system in Africa, contributing digital and intelligent solutions to the continent and comprehensively supporting the vigorous development of Africa's digital economy.

SOURCE China Mobile International
Abacus establishes presence on the ground in Dubai, bringing local IT and cybersecurity expertise to customers in the UAE region

LONDON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abacus Group, a leading IT Managed Services Provider ("MSP") and Managed Security Services Provider ("MSSP") to highly regulated industries globally, has announced the opening of a new office in Dubai. As part of its strategic expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the move represents a significant step in the company's ambitious international growth plans.

Over the past 18 months, Abacus has been conducting a review of opportunities in the UAE. During that period, the number of its existing clients with a presence in the region has doubled to over 25, and the company is now also engaging with early-stage asset managers that are choosing the country as their first and only location.

This ongoing growth in firms locating or expanding in Dubai and the wider UAE is being driven by the region's progressive and robust regulatory environment, expanding capital pool, rapid growth in 'non-oil' foreign trade and business-friendly environment. Abacus is opening the new office to meet the resulting rise in demand for locally delivered specialist managed IT and cybersecurity services.

The office, Abacus's first in the Middle East, is located in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Establishing operations within DIFC places Abacus at the heart of Dubai's thriving business and technology ecosystem. Working closely with the Centre, Abacus will support financial services firms operating within DIFC to strengthen their IT and cybersecurity resilience, while contributing to its growing financial community.

Tom Cole, Managing Director of EMEA at Abacus Group, said: "Dubai has emerged as a leading destination for the world's top alternative investment managers, all seeking expertise and presence on the ground backed by global reach and capability. Abacus is uniquely positioned to deliver exactly that. In addition, we provide enterprise-grade IT and cybersecurity support to smaller firms in the city that have previously found it difficult to access the level of premier protection and expertise that we can provide."

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said: "We are delighted to welcome Abacus Group to DIFC. Their decision to establish a presence here reinforces Dubai's position as a global hub for innovation and resilience, bringing world-class IT and cyber security expertise to support the region's most dynamic financial institutions. As the leading financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, DIFC provides the ideal platform for forward-thinking firms like Abacus to scale their operations, access new markets and help shape the future of financial services."

Abacus will be delivering its full suite of managed IT, multi-cloud and cybersecurity services to clients in Dubai and the wider region, including its market-leading abacusFlex platform, specialised emergency incident response, and red team offerings. These capabilities ensure compliance for firms operating under DIFC legal and regulatory frameworks, while also proactively defending clients against cyber threats.

Establishing a physical presence in Dubai will also bring new opportunities both to Abacus's existing employees and to skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals in the city. As Cole highlighted: "We wanted to build a strong, well-structured base of operations in Dubai, and that meant physical offices on the ground. To demonstrate our commitment, we have relocated some of our top talent with exceptional leadership capabilities from the UK and the US."

"At the same time," he added, "with Dubai's reputation for innovation, comes a rich pool of talent. We look forward to tapping into the next generation of professionals emerging from both the local education system and internationally. Because we are embedded in the market, we can nurture new talent to deliver even greater value to our clients."

About Abacus Group

Abacus Group is a global, dual vertical IT and cybersecurity managed service provider specializing in serving financial services and healthcare firms. They offer a comprehensive suite of services, including managed IT services, disaster recovery, application hosting, help desk support, and full lifecycle software services, all delivered through a single, integrated platform. For more information, please visit www.abacusgroupllc.com.

About Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world's most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 77 countries with an approximate population of 3.8bn and an estimated GDP of USD 11.2trn.

With a 20-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe, and the Americas through Dubai.

DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region's largest financial ecosystem of 48,000 professionals working across over 8,000 active registered companies  making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region.

The Centre's vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region's most comprehensive AI, FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups.

Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels, and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai's most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations.

For further information, please visit our website: difc.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X @DIFC.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1748653/Abacus_Group_v1_Logo.jpg
HOUSTON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aegis Aerospace Inc. today announced a leadership transition that reflects both its commitment to honoring legacy and accelerating future growth. Effective January 1, 2026, Matt Ondler, currently chief strategy officer, will assume the additional role of president, succeeding Bill Hollister, who will retire in mid-2026.

Hollister has served as President over the past three years, guiding Aegis Aerospace through a pivotal period of expansion and innovation. His broader 42-year career in the industry has been marked by technical excellence, strategic foresight, and a deep commitment to advancing space and defense technologies. To support a smooth transition, Hollister will continue in the role of chief technology officer (CTO) for six months, focusing on strengthening the company's technical and intellectual property frameworks.

"Bill has played an instrumental role in shaping the success and growth of our company, and his contributions leave an indelible mark on both our culture and our achievements," said Stephanie Murphy, CEO of Aegis Aerospace. "We are grateful for his dedication, which has helped make our company what it is today."

Incoming Presidentand current CSOMatt Ondler brings a strong background in space hardware development and strategic leadership across both government and commercial sectors. His appointment signals Aegis Aerospace's forward-looking strategy to expand its capabilities and deepen its influence across the space industry.

"I am confident that with Matt at the helm as president and Bill supporting us as CTO, we will continue to build on our strong foundation and further elevate our impact in the space industry," added Murphy. "Matt's vision, experience, and understanding of our evolving markets position us to build on our foundation and pursue new frontiers."

These leadership roles will be based out of Aegis Aerospace headquarters in Webster, Texas.

About Aegis Aerospace. Aegis Aerospace Inc. is a small business that provides technical services and turn-key solutions to government and commercial customers in the space and defense industries. Formed in 2021 by combining Alpha Space and MEI Technologies, Aegis Aerospace offers over 30 years of success and innovation in technology development and engineering services, commercial space services, and other space and defense products and services. Our Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) business model is turnkey which enables our customers to focus on their science and new technology development. For more information, visit www.aegisaero.com.

SOURCE Aegis Aerospace Inc.
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Aerogel Market, valued at USD 1.25 Billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 6.08 Billion by 2035, expanding at a robust CAGR of 15.5% between 2025 and 2035. With thermal efficiency and lightweight materials emerging as critical priorities across industrial, construction, aerospace, and energy sectors, aerogels are rapidly transitioning from niche materials to essential components of next-generation engineering systems.

The market is entering a high-growth phase characterized by advanced silica aerogels, polymer-reinforced composites, carbon-based aerogels, and innovations in scalable manufacturing. North America remains the largest market due to its industrial insulation and EV ecosystem, while Asia Pacific leads as the fastest-growing region supported by rapid manufacturing expansion and long-term energy modernization programs.

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Free Sample Includes:

Global & regional market size forecasts through 2035.

Competitive benchmarking and SWOT analysis of major players.

Segmentation insights

Regulatory and reimbursement landscape overview.

Porter's Five Forces and value chain assessment.

Emerging opportunities across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Why Aerogels Are Becoming a Strategic Priority

Ultra-High Thermal Insulation: Aerogels provide the highest performance per unit thickness, meeting rising global energy-efficiency standards.

Lightweight Engineering Demand: Automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors increasingly adopt aerogels to reduce mass while improving safety and performance.

Industrial Efficiency Pressures: Oil & gas, petrochemicals, and heavy industries rely on aerogels for pipeline insulation, corrosion protection, and energy loss prevention.

Sustainable Construction Acceleration: Aerogel panels, blankets, and coatings align with green building regulations and net-zero construction targets.

Growth of EV and Battery Platforms: Aerogels enhance fire protection and thermal stability in electric vehicle battery packs and power modules.

Key Market & Technology Growth Drivers

Innovation in Aerogel Production: Advances in ambient pressure drying and automated roll-to-roll lines reduce material costs and increase scalability.

Composite Reinforcement Technologies: Polymer and fiber reinforcement improve durability and handling for large-scale industrial use.

Infrastructure Energy Retrofits: Aging pipelines, boilers, and refineries increasingly depend on aerogels to reduce operational losses.

Electrification & Mobility Expansion: EV manufacturers are integrating aerogel barriers for battery thermal management.

High-Performance Fire Protection: Aerogels deliver superior flame resistance for transportation, construction, and aerospace environments.

Circular & Eco-Friendly Materials: Manufacturers are developing cleaner processes and bio-based aerogel alternatives to meet sustainability goals.

Strategic Opportunities for Market Leaders

Develop end-to-end aerogel system portfolios: blankets, coatings, panels, particles, and specialty composites.

Accelerate penetration in energy-efficient construction and building retrofits.

Expand thermal management solutions for EV battery packs, power electronics, and hydrogen systems.

Build APAC manufacturing partnerships to capitalize on the region's rapid growth.

Integrate aerogels into advanced textiles, protective gear, and extreme-environment applications.

Executive Commentary

"Aerogels are enabling the next wave of industrial efficiency and lightweight engineering. Their unique insulation performance and material versatility position them at the forefront of global sustainability and electrification efforts." Nneha Rathod Godbole, CEO, Vantage Market Research

Email Directly Here with Detailed Information:

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Executive Priorities for Market Leadership

Strengthen aerogel manufacturing capacity and invest in cost-reduction technologies.

Expand presence in construction, industrial insulation, and EV platforms.

Build regulatory-aligned quality frameworks integrating ISO and ASTM certifications.

Establish strategic alliances with energy, automotive, and infrastructure firms.

Innovate around reinforced aerogels, polymer composites, and application-ready product formats.

Increase global distribution networks across APAC, North America, and Europe.

Leading Industry Participants

Aspen Aerogels (U.S.)  Leader in industrial insulation and EV thermal barrier systems.

Cabot Corporation (U.S.)  Major producer of silica aerogels for construction and industrial applications.

Armacell (Luxembourg)  Supplier of aerogel-enhanced flexible insulation materials for energy and buildings.

Aerogel Technologies (U.S.)  Specialist in polymer aerogels and structural lightweight composites.

Enersens (France)  Developer of aerogel materials for energy-efficient buildings and industrial systems.

Guangdong Alison Hi-Tech (China)  High-volume aerogel manufacturer expanding rapidly in APAC.

Jios Aerogel (South Korea)  Provider of aerogel blankets and high-performance industrial insulation.

Blueshift Materials (U.S.)  Innovator in polymer and ultra-light aerogels for electronics and aerospace.

Market Constraints & Structural Challenges

High production costs linked to drying processes and raw materials.

Mechanical fragility of silica aerogels, requiring composite reinforcement.

Limited awareness and adoption in traditional construction sectors.

Competition from conventional materials like mineral wool and polyurethane foam.

Handling, dust-generation, and environmental compliance challenges.

Limited global manufacturing scale for mass-market deployment.

Regulatory & Compliance Environment

ISO Series (9001, 14001, 45001)  Governs quality, environmental, and safety requirements.

ASTM Standards (C1728, C518, E84)  Define insulation performance and fire resistance.

European CE Requirements  Mandate compliance for building materials and construction products.

EPA & REACH Rules  Oversee material safety and chemical compliance.

Building Codes (ASHRAE, IECC)  Drive adoption of high-performance insulation materials.

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Benefits of Purchasing Aerogel Market Reports

Analyst Support  Direct access to our experts before and after purchase for tailored insights and clarifications.

 Direct access to our experts before and after purchase for tailored insights and clarifications. Data Accuracy  Forecasts and trends validated through a combination of primary industry interviews, end-user surveys, and advanced statistical modeling.

 Forecasts and trends validated through a combination of primary industry interviews, end-user surveys, and advanced statistical modeling. Decision-Making Tools  Interactive dashboards, granular segment forecasts, competitor benchmarking, and adoption roadmaps to guide strategy.

 Interactive dashboards, granular segment forecasts, competitor benchmarking, and adoption roadmaps to guide strategy. Quality & Credibility  Trusted by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare innovators, and technology leaders for reliable market intelligence.

Market Overview & Key Catalysts

The aerogel industry is scaling quickly as global markets pursue ultra-efficient insulation materials, lightweight structural solutions, and advanced thermal protection technologies. Aerogels are increasingly critical to industrial modernization, net-zero construction, EV manufacturing, and thermal management systems.

Main Growth Catalysts

Global push for energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

Large-scale industrial retrofitting across oil & gas and petrochemical sectors.

Adoption in electric vehicles, aerospace, and defense.

Advances in polymer aerogels enabling structural applications.

Rapid APAC industrialization and manufacturing capacity growth.

Integration into hydrogen systems, LNG logistics, and renewable energy equipment.

Strategic Intelligence for Decision-Makers

This report equips CXOs, investors, and biopharma strategists with actionable insights to gain a competitive advantage in the fast-evolving aerogel ecosystem:

Benchmark aerogel suppliers by material type, drying processes, thermal conductivity, and composite technologies.

Track evolving business models including supply partnerships, EV integrations, and construction sector collaborations.

Monitor M&A activity reshaping global aerogel manufacturing capabilities.

Evaluate regional regulatory frameworks influencing product use in buildings and industrial equipment.

Analyze ESG-driven product innovations and sustainable aerogel manufacturing trends.

Growth Levers & Strategic Priorities

Advance Next-Generation Aerogel Technologies  Invest in high-performance silica, polymer, and carbon aerogels; develop nanostructured surfaces; and accelerate innovations in ambient-pressure drying and automated manufacturing to reduce costs, enhance durability, and expand applicability across industrial, construction, and mobility sectors.

Diversify Product Portfolios Across High-Value Applications  Expand from traditional aerogel blankets to advanced panels, particles, coatings, hybrid composites, and EV battery thermal barriers to meet the growing needs of energy infrastructure, buildings, aerospace, automotive, and specialty engineering markets.

Forge Cross-Industry Collaborations Across Energy, Construction, and Mobility Ecosystems  Partner with oil & gas operators, EPC contractors, battery manufacturers, defense agencies, chemical processors, and material science research centers to fast-track performance validation, co-develop application-specific solutions, and accelerate large-scale deployment.

Strengthen Regulatory Compliance & Material Standards  Align manufacturing, safety, and performance testing with ASTM insulation standards, ISO quality and environmental frameworks, European CE requirements, and global building-energy codes to build trust among industrial users, construction authorities, and OEMs.

Enable Global Access Through Scalable, Cost-Optimized Platforms  Deploy region-specific aerogel formulations, localized production lines, and affordable composite solutions tailored for fast-growing markets in Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East to support industrial modernization and sustainable construction.

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Recent Industry Developments

Jan 2025 : Aspen Aerogels introduced an upgraded EV battery thermal management platform engineered to enhance fire protection, improve thermal runaway resistance, and support next-generation high-energy-density battery systems used by leading automotive OEMs.

: Aspen Aerogels introduced an upgraded EV battery thermal management platform engineered to enhance fire protection, improve thermal runaway resistance, and support next-generation high-energy-density battery systems used by leading automotive OEMs. Mar 2025 : Cabot Corporation launched a new silica aerogel product line tailored for ultra-thin building insulation systems, delivering higher R-value performance and enabling energy-efficient facades for commercial and residential construction projects.

: Cabot Corporation launched a new silica aerogel product line tailored for ultra-thin building insulation systems, delivering higher R-value performance and enabling energy-efficient facades for commercial and residential construction projects. May 2025 : Armacell announced the expansion of its aerogel blanket manufacturing capacity in Europe and Asia to meet growing demand from industrial insulation, petrochemical, and LNG pipeline customers.

: Armacell announced the expansion of its aerogel blanket manufacturing capacity in Europe and Asia to meet growing demand from industrial insulation, petrochemical, and LNG pipeline customers. Jul 2025 : Aerogel Technologies unveiled a reinforced polymer-aerogel composite offering significantly improved mechanical strength and durability for aerospace thermal shielding and lightweight structural components.

: Aerogel Technologies unveiled a reinforced polymer-aerogel composite offering significantly improved mechanical strength and durability for aerospace thermal shielding and lightweight structural components. Sept 2025: Guangdong Alison Hi-Tech signed multi-year supply agreements with major APAC oil & gas operators to integrate aerogel insulation into pipeline networks, refining assets, and district heating systems.

Top Key Players for Aerogel Market

Aspen Aerogels, Inc.

Cabot Corporation

Aerogel Technologies, LLC

Active Aerogels, LDA

BASF

JIOS Aerogel Corporation

Nano Technology Co., Ltd.

Dow

Enersens

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Regional Dynamics

North America: Supported by strong adoption in oil & gas insulation, EV and battery manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and energy-efficient construction systems. Significant R&D investment and stringent building codes continue to drive aerogel integration across industrial and commercial sectors.

Europe: Growth driven by rigorous energy-efficiency mandates, aggressive sustainability targets, and expanding retrofit programs across the U.K., Germany, France, and Nordic countries. High demand for advanced thermal insulation in buildings, chemical plants, and transportation further strengthens regional momentum.

Asia Pacific: Fueled by rapid industrialization, major expansions in EV and battery manufacturing, increasing investment in petrochemical and LNG infrastructure, and rising government support for high-performance construction materials across China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

Latin America: Emerging opportunities supported by adoption in petrochemical plants, refinery upgrades, and LNG operations. Growing interest among construction firms and industrial users seeking materials that reduce energy loss and improve operational efficiency.

Middle East & Africa: Substantial growth potential driven by ongoing oil & gas network modernization, refinery expansions, and national initiatives aimed at improving energy conservation. Rising infrastructure development and industrial diversification plans are creating a favorable environment for aerogel adoption.

Segment Insights

By Form

Blanket: Aerogel blankets hold the largest share due to their versatility, flexibility, and strong adoption in industrial insulation, oil & gas pipelines, LNG systems, and building envelopes. Their high thermal efficiency and ease of installation make them the preferred choice for large-scale retrofits and high-temperature environments.

Aerogel blankets hold the largest share due to their versatility, flexibility, and strong adoption in industrial insulation, oil & gas pipelines, LNG systems, and building envelopes. Their high thermal efficiency and ease of installation make them the preferred choice for large-scale retrofits and high-temperature environments. Particle: Aerogel particles are gaining traction across coatings, additives, specialty composites, and consumer goods. Their ability to improve thermal resistance, reduce density, and enhance fire protection makes them valuable in paints, plastics, and advanced materials engineering.

Aerogel particles are gaining traction across coatings, additives, specialty composites, and consumer goods. Their ability to improve thermal resistance, reduce density, and enhance fire protection makes them valuable in paints, plastics, and advanced materials engineering. Panel: Aerogel panels are increasingly adopted in high-performance architecture and construction, especially in facades, windows, and building retrofits where thin, lightweight, high-R-value insulation is required. They enable compliance with stringent energy codes while minimizing structural modifications.

Aerogel panels are increasingly adopted in high-performance architecture and construction, especially in facades, windows, and building retrofits where thin, lightweight, high-R-value insulation is required. They enable compliance with stringent energy codes while minimizing structural modifications. Monolith: Monolithic aerogels serve niche applications in aerospace, research, cryogenics, sensors, and advanced engineering. Their extremely low density and exceptional thermal performance support precise, high-value applications where weight reduction and insulation accuracy are critical.

By Type

Silica Aerogels: Silica dominates the market due to its excellent insulation properties, mature production processes, and wide industrial usage. It remains the primary material in blankets, panels, and building insulation products.

Silica dominates the market due to its excellent insulation properties, mature production processes, and wide industrial usage. It remains the primary material in blankets, panels, and building insulation products. Polymer Aerogels: Polymer-based aerogels are growing rapidly due to improved flexibility, mechanical strength, and reduced fragility. These materials are well-suited for aerospace, EV battery safety, protective gear, and lightweight structural components.

Polymer-based aerogels are growing rapidly due to improved flexibility, mechanical strength, and reduced fragility. These materials are well-suited for aerospace, EV battery safety, protective gear, and lightweight structural components. Carbon Aerogels: Carbon aerogels are expanding in energy storage, electrodes, supercapacitors, and specialty electronics. Their conductivity and nanostructure make them essential in high-performance electrical and electrochemical systems.

Others

Includes specialized formulations such as:

Metal Oxide Aerogels: Used in catalysis, sensors, and high-temperature chemical processes.

Used in catalysis, sensors, and high-temperature chemical processes. Mixed Metal Oxide Aerogels: Offer tailored thermal stability and catalytic properties for advanced industrial applications.

Offer tailored thermal stability and catalytic properties for advanced industrial applications. Metal Chalcogenide Aerogels: Emerging category with potential in semiconductors, photonics, and energy storage.

By Processing

As Manufactured (Virgin): Virgin aerogels are widely used in industrial and construction sectors due to their purity, lightweight nature, and high thermal performance. They form the base material for blankets, panels, and specialty composites.

Virgin aerogels are widely used in industrial and construction sectors due to their purity, lightweight nature, and high thermal performance. They form the base material for blankets, panels, and specialty composites. Composites: Aerogel composites are witnessing strong demand as reinforcement materials significantly improve mechanical durability, handling ease, and resistance to compression. These are essential for heavy-duty industrial insulation, aerospace, and automotive uses.

Aerogel composites are witnessing strong demand as reinforcement materials significantly improve mechanical durability, handling ease, and resistance to compression. These are essential for heavy-duty industrial insulation, aerospace, and automotive uses. Additives: Aerogel additives are increasingly incorporated into coatings, polymers, adhesives, and building materials to enhance insulation performance, fire resistance, and lightweight characteristics without compromising structural integrity.

By Technology

Supercritical Drying: The dominant technology, enabling production of high-performance aerogels with uniform pore structure and superior insulation. It remains critical for large-volume industrial-grade aerogels and advanced composites.

The dominant technology, enabling production of high-performance aerogels with uniform pore structure and superior insulation. It remains critical for large-volume industrial-grade aerogels and advanced composites. Other Drying Methods: Alternative methods such as ambient pressure drying and freeze drying are gaining interest due to lower energy requirements and reduced cost. These technologies are expanding market accessibility, particularly for construction and mass-market applications.

By Application

Energy & Industrial: High adoption in oil & gas pipelines, refineries, petrochemical plants, and power generation. Aerogels reduce energy losses, mitigate corrosion under insulation (CUI), and improve safety in high-temperature systems.

High adoption in oil & gas pipelines, refineries, petrochemical plants, and power generation. Aerogels reduce energy losses, mitigate corrosion under insulation (CUI), and improve safety in high-temperature systems. Transportation Aerospace: Aerogels are used for extreme-temperature insulation, lightweight structural components, and cryogenic systems. Their weight-to-performance advantage makes them indispensable in spacecraft, satellites, and high-altitude platforms. Automotive: Rapid growth driven by EV battery thermal barriers, fire protection layers, lightweighting components, and exhaust system insulation. Automakers rely on aerogels to meet safety and efficiency requirements. Marine: Marine applications utilize aerogels for insulation in vessels, LNG ships, and engine rooms. Their resistance to moisture and corrosion enhances long-term reliability in harsh environments. Railway: Rail operators use aerogels for thermal management, lightweight interiors, and noise reduction. Increasing modernization of locomotive systems supports adoption.

Architecture & Construction: Aerogels are becoming a preferred solution for thin, high-R insulation in facades, windows, walls, and retrofits. Their ability to achieve energy efficiency without adding bulk supports net-zero building initiatives globally.

Aerogels are becoming a preferred solution for thin, high-R insulation in facades, windows, walls, and retrofits. Their ability to achieve energy efficiency without adding bulk supports net-zero building initiatives globally. Other Applications: Includes electronics thermal management, military gear, protective clothing, refrigeration, sensors, catalysis, and specialty research uses benefiting from aerogels' low density, high surface area, and superior thermal properties.

Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 248 Pages and in-depth TOC on Aerogel Market trends 2025 Forecast Report (2025-2035).

Segments Covered in the Report

Form

Blanket

Particle

Panel

Monolith

Type

Silica

Polymer

Carbon

Others Metal oxide Mixed metal oxide Metal chalcogenides



Processing

As manufactured (Virgin)

Composites

Additives

Technology

Supercritical drying

Other drying

Application

Energy industrial

Transportation Aerospace Automotive Marine Railway

Architecture & Construction

Other applications

By Region

North America U.S. Canada Mexico

Europe Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Nordic Countries Benelux Union Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China Japan India New Zealand Australia South Korea South-East Asia Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA) Saudi Arabia UAE Egypt Kuwait South Africa Rest of MEA



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Key Questions Answered in The Report:

Which regions will dominate the global aerogel market through 2035, and what industrial, construction, energy-infrastructure, and mobility-sector factors are driving adoption across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa?

How are regulatory frameworks such as ASTM insulation standards, ISO quality and environmental certifications, CE requirements for construction materials, and regional building-energy codes shaping product innovation, performance validation, material safety, and global commercialization of aerogel products?

Which companies currently lead the aerogel market, and how do their manufacturing capabilities, composite technologies, cost strategies, and application-specific product portfolios differ across industrial, construction, automotive, aerospace, and energy markets?

What emerging startups are redefining the aerogel landscape through advanced manufacturing techniques, ambient-pressure drying, polymer-reinforced composites, nanomaterial-enhanced aerogels, and next-generation thermal management solutions?

Which technological advancements such as reinforced hybrid aerogels, automated roll-to-roll blanket production, carbon aerogel innovations, low-cost drying methods, and advanced thermal-barrier engineering will shape competitive leadership in the aerogel market by 2035?

How are strategic collaborations among oil & gas companies, automotive OEMs, EPC contractors, aerospace entities, construction material suppliers, chemical processors, and research institutes accelerating product validation, large-scale deployment, and market penetration?

What material-performance, durability, cost, and application-specific factors influence end-user selection between silica aerogels, polymer aerogels, carbon aerogels, and aerogel-based composites across diverse industrial environments?

How will pricing models, production scalability, localized manufacturing, supply-chain partnerships, and integrated insulation-system bundles influence affordability, accessibility, and long-term adoption across energy, construction, and mobility sectors?

Gain instant access to our exclusive, data-driven dashboard designed for chemical industry decision-makers, strategists, and market leaders. The platform delivers in-depth statistical insights, segment-wise breakdowns, regional market performance, competitive landscape mapping, company profiles, annual updates, and more. From market sizing to trend analysis and competitive intelligence, this powerful tool serves as a comprehensive solution for informed business decisions.

Browse the Full "Aerogel Market Size and Projected Growth Through 2035 by Form (Blanket, Particle, Panel, Monolith) by Type (Silica, Polymer, Carbon, Others) by Processing (As Manufactured (Virgin), Composites, Additives) by Technology (Supercritical Drying, Other drying) by Application (Energy Industrial, Transportation, Architecture & Construction, Other Applications) by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa" Report at https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/aerogel-market-4186

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Bio Lubricants Market is valued at USD 2.92 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 12.40 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 14.2% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/bio-lubricants-market-1807

Cosmetics Packaging Market is valued at USD 56.34 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 95.36 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 4.9% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/cosmetics-packaging-market-1862

Liquid Silicone Rubber Market is valued at USD 2.92 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 7.47 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 8.90% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/liquid-silicone-rubber-market-1211

Low-VOC Coating Additive Market is valued at USD 6.26 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 11.03 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.30% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/lowvoc-coating-additive-market-1217

Polylactic Acid Market is valued at USD 1248.6 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 6855.5 Million by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 16.75% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/polylactic-acid-market-1679

Polyurethane Adhesives Market is valued at USD 14.70 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 27.1 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.75% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/polyurethane-adhesives-market-1121

Optical Coatings Market is valued at USD 16.66 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 39.43 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 8.15% between 2025 and 2035: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/optical-coatings-market-1884

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VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Aris Mining Corporation (Aris Mining or the Company) (TSX: ARIS) (NYSE-A: ARMN) announces that it has entered into a binding term sheet to acquire the remaining 49% interest in the Soto Norte joint venture in Colombia from MDC Industry Holding Company LLC (Mubadala). The transaction includes the termination at closing of the associated precious metals stream previously granted to Mubadala. The total consideration is US$80 million, comprised of US$60 million in cash and 1,739,130 newly issued Aris Mining common shares, issued at a deemed price of US$11.50 per share1 and subject to a four month plus one day hold period. The transaction is expected to close by early December 2025, subject to final documentation and customary closing conditions.

Neil Woodyer, CEO of Aris Mining, commented: "With 100% ownership of Segovia, Marmato, Toroparu, and now Soto Norte, Aris Mining has scaled to a point where our buy-and-build strategy naturally shifts to a clear focus on building. Backed by a portfolio of high-quality projects, a strong financial position, and robust operating cash flows from our existing mines, we now have a diversified, fully owned growth pipeline toward becoming a 1-million-ounce-per-year gold producer2. Importantly, our recent settlement agreement with the Government of Colombia underscores how collaboration is essential to advancing major projects in the country and reinforces the strong foundations for long-term success."

Strategic Rationale

Strengthened project pipeline : With Segovia, Marmato and Toroparu advancing, full ownership of Soto Norte positions Aris Mining to become a 1,000,000-ounce-per-year gold producer 2 . Soto Norte is a key long-term growth asset that complements the ongoing expansions at Segovia and Marmato in Colombia and the near-term advancement of Toroparu in Guyana, which is expected to be construction-ready following completion of the PFS next year.

: With Segovia, Marmato and Toroparu advancing, full ownership of Soto Norte positions Aris Mining to become a 1,000,000-ounce-per-year gold producer . Soto Norte is a key long-term growth asset that complements the ongoing expansions at Segovia and Marmato in Colombia and the near-term advancement of Toroparu in Guyana, which is expected to be construction-ready following completion of the PFS next year. Full alignment and strategic control : 100% ownership enhances Aris Mining's ability to advance Soto Norte as a core long-term growth asset.

: 100% ownership enhances Aris Mining's ability to advance Soto Norte as a core long-term growth asset. Highly accretive transaction on a per-share basis: The transaction structure results in a material increase in the Company's total attributable gold mineral reserves and resources on a per share basis as well as NAV accretion.



Pre-transaction (51% Soto Norte) Post-transaction (100% Soto Norte) INCREASE Total Mineral Reserves (Moz) - proven & probable 6.9 9.1 32.8 % Total Mineral Resources (Moz) - measured & indicated 18.3 21.7 18.8 %







Soto Norte Project NPV (US$) at $2,600/oz gold price3 $1.4 billion $2.7 billion +$1.3 billion







Aris Mining - issued shares (millions) 202.8 204.5 0.8 %

___________________________________________

1 the five-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of Aris Mining's U.S. trading on the NYSE American as of the close of markets on November 19, 2025.

2 Includes potential production from Toroparu, which is based on a preliminary economic assessment and is preliminary in nature. It includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There can be no assurance that the projected production will be achieved. Such production also remains subject to obtaining all necessary permits for both Soto Norte and Toroparu.

3 Attributable Project NPV 5% sourced from NI 43-101 Technical Report Prefeasibility Study for the Soto Norte Project issued on September 3, 2025.

Soto Norte Overview

Aris Mining first acquired a 20% interest in Soto Norte in April 2022 and subsequently increased its ownership to 51% through the acquisition of an additional 31% interest in June 2024. Since then, the Company has advanced the project through a new smaller-scale development plan, culminating in a positive Prefeasibility Study completed in September 2025. The PFS confirms Soto Norte as a high-grade, long-life underground gold project that incorporates industry-leading environmental and social design features, including a processing plant with 20% excess capacity (750 tpd) to facilitate local, small scale miner formalization and a processing flowsheet with no cyanide or mercury use. Environmental studies are being finalized ahead of licensing submissions planned for H1 2026.

Soto Norte Project Highlights (100% basis)

Balanced Development Strategy for a High-Grade Underground Mine

Designed mill capacity of 3,500 tpd, including the 750 tpd dedicated to local community miners  a scale that supports attractive investment returns and extends mine life to 22+ years.

Measured and indicated mineral resources of 39.0 million tonnes at 5.55 g/t Au containing 7.0 million ounces (Moz) gold, including Proven and probable mineral reserves of 20.3 million tonnes at 7.00 g/t Au containing 4.6 Moz gold, supporting a 22-year initial mine life at an owner-mining rate of 2,750 tpd.

Production of concentrates for export containing 4.3 Moz gold, 18.8 Moz silver, and 84.0 million pounds (Mlb) of copper over the life of mine. Average annual gold production (years 2 to 10) of 263 thousand ounces (koz). Average annual gold production (years 1 to 21) of 203 koz.



Profitability and Cash Flow Generation

Base case gold price: $2,600/oz, supporting life-of-mine payable gold sales of $10.4 billion.

Initial capital of $625 million, including pre-production costs, value added tax (VAT) and contingency.

After-tax NPV 5% of $2.7 billion, IRR of 35.4%, and payback in 2.3 years from the start of operations.

of $2.7 billion, IRR of 35.4%, and payback in 2.3 years from the start of operations. Low life-of-mine cash costs 4 of $345/oz Au and all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) of $534/oz Au.

of $345/oz Au and all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) of $534/oz Au. Significant by-product credits from copper and silver.

Annual EBITDA averaging $547 million over years 2 to 10 and $410 million over years 1 to 21.

Life-of-mine income tax and royalty contributions of $2.6 billion and $393 million, respectively.

Strong leverage to higher gold prices, at $3,200/oz the NPV 5% increases to $3.6 billion with IRR of 42.1%.

___________________________________________

4 All references to Cash costs ($ per oz sold), AISC ($ per oz sold) and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures in this document. These measures are intended to provide additional information to investors. They do not have any standardized meanings under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this document

Aris Mining's Consolidated Mineral Reserves and Resources

Table 1: Consolidated Mineral Reserves and Resources  Post Transaction

Property Proven Probable Proven & Probable

Tonnes

(kt) Gold grade

(g/t) Contained

gold (koz) Tonnes

(kt) Gold

grade (g/t) Contained

gold (koz) Tonnes

(kt) Gold

grade (g/t) Contained

gold (koz) Marmato 2,196 4.31 304 29,082 3.08 2,874 31,277 3.16 3,178 Soto Norte (100%) 2,600 8.78 734 17,700 6.72 3,824 20,300 7.00 4,569 Segovia 1,886 11.25 682 1,989 10.33 660 3,875 10.78 1,343 Total



1,720



7,358



9,090

Notes: Totals may not add due to rounding. Mineral reserve estimates for Soto Norte represent the portion of mineral reserves attributable to Aris Mining based on its 100% ownership interest. Mineral reserves were estimated using a gold price of US$1,500 per ounce at Marmato, US$2,200 at Soto Norte, and US$1,915 at Segovia. The mineral reserve effective dates are June 30, 2022 at Marmato, August 18, 2025 at Soto Norte, and July 31, 2024 at Segovia. This disclosure of mineral reserve estimates has been approved by Pamela De Mark, P.Geo, Senior Vice President Geology and Exploration of Aris Mining, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Property Measured Indicated Measured & Indicated Inferred

Tonnes

(Mt) Gold

grade

(g/t) Contained

gold (koz) Tonnes

(Mt) Gold

grade

(g/t) Contained

gold (koz) Tonnes

(Mt) Gold

grade

(g/t) Contained

gold (koz) Tonnes

(Mt) Gold

grade

(g/t) Contained

gold (koz)







Marmato 2.8 6.04 545 58.7 2.89 5,452 61.5 3.03 5,997 35.6 2.43 2,787 Soto Norte (100%) 3.8 7.99 976 35.2 5.29 5,987 39.0 5.55 6,959 25.1 4.81 3,882 Segovia 3.6 16.03 1,875 2.9 16.07 1,521 6.6 16.05 3,396 5.1 15.38 2,541 Toroparu 48.5 1.31 2,038 78.4 1.30 3,272 126.9 1.30 5,310 22.9 1.60 1,177 Total



5,434



16,232



21,662



10,387

Notes: Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates are reported inclusive of mineral reserves. Totals may not add due to rounding. Mineral resource estimates for Soto Norte represent the portion of mineral resources attributable to Aris Mining based on its 100% ownership interest. Mineral resources were estimated using a gold price of US$1,700 per ounce at Marmato, US$2,600 at Soto Norte, US$2,100 at the Segovia Operations, and US$1,950 at Toroparu. The mineral resource effective dates are June 30, 2022 at Marmato, August 18, 2025 at Soto Norte, July 31, 2024 at Segovia, and October 21, 2025 at Toroparu. This disclosure of mineral resource estimates has been approved by Pamela De Mark, P.Geo, Senior Vice President Geology and Exploration of Aris Mining, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Unless otherwise indicated, the mineral resource and reserve estimates, scientific disclosure, and technical information included in this news release are based upon information included in the following documents and NI 43-101 compliant technical reports:

Technical report entitled "Technical Report for the Marmato Gold Mine, Caldas Department, Colombia, PFS of the Lower Mine Expansion Project" dated November 23, 2022 with an effective date of June 30, 2022.

Technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Prefeasibility Study for the Soto Norte Project, Santander, Colombia", dated September 3, 2025 with an effective date of August 18, 2025.

Technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Segovia Operations, Antioquia, Colombia" dated December 5, 2023 with an effective date of September 30, 2023.

Technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Toroparu Project, Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region, Guyana" dated October 28, 2025 with an effective date of October 21, 2025.

News release of the Company dated October 7, 2024 and entitled "ARIS MINING REPORTS Q3 2024 GOLD PRODUCTION, UPDATES SEGOVIA RESERVE AND RESOURCE ESTIMATES AND EXPANSION MILESTONES".

All of the technical reports referenced in this news release are available for review on the Company's website at www.aris-mining.com, on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the Company's filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

About Aris Mining

Founded in September 2022, Aris Mining was established with a vision to build a leading South America-focused gold mining company. Our strategy blends current production and cashflow generation with transformational growth driven by expansions of our operating assets, exploration, and development projects. Aris Mining intends to unlock value through scale and diversification. The Company is listed on the TSX (ARIS) and the NYSE-A (ARMN) and is led by an experienced team with a track record of value creation, operational excellence, financial discipline and good corporate governance in the gold mining industry.

Aris Mining operates two underground gold mines in Colombia: the Segovia Operations and the Marmato Complex, which together produced 210,955 ounces of gold in 2024. With expansions underway, Aris Mining is targeting an annual production rate of more than 500,000 ounces of gold, driven by the commissioning of a second mill at Segovia, completed in June and ramping up during H2 2025, and the construction of the Bulk Mining Zone at the Marmato Complex, with first gold expected in H2 2026.

In Guyana, Aris Mining owns the Toroparu gold project, where a new Preliminary Economic Assessment has been completed and a Prefeasibility Study is in progress. Following completion of the PFS, Toroparu will be positioned to advance toward construction.

Aris Mining also holds a 51% interest in the Soto Norte gold project, where a Prefeasibility Study has been completed on a smaller-scale development plan confirming Soto Norte as a high-grade, long-life project with strong economics and industry-leading environmental and social design features. Environmental studies are being finalized, which are scheduled to be submitted in the first half of 2026 to initiate the licensing process.

Additional information on Aris Mining can be found at www.aris-mining.com, www.sedarplus.ca, and on www.sec.gov.

Cautionary Language

Qualified Person

Pamela De Mark, P.Geo., Senior Vice President Geology and Exploration of Aris Mining, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Cash costs ($ per oz sold), AISC ($ per oz sold) and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios. These financial measures and ratios do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS or by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, and therefore, may not be comparable to other issuers. Accordingly, these measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Cash cost ($ per oz sold) is calculated by dividing total cash costs by volume of gold ounces projected to be produced on a payable basis. AISC ($ per oz sold) is calculated by dividing AISC by volume of gold ounces projected to be produced on a payable basis. EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" or forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding Soto Norte as one of the most compelling and attractive projects in South America, the long-term benefits of acquiring 100% of Soto Norte, future gold production, and statements included in the "About Aris Mining" section of this news release relating to the Segovia Operations, Marmato Complex, Soto Norte Project and Toroparu Project are forward-looking. Generally, the forward-looking information and forward looking statements 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", "will continue" 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". The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward looking information or statements are disclosed throughout this news release.

Forward looking information and forward looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Aris Mining to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or forward looking statements, including but not limited to those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Aris Mining's annual information form dated March 12, 2025 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and included as part of the Company's Annual report on Form 40-F, filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Although Aris Mining has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information or statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements. The Company has and continues to disclose in its Management's Discussion and Analysis and other publicly filed documents, changes to material factors or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements and to the validity of the information, in the period the changes occur. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and Aris Mining disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

SOURCE Aris Mining Corporation
"Dynamic Security Code is such an effective and simple solution against CNP fraud. It should be mandatory for ALL CARD ISSUERS."

John Rice, Financial Services Director at the Irish Post Office

The Irish Post Office has announced that thanks to Safecypher, in the last 18 months they have not suffered a single CNP fraud transaction through the An Post Money App.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Card-Not-Present (CNP) fraud is spiralling. It is projected to cost American banks more than $12 billion in 2025, up from $10.2 billion in 2024. This staggering news comes as International Anti-Fraud Awareness week is well under way.

Fortunately, in a stunning development in Ireland, An Post Money, the financial services arm of the Irish Post Office, has confirmed that in over 16 months they have not suffered one single CNP fraudulent transaction by customers enrolled in their new Dynamic Security Code program. In fact, and in partnership with fraud security Safecypher experts, An Post eliminated CNP fraud across 600,000+ transactions in 2024-25.

Proven at Scale, Zero Fraud, Higher Spend and Lower Risk

After integrating Safecypher, the results, in An Post Money's words, have been "astounding." John Rice, Financial Services Director exclaimed, "Dynamic Security Code is such an effective and simple solution against CNP fraud. It should be mandatory for all card issuers!"

An Post Money stated they:

Recorded zero CNP fraud for enrolled customers on 600,000+ online transactions over 15+ months

for enrolled customers on 600,000+ online transactions over 15+ months Customers used their cards over 50% more, going from 2 to 3+ per month per customer

Saw a 32%+ voluntary opt-in rate by customers

Reported minimal disruption to User Experience or complaints to Customer Care

Triggered a "halo effect" that pushed fraudsters to target other institutions

Bruce Richardson, Head of Change & Development at An Post Money said, "Safecypher's Dynamic Security Code technology is an invaluable tool for An Post Money customers, especially in the run up to Black Friday and Christmas. By integrating the robust Safecypher tech into our popular An Post Money App, we have seen a dramatic drop in CNP fraud, and it is extremely rewarding to be leading and winning the fight against CNP fraud. We strongly encourage all our customers to start using it immediately, to protect them from online shopping fraud!"

"We saw a measurable increase in customer trust and confidence in using their card for online transactions. Our customer's transactions are now far more secure, and as an organisation we are proud to be protecting our customers from CNP and tokenised fraud with digital wallets." (ApplePay and GooglePay), concluded Richardson.

"Fraudsters do not care whose lives they destroy - and they are getting ever faster, smarter, and more automated. It is estimated that they already have access to 80% of credit card details which are for sale on the Dark Web," said Mark Phillips, CEO of Safecypher.

"The damage they cause is significant, from the strain on victims' finances, to the psychological toll and loss of consumer trust in digital transactions. In addition, it creates considerable cost to banks and merchants. It can and should be stopped."

"Safecypher's intelligent technology and elegant use of Multi Factor Authentication makes that stolen card data instantly worthless. It is simple, scalable, and most importantly it really works to protect people," concluded Phillips.

A dynamic, time-sensitive Dynamic Security Code that eliminates CNP fraud.

The core of Safecypher's platform is its Dynamic Security Code technology, which takes the well-established static CVV three-digit security code and replaces it by generating a new dynamic code in real-time that is exclusively visible for a limited time within the customer's mobile banking app.

This solution, which is integrated into a bank's app, provides highly secure two-factor authentication for every payment. As a result, even if a card's details are compromised, authorisation for a transaction cannot be completed without access to both the cardholder's device and their banking app.

Accessing the code is as easy as opening the bank's app. This multi-factor authentication (MFA) process utilizes both the device's and app's security, including biometrics, rendering credit card numbers unusable without access to both the physical device and the banking app.

For banks and merchants, the real win is that preventing those losses goes straight to the bottom line, benefiting employees, shareholders and customers.

Safecypher is quick and easy to implement: all it requires is a single Safecypher API to be connected in the issuer's backend infrastructure.

The AI Arms Race

It is incredible the speed at which AI is moving, and fraudsters are right at the forefront. Safecypher's simple, elegant, and secure solution prevents them from transacting using data they acquire from the dark web or phishing.

About Safecypher safecypher.com

Safecypher, whose mission is to eliminate fraud, is the leading provider of dynamic Card Not Present (CNP) fraud prevention technology. The company's innovative solution replaces vulnerable static CVV codes with time-sensitive dynamic values and leverages multi-factor authentication (MFA) using separate mobile devices not accessible by criminals. This both provides a robust layer of security that empowers financial institutions and protects consumers from the majority of online fraud.

About International Fraud Awareness Week International Fraud Awareness Week

International Fraud Awareness Week is the brainchild of the Association of Certified Fraud examiners. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. The ACFE is based in Austin, Texas, and it is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and the premier provider of anti-fraud training and education.

Founded in 1988 by Dr. Joseph T. Wells, the ACFE's primary mission is to reduce the incidence of fraud and white-collar crime and to assist its members in fraud detection and deterrence.

The most impressive measure of the week's success is the rapid growth in global participation. It is on its way to be the standard calendar event for anti-fraud professionals to align their strategies.

Global Footprint: In recent campaigns (e.g., 2023/2024), over 1,800 supporting organizations officially signed up to participate, representing more than 148 countries.

Year-Over-Year Growth: Participation has seen significant spikes; for example, the number of supporting organizations grew by over four hundred in a single year recently.

Corporate Buy-in: Major global entities like JPMorgan Chase, Visa, and Riskified now use the week to launch major consumer protection initiatives, validating the week's status as a critical industry milestone.

The association has over 90,000 members in more than 180 countries.

About An Post Money Stamps | Current Accounts | Credit Cards | Loans | An Post

An Post Money is the financial services division of the Irish post office, offering a comprehensive suite of financial products including current accounts, savings, credit cards, and loans. An Post Money is committed to providing secure and reliable financial services to its customers throughout Ireland.

Supporting Industry Sources

ClearlyPayments.com. "Credit Card Fraud Statistics in 2024 for USA."

Statistics in 2024 for USA." FICO. "Card-Not-Present Fraud Remains a Leading Concern as Payment Systems Evolve."

Remains a Leading Concern as Payment Systems Evolve." Federal Reserve Board. "2021 Interchange Fee Revenue, Covered Issuer Costs, and Covered Issuer and Merchant Fraud Losses Related to Debit Card Transactions."

Losses Related to Debit Card Transactions." LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "Card Not Present Fraud in 2022."

in 2022." McKinsey & Company. " Fraud management: Recovering value through next-generation solutions."

management: Recovering value through next-generation solutions." Merchant Cost Consulting. "Credit Card Fraud Statistics (2025)."

Statistics (2025)." U.S. Payments Forum. "Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud Mitigation Techniques."

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2829176/Safecypher_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Safecypher
Company-friendly, multi-million-dollar transaction to support manufacturing expansion

ALBERTVILLE, Minn., Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Volumetric Alliance, the innovative leader in high-quality modular manufacturing of buildings, has nailed down a multi-million-dollar investment from Decathlon Capital Partners.

AVA, headquartered at Albertville, Minn., will use the fresh capital to expand its manufacturing capacity and support growth of its business.

Financial details of the transaction weren't disclosed.

Brian Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer of AVA, said developers of multi-family, senior living and hospitality projects are among the clients who rely on the modular-manufacturing solutions of AVA's state-of-the-art, 185,000-square-foot facility at Albertville.

"We design, engineer and manufacture entire buildings in an off-site environment," Nicholson said. "We deliver well-designed, energy-efficient projects that meet demanding development schedules."

Russ Soukup, President of AVA, said the company's off-site manufacturing capabilities will grow because developers recognize the cost savings of a well-coordinated indoor modular building process that isn't subject to weather delays. "Savvy developers embrace off-site modular manufacturing because it significantly reduces labor and materials costs, while allowing them to pursue more projects in less time," Soukup said.

Dan Kersten, Chief Financial Officer of AVA, said the growth-capital package provided by Decathlon Capital Partners is custom-designed to meet the needs of the expanding company. The investment provides a flexible amortization schedule and carries no cost for undrawn capital, Kersten said. It doesn't require any dilution of the interests of existing shareholders, governance changes or loss of management control.

John Borchers, Managing Director of Decathlon Capital Partners, said the experience of the AVA leadership team and the skills of its manufacturing workforce position AVA for continued leadership as a producer of modular commercial buildings at scale. "Advanced Volumetric Alliance brings innovative solutions that prepare it for substantial growth," Borchers said. "Decathlon Capital Partners is pleased to provide the capital that will fuel AVA's next steps."

About Advanced Volumetric Alliance

Advanced Volumetric Alliance is redefining construction through innovative, high-quality modular solutions. We deliver cost-efficient, scalable and sustainable buildings with speed and precision, creating entire buildings in a production environment. AVA is focused on multi-family living, senior living and the hospitality development sectors. Our projects are beautiful, energy-efficient and well-built in a time-sensitive process that exceeds the high expectations of today's demanding commercial stakeholders. Learn more at https://build-at-ava.life/.

About Decathlon Capital Partners

Decathlon Capital Partners provides growth capital for companies seeking alternatives to traditional equity investment. Through the use of highly customized growth-debt financing solutions, Decathlon provides long-term growth capital without the dilution, loss of control and operational overhead that often comes with equity-based funding. With offices in Menlo Park and Park City, Decathlon is active across a wide range of sectors. Learn more at www.decathloncapital.com.

SOURCE AVA
BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bairong Inc. (the "Company", "we" , "us" or "our" ; HKEX: 6608), a leading AI turnkey service provider.

Bairong and a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle ("Smart EV") automaker have leveraged "Agent OS + Voice Agent" to achieve high-quality engagement and data collection across millions of dormant users. By feeding enriched labels back to the enterprise system and settling based on SLA and RaaS, the two parties have built a replicable stock-user growth engine. The project has entered the operating stage and is expanding to sub-scenarios such as auto insurance and loss recovery.

In the stock-user competition among smart car companies, the key challenge is not "whether you can reach users", but whether you "can answer well, remember accurately, and feed data back ". This leading smart EV automaker and Bairong have an AI agents external calling workforce turning speaking, remembering, and feeding back into standard capabilities, systematically reawakening dormant users.

The Growth Challenge for Smart EV companies: Why is Massive User Information Dormant?

How can a leader among the new energy vehicle manufacturers efficiently activate the accumulated tens of millions of user records? Among these, millions of dormant users had previously shown purchase intent to buy a car or visited offline stores. The critical question was: how to reactivate these users and prevent their loss?

Traditional manual customer service outbound calling is limited in efficiency at scale, and early-stage AI outbound calling solutions have failed to meet expectations. With the increasingly fierce competition, the need for refined and intelligent user operations has become unavoidable in the new energy vehicle industry.

Today, the leading smart EV automaker is partnering with Bairong to introduce AI Agents - a new AI outbound calling solution. The first phase targets millions of users who previously displayed purchase intent or conducted offline test-drives, exploring new paths for stock-user activation.

As a representative enterprise in China's smart electric vehicles sector, the car company has always been known for its technological DNA and Internet-native thinking. Since its inception, it has operated like a digital-first company.

In marketing, it built a digital marketing system very early, and reached its target customer group at low cost and scale through the global operation link "content-public domain diversion-private domain operation-private domain commercialization".

However, even such a technology company inevitably encountered bottlenecks in user operations.

With the continuous expansion of the user scale, the leading smart EV automaker has accumulated tens of millions of user behavior information, including offline store visitors, official account message inquiries, and potential customers who have taken test drives. These users have clearly expressed interest in the car company's products but have not converted them for various reasons.

Traditional manual customer service outbound calls are inadequate in the face of such a massive amount of user data. An industry insider revealed, "The human agents made hundreds of calls, and the connection rate was less than 30%. Customers who are finally connected either say 'no need' and hang up, or the questions asked by the agent cannot be answered."

Earlier AI calling systems also had difficulties achieving the desired results due to technical limitations. For example, when a customer asked "what are the options for the wheels of this car", the traditional robots could only respond "you can go to the store to consult". When attempting to record a test drive address, they would mistakenly record a temporary travel location like " Three Gorges tourism" as the user's permanent city.

Efficiently activating dormant users has become a key breakthrough for increasing EV sales.

AI Agents Solutions: AI-Powered New User Relationship Management

To address these challenges, Bairong launched a "AI Agents" solution powered by the dual engine of "CybotStar (Agent platform) + Voice Agent". This silicon-based employee is not only an outbound calling tool, but it is also a complete user activation and management system.

The core advantage of " AI Agents" lies in their highly anthropomorphic interaction and deep learning capabilities. Unlike traditional outbound calling robots, Bairong's Voice Agent relies on powerful large-model technology and vertical scenario expertise to accurately address customer needs through "thousands of people and thousands of faces" customer profiles and dynamic speech generation technology.

In real conversations, the "AI Agents" showed surprising professionalism. It can answer professional questions such as "which manufacturer is used for the battery of this car" in seconds, and even compare the wheel specifications of different models. It can also explain technical terms in a language that customers can understand, such as converting "battery range" to "enough to drive from Beijing to Tianjin and back".

Bairong also innovated its business model, adopting the "pay for results" model, with RaaS fees directly linked to the automaker required connection rate, ensuring outcome-driven cooperation.

The cooperation plan will be implemented in three phases: the first phase will reach millions of users with prior purchase intent or offline interaction. The next two phases will involve auto insurance engagement and lost customer recovery.

From "Can't Answer" to "Accurate Answer": AI Technology Breakthroughs Transforms User Experience

The core differences between traditional AI outbound calls and Bairong's " AI Agents " are reflected in three key areas: address collection, model Q&A and customer profiles.

In terms of address collection, the accuracy rate of traditional outbound robots is less than 50%, while large-model robots come with an "address recognition brain" that can ask "Which district do you often live in?" , automatically excluding temporary travel and business trips locations.

Even if "Wuxi" is mispronounced due to an accent, the CybotStar Agent platform can re-confirm with the user, greatly improving the accuracy of provincial and municipal address verification.

In terms of model Q&A, " AI Agents " do not require manual knowledge-base entry. They only need to upload the automaker's model manual to understand and answer detailed technical questions.

Behind the ability of "AI Agents" is Bairong's deep natural language processing expertise - its intention recognition accuracy is as high as 92.8%+, and the negative emotion recognition accuracy rate is 90%+.

In terms of customer profiles, after each call, the traditional system typically stores a single customer label like "interested". AI Agents can automatically generate dozens of accurate labels, not only "intended model" and "car purchase budget", but also details such as "comparing with Brand XX" or "wanting to add sales rep on WeChat".

When following up on sales, staff can open the customer profile and know whether to "push discounts" or "emphasize performance", significantly shortening the conversion cycle.

The Future of the Digital Revolution: AI Agents Workforce Reshaping Automotive Marketing

Bairong's "AI Agents" represent a broader global trend - the rise of the silicon-based workforce.

In the financial sector, silicon-based labor has been widely adopted in AI intelligent voice services, virtual digital humans, and other applications. Now, this trend is extending to the automotive industry.

The core value of silicon-based labor is the ability to replicate at scale. Its productivity is several times  sometimes more than ten times - that of human labor. It is also fully standardized, never leaves, and can be applied across a wide range of industry scenarios.

For the automotive industry, "AI Agents" are not only an outbound calling tool, but also a key component of digital and intelligent transformation. Bairong automotive marketing AI agent builds a closed-loop of full-link intelligent marketing with "Voice + Agent Platform + High-Quality Leads" as the core.

With policy-driven automobile consumption upgrades and the explosive growth of AI technology, Bairong is redefining automobile marketing through a dual engine of "technology + scenario innovation".

In the future, as Phase II and Phase III of the partnership progress, Bairong's "AI Agents" will expand into auto insurance services and lost customer recovery, and provide user operation support for the whole life cycle of the leading smart EV automaker.

Bairong's "AI Agents" are redefining customer relationship management in the automotive industry. They are not cold machines, but digital teams that never get tired, learn continuously, and are highly professional and reliable.

AI agent labor is no longer just a concept. It is becoming a real force driving industry advancement, unlocking the true value of human resources and enabling enterprises to "let humans focus on what only humans can do".

About Bairong

Bairong Inc. is a leading enterprise-level AI application service provider, delivering AI Agent to institutional clients through its Results-as-a-service (RaaS) business model. The Company applies large language models (LLMs), reinforcement learning (RL), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), multimodal intelligence, natural language processing (NLP), deep machine learning, digital human 3D engines, privacy computing, cloud computing and other technologies. Leveraging its proprietary BR-LLM large language model and its agent building system Bairong CybotStar, the Company enables clients to automate end-to-end internal operations management and external business transactions. Both "Bairong CybotStar" and BR-LLM have completed national regulatory registration. The Company holds over 95% of intellectual property rights among its product portfolio, and a total of 461 software copyrights and patents as of June 30, 2025. Bairong serves more than 8,000 institutional customers across industries including finance, internet, retail, communications, education and healthcare, with AI Agent services applied in scenarios such as marketing recommendation and sales collaboration, intelligent customer service and outbound calls, contract, invoice and system analysis, credit assessment and fraud prevention, claims settlement and records management, as well as recruitment and operations and training empowerment.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.brgroup.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminologies such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and the negative of these words and other similar expressions or statements. Bairong may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the HKEx, in its annual and interim reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors, or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Bairong's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the following: Bairong's strategies, future business development, and financial condition and results of operations; Bairong's limited operating history; risks associated with the financial service industry, Bairong's ability to develop and deliver services of high quality and appeal to clients; Bairong's ability to generate positive cash flow and profits; Bairong's ability to compete successfully; Bairong's ability to build its brand and withstand negative publicity; and changes in client demand and government incentives, subsidies, or other favorable government policies. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Bairong's filings with the HKEX. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Bairong does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable laws.

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Bairong Inc.

Ms. Sandy Qin, CFA, CMA, FCG HKFCG

Email: [email protected]

For media inquiries, please contact:

Bairong Inc.

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Bairong Inc.
The Bermuda Business Development Agency is bringing together business leaders in the UK to examine how the territory is responding to the evolution of the global finance industry

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA)Bermuda's investment promotion agency dedicated to promoting the island as a leading international business jurisdiction and driving economic growthis hosting A London Forum:The Bermuda Advantage to engage with UK business leaders on how Bermuda is responding to the evolution of global finance with the regulatory clarity, stability and credibility that will guide its future.

The forum will take place on Thursday 27 November at the 1 Hotel Mayfair in London and will welcome business leaders from the UK's tech, private wealth and risk sectors. The Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, the Premier of Bermuda, will provide opening remarks. The agenda also features a fireside chat with The Honourable Jason Hayward, JP, MP, Minister of Economy and Labour, about the Benefit Entities Act 2025 and the Trustee Amendment Act 2025, two pieces of recently passed landmark legislation that strengthen Bermuda's position as a trusted jurisdiction for modern wealth planning and corporate governance. Attendees will also have the choice to attend a breakout session across three industry topic areas:

PRIVATE WEALTH: As global markets evolve and wealth moves across borders, investors are seeking regulatory structures that protect and grow capital. This session will explore how Bermuda enables cross-border investment and private wealth strategies through innovative legislation and investment trust leadership.





As global markets evolve and wealth moves across borders, investors are seeking regulatory structures that protect and grow capital. This session will explore how Bermuda enables cross-border investment and private wealth strategies through innovative legislation and investment trust leadership. TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION: Bermuda has established itself as the premier jurisdiction for digital asset companies seeking trust, stability and institutional-grade oversight. This session will explore how the digital asset business, wealth management and insurtech converge in the jurisdiction through thoughtful regulation and infrastructure.





Bermuda has established itself as the premier jurisdiction for companies seeking trust, stability and institutional-grade oversight. This session will explore how the business, wealth management and insurtech converge in the jurisdiction through thoughtful regulation and infrastructure. RISK & INSURANCE: Bermuda has long been recognised as the world's risk capital thanks to its capital efficiency and government regulatory leadership This session will showcase how Bermuda continues to advance both insurance solutions and insurtech development through strategic captives, market-leading reinsurance, and transformative risk solutions.

"Bermuda is seeing strong economic momentum. Our legacy in global business, bold vision for innovation, and commitment to workforce empowerment, are advancing a top tier business ecosystem," said Jason Hayward, JP, MP Minister of Economy & Labour. "We look forward to discussing how our regulatory clarity and world-class governance are enabling tangible progress for businesses, Bermuda continues to distinguish itself as one of the world's most sophisticated and resilient business jurisdictions, making it a powerful and advantageous hub for global business."

The island has pioneered robust regulatory and legislative frameworks for governing digital assets, fintech and insurtech industries, which are steadily growing as a result. Bermuda-based insurance technology firms CatX and Cactus recently announced a major digital asset industry merger, and Meanwhile, the first regulated Bitcoin life insurer, recently announced an $82 million capital raise, signaling investor confidence in Bermuda's growing insurtech ecosystem.

"The London Forum is an opportunity to demonstrate the global relevance of the work happening across our three strongest sectors: finance, technology and insurance," said David Parker, Head of Business Development at the BDA. "Our markets have long been connected through shared regulatory standards, deep capital and risk ties, and a mutual focus on innovation. Meeting in London allows us to highlight how this, coupled with Bermuda's ability to foster collaboration across these sectors, helps drive investment and define this next phase of global financial and risk management."

To learn more about the BDA's upcoming events and industry initiatives, visit: https://bda.bm/.

About the BDA

The Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) is an independent public-private partnership dedicated to attracting and retaining business in Bermuda. Through strategic business development and collaboration with key stakeholders, the BDA promotes Bermuda as a premier investment jurisdiction.

SOURCE Bermuda Business Development Agency
People visit an innovation achievements exhibition during the 2025 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2025.

Under the theme "Calculating the World to Create a New Era -- Intelligent Computing Drives New Quality Productive Forces," the conference opened Thursday in Changsha. (Xinhua/Ding Chunyu)

People visit an innovation achievements exhibition during the 2025 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2025.

Under the theme "Calculating the World to Create a New Era -- Intelligent Computing Drives New Quality Productive Forces," the conference opened Thursday in Changsha. (Xinhua/Ding Chunyu)

The opening ceremony of the 2025 World Computing Conference is held in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2025.

Under the theme "Calculating the World to Create a New Era -- Intelligent Computing Drives New Quality Productive Forces," the conference opened Thursday in Changsha. (Xinhua/Ding Chunyu)

People visit an innovation achievements exhibition during the 2025 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2025.

Under the theme "Calculating the World to Create a New Era -- Intelligent Computing Drives New Quality Productive Forces," the conference opened Thursday in Changsha. (Xinhua/Ding Chunyu)

People visit an innovation achievements exhibition during the 2025 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2025.

Under the theme "Calculating the World to Create a New Era -- Intelligent Computing Drives New Quality Productive Forces," the conference opened Thursday in Changsha. (Xinhua/Ding Chunyu)

People visit an innovation achievements exhibition during the 2025 World Computing Conference in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2025.

Under the theme "Calculating the World to Create a New Era -- Intelligent Computing Drives New Quality Productive Forces," the conference opened Thursday in Changsha. (Xinhua/Ding Chunyu)
RUTHER GLEN, Va., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CleanArc Data Centers ("CleanArc"), a developer and operator of hyperscale data center campuses, announced today the groundbreaking of its flagship campus in Caroline County, Virginia. Offering 900MW of grid capacity, the state-of-the-art data center campus will support the growing demand for scalable, sustainability-focused and hyperscale-ready digital infrastructure.

Governor Glenn Youngkin joined local officials, community partners and CleanArc leadership at the groundbreaking ceremony, celebrating the official start of construction on the project.

"Today marks an important milestone for CleanArc Data Centers and Northern Virginia," said James Trout , Founder and CEO of CleanArc Data Centers. "This new, leading-edge campus reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient and sustainable data center solutions while supporting the local economy and workforce."

The VA1 campus is designed to meet growing hyperscale demand, featuring:

Nearly 1GW of Grid Power : With the first 300MW coming online in 1Q 2027, the second 300MW currently projected for 2030 and another 300MW in the 2033-2035 timeframe, the campus will ensure robust redundancy and resilience, supporting both current demand and future scalability.





: With the first 300MW coming online in 1Q 2027, the second 300MW currently projected for 2030 and another 300MW in the 2033-2035 timeframe, the campus will ensure robust redundancy and resilience, supporting both current demand and future scalability. Comprehensive Sustainability and Efficiency Focus : The VA1 campus incorporates land conservation initiatives, minimal water usage with closed-loop systems and design features to reduce noise and light pollution. At VA1, customers have the option to leverage CleanArc's innovative approach to energy structuring, " True Additionality ," where clean energy is added onto electric grids in the region where the energy is being consumed.





: The VA1 campus incorporates land conservation initiatives, minimal water usage with closed-loop systems and design features to reduce noise and light pollution. At VA1, customers have the option to leverage CleanArc's innovative approach to energy structuring, " ," where clean energy is added onto electric grids in the region where the energy is being consumed. A Design Focused on Scalability and Speed: Using advanced modular data center design and off-site manufacturing, CleanArc will deliver pre-engineered, factory-tested systems to the construction site to reduce complexity, shorten deployment timelines and help customers capture market opportunities faster.

The project is backed by majority investor Snowhawk and minority investors Nuveen and Townsend Group , all committed to driving the next wave of AI and cloud innovation while prioritizing responsible growth and community impact. VA1 is expected to generate approximately $13 million in new annual tax revenue for Caroline County, equivalent to 17% of the county's current general fund. The project will also create at least 50 new full-time jobs in the county and hundreds of additional jobs during the project's construction over the next several years. Additionally, CleanArc is partnering with local vendors and workforce programs to support economic growth in the county.

"We are thrilled to support this project, which represents a significant investment in the future of digital infrastructure and underscores our commitment to building advanced, sustainable facilities that empower businesses and communities," said Brian McMullen, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Snowhawk Partners.

For more information about CleanArc Data Centers' VA1 data center campus, visit www.cleanarcdatacenters.com .

About CleanArc

CleanArc is an innovative provider of first-of-its-kind, sustainability-focused data center development and operation solutions. With decades of experience in both the data center and energy sectors, CleanArc has assembled the critical components  scalability, renewable energy, and strategic data center production  under one arc for hyperscalers seeking to expand quickly, sustainably, and cost-effectively. Founded by industry veteran James Trout, CleanArc is led by a deeply experienced executive team who have designed, managed, or built 2 gigawatts of state-of-the-art data center facilities  but are unburdened by legacy business practices and dated approaches to the market. CleanArc is delivering the data center of tomorrow, today. To learn more, visit cleanarcdatacenters.com and follow us on LinkedIn .

For media inquiries, please contact:

JSA for CleanArc

+1 866.695.3629

[email protected]

SOURCE CleanArc Data Centers
HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On World Children's Day, Dr James Liang, Co-founder of Trip.com Group, announced the establishment of the Genovation Foundation Limited in Hong Kong. Established in his personal capacity, the foundation pledges HK$500 million over five years to address declining fertility through three key avenues: economic subsidies, cultural advocacy, and policy research.

The name Genovation combines "Gene" and "Innovation", symbolising both the continuity of life and the pursuit of creative solutions to pressing social challenges. This marks another significant step in Liang's decade-long dedicated research into demographic issues, moving from corporate practice into the realm of public philanthropy.

Supporting Policy Research and Global Dialogue

Beyond funding policy research, including the Global Fertility Crisis Forum scheduled to launch in January 2026 and held annually thereafter, the foundation has opened applications in two further areas:

Childbearing subsidies for PhD students in Hong Kong

Grants for fertility-friendly cultural and artistic projects worldwide

As a scholar-entrepreneur who has long studied the relationship between demographics and innovation, Liang has repeatedly warned that a shrinking younger population will erode national creativity and long-term economic vitality. He argues that addressing this challenge requires coordinated action across government, business, and society. By piloting initiatives in Hong Kong and focusing on three strategic directions, the foundation aims to create replicable models for wider adoption.

Financial Support for Doctoral Students

In its first phase, the foundation will pilot a targeted subsidy for doctoral students at higher education institutions in Hong Kong. As a crucial reserve of future research talent, PhD students often face multiple pressures of academic advancement, early career development, and family planning. Despite being in their prime reproductive years, many are forced to delay or abandon parenthood due to research demands, limited income, and the high cost of childcare.

To address this, the foundation will provide a HK$50,000 childcare and education grant to families of full-time PhD students based in Hong Kong whose children are born on or after 1 January 2026. Applications require a birth certificate, proof of enrolment, and academic transcripts. The foundation pledges to complete reviews within 14 working days and disburse funds within five working days. (Further details are available at http://www.genovationfoundation.org/ )

Promoting Fertility-Friendly Cultural Innovation

Liang recognises that low fertility is not only an economic issue but also shaped by social attitudes and cultural anxieties. To foster a supportive environment, the foundation has established a Fertility-Friendly Cultural Innovation Project, inviting global submissions of creative works that inspire childbearing, convey family warmth, and reduce anxiety around parenthood.

The foundation provides grants of up to HK$1 million to individuals and organisations, awarded annually to support creative works  from film and literature to art installations  that celebrate the joy of family life and the positive impact of childbearing."

Global Fertility Crisis Forum

Low fertility is a shared global challenge requiring international collaboration. A flagship initiative of the foundation will be the Global Fertility Crisis Forum, to be held in Hong Kong in January 2026. Co-hosted by leading institutions including Peking University and the University of Hong Kong, the forum will examine demographic trends, the economic impact of declining fertility, policy responses, and the balance between women's reproductive choices and career development.

Combining macro-level analysis with personal sharing, the forum is intended to become a regular platform for international dialogue, pooling global expertise to inform policy-making. Liang believes that evidence-based policies and sufficient support can meaningfully raise fertility intentions, and the forum will serve as a hub for such collaborative efforts.

More information about the Global Fertility Crisis Forum can be found at https://globalfertilitycrisis.org/

From Corporate Practice to Public Philanthropy

The creation of the Genovation Foundation represents another breakthrough in Liang's long-standing commitment to fertility support. Over the past decade, he has authored works such as The Demographics of Innovation and Population Strategies: How Population Affects Economy and Innovation, while also implementing childcare-friendly measures at Trip.com Group, including subsidies for employees worldwide and three additional days of parental leave.

He has sought to build public consensus through creative initiatives, such as the philosophical novel and play After Immortality and the interview series James Liang in Dialogue with Multi-Child Families. Liang has consistently called for stronger national support, including tax relief, mortgage interest rebates for larger families, and expanded childcare provision.

With government subsidies now in place and public awareness of the fertility crisis growing, Liang's personal investment of HK$500 million reflects his philosophy of "testing solutions through corporate practice, expanding impact through public philanthropy". From supporting employees to engaging society at large, and from financial subsidies to a combined framework of economic, cultural, and policy support, Liang emphasises that safeguarding fertility intentions is safeguarding the future of society and the foundations of innovation. He hopes the Genovation Foundation will act as a seed, encouraging wider participation and transforming childbearing from a "dilemma" into a "choice of hope and happiness".

About the Genovation Foundation

The Genovation Foundation is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to population development and social innovation. The name Genovation combines "Gene" and "Innovation", symbolising both the continuity of life and the pursuit of creative solutions to pressing social challenges. Established in Hong Kong by Dr James Liang in his personal capacity, the foundation will invest HK$500 million over five years, committed to alleviating poverty through education, promoting fertility, and advocating family virtues.

Official website: http://www.genovationfoundation.org/

media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE The Genovation Foundation
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Petroleum Economist, in partnership with host sponsor Crescent Petroleum, will convene senior policymakers, executives from leading NOCs and IOCs, financiers, and infrastructure developers at the Middle East Gas Conference (MEGC) 2025 on 10 December at the Waldorf Astoria DIFC in Dubai.

The Middle East Gas Conference is the premier gathering for the organizations shaping the region's gas future.

MEGC 2025, which takes place amid rising regional gas demand and renewed momentum for cross-border energy cooperation, is the premier gathering for the organizations shaping the region's gas future. With leadership participation from Crescent Petroleum, ADNOC, Aramco, Shell, SNOC, RAKGAS and Bapco Upstream, alongside major financial institutions, the event reflects the importance of coordinated investment, domestic power security, and cross-border interconnection.

As natural gas becomes increasingly central to supporting economic growth and meeting rising power demand across the region, MEGC will explore the partnerships, investment models and regulatory frameworks needed to advance domestic gas projects and build integrated, resilient gas networks.

The agenda features keynote addresses, executive panels and targeted discussions reflecting the commercial, technical, and financial priorities shaping gas development today. Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar leads a distinguished lineup of speakers.

Programme highlights

Keynotes from Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar and Aramco executive vice president  gas Abdulkarim al-Ghamdi

Strategic fireside conversation with Musabbeh al-Kaabi, CEO upstream, ADNOC

Special leadership contribution from Shell's Fakher Bader, chairman, Shell Group of Companies Iraq and UAE and vice president, Shell Upstream Iraq, Kuwait and UAE

Senior-level participation from regional operators including SNOC, RAKGAS and Bapco Upstream

Expert market insight from FGE NexantECA, Argus Media, Qamar Energy and New Energy Consult

Financial and investment perspectives from SMBC, Cantor Fitzgerald and First Abu Dhabi Bank on financing domestic gas and midstream expansion

High-level panels exploring upstream development, gas for power, capital deployment, regional cooperation and Middle East gas diplomacy

Paul Hickin, editor-in-chief and chief economist, Petroleum Economist, stated, "This event brings the industry together to unlock the full potential of Middle East gas for its people, supporting secure and sustainable growth across the region."

John Royall, president & CEO of Gulf Energy Information, the parent company of Petroleum Economist and a leading provider of energy industry intelligence, added, "Crescent Petroleum is a clear energy pioneer in Iraq, and by bringing together leaders across the gas and power value chain, this conference will contribute to natural gas strengthening the region's energy systems and economic potential."

Media representatives are invited to attend the Middle East Gas Conference 2025 with access to all open sessions, keynote addresses, and interview opportunities. Press passes are available upon request.

Press contact

For media enquiries, please contact Rachel McGhie at [email protected]

Roger Jordan at 281-610-8868

About Gulf Energy Information

Gulf Energy Information (Gulf) is a global leader in energy intelligence, delivering authoritative insight across the natural gas, LNG, upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Through publications such as Petroleum Economist, Gas Processing & LNG, Hydrocarbon Processing, H2Tech and World Oil, Gulf provides critical analysis on market trends, project developments, technology innovation, and the energy transition. For more than one hundred years, Gulf has connected industry executives, engineers and policymakers through trusted journalism, data solutions and world-class conferences.

SOURCE Petroleum Economist
"Earlier this year, a Reddit user challenged me to take an electric vehicle (EV) road trip powered only by Electrify America," said Moses. "So I made it happen  choosing the snowbird route from Portland, Maine, to Key West, Florida. Join me for more than a thousand miles, charged entirely on our network."

During the road trip, Moses demonstrated the ease of planning and driving a long-distance EV trip. She documented the experience as she used both the Electrify America mobile app and Plug&Charge to start charging at 15 charging stations along the East Coast, including a visit to Electrify America's first charging station installed in 2018, located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She then visited a station where Electrify America collaborates with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), helping to expand the NY EVolve charging network.

The road trip spanned six days, traversing 14 states, covering 1,765 miles, and included visits to numerous coffee shops. Moses chose to highlight two different vehicles for the fully electric trip. She began in a 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and upon arriving at the company's Center of Excellence in Reston, Virginia, she traded into a 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Two years ago, as Robert Barrosa assumed the role of president and CEO of Electrify America, he drove coast-to-coast from Los Angeles, California, to Reston, Virginia. "Rachel's road trip is a testament to our seamless, user-friendly experience," said Barrosa. "As EV adoption continues to accelerate in the U.S., Electrify America's network continues to scale to meet demand and make long-distance travel feel effortless for drivers, which is especially important during peak travel periods like the upcoming holidays."

Nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles by car over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA. With more than 1,000 stations and over 5,000 chargers across North America, the company is expanding its EV charging infrastructure to meet growing consumer demand.

Follow Rachel on her electrified journey along the East Coast, learn how to prepare for a holiday road trip, and see how our customers #ChargeOn.

To view the electric journey accompanying this announcement, click here: https://bit.ly/4o7IFDb

About Electrify America

Electrify America LLC, the largest open Hyper-Fast charging network in the U.S., is investing more than $2 billion in Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure and access. The investment enables millions of Americans to charge with confidence and discover the benefits of electric driving on our coasttocoast network of highway and community chargers.

Electrify America's Hyper-Fast network currently operates in 47 states and the District of Columbia, supporting increasing ZEV adoption with a network that is convenient, technologically advanced and built for customers.

Electrify Commercial provides expert solutions for businesses looking to develop electric vehicle charging programs.

For more information, visit www.electrifyamerica.com and media.electrifyamerica.com.

SOURCE Electrify America, LLC
Free Signature Washes November 2030 at 10 E. Auburn St. in Rochester Hills

COLUMBUS, Ohio and DETROIT, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Wash Concepts (EWC) today announced the grand opening of its 12th Detroit metro Clean Express Auto Wash, located at 10 E. Auburn St. in Rochester Hills. With this addition, EWC now operates 127 express wash locations across Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Hampton Roads, and Pittsburgh. More than 18 additional sites are planned to open or break ground by early 2026including six throughout Detroit.

"Our vision has always been to grow with purposeopening locations that support our communities, create meaningful career paths for our team, and make everyday car care effortless for our Wash Smart Unlimited Club members and retail customers," said John Roush, Founder and CEO of Express Wash Concepts. "This new Clean Express location reflects that commitment and the incredible momentum we're seeing across Metro Detroit."

To celebrate this grand opening, the Rochester Hills Clean Express will offer free "Ceramic 4 Ultra" signature washes (a $22 value) from November 20-30. Guests can also join the Wash Smart Unlimited Club at 50% off for the first three months. For every new membership purchased during the event, Clean Express will donate $10 to Detroit Leadership Academy a free public charter school serving pre-K through 12th grade with whole-child programming, including before- and after-school care, free transportation, dual enrollment, clubs, sports, and mentoring.

Additional promotions during this 10-day grand-opening celebration include a $50 Clean Express gift card available for only $25, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Detroit Leadership Academy. Gift cards purchased at the Rochester Hills location are redeemable at any Clean Express Auto Wash or at any of the Express Wash Concepts location.

Clean Express delivers a premium express car wash experience with state-of-the-art equipment, complimentary professional-grade vacuums and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The popular Wash Smart Unlimited Club allows members to clean and protect their vehicles with ease while enjoying the flexibility and value of unlimited washing at any EWC location.

About Express Wash Concepts:

Express Wash Concepts (EWC) operates 127 award-winning, express car wash locations across six states under the following brands: Moo Moo Express Car Wash, Flying Ace Express Car Wash, Clean Express Auto Wash, Green Clean Express Auto Wash and Bee Clean Express Car Wash. EWC brands feature fast, high quality and environmentally friendly express tunnel wash experiences and free vacuums. The company's popular Wash Smart Unlimited Club offers members the convenience and value of truly unlimited washing at any location. For more information, please visit www.expresswashconcepts.com.

SOURCE Express Wash Concepts
The acquisition accelerates FalconX's strategic expansion of its global franchise across trading, asset management and market infrastructure

SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FalconX, a leading institutional digital asset prime brokerage, today announced the completed acquisition of 21shares  accelerating the convergence of listed markets and digital assets, while strengthening FalconX's global presence across the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

"This acquisition enhances FalconX's product and structuring capabilities and reinforces our position as a global financial leader," said Raghu Yarlagadda, CEO of FalconX. "The combination of FalconX's institutional trading and risk management platform with 21shares' leadership in exchange-traded products puts us in an even stronger position to accelerate innovation and broaden access to digital assets."

"In 2018, we launched one of the world's first physically backed crypto ETPs in Europe. Since then, we have continued to pioneer product innovation, becoming the first to launch several crypto ETPs across multiple jurisdictions," said Russell Barlow, CEO of 21shares. "FalconX's scale will allow us both to deliver greater offerings and services to our clients, while building on our shared values and our crypto-native roots."

21shares will remain independently managed under the FalconX umbrella. Mr. Barlow will continue as CEO of 21shares, working closely with the leadership team at FalconX to advance a shared vision for the future of the digital assets ecosystem. No changes are planned to the construction or investment objectives of the existing 21shares ETPs (Europe) or ETFs (US).

The acquisition of 21shares caps off a landmark year for FalconX. In January 2025, FalconX acquired Arbelos Markets, a trading firm specializing in crypto derivatives, further reinforcing the firm's commitment to expanding its derivatives business and strengthening its position as one of the largest crypto derivatives dealers in the market. In June 2025, FalconX made a majority stake investment in Monarq Asset Management to strengthen its ability to serve clients seeking actively managed digital asset strategies and to further diversify its business lines.

This acquisition further advances FalconX's mission to shape the future of finance and deliver broader, more seamless access to crypto assets across global markets.

About FalconX

FalconX is a leading digital asset prime brokerage for the world's top institutions. We provide comprehensive access to global digital asset liquidity and a full range of trading services. Our 24/7 dedicated team for account, operational and trading needs enables investors to navigate markets around the clock. FalconX Bravo, Inc., a FalconX affiliate, was the first CFTC-registered swap dealer focused on cryptocurrency derivatives.

FalconX is backed by investors including Accel, Adams Street Partners, Altimeter Capital, American Express Ventures, B Capital, GIC, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sapphire Ventures, Thoma Bravo, Tiger Global Management and Wellington Management. FalconX has offices in Silicon Valley, New York, London, Hong Kong, Bengaluru, Singapore and Valletta. For more information visit falconx.io or follow FalconX on X and LinkedIn .

"FalconX" is a marketing name for FalconX Limited and its affiliates. Availability of products and services is subject to jurisdictional limitations and FalconX entity capabilities. For more information about which legal entities offer particular products and services, please see the disclosure on our public website , incorporated herein, or reach out to your relationship contact.

About 21shares

21shares is one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suites of physically-backed crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21shares listed the world's first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21shares delivers innovative, transparent and cost-efficient investment solutions.

For more information, please visit www.21shares.com .

Media Contact:

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE FalconX
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) publicly traded securities between February 15, 2022 and September 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until January 12, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit. Captioned Reed v. Freeport-McMoRan Inc., No. 25-cv-04243 (D. Ariz.), the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit charges Freeport-McMoRan as well as certain of Freeport-McMoRan's top current and former executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-freeport-mcmoran-inc-class-action-lawsuit-fcx.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Freeport-McMoRan engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. Freeport-McMoRan operates the Grasberg Copper and Gold Mine in Papua, Indonesia, in which the Indonesian government holds a commercial interest, according to the complaint.

The Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit alleges that throughout the Class Period defendants made false and/or misleading statement and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Freeport-McMoRan did not adequately ensure safety at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia; (ii) the lack of proper safety precautions constituted a heightened risk that could foreseeably lead to the death of Freeport-McMoRan's workers; and (iii) this constituted an undisclosed heightened risk of regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk.

The Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit further alleges that on September 9, 2025, Freeport-McMoRan disclosed that "a large flow of wet material from a production drawpoint occurred at one of five production blocks in the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine," which "blocked access to certain areas within the mine, restricting evacuation routes for seven team members." Freeport-McMoRan further allegedly disclosed that "[m]ining operations in the Grasberg minerals district have been temporarily suspended to prioritize the safe evacuation of the seven contractor workers." On this news, the price of Freeport-McMoRan stock fell nearly 6%, according to the complaint.

Then, on September 24, 2025, the complaint further alleges that Freeport-McMoRan revealed that "two team members . . . were regrettably fatally injured in the September 8th incident," "[e]xtensive efforts are ongoing in the search for five [PT Freeport Indonesia ("PTFI")] team members who remain missing," and "mining operations in the Grasberg minerals district have been temporarily suspended since September 8th." Freeport-McMoRan allegedly further disclosed that "PTFI production in 2026 could potentially be approximately 35% lower than pre-incident estimates." On this news, the price of Freeport-McMoRan stock fell nearly 17%, according to the complaint.

Finally, on September 25, 2025, the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit alleges that Bloomberg published an article entitled "Freeport Mine Setback Risks Fraying Relations With Indonesia," which stated, in pertinent part, that "[a] halt in production at the giant Grasberg copper mine in Indonesia looks set to strain the fractious relationship between Freeport-McMoRan Inc. and its host nation, at a time when the Jakarta government was already looking to take greater control." The complaint alleges that on this news, the price of Freeport-McMoRan stock fell more than 6%.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Freeport-McMoRan publicly traded securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Freeport-McMoRan investor class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Freeport-McMoRan shareholder class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder litigation. Our Firm has been ranked #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for four out of the last five years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In 2024, we recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases  more than the next five law firms combined, according to ISS. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

[email protected]

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon (NYSE: FHN) is honored to be named to the Forbes America's Best Companies 2026 List, a recognition of top-performing organizations nationwide. The 2026 list is a new and improved edition, raising the bar on evaluating company excellence.

This recognition reflects First Horizon's commitment to its associates, clients and communities. To be eligible for the list, companies must be headquartered in the United States and employ more than 7,000 people nationally.

First Horizon Named to Forbes America's Best Companies 2026 List

"At First Horizon, we are dedicated to creating an environment where every associate feels valued and empowered to make an impact for our clients and communities," said Tanya Hart, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. "Earning a place on the Forbes America's Best Companies 2026 List demonstrates the commitment and integrity our associates bring to their work every day."

Forbes evaluated companies using more than 100 metrics including:

Employee sentiment (Glassdoor), including career growth, leadership and culture.

(Glassdoor), including career growth, leadership and culture. Client feedback (HundredX) on service, value and satisfaction.

(HundredX) on service, value and satisfaction. Financial performance (Forbes) via stock price and revenue growth.

(Forbes) via stock price and revenue growth. Business trajectory (Crunchbase), including market share, investment and company growth.

(Crunchbase), including market share, investment and company growth. Cybersecurity (SecurityScorecard), covering network security and threat resilience.

(SecurityScorecard), covering network security and threat resilience. Media sentiment (SignalAI), analyzing coverage on executive leadership, innovation and performance.

(SignalAI), analyzing coverage on executive leadership, innovation and performance. Workforce stability (People Data Labs), including growth rate and C-suite tenure.

(People Data Labs), including growth rate and C-suite tenure. Company size (Data Axle), measured by total U.S. associates.

For the complete Forbes America's Best Companies 2026 List, visit www.forbes.com.

About First Horizon

First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN), with $83.2 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states concentrated in the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.

SOURCE First Horizon Corporation
The community health center provides accessible, affordable primary care, behavioral health, OB-GYN, pediatrics, pharmacy and lab services.

CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Friend Health, a community-anchored federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving Chicago's South Side, will celebrate the opening of its new Back of the Yards community health center on Saturday, November 22, in a ceremony with community residents and Chicago dignitaries. The opening represents the largest expansion in Friend Health's nearly three decades of service, the latest proof of its rapid growth and momentum in bringing whole-person, affordable care to Chicago's South Side.

Located in the landmark Oppenheimer-Goldblatt Bros. Department Store Building at 4700 S. Ashland Ave., the 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility anchors community revitalization in the New City United Yards development. With triple the footprint of Friend Health's former neighborhood site, the Friend Health facility expands Southwest Side access to primary care and whole-person, preventive care. The Back of the Yards location is a cornerstone of Friend Health's strategic growth as it works to meet rising demand.

The new community health center embodies the goal of quality health care access with integrated, trauma-informed services under one roof. Offerings include adult and pediatric primary care, maternal health and mental health, an on-site pharmacy with discounted prescriptions and a full-service laboratory.

"Every household should have access to quality care," said Wendy Thompson, CEO of Friend Health. "We designed this center so families can find family care through a trusted primary care provider with maternal and behavioral health support, all in one place. When care is close to home and coordinated, people get healthy and stay healthy."

The clinic features 21 exam rooms with dedicated spaces for pediatrics, adult medicine, OB-GYN and behavioral health, along with community programming such as insurance enrollment, social services navigation, fresh food giveaways and workforce development through a community health worker training program. Dental care is planned for 2026.

"When we invest in spaces that bring care, dignity and opportunity under one roof, we invest in the future of our neighborhoods," said Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright. "The City is pleased to support projects like United Yards that create mixed-use amenities for neighborhood residents."

Clinicians Fill New Roles to Advance Person-Centered Care

Friend Health serves more than 40,000 patients annually across the South Side, with six neighborhood health centers and six HRDI behavioral health clinics integrated into its network. The Back of the Yards location complements innovation across the system, from telehealth and mobile health units to specialty care partnerships, advancing health equity and improving outcomes in high-need neighborhoods. Friend Health offers compassionate, quality care regardless of ability to pay.

"My office leads a community-driven development process that ensures constituents can share meaningful feedback on development projects that affect them most," said Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor. "Back of the Yards neighbors have been advocating for quality, accessible and affordable healthcare options close to them. Friend Health's new center is a direct result of their organizing and a clear example of what's possible when we listen to the community before development projects begin."

Friend Health's model is built around integrated, wraparound care that meets patients where they are, both clinically and culturally. "We treat the whole person with dignity and practical support," said Tracey Robinson, RN, Chief Clinical Operations Officer. "That means coordinated medical and behavioral health care, attention to social needs and a team that knows the neighborhood. Nobody should delay affordable health care because of cost, distance or distrust. We remove those barriers."

Key physicians practicing at the Back of the Yards clinic include obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Sheiva Tsay, filling vital women's health needs as OB-GYN Medical Director. Tsay previously practiced at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Other key strategic leadership appointments support Friend Health services for children and families: Dr. Charles Barron, as Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Bianca Williams, as Pediatrics Medical Director.

"Sheiva, Charles and Bianca embody our mission," Thompson said, "Their leadership in clinical quality, care coordination and community partnership ensures that this center delivers high-quality, person-centered care the neighborhood can count on."

About Friend Health

Friend Health (formerly Friend Family Health Center) is an FQHC. Since 1997, Friend Health has provided primary and preventive health services to medically underserved communities on Chicago's South and Southwest Sides. As an FQHC, Friend Health delivers accessible, affordable, comprehensive and culturally respectful care, integrating behavioral health and social support to address the full context of patients' lives. With seven neighborhood clinics, including the new Back of the Yards community health center and an integrated HRDI behavioral health clinic, Friend Health advances quality health care access for all through integrated, trauma-informed care, community engagement and innovative delivery models. To learn more, visit friendfhc.org .

Media Contact

Christina Coons

[email protected]

purposebrand.com

SOURCE Friend Health
HOUSTON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GB Connections LLC announced today the elevation of Chad Gorball to its senior leadership team, expanding the company's commercial strategy and customer engagement initiatives. The company also welcomed Martin Carcache as Outside Sales Representative, supporting that vision by deepening relationships with operators, distributors and mills across the energy industry.

While Gorball has served as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing since 2022, his appointment to the senior leadership team in January 2025 reflects an expanded role in shaping GB Connections' strategic direction, aligning business development and marketing with engineering, operations and customer insight.

This advancement marks another step in the leadership evolution that began with the arrival of President and CEO Robert L. Kovar, P.E. in June 2024, as GB Connections continues to align its organization for long-term growth and customer success.

A member of the GB Connections team since 2017, Gorball has played an integral role in building and maintaining many of the customer relationships that have defined the company's success. With more than two decades of experience in the Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) industry, he brings both commercial acumen and a deep understanding of the technical and service priorities that matter most to GB Connections' customers.

In his role, Gorball connects customer insight with business strategy to ensure the company's innovation efforts align directly with the evolving needs of operators, distributors and mills. Working closely with engineering, operations and quality, he helps ensure that every product and partnership reflects GB Connections' principles of quality, service and technical expertise.

Joining the organization as Outside Sales Representative, Carcache brings more than 15 years of experience across the OCTG and mechanical tubing sectors, along with a strong background in client relationship management. He will work alongside Gorball to gather and translate insights into product innovation, continuous improvement and stronger partnerships.

"Having worked closely with Chad since joining GB Connections last year, I've seen firsthand his deep understanding of our customers and the markets we serve," said Robert L. Kovar, P.E., President and Chief Executive Officer of GB Connections. "His elevation to our senior leadership team and the addition of Martin strengthen the bridge between our customers and our leadership team, ensuring that the trust and relationships we've built over decades remain at the heart of how we serve."

"The best partnerships are built on listening," said Chad Gorball, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. "This role allows us to translate what our customers tell us into strategies and solutions that help them stay ahead, whether that means improving performance, reliability or service."

These changes build on the strong foundation established under the leadership of Gene Mannella, P.E., who now serves as Chairman and Executive Technology Officer. His continued involvement ensures the values, relationships and technical standards GB Connections' reputation was built upon remain embedded in its next chapter.

For more than 45 years, GB Connections has built its reputation on precision engineering, consistent quality and responsive customer service. Today, the company continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the energy industry to deliver innovative, engineered solutions that help customers achieve greater efficiency, reliability and performance.

About GB Connections

GB Connections is a leading manufacturer of high-performance connection technologies for the energy industry. http://gbconnections.com

Media Contact:

Chad Gorball [email protected] (713) 465-3585

SOURCE GB Connections LLC
PRAGUE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Two trains collided on Thursday morning near the town of Zliv in the southern Czech Republic, injuring 42, local media reported.

Five individuals were seriously injured and are under medical care at a local hospital, Czech Television reported, quoting rescue services.

The incident occurred around 6:15 a.m. local time (0515 GMT), and all passengers have been evacuated, the fire and rescue service of the South Bohemia Region said on the social media platform X.

One of the trains was an express train, and the other was a local one. Both are run by Czech Railways. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. 
New role assumed alongside chief operating officer responsibilities

STURGIS, Mich., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GT Independence, a financial management service (FMS) company focused on helping people self-direct their long-term care and support services at home or in community-based settings, has promoted D. Pearl Barnett to president, a role she will hold alongside her current position as chief operating officer. With her increased responsibilities, Barnett will maintain oversight of the company's 18-state operations while driving market advancements and operational improvements to expand GT Independence's impact locally and nationally.

"Self-direction has a true champion in Pearl, and so does GT Independence," said John Carmichael, CEO and co-founder of GT Independence. "Her incredible technical knowledge and expertise, strong industry and internal relationships, and limitless passion and energy for self-direction are a powerful combination. With Pearl's deepening involvement, GT Independence is poised to sustain operational excellence while growing to serve more people and programs around the U.S."

In her broadened leadership role, Barnett will partner with Carmichael to drive the FMS company's next phase of market developmentall while maintaining the trusted technology and customer support resources that participants and their employees have grown to rely on. With added support from an expanded senior operations team, she will dedicate time to exploring new market opportunities, strengthening advocacy efforts with industry partners, and sustaining industry-leading service for all stakeholders.

Prior to joining GT Independence in 2024, Barnett served as deputy director of operations for ADvancing States and received its Executive Director's award. Previously, she was the administrator for the ADvantage 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid Waiver and Medicaid State Plan Personal Care programs with Oklahoma's Department of Human Services. Barnett serves on several boards in her community, including the Washington DC Alumnae Foundation, and she is a tireless advocate for self-direction and a sought-after speaker and panelist at industry events.

About GT Independence

GT Independence is a national financial management service provider that is on a mission to help people live life according to their choosing regardless of age or ability. The family-founded company supports people in directing their own home and community-based services by administering the financial, technical, and legal aspects of hiring and managing their own staff. Since its inception in 2004, GT Independence has grown to serve more than 50,000 individuals across 18 states and the District of Columbia. Visit gtindependence.com .

Media Contact: Hannah Castle, (510)590-0195, [email protected]

SOURCE GT Independence
Capital to support IND's growth and expansion as semiconductor manufacturing demand increases

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HCAP Partners, a California-based private equity firm and nationally recognized impact investor, today announced its investment in IND, Inc., a provider of critical cleaning, coating, refurbishment, and ancillary services used in semiconductor equipment manufacturing. The investment will support management's buyout of IND's majority shareholder and provide additional capital for facility expansion, working capital, and continued growth with existing and new customers.

IND

Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, and founded in 2005 by Jonathan Lovegrove, IND has grown from a robotics refurbishment business into a comprehensive provider of critical cleaning, coating, refurbishment, and fabrication services for semiconductor equipment. IND's proprietary Global Management System (GMS) provides full traceability and process control across the cleaning and coating workflow. The company supports leading global manufacturers in extending component lifetimes, reducing downtime, and maintaining high-performance production environments.

"IND has established itself as a trusted partner within the semiconductor supply chain, delivering high-quality, highly technical services supported by a proprietary software platform," said Tim Bubnack, Managing Partner at HCAP Partners. "The company's momentum with long-standing customers and new relationships with industry-leading companies driving advanced manufacturing and next-generation AI technologies reflects the strength of its capabilities and market position. We look forward to working with Jonathan Lovegrove and his team on their next chapter of growth and execution."

The Company will continue to be led by Lovegrove, who built IND from the ground up, leading the development of the company's operating and quality infrastructure, including its ERP and production systems, ISO9001 and ISO14001 certifications, and data-driven process controls. Lovegrove is joined by a tenured team with deep engineering and production experience.

"At IND, our goal has always been to deliver precision, transparency, and reliability for our customers," said Jonathan Lovegrove, Founder and CEO of IND. "We've invested heavily in engineering, process control, and our proprietary GMS platform to create a scalable, technology-enabled operation. Partnering with HCAP allows us to continue that investment, strengthen our team, and expand our capabilities to support the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing."

HCAP's investment team for this transaction included Tim Bubnack and Chenjing Wang, with support from Bekhruz Nuriddinov. HCAP Operating Advisor Luis Machuca contributed to the diligence process and will join IND's Board of Directors.

About HCAP Partners

HCAP Partners is a private equity firm specializing in providing mezzanine debt and private equity for underserved, lower-middle market companies throughout the United States. The firm seeks to invest $5 million to $35 million in established businesses generating between $10 million and $100 million in revenues in the healthcare, software, services, and manufacturing industries. Since its founding, HCAP Partners has invested in over 65 companies and, through active engagement with portfolio companies, provides value-added resources to help optimize performance and increase enterprise value. The firm has a strong history as an impact fund, recognized as an ImpactAssets 50 fund every year since 2014, and is a founding member of both the Global Impact Investing Network and Impact Capital Managers. Through its Gainful Jobs Approach, HCAP Partners works to facilitate a positive impact on underserved businesses, their employees, and their communities. For more information, please visit www.hcap.com.

About IND, Inc.

IND Inc. based in Vancouver, WA. uses proprietary processes to provide mission-critical services to semiconductor device makers and wafer fabrication equipment markets. These services include critical parts cleaning, coatings, electro-mechanical assembly refurbishment, support services and consulting. The company is ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified. For more information, please visit indhq.com.

Contact:

Tim Bubnack

HCAP Partners

[email protected]

(858) 259-7654

SOURCE HCAP Partners
Award evaluation process included 39 U.S. automotive brands

Editors considered quality, safety, cabin, and cargo space among other factors in four vehicle categories - Car, SUV, Truck and Luxury

Hyundai's popular range of SUVs includes the Kona/Kona Electric, Tucson/Tucson Hybrid, Santa Fe/Sante Fe Hybrid and Palisade/Palisade Hybrid, along with the IONIQ 5 EV and IONIQ 9 EV

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai has been named the '2026 Best SUV Brand' by U.S. News & World Report. The award recognizes industry-wide excellence in the automotive market and reflects the best combination of quality, safety, reliability, space, convenience, and connectivity. The publication's editors evaluated 39 automotive brands and concluded that Hyundai SUVs stood out, not only due to the exceptional quality of its Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Tucson and Tucson Hybrid models, but also on the strength of its diverse SUV lineup including Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Kona, Kona Electric, IONIQ 5 EV and IONIQ 9 EV. Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report named the 2025 Hyundai Tucson its Best Compact SUV for the Money for a third-consecutive year, the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was awarded Best Electric Vehicle for Families and IONIQ 6 Best EV Car for two straight years - making Hyundai the publication's most-awarded hybrid and EV brand overall.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy SUV is photographed in California City, Calif. on April 16, 2025.

"Claiming U.S. News & World Report's Best SUV brand is a defining benchmark in this segment," said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. "With significant industry headwinds and intense competition, we're genuinely honored to earn this recognition for a second-consecutive year. Hyundai's SUV lineup offers interior space, real-world smart tech, and a diversity of powertrains, including HEVs, that reflect how people truly choose their next vehicle."

"2026 marks Hyundai's fifth 'Best SUV Brand' win in six years, and that's down to the breadth and quality of its SUV lineup," said Alex Kwanten, autos managing editor at U.S. News & World Report. "Counting electrified models, Hyundai now offers no fewer than 12 SUVs, and almost all of them are top-five finishers in our rankings."

In their evaluations, the U.S. News & World Report editorial team assessed each company's product offerings, weighing criteria including safety data, predicted reliability ratings, passenger- and cargo space, and the consensus opinion of the automotive press. To determine the award winners, U.S. News Best Cars averaged the overall score of all the given brand's products in each award class. The brand with the highest average score was declared the winner in that specific category.

U.S. News Best Cars

Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings of the majority of new vehicles sold in America. Each year, U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars awards, including Best Vehicle Brands , Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families . U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car-buying journey, offering advice for researching cars , finding cars for sale near you and getting the best rate on car insurance . U.S. News Best Cars had more than 73 million visitors over the past year, with the majority actively shopping for a car. Eighty percent of active shoppers reported that the U.S. News Best Cars site influenced their car purchasing decision.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
SEATTLE, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Jones Soda Co. (CSE: JSDA), (OTCQB: JSDA) ("Jones Soda" or the "Company"), launched a rocket from the desert outside of Las Vegas. The 2-lb rocket-shaped glass bottle is designed to be a real-world homage to a line of sodas that play a key role in the Fallout franchise.

Rocket Bottle (CNW Group/Jones Soda Co.)

The finely crafted bottles have long been anticipated by Fallout fans, and are branded Nuka-Cola Quantum - the fictional Flagship product of the Nuke-Cola Corporation. To make the most of the excitement, Jones brought its new bottle design to the Fallout superfans gathered in the Nevada desert for the annual https://falloutfancelebration.com/.

The Rocket Bottles are a follow-up the Fallout-Themed Vault-Tec Supply Pack (which sold out at select Costco locations in the Northeast) and the custom 4-packs of Jones' new Sunset Sarsaparilla which are selling at a record pace on jonessoda.com. Both promotional packs include game-inspired soda flavors, and bundled with the kind of Fallout collectibles that the franchise's fans love.

Following the overwhelmingly positive response from early in store purchasers and fans online, Jones Soda has worked around the clock to expand distribution of the Vault-Tec Supply Pack at additional Costco locations, and single bottles of Sunset Sarsaparilla Meijer, HyVee, as well as at Kroger Stores (Fred Meyer, QFC, Fry's, King Soopers, Ralphs, Smith's, Roundys, Dillons) across the country.

"The enthusiasm from Fallout fans never ceases to amaze," said Scott Harvey, CEO at Jones Soda Co. "Rocket Bottles will help us carry the momentum from the Vault-Tec Supply Pack and custom 4-Pack into next year."

About Jones Soda

Jones Soda Co. (CSE: JSDA, OTCQB: JSDA) is a leading craft soda manufacturer. The company markets and distributes premium craft sodas under the Jones Soda brand. Jones' mainstream soda line is sold across North America in glass bottles, cans and on fountain through traditional beverage outlets, restaurants and alternative accounts. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For more information, visit www.jonessoda.com or www.myjones.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as well as applicable securities legislation in Canada. Forward looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions readers that any forward looking statements provided by the Company are not a guarantee of future results or performance and that such forward looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release, including, without limitation, that the Company will realize the expected benefits of the divestiture of its cannabis business, and that the sale of the Company's cannabis business will enable the Company to sharpen its strategic priorities and accelerate investment in its core soda, functional beverage, and adult beverage categories. 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The forward looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. 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 Jones Soda Co.
AUSTIN, Texas and TOKYO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to DataM Intelligence, the NASH/MASH Treatment Market Size was valued at USD 7.87 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 31.76 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust 17.7% CAGR from 2025 to 2033. Fueled by rising obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and aging demographics, Metabolic DysfunctionAssociated Steatohepatitis (MASH)-formerly known as NASH-has rapidly emerged as one of the most pressing global health burdens.

The approval of the first dedicated NASH treatment, Resmetirom (Rezdiffra) in 2024, marked a historic turning point for the industry. As the first therapy targeting MASH with histological improvement and fibrosis reduction, Resmetirom has catalyzed pharmaceutical competition, accelerated pipeline investments, and reshaped the commercial landscape. Following this approval, the approved drug segment alone reached USD 178.31 million in 2024 and is expected to surge to USD 16.82 billion by 2033, growing at an extraordinary 57.05% CAGR, making it one of the fastest-growing drug categories globally.

More than 80% of late-stage pipeline candidates are metabolic and fibrotic-targeted therapies-ranging from GLP-1 agonists, FGF21 analogues, PPAR agonists, THR- agonists, ACC inhibitors, and dual agonists-positioning the MASH landscape for unprecedented transformation between 2025 and 2033.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "NASH/MASH Treatment Market"

70  Tables

66  Figures

195  Pages

Market Dynamics: Historic Drug Approvals Trigger Large-Scale Commercial Upside

MASH affects an estimated 1 in 5 adults globally, with prevalence highest in the U.S., the Middle East, China, and parts of Europe. Despite a high disease burden, the market was historically hindered by the absence of approved treatments. This changed dramatically in 2024, when Madrigal Pharmaceuticals received landmark approval for Resmetirom.

Key Growth Drivers Include:

Increasing global obesity prevalence (projected to reach >1.9 billion people by 2030)

by 2030) Rising type 2 diabetes population (expected to hit 643 million patients by 2030 )

) Improved non-invasive diagnostics (FibroScan, MRI-PDFF, blood biomarkers)

Strong physician demand for therapies that reverse steatohepatitis & fibrosis

Vigorous biopharmaceutical investment into metabolic diseases

Accelerated regulatory pathways for high-burden diseases

By 2030, more than 810 drug classes are expected to enter the market, supporting both combination therapy and stage-specific therapy approaches.

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Market Segmentation Analysis

By Drug (Resmetirom, Lanifibranor, Semaglutide, Survodutide, Pegozafermin, Efruxifermin, Denifanstat, Others)

Resmetirom captured early commercial leadership in 2024, accounting for an estimated USD 178.31 million, making up the entirety of the approved drug market. The therapy is expected to dominate early adoption through 2027 before facing strong competitive pressure from metabolic-targeting agents.

Lanifibranor, a first-in-class pan-PPAR agonist, is positioned to be one of the major fibrosis-targeting therapies expected to compete closely with Resmetirom by 20272028. It is projected to capture early demand from Stage 23 fibrosis patients.

Semaglutide, already a global blockbuster in obesity and diabetes, is anticipated to become one of the highest-revenue metabolic drugs in MASH due to overlapping patient populations. GLP-1 agonists hold an estimated 35% commercial potential of the entire future market.

Survodutide, with dual GLP-1/glucagon agonism, is expected to drive rapid fat reduction, potentially capturing meaningful share among obese and diabetic patients.

Pegozafermin and Efruxifermin-high-performing FGF21 analogues-represent some of the most promising agents for resolving inflammation and reducing liver fat.

Denifanstat, an ACC inhibitor, is being evaluated for reducing hepatic fat synthesis, making it a competitive candidate for combination regimens.

Pipeline and emerging therapies collectively accounted for the majority of the USD 7.87 billion market in 2024, driven by diagnostic, monitoring, and supportive care costs.

By Stage (Stage 0-1, Stage 2-3, Stage 4)

Stage 23 fibrosis patients represented the largest share of the MASH treatment market in 2024, contributing more than 52%, or approximately USD 4.09 billion. This group is the primary target population for clinical trials and commercial therapy rollout, given that fibrosis reversal has demonstrated the strongest impact on long-term outcomes.

Stage 01 accounted for roughly 28% of the market (USD 2.20 billion), driven by growing screening volumes, non-invasive imaging, and metabolic therapy use.

Stage 4 patients, including compensated cirrhosis, represented 20% of the total market, about USD 1.58 billion, with high unmet need due to limited treatment options and complex comorbidities.

By Age-Group (Pediatrics, Adults, Geriatrics)

Adult patients constituted nearly 83% of the global MASH treatment market in 2024, contributing roughly USD 6.53 billion, driven by the peak prevalence of metabolic syndrome between ages 3565.

Geriatric patients accounted for 14% (USD 1.10 billion), with rising diagnoses linked to polypharmacy, insulin resistance, and long-standing obesity.

Pediatric MASH, though representing 3% (USD 236 million), is expected to grow fastest due to the alarming rise in childhood obesity, which has tripled over the past two decades across North America and Europe.

By Gender (Male, Female)

Male patients represented 56% of the market in 2024 (USD 4.41 billion), correlating with higher metabolic risk, visceral fat deposition, and lifestyle-driven comorbidities.

Female patients contributed 44% (USD 3.46 billion), with prevalence rising significantly post-menopause due to metabolic changes and hormonal shifts.

U.S. and Japan Market Insights: Two Epicenters of MASH Disease Burden

United States

The U.S. accounted for 42% of the global MASH treatment market in 2024, representing USD 3.30 billion. The country has one of the highest obesity and diabetes prevalence rates globally, making MASH a top hepatology priority.

Key Factors:

Over 25 million Americans are estimated to have some stage of MASH.

are estimated to have some stage of MASH. Resmetirom prescriptions increased by >12% month-over-month since launch.

since launch. More than 160 clinical trial sites across the U.S. are evaluating emerging NASH therapeutics.

By 2033, the U.S. market alone is expected to exceed USD 13 billion.

Japan

Japan represented 9% of the market in 2024, or USD 708 million, driven by rising metabolic syndrome cases despite a traditionally lower-obesity population.

Key Factors:

Japan recorded a 6.2% year-over-year rise in metabolic fatty liver diagnoses.

in metabolic fatty liver diagnoses. Hospitals have increased FibroScan utilization by 22% , boosting detection rates.

, boosting detection rates. Japanese regulatory agencies are fast-tracking GLP-1 based NASH therapies due to overlapping diabetes benefits.

Japan's MASH market is expected to surpass USD 3.1 billion by 2033.

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Competitive Landscape: Key Players Reshaping the MASH Treatment Ecosystem

The competitive landscape is shifting rapidly with the emergence of metabolic and fibrosis-targeted therapies. Madrigal Pharmaceuticals currently leads the approved market with Resmetirom but faces significant competition from global metabolic drug innovators.

Top Industry Players Include:

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals (current market leader)

(current market leader) Novo Nordisk A/S ( GLP-1 dominance: semaglutide, survodutide collaboration)

( dominance: semaglutide, survodutide collaboration) Boehringer Ingelheim (dual agonist research pipeline)

(dual agonist research pipeline) 89bio, Inc. (Pegozafermin  strong late-stage FGF21 profile)

(Pegozafermin  strong late-stage FGF21 profile) Inventiva (Lanifibranor PPAR agonist)

(Lanifibranor PPAR agonist) CHIA TAI TIANQING

Sagimet Biosciences (Denifanstat)

(Denifanstat) Akero Therapeutics (Efruxifermin  FGF21 class leader)

Top 5 Emerging Companies to Watch (High-Growth Innovators)

1. Akero Therapeutics (USA)

Lead candidate Efruxifermin shows strong MRI-PDFF and fibrosis improvement data, placing Akero at the forefront of FGF21-based therapies.

2. 89bio, Inc. (USA)

Pegozafermin demonstrates consistent efficacy across liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis. The company is rapidly expanding into global Phase 3 programs.

3. Sagimet Biosciences (USA)

Denifanstat, a potent ACC inhibitor, targets hepatic fat synthesis and is positioned for combination therapy frameworks.

4. Inventiva (France)

Lanifibranor has shown promising NASH resolution and fibrosis reversal in Phase 3, making it a key competitor in the mid-2020s.

5. Boehringer Ingelheim (Europe)

With a strong metabolic drug development platform and partnerships in GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists, BI is emerging as a global metabolic powerhouse.

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Strategic Outlook: The MASH Era Will Redefine the Metabolic Pharmaceutical Market

Between 2025 and 2033, the MASH treatment ecosystem will experience:

Rapid expansion of multi-drug combination therapies

Massive commercial demand in the U.S., Japan, China & Middle East

Up to 68 new drug approvals across metabolic and fibrotic pathways

across metabolic and fibrotic pathways Intensified competition among GLP-1 and FGF21 class innovators

and FGF21 class innovators Rising adoption of non-invasive diagnostics enabling earlier treatment

Pharmaceutical investment exceeding USD 30+ billion in late-stage R&D

By 2033, MASH will represent one of the largest non-oncology drug markets globally, reshaping the treatment paradigm for metabolic disease.

Related Report:

About DataM Intelligence

DataM Intelligence is a renowned provider of market research, delivering deep insights through pricing analysis, market share breakdowns, and competitive intelligence. The company specializes in strategic reports that guide businesses in high-growth sectors such as nutraceuticals and AI-driven health innovations.

To find out more, visit https://www.datamintelligence.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Contact:

Sai Kiran

DataM Intelligence 4market Research LLP

Ground floor, DSL Abacus IT Park, Industrial Development Area

Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana 500039

USA: +1 877-441-4866

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE DataM Intelligence 4 Market Research LLP
Ten scientists selected for second annual award to pursue innovations in gene, RNA, small molecule and cell therapies to treat rare and ultra-rare diseases

OXFORD, England and CLEVELAND, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre ('OHC') today announced the recipients of the 2025 Rare Disease Scholar Award, which advances promising discoveries from academic labs into clinical practice. Each Scholar will receive an advisory team providing advanced drug and business development support, $100,000 (or 100,000 in the UK), and the opportunity to compete for additional advisory support, acceleration funds, and to qualify for investment funds up to $1,000,000 according to project requirements.

Rare diseases affect an estimated 500 million people worldwidehalf of whom are children. Yet, fewer than 5% of the 7,000 known rare diseases have approved treatments. The OHC, a unique partnership between the University of Oxford, UK and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, is on a mission to accelerate progress by combining philanthropy, world-class science and entrepreneurial drug development.

"Behind every rare disease is a person, a family and a story of resilience," said Lord Cameron, Chair of the OHC Advisory Council. "At OHC, we believe that by bringing together the best of academia and cutting-edge medical research, with life sciences, pharma, philanthropy and venture capital from around the world, we can achieve transformational results, closing the gap between research and drug development and turning hope into the reality of new treatments for patients and their families. These awards are an important step toward achieving our mission of 40 new treatments for rare diseases within a decade."

Through the Rare Disease Scholar Award, the 2025 cohort is working on treatments for a wide range of rare conditions impacting the brain, immune system, metabolism, and cancer. Cutting-edge approaches include gene and RNA therapies, enzyme replacement and targeted medicinestools that could help correct or manage the underlying causes of these diseases.

"We've seen remarkable progress from our inaugural class of OHC Scholars, with several projects already moving closer to clinical application," said Matthew Wood, MD, PhD, Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the OHC. "With the 2025 Scholar Awards, we are adding ten new OHC programs and tackling some of the most challenging rare diseases through pioneering gene, RNA, small molecule and cell-based therapies."

OHC seeks to advance 40 drugs into clinical trials by 2034 and offers a new model for rare disease innovation that progresses Scholar discoveries through a structured, industry-informed approach.

"The OHC builds on Oxford University's outstanding scientific capabilities with Harrington's track record in drug development," said Matthew P. Anderson, MD, PhD, Co-Director of the OHC. "Our vision for these programs is not just for each to address a single rare disease but ultimately to identify new platforms for treating multiple rare diseasesand even common diseases."

The 2025 OHC Rare Disease Scholar Award recipients, their organizations and fields of research include:

Rachel Bailey, PhD  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

Gene Therapy to Cure an Ultra-Rare, Devastating Neurodevelopmental Metabolic Disorder of the SLC13A5 Citrate Transporter

Esther Becker, PhD  University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

New Small Molecules to Inhibit Abnormal Nerve Function to Preserve and Restore Muscle Function in Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Joseph Buxbaum, PhD  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

Treatment of the Autism-Spectrum Neurodevelopmental ADNP Syndrome with Small Molecule Drugs

Matthew Gentry, PhD  University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Advanced Brain Penetrant Enzyme Therapy to Treat Neurological Glycogen Storage Diseases

Albert La Spada, MD, PhD  University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA

Silencer RNA Therapy to Treat Rare, Juvenile-onset ALS Neuromuscular Disease, ALS4

Michael Lin, MD, PhD  Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

A Genetically Programmed Therapeutic for Sensing and Killing Rare Brain Cancers

Pengfei Liu, PhD  Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics for the Ultra-Rare CAMK2B Neurodevelopmental Disorder

David Segal, PhD  University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA

Treatment of the Autism-Spectrum Neurodevelopmental ADNP Syndrome with Nucleic Acid Drugs

Anthony Shum, MD  University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

Gene Therapy for the Progressive, Debilitating, Multisystem COPA Syndrome

Mingshan Xue, PhD  Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Gene Therapy for the Catastrophic CASK-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder

For those interested in submitting a proposal for the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Scholar Award, the next funding call will open on the 14th of January 2026. For more information, visit: OxfordHarrington.org/funding

SOURCE Harrington Discovery Institute
YOKOHAMA, Japan, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; President: Masashi Nagayasu) joined the open-source patent mutual use institution Open Invention Network (hereafter, OIN) today.

OIN logo

OIN was established as an institution to protect open source software (hereafter, OSS); it has over 4,000 corporate members worldwide. OIN member companies engage in a system of mutual, royalty-free cross-licenses for patents related to the Linux System, under which members do not assert patent rights over core Linux and related OSS technologies.

Panasonic Automotive Systems has been continually and substantively contributing to multiple OSS communities, such as Automotive Grade Linux, in our efforts to develop OSS technologies. These efforts include leading the standardization of VirtIOa key virtualization technology for Software Defined Vehicles (SDV). We have also contributed to technological advancements in the industry overall. In joining the OIN, we are supporting the strong development of Linux and other open source technologies and further strengthening our contributions to OSS communities. We will also move forward with making further use of OSS to accelerate the development of the advanced in-vehicle software that is needed in the SDV era.

Keith Bergelt, the CEO of OIN, comments, "Advanced automotive technology and connectivity are propelling ongoing innovation within the automotive industry. These innovations make the automobiles more integrated, safe and secure. Open source is a key driver of these capabilities," said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network. "As a global leader in advanced automotive technology, we are pleased that Panasonic Automotive Systems is committed to patent non-aggression in core Linux and adjacent open source technologies."

Through our membership in OIN, Panasonic Automotive Systems is helping to facilitate the strong development of open source technologies and prepare an environment that enables even more secure technological development.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd., (PAS) was launched on April 1, 2022 as an operating company responsible for the automotive systems business in line with the start of the Panasonic Group's operating company system, and on December 2, 2024 the company moved to a management structure in which 80% of its shares are held by the funds managed by an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, Inc. and 20% by Panasonic Holdings Corporation.

Headquartered in Japan, PAS is a global company with subsidiaries in eight other countries and, as a Tier 1 company, it provides advanced proprietary technologies such as infotainment systems to automakers in Japan and overseas, helping to create comfortable, safe, and secure automobiles. PAS is committed to meeting the expectations of its customers around the world with technologies that stand by people in pursuit of its corporate vision of becoming the "Joy in Motion" design company. To learn more about our company, please visit https://automotive.panasonic.com/en

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America
PHOENIX, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleball Kingdom , the world's largest indoor pickleball entity, enters its next major phase of growth with nine new clubs opening before the end of the year and five more clubs scheduled to open in January. This expansion strengthens the company's standing as the leading indoor pickleball brand worldwide and showcases the rising global demand for dependable, year-round play.

Pickleball Kingdom Indoor Courts Grand Opening of a Pickleball Kingdom Club

"Our growth has built worldwide momentum," said Founder and CEO Ace Rodrigues. "The demand for playing the sport in one of our quality facilities reflects how strongly our model is connecting with players. And the speed at which we are opening new clubs is growing at an exponential level. With our massive footprint in the U.S., coupled with our international expansion, particularly in India, 2026 will be our biggest year to date. Our community will welcome in hundreds of thousands of new members."

Behind the scenes, franchise development has accelerated dramatically, resulting in a steady rollout of new clubs in both established and emerging markets. The growing interest from qualified franchisees has enabled Pickleball Kingdom to open multiple locations simultaneously while preparing even more for early 2026 and beyond.

Pickleball Kingdom is set to open the following new clubs before the end of 2025:

Tinton Falls, NJ

Lehigh Valley, PA

Pinellas Park, FL

Little Rock, AR

Manchester, CT

Holyoke, MA

Sun Prairie, WI

South Cobb, GA

Waukegan, IL

Additional clubs scheduled to open in January of 2026 include:

Watchung, NJ

Ocala, FL

College Station, TX

North Aurora, IL

Walker, LA

To become a member of one of the new clubs opening in your area, visit: https://pickleballkingdom.com

Rob Streett, President and Chief Global Officer, added, "This expansion marks another significant step forward for Pickleball Kingdom. With new clubs opening throughout the country and abroad, our reach is growing in scale and influence. We are entering major markets with purpose and bringing a premium member experience to more communities every month."

Pickleball's surge in popularity has created one of the most compelling business opportunities of the decade. An estimated 36.5 million Americans played pickleball last year, and participation has grown more than 300% since 2021, according to the USA Pickleball Annual Growth Report. Families, young professionals, retirees, and athletes are driving demand for dependable, high-quality indoor courts, creating a market that is already more than $1.1 Billion in the United States and expanding rapidly.

Pickleball Kingdom is meeting this demand through a proven franchise model that includes turnkey club design, national brand marketing, technology-driven member management systems, operational training, and a strong focus on community building. Each location delivers consistent programming, open play, leagues, lessons, tournaments, and social experiences designed for both recreational and competitive athletes.

With new clubs opening, international expansion underway, and growing demand from players nationwide, Pickleball Kingdom remains at the forefront of the indoor pickleball movement. The company's commitment to quality, innovation, and hospitality continues to drive its rise as the premier destination for year-round play and franchise growth.

Pickleball Kingdom invites entrepreneurs who want to bring world-class indoor pickleball to their communities to explore joining the franchise network. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/

Follow Pickleball Kingdom on social media: Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn

Contact:

Mitch Kistner, VP of Marketing

Pickleball Kingdom Franchising

888-725-0072

[email protected]

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising
EDMONTON, AB, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Mitsoh, an Indigenous-owned food company and one of Canada's fastest-growing meat snack brands, announced today a multi-million-dollar investment from Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. The growth financing will expand Mitsoh's manufacturing capacity at its Edmonton production facility, enhance national distribution, and fuel new product innovation across its line of premium meat snacks. As part of the company's next phase of growth, Mike Fata, a seasoned Canadian food entrepreneur and investor known for scaling Manitoba Harvest into a $100-million enterprise, has been appointed Mitsoh Chairman of the Board.

"This investment is about more than capital, it's a commitment to amplifying Indigenous leadership in food," said Sean McCormick, Partner at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. "Mitsoh is redefining what it means to build a modern Indigenous-owned food brand, one that celebrates culture, quality, and community while delivering category-leading growth."

Fata added, "Mitsoh is a rare combination of purpose and performance. We're building the future of meat snacks in Canada; authentic, clean-label, and proudly Indigenous-owned. With Raven's support and our talented team, we're ready to take Mitsoh from a regional success to a national household name."

Brandon Markiw, Mitsoh CEO and Co-Founder, said, "Mitsoh is entering a scale-up phase that demands both operational excellence and cultural integrity. Raven's investment gives us the firepower to expand production, strengthen national distribution, and accelerate innovation while staying true to our Indigenous roots. This is the moment we take Mitsoh from a fast-growing challenger brand to a category leader."

Ian Gladue, Mitsoh Co-Founder and Rainmaker, added, "Mitsoh started as a way for me to reconnect with my family's food traditions and bring that spirit forward for future generations. Partnering with Raven ensures we're growing in a way that honours our culture, supports our communities, and keeps our products rooted in our traditions."

The new funding will strengthen Mitsoh's Edmonton production capacity, support expanded national distribution, and accelerate the launch of new protein innovations.

About Mitsoh

Mitsoh www.mitsoh.com is an Indigenous-owned Canadian food company committed to honoring traditional foodways through modern, better-for-you meat snacks. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Mitsoh produces a growing line of premium meat snacks made from high-quality proteins and natural ingredients. The brand's mission is to connect people to real food, Indigenous culture, and community through every bite.

About Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is North America's first Indigenous-led and owned impact investment firm. Raven partners with innovative, purpose-driven Indigenous enterprises to catalyze systemic change, generate sustainable economic growth, and advance Indigenous self-determination. With offices in Canada and the U.S., Raven invests patient capital into companies characterized by strong leadership, community values, and scalable business models.

SOURCE Groundswell Food Group
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sabre Corporation ("Sabre") today announced that Sabre GLBL Inc. ("Sabre GLBL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sabre, has commenced exchange offers (each, an "Exchange Offer" and together, the "Exchange Offers") to exchange (i) any and all of its outstanding 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the "June 2027 Notes") and 11.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the "December 2027 Notes" and, together with the June 2027 Notes, the "2027 Notes") and (ii) up to the 2029 Notes Maximum Exchange Amount (as defined below) of its 10.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the "2029 Notes" and, together with the 2027 Notes, the "Existing Notes" and, each of them, a "series" of Existing Notes) for Sabre GLBL's new 10.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 (the "New Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the confidential offering circular, dated as of November 20, 2025, for the Exchange Offers (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Offering Circular"). The primary purpose of the Exchange Offers is to improve the Company's maturity profile by extending the maturity date of the indebtedness represented by the Existing Notes from 2027 and 2029, as applicable, to 2030.

The aggregate principal amount of New Notes to be issued pursuant to the Exchange Offers is subject to a minimum principal amount of $300 million (the "New Notes Issuance Minimum").

The following table summarizes certain terms of the Exchange Offers:

CUSIP No./ ISIN Title of Security Principal Amount Outstanding Offering being made Exchange Consideration(1) Early Exchange Premium(1) Total Exchange

Consideration(1)(2) CUSIP: 78573NAJ1 (144A);

U86043AG8 (Reg. S) / ISIN:

US78573NAJ19 (144A);

USU86043AG86 (Reg. S) 8.625% Senior

Secured Notes

due 2027 $331,783,000 Any and all $680.00 in cash and

$320.00 principal

amount of New Notes $75.00 in cash $755.00 in cash and

$320.00 principal

amount of New Notes CUSIP: 78573NAH5 (144A);

U86043AF0 (Reg. S) / ISIN:

US78573NAH52 (144A);

USU86043AF04 (Reg. S) 11.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 $45,814,000 Any and all $680.00 in cash and $320.00 principal amount of New Notes $75.00 in cash $755.00 in cash and $320.00 principal amount of New Notes CUSIP: 78573NAL6 (144A);

U86043AJ2 (Reg. S) / ISIN:

US78573NAL64 (144A);

USU86043AJ26 (Reg. S) 10.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 $824,714,000 Up to $379 million(3) $1,000.00 principal amount of New Notes $60.00 in cash $60.00 in cash and $1000.00 principal amount of New Notes

(1) For each $1,000 principal amount of Existing Notes. (2) Includes Early Exchange Premium. (3) The maximum aggregate principal amount of New Notes that Sabre GLBL will issue in the Exchange Offer for the 2029 Notes equals to the 2029 Notes Maximum Exchange Amount as described below.

The maximum aggregate principal amount of New Notes that Sabre GLBL will issue in the Exchange Offer for the 2029 Notes equals to $379 million (as such amount may be amended by Sabre GLBL in its sole discretion, the "2029 Notes Maximum Exchange Amount"). If the aggregate principal amount of 2029 Notes validly tendered on or before the Early Exchange Date (as defined below) constitutes a principal amount of 2029 Notes that, if accepted by us, would exceed the 2029 Notes Maximum Exchange Amount, we will not accept any 2029 Notes tendered for exchange after the Early Exchange Date. In addition, if the aggregate principal amount of 2029 Notes validly tendered on or before the Early Exchange Date constitutes a principal amount of 2029 Notes that, if accepted by us, would not exceed the 2029 Notes Maximum Exchange Amount, we will accept all such tendered 2029 Notes for exchange before any 2029 Notes tendered after the Early Exchange Date and on or before the Expiration Date (as defined below) are accepted. If acceptance of all validly tendered 2029 Notes on any Settlement Date (as defined below) is less than the 2029 Notes Maximum Exchange Amount, we will accept all validly tendered 2029 Notes. If acceptance of all validly tendered 2029 Notes on any Settlement Date would result in us exceeding the 2029 Notes Maximum Exchange Amount, the tendered 2029 Notes will be accepted on a pro rata basis. If the principal amount of 2029 Notes returned to a holder as a result of proration would result in less than the applicable minimum denomination of the 2029 Notes being returned to such holder, we will either accept or reject all of such holder's 2029 Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) pursuant to the Exchange Offer for the 2029 Notes.

The New Notes will mature on March 15, 2030 and will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 10.750%. The New Notes will first be redeemable, at Sabre GLBL's option, starting on March 15, 2027, at 105.375% of their outstanding principal amount, plus accrued interest, and under certain other circumstances described in the Offering Circular.

The New Notes and the guarantees thereof will be senior secured indebtedness and will rank equal in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior secured indebtedness of Sabre GLBL and the guarantors. The New Notes will initially be jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by Sabre Holdings Corporation ("Sabre Holdings") and all of Sabre GLBL's current and future restricted subsidiaries that are borrowers under or guarantee Sabre GLBL's senior secured credit facilities under certain of its existing credit agreements or certain other secured indebtedness. The New Notes and the guarantees thereof will be secured, subject to permitted liens, by a first-priority security interest in substantially all present and hereinafter acquired assets of Sabre GLBL and each of the guarantors (other than certain excluded assets). The New Notes will be guaranteed by the same parties and on the same basis, and secured by the same assets and on the same basis, as the Existing Notes. In addition, the covenants in the indenture for the New Notes will be substantially the same as the covenants applicable to the Existing Notes.

The Exchange Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 19, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date"), unless earlier terminated. Tenders of Existing Notes may be withdrawn from the Exchange Offers at or prior to, but not after, 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 4, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Withdrawal Deadline"). Eligible Holders (as defined below) must validly tender their Existing Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 4, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Early Exchange Date"), to be eligible to receive the Total Exchange Consideration (as set forth above), which includes the Early Exchange Premium (as set forth above) for such Existing Notes. Eligible Holders tendering Existing Notes after the Early Exchange Date and on or before the Expiration Date will only be eligible to receive the Exchange Consideration (as set forth above), which will equal the Total Exchange Consideration for such series of Existing Notes less the applicable Early Exchange Premium.

In addition to the Total Exchange Consideration or Exchange Consideration (as described in the table above), as applicable, Eligible Holders whose Existing Notes are accepted for exchange will be paid the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Existing Notes to, but not including, the early settlement date, which is expected to be December 8, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Early Settlement Date") on such Existing Notes; provided, however, that since any New Notes issued on the final settlement date, which is expected to be December 23, 2025, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Final Settlement Date") will be issued with accrued interest from the Early Settlement Date up to, but not including, the Final Settlement Date, the amount of such accrued interest on any such New Notes will be deducted, from the cash payable as accrued interest on the Existing Notes exchanged on the Final Settlement Date, provided further that such net amount will not be below zero. For the avoidance of doubt, Eligible Holders (as defined below) who validly tender Existing Notes of a series after the Early Exchange Date but on or before the Expiration Date, will not receive accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Existing Notes from the Early Settlement Date through the Final Settlement Date. In addition, Eligible Holders of the December 2027 Notes whose tenders are settled after December 1, 2025 and before December 15, 2025 will be deemed to have consented to giving up any claim to the interest payment due on December 15 in respect of the December 2027 Notes that they might otherwise have as a result of the related interest payment record date of December 1, 2025, and will receive only the accrued interest described above. Interest on the New Notes will accrue from (and including) the Early Settlement Date. Interest on the New Notes will accrue from (and including) the Early Settlement Date.

Sabre GLBL's obligation to accept for exchange the Existing Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in each Exchange Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions as described in the Offering Circular, including the New Notes Issuance Minimum and the consummation of the SPV Notes Private Offering (as defined below). Such conditions may be waived by Sabre GLBL in its sole discretion, subject to applicable law. Any waiver of a condition by Sabre GLBL will not constitute a waiver of any other condition. For avoidance of doubt, the Exchange Offer in respect of one series of Existing Notes is not conditioned on the Exchange Offer in respect of another series of Existing Notes, or vice versa. Sabre GLBL reserves the right to extend, amend or terminate any Exchange Offer for any reason or for no reason. In addition, Sabre GLBL reserves the right to increase, decrease or otherwise change the Maximum Exchange Amount in its sole discretion without extending the Early Exchange Date or the Withdrawal Deadline or otherwise reinstating withdrawal rights, subject to compliance with applicable law and the terms of outstanding indebtedness. Sabre GLBL will not receive any cash proceeds from the Exchange Offers and will not incur additional indebtedness in excess of the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes that are exchanged in the Exchange Offers.

Concurrently with the Exchange Offers, Sabre GLBL is offering to its lenders to refinance certain of its existing term loans (the "Term Loan Refinancing"). In addition, Sabre Financial Borrower, LLC ("Sabre Financial"), a subsidiary of Sabre GLBL, has commenced a private offering (the "SPV Notes Private Offering") of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2030 (the "SPV Notes"). The SPV Notes will be guaranteed by Sabre Financing Holdings LLC, Sabre Financial's direct parent company, and, up to an amount of $400 million, certain of Sabre GLBL's existing and future foreign subsidiaries organized under the laws of Australia, England and Wales, Iceland, Luxembourg, Poland, Singapore and Uruguay. The SPV Notes will not be guaranteed by Sabre GLBL, Sabre Holdings, or the other guarantors of the New Notes. The proceeds from the SPV Notes Private Offering will be lent by Sabre Financial to Sabre GLBL pursuant to a secured loan, which will be guaranteed by Sabre Holdings and the same subsidiaries of Sabre GLBL that guarantee the Existing Notes and will guarantee the New Notes and will be secured equally and ratably by liens on the same assets of Sabre GLBL, and the guarantors that guarantee the Existing Notes and will guarantee the New Notes.

Sabre GLBL currently anticipates, subject to execution of definitive documentation and certain customary closing conditions, that the proceeds from the SPV Notes Private Offering will result in Sabre GLBL's receipt of gross proceeds which, together with cash on hand, will be sufficient to fund the cash portion of the Exchange Offers, including accrued interest for all Existing Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offers and accepted for purchase by Sabre GLBL, subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers, as well as the cash consideration to be provided in the Term Loan Refinancing. No assurances can be given that the SPV Notes Private Offering will be completed. The SPV Notes Private Offering is being made only to holders of Existing Notes that (i) we either reasonably believe to be "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A ("Rule 144A") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or (ii) are located outside the United States and are not "U.S. persons" as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the SPV Notes, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which, or to any persons to whom, such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offers of the SPV Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

The consummation of each Exchange Offer is not subject to, or conditioned upon, the consummation of the Term Loan Refinancing. The consummation of the Term Loan Refinancing is not subject to, or conditioned upon, the consummation of any Exchange Offer. The Term Loan Refinancing and the SPV Notes Private Offering are subject to market conditions and there can be no assurance that any or all of them will in fact be consummated in the manner described herein or at all.

The Exchange Offers are being made only to holders of Existing Notes that have certified, by submitting an instruction to the clearing system, that they are either (i) "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A or (ii) are located outside the United States and are not "U.S. persons" as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act (such holders, "Eligible Holders"). Only Eligible Holders are authorized to receive or review the Offering Circular or to participate in the Exchange Offers. Non U.S.-persons may also be subject to additional eligibility criteria.

This press release does not constitute an offer to exchange or the solicitation of an offer to exchange the Existing Notes, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which, or to any persons to whom, such exchange would be unlawful.

Perella Weinberg Partners is acting as a capital markets advisor in connection with the Exchange Offers.

Information Relating to the Exchange Offers

The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers are set forth in the Offering Circular. The Offering Circular contains important information and Eligible Holders are encouraged to read it in its entirety. The Offering Circular will only be distributed to Eligible Holders who complete and return an eligibility form confirming that they are either a "qualified institutional buyer" under Rule 144A or not a "U.S. person" under Regulation S under the Securities Act for purposes of applicable securities laws. Holders of Existing Notes who desire to complete an eligibility form should either visit www.dfking.com/sabre or request instructions by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by calling D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information and exchange agent for the Exchange Offers, at (toll-free) (800) 578-5378 or (banks and brokers) (646) 981-1288.

None of Sabre, Sabre Holdings, Sabre GLBL, their affiliates, their respective boards of directors and stockholders, the Exchange Agent or Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee for the Existing Notes and New Notes, are making any recommendation as to whether holders should tender any Existing Notes in response to the Exchange Offers. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Existing Notes, and, if so, the principal amount of Existing Notes to tender.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to buy nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the New Notes or any other securities. The Exchange Offers are not being made to holders of Existing Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. The Exchange Offers are only being made pursuant to the Offering Circular. Eligible Holders are strongly encouraged to read the Offering Circular carefully because it will contain important information.

The New Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. The New Notes have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority, nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offering Circular.

About Sabre

Sabre Corporation is a leading technology company that takes on the biggest opportunities and solves the most complex challenges in travel. Sabre harnesses speed, scale and insights to build tomorrow's technology today  empowering airlines, hoteliers, agencies and other partners to retail, distribute and fulfill travel worldwide. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, with employees across the world, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries globally.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any statements that are not historical or current facts are forward-looking statements, including those related to the terms, timing and completion of the Exchange Offers. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "expect," "guidance," "outlook," "trend," "pro forma," "on course," "on track," "target," "potential," "benefit," "goal," "believe," "plan," "confident," "anticipate," "indicate," "trend," "position," "optimistic," "will," "forecast," "continue," "strategy," "estimate," "project," "may," "should," "would," "intend," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Sabre's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Exchange Offers, the Term Loan Refinancing and SPV Notes Private Offering and the risk that any of the Exchange Offers, the Term Loan Refinancing or SPV Notes Private Offering may not be consummated in the manner described herein or at all will be consummated on the terms described herein or at all. More information about potential risks and uncertainties that could affect our business and results of operations is included in the "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2025, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 5, 2025, and in our other filings with the SEC. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, outlook, guidance, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events after the date they are made.

SABR-F

SOURCE Sabre Corporation
ZAGREB, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A young person has been arrested in connection with the devastating fire at the Vjesnik building in Zagreb, the capital's Police Department said in a statement on Thursday.

"We confirm that the criminal investigation so far has included several young persons, one of whom has been arrested, and a criminal investigation is being conducted against him," the statement said.

Immediately after the fire broke out in the Vjesnik building before midnight on Monday, the police launched a criminal investigation while securing the scene and ensuring the public safety, the statement said.

According to a report by Croatian daily newspaper Jutarnji list on Thursday, a minor told the police that she was with a group of young people in the Vjesnik building on Monday night. They wanted to climb to the top of the skyscraper, but came across a locked door. At that moment, one of the young men started burning cardboard boxes, and the fire quickly spread. Everyone ran away and left the building.

They were mostly teenagers aged around 16 and 17 who lived near the Vjesnik building, the report said.

On Wednesday, the police analyzed surveillance cameras and interviewed around five minors suspected of potential arson, and confirmed the arrest on Thursday.

The Vjesnik building fire broke out at around 23:04 (2204 GMT) on Monday and was finally brought under control on Tuesday morning after burning the whole night. The Vjesnik skyscraper was one of the tallest buildings in the country before totally destroyed by fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the incident. 
In collaboration with Concept Hospitality Private Limited and their flagship brand The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International launches its newest collection brand in Asia Pacific excluding China, bringing regionally rooted, globally connected hospitality to India.

NEW DELHI, India, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. announces the global debut of Series by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, with the launch of The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott in India. This new collection brand is designed to celebrate regional character while delivering the trusted consistency of Marriott's global standards. The first phase of openings includes 26 hotels across key destinations in India, bringing over 1900 rooms to Marriott's portfolio and marking a significant milestone in the brand's global expansion.

Bhanu The Fern Forest Resort & Spa Jambughoda, Series by Marriott

Series by Marriott is a regionally created, globally connected, collection brand that brings together locally recognized hotel groups under the trusted umbrella of Marriott Bonvoy. Designed for 'global domestic' travelers, the brand offers the basics done well  comfortable rooms, reliable service, and locally relevant experiences that reflect the character of each destination.

The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott, is the brand's inaugural set of properties to open globally, showcasing a collection of eco-sensitive hotels rooted in sustainability and regional charm. From bustling business hubs to serene leisure escapes, each property is crafted to fulfill the travel purpose of every guest  whether it's sealing a deal, reconnecting with loved ones, or simply taking a moment to pause.

"We are delighted to introduce Series by Marriott in India through our strategic agreement with The Fern Hotels & Resorts," said Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International. "India's vibrant domestic travel market and growing demand for dependable, affordable stays make it the ideal launchpad for this brand. Series by Marriott is about celebrating regional stories while delivering the consistency and care our guests expect from Marriott. These 26 openings mark the beginning of a broader rollout, with over 100 planned launches in the coming year."

First Phase of Openings  November 2025

The first wave of openings under The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott, brings over 1900 rooms across 26 properties in 23 cities, including:

The Fern brand's commitment to regional authenticity, sustainable hospitality, and guest-centric design is an ideal match for Series by Marriott.

Guests staying at The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott, can look forward to:

Grab n Go Breakfast  A packed breakfast box available on request for guests with early morning departures, to start off the day energized.

 A packed breakfast box available on request for guests with early morning departures, to start off the day energized. Single Lady Traveller Recognition  A curated selection of amenities focused towards our single lady guests, placed in their rooms in a kit prior to arrival.

 A curated selection of amenities focused towards our single lady guests, placed in their rooms in a kit prior to arrival. Evening Delight  Turndown service with evening chocolates/local treats, and a personalized goodnight message.

 Turndown service with evening chocolates/local treats, and a personalized goodnight message. Lamp Lighting Ceremony  A tranquil dusk ritual that honours nature's rhythm and invites guests to unwind.

 A tranquil dusk ritual that honours nature's rhythm and invites guests to unwind. Healthy Sleep  Soaked almonds & raisins with cumin-infused water placed at the bedside every night, for a restful sleep.

"The response we've received for The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott has surpassed all expectations. It is heartening to see such alignment from our partner hotels. Between our commitment to sustainable hospitality, the industry's growing appetite for development and Marriott's strong distribution and systems, we look forward to rapidly expanding the Series footprint across the country," said Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director, Concept Hospitality.

All properties under The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott, participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International  allowing members to earn points for their stay at the new hotels, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of extraordinary hotel brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

Series by Marriott marks its initial launch through a founding deal with Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL) in India, a key growth market for Marriott International. CG Hospitality, the hospitality division of the multi-national conglomerate CG Corp Global, is the majority stakeholder in CHPL.

For further details and reservations, please visit the website here. Download images here.

ABOUT MARRIOTT BONVOY

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands and 10,000 global destinations, offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable locations around the world. The award-winning travel program and marketplace gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.
XI'AN, China, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a news release from the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism: As the strains of Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot filled the Shaanxi Grand Theatre on the afternoon of November 9, the curtain fell on the 11th Silk Road International Arts Festivala 25-day celebration that transformed the ancient capital into the epicenter of global cultural exchange.

Hosted by the Shaanxi Provincial Government and co-organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Xi'an Municipal Government, the festival painted a modern portrait of East-West dialogue at one of the world's most historic crossroads.

Between October 16 and November 9, Xi'an welcomed over 1,900 artists from 84 countries and regions, staging more than 60 performances and 30 cultural events attended by 80,000 in-person visitors. Online broadcasts reached audiences well into the hundreds of millions.

This year, China's new 240-hour transit visa-free policy permits eligible travelers to enter China through Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and stay in Shaanxi for up to six days without securing a visa in advance. Festival officials noted a marked rise in international attendeesartists, tourists, and cultural delegationswho routed through Xi'an en route to third destinations, taking advantage of the city's increasingly open gateway to the world.

For the first time, architectural works from the Politecnico di Milano were featured, signaling deeper cooperation between China and Italy in design and visual arts. Artists embraced cross-cultural creation with enthusiasm: an Argentine painter composed poems for his pieces inspired by Chinese aesthetics; Russian artists integrated the Chinese character "" (fortune) into their oil paintings as a blessing for the Silk Road.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Clarinet Quintet introduced American chamber music traditions, while Broadway and London's West End talent headlined a star-studded musical gala.

"It's not just an exhibition," one Slovenian artist commented. "It's a conversation between people, and between ideas."

The ChinaCentral Asia joint exhibition, displaying over 100 representative works across painting, silk art, and intangible heritage, invited audiences to witness the shared beauty found amid cultural differences.

The 11th Silk Road International Arts Festival stood as a compelling testament to the power of culture to connect civilizations. The Silk Road, once defined by caravans and distant horizons, now shines anew  illuminated by creativity, shared humanity, and the enduring power of cultural exchange.

SOURCE Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
Sungrow supplies its advanced 1+X Modular Inverter for the 273 MWac San Martin project, the largest PV plant in Peru.

The project will generate 830 GWh of clean electricity annually, powering over 440,000 homes and reducing 166,549 tons of CO emissions.

Located at 2,500 meters altitude in arid conditions, the project relies on Sungrow's proven technical performance and regional expertise.

AREQUIPA, Peru, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, announced that it is partnering with Zelestra to supply the cutting-edge PV inverter solutions for the 273 MWac San Martin solar project  the largest PV installation in Peru to date. The project went into full commercial operation recently and will play a vital role in facilitating Peru's energy decarbonization, helping the country accelerate its transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy mix.

Sungrow Partners with Zelestra to Supply Perus Largest PV Project

Proven Technology and Delivery Excellence Behind a Landmark Solar Project

Located in the arid desert region of Arequipa at a high altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, the project faces a unique set of environmental challenges, including extreme temperature variation and low humidity. Sungrow's proven performance in similar climates made it the ideal partner to deliver a highly reliable and efficient technical solution for this landmark project.

Sungrow will supply its 1+X Modular Inverter (8.8 MW medium-voltage turnkey solution). The product boasts a modular design with a 1.1MW single unit as the minimum, offering scalability, flexibility, high operation & maintenance efficiency, and optimal performance under harsh environmental conditions. The plant will also deploy bifacial modules and single-axis trackers to maximize energy yield.

With the robust support of Sungrow, the project was completed from contract signing to commercial operation in just 16 monthsallowing the plant to begin generating revenue earlier and enhancing the customer's return on investment.

A Milestone in Peru's Renewable Energy Journey

Once operational, the project is expected to generate 830 GWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power over 440,000 households and offset approximately 166,549 tons of CO emissions each year. The project is also a major economic catalyst for the region, creating over 900 jobs during its construction phase.

The Peruvian MINEM (Ministry of Energy and Mines) has announced plans to bring online 14 solar projects totaling 2.5 GW by 2028, all connected to the National Interconnected Electric System (SEIN). The San Martin project sets a new benchmark for Peru's renewable energy ambitions, and its recent inauguration by President Dina Boluarte reflects its national significance.

"We view Sungrow not just as a supplier, but as a strategic long-term partner," said Jose Luis Garcia, CEO Latam at Zelestra. "Their technical capabilities and regional track record give us confidence as we scale our renewable energy portfolio across Latin America."

"Zelestra placed top priority on regulatory compliance and technical excellence," said Gonzalo Feito, Regional Director of Sungrow LATAM. "With our deep regional expertise, proven product reliability, and strong service support across Latin America, we're proud to help Zelestra bring this historic project to life and drive forward Peru's clean energy transition."

This partnership builds on an already strong relationship between the two companies. Just months ago, Sungrow signed a major agreement with Zelestra to provide 1 GWh of energy storage for the Aurora hybrid project in Chile.

Sungrow currently holds over 1 GWh in contracted capacity in Peru, backed by a comprehensive local team offering sales, engineering, and after-sales service. The company continues to deepen its presence in Latin America, enabling reliable, low-carbon power for the region's growing energy demands.

About Zelestra

With a portfolio of over 29 GW of carbon-free projects in 13 countries (5.4 GW contracted with customers and in operations, construction, or pre-construction stage), Zelestra is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, commercialization, construction, and operation of large-scale renewable energy projects. The company is backed by EQT, one of the world's largest funds, with more than 273 billion in total assets under management.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com.

SOURCE Sungrow
Attributes 244% Revenue Growth to the expanding adoption of remote intelligent care and strong partnerships across the EHR ecosystem

HOUSTON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tellihealth today announced it ranked 312 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 , a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 31st year. Tellihealth grew 244% during this period.

Tellihealth recognized in Deloitte's 2025 Technology Fast 500 for innovation in Life Sciences.

Tellihealth's Chief Executive Officer, Asif Ahmad , credits the company's sustained innovation in remote patient monitoring (RPM) and chronic care management (CCM)  along with its growing network of integrated EHR partnerships, for driving Tellihealth's 244% revenue growth. He said:

"Our growth reflects the trust providers place in Tellihealth to deliver intelligent, scalable solutions that make connected care simple and human. By combining technology with compassion, we've helped thousands of practices expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen financial performance  and we're just getting started."

"This year's rankings highlight both enduring leadership and breakthrough momentum," said Wolfe Tone, US Deloitte Private & Emerging Client Portfolio leader and partner, Deloitte Tax LLP. "More than half of the winners are prior honorees, yet the majority of the top ten are first-time entrants  demonstrating the staying power of established leaders alongside the accelerating growth of new innovators across key sectors. As in previous years, private companies continue to dominate, underscoring the agility that private enterprises bring to competitive markets, enabling the exceptional triple and quadruple digit growth reflected in these rankings."

Tellihealth, formerly Accuhealth and Signallamp Health, previously ranked #103 as a Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2023, and #108 for 2022.

Overall, 2025 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 122% to 29,738% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,079%.

About the 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500

Now in its 31st year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2021 to 2024.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that significantly contributes to the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million, with a growth rate of 50% or greater. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America (United States and Canada).

About Tellihealth

Tellihealth was formed through the merger of Accuhealth and Signallamp Health to redefine care delivery with intelligent, integrated RPM and CCM solutions. Powered by accuRPM, accuCCM, signalCCM, and plug-and-play 4G-enabled devices, Tellihealth's Evelyn platform delivers seamless, patient-centered remote care. Anchored in its ALL IN valuesINtelligence, INnovation, and INtegrityTellihealth is advancing human-centered healthcare that reduces complexity while improving outcomes. For more information, please visit tellihealth.com .

*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.

SOURCE Tellihealth
LONDON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- If you prefer a physical gift, you're now in a small minority. A recent survey found an incredible 92% of U.S. adults say they'd rather receive an experience than a physical gift; a material jump up from 62% in 2021. Giving travel experiences as presents has reached record highs.

According to McKinsey, "demand for luxury tourismis expected to grow faster than for any other industry segment" in 2025 and beyond.

The Luminaire Experience Card: Japan Samurai Experience

The Luminaire  a luxury travel company 'for curious explorers' has introduced a collection of Experience Cards, offering a new approach to gifting that places, discovery and thoughtful exploration at the centre of the travel experience.

Designed for people who value memorable encounters over material possessions, these cards allow givers to gift an entire trip  curated by The Luminaire's experts  in a simple, elegant format.

Rather than offering generic credit-style vouchers, the Experience Cards unlock complete itineraries including the Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Journeys range

Each card represents a fully conceived journey for two guests, from private watchmaking ateliers in Switzerland (9,900) to oenological explorations in France (9,100 Bordeaux, 9,180 Champagne).

Once received, travellers are guided by The Luminaire's team to tailor the experience to their interests, ensuring the gift becomes suitably personalised.

This new format responds to a growing desire for gifts that broaden horizons and shape personal legacy. An example would be The Luminaire's Foundation Trip: The Kilimanjaro Challenge" (3,995) Experience Card, with all proceeds donated to their partner, Virgin Unite.

Adam Sebba, CEO and Founder of The Luminaire, said: "Travel is one of the few gifts that can genuinely change how people see the world, so we wanted to create something that honours that potential. Experience Cards are not simply a convenient way to package a holiday  they are an invitation to curiosity.

"We see these cards being gifted by people who want to offer insight, inspiration and a sense of possibility. At their best, these experiences can spark ideas, restore perspective and create memories that stay with people for life."

For those wanting to simply gift a flexible monetary amount, there is also the option of buying vouchers for 500 upwards  particularly suitable for honeymooners.

The full Experience Card collection is available at: https://www.theluminaire.com/gift-cards

Imagery available here: https://theluminaire.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/theluminaire/Enhl8g64tDVKgSwJho9frMMBiNYG5Mgzy9mAD94eKNItHg?e=NBv1k7

About The Luminaire

The Luminaire designs travel experiences that are led by insiders, blending exceptional access with immersive storytelling, so that curious travellers return richer in understanding, connection, and the kind of stories that stay with them.

The Luminaire Foundation provides cultural stewardship for future generations across natural conservation; cultural preservation; and education. In partnership with Virgin Unite  the independent non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group  100% of profits from upcoming Foundation trips will go towards global initiatives including The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela.

The team at The Luminaire is led by travel entrepreneur and CEO, Adam Sebba.

Website: https://www.theluminaire.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theluminairetravel/

Please contact [email protected]

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SOURCE The Luminaire
Verndale and Fishtank combine 14 Sitecore MVPs and award-winning expertise to help brands navigate the AI era with confidence.

BOSTON and CALGARY, AB, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Verndale, a leading digital customer experience company, announced today the acquisition of Fishtank , a Sitecore Platinum Partner. The acquisition significantly expands Verndale's Sitecore expertise , deepens its AI and composable capabilities, and marks another milestone in its mission to build a new model for a new era, guiding ambitious brands through the next generation of connected experiences.

The acquisition comes at a time of significant industry change, as brands seek to navigate the AI era and technology platforms advance to meet unparalleled customer expectations. This move positions Verndale among North America's most advanced SitecoreAI experience practices, combining the talent and innovation of two award-winning partners. Together, the agencies bring a combined 14 Sitecore MVPs, a proven record of enterprise-scale implementations, and a shared commitment to turning emerging technology into measurable business growth.

"Verndale and Fishtank have earned their reputations by helping brands modernize with Sitecore," said Eric Stine, CEO of Sitecore. "Together they bring the scale, expertise, and innovation our customers need to realize the full value of SitecoreAI."

"Verndale and Fishtank share a belief in guiding clients' progress through technology," said Chris Pisapia, CEO of Verndale. "This acquisition brings together two of Sitecore's most awarded partners. Our combined depth of expertise allows us to deliver that value at even greater scale, guiding brands confidently into the AI-driven future and turning the power of SitecoreAI into business impact."

Verndale was recognized this year with the Sitecore Award for Innovation, while Fishtank earned the Sitecore Award for Strategic Excellence. Together, the teams will empower mid-market and enterprise organizations to personalize, automate, and scale digital engagement through advanced SitecoreAI and composable architectures.

"We've always been driven by innovation and delivering technical excellence to help our clients grow," said Dan Cruickshank, President of Fishtank. "Now, by joining Verndale, we can help brands move faster into the AI era, delivering smarter, more adaptive, and more personalized experiences."

With the addition of Fishtank and the expansion of its data and analytics offering , Verndale continues to evolve its agency model, helping brands modernize, orchestrate, and operate their digital ecosystems to achieve measurable growth.

About Verndale

Verndale is an independent digital customer experience company that guides ambitious brands through the next generation of connected experiencescombining strategy, design, technology, and data to drive measurable growth. A multi-award-winning Sitecore Platinum Partner, Verndale delivers end-to-end digital solutions for global enterprises across industries. Learn more at verndale.com .

About Fishtank

Fishtank is a Sitecore Platinum Partner recognized for its excellence in Sitecore development, composable architecture, and digital experience strategy. Based in Alberta, Canada, Fishtank helps leading enterprise brands design and deliver scalable, adaptive experiences. Learn more at getfishtank.com .

Media Contact

Tracey Barber

VP, Marketing

[email protected]

617-399-9353

SOURCE Verndale Corporation
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crafty Apes is continuing its international expansion with a round of senior creative and production hires across the UK, Canada, and Australia, bolstering the studio's leadership bench as demand for high-end VFX work surges worldwide.

Crafty Apes has hired two key players in leadership at its Sydney office. Creative Director and Senior VFX Supervisor Adam Paschke will lead the office in overseeing high-profile feature work. Paschke brings extensive experience across major studio films and episodic franchises after serving as a staff VFX Supervisor for Double Negative and MPC prior to coming to Crafty. His credits include contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Alien: Covenant.

Crafty has also hired Jeanette Manifold to work with Paschke as Head of Studio in Australia. Manifold previously held operational roles at DNEG, MPC, and Jellyfish Pictures, overseeing global teams on titles including Avengers: Infinity War, The Dark Knight, Wonder Woman, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Award-winning VFX Supervisor Javier Roca joins Crafty's Montreal studio, also serving as Creative Director. Roca brings experience from Weta FX, Industrial Light & Magic and Rodeo FX, having supervised high-budget features with complex CG environments, FX simulation, and creature work. Javier is adept at artistic collaboration with A-list filmmakers and running multiple VFX units during production. He is currently supervising an unannounced action-comedy for a major studio, on which Crafty Apes is the sole vendor.

Clare and Jonathan Cheetham have joined the staff at Crafty Apes London and will be working with Creative Director Jasper Kidd. Clare is an Emmy-winning VFX Producer with more than two decades of experience at Double Negative and Framestore, and her credits include Chernobyl and The Martian. Clare will be supporting the studio's business development efforts as an Executive VFX Producer. Jonathan's distinguished career includes over two decades as a VFX Supervisor and artistic lead on blockbusters including Solo: A Star Wars Story and Wes Anderson's Asteroid City, among many other titles.

"These hires mark a key step in our global growth," said Alana Newell, CEO of Crafty Apes. "Clare and Jonathan felt like part of the team from day one, with a deep commitment to both our clients and crew. Javier brings a creative passion and level of excellence that elevates every film he works on. In Sydney, Adam has been a mentor of mine through the years, whose creative acumen has helped push me to raise the bar across everything we create. As for Jeanette, I've long admired her track record for building strong, inclusive teams. Across all five hires, what stands out is their dedication to artistry, people, and problem-solving  all values at the heart of Crafty."

About Crafty Apes

Crafty Apes is a full-service visual effects company with studios in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Vancouver, Montreal, London, New Jersey, New York, and Sydney. Founded in 2011, Crafty has a talented roster of creative and production supervisors that offer a full suite of VFX services, including set supervision, VFX consultation, 2D and 3D compositing, digital cosmetics, machine learning solutions and CG imagery. Crafty Apes' work can be seen on such titles as IT: Welcome to Derry, Spider-Man: No Way Home; Captain America: Brave New World, The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere, The Housemaid and Stranger Things. For more information, visit www.craftyapes.com.

Media Contact: Marilyn Lintel

404.625.9819 | [email protected]

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NYSE: VZLA TSX: VZLA

Opportunistic capital raise with proceeds used to support exploration and development of the Panuco Project, potential future acquisitions, and general corporate purposes

A portion of the proceeds to be used to purchase cash-settled capped calls intended to compensate for economic dilution

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSX: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") announces that it has priced its previously announced offering of convertible senior unsecured notes due 2031 (the "Notes") in an aggregate principal amount of US$250 million (the "Offering"). The Offering is expected to close, subject to customary closing conditions, on or about November 24, 2025. The Company has granted the initial purchasers of the Notes an option for a period of 13 days, beginning on, and including the date on which the Notes are first issued, to purchase up to an additional US$50 million aggregate principal amount of Notes.

The Notes

The Notes will bear cash interest semi-annually at a rate of 5.00% per annum. The initial conversion rate for the Notes will be 171.3062 common shares of the Company ("Shares") per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$5.84 per Share. The initial conversion price represents a premium of approximately 25% above the US$4.67 last reported sale price of the Shares on the NYSE American on November 19, 2025. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in certain events. The Notes will be convertible into Shares, cash or a combination of Shares and cash, at the Company's election.

The Company will have the right to redeem the Notes in certain circumstances, and holders will have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

The Company estimates that the net proceeds from the Offering will be approximately US$239.4 million (or approximately US$285.9 million if the initial purchasers fully exercise their option to purchase additional Notes), after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to support the exploration and development of the Panuco Project, potential future acquisitions, as well as for general corporate purposes. Additionally, the Company intends to pay the purchase price for the capped call transactions of approximately US$39.6 million with a portion of the net proceeds from the Offering or from existing cash on hand. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional Notes, the Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the additional Notes to enter into additional capped call transactions with the capped call counterparties and the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

Capped Call Transactions

In connection with the pricing of the Notes, the Company has entered into privately negotiated cash-settled capped call transactions with an affiliate of one of the initial purchasers of the Notes and certain other financial institutions (the "capped call counterparties"). The capped call transactions cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the Notes, the number of Shares that will initially underlie the Notes. The cap price of the capped call transactions is initially US$10.5075 per Share, representing a premium of 125% above the last reported sale price of the Shares on the NYSE American on November 19, 2025, and is subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the capped call transactions.

The capped call transactions are expected generally to compensate (through the payment of cash to the Company) for potential economic dilution upon conversion of the Notes and/or offset any cash payments that the Company could be required to make in excess of the principal amount of any converted Notes upon conversion thereof, as the case may be, with such compensation and/or offset subject to a cap.

In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the Company expects that the capped call counterparties or their respective affiliates to enter into various derivative transactions with respect to the Shares and/or purchase Shares concurrently with, or shortly after, the pricing of the Notes, including with, or from, as the case may be, certain investors in the Notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Shares or the Notes at that time.

In addition, the capped call counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to the Shares and/or purchasing or selling the Shares or other of the Company's securities in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the Notes and prior to the maturity of the Notes (and are likely to do so during the 45 trading day period beginning on the 46th scheduled trading day prior to the maturity date of the Notes and, to the extent the Company exercises the relevant election under the capped call transactions, following any earlier conversion, redemption or repurchase of the Notes). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of the Shares or the Notes, which could affect a noteholder's ability to convert the Notes and, to the extent the activity occurs during any observation period related to a conversion of the Notes, it could affect the number of Shares and value of the consideration that noteholders will receive upon conversion of the Notes.

The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American.

The Notes and the Shares issuable upon the conversion thereof have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), registered under any state securities laws, or qualified by a prospectus in any province or territory of Canada. The Notes and the Shares may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act. The Notes will be offered only to "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act). Offers and sales in Canada will be made only pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus requirements of applicable Canadian provincial and territorial securities laws.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the Notes or any other securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Qualified Person

In accordance with NI 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP., Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release.

About Vizsla Silver

Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. Vizsla Silver aims to position itself as a leading silver company by implementing a dual track development approach at Panuco, advancing mine development while continuing district scale exploration through low-cost means.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts, such as statements concerning the estimated net proceeds of the Offering, the anticipated use of such net proceeds (including the capped call transactions) and expectations regarding the closing of the Offering (including the capped call transactions). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements.

In addition, forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "plan," "believe," "goal," "target," "aim," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "continue," "could," "may," "might," "possible," "potential," "predict," "should," "would," "will" and other similar words and expressions, although the absence of these words or expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of the Company's management and are inherently subject to a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among others, the risk that the Company may not be able to consummate the proposed Offering or the capped call transactions on satisfactory conditions or at all, and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading "Risk Factors" in those filings, and other risks it may identify from time to time. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of any new information, changed circumstances or future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp.
Wynn continues to pave the way for a more robust future for China's wine industry on a global level

MACAO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Created by "Wynn Signature", Wynn's exclusive lifestyle brand, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards 2026 are set to commence once again. Registrations for the Chinese wine industry awards are in full swing, and Wynn recently held two large-scale launch events in Beijing and Shanghai to boost even greater awareness around the highly anticipated event. The high-profile launch events aim to encourage more top-tier Chinese wineries to participate, discover and select more fine Chinese wines; to showcase the remarkable achievements of China's wine industry; and to accelerate the globalization of the Chinese wine sector.

Winemakers, representatives from wineries, industry leaders and media gather together at the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards 2026 launch dinner in Beijing on September 26 Wynn pairs award-winning Chinse wines with dishes at various culinary events at its signature restaurants

Wynn unifies wine industry by hosting launch events in two key China cities

On September 26, Wynn held a launch dinner event for the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards 2026 at GUI TEMPLE restaurant in the heart of Beijing. The gala dinner brought together representatives from wineries, winemakers, industry leaders, and media from all across the country. Guests not only had an opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions about the awards, but also discussed plans for building brand awareness and marketing strategies for the future growth of this significant industry event.

More recently on November 11, a Relay Dinner was held in Shanghai, where close to 100 industry guests gathered at Charcoal SH to celebrate the launch of the highly anticipated event next year. At the reception, guests were given the opportunity to taste more than 70 fine wines from 51 Chinese wineries, savoring the diverse terroirs and the exceptional quality of Chinese wines. The dinner coincided with the opening of ProWine Shanghai 2025, the leading international trade fair for wine and spirits in China. Wynn partnered with Charles Guo, founder of Zhijiu Studio and the ProWine event to host a Shangri-La Plateau Region Masterclass where guests tasted the award-winning wines from the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. The collaborative event offered an in-depth exploration into the Shangri-La Plateau region's distinctive local terroir and served as a platform to showcase the remarkable achievements of the awards in just two short years.

Wynn dedicates three years toward building a global platform for China's wine sector

In 2026, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards will enter its third year. Wynn will continue to uphold its visionary principle of "International Standards, Chinese Ingenuity" to elevate the awards to even higher standards, creating a global platform that offers wine education classes, innovative exchanges, a more rigorous evaluation system and a targeted promotional strategy. Wynn is also introducing new awards for the "Wynn Sommelier's Choice" category, including the "Fontana Sommelier's Choice Award" and the "Lakeside Trattoria Sommelier's Choice Award". The award-winning wines of 2026 will be promoted beyond the existing markets of Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and expand into even more markets around the world. The goals are to create a much broader platform for Chinese wines, strengthen the synergies between Chinese top-tier wines and the global marketplace, and further elevate the Chinese wine industry to even greater heights.

A look back at the highlights: Promoting the finest Chinese wines to the world

Since the inaugural awards event in 2024, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards has garnered global acclaim for its rigorous international judging standards, highly respected panel of judges, authoritative evaluations and influential network of international resources to showcase Chinese wines on a global stage. Wynn set a pivotal new benchmark for China's wine industry as the awards became the largest gathering of its kind to evaluate Chinese wines based on international standards. The awards selected the finest Chinese wines that best represented China's distinctive terroirs and promoted the exchange of ideas and innovative collaborations between wineries and production areas.

In 2025, Wynn took the awards to the next level, attracting nearly 900 varieties of wine from close to 200 of China's most prestigious wineries. An elevated judging panel featured 27 of the world's leading authorities on wine. The panel conducted strict blind tastings to select the wines that best represent China and also evaluated the rising stars of China's wine industry to commend them for their achievements. Following on from the awards ceremony, Wynn launched a number of targeted global promotions for the award-winning wines in collaboration with its network of partners around the world. First, Wynn hosted wine tasting events in Singapore and Hong Kong at 67 Pall Mall, a prestigious private members' wine club, to connect with professional wine buyers and high-end members. More recently, Wynn partnered with Watson's Wine, Hong Kong's largest specialist wine retailer, to promote this year's award-winning wines through a variety of online and offline promotions. The collaboration has yielded positive results, with sales doubling year-on-year  a clear sign of the market's growing recognition and appreciation for Chinese wines.

To further boost awareness around the award-winning Chinese wines, Wynn recently held a members-only tasting event at Christie's Hong Kong. Guests were extremely impressed with the wines  yet another positive sign of the immense market potential of Chinese wines for global recognition around the world.

Sharing colorful stories of China's culinary culture through food and wine

Beyond being listed on the wine menus of Wynn signature restaurants, the award-winning Chinese wines are being showcased at a series of high-profile culinary events, where the acclaimed chefs at Wynn partner with Asia's leading chefs to showcase diverse culinary cultures and the flavor profiles of Chinese wines. In May, Executive Chef Tam Kwok Fung of the Michelin two-starred Chef Tam's Seasons at Wynn collaborated with Nusara, a renowned Thai restaurant ranked on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, to present a creative blend of traditional Cantonese and modern Thai dishes paired with fine wines from Shandong Penglai's Domaine de Long Dai. The following month, Chef Tam's Seasons and Shanghai's LING LONG partnered to host "Six Shades of Flavors"  a two-night, four-hands dinner  inspired by the six traditional Chinese colors which perfectly complemented the colorful wines of Petit Mont. In September, Chef Tam's Seasons also collaborated with David Lai, chef-owner of the Michelin-starred Neighborhood restaurant in Hong Kong, and Angela Lai, recipient of the Asia's 50 Best Pastry Chef honor in 2021. Together, the three chefs crafted an exquisite feast themed around seasonal mushrooms paired with wines produced in the Yunnan region.

Wynn has also jointly hosted culinary events with renowned Chinese wineries across a number of cities in China. In August, Cantonese Master Chef Tam Kwok Fung met Su Qisheng, a leading expert in Yunnan cuisine, in a remote mountain village in Yunnan to create dishes celebrating the region's prized wild mushrooms which were paired with an exclusive selection of award-winning vintages from Yunnan. Wynn also organized a media visit to a local Yunnan winery to discover the deep-rooted bonds between terroir and flavor. In September, Executive Chef Chan Tak Kwong of the Michelin two-starred Wing Lei restaurant at Wynn visited Longting Vineyard, a heritage boutique winery located along the picturesque coast of Shandong peninsula. While at the vineyard, Chef Tak used local autumn seasonal ingredients from Penglai to create authentic Cantonese dishes and paired them with the fine wines of Longting Vineyard. Looking ahead, Wynn plans to expand its dining events to a greater number of wine regions across China, including Hebei and Xinjiang.

Registrations for the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards2026 are now open and will close on December 31, 2025. For the latest information on the awards event, please visit: https://www.wynnresortsmacau.com/en/wynn-signature/chinese-wine-awards.

For media enquiries, please contact:

FINN Partners Greater China

[email protected]

SOURCE Wynn Resorts (Macau)
BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A landmark report titled "Charting a New Vision for Modernization: Hunan's Initiatives and Explorations in China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation" has been launched at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference recently held in South Africa's Johannesburg, offering a practical model for deepening South-South cooperation.

The report systematically reviews the achievements in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, highlighting the progress in building the Pioneering Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, which is an important initiative among China's 10 cooperation plans and nine programs of China-Africa cooperation.

The report indicates that the Pioneering Zone has made positive achievements in institutional innovation, pilot exploration, and model breakthroughs. A series of "pioneering" initiatives introduced in the zone, marked by first creations, first trials, and first showcases, has provided valuable practical examples for deepening South-South cooperation.

In terms of "first creations", Hunan pioneered the launching of a pre-evaluation system to help African food enter Chinese market.

Meanwhile, Hunan started a trial operation of a new type of barter trade with Africa and introduced specialized insurance products. By the end of October, the province saw the cumulative value of this new barter trade with Africa reaching 204 million yuan (about 28.7 million U.S. dollars), ranking first nationwide. An innovative model of "overseas warehouses + FTN accounts + local currency settlement" has also been introduced.

Additionally, the brand building of "Quality African Products" has shown remarkable results, helping African products explore their markets in China. Over 120 African branded products are now available in China's shopping centers.

China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with investment and project contracts growing continuously, making positive contributions to the development of Africa, says the report.

The report notes that strengthening China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is of great significance for promoting common development and advancing South-South cooperation in the backdrop of profound changes in global landscape.

The report suggests that both sides should improve the cooperation mechanisms, deepen industrial cooperation, innovate financial services, and enhance digital and intelligent empowerment to further elevate the level of cooperation.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348389.html
TOKYO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- This fall, a wave of "unchecked bears" has gripped Japan, turning many parts of the country into zones of fear.

According to data from Japan's environment ministry, 88 people were attacked by bears in October alone, seven of whom died, with both figures marking record highs for a single month. In the seven months through October, the number of bear attack victims in the country totaled 196, a record high for the same period in the past five years.

What made people even more unsettling is another recent trend. These wandering bears are a stark metaphor for another, far more dangerous "beasts" stirring in Japan and beyond: the resurgence of historical revisionism and militarism, which is wantonly trampling on justice and conscience, and the post-WWII international order.

To understand the parallel, start with the bears. Environmental scientists point to several causes for their incursion into human spaces. Global warming has disrupted the growth of acorns and other foods bears rely on to survive hibernation, driving them from their mountain habitats in search of sustenance. Urban sprawl has blurred the line between wilderness and residential areas. And once bears taste the easy calories of garbage or unattended food near homes, they keep coming back, lured by a "reward" that erodes their instinct to stay in their own territory.

Now consider Japan's recent political behavior: a pattern of provocation that mirrors the destructive, boundary-crossing behavior of bears.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, barely a month into office, has emerged as an aggressive voice in this trend.

She has made blatantly erroneous remarks about Taiwan, interfering in China's internal affairs and even suggesting possible military involvement in the Taiwan Strait, which drew strong protests from China and a wave of condemnation across Japan and around the world.

Tokyo also stoked a long-simmering dispute with South Korea by expanding an exhibition hall that asserts Japanese sovereignty over a set of disputed islets called Dokdo by South Korea and Takeshima by Japan. The move was so provocative that South Korea canceled planned joint search-and-rescue drills.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), too, has sounded the alarm. DPRK media criticized Takaichi's calls to boost defense spending and revise three key national security documents ahead of schedule, accusing Tokyo of shedding its "mask of a peaceful nation" to reveal an ugly "warlike face."

Russia, meanwhile, announced an indefinite ban on entry of 30 Japanese citizens accused of fanning anti-Russian sentiment. Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, recently noted the contradiction between Japan's claims of wanting "normalized relations" and Takaichi's embrace of historical revisionism.

These reactions from Japan's major neighbors are not random. They come as the year marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, a milestone that should have been an occasion for reflection, but instead has become a platform for entrenching a distorted view of history by the Japanese side. The roots of this distortion, like the roots of the bear crisis, are deep and systemic.

The "macro climate" here is decades of flawed historical education and political gaslighting. As the generation that lived through Japan's wartime aggression fades, the country's public memory has shifted from acknowledging its role as a "perpetrator" of wartime crime across Asia to framing itself as a "victim." Historical revisionists have exploited this shift, infiltrating politics, media, and academia to chip away at the remorseful tone of the Murayama Statement made in 1995, which is regarded as the pinnacle of Japan's apology for its wrongdoing before and during World War II.

In 2015, when marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gutted that legacy with his own statement, declaring that it's unnecessary for Japan's future generations to keep apologizing. This year, plans for an official statement to mark the 80th anniversary were scrapped under pressure, cementing revisionism as Japan's de facto official stance. Takaichi, a political heir of Abe, has only accelerated this trend.

The "micro climate" is the manipulation of public opinion by right-wing forces. Politicians like Abe, Taro Aso, and Takaichi have discovered that "tough" rhetoric on certain issues may help gain political popularity, which has created a perverse incentive: Ruling party members, and even some opposition figures, now compete to outdo one another in hawkishness, chasing the political "sweetener" of public approval just as bears chase easy human food.

The result is a country increasingly drifting rightward, with xenophobia and populism on the rise.

There is a lesson in how Japan is responding to its bear problem: It is deploying practical, defensive measures, including pepper spray, reinforced garbage bins, and even rifles, to protect communities and push bears back to where they belong.

Bears that keep wandering into human spaces face severe consequences. The same is true for a Japan that lets historical revisionism and militarism run unchecked. The world is watching. It is time for Tokyo to step back from the edge and rein in the "beasts," which will surely be heavily battered by the force of justice. 
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- On the path of Chinese modernization, the country has achieved steady progress in building a "Healthy China" and it is now set to accelerate its efforts in the years ahead.

At a key Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee meeting held in Beijing last month, the Party leadership adopted recommendations for formulating the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for economic and social development, which required enhancing both life expectancy and the overall health of the people.

Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that governments across the country should make public health a priority in their work plans for the coming period, take health indicators as crucial aspects in their performance assessment, and help foster healthy lifestyles, production methods, and governance models.

The recommendations mandated deepening the reform of public hospitals in staffing allocation, service pricing, salary system, and supervision, to see that they truly serve the public interest. The document also urged strengthening support for the operation of county- and grassroots-level medical institutions.

China's public hospital reform has made notable progress, yet issues remain, said Lei, emphasizing the necessity to make the government the primary stakeholder in running hospitals.

He highlighted efforts to establish a medical price adjustment mechanism with medical services as the dominant factor, improve the salary system, and strengthen supervision over medical service quality and safety, institutional operations, and the behavior of healthcare professionals, while cracking down on insurance fraud and corruption in the pharmaceutical sector.

China will also subsidize public medical institutions that face financial difficulties but with patient demands, Lei said.

In terms of high-quality population development, the recommendations proposed pilot subsidies for childcare services, and reducing the financial burdens incurred by childbirth, childcare, and education.

Lei said China will implement comprehensive measures to build a birth-friendly society, optimize supportive and incentive policies for childbirth, and steadily expand the scope of free education.

Efforts will be made to help young people develop positive attitudes toward marriage and childbirth, leverage the effects of policies such as childcare subsidies and personal income tax deductions, and develop an inclusive childcare service system, Lei noted.

Additionally, China will enhance capacities for prenatal care and birth defect prevention, aiming to reduce the number of induced abortions, he added.

In the coming years, population aging will continue to be pressing issue in China, leading to a growing demand for medical care for individuals with disabilities and cognitive impairments, as well as hospice care for patients in the terminal stages of illness.

"We will strengthen sci-tech innovation to address major health issues, expand the supply of rehabilitation nursing and hospice care services in both urban and rural areas, and promote the establishment of a long-term care insurance system," Lei said.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period, China has established a medical and health care service system of the largest scale in the world, deepened the reform of the medical and health system, and promoted high-quality population development.

By the end of 2024, the number of medical and health institutions across China exceeded one million, with nearly 16 million medical and health personnel. Residents can now reach the nearest medical and health service site within 15 minutes.

In 2024, China's average life expectancy reached 79 years, with an average annual increase of more than 0.2 years in the past five years. Key indicators such as maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate continued to improve. The average life expectancy is expected to increase to around 80 years by 2030.

Official figures show that Chinese residents' health literacy level has risen from 23.15 percent in 2020 to 31.87 percent in 2024. The premature mortality rate from major chronic diseases has dropped by 10.6 percent.

The incidence rates of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS have continued to decline or remained at a low prevalence level, and the country has withstood the significant impact and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The central government has provided financial support to 70 cities to facilitate pilot projects aimed at promoting the high-quality development and reform of public hospitals, further highlighting the public welfare nature of the medical and health care undertakings.

China has also successively introduced a series of policy measures to encourage childbirth, including extending maternity leave, enhancing prenatal and postnatal care services, implementing personal income tax deductions for child-rearing expenses, and gradually rolling out free preschool education.

China has established and implemented a childcare subsidy system and developed inclusive childcare services. 
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SEOUL, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's automotive exports fell in October due to fewer business days, government data showed Thursday.

Car shipments declined 10.5 percent from a year earlier to 5.55 billion U.S. dollars last month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

The drop stemmed mainly from fewer working days, caused by the Chuseok holiday, the South Korean version of Thanksgiving Day, according to the ministry.

Auto exports to the United States and the European Union shrank, while shipments to Asia spiked, the data showed. 
LUSAKA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday that China is ready to work with Zambia to expand bilateral trade and tap cooperation potential in industrial sectors such as mining, new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence.

Li made the remarks in talks with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. 
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Capital Planning and Construction Committee (CPCC), attends the sixth plenary meeting of the 20th CPCC and gives a speech in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cai Qi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), attended a meeting on the planning and construction of the Chinese capital on Thursday.

At the sixth plenary meeting of the 20th Capital Planning and Construction Committee (CPCC), Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the CPCC, also gave a speech.

It is essential to gain a clear understanding of the capital's positioning and role in the entire process of Chinese modernization, promote the development of the capital in the new era and enhance its connotative development, according to the meeting.

The meeting called for efforts to steadily and orderly relocate functions non-essential to Beijing's role as the capital, better support the development of the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei Province, and further promote urban renewal.

The meeting stressed the need to optimize the urban system of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, further strengthen spatial coordination, and address the shortcomings and weaknesses identified in the city review.

A vision of security must be woven into the capital's planning, construction, development, and governance to build a resilient and secure city, the meeting said.

Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the CPCC, presided over the meeting. 
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of children gathered in a stadium in Beijing on Thursday, World Children's Day, to learn all about garbage classification, try their hand at generating electricity, and collect stamps related to ocean protection.

As the culmination of a six-month campaign, "Step Up for Climate," the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Chinese Meteorological Society (CMS) hosted a flagship event at Beijing Polytechnic University, where they called for climate solutions.

"Adolescents are the future and hope of the country, and they are also an important force in the fight against climate change," said Jiao Meiyan, deputy chair of the CMS.

World Children's Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20, 1989.

"Across China, children and young people are rising to meet one of the greatest challenges of our time: the climate crisis," said UNICEF Representative to China Amakobe Sande.

While climate change affects the entire world, according to the UNICEF, nearly 70 percent of Chinese children face more than six heatwaves a year and over 110 million experience water scarcity.

"Every child has the right to grow up in a safe, clean, and sustainable environment," said Sande. "Young people are not waiting to be rescued, they are leading the response. They are transforming classrooms into climate labs and showing the world that they are the architects of climate solutions."

Since 2021, the UNICEF Office for China has collaborated with the Ministry of Education to integrate green skills -- the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society -- into vocational education. The initiative equips young people with the expertise and skills needed to thrive in the green economy and to lead climate-smart solutions in their communities.

Zhang Sasa, headmaster of the Hainan Agriculture School in south China's island province Hainan, told Xinhua that the program has enhanced students' environmental awareness in their daily lives. They have actively participated in environmental protection activities and are now able to proactively apply green skills to empower their studies and enrich their lives.

For instance, a student improved the smart irrigation system to save water, and another helped draft a brochure for the fishermen to protect the ocean.

Gong Yifan, a 17-year-old student with the Chongqing No.8 Secondary School in the southwest Chinese municipality of Chongqing, did a study with his friends on the carbon emission behind the digital technology.

"Today everyone is using a cellphone, but many of them are not aware of the carbon emission behind it," he said, adding that in recent years, Chongqing, dubbed as a "furnace city" for its scorching summers, is becoming increasingly hot due to climate change.

"We must take action," he noted. "Environmental issues are closely related to a country's development, and every person's life."

With support from UNICEF, 48 cities and counties across China, along with over 30 UNICEF program schools, also marked their commitment to children's rights for World Children's Day. Many cities and schools have implemented creative lighting displays by creating sculptures and installations with children centered around environmental themes, using recyclable materials.

"I would also like to speak to the children and young people," said Sande in her speech. "You are the generation that will redefine what it means to live sustainably. You will build bridges between science and society, between policy and people, between hope and action." 
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The blatant Taiwan-related remarks made recently by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are fundamentally undermining the political foundation of China-Japan relations and causing a severe negative impact on China-Japan economic and trade exchanges and cooperation, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

China urges the Japanese side to take a responsible attitude toward history and China-Japan relations, withdraw its wrongful remarks and actions, earnestly fulfill its commitments to China, and create a favorable environment for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, He Yongqian, a commerce ministry spokesperson, said at a regular press briefing on Thursday.

"If Japan persists in its own way and continues to go further down the wrong path, China will resolutely take necessary measures and all consequences will be borne by Japan," the spokesperson said in response to a media query over the Japanese prime minister's recent remarks regarding Taiwan, which have drawn a massive public backlash among the Chinese people.

Regarding another question on media reports alleging the Chinese government has informed Japan that it would suspend imports of Japanese aquatic products, the spokesperson said she currently "has no information to provide," but stressed that Takaichi's wrongful remarks have drawn strong public outrage in China.

"Japan cannot expect to damage Chinese sentiment while seeking benefits at the same time. This is not the right way to deal with China," she said, urging Japan to immediately correct its wrongdoings.

Takaichi's blatant suggestion of possible military involvement in the Taiwan Strait have drawn global criticism for reviving militarism and threatening regional stability. 
GAZA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Hamas-run media office on Thursday accused the Israeli military of a "blatant violation" of the cease-fire agreement, claiming Israel expanded the Yellow Line boundary that restricts its operations east of Gaza City.

In a statement, the Hamas office alleged the Israeli army had committed a "new act of aggression" by pushing into eastern Gaza City and moving the yellow markers.

The army extended the Yellow Line by 300 meters into the Al-Shaaf, Al-Nazzaz, and Baghdad neighborhoods, the statement claimed, adding that this move resulted in the encirclement of dozens of families who were unable to leave after tanks unexpectedly entered the area.

The office noted that the fate of many of these families remains unknown amid ongoing shelling in the vicinity.

The Yellow Line serves as the Israeli military's redeployment boundary under the initial phase of the cease-fire deal. Maps indicate the boundary extends between 1.5 and 6.5 kilometers inside Gaza from the eastern border, covering approximately 47 percent of the enclave. This line effectively splits Gaza into an eastern zone under Israeli military oversight and a western zone where Palestinians have fewer restrictions on movement.

The Hamas office appealed to the agreement's mediators and guarantors to intervene and force Israel to comply with the ceasefire terms.

Meanwhile, Gaza-based Health authorities said in its daily report that 33 people were killed and 88 wounded in the past 24 hours.

The authorities reported that 312 people have been killed and 760 others injured since the ceasefire agreement took effect on Oct. 10, while 572 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble during the same period, bringing the death toll of the war in Gaza to 69,546.

Also on Thursday, Palestinian and Israeli sources said that four Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were injured during a large-scale military operation in Nablus in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli army said in a statement that a soldier was moderately wounded in a shooting incident in Nablus, adding that the army "conducted a large-scale operation in several villages deep within Nablus, with the aim of finding weapons and carrying out arrests."

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that its medical teams had transported four people with gunshot wounds to Rafidia hospital from various neighborhoods in Nablus. 
SANAA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A UN special envoy has urged the immediate and unconditional release of all UN personnel held by Yemen's Houthi group during a visit to Oman, said his office in a statement on Wednesday.

During his visit, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, held talks with senior Omani officials in the Omani capital, Muscat, focusing on recent developments in Yemen and efforts to revive a political process aimed at ending Yemen's decade of civil war.

He thanked Oman for its "steadfast support" for UN mediation efforts and stressed the need for coordinated regional and international backing to pave the way toward a political settlement in Yemen.

During talks with Mohammed Abdelsalam, the Houthi chief negotiator in Muscat, Grundberg called for the release of all the remaining UN staff "arbitrarily detained" by the Houthi group.

In October, the United Nations secured the release of 12 UN foreign nationals in a mediation facilitated by Iran and Oman. The remaining detainees in Houthi prisons are Yemenis; although their precise number is unknown, sources estimate there are dozens.

The Houthis seized control of several northwestern Yemeni provinces in late 2014 when the civil war erupted, forcing the internationally recognized Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa. 
DAMASCUS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Clashes between the soldiers loyal to Syria's interim authority and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) erupted after midnight and continued into Thursday in northern Syria's Raqqa province, leaving casualties on both sides, officials and monitoring groups said.

Syria's defense authorities said SDF fighters attacked army positions in the city of Maadan in Raqqa province, using heavy fire from multiple weapons and seized several sites.

Two soldiers were killed and others wounded, the authorities said. Syrian troops later counterattacked, retaking the positions and driving out the attackers. The authorities blamed the SDF for what they called repeated "treacherous aggression" against army positions.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said SDF forces captured three points in the Ghanem al-Ali desert in Raqqa during overnight clashes. Both sides reportedly used heavy weapons and drones. The monitor added that SDF forces shot down a drone belonging to the Syrian defense authorities following an attack on an SDF security post in Ghanem al-Ali.

The SDF accused Islamic State (IS) militants of using positions held by the authorities to attack its forces and said it had audio and video evidence of IS operations.

Relations between the SDF, which controls large areas of northeastern Syria with U.S. support, and the Syrian interim authority have fluctuated since the political transition in late 2024. 
President Ilham Aliyev makes post on anniversary of liberation of Aghdam

20 November 2025 [00:13] -

President Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his social media marking the 5th anniversary of the liberation of Aghdam, Azernews reports. The post reads: Our Victory History: November 20, 2020  Aghdam. </p> </body> </html>

Views: 680
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday urged the Netherlands to swiftly and effectively seek an early resolution regarding issue surrounding semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia and to help restore the security and stability of global semiconductor production and supply chains, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The source and responsibility for the current disruption in the global semiconductor supply chain lie with the Dutch side, said He Yongqian, a ministry spokesperson, at a regular press briefing.

The spokesperson said that China welcomes the Dutch government's move to suspend its administrative order regarding Nexperia, and that it is a first step in the right direction toward a proper settlement of the issue.

However, there is still some way to go before the issue is fully resolved, and China hopes the Dutch side will continue to demonstrate sincerity in cooperation and take concrete actions to address the problem, said the spokesperson. 
BEIRUT, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday presided over the signing of five cooperation agreements between Lebanon and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), aimed at enhancing investment in the country.

The accords include four direct investment agreements supporting microfinance, industrial production, and small businesses, alongside an advisory agreement with the Ministry of Energy.

Following the signing ceremony, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat said the IFC package includes up to 80 million U.S. dollars in microfinance lending, a 30 million-dollar investment in Matalek, a manufacturer of electrical tools for export, and a 40 million-dollar investment in MEDCO, a regional chemicals producer active in Lebanese and regional markets.

He added that the advisory agreement with the Ministry of Energy will support an IFC-backed assessment of a gas-to-power project, noting that the proposed venture could entail substantial capital mobilization once feasibility work is complete.

IFC regional director Khawaja Aftab Ahmed said the IFC is committed to partnering with the Lebanese government and private sector, describing the agreements as a step toward "a new beginning" for the country's economic reconstruction. 
KABUL, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 565 Afghan nationals imprisoned in Pakistan and Iraq have been freed and returned to Afghanistan over the past week, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation announced Thursday.

Of those released, 517 inmates who had been held in Pakistani prisons for periods of up to two months returned home via the Spin Boldak crossing in southern Kandahar province. An additional 48 Afghans, imprisoned in Iraq for six to nine months, were repatriated through the Pul-e-Abresham border point in western Nimroz province, according to the ministry's statement.

According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July, more than 10,000 Afghan citizens remain incarcerated overseas, primarily in Iran and Pakistan. 
"We often talk about 'fighting cancer,' but the truth is, we're up against two battlesone against the disease and one against a system that was never designed for patients," said Daswani. "Manta exists so people don't have to fight both at once." Post this

Founder and CEO Samira Daswani, a breast cancer survivor and entrepreneur, built Manta to solve a problem she knew firsthand. "We often talk about 'fighting cancer,' but the truth is, we're up against two battlesone against the disease and one against a system that was never designed for patients," said Daswani. "Manta exists so people don't have to fight both at once."

Samira's career spans consulting at McKinsey & Company, company-building in healthcare venture capital, and executive leadership in diagnostics as VP of Product at Visby Medical, where she launched a multimillion-dollar infectious disease test. She is also a recognized voice in oncology innovation, having spoken at ASCO Quality Care Symposium (QCS), and NCODA on patient experience, care fragmentation, and the future of patient-centered design. Samira holds degrees from MIT, Wellesley College, and a master's in healthcare design from Stanford. That multidisciplinary lens, combining science, systems thinking, and lived experience, shapes how Manta approaches product, partnerships, and impact.

A digital Platform for PatientsDesigned by Patients, backed by the world's leading oncologists

Instead of adding more complexity, Manta simplifies what matters most. Its core features include:

A collaborative appointment notebook to log questions, notes, and follow-ups in one accessible and organized place

Built-in tools for tracking symptoms and medications, making it easier to share accurate updates with care teams

A proprietary interactive cancer map that helps users understand where they are in their cancer, what comes next, and what decisions lie ahead

Built-in tools for tracking symptoms and medications, making it easier to share accurate updates with care teams

Expert-reviewed insights & resources, curated with input from over 100 oncologists, nurses, and navigators

Support for real-life barriers like financial stress, mental health strain, and insurance confusion

"Manta doesn't offer glossy dashboards or 'wellness inspiration.' It gives people the tools they actually need" said Daswani. "This is the roadmap I wish I had when I was diagnosed."

Backed by Leading Investors and Partners

Manta's seed round was led by Pear VC, early investors in Doordash, Guardant Health, and other breakout healthcare and consumer companies. "Samira and the Manta team are tackling one of the most quietly devastating gaps in healthcarewith humility, urgency, and a rare precision," said Mar Hershenson, Managing Partner at Pear VC. "They're not building another health tech toolthey're creating something that truly puts patients first as they manage the chaos of cancer."

What makes Manta unique is that it deeply understands the business of healthcare. Creating a patient-first platform and scaling it requires redesigning the cancer ecosystem - including pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, healthcare systems and non-profits. In some cases, the incentives from a business lens aren't aligned with patient values. That's what Manta is re-designing, starting with innovative collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Manta Cares is collaborating with 3 of the top 15 pharmaceutical manufacturers, 8 different health systems, and 40 different patient advocacy groups. Each partnership reflects a common belief: support shouldn't begin and end in the clinic. By integrating Manta's tools into patient education and engagement programs, these organizations are helping ensure that care extends beyond prescriptions to meet the needs of real life.

Manta Cares is a graduate of CancerX, the AARP AgeTech Collaborative, and the PharmStars, and remains active in each community's broader network. The company also has distribution partnerships with leading academic hospitals and health systems such as Stanford. The company was recently honored with two national patient-selected awardsAdvocate Health's #LovedOneStandard Award and the Corinne Leach Patient Experience Award at the CancerX Accelerator Showcaseboth recognizing Manta's impact in delivering care grounded in empathy and dignity. Its podcast, Patient from Hell, also received a 2025 Digital Health Award (Bronze) for excellence in health education.

Over the past year, the company has doubled its pharmaceutical collaborations and expanded its reach through new clinical and advocacy collaborations. Manta is now broadening its platform across additional cancer types and scaling its team across product, partnerships, and clinical engagement.

Building for the Long Haul

Manta is adding patients & carepartners to the platform on a daily basis. Manta has already helped 8,000 patients & families actively dealing with cancer. Manta is also expanding partnerships with clinicians, cancer centers and health systems, providing them with the necessary tools to help their patients.

"We're not here to replace care teamswe're here to complement and support them," said Dr. Blayney. "Daswani's masters' thesis was on clinician burnout, and as a clinician who practiced for 40+ years, I've been there. What makes Manta unique is that we understand both sides. Because the systems are so fundamentally broken, patients are making hundreds of decisions in the dark, and clinicians often don't have the time or tools to bridge those gaps. Manta helps fill that space, giving patients structure and clarity, while giving providers confidence that their patients are supported between visits. We are redesigning the experience of cancer. Period."

To learn more or try the platform, visitwww.mantacares.comit's free, secure, and built by people who've been there.

About Manta Cares

Manta Cares is a patient-first digital health company redesigning the cancer experience. Founded by a cancer survivor, Manta offers a free, HIPAA-compliant platform that helps patients and their care partners track symptoms, medications, appointments, and decisionsbringing clarity and structure to a deeply fragmented system. Designed in collaboration with over 100 medical professionals and validated by thousands of users, Manta is trusted by leading healthcare organizations and partners, including three of the top 15 pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by Pear VC, Sozo Ventures, 1843 Capital and strategic angels across oncology, health tech, and patient advocacy. Learn more at www.mantacares.com.

Media Contact

Amber Moore, Moore Communications, 1 5039439381, [email protected], Moore Communications

SOURCE Manta Cares
KIEV, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 26 people were killed and 93 others injured in a Russian attack on Ukraine's western city of Ternopil on Wednesday, according to the National Police.

"The search operation for those whose whereabouts are still unknown continues in Ternopil," the police said in a post on Telegram on Thursday morning.

The overnight strike hit two apartment buildings and three children were among the victims, it said.

The State Service for Emergencies reported that 46 people have been rescued from under the rubble, with the search still underway.

The Ukrainian Air Force said apartment buildings in Ternopil were hit by Kh-101 cruise missiles launched by Russian Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers. In total, Russia launched 476 drones and 48 missiles at Ukraine during the attack, of which 442 drones and 41 missiles were intercepted. 
As young readers gear up to spend quality time with family and friends, they can also catch up with their favorite characters in this months additions to series including a picture book about embracing the spotlight, a holiday middle grade sequel following a tween protecting a forest, a YA series spinoff about an island holding family secrets, and more.

Picture Books

Goodnight, Crayons by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel, Nov. 4 $9.99; ISBN 978-0-593-69481-7). The latest installment of The Crayons Celebrate series follows each of the Crayons as they perform their nighttime rituals ahead of bedtime.

The Humble Pie by Jory John, illus. by Pete Oswald (Harper, Nov.4 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-346973-0). In the latest picture book in The Food Group series, Humble Pie decides that its time to finally time to step into the spotlight.

I Love You with All My Hearts! by Rose Rossner, illus. by Kathryn Selbert (Sourcebooks Wonderland, Nov. 4 $12.99 board book; ISBN 978-1-4642-3031-8). The newest Punderland board book offers punny ways to showcase love and appreciation.

The Old Sleigh by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey (Norton Young Readers, Nov. 4 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-324-05412-2). In this companion to The Old Truck and The Old Boat, when the old sleigh thats trusted every holiday season to deliver firewood is overwhelmed, a town must learn to embrace change.

Stella and Roger Are on the Move by Clothilde Ewing, illus. by Lynn Gaines (S&S/Millner, Nov. 11 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-93334-6). Stella attempts to change her parents minds about moving away from their beloved city of Chicago in the fourth and final installment of the Stella series.

This Is Hip-Hop: And Other Street Dances by Rekha S. Rajan, illus. by Chris Park. Rise x Penguin Workshop, Nov. 4 $8.99; ISBN 978-0-593-75418-4. This picture book teaches readers about the history of hip-hop and showcases how different dances are interconnected.

Graphic Novels and Illustrated Books

Barb vs. the Leech Queen by Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson (S&S, Nov. 4 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-665-95353-5). Barb is tricked into competing in a deadly competition against her closest friend in the fourth book in the Barb the Last Berzerker series.

Besties: Set Sail by Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino, illus. by Kristina Luu (Clarion, Nov. 11 $15.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-334408-2). In the newest installment of The World of Click graphic novels series, best friends Beth and Chanda are on a cruise getaway, but Beth worries that her stress from back home will ruin the trip for them both.

eXpets 2: The Skunk Who Challenged the World! by Mark Tatulli (Atheneum/Dlouhy, Nov. 4 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-665-91490-1). The eXpets are on the case when a large kitten from space is on its way to attack Earth in the second installment of the eXpets series.

Firefox Moon by Eoin Colfer (Roaring Brook, Nov. 11 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-250-37264-2). Now serving as the first ever Guardians of Cedar Wood, Juniper and her flying reindeer Skara are left to protect the magical hidden forest in the newest addition to The Juniper Lane Adventures.

The First Cat in Space and the Baby Pirates Revenge by Mac Barnett, illus. by Shawn Harris (HarperAlley, Nov. 4 $16.99; ISBN 978-0-06-341550-8). The fourth installment of The First Cat in Space series follows First Cat as hes called on for an alliance with a notorious captain to retrieve a stolen treasure map.

Great Puppypalooza by Emily Ecton, illus. by David Mottram (Atheneum, Nov. 11 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-665-96646-7). In the fifth book in The Great Pet Heist series, Butterbean dreams of getting a job but bites off more than she can chew when she rescues a pup who is part of a whole pack.

Harper and the Horse Show Sabotage by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson (Feiwel and Friends, Nov. 11 $8.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-250-33138-0; $17.99 hardcover; ISBN 978-1-250-33139-7). Harper prepares to compete in the biggest horse show of the year, this time against her old barn, in the second book in the Windy Creek Stables series.

Hikaru in the Light! (Volume 2) by Mai Matsuda (Scholastic/Graphix, Nov. 4 $11.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-546-14101-3). In the second volume of the Hikaru in the Light series, the aspiring pop star Hikaru and her best friend Ran are pit against each other in a pop star competition.

Hilda and Twig Wake the Ice Man by Luke Pearson (Flying Eye, Nov. 4 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-83874-292-8). In the second book in the Hilda and Twig series, Twig accidentally wakes the Ice Man, bringing heavy snow to Hildas home.

I Wanna Be Your Girl Vol. 2 by Umi Takase (Random House Graphic, Nov. 4 $20.99; ISBN 978-0-593-90296-7; $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-90295-0). Hime struggles to learn how to be a supportive friend to her transitioning best friend Akira in the second volume of I Wanna Be Your Girl.

The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructors Lair by Max Brallier, illus. by Douglas Holgate (Viking, Nov. 4 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-40527-7). The 10th installment of The Last Kids on Earth series follows Jack and Quint as they race across the monster dimension to seek the help of a powerful but elusive creature.

Roman Holiday by Sheena Dempsey (Bloomsbury, Nov. 4 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-1762-3). The third Pablo and Splash graphic novel follows the titular best friends as they head back in time to steal a Roman artifact and prove their time traveling prowess.

Rune: The Tale of the Obsidian Maze by Carlos Sanchez (Flying Eye, Nov. 4 $15.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-83874-163-1). Chiri and Dai accept an invitation to fight the MidKnight in the Obsidian Maze in the sequel to Rune, the first graphic novel to win a Waterstones Childrens Book Prize category.

Saphie the One-Eyed Cat Volume 2 by JOHO (Scholastic/Graphix, Nov. 4 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-546-16400-5). In the second volume in the Saphie the One-Eyed Cat series, the titular feline heads off on more adventures to play with their owner and friends.

Snow Problem and Other Stories by Greg Pizzoli (Knopf, Nov. 11 $10.99; ISBN 978-0-593-64974-9). Worm worries that her gifts arent perfect for her best friend Earls birthday in the third installment of the Earl and Worm series.

Novels

Eternal Ruin by Tigest Girma (Little, Brown, Nov. 4 $21.99; ISBN 978-0-316-57041-1). In the sequel to Immortal Dark, Kidan vows to protect her house and its ancient artifact against those who wish to steal it from her, even if it means betraying her newfound friendship with vampire Susenyos.

Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares by Deeba Zargarpur (Labyrinth Road, Nov. 4, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-56445-5). Farrah must prove she belongs in the floating jinn city with her father in the second book of the Farrah Noorzad series.

The Hero Complex by Helen Comerford (Bloomsbury, Nov. 11 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-1723-4). In the sequel to The Love Interest, Jenna Ray has gone from Love Interest to Heroand being a Hero alongside her boyfriend Blaze is against the rules.

A Queens Match by Katharine McGee (Random House, Nov. 4 $20.99; ISBN 978-0-593-71074-6). The latest in A Queens Duet series follows princesses Helene dOrleans, Alix of Hesse, and May of Teck as they make their bid for both love and the crown.

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch (or, The Little Mermaid and the Tower) by Kim Bussing (Random House, Nov. 11 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70811-8; $9.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-70810-1). Rapunzel finds herself in a sea witchs lair and Princess Hana winds up trapped in a tall tower in the third installment of The Princess Swap series.

Reawakening by Orson Scott Card (McElderry, Nov. 11 $21.99; ISBN 978-1-481-49622-3). Side-stepper Laz must use his ability to jump into alternate versions of himself to save not only his planet, but all of them, in the second book of The Side Step trilogy.

Starchaser by R.M. Gray (Little, Brown, Nov. 4 $19.99; ISBN 978-03-165-8339-8). In the second installment of the Nightweaver series, pirate Aster and Nightweaver Will are cursed and have no choice but to track down a cure alongside Prince Titus, who tests Asters relationship.

We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart (Delacorte, Nov. 4 $21.99; ISBN 978-0-593-89916-8). In this book set in the We Were Liars universe, Matilda heads to Hidden Beach to learn more about her estranged family.

Wheel of Wrath by A.A. Vora (Putnam, Nov. 18 $21.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61759-5). As war ravages Mayana, Himalia questions if she would abandon her morals for power, Aina seeks revenge against an army, and Meizan attempts to keep his people safe in the second book of The Fifth Realm series.
Recently an author brought his characters to life in New York City, a book club pick was announced, nonprofits came together for an event, a panel highlighted the impact of a beloved character, a book festival took place, and an author donned a costume for a launch party.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Dav Pilkey held a live event at the main branch of the New York Public Library on November 7 as an early kick-off for Dog Man: Big Jim Believes (Graphix), the latest book in his Dog Man series. Pilkey presented to 300 students from New York City schools, and kids had the chance to meet the costumed characters from his works.

Welcome to Book Club

To kick off a new partnership between Random House Childrens Books/Underlined and the Little Words Project influencers and readers gathered at the Little Words Projects Bleecker Street store in New York City on November 11 for the announcement of a quarterly book club. The Little Book Clubs first selection is We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart (Delacorte), who made an appearance at the event. Guests were invited to create their own custom bracelets, and Lockhart discussed her latest installment in the We Were Liars universe, signed books, and chatted with fans. Here, Lockhart (front row c.) with attendees.

Nonprofits Work Together

On October 30, Rebecca Gardyn Levington held a storytime event at Settlement Health in New York City, sponsored by nonprofits Reach Out and Read NY, Literacy in Community, publisher Barefoot Books, and the New York Public Library. Levington gave a reading from her picture books Whatever Comes Tomorrow, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa, and Some Days Im The Wind, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova. Each child received free signed copies of each book.

Long Live Pippi

Fans of Astrid Lindgrens beloved fictional character Pippi Longstocking gathered for Bold Books, Brave Voices: Celebrating 80 Years of Pippi Longstocking and the Power of Childrens Literature, a panel that took place on November 9 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. Panelists included Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award recipient Laurie Halse Anderson, head of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Asa Bergman, and writer Jenny Jagerfeld, who discussed the characters long-lasting legacy and impact on childrens literature.

A Silver Anniversary

The 25th annual Twin Cities Book Festival took place on November 8, drawing 7,000 readers to the Union Depot transportation center in St. Paul, Minn., for a day of author events and childrens activities. Here (from l.) childrens authors Margi Preus, Joyce Sidman, Keenan Jones, Matthew Schufman, and Art Coulson ahead of a book signing.

Going Bananas!

Big Red Books in Nyack, N.Y., welcomed Sam Wedelich on November 12 for her launch party in celebration A Quick Trip to the Store (Knopf). The picture book follows a girl whose grocery store run takes a humorous twist when she takes matters into her own hands. Wedelich came aptly dressed as a banana for the event.
OverDrive has filed a lawsuit in an Ohio court charging OpenAI with trademark infringement, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices over the release of its AI text-to-video generation app Sora. The complaint alleges that OpenAI intentionally gave the recently launched app the same name as OverDrives Sora, as well as "using a confusingly similar icon, color palette, and visual identity."

OverDrive released Sora in 2018 "to facilitate pre-K-12 students access to specifically selected and vetted, age-appropriate digital content, including e-books, audiobooks, read-alongs, picture books, magazines, digital comics, graphic novels from their school library, as well as related goods and services," the company noted in the complaint.

According to OverDrives lawsuit, if immediate steps are not taken to protect children from being confused between OverDrives Sora app and OpenAIs Sora app, schools have indicated that they will have no choice but to take their own steps to do soby discontinuing their use of OverDrives Sora app.

OpenAI attorneys had previously rejected the argument of OverDrives lawyers, upon learning of OpenAIs intention to create Sora, that the new product was in violation of Soras trademark and that there was no reason to be concerned that Sora would create confusion in the marketplace. In its complaint, OverDrive cited numerous instances where they charge that product confusion was evident. One example of the confusion between the two names cited in the complaint is that numerous OpenAI customers have contacted OverDrive with questions about Sora accounts and technical issues.

Earlier this year, OverDrive had won an initial victory when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office refused to grant OpenAI a trademark for Sora on the grounds it would cause consumer confusion. The ruling was reversed and OverDrive has appealed that decision.

As part of its complaint, OverDrive referred to the many other lawsuits that have been filed against OpenAI for copyright infringement over the alleged unauthorized use of published works to train OpenAIs ChatGPT. "Now," OverDrive charges, "OpenAI is at it again, continuing to cross the line by incorporating even more third-party intellectual property without apparent care."

In its suit, OverDrive is asking the court to preliminarily and permanently enjoin OpenAI, and anyone associated with them, "from using the Sora trademark or any other mark, trade name, word or name similar to the Sora trademark that is likely to cause confusion, mistake, or to deceive, including without limitation by further operating any business under Sora."

OverDrive is also asking that OpenAI "be required to formally abandon with prejudice any and all of its applications to register the Sora trademark or any trademark consisting of, incorporating, or containing the Sora trademark or any counterfeit, copy, confusingly similar variation, or colorable imitation thereof on any state or federal trademark registry."

OverDrive is further seeking the court to order OpenAI to destroy all packaging, labels, signs, brochures, advertisements, promotional items, and any other media, documents or things that carry the Sora name and that OpenAI should be forced to pay "actual damages it has suffered as a result of OpenAIs trademark infringement and unfair competition."
On the evening of November 19, attendees to the 76th National Book Awards crowded into Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan in their black-tie best to witness the announcement of publishings highest honors. Grammy Awardwinning songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae opened the night with a pared-down rendition of her hit song Put Your Records On, setting an intimate tone for the ceremony.

The nights emcee, author, comedian, and Emmy Awardwinning actor Jeff Heller kicked things off with brief and occasionally self-effacing remarks. Bidding a good evening to the gliterati of the literati, Hiller said that surely they could have gotten someone cooler than me, like Patricia Lockwood or Ocean Vuong or a drag queen named something literary, like Elena Ferrante. (To prove just how minor of a celebrity he is, Hiller confessed that there was a typo in the title printed on the spine of his debut memoir, Actress of a Certain Age.)

Hiller concluded by thanking just about every member of the publishing ecosystemauthors, editors, marketers, designers, publicists, rights managers, copyeditors, the Big Five, small publishers, micropresses, audiobook producers, celebrities with book clubs, indie bookstoresfor giving us books.

Author Jacqueline Woodson then took the stage to present Roxane Gay with the nights first lifetime achievement award, the Literarian Award, which recognizes outstanding service to the American literary community. Woodson lauded Gay for walking through the world with a deep understanding of the assignment, citing her eponymous imprint at Grove Atlantic, her mentorship of aspiring publishing professionals, and her newsletter, the Audacity, which she uses to spotlight emerging writers.

Gay received a standing ovation from much of the audience as she walked onto the stage, where, after handing down thank-yous, she used her time to call on those in the audience to amend the inequalities that have historically beset the book business.

Acknowledging the oft-repeated refrain that white male authors are struggling for recognition, Gay focused instead on the many writers of color who have been dismissed whenever they have tried to articulate the biases that we face in the publishing industry, to say nothing of the world writ large. Gay, by contrast, called herself the rare bird who has had nothing but good experiences in the industry as a Black woman, and described how she has used that privilege to advocate on her peers behalf. In closing, Gay did not mince her words, saying that inequity really does not have to be the case in publishing, before directly addressing the audience.

I hope that the people gathered here tonight for this wonderful celebration, she said, recognize that you have the power to create the change that the publishing industry so desperately needs, and you will be remembered for how you use that power, or how you dont.

New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman presented the evenings second lifetime achievement award, the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, to George Saunders, who Treisman said has done enough for several lifetimes, [but] I dont think he has finished achieving.

In his speech, Saunders, the author of 13 books and a past National Book Award finalist for his 2013 story collection Tenth of December (Random House), reflected on the pleasures and possibilities of writing, which he called a kind of sacrament.

Literature, he said, isnt some quaint, outdated, artsy thing, but something we do every day, while writing is a secret, truth-seeking, anti-suffering practice. He admitted that in his youth, he believed a life of literature was going to be this kind of glamorous lone wolf thing, but realized that in fact he has spent the last several decades wandering around into the orbits of people who for some reason care about me and want the best for me. He thanked those peopleincluding his editors and agent, Esther Newberg at CAAas well as those who had read his work and those who had planned to read it but never quite got around to it.

National Book Foundation chairman David Steinberger then took the stage to introduce a video about the scope of the foundations work, which he noted extends far beyond the National Book Awards. Though the NBF was initially founded to present the awards, he said, today we reach readers of all ages, all across the country, every day of the year. Steinberger was followed by NBF executive director Ruth Dickey, who encouraged donations to the foundation, which she noted is standing up loudly and bravely in support of books amid book bans at the local, state, and now federal level as well as the erosion of government funding to support the literary ecosystem.

The first award of the evening was the prize for Young Peoples Literature, presented by panel chair David Bowles to The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri (Levine Querido).

In his remarks, Nayeri reminisced about his time as an editor in New York a decade ago, where from his window he could see asylum seekers queued up at a federal immigration center, calling to mind how his own family had been through the same experience 25 years earlier. There was a feeling, he said, of being on probation, unlike those he could see as he worked in the building across the streetand that dissonance, he noted, was a theme that comes up in his book. In closing, Nayeri thanked his agent Joanna Volpe, Arthur A. Levine, and Alexandra, his wife, the only one Ive been trying to impress all these years.

This award for Translated Literatureintroduced by panel chair Stesha Brandon, who opined that literary translations invite us to build bridges in the face of closing borders and geopolitical unrestwent to We Are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezon Camara, translated from the Spanish by Robin Myers (New Directions).

Upon taking the stage, the Argentine author declared, in Spanish, Im going to speak in Spanish because I know there are fascists who dont like it. She went on to thank Argentinas public education system, without which, she said the people of the working class, like me, would never be here. Myers then took the mic to translate Cabezon Camaras remarks, and called the book the privilege of my career to translate. She also commented that she translated the book while in Mexico and Argentina, two nations that she noted were marred by the legacy of colonialism, and added that her country of origin, the U.S., is currently persecuting migrants and continues to perpetrate the genocide of Israel against the Palestinian people.

The National Book Award for Poetry went to Patricia Smith for her collection The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems (S&S). After panel chair and 2010 National Book Award winner Terrance Hayes announced the honor, Smith devoted her speech to her mother, who died in 2024.

Recounting her painful experiences interacting with her mom during her illness, Smith said, Youre probably wondering what this has to do with poetryIll tell you. As the audience listened closely, Smith offered that poetry helps one to look at where you areher mother did not recognize her in her final years, she said, but poetry told her, look how pretty she is anyway. Smith acknowledged the tradition of Black women writers and poetsincluding Toni Morrison and Audre Lordeshe has inherited, before walking off to a standing ovation.

The award for Nonfiction was presented by panel member Raj Patel, who opined that nonfiction inspires profound noticing, not because learn facts, though we do, but because we are confronted with a world seen with a writers light. When Patel announced One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Knopf) as the winner, much of the room rose to their feet in a standing ovation.

El Akkad thanked his mother, wife, and two children, who, and I cannot stress this enough, didnt sign up for any of this shit, commending them for having to deal with the many ways the publication of this book has upended our lives. Its very difficult to think in celebratory terms about a book that was written in response to a genocide, he continued, adding that he is nonetheless deeply grateful to the writers who have spoken out, and there are many of them in this room. He concluded by declaring, If we are to do this work of language we have an obligation to stand in opposition to any force, including those enacted by our own government, that if left unchecked would happily decimate every principle of free expression and connection that we come here to celebrate.

To cap off the night, Fiction panel chair Rumaan Alam prefaced the winner announcement with the assertion that it is an absurd enterprise to sum up the best in contemporary American fiction with a single award, but nonetheless a worthy one. The prize for fiction went to Rabih Alameddine for The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) (Grove).

Alameddine began on a somber note following El Akkads speech, thanking the nonfiction winner for addressing the political climate, citing both the recent raids by ICE and the conflict in Gaza. Sometimes as writers, we have to say, enough,  Alameddine stated. Quickly, the novelist turned to his own speech, which included a sincere and humor-tinged list of thank-yous for the support system that makes writing possible. Alameddine mentioned the usual suspectsproduction staff, editors, and his agent (whom he affectionately called his dominatrix)before moving onto the drug dealers, gastrointestinal doctors, and other individuals who made his book possible, behind the scenes.

I do not write my books all by myself. It takes a family, and I am grateful, he said to the crowd, closing out the ceremony and kicking off a celebration of the written word that would continue into the early hours of Thursday.
JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it signed a "multi-billion-dollar contract" with the state-owned arms manufacturer Rafael to ramp up production of Iron Dome interceptors.

The ministry said in a statement that the order is financed through 5.2 billion U.S. dollars earmarked by the U.S. Congress in 2024 to strengthen Israel's air-defense systems, including Iron Dome and David's Sling, as well as a high-energy laser now in final development.

According to the ministry, the contract will "significantly accelerate" the manufacturing of Iron Dome interceptors and supply the Israel Defense Forces with a "substantial" quantity to replenish stocks.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the deal represents "a strategic leap" that will "substantially enhance the protection of Israel's skies."

Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram said the agreement is part of a strategic push to increase stockpiles and readiness for future escalations.

The contract was signed at a ceremony attended by senior officials from Israel, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, and Rafael.

Iron Dome, jointly developed by Israel and the United States, is designed to intercept short- and medium-range rockets, missiles, and drones. Israel says the system has shown "exceptional" performance in recent conflicts, intercepting thousands of projectiles fired from Gaza, Lebanon, and other fronts. 
KHARTOUM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The sun lay heavy on the barren outskirts of North Kordofan, thick and unrelenting. Twelve-year-old Wali Al-Din stood in it without complaint, a thin stick resting in his hand, watching over the small herd of sheep that kept his family alive. They wandered in their slow, stubborn way, and he guided them like a man who had done it all his life.

At an age when most boys fret over lessons and enjoy video games, Wali had already stepped into the long shadow of adulthood. He eased errant sheep back into line with the calm of an old herder. Now and then, he lifted the hem of his jalabiya to brush the sweat from his neck, the gesture almost weary for someone so small.

The country's brutal civil war and the ensuing humanitarian crisis had squeezed childhood out of him. Six hours a day, he walked behind the animals, thinking mostly of how their safety meant food on the table.

The flock belonged to his uncle, Mohamed Al-Hassan, who took him in after violence blew apart the life he once knew. Al-Hassan sat beside a worn mat near a shelter of sticks and tarp as he spoke of the night that changed his nephew's life.

One night last October, an armed group raided Al-Din's neighborhood. "Bullets poured down on my brother Abdullah's house like a storm," he said. "Abdullah was killed right away. Wali saw it all."

The boy had been crouched behind a sidr tree where he used to play with his sisters, watching his father rush to shield the family. Moments later, gunfire erupted, and his father fell.

Al-Hassan said his nephew stayed blank for hours after witnessing his father's death. The tears came only days later at the burial, quiet and long delayed.

Then, as conditions deteriorated and fears of child recruitment grew, Al-Din fled with several other boys. They walked for days across harsh, empty stretches of land, hiding whenever engines rumbled in the distance. When he finally reached his uncle's home, he carried only a tiny bag with a few clothes and a school notebook pressed thin from use.

"Studying may be the only way I can change my life," he said, eyes still drifting toward the sheep.

Each morning, he takes the flock out, then walks three kilometers to a public school with six battered classrooms. Drone strikes have hit it more than once. One room is open to the sky, a ragged hole marking where a shell came through.

"Al-Din never misses class," said his teacher, Amira Al-Nour. "No matter how tired he looks."

Psychologist Asia Abdel-Mahmoud said Al-Din's story echoes through the region. "Many children have lost their families, partially or even entirely," she said. "They carry a deep emptiness, and poverty forces them into work far too young."

Since April 2023, fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, according to humanitarian agencies. Aid workers say the combination of high casualties, mass displacement, and insufficient assistance has left tens of thousands of children struggling to survive.

As the world marks World Children's Day on Thursday, aid groups note that children like Al-Din remain largely invisible to the outside world. International mediation efforts continue, but there are no signs of a cease-fire, and underfunded aid programs are unable to meet the scale of the crisis. Like millions of Sudanese caught in the conflict, Al-Din has little choice but to endure with the limited means available to him.

When asked what he hoped for, he dragged his stick slowly through the sand, carving a wandering line.

"I want to become a policeman," he said. "To protect people. I don't want any child to see what I saw." 
Pakistans latest constitutional amendment, which transfers the Supreme Courts authority over constitutional questions to a new Federal Constitutional Court and elevates the army chief to a constitutionally entrenched post with lifetime legal immunity, is widely described as the final blow to an already fragile democracy. The familiar storyline is straightforward: a besieged liberal judiciary is being strangled by an overmighty military. There is an important truth in that account. But it also omits a more awkward dimension. For roughly four decades, Pakistans higher courts have operated within an Islamized constitutional framework they did not design but have repeatedly enforced, elaborated, and legitimized.



The question, therefore, is not whether judges are personally Islamists, but whether the architecture of judicial review has, in practice, served Islamist objectives in ways that have made governing harder and, at times, contributed to radicalization and security problems. Read against the constitutional text, key judgments, and their political effects, there is a strong case that it has.



The 1973 Constitution declared Islam the state religion, created the Council of Islamic Ideology as an advisory body, and gave Islam a prominent symbolic place. Under General Zia-ul-Haq, those gestures were converted into an institutional program designed to reshape the hierarchy of constitutional authority. The Objectives Resolutionoriginally a preamble declaring that sovereignty belongs to God and that laws must reflect Islamic principleswas elevated into the operative text of the Constitution as Article 2A. Article 227, which requires all existing laws to conform to the injunctions of Islam, was activated as a substantive constraint. And in 1980 Zia created the Federal Shariat Court (FSC), with authority under Article 203D to examine and strike down any law deemed repugnant to the injunctions of Islam, with appeals to a Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court.



This did more than Islamize statutes. It created a parallel review structure in which religious reasoning enjoyed constitutional standing alongside, and sometimes above, ordinary constitutional rights. Governments could legislate; the FSC could override them. Judges sworn to uphold the Constitution could not ignore this architecture; applying it was part of their institutional role.



Within that framework, the Hudood Ordinances of 1979 and the strengthened blasphemy provisions of the Penal Code became central objects of judicial work. The Hudood lawsgoverning offenses like zina and theftwere repeatedly adjusted by the FSC and, on appeal, by the Supreme Court. Section 295-C, introduced in 1986, made derogatory remarks about the Prophet a capital offense with an alternative of life imprisonment. In 1990, responding to petitions by Islamization advocates, the Federal Shariat Court held that the option of life imprisonment was contrary to Islamic injunctions and that only death was permissible, giving the government a deadline to amend the law. No government appeal was pursued to conclusion, and the FSCs interpretation has since been treated as binding across the courts: for a proven 295-C offense, the sentence is death.



The legal mechanics here matter. Parliament had left room for sentencing discretion. It was the courts that closed that space. In many districts, trial judges, operating under social pressure and the shadow of this FSC ruling, have treated the death penalty as effectively mandatory once guilt is found, even where evidence is weak or tainted by local vendettas. Human rights monitoring over several decades has documented both the severity of sentencing and the reluctance to punish false accusers, despite clear abuses of the law. In functional terms, the judiciary converted a politically controversial statute into a doctrine of uncompromising sacred inviolability.



The treatment of Ahmadis makes the dynamic even clearer. Parliaments Second Amendment in 1974 had already defined Ahmadis as non-Muslims. But in Zaheeruddin v. State (1993), the Supreme Court went much further, upholding criminal prohibitions that barred Ahmadis from posing as Muslims, using Islamic terms and symbols, or calling their places of worship mosques. To justify this, the Court accepted analogies offered by government counsel drawn from trademark law: Islamic terms were treated as if they were proprietary marks of the Muslim majority, and Ahmadis use of them was likened to deceptive passing off.



This was jurisprudentially radical. It transformed majority sentiment into a constitutional principle, recasting religious identity not as an individual right but as a collective asset of the majority community. The Courts reasoning authorized the state to police religious self-presentation with a degree of intrusiveness that no standard public-order rationale would have supported. Hostility to Ahmadis did not originate in the courtroom, but Zaheeruddin translated that hostility into a durable, rights-limiting constitutional doctrine.



Blasphemy jurisprudence more broadly has developed in a similar register. Trial courts, especially in rural or politically charged settings, have frequently imposed death sentences on the basis of contested or weak evidence. Higher courts have sometimes intervened, as in the Supreme Courts 2018 acquittal of Asia Bibi after years on death row, where the Court highlighted contradictions in witness testimony and the dangers of misuse. Yet monitoring by legal and human-rights organizations shows a broader pattern: appellate courts routinely frame blasphemy not just as an offense against individuals but as a threat to public order and to the Islamic character of the state, and they rarely insist on systematic punishment of false accusers even when abuse is evident. The 1990 FSC ruling making death the only permissible penalty has become settled doctrine; even modest proposals for procedural reformsuch as requiring senior police approval before registration of a blasphemy complaintcan be challenged as diluting constitutionally entrenched protection of Islam.



This doctrinal environment has fed directly into street-level radicalization. Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a party organized around the defense of the blasphemy laws and the finality of prophethood, has grown from a protest movement into a significant political actor, consistently emphasizing the sanctity of the blasphemy provisions and the obligation to punish perceived insults to the Prophet. It is not merely a creature of the street; it is also a litigant, invoking constitutional language about the protection of Islam and hurt religious sentiments to challenge government measures and demand administrative reversals. Its mass protestsmost visibly after the Asia Bibi acquittal and during the 2017 Faizabad sit-inhave unfolded in a political ecosystem shaped by decades of judicial entrenchment of blasphemy doctrine. When, in 2019, the Supreme Courts Faizabad dharna judgment criticized not only TLPs leaders but also elements of the security apparatus for political meddling, it was confronting actors who had learned to operate inside a religious-legal space that the courts had helped normalize.



Islamization has also shaped the judiciarys role in economic governance. Litigation over ribainterest in the banking systemis a clear example. In 1992, the Federal Shariat Court declared key provisions of Pakistans interest-based banking laws repugnant to Islam and ordered their replacement. That ruling was largely upheld by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court in 1999, with instructions to eliminate interest from the economy within a defined period. The case was later reopened, and in 2002 the matter was remanded to the FSC for fresh consideration. Two decades on, in April 2022, the FSC again declared the prevailing interest-based banking system un-Islamic and ordered the federal and provincial governments to transition to an interest-free system by December 2027.



Whatever ones substantive view of interest-free banking, shifting judicial commands of this kind have repeatedly destabilized the legal foundations of Pakistans financial system. Sovereign debt issuance, domestic credit markets, and IMF arrangements are all affected by the threat that core instruments may be declared invalid or subject to abrupt timelines for replacement. Technocrats in the finance ministry and central bank are forced to navigate between binding constitutional language on riba, the FSCs deadlines, and external financial obligations. The result is not simply Islamization of law in the abstract, but chronic uncertainty in economic management.



At the level of political structure, judicial enforcement of Articles 62 and 63 has reinforced an Islamized conception of personal eligibility for office. These provisions, tightened under Zia, require legislators to be sadiq and ameentruthful and trustworthyand to possess Islamic good character. For decades they were largely dormant as serious disqualification tools. But during periods of heightened judicial activism, returning officers and courts have invoked them aggressively. Candidates in 2013 and 2018 were questioned about Quranic knowledge or religious propriety as part of eligibility reviews.



In 2017, the Supreme Court disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over undeclared assets revealed in the Panama Papers investigation, grounding its ruling in Article 62(1)(f) and Sharifs failure to meet the standard of sadiq and ameen. A subsequent decision held that disqualification under this clause is for life. The doctrinal message was clear: political authority in Pakistan is not merely a matter of electoral mandate or statutory compliance, but of judicially assessed moral probity in Islamic termscriteria broad enough to unsettle elected governments without criminal convictions and to keep disqualified politicians permanently sidelined.



Across these domainsHudood adjudication, blasphemy and Ahmadi jurisprudence, riba litigation, and virtue-based disqualificationthe cumulative effect has been to make governing more difficult in concrete, not abstract, ways. Ministries contemplating curriculum reform or minority protections know that their decisions can be challenged not only on administrative or rights grounds but as violations of Islam, given Article 227 and its interpretation. Debates over madrassa oversight routinely invoke religious autonomy and Islamic constitutional provisions, with religious parties and seminaries using courts and constitutional arguments to resist registration requirements or standardized syllabi. Finance officials must plan under the continuing shadow of Shariat Court rulings that periodically re-open the question of which financial instruments are lawful. Security planners confronting sectarian or Islamist groups face adversaries who can appeal to constitutional texts and judicial doctrines that the state itself has spent decades elaborating. The judiciary is not the sole cause of these constraints, but its rulings have converted social and ideological pressures into hard legal veto points.



None of this means that Pakistans judges function as disciplined agents of Islamist parties. The record is mixed. The Supreme Courts 2018 acquittal of Asia Bibi, despite intense threats, and its Faizabad dharna judgment criticizing both TLP and elements of the security apparatus, show that the higher judiciary can restrain militant actors and segments of the state. Yet these decisions sit atop a legal landscape whose basic contours were set by Islamization from above and then stabilized by judicial reasoning from within. Judges can sometimes check the most visible excesses of radicalism while still operating inside a constitutional order that structurally privileges Islamist claims.



In that light, the new constitutional amendmentwhich moves constitutional cases to a new Federal Constitutional Court appointed through an executive-dominated process and elevates the army chief to a new post of Chief of Defence Forces with lifetime legal immunitydoes not dismantle a liberal, secular judiciary and replace it with an authoritarian one. It tightens political and military control over a judiciary that is already structurally Islamized. The occasional liberal or rights-protective impulses that surfaced in the existing Supreme Court are being constrained, but the dense web of IslamizationArticle 227, Shariat case law on blasphemy and riba, jurisprudence on Ahmadis, and moralized eligibility standardsremains intact. The terrain on which the new Federal Constitutional Court will operate is not neutral; it is the product of exactly this history.

Carlo J.V. Caro is a strategic analyst trained in international security at Columbia University. He previously served as Vice President of a real estate and sustainability firm, overseeing blockchain-enabled investment systems, green housing finance, and cross-regional procurements across Asia and Latin America.
Lionsgate released a new still from Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair on Thursday. Additionally, the studio confirmed 70mm and 35mm locations for the Dec. 5. release.

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The still comes from the extended animated sequence in the first half of the film. The anime sequence explaining Yakuza boss O-ren Ishii's ( Lucy Liu ) past was truncated in the 2003 release of Kill Bill Vol. 1.

In The Whole Bloody Affair, the animated sequence is extended to show more of O-ren's childhood and her violent revenge against those who killed her family. The photo shows young O-ren slicing an opponent with a samurai sword with animated blood splatter.

Liu recently spoke with UPI for her upcoming film Rosemead. She was excited to learn that the extended anime revolves around her character.

"Wow, you just told me something I didn't know," Liu said. "I only found out about The Whole Bloody Affair, I think, when everyone else did so I was really excited."

O-Ren is one of four assassins The Bride ( Uma Thurman ) fights on her way to Bill (David Carradine), her former lover and boss.

Additionally, tickets are on sale as of Thursday and Lionsgate has updated the final runtime as 275 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. The Whole Bloody Affair includes additional scenes, alternate dialogue and removes a teaser from the end of the first half and recap from the beginning of the second.

70mm prints will screen at the Vista in Los Angeles, which writer/director Quentin Tarantino owns, AMC Lincoln Square in New York, Alamo New Mission in San Francisco, Calif., Cinemark West Plano & XD in Dallas, Texas, Regal Colorado Mills in Denver, Colo., Coolidge Corner Theater in Boston, Mass., Hollywood Theater in Portland, Ore., AFI Silver Theater in Washington, D.C. and Cineplex Cinemas Varsity and VIP in Toronto, Ontario.

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Four 35mm venues include the New Beverly in Los Angeles, Tarantino's other owned theater, Philadelphia Film Center in Pennsylvania, Playhouse Cinema in Hamilton, Ontario and Picturehouse Central Shaftesbury Avenue and Odeon Leicester Square in London, England.

Fortnite also released a Gogo Yubari Outfit, unlockable with a ticket purchase. Gogo (Chiyaki Kuriyama) is seen swinging a ball and chain in the trailer.
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By Steven Rogers, 11/19/2025



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Steven Rogers is a senior entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and been covering the reality TV genre for two decades.

The Bachelor and alum Krystal Nielson and her husband Miles Bowles have welcomed their second child together.The couple announced the arrival of their baby boy, Rowan Vincent Bowles, on Instagram on November 18.Miles shared the news on Instagram, writing "Welcoming our little warrior, Rowan Vincent Bowles."According to Miles -- who shared a pair of photos which appeared to show baby Rowan in a NICU unit in Krystal's recovery room at the hospital -- Rowan's birth unfortunately featured several unspecified complications."His entrance into the world was dramatic and filled with unexpected complications, but by nothing short of miracles, both mom and baby are here and safe," Miles wrote."We still have a recovery road ahead, but we are overwhelmed with gratitudeafor the heroic doctors, nurses, and medical teams who fought for them, and for every single prayer and message of love from our family and friends.""Praying that Krystal and Rowan will both be home safe and sound soon," he added. "Thank you for holding us close in your hearts."Krystal and Miles' newborn appears alert and looking directly at the camera in the photo, but connected to several electrodes and tubes to allow the hospital staff to monitor his vitals and assist with his feeding and breathing if necessary.The couple's new addition joins their daughter, Andara Rose, born in 2021.Krystal and Miles married in August 2023 in La Jolla, California, where they first met.The couple has been open about their fertility journey, with Krystal previously sharing that she was diagnosed with perimenopause while trying to conceive their second child.The pregnancy announcement came in May 2025, when Krystal and Miles revealed they were expecting their second child with a beach-themed announcement featuring their daughter Andara Rose and sonogram pictures.The couple captioned the post "Bowles family of 4 coming November 2025," confirming the due date and their growing family.Krystal and Miles got married during an intimate wedding ceremony in front of their closest family and friends in La Jolla, CA, in August 2023.The Bachelor alum had begun dating Miles in May 2020, and she accepted his marriage proposal in October 2022.When Krystal announced her engagement to Miles in late 2022, she insisted it was "for all the right reasons," which was a nod to her past on The Bachelor franchise.Krystal was previously married to Chris Randone , whom she met on 's fifth season and got engaged during the 2018 finale. They got married in June 2019 and documented the event for 's sixth season.The pair announced their decision to separate in February 2020, just eight months after saying "I do."Krystal then confirmed in August 2020 that she and Chris were following through with a divorce. (Chris told Us Weekly at the time he was hoping to reconcile with Krystal but learned she had moved on).Krystal was dubbed "the villain" of Arie Luyendyk Jr. 's season of The Bachelor, which aired in 2018, and so her stint on Paradise was essentially an opportunity to rehab her image and have a redemption story.Once Krystal and Chris, a villain from Becca Kufrin 's season of The Bachelorette, got together, they became a fan-favorite power couple.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Editors Pick: Shadow Systems CR920XP

Budget Editors Pick: PSA Dagger / Micro

High-End: Staccato HD 3.6

Most Options: SIG P365 X/XL/Macro/Fuse

The Sleeper: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

Runner Up: Springfield Armory Hellcat

German-American: Walther PDP Compact

Do-All Easy Button: Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0

The OG: Glock 43x

Now With 100% Less Glock Switch: Glock 19 V

The Next Big Thing: Ruger RXM

BEST CONCEALED CARRY GUNS

Editors Pick: Shadow Systems CR920XP

While there are many Glock clones on the market, not all of them are made the same. For several reasons, Glock isnt my go-to pistol brand. But Shadow Systems take on the Glock solves about 99 percent of my issues with the design while delivering rock-solid performance and real enhancements.

PROS: Value-add features (proprietary optic mounting, better magazines, etc)

Everything you wish a Glock was, but from a factory offering

Defensive use warranty CONS: Non-standard magazines mean special mags for a special gun

Not a cheap carry piece

Break-in period

Shadow Systems CR920XP SPECS:

Action: STRIKER FIRED

Barrel Length: 3.65 BARREL

Caliber: 9MM LUGER (9X19 PARA)

Capacity: 15 ROUNDS

Finish: BLACK

Receiver Material: POLYMER

Weight: 1.325 LBS.

The CR920XP is Shadow Systems version of a G43x, but with a longer overall slide length due to the addition of a beefy compensator. Using Shadow Systems proprietary 15-round magazines, the CR920XP is a lot of gun in a very small package.

Three things set the CR920XP apart from the rest of the pack. First, the optic mounting on all Shadow System pistols is patented and a huge improvement over nearly anything on the market. Built for the RMSc footprint, Shadow Systems optic mounting system redesigns the guts of the slide and uses massive screws for maximum durability.

Second, the CR920XP comp does a lot of work. Bigger than the comp on the G17-sized XR920P, this comp is designed to move a lot of gas to give the 9mm pistol as much compensation as possible. For a gun this small, its shockingly pleasant to shoot. Because of the comp, the dot returns to zero almost perfectly, making follow-up shots faster and easier to hit.

Third, Shadow Systems backs their guns with a guarantee you dont find anywhere else. If used in a defensive shooting and is taken by the police, Shadow Systems will replace itfree. While hopefully something well never need to take advantage of, this is a nice bonus.

There is a downside to the tighter tolerances and match-grade barrelall Shadow System pistols require a break-in period. Shadow System recommends up to 200 rounds of 9mm NATO (spicy 9mm) to get everything broken in. Personally, I use the same training ammo I always do, S&B 124gr, and I rarely have issues past the 3rd magazine.

Durable, reliable, awesome optic footprint, and it shoots like a dream (for a small gun). The CR920XP earned its place as my choice for EDC CCW.

Big thanks to AmmunitionToGo.com for supplying the ammo for this and many other reviews. MagTech 124gr never disappoints!

Budget Editors Pick: PSA Dagger / Micro

The basic Dagger is a clone of the Glock 19 Gen 3, and the Micro is a clone of the Glock 43x. Thats the short and sweet of it. While it doesnt have Glocks legendary unbeatable reliability, Palmetto State Armory makes a great pistol for a song and offers a ton of different options.

(top) PSA Micro Dagger, (bottom) PSA Micro Dagger Comp

PROS: Inexpensive

Loads of options

Standard pattern magazines that hold more ammo PSA Dagger / Micro SPECS: Caliber: 9mm

Action: Striker Fired

Weight: 15.9oz (unloaded)

Overall Length: 6.5

Overall Width: 1.1

Overall Height: 4.7 (Without Mag)

Barrel Length: 3.41

Barrel Material: Stainless Steel

Barrel Finish: DLC Coating

Slide Material: Stainless Steel

Frame: Polymer

Front Sight: White Dot Night Sight

Rear Sight: White Two Dot Night Sight

Safety: Striker Block Safety & Trigger Safety CONS: Fit and finish reflect price

While the G19 set the standard for what most people think of as a compact carry pistol, the G43x/Dagger Micro is a lot more comfortable to carry. One of the best things about the Dagger Micro is while it can use standard Glock 43x magazines, the PSA Dagger Micro magazine holds 15 rounds to Glocks 10.

Standard magazines that are inexpensive make this a great choice for anyone on a smaller budget. It works, it works well, and it wont break the bank. While the PSA Dagger and Dagger Micro arent my EDC, I do keep a few of them in the house for loaners to visiting friends and family.

High-End Carry: Staccato HD 3.6

On the other side of the price scale comes the Staccato HD 3.6. Staccato made their name in the 2011 game, but the HD is the latest and greatest, using what can be described as a 2011 upper but combined with a lower that takes standard Glock magazines. This gives the best of both worlds, that 2011 trigger and smooth shooting slide, but being fed from Glock magazines that are unbeatably reliable and inexpensive.

PROS: Exemplary fit and finish

2011 DNA built to an even higher reliability standard

Fantastic optic mount Staccato HD 3.6 SPECS: Caliber: 919 mm

15+1 Capacity

Trigger: 4-4.5lb

Barrel: 3.6 Bull Barrel

Available in Stainless Steel & DLC

Weight: 24 oz

Frame: 7075 Aluminum  Billet Precision Machined

Recoil System: 3.6 Flat Wire

Dimensions: 7.1 x 1.6 x 4.8

Width at grip is 1.2

Magazine: Ships with 2x 15 Round Glock Pattern Magazines CONS: Expensive gun

This smaller HD comes with all of the improvements of the larger version, like the Staccato HD optic mounting, rear iron sight in front of the optic, 4.5lb trigger, and more.

Small, very nice to shoot, and insanely reliable, the HD 3.6 is a major contender if you have the money for it. But with an MSRP starting at $2,300, thats a lot for a carry gun. MIL and LE get a major discount, so if you have access, you should take a closer look.

Most Options: SIG P365 X/XL/Macro/Fuse

The gun that set the standard for the micro-compact has expanded into more sizes and flavors than you can shake a stick at. Be it the smallest configuration with a 10+1 flush-fitting grip or the nearly compact size Fuse with the 21+1 mags, the SIG P365 has a pistol that is right for you.

PROS: Loads of options

Ultra reliable

A gun for every person SIG Sauer P365 X-MACRO SPECS: CALIBER: 9mm Luger

MAGS INCLUDED: (2) 17rd Steel Mag

SIGHTS: X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights

THREADED BARREL: No

PISTOL SIZE: Compact

OVERALL LENGTH: 6.6 in [168 mm]

OVERALL WIDTH: 1.1 in [28 mm]

HEIGHT: 5.2 in [132 mm]

BARREL LENGTH: 3.1 in [79 mm]

WEIGHT: 21.5 oz [610 g]

SIGHT RADIUS: 5.1 in [130 mm]

ACCESSORY RAIL: M1913

TRIGGER ACTION: Striker

TRIGGER TYPE: Flat

GRIP TYPE: Polymer

GRIP COLOR: Black

BARREL MATERIAL: Carbon Steel

FRAME MATERIAL: Polymer

FCU MATERIAL: Stainless Steel

SLIDE FINISH: Nitron

SLIDE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel

MANUAL SAFETY: No

OPTIC READY: Yes CONS: SIG loves to make in-line changes

The pistols have an RMSc footprint optic cut standard, and with the powerful aftermarket rising for the P365 line, the sky is the limit for customization options. From holsters to magazine base pads to trigger shoes, you can tailor or improve the P365 if you desire.

Leave the pistol entirely stock, and its still a solid gun that will perform when you need it to. My EDC SIG P365 XMACRO has about 4,000 rounds through it, and I can count on one hand, with fingers left over, the times it malfunctioned.

The Sleeper: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

Designed by HS Produkt and sold via Springfield Armory, the Echelon is in every way an impressive pistol that, so far, has not received the respect it deserves. Built to compete with the likes of the SIG P320, Glock 19/17, FN 509, and other current-generation military and police duty pistols, the Echelon is arguably the best of the bunch.

PROS: Duty gun built to last

COG gives customization options

Good optic mounting Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C SPECS: Caliber: 9mm

Color: Black

Barrel: 4 Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:10

Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite Finish, Optics-Ready

Frame: Black Polymer, Small Grip Module

Sights: Tritium / Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot Rear

Recoil System: Captive

Grip Width: 1.2

Magazines(1) 15-Round, (1) 18-Round

Weight: 24 oz w/ Flush Mag, 25 oz w/ Extended Mag

Length: 7.25

Height: 5.125 w/ Flush Mag, 6.125 w/ Extended Mag CONS: Not a huge aftermarket

Built off a Central Operating Group that is the true serialized part of the firearm (much like the Fire Control Group or FCU is the serialized part in a SIG P320 or P365), the Echelon has multiple grip modules available through Springfield and 3rd party designs. These grips also have multiple backstrap sizes, giving the shooter a huge amount of choice in exactly what they want for size.

The 4.0 Compact model is a subcompact about the size of a Glock 19, packed with features. It's fully ambidextrous with no parts swapping or changing, a multi-footprint optic mount with larger-than-normal screws, great iron sights, a flared slide with serrations for grip, and 15+1 or 18+1 standard magazines.

This is a fighting pistol, pure and simple. Its also compact, not too heavy, and conceals wonderfully. For a duty-ready pistol that does everything really well, you cant go wrong with an Echelon.

Runner Up: Springfield Armory Hellcat

Another HS Produkt design but several years older, the Springfield Hellcat was the first micro-compact pistol on the market after the SIG P365. With an 11+1 standard magazine, available in 9mm and .380 ACP, optic-ready for RMSc footprint, the Hellcat has proven to be a durable and reliable micro-compact pistol.

PROS: Skinny and up for anything

This one goes to 11 CONS: Grip isnt as comfortable as other pistols in this class

Springfield Armory Hellcat SPECS:

Caliber: 9mm

Color: Black

Barrel: 3 Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:10

Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite Finish, Optics Ready

Frame: Black Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture

Sights: Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear

Recoil System: Dual Captive Recoil Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod

Grip Width: 1

Magazines: (1) 11-Round, (1) 13-Round Extended

Weight: 17.9 oz w/ Flush Mag, 18.3 oz w/ Extended Mag

Length: 6

Height: 4 w/ Flush Mag, 4.5 w/ Extended Mag

While lacking some of the customization options of the SIG P365 line, the Hellcat still gets the job done and saves a few bucks while doing it.

Best of all, the Hellcat offers 11+1 round capacity in the standard size format, making it the highest-capacity micro-compact in the world. With an extended magazine, its capacity goes up to 13+1.

German-American: Walther PDP Compact

Walther has a huge plant in Texas, but still has a lot of the German DNA, making Walther what it is today. The PDP is a great example of both American and German design influence wrapped up in one badass pistol.

PROS: Smooth shooter

Multiple options

Great trigger Walther PDP Compact SPECS: Length: 7.5 (Inches)

Width: 1.34 (Inches)

Height: 5.4 (Inches)

Weight: 24.4 (Ounces) CONS: Optic plate system

There are a lot of options in the PDP line from EDC to duty to competition models. For an EDC pistol, the PDP Compact is a great choice with the 4.0-inch barrel, compact grip, and 15+1 magazines.

The PDP uses a robust optic plate system and wont let you down, but it doesnt allow for multiple footprints at the same time. In turn, you need a new plate for each optic if you decide to change things up.

What the PDP does that no other pistol offers is different shapes and sizes of the grip. Offering different backstraps isnt exclusive to Walther, but the PDP has them anyway. The magic is in the magazine release and ambi-slide release. The size and shape of both, combined with the palm swell in the grip, make for a more comfortable pistol to hold with easy-to-use controls that dont get in the way.

While it wont feel perfect for everyone, the people who tend to gravitate to the PDP love it like no other pistol.

Do-All Easy Button: Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0

If you want options from the factory, no one matches the S&W Bodyguard 2.0. With more than 30 different SKUs, the Bodyguard 2.0 comes in multiple colors, with or without manual safety, Cerakote, PVD, Performance Center upgrades, and a lot more.

PROS: Soft shooting

All of the options

Great price Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 SPECS: Width: 0.88 in

Length: 5.85 in

Height: 4 in

Weight: 11.8 oz

Caliber: 380 AUTO

Size: MICRO

Capacity: 10, 12

Action: STRIKER FIRED

Barrel: 3.1 CONS: 380 ACP might not be ideal

No matter which flavor you choose, every Bodyguard 2.0 is reliable, featuring good qualities and available at a relatively low price.

Downside? It only comes in .380 ACP. Not our go-to recommendation for a carry caliber, but not bad either. Pick a good defensive round, and .380 ACP will get the job done. However, the 9mm is better suited for tasks like breaking auto glass and is less expensive to train with. Conversely, the .380 ACP makes the Bodyguard a softer shooting experience and might be a better option if you have limited grip strength or medical conditions like arthritis.

The OG: Glock 43x

Almost as boringly reliable as the Glock 19, the G43x is a slim version of the Glock, trimmed down to a 10-round capacity with its factory magazines. However, third-party magslike the Shield Arms and PSA Dagger Micro kickyou can bring up its capacity to 15 rounds. Combined with these other magazines, the 43x is a solid contender, being slim, lightweight, and boringly reliable.

PROS: Glock reliability

Glock pricing

Glock Glock 43x SPECS: Mag. Capacity. Standard: 10

Barrel Length. 87 mm | 3.41 inch

Weight without magazine. 461 g | 16.26 oz

Weight with empty magazine. 526 g | 18.55 oz CONS: Glock 43x magazines are 10 rounds, and thats dumb

Personally, it's not as high up on my list as the SIG P365, Springfield Hellcat, and others, which make the Glock 43x continually less interesting. And Glock holds the platform back by only offering 10-round magazines.

Now With 100% Less Glock Switch: Glock 19 V

Glock recently announced the Glock 19 V series of pistols, and while complete details arent available, it looks like the 19 V will prevent Glock switches from being installed, along with some other minor changes. Overall, its a Glock 19.

PROS: No Glock switch CONS: No Glock switch

Glock 19 SPECS:

Caliber: 9x19mm

System: Safe Action

Mag. Capacity: Standard: 15

Barrel Length: 102 mm | 4.02 inch

Weight without magazine: 610 g | 21.52 oz

Weight with empty magazine: 670 g | 23.63 oz

The Glock 19 needs no introduction. The gun that set the standard for what a CCW pistol should look like and the size it should be. The Glock 19 has been adopted by militaries and police around the world, and for good reason. There is nothing more durable or reliable on the market.

Sadly, this is also the most boring pistol on the list. While there is a massive aftermarket available for the Glock 19, and most of it should translate to the new V series, the fact remains that out of the box, these are pretty dull and wont be perfect for anyone. Reliable and durable to a fault, but boring. Not that boring is a bad thing when it comes to your CCW.

While the V model will be the new thing, there should be loads of Gen 3, 4, and 5 still on the market. If possible, I would recommend one of those instead.

The Next Big Thing: Ruger RXM

A Glock by another name, but better. The Ruger RXM hasnt lived up to the hype and potential (yet), but that doesnt make it a bad pistol. Built on another removable serialized trigger assembly like the SIG FCU or Springfield COG, Rugers version is a Fire Control Insert (FCI).

PROS: Endless possibility

Good price CONS: Ruger and Magpul have not followed up with market support

Ruger RXM SPECS:

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Capacity: 15+1

Grip Frame: Stealth Gray Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip

Barrel Length: 4

Front Sight: Tritium, Co-Witness Height

Optic Ready: Yes

Built to take Glock G19 Gen 3 parts, the RXM has that same G19 size and feel to it, but with a different grip texture and an optics system that doesnt suck. This opens a lot of possibilities for Glock parts in non-Glock products and easy customization of the grip. However, while different grips have been promised for over a year by Ruger/Magpul, so far, none are on the market.

That said, the Ruger RXM is still a solid pistol out of the box. Every RXM slide comes cut for RMR, DPP, and RMSc. Throw in the co-witness steel sights, front slide serrations, and two 15-round Magpul magazines, and this is a great little pistol.

All of that, and its only about $330 at many retailers.

F.A.Q.

What is the #1 handgun in the US?

The Glock 19 is likely the most popular model type in the USA when considering all of the generations and variants available. Used by military and police the world over, the Glock 19 is a simple and reliable pistol for any application.

What is the most popular concealed carry caliber?

9mm (or 9x19mm, or 9mm Luger, or 9mm Parabellum) is by far the most popular concealed carry caliber, offering the Goldilocks balance between capacity, power, and recoil.

What are the top 5 concealed carry handguns?

Glock 19, SIG P365, S&W Bodyguard 2.0, Glock 43x, and Palmetto State Armory Micro Dagger are likely the top 5 best concealed carry handguns.

Best concealed carry guns for new shooters?

The SIG P365, Glock 19, Glock 45x, or any of the other models on this list would be excellent choices for a new shooter.
KABUL, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces intercepted a major firearm smuggling attempt and seized weapons in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province, the Ministry of Interior announced Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a targeted operation in Dand-e-Patan district that resulted in the confiscation of 34 pieces of pistols, four M4 rifles, four AK-47 assault rifles, and additional firearms, according to the ministry.

The weapons were illegally smuggled into Afghanistan from a neighboring country, but were discovered and seized before reaching an intended destination.

The smugglers fled the scene, and authorities launched a manhunt to apprehend them. 
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has launched an integrated audit across 32 states and Union Territories to assess the ease of doing business for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

The move shifts the approach from vertical, deep-dive audits to a horizontal, pan-Indian review.

The consolidated report is slated for presentation in the winter session of Parliament in 2026.

This citizen-centric audit is intended for people who benefit from MSMEs, who use MSME services, and the MSME industry itself, Additional Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General Pravir Pandey said.

The exercise comes in the context of flagship government initiatives, including Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the MSME (Udyam) Registration portal.

The audit will examine whether reforms on the ground are delivering efficient, timely, and more transparent services to small businesses, in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and the Business Reforms Action Plan 2024.

Key focus areas include decriminalising minor business offences, easing approval requirements, simplifying and digitising processes, improving MSME financial literacy, access to credit, and the timeliness of payments.

We had interactions with the MSME secretary, the additional secretary and the development commissioner.

"We have also met chambers of commerce and various state government industries, labour and power departments, and urban local bodies.

"We have gone down to district-level coordination committees for MSMEs as well, Pandey said.

He added that the report will also look at core themes such as research and development support, labour law compliance, financial access and credit linkages, and the impact of climate-related disruptions on MSMEs.

It will provide a comparative assessment across states, with the initial pilot in West Bengal serving as a learning model.

CAG has also directed the Union and all state governments to adopt a harmonised, common object head classification for expenditures at a disaggregated level by 2027-28.

We have broadly looked at the finance ministrys format of object heads and devised some additional ones to meet states requirements.

"For example, social security expenditure is very common in states, so we have added that, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General Jayant Sinha said.

This unification aims to eliminate discrepancies in Budget heads across states, enabling uniformity, transparency, and easier fiscal comparison.

Separately, CAG will set up a world-class centre of excellence in Hyderabad to advance accounting and auditing standards.

The institution, expected to soft-launch later this month, will focus on innovation, research and professional development in financial auditing.

The Centre will host a comprehensive data hub aggregating accounting data from more than 300 central and state public sector undertakings (PSUs), over 1,300 autonomous bodies and key urban local bodies.

Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General Anand Mohan Bajaj observed an increased emphasis on auditing environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria for top-listed PSUs, in line with global sustainability trends and regulatory developments.

A CAG report on ESG is expected within the next four to five months.
'What the government is doing would be a drop in the ocean. It has to be matched by investments by industry.'

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes.

India risks losing its long-held edge in global technology services unless large technology firms sharply increase investment in artificial intelligence, a senior government official warned on Wednesday.

Additional Secretary at the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) Abhishek Singh said government funding for deeptech and AI initiatives is insufficient on its own and must be matched by industry capital to safeguard the sector's competitiveness as machine-driven coding tools advance.

The stakes, he warned, are high. India's IT services industry -- built over the past three decades on the strength of its software engineering talent -- is facing direct pressure from rapid advances in machine intelligence.

"Our prime advantage has been the cognitive power... of Indians to solve world problems," Singh said during a discussion at the Bengaluru Tech Summit.

This advantage, he added, is now being challenged by "AI bots and AI code generators and the AI tools provided by OpenAI and Anthropic and Google," which are increasingly competing with human developers.

Without accelerating skill development, he cautioned, "We run into a huge risk and if that happens, we would have a lot to lose."

To mitigate that risk, Singh said the government is expanding funding for AI applications, foundational model development, and compute infrastructure.

But he stressed that State-led capital is insufficient: "What the government is doing would be a drop in the ocean.

"It has to be matched by investments by industry, and funding support from the venture capital investors."

Singh noted that government support is designed to catalyse innovation, but the long-term trajectory will depend heavily on private-sector commitment.

"What I don't see happening in India particularly is investments that can be done by our big tech companies. That is what we need to target," he said, pointing to established Indian technology firms with comfortable margins and sizable cash reserves.

These firms, he said, need to invest more into building AI applications and solutions.

India crossed $20 billion in combined new and cumulative commitments to artificial intelligence this year, according to estimates from the Meity.

The milestone, however, still leaves the country trailing far behind the US and China in the global AI investment race.

The US is by far the biggest investor in AI, both in the private and government sectors.

Private investment totalled $471 billion from 2013 through 2024, including $109 billion in 2024 alone, according to the Stanford AI Index report.

In the US, a surge of government spending and a rush of commercial opportunities have fuelled an explosion of AI startups.

China remains a distant runner-up in private-sector AI spending.

From 2013 to 2024, Chinese companies invested $119 billion in the technology, including $9 billion last year.

The UK invested roughly $26 billion in AI between 2013 and 2023 --about 8.3 per cent of its GDP -- making it the world's third-largest backer of the technology, according to industry data.

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to deploy $100 billion to position itself as the Middle East's AI hub.

India's momentum has accelerated on the back of several big-ticket commitments.

Google, this year, unveiled plans to build a $15-billion AI data hub in Visakhapatnam over five years -- its largest investment outside the US.

TCS has outlined a $5 billion to $7 billion plan for AI data centres.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd may spend about $12-15 billion over the next few years on AI infrastructure that could include a giant 1GW data centre, Morgan Stanley said in a report.

Private equity funding has also surged in India, with AI startups attracting over $5.3 billion through October, according to the industry sources.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has set aside $1.2 billion to support the private sector to build domestic graphics processing unit infrastructure and support firms developing large language models, with several projects already underway.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
Reliance Industries Ltd on Thursday said it has halted the use of Russian crude at its export-only refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, as the company moves to comply with European Union sanctions.

Image used for representation purpose only. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Reliance is India's largest buyer of Russian oil, which it processes and turns into fuel, such as petrol and diesel, at its giant oil refining complex at Jamnagar.

The complex is made up of two refineries - one SEZ unit from which fuels are exported to the European Union, the US and other markets, and an older unit that caters to the domestic market.

The European Union - a big market for Reliance - has imposed wide-ranging sanctions targeting Russia's energy revenues, including measures that restrict the import and sale of fuels produced from Russian crude oil.

To comply with these, Reliance has stopped processing Russian crude oil at its only-for-exports (SEZ) refinery.

"We have stopped importing Russian crude oil into our SEZ refinery with effect from November 20," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

As is the case with any large industrial factory, the refinery must have past raw material (crude oil) inventories, which it is currently processing and turning into fuels.

Once the old inventory runs out, newer products will only be made from non-Russian oil.

"From December 1, all product exports from the SEZ refinery will be obtained from non-Russian crude oil," the firm said.

"The transition has been completed ahead of schedule to ensure full compliance with product-import restrictions coming into force in January 2026."

Last month, when the US sanctioned Russia's largest oil exporters - Rosneft and Lukoil, the firm had stated that it would meet all applicable restrictions and would adjust its refinery operations to meet compliance requirements.

"We have noted the recent restrictions announced by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States on crude oil imports from Russia and export of refined products to Europe.

Reliance is currently assessing the implications, including the new compliance requirements," Reliance had said on October 24.

Reliance, which operates the world's largest single-site oil refining complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat, purchased about half of the 1.7-1.8 million barrels per day of discounted Russian crude shipped to India.

The company refines the crude into petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), a large share of which is exported to regions such as Europe and the United States, at market prices, generating strong margins.

All this may change after US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil) -- Russia's two largest oil companies that he accuses of helping fund the Kremlin's "war machine" in Ukraine.

Additionally, the European Union has barred the import of fuel made from Russian crude, starting January 2026.

"We will comply with the EU's guidelines on the import of refined products into Europe," Reliance had said.

On Thursday, the firm said the crude oil import in SEZ is a fully segregated facility catering to the production line in SEZ.

"All pre-committed liftings of Russian crude oil as of October 22, 2025, are being honoured, considering all transport arrangements were already in place."

"The final such cargo was loaded on November 12. Any (Russian) cargoes arriving on or after November 20 will be received and processed at our refinery in the domestic tariff area (DTA)," it said.

"All operational activities ordinarily incident to such oil supply transactions can be completed, we believe, in a compliant way."

Reliance, which has signed a 25-year deal to buy up to 5,00,000 barrels of crude oil per day (25 million tonnes in a year) with Rosneft, has been cutting Russian imports since the US sanctions.

The company has huge business interests in the US and cannot risk attracting scrutiny.

Reliance, which bought an estimated $35 billion worth of Russian oil since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, started "recalibration" of its imports soon after the European Union adopted its 18th package of sanctions against Moscow in late July this year.

Recalibration is nothing but moving the import requirement to a different region.

And this may get expedited now, industry sources said.

Transactions involving the two sanctioned Russian firms need to be wound down by November 21.

Russia currently supplies nearly a third of India's crude imports, averaging around 1.7 million barrels per day (mbd) in 2025, of which approximately 1.2 mbd came directly from Rosneft and Lukoil.

Most of these volumes were bought by private refiners, Reliance Industries Ltd and Nayara Energy, with smaller allocations to state-owned refiners.
Sarvam's LLM will have more than 17 trillion tokens with 17 to 20 per cent coming from Indian data.

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes.

India's first homegrown foundational large language model (LLM) built by Sarvam Artificial Intelligence may come out early next year, company cofounder Vivek Raghavan said on Wednesday.

The launch will, in all likelihood, happen before or during the India AI Impact Summit.

The government will hold the flagship event to demonstrate India's capabilities and advancements in AI, and more specifically around sovereign models.

"We are trying to get the model out by February," Raghavan told Business Standard on the sidelines of the Bengaluru Tech Summit.

Sarvam AI was selected by the IndiaAI Mission this year to build the country's first sovereign LLM ecosystem.

It will be developing an open source 120-billion parameter AI model to enhance governance and public service access through use cases like 2047: Citizen Connect and AI4Pragati.

In a panel discussion Raghavan said, "The existing models have sub 1 per cent Indian data."

Sarvam's LLM will have more than 17 trillion tokens with 17 to 20 per cent coming from Indian data.

Besides Sarvam, Soket will develop India's first open-source 120 billion parameter foundation model optimised for the country's linguistic diversity, targeting sectors such as defence, healthcare, and education.

On the other hand, Gnani will build a 14 billion parameter voice AI foundation model delivering multilingual, real-time speech processing with advanced reasoning capabilities.

Gan AI, another company, will create a 70-billion parameter multilingual foundation model targeting text-to-speech capabilities.

When asked if the latest Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules would make LLM makers tweak these models to comply with the regulations, Raghavan said it is unlikely to be the case.

"As of now, I do not see the problem because LLMs are memory-less systems which do not store data unlike apps which store consumer data. However, these rules are subject to interpretation," he added.

Retraining such models may require significant cost and effort.

This comes as companies processing user data -- known as data fiduciaries -- must clearly explain to users, or data principals, how their personal data will be used.

The new rules need informed consent along with easy provisions to revoke it for any personal data processing.

Abhishek Singh, additional secretary, ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), said while the expectation was India should be leading the AI race, it is behind the US and China.

"We have to realise our potential and so the gaps have been identified. We had a lack of ability in compute, data sets, capital, and foundation models.

"Even access to graphic processing units (GPUs) was a limiting factor.

"However, 38,000 GPUs have been empanelled which is solving part of the problem.

"We need thousands of GPUs to be somewhere near to the best in the world and for that we need more investment from the industry."

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
'The (Maoist) organisation is in visible decline. Their senior leaders are ageing. Forest life is unforgiving -- older leaders simply cannot cope physically.'

'Earlier, they attracted educated youth from cities. That stream has dried up. Today's recruits largely come from poor village backgrounds and lack ideological depth.'

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff

On November 18, 2025, at around 6.30 am, security forces achieved one of the most consequential counter-insurgency breakthroughs in recent years.

In the deep forests of Maredumilli in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitarama Raju district, the Andhra Pradesh police neutralised Madvi Hidma, commander of the CPI (Maoist)'s People's Liberation Guerilla Army Battalion No 1, the most feared military formation in the organisation. Hidma's wife, senior cadre Madakam Raje, and four other Maoists were also killed.

Hidma had been responsible for some of the most devastating attacks on the security forces in two decades, including the 2013 Jhiram Valley attack and the 2017 Burkapal ambush. Born in Puvarti village in Sukma district, he rose from a Bal Sangham recruit to the Maoists' most lethal operational commander.

His death followed coordinated multi-state operations that began on November 17, when 50 cadres -- including special zonal committee members, divisional committee members, platoon members, and area committee members -- were arrested across several districts.

On November 19, further engagements eliminated seven more Maoists, including technical specialist Meturi Jokha Rao alias Tech Shankar.

The operation reflects a sustained 'surround and squeeze' strategy pursued over six years by the Union home ministry and the stakeholder states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Persistent pressure in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmad forests (a no-go for security forces till about two-three years ago) forced Hidma southward into Andhra Pradesh, where coordinated intelligence sharing enabled forces to seal his movement corridor and trap him.

The impact is historic. Over 1,600 Maoist cadres surrendered in 2025 alone. Maoist-affected districts have shrunk from 180 in 2010 to about 45 in 2025. Only three districts in Chhattisgarh remain significantly affected: Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur.

Retired Central Reserve Police Force director general K Durga Prasad, with decades of experience leading the Greyhounds and later CoBRA (the two specialised security units established to contain the Maoist insurgency), in this interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff offers his take on Hidma's death, its impact on the already dwindling Maoist movement and the road ahead.

You have followed Maoist operations closely during and after your tenure. How significant is Hidma's elimination?

Enormously significant. For more than ten years, Hidma projected an aura of invincibility -- partly myth, partly built on his operational successes. His ability to evade security forces created psychological dominance within the Maoist ranks. Neutralising him dismantles that myth. It sends an unmistakable message to remaining cadres: No one is beyond the reach of the State.

Hidma's death is not just a tactical success -- it is a huge strategic turning point; it alters the very psychology of the insurgency. It (Hidma's death) is as good as the death of Maoist insurgency.

One can now safely believe that with Hidma's death, the Maoist insurgency too will soon breathe its last.

What made Hidma so difficult to neutralise all these years?

Several unique factors. His terrain knowledge and ability to vanish into civilian life made him extraordinarily difficult to track.

He was a tribal from Sukma and understood the forests of Dandakaranya like few others. His fluency in tribal languages gave him seamless access to local populations. He could move rapidly through forest routes that even seasoned security personnel took months to understand.

His personal tradecraft was exceptional -- discard the weapon, change attire, blend in instantly. That made identification extremely difficult. He could move through villages appearing like any ordinary tribal youth. These combined elements made him the toughest Maoist commander to locate, let alone eliminate.

The operation succeeded because forces waited for the perfect moment -- and struck instantly.

Despite this advantage, what enabled his final neutralisation?

The key was patience, intelligence, and coordination. The Andhra police followed a doctrine perfected by the Greyhounds -- long-term surveillance, not premature action.

About six weeks before the encounter, intelligence indicated that Hidma's team had entered the Alluri Sitarama Raju district region. But instead of rushing in, the police maintained discreet watch.

They built a complete intelligence picture: His movements, aides, rest locations, and communication channels. Acting too early would have only pushed him back into deeper jungle. They waited until he felt safe enough to linger.

When confirmation came that he had crossed into Andhra territory, the local police acted immediately -- at dawn -- without waiting for elite units. That speed was critical because Maoists get warning even from minor movements. Instant mobilisation prevented leakage and ensured success.

The operation involved security agencies from the states of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. How has intelligence coordination evolved?

IMAGE: Security personnel during an anti-Maoist operation. Photograph: ANI Photo

This was the result of years of multi-state coordination.

What you're seeing is the outcome of years of institutional strengthening. In 2024-2025, Chhattisgarh's intensified pressure forced Hidma into unfamiliar territory. He believed Andhra Pradesh would offer safer ground -- it didn't.

Simultaneously, the arrests of 50 cadres across ranks -- including the big fish -- were not random. They were the result of persistent surveillance across multiple states. Intelligence was shared continuously, networks were mapped, and movement corridors were monitored.

This is exactly how coordinated counter-insurgency should work: even if one operation falters, parallel ones continue independently.

Hidma's wife, Madakam Raje, was also eliminated. How significant was her role?

Extremely significant. Raje was not a mere consort -- she was a co-commander.

Raje was deeply involved in planning and executing major operations. She functioned as an operational co-equal. Her loss is as damaging as Hidma's. Combined with the arrest of dozens of area committee members (ACMs) and above, the Maoists have effectively lost their middle-level leadership -- the backbone of operations.

It will take years for the organisation to rebuild that cadre.

What trajectory do you foresee for Maoist operations?

The movement is suffering from generational collapse.

The (Maoist) organisation is in visible decline. Their senior leaders are ageing. Forest life is unforgiving -- older leaders simply cannot cope physically. Earlier, they attracted educated youth from cities. That stream has dried up. Today's recruits largely come from poor village backgrounds and lack ideological depth.

Ideology itself has weakened. Earlier leaders could articulate political theory. Today's leaders mostly talk of militarism without intellectual renewal.

Most importantly, socio-economic conditions have improved across tribal regions. Roads, connectivity, markets, and education have changed aspirations. Young tribal women riding motorbikes to school represent the biggest blow to Maoist propaganda. The material grievances of the 1970s and 1980s no longer hold the same force.

Are these socio-economic improvements permanent?

Development is now irreversible. They appear deeply embedded. You cannot roll back 14,600 km of roads or 7,700 telecom towers. Over a thousand banks now operate in these areas. Schools function. Youth have access to information.

When populations personally benefit from governance, they don't want to return to insurgency. The developmental shift is structural, not temporary.

Maoists historically enjoyed strong local support. How have these networks weakened?

Maoist 'support' was often coerced, not voluntary.

Much of that 'support' was fear-driven. People offered food and shelter because refusal meant punishment. Once security forces established permanent presence, villages realised they could defy Maoists without being abandoned.

The government's surrender and rehabilitation schemes (for Maoists) provided safe exits. This reshaped psychology.

In 2024, 881 cadres surrendered; by early 2025, another 164. Surrenders have always exceeded kills in my experience. For every five killed, ten to fifteen are arrested, and thirty to forty surrender.

When a figure like Hidma is eliminated -- someone believed to be invincible -- the morale shock is immense. Many prefer surrender to hopeless struggle.

What role has technology played in these operations?

A major role, but not a standalone one. Drones expanded surveillance, especially in difficult terrain. Communications interception improved. But technology is only a force multiplier.

The real foundation is human intelligence -- local informants who know where Maoist groups move, rest, and reorganise.

Technology improved operations -- but human intelligence remains indispensable.

Technology plus human intelligence, combined with disciplined tactical units, is what delivered these recent breakthroughs.

Do you expect retaliation to avenge Hidma's killing?

Retaliation may occur -- but not at battalion level anymore.

Small-scale attacks are possible -- desperate cadres targeting informants or isolated police posts. But coordinated, large attacks like those Hidma masterminded are unlikely. Such operations require organisational coherence, logistics, and senior leadership -- all of which the Maoists have now lost.

Psychologically, cadres are shaken. They've seen their strongest commander fall. Many will either melt away or surrender.

The Union home ministry aims to eliminate Maoism by March 2026. Is this realistic now with Hidma's death?

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets with Left Wing Extremism affected people from Chhattisgarh at his residence in New Delhi. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo 'The (Maoist) organisation is in visible decline. Their senior leaders are ageing. Forest life is unforgiving -- older leaders simply cannot cope physically.'

More realistic now than ever before. The elimination of top leaders -- including General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao earlier in 2025 -- has hollowed the command structure. Multi-state operations launched by security forces have become far more sophisticated. Given the current trajectory, organised Maoist insurgency could indeed be dismantled by 2026.

The 2026 elimination target is realistic.

However, isolated violence will continue for years, as with any insurgency's tail end. And governments must continue addressing socio-economic grievances so that the vacuum is not filled again (by neo Maoists).

How do you assess the Andhra Pradesh Police's performance?

The Andhra Police showed exceptional readiness. Outstanding.

They acted on their own initiative, without waiting for specialised forces. That reflects years of training reforms. During my tenure, we ensured all constabulary personnel underwent basic jungle warfare training, not just elite units. The Greyhounds legacy continues to shape the state police. Their swift mobilisation and coordinated intelligence work were key to this success.

What are the broader implications for the Red Corridor?

This is the terminal phase of organised Maoism. We are witnessing the final phase of organised Maoist insurgency in India. Leadership has been wiped out or aged beyond operational relevance.

Middle-level command structures are gutted. Recruitment is weak. Development has transformed society. And most importantly, tribal communities now increasingly see their future in governance, not insurgency.

The Red Corridor, once spanning multiple states, has been reduced to isolated pockets. The movement has shifted from a national security threat to a manageable law and order issue.

The real victory is not just in killing or capturing Maoists, but in reshaping the socio-economic conditions that once fed the insurgency. That is the legacy of this moment.
'Removing Nitish Kumar prematurely risks unsettling both the alliance balance and parts of the social coalition that delivered this victory.'

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar takes the oath as Bihar's chief minister at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, November 20, 2025. Photograph: Kind courtesy JD-U/X

"A change of chief minister becomes plausible only if the BJP pulls far ahead of the JD-U in a future election, or if a carefully managed transition can be choreographed with Nitish's consent," says Vignesh Karthik KR.

Dr Karthik is a postdoctoral research affiliate of Indian and Indonesian politics at The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, and a research affiliate at King's India Institute, King's College London.

"Continuity with Nitish, even in a more ceremonial form later, remains the lower-risk option for the BJP," Dr Karthik tells Rediff's Archana Masih on the day Nitish Kumar takes the oath for a 10th time as Bihar chief minister.

As an election researcher and analyst who has been studying the state what big surprises did the Bihar verdict hold for you?

Two things stood out.

First, the scale and clarity of the mandate for the NDA, despite a very poor development record and visible anger in sections of the electorate.

This was not a 'wave' election, but the result was sweeping. It showed how far organisational and social complementarity between the BJP and JD-U, plus Nitish's administrative network and women/EBC base, can compensate for structural underdevelopment.

Second, the extent of the opposition's collapse.

The RJD did not just underperform; it fell back to numbers comparable with the late 2000s, when Nitish was at his peak.

The Opposition lost not because the NDA surged unexpectedly, but because the Mahagathbandhan collapsed under the weight of its own choices: A Yadav-heavy ticket, limited EBC outreach, a hollowed-out Congress, and fragmented minority voting. A competitive election became lopsided by design.

The scale of the victory has been attributed to women voting overwhelmingly for Nitish Kumar, especially for the Rs 10,000 cash disbursed. Have incumbent governments found a way to beat anti-incumbency by such schemes? Is anti-incumbency no longer a factor?

Targeted transfers to women did matter, but not as a simple 'cash-for-vote' mechanism. They worked because they were layered on top of a longer history of Nitish-centric welfare; cycles, scholarships, reservations in panchayats, liquor prohibition framed as women's safety that had already created a relationship of trust.

The Rs 10,000 scheme reinforced an existing moral economy rather than creating it from scratch.

Across states, we are seeing incumbents trying to convert governance into a direct, personalised relationship via Direct Bank Transfer-led welfare architectures. That can blunt anti-incumbency when three conditions hold: the state can finance it, delivery is reasonably reliable, and there is no compelling alternative leadership on offer.

But welfare is not a magic shield. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha remind us that you can still lose despite heavy spending if credibility erodes or rival coalitions look more viable.

So yes, there is a structural tilt towards incumbents in an era of stable welfare regimes, but anti-incumbency has not disappeared. It is becoming more conditional: voters are willing to punish, but only when they are confident someone else can protect what they already receive.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Nitish Kumar at the swearing in ceremony. Photograph: ANI/X

Is welfarism trumping development, particularly in state elections? What larger impact is this going to have - not only on fiscal health of the states, but on Indian politics?

Bihar illustrates a 'low-level equilibrium'. You have some of the country's worst outcomes on per capita consumption, wages, health, and higher education, yet an incumbent can still win decisively by offering a floor of welfare, especially to women and marginalised castes, without structurally transforming the economy.

Welfare here compensates for the absence of broad-based growth; it does not build a pathway out of it. During my fieldwork, a senior journalist in Delhi put it bluntly: When social rupture is rife, money helps grease hands for shakes.

There was a time when the legacy of Karpoori Thakur, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan tilted the balance toward a politics of dignity before a politics of development.

Over the years, development itself has been replaced with welfare, and the politics of dignity is being hollowed out in tandem due to a lack of a horizontal plebeian/ Dalit-Bahujan vision.

The symbolic, relational work that once stitched together Bihar's social coalitions has thinned, even as direct transfers have thickened.

For state finances, this produces a long-term squeeze. Governments prioritise highly visible, recurring cash or in-kind schemes over less visible but transformative investments in schooling quality, public health systems, or job-creating infrastructure.

Over time, this narrows fiscal space and locks states into high-commitment, low-return spending portfolios.

Such schemes are also politically sustainable only because India has an arbitrary and centralised tax system that disproportionately punishes the poor through regressive indirect taxation.

The Centre's consolidated fiscal power allows ruling coalitions in Delhi to divert or target funds in ways that soften the fiscal constraints facing a state like Bihar, despite low growth. Welfare can therefore expand even as the developmental base remains shallow.

The political danger is that electoral competition becomes a race over the intensity of welfare rather than a contest over models of development. Once that happens, it becomes extremely difficult to hold a serious conversation about structural change.

The system then finds a perverse balance: deep underdevelopment can coexist with stable incumbencies because welfare acts as a compensatory mechanism rather than a developmental springboard.

IMAGE: A hoarding in Patna prior to the swearing-in ceremony. Photograph: ANI Photo

There was speculation about Nitish Kumar's relevance had the JD-U not performed well -- but with Nitish Kumar emerging as the biggest hero of the election, how has the verdict boosted his political position? How long is he likely to remain CM before the BJP stakes its claim?

This result reaffirms that Nitish remains the pivot of Bihar's governing arrangement. The BJP's campaign, welfare branding and booth-level effort all leaned heavily on his sushasan image, especially among EBCs, Mahadalits and women.

Far from being redundant, he has been reconfirmed as the legitimising face of a coalition that the BJP finances and organises but cannot yet front in Bihar without cost.

Part of Nitish's durability also lies in a deeper structural fact: Unlike leaders such as Lalu Prasad Yadav, Karpoori Thakur or Ram Vilas Paswan, Nitish does not fundamentally challenge entrenched social hierarchies.

On a good day, his governance model subtly exacerbates existing hierarchies; on a bad day, it maintains the stalemate. This makes him a 'safe' custodian of the status quo for dominant social blocs while still retaining credibility among sections that benefit from his incremental welfare architecture where the beneficiaries' expectations are managed and moderated.

That equilibrium is precisely what allows him to endure.

The BJP's long-term incentives remain unchanged: Whenever seat arithmetic permits, it will want its own chief minister. But Bihar is not like some smaller regional allies the BJP has sidelined elsewhere.

Nitish presides over a deeply entrenched administrative network and a political common sense that still sees him as the acceptable anchor of power. Removing him prematurely risks unsettling both the alliance balance and parts of the social coalition that delivered this victory.

So, his position is strengthened in the short to medium term. A change of chief minister becomes plausible only if the BJP pulls far ahead of the JD-U in a future election, or if a carefully managed transition can be choreographed with Nitish's consent.

Until then, continuity with him, even in a more ceremonial form later, remains the lower-risk option for the BJP.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
When intellectuals become terrorists, they become more dangerous than those working on the ground, the Delhi police told the Supreme Court on Thursday as it vehemently opposed the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in the February 2020 riots case.

IMAGE: Dr Umar Khalid, the intellectual and activist, has bene in jail since September 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo

The police said it had become a trend now for doctors and engineers to engage in anti-national activities.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Delhi police, told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria that the delay in trial was attributable to the accused and they cannot take advantage of it.

Raju showed in the top court videos of Imam giving "inflammatory speeches" against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The videos showed Imam giving speeches at Chakhand, Jamia, Aligarh, and Asansol in 2019 and 2020 before the riots in February 2020 riots in Delhi.

Pointing out that Imam is an engineering graduate, the advocate said, "Nowadays there is a trend that doctors, engineers are not doing their professions but engaging in anti-national activities."

Raju added, "It's not a simple protest. These are violent protests. They are talking about blockades."

At this juncture, Justice Kumar asked if the speeches were part of the chargesheet, to which Raju replied in the affirmative.

The ASG said CAA protests were timed with US President Donald Trump's visit to India to get international media coverage.

"The ultimate intention is regime change. CAA protests were a red-herring, the real purpose was regime change, create economic deprivation and create chaos across the country. The riots were deliberately made to coincide with the visit of US President Donald Trump. These so-called intellectuals are more dangerous than the ground-level terrorists," Raju said.

Khalid, Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, and Rehman were booked under the UAPA, the stringent anti-terror law, and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the "masterminds" of the 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

The violence erupted during widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Strongly opposing the bail pleas of activists, Delhi police on Tuesday had argued that it was not something spontaneous but an "orchestrated, a pre-planned, and a well-designed" attack on the sovereignty of the nation.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, had told the bench that there was an attempt to divide the society on communal lines and it was not merely an agitation against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Donald Trump Jr, son of United States President Donald Trump, visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Thursday and spent nearly an hour exploring the monument under an elaborate security arrangement, officials said.

IMAGE: Donald Trump Jr at Taj Mahal in Agra on Thursday. Photograph: ANI video grab

Trump Jr arrived at the monument around 3.30 pm and had an extensive photo session inside the complex, including at the iconic Diana bench, they said.

A senior official said he showed deep interest in the Taj Mahal's history and construction, asking his guide detailed questions about its architecture.

Guide Nitin Singh accompanied Trump Jr during the tour. Singh is the same guide who had shown the monument to President Donald Trump during his 2020 visit, officials noted.

Security was significantly tightened for the visit. Besides local police, security personnel from the US were also deployed.

Central Industrial Security Force took over inner security as soon as Trump Jr entered the premises, ensuring a seamless movement inside the monument.

Ahead of his arrival, the administration also carried out special cleaning drives and cleared key routes of stray animals, they said.

Trump Jr is also expected to attend a high-profile destination wedding in Udaipur, they added.
At least 21 people were injured in a fire which broke out at the main venue of the ongoing UN COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil's Belem, forcing thousands of people to run for safety.

IMAGE: A firefighter holds a hose following a fire alert during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), in Belem, Brazil, on November 20, 2025. Photograph: Adriano Machado/Reuters

The fire broke out at around 2 pm on Thursday at the 'Blue Zone', where all meetings, negotiations, country pavilions, media centre and offices of all high-profile dignitaries are housed, including the main plenary hall.

As soon as news of the fire spread, people ran out of all exit gates for safety. The authorities closed the venue for a thorough safety inspection and reopened it after more than six hours at 8:40 pm, sans the country pavilions -- the area which caught fire.

"...according to updated data as of 6 pm this Thursday, 21 people have received medical care as a result of the fire that affected the Blue Zone of the event," the Brazilian Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Of the total cases, 19 are related to smoke inhalation and two to anxiety episodes following the incident. There have been no reports of individuals sustaining burn injuries from the flames, it added.

"Patients were promptly assisted and 12 have already been discharged. The remaining individuals are receiving appropriate care in health facilities in Belem and in a designated referral unit for such cases," the statement said.

Municipal, state and federal health teams continue to monitor and follow up on the medical assistance and health status of those affected, it added.

It is learnt that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was present at the venue and promptly evacuated by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) protection detail.

India's Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav was also present with the Indian delegation inside the Blue Zone when the fire broke out, but he and other officials safely exited the venue, a spokesperson of the ministry told PTI.

In a mail to all participants, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said that following a comprehensive safety assessment, the venue has been thoroughly inspected and deemed fully safe.

"Brazilian authorities have restored all working conditions on the conference premises, secured the post-fire operating permit from the Fire Department and formally returned the area to the UNFCCC," it added.

The Blue Zone has now been reinstated to full operational status and has been reopened as of 8:40 pm. All accredited COP participants are now able to access the COP30 venue in the usual ways.

However, the pavilion area (Zone B) directly affected by the fire will remain inaccessible for the remainder of the conference, which is scheduled to conclude on Friday.

"There will be no plenary activity this evening. All plenary sessions tomorrow will be open to all parties and observers and will be fully live-streamed, and all usual measures to keep parties, observers and media informed of negotiations will continue," the mail stated.

Cancellation of the day's remaining businesses earlier created uncertainty over the timely completion of the summit, with crucial negotiations still needed to hammer out a final roadmap ahead of the summit's last day on Friday.

In a joint statement, the UN COP30 Presidency, which is organising the summit, and UNFCCC said: "We still have substantial work ahead, and we trust that delegates will return to the negotiations in a spirit of solidarity and determination to ensure a successful outcome for this COP."

The two parties in their earlier statement said that the fire department and UN security officers responded swiftly, and the fire was controlled in approximately six minutes.

"People were evacuated safely. As a precaution, the Brazilian Government and the UNFCCC have jointly decided to temporarily close the Blue Zone while the fire department carries out a comprehensive safety assessment," it had said.

The fire did not affect the 'Green Zone', where various stalls and exhibitions have been organised, and remains open with activities continuing as scheduled, it added.

Meanwhile, UNDSS, in a 'Flash Report' to its members immediately after the incident, said that the fire quickly spread to decorative textiles covering the sides and roof of the structure.

"Security personnel immediately responded using fire extinguishers until firefighters arrived. The fire was fully controlled," it added.

During the incident, some panic ensued as people began leaving the area. UNDSS uniformed personnel provided guidance and initiated an orderly evacuation.

"The UN Secretary-General was present on site and was promptly evacuated by the UNDSS protection detail.

"A headcount was activated, and all UNSMS (United Nations Security Management System) organisations have confirmed their personnel are accounted for and well. There are no reports of injuries among UNSMS staff or participants. The affected area remains closed at this time," the report said.

Immediately after the fire, the UNFCCC secretariat issued an urgent advisory and asked all to evacuate the venue.

The host country Brazil took over the entire venue, which temporarily ceased to be a UN site until it was reopened.

"The Host Country Fire Chief has ordered the evacuation of the entire premises. The Fire Service will conduct full safety checks," UNFCCC had said in an update bulletin.

"The premises are now under the authority of the Host Country and are no longer considered a Blue Zone," it added.

Huge clouds of black smoke billowed from the temporary tent, erected to hold the annual global event for setting roadmaps for the protection of the earth by preventing climate change. The smoke could be seen from several kilometres away.

Minutes after the fire, the area was lashed with a spell of heavy rains, creating a difficult situation for thousands of attendees who had come out to the open from the venue.

Negotiators from more than 190 countries have gathered here for the annual Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. The COP30 summit is taking place in the Brazilian city of Belem in the Amazon region from November 10 to 21.
United States President Donald Trump has said he settled tension between India and Pakistan after threatening the two countries with 350 per cent tariffs and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called him to say we're not going to go to war.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump has repeated the India and Pakistan truce claim over 60 times. Photograph: @WhiteHouse/X

Trump has repeated the claim over 60 times that he helped settle tension between India and Pakistan in May this year even as India has consistently denied any third-party intervention.

I'm good at settling disputes, and I've always been. I've done very well with that over the years, even before this. I was talking about the different wars India, Pakistan... they were going to go at it, nuclear weapons, Trump said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the US-Saudi Investment Forum attended by visiting Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, Trump said that he told the two nuclear-armed neighbours that they can go at it, but I'm putting a 350 per cent tariff on each country. No more trade with the United States.

Claiming that both India and Pakistan told him not to do it, Trump said that he told them, I'm going to do it. Come back to me and I'll take it down. But I'm not going to have you guys shooting nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people and having the nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles. I'm not going to do it'.

Trump then said that he was all set and told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that he will put a 350 per cent tariff to settle (the conflict) and added, if the countries stopped the war, we'll make a nice trade deal, as they are in the midst of the negotiations for the trade deal.

Now, no other president would have done that I used tariffs to settle all these wars, not all of them. Five of the eight were settled because of the economy, because of trade, because of tariffs, Trump said. I did this.

He added that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called him and thanked him, in front of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, for saving millions of lives.

Trump then claimed that he got a call from Prime Minister Modi saying, we're done'. I said, you're done with what?' Trump said and claimed Modi replied: We're not going to go to war.

Trump said he then thanked Modi and said, Let's make a deal.

The US president also added that he saved a lot of people, millions of people, in many other wars. Trump had repeated the claim that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan a day earlier too during a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince in the Oval Office.

Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim over 60 times that he helped settle the tensions between India and Pakistan.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

India has consistently denied any third-party intervention and maintained that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached on May 10 following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries.
KRATIE, Cambodia, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The critically endangered Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins have been attracting more domestic and foreign tourists to northeast Cambodia's Kratie province, generating substantial income for local communities, a tourist police official said.

Considered a national living treasure by the Cambodian government, the rare dolphins have been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species since 2004.

It is estimated that currently, 111 dolphins are living along a 120-km main channel of the Mekong River in northeast Kratie and Stung Treng provinces.

Srey Sitha, a tourist police official at the Kampi Dolphin Resort in Kratie province, said the number of foreign tourists to the dolphin reserve has been on the rise in recent months, thanks to accessible roads and bridges built by China.

"China has helped construct good bridges and roads, and even tourists from Europe have admired nice roads when they traveled to this resort, and they are happy," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Sitha said the recently-completed Chinese-built road 377 has played a vital role in facilitating tourists' travel to the dolphin attraction.

"According to our daily statistics, there has been a high increase in the number of tourists in late October and early November," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"Every day, normally, there are 40 to 50 [foreign] tourists, but if tourists in two or three tour packages are arranged to visit, the number will increase up to 90 or 100 a day," he said.

Sitha said most of the tourists visiting the dolphins in this season are from France, Italy, Australia, Germany, Canada and the United States, among others.

"Also, Chinese tourists are visiting the dolphins in tour packages or on family excursions," he said.

He said in the dry season from December to May, tourists can sightsee the dolphins from the riverbank, but in the rainy season from June to November, they need to hire a boat and ride it to watch the dolphin habitat.

"Tourists' presence is crucial to supporting our conservation efforts and to improving the livelihoods of local residents," he said.

Nhem Mom, a 60-year-old domestic tourist from southern Cambodia's Takeo province, said it would be a regret if she had not seen dolphins at least once in her life.

"I travel to Kratie province to see dolphins because I have never seen them with my own eyes," she told Xinhua. "I feel excited to see them. I feel that dolphins are smart, adorable, and fascinating."

Mom called on both national and international tourists to come and visit the dolphin reserve, saying that their presence is important to help raise income and reduce poverty for local people.

Pa Khlout, another 64-year-old domestic tourist from Takeo province, said dolphins are adorable because of their charismatic behaviors, unique gestures, and vocalizations.

Khlout said tourists' presence is essential to help safeguard and conserve these majestic creatures for generations to come. 
The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the actions of governors and the President in granting, withholding, or reserving assent to bills are not subject to judicial review.

IMAGE: The Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

The observations, stressing the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive, were made in a judgment by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai while answering the Presidential reference on the issue of fixing timelines in granting assent to bills by governors and the President.

"We find no reason to deviate from the binding decisions of this court and for the additional reasoning... are of the considered view that the discharge of the governor's or President's functions under Articles 200 and 201 respectively, is not justiciable," it held.

The verdict dealt with the crucial issue of justiciability of functions of governors and the President under Article 200 and Article 201, respectively and effectively overturned the views of a previous two-judge bench in the Tamil Nadu case that the governor's actions to be justiciable and had laid down grounds for such challenges.

"The judicial review of a bill, that is anterior to its enactment as law, is unheard of and unfathomable in our constitutional practice and history. Judicial review of legislation is premised on the fact that it will be considered by the court only after it has been made into law -- ie, assented by the governor or President, as the case may be, and brought into force. It is this judicial review over legislation that our constitutionalism envisages, and this particular form is an essential feature of our basic structure," it said.

Article 200 empowers governors to act on bills passed by the state legislature by either granting assent, withholding assent, or reserving the bill for the President's consideration. They may also return a bill to the legislature with recommendations or for reconsideration.

Article 201 says, "When a bill is reserved by a governor for the consideration of the President, the President shall declare either that he assents to the bill or that he withholds assent therefrom...."

The Constitution bench found that the Tamil Nadu judgment had deviated from a consistent line of rulings by larger benches, which had explicitly held that a "merits-review or the correctness of the assent granted by the President was not within the purview of permissible judicial scrutiny."

The opinion characterised the role of the governor under Article 200 not as a final executive order, but as the initiation of a "dialogic process" within the constitutional framework.

Referring to judgments, the bench said, "We are unable to endorse the view advanced in state of Tamil Nadu -- since the governor cannot withhold assent simpliciter, the only options he has are to initiate the dialogic process under Article 200 -- either through returning the bill to the legislature for reconsideration or reserving it for the President's assent, who in turn under Article 201, may choose to return the Bill with a message to the Legislature as well.

"The initiation of a dialogic process where other constitutional functionaries are consulted before the governor or President takes a decision on whether the bill must be assented to or not, is not a justiciable act in itself."

It said the dialogic process is a part of the system of checks and balances, and the federal system that our Constitution envisages and such a process, contemplated under Articles 200 and 201, is advisory, persuasive, deliberative, mediative, and consultative.

"It stands at a markedly different position from the discharge of an adjudicatory function, or a definitive exercise of executive power -- both of which are subject to judicial review.

"The discharge of functions under Articles 200 and 201, however, is simply the initiation of a dialogic process, which cannot be the subject of judicial review," it said.

Under the court's formulation in the Tamil Nadu case, each of the three options -- assent, reservation and return of the bill -- becomes justiciable.

"We find that such a conclusion belies logic. Taking this line of reasoning further, if the reservation of a bill, or withholding and returning it to the legislature, is justiciable, then the grant of assent too would necessarily have to be subject to judicial review. This opens another front to challenge a bill, and the resulting legislation...," it said.

In other words, to determine whether a bill has been correctly accorded assent or not, the primary document brought before the court's consideration will be the text of the bill, anterior to the stage of it becoming a law, it said.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said no timelines can be imposed on governors and the President to grant assent to bills passed by state assemblies. The Supreme Court is also barred from giving deemed assent to the bills, the apex court said in its long-awaited judgment.

IMAGE: The Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

In its unanimous verdict, a five-judge Constitution bench also ruled that governors cannot sit over bills beyond the powers granted to them under Article 200.

"We don't think governors have unfettered power to sit over bills passed by state assemblies," said the bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai and also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar.

Fixing timelines for governors in a democratic country like India is against the elasticity provided by the Constitution, the court added.

Reading out the operative part of the verdict, the CJI said governors have three options under Article 200 -- to grant assent to bills, refer them to the President or withhold assent and send them back to the assembly with his or her comments.

"In the absence of constitutionally prescribed time limits, and the manner of exercise of power by the governor, it would not be appropriate for this court to judicially prescribe timelines for the exercise of powers under Article 200," the bench said.

Deciding a plea of the Tamil Nadu government, a bench headed by Justice J B Pardiwala in April this year fixed a three-month period for governors and the President to grant assent to bills passed by state assemblies.

The five-judge bench agreed to deliberate on 14 crucial questions raised by President Droupadi Murmu on the apex court's April 8 verdict.

Exercising her power under the rarely used Article 143 (1), President Murmu had said that in the present circumstances it appears questions of law have arisen and are of such nature and public importance that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court.

Article 143 (1) deals with the power of the President to consult the Supreme Court.

On Thursday, the bench said exercise of constitutional powers and the orders of the President/governor cannot be substituted in any manner under Article 142.

"...we hereby clarify that the Constitution, specifically Article 142 even, does not allow for the concept of 'deemed assent' of Bills," it said.

Article 142 grants immense power to the top court to pass any order for doing complete justice in any case.

"The first proviso to Article 200 is bound to the substantive part of the provision, and restricts the existing options, rather than offering a fourth option. Pertinently, the third option -- to withhold assent and return with comments -- is only available to the governor when it is not a money Bill," the bench said.

It said governors enjoy discretion in choosing from these three constitutional options and is not bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers while exercising powers under Article 200.

"The discharge of the governor's function under Article 200, is not justiciable. The court cannot enter into a merits review of the decision so taken," it said.

However, in glaring circumstances of inaction that is prolonged, unexplained and indefinite, the court can issue a limited mandamus for the governor to discharge function under the Constitution within a reasonable time, without making any observations on merits, the apex court said.

Referring to Article 361, it said there is an absolute bar on judicial review in relation to personally subjecting the governor to judicial proceedings.

"However, it cannot be relied upon to negate the limited scope of judicial review that this court is empowered to exercise in situations of prolonged inaction by the governor under Article 200," it said.

The bench clarified that while the governors continue to enjoy personal immunity, their constitutional office is subject to the court's jurisdiction.

"The decisions of the governor and president under Articles 200 and 201 respectively, are not justiciable at a stage anterior into the law coming into force. It is impermissible for the courts to undertake judicial adjudication over the contents of a Bill, in any manner, before it becomes law," the bench said.

It said the governor's legislative role under Article 200 cannot be supplanted by another constitutional authority.

On September 11, the apex court reserved its verdict.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday took custody of three doctors and a preacher who were arrested in connection with the November 10 car blast outside the Red Fort in which 15 people were killed.

IMAGE: National Investigation Agency (NIA) brings Delhi car blast case accused Amir Rashid Ali to Patiala House Court after arresting him, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather and Shaheena Saeed as well as Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay had earlier been arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police.

The anti-terror probe agency took them into custody in Srinagar following production orders from the district sessions judge at the Patiala House court in Delhi, according to a statement from an NIA spokesperson.

"They had all played a key role in the terror attack that killed several innocent persons and left many others injured, as per NIA investigations," the spokesperson said.

With their custody shifting to the NIA, which formally took over the case on November 11, the number of people booked in connection with a 'white collar' terror plot has gone up to six.

The NIA has already arrested two people -- Amir Rashid Ali and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish.

Dr Umar-un-Nabi, who was driving the explosives-laden i20 that detonated outside the Red Fort, had allegedly bought the car in Ali's name.

Wani was arrested after it emerged that Umar had been trying to 'brainwash' him to becoming a suicide bomber, officials said.

He was not persuaded but is alleged to have agreed to participate as an overground worker for the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

PTI had earlier reported that the sophisticated terror module spearheaded by a group of doctors had been actively scouting for a suicide bomber since last year with

Umar being the alleged key planner.

Officials said Adeel's interrogation pointed to Umar being a 'hardcore radical' who insisted that a suicide bomber was essential for their operations. It was after that that Srinagar police sent a team to Qazigund in south Kashmir and detained Wani.

Wani admitted during his questioning that he had met the 'doctor module' in October last year at a mosque in Kulgam, Kashmir, the officials said.

In April this year, Wani backed out of the plan to become a suicide bomber, citing his poor economic condition and the belief that suicide was forbidden in Islam, they said.

Those arrested are alleged to be at the centre of the terror module busted by Jammu and Kashmir police along with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Investigations led to the Al Falah university in Faridabad where 2,900 kg of explosives was recovered.

It all started on the intervening night of October 18-19, when posters of the banned JeM surfaced on walls just outside Srinagar city. The posters warned of attacks on police and security forces in the Valley.

Three people -- Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid -- were arrested after CCTV footage showed them pasting the posters.

During interrogation, they named former paramedic turned preacher Maulvi Irfanas the one who had supplied the posters. He was arrested.

This was the thread that led to the unravelling of the plot. It was his interrogation that finally led investigators to Al Falah university and the group of Kashmiri doctors.

The first person to be arrested was Ganaie from Faridabad. Then Saeed too from the town.

Later, Adeel Rather was picked up from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Rise from your seats when legislators or MPs visit your office, listen to the them attentively, and use polite language during phone calls to them -- these are some of the new set of guidelines that the Maharashtra government issued for its officials on Thursday.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Photograph: ANI Photo

A government resolution (GR) issued by state Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar to this effect said, "Giving due respect to elected representatives is an important part of making administration more reliable and accountable."

It also warned of taking action against those officials who do not follow these instructions.

This new GR brings together several older circulars and updates them with clearer, firmer instructions.

In the recent past, some elected representatives, including those from the ruling parties, had expressed displeasure over officials not giving time to meet them and address their concerns or issues.

In the preface of this GR, the government says it considers good governance, transparency and efficiency as top priorities.

As per the new guidelines, the officials must rise from their seats whenever a legislator or an MP enters or leaves their office, and to treat them with full courtesy.

"The officials must listen carefully to MLAs and MPs during their visits and provide assistance according to rules. They must also use polite language on phone calls," the order said.

"Departments have been instructed to maintain a separate register for letters received from elected representatives, and to reply to them within two months. If a reply cannot be given in time, the official must escalate the matter and inform the MLA or MP concerned," the GR said.

It further instructed that government and semi-government bodies must invite local legislators to important district-level programmes, such as inaugurations or 'bhoomi pujans'. Their names must be printed correctly in invitations, and their seating arrangements must be done as per the official order of precedence.

Every first and third Thursday, departments must set aside two hours for scheduled meetings with citizens and elected representatives. However, MLAs and MPs should be allowed to meet officials at any time if the work is urgent, the order said.

When the legislature or Parliament is in session, district-level authorities should avoid organising major events unless necessary, it noted.

The GR also reminded the officials to strictly follow legislative privilege rules, and warned that violations would attract disciplinary action.

Regarding information requests, the GR said that MLAs and MPs must be given information related to public welfare, except where restricted under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Such information should be provided free of cost. Important updates should be regularly published on official government websites.

Giving due respect to elected representatives, responding to their concerns on time and ensuring smooth communication are important parts of making administration more reliable and accountable, it said.

The GR also directed government training institutions to include modules on courteous treatment to elected representatives.

Any official who ignores these instructions will face action under service rules, including provisions related to delays in duties, the order issued by the chief secretary said.
Ten days after the devastating car explosion near the Red Fort in New Delhi, in which 13 people lost their lives and several others were injured, investigators say the incident is part of a broader terror conspiracy involving a network of radicalised individuals based in Faridabad in Haryana, Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir.

IMAGE: The Pulwama, Kashmir-based mother of Dr Muzammil Shakil, shows a picture of her son on a mobile phone after her son's arrest in Faridabad, November 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

A major breakthrough came on Monday, November 17, with the arrest of Aamir Rashid Ali, who is alleged to have helped procure the Hyundai i20 car which exploded in Delhi on November 10.

How the events unfolded and who are the suspects arrested so far.

What Happened On November 10

On the evening of November 10, a white Hyundai i20 stopped at a traffic signal close to Gate 1 of the Red Fort metro station.

At around 6:52 pm, the vehicle exploded, destroying nearby vehicles, killing 13 people and injuring several others.

Initial investigations suggested that the car was rigged with powerful explosives consist of ammonium nitrate, oil and detonators.

Faridabad Terror Network: Explosive Cache Discovered

(Just hours before the deadly blast)

Ahead of the blast, law enforcement agencies discovered a terror module operating out of Faridabad.

In two rented premises, nearly 2,900 kg of explosive material was recovered, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sulphur, timers, detonators and remote controls.

Officials allege that this material had been discreetly accumulated for between 30 to 40 days.

Key Figures Under Investigation

At the centre of the probe was Dr Umar Mohammad, the man driving the i20 car, also known as Umar Un Nabi, a native of Pulwama in Kashmir, with ties to the Al-Falah university in Faridabad.

Initially, investigators believed Umar panicked after his associates were arrested and may have triggered the explosion using a detonator.

On Tuesday, a video of Umar was broadcast where he praised suicide attack and said there was nothing wrong in death by suicide.

Umar repeatedly claimed in the video that suicide bombing is a 'misunderstood concept', arguing that such acts should not be classified as suicide but as 'martyrdom missions'.

IMAGE: The devastation caused by the car blast near the Red Fort. Photograph: ANI Photo

Who Was Involved and What They Did

Dr Umar Mohammad (Umar un Nabi)

From Pulwama, Kashmir, Umar drove the i20 that exploded near the Red Fort.

Apparently, he had established a secret lab in his Faridabad home to test explosive mixtures.

Forensic traces of ammonium nitrate were found in his hostel room.

Dr Muzammil Shakeel (Ganie)

A Kashmiri doctor working at Al Falah University/hospital, his rented accommodation yielded hundreds of kilograms of ammonium nitrate, along with timers, detonators, and rifles.

He allegedly purchased large quantities of fertiliser and ammonium nitrate from shops in Haryana's Nuh district.

Investigators state his diaries detail plans to target multiple locations; they also show how funds were pooled and routed.

It is alleged that he had links to terrorist organisations based in Pakistan like Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather

A resident of Qazigund area in south Kashmir, he served as a senior resident at the Government Medical College in Anantnag until October 2024.

It was Adil who led investigators to the terror module.

On October 27, Jaish-e-Mohammed posters appeared in Srinagar.

During the investigation, Dr G V Sandeep Chakravarty, the senior superintendent of police, Srinagar, found CCTV footage capturing Adil pasting the posters with three others.

The posters pasted in the Bunpora Nowgam area of Srinagar warned Kashmiris from 'sheltering Indian predators'.

'Some people shelter these Indian predators in their shops, which obstructs our work; therefore we want to say openly to those people: Stop, otherwise strict action will be taken against them as well,' the poster warned, which was signed by 'Commander Hanzala Bhai'.

Nine days later, on November 6, Adil was arrested from Ambala Road, Saharanpur, in Uttar Pradesh.

Adil had met Umar while working in Anantnag. He is believed to have facilitated communications and logistics.

According to the probe, Adil helped in moving explosive material and other components between locations.

Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid

All three were caught on camera while pasting the Jaish-e-Mohammed posters and arrested later.

Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay

An imam from Shopian is accused of being the mastermind of the terror module.

Dr Shaheen Shahid

The police recovered a Maruti Brezza car registered in her name (or linked to her) that was allegedly used in transporting arms and explosives.

She reportedly made disclosures during interrogation that implicated Umar as the module's central planner.

Dr Parvez Saeed Ansari

Shaheen Shahid's brother, he did his MBBS from the Era Medical College in Lucknow.

At this moment, the police claims Parvez, like his sister Shaheen, was a part of a larger conspiracy.

Other Associates & Suppliers

Dinesh Kumar (alias Dabbu Singla)

A fertiliser dealer from Pinangwan in Haryana's Nuh region who is accused of supplying large quantities of ammonium nitrate to the module.

Imam Hafeez Mohammad Ishtiaq

The imam of the Al-Falah mosque in Faridabad. The police believe he has connections with the terror module.

IMAGE: The Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana. Photograph: ANI Photo

One of the accused, Dr Muzammil, built a relationship with Hafeez through the mosque and gradually gained his trust.

Muzammil later rented a room in Hafeez's Fatehpur Taga house for a small amount, claiming he needed space to store personal belongings.

Additional explosives weighing nearly 360 kg were recovered from another room in Dhauj village owned by Hafeez and rented by Muzammil.

Jasir Bilal Wani

Arrested from Srinagar on November 17, the police believe he provided technical support for the planned attacks by working closely with Umar, the man driving the fateful i20.

Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui

Chairperson of the Al-Falah group was arrested in a money-laundering case linked to alleged fraudulent accreditation claims and financial irregularities at the group's educational institutions. He has not been linked to the Delhi blast yet.

How Terrorists Procured Ammonium Nitrate

The procurement chain was traced to fertiliser shops in Nuh district, Haryana.

Investigators say Umar, Muzammil and others posed as farmhouse owners to make these purchases.

Over several months, they bought ammonium nitrate in small quantities, gradually accumulating more than 1,000 kg.

Payments to the suppliers were reportedly made digitally, and the module is said to have pooled funds (reportedly around 20 lakh) to finance the purchase of fertiliser and explosive ingredients.

One of the fertiliser dealers, Dinesh Kumar, was arrested for allegedly selling 300 kg of ammonium nitrate to the group.

He didn't check their buyers' background before selling the ammonium nitrate.
United States President Donald Trump has said that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will meet him at the White House on Friday.

IMAGE: Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump have been critical of each other since the former's foray into the New York mayoral race. Photograph: Reuters

Trump has been critical of Mamdani's policies and had warned on the eve of the November 4 election that Mamdani's win will be a "complete and total economic and social disaster for New York City.

"Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran "Kwame" Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.

In his fiery victory speech, Mamdani had challenged Trump, who has launched a crackdown on immigration in his second term as President, asserting that New York will be powered by immigrants and, after his historic victory, will be "led by an immigrant."

"After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him. And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power," Mamdani had said to thunderous applause.

"This is not only how we stop Trump; it's how we stop the next one. So, Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up," he said.

Trump had termed Mamdani's victory speech as a "very angry" address, saying he is off to a bad start and doesn't have a chance of succeeding if he is not respectful of Washington.

When asked if he would reach out to him, Trump said that Mamdani "should reach out to us really. I think he should reach out. I'm here. We'll see what happens. But I would think that it would be more appropriate for him to reach out to us."

Trump had added that he is "so torn, because I would like to see the new mayor do well, because I love New York. I really love New York."

Trump, who calls Mamdani a "communist", had said that for thousands of years, communism has not worked. "Communism or the concept of communism has not worked. I tend to doubt it's going to work this time."

Mamdani emerged victorious in the closely-watched battle for New York City Mayor, becoming the first South Asian and Muslim to be elected to sit at the helm of the largest city in the US.

He had been the front-runner in the NYC Mayoral election for months and defeated Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and political heavyweight former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate and was officially endorsed by Trump just hours before the elections.

Indian-descent Mamdani is the son of renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani.

He was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda and moved to New York City with his family when he was 7. Mamdani became a naturalised US citizen only recently, in 2018.
A series of deaths and health-related incidents involving staff deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in multiple states has triggered alarm, even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, calling the ongoing exercise 'chaotic, coercive and dangerous'.

IMAGE: South Kolkata district Congress members hold a protest march against SIR, in Kolkata on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo

In Gujarat's Kheda district, a 50-year-old school teacher working as a Block Level Officer (BLO) died of a heart attack, with his family alleging that 'excessive work pressure' linked to SIR duties led to his death.

Rameshbhai Parmar, a resident of Jambudi village and a teacher in Navapura, returned home late after completing BLO work and continued paperwork until 11.30 pm due to poor mobile connectivity, his brother said.

He was found unresponsive the next morning. The family claimed he had been 'under pressure' due to the intensive revision work. District officials were unavailable for comment.

In Rajasthan's Karauli district, a 45-year-old school lecturer deployed as an SIR supervisor died after complaining of sudden chest pain on Wednesday night.

The family of Santram Saini alleged he had been under severe mental stress due to SIR-related workload and a notice he had recently received.

Police said no formal complaint was filed. The incident came a day after another BLO on SIR duty died of a heart attack in Sawai Madhopur.

In West Bengal, the EC relieved a BLO in Hooghly from SIR duties after she suffered a cerebral attack during fieldwork.

Tapati Biswas, an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Konnagar, collapsed on Wednesday and was diagnosed with paralysis on her left side. Her husband claimed she had been under significant pressure due to ongoing SIR tasks.

As these incidents fuelled wider concern over the pace and handling of the revision exercise, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a strongly worded three-page letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, urging him to immediately halt what she described as an 'unplanned, dangerous' and 'structurally unsound' process.

Saying she was 'compelled to write', Banerjee alleged that the SIR had 'crippled the system from day one', citing gaps in training, confusion over required documents, and the 'near-impossibility' of BLOs meeting voters amid their livelihood commitments.

Many BLOs, she said, were struggling with faulty online submissions and repeated data mismatches, increasing the risk of disenfranchisement.

The chief minister warned that the human cost had become 'unbearable', pointing to the suicide of an anganwadi worker in Jalpaiguri and claiming that 'several others have lost their lives since this process began'.

She said a revision that once took three years had been 'forcibly compressed into three months', creating 'inhuman working conditions' and a climate of fear.

The Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed her allegations, accusing the TMC of trying to obstruct a lawful process.

Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said no amount of 'theatrics or falsehoods' could derail the SIR and alleged that Banerjee was uncomfortable with an exercise that 'exposes her politics of infiltration'.

The TMC countered that the EC was acting with 'inhuman haste', claiming the poll panel had shown 'no sympathy' for the deaths of BLOs and alleging that 30 people in Bengal had died by suicide or heart attack fearing the loss of their voting rights.

The Election Commission is yet to respond to the chief ministers latest letter as concerns and political tensions around the intensive revision exercise continue to mount.
The United States-China Economic and Security Review Commissions annual report, submitted to the US Congress, describes the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 orchestrated by Pakistan as an 'insurgent attack'.

IMAGE: In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, India launched Operation Sindoor with precision strikes on terror infrastructure inside Pakistan on May 7. Photograph: ANI Photo

It also speaks of 'Pakistan's military success over India' in the four-day conflict.

The commission set up jointly by the US Senate and House of Representatives has 12 independent members.

The report describes the Pahalgam terror attack orchestrated by Pakistan as deadly insurgent attack that killed 26 civilians in Indias contested Jammu and Kashmir region.

On the May 7-10, 2025, conflict between the two militaries, the report says: Pakistans military success over India in its four-day clash showcased Chinese weaponry. While characterization of this conflict as a proxy war may overstate Chinas role as an instigator, Beijing opportunistically leveraged the conflict to test and advertise the sophistication of its weapons, useful in the contexts of its ongoing border tensions with India and its expanding defense industry goals.

This was the first time Chinas modern weapons systems, including the HQ-9 air defense system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10 fighter aircraft were used in active combat, serving as a real-world field experiment, the report says.

Reacting to the report, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it was yet another severe setback to Indias diplomacy.
Nitish thought that his stakes as chief minister were far greater than his stakes in protecting one of his party MLAs. He could not allow his rule-of-law train to be derailed by a small rock on the track.

On the contrary, if he removed it to keep the train moving at a steady speed he would gain strong public admiration and sympathy that would help him take the masses along in carrying out other tasks.

A fascinating excerpt from Arun Sinha's must-read book Nitish Kumar And The Rise Of Bihar.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar waves to the crowd during a public meeting. Photograph: Krishna Murari Kishan/Reuters

From their long experience, the bureaucracy had learnt to carefully distinguish between criminals in the ruling camp and criminals in the Opposition. Officers could clash head-on with criminals regardless of the ruler's patronage or its absence, but headstrong officers were more of an exception than the rule.

The majority looked the other way when the criminal-politicians of the ruling camp violated the law. It was a tradition, a habit that would not change seamlessly with the change of government.

Although Nitish did not tire of conveying to the bureaucracy in his public speeches and at his meetings with officers that his objective was to establish the writ of the state without prejudice, down the line the officialdom believed it to be no more than the public face of political hypocrisy -- the usual bluff and bluster of all chief ministers.

Narendra Kumar alias Sunil Pandey, the criminal-politician and JD(U) MLA from Piro in Bhojpur district checked into a five-star hotel in Patna on 25 June 2006 with his wife, son and armed bodyguards, ordered sumptuous meals and drinks, and refused to pay the bills.

When the hotel staff persisted with the payment demand, the boozed-up bully scared them away by threatening to kill them.

Deciding to take bitter revenge, the hotel staff rang up TV newsrooms asking them to broadcast the 'real face' of Nitish's good governance. Pandey was furious on seeing TV journalists barge into his suite. 'How dare you come here to spy on me? You will have to pay with your life,' he fumed, shouting out to one of his bodyguards, 'Vishwanath, shoot them!'

It became 'breaking news' on local TV channels, with a hurt media seeking bytes from Opposition leaders to ridicule Nitish's claims of curbing criminals. As if to emphasise the irony, the incident occurred soon after Nitish gave a speech in the city explaining how hard he had tried to re-establish the rule of law during his first seven months in office.

When someone in the media asked Kundan Krishnan, the senior superintendent of police, Patna, what action he had taken, he said prosaically: 'No one has registered a complaint with the police. No victims or eyewitnesses have approached us so far.'

The matter would have rested there had the mood in the media, which had been very favourable to Nitish since he took over, not turned hostile.

There was also a general reading among JD(U) party officials and the chief minister's office that the Pandey episode could severely dent the government's clean, rule-enforcing image. The Opposition would capitalise on it, using the incident as a burning example of Nitish's double standards.

Photograph: Reuters

Nitish saw the risk in not taking action against Pandey. But he also had to weigh in the risk of antagonising him. How could he forget that Pandey had been his staunch supporter for several years? As a Samata MLA in 2000 he was among the leading party men engaged in getting the right numbers in the House for Nitish to be able to prove he enjoyed a majority.

True, Nitish had no great respect or special affection for Pandey; nor did he consider him good party material or a worthy colleague. He did not have any long-term view of his relationship with Pandey; with criminals like him looking for temporary shelter, he knew the connection could snap any moment.

Yet it also remained true that Nitish had helped him earn social prestige by admitting him as a member of his party, first the Samata and then the JD(U), and then by giving him party ticket in the assembly elections in 2000 and 2005.

He had nominated him despite being fully aware of his criminal antecedents and active association with the Ranvir Sena, because he was sure that with the support of his Bhumihar caste-men, who treated him like a hero, and by the power of arms Pandey would win the seat, which he did both times.

Photograph: Deepak Kumar/Saab Pictures

However, Nitish thought that his stakes as chief minister were far greater than his stakes in protecting one of his party MLAs. He could not allow his rule-of-law train to be derailed by a small rock on the track.

On the contrary, if he removed it to keep the train moving at a steady speed he would gain strong public admiration and sympathy that would help him take the masses along in carrying out other tasks.

Nitish asked his principal secretary R C P Singh to call the DGP to instruct the Patna SP to have a complaint registered against Pandey at Korwali, the concerned police station. Accordingly, about twelve hours after the episode the police registered a case.

As the police prepared to arrest him, Pandey went into hiding. 'Efforts to trace him are on,' Patna SP Vikas Vaibhav told the media. Being in a foul mood the media took his statement with a pinch of salt, suspecting that it was all a stage-managed affair which, while boosting Nitish's image, brought no harm to Pandey.

IMAGE: Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar at the rally in Ludhiana in 2009.

On the other side, Pandey felt aggrieved by Nitish's instituting the case against him. To Pandey's advantage there was rancour among other criminal-politicians against the 'growing influence of bureaucracy' over the Nitish government. There were some party dissidents too who joined the malevolent chorus.

As if to provide proof of the unbridled authority given to officers, SSP Kundan Krishnan used force to arrest another criminal-politician, Anand Mohan, in Patna. Pandey went on television to denounce Krishnan's 'high-handedness'; and he stunned everyone by adding that had Krishnan behaved with him in a similar manner, 'I would have shot him dead.'

Nitish had been receiving reports about Pandey's plot to mobilise a good number of party MLAs to demonstrate his strength to bully him:

Pandey's daredevil statement on TV in denunciation of his government came as a confirmation of this. This was a direct challenge to Nitish, and he could have ignored it at his own peril. He spoke to the party president Sharad Yadav, who agreed that Pandey deserved disciplinary action.

Photograph: Archana Masih/Rediff

The party issued him a show cause notice, asking him why he should not be suspended for his statements. Pandey tried hard to get out of it with regrets and apologies like he had regarding the hotel episode, but in vain, as both Nitish and Sharad held that if his open defiance was condoned it could embolden others to make any statement they liked against the government or party leadership.

Pandey was suspended from the primary membership of the party. Nitish took a risk, and it paid off: Pandey dropped his plan of jolting Nitish and reconciled to the situation in which he had to fight his own legal battles.

He missed no opportunity now to reaffirm his loyalty to the party and to Nitish, telling anyone who listened that the party or government had nothing to do with the cases filed against him; that the cases were regarding his acts, and it was he who would have to deal with them in the courts.

Although Nitish had taken in criminals just as other parties had done, he took enough care not to allow himself to be identified with them. Lalu never hid his intimacy with Shahabuddin; the don of Siwan was a regular visitor to 1 Anne Marg. Nitish, extremely conscious about guarding his clean public image, kept his party's criminal MLAs at a distance.

However, no sooner than Nitish had tackled Pandey, another thug in his party, Anant Singh, shot into public focus with his hooliganism. He began to terrorize shop owners in a market complex on Fraser Road in downtown Patna to eject them from their properties, claiming to be the bona fide owner of the plot on which the commercial building stood.

The plot originally belonged to a big landlord, Mehdi Hasan Imam, who had died issueless. Anant Singh claimed that Imam had given away the plot as gifts to his servants who had sold them to him. The shop owners refused to vacate their properties despite harassment by Anant Singh because they claimed to have legal titles.

When the persecution by him crossed tolerable limits, they approached the local police station, but officials there declined to register any complaint. Anant Singh's intimidation continued. Here again, as in Sunil Pandey's case, the police was following double standards in dealing with criminals of the ruling party.

Photograph: Rediff Archives

Anant Singh led the most powerful gang in Mokama, from where he was elected as MLA. In the election he received substantial support from his Bhumihar caste; the rest he made up with his terror.

Mokama formed part of the Barh Lok Sabha constituency which Nitish had represented thrice. Nitish had used Anant Singh's mobilizing strength in his election campaigns in Barh. In that sense, Anant Singh had worked more closely with Nitish than Sunil Pandey or any other criminal in the JD(U).

So when unable to get the police to act against Anant Singh the harassed shop owners approached Nitish at his public interaction programme 'Janata ke Durbar mein Mukhya Mantri', that he held every Monday in an annexe at 1 Anne Marg. he faced a greater dilemma than he had in Sunil Pandey's case.

But the quandary lasted not more than a moment, for his public image as a fair-minded ruler was at stake. He called the station house officer of the Kotwali police station immediately to his office and asked him to register the shop owners' complaint against Anant Singh.

He also called the inspector general of police (headquarters), Anil Sinha, and asked him to ensure that the complaint was registered and legal action taken against Anant Singh.

To the media covering the programme he said: 'JD(U), RJD, Congress or BJP, it hardly matters which party, caste or religion one is from. All are equal in the eye of the law. We will act tough against anyone who tries to take the law in his hands.'

Anant Singh was far from subdued. A few weeks later a young Muslim woman shot off letters to Nitish, top cops and the media alleging that Anant Singh had raped her. Soon she was found murdered.

Two TV journalists, who went to Anant Singh's residence to interview him on the rape-and-murder allegations, were battered by him and his bodyguards so mercilessly they had to be rushed to hospital. A group of journalists marched to Anant Singh's residence to protest the assault; they were assaulted too.

The alleged rape and murder and the attack on journalists aroused public disgust and indignation against the brazen behaviour of a criminal who was seen as someone close to Nitish.

If there was anything Nitish feared above all it was the public developing a perception of his regime as being no different from the Lalu-Rabri regime in political patronage of criminals and lawlessness.

He did not want any mud hurled on Singh to stick to him. He ordered the police to arrest Singh and his bodyguards. Under the chief judicial magistrate's order Singh was remanded to jail for nearly two weeks.

Photograph: Rediff Archives

Nitish had won the battle against criminal-politicians, which had seemed the toughest of all. There were two factors that had helped him: One, courage. 'I'm not afraid of getting killed. That would be liberation for me if it comes,' he said philosophically to his confidants who apprehended he might invite the wrath of the dons. Two, even-handedness. His endeavour to establish the rule of law through timely police action and speedy trials was directed against all criminals.

The criminal-politicians saw that Nitish was not targeting any of them in particular: he was not selective and he was not 'going after' them. This became still clearer to them when Nitish showed no partiality towards the dons of his own party.

While Nitish allowed the law to take its course and distanced himself from the criminal-politicians in his party, he did not take a firm position on having no association with them. The JD(U) never framed a policy not to have men with criminal antecedents as its embers or election nominees.

Action by Nitish, whether as leader of government or of party, was taken only on occasions when they violated the law or party discipline.

The party did not expel Anant Singh, Sunil Pandey or other criminal-politicians in spite of the negative publicity they often brought to it.

Photograph: Rediff Archives

There was never a thug-cleansing launched by the party. The sole reason was that they had demonstrated their ability to win their constituencies: That assured a certain number of seats for the party. So, while the legal processes continued, the criminal-politicians were treated gently by Nitish and the party.

After the media and public anger against Sunil Pandey had subsided, the suspension order against him was withdrawn by the party. And Anant Singh eventually managed to evict the shop owners and take possession of the commercial complex on Fraser Road, because he did have the valid papers and won the case.

As long as the dons did not break party discipline, Nitish allowed them to be in the JD(U). In the assembly elections of 2010, Nitish re-nominated all the criminal-politicians of the party for the constituencies they represented: Anant Singh, Sunil Pandey, Dhumal Singh and Neeraj Singh among them.

Nitish campaigned for many of them in their constituencies, sharing the dais with them, urging people to vote for them. Most of them won, too, and largely because people voted for Nitish regardless of who his candidate was.

Yet, their victory also clearly suggested that the two factors that always helped criminals win elections -- terror and caste -- still remained crucial.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Amazon.in

A significant point to note was that their terror worked despite any open display or use of armed power by the gangsters owing to Nitish's campaign against crime and the Election Commission's constant vigilance against violence and rigging.

Both terror and caste worked by word of mouth. However, the fact that the Nitish factor tilted the balance was clear from the success of most of the criminals or their wives nominated by the JD(U) and the failure of those nominated by the RJD and the LJP.

It was not because of the power Nitish enjoyed but because of the popular support for him owing to his performance.

Excerpted from Nitish Kumar And The Rise Of Bihar by Arun Sinha, with the kind permission of the publishers Penguin Random House India.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
ULAN BATOR, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Mongolian parliament on Thursday elected Nyam-Osor Uchral as its new speaker through a vote of 82.5 percent in the country's 126-seat parliament.

The incumbent chairman of Mongolian People's Party replaced Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan, who formally presented his resignation request during a meeting in October.

"Since the supreme power of the state belongs solely to the Mongolian people, I will work diligently to uphold the Constitution and strengthen our democratic statehood and parliamentary government, which have their origins and roots in the people," Uchral told the parliament.

The 38-year-old has been elected as a member of the parliament three times in 2016, 2020 and 2024. 
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Variable clouds with snow showers. High 26F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Some clouds. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 15F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
WELLINGTON, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indigenous land cover in New Zealand has declined steadily from 1996 to 2023, while urban land continued to expand, Stats NZ reported Thursday.

Since records began in 1996, New Zealand's indigenous land cover has decreased by 96,522 hectares, an area roughly the size of the Chatham Islands, the statistics showed.

"Land cover changes reflect ongoing pressures on natural ecosystems as population and industries grow," said Stats NZ environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam.

Indigenous land cover includes native forests, shrublands, tussock grasslands, and natural bare surfaces like snow-covered mountains, according to Stats NZ's latest New Zealand land cover database.

Between 2018 and 2023 alone, indigenous land cover decreased by 8,652 hectares, largely converted to exotic grasslands used for farming and exotic forests such as radiata pine plantations, Stats NZ said.

In contrast, lands dominated by exotic vegetation, including agricultural and forestry areas, saw a slight net reduction, balancing conversions between indigenous and exotic land, it said.

Urban land expanded by 10,710 hectares, with most growth occurring on previously exotic land, Stats NZ said, adding freshwater wetlands also declined by 537 hectares during this recent period, marking the smallest loss since 1996.

By 2023, New Zealand's land composition was about half exotic vegetation and slightly less indigenous cover, with urban land covering around 1 percent, the statistics showed. 
Microsoft has redefined what it means to be a top-tier partner by introducing the concept of Frontier Firms.

During Microsoft Ignite 2025 chief partner officer and CVP global channel partner Nicole Dezen sales wrote Frontier Firms are organisations that embed AI across every layer of their business.

A Frontier Firm is a next-generation organisation built for the AI era, she said. These companies blend human judgment with AI agents to scale faster, make smarter decisions, and deliver more value.

The foundation for Microsoft partner success begins with becoming Customer Zero. These partners go beyond selling AI.

These firms internalise and operationalise AI, as well as bring meaningful credibility to every customer engagement.

This approach builds real-world experience and insights and transforms the partners go-to-market with capability and expertise that differentiates them with customers, said Dezen.

A local example of this type of firm is solution provider Insight who helped transform employee experiences for Australias only 24/7 Kids Helpline.

Previously, counsellors spent up to 45 minutes after each call manually writing case notes, limiting their ability to assist more youth and impacting their own well-being, noted Dezen.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he has received the controversial new US-drafted peace plan that calls for Kyiv to make major concessions and intends to discuss it further with President Donald Trump.

In the first public Ukrainian confirmation of the plan, Zelenskyy's office also said on November 20 that he had "agreed to work on the points of the plan in such a way that it would provide a dignified end to the war."

"We are ready and are now ready to work constructively with the American side and our partners in Europe and the world so that the result is peace," said the statement. "Zelenskyy expects to discuss with...Trump in the coming days the availables diplomatic opportunities and the main points that are needed for peace."

The statement was issued hours after the Ukrainian leader met with a group of top Pentagon officers and US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll in Kyiv.

The US Embassy in Kyiv called the meeting "remarkably constructive," adding the momentum for the long-awaited peace was finally building.

The terms of the proposed deal appear to track with the hard-line demands Russia has made going back to the start of its all-out invasion in 2022.

The exact terms of the US-drafted proposal were unclear; the presidential office statement did not detail them.

Reports by the Financial Times, Reuters, and Axios, however, said the plan calls for Kyiv to give up some of its territory and weaponry, cut the size of its armed forces, and accept a rollback of US military assistance, which has been essential to its fight against Russian forces.

In addition, no foreign troops would be allowed on Ukrainian soil and Kyiv would no longer receive long-range weaponry.

Zelenskyy has refused previous demands from Moscow that Ukraine cede territory or downgrade its armed forces, saying it would only weaken Ukraine and leave it vulnerable to another invasion in the future.

Analysts said it is unlikely the 28-point proposal will find support in Kyiv.

However, describing the meeting later in the day, Axios, citing unnamed US and Ukrainian officials, reported that the Ukrainian president appeared more conciliatory and agreed to fast-track development of the plan.

In a post-meeting Telegram post, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for "constructive, honest, and prompt" work.

At the press briefing the same day, the White House said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian officials last week to discuss a peace plan.

Earlier, Rubio described the proposed plans as a "list of potential ideas for ending the war," suggesting there might be some room for negotiations.

Commenting on the potential peace plan between Ukraine and Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not confirm that any formal negotiations were taking place at the moment.

"As such, consultations are not currently under way. There are contacts, of course, but there is no process that could be called consultations," he said.

In a video released by the Kremlin showing Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting the command post of the West grouping of Russian forces, the Russian leader called for the objectives of Moscow's invasion to be achieved.

Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat who resigned in protest at the Ukraine invasion, questioned whether the Kremlin is actually willing to negotiate, given the terms of the reported deal.

"Moscow has been ready to negotiate since the first day of the war. They say so constantly, every day. There is nothing new about that. But what kind of negotiations are they ready to engage in?" Bondarev asked. "Negotiations like these: discussing Ukraine's surrender."

"What is there to talk about when you are offered the same thing that Putin has been saying since the beginning of the war: the demilitarization of Ukraine, denazification, and so on and so forth?" he added in an interview with Current Time.

The proposals potentially put Zelenskyy in a difficult position.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back a bigger, better-equipped Russian Army, even as Moscow's forces suffer extraordinary casualties.

Russia is closing in on the key city of Pokrovsk as part of Putin's stated goal to control all of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Russia is also battering Ukraine's cities and its energy infrastructure for yet another winter, seeking to demoralize already exhausted Ukrainians.

Dan Fried, a former US diplomat and architect of US sanctions after Russia seized Crimea in 2014, said the reported deal seemed like "a terrible plan."

"Given past patterns, it could be a ploy without legs," he said in post to X. "We'll know more soon. The administration's Ukraine policy moves are seldom as bad as one fears but not as good as one hopes."

Zelenskyy meetings come as emergency workers search for survivors from a Russian cruise missile strike that hit two apartment buildings in the western city of Ternopil, killing at least 27 people and wounded dozens.

Another attack killed at least five people in Zaporizhzhya, a major southern Ukrainian city and the regional center of one of the countrys four regions that Russia formally annexed in 2022.

At home, Zelenskyy has been politically weakened by a major corruption scandal that has touched on some of his Cabinet ministers and longtime business partners.

Ukrainian lawmakers have called for Zelenskyy to sack his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

The corruption investigation concerns allegations that funds earmarked for building defenses to protect Ukraine's vulnerable energy infrastructure from Russian air attacks were siphoned off in the form of kickbacks to political insiders.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Current Time
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Kyrgyzstan as part of a three-country tour of Central Asia to reaffirm Beijing's status as the region's top trading partner following US diplomatic inroads at a high-profile summit in Washington earlier this month.

US President Donald Trump hosted the five Central Asian presidents at the White House in early November for a summit focused on tapping into the region's abundant and strategic critical mineral wealth.

While not in the spotlight, China's growing economic and political influence in Central Asia was in mind amid the Trump administration's move to deepen ties to the region.

During the meeting, Washington signed tens of billions of dollars in prospective deals . That included Kazakhstan inking a $1.1 billion tungsten mining deal with the US company Cove Kaz Capital. Pini Althaus, the firm's CEO, said afterwards that Trump and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick helped negotiate the deal to prevent Chinese companies from developing the strategic deposit themselves.

Wang's visit to Kyrgyzstan is his first in three years and his tour of the region will last until November 22 with additional stops in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

He landed in Bishkek on November 19 and met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who praised Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said that his country's relations with Beijing are currently at a historic high, according to a readout provided by the Kyrgyz president's office.

Before departing Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry said that Wang's visit will be focused on deepening the country's already steady ties with the region by injecting momentum into the slew of agreements worth billions of dollars signed at the China-Central Asia summit in June in Kazakhstan.

"[This visit] will enhance political mutual trust and traditional friendship, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and bring about more positivity to the building of the China-Central Asia community," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told journalists in Beijing on November 17.

The Deals China Is Looking To Implement

A key Chinese-led project discussed during the China-Central Asia summit was the long-awaited multibillion dollar China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The megaproject aims to boost East-West trade, cutting delivery times between China and Europe by up to one week and giving Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan better connection to overland trade routes.

Construction of the railway began in July 2024, and Kyrgyz Transport and Communications Minister Absattar Syrgabaev said on November 12 that the 450-kilometer-long railway would be completed in five years.

The venture is estimated to cost up to $6 billion, although the exact share of each country's contribution has not been disclosed. Syrgabaev did not provide a breakdown during his public comments, saying only that "Kyrgyzstan has already fulfilled its funding obligations, and both Uzbekistan and China are also financing their respective shares."

Beyond the railway, other agreements were also reached on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in September in China.

There, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev signed more than 70 new commercial deals worth some $15 billion, which included investments in oil and gas projects, petrochemicals, transport corridors, logistics hubs, and digital technologies. Astana also concluded an additional $1.5 billion worth of investments into oil and gas projects with Chinese companies.

Uzbekistan announced 13 new mining-related deals with China following the summit, including for uranium, with a reported value of $5 billion.

Chinese companies also play a dominant role in Tajikistan's mining sector, and the Tajik government has defended China's growing position within the global mining industry by claiming that Chinese firms have set themselves apart by being the only foreign companies willing to take on such large projects.

A 2024 RFE/RL investigation into major Chinese-run mines in Tajikistan found that the sites are harmful sources of air and water pollution and that Tajik officials have turned a blind eye to enforcing environmental regulations out of fear of scaring away sorely needed Chinese investment into Central Asia's poorest country.

The five Central Asian countries hold large deposits of copper, gold, and rare earths, and produce roughly half the world's uranium. Gaining access to those minerals is a developing fault line in Washington's rivalry with Beijing.

Both China and Russia play major roles in Central Asia's critical minerals sector.

In the case of rare earths -- 17 elements used in everything from wind turbines to smartphones to fighter jet engines -- China controls more than 70 percent of global rare-earth mining, 90 percent of their separation and processing, and 93 percent of magnet manufacturing.

Incident Involving Chinese Workers

In addition to discussing Chinese investment and infrastructure projects, the readout from Japarov's office noted that Wang said that representatives of Chinese companies operating in Kyrgyzstan have been being instructed to strictly comply with local laws and respect the traditions of the host country.

That appears to be a reference to a brawl involving dozens of Kyrgyz and Chinese construction workers on November 15 in a village in northern Kyrgyzstan after a road dispute.

Police detained 16 people and called in another 44 for questioning, including Chinese workers. One Kyrgyz worker was hospitalized in the incident, which triggered online anger in the Central Asian country.

The clash also feeds into some lingering anti-Chinese sentiment in the country of 7 million, which is among the most reliant Central Asian countries when it comes to Chinese trade, loans, and foreign investment.

Chinese companies bringing in their own workers as opposed to using local labor is a point of contention that has flared up in protests in the past.

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, who Wang also met with, rejected claims that Chinese workers were flooding the country and taking jobs away from locals following the incident.

"There's very little information about China, what kind of cooperation we have, what projects are underway,' Nurbek Toktakunov, a prominent lawyer in Kyrgyzstan, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service .

"When information is scarce and people get silenced whenever they speak up, that's when xenophobia thrives. The only way to combat it is through transparency."
A new independent television station with ties to Russia is set to be launched in Kyrgyzstan, fueling fears the media outlet could become a tool for spreading Moscow's propaganda in Central Asia.

Nomad TV's editorial leadership includes Anna Abakumova, a Russian journalist who previously worked for the state-funded network RT and is a close associate of Margarita Simonyan, one of the Kremlin's chief propagandists.

The launch of Nomad TV on November 27 is seen as an attempt by Moscow to boost its influence in Central Asia, a region where Russia's clout has taken a hit since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The new TV station will go on air just days before Kyrgyzstan's snap parliamentary elections on November 30. Experts say President Sadyr Japarov, who has rolled back political and media freedoms in the impoverished country, is attempting to use the vote to consolidate power.

Simonyan's Associate At The Helm

Nomad TV will operate 24 hours, seven days a week, out of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Its employees include journalists who worked for state-run Russian media, including Abakumova, who is described as a producer at Nomad TV but is believed to wield considerable influence.

Before she joined the new station, Abakumova was a senior producer for RT, formerly known as Russia Today. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she produced frontline reports from Russian-occupied regions and received several awards from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for her work.

During a fundraising event in March 2024, Simonyan, RT's editor-in-chief for 20 years and a Kremlin propagandist, introduced Abakumova as RT's chief producer, highlighting her seniority in the state-run network.

Political analyst Ruslan Akmatbek told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that Simonyan is the "most hardened of Russia's propagandists."

The analyst described Abakumova as Simonyan's "assistant" and said her role at Nomad TV suggests the Kremlin is attempting to use the station as a tool for spreading propaganda in Kyrgyzstan and the wider Central Asian region.

Simonyan is also on the Board of Trustees of Russia-based nonprofit group Evrazia, which opened a Bishkek office in 2024 and has been training journalists and facilitating trips to Russia.

Evrazia was founded by Ilan Shor, a fugitive Moldovan oligarch convicted of stealing $1 billion through bank fraud who escaped to Russia in 2019 and obtained Russian citizenship.

Recruiting Kyrgyz Journalists

Nomad TV has aggressively recruited dozens of experienced journalists from state and private stations in Kyrgyzstan with offers of high salaries.

Several reporters from the state broadcaster NTRK have moved to Nomad TV, including well-known presenter Mirbek Moldakunov.

Ilyazbek Baltashev, director of Channel 7 and chairman of the Union of Journalists of Kyrgyzstan, said the salaries offered by the new station were too enticing for local journalists to turn down.

"They call journalists and ask, 'How much do you make?' If someone says, 'I get 50,000 soms,' they immediately say, 'I'll give you 100,000 soms,' and pull them away," he said.

Dozens of Russian television channels already broadcast in Kyrgyzstan. Russian state news agency Sputnik has operated in the country since 2014.

In 2022, YouTube closed channels run by Russian state media on the video-sharing platform, a move that has hit their influence in Central Asia.

Akmatbek said the Kremlin is worried about "losing its sphere of influence" in Central Asia.

"Leaders in Central Asian countries are speaking English, building relations with the West. Turkey is taking action on one side, China on the other. And there's the war with Ukraine," he said. "This is an attempt [by Russia] to keep us in their grip for the long-term."

Written by Kian Sharifi based on an original story by Ernist Nurmatov of RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
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Russian forces are attempting to trap Ukrainian soldiers inside Pokrovsk, a key frontline city in eastern Ukraine, cutting off the routes that keep them armed and supplied. Current Time correspondents gained rare access to a logistics hub.
For example, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili emphasized that the peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan, initialed in Washington, represents an important step toward establishing lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus. Interestingly, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian made a similar statement at the same press conference.

He highlighted that the opening of communications between Baku and Yerevan, along with the launch of the TRIPP project, "will enable Georgian and Armenian railways to connect with European partners."

However, there was no one to remind Khachaturian that Georgia is already well aware of the benefits of cooperation with Azerbaijan.

For Georgia, such cooperation has brought transit opportunities, energy partnerships, cargo transportation, investments, job creation, and large joint projects  all while maintaining contacts with European partners.

Georgia has long enjoyed these advantages, whereas Armenia is still striving to reach similar outcomes.

It is understandable that Vahagn Khachaturian would be curious about the reasons behind this, as there is much to learn from these experiences.
ISTANBUL, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye has detained 687 irregular migrants and 29 suspected smugglers in a sweeping round of identity checks across the country, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Thursday.

In a statement, Yerlikaya said Turkish authorities conducted large-scale inspections simultaneously across all 81 provinces, targeting migrant smuggling networks and irregular migration routes.

In the course of these inspections, the identities of 435,295 individuals were checked, the minister said.

Yerlikaya stressed that Turkiye approaches migration management comprehensively, not only addressing regular and irregular migration, but also focusing on combating migrant smuggling, enhancing border security, international protection, as well as voluntary and safe returns.

Procedures have been initiated to return the detained irregular migrants to their home countries, he added.

Turkiye, a major transit and destination country due to its geographic location, has intensified its efforts to curb irregular migration and dismantle smuggling networks operating along key routes into Europe. 
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman (L), Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Khassim Diagne (C), and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides pose for a photo in Nicosia, Cyprus, Nov. 20, 2025. The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on Thursday agreed to work toward reviving long-stalled reunification talks, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) said.

The meeting brought together Nikos Christodoulides, president of the Republic of Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman for the first time since Erhurman's election in October. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua)

NICOSIA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on Thursday agreed to work toward reviving long-stalled reunification talks, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) said.

The meeting brought together Nikos Christodoulides, president of the Republic of Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman for the first time since Erhurman's election in October.

Following the talks, UNFICYP said the leaders pledged to push forward efforts aimed at restarting the United Nations-led peace process, which has remained frozen since Turkiye and the Turkish Cypriot side withdrew from negotiations on a federal settlement.

The mission added that the leaders "expressed their readiness to work towards the next informal meeting in a broader format to be convened by the UN secretary-general."

According to a UN spokesperson, the two sides also agreed to explore the possibility of holding further meetings ahead of a planned visit early next month by an envoy of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and to advance confidence-building measures to bring the two communities closer.

Both sides said they had submitted separate proposals aimed at creating conditions for the resumption of formal negotiations.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkiye launched a military operation on the island following a brief coup backed by the then-ruling military junta in Greece.

The most recent round of UN-led talks collapsed during an international conference in Switzerland in 2017, when the Turkish side rejected a UN framework for a federal, power-sharing arrangement and instead called for a two-state solution. 

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides (L) shakes hands with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman (R) in Nicosia, Cyprus, Nov. 20, 2025. The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on Thursday agreed to work toward reviving long-stalled reunification talks, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) said.

The meeting brought together Nikos Christodoulides, president of the Republic of Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman for the first time since Erhurman's election in October. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua)
Kenneth Fox

Waterford City will welcome delegates from across Europe this November for the two-day conference Bright & Green Christmas in European Towns: Building a Sustainable Future.

Hosted at Dooleys Hotel on November 26th and 27th, the event will bring together festival organisers, sustainability leaders, and European representatives to explore how towns and cities can create more climate-conscious celebrations.

Hosted by Waterford City and County Council, the conference is being held in Waterford following the citys successful bid to host the event as part of its designation as the European City of Christmas.

They said it is a unique opportunity to lead a continent-wide discussion on how festive celebrations can be both joyful and sustainable, reflecting the citys ongoing commitment to innovation, community and environmental stewardship.

Organised in partnership with the EU Capital of Christmas Network, the conference will feature case studies from European Capitals of Christmas and workshops focused on reducing carbon footprints and waste during large public events.

It will also include networking sessions with sustainability experts and provide opportunities for collaboration and guidance on funding local initiatives.

Among the speakers, Tim Benson, chief executive of Showpower Global, will discuss how his company has transformed the live music industry through sustainable energy solutions.

Showpower Global is responsible for the design and management of Coldplays Music of the Spheres touring battery system.

With its 1.25MW output and 1.66MWh of energy storage capacity, it represents a world first and remains the only system to have powered a major stadium tour entirely through battery power.

Rob Van Wegan, a leader in festival sustainability with over two decades of experience in the events industry, will also share insights into integrating sustainability as a core part of organisational culture.

Having worked across both rural and urban festivals and in a range of art forms, he brings extensive practical knowledge of embedding environmental responsibility into every stage of event planning.

Gawain Morrison, co-founder of Brink! in Belfast, will speak about the role of creativity and culture in addressing climate change.

As a producer and strategist, Morrison uses arts and community engagement to spark conversations around waste, biodiversity loss, and sustainable urban regeneration.

His work with the Belfast Sustainable Food Partnership and in developing cultural spaces on derelict sites exemplifies how creativity can drive social and environmental progress.

As part of the programme, Winterval director, Trevor Darmody, and Finn Brophy of Waterford City and County Council will present Winterval Waterford as a showcase of sustainable event practice to visiting delegates.

Over fifty representatives from eight European locations will join Irish participants for the two-day event, creating a unique opportunity to share experience and innovation in building greener, more community-focused festivals.

We are delighted to host this important European conversation in Waterford, said chair of Winterval Claire Hartley. Our goal is to celebrate the joy of Christmas while taking real steps toward sustainability in our public events.
Patna Tea Seller Turns Heads With India-Map Hairdo During Nitish Kumar's 10th Oath Ceremony

Patna Tea Seller Turns Heads With India-Map Hairdo During Nitish Kumar's 10th Oath Ceremony

Nitish Kumars Oath Ceremony: Almost the entire Bihar is celebrating the return of Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister, and one celebration that stood out was a man with a unique hairstyle selling tea outside Gandhi Maidan in Patna, where the swearing-in ceremony of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar is taking place today.

During the ceremony, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha will take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers.

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A grand celebration is currently underway in the state, particularly where the oath-taking ceremony is underway.

Nitish Kumar is returning as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers, and Deputy Chief Ministers from states across India have arrived in Bihar to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Also Read | Nitish Kumar Among Top 10 Longest-Serving Chief Ministers: Here Are the Others

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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath are among the Chief Ministers who have reached Patna to attend the ceremony.

Rekha Gupta told the media, "Yeh janta ke vishwas ki jeet hai, sarkar ke prayason ki jeet hai aur Bihar mein vikas ki jeet hai." (This is the win of the trust of the people, the win of the government's efforts, and the win of development in Bihar.)

Additionally, this is the first time a Prime Minister is attending the oath-taking ceremony of a Chief Minister.

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The BJP and JD(U) secured a landslide victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages are pouring in for Nitish Kumars stalwart leadership from across the country.

(For more news apart from Assam to introduce 'anti-polygamy bill: Person marrying twice to be jailed for 7 years," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a resounding mandate in the recently held Bihar Assembly elections. The alliance won 202 seats. File Photo.

The election victory is a testament to the NDA's cohesive strategy and disciplined campaign.

Nitish Kumar Sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for Record 10th Time

The national president of Janata Dal (United), Nitish Kumar, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a historic tenth term today at Patnas iconic Gandhi Maidan. This event marks a remarkable milestone in the veteran leaders career. It reflects his enduring influence in Bihar politics. According to India Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several other senior NDA leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony.

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The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a resounding mandate in the recently held Bihar Assembly elections. The alliance won 202 seats. Mahagathbandhan (MGB) secured just 35 seats. Within the NDA, the BJP emerged with 89 seats, while the JD(U) claimed 85 seats, both parties having contested 101 seats each. The election victory is a testament to the NDAs cohesive strategy and disciplined campaign.

As reported by the Hindustan Times, Nitish Kumar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA Legislature Party, while Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were chosen as BJP leader and deputy leader, respectively, ahead of the formation of the new government. Both are expected to continue in their roles as Deputy Chief Ministers, maintaining the backwardupper caste leadership balance that has shaped Bihar politics.

The oath ceremony also saw the induction of approximately 19 ministers, including senior BJP and JD(U) leaders such as Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Shravan Kumar, Mangal Pandey, and Shreyasi Singh, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist. India Today highlighted that the cabinet will comprise 16 BJP ministers and 14 from JD(U), with five to six new faces reflecting generational renewal.

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Political analysts, including Prashant Kishor, highlighted the importance of clean governance. They urged that no tainted individuals should be inducted as ministers. According to BJP legislature party leader Samrat Choudhary, the NDA governments immediate focus will be to implement the development agenda envisioned jointly by PM Modi and Nitish Kumar.

Nitish Kumars return to power at Gandhi Maidan celebrates his political longevity and signals a strong mandate for governance and development in Bihar, setting the stage for another impactful tenure.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta's Foam Free Yamuna claim debunked; Chemical used to Supress foam every day

The expose raises questions on the accountability, transparency, and honesty of the government..

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Guptas claim of a Foam Free Yamuna has been debunked by PeekTv journalist Priyanshi Sharma and team.

PeekTv is Indias first short-form video news network, which delivers news in 60 seconds. In one such short video news report from yesterday, the journalist gives a reality check on the Delhi Governments Foam Free Yamuna claim, showing highly concerning thick layers of toxic white foam floating on the river early yesterday morning, contrary to the claims of the Delhi government.

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She said that the Yamuna was not actually cleaned, but rather suppressed temporarily by constant chemical spraying on the river, because of which, the river, the journalist said, looks all "good" during the day.

We came here yesterday as well, around noon, at this very spot, and we saw that there was almost no froth, but that was because the Delhi govt. is getting a chemical sprayed from 8 am in the morning till 5-6 pm in the evening. So during the daytime, it all looks good, but as soon as the Chemical spraying stops at night, early morning, you see this layer of froth all around," explained in the video.

The video of the thick foam on the river the journalist was reporting on, she claimed, was shot at 7 in the morning. The journalist also criticized both the previous Delhi government of Kejriwal-led AAP and the current Delhi government led by CM Rekha Gupta for their failure to clean up the river.

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In the visuals from the video, a few boats can be seen spraying a substance on the surface of the river amid a thick layer of toxic foam.

The Caption of the video explained, Three weeks ago, before the Chhath Pooja, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta claimed the Yamuna river in Delhi is completely froth-free. The government released videos showing a froth-free Yamuna this year and compared it with the thick layers of toxic white foam under the AAP government.

Peek TVs reality check found that the Yamuna froth wasnt actually cleaned up, it was only suppressed temporarily by constant chemical spraying on the river. Even three weeks after Chhath, the government is getting the same chemical sprayed throughout the day to make the river look clean, the caption of the video read.

Our team went on the ground early in the morning, when the chemical isnt sprayed, to reveal the true toxic state of the Yamuna, it added.

In the comment section, people have expressed concern for the safety of the journalist for exposing the failure and double standards of the government, while others saluted her courage.

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The expose raises questions on the accountability, transparency, and honesty of the government, in which its people have placed their complete faith.

The suppression of the data and truth poses a great threat to the health of the poor who live by the river, the negligent rich who happen to come in contact with the water one way or the other, and, let alone, animals.

(For more news apart from Hope new govt will live up to expectations: Tejashwi Yadav Congratulates Bihar New CM Nitish Kumar," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
According to MeitY, the content uses real-life Indian examples to make the learning experience relatable for better understanding. File Photo.

The course is divided into six concise modules. It is designed to be simple, practical, and engaging.

Government Launches YUVA AI for ALL to Make AI Accessible Nationwide

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched YUVA AI for ALL, a landmark initiative, under the IndiaAI Mission, to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy. This free, self-paced 4.5-hour course aims to make AI understandable and accessible to every Indian, with a focus on students, youth, and working professionals.

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What the Course Offers

The course is divided into six concise modules. It is designed to be simple, practical, and engaging. Learners will:

Understand the fundamentals of AI and how it works

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Explore AIs impact on education, creativity, and workplaces

Learn ethical and responsible use of AI tools

Examine real-world examples of AI applications across India

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Gain insights into emerging AI trends and career opportunities

According to MeitY, the content uses real-life Indian examples to make the learning experience relatable for better understanding.

Who Can Take the Course

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The programme is open to school and college students, working professionals, and anyone interested in emerging technologies. It is accessible through FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, and several major ed-tech portals. Upon completion, participants get an official certificate from the Government of India, which validates their foundational AI skills.

Why It Matters

AI expert Jaspreet Bindra, who contributed to the course, highlighted that YUVA AI for ALL blends global perspectives with India-specific examples to ensure that learning is inclusive, engaging, and ethical. The initiative aligns with Indias vision of building an AI-aware society. Its focus is towards empowering one crore citizens, bridging the digital divide, and preparing the workforce for technology-driven roles.

By providing a free, easy-to-follow, and certified learning pathway, YUVA AI for ALL equips learners with future-ready skills, fosters innovation, and promotes responsible adoption of AI. This initiative is a significant step toward creating an AI-powered India that is inclusive, ethical, and globally competitive.
Officials emphasised that these steps are designed to shift the attention of both teachers and students towards the practical application of digital skills. File Photo.

It replaced the earlier school-level assessment system.



Punjab Board Introduces Major Reforms in Computer Science Evaluation

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The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has announced major reforms to the teaching and evaluation of computer science. This is a landmark step towards modernising digital education. The changes were approved during a meeting of the academic council led by Chairman Dr Amarpal Singh. The aim is to ensure that the subject reflects students overall academic performance more accurately.

Previously, computer science was compulsory from Class 6 onwards, but it was treated primarily as a grading subject, which means marks did not significantly contribute to a students board results. Dr Amarpal Singh highlighted the need for these reforms. He stated, "Our focus is to make sure that computer science is not just a supplementary subject but a core part of students academic journey, emphasising practical skills essential for modern life and future careers."

Under the new curriculum, for Classes 10 and 12, the Board will now be responsible for preparing question papers and evaluating them centrally. It replaced the earlier school-level assessment system. Additionally, practical examinations will be conducted by external examiners to maintain objectivity and uphold higher standards for evaluation. Officials emphasised that these steps are designed to shift the attention of both teachers and students towards the practical application of digital skills.

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The reform also includes structured assessment: for Class 12, the marks will be distributed as 50 for theory, 45 for practicals, and 5 for projects or internal evaluation. Students must achieve a minimum of 33 per cent in both theory and practical components to pass. This ensures that students engage deeply with coding, networking, and project-based learning, fostering practical digital literacy from an early stage.

While the policy promises to elevate computer science, challenges remain in implementation. Many government schools, especially in rural areas, face infrastructure and resource limitations. A senior computer science teacher in Ludhiana remarked, "The reforms are a positive step, but adequate computer labs and trained teachers are essential for students to take full benefit from this evaluation system." Students too recognise the higher stakes: a Class 12 student in Chandigarh noted, "With our marks now counting toward board results, we are motivated to focus more seriously on practical projects and coding skills."

Education experts view these reforms as a pivotal step in digital literacy, which prepares students for a technology-driven future. The PSEB plans to issue detailed guidelines to schools soon to ensure that the reforms are implemented effectively. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Punjabs effort to strengthen its education system and equip students with practical digital competencies.
The governments fiscal reforms

The Romanian government is preparing a third package of fiscal measures.

The Bolojan Cabinet / photo: gov.ro

Roxana Vasile, 20.11.2025, 14:00

In a move to reduce the countrys excessive deficit, the coalition government in Bucharest is preparing a third package of fiscal measures that may be adopted next week by assuming responsibility in Parliament. In the local administration, the government aims to either reduce the number of occupied or vacant jobs or to cut personnel expenses by 10%. While in the central administration, it is considering a 10% cut in personnel expenses. T

his third package must be adopted before the adoption of the 2026 budget for the sake of financial discipline, says the Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. He explained that the recommendation that all ministries cut their expenses by 10% does not necessarily lead to a cut in salaries:

On the one hand, all legislation allowing the budget to be created on a sound basis, keeping spending in check and enforcing budget discipline must be adopted in advance. On the other hand, it is difficult to start making exceptions and all of us who are in a public position, all ministries, in one form or another, must be part of this effort. I must emphasize that its not about cutting salaries, but about managing their personnel expenses better, stop hiring, look at bonuses and reorganize their activities better.

The Social Democrats have a different stance on the matter within the ruling coalition. The party on Wednesday decided in no form to support a 10% cut in public sector salaries from January 1st as intended and called for other measures to cut spending than those proposed by the prime minister under the third package. The leader of the Social Democrats, Sorin Grindeanu:

Estimates indicate that the state would be able to save around 10 billion lei if we made this 10% cut in personnel expenses. Which, obviously, can be saved in other ways and there is no need to cut the salaries of teachers, doctors, police officers, military personnel, or anyone else.

On the other hand, the bill on the reform of magistrates pensions has the support of the entire ruling coalition. The pension system in place makes magistrates a privileged professional category, on account of earning very large pensions and being able to retire earlier. The new bill stipulates that the pension of a judge or prosecutor will no longer exceed 70% of their last net salary and that the retirement age will increase to 65 years, over a 15-year transition period, from January 1, 2026. The bill will next be submitted to the Superior Council of Magistracy for its opinion, before the government can assume responsibility for it in Parliament. Magistrates are also unhappy with this new version of this bill, a first version having recently been rejected by the Constitutional Court for procedural reasons. A milestone in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the bill on the reform of the magistrates pensions system is a condition for the release of European funds that are so necessary in these times of austerity.
Tribute to Ilie Ilascu

national day of mourning is today observed in the Republic of Moldova in memory of freedom fighter Ilie Ilascu

Ilie Ilascu (sursa foto: Agerpres)

Stefan Stoica, 20.11.2025, 13:50

On Thursday, Romanians on both sides of the Prut River, said their farewells to Ilie Ilascu, a notable leader of the national liberation movement of the 1990s and a former political prisoner of the separatist regime in Tiraspol between 1992 and 2001. Ilascu passed away on Monday aged 73. President Maia Sandu declared a national day of mourning in memory of the man she described as someone who stood face to face with an aggressor state, resisted and remained free. According to the President of the Republic of Moldova, Ilie Ilascu will forever be remembered across generations as a symbol of resistance and for his fight for integrity.

In the nine years of illegal detention, he was tortured, threatened, went through simulated executions with blanks to break him. But he never betrayed his country. Keeping his head high, Ilie Ilascu chose to face death for the independence of the Republic of Moldova and will remain a symbol for all Moldovans. It is important to pass on his lesson of patriotism to the younger generations, Maia Sandu argued.

Ilie Ilascu was among the founders of the National Liberation Movement and, prior to 1992, led the Tiraspol branch of the Popular Front of Moldova. He was directly involved in the battles on the Dniester, commanding the troops of the Ministry of National Security of the Republic of Moldova. On June 2, 1992, Ilie Ilascu, Andrei Ivantoc, Alexandru Lesco and Tudor Petrov-Popa were arrested by Russian special forces. A year later, Ilascu was sentenced to death by an illegitimate court on the left bank of the Dniester. He remained in Transnistrian prisons from 1992 until 2001 under extremely harsh conditions, his detention involving isolation, psychological pressure, arbitrary restrictions and systematic violations of his rights. He was taken out of his cell four times to listen to the reading of the death sentence and four times shots were fired empty toward him against the wall.

On May 5, 2001, under pressure from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Union, Ilascu was transferred to Chisinau and handed over to the secret services of the Republic of Moldova and Romania. The other members of the group were gradually released. In 2004, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued its judgment in the case Ilascu and others v. Moldova and Russia, holding the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova responsible for torture, illegal deprivation of liberty and violation of the right to correspondence.

Ilie Ilascu was a deputy in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova for two terms, as well as a Romanian senator for two terms, between 2000 and 2008. Between 2001 and 2008, he was a full member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on behalf of the Romanian delegation.

On May 10, 2001, the President of Romania, Ion Iliescu, awarded him the Star of Romania National Order in rank of Knight. (VP)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a 28-point plan for peace between Russia and Ukraine that U.S. officials developed in consultation with Russian and Ukrainian officials, NBC News reported on Wednesday.

Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner were involved in formulating the plan, NBC quoted its sources as saying.

Three U.S. officials reportedly told NBC that the framework for the peace deal still needed to be presented to the Ukrainians and that the timing of finalizing a draft of the plan coincided with a visit of a U.S. Army delegation to Ukraine, which arrived in Kiev on Wednesday. 
Meaghan Carey Eiland Courtesy

RIO RANCHO  University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center has a new, goal-driven chief.

The announcement was made Oct. 22 that Meaghan Carey Eiland, the interim chief, is now the official chief of SRMC.

She said the news she would be chief was exciting during a recent interview, adding that it was a great opportunity to lead a team that does phenomenal work.

That work happens every day, day and night, 24/7/365, and to be able to be a part of the team that provides such great care for Sandoval County is really exciting to me, so I was really thankful, humbled and excited, Eilend said.

Her first priority is to continue that work. SRMC, whether thats as a patient or as a visitor or a family member, you know, the buildings incredible. The team is incredible. Theyre dedicated. Theyre skilled. They really care about the patients in our community ... We want to continue that so that we continue providing excellent care, she said.

The next goal is to help the hospital look beyond current excellence and increase access to care.

We have a lot of folks out there in the community that need/want care, and we can provide care. So how do we grow to be able to do that, whether thats adding on to things that we already have, like increasing access for our outpatient clinics, adding new providers, she said.

SRMC added new advanced practice providers in the family practice area, a new orthopedic surgeon and more, according to Eiland. Orthopedics also had an update to its technology in September.

(The new orthopedic surgeons name is John Krumme), and he came with a lot of knowledge and experience with a robot called the Mako that does joint surgeries in a quicker amount of time more efficiently, more safely, Eiland said.

The Mako is comprised of a robotic arm with optical sensors and a bone saw thats attached to a console. Prior to an orthopaedic surgery, the Mako allows surgeons to create a 3D model of a patients knee or hip from a CT scan. From that model, the surgeon then uses the robotic arm as a guide to make precise cuts during surgery. Michaela HeleanObserver staff writer

Krumme was the first surgeon in New Mexico to perform a surgery with a robot here, she said. SRMCs Da Vinci robot, operated by Dr. Anna Koenig, has been used in a variety of procedures including hernia, gallbladder and bariatric surgery since March.

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Sitting at a console, the surgeon is able to control any of the robots four arms while also getting a 3D, high-definition view of the surgical area. Using the console, the surgeon uses their hands and feet to control the robotic arms with precision and a 360-degree range of motion. UNM Health

Eiland hopes to expand the general and minimally invasive surgery departments with more doctors during her time as chief. There was a learning curve that came with the job, too.

Learning the people, learning how different areas outside of the area that I knew functioned, more about different processes, she said.

I think the role of chief really is to be the person who can help the organization overcome, set vision and goals, but I do that with the guidance of the CEO and the executive senior, executive leaderships vision and making it SRMC-centric and helping our team here, she added.

Part of her job is helping her team meet the needs of the community. Were an important piece in that health system because were the farthest north and the farthest west, right, as part of the health system, and theres lots of ruralness around us out here.

She stated that she is not the most important person at SRMC.

The frontline staff that takes care of the patients  hand-in-hand, face-to-face  every single day, theyre the ones really doing the hard work, and they do an excellent job at that, and I feel like my job is working for them to help them do the best job they can do most efficiently and as easy as it can be in health care, she said.

Eiland also shared some of her morals that guide her as chief.

Integrity is a big one, doing what you say youre going to do, owning things when things dont go quite right, and just being a good person, a good human, honestly, she said.

While there are no big issues Eiland sees at the hospital that need to be addressed, she said she is impressed with how the team there handles day-to-day problems.

When we run into something, and we say, Gosh, that didnt seem to work that great. Our team meets every morning to huddle, and we talk through those things regularly. We bring up safety concerns regularly, or we bring up process concerns regularly as they happen, she said.

When asked for an update on the relationship with the unions at SRMC, Eiland said that negotiations are happening but cant give dates or details of those until they are done.

Similarly, the LeapFrog hospital grading system score for SRMC didnt get much response because the next score hasnt been released yet. Eiland and SRMC administration confirmed earlier in the year that their grade had improved to a B. However, they are unsure of how they will be graded this year because SRMC is merged with UNM Hospitals.

Eiland did talk about what needs to improve.

I think even more important than a specific grade from a specific company is noting that the team here at SRMC continues to work very diligently towards alignment with our wellness campus partners to make improvements to ensure that our patients are going to continue to receive really high-quality and safe care, she said. And as we work on that alignment and breaking things together, that sort of thing will just become evident.

Part of that, she said, is making sure patients have a voice. The components of that are the board of advisors, which is composed of community members, and regular surveys as well as committees formed with patients in which they can express concerns.

Staff also have a way to anonymously share concerns with a suggestion box and surveys, too. One rising concern nationwide is for health care worker safety. In 2022, SRMC reported 34 cases of assault or battery in one year out of 359 total behavioral instances, ranging from verbal to physical assaults. A National Nurses United survey in 2024 showed that about 40% of nurses saw an increase in assaults.

Eiland said there are safety measures in place at SRMC to ensure safety of staff, including panic alarm buttons on keyboards, 24/7 security with patrol and contacts with local emergency services.

As far as tenure goes, Eiland hopes to be around for at least the next decade and is excited to see to SRMC.

Im a member of this community. I live in Sandoval County. My family gets care here. Its a real honor, and Im very humbled to be able to serve in this capacity and to help provide excellent care to our community, she said.
CUBA  Cuba, New Mexico is getting support for emergency services from the county.

Sandoval County Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Bagley requested staff and support for a 24/7 three-person station in the Cuba area to preserve advanced life support overage following the upcoming termination of the PMS-Cuba EMS program. The program will cease operation on July 1, 2026.

Without this action, residents and visitors in northwest Sandoval County could be an hour or more from care, according to the approval cover page from the Nov. 12 meeting.

The total request was for 12 positions originally, but County Manager Wayne Johnson asked for an amendment to add three more to that, making the total 15 positions. The three additional positions are funded by the Jicarilla Apache Nation, who met with the county earlier in the week, according to Johnson. Jicarilla Apache was interested in getting additional support to their area

The approval cover page states the station will be staffed with operational positions, including lieutenants, paramedics and EMTs, across three shifts, providing ALS response along with structural/wildland firefighting, vehicle extrication, HazMat, and technical rescue capabilities.

To manage the added workload, there was also a request for administrative positions, including an administrative lieutenant, a civilian logistics assistant and an additional EMS billing/administrative assistant.

Deputy County Manager Eric Masterson also explained that the added positions would be to supplement the existing volunteers in Cuba.

This full-time staff is to supplement the amazing volunteers that we have in that region. The village of Cuba has a great volunteer force, and then Sandoval County has volunteers Regina, Sahara to our own areas. This staff will be to supplement, not to take over. Those volunteers are essential to that area, and we look forward to continuing that partnership, he said.

Funding has already been received and is recurring through the New Mexico Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program.
RIO RANCHO  A man was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at someone at Walmart.

Francisco Aldridge, 52, of Rio Rancho, was arrested Nov. 15 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at the Unser Boulevard Walmart in Rio Rancho.

Aldridge was released with conditions this week, however.

According to the criminal complaint, a caller said a man later identified as Aldridge pointed a gun at them during an altercation outside the store. They told police the altercation started because the man had cut several people in line.

When they confronted the man about the line cutting, he allegedly laughed and the altercation continued out front in the parking lot, where Aldridge allegedly rolled down his car window and pointed a gun at them. Surveillance confirmed the events, the report states, and Aldridge was seen leaving Walmart.

When interviewed on the phone by police, Aldridge stated that he felt threatened by the caller, claiming that they approached his window and threatened him. He stated that he was unsure of what the caller was saying and that he rolled the window down and pointed the gun at him.

He said he heard them say they were also armed and saw another person taking a photo of his license plate. He did not say he saw a weapon.

He also stated that he keeps the firearm in the center console of his car.

Aldridge could face more than a year and a half in prison if he is convicted.
Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd. (SOMMF,4005.T) on Thursday said it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corporation, or AUECC, a Taiwanese semiconductor process chemicals company.

The acquisition of AUECC will enable Sumitomo Chemical to bolster its global reach and establish its first manufacturing base for semiconductor process chemicals in Taiwan, and a second in the United States, alongside its Texas site.

Sumitomo has not divulged the financial terms of the transaction.

The pact also underpins Sumitomo Chemical's target of doubling fiscal year 2024 sales by fiscal year 2030.

On the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Sumitomo Chemical's shares are trading 2.43% higher at 468.50 yen.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The United States, UK, France, and Germany have tabled a resolution to the International Atomic Energy Agency to clarify the IAEA's reporting mandate, ensuring it provides regular reporting on Iran's compliance with the nuclear elements of the reinstated Security Council Resolutions.

In a statement on behalf of the four major powers, UK Ambassador Corinne Kitsell urged Iran to honor its legal obligations under the NPT Safeguards Agreement by urgently providing the special report on its nuclear material and grant the global nuclear watchdog full access to its nuclear material and facilities. Iran must also implement the provisions of modified Code 3.1 without further delay.

The resolution also recalls that Iran has not granted access to all its safeguarded facilities. The IAEA Director General has stressed that it is indispensable and urgent for Iran to implement safeguard activities in accordance with the NPT Agreement. He has highlighted serious gaps: the continuity of knowledge in relation to Iran's inventory of nuclear material, including Highly Enriched Uranium, has been lost for more than five months. Verification of these inventories is long overdue and critical to address concerns about possible diversion from peaceful use.

Kitsell urged the IAEA Board meeting to adopt the four natons' resolution, and to publish the text.

The UN Security Council recently reimposed six Resolutions on Iran, re-introducing legally binding restrictions on its nuclear program, including suspension of all enrichment, reprocessing, and heavy water related activities.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
The World Health Organization has warned that gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection, is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. This is according to new data from its Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP), which monitors the spread of drug-resistant gonorrhoea.

The report highlights the need to strengthen surveillance, improve diagnostic capacity and ensure equitable access to new treatments for sexually transmitted infections. The release of the new data coincides with World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, reinforcing the importance of global action against drug-resistant infections. EGASP, launched by WHO in 2015, collects laboratory and clinical data from sentinel sites around the world to track AMR and inform treatment guidelines.

Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis & STIs, called on all countries to address the rising levels of sexually transmitted infections and integrate gonorrhoea surveillance into national STI programs.

Between 2022 and 2024, resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime, the primary antibiotics used to treat gonorrhoea, rose sharply from 0.8 percent to 5 percent and from 1.7 percent to 11 percent respectively, with resistant strains detected in more countries. Resistance to azithromycin remained stable at 4 percent, while resistance to ciprofloxacin reached 95 percent. Cambodia and Viet Nam reported the highest resistance rates.

In 2024, 12 EGASP countries in five WHO regions provided data, an increase from just four countries in 2022. This is a positive development reflecting growing commitment to track and contain drug-resistant infections in countries and regions. Brazil, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malawi, the Philippines, Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda and Viet Nam together reported 3615 cases of gonorrhoea.

The median patient age was 27 years. Among cases, 20 percent were men who have sex with men, and 42 percent reported multiple sexual partners within the past 30 days. Eight percent reported recent antibiotic use, and 19 percent had travelled recently.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Health News
PACS Group, Inc. (PACS) reported robust earnings and revenue for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025, significantly surpassing its 2024 performance.

The Farmington, Utah-based post-acute healthcare operators run 320 facilities across 17 states, serving more than 31,000 patients daily. The company offers services like senior care, assisted living, and independent living options.

Net income attributable to PACS for the third quarter of 2025 rose to $52.4 million or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to $15.6 million or $0.10 per share in the third quarter of 2024.

Total revenue for Q3 2025 climbed to $1.34 billion, an increase of 30% from $1.03 billion in Q3 2024.

Skilled nursing services revenue reached $1.31 billion, up nearly 29.8% from $1.01 billion in the prior year.

Mature facilities contributed strongly, with occupancy at 94.8%, well above the industry average of 79%.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, PACS reported total revenue $3.93 billion, up 36.4% from $2.87 billion in the same period of 2024.

Net income for the nine months surged to $131.7 million, compared to $19.1 million a year earlier.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $355.7 million as of September 30, 2025, more than doubling from $157.7 million at year-end 2024.

Total assets rose to $5.63 billion in 2025 from $5.24 billion at the end of 2024.

Importantly, the company has completed the previously announced restatement of its financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and is now current with its SEC filing obligations.

PACS also concluded an independent audit committee investigation, reinforcing governance and transparency.

Looking ahead, PACS expects full-year 2025 revenue to range between $5.25 billion and $5.35 billion. Revenue was $4.1 billion last year.

The company highlighted its balanced strategy of leasing and acquiring facilities, with 51 owned properties and 38 purchase options on leased facilities and 21 purchase options through partnerships.

PACS continues to evaluate opportunities to acquire both high-performing and underperforming operations across multiple states, aiming to unlock long-term value.

PACS has traded in the range of $7.50 to $17.47 over the past year. The stock closed yesterday's trading at $16.83, up 13.09%, and is up nearly 44% at $24.39 in premarket trading today.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) on Thursday said it has agreed to acquire Exact Sciences (EXAS) in a transaction worth an enterprise value of about $23 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Exact Sciences shareholders will receive $105 per share.

Exact Sciences' portfolio includes Cologuard, a noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test; Oncotype DX, used to guide personalized breast cancer treatment decisions; Oncodetect, which identifies molecular residual disease to assess recurrence risk; and Cancerguard, a multi-cancer early detection blood test.

Abbott said the acquisition will be immediately accretive to its revenue growth and gross margin. Exact Sciences is expected to generate more than $3 billion in revenue this year, growing at a high-teens organic rate. Once the deal closesanticipated in the second quarter of 2026Exact Sciences will operate as a subsidiary of Abbott, boosting Abbott's total diagnostics revenue to more than $12 billion annually.

The acquisition adds a new growth vertical to Abbott's already high single-digit growth profile, gaining leadership in the fast-growing $60 billion U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics segments, the company said in a statement.

Exact Sciences shares rose more than 17% in pre-market trading, following a 23.68% gain on Wednesday that closed the stock at $86.18, while Abbott stock declined 0.36% in pre-market trading, after closing down 2.96% at $126.15 on Wednesday.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Gabriel Holding A/S (GABR.CO) Thursday reported revenue of DKK 516.0 million for the full year 2025, compared with DKK 483.5 million last year.

Operating profit (EBIT) for the full year amounted to DKK 44.1 million, compared with DKK 19.7 million last year.

According to the company, the results reflect a strong improvement in the continuing operations, a continued strong execution of the FurnMaster in Europe, but also an expected negative result from the FurnMaster business unit in Mexico caused by the ongoing restructuring.

Looking forward, the company expects revenue from continuing operations for full year 2025 to amount to DKK 510-550 million and a primary profit (EBIT) of DKK 40-50 million.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Crude oil edged lower on Thursday, extending yesterday's decline, as investors assessed reports of renewed efforts by the U.S. to end the Russia-Ukraine war against the after-effects of U.S. sanctions on Russian oil as the U.S. deadline expires in a few hours.

WTI Crude Oil for December delivery was last seen trading down by $0.27 (or 0.44%) at $59.18 per barrel.

Last month, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Russian oil exports targeting two of its major corporations, Rosneft and Lukoil. The sanctions are set to take effect beginning tomorrow (November 21).

China, India, and Turkey, three major oil purchasers of Russian oil, have already turned away from Russia, seeking sellers elsewhere.

Despite the U.S. sanctions denting its revenue, Russia has not halted its aggression against Ukraine. Russian forces attacked the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, injuring more than 100.

For its part, Ukraine's military attacked (for the second time) the largest refinery in Russia in the city of Ryazan, south of Moscow, setting it on fire.

According to a report by NBC News, U.S. President Donald Trump has given quiet approval to initiate talks with Russia on a 28-point proposal aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. So far, there are no reports of Ukraine's direct involvement though Ukrainian officials acknowledged receiving "signals" on peace talks.

Mirroring the Gaza Peace Plan in the Middle East, Trump has endeavored to halt the four-year-long Russia-Ukraine war.

An end to Russia-Ukraine war could permit the free flow of Russian oil into the .

Yesterday, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that crude oil inventories in the U.S. slid by 3.426 million barrels for the week ending November 14.

Meanwhile, for the same period, gasoline and distillate inventories rose by 2.3 million barrels and 0.2 million barrels, respectively, though heating oil inventories dropped by 0.5 million barrels.

For 2026, the International Energy Agency has warned that the oil glut could be worse than expected, and a new oil market outlook from Goldman Sachs projected approximately a 2 million barrels per day global surplus.

Further, reports have emerged that China is increasing oil imports, with surplus crude reaching 690,000 barrels per day in October to counter any future supply disruption.

As the long-term demand outlook remains weak with markets still grappling with high inventories, oil prices are undergoing some downward pressure.

Minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting in October were released yesterday, revealing that the officials were divided over rate cuts. Trump has openly advocated for a low-interest regime.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (2nd R) departs the White House following meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., the United States, Nov. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

"We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we also want to be sure that we secure a clear path to a two-state solution," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said in a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Riyadh will not normalize ties with Israel without "a clear path" to Palestinian statehood, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said during a visit to the White House on Tuesday.

He also pledged a 1-trillion-U.S.-dollar investment in the United States, and sought a defense pact and big purchases of F-35 jets and advanced AI chips.





PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD

"We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we also want to be sure that we secure a clear path to a two-state solution," the prince said in a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.

He said Saudi Arabia wants Israelis and Palestinians to "live in peace," and normalizing relations must be tied to credible progress toward Palestinian statehood.

Trump, who brokered the original Abraham Accords in his first term, has repeatedly said he hopes Saudi Arabia will join the U.S.-backed framework soon.

Analysts said a breakthrough in the near future remains unlikely, given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's continued rejection of a Palestinian state and Israel's national elections next year.





INVESTMENT PLEDGE

At the White House, Mohammed pledged to raise Saudi Arabia's planned investments in the United States to 1 trillion dollars, up from the 600 billion dollars announced during Trump's trip to Riyadh in May.

"Today and tomorrow, we announced that we are going to increase that 600 billion to 1 trillion dollars for investment, real investment and real opportunity," he said. The new figure roughly equals the size of Saudi Arabia's entire sovereign wealth fund.

The prince added that the kingdom plans to spend about 50 billion dollars on semiconductors in the short term, saying Saudi Arabia has "a huge demand for unique computing power" and "AI is critical for us" to keep the Saudi economy growing.

According to the New York Times, the new pledge is unlikely to materialize anytime soon, considering Saudi Arabia's current cash crunch due to lower oil prices and already heavy domestic spending on a number of megaprojects.

Bloomberg reported that as part of a U.S.-Saudi artificial intelligence agreement, the Trump administration is preparing to approve the export of a significant number of high-end AI chips to Saudi AI firm Humain, whose chief executive reportedly said last month that the company aims to deploy as many as 400,000 AI chips by 2030.

Trump said on Tuesday he believed a U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal, which Riyadh has long hoped for, could happen in the future.

"I could see that happening. It's not urgent," Trump told reporters.

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)

DEFENSE DEAL

After their public remarks, Trump and the crown prince held private talks. U.S. media said their discussions ranged from the civil war in Sudan to the fragile cease-fire in Gaza, but the core agenda was a bilateral defense arrangement. During the visit, Trump designated Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally of the United States.

It is widely expected that during the prince's visit, Washington and Riyadh will sign a security agreement that does not require congressional approval. Under the proposed terms, the United States would commit to defend Saudi Arabia through diplomatic, economic and, if necessary, military measures, without obligating the kingdom to protect U.S. assets.

One day ahead of the prince's White House visit, Trump announced that he plans to sell F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, the first such sale to a Middle East country other than Israel.

On Tuesday, together with Mohammed, Trump said both Saudi Arabia and Israel are "close allies" of the United States and both "should have the most advanced fighter jets."

According to U.S. media, U.S. officials said Israeli counterparts have privately urged Washington to link the F-35 sale to progress on the Saudi-Israel normalization, though they have not publicly opposed the deal.

On Wednesday, a high-profile bilateral investment forum will be held in Washington. U.S. media said the two sides may sign various agreements on artificial intelligence, health care, infrastructure, energy and financial services.

For Trump, facing domestic political pressure tied to the Epstein scandal and other challenges, the meeting offered a chance to revive his image as a global dealmaker, local analysts said.

And for Mohammed, it was an opportunity to reintroduce himself in Washington as an indispensable partner in a turbulent region, as well as a potential mediator on issues ranging from Gaza to dialogue with Iran, they said.
Mahindra Group hosted its Investor Day 2025, presenting a strong roadmap for its Automotive and Farm Equipment businesses. The company highlighted robust market performance, major upcoming launches, electric mobility expansion, and an aggressive globalisation strategy that positions Mahindra as a leading force in Indias mobility and agri-mechanisation sectors.

Automotive: Mahindra Targets Worlds Fastest-Growing SUV Brand

Mahindra reinforced its dominant position in the SUV space, showcasing milestone achievements over the last few years. The company stated that its SUV revenue share has grown from 17.6% in FY20 to a projected 26.4% in FY26, supported by blockbuster launches and record demand.

Mahindras performance has outpaced the market in a big way. ? From Apr 2020 to Nov 2025, M&M shares have grown 14x, compared to 3x for the Nifty 50  driven by strong capital allocation, a pivot to growth, and scale delivery.#Mahindra #InvestorDay #GrowthStory pic.twitter.com/0xdLkLSf46  RushLane (@rushlane) November 20, 2025

Market Leadership

 8 consecutive quarters as Indias No 1 SUV brand by revenue share

 8 quarters as the No 2 passenger vehicle (PV) brand by revenue share

 6 quarters with 50+% market share in the LCV (sub-3.5T) segment

Recent Hits: Thar ROXX, XUV 3XO & BE 6 Batman Edition

 Thar ROXX: Winner of 15 Car of the Year awards

 XUV 3XO: Fastest Mahindra vehicle to cross 1 lakh sales

 BE 06 Batman Edition: All 999 units sold out in 135 seconds

Mahindra also shared that it has crossed 30,000 e-SUV sales, driven by the XUV400 and the new EV portfolio.

Upcoming SUV Launches & Product Strategy

Mahindra is entering a high-activity phase with multiple new launches from 2026 onward:

INGLO EV Architecture

Mahindra re-emphasised the importance of its modular EV platform (INGLO), confirming:

 5 new EVs under the BE and XUV.e brands

 First anniversary celebration of its BE lineup on November 2627, with special editions and teasers (including the BE6)

New ICE SUVs and Refreshes

The company will continue strengthening its portfolio with a mix of new-generation SUVs and refreshes, maintaining its core philosophy of:

 Adventure-ready products

 Head-turning design

 High safety

 Off-road and on-road capability

Global Expansion: Mahindras Next Big Growth Lever

The company aims to position itself as a global SUV brand with India as the manufacturing hub. Mahindra detailed its global ambitions, targeting markets such as:

 UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe (both LHD & RHD)

 Global pick-up programme under NU_IQ architecture

 EV exports under INGLO platform

Farm Equipment: India No.1 & Ambitious Global Growth

The Farm Equipment segment remains one of Mahindras strongest businesses:

 No 1 in India for over 40 years

 Market share leadership in tractors and farm machinery

 Strong performance in exports and global markets (Turkey, US, Japan, Finland)

Mahindra showcased robust revenue and profit growth:

 928k auto standalone volumes in FY25 (2X vs FY20)

 Rs 90,825 crore automotive consolidated revenue (3.2X vs FY20)

 Rs 7,797 crore PBIT (6X vs FY20)

Future Growth Focus

 Precision farming

 Digital advisory services

 Electric tractors & autonomous solutions

 Expansion of its global tractor lineup across brands like Mitsubishi, Erkunt, Sampo and others

Mahindra aims to build seamless synergy between its Farm Tech ecosystem and new-age digital platforms to support the farmer lifecycle.

Mahindra Building a Mobility Powerhouse

Mahindras Investor Day 2025 clearly demonstrates the groups strategy:

 Lead the Indian SUV market

 Expand aggressively in EVs

 Grow farm equipment leadership globally

 Deliver scale, margins and global presence

 Build Indias most aspirational SUV portfolio

With an ambitious pipeline of new launches across ICE and EVs, and a strong push for globalisation in farm and auto, Mahindra appears poised for a decade of high growth and market leadership.
The segment stayed fiercely competitive, with Mahindra Scorpio and XUV700 together commanding nearly 70% market share

After taking a look at the sub 4 meter SUV sales and the 4.3m SUV sales, let us now take a look at the SUVs in 4.4m to 4.7m segment. The mid-size SUV segment continues to be one of the most competitive spaces in the Indian market, offering buyers a wide spread of choices across prices, sizes and powertrains. The festive season, combined with the revised GST structure, gave the segment a noticeable boost last month. SUVs in the 4.4m to 4.7m category collectively reported strong numbers, reflecting sustained customer demand.

Total sales in October 2025 stood at 39,435 units  a healthy 15.87% YoY growth compared to 34,033 units in October 2024. MoM performance was also positive, with sales rising 1.63% over 38,804 units recorded in September 2025.

Top Performers in Mid-Size SUV Segment  October 2025

Mahindra continued to dominate the segment with its two heavyweights. Scorpio/N led the charts with 17,880 units  up 14.05% YoY from 15,677 units. However, MoM sales dipped 2.68% from 18,372 units. Scorpio also ranked No. 3 among Indias top-selling SUVs last month, behind Nexon and Creta. Close behind was the XUV700, which recorded 10,139 units  a marginal 2.84% YoY drop compared to 10,435 units but a 3.84% MoM rise over 9,764 units.

Breaking Mahindras stronghold was the Tata Harrier/EV at No. 3 with 4,483 units. This marks an impressive 130.25% YoY jump from 1,947 units and a 7.22% MoM rise over 4,181 units in September. Another Mahindra product, the XEV 9e, maintained momentum with 2,708 units  up 3.40% MoM from 2,619 units.

The Tata Safari also continued to perform well, reporting 2,510 units  a 20.33% YoY increase and a strong 25.50% MoM rise. The Hyundai Alcazar slipped to 1,259 units, registering a 42.88% YoY decline from 2,204 units, though MoM numbers improved slightly by 2.03% over 1,234 units in September.

Mid-Size SUV Sales (October 2025)

Lower down the order, the MG Hector/Plus saw a steep fall to 225 units  down 81.62% YoY and 44.99% MoM. Jeep Compass declined 27.97% YoY to 170 units but improved 21.43% MoM. VW Tiguan reported 33 units, down 58.23% YoY, while Hyundai Tucson dropped sharply to 26 units  an 81.56% YoY decline and 69.41% MoM fall. Citroen C5 Aircross registered just 2 units, down 50% YoY, with no units sold last month.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday night that he had just signed a bill that requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release files related to late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump's statement came just one day after the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly to approve the bill. On Tuesday night, just a few hours after the House passage, the upper chamber unanimously agreed to immediately pass the bill once it was sent from the House. The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday.

The bill was introduced in the House in mid-July, but Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, delayed the process for months.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie have led a discharge petition, which would force a vote once the petition reaches the 218-signature threshold. On Nov. 12 -- the day the House reconvened for the first time after a 54-day recess -- the petition secured the final signature it needed.

The bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requires the DOJ to publish all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in its possession related to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.

This includes materials that relate to Ghislaine Maxwell, who conspired with Epstein to sexually exploit underage girls, flight logs and travel records, and individuals named or referenced in connection with the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.

The DOJ may withhold certain information, such as personally identifiable information of victims and materials that could jeopardize an active federal investigation.

Epstein had close connections with many prominent American political and business figures. After being arrested on sexual offense charges, he died in prison in August 2019, in what was officially ruled a suicide.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised that, if elected, he would release documents related to the Epstein case. On July 7, however, the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a memorandum stating that there is no "incriminating client list," no evidence that Epstein's death was a murder, and that no further Epstein-related documents would be released.

Last week, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released Epstein-related documents involving Trump. Republicans on the committee then released a far larger tranche of files as a countermeasure, accusing the Democrats of cherry-picking.

Trump then directed the DOJ to investigate high-profile Democrats connected to Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, who is a major Democratic donor. U.S. media view the move as an attempt to counter the impact of the Epstein-related documents involving Trump that Democrats recently released.

"Democrats have used the 'Epstein' issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday night as he announced he had signed the bill.

On Tuesday night, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer lashed out at Trump on the issue, saying that the president "has tried to cover up for Jeffrey Epstein long enough."

"This isn't about Democrats versus Republicans or about Congress versus the president," Schumer said. "This is about giving the American people the transparency they've been crying for. This is about holding accountable all the people in Jeffrey Epstein's circle who raped, groomed, targeted, and enabled the abuse of hundreds of girls for years and years." 
Through the first nine months of 2025, its revenues have grown by 7%, with growth across all four segments. Its adjusted operating profit through June 30 was 1.652 billion British pounds ($2.17 billion), 9% higher year over year.

It has four major operating segments: Risk (35% of revenue), Scientific, Technical & Medical (30%), Legal (20%), and Exhibitions (13%).

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. It has customers in more than 180 countries and offices in 40 countries. Approximately 40% of its employees are in North America.

The largest of the three stocks, RELX (RELX), hit a new 52-week low of $40.00 yesterday, marking its 13th new 52-week low of the past 12 months. Its share price is down 11% over the past year and 29% since hitting a 52-week high of $56.33 on May 27. It is at its lowest level since January 2024.

With that in mind, Ive selected three of the 22 that I think could rebound in the weeks and months ahead.

As I looked through yesterdays list of new highs and lows, the 22 ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) caught my attention because among Gundlachs comments was the suggestion that non-U.S. stocks were a wise idea.

Unless the markets get some excellent news in the next few days, we could head for even higher multiples between new 52-week lows and new 52-week highs.

... I think valuations are just incredibly high. And the health of the equity market in the United States is among the least healthy in my entire career, he said, noting that the 'classic valuation metrics are off the charts, MarketWatch contributor Barbara Kollmeyer reported.

Various factors contributed to the change in investor sentiment. One of them is bond king Jeffrey Gundlach, saying on Monday that most assets are overvalued and that investors should move more money to cash.

In Tuesdays trading, there were 171 new 52-week lows on the NYSE, 4.5 times the number of new highs. Over on the Nasdaq, the multiple was even greater, with 392 stocks hitting new 52-week lows, 6.5 times the highs.

Not long ago, you couldnt find many NYSE or Nasdaq stocks hitting new 52-week lows. Now the opposite is true.

Story Continues

As for its balance sheet, it finished the first half of the year with net debt of 7.32 billion British pounds ($9.60 billion), 2.2 times EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization)  a healthy multiple.

Of the 10 analysts who cover its stock, eight rate it a Buy (4.50 out of 5), with a target price of $58.95, which is 47% above its current share price.

RELX is expected to earn $1.71 per ADR in 2025. It trades at 23.4 times this estimate. Thats the lowest its been since 2023.

If youre a dividend investor, the 2.2% yield should be attractive. It would be more appealing if RELXs options volume were higher. Sadly, thats not the case.

Chagee Holdings (CHA)

Chagee Holdings (CHA) hit a new 52-week low of $14.20 yesterday, its 33rd new low since going public in April. Its share price is down 49% since the IPO.

Primarily an operator of tea houses in China, it sold 14.68 million ADRs at $28 per ADR on April 17. Each ADR represents one Class A share.

I dont spend a lot of time focused on Chinese stocks, but that doesnt mean I think theyre uninvestable. Its a large population with significant economic possibilities despite the political friction with the West.

Is the 49% haircut merely a case of the IPO pricing being too rich? Thats the million-dollar question.

Founded in 2017, it has grown to over 7,000 tea houses, with 97% franchised, and just 3% located outside China.

To grow its North American business, it hired Aaron Harris as Chief Development Officer for the region. Harris knows a thing or two about the North American market. He was most recently Senior Vice President of Development at Dutch Bros (BROS).

It has one location in Los Angeles. More are likely to follow. Most of its locations outside China are in Southeast Asia. In July, it sold 51% of its Thailand business to a regional operator for $4.4 million. The move allows it to focus on strengthening its presence in China while expanding in the U.S.

The big issue for investors is that growth is slowing and margins are being squeezed by increased competition in China and higher operating expenses from its overseas expansion. Thats part of business.

The biggest concern I see from its China business is the steep decline in average monthly GMV (gross merchandise value) per tea house. In Q2 2025, it was 404,352 Chinese yuan ($56,887), 24.8% lower than in Q2 2025, and 6.4% less than in the previous quarter.

So, opening more stores in China isnt the answer. Whether North America can ride to the rescue is debatable. As Davids Tea (DTEAF) has shown, we are not tea drinkers like China, India, or the UK. Its going to be a tough slog.

That said, it had $1.2 billion in cash on its balance sheet at the end of June and retained earnings of $486 million, an indication that temporarily lower margins wont be the end of the company by any means.

Chagee is a much better bet at $14.20 or thereabouts. However, only aggressive investors should consider it.

Opera (OPRA)

Opera (OPRA) hit a new 52-week low of $12.78 yesterday, its 16th such low in the past 12 months. Its share price is down 34% over the past year.

When it comes to browsers, Ive tried several times to set Opera as my default. I never stick with it; I revert to either Chrome or Safari, depending on the device.

That said, the Norwegian company does pique my interest.

Opera went public in July 2018, selling 9.6 million ADRs, each representing two ordinary shares, at $12 per ADR. It used the gross proceeds of $115 million for research and development (40% of funds), marketing (25%), and acquisitions and strategic partnerships (25%).

At the time, it had 321.7 million MAUs (monthly active users) and generated $128.9 million in revenue, split among three revenue streams: Search (53%), Advertising (32%), and Technology Licensing (15%).

Today, it has 284 million MAUs (12% less) and is expected to generate $601.5 million in revenue at the midpoint of its guidance. In the seven years since it went public, it has grown its revenues in six of those years.

Over the past eight years, advertising has become the biggest revenue generator. In Q3 2025, the revenue stream accounted for 63% of the topline, almost double the 2017 figure. Searchs contribution has fallen to 37%, with technology licensing plummeting off a cliff.

When it went public, Operas 2017 operating profit was $10.2 million, with an operating margin of 7.9%; today, its operating profit in the trailing 12 months ended Sept. 30 was $90.7 million, with an operating margin of 15.5%.

Over the past four years, Operas ARPU (average revenue per user) has grown from $0.75 in Q3 2021 to $2.13 in the latest quarter, a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 29.8%.

In great shape, its stock has never been cheaper.

On the date of publication, Will Ashworth 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
Nvidia's Q3 earnings beat expectations, driven by strong data center and AI demand.

New partnerships with OpenAI, Uber, and xAI underscore Nvidia's leadership in AI.

Export restrictions on China and rising competition remain concerns for Nvidia's growth.

Nvidia's blockbuster earnings just brought relief to Wall Street.

On Wednesday, the chip giant reported $57 billion in revenue for the quarter and delivered another blowout performance from its data center division, which brought in $51 billion, surpassing the $49.3 billion analysts projected.

Nvidia also lifted its fourth-quarter guidance to expect $65 billion in sales. The optimistic outlook reinvigorated AI and semiconductor stocks after several rocky days. Nvidia stock jumped more than 3% in after-hours trading, while shares of other chipmakers, like Advanced Micro Devices, Broadcom, and Taiwan Semiconductor, also saw gains.

Here are the key takeaways from Nvidia's Q3 earnings, from fear of an AI bubble to the various new partnerships the chipmaker is engaging in.

1. The AI bubble

CEO Jensen Huang addressed concerns about the AI bubble head-on.

"There's been a lot of talk about an AI bubble," he said as he kicked off his earnings address. "From our vantage point, we see something very different."

"As a reminder, Nvidia is unlike any other accelerator," Huang added. "We excel at every phase of AI, from pre-training and post-training to inference."

Huang added that the transition from using CPUs to GPUs, AI's ability to generate revenue through ads, and the rise of agentic AI systems that could spark a new wave of applications are all reasons he still sees growth in the coming years.

As an AI optimist, Huang had also previously dismissed concerns that AI could displace a large number of jobs.

2. New partnerships

Nvidia gave its new partnerships a big shoutout.

Over the earnings call, Nvidia highlighted new deals with OpenAI, Anthropic, Uber, and xAI.

Earlier in September, Nvidia announced a joint letter of intent with OpenAI "for a landmark strategic partnership to deploy at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems for OpenAI's next-generation AI infrastructure to train and run its next generation of models on the path to deploying superintelligence." The plan, per the press release, is for Nvidia to invest as much as $100 billion into data center infrastructure using Nvidia hardware to start coming online by the second half of 2026.

On Tuesday, Nvidia struck a "deep technology partnership" with Anthropic and pledged up to $10 billion in investment for the startup. Anthropic also announced on the same day that it would spend $30 billion on compute to scale its Claude AI model on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform, which would be "powered by Nvidia."
Founded in 1931 from the merger of four smaller airlines formed during the earliest days of American aviation, United Airlines is currently the largest airline in the U.S. by fleet size and seat miles. The carrier is one of the "big three" alongside Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.

According to statistics from the airline, United flies more than 140 million people to all continents except Antarctica each year. Earlier this year, United expanded service from Newark Liberty International (EWR) with new direct flights to Split in Croatia, Bari in Italy, and Santiago de Compostela in Spain for the summer of 2026.

But amid expansion to more smaller European cities, United is also pulling back from two other international capitals it has been serving. As first reported by Simple Flying, the airline's flight to Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) in Dakar from Washington Dulles (IAD) no longer appears on its flight schedule past March 2026.

These United Airlines flights can no longer be booked for 2026

United Airlines' second route from Newark Liberty (EWR) to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) in Sweden was also quietly removed from flights travelers can purchase on the United website for 2026.

United has not officially confirmed cancellation of the routes, but the flight schedule for 2026 suggests it's increasingly unlikely these flights will run.

Related: United Airlines to launch new flight to religious site going viral

"IAD-DSS is no longer sold after March 6, 2026, and EWR-ARN resumption in 2026 is no longer sold," Ishrion Aviation posted on social media outlet X (formerly Twitter).

Flight traffic numbers show that United struggled to bring in the passengers necessary to make both routes profitable in the long run, even if they saw demand at certain points in the year.

United Airlines launched a flashy route to Dakar in May 2025.Shutterstock

A United flight to Senegal had a lot of potential, so why is it getting cut?

The flight from Washington to the capital of Senegal was launched just a few months ago in May 2025, to meet growing demand from both members of the African diaspora living in the U.S. and tourists increasingly interested in exploring the continent.

When announcing the flight, United described Dakar as the "gateway to Africa with pristine beaches, lush forests and rich archaeological history" and the route as one that "will help further Africa's growing tourism industry, which has seen 13% more arrivals in the first quarter this year."

More on travel:
By Tom Westbrook and Junko Fujita

SINGAPORE/TOKYO (Reuters) -Investors bailing out of the yen and Japan's government bonds have driven borrowing costs there to record highs, bending markets out of shape and piling pressure on the country's policymakers as they try to pilot the economy through a rough patch.

The selloff, which has also rattled stocks, has been unleashed by a lavish stimulus package - set to be the biggest since COVID-19 - that new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to announce on Friday.

Her plans will mean yet more borrowing in a quadrillion-yen ($7 trillion) debt market that has been caught off-guard and which no longer enjoys a permanent bid from the central bank or Japan's insurers.

With long-term government bonds down for 11 days in a row, the yen sliding for seven weeks and momentum seemingly building, the market is sounding the warning bells in an echo of the crisis of confidence for British assets that followed Liz Truss's 2022 budget. The rout also narrows the options for policymakers - both in government and at the Bank of Japan - to stabilise things.

"Markets are saying louder and louder that the BOJ is risking falling behind the curve," said Ales Koutny, head of international rates at Vanguard in London, who added that a more hawkish approach from the central bank was the only way to stabilise long bonds.

It is not just the BOJ under pressure, however. The selling has prompted concern from numerous officials, with Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama saying after an irregular meeting with the central bank that they were all watching markets with a "strong sense of urgency."

That did not staunch the selling, however, which has pushed the yen to a 10-month low of 157.78 per dollar and 30-year and 40-year government bond yields to record highs. [JP/][FRX/][MKTS/GLOB]

The benchmark 10-year yield has shot up 11 basis points in four sessions to a 17-year high above 1.8%, and the volume in 10-year futures has jumped to a seven-month high.

"It's basically the same conversation the market has been having about the UK for essentially the same reasons," said James Athey, a fixed income portfolio manager at Marlborough in London.

"Central banks have spent the last few decades neutering price discovery, and politicians have grown accustomed to fiscal giveaways as the answer to everything. Conditions are now vastly different but the politicians just don't want to learn. Take on markets at your peril."

BUYERS STRIKE

Rising yields, a falling yen and a faltering stock market are an unusual and unsettling combination for Japan and reflect wobbly confidence and longer-run structural shifts.
By Matthias Inverardi and Miranda Murray

DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) -Auterion CEO Lorenz Meier said having German defence player Rheinmetall on board as a "significant" shareholder in the U.S.-based drone software firm would help it grow its order book, adding that it would not lead to a full takeover.

Auterion already provides software for some Rheinmetall drones and the direct investment, which was announced this week, is a way to strengthen collaboration, Meier told Reuters.

He did not disclose the exact size of Rheinmetall's stake, which while "significant", was not a blocking minority.

"We're incredibly pleased with this honour, especially in the German market," said Meier, adding that closer ties between the two firms could help Auterion win more contracts.

STRONG COLLABORATION, NOT TAKEOVER

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger told analysts on Tuesday that the defence firm had bought Auterion shares, without giving any additional details.

Meier said Rheinmetall, which sees mergers and acquisitions as key to rapidly expanding its business to meet demand, is not aiming for a takeover with the move and Auterion is capable of remaining independent for another 30 years.

Auterion is currently exploring the market for more software functions to acquire, he added.

ORDER BOOKS EXPECTED TO KEEP GROWING

Rheinmetall and Auterion, which signed a long-term cooperation agreement in December 2024, are working together on drone components with the goal of creating an industry standard for controlling and operating them in various environments.

Auterion was founded in 2018 and became profitable this year. It has annual revenue of around 100 million euros ($115 million) and 160 employees, both of which Meier expects to grow.

Meier said Auterion is providing software for the drones built by Rheinmetall to fulfil orders for loitering munitions, which hover over targets before striking.

Auterion, whose customers already include the U.S. and Ukraine, as well as the Netherlands, Britain and Taiwan, expects to win an order from Germany after demonstrating a drone swarm control system three months ago, Meier said.

Rheinmetall plans to restructure from next year to reflect changed priorities, including a new air defence unit with mid-term sales potential of 3 billion euros to 4 billion euros.

Its CEO Papperger said demand is mainly being driven by European interest in the face of repeated drone incursions.

($1 = 0.8680 euros)

(Reporting by Matthias Inverardi and Miranda Murray; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Chinese premier arrives in Zambia for official visit

Xinhua) 08:14, November 20, 2025

LUSAKA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Zambia's capital of Lusaka on Wednesday for an official visit to the African country.

Li said that Zambia is the first country in Southern Africa to establish diplomatic ties with China, and the two countries share a profound tradition of friendship.

Over the years, despite changes in the international landscape, China and Zambia have consistently respected, trusted and supported each other, jointly forging the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, including the Tanzania-Zambia Railway spirit, he said.

Li noted that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, the two countries have steadily deepened their political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in various sectors, setting a model of solidarity and collaboration among developing nations.

During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September last year, the two heads of state held a meeting, which pointed the direction for further deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Zambia, said Li.

Li said that China stands ready to work with Zambia to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples, and advance together on the path of modernization.

Faced with a world of intertwined changes and chaos, China is willing to enhance multilateral communication and coordination with Zambia, stand united with the broad ranks of Global South countries, safeguard the international order as well as fairness and justice, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Li's visit followed his attendance at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Moscow, Russia.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
Akbar Novruz



The 4th meeting of the AzerbaijanIsrael Intergovernmental Joint Commission convenes today in Jerusalem, Azernews reports via the Ministry of Economy.

According to the information, the visit of Azerbaijans co-chair of the Commission, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, to Israel has already begun. As part of the trip, the minister met with Israeli Minister of Finance Zeev Elkin, who co-chairs the Commission from the Israeli side.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the Commissions ongoing work, prospects for expanding bilateral economic cooperation, and opportunities for strengthening business partnerships.

The previous meeting of the Joint Commission took place in Baku in April 2023, co-chaired by Mikayil Jabbarov and Israels then Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. That session resulted in several key agreements, including cooperation in environmental protection, a 20232026 education cooperation program, and a joint declaration on technological innovation between the Azerbaijan Innovation and Digital Development Agency and Israels National Technology Authority. Other documents included a cooperation agreement between SOCAR and Israels Union Energy, as well as a memorandum of understanding between Azersu OJSC and Israels national water company Mekorot.

According to data for JanuaryOctober 2025, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel amounted to 69.64 million US dollars. Exports from Azerbaijan reached 21.47 million dollars, representing 0.10 per cent of the countrys total exports, while imports from Israel totalled 48.17 million dollars, accounting for 0.25 per cent of Azerbaijans total imports.

In addition, during the first half of 2025, Azerbaijans foreign direct investments in Israel reached 542.54 million dollars. This reflects an extraordinary increase compared with the previous year. The Israeli direction accounted for 40.2 per cent of Azerbaijans total foreign direct investments in the reporting period.
In 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reported that its actions had contributed to the widespread, but not total, elimination of non-sufficient funds fees, saving bank customers billions of dollars. The following year, the CFPB announced that it closed a loophole to reduce overdraft fees, netting another $5 billion in savings for fed-up account holders.

The moves were part of a years-long trend to eliminate or reduce universally loathed, but all-too-common industry fees, spurred by widespread consumer outrage and the arrival of digital rivals offering fee-free banking.

However, some of the biggest banks, most notably Bank of America, still charge a laundry list of fees  but the good news is that customers can avoid many of them and negotiate away some of those they cant.

Find Out: Fidelity Says This Is a Surprising Risk of Holding Too Much Cash  Do You Have Too Much?

Read Next: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Start by Knowing the Rules and Choosing the Right Account

Bank of America ties different fee structures to different account types, each with its own unique standards that customers can follow to avoid charges. Therefore, the first step is for Bank of America customers to choose the account that aligns with their spending habits, savings goals and typical balances.

Consider the following examples.

Learn More: If Youre Thinking About Getting a CD, Suze Orman Says You Should Do It Now  Heres Why

Regular Checking

Bank of America will waive the $14 monthly maintenance fee for customers with regular checking accounts who meet any one of the following minimum daily balance requirements:

$1,500 in a checking account

$2,000 in a linked savings account

$5,000 in a linked money market account

$5,000 combined in linked money market, savings, individual retirement account (IRA) and certificate of deposit (CD) accounts

Bank of America also waives the fee for the first four checking accounts owned by Gold or Platinum honors tier Preferred Rewards members, or unlimited accounts for Diamond members.

Interest Checking

Youll pay a $25 monthly maintenance fee for Bank of America Interest Checking accounts unless you maintain a combined minimum balance of $10,000. Combined balances include linked money market, savings and checking accounts, linked IRAs and CDs, and eligible linked Merrill Lynch investment accounts.

Advantage Savings

Youll avoid the $8 monthly maintenance fee on an Advantage Savings account if you meet any one of the following requirements:
Johnson Matthey on Thursday said it had reshuffled its leadership team and also held its full-year outlook despite a fall in interim earnings.

The speciality chemicals firm said Alastair Judge had been appointed as chief financial officer with current CFO Richard Pike taking on the chief operating officer post.

Judge joined the company in July 2018 and Pike comes on board having worked at Pilkington and Associated British Foods, including the role of managing director of British Sugar.

For the year ending to March 31 Johnson Matthey expects underlying operating profit growth at the higher end of a mid-single digit percentage range, despite the challenging macroeconomic environment.

"Overall performance will continue to be weighted towards the second half. However, second half performance will be lower year-on-year driven by platinum group metal services, reflecting lower metal recoveries and refining volumes, as expected," the company said.

"If PGM prices remain at their current level for the remainder of 2025/26, we expect a 20m benefit to full year operating profit compared with the prior year."

Reported pre-tax profit for the six months to September 30 fell 83% to 86m after the 1.8bn sale of its Catalyst Technologies division to US industrial giant Honeywell after pressure from its largest shareholder, Standard Investments, to unlock what it called the firms "unrealised promise".

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
US officials are privately saying that they might not levy long-promised semiconductor tariffs soon, potentially delaying a centerpiece of Donald Trumps economic agenda. Officials relayed these messages over the last several days to stakeholders in the government and private industry, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter and a third person briefed on the conversations. A fourth person following the matter also said the administration was taking a more cautious approach to avoid provoking China. The discussions have not been previously reported.  Guardian

The government has been urged to take control of the sale of the Telegraph through an auction run by a body such as the UK competition regulator or the Cabinet Office. Peers called on the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, to wrest the sale process from RedBird IMI, which is majority funded by the United Arab Emirates, in questions put to Labour minister Fiona Twycross in the House of Lords on Wednesday. - Guardian

The Tories have accused Rachel Reeves of sullying the Budget process and undermining the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) after Labour claimed the watchdog drove its decision to shelve income tax hikes. The Conservatives have asked the OBR to verify claims that Ms Reeves dropped plans to increase the tax in response to better-than-expected economic forecasts.  Telegraph

Hotel tycoon Sir Rocco Forte has attacked Labour plans for a Venice-style tourism tax across England, branding it deeply unfair. The luxury hotelier, who is behind the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and Browns in London, said it would be beyond belief if the Chancellor unveiled a new holiday tax in her Budget next week.  Telegraph

Border to Coast, the council pension schemes group, and the wealth manager City Asset Management have swelled the ranks of rebels planning to vote against proposals to create Britains largest infrastructure investment trust. As a 70 billion investment giant and a small shareholder in HICL Infrastructure, one of the merging entities, Border to Coast called the proposed merger with The Renewables Infrastructure Group (Trig) illogical and unjustifiable.  The Times
Elizabeth Eulberg

(photo: Amelia Walker) Jen Calonita

(Kimberly L. Photography)

Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before moving to New York City to work in the publishing industry. She is the author of novels for teens and young readers, including The Lonely Hearts Club and Better Off Friends, and the Great Shelby Holmes middle-grade series.

Jen Calonita graduated from Boston College where she majored in communications. She writes books for teens, including the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series.

Calonita's The Taylors (Scholastic) is a middle-grade novel featuring four girls named Taylor who dedicate themselves to attending the Eras Tour; Eulberg's Love Stories (Scholastic) is the first in a YA series about the very same Taylors.

Jen Calonita: So, our The Taylors books just came out in the world!

Elizabeth Eulberg: And Taylor Swift gave us the best gift by releasing a new album to help promote them!

Calonita: We both got to see illustrations of our girls--Teffy, Tay Tay, Taylor, and TS--on display cases for the Scholastic Book Fairs today.

Eulberg: I freaked out, and I'm often told that I need to calm down so I was A LOT. I had no idea this was going to happen: our girls on huge displays in schools around the country. It made me so excited, like I was going to the Eras Tour all over again. What about you?

Calonita: For me, the moment came last week when someone sent me a Scholastic Book Fairs poster with our girls on it. As someone who has taken my own kids to countless book fairs at their schools, having a book on a poster is peak coolness.

Eulberg: Writing these books has been amazing, since I got to work with you! Honestly Jen, there's nobody else I could imagine doing this with.

Calonita: Same! We have known each other for, what, 20 years now? Fun fact: you were my publicist when my first book, Secrets of My Hollywood Life, came out in 2005.

Eulberg: And we hit it off right away. I like to say we're basically the same person. We even share our childhood number one fandom: New Kids on the Block. I love you Jen, but I'll still fight you for Joey McIntyre.

Calonita: We've also road tripped together for our books. I remember one time you made us an epic playlist and we wound up singing so much my voice was hoarse. And we've been roomies countless times.

Eulberg: And now we're writing together! On my first trip to New York after living in London for five years, you were one of the first people I saw. You and I were walking the High Line and you said that David Levithan was going to talk to me about a project. I saw him that night at dinner and he told me the project was going to be about four girls named after Taylor Swift and that you'd write their middle-grade origin story while I tackled their first loves in YA. I may have screamed, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!"

Calonita: I don't think anything like this has been done before, releasing a middle-grade and YA book at the same time about the same characters?

Eulberg: Yes! What I loved about creating these characters and this world was how we were able to use our different strengths. We started a Google doc so we could keep everything straight: secondary characters, family, hobbies, etc. And you're so good at description, I just let you have at it.

Calonita: And you are the best at capturing personalities! I felt like I could see each one vividly when I read your first draft. I loved having you as a partner in all this. Being able to share our books with each other and fine-tune the characters and the stories together, then working with our amazing editor, Maya Marlette, was such a gift.

Eulberg: I really do feel like they are OUR girls. I got emotional when our cover artist, Liz Parkes, did character illustrations of them side by side from both books. We saw them grow up. I'm so proud of our work. And I won't give any spoilers away, but I still SOB at something you did at the end of your book. GAH! I mean, I did beg you to do it, and I have no shame.

Calonita: It was your idea, and it was a great one.

Eulberg: And, of course, this gave us an excuse to listen to Taylor Swift 24/7 and study videos for "research." I did a deep dive into her lyrics and pushed myself to include lots of fun Easter eggs for the real ones.

Calonita: The girls are trying hard to get tickets to the Eras tour in my book, which is something I went through. I didn't get in the lottery and was sure I wasn't going to get to go. I kept freaking out to my friend Elpida about the Ticketmaster debacle and finally she texted me: "Call me." She'd somehow gotten into the queue and snagged six tickets, including one for me, that was supposed to be a birthday gift, but I was so upset, she had to tell me early. I was very fortunate--I had so many friends who didn't get to go. But the stories! About trying to get tickets, how certain kids were traveling abroad for shows, what people were paying. I knew I wanted to write a book that showed kids who had a budget and stuck to it and had to find another way to make their Eras dream come true.

Eulberg: But mostly these books are about the friendship between four girls. I love how this one thing they have in common starts their friendship in The Taylors. When I was at Wembley Stadium for the Eras Tour, I really felt like I was there with 90,000 new friends. We traded friendship bracelets, got dressed up, and sang along like our lives depended on it. It was such a joy.

Calonita: Taylor Swift brings people together! I think that's what I'm most excited about: going to bookstores and schools and meeting readers and Swifties, talking about favorite songs and trading friendship bracelets.

Eulberg: I think I'm going to spend more time singing and dancing with readers at our events than signing books.

Calonita: After 20 years of friendship, that doesn't surprise me at all.
Former Vermont Poet Laureate Ellen Bryant Voigt, who published six collections of poetry and a book of craft essays, died October 23 at age 82, the Barre Montpelier Times Argus reported. Her collection Shadow of Heaven was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2002; Kyrie was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1995; and Messenger was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2008. In 2003, she was elected a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, and in 2015, she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship.



In a tribute, the Yale Review called Voigt "a central figure in American poetry for more than five decades. Her work combined formal precision with psychological depth, tracing the intricacies of family life, rural experience, and moral attention."



Jennifer Grotz, fellow poet and teacher, and director of the Middlebury Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences, said, "Her poetry is a model for how a poet might develop her gifts and her subject matter over time. She herself also modeled how a poet might teach and support other writers and how to sustain the creative life over the course of a lifetime."



Voigt graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., then earned an MFA from the University of Iowa. She taught at MIT and Goddard College where, in 1976, she developed and directed the nation's first low-residency MFA in Creative Writing. She also taught in the MFA program for writers at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina.



"She invented the low-residency MFA Program at Goddard College," said Michael Collier, a poet and former director of the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. "There was nothing like it at the time. It allowed apprentice writers who had jobs or domestic situations that prevented them from attending full-time, to study at the graduate level. This was particularly helpful for women who were raising children and running a household. The low-residency model has been replicated widely but no other program is as rigorous as the one Ellen began at Goddard."



Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Carl Philips observed: "Fierce and ferocious are the words that keep coming up as people remember Ellen. But I'm not sure she'd agree with that. Unless devotion is a form of ferocity, a respect for art and the making of it, an insistence on precision, on not mistaking randomness for intuition, and on remembering that one way to think about art is as intuition coinciding (whether instinctively or as if instinctively) with craft. In which case, yes, she was a fierce poet, a ferocious teacher, and (even at times when I myself swerved a bit, got lost) a swerveless friend."



From her poem "Practice":



Some believe in heaven,

some in rest. We'll float,

you said. Afterward

well float between two worlds--



five bronze beetles

stacked like spoons in one

peony blossom, drugged by lust:

if I came back as a bird

I'd remember that--



until everyone we love

is safe is what you said.
Flesh by David Szalay has won the 50,000 (about $65,870) 2025 Booker Prize, honoring "the best sustained work of fiction written in English and published in the U.K. and Ireland."

Szalay was born in Canada to a Hungarian father and Canadian mother. He has lived in Lebanon, the U.K., Hungary, and now Vienna. He is the author of six works of fiction that have been translated into more than 20 languages, as well as several BBC radio dramas. His All That Man Is was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2016.

Flesh was published in the U.S. by Scribner in April and was the focus of a Shelf Awareness Maximum Shelf on October 23, 2024. We wrote in part that the book is the story of "Istvan, the Hungarian teenager whose serendipity brings him to the heights of wealth and power, only for tragedy to complicate his path... Flesh [is] a brilliant novel that is as much about the immigrant experience as it is a cautionary tale about capitalism and the allure of eros.... Astute readers of literary fiction who enjoy thoughtful stories, stripped-down prose, unpredictable turns, and a counterpoint to traditional narratives about the immigrant experience will find much to savor in Flesh."

Organizers said, "Written in spare prose, and spanning decades--from a Hungarian housing estate to the mansions of London's rich elite--Flesh is a propulsive novel centred on an emotionally detached man who is unravelled by a series of events beyond his grasp."

Chair of judges Roddy Doyle, who won the Booker in 1993 and is the first Booker winner to chair a Booker judging panel, said, "The judges discussed the six books on the shortlist for more than five hours. The book we kept coming back to, the one that stood out from the other great novels, was Flesh--because of its singularity. We had never read anything quite like it. It is, in many ways, a dark book but it is a joy to read.

"At the end of the novel, we don't know what the protagonist, Istvan, looks like but this never feels like a lack; quite the opposite. Somehow, it's the absence of words--or the absence of Istvan's words--that allow us to know Istvan. Early in the book, we know that he cries because the person he's with tells him not to; later in life, we know he's balding because he envies another man's hair; we know he grieves because, for several pages, there are no words at all.

"I don't think I've read a novel that uses the white space on the page so well. It's as if the author, David Szalay, is inviting the reader to fill the space, to observe--almost to create--the character with him. The writing is spare and that is its great strength. Every word matters; the spaces between the words matter. The book is about living, and the strangeness of living and, as we read, as we turn the pages, we're glad we're alive and reading--experiencing--this extraordinary, singular novel."
The logo of the semiconductor manufacturer "Nexperia" hangs above the entrance to a company building. David Hammersen/dpa

Beijing is demanding additional steps from the Netherlands to resolve a conflict over control of Dutch-based and Chinese-owned semiconductor maker Nexperia, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

A spokesman said that China welcomed the Dutch government's move to suspend its administrative order taking control of the company as "a first step in the right direction" but added that there was still "a central obstacle" based on a "mistaken" court ruling.

In September, Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said the government was taking control of Nexperia, which has its European headquarters in Nijmegen but supplies many of its semiconductors from plants in China.

Dutch officials said the move was due to "serious governance shortcomings" at Nexperia's Chinese parent company Wingtech. They justified the step by saying that Wingtech wanted to shift the technology to China.

Beijing then imposed export restrictions on Nexperia chips - a move which risked disrupting the supply chains of European car manufacturers.

China subsequently relaxed the export measures, but insisted that the Netherlands scale back its control of Nexperia before it fully resumes chip deliveries.

On Wednesday Karremans said he was relinquishing control, but said the final decision depended on a court ruling.

Shortly after the intervention in September, a Dutch business court suspended Nexperia's Chinese chief executive on the initiative of board members on suspicion of mismanagement and of endangering the financial resources of the group. The court appointed an interim board.
SNU introduces Indias first BA (Research) in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences.

Students can specialize in Sustainability, Archaeology & Heritage, or Society, Culture & Technology.

University offers full scholarships and hands-on learning through projects, fieldwork, and AI training.

Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, an Institution of Eminence, has launched Indias first B.A. (Research) in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences (IHS), a four-year undergraduate program designed to prepare students for complex global challenges through cross-disciplinary learning.

The launch event brought together educators, school leaders, policymakers, and academic experts, reflecting Indias rising demand for interdisciplinary education. The program offers a wide academic foundation across natural sciences, social sciences, geopolitics, business, artificial intelligence, and culture. After completing a common first-year curriculum, students can choose one of three specializations including Sustainability Studies, Archaeology, Heritage and Historical Studies, or Society, Culture and Technology. The program is open to Class 12 graduates from any academic stream.

To support talented students, the university will award ten full scholarships per batch, covering 100% of tuition for all four years. Additional scholarships and financial aid options are also available.

Led by Professor Rajat Kathuria, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the program focuses on helping students understand major global shifts such as climate change, geopolitics, AI, and cultural transformation. Students will engage in hands-on learning through fieldwork, research projects, internships, and international exposure.

Also Read: IIM Nagpur Launches Case Research Centre to Strengthen Management Learning

A key feature of the curriculum is a mandatory AI literacy module, which ends with an Innovation Hub where students build interdisciplinary AI applications. Students can graduate with a B.A. (Research), a B.A. (Honours), or a B.A. (Research) with a minor.

The university states that the new program strengthens its mission to develop future-ready graduates equipped to contribute to fields such as policy, media, education, research, design, international development, and start-ups.
Shoe Carnival, the national footwear chain that operates 428 stores across 35 states, is rebranding. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the companys board has voted unanimously to change its corporate name to Shoe Station  a move that should be fully initiated by the end of 2028.

Today marks a pivotal moment for our company, Mark Worden, Shoe Carnival president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. Shoe Station is winning  growing comps, expanding margins and capturing new customers. The Board of Directors decision to approve the corporate name change to Shoe Station Group reflects our confidence in this banners potential and establishes our foundation for becoming the nations leading family footwear retailer.

Shoe Carnival acquired the Shoe Station brand for $67 million in 2021 and has been merging the companies since.

The company already rebranded 100 Shoe Carnival locations to the Shoe Station brand this year. At least 51% of the brands fleet will operate under the Shoe Station name by the start of the 2026 Back-to-School season.

The consolidation is expected to result in a savings of $20 million annually through cost reductions and operating efficiencies.

We are building a simpler, more efficient company with one team, one infrastructure, and one P&L (profit and loss statement) that is expected to generate millions in annual cost savings, sharply reduce our inventory investment, and create a balance sheet built for both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Worden said.
Shoes are the embodiment of a womans journey, noted Yvonne Liao, designer, shoemaker and founder of an eponymous Staten Islandbased footwear brand, Yvonne Liao NYC. Each pair is a fashion statement, an amazing story, and a celebration of women stepping confidently into their lives. (Courtesy of Nafisa Skeie Photography)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Yvonne Liao loves a good shoe. Boot, stiletto, ballet flat or chunky wedge, she believes each pair is more than just a collection of fabric and leather. Instead, they are a celebration of heritage and self-expression; a profound symbol of where you have come from and where you are about to go.

Shoes are the embodiment of a womans journey, noted Liao, designer, shoemaker and founder of an eponymous Staten Islandbased footwear brand, Yvonne Liao NYC. Each pair is a fashion statement, an amazing story, and a celebration of women stepping confidently into their lives.

For Liao, who grew up in Singapore, her fun, colorful and comfortable designs are a representation of her individuality.

I come from a very conservative society, she noted. And as a young woman I often felt constrained by invisible societal norms, such as modest dress codes that did not allow me to fully express myself. Shoes have always been my means of self-expression.

A trip to Hong Kong when she was just a teenager opened her eyes to the world of shoemaking.

I visited my friends fathers shoe factory in China, she said. The sounds of machines, the smell of leather, and access to the factorys sample closet sparked my lifelong love for shoes  particularly bold, colorful styles that reflected my rebellious nature and allowed me to express myself when clothing could not.

In 2013, at the age of 30, Liao left her job as a schoolteacher in Singapore and moved to the United States to study fashion. After earning her masters degree from the College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia, she traveled to New York to complete an internship.

Liao's shoe line includes a collection of vibrant mules, sandals, flats, boots and stilettos. (Courtesy of Nafisa Skeie Photog

I fell in love with this city, she said. After my internship, I landed a job with a small fashion company, learned about production and a bit of marketing and selling. It was a good training ground for me, but I gradually moved on to work in some bigger companies.

Still, something was missing.

I felt very uninspired by the footwear that people were wearing on the streets  muted styles constricting shades of black, grey, brown and white that lack personality and color, she said.

Liao also struggled to find fashionable, versatile and comfortable shoes that would not aggravate her plantar fasciitis  a painful result of her avid running hobby.

I imagined creating shoes for women who, like me, wanted fun, unique and comfortable shoes that express their individuality, he recalled.

So, in 2018 Liao began learning the art of shoemaking and started designing a collection of vibrant mules, sandals, and stilettos.

Sharing my shoe journey along the way, I realized countless women faced the same challenge, she noted. The footwear I created fills a void  each pair thoughtfully designed to transition effortlessly from day to night, blending playful design details, hand-embellished rhinestones, and cushioned red insoles that redefine comfort and confidence.

Liao said she leans on her friends for inspiration, surveying them for ideas on comfort, style and aesthetic. She defined her capsule collection  which can be ordered online at www.yvonneliaonyc.com  as fun and vibrant.

Everything is customized and hand embellished, she said. Thats what makes every shoe unique.

In the future, she said she envisions opening a private shopping space that doubles as a destination for events.

Shoes are a universal piece of fashion that truly bring women together, she concluded. I would love to open a space that celebrates and unites women, a showroom of sorts where we can gather, celebrate each other and talk about our journey and the shoes that brought us where we are today.

Liao is hosting a Red Friday sale from Nov 21 until Dec. 7, during which all shoes on her site will be 20% off.

New Businesses in Focus is a column that tells the stories of new Staten Island business owners. If you run a new business on Staten Island and would like to be featured, e-mail jgorman@siadvance.com.

Yvonne Liao NYC at a glance:

Website: www.yvonneliaonyc.com

Instagram: @yvonneliaonyc
The Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County will close in March, while part of another facility in Erie County will be shuttered, per the approval of the latest state budget. (Google Maps)

State officials are set to close another prison in upstate New York, following the approval of the 2026 state budget.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed Tuesday it will shutter Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County, and part of the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County.

Upon enactment of the state budget, which allowed for the closure of up to three correctional facilities, (the department) carefully conducted a thorough review of operations at its 42 correctional facilities, according to a press release issued by the department.

All 293 (corrections) staff assigned to Bare Hill will be offered positions at other facilities, and neighboring correctional facilities will be able to safely absorb the incarcerated population into vacant beds at other institutions, the announcement continued.

According to an announcement Tuesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, officials are set to close Bare Hill Correctional Facility in March. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

In terms of placing the officers, the department noted that there are more than 650 vacant staff positions at correctional facilities located in Franklin, Clinton and Essex Counties.

In an aggressive recruitment effort, next years budget allows for the lowering of the hiring age for correction officers from 21 to 18 and removes the New York State residency requirement for security staff.

As a result of this campaign, DOCCS has seen a 160% increase in individuals taking the Correction Officer exam; hiring is up 62 percent, and graduation from the academy is up 46 percent, the department stated Tuesday.

The total incarcerated population in state correctional facilities is 33,782, which represents a 53% drop since the departments high of 72,773 in 1999, the press release continued.

Officers union sounds off

The announcement Tuesday drew the ire of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, according to a New York Post report.

Closing prisons is a short-sighted Band-Aid on a gaping wound. It does nothing to address historic staffing shortages, does nothing to curb the record levels of violence inside our facilities, and forces loyal public servants to choose between their livelihoods and their families, stated Union President Chris Summers.

It is abundantly clear that if you commit to doing this extremely difficult and dangerous job, dont expect the State of New York to commit to you.

His statements come after state officials already had shuttered two facilities in late 2024.

Earlier this year, thousands of corrections officers walked off the job in a three-week strike, according to the New York Times. Officers grievances included staffing shortages and claims of forced overtime and dangerous working conditions. The illegal walk-off reportedly ended with 20% of the officers losing their jobs.

And in what remains an ongoing issue, officers have argued that a recently instituted solitary confinement policy is impractical for maintaining safety. The law restricts isolation in New York jails and prisons and mandates adequate out-of-cell time. Without solitary confinement, officers say they cannot properly separate violent individuals from staff and other incarcerated people, according to the Times.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y  A 16-year-old boy recently walked into a hospital with a gunshot wound on Staten Island, according to police.

The shooting occurred on Nov. 10 at about 6:25 p.m. in the rear of a building on the 200 block of Park Hill Avenue in Clifton, according to a statement from the NYPD.

The victim was taken by private means to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton after he suffered a gunshot wound to his upper left torso, police said.

No arrests have been made and no description is available for the suspect at this time, according to the police statement.

The Advance/SILive.com inquired about the shooting after it was listed on Wednesday on CompStat, the NYPDs Computerized system for tracking crimes.

Shootings at historic low

Shooting incidents and the number of people shot in the borough have decreased by about 21% so far this year, from 14 through this time period in 2024 to 11 in both categories, according to CompStat.

The 11 shooting incidents and shooting victims mark the lowest since the creation of the CompStat crime-tracking system in 1993.

New York City has also seen the fewest shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history over the first 10 months of the year. Low crime rates were cited as one reason NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is expected to continue serving as police commissioner after Zohran Mamdani assumes the office of mayor in January.
Staten Island's only sit-down Filipino restaurant, Phil-Am Kusina in Rosebank will be closing. Patrons can savor the sweet, creamy desserts and savory eats through Nov. 30. This here is halo halo topped with purple yam ube ice cream sprinkled with rice crisps called pinipig. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Phil-Am Kusina will close its doors on Nov. 30, ending a flavorful 10-year chapter as Staten Islands only sit-down Filipino restaurant. For the boroughs Filipino community and adventurous eaters, its the end of an era filled with adobo, pancit, and freshly fried lumpia. Or, as theyd say in Tagalog, salamat for the memories  and for teaching us that comfort food can come with a side of calamansi, a lime-like fruit particular to the Philippines.

Phil-Am Kusina opened about a decade ago across from long-standing Phil-Am Foods. Between the restaurant and grocer, the two businesses were meant to complement each other. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

After a wonderful decade serving you, we have decided to close our restaurant doors on November 30th, the restaurant shared on its social media. Thank you for the incredible support through every season. Thank you to our community and team  what a rewarding journey it has been.

The Imperial family had opened the restaurant to complement their existing business, Phil-Am Foods, a grocery store located diagonally across the street at 527 Tompkins Avenue. That market is over 40 years old, a grocer that sells fresh seafood, butchered whole roasted pigs and other sundries particular to the Filipino and South East Asian persons pantry.

The restaurant quickly found its stride. This week, manager Gretchen Vergara shared her excitement over the warm reception from Staten Islanders  especially those discovering Filipino flavors for the first time.

Ive been telling our long-time customers we can still make their favorite classics, Vergara said softly. Maybe someday well offer online orders, but right now were focused on the holidays. Well keep sharing updates on social media for everyone whos supported us.

She paused, then added, Its been a beautiful run but its exhausting. Ten years feels like a lifetime. What really breaks my heart is seeing faces from the early days coming back now. It reminds me how much this place has meant to people.

Noodles like this Miki Bihon come with assorted proteins such as shrimp, pork and a squid ball. Staff-Shot

The restaurant became known for its signature Kamayan Nights, a family-style feast served on banana leaves that diners traditionally eat with their hands. A handwash sink was placed prominently in the dining room to accommodate the experience. The Kamayan arrangement, offered by reservation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for parties of six or more, ranged from $25 to $50 per guest and featured lumpia, longganisa sausages, crispy fried pork, garlic rice, and char-grilled meats.

Phil-Am Kusinas menu still celebrates Filipino tradition with dishes like fresh lumpia wrapped in pillowy crepes and drizzled with peanut sauce, smoky chicken inasal with crisp char-grilled skin, and tortang talong, a delicate eggplant omelet. All-day brunch brings adobo-glazed chicken wings and sauteed corned beef with fried eggs, while desserts tempt with golden fried banana spring rolls and the iconic halo-haloa colorful mix of Jell-O, ice cream, beans, and purple yam.

Some of the items made in the kitchen for sale at Phil-Am Food Mart at 527 Tompkins Ave. include pork and pandit dishes. Pancit bihon is a classic Filipino noodle dish made with sauteed rice noodles. Beloved for its simplicity and flavor, its a party staple thats easy enough to enjoy any night of the week. Staten Island Advance

The Imperial family will keep Filipino flavors alive through Phil-Am Foods, their modest grocery at 527 Tompkins Ave. Beyond South East Asian pantry staples, shoppers can find ready-to-enjoy meals featuring classic proteins and vinegar-based recipes that echo the Philippines coastal and agricultural roots. Favorites include pancit bihon  a stir-fried rice noodle dish that can be a party staple or a one-pot dish and Tokwat Baboy, a comforting mix of crispy tofu and tender pork tossed in a tangy vinegar-soy sauce.

Phil-Am Kusina, the restaurant, is located at 556 Tompkins Ave., Rosebank. They can be reached at 718-727-3663 or via philamkusina.com. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and open the rest of the week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As of now, Staten Island has two Filipino dining spots: Phil-Am Kusina and Maynila. Unlike Phil-Ams sit-down format, Maynila offers a market-style experience with hot meals from a steam table, designed for takeout. Located at 3555 Victory Blvd. in Travis, Maynila is open daily from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays.
Scott Olson / Getty Images

Imagine if the underperformance of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-B) stock does not end. It is up 10% this year, while the broader market is up 14%. That is not characteristic of the stock. In the past five years, it has risen 121%. The market is 89% higher in that time.

24/7 Wall St. Key Points

Warren Buffett soon departs Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-B) as CEO.

His replacement, Greg Abel, is no Warren Buffett. Will Berkshire Hathaway ever be the same?

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

The stock may not come back because Warren Buffett will not be either. He departs at the end of the year. Greg Abel, who has been the head of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, will replace him as CEO. But Abel is not a stock picker. Buffetts stock-picking prowess goes back to almost 1962, when he bought Berkshire.

Although Berkshire is largely a financial services and railroad company, most investors own the stock because of its portfolio of public companies.

Many of the stocks Buffett has bought over the years are those of Americas greatest brands. Many, over the long term, have done extremely well. The portfolio currently holds American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Kroger, Mastercard, and Occidental Petroleum.

Buffett also has cut remarkably smart deals, like the one with Goldman Sachs during the financial crisis in September 2008. He bought shares for a total of $5 billion, which gave the market confidence when financial company stocks were nosediving.

He got a 10% dividend, as well as an additional payout of $3.7 billion on a preferred dividend he received as part of the investment process. It was pure genius.

Buffett was a genius, and he is gone. Abel only needs to make one mistake, and the stock will not be back for years.

Half of Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Is Really in Just Three Dividend Stocks

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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.

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New York City school bus companies won a three-year contract extension to continue to provide transportation for thousands of public school students, according to recent media reports.

Chalkbeat reported that the Panel for Education Policy, which approves major education department contracts, approved the extension during a board meeting on Wednesday.

The approval comes a month after school bus service companies prepared to halt operations and lay off employees starting in November if they didnt receive a five-year contract extension. Without a long-term contract, the companies said they couldnt commit to purchasing buses and long-term leases necessary to continue its services.

The Panel for Education Policy had denied the five-year contract extension during its October board meeting.

Days later, on Oct. 30, all 52 companies that operate New York Citys yellow bus service signed an emergency contract with the city, averting the possible work stoppage.

On Wednesday, the panel approved a three-year contract with bus companies during its monthly board meeting.

The panel also approved separate emergency contract extensions through the end of January 2026, as the three-year contract doesnt go into effect immediately and has to be registered by the comptrollers office first, according to Chalkbeat.

The school bus companies were satisfied to have reached a deal and look forward to serving the families with students who attend New York City Schools, Richard Bamberger, a spokesperson for the bus companies, said in a statement to Chalkbeat.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Build A Better Planet has been around for more than a decade, but the nonprofit media organization is stepping into a new chapter rooted in Staten Island, where founder Soledad Haren hopes to grow a climate-focused storytelling hub.

The sustainability-focused group, which officially incorporated in 2012, lost its Manhattan space during the pandemic and, now, uses the Build A Dream Incubator in St. George. The move has pulled more of its work to the borough, from the shows it produces to its plans for launching a climate-focused film festival next year.

Weve published a magazine, we have podcasts, Soledad told the Advance/SILive.com. Most of our podcasts are around sustainability, so kind of following a talk show format where we interview people doing great things. Weve had artists, filmmakers, authors, scientists, all kinds of folks, and we also have several shows that feature indie musicians who are into green.

Build A Better Planet recently held a preview screening at Beso in St. George, featuring the award-winning animated documentary "Mariposas Negras." Courtesy of Milena Orlando

Last month, the group held a preview screening for the Better Planet Film Festival, a new event it plans to launch during Climate Week NYC in September 2026. The preview, hosted at Beso in St. George, featured Mariposas Negras (Black Butterflies), an award-winning animated documentary from director David Baute about three women displaced by climate-related disasters across different parts of the world.

Soledad said the screening was intentionally intimate  a test run of what it hopes becomes a regular Staten Island event centered entirely on climate storytelling. And, of course, the screenings will be free to attend.

Im committed to keeping things free to the public, she said. Im not looking to be a Jeff Bezos billionaire. Im looking to provide people with quality, informative and educational programming.

Build A Better Planet recently held a preview screening at Beso in St. George, featuring the award-winning animated documentary "Mariposas Negras." Courtesy of Milena Orlando

The events sponsor, Kreindler & Kreindler  a firm long involved in 9/11 victim litigation and related advocacy  has a particularly personal connection to Soledad. Before founding Build A Better Planet, she worked near Ground Zero on 9/11 and lived through the aftermath of the attacks. The exposure to toxic dust, she said, took a toll on her health and ultimately pushed her toward a different path.

In the years that followed, Soledad left the legal field and shifted into the restaurant world, working as a chef in Manhattan and Brooklyn before running her own catering business. She launched Build A Better Planet in 2012 as a way to share what she had learned about health, sustainability and environmental issues.

Soledad hopes the film festival can also help shift the way visitors engage with the borough, pointing to thousands of tourists who ride the ferry only to turn right back around.

You see the results of that, she said. Their tourist dollars are not making their way into Staten Island. I really would love to see a revitalized downtown area.

Soledad Haren, founder of Build A Better Planet, at the film fest preview in October. Courtesy of Milena Orlando

Soledad sees the festival as a potential spark  something that brings people off the boat and into St. Georges restaurants, shops and cultural spaces. She hopes next years festival will grow into a full-day or even two-day event, drawing in Climate Week partners, local businesses and residents.

Mariposas Negras (Black Butterflies), which she described as both beautiful and urgent, embodies the type of work she hopes to champion: storytelling grounded in real people, real interviews and real environmental consequences.

Thats what really moves me, she said. Talking to real people and telling their real stories.
Actor Kevin Spacey, 66, recently told the U.K.'s Telegraph that he lost his Baltimore home to foreclosure and now moves between temporary lodgings. (Associated Press/Michel Spingler)

Kevin Spacey claims hes living out of suitcases and struggling financially nearly a decade after sexual misconduct allegations halted his Hollywood career, NBC News reports.

The two-time Oscar winner described his financial situation as not great in an interview published Wednesday in The Telegraph. Spacey, 66, said he lost his Baltimore home to foreclosure and now moves between temporary lodgings.

Im living in hotels, Im living in Airbnbs, Im going where the work is, Spacey said. I literally have no home, thats what Im attempting to explain.

Spacey spoke to the British newspaper while performing standards at a nightclub in Cyprus.

According to NBC News, the actor has been unable to land major roles since 2017, when actor Anthony Rapp told BuzzFeed that Spacey made a sexual advance on him in 1986.

Rapp was 14 at the time, while Spacey would have been 26. A civil jury later sided with Spacey over Rapps allegations, but others came forward with accusations of improper behavior.

Spacey admitted to being too handsy and touching someone sexually in a way that I didnt know at the time they didnt want.

The American Beauty star was fired from the critically acclaimed Netflix show House of Cards when Rapps allegations surfaced during the height of the #MeToo movement, the report said.

In the Telegraph interview, Spacey compared himself to writers caught up in the Hollywood blacklist era and suggested it would take just one prominent ally to revive his career.

So, my feeling is if Martin Scorsese or Quentin Tarantino call Evan Lowenstein, my manager, tomorrow, it will be over, Spacey said. I will be incredibly honored and delighted when that level of talent picks up the phone.
A woman who was kidnapped, drugged and being trafficked stabbed her captor and fled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Wednesday, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by police.

Police charged Edgar Jesus Espinoza Gamboa, 27, of Denver, Colorado, and Jose Antonio Hernandez Guittierez, 30, with human trafficking, simple assault and terroristic threats. Hernandez Guittierezs address was not on charging documents.

A trooper monitoring tunnel traffic near the Blue Mountain tunnel traffic crossover saw a vehicle barrel out of the tunnel erratically and swerve into the median in front of him about 5:40 p.m. Wednesday near mile marker 199 on I-76 in Lurgan Township.

The trooper found the passenger bleeding profusely from a neck wound and the driver said La chica stab, run across road.

The trooper provided first aid to the wounded man, while a second trooper summoned the woman back and used her cell phone to translate a conversation to figure out what had happened.

The state police gave the following account in an affidavit of probable cause filed agains the suspects:

The woman, who is Canadian, was picked up by Espinoza Gamboa and Hernandez Guittierez, at her uncles house, which she said was in Missouri. They said her boyfriend in Mexico had asked the two men to pick her up and transport her back to Canada for $2,000. Her age was not included in court documents.

But during the trip, she started to suspect the men were drugging her because she felt sick and thought they were blowing some type of dust on her to keep her asleep because she felt a substance on her face when she woke up.

As they kept driving, the men said they were going to force her to have sex for money, sell her to someone for $1,000, and then sexually assault her, tie her up and kill her or throw her in the mountains to freeze and die. As they threatened her, they pulled electrical stun guns.

The woman, fearing for her life, started stabbing Espinoza Gamboa, who was in the passenger seat, in the lower left side of his neck/back to the left of his spine and the upper left side of his neck. Its unclear what she stabbed him with.

Hernandez Guittierez, who was driving, stopped the vehicle and the woman was able to escape, running across the eastbound travel lanes, over an embankment and into the woods.

Espinoza Gamboa told the trooper he had papers for the woman who ran and Hernandez Guittierez got documents from inside the vehicle. The document appeared to be fake.

Espinoza Gamboa was flown via medical helicopter to Penn State Holy Spirit Trauma Unit.

The victim told police she was kidnapped, threatened to be raped, drugged, and being trafficked to Canada.

Hernandez Guittierez and the woman were taken to state police headquarters. Hernandez Guittierez said he and Espinoza Gamboa were cousins. He lied to police, according to the affidavit, changing his story and providing inconsistent information. Eventually, he told police he picked the woman up from Kansas on November 18 and Espinoza Gamboa devised a plan to take her to New York.

Espinoza Gamboa told police he didnt know the woman and refused to answer further questions.

A search of the vehicle, allowed by Hernandez Guittierez, found two stun guns, a pack of zip ties, binoculars, clothing, cell phones and $1,020 in U.S. currency. Police also said they found a ledger on a notepack contained information relative to human trafficking, but did not elaborate.

The consent search was stopped pending the completion of a search warrant for human smuggling and trafficking. A search of Hernandez Guittierez found about $3,212 on him.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Active and retired members of the NYPD were honored for their bravery, courage, and dedication to keeping Staten Island residents safe at the annual NYPD Blue Mass in Castleton Corners on Wednesday evening.

The event, held in St. Teresas R.C. Church, was presided over by Monsignor William Belford, pastor of the parish and dean of Staten Island clergy, who said the opening prayer and reminded attendees of the importance of the work officers do, day in and day out, and the dangers they face.

A sea of NYPD blue filled the churchs pews. It included Staten Islands commanding officer, Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, Deputy Chief Terence Hurson, Retired Assistant District Attorney Timothy Koller, and members of the United States Coast Guard.

Staten Islands four precincts were represented by their commanding officers  Inspector Eric Waldhelm, of the 120th; Capt. Gzim Jimmy Palaj, from the 121st; Capt. Luigi Carrubba of the 122nd, and Captain Kevin Russell, of the 123rd precinct.

The Rev. Joseph Franco, NYPD chaplain and spiritual advisor of the Holy Name Society, called everyone to order as the NYPD Color Guard and Bagpipes made their way to the front of the church.

Spiritual readings were given by Lt. Steven Jerome, Retired Deputy Chief Thomas Burns, The Rev. Louis Jerome, and Chief Hurson.

The Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island Holy Name Society, the NYPDs oldest fraternal organization, founded in 1914, partnered with Staten Island Blue Mass Committee members Denise Enright, Sal Sottile, Chief Hurson, Retired Chief Burns, Father Franco, and the Rev. Carlos Limongi to organize this years Mass.

Chief Hurson, who serves as the executive officer for the Staten Island Borough Command, said being a police officer is a vocation, not entirely unlike the vocations of the priesthood.

Being part of the Blue Mass is a way of showing that the Catholic community here in Staten Island cares for their police officers, and the importance of our faith and connection to our job and our service to God, Hurson explained.

Sal Sottile decided to get involved as a sponsor and committee member for the Blue Mass after the line-of-duty death of Officer Russell Timoshenko.

My first inspiration came when I heard about Russell Timoshenko and how he was killed on the street ... I was so hurt by that, he said. And I felt that we needed to do something.

Takara Liell, 19, of Great Kills, was 16 when she lost her father, Police Officer Stephen M. Liell, who died of a 9/11-associated illness.

Im glad that there is a community for people like me, who have lost family, from not only 9/11, but any other sort of police issue,' she said. And its refreshing that people actually care.

I think having the community around helps me ... It fills my heart that were all together in this and we support each other, Liell added.

Food and beverages were served immediately following Mass in the school cafeteria.

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Just one month after completing his first year in the National Guard, Jesus says his life changed drastically. His stepfather, a native of Mexico, who came to America for a better life, was allegedly taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as he was walking to work on Tuesday in Port Richmond. Courtesy of La Colmena

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Just one month after completing his first year in the National Guard, Jesus says his life changed drastically.

His stepfather, also named Jesus, a native of Mexico who came to America in the early 2000s for a better life, was allegedly taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as he was walking to work at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in the vicinity of Castleton and Heberton avenues in Port Richmond.

My stepfather  who has raised me for as long as I can remember and who I consider my true father  was taken into custody...Early that morning, my sister called me, hysterical, that my father was detained," said the 22-year-old Port Richmond resident.

In that moment, I felt shock, anger, and disbelief. How could this be happening to my father in the very same country I proudly serve? added Jesus who requested to only be referred to by his first name.

In an exclusive interview with the Advance/SILive.com, Jesus said his father, who is undocumented, had never been convicted of a crime, so he was confused as to why he has been detained by ICE. He said he learned that ICE agents were allegedly looking for someone else, but picked up his father instead.

Im pretty upset, you know, because Im serving my country proudly. I dont have any regrets. If they asked me if I would do it again, I would. Im proud to serve my country...I just want my father back; thats all I want, he said.

About his dad

Jesus said his father came to the U.S. to better himself. He met and fell in love with Jesuss mother after arriving in the U.S.

My mom already had me when she met my father, and he took me in as his son, and hes been raising me ever since. I have a strong bond with him. Even though hes not my blood, hes still my father because he raised me. He took care of me, and hes been with me ever since I can remember, said Jesus.

Hes made me into the man that Ive become. Hes a really humble person. He doesnt get into trouble; he has no criminal record. So this is really a strong hit for me because he hasnt done anything, he added.

Help from fellow soldiers

Upon learning her father was detained by ICE, Jesus youngest sister -- who is a member of the JROTC at Port Richmond High School and also wants to serve in the U.S. Military -- immediately jumped into action. She reached out to another soldier, who connected them with service member Yesenia Mata, executive director of La Colmena. The Port Richmond-based nonprofit has been offering services to immigrants in the asylum process, and has also been conducting ICE watches in the Port Richmond community where ICE activity has been reported over the last week.

Both soldiers contacted understood the urgency of the situationnot only because we wear the same uniform, but because they are also children of immigrants. Their support reminded me of the bond we share as soldiers, and the deep understanding that comes from shared experiences," said Jesus.

Mata noted that La Colmena is advocating on Jesuss fathers behalf. Through the recently launched Welcoming Staten Island Initiative, a network of organizations are working to protect and inform immigrant families of ICE activity.

We are seeing that the reality is that even if we have the right paperwork and are providing even the most compelling story, whats happening is that people are still being deported, she said. We are here to let the public know what is happening. Because even if we file the correct paperwork, and do everything we can, ICE is not respecting anything, and theyre just deporting people.

The Trump administration has said the purpose of the ramped up immigration enforcement is to rid the country of criminals. However, many deportees have no criminal record. According to the White House, ICE has deported nearly 200,000 undocumented immigrants, of which 47,885 were charged or convicted for assault; 16,552 with charges or convictions for sexual assaults and 2,699 with charges or convictions for homicides.

Emotionally overwhelming experience

Jesus said the experience has been emotionally overwhelming, but assistance from fellow soldiers is helping him through the process.

The camaraderie from my fellow soldiers has made a tremendous difference. I am doing everything in my power to help my father, he said.

People often dont realize how many immigrants and children of immigrants serve in uniform. I share my story to make visible what is too often overlooked: we are here, we serve proudly, and what is happening to the families of service members is not right, added Jesus. There have been documented cases of service members and veterans being detained or deported, and my family is now living that reality.

Why he chose to serve

Jesus said he always wanted to give back to the country that gave so much to him.

I have always been proud to serve. I wanted to better myself, and I thought joining the Army would really help me with that, and help me reach the goals I want in life, he said.

Jesus said his father was so proud at his military graduation ceremony. My whole family came to see me when I graduated last year in Atlanta, Georgia, he said. They were so proud.
The Sunday initiative at Cedar Grove Beach saw 70 ASEZ WAO members collect over half a ton of debris, contributing to marine ecosystem protection in Staten Island. Courtesy of Brianna Thomas

New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis partnered with 70 volunteers Sunday to remove 1,125 pounds of trash and debris from Cedar Grove Beach.

The cleanup brought together Tannousis, a Republican who represents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn, and a group of volunteers from ASEZ WAO, the young adult worker volunteer group of the World Mission Society Church of God. The effort aims to prevent plastic and waste from reaching the ocean and damaging marine ecosystems.

The event was part of ASEZ WAOs No More GPGP campaign, which promotes global awareness and action to prevent expansion of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The organization operates in more than 175 countries.

I am proud to partner with ASEZ WAO and the World Mission Society Church of God for this meaningful cleanup effort at Cedar Grove Beach, Tannousis said. Keeping our shoreline clean is essential to protecting Staten Islands natural environment and enhancing the quality of life for our residents. I am grateful to the volunteers who are dedicating their time to this cause. Their commitment reflects the very best of our community.

The Sunday initiative at Cedar Grove Beach saw 70 ASEZ WAO members collect over half a ton of debris, contributing to marine ecosystem protection in Staten Island. Courtesy of Brianna Thomas

Wilbryant Ruiz, an ASEZ WAO volunteer, said the collaboration demonstrated community strength.

Cleaning Cedar Grove Beach today showed how much we can accomplish when the community comes together, Ruiz said. Working alongside Assemblyman Tannousis office motivates us even more to protect our coastline and keep Staten Island beautiful.
FILE - The Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium during a press conference at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Oct. 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File) AP

NEW YORK  The leader of an Eastern European neo-Nazi group has pleaded guilty in New York to trying to recruit others to commit violent attacks against Jews and racial minorities, including one plot that would have involved dressing as Santa Claus to hand out poisoned candy to children.

Federal prosecutors said they would seek a sentence of up to 18 years for Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 22-year-old from the Republic of Georgia who goes by the nickname Commander Butcher. He pleaded guilty Monday before a federal judge in Brooklyn to soliciting hate crimes and distributing information about making bombs and ricin.

Prosecutors described Chkhikvishvili as the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, an international extremist group that adheres to an ideology that promotes violence intended to trigger a racial and religious war.

They said the groups violent solicitations  promoted through Telegram channels and outlined a manifesto called the Haters Handbook  appear to have inspired multiple real-life killings, including a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, earlier this year that left a 16-year-old student dead.

Chkhikvishvili was arrested in July 2024 in Moldova. He was extradited to the United States in May.

Since 2022, Chkhikvishvili has traveled on multiple occasions to Brooklyn, where he bragged about beating up an elderly Jewish man and instructed others, primarily through text messages, to commit violent acts on behalf of the Maniac Murder Cult, according to prosecutors.

When he was approached by an undercover FBI agent in 2023, Chkhikvishvili recruited the official to various schemes, including one that would have involved dressing up as Santa Claus to give poisoned candy to racial minorities, according to prosecutors.

The plot later evolved into poisoning children at Jewish schools in Brooklyn, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said in a court filing that when Chkhikvishvili described his desire to carry out a mass casualty attack in the United States, he said he saw the country as having big potential because of easy access to firearms. They also said he suggested targeting homeless people because the government wouldnt care even if they die.
Cailin Sandvig checks on her 10-month-old twins, Milo, left, and Aurelia, as the family, including husband Justin Bracken, in New York on March 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) AP

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  If you welcomed a new member of the family this year, you could be eligible for a little help from New York state.

Signed into law in May by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Birth Allowance for Beginning Year  or BABY  benefit can help residents who receive public assistance obtain a one-time payment of $1,800.

The funds can help new mothers with the expenses that come with a new bundle of joy, according to reporting by Advance/SILive.com sister site, Syracuse.com.

The benefit, upon being law, has a $8.5 million budget, giving thousands of New York mothers an opportunity for assistance.

New York States Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance helms the benefit, Syracuse.com reported; this is, as listed on Syracuse.com, what you need to know in order to get the BABY benefit:
Figure, the blockchain-based consumer lending platform is back in the spotlight after billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller disclosed a major new position in the company.

For the uninitated, Figure operates a marketplace for tokenized consumer loan origination, using blockchain rails to package, verify and settle loans far more efficiently than traditional lenders.

The firm went public in September and has pitched itself as the first large-scale consumer lending platform built natively on blockchain infrastructure.

Related: Cathie Wood sells $100M of surging tech stocks to buy shocking stock

Druckenmiller buys $76.9M stake

A recent 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shows that Druckenmillers Duquesne Family Office purchased $76,989,000 worth of Figure (FIGR).

While Druckenmiller did not comment publicly on the position, his investment marks one of the largest early institutional bets on a blockchain-native consumer lending company.

Stan Druckenmiller, chairman and chief executive officer and founder of Duquesne Family Office LLC, during a Bloomberg Television interview in New York, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller is concerned that the Federal Reserve has boxed itself into a corner when it comes to future interest-rate cuts. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Figure went public in September 2025 at $25 per share, closing its debut day up 24% at $31.11 and reaching a $6.6 billion market cap.

Stanley Druckenmiller is one of Wall Streets most legendary hedge fund managers, best known for running Duquesne Capital with three decades of uninterrupted profits. He famously partnered with George Soros at the Quantum Fund, where he helped execute the historic 1992 Black Wednesday trade that broke the Bank of England.

Today, Druckenmiller manages his family office and is widely regarded as one of the greatest macro investors of all time, with a long record of high-conviction bets across equities, currencies and emerging technologies.

More News:

Figure posts strong quarter after IPO

The company also released its first quarterly results last week, its first as a public company following a September IPO that raised $663 million from 23.5 million newly issued Class A shares and an additional 8 million shares sold by existing holders.

In its Q3 2025 earnings, Figure delivered:

$156.4 million revenue, up 55% year-over-year, crushing Wall Streets $119.5M estimate

Adjusted EBITDA of $86.4 million, a 55.4% margin

227% year-over-year Net Income growth, per its earlier earnings commentary

A surge in exchange revenue, with ecosystem and technology fees rising almost 5 to $35.7 million

70% growth in consumer loan marketplace volume, reaching $2.47 billion in Q3

Figure CEO Michael Tannenbaum said Figures marketplace model continues to scale:
The redevelopment will create 7,500 jobs and transform the defunct Empire Outlets and NY Wheel sites into a mixed-use community with 20 acres of public space. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

STATEN ISLAND, NY -- The new vision for the Empire Outlets and New York Wheel sites is the next step in the broader plan to revitalize the North Shore, officials and community members said as they gathered at the site in St. George on Wednesday.

This event followed the earlier announcement that the defunct space surrounding the St. George Ferry Terminal will be transformed in the coming years into a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront community that better serves borough residents.

The project, which was brought forth by the New York City Economic Development Corporation along with Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, who represents the North Shore, and Borough President Vito Fossella, is a part of the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, a $400 million public investment focused on a two-mile stretch of the North Shore.

The redevelopment will create 7,500 jobs and transform the defunct Empire Outlets and NY Wheel sites into a mixed-use community with 20 acres of public space. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

City officials expect the new plan to deliver 2,400 new homes, more than 20 acres of public space and over 7,500 family-sustaining jobs, generating an estimated $3.8 billion in economic impact over the next three decades. Officials couldnt specify whether the new homes would be rentals or for sale, or provide more details about the future development.

For many years, this community has watched as other parts of the city received the investments and attention needed to grow, said Adolfo Carrion Jr., deputy mayor for housing and economic development. The North Shore has always had the potential, but it did not always have the partnership or the momentum. That changes today.

The new vision follows a five-month public engagement period, during which officials solicited feedback from the community on how to best transform the underutilized shopping center and New York Wheel lot.

Officials said the new project will focus on what the community values and needs, such as more housing, cultural spaces, activities and stores.

The redevelopment will create 7,500 jobs and transform the defunct Empire Outlets and NY Wheel sites into a mixed-use community with 20 acres of public space. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

Homes, shops and services that make sense for people who live here, not just people who would visit here, stated NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. Its time for a new vision for Staten Island, one that builds the homes, creates additional access to the waterfront, good jobs and essential services close to where they live.

At the event, Kimball also highlighted key milestones, including the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center, a 20-acre promenade and the completion of the Residences at Lighthouse Point, which added 115 homes and 60,000 square feet of commercial space.

The redevelopment will create 7,500 jobs and transform the defunct Empire Outlets and NY Wheel sites into a mixed-use community with 20 acres of public space. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

According to Carrion Jr., the redevelopment is part of a broader commitment from the Adams administration to activate New York Citys waterfronts and create opportunities across all boroughs.

Fossella echoed this sentiment, calling the North Shore project a chance to honor both Staten Islands history and future.

This was a mecca. It was a beacon for people to enjoy the waterfront, Fossella said. Somehow people lost sight of that and lost their way. But not anymore. Now were going to get what the people of Staten Island truly want, and were going to create a nice ecosystem here to revitalize the waterfront so that people can appreciate it, so young people can stay here, so young families can grow and make it better.

The redevelopment will create 7,500 jobs and transform the defunct Empire Outlets and NY Wheel sites into a mixed-use community with 20 acres of public space. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

The redevelopment of the St. George sites will require zoning changes, and will take some time before any physical progress is made.

The vision report outlines the next steps in the process, which include the release of the development and urban design framework, the start of the environmental review process and the beginning of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, or ULURP, in 2026.

The redevelopment will create 7,500 jobs and transform the defunct Empire Outlets and NY Wheel sites into a mixed-use community with 20 acres of public space. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

In 2027, officials expect to receive ULURP approval, with plans to select developers in 2028, complete and approve designs in 2029 and break ground on the first phase of construction in 2030.

While this might take a while, for community leaders such as Councilmember Hanks, who has been a strong influence in the effort to revitalize the waterfront, this announcement was a pivotal moment.

This is a new chapter, one shaped by community voices and strengthened by real investment and driven by a shared determination to finally move this waterfront forward, she shared.
The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island will host a free opening reception Thursday for its newest gallery exhibit featuring works by three artists with diverse backgrounds and styles.

The Murray Berman Art @ the J Gallery will showcase pieces by Antonio De Santis, Tom Lynch and Edward Finkelstein during a reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20. The exhibit will remain on display through December at the JCC, located at 1466 Manor Rd. The reception is open to the public.

De Santis is a contemporary artist whose abstract works draw from his subjective perceptions while maintaining connections to reality. His paintings feature humble faces, structural forms and mythological ritual images that reflect the rich culture of Italian Baroque. The artist has been influenced by surrealist Salvador Dali, Pablo Picassos cubist period from 1932-1934, and abstract expressionist Willem De Kooning. Raised and educated in Italy, De Santis earned a bachelors degree in architecture from the University of Rome. He has lived in New York City since 1971 and has exhibited his work in art shows in Italy and New York, winning several awards.

Finkelstein, a long-time Staten Islander, developed an interest in photography as a teenager after receiving a book of Berenice Abbotts photos of New York in the 1930s. He has been working on his own photography for the past 10 years, and this marks his first exhibition. His selected works include photos with an umbrella theme along with images from various locations in different styles. When not photographing, Finkelstein works as an attorney with his own commercial litigation and real estate litigation practice.

Lynch is a New York-based artist who works out of his studio at Snug Harbor Cultural Center. His work spans fine art, design, illustration, photography and typography. He has spent his career running his own studio, HAVOC Media Design, taking on creative projects ranging from design to drawing to painting.
Student-led organizations collected non-perishable items while offering games, raffles and community dinner to hundreds of Staten Island families. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Council for Unity, My Sisters Keeper and My Brothers Keeper united to host their annual Give Grub, Get Grub Family Night on Wednesday evening at Tottenville High School.

The event brought together students, their families and community members for an evening of food, fun and, above all, service. Attendees were asked to bring three non-perishable food items to gain entry.

All donations collected went directly to Project Hospitality to support families facing food insecurity across Staten Island ahead of the holiday season.

Student-led organizations collected non-perishable items while offering games, raffles and community dinner to hundreds of Staten Island families. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence

Project Hospitality is a Staten Island nonprofit that provides food, shelter and other resources to those in need.

The Council for Unity is a New York-based nonprofit organization that has been building safer schools and communities for 50 years by empowering youth to lead with purpose, resolve conflict and create positive change.

Darlene Boylan, of Tottenville, attended the event to support her son, Dylan, who is a senior at the school.

This is a spectacular event, Boylan said. Its my first year coming here and its beautiful  the food, atmosphere and staff members, including my son, who is helping out."

From the left, Charles Boylan, Darlene Boylan, and Diane Kent enjoyed the festivities at Give Grub, Get Grub family night at Tottenville High School. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence

Students from Tottenville High Schools Council for Unity, My Sisters Keeper and My Brothers Keeper programs, alongside staff, organized, served and hosted the community dinner event.

I believe that giving back to the community is one of the best things a human being could do, said William Luque, a My Brothers Keeper fellow. I like to do this because its satisfying to see the smile on peoples faces whenever you do something to make their day.

Anthony Acevedo, left, and William Luque call out the winner of a free turkey at "Give Grub, Get Grub," family night inside of Tottenville High School. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence

Were so thankful and grateful for your donations and just for you showing up; We hope you enjoy the food, said Council for Unity advisor Hagar Abuella, noting that almost 300 students were involved in running the event.

The event collected hundreds of pounds of food and featured lively games, raffles, a photo booth and an I am thankful for wall.

Diane Kent, of Dongan Hills, found out about the event on Facebook and took the Staten Island Railway to donate her non-perishable goods to the school.

I love the idea that you had to bring some non-perishable food,' she said. I dont have any kids in school. I think its extraordinary. These kids did a great job; the food is delicious and its plentiful.

Kent won a thanksgiving turkey in a raffle.

Diane Kent poses with the free turkey she won in a raffle at "Give Grub, Get Grub." Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence

My Sisters Keeper and My Brothers Keeper are New York City Department of Education initiatives that empower young women and men of color through leadership, mentorship and academic success.

This is the second year were doing this and were going to continue doing this for many years to come, said teacher Anthony Acevedo.
A far-right figure and supporter of President Donald Trump is warning that the Republican Party has to address its Nazi problem, the Daily Beast reported.

Laura Loomer said that a failure to do so could lead to a Democratic blue wave in the 2026 midterms and pave the way for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to take the White House in 2028, the Daily Beast reported.

Loomer pointed to Gen Z glorifying Hitler and doing Seig Hiels all over TikTok and to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggesting that people who killed Jesus killed Charlie Kirk as examples of antisemitism among conservatives.

I hope the GOP is ready to lose the midterms in a landslide and have President Gavin Newsom, she wrote in a post on X on Tuesday. The GOP wont address it, so they have nobody to blame but themselves when they lose.

Loomer went on, That is a Nazi problem. If the GOP doesnt address this, then they deserve to lose the midterms. And yes, it will cost us the midterms. Good luck losing in 2026 and 2028. There is zero moral clarity in the GOP right now.

Carlson caused controversy after he invited white nationalist Nick Fuentes onto his podcast.

If you sit there with someone who says Adolf Hitler was very very cool and that their mission is to combat and defeat global Jewry, and you say nothing, then you are a coward, and you are complicit in that evil, GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said of Carlson.

And conservative commentator Candance Owens said that Kirk was under pressure from Jewish donors before his assassination in September.
The funeral for former Vice President Dick Cheney was a no-go zone for President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

A White House official told CBS News that the president was not invited to the service, although other Washington, D.C., powerhouses were in attendance.

Vance was also on the no-invite list for the Cheney service today at Washington National Cathedral. The five living former vice presidents were invited, however.

Trump has been uncharacteristically mum about Cheneys death, including not issuing a statement about the passing, the Daily Mail reported.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said only that the White House would follow the law by having flags at half-staff.

Cheney endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump in last years presidential race, saying, There has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.

Trump has been critical of Cheney and of Cheneys onetime boss, former President George W. Bush, slamming them for getting the U.S. involved in forever wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Vance last week said that Cheney had not done a very good job running the country during his White House tenure.

In a more formal statement, however, Vance said, My condolences go to Dick Cheney and his family. Obviously, theres some political disagreements there, but he was a guy who served his country. We certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving.

Cheneys daughter, former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, was a staunch critic of Trump.

Bush will speak at Cheneys funeral as will former President Joe Biden.

Including Biden, who served as both president and vice president during his career in public service, the other living vice presidents in attendance at the funeral will be Harris, Mike Pence, Dan Quayle and Al Gore.
Photo by BeInCrypto

Block, Inc. shares soared almost 9% on Wednesday after revealing plans to achieve $15.8 billion in gross profit by 2028 and announcing a $5 billion share repurchase, underscoring confidence in continued profitability.

The three-year outlook, launched at the 2025 Investor Day, marks a strategic shift for the Jack Dorsey-led company. Block is moving beyond its core point-of-sale operation into consumer services, artificial intelligence tools, and Bitcoin infrastructure.

Comprehensive Financial Targets Reflect Transformation

Block mapped out a roadmap targeting mid-teens percentage gross profit growth annually through 2028. The company expects adjusted operating income to rise about 30% per year, reaching $4.6 billion by 2028. Adjusted earnings per share are projected to grow by more than 30% each year, reaching $5.50 in 2028.

The event featured a rare appearance by CEO Jack Dorsey. The stock had dropped 30% earlier in 2025 due to competition in payments. However, the trading halt and subsequent announcement quickly reversed that decline.

For fiscal year 2026, Block projects gross profit rising 17% to nearly $12 billion. Adjusted operating income and earnings per share are each expected to climb by more than 30%, reaching $2.7 billion and $3.20, respectively. The new non-GAAP cash flow metric, which accounts for capital needs in lending, is forecast to get 25% of gross profitmore than $4 billionby 2028.

Block aims to achieve the "Rule of 40" benchmark in 2026 and sustain it through 2028. This performance measure, combining revenue growth and profit margin over 40%, is a key target for software and fintech firms. Block's official release emphasized efficiency, scale, and product innovation in its financial networks.

The expanded buyback program adds $5 billion to the $1.1 billion remaining from a previous authorization. In total, Block now has about $6.1 billion available for share repurchases, signaling confidence in cash generation.

Recent Performance Lays Out Growth Platform

Block reported mixed Q3 results, with earnings and revenue slightly missing analyst expectations. However, gross profit rose 18.3%, driven primarily by Cash App's 24.3% increase. Square also contributed with a 9.2% gain in gross profit.

Cash App remained Block's growth engine. Monthly active users reached 58 million, with profit per user rising 25.3%. Gross Payment Volume grew 10.9% year-over-year.

Subscription and services revenue increased 22.6%, indicating healthy recurring income streams. Bitcoin-related revenue, however, fell 19%. Despite this, Block maintains strong liquidity with ample cash reserves against manageable debt levels.
But wait, in yet more strategic moves  keep your eyes on the Monopoly board  a Chemist Warehouse property syndicate bought 374 Chapel Street, which is next door to the existing Prahran store, paying $2.15 million at a Burgess Rawson Portfolio Auction. The 227-square-metre shop is leased to Mexican restaurant Zambrero until June 2028, but could make the existing store  with its $10 million price tag  more than a third larger. 600 Chapel Street sold last year for $15 million. Does that mean Chemist Warehouse wants to whiz past Go and consolidate the properties? With Chemist Warehouses lease at No.370-372 having a good four years left to run, the retailer is not moving any time soon so it may be a while before we know which side of the strip it eventually lands on. Jones Real Estates Paul Jones, who is selling the Chemist Warehouse-occupied property with Luke Peric and Mimi Hoang, said recent Chemist Warehouse deals in Oakleigh and Ivanhoe were struck at yields of 2.5 to 3 per cent. This one returns $266,173 a year in rent and has a leasing option to 2034.

The billionaires behind the chemist giant made even bigger property moves recently. In July 2024, they paid $15 million for property developer Bill McNees NAB branch at 600 Chapel Street, on the corner of Toorak Road. And, just a short 10-minute drive from Chapel Street, Chemist Warehouse co-founder Jack Gance this week reportedly purchased an $80 million-plus mansion in Toorak, Melbournes equivalent of Monopolys Mayfair. Further down the street in the Prahran part of the strip, another much-anticipated deal suffered a hangover. Nightclub complex, Revolver, situated at No.229, passed out (sorry, passed in) at auction last Friday for $15 million through JLL and Christies International. Negotiations are ongoing but observers noted Banco Group owner Mario LoGiudice was the highest bidder. Revolver passed in at auction for $15 million.

Elsewhere on Chapel, a shop owned by fashion maven Fiona Scanlan at No.88 in Windsor sold for $3.35 million. Once the much-loved Sacred Heart op shop, the building has been leased to advertising firm Howatson+Company for the past few years. The creatives pay a bumper $210,000 annual for the space which gives the deal a soft 6.2 per cent yield. However, its understood theyre expanding and likely to move. Stonebridge agents Rorey James, Nic Hage and Ian Lam did the deal. Moscots only Australian store recently opened at 566 Chapel Street, South Yarra. In September, Stonebridge sold 566 Chapel Street for Gary Theodore, of Scanlan & Theodore for $2.92 million. And last month, a local investor snapped up two shops at 467 and 469 Chapel Street which developer Sterling Global had earmarked for a skinny hotel project, paying $3.2 million.

A local investor has bought Sterling Globals two shops at 467 and 469 Chapel Street, South Yarra. The deal was done before their scheduled auction through Fitzroys Chris James and Lewis Waddell. Church cannon Over the river, property developer, philanthropist and honorary consul of Monaco, Andrew Cannon, scored a premium at auction last week selling an office at 1 Albert Street, off Church Street. Despite the driving rain, about 50 people turned out, with four bidders pushing the price to $2.702 million  $302,000 above the reserve.

1 Albert Street, Richmond. The 362-square-metre office was home to Monacos consulate before Cannon built a new one in the CBD overlooking the Melbourne Club. Cushman & Wakefields Anthony Kirwan, George Davies and Raphael Favas handled the auction. Across the road in Cremorne, the team is selling a two-storey 300-square-metre warehouse behind East Richmond station at 15-17 Adolph Street. Gilles Arbes-Dupuy, the French founder of menswear retailer Declic, is selling the property and moving back to France though the business remains.

Records show the Arbes-Dupuy family paid $1.155 million for the property in 2009. Its on 167-square-metres of land and expected to fetch about $2 million. Off market deal Meanwhile, Michael Spektors National Retail Group  part-owned by the same property-buying enthusiasts at Chemist Warehouse  has made an off-market purchase in South Melbourne. The group has paid $4 million for a warehouse at 75-85 York Street on behalf of a private family office  not Chemist Warehouse related, Spektor stressed. The commercial-2 zoned 466-square-metre site is one of the last island sites left in South Melbourne and has been leased to Factory Sound for the last 30 years.

The vendor, investment fund Terraplex paid $4.41 million for the site in 2021 and obtained a planning permit for a six-level mixed use project. Spektor said there were no immediate plans to redevelop the site. The off-market deal was negotiated by RWC MCs Ted Dwyer. Uni buys office The University of Melbourne has made its first property purchase in several years, buying 33 Lincoln Square South in Carlton for $17.8 million. The four-level 2965-square-metre building office was bought from CareSuper, which recently merged with the Meat Industry Employees super fund. The MIESF paid $7.9 million for the property in 2007.

Its a bumper price for vacant strata office with four apartments on the top floor. The building was previously headquarters for the Save the Children Foundation. The University of Melbourne has paid nearly $18 million for 33 Lincoln Square South, Carlton. JLL agents Tim Carr, Josh Rutman and MingXuan Li negotiated the deal but declined to confirm the buyer, who declined to tell Capital Gain what plans it has for the site. Its next door to 27-31 Lincoln Square South, the former Allan & Co piano factory and warehouse which JLL is also selling with a permit for a 14-storey tower. Its expected to fetch in the low $20 millions. Meanwhile, Monash University has signed a new city-fringe leasing deal, taking 6754-square-metres across two floors at Sunkins 509 St Kilda Road.
The workforce has rapidly grown to 103 and is projected to hit around 150 by March, before the locally engaged labour force swells past 1,000 in year three as production scales to more than 65,000 tonnes per month.

Above ground, the site is taking shape. A new fleet maintenance workshop is already up and running, joined by a fresh lamp room built to handle the growing ranks of underground workers. Around it, teams are clearing ground, building the blasting bay and carving out early terraces - all laying the groundwork for the big-ticket surface infrastructure program that will roll out through to 2027.

The companys wider Witwatersrand Basin project sits on sacred mining turf that has coughed up a remarkable 62,000 tonnes of gold since the early 1900s.

This is the birthplace of modern gold mining, once dominated by giants like Rand Mines and Durban Roodepoort Deep. carving out what remains the richest goldfield on Earth. To this day, the basin holds the record for producing more than 22 per cent of all the gold ever mined.

Between 2021 and 2023, West Wits stitched together a hefty 5.025-million-ounce resource across its entire footprint. But it was the Qala Shallows deposit that emerged as the standout starter mine, boasting 10.7 million tonnes at 2.98 grams per tonne for just over a million ounces, including 383,000 ounces of bankable reserves.

Adding to its credentials, Qala Shallows already has the bones of a mine in place with an adit, a decline and a shaft ready to be used, giving West Wits a rare jump-start. As development starts to ramp up, ore production is tipped to climb from 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes a month early next year, before soaring to about 65,000 tonnes a month by year three.

However, the projects marmalade drop moment came in July when the company unveiled a definitive feasibility study that stunned. It pointed to a net present value of US$500 million (A$755 million) and an internal rate of return of 81 per cent presenting the sort of economics that most junior miners would frame on the wall.

And the production outlook is just as compelling. Qala Shallows is forecast to pump out around 70,000 ounces of gold every year for 12 straight years, spinning off an enormous US$983 million (A$1.5 billion) in post-tax free cashflow based on a conservative US$2850 ounce gold price.

Perhaps the most striking of all though, is that all-in sustaining costs are expected to sit at just US$1289 (A$1950) an ounce. That plants Qala Shallows firmly in the low-cost producer camp - rare air in the gold sector, and a powerful foundation for long-term value creation.

The message from West Wits is simple. Qala Shallows is no longer a project in planning, but a mine being built in real time. With funding secured, development firing on multiple fronts and ore already on the surface, the company is running downwind with a full spinnaker.

And with the first gold pour now just months away, that momentum looks set to turn into a watershed moment for both West Wits and the historic Witwatersrand Basin.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia, said that the cooperation on technologies started years ago, but that Trump and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had brought the partnership to a new level of development. Loading Last week, Kazakhstan signed onto the Abraham Accords, a landmark agreement made during the first Trump administration to normalise ties between Israel and several majority-Muslim countries. The country also announced a $US2 billion ($3.1 billion) deal to develop AI data centres with Nvidia chips. A US official said the Nvidia chips played a minor role in the talks. But their inclusion in the discussions show how AI and Nvidia have become a tool for American diplomats and a president who is trying to compile peace deals as he campaigns for a Nobel Prize. Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, acknowledged Trumps relationship with Huang but said that no single relationship defines the second Trump presidency.

President Trump has close personal relationships with countless business leaders across industries  relationships that are paying off for the American people as the administration works with businesses to secure historic deals, he said. John Rizzo, an Nvidia spokesperson, said the company supported Trumps efforts to make more semiconductors in the United States. He added, Nvidia has always worked to help the government understand our technology, but we do not determine US export policy. In his first term, Trump expressed similar fondness for Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, which was then the most valuable publicly traded company in the world. Donald Trump with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office this year. Credit: AP But the president was more focused on industries like steel and cars and appeared to have little interest in advanced technology, people close to him said.

That was before Nvidias chips became the one thing AI projects could not do without, and the soaring share price of Nvidia became an essential component of stock portfolios. Huang has had good reason to cultivate a relationship with Trump. The president holds the keys to international and domestic regulation of Nvidia. He controls the licenses that allow Nvidia to sell to major markets like China, and can help the companys customers get access to the electricity they need to power Nvidias chips. White House policies have helped Nvidia accelerate its business. The company reported a quarterly profit of more than $US30 billion for the first time on Wednesday [Thursday morning AEDT], eclipsing the incomes reported by tech heavyweights such as Amazon and Apple. Still, when Trump returned to the White House, his relationship with Huang was far from guaranteed. Huang had never spent much time in Washington and was among the few prominent tech executives to miss Trumps inauguration in January. About two weeks after the inauguration, Huang and the president struggled to connect as they met for the first time in the Oval Office, said three people briefed on the meeting who spoke on the condition of anonymity. A second encounter at Mar-a-Lago also went poorly, with Huang failing to dissuade the president from banning some Nvidia chip sales to China.

But this spring, their relationship began to blossom, after Huang pledged to invest heavily in US factories. In late April, Huang announced at a White House news conference that Nvidia and its suppliers would invest $US500 billion in US manufacturing. Days later, he joined the president on his first international trip and helped facilitate more than $US200 billion of chip sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Trump, who considered the deal a triumph, started calling Huang my friend. What a job youve done, Trump said during a speech in Saudi Arabia. We are proud to have you in our country.

The Middle East deals provided a template for using AI chips as a tool of foreign policy, said the two people familiar with the administrations strategy. For years, the government has strengthened diplomatic ties with countries by selling US products such as Boeing planes. But the Trump administration began to fold in AI chips and partnerships. Loading What also endeared Huang to Trump was Nvidias willingness to go along with the presidents interventionist approach to big business, some of these people said. In August, Trump suggested that the US government take a cut of its chip sales to China, and Huang agreed. The global demand for Nvidias chips has made Huang one of Trumps regular travelling companions. Before a state dinner in Britain this fall, Trump mused that AI is taking over the world. He then turned to Huang. Youre taking over the world, Jensen, he said, as he and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain signed a Tech Prosperity Deal. We both hope youre right.

As he has become close to Trump, Huang has worried officials in Washington, including some of the presidents closest advisers, by downplaying the national security risk of giving cutting-edge chips to China. He has argued that the alternative  Chinese companies building something just as good  would be far worse. In late October, Huang returned to the Oval Office and presented Trump with a shiny reflective silicon disk  among the first examples of Nvidias new AI chip made in Arizona. It was a marked contrast from Trumps experience with Apple, which had promised for years to invest in the US but never made a marquee product domestically. Loading The gift came as Huang was lobbying the president to allow Nvidia to sell a version of its more advanced chip, known as the Blackwell, to China. The company also wanted Trump to help remove other barriers to its business there. A few days later, as the president flew to South Korea to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump ignited a firestorm by musing about selling advanced chips to China. Well be speaking about the Blackwell, he told the news media on October 29.
Its the unholy alliance nobody saw coming.

After gunning for Peter Vlandys and Racing NSW for two years, NSW MP Mark Latham is helping the thoroughbred industry regulator to bring down Australian Turf Club chairman Tim Hale.

The upper house MP and Hale, a senior counsel, have known each other since the early 1990s and were on the same side in opposing the race clubs $5 billion sale of Rosehill Gardens racecourse.

But their relationship has come undone since Latham was punted by police from Royal Randwick on Epsom Day last month.

Latham alleged in a parliamentary spray last month Hale had shared confidential board information with him during the Rosehill saga, when the turf club chair was deputy to pro-sale chair Peter McGauran.
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Review Eating outPaddington The hotel might be naff but theres a lot to like about Mitch Orrs new London-inspired venue The menu leans Middle Eastern and Mediterranean yet still feels very Sydney at the Australian spin-off of The Palomar, the hotel restaurant at the new Olympia. Callan Boys November 21, 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

1 / 10 The Palomar has opened in the former home of the Grand Pacific Blue Room. Jennifer Soo 2 / 10 Coral trout crudo. Jennifer Soo 3 / 10 Jennifer Soo 4 / 10 Butterflied blue mackerel with chermoula. Jennifer Soo 5 / 10 Jennifer Soo 6 / 10 Cucumbers, green tahini and crispy chilli. Jennifer Soo 7 / 10 Jennifer Soo 8 / 10 Wagyu tongue with date glaze. Jennifer Soo 9 / 10 Jennifer Soo 10 / 10 Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Contemporary$$$$ I hadnt heard of 25hours Hotels before it was announced that the German-born brand would be taking over the old Olympia Pictures building on Oxford Street. According to its website, where you can book rooms in Paris, Berlin and Dubai, a 25hours hotel is meant to be quirky and elaborate. Ugh. But at least the long-dormant Paddington corner site was getting some love and attention, right? If you were into Absolut Vodka-based cocktails in the 90s, you might remember it was home to the Grand Pacific Blue Room, too. The 109-room hotel opened in October and, well, yeah  there are naff choices galore. The gift shop, for example, sells socks packaged to look like blue cheese and a desk-tidy designed to look like a giant pencil sharpener. If youre a nine-year-old shopping for a Fathers Day present, come on down. Coral trout crudo. Jennifer Soo

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In a tribute to the buildings cinema past, the check-in desk looks like an old video store and you can borrow a VHS of The Shipping News with Kevin Spacey on the cover, Eddie Murphys Dr. Dolittle or a compilation of David Campeses best rugby union goose-steps (the cassette selection is this aggressively hodge-podge) to watch in your room. I think Ill just stream a new movie in high-resolution, thanks, or hang out at the hotels The Palomar restaurant, which happens to serve terrific food. The Palomar is another overseas brand transported to Sydney; the restaurant was originally launched in 2014 by a group called Studio Paskin in London. Its known for its smashed cucumbers with green tahini and crispy chilli oil, which are on the menu here and objectively delicious (although chilli oil makes everything delicious: its a performance-enhancing drug for flavour). Im more interested in the original creations from culinary director Mitch Orr and his team. Orr  whom you may remember from ACME in Rushcutters Bay and Kiln at the Ace Hotel  isnt in the open kitchen too much, but he doesnt really need to be when talents Luke Davenport and Chloe Sharp are on the pass. Davenport has several technique-driven restaurants on his CV and sends out precisely grilled scallops with herby zhoug butter and skewers of concertinaed beef tongue with a sticky-date glaze, charred edges and fresh horseradish. Textbook snacking. Wagyu tongue with date glaze. Jennifer Soo Sharp worked closely with Orr at Kiln and now commands The Palomars wood fire to bronze and blister the skin of butterflied, line-caught blue mackerel laid over deep-green chermoula. Its a beautiful bit of fish and cooking. Wood-fired squid is another highlight with its moss-like covering of just about every herb under the sun, says Orr (but, more prominently, tarragon, parsley and chervil pulverised with roasted garlic and a glint of preserved lemon). A pork chop is topped with roast grapes and reduced chicken stock spiked with sherry to puncture the fat.

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Theres a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean pitch to the menu, similar to The Palomar in London but which also feels very Sydney, especially when you get stuck into the small plates, such as coral trout crudo curled to look like a rose and enhanced with a burnt blood orange dressing and capers. Olive oil-drizzled stracciatella is teamed with sumac-infused honey, fresh strawberries and Thai basil and could almost be dessert if it werent for the savoury blast of dehydrated tomatoes and rice vinegar. Butterflied blue mackerel with chermoula. Jennifer Soo For actual dessert, theres a baklava and pistachio ice-cream sandwich  another dish imported from the original London restaurant. You can eat it in three or four bites and I like it a lot, largely thanks to the rich ice-cream balancing a sweet baklava crust. Also very good: a bowl of brown-butter cake hunks and blackberries topping a lush whorl of yoghurt ice-cream. Team it with a pour of something fun and fortified. Sommelier Eleonore Wulf has put together a confident wine list of innovative and established producers, while venue manager Lillia McCabe looks after a warm and efficient floor team. Orr is also in charge of the food at a sunny rooftop lounge, a somewhat brooding wine bar and a cafe at the hotel, which seem to be on the right track. The Palomars dining room, though, while comfortable, feels austere and in need of some colour and art. Dare I say, a touch of that signature 25hours Hotel quirk? Just hold the Kevin Spacey videos and blue-cheese socks. The low-down Atmosphere: Thoughtful but easy-going hotel restaurant with buzz powered by an open kitchen and fire Go-to dishes: Blue mackerel and chermoula ($40); wagyu tongue skewers (two for $24); coral trout crudo with burnt blood orange and capers ($34); calamari and preserved lemon ($50) Drinks: Thoughtful mid-sized wine list strong on the low-intervention front, with more options available from the adjoining bar; fun and well-balanced cocktails and Tea Craft tea Cost: About $170 for two, excluding drinks

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Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the November 22 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories . Before Amanda Jones goes outside to feed her cats in the morning, she checks the live feed from the security cameras keeping watch around her home. After breakfast, she checks the footage again and makes sure all the doors to her house are dead-bolted before heading to work. If she pulls into the car park at work and spots a vehicle she doesnt recognise, she immediately drives off, phones her employer and asks them to check it out. When shes not going to work, she carries a taser and a can of mace in her handbag, and travels with a loaded Glock 9mm pistol in her car. Jones is no gang member. Shes not a criminal turned police informant or a fugitive on the run. Shes a 47-year-old librarian who teaches tweens at the school she attended as a child in the southern US state of Louisiana. Its horrible to live like this, she says. This all began one Saturday three years ago, when Jones opened an email that read: Amanda, you are indoctrinating our children with perversion + pedophilia grooming  we gunna put ur fat evil commie PEDO ass in the dirt very soon bitch. You cant hide. We know where you work + live  you have a LARGE target on your back. Click, click  see you soon  I felt like my heart just dropped out of my body, she recalls. Hives, sweating, heart racing, trouble breathing. Days earlier, Jones had spoken out against censorship at her local public library and walked straight into the battle to ban books playing out across the US. Since then, shes been the target of online abuse that has taken a toll on her health, shes lost friends and been shunned in the town where she has lived her entire life. I cant even go into a store without getting called a groomer here, she says. Ive been afraid to go to church for three years  Im constantly looking outside at night if I hear noises  Nothings the same anymore. But her refusal to stop speaking out has transformed Jones from a small-town school librarian into a nationally acclaimed figure, celebrated by the star power of Oprah Winfrey. She was recently named in a list of the worlds most influential rising stars in Time magazine, where Sarah Jessica Parker described Jones as a national voice for intellectual freedom and democracy. Her story features in a documentary executive produced by Parker and her memoir has been optioned for a film.

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Its just ridiculous, says Jones, referring to all the accolades and attention. I mean, Im a school librarian. Librarians dont often make headlines, but with Americans living in an era when thousands of books have been pulled off shelves, theyve become foot soldiers in the countrys culture wars. Free speech advocates began sounding the alarm a few years ago, as more parents and conservative groups began asking school boards and public libraries to remove books they considered inappropriate. Censorship is now rampant, according to PEN America, a free expression non-profit group that found almost 23,000 instances of books being removed from US public schools in the past four years. Never before in the life of any living American have so many books been systematically removed from school libraries across the country, the organisation states in a recent report. Never before has access to so many stories been stolen from so many children. The American Library Association has found that most demands to censor books in school and public libraries now come from pressure groups, government entities, elected officials, board members and administrators. Novels by international best-selling authors, including Stephen King, Judy Blume and Jodi Picoult, are among those that have been removed from school libraries. But titles featuring LGBTQ+ characters  and those that discuss race and include sexual references  are among the most banned books.

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History is littered with attempts to control what people read, from the infamous book burnings in Nazi Germany to the Cold War era, when then senator Joe McCarthy led a campaign to remove titles deemed supportive of communism from US libraries. In todays America, as Jones discovered, those who dare to stand between books and those wanting to take them off the shelves are increasingly finding themselves in the firing line. Librarians have been sacked for refusing to remove books and, in several states, they could now face criminal penalties if convicted of giving books considered harmful to children. Now its not just, Remove the books, says Jones. Its, Remove the books and destroy the librarians.  Before she went to her local public library meeting in 2022, Amanda Jones was living what she calls her little librarian life. She had her dream job, sharing her love of books with students, and was raising her daughter with her husband in the house they bought next door to her parents in the town of Watson. She decided to go to the meeting after hearing rumours that a library board member had been making comments about LGBTQ+ books and questioning the purchase of certain publications. Shed been following news about book bans across the country and felt a responsibility to speak out. Loading I think that when you care about something, you should stand up for it, says Jones, who was named School Librarian of the Year in 2021 by School Library Journal, an American publication. In her book, she writes: I have taught queer kids who grew up and took their own lives due to the loneliness of ostracisation  Ill be damned if Im going to stand in silence while we lose another kid because of something our community has done to make them feel less-than. When her turn at the microphone came, she spoke about how censoring books would affect LGBTQ+ students. All members of our community  deserve to be seen, have access to information and see themselves in libraries, Jones said. She didnt think her speech was particularly remarkable, and more than 20 other people also spoke against censorship that night, but the backlash against Jones was eviscerating.

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Posts appeared online, accusing her of fighting to keep pornographic materials in the childrens section of the public library. On social media, she was called a paedophile; a photo of Jones with a target around her head was posted; her home and school address were disclosed. The most hurtful thing was the meme of me saying that I advocate the teaching of anal sex to 11-year-olds, she says. Half of my community still believes that. Her experience, she says, is not unique. After media outlets picked up her story, she was inundated with calls and emails from librarians who have been harassed and abused online and in person after opposing book bans. While book bans are more common in southern, Republican-controlled states such as Florida and Texas, Jones says librarians across the country have been targeted. This has happened to hundreds of librarians, she says. Ive had friends whove had tyres slashed, theyve had [far-right group] Proud Boys show up at their door. Same story, different state. Ive spoken to librarians in Brooklyn, in San Diego, in Chicago, that this has happened to. Now its not just, Remove the books. Its, Remove the books and destroy the librarians. Amanda Jones Librarians have also complained that they have been fired after refusing to remove books authorities have deemed inappropriate for children. In Texas, Suzette Baker filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in which she accused local officials of firing her because she refused to remove books that focused on race and LGBTQ+ characters. In a settlement reached earlier this year, Baker received a US$225,000 payment, but had to agree to never again work as a librarian in her local county. Its really sad, says Jones, dark brown hair hanging just below her shoulders. Most of us feel that its a calling and its what we were born and meant to do. The American Library Association is increasingly hearing from librarians who fear for their safety after being harassed. Sam Helmick, its president, has spoken to librarians who are afraid to walk to their cars after work. For some, the strain has become too much. Folks are leaving the profession, Helmick says. The Books Unbanned scheme devised at the Brooklyn Public Library allows any American aged 13 to 21 to borrow e-books, regardless of where they live. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

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Adding to the pressure for librarians in some parts of the US is the possibility that they could be fined and even sent to prison if found guilty of handing out books considered harmful for children. In Indiana, for instance, librarians convicted of giving minors obscene or harmful material can be imprisoned for up to two and a half years and fined up to $US10,000. Helmick has heard of cases where school leaders have ordered librarians to remove books that are not even on the banned list, but titles they fear could prove controversial. Thats the chilling effect, Helmick says. But the book bans have also inspired a counter movement. Several Democrat-led states have passed legislation designed to make it more -difficult to remove books, and librarians have devised ways to ensure young people can still access the books they want. Brooklyn Public Library created the Books Unbanned program, which allows anyone aged 13 to 21 to borrow e-books, regardless of where they live in the US. For Amanda Jones, life is now a hectic whirlwind of speaking engagements, advocacy and teaching. She has travelled to 30 US states and three other countries in the past two years; co-founded a free speech organisation in her home state and leads another group that aims to protect local libraries from censorship. Amid it all, shes celebrating her 25th year at her local school  and the fact that no books have been taken off her library shelves. Loading For the past three years, Jones has been trying to sue Citizens for a New Louisiana, the group she says is responsible for much of the derogatory abuse online, its executive director, Michael Lunsford, and Ryan Thames, whom she says accused her of teaching sex acts to children. After lower courts blocked her earlier attempts to sue for defamation, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit ruled in October that she had a right to a trial. In early November, Jones agreed to settle her lawsuit against Thames in exchange for $1 in damages, her share of the court costs and an apology. (Her case against Lunsford, who has denied defaming Jones, is ongoing.) She still speaks at library board meetings in her hometown but takes precautions. Someone walks her to her car after meetings, then drives behind her to make sure she gets home safe.

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Sad news for all lovers of fine music, reports Lin Sinton of Killarney Heights. The Minns government is increasing busking locations near the CBD by two thirds.

Ian Carmody of Broulee asks if readers have any idea what a lived experience is? It seems to be a new thing that only younger people have  people such as ABC radio announcers and their guests. I wonder what their un-lived experiences are like?

The guinea chat (C8) began about a dozen days ago, courtesy of our friend June Love, so, with that, it could be time for a change, but first, heres John Hepworth of Haberfield: Half a long lifetime ago, a senior manager of mine was Mr Guinea. Of course his immediate subordinate was nicknamed Ten and Six because he was only half a Guinea.

Recent contributions about the pricing of goods at one cent short of a dollar does leave the impression that the price is less, but the reason was to make change, explains Peter Farquhar of Coffs Harbour. The cashier had to open the till to make change and simultaneously record the sale rather than forgetting to put the sale money in the till.

Ron Vernon of Thornleigh, moves on from the 99 ploy to a somewhat more sombre reflection: Recently, a former friend, with whom Id lost contact, died. I wanted to contact his wife, but didnt have her home address, email address or phone number. In the old days, I would have opened the phone book and, after one or two tries, probably would have found her. In these supposedly well-connected times, are we perhaps more isolated than we used to be?
The CFMEU administrator is considering moves to permanently expel disgraced former Victorian secretary John Setka from the union after launching similar internal action to keep ousted Queensland bosses Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham from the organisation.

Mark Irving KC, who was brought in to run the scandal-plagued union after it was placed into administration, outlined efforts to reshape the organisation during Queenslands powerful Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and wider construction industry misconduct on Thursday.

He said actions taken by Ravbar and Ingham to build a fiefdom, which effectively left members without voting rights and saw their fees directed to a separate state-registered entity, breached both union rules and the law  and may be reported to external authorities.

CFMEU administrator Mark Irving. Credit: News Corp Australia

Irving told the inquiry that while the more than 300 union officials ousted by the administration nationwide would need to convince the Fair Work Commission they were fit and proper to stand in any future union election, their membership was another matter.
Tony Mokbels longtime solicitor has had charges against her dropped after serious issues were raised over whether police could prove she instructed others to delete messages on an encrypted app.

Prosecutor Ray Gibson told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday that the case against Sarah Tricarico had fallen apart and the charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice would be dismissed.

Sarah Tricarico (centre) outside court. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

In March, Victoria Polices Criminal Proceeds Squad arrested Tricarico, 38, based on evidence allegedly uncovered during a sting that tricked underworld figures into using an encrypted phone system, known as AN0M, that was actually run by police.

Youssef Samaan Raffoul, 33, from Coburg, was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and also had his charges withdrawn on Thursday.
The third critique was from a powerful left-wing union, the CPSU, claiming the scale of job losses at the CSIRO  800 so far, and as many as 350 more announced this week  meant more jobs had been lost at the agency under Albaneses government than under conservative bogeyman prime minister Tony Abbott. Let that sink in for a moment. Fourth, the International Monetary Fund called for major tax changes in Australia  hardly the first time  including raising the rate of the GST and re-introducing a resource revenue tax. The chances of that happening under this government are vanishingly small. Fifth and finally, from former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus, came a call for Labor to hold a referendum on fixed four-year terms for the federal parliament and to restart a campaign for Australia to become a republic. (Australias decision on Thursday to back out of the race to host the COP31 climate summit next year could also be added to the list, but given COPs reputation as a massively expensive, overly long talkfest and Albaneses waning enthusiasm for the event, its unlikely he will regret the event not coming to Australia.)

The common question that unites all five of these critiques is the same: Is the Albanese government ambitious enough? Loading The prime minister secured a stunning victory in this years election and his reputation as a political strategist and leader has been elevated to rare heights. As 2025 ends, its fair to say  for now  he has mastered his domestic political opponents, nailed his brief on the world stage and is the unquestioned leader of the Australian Labor Party. And again, to give the government its due, when you look at its achievements in just the past couple of months, theyre not inconsiderable. Aged care funding reforms and a tripling of the bulk-billing incentive for GPs began on November 1; Australia and Indonesia negotiated a landmark agreement on defence; Australia recognised Palestine; in a pact with Papua New Guinea, it signed the nations first formal alliance since ANZUS in 1951; major changes to Indigenous employment programs have commenced; and real wages increased for an eighth consecutive quarter. Seven months on from Albaneses victory, this second term has had the same feel-good start as that of his first term, but for all the achievements, the whole seems less than the sum of its parts.

In his essay, Kelly quotes Labor legend Paul Keating, years ago, describing his view of politics: Im not in the consensus business ... f--- consensus. Im in the conflict business. And later: Why would we take second-quality decisions? Why wouldnt we do better? Those Keating quotes best explain why this government falls short of the sum. After 4 years in power, its still unclear sometimes what it will fight for and how much it is willing to risk of its political capital to be a reforming Labor government. Albanese, for example, supports fixed four-year terms and he supports an Australian republic. But both require a referendum, and after the failure of the Voice, and his experience working for federal minister Tom Uren in 1988, when Bob Hawke proposed fixed four-year terms and bipartisanship collapsed, Albanese has no intention of proceeding with either. Its a fair bet that most of the Labor caucus would support winding back negative gearing tax breaks, too, but after an untimely leak, that idea was killed off and is unlikely to be examined again under Albanese. His determination to reset politics after a revolving door of prime ministers is understandable. He has successfully portrayed himself as a reliable, trustworthy leader in the minds of voters. After all, 94 seats do not lie.
Given these vulnerabilities, Gundlach recommended investors allocate less to financial assets than typical, suggesting a maximum of 40% in equities (largely non-U.S.) and 25% in fixed income (favoring short-term Treasuries and non-dollar fixed income). He advocated for the remainder to be held in cash and real assets like gold. Gundlach reminded investors that market trends, even when correctly identified, take time to unfold, citing his own experience where being negative on packaged mortgages in 2004 took three years to start decaying.

Gundlach illustrated the fragility of this pricing system by noting that private assets essentially have only two prices: 100 or zero. He cited a recent event concerning a home renovation business, Renovo, which went into Chapter 7 bankruptcy after issuing $150 million in private credit. The company listed liabilities between $100 million and $500 million, while listing assets as less than $50,000. Gundlach questioned how private firms could have marked this asset at 100 only weeks prior when the massive disparity between liabilities and assets was evident.

A major element of the private credit appeal is the Sharpe ratio argument , which suggests investors get comparable returns to public markets but with much lower volatility. However, Gundlach contends this is an illusion achieved by failing to market assets to market, similar to how a five-year CD appears stable even if its true value declines as interest rates rise. He provided an anecdote about private equity firms marking positions down slightly when the S&P 500 corrects, only to mark them back up when the market recovers, thereby underreporting volatility.

Gundlach explained that, in recent years, the garbage lending that plagued public markets before the Great Recession has shifted into private markets. Private credit has become increasingly popular and is now over-allocated to by large asset pools. The core problem, according to Gundlach, lies in the fundamental lack of transparency and liquidity.

Jeffrey Gundlach, the billionaire founder and CEO of DoubleLine Capital, warned on Monday of an area hes concerned about, and its not a bubble related to artificial intelligence. The next big crisis in the financial markets, its going to be private credit, the so-called Bond King said on Bloombergs Odd Lots podcast . Gundlach said the sector has the same trappings as subprime mortgage repackaging had back in 2006, arguing the issues underpinning private credit are severe.

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One of Americas top institutional landlords, The Amherst Group CEO Sean Dobson, defended the subprime mortgage at the ResiDay conference in New York City earlier in November. Subprime mortgages were serving millions of Americans to get them to buy homes, he said. These werent junk mortgages, but were designed for people with below-average credit scores, he said, reminding the crowd that just two missed payments could send a credit score from 745 to the subprime 645. You can go from prime to subprime in two months.

The AI mania

Other top economists are issuing similar warnings. Mohamed El-Erian, for instance, told the Yahoo Finance Invest conference that he fears the AI bubble will end in tears for many, while agreeing that private credit was a concern. He used Jamie Dimons metaphor of credit cockroaches, while arguing that the problems arent termitesin other words, not eating away at the foundations of the economy.

Bank of America Research estimated private credit as a $22 trillion industry through late 2024, so big it would be the worlds second-largest economy. It has more than doubled in size since 2012, BofA added, as the number of companies listed on public markets has halved. The S&P 500 is extraordinarily concentrated, with Scott Galloway repeatedly warning in recent weeks that theres nowhere to hide if the AI story turns negative. A whopping 40% of the S&Ps market cap lies in just 10 companies, and those companies are overwhelmingly invested in AI, Galloway and NYU Stern Finance professor Aswath Damodaran recently discussed. Unsettlingly, Gundlach seemed to be arguing that private capital is a giant iceberg sitting underneath what could be a melting icecap of equity markets.

To be sure, Gundlach is plenty concerned about AI, noting that its similar to one of the biggest ever breakthroughs in technology roughly 100 years ago: electricity.

Electricity being put into peoples homes was probably one of the biggest changes of all time, he said, with the result that electricity stocks ere in a huge mania around 1900, and they performed very well. Unfortunately, this peaked in 1911.

People love to look at the benefits of these transformative technologies, but those benefits get priced in very early, during what Gundlach called mania periods, adding, I just dont think theres any argument against the fact that were in a mania. But Gundlach also argued that some impossible things are happening on the national debt.

When the impossible is about to happen

The massive U.S. national debt and soaring interest expenses are creating a mathematical impossibility that requires radical government intervention potentially within the next five years, Gunldach told Odd Lots hosts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway. He recalled the beginning of big deficits in the Reagan years, when the national debt was considered a distant threat, but it used to be a 60-year problem, then a 40-year and a 20-year, but now its a five-year problem, which means its a problem in real time.

Gundlach said his conviction is based on the accelerating trajectory of U.S. government debt and interest costs. The official deficit stands at approximately 6% of GDP, a level historically associated with the depths of recessions. Currently, interest expense consumes about 30% of the $5 trillion in federal tax receipts. This figure is poised to climb higher as outstanding bonds, which have an average coupon of around 3% for the next few years, roll off and are replaced by new debt issued at higher rates (Treasuries are currently yielding up to 4.5%).

Drawing on plausible assumptions regarding deficit growth, Gundlach outlined a stark prognosis for the end of the decade. Under the current tax and borrowing regime, he said, it is quite plausible that by 2030, 60% of all tax receipts will be allocated to interest expense. Pushing the projections further under a pessimistic scenario (Treasury rates hitting 9% and the deficit reaching 12% of GDP), the situation becomes mathematically impossible: by around 2030, you would have 120% of tax receipts going to interest expense, which of course is impossible.

Gundlach argues something will have to give: What happens is that you have to blow up the entire system, because all the tax receipts would go to interest expense. This inevitability means the traditional rule system must be abandoned. When something is impossible like this, Gundlach added, you have to open up your mind to a radical change in the rule system.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Like many kids educated in Australia during the Cold War era, my understanding of Eastern Europe was sparse and distorted. Crimea had something to do with an angelic Florence Nightingale of Victorian Britain. They had a lot of nuclear weapons. And they killed a dog by sending it into space.

Many decades on, the shooting-down of MH17 and intentional loss of so many civilian lives forced public, media and political attention towards what was unfolding along post-Soviet Russias fraught border with Ukraine. Even while engaging with that event, it was difficult to sieve out facts. The conflict appeared deliberately opaque, disguising Russian intervention as popular uprising. Whatever it was, it was still over there.

Mark Corrigan (far right) with his neighbours Tetiana and Oleksandr Tkachuk and their daughters Sophia and Kateryna. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald.

Several years later in 2021, as COVID lessened its hold over peoples lives, a young family who had just moved into our Hobart laneway came along to help the local Bushcare group. As I weeded and chatted with Tetiana, I learnt that they were Ukrainian and had been in Australia for only a few years. My ignorance soon showed when I asked her what language she spoke in Ukraine. Russian? Ukrainian, she said without a hint of exasperation.

The build-up of Russian forces along Ukraines borders in late 2021 was clearly more than a military exercise or feigned uprising. As the full-scale invasion of 2022 unfolded and reports of Russian military subjugating swaths of the once-Soviet country came out, I couldnt help but think about the nice Ukrainian family down the lane that I barely knew.
Perths house price growth is predicted to slow in the new year  but not by much  as the citys median house price pushes past the $1 million median by the years end.

Domains Forecast Report for 2026, released on Thursday, predicted Perth will end the year with a 9 per cent property price growth, ranking it alongside Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, which were all expected to have grown by the same rate.

That price growth is expected to continue through 2026, albeit at a lower rate of about 5 per cent, according to the Domain report.

The citys momentum remains underpinned by a combination of lower interest rates, strong income growth, and first-home buyer support, the report read.
After a sit down with his boss and mentor, champion English trainer William Haggas, Irish jockey Adam Farragher decided it was time to give Australia a crack.

Like Ash Morgan and Tom Sherry, who have given Farragher advice, he has come from the UK searching for opportunities.

Adam Farragher rides Power Fizz to victory at Ascot on May 9 this year. Credit: Getty Images

Farragher never thought, though, that he would be riding a Caulfield Cup winner in a $1 million race just a few weeks into a career move he hopes to make permanent.

He has the job on Duke De Sessa ($19), which resumes in The Gong (1600m) on Saturday at Kembla Grange. It is one of four rides Farragher has for top trainer Ciaron Maher, who has given the 25-year-old a start with the NSW arm of his operation.
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Reviews & adviceTripologist Opinion How can I prove I havent overstayed in Europes Schengen zone? 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 21, 2025  5:00am

November 21, 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 6 View all comments

My son is planning a post-Year 12 backpacking trip around Europe next year, spending some time outside the Schengen zone in Albania and Turkey. How can he prove he has left the Schengen zone after 90 days if he crosses into Albania by land? If he goes to the UK, would a Eurostar ticket be enough?

M. Finch, Cooks Hill NSW Passport checks are required when entering non-Schengen countries such as Albania. iStock While the Schengen zone has no internal border controls, every exit from a Schengen country, including those to non-Schengen neighbours like Albania, requires a passport check, and passport stamps serve as proof of departure from the zone. Its important to get that stamp, and a simple request should do the trick. The same applies when leaving Paris for the UK aboard the Eurostar. A French border officer will check the passports of those exiting the Schengen area, and here, too, you can request a stamp. If the Schengen zones new digitised Entry/Exit System (EES), is fully operational at all Schengen border crossings there would be no need for passport stamps. That is due to happen by April 10, 2026. Until that date, your son needs to have stamps in his passport to prove he has not been in Schengen zone countries for more than 90 days in a 180-day period. We are attending the Winter Olympics in Cortina dAmpezzo in February 2026. Then we have two weeks to get to Oslo for a Northern Lights cruise. Can you recommend a train/ferry route for this trip, and should we book a Eurail pass?

K. Diamond, Artarmon NSW

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Cortina dAmpezzo with its famous bell tower at sunset. iStock In frosty February Id be sticking to the cities, and youve got some crackers along the way, starting with Venice. This is a brilliant time to be in Venice. The hordes have yet to arrive, the city is wreathed in mist and you might even catch some of the Carnevale madness. In 2026 Carnevale takes place from January 31 to February 17, and nowhere else does Carnevale like Venice. From there, take a train to Innsbruck, followed by Munich, Nuremburg, Hamburg and finally Copenhagen before reaching Oslo. Its not worth buying a Eurail Pass. Apart from the train journey from Copenhagen to Oslo, most of these rail trips are two to three hours long. A Eurail pass only makes sense when you need flexibility, multiple long journeys in a short time or travel across several countries, especially if youll take several trains in one day. Use trainline or Omio to book your railway tickets and if you book a month or so in advance you can usually find discount tickets. Our European trip next year will include three days in Paris. Can you recommend a quieter area of the city with perhaps apartments instead of a hotel, within reach of the major attractions? We previously did a cooking class in Barcelona and it was excellent. Can you recommend something similar in Paris?

M. Edwards, Glenmore Park NSW One area that might suit you is Parc Monceau. Its an English-style park just to the north-east of the Arc de Triomphe with quiet residential streets and good cafes. Monceau metro station puts you within easy reach of the Champs-Elysees, Place de la Concorde and La Madeleine. Despite its proximity to some of the main attractions the area has a neighbourhood feel with a touch of luxury. On a couple of visits, Ive rented an apartment in the Neuilly-sur-Seine area, just to the north of the massive Bois de Boulogne. Its also quiet and neighbourly and since its further from the centre apartments there tend to be less expensive but the metro station at Pont de Neuilly lies on Metro line 1 which runs right through the heart of the city. For your cooking class, what could be more Parisienne than a croissant-making session? Located close to the Montmartre district, Studio Patisserie has a three-hour baking class that teaches small groups how to make croissants and pains au chocolat. In May 2026 after three to four nights in Paris I will travel to Menerbes via Avignon where Ive booked a house for two weeks. I would like to join a four to five-night tour to Annecy and perhaps one or two other stops in eastern France before arriving in Avignon.

K. Delamont, Crows Nest, NSW

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Four to five nights is a tight schedule for the guided tour you have in mind. All the tours from operators such as Trafalgar take a week or longer to travel from Paris to Lyon and Annecy and finishing in Avignon. What you could do instead is take a train from Paris to Lyon, base yourself there and take a day trip to Annecy. Lyon has plenty to keep you occupied for the time you have available, local guides offer any number of half and full-day tours and Annecy makes a lovely side trip. If you were to stay in Annecy, the quickest train to Avignon requires a change in Lyon. 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
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Travel newsFoodie travel Just one Australian winery named in Worlds 50 Best list Carolyn Beasley November 20, 2025  10:50am 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 52 View all comments

The Worlds 50 Best Vineyards have just been announced and Australias highest-ranked wine experience is Henschke in South Australia at No.47. Its the first year since the awards began in 2019 that Australia has only had one vineyard in the top 50. The historic Henschke vineyard in Eden Valley, in the Barossa wine region. At the awards ceremony, held at Amelia Park Wines in Western Australias Margaret River, the coveted top vineyard title was nabbed by Vik in the Millahue Valley, Chile. Founded by Alexander and Carrie Vik, this integrated tourism experience combines architectural features like a floating roof of bronzed titanium with immersive wine experiences, fine dining, mountain biking, a luxury hotel, and soon, a wellness centre.

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Its such an honour and a culmination of so much passion and caring and hard work that our team has done to get us where we are, said Carrie Vik, after the announcement. We are extraordinarily thrilled at this moment. The worlds No.1 vineyard, Vik, on the foothills of the Andes in Chile. Finishing No.2 in the awards this year was Schloss Johannisberg in Rheingau, Germany, and in third place, Bodegas Ysios in Rioja, Spain. While Henschke, in South Australias Eden Valley did not make the list last year, it did secure places between 2020 and 2023, with its highest ranking being 25th (in 2020 and 2021). According to winemaker Stephen Henschke, the awards provide significant validation.

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Foodie travel Australian wine holidays I think its a fantastic tribute to our ancestors, the people who planted those vineyards way back, 150-plus years ago, he says. And obviously, our family and staff have played a huge role in focusing on just being better, rather than bigger. The awards list is compiled by UK company William Reed Limited, also responsible for the Worlds 50 Best Hotels, Bars and Restaurants lists. Some may argue that lists are subjective, and in this case, that is entirely the intention. No.2 in the world  Schloss Johannisberg in Rheingau, Germany. The competition splits the world into 20 regions, each with an academy chair. Each chair selects 36 wine and travel experts, totalling more than 700 panellists who vote for seven of their personal favourite vineyards. Each panellist may only select a maximum of three vineyards from their home region.

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With most of the panellists based in the northern hemisphere, Australian vineyards are at a distance disadvantage. In fact, only four Australian vineyards have ever made the top 50 list: Penfolds Magill Estate, dArenberg, and Seppeltsfield in addition to Henschke, all from South Australia. This year marks the first year the awards were held in Australia, and the first year as part of the 50 Best brand. No.3: Bodegas Ysios, at the base of the Sierra de Cantabria in Rioja, Spain. Richard Owens is the academy chair for the Australian region and says he is proud to see Worlds 50 Best here, with wine experts and international media busily exploring the Margaret River region during their visit. Its getting us on the map, Owens says. You can send wine to the far reaches of the globe, but instead of bringing the wine to the humans, youve got to bring the humans to the region to experience it. It wouldnt surprise me if we have more listings in the 50 Best next year.

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Top Margaret River wineries While Margaret River, the host region, didnt get a Best 50 mention in 2025, visitors can choose from 100 or so cellar doors, offering hatted restaurants, alternative grapes, or simply a rustic winery shed tasting. Here are five to try. Amelia Park

The host of the Worlds 50 Best Vineyards is a polished, grown-up experience. A barrel-lined foyer leads to the tasting room, where award-winning wines are tasted overlooking the vines. Next door, the striking restaurant is spaceship-esque with sharp angles, serving local produce from a wood-fired oven. See ameliaparkwines.com.au. Amelia Park Wines in Wilyabrup, Western Australia, hosted this years awards. WA Tourism Vasse Felix

The founding vineyard of the region, Vasse Felix consistently delivers an excellent visitor experience, from the fine wines, to the underground vault museum collection and immersive tours. The fine dining restaurant is a south-west triumph. See vassefelix.com.au.

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Swings and Roundabouts

For a casual tipple, head to Swings and Roundabouts. Think: wood-fired pizzas and gelato with sweeping vineyard and bushland views. The best outdoor seats are actual swings, and theres room to kick a footy. Wines start at $9 per glass. See swings.com.au. Glenarty Road

South of Margaret River, Glenarty Road is a regenerative farm, vineyard and restaurant. Take a tour of the farm (with quaffing stops), and try some of the best farm-to-table dining in WA. See glenartyroad.com.au. This years award winners take a celebratory group photo at Amelia Park Wines, Margaret River. Rosily Vineyard

For purists, the wonderfully unpretentious Rosily Vineyard is a winner. Step inside the certified organic winerys shed, and amid the barrels and the admin office, sip great value wines made right here. No food, no souvenirs, just wine. Call ahead on 0475 412 373. See rosily.com.au. The Worlds 50 Best Vineyards 2025

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Related Article Luxury holidays Two Australian hotels named in Worlds 50 Best list Vik, Millahue, Chile Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, Germany Bodegas Ysios, Rioja, Spain Bodega Garzon, Maldonado, Uruguay Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Bordeaux, France Klein Constantia Wine Estate, Western Cape, South Africa Creation Wines, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa Maison Ruinart, Champagne, France Chateau DYquem, Sauternes, France Montes, Colchagua Valley, Chile Durigutti Family Winemakers, Mendoza, Argentina Bodegas Salentein, Mendoza, Argentina Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Alexander Valley, US Aperture Cellars, Sonoma, US Champagne Bollinger, Champagne, France Weingut Dr Loosen, Mosel, Germany El Enemigo, Mendoza, Argentina Pago De Carraovejas, Ribera del Duero, Spain Ceretto, Piedmont, Italy 98Wines, Yamanashi, Japan Bodegas Tio Pepe (Gonzalez Byass), Jerez, Spain Perelada, Catalonia, Spain Maysara Winery, Willamette Valley, US Vivanco, Rioja, Spain Gramona Alt, Penedes, Spain Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Marlborough, New Zealand Chateau Pape Clement, Bordeaux, France Gusbourne, Kent, England Riccitelli Wine Company, Mendoza, Argentina Bodega Colome, Salta William Chris Vineyards, Texas Hill Country, US Nyetimber, West Sussex, England Chateau Heritage, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon Almaviva, Maipo Valley, Chile Brooks Wine, Willamette Valley, US Kaiken Wines, Mendoza, Argentina Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley, US Abadia Retuerta, Castilla y Leon, Spain Robert Mondavi Winery, Napa Valley, US Viu Manent, Colchagua Valley, Chile Vina Santa Rita, Maipo, Chile Casas Del Bosque, Casablanca Valley, Chile Chateau de Berne, Provence, France Rippon, Central Otago, New Zealand Mission Hill Family Estate, Okanagan Valley, Canada Chateau Mercian Mariko Winery, Nagano, Japan Henschke, Eden Valley, Australia Marques De Murrieta Estates & Wines, Rioja, Spain Vina Cobos, Mendoza, Argentina Champagne Taittinger, Champagne, France The writer was hosted by Tourism Western Australia.

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Right at a time when it needs more support from the West in the battle against Russia and war criminal Vladimir Putin, Ukraine is being squeezed on two fronts.

The first is a new wave of deadly attacks targeting civilians in the countrys west. The strike used 476 drones, as well as 48 missiles. The night-time assault hit two apartment blocks in the city of Ternopil  just 200 kilometres from the Polish border, killing at least 25 people. Many of those killed were burnt alive, including three children, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential building which was heavily damaged by a Russian strike on Ternopil, Ukraine. Credit: AP

As the Herald has reported in its new series Blood Oil, some of these weapons could have feasibly been funded by revenue generated from petroleum sales to Australia. While Australia banned the import of Russian crude in early 2022 when Ukraine was invaded, a loophole is allowing the import of oil products of Russian origin if they have been refined in third countries such as India, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a non-profit group based in Europe, estimates that between February 2023 and June 2025, Australians bought $3.8 billion worth of petrol and diesel produced from Russian crude and refined in India alone, generating about $2 billion in tax revenue for Moscow.
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 Blood oil: A new series by the Herald and The Age. See all 17 stories . Liza Dmitrieva was on her way to a speech therapist when the missile struck. The four-year-old was being pushed in a stroller by her mother in Vinnytsia when the earth shook. The cruise missile fired from a Russian ship in the Black Sea had hit its target: the town square in this medieval city of 350,000. Liza stood little chance in her purple stroller. The storm of fire and shrapnel engulfed her and 28 others. Loading In Mariupol, Arina Antipenko, 3, was sheltering in her apartment block with her parents when the blitz began. As they huddled in the basement on Mytropolytska Street, the toddler told her 22-year-old neighbour, Dmytro Lastenko, Look, Dyma, I am a princess, in a video obtained by Human Rights Watch. Then the bombs started falling. The windows in the apartments above Arina exploded. Five floors collapsed on top of them. When the fire came it tinged the air with the smell of burnt flesh.

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On Wednesday, Russian drones and missiles hit two nine-story apartment blocks in Ternopil. Footage from witnesses shows a missile smashing into the residential towers, cleaving balconies from living rooms and bathrooms from bedrooms. At least 19 among those killed were burnt alive, including three children aged 5, 7 and 16, said Ukraines Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. They have yet to be identified. The missiles struck at 7am, just as children and parents were getting ready for school in the town 200 kilometres from the Polish border. We are hundreds of kilometres away from the front line, but yet again it shows that no child is safe in Ukraine, said Nienke Voppen, UNICEFs field officer in the city. This morning, children woke up to the sound of horror when they should have been going to school. Belarus leader in exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who visited Australia in November to lobby for greater aid against Russias war, said Wednesdays strike on Ternopil was another act of pure, heartbreaking terror. Ukraine needs support for stronger air defence, and Russia must be held accountable for every murdered civilian, she said. The missile that killed Liza in 2022 was a Kalibr. The bomber that turned Mariupol into ash was a Tu-22M3. The drones that weakened Ternopil on Wednesday were Shaheds. The rocket that finished the job was a Kh-101.

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Liza Dmitrieva, a four-year-old who died in a Russian missile strike in Vinnytsia in 2022. Credit: LogoClub Childrens Center Every year, the Russian war machine rolls on. And every year, it needs more revenue to fund it. Despite sanctions aimed at crippling its economy, Australians are continuing to help Vladimir Putin wage war on Ukraine, not through donations or government funding, but through the petrol pump, according to The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Russian-state-controlled crude still makes up 47 per cent of oil being refined in the worlds biggest processor in India and shipped to Australia. Loading Between February 2023 and June 2025, the group estimated Australian purchases generated about $2 billion in tax revenue for Moscow. This is not a technicality  it is a deadly loophole, Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations chairwoman Kateryna Argyrou told The Australian Financial Review in October.

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Every dollar Russia earns from oil sales is a dollar funding missiles, drones and tanks that kill Ukrainians. It is unacceptable that, in 2025, Australia is still importing fuel made from Russian crude. Janis Kluge, deputy head of the research division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, says as much as half the Russian budget is now dedicated to defence spending. Loading Kluges research found that the share of war-related expenditure in Russian budget documents reached a record 50 per cent in the three months of 2025 and 48 per cent by the end of the second quarter. Based on those figures, Australians have paid up to $1 billion to help Russia fund its war on Ukraine. Combined, the funding would put four Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets in the air, along with 10 T90 tanks, 45 Kh-22 missiles, 700 AK74 rifles and 1000 shells to hit targets on the ground, according to estimates of Russian military spending by the Centre for Strategic and Independent Studies and Ukrainian military analysts.

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Taken separately, the $1 billion would buy more than 18,000 Shahed drones, 666 Kalibr missiles or 43 Pantsir launchers. In October, the European Union imposed rules to halt the import of refined fuels produced from Russian crude, including petrol exports from India. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the EUs move and said the UK would act to take Russian oil and gas off the global market. Were choking off funding for Russias war machine. Im urging others to take these steps too, to go further to reduce their dependencies and incentivise third countries to stop buying these tainted resources. But Australia remains an outlier in allowing Russian crude imports via Indian refineries, despite the Australian government pledging to investigate ways to close loopholes in sanctions to stop Russian oil from entering Australia. Malcolm Davis, the Australian Strategic Policy Institutes senior analyst, said the Australian government has not done enough to stop lucrative crude revenue from reaching Russian government coffers.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister the Honorable Dr. Luc Mercelina last week received H.E. Zhang Kaibin, Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China in Willemstad, for a courtesy visit at the Cabinet of the Prime Minister. The meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic dialogue, recognize the positive contributions of the Chinese community in Sint Maarten, and explore areas of practical, people-focused cooperation, including cultural exchanges and small-scale economic initiatives.

Prime Minister Mercelina warmly welcomed the Consul General and emphasized the importance of constructive engagement with all international partners in a manner that supports Sint Maartens development goals and complements its existing regional and global relationships.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Sint Maarten values respectful and transparent dialogue with all nations. We appreciate the contributions of the Chinese community, which has long been a part of our islands social and economic life. Todays discussion focused on ways we can continue fostering community well-being, cultural understanding, and responsible collaboration that fits within our national priorities.

Consul General Zhang Kaibin expressed his appreciation for the safe, harmonious environment enjoyed by the Chinese community on the island and reiterated his commitment to supporting constructive engagement.

Consul General Zhang Kaibin: The Chinese community is grateful and elated to be living peacefully in Sint Maarten. The islands openness and harmony are deeply appreciated. We look forward to continued cooperation with the Government of Sint Maarten, especially in areas such as culture, education, and small-scale development initiatives that benefit local communities.

Both parties reaffirmed that any cooperation will be fully aligned with Sint Maartens governance standards, its international partnershipsincluding within the Kingdom of the Netherlandsand its commitment to maintaining strong, transparent relations with all global stakeholders.

Consul General Zhang Kaibin,We look forward to continuing friendly exchanges that support the people of Sint Maarten and reinforce the long-standing bonds of goodwill.
PHILIPSBURG(DCOMM):--- Thursday, November 20th, is World Childrens Day. The 2025 theme is, Listen to children, stand up for the rights of every child, every day.



Around the world, children are standing up and talking about their lives, their hopes, and their rights.



World Childrens Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improve children's welfare.



November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.



Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.



World Children's Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.



The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) says health is an area that every child has a right too, to survive and thrive.



The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) says that my day my rights, from the moment the sun rises, children wake up to a world shaped by choices they didn't make. But every child, everywhere, also wakes with rights. Including the right to be protected, to learn, and to have their voice heard.



Its time to listen to children. To understand what their lives are like and how their rights are present, missing, or pursued every day.



UNICEF says children and young people are powerful agents of change, bringing new ideas and perspectives that can help shape a better world for all of us.



World Childrens Day is UNICEFs Global Day of Action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.



Child rights are human rights. They are non-negotiable and universal. Upholding childrens rights is the compass to a better world  today, tomorrow and into the future.



By listening to children, we can fulfil their right to self-expression, understand their ideas for a better world and include their priorities in our actions today.
Press Release from Business Wire: MVNO Europe



(AFP) Nov 20, 2025



BRUSSELS, Nov 20, 2025 (BSW) - The upcoming legislative proposal for a Digital Networks Act (DNA) marks a defining moment for the European Union to build a true Single Market for electronic communications based on openness, competition and innovation.

MVNO Europe believes the upcoming DNA should build on the achievements of the existing EU regulatory framework by strengthening competition among diverse providers. This competition drives innovation and delivers tangible benefits for European consumers and businesses. Ensuring genuine choice for end users is essential to maintain Europe's global competitiveness.

In light of the DNA, MVNO Europe stresses the importance of preserving and reinforcing key aspects of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC):

1. Maintaining the Significant Market Power (SMP) regime is essential to safeguard competition. MVNO Europe calls for the express ability to apply SMP rules to any markets, including mobile markets, as it is vital to prevent abuse of dominant market positions and ensure effective competition.

2. Preserving national authorities' powers to mandate wholesale access when granting spectrum licences is crucial to ensure diversity, promote innovation and ensure efficient use of public resources.

3. Enabling all MVNOs (B2B and B2C) to efficiently operate EU-wide without being subject to discrimination on the wholesale market. Thus, the DNA should reinforce Art. 52 EECC regarding the abilities of national regulatory authorities to generally impose non-discriminatory wholesale access obligations during frequency allocations.

Looking ahead, MVNO Europe calls on the DNA to deliver meaningful change. The new framework must take decisive steps to complete a genuine Single Market, particularly for Machine-to-Machine (M2M), IoT and Connected Vehicle services. This means removing the barriers that still hinder seamless cross-border operations and enabling pan-European actors to thrive.

To achieve this, MVNO Europe calls on the European Commission to integrate the following measuresinto the forthcoming framework:

1. Introduce clear definitions for M2M, IoT and Connected Vehicles to eliminate regulatory ambiguities and ensure consistent implementation across Member States.

2. Establish an explicit obligation for visited Mobile Network Operators to permit permanent roaming for industrial, IoT, M2M, and Connected Vehicles use cases to deliver on the promise of a Single Market, bolster European industrial competitiveness and reinforce the EU's digital sovereignty.

3. Guarantee industrial IoT, M2M and connected vehicles can connect to more than one mobile radio access network through dynamic switching to foster resilience, service continuity and competitive choice.

MVNO Europe believes that M2M, IoT and Connected Vehicle services represent a tangible opportunity for the EU to achieve a real Single Market and calls on the European Commission to seize this moment with ambition and clarity.

MVNOs already operate successfully within (B2C-MVNOs) and across (B2B-MVNOs) Member States, contributing to innovation, choice and market diversity, and they expect to continue doing so under improved and fairer conditions following the adoption of the Digital Networks Act.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119128202/en/









Contact

MVNO Europe - Manuel De Simone[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.
London contributes 22% of UK's GDP - how can the Budget help it grow? [Getty Images]

It's lunchtime here in the "engine room" of the UK economy - the City of London - where workers pound the pavements, hurrying between meetings. It may feel like a world unto itself, but with a crucial Budget looming, what happens here could impact the whole country.

Ahead of next week's announcement, what are bosses calling for?

Chris Hayward, leader of the City of London Corporation, is keen for the Budget to help boost London's financial district.

The Square Mile employs about 676,000 workers - up more than 25% on pre-pandemic levels - and contributes 109bn to the UK economy, about 4-5% of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP).

According to the Office of National Statistics, London as a whole contributed 618 billion in 2023, about 22% of the UK's GDP.

"If the City of London does well, it will be felt in everybody's pockets," said Mr Hayward.

"I am hoping the chancellor will announce measures to stimulate growth and global competitiveness," he added, having called the sector the "engine room" of the UK.

He also wants to see stamp duty on shares removed, and to ensure Chancellor Rachel Reeves does not raise taxes on financial services.

He also stressed the importance of welcoming new technologies and AI - rapidly growing sectors.

Chris Hayward says if London does well, everyone in the country benefits [BBC]

London is widely recognised as the UK's fintech capital, whereby technology is used to support and improve financial services. It is one of the leading global hubs for fintech innovation.

Janine Hirst, CEO of Innovate Finance which represents the UK's FinTech sector, described the industry as a "tremendous success story for the UK".

She said it was a sector which could help the chancellor grow the economy.

"If we can't support the sector, we stunt huge opportunities for growth," she said.

Janine Hirst, CEO of Innovate Finance warns the UK finance industry is part of a "global race for talent" [BBC]

Ahead of the Budget, Ms Hirst wants to see more support for entrepreneurs, warning the country is part of a "global race for talent".

"Entrepreneurs are mobile, so can quickly pick up, move, chose other regions. We need them to be choosing the UK for the sector."

About 40% of the City of London's workforce in the financial and professional services sector is international talent, according to the City of London Corporation.

Steadiness is also what business leaders are looking for.

"Anything Britain can do to exude a sense of stability with its fiscal situation and its currency makes it a more attractive location to do business," says Professor Joe Fowdy from the NYU Stern School of Business.
Press Release from Business Wire: euNetworks



(AFP) Nov 20, 2025



LONDON, Nov 20, 2025 (BSW) - euNetworks has today announced the appointment of Nick Walden as Chief Revenue Officer, effective 02 December 2025. Nick will be based in London and will drive all facets of euNetworks' sales and commercial strategy.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120550034/en/

Nick Walden - CRO of euNetworks



Nick joins euNetworks following 30+ years in the Telecommunications industry, most recently having led the Global Sales function for Infinera (now Nokia) as Senior Vice President - Worldwide Sales. Prior to this, Nick served as Senior Vice President & Managing Director EMEA at Infinera following over a decade of experience in leadership roles at Ciena.

"It's an incredibly exciting time to be joining euNetworks, building on their strong growth and momentum as a critical bandwidth infrastructure provider across Europe. euNetworks' relentless customer obsession aligns closely with my passion for delivering value for customers by leading collaborative, impact-driven, high-performance teams. I look forward to getting started, meeting the team and powering growth for our customers together," said Nick Walden, incoming CRO at euNetworks.

"We're delighted to welcome Nick onboard at euNetworks. Nick has an outstanding record of driving Sales growth and brings an abundance of industry knowledge and leadership experience. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do at euNetworks, and I'm excited to work alongside Nick and his team to accelerate our customers' growth ambitions," said Marisa Trisolino, CEO at euNetworks.

About euNetworks

euNetworks is a critical bandwidth infrastructure company. We own and operate 18 fibre based metropolitan networks connected with a high-capacity intercity backbone covering 53 cities in 17 countries across Europe. The company leads the market in data centre connectivity, directly connecting over 582 today, and is also a leading cloud connectivity provider, with over 180 on-ramps on our network directly connecting all key cloud providers and major platforms. This coupled with our extensive connected data centre footprint positions us strongly to support and enable our Customers with their cloud infrastructure developments and challenges.

We offer a targeted portfolio of metropolitan and long-haul services across our network platform and Super Highways, including Dark Fibre, Wavelengths, and Ethernet. Wholesale, Finance, Content, Media, Mobile, Data Centre, Hyperscale and Enterprise customers benefit from euNetworks' unique inventory of fibre and duct-based assets that are tailored to fulfil their high bandwidth needs.

euNetworks delivers services with an active commitment to sustainability, striving towards net-zero carbon emissions, promoting environmentally responsible supply chain practices, and engaging collaboratively with the industry to address the environmental challenges ahead. For further information visit eunetworks.com.







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Contact

Lucy Noad|Manager, Marketing Communications |euNetworks[email protected] email| +44 7909 416570 mobile







 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.
Saudi AI firm Humain inks Nvidia deal as US allows chip sales



Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Saudi Arabia's state-backed artificial intelligence firm Humain has announced a new partnership with Nvidia, as US officials cleared the way for the sale of advanced microchips to the Gulf kingdom.

The announcement came as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Washington this week, where the heir to the Saudi throne secured a deal to purchase F35 fighter jets, inked a civil nuclear energy agreement, and saw the kingdom named a major non-NATO ally.

The Nvidia deal was announced while the crown prince and President Donald Trump oversaw a Saudi-US business forum on Wednesday as the two countries said they had signed a "strategic artificial intelligence partnership".

The deal between Humain and Nvidia laid the foundation for an "expanded strategic partnership" between the two companies with plans "to deploy up to 600,000 of Nvidia's latest AI infrastructure technologies over the next three years", Humain said in a statement.

"In addition to establishing Nvidia-powered data centers in Saudi Arabia, Humain is expanding its operations to AI data centers in the United States powered by Nvidia AI," it said.

The announcement came as the US Department of Commerce said it had approved the export of advanced Nvidia chips to Humain and G42 -- an AI firm based in the United Arab Emirates.

The export of the California firm's most powerful chips is controlled by US authorities, who fear they could be diverted for the benefit of its Chinese rival.

Both companies will be able to purchase the equivalent of up to 35,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips in accordance with the plan, according to the department.

Humain, launched in May, is bankrolled by Saudi's powerful Public Investment Fund, which has played a key role in financing the kingdom's so-called gigaprojects -- major developments aimed at boosting and diversifying its oil-reliant economy.

On Wednesday, Nvidia beat Wall Street's expectations during its latest earnings report, thanks to the fierce demand for its sophisticated chips that power artificial intelligence.

G42 is currently building a data center in the UAE with a capacity of one gigawatt for generative-AI specialist OpenAI, in partnership with Oracle, Cisco, Nvidia, and SoftBank.
Press Release from Business Wire: Smartstream



(AFP) Nov 20, 2025



LONDON, Nov 20, 2025 (BSW) - Smartstream, the trusted data solutions provider for leading global financial institutions and enterprises, today announces, Zurcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), the largest cantonal bank in Switzerland, has successfully completed its ISO 20022 migration project for reporting messages, now live with Corona MX - part of the Smart Reconciliations solutions suite.

This milestone marks a significant achievement in ZKB's digital transformation journey, as it moves to the new messaging standard, ahead of the global SWIFT migration deadline.

Schmitz Wolfgang, Project Manager for ISO 20022, ZKB, states: "It has been a smooth and straightforward process working in partnership with Smartstream. The migration was executed with precision and foresight, ensuring we were fully prepared and operational well before the industry-wide ISO 20022 cutover. The solution is now live and in full production".

As a trusted partner of Smartstream for over 40 years, the bank leveraged the advanced capabilities of Corona to deepen its integration with ISO 20022 standards. The upgraded platform enables enhanced reconciliation processing, particularly for cash transactions, and supports multi-account and multi-currency reconciliation processes with greater efficiency and accuracy.

Patrick Prucha, Product Manager, Smartstream, states: "Our journey with ZKB has been one of great collaboration, transparency and trust. Working together on the ISO 20022 migration has been a rewarding experience, and completing the transition ahead of the SWIFT deadline reflects ZKB's forward-thinking approach and strong commitment to innovation. Their focus on continuously enhancing processes ensures their customers remain at the forefront of industry standards and technological advancements".

This strategic move not only reinforces the bank's commitment to innovation and compliance but also positions it to unlock new opportunities in financial messaging and operational excellence. ISO 20022 compliance will enable the bank to monitor the full lifecycle of a payment and where it has been processed - for greater accuracy and resilience.

SMARTSTREAM

Empowering leading global financial institutions and enterprises with innovative solutions that deliver accurate, timely data insights to streamline operations, reduce costs, and meet regulatory demands with confidence.

smart.stream

ZURCHER KANTONALBANK

Zurcher Kantonalbank is a leading universal bank in the Zurich economic area with Swiss roots and international reach. It is an independent, incorporated public-law institution of the Canton of Zurich. With more than 6,500 employees across the group, Zurcher Kantonalbank offers its clients a comprehensive range of products and services.

www.zkb.ch







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Contact

Shamira AlidinaDirectorDina Communications[email protected]

Nathan GeeGlobal Head of MarketingSmartstream[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.
Youth activist turning trauma into treatment in Lebanon



Geneva, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Marina El Khawand was 18 when she saw her home town of Beirut shattered by the giant 2020 port explosion and decided she needed to help.

Today, at 24, she is among five laureates at Thursday's Young Activists Summit awards at the UN in Geneva, and described how the trauma of that day spawned a movement that has helped provide free medication and consultation to thousands in need.

"I needed to do something," said Khawand, who was starting her second year of law school when the explosion ripped through large parts of Beirut.

In the chaos of the blast, which claimed more than 220 lives, her family urged her to leave the country to continue her studies abroad.

But she told AFP in an interview that she decided to volunteer at the explosion site for a few days before leaving.

"I was traumatised... I walked between dead bodies, there was blood everywhere," she said, describing feeling powerless -- unable to offer much help.



- 'War zone' -



But one day she ventured alone to one of the heaviest hit neighbourhoods, Karantina, which was like "a war zone", and went into a building in search of a sick, elderly woman who had refused to evacuate.

Now a lawyer, Khawand recalls hesitating outside the door, fearful of what she might find inside.

"I entered and I saw an old lady, pale and not moving," she said, describing the relief she felt when she saw a slight movement in the woman's chest.

She noticed an empty medication distributor in the woman's hand, and recognised it as the same asthma inhaler her mother used.

Khawand quickly snapped a picture of the dosage and rushed to get a new one.

But Lebanon's healthcare system had taken a hit after the country's economy went into free fall in 2019, plunging many into poverty and sparking medication shortages.

She visited three pharmacies without any luck, shocked to find that such a common medication was so hard to come by.

She thought: "This woman survived the explosion... I cannot accept that she will die because she doesn't have her medication".

Her mother did not have the same dosage as the woman, so Khawand determined that her best shot was to post an appeal on Instagram.

An influencer she had tagged called her two hours later to tell her she had secured 12 boxes.



- 'Health beyond borders' -



"I was stunned," Khawand said, describing her panicked rush to get the medication to the woman in time.

After taking a few puffs on the inhaler, the woman gave Khawand "the most heartfelt hug".

"She whispers in my ear: Thank you for saving my life", Khawand said, tears glistening in her eyes.

"That sentence changed me," she said, describing it as the moment she realised "my purpose in life would be to save lives".

After that experience, Khawand founded the Medonations non-profit aimed at providing free and equal medical assistance to vulnerable communities in Lebanon.

Growing in the past five years to have collection points in over 65 countries, it says it has served more than 25,000 families across Lebanon with medical supplies and surgeries.

Khawand's team also provided oxygen machines during the Covid-19 pandemic, and during last year's deadly war between Israel and Hezbollah, helped provide displaced people with sanitary products, diapers, and medication.

She has also set up the Free HealthTech Clinic, with kits containing advanced AI-integrated devices enabling doctors to examine patients remotely, assess their prescriptions and adjust their medication.

"The doctor can be in Switzerland, the patient can be in Lebanon, and they can see the vital signs in real time," Khawand said.

"It's health beyond borders."
Press Release from Business Wire: Scientist.com



(AFP) Nov 20, 2025



SOLANA BEACH, Nov 20, 2025 (BSW) - Scientist.com, the life sciences industry's leading AI-enabled R&D orchestration platform, and GHO Capital Partners LLP ("GHO"), the specialist private equity investor in global healthcare, today announced the successful closing of GHO's acquisition of Scientist.com. The transaction marks the beginning of an accelerated expansion phase, strengthening Scientist.com's mission to transform pharmaceutical R&D by streamlining the entire outsourced research lifecycle.

"This is a pivotal moment for Scientist.com and for the global research community we support," said Kevin Lustig, CEO and Chris Petersen, CTO, the founders of Scientist.com. "Partnering with GHO, a team that shares our vision and brings deep expertise in scaling healthcare technology companies, enables us to invest aggressively in our AI-powered orchestration platform and expand our global footprint. Together, we are better positioned than ever to meet growing demand for faster, smarter and more compliant research sourcing."

Founded in 2007, Scientist.com pioneered the online marketplace model for outsourced scientific services. The company has since evolved into an AI-enabled R&D Orchestration Platform that connects leading pharmaceutical and biotech organizations with more than 6,000 pre-vetted research suppliers worldwide. By digitizing and governing the full outsourced R&D lifecycle, from vendor selection and contracting to tracking, compliance, and spend visibility, the platform helps customers accelerate timelines, reduce operational risk, and improve decision-making across discovery and development.

With the partnership now formalized, Scientist.com and GHO will focus on expanding platform adoption across Europe and other international markets, while accelerating development of next-generation AI and automation capabilities, including intelligent vendor management, automated contracting workflows, and predictive project modeling.

"We are delighted to finalize our investment in Scientist.com," said Edward de Nor and Stuart Quin, Partners at GHO Capital. "The company is a genuine category creator at the intersection of AI, digital commerce, and the modernization of biopharma supply chains. By joining forces, we aim to help the Scientist.com team realize its vision of putting outsourced R&D 'on rails,' unlocking significant efficiency gains and enabling better, faster, more accessible healthcare globally."

GHO Capital Partners is a leading specialist healthcare private equity firm with over $10 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM). The firm focuses exclusively on scaling innovative healthcare businesses, with a strategy centered on high-growth, complex subsectors including BioPharma Services, HealthTech, and Life Science Tools.

Scientist.com will continue to operate from its headquarters in Solana Beach, California, and will remain under the leadership of its current executive team. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Scientist.com

Scientist.com is the leading AI-enabled R&D orchestration platform for the life science industry. The platform simplifies drug discovery and clinical development by streamlining procurement, accelerating innovation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and connecting scientists with a global network of pre-qualified suppliers. Scientist.com powers private marketplaces for many of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies and hundreds of biotech firms. The company is headquartered in Solana Beach, California.

More information: www.scientist.com

About GHO Capital Partners LLP

Global Healthcare Opportunities, or GHO Capital Partners LLP, is a leading specialist healthcare investment advisor headquartered in London. GHO leverages global capabilities and deep sector expertise to scale high-growth healthcare companies across Europe, North America, and beyond. The firm partners with strong management teams to build market-leading businesses that deliver better, faster, and more accessible healthcare.

More information: www.ghocapital.com







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120289047/en/









Contact

Media ContactsFor Scientist.com:Sean Preci+1 877-644-3044[email protected]

For GHO Capital Partners:ICR HealthcareTel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700 or [email protected] Amber Fennell, Kris Lam







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Visa Inc.



(AFP) Nov 20, 2025



SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 20, 2025 (BSW) - To celebrate International Fraud Awareness Week, Visa (NYSE: V) today released its Fall 2025 Biannual Threats Report, revealing five forces that are transforming the global payments security landscape.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120412198/en/

The report, produced by Visa's Payment Ecosystem Risk and Control (PERC) team, draws on intelligence from Visa's global network to identify how criminal operations are evolving with unprecedented speed, scale, and sophistication.

"The payments ecosystem is experiencing a paradigm shift in how fraud operates," said Paul Fabara, Chief Risk and Client Services Officer at Visa. "Criminals are no longer working as opportunistic individuals-- they're operating like tech startups, building reusable infrastructure and deploying systematic, industrial-scale operations that challenge conventional defenses. Understanding these evolving forces is critical for the entire ecosystem to stay ahead of emerging threats."

-The Industrialization of Fraud:Fraud has evolved from opportunistic crime into systematic, industrial-scale operations. Criminals are building reusable infrastructure-including botnets, synthetic identities, templated scam scripts, and AI tooling-that can be deployed across multiple attack types simultaneously with the efficiency and scalability of a technology enterprise.

- The Monetization Playbook:Criminals are operating with sophisticated dual-speed strategies: moving slowly and deliberately when stockpiling stolen credentials to maximize reach and evade detection.

- The Authenticity Crisis: The proliferation of sophisticated impersonation techniques and synthetic content is creating unprecedented challenges in verifying legitimate transactions and communications across the payment ecosystem.

- The Control Erosion Problem: Traditional security controls are being systematically tested and circumvented as criminals identify and exploit gaps in legacy defense mechanisms.

- The Third-Party Vulnerability Gap: The interconnected nature of the payments ecosystem creates cascading risk, with third-party providers representing critical points of vulnerability. Visa PERC reported a 41% increase in ransomware incidents affecting payments ecosystem entities from January to June 2025 compared to the previous six months, with analysis showing a 173% increase in Compromised Account Management System (CAMS) account distribution compared to the same period in 2024.

In addition to the report, Visa's Payment Ecosystem Risk team expanded on the role of AI in the report with a standalone blog on threats with agentic commerce, which can be read here.

"The reality is that everyone with access to the internet can be a fraudster," said Michael Jabbara, SVP, Visa Payment Ecosystem Risk and Control. "And while the advances in technology like agentic commerce are exciting, they also pose a real risk to consumers. Being educated in these trends are one of the best ways to protect yourself in this threat landscape."

Visa is working closely with partners across the global payments ecosystem to address these emerging forces through enhanced intelligence sharing, advanced analytics, and collaborative defense strategies. With over $13 billion dollars invested over the last five years on technology and infrastructure, including in security and trust, Visa continues to develop next-generation security technologies and risk management capabilities to protect consumers, merchants, and financial institutions.

For more information about Visa's security initiatives and risk management programs, visit Visa.com/security.

About Visa Inc.

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.







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Contact

Media ContactMeg Omecene, [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.
ICC says Israel wants prosecutor disqualified



The Hague, Nov 19 (AFP) Nov 19, 2025



The International Criminal Court (ICC) said Wednesday that Israel had demanded the disqualification of its top prosecutor and the cancellation of arrest warrants against top Israeli officials over the Gaza war.

Israel had accused Karim Khan on Monday of wanting to "divert public attention" from allegations over his behaviour by requesting arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, accusing the pair of complicity in war crimes committed by Israel in the Palestinian territory.

Khan is currently on leave pending an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied.

"The State of Israel submitted today (Monday) to the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) a request to disqualify the Court's Prosecutor, Mr. Karim Khan, from involvement in proceedings concerning Israel," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oren Marmorstein posted on X.

Marmorstein accused Khan of "improper personal motives to advance false and unfounded allegations against Israel", including by advancing "baseless and outrageous warrants".

"These actions were intended to divert public attention from severe accusations against him of serial sexual harassment of a subordinate employee," the spokesman alleged.

On its website, the Hague-based court published a document confirming it had received a "Request to Disqualify the Prosecutor and for Ancillary Remedies", without offering any clarification.

According to various media reports, Khan was accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards a woman who worked at his office.

Last year, Khan asked the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and three senior Hamas officials.

Despite Israel appealing to the court, the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant were granted and remain outstanding.

The court is also currently examining an Israeli challenge to its competence.
Brazil is examining the implementation of new crypto taxation rules for cross-border payments using virtual assets, including stablecoins, reported Reuters, citing two officials with direct knowledge of ongoing discussions.

The move follows the central bank's recent classification of such transactions as foreign-exchange operations and aims to bring them within the scope of Brazils financial transaction tax (IOF).

Currently, crypto transactions are not subject to the IOF levy, though investors are required to pay income tax on capital gains from virtual assets exceeding a monthly exemption, the news agency said.

A source familiar with the matter said that the Finance Ministry is reviewing how the IOF could apply to some international transfers involving cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.

The Finance Ministry has not provided an official comment on these developments, Reuters reported.

The sources indicated that the potential tax change is intended to address a regulatory gap. An additional outcome could be the increased public revenue, at a time when fiscal discipline in Brazil is under heightened scrutiny.

According to Reuters, Brazils cryptocurrency market has seen significant growth in recent years, predominantly driven by stablecoins, which are backed by assets such as the US dollar and tend to experience lower price volatility than other digital currencies.

Data from Brazils federal tax authority indicate that crypto transactions reached 227bn reais ($42.8bn) during the first half of this year, marking a 20% increase from the same period last year.

Of this total volume, roughly two-thirds involved trades of USD Tether (USDT).

Bitcoin accounted for approximately 11% of transaction volumes.

The source noted that the central banks new regulatory framework enables this potential tax revision.

This framework is based on an evaluation that stablecoins are utilised mainly as a cost-effective means of holding balances in dollars.

The source told new rules should "ensure that the use of stablecoins does not create regulatory arbitrage vis-a-vis the traditional foreign-exchange market."

Officials in the country have expressed concerns that stablecoins are being used primarily for payment purposes rather than investment.

This approach, they suggest, could generate new avenues for money laundering as regulation continues to evolve.

Under changes taking effect in February, the central bank will treat any purchase, sale or exchange of stablecoins as a foreign-exchange operation.

These rules extend to global payments or transfers made utilising virtual assets, settlements of card transactions or other electronic processes, as well as transfers from self-custody wallets.
US peace proposal requires Ukraine to cede land, cut army size: source



Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov 19 (AFP) Nov 19, 2025



Ukraine has received a new peace proposal from the United States, which requires Kyiv to cede land controlled by Russia and more than halve its army's size, a senior official briefed on the proposal told AFP on Wednesday.

The plan appears to repeat Russia's maximalist terms -- demands consistently rejected by Ukraine as tantamount to capitulation.

The draft provides for "recognition of Crimea and other regions that the Russians have taken" and "reduction of the army to 400,000 personnel", the source, who does not wish to be identified, told AFP.

The plan would also see Ukraine giving up all long-range weapons.

"An important nuance is that we don't understand whether this is really Trump's story" or "his entourage's", the official added.

It was "unclear" what Russia was supposed to do in return, according to the source.

US media outlet Axios earlier reported Moscow and Washington had been working on a secret plan to end the almost four-year war. The Kremlin had declined to comment on the report, later saying there was nothing new in the peace settlement progress.

AFP has reached out to the White House for comment.

Russia now occupies around a fifth of Ukrainian territory -- much of it ravaged by fighting.

Moscow has repeatedly demanded it retains territory in southern and eastern Ukraine that it occupies and for Kyiv to cede even more land.

Moscow in 2022 annexed four Ukrainian regions -- Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson -- despite not having full control over them.

Russia also annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and has fully controlled it since then.

US President Donald Trump has sought to leverage his relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to end the war, but has so far failed to make progress.

Since the start of his second term, Trump's position on the Ukraine war has shifted dramatically back and forth.
Israeli strikes kill 27 in Gaza in spite of fragile truce



Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, Nov 19 (AFP) Nov 19, 2025



Israeli air strikes on Gaza killed 27 people Wednesday, officials in the Strip said, with Israel and Hamas each accusing the other of violating the fragile ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.

The strikes were among the deadliest in Gaza since the truce entered into force last month, and came as Israel also announced a string of attacks targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon in spite of a nearly year-long ceasefire there.

Fourteen people were killed Wednesday in Gaza City in the north and 13 in the Khan Yunis area in the south, according to the territory's civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority. Two hospitals contacted by AFP gave the same toll.

The Israeli military said it was striking Hamas after militants opened fire towards an area where troops were operating in the south in "violation of the ceasefire agreement".

Hamas denied the accusation and denounced the attacks as a "dangerous escalation" that could jeopardise the truce, which has largely held since October 10 despite flare-ups.

Ahraf Abu Sultan, 50, told AFP he had returned to his home in Gaza City with his family on Sunday, after being displaced in the south for a year.

"We barely managed to repair one room in our destroyed house to try and settle down just two days ago, and the bombing and death has started again. They don't even give us a chance to breathe," he said.

Fellow Gaza City resident Nivine Ahmed said she had been chatting with a neighbour when Israel's bombings "turned everything upside down in a second".

"We heard the sound of explosions and saw the smoke rising. People were running and the ambulance sirens were wailing, carrying away the martyrs," she said.

"Next time the missile could fall on us."



- Trump peace plan -



Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by both sides.

The highest daily toll registered since the truce took effect was on October 29, when more than 100 people were killed in Israeli strikes, according to civil defence figures and data received by AFP from five Gaza hospitals.

Israel has carried out repeated strikes against what it says are Hamas targets during the ceasefire, resulting in the death of more than 280 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

The truce is based on a US-brokered deal that also included the return to Israel of the last 48 hostages held by militants.

While all the living hostages were handed over early in the ceasefire, the process of returning the dead has been slower, and the bodies of three hostages still remain in Gaza.

The implementation of the second stage of US President Donald Trump's peace plan has yet to be agreed, particularly as it concerns disarming Hamas, establishing a transitional authority and deploying an international stabilisation force.

The UN Security Council voted Monday in favour of a US-drafted resolution endorsing Trump's plan, though Hamas rejected the resolution as failing to meet Palestinians' "political and humanitarian demands".

The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people.

Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed at least 69,513 people, according to figures from the health ministry that the UN considers reliable.



- Lebanon strikes, Syria visit -



Israel also conducted several strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

The military said it targeted Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in several towns, and accused the Iran-backed group of trying to rebuild its capabilities.

The Israeli military has kept up frequent air strikes in Lebanon in spite of a ceasefire sealed last November that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah.

The raids came a day after 13 people were killed in a strike that Israel said targeted Hamas members in a Palestinian refugee camp in the south of the country -- the deadliest attack in Lebanon since the truce came into effect.

Also on Wednesday, Israel's top leaders visited Israeli troops stationed inside Syrian territory in a buffer zone intended to separate the two countries' forces.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told troops that their presence was of "immense importance" to Israel's security.

The visit was sharply condemned by Damascus, which called it "a serious violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity".
Young Colombian mourns kidnapped teen brother killed by military



Villavicencio, Colombia, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



At a morgue in central Colombia, a young woman mourned her brother, a 16-year-old who was kidnapped by guerrillas and killed in a government bombing last week, she said.

The boy died after three months in captivity, having been taken from his school in the Amazon by guerrillas and other criminal groups fighting Colombia's leftist government.

He was among seven children killed in the bombing on a guerrilla outpost in the jungle department of Guaviare that claimed 20 lives in all.

All the minors had been kidnapped by members of a group that calls itself the Central General Staff (EMC), made up of dissidents who continued fighting after the FARC guerrilla army disarmed under a 2016 peace agreement.

"They were just children who were barely learning to live. Where they should have been was studying in school, playing," lamented the boy's sister, herself barely 18 and unnamed for fear of reprisals.

She blames the guerrillas who took him, but also the government.

"This should never have happened," she told AFP at a morgue in the central city of Villavicencio where the bodies were taken for families to claim -- hundreds of kilometers from Guaviare.

"President Gustavo Petro should never have done this. Knowing there were minors, he nevertheless authorized" the bombing, the young woman added.



- 'Deep concern' -



Since August, military strikes targeting rebel fighters have claimed the lives of 15 abducted children, Colombian officials said Monday.

The UN Human Rights Office in Colombia has expressed "deep concern" over military killings of minors who are kidnapped by rebels, usually to be trained as fighters themselves.

Prosecutors say more than 1,100 children were abducted by armed groups between 2019 and 2023.

From 1996 to 2016, the number was as high as 23,800.

With six months to go to presidential elections, Colombia's first-ever leftist government has come under opposition pressure over a perceived leniency towards guerrilla and drug trafficking groups that in the 1980s and '90s terrorized the South American country.

Also under fire from US counterpart Donald Trump, Petro has abandoned his stated commitment to "total peace" through negotiation, launching an offensive on cocaine-producing enclaves run by a variety of armed groups.

Petro himself has said the Guaviare bombing that killed the 16-year-old was to thwart an imminent attack by EMC forces led by Ivan Mordisco, the country's most wanted guerrilla leader.



- 'Not to blame' -



His sister said the teenager had attending a rural school in Guaviare when he was taken by guerillas.

His father went to look for him, but gave up "out of fear," she recalled

"The only thing they told him was to stop looking," she added.

Petro had refused to halt the bombings despite a request from the office of Colombia's human rights ombudsman.

The office says the forced recruitment of minors increased by 36 percent between 2023 and 2024, calling it a "complete failure" of policy.

Between January and October this year, the entity received 162 complaints -- half of them concerning Indigenous children from poor, rural areas taken against their will.

Mordisco's group was responsible for 40 percent of cases, according to official data.

The 18-year-old clung to the arm of a relative as she waited for the body of her brother, "who meant everything to me."

The children killed, she insisted, "are not to blame for anything."
Fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza, hospital says four dead



Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



A Gaza hospital said four people were killed Thursday in fresh Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian territory, as Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the fragile weeks-long ceasefire.

The new strikes came the morning after one of the deadliest days in the Gaza Strip since the truce came into effect on October 10, with 27 people killed, according to Gaza's civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority.

The Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza said four people were killed in the strikes early Thursday, after the civil defence agency gave a lower toll of three dead.

The dead included three from one family, including a one-year-old girl, in a strike on a house east of Khan Yunis, and one person in an air strike on the town of Abasan al-Kabira, also east of Khan Yunis.

A source at Gaza's Hamas-run interior ministry, who did not wish to be identified, said artillery fire was continuing in the Khan Yunis area.

The so-called yellow line demarcates the boundary inside the Gaza Strip that Israeli troops have withdrawn to positions east of, as part of the US-brokered ceasefire.

"We are aware of a strike east of the yellow line that was done to dismantle terror infrastructures," the Israeli military told AFP.

"We're not aware of the reported casualties. It's part of the regular IDF (Israeli military) operations east of the yellow line."

Israel has carried out repeated strikes against what it says are Hamas targets during the ceasefire, resulting in the death of more than 312 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

"These ongoing crimes represent a blatant disregard by the occupation for the ceasefire agreement," Hamas said in a statement.

The Islamist movement urged US President Donald Trump and other mediators of the truce to "take serious action to stop these crimes".

The UN Security Council voted Monday in favour of a US-drafted resolution endorsing Trump's Gaza peace plan, though Hamas rejected the resolution as failing to meet Palestinians' "political and humanitarian demands".

The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people.

Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed at least 69,546 people, according to figures from the health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
Mediator Qatar calls fresh Israel strikes on Gaza 'dangerous escalation'



Doha, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Qatar, a key mediator in the Hamas-Israel war, on Thursday condemned fresh Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, saying they threatened to upend a fragile weeks-long truce.

Qatar condemned "brutal attacks by the Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip... and considers them a dangerous escalation that threatens to undermine the ceasefire agreement," its foreign ministry said in a statement.

Doha also called for "concerted regional and international efforts to preserve and uphold the ceasefire agreement".

Earlier Thursday, a Gaza hospital said four people were killed in new Israeli air strikes.

The new attacks came the morning after one of the deadliest days in the Gaza Strip since the truce came into effect on October 10, with 27 people killed, according to Gaza's civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority.

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire.

Israel has carried out repeated strikes against what it says are Hamas targets during the ceasefire, resulting in the death of more than 312 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
UN nuclear watchdog calls for full cooperation from Iran



Vienna, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



The International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday adopted a resolution that called on Iran to provide it with access and information regarding its nuclear programme, as required under UN resolutions.

The vote came a day after the head of IAEA renewed his call for Tehran to allow inspections at key nuclear sites attacked by Israel and the United States in June.

Tensions between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog have repeatedly flared in recent years and were further inflamed after a 12-day war in June that saw Israeli and US strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.

Since the war, agency inspectors have not been granted access to sites such as Fordo and Natanz, which were hit in the strikes, but they have been able to visit other sites.

Thursday's resolution "urges Iran to comply fully and without delay with its legal obligations under... UNSC resolutions and to extend full and prompt cooperation to the IAEA, including by providing such information and access that the Agency requests," according to the text.

The vote was passed with 19 for, three against and 12 abstentions.

"We have performed a number of inspections, but we have not been able to go to the attack sites. I hope we will be able. Indeed, we have to go because this is part of Iran's commitments," IAEA head Rafael Grossi told reporters on Wednesday, after opening the regular board meeting of the Vienna-based agency.

"I hope we'll be able to move in a constructive manner."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday evening rejected any cooperation with the IAEA "regarding the bombed sites".

"We only cooperate regarding nuclear facilities that have not been affected, in compliance with IAEA regulations," he stated on Telegram.
French general sparks outcry with 'prepared to lose children' warning



Paris, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



France's top general on Thursday faced a backlash across the political spectrum after warning that the country must be ready to "lose its children" against the background of the threat posed by Russia.

Chief of the defence staff General Fabien Mandon said in a speech to local mayors on Tuesday that, while France has the economic and demographic power to defeat Moscow, it lacked the "spirit" in society to stand up to the menace.

Russia and Ukraine have been at war since Moscow in February 2022 launched the full-scale invasion of its neighbour. European powers, including France, have backed Ukraine with increasing supplies of weapons but have always insisted they are not directly involved in the conflict.

"We have all the knowledge, all the economic and demographic strength to deter the Moscow regime from trying its luck by going further," said Mandon.

"What we lack, and this is where you have a major role to play, is the strength of spirit to accept suffering in order to protect who we are," he told the mayors.

"If our country falters because it is not prepared to accept -- let's be honest -- to lose its children, to suffer economically because defence production will take precedence, then we are at risk," he added.

French officials including President Emmanuel Macron have repeatedly warned that Russia risks seeking to push further if the invasion of Ukraine succeeds.

Authorities have tried to prepare the minds of the French for a war or crisis that would force them to make sacrifices, but the message is struggling to make inroads among a polarised population that feels far from the frontline and protected by a nuclear deterrent.

"It's a NO! 51,000 war memorials in our towns and villages are not enough?," said French Communist party leader Fabien Roussel, referring to the number of memorials nationwide to those who fell in war.

"Yes to national defence, but no to unbearable warmongering rhetoric!", he wrote on X.

Louis Aliot, deputy leader of the far-right National Rally said: "One must be prepared to die for one's country... but the war being waged must be just, or understood, or the necessity must dictate that the very survival of the nation is at stake... I don't think there are many French people who are ready to go and die for Ukraine."

"It's shocking," said Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice and a member of the centre-right Horizons party which is part of Macron's ruling coalition.

"Is it the role of the chief of staff of the army to worry the country in this way? It's an act of weakness," he told CNews.
Iran envoy says new UN resolution will have 'negative impact'



Vienna, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency told AFP on Thursday that a new resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog would have a "negative impact" on cooperation over the country's nuclear programme.

"This resolution will not add anything to the current situation, will not be helpful, it is counter-productive," ambassador Reza Najafi said after the IAEA board adopted a resolution calling on Iran to provide access and information on its nuclear sites.

"Iran has already started cooperating with the agency despite our challenges and provided access to all undamaged facilities. This resolution will certainly have a negative impact on the cooperation that has already started between Iran and the agency," he added.

Longstanding tensions between Iran and the UN agency were inflamed after a 12-day war in June that saw Israeli and US strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities. Since then, agency inspectors have not been to sensitive sites such as Fordo and Natanz, which were hit in the strikes, but they have been able to visit others.

The new resolution "urges Iran to comply fully and without delay with its legal obligations under... UNSC resolutions and to extend full and prompt cooperation to the IAEA, including by providing such information and access that the agency requests", according to the text.

The resolution was passed by 19 votes to three with 12 abstentions.
Sudan's parallel war on social media



Cairo, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



The war in Sudan is increasingly being fought on the battlefield of social media, where competing factions trade fake news, doctored videos and triumphalist propaganda, hardening divisions in a country already fractured by years of conflict, analysts warn.

Since April 2023, a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has thrust the country into what the United Nations describes as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Beam Reports, a Sudanese digital verification outlet, said it had published roughly 40 fact-checking investigations between May and July, more than half debunking claims related to the war.

Many involve "harmful narratives that appeared aimed at escalating tensions and prolonging the conflict", said researcher Nihal Abdellatif.

The war has already killed tens of thousands of people, displaced nearly 12 million and created the world's largest displacement and hunger crises.



- 'All lying' -



For many Sudanese, trustworthy information has become elusive.

"Every day I check what's happening on social media," said Amar Salah Omar, a 34-year-old Sudanese refugee living in Paris.

"We're all looking for the truth, but it is very difficult. They are all lying and we have so little information."

In early August, Sudan's army-aligned state television reported that Emirati aircraft carrying Colombian mercenaries had been shot down near an airport controlled by the RSF.

The claim ricocheted across local and international media, though no evidence was provided.

In October, an image of a public hanging circulated widely after Algeria's representative to the United Nations invoked it as evidence of RSF abuses.

The photograph, Beam Reports later confirmed, had appeared months earlier in Chad and bore no relation to Sudan.

Similar manipulations have surfaced in pro-RSF messaging, including recycled images purporting to show Sudanese soldiers looting homes.

With much of the country's traditional press silenced by war, both sides "have taken advantage of this environment to disseminate propaganda, fabricate battlefield claims, circulate hate speech, and spread disinformation aimed at discrediting their opponents", said Abdellatif.

The fall of El-Fasher to the RSF on October 26 marked a turning point both militarily and online.

As famine spreads, photos of malnourished or abused children -- often taken in other African countries -- have proliferated.

Videos of battlefield victories, set to triumphant music, also circulated alongside graphic clips of violence.

Accused of killing 460 patients and healthcare workers at a hospital in El-Fasher, based on images disseminated by its fighters, the RSF rejected the allegations as "narratives... with no connection to the truth".

On its Telegram channel, the group countered with videos showing its fighters distributing aid and medical personnel tending to the wounded.



- 'Cyberjihadist' -



Online warfare is not new to Sudan. In the early 2010s, security services under former president Omar al-Bashir developed a "cyberjihadist" unit to quell grassroots mobilisation inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings in neighbouring countries.

The military has revived similar tactics, said Clement Deshayes, a Sudan specialist at France's Institute of Research for Development, "to discredit" the RSF.

The RSF, meanwhile, secured a "massive budget for media and public relations" even before the conflict, said Mahitab Mahgoub, a researcher at the Washington-based Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

This well-resourced campaign, including backing from the UAE, helped rebrand their leader Daglo as a state figure, Mahgoub told AFP.

Even before the war, roughly two-thirds of Sudanese people did not have internet access, according to the World Bank.

Now, communications outages and infrastructure failures have deepened the information vacuum, forcing many to rely on "word of mouth, and this is very dangerous", said Hind Abbas Hilmi, a professor at the University of Khartoum.



- 'The Liar's Dividend' -



The torrent of falsehoods in Sudan has helped entrench what scholars call the "liar's dividend" -- the idea that denials and counterclaims can be weaponised to "divert attention or to evade accountability or to undermine an adversary", according to a recent report from Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

"Online rhetoric has run rampant, with calls for murder, and for the secession of Darfur" from the rest of the country, said Deshayes.

He described an "acceleration of fake news" and "more polarised, more brutal, more violent rhetoric", encouraged by the warring parties.

One viral video authenticated by AFP shows a woman in RSF uniform urging RSF fighters to rape women.

Identifying herself as Major Shiraz Khaled, she proclaims that fighters should enter Sudan's Northern State "for its girls" and "to purify their lineage".

The same woman later posted a TikTok video showing a warm encounter with a presenter from the Emirati network Sky News Arabia during a mid-November visit to El-Fasher.

The presenter later posted on X, condemning what she described as "disinformation campaigns" on Darfur, echoing the rhetoric of the RSF.

The Emirati government has denied any involvement in the Sudanese conflict.

bur-sof/maf/jsa
Lebanese army feeling US, Israeli heat over Hezbollah disarmament



Beirut, Lebanon, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Israeli and US pressure on Lebanon's army to speedily disarm militant group Hezbollah is intensifying, with the army chief cancelling a visit to Washington after officials snubbed him, a military official told AFP.

Lebanon's army has been beefing up its presence in south Lebanon near the Israeli border since a US-brokered ceasefire last November sought to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.

Under a government-approved plan, the army is to dismantle Hezbollah military infrastructure south of the Litani river -- some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border -- by the end of the year, before tackling the rest of the country.

The military official, requesting anonymity as the matter is sensitive, said "we respect the timeline approved by the government and which the United States and other concerned parties are aware of".

But the official expressed concern that "systematic US and Israeli pressure could pave the way for an escalation of Israeli strikes", adding that "the demand to disarm Hezbollah across all Lebanon before the end of the year is impossible".

Israel has kept up near-daily attacks on Lebanon and still maintains troops in five areas in south Lebanon.

Israel's military has intensified raids on Lebanon in recent weeks, accusing Hezbollah of rebuilding its military capabilities near the border.

The military official said the army was being pressured to search homes in southern Lebanon for Hezbollah weapons or tunnels under houses.

The Lebanese army has beefed up troop presence near the border since the truce, with some 9,000 soldiers now deployed there, the official added.



- 'Weak' -



Lebanon's cash-strapped army, which counts some 80,000 personnel and depends heavily on US aid, is seen as a pillar of stability in the crisis-hit country.

President Joseph Aoun served as army chief before being elected as head of state in January with the backing of the international community, and his successor Rodolphe Haykal was scheduled to visit Washington this week.

But the trip was called off after US political and military officials cancelled their meetings with him just hours before he was scheduled to depart on Tuesday, the military official told AFP.

Those who cancelled included influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who in a statement on X slammed what he said was Haykal's "weak almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah".

Graham also criticised an army statement that referred to Israel as the "enemy" -- a standard term even in official discourse in Lebanon, which has been technically at war with Israel since 1948.

The statement in question condemned "the Israeli enemy's insistence on violating Lebanese sovereignty" and was issued after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Israeli soldiers shot at its peacekeepers on Sunday.

Since the ceasefire, UNIFIL said it "has recorded over 7,500 air violations, almost 2,500 ground violations north of the Blue Line, and over 360 left behind weapons caches that were referred" to the Lebanese army.

A committee comprising the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL, holds regular meetings to monitor the ceasefire.

Since the truce, the army has been coordinating with the committee and UNIFIL to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure despite its limited equipment and means, with 12 soldiers killed during such operations in recent months.



- House to house -



"The Lebanese army is being asked to do what the Israeli army was unable to accomplish during the war with its missiles, aircraft and technology," the official charged, referring to demands the army search houses in the south, and noting it lacks the personnel and expertise to do so.

The army also seeks to avoid civil conflict in Hezbollah's southern heartland, they added.

A promised international donor conference to support the army has not materialised.

Hezbollah, which was created after Israel invaded in 1982, is the only group to have kept its weapons since the country's 1975-1990 civil war, doing so in the name of "resistance" against Israel.

The group says it is respecting the ceasefire but has refused to surrender its weapons.

An Israeli military official told AFP's Jerusalem bureau that the ceasefire monitoring mechanism was working but "not as fast as we want, not in the places that we want".

"We see the way that Hezbollah is rebuilding themselves... we don't let those kinds of threats grow in our backyard," they added.

Hezbollah still has long-range missiles, the Israeli official said, adding that "when we ended the war, we knew that they had between 20 and 30 percent of their fire abilities" left.

"You can never do zero... In order to do zero, you need to go house (to) house -- every place in Lebanon, which is kind of what we expect the Lebanese army to do, because we can't do this ourselves," they added.

A Western military source told AFP that "the disarmament of Hezbollah will probably not happen.

"Israel believes that after having its arm twisted by Washington over Gaza, it will have a free hand to deal with Hezbollah."

lar-at-acc/lg/jsa/dcp
Bridgepoint has taken a majority stake in UK car finance fintech Zuto through its small cap Growth fund, according to a company press release. The fund focuses on scaling profitable European businesses, and the transaction also marks the exit of long-term investor Scottish Equity Partners (SEP).

Founded in 2006 and certified as a B Corporation, Zuto reported revenues of 75m and EBITDA of 12.5m in the last financial year to June 2025. The company stated that Q1 revenues in the current year grew by more than 30% year-on-year.

Jim Wilkinson, Zutos chief executive, described the deal as a pivotal milestone for the business. He said Bridgepoints investment would allow the company to strengthen our position, scale our platform, support more customers and give them even greater control. Wilkinson also acknowledged SEPs role, noting its support and guidance had shaped the companys culture.

Bridgepoint Growth partner Duncan Calam said Zuto was an exceptional technology-led platform and highlighted its sophisticated technology and consumer-first ethos. He added that the business was well placed to expand further in the UK car finance market.

SEP senior advisor Tony Robison commented that the firm was proud to have partnered with Jim and the Zuto team and said the companys growth, innovation and commitment to improving the customer experience had been notable during its investment period.

The partnership is expected to accelerate the development of Zutos technology platform and broaden its product range, drawing on Bridgepoints experience in scaling fintech businesses.

"Bridgepoint acquires majority stake in Zuto" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand.




Trump floats death penalty for 'seditious' Democrats



Washington, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that Democratic lawmakers who urged the military to refuse illegal orders could be executed, calling them traitors and accusing them of "seditious behavior."

Democrats immediately slammed Trump's "absolutely vile" threats against the six senators and representatives, who made the comments in a video posted on X on Tuesday.

"This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???" Trump said on Truth Social.

He then added in a later post: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!"

The 79-year-old also reposted a message from a user urging him to "hang them" and saying that the first US president, George Washington, would have done the same.

The Democratic lawmakers all have backgrounds in the military or intelligence services and included Senator Mark Kelly, a former member of the Navy and NASA astronaut, and Senator Elissa Slotkin, who served with the CIA in Iraq.

"You can refuse illegal orders," they said in the video, accusing Trump of "pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens."

They did not specify which orders they were referring to, but Trump has ordered the National Guard into multiple US cities, in many cases against the wishes of local officials, in a bid to bring allegedly rampant unrest under control.

Abroad, Trump has ordered strikes on a series of alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean that have left more than 80 people dead and which experts say are illegal.



- 'Lighting a match' -



White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later walked back Trump's suggestion, saying that the president did not want to see members of Congress executed.

She still lashed out at the lawmakers, saying: "Why aren't you talking about what these members of Congress are doing to encourage and incite violence?"

The Democratic Party reacted furiously to Trump's remarks.

"Trump just called for the death of Democratic elected officials. Absolutely vile," the party posted on its official X account.

The lawmakers in the video vowed not to be deterred by Trump's threats, saying they were "veterans and national security professionals who love this country" and had sworn an oath to defend the US constitution.

"That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation," they said.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of fanning the flames of violence among his supporters.

"He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline," Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor.

Trump previously evoked the death penalty in 2023 in relation to his former top US military officer Mark Milley, who became an outspoken critic of the president.

After Milley told journalist Bob Woodward that he had secretly called his Chinese counterpart amid tensions after Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in January 2021, Trump said "in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!"

Trump's death penalty comments came as he faces perhaps the most political pressure since his return to the White House in January.

In recent weeks his grip on the Republican party has been shaken by the scandal over disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, and by off-year elections in New York, New Jersey and Virginia in which Democrats scored major wins.

dk/aha
Nigerian defence minister to lead search for kidnapped schoolgirls



Lagos, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Thursday ordered his minister of state for defence to go to western Kebbi state, where two dozen girls kidnapped from their boarding school earlier this week are still missing.

The order for minister Alhaji Bello Matawalle to "relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 24 schoolgirls" came as pressure mounted on the government after US President Donald Trump this month threatened military action over what he described as the killing of Nigeria's Christians, a narrative rejected by the Nigerian authorities.

A presidency statement said Matawalle had "experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping", after he secured the release of 279 students aged between 10 and 17 who had been kidnapped from a government secondary school in 2021 in western Zamfara state.

Another state, Kwara, in the east of the country, has ordered some schools shut following a deadly raid on a church on Tuesday, a government official told AFP.

Gunmen stormed a church service in the state on Tuesday, killing at least two people.

Michael Agbabiaka, an elder of the church, told AFP that the attackers fired shots, beat up worshippers and ransacked bags, taking cash and mobile phones.

Speaking by phone, he said 35 people had been abducted by the attackers.

Following the attack, Kwara state government directed the closure of schools in four areas as part of steps to "address recent security breaches", state government spokesman Ibraheem Abdullateef told AFP.

"This decision was taken to checkmate kidnappers who may want to use schoolchildren as soft targets and human shields amidst a renewed crackdown on their hideouts by the security operatives," he said.

Nigerian security forces have been placed on high alert, the information minister said this week, as the country faces an uncomfortable spotlight on its security situation.

Tinubu has "postponed" a trip to South Africa for a G20 summit and to Angola for an Africa-EU meeting to receive "security briefings" on the kidnapped schoolgirls and the church attack, his office said.
Brookfield Asset Management has launched a global AI infrastructure programme that aims to deploy up to $100bn into data centre, compute, and power assets, in partnership with Nvidia and the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA).

The initiative is anchored by the Brookfield Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Fund (BAIIF), which is targeting $10bn in equity commitments.

The fund has secured of capital commitments totalling $5bn at launch from Brookfield, Nvidia, KIA, and other institutional and industry investors.

BAIIF alongside additional co-investor capital and financing will be used for acquiring AI infrastructure assets, up to $100bn, across the value chain.

The investment will cover energy supply, land, data centres, and compute resources.

Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang said: AI is transforming every industry, and like electricity, it will require every nation to build the infrastructure to power it.

AI infrastructure demands land, power, and purpose-built supercomputersand our partnership with Brookfield brings all of these elements together in a ready-to-deploy AI cloud.

BAIIF will invest in four main areas of physical infrastructure.

These areas include AI factories based on Nvidias DSX Vera Rubin-ready reference design, dedicated behind-the-metre power solutions for data centres and AI facilities, and compute infrastructure with integrated solutions for governments and large enterprises.

Additionally, BAIIF will invest in adjacent assets and capital partnerships across the AI value chain.

The fund will focus on projects with contracted cash flows and counterparties with better credit profiles.

As a seed investment for BAIIF, Brookfield has agreed a $5bn framework with Bloom Energy to deploy up to one gigawatt (1GW) of behind-the-metre power systems for data centres and AI factories.

In parallel, Brookfield is launching Radiant as a new Nvidia Cloud Partner to provide full-stack AI services. Radiant will use Brookfields land, power, and data centre footprint in multiple regions for this purpose.

It will build AI factories based on Nvidia DSX reference design to offer the fastest time to revenues and provide direct support to Brookfields Sovereign AI programmes.

Brookfield has also announced partnerships in France and Sweden to support national AI plans in those markets, with up to $30bn of combined AI infrastructure investment earmarked under these arrangements.

Brookfield AI infrastructure head Sikander Rashid said: AI is creating one of the largest infrastructure buildouts in history, comparable to the formation of the modern power grid and global telecom networks but unfolding at a far greater pace and significantly larger scale.
They must also listen carefully to the concerns being expressed by energy industry bodies and businesses around the devastating impacts of the reserved energy profits levy. The levy was always supposed to be a temporary measure and we must see the earliest possible end date, or complete reform, as it is affecting investment and jobs across Scotlands energy sector.
As the flag carrier for the UK, its important to us that we represent modern Britain at home and all around the world, and were so excited to be a part of Olympia to showcase the very best homegrown and international entertainment.
But that really is what Paddington represents to people, a familiarity borne from childhood and then again in parenthood, and a kind of innocence that this implies. Paddingtons real appeal is an essential appeal to our better selves. I think it's just delving into nostalgia and comfort and familiarity. This bear has only ever brought goodness into this little world, and Paddington just draws on kindness. That's why these books were so brilliant for little kids, and it transfers to adults as well - I'm sure a lot of parents along the way have got their best parenting tips from those books. Remembering kindness and to be present and to listen and to give benefit of the doubt.
And then something happened: the mood changed. Optimism was in, visionary people took control of government. The second half of the 90s was characterized by New Labour, Young British Artists, and Britpop. It was cool to be British, and the country wanted to celebrate. Why not? It turned out to be the best time to open a big, beautiful ocean liner of a restaurant in Soho. The brainchild of my business partner, Oliver Peyton, it was called the Atlantic Bar & Grill. It became the most glamorous and iconic restaurant and bar of the 90s and early 2000s (the noughties  but also the naughties). It helped that we had a 3am licence, too, now rarely seen. With business good, I decided to open elsewhere, in Mayfair and Chelsea. There were a lot of big launches, a lot of parties, a lot of fun.
The group were told there were no other available rooms in the hotel and were advised by Booking.com to find a replacement hotel and pay up front, and that a refund would be issued for their flooded room.
The comments come as Eric Trump  the son of US President Donald Trump and the de-facto head of the Trump Organisation in Scotland  said the family are looking forward to welcoming the Tartan Army if they play in the US next year.
In the meantime, we will continue our support for Ukraine and help ensure that they have the military equipment and resources they need to defend themselves from such continued aggression while sustaining economic pressure on people to bear down on the revenues that are funding the war.
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It is the police case that Mr Coleman was involved in the preparation of this attack and assisted in the movement and disposal of a vehicle in the commission of the attempted murder of DCI Caldwell on behalf of the New IRA.
By Tuba F?c?c?

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, at todays group meeting, once again called for a commission to visit ?mral? Island. Bahceli said: If the goal of a terror-free Turkiye is to be realized, there is no point in dragging feet over going to ?mral?. If no one agrees to this visit, I say it openly: I will take three colleagues with me and will not hesitate to go to ?mral? on our own.

Following Bahcelis remarks, Minister of Justice Y?lmaz Tunc made statements. Tunc said: Freedom from terrorism is very important for our country. Such a step can only be realized through the decision of the commission.

Speaking to the press, Minister Tunc also addressed the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, marked on November 20 as World Childrens Day. He noted that two days earlier, the opening program of a related project had been held and sessions were continuing. Tunc emphasized the importance of protecting children in judicial processesboth victims of crime and those drawn into crimeso that they are not harmed by the system. He described the initiative as a significant project aimed at making the child justice system more effective.

Tunc explained that Turkiye has already introduced numerous regulations concerning children, including the Child Protection Law, and stressed that the project will run for three years. He added that Turkiye, as a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child since 2005, is also a signatory to international agreements preventing child abuse, and that the project is intended to improve the implementation of existing legislation.

On another issue, Tunc referred to the publication of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (?BB) investigation, noting that under the Criminal Procedure Code, recording audio and video in courtrooms is currently prohibited. He said lifting this ban would be at the discretion of Parliament.

Returning to the theme of terrorism, Tunc underlined: We attach great importance to a terror-free Turkiyefor our countrys future, for our childrens future, and for the Century of Turkiye. For 41 years we have fought terrorism. We have suffered trillions in material losses, thousands of martyrs, and great pain. As a nation, we are united in the desire that such suffering never be repeated.

He recalled the sacrifices of security forces and highlighted milestones in Turkiyes struggle against terrorism, including the lifting of emergency rule in 2002, President Erdo?ans historic 2005 speech in Diyarbak?r, and subsequent democratization steps that dismantled excuses for terrorism. He also cited Erdo?ans speeches in Ahlat in recent years, which emphasized national unity, and Bahcelis October 22, 2022 call at an MHP group meeting, which he described as opening the door to a new process.

Tunc noted that statements from ?mral? regarding the dissolution of the terrorist organization and the laying down of arms marked an important stage. He stressed that support from the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye was crucial, and that the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission.
(Reuters) -Brookfield Asset Management launched a $100 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure program in partnership with Nvidia and Kuwait Investment Authority, the Canadian company said on Wednesday, as demand for computing and energy to support AI applications accelerates.

The program will be anchored by a new Brookfield Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Fund, which is launching on Wednesday with a target of $10 billion in equity commitments.

The fund has already secured $5 billion from investors including Brookfield, chipmaker Nvidia and KIA.

Brookfield said the fund will acquire up to $100 billion of AI infrastructure assets, including energy, land, data centers and compute capacity, supported by additional co-investor capital and financing.

Brookfield is one of the world's largest investors in the AI value chain, with more than 100 billion euros ($115.83 billion) invested across digital infrastructure, renewable power and semiconductor manufacturing worldwide.

The surge in AI adoption is fueling demand for massive infrastructure investments, including data centers, high-performance computing and power generation, as companies race to secure capacity for AI workloads.

Sikander Rashid, head of AI infrastructure at Brookfield, said that AI is creating "one of the largest infrastructure build outs in history" and will require $7 trillion of capital over the next decade.

The fund's initial investments include a $5 billion framework agreement with Bloom Energy to install up to 1 gigawatt of behind-the-meter power solutions for data centers and AI factories.

Earlier this year, Brookfield announced plans to invest up to 95 billion Swedish crowns ($10.01 billion) in an AI data center in Sweden and committed 20 billion euros to AI projects in France.

($1 = 0.8633 euros)

($1 = 9.4868 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Devika Nair and Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema, Anil D'Silva and Maju Samuel)
In this series of photos provided Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board, an engine can be seen separating from and flying over the wing of a UPS jet that was attempting to take off earlier this month. National Transportation Safety Board Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 04 in Louisville, Ky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff. Stephen Cohen/Getty Images This photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the UPS plane crash scene on Nov. 6. On Thursday, the agency said the engine that fell off had cracks in the engine mounts. The plane had recently been serviced in San Antonio. National Transportation Safety Board Smoke rises from the site of a UPS cargo plane crash this month near the UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville. Leandro Lozada/Tribune News Service UPS jets are parked Nov. 6 at the Worldport package sorting complex at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Ky. Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Federal investigators have found evidence of cracks in the engine mount of the UPS cargo plane that crashed this month in Louisville, killing 14, after spending much of the previous two months in San Antonio for maintenance.

According to a preliminary accident report released Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board investigation is focused on that engine pylon-to-wing connection, in which investigators found pre-existing evidence of fatigue cracks.

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Records show the assembly was last maintained Oct. 18, the last day the plane was at ST Engineerings facility at San Antonio International Airport.

Investigators also released dramatic photos of the engine breaking loose from and flying off the MD-11 that crashed while attempting to take off Nov. 4 from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

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The series of six photos shows the rear of the engine starting to detach before flying up and over the wing as flames erupted. The next image shows the wing engulfed by fire as the burning engine flies above it. The last image shows the plane starting to get airborne.

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But it only got 30 feet off the ground, the NTSB said, citing the flight data recorder in its first formal but preliminary report.

Three pilots on the plane were killed along with 11 more people on the ground.

The NTSB said the plane was not due for a detailed inspection of key engine mount parts that had fractures. It still needed to complete nearly 7,000 more takeoffs and landings. It was last examined in October 2021.

It wasnt immediately clear when the cracks developed on the 34-year-old plane and whether they could have been missed in that earlier inspection.

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The assembly got some attention during its September-October maintenance in San Antonio, though.

A 24-month/4,800 hour lubrication task of the pylon thrust links and pylon spherical bearings was last accomplished on October 18, 2025, the NTSB report said without indicating which entity completed that maintenance.

READ NEXT: Former Bastrop fire chief among those killed in Louisville UPS plane crash

The craft, registered as N259UP, departed San Antonio International for Louisville at 8:49 p.m. that day.

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ST said previously that its San Antonio site has been UPS main provider of heavy maintenance for MD-11s since the carrier began using the airframe in 2002. The engineering company also converted nearly all of UPS MD-11s from passenger to freighter aircraft.

Two days after the crash, NTSB member Todd Inman said a team was pulling the maintenance records from the crafts time in San Antonio as it looked for clues.

We will look at every piece of maintenance that was done, even from the San Antonio time all the way to the date of the flight, he said. So those are pertinent and important information. Were aware of it, but its going to be a laborious process to go through everything, especially when were just talking about six weeks of being there.

NTSB has not said if it has investigators on the ground in San Antonio.

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ST Engineering said Friday that it hasnt been involved with NTSB on the matter.

We have not been named by NTSB as a party to the investigations and we will cooperate fully with NTSB if approached, the company said in a statement. It declined to comment further.

The agencys report cited the 1979 crash of an American Airlines DC-10 at Chicago-OHare International Airport that killed 271 people and two people on the ground. Similar to the UPS crash, the airliners engine and pylon fell off as the craft was taking off. MD-11s are essentially larger, modernized versions of the DC-10.

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All MD-11s used by UPS, FedEx and Western Global  along with a few related DC-10s  were grounded after the crash until they can be inspected and repaired, but the Federal Aviation Administration hasnt said what will be required to get them back in the air.

MD-11 aircraft make up about 9% of the UPS fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet, the companies have said.

Earlier this week, Bill Moore, president of UPS Airlines, an arm of UPS, said the company is working with investigators to determine the key cause of the crash.

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FILE  Downtown Austin as seen on Oct. 23. Of the 25 Texas companies on the 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list, 12 are based in Austin. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Austin companies accounted for nearly half of the Texas entries on a new ranking of the nations fastest-growing technology firms, underscoring the citys standing as the states tech leader.

Texas placed 25 companies on 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, which recognizes the 500 fastest-growing technology and life sciences companies in North America. Twelve of them are based in Austin, eight in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, three in Houston and two in San Antonio.

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While the rankings highlight the Austin areas outsized role in the Texas innovation economy, the statewide total puts Texas is in a prominent spot. With 5% of the lists companies, Texas ranked fourth behind the San Francisco Bay Area (17%); the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Western Connecticut (14%); and New England (7%).

This years rankings highlight both enduring leadership and breakthrough growth, said Wolfe Tone, U.S. Deloitte Private & Emerging Client Portfolio leader. Private companies continue to dominate, underscoring the agility that private enterprises bring to competitive markets, enabling the exceptional triple and quadruple digit growth reflected in these rankings.

Companies in the software and services sector comprised more than half (52%) of the list. Among those, digital platforms represented 29%, with enterprise infrastructure and productivity following closely with 25%. Security (15%), consumer software (8%), and education (2%) comprised the rest of the subsectors within software and services. Life sciences (14%) and fintech (13%) swapped positions from last year to round out the top three industry categories.

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Artificial intelligence catapulted into fourth while both hardware & semiconductors and communications networking slipped. Energy and sustainability technology held the top spot for the highest median revenue growth rate at 616%.

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Here are the 25 Texas companies that made the list, their headquarters cities and growth rates:





6. JobTread Software: Dallas

JobTread is a construction and project management software company based in Dallas. It had an 11,944% revenue growth rate between 2021 and 2024 to rank sixth overall on Deloittes list.

12. Razormetrics: Austin

Razormetrics is a life sciences technology company based in Austin. It creates software designed to help health care providers reduce the cost of prescriptions. Revenue rowth rate: 9,073%.

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16. Action1: Houston

Action1 is a cybersecurity software company based in Houston focused on patch management. Revenue growth rate: 7,265%.

44. Closingclock: Austin

Closingclock is an Austin-based software company that focuses on fraud prevention in the real estate industry. Revenue growth rate: 2,751%.

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84. SafeRide Health: San Antonio

SafeRide is San Antonio-based life sciences technology company that acts as a non-emergent broker of medical transportation. Revenue growth rate: 1,116%.

92. Cart.com: Houston

Cart.com is an e-commerce and logistics software company based in Houston. Revenue growth rate: 1,053%.

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108. Archer Review: Austin

Archer Review is a software and services company based in Austin that provides exam and study materials for medical and nursing students. Revenue growth rate: 877%.

116. Highlevel: Dallas

Highlevel is a Dallas-based text messaging and and automation platform developer. Revenue growth rate: 781%.

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163. Skimmer: Austin

Skimmer is an Austin-based pool service software company. Revenue growth rate: 500%.

171. Interplay Learning: Austin

Interplay Learning is an Austin-based artificial intelligence company that creates hands-on trade workforce training. Revenue growth rate: 470%.

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173. Aligned Data Centers: Plano

Aligned Data Centers is a data center developer based in Plano. Revenue growth rate: 465%.

206. NinjaOne: Austin

NinjaOne is a software and cybersecurity company based in Austin. Revenue growth rate: 387%.

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220. Kickfin: Austin

Kickfin is an Austin-based company that provides management software for restaurants. Revenue growth rate: 369%.

255. Qualizeal: Irving

Qualizeal is an AI digital engineering software company based in Irving. Revenue growth rate: 311%.

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296. Sanara MedTech Inc.: Fort Worth

Sanara MedTech Inc. is a medical equipment manufacturer and technology company based in Fort Worth. Revenue growth rate: 259%.

303. CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.: Austin

CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company headquartered in Austin. Revenue growth rate: 249%.

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312. Tellihealth: Houston

Tellihealth is a Houston-based life sciences company that provides remote patient-care monitoring systems. Revenue growth rate: 244%.

332. Valor: Fort Worth

Valor is a Fort Worth-based technology advisory firm. Revenue growth rate: 225%.

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334. Overhaul: Austin

Overhaul is an in-transit risk management software company based in Austin. Revenue growth rate: 224%.

354. Cariloop: Richardson

Cariloop, based in Richardson, is a software and services company that offers support for caregivers. Revenue growth rate: 210%.

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404. Natera Inc.: Austin

Natera is a DNA-testing technology company based in Austin. Revenue growth rate: 171%.

441. Qentelli LLC: Dallas

Qentelli, is a company based in Dallas that offers software engineering and development services. Revenue growth rate: 154%.

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447. SpyCloud: Austin

SpyCloud is a cybersecurity company based in Austin. Revenue growth rate: 152%.

458. VORAGO Technologies: Austin

VORAGO is an Austin-based electronics manufacturer that develops microcontrollers and microprocessors. Revenue growth rate: 145%.

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464. Stirista: San Antonio

Stirista is an onboarding software and marketing company based in San Antonio. Revenue growth rate: 142%.

For the past three decades, Deloitte has ranked public and private companies that have been in business at least four years, have at least $5 million in operating revenue and proprietary technology in the market. Companies that met those parameters were ranked for this years list based on their fiscal-year revenue growth over a three-year period between 2021 and 2024.
A man punched in the face by an Austin police officer in October is suing the officer and the Austin Police Department. American-Statesman

A man who was punched in the face by an Austin police officer last month in an incident that went viral on social media has filed a lawsuit against the officer and the Austin Police Department alleging excessive force.

The suit states that James Rodriguez, the plaintiff, was among a crowd of people watching two officers violently arrest a man on Oct. 10 in the citys Sixth Street district when one of the officers, identified by the Police Department only as Officer Garcia, began pushing the crowd back.

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According to the suit, Garcia arrested a woman and began walking her away when he turned back toward the crowd and punched Rodriguez in the head, knocking him to the ground. That moment was captured in a 12-second video that circulated online in the days after it happened.

Rodriguez was simply standing with his empty hands loose by his sides watching [officers] brutally punch and detain others on Sixth Street, attorney Jeff Edwards writes in the complaint he filed in federal court on Nov. 17.

Garcias punch to Rodriguezs head was so hard, the complaint alleges, that it knocked the man unconscious.

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City spokesperson Erik Johnson said in a statement that the city has not yet been served with this lawsuit, but will review it and respond appropriately.

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The suit only identifies Garcia by his last name and badge number. Police Department spokesperson Clara Ash declined to release Garcias full name. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis placed Garcia on restricted duty as criminal and internal investigations into the incident continue.

The suit highlights Mayor Kirk Watsons swift condemnation of the incident. In a statement issued on the day video of the incident began circulating, the mayor described Garcias actions as inexcusable and indefensible.

There is no room in APD for such violent behavior or for someone who claims to be a public servant and acts that way, Watson said.

The suit argues that Garcias punch is an example of excessive use of force that has become a pattern at the Police Department due to inadequate training and a failure to supervise or discipline officers.

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As a result of that lack of training and discipline, the suit argues, officers engaging in excessive force, specifically including but not limited to the use of head strikes, failing to warn, and failing to de-escalate has become the de-facto practice of the Police Department.

Civil plaintiffs suing officers for excessive force often also sue the department that employs the officer under a legal doctrine known as Monell.

But as the American-Statesman has previously reported, Monell claims are notoriously difficult for plaintiffs to win. Earlier this year, plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought against the Police Department over the fatal shooting of Alex Gonzales in 2021 landed a rare victory by advancing their claims against the department to trial. But the Police Department was dismissed from the case midway through the trial.
China's 4 billion (US$4.6 billion) euro-denominated bond sale has drawn record demand, highlighting robust investor confidence in its sovereign assets amid a global shift towards diversification.

International and regional investors placed 100.1 billion in orders for the offering - 25 times the fundraising target - China's Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Wednesday. The seven-year tranche, issued alongside an equal-sized four-year tranche, attracted demand 26.5 times its allocation, it added.

The subscription rates marked the highest for a euro-denominated bond offering by China, which had previously conducted four such issuances, according to industry players. Investors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and offshore US accounted for 51 per cent, 35 per cent, 8 per cent and 6 per cent of allocations, respectively.

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 latest issuance - which followed another oversubscribed US dollar notes sale of US$4 billion by the Ministry of Finance two weeks ago - signalled growing investor confidence in China's assets as trade tensions with the US ease and the country's low correlation to global markets becomes more attractive.

Standard Chartered is the joint lead manager, joint bookrunner and settlement bank of the deal. Photo: Harvey Kong alt=Standard Chartered is the joint lead manager, joint bookrunner and settlement bank of the deal. Photo: Harvey Kong>

"Investors have voted their confidence in the creditworthiness of the Chinese government, given the diverse investor type and robust subscription rate we have seen," said Keith Cheung, head of debt syndicate for Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered, the joint lead manager, joint bookrunner and settlement bank of the deal.

Sovereign entities subscribed 26 per cent of the latest euro bond issuance, while asset and fund managers accounted for 39 per cent, and banks and insurers took 32 per cent, according to the Ministry of Finance.

"This trade has reflected the strong demand from investors for a rare sovereign issuer out of Asia and euro assets for diversification purposes," Cheung added.

China's US dollar and euro-denominated sovereign bonds provided an attractive alternative for portfolio diversification, according to Ze Yi Ang, portfolio manager for Asia fixed income at Allianz Global Investors.
Courts American-Statesman file

An Army medical provider at Fort Hood in Texas has been suspended, and an investigation is underway after multiple patients allegations of abuse and misconduct, the military base said in a statement. Now, lawsuits are mounting.

Maj. Blaine McGraw, who worked as an OB-GYN at Fort Hoods Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, was accused of secretly videotaping and photographing hundreds of patients during medical procedures. One victim said McGraw pretended to receive a call from a nurse before slipping his phone into his breast pocket with the camera facing outward to record her, according to a lawsuit that was filed.

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Victims have also accused McGraw of inappropriate sexual touching under the guise of medical care, including medically unnecessary breast and genital examinations, according to the lawsuit. He also allegedly violated Army medical protocols requiring nursing staff to be present during examinations.

McGraw was suspended Oct. 17, the same day the allegations were made, Fort Hood said in its statement. The Armys Criminal Investigation Division launched a probe within hours, the base said. That investigation is ongoing, and officials said they would determine whether to press official charges soon, though they could not estimate a timeline.

McGraw's military service timeline

McGraw completed his medical residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu before moving to Fort Hood in 2023. He first joined the Army in 2007, serving as a rifle platoon leader in Fort Campbell, Ky.

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The Army released his full service records as part of the investigation, detailing his military history:

July 2024  present: OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas

OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas March 2024  July 2024: OB-GYN staff physician, 11 MD Field Hospital (Iraq/Syria)

OB-GYN staff physician, 11 MD Field Hospital (Iraq/Syria) August 2023  July 2024: OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas

OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas July 2020  August 2023: OB-GYN resident, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii

OB-GYN resident, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii June 2019  July 2020: OB-GYN intern, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii

OB-GYN intern, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii August 2013  June 2019: Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky. November 2012  August 2013: Battalion physician assistant (Afghanistan), 2-327 IN, 1BCT, 101st AIRBORNE, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Battalion physician assistant (Afghanistan), 2-327 IN, 1BCT, 101st AIRBORNE, Fort Campbell, Ky. October 2011  November 2012: Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky. September 2010  October 2011: Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Campbell, Ky. August 2009  September 2010: Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Sam Houston, Texas

Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Sam Houston, Texas December 2008  August 2009: Battalion S1, Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky.

Battalion S1, Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky. February 2007  December 2008: Combat advisor/executive officer (Iraq), Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky.

Combat advisor/executive officer (Iraq), Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky. February 2007  September 2007: Rifle platoon leader, Bravo Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky.

'Predator in uniform'

The Cobos Law Firm, a Houston-based firm, is representing more than 50 of McGraws alleged victims in a civil lawsuit against him. The firm held a news conference about the case Nov. 4.

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The lawsuit filed in Bell County District Court, alleges McGraw had been the subject of complaints during his time working at both Tripler and Darnall medical centers. The petition accuses the Army of giving cover to a predator in uniform.

Army investigators recovered thousands of intimate photographs and videos from McGraws phone, which had been taken over the course of multiple years and depicted non-consenting patients, many of whom remain unidentified, according to the petition.

National Trial Law, an Austin-based personal injury firm, has also filed a Federal Tort Claims Act administrative complaint against the Army on behalf of Jane Doe 1, the firm said in a release. National Trial Law has a history of representing military personnel and veterans, according to its website.

These victims trusted the Army to provide world-class medical care in their most vulnerable moments, and instead, systemic failures allowed a predator to operate unchecked despite warnings, said Jamal Alsaffar, a partner at National Trial Law. Many of our clients reported this doctors inappropriate behavior to the Army, yet nothing was done. He was allowed to continue treating patients, violating more women with each passing day. This is an unconscionable betrayal of trust.

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More than 1,400 patients contacted

In a statement, Ford Hood said the medical center expedited referrals and sent official notification letters to all patients McGraw had seen while working there. The base commander told NBC News that more than 1,400 letters were sent. The letters included contact information for the Criminal Investigation Division and the medical center for patients wishing to report additional information or request support. The medical center also added call center support staff to assist in fielding patient questions.

In addition to the criminal investigation from Army CID, multiple additional investigations are underway to examine all facets of the issue, including systems, clinical processes, policies, and other areas, the base said in a statement. These investigations are intended to ensure that the rigorous standards in place were followed.

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Fort Hood recognizes the great trust and responsibility inherent in caring for our Soldiers, Families, and beneficiaries, and will continue to care for everyone involved throughout this process, the statement added.
Courts American-Statesman file

A Hays County judge sentenced a man to 218 years in prison after finding he repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted a teenage girl who was the daughter of a friend, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Richard Santa Ana, 44, was convicted Nov. 7 on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. The conviction followed a bench trial, over which Hays County District Judge Joe Pool presided.

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Pool ordered the sentences to run consecutively, also known as stacking, which means Santa Ana will have to serve each term in full before the next begins. He also must register as a sex offender for life, and the court issued a lifetime protective order against him for the victim.

This gives notice to others in the community that were not going to accept this type of behavior, Pool said.

Richard Santa Ana, 44, was sentenced to 218 years in prison on Nov. 7. Hays County District Attorney's Office

During the punishment phase of the proceedings, prosecutors presented testimony from a woman who said Santa Ana also assaulted her in 2007, in order to establish a pattern of behavior.

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In a statement, the Hays County District Attorneys office said Santa Ana appeared unremorseful despite the verdict.

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This defendant had already shown he wont be rehabilitated, said lead prosecutor and Assistant District Attorney Abigail Whitaker. We asked the Court to make sure he wouldnt be able to reoffend again. Both of the girls who came forward and told their stories in this trial were extremely brave, and we are grateful we were able to get justice for them.
Kelly Ferraro, right, and Evi Bloch, left, attend a board of trustees meeting at AISD headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Austin. Parents and students gathered at AISD headquarters to protest the closure of 13 AISD schools. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Austin trustees will take a consequential vote Thursday night that could shutter 10 campuses, reshape special dual language and Montessori programming and assign state-mandated plans to improve academics at two dozen schools.

We need to do something bold, Superintendent Matias Segura said. We needed to do something big to evolve, to ensure that as a system, we grow and we are in a healthy, vibrant school system for years to come.

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The plan is significantly scaled back from an earlier proposal to close 13 schools and redraw attendance boundaries across the district. Under the current draft, it will still directly impact thousands of Austin children.

School officials say the proposal  which could save about $22 million  is necessary to slash costs amid a looming deficit.

If approved by trustees, the closure plan will go into effect in the 2026-27 school year.

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Academic improvement plans

Seven of the 10 schools on the proposed closure list require a state-mandated turnaround plan because of chronic failures to meet state academic standards.

The seven include Barrington, Dawson, Oak Springs and Widen elementaries, Winn Montessori School and Bedichek and Martin middle schools.

The turnaround plans, which lay out benchmarks for teachers and provide extra staff and academic resources, would be assigned to the campuses receiving the majority of the students from each of the closed schools.

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All seven of these schools received three F ratings in a row on the states A-F scale.

Another five campuses with three consecutive F ratings will remain open: Linder, Sanchez, Pecan Springs and Wooldridge elementary schools and Paredes Middle. These schools will receive added resources and new requirements for teachers under plans similar to those implemented this year at Dobie, Burnet and Webb middle schools.

The plans for all five schools also contain contingencies should academic struggles persist. If by 2027, the schools dont show signs that their state letter grades are improving, the district could partner with a charter or third-party operator to hand over management of the campus.

Another 12 schools that have only two Fs or have been flagged by the federal government for failures to meet graduation rate requirements are undergoing less stringent plans.

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The states A-F grades are based largely on results from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exams.

Widen Elementary School, shown Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, is adjacent to the Dove Springs Public Health Facility and the George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Moving special programs

The other three schools slated for closure are three of Austins wall-to-wall dual language campuses.

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Sunset Valleys program would move wholesale to Odom next year. However, Becker, Ridgetop and Reilly students would need to apply to pre-existing, siloed dual language programs at Sanchez, Pickle and Wooten, where the district plans to phase in those programs.

For parents at Ridgetop Elementary, the change means a complete program closure, said Shahin Amini, whose third grader attends the school. This feels like the opposite of what families were promised: that theyd have a program in a new location to attend school, he said.

Theyve eroded the credibility, Amini said of the districts engagement process.

The district initially promised the dual language school communities that their programs would move with the students, but the late-breaking development feels like a reversal, parent Cindi Reid said.

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Theyre not guaranteeing anyone a spot except for (one at) your home, zoned campus, Reid said. Your home, zoned campus might be dual language. It might not.

Amini was one of several dozen parents who stood outside the Central Austin campus Wednesday morning to protest the move, carrying Somos Ridgetop signs in opposition to the new proposal.

Parents and students attend a board of trustees meeting at AISD headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Austin. Parents and students gathered at AISD headquarters to protest the closure of 13 AISD schools. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

The other programming change Austin trustees will vote on is moving the Montessori programming from Winn to Reilly as a program within the larger campus.

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Transfers

Students at closed schools will be able to attend their new zoned campus or apply for a transfer.

The students currently enrolled in wall-to-wall dual language campuses can apply for the dual language programs at Pickle, Wooten, Odom or Sanchez. They will be given priority in their applications.

Students at Winn will also be prioritized in transferring to Reillys Montessori program.

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Past mistakes

District officials began this process with wounds still open from a controversial closure process that many called inequitable.

While three of four schools closed in 2019 were concentrated in East Austin, the 10 campuses on Thursdays list are more spread out across the city and serve a higher proportion of low-income children than the entire district does.

For instance, six of the 10 schools up for closure serve at least 75% low-income students. About 63% of the roughly 3,700 children currently attending the 10 schools are low-income, compared to 50% across the whole district.

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In 2019, about 75% of the 900 children in the four schools that closed were low-income.

The 10 schools that trustees will vote on Thursday also serve a larger share of Black and Hispanic children  77%  than the districts average of 60%.

Community feedback

The months-long process of drafting the school closure plan prior to Thursday nights vote has been marked by plenty of community feedback  with many criticizing how district officials have communicated plan updates. However, some families felt relief at changes to the proposal.

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During a Nov. 6 board meeting, President Lynn Boswell also questioned whether district officials were taking full advantage of community ideas.

I see a lot of things that were doing for families, but I dont see a lot of leaning into our families as experts, President Lynn Boswell said.

Whats next

District officials must submit turnaround plans for all the academically struggling campuses by Friday, making Thursdays vote time sensitive.

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Superintendent Segura has said hes committed to quickly reopening the conversation about other potential changes.

Another three schools  Bryker Woods, Palm, and Maplewood elementaries  and comprehensive boundary changes were removed from the current plan on Nov. 4, the same day that the district announced two top staffers were on leave and that an internal investigation was looking into the handling of public feedback.

It is not clear when these changes will be reconsidered by the board. Segura has committed that any changes considered in the spring semester will not go into effect the immediately following academic year.

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Silent protesters urge University of Texas System Board of Regents to reject the compact offer the President Donald Trump Administration sent the system's flagship school at the Nov. 19 board meeting. Lily Kepner/Austin American-Statesman

The University of Texas System Board of Regents  a board comprised of governor appointees  will now have ultimate power over its universities' hiring, curriculum and degree offerings, in compliance with a new state law. Previously these decisions were made by institution presidents and often crafted with input from faculty.

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The changes approved this week align system policy with Senate Bill 37, the higher education reform bill passed in the last legislative session that gives regents explicit control over key academic choices while restricting facultys role in shared governance. It further codifies the regents' authority over policy implementation and financial stewardship.

Institution presidents must make decisions in a manner that promotes efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce needs, and the institutions institutional mission and annually review senior leaders who oversee curriculum or student affairs, including deans and the provost, under the policy changes.

SB 37, which will be in full effect Jan. 1, was meant to check faculty authority amid conservative concerns that liberal faculty had too much power over hiring and curriculum. But student critics worried that weakening faculty governance could hurt university decisions, weaken transparency and hurt faculty and student morale.

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DEEPER DIVE: As UT pivots from Faculty Senate, members mourn forum that guaranteed their input

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This fall, UT has seen significant turnover  the senior provost leader was dismissed over ideological differences, a college of education dean who expressed interest in staying was non-renewed and the Dean of Students was removed suddenly in late October. University officials declined to comment on each case, citing individual personnel matters.

I know the university likes to tout that they would like to have an open dialogue with students and faculty, however, this is obviously a very flagrant representation of how the university does not care to hear from us, Kayla Reballosa, a UT student with Students for a Democratic Society, said in response to the systems elimination of faculty councils across its institutions.

In response, Chairman Kevin Eltife said the system has a student, faculty and staff council and values student voices.

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In line with SB 37, Davis appointed William Inboden as sole provost without a faculty search committee, and the university system already cut all faculty senates. UT Austin President Jim Davis announced two new faculty bodies with appointed members this semester, but Reballosa said not having elected members is not democratic.

Trumps offer to UT

Texas flagship university still faces a pending offer from the administration of President Donald Trump to implement conservative priorities in exchange for exclusive federal benefits.

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The Trump Administrations Compact of Higher Education Excellence lists a number of demands  from freezing tuition to only teaching the existence of two genders and outlawing departments that belittle conservative voices.

UT has already met many of its priorities due to state legislation and priorities, including a limiting the enrollment of international students at 15%, a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs or hiring practices and a commitment to civil discourse and free speech.

Several students urged regents to ensure the flagship school rejects the compact and stops the potential consolidation of ethnic studies departments in the College of Liberal Arts after news broke that a committee to consider department reorganization had formed.

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You can count on students to stand up, to protect our academic freedom and freedom for speech on campus, which is so fundamental to the university system, Devon May, another student with Students for a Democratic Society, said. It is for the same reasons that UT Austin must reject the compact for academic excellence in higher education.

UT System Chairman Kevin Eltife said in October he is honored to receive the compact, but UT was the only flagship to not publicly comment on whether it would accept the offer. He did not comment on the compact at the annual meeting, despite the deadline to accept or reject it being Friday.

Seven out of nine universities extended the offer refused the compact outright, saying they believe research funding should be based on merit alone. Vanderbilt University said it is open to discussion but will not accept it in its current form.

The three students who testified at the UT Regents meeting Wednesday said they feel unheard and dont believe university leaders are listening to students  nor have the same obligation to listen now that facultys shared governance is weakened under SB 37. Faculty council meetings were public, and featured a Q&A with leaders and elected leaders.

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The UT chapter of Austin Students for a Democratic Society have held multiple protests against the compact and feared consolidation of ethnic studies departments, demanding the university protect the studies of different ethnicities and cultures, refuse the compact and commit to transparency in decisions.
Austin police officers and Austin-Travis County EMS paramedics respond to a call involving a homeless man outside the Terrazas Branch Library, a frequent gathering place for people experiencing homelessness, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The Austin City Council is set to vote as soon as Thursday on a new city budget that will include millions of dollars in spending cuts  though exactly what will be cut remains unclear.

City leaders have been scrambling to rewrite the budget after voters rejected Proposition Q in November, a ballot measure that would have raised property taxes and generated $110 million in new revenue. The measures failure left a major shortfall and forced the city to revisit nearly every departments funding.

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Despite broad agreement on protecting Emergency Medical Services  which lost $6.3 million in expected revenue after Prop Q failed  council members remain divided over other priorities.

One faction, led by Mayor Kirk Watson and council members Chito Vela, Ryan Alter, Krista Laine and Zo Qadri, has focused on maintaining funding for homelessness services and emergency mental health response. Another group, including council members Vanessa Fuentes, Paige Ellis, Jose Velasquez and Mike Siegel, has pushed to redirect some municipal court funds toward food pantries and home-delivered meals for older adults.

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Council member Marc Duchen said he is prioritizing public safety, maintaining the citys reserve fund, and preserving a health insurance program for temporary employees. Other proposed adjustments include partially restoring wildfire mitigation funding, providing emergency stabilization for stray animals, and supporting child abuse victims who live in Austin but outside Travis County.

Police spending also remains a flashpoint. Siegel expressed concern that the Austin Police Departments share of the general fund would increase from 34.8% last year to 35.5% in the proposed budget.

Im concerned that the share of the budget is increasing substantially right now, Siegel said, adding that other departments also handle parts of the citys 911 response.

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Austin police officers and Austin-Travis County EMS paramedics respond to a call involving a homeless man outside the Terrazas Branch Library, a frequent gathering place for people experiencing homelessness, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Watson and Fuentes said the councils top priorities heading into the final vote are homelessness, EMS and mental health response. Watson acknowledged that balancing those priorities could prove challenging.
The air traffic control tower at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Flights into Austin were delayed Friday after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Widespread thunderstorms that were drenching North Texas, the Hill Country and the Panhandle-Plains were also causing flight disruptions at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as skies darkened over the capital city Thursday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for AUS until 5:15 p.m. Thursday, with a medium chance of extension. The ground stop applied to flights into Austin from parts of West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, meaning those flights would be held at their origin points until the order was lifted.

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Arriving flights were expected to be delayed by 32 minutes on average, with some delays lasting more than an hour. According to FlightAware, 63 inbound and 54 outbound flights had been delayed in Austin as of 4:20 p.m. Seven flights were canceled.

The disruptions came as rainfall moved into the Austin metro, with locally heavy rain, isolated to scattered thunderstorms, and flash flooding expected across the area. The strongest rainfall was expected to affect Austin around 7 p.m. A flood watch is in effect until 6 a.m. Friday for much of Central Texas.

"Moisture has been steadily streaming into Central Texas since Monday, and we now have abundant moisture in the atmosphere as a strong weather disturbance moves across the Lone Star State," wrote American-Statesman meteorologist Mary Wasson. "This will produce a line of moderate to heavy rain, along with the potential for embedded strong to severe storms capable of producing large hail and strong winds."

The weather caused widespread travel disruptions in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with more than 1,000 flights delayed or canceled between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field on Thursday afternoon. Ground delays are in effect for both airports until 11 p.m., with delays averaging more than two hours.
FILE - Texas state Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, looks over a redrawn U.S. congressional map during debate over a bill in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Aug. 22, 2025. Eric Gay/AP

The day after a federal court struck down Texas's new GOP-friendly congressional map, the lone dissenting judge came out firing both barrels  at the judge who wrote the prevailing opinion.

"This is the most outrageous conduct by a judge that I have ever encountered in a case in which I have been involved," wrote U.S. Circuit Court Judge Jerry Smith, a 37-year veteran of the bench who was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan. "I also need to highlight the pernicious judicial misbehavior of U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown."

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Smith and Brown were both appointed to their roles by Republican presidents  Brown by President Donald Trump. In a 104-page dissent published Wednesday, Smith claimed he was not given nearly enough time to craft a proper rebuttal, and that Brown committed a "grave error" in concluding that state lawmakers had redrawn the congressional districts based on race, in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

"Regardless of ones political slant, its obvious what Texas is trying to do in 2025," Smith wrote. "The Republicans national margin in the House of Representatives is so slim that squeezing out a majority might even depend, day-to-day, on whether some seats are vacant because of deaths or resignations."

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Brown's ruling on Tuesday, joined by another federal judge, was a blow to Republicans ahead of what the party expects to be a difficult midterm election cycle next year. The ruling came more than a week into the filing period for the March 3 primaries, and after several candidates from both parties had announced plans to run in the new districts drawn to give Texas Republicans five more winnable seats in the state's 38-member delegation to the U.S. House.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton quickly filed a notice to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

While Republican map-drawers in the Legislature have insisted they were interested only in maximizing their party's advantage, Brown noted several instances when they also cited race as a precursor  most notably in a letter from Trump's Department of Justice calling for lawmakers to craft a new map to fix districts in the state that had been improperly drawn by race.

Smith rejected the assertion that race played a part in the party's decision-making. He wrote that when the Legislature drew its last congressional map, in 2021, map-drawers "devised a strategy of creating safe seats for both Republicans and Democrats" while making sure the Texas GOP's majority's would remain intact.

"In mid-2025, the strategy changed: The new plan was to make more seats winnable for Republicans by moving some Democrats incumbents from their districts and rendering other districts unwinnable by Democrats." Smith wrote. "That sacrificed the wider margins in some of the old districts. The tradeoff is obvious."

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In the sprawling dissent, Smith repeatedly called out George Soros, saying the billionaire Democratic donor and his son Alex had their "hands all over this." He also took issue with Brown's criticism of the letter from the U.S. Justice Department. Brown called the letter ham-fisted and a mess. Smith, however, said the letter had no bearing on lawmakers' decisions when they new maps were drawn because the redistricting expert hired by Republicans to guide the map-drawing did not take the letter's assertions into account.
Donald Trump, shown speaking during his 2024 presidential campaign, told Christian broadcasters at the National Religious Broadcasters convention that the Johnson Amendment, prohibiting tax-exempt churches from political activity, was "the most ridiculous thing." He vowed to "get it out now permanently" if he returned to office. KEVIN WURM/AFP via Getty Images

Next week a federal court will hear a little-known case that could send shockwaves through our already fragile campaign finance system, by allowing certain churches to use tax-exempt donations for partisan politics, effectively financing campaign messages with taxpayer money.

This case does not involve a neutral system of public financing for all candidates. Rather, it centers on a group of politicized churches seeking to exploit their tax-exempt status  and the tax deductions their donors receive  to promote their favored candidates. Only these churches and their donors would gain this special taxpayer-funded advantage.

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The case, National Religious Broadcasters v. Long, is scheduled for a Nov. 25 hearing before a U.S. District Court in Dallas. It arises from efforts under the Trump administrations IRS to weaken enforcement of a long-standing federal law that bars churches and charities from using their special tax exemptions to participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

Known as the Johnson Amendment, and adopted unanimously by Congress in 1954, the law grants churches and charities special taxpayer benefits in exchange for their agreement to refrain from politicking. The measure was noncontroversial for decades and consistently upheld by the courts  until now.

With the outspoken support of a small number of highly political churches and televangelists, Donald Trump returned to the presidency vowing to free churches to engage in partisan politics. Most churches, however, want no part of such activity. They see themselves as serving a higher calling, not political factions.

Research bears this out. Lifeway studies of U.S. protestant pastors found that only 2% endorsed a candidate during a church service, and just 25% had done so outside their church role. A 2022 Pew Research Center survey reported that 77% of U.S. adults oppose churches endorsing candidates  a view shared by large majorities across both parties and most faith traditions.

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Nevertheless, a small but vocal subset of televangelist churches wants to campaign from the pulpit. A 2022 Texas Tribune/ProPublica investigation found at least 20 churches that violated the Johnson Amendment during the 2020 and 2022 elections. These institutions could legally engage in politics if they relinquished their tax-exempt status  but they prefer to keep the benefit while flouting the rules.

Historically, the IRS has been cautious in enforcing the Johnson Amendment. Only one church has ever lost its tax exemption for violations, with most cases ending in warnings. Under traditional guidance, churches could discuss political issues but not formally endorse candidates.

That line is now blurring. Recent IRS guidance suggests that churches  and only churches  may officially endorse candidates through their normal channels of communication. Its unclear what those normal channels encompass, but televangelists have welcomed the change, seeing it as a green light to air campaign messages on national broadcasts.

Most other religious and nonprofit organizations are alarmed. More than 1,500 nonprofits  including Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Interfaith Alliance, and the National Council of Nonprofits  have urged the IRS to maintain the long-standing prohibition. Americans United is leading the legal challenge, joined by Public Citizen, the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause and others.

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No one can predict how the court will rule. A responsible decision would uphold decades of precedent and preserve the principle that taxpayer subsidies should not fund partisan politics. But todays political climate is anything but predictable. The IRS, under political pressure, has reversed course, and the future of the Johnson Amendment now hangs in the balance.

Whether the dam holds or finally breaks lies in the hands of the court.

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Then-U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Sr. speaks to campaign workers on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles not long before he was assassinated in the hotel kitchen. Nov. 20 would have been his 100th birthday. AP

In a 1965 interview with Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Sr. said, If you ask me whether I would like to see one or all of my sons in politics someday, the answer is yes.  Politics can hurt badly, but there are lots of other ways of getting hurt in life.

His oldest child, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, served two terms as lieutenant governor of Maryland. His oldest son, Joseph P. Kennedy II, served six terms in Congress.

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Like their father, they saw politics as an honorable profession whose purpose was to ease pain, not cause it.

The same cant be said for their sibling and Kennedys namesake, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. secretary of health and human services whose conspiratorial, anti-vaccination views and incompetence make him the greatest threat to our nations public health.

Its sad that the secretarys prominence is such that when younger generations hear the name Robert F. Kennedy, or RFK, its the son they think of and not the father, the man who gave that name its power and inspired millions to join his quest to seek a new and better world.

Its the memory of the father that still ignites embers of hope, that still haunts of what might have been had he not been fatally shot in a hotel kitchen while campaigning for president.

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Nov. 20 is the 100th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy Sr.s birth. One of the most complex and polarizing political figures of his time, he stirred hatred in some and love others, and he never shook the reputation of being ruthless as the presidential campaign manager and U.S. attorney general for his brother, President John F. Kennedy.

Yet he was also the most authentic and soulful politician of his generation, one whose capacity to grow and change became clear in the nearly five years between JFKs assassination in 1963 and his own in 1968.

The pain of his brothers murder made Bobby more empathetic to the suffering of others, and enabled the scion of one of the nations most powerful and wealthiest families to become the voice of the dispossessed.

Then-U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Sr. speaks on March 16, 1968, in Washington, D.C., as he announces he will run for president. Anonymous/Associated Press

Drawn to people living on the margins of this country, he had to go see them so the rest of the nation would see them and be moved to help.

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He felt the hunger of the Black child in Mississippi and the white child in Appalachia, cradled those children in his arms and wanted to feed them.

He saw the struggle of the farmworker in California, Native American in South Dakota and blue-collar worker in Indiana, and he wanted to aid them.

He saw the futility of a war in Vietnam  he would apologize for his role in escalating it  and wanted to stop it.

When Kennedy ran for president in 1968, his hands, white and privileged, reached out to hands of many colors and of the poor. Those hands grabbed hold and tried to pull him to the White House, and they may very well have done so.

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But Kennedys campaign ended on its 82nd day when, after winning the California Democratic primary on June 4, he was shot in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles while shaking hands with kitchen workers.

Two months earlier, in announcing to a Black audience in Indianapolis that Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated, he delivered a moving extemporaneous speech.

What we need in the United States is not division, he said. What we need in the United States is not hatred. What we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness, but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be Black.

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A University of Texas graduate says he will proudly donate to his alma mater if UT rejects the Trump administrations Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Aaron E. Martinez / American-Sta

Your move, UT

As a University of Texas graduate who has contributed modestly in the past, I recently received the standard year-end solicitation form letter: Tom, will you renew your support?

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Ill proudly give what I can if the University of Texas joins the other prominent universities in rejecting the Trump administrations disgraceful Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.

If I learn otherwise, Ill be taking my UT diploma down from the wall.

I suspect many of my fellow alumni feel the same. Hook 'em, indeed.

Tom Best, Manor

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Arrest me, Ken

On Oct. 7, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an hysteria-laced rant in a press release in which he declared, Corrupted ideologies like transgenderism and Antifa are a cancer on our culture and have unleashed their deranged and drugged-up foot soldiers on the American people.

He vowed to initiate sweeping investigations into radical leftist organizations engaged in or providing support to those performing political violence.

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In response, I notified Paxtons office I was a sworn anti-fascist American patriot and would be publicly confessing my radical leftist progressivism at the Austin City Council Meeting on Nov. 6. I added assurance that if placed under arrest, I would comply peacefully.

On Nov. 6, I made good on my promise. Yet, I was not arrested, nor has a warrant subsequently been issued for my arrest. Which should make you wonder: Does Paxton lack the fortitude to follow through on his saber-rattling? Or does he know his histrionics are bunk?

Liam Mathison Farmer, Kyle

Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Texas Youth Summit in September in The Woodlands. A reader asks, will Paxton follow through on his saber-rattling to investigate those affiliated with the anti-fascist movement? Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Voucher awareness

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These are interesting poll results, particularly about the high voucher interest from lower-income families.

One wonders if those families understand that many private schools would charge extra tuition and fees on top of the voucher.

Do families know the transportation and extracurricular activities in public schools wont be provided by the private schools? Do they realize that private schools wont comply with federal rights protections for their student with a disability, including a free and appropriate education?

How many are aware that voucher programs in other states have gone mostly to students already in private schools, not those transferring in from a public school?

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Was any of this information part of the poll?

Dennis Borel, Austin

Wasteful spending

Due to solid investigative reporting by the Statesman, taxpayers are starting to learn of the wasteful spending of the Austin City Council. Some worse than others.

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Council Member Ryan Alter previously was caught charging taxpayers for his meals, a questionable use of city funds, and when he was busted he promised to reimburse the city.

Now, Alter is busted again for using our money to pay for his lifetime membership to the Texas Bar Foundation. He claims he is going to pay this back as well.

His continued claims that he is making Austin more affordable are nonsense. Alter should be investigated further and should resign from the council.

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Frank Coniglio, Austin
By Eduardo Baptista and Toby Sterling

BEIJING/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -China's Wingtech said on Thursday that its control over Netherlands-based Nexperia must be restored, a day after the Dutch government suspended its seizure of the chipmaker that has been at the centre of a global supply chain crisis.

Despite the suspension, which China's commerce ministry welcomed on Wednesday, Beijing and now Wingtech have since called for the reversal of a Dutch court ruling last month that stripped Wingtech of its control over Nexperia as the next step to resolve the dispute.

Wingtech said the Dutch government had evaded addressing the court ruling.

"Wingtech Technology will never accept any attempt to 'legalise' illegal outcomes, nor will it accept a 'new normal' of Nexperia's equity and governance created through illegal procedures," it said in a long statement.

The statement appears to be looking ahead to a legal battle brewing in a Dutch court over control of Nexperia, a major manufacturer of computer chips for the car and consumer electronics industries.

Beijing has in recent weeks eased export controls imposed in early October on Nexperia chips packaged in China, providing temporary relief to automakers and their suppliers worldwide.

It has warned, however, that issues such as the court ruling need to be resolved before supply chains return to normal.

AN ONGOING DISPUTE

Following the Dutch government's September 30 intervention, European managers at Nexperia successfully petitioned the Amsterdam Enterprise Chamber to have then-CEO Zhang Xuezheng removed, alleging mismanagement. Wingtech has rejected the claims.

According to court documents, Nexperia had been preparing in early 2025 to change its corporate structure to escape falling onto the U.S. "entity list" of companies considered a security threat. Wingtech itself has been on the U.S. list since December 2024.

The Dutch court's preliminary decisions on October 1 and 7 transferred Wingtech's shares to the control of a Dutch lawyer.

On Thursday, Wingtech accused the Dutch government of being the instigator and driving force behind these court proceedings, calling on it to withdraw its participation and support.

The court told Reuters on Thursday that the chamber must decide "within a reasonable period" whether to order a full investigation into alleged mismanagement. No date has yet been set.

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
A man listens during a press conference Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Houston in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) and FIEL Houston join in a peaceful protest under the rain in front of the Houston City Hall for immigrants in ICE detention on Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Houston. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer

The Council on American-Islamic Relations is fighting back against Gov. Greg Abbotts designation of the Muslim civil rights group as a foreign terrorist organization in a new lawsuit, calling the action unconstitutional and defamatory.

Abbott on Tuesday named CAIR, along with the Muslim Brotherhood, to the states list. The designation blocks the group from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and allows Attorney General Ken Paxton to sue to shut them down, according to Abbotts office.

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The governor said he included CAIR because of a 2007 case in which the group was named as one of almost 300 with reported ties to the Holy Land Foundation, a Texas-based charity that was shut down by the U.S. government for funneling millions of dollars to Hamas. CAIR was never indicted and has denied the allegations.

In its lawsuit, filed in federal court in Austin this week, the group argues that Abbott made the unlawful move to punish the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization simply because Governor Abbott disagrees with its views.

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The suit says Abbott neglected to mention that the government assigned the same label to dozens of organizations and that a federal appeals court later ruled the declarations should have been filed under seal because they contained untested allegation(s).

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It also says he cherry-picks statements from individuals with various levels of affiliation with CAIR, claiming that those uncited statements somehow support that CAIR supports terrorism or terrorist actors, the suit reads.

The suit seeks for the court to declare Abbotts proclamation of the designation unconstitutional and block its enforcement.

Neither the attorney generals nor Abbotts office immediately responded to a request for comment on the suit.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick speaks at a press conference at the Texas Capitol on Monday, June 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Texas new $3 billion fund for dementia research, approved by voters earlier this month, is temporarily on ice after a trio of voters sued over allegedly faulty voting machines.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who championed the funds passage through the state Legislature, blasted the lawsuit on Wednesday and said it was delaying the state from becoming a national leader in research on dementia, Alzheimers and related diseases.

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The fund, known as the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas, is structured similarly to the states cancer fund, which allocates grants to medical and research institutions.

This attack on DPRIT is disgusting and is a disservice to the roughly 500,000 Texans who suffer from some form of dementia, and their families who suffer along with them, Patrick said in a statement. I urge the court to take expedient action to remedy this legal matter and allow DPRIT to become Texas law.

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The plaintiffs, Shannon Huggins, Jose Silvester and Lars Kuslich, are representing themselves in the suit and live in Burleson, Comal and Liberty counties. The suit was filed in Travis County district court against Secretary of State Jane Nelson.

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The three allege that some voting machines used in the constitutional amendment election were not properly certified under federal law. Theyre asking the court to nullify the results of the election and order a new one. Huggins and Kuslich appear to have made similar claims in previous election-challenging suits in 2022 and 2023, respectively, that did not move forward. Attempts to reach the plaintiffs were not immediately successful.

The suit does not explain why the plaintiffs are challenging only the dementia research ballot question, known as Prop 14, but not the 16 other constitutional amendments that were also approved by voters during the same election.

The dementia fund and several other propositions supported by Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott, including a $1 billion-a-year water infrastructure fund, had faced some pushback from grassroots Republican organizations who said the bills grew government too much. But both ballot propositions were ultimately approved by around 70% of voters.

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Patrick noted that past constitutional amendments have frequently been challenged and temporarily locked by similar lawsuits, a trend lawmakers tried to address this year by passing a lawsuit reform bill during the second special legislative session. House Bill 16, which would have allowed constitutional amendments to go into effect even if the related election is challenged, passed both chambers of the Legislature on a bipartisan vote.
Global hospitality group Choice Hotels International is growing its presence in new markets by signing agreements for three directly franchised properties in Kenya.

The company aims to further increase its presence across sub-Saharan and southern Africa via a master development agreement that targets at least 15 additional hotels in the region by 2030.

The Kenyan sites will include an Ascend Collection hotel within the Maasai Mara National Reserve, as well as both a Clarion and a Quality Inn in Nairobis central business district.

Expected to open in early 2026, these developments will cater to both business and leisure travellers.

Aniket Shroff, currently a franchisee with Choice Hotels in the US, will lead this initiative, marking his first international partnership with the company.

Shroff said: Working with Choice Hotels was an easy decision. Beyond a strong global brand portfolio, the company provides the tools, resources, and guidance that have already helped me grow my business. That level of support gives me confidence these hotels will thrive, and it reflects the kind of franchisee partnership built to succeed in both international and domestic markets.

The addition of the Kenyan hotels will contribute to Choice Hotels Europe, Middle East, and Africa portfolio, which currently stands at nearly 64,000 rooms, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase as of the third quarter.

This move continues recent expansion efforts by the company, which include doubling its portfolio in France following the addition of 50 Quality Suites hotels.

Choice Hotels president and chief executive officer Pat Pacious said: Our fast-growing footprint and performance results prove that Choice Hotels is well-positioned to help franchisees succeed in more destinations than ever before.

Entering Africa is an important milestone in that journey and presents a unique opportunity to bring our world-class hospitality to one of the continent's fastest-growing hospitality markets.

Choice Hotels has also increased its global presence this year with new market entries in China, Argentina, and Suriname.

In China, a master franchise and distribution agreement with SSAW Hotels & Resorts added over 9,500 rooms to Ascend Collection Hotels, with plans to expand Comfort Hotels and Quality brands to 100 properties nationwide.

In South America, the portfolio has grown to include the Radisson Blu Bariloche and Radisson RED Funes in Argentina, as well as Radisson Hotel Paramaribo in Suriname.

Globally, Choice Hotels international division now generates approximately $3bn each year in gross rooms revenue and forecasts doubled profitability by 2027.
Aegon Ltd. (NYSE:AEG) is included among the 12 Best European Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.

Citi Raises Aegon (AEG) Price Target to EUR 7.69 and Reaffirms Buy Rating

Photo by nathan dumlao on Unsplash

Aegon Ltd. (NYSE:AEG) received a price target boost from Citigroup on November 17, with the firm lifting its estimate to EUR 7.69 from EUR 6.38 while reiterating a Buy rating, according to a report by The Fly.

In the third quarter of 2025, Management noted that Transamerica, its biggest unit, kept widening its WFG distribution network and held onto its commercial momentum as life and annuity sales picked up. In the U.K., the business faced some outflows after two large, low-margin schemes exited, though Aegon pointed out that its Asset Management and International operations continued to expand.

Aegon Ltd. (NYSE:AEG) also emphasized that its business stayed well capitalized during the period. Operating capital generation remained strong across the portfolio, and leadership believes they are on course to hit their full-year OCG target of EUR 1.2 billion for 2025.

Retirement Plans posted an 11% increase in gross deposits, helped by higher takeover deposits in both the large and mid-sized markets, supported by healthy written sales in earlier quarters. Written sales continued to look solid and are expected to keep supporting gross deposits moving forward. Total net outflows improved to $1.6 billion, with the company attributing the change to fewer large-market plan discontinuances.

Aegon Ltd. (NYSE:AEG) is a Dutch multinational company focused on life insurance, pensions, and asset management.

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Disclosure: None.
MercadoLibre recently filed a mixed shelf registration allowing it to offer debt securities, preferred and common stock, and warrants for potential capital raises in the future.

This move gives MercadoLibre significant flexibility to pursue new growth initiatives or strengthen its balance sheet, but also prompts questions about the potential impact on existing shareholders and the companys longer-term financing approach.

We'll explore how MercadoLibre's ability to flexibly raise capital could influence its investment narrative amid ongoing margin pressures and business expansion.

Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 22 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

MercadoLibre Investment Narrative Recap

For most MercadoLibre shareholders, the core investment thesis centers on the companys ability to capture outsized growth from Latin America's accelerating shift to e-commerce and digital payments. MercadoLibres newly filed mixed shelf registration adds flexibility for raising capital but does not materially change the most immediate catalyst, continued expansion in its user base and transaction volumes, nor does it lessen the main risk, which remains margin compression from ongoing investments and competitive incentives.

Among recent company announcements, the substantial increase in planned investments in Brazil stands out, directly tying into the near term growth catalyst of gaining market share through logistic improvements and increased buyer activity. This growth push, while promising, makes margin management even more crucial as MercadoLibre continues to spend aggressively on fulfillment and marketing to support sustained user engagement.

Yet, while expansion unlocks potential, investors should also be mindful of the sustained pressure on margins as MercadoLibre prioritizes spending for growth over immediate profitability under these conditions, especially if

Read the full narrative on MercadoLibre (it's free!)

MercadoLibre's narrative projects $46.9 billion in revenue and $5.1 billion in earnings by 2028. This requires 24.8% yearly revenue growth and a $3.0 billion increase in earnings from the current $2.1 billion level.

Uncover how MercadoLibre's forecasts yield a $2862 fair value, a 38% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

MELI Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025

Fair value estimates from 25 Simply Wall St Community members for MercadoLibre range from US$2,411 to US$3,406. As the company increases investments to support user and GMV growth, expect opinions on its margin outlook and future returns to vary widely.
The Penny Black Pub's plant-based smash burger features two meat-substitute patties, cheddar cheese, sweet potato fries and jalapenos. The dish is among six vegetarian burger options offered by the pub in the Vomero neighborhood of Naples, Italy. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)



Many international chefs have tried and failed to re-create the classic American cheeseburger.

Its deceptively difficult to get that satisfying combination of a juicy ground beef patty, cheddar cheese, fresh toppings and soft bun just right.

But The Penny Black Pub in Naples, Italy, manages not only to offer a fitting tribute to the quintessential America mainstay but also to throw in a distinctive dash of British-Italian flair.

Located in the citys Vomero neighborhood, the pub offers a varied menu of burgers, fries and other bar food. And the fact that it celebrates its 25th anniversary this month is a testament to its popularity with diners.

The name refers to the worlds first adhesive postage stamp, the penny black, which was issued by the U.K. in 1840. Inside youll find British pub-style decor featuring warm color tones, cozy lighting and tributes to The Beatles, Queen Elizabeth II and Englands famed red telephone booths. A playlist of mostly 80s music complements the ambience.

The Ndujotto burger at the Penny Black Pub in Naples, Italy, includes a juicy ground beef patty, fried Asiago cheese, caramelized red onions and spicy Calabrese salsa on a soft bun. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

The Penny Black Pub in Naples, Italy, is decorated in an English pub motif. The pub's name comes from a historic postage stamp issued by the U.K. in 1840. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)



On the recent Tuesday that I and a companion were there for dinner, the pub quickly filled up shortly after its 7 p.m. opening. Penny Black doesnt take reservations, so come early if you dont want to wait.

While mainly focused on burgers, the diverse menu has beef, chicken or pork options. The burgers feature American or Italian cheeses and an enticing assortment of toppings, such as pancetta, ham, chimichurri sauce and sauerkraut.

My dining companion opted for the Ndujotto, a single-patty beef burger with fried Asiago cheese, caramelized red Tropea onions and nduja sauce made from spicy Calabrian peppers.

The ample burger arrived hot on a wooden platter, juicy and covered in melty cheese. It was tantalizingly delicious, with the patty and bun nicely crisped from the grill and the flavors melding together splendidly.

The only issue my companion had with her order was the beef quality, which she said could have been better.

I chose the plant-based smash burger with two meat-substitute patties, cheddar cheese, sweet potato fries and jalapeno slices. Its one of six vegetarian burger options on the menu.

A side of fried potatoes at the Penny Black Pub in Naples, Italy. The potatoes can be served plain or topped with either meatballs or sausage as well as bacon and cheese. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

The Penny Black Pub in Naples, Italy, offers a British pub-style vibe complete with odes to The Beatles, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and England's famed red telephone booths. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)



The combination of nicely grilled patties and bun plus the heat from the peppers made the burger irresistible.

Sadly, I filled up on the fresh, hot french fries delivered to our table as an appetizer and couldnt finish the burger. But our server offered to wrap it up so I could take it home.

Other menu options included the Big Pennies and the Spaccanapoli, named for the famed street in Naples. The former includes two beef smash patties, cheddar cheese, bacon, sweet and sour gherkins, julienned salad and smoked bacon sauce. The latter features two beef patties, Italian pork roast, Caciocavallo cheese from Irpino and caramelized red onion.

If youre not in the mood for a burger, chicken fingers, a variety of fries, pork ribs and pulled pork and brisket sandwiches are among other menu offerings. For example, theres the Elton John, which features a pork sausage from Caserta, Caciocavallo cheese, grilled ham, honey and mustard dressing and basil leaves.

Cheesecake topped with salted caramel is among the dessert offerings at the Penny Black Pub in Naples, Italy. Alternative accompaniments for the cheesecake include pistachios and berries. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)



Despite our full stomachs, we couldnt resist trying Black Pennys cheesecake with salted caramel sauce for dessert.

The New York-style cheesecake was rich and creamy with a tasty cookie crust but lacked the characteristic tangy flavor of cream cheese. However, with the drizzle of salted caramel, it was satisfying.

With a pleasing menu assortment, Penny Black offers a chance to partake of one of Americas most popular exports in an atmosphere that will transport you out of Naples and into a British pub.

My advice: Come for the burgers, return for the vibe.

The Penny Black Pub in Naples, Italy, offers a variety of bar food including burgers made with beef, chicken or pork in an eatery decorated in an English pub motif. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)



The Penny Black Pub

Address: Via Enrico Alvino 134b, Naples, Italy

Hours: 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 7 p.m.-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday; closed on Monday.

Prices: 4.50-8 euros, appetizers and fries; 9-18 euros for burgers; 10-18 euros for ribs, platters and salads; 4-6.50 euros for desserts; 4-9 euros for beer, wine and cocktails; and 1-5 euros for water, soda and ginger beer. There also is a 15% surcharge added to the bill.

Information: Online: thepennyblackpub.it; Phone: +39 081 014 5828
Stars and Stripes reporter Lydia Gordon holds her customized chocolate creations after completing the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels. (Courtesy photo)



When I hear the word Belgium, the first thing that comes to my mind is chocolate  and not just because I have a sweet tooth. So when researching activities for a recent trip to Brussels, I came across the Belgian Chocolate Factory and noticed it was hosting a chocolate-making workshop during my stay.

What drew me in was learning that this five-year-old chocolate-maker is the only one in the city to craft chocolate from bean to bar entirely by hand, with no factory machinery involved, according to our instructor.

That hands-on approach sealed the deal for me. The 18-euro discount I got thanks to a promotional rate didnt hurt, either.

Items made during a recent Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels include a milk chocolate bar, truffles and assorted goodies featuring dark chocolate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



I presumed I would spend the nearly two hours making and eating chocolate, but the class turned out to be so much more than that. Upon arrival, I was gifted a very fashionable hair net and introduced to Patricia, our instructor for the afternoon.

But before making our own chocolate, we first learned where it comes from and the process that turns cacao into one of the worlds most recognizable sweets.

Patricia took us through the basics and showed us the three main varieties of cacao plants: Forastero, Trinitario and Criollo.

Unbeknownst to me, freshly harvested cacao beans are encased in a slimy membrane called mucilage, a sweet, slightly fruity coating that Patricia encouraged us to taste.

The texture might make some people hesitate, but it was fascinating to experience what a cacao bean looks and tastes like at the very beginning of its journey.

Our first project was milk chocolate. Patricia demonstrated each step, from tempering to piping the chocolate into molds, before letting us create our own custom bars.

An instructor at Belgian Chocolate Makers in Brussels demonstrates techniques to participants in one of the daily workshops the establishment offers. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

The Belgian Chocolate Makers training center in Brussels is where the company teaches classes, which include lessons on the production and origins of chocolate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



The 20 or so toppings we could choose from to mix into our creations included chopped hazelnuts, almonds, shaved coconut, Biscoff pieces and pretzels.

I began with good intentions, but somewhere between the crushed Biscoff cookies and the pretzels, things got a little out of hand. I started out strong with a neat cracker-and-pretzel layout, but the second I added the crushed cookies, my neat display became a mound of cookie dust and salty sundries.

Im more of a flavor-over-decor person anyway, so I figured a bit of chaos couldnt hurt.

Stars and Stripes reporter Lydia Gordon customizes a milk chocolate bar during a Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels. (Courtesy photo)

Belgian Chocolate Makers in Brussels hosts workshops every day to teach the history and creation of chocolate. The company hand-crafts its products from cacao bean to chocolate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



With our milk chocolate bars chilling in the fridge, Patricia led us back into chocolate history. We sampled a piece of pure, bitter cacao and learned about the techniques used to temper dark chocolate before creating our own small pieces.

I spent some time bonding with three of my classmates, discovering that our work station had an even split between milk and dark chocolate fans.

Despite our differences, we all agreed that a touch of sea salt in dark chocolate was irresistible, so we each added a little to our creations.

An instructor at the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels shows participants boxes that they will use to package their creations. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Dark chocolate piping made by an instructor at the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels lets participants see an example of the types of artistry they can aim to replicate. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



I tried my hand at a lopsided heart, a little snowman to celebrate the winter season, a few round drops and even a Mickey Mouse silhouette.

The chocolate hardened faster than expected, so we added decorations quickly before moving on to the next and final challenge: truffles.

The process was a bit tedious but nevertheless so much fun, especially knowing Id be taking home a box of chocolates Id crafted myself.

Participants in the Belgian Chocolate Makers workshop in Brussels get to try their hand at making coconut and cacao powder truffles, which they can take home. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



Before leaving, I had to pick up a bar of the chocolate wed tasted during the class. Patricia helped me choose one that matched my preferences, explaining the subtle differences between each type of cacao bean.

Educational experiences dont get much more enjoyable. Toss in the fact that this one came with sweet souvenirs to boot, and well, Id say it was Brussels at its best, bar none.

gordon.lydia@stripes.com

Belgian Chocolate Makers in Brussels hosts daily workshops that teach participants about the history of chocolate and the process of making it. People who take the class create their own custom chocolate pieces, which they get to keep. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



Belgian Chocolate Factory Workshop

Address: Shop, Rue Labeau 11, Brussels; factory, Place de la Justice 5, Brussels

Hours: Workshops every day at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.; store is open everyday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Cost: 70 euros per person for an hour and a half; 20% off all in-store chocolate after workshop

Information: Online: shop.chocolaterie.brussels
The U.S. Navys Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, led by its flagship aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, left, operates in the Caribbean region on Nov. 13, 2025. (Tajh Payne/U.S. Navy)



WASHINGTON  The U.S. military has steadily amassed troops, naval and air assets in the Caribbean Sea to strike alleged drug traffickers.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last month announced the deployment of the Ford Carrier Strike Group, and the USS Gerald R. Ford, along with accompanying ships USS Mahan, USS Bainbridge and USS Winston S. Churchill arrived last weekend, concentrating nearly 20% of the Navys deployed warships in the region.

The strike group joined other ships in the Caribbean, including the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and its embarked Marine expeditionary unit.

Also patrolling the region are guided missile cruisers USS Gettysburg and USS Lake Erie, and destroyers USS Gravely and USS Stockdale, a Navy official confirmed Wednesday. The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. There are no ships in the Atlantic Ocean in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, the official said.

Air assets include P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft and a squadron of F-35s, a defense official said Thursday.

Also in the region: AV-8B Harrier IIs with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. The jets were conducting a live-fire ordnance exercise from the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said in a video posted on X. The Marine Corps plans to retire all Harriers from its inventory by the end of next year.

The U.S. has conducted at least 21 strikes in SOUTHCOM since September. The death toll from the strikes is up to 83 people; the Mexican navy suspended its search for a survivor of a strike in late October.

Hegseth has formally named the mission Operation Southern Spear, emphasizing the growing significance and permanence of the militarys presence in the region.

The operations have been conducted without congressional authorization, prompting criticism from legal experts and Democrats in Congress that the administration is intentionally targeting civilians who may be suspected of crimes but are not combatants.

Adm. Alvin Holsey, the head of U.S. Southern Command, announced in October he would retire by the end of 2025, less than a year into his tenure.

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump designated several drug cartels as terrorist organizations, including Venezuelas Tren de Aragua. His administration has asserted that the U.S. is in an armed conflict with cartels and will treat their members as unlawful combatants.

The State Department on Sunday said it intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, effective Nov. 24.

Trump on Monday did not rule out military action against Venezuela despite bringing up a potential diplomatic opening with leader Nicolas Maduro, who has insisted that a U.S. military buildup and strikes on alleged drug boats near his South American country are designed to push him out of office.

I dont rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office a day after he first floated the possibility of having discussions with Maduro.

Trump has signed off on CIA plans for covert measures inside Venezuela, operations that could be meant to prepare a battlefield for further action, The New York Times reported. The Pentagon is also planning for strikes on military units close to Maduro.

The president held multiple meetings in the White House Situation Room last week to discuss Venezuela and review options with his senior advisers.
South Korean soldiers practice firing mortar rounds at Hwajin Training Area in Pohang, South Korea, April 20, 2021. (South Korean Ministry of National Defense)



South Korea reported two injuries this week in separate military-related incidents  one involving an explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone and the other a misfired mortar round that struck a civilian during training.

A South Korean noncommissioned officer was injured Thursday morning in the explosion in the DMZ, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense told Stars and Stripes in a text message that day. An emergency helicopter airlifted the soldier from the scene.

The spokesman did not identify the cause of the blast, which occurred on the DMZs western front but south of the actual border with North Korea. The Yonhap News Agency, citing unnamed military sources, reported that a staff sergeant was hurt around 9:20 a.m. while searching for landmines.

In a separate incident Wednesday, a civilian was injured after being struck by debris from a mortar round during a military exercise about 65 miles northeast of Seoul, the same ministry spokesman said in a later message.

The civilian, who was not named, was hit during a drill in Yanggu, Gangwon province, and was treated at a hospital, the spokesman said. The military is investigating the incident.

He did not specify which unit conducted the training, though the 21st Infantry Division is headquartered in Yanggu.

During the exercise, an 81 mm mortar round landed nearly 2,000 feet from its intended target, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported Wednesday, citing an unnamed military source.

The mortar incident marks the second military training accident this year involving civilian injuries.

In March, a bombing mishap wounded 38 people, including local residents, when two South Korean air force pilots entered incorrect bombing coordinates during a KF-16 training flight on March 6.

Eight 500-pound MK-82 free-fall bombs struck a residential area of Pocheon, about 200 miles south of the North Korean border. Pilot error was the direct cause of the incident, South Koreas Criminal Investigation Command said in March 13 release.
Actor and author George Takei speaks to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo, Nov. 20, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



TOKYO  George Takei, best known for his role as starship Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the science fiction TV and movie series Star Trek, gave a Vulcan salute Thursday before speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan.

The 88-year-old Californian was 5 when he and his family were forced at gunpoint from their home and into a detainment camp, he told a conference room packed with reporters, students and Trekkies.

Takeis family was among the tens of thousands of Japanese-Americans on the West Coast whom President Franklin Roosevelt ordered forcibly removed to inland camps after Japans surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

Takei said he and his family found themselves behind barbed wire at Camp Rohwer, Ark., and later at Tule Lake, Calif.

Actor and author George Takei speaks to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo, Nov. 20, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



Meanwhile, young Japanese-American men proved their patriotism serving in the U.S. Armys 442nd Regimental Combat Team, with the motto Go For Broke, he said.

Those soldiers fought with valor in Europe, Takei said. The 442nd is the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service and sustained one of the highest combat casualty rates of the war, according to Arlington National Cemeterys website.

Takeis award-winning illustrated childrens book about his wartime experience, My Lost Freedom, was published in the United States last year. A translated version goes on sale this month in Japan.

Takei said he wrote the book for children who are the same age today that he was when he was incarcerated.

His acting career spanned six decades and included appearances in 40 films and hundreds of television episodes.

Between the first two seasons of Star Trek, Takei in 1967 filmed The Green Berets at Fort Benning, Ga., playing a Vietnamese captain alongside John Wayne, he recalled.

Actor and author George Takei gives the Vulcan salute from "Star Trek" at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo, Nov. 20, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



The outspoken social activist with nearly 10 million Facebook followers began campaigning as a teenager for an apology and compensation for Japanese-American detained during World War II. That came in 1988 when President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act.

Immigrant roundups taking place in the United States today are deeply resonant of what happened during the war, Takei said.

Immigration, racism and the failure of political leadership  its being repeated, he said. We must do everything to stop whats happening again today because it was horrible.

Japans efforts to reinterpret its pacifist constitution also came under fire from the actor, along with the countrys attitude toward homosexuality. Japan is way behind on gay rights, Takei said.

The gay rights people here are fighting a very valiant fight, but its still way behind what weve accomplished (in America), he said.

After his speech, Takei posed for photographs with fans, turning a hallway outside the conference room into a mini sci-fi convention.
Ivan Atkins, who survived the sinking of the USS West Virginia during the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, poses in his Navy uniform in this undated photo taken in the 1940s. (Pacific Historic Parks)



Ivan W. Atkins Jr., who survived the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor while serving with two of his brothers aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, died Oct. 27 at age 102, according to an obituary published by McAdams Mortuary.

Atkins, of French Lick, Ind., was among the roughly dozen still-living veterans who survived the Dec. 7 attack that drew the United States into World War II.

Only one survivor, Ira Schab, 105, is slated to attend the 84th commemoration of the attack to be held at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii.

Atkins was born Nov. 15, 1922, and raised on a farm near Taswell, Ind., with six brothers and a sister, according to an undated profile of the Atkins brothers published online by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

Atkins, then 18, and three brothers  Edward, Melvin and Maurice  traveled to Louisville, Ky., in December 1940 with plans to enlist in the Navy, the article said.

Sixteen-year-old Melvin, however, learned he was too young for the service and opted for a year in the Merchant Marines before enlisting in the Navy.

The remaining three brothers were stationed on the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor.

Sailors in a motor launch rescue a survivor from the water alongside the sunken USS West Virginia on Dec. 7, 1941. (U.S. National Archives)



On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, the Atkins brothers and much of the battleships crew were on the main deck for a full-dress inspection, according to the article.

The West Virginia was docked beside other ships in a way that left one side exposed to open water. It was almost immediately hit by four torpedoes released by Japanese dive bombers.

The ships captain ordered the men assembled on deck to assume battle stations, but many did not get there because of the explosions, fire and smoke, according to the article.

Ivan Atkins scrambled toward his battle station, a gun on a lower deck, but could not make it all the way because of the damage.

With the ship listing badly, the captain ordered the crew to abandon ship.

My dad shared that he could not see anything below the main deck and struggled to find his way back up, Atkins son Alfred told the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. He saw a gleam of light above him and was able to climb up a maintenance ladder near a gun to reach the top deck. He could jump off once he reached the railing.

The crew managed to keep the ship from capsizing as it sank onto the shallow harbor floor.

The three brothers escaped death by swimming to shore, although they did not learn of each others fate until the following day, according to the article.

The attack took the lives of 106 crew members.

The battleship was salvaged and returned to the Pacific theater by late summer 1944.

Ivan Atkins later served aboard the USS Turkey, a minesweeping ship, and then as a gunner aboard the aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto where he defended against kamikaze attacks.

He received an honorable discharge in November 1946.

Before enlisting in 1940, Atkins married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Mathers, who died in 1994, according to his obituary.

He is survived by two sons, five daughters and brother Ollie Atkins.
Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, speaks at the Berlin Security Conference. In conference remarks Nov. 18, 2025, Whitaker said he looked forward to eventually having a German as the alliances top commander, various news outlets reported. (X/U.S. Ambassador to NATO)



STUTTGART, Germany  The top U.S. envoy to NATO said this week that he is eager for a German general to eventually take command of all allied forces, a job that has been held by an American officer since the blocs founding nearly 80 years ago.

Matthew Whitaker, the American ambassador to the 32-country alliance, told the audience at the Berlin Security Conference that such a significant shakeup at NATO would take time, according to several news outlets, including British newspaper The Telegraph.

I look forward to the day when Germany comes to the United States and says that Were ready to take over the Supreme Allied Commander position, Whitaker said Tuesday. I think were a long way away from that, but I look forward to those discussions.

In a social media post following the discussions in Berlin, Whitaker did not mention the SACEUR issue.

He did, however, emphasize the need for allies to follow through on recent pledges to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product.

Still, questions have swirled around the idea that a European could one day take the job of Supreme Allied Commander Europe, a post first held by Gen. Dwight D Eisenhower.

Earlier this year, there were discussions at the Pentagon about the idea of the United States relinquishing command of NATO forces, NBC News reported in March.

However, in July, U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich took over the job, signaling there was no immediate change in the works. Whitakers own remarks suggest that any shift would be years away.

There has long been debate among security analysts about whether the time has come for NATO to have a European general at the top.

Backers of the idea have argued that getting Europeans to shoulder more of the Continents security burden should entail a corresponding assumption of more command responsibility.

Critics, however, counter that such a move would be interpreted as U.S. backpedaling from the alliance, which they say would ultimately weaken NATOs ability to deter aggression in Europe.
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Dive Brief:

Online learning platform Coursera named Alphabet alum Michael Foley to the role of interim finance chief and treasurer effective immediately, the company said Monday in a press release and securities filing.

The interim CFO appointment comes after the Mountain View, California-based company announced last month that its previous CFO, Ken Hahn, would be transitioning from his role to an advisory position, effective Oct. 29. Hahn, who served as the companys CFO for five years and helped to shepherd the business through its initial public offering in 2021, will remain at Coursera as an advisor for 12 months. The companys search for Hahns permanent successor is continuing, Coursera said Monday.

The interim appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the learning platform as technology and AI continue to reshape how the world learns and works, Foley said in a post on LinkedIn. With strong fundamentals and a solid financial foundation, I look forward to partnering with [CEO] Greg Hart and the leadership team to sharpen our strategic priorities and ensure we have the scale, agility, and operational rigor to deliver on the next phase of growth and impact, he said.

Dive Insight:

Foley, 52, currently serves as a venture advisor to New Enterprise Associates, according to his LinkedIn profile. His resume includes a two-year term as CEO for software development firm Branch, and experiences as head of finance, emerging hardware and services for Google, and as CFO for Unity Technologies. He began his career in audit roles at Big Four firms including PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young.

As part of the interim appointment, Foley will receive a monthly salary of $166,667, according to the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He will also be eligible to receive a cash bonus of up to $200,000, contingent upon satisfactory performance of certain key responsibilities, according to the filing.

Foley is assuming the interim finance seat as the online learning platform continues to bet big on artificial intelligence under the leadership of Amazon veteran Greg Hart, who was appointed to the top executive seat and as president effective Feb. 3. With Hart taking the platforms helm, Coursera has focused on expanding its consumer segment, which saw a 13% revenue boost year-over-year for its third quarter, according to its shareholder letter.
Wafa Abu Subhieh, 31, holds her 14-month-old son Rezik by one of the broken windows of her home in the Palestinian West Bank village of Jaba, on Tuesday. The mother of three was at home with her kids when settlers attacked the night before. (Heidi Levine/For The Washington Post)



JABA, West Bank  Israeli political and military leaders are scrambling to contain a recent wave of settler attacks across the West Bank, warning against further violence targeting Palestinian communities as vigilantes have rampaged through villages, beating local residents, torching a mosque, and assaulting and injuring Israeli security forces who helped demolish an illegal outpost this week near the flash point city of Hebron.

The attacks, carried out by roving gangs of masked men and boys, have underscored the extent to which the Israeli government has allowed Jewish settlers to operate with impunity in the occupied territory. They have also exposed a deep rift between the most radical Israeli settlers, who believe they have a divine right to the land, and parts of the traditional security establishment, which sees the violence as destabilizing and undermining the state.

In recent days, senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have condemned what they described as violent incidents perpetrated by a small group of extremists. Herzog called the violence shocking and serious and said it crosses a red line. And Katz, who last year ended administrative detention for Jewish settlers suspected of attacks, pledged more money and resources Monday for a Defense Ministry initiative he said seeks to reduce the attacks through dialogue.

But current and former members of Israels political and security elite have also urgently raised the alarm - and instead blamed the government for enacting policies they said either encouraged settler violence or allowed it to flourish.

Israel is reaping what it sowed: the entire racist policy of pushing and harming the Palestinians, while giving Jewish terrorism complete freedom of action, said Israel Ziv, a retired general who served as head of the operations directorate of the Israel Defense Forces. Through explicit policies on one hand and silence on the other - refusing to condemn, refusing to act - the state has lost control, he said.

Netanyahus government has lent significant support to the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, taking dramatic steps to ensure that it retains control over most of the territory, which Israel seized from Jordan during the 1967 war.

While approving housing and other infrastructure projects for Israeli settlements at a record rate, the government has also increased demolition of Palestinian property while deprioritizing investigations into attacks on Palestinians, according to rights groups monitoring the trends. Settlers have also expelled Palestinians from villages, according to the United Nations, in an effort to thwart the creation of a Palestinian state.

In an interview Tuesday with Israels Channel 14, Bezalel Smotrich, the countrys far-right finance minister, acknowledged the violence but said the attacks were being used to defame Israel and the settler movement. There is no place for violence, for taking the law into ones own hands, certainly not for throwing stones at soldiers, he said. This is not how you build the Land of Israel.

He added, We are killing the idea of a Palestinian state - day by day, hour by hour - with more than a hundred farms that already span over 700,000 dunams, or 173,000 acres.

Ahmad Salman, 32, the imam of the Haja Hamida mosque, stands in a destroyed room following in an overnight attack by Jewish settlers in the West Bank Palestinian village of Deir Istiya, on Nov. 13. Salman was the first to discover the fire when he arrived before dawn for the early morning prayer. (Heidi Levine/For The Washington Post)



As the government has tightened its grip on the West Bank, the number of attacks by Israeli settlers or soldiers on Palestinian farming communities in 2025 has surpassed any year on record since the U.N. began counting in 2006. The annual olive harvest, which is now drawing to a close, saw gangs of Jewish extremists burning cars, looting farming equipment, and vandalizing more than 5,700 trees and saplings cultivated by Palestinians across 87 towns and villages.

On Thursday, settlers torched and vandalized a mosque in the West Bank village of Deir Istiya, about five miles northwest of the Ariel settlement. They scrawled a message to the head of the armys central command before they left. We are not afraid, we will come back, Avi Bluth, the graffiti said.

In the southern West Bank on Monday, a rare move from the army to dismantle an illegal outpost of a larger settlement sparked clashes with security forces, local media reported. Within hours, gangs of young men had descended on two nearby Palestinian villages, burning property and beating residents.

Israels Haaretz newspaper reported that the assault in the village of Umm al-Butm, nestled just below the Tzur Misgavi outpost, began as security forces were still stationed up the hill. One group broke into the home of a 66-year-old woman and beat her with sticks, Haaretz reported.

Then, it was the turn of the Palestinian village of Jaba, southwest of Bethlehem, residents said. Musa Mashaaleh recalled hearing the attackers approaching his house. He watched on security cameras as masked men torched his car and pelted the building with stones, he said.

Young Palestinian girls walk past graffiti that was painted on the outside of a home that reads in Hebrew, A Jew doesnt evict a Jew, in the West Bank village of Jaba on Tuesday. (Heidi Levine/For The Washington Post)



In total, Mohammad Abu Subhieh, a member of the local council, said the settlers burned four cars and two buildings. One of them told my niece that they would come back and burn our house, Abu Subhieh said. One of their graffiti tags read: A Jew doesnt evict a Jew.

Residents reported that the army arrived at 7 p.m. local time, several hours after the settlers had left. The army checkpoint is 100 meters away from our village. If the army was concerned with preventing the incident, they would have been able to prevent it, Abu Subhieh said.

In a statement Monday night, the IDF said that it was conducting searches to locate involved individuals. These violent incidents divert the attention of commanders and soldiers from their primary mission of defense and counterterrorism, the statement said. The military did not respond to follow-up questions about the violence in Umm al-Butm.

But political observers again pointed to the governments role in fanning the flames. Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving prime minister, returned to office in December 2022 on the basis of a coalition agreement that promised to promote and develop settlement in all parts of the Land of Israel, including Judea and Samaria, the biblical name for the West Bank. Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, Israels minister for national security, have both been key figures in a push to annex the territory.

Theyre raising the hornets - and then suddenly theyre frightened of their own creation, said Ziv, the retired general.

Ofer Shelah, a former lawmaker who is now a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said that the surge in violence came because the perpetrators feels the government is on their side.

Add to that the weakness of the police and of its leadership, and the fact that both the police and Shin Bet have limited tools - this is what you get, Shelah said, referring to Israels domestic security agency. It shouldnt surprise anyone.

Yair Golan, leader of Israels Democrats party and former deputy military chief of staff, urged the countrys leadership to describe the attacks as Jewish terrorism.

How else can you describe this? If the same acts had been committed by Palestinians, we would call this Palestinian terrorism, he said in an interview with Kan News, Israels public broadcaster. A country that is unable to safeguard itself from terrorists and is unable to uphold the rule of law, sentences itself to extinction.

The outlet reported Tuesday that four settlers detained during the demolition of Tzur Misgavi had been released and that no one was arrested after the violence in Jaba.

On the hill above Umm al-Butm, piles of wood and white plastic marked the spots where the demolished caravans had stood.

Asked about attacks on Palestinian residents just down the slope, Israel Poper, a 30-year old yeshiva student, said an investigation needed to be conducted before the identity of the vigilantes could be known.

Lets see who it was, he said. Maybe it was a fight between Arabs. Or if it was Jews, maybe the Arabs went to their houses before.

Hours later, the military said that it had neutralized two terrorists at the nearby Gush Etzion Junction in the West Bank, after a ramming and stabbing attack that killed a 71-year-old man and wounded three others. An Israeli security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said the attackers were Palestinian residents of Hebron and the village of Beit Ummar.

Numerous IDF forces are conducting roadblocks, surrounding villages, and searching the area, the military said in a statement. The Hamas militant group described the attack as a natural response to the occupations attempts to eliminate the Palestinian cause and to the escalating aggression.

The attackers bodies were still lying by the roadside, surrounded by police, as Washington Post reporters passed through the area on Tuesday afternoon. News of the stabbing was circulating on at least one WhatsApp group used by settlers to share developments.

If everyone feels safe in their own home, then no one will feel they need to take the law into their own hands to feel safe, Poper said of the attacks.

Loveluck reported from London and Soroka from Tel Aviv.
Retired Adm. Gary Roughead oversaw U.S. naval operations from 2007 to 2011. (Tiffini Vanderwyst/U.S. Navy)



(Tribune News Service)  Former U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead recently shared his insights in an interview about lessons learned from U.S. battles against Yemens Houthi rebels, fears that the Iranian armed forces will replicate tactics employed in the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean, and the future of the U.S. security aid package to Israel, which is nearing its end.

Combatting Houthi rebels

The Houthis carried out naval operations that were difficult for the U.S. and other countries, Admiral Roughead said. In Israel, you managed to intercept missiles from different directions, including Yemen, and thats positive, but the Houthis have shown capabilities that many people didnt expect. The attacks by Israel, the U.S. and others were very unbalanced in terms of cost.

The economic damage is reflected, for example, by the U.S. drone losses where the Houthis claimed to have intercepted 14 MQ-9 Reapers, at a cost of about $30 million per unit. By comparison, the price of an Iranian-made Shahed-136 loitering munition is an estimated $30,000.

Roughead cited two key lessons learned. The first is not to underestimate the naval capabilities of Iranian proxy organizations, and second, to be more realistic about what is needed to defend and defeat.

Not only are missile and UAV attacks expected, but the challenges will expand to new technologies above and below the sea. It requires increasing threat awareness, translating it into what should be done, and what resources are required. The countries dependent on maritime trade need to invest in systems capable of protecting against threats like those held by the Houthis. This wont go away  it will only increase thanks to what the Iranians and the Houthis have learned.

Concerns about Irans navy

They are the most significant threat, especially in the Gulf. Their routine tactics include attacking merchant ships and infrastructure. Im worried they might transfer tactics to a proxy. I am particularly concerned that IRGC navy tactics employed in the Gulf could be transferred to the Eastern Mediterranean, and create a challenging environment.

What do you think of Irans capabilities right now?

Iran has taken a step back right now, but I never thought they would disappear. We need to ask how they will work with others? Cooperation with Russia on UAVs can be applied to the sea. Now that the guns have gone quiet, we need to think about what weve learned, what theyve learned, and who theyre working with in order to come up with new threats and tactics that we havent thought of. We see how in Ukraine technologies and tactics are changing at a high rate. This isnt the time to sit back. We must pay attention and cooperate. Sometimes, were not fast enough to internalize the necessary lessons.

Directed energy  the weapon of the future

I have great appreciation for AEGIS, the first air-defense system we deployed at sea, says the former U.S. Navy commander. It has proven extremely effective, and its maritime deployment offers clear advantages  replicating an air-defense system at sea is often easier than doing so on land. I believe AEGIS will continue to serve the U.S. and its partners well. Going forward, the U.S., Israel, Japan, and other allies need to consider how to develop more affordable interceptors.

In September, Israels Ministry of Defense and Rafael, the main contractor of the Iron Beam laser air defense system project, announced that trials of the system had been completed. Iron Beam will enable interceptions at a cost of a few dollars, instead of about $30,000 per Iron Dome interception. Although ships are energy-limited vessels, Roughead views energy weapons as important.

Directed-energy weapons are a key technology for the future, especially on ships, because you dont have to worry about carrying interceptors. At present, destroyers cant draw enough power from the ship itself. Its possible to increase the power capacity on the ships, but that would require redesigning them. Directed-energy weapons will provide flexibility, and some new ship designs already include additional unused power. Although directed-energy weapons are not yet ready to counter missiles, the designs must incorporate greater energy capacity.

A Chinese invasion? Not wise

Ive worked with partners like Japan and Korea, and Im concerned about the situation in the Pacific, Roughead said. Malacca is teeming with commerce and is also critical for energy. The Chinese are expanding their presence in this space, limiting the ability to pass through certain areas. The challenge in the region is not only military. More than 90% of Japan, Korea, and Taiwans energy passes there. 60% of the food is imported in these countries. Its also a challenge to keep the lights on.

Is it likely that there will be a Chinese invasion of Taiwan within a year or two?

I dont foresee a Chinese invasion of Taiwan in a year or two. Its a very difficult thing to do, and the Chinese understand it. Chinas economic situation is not optimal, and as a result, it will be very unwise. In my opinion, their assessment is similar  they dont need a conflict in Taiwan now. I do fear that in five or six years the situation might change. The Chinese may feel more secure economically, politically, and socially. Xi Jinping can be in power for as long as he wants, so 2032 could be a reasonable target for Chinese reunification.

U.S. security aid to Israel

I believe the assistance will continue  it must, says Roughead. Its important for the U.S. and Israel to use their own independent capabilities, while also engaging in cooperation and joint development. Israel has done a great deal, especially in air defense. Many Israeli technologies have been adopted in the U.S. For example, Iron Dome was the inspiration for the Golden Dome system.

 Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2025.

 2025 the Globes (Tel Aviv, Israel).

Visit www.globes.co.il.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Le Roy Torres looks at the two uniforms that defined his adult life  his final dress uniform from 23 years in the Army and Army Reserve, from which he medically retired as a captain, and the final uniform that he wore during his 14 years as a Texas state trooper, at his home in Robstown, Texas, on Oct. 3, 2019. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)



AUSTIN, Texas  An appeals court will hear oral arguments Thursday after Texas appealed a jurys decision to award an Army Reserve veteran $2.49 million for being wrongfully forced out of his job as a state trooper because of his war-related illnesses.

Retired Capt. Le Roy Torres legal battle against the Texas Department of Public Safety began in 2017 in Nueces County court, went all the way to the Supreme Court and back before jurors were able to reach their verdict in September 2023.

The state appealed the decision soon after, and the three judges on the 15th Court of Appeals in Austin will hear arguments on the case Thursday afternoon.

Torres said in his lawsuit that he returned from a deployment to Iraq in 2007 and began to have breathing problems connected to his time overseas, and he was forced out of his job as a state trooper  a violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, which protects civilian employment of service members.

While deployed to Camp Anaconda in Balad, his unit lived within a mile of a 10-acre burn pit where toxic fumes wafted through the air. Everything no longer needed was burned in the massive pit, including medical waste, aircraft engines, computers and tires  a common practice for the military at the time.

Even before leaving Iraq, Torres said he began to have severe headaches. Once home, he began having chest pains and other symptoms. He has since been diagnosed with terminal lung disease, toxic brain injury and autoimmune issues.

Torres argued that his request for reasonable accommodation for his service-related illness was not met, and he was instead forced out of the state police force.

Because his case involves state requirements to follow USERRA, the federal law designed to protect the civilian employment of service members, the final outcome could have implications for veterans employment protections across the country, according to Torres legal brief filed in the appeals case.

This case represents every service member who has been told their sacrifice didnt matter, Torres said in a statement. We carry the voices of those who can no longer fight for themselves  and we wont stop until justice is served.

Regardless of the legal outcome, Torres has already been a pivotal player in gaining benefits and recognition of their illnesses for millions of post-9/11 veterans who were exposed to toxic hazards during the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. He co-founded the organization Burn Pits 360, which fought for years to secure passage of the the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or PACT Act.

The law added dozens of health conditions to the list of those presumed to be caused by toxic exposure and opened VA benefits to millions of veterans. The VA said its the largest expansion of health care and benefits in its history.

The hearing begins at 1:30 p.m. in Austin with a live broadcast through the courts YouTube channel.

This is more than a legal case  its about justice for thousands of veterans who came home sick from their service and were met with indifference, said Rosie Torres, Le Roys wife and executive director and co-founder of Burn Pits 360. We invite the public, veterans and supporters to stand with us in the courtroom as we continue the fight to protect those who protected us.
Cracker Barrel shareholders voted Thursday to keep company CEO Julie Felss Masino in place despite a debacle over the company's logo that continues to hurt its sales.

But one of the company's directors, Gilbert Davila, resigned from Cracker Barrel's board Thursday after preliminary results indicated that shareholders rejected his reelection.

Davila, who joined Cracker Barrel's board in 2020, is the president and CEO of DMI Consulting, a multicultural marketing firm. He reviewed Cracker Barrel's advertising as part of his role on the board. Two influential shareholder advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, had recommended against Davila's reelection ahead of the vote.

Sardar Biglari, a longtime Cracker Barrel shareholder and activist investor, was among those pressing for the ouster of Masino and Davila. Biglari is the chairman and CEO of Biglari Holdings Inc., a San Antonio, Texas-based company that owns Steak n Shake. He also owns 3% of Cracker Barrels shares.

Our campaign is about saving Cracker Barrel from a board and management team that are out of touch with Cracker Barrels customer base, Biglari said in a letter sent earlier this month to Cracker Barrel investors.

In its own statement, Cracker Barrel thanked its shareholders and said it was committed to returning the company to sales growth.

We are more focused than ever on delivering high-quality food and experiences to our guests while staying true to the heritage that makes Cracker Barrel so special, ensuring we are here to welcome families around our table for generations to come, the company said.

Cracker Barrel's shares fell nearly 5.5% Thursday to close at $25.97 per share. They are down 52% from the start of this year.

Cracker Barrel hired Masino, a longtime Taco Bell and Starbucks executive, in July 2023. She was chosen for her record as an innovator, with the hope that she would attract new customers to Cracker Barrel, which operates 660 restaurants in 43 states.

Masino introduced updated menu items, like Hashbrown Casserole Shepherds Pie, to increase Cracker Barrels dinnertime traffic. She also started remodeling the companys dark, antique-filled restaurants, lightening the walls and installing more comfortable seating.

But her decision in August to simplify the chains logo had disastrous consequences. Fans didnt like that the new logo didnt include Cracker Barrels longtime mascot, an overall-clad man leaning on a barrel, or the words Old Country Store. They also rebelled against the store redesigns.
Getty Images Bitcoin's price has been under pressure. Meanwhile, new crypto products continue to roll out.

Key Takeaways

Over $1 trillion in coin market cap value has been erased since crypto's October peaks. Bitcoin sank below $90,000 overnight, to the lowest level since April, before recovering to near $93,000.

Meanwhile, the crypto industry continues to offer investors new ways to move their money into the space.

Bitcoin is down. Crypto is still shipping.

Investment appetites are being tested as productsincluding new exchange-traded funds, initial coin offerings and an index-linked tokenlaunch into a bear market for the industry's best-known asset.

It's happening at a challenging time for investors, both in crypto and risk assets broadly. The crypto market has lost over $1 trillion in market value, down more than 25% since bitcoin's (BTCUSD) October peak. Meanwhile, the most well-known and largest coin recently continued its descent, sinking below $90,000 overnight to levels last seen in April, before recovering to around $93,000.

But amid the downbeat price action, investors continue to have more options for their crypto capitalwhich, for some, may amount to alternatives to bitcoin.

Why This Matters to Crypto Investors

Bitcoin is a huge part of the crypto market, accounting for more than half of its overall value. Yet the proliferation of other productssuch as spot ETFs holding altcoins, some of which have double-digit year-to-date gainscould attract investors looking for alternatives.

Coinbase Global (COIN), the largest U.S. public crypto exchange, earlier this week debuted its revamped ICO platforma marketplace for the crypto industry's version of IPOswith the launch of Monad's token sale. CoinMarketCap, meanwhile, launched a crypto index token.

Also, the pace of spot altcoin ETF debuts has quickened in the last few weeks, owed in part to the Securities and Exchange Commission's new standards for coin fund listings.

Asset managers big and small are in the mix: There's Fidelity Solana Fund (FSOL), Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL), and Canary Capital XRP ETF (XRPC). There's 21Shares FTSE Crypto 10 Index ETF (TTOP), a fund of funds that tracks bitcoin as well as other coins including memes like doge (DOGEUSD) and decentralized exchange Hyperliquid's token (HYPEUSD), and the 21shares FTSE Crypto 10 ex-BTC Index ETF (TXBC), a version sans bitcoin.

ETFs linked to baskets of coins that have huge slugs of bitcoin may be a tough sell in these markets, but single altcoin funds could find life yet. While bitcoin is down 2% year-to-date, altcoin performance has been mixed: Ether and sol are down 8% and 27%, respectively, according to Messari research. But Binance's native token (BNBUSD) is up 30%, and Hyperliquid's token roughly 60%, over the same period.

Read the original article on Investopedia
By Elizabeth Howcroft

PARIS (Reuters) -Cryptocurrency markets have surged in recent years, in part fuelled by the Trump administration's pro-crypto stance which has encouraged wider acceptance among financial institutions.

With a total value of $3.2 trillion and around $197 billion of trading volume per day, cryptocurrencies represent a small part of global markets, crypto tracker CoinGecko estimates.

But regulators and investors are still worried about whether any problems in the lightly regulated crypto world could spill over into the wider financial system.

The biggest cryptocurrency, bitcoin, fell below $90,000 for the first time since April this week, and some $1.2 trillion has been wiped off the value of all cryptocurrencies in six weeks.

Bitcoin, generally moves in line with broader risk appetite. Its correlation with the S&P 500 on a one-month rolling basis this week was 0.84, its strongest in six weeks, LSEG data shows. Correlation is measured from -1 to 1.

Here's where crypto and mainstream markets intersect.

STABLECOIN RESERVES

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to a real-world currency, usually the U.S. dollar. Stablecoin issuers hold reserves to match the number of tokens they have created, and say that token-holders can swap their stablecoins back into dollars on demand.

Financial stability experts warn that a rush of redemption requests would cause a run on these reserves, affecting banks where cash is deposited, or even the assets that the reserves are invested in.

The stablecoin market is dominated by El Salvador-based Tether, which has around $181 billion in reserves, of which $112 billion is held in U.S. Treasuries. Rival Circle holds $24 billion in U.S. Treasuries.

CRYPTO-RELATED STOCKS

Crypto stocks have soared in 2025, and more crypto companies have gone public. But pure players remain a tiny part of the overall market.

The market cap of stocks in the "blockchain and cryptocurrency" and "cryptocurrency mining" category is $225 billion, just 1.8% of the global equities market, LSEG data shows.

This excludes so-called crypto treasury companies, whose business model is to buy and hold crypto. While the bitcoin buyers include major players like Strategy, dozens of penny stocks have this year been taken over by crypto enthusiasts to bet on rising prices.

Standard Chartered estimates that a bitcoin price below $90,000 leaves half of these companies' corporate treasuries holding bitcoin worth less than they paid for it.

Four of the 173 new U.S. public listings in 2025 have been crypto companies, raising a combined $1.2 billion, around 3.3% of the total funds raised from U.S. IPOs, LSEG said.
Hector Barbotta Seville Thursday, 20 November 2025, 17:34 Share

Andalucia's regional government this week approved a strategy on foreign policy that organises into a single plan all the activity directed beyond Spain's borders that has been developing in recent years and which has had significant milestones. One such example would be Junta president Juanma Moreno's accession to the presidency of the European Committee of the Regions and also the strengthening of ties with China, whose vice-president, Hang Zhen, met last summer with the Junta president at Seville's San Telmo Palace.

The strategy was presented by the regional minister of tourism and external affairs, Arturo Bernal, who described the approved document as historic, since, for the first time, Andalucia will have its own strategy in this domain, setting out the challenges, priorities and objectives of all the Junta's government departments in their relationship with the world. "A document that has never existed before and which marks a turning point in how Andalucia projects its potential beyond our borders."

The strategy sets objectives in various directions, covering all parts of the globe. It aims to increase Andalucia's influence in Brussels and European institutions, enhance its recognition in the Mediterranean (including North Africa), strengthen its presence in Latin America and make it more attractive to international investment along the Atlantic axis, in Asia-Pacific and in the Arab nations.

More outward-looking

According to Bernal, the strategy stems from the conviction that, due to the region's population, economy, culture and strategic location, Andalucia has an undeniable external dimension and this presence must be managed "with a long-term vision, coherence and ambition". In his opinion, for decades there have been isolated initiatives, but a common framework was lacking to provide unity, strength and coherence to all the regional government's external dealings. This roadmap is what this strategy, now approved by the Junta's governing council, aims to establish.

The approved strategy will serve as the basis for a future statute on foreign policy and activities for Andalucia

Bernal asserted that, since Juanma Moreno took office as Junta president, Andalucia has strengthened its institutional relations, reinforced the internationalisation of the region's economy and projected its cultural identity beyond its borders like never before.

As a result, he stated, ambassadors, institutional delegations and business missions are now received at Seville's San Telmo Palace practically every week.

Engaging with partners...

The strategy, which will serve as the basis for a future law on foreign policy and dealings in Andalucia that they intend to present before the end of their current term of office, goes hand in hand, according to Bernal, with reactivating the interdepartmental committee for all foreign business to coordinate the external activities across all regional ministries. External affairs, Bernal stressed, not only encompass diplomacy, but also "economy, culture, education, health, tourism, innovation and cooperation, industry, energy and agriculture".

An advisory council for external affairs is also being created, which will include representatives from civil society, universities, businesses, cultural institutions and international cooperation agencies. The Andalucia 'brand' is expressly introduced as a strategic concept.

The central objective of the document is to enhance Andalucia's presence, influence and opportunities on the international stage. Andalucia aspires to consolidate its position as a key player, strengthen the global reach of its culture, expand its role in European decision-making, optimise its access to EU funding and solidify its leadership in energy transition, sustainability and the fight against climate change.

Similarly, the strategy reinforces the value of Andalucia's heritage, its university system, its business fabric and the talent of its people both within and outside the region. It also includes an action plan with legislative and budgetary measures that will turn this roadmap into tangible results for the people of Andalucia.

In parallel, the new framework positions Andalucia as a more influential region in Brussels and European institutions, more recognised in the Mediterranean and North Africa, with a stronger presence in Latin America and more attractive to international investors from the Atlantic axis, Asia-Pacific and the Arab nations.

The regional minister pointed out that all of Andalucia's overseas activity is carried out under the auspices of the statute of autonomy for the region and also under the national law in force since 2014, which recognises the powers of the autonomous regions in this area. Furthermore, he noted that all actions are coordinated, reported on and are done "in absolute loyalty" to the Spanish government and its foreign policy.
Eugenio Cabezas Frigiliana Thursday, 20 November 2025, 10:56 Share

The mayor of Frigiliana in Malaga province's Axarquia area has said he wants to leave the area's Mancomunidad association of town halls because the services the town receives, he says, are "zero".

The socialist PSOE mayor, Alejandro Herrero, has criticised the fact that the supra-municipal body only provides the town with "a crane with a skip once a month".

The Mancomunidad association of town halls in the Axarquia was established in 1974 by the five coastal municipalities on the eastern Costa del Sol and it currently comprises all 31 municipalities in the east of Malaga province. However, not all town halls are happy with the services they receive and one of the most critical in recent years has been Frigiliana.

Herrero, who has been mayor of Frigiliana since 2017, first expressed his wish to leave the Mancomunidad in June 2022, with the same arguments he has put on the table again. "The benefits and services for Frigiliana are zero," Herrero said during a Mancomunidad meeting on Tuesday 18 November at its headquarters in Torre del Mar, during a question and answer session.

In his opinion, given that the Axarquia association cannot help a town of 3,300 inhabitants on a specific procedural matter, given that we only receive a crane service once a month and given that the tourism promotion by this entity is practically nonexistent, given that we are not in the area of influence of the La Vinuela reservoir and that the drought decree does not affect us, nor Nerja, belonging to this association provides us with zero benefit and zero service.

Referring to a request he made earlier this year for additional support from the Mancomunidad, to be told that there were not enough staff available, the mayor has requested a list of job positions and their respective salaries. He has also requested the utmost speed in providing the list of public positions and their salaries, in case there is a shortage of politicians and a surplus of civil servants, or conversely, a surplus of politicians and a shortage of civil servants.

The secretary of the Mancomunidad, Miguel Berbel, who also holds the same position for Rincon de la Victoria town hall, responded to Herrero's request, saying: "There are no civil servants available; what we have is technical staff who prepare technical reports. That's the problem we have." Herrero responded that he "wasn't going to get into any controversies or debates," but criticised the fact that "they've hired an architect to do a project in Velez-Malaga."

President of the Mancomunidad Jorge Martin (Partido Popular) told SUR on Wednesday 19 November that "each municipality is free to do what it sees fit; the argument isn't valid, but if they want to leave..." He went on to say, "What we're trying to do is create aan area and leverage the unity of the 31 municipalities of the Axarquia in tourism promotion and water management, but each municipality is free to decide if they want to leave; that's the sovereign right of the town halls and their governing bodies," he stated.

Generic issues

At Tuesday's meeting issues related to anti-abuse bracelets, the war in Gaza, and cancer screenings were debated. "These are issues that don't concern the Axarquia; they're all generic issues, so the day couldn't be more fitting to leave the institution," Herrero told Cadena Ser radio in the Axarquia on Wednesday, where he also noted that each meeting of the Mancomunidad costs "3,000 or 4,000 euros."

Frigiliana pays 2,000 euros a month for a crane. With that money, I could buy a crane every year. It's nothing to me, the Socialist mayor stated. He added that in a town of 3,300 inhabitants, we have the services we have and that's why I'm requesting support to process paperwork, but they tell me they don't have the personnel. It seems that stalling is more profitable than working, or maybe they're rejecting me because they're afraid other towns will also request it and some of them will have to work. They're taking us for fools, he said.

If we dont talk about the problems, the thefts in the countryside, the highway congestion in Rincon, about tourism promotion - Frigiliana can teach the Mancomunidad how to do it," he said, referring to the fact that the town is one of the most visited in the Axarquia. "I dont think its worthwhile for it to exist just for a crane once a month. Im not interested in being part of the Mancomunidad, Herrero concluded.
Tony Bryant Malaga Thursday, 20 November 2025, 15:24 Share

More than 500 people of all ages took part in the Walkathons for Water held in Benalmadena and Mijas, an initiative promoted by the We Are Water Foundation and Hilton Grand Vacations. The initiative aims to raise public awareness of global water and sanitation challenges through a series of walks currently taking across Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Portugal and Austria.

Now in their third year, these charity walks span five kilometres - a symbolic distance that reflects the daily journeys millions of people undertake to collect water that is often unsafe to drink.

More than 160 students and teachers from Mariana Pineda school in Benalmadena joined the initiative, taking part in activities that encouraged them to reflect on the importance of water for health and well-being, as well as to learn about the everyday challenges faced by communities living with water scarcity.

This beautiful initiative opened our students eyes and hearts. They became aware that many children live without access to water  a reality completely different from their own, teacher Virginia Ledesma said.

In addition, the initiative also raised funds to improve access to water and sanitation in communities in India and Colombia. More than 2,600 euros was raised to help to improve the quality of life for thousands of people.

We want to thank all the participants who joined these two charity walks. Thanks to their involvement and Hilton Grand Vacations ongoing commitment, we have been able to drive forward an initiative that improves the lives of thousands of people without access to such an essential resource as water, Carlos Garriga, Director of the We Are Water Foundation, said.
Emma Perez-Romera Estepona Thursday, 20 November 2025, 17:27 Share

An imposing maritime transport platform accompanied by two tugboats is being sighted from the coasts of Estepona, Casares and Manilva, arousing the curiosity of residents and also of sailors who come across it in the Alboran Sea. It is a large, slow-moving barge, about 3.4 knots, or just over 6 km/hour, carrying a large metal structure which, as SUR has been able to confirm, is the new section of the historic Anne-de-Bretagne bridge in Nantes, some 150 metres long and 32 metres wide.

The main element weighs approximately 2,000 tonnes, plus a further 1,000 tonnes of temporary structures, hence the slow movement.

The columns that are raised from the barge are actually temporary support pillars and do not form part of the bridge span, but provide support and stability during transport, helping to keep the piece stable on the barge and also serve as protection for the structure and reinforcements to support the loads during navigation and wave movement.

This part, manufactured at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone (Italy), was loaded on 22 October and the maritime convoy was launched, according to sources from the Nantes city council, on 28 October, crossing the Adriatic, the Sicilian channel, the western Mediterranean, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean before arriving in Nantes via the Loire river.

The Estepona port authority has not recorded any planned port call or manoeuvre in the port and, for the moment, there is no official communication beyond the ordinary transit reported by the vessel. The operation, however, was visible through the public AIS tracking systems, which confirmed the convoy's trajectory towards the Strait of Gibraltar.

Transformation of the city

Moving large infrastructure by sea is common in this type of engineering project, especially suspension bridges or large metal sections that cannot be moved by land. The new Anne-de-Bretagne bridge will replace the existing structure over the Loire and is one of the most important works currently underway in the region of Pays de la Loire.

This piece of the Anne-de-Bretagne bridge structure will arrive in Nantes by the end of 2025, barring unforeseen circumstances, and is part of a very innovative project for the city that began in 2014 and will be completed by the end of 2027.

It is a project of urban transformation and sustainable mobility that will redefine the connection of the city across the Loira river, an example of citizen participation and which involves the transformation of the current bridge into "a bridge that will house a square suspended in the water. It will combine mobility, green spaces and walking areas, integrating opinions on eco-design, mobility, aesthetics and adaptation to climate change".

This sighting has therefore generated considerable interest on the western Costa del Sol, as it is unusual for structures of this magnitude to transit so close to the coast.
Nuria Triguero Malaga Thursday, 20 November 2025, 15:43 Share

Calle Marques de Larios in Malaga city centre has moved up one place in the ranking of the most expensive shopping streets in Spain, ranking fifth, according to the 35th Cushman & Wakefield report. In fact, it is the street with the highest rent outside Madrid and Barcelona, which occupy the top four positions on the list with Paseo de Gracia, Serrano, Gran Via, Portal del Angel, Jose Ortega y Gasset and Preciados, the last three tied in fourth place.

Calle Larios has seen its rent increase by another 10% in the last year, reaching 220 euros per square metre per month (or 2,600 euros per year). This means that a hundred-square-metre premises costs 22,000 euros per month. The availability of premises in this 'super prime' area of Malaga is non-existent, which is evidence of the "strong demand and shortage of space in this commercial area".

International tourism is consolidating its position as the main driver of 'super-prime' retail destinations, according to Cushman & Wakefield's report. Despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the flow of international tourists continues growing strongly. Forecasts point to an increase of more than 8% in international arrivals in 2025 and an additional 7.4% in 2026, reaching a new all-time record of tourism expenditure of approximately 1.95 trillion euros. This particularly benefits the world's main shopping streets, where tourists are looking for unique, immersive and memorable shopping experiences.

In the case of Spain, this growth in tourism, led by tourists from strategic markets such as the US, the UK and France, has benefited the most important commercial areas, such as Calle Larios.

As Rob Travers, head of retail in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) at Cushman & Wakefield, says, "high-street presence is no longer exclusive to high-end brands. More and more FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) retailers are opting for prime locations because they offer visibility, a constant flow of people and a connection with the consumer that is difficult to achieve in other environments".

The Spanish ranking

The Cushman & Wakefield report, which analyses the prime rents of shopping streets in 92 cities around the world, highlights the continued attractiveness of Paseo de Gracia (Madrid), which this year moves up one position in the global ranking to 16th place, with a prime rent of 3,420 euros/square metre/year (285/square metre/month), an increase of 8%. "This street is home to prestigious luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel and Gucci; it maintains a dynamism that consolidates it as one of the most iconic and exclusive shopping arteries on the international scene," the report says.

Calle Serrano in Madrid is close behind, with rents of 3,300/square metre/year (275/square metre/year), also an 8% increase. "This growth has been driven by the continued incorporation of large international firms, whose presence has contributed decisively to this sharp increase in rents," Cushman & Wakefield says. Gran Via (Madrid) is in the third position with a prime rent of 3,120/square metre/year (260/square metre/month). This year, the Madrid thoroughfare overtakes Portal del Angel in Barcelona, with which it shared a position in last year's ranking.

Portal de l'Angel shares the fourth position with Calle Jose Ortega y Gasset and Calle Preciados, both in Madrid, with a prime rent of 3,060/square metre/year. After these top four streets come: Marques de Larios in Malaga (5th position, with 2,640/square metre/year); Fuencarral in Madrid (6th, with 2,160/square metre/year); Colon in Valencia (7th, with 1,800/square metre/year); Tetuan in Seville (8th, with 1,680/square metre/year); Gran Via in Bilbao (9th, with 1,620/square metre/year); Goya in Madrid (10th, with 1,560/square metre/year); Pelayo in Barcelona and Jaime III in Palma de Mallorca, which share the 11th position, with 1,440/square metre/year; Avenida Diagonal (12th, with 1,200/square metre/year); followed by Plaza de la Independencia in Zaragoza and Rambla Catalunya in Barcelona, which share 13th position, with 1,140/square metre/year; and, finally, Portaferrisa in Barcelona, with 1,080/square metre/year.

New Bond Street in London, the most expensive in the world

The report confirms that Europe continues leading the ranking, having overtaken the US last year. For the first time, New Bond Street in London is the most expensive shopping street in the world, with rents of 20,482 euros/square metre/year (1,707/square metre/month), up 22% compared to the previous year. It is closely followed by Via Montenapoleone in Milan, in second place at 20,000/square metre/year, while Upper Fifth Avenue in New York comes after it, at 18,359/square metre/year. In the fourth position is the luxurious Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, at 13,907/square metre/year, where rents are down 6%. Fifth is the Parisian Avenue des Champs Elysees, which maintains its rents at 12,519/square metre/year. Also noticeable is the 10% increase in rents on Ginza Street in Tokyo, which is in the sixth position.

The Cushman & Wakefield report concludes that physical presence remains a key focus for brands, which continue seeking iconic and super-prime locations in major cities around the world. According to Travers, "the appeal of the world's high streets lies in their unique combination of heritage, visibility and cultural prestige. More than shopping destinations, they are spaces where brands build storytelling, express identity and connect with consumers. For many retailers, being in a prime location is no longer an added value, but a necessity".

The report also confirms that the world's main shopping streets maintain a sustained price growth dynamic, driven by strong demand and limited availability of prime space. Globally, rents grew by 4.2% on average. The Americas was the best performing region, with growth of 7.9%, helped by exchange rate effects in South America and renewed dynamism on high streets in the US and Canada. Europe showed a stable performance, with an average increase of 4% year-on-year, with strong rises in London and Budapest, while in Asia-Pacific growth moderated to 2.1%, with India and Japan offsetting the slowdown in mainland China and south-east Asia.
The National Police have found a gun hidden in the wheel arch of a motorhome parked next to that of the 60-year-old man who was shot in the leg next to the Los Patios shopping centre in Malaga on Wednesday. According to sources, it was the victim's friend, who also lives in one of the motorhomes at the parking area, who told the police where he had seen the firearm.

The police are now trying to find out whether the weapon is related to the incident, while investigating the circumstances and the parties involved.

Meanwhile, the victim has been admitted to the Clinico hospital in the city, although his life is not at risk. The bullet caused an entry and exit wound in his leg, for which he is being treated.

According to his close circle of friends, the man has been living in a motorhome in the area for a long time and "has no problems with anyone". Neighbouring camper van owners told SUR that they had not heard gunshots. "I saw a lot of people looking out and when I realised what was happening, the police and the ambulance were already there," said another motorhome resident, who had had a few beers with the victim shortly before the incident.

Upon arrival, the emergency services found the injured man sitting in a pool of blood at the door of his friend's motorhome. The latter told the police where he had seen the gun and accompanied them to the location. According to sources, no arrests have been made yet and all hypotheses are still open.

The last reported shooting in Malaga city happened in El Tarajal (Campanillas district) at the end of October, when three individuals and a couple who didn't know each other got into an argument while sitting at a bar terrace. When the three individuals started bothering the woman, her husband took out a gun to intimidate them. He fired shots when they said it was a "toy" gun. Although nobody was shot, one of the three people was hit with the butt of the weapon.
Photo of the crossroad on Avenida Valle Inclan - one of the locations where cameras have been installed.

Chus Heredia Thursday, 20 November 2025, 19:06 | Updated 19:48h. Share

The transport department of Malaga city council has decided to extend the network of red traffic light cameras for safety reasons, following the mandatory reports from the Local Police. As municipal sources told SUR, new devices are being considered at key points in the city. Just in the first month of operation, the red-light radars on Avenida Valle Inclan and near the Hospital Clinico fined more than 1,500 drivers for running a red traffic light.

Con Malaga spokesperson Toni Morillas, who requested this data, received the following response from tax management: "As of 30 October 2025, 1,516 proceedings have been initiated [...]. 137 penalties have been paid (amounting to 13,700 euros) and 1,379 are being processed."

Reduction

Fines that are promptly paid benefit from a 50% reduction, which means that sanctioned drivers only have to pay 100 euros, instead of the 200 euros set by the traffic authorities (DGT). Running a red light is a serious offence that also results in the loss of four points of the driving licence.

Councillor for transport Trinidad Hernandez highlights the importance of this system in preventing accidents. "We seek to prevent tragedies, to protect pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. I always say that respecting traffic lights means respecting life. That is why I ask the people of Malaga to be responsible behind the wheel. The aim behind every traffic rule is to save lives. We must remember this," she recently said.

3,000 drivers were fined for speeding on Avenida Valle Inclan last year

On Avenida Valle-Inclan, there is also a fixed speed camera in the direction of Torremolinos, which caught almost 3,000 drivers last year. The red-light cameras are located at the junction with Camino de Suarez (so that both eastbound lanes of traffic are monitored); two at the junction with Avenida Simon Bolivar (one westbound and one eastbound); and another at the junction with Avenida de La Palmilla, to monitor both eastbound lanes of traffic.

In the case of the intersection with the metro, at Jimenez Fraud and Louis Pasteur, the measure consolidates the traffic lights, acoustic signals and conventional signs that regulate it.

Signs warning of the presence of these control systems are also part of the DGT's new signage catalogue. The pictogram shows a red traffic light accompanied by the characteristic radar waves and different vehicles. The signs are located immediately before the junction, just a few metres from the line where you have to stop.

137 fines have already been collected

If a driver runs an amber traffic light, the regulations do not stipulate that the behaviour is punishable, unless there is sudden acceleration or similar behaviour.

According to the latest municipal traffic counts (May-August), 32,475 vehicles circulate on Valle-Inclan in the eastbound direction on a working day. In the opposite direction, westbound, there are 25,377. There are no official figures for the monitored axis in Teatinos, but it is considered a problematic spot due to the convergence of line 1 of the metro and the vehicles circulating around Clinico, Romeral and the Teatinos campus.

This measure is not without controversy, as it has generated a high level of litigation in several cities. Among the cities that have such control systems are Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Palencia, Segovia, Burgos, Oviedo, Leon and some municipalities in the wider area of Valencia. The Spanish capital is the city with the biggest red-light radar network: more than 40. The devices were removed from the roads of San Sebastian after court decisions.

200 euros is the fine (100 for prompt payment) and four points are deducted from the driver's licence

These cameras detect a vehicle that fails to stop at a red light or moves off before it should. Photographs and short videos of the offence and the registration number are taken to document the incident. The cameras are synchronised with the traffic light controller. According to DGT data, there are more than 500 such cameras in Spain.
Javier Almellones Ronda Thursday, 20 November 2025, 09:31 Share

They were turbulent times, when religious images could be destroyed or burned out of fear, revenge or simply mob fury. Both in the years before and during the Spanish Civil War, there were numerous cases across the country where valuable sculptures of saints or virgins disappeared or were badly damaged. Nevertheless, there are notable exceptions, such as the story of the village of Pujerra, where two local residents did everything they could to save San Antonio de Padua, the village's patron saint.

The two men were Antonio Chicon Mena and Benito Guerrero Calvente, who decided to act out of devotion and respect for their patron saint. According to local lore in this village in the Genal valley near Ronda, they were aware that, if they did nothing, the statue of San Antonio de Padua could suffer the same fate as so many other religious artefacts. So, under cover of night, they hid it on farmland, concealed under large pieces of cork, in a secluded spot known as Bentomi, about two kilometres from the heart of the village. No one else was in the know. That decision, which at the time was an act of protection, would end up marking the history of the village forever.

The chapel is only a few decades old, but it has a curious origin (Photo 1). The location of the chapel is particularly peaceful (Photo 2). Image of San Antonio de Padua, patron saint of Pujerra (Photo 3) SUR

Years passed and, once the war was over, another local, Jose de Amalia, took it upon himself to recover the image. He carried it on foot to Cartajima for restoration, bearing the saint on his shoulders along the mountain trails. The journey, as the village elders still recount, was also a true act of faith. When St Anthony returned to Pujerra, the villagers were both thrilled and relieved that the image had survived and was back home where it belonged.

Decades later, with the arrival of democracy across Spain, the villagers wanted to pay homage to that event when the saint was hidden away. On the very spot where the saint was concealed, a small chapel was built: the hermitage of San Antonio de Padua, today one of the most iconic landmarks in the municipality.

It is located opposite the municipal swimming pool and on the edge of a nature spot that perfectly sums up the spirit of the village: humble, secluded and full of life.

The chapel, with its simple layout, connects with the history and emotions of those who took part in that curious chapter in Pujerra's history. Since its construction, the hermitage has become the centre of the patron saint's celebrations, especially during the summer, when the traditional pilgrimage of San Antonio takes place, in which the locals climb up to the sanctuary with flowers, songs and votive offerings.

Beyond its religious significance, this small building is also a symbol of resilience and memory. It represents how faith and unity can keep an identity alive even in the darkest times. Pujerra, like other villages in the Serrania de Ronda, suffered the effects of the conflict, but it was also able to overcome it with gestures like this, an act of faith that today is remembered with respect and pride.

Where is it?

Visitors to the shrine are often surprised to learn about its history. It is not a monumental church or an ancient sanctuary, but it is a place with soul. It is a peaceful place, where only birdsong and the rustling of autumn leaves can be heard. It is probably the same soundtrack that accompanied those two villagers when, on one dark night, they decided to save their patron saint by hiding him.
M. Saiz-Pardo / M. Balin Madrid Thursday, 20 November 2025, 14:48 Share

Alvaro Garcia Ortiz this Thursday the first attorney general in history in Spain to be criminally convicted.

The Spanish supreme court panel - by majority, not unanimously - has issued a historic ruling sentencing the highest authority of the public prosecutors office for the crime of revealing confidential information for his involvement in moves to disclose data from the case involving alleged double tax fraud by Alberto Gonzalez Amador, the partner of Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the president of the Madrid region.

The court has sentenced him to disqualification from serving as attorney general for two years, in addition to imposing a symbolic fine of 7,200 euros.

The judges have also ordered Garcia Ortiz to pay 10,000 euros in civil damages to Alberto Gonzalez Amador for moral harm.

The top court has only released the ruling but not the full reasoning which it will publish in the coming days. Other charges against him have been dismissed.
Almudena Nogues Malaga Thursday, 20 November 2025, 18:43 | Updated 19:39h. Share

Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has waged war on the damage caused to small businesses by fake reviews. On 13 November, the meeting of the lower house chamber (Congreso) approved the law on customer services, which has now been sent to the upper house (Senado) for further processing. Its aim is none other than to set basic quality standards and ensure that consumers are not abused. The so-called Sac law regulates different practices considered to be harmful to customers, from spam calls, to the automatic renewal of subscriptions and streaming services and tedious complaint resolution times.

Among the many aspects addressed by the new regulation is the prosecution of false online reviews. With the entry into force of this law, evaluations will be allowed only within 30 days after the product has been purchased or the service has been received. In addition, companies will also be able to reply to these comments and ask for them to be removed if they can prove that a review is not real by demonstrating that the person writing it has not bought the product or requested the service.

The text, which was approved with 179 votes in favour, 33 against and 138 abstentions, will now go to the upper house chamber and then return to Congreso for final approval

The text, which was approved with 179 votes in favour, 33 against and 138 abstentions, will now go to Senado and then return to Congreso for final approval.

Other measures in the proposal oblige companies to ensure that 95% of telephone calls are answered within three minutes and that customers are able to speak directly to a specialised operator at any stage of the enquiry or complaint. The regulation bans companies from handling calls exclusively through automated responses.

The attention provided will also have to be personalised according to factors such as the user's age, disability or administrative situation.

Companies with more than 250 employees, with a turnover of more than 50 million euros or which provide services of general interest will have to comply with the requirements of the new regulatory framework. In addition, as agreed between the regional government of Catalonia and the central government, companies will be obliged to provide customer service in the co-official languages of the region.

The draft law regulates practices that are harmful to customers, from spam calls to automatic renewal of subscriptions and time limits for resolving complaints

Companies must resolve any claim or complaint within 15 days of receiving it. This period, however, is reduced to five days for complaints related to undue charges. The law will also ban the increase of a price of a purchase such as a concert or a plane ticket during the process. The initial price the user sees and assumes they are going to spend will be the final price they pay, with no additional costs involved.

The draft legislation also puts an end to automatic renewals. Companies will have to give a notice of 15 days before a renewal. The consumer will then be able to decide whether to continue with the subscription and cancel it if they want, which the company must provide as an option.

Incibe's advice against fake reviews

While waiting for the new law to come into force, the national institute of cybersecurity (Incibe) has put together a series of recommendations for companies to defend themselves against reviews with false and defamatory information that could negatively affect their reputation. "From a legal point of view, companies are protected by the right to corporate honour in the face of acts that may undermine their reputation and negatively affect it," the organisation states.

Incibe provides the following guidelines:

-Contact the platform on which the fake reviews are posted so that they can assist you and take appropriate action.

-Collect all the evidence you can.

-File a complaint with the state security forces and corps.

In the event that the facts could constitute slander or libel, Incibe urges criminal prosecution. "If there has been improper processing of personal data, a complaint should be filed with the spanish data protection agency. In addition, consider the possibility of consulting a lawyer specialised in the matter," Incibe recommends.
By Ibrahim Karagul

A game?changing period has begun between Turkiye and Libya. While Turkiyes partnership with the Tripoli government continues, a new phase is opening with the administration of Khalifa Haftar. Reciprocal visits are taking place, economic partnerships are being established, forward?looking plans are being drawn up, and a new stage is unfolding in Turkiyes power play across the Mediterranean and Africa.

As Turkiye discusses its intervention in Sudans civil war, marked by atrocities verging on genocide, it is also building up positions at Ethiopias Somaliland port and Egypts Eritrean port. The great power struggle in Central and North Africa is escalating sharply. Every move in this contest reverberates far beyond national borders, shaking much of Africa. That is why Turkiye, one of the regions most important players, is watched so closely.

Turkiyes rapprochement with regional countries, built on partnerships against colonialism, has now become a settled principle. At the same time, Turkiye has demonstrated remarkable agility, able to manoeuvre quickly and adapt to circumstances. Central African states have expelled Western powers, especially France, in a revolutionary transformation that is reshaping African history. Turkiye has stood  and will continue to stand  as a central supporting force alongside these countries, opening its military technology to them extensively.

Central Africa cannot be conceived without Libya. One reason for Gaddafis downfall was Libyas influence over Central African countries, which provoked France and Sarkozy into launching attacks that shocked the world. Libya is a vast Mediterranean country, twice the size of Turkiye, with some of the worlds largest oil and gas reserves, rich underground water and mineral resources  enough to sustain all of Central Africa. This country must be rescued from division, instability, and Western plunder.

Libya is not only a Mediterranean state but also the largest gateway to Central Africa. From Sudan to Mali and Chad, the stability of the Sahel depends on Libyas stability. Therefore Libya must be strengthened: a powerful army built, wealth directed toward national growth, population increased, a strong central government established, and central authority consolidated.

Libya, devastated by civil war and chaos despite its wealth, must recover. The truth is clear: the partition of Libya and Sudan would bring destruction not only to those two countries but to all of Central Africa. Just as Turkiye mobilized for Sudans unity, it must mobilize for Libyas reunification. Turkiye is the sole guarantor of stability for these nations, and this principle underpins its regional policy.

Relying only on Tripoli while keeping distance from Eastern Libya is dangerous for Turkiye, especially as regional dynamics intensify. Recognising this danger, Turkiyes recent rapprochement with Haftars administration has become striking. Warm interest from Benghazi toward Ankara, Turkiyes prioritisation of Libyas unity as a matter of life and death, and the increase in visits, contacts, and economic agreements all reflect this.

Delegations from Benghazi are arriving in Turkiye one after another, major deals are being signed between Benghazi and Turkish companies, and Haftars administration is pressing Libyas House of Representatives to approve the Blue Homeland maritime agreement signed with Turkiye. Meanwhile, Tripoli appears hostage to the U.S. and Europe, with central bank resources unfairly distributed and siphoned off to the West. Western powers are pushing federation instead of unity, subjecting Libya to blackmail  making urgent action necessary.

This is already happening. On August 26, Turkish intelligence chief ?brahim Kal?n met Haftar. In August 2025, the Turkish Navys TCG K?nal?ada and military officials visited Benghazi port, joined by Haftars Libyan Armed Forces  a sign of rapprochement not only politically and economically but militarily.

Photos of Kal?n with Haftars eldest son Belkassam in Benghazi, followed by Belkassams visit to Ankara to meet Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and sign agreements, show that a strong future is being built between Turkiye and Eastern Libya. The issue is not merely economic but deeply geopolitical.

Because we usually view Libya through Tripoli, developments in Eastern Libya have been less closely followed. But Libya is now returning strongly to the regional and international stage after years of conflict, with stable oil production and massive development projects.

Under Belkassams coordination, hundreds of new schools, dozens of hospitals and health centres, hundreds of kilometres of roads, and housing for thousands of families have been built in just two years. A new highway is being constructed to link Benghazi deep into Africa, enabling Turkish goods arriving at Benghazi port to reach Central African countries within three to four days.

The relationship between Turkiye and Haftars administration goes beyond what is visible publicly: it is permanent, constructive, and aimed at unifying Libya. The future of the vast geography spanning Sudan, Central Africa, and Libya may depend on this rapprochement, moving Libya toward one state, one army, and one strong central authority.

Turkiye has gained its sphere of influence over the past two decades by breaking century?old patterns. It is a country free of prejudice, open?minded, and acting with geopolitical foresight rather than short?term calculations.

Therefore, the TripoliBenghazi divide must end. Libyas collapse must be prevented. A strong state must be built. Turkiye must be Libyas strongest supporter internationally, beyond economic and political aid. A strong Libyan army can only be built with Turkiyes centuries?long experience. Otherwise, the country cannot survive. Libyas resources must be protected from Western exploitation and directed toward nationalisation.

Most of Libya is under Haftars control, and most resources are located there. Thus, the new process initiated with Haftars administration must evolve into reconstruction and the image of a strong Libya.

Turkiye is ready, Libya is ready  this is a necessity for Central Africas future. Public perception of Libya must also be reshaped through stronger media and information management. Global power dynamics are shifting so rapidly that only those with open minds can cross this bridge.

Inviting Khalifa Haftar to Turkiye, turning EastWest partnership into a central power, and urgently establishing Turkiyes constructive, peace?oriented partnership across the region is essential. Turkiye has achieved all its gains by breaking the patterns imposed by the West for a century. Now is the time to do the same in Libya.

In my view, the time has come to invite Haftar to Turkiye.
Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey says the emotional aftermath of his bankruptcy still lingers nearly four decades later and that he might still be recovering emotionally.

Ramsey opened up about his experience while responding to a caller on his EntreLeadership podcast who asked why he didn't feel relief after resolving a long, painful financial crisis.

Paul, who runs a small audiovisual and rental company in Alberta, Canada, with his wife, said they were finally back on solid ground after years of financial chaos. At their peak, the business had five employees and was pushing close to 1 million Canadian dollars ($712,000) in revenue. But COVID changed everything.

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Bank Called With A 10-Day Ultimatum

My bank called me up one day and said, We are limiting our relationship, and gave me 10 days to pay our commercial mortgage, Paul said. The building was sold in 2024 with a shortfall, followed by the sale of his personal home. Even then, the bank said he still owed CA$220,000.

He eventually negotiated a CA$90,000 loan to settle the debt. But after signing the final papers and escaping bankruptcy, something felt off. I felt I was going to have a weight lifted off my shoulders and it didnt happen, Paul said. Did you feel immediate release, or did it take time to recover emotionally?

Ramsey answered with something Paul probably didn't expect.

I was 28 years old, had a brand-new baby, and our marriage was hanging on by a thread. I had fought it for two and a half years, Ramsey said. He recalled how the emotional weight didn't hit him until it was over. When I filed, I was driving away from the lawyers office, and two stoplights later, I felt like I had sat down 500 pounds. It was like someone had been standing on my chest and they got off.

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He told the caller that during his own ordeal, he had fought 40 creditors over the course of more than two years, while enduring foreclosures and lawsuits.

A Close Call That Still Haunts Him

Ramsey said what haunted him most was what could have happened. They were coming the next morning to take the furniture out of our house, including the baby bed for the brand-new baby, he said. I did all I knew how to do.

He told Paul that forgiving himself was the hardest part. I lashed myself over and over again with the lashmetaphorically, Ramsey said. It took him months to stop feeling like a failure.
A court in Spain has ordered Meta - owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - to pay 542 million euros to 87 Spanish media outlets for GDPR violations. According to the ruling of the commercial court in Madrid, which is not final, Meta used a huge amount of personal data to create highly targeted ads without proper user consent, which gave it a competitive advantage in online advertising that newspapers could not match. The ruling could set an important precedent in the Spanish advertising sector and in Europe, which has several legal proceedings underway against Mark Zuckerberg's business conglomerate.

Judge Teodoro Ladron ordered Meta to compensate the press outlets. A total of 87 Spanish publishers and news agencies, including the Vocento group which includes SUR, have been affected by Meta's irregular advertising policy, which, they claim, is in breach of the European data protection regulation (GDPR).

The 59-page ruling can be appealed by the US technology company. The magistrate partially upheld the Spanish media's claim, highlighting the "unlawful processing" of an enormous amount of personal data collected through Facebook, Instagram and "other internet pages where users browsed".

The ruling is based on article 15.1 of the unfair competition law (LCD), which considers it unfair to make use of a competitive advantage acquired through the violation of laws. This was the core of the legal proceedings, which took place on 1 and 2 October. The Spanish media's case against Meta dates back to December 2023 with the filing of the lawsuit, which now results in a first, albeit provisional, victory for the country's press.

Throughout the process, the media have stated that the US technology company has "systematically" failed to comply with the GDPR, according to which the express consent of users must be obtained before their data is processed for advertising purposes. "In November 2023, the company admitted that it did not ask for consent," lawyer Nicolas Gonzalez-Cuellar said at the preliminary hearing held in November last year. "All the data we collect is obtained with users' consent," Facebook's director of privacy policy in Europe Cecilia Alvarez-Rivera said.

According to the judge, in May 2018, the company changed the legal basis from user consent to the need for performance of a contract. According to the judge, citing EU regulation, the legal basis is what allows Meta to process Facebook and Instagram users' personal data lawfully. "If the legal basis is inadequate, the processing of users' personal data for advertising becomes unlawful," he said. Furthermore, Meta was sanctioned for this reason by the Irish data protection commission in December 2022. "If they had maintained user consent, this lawsuit could not succeed," the judge said.

For calculating the compensation, Judge Teodoro Ladron used the national commission on markets and competition's (CNMC) guidelines. According to the ruling, the data contained demonstrates "with reasonable plausibility" the damages caused to digital media - profits they failed to earn due to Meta's conduct. He said that "the Meta subsidiary acting as headquarters for business in Spain did not provide the court with the accounting information corresponding to its activities in Spanish territory".

Given the absence of documentation, the judge applied the principle of burden of proof and validated figures published by various digital media outlets. He concluded that during the five-year period in which the infringement occurred, Meta obtained more than 5.28 billion euros in Spain from online advertising. The judge believes the real profits may be even higher, since if they were lower, Meta would have presented its accounts to prove it.

Hyper-segmented advertising

The hyper-segmented advertising market is one of the main sources of income for big tech firms. "Everyone does it," Meta's witnesses said in court, adding that audience segmentation is also used "by traditional media and new digital platforms".

The market share of tech platforms in advertising has soared in recent years, reaching four out of every ten euros invested in 2023, according to data from the i2p study. "This case is not just a business matter: what's at stake is the protection of the rights of millions of European citizens whose data has been exploited without their consent," director of the association of information media Irene Lanzaco said.

According to statements by Facebook executives, advertising on their platforms is allocated through an auction system. The highest bidder does not always win: the algorithm weighs the advertiser's bid, the perceived quality of the ad and the likelihood of user interaction. With those factors it chooses which ad to show. According to these witnesses, the key is not accumulating large volumes of data, but processing it efficiently and allowing campaigns to adjust in real time, so that both a large brand and a small business can compete on equal terms.
Europa Press Madrid Thursday, 20 November 2025, 18:22 Share

The National Police have arrested the suspect who stole some 2,200 pieces of jewellery worth more than one million euros from a shopping centre in the Madrid town of San Sebastian de los Reyes during the nationwide power blackout in Spain on 28 April. He took advantage of the lack of electricity supply that day, which had also deactivated security systems.

The theft was carried out by a single person, who managed to gain access to the roof of the shopping centre and, once inside, made cuts in the asphalt covering and drilled holes in the plasterboard panels until locating an internal walkway connecting the different shops.

Once inside, he opened store windows and made off with the jewellery on display, including a collection of gold and diamonds. He fled the shopping centre with a second-hand car that he had bought some months before and with which he travelled abroad the following day, where he disposed of the vehicle.

The suspect had several identities and made multiple entries and exits in other European countries to evade the police and justice. Finally, on 22 October, he was located and arrested in Spain. The police seized 3,000 euros in cash, the origin of which he was unable to justify. In addition, he was wearing one of the stolen jewellery pieces around his neck during the arrest.

A court has ordered the suspect's pre-trial detention.
Matias Stuber Malaga Thursday, 20 November 2025, 15:30 Share

Teachers in Spain have been warning for some time about the number of adolescents who are failing to reach a basic level in mathematics and reading comprehension; two skills that are considered elementary for personal development and also for greater opportunities in the jobs market.

This has now been corroborated by the European Commission in its Education and Training Monitor 2025 report, which compares the level of students in different EU member states. The most striking point is that 25 per cent of 15-year-old Spaniards do not know how to solve the simplest mathematical problems, nor are they able to read a text and understand what it means.

This analysis is based on the main international reports including PISA and points out that Spain, despite having improved in some areas, is still at the bottom in terms of education. The report also points to possible causes and considers that one of the main ones is the school dropout rate. Although it has improved in the last decade, it remains three points above the European average.

Teenagers leaving school without having completed basic education stands at 13% in Spain. In contrast, the European average is 9.4% and is close to the target set by Brussels for 2030: to reduce the dropout rate to 7%. With these figures, it seems unlikely that the targets set by the EU will be achieved at the national level. The report also reveals that the dropout rate is higher for boys (15.8%) than for girls (10%).

The EU recommends raising the compulsory school leaving age to 18, increasing spending on education to 5.5% of GDP and increasing investment in scholarships and grants for young people who remain in the education system. Although the report focuses on maths and literacy, there is also a section on science. Spanish students do not fare much better either. Some 21.3% do not have a basic knowledge of the subject either.

The European Commission recommends raising the compulsory school age to 18 years old

Spain also fails in digital skills. "Too many students are unable to perform simple tasks on a computer," the report concludes. That is 44% of 15-year-olds compared to a European average of 42.5%. Experts stress that these young people do not know how to create documents or use the computer to collect information of any kind.

The report also delves into the amount of screen time teenagers have. On this point, Spanish students have more parental control than the European average. The European Commission document points out that 58% of Spanish teenagers state that they have some kind of usage restriction. The European average on this point is 41%.

The poor performance in mathematics also has an effect on university enrolments. Mathematics and technology-related degrees account for 24.7% compared to 27% in Europe. In this regard, the European Commission also stresses that Spain should expand the supply of vocational training in these areas.
E. P. Madrid Thursday, 20 November 2025, 19:13 | Updated 19:55h. Share

The Partido Popular political party in Spain used its absolute majority in the upper house chamber (Senado) on Wednesday to give the green light to a bill that amends the penal code to prevent the cutting off of utilities to a "squatted property" from being considered a crime of coercion.

The bill will now pass to the lower house (Congreso), which can either reject or approve it.

What PP proposes is a modification of the penal code to add a new paragraph to article 172.1, which talks about squatting, explicitly stating that the interruption of utilities in a squatted house "can in no case be considered a crime of coercion", as endorsed by the Barcelona provincial court. According to PP, the Barcelona case "can set a precedent in the fight against squatting".

The PP wants the official amendment in the penal code to allow this measure to be "legally applied throughout Spain".
Update: More than 80 firefighters battle large fire for hours at Novelis aluminum plant

Update, 4 p.m.: The fire is now out, Novelis said in a statement. The company said it hasnt been able to fully assess the damage yet or investigate the cause of the fire.

Update, 11:25 a.m.: A representative from Novelis at the plant said the fire was still burning. She declined to comment further.

Update, 11:10 a.m.: Water tankers could be seen ferrying water to and from the facility. Fire departments from Oswego and Onondaga counties were at the fire.

Update, 10:50 a.m.: Firefighters were pouring water on the plant from at least four hoses from ladders, according to images from Syracuse.com | The Post-Standards drone.

Fire could still be seen burning on the roof. Flames could be seen along seams in the roof.

At least 12 fire engines and trucks could be seen on scene.

Original article

Scriba, N.Y.  A large, four-alarm fire was reported Thursday morning at the Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego County.

Heavy smoke and fire was reported at 9 a.m. in the Scriba plants hot mill section and spreading into the roll shop, according to dispatches from the Oswego County 911 Center.

The fire is now under control, the company said in a statement at 10:15 a.m. Crews are still on scene to ensure it is fully extinguished, the company said.

Everyone working at the plant was safely evacuated, the company said.

The plant was rocked by an earlier fire in September that took more than 20 fire departments four hours to extinguish.

That fire damaged the roof and halted the plants ability to heat up aluminum ingots, the first step to make rolls of aluminum sheets.

Novelis says it is the worlds largest supplier of aluminum sheets to the automotive industry, with a global market share of about 50%.

The plants Sept. 16 fire severely disrupted the American auto industry supply chain. The loss of the plants aluminum sheets temporarily shut down auto plants in Tennessee and Michigan. Ford Motor Co. estimates it cost the company $1 billion.

Company officials had said they were hoping to bring the plant back online in December.

Novelis has touted that it is running a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation to repair the plant. The company brought in stadium lights so crews can work around the clock.

Novelis employs more than 1,100 people at the plant in the town of Scriba, near Oswego. It is one of Oswego Countys largest employers.
Watertown, N.Y. - A North Country contractor went on a spending spree with almost $60,000 given to him by a Watertown business for a construction project, troopers said.

Ronald V. Herzig, 50, of Copenhagen, was arrested Wednesday and charged with grand larceny, according to a news release from State Police spokesperson Trooper Jennifer Jiron.

Herzig was hired by Burrville Cider Mill in February 2024 to complete a construction project at their business at 18176 Route 156, Jiron said. He was paid $308,370 for the project.

After receiving a complaint on Aug. 8, troopers found that the money was used for both project expenses and personal purchases and were not maintained in the required trust account, she said.

After reviewing receipts and invoices, troopers found $59,492 was not spent on the project, Jiron said.

Herzig used the money on monthly recurring payments to Netflix and Roku, Amazon purchases, hotels, Airbnb, life insurance policies, disability insurance policies and ATV loans, according to Jiron.

Herzig also claimed to have paid $21,480 to a spray foam company, but he never made the payment, she said.

Herzig also filed a certificate of exemption stating he had no employees or subcontractors on the project, Jiron said. That would mean he didnt need to have workers compensation insurance.

Herzig, however, had five to seven workers on the job, Jiron said.

Herzig was charged with:

Second-degree grand larceny, a felony

Third-degree grand larceny, a felony

Lien Law violation, a felony

First-degree offering a false instrument for filing, a felony

Workers Compensation Law Article 521A, employer fails to provide security for workers compensation coverage for one or fewer employees, a misdemeanor

Workers Compensation Law Article 131, failure to keep payroll records, a misdemeanor

The case has been transferred to Jefferson County Court.
Clay, N.Y.  Two people were displaced Wednesday night after a large fire tore through their Clay home, destroying most of the roof.

Firefighters were called around 8:39 p.m. to 7516 Henry Clay Blvd. for a reported chimney fire, according to Onondaga County 911 dispatches.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire that had spread beyond the chimney into the rest of the home, said Moyers Corners Fire Chief Michael Brown. The two residents had gotten out before firefighters arrived, he said.

The home was filled with clutter and materials that blocked the doorway, making it difficult for firefighters to get inside, Brown said.

We worked from the outside, trying to get through the chimney and roof and ventilate the fire, but it had a head start on us, Brown said.

Firefighters knocked down the main fire in about 20 minutes from the outside but spent several hours putting out smaller fires and hot spots. After 10 p.m., crews used a chainsaw to open the roof for ventilation.

By 11 p.m., much of the roof was gone, likely leaving the house a total loss, he said.

About 40 firefighters from Moyers Corners responded, Brown said. No people or animals were injured.

The Onondaga County Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the cause of the fire.

The American Red Cross assisted the man and woman displaced from the home. NOVA Ambulance and the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office also responded.

Deputies closed over a half mile of Henry Clay Boulevard, from Echo Park Road to Glencast Avenue, for several hours. The road was still closed around 11:30 p.m.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) giant Spark has shelved its plans to launch a mobile app, for now.

We had an internal discussion and were going to put it on pause for now just because we view our edge as largely in the DeFi-native crypto space, Sam MacPherson, CEO of Phoenix Labs, told CoinDesk in an interview during Devconnect Buenos Aires. We are not builders of consumer apps, and this space is very competitive.

Phoenix Labs is the company behind the development of the Spark protocol, which to date has amassed over $9 billion in total value locked, according to data from DeFiLlama.

If and when we do go in, we need to be certain we have some sort of edge there. I think there's a tendency for projects to get distracted doing too many things at once, MacPherson said. So we're going to just double down on what we do best, which is liquid infrastructure within DeFi."

The protocol will instead focus on what MacPherson called liquidity infrastructure and deals like our recent $1 billion investment with our own balance sheet into PYUSD with PayPal, pointing to a focus on institutional use cases rather than the creation of more retail-friendly solutions. He was referencing a $1 billion investment intended to scale up PYUSD's liquidity.

When asked whether the mobile app had been canceled or just delayed, MacPherson said its paused for now. Things can change, but it's about the market; you've got to see opportunities, and it's just not there right now for us."

MacPhersons words come shortly after another DeFi giant, Aave, announced the launch of a retail yield app. Its an exciting development, but as I said, it's a competitive environment. I wish them the best of luck, MacPherson said when asked about the launch.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A warrant has been issued for a mother who wandered the halls of a Syracuse school without permission to confront a student who fought with her child, police said.

Keyonna Slater, 32, was called to the Frazer Pre K-8 School around 1 p.m. Tuesday after her child was involved in an altercation at school, Syracuse police spokesperson Kieran Coffey said.

Slater was placed in the office and was supposed to pick up her child, he said.

Without permission, Slater started searching the school to confront the student who was involved in the fight, Coffey said.

She was yelling threats at the student but was stopped by security before she entered a classroom, he said.

She will be charged with second-degree aggravated harassment and third-degree trespassing, police said.

In 2023, Slater was charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal contempt, criminal sexual act, criminal contempt, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment according to syracuse.com | The Post-Standard archives. The outcome of the charges could not be determined.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- More than 150 people packed the Clay Town Hall today to fight back against Onondaga Countys efforts to evict a 91-year-old widow from her home to make way for Micron Technology.

The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency is trying to use eminent domain to evict Azalia King from the house on Caughdenoy Road, where the agency promised in writing she could spend the rest of her life.

More than 30 people spoke today at a public hearing about the eviction, all but one of them in support of letting King stay in her home. Most of the speakers blasted the countys move as cruel and unnecessary.

Its absolutely insidious that you want to toss a 91-year-old woman out of the only home she has known for 60 years, said Janice Luce, who grew up in Clay. I stand here to support Mrs. King.

The final speaker, who gave his name only as Timothy, became so loud and emotional as he paced in front of the crowd that two sheriffs deputies subdued him. A pepper spray canister went off during the altercation.

The two-hour hearing focused on OCIDAs proposed use of eminent domain to get King out of the house to make way for Micron Technologys massive chipmaking complex planned at Route 31 and Caughdenoy Road.

OCIDA bought the land from Glenn and Azalia King in 2005 but agreed in writing to allow the couple to live in their family home until the last of them died. Glenn died in 2015.

OCIDA filed an eviction notice against King Sept. 4, then earlier this month turned up the heat with the eminent domain proceeding.

Azalia King, through her daughter-in-law who has power of attorney, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against OCIDA over the eviction notice.

Glenn King was a member of the Clay Fire Department for 70 years. Azalia worked in the Clay post office.

At the hearing, family members and friends held handmade signs. One featured a photo of a smiling Azalia King with two of her great-grandsons. Above the photo were the words: Let Azalia Stay.

One of Kings grandchildren, Jason Brown, stood at the microphone holding his 4-year-old son Miles.

We chose to live there long before this was ever talked about, Brown said, his voice breaking at times. And its terrifying that you guys can just rip through someones home.

Many speakers criticized OCIDA leaders and County Executive Ryan McMahon for not being at the hearing. Instead, three lawyers from OCIDAs law firm, Barclay Damon, ran the hearing. No members of the OCIDA board were there.

Executive Director Robert Petrovich, who at previous public hearings on Micron has been at the front of the room listening to testimony, stayed in the back. Petrovich declined to comment after the hearing.

McMahon was scheduled to speak this morning at a news conference promoting the Syracuse Winter Fair.

This performance of our Onondaga County is shoddy, second-rate, despicable and unacceptable, said Judy Boyke, a Clay resident and real estate agent. This behavior is unacceptable because they are lying, bullying. Its a betrayal and its cruelty to Mrs. King. Their word means nothing.

The only person who spoke in favor of Kings relocation was Don Western, the former OCIDA executive director who signed the deal with the Kings 20 years ago. Western conceded that moving King now would be hard on her but would be necessary for the big economic development project.

Disrupting the settled life of an elderly person is difficult, painful, unkind, said Western, who headed the agency in 2005. A project that could leave the existing residents undisturbed would be my preference. That is not possible.

The hearing also included OCIDAs attempt to seize rights of way on about 2,000 feet of property that abuts the eastern edge of the Oak Orchard Wastewater Treatment plant. OCIDA said that land is the last piece needed to build a 2-mile industrial wastewater treatment line from Micron to a planned industrial plant at Oak Orchard.

The owners of those properties submitted a letter from their attorney to OCIDA saying the eminent domain action should be abandoned because OCIDA hasnt fully studied the impacts the wastewater lines could have on the properties.

J.P. Russo, whose father, John Russo, is co-owner of the properties, was the only speaker on the rights of way issue.

Before any property can be taken by eminent domain, the law requires a full and fair review of the potential environmental impacts, J.P. Russo said. Yet the environmental analysis of that pipeline is incomplete, segmented and lacking detail.

OCIDA will accept written comments on both eminent domain proceedings until Nov. 26. Then the agency can go to court and ask a judge to approve the taking of the rights of way and the eviction of Azalia King.

McMahon said this week the county has made the King family an offer and is waiting to hear back.
Syracuse, N.Y.  City masons doing a minor repair in a prominent 550-car downtown parking garage Nov. 3 picked up something odd: a sheared bolt.

Syracuse officials investigated and made a startling discovery: A steel beam helping to hold up the seven-story structure had sunk 9 inches into the ground in recent months, 40 years after its construction.

The movement of the beam dragged down heavy concrete panels attached to it. That created gaps between the panels  visual evidence of the dangerous structural defect.

The failure leaves in doubt the future of the city-owned Fayette Street garage a block from City Hall.

The safety risk was so great that Deputy Commissioner of Code Enforcement Jake Dishaw ordered the closure of the garage on Nov. 6. Engineers hired by the city had warned of a potential collapse.

Dishaw told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard the city sent engineers to inspect the garage after city masons repairing stairs in the structure noticed a sheared bolt on one of the garages floors.

The city asked engineers from C&S Cos. to inspect the garage. They found the bolt had been helping to connect a concrete panel to a vertical beam at the northwest corner of the structure, he said.

The bolt sheared off when the vertical beam sank 9 inches deeper into the ground, he said.

Two heavy concrete panels on the Fayette Street parking garage in Syracuse show signs of separating. The vertical steel beam they are attached to sank 9 inches into the ground, snapping a bolt that connected a concrete panel to the beam. The city closed the 550-car garage on Nov. 6 after the structural problem was detected. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com) Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com

Its unknown exactly when the beam sank. But Dishaw said city officials believe it occurred sometime between April and October of this year, based on images on Google Maps.

Google Street View, a technology feature in Google Maps that provides interactive panoramas from positions along many streets around the world, contains an image from April that shows no evidence that the beam had sunk, he said.

An image taken in October, on the other hand, shows that horizontal concrete slabs attached to the beam were no longer level, he said.

He said the bolt appeared to have snapped off fairly recently because the inner part of the bolt was not rusted like the outside of it was.

We think this is pretty recent, just in the last couple of months, he said.

In addition to closing the garage, the city has fenced off the sidewalk along the northwest corner of the garage because of the danger the heavy concrete panels will fall off the garage.

Dishaw said the city plans to remove 18 of the concrete slabs, weighing about 7,000 pounds each, to take weight off the sunken beam. Engineers will then shore up the beam to prevent any immediate collapse, he said.

Sol Munoz, a spokesperson for the city, said the work is expected to begin in early December.

City officials refused to provide a copy of the C&S Cos. report on the garage without a written request under the state Freedom of Information Law. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard filed that request on Nov. 17.

Officials do not know what caused the beam to sink, but they suspect corrosion, Dishaw said. A more in-depth inspection that includes boring underground will be done after the beam is shored up, he said.

He said a visual inspection of the rest of the garage did not show any obvious signs that other support beams have sunk. However, engineers will conduct a more thorough inspection of them once the shoring is completed, he said.

If it happens in one spot, its possible other locations could be corroded, he said. I would say its certainly possible.

Dishaw said corrosion is a common problem in parking garages in cold-weather cities. Snow, ice and salt that vehicles bring in on their tires eat away at the concrete and steel, he said.

As a result, the lifespan of parking garages in Syracuse is only about 50 years, he said. At 40 years old, the Fayette Street garage is nearing the end of its lifespan, he said.

The city of Syracuse's Fayette Street Garage is shown under construction in 1985 on the corner of East Fayette and Montgomery streets. File photo

City workers conduct annual walk through inspections of city- and privately owned parking garages and perform more in-depth structural inspections every three years, Dishaw said. The inspections are required by state and local codes.

The last scheduled structural inspection of the Fayette Street garage was conducted in September 2024 and did not show any problem with the beam, he said.

Once engineers determine why the beam sank, the city will have to decide whether to repair it or demolish the garage.

Depending on how much it would cost to repair and how many more years of use the city would get from the garage, it may make more sense to tear it down and build a new garage, Dishaw said.

Approximately 450 vehicles parked at the garage daily, including about 120 belonging to city employees who work at City Hall and the nearby One Park Place office building.

Dishaw said the city employees have been given spots in the citys Washington Street garage four blocks away. That same garage also has more than enough room to accommodate the other motorists who parked at the Fayette garage, he said.

Syracuse officials closed the city-owned Fayette Street Garage on Nov. 6, 2025, after engineers found that a steel support beam had sunk 9 inches into the ground, compromising the structure. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com) Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com

It certainly is going to be an inconvenience to people, he said.

Similar closings have happened before. The city ordered the closure of the upper floors of a privately owned 400-car garage at 325-345 S. Warren St. in March 2023, saying they were unsafe.

It ordered a privately owned 560-car garage at the southwest corner of Harrison and South Warren streets to close in March 2024 because of 11 code violations.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Two Syracuse city schools were let out early Thursday due to fumes from a nearby construction project, according to school officials.

The Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central, at 258 E. Adams St., and the Syracuse STEAM School, at 701 S. Warren St., sent students home early, according to Syracuse City School District spokesperson Amanda Malinowski.

Malinowski said an Onondaga County paving project affected the air quality on the schools. There are no reports of students or staff affected by the fumes, she said.

ITC released their students at 11:30 a.m. and STEAM sent their students home at 12:30 p.m.
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers abruptly went on leave Wednesday from teaching at Harvard University, where he once served as president, over recently released emails showing he maintained a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Summers spokesperson said.

Summers had canceled his public commitments amid the fallout of the emails being made public and earlier Wednesday severed ties with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. Harvard had reopened an investigation into connections between him and Epstein, but Summers had said he would continue teaching economics classes at the school.

That changed Wednesday evening with the news that he will step away from teaching classes as well as his position as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government with the Kennedy Harvard School.

Mr. Summers has decided its in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as Director as Harvard undertakes its review, Summers spokesperson Steven Goldberg said, adding that his co-teachers would finish the classes.

Summers has not been scheduled to teach next semester, according to Goldberg.

A Harvard spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press that Summers had let the university know about his decision. Summers decision to go on leave was first reported by The Harvard Crimson.

Harvard did not mention Summers by name in its decision to restart an investigation, but the move follows the release of emails showing that he was friendly with Epstein long after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in 2008.

By Wednesday, the once highly regarded economics expert had been facing increased scrutiny over choosing to stay in the teaching role. Some students even filmed his appearance in shock as he appeared before a class of undergraduates on Tuesday while stressing he thought it was important to continue teaching.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, said in a social media post on Wednesday night that Summers cozied up to the rich and powerful  including a convicted sex offender. He cannot be trusted in positions of influence.

Messages appear to seek advice about romantic relationship

The emails include messages in which Summers appeared to be getting advice from Epstein about pursuing a romantic relationship with someone who viewed him as an economic mentor.

im a pretty good wing man , no? Epstein wrote on Nov. 30, 2018.

The next day, Summers told Epstein he had texted the woman, telling her he had something brief to say to her.

Am I thanking her or being sorry re my being married. I think the former, he wrote.

Summers wife, Elisa New, also emailed Epstein multiple times, including a 2015 message in which she thanked him for arranging financial support for a poetry project she directs. The gift he arranged changed everything for me, she wrote.

It really means a lot to me, all financial help aside, Jeffrey, that you are rooting for me and thinking about me, she wrote.

New, an English professor emerita at Harvard, did not respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday.

An earlier review completed in 2020 found that Epstein visited Harvards campus more than 40 times after his 2008 sex-crimes conviction and was given his own office and unfettered access to a research center he helped establish. The professor who provided the office was later barred from starting new research or advising students for at least two years.

Summers appears before Harvard class

On Tuesday, Summers appeared before his class at Harvard, where he teaches The Political Economy of Globalization to undergraduates with Robert Lawrence, a professor with the Harvard Kennedy School.

Some of you will have seen my statement of regret expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein and that Ive said that Im going to step back from public activities for a while. But I think its very important to fulfill my teaching obligations, he said.

Summers remarks were captured on video by several students, but no one appeared to publicly respond to his comments.

Epstein, who authorities said died by suicide in 2019, was a convicted sex offender infamous for his connections to wealthy and powerful people, making him a fixture of outrage and conspiracy theories about wrongdoing among American elites.

Summers served as treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. He was Harvards president for five years from 2001 to 2006. When asked about the emails last week, Summers issued a statement saying he has great regrets in my life and that his association with Epstein was a major error in judgement.

Other organizations that confirmed the end of their affiliations with Summers included the Center for American Progress, the Center for Global Development and the Budget Lab at Yale University. Bloomberg TV said Summers withdrawal from public commitments included his role as a paid contributor, and the New York Times said it will not renew his contract as a contributing opinion writer.
Dan Clark, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS)

ALBANY  In a preview of the role reproductive rights will play in the 2026 gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik and Gov. Kathy Hochuls campaign spent Wednesday engaged in combat over in vitro fertilization.

Stefanik announced Wednesday that shes signed on to co-sponsor a bill carried by Rep. Mike Lawler, another New York Republican, that would create a new tax credit for filers that use IVF.

Hochuls campaign pounced, sending reporters a link to audio of a Stefanik interview with a Utica radio station in October 2024 in which she said she did not support IVF or access to birth control  though she did not specify which kind of contraception. The answer was part of Stefaniks response to a question from the host about concerns voters in New York might have had at the time about President Donald J. Trumps position on abortion as he sought a second term.

On abortion, she said, Ive always had three exceptions: rape, incest and life of the mother; I oppose late-term abortion. Im proudly pro-life and I oppose access to IVF (and) access to birth control.

The clip had been uploaded by Stefaniks team to her YouTube account last year; it was still there Wednesday afternoon.

Just like Trump, Stefanik is lying through her teeth about her record, said Sarafina Chitika, Hochuls campaign spokeswoman. Shes about to learn the hard way that New Yorkers wont be handing the keys of this state to Trumps favorite MAGA cheerleader.

Stefaniks campaign did not immediately respond to the Times Unions questions about the apparent shift  but later posted on X that the congresswoman misspoke in the radio interview regarding her stances on IVF and contraception.

Indeed, her remarks in that interview conflicted with Stefaniks previous expression of support for IVF: Ive always spoken to this issue with compassion, and I strongly support IVF, Stefanik was quoted as saying in a March 2024 NBC article following a GOP retreat. Members are going to sign on to bills that they support, and again, my position is I support IVF, and the House Republicans support IVF, the speaker strongly supports IVF, the top of the ticket, President Trump, supports IVF.

Lawlers IVF Access and Affordability Act, introduced in March, hasnt moved in Congress. Stefanik filed to co-sponsor it on Monday, according to House records. She has also co-sponsored bills that would protect access to birth control in states that seek to restrict it.

As the mom of a young son, I hope to make the joy of raising a family more accessible for hardworking New Yorkers struggling with infertility, Stefanik said in a statement. This legislation would ease the financial burden that comes with IVF and bring the opportunity of starting a family more within reach for hopeful couples.

The back and forth was a reminder that abortion, contraception and related issues could prove to be decisive in next years election  a contest that could be the first gubernatorial battle between two women in New York history.

Democrats have made access to abortion a top campaign issue since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade three years ago, a decision that returned regulation of the procedure to the states. Theyre expected to use it again next November.

But setting aside the issue of IVF access, Stefanik may have to confront the issue of abortion sooner if she has to compete in a primary for her partys nomination in June.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, also a Republican, began a statewide tour last week to explore his own bid for governor. Hes expected to make a decision on a run in the coming weeks.

Blakeman supports access to abortion and has for at least the past decade. When he ran for Congress on Long Island in 2014, a spokesman told Newsday that Blakeman supports a womans right to choose.

That remains his position, Blakemans current spokesman confirmed to Politico New York on Wednesday. That could work to his advantage if hes chosen as the Republican nominee next year.

Polls have consistently shown widespread support for access to abortion in New York, including a 2024 survey from the Siena Research Institute that found support from 65% of voters to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

But Stefanik already has an edge over Blakeman in a potential primary: A poll from the Siena Research Institute in May showed her with a wide lead over the county executive in a hypothetical primary.

That lead was wider in a poll touted by Stefaniks campaign this month by J.L. Partners, an independent firm that accurately predicted Trumps win in last years election. Stefanik would get 74% of the vote over 5% for Blakeman, that poll concluded.

 2025 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) . Visit www.timesunion.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who have traded barbs ever since Mamdanis mayoral campaign began getting traction, will meet in person this week at the White House.

Trump announced the meeting on his social media site, Truth Social.

Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow! Trump posted.

Mamdani is a democratic socialist, and has denied Trumps repeated claims that he is a communist.

Trump mentioned the possibility of meeting with Mamdani when the president was talking to reporters on Sunday, the New York Times reported.

The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us and well work something out. ... We want to see everything work out well for New York, Trump said.

On the MS NOW show All In With Chris Hayes Wednesday evening, Mamdani said his team reached out to Trump because of a commitment that I made to New Yorkers that I would be willing to meet with anyone and everyone so long as it was to the benefit of the eight-and-a-half million people who call the city home and their struggle to afford the most expensive city in the United States of America.

When asked what his goal was for the meeting, Mamdani said I want to just speak plainly to the president about what it means to actually stand up for New Yorkers, and the way in which New Yorkers are struggling to afford this city.

When Mamdani was campaigning in New York Citys Democratic mayoral primary, he said that he was Donald Trumps worst nightmare, as a progressive Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in.

After Mamdani upset Andrew Cuomo in Junes Democratic primary for New York City mayor, Trump immediately took to social media.

Its finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. Weve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous, Trump posted to Truth Social. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, hes not very smart, hes got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!

In the run-up to the general election, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from New York City if Mamdani was elected, and even suggested that the federal government could run the city if that happened.
TITUSVILLE, Fla.  The 16-year-old stepbrother of the Florida high school senior who died this month on a Carnival cruise ship has been identified as a suspect in her death, according to sworn statements filed by his parents in court documents.

The disclosures  contained in affidavits and motions filed in an ongoing custody dispute  offer the clearest public indication that federal investigators are scrutinizing a member of the victims own blended family.

The documents show both parents acknowledging that their middle child, identified in court only by his initials T.H., is under FBI investigation in connection with the death of Anna Kepner, a high school cheerleader from Floridas Space Coast whose death aboard the ship has drawn international attention and remains shrouded in uncertainty. A memorial service for Kepner was scheduled for Thursday evening.

Neither the FBI nor Carnival has said publicly how Kepner died, whether a crime occurred, or what led agents to focus on the teen. A spokesperson for the FBI has declined to comment, saying the agency does not provide operational updates about ongoing investigations.

A final autopsy report detailing the cause and manner of death is still pending, according to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiners office.

T.H. is now a suspect in the death of the step child during the cruise, Thomas Hudson, the boys father, said in court papers seeking custody of the youngest of the three children he shares with his ex-wife.

Hudsons ex-wife, Shauntel Hudson, also acknowledged in family court filings that her middle child was a suspect in the death of Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon ship. Shauntel Hudson married Kepners father after her divorce from Thomas Hudson. Kepner was traveling aboard the ship with Shauntel Hudson and her minor children.

It is true that there is an open investigation regarding the death of the biological daughter of the stepfather and T.H. is a suspect regarding this death which occurred recently on a cruise ship, Shauntel Hudsons attorney wrote.

Shauntel Hudson wrote that since the death, the boy has been living with a relative to ensure the safety of the youngest child of the parties. She also said that her ex-husband had hired an attorney for their son due to the probe into Kepners death.

Earlier this week, Shauntel Hudsons attorney had asked for a delay in a court hearing scheduled next month because of the FBI investigation. The attorney argued that her client cannot be compelled to testify, as any testimony Shauntel Hudson may give could be prejudicial to her or her adolescent child in this pending criminal investigation.

Kepners loved ones planned to honor her Thursday at a celebration of life service in Titusville, 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Orlando. Her family encouraged attendees to wear colorful clothes instead of the traditional mourners black, in honor of Annas bright and beautiful soul.

Kepners obituary described her as someone who loved spending time on the water and said she was planning to graduate high school next year from Temple Christian School in Titusville.

The Carnival Horizon can hold nearly 4,000 guests and sails to the Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Line said the ship returned to PortMiami on Nov. 8 as planned and the ship was working with the FBI Miami office to investigate the incident.
DHL Express has swapped to a larger freighter aircraft for its Hong Kong and Penang, Malaysia, route to provide more capacity for customers. The upgraded route will be served by a Boeing 767 freighter, replacing the previous Airbus A321 converted freighter, providing the network with an additional 20 tons of cargo capacity per flight, the express carrier announced Wednesday.

The daily flight, operated by business partner Raya Airways, supports the rising demand for time-sensitive shipments from technology and semiconductor manufacturers in Malaysias northern manufacturing hub. The Boeing 767 freighter will offer enhanced payload and range capabilities, accommodating more shipments and ensuring customers in Penang are better connected to trading partners in Hong Kong and beyond, DHL said in a news release.

The move comes as Penang continues to attract high-value investments and expand its footprint in the global tech ecosystem. The state recently recorded a significant manufacturing investment of approximately $3 billion in the first half of 2025, a 150% increase compared to the same period last year.

Malaysia ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing trading nations globally in the first half of 2025 and one of 20 markets globally that DHL Group has identified with the highest growth potential. Malaysias growth is partly due to global companies diversifying manufacturing from China, as well as its strategic location in the center of Southeast Asia, a business-friendly environment and good infrastructure.

The DHL GoTrade Summit 2025, held for the first time outside Germany in Kuala Lumpur, demonstrated the importance DHL places on the Malaysia market.

Click here for more FreightWaves stories by Eric Kulisch.

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New Zealand-based forensic verification company Oritain is preparing for the accelerating demand it sees for clarity, accountability and trust by growing its lab footprint.

Oritain has acquired three testing labs in Europe in a move that broadens its service offerings while also boosting its testing speed and capacity. The companywhich counts Cone Denim, Shein and Lacoste as customershas also introduced a membership program, building a trusted network among its supplier- and buyer-side clients.

More from Sourcing Journal

Forensic origin verification is now critical and defining the future of global supply chains, Rupert Hodges, chief commercial officer at Oritain, told Sourcing Journal. At Oritain were harnessing science, technology and services to enable brands to move beyond compliance to verifiable, science-backed integrity.

This year, Oritain acquired France-based Advanced Isotopic Analysis (AiA) and the Austrian lab Imprint Analytics, and in 2023 it acquired German lab Agroisolab. The company recently began the process of integrating these labs into its operations.

Agroisolab focuses on radiocarbon measurement and stable isotopic analysis, with the capabilities to analyze all bioelements, namely hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. The lab can analyze both agricultural products and leather, and it previously provided testing for cotton.

Imprint Analytics can authenticate cotton, food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals using sequencing methods ranging from isotope-ratio mass spectrometryand gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to near-infrared spectroscopy.

AiAs expertise is testing non-traditional isotopes and analyzing elements using plasma source mass spectrometry. The main products it tests are cultivated food items such as wine and tea and extracted materials like oil and gas.

These facilities are joining Oritains head facility Isotrace in Dunedin, New Zealand, which was founded in 2003 and specializes in stable isotope ratio analysis, particularly for cotton, leather and other textiles. Isotrace also serves as a center for research and development as well as training.

Representatives from the acquired labs are joining a newly established technical advisory committee within Oritain, which will work to advance scientific techniques and systems for origin testing.

We are now able to form a globally distributed scientific network with unmatched specialization across isotopic, elemental and molecular analysis that enables more localized access to verification services across continents, said Hodges.
COP30 dragged into clash over gender language



Belem, Brazil, Nov 19 (AFP) Nov 19, 2025



Conservative delegations from the Vatican to Iran are pushing to narrow the definition of "gender" at UN climate talks in Brazil -- a move aimed at excluding trans and non-binary people and threatening to complicate the summit's outcome.

The effort, which seeks to use footnotes of key texts to attach country-specific interpretations, would set a "harmful precedent" that could seep into other shared decisions taken by the UN's climate body, opponents warn.

"When women and gender-diverse people are at the table, climate policies are more ambitious, more inclusive and more durable," former Irish president Mary Robinson said Wednesday.

"Weakening agreed language undermines climate ambition and is completely new in this system and it's not acceptable."

Paraguay, Argentina, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia as well as the Holy See have so far entered footnotes into the draft Gender Action Plan (GAP) meant to guide work for the next decade, including efforts to embed gender in the heart of climate programs.

Similar footnotes have also appeared in a text related to the "just transition" -- the framework to shift to environmentally sustainable economies without leaving workers and communities behind.

"We do not agree at all with what some countries are putting in the agenda footnotes," Alicia Barcena, Mexico's secretary of environment, told AFP.

"We feel we are going backwards -- we should never go backwards."

The issue has become so sensitive that COP30's Brazilian presidency has elevated it from technical negotiations to a higher political level, where ministers are now trying to hash out a compromise.

Women and girls face disproportionate impacts from climate change, the UN says, largely because they make up the majority of the world's poor, and are less involved in decision-making.

During times of drought they walk further, work harder, and are more likely to die than men when extreme weather disasters strike.

Yet despite decades of commitments, women account for just 35 percent of delegates at COP30 in Belem, according to the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO).

The first formal GAP was adopted in 2017 and strengthened in 2019; COP30 is now hammering out its next, more ambitious iteration.



- Anti-wokeism -



The footnotes lay bare parties' red lines around the term "gender" -- some longstanding, others part of a rising right-wing tide opposed to so-called "wokeism."

The Holy See, for example, says it understands gender as "grounded on the biological sexual identity that is male and female."

Argentina, a majority-Catholic country led by President Javier Milei -- a close ally of US President Donald Trump -- has rolled back gender-equality policies and LGBT rights, and attacked the "cancer" of "wokeism."

There is "frustration within rooms," a source close to the matter, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the sensitive issue, said Wednesday. "It's become a bit ridiculous -- we have six footnotes right now; should we have 90?"

The source added there was no need to reopen the definition, because parties can already interpret decisions according to their national circumstances.

"Allowing countries to attach their own interpretations to agreed language does not protect national sovereignty. It undermines multilateralism itself," Bridget Burns, executive director of the Women's Environment and Development Organization, told AFP.

"If every Party could footnote core terms like finance, ambition or equity, we would have no negotiation left -- only fragmentation. Gender equality is an agreed principle under this Convention -- it needs no qualification."

One possible off-ramp, the source said, would be for the opposing countries to deliver statements after a decision is adopted, ensuring their positions are reflected in the official record.
Australia set to cede COP31 hosting rights to Turkey



Belem, Brazil, Nov 19 (AFP) Nov 19, 2025



Australia is ready to cede the rights to host next year's UN climate talks to Turkey in a deal proposed Wednesday that would end a protracted battle over who would stage COP31.

Under the highly unusual arrangement, COP31 would take place in Turkey, but which country would preside over the meeting and lead the negotiations -- Australia or Turkey -- was still being negotiated.

Any decision has to be adopted by consensus among the nearly 200 countries meeting at COP30 in Belem, Brazil this week.

Turkey and Australia have been fighting for months over the right to host COP31, and Canberra had hoped to co-host it with Pacific island states whose very existence is threatened by rising seas.

Under COP rules, hosting duties rotate through five blocs of countries.

In 2026, that falls to the Western European and Other States -- two dozen countries mostly in Europe but also Turkey, Australia, Canada and a few others.

Rival COP-hosting bids are not unprecedented, but none had ever come down to the wire like this.

The proposed deal was discussed at a meeting of Western European and Other States group, which was chaired by German state secretary for the environment Jochen Flasbarth.

Flasbarth told AFP the arrangement was "innovative" and he did not hear opposition to it, but it had yet to be proposed in writing -- and only then would he reconvene the group to make a decision.

Australian climate minister Chris Bowen only said there had been "good progress" in the negotiations.

"What we've been trying to do is get a solution which works for Australia, the Pacific and also the multilateral process. We'll have more to say very soon," he said.

jmi-np-fo-ia/lth/ia/jgc
Papua New Guinea 'not happy' Australia cedes COP31 to Turkey



Sydney, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Papua New Guinea voiced frustration Thursday after Australia ditched a bid to co-host next year's UN climate talks with its Pacific island neighbours.

"We are all not happy. And disappointed it's ended up like this," Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told AFP after Australia ceded hosting rights to Turkey.

Australia had been pushing to host COP31 next year alongside South Pacific nations which are increasingly threatened by rising seas and climate-fuelled disasters.

But Australia pulled the plug on its long-touted bid after Turkey, the other prospective host, refused to back down.

It would have been the first time the region had hosted the UN's premier climate summit.

Tkatchenko on Thursday lashed the entire COP summit process as a waste of time.

"What has COP achieved over the years. Nothing," said Papua New Guinea's top diplomat.

"It's just a talk fest and doesn't hold the big polluters accountable."

Australia started walking back its bid earlier this week as leaders met in the Brazilian port city of Belem.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged that, if Australia did lose out, he would still look for ways to keep the Pacific's plight on the agenda.
Australia cedes COP hosting to Turkey, Pacific islands disappointed



Sydney, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Australia framed its ceding of next year's COP to Turkey as a "big win", but the loss sparked disappointment on Thursday in the Pacific islands, which had been slated to co-host the climate meet.

Canberra pulled the plug on its long-touted bid after Turkey, the other prospective host, refused to back down.

A deal proposed Wednesday to end the protracted battle over who would stage COP31 will see the summit take place in Turkey, with Australia instead presiding over negotiations in the run-up to the event.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the outcome as a "big win".

He said there would be a pre-COP meeting focused on climate financing in the Pacific that would help raise awareness of the challenges facing the region.

"That will enable us to prioritise the issues that are confronting the Pacific," he said, including "the very existence of countries like Tuvalu and Kiribati, the issue of our oceans, the issue of other impacts".

Papua New Guinea's top diplomat, however, told AFP he was "disappointed".

"We are all not happy," Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told AFP, lashing the entire COP summit process as a waste of time.

"What has COP achieved over the years? Nothing," the top diplomat said.

"It's just a talk fest and doesn't hold the big polluters accountable."

It would have been the first time the region had hosted the UN's premier climate summit.



- No climate justice -



Pacific Island leaders have long criticised COP summits for marginalising their voices or offering limited practical solutions as they battle the mounting costs of climate change.

They hoped that co-hosting duties could change that and raise awareness.

But winning the COP hosting would also have drawn extensive scrutiny on Australia's green record.

The country has long profited from fossil fuel exports and treated climate action as a political and economic liability.

The former prime minister of Tuvalu -- which may become uninhabitable this century if planet-heating emissions are not constrained -- said the decision showed "the non-committal of Australia to climate justice".

Tuvalu, a tiny nation of thinly populated atolls and reef islands, is among the world's most vulnerable nations due to rising sea levels.

"The Pacific countries should seriously remodel their relationship with Australia," Bikenibeu Paeniu told AFP.

He added it was not good enough that the Pacific region hosts a pre-COP event, while Turkey will host the summit.

"What a miss but the Pacific will continue its fight no matter what."
The case of Africa's 'vanishing' carbon deals



Monrovia, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



When Liberia's government signed an agreement with a little-known Dubai company run by a royal sheikh in 2023, the "carbon credit" deal promised to protect vast tracts of forests and offset big polluters' emissions.

It was one of a flurry of deals UAE-based Blue Carbon signed that year covering millions of hectares of forests across Africa from Liberia to Zimbabwe -- in one case amounting to a fifth of a country's landmass.

African governments would safeguard forests for a share of revenues from carbon credit sales, benefits for communities and help fighting deforestation. It was promoted as a win-win.

But more two years on, Liberia's Blue Carbon deal has stalled. Other accords across Africa and elsewhere have also gone nowhere, while the UAE company itself appears to have fallen silent, according to a joint investigation by AFP and Code for Africa, an investigative organisation.

"It was stopped," Elijah Whapoe, Liberia's National Climate Change Steering Committee (NCCSC) coordinator, told AFP when asked about the status of the Blue Carbon agreement.

"As we speak, there is no attempt to my knowledge, anything, about trying to resuscitate it."

Blue Carbon's Africa venture highlights the complexity of delivering on carbon credits, schemes that still lack oversight and are often criticized for offering large polluters a chance to "greenwash" emissions with little or no impact on climate change.

Carbon credits or offsetting allow greenhouse gas producers to "cancel out" some of their emissions by investing in projects that prevent or reduce carbon dioxide production. Forests store huge amounts of carbon dioxide, and protecting them prevents the planet-warming gas from being released.

Most of the Africa agreements were signed before or on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. Blue Carbon's Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai's royal family, was often present.

Blue Carbon presented them as a model for carbon trading under the Article 6 of the United Nations climate agreement that was signed in Paris in 2015 and sets the rules for how countries can trade carbon credits.

Blue Carbon also said its work would help the United Arab Emirates achieve its carbon reduction goals, according to a company statement released when it launched in October 2022.

For environmentalists, Blue Carbon's Africa agreements were at best mismatched with local realities. At worst, critics say, they were a means to allow oil-producer the UAE to earn "green" credentials before hosting the COP28 summit.

Under Liberia's deal, approximately one million hectares of forests -- around 10 percent of the country's landmass -- would be protected, local communities engaged and the government rewarded 30 percent of revenues in a deal for sustainable forest management, according to a Blue Carbon statement and a preliminary copy of the Memorandum of Understanding seen by AFP.

Like Liberia's deal, other Africa accords were so-called REDD+ frameworks where some developing countries can receive financing for reducing emissions by stopping deforestation.

But Blue Carbon's Liberia agreement soon ran into a barrage of criticism from activists and environmentalists who said the deals would trample over local community ownership agreements, undermine existing legal rights and offer little transparency.

Saskia Ozinga, the founder of Fern, an organisation working to protect forests and their communities, said the Blue Carbon deals in Africa were unprecedented in scale, unclear about how they would protect forests and lacked consultations with communities.

"Blue Carbon was clearly aimed to greenwash," she said. "It was a bizarre idea from many different perspectives, which would have never worked for the climate, for forests and for people."



- Deals across Africa -



One of Blue Carbon's initial agreements on the continent was in March 2023 with Tanzania to help "preserve and manage its 8 million hectares of forest reserves," according to a Blue Carbon statement.

With Zambia, it covered 8 million hectares while Zimbabwe's agreement involved 7.5 million hectares that would generate "profound benefits for local communities", according to company statements on social media. Blue Carbon inked another deal with Kenya and with Nigeria's north central Niger state.

Soon after Liberia's finance minister Samuel Tweah signed, a United Nations agency and local NGOs urged the government to reconsider the Blue Carbon deal because of the risks of legal challenges and other concerns.

A letter from the UN Resident Coordinator and the Coordinating Partners Group dated August 2023 sent to Tweah warned of "serious and credible concerns that the concessions arrangement conflicts with existing community and individual land rights," it said.

Vincent Willie, a former lawmaker and chairman of a committee for natural resources and environment, said Blue Carbon had made initial proposals, but that amounted only to signing the non-binding MOU.

"As far as I am concerned that is the only place the government stopped," he told AFP of the MOU.

Whapoe, the head of Liberia's climate change secretariat, said the Blue Carbon deal was halted because it had not been "consistent" with how carbon deals are meant to be managed, including more local input.

Outreach to communities was started, but James G. Otto, a Liberian activist from the River Cess region, said visits by government agencies and civil society organisations left the community with more questions.

"They say and insist that any agreement on the use of their land and forest resources should be directly driven by them," Otto told AFP. "As far as our information gathering is concerned, there has been no formal work initiated under the Blue Carbon deal."



- Africa and beyond -



Other Blue Carbon programmes appear to have gone little further, according to activists and officials who spoke to AFP.

Blue Carbon hailed the Zimbabwe deal, which was to cover about 20 percent of the country's landmass, as a "historic achievement for climate action".

But Zimbabwe's deal was only an expression of interest, and implementation still requires a formal project, said Washington Zhakata, Zimbabwe's director for climate change.

"Blue Carbon has yet to submit its project idea note. Nonetheless, the company has already applied for an account on the Zimbabwe Carbon Registry," Zhakata said.

Douty Chibamba, Zambia's Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, also told AFP nothing came of his nation's Blue Carbon agreement.

"The MOU lapsed without any action," he said.

Kenyan and Tanzanian officials did not respond to requests for details.

Another high-profile Blue Carbon deal outside of the continent has appeared to meet a similar fate.

Papua New Guinea signed an MOU with Blue Carbon in 2023 on the sidelines of the COP28 in Dubai. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape's office said then his nation's "vast mangrove areas" could be harnessed.

However, Papua New Guinea's Climate Change Authority told AFP in July the agreement had "not progressed at all".

To sell the planned PNG carbon credits, Blue Carbon partnered with Singapore-based AirCarbon Exchange as its "preferred platform". But this agreement, too, has gone nowhere.

"Our MOU with the Dubai company 'Blue Carbon', signed in 2023, has since lapsed," an AirCarbon Exchange spokesperson in a statement to AFP. "There has been no active engagement between the parties."



- 'Hot air' -



Today, the company appears to have no global registration and no operational footprint in any recognised global carbon market system, according to a digital investigation by Code for Africa, a South Africa-based operation whose iLAB is Africa's largest forensic data investigation unit.

Code for Africa found no trace of Blue Carbon or its projects on the three main databases for global carbon credit certification, run by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and companies Verra and Gold Standard.

And there was no sign of Blue Carbon having filed notifications of intent that are required under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement framework for new deals to go ahead.

Blue Carbon's publicity campaign has also evaporated.

"Blue Carbon aims to be at the forefront of sustainable climate change investment," the company said in an October 2022 statement announcing its launch that also explicitly linked its work to the UAE's official greenhouse gas reduction strategy.

"Blue Carbon will serve as an enabler of blue and green economy operational frameworks that will set the agenda for the implementation of international climate agreements as well as to contribute to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative."

During 2023, Blue Carbon also released statements and photos on its social media accounts showing African officials signing MOUs with the company's leaders.

But its Instagram account, which first posted in October 2022 to coincide with the company's launch, has not had a new post since December 2023.

Similarly, the company's official X account, @BlueCarbonDxb, posted 27 times between October 18, 2022 and March 28, 2023, and has been inactive ever since. Its final post announced the signing with Liberia.

Blue Carbon's website no longer works, having gone offline between May and July 2025, according to archival records examined by Code for Africa's iLab.

AFP attempted multiple ways to contact Blue Carbon, including emails to [email protected] and calls to a number for one of the company's executives, but received no reply.

An AFP journalist also visited the Blue Carbon address listed in the Liberia MOU in Dubai. A guard initially said Blue Carbon was based there. But later he said there was no Blue Carbon office, and advised the reporter needed an appointment. There was no Blue Carbon sign visible in the lobby.

The UAE's government did not respond to a request for comment.

Carbon credit projects, particularly those involving forest protection, have frequently run into problems ranging from failing to protect designated forests to links with rights violations of local residents. Efforts are currently under way to improve oversight and regulation of crediting schemes.

"There are a number of lessons emergent from Blue Carbon saga, chief among them the importance of robust standards related to the supply and use of carbon credits internationally," said Injy Johnstone, research fellow in net-zero aligned offsetting at Oxford University.

"We need to see more transparency related to Article 6 transactions, concrete standards related to environmental integrity of the projects themselves and public accountability from both the supplier and end-user to ensure they do not vanish into 'hot air' as this one has."



This investigation was supported by insights from Code for Africa's Anita Igbine, Eliud Akwei, Jacktone Momanyi, and Moffin Njoroge.

bur-pma/kma/giv
Vietnam flooding submerges homes, kills 16, after relentless rain



Nha Trang, Vietnam, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Rescuers plucked stranded people from the rooftops of submerged homes as widespread flooding inundated central Vietnam, where authorities said on Thursday at least 16 people were killed.

Relentless rain has lashed south-central Vietnam since late October and popular holiday destinations have been hit by several rounds of flooding.

Whole city blocks were inundated in coastal Nha Trang, a tourist locale known for its pristine beaches, and hundreds of cars were underwater on Thursday, AFP photos showed.

Business owner Bui Quoc Vinh, 45, said he was safe in his 24th-floor apartment in Nha Trang but his restaurants and shops on the ground floor were under about a metre of water. His employees were even worse off.

"I am worried about our furniture in my restaurants and shops, but of course I cannot do anything now," he told AFP.

"My staff have to take care of their flooded homes," which he said were under two metres (six feet) of water. "I don't think the water is going to recede soon as the rain has not stopped."

Rescuers using boats in central Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces pried open windows and broke through roofs to assist residents stranded by high water on Wednesday, according to state media.

At least 16 people have been killed since the weekend, while the search was continuing for five others, the environment ministry said on Thursday.

More than 43,000 houses were submerged, while several major roads remained blocked due to landslides.



- Cancelled tours -



There were also deadly landslides in highland passes around the Da Lat tourist hub, with some areas recording up to 600 millimetres (two feet) of rain since the weekend, the national weather bureau said.

Hotel owner Vu Huu Son, 56, said landslides had blocked all but one road to the city.

"I don't think we have tourists now as they all left at the weekend before the rain and also cancelled their tours here," he told AFP.

A 100-metre section of the Mimosa Pass roadway was blocked after a landslide late on Wednesday and two other routes were closed due to landslide risks, state outlet Tuoi Tre News said.

The government-run Hanoi railway corporation announced the suspension of several train lines linking the north and south due to the flooding, state media said.

Emergency hotlines recorded unusually heavy call volumes on Wednesday night as water levels across the region rose, state media said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung told the leaders of three flood-affected provinces, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak and Gia Lai, to mobilise army, police and other security forces to "promptly relocate and evacuate people" to safe areas, according to a government statement.

Rescuers brought food and water to flooded hospitals in the coastal city of Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh province, state-run Thanh Nien newspaper said, after doctors and patients at one facility survived on instant noodles and water for three days.

Water levels in the Ba River in Dak Lak province surpassed a 1993 record in two places early on Thursday, while the Cai River in Khanh Hoa province also surged to a new high, the weather bureau said.

The floods occurred as heavy rains added to already high water levels, Hoang Phuc Lam, deputy head of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, said on state television.

In Dak Lak, floodwaters swept 100 20-litre barrels of sulfuric acid from a sugar factory, the public security ministry said, warning the public to avoid the dangerous liquid.

Natural disasters have left 279 people dead or missing in Vietnam and caused more than $2 billion in damage between January and October, according to the national statistics office.

The Southeast Asian nation is prone to heavy rain between June and September, but scientific evidence has identified a pattern of human-driven climate change making extreme weather more frequent and destructive.
The US State of New Hampshire has launched a first-ever $100 million Bitcoin-backed municipal bond. Companies in the state are now able to borrow against over-collateralized BTC held by a private custodian.

The states top regulating agency, Business Finance Authority (BFA), gave a go-ahead for the same on November 17. This latest development comes despite the Bitcoin price correcting by 25% from its all-time high.

Although BFA is a state entity, the bond is not backed by the state or taxpayers. Instead, BFA serves as a conduit, approves and oversees the transaction without assuming repayment risk.

Investor protection is provided through Bitcoin held in custody by BitGo. Governor Kelly Ayotte, who signed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill into law in May, welcomed the development. In a word with Crypto America, Ayotte said that it could bring new investment opportunities to the state without risking the funds.

Understanding How New Hampshires Bitcoin Bond Works

Wave Digital Assets has structured the Bitcoin bond in partnership with municipal bond specialist Rosemawr Management, aiming to connect digital assets with the traditional debt market. The company will use Bitcoin as collateral in accordance with established municipal and corporate bond regulations.

Les Borsai, co-founder of Wave, said: Our goal is to bridge traditional fixed income with digital assets in a way thats fully institutional, fully compliant, and globally scalable.

Under the proposal, the borrower would post approximately 160% of the bonds value in Bitcoin as collateral. If the collateral falls below about 130%, an automated liquidation mechanism would be triggered to ensure bondholders are fully protected. This model allows borrowers to access capital without selling their Bitcoin or creating a taxable event.

BFA Executive Director James Key-Wallace said that fees from the transaction, along with any appreciation in the Bitcoin collateral, will be directed to the Bitcoin Economic Development Fund. The goal here is to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across the state.

Crypto-backed borrowing has been available in private markets for years, but it has never been used in U.S. municipal finance. If New Hampshires approach proves successful, it could establish a template for other states to adopt. Borsai said that the end goal is to open a new debt market.

Read original story First-Ever Bitcoin Municipal Bond Launched in US: Why It Matters by Bhushan Akolkar at Coinspeaker.com
Iran president says capital move needed due to overcrowding, water crisis



Tehran, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that the country's capital should be relocated away from Tehran because of overcrowding and a deepening water crisis.

Pezeshkian has raised the idea of moving away from Tehran before, with rainfall in the capital this year at its lowest level for a century.

"The reality is that we have no choice. It (the relocation) is a necessity. We cannot overwhelm this region with more population and construction," he said, according to the official IRNA news agency.

"We can develop, but we cannot solve its water problem."

The Iranian president warned earlier this month the current capital could be evacuated without rainfall before winter, though he did not elaborate.

Tehran nestles on the southern slopes of the Alborz mountains and has hot dry summers usually relieved by autumn rains and winter snowfall.

The mountain peaks, usually already covered in snow at this time of year, are still dry.

Faced with water shortages, the government has decided to cut off water supplies periodically to Tehran's 10-million-strong population to limit consumption.

Pezeshkian's evacuation idea had drawn some criticism, including in local media. The reformist Ham Mihan newspaper branded his remarks a "joke".

The government later said the president only intended to warn residents that the situation was serious, rather than present a concrete plan.

Last week, Iranian authorities announced the launch of cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall.

Pezeshkian has since last year identified traffic congestion, water shortages, resource mismanagement and severe air pollution as the key reasons to relocate the capital.

In January, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities were studying a possible relocation to the Makran region, a largely underdeveloped area on the country's southern coast.

While no concrete plans were announced, that proposal also drew criticism.
Fire breaks out in pavilion at COP30 climate talks: AFP journalists



Belem, Brazil, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2025



A fire at a pavilion inside the venue of the UN's climate talks in Brazil forced an evacuation Thursday as panicked delegates ran for the exits.

UN and security crews rushed with extinguishers to try to put out the blaze at the COP30 site in Belem, with smoke engulfing the corridor and people shouting "fire!"

Firefighters arrived at the scene as smoke billowed inside and out of the conference building.

The fire took place as ministers from around the world were deep in negotiations aimed at breaking a deadlock over fossil fuels, climate finance and trade measures, with one day left in the two-week conference.
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Almost half of published novelists in the UK are grappling with the profound fear that artificial intelligence could entirely usurp their creative work, a new report suggests.

The findings, from a Cambridge University study that anonymously surveyed 258 novelists, 32 literary agents, and 42 fiction publishing professionals, paint a stark picture of an industry in flux.

A significant 59 per cent of novelists reported their work has been used to train large language models (LLMs) without permission or any payment.

This unauthorised use is already impacting livelihoods, with more than a third (39 per cent) stating their income has suffered due to generative AI, often through the loss of other work that supports their novel writing.

The outlook remains bleak for many, as 85 per cent anticipate a future decline in earnings, and 51 per cent explicitly fear that "AI is likely to displace their work entirely".

Dr Clementine Collett, a report author from Cambridges Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy, highlighted the widespread anxiety.

"There is widespread concern from novelists that generative AI trained on vast amounts of fiction will undermine the value of writing and compete with human novelists," she stated.

The report identifies genre authors as being particularly vulnerable to AI ( PA )

Dr Collett added that "many novelists felt uncertain there will be an appetite for complex, long-form writing in years to come," stressing that "novels are a core part of the creative industries and the basis for countless films, television shows and video games."

The report identifies genre authors as particularly vulnerable, with 66 per cent of respondents listing romance writers as "extremely threatened," followed by thriller (61 per cent) and crime (60 per cent) authors.

Some participants even envisioned a dystopian future where human-written novels become a "luxury item" amidst a flood of cheap, AI-generated fiction.

Despite these anxieties, the overall sentiment within UK fiction is not entirely anti-AI, with 80 per cent acknowledging its societal benefits. A third of novelists (33 per cent) currently use AI for "non-creative" tasks like information searches.

However, literary creatives are united in their call for stronger copyright enforcement, informed consent, and fair remuneration for the use of their work. They also demand transparency from big tech companies, alongside government support.

Professor Gina Neff, executive director of the Minderoo Centre, asserted: "Our creative industries are not expendable collateral damage in the race to develop AI. They are national treasures worth defending."

The vast majority (86 per cent) advocate for an "opt-in" principle for AI training, with nearly half (48 per cent) favouring collective licensing managed by an industry body.

The report, published in partnership with the Institute for the Future of Work and called The Impact of Generative AI on the Novel, will be published on the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy website: https://www.mctd.ac.uk/
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Acclaimed author Ian McEwan and BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet are among the prominent figures whose works have been shortlisted for the prestigious Nero Book Awards 2025.

Their novels join a diverse selection of 16 titles across four categories, chosen from hundreds of submissions, celebrating outstanding literary talent.

Other notable writers nominated include art historian and broadcaster James Fox, alongside bestselling authors Patrice Lawrence and Sarah Perry. The awards recognise excellence across debut fiction, childrens fiction, fiction, and non-fiction.

The debut fiction award shortlist features The Expansion Project by Ben Pester, Lush by Rochelle Dowden-Lord, Season by George Harrison, and A Family Matter by Claire Lynch.

For childrens fiction, the nominated works are My Soul, A Shining Tree by Jamila Gavin, People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence, Dragonborn by Struan Murray, and Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson.

In the main fiction category, the shortlist comprises The Two Roberts by Damian Barr, Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite, Seascraper by Benjamin Wood, and McEwans What We Can Know.

open image in gallery Ian McEwans latest novel What We Can Know ( Knopf )

The non-fiction shortlist includes We Came by Sea by Horatio Clare, Doucets The Finest Hotel in Kabul, Craftland: A Journey Through Britains Lost Arts and Vanishing Trades by James Fox, and Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry.

McEwans latest novel, What We Can Know, is described as "science fiction without the science," set over a century in the future within a much-changed and partly-submerged UK. Doucets The Finest Hotel in Kabul offers a work of reportage, tracing Afghanistans recent history through the lens of the Inter-Continental hotel, which she first visited in 1988.

The book is lauded for its "novelistic in approach and epic in scope." James Foxs Craftland chronicles Britains vanishing skills and traditions, with the author visiting the countrys last remaining master craftspeople.

The Nero Book Awards, established in 2023 by Caffe Nero in partnership with The Booksellers Association and Brunel University of London, will announce the category winners on 13 January.

open image in gallery BBCs Lyse Doucet is among this years nominees for her non-fiction book The Finest Hotel in Kabul ( BBC )

The overall winner of the Nero Gold Prize, Book of the Year, will then be revealed at a ceremony in London on 4 March. Last years accolade went to Sophie Elmhirst for Maurice and Maralyn.

Caffe Nero founder and chief executive, Gerry Ford, expressed his admiration for the selections, stating: "Im hugely impressed by the quality of the books in this years shortlists.

It really showcases the talent and quality of writing across the country... This is the strongest list of books the Nero Book Awards has seen yet and is indicative of the Awards going from strength to strength."
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Netflixs latest holiday romcom starring Minka Kelly is being slated by critics, who have deemed it charmless and forgettable.

Champagne Problems, streaming now, stars Kelly, 45, as an American executive sent to Paris to try and close a deal with a renowned champagne brand before Christmas. However, her plans are upended when she falls into a whirlwind romance with a Parisian man (Tom Wozniczka), whom she later discovers is the founders son.

In a paltry two-star review of the movie, The Guardians Adrian Horton felt that it lacks fizz, adding that the mostly charmless romance is part of the streamers continual annual onslaught of forgettable festive films.

[It] was so disposable I forgot I had even reviewed it, it goes down like cheap bubbly, appropriately flat and situational, Horton wrote.

Of Kellys performance, she found it to be more maternal presence than a romantic lead, while Wozniczka, she argued, provides exactly the dollop of French charm with mild self-torture and nothing more. The gimmicks are unfunny, the romance inoffensive, the happy-ever-after straightforward, Horton said.

open image in gallery Minka Kelly leads Netflix's new holiday romcom 'Champagne Problems' opposite Tom Wozniczka ( Mika Cotellon/Netflix )

The Wall Street Journals John Anderson felt similarly, insisting that the film is as sticky as a half-finished candy cane.

Champagne Problems walks a fine line between a Hallmark-movie aesthetic and a tongue-and-cheek treatment of its own alleged genre, Anderson said. All the coincidences and conflicts are conjured up, per the necessities of a quick-cooking holiday love affair.

While he felt Kelly is the freshest thing about Champagne Problems, he criticized her chemistry with Wozniczka, saying, they dont generate a great deal of natural heat.

Andrew Morgan of the news site Whats on Netflix mostly agreed that Kelly and Wozniczka are not a classic romantic pair in a sense as they dont ooze sensuality.

But what they do have is a warmth & believable emotional connection that makes the audience lean in, he noted.

A recurring theme among critics is that the film lacks originality. The conflict is a tale as old as time and has no depth that differentiates it from others, wrote Archi Sengupta for Leisure Byte.

open image in gallery Kelly and Wozniczkas performances as Sydney and Henri have left critics unimpressed ( Mika Cotellon/Netflix )

The film is repetitive and a bit boring, because you already know whats going to happen. Moreover, I didnt believe the romance at all as it felt very scripted and overdone, she added. It takes away from the magic of falling in love during the most romantic time of the year, which is such a bummer of epic proportions.

Singling out the movies ending, Blu-ray.coms Brian Orndorf opined that it dragged to a close with the same old moves seen in hundreds, if not thousands of these pictures.

[Director Mark Steven Johnson] goes for plasticized fantasy instead of trusting the moderate intimacy and light humor thats worked for the first two acts of the movie, he said, giving it a rating of six out of ten stars.

Despite the abysmally low reviews, viewers appear eager to watch the holiday romcom. Oh I am seated for this one. Topping the hearts for sure, one wrote on X, with a second admitting, Im such a sucker for christmas romcoms.

Another commented that they were currently watching it, and enjoying it.

Champagne Problems is available to stream on Netflix.
Florida is targeting Wall Street's favourite bank JPMorgan.

On Nov. 10, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has opened an investigation into JPMorgan Chase over allegations of politically motivated de-banking.

Uthmeier said the state believes the lender participated in what he called the Biden Administrations shadow effort to pressure political opponents, including the Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG).

Related: JPMorgan reveals plan for swelling debt crisis as Bitcoin crashes

Account closures draw scrutiny

Uthmeier said the state had serious concerns about JPMorgans handling of TMTGs accounts.

He claimed federal officials targeted the company ahead of its public listing, stating:

We now know Biden officials went after their political enemies.

He further alleged the bank sought tons of information unrelated to normal business practices and believed that sensitive data was shared with the Department of Justice without probable cause.

A letter sent from Uthmeier to the bank outlines the states timeline of events. It notes that on March 28, 2023, Bidens Justice Department subpoenaed JPMC for [a]ny and all records of TMTG, including materials from before the company existed.

Uthmeier said that almost immediately afterward, JPMorgan began questioning TMTG officials about earlier transactions, inquiries he argued appeared pretextual.

According to the letter, the situation escalated after TMTG closed its merger in March 2024, at which point JPMC notified TMTG that it was closing its bank accounts.

Attorney General James Uthmeier's preservation notice to JP Morgan Chase

The Attorney General said the timing raise[s] obvious, troubling questions about whether the account closures were connected to federal pressure.

More News:

Crypto sector sees echoes of Operation ChokePoint 2.0

Although the probe centers on political allegations, the fact pattern resembles complaints long raised by crypto businesses, especially after 2022 to 2023, when several digital asset firms reported sudden account closures, heightened due-diligence requests and what they described as informal regulatory pressure.

Many in the industry referred to these actions as Operation Choke Point 2.0 - a reference to the original 2013 to 2015 Department of Justice initiative that pressured banks to offboard high-risk sectors.

In its crypto-era iteration, the term was used to describe what firms said was a coordinated, behind-the-scenes effort by regulators to quietly de-risk exchanges, stablecoin issuers and Bitcoin miners without issuing formal prohibitions.
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Kevin Spacey has claimed he is homeless and living in hotels eight years after a sexual assault scandal cost him his career.

Spacey was exiled from mainstream Hollywood in 2017 after multiple men accused him of sexual misconduct, which he has consistently denied.

Im living in hotels, Im living in Airbnbs, the two-time Oscar winner told The Telegraph in an interview published Wednesday. Im going where the work is. I literally have no home, thats what Im attempting to explain.

The publication was speaking to Spacey in Cyprus, where he was performing with a big band for a cabaret-style show at a resort.

Asked what his financial situation was, Spacey replied, Not great, but added that he never had to file for bankruptcy.

open image in gallery Kevin Spacey said, I literally have no home in a new interview ( Getty )

open image in gallery Spacey was acquitted in a major UK criminal trial in July 2023 ( PA Archive )

He lost his house, because the costs over these last seven years have been astronomical. Ive had very little coming in and everything going out, he said.

Comparing his cancellation to the blacklisting of writers, actors and directors in Hollywood in the 1950s for alleged communist sympathies, Spacey shared his belief that as soon as a big-name director casts him again, he will be removed from the Hollywood blacklist.

In 2017, actor Anthony Rapp became the first to accuse Spacey of sexually abusing him. He claimed the incident occurred in 1986 when Spacey would have been 26, while Rapp was 14.

More than a dozen men have since come forward to accuse Spacey of sexual misconduct, all of which he has either denied or insisted were consensual.

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Rapps allegations were later dismissed by a Manhattan court in 2022, and in 2023, Spacey stood trial in the UK after four men alleged that he had sexually assaulted them in separate incidents between 2001 and 2013. He was again cleared of all nine offences.

Since his acquittal, Spacey has starred in several small projects, including the 2024 thriller The Contract, in which he played the Devil.

Earlier this year, he was presented with the Maximo Award for Excellence at the Italian Global Series Festival, adding to his recent string of honours as he attempts to make a career comeback.

During his acceptance speech, Spacey credited Django actor Franco Nero for reviving his career and stepping up when very few had the guts by casting him in his first role after the allegations came to light  as a detective in the 2022 film The Man Who Drew God.

Spacey then employed his previous character, John Doe, the sociopathic serial killer from David Finchers Se7en, and told the crowd: As I say to Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman when asked, Where are we headed? I simply respond with, Youll see.
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Hollywoods biggest night is making room for one more award during the live broadcast in 2026.

The Oscars are introducing the new prize for achievement in casting will be part of the 98th Academy Awards in March, the academy told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

That brings the total award count to 24 for the Oscars broadcast on March 15, where statuettes for best picture, best actor and actress will be among the others awarded.

The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the addition of the new prize last year, though it was not confirmed if it would be part of the official broadcast.

Not counting the short-lived popular film Oscar which never came to be, the addition of the casting prize marked the first time the academy has added a category since best animated feature film was established in 2001. Earlier this year, the organization also revealed plans to add a stunt design award, starting with the 100th Oscars in 2028.

Members of the casting directors branch will help narrow the field to 10 shortlisted films, a process that a handful of other categories use including documentary, international film, makeup & hairstyling, score, song, sound, visual effects and the three short film categories.

Nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026. However, current predictions for potential contenders include films like One Battle After Another, Hamnet, Sinners, Wicked: For Good, and Sentimental Value for Best Picture

Conan OBrien has already agreed to host the 98th ceremony, which will air live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET.

Anora was the top winner of the 2025 oscars, earning a total of five awards. Star Mikey Madison was named best actress, while director Sean Baker won a record-breaking four awards for his film: best director, best original screenplay and best film editing (in addition to best picture).
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In his Tuesday night monologue, Jimmy Kimmel addressed the viral incident where President Donald Trump told a female journalist aboard Air Force One, Quiet, piggy.

Trump was being quizzed about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by a reporter from Bloomberg when he appeared to make the insulting remark.

Trump is not a happy little meal right now, Kimmel said Tuesday. Every time he gets asked about Jeffrey Epstein, he loses his mind.

Kimmel then played the clip of the commander-in-chief leaning forward to deliver the insult while wagging his finger at the reporter.

He called her piggy, Kimmel said in disbelief. He said Quiet, piggy to a reporter and it barely made the news.

open image in gallery If the pilot on Air Force One behaved like the president, he wouldnt be allowed to fly the plane, joked Kimmel on Tuesday ( ABC )

open image in gallery Trump appeared to tell a female reporter, Quiet, piggy, on Air Force One last week ( REUTERS )

If a man spoke like that to a female coworker in a workplace harassment training video, youd go, Ah, thats over the top. Nobody would do that, Kimmel joked.

The late-night host added, If the pilot on Air Force One behaved like the president, he wouldnt be allowed to fly the plane.

The Air Force One incident occurred Friday, but did not gain much traction until Tuesday as clips of the moment circulated on social media.

Our White House journalists perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favor, a Bloomberg spokesperson told The Guardian. We remain focused on reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately.

A White House official told The Independent that the reporter behaved in an inappropriate and unprofessional way towards her colleagues on the plane. The official did not explain what the behavior was.

If youre going to give it, you have to be able to take, the official added.

On Tuesday, Trump went on to rage at a female ABC News reporter for her attitude after she asked about his familys business in Saudi Arabia and the Epstein files.

Its not the question that I mind. Its your attitude, Trump told ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce, as members of the press gathered to cover the presidents meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office.

ABC, your crappy company, is one of the perpetrators... I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and its so wrong, Trump said.

I think the license should be taken away from ABC, because your news is so fake and its so wrong, and we have a great commissioner, chairman, who should look at that, Trump added, appearing to refer to Federal Communications Commission Chair, Brendan Carr.

Responding to Trumps threat to have Carr look into ABC, Kimmel replied, I dont know, the last time your FCC guy looked at that didnt go so great for you.
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Friends fans are finally able to watch the eight final episodes of the spinoff show Joey 20 years after the failed sitcom was cancelled.

For the first time in the United States, all episodes of Matt LeBlancs Joey are now available to stream on the official Friends YouTube channel after NBC started releasing the series earlier this year.

The infamously unsuccessful show first premiered on NBC four months after Friends ended its iconic 10-season run. The series followed LeBlancs titular character Joey Tribbiani as he moves to Los Angeles, where, ironically, his new sitcom is canceled and he is forced to reunite with his sister, played by Drea de Matteo, and nephew, Paulo Costanzo. The show also starred Jennifer Coolidge, Andrea Anders, Ben Falcone, and Miguel A. Nunez Jr.

Joey aired from 2004 to 2006 and was cut short in the U.S. due to low ratings. The show was pulled in the middle of its second season, with eight episodes left unaired by NBC, even though they were broadcast internationally through other networks.

The spinoff started with a strong viewership of 18.6 million Americans watching the pilot episode. It also won the Peoples Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy, and LeBlanc won Favorite Male TV Star in 2005.

open image in gallery Joey won Favorite New TV Series at the 2005 Peoples Choice Awards ( Getty )

open image in gallery In Joey, LeBlanc reprised his beloved character Joey Tribbiani from the hit NBC show Friends ( NBC )

However, excitement started dwindling as the episodes went on. Season one averaged 10.2 million viewers, and an even lower 7.1 million for its second. Its last broadcast episode drew in just 4 million viewers.

After Joey ended, executive producer Kevin Bright blamed NBC for the shows inability to find its footing.

On Friends Joey was a womanizer but we enjoyed his exploits, he explained to The Age in 2006. He was a solid friend, a guy you knew you could count on. Joey was deconstructed to be a guy who couldnt get a job, couldnt ask a girl out. He became a pathetic, mopey character. I felt he was moving in the wrong direction, but I was not heard.

Despite the ill-fated shows flaws, nostalgic fans of the hit original series are celebrating the release of the lost episodes on YouTube.

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To the person that runs the Friends youtube channel, Thank you. I never got a chance to watch this series and the fact that you kept with it is amazing, one person celebrated in the comments of an episode.

Another wrote, This was a gem of a show. Wished I could have seen it back then when it was airing. But still glad I was able to see this and enjoy it with everywhere on YouTube. Thanks Joey and everyone. Thanks Matt and the crew.
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Claire Danes has said she felt a funny shame when she got pregnant at 44 years old.

The star of Netflixs recent hit series The Beast In Me opened up about her unplanned blessing during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast released on Monday (19 November).

She told hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett that she and her husband Hugh Dancy had moved into their current home because of their oopsy daisy third baby in 2023.

I was so old when that happened. I was 44, Danes said, adding that she didnt think it was possible for her to get pregnant at that age.

The 46-year-old continued: I did not foresee this at all. And it was weird. Suddenly, I felt like a funny shame. Like I was naughty. Like I had been caught fornicating past the point I was meant to.

No, it was weird, and it was like I found an edge that I hadnt been quite conscious of  like I was going outside of the parameters a little bit. That was wild.

Danes went on to confirm that their third child is a girl, to which Bateman joked that she must have been relieved given that she already has two sons, born in 2012 and 2018.

I got really, really lucky, the Romeo & Juliet actor said. I mean, my OB-GYN was like, You know you're having another boy. But no!

Claire Danes is married to English actor Hugh Dancy ( Getty Images )

She said she would have been delighted to have another son, but is even more delighted to have a girl in the family. Shes pretty cool, Danes said of her infant daughter, adding that she loves a tutu.

Danes and Dancy met in 2006 when filming Evening. They revealed their engagement in February 2009, and got married in a quiet ceremony in France later that year.

The Homeland actor is earning rave reviews for her performance in Netflixs newly released thriller The Beast In Me.

Danes stars as Aggie Wiggs, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer whose world is dangerously rocked by her new neighbour Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), a famous business magnate who was suspected of killing his wife.

Also starring in the series, directed by Lila Neugebaue (Causeway) and Antonio Campos (The Devil All the Time) are Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales and Breaking Bad favourite Jonathan Banks.
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The Michelin guide has announced which restaurants in the United States have been honored as part of its 2025 Northeast cities guide.

During Tuesday nights ceremony in Philadelphia, restaurants were awarded the distinction of being recognized for their culinary excellence, with the highest number of stars a place can receive being three, meaning the restaurant offers exceptional cuisine.

The Michelin guide separates the U.S. into various regions: the Northeast (Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.), the American South (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Atlanta), and the individual states of Florida, Colorado, Texas and California.

Restaurants can receive one star, meaning high-quality cooking, worth a stop, two stars, meaning excellent cooking, worth a detour, or three stars, meaning exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey. Other accolades include Bib Gourmand for restaurants that offer high-quality food at a moderate price, or a green star for excellence in sustainable gastronomy.

Prior to the start of the ceremony, Michelin announced the demotion of previous three-star restaurants: Alinea in Chicago, Masa in New York, and the Inn at Little Washington outside of Washington, D.C. to two stars.

Only one restaurant was awarded three stars ( Getty Images )

Aside from the demotions, the only restaurant to earn three Michelin stars was Sushi Sho in New York.

Restaurants that received two Michelin stars were Kasma in Chicago  as Michelins international director, Gwendal Poullennec, spoke during the ceremony about the restaurants rise from Bib Gourmand to one Michelin star and now two  and Joo Ok in New York, which was promoted from one star.

The restaurants that received one star included Bridges, Muku, Huso and Yamada in New York, while Feld in Chicago earned one Michelin star and a green star. Three restaurants in Philadelphia earned their first Michelin star, marking the first time the city made the guide: Friday Saturday Sunday, Provenance and Her Supper Club. Boston also made the guide for the first time with its omakase restaurant, Three 1 One.

No new restaurants had been announced in Washington, D.C. at any star level.

Earlier this month, the Michelin guide announced its inaugural selection for the American South with 228 restaurants and 44 cuisine types selected. The cuisine of the American South is a rich blend of cultural influences, brought to life by skilled chefs who have crafted some of the regions most iconic dishes, Poullennec said.

Our anonymous inspectors were deeply impressed by the regions culinary prowess, and this inaugural selection reflects their findings  from Southern staples like barbecue, Creole and seafood, to international flavors.

Ten restaurants earned a Michelin star, while Emerils in New Orleans scooped two stars, impressing the anonymous inspectors with its Creole cuisine  described as cooking that bursts with personality and class and never at the cost of flavor.

In addition, 50 Bib Gourmands, plus four special awards, were also revealed.

The awards were announced in a ceremony at the Peace Centre in Greenville, South Carolina, where restaurants were honored onstage.

North and South Carolina each secured a single star, respectively. In Charleston, three establishments took home a star, while in Nashville, three restaurants also joined the one-star club.
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A mother from Rotherham has revealed her struggle with a rare allergy to cold temperatures, which causes her skin to erupt in painful, itchy hives that she describes as making her want to "rip it off".

Jill Pearson, 46, says she "hates" the winter months due to the debilitating condition.

Ms Pearson, a married mother-of-two who has dedicated 13 years to palliative care nursing, first observed her skin turning red after cold exposure at the age of 13.

She recalls arriving at school to classmates asking, "whats wrong with your face?"

The transition from cold to hot environments now causes her skin to "burn", with hives resembling "nettle stings" appearing even from simply touching a cold surface.

Despite years of discomfort, a formal diagnosis remained elusive until 2019.

open image in gallery Jill Pearson was diagnosed with cold urticaria in August 2019

It was during a family trip to Disneyland in America, after swimming in "really cold" water with dolphins, that Ms Pearson experienced a severe reaction akin to anaphylaxis  a rapid, life-threatening allergic response.

Following the incident, she was finally diagnosed with cold urticaria, an allergic reaction to cold, in August 2019.

The diagnosis has necessitated daily adjustments, including brushing her teeth with lukewarm water and maintaining constant heating in her home to manage her symptoms.

While Ms Pearson uses some medications to dampen down her reactions, she must now carry two EpiPens at all times as there is no cure for her condition and, while going abroad provides temporary respite, the winter season in the UK is something she has come to despise.

I hate winter  I always wear a hat, a scarf, gloves, thermal vests and fleece-lined trousers, she said.

If I get something out the fridge thats cold, my hand will swell up and itch.

I just want to literally rip the skin off because its itching so much.

Even if I was leaning on a table to eat my dinner and the surface is cold, my arms then have a patch of redness, which is itchy and swollen.

open image in gallery Ms Pearson uffers with red, itchy and swollen skin after exposure to the cold

According to the NHS, hives (also called urticaria) is a raised, itchy rash that is usually caused by a reaction to things like food, pollen or insect bites.

Ms Pearson said she first remembers noticing the symptoms of cold urticaria at the age of 13.

I remember going to school when it was cold and any skin that was showing, like my face, would go really red, she said.

I would get hives that look like nettle stings and going from the cold into heat would make my skin burn.

People at school would say, Ew, whats wrong with your face?

I have to wait for my skin to settle down  which all depends on how long Ive been exposed to the cold, so it could take half an hour.

Ms Pearson said she would think to herself, Im having a reaction, but said she never got checked or tested for her symptoms until later in life.

open image in gallery She underwent an ice cube test before receiving her diagnosis

I just always wrapped up for the winter, she said.

Throughout her youth, she said her reactions affected a lot of things, especially while she was at university and going out with friends.

People were going clubbing or going to the pub, and I was the one that was always wrapped up  or Id ask if we could get a taxi because I didnt want to walk in all red and swelling, she said.

After grappling with her symptoms for decades, Ms Pearson said they reached a new peak in August 2019, when she and her family took a trip to Disneyland in America, where they swam with dolphins.

She recalled getting into the water, which was really cold, before she suffered with a reaction resembling anaphylaxis  a life-threatening allergic reaction that happens very quickly.

I remember getting in the water which was only waist height, and I was saying to my husband, oh its really cold, she recalled.

All I kept thinking was, I just need to do this, I just need to swim with the dolphin and then get out.

When I got back into the water, I told my husband I felt really faint.

open image in gallery Ms Pearson now makes adaptations to her daily routine to avoid cold temperatures

Ms Pearson said her husband took her out of the water where she just went straight to the floor on the sand.

She said she suspected she was going into anaphylactic shock at the time  she could not lift her chin and she knew her blood pressure was really low.

She also said another family member pointed out that her lips were blue.

After being wrapped in towels to get warm, she recalled feeling really exhausted when she came to.

The ordeal prompted her to visit her GP, where she was referred to an immunologist and allergy specialist at Sheffield Hospital.

She said to diagnose cold urticaria, an ice cube test is performed  where she said ice cubes were inserted into a fabric casing and placed on the inside of her forearm for five minutes to gauge the reaction.

It was really cold and I could feel it itching and burning, Jill recalled.

I wanted them to see how bad my rection gets  it looked like I had skin graft on my forearm, it came up with a massive welt.

They actually went to get a consultant to show them because it was so bad.

open image in gallery Her skin breaks out in hives resembling nettle stings

Ms Pearson said she was given an antihistamine  medicines often used to relieve symptoms of allergies  before she underwent several blood tests to try and establish the root cause of her reaction.

They all came back fine, so they couldnt really find a reason as to why I was having this reaction, she said.

She was officially diagnosed with cold urticaria in August 2019.

She has since tried several antihistamines with the aim of preventing her reactions to the cold, but said nothing works.

She has now been advised to not go swimming, she carries two EpiPens at all times and she takes some medications to try and dampen down her symptoms.

She has also made a number of adaptations in her daily routine to avoid cold temperatures.

Even down to things like brushing my teeth, I dont use really cold water, she said.

When its really cold and I go out, usually its just my eyes that are showing.

After I shower, I have to dry straight away  if I dont dry fully, even the change in temperature makes my skin red, almost like Ive been burnt.

open image in gallery She said her skin came up with a massive welt during the ice cube test

Ms Pearson also avoids ice cream or ice lollies because the roof of her mouth swells and itches, and she said she always keeps the heating on at home.

She even avoids certain supermarkets due to their temperatures, saying the frozen aisle is a nightmare.

Going abroad to a hotter climate provides Jill with a temporary respite from her reactions  although even air conditioning in restaurants or hotel rooms can be too much for her.

Ms Pearson has joined a Facebook group to connect with others who suffer with cold urticaria, and she advised those in her position to do the same.

Reach out to other people that are going through it, she said.

They are the ones who can give you advice and support, and not laugh at the way you have to adapt your life.

They really do understand, and they might be able to give you some suggestions on how to make things more liveable.
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As the cold snap sees temperatures fall, the chilly weather can have a noticeable impact on various parts of the body.

Dr Claire Agathou, co-founding GP of the AZ General Practice at The Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, has outlined five key ways the cold can affect your body more intensely.

She also shared helpful practical advice on how to stay warm and healthy throughout the winter months.

1. Immune system

open image in gallery Viruses can survive and circulate more easily in the cold, dry air ( Alamy/PA )

Cold weather creates the perfect environment for viruses to thrive.

Viruses can survive and circulate more easily in the cold, dry air and we also spend more time indoors which increases close contact and transmission, explains Agathou. Cold air can also reduce the noses local defences by slowing down mucus and the tiny hairs called cilia that track viruses.

In addition, sudden drops in temperature can also increase stress hormones, which can temporarily reduce a persons immunity. So, with that overall effect, there tends to be more coughs, flu, and respiratory infections in the winter.

2. Cardiovascular system

Cold weather causes something called vasoconstriction, which is when the blood vessels narrow, especially in the hands, feet and skin, explains Agathou. That can increase blood pressure and can increase heart rate and how hard it has to work.

People with a history of heart attacks, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, plus smokers are particularly vulnerable to these effects, she adds.

3. Respiratory system

open image in gallery People with pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable in cold weather

Cold, dry air can irritate the airways and trigger bronchospasm which is the sudden tightening of the airway muscles. This can make the chest feel tight and lead to breathlessness or coughing fits, particularly when you move quickly from a warm environment into the cold, says Agathou.

People with pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable because cold weather can significantly worsen their symptoms, adds the GP.

Their airways are already more inflamed and narrower at baseline, so exposure to cold air can trigger what we call airway hyper-reactivity. This means theyre much more likely to experience a wheeze, cough or breathlessness during colder months, she explains.

4. Skin

open image in gallery Cold temperatures can trigger eczema or Raynauds flare-ups.

Winter conditions are a classic trigger of eczema, says Agathou. The cold air is dry, indoor heating is dry and, with that combination, you get this reduced skin barrier function, more water loss and you get irritated patches of inflamed skin.

Even people who dont have severe eczema can get flare-ups of very dry skin, itchiness and inflamed patches.

Cold temperatures are also a common trigger for Raynauds flare-ups.

Raynauds a condition where the small blood vessels in the fingers and toes overreact to cold temperatures and causes the vessels to temporarily narrow, explains the GP. This can lead to colour changes where people can sometimes see their hands going from white, to blue to red. Then as the blood flow returns, some people can experience a really bad throbbing and pins and needles.

5. Joint pain and stiffness

open image in gallery Inactive days can increase joint pain, especially in arthritis

One of the reasons is because blood flow is reduced to the muscles and the soft tissue in the cold, we can generally get more stiff, says Agathou.People also tend to be less active in winter and inactive days can increase joint pain, especially in arthritis.

A lot of people with conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or chronic pain conditions, commonly report worsening symptoms in the winter.

In addition, we also know that cold make nerve endings much more sensitive, which can amplify pain signals.

Top tips for staying warm and healthy this winter

Wrap up warm

Its really important to keep warm and layer properly, says Agathou. Multiple thin layers trap heat better than thick ones.

Make sure to keep your head and hands covered.

Remember to protect your hands and your head as we do lose lots of heat out of our heads and peripheries, says Agathou.

Bring medication with you

If youve got a respiratory condition, dont go out anywhere without your prescribed inhalers, advises Agathou.

Stay hydrated

open image in gallery Fluids support immunity and energy and it is important to remain hydrated in the winter months

Many people dont think they need to drink as much in the cold months but it is really important to stay hydrated, says Agathou. Fluids support immunity and energy.

Eat well

Eating well is key, says Agathou. Take the time to ensure that you are getting good nutrition, such as warm meals and good amounts of protein and vitamin D.

Stay active

Movement is important for circulation, immunity and joint stiffness, says Agathou. However, if you do have respiratory conditions, be very cautious about exercising outdoors in the extreme cold and very dry air, as it could worse your symptoms.

Keep your home warm

Try to keep your house warm and at least 18 degrees Celsius, especially if you are elderly, says Agathou.

Check if you are eligible for vaccinations

Check with your GP to see if you are eligible for the flu and Covid boosters, especially if you are in a vulnerable group who is more at risk, says Agathou.
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Two judges for the forthcoming Miss Universe pageant have resigned from the event, days ahead of its broadcast.

Composer Omar Harfouch and former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele have both announced their resignations within hours of each other.

Harfouch shared a series of posts Tuesday on his Instagram Stories explaining that he was confused and concerned regarding his fellow judges for the event scheduled for Friday in Bangkok, Thailand.

He claimed that he learned through social media that there was an impromptu jury that was asked to pick 30 finalists in advance out of the 136 countries that are supposed to participate.

The results of this selection are currently being kept secret, one of his posts read, adding that none of the real eight judges were part of this jury, which he claimed was composed of individuals with a significant potential conflict of interest due to some [personal] relationships with some of the Miss Universe contestants, including the person responsible for counting the votes and managing the results, which constitutes a further conflict of interest.

Harfouch then said he spoke to the Miss Universe officials regarding the lack of transparency, which led to them posting a list of names associated with the selection on their Instagram page without naming exactly what role each person played.

His posts concluded by writing that he would no longer be a judge for the competition.

After having a disrespectful conversation with [Miss Universe CEO] Raul Rocha about the lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process, l decided to resign from the jury and refuse to be part of this charade, Harfouch wrote. I will also not be playing the music composed for the event.

A few hours later, Makelele shared a statement on his Instagram, writing that he would not be attending the event due to unforeseen personal reasons.

It is with regret that I must announce that I wont be able to attend the Miss Universe 2025 event due to unforeseen personal reasons, he wrote.

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.

I sincerely apologise to the organisation, the contestants, and everyone involved, and I hope to be able to contribute in the future under better circumstances. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Shortly after Harfouchs posts, Miss Universe officials posted a statement on its Instagram account, addressing his comments and how the judging process works.

The Miss Universe Organization firmly clarifies that no impromptu jury has been created, that no external group has been authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists, and that all competition evaluations continue to follow the established, transparent, and supervised MUO protocols, the statement read.

Given [Mr Harfouch's] expressed confusion, his public mischaracterization of the program, and his stated desire not to participate, the Miss Universe Organization respectfully acknowledges his withdrawal from the official judging panel.

One of the competitions former judges claimed 30 finalists were picked in advance without any of the judges being involved ( AFP via Getty Images )

The competition explained that the musician was no longer allowed to display, reference, or associate himself with any Miss Universe trademarks, service marks, logos, titles, or registered properties, in any format, medium, or communication, whether digital, written, or verbal.

The Miss Universe Organization encourages the public, media outlets, and fans worldwide to rely solely on verified MUO communications and to continue supporting the delegates whose leadership, service, and dedication reflect the true values of Miss Universe, the statement concluded.

The Independent has reached out to the Miss Universe officials for further comment.
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South Korean health and beauty retail giant Olive Young announced that it is opening its first US store in May next year, marking its entry into the worlds largest beauty market amid rising American interest in Korean skincare.

Founded in Seoul in 1999 and part of the CJ Group, Olive Young runs more than 1,300 outlets in South Korea and boasts a mix of trendy skincare, cosmetics, and wellness offerings. The news of the physical store comes nine months after the company established its US subsidiary, CJ Olive Young USA in February as part of preparations for overseas expansion.

The new store will be located in Pasadena, California, about 18km from central Los Angeles, which will position it to draw from both the citys consumer base and the wider West Coast beauty market. Olive Young is expected to stock more than 200 brands, including popular Korean names such as Anua, Sungboon Editor, Dr Althea, Mediheal and Purito, alongside its own in-house ranges like Colorgram, Bringgreen and Bioheal Boh.

According to the Korea Times, the Pasadena outlet will be designed as a full K-beauty showcase, combining products, skincare assessments, and experiential services based on data from its Korean stores and its global e-commerce platform.

The company is reportedly in discussions with more than 400 Korean and global brands for potential placement and is establishing a local logistics centre, sourcing operations, and marketing infrastructure to support the expansion.

Over time, Olive Young has plans to link US stores with its international online mall to create a full omni-channel experience.

We want to expand K-beautys reach to more consumers worldwide and provide a platform that helps Korean brands grow overseas, an Olive Young official told the Korea Herald. Our goal is to evolve into a global beauty and wellness platform that spans both Korean and international brands.

As Olive Young embarks on this US debut, it is joining a wave of Korean cosmetics and skincare companies deepening their presence in the American market.

According to South Koreas ministry of food and drug safety, the country surpassed the US to become the worlds second-largest cosmetics exporter, after France, in the first half of 2025, generating $10.28bn in cosmetics exports last year, a 20.3 per cent jump from 2023.

A Reuters report stated that South Korea overtook France as the biggest cosmetics exporter to the US in 2025, with online sales of the top five Korean brands in America rising 71 per cent over two years.

open image in gallery South Korea overtook France as the biggest cosmetics exporter to the US, with online sales of the top five Korean brands in America rising 71 per cent over two years ( Getty Images )

Some Korean brands have even become more successful abroad than at home. Our biggest market is the US. Were not really popular in Korea, I have to admit, Sumin Lee, co-founder of Beauty of Joseon, told the Glossy Beauty podcast.

Olive Youngs largest-ever international activation at KCON LA 2025 captured the scale of K-beautys rise. Its 430-square-metre booth showcased 66 brands and 164 products to 125,000 attendees, drawing long queues for skin-analysis stations, sunscreen demo zones, and beginner-friendly routines.

The companys global online mall has also reported strong growth, with overseas sales rising 70 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2025 and order volumes up 60 per cent, according to Korea Times.

Olive Young is also a major destination for foreign visitors in South Korea. International tourists accounted for 26 per cent of offline sales in the first half of this year, rising above 30 per cent in the second quarter, according to Korea Economic Daily.

Of the 7.2 million tourists who visited the country from January to May, nearly six million made purchases at Olive Young stores, and found its multilingual services, tax-refund counters, colour-analysis consultations, and personal shopping programmes specifically designed for customers unfamiliar with local brands very helpful.

The appeal of Korean beauty, and Olive Young in particular, was further boosted during the recent APEC summit in Gyeongju city, where US White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and presidential adviser Margo Martin shared their Olive Young product hauls on social media.

According to Maeil Business News Korea, foot traffic at the branch they visited jumped 77 per cent compared with the previous week, while the share of foreign-customer sales rose from 20 per cent to 63 per cent.

Despite Olive Youngs quick expansion, the retailer has faced concerns over parts of its operation. At home, South Koreas Fair Trade Commission fined the retailer 1.89bn won (985,601) in December 2023 for what it ruled were unfair practices toward suppliers, including forcing them to shoulder the cost of Olive Youngs own promotional events, according to the Korea Times.

Overseas customers have complained about Olive Youngs global e-commerce site, with Trustpilot reviews citing unexpected customs charges and missing parcels. I ordered 1+1 item as their web page image, but delivered only 1. I sent an inquiry and the response was that it wasn't a 1+1 promotion. I can not believe a company which runs globally, makes a mistake like this and handles customer service poorly, wrote one customer.

Another wrote: Paid over 30 (26.47) in customs. In the website there is no transparency regarding how much and if custom costs are applicable.

Moving to a brick-and-mortar physical store in the US with local pricing and on-the-ground support, Olive Young might be able to sidestep the delivery delays and customs surprises that international customers have raised about its online operation.

Nevertheless, the US launch has come as trade conditions grow more complex. The US government introduced a 15 per cent tariff on low-value Korean imports, which were previously exempt under the de minimis threshold, from late August this year, targeting Korean goods, including cosmetics.

Smaller Korean aggregators have said they are stocking up on bestsellers before the hikes hit them, and some brands said they may be forced to raise prices.

The competitive landscape Olive Young is entering is equally challenging. American retailers have spent the past two years racing to acquire Korean brands; Sephora has signed exclusive deals with Hanyul and Aestura, while Ulta Beauty has become the only major retailer stocking Medicubes skincare devices.

Both chains have expanded their assortments of Korean brands, and K-beauty has grown into a $2bn industry in the US in the year to July 2025, up 37 per cent year-on-year, according to NielsenIQ.

However, Olive Young may still carve out a distinct position in the US market despite tariff pressures and intensifying competition. Part of that advantage lies in the sharp contrast between its stores and the environments created by American beauty giants.

Anna Keller, a principal analyst from London-based market research firm Mintel, told Business Insider: Unlike Sephora and Ulta, which focus on a handful of big-name brands, Olive Young is more about discovery. They're known for curating a mix of well-known and up-and-coming Korean brands, which makes them a go-to for people who want to explore beyond the mainstream.

open image in gallery Olive Young has built its success on immersive beauty playgrounds, or stores which combine more than 10,000 products with interactive displays and category-driven layouts that encourage browsing ( Getty Images )

This emphasis on discovery is central to the stores physical design as well. According to Harvard Business School assistant professor Rebecca Karp, who spoke to the Korea Herald, the retailer has built its success on immersive beauty playgrounds, or stores which combine more than 10,000 products with interactive displays and category-driven layouts that encourage browsing. The companys Myeong-dong flagship in central Seoul, for example, reportedly handles more than 5,000 purchases daily.

What I love the most about Olive Young is the ability to try, discover and search for products, Karp said. If you want to try and use products for slow aging, for example, they are all grouped together, so you can learn about and utilise the full ecosystem of products, not just a particular brand that you might know.
TechCrunchs Marina Temkin, who moderated the panel, shared a jarring example from a recent conversation with a general partner at a venture firm: A portfolio company last valued at 20 times revenue was recently offered just 2 times revenue in the secondary market  a 90% discount.

The panel didnt sugarcoat one of the harsh truths about venture valuations, which is that theres often a huge gap between what VCs think their portfolios are worth and what buyers will actually pay.

The alternative is active portfolio management through secondaries, a market that has become essential infrastructure. I think every LP and every GP should be actively engaging with the secondary market, said Matt Hodan of Lexington Partners, one of the largest secondaries firms with $80 billion under management. If youre not, youre self-selecting out of what has become a core component of the liquidity paradigm.

This extended timeline is forcing LPs to rip up and rebuild their allocation models. Lara Banks of Makena Capital, which manages $6 billion in private equity and venture capital, noted her firm now models an 18-year fund life, with the majority of capital actually returning in years 16 through 18. Meanwhile, the J. Paul Getty Trust is actively revisiting how much capital to deploy, leaning toward more conservative allocations to avoid overexposure.

Conventional wisdom may have suggested 13-year-old funds, said Adam Grosher, a director at the J. Paul Getty Trust, which manages $9.5 billion. In our own portfolio, we have funds that are 15, 18, even 20 years old that still hold marquee assets, blue-chip assets that we would be happy to hold. Still, the asset class is just a lot more illiquid than most might imagine based on the history of the industry, he said.

Perhaps the most striking revelation was that venture funds are living far longer than anyone planned for, creating a raft of problems for institutional investors.

Indeed, at a recent StrictlyVC panel in San Francisco, above the din of the boisterous crowd gathered to watch it, five prominent LPs, representing endowments, fund-of-funds, and secondaries firms managing over $100 billion combined, painted a surprising picture of venture capitals current state, even as they see areas of opportunity emerging from the upheaval.

These days, its not easy to be a limited partner who invests in venture capital firms. The LPs who fund VCs are confronting an asset class in flux: Funds have nearly twice the lifespan they used to, emerging managers face life-or-death fundraising challenges, and billions of dollars sit trapped in startups that may never justify their 2021 valuations.

Story Continues

Michael Kim, founder of Cendana Capital, which has nearly $3 billion under management focused on seed and pre-seed funds, put this into context: When someone like Lexington comes in and puts a real look on valuations, they may be actually facing 80% markdowns on what they perceive that their winners or semi-winners were going to be, he said, referring to the messy middle of venture-backed companies.

Kim described this messy middle as businesses that are growing at 10% to 15% with $10 million to $100 million in annual recurring revenue that had billion-dollar-plus valuations during the 2021 boom. Meanwhile, private equity buyers and public markets are pricing similar enterprise software companies at just four to six times revenue.

The rise of AI has made things worse. Companies that chose to preserve capital and sustain through a downturn saw their growth rates suffer while AI has caught on and the market moved past it, Hodan explained.

These companies are now in this really tricky position where if they dont adapt, theyre going to face some very serious headwinds and maybe die.

The emerging manager desert

For new fund managers, the current fundraising environment is especially rough, observed Kelli Fontaine of Cendana Capital, underscoring her statement with a stunning statistic. In the first half of this year, Founders Fund raised 1.7 times the amount of all emerging managers, she said. Established managers in total raised eight times the amount of all emerging managers.

Why? Because institutional LPs who committed larger sums faster than ever to VCs during the go-go days of the pandemic are now seeking quality instead, concentrating their dollars with large platform funds like Founders Fund, Sequoia, and General Catalyst.

There are many folks, many peer institutions that have been investing in venture as long as we have or longer, and they became overexposed to the asset class, Grosher explained. These perpetual pools of capital that they were known for, they started pulling back.

The silver lining, according to Kim, is that the tourist fund managers who flooded the market in 2021  for example, the VP at Google who decided to raise a $30 million fund because their friend did  have largely been flushed out.

Is venture even an asset class?

Unsurprisingly, the panel took up Roelof Bothas recent assertion at TechCrunch Disrupt that venture isnt really an asset class. They largely agreed, with some caveats.

Ive been saying for 15 years that venture is not an asset class, Kim said. Unlike public equities, where managers cluster within one standard deviation of a target return, things are widely dispersed in venture. The best managers significantly outperform all the other managers.

For institutions like the J. Paul Getty Trust, that kind of dispersion has become a real headache. Its quite challenging to make plans around venture capital because of the dispersion of returns, Grosher said. The solution has been exposure to platform funds that provide some reliability and persistence of returns, layered with an emerging manager program to generate alpha.

Banks offered a slightly different view, suggesting that ventures role is evolving beyond just being a little bit of salt on the portfolio. She said, for example, that Stripe exposure in Makenas portfolio actually serves as a hedge against Visa, since Stripe could potentially use crypto rails to disrupt Visas business. (In other words, Makena sees venture as a tool that can help manage disruption risk across the entire portfolio.)

Unloading shares earlier

Another theme of the panel discussion was the normalization of GPs selling into up rounds, not just at distressed prices.

A third of our distributions last year came from secondaries, and it wasnt from discounts, Fontaine said. It was from selling at premiums to the last round valuation.

If something is worth three times your fund, think about what it needs to do to become six times your fund, Fontaine explained. If you sold 20% off, how much of the fund are you going to return?

The discussion brought to mind a conversation TechCrunch had with veteran Bay Area pre-seed investor Charles Hudson back in June, when he shared that investors in very young companies are being forced to think increasingly like private equity managers: optimizing for cash returns instead of home runs.

At the time, Hudson said one of his own LPs had asked him to run an exercise and calculate how much money Hudson would have made had he sold his shares in his portfolio companies at the A, B, and C stages instead of holding on for the ride. That analysis revealed that selling everything at the Series A stage didnt work; the compounding effect of staying in the best companies outweighed any benefits from cutting losses early. But Series Bs were different.

You could have a north of 3x fund if you sold everything at the B, Hudson said. And Im like, Well, thats pretty good.

It certainly helps that the stigma around secondaries has evaporated. Ten years ago, if you were doing a secondary, the unspoken thing was that, We made a mistake, Kim said. Today, secondaries are most definitely part of the toolkit.

How to raise in this environment (despite the headwinds)

For managers attempting to raise capital, the panel offered tough love, and advice. Kim recommended that new managers network to as many family offices as possible, and described them as typically more cutting edge in terms of taking a bet on a new manager.

He also suggested pushing hard on co-investment opportunities, including offering fee-free, no-carry co-investment rights as a way to get family offices interested.

The challenge for emerging managers, per Kim, is that its going to be really hard to convince a university endowment or a foundation like [the J. Paul Getty Trust] to invest in your little $50 million fund unless youre super pedigreed  [meaning] maybe youre a co-founder of OpenAI.

As for manager selection, the panel was unanimous: Proprietary networks no longer exist. Nobody has a proprietary network anymore, Fontaine said flatly. If youre a legible founder, even Sequoia is going to be tracking you.

Kim explained that Cendana indexes on three aspects instead: a managers access to founders, their ability to pick the right founders, and, critically, hustle.

Networks and domain expertise have a shelf life, Kim explained. Unless youre hustling to refresh those networks, to expand those networks, youre going to be left behind.

As an example, Kim pointed to one of Cendanas fund managers, Casey Caruso of Topology Ventures. Caruso, formerly an engineer at Google, will go live in hacker houses for weeks to get to know the founders there. Shes technical, so shell actually compete with them in their little hackathons. And sometimes she wins.

He contrasted this with some 57-year-old fund manager living in Woodside. Theyre not going to have that kind of access to founders.

As for which sectors and geographies matter, the consensus was that AI and American dynamism dominate right now, along with fund managers who are based in San Francisco or, at least, have easy access to it.

That said, the panel acknowledged traditional strength in other regions: biotech in Boston; fintech and crypto in New York; and Israels ecosystem notwithstanding the current issues there, said Kim.

Banks added that shes confident that consumer will have a new wave. Platform funds have kind of put that to the side, so it feels like were ripe for a new paradigm, she said.
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Richard Dreyfusss son, Ben, says he and his siblings have been estranged from their Oscar-winning father for years.

The 39-year-old journalist, who is Richard and his ex-wife Jeramie Rains eldest son, shared a series of since-deleted posts on X on November 13 about his relationship with his father.

Everyone assumes my siblings and I are wealthy from our dad and we're all a bit too uncomfortable to make it clear, but we have no money from my dad, he wrote on social media, as captured by USA Today.

My dad has no money. If he did, we wouldn't get it since we've been estranged ever since some complicated family drama to do with MeToo.

Ben said his relationship with his father  the 78-year-old actor known for his roles in Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind  began to fracture years ago over a specific incident. Around the time the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2017, Ben was reportedly managing Richards Twitter account and posted a message supporting his younger brother, Harry, who had accused Kevin Spacey of groping him at 18. Spaceys lawyer denied the allegations at the time.

open image in gallery Ben Dreyfuss (left) says hes been estrange from his father Richard since the MeToo movement in 2017 ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss in Jaws ( Peacock )

That tweet prompted someone to MeToo my dad. He blames us for that, Ben wrote on X. This led to years of acrimony.

The American Graffiti actor was accused of sexual harassment by writer Jessica Teich less than a week after Harrys allegations went public, which he denied.

Ben later published a piece on his Substack blog, Calm Down, about his father Monday. After explaining that he deleted his recent X posts because he didnt want any sympathy, he shared his last email exchange with his father, which was dated January 2024.

Im obviously rather hurt by the fact that you don't want to reconcile with me, he wrote. I said once in that email that I wanted to sever ties with you but that was just a rhetorical flourish. It had never occurred to me that we actually would become estranged. I still have a hard time completely understanding it. I know you love me. I know I hurt you, but you're a smart guy. You understand how people can love each other and also hurt each other.

He continued: I think you miss me  I hope you do at least  and that youre mad and waiting for me to say something that solves it all. I wish I could say whatever those words are.

Richards alleged response accused Ben of calling him a homophobic slur in a restaurant, and said that his son (and daughter Emily) thought they could demand money from his current wife, Svetlana Erokhin.

You had no problem yelling at the top of your lungs that I was a f*****, the Goodbye Girl star allegedly wrote. YOU BOTH ADMITTED TO LYING TO ME ABOUT HOW YOU HATED ME FOR TEN YEARS.

Richard was also married to Janelle Lacey from 1999 to 2005 and married Erokhin in 2006.

In 2024, Richard faced backlash after he allegedly launched into a sexist and homophobic rant at a special screening of his movie Jaws, prompting multiple guests to walk out of the event. According to people on X who attend the screening, he allegedly insulted all women and transgender children.

A representative for Dreyfuss was not immediately obtainable.
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Jackie Siegel, the self-proclaimed Queen of Versailles, says President Trump expressed interest in the artisans who have been working on her 90,000 square-foot mansion as he continues construction on his new ballroom.

Siegel has famously been building her Florida palace since 2004. She and her late husband, Westgate timeshare magnate David Siegel, saw their saga captured first in a 2012 documentary (The Queen of Versailles) and later in a 2022 reality show (Queen of Versailles Reigns Again), charting how construction stalled during the 2008 crash and resumed years later once their fortune recovered.

Now, Siegel says her Versailles  one of the largest single-family homes in America, based on Frances Palace of Versailles and the top floors of Las Vegass Paris Hotel  is nearing completion, over 20 years after ground broke on the project.

She shared an exclusive first look at the homes opulent interior with The Independent  and with President Trump.

I showed this to the president, she said of the photo, which shows her main staircase leading down to the homes living room.

open image in gallery Jackie Siegel shared an exclusive first look at the nearly completed interior of her living room in Versailles ( Jackie Siegel )

So he says, I wanna come see your house, and maybe use some of my people for the ballroom, she said before adding, Im thinking of sharing some of my artisans if he wants to use them for the ballroom.

Siegel was referring to Trumps latest undertaking: a demolition of the White Houses East Wing, set to be replaced with a $300 million, 90,000 square-foot event space. Trumps decision to tear down the East Wing  which was added to the White House in 1942 and has served as office space for the first lady and her staff  has been met with widespread criticism.

Siegel is more optimistic about the renovation.

Well, you know, the thing is he really wants to  the White House is the People's House, she said.

He really wants to be able to do more events there and bring more people in  and hes paying for everything.

In actuality, its going to take several years. So hes not even gonna be able to enjoy the benefit of the ballroom at the White House. He's doing it for the future generations and the next president.

Hes doing it out of the goodness of his heart.

The Independent has approached the White House for comment.

open image in gallery Jackie Siegel speaks about the overdose deaths of her daughter and sister at the White House ( Reuters )

open image in gallery Trump greets Jackie Siegel at the White House for the Halt Fentanyl Act signing ( The White House )

Siegel is a long-time friend of mine, Trump said while introducing her at the White House in July. She was there, along with dozens of others, for the Halt Fentanyl Act bill signing.

Her life has been deeply affected by the drug epidemic; she lost her daughter, Victoria, to an overdose in 2015 at just 18 years old, and her sister, Jessica Mallery, to fentanyl-laced cocaine earlier this year.

Still, Siegel maintains that shes happy to work with whoever the American people elect to combat the drug epidemic.

I wanna consider myself like Switzerland, and save lives and just spread love, she said.
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A 19-year-old student at the University of California, Berkeley, has died in a suspected drowning during an off-campus fraternity pool party.

Emergency personnel responded to a call at around 11:30 p.m. about an unresponsive person who had possibly drowned. The Berkeley Fire Department arrived on the scene and transported the student to a hospital, where he was listed as being in a critical condition, but later died.

Police said more than 300 people were at the Friday night party at the Alpha Delta Phi house on Prospect Street, Berkeley, when the man was found unresponsive.

In a statement emailed to The Independent, Berkeley Police Department officer Byron White said: We extend our deepest condolences to the students family, friends, and the wider campus community. The harm felt by this tragic loss is profound.

The Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house in Berkeley, California ( Google )

Describing the incident, he added: On the night of the 911 call, officers found a large party underway at the fraternity, with an estimated attendance of more than 300 people. Officers observed conditions consistent with overcrowding and heavy alcohol consumption.

He said that as a result, the department had issued a civil notice of violation, relating to public nuisances during loud and unruly gatherings.

Berkeley Police Department said it doesnt suspect foul play, and also said it does not believe the incident was related to hazing  initiation rituals that humiliate, abuse, or endanger new members, often under the guise of building brotherhood. It is widely criticized as harmful and has been illegal in California since the death of a student in 2006.

However, the fraternity has been cited for overcrowding and noise violations, and its events permit has been revoked. Meanwhile, a separate case is being referred to the Alameda County District Attorneys Office for consideration of potential charges against the fraternitys safety coordinator.

UC Berkeley told The Independent: It is with immense sadness that we have learned from the Berkeley Police Department that a UC Berkeley student has passed away, after a drowning incident that occurred on the night of November 14, 2025 at a recognized fraternity located off-campus. We are saddened by this tragic news and wish to extend our condolences to this students family and friends.

They added: We wish to remind those on campus that counseling services are available.

The fraternity house is commonly referred to by students as Aquadelt because it is the only fraternity house in the area with a swimming pool, according to The LA Times.

A fraternity spokesperson told The Independent: Our hearts go out to the students family and friends. The individual is not a member of Alpha Delta Phi, however, the fraternity is working closely with the university and local authorities.

The fraternity suspended the chapter immediately following the initial reports. As this remains an active investigation, we do not have additional details to provide.
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A first-of-its-kind fentanyl conviction in Dallas County has been thrown out after it was discovered that the verdict was handed down by only 11 jurors, not the 12 required by the Texas Constitution, in a lapse so glaring the judge said it defies logic.

Richard Leal was convicted in April of manufacturing or delivering between four and 200 grams of fentanyl and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

But now the conviction has been tossed after there was no evidence in the trial transcript that a 12th juror ever existed, baffling many, WFAA reported. A felony jury trial conducted with fewer than 12 jurors violates the Texas Constitution.

It defies logic that neither the trial judge, nor the bailiff, nor the court reporter, nor either party noticed throughout the entire trial that the jury box was missing a twelfth juror, Fifth Court of Appeals Justice Mike Lee wrote for the court. Yet, the record demonstrates exactly that.

open image in gallery Richard Leal was arrested during a traffic stop in February 2023 after he was found with a gun, crack cocaine, marijuana, 57 blue pills of M-30 containing fentanyl, and methamphetamine tablets ( AFP via Getty Images )

Leal was arrested during a traffic stop in February 2023 after he was found with a gun, crack cocaine, marijuana, 57 blue pills of M-30 containing fentanyl, and methamphetamine tablets, according to a press release from the Dallas County District Attorneys Office.

He told police the cocaine was for personal use and that he distributed pills and bricks as samples for his people, Fox4News reported.

Leals case was the first fentanyl dealing case tried and sentenced in front of a Dallas County jury, the DAs office said. Now, the conviction has been thrown out.

In briefs to the appeals court, the DAs office argued that since Leals attorney did not object at jury selection when the trial court called the names of only 11 jurors, Leal had forfeited his complaint for review on appeal.

By failing to bring this issue to the courts attention, Appellant eliminated the courts opportunity to remedy the issue, if in fact there was a problem to remedy, the DAs brief said. Appellant also did not object to the trial proceeding with 11 jurors, if in fact, only 11 jurors were seated.

The appeals court disagreed, saying, The States assertion that Leal failed to preserve error for review by not objecting is without merit.
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A Kansas woman was gunned down on a front porch in the early hours after her boyfriend allegedly bombarded her with 18 phone calls in two minutes  furious that shed gone to a Halloween party he told her not to attend, according to newly released court documents.

The moments leading up to the November 1 killing of 20-year-old Ana Juarez in Kansas City, was detailed in an arrest affidavit released by Wyandotte County officials this week and obtained by Law&Crime.

Juarez was shot and killed just days before her November 4 birthday.

It must have been her crazy boyfriend, a witness said at the scene, a remark captured on police body-camera footage, according to the affidavit.

Juarezs boyfriend, 22-year-old Kevin Calamaco-Morales, was taken into custody and has been charged with first-degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm in her death.

open image in gallery Ana Juarez, 20, was shot and killed just days before her 21st birthday ( GoFundMe )

Officers were called to the 700 block of North 11th Street around 4:30 a.m. on November 1 for reports of a shooting, police said. They found Juarez on a front porch with a single gunshot wound to her lower back. She was taken to a hospital, where she died.

Witnesses told investigators Juarez had been at a Halloween party when Calamaco-Morales began blowing up her phone with calls and messages.

One partygoer said Juarez was declining the calls when Calamaco-Morales started shouting her name outside, according to the affidavit.

Friends described the relationship as toxic, telling police Calamaco-Morales disliked her going to house parties and kept tight control over her movements.

[The friend] stated that Ana told her that Kevin is controlling and always wants to know where she is at and what she is doing and tells her what she can and cant do, the affidavit says. Earlier in the week when [the friend] first asked Ana to come out for Halloween, Ana said Kevin wouldnt let her.

After learning where Juarez was that night, Calamaco-Morales allegedly unleashed a flurry of calls  18 in two minutes starting at 4:21 a.m.  and sent a string of texts and messages on social media.

You deada? he wrote in a Facebook message, later repeating, Deadaaa bro? He allegedly added, Ight bet, followed by, Youre out the fing house h a b.

open image in gallery Witnesses told investigators Ana Juarez had been at a Halloween party that he boyfriend Kevin Calamaco-Morales, told her not to go to when he began blowing up her phone with calls and texts ( Wyandotte County Detention Center )

Police say Calamaco-Morales went to the home where they party was being held, approached the porch and shot Juarez as she walked through the front door.

Multiple witnesses identified Calamaco-Morales as the suspect and he was arrested at his home that day.

A friend of the suspect told investigators that she thinks that Kevin is the shooter because of his attitude towards and with Ana and that she doesn't do what he wants. She has also seen him with guns before, according to the affidavit

Calamaco-Morales was booked into jail on a $500,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on December 16.
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A GOP congressmans staffer has been accused of staging an elaborate hoax in which she allegedly claimed to have been kidnapped by anti-Trump activists.

Natalie Greene, 26, allegedly tied her own limbs with zip ties in the woods, with the help of an accomplice, and wrote the words Trump w***e on her chest.

According to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office, District of New Jersey, Greene ordered her co-conspirator to contact law enforcement officers late at night on July 23, 2025, and to claim that they had been attacked by men who knew the staffer by name.

The co-conspirator also claimed the men had referenced Greenes employment by a man named in the press release as Federal Official 1.

Greene was found near a nature reserve near Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, 10 miles from Atlantic City, with her hands and feet bound by zip ties and with her shirt pulled over her head.

In addition to the words TRUMP W***E being written on her stomach, the phrase [Federal Official 1] IS RACIST was written on her back, according to the press statement.

open image in gallery Natalie Greene was found in the woods with zip ties around her limbs, before investigators discovered that she may have orchestrated the elaborate hoax ( United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey )

open image in gallery The woman was found with the words Trump W***e written across her torso ( United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey )

Greene told officers that her three attackers had threatened her with a gun. Days later, she received medical attention for laceration wounds, which were thought to have been caused by the zip ties.

However, an investigation, which included an FBI agent, found that the laceration marks had allegedly been deliberately cut into her face, neck, upper chest, and shoulder by a body modification artist.

Officers later recovered a proposed pattern for the scars, which Greene allegedly gave to the artist, according to the press statement. The criminal complaint filed against Greene claimed that she paid $500 for the painful procedure.

Investigators also found zip ties, similar to the ones used to bind Greenes limbs, inside her car. A search of her accomplices phone also found an internet search which read zip ties near me.

The U.S. Attorneys Office statement stated that Greene made her initial appearance in a federal court on November 19, 2025. She has since been released on a $200,000 unsecured bond, which came with undisclosed conditions.

open image in gallery Greene was found with extensive scarring and lacerations which she said were caused during her alleged kidnapping ( United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey )

open image in gallery Greene's injuries closely match a detailed set of plans which she gave to a body modification artist ( United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey )

Greene has been charged with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement.

According to CNN, GOP Representative Jeff Van Drews office confirmed that Greene worked there, although it is unknown whether his name was written on her body.

Todays news deeply saddens us, and while Natalie is no longer associated with the Congressmans government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her, Van Drews office said in a statement, seen by CNN. We hope shes getting the care she needs.

The Independent has contacted Van Drews office for further comment.
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A young South Carolina woman is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly trying to terminate her pregnancy during the third trimester, according to reports.

Jocelyn Byrum, 20, was arrested Monday and charged with attempted murder and unlawful neglect of a child after taking medication to try to end her pregnancy, WISTV reported.

Police in Rock Hill, a suburb 28 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina, were called to Byrums home on November 12 on a report of a woman experiencing a miscarriage.

Inside the home, police found Byrum, who was 27 weeks pregnant. She told police that she had taken medication to induce labor with the intention of ending her pregnancy.

Under South Carolina law, abortions are illegal after cardiac activity is detected, which is usually around six weeks into a pregnancy. Some exceptions allow the procedure to be done up to 12 weeks.

open image in gallery A South Carolina woman is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly trying to terminate her pregnancy well after state law permits abortion. ( Rock Hill Police Department )

Emergency responders quickly provided lifesaving aid to the newborn and brought the baby to the hospital for additional treatment, WYFF4 reported.

The baby was last reported to be in critical condition, according to WISTV.

Police said that Byrum did not give any aid or call for emergency services after giving birth.

She was arrested on Monday after warrants were issued for attempted murder and unlawful neglect of a child. She was denied bond during a Tuesday hearing.

Her arrest comes as South Carolina lawmakers consider more restrictions on the states already-strict rules on abortion. As the law stands, abortions are allowed up to six weeks, with exceptions allowing the procedure to be performed for up to 12 weeks in instances of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies or conditions threatening the life of the mother.

However, lawmakers on Tuesday discussed a near-total abortion ban that would strip away those exceptions  and put anyone involved with terminating a pregnancy in prison for decades, according to ABC News.

The measure is currently being debated by a state subcommittee. It would require several other legislative steps before it gets debated during the state legislatures regular session, according to the report.

The change could send people who have an abortion, or help someone else get one, to prison for up to 30 years.

The bill would also make it unlawful to possess abortion bills or provide information about an abortion, transport a minor out of state to get an abortion, change the definition of legal contraceptive and redefine embryos as full legal persons.

Opponents of the bill say it would be one of the strictest pieces of legislation limiting access to reproductive healthcare across the country.
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil was the first senior representative of the German ruling coalition to visit China (Maxim Shemetov)

Germany's finance minister said Thursday Beijing had made a "clear" commitment on ensuring rare earth supplies, following the first visit to China by a minister from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government.

Germany and China have long had deep economic ties, but those have frayed in recent times over issues ranging from claims of unfair trade practices to protectionism.

One particularly thorny issue has been China's moves to restrict exports of rare earths, crucial to many sectors worldwide from automotive to electronics.

But after wrapping up a visit to Beijing and Shanghai, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said he had received a "clear commitment from the Chinese side that there will be reliable access and supply chains for rare earths and critical raw materials, and that the Chinese side stands by this".

"This was a very important point, publicly committed to, and we will remind the Chinese side of this," added Klingbeil, who is also German vice chancellor, as he visited Singapore following his China trip.

China dominates the mining and processing of rare earths but has been tightening control over their export this year, against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, especially with Washington.

Beijing introduced sweeping new measures last month, before it agreed to suspend some export restrictions following talks between the US and Chinese presidents.

Manufacturers in Germany, Europe's industrial powerhouse, had been particularly hit by the export curbs.

The difficulties in the China-Germany relationship were illustrated last month when Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cancelled a visit to China at the last minute, saying that meetings with key officials could not be arranged.

But there are signs that both sides want to improve their crucial economic relationship, particularly as the United States pursues its "America first" agenda under President Donald Trump.

Klingbeil took part in an annual "financial dialogue" between German and Chinese officials in Beijing on his trip.

This had sent "a clear signal of German-Chinese cooperation", he said.

"That was my goal in coming here, and it worked well. I believe I was able to contribute to ensuring good German-Chinese relations."

sr/fz/sbk
A Lufthansa airline logo can be seen in front of one of the company's buildings. Andreas Arnold/dpa

Germany's Lufthansa Group on Thursday said it had officially expressed interest in acquiring a minority stake in Portuguese state airline TAP.

The Portuguese government wants to sell 44.9% of the airline, with Air France-KLM having already entered the bidding race and British Airways' parent company AIG said to be interested.

Potential investors can register until November 22, with bids due by April and a decision likely to be made next summer.

A further 5% of the shares are reserved for TAP employees, with the Portuguese state due to remain the majority shareholder with a stake just over 50%.

The Portuguese government sold a majority stake in TAP in 2015, but later took back complete control.

After five consecutive years of losses, the company has been in the black since 2022.

The airline has a strong presence on routes to Brazil and carried around 16 million passengers last year.

According to Lufthansa, the aim of the process is to acquire a minority stake initially and then establish a long-term partnership.

"Our goal is to strengthen Portugal's global connectivity, preserve TAP's Portuguese identity and ensure the airline's sustainable growth," said chief executive Carsten Spohr. Lisbon could be developed into the Lufthansa Group's Atlantic hub, he said.

Lufthansa has already taken over the state-owned airlines of Austria, Switzerland and Belgium and most recently acquired a minority stake in Italy's ITA Airways.
By Rashika Singh and Rae Wee

(Reuters) -Global technology shares rallied on Thursday after Nvidia's blow-out quarterly results signaled that demand for artificial intelligence hardware remains strong even as concerns of the historic boom outpacing fundamentals linger.

The chip bellwether's stellar results tempered some concerns over a potential AI bubble, although questions about the payoff from the massive spending boom remain.

Nvidia shares were up nearly 5% in premarket trading. If gains hold, the company will add about $243 billion to its market capitalization, which is more than the valuation of some of the major companies on the S&P 500 index, including PepsiCo, and Goldman Sachs.

Bullish spirit lifted many tech stocks around the world, with shares of U.S. chipmakers Advanced Micro Devices and Intel rising about 4.3% and nearly 2%, respectively. Arm Holdings, Micron Technology and Broadcom were also up about 3% each.

The European tech index climbed nearly 1%, with ASML gaining more than 1.5%.

U.S.-listed shares of Taiwan's TSMC jumped nearly 3%. Across Asia, SK Hynix closed up nearly 2% and Japan's Nikkei reclaimed the 50,000 mark as chip suppliers and AI-linked stocks surged.

Investors took heart after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed bubble concerns, calling demand "incredible" and noting bookings extend into 2026. "We see something very different from a fleeting hype cycle," he said, pointing to Nvidia's deep integration across cloud, enterprise and edge computing.

"Amid a swell of concern heading into this print, Nvidia delivered not just solid results and guidance, but a beat-and-raise that was even stronger than most had expected," J.P.Morgan analysts said.

"In our view, a testament to strong execution across Nvidia's vast and complex supply chain."

While some hailed the company's upbeat results as proof that the AI boom was intact, others worried about external risks tied to its customers' capex and financing, and challenges surrounding the build-out of data center capacity due to energy constraints and memory chip shortages.

Nvidia is also highly reliant on a handful of customers and the increasingly circular nature of some of its deals has raised concerns as AI startups struggle to turn big profit to justify billions of dollars in funding.

However, Nvidia's status as the face of the AI revolution has made it the only company in the world to cross the $5 trillion valuation mark, following a surge in its share price of more than 1,190% over the past three years.
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Eating outFlinders The Age Good Food Guide 2026: Best places to eat and drink in Merricks, Flinders and Point Leo On Melbournes doorstep, this picturesque pocket has plenty of drawcards  from cellar doors to polished fine diners and stunning produce  coupled with a slower pace. Emma Breheny November 20, 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

Every restaurant featured in The Age Good Food Guide 2026 in the Mornington Peninsula. See all stories .

Its not a long drive from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula, but that shouldnt stop you from breaking it up with a drink. At Social Club Balnarring, locals flock for craft beers and Pisco Sours under gum trees, the occasional live gig, and Latin American plates including anticuchos chicken skewers and

prawn tacos. Point Leo General Store is a five minutes walk from the beach. Simon Schluter General stores are fundamental to peninsula life, keeping towns caffeinated, holiday houses stocked, and teenagers sustained on pies and South Melbourne dim sims. Shoreham General Store is where youll go to buy cereal and dishwashing liquid, but you can also pick up Mumma Made relishes (crafted in nearby Dromana), and a great flat white. Flinders General Store encompasses a

boutique grocer, wine store, cafe and an everyday supermarket. Find ready-to-heat pies and lasagnes from Johnny Ripe, pantry fillers from local businesses such as Red Gum BBQ, fresh seafood, Tuerong Farm bread and more. Point Leo General Store  five minutes walk from the beach  is also great for supplies, but the real attraction is a flaky beef Bourguignon pie from Millers

Bread Kitchen. The Dromana bakery runs both businesses, handy for picking up pillowy cinnamon scrolls, loaves of bread and fuss-free lunch options after a swim. Flinders Sourdough oozes country charm, still using a Scotch oven to bake. Grab a Bakewell tart or a beach bun  dense with dried fruit, coconut and orange zest  and head to the shed opposite to enjoy. The cellar door at Quealy Wines in Balnarring.

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General stores are often your best bet for coffee but The Hidden Kitchen in Tootgarook is excellent if youre venturing further towards the peninsulas tip. In the opposite direction, Phase Two is a clean and bright space to sit down with a brew made using Commonfolk beans, roasted in Mornington. While Red Hill has the largest cluster of cellar doors, the peninsulas southern side holds pioneering Quealy, where you can taste refined pinot noirs and Italian grapes such as fiano, and Montalto, known for its chardonnays and syrahs paired with views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Pt Leo Estates sculpture park adds even more intrigue to the tasting experience. More central is crowd-pleaser TGallant, given a new lease on life after renovations in 2023, but still winning fans with its wood-fired pizza. Find carefully selected bottles from across Victoria at wine store and bar Plonk & Stink, where most budgets are catered to and you can stick around for cheese from local maker Boatshed while eavesdropping on local gossip. Nearly all of Barragundas produce is grown onsite. Arianna Harry Photography Beer nerds will feel seen at Devilbend Farm Beer Co, where seven varieties of hops are grown or beers ranging from a bitter-edged dark ale to citrus-forward West Coast IPA. The 33-hectare farm also raises beef, used for burgers, ragu and steaks in the tavern-like eatery. Sparky staff will happily answer questions

and find you a table.

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A Liberal Party veteran of more than two decades standing and promising preselection candidate has quit the party.

And he is set to defect to the Libertarian Party, two party sources have told CBD. Peter Angelico, a manufacturer of industrial equipment and president of the South Eastern Manufacturers Alliance, last month withdrew his nomination for the preselection race for the seat of Hastings, which Labor won off the Liberal Party at the last election by Strictly Ballroom star and local councillor Paul Mercurio.

Peter Angelico has quit the Liberal Party after 20 years. Credit: Penny Stephens

Angelico later resigned as a party member and is yet to formally announce his jump to the Libertarian Party Australia, run by David Limbrick. He declined to comment to CBD but is understood to be unhappy with the partys direction.

Young Liberals Frank Schiefler and Tyler Southwick, son of party elder David Southwick, are understood to be active in the preselection.
Additional charges including fraud and aiding the suicide of a 75-year-old Gold Coast man have been laid over an alleged illegal backyard euthanasia operation potentially linked to 20 deaths across Australia.

Three people were prosecuted after the death of a 43-year-old Hope Island man in April this year, when a post-mortem examination found he died of acute pentobarbitone toxicity  a veterinary drug used to kill animals.

Police alleged 53-year-old Brett Taylor from Main Beach ran a suicide business called End of Life Services, and set up a fake charity claiming to euthanise beached whales to obtain the drugs.

Veterinary euthanasia drugs were seized by police in their investigation into End of Life Services. Credit: Queensland Police Service

He was charged in September with a string of charges including two counts of aiding suicide and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying.
Suboptimal cap

In an imitation is the greatest form of flattery moment, Anthony Albanese has taken a leaf out of Donald Trumps sartorial playbook and worn an agenda-advertising baseball cap. Trumps cap sports MAGA; the PMs sports Australian Submarines over a logo of the British Royal Crown, which rests above the noses of two dolphins. Trumps message is patriotically crystal clear; Albaneses less so. Something about submarines, the Royal insignia, dolphins  and an Australian PM sporting an imperialist logo? Republicans and progressives would be aghast.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East Support the CSIRO

As a retired CSIRO scientist, the pending job cuts to Australias premier research agency is depressing to read about (CSIRO to slash hundreds of jobs, 19/11). Research is a highly creative activity  it produces new products, creates new jobs and new industries, increases productivity, and makes a large contribution to our economic growth and our overall national welfare. Australia has a proud history of innovation, but as a percentage of GDP, funding to CSIRO has declined by the factor of five over the past 40 years. Why is the federal government spending billions propping up ageing industries instead of supporting the research that will help solve problems and define and shape our future?

Robert Campbell, Brighton East Wherefore the scientists?

After acquiring my research training in a well-regarded US university, I then had the great honour of working for the CSIRO for 30 years. The organisation has been part of Australian life for almost 100 years, and, by weight of its local and global achievements, has won the respect and support of Australian and international audiences.

It is unimaginable and unforgivable that more than 1100 research jobs will soon have been cut from the organisation in little more than a year. By comparison, recent deep cuts at Harvard University were restricted to administrative staff, leaving faculty numbers untouched. The university recognises that it survives by the feats of its scientists.

Despite its many achievements, in recent decades the CSIRO has become too quick to pander to its bureaucrats and administrators at the expense of the research teams. For any serious research organisation, the primacy of its scientists should be paramount; they are the driving force behind its success. With its current strategy, the CSIRO will soon have offices replete with administrative staff but nary a scientist in sight.

Ken McColl, East Geelong Wrong priorities

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday that additional funding would be provided in the upcoming budget for the Victorian Suburban Rail Loop regardless of the fact that an analysis by Victorias own Parliamentary Budget Office having concluded that the cost to benefit of the project would be 60 to 70 cents for each dollar spent and despite the lack of any realistic business case.

A strange decision indeed, particularly when compared to its failure to protect the long-term financial stability of the CSIRO against rising costs outpacing its funding together with ignoring the CSIROs cost benefit return of $8 for ever $1 invested in it. Oh well, there is a Victorian election coming up and the Allan government is in trouble and needs help. Pity about the CSIRO though.

Brian Marshall, Ashburton Why the brain drain?

Professor David Foxs letter (20/11) about death-by-restructure at the CSIRO made for depressing reading. Australians have produced an amazing list of remarkable, indeed life-changing inventions. So why, for as long as I can remember, has there has been a brain drain from Australia? Why cant we keep our brightest and best here? Imagine the industries and wealth that could have been generated in and for our own country had our leaders had the vision and our populace the wit to invest in ourselves rather than with bookmakers and the like. Will we ever wake up?

Margaret Callinan, Hawthorn

Hypocrisy in action

After listening to the recent speech by Anthony Albanese at the presentation of the Prime Ministers Science Awards, I was shocked to learn of the CSIRO job cuts. Albanese talked about the importance of scientific research and how well Australia had done in this area. Government funding should match its rhetoric. In the light of recent announcements that speech now reeks of hypocrisy.

Dianne Jones, St Albans Park Redirect funding

It is with great sadness that I read about the CSIRO sackings. How shortsighted to be depriving it of funding. This sounds like something that would happen in Donald Trumps America, not here. I can think of many, many places I would like to redirect the governments funding back to the CSIRO. Their subsidies on foreign miners petrol excise to start.

Kylie Marty, Northcote Food for thought

The article Half of what Australians eat is ultra-processed. Its making us sick (20/11) should be a wake-up call for all of us. These foods, perhaps they should be called fake foods, might be rich in fats and/or sugars and thereby calories, but they do not contain sufficient fibre, vitamins and minerals that our adult bodies need to thrive, and what babies (before and after birth) need to develop properly. These foods are making us sick. Australians are suffering from what is increasingly being called high-calorie malnutrition. Ideally, manufacturers of these products would have to prove that their products are safe, before they appear on our supermarket shelves. Perhaps they can spend some of their advertising budgets on evaluating the safety of their products?

John Frederick Bertram, Thornbury Welcome, Barmy Army

It is fantastic to have the Barmy Army here for what promises to be an absorbing Ashes campaign. It is only fitting that Cricket Australia should reward them with Bay 13 for the Boxing Day Test. The Barmy Army is made up of patriotic Test match purists and their proposed tribute to Warnie will reflect the respect they have for Shane Warne and the game. We should certainly embrace their attendance on our shores.

Noel Butterfield, Eltham Caring for vulnerable

The federal governments temporary funding bailout for coHealth (Community health centre stays open, 20/11) is welcome but it ignores the major structural issue of funding for the care of our most vulnerable patients. A GP treating a Brighton billionaire for complex disease receives as much as a GP caring for a patient with similar disease who doesnt speak English, has minimal understanding of health and disease, is from a different culture, and feels isolated in a strange country. It is four years since we suggested to Health Minister Mark Butler that adjusting GP payments to take account of socio-economic status is feasible and fair. Nothing we have heard suggests that such changes will occur, despite the fact that morbidity and mortality clearly correlate with such status.

Dr Tim Woodruff, president, Doctors Reform Society, Richmond

We need to lead

Many have asserted that because our carbon emissions are 1 per cent of the total world emissions, we can be a follower on greenhouse gas reduction. Yet our emissions per head are behind only Saudi Arabia as the highest emitter on the planet, among medium to large countries. (Thats emissions from our domestic economy, not counting exports). As a large emitter, we need to show leadership in reductions so that others feel obliged to follow our example. But our efforts have been insufficient. Although Europes emissions per head are less than half Australias, our rate of reduction has been much less than Europe and even the US. We can and must do better  our contribution in the battle against global warming does matter.

Malcolm Faul, Hawthorn Crisis, what crisis?

The opposition treats net zero like Bazball; a jolly jape, not an existential crisis.

Greg Curtin, Nunawading Credit: Matt Golding

AND ANOTHER THING Leadership

The Victorian Liberal Party has a new leader. As an analogy, the Liberal forest has a new sapling in charge. Will she clear out some of the deadwood before she is cut down?

Ian Holton, Yarraville The 2026 election will be a fight between two female leaders  or will it? Twelve months is a very long time for Liberal leaders.

Ray Way, Blackburn South If the best Victorian Labor can come up with is breathtakingly inexperienced to describe Jess Wilson, how about breathtakingly incompetent to describe the state government?

Robert Wilson, Jan Juc I hope that Jess Wilsons oft-repeated line in the sand can withstand the rough seas of state politics. We need the opposition to operate effectively in parliament to ensure that the government is held to account.

Sue Peterken, Berwick

Better Australian values than Liberal values. Australia rejected them at the last election.

Philip West, Jan Juc Barnaby Joyce can do it, Bob Katter can do it. Why cant Anthony Albanese wear a proper hat rather than an American hand-me down?

John Crossley, Oakleigh Science

The causes of flooding at the Rivervue Retirement Village include climate change, according to the ombudsman (20/11). Note to those who say that net zero is too expensive: the growing climate crisis is costing much more.

John Hughes, Mentone We need CSIRO more than we need AUKUS.

Marie Nash, Balwyn The CSIRO, one of our outstanding institutions, should be hiring not firing.

Bryan Lewis, St Helena
The introduction of Australian-first underquoting laws faces a fight from some within the real estate sector, as supporters of the change argue only dodgy agents have anything to fear.

In a landmark reform to be introduced in parliament next year to combat rampant underquoting in Victoria, the state government will require sellers to disclose the minimum price they would accept a week before the scheduled sale.

Several major real estate chains signalled they were cautious or opposed the move, predicting varied unintended consequences.

They said there could be cases of overquoting, where home owners would name a higher reserve price than they would be actually willing to sell for and then negotiate if the property passed in.
The owners of Western Australias largest gold mine have been topping up childcare workers salaries and subsidising their rent to prevent those workers leaving their job for a highly paid mining gig.

Northern Star, which owns the Kalgoorlie Super Pit gold mine, have been running the scheme for more than three years.

Northern Stars KCGM Super Pit mine in Kalgoorlie. Credit: Hamish Hastie

The company gives The Y childcare centre money to top up annual salaries by about $10,000 to $15,000, and provide rental subsidies to ease housing costs and keep workers in their roles.

Northern Stars KCGM growth general manager Nick Strong said attracting and retaining new families was tough if they didnt have good access to childcare.
Labors candidate for the Hinchinbrook byelection says he is ashamed of his behaviour at a polling booth, after a secret recording showed him threatening to take out an LNP volunteer during an altercation on Wednesday.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie used parliamentary privilege to accuse Maurie Soars of threatening to kill the volunteer at a north Queensland polling booth.

During question time on Thursday, Bleijie said the former Townsville councillor pushed the young volunteer.

Im just further advised that Mr Maurie Soars has just denied those allegations when asked by the media in the Hinchinbrook byelection, he said.
Washington: US President Donald Trump says he will start working on resolving the war in Sudan after a request from Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an indication the US may deepen its involvement in a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.

Trump, who claims to have ended several wars since returning to office and has openly lobbied for the Nobel Peace Prize, admitted the conflict wasnt on my charts before his conversation with the crown prince.

US President Donald Trump with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Saudi investment forum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. Credit: AP

His majesty would like me to do something very powerful having to do with Sudan, Trump told US and Saudi business leaders in Washington, DC, during a joint appearance with Prince Mohammed, who is visiting the US.

It was not on my charts to be involved in that  I thought it was just something that was crazy and out of control. But I just see how important it is to you and to a lot of your friends in the room.
Nazrin Abdul

Azerbaijan continues to play a prominent role in global climate diplomacy even after transferring its COP presidency to Brazil. Owing to the trust it built among countries during COP29 and the preparatory phase for COP30, several important missions within the COP process have been entrusted to Baku, Azernews reports.

Under the Baku Finance Goal adopted at COP29, Azerbaijan and Brazilserving as COP29 and COP30 presidentsjointly prepared the Roadmap from Baku to Belem outlining steps to scale up global climate finance to USD 1.3 trillion. The document was presented within the COP30 framework and has been widely welcomed and positively evaluated by most participating states.

Additionally, at Brazils request, Azerbaijan has been tasked with leading negotiations and coordinating two key decisions expected to be adopted at COP30:

COP30 President Andre do Lago has authorized Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Brazils Special Envoy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mauricio Lyrio to conduct high-level negotiations on determining the host country for COP31.

Australia and Turkiye are currently competing to host the conference. Azerbaijani and Brazilian negotiators are actively mediating between the two sides in an effort to reach a consensus.

One of the most critical potential outcomes of COP30the agreement on the Global Stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreementhas also been assigned to Azerbaijan and Norway. COP30 President Andre do Lago has mandated representatives of both countries to lead the negotiations.

The talks are co-chaired by Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Norways Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, who are working to build agreement among participating states.
By Renee Maltezou

ATHENS (Reuters) -China's controlling stake in the Greek port of Piraeus, one of the largest in Europe, is not for sale, the Chinese embassy in Greece said, denouncing comments by newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Greece Kimberly Ann Guilfoyle.

China's state-run COSCO, one of the country's largest port and shipping conglomerates, holds a 67% stake in Piraeus port, a hub on the trade route connecting Europe, Africa and Asia. It finalised the purchase in 2016, at the height of Greece's debt crisis.

The U.S. administration of Donald Trump is seeking to weaken China's grip on global ports and has touted Greece as a European energy hub.

"It's very important... to have American infrastructure here to help support the region, to perhaps in fact enhance output from other ports and areas to balance against the Chinese influence with the port of Piraeus," Guilfoyle said in an interview with Greek ANT1 TV late on Friday.

"I think there are ways around it... whether you pursue a path of enhancing output in other areas or perhaps that Piraeus could be for sale."

In a rare statement, the Chinese embassy denounced any question of a sale in a post on X late on Wednesday saying Guilfoyle's remarks were "groundless attacks" and the Greek-Chinese ties cannot be influenced by third parties.

"The United States, with selfish intentions, is inciting Greece to terminate its contractual obligations and sell the port," an embassy spokesperson said in the post, adding that the U.S. displayed a "Cold War mentality".

The port "must in no way fall victim to the geopolitical confrontation", it added.

The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. is keen to bolster its presence in Greece as it seeks to increase energy exports across Europe to counter Russian influence. It has expressed interest in acquiring stakes in smaller ports. An updated defence agreement between the two countries extends U.S. access to military facilities in Crete and on the mainland.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Edward McAllister and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Market volatility has returned in 2025, and investors are taking another look at how their portfolios are set up. The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) is up 18.3% year to date as defensive stocks draw more attention. The appeal is straightforward because homes and businesses need electricity in any economy, which supports steady revenue even when markets are unsettled.

AES (AES) fits this backdrop as a high-yield pick with a 5.1% annual dividend yield. The Arlington, Virginia-based utility reported third-quarter 2025 results on Nov. 3 that showed a 30.6% rise in diluted earnings per share from the prior year, helped by new renewable projects and updated rates at its Indiana and Ohio utilities.

More News from Barchart

Can a utility stock with a 5% yield and high-single-digit earnings growth projections reliably stabilize a portfolio during the next downturn? Lets examine this further.

AES Has a Strong Financial Pulse

Lately, AES, which runs a network of power plants and energy storage sites, has increased effort in renewable energy and long-term deals with big-name companies.

The companys stock has done well over the last year, rising just over 8% in the year to date.

www.barchart.com

Many see these gains as proof that people trust the companys push toward cleaner energy and steady profits. The current forward price-earnings ratio is 6.31x, much lower than the sectors 19.46x, which makes the shares look affordable for those who want value.

AES stands out for its dividends, too. Right now, it has a dividend yield of 5.1%, which is much better than the utility sector average of 3.75%.

Financial results for the third quarter of 2025 back up this story. The companys net income hit $517 million, up $302 million from last year, thanks to better tax results, more earnings from new renewable projects, and new rates at its Indiana and Ohio utilities. Adjusted EBITDA climbed to $830 million, up $132 million, and adjusted EPS reached $0.75.

The companys growth came mostly from its clean energy and utility businesses, held back just a bit by selling off AES Brasil. With annual sales at $12.28 billion and net income at $1.68 billion, AES shows it has a steady balance sheet and is able to keep growing earnings in a reliable way.

The Strategic Engines Driving AES Forward

AES just finished the first part of its Bellefield project, which will eventually be the countrys largest solar-plus-storage site. Bellefield 1, built under a 15-year deal with Amazon (AMZN), brings 1,000 MW online by combining solar power and batteries. Each part adds 500 MW of solar and 500 MW of storage.
Terror link: From Al Falah University to Red Fort





NEW DELHI :

Dr Umar assembled bomb in Red Fort parking: Sources

SOURCES in a major revelationin Delhi blast case on Wednesday claimed that the accused Dr Umar Muhammad assembled the explosives in a public parking space near the Red Fort. The Hyundai i20 involved in the explosion was being driven by Dr Umar Muhammad, a resident of Koil village in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. The explosion occurred on November 10 near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station. The Haryana-registered Hyundai i20 suddenly exploded, sending shockwaves through the high-security area. The investigation was focused on key questions surrounding the three crucial hours Umar spent in the Red Fort parking lot. During those three hours, was Umar talking on the phone?

Did he meet anyone in Delhi or Faridabad? Was the area around the Red Fort part of a reconnaissance plan? Was he waiting for the peak hour when the crowd would be at its maximum? -- such questions are still being investigated. Records show that the car entered the Red Fort parking lot at 3.19 p.m. and exited at 6.22 p.m. During this, Umar did not get out of the car even once. The bomber was in contact with his handlers as he entered the blast area, as the investigative sources revealed that the net activity was heightened in the area throughout the day. However, Umar and his associates had not considered that it was a Monday and the Red Fort was closed to the public. The parking lot was mostly deserted. Consequently, the plan to detonate a blast in the parking area was abandoned, sources said.

Siddiqui received Rs 415 cr dishonestly generated funds

NEW DELHI,

Nov 19 (PTI)

A DELHI court on Wednesday sent Al Falah group chairperson Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui to ED custody for 13 days even as the agency claimed that he had incentives to flee India as his close family members are settled in the Gulf. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Siddiqui on Tuesday night after conducting day-long searches against the group, linked persons and the Faridabad-based Al Falah University, which is at the focus of investigation in the November 10 Delhi blast case that killed 15 persons and injured several others. The federal probe agency also informed the court that Siddiqui received funds of at least Rs 415 crore generated dishonestly from students of educational institutes run by his trust. He was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan at her residence close to midnight. The proceedings lasted till 1 am. The judge said, After carefully considering the submission made, I am of the considered view that all the compliances under Section 19 of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) have been done. Considering the gravity of the offence and that the investigation is at nascent stage, I deem it appropriate that the accused is granted ED custody remand for a period of 13 days (till Dec 1), the judge ordered. The ED had sought a 14-day custody. The universitys role emerged during probe into a white-collar terror module in which 10 people, including three doctors, have been arrested by the NIA and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
7 Maoists killed, 50 arrested





AMARAVATI :

A DAY after six Maoists were gunned down at Maredumilli in Andhra Pradesh, seven more died in another exchange of fire in the vicinity on Wednesday and 50 CPI (Maoist) cadres were arrested across five districts in a coordinated Intelligence-led operations, police said. Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada, Mahesh Chandra Laddha, ADGP, Intelligence said three women were among those died on Wednesday. In continuation with Tuesdays operation, seven Maoists have died until now (on Wednesday), according to information received from the field, Laddha said, adding that todays operation occurred about 7 km away from the initial exchange of fire (EOF) site on Tuesday.

According to the senior officer, the seven Maoists were killed around 7 am on Wednesday at Maredumilli in Alluri Sitaramaraju district. Even as the identification of the slain Maoists is underway, Laddha said one of them was identified as Meturi Jokha Rao alias Tech Shankar. Shankar, a native of Srikakulam, was in-charge (CCM) for Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) and had specialised in technical operations such as arms manufacturing and communication, the official said, based on preliminary information.

According to Laddha, Shankar had been in the Maoist movement for about 20 years and continuous security operations compelled him to move. Further, Laddha noted that Shankar, a native of Srikakulam, would have probably come to the southern State to revive the movement. Following Hidmas killing, we launched a coordinated Intelligence-driven operations across five districts and apprehended 50 CPI (Maoist) cadres, said ADGP Laddha.

The operation was carried out across Krishna, Eluru, NTR, Kakinada and Konaseema districts, including Vijayawada City in a silent, synchronised manner, he said. Police said that the arrested cadres belonged to different ranks within the Maoists, including special zonal committee members, divisional committee members, area committee members and regular party members operating across the south Bastar-Dandakaranya region. According to Laddha, this is one of the most extensive operations undertaken in recent years, resulting in the arrest of 50 Maoist operatives from multiple districts.

Personnel from the State Intelligence Department, Special Investigation Branch (SIB), district police units and the Vijayawada Commissionerate took part in the crackdown following inputs on the Maoists movement. Laddha said that many cadres fled from Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur and West Bastar districts in Chhattisgarh due to sustained security pressure and they were arrested in Andhra Pradesh. Police recovered 39 weapons, 302 rounds of ammunition, detonators, cordtex wire, communication devices and Rs 13 lakh in cash from various locations during the searches.

The ADGP observed that three special zonal committee members and several divisional committee members were among the arrested cadres, marking a significant leadership collapse within the Maoist structure. The operation prevented their reorganisation attempts and dealt a major blow to Maoist networks operating between Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, he added. The entire operation was executed with silent precision, ensuring no cadre escaped and no civilian was harmed, SIB chief PHD Ramakrishna said. On Tuesday, six Maoists, including top Naxal commander Madvi Hidma, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in the forested area of Maredumilli mandal. Chhattisgarh Police described Hidmas death as the final nail in the coffin of the insurgency, who had masterminded several attacks over the last two decades.

Hidma headed the Maoists Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, the strongest military formation of the outfit in Dandakaranya, which spans parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Maharashtra, apart from Bastar, for several years, officials said.
all set to start indigenous prodn of 125-mm anti-tank ammunition





By Ashish Rajput :

Ordnance Factory Khamaria (OFK) has achieved a major milestone by successfully completing the indigenised production of 125-mm anti-tank ammunition under the ambitious Mango Project. The factory is now gearing up to send its first pilot batch of the ammunition to Balasore firing range in Odisha, where field trials are expected to take place next month.

According to sources, the pilot lot will be dispatched by the end of this month. If the ammunition clears the trials, OFK is prepared to begin full-scale production of the indigenous version within just one month. This is expected to significantly boost the Indian Armys self-reliance in critical defence equipment. Mango Project will open up an additional annual production opportunity worth nearly Rs 500 crore for OFK.

This is also expected to drastically reduce Indias import dependence, as the country has been procuring 20,000 to 30,000 rounds of this ammunition from Russia every year. OFK has already received an indent to produce 24,000 rounds annually amounting to Rs 500 crore. The Mango Project began on August 29, 2016, when OFK launched production of 125-mm anti-tank ammunition based on Fin Stabilized Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) technology, in collaboration with Russia.

The first two phases involved Semi Knock Down (SKD) and Complete Knock Down (CKD) production, where components were assembled with the assistance of Russian experts. In the third phase, OFK took a major leap by starting fully indigenous production without foreign technical support. The project has been divided among three facilities Ordnance Factory Khamaria, HEPF Trichy and Ordnance Factory Bhandara. While OFK has successfully completed indigenisation process, work is still underway at Trichy and Bhandara.

With this achievement, OFK is set to play a key role in strengthening Indias defence manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on imports, marking a significant step towards true self-reliance in ammunition production.
ATS probe finds minors scanning dark web for weapons, linking with foreign handlers





Raipur :

Fresh findings in the ongoing investigation into the minors-linked ISIS influenced digital module in Chhattisgarh have startlingly revealed wider external exposure and high-risk online activity. A senior official of the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS), a specialised unit of the State Polices Intelligence Wing (SIW), told The Hitavada on condition of anonymity that one of the group chats accessed during the inquiry contained Instagram IDs spanning several foreign countries and multiple Indian states.

According to the official, this pattern indicated that the minors had been interacting within a digital ecosystem far beyond earlier assessments. The official stated that one of the minors had also begun attempting to learn Arabic in order to establish direct communication with overseas handlers. The ATS recovered browsing logs showing the minor repeatedly accessing Arabic learning tools and attempting to decode Arabic content circulating in restricted chat rooms.

According to the official, this behaviour suggested an effort to communicate independently with foreign sources without relying on intermediaries. The most concerning element, the official revealed, surfaced when the ATS technical team detected dark web trails on one of the devices. The browsing patterns showed searches related to weapon prices, procurement methods and logistics linked with illegal online markets.

The official said this activity was immediately treated as a high-risk indicator because it suggested early-stage attempts to explore illegal arms access. He added that these trails have been escalated for deeper forensic review. According to the ATS official, the investigation has also established evidence of the minors being exposed to more than one foreign handler. Earlier findings had identified contact with a Pakistan-linked digital source, but the latest analysis of communication logs showed multiple external points of origin.

The official said these interactions varied in form, including encrypted messages, restricted media drops and specialised chat segments. These developments add to the earlier discovery that one of the minors had created an Instagram group titled ISIS Raipur and attempted to recruit peers into controlled chat clusters. ATS officials had previously examined material indicating radical content exposure, instructions related to sensitive locations and tasks linked with Operation Sindoor.

The expanded probe has now incorporated cross-border digital forensics and inputs from central intelligence agencies to determine whether any actionable threat was progressing beyond the online domain. The ATS official said the investigation remains active and that all seized digital material is undergoing layer-by-layer examination. Findings related to foreign communication loops, dark web activity and multi-country contacts will be sent to the competent authorities after the forensic review is completed.
Eradication of Naxalism will soon be realised: CM





Raipur :

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday said that it has been nearly two years since the states security forces have been engaged in a decisive battle against Naxal insurgents with determination and that the Naxal movement is nearing its end and is counting its last breaths. Addressing the media Sai emphasised that State is benefitting from the strong coordination and leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party Government at the Centre.

He expressed confidence that the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to completely eradicate Naxalism will soon be realised. Referring to the electricity relief initiative, the Chief Minister informed that extensive discussions were held on Tuesday in the old Assembly building, which stood for 25 years as a symbol of the peoples faith and aspirations. During the session, a decision that the limit under the Half Electricity Bill scheme has been increased from 100 units to 200 units.

Sai said that the revised policy will provide substantial relief to a large section of consumers. Those who do not fall under this scheme will be benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Muft Yojana. Under the programme, the Government of India will provide a subsidy of 30,000 per kilowatt, while the state government will contribute 15,000. Consequently, consumers will receive nearly three-fourths of the total installation cost as subsidy. The remaining amount will have to be borne by the beneficiaries, and the associated loan will be repaid within a few years.

Thereafter, beneficiaries will be able to use electricity free of cost and even sell the surplus power generated. On the release of the 21st installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Chief Minister Sai described the day as auspicious for farmers across Chhattisgarh and the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from Coimbatore, transferred 18,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of nine crore farmers across India under the scheme. In Chhattisgarh, 24.7 lakh farmers received 494 crore.

Extending his felicitations to all beneficiary farmers, Sai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for their continued commitment to farmers welfare.
Institutions like NITs are vital in creating model digital villages





NEW DELHI :

STATING higher technical educational institutions like National Institute of Technology (NITs) can develop easy technological solutions, teach digital skills to people and work with industries to provide better facilities in villages, President Draupadi Murmu has said such institutions can play a crucial role in creating model digital villages. Speaking at the fifth convocation ceremony of the NIT Delhi at New Delhi on Wednesday, the President said we are moving forward with confidence towards the goal of a developed India.

This commitment is not limited to economic progress, but also encompasses inclusive development, technological advancement, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Mentioning that the Government initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, Start-up India, Skill India, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan show that, with public participation, India is rapidly progressing towards its goal, the President said that the objective of all these national efforts is to build an India where every citizen enjoys equal opportunities and dignity, and where conducive environment is available for nurturing of individual talent.

Advising the NIT students to keep learning, continue research, and find innovative ways, she said that they should show courage in developing new technologies. Urging the students to remember that the measure of true progress is not just invention, but the positive impact it has on society, the President said that graduating students are now vital members of Indias scientific and technological workforce. She said that whether they develop sustainable energy systems, create accessible technology, or find solutions for rural and underprivileged communities, their thoughts and actions should reduce inequalities and bring new hope to peoples lives.

She expressed confidence that they will make NIT Delhi and India proud with their work. Appreciating that NIT Delhi has established itself at national level in a short span of time, the President noted that this institute is focusing on modern infrastructure and academic excellence. She stated that by promoting multidisciplinary education, innovation, research, collaboration with enterprises, and skill-based learning, the institute is equipping students to meet the needs of the future.

She asked the start-up center established by Delhi NIT to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, providing students and faculty with the necessary resources, guidance, and networking opportunities for their start-ups. Noting that an Incubation Center is also being established here, providing necessary facilities and expert guidance to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses, she expressed confidence that such efforts will empower students and foster a culture of self-employment.
killed, four critical in Scorpiotruck collision near Masura toll plaza





KONDAGAON :

At least six people were killed and four others critically injured when a packed sport utility vehicle (SUV), carrying 13 passengers, collided with a stationary truck near the Masura toll plaza late Tuesday night. The victims, all residents of Bade Dongar village, were returning home after watching the film Maati in Kondagaon.

The accident occurred around midnight when the Scorpio SUV rammed into the parked truck. The impact was severe, leaving the SUVs front portion completely mangled. Three occupants died on the spot. According to police sources, the injured were initially rushed to Kondagaon District Hospital. They were later referred to the Medical College Hospital in Jagdalpur, where three more succumbed to their injuries during the night.

Police confirmed the dead bodies have been sent for postmortem. Five of the six deceased have been identified as Lakhan Madvi, Bhupendra Madvi, Rupesh Madvi, Nutan Manjhi, and Shatrughan Manjhi, all aged between 25 and 35. The identity of one body is yet to be established. Four other passengers sustained grievous injuries and remain critical, undergoing specialised care in Jagdalpur.

A villager told media that all 13 occupants belonged to two families who had traveled together for watching the movie, plunging the people of Bade Dongar into deep mourning. Local residents have long raised concerns about congestion and safety hazards near the Masura toll plaza. They allege that unauthorised makeshift eateries and food stalls operate on both sides of the road, despite regulations prohibiting commercial activity within 500 meters of a toll gate.

Residents claim these stalls often force vehicles to halt abruptly, increasing accident risk, especially at night. Police have registered a case against the truck driver and initiated an inquiry to determine the exact circumstances, including whether negligence or improper parking contributed to the fatal crash.
Natural outcry





THE global outcry against the death sentence to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Ms. Sheikh Hasina by the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal is only natural. Given the method, mode and manner in which the Bangladesh judiciary is being dominated by the ruling crowd in the country makes it clear that transparent justice is never possible to anybody, let alone the political opponents. The United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, has opposed the death penalty to Ms. Sheikh Hasina on the ground that the world body as part of its avowed policy of opposing death penalty in all circumstances. However, scores of other people in important positions -- including a hundred journalists the world over -- have insisted that such method of justice defies the core value of transparency and therefore the death penalty to Ms. Sheikh Hasina is not acceptable.

On its part, India has chosen to keep a non-committal watch on what is happening in Bangladesh, and has refused to extradite the ousted Prime Minister from its asylum. This stand is consistent with Indias position as regards the happenings in Bangladesh for the past some time. Since the hounding out of Ms. Sheikh Hasina from prime ministership of Bangladesh over a year ago by a rogue crowd, India has maintained that any action defying principles of democracy would never get New Delhis support. Even though India is concerned about protecting its interests in Bangladesh, New Delhi has refused to accept the change in that country -- obviously on grounds that a fundamentalist crowd and regime cannot throw out democratically-elected Prime Minister. Since the ouster of Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is being run by fundamentalist elements that have put forth a respectable personality like Prof. Mohammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize winner. No matter the high intellectual reputation Prof.

Yunus enjoys, he is being treated by the whole world as an American stooge who has been pitchforked into a critical top position by forces of fundamentalism -- backed allegedly by the United States Deep State (read secret service). The fundamentalist crowds in Bangladesh threw out Ms. Sheikh Hasina and then went on a rampage to pull down the statue of Bangladesh liberator Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman and every other possible symbol of the memory of the freedom struggle of the country -- in the process annoying India and other countries. Among the negative outcomes of these pseudo-political developments is that Prof.

Yunus has begun hobnobbing with powers such as China. He is also establishing certain closeness with Pakistan (of which Bangladesh was part just fifty years ago). He has also been talking against Indias interests as if he is taking some revenge against the powerful neighbour. The diplomatic hobnobbings by Prof. Yunus look directly opposed to Indian interests -- sending alarm to New Delhi. Various actions by Bangladesh in the past one year appear as security and strategic threats to India. Hence the alarm in New Delhi. India is now watching the developments in Bangladesh out of that concern about its strategic interests as well.

The International Crimes Tribunals decision to give death penalty to Ms. Sheikh Hasina, therefore, is being viewed as something untoward -- within Bangladesh and in the larger world. Though Ms. Sheikh Hasina is out of bounds for Bangladesh, the ruling group there must reconsider the death penalty to the ousted Prime Minister -- and call for elections by way of which democracy could return to the troubled State. The widespread protests against the death sentence demonstrate that Ms. Sheikh hasina still holds sway in Bangladesh and cannot be kept aside by a rogue crowd by heaping injustice on her and the country. The Bangladesh authorities -- with whatever moral authority they have -- must reconsider the death penalty and initiate a democratic process to get started in the country at the earliest. That appears to be the only way out.
NCP (Ajit Pawar) finds itself isolated NCP (Sharad Pawar) restructured itself, joined hands with other smaller parties





By Vikas Vaidya :

Though no alliance constituents have joined hands for upcoming Nagar Panchayat and Municipal Council polls in all places, they are contesting some seats jointly. But, in all, nobody has allied with Ajit Pawar faction of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), an indicator that the party is isolated post-Parth Pawar and the judgement regarding senior party leader Nawab Malik.

A lot of hype is being made inside political circles and outside it that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is keeping Shinde Sena group at a distance. In fact, a strong reaction came when Maharashtra Government gave management of Balasaheb Thackeray Smarak Trust to Uddhav Thackeray. Everyone said, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis did it deliberately to sideline the Deputy Chief Minister and Sena Shinde chief Eknath Shinde. But it proved to be joint strategy of both groups to woo the voters for BMC polls, the most important one in State. This will surely hit the sentiments of Shiv Sena followers.

At some places, BJP supported Shinde Sena group or at least fielded not-so formidable candidate against them.. It did not do the same with its third constituent led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. No party attempted to make it an ally in any place in Nagpur district. Apart from the scam that is haunting NCP, it did not endeavour to strengthen itself in Vidarbha. In Nagpur, on the last occasion, Prashant Pawar, its city President openly expressed his feelings as to they are being sidelined by their own ministers. He was removed from the Presidentship. Similarly, for the same reason, Baba Gujar, the District President resigned. He was accommodated in the State body but that failed to soothe his feelings about partys functioning. On the other hand, the Sharad Pawar group restructured itself in every region. It surely suffered setback in Assembly polls, but it fared better in Lok Sabha. In local body polls, their top leaders in Nagpur region viz former minister Anil Deshmukh and Ramesh Bang distributed the responsibilities. Except Kamptee, to some extent, this group is doing well in all other talukas. Youth leader of NCP Sharad Pawar group Shailendra Tiwari said, Our leader Pawarsaheb asked us to rebuild everything without giving much thought to who left. We focussed on who are with us right now. Apart from compromising with our own constituents, we have tried to join hands with several smaller parties like Republican groups, Aam Aadmi Party, Vanchit Bahujan, Gondwana Gantantra Party, etc. This has strengthened our position. District President of NCP Sharad Pawar group Pravin Kunte said, We are focussed on our restructuring which we did. We were ready to go solo or with our constituents. There is no miscommunication, misunderstanding, differences among our constituents and within party. We are very clear in our approach, and that helped us to take decisions during the current polls.
No provision for EVMs in law, claims petitioner; HC for ECs fresh affidavit





Staff Reporter :

The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) found itself on the defensive on Wednesday after the petitioners counsel informed the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court that the local body laws in the State do not contain any provision allowing the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This argument came in response to the SECs affidavit, in which the Commission claimed that Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were not mandatory for local body polls and were also not technically feasible to use at present.

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, on Wednesday, directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) to file an additional affidavit by Thursday, after questions were raised about the legal validity of using EVMs in local body elections without Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. The hearing was conducted before Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas. The matter was argued for nearly an hour, during which the petitioners counsel strongly objected to the SECs stand. In its earlier affidavit, the SEC had claimed that the use of VVPAT machines was not mandatory for local body elections and that it was not technically feasible to use them at present. However, the petitioners counsel argued that the issue was not only about VVPAT but also about the use of EVMs itself. They told the court that none of the local body laws in Maharashtra mention the use of EVMs. According to them, the existing Acts only refer to ballot papers.

The counsel said, the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965, the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, and the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1959 all contain provisions only for ballot papers in elections. Since there are no rules or amendments permitting the use of EVMs, the SEC cannot conduct local body elections using EVMs, they argued. The petitioner also submitted that their main request is that the elections be conducted only through ballot papers. The petition was filed by Congress National Secretary Prafulla Gudadhe Patil, who challenged the SECs decision to conduct the elections without VVPAT machines.

According to him, holding elections without VVPAT violates the voters constitutional right to verify whether their vote has been recorded correctly. He claimed that the SEC had verbally announced its decision not to use VVPAT machines during a press conference in Nashik on August 5, 2025. The petition further stated that an RTI reply confirmed that no official written order exists regarding this important decision. The petitioner also referred to the Supreme Court judgment in Subramanian Swamy vs Election Commission of India (2013), where the court had called VVPAT an essential element of free and fair elections.

Therefore, the petitioner argued that using EVMs without VVPAT is against transparency and violates established legal principles. Adv Firdoz Mirza, Adv Pawan Dahat, and Adv Nihalsingh Rathod represented the petitioner while Adv Akshay Naik represented the SEC. Adv Naik argued that the petition does not specifically challenge the rules related to the use of EVMs and pointed out that certain positive provisions allow their usage. However, the court noted that the larger issue remains unresolved. After hearing both sides, the High Court asked the SEC to submit a fresh affidavit by Thursday and clarify the legal basis for using EVMs without VVPAT in the upcoming Maharashtra local body elections.
The number of Americans who feel like buying their home was a mistake has plummeted over the last two years.

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In 2023, 15% of U.S. homebuyers reported feeling like they overpaid after closing on their home purchase. In 2025, that number is down to just 8%, according to a new report on consumer attitudes from Realtor.com. Recent homebuyers arent regretting their purchase as often either37% of those surveyed reported zero regrets following a recent home purchase, up from 31% in 2023.

As the market has shifted from a fast-paced sellers market to one that gives buyers more breathing room, were seeing buyer regret trend down, Realtor.com vice president of Research and Insights Laura Eddy said in the new report. Todays buyers are generally more qualified, taking extra time to weigh their options and make confident decisionsfactors that are helping reduce second-guessing after purchase.

Some generational differences also emerged in the research, with boomer-age buyers reporting the least regret about their home purchases and Gen Z expressing the most buyers remorse. The differing sentiment isnt particularly surprising given the purchasing power gap between older and younger people.

Homeownerships rapid shifts

The housing market of today shares little in common with the one that upended homebuying just a few years ago. With the pandemic era home buying frenzy prompted by historically low mortgage rates in the rearview mirror, homebuyers are able to take more time to find the perfect house. Homes are staying on the market longer, sitting for sale for a median of 63 days in October 2025, up from 50 days in October two years prior. For buyers who can afford to jump in, that means extra time to make informed decisionsand more bargaining power when it comes to finalizing the details.

Redfin just declared 2025 the strongest buyers market in more than a decade, observing that there are 36.8% more home sellers than buyers in the U.S. housing market this month. The real estate company defines a market with over 10% more sellers than buyers as a buyers market, meaning that there are way more people looking to offload homes than those shopping to snatch them up.

Home sales are slumping, but buyers who can make the math work find themselves in a situation with some perks. With the market on their side, buyers have more leeway to negotiate on price and request repairstwo luxuries that were out of the question in hot housing markets during the early pandemic years.
Six assailants vandalise cars, bikes in residential complex





Staff Reporter :

Six masked assailants on a Bullet and a motorbike unleashed chaos and vandalism late Tuesday night, around 2 am, on Gondi Pura Jail Road in the Gandhi Nagar area of the capital. The unidentified youths trespassed into the Raja Bhoj Complex and vandalised two cars and two motorcycles parked there. CCTV footage captured the incident, showing three of the attackers wielding knives and rods in their hands. The 15-minute act of vandalism was recorded entirely on the CCTV camera.

Gandhi Nagar Station In-charge (TI) Brijendra Marskole stated that a case has been registered against unknown accused, and efforts are underway to identify them based on the footage. The CCTV footage shows the miscreants arriving at the complex on a Bullet motorcycle. Upon entering, they were seen shouting loudly. They roamed around the complex, appearing to search for a specific car, but failing to identify it, they proceeded to damage other cars and bikes parked nearby. The attackers smashed the windows and body of two vehicles, including the car belonging to complex resident Mahesh Thakur, inflicting multiple blows. Residents of the complex informed the police that they had no dispute with the late-night attackers.

The assailants were unknown and immediately fled the scene, waving knives, after the incident. This has instilled significant fear among the local residents. Gandhi Nagar TI Brijendra Marskole confirmed that the police reached the spot upon receiving the information. He stated that the knives were clearly visible in the hands of two of the miscreants. The complaint from the victims has been registered. Police teams are currently searching the area and attempting to identify the accused based on the video footage.
Uproar as cashier looted of Rs 19 lakh





Staff Reporter :

Panic created in Krishi Upaj Mandi area when two unidentified bikers attacked the cashier of a businessman and looted cash of Rs 19 lakh from him under the jurisdiction of Vijay Nagar police station, on Wednesday. According to Vijay Nagar police, learning about a loot incident at Krishi Upaj Mandi, police reached the spot and learnt that the victim, Vikas Sahu, who works as a cashier for grain trader Mathorelal Gupta, withdrawn cash of Rs 19 lakh from HDFC Bank and was heading towards the traders office on a motorcycle.

He was passing through Gate No. 1 of the Mandi when two miscreants who were waiting in ambush attacked him with an iron rod and snatched the bag full of cash and managed to escape from the spot. The sudden attack triggered panic among the traders. Some people attempted to chase the robbers, but they managed to escape. The daylight loot sparked outrage among traders and a large numbers of businessmen and traders were gathered at the spot, shut down the Mandi gate and staged a protest against the police administration.

They alleged that despite paying taxes regularly, no security arrangements are provided in the market. Traders complained that miscreants engaged in drinking, gambling and disorderly behaviour roam the Mandi premises regularly. They claimed that repeated written complaints to Mandi officials regarding security were ignored, leading to todays major incident. After receiving information, ASP Ayush Gupta along with police team reached the spot. Police have launched an investigation and enforced blockades across the city in search of the accused.
Public worries over the world of private debt have forced major lender Blue Owl Capital (OWL) to scrap plans to give a clear way out to shareholders in one of its private funds.

The situation draws more scrutiny to the opaque world of private debt, which has boomed in recent years  and is now gradually making its way into millions of American brokerage and retirement accounts.

New York-based Blue Owl, one of the nation's largest private lenders, called off a planned merger on Thursday that would have combined two of its debt funds  a smaller private fund ($1.7 billion) and a larger public fund ($17.1 billion).

The lender cited "current market volatility."

"We are no longer pursuing the merger at this point given current market conditions," said Craig Packer, CEO of both these funds, in a press release statement. "Both portfolios in both funds are doing extremely well," Packer told CNBC the same day. "There's no rush here, there's no emergency."

Originally formed as Owl Rock Capital in 2016 by Packer and parent company co-CEOs Marc Lipschultz and Doug Ostrover, Blue Owl is the fastest-growing private credit-focused Wall Street giant of the past 10 years. It manages $295 billion in assets, with a little more than half of that being credit, according to the firm's most recent filings.

The company has gained a foothold in private lending within a range of categories, from consumer loans via fintech platforms such as SoFi (SOFI) and PayPal (PYPL) to private US companies. This year, it also notched a string of major data center deals with tech giants, including a $27 billion joint venture financing deal with Meta Platforms (META) last month.

In a recent interview with Yahoo Finance, co-CEO Lipschultz described the AI infrastructure development as "an opportunity for Blue Owl to do something really special."

Packer, along with other fund executives, pitched the merger to shareholders just two weeks ago as an effort to save administration costs for both funds, which hold nearly the same kind of assets.

But the merger involved exchanging stakes in the private fund for those in the larger public one. Based on current prices, the deal entailed a sharp unrealized loss of roughly 20% for private fund investors who had the authority to vote down the combination.

Earlier this week, Blue Owl's stock slumped 7% following a Financial Times report that first spotted that potential haircut. It slipped again in Thursday's broader selling, but looked set to recover some gains in Friday's premarket.
J.Jill has appointed Viv Rettke, a veteran of leading growth and transformation strategies at Cole Haan and Reebok, to the newly created role of chief growth officer.

The company indicated that Rettke will be responsible for the performance of the direct-to-consumer channel and will work closely with the senior leadership team to define and lead a holistic growth strategy aligning brand, marketing, and direct and retail sales channels, and lead the companys AI initiatives.

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She will report to chief executive officer and president Mary Ellen Coyne, who in a statement said Rettke has a proven ability to accelerate business growth at leading companies in fashion and other consumer industries. Were confident her deep expertise across brand building, corporate strategy, business transformation, and retail sales and operations will help us realize the untapped potential to expand our customer file and unlock new efficiencies and market opportunities.

Viv Rettke

Rettke most recently served as chief strategy and transformation officer at Cole Haan, where she developed and led an enterprise-wide strategy evolving the brands positioning from a mens dress shoe brand to a dual-gender global lifestyle brand.

Before Cole Haan, she was head of transformation at Reebok, where she was responsible for digital sales acceleration, profit improvement, icon launches and fashion strategy. Prior to Reebok, Rettke held a series of roles of increasing responsibility at Kraft Heinz, serving most recently as Ahold head of sales for center store. Earlier in her career she was a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and a senior analyst and manager with CitiFinancial.

Rettke currently serves as a council member of F.A.I.R. (Fashion Artificial Intelligence Responsibility), an organization dedicated to driving the creation of a global framework for responsible AI adoption in the fashion and lifestyle industry.

I look forward to honoring the brands strong legacy while advancing a comprehensive strategy that aims to strengthen and sharpen our competitive position, expand our reach, and leverage data analytics and innovation  including AI  to deliver sustainable, profitable growth, Rettke said in a statement.

J.Jill represents a segment of the apparel business thats sprung into popularity with people returning to working at their offices after the pandemic. The Quincy, Mass.-based retailer sells merchandise under its own private label and primarily caters to middle-aged and older women and operates 249 stores nationwide and an e-commerce platform.
Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE:NUVB  Get Free Report) insider Dongfang Liu sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.10, for a total transaction of $76,500.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 18,000 shares in the company, valued at $91,800. This represents a 45.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.

Dongfang Liu also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, November 19th, Dongfang Liu sold 15,000 shares of Nuvation Bio stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.10, for a total transaction of $76,500.00.

On Monday, November 17th, Dongfang Liu sold 15,000 shares of Nuvation Bio stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.76, for a total value of $71,400.00.

On Monday, November 17th, Dongfang Liu sold 15,000 shares of Nuvation Bio stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.76, for a total value of $71,400.00.

Nuvation Bio Price Performance

NUVB traded up $2.35 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $7.15. The companys stock had a trading volume of 58,912,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,464,649. The firms 50 day moving average price is $4.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.96. The company has a quick ratio of 8.39, a current ratio of 8.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. Nuvation Bio Inc. has a 12 month low of $1.54 and a 12 month high of $7.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.17 and a beta of 1.49.

Institutional Trading of Nuvation Bio

Nuvation Bio ( NYSE:NUVB Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported ($0.16) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.17) by $0.01. Nuvation Bio had a negative return on equity of 54.99% and a negative net margin of 813.07%.The company had revenue of $13.12 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.48 million. Sell-side analysts forecast that Nuvation Bio Inc. will post -0.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Nuvation Bio by 16.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,994,798 shares of the companys stock worth $11,691,000 after buying an additional 864,194 shares during the period. MPM Bioimpact LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nuvation Bio by 11.7% in the first quarter. MPM Bioimpact LLC now owns 4,652,243 shares of the companys stock worth $8,188,000 after acquiring an additional 488,065 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in shares of Nuvation Bio by 52.4% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,774,003 shares of the companys stock worth $6,642,000 after purchasing an additional 1,298,131 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Nuvation Bio by 19.9% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,321,249 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,276,000 after purchasing an additional 551,508 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aisling Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Nuvation Bio by 16.5% during the 3rd quarter. Aisling Capital Management LP now owns 2,960,659 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,954,000 after purchasing an additional 419,650 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 61.67% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NUVB has been the topic of a number of research reports. HC Wainwright reissued a buy rating and set a $10.00 price target on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Citizens Jmp increased their price objective on shares of Nuvation Bio from $6.00 to $8.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Nuvation Bio in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. They set a buy rating and a $10.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup restated a market outperform rating on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $9.00.

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About Nuvation Bio

(Get Free Report)

Nuvation Bio Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of therapeutic candidates for oncology. The company's lead product candidate is NUV-868, a BD2 selective oral small molecule BET inhibitor that epigenetically regulates proteins that control tumor growth and differentiation, including oncogenes comprising c-myc; NUV-1156, an AR binder Xtandi that address advanced stage prostate cancers with the potential to move into earlier lines typically treated with surgical prostatectomy; and drug-drug conjugate (DDC) platform which leverages a novel therapeutic approach within the drug-conjugate class of anti-cancer therapies to deliver anti-cancer therapeutics to cancer cells, as well as NUV-1176, a PARP inhibitor to address ER+ breast and ovarian cancer.

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United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Get Free Report) fell 1.9% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $93.56 and last traded at $94.2020. 6,474,288 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 6% from the average session volume of 6,898,253 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.98.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Stephens upgraded shares of United Parcel Service to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $103.00 to $97.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $88.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Bank of America decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $83.00 to $81.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $109.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $110.00.

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United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $88.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $92.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.40 billion, a PE ratio of 14.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.11.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The transportation company reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.43. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 40.07% and a net margin of 6.15%.The firm had revenue of $21.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.94 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.76 EPS. United Parcel Services quarterly revenue was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. United Parcel Service has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. United Parcel Services payout ratio is 101.39%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director Christiana Smith Shi acquired 500 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $88.17 per share, for a total transaction of $44,085.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,085. The trade was a  increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 63.8% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,126 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,529,000 after buying an additional 4,723 shares during the last quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 108.6% during the 1st quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 5,362 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $588,000 after acquiring an additional 2,791 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 7.2% during the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 8,504 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $935,000 after purchasing an additional 571 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 4.1% in the first quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 56,481 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $6,212,000 after purchasing an additional 2,221 shares during the period. Finally, Ignite Planners LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 311.9% during the first quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 17,245 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,897,000 after purchasing an additional 13,058 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the companys stock.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.

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Quilter Plc lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 20.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,620 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 776 shares during the period. Quilter Plcs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $628,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 51,719 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $5,850,000 after buying an additional 4,755 shares in the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 6.3% during the first quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 4,742 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $621,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter worth about $245,000. Old Port Advisors acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $217,000. Finally, SYM FINANCIAL Corp raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 109.3% in the 1st quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp now owns 7,525 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $998,000 after purchasing an additional 3,930 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Barclays increased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $159.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $144.00 to $142.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, BTIG Research restated a buy rating and set a $145.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $147.00.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 2.9%

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $126.28 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $219.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.82, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $110.86 and a twelve month 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 businesss 50 day simple moving average is $130.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.30.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.78% and a net margin of 31.88%.The firm had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.21 EPS. The firms revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were given a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 29.57%.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

Further Reading

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American Airlines Group, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Joby Aviation, Air Lease, Copa, and Southwest Airlines are the seven Airline stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Airline stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is operating commercial air transportation for passengers and cargo. They tend to be cyclical and capitalintensive, sensitive to fuel prices, economic growth, regulation and labor costs, so investors typically watch metrics like passenger yield, load factor, capacity and fuel hedging when evaluating them. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Airline stocks within the last several days.

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American Airlines Group (AAL)

American Airlines Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a network air carrier. The company provides scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo through its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., as well as through partner gateways in London, Doha, Madrid, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney, and Tokyo.

United Airlines (UAL)

United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets. It also offers catering, ground handling, flight academy, and maintenance services for third parties.

Read Our Latest Research Report on UAL

Delta Air Lines (DAL)

Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DAL

Joby Aviation (JOBY)

Joby Aviation, Inc., a vertically integrated air mobility company, engages in building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft optimized to deliver air transportation as a service. The company intends to build an aerial ridesharing service, as well as developing an application-based platform that will enable consumers to book rides.

Read Our Latest Research Report on JOBY

Air Lease (AL)

Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios.

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Copa (CPA)

Copa Holdings, S.A., through its subsidiaries, provides airline passenger and cargo services. The company offers approximately 375 daily scheduled flights to 82 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean from its Panama City hub. As of December 31, 2023, it operated a fleet of 106 aircraft comprising 76 Boeing 737-Next Generation aircraft, 29 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, and one Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter.

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Southwest Airlines (LUV)

Southwest Airlines Co. operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

Read Our Latest Research Report on LUV

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Hikari Tsushin Inc. lowered its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 43.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 158,366 shares of the companys stock after selling 119,591 shares during the period. Altria Group comprises 0.7% of Hikari Tsushin Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Hikari Tsushin Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $9,285,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mattson Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Carderock Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 334.7% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the second quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on MO shares. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus set a $72.00 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.33.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of MO stock opened at $58.60 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $98.37 billion, a PE ratio of 11.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.51. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $62.83 and a two-hundred day moving average of $61.83. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $50.08 and a 1 year high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.24% and a negative return on equity of 295.26%. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.38 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Altria Group Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

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AMA Group Limited (ASX:AMA  Get Free Report) insider Brian Austin purchased 355,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of A$0.85 per share, with a total value of A$301,750.00.

Brian Austin also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, November 3rd, Brian Austin purchased 2,000,000 shares of AMA Group stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of A$0.10 per share, with a total value of A$198,000.00.

On Tuesday, August 26th, Brian Austin acquired 4,005,550 shares of AMA Group stock. The stock was bought at an average price of A$0.10 per share, for a total transaction of A$400,555.00.

On Wednesday, August 27th, Brian Austin bought 1,010,000 shares of AMA Group stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of A$0.10 per share, with a total value of A$101,000.00.

AMA Group Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $258.26 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.29 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 420.06, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.64.

AMA Group Company Profile

AMA Group Limited operates vehicle and heavy motor collision repair facilities in Australia and New Zealand. It operates through three segments: Vehicle Collision Repairs, Heavy Motors, and Supply. The company offers rapid repairs of cars; specialized facilities for all commercial vehicle repairs; and genuine, reclaimed, and aftermarket parts, as well as collision repair consumables for the mechanical and collision repair sectors.

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Several analysts have recently updated their ratings and price targets for Canadian National Railway (NYSE: CNI):

11/3/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $119.00 to $120.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

11/3/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target raised by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $148.00 to $158.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

11/3/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target raised by analysts at Evercore ISI from $98.00 to $103.00. They now have an in-line rating on the stock.

11/3/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target raised by analysts at Susquehanna from $115.00 to $116.00. They now have a positive rating on the stock.

10/23/2025  Canadian National Railway was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong sell rating.

10/18/2025  Canadian National Railway was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a sell rating to a hold rating.

10/13/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target lowered by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $121.00 to $119.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/8/2025  Canadian National Railway had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

10/6/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target lowered by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $117.00 to $110.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

10/4/2025  Canadian National Railway was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating.

10/2/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target lowered by analysts at Barclays PLC from $99.00 to $97.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

9/29/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target lowered by analysts at Bank of America Corporation from $106.00 to $102.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

9/27/2025  Canadian National Railway had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

9/25/2025  Canadian National Railway had its price target lowered by analysts at Susquehanna from $120.00 to $115.00. They now have a positive rating on the stock.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.8875 per share. This represents a $3.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 9th. This is a boost from Canadian National Railways previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. Canadian National Railways payout ratio is 48.01%.

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks.

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Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eleven analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $96.75.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on ITGR. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Integer from $155.00 to $82.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 24th. Citigroup dropped their target price on Integer from $77.00 to $69.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Integer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Integer in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Argus lowered shares of Integer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Integer

Insider Buying and Selling at Integer

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Integer

In other Integer news, EVP Diron Smith acquired 1,116 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $67.19 per share, for a total transaction of $74,984.04. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president owned 7,698 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $517,228.62. This trade represents a 16.96% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, VP Tommy P. Thomas sold 884 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.15, for a total value of $62,012.60. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 3,596 shares in the company, valued at approximately $252,259.40. This trade represents a 19.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . Insiders acquired a total of 5,843 shares of company stock worth $384,771 in the last 90 days. 2.16% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ITGR. Emerald Advisers LLC lifted its position in Integer by 1,542.0% in the second quarter. Emerald Advisers LLC now owns 103,824 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $12,767,000 after purchasing an additional 97,501 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Integer by 92.8% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 22,682 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $2,677,000 after buying an additional 10,915 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Integer in the 1st quarter valued at $916,000. Wakefield Asset Management LLLP bought a new position in shares of Integer during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,118,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Integer by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 6,749 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $796,000 after acquiring an additional 863 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.29% of the companys stock.

Integer Price Performance

Shares of ITGR opened at $67.60 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $89.48 and its 200-day moving average is $105.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 3.71 and a quick ratio of 2.45. The company has a market capitalization of $2.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 0.95. Integer has a fifty-two week low of $62.00 and a fifty-two week high of $146.36.

Integer (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The medical equipment provider reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS. Integers revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. Integer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.290-6.430 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Integer will post 6.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Integer declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Tuesday, November 4th that allows the company to buyback $200.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the medical equipment provider to reacquire up to 8.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

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.

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Ashtead Technology (LON:AT  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reaffirmed by stock analysts at Peel Hunt in a report released on Thursday,London Stock Exchange reports. They currently have a GBX 725 price target on the stock. Peel Hunts price objective would indicate a potential upside of 121.04% from the companys current price.

AT has been the subject of several other reports. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price objective on Ashtead Technology from GBX 825 to GBX 600 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a GBX 560 price target on shares of Ashtead Technology in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 700 price objective on shares of Ashtead Technology in a research note on Monday, September 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Ashtead Technology currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 646.25.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ashtead Technology

Ashtead Technology Price Performance

Ashtead Technology stock traded up GBX 4 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting GBX 328. The stock had a trading volume of 217,262 shares. Ashtead Technology has a 1-year low of GBX 426 and a 1-year high of GBX 893. The stock has a market capitalization of 260.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.59 and a beta of 0.28. The stocks fifty day moving average is GBX 341.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 382.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 70.83, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 1.46.

Ashtead Technology (LON:AT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 26th. The company reported GBX 21.90 EPS for the quarter. Ashtead Technology had a net margin of 17.37% and a return on equity of 23.56%. As a group, analysts predict that Ashtead Technology will post 42.8247734 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Ashtead Technology

In related news, insider William(Bill) Mervyn FrewCarey Shannon acquired 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 26th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 385 per share, for a total transaction of 115,500. Also, insider Thomas Thomsen bought 2,910 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 26th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 369 per share, with a total value of 10,737.90. In the last quarter, insiders purchased 48,476 shares of company stock worth $18,392,364. 3.28% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Ashtead Technology Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ashtead Technology Holdings Plc provides subsea equipment rental solutions for the offshore energy sector in Europe, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. The company offers survey and robotics equipment comprising geophysical, hydrographic, metocean, land surveying, positioning, ROV sensors, non-destructive testing, subsea inspection, remote visual inspection, and environmental products.

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Equities researchers at B. Riley began coverage on shares of Nuvation Bio (NYSE:NUVB  Get Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a $12.00 price target on the stock. B. Rileys price target points to a potential upside of 69.06% from the stocks current price.

NUVB has been the topic of a number of other reports. JMP Securities set a $8.00 price target on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $6.00 target price on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Nuvation Bio from $7.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Citigroup reiterated a market outperform rating on shares of Nuvation Bio in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Nuvation Bio from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $9.50.

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Nuvation Bio Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NUVB traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $7.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 11,816,528 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,492,454. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.43 billion, a P/E ratio of -11.12 and a beta of 1.50. Nuvation Bio has a 1-year low of $1.54 and a 1-year high of $7.50. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $4.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 8.39 and a current ratio of 8.48.

Nuvation Bio (NYSE:NUVB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported ($0.16) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.17) by $0.01. Nuvation Bio had a negative return on equity of 54.99% and a negative net margin of 813.07%.The company had revenue of $13.12 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.48 million. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Nuvation Bio will post -0.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Nuvation Bio

In other Nuvation Bio news, insider Gary Hattersley sold 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.02, for a total transaction of $502,000.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Dongfang Liu sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.10, for a total transaction of $76,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 18,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $91,800. The trade was a 45.45% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 160,000 shares of company stock worth $797,800 over the last quarter. 29.93% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuvation Bio

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Nuvation Bio in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Rangeley Capital LLC acquired a new position in Nuvation Bio during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Nuvation Bio by 51.9% in the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 7,597 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 2,597 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new stake in shares of Nuvation Bio in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Nuvation Bio during the second quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.67% of the companys stock.

About Nuvation Bio

(Get Free Report)

Nuvation Bio Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of therapeutic candidates for oncology. The company's lead product candidate is NUV-868, a BD2 selective oral small molecule BET inhibitor that epigenetically regulates proteins that control tumor growth and differentiation, including oncogenes comprising c-myc; NUV-1156, an AR binder Xtandi that address advanced stage prostate cancers with the potential to move into earlier lines typically treated with surgical prostatectomy; and drug-drug conjugate (DDC) platform which leverages a novel therapeutic approach within the drug-conjugate class of anti-cancer therapies to deliver anti-cancer therapeutics to cancer cells, as well as NUV-1176, a PARP inhibitor to address ER+ breast and ovarian cancer.

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Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) is one of the best NYSE penny stocks to invest in right now. On November 11, Jefferies lowered the firms price target on Sable Offshore to $20 from $38 but kept a Buy rating on the shares after the company announced its $250 million share placement. The companys management clarified its future strategy by electing to focus on the OS&T option.

A day prior, on November 10, Roth Capital also cut the firms price target on Sable Offshore to $22 from $26 with a Buy rating on the shares. This sentiment was also driven by the companys announcement of the $250 million share placement. Roth Capital noted that Sable Offshore is an attractive prospect because it is a high-growth company with low base declines and strong field margins.

Jefferies Cuts Sable Offshore (SOC) PT to $20 Following $250M Share Placement

On November 10, the company entered into subscription agreements for a private placement of common stock with institutional investors. Sable Offshore agreed to issue a total of 45,454,546 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $5.50 per share. The transaction is expected to generate gross proceeds of ~$250 million.

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) operates as an independent oil and gas company in the US. The company operates through three platforms located in federal waters offshore California.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
BellRing Brands (NYSE:BRBR  Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating reiterated by investment analysts at TD Cowen in a research note issued on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have a $31.00 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of $37.00. TD Cowens target price points to a potential upside of 5.89% from the stocks current price.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of BellRing Brands from $60.00 to $40.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a $48.00 price objective on shares of BellRing Brands in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays cut their target price on shares of BellRing Brands from $44.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on BellRing Brands from $43.00 to $41.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on BellRing Brands in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $46.00 price objective for the company. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $44.53.

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BellRing Brands Trading Up 11.5%

BellRing Brands stock opened at $29.28 on Thursday. BellRing Brands has a 12 month low of $22.45 and a 12 month high of $80.67. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $33.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.65. The firm has a market cap of $3.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.43, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.70.

BellRing Brands (NYSE:BRBR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 18th. The company reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.54 by ($0.03). BellRing Brands had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 95.87%. The business had revenue of $648.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $633.21 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. BellRing Brands has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that BellRing Brands will post 2.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BellRing Brands declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, September 2nd that permits the company to buyback $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 7.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Trading of BellRing Brands

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in shares of BellRing Brands by 78.9% during the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,891 shares of the companys stock valued at $215,000 after buying an additional 1,275 shares in the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH increased its stake in BellRing Brands by 18.2% in the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 202,009 shares of the companys stock worth $15,042,000 after buying an additional 31,069 shares in the last quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates raised its holdings in BellRing Brands by 2.3% during the first quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates now owns 51,568 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,840,000 after acquiring an additional 1,139 shares during the period. Carnegie Investment Counsel lifted its position in shares of BellRing Brands by 0.8% in the first quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 55,352 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,881,000 after acquiring an additional 435 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BellRing Brands by 2.5% in the first quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 6,416 shares of the companys stock worth $478,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. 94.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About BellRing Brands

(Get Free Report)

BellRing Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various nutrition products in the United States. The company offers ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and other products primarily under the Premier Protein and Dymatize brands. It distributes its products through club, food, drug, mass, eCommerce, specialty, and convenience channels.

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Booking, McDonalds, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Toast, Brinker International, Wingstop, and Yum! Brands are the seven Restaurant stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Restaurant stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that own, operate, or franchise foodservice businessesranging from quickservice and fastcasual chains to casual and fine dining operators. Investors evaluate them using metrics like samestore sales, unit growth, franchise royalties, profit margins and sensitivity to consumer spending, labor and commodity costs. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Restaurant stocks within the last several days.

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Booking (BKNG)

Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands.

McDonalds (MCD)

McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MCD

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

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.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CMG

Toast (TOST)

Toast, Inc. operates a cloud-based digital technology platform for the restaurant industry in the United States, Ireland, and India. The company offers software products for restaurant operations and point of sale, such as Toast POS, Toast now, multi-location management, kitchen display system, Toast mobile order and pay, Toast catering and events, Toast invoicing, Toast tables, and restaurant retail; and hardware products, including Toast flex, Toast flex for guest, Toast go 2, Toast tap, kiosks, and Delphi by Toast.

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Brinker International (EAT)

Brinker International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands.

Read Our Latest Research Report on EAT

Wingstop (WING)

Wingstop Inc., together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Wingstop brand. Its restaurants offer classic wings, boneless wings, tenders, and hand-sauced-and-tossed in various flavors, as well as chicken sandwiches with fries and hand-cut carrots and celery that are cooked-to-order.

Read Our Latest Research Report on WING

Yum! Brands (YUM)

Yum! Brands, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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FineMark National Bank & Trust decreased its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 10.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 30,680 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 3,539 shares during the quarter. FineMark National Bank & Trusts holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $1,420,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. increased its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 2.7% during the first quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 8,063 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $492,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Exchange Capital Management Inc. now owns 54,893 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,541,000 after buying an additional 220 shares during the period. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI increased its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI now owns 78,105 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,615,000 after buying an additional 224 shares during the last quarter. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,303 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $616,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the period. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 66.0% in the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 581 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Down 2.7%

Shares of Bristol Myers Squibb stock opened at $45.78 on Thursday. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 1-year low of $42.52 and a 1-year high of $63.33. The company has a market capitalization of $93.19 billion, a PE ratio of 18.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The business has a 50-day moving average of $45.31 and a 200-day moving average of $46.60.

Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 80.04% and a net margin of 10.58%.The firm had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.80 earnings per share. Bristol Myers Squibbs 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 forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, October 3rd were issued a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 83.78%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on BMY. Daiwa America downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley restated a hold rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $42.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, Scotiabank began coverage on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector perform rating and a $45.00 price target for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fifteen have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $54.42.

Read Our Latest Analysis on BMY

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total value of $2,650,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 167,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,922,048.07. The trade was a 25.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Bristol Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Carlyle Credit Income Fund (NYSE:CCIF  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.21 by ($0.06), Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $7.74 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.97 million.

Carlyle Credit Income Fund Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of Carlyle Credit Income Fund stock opened at $4.84 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $5.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $5.88. Carlyle Credit Income Fund has a 12 month low of $4.69 and a 12 month high of $8.31.

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Carlyle Credit Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.105 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 26.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CCIF. Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Carlyle Credit Income Fund during the third quarter worth $89,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in Carlyle Credit Income Fund by 34.4% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 17,135 shares of the companys stock worth $111,000 after purchasing an additional 4,388 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arlington Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Carlyle Credit Income Fund in the third quarter valued at about $278,000.

CCIF has been the subject of several research reports. Alliance Global Partners began coverage on Carlyle Credit Income Fund in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. They issued a buy rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group set a $6.00 price objective on Carlyle Credit Income Fund in a research report on Thursday. Industrial Alliance Securities set a $6.50 price objective on Carlyle Credit Income Fund in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Carlyle Credit Income Fund from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th.

Check Out Our Latest Report on CCIF

Carlyle Credit Income Fund Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Carlyle Credit Income Fund is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Vertical Capital Asset Management, LLC. The fund is co  managed by Behringer Advisors, LLC. The Fund invests mainly in fixed-income securities. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Cetera Investment Advisers trimmed its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN  Free Report) by 27.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 678,079 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 259,651 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers owned about 0.20% of Invesco Senior Loan ETF worth $14,185,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Bogart Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the second quarter worth about $33,000. Woodard & Co. Asset Management Group Inc. ADV increased its position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 258.9% in the second quarter. Woodard & Co. Asset Management Group Inc. ADV now owns 1,658 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 1,196 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 213.6% during the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,712 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,166 shares during the period. Finally, NorthRock Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $61,000.

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Invesco Senior Loan ETF Price Performance

Invesco Senior Loan ETF stock opened at $20.92 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $20.91 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.91. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a 52 week low of $20.02 and a 52 week high of $21.19.

About Invesco Senior Loan ETF

The Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of senior loans issued by banks to corporations. BKLN was launched on Mar 3, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its holdings in shares of The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM  Free Report) by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 26,099 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,763 shares during the quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYSs holdings in J. M. Smucker were worth $2,563,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of J. M. Smucker by 57.2% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 44,810 shares of the companys stock worth $5,306,000 after acquiring an additional 16,312 shares during the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its stake in J. M. Smucker by 200.4% during the first quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 12,696 shares of the companys stock worth $1,503,000 after purchasing an additional 8,469 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its holdings in shares of J. M. Smucker by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 8,213 shares of the companys stock valued at $973,000 after purchasing an additional 324 shares during the last quarter. Obermeyer Wealth Partners purchased a new stake in shares of J. M. Smucker during the 1st quarter valued at $204,000. Finally, Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH grew its stake in shares of J. M. Smucker by 11.8% during the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 126,555 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,985,000 after buying an additional 13,347 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.66% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at J. M. Smucker

In other news, CFO Tucker H. Marshall sold 11,139 shares of J. M. Smucker stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.11, for a total transaction of $1,204,237.29. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 33,864 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,661,037.04. The trade was a 24.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.24% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

J. M. Smucker Stock Performance

J. M. Smucker stock opened at $104.56 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.15 billion, a PE ratio of -7.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.97 and a beta of 0.24. The J. M. Smucker Company has a one year low of $93.30 and a one year high of $125.42. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $106.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $107.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.81.

J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 27th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.95 by ($0.05). J. M. Smucker had a negative net margin of 16.75% and a positive return on equity of 15.41%. The firm had revenue of $2.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.44 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. J. M. Smucker has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.500-9.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The J. M. Smucker Company will post 9.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

J. M. Smucker Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. J. M. Smuckers dividend payout ratio is presently -32.09%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on SJM shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on J. M. Smucker from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on J. M. Smucker from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Zacks Research upgraded J. M. Smucker to a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of J. M. Smucker from $120.00 to $118.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their price objective on shares of J. M. Smucker from $104.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $118.38.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on J. M. Smucker

J. M. Smucker Company Profile

(Free Report)

The J. M. Smucker Company manufactures and markets branded food and beverage products worldwide. It operates in three segments: U.S. Retail Pet Foods, U.S. Retail Coffee, and U.S. Retail Consumer Foods. The company offers mainstream roast, ground, single serve, and premium coffee; peanut butter and specialty spreads; fruit spreads, toppings, and syrups; jelly products; nut mix products; shortening and oils; frozen sandwiches and snacks; pet food and pet snacks; and foodservice hot beverage, foodservice portion control, and flour products, as well as dog and cat food, frozen handheld products, juices and beverages, and baking mixes and ingredients.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SJM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM  Free Report).

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Miller Industries (NYSE:MLR  Get Free Report) and Allison Transmission (NYSE:ALSN  Get Free Report) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership and dividends.

Volatility and Risk

Miller Industries has a beta of 1.24, meaning that its share price is 24% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Allison Transmission has a beta of 1.02, meaning that its share price is 2% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Institutional and Insider Ownership

79.2% of Miller Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 96.9% of Allison Transmission shares are held by institutional investors. 4.4% of Miller Industries shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Allison Transmission shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Profitability

Miller Industries pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Allison Transmission pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Miller Industries pays out 30.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Allison Transmission pays out 13.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Miller Industries has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years and Allison Transmission has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

This table compares Miller Industries and Allison Transmissions net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Miller Industries 4.35% 10.48% 6.33% Allison Transmission 22.78% 41.37% 13.01%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Miller Industries and Allison Transmission, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Miller Industries 0 2 1 0 2.33 Allison Transmission 2 7 1 0 1.90

Miller Industries currently has a consensus price target of $55.00, suggesting a potential upside of 49.27%. Allison Transmission has a consensus price target of $92.00, suggesting a potential upside of 12.24%. Given Miller Industries stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Miller Industries is more favorable than Allison Transmission.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Miller Industries and Allison Transmissions top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Miller Industries $840.26 million 0.50 $63.49 million $2.60 14.17 Allison Transmission $3.07 billion 2.22 $731.00 million $8.16 10.04

Allison Transmission has higher revenue and earnings than Miller Industries. Allison Transmission is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Miller Industries, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Allison Transmission beats Miller Industries on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Miller Industries

(Get Free Report)

Miller Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells towing and recovery equipment. The company offers wreckers that are used to recover and tow disabled vehicles and other equipment; and car carriers, which are specialized flat-bed vehicles with hydraulic tilt mechanisms, which are used to transport new or disabled vehicles and other equipment. It also provides transport trailers for moving various vehicles for auto auctions, car dealerships, leasing companies, and other similar operations. The company markets its products under the Century, Vulcan, Challenger, Holmes, Champion, Chevron, Eagle, Titan, Jige, and Boniface brands. Miller Industries, Inc. sells its products through independent distributors in North America, and Canada, Mexico; and through prime contractors to governmental entities. Miller Industries, Inc. was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in Ooltewah, Tennessee.

About Allison Transmission

(Get Free Report)

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles and medium- and heavy-tactical U.S. defense vehicles, and electrified propulsion systems worldwide. It provides commercial-duty on-highway, off-highway and defense fully automatic transmissions, and electric hybrid and fully electric systems. The company offers transmissions for various applications, including distribution, refuse, construction, fire, and emergency on-highway trucks; school and transit buses; motor homes; energy, mining, and construction off-highway vehicles and equipment; and wheeled and tracked defense vehicles. It provides its transmissions and electric propulsion solutions under the Allison Transmission brand name; and remanufactured transmissions under the ReTran brand name. The company also sells branded replacement parts, support equipment, aluminum die cast components, and other products necessary to service the installed base of vehicles utilizing its solutions, as well as defense kits, engineering services, and extended transmission coverage services to various original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and the U.S. government. It serves customers through an independent network of approximately 1,600 independent distributor and dealer locations. The company was formerly known as Clutch Holdings, Inc. Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1915 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM  Get Free Report) and ZEEKR Intelligent Technology (NYSE:ZK  Get Free Report) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability and dividends.

Risk & Volatility

Toyota Motor has a beta of 0.63, indicating that its share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, ZEEKR Intelligent Technology has a beta of 0.06, indicating that its share price is 94% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Insider & Institutional Ownership

1.5% of Toyota Motor shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Toyota Motor 8.77% 11.63% 4.58% ZEEKR Intelligent Technology -2.80% N/A -5.45%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Toyota Motor and ZEEKR Intelligent Technologys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Toyota Motor and ZEEKR Intelligent Technologys revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Toyota Motor $49,385.01 billion 0.01 $31.45 billion $22.69 8.67 ZEEKR Intelligent Technology $10.40 billion 0.67 -$880.03 million ($1.57) -17.32

Toyota Motor has higher revenue and earnings than ZEEKR Intelligent Technology. ZEEKR Intelligent Technology is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Toyota Motor, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Toyota Motor and ZEEKR Intelligent Technology, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Toyota Motor 2 2 3 0 2.14 ZEEKR Intelligent Technology 1 0 1 0 2.00

ZEEKR Intelligent Technology has a consensus target price of $38.00, indicating a potential upside of 39.74%. Given ZEEKR Intelligent Technologys higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe ZEEKR Intelligent Technology is more favorable than Toyota Motor.

Summary

Toyota Motor beats ZEEKR Intelligent Technology on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Toyota Motor

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Toyota Motor Corporation designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, and related parts and accessories in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. It operates in Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other segments. The company offers subcompact and compact cars; mini-vehicles; mid-size, luxury, sports, and specialty cars; recreational and sport-utility vehicles; pickup trucks; minivans; trucks; and buses. It offers vehicles under the Toyota and Lexus brand names. Further, the company provides financial services, such as retail financing and leasing, wholesale financing, insurance, and credit cards. Additionally, it operates GAZOO.com, a web portal for automobile information, as well as engages in telecommunications and other businesses. The company was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Toyota, Japan.

About ZEEKR Intelligent Technology

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ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the research and development, production, commercialization, and sale of the electric vehicles and batteries. It offers battery electric passenger vehicles (BEVs) and SUVs. The company also produces and sells electric powertrain and battery packs for electric vehicles, such as motors and electric control systems; and provides automotive related research and development services. It operates in China, Europe, and internationally. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Ningbo, China. ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited operates as a subsidiary of Geely Automobile Holdings Limited.

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GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE  Get Free Report) and EVE (NYSE:EVEX  Get Free Report) are both aerospace companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, risk, institutional ownership and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares GE Aerospace and EVEs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets GE Aerospace 18.34% 34.01% 5.26% EVE N/A -203.37% -61.11%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

74.8% of GE Aerospace shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 1.3% of EVE shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of GE Aerospace shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of EVE shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio GE Aerospace $43.95 billion 7.22 $6.56 billion $7.49 40.17 EVE N/A N/A -$138.17 million ($0.65) -5.96

This table compares GE Aerospace and EVEs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

GE Aerospace has higher revenue and earnings than EVE. EVE is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than GE Aerospace, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk and Volatility

GE Aerospace has a beta of 1.56, indicating that its share price is 56% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, EVE has a beta of 0.82, indicating that its share price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for GE Aerospace and EVE, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score GE Aerospace 2 2 15 0 2.68 EVE 1 2 4 0 2.43

GE Aerospace presently has a consensus price target of $301.27, indicating a potential upside of 0.14%. EVE has a consensus price target of $6.88, indicating a potential upside of 77.56%. Given EVEs higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe EVE is more favorable than GE Aerospace.

Summary

GE Aerospace beats EVE on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About GE Aerospace

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GE Aerospace (also known as General Electric) is a company that specializes in providing aerospace products and services. It operates through two reportable segments: Commercial Engines and Services and Defense and Propulsion Technologies. It offers jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft. GE demerged into GE Vernova, GE Aerospace, and GE Healthcare.

About EVE

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Eve Holding, Inc. is a special purpose acquisition company focused on the aviation sector. The company was founded on 7th August, 2020 and is headquartered in Melbourne, FL.

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Cumberland Partners Ltd bought a new position in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 29,045 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock, valued at approximately $3,587,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. TCTC Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in TJX Companies by 210.1% in the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 214 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the second quarter worth $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter worth $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in shares of TJX Companies by 121.1% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Activest Wealth Management lifted its holdings in TJX Companies by 4,485.7% during the 1st quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 321 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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TJX Companies Price Performance

TJX opened at $145.83 on Thursday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $162.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.22, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $142.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $133.84. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $112.10 and a 12-month high of $151.00.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.63% and a net margin of 8.59%.TJX Companiess quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. Equities analysts predict that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be given a $0.425 dividend. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on TJX. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of TJX Companies from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $165.00 price target for the company. Erste Group Bank assumed coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Friday, September 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on TJX Companies from $145.00 to $152.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $140.00 target price on TJX Companies and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $151.75.

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TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report).

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A foot soldier in Epstein's financial life for 22 years, Beller could help shed light on Epstein's vast fortune  how he amassed it, and what he did with all his money.

Beller hasn't been accused of any crimes and there is no record of a federal agency pursuing an enforcement action against him. Through his attorney, Jonathan Sack, Beller declined to comment for this story.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee want to subpoena banks for their financial records about Beller and other people who did business with Epstein. Sen. Ron Wyden asked both the Treasury Department and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon to produce records from Epstein-related accounts, including those opened by Beller.

Civil lawsuits say HBRK  a company owned by Epstein and managed by Beller and Kahn  facilitated Epstein's sex-trafficking operation, although they do not name him or the company as defendants. Beller's name is on corporate records and tax documents entered into evidence at Maxwell's criminal trial, at which she was convicted of trafficking girls to Epstein for sex and later sentenced to 20 years in prison .

In lawsuits involving Epstein, Beller comes across as something of a financial Forrest Gump  turning up repeatedly in the paper trail. He hasn't been named as a defendant in any of the lawsuits, but his name crops up on incorporation papers for Epstein's web of companies, on Ghislaine Maxwell's tax forms, on checks, and on cash withdrawal records for Epstein's bank accounts, which for years were held by JPMorgan Chase .

Congressional investigators interested in how Epstein made and spent his money  and whether banks ignored red flags that should have alerted them to sex-trafficking  now have Beller in their crosshairs.

Beller was part of a tight-knit team working for Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. He worked under the direction of Richard Kahn, Epstein's top in-house accountant.

But for years, Beller was entrusted with managing some of the most delicate parts of Epstein's financial life.

Congress and lawyers in civil lawsuits want to know about Beller's role in Epstein's financial life.

His large cash withdrawals were the subject of at least four JPMorgan Suspicious Activity Reports.

Story Continues

The 69-year-old accountant personally handled some of the cash withdrawals from Epstein's account, which became a catalyst for Epstein's messy breakup with JPMorgan years after the financier pleaded guilty to sex crimes in 2008.

Those cash withdrawals should have been a bright red flag for potential financial crimes, such as money laundering, according to Martin Sheil, a former IRS criminal investigator. Beller's perspective might help explain what Epstein was doing with the money, and what JPMorgan may have known about it at the time.

"Rich folks generally don't deal in cash, and banks know that," Sheil told Business Insider.

The cash withdrawals

When JPMorgan decided to cut ties with Epstein in 2013, bank officials said they were concerned with the predator's frequent cash withdrawals.

Beller was often the person who physically withdrew the cash from Epstein's accounts, recently unsealed court records show.

He worked for Epstein between 1992 and 2014, and his withdrawals of large amounts of cash from Epstein's accounts with the bank were the subject of at least four federally mandated Suspicious Activity Reports, or SARs, for concerning transactions. The earliest SAR was filed in 2002  long before Florida police began investigating Epstein's abuse of girls.

Banks are typically wary of large cash transactions, since they can exchange hands without clear oversight. "Know Your Customer" rules require financial institutions to monitor where clients' money is going to ensure it's not tied to fraud, money laundering, or human trafficking.

Internal JPMorgan communications and copies of the SARs the bank filed with the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network show that Beller sometimes withdrew tens of thousands of dollars at a time.

An undated photo of Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein entered into evidence during her criminal trial. US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York

Since JPMorgan believed Epstein was a financial advisor for billionaires, those cash withdrawals should have raised more severe alarms, according to Sheil, the former IRS criminal investigator.

"His business is to provide tax or investment advice to rich, wealthy clients," Sheil told Business Insider. "And to have this account come in to make these large cash withdrawals? Well, what's the basis for that? That's not normal business for an investment advisor."

In the flagged transactions, Beller always went to the same JPMorgan location: 270 Park Avenue, the bank's headquarters, which CEO Jamie Dimon recently razed to the ground and replaced with a new office tower for employees.

The repeated visits to the same JPMorgan location should have also raised questions within the bank, said Sarah Krissoff, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor.

"The first time something happens, or the second time, it is going to draw less scrutiny," said Krissoff, now a white-collar defense attorney at Cozen O'Connor. "As something becomes a pattern, it should be raising more red flags."

JPMorgan's SARs became public last month in a now-settled lawsuit between the US Virgin Islands government and the bank.

In the 2002 report, JPMorgan flagged for the Treasury Department that Beller had withdrawn substantial amounts of cash over the span of about three months. The report shows the bank was concerned the withdrawals from Epstein's accounts could be part of a money laundering operation.

According to the 2002 report, Beller made 16 different cash withdrawals of about $9,800 each (the maximum allowed was $10,000) and cashed one $40,000 check from one of Epstein's accounts.

Beller  but, not Epstein  was the subject of the 2002 SAR, which a former FBI special agent hired by the US Virgin Islands to analyze the report flagged as unusual.

"If the intention on the part of JPMC was to adequately report the activity, then the SAR would have been filed against Jeffrey Epstein himself, not only against Beller," the former FBI agent wrote. "Beller was Epstein's accountant."

Harry Beller withdrew cash from accounts associated with Jeffrey Epstein's private jet, US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York

Court records show JPMorgan taking issue with Beller's cash withdrawals a decade later. An email exchange between bank employees in 2012, obtained in the lawsuit, shows them expressing concern over $100,000 in cash withdrawn from Hyperion Air, a corporate entity that held Epstein's private jet.

Beller signed the checks for the withdrawals, one employee said. In response, a JPMorgan executive wrote that Epstein said the cash was taken out to pay for fuel in foreign countries, and that the bank ought to check that with Beller.

"Perhaps the next best step is for us to speak with Harry, who we know, and ask Harry about the cash withdrawals," John R. Duffy, then the CEO of JPMorgan's private banking division, wrote. "Agree? Concerns?"

It's not clear from the court documents whether any of the JPMorgan employees ultimately spoke to Beller about the transactions. A separate 2023 report, commissioned by the US Virgin Islands and written by a forensic accountant with access to internal JPMorgan documents, said there's no evidence the bank ever asked for receipts or other documentation to say the cash was used for fuel.

JPMorgan filed three additional SARs after cutting ties with Epstein in the wake of media reports about the pedophile. In 2015, the bank flagged transactions between 2006 and 2007, the years Florida law enforcement investigated his sexual abuse of teenage girls. The bank filed two other SARs in August and September of 2019, after Epstein's arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges and death. They covered transactions between 2003 and 2019 in accounts belonging to Epstein as well as several of his associates, including Beller.

"We regret any association we had with the man, but wouldn't have kept him as a client had we known of his heinous crimes," JPMorgan Chase spokesperson Patricia Wexler told Business Insider. "The Federal government had much more information on his activities that they did not share with us at the time."

Following a Truth Social post from Trump on Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the US Attorney's office in Manhattan would investigate JPMorgan's relationship with Epstein, along with several prominent Democrats with ties to the pedophile.

Epstein's money man

A pair of lawsuits filed earlier this year by Epstein victims against banks allege Epstein used HBRK to set up fake companies, send hush money and other illegal payments to his sex-trafficking victims, and "otherwise develop false schemes to protect the operation and control the victims."

The suits say HBRK stands for Harry Beller and Richard Kahn, its "founding members" and longtime Epstein accountants. Like Beller and HBRK, Kahn is not named as a defendant in those lawsuits.

Kahn has managed the affairs of the $630 million estate Epstein left after his 2019 death, along with the financier's longtime personal lawyer Darren Indyke. An attorney for the co-executors didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment for this story.

Prince Andrew attends The Royal Meeting, a British social event at the Ascot Racecourse outside London. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Beyond Epstein's operations, testimony from Beller could give the public a glimpse of the kind of financial advice Epstein gave to his handful of billionaire clients.

Those clients, including former Victoria's Secret CEO Les Wexner and ex-Apollo CEO Leon Black, have said Epstein provided valuable services to manage their own fortunes. Epstein's work for Black helped the billionaire save as much as $2 billion in taxes, for which Epstein was compensated around $170 million.

On his LinkedIn page, Beller described his time working for Epstein  which is listed as from 1992 to 2014  as work for "New York Strategy Group LLC." Court records describe the company as Epstein's money management firm. On Beller's LinkedIn page, it's described as "a financial advisory firm servicing high net worth individuals with assets in excess of 1 billion dollars." Beller, who retains a CPA license and lives in upstate New York, now works at a small NYC-based accounting firm.

Sigrid McCawley, an attorney at Boies Schiller Flexner who brought the lawsuits against the banks on behalf of Epstein victims, said Beller was someone who "knows the inner workings" of how Epstein used the financial system.

"He was the accountant part of that enterprise, with Khan, whose hands are all over this," McCawley told Business Insider. "So I do think he is a significant person of interest in this."

Beller was forced to testify last year in a deposition in another lawsuit brought by McCawley, against Indyke and Kahn.

When asked about HBRK, he "invoked the Fifth Amendment instead of responding to document subpoenas or substantively answering questions," McCawley wrote in one court filing.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $165.00 to $170.00 in a research report report published on Monday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the technology companys stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. Susquehanna increased their price target on Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI set a $180.00 target price on shares of Dell Technologies and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Argus increased their target price on Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $161.35.

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Dell Technologies Trading Down 2.8%

NYSE:DELL opened at $119.27 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $143.79 and a 200-day moving average of $129.29. Dell Technologies has a twelve month low of $66.25 and a twelve month high of $168.08. The firm has a market cap of $80.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.02.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last issued 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. On average, research analysts forecast that Dell Technologies will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 21st were issued a $0.525 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 21st. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 30.88%.

Insider Activity at Dell Technologies

In related news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total value of $112,183,364.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.32, for a total transaction of $74,760,800.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock worth $642,644,973. Insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. William Allan Corp grew its stake in Dell Technologies by 47.6% in the second 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 during the last quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Dell Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $241,000. First Hawaiian Bank raised its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 67.1% during the 1st quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 34,878 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,179,000 after acquiring an additional 14,010 shares in the last quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 11,037.8% in the second quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 88,100 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $10,801,000 after acquiring an additional 87,309 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth $8,869,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.37% of the companys stock.

About Dell Technologies

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Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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Dicker Data Limited (ASX:DDR  Get Free Report) insider Vladimir Mitnovetski purchased 5,662 shares of Dicker Data stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of A$9.80 per share, for a total transaction of A$55,487.60.

Vladimir Mitnovetski also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, November 13th, Vladimir Mitnovetski bought 15,000 shares of Dicker Data stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of A$10.00 per share, with a total value of A$150,000.00.

On Monday, November 10th, Vladimir Mitnovetski bought 25,000 shares of Dicker Data stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of A$10.15 per share, for a total transaction of A$253,750.00.

On Friday, August 29th, Vladimir Mitnovetski purchased 25,000 shares of Dicker Data stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of A$8.72 per share, with a total value of A$217,950.00.

Dicker Data Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 142.11. The stock has a market cap of $1.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.43.

Dicker Data Dividend Announcement

Dicker Data Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a Interim dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, November 30th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, November 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a yield of 108.0%. Dicker Datas payout ratio is presently 100.00%.

(Get Free Report)

Dicker Data Limited engages in the wholesale distribution of computer hardware, software, cloud, access control, surveillance, and technologies in Australia and New Zealand. It sells its products to resellers partners. Dicker Data Limited was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Kurnell, Australia.

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Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $30.21 and traded as high as $31.01. Douglas Dynamics shares last traded at $29.9210, with a volume of 117,289 shares traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on PLOW. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Douglas Dynamics from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. DA Davidson set a $39.00 target price on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a report on Thursday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $39.00.

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Douglas Dynamics Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 2.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The company has a market capitalization of $683.81 million, a PE ratio of 10.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.30. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $31.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.24.

Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The auto parts company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.04. Douglas Dynamics had a net margin of 11.38% and a return on equity of 15.16%. The firm had revenue of $162.12 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $163.27 million. Douglas Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.850-2.250 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Douglas Dynamics, Inc. will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Douglas Dynamics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 16th were given a dividend of $0.295 per share. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 16th. Douglas Dynamicss payout ratio is 67.05%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Douglas Dynamics

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PLOW. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new position in Douglas Dynamics during the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Douglas Dynamics by 85.4% during the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,266 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 583 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Douglas Dynamics during the first quarter valued at $53,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System bought a new position in shares of Douglas Dynamics in the second quarter worth about $61,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Douglas Dynamics by 136.6% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,257 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 1,303 shares during the last quarter. 91.85% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Douglas Dynamics Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Douglas Dynamics, Inc operates as a manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment in North America. It operates through two segments, Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions. The Work Truck Attachments segment manufactures and sells snow and ice control attachments, including snowplows, and sand and salt spreaders for light trucks and heavy duty trucks, as well as various related parts and accessories.

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Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-four brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seventeen have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $61.5909.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on DT shares. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Dynatrace from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Guggenheim increased their price target on Dynatrace from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. UBS Group set a $51.00 price objective on Dynatrace in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their target price on Dynatrace from $57.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Scotiabank lowered their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $67.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th.

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Dynatrace Price Performance

NYSE:DT opened at $45.23 on Monday. Dynatrace has a one year low of $39.30 and a one year high of $63.00. The company has a market cap of $13.64 billion, a PE ratio of 27.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 0.85. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $48.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $50.85.

Dynatrace (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $493.85 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $487.33 million. Dynatrace had a net margin of 27.33% and a return on equity of 9.24%. The companys revenue was up 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.37 EPS. Dynatrace has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.400-0.420 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 1.620-1.640 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Dynatrace will post 0.68 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Daniel S. Yates sold 2,000 shares of Dynatrace stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.69, for a total transaction of $93,380.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 23,380 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,091,612.20. This trade represents a 7.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Rick M. Mcconnell sold 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.61, for a total transaction of $1,398,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 108,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,039,706.25. The trade was a 21.72% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 42,602 shares of company stock valued at $2,021,259. 0.57% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dynatrace

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Dynatrace by 561.4% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 582 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 494 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management increased its stake in Dynatrace by 122.4% in the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 547 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Dynatrace in the second quarter valued at $34,000. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Dynatrace during the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. bought a new position in shares of Dynatrace during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors own 94.28% of the companys stock.

About Dynatrace

(Get Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation.

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ACRES Commercial Realty Corp. (NYSE:ACR  Get Free Report) major shareholder Eagle Point Credit Management sold 718 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.17, for a total value of $18,072.06. Following the sale, the insider owned 389,099 shares in the company, valued at $9,793,621.83. The trade was a 0.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Major shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Eagle Point Credit Management also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, November 13th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 733 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.15, for a total value of $18,434.95.

On Wednesday, November 12th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 2,593 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.80, for a total value of $59,120.40.

On Tuesday, November 11th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 1,161 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.20, for a total value of $25,774.20.

On Friday, November 7th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 140 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.15, for a total value of $3,521.00.

On Thursday, November 6th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 200 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.15, for a total value of $5,030.00.

On Wednesday, November 5th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 3,637 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.30, for a total transaction of $81,105.10.

On Tuesday, November 4th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 352 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.17, for a total transaction of $7,803.84.

On Friday, October 31st, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 2,089 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.19, for a total transaction of $52,621.91.

On Wednesday, October 29th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 772 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.10, for a total transaction of $17,061.20.

On Tuesday, October 28th, Eagle Point Credit Management sold 200 shares of ACRES Commercial Realty stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total transaction of $4,414.00.

ACRES Commercial Realty Stock Performance

NYSE ACR traded down $0.61 on Wednesday, hitting $20.73. The stock had a trading volume of 20,247 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,428. The companys 50-day moving average is $20.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.52. ACRES Commercial Realty Corp. has a one year low of $14.94 and a one year high of $23.81. The stock has a market cap of $151.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,036.08 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a quick ratio of 69.53, a current ratio of 69.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.01.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ACRES Commercial Realty

ACRES Commercial Realty declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, October 29th that allows the company to repurchase $7.50 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 5.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ACR. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in ACRES Commercial Realty by 16.8% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 182,679 shares of the companys stock worth $3,272,000 after buying an additional 26,226 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of ACRES Commercial Realty in the first quarter worth approximately $488,000. Informed Momentum Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ACRES Commercial Realty during the first quarter valued at approximately $697,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of ACRES Commercial Realty by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 33,889 shares of the companys stock valued at $608,000 after acquiring an additional 3,618 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in ACRES Commercial Realty by 120.2% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,354 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 739 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 40.03% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on ACR shares. Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of ACRES Commercial Realty in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of ACRES Commercial Realty in a report on Monday. JMP Securities set a $24.50 price objective on shares of ACRES Commercial Realty in a report on Friday, October 31st. Citizens Jmp raised their target price on shares of ACRES Commercial Realty from $23.50 to $24.50 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of ACRES Commercial Realty from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, ACRES Commercial Realty presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $24.50.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ACR

ACRES Commercial Realty Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ACRES Commercial Realty Corp., a real estate investment trust (REIT), focuses on the origination, holding, and management of commercial real estate mortgage loans and equity investments in commercial real estate property in the United States. It invests in commercial real estate-related assets, including floating-rate first mortgage loans, first priority interests in first mortgage loans, subordinated interests in first mortgage loans, mezzanine financing, preferred equity investments, and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

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EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) by 23.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 86,707 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 16,230 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Japan ETF comprises approximately 1.2% of EFG Asset Management Americas Corp.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. EFG Asset Management Americas Corp.s holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $6,500,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 195.2% in the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 372 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Trust Co. of Vermont bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors own 64.60% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Down 0.1%

NYSEARCA EWJ opened at $80.68 on Thursday. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 12-month low of $59.84 and a 12-month high of $84.54. The firms 50 day moving average is $81.90 and its 200-day moving average is $77.37. The company has a market capitalization of $15.03 billion, a PE ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68.

About iShares MSCI Japan ETF

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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Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE:SCCO  Free Report) by 1,148.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 83,690 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 76,985 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLCs holdings in Southern Copper were worth $8,467,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SCCO. Tobam acquired a new stake in Southern Copper during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Southern Copper during the second quarter valued at $32,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Southern Copper during the first quarter valued at $34,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in Southern Copper by 65.1% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 383 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Southern Copper in the 1st quarter worth about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.94% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Southern Copper

In other news, Director Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.35, for a total transaction of $27,870.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,713 shares in the company, valued at approximately $238,706.55. This represents a 10.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 962 shares of company stock valued at $118,232 over the last ninety days. 0.07% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Southern Copper Price Performance

NYSE SCCO opened at $125.40 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 4.51, a current ratio of 5.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $101.85 billion, a PE ratio of 26.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.08. Southern Copper Corporation has a 12-month low of $74.84 and a 12-month high of $144.81. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $126.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $106.92.

Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The basic materials company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.09. Southern Copper had a net margin of 30.98% and a return on equity of 39.62%. The business had revenue of $3.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.05 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Southern Copper Corporation will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southern Copper Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 12th. Southern Coppers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 75.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating and issued a $108.00 target price (up previously from $89.10) on shares of Southern Copper in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $155.00 price objective on shares of Southern Copper and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Southern Copper from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. HSBC reissued a hold rating and set a $118.00 target price (up previously from $105.00) on shares of Southern Copper in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Southern Copper from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $117.94.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Southern Copper

Southern Copper Company Profile

(Free Report)

Southern Copper Corporation engages in mining, exploring, smelting, and refining copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. The company is involved in the mining, milling, and flotation of copper ore to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes; production of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid; production of refined silver, gold, and other materials; and mining and processing of zinc, copper, molybdenum, silver, gold, and lead.

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Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 99,698 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 13,697 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLCs holdings in Entergy were worth $8,287,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in Entergy by 275.6% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,176 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $696,000 after acquiring an additional 6,733 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its position in shares of Entergy by 36.8% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 25,250 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,159,000 after purchasing an additional 6,796 shares in the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Entergy in the first quarter worth about $1,073,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its holdings in shares of Entergy by 4.9% in the first quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 33,108 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,831,000 after purchasing an additional 1,558 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 1.2% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 440,160 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $37,629,000 after buying an additional 5,108 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.07% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. BTIG Research raised Entergy to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Entergy in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Entergy from $102.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Morgan Stanley set a $93.00 price objective on shares of Entergy and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, KeyCorp restated an overweight rating and issued a $106.00 target price (up from $96.00) on shares of Entergy in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Entergy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.59.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Entergy news, Director Ralph Lewis Ropp purchased 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $96.69 per share, with a total value of $96,690.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 1,050 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $101,524.50. The trade was a 2,000.00% 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. Also, insider Haley Fisackerly sold 5,136 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.50, for a total value of $495,624.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,899 shares in the company, valued at $762,253.50. This trade represents a 39.40% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 10,179 shares of company stock valued at $981,707. Insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

Entergy Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of ETR opened at $94.03 on Thursday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $94.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $88.32. The company has a market cap of $42.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. Entergy Corporation has a twelve month low of $73.15 and a twelve month high of $98.58.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter. Entergy had a net margin of 14.26% and a return on equity of 11.53%. The company had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter. As a group, analysts expect that Entergy Corporation will post 3.88 EPS for the current year.

Entergy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a $0.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. This is a positive change from Entergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.21%.

Entergy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Ensign Peak Advisors Inc reduced its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 19.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 386,244 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 92,705 shares during the quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc owned 0.13% of The Goldman Sachs Group worth $273,364,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of GS. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% in the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $20,566,005,000 after acquiring an additional 29,053,586 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter worth about $897,185,000. Ninety One UK Ltd bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $408,780,000. AGF Management Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2,429.6% during the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 485,375 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $343,524,000 after buying an additional 466,187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi lifted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 13.6% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 1,891,260 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $967,193,000 after buying an additional 225,993 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,244 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.11, for a total value of $6,934,016.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 115,268 shares in the company, valued at $86,463,679.48. This trade represents a 7.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 1.2%

NYSE GS opened at $785.42 on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $439.38 and a 1 year high of $841.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $235.57 billion, a PE ratio of 15.95, a PEG 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 businesss 50-day moving average is $786.35 and its 200 day moving average is $715.26.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a 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 period in the previous year, the firm earned $8.40 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is presently 32.50%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $785.00 to $855.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Barclays raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $720.00 to $850.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $750.00 price objective (up previously from $625.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $786.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on GS

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $136.00 to $138.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the energy exploration companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective would indicate a potential upside of 26.36% from the companys previous close.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Melius Research assumed coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a buy rating and a $173.00 target price for the company. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $138.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Evercore ISI raised their target price on EOG Resources from $141.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on EOG Resources from $129.00 to $124.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays set a $136.00 price target on shares of EOG Resources and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and fifteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $140.19.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on EOG Resources

EOG Resources Price Performance

NYSE:EOG traded up $2.12 on Thursday, reaching $109.21. The stock had a trading volume of 181,394 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,617,506. The company has a market capitalization of $59.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.72. EOG Resources has a 1-year low of $102.52 and a 1-year high of $138.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $110.44 and a 200-day moving average price of $115.40.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.29. EOG Resources had a net margin of 25.25% and a return on equity of 20.51%. The company had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.48 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.89 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that EOG Resources will post 11.47 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EOG Resources

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. StrongBox Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 1.9% in the second quarter. StrongBox Wealth LLC now owns 4,817 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $576,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 45.1% during the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 283 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. increased its position in shares of EOG Resources by 31.6% in the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 379 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Hemington Wealth Management raised its holdings in EOG Resources by 7.2% during the third quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 1,383 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $155,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bollard Group LLC boosted its position in EOG Resources by 0.8% during the third quarter. Bollard Group LLC now owns 11,747 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,317,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.91% of the companys stock.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Goodboy Picture Company / Getty Images The median income for Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 is more than $82,000, according to the Federal Reserve.

Key Takeaways

Americans who are 55 to 64 years old have a median household income of $82,150, according to Fed data.

Earnings vary widely across groups, with homeowners and college graduates far outpacing renters and those without a degree.

Even when earnings are high, your ability to retire comfortably depends on additional factors such as total savings, assets, pensions, and debt.

According to the Federal Reserve's (Fed's) Survey of Consumer Finances, income typically rises through midlife before leveling off in your late 50s and early 60s. Seeing how your earnings and savings compare with others your age can help you gauge where you standand where you might want to improve.

How Much Americans Ages 5564 Earn

Americans ages 5564 had a median household income of $82,150 in 2022, according to the Feds latest survey. Thats the second-highest of any age group, behind $91,880 for those ages 4554 and far ahead of $49,070 for those 75 and older. (Medians, rather than averages, are used to reduce the impact of unusually high or low incomes.)

These figures reflect a stage when many workers are near their peak earning years, though some may shift to part-time roles or more flexible jobs while others may have already stepped away from work altogether.

Why This Matters

Comparing your income to your peers can help you see where you stand, but real retirement readiness depends on your full financial picturesavings, home equity, steady income sources, debt, and more.

The Big Income Divides Shaping Americans Finances

According to the Feds latest survey, the median income across all households is $70,260but that figure shifts sharply based on housing and education. Homeowners earn more than twice as much as renters, with median household incomes of $94,040 versus $42,160.

Education shows a similar divide. The median income for families headed by someone with a college degree is $117,820, compared with $32,430 for those without a high school diploma. Those with some college earn a median of $60,530, and those with a high school diploma earn a median of $52,960.

While a college degree can lead to higher income, it isnt the only path to financial success, said Jason Howell, a family wealth advisor with Jason Howell Company in Fairfax, Virginia. College is optional if you are conscientious and you have an idea, he saidwhether that means starting a business or pursuing a trade. In fact, he noted, trade school can take less than six years to make six figures.

Entrepreneurship, he added, may take a little longer, but the longer term of owning your income is the most direct approach toward achieving whatever wealth means to you. For experienced workers, its an ideal time to start a business of any kind, especially one youve built skills in over the past 25 years, whether thats consulting, plumbing, or another trade. You couldnt be better equippedand still young enoughto start something.
Shares of FIBRA Prologis (OTCMKTS:FBBPF  Get Free Report) fell 4.3% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $4.1440 and last traded at $4.1440. 1,049 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 10,351 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.3320.

FIBRA Prologis Stock Performance

The companys 50 day moving average price is $3.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.81.

FIBRA Prologis Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

FIBRA Prologis is a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of December 31, 2023, FIBRA Prologis was comprised of 235 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 46.9 million square feet (4.4 million square meters) of gross leasable area.

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KUKA Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:KUKAY  Get Free Report) and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:BMWYY  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, dividends and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares KUKA Aktiengesellschaft and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschafts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets KUKA Aktiengesellschaft 1.18% 2.87% 1.06% Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft 6.90% 11.39% 4.19%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for KUKA Aktiengesellschaft and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score KUKA Aktiengesellschaft 0 0 0 0 0.00 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft 1 1 1 0 2.00

Risk & Volatility

Dividends

KUKA Aktiengesellschaft has a beta of 1.13, suggesting that its share price is 13% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

KUKA Aktiengesellschaft pays an annual dividend of $0.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft pays an annual dividend of $1.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft pays out 25.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

0.0% of Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares KUKA Aktiengesellschaft and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschafts gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio KUKA Aktiengesellschaft $3.89 billion 0.80 -$46.14 million N/A N/A Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft $168.28 billion 0.31 $12.22 billion $6.06 4.82

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft has higher revenue and earnings than KUKA Aktiengesellschaft.

Summary

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft beats KUKA Aktiengesellschaft on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About KUKA Aktiengesellschaft

(Get Free Report)

KUKA Aktiengesellschaft, an automation company, provides robot-based automation solutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Systems, Robotics, Swisslog, Swisslog Healthcare, and China. The company manufactures and supplies industrial, collaborative, and mobile robots, as well as robot controllers, software, and digital services for industrial Internet of Things. It also offers automated guided vehicles and other automation components to production cells, turnkey systems, and networked production with the aid of cloud-based IT tools; individual system components, tools and fixtures, and automated production cells; and robot-based and modular manufacturing cells, as well as support services. In addition, the company offers automated solutions for hospitals, warehouses, and distribution centers; and warehouse management systems and healthcare systems. It serves customers in the automotive, electronics, e-commerce/retail, consumer goods, metal and plastic, healthcare, and other industries. The company was formerly known as Industrie-Werke Karlsruhe Augsburg Aktiengesellschaft and changed its name to KUKA Aktiengesellschaft in 2007. The company was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Augsburg, Germany. KUKA Aktiengesellschaft is a subsidiary of Midea Electric Netherlands (I) B.V.

About Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

(Get Free Report)

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of automobiles and motorcycles, and spare parts and accessories worldwide. It operates through Automotive, Motorcycles, and Financial Services segments. The Automotive segment engages in the development, manufacture, assembling, and sale of automobiles, spare parts, accessories, and mobility services under the BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands. The Motorcycles segment develops, manufactures, assembles, and sells motorcycles and scooters under the BMW Motorrad brand, as well as spare parts and accessories. The Financial Services segment is involved in the automobile and motorcycle leasing, credit financing, retail and dealership financing, multi-brand fleet, customer deposit, and insurance activities; and the provision of fleet management services under the Alphabet brand. The company sells its products through independent dealerships. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina (NYSE:LOMA  Get Free Report) and M/I Homes (NYSE:MHO  Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, valuation, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

19.3% of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.1% of M/I Homes shares are held by institutional investors. 3.5% of M/I Homes shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina and M/I Homes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina 5.67% 4.40% 2.46% M/I Homes 10.56% 15.72% 10.26%

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina $767.70 million 1.72 $169.19 million $0.31 36.55 M/I Homes $4.48 billion 0.73 $563.72 million $17.03 7.31

This table compares Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina and M/I Homess top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

M/I Homes has higher revenue and earnings than Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina. M/I Homes is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina and M/I Homes, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina 0 1 4 0 2.80 M/I Homes 0 2 1 2 3.00

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina presently has a consensus price target of $14.80, suggesting a potential upside of 30.63%. M/I Homes has a consensus price target of $155.00, suggesting a potential upside of 24.54%. Given Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentinas higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina is more favorable than M/I Homes.

Risk & Volatility

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina has a beta of 1.04, meaning that its stock price is 4% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, M/I Homes has a beta of 1.66, meaning that its stock price is 66% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

M/I Homes beats Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina

(Get Free Report)

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cement and its derivatives in Argentina. The company operates through Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime; Concrete; Railroad; Aggregates; and Others segments. It offers masonry cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, concrete, and lime to wholesale distributors, concrete producers, industrial customers, and others for use in the construction. The company also provides rail transportation services; and treats and recycles industrial waste for use as fuel and raw material. It markets its products under the Loma Negra, San Martin, Plasticor, Cacique Plus, Cacique Max, Loma Negra Plus, and Lomax brands. The company was founded in 1926 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima is a subsidiary of Intercement Trading E Inversiones Argentina Sociedad Limitada.

About M/I Homes

(Get Free Report)

M/I Homes, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction and sale of single-family residential homes in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The company operates through Northern Homebuilding, Southern Homebuilding, and Financial Services segments. It also designs, constructs, markets, and sells single-family homes and attached townhomes to first-time, millennial, move-up, empty-nester, multi-generational, and luxury homebuyers under the M/I Homes brand name. In addition, the company purchases undeveloped land to develop into developed lots for the construction of single-family homes, as well as for sale to others. Further, the company originates and sells mortgages; and serves as a title insurance agent by providing title insurance policies, examination, and closing services to purchasers of its homes. M/I Homes, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is based in Columbus, Ohio.

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Insider & Institutional Ownership

50.0% of shares of all FIN  SVGS & LOAN companies are held by institutional investors. 20.0% of First Bancorp of Indiana shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 9.0% of shares of all FIN  SVGS & LOAN companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares First Bancorp of Indiana and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Bancorp of Indiana N/A N/A N/A First Bancorp of Indiana Competitors 12.22% 5.07% 0.78%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares First Bancorp of Indiana and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio First Bancorp of Indiana N/A N/A 53.62 First Bancorp of Indiana Competitors $204.16 million $34.74 million 14.07

Dividends

First Bancorp of Indianas rivals have higher revenue and earnings than First Bancorp of Indiana. First Bancorp of Indiana is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

First Bancorp of Indiana pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. First Bancorp of Indiana pays out 95.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, FIN  SVGS & LOAN companies pay a dividend yield of 2.8% and pay out 28.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. First Bancorp of Indiana lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Volatility & Risk

First Bancorp of Indiana has a beta of 0.27, meaning that its stock price is 73% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, First Bancorp of Indianas rivals have a beta of 0.63, meaning that their average stock price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

First Bancorp of Indiana rivals beat First Bancorp of Indiana on 8 of the 10 factors compared.

About First Bancorp of Indiana

(Get Free Report)

First Bancorp of Indiana, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for First Federal Savings Bank, provides various banking products and services to individuals and business customers in the United States. The company accepts various deposits such as certificates of deposit, checking, health savings, individual retirement, money market, and savings accounts; loans include retail loan advisors, consumer loans, such as auto, motorcycle, boat, and recreational vehicle loans; mortgage and home equity loans; and current rates and secured deposits. It also accepts various business deposit accounts including commercial, business, small business, and community first checking accounts; lending services comprising relationship bankers; commercial real estate, equipment, owner occupied and investment real estate financing, as well as working capital line of credit, business loans, and small business administration. In addition, the company provides treasury management, online banking, merchant services, remote capture, and debit and credit card services. First Bancorp of Indiana, Inc. was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana.

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Southside Bancshares (NYSE:SBSI  Get Free Report) and First Foundation (NYSE:FFWM  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Southside Bancshares and First Foundation, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Southside Bancshares 0 1 0 0 2.00 First Foundation 1 1 0 2 2.75

Profitability

This table compares Southside Bancshares and First Foundations net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Southside Bancshares 15.58% 10.94% 1.07% First Foundation -26.09% -0.07% -0.01%

Dividends

Risk & Volatility

Southside Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.1%. First Foundation pays an annual dividend of $0.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Southside Bancshares pays out 62.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Foundation pays out -2.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Southside Bancshares has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years. Southside Bancshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Southside Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, suggesting that its share price is 32% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, First Foundation has a beta of 1.05, suggesting that its share price is 5% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Southside Bancshares and First Foundations revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Southside Bancshares $240.20 million 3.54 $88.49 million $2.30 12.31 First Foundation $196.20 million 2.11 -$92.41 million ($1.96) -2.55

Southside Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than First Foundation. First Foundation is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southside Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

55.7% of Southside Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.1% of First Foundation shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.0% of Southside Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 9.5% of First Foundation shares are owned 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.

Summary

Southside Bancshares beats First Foundation on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Southside Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Southside Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southside Bank that provides a range of financial services to individuals, businesses, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations. Its deposit products include savings, money market, and interest and noninterest bearing checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The companys loan portfolio comprises consumer loans that include 1-4 family residential loans, home equity loans, home improvement loans, automobile loans, and other consumer related loans; commercial loans, such as short-term working capital loans for inventory and accounts receivable, short and medium-term loans for equipment or other business capital expansion, commercial real estate loans, and municipal loans; and construction loans for 1-4 family residential and commercial real estate. It also offers wealth management and trust services consisting of investment management, administration, revocable and testamentary trusts, and custodian services for individuals, partnerships, and corporations; safe deposit services; and brokerage services. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated through 56 banking facilities and 73 ATMs/ITMs. Southside Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Tyler, Texas.

About First Foundation

(Get Free Report)

First Foundation Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides personal banking, business banking, and private wealth management services in the United States. It operates through two segments, Banking and Wealth Management. The company offers a range of bank deposit products, including personal and business checking accounts, savings accounts, interest-bearing negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, and time certificate of deposits; and loan products consisting of multifamily and single family residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, and commercial term loans and line of credits, as well as consumer loans, such as personal installment loans and line of credits, and home equity line of credits. It also provides various specialized services comprising trust services, internet and mobile banking, remote deposit capture services, merchant credit card services, ATM cards, Visa debit cards, and business sweep accounts, as well as insurance brokerage services and equipment financing solutions. In addition, the company offers investment management and financial planning services; treasury management services; advisory and coordination services in the areas of estate planning, retirement planning, and charitable and business ownership issues; and financial, investment, and economic advisory and related services. Further, it provides support services, including the processing and transmission of financial and economic data for charitable organizations. The company operates through a network of 28 branch offices and 3 loan production offices in California, Nevada, Texas, and Hawaii. First Foundation Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

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Shares of Galway Metals Inc. (CVE:GWM  Get Free Report) were down 9.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$0.52 and last traded at C$0.53. Approximately 519,771 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 185% from the average daily volume of 182,119 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.58.

Galway Metals Trading Down 10.3%

The company has a current ratio of 3.16, a quick ratio of 4.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$0.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$0.50. The company has a market cap of C$56.34 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.50 and a beta of 2.67.

About Galway Metals

(Get Free Report)

Galway Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada; and Estrades mine, related Newiska concessions, and adjacent Casa Berardi claims located in western Quebec, Canada.

Further Reading

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Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC purchased a new position in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 2,526 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $230,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Charles Schwab during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 97.9% during the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 386 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 6,650.0% in the 1st quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 405 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.38% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SCHW has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $109.00 to $111.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Truist Financial raised their price target on Charles Schwab from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $129.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, October 17th. One equities 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 assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $106.45.

Insider Activity

In other Charles Schwab news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total transaction of $299,122.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 34,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 3,072 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.00, for a total transaction of $301,056.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,168,454. The trade was a 20.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 68,938 shares of company stock valued at $6,671,953 in the last quarter. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

Shares of SCHW stock opened at $92.65 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $164.63 billion, a PE ratio of 21.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $94.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $92.64. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 52 week low of $65.88 and a 52 week high of $99.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $6.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.93 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.26% and a net margin of 35.93%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.71 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current year.

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 paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 25.29%.

Charles Schwab declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $20.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report).

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GDS Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 67,130 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 8,575 shares during the quarter. GDS Wealth Managements holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $10,695,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in PG. Nova Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 67.9% during the 2nd quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 178 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in Procter & Gamble in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Jennifer L. Davis sold 3,227 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.23, for a total transaction of $491,246.21. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 61,764 shares in the company, valued at $9,402,333.72. This represents a 4.97% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Andre Schulten sold 4,252 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.23, for a total transaction of $647,281.96. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 53,992 shares in the company, valued at $8,219,202.16. The trade was a 7.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 31,308 shares of company stock valued at $4,768,692. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Procter & Gamble Price Performance

Shares of PG stock opened at $146.98 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $151.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $156.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.51. Procter & Gamble Company has a one year low of $144.09 and a one year high of $180.43. The firm has a market cap of $343.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.46, a P/E/G ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 0.36.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.23 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.74% and a return on equity of 32.63%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.93 EPS. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 24th were given a $1.0568 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $4.23 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is presently 61.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Dbs Bank upgraded Procter & Gamble to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Procter & Gamble from $173.00 to $170.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. BNP Paribas reiterated an outperform rating and set a $177.00 target price on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reduced their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $171.53.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

Procter & Gamble Co engages in the provision of branded consumer packaged goods. It operates through the following segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric and Home Care, and Baby, Feminine and Family Care. The Beauty segment offers hair, skin, and personal care. The Grooming segment consists of shave care like female and male blades and razors, pre and post shave products, and appliances.

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Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LON:GSF  Get Free Report) shares were up 1.7% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 61.70 and last traded at GBX 61.50. Approximately 964,218 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 40% from the average daily volume of 1,601,171 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 60.50.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Shore Capital reiterated a house stock rating on shares of Gore Street Energy Storage Fund in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Gore Street Energy Storage Fund presently has a consensus rating of Sell and a consensus target price of GBX 60.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on GSF

Gore Street Energy Storage Fund Price Performance

About Gore Street Energy Storage Fund

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is GBX 58.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 60.64. The stock has a market cap of 308.62 million, a P/E ratio of 50.08 and a beta of 0.31.

(Get Free Report)

About Us: Gore Street Energy Storage Fund plc is Londons first listed energy storage fund, launched in 2018. The Company is the only UK-listed energy storage fund with a diversified portfolio across five grid networks. The Company is one of the principal owners and operators of battery storage facilities in Great Britain and Ireland and owns and operates facilities in Western Mainland Europe and the US.

Further Reading

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Otis Worldwide (NYSE:OTIS  Get Free Report) and Graham (NYSE:GHM  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

88.0% of Otis Worldwide shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 69.5% of Graham shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Otis Worldwide shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.0% of Graham shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Otis Worldwide and Grahams gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Otis Worldwide $14.26 billion 2.37 $1.65 billion $3.39 25.53 Graham $227.90 million 2.68 $12.23 million $1.24 44.89

Otis Worldwide has higher revenue and earnings than Graham. Otis Worldwide is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Graham, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Otis Worldwide and Graham, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Otis Worldwide 1 5 3 0 2.22 Graham 0 2 3 1 2.83

Otis Worldwide currently has a consensus price target of $103.71, suggesting a potential upside of 19.83%. Graham has a consensus price target of $60.00, suggesting a potential upside of 7.79%. Given Otis Worldwides higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Otis Worldwide is more favorable than Graham.

Profitability

This table compares Otis Worldwide and Grahams net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Otis Worldwide 9.41% -30.67% 14.34% Graham 6.43% 12.83% 5.85%

Dividends

Otis Worldwide pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Graham pays an annual dividend of $0.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Otis Worldwide pays out 49.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Graham pays out 35.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Otis Worldwide has raised its dividend for 5 consecutive years. Otis Worldwide is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Risk and Volatility

Otis Worldwide has a beta of 1, meaning that its share price has a similar volatility profile to the S&P 500.Comparatively, Graham has a beta of 0.97, meaning that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Otis Worldwide beats Graham on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Otis Worldwide

(Get Free Report)

Otis Worldwide Corporation engages in manufacturing, installation, and servicing of elevators and escalators in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, New Equipment and Service. The New Equipment segment designs, manufactures, sells, and installs a range of passenger and freight elevators, as well as escalators and moving walkways for residential and commercial buildings, and infrastructure projects. This segment serves real-estate and building developers, and general contractors. It sells its products directly to customers, as well as through agents and distributors. The Service segment performs maintenance and repair services, as well as modernization services to upgrade elevators and escalators. Otis Worldwide Corporation was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut.

About Graham

(Get Free Report)

Graham Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs and manufactures fluid, power, heat transfer, and vacuum equipment for chemical and petrochemical processing, defense, space, petroleum refining, cryogenic, energy, and other industries. It offers power plant systems, including ejectors and surface condensers; torpedo ejection, propulsion, and power systems, such as turbines, alternators, regulators, pumps, and blowers; and thermal management systems comprising pumps, blowers, and drive electronics for defense sector. The company also provides rocket propulsion systems consisting of turbopumps and fuel pumps; cooling systems, which include pumps, compressors, fans, and blowers; and life support systems that comprise fans, pumps, and blowers for space industry. In addition, it offers heat transfer and vacuum systems, including ejectors, process and surface condensers, liquid ring pumps, heat exchangers, and nozzles; power generation systems, such as turbines, generators, compressors, and pumps; and thermal management systems comprising pumps, blowers, and electronics for energy sector. Further, the company offers heat transfer and vacuum systems consisting of ejectors, process and surface condensers, liquid ring pumps, heat exchangers, and nozzles for chemical and petrochemical processing industry. The company also services and sells spare parts for its equipment. It sells its products directly in the United States, the Middle East, Canada, Asia, South America, and internationally. Graham Corporation was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Batavia, New York.

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US-based insurance brokerage King Risk Partners has expanded its presence in New England through the acquisition of Acacia Insurance, an independent agency based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed.

The transaction is intended to increase King Risk Partners presence in Massachusetts in line with its strategy of expanding through selected acquisitions.

Acacia Insurance operates from Waltham and has provided services to clients throughout New England for more than 30 years.

The agency works with both individuals and businesses, arranging insurance cover for homes, motor vehicles, high-value possessions and a variety of business risks that require specialised solutions.

Acacia Insurance principals Adam Ellis and Dan Frankel commented: "Joining King Risk Partners is an outstanding opportunity for our team and clients.

"We share a dedication to integrity, accountability and excellence. With access to King's extensive infrastructure and resources, our clients will gain an even broader range of options, while we are able to devote even greater attention to providing the personalised support they value."

The acquisition will extend King Risk Partners' reach in the north-eastern US by bringing Acacia under its umbrella, while offering insurance options to clients.

King Risk Partners CEO Scott Popilek commented: "Acacia's commitment to making the unexpected uneventful for its clients resonates deeply with our mission.

"We are delighted to welcome the Acacia team into the King family. By combining our scale and capital with Acacia's local reputation and hands on approach, we will deliver a unique value proposition to the New England market."

"King Risk Partners expands in New England with Acacia Insurance acquisition " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Greenland Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:IPG  Free Report) by 59.4% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 59,939 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 22,341 shares during the quarter. Greenland Capital Management LPs holdings in Interpublic Group of Companies were worth $1,467,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in Interpublic Group of Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $939,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Interpublic Group of Companies by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 36,777 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $999,000 after buying an additional 5,680 shares in the last quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. grew its position in Interpublic Group of Companies by 18.7% in the first quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 4,136 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares during the period. Machina Capital S.A.S. acquired a new position in Interpublic Group of Companies during the first quarter worth $825,000. Finally, Advisor OS LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies by 23.0% during the first quarter. Advisor OS LLC now owns 18,867 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $512,000 after acquiring an additional 3,529 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.43% of the companys stock.

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Interpublic Group of Companies Price Performance

Shares of IPG stock opened at $24.70 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.93 and a beta of 1.12. The firms 50 day moving average is $26.16 and its 200-day moving average is $25.41. Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $22.51 and a 1 year high of $33.05.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Interpublic Group of Companies ( NYSE:IPG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The business services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. Interpublic Group of Companies had a net margin of 4.27% and a return on equity of 28.72%. Interpublic Group of Companiess revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.70 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on IPG. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in a report on Monday. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Interpublic Group of Companies to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 16th. UBS Group reduced their target price on Interpublic Group of Companies from $27.00 to $25.60 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Zacks Research cut Interpublic Group of Companies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Three 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, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $32.18.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on IPG

About Interpublic Group of Companies

(Free Report)

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc provides advertising and marketing services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Media, Data & Engagement Solutions, Integrated Advertising & Creativity Led Solutions, and Specialized Communications & Experiential Solutions. The Media, Data & Engagement Solutions segment provides media and communications services, digital services and products, advertising and marketing technology, e-commerce services, data management and analytics, strategic consulting, and digital brand experience under the IPG Mediabrands, UM, Initiative, Kinesso, Acxiom, Huge, MRM, and R/GA brand names.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IPG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:IPG  Free Report).

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Newsmax (NYSE:NMAX  Get Free Report) is one of 32 publicly-traded companies in the BRDCST  RADIO/TV industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Newsmax to similar businesses based on the strength of its valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, profitability, risk and institutional ownership.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Newsmax and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Newsmax $171.02 million -$72.17 million -6.78 Newsmax Competitors $5.48 billion $31.13 million 0.99

Newsmaxs rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Newsmax. Newsmax is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Profitability

47.7% of shares of all BRDCST  RADIO/TV companies are owned by institutional investors. 17.1% of shares of all BRDCST  RADIO/TV companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares Newsmax and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Newsmax -55.99% -255.61% -46.20% Newsmax Competitors -7.07% -10.40% -0.99%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Newsmax and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Newsmax 1 1 2 0 2.25 Newsmax Competitors 598 2202 3449 78 2.48

Newsmax currently has a consensus target price of $21.50, suggesting a potential upside of 183.23%. As a group, BRDCST  RADIO/TV companies have a potential upside of 21.93%. Given Newsmaxs higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Newsmax is more favorable than its rivals.

Summary

Newsmax rivals beat Newsmax on 11 of the 12 factors compared.

Newsmax Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Newsmax Inc. is a holding company that owns 100% of the equity interests of its operating company Newsmax Media, Inc. (Newsmax Media). Newsmax Media and its subsidiaries operate the businesses described in this Offering Circular. Newsmax Media has six wholly-owned subsidiaries: Newsmax Broadcasting, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (Newsmax Broadcasting), Crown Atlantic Insurance, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (Crown Atlantic), Humanix Publishing, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (Humanix Publishing), Medix Health LLC, a Florida limited liability company (Medix Health), ROI Media Strategies, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (ROI Media Strategies), and Newsmax Radio LLC, a Florida limited liability company (Newsmax Radio, and together with Newsmax Media, Newsmax Broadcasting, Crown Atlantic Insurance, Humanix Publishing, Medix Health, and ROI Media Strategies, the Subsidiaries). Newsmax Media is a television broadcaster and multi-platform content publisher with a mixed-revenue model that primarily derives income from (i) digital, linear and over-the-top (OTT) television advertising, (ii) online web and digital advertising, (iii) cable license fees and streaming subscriptions, and (iv) subscriptions to online and print publications. Newsmax Media uses original news, syndicated services and editorial content to draw consumers to its media outlets, including through its highly-rated TV channel, digital websites and print publications, and its website, Newsmax.com, in order to sell advertising to third party marketers. Newsmax Media also sells subscriptions to its own streaming, digital and print products through its channels and platforms. Newsmax Media differentiates itself in a crowded media marketplace, among other things, through broad distribution of Newsmax Medias content across linear cable, OTT streaming, and digital and print platforms, all with a focus on content related to politics, health, finance and lifestyle for an audience primarily comprised of viewers who are 45 years old or older. Newsmax Medias industry leading digital brand, which started in 1998, enabled it to launch Newsmax, its linear cable channel, in 2014. Today, each month, more than 40 million Americans watch, read and listen to Newsmax. The Newsmax channel is currently carried by major Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPDs) cable/satellite systems in the United States. Nielsen reports that Newsmax is the fourth highest-rated cable news network in the United States, with 21 million regular viewers, and is one of the 15 most viewed basic cable programs. In 2023, Nielsen reported that Newsmax was the only cable news channel with ratings growth across all dayparts, seeing a 42% increase in total viewership in prime time, 16% in daytime, 23% in total day, including a 69% increase in total day viewership among adults between age 35 and 64, and an 11% increase in access. As such, Newsmax Media became the first major digital brand to become the fastest-growing cable news platform. Meanwhile, competitor Fox News saw a 6% decline in viewership for total day and a 2% decline in prime time during the same time period. In the first half of 2024, Newsmaxs total viewership in prime time grew by 41%, including a 10% increase among adults between the ages of 35 and 64, and by 36% in total day, including a 16% increase among adults between 35 and 64. In comparison, Fox News experienced a 10% increase in prime time viewership, including a 10% increase among adults between age 35 and 64, and a 2% increase in total day, including a 1% increase among adults between age 35 and 64. Overall, Newsmaxs total day ratings grew by 36% in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023, compared to 7% growth for MSNBC, a 2% growth for Fox News, a 3% growth for CNN, a 7% decline for CNBC and a 36% decline for Newsnation. Newsmax Media was incorporated as Sequoia Digital Corporation in the State of Nevada in 1998. In 1999, Newsmax Media changed its name from Sequoia Digital Corporation to Newsmax.com, Inc. In 2001, Newsmax Media changed its name from Newsmax.com, Inc. to Newsmax Media, Inc. In 2006, Newsmax Media became a wholly-owned subsidiary of NMX Holdings, LLC. In 2014, Newsmax Media changed its state of domicile from Nevada to Delaware and consummated a corporate reorganization in which the members of NMX Holdings, LLC exchanged their membership interests in NMX Holdings, LLC for capital stock of Newsmax Media. In 2024, Newsmax Media consummated a corporate reorganization. Newsmax Inc. was formed as a new holding company that owns all of the outstanding shares of the operating company, Newsmax Media. The stockholders of Newsmax Media exchanged their shares of capital stock in Newsmax Media for the same class and number of shares in Newsmax Inc. Subsequently, Newsmax Media changed its state of domicile from Delaware to Florida. As a result of this reorganization, Newsmax Inc. became the direct holding company and the sole shareholder of Newsmax Media. Newsmax Medias ownership of its subsidiaries was not affected or changed as a result of this reorganization. The principal executive offices of the Company are located in Boca Raton, Florida.

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Stora Enso Oyj (OTCMKTS:SEOAY  Get Free Report) and Suzano (NYSE:SUZ  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, earnings, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Risk and Volatility

Stora Enso Oyj has a beta of 0.8, meaning that its stock price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Suzano has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Stora Enso Oyj and Suzanos net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Stora Enso Oyj 0.14% -2.62% -1.33% Suzano 13.03% 16.39% 4.05%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Earnings & Valuation

0.0% of Stora Enso Oyj shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 2.6% of Suzano shares are held by institutional investors. 8.1% of Stora Enso Oyj shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares Stora Enso Oyj and Suzanos gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Stora Enso Oyj $9.79 billion 0.91 -$146.08 million $0.01 1,134.80 Suzano $8.79 billion 1.37 -$1.31 billion $0.96 9.48

Stora Enso Oyj has higher revenue and earnings than Suzano. Suzano is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Stora Enso Oyj, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Stora Enso Oyj pays an annual dividend of $0.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Suzano pays an annual dividend of $0.26 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Stora Enso Oyj pays out 1,200.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Suzano pays out 27.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Suzano is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Stora Enso Oyj and Suzano, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Stora Enso Oyj 1 3 0 0 1.75 Suzano 0 1 1 2 3.25

Stora Enso Oyj currently has a consensus price target of $10.80, indicating a potential downside of 4.83%. Given Stora Enso Oyjs higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Stora Enso Oyj is more favorable than Suzano.

Summary

Suzano beats Stora Enso Oyj on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Stora Enso Oyj

(Get Free Report)

Stora Enso Oyj provides renewable solutions for the packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions, and paper industries in Finland and internationally. It operates through Packaging Materials, Packaging Solutions, Biomaterials, Wood Products, Forest, Paper, and Other segments. The company's Packaging Materials segment offers virgin and recycled fiber replace fossil-based materials with low-carbon, renewable and recyclable packaging materials for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and transport packaging. Its Packaging Solutions segment develops and sells fiber-based packaging products and services, including converting corrugated boards and carton boards; and new materials, such as formed fiber and wood foams into standard and bespoke packaging solutions for retail, e-commerce, and industrials. The company's Biomaterials segment provides various pulp for packaging, paper, tissue, specialties, and hygiene product producers; and tall oil and turpentine from biomass. Its Wood Products segment offers wood-based solutions, including digital tools for design and construction of building projects with wood; applications for windows and doors; and pellets for sustainable heating solutions. The company's Forest segment engages in sustainable forest management, as well as supplies wood. Its Paper segments offers portfolio of products for print and office use. The company's Other segment produces electricity and heat. It serves packaging manufacturers, brand owners, paper merchants, publishers, retailers, printing houses, converters, and construction companies. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.

About Suzano

(Get Free Report)

Suzano S.A. produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. In addition, the company is involved in the business office, production packaging, and financial fundraising activities; research, development, production, commercialization, and distribution of wood-based textile fibers, yarns, and filaments produced from cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose; and research and development of wood raw materials for the textile industry. Suzano S.A. was formerly known as Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. and changed its name to Suzano S.A. in April 2019. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Salvador, Brazil.

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Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company to a hold rating in a note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $156.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Citigroup raised Hyatt Hotels from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $138.00 to $167.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $155.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Hyatt Hotels from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $157.67.

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View Our Latest Report on Hyatt Hotels

Hyatt Hotels Trading Down 0.0%

NYSE:H traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $149.99. The companys stock had a trading volume of 287,210 shares, compared to its average volume of 946,056. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $145.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $141.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.70. Hyatt Hotels has a 1 year low of $102.43 and a 1 year high of $168.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.63, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.43.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.30) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.79). Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 6.54% and a net margin of 6.39%.The company had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.94 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hyatt Hotels

In related news, insider Peter Sears sold 12,394 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.51, for a total transaction of $1,927,390.94. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 5,594 shares in the company, valued at approximately $869,922.94. The trade was a 68.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider David Udell sold 3,010 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.00, for a total transaction of $472,570.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 13,746 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,158,122. The trade was a 17.96% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 23,586 shares of company stock valued at $3,611,550 in the last ninety days. 23.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Johnson Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 450.0% in the third quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 176 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 98.2% in the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its position in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 86.7% during the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 239 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new position in Hyatt Hotels in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in Hyatt Hotels during the third quarter valued at $34,000. 73.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hyatt Hotels Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

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Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWAN  Get Free Report) CFO James Cox sold 11,275 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.74, for a total value of $222,568.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 333,983 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,592,824.42. The trade was a 3.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Clearwater Analytics Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE CWAN traded down $0.09 on Wednesday, reaching $20.74. 7,520,150 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,908,090. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.07 billion, a PE ratio of 13.56, a P/E/G ratio of 5.26 and a beta of 0.69. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $15.73 and a fifty-two week high of $32.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.97, a quick ratio of 1.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The company has a 50 day moving average of $18.42 and a 200 day moving average of $20.54.

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Clearwater Analytics (NYSE:CWAN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $205.11 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $203.66 million. Clearwater Analytics had a net margin of 61.28% and a return on equity of 2.77%. Clearwater Analyticss revenue for the quarter was up 77.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.14 earnings per share. Clearwater Analytics has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Clearwater Analytics announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, September 3rd that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase up to 1.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Clearwater Analytics in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Clearwater Analytics from $32.00 to $27.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of Clearwater Analytics in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Clearwater Analytics from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Clearwater Analytics from $28.00 to $26.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $30.56.

View Our Latest Analysis on CWAN

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Clearwater Analytics

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in Clearwater Analytics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Morningstar Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Clearwater Analytics during the third quarter valued at approximately $965,000. Woodline Partners LP lifted its position in shares of Clearwater Analytics by 35.4% during the third quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 26,940 shares of the companys stock worth $485,000 after purchasing an additional 7,048 shares in the last quarter. Sender Co & Partners Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Clearwater Analytics in the third quarter valued at $389,000. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Clearwater Analytics by 141.2% in the third quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 116,386 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,097,000 after purchasing an additional 68,128 shares during the period. 50.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Clearwater Analytics

(Get Free Report)

Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc develops and provides a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for automated investment data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, and reporting services to insurers, investment managers, corporations, institutional investors, and government entities in the United States and internationally.

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Intech Investment Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:CMS  Free Report) by 2.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 37,313 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,084 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLCs holdings in CMS Energy were worth $2,585,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of CMS. AlphaQuest LLC boosted its position in shares of CMS Energy by 285.5% during the first quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 451 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its position in CMS Energy by 127.7% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 535 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Tobam lifted its stake in CMS Energy by 35.0% during the 2nd quarter. Tobam now owns 559 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new position in CMS Energy during the 1st quarter worth $47,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in CMS Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $58,000. 93.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on CMS shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of CMS Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 18th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of CMS Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of CMS Energy from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. KeyCorp boosted their target price on CMS Energy from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised CMS Energy to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $78.36.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Lauren Y. Snyder sold 2,220 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.26, for a total value of $158,197.20. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 13,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at $962,865.12. The trade was a 14.11% 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, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.47, for a total transaction of $289,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 64,259 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,656,849.73. This trade represents a 5.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

CMS Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CMS opened at $72.89 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $73.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.85. CMS Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $63.97 and a 1-year high of $76.45. The firm has a market cap of $22.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.42.

CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $2.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.83 billion. CMS Energy had a return on equity of 12.07% and a net margin of 12.76%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.84 EPS. CMS Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.800-3.870 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.560-3.600 EPS. Analysts anticipate that CMS Energy Corporation will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current year.

CMS Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a $0.5425 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $2.17 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. CMS Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.72%.

About CMS Energy

(Free Report)

CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources.

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Intech Investment Management LLC reduced its holdings in Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE:ITGR  Free Report) by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 21,646 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 1,036 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Integer worth $2,662,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of Integer by 46.1% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 355 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in Integer by 20.2% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 796 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its stake in Integer by 4.1% in the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 5,105 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $628,000 after buying an additional 202 shares during the period. Guidance Capital Inc. boosted its holdings in Integer by 5.8% during the first quarter. Guidance Capital Inc. now owns 3,819 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $480,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of Integer by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 11,820 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $1,395,000 after buying an additional 271 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Integer

In other news, CEO Payman Khales purchased 3,127 shares of Integer stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $64.94 per share, with a total value of $203,067.38. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 22,865 shares in the company, valued at $1,484,853.10. The trade was a 15.84% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Cheryl C. Capps acquired 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $66.70 per share, for a total transaction of $106,720.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 11,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at $780,523.40. The trade was a 15.84% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders bought 5,843 shares of company stock worth $384,771. Insiders own 2.16% of the companys stock.

Integer Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:ITGR opened at $67.60 on Thursday. Integer Holdings Corporation has a 12 month low of $62.00 and a 12 month high of $146.36. The company has a quick ratio of 2.45, a current ratio of 3.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $89.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $105.88. The firm has a market cap of $2.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.28, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 0.95.

Integer (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The medical equipment provider reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 last year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. The businesss 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, research analysts forecast that Integer Holdings Corporation will post 6.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Integer announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, November 4th that allows the company to buyback $200.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the medical equipment provider to repurchase up to 8.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. KeyCorp cut their price target on shares of Integer from $145.00 to $133.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Bank of America lowered shares of Integer from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $87.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Friday, October 24th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $95.00 price target (down previously from $143.00) on shares of Integer in a report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Integer in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on Integer from $77.00 to $69.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $96.75.

View Our Latest Analysis on ITGR

About Integer

(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.

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Intech Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO  Free Report) by 24.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 318,937 shares of the apparel retailers stock after selling 102,940 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.18% of American Eagle Outfitters worth $3,068,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. boosted its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 41.7% during the second quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 2,307,326 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $22,196,000 after buying an additional 678,536 shares during the period. Voya Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 29.4% in the 1st quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 142,328 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $1,654,000 after acquiring an additional 32,305 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 170.8% during the 2nd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 41,165 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $396,000 after purchasing an additional 25,962 shares during the period. Parallax Volatility Advisers L.P. acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $531,000. Finally, Delta Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $144,000. 97.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director David M. Sable sold 5,000 shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.22, for a total transaction of $96,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 48,640 shares of the companys stock, valued at $934,860.80. The trade was a 9.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 9,002 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.11, for a total transaction of $163,026.22. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 138,766 shares of company stock valued at $2,515,354. Company insiders own 8.70% of the companys stock.

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Up 0.0%

AEO stock opened at $17.51 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The companys 50-day moving average price is $17.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.47. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has a 52 week low of $9.27 and a 52 week high of $20.55. The company has a market cap of $2.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.83 and a beta of 1.59.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 3rd. The apparel retailer reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.23 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a net margin of 3.74% and a return on equity of 13.67%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.39 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th were given a $0.125 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.08%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AEO has been the topic of a number of research reports. Telsey Advisory Group upped their price target on American Eagle Outfitters from $12.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Barclays raised their target price on American Eagle Outfitters from $9.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $10.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating and set a $9.00 price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.11.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on American Eagle Outfitters

American Eagle Outfitters Profile

(Free Report)

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands.

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Intrust Bank NA purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 15,728 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $131,000.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Richardson Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Santander during the second quarter worth $25,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Banco Santander during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in Banco Santander during the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Smithfield Trust Co bought a new position in Banco Santander in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Dogwood Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Banco Santander during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. 9.19% 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 research firms have recently commented on SAN. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Banco Santander in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Zacks Research cut shares of Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets lowered Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Three investment 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, Banco Santander currently has an average rating of Hold.

Banco Santander Stock Performance

Banco Santander stock opened at $10.29 on Thursday. Banco Santander, S.A. has a fifty-two week low of $4.43 and a fifty-two week high of $11.13. The stock has a market cap of $153.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.05. The firms fifty day moving average price is $10.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.11.

Banco Santander (NYSE:SAN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The bank reported $0.23 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by ($0.02). Banco Santander had a net margin of 17.90% and a return on equity of 11.92%. The firm had revenue of $17.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.32 billion. Banco Santander has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, analysts predict that Banco Santander, S.A. will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Banco Santander Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Investors of record on Friday, October 31st were issued a dividend of $0.0956 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 263.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 31st. Banco Santanders dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.15%.

Banco Santander Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services.

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Investec Group (LON:INVP  Get Free Report) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 545.71 and traded as high as GBX 600.50. Investec Group shares last traded at GBX 586.50, with a volume of 583,932 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 660 target price on shares of Investec Group in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Investec Group has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 660.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Investec Group

Investec Group Stock Performance

About Investec Group

The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 572.57 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 546.60. The stock has a market capitalization of 5.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.05.

(Get Free Report)

Investec Group engages in the provision of various financial products and services in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company provides private banking services; wealth services, including wealth and portfolio management, stockbroking, and offshore and retirement investment, and intergenerational wealth solutions; savings accounts; personal and property financing, and finance for practice; and insurance solutions covering severe illness, disability, life, mortgage and income protection, and business overloads.

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Youll instantly surface every broker youve worked with that is in your inbox/deleted box.

Search these words in your email inbox:

3. Use your email as a second load board.

This keeps your search tight, fast, and realistic.

The ones who know your MC by heart

The ones who pay decently

The reliable ones

Run through them in order:

If you know those lanes well, start with the brokers who typically book you there.

Think of your most common routes:

Youd be shocked how often you can snag a load before it ever hits the board because youre the one who called.

You calling them = you being early.

Brokers are dealing with the outage too. They still have freight. They still need trucks moved. Some of them are in full panic mode because they cant post their loads.

No fancy speech. No script. Just direct, honest, and familiar.

Hey, this is Adam from ABC Freight. Load boards are down and Im in [CITY/STATE]. Do you have anything coming out of here today?

Pick up the phone and say:

You already know the brokers youve worked with in the last 6090 days. Pull those rate cons up. Those email addresses. Those phone numbers. Those signatures at the bottom.

This is the survival section. The what do I do right now? moment.

Part 1  What To Do Immediately When the Load Board Goes Down

If you rely on a load board for 100% of your freight, your business is always one outage away from a crisis.

Because the truth is simple:

A load board outage makes you feel powerless. Like your business disappeared in a single update. But this article is your map out of that panic. Itll walk you through what to do in the moment, and then show youstep-by-stephow to build a freight pipeline where outages stop being emergencies.

Youve already turned down two loads because something better should be coming

Youre trying to get home

End of your reset

The worst part? It always seems to happen at the exact wrong time:

But all it takes is one outageDAT glitches, Truckstop freezes, the phone app crashes, or the entire system goes offlineand youre stuck. Not moving, not booking, not earning.

When youre a one-truck owner-operator or a small 35 truck fleet, your morning rhythm is clockwork: coffee, pre-trip, open the load board, refresh, refresh again, stare at the rates, call brokers, negotiate, roll.

Story Continues

These are the people who already know youre real, that your insurance clears, that you built some sort of rapport with.

Those relationships are more valuable during an outage than any load board.

4. Call the brokers carrier rep, not the main number.

If you have saved contacts on your phonedial direct.

Some carrier reps may panic during outages because their whole job depends on moving freight.

When you call them directly, without going through the operator, you jump the line.

5. If youre near a popular shipper or DCphysically go there.

I know this feels old school, and is a very last resort, but old school still works in some instances:

Big distribution centers





Major food warehouses





Beverage depots





Paper mills





Construction materials hubs





Park, walk in (if allowed), and ask which brokers typically handle outbound loads.

Old-school networking works when the digital world breaks. Nothing like a real carrier talking to a real shipper about freight.

Part 2  After the Outage: Fix the Real Problem

Load board dependence.

Many small carriers never build a predictable freight pipeline. They survive the day, but they never build a system that protects them from:

Load board outages





Slow freight days





Predatory brokers





Oversupply markets





Post-holiday collapses





This is where your business either maturesor stays stuck.

Lets build you a Broker Book of Business, step by step. This is for those who dont feel comfortable going direct to shipper, but still want a sense of consistency.

Part 3  How to Build a Broker Book of Business (With Scripts & Examples)

A broker book of business is simply:

A list of brokers who know you, trust you, and offer you freight consistentlyeven when the load board is down.

For some small carriers, four things keep them from building this:

They dont follow up.





They dont keep contact info organized.





They think one load = relationship.





They think brokers wont care.





Wrong on all counts. Lets fix it.

Step 1  Build your Broker Master List (90 Days Look-Back)

Pull every rate confirmation from the last 90 days.

Record:

Broker name





Direct carrier rep





Direct phone





Email





Freight type





Lane/region





Notes on load





This becomes your gold mine.

When the load board dropsyoull use this list to survive. Organize this in a Google Sheet with formatted tabs so it is easy to sort.

Step 2  After Every Good Load, Send This Email

This is how you plant seeds.

Subject: Great working with you on Load ###, heres my info

Email body:

Thanks again for the smooth load yesterday from [Pickup] to [Delivery].

If you get freight in this lane or region again, please keep me in mind.

We run:

[Regions you run]





[Equipment type]





[Preferred miles]





[Availability windows]





Heres all my info for quick booking:

MC





Office number





Email





Preferred lanes





Good working with you again.

Lets do more business.

 [Your Name]

This email turns a one-off into a future.

Step 3  After a Hiccup Load, Send THIS Email

This is where many small carriers get it wrong.

They disappear. Or get defensive. Or blame. Dont.

You show professionalism. Brokers love professionalism. Be accountable, as things happen.

Subject: Thanks for yesterday  heres a recap and how well prevent future delays

Email body:

I appreciate you working with us on Load ### yesterday.

We did run into an issue with [brief explanation50% shorter than you think].

Heres what weve already done to avoid repeat issues:

[Action you took]





[New communication step youll take]





[How youll handle this lane going forward]





We value the relationship.

If you get more freight in this area, please keep us on the list.

Thanks again.

 [Your Name]

This email instantly puts you in the maturity category with good brokers.

Step 4  Monthly Touch-Base Message (Never Skip)

Every 30 days, send a simple note to your top 20 brokers.

Hey [Name], just checking in. Were running [Region] this month. If anything opens up, call me direct.

Brokers love fast carriers. Be present. Be easy to reach. Theyll reward you for it when you need it most.

Step 5  Become the Go-To Carrier in 23 Regions

You cant be the favorite everywhere.

But you can be the favorite somewhere.

Pick 23 regions where:

You know the market





You know the backhauls





Your equipment matches the lanes





You know the dock rhythms





Then tell every broker:

We specialize in the Midwest. If you get these lanes, send them direct before posting.

If you think brokers wont do that Youre wrong. They love going direct to trusted carriers in their network.

It saves time.

Step 6  Only Build Relationships with the Good Ones

Not every broker is worth your time.

Look for:

Clear communication





Fast rate cons





No surprise add-ons





Timely detention





Consistent loads





If a broker constantly:

lies,





ghost rates,





changes times,





nickel-and-dimes,





they dont belong in your book. Cut them. Fast. Simply move on.

Part 4  The Long-Term Goal: Load Board Optional, Not Load Board Dependent

Youre not trying to get off the load board.

Youre trying to get to a point where:

You use the board as a backup





You dont panic during outages





Brokers know your name





You have 57 consistent sources





Your truck is moving even when the digital world glitches





Load boards are toolsnothing more. They were never meant to be your entire business.

Final Thought

When the load board goes down, some small carriers panic. But the ones who are prepared? They pick up the phone, call their people, and keep rolling. This business rewards preparedness, not panic. Build your broker book. Build your pipeline. Build your identity beyond a commodity truck on a board filled with thousands.

Because when you stop being whoever calls first and start being the carrier they call,

load board outages stop being emergencies

and start being opportunities.

The post The Load Board Goes Down, Now What? appeared first on FreightWaves.
iShares Global Materials ETF (NYSEARCA:MXI  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $88.13 and traded as high as $91.39. iShares Global Materials ETF shares last traded at $90.36, with a volume of 5,406 shares.

iShares Global Materials ETF Stock Performance

The firms fifty day simple moving average is $91.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $88.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $225.08 million, a P/E ratio of 18.88 and a beta of 0.96.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pathway Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in iShares Global Materials ETF by 5.9% during the third quarter. Pathway Financial Advisors LLC now owns 180,236 shares of the companys stock worth $16,666,000 after purchasing an additional 10,064 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI raised its holdings in shares of iShares Global Materials ETF by 281.0% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 178,576 shares of the companys stock worth $14,641,000 after buying an additional 131,700 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Global Materials ETF by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 105,540 shares of the companys stock worth $9,759,000 after buying an additional 692 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of iShares Global Materials ETF by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 75,512 shares of the companys stock worth $6,983,000 after buying an additional 2,075 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Global Materials ETF in the first quarter valued at about $3,378,000.

iShares Global Materials ETF Company Profile

iShares Global Materials ETF, formerly iShares S&P Global Materials Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P Global Materials Sector Index (the Index).

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Ensign Peak Advisors Inc cut its stake in iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA  Free Report) by 8.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,165,887 shares of the companys stock after selling 203,852 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc owned 1.25% of iShares MSCI India ETF worth $120,597,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $311,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI India ETF by 19.4% in the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 22,162 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,234,000 after acquiring an additional 3,604 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI India ETF by 14.0% during the 2nd quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 829,075 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,163,000 after acquiring an additional 101,950 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 627.0% in the second quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 30,526 shares of the companys stock worth $1,700,000 after purchasing an additional 26,327 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Partners Capital Investment Group LLP grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 100.0% in the first quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP now owns 83,788 shares of the companys stock worth $4,313,000 after purchasing an additional 41,894 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI India ETF Stock Up 7.7%

Shares of BATS INDA opened at $54.85 on Thursday. iShares MSCI India ETF has a fifty-two week low of $47.60 and a fifty-two week high of $59.49. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $53.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $53.84. The stock has a market cap of $9.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.20 and a beta of 0.48.

iShares MSCI India ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE:TEN  Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating reiterated by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $24.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Groups target price indicates a potential downside of 4.20% from the companys current price.

TEN has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Tsakos Energy Navigation currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $32.00.

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Get Our Latest Research Report on Tsakos Energy Navigation

Tsakos Energy Navigation Trading Down 0.7%

TEN stock traded down $0.19 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $25.05. The companys stock had a trading volume of 789,477 shares, compared to its average volume of 318,168. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $23.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $20.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. Tsakos Energy Navigation has a 52 week low of $13.40 and a 52 week high of $26.69. The stock has a market cap of $754.74 million, a PE ratio of 8.95 and a beta of -0.15.

Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE:TEN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter. Tsakos Energy Navigation had a return on equity of 12.03% and a net margin of 14.17%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Tsakos Energy Navigation will post 3.44 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tsakos Energy Navigation

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its holdings in Tsakos Energy Navigation by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 104,285 shares of the companys stock worth $1,779,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation during the first quarter worth $267,000. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation during the second quarter worth $384,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new stake in Tsakos Energy Navigation in the 2nd quarter valued at $672,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund acquired a new position in Tsakos Energy Navigation in the 2nd quarter worth $761,000. 19.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Tsakos Energy Navigation

(Get Free Report)

Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. engages in the provision of seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services. Its activities include the operation of crude tankers, product tankers, and liquefied natural gas carriers. The company was founded by Nikolas P. Tsakos and Michael Gordon Jolliffee in July 1993 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece.

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Kingsview Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 66.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 30,914 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 60,166 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $1,431,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. raised its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 2.7% during the first quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 8,063 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $492,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the period. Exchange Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Exchange Capital Management Inc. now owns 54,893 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,541,000 after buying an additional 220 shares during the period. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI lifted its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.3% in the second quarter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI now owns 78,105 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,615,000 after buying an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 1.7% in the second quarter. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,303 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $616,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the period. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 66.0% during the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 581 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Bristol Myers Squibb

In related news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total value of $2,650,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 167,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,922,048.07. This trade represents a 25.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BMY has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $42.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Scotiabank began coverage on Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector perform rating and a $45.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Bristol Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fifteen have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $54.42.

View Our Latest Report on Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Down 2.7%

Shares of NYSE:BMY opened at $45.78 on Thursday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $45.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.60. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a one year low of $42.52 and a one year high of $63.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $93.19 billion, a PE ratio of 18.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33.

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 80.04% and a net margin of 10.58%.The business had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.75 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.80 earnings per share. Bristol Myers Squibbs quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were issued a $0.62 dividend. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 83.78%.

Bristol Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Lionshead Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 645 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $206,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AXP. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of American Express during the 1st quarter worth $509,000. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in American Express by 2.2% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,267,377 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $721,525,000 after purchasing an additional 49,593 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in American Express by 6.6% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 60,634 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $16,314,000 after purchasing an additional 3,776 shares during the last quarter. Dempze Nancy E lifted its position in American Express by 210.2% during the second quarter. Dempze Nancy E now owns 3,459 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,103,000 after buying an additional 2,344 shares during the period. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in American Express by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Reliant Investment Management LLC now owns 26,189 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $8,354,000 after buying an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the companys stock.

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American Express Price Performance

AXP stock opened at $344.77 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $237.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 1.61. American Express Company has a 1 year low of $220.43 and a 1 year high of $377.23. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $344.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $319.40.

American Express Dividend Announcement

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.98 by $0.16. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%.The firm had revenue of $17.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.49 EPS. American Expresss revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th were paid a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is 22.01%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In related news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 112,272 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.86, for a total transaction of $37,034,041.92. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 92,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,614,306.60. The trade was a 54.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 23,505 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $326.37, for a total transaction of $7,671,326.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 123,613 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,343,574.81. The trade was a 15.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 193,292 shares of company stock worth $65,363,878. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AXP has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. HSBC set a $295.00 price objective on shares of American Express and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of American Express from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on American Express from $343.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. DZ Bank raised American Express from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $340.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on American Express from $311.00 to $362.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $332.65.

View Our Latest Analysis on AXP

American Express Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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Lodestone Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 16.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,072 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 4,280 shares during the period. Lodestone Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $702,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SVB Wealth LLC increased its stake in Devon Energy by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 8,131 shares of the energy companys stock worth $304,000 after purchasing an additional 321 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 0.4% in the second quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 87,272 shares of the energy companys stock worth $2,776,000 after purchasing an additional 321 shares during the last quarter. MAS Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 4.3% in the second quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 7,951 shares of the energy companys stock worth $253,000 after purchasing an additional 327 shares during the last quarter. Callan Family Office LLC increased its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 3.7% in the first quarter. Callan Family Office LLC now owns 10,581 shares of the energy companys stock worth $396,000 after buying an additional 377 shares during the period. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC raised its holdings in Devon Energy by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 92,211 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $3,449,000 after buying an additional 386 shares during the last quarter. 69.72% 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 have issued reports on DVN. Siebert Williams Shank cut their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $52.00 to $46.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 13th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on Devon Energy from $51.00 to $50.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Devon Energy from $49.00 to $47.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, William Blair assumed coverage on Devon Energy in a research note on Monday, August 25th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $43.79.

Devon Energy Stock Performance

Devon Energy stock opened at $35.31 on Thursday. Devon Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $25.89 and a fifty-two week high of $39.65. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $33.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $33.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market cap of $22.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.92, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.01.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The energy company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $0.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.10 billion. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 18.59% and a net margin of 16.57%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.10 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Devon Energy Corporation will post 4.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Devon Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio is 22.59%.

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Main Management LLC increased its stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA  Free Report) by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 208,203 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 5,130 shares during the period. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF accounts for about 1.4% of Main Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Main Management LLCs holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $17,381,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IEFA. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp raised its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 198.2% in the 1st quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 7,583,471 shares of the companys stock worth $596,895,000 after purchasing an additional 5,040,373 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp increased its stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 40.1% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 15,245,913 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,272,729,000 after purchasing an additional 4,362,206 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 10.1% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 40,235,704 shares of the companys stock worth $3,358,875,000 after buying an additional 3,675,689 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 308.9% in the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,509,149 shares of the companys stock worth $265,438,000 after buying an additional 2,651,047 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 1,369.5% during the second quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. now owns 2,341,496 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,477,000 after buying an additional 2,182,159 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Trading Up 23.6%

IEFA stock opened at $86.24 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $87.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $84.86. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has a 12-month low of $66.95 and a 12-month high of $87.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $147.46 billion, a PE ratio of 16.18 and a beta of 0.84.

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed-market stocks in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and excludes North America IEFA was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Miller Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B  Free Report) (TSE:ABX) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 10,318 shares of the gold and copper producers stock, valued at approximately $215,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Barrick Mining in the second quarter worth $25,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Barrick Mining during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Concord Wealth Partners purchased a new position in Barrick Mining during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in Barrick Mining in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Barrick Mining in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. 90.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on B shares. Citigroup lifted their price target on Barrick Mining from $21.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Scotiabank raised shares of Barrick Mining from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $27.50 to $43.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. National Bank Financial raised shares of Barrick Mining from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. CIBC increased their price target on shares of Barrick Mining from $38.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an outperformer rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Barrick Mining from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $42.90.

Barrick Mining Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE B opened at $37.73 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.73, a PEG ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 0.28. Barrick Mining Corporation has a one year low of $15.11 and a one year high of $38.78. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $33.33 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 3.21 and a quick ratio of 2.53.

Barrick Mining (NYSE:B  Get Free Report) (TSE:ABX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The gold and copper producer reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.01. Barrick Mining had a net margin of 19.99% and a return on equity of 8.19%. The firm had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.09 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 23.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Barrick Mining Corporation will post 1.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Barrick Mining Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.175 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This is a positive change from Barrick Minings previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Barrick Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.82%.

Barrick Mining Profile

(Free Report)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

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Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Free Report) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report released on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has $50.00 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of $53.00.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on TAP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. They issued a neutral rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $46.00 to $45.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Molson Coors Beverage from $51.00 to $48.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Molson Coors Beverage from $58.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $58.00 to $54.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Molson Coors Beverage currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.37.

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Get Our Latest Report on Molson Coors Beverage

Molson Coors Beverage Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TAP traded up $0.29 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $45.56. 267,697 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,505,753. The company has a market cap of $9.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.00, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $49.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.95. Molson Coors Beverage has a 1 year low of $42.94 and a 1 year high of $64.66.

Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by ($0.05). Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 8.61% and a net margin of 7.81%.The company had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.02 billion. Molson Coors Beverage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.360-5.360 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Molson Coors Beverage will post 6.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Molson Coors Beverage news, Director David S. Coors purchased 2,245 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $44.47 per share, with a total value of $99,835.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 30,586 shares in the company, valued at $1,360,159.42. The trade was a 7.92% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Andrew Thomas Molson bought 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $46.79 per share, for a total transaction of $350,925.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 22,654 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,059,980.66. This represents a 49.49% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 2.71% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,208,854 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,019,934,000 after buying an additional 92,058 shares during the period. Dodge & Cox boosted its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 29.4% during the 3rd quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 18,631,224 shares of the companys stock worth $843,063,000 after acquiring an additional 4,235,029 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 19.2% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,516,810 shares of the companys stock valued at $475,886,000 after acquiring an additional 1,693,682 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 22.9% during the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,425,043 shares of the companys stock valued at $290,741,000 after purchasing an additional 1,195,249 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management lifted its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 1.4% during the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 6,369,498 shares of the companys stock worth $387,711,000 after purchasing an additional 86,601 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.46% of the companys stock.

Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits and energy, and ready to drink beverages.

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Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 1.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 329,977 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,503 shares during the period. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.05% of Devon Energy worth $10,497,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Devon Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Trust Co. of Vermont grew its position in shares of Devon Energy by 241.3% during the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 942 shares of the energy companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 666 shares in the last quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the second quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, SouthState Corp increased its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 350.5% during the first quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 991 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 771 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.72% of the companys stock.

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Devon Energy Trading Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:DVN opened at $35.31 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $33.96 and its 200 day moving average is $33.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Devon Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $25.89 and a 1 year high of $39.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.01.

Devon Energy Announces Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The energy company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.11. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 18.59% and a net margin of 16.57%.The business had revenue of $0.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.10 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Devon Energy Corporation will post 4.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 22.59%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on DVN shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. William Blair assumed coverage on Devon Energy in a report on Monday, August 25th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Capital One Financial decreased their price objective on Devon Energy from $52.00 to $51.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their target price on Devon Energy from $57.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $43.79.

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Devon Energy Company Profile

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Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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The Lycra Company is gaining ground on the Chinese market as the global fiber manufacturer has opened its largest spandex production plant worldwide in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China.

Backed by an investment of 800 million Chinese renminbi ($112 million) and located in the eponymous prefecture-level city, the Yinchuan plant was collaboratively created with the Yinchuan Financial Capital Investment Group, a state-owned investment and financing company focused on urban development and capital operations.

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The Ningxia Province plant has an initial output capacity of 30,000 tons of spandex production capacitywhat Lycra said will create some 500 jobs and generate over 1 billion Chinese renminbi ($140.7 million) a yearfor now. The plants capacity is expected to expand to over 120,000 tons per year as The Lycra Company works to keep pace while equally enabling faster and suppler supply chain solutions, the sustainable fiber firm said.

The additional plant both bolsters The Lycra Companys continued investment into the Chinese market while also underscoring its anticipated demand in the Asia Pacific region at large, the Wilmington, Del.-headquartered company said.

China is strategically important, representing over 50 percent of the global apparel production market, said Gary Smith, CEO of The Lycra Company, expressing gratitude to the local authorities and internal partners for the endeavor. This partnership enables us to optimize our product mix more broadly while meeting the increase in demand for quality spandex.

The plant also coagulates the companys expert management teams and global R&D capabilities to establish a highly automated, intelligent production ecosystem, the company said in a statement. Production at the Yinchuan facility will align with the companys sustainability framework, driving energy savings, reducing emissions and advancing manufacturing processes, ensuring that business growth and environmental responsibility remain inextricably linked.

For context, the Yinchuan plant is Lycras second site in Chinathe first being Foshan.

Located in the Guangdong province, the Foshan facility was inaugurated in 2005 and employs some 500 people to produce Lycra fiber (for apparel) and Lycras HyFit fiber (for personal care products). In 2022, Foshan earned a score in the upper quartile for its third-party audited Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM).
Shares of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (OTCMKTS:NWARF  Get Free Report) dropped 6.3% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $1.50 and last traded at $1.50. Approximately 1,000 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 89% from the average daily volume of 9,409 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.60.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA Stock Up 2.0%

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $1.56 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.51.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA Company Profile

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Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, together with its subsidiaries, provides air travel services in Norway and internationally. It is also involved in aircraft financing, leasing, and ownership activities; and cargo activities. It operates a fleet of 87 aircrafts. Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Fornebu, Norway.

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NU (NYSE:NU  Get Free Report) had its price target raised by equities research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $17.00 to $18.00 in a research note issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price would indicate a potential upside of 15.87% from the stocks previous close.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on NU. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of NU in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Itau BBA Securities upgraded NU from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $18.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, August 18th. Santander upgraded NU to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. UBS Group boosted their target price on NU from $15.60 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of NU from a sell rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $9.00 to $18.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, NU currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $17.44.

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NU Trading Down 0.8%

NU stock traded down $0.13 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $15.54. The stock had a trading volume of 28,544,170 shares, compared to its average volume of 52,818,836. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $13.95. The company has a current ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.86 billion, a PE ratio of 30.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.08. NU has a 12 month low of $9.01 and a 12 month high of $16.55.

NU (NYSE:NU  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $4.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.96 billion. NU had a net margin of 17.97% and a return on equity of 30.12%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that NU will post 0.58 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of NU

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Baillie Gifford & Co. lifted its position in NU by 17.9% during the first quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 265,160,474 shares of the companys stock worth $2,715,243,000 after acquiring an additional 40,181,132 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in NU by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 91,478,395 shares of the companys stock worth $1,464,569,000 after purchasing an additional 239,660 shares during the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in NU by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 74,478,698 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,187,935,000 after purchasing an additional 659,526 shares during the period. Sands Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in NU by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sands Capital Management LLC now owns 54,504,428 shares of the companys stock valued at $747,801,000 after buying an additional 3,060,463 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in NU by 24.7% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 54,435,568 shares of the companys stock worth $557,422,000 after buying an additional 10,785,851 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 84.02% of the companys stock.

NU Company Profile

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Nu Holdings Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of digital banking services. The company was founded by David Velez Osorno, Cristina Helena Zingaretti Junqueira, and Adam Edward Wible on February 26, 2016 and is headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands.

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Oracle Power plc (LON:ORCP  Get Free Report) shot up 5.6% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 0.04 and last traded at GBX 0.04. 232,821,719 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 0% from the average session volume of 232,508,906 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.04.

Oracle Power Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 0.04 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 0.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.98, a quick ratio of 5.67 and a current ratio of 3.74. The firm has a market capitalization of 5.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.00 and a beta of 1.44.

Oracle Power Company Profile

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Oracle Power Plc (AIM: ORCP) is an international project developer in the natural resources and energy sectors. The Company is currently committed to two areas of focus: Western Australia, home to two of Oracles highly prospective gold projects, and Pakistan, where it is working to establish one of the largest hydrogen production facilities in the region.

Located in the wind corridor in Jhimpir, Pakistan, The Green Hydrogen project is being developed on a fast-track basis thanks to the joint venture (JV) formed between Oracle and His Highness Shaikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum (through his wholly owned company, Kaheel Energy Limited).

The JV intends to support the global transition to a carbon neutral future through establishing Pakistan as one of the main Green Hydrogen players in the region, to meet global demand for clean hydrogen forecasted to be 660 million metric tons in 2050.

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Orion OYJ Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Free Report) dropped 3.2% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $33.6250 and last traded at $33.6250. Approximately 258 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 46% from the average daily volume of 176 shares. The stock had previously closed at $34.73.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research cut Orion OYJ from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 8th. Nordea Equity Research raised Orion OYJ from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Orion OYJ Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.28 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $37.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.86. The stock has a market cap of $9.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.12 and a beta of 0.04.

Orion OYJ (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter. Orion OYJ had a return on equity of 32.13% and a net margin of 19.33%.The business had revenue of $494.69 million during the quarter. Analysts expect that Orion OYJ Unsponsored ADR will post 1.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Orion OYJ Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 17th were paid a $0.2418 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 127.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 16th. Orion OYJs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.61%.

Orion OYJ Company Profile

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Orion Oyj develops, manufactures, and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Finland, Scandinavia, rest of Europe, North America, and internationally. The company provides prescription drugs and self-care products, which includes Nubeqa for the treatment of prostate cancer; Precedex, Dexdor, and Precedex for human use; Burana for inflammatory pain; Divina series for menopausal symptoms; Trexan for rheumatoid arthritis and cancer; Stalevo, Entacapone, and Comtess/Comtan for Parkinsons disease; Biosimilars for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases; and Simdax for acute decompensated heart failure, as well as Fareston for breast cancer.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Monday.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. UBS Group dropped 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 research report on Friday, August 22nd. 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 given 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 and a consensus price target of $14.90.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on PBR

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of PBR stock opened at $13.04 on Monday. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a fifty-two week low of $11.03 and a fifty-two week high of $15.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.72. The stocks fifty day moving average is $12.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $84.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.09 and a beta of 0.83.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $23.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $125.50 billion. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras had a net margin of 15.99% and a return on equity of 34.11%. Research analysts expect that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.1773 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobrass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.41%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 8.4% in the second quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 564,661 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $7,065,000 after acquiring an additional 43,750 shares in the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. increased its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 15.2% during the 1st quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 155,244 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $2,226,000 after purchasing an additional 20,462 shares during the period. Morningstar Investment Management LLC raised its position in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 23.8% in the 2nd quarter. Morningstar Investment Management LLC now owns 298,508 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $3,734,000 after purchasing an additional 57,437 shares in the last quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC purchased a new position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras in the 2nd quarter valued at about $148,086,000. Finally, Candriam S.C.A. acquired a new position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras during the first quarter worth about $474,000.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Company Profile

(Get 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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PNC Financial Services Group Inc. decreased its holdings in BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA  Free Report) by 13.9% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 58,473 shares of the auto parts companys stock after selling 9,429 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.s holdings in BorgWarner were worth $1,958,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BWA. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in BorgWarner by 13.3% during the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 13,258 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $380,000 after buying an additional 1,555 shares in the last quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of BorgWarner in the 2nd quarter worth $567,000. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI purchased a new stake in shares of BorgWarner in the first quarter valued at about $1,223,000. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 10,502 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new position in BorgWarner during the first quarter worth about $1,822,000. 95.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at BorgWarner

In other news, VP Isabelle Mckenzie sold 3,200 shares of BorgWarner stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.23, for a total value of $141,536.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 43,555 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,926,437.65. The trade was a 6.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Alexis P. Michas sold 8,772 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.31, for a total value of $371,143.32. Following the sale, the director directly owned 78,903 shares in the company, valued at $3,338,385.93. This trade represents a 10.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 31,972 shares of company stock valued at $1,425,479 in the last 90 days. 0.45% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on BWA shares. Robert W. Baird set a $54.00 target price on shares of BorgWarner in a research report on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on BorgWarner from $45.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on BorgWarner from $42.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of BorgWarner from $45.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of BorgWarner in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $45.85.

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BorgWarner Stock Down 1.0%

BWA stock opened at $43.10 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $43.70 and a 200-day moving average of $38.79. BorgWarner Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $24.40 and a fifty-two week high of $46.39. The company has a market capitalization of $9.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.85, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 2.02.

BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The auto parts company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.08. The business 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%. The companys revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.09 earnings per share. BorgWarner has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.600-4.750 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that BorgWarner Inc. will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current year.

BorgWarner announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, July 31st that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the auto parts company to purchase up to 13.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

BorgWarner Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. BorgWarners payout ratio is currently 107.94%.

About BorgWarner

(Free Report)

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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Shares of Premier African Minerals Limited (LON:PREM  Get Free Report) fell 5.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 0.08 and last traded at GBX 0.09. 23,239,572 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 45% from the average session volume of 42,244,453 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.10.

Premier African Minerals Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The stock has a market capitalization of 6.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.19 and a beta of 0.99. The firms fifty day moving average price is GBX 0.07 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 0.04.

Premier African Minerals Company Profile

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Premier African Minerals Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, evaluation, development, and investment of natural resource properties on the African continent. It explores for tungsten, lithium, tantalum, fluorspar, potash, and gold deposits. The company holds interests in RHA Tungsten mine, Katete REE project, zulu project, and Tinde projects in Zimbabwe, as well as properties in Mozambique.

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Prudential PLC lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 11.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 71,965 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 7,412 shares during the period. Prudential PLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $56,099,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 97.5% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 101,305,650 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,669,349,000 after purchasing an additional 50,002,551 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $4,613,912,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.7% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,224,392 shares of the companys stock worth $65,432,218,000 after purchasing an additional 4,975,395 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 106.8% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,481,031 shares of the companys stock worth $1,154,508,000 after acquiring an additional 765,010 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 13.3% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,821,993 shares of the companys stock worth $4,808,443,000 after acquiring an additional 682,203 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LLY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Loop Capital set a $950.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $876.00 to $879.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and issued a $830.00 price target (down previously from $970.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, CICC Research raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,027.95.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

Shares of LLY stock opened at $1,048.90 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $991.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 68.56, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. The business has a 50 day moving average of $844.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $784.22. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $623.78 and a 52 week high of $1,055.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 92.72% and a net margin of 25.91%.The businesss revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.18 EPS. 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 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 $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.35%.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Prudential PLC increased its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 47.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 427,147 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 137,399 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLCs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $19,773,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of BMY. Miller Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 9.2% in the 2nd quarter. Miller Financial Services LLC now owns 18,904 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $875,000 after acquiring an additional 1,595 shares during the last quarter. Accordant Advisory Group Inc raised its position in Bristol Myers Squibb by 298.6% in the 2nd quarter. Accordant Advisory Group Inc now owns 2,312 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $107,000 after purchasing an additional 1,732 shares during the period. Empirical Finance LLC lifted its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.6% in the second quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 73,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,382,000 after purchasing an additional 440 shares during the last quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 1.3% during the second quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC now owns 712,788 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $32,995,000 after buying an additional 9,167 shares during the period. Finally, Nicholas Wealth LLC. bought a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,104,000. 76.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of Bristol Myers Squibb stock opened at $45.78 on Thursday. 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 stocks fifty day moving average price is $45.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.60. The firm has a market cap of $93.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 12 month low of $42.52 and a 12 month high of $63.33.

Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 80.04%. The company had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.75 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.80 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.4%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 83.78%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BMY has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $42.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Daiwa America lowered shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fifteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol Myers Squibb presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $54.42.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BMY

Insider Transactions at Bristol Myers Squibb

In related news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total value of $2,650,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 167,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,922,048.07. The trade was a 25.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Bristol Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Prudential PLC boosted its position in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 17.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 83,403 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 12,382 shares during the period. Prudential PLC owned about 0.05% of Motorola Solutions worth $35,068,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisors Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 1.0% in the second quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 2,452 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,031,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,115 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $3,833,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. IFC Advisors LLC raised its stake in Motorola Solutions by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. IFC Advisors LLC now owns 4,043 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,700,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the period. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 701 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $295,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trust Point Inc. boosted its position in Motorola Solutions by 3.9% during the second quarter. Trust Point Inc. now owns 692 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $291,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.17% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Motorola Solutions

In related news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $483.50, for a total value of $24,175,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 46,936 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,693,556. This trade represents a 51.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP James A. Niewiara sold 1,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $485.43, for a total value of $825,231.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 14,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,059,123.06. This trade represents a 10.47% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 110,614 shares of company stock valued at $53,085,917. 1.44% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Motorola Solutions Price Performance

Shares of Motorola Solutions stock opened at $371.10 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.96. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a twelve month low of $368.17 and a twelve month high of $503.62. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $437.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $433.98.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The communications equipment provider reported $4.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.85 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.99 billion. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 19.08% and a return on equity of 134.30%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.74 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 EPS for the current year.

Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $1.21 per share. This represents a $4.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This is a positive change from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is currently 34.99%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MSI shares. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and issued a $465.00 price objective (down from $495.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $490.00 to $510.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $509.00 to $495.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 31st. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $500.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $506.43.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.

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Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its Baron Discovery Fund third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Year-to-date, the fund was up 10.75% (Institutional Shares), compared to a 11.65% return for the Russell 2000 Growth Index. The fund was up 2.85% in the third quarter, lagging behind the Indexs 12.19% return. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025.

In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Baron Discovery Fund highlighted stocks such as Birkenstock Holding plc (NYSE:BIRK). Birkenstock Holding plc (NYSE:BIRK) engages in the manufacturing and distribution of footwear products. The one-month return of Birkenstock Holding plc (NYSE:BIRK) was -6.45%, and its shares lost 14.95% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On November 19, 2025, Birkenstock Holding plc (NYSE:BIRK) stock closed at $40.32 per share, with a market capitalization of $7.415 billion.

Baron Discovery Fund stated the following regarding Birkenstock Holding plc (NYSE:BIRK) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter:
Prudential PLC decreased its position in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 2.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 92,286 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,866 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLCs holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $16,088,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of DLR. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC increased its position in Digital Realty Trust by 1.7% in the second quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC now owns 5,131 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $894,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc lifted its position in Digital Realty Trust by 7.0% during the second quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 72,505 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $12,640,000 after purchasing an additional 4,764 shares during the last quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter. Alteri Wealth LLC now owns 2,973 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $518,000 after buying an additional 224 shares during the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 7,556 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,293,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greenland Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at about $7,880,000. 99.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Digital Realty Trust Trading Down 0.2%

DLR stock opened at $159.34 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $54.73 billion, a PE ratio of 41.17, a P/E/G ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 0.96. 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, Inc. has a 12 month low of $129.95 and a 12 month high of $198.00. The firms 50-day moving average is $170.99 and its 200 day moving average is $171.05.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

Digital Realty Trust ( NYSE:DLR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.15 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter. Digital Realty Trust had a net margin of 23.67% and a return on equity of 6.41%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 126.10%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Andrew Power sold 53,269 shares of the firms 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 document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on DLR shares. Moffett Nathanson boosted their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $163.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They set an equal weight rating and a $195.00 price objective on the stock. Raymond James Financial raised their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $190.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $199.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $198.14.

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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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Raiffeisen Bank International AG lessened its holdings in shares of KB Financial Group Inc (NYSE:KB  Free Report) by 22.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,656 shares of the banks stock after selling 2,213 shares during the period. Raiffeisen Bank International AGs holdings in KB Financial Group were worth $623,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ranmore Fund Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of KB Financial Group in the 1st quarter worth about $12,746,000. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in KB Financial Group by 24.6% in the second quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. now owns 304,298 shares of the banks stock worth $25,132,000 after buying an additional 60,056 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its holdings in KB Financial Group by 4.9% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 957,093 shares of the banks stock worth $51,788,000 after buying an additional 44,564 shares during the period. Calamos Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in KB Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $3,007,000. Finally, Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new position in shares of KB Financial Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,003,000. 11.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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KB Financial Group Price Performance

KB opened at $83.73 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $31.94 billion, a PE ratio of 8.04, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.14. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $83.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $80.10. KB Financial Group Inc has a 1 year low of $46.38 and a 1 year high of $92.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a current ratio of 1.67 and a quick ratio of 1.67.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on KB shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded KB Financial Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of KB Financial Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on KB

KB Financial Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

KB Financial Group Inc provides a range of banking and related financial services to consumers and corporations in South Korea, the United States, New Zealand, China, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and internationally. The company operates through Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Other Banking Services, Credit Card, Securities, Life Insurance, and Non-Life Insurance segments.

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Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by research analysts at Robert W. Baird from $154.00 to $156.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the stock. Robert W. Bairds price target points to a potential upside of 4.10% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on H. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Hyatt Hotels in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $155.00 to $158.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Barclays raised their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $156.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Citigroup upgraded Hyatt Hotels from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $138.00 to $167.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price objective on Hyatt Hotels from $140.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $157.67.

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View Our Latest Analysis on H

Hyatt Hotels Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE H opened at $149.86 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. Hyatt Hotels has a 12 month low of $102.43 and a 12 month high of $168.20. The company has a market cap of $14.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.43. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $145.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $141.09.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.30) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.79). Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 6.54% and a net margin of 6.39%.The company had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.94 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.05 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Hyatt Hotels

In related news, insider Peter Sears sold 12,394 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.51, for a total value of $1,927,390.94. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 5,594 shares in the company, valued at approximately $869,922.94. This represents a 68.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider David Udell sold 3,010 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.00, for a total transaction of $472,570.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 13,746 shares in the company, valued at $2,158,122. The trade was a 17.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 23,586 shares of company stock valued at $3,611,550 over the last three months. Insiders own 23.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Johnson Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Hyatt Hotels by 450.0% in the 3rd quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 176 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new position in shares of Hyatt Hotels in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 98.2% in the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 86.7% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 239 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the period. Finally, Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in Hyatt Hotels in the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. 73.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Hyatt Hotels Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

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Savant Capital LLC reduced its stake in UWM Holdings Corporation (NYSE:UWMC  Free Report) by 38.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 53,122 shares of the companys stock after selling 33,482 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLCs holdings in UWM were worth $220,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cerity Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of UWM in the first quarter worth $342,000. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in shares of UWM by 37.5% in the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 36,236 shares of the companys stock valued at $198,000 after acquiring an additional 9,874 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of UWM by 865.2% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 115,764 shares of the companys stock valued at $632,000 after acquiring an additional 103,770 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in shares of UWM by 135.4% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 8,159 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 4,693 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of UWM by 1,773.5% in the first quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 380,875 shares of the companys stock worth $2,080,000 after purchasing an additional 360,545 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 53.59% of the companys stock.

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UWM Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of UWM stock opened at $5.01 on Thursday. UWM Holdings Corporation has a 1 year low of $3.80 and a 1 year high of $7.14. The firm has a market cap of $8.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -100.16 and a beta of 1.79. The company has a 50-day moving average of $5.78 and a 200 day moving average of $5.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.55.

UWM Dividend Announcement

UWM ( NYSE:UWMC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.06). UWM had a negative return on equity of 5.56% and a net margin of 0.48%.The business had revenue of $151.14 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $651.51 million. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that UWM Holdings Corporation will post 0.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 18th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 18th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded UWM from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. UBS Group boosted their target price on UWM from $5.50 to $6.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Morgan Stanley lowered UWM from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $4.50 to $6.50 in a research note on Monday, September 29th. BTIG Research reiterated a buy rating and issued a $10.00 price target on shares of UWM in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of UWM in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $6.54.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on UWMC

Insider Transactions at UWM

In other UWM news, CEO Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.81, for a total value of $4,061,184.36. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 6,108,716 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $41,600,355.96. The trade was a 8.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders sold a total of 20,298,312 shares of company stock worth $117,952,282 in the last three months. 94.11% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About UWM

(Free Report)

UWM Holdings Corporation engages in the residential mortgage lending business in the United States. The company offers mortgage loans through wholesale channel. It originates primarily conforming and government loans. UWM Holdings Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan.

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Seizert Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 34,766 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $968,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in MGIC Investment by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,894 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $270,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares during the period. FCG Investment Co bought a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment in the 2nd quarter valued at $846,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment during the second quarter worth $568,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in MGIC Investment in the first quarter valued at $1,353,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in MGIC Investment during the first quarter valued at $238,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.58% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at MGIC Investment

In related news, COO Salvatore A. Miosi sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.15, for a total transaction of $844,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 189,401 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,331,638.15. This represents a 13.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Timothy J. Mattke sold 139,203 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total value of $3,771,009.27. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 961,791 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,054,918.19. The trade was a 12.64% 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 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 Up 0.1%

Shares of MGIC Investment stock opened at $27.84 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.23 billion, a PE ratio of 8.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.92. MGIC Investment Corporation has a 52 week low of $21.94 and a 52 week high of $29.01. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $27.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $27.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 1.46.

MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.11. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 14.63% and a net margin of 61.96%.The company had revenue of $304.51 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $308.16 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.77 EPS. MGIC Investments quarterly revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that MGIC Investment Corporation will post 2.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MGIC Investment Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 6th. MGIC Investments dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MTG. Barclays boosted their price objective on 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 report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $26.80.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MGIC Investment

About MGIC Investment

(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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Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SKSUY  Get Free Report)s share price fell 11.1% on Monday . The company traded as low as $86.06 and last traded at $86.06. 156 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 59% from the average session volume of 379 shares. The stock had previously closed at $96.7840.

Sekisui Chemical Trading Down 11.1%

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $96.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $90.64.

Sekisui Chemical Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sekisui Chemical Co, Ltd. engages in the housing, urban infrastructure and environmental products, high performance plastics, and medical businesses. The company offers LCD fine particles, photosensitive materials, semiconductor materials, optical film, industrial tapes; interlayer films for laminated glass, resins for vehicle use, rubber molded products, heat release materials, decorative plastic sheets, carbon fiber reinforced plastic composite mold materials, and polyvinyl alcohol resin; and adhesives, polyolefin foams, packaging tapes, plastic containers, functional tatami, and hygiene materials.

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ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Get Free Report) General Counsel Russell Elmer sold 81 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $827.08, for a total value of $66,993.48. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel owned 4,332 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,582,910.56. The trade was a 1.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

ServiceNow Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NOW traded down $2.79 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $815.18. 1,913,438 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,641,529. The companys 50 day moving average price is $908.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $946.44. The firm has a market cap of $169.56 billion, a PE ratio of 98.57, a PEG ratio of 4.11 and a beta of 0.94. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 52 week low of $678.66 and a 52 week high of $1,198.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 1.09.

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ServiceNow shares are going to split before the market opens on Friday, December 5th. The 5-1 split was announced on Wednesday, October 29th. The newly created shares will be issued to shareholders after the market closes on Thursday, December 4th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

ServiceNow ( NYSE:NOW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The information technology services provider reported $4.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.61. The business had revenue of $3.41 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.35 billion. ServiceNow had a net margin of 13.66% and a return on equity of 19.23%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.72 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 8.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of ServiceNow in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in ServiceNow by 200.0% during the 3rd quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 27 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Bogart Wealth LLC lifted its position in ServiceNow by 93.8% in the third quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 31 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Watch Advisors INC bought a new stake in ServiceNow in the third quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Global X Japan Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in ServiceNow during the second quarter worth $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.18% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on NOW. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $1,200.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on ServiceNow from $1,020.00 to $1,075.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $1,120.00 target price on shares of ServiceNow in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on ServiceNow from $1,160.00 to $1,150.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of ServiceNow in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-one have assigned a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,159.66.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on NOW

ServiceNow Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ServiceNow, Inc provides end to-end intelligent workflow automation platform solutions for digital businesses in the North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Now platform for end-to-end digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, and collaboration and development tools.

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SG Americas Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Germany ETF (NYSEARCA:EWG  Free Report) by 15.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 51,841 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 6,905 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC owned 0.08% of iShares MSCI Germany ETF worth $2,193,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 15,545.6% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 3,286,517 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $121,864,000 after purchasing an additional 3,265,511 shares in the last quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Germany ETF during the first quarter worth $57,326,000. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 102.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,275,097 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $53,949,000 after acquiring an additional 644,647 shares in the last quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 98.9% during the 2nd quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 739,995 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $31,309,000 after acquiring an additional 368,034 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Germany ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $18,186,000. Institutional investors own 53.42% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI Germany ETF Trading Down 0.1%

EWG opened at $39.51 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $1.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.79 and a beta of 1.03. iShares MSCI Germany ETF has a 12 month low of $31.11 and a 12 month high of $43.31. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $41.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $41.61.

About iShares MSCI Germany ETF

iShares MSCI Germany ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund (the 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 German market, as measured by the MSCI Germany Index (the Index).

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Shangri-La Asia Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SHALY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $13.05, but opened at $11.43. Shangri-La Asia shares last traded at $11.44, with a volume of 501 shares changing hands.

Shangri-La Asia Price Performance

The companys fifty day simple moving average is $11.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.05.

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Shangri-La Asia Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 29th were given a $0.1284 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 26th. This represents a dividend yield of 348.0%.

About Shangri-La Asia

Shangri-La Asia Limited, an investment holding company, develops, owns/leases, operates, and manages hotels and associated properties worldwide. It operates through Hotel Properties, Hotel Management and Related Services, Investment Properties, and Property Development for Sale segments. The company develops, owns, and operates office and commercial properties, and serviced apartments/residences; and operates restaurants and amusement parks.

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Shimano Inc. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $9.90, but opened at $10.19. Shimano shares last traded at $9.8705, with a volume of 58,840 shares trading hands.

Shimano Stock Down 1.2%

The businesss fifty day moving average is $10.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.33. The stock has a market cap of $8.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.41 and a beta of 0.62.

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Shimano (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $770.46 million for the quarter. Shimano had a net margin of 10.72% and a return on equity of 5.93%.

Shimano Company Profile

Shimano Inc develops, produces, and distributes bicycle components, fishing tackles, and rowing equipment. It has operations in Japan, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Oceania. Shimano Inc was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Sakai, Japan.

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MAN Truck & Bus employees work in a production line. Sven Hoppe/dpa

German manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus on Thursday said it plans to cut around 2,300 jobs in Germany over a period of 10 years.

No redundancies are planned, a company spokesman said, with positions to decrease naturally through retirement.

The manufacturer's main plant in Munich is to be worst affected, with 1,300 jobs lost, followed by 600 at the site in Salzgitter and 400 in Nuremberg.

MAN must "adapt to the continuing weakness of the truck market in Germany," the spokesman said, warning that high electricity and labour costs paired with rising pressure from Asian competitors are weighing on results.

"We are now entering a phase of high investment and need to generate sustained profits in order to expand our product portfolio," he said.

The IG Metall union warned that the relocation of production to a new Polish site run by MAN's parent company, the Traton Group, will affect factories in Germany.

The plans "jeopardize the long-term existence of the main Munich plant," said union representative Sybille Wankel.

"No one is losing their job today, but in the long term, the decision means that the MAN truck of the future will be built in Poland and not in Munich," she added.

If "all parts for a truck are manufactured in Poland and transported from there to Munich for assembly only," Wankel explained, "it is obvious that at some point, assembly in Munich will also be up for discussion."
Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Get Free Report) declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, November 19th, RTT News reports. The company plans to repurchase $475.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to reacquire up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Primerica Price Performance

Shares of PRI stock traded down $1.92 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $256.57. The company had a trading volume of 240,572 shares, compared to its average volume of 192,962. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.19 billion, a PE ratio of 11.79 and a beta of 0.96. The companys fifty day moving average is $266.40 and its 200 day moving average is $266.99. Primerica has a fifty-two week low of $230.98 and a fifty-two week high of $307.91.

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Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $6.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.52 by $0.81. The firm had revenue of $838.88 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $817.81 million. Primerica had a return on equity of 31.75% and a net margin of 22.36%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.83 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Primerica will post 20.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Primerica Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be issued a $1.04 dividend. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. Primericas dividend payout ratio is 19.12%.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Primerica from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $292.00 to $318.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Primerica from $306.00 to $301.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Primerica from $320.00 to $315.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Primerica in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Primerica from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. One investment 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $309.00.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PRI

Insider Transactions at Primerica

In other Primerica news, President Peter W. Schneider sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.30, for a total transaction of $510,600.00. Following the transaction, the president directly owned 7,301 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,863,945.30. This trade represents a 21.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $259.65, for a total value of $649,125.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 33,892 shares in the company, valued at $8,800,057.80. The trade was a 6.87% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock.

About Primerica

Get Free Report)

Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products.

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Portside Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 30.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,031 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 243 shares during the period. Portside Wealth Group LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $276,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TRV. First American Trust FSB grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 9.4% in the second quarter. First American Trust FSB now owns 1,594 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $427,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in Travelers Companies by 83.6% in the 2nd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 53,065 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $14,197,000 after purchasing an additional 24,155 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Travelers Companies by 1.4% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,047,005 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $5,898,456,000 after acquiring an additional 313,449 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 7.0% in the second quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 874 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $234,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nordwand Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 4,493.3% during the 2nd quarter. Nordwand Advisors LLC now owns 6,890 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,843,000 after acquiring an additional 6,740 shares during the period. 82.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, October 19th. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Wolfe Research started coverage on Travelers Companies in a research report on Monday, September 15th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on Travelers Companies from $320.00 to $322.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $291.94.

Travelers Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TRV opened at $285.33 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $63.65 billion, a PE ratio of 11.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $230.23 and a fifty-two week high of $290.61. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $276.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $270.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.01 by $2.13. The company had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.15 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 20.28% and a net margin of 12.14%.Travelers Companiess quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.24 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current year.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be given a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is 17.30%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 33,638 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,106,815.74. The trade was a 20.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 1,803 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.55, for a total value of $522,058.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 255,086 shares of the companys stock, valued at $73,860,151.30. This trade represents a 0.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 54,195 shares of company stock worth $15,042,229 over the last ninety days. 1.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Travelers Companies Profile

(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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TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by investment analysts at Bank of America from $150.00 to $168.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the apparel and home fashions retailers stock. Bank of Americas price target would suggest a potential upside of 15.20% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on TJX Companies from $143.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 23rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of TJX Companies from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of TJX Companies from $148.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $154.86.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on TJX Companies

TJX Companies Stock Performance

Shares of TJX opened at $145.83 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $142.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $133.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $162.30 billion, a PE ratio of 33.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. TJX Companies has a one year low of $112.10 and a one year high of $151.00.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.63% and a net margin of 8.59%.The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that TJX Companies will post 4.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TJX Companies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lavaca Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. TCTC Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 210.1% during the first quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 214 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 102.2% during the third quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. GGM Financials LLC bought a new stake in TJX Companies in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in TJX Companies in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

About TJX Companies

(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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Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 472 shares of the semiconductor companys stock, valued at approximately $107,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Powers Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the second quarter valued at approximately $240,000. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 236,503 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $53,566,000 after acquiring an additional 21,648 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 452.2% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 47,425 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $7,873,000 after purchasing an additional 38,837 shares during the period. RFG Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 66.1% in the second quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. now owns 3,898 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $883,000 after purchasing an additional 1,551 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Duquesne Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 456.9% in the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 598,780 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $99,397,000 after acquiring an additional 491,265 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TSM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $360.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Itau BBA Securities began coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $371.67.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:TSM opened at $282.53 on Thursday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 12-month low of $134.25 and a 12-month high of $311.37. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $287.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $244.34. The firm has a market cap of $1.47 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.98, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 36.06% and a net margin of 43.72%.The business had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $951.89 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.94 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a $0.9678 dividend. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is 26.97%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Travel + Leisure (NYSE:TNL  Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on TNL. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Travel + Leisure from $61.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. JMP Securities boosted their target price on Travel + Leisure from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $68.00 target price on shares of Travel + Leisure in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Travel + Leisure from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Travel + Leisure in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.18.

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Travel + Leisure Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:TNL traded up $0.45 during trading on Monday, reaching $62.50. 59,196 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 686,306. The stock has a market cap of $4.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.51. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $61.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.54. Travel + Leisure has a 52-week low of $37.77 and a 52-week high of $70.43.

Travel + Leisure (NYSE:TNL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.08. Travel + Leisure had a net margin of 10.36% and a negative return on equity of 49.06%. The company had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.57 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Travel + Leisure will post 6.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Travel + Leisure Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a $0.56 dividend. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. Travel + Leisures dividend payout ratio is 36.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Travel + Leisure

In other Travel + Leisure news, insider Amandine Robin-Caplan sold 1,538 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.08, for a total transaction of $100,093.04. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 3,904 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $254,072.32. This represents a 28.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Kimberly Marshall sold 16,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total transaction of $1,072,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 40,236 shares in the company, valued at $2,615,340. The trade was a 29.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 135,692 shares of company stock valued at $8,967,762. 3.75% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Travel + Leisure

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its position in Travel + Leisure by 13.4% in the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 38,099 shares of the companys stock worth $1,764,000 after buying an additional 4,500 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC bought a new position in shares of Travel + Leisure during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH increased its holdings in Travel + Leisure by 7.9% in the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 91,290 shares of the companys stock worth $4,226,000 after acquiring an additional 6,688 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Travel + Leisure by 14.4% during the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,138 shares of the companys stock worth $284,000 after acquiring an additional 772 shares during the period. Finally, Burney Co. lifted its holdings in Travel + Leisure by 230.1% during the first quarter. Burney Co. now owns 19,185 shares of the companys stock valued at $888,000 after purchasing an additional 13,373 shares in the last quarter. 87.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Travel + Leisure

(Get Free Report)

Travel + Leisure Co, together with its subsidiaries, provides hospitality services and travel products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Vacation Ownership; and Travel and Membership. The Vacation Ownership segment develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests (VOIs) to individual consumers, as well as provides consumer financing in connection with the sale of VOIs; and property management services at resorts.

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TRUE Private Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 5,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $351,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NVO. FineMark National Bank & Trust grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 13.6% during the 2nd quarter. FineMark National Bank & Trust now owns 3,969 shares of the companys stock worth $274,000 after purchasing an additional 474 shares in the last quarter. Traub Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the second quarter valued at approximately $81,000. Wealthspire Advisors LLC grew its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 4.7% during the second quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 27,092 shares of the companys stock worth $1,870,000 after buying an additional 1,208 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 62.9% during the 2nd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 74,083 shares of the companys stock worth $5,113,000 after acquiring an additional 28,613 shares during the period. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 22.7% in the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 18,790 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,297,000 after acquiring an additional 3,477 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

NVO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Rothschild Redb raised Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. UBS Group downgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They issued an underperform rating on the stock. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Novo Nordisk A/S currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $59.20.

Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance

Novo Nordisk A/S stock opened at $49.07 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $54.20 and a 200-day moving average of $60.61. The company has a market capitalization of $219.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.65. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1 year low of $45.05 and a 1 year high of $112.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.56.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.25. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 35.60% and a return on equity of 78.64%. The business had revenue of $11.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 4.2% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 58,814 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,378 shares during the period. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $3,733,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EFV. Atwood & Palmer Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the second quarter worth $30,000. Rice Partnership LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the second quarter valued at about $59,000. Finally, Wells Financial Advisors INC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 107.5% in the first quarter. Wells Financial Advisors INC now owns 965 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Trading Up 30.5%

Shares of EFV opened at $68.20 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $27.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 1 year low of $51.05 and a 1 year high of $66.83. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $68.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $65.71.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Westfield Capital Management Co. LP lowered its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Free Report) by 0.9% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 321,606 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 3,029 shares during the period. Westfield Capital Management Co. LPs holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. were worth $102,952,000 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 the stock. J.Safra Asset Management Corp increased its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 209.1% during the 2nd quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp now owns 102 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC acquired a new position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the first quarter worth about $33,000. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the first quarter worth approximately $34,000. Motco raised its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 700.0% in the first quarter. Motco now owns 112 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SouthState Corp purchased a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the first quarter worth approximately $39,000. 85.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $299.54, for a total transaction of $2,396,320.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 100,777 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,186,742.58. The trade was a 7.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Michael Robert Pesch bought 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $247.12 per share, for a total transaction of $988,480.00. Following the acquisition, the vice president directly owned 41,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,341,724.88. The trade was a 10.57% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 29,855 shares of company stock worth $8,916,928. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Trading Up 0.2%

NYSE AJG opened at $249.22 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $64.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.29 and a beta of 0.71. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 52-week low of $239.47 and a 52-week high of $351.23. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $282.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $303.36.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($0.19). Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a return on equity of 13.17% and a net margin of 14.54%.The business had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.34 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.26 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 20.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 EPS for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AJG shares. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Barclays downgraded Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $250.00 price target for the company. in a report on Thursday. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $340.00 to $295.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $315.00 to $275.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $316.33.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Company Profile

(Free Report)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations.

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Bank of America reiterated their neutral rating on shares of Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY  Free Report) in a research report report published on Monday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a $26.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock, down from their previous price target of $29.00.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on WY. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Weyerhaeuser from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Weyerhaeuser from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday, August 3rd. Zacks Research raised Weyerhaeuser from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Weyerhaeuser in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, CIBC reduced their price objective on Weyerhaeuser from $32.00 to $31.00 and set an outperformer rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.78.

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Read Our Latest Report on WY

Weyerhaeuser Price Performance

Shares of WY opened at $21.35 on Monday. Weyerhaeuser has a 52-week low of $21.16 and a 52-week high of $32.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 1.04. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $23.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $25.21. The firm has a market cap of $15.39 billion, a PE ratio of 56.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 244.04 and a beta of 1.04.

Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.07) by $0.13. The company had revenue of $1.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.71 billion. Weyerhaeuser had a net margin of 3.97% and a return on equity of 2.95%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.05 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Weyerhaeuser will post 0.78 EPS for the current year.

Weyerhaeuser Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Weyerhaeusers dividend payout ratio is currently 186.67%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Weyerhaeuser

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WY. Danske Bank A S purchased a new stake in Weyerhaeuser in the third quarter worth $6,041,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its stake in shares of Weyerhaeuser by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 870,855 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $21,635,000 after acquiring an additional 10,605 shares during the period. Worth Venture Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Weyerhaeuser in the 3rd quarter worth about $233,000. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in Weyerhaeuser in the 3rd quarter valued at about $703,000. Finally, United Capital Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Weyerhaeuser by 7.6% in the 3rd quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 16,631 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $412,000 after acquiring an additional 1,169 shares during the period. 82.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Weyerhaeuser Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards.

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Xero Limited (ASX:XRO  Get Free Report) insider Andrew Cross purchased 820 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of A$120.01 per share, for a total transaction of A$98,408.20.

Xero Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 6.62, a quick ratio of 5.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 87.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 179.38, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 1.02.

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Xero Limited, together with its subsidiaries, a software as a service company, provides online business solutions for small businesses and their advisors in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It offers Xero, an open platform that connects small businesses to a range of solutions, which helps to manage their finances.

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The deal brings Marquee Brands portfolio to 19 brands with a combined retail value of $4.5bn. Stance, founded in 2009, is known for its premium materials, design-led collections and collaborations with athletes, musicians and cultural figures.

Its long-standing licensing partnerships include the NBA, MLB, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Warner Bros. Discovery.

As part of the acquisition, Marquee Brands has entered a global licensing partnership with United Legwear & Apparel Co. (ULAC), which will oversee Stances core categories, socks and underwear, across menswear, womenswear and childrenswear.

ULAC, which manages distribution in more than 40 countries, will handle design, development, retail, ecommerce and wholesale operations outside China.

We are thrilled to welcome Stance into the portfolio as an established cultural touchpoint, said Heath Golden, CEO of Marquee Brands. We are incredibly excited to build on that momentum in partnership with United Legwear, an industry and category leader.

"Together we see an opportunity to build global scale, accelerate category expansion and advance our shared strategy of investing in high-equity brands with enduring consumer relevance.

ULACs CEO and president, Isaac E. Ash added: We partner on brands that share our drive to innovate and inspire. Stance is a perfect fit  a pioneering brand that transformed everyday essentials into expressions of style, and has built an impressive following through bold design, cultural storytelling and a community of athletes and artists.

"Marquee Brands acquires sock label Stance, takes brand portfolio to $4.5bn" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




Mazda Motor is accelerating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as it looks to offset its scale disadvantage compared with larger global rivals.

The Japanese automaker intends to leverage digital tools to streamline back-office functions and double productivity by 2030, reported Nikkei Asia.

Building on this push, Mazda set up an AI transformation department in September at its headquarters in Hiroshima prefecture.

The unit currently has about 70 staff, with plans to broaden headcount to around 400.

The focus is on administrative areas such as accounting, procurement, human resources and public relations.

Mazda is deploying AI to consolidate and manage data currently dispersed across multiple systems, aiming to make information retrieval faster.

For conversational tools, Mazda is using Microsofts Copilot and OpenAIs ChatGPT.

Work is also ongoing on its own in-house AI system.

Mazda managing executive officer Akihiro Kidani said: The idea is to enable five people to do the work of 10, freeing up the remaining five to create new value.

Administrative teams across the company are now identifying processes that can be simplified or automated.

One pilot project targets Mazdas monthly global production report, which has taken about 50 hours to compile due to differing systems at overseas joint ventures.

A trial AI-based approach is designed to aggregate and calculate the numbers across global systems almost instantly.

Mazda is also testing AI for language and voice applications. Speeches by the companys president are to be translated into other languages using AI that mimics his voice.

Mazda has long used digital tools in manufacturing and development.

Since 1996, it has centralised planning, design and engineering data, adopted virtual model-based development to reduce physical prototypes and testing, and more recently integrated AI into this process.

With its comparatively limited resources, Kidani said it is necessary for us to be more advanced in digital innovation than our competitors.

The AI push comes as Mazdas results are being affected by US tariff measures.

For the first half of the financial year ending 31 March 2026 (covering 1 April to 30 September 2025), Mazdas global retail sales totalled 609,000 vehicles, a 3% decline year on year, largely due to softer demand in Europe.

Sales in Japan and North America rose over the same period.

Consolidated wholesale volume fell 8% year on year to 543,000 units.

Net sales slipped 6% to Y2.23tn ($14.18bn), while Mazda posted an operating loss of Y53.9bn and a net loss attributable to owners of the parent of Y45.3bn.
Merck KGaA has signed a drug discovery partnership with Valo Health, becoming the latest big pharma to enlist the services of the tech company to identify the next big therapeutic.

The strategic collaboration will see Merck offer Valo over a potential $3bn in upfront and milestone payments, as well as R&D funding and royalties from any products that come from the work. In return, the German drugmaker will use Valos AI human casual biology and discovery platforms to find new disease targets and create preclinical compounds.

Valo stated the link-up will focus on advancing therapeutic discovery in Parkinsons disease and related disorders.

Valos human casual biology platform uses AI to scan more than 17 million de-identified patient records and biobank samples to pinpoint potential therapeutic targets. Within the scope of neurological disorders, the companys tech has been able to identify distinct patient phenotypes across the disease spectrum.

Valos closed-loop chemistry platform then continues the discovery journey by developing small molecules that engage these disease targets.

Mercks global neurology and immunology research unit head Amy Kao said: Our research engine is focused on delivering meaningful medicines for patients with high unmet medical needs. Valo Healths AIenabled platforms utilising human data will help sharpen target selection and streamline drug discovery, enabling us to advance the most promising candidates faster.

Valo does have its own internal pipeline, but partnerships have recently become an important commercial avenue for the company. The companys diabetic retinopathy candidate OPL-0401 failed a Phase II trial, leading to a shift in focus towards its cache of real-world data. Valo has not publicly disclosed the other assets in its pipeline.

What has been in the public realm are the big-dollar deals signed with big pharma companies looking to bring in the new generation of drugs to their pipelines. Novo has an ongoing partnership with Valo that has $4.6bn on the line if certain development milestones are met in cardiometabolic indications. Pfizer is also working with Valo via a ten-programme agreement with the latters founder, Flagship Pioneering.

Enlisting the services of companies with AI-powered platforms has become a common occurrence in the pharma industry in recent years. Analysis by GlobalData demonstrates that the speed and efficiency of AI can cut drug development costs and cycles.

Valos CEO Brian Alexander said the company is looking forward to using its platform to expand Mercks pipeline of treatments for Parkinsons and related disorders.
By Jody Godoy and Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) -Facebook parent company Meta Platforms defeated a U.S. attempt to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp on Tuesday when a federal judge ruled the company does not hold a social media monopoly.

The ruling gives Big Tech its first decisive win against the antitrust crackdown started in President Donald Trump's first term, and is a major setback for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which is pursuing a separate antitrust case against Amazon.com. The agency sought to force Meta to restructure or sell Instagram and WhatsApp to restore competition, saying the company spent billions of dollars on the acquisitions to eliminate nascent competitors.

Meta shares pared losses after the news, and were down just 0.3% at $599.95 in late afternoon trading.

"Our products are beneficial for people and businesses and exemplify American innovation and economic growth," a Meta spokesperson said. "We look forward to continuing to partner with the Administration and to invest in America."

We are deeply disappointed in this decision," said FTC spokesperson Joe Simonson, adding, "we are reviewing all our options."

Facebook bought Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. The FTC did not seek to block the deals at the time, but sued in 2020 alleging that Meta, then known as Facebook, held a monopoly on U.S. platforms used to share content with friends and family.

The agency argued Meta's main competitors in that market were Snap's Snapchat and MeWe, a tiny privacy-focused social media app launched in 2016, and distinguished platforms where users broadcast content to strangers based on shared interests, such as X, TikTok, YouTube and Reddit.

At a trial in April, the FTC pointed to Facebook's statements about the deals, including a 2008 email in which CEO Mark Zuckerberg said "it is better to buy than compete."

Meta argued the FTC had ignored competitive pressure from ByteDance's TikTok, Google's YouTube and Apple's messaging app, among others. It also defended its acquisitions, saying buying companies that excel in new features instead of building competitor products was a valid business strategy.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington largely agreed with Meta that social media has shifted since the days when Facebook was used mostly for personal status updates.

"The landscape that existed only five years ago when the Federal Trade Commission brought this antitrust suit has changed markedly," Boasberg said, citing evidence at trial that showed users substituted YouTube and TikTok for Meta's apps and vice-versa during outages.
The speed of lies and the slow pace of truth An analysis of National and International politics

|

Kishan Sanmukhdas Bhawnani

Contd from previous issue

As the elders have said, "By the time the truth ties its shoelaces, lies have already circled the globe." Therefore, today, with the help of information available in the media, we will discuss the article, "The speed of lies and the slow pace of truth: A thorough and accurate analysis in National and international politics."

Friends, if we first discuss Part 1 : The speed of lies versus the strength of truth, then (1) Why do lies spread so quickly ?-Lies are always sensational and emotional. They incite public emotions, fears, and prejudices. Truth is based on logic and evidence, so its pace is slow. (2) The Enduring Power of Truth-History bears witness that even though lies may spread rapidly, truth always prevails. Gandhiji's Satyagraha, Man-dela's anti-apartheid struggle, and scientific warnings about climate change all demonstrate that truth, though delayed, prevails. (3) Solutions and the Way Forward-Fact-Checking Organizations: Organi- zations like Alt News (India), Snopes (USA), and BBC Fact Check are challenging lies. (4) Various Technological Aspects -(1) Technology: Artificial Intelligence can detect deepfakes and fake news. (2) Education and Awareness: It is important to teach the public media literacy so that they can distinguish between truth and lies.

Friends, if we discuss Part 2 : Understanding the Equation of Truth and Lies in India's National Politics, then (1) Electoral Politics and Fake Narratives-India's democracy is the world's largest, with elections held every five years. Here, lies play a crucial role in shaping the electoral narrative. For example, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, several videos went viral on social media claiming that certain parties would "provide reservations for a particular religion" or "revoke Article 370 in Kashmir." Most of these claims turned out to be false, but these news influenced public opinion in the election environment. The truth came to light when the Election Commission and fact-checking organizations investigated these reports, but by then the impact had already been felt. (2) Farmers' Protests and Misin- formation-The 202021 farmers' protests are the most recent example of this phenomenon in Indian politics. The protesters were often described as "Khalis-tani supporters" or "inspired by foreign funding." These rumors spread so rapidly on social media and TV channels that they created confusion among the general public. Later, the Supreme Court and independent reports clarified that the movement was primarily based on genuine concerns of farmers. However, it took months for the truth to emerge.

(3) COVID-19 and Government Claims - The battle between lies and truth was clearly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. During the second wave (2021), the Government stated that there was "no shortage of oxygen and medicines." However, the ground reality was that people were dying in hospitals due to lack of oxygen. False images and statistics were spread in the media to protect the Government's image. The truth later emerged when international media and the Courts exposed the situation. (4) National Security and Rumors - Narratives related to "Pakistan" and "terrorism" in Indian politics are often built on lies.

Even in 2025, social media remains the most powerful weapon of fake news in Indian politics. Recently, several false images and videos related to the Manipur violence went viral, purportedly from another country, but were linked to events in India. By the time the truth emerged, widespread tension had spread in society.

Friends, if we discuss Part 3 of the equation of truth and lies in international politics, (1) The Iraq War of 2003 - The Greatest Example - The greatest example of lies in international politics is the 2003 Iraq War. The US and Britain claimed that Saddam Hussein possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). This claim spread rapidly throughout the world, and war broke out. Millions were killed, but the truth was that Iraq did not possess such weapons. This truth came to light after the war had ended, and by then, the politics of the entire Middle East had changed. (2) The Russia-Ukraine War (20222025) - The greatest example to date is the Russia-Ukraine War. Russia claimed it had come to "liberate Ukraine from Nazi forces." On the other hand, Western countries claimed that Russia was pursuing an expansionist policy. False information was spread on social media by both sides, sometimes using fake videos and sometimes promo- ting old photos as new. The truth is slowly emerging through independent journalists and satellite images, but by then millions of people have been affected. (3) US electoral politics and fake news-Fake news was a decisive factor in the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections. Russian troll factories and American extremist organizations spread false news, such as The Pope is supporting Donald Trump or Joe Biden is involved in corruption. These stories reached millions of people on social media. Fact-checking organizations later disproved them, but by then, voters had already been influenced. (4) COVID-19 and China-At the beginning of COVID-19, China concealed the severity of the virus from the world. Initial cases in Wuhan were suppressed and the situation was claimed to be under control. This lie misled the entire world. By the time the truth emerged that the virus was spreading rapidly, the pandemic had become a global crisis. (5) Israel-Palestine conflict-The battle between lies and truth is witnessed daily in the region. Both Israel and Palestine present videos and images in their favor on social media. Often, old videos are made viral by claiming they are new or using false captions. By the time the truth is revealed, anger and protests have already grown internationally. (6) India's Foreign Policy and Fake Narratives

- India's foreign policy is also not untouched by this battle of lies and truth. During the recent G-20 Summit (2023, New Delhi), Pakistan and China claimed that India "pressured to remove the Kashmir issue from the international agenda." This false news spread in the international media. Later, the truth came out that the focus of the summit was on economic cooperation and development, but by then the narrative had changed.

So, if we study and analyze the entire above account, we will find that this saying is not just a literary satire but a harsh political reality. Election promises, farmers' protests, and crises like COVID-19 have proven this in Indian national politics. At the international level, the Iraq War, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US elections, and the COVID-19 pandemic are global examples of this. Lies may travel around the world, but truth always finds its way, albeit late. Today's challenge is that democracy, media, and technology work together to accelerate the journey of truth and slow down the pace of lies.

-Compiler, Author -Tax, Expert,Columnist, Literary Person, International Writer, Thinker, Poet, sangeet madhyama, CA (ATC), Advocate Kishan Sanmukhdas Bhawnani, Gondia, Maharashtra 9226229318
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Meta has prevailed over an existential challenge to its business that could have forced the tech giant to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp after a judge ruled that the company does not hold a monopoly in social networking.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued his ruling Tuesday after the historic antitrust trial wrapped up in late May. His decision runs in sharp contrast to two separate rulings that branded Google an illegal monopoly in both search and online advertising, dealing regulatory blows to the tech industry that for years enjoyed nearly unbridled growth.

The Federal Trade Commission continues to insist that Meta competes with the same old rivals it has for the last decade, that the company holds a monopoly among that small set, and that it maintained that monopoly through anticompetitive acquisitions, Boasberg wrote in his ruling. Whether or not Meta enjoyed monopoly power in the past, though, the agency must show that it continues to hold such power now. The Courts verdict today determines that the FTC has not done so.

The federal agency had argued that Meta maintained a monopoly by pursuing an expression CEO Mark Zuckerberg made in 2008: It is better to buy than compete. True to that maxim, Facebook has systematically tracked potential rivals and acquired companies that it viewed as serious competitive threats.

During his April testimony, Zuckerberg pushed back against claims that Facebook bought Instagram to neutralize a threat. In his line of questioning, FTC attorney Daniel Matheson repeatedly brought up emails  many of them more than a decade old  written by Zuckerberg and his associates before and after the acquisition of Instagram.

While acknowledging the documents, Zuckerberg has often sought to downplay the contents, saying he wrote the emails early in the acquisition process and that the notes did not fully capture the scope of his interest in the company. But the case was not about the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp more than a decade ago, which the FTC approved at the time, but about whether Meta holds a monopoly now. Prosecutors, Boasberg wrote in the ruling, could only win if they proved current or imminent legal violation.

The FTCs complaint said Facebook also enacted policies designed to make it difficult for smaller rivals to enter the market and neutralize perceived competitive threats, just as the world shifted its attention to mobile devices from desktop computers.

Meta said Tuesday's decision recognizes that Meta faces fierce competition.
Metas decade-old spending spree just survived the governments biggest swing at it. A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the companys purchases of Instagram (in 2012) and WhatsApp (in 2014) didnt stifle competition, killing the Federal Trade Commissions attempts to unwind the deals years later.

The ruling is a decisive win for Meta, as U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said the FTC failed to prove that Meta holds monopoly power in the personal social networking space today or that the two acquisitions illegally helped maintain such a monopoly. He said that without evidence that Meta still dominates a well-defined market, the federal challenge couldnt stand.

The FTC had asked the court to order Meta to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp, arguing they were killer acquisitions that neutralized fast-growing rivals and locked users inside Metas ecosystem  part of a buy or bury playbook.

The Court ultimately concludes that the agency has not carried its burden: Meta holds no monopoly in the relevant market, Boasberg wrote. The landscape that existed only five years ago when the Federal Trade Commission brought this antitrust suit has changed markedly. While it once might have made sense to partition apps into separate markets of social networking and social media, that wall has since broken down.

The governments case leaned on a tight market definition and a long paper trail. The FTC described a world where Facebook and Instagram dominated the space for connecting with friends and family, and highlighted internal emails where Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said it was better to buy than compete and saw Instagram as a serious mobile threat. Those messages, regulators argued, showed a buy or bury strategy that kept potential challengers from ever maturing.

Meta pushed back with a much broader map of competition. The companys lawyers argued the FTC had airbrushed out the apps users actually bounce between  rivals such as TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Apples iMessage, and others  and that attention, not friend lists, defines todays real market. Boasberg ultimately agreed that leaving out TikTok and YouTube broke the agencys theory, writing that adding TikTok alone was enough to sink the case. In his opinion, he even reached for Greek philosopher Heraclitus, noting that the social media river the FTC sued over has changed markedly since 2020.

The ruling closes a case that has been making its way through the courts since December 2020, when the Trump-era FTC and 46 states sued Facebook, accusing it of illegally maintaining a social-networking monopoly through the Instagram and WhatsApp deals. Boasberg tossed the first version of the complaint in 2021 as too thin on monopoly evidence, but he let a beefed-up filing proceed in 2022. A long delay over trial timing pushed the case into April this year, when Zuckerberg, WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, and a slate of economists took the stand in a weekslong bench trial.
Mizuho Financial Group is assessing opportunities to expand its investment banking operations in India, with the intention to apply its experience in corporate advisory and finance from other regions, reported Bloomberg citing a top executive.

Mizuho deputy president Suneel Bakhshi confirmed this in an interview in Tokyo, Japan.

He was quoted by the news agency as saying: The approach in India should and will mirror what we want to do globally, which is on the wholesale side rather than commercial, referring to serving corporate and institutional clients.

We need to be focused.

The Japanese bank has engaged in discussions about acquiring a controlling interest in Avendus Capital, an Indian investment bank, although these negotiations have paused, according to Bloomberg.

Bakhshi did not provide comments on individual transactions, reported Bloomberg.

He added: I find tremendous interest in India from other geographies, such as the Middle East.

Mizuho has concentrated on investment banking beyond Japan, particularly in the US market, where it has become a notable participant in bond and equity underwriting.

The 2023 acquisition of Greenhill & Co was part of this broader aim.

Mizuho has set a target to become the leading investment bank in Asia within five years, the news publication added.

Commenting on the Greenhill deal, Bakhshi said: It is helping us with cross-border M&A mandates.

Bakhshi, who took up his new role as Mizuho deputy president in April, has 30 years experience including work at Citigroup where he led the Japanese investment banking unit during the early 2010s.

At Mizuho, he is responsible for advancing cross-regional cooperation across business areas.

Currently, nearly 40% of Mizuhos gross profit is attributed to its global corporate and investment banking division, the report said.

Bakhshi commented: We want to pivot from being a Japanese bank with international operations to becoming a truly global bank.

To support these ambitions, last month Thomas Hartnett was appointed as head of fixed income activities spanning the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Hartnett previously held responsibility for fixed income in the Americas alone.

Bakhshi noted that developing skilled personnel is important for furthering Mizuhos international goals.

He added: The opportunity going forward is to increase the number of non-Japanese staff who are working and living outside their mother country.

"Mizuho seeks to expand investment banking business in India: report " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.
The Netherlands said the decision followed meetings with Chinese authorities. A Nexperia factory in Dongguan, China. - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

The Dutch government suspended an order that gave it various powers over Nexperia, a step toward resolving a spat over the Chinese-owned semiconductor manufacturer that had blocked vital chip supply to the auto industry.

Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans said Wednesday that the decision had been made in consultation with the Netherlands European and international partners and followed recent meetings with Chinese authorities.

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal

We see this as a show of goodwill, Karremans said. We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the Chinese authorities in the period ahead.

The decision suspends a move by the Dutch Economic Affairs Ministry in late September to assume the power to block or reverse decisions at Nexperia, which is based in the Netherlands and owned by Chinas Wingtech Technology. That move came after U.S. authorities warned the Dutch government that the chip maker could be put on a trade blacklist unless its Chinese ownership was ousted.

Beijing in response moved to halt exports of Nexperia chips, raising concerns in the auto industry about a potentially damaging shortage. Nexperia commands an important share of the market for basic chips used in many components of modern auto manufacturing. Japans Honda became the first major player to highlight the chip dispute as a problem, cutting production at a plant in Canada last month in a development that underscored the global nature of the supply crunch.

A subsequent meeting between President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, helped calm the dispute, and Nexperia chips began leaving China again earlier this month, soothing jitters in the auto industry.

We are positive about the measures already taken by the Chinese authorities to ensure the supply of chips to Europe and the rest of the world, Karremans said.

Karremans previously said the government had acted because of evidence that Nexperias chief executive was moving to shift production capacity, financial resources and intellectual property to China. Separately, a Dutch court suspended Nexperias CEO and placed most of the companys shares under external management.

The ministrys suspension of its powers over the company doesnt affect that court decision. The ministry said it didnt make nor is responsible for those decisions.
By Gianluca Lo Nostro

(Reuters) -Nokia unveiled a new strategy on Wednesday focused on artificial intelligence, as it strives to simplify its business and boost annual core profit by as much as 60% over the next three years.

Beginning in 2026, the Finnish telecoms equipment maker intends to reorganize into two primary businesses: network infrastructure, dedicated to AI and data centres, and mobile infrastructure, focused on core telecoms activities.

The company is now targeting annual comparable operating profit of 2.7 billion euros to 3.2 billion euros ($3.1 billion to $3.7 billion) by 2028, compared to 2 billion last year.

NOKIA EXPANDS BEYOND TELECOMS

Nokia's growth plan comes amid a slowdown in 5G investments.

Earlier this year, aiming to tap into the AI boom, it acquired U.S. optical networking firm Infinera.

The acquisition has lifted its sales and was followed by a $1 billion equity investment from chipmaker Nvidia, which bought a 2.9% stake in the Finnish group.

Speaking at the company's capital markets day in New York, chief executive Justin Hotard highlighted growing demand from major cloud providers.

"The largest hyperscalers are now investing more each quarter than the largest telcos invest in a year," he said, adding that nine out of the ten biggest cloud providers have turned to Nokia's technology.

The company also announced plans to establish a new defense incubation unit to deliver secure connectivity to Western countries, while aiming to reduce group operating expenses to 150 euros million by 2028, down from 350 million euros.

But the strategy announcement weighed on investor sentiment, with Nokia shares falling as much as 6%, among the worst performers on the pan-European Stoxx 600 index, though still up 25% year-to-date.

"Market expectations were higher after (a) strong share price increase," said Atte Riikola, an analyst at Inderes.

PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore said the new strategy is not a radical departure from its current focus but added that there were also significant concerns surrounding AI, given the substantial investment and uncertain returns.

(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro, additional reporting by Boleslaw Lasocki; Editing by Ros Russell, Mark Potter and Matt Scuffham)
Nuvei has announced that its eCommerce merchants have begun processing transactions through the European Payments Initiative (EPI) digital wallet, Wero.

The move introduces Wero digital wallet payments in Europe to Nuveis merchant network, enabling instant account-to-account payments throughout the region.

Wero uses Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA) Instant Credit Transfer protocols, enabling consumers to make payments directly from their bank accounts in seconds.

Nuvei said that earlier in 2025, it was among the inaugural payment processors to complete a transaction using Wero in a testing environment, and is currently one of the first to process live merchant transactions.

For merchants, the addition of Wero at checkout widens consumer payment options, minimises processing expenses, and speeds up settlement.

This can support higher conversion rates and improved cash flow.

Nuvei added that online campervan rental platform CamperDays is one of the first businesses to accept Wero payments at checkout through Nuvei.

Nuvei CEO and chair Phil Fayer said: Going live with Wero is another example of how Nuvei enables merchants to offer the most advanced and locally relevant payment methods through a single integration.

Todays consumers expect flexibility, speed, and security at checkout, and Wero delivers on all three. Were proud to help European merchants like CamperDays capture more sales and build trust with their customers.

This rollout is said to broaden Nuveis alternative payment method (APM) portfolio, allowing merchants to provide localised experiences for consumers via one integration.

CamperDays managing director Max Schmidt said: Adding Wero as a payment option through Nuvei gives our customers a fast, trusted way to pay directly from their bank accounts.

Offering more choice at checkout helps us meet diverse preferences and deliver the best possible booking experience.

EPI is backed by sixteen banks and payment service providers across Europe.

EPI CEO Martina Weimert said: Wero simplifies the payment experience for consumers while providing merchants with a cost-efficient alternative to traditional cards.

Nuvei will bring an important contribution in driving the adoption of a truly European payment solution that strengthens the continents financial sovereignty. We are looking forward this cooperation.

"Nuveis eCommerce merchants to process transactions using EPI digital wallet" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




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Nvidia's (NVDA) China business faltered in the AI chipmakers third quarter as a trade war with the US rolled on.

Nvidia recorded just $50 million in sales of its H20 chips  less powerful versions of its Hopper GPUs designed for the China market to comply with tightening US export controls  during the three months through Oct. 26.

Sizable purchase orders never materialized in the quarter due to geopolitical issues and the increasingly competitive market in China, said Nvidia CFO Colette Kress during a call with analysts following the release of the companys otherwise stellar quarterly earnings results.

Overall, Nvidias revenue from China was $2.8 billion, or 5% of its overall sales for the quarter  far lower than the $8.4 billion projected by Wall Street analysts, according to Bloomberg data. Meanwhile, the AI giant saw $39.2 billion in revenue from the US and $13.8 billion from Taiwan.

In Nvidias previous fiscal year, the companys China business accounted for 13% of its overall revenue.

While we were disappointed in the current state that prevents us from shipping more competitive data center compute products to China, we are committed to continued engagement with the US and China governments, and will continue to advocate for America's ability to compete around the world, Kress said.

Nvidia was effectively banned from selling its H20 chips to China in April in an unexpected move from the Trump administration that sent shares tumbling and cost the firm $2.5 billion in lost revenue during its first quarter. After aggressive efforts by CEO Jensen Huang to win over the White House, President Trump, in August, agreed to grant the chipmaker export licenses for the chips in an unprecedented deal that would require Nvidia to share 15% of its China revenues. But by then, more problems piled on  this time from China, as regulators in the country banned its own tech firms from buying H20 chips.

At the same time, Nvidia's Chinese rivals such as Huawei and Alibaba (BABA) have introduced new AI chips to challenge the American tech giant's dominance.

The US stoked a trade war with China earlier this year by enacting tariffs in excess of 130% on imports from the country in April, starting a tit-for-tat exchange thats still ongoing. Nvidia has featured in high-stakes trade talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ahead of the latest discussions, Trump said he would likely discuss Nvidias Blackwell chips with Xi, but later walked back that commentary, dispelling hopes for Nvidia to sell a version of its Blackwell GPUs to China.
After Infosys founder Narayana Murthy recently said again that young Indians needed to embrace longer working hours, sparking backlash online, fintech brand Rupifi's CEO Anubhav Jain on Thursday came out in support of the 79-year-old.

"9-9-6 is not to be confused with slogging," Jain wrote in a LinkedIn post, referring to the Chinese working policy that Murthy had cited, when pushing for a 72-hour workweekworking from 9 AM to 9 PM for six days a week.

"One can pursue one's goals without impacting one's health and hard work (9-9-6 is just a substitution for hard work) will never interfere with one's physical or mental health," he added.

The long LinkedIn post also details his time at American Express and EXL, where he claimed to go "a step beyond" his regular duties, saying that when everyone starts to be "hard working, committed, curious, exploratory, and inquisitive", it would "help the nation".

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai, however, told ET Now that the backlash against Murthy was because of a "misunderstanding", and that the remarks were not meant for the general workforce, but a "select group of innovators".

What Narayana Murthy actually said

"There is a saying in China, 9-9-6. You know what it means? 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week. And that is a 72-hour workweek, the Infosys founder was quoted as saying in a recent TV interview.

ALSO READ | What is China's 'illegal' 9-9-6 work rule that Infosys founder Narayana Murthy wants Indians to follow?

He claimed that the longer hours helped in China's rapid economic growth.

However, in 2021, Chinese authorities had decried that such punishing work hours were illegal.

"Legally, workers have the right to corresponding compensation and rest times or holidays. Complying with national working hours is the obligation of employers," a notice from Chinese authorities warned.

Netizens react

"Asking the youth of India to work 9-9-6 is asking them to die young in the name of nation building," a LinkedIn user wrote, in response to Jain's post.

"Same as china Give me affordable housing, all metro/rail connection, free education, free health," a Redditor quipped.

Comment

byu/Ek_Tortoise from discussion

inindia

"Theres a big difference between forced slogging and self-driven hard work. When the hunger to learn comes from within, long hours dont feel like a burden, they feel like investment," another LinkedIn user pointed out.
Smitha Kumari (name changed), 68, had spent most of her working life in the Gulf. Now retired in Thiruvalla, Kerala, she lives quietly with her ailing mother-in-law in her nineties and a lone domestic helper. On one recent afternoon, Kumari walked into her bank to close a fixed deposit before its maturity. Unknown to those around her, she was doing so under the crushing belief that she was under surveillance. Yet she appeared composedher face betraying none of the fear that had already taken hold of her mind.

There was nothing unusual about her demeanor, even though messages kept flashing on her WhatsApp, recalls Delna Dixon, chief manager of the branchone of the oldest Bank of Baroda branches in the region, known for handling a large number of elderly customers. Since Kumari had requested a premature closure of a fixed deposit worth over 19 lakh, the staff warned her about the loss of interest. She said it was fine; her children were buying a flat and needed the funds.

The FD closing process was completed, but when the cheque was examined, the beneficiary turned out to be a private firm, not her children. After repeated persuasion, Kumari showed the messages on her phone. It then emerged that she had received a video call from fraudsters posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officers, who claimed her Aadhaar was linked to criminal activity. They told her the case would be closed only if she transferred the money. And that she would remain under digital arrest until then.

We told her immediately it was a scam. She refused to believe it at first, saying a lady officer in uniform had spoken to her, says Dixon. We explained that such visuals can be faked like movie scenes. Thats when it hit hershe said, My God, visibly shaken, realising she had narrowly escaped losing her savings.

In a suo motu case, the Supreme Court recently vowed to deal with digital arrestsscams in which cybercriminals impersonate government officialswith an iron hand. The court expressed shock that fraudsters had duped victims across India, particularly senior citizens, of nearly 3,000 crore. Earlier, the court had also observed that a uniform investigation into such cases was necessary and directed the CBI to devise a nationwide plan to probe them.

Notably, the governmentprimarily through the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, and other agencieshas a multi-pronged strategy in place to educate citizens about digital arrest scams. Since late 2024, a nationwide awareness drive has been underway, spanning media advertisements, public announcements, and even caller-tune messages, warning people about scam tactics. Social media campaigns and outreach events have also been organised, and in his Mann Ki Baat address in October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself urged citizens to stay vigilant against such frauds. Nevertheless, mega fraud cases continue to happen.

Rukmini Krishnamurthy, Indias first female forensic scientist and chairperson of forensic organisation, Helik Advisory Ltd, says digital arrests are not simply a technical exploit; theyre a psychological manipulation ride.

The scammer doesnt hack the computer; they hack the mind, she notes. Krishnamurthy explains that such frauds rely on a blend of psychological triggers: authority heuristics, where criminals impersonate senior officials to elicit instant obedience; fear and urgency, which suppress rational thought; isolation, as victims are instructed not to speak to anyone; and hyper-realistic visualsfake IDs, uniforms, even deepfake videosthat lend the illusion of authenticity.

Sandip Gadiya, cybercrime investigator and director of CyberFirst Pvt Ltd, says people fall victim to cybercrimes for just four reasons. First is greed. Second is fear. Third is the lack of awareness. And fourth is carelessness, he explains. These are the only four reasons why anyone becomes a victim of cybercrime.

Gadiya adds that in almost all digital arrest scams, the same patterns recur. The first type is the courier scam. Victims receive a call claiming a parcel they sent contains drugs or suspicious items. Real shipment dataespecially around festive seasonsis often used to make the story sound credible, with mentions of agencies like the NCB adding fear, he says.

Another pattern involves identity misuse, in which callers claim SIM cards issued in the victims name were used in criminal activity. The investigator says fear, authority, and just enough real information to make the lie believable are common threads across such scams.

He adds that while the government has launched several awareness campaigns, there should be more targeted messaging around one crucial fact: There is no such thing as a digital arrest. No law allows itits a purely fraudulent invention, he says.

To curb such scams, Gadiya calls for stricter enforcement in two key sectors: Banking, where the RBI must ensure rigorous KYC verification, and telecom, where TRAI and DoT must make service providers verify customer identities thoroughly. If implemented effectively, this alone could cut cyber and financial frauds by 3040 per cent, he says, adding that inter-bank coordination is equally vital. When one bank flags a suspicious transaction, others must be alerted immediately to halt fund transfers before losses occur.
The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missile systems and Excalibur guided artillery munitions worth $93 million to India, the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Wednesday.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions," the DSCA said in a statement. It has delivered the required certification notifying Congress about the sales.

ALSO READ | 'Completely acceptable': In a game-changing move, Russia offers full fifth-gen Su-57 tech to India before Putin's visit!

The deal is noteworthy since it is New Delhis first under Washington's foreign military sales programme since ties soured in August after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%. The two countries are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement to boost two-way commerce. The Indian team is in Washington for the trade talks.

India-US defence deal back on track?

The Government of India wishes to buy up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles, DSCA said. Non-MDE (Major Defence Equipment) items that will also be included in the sale are ancillary items; Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK); primers; propellant charges; US Government technical assistance; technical data; repair and return services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support, it added.

On the sale of Excalibur projectiles, the agency said: "The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first strike accuracy in its brigades."

The Indian Government has requested to buy 100 FGM-148 Javelin rounds; one Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; and 25 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU), it said and listed a range of non-MDE items including missile simulation rounds; battery coolant unit; interactive electronic technical manual; and Javelin operator manuals apart from refurbishment services and other related elements of logistics and programme support.

The deal follows a re-order this month of fighter jet engines made by General Electric to power more of India's home-produced Tejas combat aircraft.

US tariffs and trade tensions

The announcement comes only days after reports claimed that India's merchandise exports to the US declined for the second consecutive month in October, falling by 8.58 per cent to USD 6.3 billion due to the hefty 50 per cent tariffs imposed by Washington.

During the April-October period of this fiscal, the country's exports to the US increased by 10.15 per cent to USD 52.11 billion, while imports rose 9.73 per cent to USD 30 billion, the data showed.

However, a White House Executive Order issued on November 12 excludes coffee, tea, tropical fruits, fruit juices, cocoa, spices, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, beef and certain fertilisers from the April 2 reciprocal tariff regime. The exemptions took effect on November 13.

On Monday, India braced itself as US President Trump threw in his weight behind a Republican bill in the US Senate that would, if passed, legally clear the way for the US to impose sanctions on all countries that trade with Russia.

For India, the matter is of particular concern, considering how even the 50 per cent total tariffs (25 per cent tariff plus 25 per cent punitive) have begun to bite its exports. The reason Trump had given was Indias dalliance with Moscow, buying up cheap Russian oil on a margin over the past couple of years.

With great effort, PM Modi and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had continued the strained negotiations even while seemingly cutting back on fresh oil shipments  so much so that Trump had gleefully proclaimed just last month that India was doing what he wanted and that a trade deal could happen any time soon.
The United States has approved a $93 million weapons sale to India, meaning the countrys armed forces are set to receive more Javelin anti-tank missiles and Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds.

Washington's Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Wednesday confirmed that it delivered the required certifications, formally notifying the Congress. The sale means India is set to receive 100 FGM-148 Javelin missiles, 25 lightweight command launch units, and 216 Excalibur artillery rounds.

ALSO READ | No, India is not planning to pause defence procurement from US. Centre rubbishes 'false, fabricated' report

The first sale package worth $45.7 million will witness India getting Javelin FGM-148 missiles, fly-to-buy; 25 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU), the DSCA said in a statement. The Excalibur Projectiles will be included in the $47.1 million-worth second package, which also includes other related equipment.

An Excalibur shell

Meanwhile, reports claimed that another DSCA statement claimed that New Delhi is interested in getting another 216 pieces of M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles.

ALSO READ | Israeli weapons 'worked very well' in Operation Sindoor, says Netanyahu

While the Javelin always gets media limelight, not much is talked about the Excalibur precision-guided artillery, which is already part of Indias arsenal. Procured in October 2019, the Indian Army had fired them using M777 Howitzers during live tests. As many as 600 pieces of the artillery rounds were bought by the Defence Ministry to combine them with all 155 mm guns at the country's disposal, including the M777 Howitzer, Bofors, K9 Vajra, and Dhanush artillery guns. What makes the deal even more attractive is the fact is that these shells are more economical than guided rockets like those used in M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS.

Here are five things to know about the M982 Excalibur shells that are being bought by India from the United States.

1. The M982 Excalibur (previously XM982) artillery shells are developed in a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC). They are developed and manufactured by prime contractor Raytheon Missiles & Defence, BAE Systems AB (BAE Systems Bofors). They have been in service with the US Army since 2007.

An Excalibur projectile | Raytheon website

2. Raytheon's official data claims that more than 1,400 rounds of these shells have been fired in combat to date. Sweden, Canada, Australia, Jordan, Spain, Ukraine, and the Netherlands are among the other users of these shells. Norway and Denmark have been listed among future buyers as deal discussions are yet to be finished as per available information.

3. Named after King Arthur's famed sword, Excaliburs are capable of engaging targets beyond the reach of conventional artillery even in challenging terrains. The US has said that they are capable of striking within two metres of the target regardless of range. The guided shells are capable of causing little to no collateral damage due to this accuracy factormeaning the presence of friendlies or civilian settlements in the vicinity of the target need not deter their use, unlike in the case of conventional artillery fire.

4. While it may take several rounds before the conventional firing can pinpoint enemy positions in combat zones, the manufacturer claims Excalibur can start taking out enemy assets from the first round as each shell will not drop more than two metres from the target. Simply put, a target that might take one battery of six howitzers to destroy could be wiped out by a single Excalibur-armed howitzer. "Unlike near precision guidance systems, the Excalibur weapon provides accurate first-round effects at all ranges in all weather conditions. This weapon system also extends the reach of 39-calibre artillery to 40 kilometres, 52-calibre artillery to 50 kilometres, and 58-calibre artillery to 70 kilometres," Raytheon claims about the range of its famed product.

5. The principle that makes them more accurate and long-ranging than traditional artillery projectiles can be thus explained: Once Excalibur is shot and bolts out of the barrel, its guidance fins pop out of its base. While the shell starts its journey to wreak havoc on a standard ballistic trajectory, it then levels out and flies like a missile. Upon approaching the target, it turns nose-down to dive-bomb it.



Excalibur variants avaible:
On Wednesday, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) announced that it signed a contract with the Indian Army for the supply of all-terrain BvS10 Sindhu vehicles and a comprehensive integrated logistics support package for initial deployment, maintenance and life-cycle sustainment.

L&T has teamed up with BAE Systems Hagglunds, a Swedish business unit of BAE Systems specialising in tracked, articulated, and amphibious all-terrain armoured vehicles, which is the original manufacturer of the BvS10 platform, for the deal.

What is BvS10 Sindhu?

BvS10 Sindhu is an upgraded variant of the BvS10 articulated all-terrain vehicle. It will be tailored specifically for Indias terrain and climate, including high-altitude, desert, marshland, and amphibious environments.

The company said the graded vehicle successfully competed in and flawlessly completed a series of demanding trials, demonstrating exceptional performance in both sea-level environments and high-altitude regions.

Managing Director of BAE Systems Hagglunds Tommy Gustafsson Rask explained why BvS10 Sindhu will be an important addition to the Indian Army. The BvS10s unmatched mobility, flexibility and performance in extreme climatic conditions are critical attributes highlighted by the Indian Army he said.

Capabilities of the vehicle

The platform will offer enhanced operational, strategic, and tactical mobility to the force's diverse deployment scenarios, including in the water. India's varied border geography includes snowy, mountainous Himalayan borders, desert areas in Rajasthan, marshy and riverine zones in the Northeastern states, and in coastal areas. The BvS10s articulated mobility provides optimal manoeuvrability across varying terrains, including snow, ice, rock, sand, mud, swamps, and steep mountain environments, L&T said.

The amphibious features of BvS10 will allow it to swim in flooded areas or coastal waters.

The company claimed that the vehicle can deliver personnel, supplies, and mounted firepower to address any threat in the modern operating environment.

The modular design of the vehicle allows it to be reconfigured for varying missions. "It can be delivered in multiple variants that include transporting personnel, command and control, ambulance service, vehicle repair and recovery, logistics support, situational awareness, as well as vehicle-mounted lethality and support weapons," a statement from L&T read.

First time in Asia

While the vehicle is currently in service in Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK, this is the first expansion of BvS10 into Asia. The vehicle is also on order for the German Army.

Regional director of BAE Systems Hagglunds Darren Restarick said the BvS10 contract and licensing agreement in India not only lays the foundation for future growth but also marks the first expansion of BvS10 into Asia.
Who suffered more losses when India and Pakistan clashed in May in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terrorist attack? More importantly, which air force lost more fighter jets? Did the Chinese-made jets and long-range missiles make it possible for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to bring down its counterparts prized Rafales?

These pressing questions remain largely unanswered even months after the conflict ended. Pakistan's misinformation campaign and digital propaganda push were miles ahead during the conflict and even in the weeks following, although the country's military elite were unable to provide any solid evidence of having brought down the IAF's Rafale jets despite making repeated claims.

FULL REPORT | Operation Sindoor: US Congressional panel feels Pakistan 'succeeded' by using Chinese jets, weapons? FIND OUT

In July, US President Donald Trump claimed that during the clashes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours between May 7 and 10, five fighter aircraft were brought down in the exchange of fire. However, he didn't mention how many jets were lost on either side.

Trump mentioned the downing of fighter jets reportedly during a dinner with some Republican lawmakers at the White House. Although he didn't give any further details, Trump did say that these were fighter jets airborne and not those stationed at any of the airbases that were struck as tensions escalated. "You had India, Pakistan, that was going in fact, planes were being shot out of the air... four or five. But I think five jets were shot down actually that was getting worse and worse, wasn't it?... That was looking like it was going to go, these are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each other," he said. Trump was quoted as saying to the MPs.

Pakistani claims debunked by US

Now, a report by the US Congressional panel has categorically mentioned that India lost only three planes during the conflict. The USChina Economic and Security Review Commission, in its 2025 Annual Report, said that "only three jets flown by Indias military were reportedly downed" by Islamabad's forces. Ruling out Islamabads boastful claims, the report in the same line adds that "all [the lost three] may not have been Rafale".

ALSO READ | Did CDS Gen Anil Chauhan admit to India losing fighter jets during conflict with Pakistan?

Pakistan was greatly aided by Chinese propaganda machinery, which propagated AI and video game images of supposed debris from IAF's Rafale jets that were destroyed during the conflict, the report further said. This was a well-executed move to boost the sale of its own weapons and aircraft that Pakistan used.

"Pakistans use of Chinese weapons to down French Rafale fighter jets used by India also became a particular selling point for Chinese Embassy defence sales efforts despite the fact that only three jets flown by Indias military were reportedly downed and all may not have been Rafales. According to French intelligence, China initiated a disinformation campaign to hinder sales of French Rafales in favour of its own J-35s, and it used fake social media accounts to propagate AI and video game images of supposed debris from the planes Chinas weaponry destroyed," the report said.

READ THE REPORT IN FULL HERE

The Indian Air Force had accepted having suffered some initial setbacks before making tactical adjustments, which gave New Delhi complete upper hand as the fighting progressed. Pakistan had initially claimed to have downed five IAF aircraft, including three Rafales, before increasing the total planes taken out to six, without providing any credible evidence. Later, IAF Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh said that Indian air defence surface-to-air missile systems brought down five Pakistani jets along with the critical Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C).

"We have at least five fighters confirmed kills and one large aircraft  which could be either an ELINT aircraft or an AEW&C aircraft  which was taken on at a distance of about 300 kilometres. This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about," he had said.

Meanwhile, a report in Eurasian Times pointed out that French Air Force Chief Gen. Jerome Bellanger in July had claimed to have seen evidence indicating three Indian losses  a Rafale, a Russian-made Sukhoi, and a Mirage 2000  during the conflict.

India-Pakistan tensions 2025

India launched Operation Sindoor, a military campaign against terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in May in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre.

The attack sparked a brief but intense military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, with Pakistan launching a drone strike on India. The Indian forces hit back, inflicting heavy damage on several military installations and airbases inside Pakistan.
Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India next month, Moscow has made a significant military proposal to New Delhi that could potentially reshape the future of Indian air power.

 Russias Su-57 takes center stage at Dubai Airshow



Zoom in on 0:50 to see the missiles inside  a highlight of Dubai display.



Flown by Sergey Bogdan, Chief Test Pilot of Sukhoi Design Bureau & Hero of Russia  those who followed Aero India 2025 will remember his pic.twitter.com/bAavW9Ah9C  Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) November 17, 2025

Russia has reportedly offered India "unrestricted access" to technology for the new fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet ahead of Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi. The development comes even as Su-57E, the export variant, made an appearance at the Dubai Air Show and conducted flight displays.

ALSO READ | Russia ships out fifth-generation fighter Su-57 to mystery foreign client. It was pitched to India too

The Su-57E, which is the export variant of Moscow's prized fighter jet, is being marketed as an alternative to the US F-35 and Chinese J-20. Under the new proposal, Russia will first supply India with home-built Su-57s before enabling its production in India in stages, NDTV quoted the CEO of Russian government-owned defence conglomerate Rostec as saying. Moscow may even be willing to equip India with its single-engine stealth fighter aircraft Su-75 Checkmate, the report added.

ALSO READ | Can HAL make Russian fifth-generation fighter Sukhoi Su-57 in India? Here's what experts observed

What did Russia say?

It was at the Dubai Air Show 2025 that Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov reportedly talked about opening the gates of Su-57 for India. The manufacturing of its engines, sensors, stealth materials, and more on Indian soil was discussed by him, who went to the extent of saying any demand from New Delhi regarding the technology of the aircraft will be "completely acceptable".

Dubai Air Show: Su-57, Russia's fifth-generation fighter, showcase its capabilities pic.twitter.com/3Kjfzk4sUY  Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 18, 2025

"India and Russia have been partners for many years. Even when India was under sanctions, we supplied the country with weapons to ensure its security... Today, we continue the same approach as in previous years, supplying India with whatever military equipment it needs and ensuring our mutual interests in developing co-operation," the Rostec CEO said.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has about 50 per cent of the capacity required for the co-production of the export variant of the Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-57, should the two countries decide to come together for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft project, a report submitted by a delegation from Russia, comprising representatives from the Sukhoi Design Bureau, to the public sector undertaking (PSU), noted.

In 2000, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for Indias licensed production of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, allowing HAL to manufacture the fighters at its facilities.
A report by the US Congressional panel, which had accused China of launching a disinformation campaign in the wake of IndoPak clashes in May to hinder sales of French Rafale aircraft in favour of its own J-35s, also made note of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) scrambling its Chinese jets during the conflict. It was the first instance of these Chinese jets being used in a conflict and helped the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) with valuable data, apart from boosting its defence trade.

FULL REPORT | China behind disinformation campaign after Operation Sindoor; Beijing wanted to hinder Rafale sales: Report

The USChina Economic and Security Review Commission, in its 2025 Annual Report, mentioned that Pakistan relied upon Chinese weaponry and reportedly leveraged Chinese intelligence to counter India during Operation Sindoor. China expanded its military cooperation with Pakistan in 2025, compounding its own security tensions with India, the report said.

the PLAs fighter jets and air-to-air missiles received their first combat use as Pakistani forces successfully flew Chinese-made fighters during a four-day conflict with India. This marks the first known instance of these systems being tested in actual combat, providing the PLA valuable data and potentially boosting the credibility of Chinas defence exports, the report said.

ALSO READ | Thank you, Pakistan! Did Op Sindoor propaganda about Rafale jets convince Armenia to buy Indias Sukhoi Su-30MKI?

Beijing opportunistically leveraged the conflict to test and advertise the sophistication of its weapons, useful in the contexts of its ongoing border tensions with India and its expanding defence industry goals, it added.

READ THE REPORT IN FULL HERE

What Beijing gained from the clash

Elaborating further on how China benefitted from the conflict, the report pointed out that Beijings HQ-9 air defence system, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10 fighter aircraft got their first brush with combat. With the objective of finding potential buyers, Chinese embassies hailed the successes of these systems in the weeks after the conflict.

ALSO READ | 'Less than 50 weapons brought Pakistan to talking table': Air Marshal Tiwari hails Operation Sindoor as masterclass in strategic air power

The annual report stopped short of stating that Beijing instigated the conflict to boost its weapons sales or was fighting a proxy war. However, it did state that Pakistans military success over India in its four-day clash showcased Chinese inventory, before it opportunistically leveraged the conflict to test and advertise the sophistication of its weapons.

India launched Operation Sindoor, a military campaign against terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in May in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre.

ALSO READ | Which fighter jets did Pakistan lose during Operation Sindoor? IAF chief reveals

The attack sparked a brief but intense military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, with Pakistan launching a drone strike on India. The Indian forces hit back, inflicting heavy damage on several military installations and airbases inside Pakistan.
Attendees appear at NVIDIA Keynote during the 2025 International CES, at The Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 6. File photo by James Atoa/UPI

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Tech giant Nvidia on Wednesday posted record revenue and strong profit for the third quarter, beating Wall Street expectations, amid exploding growth in artificial intelligence.

Nvidia, which has the world's largest market capitalization at $4.5 trillion, reported record sales. It said sales grew 62% in one year to $57 billion through Oct. 26. Wall Street had projected a $54.9 billion figure.

On Oct. 29, Nvidia became the first company worldwide with a $5 trillion cap one day before CEO Jensen Huang met with President Donald Trump in the White House.

"There's been a lot of talk about an AI bubble. From our vantage point, we see something very different," Huang said during a conference call with investors.

Fourth-quarter sales are estimated to be around $65 billion, contrasting with $61.66 billion by analysts.

Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO of NVIDIA Corporation, takes part in the opening bell ceremonies at the NASDAQ in New York on Jan. 23, 2007.File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh

Profit was up 65% from last year in the quarter to $31.9 billion or 78 cents per share, slightly ahead of expectations. The net income represents 58% of revenue.

NVIDIA will pay its next quarterly cash dividend of 1 cent per share on Dec. 26.

Nvidia builds chips and software platforms for the AI industry. The company, founded in 1993 in the Silicon Valley in California, pioneered the graphics processing unit, initially for 3D video games.

The chips are made in the United States by GlobalFoundries, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung in South Korea. Taiwan's new factory in Arizona focuses on chips for Nvidia.

The design work is done in the United States, GeekBitz reported.

Most AI companies' technology runs on Nvidia's chip, CNN reported.

Its best-selling chip is the Blackwell Ultra, a second generation. The company is banned from selling the new ones to China.

"Blackwell sales are off the charts, and cloud GPUs are sold out," Huang said in a statement about its best-selling chip.

"Compute demand keeps accelerating and compounding across training and inference -- each growing exponentially. We've entered the virtuous cycle of AI. The AI ecosystem is scaling fast -- with more new foundation model makers, more AI startups, across more industries, and in more countries. AI is going everywhere, doing everything, all at once."

In October, Huang said there were $500 billion in AI chip orders for 2025 and 2026 combined.

"The number will grow," Nvidia finance chief Colette Kress said during the earnings call with analysts.

Nvidia said there were $51.2 billion in revenue in data center sales, a 66% rise year-over-year.That includes $43 billion in revenue was for "compute," or the GPUs. The company said most growth was from GB300 chips.
Bollywood influencer and socialite Orhan Awatramani, better known as Orry, has been summoned for questioning by the Ghatkopar unit of the Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) on Thursday, in connection with a Rs 252 crore drugs case from 2024.

Famed for his lavish lifestyle, the Bollywood influencer's name appeared in the case after the deportation and arrest of Mohammad Salim Mohammad Suhail Shaikh, an alleged aide of fugitive gangster Salim Dola.

Social media influencer Orry (Orhan Awatramani) has been summoned by the Mumbai Police in connection with the Rs 252-crore drugs case. He has been asked to appear before the Anti-Narcotics Cells Ghatkopar unit tomorrow at 10 AM for questioning: Mumbai Police  ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2025

The alleged drug trafficker, who was extradited from Dubai earlier this month, had told the Mumbai Police that Orry had allegedly attended his lavish parties in Mumbai and Dubai.

However, it remains unclear how many of Shaikh's parties the Bollywood influencer attended.

Other famous faces thought to have attended these parties are actresses Shraddha Kapoor and Nora Fatehi, producer duo Abbas-Mustan, politician Zeeshan Siddique, as well as Alishah Parkar, the nephew of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

The Rs 252 crore drug probe dates back to the August 2022 arrest of a person from South Mumbai. This led to a number of arrests, setting the stage for the massive 2024 drug bust, as per a Hindustan Times report.

In March 2024, the Mumbai Police seized more than 120kg of mephedrone (a synthetic stimulant) worth about Rs 252 crore from a manufacturing unit located in a farm in Sangli, Maharashtra.

As the investigation pressed deeper, the Sangli drug unit, allegedly managed by fugitive drug trafficker Salim Dola and his son Taher, was found to be part of a larger drug network involving expensive cars and money laundering.
Al Falah University, located in Haryana's Faridabad district, has been under scrutiny since the arrest of doctors in connection with the November 10 high-intensity blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, which killed 13 and injured several others.

While the prime accused Dr Umar un Nabi, who allegedly drove the Hyundai i20 car packed with explosives, was an associate professor of medicine at the Al Falah School of Medical Sciences, his accomplices Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Shahid were faculty and former faculty members at the varsity respectively.

The chairperson of the Al Falah group, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, too is under the spotlight, after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on money laundering charges. He is accused of amassing over Rs 415 crore from students studying in the institutions run by him, through financial fraud and false claims of accreditation (NAAC/UGC), and the alleged diversion of university funds.

PTI quoted sources as saying that more than 200 doctors and staff at Al Falah University are under the scanner of investigative agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), units from the Delhi Police Special Cell, Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Faridabad Crime Branch and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who have been regularly visiting the university.

Who is Mirza Shadab Baig?

And now, it has emerged that Mirza Shadab Baig, a key member of the Indian Mujahideen and an accused in the Gorakhpur, Ahmedabad and Jaipur serial bomb blasts, was also a student of Al Falah University.

While the three low-intensity serial blasts in Gorakhpur in 2007 injured six people, the nine serial blasts in Jaipur in 2008 killed around 70 and injured more than 200. The same year, another series of blasts in Ahmedabad killed around 50 people and left more than 200 injured. The IM was linked to all the three terror attacks.

A resident of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Baig hails from Bairdih Lalganj village and earlier lived with his family in the Raja Ka Qila locality of Azamgarh. Absconding for almost 18 years now, Baig reportedly completed his B.Tech in Electronics and Instrumentation at the university in 2007. After his involvement in the Gorakhpur blasts came to light, his property was attached by the police.

According to a Bhaskar English report, Baig went to Udupi, Karnataka, to collect explosives to carry out the blasts. He was in charge of the logistics, and would assist in making bombs and provide training, the report said. A reward of Rs 1 lakh was announced for his whereabouts and information about him.

Baig was, reportedly, last seen in Afghanistan in 2019.

Interestingly, the doctors involved in the Delhi Red Fort blasts reportedly received instructions from handlers based in Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Also, Dr Muzaffar Ahmad Rather, one of the key conspirators, fled India in August this year and, according to police, is believed to be currently operating from Afghanistan.
Nitish Kumars swearing-in as chief minister of Bihar for a record tenth term marks a significant moment in the states political history. He has remained a central figure in Bihar politics, with no clear alternative emerging over the years.

The ceremony at Gandhi Maidan was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J.P. Nadda, and several chief ministers from NDA-ruled states.

The new cabinet comprises 26 ministers from NDA allies, combining continuity with opportunities for new MLAs. Caste and community representation remain central to the composition. Nitish, from the Kurmi OBC community, continues to lead, while the deputy chief ministers are Samrat Chaudhary from the Kushwaha caste and Vijay Kumar Sinha from the Bhumihar community, a forward caste. Both are from the BJP and have retained their previous posts.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar thank the people of the state for the NDA's unprecedented victory in the Bihar Assembly elections.



NDA returned to power in Bihar with 202 out of 243 seats.



(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/9PBmsCQC3P  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

Chaudharys return reflects both his political standing and the BJPs strategy. His departure from RJD in 2022 and rise within the BJP have made him a key figure in the partys OBC outreach. Sinhas continuation balances the BJPs focus on upper-caste consolidation. Overall, eight ministers belong to the upper castes, and five of them are from the BJP. JD(U) has also included members from upper-caste communities to ensure proportional representation.

Three women ministers have been appointed: two from the BJP and one from JD(U). One minister from a minority community is included.

From JD(U)s allocation, senior leaders have retained their positions. Bijendra Prasad Yadav, a nine-term MLA and long-time associate of Nitish, remains a minister. Shrawan Kumar, who previously held the rural development portfolio, has been retained. Ashok Choudhary, a senior party figure and member of the legislative council, is also included. Other JD(U) ministers include Leshi Singh, Madan Sahni, Mohd Zama Khan, Sunil Kumar, and Madan Sahani. These appointments reflect the partys emphasis on continuity and administrative experience.

The cabinet also includes younger and new members. Shreyasi Singh, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and second-term MLA, joins as a new entrant. Rama Nishad, elected from Aurai, adds representation from the OBC fishing community. She is the daughter-in-law of former minister Jaynarayan Nishad and the wife of former MP Ajay Nishad.

From the BJP, new and returning ministers include Dilip Jaiswal, state party president; Mangal Pandey; Nitin Nabin; Ram Kripal Yadav; Arun Shankar Prasad; Surendra Mehta; Narayan Prasad; Rama Nishad; Lakhendra Kumar Raushan; and Pramod Kumar.

Allies of the NDA are represented as well. Deepak Prakash, son of RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, will be nominated to the council. Santosh Kumar Suman from Hindustani Awam Morcha, son of former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, retains his ministerial position, ensuring representation for Dalit groups, particularly the Musahar community. From the LJP (RV), Sanjay Kumar and Sanjay Kumar Singh are included.

The ceremony also highlighted the political messaging of the NDA. Modis presence and his gesture of twirling the gamchha symbolised the alliances collective effort and emphasised his role in the electoral success.

The cabinets composition reflects a balance of experience and new faces, caste and community representation, and coalition considerations. Departments are expected to be allocated soon, with the focus on maintaining administrative continuity and addressing development priorities across the state.
In what is suspected to be a case of human sacrifice, a 55-year-old woman, identified as Sarojamma, attacked her 25-year-old daughter, Rekha, with a machete inside a temple in northeastern Bengaluru on Wednesday.

According to news agency PTI, the incident happened after morning prayers at the Harihareshwara Temple in Agrahara Layout, off Thanisandra Main Road.

The victim suffered deep neck injuries in the incident.

The police said the two women reached the temple around 4.30 am on Wednesday, offered prayers for some time, and then sat down. It was then that the mother attacked her daughter with the machete.

Her screams alerted passersby, who pulled the mother away before calling the police.

"There has been an incident where a woman attacked her daughter with a machete and injured her grievously. The incident has been captured on CCTV cameras. We are reviewing the footage," PTI quoted a police officer as saying.

"The incident has been captured on CCTV cameras...Both women had come to the temple together, and their behaviour appears strange," Deccan Herald quoted an investigating officer as saying.

The victim lives with her husband, a weaver from Anekal, while her mother lives in Sampigehalli. Rekha used to frequently argue with her husband and would return to her mother's home.

The two had recently been performing special poojas seeking relief from Rekha's marital problems. The accused had allegedly consulted an astrologer who reportedly advised a human sacrifice during a specific hour.

The cops are now on the lookout for the astrologer for questioning. The victim's statement will be recorded after her recovery to reconstruct the sequence of events, as Sarojamma reportedly is unwilling to cooperate.
Opposing the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others in the February 2020 riots case, the Delhi police told the Supreme Court on Thursday that when intellectuals become terrorists, they become more dangerous than those working on the ground.

Police said it had become a trend now for doctors and engineers to engage in anti-national activities.

The statement by the police assumes significance in the wake of the Delhi Red Fort blast and the unearthing of a 'white-collar terror network' that involves multiple doctors from Al Falah University in the Faridabad district of Haryana. Media reports had suggested that more than 200 doctors and staff at Al Falah University are under the scanner of the investigative agencies following the blast.

Appearing for the Delhi police, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria that the delay in trial was attributable to the accused, and they cannot take advantage of it.

He showed in the apex court videos of Imam giving "inflammatory speeches" against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The videos showed him giving speeches at Chakhand, Jamia, Aligarh, and Asansol in 2019 and 2020 before the riots in February 2020 in Delhi.

Noting that Imam is an engineering graduate, the advocate said, "Nowadays there is a trend that doctors and engineers are not doing their professions but engaging in anti-national activities."

He further said, "It's not a simple protest. These are violent protests. They are talking about blockades."

Raju claimed that the CAA protests were a red herring, while the real purpose was regime change. "The riots were deliberately made to coincide with the visit of US President Donald Trump. These so-called intellectuals are more dangerous than the ground-level terrorists."

The Delhi Police argued that it was not something spontaneous but an "orchestrated, pre-planned, and well-designed" attack on the sovereignty of the nation.
In a daring daylight robbery in Bengaluru, a five-member gang stopped an armoured ATM cash van and stole about Rs 7 crore while posing as Reserve Bank of India officials on Wednesday.

The incident took place between 12.30pm and 1pm near Ashoka Pillar when the van, owned by CMS Info Systems, was transporting cash from an HDFC Bank branch in JP Nagar to HBR Layout one, according to Times of India.

The gang reportedly came in two vehicles  a Zen and an Innova  with Government of India stickers. The first vehicle blocked the van while the Innova tailed it. The three men in the Zen told van driver Binod Kumar, custodian Aftab and gunmen Rajanna and Tammayya that they were RBI officials and that there was a complaint against their firm and that they needed to check their documents, according to TOI.

They asked Kumar to drive towards the Dairy Circle flyover, while following in their Innova with the two gunmen and custodian. They stopped at the Nimhans junction, and asked the three to go to the Siddapura police station to record their statements. The miscreants then drove to the Dairy Circle flyover where Kumar was waiting, and shifted the three cash boxes, estimated to have around Rs 7 crore, to a WagonR car at gunpoint and fled with it.

Karnataka Home Minister H. Parameshwara claimed that such a robbery had never happened before in Bengaluru, and promised that the culprits would be arrested soon.

City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh told the media that the incident happened on Wednesday afternoon within the Siddapura police station area. Over 50 CCTV camera recordings are currently being reviewed to track the vehicle's path and identify the miscreants involved.

"Two Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and a Joint Commissioner are overseeing the investigation," Singh said.

According to the FIR, the company collects cash from the bank's currency chest in JP Nagar and loads it into their vehicle to deposit into various ATMs of the same bank throughout Bengaluru.

Parameshwara, who later met senior police officials, said that he, along with the Director General of Police (DGP) and Police Commissioner, briefed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about the incident.

However, BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra urged the government to immediately arrest the criminals. "The robbery that occurred in broad daylight in the city's heart has understandably created fear among the public. It has been repeatedly shown that criminals have no fear of the law under the current Congress government.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly R. Ashoka alleged that rampant looting has become a characteristic of 'Brand Bengaluru'.
In a shocking development, the parents of the class 10 student, who committed suicide by jumping from the platform of Rajendra Place Metro Station in Central Delhi on Wednesday, claimed that the teachers of the teens school continuously harassed him.

Shaurya Pradeep Patil, a 10th-grade student at St. Columbus School in Delhi, took his own life after leaving a suicide note, in which he blamed the teachers of his school. The incident has snowballed into a major protest after protesters held a candlelight protest outside the school, demanding respect for Shaurya.

The student, a resident of Dhavleshwar village in Khanapur taluka of Sangli district in Maharashtra, was found bleeding by a bystander who alerted the police. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

However, Shaurya's father alleged that his son had been struggling with the treatment he received at school for months. "He would tell me and my wife that the teachers scolded him for every little thing and mentally traumatised him. We complained verbally several times, but they didn't listen," he said. The parents said they contemplated changing schools but decided against it as class X exams were approaching.

Delhi: Students and parents protest outside St. Columbus School demanding justice for Shaurya, who died after allegedly jumping from Rajendra Nagar Metro Station.



Shauryas friend says, "He had faced issues for a long time. This wasnt the first incident; many students had pic.twitter.com/83Qy87Btf2  IANS (@ians_india) November 20, 2025 #WATCH | Delhi: Students and their parents hold a protest outside St Columba's School in Ashok Place over the death of a 16-year-old student, allegedly by suicide, at Rajendra Place Metro Station on November 18.



According to the FIR, the boys father alleged that his son was https://t.co/ptZjFuRvBo pic.twitter.com/IQ3PfjKYF7  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

"His exams were coming up in a month or two. He gets twenty points from school. I didn't want any trouble," the father said, adding that the family had assured the boy that he would be admitted to another school after the exams were over.

The police found a one-and-a-half-page suicide note in Shaurya's bag in which he levelled serious allegations against the teachers and school management. "The school authorities spoke so harshly that I had to do this... The school teacher is such a bad person, what can I say..." he said, while apologising to his parents and brother.

My parents did a lot... I'm sorry... I couldn't give them anything. If anyone needs my organs, please donate them," he added.

(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
Nearly two months after the Karur tragedy, which claimed the lives of 41 people, actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief is likely to hold a public rally on December 4.

The party was forced to suspend its election campaign in Tamil Nadu after the stampede-like situation in Karur.

According to party sources, Vijay is likely to resume his political campaign from Salem. During a recent meeting of the general committee and executive committee of the party, the leaders had urged Vijay to restart his political tour. They had reportedly told the TVK chief that after Namakkal and Karur, he should now reach out to people in Salem, where the actor-politician has a large support base. Reports suggest that Vijay has, in principle, agreed to the request.

A report in The News Minute say that the party's high command is expected to take a call on the date and venue of the rally even as steps are being taken to work out the logistics for the same.

TVK Salem central district secretary Tamilan Parthiban, in a formal request to Salem City Police Commissioner Anil Kumar Giri, suggested three possible venues for the programme.

We have submitted a petition to the Salem City Police Commissioner seeking permission for our party gathering on December 4 in the city. We have sought permission for three venues and are expecting approval for one, The New Indian Express quoted him as saying.

The date that the party plans to hold the rally coincides with Karthigai Deepam.

All the venues suggested are open grounds, even as the Tamil Nadu government is set to file the final draft standard operating procedure to regulate political rallies in the state soon.

City Commissioner Anil Kumar Giri confirmed that a request regarding the rally has been received and the authorities are currently reviewing it.

According to reports, in the petition, TVK has said it will comply with all measures suggested by the police, including crowd management and traffic rules, to ensure the safety of people who turn up.
After going silent for weeks in the aftermath of the tragic stampede in Karur in September, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is planning to resume its campaign programmes with actor-politician Vijay's rally in Salem next month. The party has reportedly sought permission from Salem City police to conduct a rally in the city on December 4.

According to reports, during a recent meeting of senior functionaries of TVK, the leaders have urged Vijay to resume his political campaigns. The functionaries have reportedly suggested the actor to resume from Salem in western Tamil Nadu, where the actor-politician reportedly has a huge base.

The newly launched political party has reportedly sought permission to conduct rallies at one of these four places: Jawahar Mill ground, Bose maidan near old bus stand, Fort maidan in the city, and at a private ground near the highway in Selanaikenpatti, Salem.

While all these venues are regular spots for political campaigns in Salem, when it comes to Thalapathy Vijay's rallies, crowd management still continues to boggle authorities, as the state administration faced flak from the Supreme Court over the tragedy in Karur, during Vijay's rally in September.

The Salem City police is unlikely to grant permission for the rally at Fort maidan or the Bose maidan, both located within the city. Located near the district collectorate and the Salem City Corporation office, at Kottai maidan, a wide road is often blocked, diverting traffic, to conduct public meetings. The Salem Government Hospital is also located only a few metres away from the venue. Besides TVK cadres, if the public crowd to catch a glimpse of Vijay, like in Karur, it could pose a severe traffic and security challenge for the district administration.

Similarly, at Bose Maidan, located close to the old bus stand area in Salem, the venue is located in the heart of Salem city and close to one of the busiest commercial streets in the city. Arranging a safe route for Vijay to reach the venue itself would be a huge challenge for the police.

With Jawahar Mill grounds and a private ground near Selanaikenpatti junction, both are located adjacent to major highways. Jawahar Mills ground is located close to the Kochi-Bengaluru highway, and this passes through Salem city. Though a private premise with perimeter walls, traffic block is likely if Vijay's rally is held here.

Likewise, in Selanaickenpatti, located on the Salem-Chennai highway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have conducted rallies here in the past. However, it will be a challenge for the police to ensure the crowd does not spill over to the highway and block traffic movement.

As many as 41 people died and over 50 people suffered injuries in a stampede during Vijay's campaign in Karur on September 27. The deceased include 10 children and over 15 women. The Supreme Court has ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation to unearth the cause of the tragedy. Political observers blamed poor crowd management by the TVK for the tragedy, while the Opposition targeted the ruling DMK for not providing necessary security for the event.
In a strongly-worded letter to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state "dangerous". Banerjee's letter comes in the backdrop of the alleged suicide of a Booth-Level Officer owing to work pressure.

The Trinamool Congress leader alleged the SIR is being conducted in an "unplanned and coercive manner, putting citizens and officials at risk".

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC Gyanesh Kumar - "...I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and pic.twitter.com/n02aQ24eS3  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025

Saying the special revision exercise has reached an "alarming" and "dangerous" stage, Banerjee said, though she had flagged "serious concerns" earlier as well, the exercise has currently reached an "alarming stage".

"The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous," she said. "The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning or clear communication has crippled the process from day one," she said. Banerjee charged that the BLOs have not been provided adequate training, support and time required for undertaking a mammoth exercise of this nature.

Banerjee said the entire SIR exercise has become structurally unsound and "BLOs are now operating far beyond human limits". The chief minister noted that at the current pace, BLOs wouldn't be able to complete the exercise by December 4, forcing them to file incorrect forms. Banerjee charged that the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, instead of offering support to officers, is threatening them with punitive action.

"Yesterday, an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, died by suicide, reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure. Several others have lost their lives since this process began. A revision that previously required three years is now being forcibly compressed into three months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhuman working conditions and forcing common people under the shadow of fear and uncertainty," she charged.

"Under these circumstances, I strongly urge and expect immediate corrective action," Banerjee added. "Continuing this unplanned, coercive drive not only endangers more lives but also jeopardises the legitimacy of the electoral revision itself," she said.
Oil fell after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he agreed to work on a peace plan drafted by the US and Russia aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

West Texas Intermediate fell 0.5% to settle above $59 a barrel on Thursday, paring some losses from intraday lows following Zelenskiys comments.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A peace deal, if followed by the elimination of sanctions on Russian oil over its invasion of Ukraine, could unleash supply from the worlds third-largest producer. Oil markets are already staring down expectations for a surplus as OPEC+ and other producers ramp up output, with the commodity heading for a yearly loss amid concerns of a glut.

The flurry of renewed activity to end the war comes just hours before US sanctions targeting Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, are due to come into effect.

Russia has consistently found a way to sell its sanctioned oil through so-called shadow channels. But Moscows oil revenue is expected to stagnate amid falling global crude prices, posing a risk to its budget and broader economy.

Still, any accord remains far from certain. The US has signaled to Zelenskiy that he should accept the deal drawn up in consultation with Moscow, according to a person familiar. But the plan outlines known Russian demands for concessions that Kyiv has repeatedly said are unacceptable and that have so far hindered any breakthrough in efforts to reach a ceasefire.

Notably, Ukraine is reiterating its openness to discuss ending the war, whats uncertain is Russias real interest in ending the war, said Rachel Ziemba, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. It remains to be seen if Russia is interested in ending the war or just in buying time to reduce more extensive sanctions.

Earlier in the day, oil rose as traders braced for the implementation of sanctions, which had already upended crude flows, most notably to India. The curbs had also forced Lukoil PJSC to seek buyers for its international assets.

But traders are largely shrugging off the sanctions for now, according to Ziemba.

Markets seem to be expecting that Russian fuel supplies continue to make it to market through illicit channels, she said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
US President Donald Trumps willingness to sell Saudi Arabia's F-35s was not appreciated by Israel, which had a qualitative advantage, being the only country in the region with the advanced stealth aircraft. Israel made its displeasure known, stating the sale should be under the condition that the kingdom normalise its relations with the Jewish state.

But, in what could come as a solace for Israel, reports have hinted that the F-35s to be sold to Saudi Arabia will be less advanced than those operated by Israel. The aircraft will lack the superior features of Israels fleet that include advanced weapons systems and electronic warfare equipment, Reuters reported.

The White House is trying to find a middle ground that will allow the F-35 deal to be implemented while preserving Israels qualitative advantage, a senior American official was quoted by Hebrew media. He added that the Trump administration will hold additional talks with Israel on the F-35 deal to ensure it is balanced.

The Trump administration is committed to the law that states that the United States will maintain the IDFs qualitative advantage in the Middle East. We will not violate that, he clarified.

As per reports, the Saudi F-35 jets will be missing some features, like the ability to integrate their own weapons systems and add radar jamming capabilities and other upgrades that do not require U.S. approval. Even if Saudi Arabia gets the jets, it is unlikely to receive the AIM-260 Advanced Tactical Missile, a next-generation air-to-air missile being developed for fifth-generation aircraft.

The AIM-260 is a new, long-range, beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile used by the US Air Force and Navy. They can counter advanced threats like China's PL-15 missile and can be fitted within the internal weapons bays of stealth fighters like the F-22 and F-35s. While the missile will be offered to Israel, the Saudis are unlikely to get it.

The F-35s being used by the US are different from those used by Israel. While the US has the most capable and advanced version, every other nation it sells the fighter jet receives a lesser fighter.
The Netanyahu governments decision to launch its own investigation into the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, instead of ordering an independent inquiry, has snowballed into a major controversy. Rather than forming the traditional state commission of inquiry that is usually convened for national disasters, the cabinet has opted for a government-led investigation. Justice Minister Yariv Levin will head a special ministerial panel responsible for determining the mandate of the new body, a move seen by many as placing the government in charge of scrutinising its own actions.

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs announced that Levins panel will outline the topics and time frames to be examined and will deliver its recommendations within 45 days. The group includes some of the most influential ministers in the coalition: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit Strock, and Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu. Several Likud ministers will join them, among them Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel, and Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli. Minister Zeev Elkin of the New Hope faction will also serve on the panel. Nearly all these ministers were in office at the time of the October 7 attack.

Critics swiftly condemned the decision. Opposition leader Yair Lapid argued that the very figures whose policies and conduct are under question cannot be entrusted to investigate themselves. He has repeatedly warned that the governments judicial overhaul, led by Levin, helped distract Israeli institutions from mounting threats, leaving the country exposed before the Hamas assault. Good governance organisations labelled the new inquiry a transparent attempt to avoid an independent investigation, and bereaved families described it as a cover-up commission designed to shield political leaders rather than reveal the truth.

The controversy has drawn renewed attention to Israels established mechanisms for investigating systemic and governmental failures. The most rigorous of these is the state commission of inquiry, regarded as the highest and most independent investigative instrument under Israeli law. Once such a commission is created, it operates independently of the government. The 1969 Law for Commissions of Inquiry authorises the government to establish a state commission for issues of vital public importance, yet the crucial point is that the Supreme Court president appoints its members. The chairperson must be a serving or retired judge, usually from the Supreme Court. Historically, these commissions have investigated major national traumas such as the Yom Kippur War and the Sabra and Shatila massacre and have issued findings that have ended political careers.

The alternative is the government commission of inquiry. But the appointment of the members and the mandate of the commission are decided by the cabinet, making it somewhat subservient to the political executive. An example is the Winograd Commission, which explored the failures of the Second Lebanon War and was created as a government commission, although it was given strong investigative authority.

Following the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas killed some 1,200 people and triggered the Gaza war, many Israelis expected the government to establish a state commission. Instead, the cabinet resisted this path. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that a state commission would be appointed by a judiciary that some coalition members believe cannot be trusted to choose a fair-minded chair. He claimed that only a body formed with broad agreement could maintain public trust. Critics counter that the real concern is the possibility of personal accountability. State commissions have in the past issued severe criticisms of prime ministers and defence officials. Netanyahu, unlike several senior figures, has not publicly accepted responsibility for the failures that allowed the Hamas assault.

There are further concerns that the government intends to broaden the scope of its commission to dilute scrutiny of its own decisions. Reports suggest the coalition wishes to include an examination of whether anti-government protests or past High Court rulings might have influenced Hamass decision to attack. Opposition politicians and civil society groups argue that such an approach diverts attention from the central failures in intelligence, policy, and military preparedness.

Public sentiment is firmly on the side of a fully independent investigation. Surveys show that nearly 75 per cent of Israelis support the creation of a state commission of inquiry, including a majority of right-wing voters. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets demanding such a probe, and the High Court of Justice has signalled that there is no serious argument against establishing a state commission with full investigative authority.

The debate has become a test of trust between the government and the public. To its critics, the governments decision resembles allowing a suspect to select their own forensic team. Though the coalition insists its commission will be granted extensive powers and will seek broad approval, opponents argue that any inquiry controlled by those in power will lack the independence needed to assess the grave failures of October 7.
In a bid to ensure a comfortable travel for international visitors, Abu Dhabi is now giving a free SIM for passengers arriving at the Zayed International Airport.

The move is not surprising since Zayed was named the "Best Airport at Arrivals Globally" for three consecutive years.

The 10GB data will be valid for 24 hours. The authorities believe the move will help travellers instantly access key online services, including making cashless payments, hailing rides, accessing maps, messaging and destination guide such as the Abu Dhabi Pass.

This comes after a deal was signed by the Abu Dhabi Airports and state-owned telecom major e&, formally known as the Etisalat Group, to provide visitors with 10GB SIM cards.

Abu Dhabi Airports CEO and Managing Director Elena Sorlini said their focus is on ensuring that passengers feel welcomed the moment they arrive. "Our partnership with e& reflects our shared commitment to enhancing connectivity, convenience and digital access to create an exceptional and seamless arrival experience for every traveller," she added.

Etisalat UAE CEO Masood M. Sharif Mahmood said the telecom major's joint project with the airport aims to simplify arrivals with a fast, digital-first experience. "Providing seamless connectivity at Zayed International Airport ensures travellers enjoy convenience and ease as soon as they arrive," he said.

Being one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world, Zayed International Airport handles a network of 30 airlines connecting passengers from more than 100 destinations. The new terminal at the airport received 23.9 million passengers as of September 30.
US President Donald Trump officially signed the bill to release files on convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on Wednesday, amid strong political pressure.

Announcing the bill's signing, Trump said on social media that Democrats were using the "Epstein issue" to divert attention from "our AMAZING Victories". Interestingly, he claimed the issue impacted Democrats more than Republicans.

"...At my direction, the Dept. of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. Do not forget  The Biden Admin did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him. Democrats have pic.twitter.com/QTlqdsWyj0  The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 20, 2025

Trump's move to sign the bill comes days after both the Senate and House of Representatives voted for the release of the files. The House of Representatives passed the legislation with a vote of 427 to 1. The only person who disagreed was Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana, who believed the bill might reveal details about innocent people mentioned in the federal investigation. The Senate later approved the bill without any opposition, choosing not to hold a formal vote.

The new law now mandates that the Justice Department must release all files and communications linked to Epstein, including any information from the investigation into his death in a federal prison in 2019, within 30 days. Though the bill allows the redaction, or blacking out, of certain details about Epstein's victims, especially if it relates to ongoing federal investigations, the Justice Department cannot keep information private just because it might cause embarrassment, damage reputations, or be politically sensitive.

Trump had resisted the move for months, but did a U-turn last week after facing resistance from Epstein's victims and members of his own Republican party. The Trump administration had even called Republican Representative Lauren Boebert from Colorado, who was in favour of the files release, to the Situation Room to discuss the matter, but she remained firm.

However, once it became clear that Congress would act, Trump abruptly changed his position on the files, saying the Epstein matter had become a distraction to the Republican agenda and that he wanted to move on. "I just don't want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we've had," he wrote on social media.

Trump was once friends with Epstein, who was close to several powerful global personalities. However, the US president has always maintained that he was unaware of Epstein's crimes and had ended their friendship a long time ago.

Before Trump campaigned for a second term in the White House, some of his closest political supporters spread theories suggesting that the government was covering up potentially damaging information within the Epstein case files.
In a nationwide crackdown on the cocaine trafficking ring run by Ryan James Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, 10 people including two Indian-origin men have been arrested in connection with the network and face extradition to the US.

Wedding, who is one of the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives, allegedly offered a multi-million dollar bounty on an FBI witness who was shot dead in Colombia in January this year. The witness was set to testify against him in another case. Wedding is said to be hiding in Mexico with the help of the Sinaloa Cartel, which helped him move tonnes of cocaine from Colombia into North America via Mexico.

As part of the developments in Operation Giant Slalom, which were announced today, Gursewak Singh Bal, 31, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, was arrested. Bal was the co-founder and co-operator of The Dirty News, a website that law enforcement seized pursuant to a federal pic.twitter.com/YY0TOZo4Ix  FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) November 19, 2025

The Indian-origin duo was identified as Deepak Paradkar, a defence lawyer from Brampton, and Gursewak Bal, 31, a crime blogger from Mississauga. The arrest is based on a nine-count federal grand jury indictment from the US government.

Who is Deepak Paradkar?

Deepak Balwant Paradkar, aged 62, is a defence lawyer from Thornhill, Ontario. He allegedly went beyond his role as a criminal barrister and advised Wedding and his aide Andrew Clark to murder an FBI witness. He said without the witness, the case would be dismissed and he can "avoid extradition from Mexico", according to the US indictment.

Paradkar violated the trust of his clients and the ethics of his profession by allowing Wedding and his associates to eavesdrop on privileged communications between Paradkar and his other clients, several of whom Wedding wished to murder, reads a release by the DOJ.

Who is Gursewak Bal?

Gursewak Singh Bal, 31, hails from Mississauga, Ontario. The US Justice Department described him as a would-be gangland news website operator. He is accused of assisting Wedding's trafficking ring through blogs on The Dirty News, which has been seized by the authorities.

He allegedly accepted 10,000 Canadian dollars to post a photograph of the Colombian witness and his wife in order to help Wedding locate them.

Other arrested in the case include Atna Ohna, 40, of Laval, Quebec; Allistair Chapman, 33, of Calgary, Alberta; Ahmad Nabil Zitoun, 35, of Edmonton, Alberta; Carmen Yelinet Valoyes Florez, 47, of Bogota, Colombia; Yulieth Katherine Tejada, 36, of Florida, the USA, who is legal permanent resident from Colombia; Edwin Basora-Hernandez, 31, of Montreal; Wilson Riascos, 45, of Cali, Colombia; and Rolan Sokolovski, 37, of Toronto.

They were arrested during Operation Giant Slalom, which involved teams from the FBI, the US Treasury, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Colombian National Police. Slalom is a reference to Wedding's snowboarding history.
The story of the chair in India is, in many ways, the story of India itself: a dialogue between posture and power, humility and hierarchy, local craft and foreign form. From royal courts to colonial clubs, and from temple floors to modern studios, the evolution of the Indian chair reveals how a culture that once sat close to the earth eventually learnt to sit upon it and make it its own.

For centuries, India was a land of the floor-seated. The low stance on carpets, mats, or woven charpoys was not just comfort but culture. Posture conveyed meaning: to sit cross-legged was to embody humility, equality, and meditative composure. The asana itself was an act of philosophy. Elevated furniture, when it appeared, belonged to the divine or the royal: thrones (singhasans) carved of sandalwood or ivory, used in temples and darbars to lift the sacred and the sovereign above the mortal plane.

It was only with contact and conquest through trade, diplomacy, and ultimately colonisation that the European concept of the chair began to find a foothold. What began as an imported object soon became an instrument of cultural translation.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, the British presence had transformed not just politics but also posture. The act of sitting in a chairupright, supported, hierarchicalmirrored the new social order. But Indian artisans, never content to imitate, transformed these foreign forms into expressions of their own imagination.

From Bombays blackwood workshops to the ivory-inlaid studios of Vizagapatam, Indian craftsmen began producing furniture that looked European in silhouette but was Indian in soul. Ebony and rosewood replaced oak and mahogany; lotus buds curled where acanthus leaves once grew. The result was furniture that whispered of two worlds: the Rajs propriety meeting Indias poetry.

Nowhere does this union of worlds and the poignancy behind it appear more vividly than in the tale of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire. Crowned a child-king, dethroned by the Empire, and later adopted into Queen Victorias glittering circle, Duleep Singh lived a life both privileged and displaced.

At his Suffolk estate, Elveden Hall, the exiled Maharaja attempted to recreate the India he had lost. He imported artisans, textiles, and furnishings that spoke of Lahores splendour and Bombays craftsmanship. Among them were two extraordinary Bombay blackwood chairs, part of the upcoming "Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art" auction taking place on November 26th at Olympia Auctions, London.

Both carved and pierced with exquisite precision, their tall, everted backs rising like royal diadems. The outer rails are a frieze of circular motifs crowned by stylized acanthus leaves, the front legs ending in elegant double scrollsa dance of Rococo grace and Indian intricacy. Crafted in Bombays famed Meadow Street workshops, such pieces embodied the Bombay Blackwood style: furniture that followed Victorian fashion but pulsed with Indian vitality.

These very chairs once stood within the gilded rooms of Elveden, where Duleep Singh sought to blend the grandeur of Punjab with the gentility of England. To him, these were not merely seats; they were symbols. Each carving was a translation of self, each flourish a bridge between identities. When his fortunes faded and he left Elveden in 1886, the chairs remained quiet witnesses to a life suspended between empire and exile.

When the estate passed to the Earl of Iveagh in 1894, they became part of his collection and later featured in the Christies Elveden Hall sale of 1984. Now, resurfacing after more than forty years in private hands, they reappear as rare survivors of a vanished world, a tangible trace of Indias royal craftsmanship, filtered through Victorian eyes.

Their presence today offers more than historical curiosity; it carries a certain allure, an echo of romance. To acquire them is to inherit a story of a prince, a palace, and a paradox. Olympia Auctions' expert, Nicholas Shaw, comments: "It is a great privilege and responsibility to guide these chairs to a new home where their poignant history will be understood and celebrated. Though they have spent much of their life in Britain, it would seem fitting that the chairs might find a buyer in India and be restored to their original home, a feat that Maharajah Duleep Singh was unable to achieve for himself.

These chairs are not merely carved wood but fragments of memory, proof that art endures even when empires fade. By the late 19th century, the Indian chair had become a vessel of adaptation. In urban households, the colonial easy chairbroad-armed, reclining, often made of cane and teakbecame a fixture of verandas and salons. Yet even in their hybrid forms, they remained uniquely Indian: lighter, airier, woven for tropical air and human warmth.

Today, Indias designers return to the chair with renewed intention. From studio weavers in Ahmedabad reviving charpoy techniques to contemporary artisans in Jaipur merging brass with bamboo, the Indian chair continues to evolve, still negotiating between posture and power, tradition and reinvention.

In a sense, every chair in India still tells a story: of where we come from, how we sit, and what we choose to remember. Whether it is a throne of empire, a blackwood relic from Elveden, or a rattan seat on a Goan porch, each carries the same silent promise that form and feeling, craft and culture, are never truly separate.
NewJersey Resources (NYSE:NJR  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The utilities provider reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.01, Zacks reports. NewJersey Resources had a net margin of 19.64% and a return on equity of 17.08%. The firm had revenue of $336.08 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $307.30 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.89 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 15.1% compared to the same quarter last year. NewJersey Resources updated its FY 2026 guidance to 3.030-3.180 EPS.

NewJersey Resources Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NewJersey Resources stock opened at $46.08 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $46.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $46.16. The stock has a market cap of $4.63 billion, a PE ratio of 11.27 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. NewJersey Resources has a 12 month low of $43.46 and a 12 month high of $51.94.

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NewJersey Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.475 per share. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. NewJersey Resourcess payout ratio is currently 46.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on NJR shares. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and set a $50.00 price target (up from $49.00) on shares of NewJersey Resources in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of NewJersey Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of NewJersey Resources from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $51.43.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on NJR

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NewJersey Resources

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in NewJersey Resources by 895.7% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 677,352 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,614,000 after acquiring an additional 609,323 shares in the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its stake in NewJersey Resources by 77.1% during the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 730,300 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $32,732,000 after acquiring an additional 317,932 shares in the last quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in NewJersey Resources during the 3rd quarter worth $13,351,000. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its holdings in shares of NewJersey Resources by 104.0% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 392,264 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $18,888,000 after purchasing an additional 200,024 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of NewJersey Resources by 127.5% in the second quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 347,620 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $15,580,000 after acquiring an additional 194,836 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the companys stock.

About NewJersey Resources

(Get Free Report)

New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, distributes natural gas. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation. The Natural Gas Distribution segment offers regulated natural gas utility services to approximately 576,000 customers in Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; provides capacity and storage management services; and participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets.

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Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi (OTCMKTS:AKBTY  Get Free Report) was down 5% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $2.66 and last traded at $2.66. Approximately 379 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 99% from the average daily volume of 40,750 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.80.

Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The companys fifty day moving average price is $2.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.01.

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Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi (OTCMKTS:AKBTY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.02. Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi had a net margin of 6.62% and a return on equity of 18.15%. The business had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 billion.

About Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi

Akbank T.A.S., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services in Turkey and internationally. It operates through Consumer Banking and Private Banking; Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, and SME Banking; and Treasury, Other, and Unallovated segments. The companys consumer banking services comprise deposit accounts, retail loans, commercial installment loans, credit cards, insurance products, and asset management services, as well as bank cards, investment funds trading, automatic payment, foreign currency trading, safe deposit box rental, cheques, money transfer, investment banking, and telephone and internet banking.

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US investment management company Peachtree Group is continuing to strengthen its partnership with Hilton with the opening of a new Tru brand hotel in Huntsville, Alabama.

The hotel marks the sixth property developed by the company in 2025.

The 98-room Tru by Hilton hotels operations will be overseen by Peachtrees hospitality management division.

The property will provide on-site amenities consistent with brand standards, including social spaces, breakfast service, a 24/7 market and fitness facilities.

Located at 7206 Cabela Drive NW, the hotel stands within a commercial district that includes major federal agencies and contractors.

It is located within a mile of Boeing, Nasa and the FBIs Huntsville campus and is adjacent to an office park hosting Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Redstone Arsenal military base.

These organisations have played a significant role in shaping Huntsvilles economic development and support continued demand for accommodation in the area, stated Peachtree.

The new property is positioned in a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ), a federal designation for low-income census tracts under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Peachtree has invested in QOZs since the programmes launch, with this latest opening contributing to its portfolio of 12 hotels opened in these areas.

Three additional properties are under construction, and another three are in planning.

Peachtrees hospitality management division operates 113 hotels across 29 brands nationwide.

The company manages branded properties in various segments, including limited-service, select-service and compact full-service hotels.

Peachtree investments senior vice-president Will Woodworth said: The opening of Tru by Hilton Huntsville underscores our commitment to developing institutional-quality properties in markets with enduring demand generators.

Huntsville's leadership in aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing makes it an exceptional fit for Hilton's Tru brand and Peachtree's long-term investment strategy.

The company said it continues to expand its footprint within federally designated QOZs through development and capital investment strategies.

Peachtree managing principal Mitul Patel said: Our partnership with Hilton continues to grow stronger with each project. Hilton has been a trusted brand partner for many years, and we are proud to continue developing high quality hotels together in markets that benefit from strong demand and economic growth.

In July, Embassy Suites by Hilton launched an all-suite hotel on the Alabama Gulf Coast in the US, which was developed by Peachtree Group in partnership with Woodbine Development and DD Partners.
NET Power Inc. (NYSE:NPWR  Get Free Report) major shareholder 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 250,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.57, for a total transaction of $642,500.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 3,250,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,352,500. The trade was a 7.14% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

8 Rivers Capital, Llc also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, November 17th, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 338,653 shares of NET Power stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.81, for a total transaction of $951,614.93.

On Monday, November 3rd, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 8,477 shares of NET Power stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.00, for a total transaction of $33,908.00.

On Friday, October 31st, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 18,116 shares of NET Power stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.05, for a total transaction of $73,369.80.

On Tuesday, October 28th, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 7,585 shares of NET Power stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.77, for a total transaction of $28,595.45.

On Thursday, October 30th, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 107,754 shares of NET Power stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.04, for a total transaction of $435,326.16.

On Wednesday, October 29th, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 786,832 shares of NET Power stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.12, for a total value of $3,241,747.84.

On Monday, October 27th, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 200,000 shares of NET Power stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.77, for a total value of $754,000.00.

On Friday, October 24th, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 32,583 shares of NET Power stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.70, for a total value of $120,557.10.

On Thursday, October 23rd, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 284,100 shares of NET Power stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.69, for a total value of $1,048,329.00.

On Wednesday, October 22nd, 8 Rivers Capital, Llc sold 89,000 shares of NET Power stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.31, for a total value of $294,590.00.

NET Power Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NPWR traded down $0.15 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $2.54. 1,679,434 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,466,042. The companys 50 day moving average price is $3.30 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.74. The firm has a market cap of $555.72 million, a PE ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 0.78. NET Power Inc. has a 52 week low of $1.48 and a 52 week high of $14.12.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NET Power

NET Power ( NYSE:NPWR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $5.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.16) by $6.00. On average, research analysts predict that NET Power Inc. will post -0.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Worth Venture Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NET Power in the third quarter worth about $209,000. Sig Brokerage LP increased its stake in NET Power by 50.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sig Brokerage LP now owns 24,298 shares of the companys stock worth $73,000 after acquiring an additional 8,130 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in NET Power by 555.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 153,294 shares of the companys stock worth $461,000 after acquiring an additional 129,889 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its holdings in shares of NET Power by 11.1% during the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 101,680 shares of the companys stock worth $306,000 after acquiring an additional 10,200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group grew its holdings in shares of NET Power by 2,113.1% in the third quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 27,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 25,780 shares in the last quarter. 53.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on NPWR shares. Barclays raised NET Power from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their price target for the company from $2.00 to $3.00 in a report on Friday, November 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of NET Power in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of NET Power from $6.00 to $4.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with 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, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $3.50.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on NPWR

NET Power Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NET Power Inc operates as a clean energy technology company. The company invents, develops, and licenses clean power generation technology. NET Power Inc was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

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Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC  Get Free Report) Director Christian Asmar purchased 84,000 shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of $47.44 per share, for a total transaction of $3,984,960.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 4,130,340 shares in the company, valued at approximately $195,943,329.60. This trade represents a 2.08% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of VAC traded up $0.74 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $47.32. The stock had a trading volume of 821,059 shares, compared to its average volume of 546,241. Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation has a 52-week low of $44.58 and a 52-week high of $99.42. The firm has a market cap of $1.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.50. The businesss fifty day moving average is $65.70 and its 200 day moving average is $70.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a current ratio of 3.87 and a quick ratio of 3.22.

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Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE:VAC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.64 by $0.05. Marriott Vacations Worldwide had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 11.44%. The company had revenue of $1.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.31 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.80 EPS. Marriott Vacations Worldwides revenue was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Marriott Vacations Worldwide has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.700-7.100 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation will post 6.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 17th were issued a $0.79 dividend. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 17th. Marriott Vacations Worldwides payout ratio is 70.85%.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $63.00 to $54.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $87.00 to $64.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $83.00 target price on Marriott Vacations Worldwide in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Mizuho lowered Marriott Vacations Worldwide from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $85.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Marriott Vacations Worldwide in a report on Tuesday. They issued an underweight rating and a $37.00 price objective on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and four have issued 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 $63.38.

Read Our Latest Analysis on VAC

Institutional Trading of Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 32.2% in the first quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,822,687 shares of the companys stock valued at $117,089,000 after acquiring an additional 444,126 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,971,000. Senvest Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 19.4% during the 2nd quarter. Senvest Management LLC now owns 1,816,012 shares of the companys stock worth $131,316,000 after purchasing an additional 294,937 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its stake in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 71.6% during the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 635,977 shares of the companys stock worth $45,987,000 after purchasing an additional 265,278 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors purchased a new position in Marriott Vacations Worldwide in the third quarter valued at $226,000. 89.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Marriott Vacations Worldwide

(Get Free Report)

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, a vacation company, develops, markets, sells, and manages vacation ownership and related businesses, products, and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Vacation Ownership and Exchange & Third-Party Management.

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Baloise Holding AG (OTCMKTS:BLHEY  Get Free Report) was down 1.3% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $27.45 and last traded at $27.45. Approximately 1,025 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 71% from the average daily volume of 600 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.80.

Baloise Trading Down 1.1%

The business has a fifty day moving average price of $25.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.51.

Baloise Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Baloise Holding AG, together with its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the insurance and banking businesses in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg. It operates through Non-Life, Life, Asset Management & Banking, and Other Activities segments. The company offers various non-life insurance products, including accident, health, general liability, motor, fire and other property, marine, credit protection, and legal expenses insurance.

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Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) EVP Caroline Ann Winn sold 5,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.58, for a total value of $503,690.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 34,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,128,739.12. This represents a 13.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Caroline Ann Winn also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, November 19th, Caroline Ann Winn sold 500 shares of Sempra Energy stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.70, for a total value of $45,850.00.

Sempra Energy Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of SRE stock traded down $0.46 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $91.14. 3,566,892 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,332,154. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $90.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $82.37. The firm has a market cap of $59.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.48. Sempra Energy has a fifty-two week low of $61.90 and a fifty-two week high of $95.77.

Sempra Energy Dividend Announcement

Sempra Energy ( NYSE:SRE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $3.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.99 billion. Sempra Energy had a net margin of 20.28% and a return on equity of 8.42%. Sempra Energys revenue was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.89 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Sempra Energy will post 4.76 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be given a dividend of $0.645 per share. This represents a $2.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. Sempra Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 79.14%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on SRE. Evercore ISI set a $105.00 price target on shares of Sempra Energy and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Sempra Energy from $82.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Sempra Energy from $95.00 to $99.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a $80.00 target price (up previously from $70.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $99.00 price target on shares of Sempra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $95.42.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SRE

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sempra Energy

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Sempra Energy by 38.7% during the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 17,306 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,557,000 after acquiring an additional 4,826 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S purchased a new stake in shares of Sempra Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $45,310,000. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP raised its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP now owns 9,281 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $835,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 957,097 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $85,850,000 after purchasing an additional 49,852 shares during the period. Finally, Woodline Partners LP boosted its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 86,232 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,759,000 after buying an additional 15,688 shares during the last quarter. 89.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Sempra Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Sempra California, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The Sempra California segment provides electric services; and natural gas services to San Diego County.

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Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG  Get Free Report) General Counsel Brendan Mulligan sold 4,299 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.29, for a total transaction of $160,309.71. Following the sale, the general counsel owned 899,639 shares in the company, valued at $33,547,538.31. This trade represents a 0.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Brendan Mulligan also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, November 12th, Brendan Mulligan sold 10,000 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.00, for a total transaction of $450,000.00.

On Monday, November 10th, Brendan Mulligan sold 80,934 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.47, for a total transaction of $3,518,200.98.

On Monday, November 3rd, Brendan Mulligan sold 9,526 shares of Figma stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.17, for a total transaction of $458,867.42.

Figma Stock Down 2.9%

FIG stock traded down $1.07 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $35.69. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,558,367 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,999,674. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $52.50. Figma, Inc. has a 52-week low of $35.50 and a 52-week high of $142.92.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Figma

Figma ( NYSE:FIG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($1.56) by $1.66. The company had revenue of $274.17 million for the quarter. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 38.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.04 earnings per share. Figma has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. purchased a new position in Figma in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Figma in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Figma in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. US Bancorp DE purchased a new position in shares of Figma in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Montag A & Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in Figma during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

FIG has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Figma from $80.00 to $70.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Figma in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Figma in a research note on Monday, August 25th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Figma from $70.00 to $52.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Figma from $85.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.86.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Figma

Figma Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Figma is where teams come together to turn ideas into the worlds best digital products and experiences. Every day, billions of people around the world use apps, websites, and other digital experiences that are made in Figma. Theyre looking up directions on Google Maps; requesting rides with Uber; checking in for flights on JetBlue; streaming shows on Netflix; learning languages with Duolingo; asking questions of Claude; connecting on LinkedIn; buying goods on Mercado Libre; or booking stays and experiences with Airbnb.

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TransAlta Co. (TSE:TA  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TAC)s stock price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$17.28 and traded as high as C$20.88. TransAlta shares last traded at C$20.00, with a volume of 2,192,773 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on TA. CIBC increased their target price on TransAlta from C$20.00 to C$26.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. National Bankshares raised their price objective on shares of TransAlta from C$16.00 to C$17.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of TransAlta from C$20.00 to C$24.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of TransAlta from C$23.00 to C$27.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Desjardins raised their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$16.50 to C$21.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, TransAlta has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$23.33.

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TransAlta Stock Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$21.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$17.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 229.66. The stock has a market capitalization of C$6.03 billion, a P/E ratio of -31.78, a PEG ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 0.74.

TransAlta (TSE:TA  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TAC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C($0.20) earnings per share for the quarter. TransAlta had a return on equity of 12.03% and a net margin of 7.49%.The firm had revenue of C$615.00 million during the quarter.

TransAlta Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TransAlta is an independent power producer based in Alberta, Canada. The company operates a diverse and growing fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia consisting of hydro, wind, solar, battery storage, gas and energy transition facilities. The majority of the companys revenues are derived from the sale of generation capacity, electricity, thermal energy, environmental attributes, and byproducts of power generation.

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Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:DVDCY  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $9.85 and traded as high as $9.85. Davide Campari-Milano shares last traded at $9.85, with a volume of 3,900 shares changing hands.

Davide Campari-Milano Stock Up 5.5%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $9.85. The firm has a market cap of $11.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.88 and a beta of 0.95.

Davide Campari-Milano Company Profile

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Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and trades in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. Its product portfolio includes aperitifs, vodka, whisky, tequila, rum, gin, liqueurs, sparkling and still wines, and ready to drink products under approximately 50 brands.

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Orient Overseas International Ltd. (OTCMKTS:OROVY  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $82.81 and traded as high as $85.1150. Orient Overseas International shares last traded at $85.1150, with a volume of 125 shares trading hands.

Orient Overseas International Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average of $82.95 and a two-hundred day moving average of $85.49.

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Orient Overseas International Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 29th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 8th were given a dividend of $3.524 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1,071.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 5th.

Orient Overseas International Company Profile

Orient Overseas (International) Limited, an investment holding company, provides container transport and logistics services in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. The company offers supply chain management services; and containerised shipping services in various trade lanes comprising Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, Asia/Europe, Asia/Australia, and Intra-Asia trades.

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Hudsons Bay Co (OTCMKTS:HBAYF  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $8.19 and traded as high as $8.24. Hudsons Bay shares last traded at $8.19, with a volume of 2,900 shares traded.

Hudsons Bay Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $8.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.19.

About Hudsons Bay

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Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates department stores in Canada and the United States. Its stores offers fashion apparels, accessories, cosmetics, and home products. The company operates its stores under the Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Find @ Lord & Taylor, Home Outfitters, Galeria Kaufhof, Galeria INNO, and Sportarena names.

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Ibstock plc (LON:IBST  Get Free Report) crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 133.95 and traded as low as GBX 126.20. Ibstock shares last traded at GBX 126.60, with a volume of 1,172,824 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Berenberg Bank cut their price target on Ibstock from GBX 170 to GBX 150 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Ibstock from GBX 188 to GBX 143 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Ibstock from GBX 210 to GBX 190 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on Ibstock from GBX 210 to GBX 170 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ibstock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 163.25.

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Ibstock Trading Up 0.5%

Ibstock Company Profile

The firm has a market cap of 494.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.34. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 133.62 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 150.57. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.91.

(Get Free Report)

Ibstock plc manufactures and sells clay and concrete building products and solutions to customers in the residential construction sector in the United Kingdom. The company offers bricks and masonry, which includes facing and engineering bricks, brick slips, special shaped bricks, walling stone, architectural masonry, prefabricated components, eco-habitats, and padstones and lintels, as well as facade systems; roofing products comprising roof tiles and accessories, and chimneys; and flooring and lintels, such as beam and block flooring, insulated flooring, hollowcore, and screed rails.

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The cryptocurrency market crash took a drastic turn as the total market cap dropped to $3.13 trillion on Nov. 20.

Bitcoin (BTC) crashed below the $87,000 price mark, down 2.45% in the last 24 hours.

Related: Veteran trader who called 2018 Bitcoin collapse now predicts 35% crash

Within the last 24 hours, more than $370 million in BTC positions have been wiped out. Overall, crypto positions worth more than $900 million have been liquidated.

The shocking market crash has led to the entire crypto holdings of several long-term whales and small retail traders getting wiped out.

As reported earlier, the decentralized application (dApp) analytics platform, DappRadar, decided to wind down as running a large organization has become "financially unsustainable" in the "current environment."

Now, another crypto company has filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the U.S.

More News:

Crypto company files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy

Rental Coins, a collapsed Brazilian crypto company, has filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the U.S. to help it recover assets, Bloomberg Law recently reported.

Chapter 15 is designed for cross-border insolvency cases, allowing foreign companies undergoing bankruptcy proceedings abroad to protect their U.S.-based assets.

Rental Coins filed a petition for relief in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida by a Brazilian court-appointed judicial administrator on Nov. 18.

The Rental Coins estate aims to trace crypto transactions and recover assets lost in a large-scale pyramid-style fraud in the U.S.

The crypto company operated an investment program offering high returns. But authorities in Brazil accused the platform of running a fraudulent investment scheme and mismanaging customer funds. A former manager at Rental Coins is already serving a prison sentence for his role in the crypto fraud.

The estate said it decided to file for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in a U.S. court so that it can protect remaining assets and ensure an orderly restructuring under the court supervision.

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Nov 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Bankruptcy News & Analysis section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Property Franchise Group PLC (LON:TPFG  Get Free Report) rose 0.8% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 482 and last traded at GBX 482. Approximately 173,202 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 17% from the average daily volume of 147,696 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 478.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on TPFG. Berenberg Bank boosted their price target on The Property Franchise Group from GBX 620 to GBX 645 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their target price on shares of The Property Franchise Group from GBX 595 to GBX 637 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 641.

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The Property Franchise Group Trading Up 0.8%

The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 552.12 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 538. The firm has a market capitalization of 307.28 million, a P/E ratio of 19.20 and a beta of 0.42.

The Property Franchise Group (LON:TPFG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, September 10th. The company reported GBX 18.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The Property Franchise Group had a net margin of 18.96% and a return on equity of 8.40%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Property Franchise Group PLC will post 34.5809601 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About The Property Franchise Group

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The Property Franchise Group PLC (AIM: TPFG) is the UKs largest multi-brand property franchisor, with a network of over 1,946 outlets delivering high quality services to residential clients, combined with an established Financial Services business.

The Company was founded in 1986 and has since strategically grown to a diverse portfolio of 18 brands operating throughout the UK, comprising longstanding high-street focused brands and two hybrid brands.

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Shares of Oc Oerlikon Cp (OTCMKTS:OERLF  Get Free Report) traded up 2.9% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $3.60 and last traded at $3.60. 25 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 99% from the average session volume of 2,325 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.50.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Oc Oerlikon Cp from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Oc Oerlikon Cp presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Oc Oerlikon Cp Trading Up 2.9%

Oc Oerlikon Cp Company Profile

The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $3.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.08.

(Get Free Report)

OC Oerlikon Corporation AG provides surface engineering, polymer processing, and additive manufacturing services in Switzerland, Americas, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The company operates through two segments, Surface Solutions and Polymer Processing. It offers engine fan compressors, engine hot section, landing gears, actuation systems, aircraft interior, and hydraulic systems for aerospace; engine and brake systems, transmission, drive train, steering and suspension, exhaust systems, piping and tubing systems, exterior, lighting, green hydrogen, interior, heat exchanger and EGR coolers, peripherals and design parts, and thermal insulation systems for automotive; and oil and gas, and boilers, as well as hydro, gas, steam, and wind turbines for energy industry.

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Morgan Stanley reissued their equal weight rating on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Free Report) in a research note published on Monday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Morgan Stanley currently has a $25.00 price objective on the technology companys stock, down from their prior price objective of $28.00.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler began coverage on Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 target price for the company. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $21.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $25.24.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Price Performance

NYSE:HPE opened at $20.61 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $27.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.13, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.43. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 12 month low of $11.97 and a 12 month high of $26.44. The businesss 50-day moving average is $24.01 and its 200 day moving average is $21.28. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, September 3rd. The technology company reported $0.35 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $9.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.77 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 9.01%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 19.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.50 earnings per share. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.880-1.920 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.560-0.600 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 18th were given a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 18th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.41%.

Insider Activity at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

In related news, Director Gary M. Reiner sold 40,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.58, for a total value of $983,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 83,869 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,061,500.02. This represents a 32.29% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Antonio F. Neri sold 166,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.52, for a total value of $3,753,318.32. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,919,060 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,217,231.20. The trade was a 7.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 543,738 shares of company stock worth $12,922,932 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Elliott Investment Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the second quarter worth approximately $381,004,000. Jericho Capital Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the 3rd quarter valued at $416,900,000. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 1,369.1% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 16,279,442 shares of the technology companys stock worth $251,192,000 after purchasing an additional 15,171,314 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 3,847.1% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 8,831,262 shares of the technology companys stock worth $180,599,000 after buying an additional 8,607,523 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group raised its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 192.4% in the second quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 10,599,242 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $216,754,000 after buying an additional 6,974,083 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.78% of the companys stock.

About Hewlett Packard Enterprise

(Get Free Report)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Zions Bancorporation National Association UT boosted its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Free Report) by 1.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 16,222 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UTs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $4,703,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 609,867.5% during the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 72,897,211 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $21,133,630,000 after buying an additional 72,885,260 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 2.7% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 20,548,182 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,040,469,000 after acquiring an additional 548,853 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 5.1% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 18,441,044 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,523,588,000 after acquiring an additional 890,553 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 1st quarter worth about $3,972,807,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 13,754,558 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,373,993,000 after purchasing an additional 547,110 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.55% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on JPM shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a buy rating and set a $343.00 target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. DZ Bank reiterated a neutral rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $330.00 to $354.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $326.38.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Price Performance

Shares of JPM stock opened at $303.46 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $307.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $290.83. The company has a market capitalization of $826.09 billion, a PE ratio of 15.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.14. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a twelve month low of $202.16 and a twelve month high of $322.25. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.83 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $47.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $44.42 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.90% and a return on equity of 17.18%. The firms revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.37 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 6th were issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 6th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. This is a boost from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.72%.

Insider Activity at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In other news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total transaction of $301,314.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 58,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,240,769.68. This trade represents a 1.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Linda Bammann sold 9,500 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.94, for a total transaction of $2,830,430.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 82,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,492,753.58. This trade represents a 10.36% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

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Foundations Investment Advisors LLC trimmed its position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP  Free Report) by 63.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,183 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,529 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF were worth $441,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 744,932.0% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 14,565,376 shares of the companys stock worth $2,019,926,000 after buying an additional 14,563,421 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $65,138,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $59,221,000. Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $40,407,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,861,523 shares of the companys stock worth $571,855,000 after purchasing an additional 323,885 shares during the period. 74.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Stock Up 0.4%

IWP stock opened at $134.74 on Thursday. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $99.85 and a 52-week high of $145.60. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $141.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $138.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.48 and a beta of 1.15.

About iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, formerly iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap Growth Index (the Growth Index).

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Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:GEM  Free Report) by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 350,522 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,680 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers holdings in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF were worth $13,043,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF in the second quarter worth $32,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its holdings in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF by 29.6% during the 2nd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 2,149 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,000 after buying an additional 491 shares in the last quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $216,000. Finally, Mengis Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $221,000.

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Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:GEM opened at $41.29 on Thursday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $41.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $38.52. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF has a one year low of $29.19 and a one year high of $42.92. The firm has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a PE ratio of 13.33 and a beta of 0.62.

About Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF

The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of emerging market stocks comprising 4 sub-indexes: value, momentum, quality, and low volatility. The index uses multiple factors to pick stocks, and each sub-index receives equal weight.

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Intech Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric Company (NYSE:POR  Free Report) by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 66,348 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 11,478 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLCs holdings in Portland General Electric were worth $2,696,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Portland General Electric by 1,291.7% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 668 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 620 shares during the period. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new stake in Portland General Electric during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Tompkins Financial Corp increased its holdings in Portland General Electric by 83.3% in the 2nd quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 1,100 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new stake in Portland General Electric in the 1st quarter valued at $46,000. Finally, Ransom Advisory Ltd purchased a new position in Portland General Electric in the first quarter valued at about $52,000.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

POR has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $51.00 target price on shares of Portland General Electric in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays boosted their price target on Portland General Electric from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Mizuho set a $47.00 price objective on shares of Portland General Electric in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Portland General Electric from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Portland General Electric in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $45.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Portland General Electric news, CEO Maria M. Pope sold 18,896 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.50, for a total transaction of $803,080.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 194,135 shares in the company, valued at $8,250,737.50. This represents a 8.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Portland General Electric Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of POR opened at $48.66 on Thursday. Portland General Electric Company has a one year low of $39.54 and a one year high of $50.95. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $45.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $42.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.97. The company has a market capitalization of $5.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.95, a P/E/G ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.67.

Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $952.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $975.64 million. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 8.07% and a net margin of 8.43%.Portland General Electrics revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.90 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Portland General Electric Company will post 3.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Portland General Electric Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 22nd will be issued a $0.525 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 22nd. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.3%. Portland General Electrics dividend payout ratio is currently 76.36%.

About Portland General Electric

(Free Report)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,254 circuit miles, including 287 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 554 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 934 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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Intech Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN  Free Report) by 149.5% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 36,082 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 21,620 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLCs holdings in Global Payments were worth $2,888,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of GPN. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in shares of Global Payments during the 4th quarter worth about $725,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Global Payments by 546.6% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 375 shares of the business services providers stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 317 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its holdings in Global Payments by 19.6% during the 1st quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 4,048 shares of the business services providers stock worth $396,000 after purchasing an additional 662 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Global Payments by 46.4% in the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,529 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $248,000 after purchasing an additional 802 shares during the period. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its stake in Global Payments by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 19,645 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,924,000 after purchasing an additional 841 shares during the period. 89.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Global Payments

In other Global Payments news, Director Connie D. Mcdaniel sold 4,464 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.81, for a total transaction of $347,343.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 30,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,335,389.34. The trade was a 12.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Patricia A. Watson bought 1,331 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $75.06 per share, with a total value of $99,904.86. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 2,651 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $198,984.06. The trade was a 100.83% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 1.01% of the companys stock.

Global Payments Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:GPN opened at $72.10 on Thursday. Global Payments Inc. has a 1 year low of $65.93 and a 1 year high of $120.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $82.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $81.86.

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported $3.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.03. Global Payments had a return on equity of 12.47% and a net margin of 15.07%.The firm had revenue of $2.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.08 EPS. Global Payments has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.600-6.666 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Global Payments Inc. will post 11.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Global Payments Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Global Paymentss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.04%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on GPN shares. Mizuho upgraded Global Payments from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $86.00 to $114.00 in a research report on Friday, July 25th. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Global Payments from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Global Payments from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Global Payments from $90.00 to $84.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Global Payments from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and fourteen have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $103.90.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Global Payments

Global Payments Profile

(Free Report)

Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services.

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Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lessened its holdings in shares of BXP, Inc. (NYSE:BXP  Free Report) by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 185,643 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 5,074 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbHs holdings in BXP were worth $12,525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. REAP Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of BXP by 193.2% in the second quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 472 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in BXP during the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in BXP by 143.7% in the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,226 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $83,000 after acquiring an additional 723 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional lifted its stake in BXP by 24.6% in the 2nd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,526 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hilltop National Bank purchased a new position in BXP in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $111,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.72% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at BXP

In other BXP news, EVP John J. Stroman sold 16,838 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.17, for a total transaction of $1,215,198.46. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Michael E. Labelle sold 13,422 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.34, for a total value of $970,947.48. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 9,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $667,191.82. This represents a 59.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.49% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

BXP Stock Performance

NYSE BXP opened at $69.32 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, a current ratio of 4.50 and a quick ratio of 3.76. The company has a market cap of $10.99 billion, a P/E ratio of -54.59, a P/E/G ratio of 7.35 and a beta of 1.20. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $73.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $70.31. BXP, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.22 and a 1-year high of $84.75.

BXP (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.02. BXP had a negative net margin of 5.82% and a positive return on equity of 1.35%. The business had revenue of $871.51 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $860.88 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.81 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. BXP has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.890-6.920 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that BXP, Inc. will post 6.91 EPS for the current year.

BXP Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.0%. BXPs dividend payout ratio is currently -220.47%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial upped their price target on BXP from $71.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of BXP in a report on Monday. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH began coverage on BXP in a report on Monday, October 13th. They set a buy rating and a $85.00 price target on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of BXP from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of BXP from $86.00 to $84.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, BXP presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $79.42.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BXP

BXP Company Profile

(Free Report)

Boston Properties, Inc (NYSE: BXP) (BXP or the Company) is the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of premier workplaces in the United States, concentrated in six dynamic gateway markets  Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. BXP has delivered places that power progress for our clients and communities for more than 50 years.

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Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH decreased its holdings in shares of Crane (NYSE:CR  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 52,828 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 840 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbHs holdings in Crane were worth $10,032,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CR. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in Crane by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 6,991 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,327,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning boosted its position in shares of Crane by 6.3% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 16,687 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,169,000 after buying an additional 992 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its holdings in Crane by 8.0% during the second quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,557 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,384,000 after buying an additional 928 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Crane during the 2nd quarter valued at $231,000. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey boosted its holdings in Crane by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 18,537 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $3,520,000 after acquiring an additional 903 shares during the last quarter. 75.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, VP Alejandro Alcala sold 20,791 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.74, for a total value of $4,007,257.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 33,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,461,801.24. This trade represents a 38.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 2.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Crane Stock Down 0.4%

CR stock opened at $178.72 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $184.39 and a 200-day moving average of $184.48. Crane has a fifty-two week low of $127.04 and a fifty-two week high of $203.89. The company has a market capitalization of $10.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.67, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.18.

Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The conglomerate reported $1.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $589.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $578.54 million. Crane had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 24.45%. The companys revenue was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.38 earnings per share. Crane has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.750-5.950 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Crane Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Cranes payout ratio is presently 14.74%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Crane from $200.00 to $202.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. DA Davidson set a $235.00 target price on Crane in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Bank of America upped their target price on Crane from $220.00 to $225.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $230.00 price target (up from $215.00) on shares of Crane in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Crane in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Crane has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $223.60.

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About Crane

(Free Report)

Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials.

Further Reading

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Port Houston closed October with strong momentum across several key cargo sectors, even as global freight trends remain mixed.

The port handled 365,773 twenty-foot equivalent units in October, an 18% year-over-year increase compared to the same month in 2024.

Container volumes, surprisingly, surged for the month compared to September and last year, and were now up 5.6% in loaded TEU and nearly 6% in total TEU. Ryan Mariacher, chief operations officers, said during the Nov. 11 commission meeting.

Exports continue to drive our growth, now up over 9% for the year. There is still a lot of doubt in the market, especially on the import side, but Houston continues to prove its resilient in the market.

Total tonnage at public facilities was up 6% year-to-date, with more than 46 million tons handled so far in 2025. Multipurpose facility tonnage was slightly down for the month, but remains up over 3% year-to-date.

Breakbulk cargo showed one of the months biggest surges, climbing more than 21%, driven by stronger-than-expected performance at Northside Turning Basin and Jacintoport facilities in the Houston Ship Channel.

Dry bulk growth slowed slightly in October, but remains up nearly 7% year-to-date. Liquid bulk showed a slight increase for the month, but remains down about 5% for the year.

Port Houston leadership expressed confidence heading into 2026, noting strong financial performance through October.

Revenues reached $579 million, up about 10% year-over-year, and the port expects 5% revenue growth next year, driven by continued container strength and new capacity additions at Barbours Cut and Bayport.

Commissioners and port staff at the meeting also pointed to Foxconns growing manufacturing plans in the Houston area as a major future catalyst for the ports export volumes.

Foxconn is investing $450 million in the Houston area to build an AI server manufacturing facility, according to the Greater Houston Partnership. The investment will create 600 direct jobs and have an estimated economic impact of $920 million.

Following a recent port-led trade mission through Taipei and Tokyo, commissioner feedback indicated that Foxconn is preparing major industrial investments in the Greater Houston region.

Foxconn has so many big plans for this area. Talk about cargo volumes going out  its going to be incredible, Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston, said during the Nov. 11 meeting.

The post Port Houston cargo surges in October as Foxconn eyes major expansion appeared first on FreightWaves.
Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in Wabtec (NYSE:WAB  Free Report) by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 81,129 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 2,778 shares during the quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Wabtec were worth $16,984,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its stake in shares of Wabtec by 30.2% during the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 207 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. PFS Partners LLC lifted its position in Wabtec by 70.4% in the second quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 121 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its holdings in Wabtec by 44.2% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 163 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Wabtec by 7.3% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 797 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $167,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC increased its position in Wabtec by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 748 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $157,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.69% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, VP David L. Deninno sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.94, for a total value of $1,049,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 55,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,641,173. The trade was a 8.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Pascal Schweitzer sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.07, for a total value of $624,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 4,955 shares in the company, valued at $1,030,986.85. This represents a 37.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 25,436 shares of company stock worth $5,145,024. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on WAB. Bank of America raised their price target on Wabtec from $228.00 to $233.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Wabtec in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Wabtec in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They set an equal weight rating and a $221.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Wabtec from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Wabtec from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $226.78.

Get Our Latest Research Report on WAB

Wabtec Trading Up 0.2%

NYSE:WAB opened at $197.97 on Thursday. Wabtec has a 52-week low of $151.81 and a 52-week high of $216.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $197.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $199.37. The company has a market capitalization of $33.84 billion, a PE ratio of 28.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.09.

Wabtec (NYSE:WAB  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The transportation company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $2.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.88 billion. Wabtec had a net margin of 10.94% and a return on equity of 13.84%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.00 EPS. Wabtec has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.850-9.050 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Wabtec will post 8.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wabtec Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 12th. Wabtecs payout ratio is currently 14.53%.

Wabtec Company Profile

(Free Report)

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology-based locomotives, equipment, systems, and services for the freight rail and passenger transit industries worldwide. It offers diesel-electric, battery, and liquid natural gas-powered locomotives; engines, electric motors, and propulsion systems; and marine and mining products.

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PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 14,254 shares of the mining companys stock after buying an additional 896 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.s holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $1,695,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in AEM. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 87.5% in the second quarter. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. now owns 153,000 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $18,196,000 after purchasing an additional 71,400 shares during the period. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines in the 2nd quarter valued at $232,000. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI raised its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 32.6% in the 1st quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI now owns 509,058 shares of the mining companys stock worth $55,214,000 after acquiring an additional 125,223 shares during the period. Atticus Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines during the 2nd quarter worth $222,000. Finally, Sienna Gestion lifted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 10.3% during the 2nd quarter. Sienna Gestion now owns 95,400 shares of the mining companys stock worth $10,357,000 after acquiring an additional 8,900 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.34% of the companys stock.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AEM opened at $167.53 on Thursday. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 1-year low of $76.91 and a 1-year high of $187.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $84.04 billion, a PE ratio of 24.46, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.45. The businesss 50 day moving average is $164.29 and its 200-day moving average is $138.92. The company has a current ratio of 2.03, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.40. The business had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.93 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 15.97% and a net margin of 32.62%.During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of research firms have recently commented on AEM. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $140.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Agnico Eagle Mines currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $184.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AEM

About Agnico Eagle Mines

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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Raiffeisen Bank International AG decreased its holdings in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC  Free Report) by 61.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 470 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 741 shares during the quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AGs holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $48,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group in the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Nova Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in WEC Energy Group during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new position in WEC Energy Group during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 265.8% in the 2nd quarter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 278 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 60.5% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 305 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.20% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on WEC. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of WEC Energy Group in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on WEC Energy Group in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They set an overweight rating and a $124.00 price target for the company. Cowen began coverage on WEC Energy Group in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. UBS Group lifted their price objective on WEC Energy Group from $117.00 to $122.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They set a hold rating and a $125.00 target price for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, WEC Energy Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.21.

WEC Energy Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WEC opened at $110.10 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 0.50 and a quick ratio of 0.33. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $91.94 and a 1-year high of $118.18. The company has a market capitalization of $35.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.81, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.48. The business has a 50-day moving average of $113.07 and a 200-day moving average of $108.96.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, September 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $2.28 billion for the quarter. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.60% and a net margin of 17.75%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 5.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

WEC Energy Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a $0.8925 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $3.57 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio is 67.49%.

WEC Energy Group Profile

(Free Report)

WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments.

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Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Cencora, Inc. (NYSE:COR  Free Report) by 16.3% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,019 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the period. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc.s holdings in Cencora were worth $306,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Cencora by 42.1% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,607,964 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,281,429,000 after purchasing an additional 1,364,433 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Cencora by 4,459.6% during the first quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 997,233 shares of the companys stock worth $277,321,000 after buying an additional 975,362 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Cencora by 8.9% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,647,310 shares of the companys stock worth $2,682,821,000 after buying an additional 787,858 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cencora in the first quarter valued at $181,284,000. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec raised its holdings in shares of Cencora by 144.4% in the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 743,072 shares of the companys stock valued at $206,641,000 after buying an additional 439,008 shares during the period. 97.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Steven H. Collis sold 31,350 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.86, for a total value of $9,087,111.00. Following the transaction, the chairman owned 305,913 shares of the companys stock, valued at $88,671,942.18. This represents a 9.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Robert P. Mauch sold 5,096 shares of Cencora stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $366.64, for a total value of $1,868,397.44. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 65,746 shares of the companys stock, valued at $24,105,113.44. This trade represents a 7.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 46,640 shares of company stock worth $14,099,338 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 10.80% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on COR shares. Mizuho raised their target price on Cencora from $340.00 to $380.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Cencora from $355.00 to $395.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Cencora from $344.00 to $417.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Cencora from $354.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Cencora in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $371.09.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Cencora

Cencora Price Performance

COR stock opened at $360.79 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $325.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $303.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.63. Cencora, Inc. has a 1 year low of $223.92 and a 1 year high of $369.00.

Cencora (NYSE:COR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $3.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.79 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $83.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $83.36 billion. Cencora had a return on equity of 267.36% and a net margin of 0.60%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.34 earnings per share. Cencora has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.450-17.75 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Cencora, Inc. will post 15.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cencora Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Cencoras previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. Cencoras payout ratio is currently 30.19%.

About Cencora

(Free Report)

Cencora, Inc sources and distributes pharmaceutical products. The company's U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers; provides pharmacy management, staffing, and other consulting services; supply management software to retail and institutional healthcare providers; packaging solutions to various institutional and retail healthcare providers; clinical trial support, product post-approval, and commercialization support services; data analytics, outcomes research, and additional services for biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturers; pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, micro feed ingredients, and other products to the companion animal and production animal markets; and sales force services to manufacturers.

Further Reading

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Hudbay Minerals Inc. (TSE:HBM  Free Report) (NYSE:HBM)  Equities research analysts at Scotiabank lowered their FY2025 EPS estimates for shares of Hudbay Minerals in a report issued on Monday, November 17th. Scotiabank analyst O. Wowkodaw now expects that the mining company will post earnings per share of $1.08 for the year, down from their prior forecast of $1.23. The consensus estimate for Hudbay Minerals current full-year earnings is $1.12 per share. Scotiabank also issued estimates for Hudbay Minerals Q4 2025 earnings at $0.43 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $0.27 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.25 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.25 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.25 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.02 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $1.59 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $1.32 EPS and FY2029 earnings at $1.71 EPS.

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Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Hudbay Minerals from C$19.00 to C$20.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Hudbay Minerals from C$25.00 to C$28.00 in a report on Friday, October 17th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Hudbay Minerals from C$23.00 to C$24.00 in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Hudbay Minerals to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Hudbay Minerals from C$20.00 to C$28.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and eight have issued a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$22.02.

Hudbay Minerals Price Performance

Shares of TSE:HBM opened at C$21.74 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.39, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.86. The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$21.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$16.52. The stock has a market cap of C$8.61 billion, a PE ratio of 18.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 2.41. Hudbay Minerals has a one year low of C$8.49 and a one year high of C$24.75.

Hudbay Minerals Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a half year 25 dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 19th were issued a dividend of $0.01 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 2nd. Hudbay Mineralss dividend payout ratio is presently 1.22%.

Hudbay Minerals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hudbay Minerals Inc is a Canadian mining company with its operations, property developments, and exploration activities across the United States. The major mines that Hudbay operates are located in Manitoba, Canada, Arizona, United States; and Peru. The company is principally focused on the discovery, production, and marketing of base and precious metals.

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EMC Capital Management lessened its position in shares of City Office REIT, Inc. (NYSE:CIO  Free Report) by 34.8% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 13,826 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 7,380 shares during the quarter. EMC Capital Managements holdings in City Office REIT were worth $74,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CIO. Sonora Investment Management Group LLC raised its position in shares of City Office REIT by 159.8% during the 2nd quarter. Sonora Investment Management Group LLC now owns 328,120 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,752,000 after acquiring an additional 201,820 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in City Office REIT during the first quarter valued at $717,000. LSV Asset Management raised its holdings in shares of City Office REIT by 6.5% during the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,582,009 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $8,448,000 after purchasing an additional 96,329 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of City Office REIT in the 2nd quarter worth about $381,000. Finally, Martingale Asset Management L P boosted its holdings in shares of City Office REIT by 38.6% in the 1st quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 197,082 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,023,000 after buying an additional 54,861 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.47% of the companys stock.

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City Office REIT Trading Down 0.1%

City Office REIT stock opened at $6.89 on Thursday. City Office REIT, Inc. has a 12-month low of $4.19 and a 12-month high of $7.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 2.76 and a quick ratio of 2.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $277.88 million, a PE ratio of -2.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.79. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.25.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on CIO. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of City Office REIT in a research note on Monday. Janney Montgomery Scott restated a neutral rating on shares of City Office REIT in a research report on Friday, July 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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City Office REIT Profile

(Free Report)

City Office REIT is an internally-managed real estate company focused on acquiring, owning and operating high-quality office properties located predominantly in Sun Belt markets. City Office currently owns or has a controlling interest in 5.7 million square feet of office properties. The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S.

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Ensign Peak Advisors Inc decreased its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report) by 13.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,314,790 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 198,462 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Incs holdings in Ingersoll Rand were worth $109,364,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CWM LLC lifted its position in Ingersoll Rand by 1.5% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 10,655 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $853,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Ingersoll Rand by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 150,870 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $12,074,000 after acquiring an additional 379 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 22.1% during the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 2,140 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $171,000 after acquiring an additional 387 shares in the last quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC grew its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 4.1% in the first quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 18,782 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,503,000 after purchasing an additional 743 shares during the period. Finally, HighPoint Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 4.2% during the first quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC now owns 5,867 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $439,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.27% of the companys stock.

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Ingersoll Rand Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of IR opened at $73.74 on Thursday. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 12-month low of $65.61 and a 12-month high of $106.03. The company has a current ratio of 2.16, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a market capitalization of $29.13 billion, a PE ratio of 54.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.75 and a beta of 1.43. The businesss 50 day moving average is $78.95 and its 200 day moving average is $81.02.

Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend

Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.01). Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 7.31% and a return on equity of 12.14%. The company had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.95 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.84 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Ingersoll Rand has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.310 EPS. Research analysts expect that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be given a $0.02 dividend. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. Ingersoll Rands payout ratio is currently 5.93%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on IR shares. Zacks Research downgraded Ingersoll Rand from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $83.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $93.90.

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Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

(Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, gas, liquid, and solid flow creation technologies services and solutions worldwide. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies. The Industrial Technologies and Services segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services air and gas compression, vacuum, and blower products; fluid transfer equipment and loading systems; and power tools and lifting equipment, including associated aftermarket parts, consumables, air treatment equipment, controls, other accessories, and services under the under the Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, Nash, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle brands, etc.

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Ensign Peak Advisors Inc raised its stake in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 9.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 573,047 shares of the aircraft producers stock after acquiring an additional 48,732 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Incs holdings in Boeing were worth $120,071,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of BA. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Boeing by 1.7% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 66,773,360 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $13,991,022,000 after purchasing an additional 1,118,316 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,316,838 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $3,402,073,000 after purchasing an additional 432,026 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Boeing by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,198,059 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $715,979,000 after purchasing an additional 19,615 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in shares of Boeing by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 2,933,139 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $500,247,000 after buying an additional 91,707 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in Boeing by 2.5% in the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 2,110,200 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $359,895,000 after buying an additional 51,700 shares in the last quarter. 64.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Boeing

In other news, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.66, for a total value of $270,003.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 14,656 shares in the company, valued at $2,896,904.96. The trade was a 8.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Boeing from $251.00 to $240.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research cut Boeing from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays boosted their price target on Boeing from $210.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $240.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Boeing in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and six have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Boeing has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $232.09.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Boeing

Boeing Trading Down 2.1%

Shares of BA opened at $185.69 on Thursday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $210.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $214.79. The Boeing Company has a 12 month low of $128.88 and a 12 month high of $242.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $141.15 billion, a P/E ratio of -13.57 and a beta of 1.44.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.51) by ($6.96). The firm had revenue of $23.27 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.61 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($10.44) earnings per share. Boeings revenue for the quarter was up 30.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Boeing

(Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

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Cumberland Partners Ltd reduced its stake in Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH  Free Report) by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 10,606 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 116 shares during the quarter. Cumberland Partners Ltds holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $7,408,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PH. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin in the first quarter valued at $933,089,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in Parker-Hannifin by 52.6% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,443,104 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,485,042,000 after buying an additional 842,262 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Parker-Hannifin by 11.6% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,009,250 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,221,323,000 after purchasing an additional 208,573 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 23.8% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 996,738 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $605,867,000 after buying an additional 191,799 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 1.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,023,764 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,700,795,000 after purchasing an additional 168,990 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.44% of the companys stock.

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Parker-Hannifin Stock Performance

NYSE:PH opened at $821.08 on Thursday. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $488.45 and a fifty-two week high of $869.36. The firms 50 day moving average is $771.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $726.59. The company has a market cap of $103.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.28, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend

Parker-Hannifin ( NYSE:PH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.62 by $0.60. Parker-Hannifin had a return on equity of 26.80% and a net margin of 17.79%.The business had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.94 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $6.20 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. Parker-Hannifin has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. Analysts expect that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio is 25.65%.

Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin

In other Parker-Hannifin news, EVP Joseph R. Leonti sold 4,625 shares of Parker-Hannifin stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $750.84, for a total transaction of $3,472,635.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 13,878 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,420,157.52. The trade was a 25.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Rachid Bendali sold 1,437 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $852.99, for a total transaction of $1,225,746.63. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 2,714 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,315,014.86. The trade was a 34.62% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 9,569 shares of company stock worth $7,730,464. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $800.00 to $825.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Tuesday, August 19th. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Susquehanna reissued a positive rating and set a $1,000.00 price target on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $860.71.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Parker-Hannifin

Parker-Hannifin Company Profile

(Free Report)

Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment.

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Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd lifted its stake in Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX  Free Report) by 14.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,970 shares of the shipping companys stock after buying an additional 1,996 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd owned approximately 0.05% of Matson worth $1,779,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Boston Partners increased its stake in Matson by 424.8% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 958,170 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $121,428,000 after purchasing an additional 775,600 shares during the period. William Blair Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Matson in the second quarter worth $21,037,000. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in Matson during the 1st quarter valued at $23,325,000. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC purchased a new stake in Matson during the 2nd quarter valued at $14,183,000. Finally, Park West Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Matson during the 1st quarter valued at $11,535,000. Institutional investors own 84.76% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on MATX. Zacks Research raised Matson from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Matson from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $142.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and issued a $115.00 price objective on shares of Matson in a report on Friday, August 1st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Matson in a research note on Monday. Finally, Stephens increased their price target on shares of Matson from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Matson presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $141.75.

Matson Trading Down 0.8%

Matson stock opened at $103.48 on Thursday. Matson, Inc. has a 12 month low of $86.97 and a 12 month high of $158.16. The company has a market capitalization of $3.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.00 and a beta of 1.32. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $100.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $106.17. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

Matson (NYSE:MATX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The shipping company reported $4.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.25 by $0.99. The company had revenue of $880.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $837.72 million. Matson had a net margin of 14.26% and a return on equity of 18.90%. Matsons revenue was down 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.89 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Matson, Inc. will post 13.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Matson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 6th. Matsons payout ratio is presently 10.96%.

About Matson

(Free Report)

Matson, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of ocean transportation and logistics services. It operates through two segments, Ocean Transportation and Logistics. The Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Japan, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia.

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Vitalik Buterin and researchers have warned that quantum computing could undermine blockchain security before 2028. | Source: Image created with Gemini

Key Takeaways

Quantum computing threats to Ethereum and Bitcoin may arrive sooner than expected.

Vitalik Buterin and leading researchers warn that fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of breaking Bitcoin and Ethereums elliptic-curve cryptography could emerge before 2028.

CCN asked ChatGPT and Grok for their take on the warnings.

Fresh warnings from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin have reignited debate over whether Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are ready for the era of quantum computing.

His concern is that the next wave of quantum advances could expose major weaknesses in todays blockchain security.

With Deloitte estimating that roughly 25% of all Bitcoin in circulation is already susceptible to a quantum attack, and as more experts echo the alarm, the question now is how realand how urgentthe threat truly is.

Quantum Computings Threat To Ethereum

Speaking at the Devconnect conference in Bangkok, Buterin told developers that the industry has less time than expected to prepare for a potential breakthrough in quantum capability.

Elliptic curves are going to die, Buterin said, and reportedly pointed to predictions that quantum computing could break Ethereum before 2028.

On Nov. 13, Scott Aaronson, a quantum computing professor at the University of Texas at Austin, stated that fault-tolerant quantum computers could threaten Bitcoins elliptic curve cryptography by 2028.

I now think its a live possibility that well have a fault-tolerant quantum computer running Shors algorithm before the next U.S. Presidential election, he wrote in a blog post.

The comments have raised fresh questions about the all-important security systems that are protecting the worlds biggest blockchains.

With the possibility of an existential threat back in focus, CCN turned to ChatGPT and Grok for their opinion.

ChatGPTs Cautious Warning

ChatGPTs outlook was not very comforting.

Quantum computing poses a real and time-sensitive challenge for blockchains built on elliptic-curve cryptography, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, the AI said.

The model pointed to the rapidly growing push of engineering progress in quantum research.

A capable quantum system would not need decades  just enough qubits and error correction to reliably run algorithms needed, it noted.

Asked whether 2028 was a plausible deadline, ChatGPT said the timeline remains uncertain but not unrealistic.

The worst-case scenario is not that quantum computers suddenly leap forward, but that the industry fails to migrate to quantum-resistant cryptography fast enough.

While the AI argued that a coordinated upgrade is achievable, it warned that the transition could be slow and uneven.
Primecap Management Co. CA trimmed its position in shares of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK  Free Report) by 4.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,634,420 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 168,330 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CAs holdings in Alaska Air Group were worth $179,831,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ALK. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its position in Alaska Air Group by 41.1% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 632 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 85.3% in the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,308 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 602 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 2,162.3% in the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,380 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 1,319 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Alaska Air Group in the first quarter worth about $71,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new position in Alaska Air Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $92,000. Institutional investors own 81.90% of the companys stock.

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Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ALK opened at $38.59 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $47.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.12, a PEG ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $38.28 and a 52-week high of $78.08.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Alaska Air Group ( NYSE:ALK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $3.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.75 billion. Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 1.06% and a return on equity of 8.93%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 22.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.25 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms recently commented on ALK. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Alaska Air Group from $73.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Alaska Air Group from $90.00 to $83.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald set a $65.00 price objective on Alaska Air Group in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Raymond James Financial set a $65.00 price target on shares of Alaska Air Group and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Alaska Air Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $73.08.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ALK

About Alaska Air Group

(Free Report)

Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Heineken (OTCMKTS:HEINY  Get Free Report) and Remy Cointreau (OTCMKTS:REMYY  Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Heineken pays an annual dividend of $0.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Remy Cointreau pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%.

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Profitability

This table compares Heineken and Remy Cointreaus net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Heineken N/A N/A N/A Remy Cointreau N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Heineken 0 1 2 3 3.33 Remy Cointreau 1 2 1 1 2.40

Valuation & Earnings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Heineken and Remy Cointreau, as reported by MarketBeat.

This table compares Heineken and Remy Cointreaus gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Heineken $38.91 billion 1.15 $1.06 billion N/A N/A Remy Cointreau $1.06 billion 2.29 $130.21 million N/A N/A

Heineken has higher revenue and earnings than Remy Cointreau.

Volatility & Risk

Heineken has a beta of 0.53, indicating that its stock price is 47% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Remy Cointreau has a beta of 0.86, indicating that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Heineken beats Remy Cointreau on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Heineken

(Get Free Report)

Heineken N.V. brews and sells beer and cider in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides soft drinks and water. It offers its beers under the Heineken, Heineken Light, Orchard Thieves, Orchard Thieves Light, Birra Moretti, Coors, Murphy's and Beamish Stouts, Desperados, Tiger, Sol, and Foster's brand, as well as under regional and local brands. The company offers its products to retailers, wholesalers, cafes, bars, pubs, hotels, and restaurants. Heineken N.V. was incorporated in 1864 and is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The company operates as a subsidiary of Heineken Holding N.V.

About Remy Cointreau

(Get Free Report)

Remy Cointreau SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, sale, and distribution of liqueurs and spirits. It operates through Remy Martin, Liqueurs & Spirits, and Partner Brands segments. The company offers cognacs, liqueurs, single malt whiskies, gins, rums, brandies, wines, and champagnes primarily under the Cointreau, Metaxa, St-Remy, Mount Gay, Bruichladdich, The Botanist, Westland, Le Domaine des Hautes Glaces, Belle de Brillet, Telmont, Port Charlotte, Octomore, Remy Martin, and LOUIS XIII brands. It operates in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The company was founded in 1724 and is headquartered in Cognac, France.

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Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK  Get Free Report) and Renasant (NYSE:RNST  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation.

Dividends

Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Renasant pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Equity Bancshares pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Renasant pays out 46.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Renasant is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Equity Bancshares and Renasant, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Equity Bancshares 0 1 0 2 3.33 Renasant 0 1 0 1 3.00

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Bancshares $192.21 million 4.10 $62.62 million $1.20 34.44 Renasant $874.43 million 3.65 $195.46 million $1.99 16.90

This table compares Equity Bancshares and Renasants gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Renasant has higher revenue and earnings than Equity Bancshares. Renasant is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Equity Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.3% of Renasant shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.8% of Renasant 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.

Profitability

This table compares Equity Bancshares and Renasants net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Equity Bancshares 5.01% 12.13% 1.39% Renasant 11.26% 6.99% 1.01%

Volatility and Risk

Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.89, indicating that its share price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Renasant has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Renasant beats Equity Bancshares on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Equity Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Equity Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Equity Bank that provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. Its loan products include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate-backed, commercial lines of credit, working capital, term, equipment financing, acquisition, expansion and development, borrowing base, real estate construction, homebuilder, agricultural, government guaranteed, and other loan products to national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, real estate developers, manufacturing and industrial companies, agribusiness companies, and other businesses. The companys loan products also comprise various consumer loans to individuals and professionals, including residential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, and letters of credit. It also provides debit cards; online banking solutions, such as access to account balances, online transfers, online bill payment, and electronic delivery of customer statements; mobile banking solutions comprising remote check deposits with mobile bill pay; ATMs; and treasury management, wire transfer, automated clearing house, and stop payment services. In addition, the company offers cash management deposit products, such as lockbox, remote deposit capture, positive pay, reverse positive pay, account reconciliation services, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts, as well as banking services through telephone, mail, and personal appointments. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a network of 69 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

About Renasant

(Get Free Report)

Renasant Corporation operates as a bank holding company for Renasant Bank that provides a range of financial, wealth management, fiduciary, and insurance services to retail and commercial customers. It operates through three segments: Community Banks, Insurance, and Wealth Management. The Community Banks segment offers checking and savings accounts, business and personal loans, asset-based lending, and equipment leasing services, as well as safe deposit and night depository facilities. It also provides commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; equipment financing and leasing; real estate?1-4 family mortgage; real estate?commercial mortgage; real estate?construction loans for the construction of single family residential properties, multi-family properties, and commercial projects; installment loans to individuals; and interim construction loans, as well as automated teller machine (ATM), online and mobile banking, call center, and treasury management services. The Insurance segment provides insurance agency services, such as commercial and personal insurance products through insurance carriers. The Wealth Management segment offers a range of wealth management and fiduciary services, including administration and management of trust accounts, such as personal and corporate benefit accounts, and custodial accounts, as well as accounting and money management for trust accounts; annuities, mutual funds, and other investment services through a third party broker-dealer; and qualified retirement plans, IRAs, employee benefit plans, personal trusts, and estates. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated a network of 189 banking, lending, and mortgage offices located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; 150 full-service branches and 11 limited-service branches; 173 ATMs; and 38 interactive teller machines. Renasant Corporation was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi.

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Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 1,284 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $103,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Accretive Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter worth $399,000. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 10.4% in the first quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 758,376 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $54,471,000 after acquiring an additional 71,740 shares during the last quarter. Three Bridge Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth about $364,000. Allianz SE boosted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 22.6% in the 1st quarter. Allianz SE now owns 212,335 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $15,244,000 after buying an additional 39,150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NatWest Group plc lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. NatWest Group plc now owns 180,418 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,952,000 after buying an additional 7,934 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Trading Up 0.4%

NYSE:WFC opened at $84.20 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $264.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.85, 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 stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $83.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $80.16. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $58.42 and a 1-year high of $88.64.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The firm had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.42 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 29.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WFC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Bank of America upped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen raised Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $89.57.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on WFC

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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Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH  Free Report)  Research analysts at B. Riley decreased their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Beazer Homes USA in a report issued on Monday, November 17th. B. Riley analyst R. Seth now expects that the construction company will post earnings of ($0.50) per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of ($0.10). The consensus estimate for Beazer Homes USAs current full-year earnings is $3.48 per share. B. Riley also issued estimates for Beazer Homes USAs Q2 2026 earnings at $0.61 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($0.22) EPS and Q3 2027 earnings at $0.72 EPS.

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Several other research firms have also weighed in on BZH. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $41.00 target price on shares of Beazer Homes USA in a report on Friday, August 1st. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and issued a $30.00 price objective (down from $33.00) on shares of Beazer Homes USA in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Beazer Homes USA from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Beazer Homes USA in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned 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 price target of $31.33.

Beazer Homes USA Stock Down 0.9%

Beazer Homes USA stock opened at $19.82 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 13.33, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. Beazer Homes USA has a 1-year low of $17.37 and a 1-year high of $36.72. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $23.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.25. The company has a market capitalization of $589.11 million, a P/E ratio of 9.01, a P/E/G ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 2.16.

Beazer Homes USA (NYSE:BZH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The construction company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $791.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $674.80 million. Beazer Homes USA had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 6.16%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.69 earnings per share.

Institutional Trading of Beazer Homes USA

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. US Bancorp DE boosted its position in Beazer Homes USA by 48.1% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,523 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 819 shares in the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Beazer Homes USA in the 1st quarter worth approximately $509,000. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Beazer Homes USA during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $234,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP increased its holdings in Beazer Homes USA by 158.8% during the 1st quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 71,269 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,453,000 after purchasing an additional 43,728 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. increased its holdings in Beazer Homes USA by 297.4% during the 1st quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 54,935 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,120,000 after purchasing an additional 41,112 shares in the last quarter. 85.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Beazer Homes USA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Beazer Homes USA, Inc operates as a homebuilder in the United States. It designs, constructs, and sells single-family and multi-family homes under the Beazer Homes, Gatherings, and Choice Plans names. The company also sells its homes through commissioned new home sales counselors and independent brokers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

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BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI  Get Free Report) shares traded down 5.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday following insider selling activity. The stock traded as low as $5.49 and last traded at $5.5350. 95,331,409 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 0% from the average session volume of 95,397,875 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.84.

Specifically, Director Dorothy D. Hayes sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.08, for a total transaction of $133,760.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 236,150 shares in the company, valued at $1,435,792. This trade represents a 8.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BBAI has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. HC Wainwright reissued a buy rating and set a $8.00 price target on shares of BigBear.ai in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $7.00 price objective on shares of BigBear.ai in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of BigBear.ai in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of BigBear.ai from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has 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 $6.33.

BigBear.ai Price Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $6.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $5.83. The company has a market capitalization of $2.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.90 and a beta of 3.42. The company has a current ratio of 3.13, a quick ratio of 3.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

BigBear.ai (NYSE:BBAI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $33.14 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.82 million. BigBear.ai had a negative net margin of 274.70% and a negative return on equity of 26.11%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 20.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.05) EPS. BigBear.ai has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. will post -0.28 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BigBear.ai

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BBAI. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in BigBear.ai by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 86,166 shares of the companys stock worth $562,000 after buying an additional 1,823 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of BigBear.ai by 22.3% in the second quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 10,344 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 1,885 shares in the last quarter. Pure Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of BigBear.ai by 19.4% in the third quarter. Pure Financial Advisors LLC now owns 12,060 shares of the companys stock worth $79,000 after acquiring an additional 1,960 shares in the last quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp raised its holdings in shares of BigBear.ai by 20.0% during the third quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 12,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthspan Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of BigBear.ai by 16.0% in the 3rd quarter. Wealthspan Partners LLC now owns 16,350 shares of the companys stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 2,250 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.55% of the companys stock.

About BigBear.ai

(Get Free Report)

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.

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Shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) fell 1.9% during mid-day trading on Thursday after Oppenheimer lowered their price target on the stock from $57.00 to $55.00. Oppenheimer currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Bank of America traded as low as $50.97 and last traded at $51.0190. 36,305,947 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 10% from the average session volume of 40,174,613 shares. The stock had previously closed at $52.02.

BAC has been the topic of several other reports. Citigroup upped their target price on Bank of America from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Phillip Securities upped their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $50.00 to $56.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Bank of America to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $57.77.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Bank of America

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of America

Bank of America Stock Performance

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BAC. Wiser Advisor Group LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Quaker Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Bank of America by 246.5% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 523 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 880 shares in the last quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 75.2% in the second quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 529 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the period. Steph & Co. increased its stake in shares of Bank of America by 224.3% during the third quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 548 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Collier Financial acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. 70.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $51.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $48.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market cap of $372.57 billion, a PE ratio of 13.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.34.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.13. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.70% and a return on equity of 10.76%. The business had revenue of $5.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.05 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.81 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.28 dividend. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

Bank of America announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 23rd that authorizes the company to repurchase $40.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 11.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

About Bank of America

(Get Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

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Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (NYSE:NCDL  Get Free Report) and Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC  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 risk, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Dividends

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 12.9%. Hercules Capital pays an annual dividend of $1.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.3%. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending pays out 117.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Hercules Capital pays out 93.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Hercules Capital has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

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Volatility & Risk

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending has a beta of 0.38, meaning that its stock price is 62% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Hercules Capital has a beta of 0.95, meaning that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Profitability

19.7% of Hercules Capital shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of Hercules Capital shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending and Hercules Capitals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending 36.83% 11.13% 4.83% Hercules Capital 51.46% 16.54% 8.37%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending and Hercules Capitals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending $224.04 million 3.07 $116.32 million $1.53 9.10 Hercules Capital $404.78 million 7.76 $262.97 million $1.72 10.06

Hercules Capital has higher revenue and earnings than Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hercules Capital, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending and Hercules Capital, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending 1 3 1 0 2.00 Hercules Capital 0 2 6 0 2.75

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending currently has a consensus price target of $15.75, suggesting a potential upside of 13.15%. Hercules Capital has a consensus price target of $20.42, suggesting a potential upside of 18.05%. Given Hercules Capitals stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Hercules Capital is more favorable than Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending.

Summary

Hercules Capital beats Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending on 16 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending

(Get Free Report)

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. is a specialty finance company focused primarily on investing in senior secured loans to private equity-owned U.S. middle market companies. It has elected to be regulated as a business development company. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. is based in NEW YORK.

About Hercules Capital

(Get Free Report)

Hercules Capital, Inc. is a business development company. The firm specializing in providing venture debt, debt, senior secured loans, and growth capital to privately held venture capital-backed companies at all stages of development from startups to expansion stage including select publicly listed companies and select special opportunity lower middle market companies that require additional capital to fund acquisitions, recapitalizations and refinancing and established-stage companies. The firm provides growth capital financing solutions for capital extension; management buy-out and corporate spin-out financing solutions; company, asset specific, or intellectual property acquisition financing; convertible, subordinated and/or mezzanine loans; domestic and international corporate expansion; vendor financing; revenue acceleration by sales and marketing development, and manufacturing expansion. It provides asset-based financing with a focus on cash flow; accounts receivable facilities; equipment loans or leases; equipment acquisition; facilities build-out and/or expansion; working capital revolving lines of credit; inventory. The firm also provides bridge financing to IPO or mergers and acquisitions or technology acquisition; dividend recapitalizations and other sources of investor liquidity; cash flow financing to protect against share price volatility; competitor acquisition; pre-IPO financing for extra cash on the balance sheet; public company financing to continue asset growth and production capacity; short-term bridge financing; and strategic and intellectual property acquisition financings. It also focuses on customized financing solutions, emerging growth, mid venture, and late venture financing. The firm invests primarily in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. The firm generally seeks to invest in companies that have been operating for at least six to 12 months prior to the date of their investment. It prefers to invest in technology, SaaS Finance, energy technology, sustainable and renewable technology, and life sciences. Within technology the firm focuses on advanced specialty materials and chemicals; communication and networking, consumer and business products; consumer products and services, digital media and consumer internet; electronics and computer hardware; enterprise software and services; gaming; healthcare services; information services; business services; media, content and information; mobile; resource management; security software; semiconductors; semiconductors and hardware; and software sector. Within energy technology, it invests in agriculture; clean technology; energy and renewable technology, fuels, and power technology; geothermal; smart grid and energy efficiency and monitoring technologies; solar; and wind. Within life sciences, the firm invests in biopharmaceuticals; biotechnology tools; diagnostics; drug discovery, drug platform, development, and delivery; medical devices and equipment; surgical devices; therapeutics; pharma services; and specialty pharmaceuticals. Within sustainable and renewables, it invests in Vehicle Technology, Energy Generation and Storage, Ag Technology, Advanced Materials, and Industry 4.0. It also invests in educational services. The firm invests primarily in United States based companies and considers investment in the West Coast, Mid-Atlantic regions, Southeast and Midwest, particularly in the areas of software, biotech, and information services. The firm prefers to invest between $5 million and $200 million in equity per transactions. It invests generally between $1 million and $40 million in companies focused primarily on business services, communications, electronics, hardware, and healthcare services. The firm invests primarily in private companies but also have investments in public companies. For equity investments, the firm seeks to represent a controlling interest in its portfolio companies which may exceed 25% of the voting securities of such companies. The firm seeks to invest a limited portion of its assets in equipment-based loans to early-stage prospective portfolio companies. These loans are generally for amounts up to $3 million but may be up to $15 million for certain energy technology venture investments. The firm allows certain debt investments have the right to convert a portion of the debt investment into equity. It also co-invests with other private equity firms. The firm seeks to exit its investments through initial public offering, a private sale of equity interest to a third party, a merger or an acquisition of the company or a purchase of the equity position by the company or one of its stockholders. The firm has structured debt with warrants which typically have maturities of between two and seven years with an average of three years; senior debt with an investment horizon of less than three years; equipment loans with an investment horizon ranging from three to four years; and equity related securities with an investment horizon ranging from three to seven years. The firm prefers to invest through its balance sheet capital. The firm formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. Hercules Capital, Inc. was founded in December 2003 and is based in San Mateo, California with additional offices in North America and Europe.

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Personal finance expert George Kamel of The Ramsey Show recently hit the streets of Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to talk to everyday Americans about their debt. Despite the magic of Disney and the cheerful vacation vibe, Kamel quickly uncovered a more sobering reality: many people are drowning in debt, and few have a real plan to get out.

Youre Driving Most Peoples 401(k)

One of the most striking conversations came from a couple who revealed a combined debt total of more than $180,000, excluding a mortgage. The man said he had about $60,000 in credit card and car loan debt, while the woman acknowledged to $75,000 total, including a car loan of $60,000 and credit card debt.

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She explained that she had rolled over negative equity from a previous vehicle into a new 2025 Honda Pilot. When asked about her monthly payment, she responded, $1,200.

The man revealed he was driving a 2024 Toyota Tundra with a $53,000 loan and a $982 monthly payment. Kamel replied with disbelief: Youre driving most peoples 401(k), my friend.

Together, the couple spends roughly $1,200 to $1,300 each month just to service their debt. But that wasnt the end of it, as the woman also has $100,000 of student loans that are in deferment because shes still in school.

Thats impressive. You guys are just giving away the income every month at this point, right? Kamel said. Honda financing just owns your life at this point.

Trending: Forget Flipping HousesThis Fund Lets You Invest in Home Equity Like Wall Street Does

Other Struggles With Student Loans And Credit Cards

A recurring theme among the people Kamel interviewed was student debt, often without a clear strategy to pay it off. One 22-year-old woman said she had $35,000 in loans and around $1,000 in credit card debt, but also about $100,000 in private student loans for a business administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her plan? Just keep working. I do extra shifts at work, so, you know, just keep saving.

When asked how long she expected to be in debt, she said, Probably about 15 years.

Combined with her partners other debts, their total hit $128,000. Not particularly was her answer when asked if she felt good about that number.

A Few Bright Spots

Kamel also met a family of three who had saved for years to pay cash for their $8,000 Disney vacation. They used no credit cards, only debit. This is our first big vacation in 10 years, the mom said. It did take us a couple of years to save and do it right.
A homeless charity spent funds to build an enclosure for two peacocks at one of its properties in Co Kildare, an Irish parliamentary committee has heard.

The Public Accounts committee was told by former chief executive of the charity Francis Doherty that his predecessor Pat Doyle had authorised the spending.

Mr Doherty appeared before the Dails most powerful committee on Thursday to answer questions about the homeless charitys finances.

Cashflow pressures at the Peter McVerry Trust were highlighted to the Department of Housing in 2023 after which the government provided it with emergency funding of 15 million euros.

Mr Doherty became the chief executive of the charity in June 2023 and resigned months later in October as the extent of the financial issues came to light.

He had taken over from Pat Doyle, who was at the organisation for almost 19 years.

Addressing the committee on Thursday, Mr Doherty said that on the face of it, the trust was a hugely successful and innovative organisation.

It has a thousand properties, an annual budget of more 60 million euros, 700 staff and provides services for the homeless, those with addictions, ex prisoners and those seeking asylum in Ireland.

He said that as incoming chief executive, he was invited to observe the trusts AGM on May 11 in 2023, and was told by the board the organisation could not be handed over to you in better financial health.

Mr Doherty said it became clear within weeks that the boards representation of the charitys finances could not have been further from the truth.

He said the finances were in such a poor state that they were verging on total collapse.

He said on the day he became chief executive, he learned the charity owed 9.6 million euros to its trade creditors, six million euros was owed to Revenue and almost two million euros to the banks, while the organisation had around 437,000 euros across all its bank accounts.

He said the charity was haemorrhaging cash, that almost every service it provided was running a deficit and that over two years later after issues came to light the finances are still not fully understood or resolved.

He was asked by Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe about Kerdiffstown House in Naas, Co Kildare, a historic period property the charity owned, and said the amount of money spent on the property seems exceptional.

Mr Doherty said that Kerdiffstown House became almost a symbol of the things that were going wrong and maybe a sense of loss of control.

Mr Doherty said there was more than 300,000 euros spent on resurfacing and widening the driveway, and a separate amount was spent on building a second lift shaft on the side of the property.

Mr Doherty told the committee that the reasoning given for the second lift, which did not have planning permission, was that his predecessor did not want service or staff in the commercial kitchen using the same entrance as him.

In all of the different improvements to the property  and as I say, its a historic property  the one I was least expecting was a peacock enclosure, Mr McAuliffe said.

Mr Doherty said: When myself and my deputy came into office, we got access to invoices, so we could see that there was payments to construct a peacock enclosure at the front of the property for two peacocks, he said.

There was the widening of the driveway for 300,000 (euros). Its indefensible that anybody would think that it was appropriate.

Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan asked Mr Doherty if the strategy of underbidding for contracts was anything other than a pyramid scheme.

He said: What was happening  or at least, as it appears to me, having read the documentation supplied  was that the Peter McVerry Trust underbid for contracts and then funded those contracts by the subsequent contracts it underbid for, he said.

Then when the music stopped, it had no money.

Mr Doherty said this was a fair contention.

Every quarter, it seemed the organisation was agreeing to open a new service when it didnt have enough staff to run the services it already did, he said.

So when I came in, one of the first things I said to the DRHE (the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive) is that we needed to reduce by at least a third the number of homeless beds we provided because of the risk to staff and service users, because of the level of vacancy, and the fact that we couldnt justify the money we were receiving because it wasnt actually then going into the services that they were paying for.
As always, people are smarter than fads, trends & politicos . . .

Our thesis . . .

Kansas City's Black community quickly lost interest in "reparations" when it became apparent that local funds would only be distributed to a small sect of politically connected activists. Even worse, attending these events would merely offer more leverage for "leaders" hoping to profit from "research" into a payout that's unlikely. Translation: This effort kinda used the community like a prop.

Today, we wanted to share important follow-up . . .

"The commission is well aware of the legal and political headwinds the notion of reparations is facing  with Supreme Court rulings against race-based college admissions and employment, and the courts fresh look at race-based gerrymandering in political districts. A presidential executive order in May even froze commission funds for a time."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Developing . . .
A quick explanation of where we stand . . .

"Missouri is explicitly targeting assets owned by the government of China, not property owned by Chinese citizens or private companies (which is generally off-limits). Experts remain skeptical about the state's ability to successfully collect the funds without significant federal government backing and navigation of complex international legal challenges. China has rejected the judgment and threatened retaliation."

So the bigger question here is . . .

WILL MAGA HELP MISSOURI GRAB CHINESE GOVERNMENT CASH?!?!

Skepticism is fair if only so that an army of Chinese women soldiers might stomp us to death in the most glorious way possible . . . Nude. Me or them . . . Hopefully both. TKC isn't picky.

An here's the far more boring write-up . . .

"Missouri has escalated its attempt to seize Chinese government-owned property across the United States, asking the Trump administration for help collecting on a roughly $25 billion court judgment related to the COVID-19 pandemic that Beijing has flatly rejected."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
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(TRAVPR.COM) NEW YORK - November 19th, 2025 -

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As global travel resumes its momentum, Jodogo Airport Assist recognizes the growing demand for seamless airport services. The newly expanded Rome airport assistance offering offers travelers a premium level of care including expedited check-in, fast-track security and immigration clearance, baggage assistance, and exclusive lounge access.

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Sky Vacations Showcases Croatia Like Never Before with The Second Time Around



(TRAVPR.COM) USA - November 19th, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York  November 19, 2025: Sky Vacations, one of North Americas leading luxury tour operators, is delighted to unveil its newest program, Croatia: The Second Time Around, designed for travelers who wish to rediscover Croatia beyond the first impressions. With curated itineraries that go deeper into the countrys culture, landscapes, and hidden treasures, the program provides a fresh perspective on one of Europes most enchanting destinations.

Unlike traditional tours, Croatia: The Second Time Around invites guests to explore the country with a new lensreturning to well-loved cities while uncovering experiences often overlooked by first-time visitors. From walking the cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik with insider guides, to exploring the vibrant culinary scene of Istria, sailing to secluded islands, and enjoying intimate cultural encounters, this journey is crafted for those eager to connect more deeply with Croatias heart and soul.

Croatia is a destination that never stops inspiring, said Richard Krieger, Director of Sky Vacations. This program is about going beyond the surfaceinviting travelers who may have visited before to immerse themselves in new experiences, whether thats savoring world-class wines, exploring tucked-away coastal villages, or engaging with local communities. Its an opportunity to see Croatia differently, with fresh eyes.

With thoughtfully designed itineraries, Croatia: The Second Time Around blends iconic highlights with lesser-known experiences, appealing to travelers who value authenticity, depth, and discovery. From history lovers and food enthusiasts to adventure seekers and luxury travelers, this program speaks to all who want to rekindle their love for Croatia.

For more details on Croatia: The Second Time Around, visit www.skyvacations.net/croatia-the-second-time-around 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

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On Friday, November 21, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, Colombia expects to (i) announce the aggregate principal dollar amount tendered of Non-U.S. Dollar Bonds, (ii) accept, subject to proration and other terms and conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase, valid tenders of U.S. Dollar Bonds and Non-U.S. Dollar Bonds, (iii) announce the Maximum Purchase Amount, (iv) announce the aggregate principal amount of U.S. Dollar Bonds and Non-U.S. Dollar Bonds that have been accepted, and (v) announce whether any proration has occurred for Old Bonds accepted.

Note that the indicative acceptance prioritization set forth above is for illustrative purposes only, where number 1 represents the highest priority through the number 5, which is the lowest priority. A dash () denotes an indicative priority that the Tender is not expected to be accepted. Colombia reserves the right, as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, to accept or not accept any or all tenders for any reason, subject to applicable law, as well as to change the indicative prioritization prior to announcing the aggregate principal amount of Old Bonds accepted, in Colombia's sole discretion. Actual acceptance of tendered Old Bonds will be communicated as set forth below.

Based on the principal amount of each series of U.S. Dollar Bonds tendered at the U.S. Dollar Bonds Tender Period Expiration Time, Colombia currently anticipates that the aggregate purchase price to be paid for the U.S. Dollar Bonds will be in the range of U.S.$4-6 billion. The purchases remain subject to the conditions set out in the Offer to Purchase and are anticipated to be funded by funds available to Colombia as well as the borrowing or issuance of debt. No assurance can be given as to the ultimate aggregate purchase price to be paid for the U.S. Dollar Bonds or Maximum Purchase Amount (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which may be smaller or larger at Colombia's sole discretion and is expected to be communicated as described below. The table below provides, among other information, the aggregate principal amount of U.S. Dollar Bonds tendered at the U.S. Dollar Bonds Tender Period Expiration Time and the illustrative acceptance prioritization among the U.S. Dollar Bonds. Colombia expects to accept any and all EUR 3.875% Global Bonds due 2026 tendered prior to the Non-U.S. Dollar Bonds Tender Period Expiration Time.

The Purchase Price for each series of U.S. Dollar Bonds and the Non-U.S. Dollar Bonds (collectively, the " Old Bonds ") validly accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer is the fixed purchase price identified for such series of Old Bonds in the Offer to Purchase and Colombia's press release issued on November 14, 2025. In addition, holders will receive accrued and unpaid interest on their Old Bonds up to (but excluding) the Tender Offer Settlement Date (as defined below).

BOGOTA, Colombia, Nov. 19, 2025/PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of Colombia's (" Colombia ") previously announced tender offer (the " Tender Offer ") to purchase its outstanding global bonds listed in the table below, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, dated November 14, 2025 (the " Offer to Purchase "), expired as scheduled for the U.S. Dollar Bonds (as defined below) at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (the " U.S. Dollar Bonds Tender Period Expiration Time "). Non-U.S. Dollar Bonds (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) may continue to be tendered until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, November 21, 2025 (the " Non-U.S. Dollar Bonds Tender Period Expiration Time ").

Story continues

The settlement of the Tender Offer is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (the " Tender Offer Settlement Date "), subject to the conditions in the Offer to Purchase, including the Financing Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and subject to change without notice.

Colombia reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any or all Tenders and to terminate the Tender Offer for any reason.

The Offer to Purchase may be downloaded from the Information Agent's website at www.gbsc-usa.com/colombia or obtained from the Information Agent, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, at +1 (855) 654-2014 or from any of the Dealer Managers.

The Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer are:

Dealer Managers Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Attention: Liability

Management 200 West Street New York, New York 10282 United States of America Toll Free: +1 (800) 828-3182 Collect: +1 (212) 357-1452 J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Attention: Latin American

Debt Capital Markets 270 Park Avenue New York, New York 10017 United States of America Toll-Free: +1 (866) 846-2874 Collect: +1 (212) 834-7279 Santander U.S. Capital Markets LLC Attention: Liability Management 437 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 United States of America U.S. Toll Free: +1 (855) 404-3636 U.S. Collect: +1 (212) 350-0660 Email (U.S.): AmericasLM@santander.us Email (Europe) (Banco Santander, S.A.):

LiabilityManagement@gruposantander.com

Questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact.

Contact information for the Tender Agent and Information Agent:

Global Bondholder Services Corporation

65 Broadway, Suite 404

New York, New York 10006

Attn: Corporate Actions Banks and Brokers call: +1 (212) 430-3774

Toll free: +1 (855) 654-2014

Email: contact@gbsc-usa.com

Website: https://www.gbsc-usa.com/colombia/

Important Notice

The distribution of materials relating to the Tender Offer and the transactions contemplated by the Tender Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Tender Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Tender Offer come into a holder's possession, the holder is required by Colombia to inform itself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Tender Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Tender Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Tender Offer, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate on behalf of Colombia in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders."

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor will there be any sale of Old Bonds or any offer made pursuant to the Tender Offer in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. The offering of any securities will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and an offer to purchase in Canada, under applicable exemptions from any prospectus or registration requirements.

The Tender Offer is made in Canada only to a person deemed to be a principal that is an accredited investor, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and is a permitted client, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations, and who is not an individual.

The Offer to Purchase, and any other documents or materials related to such offers have not been and will not be registered with the Italian Securities Exchange Commission ( Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa, the " CONSOB ") pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations. The Tender Offer is being carried out pursuant to the exemptions provided for, with respect to the Tender Offer, in Article 101 bis, paragraph 3 bis of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the " Consolidated Financial Act ") and Article 35 bis, paragraph 4, of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended.

Holders or beneficial owners of the Old Bonds that are resident and/or located in Italy can tender the Old Bonds for purchase through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, the Consolidated Financial Act, the CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations or with any requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis a vis its clients in connection with the bonds or the relevant offering.

The Offer to Purchase, nor any other documents or materials relating to the Tender Offer have been approved by, or will be submitted for the approval of, the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission ( Comision Nacional Bancaria y de Valores , the " CNBV ") and, therefore, the Old Bonds have not been, and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. However, investors that qualify as institutional or qualified investors pursuant to the private placement exemption set forth in article 8 of the Mexican Securities Market Law ( Ley del Mercado de Valores ) may be contacted in connection with, and may participate in, the Tender Offer. The participation in the Tender Offer will be made under such investor's own responsibility.

The Tender Offer is not intended for any person who is not qualified as an institutional investor, in accordance with provisions set forth in Resolution SMV No. 021-2013-SMV-01 issued by Superintendency of Capital Markets (Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores) of Peru, and as subsequently amended. No legal, financial, tax or any other kind of advice is hereby being provided.

The Offer to Purchase has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The Tender Offer constitutes an offering of securities in Singapore pursuant to the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the " SFA ").

Neither the communication of the Offer to Purchase nor any other offer material relating to the Tender Offer has been approved by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the " FSMA "). Accordingly, the Offer to Purchase is not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom (" UK "). The Offer to Purchase is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the UK; (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the " Order "); or (iii) high net worth entities and other persons to whom it may be lawfully communicated falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons falling within (i)-(iii) together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which the Offer to Purchase relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the Offer to Purchase or any of its contents.

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/republic-of-colombia-announces-the-expiration-of-the-tender-offer-for-its-us-dollar-bonds-302621238.html
AGHDARA, Azerbaijan, November 20. The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been sent to Hasanriz village in the Aghdara district, Trend reports.

At this stage, 23 families (93 people) are returning to their village.

The returning residents consist of families who temporarily resided in different regions of the country, in dormitories and sanatoriums, due to the Armenian occupation in the early nineties.

Together with the returning residents, a total of 228 families (857 people) have returned to the village.

Currently, over 50,000 people live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Among them are former IDPs who have returned to these areas, as well as employees involved in the implementation of restoration and construction projects, employees of local departments of various government agencies, and specialists employed in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions that have resumed their activities.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. For 30 years, IFC - International Finance Corporation has been supporting Azerbaijans development journey, Wiebke Schloemer, IFC Director for Western Balkans and South Caucasus wrote on social media, Trend reports.

Schloemer pointed out that since joining IFC in 1995, Azerbaijan has welcomed nearly 60 IFC-financed projects across financial services, infrastructure, manufacturing, and agribusiness.

Along the way, our advisory work has helped strengthen the business environment, support the financial sector, improve corporate governance, and expand opportunities for small and medium enterprises. Today, our focus in Azerbaijan is on supporting economic diversification, creating jobs, boosting access to finance for MSMEs, expanding access to energy, and advancing infrastructure that strengthens the countrys role as a regional crossroads. This work matters because it enables businesses to grow, encourages private investment, and helps build a more resilient, inclusive future, especially as Azerbaijan accelerates its path beyond hydrocarbons. We also visited the Baku International Sea Trade Port, a central gateway for Azerbaijans role as a regional transit hub. With 13 berths, dedicated cargo and ferry terminals, and direct access to the Alat Free Economic Zone, the port plays a major role in how goods move across the region, she noted.

Schloemer went on to add that throughout her visit to Baku, she had constructive engagements with leaders shaping the countrys economic direction, including the Ministry of Transport, the Central Bank, and the Ministry of Economy, each emphasizing the critical reforms underway and the opportunities ahead for private-sector development.

My meeting with Bank Respublika also reaffirmed the value of our long-standing partnership, which began with MSME financing in 20072009 and further expanded in 2023-2024. Strengthening this relationship remains a priority as the bank deepens its role in supporting small businesses and climate-related investments. This mission was a reminder that meaningful progress is built on shared vision and consistent engagement. I look forward to deepening our work in Azerbaijan and supporting the countrys development priorities in the years ahead, she concluded.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The first conference of health ministers of the Developing Eight Countries (D-8), which brings together developing Islamic nations, was held in Cairo, Trend reports citing Egypts Ministry of Health and Population.

Delegations from D-8 member states took part in the event, and Azerbaijan was represented by a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Health Rasim Ismayilov.

The three-day conference concluded with the adoption of the Cairo Joint Ministerial Declaration on Health. The declaration emphasizes that healthcare is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation among member states, with a combined population exceeding 1.2 billion, to achieve regional health security and comprehensive healthcare access.

The declaration also envisions the creation of a Permanent D-8 Health Working Group, the enhancement of pandemic preparedness through early warning systems and international health regulations, the promotion of local production of medicines, vaccines and health technologies, and the development of regional supply chains. Combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through robust monitoring and rational use programs is also highlighted as a key priority.

Additionally, the document focuses on mitigating the health impacts of climate change, building resilient healthcare systems, and strengthening maternal, child and adolescent health through integrated programs. It also underscores the importance of accelerating digital transformation in healthcare, such as electronic health records, telemedicine and artificial intelligence, while ensuring data protection.

The declaration calls for the outlined principles to be translated into concrete action plans by 2026.

The D-8 group was established in 1997 to promote economic cooperation among member countries. The current members are Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Egypt has chaired the group since last year.

Azerbaijan was unanimously admitted as a full member of the D-8 during the organizations 11th summit, which took place in Cairo on December 19, 2024.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan, Gurbanmammet Elyasov, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Ali Asadov on the occasion of the decision of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the full-fledged participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers.

I sincerely congratulate you on the decision of the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia regarding the full-fledged participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

This is undoubtedly a historic event. It marks the transformation of Central Asia and Azerbaijan into a unified geopolitical and geo-economic space and highlights the strong unity of our peoples and states based on brotherhood, good neighborliness, equality, and cooperation. It also underlines the absolute understanding that our historical destiny is inseparable and indivisible.

As you know, during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held this August in the Avaza National Tourism Zone, an extraordinary Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was convened at Turkmenistans proposal. It was at this meeting that Turkmenistan proposed Azerbaijans accession to the Consultative Meetings as a full member, enabling it to become a key participant in this format and further deepen its relations and comprehensive integration into the family of fraternal nations.

I am confident that taking into account brotherly Azerbaijans political influence, vast resources, industrial and technological potential, as well as its achievements in cultural and humanitarian spheres, Azerbaijans participation in the Consultative Meetings will become a defining factor in deepening cooperation between our countries and peoples. It will also encourage active engagement in current regional and international development trends and contribute to enhancing the role and weight of the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan on the global stage as responsible, united partners who understand their place in the global coordinate system and are ready to achieve common goals together.

Please accept my sincere congratulations once again. Taking this opportunity, I wish you strong health and success in your responsible activities, reads the letter.

On November 16, following the Seventh Consultative Meeting, the presidents signed several key documents aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing security, including the decision to admit Azerbaijan as a full participant in the Consultative Meetings.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The 3rd meeting of the Justice Ministries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries will be held in Turkiye in 2026, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Justice said in a statement, Trend reports.

This decision was made at the meeting of the justice ministers of the OTS member countries in Baku today.

First, the guests visited the tomb of the National Leader in the Alley of Honor, visited the Alley of Martyrs and the Victory Park, and commemorated the memory of our martyrs.

The meeting, presided over by Azerbaijans Minister of Justice, Farid Ahmadov, was attended by Turkiyes Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunc, Uzbekistans Minister of Justice Akbar Tashkulov, Kazakhstans Minister of Justice Yerlan Sarsembayev, Kyrgyzstans Deputy Minister of Justice Isgander Sidygaliyev, and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.

During the Baku session, participants reviewed the progress of initiatives outlined in the Astana Declaration, signed on September 9, 2024, and underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in legal and judicial matters, as well as enhancing the exchange of expertise among member states.

The event presented the work and best practices carried out by the member states on digital transformation and the application of innovative solutions in the field of law and justice, in accordance with the provisions of the Astana Declaration, and noted that a comprehensive and functional electronic justice system improves the quality of service, simplifies processes, and contributes to the formation of a user-friendly environment, and reviewed issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, participants were briefed on the activities of the Expert Group tasked with preparing a draft multilateral Agreement on Legal Assistance in Civil Matters among the Ministries of Justice of OTS member states, an initiative led by Azerbaijan, as well as on the work of the Working Group on establishing a Centralized Network for Forensic Expertise.

The visiting delegates expressed their profound appreciation to the Azerbaijani Minister of Justice for the meticulous organization of the meeting and warmly commended the Azerbaijani side for its gracious hospitality.

Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Ministers of Justice of the OTS member countries was held last year in Astana, Kazakhstan.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijani Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov met with his Kazakh counterpart, Yerlan Sarsembayev, to discuss the expansion of bilateral collaboration, Trend reports via the Ministry of Justice.

During the meeting, both ministers emphasized the strong strategic partnership between the two countries and underscored the importance of continued cooperation. They highlighted the contribution of existing bilateral agreements to strengthening ties and noted the value of mutual legal assistance and the exchange of practical experience based on international conventions. The sides also reiterated their interest in advancing cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

The ministers reviewed opportunities for further collaboration in the enforcement of court decisions, the application of the special enforcement officer system, notary services, digitalization in the justice sector, the use of artificial intelligence, citizen-centered digital solutions, and judicial expertise.

In addition, the sides discussed plans to reinforce institutional cooperation by creating opportunities for judges from Kazakhstan to receive training at the Justice Academy of Azerbaijan.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. US State Department Political Advisor Allison Hooker visited the Alley of Martyrs and paid tribute to the victims, Trend reports via U.S. embassy in Baku.

The statement says that the US honors the memory of all those who gave their lives defending their values and expresses its deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones as a result of the conflict.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. In accordance with the 2025 bilateral cooperation plan signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Staff of the Italian Republic, an expert meeting on Search and rescue of individuals in distress in mountainous terrain was conducted, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

The meeting took place at the 15th Stormo Search and Rescue Base located in Cervia, Italy, with the participation of the bases leadership and the Azerbaijani Air Forces paratrooper and search-and-rescue personnel.

During the meeting, the specialists of both countries exchanged experiences and held discussions on issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been sent to Shushakand village in Azerbaijan's Khojaly district, Trend reports.

At this stage, 15 families (54 people) are returning to Shushakand.

The returning residents represent families temporarily settled in various parts of the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

Together with the returning residents, a total of 76 families (284 people) have returned to the village.

Currently, over 50,000 people live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Among them are former IDPs who have returned to these areas, as well as employees involved in the implementation of restoration and construction projects, employees of local departments of various government agencies, and specialists employed in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions that have resumed their activities.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Five major social reform packages have been implemented in Azerbaijan, covering four million citizens, with an annual extra financial allocation of 7.6 billion manat ($4.5 billion), Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Anar Aliyev said during discussion of the draft laws "On the 2026 budget of the State Social Protection Fund" and "On the 2026 budget of the Unemployment Insurance Fund" at todays plenary session of the parliament, Trend reports.

The minister noted that under the fifth social reform package, the minimum wage was increased by 16 percent to 400 manat ($236) from January 1, and the minimum pension was raised by 14.3 percent to 320 manat ($189) from February 1. On July 1, social benefits, presidential pensions, and honorary title pensions were increased, followed by student scholarships on September 1. Monthly salaries of military personnel were also increased by an average of 10 percent from January 1.

"Overall, the fifth social reform package covers 1.9 million citizens and carries an annual extra financial burden of 885 million manat ($522 million). Together with the 8.1 percent indexing of labor pensions at the start of the year, the total annual extra financial burden reaches 1.4 billion manat ($826 million).

As a result of these reforms, pension payments this year increased by 10 percent compared to last year, the average pension rose nine percent to 540 manat ($318), and the average age-based pension also increased by nine percent to 576 manat ($339).

Expenditures on state-funded social benefits and presidential pensions increased by more than 12 percent compared to the same months of last year when the increases were applied," Aliyev emphasized.

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By Manoj Kumar and Ashwin Manikandan

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (Reuters) -Indias strong domestic economy and a smaller-than-expected hit to exports are giving New Delhi more room to negotiate a trade deal with Washington, which has imposed tariffs as high as 50% on imports from the country, Indian sources and analysts said.

Indian exports to the U.S. dropped 8.6% year-on-year to $6.3 billion in October, the second month that the 50% tariff on imports from the country was in place. The decline was lesser than the 12% drop in September.

Negotiations between New Delhi and Washington have dragged on even as other Asian countries like Japan and South Korea have struck deals to bring down tariffs. Indian officials have publicly maintained that India will not rush to sign a deal.

"For now, weve avoided the worst impact of the 50% U.S. tariffs, said a senior government official aware of the talks, declining to be identified as the person was not authorised to speak to the media.

While some sectors such as textiles have reported a fall in U.S. orders, the official said, the broader economic impact of the tariffs has been limited, allowing negotiators space to reach a deal.

"If needed, we are ready to wait," the official said.

The official, and others aware of the trade talks, said they expect Washington to roll back the 25% tariff linked to Russian oil purchases, and eventually move toward a 15% overall rate, with New Delhi prepared to cut its own import tariffs on over 80% of goods while protecting sensitive sectors like agriculture.

The commerce ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. U.S. officials did not immediately comment although President Donald Trump said last week Washington was close to reaching a deal with India that would expand economic and security ties.

The government is helping exporters diversify into new markets through recent new trade deals with the U.K., UAE and Australia, tax cuts on raw materials and a $5.1 billion support package to boost exporters, officials said.

Many exporters have cushioned the fall in exports to the U.S. since September by diversifying into African and European markets and retaining U.S. clients with discounts and longer delivery timelines, five exporters and industry associations said.

Apparel and footwear firms are absorbing costs up to 20% to retain U.S. buyers, said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

The government and the central bank have announced targeted relief, including short-term loan moratoriums, but avoided large fiscal easing.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Expenditures of Azerbaijan's State Social Protection Fund (SSPF) are projected to equal 8.48 billion manat ($5 billion) in 2026, with 96.6 percent (8.2 billion manat, or $4.8 billion) accounting for payments to the population, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Anar Aliyev said during discussion of the draft laws "On the 2026 budgets of the State Social Protection Fund and "On the 2026 budget of the Unemployment Insurance Fund" at todays plenary session of the parliament, Trend reports.

According to him, the SSPF's revenues are projected at 8.3 billion manat ($4.9 billion) next year, which is 705.7 million manat ($416 million) or 9.3 percent higher than the forecast revenues for 2025.

The minister noted that 79.2 percent of the SSPFs 2026 revenues, or 6.6 billion manat ($3.89 billion), are expected to come from mandatory state social insurance contributions, which is 593.7 million manat ($350 million) or 10 percent higher than the corresponding figure for this year.

For budget-funded organizations, 2026 revenues are projected at 2.1 billion manat ($1.24 billion), while non-budgetary organizations are expected to contribute 4.5 billion manat ($2.65 billion). The projected revenues from the non-budgetary sector account for 68 percent of social insurance premiums.

Compared to the approved figures for 2025, revenues from budget-funded organizations are expected to rise 3.6 percent (73.4 million manat, or $43 million), and revenues from the non-budgetary sector are forecast to increase by 13.1 percent (520.3 million manat, or $307 million).

To balance the SSPFs 2026 budget, 1.7 billion manat ($1 billion) is projected to be allocated from the state budget, which is 100 million manat ($59 million) or 6.3 percent more than the approved amount for 2025. The share of state budget allocations in SSPF revenues is expected to decrease from 38 percent in 2017 to 20.4 percent in 2026.

To support state budget expenditures next year, the SSPFs 2026 draft budget allocates nearly 160 million manat ($94 million) from reserves accumulated in previous years.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the conscription of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan for active military service from January 1 through January 30, 2026, and the discharge of active military personnel into the reserve, Trend reports.

The decree noted the following:

1. Citizens of Azerbaijan born in 2008 and who have reached the age of 18 by the day of conscription (including that day), as well as citizens born in 1996-2007, who are up to 30 years old, who haven't completed active military service in the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, who don't have the right to a deferral from conscription for active military service or who have not been exempted from conscription for active military service, shall be called up for active military service from January 1 to 30, 2026.

2. Active military servicemen who have completed their service period as stipulated in Article 38.1.1 of the Law of Azerbaijan "On military duty and military service" shall be released into reserve from January 1 to 30, 2026.

3. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must take the measures stipulated in the legislation for the implementation of this decree.
As part of Dubai Airshow 2025, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, has reaffirmed its commitment to the highest international flight safety standards, marking a new phase in both technological modernization and global aviation safety.

AZAL has signed an agreement with Leonardo, Italys leading producer in the defence and aerospace industry, for the acquisition and integration of next-generation meteorological radar systems.

Since 2006, the partnership between the two companies has steadily expanded through successful engineering, supply, and aviation projects, forming a solid foundation for the modernization of Azerbaijans aviation infrastructure based on European technologies.

The new-generation METEOR 735 C-Band radar system:

 detects extreme weather phenomena  hail, heavy precipitation, turbulence and wind shear  in real time with high precision;

 provides accurate analysis of atmospheric processes through its 200 km observation range, magnetron-type transmitter and high-resolution 3D/WEB visualization platform;

 enhances operational decision-making through Doppler and dual-polarization technologies.

These radar systems will significantly increase flight safety and operational resilience by enabling continuous monitoring of airport landing and take-off operations, early modelling of changing weather patterns and timely detection of hazardous atmospheric events.

In parallel with technological modernization, AZAL has joined the strategic partners of one of the most reputable global aviation safety organizations  the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF)  obtaining one of the Foundations highest membership tiers, the Benefactor Member status.

Full participation in FSF programmes provides AZAL with:

 knowledge and experience exchange;

 risk analysis and adoption of advanced industry solutions;

 development of flight safety management systems;

 strengthening of safety culture;

 strategic opportunities contributing to the efficiency of the aviation industry both regionally and globally.

The Benefactor Member status is awarded to leading organizations that support the core initiatives of the Foundation and contribute to shaping global aviation safety standards. Holders of this status occupy a distinguished position among the worlds leading airlines, manufacturers and industry innovators.

These initiatives elevate the global safety commitments of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC to a new level and accelerate the forward-looking modernization of the countrys air transport system.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The adjudication process concerning Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused under articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious crimes, continued on 20 November, Trend reports.

The open court session at the Baku Military Court was held under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in the language he understands (Russian) alongside a state-funded defense lawyer.

Judge Agayev introduced the panel of judges, the prosecutors upholding the state accusation, the interpreters, and others to the victims and legal successors of victims participating in the hearing for the first time and explained their rights and obligations under the law.

The testimonies of the victims were then heard.

Victims Anar Jafarov and Rashad Abbasov stated that in the direction of Marzili village in Azerbaijan's Aghdam district, the vehicle they were travelling in hit a mine planted by the enemy, and they incurred multiple traumas as a consequence of the detonation.

In response to questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, victim Feyruz Musayev said that while carrying out engineering works with a bulldozer near Zar village in Kalbajar district, the machinery came under machine-gun fire from the enemy. While he sustained no personal injuries, the equipment was incapacitated and deemed inoperative.

Victim Israil Babayev stated that he was wounded as a result of an enemy provocation in the Kalbajar-Zod direction.

Another victim, Safar Gasimov, said that several people were killed by fire opened by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups. At the same time, Kamal Javadli, Namat Baghirov, Amrah Hajizada, and several others sustained various bodily injuries.

In response to questions from state prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, victim Elgun Talibov stated that in the area of Charaktar village in the Aghdara district, he and Rovshan Mustafayev were wounded by fire opened by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups.

Victim Muzamil Orujov said he was injured in the Kalbajar district by fire from weapons of various calibers used by the enemy.

Victims Maarif Abbasov, Ramiq Hasanov, and Rustam Rustamli stated that they were injured in the area of Daghyurd village in the Khojaly district as a result of enemy provocation. Abbasov noted that he and Mahammad Karimov were wounded when a mortar shell fired by the enemy exploded nearby. Hasanov sustained injuries as a result of a proximate detonation of an artillery projectile. Sergey Heybatov was killed in the same area.

In response to questions from Tughay Rahimli, assistant to the Prosecutor General on special assignments, victim Vusal Abbasov said he was shot in the leg by sniper fire from the enemy in Khankandi city.

Victim Fagan Valiyev stated that while in the Aghdam district, despite the medical vehicle he was in bearing distinctive markings, it was hit by a rocket projectile fired by the enemy, and he was wounded.

Ahliyar Muradov said he was injured in a forested area of Aghdam district when a mortar shell fired by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups exploded nearby.

Victim Elyas Mammadli stated that in the area of Khanabad village in Khojaly district, he, Nazim Agayev, and Rashmi Hummatov sustained various bodily injuries when a mortar shell fired by the enemy exploded nearby.

In response to questions from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, victim Joshgun Nasirov said that in the area of Khanabad village in Khojaly district, he, Ahliyar Muradov, and Elgun Ismayilli were wounded by fire opened by remnants of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups.

Victim Eldar Huseynov stated that several people, including himself, were wounded, and several others were killed when an artillery shell fired by the enemy in the direction of Farrukh height in Khojaly exploded.

In response to questions from Nasir Bayramov, head of the department at the Prosecutor Generals Office responsible for upholding the state accusation, victim Rajab Shukurov said that in the area of Khanabad village in Khojaly district, he, Khagani Guliyev, and Turan Hasanli were injured when mortar shells fired by the enemy exploded nearby.

The judicial proceedings progressed with the scrutiny of evidentiary materials and ancillary documentation pertinent to the criminal dossier.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for 21 November.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkiye, General Metin Tokel, welcoming him with the highest military honors during his official visit aimed at deepening military ties between the two countries, Trend reports via the Bosnian Defense Ministry.

On behalf of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH, the high-ranking guest was welcomed by the Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the BiH Armed Forces, Major General Mirsad Ahmic, and the Commander of the Operational Command of the BiH Armed Forces, Major General Mirzet Lubenovic, together with the chiefs of directorates in the Joint Staff of the BiH Armed Forces.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of improving and further strengthening cooperation between the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkiye.

The participants reaffirmed Turkiyes strong support for strengthening the capacities of the BiH Armed Forces, especially in the areas of training, equipment, and modernization.

The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH expressed their gratitude to the Republic of Turkiye for its continuous and long-standing support, and stated that they will continue working on enhancing bilateral military cooperation in the interest of developing and strengthening the stability and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. On November 20, Lithuanias Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys will participate in the European Unions Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels, Trend reports.

Together with other EU foreign ministers, he will examine the situation in Ukraine, the hybrid pressures directed at Lithuania, and the EUs sanctions policy toward the states involved, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

The ministers are set to review collective security commitments and ongoing support for Ukraine, with Minister Budrys expected to advocate for robust backing of Ukraines independence.

He will further promote the adoption of additional restrictive measures, including preparations for a new sanctions package, efforts to combat illicit maritime activities, and the acceleration of Ukraines EU accession process. Emphasis will also be placed on enhancing financial, military, and energy-sector support for Ukraine.

Budrys will brief EU counterparts on recent hybrid activities targeting Lithuania, including contraband balloon incursions, urging the EU to coordinate its response and consider additional sanctions.

The Council will additionally address developments in the Middle East, Sudan, and the Sahel region. EU foreign ministers are also scheduled to meet with their ASEAN counterparts to discuss EU-ASEAN relations and cooperation in the areas of security and resilience.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. On November 19, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna visited New York, where he emphasized during meetings at the United Nations the importance of bold and ambitious action in advancing UN reform, Trend reports via the Estonian MFA.

He also discussed the situation in Ukraine, pointing out that to strike gold with a just and lasting peace, it takes a steady hand and unwavering support for the beleaguered country, along with a constant push from the international community to get the wheels of stability turning again.

While in New York, Minister Tsahkna met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Guy Bernard Ryder; UN Under-Secretary-General and Secretary-Generals Envoy on Technology Amandeep Gill; U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz; Norwegian Ambassador to the UN Merete Fjeld Brattested; EU Ambassador to the UN Stavros Lambrinidis; and Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Andriy Melnyk.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. To address the challenges faced by the international community today, it is essential to modernize the organization and enhance its effectiveness. Estonia supports reforms that would make the UN more efficient, more accountable, and better able to prevent conflicts, Tsahkna said.

The meetings also covered Estonias expertise in global digital development, issues related to artificial intelligence, and continued international support for Ukraine, including within UN frameworks.

Estonia believes that lasting peace requires strong political, economic, and security-related assistance for Ukraine. Estonia remains unwavering in its support for Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty and will never accept any change of borders by force, Tsahkna stated.

He put his cards on the table, reaffirming Estonias commitment to working hand in hand with allies and partners.

Following his visit to the United States, Minister Tsahkna will travel to Brussels for the upcoming meeting of the European Unions Foreign Affairs Council. The agenda will include discussions on developments in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and the Sahel region. EU ministers will also meet with representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). On Friday, Tsahkna will participate in the EUIndo-Pacific Forum, which will bring together ministers to discuss defense and security cooperation, economic security, and issues related to climate and the green transition.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Environmental protection and social inclusion go hand in hand, reinforcing one another and driving economic growth across the EBRDs regions, said Maya Hennerkes, Managing Director of the Environment and Sustainability Department at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"Where you have strong environmental protection, that also provides a greater assurance for all social groups. By protecting the environment, were also fostering social inclusion, and by supporting both, we absolutely bring about economic development in the banks regions," Hennerkes said.

She noted that while climate change presents major challenges, it also creates new opportunities. "We have a huge transformation process happening in industries - a massive industrial and economic transformation. And with that come new high-quality jobs in green industry areas and business opportunities through improved natural capital," she explained.

However, Hennerkes acknowledged that environmental and social goals may occasionally conflict. "We see that, for example, when were financing a wind farm that may affect the livelihoods of locals working in that area," she said. "This is where we work very carefully through our environmental and social policy to make sure that by pursuing one goal, were never negatively impacting another".

Turning to Azerbaijan, the bank's rep emphasized the countrys strong potential for green growth. "Azerbaijan specifically has great untapped potential for this green transformation," she said. "It was very inspiring to see the momentum during COP29 in Baku, where we saw a lot of signings with Azerbaijani companies for green energy".

The EBRD, she added, has already financed about 1.2 GW of renewable energy capacity in Azerbaijan. "We are expecting CO emissions reductions of 600,000 tons annually from those investments. But it also generates clean electricity for 300,000 homes. If you have homes that have clean electricity instead of using diesel generators, that has clear positive health impacts - so socially, its also very beneficial," Hennerkes said.

She also highlighted the EBRDs support for Azerbaijans renewable energy auctions. "Weve been involved in every utility-scale renewable project and also helped the government design the auction system for energy projects. Its a really good thing for the market - it brings transparency and attracts other investors who then feel confident to invest in Azerbaijans energy sector," she explained.

"Overall, theres a huge potential, and were definitely very excited to do more with Azerbaijan. Were actively looking for more projects - and for the right projects," she concluded.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The two-day 9th International Banking Forum was held in Baku, Trend reports.

The event was held under the motto Reliable, Secure, and Sustainable Banking.

The second day of the forum continued with extensive sessions covering topics such as digital finance, cybersecurity, capital markets, and the digital transformation of banks.

Speaking at the event, Kamal Mirzoyev, product manager at the Azerbaijan Credit Bureau, stated that 4.9 million people in Azerbaijan have a credit score, of which 3 million have an active score.

The distribution of current credit scores by category is as follows: 8 percent in the poor category, 26 percent in the satisfactory category, 33 percent in the average category, 21 percent in the good category, and 11 percent in the excellent category, he said.

Mirzoyev added that the predominance of the average category among borrowers is due to factors such as long-term obligations, debt burden, and the number of loans.

Rasim Habibzade, product manager at the Azerbaijan Credit Bureau, said that a new module for analyzing credit ratings by region is being prepared.

According to him, the bureau is currently working on a new module called Analysis by Region.

This module is planned to be launched by the end of this year. Thanks to the new module, users will be able to determine the average rating of new loans in their portfolios in different regions of the country. In other words, this module will allow analyzing the dynamics of loan ratings issued in each region for different periods, Habibzade noted.

Furthermore, Mastercard Vice President, Resat Kokcen, noted that in Azerbaijan, the three sectors most vulnerable to cyber threats are financial institutions, the public sector, and the technology sector. Of the 100 cyber-attacks on the country, about 12 are directed at financial institutions.

According to him, the goal of the attacks is to disrupt business continuity, gain access to critical information, and use it for financial gain.

Mastercard's specialized cybersecurity consulting teams have also implemented various projects with Azerbaijani banks. The company also announced that its new Mastercard Threat Intelligence product is now available to Azerbaijani banks. The product tracks cards sold on the Dark Web and Deep Web, analyzes traces of card movement in the Mastercard ecosystem, and aims to proactively notify banks of fraud risks.

Overall, the forum was devoted to discussing current trends in areas such as the cashless economy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, open banking, capital markets, and new payment ecosystems.

The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, banking and financial institutions, the fintech ecosystem, international organizations, and leading companies.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Azerbaijan Credit Bureau (ACB) is developing a new module designed to provide analysis of credit scores across different regions of the country, said Rasim Habibzade, Head of Products at the ACB, Trend reports.

Speaking on the second day of the 9th International Banking Forum (IBF 2025) in Baku, Habibzade explained that the bureau is currently working on the module, which is planned to be launched by the end of the year.

The official noted that the module will allow users to determine the average scores of new credits within their portfolios across various regions.

"This tool will enable the analysis of credit score dynamics for loans issued in each region over different periods," he said.
Deblock, a French crypto-banking startup founded by four Revolut alumni, has secured a fresh capital injection.

On Wednesday, the firm announced the raise of an additional $35 million in a Series A funding round led by venture firms Speedinvest, CommerzVentures and Latitude. Existing investors Shapers, Headline, Chalfen Ventures, and Kraken Ventures also participated in the round.

Deblock plans to use the funds to fuel its expansion across Europe, starting with Germany as its second market after France.

Germanys strong adoption of digital financial services and established regulatory framework make the German market a natural next step on Deblocks European expansion path, the firm said in a release shared with DL News.

Deblock previously raised approximately $29 million through an initial $12 million seed round in 2023 and a further $17.5 million seed round in November 2024.

The latest raise values Deblock at around $208 million.

The round adds to the $22 billion pile of funding that investors have ploughed into crypto startups in 2025, doubling 2024s total, according to data from DefiLlama.

Neobanking frenzy

Deblock is a so-called crypto neobank that aims to leverage blockchain technology to offer users higher yields on deposits in a bid to outcompete traditional banks.

The firm links bank accounts with self-custodial crypto wallets, giving customers access to both the traditional banking system and decentralised financial services.

We target both crypto natives and opportunity seekers: crypto users looking for a crypto-friendly bank, and more traditional neobank customers attracted by a better yield on their euros, Jean Meyer, CEO and co-founder of Deblock, told DL News.

But its not the only firm with a similar idea.

More than half a dozen new crypto neobanks have launched over the past year, banking on clearer regulations and the technological savvy of younger generations to fuel their success.

Bigger crypto firms are also muscling into the space.

Earlier this week, Aave Labs, the firm behind the $55 billion Aave lending protocol, unveiled a new savings app offering up to 9% returns on deposits.

These newer entrants will have to compete with existing neobanking giants like Chime, Revolut and Monzo, who are meeting crypto neobanks halfway by rolling out their own blockchain features.

Ambitious plans

The challenges in competing with established banking titans are something Deblocks founders know well.

The firms four co-founders, Aaron Beck, Adriana Restrepo, Jean Meyer, and Mario Eguiluz, were all previously executives at Revolut.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 20. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan discussed steps to raise bilateral trade turnover to $2 billion, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce.

The issue was highlighted during a meeting on the sidelines of the CAREC Business Forum in Bishkek between Kyrgyz Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov and Uzbekistans Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov.

During the discussions, the ministers assessed the current state of KyrgyzUzbek trade and economic cooperation and explored measures to further expand bilateral engagement. They also exchanged perspectives on preparations for forthcoming joint events aimed at enhancing business contacts and strengthening investment partnerships.

The parties further reviewed promising collaborative projects in the sectors of industry, transport and logistics, agriculture, and energy, highlighting their potential to advance bilateral cooperation.

Earlier, on October 15, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov conducted a state visit to Uzbekistan and participated in the 7th Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders. During this visit, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Zhaparov discussed strategies to boost trade and accelerate the implementation of key cooperation projects in industry, transport, energy, and infrastructure.

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan increased by 10 percent in the first nine months of 2025, reaching $5.5 billion. Trade between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan accounted for nearly $700 million over the same period.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, November 20. Tajikistan has relaunched 3 hydroelectric units at the Kairakkum Hydroelectric Power Plant, marking the completion of a full modernization program for all six units, Trend reports via Tajik president's press service.

President Emomali Rahmon attended the commissioning ceremony, during which officials announced that the plants installed capacity has been enhanced following the modernization efforts. The upgrade program, which commenced in 2019, spanned nearly seven years. Once all units are fully operational, annual electricity generation at the Kairakkum HPP is projected to increase from approximately 580 million kWh to 850 million kWh.

With the participation of both domestic and international specialists, key components including turbine hall equipment, turbine control systems, hydro unit control systems, and seven transformers have been replaced, alongside other essential infrastructure.

The six units of the Kairakkum HPP were originally commissioned between the 1950s, with the final unit entering service in 1956. After nearly seven decades of operation, equipment deterioration had substantially reduced production efficiency.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 20. Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) discussed the prospects of a new Partnership Program through 2030, which is set to encompass projects in infrastructure, public-private partnerships, business support and capital markets, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.

The discussions occurred during a meeting between Laziz Kudratov, head of the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade (MIIT), and Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), on the sidelines of the 24th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Bishkek. The parties reviewed the current status of bilateral cooperation and commemorated the 30th anniversary of the partnership, which has facilitated significant projects across the energy, water supply, transport, education, and social sectors.

Preparations for the 59th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors, scheduled for May 2026 in Samarkand, were also discussed. Both sides agreed to strengthen joint efforts and develop a coordinated action plan to ensure the successful organization of the high-level event.

Uzbekistan continues to be the ADBs largest partner in Central Asia, with a total cooperation portfolio exceeding $15 billion. Of this portfolio, 65 projects worth $10 billion have been successfully completed, 30 projects totaling $5 billion are currently under implementation, and an additional 21 projects valued at $3.1 billion are in the preparation phase.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a risk-sharing facility under Akbanks Supply Chain Finance Program to support suppliers of Turkish retailer DeFacto Perakende Ticaret, the bank said, Trend reports.

The facility will provide 57 suppliers, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with timely access to discounted financing while encouraging environmental, social and governance (ESG) improvements in line with DeFactos sustainability strategy. The project will also benefit from EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) II funding to support baseline analyses, roadmap preparation, and ESG target-setting.

Greg Guyett, EBRD First Vice President, said the initiative strengthens the competitiveness of Turkish suppliers and enhances Turkiyes role in global value chains. Akbank Executive VP Sebnem Muratoglu noted that supply-chain finance helps optimise liquidity, maintain operations, and ensure continuity across value chains.

DeFacto CFO Hamdi Burgacoglu said the partnership provides our suppliers with access to more affordable financing and supports them in advancing their environmental and social transformation efforts.

Since 2009, the EBRD has invested over 23 billion euros in more than 500 projects in Turkiye, primarily in the private sector.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Baku Stock Exchange (BSE) plans online connection of foreign brokers to Tabadul Hub, Deputy CEO of the Executive BoardChief Commercial Officer of the BSE Ogtay Gasimov said on the second day of the 9th International Banking Forum held in Baku today, Trend reports.

"The main goal we want to achieve is to provide online connections with foreign brokers. That is, legal requirements are demanded to be updated to allow brokers to join the Tabadul Hub online," he emphasized.

Gasimov pointed out that this also calls for some heavy regulatory lifting.

"Currently, we are working together with the regulator in this direction. The online connections with foreign brokers will be possible by the middle of next year," he added.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange launched Tabadul Hub in July 2022. The platform is the first digital exchange center in the region and is based on the mutual market access model. It provides a digital exchange network for trading between member exchanges at the regional and global levels. In its entirety, Tabadul aims to improve cooperation and increase liquidity in the participating markets by enabling trading across the markets.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Minister at Israel's Ministry of Finance and Co-Chairman of the AzerbaijanIsrael Joint Commission Zeev Elkin discussed advancing bilateral economic cooperation, the publication of Jabbarov on his X page said, Trend reports.

"Within the framework of our working visit to the State of Israel, we held a meeting with Zeev Elkin, Minister at Israel's Ministry of Finance and Co-Chairman of the AzerbaijanIsrael Joint Commission.

We exchanged views on the activities of the Joint Commission, the prospects for advancing bilateral economic relations, and the effective realization of the existing business partnership potential," the publication reads.

As regards economic cooperation data between these two nations, Azerbaijan invested circa $543 million in Israel in the first half of 2025, making it its top target. Apart from energy, LARGIX, an Israeli tech firm, received $1 million and a strategic relationship with OurCrowd to promote tech and commercial ties. On the other hand, over 100 Israeli firms operate in Azerbaijan, investing in energy, agriculture, technology, and healthcare. Key areas include agriculture and water management technology transfer, renewable energy projects, healthcare investments, and oil and gas strategic collaborations. The Azerbaijan Investment Company and Israeli firm OurCrowd signed a $15 million deal to help Azerbaijani startups and technical advancement.

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Iran estimates its non-oil exports to Kazakhstan in 7M2025

Iran exported 233,000 tons of non-oil goods worth $143 million to Kazakhstan in the first seven months of the current Iranian year, IRICA reports. Despite a slight rise in value, export volume fell 21 percent year on year. Overall non-oil trade reached $159 million and 277,000 tons, showing higher value but lower volume.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, November 20. President Emomali Rahmon has ordered the construction of two solar power plants in the Asht district of Sughd and the Jaykhun district of Khatlon to be completed and commissioned by August 2026, Trend reports via the Tajik president's press service.

The projects, kicking off with the grand opening of three revamped hydroelectric units at the Kairakkum Hydroelectric Power Plant, will pack a punch with a combined capacity of 500 MW and are set to hit the wallet for $250 million. Each facility represents an investment of $125 million and will be built with government support by local companies Ayon Energi LLC and Toqikgidroelektromontazh OJSC in cooperation with the Chinese construction firm CSCEC.

Recent data from Tajikistan's Statistics Agency shows that total electricity production reached 19.1 billion kWh, or 111.5 percent compared to the level recorded from January through September 2024. Solar power plants contributed 0.7 million kWh, equivalent to 80.4 percent of the output recorded during the same period in 2024. The growth in electricity production was primarily driven by the expansion of hydroelectric generation, whereas thermal and solar outputs experienced modest declines.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 20. The Kyrgyz Republic has officially launched its first gold-backed stablecoin, USDKG, a digital currency pegged to the US dollar and fully backed by physical gold, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz president's office.

President Zhaparov attended the launch ceremony, joined by Finance Minister Almaz Baketayev and Biybolot Mamytov, Chairman of the Board of OJSC "Issuer of Virtual Assets." During the event, participants pressed the "Launch Issue" button, initiating the circulation of 50 million USDKG tokens on the Tron blockchain, each equivalent to one US dollar.

USDKG is crafted as a digital currency, marrying the steadfastness of gold with the cutting edge of blockchain technology. Officials highlighted that the stablecoin is expected to enhance Kyrgyzstans presence in the global financial ecosystem, support the development of Web3 services, and strengthen public-private sector interactions through blockchain solutions.

The government also made it clear that USDKG will be a game changer for the countrys investment appeal, opening the floodgates for capital inflows and paving the way for technology partnerships. The stablecoin is issued by a fully state-owned company, OJSC "Virtual Assets Issuer."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Azerbaijan and Russia were the largest senders of incoming rail freight to Georgia in the third quarter of 2025, accounting for 32% and 29.1% of total volumes respectively, the countrys statistics office said, Trend reports.

As such, other countries combined contributed 38.9%.

Outgoing freight from Georgia was headed primarily to Armenia (22.1%), Kazakhstan (11.6%) and Russia (6.3%), with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

Transit freight, which represented 58.1% of the total 3.5 million tonnes of rail cargo in Q3, was largely destined for the Netherlands (16.2%), Turkiye (10%), China (7.2%), Italy (2.9%) and Ukraine (2.4%). Brazil accounted for 9.2% of transit cargo sent through Georgia, followed by Turkiye at 2.6%, with other countries making up the rest.

Domestic shipments represented 9.5% of total freight, while international (excluding transit) cargo made up 32.4%. Overall rail freight in Georgia fell 1.4% compared with the same period in 2024, underscoring the countrys continuing role as a strategic transit hub linking Europe, Asia and the region.
Samsung Display and Chinas BOE Technology, a supplier of OLED displays used in Apple devices, have agreed to settle a patent lawsuit concerning OLED technology.

The two companies have agreed that fair technological competition is essential for the advancement of the display industry, and have therefore decided to withdraw all pending lawsuits, a spokesperson at Samsung Display confirmed to TechCrunch. We [also] plan to withdraw all ongoing legal actions as part of this agreement.

Samsung Display declined to comment on reports that BOE may pay patent royalties to the Korean hardware giant as part of the settlement. BOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The settlement lays to bed a drawn-out, three-year fight between Samsungs display division and BOE, both of whom supply display panels used in Apples iPhones. Samsung in December 2022 filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging that BOE had infringed its OLED patents, and then filed another case in October 2023, accusing the Chinese company of stealing trade secrets by poaching employees to access confidential OLED manufacturing processes and technologies.

In March 2025, the ITC ruled that BOE had infringed three of Samsung Displays OLED patents. On the trade secret side, in a preliminary ruling handed down in July, the ITC found that BOE had misappropriated Samsung Displays OLED trade secrets, and recommended banning the Chinese company from exporting OLED panels to the U.S. for nearly 15 years.

Now, the companies appear to have asked the ITC to end its investigation. When reached for confirmation, the ITC declined to comment.

The settlement comes as major tech companies try to reduce their reliance on Chinese manufacturers for components used in their devices. A U.S. export ban would have certainly been terrible news for BOE, which is one of the worlds largest suppliers of LCD and OLED display panels, behind Samsung and LG.

Samsungs case underscored growing concern over the theft of intellectual property. In July 2024, a South Korean court sentenced a former Samsung Display engineer to six years in prison for leaking to China OLED technology worth about $24.5 million. And last month, South Korean police opened an investigation after two LG Display employees were suspected of leaking proprietary display technologies to a Chinese firm.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijans Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Israels Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar discussed the expansion of economic cooperation and joint strategic projects between the two countries, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijani minister shared the details of the meeting in a post on his official X page.

"As part of our working visit to the State of Israel, we were pleased to meet with Gideon Sa'ar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

Our discussions focused on expanding the economic partnership between our countries and assessing the prospects of joint projects with strategic significance for both sides and the wider region.

Azerbaijans favorable geo-economic location and its rising transit potential in global trade were also highlighted," the post reads.

According to Azerbaijan's Customs Committee, from January through October this year, trade between Azerbaijan and Israel totaled $69.6 million. During the same period, Azerbaijans exports to Israel amounted to $21.5 million, while imports from Israel reached $48.2 million.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 20. Uzbekistan and Pakistans bilateral trade reached nearly $450 million over the first ten months of the year, with Uzbek exports amounting to $320 million, Trend reports via the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.

These figures were highlighted during a meeting between Uzbekistans Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and Pakistans Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, as well as Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, held on the sidelines of the 24th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Bishkek.

The parties highlighted the expanding investment collaboration, emphasizing the advancement of joint initiatives across the textile, pharmaceutical, perfumery, chemical, and agricultural sectors. Uzbekistan is actively promoting its projects in Pakistan, encompassing the production of household appliances and tractors, as well as the deployment of smart meters and gas equipment.

Officials also examined avenues for enhancing cooperation in the digital domain, noting significant potential for collaborative efforts in the IT sector. Both sides expressed a strong interest in deepening partnerships between technology companies, fostering the development of innovative products, strengthening B2B networks, and initiating joint projects.

Furthermore, the parties agreed to intensify practical collaboration and formulate a comprehensive plan for bilateral ICT initiatives, aimed at broadening technological cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

The Ministerial Conference functions as a high-level strategy-setting and policy body. It provides overall strategic guidance and serves as a platform to discuss and debate important policy and strategic issues of regional relevance. The Ministerial Conference exercises overall accountability over the results of the CAREC Program.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 20. Uzbekistan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) discussed prospects for modernizing the countrys transport infrastructure and implementing advanced solutions, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Transport.

The discussions were held during a meeting between Uzbekistans Deputy Minister of Transport, Jasurbek Choriyev, and a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), led by Global Director for Advisory Services, Linda Rudo.

IFC representatives presented their methodologies for strategic planning and the implementation of transport projects, emphasizing approaches for developing sustainable and innovative transport systems.

Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation and expressed their intent to explore the potential for launching an inaugural joint project.

The IFC is one of the worlds largest development institutions focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Operating in more than 100 countries, it provides investments, advisory services, and mobilizes private capital to create jobs and improve peoples lives
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. The state visit of Estonian President Alar Karis to Kazakhstan from November 17 to 19, 2025, represented a pivotal step in advancing transport and logistics cooperation between the two nations. During discussions with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Karis underscored Estonias potential role as a strategic partner, while Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstans interest in securing access to Estonian seaports. For Astana, Tallinn offers an attractive combination of political stability, advanced port infrastructure, modern technologies, and seamless integration into the European Unions logistics framework.

According to data from the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan transported approximately 955 million tons of cargo from January to October 2025, reflecting an 8.1 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge in freight traffic underscores the growing importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which serves as a cornerstone for the emerging Eurasian transport network.

In this context, Estonia could potentially gain access to the TITR via Latvian infrastructure. Previously, Latvias Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Edgars Skuja, indicated that linking Latvian ports to the Middle Corridor could facilitate the extension of the route toward Northeastern Europe and the Baltic Sea, further enhancing regional connectivity.

In 2024, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport reported that Latvia, Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Hungary expressed interest in joining the TITR. That same year, Kazakhstan and Latvia signed a roadmap to eliminate "bottlenecks" and develop the Middle Corridor by 2027.

Furthermore, Estonia is involved in the Rail Baltica railway project, which will connect the Baltic States to the European railway network with the European standard gauge (1435 mm). In the future, this could provide Kazakhstan with a more direct and efficient route to European markets via Estonia.

Specifically, on July 31, 2025, Rail Baltic Estonia and Estonian company AS TREF Nord signed a contract to construct one of Estonia's most complex infrastructure projects  the Soodevahe transport junction. This will feature a multi-level intersection where European standard gauge railways meet the "Russian" broad gauge (1520 mm). This junction will serve as a key link between Rail Baltica and the deep-water Muuga Port, an important logistics hub connecting Estonia to the eastern Baltic Sea and Western Europe's transport network.

This development could be crucial for Kazakhstan, as the expansion of the transport route via Estonian ports opens up new opportunities for exporting Kazakh grain and oilseeds to Europe and Africa. On November 18, 2025, during the Kazakhstan-Estonia Business Forum, Kazakhstans national grain operator, Prodkorporatsiya, and the Port of Tallinn signed a memorandum of cooperation, which also includes the use of Muuga Port infrastructure.

The parties agreed to jointly coordinate rail transportation to the Narva-Ivangorod (Russia) border crossing and establish a competitive supply chain with fixed tariffs for terminal and port services.

A key advantage for Kazakhstan lies in Estonias advanced digital infrastructure. The implementation of modern IT platforms, e-Customs systems, and integrated digital solutions significantly streamlines cargo processing and reduces administrative burdens, aligning seamlessly with Kazakhstans strategy to establish digital corridors and enhance electronic document flows in cooperation with international partners.

Estonias political stability as a member of both the European Union and NATO mitigates risks associated with delays, sanctions, or potential transit disruptions, thereby providing more predictable conditions for the transit of Kazakh goods into European markets. Moreover, Estonias active role in the EUs Global Gateway initiative, which seeks to develop secure, resilient, and sustainable transport routes connecting Europe and Asia, further underscores its strategic importance.

By gaining access to Estonian ports, Kazakhstan secures a technologically advanced, sustainable, and geopolitically resilient gateway to Europe. This arrangement offers mutual benefits: Estonia enjoys a stable and increasing flow of freight, while Kazakhstan enhances its export competitiveness, reduces logistics costs, and diversifies its supply chain geography.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov attended the 4th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Israel Joint Commission in Israel, the publication of the minister said on his X page, Trend reports.

"Within the framework of our working visit to the State of Israel, we, together with colleagues, participated in the 4th session of the AzerbaijanIsrael Joint Commission. We underscored the importance of strengthening the engagement between the business communities of both countries and examined opportunities to advance joint activities in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, transportation, digitalization, tourism, and other priority areas.

These efforts reflect our shared objectives of diversifying economic cooperation and further deepening the business partnership," the publication reads.

According to Azerbaijan's Customs Committee, from January through October this year, trade between Azerbaijan and Israel totaled $69.6 million. During the same period, Azerbaijans exports to Israel amounted to $21.5 million, while imports from Israel reached $48.2 million.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 20. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) confirmed plans to mobilize more than $800 million to support two major regional hydropower developments, including Kyrgyzstans Kambarata-1 project, during the 24th Ministerial Conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, Trend reports via ADB.

In his keynote address, ADB President Masato Kanda emphasized that expanding clean energy infrastructure is central to the banks long-term engagement in the region. He noted that Kambarata-1 is among the flagship energy projects ADB aims to help advance as part of its wider investment program through 2030.

We are committed to bringing capital and confidence to complex cross-border projects like Kambarata-1. These are the kinds of investments that can reshape the regions energy future and deliver lasting impact for generations, Kanda said.

Kambarata-1 HPP is positioned as the largest energy facility built on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstans Jalal-Abad region. The project is plaaned to 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.
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Azerbaijans oil exports to UK dip in 10M2025

Azerbaijans oil exports to the United Kingdom fell sharply in value despite a modest rise in volume, totaling around 515,000 tons worth $273 million in the first ten months of the year.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Societe Generale have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to expand joint efforts supporting innovative, fast-growing small and mid-cap companies in the cleantech sector, Trend reports with reference to EIB.

The partnership aims to close a persistent financing gap faced by emerging cleantech manufacturers, which often operate with long production and sales cycles and struggle to secure sufficient working capital under competitive conditions. By combining EIB guarantees with Societe Generales working capital facilities, the initiative will help unlock financing for start-ups and scale-ups whose growth is often constrained by limited access to liquidity.

Backed by up to 250 million under InvestEU  the European Commissions programme for innovation and sustainability  the EIB will provide guarantees serving as collateral for cleantech companies. This will enable Societe Generale to extend working capital support, such as advance payment and performance bonds. The programme forms part of Societe Generales broader strategy to accelerate assistance to Emerging Leaders through its environmental transition envelope launched in 2023.

The EIB and Societe Generale will focus on companies developing solutions that advance decarbonisation, promote sustainable use and protection of natural resources, foster the circular economy, support the sustainable bioeconomy, and prevent or mitigate environmental pollution. Cleantech technologies targeted under the agreement span multiple sectors, including energy, mobility, circular economy, bioeconomy and industrial decarbonisation.

The support forms part of TechEU, the EIB Groups innovation acceleration programme, and contributes to the objectives of the EU Net-Zero Industry Act.
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Quick Read

Small-cap and mid-cap stocks have sold off recently and now appear cheap relative to large-cap AI growth names.

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) offers a 1.9% dividend yield and focuses on profitable companies.

The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) provides broader exposure to 2,000 stocks but carries a lower 1% dividend yield.

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

The small caps are starting to get cheap again after the latest round of market selling concentrated in the AI growth names. Undoubtedly, the small and mid-caps can be a rather turbulent ride compared to the larger caps, but, regardless, investors looking to diversify or tilt their portfolios just a bit more in the direction of value might wish to capitalize on the recent wave of selling that's hit the smaller-cap scene of late.

In this piece, we'll check in on a pair of small-cap ETFs, which, I think, might be the best way to play the smaller, underappreciated names after taking a bit of a spill for the month of November. At this juncture, I view a lot of the smaller, underrated names as oversold and potentially overdue for a bit of a bounce.

So, if you're feeling a bit deterred by higher valuations in the large caps (as well as their exposure to the fading AI trade) and want to broaden your bets to some of the underrepresented plays, consider the following one-stop-shop plays:

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR) is one of the most popular small-cap ETFs for a reason. It's a low-cost way to bet on a broad number of smaller American stocks, with market caps well below the $1 billion mark. As an added bonus, the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF boasts a nice 1.9% dividend yield, thanks to the index's focus on companies that are actually making a profit.

Undoubtedly, odds are you haven't heard of any of the names in the top-10 holdings list, but that's all right, especially since these aren't exactly the names that receive all too much coverage, given their size and the much lower trading volumes they get compared to the giants, who've become so influential to the market.

With shares of the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF retreating close to 6% off this year's highs, I think there's an opportunity to buy the dip, though investors should be ready for more choppiness, as the ETF boasts a 1.26 beta, making for a rather choppy ride. Once the AI trade heats up again, I think the appetite for growthier small-cap names could ignite again. Though I could be wrong, I view the IJR as a great way to broaden your exposure to U.S. equities for cheap.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. Kazakhstan's Trade House will open in Belarus, Trend reports via the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan.

The decision to establish a Trade House in Belarus was reached during a meeting in Minsk between Kazakhstans Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, and Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin.

The Kazakh Trade House is intended to function as a permanent platform for advancing the presence of Kazakh goods in the Belarusian market. Its implementation will proceed in stages and will be coordinated by QazTrade, an agency operating under Kazakhstans Ministry of Trade and Integration.

In the initial phase, the parties will identify the range of Kazakh products to be promoted, as well as the principal retail channels through which they will be distributed in Belarusian stores. Subsequent steps will involve broadening the assortment of goods, developing partnership initiatives, and preparing for the establishment of physical retail outlets.

During their discussions, Shakkaliyev and Turchin also reviewed the trajectory of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, underscoring the sustained increase in trade turnover and the considerable potential for its further expansion.

"We see real potential for increasing mutual supplies. Kazakh companies are ready to explore new niches, and the mechanisms being developed will make this process more efficient," said Shakkaliyev.

According to the ministry, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Belarus reached $739.5 million from January through August 2025, which is a 19.9 percent increase compared to the same period of 2024. Kazakhstan's exports to Belarus grew by 55.2 percent, reaching $183.2 million, while imports from Belarus amounted to $556.3 million, up 11.6 percent. Currently, there are 12 joint industrial projects worth $204 million, creating about 1,700 jobs.

The projects include the assembly of tractors, grain and forage harvesters, engines, fire and utility vehicles, lift equipment, as well as mining and quarrying machinery, all contributing to the deepening of Kazakhstan-Belarus industrial cooperation.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has implemented its first project in Islamic financing, Trend reports via the bank.

Ruslan Dalenov, Deputy Chairman of the EDB, and Almas Abaideldinov, CEO of Istkomtrans, Kazakhstans private railway rolling stock operator, signed a Murabaha agreement. Murabaha is an Islamic financing tool involving a sales contract in which the price of goods includes an agreed-upon profit margin, with the customer paying in installments.

The financing will be used for the capital, depot, and current repairs of rolling stock at Istkomtrans, which will enhance the efficiency of freight transport, strengthen transportation connectivity, and improve logistics infrastructure in the region.

The EDB noted that this first Islamic finance project lays the foundation for expanding such practices within the banks operations and opens new opportunities for supporting key industries and infrastructure initiatives in the region.

The Eurasian Development Bank is a multilateral development bank focused on investment activities across the Eurasian space. As of July 2025, the EDBs portfolio includes 319 projects with a total investment volume of $19.1 billion.

Istkomtrans is a private rolling stock operator in Central Asia and ranks among the top 50 largest private companies in Kazakhstan. It has offices in 11 cities across Kazakhstan and Russia and operates a fleet of more than 11,000 wagons.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. A new ferroalloy plant, EkibastuzFerroAlloys, has officially opened in Ekibastuz in Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan, Trend reports via the regional administration.

The total investment in the construction of the plant amounted to 92 billion tenge ($177 million). The facility is designed to produce 240,000 tons of high-grade ferrosilicon (FeSi75) annually, a product that enjoys strong global demand for the manufacture of steel, cast iron, and aluminum alloys.

Assain Baykhanov, head of the Pavlodar region, who attended the launch ceremony, underscored the projects strategic significance. He highlighted the plants pivotal role in transitioning the regional economy from raw material exports to accelerated development of the processing sector, thereby generating new drivers of economic growth.

This initiative represents a major step toward establishing a fully integrated metallurgical cluster in our region and marks the onset of a new phase in industrial development, positioning Kazakhstan as a global leader in ferroalloy production, Baykhanov stated.

The project, which commenced in 2022, envisions supplying its products to 52 countries worldwide.

Conversions to USD are based on the National Bank of Kazakhstan's official exchange rate of 1 USD = 519.41 KZT as of November 20, 2025.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The reality is that relocating Irans capital from Tehran is no longer a choice but a mandatory step, the countrys President Masoud Pezeshkian said during a meeting with intellectuals and artists in Qazvin Province in the northwest of the country, Trend reports.

Pezeshkian explained that over the past year, following the governments initial announcement to relocate the capital, the available budget was insufficient to implement the move. Had adequate funding been available, the relocation might have been feasible. At that time, it was concluded that moving the capital was not practical, he stated.

The president emphasized that Tehran can no longer accommodate the citys population growth or increasing construction demands. While further development remains possible, the citys water shortages present an insurmountable constraint.

Currently, transporting one cubic meter of water from the Persian Gulf to Tehran costs approximately 5 million rials (about $8.3). Allocating such resources for a single cubic meter of water is not justifiable. Consequently, it is imperative to develop a scientific and comprehensive plan for the countrys future, he added.

The law mandating the relocation of Irans capital from Tehran was approved in 2015 but has not yet been implemented. Reports indicate that the current government plans to move the capital to the southern region of the country.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called on Iran to allow full verification of its nuclear material, after military attacks in June disrupted inspections at several facilities, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the Board of Governors, Trend reports.

On 9 September 2025, I signed an agreement with Foreign Minister Araghchi in Cairo that provides an understanding of the procedures for agency inspections, notifications and safeguards implementation in Iran, in the aftermath of the military attacks in June, Grossi said.

He noted that Iran has facilitated access to the agency for inspections and design information verification, with advanced notice, at almost all the unaffected facilities in Tehran.

However, Grossi stressed that Iran has yet to provide reports on the facilities and nuclear material affected by the attacks. To date, the agency has not conducted verification activities at any of the nuclear facilities in Iran affected by the military attacks, he said.

Though acknowledging some cooperation, Grossi called for further constructive engagement and urged Iran to facilitate the full and effective implementation of safeguards activities in Iran in accordance with its NPT Safeguards Agreement. He added: I reiterate my disposition to work with Iran on this matter.

Grossi emphasized the urgency of establishing the status of Irans inventories of low-enriched and highly enriched uranium. The agencys five-month-long lack of access to this nuclear material in Iran means the materials verification  according to standard safeguards practice  is long overdue. It is critical the agency be able to verify this material as soon as possible.

The remarks underline continuing concerns over transparency at some Iranian nuclear sites following the June attacks, amid ongoing international efforts to monitor Irans nuclear program.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The U.S. and Iran are not engaged in negotiations; however, there exists an interest in such dialogues, Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament Ebrahim Azizi said at an event organized at Tehran University today, Trend reports.

According to him, if Iran believes that national interests are taken into account, if the principles of the discussions and the framework of the discussions are in the spotlight, and at the same time, if the enrichment of uranium on the nuclear issue is accepted by the other side, then Iran will hold discussions.

Azizi noted that as for the level of uranium enrichment, it's possible to hold a dialogue on this. Iran held discussions with the U.S. side within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and then in five rounds.

Meanwhile, on April 12, 19, and 26, and May 11 and 23, five rounds of indirect talks on Iran's nuclear program were held between Iran and the U.S. The indirect talks were organized through the mediation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, and were led by Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on the Iranian side and Steve Witkoff on the American side. The first, third, and fourth rounds of talks were held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, and the second and fifth rounds were held in Rome, the capital of Italy.

On June 22, the U.S. launched military airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. It is reported that as a result of the airstrikes, Iran's nuclear facilities were destroyed.

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(Reuters) -SoftBank (9984.T) plans to invest up to $3 billion to overhaul an electric vehicle facility in Lordstown, Ohio, which will produce equipment for OpenAIs (OPAI.PVT) forthcoming data centers after being remodeled, The Information reported on Thursday.

The plant will manufacture equipment for data centers in Milam County, Texas, and other locations, the report said, as the Japanese conglomerate goes all-in on the startup at the heart of the generative AI boom.

SoftBank, which sold its $5.8 billion stake in leading chipmaker Nvidia to bankroll CEO Masayoshi Son's sweeping AI push centered around ChatGPT-creator OpenAI, purchased the Lordstown site in August for $375 million.

OpenAI, Oracle (ORCL) and SoftBank announced in September plans for five U.S. AI data centers for the $500 billion Stargate project, a plan to build out a nationwide advanced AI network.

This investment is part of a broader joint venture announced at the White House in January, where SoftBank pledged $18 billion, according to The Information.

The Ohio factory is building modular data centers, portable, pre-assembled units allowing for faster deployment and scalable capacity on site, The Information reported. The facility will include a small working data center as a demonstration model, according to the report.

Manufacturing of modular data center units is expected to start early next year, the report said.

SoftBank and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

On a livestream in October, Sam Altman said OpenAI aims to build 30 gigawatts of computing capacity at an estimated cost of $1.4 trillion, and ultimately scale to adding about 1 gigawatt a week, even though current costs run above $40 billion per gigawatt.

Unlike rivals Meta and Google, OpenAI does not have an advertising or cloud services business to help cover the cost of building out these data centers.

(Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
2026 pesticide applicator classes set

Photo by Julie Stricker

Training to receive certification necessary for applying pesticides and herbicides, such as this method for controlling invasive chokecherry trees, is available through the UAF Cooperative Extension Service.

A three-day certified pesticide applicator training workshop is scheduled for Jan. 27-29, with a second workshop planned for April 21-23.

The workshops are led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service via Zoom and are available statewide. Each day, the class will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



The classes are designed to help participants understand and pass the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation exam.

The state of Alaska requires certification for anyone who purchases, uses or sells restricted-use pesticides and herbicides. Anyone who acts as a pesticide consultant, engages in the commercial or contract use of pesticides or supervises their use at a public location must also be certified. Category descriptions can be found on the Alaska DEC Pesticide Control Program website.

A $75 fee includes study materials available by appointment at Extension offices. To make an appointment for pickup, contact Molly Johansson at mjohansson@alaska.edu in Anchorage, Rebecca Yoder in Palmer at rlyoder@alaska.edu, Alicia Glessing in Soldotna at akglessing@alaska.edu, Katrina Paul in Fairbanks at klpaul@alaska.edu or Eve Karczmarczyk at eekarczmarczyk@alaska.edu in Delta Junction.

The materials will be mailed to individuals in other communities for an additional $25.

Register for each course using the online form or by visiting https://bit.ly/PSEPtraining. Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the materials and required math beforehand. For more information on course content, contact Phil Kaspari at pnkaspari@alaska.edu or 907-895-4215.

The deadline to register for the January class is Jan. 20. Deadline for the April class is April 14.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu.

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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Sikuliaq embarks on its first journey to Antarctica

Photo by Sarah Spanos

The research vessel Sikuliaq navigates Resurrection Bay on the way to its homeport at the Seward Marine Center in 2020.

The research vessel Sikuliaq will begin a long journey to Antarctica this week, marking a new era for the Seward-based ship and its crew.

The ship, which has been owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences since 2014, has largely been used in waters around Alaska and the Pacific Northwest for the past decade. Starting early next year, the vessels duties will temporarily shift to Antarctica for the first time.

The 261-foot ice-capable ship will support three research projects that were previously scheduled for vessels whose contracts with NSF have concluded. The charter for the research vessel Laurence M. Gould expired in 2024, and NSF ended its lease with the research vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer earlier this year.

The research vessel Sikuliaq has been assigned to those projects largely because of the ship's ability to traverse frigid ice-filled seas: Its the only vessel in the U.S. Academic Research Fleet rated to navigate ice up to 2.5 feet thick.

We can work in Antarctica because the ship was designed to operate in polar waters, said Marine Superintendent Doug Baird.

The ship departed Dutch Harbor on Nov. 14 for a 10-day transit cruise to Honolulu, where it will mobilize for a 3-week NSF-funded research project in the South Pacific to study influences on shifting levels of ocean heat near the equator.

After that project, the ship will travel south to French Polynesia and then on to Punta Arenas, Chile, where staging will begin for a series of research projects that will last through March 2026. A coring project on Antarcticas Seymour Island will evaluate the effects of a mass extinction event during the Cretaceous Period, along with work in the Weddell Sea to study summer sea ice. The final cruise will evaluate the ecology of the ocean bottom off the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula by using divers to collect invertebrate samples.

Katrin Iken, a professor of marine biology at UAF, is one of dozens of scientists who will work aboard the ship in Antarctica. She will be part of the dive team collecting samples, a throwback to similar work she did in Antarctica as a Ph.D. student and postdoctoral researcher.

Aside from being an exciting project, its going to be a fun opportunity for me to, in a way, go back to my roots, Iken said. This was just everything coming together to close a loop.

The crew is also eager for the opportunity to travel to the deep south, Baird said.

Crew are very excited  they like the idea of winter in the tropics and getting to go to Antarctica, he said. Weve had temporary relief crew members tell us they want to go if we need them.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Doug Baird, ddbaird2@alaska.edu

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On a warm November evening, Eastons historic Avalon Theatre was host to more than 150 Eastern Shore residents who, along with another 250 watching via livestream, were eager to learn about and help shape a new vision for community health care. As master of ceremonies, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, seemed right at home. And why not? Jarrell hails from the tiny town of Goldsboro, just 25 miles away in neighboring Caroline County, and has a deep understanding of the Eastern Shore community.

I left Maryland for some time in my [medical] training, and when I came back in 1997, my mom was sitting there waiting for me, he recalled. Bruce. What are you going to do about health care and on the Eastern Shore? Since my friends cant get access, they cant get what they consider to be the best care, they have to go across that  She didn't say it this way, but it was darn bridge. Thats not quite what she said. You have to go across the bridge and youve got to fix this. 

(clockwise from upper left) Mark Reynolds and Megan Ehret; Bruce Jarrell with Yolanda Ogbolu and Mark Gladwin; Lawrence Hayman and Kenneth Kozel; and the audience

The audience laughed but understood the seriousness of the situation all too well. The vast majority of the Shores 450,000 residents live in what the federal government designates as Medically Underserved Areas. For example, in Jarrells home county, Caroline, there is just one health provider for every 2,500 residents, compared with one for every 1,000 residents in suburban Baltimore County on the Western Shore.

Not only that, but Eastern Shore residents also are at greater risk of serious health issues, like heart attacks and kidney disease, and have higher infant mortality rates and shorter life expectancy than residents of the rest of Maryland.

What would I say back to my mom today? Jarrell asked the audience. First of all, it takes a good medical facility. It takes a community of physicians and nurses and nurse practitioners and pharmacists and dentists. It takes a community who wants to see change, a community who realizes that theres a problem and realizing that the solution is not going to be simple.

The first item on Jarrells list, a first-rate, modern medical facility, is already on the way, explained Kenneth Kozel, MBA, president of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health. The University of Maryland Medical System broke ground in 2024 on the new University of Maryland Eastern Shore Regional Medical Center, which will begin seeing patients in 2028. The more than 325,000-square-foot facility and adjacent 60,000-square-foot Outpatient Services Building also include specialty services, such as a cardiac intervention center, a birthing center, and an acute inpatient rehabilitation center, as well as emergency and critical care services.

Whats going on in rural health care across the rest of the country is incredibly challenging, Kozel told the audience. Hospitals are closing, hundreds over the last two decades. Hospitals are cutting back on services in rural health care areas, and we said thats not going to happen on Marylands Eastern Shore. Were going to create an integrated delivery system. Were going to build you a regional medical center. Its going to be a state-of-the-art facility that we can all be proud of.

But building a new facility is only the start, Kozel added. The first question people ask me about is, well, what are you going to do about workforce? Its great that were going to have a great hospital, but whats the workforce going to be like?

Accompanying Jarrell on stage were the deans of UMBs two largest schools, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), both of whom were ready to talk about the progress and promise of the Eastern Shore Rural Health Scholars Program. Representatives from two other schools were on hand to give a brief look ahead to their future plans within the program  Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, MA, dean of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and Megan Ehret, PharmD, a professor from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. An important goal of the program is increasing the ranks of health care providers on the Shore by leveraging UMBs institutional strength, providing educational opportunities and support in exchange for commitments to serve the community after graduation.

Weve created a special [medical school] track that were calling Rural-MD, for Medical Doctor in Maryland. And in that track, we have 10 students per year, explained Mark T. Gladwin, MD, the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean of UMSOM and vice president for medical affairs at UMB. Our goal is to have full scholarships, and that scholarship requires loan repayment for service on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. So, every year of scholarship is a year of loan repayment. And that could be working at TidalHealth [in Salisbury], that could be working at Shore Health, that could be working for our partners in Choptank [Choptank Community Health System], he continued, adding that graduates may also work for independent physicians, many of whom want to recruit partners, possibly with a succession plan in mind.

Our School of Nursing currently has 2,011 students in the program, 500 at [the Universities at] Shady Grove. We hope to start with 20 to 30 students here on the Eastern Shore, and then grow, added Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of UMSON. And we also want to reach out to the high school students. I understand some might be up there [in the theaters gallery], and if you are, I want you to know you can be a nurse. We know that people are here. Theyre bright, theyre talented, and theyre able to become a nurse.

Ogbolu also received applause for her answer to a question on the minds of many audience members. Just as with physicians, getting nursing students to return to the Shore to practice has proved to be a challenge. What weve seen is sometimes students do come to our Baltimore campus and they dont return to the Shore. So, how can we increase the likelihood that we're meeting our vision and our goal, which is to really increase the health care workforce on the Shore? We think the best way is to have the program here on this Shore.

Another round of applause showed appreciation for the foundational support given by businessman Lawrence Hayman. A childhood friend of Jarrell, Hayman now owns and operates Federalsburg-based shipping company H&M Bay. Jarrell thanked him for his $6 million bequest to help establish the Eastern Shore Rural Health Scholars Program, part of an $18 million bequest for the larger Eastern Shore Initiative.

The audience also was quick to show interest in and support of the program with their comments and questions. Del. Thomas Hutchinson, whose district includes Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico counties, offered legislative support to help overcome any roadblocks. Bring those issues forward when you see them, because legislatively, Id be happy to tackle that and get that done to make sure that were bringing the best here, he said. When you come to the Shore, you know what happens, youll love it here, and you dont leave and you want to stay here and practice.

To watch the entire program, including more program details and questions and answers from the audience, click the link at the top of the page.
The value of built-up vehicles exported from South Korea fell by 10.5% to US$ 6.5 billion in October 2025, down from US$ 6.2 billion a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The Ministry blamed the decline on fewer working days during the month due to the annual Chuseok (harvest) holidays, which fell in September last year, following a 17% surge last month. This also impacted vehicle output in the country, which fell by almost 18% to 302,893 units.

Exports to the US plunged by 29% to US$ 2.12 billion last month, following the imposition of a 25% import tariff by the US earlier this year. The sharp decline also reflects the ramp-up of production this year at Hyundais new assembly plant in Savannah, in the US state of Georgia.

Exports to Europe fell by 2.1% to US$ 746 million in October, while shipments to the Middle East were down by 13.5% at US$ 403 million. By contrast, exports to Asia surged by 42% to US$ 802 million and Latin America to US$ 290 million (+24%).

Overall exports of electric and hybrid vehicles rose by 1% year-on-year to 64,427 last month, valued at US 2 billion.

In the first ten months of 2025, the value of new vehicles exported from South Korea reached an all-time high of US$ 59.6 billion.

"South Korean auto exports fall 10% in October" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




The explosive rise of stablecoins has triggered pressure from U.S. banks and regulators on the Basel Committee to reconsider its stringent capital requirements for crypto assets.

Despite being marketed as lower-risk digital currencies, stablecoins remain subject to the same harsh regulatory treatment as volatile cryptocurrencies under current Basel rules.

Erik Thedeen, chair of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, acknowledged in a Financial Times interview that the global framework needs recalibration.

However, he noted that conflicting perspectives among international regulators make consensus challenging.

The existing regulations mandate that banks maintain substantial capital reserves against potential crypto losses.

Following resistance from the U.S. and U.K. to adopt these standards, the stablecoin surge has intensified demands for reform.

What has happened has been fairly dramatic, Thedeen remarked.

The Swedish central bank governor added that the stablecoin boom and their growing market presence necessitate a fresh regulatory perspective.

Riksbank Governor Erik Thedeen. | Source: Reuters

USDT and USDC Stablecoins Caught in Basel Riskiest Asset Classification

The Basel Committee currently imposes a 1,250% risk weight on bank holdings of unbacked crypto assets, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, classifying them as among the most hazardous assets under global banking standards.

These regulations, finalized three years ago, are scheduled to take effect on January 1.

Under this framework, banks must reserve $1.25 in capital for every $1 of crypto they hold, rendering direct crypto engagement financially unfeasible for most financial institutions.

Consequently, banks have avoided holding or providing loans against these assets, keeping crypto largely off institutional balance sheets.

This harsh approach, initially intended as a protective measure, is now being reassessed as stablecoin use expands and major economies pursue divergent regulatory paths.

Fed Rejects Basel Rules

Last year, the Basel Committee revised its standards to subject all crypto assets operating on permissionless blockchains to maximum capital restrictions.

This revision captures widely-used stablecoins such as Tethers USDT and Circles USDC under the 1,250% risk weighting.

The focus back then was very much on the bitcoins of this world, Thedeen explained.

No, of course, everyone is talking about stablecoins. Permissionless ledgers: Are they as risky as we thought? Or is there an argument we can look at this in a different way? We need to start analysing. But we need to be fairly quick on it.
A decade ago, on a Wednesday afternoon in September 2015, Target CEO Brian Cornell stood onstage at the Target Center arena in downtown Minneapolis beneath a Jumbotron projecting a chart showing how the retailers stock had dramatically outperformed that of its archrival, Walmart, in the preceding year, his first as chief executive.

The crowd of 13,000 Target employees attending the annual corporate gathering erupted into applauseto the delight of a grinning, clearly satisfied Cornell. The CEO had been brought in a year earlier as an outsider to fix the cheap-chic retailer, and his first moves were paying off. In hindsight, that moment of hubristic braggadocio may have provoked the wrath of the retail gods.

Both Cornell and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, who had taken the reins at that retailer six months before that moment in 2015, have announced in recent weeks they were giving up their respective corner offices on Feb. 1, to be replaced by their lieutenants. But the performance of both CEOs, and their companies, have diverged immensely since that Jumbotron presentation.

McMillon has been lauded for modernizing the tradition-bound Walmart, which has become a tech and e-commerce powerhouse capable of holding its own against the rising threat of Amazon and positioning itself well for the AI era. Walmart shares have risen 300% since McMillon, who started his career as a warehouse worker at Walmart unloading trucks, became CEO. During his run, annual revenue rose nearly $200 billion to $681 billion.

In contrast, Targets shares are up only 60% under Cornellan underperformance compared with its rival but also with the overall market. Cornells tenure was seen initially as very successful, as revenue soared during the pandemic, but beginning in 2022, the chain lost ground in the aftermath. It has struggled with a number of factors, including merchandise that was no longer appealing to a more price-conscious shopper; backlash to its diversity efforts and then to its quick abandonment of those efforts; complaints about customer service; and supply-chain problems that led to empty shelves. Targets woes continued with more declines in its third quarter, and on Wednesday forecast more revenue drops during the crucial holiday season.

To be sure, a CEO cant take full creditor blamefor a companys performance, when so many factors are at play. But the markedly different reactions to the news of the two CEOs departures is telling.

When Cornells departure and the appointment of his successor, Michael Fiddelke, was announced, many analysts wondered aloud whether the new CEO was the right man for the job. Fiddelkewho has been chief operating officer and, previously, finance chiefhas so far been unable to fix the supply-chain problems that have led to shelves chronically lacking in key products. And the Target boards appointment of Cornell as executive chairmanessentially, Fiddelkes bossraised some eyebrows, with some suggesting that the company was still being run by the two executives who landed the company in trouble in the first place.
When MIT discovered it had accepted $800,000 from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the university could afford to apologize profusely and donate an equivalent amount to charities supporting sexual abuse survivors. When Harvard faced scrutiny over its $9 million in Epstein donations, it promised reviews, committees, and policy reforms.

But what happens when a university is so desperate for funding that turning down any donationno matter how taintedcould mean closing its doors forever?

That's the reality facing historically Black colleges and universities across America, institutions caught in a moral paradox that elite schools never have to confront: How do you maintain ethical standards when you're fighting for survival?

Two Higher Education Systems, Two Different Realities

The contrast couldn't be starker. Harvard's endowment stands at $50 billionmore than the combined endowments of all 102 HBCUs, which together total about $4 billion. On average, HBCUs raise roughly $3 to $4 million per institution annually, while Harvard, Yale, and Stanford each raise $3 to $4 million per day.

When you have Harvard's resources, you can afford to be selective. Cornell, Yale, and Columbia announced they would no longer accept donations from Sackler family philanthropies after the family's role in the opioid crisis became public. MIT placed a tenured professor on paid administrative leave after discovering he "purposefully failed" to inform the university that Epstein funded his research.

These are institutions wealthy enough to turn down millions on principle. HBCUs don't have that luxury.

When Survival Trumps Principle

Saint Augustine's University faces an uphill battle not only to regain its accreditation but to remain open as one of the country's oldest HBCUs, with millions of dollars in debt and multiple lawsuits. Florida A&M University lost a $16.3 million federal grant in March 2025 as the Trump administration cut funding over diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Fifty-four percent of Black colleges' total revenue depends on federal and state funds, compared with just one-third for other colleges and universities. When those funds are threatened or withdrawn, HBCUs face existential crises that make questions about donor ethics seem like luxuries they cannot afford.

Johnson C. Smith University receives around $10 million annually from federal research and academic support grantsmoney that could disappear with policy changes. As administrators prepare contingency plans, they're not debating whether to accept controversial donations. They're figuring out how to keep the lights on.

The Price of Prestige vs. The Cost of Survival

The difference isn't just financialit's philosophical. When elite institutions accept controversial money, they're accused of "laundering reputations" and providing "a veneer of credibility" to problematic donors. Critics argue that for people like Jeffrey Epstein, prestigious university donations represent "a trade: respectability for money".

But when Harvard debates whether to remove the Sackler name from its art museum or MIT agonizes over anonymous donations, they're engaging in a moral calculus that HBCUs can't even access. HBCUs are vastly underfunded as a result of racial politics and the general lack of support received from the federal government.

Four states underfunded HBCUs by between $1.1 billion and $2.1 billion over the last three decades, while HBCUs in 12 other states were underfunded by $172 million to $852.6 million. When you're owed billions in systematic underfunding, the luxury of moral selectivity becomes almost obscene.

The Structural Inequality of Ethics

Here's the uncomfortable truth: The ability to reject money on ethical grounds is itself a privilege that reflects existing inequalities.

Enrollment at Saint Augustine's has dropped precipitously, and the school faces potential loss of accreditation, meaning students would no longer have access to federal financial aid. When an HBCU faces closure, it's not just the institution that suffersit's the students, 73% of whom receive Pell Grants compared to 36% of non-HBCU students.

Elite universities can afford elaborate vetting committees and gift acceptance policies. Harvard's Gift Policy Committee, chaired by the provost and made up of faculty members and administrators, reviews controversial donationsbut the university has declined to make its gift policy publicly available.

Meanwhile, HBCU administrators describe a shared "culture of concern" as they consider what their budgets may look like with less or no federal funding. They're not debating the finer points of donor ethics in committee meetings. They're trying to figure out how to pay faculty and maintain dormitories.

The Impossible Burden

The irony is painful: The institutions that have historically served the most vulnerable studentsstudents who are disproportionately low-income and dependent on federal aidare the ones least equipped to reject problematic funding sources.

The Trump administration announced it would send almost $500 million to HBCUs and Tribal colleges, funded mainly by cuts to programs and grants that specifically aid minority students. When funding comes with strings attached or questionable origins, what choice do institutions have when the alternative is closing their doors?

Morgan State University had to cancel a field trip for K-12 students after the Department of Defense terminated a $450,000 contract as part of anti-DEI directives. These aren't abstract ethical debatesthey're programs canceled, students turned away, opportunities lost.

Two Standards, One System

When MIT accepted Epstein's money while claiming to refuse his donations by marking them anonymous, critics called it "a murky middle path" that simply shielded MIT from public scrutiny. The university had the resources to engage in elaborate ethical gymnastics.

HBCUs don't have that option. They can't afford to be selective, they can't afford elaborate vetting processes, and they certainly can't afford to donate away controversial gifts to make symbolic gestures.

The question isn't whether HBCUs would reject problematic donors if they couldit's whether they can survive long enough to ever have that choice.

The Real Scandal

While media attention focuses on whether Harvard will remove the Sackler name from its museum or MIT will tighten its gift acceptance policies, the real scandal goes largely unreported: a funding gap so vast that all 102 HBCU endowments combined equal less than one elite university's endowment.

HBCU leaders hope that federal executive orders supporting their institutions signal better times ahead, but many can ill afford a financial hit while all kinds of higher education institutions face federal grant cuts.

The debate over controversial donations reveals an uncomfortable truth about American higher education: We've created a two-tier system where some institutions can afford principles while others struggle for survival. Elite universities get to agonize publicly over donor ethics while HBCUs scramble to meet payroll.

Beyond Hypocrisy

This isn't about accusing elite institutions of hypocrisy for returning controversial donations. It's about recognizing that the ability to do so is itself a product of profound inequality.

The Biden administration allocated over $17 billion to HBCUs since 2021, and Congress passed legislation providing $250 million in annual, permanent federal funding. But even robust recent investments can't undo decades of systematic underfunding.

When we criticize universities for accepting tainted money, we need to ask a more fundamental question: Why have we created a system where some institutions are so desperate that they can't afford to say no?

The real ethical failure isn't that some universities accept controversial donationsit's that we've built a higher education system where survival itself depends on compromises that wealthier institutions never have to make.

As elite universities debate the nuances of donor vetting and gift acceptance policies, HBCUs are fighting for their very existence. That's not a difference in valuesit's a difference in options. And until we address the systematic inequalities that created this disparity, we have no right to judge institutions that are simply trying to survive.

Editor's Note: University Herald reached out to multiple HBCUs for comment on funding challenges and donor vetting policies. Several administrators spoke on condition of anonymity, citing concerns about jeopardizing potential funding sources. This in itself speaks volumes about the impossible position these institutions occupy.
Pronghorn move in one of the migration routes that bisects the Northern Sagebrush Steppe in Montana and Canada. (Paul Jones/Alberta Conservation Association Photo)

In 2004, a female pronghorn made the longest-recorded migration for her species, traveling from Manyberries, Alberta, Canada, north to her summer range into Saskatchewan and back for a total distance of 552 miles. She crossed major highways, numerous fences and provincial boundaries on her trek.





This individuals journey and many others were captured in new migration maps released this week documenting two extensive pronghorn migrations in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe, spanning southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, and northern Montana. The maps were published in the Atlas of Ungulate Migration, a growing compendium of migration maps depicting ungulate (hooved mammal) populations around the world.





This work is led by the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM), a partnership of international researchers headquartered at the University of Wyoming that is producing detailed maps to guide conservation and infrastructure planning to conserve threatened migrations worldwide.





The first new map depicts pronghorn wintering in Alberta and then traveling to summer ranges farther north, while the other map shows animals living in the transboundary region of Saskatchewan and Montana and migrating between the two jurisdictions. Tracking data indicate that some individuals move between these two migratory systems.





The new maps reveal both the impressive extent of the animals seasonal journeys as well as the intensity of barriers they face on this changing landscape.





Tracking data for the migratory movements occurring in Alberta were provided by Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), which leads ongoing efforts to monitor and conserve pronghorn and their habitats. Paul Jones, a wildlife biologist with ACA, was a key contributor to the maps and author of the associated fact sheets describing the movements and the challenges pronghorn face.





Because pronghorn here live at the northern periphery of the species range, they have to be able to migrate sometimes incredibly long distances to escape deep snow and harsh conditions, Jones says. Maintaining a truly connected landscape for migratory pronghorn is essential to ensuring their populations can thrive.





Aside from the distance, the migrations depicted in the maps are a true feat considering how many pronghorn can die attempting to escape winter conditions. Many pronghorn die because they are unable to crawl under poorly designed fences, and they are increasingly hit by cars and trains on the major east-west routes.





One of the routes is the Trans-Canada Highway, a major transportation corridor that bisects the Northern Sagebrush Steppe and impedes pronghorn movements. The Trans Canada, which is fenced in many sections and is paralleled by a railroad, is a significant barrier for pronghorn migration.





There are currently no crossing structures for wildlife on the Trans Canada, Jones says. But using tracking and collision data, the Miistakis Institute, in partnership with ACA and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, have identified several places where we can now recommend building over or underpasses.





Part of the extensive and connected Northern Sagebrush Steppe metapopulation, pronghorn migrating in southern Saskatchewan and into Montana face similar challenges.





Andrew Jakes, a senior researcher with the Wyoming Migration Initiative and key data contributor and author for the maps, says that, among the many challenges that linear features such as fences and roads pose, one of the major unresolved issues for migratory pronghorn in the Northern Sagebrush Steppe is train collisions.





Pronghorn are built to outrun predators, but they cant outrun trains, Jakes says. In my time studying pronghorn, Ive witnessed several mass winter mortality events when large groups congregate on railways but are unable to maneuver off and are struck from oncoming trains.





In winter 2011, several hundred pronghorn in Montana were killed by trains in a series of collision events. Attracted to the rail line because it was free of snow, they didnt have an easy way to get off the tracks to escape the train. The collisions were widely reported in regional media and captured the publics attention, but little has been done to prevent ongoing train strikes. In 2020, a similar mass mortality event occurred on a railroad in Saskatchewan.





We need to find a way to work with railroad companies to mitigate this issue, through speed regulations or retrofitting, and identify where these common collision sites are, Jakes says.





Today, Jones and Jakes are leading new tracking projects to assess pronghorn migrations across the Northern Sagebrush Steppe, including identification from traditional ecological knowledge, to gain a more comprehensive picture of what factors are constraining the animals movements and survival. These tracking studies aim to shed light on where to best direct conservation efforts.





This landscape is unique in that pronghorn are crossing international and provincial boundaries, and it will take a lot of work and communication with landowners and continued planning to make sure it remains permeable for them, Jakes says. We believe these maps can be powerful tools in the effort to conserve pronghorn migrations and identify mitigation opportunities so that they can move freely and access important seasonal ranges.





The atlas provides detailed maps, fact sheets and spatial data so that stakeholders in the region can incorporate the information into ongoing conservation planning. This approach -- using detailed maps to guide habitat restoration efforts -- has proven to be an effective means to advance conservation of ungulate migrations around the world.





Migration maps and related resources are available through the Atlas of Ungulate Migration, which is implemented under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, a United Nations treaty. View the atlas at www.cms.int/gium.
By Rashika Singh, Rae Wee and Shashwat Chauhan

(Reuters) -U.S. technology stocks failed to hold on their initial gains on Thursday, as a rally driven by Nvidia ran out of steam with concerns of lofty valuations in the technology space coming back to the fore.

Nvidia's shares were last down 2.2% after surging 5% earlier in the day when its stellar results tempered some concerns over a potential AI bubble, although questions about the payoff from the massive spending boom remain.

The global bullish spirit faded among U.S. stocks around midday, with chipmakers Advanced Micro Devices and Micron Technology tumbling 5.8% and 8.3%. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index was last down 2.8%.

"The people who are selling the semiconductors to help power AI doesn't alleviate the concerns that some of these hyperscalers are spending way too much money on building the AI infrastructure," said Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth.

"You have the company that's benefiting it, but the others are still spending too much money."

Shares of Microsoft also dropped 1.3, while Alphabet was trading around flat.

The European tech index also closed well off its session high at a 0.1% gain, with Dutch firm ASML closing only 0.4% higher after surging as much 3.2%.

U.S.-listed shares of Taiwan's TSMC were last down 0.6%. Early on in Asia, SK Hynix closed up nearly 2% and Japan's Nikkei reclaimed the 50,000 mark as chip suppliers and AI-linked stocks surged.

Investors took to heart after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed bubble concerns, calling demand "incredible" and noting bookings extend into 2026. "We see something very different from a fleeting hype cycle," he said, pointing to Nvidia's deep integration across cloud, enterprise and edge computing.

"Amid a swell of concern heading into this print, Nvidia delivered not just solid results and guidance, but a beat-and-raise that was even stronger than most had expected," J.P. Morgan analysts said.

"In our view, (the results are) a testament to strong execution across Nvidia's vast and complex supply chain."

While some hailed the company's upbeat results as proof that the AI boom was intact, others worried about external risks tied to its customers' capex and financing, and challenges surrounding the build-out of data center capacity due to energy constraints and memory chip shortages.

Nvidia is also highly reliant on a handful of customers and the increasingly circular nature of some of its deals has raised concerns, as AI startups struggle to turn big profit to justify billions of dollars in funding.
Stablecoin issuer and fintech platform Tether has announced a strategic investment in Bitcoin -backed consumer lending firm Ledn.

The partnership comes as Tether continues to expand its services and agreements throughout the sector and Ledn caps off a banner company year. According to a Nov. 18 press release, Ledn had its strongest year-to-date in 2025, originating more than $1 billion in loans with $392 million issued in the third quarter alone.

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, said in a statement that the partnership would expand global access to credit without requiring individuals to sell their digital assets. This approach strengthens self-custody and financial resilience, he added.

Cross-domain crypto cooperation

Tether and Ledn have not disclosed the amount of the strategic investment. However, a post on Twitter indicated that Ledn intended to use the funds to ship new products and features, expand into new markets, and seamlessly integrate Tether products into its platform.

Ledn also offers high-interest, growth-oriented savings accounts which support USDC, USDT, and Bitcoin. Combined with the firms lending services, which allow individual holders to take out loans backed by their holdings, the firm offers end-to-end crypto growth services.

For its part, Tether has continued its streak of rapid expansion and partner investing. As Coinspeaker reported on Nov. 15, Tether is considering a $1.16 billion investment in German AI-powered robotics firm Neura. The potential deal would reportedly value Neura at around $12 billion.

Tether has also recently announced plans to partner with investment firm KraneShares and El Salvador-based Bitfinex Securities to create blockchain infrastructure for tokenized securities through the formation of a formal alliance.

Read original story Tether Enters Strategic Partnership with Bitcoin-backed Loanmaker Ledn by Tristan Greene at Coinspeaker.com
Donald Trump signed into law on Wednesday legislation requiring the release of government records on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, spurring a showdown over whether the US president will allow full disclosure -- or return to trying to bury the case.

Trump stunned Washington over the weekend, reversing his months-long opposition to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and ensuring that it sailed through Congress on Tuesday in a rare show of bipartisan unity.

The Republican president, a former friend of the late sex offender, announced on social media late Wednesday that he had signed the bill, forgoing any media spectacle of the event.

Insiders warn that even with the president's signature, his administration could lean on redactions, procedural delays or lingering federal investigations to keep explosive details out of the public eye.

"Once the president signs the bill, he must apply and execute it faithfully. There must be no funny business from Donald Trump," top Democrat Chuck Schumer warned in a speech on the Senate floor.

"He must not use the excuse of frivolous investigations to release some Epstein documents, while intentionally hiding others that deserve to be seen by the American public."

Epstein, a wealthy financier, moved in elite circles for years, cultivating close ties with business tycoons, politicians, academics and celebrities to whom he was accused of trafficking girls and young women for sex.

Trump and his allies spent years pushing theories about powerful Democrats being protected over involvement with Epstein, framing the case as a potent symbol of how powerful men can hide behind lawyers, money and connections.

But Trump himself was a longtime associate of Epstein, raising questions over what he knew about the notorious figure.

Far beyond Trump's conspiracy-minded voter base, the saga dented public trust in the US justice system and raised suspicion among voters who believe important pieces of the story were either hidden or ignored.

Epstein's 2019 arrest fueled a storm of outrage and pressure for a full accounting of his network, his finances and the people who helped him evade.

Conspiracy theories about a cover-up only deepened after his death -- ruled a suicide -- in a New York jail soon after.

- 'Smoke screen'? -

Passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in Congress marked a moment of deep emotional resonance, with abuse survivors filling the House gallery as the vote was called, hugging and cheering when it passed.

It was a sharp rebuke of Trump and his ally, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had led efforts to prevent disclosure.

Johnson had said he would "cross that bridge" when asked if he'd push Trump to veto the bill.

The president had warned House Republicans off the action but reversed course, fearing humiliation as he faced the largest rebellion of his presidency.

Under the law, the Justice Department has a month to dump its unclassified files online -- in a searchable trove of transcripts, flight logs and communications that could unearth unseen names and connections.

The text makes only narrow exceptions for personal data and genuine legal and security concerns.

But analysts question whether officials will comply, or argue that sensitive material cannot be released because related probes remain active -- including a new investigation ordered by Trump last week into Epstein's ties with Democrats.

"(This) might be a big smoke screen, these investigations, to open a bunch of them as a last-ditch effort to prevent the release of the Epstein files," Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican who pushed the House vote, told ABC News.

The Justice Department and FBI said in July they had uncovered no evidence in a review of the files that would support further action, and it was not clear if the new probe ordered by Trump on Friday would hamper disclosure.

Attorney General Pam Bondi was pressed on the justification for further investigation and said there was "new information, additional information."

"If there are any victims, we encourage all victims to come forward," she told reporters. "And we will continue to provide maximum transparency under the law."

ft/bgs/jgc/des/sla
Collins detailed the importance of building up f--k you money  enough saved up to quit a bad job or take extended time off without going into debt  on the path to FIRE, and how that became his driving force.

I don't see it that way. I never felt that I was depriving myself when I took money that I saved and invested it. What I was doing was spending my money on the single most important thing to me, which was my financial freedom.

One of the things that I push back on is this idea of being cheap or that this path is one of deprivation, right? Collins replied.

The FIRE movement initially gained a reputation for followers living as frugally as possible (2), but that has changed in recent years, according to the New York Times (3).

He asked Collins about the first rule  spend less than you earn. So, you're saying be cheap? Minhaj joked.

Minhaj then laid out the rules Collins explains in the book  spend less than you earn, invest the surplus in an index fund and avoid debt.

And he goes, Do you have a checking account?  Do you have a 401k? Do you have a Roth IRA? Do you have a retirement account? He's using all these terms, but it started my Google journey into buying this book.

I had about $3,200 to my name, and he's like, Are you selling drugs? And I go, I promise I'm not selling drugs. I'm serious. I am a comedian. I'm not selling drugs out of this apartment, Minhaj said.

Minhaj was candid about his complete lack of knowledge about money when he was breaking into the comedy scene, mentioning that his first roommate in LA was concerned that he kept all his money in a box in cash.

Wealthy investors are turning to this niche strategy to stay steady through big market swings. Heres how it could also work for you

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

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100  and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

Known in the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) community as the Godfather of FI  Collins' New York Times Best Seller has shed light on all things personal finance since its release in 2016. Recently, Collins appeared on comedian Hasan Minhajs podcast, Hasan Minhaj Doesnt Know, to discuss his three rules for financial success (1).

If youve read JL Collins book, The Simple Path to Wealth, you know he believes the answer to that question is yes.

Is achieving financial freedom something anyone can do, regardless of their income?

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

La historia continua

For me, there was nothing money could buy that was more important than my financial freedom, than having what I thought of at the time as FU money, which gave me the freedom to make bolder choices in my life, he said.

Spending less than you earn gives you a consistent stream of money to invest, which is his next rule.

Trending: Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year  and he begs investors not to miss its explosion

Invest the surplus

Collins' advice to everyone is to invest their surplus income in VTSAX, a simple, all-in-one, low-cost index fund by Vanguard.

Minhaj pressed him on choosing VTSAX over tech stocks that have accounted for much of the gains in recent years.

You want me to be happy with a measly 12% on average return when I need to come up now? Minhaj joked. If I was dumb and I invested in VTSAX, I get 12%  but look, if 10 years ago, I go all in on the real stuff that makes the world turn  all I do is I hold FAANG plus Nvidia, I would have gone up 713%, 873%, 633%, 1268%.

Had I put my $3,000 into Nvidia, I would have gone up 26,209% in 10 years.

Collins pointed out that while FAANG has been successful over the past decade, no one knew which stocks would take off and which would fail, as many of their peers did.

You don't know which horse is going to win, but I do know that VTSAX will reliably make me wealthy, Collins said. And 12% a year, compounded over time  8% a year, let's be much more conservative  compounded over time is an extraordinarily powerful thing.

Minhaj then asked him about a recent headline:

Bank of America says growth stocks are in a bubble exceeding the dot-com and Nifty 50 eras and warns they could take the S&P 500 down 40%, Minhaj read.

Collins then detailed the crashes hes been through over the past 50 years.

Crashes like that are a perfectly normal part of the process  they are to be expected. Since I've been investing, there have been three of them that have gone down more than 50%, he said, noting significant crashes in 1974 - 1975, 2000 - 2002 and 2008 - 2009.

He reiterated that during each of these periods, everyone thought the world was ending, and yet, the market always rebounded and continued to climb.

His advice? Be like Warren Buffett and capitalize on the discount.

You have to tie yourself to the mast and use the opportunity while you have it to acquire shares at bargain prices, Collins said.

You know, Warren Buffett said that every now and again, there's going to be really dark clouds out there, and it's going to begin raining gold, and you want to be out there filling your buckets because that's the opportunity to buy at the best possible prices.

Avoid debt

Finally, Collins pointed out the significant importance of avoiding debt  be it a mortgage, car loan or credit card debt  so you can instead use that extra income to invest.

I wouldn't lease a car. I also wouldn't take a car payment  I've never had a car payment, Collins said.

He explained how his father bought a new car every five years in cash, and he did this by starting with the cheapest car possible, and then making a car payment to his bank account each month for the future car he wanted. After five years, he had enough cash to buy the new car, minus any debt.

When it comes to mortgages, his feelings are similar.

You shouldn't think of your house as an investment, Collins said. Sometimes it works out, goes up in value, but it's a place to live. It's a lifestyle choice, so you need to separate in your mind what an investment is and what a house is.

Money management tools for beginners

If youre just starting out on your investing and financial independence journey, there are some tools that can make it easier to find your path.

Starting small can make a big difference  those who invest early and often, even if its just a small amount, reap the rewards thanks to the power of compounding.

Acorns can help you start investing automatically, by rounding up the price of your purchases to the nearest dollar and placing the difference into an investment portfolio.

Your next coffee purchase could be your next investment toward financial freedom. That morning $3.50 ritual will be rounded up to $4.00, and the 50-cent difference will automatically be invested every time. Depending on your coffee habit, that can add up to a significant amount of money invested each month with zero effort on your part.

Plus, if you sign up now, you can get a $20 bonus investment when you set up a $5 recurring monthly contribution for your portfolio.

Learning how to accurately budget is crucial as you start your journey to financial independence. Once you know exactly how much youre giving to Uber Eats each month, youll be motivated to reduce that number so you can invest more.

If youre looking to manage your investments on your own, there are tools to help you keep up with whats happening in the market every day.

One option is Moby, a cutting-edge platform that allows you to make smarter financial decisions by providing personalized insights and data-driven strategies.

Each week, Mobys team of financial experts put together three curated stock picks every week for your consideration. What happens next, to invest or not invest, is entirely under your control. This can help you navigate complex investment markets with ease and confidence.

Even better, Moby offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try before you buy, and make sure that their recommendations, analysis and financial planning assistance align with your own goals.

Dont be afraid to ask for help

Finally, if youre unsure where to start, an advisor can help you make a long-term plan. Vanguard reports (4) that those who work with a financial advisor experience a 3% increase in net returns compared to those who dont, so it can also impact how fast your investments grow.

If youre looking for a qualified advisor, check out Advisor.com. Just answer a few quick questions, and youll be matched with a selection of the best advisors for your needs.

Book a no-obligation call today to find the right advisor for you.

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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.

@Hasan Minhaj (1); Mr. Money Mustache (2); The New York Times (3); Vanguard (4)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Rome to host rally and events to protest violence against women.

This weekend, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, the feminist movement Non Una di Meno will stage a rally in Rome.

The demonstration on Saturday 22 November, to "sabotage wars and patriarchy", is scheduled to start in Piazza della Repubblica at 14.30 before making its way to Piazza di Porta di San Giovanni.

Events in Rome

Events and initiatives to raise awareness about the scourge of gender-based violence are already under way in the Italian capital.

The Facciamo Luce campaign includes a week of events at the Mondadori Bookstore in Piazza Cola di Rienzo 81/83 and at the Galleria Alberto Sordi.

The Casa delle Donne hosting various initiatives against patriarchal violence, until 27 November.

My Name is Nevenka by Iciar Bollain, a film that tells the true story of the first Spanish woman to report a politician for sexual harassment at work, will be the focus of three events at cinemas in Rome on 24, 25 and 27 November.

A play titled Mercoledi delle Ceneri is being staged at Teatro Tor Bella Monaca on 25-26 November, accompanied by two afternoons of free meetings open to the public.

Sexual violence bill

This week, Italy's lower house gave unanimous approval to a bill that introduces the concept of consent into the definition of sexual assault, defining sex without consent as rape.

The bill, which must now be passed by the senate before becoming law, marks a shift from previous legislation that has focused on physical coercion or threats.

In recent weeks Italy has been shocked by several high-profile femicides including two brutal murders in Milan: Luciana Ronchi (62) and Pamela Genini (29) were both stabbed to death by their former partners.

Photo credit: Elena Lopriore - Shutterstock.com.
A senior US Democrat is urging the Commerce Department to investigate four Chinese semiconductor firms potentially tied to Dutch chipmaker Nexperia, warning they could threaten the safety and reliability of components used in cars across the US and its allies.

The request marks the latest twist in the turmoil surrounding the Chinese-owned firm, which has become a flashpoint in broader disputes involving China, Europe, and the US, following months of internal conflicts, regulatory intervention and supply-chain disruption.

Chinese operations of the embattled Netherlands-based firm are increasingly bypassing its Dutch parent and turning towards China-based wafer suppliers - including Wuxi NCE Power, Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics, Yangjie Technology and WingSkySemi - according to Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the US House Select Committee on the Communist Party.

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.

"Any shift to unvetted PRC suppliers would raise significant concerns regarding safety certification, quality control and the reliability of components embedded in critical vehicle systems," he wrote in a letter seen by the Post.

The letter, sent on Tuesday to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and the head of the department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Jeffrey Kessler, comes after Nexperia, owned by the Chinese company Wingtech, suspended supplies of wafers to its Chinese assembly plant, putting pressure on its Chinese operations to find alternatives.

Of the four companies, the most likely candidate would be WingSkySemi, also known as Shanghai Dingtai Jiangxin Technology, a sister company of Wingtech, according to an industry expert who spoke to the Post.

The other three companies were named in a report by industry consultancy Zhineng Auto as capable of supplying wafers to Dongguan-based Nexperia China.

"Will BIS open formal investigations into Wuxi NCE Power, Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics, Yangjie Technology and especially WingSkySemi to determine whether they pose risks related to ownership, state direction or circumvention of US and allied export controls?" Krishamoorthi wrote.

In a statement to the Post, Yangjie Technology said it has not supplied wafers to Nexperia China. The other three companies did not respond to a request for comment.

Nexperia also did not respond.
Ottoline Spearman

The new Minister for Foreign Affairs will travel to Brussels on Thursday to attend a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on her first official trip in the role.

Helen McEntee will meet with fellow Foreign Ministers to discuss issues including Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the Sahel and Sudan.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, she condemned Russias drone and missile attacks on cities across Ukraine, saying it is a critical moment for European security.

"I will be taking the opportunity to reiterate Irelands steadfast solidarity and support for Ukraine, our support for further sanctions on Russia, as well as our strong support for Ukraines EU accession, she said.

On the situation in the Middle East, Ms McEntee said the immediate priority is to ensure humanitarian aid gets into and throughout Gaza.

She also said: "We must not lose sight of the disturbing situation in the West Bank, where Israeli military operations and settlement expansion are continuing.

"I will restate our readiness to play our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians through the implementation of the two-State solution.

On Sudan, she said that urgent action is needed to ensure unhindered humanitarian access across the country.
It has been confirmed that there was just one person on board the light aircraft that crashed in a field near Tramore earlier this afternoon.

It is understood that the person has sadly passed away.

The person's identity has not yet been confirmed.

The Vulcanair P68 crashed at around 12.50pm on the approach to Waterford Airport near Lisselan on the R685.

It is understood that the plane was originally due to fly from Sligo to Beziers, France.

Air crash investigators have arrived on the scene.
Tributes have been paid to Paddy Walsh, who passed away aged 86 on Wednesday, November 12.

Late of Arbor Road, Lisduggan and a native of Morrisons Road, Waterford City, Paddy was one of the founding members of St. Pauls Parish.

One of Paddys defining traits was his affection for pigeons, garnering the title Paddy Pigeon. His daughter Amanda recalled a shed out at the back of their house that acted as a shrine dedicated to his love for the birds.

Paddy attended school at De La Salle College, though he often played truant.

He wasnt a lover of school, Paddys daughter Amanda recalled. As a young man he spent his time hunting, one of his great passions.

He worked as a trained butcher at Denny's in Waterford where he met his beloved wife, Betty.

Paddy will be fondly remembered as a community activist. As one of the first to move into Lisduggan, he worked tirelessly towards the betterment of the neighbourhood, cutting the grass in communal areas with his lawnmower.

He worked in collecting pools for the Central Remedial Clinic, earning another colourful nickname - Paddy Pools. He was also a proud member of the Irish Wheelchair Association.

He is deeply mourned by his children Pat, Ray, Sandra, Louise, and Amanda; sons-in-law Brendan, Trevor and Will; grandchildren James, Cian, Roisin, Charlie, Liam, Katie, Emily, Sarah, Odhan, Amy, Daisy, and Fintan; great-grandchildren Ruairi and Cillian; his brother Michael; sisters Lily, Nellie, and Stella; nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
One of the most active and busy community groups in County Waterford will be holding its Annual General Meeting in the coming weeks.

The Kilmeaden Community Network group plans to hold the AGM on Wednesday, December 3, at 8pm, in Ballyduff Community Centre.

The organisers of the meeting are encouraging everyone in the locality to go along, especially those who are interested in the future direction of the area.

The Kilmeaden Community Network is a non-political resident group that has been active for over two years.

The aim of the group is to promote sustainable, balanced development for Kilmeaden within the context of its role as a rural village and with the aim of protecting its environment and overall character.
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Analysis EnvironmentClimate changeClimate policy Australia can win big international bids when it wants. This was an omnishambles Nick O'Malley Updated November 20, 2025  1:11pm ,first published November 20, 2025  8:59am 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 185 View all comments

It was left to an ashen-faced Chris Bowen to appear before media in Brazil to explain how Australia had managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in its bid to host next years United Nations climate talks. Ever since Australia and Turkey announced their rival bids in 2022, Australia had been seen as the obvious winner. It had overwhelming support in the UN and the backing of the Pacific nations most vulnerable to climate change. Loading Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Perth at the time, and focused on a trip to South Africa for another diplomatic event, the upcoming G20 meetings, and was determined to put a positive spin on the outcome. Asked on ABC radio about the last-minute loss, Albanese celebrated an outstanding outcome.

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Youd be forgiven for thinking that the only outstanding element of Australias effort was the gap Albanese had managed to put between himself and Belem  about 16,000 kilometres as the crow flies. In fact, Albanese was talking up the concessions Bowen had managed to extract in last-minute negotiations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen Bloomberg, Getty, Alex Ellinghausen According to the in-principle agreement still being hammered out in Brazil, Australia would bow out of the race entirely so that Turkey could host rather than see a pro-forma event held at the UNs climate headquarters in Bonn, Germany. The high-profile leaders meeting that traditionally runs before or during the first days of those talks would also be held in Turkey. And as host, Turkey would appoint the COP president to run the event and manage the mechanics of the worlds key multilateral machine to combat climate change for the succeeding year, as the rules dictated.

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Climate policy Turkey refused to budge, so Australia caved. Why is Albanese still calling it a win? The concessions? A pre-COP summit would be held somewhere in the Pacific next year, which Australia would use to extract finance from attendees to a Pacific Resilience Fund. Bowen would serve at the talks in Turkey under the title of president of negotiations, with authority to set the negotiating agenda, appoint chairs and leads and prepare the draft decision text. Australias goals in the bid, Bowen explained to media in Belem, had been to elevate the concerns of the Pacific and to act in the nations best interests. These goals would be served by those concessions, he said.

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Climate policy Albanese has cut Australias COP bid off at the knees; has anyone told Bowen? This is not nothing. Anyone who has watched UN climate negotiations up close knows the roles of those who drive them are powerful and significant. The Pacific will be devastated by Australias failure, but it will not turn down any finance that might be extracted at such a forum. Bowen insists that, had he not blinked and had the meeting reverted to Bonn, the result would have been a rudderless meeting at which Australia and the Pacific would have had no control and no input. Some people will be disappointed in that outcome. Other people, of course, would be even more disappointed if it had gone to Bonn without a COP president in place. This is a better outcome than that. What went wrong for Australia is not yet entirely clear, but it is clear that the Australian effort never looked like the smooth, unified and energetic campaigns by which previous governments secured a seat on the UN Security Council in 2013 or installed former finance minister Mathias Cormann as secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2021.

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Related Article Climate policy Not an option: PM puts hard word on Turkey over next years climate talks For months, diplomatic observers were warning that Bowen did not appear to have the full and enthusiastic support of Albanese for the bid, nor the focus of Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the heft of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It was noticed that Albanese did not attend the Brazil leaders meeting the week before this COP. In the days leading up to the Australian surrender, Bowen was locked in negotiations in Brazil, but still voicing his determination to win the bid, while back in Australia, Albanese spoke like a man building himself an off-ramp. Let me make it clear  were not going anywhere, Bowen said on Tuesday. Its the fight weve got to have because it is very much in Australias interests, and I believe in the worlds interest, having Australia as the president of COP31. Thats what were working on. Thats what we intend to do.

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Climate solutions If Australia does not host COP31, its a strategic surrender Tina Latif Environmentalist A few hours later, Albanese told media in Australia, If Australia is not chosen, if Turkey is chosen, we wouldnt seek to veto that. Those two positions are not necessarily inconsistent, but the difference in tone was heard in Belem. Turkey was intransigent, Australia was faltering. It is not clear how much difference late interventions by the prime minister would have made. The process demands consensus, not overwhelming support, and Turkey simply would not concede. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
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Perth businessman Chris Marco had lodged an appeal over his 43 fraud convictions for allegedly defrauding his clients of millions of dollars, and investing their money in real estate and luxury cars.

Marco was sentenced to 14 years jail in the WA Supreme Court in October after he was found guilty on all charges of fraud by a jury.

Chris Marco outside the West Australian Supreme Court last year. Jesinta Burton

An appeal was lodged in his case on Thursday afternoon by his lawyer Luka Margaretic.

The appeal asks the court to set aside the convictions in all 43 counts, and says they are having regard to the evidence  unreasonable and cannot be supported.
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Political Sketch PoliticsFederalClimate crisis Australia beaten by the Turks. Dont mention the war Tony Wright Updated November 20, 2025  1:10pm ,first published November 20, 2025  11:27am 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 82 View all comments

Australia has lost to the Turks. We wont add again or mention Gallipoli. Naturally. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen went to Brazil thinking hed triumph over Turkey, until Anthony Albanese conceded. Marija Ercegovac But its incumbent on us, for the purposes of accuracy, to point out that if Australia hadnt bowed to the Turks, the Germans would have won the whole show. We are talking about COP31, of course.

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Should you be averse to snappy acronyms, COP31 is (deep breath, try not to expel too much carbon dioxide) the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Australia had expected to hold this peak hot-air festival in Adelaide in November next year, and had spent years and large amounts of cash marshalling international support. Loading But Turkey dug in, insisting it should host COP31 at its coastal resort city of Antalya. Australia, of course, learned long ago  110 years, to be precise  the perils of driving an assault on a Turkish coastal position.

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Sure enough, on the virtual eve of a showdown, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese  vastly more cautious than, say, Churchill of the Dardanelles  made clear Australia wouldnt be storming any beaches over COP31, however many allies stood with Australia. He said on Tuesday that Australia wouldnt veto Turkeys insistence on hosting the conference if the other country was chosen. But as it turned out, Turkey couldnt be chosen unless Australia did the choosing. It was the hoisting of a white flag, leaving Australias allies confused and the bid for Adelaide all but under water. Had Albanese got around to studying the Byzantine rules of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change? Under these so-called consensus hosting rules, if neither Australia nor Turkey was willing to concede, the conference would have gone to Bonn, in Germany.

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No matter that the Germans didnt actually want this particular victory. But hey, you want logic? This is the United Nations. That left Australias Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, looking as stranded as a shipwrecked sailor on a half-submerged rock. More precisely, he was stranded at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, where he had surely expected he would announce with much flourish that Australia had delivered the Turks a sound defeat. He had been sounding positively gung ho as recently as the weekend. The situation remains that Australia has the overwhelming support of the world to host COP31, Bowen said. Instead, he was reduced on Thursday to a harried doorstop to announce that Turkey had, in fact, done us in the eye.

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A key banking regulator within the Treasury Department has officially greenlit the ability for national banks to hold and spend cryptocurrency in certain cases.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) confirmed in an interpretive letter Tuesday that major banks are officially permitted to keep crypto on their balance sheets to pay network fees on blockchains for otherwise permissible banking activities.

National banks are also allowed to hold and use digital assets for testing crypto-related platforms, the regulator said.

Permitting the bank to engage in the proposed activities enables it merely to expand pre-existing permissible activity without having to expend resources or expose itself to operational and counterparty risks associated with acquiring the necessary crypto-assets from a third party, Adam Cohen, the OCCs senior deputy comptroller chief counsel, said in a letter justifying the new policy.

Under the Biden administration, the OCC took a much more cautious approach to cryptocurrencyone that required national banks to receive approval from the regulator prior to engaging in most crypto-related activities.

At the time, other banking regulators, including the FDIC, discouraged federally chartered banks from engaging in some types of crypto activity it deemed too riskyincluding engagement with public, permissionless blockchain networks like Ethereum, on which activity can not be censored by human administrators.

White House Reviews Proposed IRS Rule to Tax Americans' Foreign Crypto Accounts

The aggressively pro-crypto Trump administration has moved this year, however, to dismantle such policies. In March, the OCC rescinded the Biden-era policy requiring national banks to gain regulator approval before engaging in crypto activity. It also greenlit the ability for major banks to custody crypto assets for their customers, and to engage in certain stablecoin-related activities.

Todays announcement appears to go a bit further, by giving national banks explicit permission to hold crypto on their balance sheets for multiple purposes. It therefore brings Americas largest banks one step closer to the ability to move traditional banking functions on-chain, and increase their direct involvement in the crypto sector.
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM) ranks among the best sustainability stocks to invest in. On October 28, Truist Securities reaffirmed its $9 price target and Buy rating for Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM) following the companys third-quarter earnings report.

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM) announced third-quarter funds from operations (FFO) of $0.35 per share, which exceeded both Truists estimate and the consensus projection of $0.34. The company also adjusted its full-year 2025 guidance to an unaltered midpoint of $1.41 per share, while its projected fourth-quarter guidance midpoint of $0.35 per share remains in line with market expectations.

Piedmonts core FFO projection for 2025 has been reduced to $1.40$1.42 per diluted share. Given increased leasing activity and ongoing renovations, the company projects mid-single-digit FFO growth in 20262027. Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM) also expects about $75 million in future annual cash rent from executed leases, with a goal of an 8990% lease rate by the end of the year.

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM) is a real estate investment trust that owns, manages, develops, redevelops, and operates Class A office properties in major Eastern U.S. office markets.

While we acknowledge the potential of PDM 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.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
As whispers grow in Washington about President Donald Trump's waning influence over the Republican Party, investors are rapidly backing away from his company's stock. In the past week, shares of Trump Media & Technology Group have fallen 18% and the stock is down 36% in the past month.

Shares are ever-so-slightly above their all-time low, currently trading at $10.29, and that's having an impact on Trump's personal fortune. The stock plunge has erased more than $5 billion in wealth for Trump and his family. Trump owns roughly 115 million shares of the company.

The decline has been a fairly steady one since the stock's big jump in January prior to the start of his administration's second term. Year to date, Trump Media shares have lost 70% of their value. (The stock was poised to drop once again in pre-market trading Thursday.)

Investors are particularly concerned about the company's crypto holdings. The broader cryptocurrency market has been in meltdown for the better part of the past month-and-a-half. Bitcoin prices are now below where they were when Trump took office and just under 2% lower for the year. After spiking as high as $124,000, the price now stands at less than $92,000.

Trump Media has been investing heavily in Bitcoin, accumulating $2 billion worth in July, which made up roughly two-thirds of its liquid assets at that time.

The crypto problems are likely having a larger impact on Trump's wealth, as he has holds or has invested in additional crypto ventures including the decentralized finance entity World Liberty Financial and the meme coin $TRUMP, which has fallen from a price of $45 to less than $7 since the start of the year.

Trump has been incredibly pro-crypto since taking office, easing regulations for token traders. He has shrugged off concerns about a conflict of interest, noting that his assets are in a trust that's managed by his son Donald Trump, Jr.
By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's tariff increases on imports from foreign countries will reduce U.S. deficits by $3 trillion if they are maintained through 2035, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated on Thursday, instead of the $4 trillion the agency projected in August.

The CBO based its latest estimate on tariffs imposed by Trump between January 6 and November 15. It said that primary deficits would be reduced by $2.5 trillion over 11 years, with government borrowing costs falling by around $500 billion as a result. The August estimate was $3.3 trillion and $700 billion, respectively.

The revision was mainly based on new data, with the remainder stemming from the Trump administration's recent changes to its tariff policies.

Some federal courts have ruled that the administration overstepped its authority in imposing the tariffs, as the U.S. Constitution grants Congress powers over trade policy. The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing those decisions.

Trump has boasted that the tariffs have created a windfall for the U.S. Treasury, while critics argue the higher costs of goods arriving from abroad are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices on products when they reach American shelves.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Andrea Ricci )
Such fields were a foundation stone for Syrias economy for years, along with oil, and it suffered less damage than its hydrocarbon counterpart during the 13-year-long civil war. Before the outbreak of hostilities, Syrias gas output was around 316 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of dry natural gas, with proven reserves of 8.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf). This had not gone unnoticed by Russia (along with its sizeable oil reserves and the strategic importance of its Mediterranean coastline), which had busily established a significant presence on the ground even before the civil war began in 2011. In fact, Stroytransgaz had begun the build-out of Syrias South-Central Gas Area in 2009, which by 2011 had boosted the countrys natural gas production by about 40%. This allowed Syrias combined gas and oil exports to generate a quarter of government revenues at that point, making it the eastern Mediterraneans leading oil and gas producer at the time. Following heavy military intervention from Russia to shore up then-President al-Assads position, Russia and Syria agreed on the 2015 Cooperation Plan that covered the restoration of at least 40 energy facilities in Syria (an initial focus on gas, but also including offshore oil fields), together with the build-out of the power sector. The deal also covered the full reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Aleppo thermal plant, the installation of the Deir Ezzor power plant and the expansion of capacity of the Mharda and Tishreen plants, with a view to re-energising Syrias power grid and restoring the main control centre for the grid back to Damascus. In short, from the Wests perspective, most of the groundwork for the expansion has already been done and paid for by Russia.

The US and Great Britain are ramping up their efforts to secure the strategic advantage they created for the West in the Middle East by removing Russias key man in Syria, Bashar al-Assad, in December. A critical part of the political, economic, religious, and security fabric of the Middle East, it is also a crucial link from there to Africa in the south and to Europe in the West, by dint of its long Mediterranean coastline, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order . The key to keeping Syria aligned with the West is to build up its economy with investment and on-the-ground help from Western firms, with a particular focus on the countrys previous main source of revenues  gas and oil exports. Handily for the West, such projects also legally allow for the stationing of security personnel on these sites into which investment is being funnelled, along with any other assets that the companies involved might think fit to secure their operations. Alongside these, Washington and London believe lessons were learned from previous forays into Iraq and Libya, wherein the Wests efforts in those countries were increasingly regarded as neo-Crusader-like occupations by the indigenous populace, the longer they persisted. Consequently, moves are being made this time around to obviate such objections through the presence of Arabic states happy to work alongside their Western counterparts. Cue the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whose powerhouse enterprise Dana Gas last week signed a preliminary deal with Syrias state oil company to look at redeveloping the countrys natural gas fields.

Story Continues

The same broadly applies to Syrias oil sector, as another element of the 2015 Russia-Syria Cooperation Plan included the repair and capacity-boosting upgrading of the Homs oil refinery (Syrias other was then in Banias). The Phase 1 target capacity was 140,000 barrels per day (bpd), Phase 2s was 240,000 bpd and Phase 3s was 360,000 bpd. The Russian intention was that it could also be used to refine Iranian oil coming through Iraq if needed, before onward shipment into southern Europe. Again, before the civil war began in 2011, Syria was a major oil producer, with output of around 400,000 bpd of crude oil from proved reserves of 2.5 billion barrels. Prior to that  before the recovery rate started to decline due to a lack of enhanced oil recovery techniques being employed at the major fields -- it had been producing nearly 600,000 bpd. Europe imported over US$3 billion of oil per year from Syria up to the beginning of 2011, and many European refineries were configured to process the heavy, sour Souedie crude oil that makes up much of Syrias output, with the remainder being the sweet and lighter Syrian Light grade. Most of this  some 150,000-bpd combined  went to Germany, Italy, and France, from one of Syrias three Mediterranean export terminals: Banias, Tartus, and Latakia. As an adjunct to this, a multitude of international oil companies were operating in Syrias energy sector, including the UKs Shell, Petrofac and Gulfsands Petroleum, Frances then-Total, the China National Petroleum Corporation, Indias Oil and Natural Gas Corp, Canadas Suncor Energy, and Russias Tatneft and Stroytransgaz.

With this infrastructure still largely in place, and gratifyingly paid for by Moscow, it is little wonder that U.S. President Donald Trump announced the lifting of Washingtons sanctions on Syrias gas and oil sector on 13 May. Great Britain and the European Union of 27 member countries had earlier done the same. Trump made the statement in Riyadh, which tied into his awareness of the necessity to keep other Middle Eastern states involved in Syrias future this time around. Indeed, Saudi Arabia has argued that a stabilised Syria would also be beneficial to it, allowing the Kingdom to embark on its own projects in the country and to move its own exports  including energy  through the country and into Europe. The same applies to the UAE  which, alongside Saudi Arabia, is one of the key Arabic countries Trump is keen to involve as stakeholders in Syria, and in his broader Middle Eastern strategy. This is focused on building a solid base of interconnected economic and then political relationships across the region, with the U.S. and its key allies at their centre. This was the original intention of the Abraham Accord deals between Arab states and Israel that Trump promulgated in his first term as president, as also analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. In this context, the UAEs Dana Gas has a perfect pedigree from the Wests perspective, as it has been instrumental in major gas redevelopment projects in two other key targets for the Wests new global oil order  Egypt and Iraq. In Iraq, it has been at the cutting edge of this geopolitical-energy nexus, operating successfully in the flashpoint semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan in Iraqs north. Only recently, for example, it announced the beginning of gas sales from the regions Khor Mor gas expansion project.

Ultimately, these latest moves in Syria should allow the U.S. and its allies to achieve three key results. First, it places these countries at the heart of Syrias economic renewal programme, which should allow them to cement their position in the policy directions the country takes from here. Second, it ties in key Arab countries into the regeneration of one of the regions longstanding key political, economic, religious and geographically important states. This should allow for an easier rollout of Trumps new consensus across the region through further Abraham Accord-like deals. And third, it denies Russia all these advantages. And in the zero-sum games of geopolitics and energy diplomacy, this is a huge victory for the West.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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(Reuters) -The UK's Serious Fraud Office said on Thursday it was investigating the collapse of a $28 million cryptocurrency scheme, urging investors to step forward after two men were arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering.

In its first major crypto investigation, the SFO said Basis Markets had raised cash from two public fundraisers in late 2021 by selling non-fungible tokens and used the funds to create a crypto hedge fund.

In June 2022, investors were told that the project was being scuppered by proposed new U.S. regulations, the SFO noted. The SFO was not immediately able to provide further details.

SFO investigators and police officers arrested the men after launching two raids in London and West Yorkshire, northern England, earlier on Thursday.

"With our expanding cryptocurrency capability and growing expertise in this area, we are determined to pursue anyone who would seek to use cryptocurrency to defraud investors," said SFO Director Nick Ephgrave.

(Reporting by Kirstin Ridley in London and Aatrayee Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas, Aidan Lewis)
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Sligo LEADER Partnership Company was proud to participate in the first-ever Local Development Companies Network Summit 2030, held in Ballina, on October 30 and 31 last.

The event brought together community development leaders, government representatives, and sector partners from across Ireland.

Hosted by the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN), the two-day gathering marked a major milestone for the community-led local development sector, celebrating the essential role local development companies play in social inclusion, rural development, enterprise support, and community services nationwide.

Representatives from Sligo LEADER Partnership joined peers from all 49 local development companies, sharing insights, expertise and local successes while engaging in future-focused conversations on strengthening inclusive, resilient and economically vibrant communities.

Pictured at the summit were, from left: Donna Hyland, Minister Dara Calleary, Rose Conway Walsh TD, Keira Keogh TD, and Sabina Trench, CEO, South West Mayo Development Company.

Acting chairperson of Sligo LEADER Partnership, Finbarr Filan, said: "It was a privilege to attend the inaugural summit and to represent the vital work we do in County Sligo. The event highlighted the power of collaboration, innovation and community-led action in building an inclusive Ireland. We look forward to applying key learnings and continuing to support individuals, families, and communities locally."

Representatives from Mayo North East LEADER with Minister Dara Calleary at the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) summit at the Great National Hotel in Ballina.

Key themes of the summit included advancing inclusion, equity and participation; strengthening collaboration, trust, and long-term local partnerships; supporting resilient rural and urban communities; evidence-based approaches and targeted investment in community development; ensuring sustainable, multi-year funding for vital local programmes.

Speakers across government, academia, civil society and community organisations shared powerful insights, including remarks from Ministers Jerry Buttimer, Dara Calleary and Jennifer Murnane OConnor, who emphasised the need for innovation and ambition in community-led development, along with investment in inclusive programmes that ensure no one is left behind.

Sligo LEADER Partnership remains committed to championing local needs and delivering innovative, inclusive programmes that empower communities and individuals to thrive.

Some of the attendees at the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) summit at the Great National Hotel in Ballina, from left: Kevin Kelly, chief executive, Mayo County Council; Eamonn Scanlon, TD; Minister Dara Calleary; John Feerick, CEO of Sligo LEADER and chairperson of the organising committee; Sabina Trench, CEO, South West Mayo Development Company; Frank Feighan TD and Chris Gonley, CEO, Leitrim Development Company.

Chairperson of the organising committee was John Feerick, CEO of Sligo LEADER Partnership.

"The summit reinforced what we see every day on the ground - when communities are supported, resourced and listened to, they flourish," said Mr Feerick.

Sligo LEADER Partnership Company (SLPC) was established in 1995 to support communities and individuals in Sligo city and county. SLPC manages programmes on behalf of government departments and state agencies. LEADER is one of the core programmes in addition to SICAP (Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme), and various other employment and rural supports.
Tilly Norwood is a young, pretty actor who is causing a storm in Hollywood. She has great headshots, a resume and apparently genuine interest from the TV and film industry. Her appeal is obvious. She doesnt argue about contracts or ask for a trailer. She does not need rehearsals and never forgets her lines - because she only has the ones you type in. In fact, she does not eat, sleep or age. She is fully AI-generated.

According to her creator Eline Van der Velden, a Dutch-British actress-turned-producer, agents are circling, which if true says less about Tilly and more about the state of the industry: when an algorithm is taking meetings, human actors are right to feel nervous.

Meanwhile, human actors are filming on these productions in Los Angeles today that have titles like '18-year-old great-grandma', 'Fired, then I won the Superbowl', 'I Married a Criminal who turned out to be a billionaire hero', etc, etc.

No, these arent parody titles, porn videos nor intended to be ironic. These are the names of some of the fastest-growing productions in Hollywood and they tell you everything about how the acting world has changed - and why LA, once the centre of world filmmaking, now feels like a fever dream as TV and film productions have fled to cheaper places.

Welcome to the world of 'verticals' or vertical short-form videos - bite-sized, phone-first dramas, usually produced by Chinese companies, shot at breakneck speed, with storylines so melodramatic they make Fair City look like James Joyce. These 'micro-dramas' are absolutely booming, generating $8 billion globally.

Hollywood is no longer Hollywood

There was a time when Los Angeles was the undisputed heart of global filmmaking. When I first arrived here during Barrack Obamas inaugural presidential campaign, I felt the energy, buzz and hope of Tinseltown.

Then came Netflix and the streamers followed by Covid-19 pandemic. Productions ground to a halt. Many shows never restarted.

Then came the writers union strike.

Then the actors union strike.

Even with eventual resolution, the studios hardline response - layoffs, cancellations, cost-cutting - were seen by many actors as a lasting form of collective punishment.

Meanwhile, tax incentives in other US states such as Georgia, but also Canada, UK, Ireland, even Bulgaria, pulled productions overseas. They offered deals California couldnt (or rather wouldnt) match, assuming the work would always return. It didnt.

Hollywood stopped being a place and became a brand, a nostalgic sticker on productions filmed in Dublin warehouses and Mayo islands.

The centre of gravity shifted and LA barely noticed until it was too late.

A new industry with no rules

Into this vacuum came the Verticals - short, addictive, hyper-dramatic mini-shows filmed cheaply, edited fast and consumed (vertically) on phones by millions. They pay modestly but offer steady work. They shoot constantly and dont bother with SAG-AFTRA union contracts. None come with the pay and contract protection of conventional TV/film productions, while now being the single biggest source of acting jobs in Los Angeles.

The Union, slow to understand the scale of the shift, is now playing catch-up. Meanwhile, commercials - once a crucial income stream for actors - have quietly become predominantly non-union too. A commercial that used to cover your rent for a year might now pay for a week - if you could do it.

Some insiders whisper that the Unions strike pushed even more productions out of LA. SAG-AFTRA denies it, but the numbers - and the empty sound stages - suggest it happened anyway.

Just as actors adjusted to self-tapes - filming their own auditions at home - with lower paid, non-union work and shrinking opportunities, artificial intelligence can now generate crowds, extras, lighting, special effects and, increasingly, fully generated actors. Digital stand-ins are becoming normal. Entire scenes can be created without a single human on set. What once required massive budgets can now be done by software.

Studios see it. And theyre adapting faster than any union can regulate.

Auditions from your living room - if you can afford one

The old ritual of driving across town for auditions is largely dead. Most industry offices dont even exist anymore. Today, 99% of auditions are self-taped - filmed by actors in their apartments, between the wardrobe and the bed, when the cat is not looking.

Call-backs? Online. Chemistry reads? Online. Casting director meetings? Online (if youre lucky). And heres the irony: you no longer need to live in LA to audition for LA shows, but if you pretend to be a local and actually book the job, you must pay for your own flights and accommodation. Cash-strapped productions wont cover it unless youre top billing.

Unless youre wealthy, lucky or supported by a spouse, for many actors acting requires a second job - a 'survival gig'. But survival gigs must be flexible because if you cant disappear for two days to film 'Teenage Grandma', youre out of luck. So 40-hour weeks destroy acting careers. But gig work destroys financial stability.

So actors hover in a strange limbo - working constantly, earning little and always on the brink of quitting.

The Irish-American comedian Des Bishop said his actor father could have been James Bond but chose instead to support his family. That quiet choice - stability over dream - is one many actors face today. If pursuing your passion makes life harder for the people you love, is it noble or selfish?

Acting in 2025 is a paradox:

It has never been easier to create content on your phone.

It has never been harder to earn a living.

It has never been easier to audition.

It has never been harder to book a job.

It has never been easier to live anywhere.

It has never been harder to justify living in Los Angeles.

The industry is changing so quickly that no one - not actors, not casting directors, not studios - knows where its going next.

And so we return to Tilly Norwood starring in 'The Bees Stung My Baby And She Melted'. Perhaps, in the end, this is just the next cycle.

Once upon a time, Hollywood turned its nose up at soap operas - until they became our cultural backdrop. Their outrageous twists and heightened drama were dismissed as lowbrow, yet they shaped entire generations. Maybe Verticals are just the 2025 version of that same populist, exaggerated storytelling. Maybe Tilly can act alongside her human peers.

Hollywood should remember though: if it keeps neglecting the people who bring these stories to life, it may end up with a title of its own, 'Honey, I shrunk Tinseltown Forever! And grandma killed Hitler's Dog'.

And that would be the biggest plot twist of all - even with the gratuitous granny thrown in.
The Race Against the Clock to Reclaim Assyrian Lands in Turkey

As the Assyrian mass migration from the Tur Abdin Region unfolded during the 1970s--1990s, entire villages were left mostly emptied, leaving not only houses but also many agricultural and grazing lands abandoned. Meanwhile, Turkey launched a land registry and cadastre modernization project in the early 2000s as part of a broader effort to upgrade public services to European Union standard.

The body that manages state-owned real estate is the Milli Emlak Genel Mudurlugu (National Real Estate General Directorate), commonly referred to as the Hazina. When state surveyors from the Hazina arrived in the mostly empty Assyrian villages, they ended up classifying much of the surrounding lands as public property, often formally designated as forest land. According to Turkish law, land that has not been in use for a certain number of years and is not actively claimed by someone often becomes registered as public land. Individuals who object to the surveyors' decision, typically posted publicly at the local municipality, have ten years to raise objections. However, as Assyrians had largely left the region and returning was considered unsafe for many years, most such registrations went unchallenged. The result: vast areas originally owned by Assyrian families became state property.

But the issue has another layer of complexity as well. In some cases, the surveyors seem to have been intentionally misled by locals about the ownership of different parcels. As the surveyors do not know the area, they usually rely on locals for information about who owns what. There are examples where individuals who disliked a family (and whose members were no longer living in the village) would intentionally tell the surveyors that their parcel belonged to someone else. In other instances Kurds who had moved in to the Assyrian villages would falsely claim that they own a certain piece of land in the hope to have it registered in their name so they later can try to sell it to the Assyrian owners for a hefty price.

The magnitude of the mess created by the land registry process in Tur Abdin has become increasingly apparent. In recent years, as political and security conditions have improved, a growing number of Assyrians returning to their villages have discovered that lands held by their families for generations has been either converted into public land, registered on someone else or, in some cases, that it has even been sold to others.

Two examples

In November of this year, four plots surrounding the village of Arkah, a purely Assyrian village with around 400 permanent residents, were announced for sale by the Hazina. The plots had belonged to an Assyrian family from the village but, like many other lands surrounding Assyrian villages, had been registered as Hazina property after decades of abandonment. The announcement alarmed villagers, as the original owners were not yet in a position to repurchase the plots, meaning non-Assyrians, usually Kurds, could potentially buy them.

The villagers reached out to the authorities who soon announced that Hazina-owned parcels in Arkah and surrounding areas would not be allowed for sale for a certain period. The four previously listed fields were removed from the sales list, and the corresponding tenders were canceled.

There was a similar situation a few years ago in another Assyrian village, but in that case the size of the plots was much bigger and they had already been put up for sale and sold to non-Assyrians before anyone could intervene. Despite the odds, community leaders were successful in convincing the authorities to annul the sale of the lands and reclaim them.

The village of Arkah.

The goodwill of the Turkish authorities has helped the local Assyrians to remedy several similar situations so far. But despite recent successes in halting such sales, Assyrians find themselves facing a constant race against the clock to monitor similar plots being put up for sale by the Hazina. Once a tender is announced, the community must either ensure that the original owning family, often living abroad, repurchases it, or lobby authorities to postpone or cancel the sale entirely.

Assyrian leaders are increasingly aware of the stakes, particularly the potential demographic impact if lands fall into non-Assyrian hands. Meanwhile, Swedish-based Assyrian lawyer Ilhan Aydin, together with other prominent Assyrians, is working on a political solution to resolve the Hazina land issue permanently.

-- "We have to be realistic and realize that ultimately we cannot buy back all the lands that have passed to the Hazina. This needs a political solution," he said in an interview earlier this year with Assyria TV.

According to Aydin, Assyrians have an argument to present to Turkish authorities: the Tur Abdin situation should be treated as a special case, as Assyrians were effectively afraid to return and claim their lands for decades due to the lack of security circumstances.

While some focus on a political solution, other Assyrians continue to monitor everyday land issues to salvage as much as possible.
HONG KONG (Reuters) -The United States is the biggest recipient of China's lending activities globally, according to a study which tracked Beijing's credit activities and found it is increasingly lending to higher-income countries over developing countries.

The report, published on Tuesday by AidData, a research lab at U.S. university William & Mary, said China's lending and grant giving totalled $2.2 trillion across 200 countries in every region of the world from 2000 to 2023.

China has long been seen as a creditor to developing countries through its Belt and Road initiative, but is shifting toward lending to advanced economies  backing strategic infrastructure and hightech supply chains in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and clean energy.

Beijing's portfolio size is two-to-four times larger than previous estimates suggest, AidData said, adding that China remains the world's largest official creditor.

In response to a request for comment on the report, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its overseas investment and financing "adhered to international practices, market principles and the principle of debt sustainability."

CHINESE ENTITIES ACTIVE ACROSS THE U.S.

More than three-quarters of China's overseas lending operations now support projects and activities in upper-middle-income countries and high-income countries.

"Much of the lending to wealthy countries is focused on critical infrastructure, critical minerals and the acquisition of high-tech assets like semiconductor companies," said lead author Brad Parks, AidData's executive director.

The United States topped the list for official sector credit from China, receiving more than $200 billion for nearly 2,500 projects and activities, the report said.

Chinese state-owned entities are "active in every corner and sector of the U.S.", bankrolling the construction of LNG projects in Texas and Louisiana, data centres in Northern Virginia, terminals at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, the Matterhorn Express Natural Gas pipeline and the Dakota Access oil pipeline, AidData said.

Beijing has financed the acquisition of high-tech companies, while Chinese state-owned creditors have provided credit facilities for many Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, AT&T, Verizon, Tesla, General Motors, Ford, Boeing and Disney, the report said.

The share of lending to low and lower-middle income countries fell to 12% in 2023 from 88% in 2000. Beijing has also cut lending for infrastructure projects in the "Global South", under its Belt and Road Initiative.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Trump administration said it is seeing signs that its sanctions on major Russian oil producers are crimping the economic engine that has allowed Moscow to continue to fund its war in Ukraine.

Prices for Russian oil have plunged as major Indian and Chinese buyers moved to comply with the sanctions before the Friday deadline for companies and banks to wind down business with Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, a senior Treasury Department official told reporters on a briefing call. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations between the department and foreign buyers.

The official said the buyers have said they planned to cancel, pause or seek ways out of their forward purchases of Russian oil because of the sanctions announced in October.

The United States is promoting the penalties as President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, is trying to advance a plan aimed at ending the war. The plan calls for major concessions from Ukraines leadership on territory and weaponry, but it was not immediately clear what, if any, concessions have been asked of Russia.

The sanctions were intended to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and bring an end to the war that began when Russia invaded in February 2022. U.S. officials on Thursday pointed to the price of key grades of Russian oil now selling at multiyear lows, citing publicly available data.

Officials also said they have seen significant outreach from foreign governments and the private sector for guidance on how best to sever their ties to Rosneft and Lukoil.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and bipartisan lawmakers had for months pressured Trump to impose harsher sanctions on Russia's oil industry.

Trumps efforts to end the war have failed to gain traction. The Republican president has expressed frustration with Putins refusal to budge from his conditions for a settlement after Ukraine offered a ceasefire and direct peace talks.
If this is the year of publicly-traded companies signaling to Wall Street that theyre going to do more with less in preparation for an AI-driven economy, add Verizon to the list of giants cutting a substantial number of jobs in a pivot.

The company, newly led by former PayPal mogul Dan Schulman, said Thursday that it is reducing its workforce by 13,000 employees and cutting its outsourced and outside labor expenses. As of the end of Dec. 2024, Verizon had 99,600 full-time staffers, some 88 percent of them are based in the U.S.

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The cuts are not unusual: Amazon revealed it was slashing 14,000 jobs, Microsoft has exited 15,000 employees, Paramounts new ownership is cutting roughly 2,000 roles and many other blue-chip companies have seen a thousand-plus staffers cut this year. CEOs have implied that theyre reshaping reshaping workforces to compete in the AI age  whether thats the reason for the timing of the cuts has been debated.

One interesting detail in Verizons Nov. 20 announcement is the unveiling of a $20 million program for those 13,000 cut employees in reskilling (i.e. retraining) the staffers that are being exited, in hopes of finding them new roles at other companies.

To help our people prepare for their future, we have established a $20 million Reskilling and Career Transition Fund for employees departing Verizon, Schulman wrote in a public memo. This fund will focus on skill development, digital training and job placement to help our people take their next steps. Verizon is the first company to set up a fund to specifically focus on the opportunities and necessary skill sets as we enter the age of AI. It is my intent to also work with other companies and the public sector to address the opportunities and challenges in a world where technology will impact all of us.

One employee that was recently exited at the telcom giant was CEO Hans Vestberg, who had led the company for eight years and was bumped from the role on Oct. 6. During Vestbergs tenure he effectively shuffled Verizon out of the media business, selling Yahoo and AOL to private equity giant Apollo for $5 billion. Hell stay on as an advisor through next October.

During Schulmans first earnings call as CEO on October 29, he candidly set expectations for a major shake-up. When I look at our performance objectively, Verizon is clearly falling short of our potential, the exec told analysts.
Two Witsies are heading to Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship in 2026

Coral Pillay and Kabelo Mbuyisa-Seonyane have been named recipients of the worlds pre-eminent graduate fellowship, aimed at exceptional young people.

The Rhodes Scholarship, celebrated as one of the most distinguished academic awards, allows young leaders to pursue full-time postgraduate study at Oxford University. Recipients of the scholarship are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good. Alumni of this prestigious fellowship have gone on to serve at the forefront of education, business, science, medicine, the arts, politics and beyond. These two Witsies are part of a dynamic ten change makers from Southern Africa who will join their peers from across the world at Oxford in October 2026.

A socially grounded astrophysicist

Coral Pillay is currently completing a Masters degree in Astrophysics and earned her BSc Honours in Physics with distinction. In 2026 Pillay will pursue a PhD in Astrophysics at Oxford. Her research focuses on how galaxies and the supermassive black holes at their centres grow, merge, and shape the cosmos over billions of years.

Pillay is interested in bridging the gap between advanced supercomputer simulations of the universe and observations from modern radio telescopes, including South Africas MeerKAT+ and the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA). She has also contributed to international research with the European Space Agencys Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Consortium, expanding her expertise into the extraordinary realm of gravitational-wave astronomy. During her postgraduate studies, she has received awards to conduct research abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and at the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC (JIVE) in the Netherlands, where she worked as a summer student in 2024.

In addition, she is an active science communicator and community organiser, passionate about making science more inclusive, socially engaged, and politically responsive. Born in Chatsworth, a suburb in Durban, Pillay believes that science can be a tool for social resistance, expanding opportunity and democratising knowledge for all who seek to better understand our universe.

An educator steeped in development

Kabelo Mbuyisa-Seonyane graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase & FET (Cum Laude) with triple majors in Physics, Life Sciences and Geography and an Honours in Education also attained with Distinction. In addition he is a Mandela Rhodes Scholar who completed his Masters at the Wits School of Education. This scholarship comes just as he commences his second Masters, this time a Master of Science in African Studies at Oxford University as a FirstRand Scholar. He will proceed to PhD studies in International Development under the Rhodes Scholarship in 2026.

Driven by a commitment to African development through education, his research focuses on decoloniality in the science curriculum looking at how indigenous knowledge systems can be used as pluriversal knowledge to improve science education outcomes in South Africa. His current studies examine how the geopolitical competition for resources impacts education and economic development outcomes with the aim of proposing frameworks for targeted fiscal allocations by African states. His PhD will explore how African countries can leverage on the green transition to diversify their economies and ultimately improve lives of ordinary people.

A recipient of several academic and service award, he is the youngest member in Africa of the UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education for diversity and development, and has served in multiple significant leadership roles where he advocates for relational social justice. The 23-year-old from Krugersdorp also works as a Research and Organisational Development consultant for the Club of Rome; and as the Executive Chairman at the Pedagogical Science Institute and Education for Economic Development centralised regulatory Non-Profit Company, which he founded.

The Southern Africa Rhodes Trust has congratulated the 2026 cohort.

The Rhodes selection process aims to identify young people with proven academic excellence who also show exceptional character and grit, the courage to lead and make a difference in the broader community, the energy to use their talents to the full, and a commitment to solving humanitys challenges. We believe that Coral and Kabelo personify these core selection criteria says Ndumiso Luthuli, National Secretary for Rhodes Scholarships for Southern Africa.

Applications for the 2027 Rhodes Scholarships will open in June 2026.

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Is malaria messaging working? African biostatisticians have the data

Edson Mwebesa, Fellow at the Wits-based Sub-Saharan Africa Advanced Consortium for Biostatistics (SSACAB), knows children who died from late-diagnosed malaria.

His research has also revealed that malaria is more prevalent in pregnant Ugandan women than in any other population. Malaria is also endemic across Africa, impacting all aspects of social and economic life.

Mwebesa, a biostatistician, wanted to dive deeper into what made people choose methods to help prevent malaria. He focused on social and behavioural change messaging, an essential part of encouraging people to use insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). While messaging campaigns have been implemented in the media, hospitals, and schools, the question of whether these messages actually change behaviour remains uncertain.

Robust biostatistics methods used by African experts are set to change this.

Mwebesa applied a quasi-experimental causal inference method, known as Propensity Score Matching, to investigate this phenomenon. This approach can measure, with precision, whether messaging actually changes behaviour.

Traditionally, measuring messaging impact relied on simple correlations and on counting how many people heard a message and whether they used a mosquito bed net. But correlation cannot reveal whether the messages caused the behaviour, which in this case is using the mosquito net. Those who heard or saw the messages might differ from those who did not, and thus, the use of mosquito nets might not be comparable between these groups. Those who hear malaria messages are often wealthier, more educated, or better connected, and these factors independently increase bed net use. This has made it difficult for policymakers to know whether expensive behaviour-change campaigns genuinely deliver impact.

Mwebesa measured the impact of messaging aimed at women in Uganda. In that country, about one in four children under five years old tested positive for malaria. In some districts, incidence rates over six-month periods have exceeded 500 cases per 1000 people, demonstrating how quickly the disease can spread in high-transmission settings. Malaria causes fever, chills, weakness, anaemia, and in some cases, complications involving the brain, lungs and other organs. Beyond the clinical burden, malaria disrupts schooling, reduces productivity and places immense strain on household finances, particularly among poorer families.

Understanding how to drive preventive behaviour in this context is both a scientific and operational priority. Historically, however, researchers lacked the tools and data required to measure the impact of health communication. In 2001, economists John Luke Gallup and Jeffrey Sachs, writing in The Intolerable Burden of Malaria, explained that reliable data on malaria incidence were lacking for many of the most severely affected countries.

They constructed an indirect malaria index using historical risk maps, estimates of the proportion of falciparum malaria and population distribution data. Their work was pioneering but constrained by limited information, underscoring how weak data systems restricted the ability to study malarias economic and social effects. They could not measure behaviour or the effectiveness of prevention campaigns. They could only infer risk.

Were in a different position now. We have conducted repeated Malaria Indicator Surveys, geocoded demographic data, collected extensive health record data, and improved surveillance systems. Whats most exciting, though, is how we are growing the capacity to analyse data using modern causal methods, says Mwebesa.

Institutions such as SSACAB have trained a new generation of African biostatisticians who can use advanced techniques to answer complex policy questions that were previously out of reach.

Mwebesa used nationally representative data from the 201819 Malaria Indicator Survey and examined whether exposure to malaria messages increases the use of insecticide-treated nets among women of reproductive age and children under five in Uganda. The descriptive findings show that 37.6 per cent of women aged 1549 and 37.9 per cent of caregivers of young children had been exposed to malaria prevention messages in the six months preceding the survey. Net use was higher but not universal: 69.3 per cent of women reported sleeping under an insecticide-treated net the night before the survey, as did 71.8 per cent of children under five.

Mwebesas use of propensity score matching paired each woman who was exposed to malaria messages with another woman who was not, but who shared similar characteristics, such as age, education level, wealth, household size, region, and urban or rural residence. By ensuring that the two groups are comparable, the method isolates the effect of the messaging itself.

For years, people assumed that malaria messages influenced behaviour, but this analysis shows, with causal evidence, exactly how much they matter. Our findings demonstrate that communication increases net use. We can now quantify this, he said.

After matching, women who were exposed to malaria messages were 5.1 percent more likely to sleep under an insecticide-treated net than similar women who were not exposed. Among children, caregivers exposure to messages increased ITN use by 4.3 percent.

These differences, when applied nationally, translate into tens of thousands of additional protected households and reduced malaria direct and indirect costs. The study also identified which communication channels were major sources of malaria messages. Radio emerged as the dominant messaging channel, reaching roughly two-thirds of women and caregivers. Community health workers and interpersonal communication were also influential. Digital platforms were used far less frequently, suggesting an untapped potential.

Professor Tobias Chirwa, Principal Investigator for SSACAB and Head of the Wits School of Public Health, explains why this type of work matters for Africas statistical future. This study shows what becomes possible when we combine strong African data with strong African statistical capacity. We move from describing problems to measuring impact. That is the essence of statistical innovation. African biostatisticians are leading analyses that were impossible twenty years ago.

In light of African Statistics Day, this work reflects an important shift in statistical justice and evidence sovereignty. Africa is no longer dependent on global assumptions or incomplete models. It can produce high-quality causal evidence that speaks to households' lived realities and informs local policy with accuracy and confidence. This, in turn, supports more efficient investments in communication campaigns, builds equity by identifying which groups are least reached and strengthens the effectiveness of malaria prevention efforts across the continent.

African Statistics Day 2025 highlights the theme of leveraging innovations in data and statistics to promote a just, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous society for Africans. In the field of malaria prevention, this theme is particularly resonant.
Communities face a water crisis

As the South African Human Rights Commission celebrates its 30th anniversary, its powers and the right to water are on the line in a Constitutional Court case

Last month, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) celebrated its thirty-year anniversary. Though the Commission is the body tasked with enforcing human rights in South Africa, it is seen by many communities around the country as lacking the teeth to make their rights a reality.

The Constitutional Court is set to hear oral arguments in an appeal later this month about the powers of the Commission. The matter relates to a decision from the Supreme Court of Appeal which found that the Commissions directives are not binding. Organisations such as the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) have applied to intervene as friends of the court to assist the court in determining this important matter.

SAHRCs mandate is sourced directly from the Constitution as one of the Chapter 9 institutions  along with bodies like the Auditor General, the Public Protector and the Electoral Commission  that are meant to support our constitutional democracy. SAHRC is required by the Constitution to promote respect for human rights, promote the attainment of human rights and monitor the observance of human rights.

However, the Commissions 2024/25 state of human rights report  although indicative of a number of areas of intervention  paints a picture of human rights in South Africa that is largely not improving based on statistical and other evidence. The report indicates that the right to water (along with other section 27 rights such as health, food and social security) was the most violated right in terms of the complaints the Commission received.

This is the case for many of CALS clients in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. For residents in the Flag Boshielo West area, for example, the stark reality is a lack of access to adequate water and a Municipality failing in its constitutional obligations despite several court orders. In fact, it has been over a decade since the first of five judgments was handed down in their favour on 21 July 2015.

What then is to be made about our constitutional democracy when such a basic necessity still tops the list of the most violated human rights  despite Chapter 9 of the Constitution providing additional support mechanisms to the state? Well, even on its own admission, SAHRC does not have a duty to provide services or to realise human rights. It does not have the resources to extend beyond its mandate of mere promotion, protection and monitoring of human rights by issuing (non-binding) directives.

In August 2024, the Supreme Court of Appeal made it clear that SAHRCs powers are distinguishable from those of the Public Protector and it can therefore not issue binding directives. It is this finding that the Constitutional Court will have to provide a final decision on after it hears oral submissions on 25 November 2025.

In fact, the matter concerns complaints about access to water for farmers. The SAHRC investigated a complaint that Agro Data CC and Mr F G Boshoff had violated the rights of people occupying their farm by restricting their access to a borehole. The Commission issued directives for them to restore water access within seven days and engage the occupiers on the management of water on the farm. When the respondents failed to comply, the SAHRC took the matter to the Mpumalanga High Court, then appealed to the SCA.

According to CALS and other submissions that will be heard later this month, the answer to whether SAHRCs directives should be binding lies with the interpretation of Section 184 (2)(b) of the Constitution, which provides that the SAHRC has the power to take steps to secure appropriate redress where human rights have been violated.

While the Constitutional Court grapples with this and as we celebrate 30 years of this important institution of our constitutional democracy, CALS Flag Boshielo West clients will lay their own complaint to the SAHRC with the hope for appropriate redress as well as the effective protection and promotion of their human rights. They have lived through a decades worth of violations of their human rights through failures by the Sekhukhune District Municipality to not only comply with constitutional obligations to provide water but for also disregarding court judgments and recommendations from Parliament to do so.

In one of the five judgments against the Sekhukhune District Municipality on 29 November 2019, they were found to have been in contempt of the previous orders of the court by failing to provide adequate potable water supply as was previously directed. Three years later, on 29 November 2022, the National Council of Provinces adopted a report and directed the Municipality to provide regular reports on its progress toward supplying the communities with water.

The SAHRC complaints mechanism seems to be an appropriate approach for relief of the human rights violations these communities have endured. This is especially true for a country 30 years into democracy, with a Constitution that seeks to promote human dignity, the achievement of equality as well as the specific advancement of the right to water. Whether the Constitutional Court will find that the SAHRC in fact has the powers to issue binding directives to unrelenting perpetrators of human rights violations such as the Sekhukhune District Municipality remains to be seen.

Thuto Gabaphethe and Mazi Choshane are based at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, Wits University.
Should Human Rights Commission findings be legally binding?

CALS will appear in the Constitutional Court next week for a hearing on the powers of the South African Human Rights Commission

On Tuesday, 25 November 2025, the Constitutional Court is set to hear an appeal brought by the South African Human Rights Commission. The question before the Court is whether the directives issued by the Commission are legally binding. The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) has been permitted to join the case as a friend of the court.

Next week, the Constitutional Court is set to hear a matter which has important implications for the effectiveness of the South African Human Rights Commission and the right to access sufficient water guaranteed under section 27 of the Constitution. The appeal was brought by the Commission following a decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal in August 2024 that the Commission does not have the power to issue binding directives.

The case arises from a complaint lodged with the Commission in May 2018 by a community living on a farm, who reported that their access to water was restricted by the owners of the farm. After investigating the complaint, in September 2019 the Commission found that the respondents  Agro Data and Mr Boshoff  had violated the communitys right to dignity and right to water. The Commission directed the respondents to restore the water supply and engage with the community in order to ensure equitable sharing of this scarce resource.

When the respondents failed to comply with these directives, the Commission approached the High Court. They asked the Court to declare not only that these particular directives should be enforced, but that all directives issued in terms of section 184 (2)(b) of the Constitution made by the Commission are legally binding. The High Court ruled that the directive to restore the water supply had no legal effect, and the Commission took the matter on appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal. The respondents did not make any appearance in the Supreme Court of Appeal, however Afriforum was admitted as a friend of the court and argued that the Commission does not have the power to issue binding directives.

The judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal acknowledged the importance of the right to water and the role of Chapter 9 institutions such as the Commission in our constitutional democracy. Though the Court agreed that the Commissions recommendations should be respected and implemented, it stopped short of ruling that these findings are legally binding. The Commission has taken the matter on appeal to the Constitutional Court.

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) has been permitted to join the matter as a friend of the court. We make two main arguments. Firstly, we argue that the Constitution should be interpreted as broadly as possible to be in line with international law that guides how national human rights bodies like the Commission function. Secondly, we argue that the Commission has an important role to play in realising the right to access remedies when rights are violated.

Chapter 9 institutions have a critical role to play in strengthening our constitutional democracy, says Sithuthukile Mkhize from CALS. The Constitution tasks the Human Rights Commission not only with investigating and reporting on human rights violations, but also taking steps to secure appropriate redress where rights have been violated. We argue that this should be interpreted as broadly as possible to support the international human right to access remedies.

CALS is represented in the matter by in-house counsel Jatheen Bhima.

The matter is set to be heard in the Constitutional Court from 10:00 on 25 November 2025. The hearing will be live streamed on the Courts YouTube channel.

Read our papers in the matter here.

For inquiries, please contact:
Verizon is laying off more than 13,000 employees across its company, CEO Dan Schulman told employees on Thursday, Nov. 20.

In an internal memo obtained by USA TODAY, Schulman informed employees on Nov. 20 that more than 13,000 employees will be laid off due to "cost structure limits." The layoffs will impact roughly 20% of non-union management, a pool of approximately 70,000 employees, Verizon spokesperson Kevin Israel told USA TODAY. The cuts do not target a specific area of the company, Israel added.

Layoff dates will vary per state WARN Act laws. However, the federal WARN Act requires employers to provide a "at least 60 calendar days advance written notice" for mass layoffs.

In his memo, Schulman said Verizon has established a $20 million Reskilling and Career Transition Fund for those affected by the layoffs. The fund, Schulam noted, will focus on "skill development, digital training and job placement to help our people take their next steps."

Signage is seen at a Verizon store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 22, 2021.

Verizon joins other corporate mass layoffs

Verizon is one of many companies that have recently laid off thousands of workers. Amazon confirmed it cut 14,000 corporate jobs on Tuesday, Oct. 28, while Target reportedly announced plans to cut an estimated 1,800 corporate jobs on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Overall, employers slashed more than 150,000 jobs in October, the largest wave of layoffs in over 20 years, according to a report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Contributing: James Powel, USA TODAY

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: Verizon laying off over 13,000 non-union employees, CEO says
With a market cap of $72.1 billion, Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) is one of the largest health insurance and managed care companies in the United States. Based in Indiana, it operates through a broad portfolio of health plans, including commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare offerings. The company also delivers pharmacy, behavioral health, and care management services through its Carelon division.

Shares of ELV have fallen behind the broader market. ELV stock has declined 19% over the past 52 weeks and has dipped 12% on a YTD basis. In comparison, the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has returned 12.3% over the past year and 12.5% in 2025.

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Narrowing the focus, ELV has also lagged behind the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLV) 7.5% fall over the past 52 weeks and a 10.9% rise on a YTD basis.

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Elevance Health released its third-quarter earnings on Oct. 21, and its shares dipped 1.3%. The company posted operating revenue of $50.1 billion and adjusted diluted EPS of $6.03, both ahead of expectations. However, operating cash flow totaled $4.2 billion year-to-date, just 0.8x net income and $0.9 billion lower than last year, mainly due to the Provider Settlement Agreement payment tied to the multi-district BCBSA litigation, which weighed on investor sentiment.

For the current year ending in December, analysts expect ELVs EPS to decline 9.2% year over year to $30. Moreover, the company has surpassed or met analysts consensus estimates in three of the past four quarters, while missing on another occasion.

Among the 21 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a Moderate Buy. Thats based on 12 Strong Buy ratings, one Moderate Buy, and eight Holds.

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The current configuration is bearish than a month ago when the stock had 13 Strong Buy suggestions.

On Oct. 17, Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes maintained his Buy rating on Elevance Health and set a $420 price target.

ELVs mean price target of $379.63 indicates a premium of 17% from the current market prices. Its Street-high target of $465 suggests a robust 43.3% upside potential from current price levels.

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
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT), based in Bethesda, Maryland, operates as a prominent force in aerospace, defense, and security. Its groundbreaking work includes designing and producing advanced technologies across multiple sectors, from aeronautics and space systems to missile and fire control systems.

Through innovation and global partnerships, the corporation ensures security and scientific advancement. With a market capitalization of $108.94 billion, Lockheed Martins reach extends worldwide, and its diverse portfolio underscores its commitment to developing superior solutions for government and commercial clients worldwide.

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Lockheeds stock has come under pressure over the past year due to significant program losses. There has also been uncertainty surrounding U.S. defense budgets. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has been down 10.6%, while it has gained by a modest 1.4% over the past six months. Lockheeds shares had reached a 52-week low of $410.11 in July, but are up 15.8% from that level.

On the other hand, the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 12.3% and 11.1% over the same periods, respectively, indicating that the stock has underperformed the broader market. The same trend can be observed when comparing the stock's performance with that of the industrial sector. The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has gained 7.9% over the past 52 weeks and 4.2% over the past six months.

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On Oct. 21, Lockheed Martin reported its third-quarter results for fiscal 2025. The companys revenue increased 8.8% year-over-year (YOY) to $18.61 billion, beating the $18.56 billion Wall Street analysts had expected. EPS for the quarter was $6.95, up 2.2% from the prior years period and higher than the $6.33 that Wall Street analysts had expected. The company also highlighted its record $179 billion backlog, which equates to more than 2.5 years of sales.

Lockheed Martin also raised its outlook for the current year following its Q3 results. On top of that, recently, President Trump confirmed that the U.S. will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

For the fiscal year 2025, which ends in December 2025, Wall Street analysts expect Lockheed Martins EPS to decline 1.6% YOY to $28.01 on a diluted basis. However, EPS is expected to increase 6% annually to $29.69 in fiscal 2026. The company has a solid history of surpassing consensus estimates, topping them in all four trailing quarters.
Los Angeles teachers strike at city hall, January, 2019

The following speech was delivered by Tom Hall, a reporter for the World Socialist Web Site, at the online meeting hosted by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Titled Build rank-and-file committees to fight layoffs and hunger!, the event brought together more than 200 workers and supporters from around the world.

We have called this meeting because we are in the midst of a war on the working class. The task before us is to prepare a counteroffensive rooted in the independent organization of workers, based on the fight against inequality and oligarchy and on a program that advances the unified interests of workers all over the world.

This is a war with economic, political and military dimensions. It is being carried out by a financial oligarchy whose wealth and power have expanded to unprecedented heights. Elon Musks new pay package from Tesla totaling up to $1 trillion is only one recent example. This is a car company that made $5 billion in profit last year, never captured more than a few percentage points of the global car market, and whose sales and revenue are declining.

But this is only one of the more extreme examples. A mountain of statistics makes the case for the expropriation of this layer. Oxfam reports that just 10 US billionaires saw their wealth increase six-fold since 2020. Over the past year, they amassed $700 billion more in wealth, from $1.79 trillion to $2.5 trillion.

Inequality has reached levels never before seen, and it dominates every aspect of life in the United Statesand, indeed, the entire world.

For generations, the ruling elite in America has enforced its political domination through two corporate parties. But with the emergence of Donald Trump, his flagrant violations of the Constitution, and his attacks on democratic rights, their class interests are expressed more clearly and crudely than ever. Trump is the instrument for establishing a corporate dictatorship. The Democrats will not fight this because they are the other Wall Street party.

The recently ended government shutdown was used to attack the social programs on which tens of millions rely. For want of just $8 billion, food stamp recipients were allowed to go hungry and starve this month. Yet the same amount was easily found to pay military salaries and secure loyalty for Trump. Meanwhile, Wall Street knows that if its financial swindling collapses, trillions will be found in a matter of days to bail it out.

Oligarchy and democracy are incompatible. Indeed, the destruction of democratic rights is the political expression of the attack by the ruling class on workers living standards and social rights. The goal is to throw workers conditions back a century. This cannot be done even with the semblance of democracy.

This social regression is shown graphically in the unending series of disasters. Explosions and fires at workplaces have become a regular part of American life. This months UPS plane crash that killed 14 people was the product of corporate recklessness. The aircraft was past its lifespan and had major fuel tank repairs. More will emerge about the criminal behavior of UPS management.

These horrific accidents are caused by relentless speedup and the flouting of safety. This includes the horrific death of postal worker Nick Acker, near Detroit, who was sucked into a mail sorting machine. His body was not found for another eight hours.

This year, US corporations have announced 1.1 million job cuts, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Layoffs continue through the holiday season. Verizon has announced 15,000 cuts. UPS boasts that it has eliminated 48,000 jobs this year alone. Amazon has announced 14,000 more. The auto industry all over the world is cutting thousands.

The corporations are weaponizing AI to eliminate entire sections of the labor force. Amazon hopes to use automation breakthroughs to hire 500,000 fewer workers over the next few years. A World Economic Forum study estimates 92 million job losses by 2030.

The question is: Where is the money going? First, it is flowing into the pockets of Wall Street, which expects massive superprofits through increased exploitation. AI itself has become a massive financial bubble, with trillions being poured into it. And enormous resources are being prepared for new wars.

AI is not the problem. Properly harnessed to progressive social aims, increases in productivity could be used to reduce the workweek with no loss in pay, improve healthcare and pensions, and eliminate hunger and poverty. That it is being used for the opposite purpose is due entirely to who controls itthe capitalist oligarchy.

The ruling class tries to divert attention by blaming foreign workers and immigrants. The trade union bureaucratsincluding UAW president Shawn Fain and Teamsters president Sean OBrienjoin in, eager to cover up their own role in betraying workers interests and pushing through sellout contracts. But the reality is that workers all over the planet confront the same oligarchy and have the same social interests.

Workers must not only resist further attacks, but we must go on the offensive, fighting for the redistribution of wealth and for workers control of production to end the parasitic domination of the ruling class.

This is what the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees fights for: the building of an independent movement and organizations rooted not in appeals to the ruling class, but in the struggle for equality and against oligarchy. We fight to end the wars of plunder that kill and maim workers all over the world. We fight against dictatorship by fighting for democratic control of society by the working class, the vast majority that creates all wealth. And we fight for the vast transfer of wealth back to where it belongs: the working class.

We insist that this movement must take the form of rank-and-file committees because it must be completely independent, from both corporate parties and from the lackeys in the union bureaucracy. Rank-and-file committees are a new type of organization to fight for genuine democratic control in the workplace, the abolition of the bureaucratic apparatus in the trade unions, and unification of workers all over the world in a common struggle. Such committees have been built across the world in the past few years, and you will hear from some of those workers today.

Everyone at this meeting has a responsibility to decide what they are going to do. Nothing will resolve itself. Inaction is the surest way to guarantee victory for the most reactionary forces without a fight.

We urge you to take the following steps:

First, sign up to learn more and build rank-and-file committees at wsws.org/workers.

Second, identify your most trustworthy coworkers and begin organizing small group discussions about what you intend to do and what your demands should be.

Third, out of this, found a rank-and-file committee at your workplace. Write up a list of demands and circulate them among your coworkers. We will publish them in the World Socialist Web Site.

Finally, affiliate with the IWA-RFC. This will give you the power to break out of isolation, to discuss and collaborate with workers all over the world, and to prepare joint actions.
In the early hours of October 28, an explosion at Cobars Endeavor silver, zinc and lead mine claimed the lives of mine workers Patrick Ambrose McMullen, 59, and Holly Clarke, 24, and left Mackenzie Stirling, also 24, with serious injuries. The immediate reaction of the company, Polymetals Resources Ltd, was to impose a pall of silence upon workers at the mine.

Entrance to Polymetals Endeavor Mine in Cobar, New South Wales

Cobar residents have told the World Socialist Web Site that Endeavor workers have not only been instructed not to speak to the media, but even to their own families about the tragic death of their colleagues and the conditions in the mine.

This is an extraordinary attack on democracy that workers and their families should not accept. Serious questions must be asked: Why are workers being muzzled? What is the company trying to cover up? Above all, how is it possible that members of a trained and qualified team, led by a man known to all as a highly safety-conscious, meticulous, expert worker, were killed at work?

Extraordinary as it is, the silencing of workers in the aftermath of a workplace death is not unique to Cobar. Just days ago, 24-year-old rigger Jack McGrath was killed at BlueScopes Port Kembla Steelworks, and his coworkers have been subjected to a similar order not to speak.

The claim that workers must be gagged to facilitate an investigation into the incident by the same organisations that allowed it to happen is a fraud. In fact, the suppression order is aimed at preventing the truth from seeing the light of day, and at blocking the development of organised opposition to the rapid reopening of the mine.

Buffeted by a sharp fall in its share price, the company announced just three days after the incident that it would begin reopening the following week. Since then, the company has twice increased the pace of its return-to-work operation, culminating in the announcement Tuesday of the full resumption of mining.

The NSW Resources Regulator, despite flagging concerns over the safety of the explosive devices involved in the incident, has allowed this to proceed, leaving it entirely up to Polymetals to decide if it was safe to resume blasting. The companys supposedly rigorous review of its explosives handling has left its executive chairman still seeking to understand what happened on October 28, but the reopening is proceeding regardless.

In its brief statement, the regulator recommended that mines consider an alternative to the ballistic disc explosives used at Endeavor, but provided no further details.

It is not only Endeavor workers feeling the pressure to remain silent about safety in the mines. The whole town is being put under pressure to say nothing. Employees of the local council have also told the WSWS they are not allowed to speak about the incident and its implications for the safety of mining workers.

Main street of Cobar

In a small, remote town like Cobar, which has a population of around 3,500, almost every aspect of life is dominated by the mining industry. The other major companies in townHarmony, which owns the CSA copper mine, and Aurelia, which owns the Peak gold mineare just as motivated as Polymetals to limit any discussion of safety and other working conditions in the mining industry.

The overwhelming majority of workers are either directly or indirectly employed in the mines. The local retail and hospitality businesses are heavily dependent on their custom and that of fly-in-fly-out workers engaged by the mines. Schools, sporting clubs, parks, community groups and the local newspaper all rely on sponsorships or advertising from the mining corporations.

As such, there is a considerable weight on the whole population not to speak out against the company line. This is amplified by the mining unions, which have silently endorsed the reopening and promoted illusions in the official investigation.

We call on workers to break this silence. Ambrose McMullen, Holly Clarke and Mackenzie Stirling, as well as their families, friends and coworkers, deserve the truth, as do all workers, as more lives could be at stake at Endeavor and throughout the mining industry.

As has been the case in many other worker deaths, the official investigations will almost certainly be cover-ups, holding no one responsible and at most giving the company a slap on the wrist and a token fine. Recommendations will likely be issued, but never implemented or enforced. Polymetals, and all the other mining companies that derive their vast profits from workers labouring in dangerous conditions, will be allowed to continue, virtually as if nothing had happened.

This means that the truth will only be exposed through an investigation led by workers themselves. A rank-and-file committee should be established at Endeavor to oversee this. In the first instance, this committee should oppose the reopening of the mine and insist that workers are paid in full for the duration of the investigation. Not a single step should be taken into the mine until the cause of the October 28 tragedy is established and rectified, to the satisfaction of workers.

The World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party pledge to provide every political assistance in this fight for truth. We urge workers at Endeavor and others in Cobar and throughout the mining industry to contact us with whatever information you have about the October 28 incident and safety in the mines. We will protect your anonymity from the companies, unions and government authorities.

Contact the SEP:

Phone: (02) 8218 3222

Email: sep@sep.org.au
The following report was given by a senior nurse, Ajitha, to an NHS FightBack meeting on Tuesday: Defeat Starmer-Streeting budget cuts and privatisation! For a united fightback by NHS workers! The meeting took place as a five day strike by 50,000 resident doctors came to an end.

My friends, colleagues, and fellow health workers, welcome.

We meet at a critical moment, not only for resident doctors, but for everyone who works in the National Health Service.

In truth, the struggle unfolding today concerns the entire working class.

Most of us entered this profession because we care deeply about the health and welfare of the public. We do not take strike action lightly. Every walkout and every protest comes with real sacrifice: concerns about patient safety, the collapsing conditions in our hospitals, and the knowledge that the healthcare system is breaking apart around us. Strikes are never casual. They express the desperation and urgency we all feel.

Resident doctors picket at Manchester Royal Infirmary

So we must ask: What is the real nature of this struggle? And who exactly are we fighting?

The real opponent is the state and the Labour government.

Our employer is not simply NHS management. Despite decades of privatisation and outsourcing, the NHS remains fundamentally a state-run service.

The Labour government of Keir Starmer and his Health Secretary Wes Streeting are the people who declareopenlythat they cannot and will not offer a pay rise, that doctors are unreasonable, ungrateful, even holding patients to ransom.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (left) and Health Secretary Wes Streeting (right), meets with Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot, in 10 Downing Street, October 8, 2024 [Photo by Alice Hodgson/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Why this intransigence? This is not a negotiation tactic. It is the language of a government waging a political offensive not only against resident doctors, or even the NHS, but every worker in the UK.

The Labour government was brought to power with a mandate from big business: to impose the cuts, the wage suppression, and the restructuring that the Tory government had become too unstable to deliver.

For them, this is not simply a dispute over doctors pay. This is about reshaping British society to prepare for economic war with global rivals, soaring military spending, and the slashing of essential services and workers living standards at home to pay for it.

Wes Streeting is, in fact, being groomed as Starmers successor precisely because of his ruthlessness toward the NHS. In the eyes of the ruling class, he is proving his worth by attacking us. The NHS has been chosen as the testing ground: if they can break doctors, nurses, and health workersthe most trusted and respected workforce in the countrythey can break anyone.

The media echo chambers of the ruling class all repeat the same government script. Even the so-called liberal press joins the chorus. Polly Toynbee, writing a particularly filthy piece in the Guardian, declares: This weeks doctors strike is another test of Wes Streetings mettle. He is right not to buckle. The right-wing outlets, for their part, have gone completely ballistic.

Labours record is cuts, privatisation, and attacks on staff. Streeting, a paid representative of private health-care lobby groups, dares to accuse resident doctors of holding patients to ransom. But after 15 months in government, Labours record exposes the real ransom demands.

Their promise to cut waiting lists has become a justification for mass outsourcing. Private providers now treat one in every ten NHS patients. In January, the Labour government handed private companies 2.5 billion to carry out an extra one million outsourced procedures. In March, they abolished NHS England and slashed 12,000 jobs overnight.

This month, they announced another 18,000 job cuts in Integrated Care Boardsonly the first wave of more than 100,000 planned across ICBs and hospitals. The claim that this is about removing bureaucracy and unnecessary management is a fraud.

In Dorset, for example, under government direction, three major trusts attempted to hive off 1,700 of the lowest-paid staff into a subsidiary company with worse contractsa sweatshop model they intend to impose nationally. The plan was paused only because of massive opposition.

NHS workers at Bournemouth Hospital in Dorset, opposing plans for a subco in the local Trust, May 13, 2025

Meanwhile, corridor care has been normalised. Under a so-called timely handover policy, ambulance crews in some trusts leave patients in corridors after 45 minutes in A&E. Staff from already short-staffed wards are then dragged into corridor care. Only three NHS trusts out of 121 in England are meeting cancer treatment targets.

Labours 10-Year Plansold as making the NHS fit for the futureis a blueprint for cuts, soaring workloads, and accelerated privatisation. Behind their buzzwords about a Neighbourhood Health Service, analogue to digital and private and public partnership lies a plan for further devastation.

Streeting is preparing to drown the NHS in debt by reviving the disastrous PFI [Private Finance Initiative] scheme, funnelling tens of billions more into private hands, just as the BlairBrown government did before they were thrown out in 2010.

And at the centre of Labours programme is a demand for urgent productivity gainsmaking workers do more for less. For the next three years they have set a target of a 2 percent productivity increase every single year.

This is why the fight of resident doctors is not simply industrialit is political.

The BMA says: Strike a bit more. Protest a little harder. Apply more pressure. But the government has already told us there is no deal on offer. Their political survival depends on defeating us. They have been told in no uncertain terms to impose vicious austerity, build up the armed forces and step up attacks on migrants that will help devastate the NHS or [Nigel] Farage and Reform UK will be the next government.

The BMA leadership continues to treat this solely as a pay disputewriting polite letters, requesting meetings, and offering compromises. But what compromise is possible when Starmer, Streeting and Reeves' mission is to prove that the NHS workforce can be crushed?

Main entrance of the British Medical Association House, Tavistock Square, London [Photo by Archibald Tuttle / CC BY-SA 3.0

Wes Streeting says resident doctors are at war with the government. For once, he is not lying. It is a war.

Leadership means telling the truth. But the BMA leadership is still selling us the lie that compromise is possible. It feigns ignorance of the governments intentions while taking part in fraudulent talks that undermine the determined stand we have taken and lead us into a dead end.

A leadership that cannot identify the enemy or the terms of engagement cannot lead a fight.

As for the other health union leaders, Streeting praises other NHS staff working constructively with us, which is in truth a pointed compliment to the bureaucratic leadership of the RCN, Unison, Unite, and GMB, who used non-binding ballots to block action against this years 3.6 percent real-terms pay cut. Streetings 5.4 percent offer to doctors can be hailed as generous only because the unions have imposed even worse deals elsewhere.

Who offers a political alternative?

Jeremy Corbyns new party has descended into factional chaos for one simple reason: it will not confront big business offering only mealy-mouthed soundbites about For the many, not the few.

Well, the many is the working class, which must be mobilised in an industrial and political offensive against the few, a class of multibillionaire oligarchs who buy governments so they can wage the ruthless war that Streeting insists that we cannot and must not win.

Jeremy Corbyn speaking at The World Transformed event in October

Likewise, the Greens offer no serious programme to defend the NHS or support for this strike. Their silence speaks volumes.

The Labour Party has moved so far to the right in implementing policies once associated with the Tories that it is easily the most right-wing government in decades, the political heir of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. And the entire establishment is aligning behind it.

What does this mean for us? It means the working classabove all, the NHS workforcemust reorient itself. We cannot allow our struggle to be trapped within the limits set by the BMA or any union leadership tied to the political establishment.

We must begin to organise independently. We need rank-and-file committees in every hospital and every department:

Networks of determined, principled, militant workers fighting not only for pay, but for the survival of the NHS itself.

Structures controlled by workersnot union officials whose role is to contain our struggle.

The future of the NHSits very existence as a universal, free at the point of delivery and publicly funded serviceis at stake.

And only the working class can save it.

We will not win with a few more strike days. We will not win with polite requests for meetings by leaders who pretend that reason will persuade a government acting for the banks, the billionaires, the pharmaceutical giants, private health corporations, and the arms manufacturers to change course.

We fight by mobilising the full strength of NHS workersand by rallying the working class behind us. We fight by telling the truth:

Our enemy is the government of the rich, for the rich, and by the rich.

Our struggle is political.

And only the independent mobilisation of workers, armed with a socialist and internationalist strategy, can wage it.

The fight of resident doctors is part of an international movement of healthcare workers confronting the same austerity measures and the same attacksfrom strikes in Germany, New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka to the United States.

Everywhere, governments and corporate interests are imposing identical policies of privatisation, intensified workloads, and declining living standards.

A global assault also demands a global response. It can only be confronted through a unified, international counter-offensive of the working class. This is why the development of a new leadership is essential.

NHS FightBack, part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), is fighting to build that leadershiprooted in the working class, independent of the union bureaucracy and the political establishment, and international in scope.

We must break the union bureaucracy's stranglehold and restore power to healthcare workers. We urge all NHS workersdoctors, nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants, support staff, and every gradeto contact us, to join this struggle, and to help fight for a truly public health service based on equality, solidarity, and socialist foundations.

It is essential that we win this dispute. We reject Streetings message that defeat is inevitable. This is a weak and despised government, and we are fighting to defend a vital service on which tens of millions depend.

The NHS is admired around the world not because of its managers or its ministers, but because of its workforce. You are the backbone of public health in Britainand you have the power to lead a broader movement against austerity, inequality, and war. This is the beginning of a new stage in our fight. Let us prepare it consciously.

Sign up for the NHS Fightback Newsletter and join NHS FightBack here
Are you a Libbey Glass worker? Fill out the form at the end of this article to get information and assistance in forming a rank-and-file committee.

Libbey Glass strikers after November 19 vote to defeat USW sellout

In a courageous act on Wednesday, Libbey Glass workers in Toledo, Ohio decisively defeated the attempt by the United Steelworkers International Union to ram through a pro-company contract to end their three-month strike on managements terms. Despite managements threats to replace strikers and the hardships of enduring a long strike with few if any strike benefits, workers remained steadfast in their opposition to managements demands for sweeping new powers over scheduling, forced overtime, subcontracting jobs, grievance procedures and work rules.

The national USW bureaucracy reportedly forced the vote over the heads of local union officials, who would not bring it back to the membership because they knew it would be soundly defeated. Although the USW last week acknowledged managements bad faith unwillingness to agree to a fair contract, national union officials insisted We knew we could not just sit back and say nothing, so we met with Libbey in an effort to end this strike.

This was followed by the announcement of snap votes immediately after three separate informational meetings at a downtown hotel, which the USW scheduled for different times to intentionally keep members of the three USW locals at the plant divided.

But USW District 1 Donnie Blatt and other USW national official were met with a torrent of opposition at the first meeting of Local 65T members, with Blatt describing the informational meeting as going not well, according to local WTOL 11 reporters.

According to some workers who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site the vote to reject the contract at the first meeting was unanimous. Shortly afterwards, USW officials texted out a message to Libbey workers:

The proposed contract was voted down by Local Union 65T at the 9:00 meeting. As we have told the Company, there will be no return to work unless all Locals ratify. Therefore, there will be no further votes today. Members are welcome to stop by the hotel to discuss the proposal and have questions answered, but the 12:00 and 3:00 votes are cancelled.

Supporters of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees and the WSWS distributed a statement to workers calling for a rejection of the sellout deal and for workers to take the conduct of the strike out of the hands of the USW bureaucracy. The statement exposed the union bureaucracys claims of substantial wage increases, noting that this concealed the fact that the deal included 14 separate usages of the phrase at managements discretion, giving Libbey a blank check for management dictatorship.

The contract will give them the right to sideline or outright fire older, higher-paid workers at the warehouse and other locations, a veteran worker with nearly three decades at the plant told the WSWS before the vote. They are turning to temp workers to get rid of the guys with benefits. They want nothing but casual workers so they can say, Hey Jimmy, you dont like it here, go get another job. And then they can go out and hire another Jimmy.

Its not just happening here at Libbey or in Toledo. Its happening all over America. They want the working class gone. Some guys say, I wont go into the factory, Ill be an accountant or pharmacist. But they are using AI to get rid of jobs like that too.

Its heading back to the time when workers had to fight in the streets, like the Toledo Auto Lite strike in 1934, which my grandfather was part of. The old methods weve been using arent getting us anywhere, so we are going to need some new methods.

A retired worker who came to the meeting with her son, who has worked at the plant for more than a decade, said, The pension Im living on sucks. Its disgusting what Libbey is doing, and I cant believe the USW International told workers to accept this garbage.

A veteran worker on the picket line denounced the contract proposal for banning sympathy strikes. He explained, We have three steelworker union locals and one machinist local in here. The language in the contract would leave it open for any union to cross the other unions picket lines. If anyone goes out, the other unions would have to cross the line, which weve never done before.

The Toledo-based company is one of the largest producers of glass tableware products, with a global workforce of nearly 10,000 producing for North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe. The strike by more than 500 workers in Toledo began August 23 after workers overwhelmingly voted to reject the companys last, best and final offer and is now one of the longest walkouts in Libbeys 132-year history.

This is also the first contract for members of USW Locals 59M, 65T and 700T and International Association of Machinists Local 1297 since the unions agreed to $32 million in givebacks during the companys 2020 bankruptcy restructuring. These included back-to-back 2.5 percent wage increases guaranteed in their labor agreements for 2020-21 and a 5 percent wage cut through the end of the extended agreement in 2024. The unions also gave up retiree healthcare benefits and agreed to freeze defined benefit pensions and higher premiums for healthcare.

The company no longer files public reports with full net income figures since becoming a privately held entity (Libbey Glass LLC / LG Parent Holdco) during bankruptcy. But it reported $786 million in 2024 revenues, down 3.3 percent from the year before, largely due to falling consumer demand in the US and Canada, uncertainties over the impact of Trumps tariffs and the administrations cancellation of Department of Energy grants for a multi-million-dollar furnace upgrade project to reduce climate-altering emissions. The company and its wealthy investors intend to extract these costs from workers and will no doubt intensify its strikebreaking operations after the failure of the USW bureaucracy to push through this deal.

The defeat of the contract is an important but only initial step. The most dangerous illusion would be to believe that rebuke of the International would lead to change in their treacherous policies. On the contrary, Blatt & Co. will only double down on their efforts to starve workers into submission.

That is why Libbey workers must form a rank-and-file committee to take the conduct of the strike into their own hands; to draw up their non-negotiable demands and outline a strategy to win them. This includes appealing for direct support from workers at Jeep, Dana Driveline, Clarios Battery, Cleveland Cliffs, the oil refineries, Mercy St. Vincent, ProMedica and other work locations in Toledo to organize mass picketing and demonstrations and put an end to Libbeys strikebreaking operations and win this struggle.

It is clear Libbey is taking its lead from the Trump administrations war on the working class, including the deployment of the ICE gestapo and military troops to US cities to fight the enemy within, the gutting of food stamps, public education, Social Security and Medicare, and the massive destruction of jobs through tariffs and the weaponization of AI and other technologies.

This strike can and must become the beginning of a broader mobilization of the working class against both corporate-controlled parties, the labor bureaucracy and the capitalist system they defend.

To sustain this fight, Libbey workers must have sufficient income paid for by the USW apparatus more than $2.2 billion in assets. The enormous salaries of union bureaucrats like Donne Blatt and outgoing USW President David McCall and incoming head Roxanne Brown must be immediately cut and the bureaucracy abolished so these resources can be used to defend workers livelihoods.

Fill out the form below to get information and assistance in forming a rank-and-file committee.
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Nick Acker and Russell Scruggs Jr.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) calls for an independent inquiryled by rank-and-file workersinto the deaths of Nick Acker and Russell Scruggs, Jr. at two separate US postal facilities in the past two weeks. We urge postal workers with relevant information to come forward with testimony. This is necessary to expose the brutal conditions facing postal workers, which are part of the industrial slaughterhouse that has become daily life for workers across the United States and the world.

On November 8, at the Detroit Network Distribution Center in Allen Park, Michigan, Nick Acker was killed by a mail sorting machine that he was performing maintenance on. His body was not recovered for eight hours, and then only after his wife came to pick him up. Workers report that a grievance had been filed on the machine, whose safety features were allegedly disabled in order to keep operations moving.

On Saturday, November 15, Russell Scruggs, Jr. died after falling and hitting his head at the Palmetto Processing & Distribution Center in Georgia. Workers say the lack of cell phone service in the facility and the lack of emergency protocols inside the plant contributed to his death because of a lengthy delay in providing him with medical attention.

In both cases, management kept operations running, according to reports from workers in the facilities.

These preventable tragedies have lifted the veil on the brutal conditions at USPS. Allen Park workers say the facility is a death trap. Palmetto workers pointed to the death of 59-year-old Eric Smith in June, as well as two recent suicides off-site. Last year, 48-year-old Shannon Barnes also died at the facility.

These deaths are only some of the latest in an unending series of workplace disasters in the United States. The UPS cargo plane crash on November 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killed 14 people. A recent catastrophic explosion at a Tennessee munitions plant killed 16. An ammonia leak on November 14 in Oklahoma sent 34 to the hospital. An explosion at the Clairton steel mill near Pittsburgh in August killed two and injured 10.

There have been at least five deaths among postal workers this year. This includes two letter carriers, Dan Workman of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Jacob Taylor of Dallas, Texas, in apparent heat-related incidents.

The IWA-RFC has already launched an inquiry into the death of autoworker Ronald Adams Sr., who worked at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant in Southeast Michigan. Adams was crushed to death while performing maintenance in circumstances apparently similar to those that killed Acker. A meeting with initial findings was held on July 27. At the meeting, it was reported that the bypassing of lockout-tagout procedures by management, an elementary safety measure, likely played a significant role.

Also in June, the USPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, which is part of the IWA-RFC, issued a call for an investigation into the deaths of Workman and Taylor.

The work of the IWA-RFC on this issue must be expanded. This is not a journalistic exercise but an effort to arm workers with the knowledge they need to defend themselves and go on the offensive against the regime of corporate dictatorship in the workplaces, which makes these deaths inevitable.

The slaughterhouse is covered up by the corporate media. It is also covered up by the trade union bureaucracy, which has done nothing to protect workers and functions as an arm of management. The American Postal Workers Union has remained silent on this months deaths. Workers report that it is complicit in Ackers death because of the outstanding grievance, filed only a few weeks prior.

This situation is the universal experience of the working class. At UPS, the Teamsters are helping carry out tens of thousands of job cuts. In the auto industry, the United Auto Workers has done nothing about Adams death, while not lifting a finger as thousands are laid off.

This is why the investigation must be taken up by workers themselves in a rank-and-file inquiry. No amount of pressure will compel the bureaucracy to do anything, because they are part of the problem.

A critical issue is the role played by relentless cost-cutting. The USPS is in the midst of the Delivering for America (DFA) restructuring program, begun under Trumps first term and continued under Biden, aimed at making the post office profitable along Amazon-style lines and preparing the ground for its eventual privatization. It involves closing 1,000 local offices, consolidating tens of thousands of routes and concentrating operations into a smaller number of large, automated facilities requiring far fewer workers.

Invasive new monitoring systems for city carriers are being used to automatically write workers up for stationary events. This contributed to the death of Dallas carrier Eugene Gates in 2023. Among rural carriers, workers have long been forced to labor on a kind of piece-rate system. Re-evaluation of the value of their routes slashed pay for two-thirds, often by $10,000 and even $20,000 per year.

The DFA program is supported by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) unions, which also signed side agreements to implement pay cuts and monitoring over the opposition of workers.

DFAs implementation has been chaotic, with medical test results and other key mail reported delayed for weeks. According to one Palmetto worker, management cleans up the facility when media or Congresspeople show up in response to public outcry, only for things to go back to normal afterward.

Post offices are under attack in every country. Massive cuts are underway at Canada Post. Royal Mail has been acquired by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Deutsche Post was privatized years ago, and Brazilian postal workers are facing around 10,000 layoffs as part of a privatization plan.

The same conditions are mirrored across every industry. US companies have cut 1.1 million jobs this year, the highest number since the Great Recession. Corporations are salivating over the use of AI and other technologies to wipe out tens of millions of jobs. There is a fundamental contradiction in the use of these advanced labor-saving technologies, which could be used to address the cost-of-living crisis and make the workplace safer but instead are being used to turn back the clock on working conditions to the 19th century.

This process is enabled by the complete integration of the corporate oligarchy and the government. David Steiner, the new Postmaster General, is a board member of FedEx. David Keeling, the new head of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), is a former safety chief at UPS and Amazon, both notorious low-wage sweatshops. The ruling class is shutting down safety agencies, cutting off food stamps and Medicaid to tens of millions, and destroying anything which even remotely protects workers from injury and destitution.

The history of the post office shows that resistance depends on the initiative of the rank and file. The 1970 national postal strike was a wildcat strike in defiance of the postal union bureaucrats against earlier attacks by Nixon.

The spirit of resistance must find new outlets. New organizationsrank-and-file committeesmust be built, combining democratic control and organization with a rebellion against the union apparatus. This must be based on a strategy of uniting the working class all over the world to fight for what workers urgently need, not what management is willing to give.

On Sunday, the IWA-RFC held a meeting on mass layoffs, addressed by workers across industries. In the opening report, WSWS writer Tom Hall explained that the layoffs were part of a war on the working class. On Monday, the IWA-RFC issued a statement explaining that The solution of the working class must be the development of a network of rank-and-file committees in every industry and workplace, to bring the force of the working class to bear against the entrenched power of the oligarchy.

The time has come to take a stand. An independent investigation into the deaths of Nick Acker, Russell Scruggs, Jr. and other postal workers will become a spearhead for the fight to empower rank-and-file committees to take control of safety conditions, guarantee the right to life, health and safety on the job, and end the dictatorship of production for profit.

Join the inquiry by filling out the form below.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with top congressional leaders of both parties Wednesday morning, before an hours-long session with corporate CEOs and billionaires at the Kennedy Center in the afternoon.

The events confirm that President Trump spoke for the entire US ruling class, Democrats and Republicans alike, when he welcomed the bloodstained monarch to the White House and denounced any mention of bin Salmans role in the gruesome murder of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Particularly noteworthy was the attendance of the House and Senate leaders of the Democratic Party, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, at a reception for bin Salman at the Capitol, followed by a tour of the building. They were joined by Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House and Senate Republican leadership.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat-New York, right, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat-New York, outside the White House in Washington, September 29, 2025. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

The reception was intentionally low-key, with no notice to the press, no opportunity to take photographs andlikely the main considerationno opportunity for those opposed to the Saudi regime and its collaboration with Zionism and American imperialism to stage protests against the appearance of the murderous ruler at the Capitol.

At a press briefing later Wednesday, Jeffries did not even mention the meeting with bin Salman until he was asked directly about it by a reporter. Jeffries answered:

I was part of the bipartisan meeting hosted by the Speaker this morning. I asked the crown prince about his views relative to a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people, and his views as it relates to the importance of a two-state solution. The Crown Prince reiterated his view that a one-state solution in Israel is impractical, and that the best path forward, of course involving the reconstruction of Gaza, is to eventually find a robust path toward a safe and secure Israel, living side by side in peace and prosperity with a Palestinian state. I support that position.

Jeffries went on to declare his support for the special relationship between our two countries. Its incredibly important. And he praised the Saudi ruler for his commitment to self-determination for the Palestinian people (a right which is entirely denied to the population of Saudi Arabia, living under the despotic monarchy).

The reporter had to press Jeffries to elicit any response about bin Salmans brutal history of violent repression. Was Jamal Khashoggi mentioned at all, or his murder?

Jeffries replied, It wasnt mentioned in the conversations that I was a part of.

Representative Meeks, the other House Democrat known to have attended the get-together with bin Salman, told reporters later that the Trump administration should brief Congress on any agreements reached during the Saudi leaders visit, and voiced concerns about conflicts of interest involving the Trump Organization, the family business run by Trumps two oldest sons, Don Jr. and Eric.

Meeks is a key advocate within Congress for the military-intelligence apparatus of US imperialism. He was part of the congressional delegation that visited Taiwan in August 2022, headed by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a show of support for the regime on the island that deliberately undermined the longstanding one China policy which acknowledges that Taiwan is part of China.

Several Senate Democrats who did not attend the reception for bin Salman criticized Trumps embrace of the Saudi despot because he was rejecting the assessment made by the CIA that the crown prince had ordered Khashoggis murder. These included Jeanne Shaheen, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Tim Kaine, who was Hillary Clintons running mate in the 2016 presidential election.

Kaine criticized Trumps disregard for the CIA assessment of the Khashoggi murder, suggesting that it undermined the interests of US imperialism in the Middle East. He said in a statement, Instead of rolling out the red carpet for MBS and leveraging the presidency for private hotel deals, Trump should be demanding accountability on behalf of Khashoggis Virginia-based family and pressing Saudi Arabia to advance U.S. security interests.

There is nothing surprising about the welcoming of the Saudi despot and mass murderer to the US Capitol. The House and Senate have given standing ovations to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on at least two occasions during the Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed a joint session of Congress twiceeven as he pursued policies of entrenching his authoritarian Hindu-supremacist regime and threatening nuclear war against neighboring Pakistan. British Prime Minister Tony Blair addressed Congress at the height of the US-British war of conquest in Iraq, in July 2003.

More importantly, American presidents themselves address Congress on a regular basis, and the war crimes committed by these presidents in this century alone (wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, drone missile assassinations from the Middle East to the Caribbean), dwarf those committed by any visiting monarchs, dictators or prime ministers.

After his brief session schmoozing with the congressional leadership, bin Salman travelled across town to the Kennedy Center to resume the real business of his trip: wooing and being wooed by corporate CEOs and billionaires, with Trump presiding over the scene like the head pimp at a house of ill repute.

A photo posted by President Trump on Truth Social, captures his consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,(left) tech billionaire Elon Musk, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, and a broader retinue of Saudi royals and American corporate insiders. [Photo: Donald Trump]

The crowd attending the Kennedy Center spectacle was at least four times as large as the number who dined at the East Room of White House Tuesday night. Trump complained during that dinner that he could have invited a much larger number if his reconstruction of the east wing of the building were completed, including a huge ballroom with a seating capacity in the thousands.

There were no protests in this milieu over bin Salmans bloody record. On the contrary, his corporate well-wishers no doubt envy his ability, not just to fire critics, as is the practice in giant corporations, but to put them, literally, to the sword.

While a few individual reporters have raised the Khashoggi assassinationonly to attract bullying from Trumptheir bosses in the corporate media have downplayed the issue, even in the two newspapers most identified with the Democratic Party, the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Both newspapers published editorials Wednesday criticizing Trumps embrace of bin Salman, but hedged about with professions of support for Trumps foreign policy in the Middle East, and particularly his all-out support of Israel.

The Times editorial began with a depiction of the United States as a democracy forced to ally with murderers like bin Salman by the realities of geopolitics. But the central reality of geopolitics is that American imperialism is itself the most murderous force on the planet. It attracts the support of jackals like bin Salman who seek a share in the spoils provided by the biggest and most violent predator among imperialist powers.

Like Kaine, the Times criticized Trump for discarding the hard work of American intelligence in investigating the Khashoggi murder, while complaining mildly that the president showed open disdain for the principles of press freedom enshrined in the Constitution. The editorial went on to describe bin Salman as a complicated dictator, (i.e., a dictator with a good side!) without bothering to connect that assessment to Trumps ongoing effort to set himself up as a president-dictator.

As for the Post, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, it could barely summon up the energy to condemn Trumps gangster remark about the murder of Khashoggi, that Things happen. Khashoggi regularly criticized bin Salman on the Posts op-ed page. Suppressing that criticism was the motive for his murder inside a Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Post editorial began by declaring, The United States government often advances its national interests by working with nasty people, and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is one of the nastiest. It went on to criticize Trump, not for making deals with bin Salman, but for being too effusive in his public embrace. But it concluded, Trump has an unconventional foreign policy that can achieve unexpected results. See Gaza. But its possible to protect U.S. interests without insulting Khashoggis memory.

The Post editorsand their centi-billionaire ownerobject to Trumps spitting on the grave of Khashoggi. But they support far greater and more terrible crimes, the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza which has killed tens, even hundreds of thousands, mainly women and children.
With a market cap of $53.4 billion, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX) is a leading global provider of mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers, operating across four segments: Space & Airborne Systems, Integrated Mission Systems, Communication Systems, and Aerojet Rocketdyne. The company delivers advanced technologies ranging from satellite payloads and ISR systems to tactical radios and space propulsion.

Shares of the Melbourne, Florida-based company have outpaced the broader market over the past 52 weeks. LHX stock has returned 16.9% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied 12.3%. Moreover, shares of the company have soared 35.7% on a YTD basis, compared to SPXs 12.5% gain.

More News from Barchart

Focusing more closely, shares of the technology and communications company have outperformed the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLI) 7.9% rise over the past 52 weeks and a 13.7% YTD increase.

www.barchart.com

LHX shares rose 3.2% on Oct. 30 as the company reported stronger-than-expected Q3 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.70 and revenue of $5.66 billion. Investors also responded positively to the companys record $6.7 billion in orders and its eighth consecutive quarter of adjusted segment operating margin expansion, with margins reaching 15.9%. Additionally, L3Harris raised its 2025 guidance and highlighted major new opportunities, including the $2.2 billion Korea AEW&C award.

For the fiscal year ending in December 2025, analysts expect L3Harris adjusted EPS to decrease 18.9% year-over-year to $10.63. However, the company's earnings surprise history is promising. It topped the consensus estimates in the last four quarters.

Among the 18 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a Moderate Buy. Thats based on 12 Strong Buy ratings and six Holds.

www.barchart.com

This configuration is slightly less bullish than three months ago, with 13 Strong Buy ratings on the stock.

On Nov. 12, Ronald Epstein of Bank of America Securities reiterated a Buy rating on L3Harris Technologies and maintained a $350 price target.
New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch walk to the New York City Police Memorial, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. [AP Photo/Richard Drew]

Less than three weeks after Democratic Socialists of America member Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election, garnering over 1 million votes, the mayor-elect is quickly revealing himself to be nothing more than a standard capitalist politician. In the last 72 hours, it has been revealed that Mamdani reached out to Trump for a meeting; publicly pleaded for and accepted as his police commissioner current police chief Jessica Tisch; and lobbied against a socialist challenge to New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries.

On Sunday night, Trump announced that Mamdanis team had reached out to him in hopes of setting up a meeting. Trump declared, The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us, and we will work something out. He added that Mamdani would like to come to Washington and meet, and we will work something out. We want to see everything work out well for New York.

When Trump speaks about things working out well, he is referring not to the working class of New York but to the real estate dynasties, private equity parasites and financial oligarchs that dominate the city.

In an interview with Dan Mannarino of Pix11 published on Wednesday, Mamdani confirmed that his team made the initial appeal to Trump. Weve reached out to set that meeting up. I dont have any more information on the dates or time of it as of yet, but I will be sure to share that as we do.

Mamdani justified the outreach by invoking affordability and safety, declaring that what happens to New Yorkers has to do with how the federal government approaches this city. In other words, Mamdani seeks accommodation with a fascist administration rather than mobilizing the working class in New York and nationally against it.

As part of his ongoing assurances to the ruling class that his administration will defend private property and capitalism, Mamdani has for months lobbied for Jessica Tisch to stay on as police commissioner. Before Trumps remarks, Mamdani told local media, I do want her to stay. I made that commitment during the election, thats something I continue to believe.

Tisch comes from the 43rd richest family in the United States and enjoys the confidence of the corporate and financial elite. Fox News host Brian euthanize the homeless Kilmeade praised her this week, saying Mamdani has to keep Jessica Tisch, one of the most popular police commissioners in the country.

A longstanding favorite of the Zionist Anti-Defamation League, after graduating from Harvard Tisch joined the NYPD in 2008 and rose through the Bloomberg and de Blasio administrations. Eric Adams appointed her commissioner in November 2024. Under her leadership, the NYPD has continued to violently suppress the working class and anti-genocide protests.

In May, Tisch confirmed that the NYPD complied with a records request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to hand over an internal report about a Palestinian woman, who was arrested by the police while protesting the genocide at Columbia University. Leqaa Kordia, 32, has been in an immigrant concentration camp since March of this year after she was kidnapped at the ICE Newark Field Office while appearing for a voluntary meeting. Over 175 members of Kordias family have been killed in the ongoing Israeli genocide, backed by the United States.

New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch overlook the New York City Police Memorial, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. [AP Photo/Richard Drew]

In his interview Wednesday with Mannarino of Pix11, Mamdani said he and Tisch have been engaged in active conversations since he won the election, with those conversations focused on the shared goal of delivering public safety for New Yorkers.

Presenting the NYPD as a neutral institution rather than the armed detachment of capital assigned to protect wealth and suppress opposition, Mamdani praised Tisch for supposedly rooting out corruption and producing historic drops in crime across the five boroughs. He added, That is what we are looking to build on under a Mamdani administration.

Asked whether he agreed with Tisch that the NYPD should hire more officers, Mamdani replied that the department faced a retention crisis due to the amount of work officers were being asked to do, particularly 200,000 mental health calls. He promised to create a department of community safety to offload non police tasks from officers.

Mamdani emphasized that he wanted to keep Tisch because of the work she has done, He stated, Its about building that together. This is a commissioner that has shown she is interested in accountability, in taking on corruption, in reducing crimes. Those are three things that I am very much interested in fulfilling and building upon.

He concluded, As much as we talk about differences of opinion, there is a real shared alignment.

After noting that Tisch has previously been tipped off when ICE conducted kidnapping operations in New York, Mannarino asked Mamdani how he would like the NYPD to react under his administration with Tisch still at the helm.

Mamdani sidestepped the question before promising the NYPD would deliver public safety, not assist ICE. In reality, many Democratic leaders formally forbid direct cooperation with ICE, yet Democratic governors like Gavin Newsom of California and JB Pritzker of Illinois continue to deploy police to protect ICE agents. There is no doubt Mamdani, like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, would likewise deploy the police against anti-ICE protesters.

To further signal that he is no threat to the Democratic Party establishment, Mamdani refused to support DSA member Chi Osses primary challenge to Hakeem Jeffries. Osse, previously endorsed and campaigned for Mamdani and filed his paperwork to challenge Jeffries on Monday.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer , and Sen. Joni Ernst, Republican-Iowa, joining hands at a rally in support of the Israeli genocide in Gaza. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein]

Mannarino noted that Mamdani had previously indicated that Osse should remain a councilman. He asked, Are you saying he should not run against Hakeem Jeffries?

Mamdani replied, Im saying that I think the focus should be right here on New York City. ... I respect the work the councilman Osse has done.

Mannarino interjected: But what does that mean? Should he not run?

Mamdani confirmed, I think that right now is not the time to be engaging in that kind of a primary. I think the focus should be on delivering on this affordability agenda.

On Monday, fellow DSA Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez likewise downplayed any attempt to challenge Jeffries, a staunch supporter of Israel and Wall Street. I certainly dont think a primary challenge to the leader is a good thing right now, Ocasio-Cortez told Axios.

Mamdanis defense of Jeffries, the New York Police Department and entreaties to Trump confirm the class character of his administration and the futility of all attempts at reforming the Democratic Party, the oldest capitalist party in the world.

As the World Socialist Web Site explained following his election:
US Marines conduct a live-fire exercise aboard the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea [Photo: @Southcom]

Over the past week, the Trump administration has given a series of conflicting signals over its intentions to wage war against Venezuela.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on November 14, President Donald Trump allowed that hed sort of made up my mind on US military action against Venezuela, but declined to elaborate on the nature of this dubious decision.

Trumps remark came as the US military continued its campaign of what UN officials have described as extra-judicial executions of people in small boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The death toll from this murder spree has risen to at least 83 in missile strikes against 22 different vessels.

The US president spoke as the Pentagon announced the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navys largest aircraft carrier, and accompanying destroyers, in the Caribbean, joining an armada of at least eight other warships. This is the largest naval deployment in the region since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, including some 15,000 soldiers, sailors and Marines. Squadrons of F-18 fighter planes have been dispatched to Puerto Rico, within striking distance of Venezuela, and B-1 and B-52 bombers have staged provocative fly-bys off Venezuelas coast.

In an apparent attempt to lend pseudo-legal justification to a US war for the overthrow of the government of President Nicolas Maduro, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Sunday that the so-called Cartel de los Soles will be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). He charged that the purported cartel had corrupted Venezuelas military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary, while both trafficking drugs and carrying out terrorist violence.

There is no evidence that the Cartel de los Soles even exists. The name was coined by the Venezuelan media to describe a pair of senior national guard officers (soles, or suns are the insignia worn by generals) who facilitated a drug shipment to the US at the behest of the CIA in 1993 as part of a sting against a Colombian drug-trafficking organization. The use of the term now is meant to bolster Washingtons attempts to brand Maduro as a narco-terrorist, having placed a $50 million price on his head.

Not long after Rubios announcement, Trump told reporters in Florida: We may be having some discussions with Maduro. Well see how that turns out, but they [the Venezuelans] would like to talk.

Then, asked on Monday if he would rule out sending US ground troops into Venezuela, Trump said: 'No, I don't rule out that. I don't rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela.'

Behind the administrations mixed messaging lies not only Trumps notoriously erratic decision making, but divisions over whether to escalate the current blood-letting into a full-scale war. Rubio, a product of the reactionary exile and drug-fueled political environment of Miami, is known to support regime change. Others, including Richard Grenell, Trumps Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, who negotiated a prisoner exchange with Maduro at the beginning of the year, have called for a negotiated transition.

Undoubtedly, behind these divisions lie real material interests, including the conflicting profit motives of US-based oil conglomerates, including Chevron, which is operating in a joint venture with PDVSA, the Venezuelan state oil company. ExxonMobil, meanwhile, is collaborating with Guyana in offshore drilling in waters that Venezuela regards as its sovereign maritime territory.

US imperialisms aggression is aimed at laying unrestricted claim to Venezuelas oil reservesthe largest on the planetand denying them to its strategic rivals, particularly China. While longing to bring back the days when the Rockefellers Standard Oil split profits from Venezuelan wells with the notoriously repressive and corrupt dictator Gen. Marcos Perez Jimenez, Washingtons track record for seizing and exploiting such assets, in Iraq and Libya, is hardly promising. Executives of the big US oil companies may well fear that a US intervention, like those in the Middle East, would sow chaos, making profitable operations impossible.

With the massive armada parked off of Venezuelas coast, US policy appears to be on a knifes edge. Will the gangster Trump make Maduro an offer he cant refuse, or will he make good on his threat last month to unleash fire and fury against Venezuela and its people? Significantly, Rubios designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization was post-dated to November 24.

Within this context, it is highly significant that the New York Times, the so-called newspaper of record that sets the line for much of the corporate media, has published a full-throated cry for a regime change war. Titled The Case for Overthrowing Maduro, the piece was drafted by Bret Stephens, a man who never met a US war of aggression that he didnt like.

He not only campaigned in support of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, but defended the weapons of mass destruction lies used to force it upon the American people for fully a decade after they had been promoted and amplified by the Times before being thoroughly debunked. More recently, Stephens has been a staunch supporter of Israels war against Gaza. Denouncing the charge of genocide brought before the International Criminal Court as a moral obscenity, he obscenely claimed that there was no evidence that Israel had set out to kill civilians.

The Times recruited Stephens in 2017. Explaining its decision to hire the right-wing columnist from the Wall Street Journal, the newspaper claimed its aim was to encourage debate from a wide range of viewpoints. This was a lie. Stephens was brought in because he opposed Trump from the same essential standpoint as that of the Times and the Democratic Party establishment: foreign policy. Like them, the columnist supported Washington maintaining its role as the worlds policeman, opposing Trumps America First appeals and demanding a more bellicose policy toward Russia.

It is this same thread that runs through the present support for a war for regime change in Venezuela. In his column, Stephens wastes little time justifying the Trump administrations absurd pretext for war: countering narcotics-trafficking. Instead, he writes, the larger challenge posed by Maduros regime lies in its close economic and strategic ties to China, Russia and Iran, giving these countries a foothold in the Americas.

He continues by warning that if Trump fails to go to war, it will be read, especially in Moscow and Beijing, as a telling signal of weakness that can only embolden them, just as President Bidens withdrawal from Afghanistan did. In other words, Venezuela is seen as a battlefield in an emerging third world war.

Demanding that Maduro surrender and flee the country, Stephens states, Barring that, he deserves the Noriega treatment: capture and transfer to the U.S. to face charges, accompanied by the destruction of Venezuelas air defenses and command-and-control capabilities, the seizure of its major military bases and arrest warrants for all senior officers That Venezuela is over ten times larger in both population and geographical area than Panama doesnt seem to faze Stephens, anymore than that the US would be opening up yet another forever war whose costs in blood are incalculable.

He concludes his column with an apocryphal quote from Napoleon, apparently aimed at lending this hack piece for the US military-intelligence apparatus a bit of pseudo-intellectual gloss: If you start to take Vienna, take Vienna, Napoleon is said to have told one of his generals. Same for Caracas, Mr. President.

History shows that taking and occupying Vienna proved hardly the unalloyed success story that Stephens suggests. Moreover, while Napoleon represented a military dictatorship allied with the French banks, his armies brought in their wagon-trains what were then still progressive bourgeois property relations, which demanded the abolition of serfdom and made him anathema to feudal Europe. What do Trumps forces bring outside of the reimposition of Yankee imperialisms neo-colonial shackles over Latin America? The prospect of a US invasion of Venezuela touching off explosions throughout the most unequal region on the planet is ignored by the Times in its promotion of yet another imperialist war.

Bezoss Washington Post promotes war for free markets and privatized oil

The Times is not alone in its promotion of a war for regime change against Venezuela. The Washington Post, owned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, published on Tuesday a statement by far-right US puppet Maria Corina Machado laying out her vision for Venezuela after its conquest by US imperialism.

The Post accompanied this wretched quisling document with an editorial titled This could be the light at the end of Venezuelas tunnel. It was seemingly dictated by Bezos, who earlier this year addressed a missive to the Post staff instructing them that from now on they must be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets.

Clearly, it is the latter that takes precedence. The editorial praises Machado for putting particular emphasis on the need to protect private property ownership as a fundamental right. It continues: To reawaken the economy, she proposes privatizing state-owned enterprises and restoring the development of our oil and gas sectors to the ingenuity of free men and women, i.e., the CEOs of Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, etc. Amen to all that, states the editorial, no doubt echoing Bezos, who eyes Venezuela as a potential new market for Amazon.

The light at the end of Venezuelas tunnel promoted by Bezoss Post is to be provided by the explosions of Tomahawk cruise missiles and laser-guided bombs over Caracas. The editorial acknowledges that theres no guarantee that a post-Maduro Venezuela immediately becomes a thriving free-market democracy, but gives no hint of what will come instead. The answer would hardly be palatable to the papers readers, encompassing another protracted US occupation and counterinsurgency war and the installation of a military dictatorship in service of Venezuelas traditional oligarchy and the US banks and transnational corporations.

A US regime-change war against Venezuela, like Trumps ongoing murder spree in the Caribbean, would be an entirely criminal enterprise. Those at the Times and the Post promoting such a war of aggression (or crimes against peace, as the international tribunal that tried the Nazis at Nuremberg put it) are complicit. They must be held accountable in the prisoners dock alongside Trump, Rubio, Hegseth, Miller and the other criminals in the White House and the Pentagon.

American workers must reject with contempt the lies of the war propagandists of the Times and the rest of the corporate media. They must expose the hypocritical pretensions of concern by both Democrats and Republicans for democracy and the wellbeing of the Venezuelan people, after decades of coup attempts and starving them by means of an economic blockade. It is the Venezuelan working class that will be the first victim of any US intervention.

Above all, the working class in the US must forge its unbreakable unity with the workers of Venezuela and the entire hemisphere in a common struggle against imperialist war based upon a socialist program to overthrow the capitalist profit system which is its source.
This Saturday at 2 p.m. in London, the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) is hosting a public lecture, The American Volcano: Towards Fascism or Socialism. David North, national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party in the United States and chairperson of the WSWS International Editorial Board, is the featured speaker.

North, a leader of the world Trotskyist movement for 50 years, will discuss US President Donald Trumps bid to erect a presidential dictatorship, based on the military, police, paramilitary forces and fascist gangs. Trump has deployed National Guard troops to major cities and demanded unswerving loyalty from US generals in a war against the radical left.

What is unfolding is not a temporary aberration. There will be no return to normal. With the Trump administration, the American ruling class is breaking with constitutional forms of rule.

Trumps actions are the response of Americas capitalist class to an existential crisis of US imperialism. His administration represents the realignment of the political superstructure to reflect the real social relations in the United States.

The president is acting on behalf of an ultra-rich oligarchy: The richest 1 percent hold a staggering $49 trillion dollars, one-third of all US wealth. These grotesque fortunes represent the apex of explosive levels of social inequality which cannot be reconciled with the preservation of democratic rights.

What is taking place in America is of the greatest political concern to workers and young people internationally. Not only because the consequences will be felt around the world, but because the US situation only reflects in the most extreme form the same global crisis gripping every country.

The decisive question is: What is to be done? How can Trumps coup be defeated?

There is growing opposition to Trumps efforts to set up a fascistic dictatorship in the United States. The No Kings protests drew millions. However, anger and outrage are not enough to stop dictatorship. What is required is a clear program and political strategy to direct this struggle.

Norths lecture will tackle the fundamental political, theoretical and historical issues facing the working class and young people in the fight against dictatorship and war.

Register today!
Aged just 24, Jack McGrath was killed this week at the BlueScope Steel complex at Port Kembla in the industrial city of Wollongong, south of Sydney. Emergency services reportedly rushed to the site at about 10:30am on Monday, but the young worker died at the scene.

Jack McGrath [Photo: Facebook/Aaron Falcon]

Few details are yet known about the incident or the conditions under which McGrath was working. According to BlueScope, its preliminary understanding was that McGrath was hit by a steel beam that dropped while being lifted by a crane.

It is believed that McGrath died while working on a $1.15 billion reline of BlueScopes no.6 blast furnace. The incident happened opposite the no.5 stockhouse, located near the no.5 blast furnace.

McGrath was employed by the contractor Ventia, which has been providing maintenance and engineering services to BlueScope for some 20 years. Ventia is involved in manufacturing, defence, transport, health, education and other sectors across Australia and New Zealand.

Work in the immediate vicinity stopped, reportedly so that SafeWork NSW (New South Wales) inspectors could attend the scene and prepare a report for the states coroner, but BlueScope kept the rest of the steelworks operating.

Friends, family and former colleagues paid tribute to the young worker on social media as the life of the room with his cheeky smile and sharp wit.

Such is the level of public concern over the death and increasingly unsafe working conditions that local federal and state Labor MPs and trade union officials issued hypocritical statements of condolence. None, however, proposed any action, instead leaving any investigation in the hands of government authorities.

Similarly, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), of which McGrath was a member, put out a perfunctory statement extending its condolences to his friends and family and saying that CFMEU officials were on site conducting inquiries with the relevant authorities. Likewise, Australian Workers Union (AWU) NSW secretary Tony Callinan said workers needed to allow the relevant authorities to do their appropriate investigations.

But investigations by SafeWork NSW and its equivalents around Australia, New Zealand and internationally are inevitably protracted exercises that hold no one responsible. The average number of workplace deaths annually in Australia over the past five years was 191, which is more than one every two days in a workforce of about 15 million.

Moreover, the unions themselves are responsible for the lack of safety at BlueScope and more broadly, having sold out workers struggles for years, imposing cuts to jobs and conditions.

Part of Bluescopes Port Kembla Steelworks

In 2019, the unions used the threat of total closure of the Port Kembla plant to ram through wage-cutting agreements. Four years earlier, in 2015, the unions worked with BlueScope to carry out the destruction of 500 jobs and impose a three-year pay freeze. The unions argued that workers had no choice but to agree in order to prevent the closure. In 2015, the then managing director Paul OMalley thanked the unions for making significant contributions and commitments to our cost reduction plan.

BlueScope Steel has plants in 15 countries, including Australia, the US, New Zealand, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. It emerged from a spin-off from BHP Billiton in 2002 and arrived at its current configuration through various mergers and acquisitions.

After McGraths death, the company tried to impose a blanket of silence on workers. The next morning, contractors were called into a meeting and told not to talk with anyone about the incident. However, a worker told a World Socialist Web Site reporting team that some of his managers went to a meeting and that the worker got three different stories about the event, all of which smelt like sh-t.

The company and the union officials are trying to preempt any independent response or action by workers to McGraths death and the wider toll of fatalities and serious injuries. A similar cone of silence has been imposed by the company Polymetals in the NSW mining town of Cobar, where two mine workers died and another was injured at the Endeavor mine when explosives detonated prematurely.

As the WSWS has reported, work at the Cobar mine has been fully restarted without any results from the official investigations into the tragedy. Earlier this month, the WSWS also reported that a 75-year-old postal worker died in Perth in October after being hit by a car while making her deliveries.

McGraths death came just a day before BlueScopes annual general meeting. After a brief acknowledgement of the accident, CEO Mark Vassella delivered the companys full-year results, reporting underlying EBIT [Earnings Before Interest and Taxes] of $738 million and what was described as a strong cash flow.

Vassella claimed that there was a company-wide Refocus on Safety. Yet, five employees sustained serious injuries resulting in permanent incapacity in each of the past two financial years. Between 202021 and 202324, total recorded injuries rose sharply from 271 to 387, before a slight decrease to 363 in 202425.

Worldwide, tragedies are happening every day. In Italy, the WSWS reported that one workplace death takes place every six hours. In Canada, 1,056 workers died in 2023, the last year that statistics are available. In the United States, there are over 5,000 deaths on the job annually.

Estimates put annual deaths from occupational diseases, due to chronic exposure to chemicals and other toxins, at as many as 20 times the official figures.

In the US, the WSWS reported on the death of 63-year-old skilled tradesman Ronald Adams Sr. at Stellantis Dundee Engine Complex in Michigan. Adams was crushed by a Gantry hoist that activated while he was doing maintenance in April. His family were promised answers to how his death could have happened, but have not been told anything.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has conducted an independent workers inquiry into Adams death, as part of a broader struggle to enable workers to fight the threat of workplace deaths and injuries.

Workplace health and safety cannot be left under the control of capitalist governments, corporate executives and their union partners, who are driven by the imperative to maintain profitability for investors. In 2020, for example, BlueScope was fined $30,000a pittanceby the NSW Environment Protection Authority for failing to comply with dioxin air emission limits on six occasions over just two months.

Workers need to take matters into their own hands. In order to defend their lives, safety, jobs and conditions, they need to break out of the pro-employer straitjacket of the Labor government and the union apparatuses and establish democratically-elected rank-and-file committees, completely independent of the unions. These committees would reach out through the IWA-RFC for support from other workers everywhere for a unified struggle against the capitalist profit system.

If you have any information about McGraths death or unsafe conditions at any workplace, please contact the WSWS.
Nick Acker, 36, was killed at the Allen Park USPS distribution center on November 8, 2025.

Postal workers: Fill out the form at the end of this article if you have information on the death of Nick Acker or other postal workers, or to get involved in the rank-and-file investigation into their deaths.

On November 8, postal worker Nick Acker was killed in a mail sorting machine at the Allen Park Detroit Network Distribution Center. Authorities estimated he had been dead for six to eight hours before his body was found.

Nicks coworkers are speaking out about unsafe conditions inside the facility, as well as the fact that grievances were filed less than 90 days before Nicks death. Workers told the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) that the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) officials were aware of these grievances but did nothing to fix the problems that contributed to his death.

John, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, is encouraging other workers to come forward with what they know to prevent further needless deaths. Deaths are widespread in processing plants, as workers in Palmetto, Georgia and at other USPS locations throughout the country are reporting, following the death of Russell Scruggs, Jr. just one week after Nick died.

Nicks death

John showed up to work and was informed by a coworker that the coroner was inside the building. He was told that Nick went up to unjam a machine and even though it was supposed to be off, someone possibly turned it on while he was up there. They keep it idle while youre unjamming, which is not supposed to happen. Its a safety problem.

He said that maintenance workers are supposed to have a spotter down below when they go up to remove packages from the machinery, but Nick was working alone. What I have heard was that they turned that machine on, and the belt came out from under him, and he basically went into the machine.

He described how there are mechanisms in place to protect workers that have been actively disabled to keep the mail running rather than shut machines down.

Theres supposed to be a stop switch every couple feet that was disabled. The maintenance guys will tell you straight up that the only stop switch there, is on the ground, and theres nothing up on top thatll stop that machine. Thats where theyre supposed to have that extra person where you can radio down, but then they dont even give you the extra person anymore.

Theres a button or sensor that is supposed to shut the machine down entirely if theres a jam, but all the switches, all the boards have been taken out. He also said that there are piles of boxes in front which make it impossible for workers to access the switches, and that fire exits are blocked.

The reason to keep the machine idling instead of turning it off is because when were pushing stuff out quickly, the plant manager gets a higher bonus. When theres issues, he doesnt get a bonus.

Grievances filed less than 90 days before Nicks death; absolutely nothing has changed

John said that the machine that killed Nick is still running and that absolutely nothing has changed to fix the safety issues on it. The employees say its weird to run that machine because of what happened. And theyre just like, Run it up. We have to process this mail whether you like it or not. He said that maintenance workers were given expired hard hats to wear and are not allowed to bring their own, even if theirs are better than the ones given by USPS.

He said they had 90 days to fix the problems and that apparently Nick had filed grievances himself, but that management told them it takes too much time to tag out to be able to fix it correctly, that they dont have time for it, the mail needs to move at all costs. It doesnt matter what the situation is. When they were retrieving Nicks body, the plant manager was telling them to hurry up, we need this machine back running.

He also said that the manager threatened to AWOL/LWOP all the workers who were sent home on the day that Nick died, and that if they left to attend the funeral last Friday they would be written up, which was confirmed by other employees in the facility last week.

APWU corruption and cover-up

John told the WSWS that workers have been concerned about corruption in the APWU for some time. The union is terrible here, he said. They talk safety but dont act on it at all.

He said that the APWU old regime was ousted in local elections last year and in an act of retaliation, outgoing officials destroyed files, smashed up computers, and got rid of years worth of grievances. He said that some new officials have been playing catch-up with backlogged grievances ever since, but not in time to resolve the safety issues that cost Nick his life.

All we get told is, Well look into it, well see what we can do, when workers send in grievances, he alleged. Our rep makes it seem like its a big inconvenience when you bring safety to her. She just doesnt care. The people who get in these union positions, like the rep Im talking about, shes friends with all the managers, shes friends with the supervisor that has had probably hundreds of grievances on her already, and thats why she still has the job. Theyre all buddies, and they dont want each other to get in trouble. They just throw grievances out, stuff just miraculously disappears.

He said the union is at fault in Nicks death. As soon as it happened, there was a union guy right there that Ive never seen before in my life, shaking our hand and saying, I got you brother. But its like, no, you dont. You take my money every week, but you dont represent me at all. You dont care. He also stated that their rep is absent and often has other people clock her in when shes not at the office.

Nicholas (Nick) Acker, 36, was found dead at the Allen Park DNDC on Saturday, November 8. [Photo]

He charged that a local secretary-treasurer was caught funneling dues money to her spouse, another local official, to use for home repairs. There are guys who try to stand up against that kind of stuff, but they get punished, he said. The thought of the union is a great thing. It was a great thing years ago, but now its for people who dont wanna work and for management to get what they want from it.

The union higher-ups are not for the actual working people anymore. And people are scared to stand up because theyre afraid of retaliation. Its crazy. I just wanna go to work and do right by my family, but I have to fear coming in here that Im gonna lose my life.

Widespread safety issues in the postal service

John said that other workers saw management attempting to clock Nick out when they found his body so that it would look like his death happened off-duty. A similar thing happened with a girl out in Pontiac [Michigan]. The Pontiac facility is built on an old GM waste dump, and theres a ventilation system in the building. Well, somebody shut it off, a bunch of people got sick. She went out to her car to get her inhaler and she died in her car, and then they clocked her out, he said, referring to the death of 38-year-old Keesha Gray at the Pontiac USPS Metroplex in 2015.

Our trucking system is dangerous. We will lock-out/tag-out trucks, and they just rip it up and throw it in the garbage and let the next driver get in it. You could lose a trailer going down the highway, and they just shrug their shoulders and say, It is what it is. No, it isnt what it isI dont feel like killing myself or somebody else! Ive brought up multiple trucks and as soon as you turn your back, they throw the keys back in the box and throw the write-up out.

He claimed that the facilitys fire suppression system was severely damaged last yearand has likely still not been fixedcausing flooding. Hi-lo drivers were told to move packages in the water in spite of the danger of being electrocuted. He also stated that workers get hurt when unlicensed contractors pull off the docks where there are little safety measures implemented.

Workers need to organize a fight back

A lot of this stuff was hidden until what happened to Nick, he said of safety issues in the postal service, but that workers should not let his death be in vain and should come forward to expose the poor conditions and fight to make a change.

Everything that should have been in place to stop it failed. That company failed him in making sure that he could go home to his fiancee, go home to his mom. He was someones son. Hes somebodys future husband, and theyre making it like hes nothing. Something happens, and we just get kicked to the side, like were just common street trash after years and years of service. I dont wanna see it happen anymore.

Many maintenance mechanics have been calling out of work in protest against the poor treatment by management following Nicks death, but they are beginning to get concerned about retaliation, he said.

Everybody in there feels the same way. Were mad because were not allowed to strike. If it takes two hours to fix a machine, thats worth somebody not getting killed over. The mail can sit for a couple extra minutes, but no, to management it dont matter, only these packages matter. And the union says, Just keep pushing and do your best, dont ruffle feathers.

But we have to stand up and fight, we have to cover each other. Whether youre in California or Georgia, we as fellow workers got your back. Theres 600,000 of us, and theres only so many of them. They cant stop us all. If I gotta stand up and start something myself to push forward for this, I will, because Im not gonna stand for watching people die anymore.

John also said that this is not limited to American postal workers. Even though theyre [Canadian postal workers] across the bridge, theyre still brotherly to us. I wish I could stand up for all these other people. I couldnt imagine my life being gone and my family not having me because of an accident. It breaks my heart to see people getting hurt, losing their lives. What are they gonna really do to us? They cant fire everybody. Our voices need to be heard. Just like the autoworkers, when something happens with them, their voices are heard, and Im tired of being silenced.

I know that this sounds crazy, but I think that there needs to be some sort of conference where everybody, all workers, can stand up and say how they feel, he concluded.

Workers who want to organize a fight back should fill out the form below to get in touch.
There is now widespread recognition that the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, which has powered Wall Street to record highs, has taken a significant turn with major implications for financial markets and possibly the entire economy.

When the AI boom began at the end of 2022 with the release by OpenAI of ChatGPT, it was chiefly financed through the massive cash flows of the so-called hyperscalers such as Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon, together with the chip-making firm Nvidia.

A Nvidia office building in Santa Clara, Calif., May 31, 2023. Jeff Chiu [AP Photo/Jeff Chiu]

Little debt was involved. But in what is increasingly becoming a war as major tech giants strive to place themselves in the best position, this is now changing and debt must be increasingly used to finance AI development.

In a recent article, Sydney Morning Herald economics columnist Stephen Bartholomeusz pointed to the significance of the shift.

Until now, questioning of the boom in investment in artificial intelligence has largely been confined to whether it constitutes a stock market bubble. Increasingly, the conversation will shift to whether that boom represents a threat to financial system stability, he wrote.

Massive amounts of money are involved. According to the global management consulting firm McKinsey, some $5.2 trillion will be needed by 2030 to finance the building of the data centres which are needed to develop the computing power for AI. This amount is equivalent to three times the annual GDP of Australia.

Morgan Stanley estimates that between this year and 2028 the capital spending on AI infrastructure will be $2.9 trillion, of which $1.5 trillion will be financed externally, including $800 billion from private credit sources.

Apart from the money involved, the scale of AI data centres is indicated by their power consumption. The International Energy Agency has estimated that electricity demand from AI data centres worldwide will more than double by 2030 and reach a level higher than the electricity consumption of Japan, the worlds fourth-largest economy.

Last month, OpenAI announced plans for a major data centre in Michigan which, according to a report in the Financial Times, will consume as much electricity as 44.2 million households. Other operations are on the same scale.

Another expression of their extent is revealed by the estimate that an increase of just 1 cent per kilowatt hour for a company using 50 megawatts annually would be around $4.4 million.

There are an increasing number of concerns being raised about the potential triggers for the collapse of the AI boom and its consequences.

The most obvious one is the enormous gulf between the spending on infrastructure and the revenue being generated. OpenAI has signed deals amounting to $1.5 trillion, but its revenue for this year is expected to be just $20 billion. If it is going to go anywhere near meeting its commitments to acquire chips, then that will have to be raised to the hundreds of billions of dollars.

Summing up the overall situation, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal noted that chief among the real reasons to be concerned about the sustainability of the boom is that there is far more AI computing infrastructure spending than there is AI revenue, a gulf that is widening by the day.

The business consulting firm Bain has estimated that $2 trillion in revenue will be required by 2030 to sustain the investments that have been made, compared to $253 billion in 2024.

Another issue is the short life cycle of chips, which can be as little as three years. This means that the value of the asset backing of the massive loans used to finance the data centre will be rapidly depreciated as they become redundant, requiring new expenditures to remain competitive.

In a blog post issued last month, the Bank of England said there was a range of developments that could trigger a re-evaluation of future revenues and AI asset prices.

These included but were not limited to underwhelming speed of AI capability progress in user adoption of AI, or below-expectation ability of AI companies to monetize the users of their AI applications with the speed of AI progress and impact highly uncertain.

For companies that depend on massive computation capacity to run their AI models, an algorithmic breakthrough or other event which challenges that paradigm could cause a significant re-evaluation of asset prices.

As an example, it cited the introduction of a new model by the Chinese start-up firm DeepSeek in January at a lower cost and with a more efficient use of computing power, which triggered a fall in the stock price of AI companies in the US.

A re-evaluation of asset prices means a re-evaluation of the debt structure which has been used to finance them, with the potential to cause problems for the lenders, to which the BoE blog pointed.

If the projected scale of debt-financed AI and associated energy infrastructure investments materializes over this decade, financial stability risks are likely to grow. Banks would be exposed to this directly through their credit exposures to AI companies, as well as indirectly through their provision of loans and credit facilities to private credit funds and other financial institutions which are exposed to AI-impacted asset prices.

In his comment piece, which we cited previously, Bartholomeusz said that for the moment discussions about an AI bubble are largely confined to the share market and to the paper losses that would flow if it burst.

In such discussions, the comparison is often made with the bursting of the dot-com bubble at the start of the century which, while it had a major impact on the companies involved, did not spark a broader financial crisis or a deep recession.

Such reassurances, however, are entirely misplaced because of the major transformations in the US financial system and economy over the past quarter-century, above all the expansion of debt. In 2000, total US debt, public and private, was $28.64 trillion. It was $102.21 trillion at the end of last year.

The Bank of England warned that a fall in AI-related assets could adversely impact US growth under conditions where AI investment has been an outsized driver of US GDP growth in the first half of 2025. It noted that while the collapse of the dot-com bubble did contribute to a mild recession, a fall in AI-related asset prices would happen in a significantly different macroeconomic context to the early 2000s.

According to calculations by former International Monetary Fund leading economist Gita Gopinath, a collapse in the AI market equivalent to the bursting of the dot-com bubble would cause US investors to lose $20 trillion, an amount equivalent to 70 percent of American GDP, and deliver a $15 trillion hit to the rest of the world, equivalent to 20 percent of its GDP.

Given the growing involvement of the banks and finance capital more broadly in the AI boom, and the ever-increasing role of debt in funding historically unprecedented levels of capital spending as each of the tech giants seeks to dominate AI, such a development would signify not just the bursting of a bubble but potentially a collapse of the entire financial system.

That prospect, looming ever larger, which would go far beyond the devastation resulting from the financial crisis of 2008, has far-reaching political implications.

There is no doubt that the rationally planned, conscious and democratically controlled development of AI would provide for an advance of humanity in the economy and so many other areas of social life.

However, AI is not being advanced in such a manner but within the social relations of capitalism, based on the private ownership of the means of production and finance subject to the anarchy of the market and the striving of corporate giants for profit.

The process now unfolding recalls the central thesis of the founder of scientific socialism, Karl Marx, when he explained that the objective possibility, indeed necessity, for the socialist transformation of society arose when the material productive forces of society come into conflict with the existing relations of production.

That contradiction is now assuming an acute form. AI, which could provide enormous economic advances for the mass of humanity, is already being used as a battering ram against the working class in the form of mass layoffs and the intensification of exploitation.

At the same time, under capitalism the mechanisms for its development are creating the conditions for a devastating economic and financial crisis.

There is only one way forward. That is the conscious political struggle by the working classthe producers of all wealth, including AIfor the overthrow of the capitalist oligarchy and the socialist transformation of society, so that the enormous potential contained within AI for social advancement can be realised.
Elon Musk was recently awarded a one-trillion-dollar pay package over ten years. If Musk works a 40-hour work week with two weeks vacation, or about 20,000 hours for 10 years, thats $50 million an hour. Tesla production associates make $23 an hour. And 23 goes into 50 million approximately 2,173,913 times.

Bugonia

In Bugonia, Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos latest film, two cousins, beekeeper-warehouse worker Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and Don (Aidan Delbis), kidnap a successful, powerful corporate executive, Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), in an act of revenge and hold her captive in their basement. They are not looking for ransom but for her to admit that she is part of an alien conspiracy (launched from the constellation Andromeda) to destroy the human race.

You killed my family. You killed my community. You killed my co-workers. You killed the bees, Teddy tells Michelle at one point. His allegations turn out to be significantly true.

In late August, Variety reported that Emma Stone told a crowd at a question-and-answer session at the Telluride Film Festival that she found terrifying parallels between the storyline of Bugonia and the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.

Whats really crazy, after we had shot the filmI live in New Yorkwe heard someone was shot up the street. It was a healthcare CEO.  It was wild, because we had all just been in a basement [filming] together talking about these issues and the bigger meaning of everything. It keeps hitting you that the world is so deeply fraught and terrifying in so many ways, Stone concluded.

In Bugonia, Teddy works scanning packages for a low wage at Michelles company Auxolith, a cutting-edge biotechnology firm that manufactures pharmaceuticals and pesticides (hence the accusation about killing off the bees). We later learn that his mother (Alicia Silverstone), now in a comatose state, was the victim of an unsuccessful anti-opioid drug trial by Auxolith.

In their basement, Teddy and Don shackle Michelle and shave the hair off her head (so she will supposedly be less able to communicate with the Andromedan mothership). Teddy greets her: Welcome to the headquarters of the human resistance.  Ive done a ton of research on this. Youre killing our planet.

Michelle reacts coolly, brusquely informing the pair:

In the next 48 hours, the police and the FBI will begin a statewide manhunt. Im a high profile female corporate executive. I am crucial, in all humility, I can say that. Think of it like you abducted the governor, but worse. There is no possible scenario where you benefit from this incident.

Teddy remains steadfast in the face of Michelles arguments, denials (At the risk of repeating myself, I am not an alien) and threats. As he tells his cousin, Were saving Earth so it will be a good place to live again. Teddy subsequently tortures Michelle, much to Dons horror, in an effort to produce a genuine confession. She withstands the electroshock treatment so well Teddy becomes convinced she must be a high-ranking member of the Andromedan royal family.

Emma Stone in Bugonia

Consequently, Teddy frees Michelle from confinement down below and allows her to wear more appropriate clothing. Over a spaghetti dinner, however, they argue sharply and Teddy attacks her. The conflict is interrupted by the arrival of the local sheriff (Stavros Halkias), Teddys former babysitter and apparently also his childhood abuser. Teddy takes the cop on a tour of his backyard apiary to get him away from the house. Returned to the basement, Michelle promises the despairing Don (for whom theres nothing here  If you are an alien, can you take me away from here?) to take him to outer space, whereupon he shoots himself. She confronts the distraught Teddy about the other victims of his paranoia whose body parts she has come across and agrees to arrange a meeting between Teddy and the Andromedans at Auxolith headquarters. Events take even more unexpected turns.

There is a correspondence between moments or features of Bugonia and events or aspects of contemporary social reality.

Will Tracys script does not demonize the conspiracy theorist Teddy. Nobody on earth gives a f- about us, the latter tells Don early on. Poignantly, he asserts, All weve lost  All thats been done to us  Were setting that right again.

Tracy told one interviewer, Look, [Teddy] does some bad things and hes not right about everything, but hes right about a lot, and identifies a lot of symptoms correctly. (Motionpictures.org)

In another conversation, the screenwriter remarked:

It was important to me to make both the conspiracy and the conspiracy theorist at the heart of this film, not to judge them with too much of a chip of ice in my heart, to treat them with some empathy, to treat Teddy in particular with some empathy as someone who has been legitimately abused by, broadly speaking, the system. But you could say big tech, big pharma, the police, local government, federal government, capitalism generally. He feels as though hes genuinely been victimized.

Plemons intense and convincing performance does much to humanize Teddy. Stone is also compelling. Silverstone in a small role adds emotional and social weight.

Some of the films less grandiose moments ring especially true.

In one of Bugonias opening sequences, Michelle, who has a photo of herself with Michelle Obama in her office, is seen recording a video in which she blathers on about diversity. She has trouble, however, remembering her hackneyed lines.

I believe every company should strive to form a diverse table. To empower people of different skills and ... [Exclamation] Every time, what is it!? To foster a new generation. Okay, lets go again.

Jesse Plemons in Bugonia

Moreover, in one of the films better touches, the CEO informs an assistant:

I know you sent the email already, but I need you to let everyone know that they are free to leave at 5:30 from now on, starting today. No one is going to be overworked like in the past. No more unpleasant incidents. But of course, its not compulsory. And obviously, if people still have work to do, they should absolutely stay and continue to work.  Just remembering, you know, we are running a business here, so let-your-conscience-guide-you kind of thing.  New era!

Bugonia, based on the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan, brings out the sharp class divide in America. Michelle lives in a stylish home in a gated community, drives a Mercedes SUV, holds court in a state-of-the-art glass and high-tech corporate headquarters, dresses in the most fashionable clothes, works out and practices self-defense, treats herself to a red light mask session (a non-invasive facial treatment using a mask that emits red and near-infrared light to improve skin health by stimulating collagen production, increasing blood flow, and reducing inflammation) and sleeps like a baby (despite the various crimes that ought to be on her conscience).

Teddy and Don, who is autistic, live in a rundown house, which Teddy used to share with his mother. He rides a bicycle to work. He scrapes by, financially and emotionally. His clothes are grimy, ill-fitting, his hair greasy. His mother lies in a vegetative state, with tubes attached. However, Teddy shows kindness and concern to his cousin and others. He brings honey to work. He remonstrates with a fellow employee, whose arm was injured by Auxoliths machinery, to file a complaint for some sort of compensation. But the worker is skeptical that either the company or the authorities care about workers like herself.

In many regards, as it turns out, Teddy and Michelle are different species. She may as well be an alien.

She lets him know: You cant beat me because you are a loser and Im a winner and thats f life! (Apparently, a Deadline critic tends to agree, referring to Teddy as a disgruntled guy who blames the world for his own miserable life. The melodious voice of the contented petty bourgeois.)

Tens of millions of people in the US are suffering terribly. Under the present conditions, it is no surprise that some react in a disoriented manner.

At the time of the United Healthcare CEO shooting in 2024, the WSWS noted the shocked response of the bourgeois media to popular sentiments. The Wall Street Journal, for example, headlined an article, Manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Meets Unexpected Obstacle: Sympathy for the Gunman. It commented, From online forums and social media to the streets of Manhattan, people have been celebrating the suspect as a quasi-folk hero.

Various mouthpieces for the oligarchy, the WSWS observed, expressed genuine anxiety about the level of hostility toward the billionaires who are perceived to own everything, run everything and steal everything.

The reaction by the establishment is an expression of a collective guilty conscience. The executives of mammoth corporations, who are busy putting new security measures into place and barricading themselves like never before, know they are despised. They can and must increasingly expect to come under attack.

The official political situation, dominated by two odious parties of war, violence and repression, could only work to increase horror and disgust.

Bugonia (2025)

These terroristic moods, born of pessimism and even despair, offer no solution. They stem largely from a loss of faith, or more realistically today, the longtime absence of faith in the possibility of a political mass movement, in Rosa Luxemburgs phrase.

Bugonia, despite its sensitivity and occasional insights, is by no means a coherent examination of these problems.

Teddy claims to have gone down the digestive tract of political opposition, having tried, he says, alt-right, alt-lite, leftist, Marxist and having found all of them lacking. Ninety-nine point nine percent of whats called activism is really personal exhibitionism and brand maintenance in disguise, he tells Michelle.

As a partial portrait of a damaged, half-crazed victim of the world, Bugonia has its merits. But its unexpected and shocking final portion, including its unconvincing and for the most part unmoving concluding apocalyptic moments, is largely an evasion. In their schoolboy cleverness, Tracy and Lanthimos in fact take the path of least resistance. The unpredictability is predictable. The larger and more important drama, which would treat bleak lives like Teddys and Dons in depth, is left incomplete.

After the admirable Poor Things, Lanthimos directed the deplorable Kinds of Kindness. The Greek filmmaker cant seem to decide whether he cares very much about his fellow men and women or not. In Bugonia too he sometimes stumbles over his own self-conscious, quirky cynicism.

Are Lanthimos and Tracy expecting us to take seriously their musings about whether humanity is worth saving? If they wish to pose that question out loud, one can only refer to Heine, And a fool waits for the answer.

In any case, filmmaking seems to be moving to the left, in general terms, grudgingly or not. One sign is the increasing stigma attached to wealth, along with the desire for revenge against the very wealthy. As we noted in regard to James Gunns Superman: It has almost become a commonplace at this point to portray billionaires in the darkest possible colors (Succession, Mountainhead, etc.) and to identify them with malignant inequality, political repression and violence. One could add The Apprentice, The White Lotus, Triangle of Sadness and now Bugonia.

A reminder once again, 23 goes into 50 million approximately 2,173,913 times.
Workers at Brulin Holding Company in Indianapolis on strike, October 1, 2025. [Photo: Teamsters]

Workers at Brulin Holding Company in Indianapolis, Indiana have been conducting a determined strike since October 3 against the management of the chemical cleaning supplies and equipment company.

The workers are demanding significant wage increases. The members of Teamsters Local 135 walked out after Brulin offered a pathetic three percent wage increase after not having any raises for the past three years.

Workers told reporters from the World Socialist Web Site that the company has been bringing in scabs at much higher wages. Entry level wages for workers at Brulin are $21.50 per hour; the company is currently paying $25 per hour to bring in the scab workers.

Workers on the picket line also expressed hostility to the wage offer from the company and called it insulting proposals and a disregard for their rights.

When WSWS reporters arrived at the picket line, officials from Teamsters Local 135 attempted to stop the strikers from speaking and explaining their struggle. This is an unmistakable sign that, after seven weeks on strike, the fight of Brulin workers is in jeopardy. It must be understood that workers are fighting both the company and the union apparatus that is isolating the strike and preparing a betrayal of the determined struggle.

In order to take forward their fight and win their demands, strikers must begin to organize among themselves and establish a rank and file committee that will take actions independent of the union bureaucracy, which is strangling their strike.

Brulin Holding Company, founded in 1935, is a specialty chemical manufacturer based in Indianapolis, which focuses on cleaning processes and facilities maintenance solutions. The company developed a strong regional and national presence in chemical manufacturing. It manufactures cleaning chemicals and maintenance solutions for buildings, healthcare, food service, and industry.

Current annual sales are estimated between $119 million and $133 million depending on the source, with some variation year to year. Brulin has employed as many as 245 workers and its brands include Brulin and Patco Food Safety, which focus on the commercial maintenance, healthcare, and industrial markets.

The Teamsters filing of unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against Brulin signals that the union bureaucracy is directing the struggle of the workers through the courts and not toward the mobilization of the working class. There are 14,000 members of Teamsters Local 135 covering workers in the airline, packaging and warehousing sectors in the greater Indianapolis area from Lafayette to Shelbyville and Terra Haute to LaPorte.

The Teamsters bureaucracy is blocking the mobilization of the members within the local and the working class more broadly in Indianapolis to support the strike at Brulin. Aside from a perfunctory news report on Facebook, an afternoon rally on October 7, and a phone campaign urging supporters to call Brulins offices, Teamsters Local 135 has not published an article about the strike on its website. Instead, the Local 135 leaders are telling workers to place confidence in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to defend their rights.

Consistent with the Teamsters bureaucracys historical record, Brulin workers are being isolated, and measures needed to expand or escalate the struggle are being blocked. The union bureaucracy has kept the strike local, focused on the NLRB filing, talked about unity, but offered no way forward for the fight against Brulin.

The struggle by Brulin workers is part of a growing rebellion by the entire working class against decades of attacks on jobs, wages and benefits combined with a new offensive by the capitalist owners to intensify the exploitation of workers and strip away what is left of basic rights. The corporate and financial oligarchy has made it clear that they will stop at nothing to increase their wealth and impoverish the workers in every industry.

Within this scenario, the union bureaucracy is the bought and paid for agency of the capitalist oligarchy and functions as an industrial police force that exists to contain the growing movement of workers and keep it from escalating out of their control.

Meanwhile, the union bureaucracy functions as political props for the Democrats and Republicans, the two parties of big business, and seeks to subordinate the struggle of workers to capitalist interests. For example, the president of the Teamsters, Sean OBrien, is a supporter of the fascist Republican Party and went to the White House during the recent government shutdown to support President Trumps attacks on funding of SNAP benefits for 42 million people.

The World Socialist Web Site, through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, advocates for a fundamental change in the trajectory of the strike: Brulin workers must take leadership of their struggle by forming their own rank-and-file committee.

A rank-and-file committee would empower workers to defend and expand their strike against union busting tactics by the company and backstabbing by the union officials by reaching out to other sections of workers at Brulin and elsewhere for solidarity. The democratically controlled rank-and-file committee would draw up a list of demands including full wage increases, improved working conditions, job security, and respect in the workplace.

As shown by the No Kings protests on October 18, there is mass opposition growing to the Trump administration and there are now unprecedented conditions for workers to link up their struggles in a common fight against the entire capitalist system and the threat of dictatorship.

The strike by workers at Brulin Holding Company is part of this fight and shows the urgent need for workers to build new organizations of struggle that can genuinely mobilize and defend their interests under conditions of growing attacks by the capitalist oligarchy that is preparing a fascist dictatorship to increase profits and destroy the basic rights of the working class.
Investing.com -- Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) reported better-than-expected third-quarter results on Wednesday, with the shares up over 3% at the open.

The company said on its earnings call that it is now seeing less impact from tariffs than it had expected earlier in the year.

Walmart posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.62, exceeding analyst estimates of $0.60, while revenue reached $179.5 billion, surpassing the consensus forecast of $177.45 billion. Revenue grew 5.8% YoY, or 6.0% in constant currency terms, driven by strong eCommerce performance, which surged 27% globally.

Walmart U.S. comparable sales increased 4.5% during the quarter, showing strength across categories. The companys global advertising business jumped 53%, including VIZIO, with Walmart Connect in the U.S. up 33%. Membership income also saw robust growth of 16.7%.

"The team delivered another strong quarter across the business. eCommerce was a bright spot again this quarter," said Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart. "Were gaining market share, improving delivery speed, and managing inventory well."

Adding to the positives, Walmart raised its fiscal year 2026 outlook, now expecting net sales growth of 4.8% to 5.1% and adjusted operating income growth of 4.8% to 5.5%, both in constant currency. Adjusted EPS is projected to be between $2.58 and $2.63, up from the previous guidance of $2.52 to $2.62.

Walmarts gross margin rate improved by 2 basis points, led by Walmart U.S., though partially offset by International due to the timing of Flipkarts Big Billion Days event. Operating income decreased 0.2%, primarily due to a non-cash share-based compensation charge at PhonePe, while adjusted operating income increased 8.0% in constant currency.

"We expected a strong qtr from Walmart and they delivered," said Truist analyst Scot Ciccarelli in a note. "We believe that Walmarts deep discount pricing, improving product quality and significant expansion of convenience options (especially home delivery, where 3hr or less shipping increased by 70%) is ideally suited for todays environment and is enabling the company to gain share across customer cohorts."

Meanwhile, BMO Capitals Kelly Bania said in a note that "WMT reported another beat and raise quarter, with very consistent performance across the business and against elevated, potentially overly optimistic expectations."

"Key ecommerce, membership, and advertising performance remained robust and continued to demonstrate WMTs model works at scale," the analyst added.
But Alphabet's biggest advantage is distribution. It owns both the world's leading browser (Chrome) and the world's leading smartphone operating system (Android). Both command global market shares of more than 70%. It also has a search-revenue sharing deal with Apple that makes Google the default search engine on its devices. This essentially makes Alphabet the gateway to the internet for most people outside of China.

Before I get into those advantages, it should not be overlooked that Alphabet has developed one of the world's top foundational large language models (LLMs) in Gemini, which competes with the top models from OpenAI and others. Gemini, as a stand-alone app, has been taking market share, helped by the popularity of its Nano Banana AI image-editing tool.

With the rise of the artificial intelligence (AI) trend, Alphabet's Google search engine is facing serious and intensifying competition for the first time in a very long time. However, the company still has a wide moat in this area. The search and AI chatbot businesses are currently merging together into what I'd describe as the "discovery" business. And in that space, Google has a couple of powerful advantages.

Let's look at what Berkshire Hathaway may see in Alphabet today, and why its portfolio managers decided now was the right time to invest.

Berkshire's latest Form 13F filing revealed that in the third quarter, the conglomerate opened an approximately $5 billion position in Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG), which also happens to be one of my favorite stocks. Whether the soon-to-retire Buffett or his successor, Greg Abel, was behind that decision is unknown, but back in 2017, Buffett famously admitted that he wished he had invested in the company then called Google years earlier, when he saw that one of his insurance subsidiaries, Geico, was paying it $10 to $11 per click.

Any time Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) adds a new investment to its stock portfolio, it tends to grab attention. And because Berkshire has been much more of a seller of stocks than a buyer of them over the past two years, the company's portfolio additions are likely to draw even more interest.

It looks as if it could be the best-positioned company in cloud computing.

Story Continues

At the same time, the company has infused Gemini and other AI enhancements across its search solutions. AI features such as Lens, Circle to Search, and AI Overviews are helping drive query growth. Meanwhile, it has just started rolling out AI Mode, which lets users easily toggle between traditional search results and an AI chatbot experience. This is a powerful tool, as users don't have to change their behavior and use a separate app.

Alphabet's ad network is another huge edge. The company has spent decades building one of the most comprehensive digital ad networks on the planet -- one that can just as easily handle a local campaign from a small merchant as a global campaign from a major brand. Advertisers know its platform works, and they tend to stick with what they know will be successful. Many of its competitors, meanwhile, are still trying to figure out their business models and are burning through cash.

Beyond search

Outside of search, Alphabet also has what is arguably the best-positioned cloud computing platform on the planet. It has the most complete tech stack, which should be a long-term differentiator. Gemini is one of the world's leading foundational AI models, and the company has top software platforms, such as Vertex AI, to help customers create and customize their own AI models based on its Gemini foundational model. However, it doesn't stop there.

Perhaps the company's biggest edge in cloud computing comes from its custom AI accelerator chips, which it calls tensor processing units (TPUs). While other companies are starting to invest in custom AI chips, Alphabet has spent more than a decade developing its TPUs, which are now in their seventh generation. This has helped put it far ahead of the pack in its efforts, and gives it a big advantage in cost and power efficiency for certain types of AI workloads, particularly relative to more general-purpose graphics processing units (GPUs). As inference becomes a larger and larger share of the total AI-related computing workload, this will give Alphabet a huge advantage, especially given that access to enough electricity to power data centers is one of AI's biggest bottlenecks.

In addition to cloud computing, Alphabet also owns YouTube, the world's most-watched streaming service, which continues to generate solid growth. It also has some promising emerging bets. It has made real progress in quantum computing, meaningfully reducing that technology's error rate with its Willow chip, while its Waymo robotaxi business is expanding rapidly.

Trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 25.5 times 2026 analyst estimates, Alphabet isn't expensive for a company with all it has to offer. As such, investors can feel comfortable following Berkshire Hathaway's lead and buying the stock now.

Should you buy stock in Alphabet right now?

Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Alphabet wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

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Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Alphabet. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether Salutica Berhad (KLSE:SALUTE) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

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How Long Is Salutica Berhad's Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. When Salutica Berhad last reported its June 2025 balance sheet in October 2025, it had zero debt and cash worth RM17m. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through RM19m. So it had a cash runway of approximately 11 months from June 2025. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

KLSE:SALUTE Debt to Equity History November 20th 2025

Check out our latest analysis for Salutica Berhad

How Well Is Salutica Berhad Growing?

At first glance it's a bit worrying to see that Salutica Berhad actually boosted its cash burn by 49%, year on year. And we must say we find it concerning that operating revenue dropped 5.1% over the same period. Considering both these metrics, we're a little concerned about how the company is developing. In reality, this article only makes a short study of the company's growth data. You can take a look at how Salutica Berhad has developed its business over time by checking this visualization of its revenue and earnings history.

Can Salutica Berhad Raise More Cash Easily?

Since Salutica Berhad can't yet boast improving growth metrics, the market will likely be considering how it can raise more cash if need be. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.
Each year, dozens of women from all over the world gather in the hopes of being crowned Miss Universe. The iconic beauty pageant kicked off in 1952 and over the years, has grown far beyond its humble start. This years Miss Universe competition will celebrate women from more than 100 countries as they gather in Bangkok, Thailand, and compete for the title. While the main competition will take place on Friday, November 21, the preliminary competition has already begun, and the women after the crown have stolen hearts in the popular costume showcase. The National Costume Show allows competitors to highlight their culture in a creative and elaborate display, and seeing these women bring their all was most definitely a treat! Here, a look at the National Costume Show Miss Universe highlights.

Miss USAAudrey Eckert

Miss USA, Audrey Eckert, 2025

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Audrey Eckert, the 23-year-old from Nebraska, shined in The National Costume Show as she paid tribute to the United States with an ornate bald eagle costume, honoring the country's national bird. From the handcrafted eagle headpiece and sweeping wings that mirror our countrys vast landscapes, to the beadwork and feathers honoring Indigenous craftsmanship, every detail reflects resilience, courage and pride, wrote the Miss USA Instagram account in a post celebrating her costume.

Miss SwedenDaniella Lundqvist

Miss Sweden, Daniella Lundqvist, 2025

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Daniella Lundqvist, 26, who represented Sweden, honored beloved Swedish band ABBA with her vibrant and colorful ensemble. The bands music has been celebrated worldwide, and Lundqvists costume was a lovely tribute to their musical contributions to the world!

Miss BonaireNicole Peiliker Visser

Miss Bonaire, Nicole Peiliker Visser, 2025

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

In the Miss Universe National Costume Show, Nicole Peiliker Visser, 42, a mother of four, represented Bonaire, an island in the Dutch Caribbean, and its marine life with an ensemble adorned with coral embellishments, sea creatures and other visual representations of her beautiful home.

Miss EgyptSabrina Maged

Miss Egypt, Sabrina Maged, 2025

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

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The details on this one took our breath away! Miss Egypt, Sabrina Maged, is just 23 years old, but shes certainly holding her own amongst her competitors. In this exciting preliminary challenge, she represented her home country with a costume that dazzled with its bright tones and shimmer. Its amazing when people scream your name and your country. Its just so amazing. Its so perfect, and makes me so proud of it, she shared in a TikTok video posted by Miss Universe.

Miss EstoniaBrigitta Schaback

Miss Estonia, Brigitta Schaback, 2025

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Miss Estonia, Brigitta Schaback, is 28 years old and brought her all when it came time to compete in the costume competition. Sporting an enormous headpiece that paid homage to her countrys national animal, the wolf, this fierce look was certainly a sight to see.

Miss VenezuelaStephany Adriana Abasali

Miss Venezuela, Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser, 2025

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Similar to Miss Bonaire, Miss Venezuela, 25-year-old Stephany Adriana Abasali, paid homage to her countrys rich marine life. Her sparkling suit was nothing short of stunning and toward the bottom, Venezuelas stunning sea life was on full display.

Miss ParaguayYanina Magali Anahi Gomez Ojeda

Miss Paraguay, Yanina Magali Anahi Gomez Ojeda, 2025

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Yanina Magali Anahi Gomez Ojeda, the 28-year-old Miss Paraguay, wore a sparkling ensemble that served to honor the firefly, a symbol of hope in Paraguay that is now endangered. The costume glowed with purpose, reminding us that the smallest creatures can carry the biggest messages.

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For investors who want direct exposure to gold without storing it, GLD offers a straightforward option. The fund holds physical gold and tracks the price closely, though it does not distribute dividends. Either approach gives investors a way to participate in the gold trade without buying bullion.

We also talked about the alternatives to physical gold. Lee mentioned GGN, a long running closed end fund managed by Mario Gabelli that blends oil and gas exposure with major gold miners such as Newmont (NYSE: NEM) and Barrick (NYSE: GOLD) . It trades at a low price point and pays a monthly dividend, which makes it appealing for investors looking for income.

Lee walked through the forecasts. UBS is looking for a move back to 4200 in the near term. Goldman Sachs and Bank of America see the possibility of 5000 dollars by the end of next year. Those calls assume ongoing geopolitical tension and steady central bank demand, which both of us agreed seem plausible given the current environment.

Once Washington signaled that a government shutdown might be avoided, the tone in the market shifted. Investors who had been waiting for a pullback finally had an entry point. Lee reminded me that central banks in China, Japan and other regions buy gold consistently, often daily. That buying creates a natural floor when prices dip, and it helped gold recover back above 4100.

When Lee asked me about the latest moves in gold, I told him the speed of the prior run still stood out. The metal sprinted toward the 4100 and 4200 range so quickly that many investors avoided buying simply because they felt they were chasing. Then the selling pressure hit. Gold dropped nearly twenty percent, falling back into the high 3900s before buyers stepped in again.

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Golds surge to the 41004200 range was followed by a 20% correction, but renewed investor demand and central bank buying have helped prices rebound above 4100.

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The Costco Surprise

Lee and I laughed about a report showing that gold bars at Costco were selling at prices below the spot rate after member discounts. It created an unexpected arbitrage opportunity for anyone willing to buy a bar while shopping for groceries. As we pointed out, if global tensions intensify, gold could move far beyond current targets and potentially test 6000 or 7000.

Transcript:

[00:00:04] Doug Mcintyre: Lee. I can't figure out where gold is going, you know, there was this huge bull marketing gold, God, I mean it. Uh, it went up so fast, it was blinding. Uh, now people are worried that, you know, it may have, in essence, got out over its skis.

[00:00:21] Doug Mcintyre: A why is it moving, and B, where is it going?

[00:00:27] Lee Jackson: Yeah, you're, you're exactly right. And when we had the, the pullback recently where we had some pretty heavy selling, you know, gold was not, uh, escaping any of that action. And it was, it, after trading up to 4100, 4200, it got pushed back down in, in literally into correction territory.

[00:00:47] Lee Jackson: It was down like a quick 20% when it fell back to like 33950, 39 60. But boy, I'll tell you one thing. The minute that the tables turned and that there was some indication that the government, you know, malfeasance is over and the shutdowns about to end if they finally sign it because it took 'em a while to get back to Washington apparently.

[00:01:12] Lee Jackson: But now the gold, gold has had a nice, uh, return rally. 'cause I think there was really a lot of people that were anxious to try to buy some gold, but they just were like, Ugh, can I chase this at 4,000 or 4,100 or 4,200? But the one thing that we've tried to remind people and we've suggested for years to all of our readers and, uh, people that watch our, our videos that you should always keep 5% of gold in there or 5% of some sort of combo of gold and, and, silver and, and, you know, other commodities like that. But now, you know, when investors got a chance to get back in, they pushed it back up well over the 4,100 level and, and UBS says they're heading in on 4,200 and there's two firms out there, I think Goldman Sachs is one, and I think V of A is the other one, they think Golds has a $5,000 target by the end of next year.

[00:02:07] Doug Mcintyre: Yeah, well if that's true, you better. I would buy it now if you think it's,

[00:02:11] Lee Jackson: Yeah, you may want to get a little bit. You know, the thing is, and we try to remind people of this too, central banks, especially in China, Japan, um, other countries, they are buying gold for their central bank every single day. And I'm sure when it dipped a little bit, they were real buyers.

[00:02:30] Lee Jackson: So you have kind of a natural support under it because of, of that kind of central bank buying, which helps a little bit. But again, it had gone up so much, so fast so far that, um, I think a lot of people, a, that were in early, decided to sell some, and B, the people that were late to the party decided to hold off.

[00:02:50] Lee Jackson: But, you know, everybody on Wall Street is, is reasonably bullish. And like I said, UBS has a short term, 4,200 target and two banks have 5,000 as a target.

[00:03:01] Doug Mcintyre: And you know, if people don't wanna buy physical gold, there are alternatives to that. In terms of et, you know, if you don't wanna buy gold Lee, what are a couple other ways you can basically get in on the Gold Trade?

[00:03:14] Lee Jackson: Well, one way is a good one. Mario Gabelli has run this little closed in fund for a million years and it didn't do anything for a million years 'cause it was like 50% oil and gas and 50% gold. And the symbol on that is GGN. It's, you know, it's exchange traded fund it. It's not very expensive. It's about 480, 470 now, but it pays a really good dividend.

[00:03:37] Lee Jackson: And think about it, if you want an old gold, what better contrarian trade now is than buying oil and gas and every, it's, you know, Gabelli's got all the big names in there, you know, um, Exxon's in there (NYSE: XOM), Chevron's in there (NYSE: CVX), Conoco Phillips is in there (NYSE: COP). But then he is got all of the gold miners in there too, right?

[00:03:56] Lee Jackson: He's got Newmont and he's got Barrack and he is got all of those in there. And, and again, it not only does it pay like an 8% dividend or something like that, it pays it monthly. Oh, nice. Yeah. And so that's simple GGN or, you know, you can always, uh, buy the, there is a way to buy physical gold without buying gold bars, although you can go, I saw an interesting thing.

[00:04:20] Lee Jackson: I saw a guy in, in a morning piece I got that said, you can literally go to Costco. and buy a gold bar there. Yeah. How much, you know, it's like an, an ounce, I guess. Um. And after you get your discount and everything, it's, it's cheaper than the spot price. So you literally had, you were saying you have a gold arbitrage, at Costco next to the chickens.

[00:04:43] Lee Jackson: And so I was like, okay, that makes sense though. You could, you could have been up on it already, but, it's gonna be interesting to see how it plays out because if we have any sort of, and the world seems to be teetering a little bit, and if anything goes wrong, you know, heck it go through 5,000 up to six or seven.

[00:05:01] Lee Jackson: If, oh yeah, we had something serious go wrong.

[00:05:04] Doug Mcintyre: If the world goes to hell, gold is gonna, gold's gonna trade. Way. Way.

[00:05:08] Lee Jackson: Yeah. And, but again, another way, if you wanna own the physical gold, but not go to Costco or Port Knox and buy it, you can buy the, the uh, GLD fund.

[00:05:18] Doug Mcintyre: Yeah.

[00:05:19] Lee Jackson: Which holds physical gold. It doesn't pay a dividend, but it actually holds physical gold.

[00:05:24] Lee Jackson: So that's another way to play it. So

[00:05:27] Doug Mcintyre: I would say this in conclusion, if you think the world's gonna go fall apart, short Palantir and go long gold.

[00:05:38] Lee Jackson: Yeah, that would be a good pair. There you go.

[00:05:40] Doug Mcintyre: That'd be your ultimate crazy pairs trade

[00:05:43] Doug Mcintyre: I'm sorry. That's it. That's my, that's my pairing trade.

[00:05:47] Lee Jackson: Well, if you're one of those people that is a doom and glooner, that's, and that's your ultimate trade. You know, that's, that's my trade. But the one thing you always gotta remember, you gotta know where to gold at. And, uh, if you haven't seen that video, you gotta see it. So look for a wet of gold out and look for bars at Costco.

[00:06:03] Lee Jackson: Good.

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Angelina Jolies reputation as a humanitarian took a direct hit when the stars trip to the front lines of war-torn Ukraine resulted in her bodyguard driver being seized by officials to fight invading Russian forces, sources say.

The drama played out after the 50-year-old Hollywood actress touched down to tour the battle-ravaged cities of Kherson and Mykolaiv and meet volunteers and medics in an unannounced visit that reportedly infuriated Ukrainian authorities, per Gateway Pundit.

In Mykolaiv, an official grabbed Angies chauffeur  33-year-old Dmytro Pyschchikov  to take him to the local enlistment center when he reportedly could not produce proper military registration documents, but the Maleficent movie witchs motorcade rolled on without him for more photo ops.

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Despite Angies extensive human rights advocacy  including her stint as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Refugee Agency from 2001 to 2012  the Those Who Wish Me Dead actress was immediately roasted on social media.

LMAO, Angelina Jolie came [to] Ukraine and one of her bodyguards was snatched by military recruiters, writes one X user.

Another critic suggests combat helmetwearing Angies visit was actually a threat to the Ukrainian people she purportedly was there to help and sneers, The photo of the year: Angelina Jolie in an anti-drone tunnel. Thanks to Jolie, the world now knows: Kherson, a Ukrainian city, lives on, one mile away from the front, under nonstop short-range drone attacks. Much gratitude.

Dmytro  who according to a sibling had undergone military training at Ukraines flight academy a decade ago  claims he told authorities that he did not serve in the army due to an exemption for a back ailment. But officials were reportedly unimpressed with the excuse.

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Sources say Dmytro was deemed fit enough to serve in non-combat roles such as communications, security or training positions.

Unconfirmed reports claim that Angie personally called Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in an unsuccessful attempt to secure his release.

However, the countrys military unit, the Ukrainian Ground Forces Command, stressed in a statement that Angie had not interfered with the draft officials work.

Dmytro later appeared in a video, in which he said hed been conscripted but added, Friends, dont panic. The plan is to complete training and serve in the army, according to The Sun.

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The Legacy of War Foundation, which backed Angies visit, says she toured medical and educational facilities, speaking to volunteers and civilians  but critics claim the trip did more harm than good.

She called attention to key military positions and got a man impressed into military service, a source says. Sometimes its better for Hollywood stars to lend attention to serious issues from home.

Read More From National Enquirer

This story Angelina Jolies Bodyguard Driver, Dmytro Pyschchikov, Seized By Military Recruiters in Ukraine first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Andy Byron, the married former Astronomer CEO involved in the viral Coldplay kiss-cam scandal, has reportedly sold his home in Manhattan.

The home went for a hefty sum and was sold without any public marketing of the sale. Interestingly, the deed to the house suggests that Byron is still married to his wife, despite embracing Kristin Cabot, Astronomer's former chief people officer, at the Coldplay show in Boston in late July.

Weeks ago, Andt Byron was also seen strolling with his wife in Maine, which hints that they may have resolved their marital issues.

Andy Byron's Four-Bedroom Home Sold For $5.8 Million

TikTok | Instaagraace

Andy Byron, the tech CEO whose career imploded after being caught in a romantic embrace with a subordinate at a Coldplay concert, has sold a home he owned in Manhattan.

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Byron was the CEO of Astronomer and resigned shortly after the scandal went viral on social media in July. His resignation was followed by that of Kristin Cabot, the subordinate he was caught canoodling with at the show in July.

He has now sold the 2,800-square-foot, full-floor condo for $5.8 million to Charlotte Tenorio and Patrick Smith, according to the deed obtained by Crain's New York. The duo is said to have financed the deal through a multi-million dollar mortgage from their bank.

The home boasts four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a living space with exposed brick walls. It also features an open-concept kitchen complete with a wine cooler, alongside other modern amenities.

It is unclear why the tech CEO chose to sell the home, but it could be linked to the fact that he is no longer CEO of Astronomer, which is also located in Manhattan.

The Deal For The Ex-CEO's Home 'Coalesced Quickly' Without Public Marketing

LinkedIn | Andy Byron

The signed contract for the home was received by the Byrons on September 16, and the deal was ultimately closed on November 6.

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According to the news outlet, there was no public marketing of the home, but that didn't stop the deal from being "coalesced quickly."

Upon the sale of the home, the Byrons made a profit of $400,000, having previously purchased it for $5.4 million in 2022.

The condo was purchased from Veracity Partners, who are listed as the developer of the building.

The Deed Hinted That Andy Bryon Is Still Married To His Wife

Following the Kiss Cam scandal, Byron's wife promptly scrubbed her social media accounts and returned to her maiden name, Kerrigan.

At the time, many speculated that divorce was imminent, but the home sale documents suggest the couple remains together.

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It listed a shared colonial-style residence in Northborough, Massachusetts, near Worcester, as their current address.

The Former Astronomer CEO And His Wife Were Recently Seen On A Stroll Together

Facebook | Megan Kerrigan

Adding to this possibility is the fact that Byron was seen strolling happily through Maine in September with his wife, according to the Daily Mail.

During the walk, the duo was seen wearing their wedding bands, a further sign that they may have fully reconciled.

They were also spotted enjoying a cozy sunset picnic at the beach, seated on deck chairs and taking in the sea breeze while snacking on sodas and other treats.

Kristin Cabot Has Separated From Her Husband Since The Kiss Cam Incident

LinkedIn | Kristin Cabot

As for Cabot, she is currently separated from her husband, Andrew, in the wake of the Kiss Cam Scandal.

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In a statement to People Magazine, Andrew revealed via a spokesperson that he and Cabot "were privately and amicably separated several weeks before the Coldplay concert."

The remark provided a twist on the earlier report from NBC News that Cabot filed a petition for divorce in Portsmouth, N.H., on August 13.

"Their decision to divorce was already underway prior to that evening," the individual added. "Now that the divorce filing is public, Andrew hopes this provides respectful closure to speculation and allows his family the privacy they've always valued."

"No further public comment will be made," the spokeswoman further remarked about the duo.

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As of now, the divorce between Cabot and her estranged husband has yet to be finalized. Legal proceedings are still ongoing, and the next court hearing in the case is scheduled for November 26.

The estranged couple had no kids together, but Andrew has two children from a previous marriage.
Brooks Nader is setting the record straight about her relationship status.

After being photographed chatting with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Dakota Mortensen at the shows premiere event in New York on November 11, Nader assured fans it was just friendly banter.

I love all of the Mormon Wives, and I love the show. We're both in the Hulu gang, and I just met him for the first time, Nader, 28, exclusively told Us Weekly while celebrating the all-new, all-electric 2026 Jeep Recon on Tuesday, November 18. We were just chatting like normal people, and it got spun out of control. There was a rumor that we left together, and I actually left with my sisters. We went to dinner so things spun out of control.

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Although Nader admitted Mortensen, 30, is super cute and she loves the show, theres no love story going on.

Brooks Nader Says She Is Loving Being Single for the First Time Ever  And Reveals She Would Date a Coworker

There's nothing more than that, she said. I don't even know anything about him to be honest with you.

As for the chatter that Nader could be linked to Nina Dobrevs ex-fiance Shaun White, the model said pictures taken outside an Alice + Olivia event in New York on November 12 dont tell the whole story.

He was just saying, Hi, she told Us. I was still in my car. I didnt even get out.

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While Nader thinks all the dating rumors can be funny, the former Dancing With the Stars contestant admitted that it catches her dads attention every time.

Model Brooks Naders Most Relatable Moments: From Normalizing Period Stains to Sister Squabbles

I swear I'm single and if I'm flirting, you've been there too. Do not judge me. Let me flirt in peace, she joked. My poor dad, though, calls me every other day, and hes like, Now, who's this one? Now, there's another one. Now, who's this one? And what am I supposed to tell my friends in Louisiana? And I'm like, Im having a damn conversation. It's so crazy.

While stepping out for the big reveal of the 2026 Jeep Recon, Nader was able to get up close and personal with the first and only fully electric Trail Rated SUV in the industry.

Harmony Gerber/Courtesy of Jeep

Production of the 2026 Jeep Recon will begin early next year with initial launches in the United States and Canada.

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Jeep has a special place in my heart. My first ever makeout in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was with a high schooler and he had a black Jeep Cherokee, Nader joked to Us. His name was Caleb. He was super cute.

As Nader continues to balance modeling, family time and more reality TV  Love Thy Nader is rumored to be coming back for a season 2  she reiterated that she is single and ready to see what the future holds.

Brooks Nader Says She Doesnt Talk About Her Ex-Husband on Love Thy Nader Because They Signed NDAs

As I've said before, I have a little roster or a little bench that I build, Nader joked. Some get kicked out. Some get promoted.

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As for speculation that she was once considered to be the lead of ABCs The Bachelorette, Nader said its not true. Instead, shes excited to watch Mortensens ex, Taylor Frankie Paul, search for her forever partner.

Shes going to kill it, and I cannot wait to watch her season, she said. I have a filming schedule. I couldnt and wouldn't be able to [do The Bachelorette]. Also, I think that's one of those shows that I prefer to watch.
NEED TO KNOW

Cynthia Erivo has spoken out after her Wicked costar Ariana Grande was attacked by a fan on the red carpet

The incident occurred on Nov. 13 at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good when a fan rushed the carpet and grabbed Grande

Erivo quickly stepped in to protect Grande while security took the man out of the venue

Cynthia Erivo broke her silence after shocking video footage of her costar Ariana Grande being accosted by a fan at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good on Thursday, Nov. 13, made headlines.

The 38-year-old actress, who plays Elphaba in the Wicked franchise, appeared on the Today show on Thursday, Nov. 20, where she was asked by Savannah Guthrie about the incident and her decision to step in and shield Grande from the man.

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"I was really thinking, I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe," Erivo recalled. "Im sure he didnt mean us harm, but I just, you never know with those things and I wanted to make sure that she was okay. That was my first instinct."

PEOPLE has reached out to Grande for comment on the altercation.

The incident occurred as Grande was walking the yellow brick road-themed red carpet with her costars Michelle Yeoh, Erivo and Jeff Goldblum at Universal Studios Singapore.

In footage captured by multiple eyewitnesses, a man jumped over the barricade and sprinted toward Grande, grabbing her by the shoulders. Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film, rushed to Grandes side, pushing the man out of the way and protecting her costar and close friend.

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Erivo and Yeoh were then seen comforting Grande and checking on her while security escorted the man out of the venue.

Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at the Singapore premiere of 'Wicked: For Good.' Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at the Singapore premiere of 'Wicked: For Good.'

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The attacker was quickly identified online as Johnson Wen, who goes by the name Pyjama Man. Wen posted a video from the incident to his Instagram, writing, @arianagrande @wickedmovie Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You .

Shortly after the incident, Wen posted a video of himself on his Instagram Stories, writing, Im Free after being Arrested.

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Wen has since been charged with being a public nuisance and sentenced to nine days in jail, according to The New York Times.

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend the New York City premiere of 'Wicked: For Good' on Nov. 17. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend the New York City premiere of 'Wicked: For Good' on Nov. 17.

He has become known for crashing celebrity events including jumping on stage with Katy Perry, The Weeknd and The Chainsmokers.

Grande has been open in the past about experiencing PTSD in the wake of the 2017 bombing at her Manchester concert, which took the lives of 22 people.

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.



Read the original article on People
Fresh insight about Sean "Diddy" Combs' new prison facility, FCI Fort Dix, has emerged, revealing a deplorable state of things that could leave the embattled rapper distressed.

"Real Housewives of New Jersey" alum Joe Giudice opened up about the low-key demeanor Diddy would have to portray in the low-security cell, explaining that his fate "depends on how he carries himself."

Sean "Diddy" Combs was earlier pictured getting acquainted with his fellow inmates in the prison yard, weeks after he asked to be transferred there from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Joe Giudice Says It's Not All Rosy As Diddy's Lawyers Paint It To Be

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

Amid Diddy's incarceration, former "RHONJ" star Joe Giudice has opened up about what it is like living at Fort Dix, telling Us Weekly that the rapper's new home is a far cry from the rehabilitative haven his lawyers might have hoped for.

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Giudice, who served 41 months behind bars at FCI Fort Dix after he was indicted on federal fraud charges in 2013, shared that Diddy's fate would depend largely on "how he carries himself."

"As long as he keeps a low profile and doesn't try to act like a big shot, he'll be fine," the 53-year-old reality TV star shared.

"I've seen people get stabbed over an onion. You ain't in there with the most stable people," he continued.

Joe Giudice Speaks On The Pros And Cons Of The Rapper's New Prison Facility

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

The reality TV star told the publication that he saw inmates having "group sex" in the early hours of the morning while he was at Fort Dix.

"I got up at, like, three or four in the morning to go to the bathroom, and you would see the craziest things in there, people you would never imagine," Giudice recalled.

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"[The guards] hear the shower going at night, and they just look the other way," he claimed.

Things won't be all bad for the "I'm Coming Home" rapper as Giudice explained that the prison cell comes with some level of comfort as he'll have the opportunity to pay for services such as security and also get his shoes shined.

"You can get your clothes tailored and chefs making food for you. That's just how it is," Giudice said.

Former Inmate Opens Up About 'Horrible' Prison Life At FCI Fort Dix

MEGA

According to Us Weekly, another former inmate opened up about the "horrible" living conditions Diddy is likely facing there.

The said former inmate, who spent 17 months at FCI Fort Dix between 2019 and 2020, revealed that the jail only comes with one bathroom per floor and most of the toilet utensils are not working.

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"There's one bathroom per floor with toilets and showers, and everything is broken. A lot of the food is expired. It's horrible. They don't care," the former prisoner said.

"I was there a day and a half, and I [told a] kid [I just met], 'This isn't a jail, this is an insane asylum!' and he agreed. It was a zoo," he claimed.

The Rapper Has Been Jailed For Over A Year

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Diddy has been in the news for his legal battles and subsequent incarceration after he was arrested in September last year.

The Bad Boy Records founder faced trial on charges bordering on sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution, but was acquitted on the first two serious crimes.

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He was, however, found guilty on two counts of prostitution related charges and was sentenced to a 50-month prison sentence in addition to paying a $500,000 fine, although the year he's already spent at the MDC in Brooklyn counts toward his sentencing.

He was held at the notorious MDC in Brooklyn for over a year but requested to be transferred to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, citing how it would allow him to undergo a drug rehabilitation program and also afford better family visitation opportunities.

Diddy Settles In To New Prison Life, Mingles With Inmates

MEGA

Diddy has since settled into his new life in the low-security prison. Photos obtained by TMZ showed him chatting and smiling with a group of men out in the prison yard.

He donned a gray sweat suit set and sneakers, and paired it with a matching head warmer and a blue coat.

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The rapper's gray beard was apparent as he chatted with other inmates and even appeared to shake hands with one of the men, who seemed happy to have him in their company.

Diddy is expected to appeal his 50-month sentencing after a judge ruled for his appeal process to be expedited, but reports suggest he's already bragging to his fellow inmates that President Donald Trump would pardon him next year.

The rapper also reportedly promised to take care of the inmates from the outside once he is pardoned.

Recently, Diddy was hit with an extension of his prison time, as his release date was changed from May 8, 2028, to June 4, 2028. Although no official reason for the change has been given, it followed reports that Diddy was caught drinking alcohol.
A pair of influencers formerly in a relationship died just hours apart in the Philippines this week.

Gina Lima was found unresponsive in her condo Monday ... she was brought to a hospital in Quezon City by her ex-boyfriend, Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, where she was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the Manila Standard.

TMZ

"Tablets and marijuana" were later found in the room where she was discovered by Ronquillo.

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The 23-year-old actress and social media star sustained what were described as nonfatal external injuries. Lima's cause of death officially remains undetermined, and toxicology tests were in progress.

TMZ

Ronquillo, 24, was found dead the next day on the staircase inside the condo, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports. Ronquillo's cause of death was preliminarily determined to be suicide by hanging. Both deaths remain under investigation.

Celebrity Deaths In 2025 - Click image to open gallery

Ronquillo was not considered person of interest in Lima's death. Police are also investigating online harassment Ronquillo had been subjected to following the death of his ex-girlfriend.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Update:

9:45 a.m. Nov. 20, 2025: This story has been updated with a statement from Vin Diesels defense attorney.



Vin Diesel will not face further litigation in Los Angeles in the sexual battery lawsuit that a former assistant filed against the "Fast & Furious" star two years ago.

An L.A. County Superior Court judge on Wednesday dismissed the complaint from Diesel's accuser, Asta Jonasson. Bryan J. Freedman, Diesel's attorney, said in a statement that the actor and his legal team are "grateful that the court put an end to this meritless lawsuit."

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"We are pleased that this matter has been resolved entirely," he added.

Jonasson said in her lawsuit, filed in December 2023, that she served as Diesel's assistant in 2010 during the filming of "Fast Five" in Atlanta and alleged the actor sexually assaulted her in a hotel room.

Her lawsuit raised 10 claims, including sexual battery, retaliation and multiple violations of California's Fair Employment and Housing Act. The complaint also sought action against Diesel's One Race Films production company and its president, Samantha Vincent, Diesel's sister.

Judge Daniel M. Crowley called Jonasson's argument "untenable" and in conflict with the intention of the state's legal code in his dismissal document. Also, since the sexual assault is alleged to have happened in Georgia, the judge said California was not the right jurisdiction in which to file the complaint.

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Read more: Vin Diesel 'categorically denies' claims of sexual battery against former assistant

Crowley said that California law could not be "applied to any of Plaintiff's claims."

The case was set to go to trial in February prior to Wednesday's decision. In a statement Wednesday, Jonasson's attorney Matthew T. Hale framed the decision as one based on a "technicality."

"The Court did not decide anything about the truth of Ms. Jonassons allegations," Hale said. "The ruling was based on a legal technicality. We disagree with the ruling, and we are assessing next steps."

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In her complaint, Jonasson alleged Diesel groped her, pinned her to a wall and put her hand on his genitals without her consent during the hotel room encounter. The 58-year-old actor, through Freedman, denied the allegations shortly after Jonasson filed her complaint.

"This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee," Freedman said at the time. "There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.

Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Gist

Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall on November 19.

The Princess of Wales wore a stunning off-the-shoulder velvet dress to the annual performanceher sixth time attending.

Almost 38 years to the day prior, Princess Diana wore a similar off-the-shoulder velvet dress to an appearance in Germany, a look that became one of her most well-known.

In addition to paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth through her choice of earrings, Kate Middletons off-the-shoulder, emerald green velvet bodycon dress worn to the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall on November 19 also closely mirrors a look Princess Diana wore almost exactly 38 years ago.

Getty Kate Middleton at the Royal Variety Performance on November 19, 2025 Kate Middleton at the Royal Variety Performance on November 19, 2025

Kates Talbot Runhof dress and Manolo Blahnik pumps were paired with Queen Elizabeths Greville Chandelier Diamond Earringsa wedding present to her in 1947as well as Queen Marys Diamond Choker Bracelet, made by Cartier. The Princess of Wales also carried a Jenny Packham clutch to the annual event, which she attended alongside husband Prince William.

Getty Prince William and Kate Middleton at Royal Albert Hall Prince William and Kate Middleton at Royal Albert Hall

Tatler spotted that the future queen recreated one of Dianas most memorable looks, worn to a presidential state banquet in Bonn, Germany on November 2, 1987. For that occasion, Diana wore an off-the-shoulder velvet gown by Victor Edelstein with the same fishtail cut as Kates gown on Wednesday evening.

Getty Princess Diana in Germany on November 2, 1987 Princess Diana in Germany on November 2, 1987

Unlike Kate, though, Diana accessorized with a tiarathe Spencer tiara specifically, her birth familys heirloom piece (which she also wore down the aisle when she married Prince Charles in 1981). Diana also wore a necklace from the Sultan of Oman sapphire suite.

Getty Princess Diana on November 2, 1987 Princess Diana on November 2, 1987

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Getty Princess Diana in Cologne, Germany on November 3, 1987 Princess Diana in Cologne, Germany on November 3, 1987

Diana also wore a similar off-the-shoulder look to an event the next day, November 3, in Cologne, Germany, where she attended a fashion show at the Ludwig Museum.

Getty Kate Middleton on November 19, 2025 Kate Middleton on November 19, 2025

Getty Jessie J and Kate Middleton Jessie J and Kate Middleton

Jessie J performed at the Royal Variety Performance last night; like Kate, she too has had a recent cancer scare. The two women hugged warmly, and Jessie J hugged the Princess of Wales and told her (per The Daily Express), I just want to give you a hug. Cancer really puts life into perspective.

Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug, Jessie J said. We acknowledged that its something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye.

Getty Kate Middleton Kate Middleton

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Getty Kate Middleton at the Royal Variety Performance on November 19, 2025 Kate Middleton at the Royal Variety Performance on November 19, 2025

She also spoke to the Prince of Wales about teaming up to encourage conversations about mental health. He would love to get me involved, Jessie J added. They are interested and know how important it is to share the message.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also met up with Paddington at the event, and Kate mentioned that their three kids were very sad to not be in attendance alongside their parents.

Getty Kate Middleton on November 19, 2025 Kate Middleton on November 19, 2025

My kiddies were very sad, the Princess of Wales said (per The Mirror). Were going to have to keep it a big secret that I saw you guys. They were very sad not to be joining us.

Read the original article on InStyle
Welcome to The Scoop  the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.

(NewsNation)  Eagle-eyed fashion observers almost fell out of their chairs this week when Meghans preview for her Netflix holiday segment dropped.

During a portion of the video promoting her With Love, Meghan Christmas special, Prince Harrys wife was seen wearing a gorgeous green Galvan Ushuaia one-shouldered gown  which looked very familiar.

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The gown is the exact same one she wore in Varietys 2022 Instagram Reel promoting the Duchess as its cover subject.

Prince Harry, Meghan to lose titles; Prince William done: Source

Unfortunately, after appearing in the video, Meghan was then accused of pilfering several items from an anonymous photo shoot  again.

Meghan theft allegations

In an appearance on Andrew Golds Heretics podcast last year titled, Exclusive: Meghan Markle New Stealing Allegations, veteran journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis, whose work has appeared in The New York Times and Vanity Fair, described how several items of clothing that had been pulled for Meghan during a photo shoot allegedly went missing  and not for the first time.

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Grigoriadis started out talking with Gold about a 2016 shoot where things allegedly went missing  items that they say later showed up in press photographs.

People who are into deep cuts of Meghan may have noticed that back in the day, Tom Bower reported that at a Reitmans shoot, Meghan was doing the shoot and everything was fine, Grigoriadis said.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in With Love, Meghan on Netflix. (Netflix) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, participates in The Archewell Foundation Parents Summit Mental Wellness in the Digital Age as part of Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival on Oct. 10, 2023, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) FILE  Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, appears at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, on Sept. 23, 2021. The first podcast from Prince Harry and Meghans partnership with Spotify will focus on harmful labels and stereotypes applied to women. The Archetypes podcast will be hosted by Meghan and is expected to launch this summer. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at Varietys Power of Women on Nov. 16, 2023, at Mother Wolf in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) FILE  Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at the Invictus Games venue in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, April 15, 2022. Meghan will be in New York Tuesday, May 16, 2023, along with Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, to receive the Ms. Foundations Women of Vision Award, as the nations oldest womens foundation marks its 50th anniversary. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) PARIS, FRANCE  OCTOBER 05: Meghan Markle is seen during the Womenswear Spring Summer 2026 as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 05, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrea Cremascoli/Getty Images)

Reitman is a Canadian clothing store for Meghan did a campaign for before she married Harry. In Tom Bowers book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors, he claims Meghan left the set of a 2016 ad shoot for Reitmans with wardrobe items  specifically mentioning she forgot to leave behind the Aquazzura shoes used for the campaign, shoes that later showed up on the official photo of her engagement announcement to Harry a year later.

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The photo shoots, the celebrities or the important person are never supposed to take the clothes that theyre actually wearing in the shoot home, right? Grigoriadis continued.

Those clothes are being lent by top designers of the world, perhaps jewelry. Jewelry is incredibly expensive, right? The kind of jewelry that celebrities wear on the red carpet is, you know, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

And (Bower) reported that Meghan, at the end of that shoot, the crew that was there was sort of surprised because she had some high-heeled shoes on that no longer seemed to be in the room for the shoot, right?

Sticky fingers at the end of a photoshoot is not unheard of, Grigoriadis said before alleging Meghan had committed the same sin again.

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Meghan, Prince Harry messed up by going to Kardashian party: Insider

Recently, thats happening again. And I think thats what might be most surprising to people because shes now somebody whos now, I mean, I cant remember the exact figures, but what was it? $100 million for the Netflix documentary, $20 million for Spotify, despite having done pretty much no work, being called effing grifters for the work that they did in that.

You would think that this is somebody who now has a reputation to uphold and doesnt need the money, but shes been stealing stuff.

Meghans rep didnt return emails about the Galvan gown  and whether or not Meghan took it (unpaid) from the Variety shoot.

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But the allegation could explain why many magazines are not rushing to work with her.

As Grigoriadis explained: Its that [Markles] trying to pretend shes some sort of heroic, worthy, charity-giving, feminist, whatever, when actually shes the diva, money-grabbing, stealing person, who we might admire if they werent just pretending theyre something else.

While Meghan is on the cover of the December issue of Harpers Bazaar, were sure everything was returned  under the eagle eye of the stylists on set.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Miss Jamaica took a shocking tumble during the Miss Universe preliminary evening gown round in Thailand.

Dr. Gabrielle Henry was strolling across the stage in a long, flowing orange gown when she suddenly fell off the stage, as seen in social media video of the incident. Another social media video from the pageant shows a person being taken away in a stretcher.

In a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday, Nov. 19, the Miss Universe Organization noted its president, Raul Rocha Cantu, has visited Henry and reports she is in stable condition after sustaining "a couple of minor wounds." She is receiving treatment at a hospital in Bangkok, where she will remain under observation overnight.

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"I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care," Cantu also wrote in an Instagram post.

The 28-year-old physician and advocate was set to compete at the 74th annual pageant on Friday, Nov. 21, which is already scandal-ridden.

Miss Universe judge resigns days before pageant after 'disrespectful conversation'

In early November, the organization was criticized after Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil called Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, "stupid" during a livestreamed speech to contestants on Nov. 4. Miss Universe Mexico subsequently characterized the events, which included a walkout from fellow contestants, as "unacceptable." Despite Itsaragrisil's tearful apology, Cantu, the president of the pageant, responded to the backlash by announcing a series of sanctions restricting and almost completely excluding Itsaragrisil from the events of the 74th pageant.

Miss Angola Maria Da Cunha, front right, walks on stage with other contestants during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on Nov. 19, 2025. Miss USA Audrey Eckert Miss USA Audrey Eckert Miss Sri Lanka Lihasha White Miss Egypt Sabrina Maged Miss Netherlands Nathalie Yasmin Miss Bonaire Nicole Peiliker Visser Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch Miss Haiti Melissa Sapini Miss Czech Republic Michaela Tomanova Miss Curacao Camille Thomas Miss Nicaragua Itza Helen Castillo Miss Panama Mirna Caballini Bouche Miss U.S. Virgin Islands Britanny Robinson Miss Paraguay Yanina Magali Anahi Gomez Ojeda Miss Armenia Peggy Garabekian Miss Peru Karla Bacigalupo Miss Zimbabwe Lyshanda Brendon Moyas Miss Malta Julia Ann Cluett Miss Albania Flavia Harizaj Miss Guyana Chandini Baljor Miss Puerto Rico Zashely Alice Rivera Miss Philippines Ahtisa Manalo Miss Rwanda Solange Tuyishime Keita Miss Colombia Vanessa Pulgarin Miss Ukraine Sofiya Tkachuk Miss Democratic Republic of the Congo Dorcas Dienda Kasinde Miss Universe Latina Yamilex Hernandez Miss Tanzania Naisae Yona Miss Japan Kaori Hashimoto Miss Estonia Brigitta Schaback Miss Iraq Hanin Al Qoreishy Miss Switzerland Naima Nausica Acosta Miss Greece Mary Chatzipavlou Miss France Eve Gilles Miss Saint Lucia Shianne Smith Miss Venezuela Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser Miss Bahamas Malique Maranda Bowe Feathers, sequins and national pride rule the runway at Miss Universe 2025 1 of 38 Miss Angola Maria Da Cunha, front right, walks on stage with other contestants during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on Nov. 19, 2025.

The Miss Universe Thailand director cries in apology over calling contestant 'dumb'

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Then on Tuesday, Nov. 18, a judge for the pageant suddenly dropped out ahead of the event. Composer Omar Harfouch made several accusations about the integrity of the organization's global competition, including that an "impromptu jury" selected finalists without the presence of the eight "real jury members" and that he had a "disrespectful conversation" with Cantu regarding the "lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process." The organization has publicly denied his accusations.

Contributing: Edward Segarra and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miss Jamaica falls off Miss Universe stage in shocking video
Wisecap Group and Corvaglia Group have formed an industrial partnership that reshapes their caps and closures operations in Europe.

Wisecap will fold the caps manufacturing activities of Corvaglia Closures Eschlikon, a unit of Corvaglia Holding, into its existing European production network.

Corvaglia will, in turn, acquire a minority stake in Wisecap and contribute its injection-moulding technology and closure designs to the group.

Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Wisecaps current line-up includes plastic caps ranging from 26mm to 48mm in diameter, as well as aluminium closures for key beverage segments.

The companies' collaboration gives customers a broader choice of closure solutions by combining Wisecaps manufacturing scale and portfolio with Corvaglias expertise in moulding technology and design.

The agreement is expected to speed up development cycles, strengthen technical support and improve supply flexibility across European markets.

The combined capabilities further consolidate Wisecaps position as one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced producers of caps and closures.

Corvaglia will continue to focus on technology development and mould manufacturing from its Eschlikon headquarters, while Wisecap will run the combined caps production for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

The companies will maintain continuous supply for all customers presently served by Corvaglia Closures Eschlikon.

Corvaglia remains fully engaged in its global beverage closure activities and in serving customers along the whole value chain.

In Europe, this will be pursued through the new alliance with Wisecap. Corvaglia will continue to operate on a standalone basis, encompassing closure design, injection-mould production and closure manufacturing, in Mexico and the US.

Founded in 1977 and based in Piacenza, Italy, Wisecap makes plastic closures for the beverage sector. The group runs six plants across five countries - Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland and Egypt - and manufactures more than 15 billion caps annually on 80 production lines.

It supplies more than 600 customers in 50 countries and employs 300 people.

Corvaglia, established in 1991 and headquartered in Eschlikon, Switzerland, specialises in closure solutions for beverage packaging and serves a wide range of international drinks companies.

Around 20% of all PET soft drink bottles worldwide use Corvaglia closures. It operates sites in Switzerland, Mexico and the US and also employs more than 300 people.

"Wisecap and Corvaglia form industrial alliance for beverage closures" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.
UPDATE 11/24/2025 at 11:55 a.m. ET  The president of the Miss Universe Organization has provided an update on Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henrys health following her shocking fall from stage during the pageant last week.

The Miss Universe Organization wishes to address recent speculation by providing a clear and respectful update regarding Dr. Gabrielle Henry Miss Universe Jamaica 2025, president Raul Rocha said in a statement shared via Instagram by the Miss Jamaica team on Monday, November 24.

Rocha continued, Out of respect for Dr. Henry and her family, the Organization maintains strict discretion regarding specific details of her medical status. We believe that matters concerning her health should be communicated only at the appropriate time and solely at the family's discretion, or by Dr. Henry herself should she choose to do so.

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Rocha clarified that immediate action was taken when Henry, 28, fell off the stage during the preliminary evening gown round at Miss Universe in Thailand on November 19.

I personally entered the stage to assist her, coordinated urgent medical attention, and oversaw her immediate transfer to the hospital, he added. I was present at the emergency room alongside her family, with whom I spoke directly. I recommended a series of precautionary actions, some beyond standard protocol, to guarantee the most accurate evaluation, monitoring, and medical oversight. Additional medical specialists were also brought in to provide multiple professional assessments and ensure full clarity regarding her condition.

Rocha also said that the Miss Universe Organization has taken all hotel, hospital and travel expenses from Henry and her family.

Over the past four days, there have been difficult moments and unexpected concerns, he continued. However, thanks to the excellent medical care provided, each issue was successfully resolved.

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Rocha then shared that the latest medical report confirms that Dr. Gabrielle Henry is in good health and nearing discharge.

We will continue to communicate only essential information with professionalism, sensitivity, and respect, the statement concluded. While unfounded speculation has circulated publicly, our full attention has remained on Dr. Henry's care and recovery. We are grateful that she is now close to being released from the hospital.

Original story continues below:

Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry caused concern after a fall on stage resulted in her being carried away on a stretcher during a Miss Universe pageant.

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Footage was shared via social media on Wednesday, November 19, showing Henry taking a tumble off the stage amid the preliminary evening gown round. In the video, Henry walked across the stage in an orange gown and struck a pose. As she moved toward the left of the stage, Henry fell and a group of people rushed to help her as she was removed on a stretcher.

The Miss Universe Jamaica Organization subsequently released a statement confirming that Henry experienced a fall from the main stage during the evening gown round ahead of the Miss Universe finals this weekend in Thailand.

She was rushed to the Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries, the statement via Instagram noted. However, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery.

The Biggest Beauty Pageant Scandals and Controversies of All Time: Miss Universe Judging Drama, More

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The organization requested that fans stay upbeat, lift her in prayer, and send positive thoughts as she receives the necessary medical care" before thanking them for the outpouring of support.

Before the health scare, Henry took part in the national costume and swimsuit portion of the pageant. Miss Universe Organization President Raul Rocha offered an update on Henry via Instagram after he visited her in the hospital.

I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care, he wrote on Wednesday.

The 74th Miss Universe competition, which began earlier this month, has resulted in two controversies, including an argument between Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch and Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil during a sash ceremony.

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Amid the drama, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to respect and safety for all participants.

Meet the Hosts and Judges for Miss Teen and Miss USA 2025: Nia Sanchez, Sasha Farber and More

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) reaffirms its commitment to work closely with the host community, the Miss Grand International Organization (MGI), and all local partners to ensure the success of the 74th edition of the pageant," they stated. "A high-level delegation, led by the MUOs CEO, Mr. Mario Bucaro, is traveling to Thailand to strengthen collaboration with the host country, MGI, and relevant authorities."

The statement continued: "All scheduled events and activities will take place as planned, reaffirming our shared goal of delivering a global celebration that reflects the values of diversity, empowerment, and inclusion that define the legacy of Miss Universe.

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Miss Universe judge Omar Harfouch later dropped out of the pageant after claiming there was lack of transparency in voting.

The 2025 Miss Universe finals take place Friday, November 21, with reigning queen Victoria Kjr Theilvig of Denmark crowning the next winner.
Miss Universe Jamaica Dr. Gabrielle Henry suffered a terrifying injury while competing at the preliminary competition of the 2025 Miss Universe Pageant.

A viral social media clip shows Henry accidentally walking off the stage while participating in the evening gown portion of the event. The video then cuts to paramedics removing Henry from the premises using a stretcher.

RELATED: Miss USA Alma Cooper Pulls Out of Pageant Hours Before She Was Set to Crown Her Successor

Shortly after the incident made waves online, the Miss Universe Jamaica organization released a statement on Instagram updating fans on Henry's condition.

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"The Miss Universe Jamaica Organization wishes to advise the public that Dr. Gabrielle Henry, Miss Universe Jamaica 2025, experienced a fall from the main stage during the evening gown round of the preliminary competition ahead of this weekend's Miss Universe Finals in Thailand," the statement began.

"She was rushed to the Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries; however, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery," it continued. "We kindly ask everyone to stay upbeat, lift her in prayer, and send positive thoughts as she receives the necessary medical care."

The statement concluded, "We thank everyone for their outpouring of love, support, and continued prayers."

The new Miss Universe will be crowned in Bangkok, Thailand on the morning of Friday, Nov. 21 by Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjr Theilvig. In the U.S., coverage of the pageant will stream on Peacock starting at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 20.

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So far, the event has been shrouded in controversy as two judges resigned before the finale, claiming the competition was rigged and that the top 30 contestants were pre-selected before the pageant began.

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This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
OnlyFans model Ari Kytsya recently reportedly gave a lecture at the University of Washington. She spoke to a Psych 201 class of students about human sexuality, her online presence, and adult content creation. News of Kytsyas lecture ignited a variety of fan reactions. Some couldnt believe a university invited an OF model to give a lecture.

Ari Kytsya reportedly called out for speaking to students at University

OnlyFans Ari Kytsya was invited to the University of Washington to give a lecture on Surviving Digital Economies, Performing an Online Persona, and Psychological Implications for Sexualized Public Spaces. She addressed a Psych 201 class taught by Dr. Nicole K. McNichols and talked about sexuality, labor, and realities of a digital landscape.

Kytsya shared a reel of her lecture on TikTok. What could a bop possibly teach a University class? She asked in the video. A different perspective than your own In the caption, she asked her followers whether she should upload clips from her lecture.

Kytsya giving a lecture at the university, let alone interacting with students, sparked criticism. Americas education system is cooked if this is what passes for higher learning, a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Other countries are inventing robots and curing diseases while we turning Psych 201 into a guest feature from an OF model.

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Imagine paying a college tuition and they invited a OF girl, one user commented.

However, one user defended the Universitys decision to invite Kytsya. Lmao why do people think learning is limited to textbooks, they wrote. You can learn something from anyone.

The online atmosphere was filled with criticism. However, the audience who attended the lecture was reportedly curious, interested, and in some instances, strangely thoughtful, according to a student (via Where Is The Buzz).

Moreover, one student claimed that Kytsyas appearance wasnt a spectacle. It seemed like it was a class trying to figure out whats going on with sex and social media, they added.

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Notably, McNichols shared a reel documenting Kytsyas class. In the caption, the Psychology professor acknowledged that the influencer sparked mixed reactions but praised her for honestly discussing her life, career, success, relationship with Yung Gravy, and how her work contrasted with mainstream adult content.

The professor also expressed gratitude to Kytsya for sharing her story. She added, Conversations like this expand empathy, challenge assumptions, and remind us that sexuality, relationships, and labor are always more complex, human, and nuanced than the stereotypes we inherit.

Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on Mandatory.

The post OnlyFans Model Faces Backlash for Reportedly Speaking to 1,200 Students appeared first on Reality Tea.
Paul W. Valentine, who chronicled the civil rights movement and anti-war protests during his long career as a Washington Post reporter, and who often explored the darker corners of human experience with stories on criminals, malcontents and social misfits, died Oct. 15 at a hospice in Baltimore. He was 90.

The cause was prostate cancer, said his wife Elizabeth Valentine.

After serving in the Army and working at newspapers in the South, Mr. Valentine joined The Post on Aug. 2, 1965. In the elevator, he met another new employee also on his first day on the job: Ben Bradlee, who would become the papers executive editor and guiding force for decades.

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Mr. Valentine did not have the glamorous assignments of a foreign correspondent or a White House reporter, chatting with presidents and congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. Instead, he chose a grittier path on the Metro desk, reporting from crime scenes, police precincts and jails while illuminating the struggles of the poor and disenfranchised.

In Memphis in April 1968, he covered the aftermath of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination. A month later, with tensions high in Washington, he wrote about Resurrection City, an encampment of several thousand people on the National Mall designed to draw attention to the plight of downtrodden Americans.

Mr. Valentine defied police orders to enter the temporary settlement of makeshift shelters, only to be arrested (and later released). He interviewed the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, one of Kings top lieutenants, who organized the campaign.

Either we move Congress to act through nonviolence, or our cities will burn down, Abernathy said, adding: I lead this campaign because I love America, not because I want to tear her down.

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With an acute grasp of street politics and social mood, Mr. Valentine sensed a growing strain of unease and unrest that was not readily apparent to others. According to his longtime colleague Carl Bernstein, who became known for his reporting on the Watergate scandal, Mr. Valentine spurred reluctant editors to pay greater attention to demonstrations led by young people protesting the Vietnam War.

He was integral to the history and coverage of The Washington Post in a key moment, Bernstein said in a phone interview. Some editors were very skeptical of the demonstrations and looked at the demonstrators as hippies and leftists, not understanding the breadth of the movement, he added. Paul was very important for the newsroom culture for a very long time, because of the way he led the coverage of the demonstrations.

On May 3, 1971, near the height of the anti-war movement, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Washington, attempting to stop traffic and shut down government offices. From 6 a.m. until almost midnight, Mr. Valentine reported on the chaotic demonstration, in which protesters dragged wooden and metal barricades into intersections and disabled commuters cars. By the end, more than 7,000 people were in custody.

Troops with fixed bayonets occupied streets where demonstrators had been, Mr. Valentine wrote, in a comprehensive account that was both vivid and restrained. Army trucks and jeeps rumbled through the city. Sirens wailed. Acrid tear gas floated through quiet residential streets in Georgetown and seeped into office buildings downtown.

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Over the years, Mr. Valentine covered hundreds of demonstrations of every conceivable kind. Reflecting on the variety of causes that were taken up in the nations capital, he began a 1978 article like this:

They are marching on Washington  pacifists, Nazis, bicyclists, chiropractors, Tibetan-Americans, coal miners, lesbians, bird watchers, Iranian students, blind people  a clangorous new army of protesters and dissenters.

This, he quoted a city official as saying, is demonstration city.

Paul West Valentine, the younger of two sons, was born Jan. 7, 1935, in Durham, North Carolina, and grew up in nearby Chapel Hill. His father was a musically inclined engineer, and his mother ran a bookstore.

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After graduating from the private Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Valentine enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. In an internal newsroom directory, he wrote that after his adviser warned him to select a major field or face expulsion, he picked journalism, because it had the fewest required courses and the most electives.

Mr. Valentine graduated in 1959, served in the Army for two years and covered the justice system  including six executions  for the Columbia Record in South Carolina. When he was fired for what he later described as rank insubordination, he moved to the Atlanta Journal, where he spent more than two years covering the civil rights movement and the violent backlash against it. He also doubled as the papers art critic.

While working for The Post in 1974, Mr. Valentine visited a Tennessee prison to interview James Earl Ray, who was serving a 99-year sentence for killing King six years earlier.

Pallid, sunken-eyed, unshaven and markedly aged, Mr. Valentine wrote in his chilling portrait, convicted assassin James Earl Ray lolls in his underwear on the edge of his steel bunk  His pale blue eyes peer restlessly from deep sockets. His mouth is a humorless thin line.

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Ray, who died in prison in 1998, claimed he was not the triggerman. Multiple federal and state investigations concluded otherwise.

Mr. Valentine opened The Posts Baltimore bureau in 1982. After retiring from the paper in 1999, he wrote dozens of advance obituaries for the paper, many of them about criminals and outcasts such as would-be presidential assassin Sara Jane Moore; convicted Unabomber Ted Kaczynski; disbarred celebrity lawyer F. Lee Bailey; and Hells Angels founder Sonny Barger, whom he described as equal parts brawler, bully, braggart, rule breaker and shrewd huckster of his own outlaw mystique.

Sixteen of his advance obituaries remain to be published.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, the former Elizabeth de Garay; five children, Rachael and Rebeccah Neill and Sebastian, Catherine and Damian Valentine; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

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Outside of journalism, Mr. Valentine wrote songs, played classical guitar and enjoyed canoeing. He also published two well-received crime novels about D.C. police detectives, along with a 2013 novel, The Road to Goshen Shoals, set during the civil rights era in the South.

As a writer, he sometimes found his way to more lighthearted subjects outside his focus on crime and deviant behavior. In 1991, he joined a festive birthday dinner with the family of former Washington Senators outfielder Fred Valentine, whose daughter  Valena Valentine  happened to be born on Feb. 14. The main course was spaghetti and meatballs, made with a Louisiana-inspired white sauce described in great detail by Mr. Valentine.

At the bottom of the story was an italicized note: The reporter, whose byline heads this article, covers fires, crime and other disasters for The Washington Post. He does not write about food, except one day a year.

Harrison Smith contributed to this report.
RHOA star Porsha Williams was escorted off a flight after being accused of assault by a woman who fears Williams is gonna have me killed.

More details have emerged about the moment reality star Porsha Williams was escorted off a Delta Air Lines flight. On Sunday, after landing in Atlanta, officers escorted the Real Housewives of Atlanta star off the plane following an onboard dispute with a 70-year-old woman seated next to her before takeoff.

In a recently surfaced video of officers collecting statements from both women, Williams shares her side of the story.

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So, the lady was sitting next to me, and I was on my phone, Williams explained to officers. And the volume was up on the phone, and she returned to me, out of nowhere, and she said, So youre gonna make me listen to that the whole flight? And I said, Well, do you want to? And she said, No.

I said, Well, there was a nicer way to say that. And she said, B**ch, you dont tell me b**ch, Williams continued.

She also claims that this all occurred before the flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta took off, as people were still boarding. In the video, other passengers from the flight appeared to come to Williams defense. One woman who was sitting near Williams on the flight stopped to ask the reality star if she was okay, inquiring if there was anything she could do to help.

I was there and I heard it was unreprehensible, the passenger shared. [She] got in your face and gave you the middle finger.

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She started screaming, Williams told the passenger. I dont know what shes claiming shes gonna press charges and say I hit her. Im like, I did not hit her.

A male passenger sitting two rows back, who says he witnessed the exchange, also told officers that Williams did not touch her. But the 70-year-old woman told officers a very different story.

According to the woman, Williams boarded last and spent roughly 25 minutes scrolling Instagram with her phone on full blast before she finally said something, sparking their tense exchange.

Then I said, Am I going to have to listen to that the whole time? And she said, Do you like it? And I said, No. And she said, Well, I dont like the way you asked me. I said, Dont put this on me, the 70-year old explained. And the next thing I know, there was a fingernail so close to my eye that I thought I was going to be physically attacked. She had her hands in my face, screaming, calling me crazy.

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The woman went on to claim that, with flight attendants strapped in for takeoff and unable to intervene, Williams slapped her phone out of her hand as she attempted to record the incident to try and protect herself, causing the phone to fall into the aisle.

Thats assault, she added. Im 70 years old and heres what Im afraid of; Im afraid shes gonna have me killed.

The Atlanta FBI is reportedly investigating the incident and says they are looking to see whether any federal charges may or may not apply. Meanwhile, Williams lawyer, Joe Habachy, told People magazine that the star was verbally assaulted by an irate and unhinged passenger without provocation.

More must-reads:
Staffers at Olivia Nuzzis new employer Vanity Fair are reportedly shocked at allegations that she slept with onetime presidential candidate Mark Sanford  raising fresh questions over whether parent company Conde Nast erred in hiring the scandal-tainted journo.

The Status newsletter reported Wednesday that members of the rank-and-file at the glitzy mag wonder whether there will be consequences for Nuzzi after her jilted ex, former Politico staffer Ryan Lizza, accused her of yet another affair with a pol she covered.

Leadership seems stressed, an unnamed source was quoted as telling Status.

Olivia Nuzzi is seen left with former fiance Ryan Lizza, who accused her of cheating on him with former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford in 2020. Olivia Nuzzi / Facebook

Another person told the newsletter, its been a crazy week at the offices of Vanity Fairs Lower-Manhattan based owner Conde Nast.

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Lizzas allegation came in an 1,800-word blog post detailing how he discovered that Nuzzi, his girlfriend at the time, was allegedly cheating on him with Sanford while both writers were reporting on the pol and other candidates during the 2020 presidential campaign.

The post came in the wake of her sexting scandal involving Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Nuzzi wrote about for New York magazine.

Prior to Lizzas blog post, Nuzzi appeared to be in the midst of a career renaissance, releasing a memoir with sordid details about the RFK Jr. affair and landing the Vanity Fair gig.

Nuzzi allegedly slept with Sanford, a former governor of South Carolina, while she covered him during the 2020 presidential campaign. AP

Her tome, American Canto, recounts a digital relationship in which the married Kennedy soothed her anxieties over a reported brain parasite with lines like Baby, dont worry and Its not a worm. She also wrote that he once told her, If its just sex, I can survive it, apparently referring to his political career.

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But the new Sanford allegations have made Conde employees wonder about ethical standards under new editorial director Mark Guiducci, according to Status.

Some staffers are even calling for management to reconsider Nuzzis hire in light of the new allegations, the newsletter reported.

Since Lizza went public with his claims, Conde has kept quiet.

Staffers at Olivia Nuzzis new employer Vanity Fair were reportedly shocked in the wake of Lizzas blog post. Getty Images for CBS News

Mark Guiducci, editorial director of Vanity Fair, hired Nuzzi after she left New York magazine. FilmMagic

The Post has sought comment from the company. Nuzzi, Sanford and Lizza could not be reached.

In his blog post, Lizza wrote that he discovered Nuzzis affair with Sanford after a love letter that she wrote to the former South Carolina governor accidentally fell out of a backpack she had left on their bed.

Lizza also accused Nuzzi of having orchestrated a plot with the help of a senior Trump official to try to have me imprisoned.
Vin Diesel just landed a big win in a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him ... a judge threw out the case before it went to trial.

As we previously reported ... Asta Jonasson, a former assistant on the "Fast Five" set, sued Diesel for actions she alleges he committed against her in Georgia in 2010.

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According to the judge's ruling, obtained by TMZ, the case has been tossed out because it wasn't filed in Georgia, where the alleged incident was said to have taken place. In essence, the judge said Jonasson couldn't apply California laws to acts that allegedly happened in Georgia.

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Remember ... this is the same case where Diesel's powerhouse attorney Bryan Freedman -- who also reps Justin Baldoni in his ongoing case with Blake Lively -- was accused of threatening to punch the plaintiff's attorney, Matthew Hale.

The alleged event took place during a deposition. Allegedly, Freedman and Hale got into a heated argument over Diesel flaking on his deposition dates, which allegedly escalated to Freedman calling Hale a "p***y" and feigning a punch at him, seemingly meant to intimidate Hale.

However, a source close to Freedman told TMZ this claim is total BS ... 'cause he says Hale was the aggressor in the situation -- claiming he leaned forward toward Bryan and started screaming at him when he found out Vin wouldn't be at the deposition.

We were told Bryan never cursed or raised a fist to Hale. Besides, our sources told us if he'd done anything he's accused of, then Hale would've tried to get a restraining order.
Vin Diesel just received a major win in a long, painful legal battle tied to a 2010 allegation that has followed him for years.

After months of filings, arguments, and public tension, a judges ruling shocked many by clearing the actor on a legal technicality.

For Diesel, who has firmly denied the claims from the start, this twist marks a dramatic shift in a case that once threatened to overshadow his career. Now, the spotlight is fixed on what comes next.

Vin Diesel Cleared After Judge Rules On Key Legal Technicality

Lumeimages / MEGA

Diesel walked out of a Los Angeles courtroom with a major victory after a judge cleared him of legal claims brought by former assistant Asta Jonasson.

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The case centered on what she said happened in 2010 during the filming of Fast Five in Atlanta.

For the last two years, Diesel strongly denied her accusation that he forced himself on her in his suite at the St. Regis hotel.

Instead of weighing the truth of her statements, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel M. Crowley made his ruling on the law itself.

In his 13-page judgment, he wrote, It is undisputed that the alleged sexual assault took place in Atlanta, Georgia.

He added that because the claim depended on a California statute, the lawsuit fails as a matter of law since California laws do not automatically apply outside the state.

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With that, the long-running case took a dramatic turn in Diesels favor.

Diesels Team Celebrates As Attorneys Respond To The Courts Decision

MEGA

While the ruling ended the lawsuit, reactions from both legal teams showed how sharply divided the sides remain.

Vin Diesels attorney Bryan Freedman expressed relief, saying, We are grateful that the court put an end to this meritless lawsuit. We are pleased that this matter has been resolved entirely.

His position has always been clear, as he previously stated the actor categorically denies this claim in its entirety.

Freedman also pushed back against the accusations by pointing to what he called clear evidence that completely refuted Jonassons story.

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On her side, Jonassons attorney Matthew Hale told Deadline that the judges decision did not weigh in on the facts, saying, The court did not decide anything about the truth of Ms. Asta Jonassons allegations.

He called the ruling a technical issue and confirmed that Jonasson intends to appeal.

For now, Diesel walks free, and his legal team is treating the decision as a full vindication.

Vin Diesels Accuser Described A Disturbing Night In The Atlanta Hotel Suite

MEGA

In her filing, Jonasson described detailed and disturbing allegations about what she said happened that night in 2010.

She claimed she was hired by One Race Films to assist Diesel while he worked on Fast Five in Georgia.

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According to her account, she was in the actors suite while he was entertaining multiple women.

After the last woman left, Jonasson alleged she was supposed to help him exit the hotel without paparazzi noticing.

Instead, she said the actor grabbed her, groped her breast, kissed her, and tried to pull down her underwear.

Jonasson claimed Diesel pinned her against a wall, put her hand on his p-nis, and masturbated while leaning on her.

Jonasson also said she closed her eyes to dissociate until it was over.

She alleged that the 58-year-old then told her, No one can say sh*t about Asta before leaving the room.

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Hours later, Jonasson revealed that Diesels sister, Samantha Vincent, fired her, telling her they no longer needed her help.

Diesels Defense Questioned The Story And Pointed Out His Long Career

MEGA

Throughout the case, Vin Diesels team repeatedly stressed the timeline, the employment details, and what they called problems in Jonassons account.

Freedman once described her as a purportedly nine-day employee and said the Hollywood star had never heard of the claim until more than 13 years later.

Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, has been a Hollywood staple for decades, best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise.

His team insisted there was clear evidence contradicting the accusations, though they did not publicly release the materials.

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They also pushed back against the idea that the case belonged in California, a point that became a major factor in the courts ruling.

While Jonassons lawyer argued both she and Diesel were California residents and the Georgia filming was temporary, the judge ultimately disagreed.

With that, the legal debate over geography, not the allegation itself, brought the case to its sudden end.

Vin Diesel Comes Under Fire For Making A Woman Uncomfortable

MEGA

In 2023, The Blast reported that a resurfaced 2017 interview put Diesel back in the hot seat, as viewers slammed him for making a woman he was talking to clearly uncomfortable.

During the clip, the 58-year-old repeatedly complimented her looks, saying lines like, God, youre so beautiful, youre so beautiful, man, am I right or wrong?

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He continued, How am I supposed to do this interview?Look at this woman, I love her. My god, I love her.

Diesel then dropped to his knees, crawling toward her as she laughed nervously and said, Thank you very much.

Fans called his behavior creepy, disrespectful, and predatory, especially since she told outlets later that she laughed through the awkwardness because she didnt know what else to do.
Chain-smoking and foul-mouthed, Socorro (Luisa Huertas)  a veteran, cant-suffer-any-fools lawyer  clings to the memory of her dead brother both like a chain that keeps her captive and the engine that keeps her going in We Shall Not Be Moved, writer-director Pierre Saint-Martins blistering and tightly conceived feature debut. The sound of a helicopter haunts Socorro, who uses hearing aids, either as a bad omen from a distant past or a warning for the tenebrous path she is inching closer to in her restless quest for retribution. In the opening sequence of this black-and-white chamber piece, Huertas piercing gaze points directly at the lens, as if Socorro acknowledges the viewers intrusion into her microcosm.

Coque, her brother, died at the hands of a soldier during the state-sanctioned student massacre that ravaged Mexico Citys Tlatelolco apartment complex on Oct. 2, 1968. And for the last 50 years, Socorro has been searching for the name of the killer. Documentary footage of the protests that preceded the bloodshed serve as the films prologue. Through a perpetually irate visage, the ferocious and magnetic Huertas imbues this woman with a virulent conviction, sculpted from a lifetime of hurt that weighs heavy on her weathered body and tattered soul. Her guilt-driven resolve is all-consuming and pathological. She appears trapped taking meetings with clients in the apartment, as if still waiting for Coque to return. For a while that suspicion convinces her hes reincarnated as a white dove.

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Inside her home, a fortress of folders and documents collected over a lifetime dedicated to attaining justice for others by any means necessary (shes not above violence or bribery as a means to an end), Socorro interacts with her distressed son Jorge (Pedro Hernandez), an unemployed journalist; her daughter-in-law, Lucia (Argentine actress Agustina Quinci); and her estranged sister, Esperanza (Rebeca Manriquez). The outside world enters her purview in the form of playful phone conversation with former mentor, Cardiani (Juan Carlos Colombo), and the visits that Sidarta (Jose Alberto Patino), a giddy but loyal pseudo-assistant, pays her. Patinos charisma counterbalances the sternness of Huertas part.

Justice in this country is for the rich or those with power, Socorro, her eyes full of assertive wisdom, tells Sidarta once her brewing bitterness can finally be channeled into action. A package from an old contact reveals the name of the man shes after. Socorro sets in motion her eye for an eye plan, with Sidarta doing her bidding. In this portrait of inescapable rage, Saint-Martin and his co-writer Iker Compean Leroux shrewdly frame the larger historical tragedy within Socorros individual plight  how the events shaped who shes become and how her relationships continue to suffer from her single-mindedness.

Each of Socorros human connections feels steeped in a shared history and lightly soaked in acidly comedic undertones, even if the supporting parts enjoy limited screentime. Sidarta acts as a sort of proxy for her real son, who she named after Coque (a nicknamed for those named Jorge), and whom shes burdened with expectations (or at least that how he feels). And its in her motherly friendship with Lucia, especially during a drunken night, that glimmers of Socorros personality beyond rancor peak through. The version of herself who loved dancing and enjoyed many lovers hasnt been completely buried.

In smoky rooms, reflected on a round mirror, or as feathers from imaginary, innocent doves fall around her  in disorienting episodes that stem from her deteriorating health  cinematographer Cesar Gutierrez Mirandas camera caresses Huertas face like the irreplaceable asset that it is for the film. In both form and tone, Saint-Martin also pays homage to Duck Season, another black-and-white Mexican indie set in the Tlatelolco apartments  that one by his former screenwriter teacher and accomplished filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke. (A DVD of the 2004 coming-of-age movie makes a cameo.)

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In making a film about the past set in the present, Saint-Martin formulates an indictment on his countrys unhealed wounds, which rather than cauterize with time, remain open since the festering corruption and abuse of power that obscured the truth around the students deaths, remains in place. When Socorro calls a judge she once knew to ask for a favor, she blackmails him with unsavory information. Just before hanging up, he reminds her that hes no longer just a judge, but a magistrate. Not only was he never held accountable for his dubious dealings; on the contrary, hed been promoted into a higher position in the justice system. That Socorro eventually enlists the help of the type of criminals she once swore never to defend, confirms her compromised status. No one here is a blameless white dove, but rather more common gray ones, marked by nuanced contradictions.

Its a sin to forget those we lost, and we have to do them justice, Socorro solemnly says to Lucia, when the latter discusses her grandparents fate during the Argentine military dictatorship. But can Socorro ever come to accept that its as much of an offense to reduce ones life to grief and fury, to squander it all for the promise of one day inflicting pain on the architects of our dejection? Saint-Martin rejects facile forgiveness, the kind that urges people to turn the other cheek and remain static in the face of transgressions. The path forward, he suggests, is not to absolve the perpetrators or deny the bleakness one has endured, but to keep memory unmovable with all its shades, including those etched in light. Enduring resistance can also look like surviving without succumbing to despair.

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Phillip Vandarpleog is a struggling American actor who traveled to Japan to star in a series of silly toothpaste commercials and stayed to try his luck. But even after years of living in Tokyo, his adopted culture still has plenty of surprises.

Played with hangdog desperation by Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser, Phillip accepts an odd gig as a "sad American" at a man's staged funeral. There are no cameras, and the man isn't even dead. He lies in his open casket, eyes closed, as friends and relatives mourn him.

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Phillip is very puzzled. What just happened? But the man who hired him, Shinji (Takehiro Hira of "Shogun"), appreciates good work and offers Phillip a permanent job with his firm, which provides actors to play various real-life roles for their clients.

Filmed in Japan, "Rental Family" is written and directed by the Japanese American filmmaker Hikari. While it's a fictional movie, it is about a real-life phenomenon - one that Werner Herzog made a semi-documentary about, "Family Romance, LLC" (2019). Hikari, best known as one of the directors of the Netflix series "Beef," doesn't credit Herzog but she and co-writer Stephen Blahut seem to have been inspired by it.

Powered by Fraser's appealing performance, "Rental Family", harks back to those quirky Japanese comedy dramas from the 1980s and '90s, such as "A Taxing Woman" (1987) and "Shall We Dance?" (1996). It wears its heart on its sleeve and is a bit too sentimental, but it is sweet and pleasing.

'Rental Family'

Rated PG-13: For thematic elements, some strong language, and suggestive material.

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Running time: 103 minutes

Where: Opening Friday throughout Houston

 (out of 5)

The interesting thing about Shinji and his employees - including the lovely Aiko (Mari Yamamoto of Apple TV+'s "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters"), who specializes in playing femme fatales - is that their playacting doesn't just fulfill their clients' lives but also their own.

The danger, of course, is that the performers become emotionally involved with their clients. It's not clear if Phillip is a method actor, but he gets in deep while juggling two jobs at once.

First he plays a journalist, hired by the daughter of a once-famous actor (Akira Emoto). She has him interview her father because she's worried about his depression at being forgotten. Then, he is hired by a single mother (Shino Shinozaki) who needs someone to portray the long-absent American father of her 11-year-old daughter (a charming Shannon Mahina Gorman).

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Like his Oscar-winning role in "The Whale" (2022), Fraser is at times self-pitying and soft-spoken, but he also projects kindness and empathy. That's something Hikari seems to suggest the world could use more of.

Japan is suffering from population loss due to a record-low birth rate and an aging citizenry dying off in large numbers. One result of that is an epidemic of loneliness, but there is a large stigma in Japan about therapy and seeking help. The actors in "Rental Family," then, are in a sense mental health professionals.

In Phillip's case, it may be his greatest role.

This article originally published at Review: Brendan Fraser is at his charming best in moving 'Rental Family'.
LONDON (Reuters) -Two dozen of the world's richest nations, including the United States and Japan, are pulling back from their global development push, a study published on Thursday shows, with many slashing aid budgets and cash funnelled through multilateral lenders.

The Commitment to Development Index ranks 38 major economies across more than 100 data points to assess how their policies affect poorer nations across development finance, investment, migration, trade, environment and health as well as security and technology.

Sweden, Germany, Norway and Finland kept their place at the top of the list, which is compiled and published by Washington-based think tank Center for Global Development every two years.

The United Kingdom gained two places to become number 5 in the latest ranking. That was based on data prior to the government announcing its 40% aid cut, which is expected to see the country slide lower again in future index estimates.

Meanwhile, the United States fell two places to number 28 in the ranking in this latest report; however, this did not reflect the billions of dollars in cuts in aid announced since Donald Trump became president.

"The changes the Trump administration is making are very significant," said Ian Mitchell, a senior policy fellow at the CGD, predicting a further slide ahead.

The ranking is being published as South Africa is gearing up to host leaders of the Group of 20 major economies this weekend where it will also hand over its presidency to the United States.

Trump, who has slashed the U.S. foreign aid budget and shuttered USAID earlier this year, will not attend the first G20 summit in Africa. Aid and development financing has been cut by many developed economies in favour of defence spending.

There were some bright spots in the index, said Mitchell.

More than three-quarters of countries were cutting their emissions between 2019-2023, the research found, even though a rise in China lifted the overall level. More countries were hosting migrants and refugees, he added.

"While some improved on migration or environment, overall the trend is backward with arms exports, trade barriers and fossil fuel subsidies all rising," CGD said.

(Reporting by Karin Strohecker, editing by Aurora Ellis)
Some of Jim Henson's most memorable creations go under the hammer in California next week, with the first US auction of puppets and memorabilia from the late entertainer's decades-long career.

Highlights include a pair of shoes worn by the domineering Miss Piggy in a "Muppets" movie, as well as puppets from "Fraggle Rock" and characters from the Netflix series "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance."

Fans will have the chance to bid on more than 400 items at the November 25 auction, which is also being held online on the Julien's Auctions website.

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"This is the first time ever that you can buy an authorized, authentic piece of Jim Henson Company memorabilia," said Roy Parker, pop culture specialist at the auction house.

Henson, who died in 1990, revolutionized puppetry by making the rigid figures maneuverable, latterly through his Creature Shop, creating now-instantly recognizable characters like Kermit the Frog.

He also imagined entire universes that came to life in films like "Labyrinth" (1986) and "The Dark Crystal" (1982).

His creations are "very nostalgic, because they remind everybody of their childhood and when they first saw Kermit the Frog up on screen," said Parker.

The auction, which will be held in person in Los Angeles as well as online, commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Jim Henson Company and is expected to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

pr-hg/des
Not every interview with an Oscar-winning actor includes a casual mention about renting a hedgehog  let alone such a mention glossed over, as if it was not an inherently interesting thing to say. Though, Im fairly certain Brendan Fraser did realize this was interesting or he wouldnt have said it, but it was the casualness of the way he said it that made it remarkable. Hold the phone, what now? Though, I am also fairly certain Fraser wanted me to ask more because, when I did, he gave that big smile, one thats been gracing movie screens for well over 30 years now, his eyes looking both childlike and devilish at the same time. Then? He gave the most earnest answer a grown man could possibly give about why hed want to rent a hedgehog.

But the earnestness is fitting, as we discuss Frasers new film Rental Family (directed by Hikari), which pulls off the rare feat these days of almost completely eschewing cynicism and leaning into its earnestness. And, frankly, theres really no better actor than Fraser when it comes to earnestness. He just, somehow, emits it.

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Fraser plays Phillip Vandarploeug, a struggling American actor living in Tokyo  best known for starring in a toothpaste commercial in which he plays a plaque-fighting superhero who rides on a flying toothbrush. Hes given an offer to work at a company that rents actors out to perform tasks or functions in a clients daily life. In his first assignment, Phillip is assigned the role of a groom so that a gay woman can secretly marry her actual partner, yet not receive scorn from her conservative family.

Hes then assigned the role of a father to a young girl, Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman), for the purpose of presenting as a full family in front of a strict school board that would be unlikely to accept a young student from a single mother. Problems arise when Mia thinks Phillip is actually her long-lost biological father and the two start forming a bond, even though Phillip knows, eventually, this gig will end.

Ahead, Fraser explains how his Oscar win for The Whale has allowed him more bandwidth, as he calls it, to make films like Rental Family. He also addresses the recent report that hes returning for a fourth The Mummy film being directed by Radio Silence. (And shares a story about he met a man who has a picture of Fraser from The Mummy tattooed on his calf.) Also, recently Molly Shannon was interviewed about her favorite moment on SNL and brought up a sketch she did with Fraser in which Fraser lost his wig mid-sketch, causing Shannon to just absolutely lose it. Fraser was not aware of this interview but knew exactly what the sketch was going to be.

The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.

IndieWire: A lot has changed since we spoke last time, which I think was 15 years ago for Extraordinary Measures

Brendan Fraser: [Laughs] Hi, again!

You won an Oscar.

Yes, I did. Correct. That changes the playing field in its own way, too.

Ke Huy Quan, winner of Best Actor in a Supporting Role award for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Michelle Yeoh, winner of the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Brendan Fraser, winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for The Whale, and Jamie Lee Curtis, winner of the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award for Everything Everywhere All at Once Getty Images

How so, for you?

It makes it so that I can have a little bit more bandwidth with regard to choosing material that I want to do. Rental Family is certainly something that I paid attention to, given its unique premise. Its all in the title right there, and it makes you wonder, What is a rental family? After digging a bit, certainly reading the script helps, you learn that its a business thats existed since the 1980s. I think theres some 300 plus of them operating now in Tokyo, probably more since this movie is coming out.

Right, there will be a spike in the rental family corporations.

There will.

Im being serious. People are probably going to want this now.

You know what? Listen, I think thats a good thing because when I did The Whale, thats about a man struggling with a health concern that so many people in the world, in particular Americans, struggle with and feel so stigmatized that theyre so ashamed of themselves or they feel so remiss that they wont ask for help. And when the film came out, the Obesity Action Coalition, who are our partners, saw the number spike  which is very good because their biggest challenge was just to let people know, Hey, were here. All you have to do is call. But movies are not public service announcements necessarily

Right, but we read so many articles now about how adult men dont have friends anymore. I could see a situation where a service like this would come in handy if theres an event I dont mean to make it sound like an escort service. You know what I mean, if they need a buddy to come with them.

Right. And thats an aspect of Japanese society, too. There are many, many things that you can rent in Japan, but there are boundaries and rules about all of them. You can rent a hedgehog if you want to. I know, because I did

Wait, what?

Yeah.

Why did you rent a hedgehog?

Because Id never done that before. I wanted to sit with a hedgehog and watch it eat a mealworm.

OK, but arent you worried youre going to get attached to the hedgehog? You have to give it up.

Exactly. I know. And thats the moral and ethical dilemma where this movie lives. What happens when make-believe and surrogacy abut reality? The gray sort of maybe sometimes prickly area in between. Thats where Hikari thrives. Thats where she takes the subject on in a way thats not sentimental and allows for people to take a clear-eyed look at what really becomes of that.

Rental Family Searchlight Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

You mentioned you have more bandwidth after winning an Oscar, and this is a movie you really wanted to do. After you win an Oscar, do you have a meeting with a team, Hey, what now? Is it that easy?

Its never easy, my friend. If it was, everybody would be doing this. And just the timing of my own experience is such that we came up against a union strike the year before, so that had its own way of hamstringing the industry. And then on top of that, no, theres no magic wand.

You did get to be in Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon right after winning. Was that something you sought out?

Mind you, I was offered to work with Martin during the COVID period, so I hadnt won any awards, right? So, I mean, the timing of it is just what it is.

Still, winning an Oscar then appearing in a Scorsese movie, from the outside looking in, is a nice one-two punch.

I mean, Ill take it. But it never takes away from my honest desire to, in a way, do one for me, one for you. Rental Family is in a way, a return to 90s-style filmmaking.

I agree with that. Its not the type of movies we see in theaters much right now.

Theres no villain. Apart from apathy, thats the big stumbling block. Can you think of one? Because Ive tried and Ive asked many, many people.

The villain in this movie?

Yeah. What is the obstacle? Whats the baddie?

Id say lack of foresight. How is this young woman going to feel when your character has to eventually say, Ive got to go.

OK, yeah. With your permission, Im going to hang onto that. I think thats it. And I also think, am I going to do something about these circumstances of my life that I dislike or I want to change, but I cant? Thats apathy. What are we going to do to change that? Or are you going to do something about it? Are you going to effectively just ask for help?

You play a character who is playing a character that is doing a long-form interview with a famous movie director. Not so easy, is it?

A character playing a character. Well, Im not entirely convinced that Phillip is necessarily such a good actor. Yeah, sure, he scored when he arrived in Tokyo some seven years earlier, by landing the gig in the toothpaste commercial.

He gets to ride a toothbrush into the sky.

And had a hit a commercial under his belt. But, I dont know, I dont think I see him having pretensions of doing Shakespeare in the Park anytime soon. No, considering he does play a tree. Hes rather a wooden actor. Waka waka. I think, and he really is, hes hired as the token white guy at this rental family agency because its a niche market. When Shinji, the agency owner, gives him the job to be this little girls father? The look on his face is thats the worst thing you could have ever told me. But let me go back and do another toothpaste commercial? Anything but that. And thats important because he walks into this situation with this kid and all of that melts away, all of that anxiety, all of the trope of upholding this lie that truly is not her biological father melts away. Why? Because of the relationship thats genuine that they forge together with one another. And you cant not fall in love with this kid, Shannon Gorman. I mean, come on.

The Mummy Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Yeah, shes great.

No acting required.

It was reported in Variety that Radio Silence is directing The Mummy 4 and youre returning as Rick OConnell. Is this true?

What you saw in Variety and the trades as wrote is a spec piece, but if my lips werent sealed, I would confirm everything that you already know. However, Im hopeful. I know that there are a lot of fans who would love to see this happen.

There are. People truly love those movies. To a whole generation you are Indiana Jones, basically. And people forget how well even the third film did, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

From your mouth to the powers on high, I agree with you. And I also want to mention that this generation, by your own description, have kids of their own now. So theyre introducing them to what they watched when they were kids. I mean, insert Im an old joke here, but I want to say that I know how many people, how meaningful it is. Any fan convention I go to, the lines surround the block and theyre all carrying Mummy merch or pictures or whatever. They dress up like the characters. And the people that I meet, yeah, theyre enthusiastic about it. Theyre fans to the point of sometimes being fanatical. Someone will pull a shirt aside and show an Egyptian tattoo that was mocked up from something that they saw from the movie. The weirdest one was some guy pulled his pant leg up and my face was on his calf. I was like, Ah.

Wait, a guy has your face tattooed on his calf?

Theyre like diehards, really. And I like that because Id lost count of the number of young women, particularly  and men, but mostly women  whove come through the line because its kind of like speed dating. Who said, Im an archeologist now, because I saw this movie now as a kid and made me say thats what I wanted to do.

See, you are Indiana Jones to people. Rick OConnell is that eras Indiana Jones.

Egyptologists, the people go into the field, they become historians, they become librarians, proper librarians, and that just warms the cockles of my heart.

Did you see this when Molly Shannon was interviewed on the red carpet for SNL50? Where they asked her about her favorite moment ever on SNL?

[Laughs] No, but I know what this is going to be!

Right, she mentioned it was with you in the Xena: Warrior Princess sketch.

Yeah! She ripped the wig off my head!

I rewatched it today before I talked to you. She is losing it when your wig falls off.

Nobody knew what to do! I didnt know what to do. I looked up and  whats his name? I think its Wally? Correct me if Im wrong, hes the famous guy who holds the cards?

Yes, Wally Feresten. Hes also on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Right! Hes going, pointing, like stay on target. Stay on target! Hes smacking the card like, Say your next line! Were just bewildered and cracking up and the wave of laughter coming. When anytime someone gets de-wigged, well, its accidentally funny and you have to own that. Yep, it is.

Youre reaching for the wig and youre trying to put it on like, No one saw that right?

Thats my expertise in acting. I want you to know that I knew that everyone would be able to see. And I kind of leaned into the, well, I guess well play this off then. Mind you, this was a sketch that just had me coming through a styrofoam wall. Its not out of the ordinary.

Back to Rental Family, again, I do think youre right that its a movie you dont see in theaters anymore and I hope it finds an audience. And also, I do hope Mummy 4 happens.

Same. Im with you. And remember, we open this weekend. If you cant get into Wicked, Im your guy. Or if we have legs and it goes through Thanksgiving? If your family is driving you up the wall? I got you, come to Japan and rent one.

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Searchlight Pictures will release Rental Family in theaters on Friday, November 21.

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Phillip Vandarpleog is a struggling American actor who traveled to Japan to star in a series of silly toothpaste commercials and stayed to try his luck. But even after years of living in Tokyo, his adopted culture still has plenty of surprises.

Played with hangdog desperation by Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser, Phillip accepts an odd gig as a "sad American" at a man's staged funeral. There are no cameras, and the man isn't even dead. He lies in his open casket, eyes closed, as friends and relatives mourn him.

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Phillip is very puzzled. What just happened? But the man who hired him, Shinji (Takehiro Hira of "Shogun"), appreciates good work and offers Phillip a permanent job with his firm, which provides actors to play various real-life roles for their clients.

Shannon Mahina Gorman, left, and Brendan Fraser in "Rental Family." (James Lisle/Searchlight Pictures/TNS)





"We need a token white guy," Shinji says.

Filmed in Japan, "Rental Family" is written and directed by the Japanese American filmmaker Hikari. While it's a fictional movie, it is about a real-life phenomenon - one that Werner Herzog made a semi-documentary about, "Family Romance, LLC" (2019). Hikari, best known as one of the directors of the Netflix series "Beef," doesn't credit Herzog but she and co-writer Stephen Blahut seem to have been inspired by it.

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Powered by Fraser's appealing performance, "Rental Family," which was the closing night film at last month's Mill Valley Film Festival, harks back to those quirky Japanese comedy dramas from the 1980s and '90s, such as "A Taxing Woman" (1987) and "Shall We Dance?" (1996). It wears its heart on its sleeve and is a bit too sentimental, but it is sweet and pleasing.

Brendan Fraser is a distinctive presence walking the streets of Tokyo in "Rental Family." (James Lisle/Associated Press)





The interesting thing about Shinji and his employees - including the lovely Aiko (Mari Yamamoto of Apple TV+'s "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters"), who specializes in playing femme fatales - is that their playacting doesn't just fulfill their clients' lives but also their own.

The danger, of course, is that the performers become emotionally involved with their clients. It's not clear if Phillip is a method actor, but he gets in deep while juggling two jobs at once.

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First he plays a journalist, hired by the daughter of a once-famous actor (Akira Emoto). She has him interview her father because she's worried about his depression at being forgotten. Then, he is hired by a single mother (Shino Shinozaki) who needs someone to portray the long-absent American father of her 11-year-old daughter (a charming Shannon Mahina Gorman).

Brendan Fraser, left, and Akira Emoto in a scene from "Rental Family." (James Lisle/Associated Press)





Like his Oscar-winning role in "The Whale" (2022), Fraser is at times self-pitying and soft-spoken, but he also projects kindness and empathy. That's something Hikari seems to suggest the world could use more of.

Japan is suffering from population loss due to a record-low birth rate and an aging citizenry dying off in large numbers. One result of that is an epidemic of loneliness, but there is a large stigma in Japan about therapy and seeking help. The actors in "Rental Family," then, are in a sense mental health professionals.

More Information

3 stars

"Rental Family": Comedy drama. Starring Brendan Fraser, Mari Yamamoto, Takehiro Hira, Shino Shinozaki, Shannon Mahina Gorman. Directed by Hikari. (PG-13. 110 minutes.) In theater Friday, Nov. 21.

In Phillip's case, it may be his greatest role.

This article originally published at Why Brendan Fraser's Rental Family' is his most emotional performance since The Whale'.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  The Disco Biscuits started in the mid-late 90s and have been touring ever since. ABC22/FOX44 was able to catch up with one of the bands founders and bass player, who tells us they have been playing in Vermont for more than 20 years.

Weve played probably a hundred shows between you know Memorial Gymnasium, Patrick Auditorium, we played Spring Fest at UVM one year, you know countless shows at the Higher Ground. We played at Rutland last year at the Paramount Theatre I think it was called, we love Vermont. Marc Brownstein, Co-founder/Bass Player, Disco Biscuits

For their return to Vermont, The Bern Gallery and the biscuits did a collaboration. Paddy Donnelly, the dispensarys brand ambassador, says they took their most popular strain, and one of the biscuits older tracks, to create a cartridge called, Aquatic Ape, named after the song. He also says why they chose the collab for be in cartridge form.

We wanted it to be portable, a show going item. People could step out, enjoy it there, you know enjoy it on the way back to their hotel whatever. It just kind of made sense that a lot of people are coming in from out of town and wanted it to be convenient. Paddy Donnelly, Brand Ambassador, Bern Gallery

Brownstein says they wouldnt have done a collab like this with just anyone.

For us, putting our name on a product, we need it to be at the highest level, the highest quality. We know that, we have standards when it comes to doing collaborations, whatever kind of product it is. And I knew right then, I was like, this is, this is the spot.

They played one show on Wednesday and have another Thursday before heading out to Buffalo.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Patty Loveless gave a rare performance during the 59th annual CMA Awards.

She was part of a tribute to Vince Gill, who earned the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Patty lives a quiet life in Georgia and doesn't grace broadcast television often.

The opportunity to honor a life-long friend brought Patty Loveless from her rural Georgia home to the CMA Awards stage on Wednesday night (November 19).

Patty joined folk rock star Brandi Carlile onstage in tribute to Vince Gill, who was awarded the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. It was a surprising pop-up for an artist who has sort of unofficially retired from country music.

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Though she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2023, Patty hasn't released a studio album since 2009's Mountain Soul II. And she hasn't been nominated by the CMA since 2003, when she was up for Female Vocalist. In all, she has five lifetime wins at the country awards show since the late 1980s.

Frank Micelotta - Getty Images

But the warm welcome she received when she walked out to help sing Vince's 1990 hit "When I Call Your Name" proved the impact she's made on the genre, and showed that her legacy continues with the modern crop of artists.

"Congratulations, Vinny," she said, looking to Vince, her friend and repeat collaborator, as he watched from the crowd. "My buddy. I love you, brother."

Taking the stage to accept his award, Vince cracked jokes his own expense: "It's not lost on me that they had to have girls come out here and sing for me tonight," he said, smiling. "None of the boys can get up that high."

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Of course, he also choked up (fans know it's kind of his thing). George Strait even made a rare appearance  it was a wild night in Music City!

Jason Kempin - Getty Images

Patty has intentionally stayed out of the limelight in recent years, but she'll still come when called (she's done duets with Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert, among others, and sang with Chris during the 2022 CMAs broadcast). The chatter is that she stays close to home to be with her husband of 36 years, producer Emory Gordy Jr., whose health has been up and down.

Other performers during Wednesday's CMA Awards: Show host Lainey Wilson, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Zach Top and many more of the top names this year. The 2025 CMAs took place live from Bridgestone Arena and are available to stream on Hulu following the airing.

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On a weekday afternoon this fall, the largest museum in South Korea looked as if it were preparing for a K-pop concert. Outside, a maze of crowd control barriers had been installed. A sign at the gift shop warned of high visitor traffic. And no, another sign asserted, the shop no longer has the merch they know you came to buy. If buildings could talk, this museum would be asking you to chill.

This year, the National Museum of Korea has seen more than 5 million visitors, a record-breaking figure that places it near the Met and the British Museum. The influx has been attributed in part to the soaring popularity of KPop Demon Hunters, a movie about an evil-fighting girl group that is rich with references to Korean visual culture  including a dim-witted creature named Derpy who is based on a folk-art tiger. (Again, his souvenir pin is SOLD OUT.)

Now, the National Museum of Korea is sharing some of that love with D.C. as one of the primary lending institutions in the largest exhibition of Korean art in the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Arts history. The show, Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared, opened Saturday (following a delayed start due to the government shutdown) and includes over 200 works and a dozen national treasures, making strides in museum representation for Korea, which has long been treated as a sidepiece to better-endowed collections of Japanese and Chinese art in Western museums.

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Chase F. Robinson, the museums director, called it the biggest thing thats going to happen this decade in Korean art history in North America.

The Museum of Asian Art expects the show to not only be popular, but to skew quite young, Robinson said, noting that the institution has boosted its Korean programming in recent years. Were as enthusiastic and fanboyish or fangirlish as anyone else is with Korean popular culture, he said. But also its important that we understand, our audience understands, the deep wellsprings of creativity in Korean culture.

Korean culture has permeated nearly every aspect of life: K-pops ear worms have wiggled their way into our heads. K-dramas have flooded streaming services. K-food has sold out at grocery stores. K-beauty products crowd shelves at makeup stores. The phenomenon is often dubbed the Korean wave.

The NMAA exhibition both rides and cuts deeper than the trends, showing the visual world of a country that went from shunning outsiders (it was once referred to as the Hermit Kingdom) to accruing enviable soft power on the global stage. Here, Korean culture is no wave, it simply flows.

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You do walk around with a really strong sense not only of the extraordinary traditions of what Ill call premodern Korean arts, but also a discernibly Korean trajectory of modernism, said Robinson, describing the show as capacious.

Sunglim Kim, a professor of Korean art history at Dartmouth College, sees the rise of K-culture as part of a larger story. Chinoiserie popularized Chinese visual culture in 18th century Europe, and Edo-period woodblock prints spread Japanese aesthetics to the West, influencing impressionism and art nouveau. It is not an isolated trend, she said, but the latest chapter in the centuries-long dialogue between East Asia and the world.

For Kim, who years ago did her Ph.D. under a Chinese art professor because no one at her university taught Korean art, the Smithsonian exhibition marks a vital chapter. The show reflects a decisive shift from viewing Korean art as a regional adjunct to China and Japan toward recognizing it as an autonomous and essential voice within world art history, she said.

The exhibition draws from the collection of Lee Kun-hee, the late controversy-ensnared Samsung chairman, who was an avid art collector. During his life, Lee was convicted of bribery and tax evasion, and a Samsung warehouse holding art was even raided as part of an investigation; he was later pardoned in both cases. After Lee died in 2020, his family, facing the largest estate tax bill in South Korean history, gifted more than 23,000 works, amassed by Lee and his equally art-obsessed father, Samsung Founder Lee Byung-chul, to several Korean museums.

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The collection has played an important role in constructing a continuous art-historical narrative in a country fragmented both by Japanese colonialism and the Korean War. Lee Byung-chul sought to reestablish the Korean identity, said Kim, while his son, Lee Kun-hee, worked to expand the collection, uniting the classical and the contemporary.

Some have criticized the gift for reflecting the Samsung familys seemingly vast influence over South Korean society, as the countrys infamous chaebols (family-run conglomerates) are known to have. But its also driven crowds: In 2022, during the closing weekend of an exhibition of works from the collection in Seoul, the average wait for entry was four hours, ARTNews reported.

Sunwoo Hwang, NMAAs inaugural curator of Korean art, described Lees taste as wide and broad. Works in the show stretch hundreds of years from Koreas Three Kingdoms period, a roughly 700-year era that ended in the 7th century A.D., to the 20th century.

There are challenges to building a show around a collection. It can be uneven in quality, not comprehensive and risk feeling too much like a story about a collector.

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So curators sought to find stories you can relate to across time, said Hwang, pointing to a piece of calligraphy describing the pain of losing his son. So its not just about Korean art, but trying to understand the lives of Koreans.

Then there are the parts that are just fun: A lion-shaped drum, rich with color and personality, is likely to remind knowing viewers of Derpy, Hwang said. She thinks itll be hit.

J. Keith Wilson, curator of Ancient Chinese Art at the museum, who worked on the show, said they chose to tell the story through themes, rather than, say, chronologically. Sometimes, Ive thought of our presentation as almost like a series of boutiques, he said.

If these were boutiques, chaekgado paintings, which look like the curated bookshelves of the pandemic era, would surely find buyers among D.C.s talking heads. Meanwhile, the clothing of Joseon-era portrait subjects, which boast traditional patterns similar those on the costumes the girl group wears in Demon Hunters, would sell out. The portraits faces, however, would likely serve as advertisements for a skin care shop: Rendered with a painful, pimply realism, these Joseon-era men look as if theyve never even heard of a K-beauty ritual.

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Wilson hopes the show will put the NMAA on the map for Korean art in a new way. The museum was early to exhibiting Korean works, with a substantive collection of celadon wares, but hasnt expanded that collection much, a reality that is part of a wider picture of East Asian art in museums in the West.

Often the Korean story was invisible or only incompletely told, Wilson said.

That is slowly changing. NMAA said it will soon announce a number of Korean art acquisitions. Several institutions, including NMAA, have appointed their first curators of Korean art in recent years. Kim, the Dartmouth professor, recently contributed two chapters to Pearsons new edition of Art History, a book that previously folded Korea in with Chinese art. Past covers routinely featured Western art, but this edition, published earlier this year, highlights the magpie and tiger motif that Demon Hunters would later skyrocket to viral fame.

To Dae Young Kim, a sociology professor at George Mason University who studies the reception of Korea popular culture in the United States, it makes sense that this particular movie has fueled an interest in Korean aesthetics.

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Korean music is very much a fusion and has very little Korean-ness, except that the songs are sung in Korean, he said, but the film seems to really bring out the Korean elements much more strongly.

Toward the end of the movie, the girl group, in a singing battle, performs in front of a huge screen showing five jagged mountains against a royal blue sky, accented with a red sun and a white moon.

The image may, at first, scan as just a pretty background. But the same painting appears in a folding screen in the NMAA show. And in Korea, it plays on repeat at historic sites. During the Joseon era, that image, irworobongdo, was created solely for the king, symbolizing his presence and authority, according to the exhibitions catalogue.

Theres no king nor K-pop star standing front of it in D.C., but it is displayed in an exhibition of long-underappreciated Korean art. Perhaps it does precisely the same thing.
As the United States of America approaches its 250th anniversary, Fox Nation has history buffs covered as it shines a spotlight on some of the most iconic moments of the country's past.

The 10th season of the long-running series "What Makes America Great" uncovers more famous stories of America. With Fox News' Brian Kilmeade returning to the helm, he steers this new batch of episodes towards George Washington's path  highlighting the first president's daring crossing of the Delaware River during the depths of the Revolutionary War.

Fox Nation Goes Inside Marine Corps' Brutal Training For Exclusive 250Th Anniversary Feature

George Washington, portrait painting by Constable-Hamilton, 1794. From the New York Public Library.

Kilmeade sets the scene: a freezing Christmas night in 1776. Despite his depleted and worn-down team of troops, Washington guides his men across the icy Delaware River to carry out a surprise attack on the British army in Trenton.

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"Many of the soldiers had only been in the Army for a few months at this point," historian Alex Robb told Kilmeade in the new episode. "And as you say, you know, they experienced these defeats."

Fox Nation Patriot Awards Trophies Forged From American History With Nails From George Washingtons Church

Read On The Fox News App

"The plan is to cross the river on Christmas night, and they're going to march through the dark, approximately nine miles, and approach Trenton from several directions," he continued.

Robb went on to explain that the plan was to "completely seal off the city, isolate it, and try to score a surprise victory."

The 20th Maine regiment of the Union Army charging with their flag in the lead at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1863. Oil and watercolor on board, by A. Charles McBarren.

Washington's bold mission changed the course of the war and ultimately helped set America on the path to independence.

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Martin Scorsese Explores The Legacy Of St Patrick To Kick Off New Season Of Fox Nations The Saints

Other episodes in the exciting new five-part season include Kilmeade showcasing more stories that symbolize America's greatness. Uncovering more legendary war history, he assesses the vital role and legacy of Fort Ticonderoga and walks the fields and well-known sites of the Battle of Gettysburg  one of the most notorious and bloodiest battles of the Civil War.

Kilmeade also explores the secrets of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Hidden beneath the Rocky Mountains, the lesser-known history of this mysterious military installation came to define the Cold War era and how the threat of nuclear proliferation captured the attention of 20th century American politics.

Brian Kilmeade, pictured here sitting next to Lawrence Jones and Ainsley Earhardt on the "Fox & Friends" set on July 21, 2025 in New York City, is the host of the Fox Nation series, "What Makes America Great."

In the new season, the "Fox & Friends" star walks through the halls of the first official presidential library of the United States, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum. In it, Kilmeade explains how Roosevelt's governance from the Great Depression to the Second World War propelled America through some of its darkest hours and shaped the next golden age of the country.

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For more on this deep dive into iconic American stories, subscribers can enjoy all five episodes of "What Makes America Great," streaming on Fox Nation.

FOX Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to FOX Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite FOX Nation personalities.





Original article source: Brian Kilmeade retraces Washingtons daring Delaware crossing in new Fox Nation season
We're slowly learning more and more about the The Real Housewives of Rhode Island cast. In fact, Dolores Catania is spilling all about her friends as Andy Cohen shares his two cents on the show's upcoming Season 1.

Dolores appeared at BravoCon 2025s BravoCon Live with Andy Cohen for the Nov. 17 special, The Days of Our Wives: 20 Years of The Real Housewives. In the appearance that aired after the trailer for RHORIs debut season dropped, The Real Housewives of New Jersey bride-to-be teased whats ahead. They reminded me of us when we were just starting out, Dolores, who joins the RHORI group as a friend, said. Theyre very green. They dont do a lot of social media. They werent really privy to all the shows, so they are really, truly themselves. They dont try to be anyone else, and I love that about them.

Dolores continued, So, I think were all going to embrace that part of them, but theyre very green, so I dont know. They did not hold back. Unfiltered, to the max.

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For his part, Andy said he was excited for the upcoming series in the new year.

Dolores Catania wearing a purple low cut top and Liz Mcgraw wearing a white top while sitting next to each other

Dolores Catania opens up about Season 1 of RHORI

Over the BravoCon weekend, the New Jersey native caught up with Chanel Ayan. During the red-carpet interview, Dolores shared a tidbit about filming with the new wave of Rhode Islanders.

Related: Dolores Catania Opens Up About Teresa Giudices Reunion with Melissa Gorga

"Filming any Housewives show, no matter what, can sometimes be stressful," Dolores admitted. "People think it's easy; it's not. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how all the fans love Rhode Island.

Who is the cast for The Real Housewives of Rhode Island?

Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi make up the glamorous, dynamic cast for The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Per the shows official announcement, Dolores will serve in the capacity of a friend of the series.

A split of The cast of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1

Together, the women make up a "fresh, charismatic group of women whose lives intertwine across the storied coastline of New England luxury.

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And as for Doloress role, "Rhode Island captured Doloress heart years ago, and shes longed to return ever since, per the announcement. With her dear friend Liz McGraw living there  and a shared business project on the horizon  a sun-soaked, beach-filled summer is a natural fit for this Jersey girl.

Andy Cohen has thoughts about The Real Housewives of Rhode Island

Back in May, in an interview with Page Six, Andy shared his thoughts about RHORI and the general vibe of its cast members.

Related: The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip Is Coming to Bravo (DETAILS)

"They are very Italian," the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen host said. "Rhode Island is such a small state, and they all kind of know each other and overlap, and it's an incredible group of women who have really interesting connections. I think it's really going to surprise people."

When does The Real Housewives of Rhode Island air?

A premiere date has yet to be announced, though it is slated to debut in 2026.

Until then, dont miss what we know about the cast based on the RHORI Season 1 trailer.
"Tulsa King" won't end the way most other gangster sagas do, if Sylvester Stallone has any say in the matter.

Stallone vows that Dwight "The General" Manfredi, the character he plays in Taylor Sheridan's Paramount+ series, will be alive and kicking when the show ultimately ends. If that version of the fictional future comes to pass, it will mark a significant change from crime dramas' usual arc, in which the head lawbreaker usually winds up dead by the time the final finale's credits roll.

Then again, Stallone also is an executive producer on the series; he's got sway.

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"The fate of my character?" he recently told AARP. "Well, he's not going to be shot. He's not going to be run over. He's not going to find a lump in his neck and that's the end."

Stallone went on to reference Dwight's backstory  the mobster spent more than two decades in jail, protecting the crime family that ultimately abandoned him to the Oklahoma outpost  as reason that The General is going to have a nice, cushy retirement.

"Every gangster goes out on a stretcher," he continued. "I want this guy, because he already suffered for 25 years, keeping his mouth shut, to actually revel in the fact that he went out as a success and didn't face any kind of death threat or demise."

All of this should make viewers rest slightly easier in advance of Sunday's Season 3 finale, given that in the previous episode, Dwight dodged multiple armed mercenaries attempting to deliver a contracted hit on him, courtesy of New York mafioso Quiet Ray. (That said, we're still worried about Dwight's sister, Joanne, who ended the episode with Jeremiah Dunmire's goon's gun to her head.)

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Paramount+ renewed "Tulsa King" for Season 4 in September, so we've got at least one more season with Dwight and the Oklahoma crew. And whenever the end does come, Stallone maintains, Manfredi will live on.

"None of my characters have ever died," he said. "None."

What do you think about Stallone's proclamation? Do you want to see Dwight outlive "Tulsa King"? Hit the comments with your thoughts!

Read more: 2026 Renewal/Cancellation Scorecard: What's Coming Back? What's Already Cancelled? What's On The Bubble?

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In a matter of hours, judges will crown the 74th Miss Universe, which is being held in Thailand this year.

TV ads say its happening on Nov. 20, but the official Miss Universe website lists the event date as Nov. 21.

Heres what you need to know to catch the live stream of the competition and watch the preliminary round.

When is the 2025 Miss Universe competition? Miss Universe location and date

The 74th edition of arguably the most competitive international pageant will air live on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Telemundo will air their yearly special on contestants at 7 p.m. ET, but the actual pageant starts at 8 p.m. ET.

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There has been confusion around the events date stemming from the 12-hour time difference between the U.S. and Thailand, where the pageant is being held this year.

The event will take place at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, in Thailand. In the U.S., it will still be Thursday, Nov. 20.

Where to watch the Miss Universe? When is the preliminary competition?

The Miss Universe will be broadcast live by Telemundo. Fans can also stream the competition on the official Miss Universe YouTube channel.

Telemundo's broadcast will also be available on Peacock.

What is the purpose of the Miss Universe preliminary competition? How do the judges choose the winner?

In pageants, the preliminary competition is when the finalists are chosen.

The Miss Universe preliminaries have three components: the closed-door interview, the swimsuit runway, and the evening gown runway. The interview is intended to evaluate the contestants oratory skills. The runway shows evaluate stage presence, projection, and runway or catwalk skills.

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On the final night, the event begins with the announcement of the top 30 scores from the preliminary competition  these are the 30 finalists.

The 30 finalists enter the final competition with a clean slate, as all scores from the preliminary round are erased. On the final night, the finalists will again do their swimsuit and evening gown runway walks. As the competition progresses, the Top 5 and the Top 3 will face a round of questions. The contestant with the highest cumulative score of the night will be crowned the 74th Miss Universe.

When it comes to the national costume parade, no punctuation is given for that. The national costume parade is just an accessory to the pageant.

Both, the preliminary competition and the national costume parade are available on YouTube.

Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on Nov. 19, 2025.

What happened to Miss Jamaica? Will she still compete in Miss Universe 2025?

Miss Jamaica fell off the stage during the preliminary competition while she was doing her evening gown walk. She was immediately taken to the hospital. It remains uncertain if she will return for the finals.

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Juan Carlos Castillo is a New Jersey-based trending reporter for the USA Today Network. Find him on Twitter at _JCCastillo.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Here's what to know about Miss Universe 2025. When and where to watch.
Nvidia reported earnings on Wednesday, topping analysts' estimates. Of course, the AI chipmaker is the focus of the market most days. Nvidia (NVDA) is one of the so-called Magnificent Seven  the large-cap technology companies that generate the most interest and arguably the highest profits in the stock market, particularly the S&P 500 index (^SPX). The group includes Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Google's parent company Alphabet, Facebook's Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla.

If you're thinking about buying Nvidia, a portfolio manager says consider also buying dozens of other stocks just like it.

Here's why.

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If you buy Nvidia, consider buying many more just like it, portfolio manager says

Investing has become a mainstream American effort to build financial security, even among low- and moderate-income households. More than half (54%) of such households surveyed said they invest in the capital markets, according to a recent survey by BlackRock Foundation and Commonwealth.

However, the survey also highlighted the top challenge of newer investors: not knowing what to invest in and concerns about risk.

David Krakauer, vice president of portfolio management at Mercer Advisors, suggests investors should search for a great stock like Nvidia  and multiply it.

"I think you first need to define what it is you believe drives long-term returns in equities," Krakauer said in a Yahoo Finance interview. "If you believe it's profitability or value, like book-to-value, momentum, whatever those characteristics are that you look for in stocks and you believe are helping to define the outlook, then why pigeonhole yourself into just a few stocks?"

He believes investors can mitigate risk by screening multiple stocks that mirror the fundamentals, matching their investment philosophy.

"We could debate all day long on what fundamentals to look at, but let's just assume investors know what they're doing," he added. "Why just one? Why not buy 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 stocks that look good according to momentum or look good according to profitability?"

Read more: Create a stock investing strategy in 3 steps

Elon Musk wakes up and 'makes a wild decision'

"Is it riskier to have a portfolio of, say, seven stocks than it is to have something a little more broad? So if we're defining risk simply as standard deviation, the volatility of your portfolio, then absolutely," Krakauer said.

"The fewer stocks you have, the more volatile and greater the swings are in the value of your portfolio. So that's one measure of risk," Krakauer added. "Systematic risk is the risk of the equity market in general. And you usually get paid for systematic risk. You want exposure to the equity market."

What you don't get paid for, Krakauer believes, is non-systematic or idiosyncratic risk. That's the risk of holding a small number of equities. He uses Tesla (TSLA) as an example.

"Idiosyncratic risk would be the idea that Elon Musk is going to wake up tomorrow and make a wild decision. Maybe it's an announcement about something that is a risk because of Elon Musk. So that's a risk you're taking with Tesla. If you're concentrated in Tesla, that doesn't pay you."

ETFs are a diversifying option

Krakauer believes that the average investor should focus primarily on financial planning above all else. Their investment portfolio needs to be constructed to increase the probability of success in meeting those financial goals, such as retirement.

Low-cost, passive, and highly diversified exposure to markets with exchange-traded funds is the right approach for most investors, he added.

"You could do the best research in the world on a stock. All the fundamentals may line up with your investment philosophy; the technicals look attractive. But no one knows what any individual stock is going to do over the next month, over the next six months, over the next year. So that is why it is essential to have diversification across many stocks," he said.

Read more: 5 best questions to ask your financial advisor in the new year

Consider the impact of taxes

One of the biggest challenges of running an individual stock portfolio is taxes, and ETFs can also help minimize the tax burden, Krakauer said, because investors should consider portfolio performance net of taxes.

ETFs rarely make capital gains distributions, unlike mutual funds. Another benefit of ETFs: avoiding the wash sale rule. That's when an investor wants to claim a loss on a stock to offset the gain on another for tax purposes. If they buy a "substantially identical" security within 30 days, the tax break is disallowed.

However, investors can sell one ETF fund and replace it with another that tracks a different but similar index, allowing them to take the tax loss.

"So using ETFs that allocate and can reconstitute the portfolio for you under the hood without a taxable event is absolutely key to this," Krakauer said.

Read more: Taxes on stocks: Here are the rules and rates
High art

Xinhua/Alamy Stock Photo

Satellites, planes and drones now give us a birds-eye view of the world  and from above, the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. These aerial perspectives turn familiar landscapes into stunning works of art.

Read on to see jaw-dropping aerial shots that look like masterpieces...

Mountain pass, Romania

Calin Stan/Shutterstock

Transylvania is a historical region of Romania that is surrounded by the craggy Carpathian mountain range. Picturesque mountain roads with steep hairpin turns meander through the peaks and spruce forests  a riot of fall colours in autumn and covered in a blanket of snow in winter.

Tulip fields, the Netherlands

ER_09/Shutterstock

Tulips in the Netherlands' flower fields bloom every spring. This beautiful sight is a huge tourist attraction, as well as an economic boon for the country  the Dutch produce more than four billion tulip bulbs each year.

Mine in Xinjiang, China

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

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NASAs satellite image captures a major mining operation in Lop Nur, part of the autonomous region of Xinjiang. At the end of the last century, large deposits of potash (potassium salt essential to fertiliser) were discovered here in the Taklimakan Desert.

Ice sheet, Greenland

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Just inland from the coast of southwestern Greenland you can see the pretty patterns formed by blue pools and crevasses where the meltwater has forced its way through the glacier.

Lluta River, Chile

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

In the north of Chile, the arid and remote Atacama Desert receives less than a millimetre of rain a year. From NASAs Earth Observing-1 satellite, it looks like nothing grows here, although the saline and acidic water of the Lluta has been irrigated for low-quality farmland.

The Dead Sea, Israel and Jordan

Meoita/Shutterstock

The Dead Sea (or Yam-Ha Melah  the Sea of Salt) at the border between Israel and Jordan is the lowest place on Earth. The 'sea' is in fact a lake, and salt fields here are natural works of crystalised art.

Terraced rice fields, Vietnam

Shutterstock/Jimmy Tran

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The gateway to northwest Vietnam, Yen Bai province is for the most part ignored by tourists, but the stunning landscapes at Mu Cang Chai are worth seeking out. The rice terraces are harvested in September and October when they are at their most beautiful.

Bangkok interchange, Thailand

Avigator Thailand/Shutterstock

Toll-controlled access highways criss-cross the capital of Thailand. Built to ease Bangkoks considerable traffic congestion, the interchanges are as beautiful as they are complex.

Pink Lake, Western Australia, Australia

Galore777/Shutterstock

Hutt Lagoon near Port Gregory is one of Western Australias famous bubblegum-pink lakes. The result of bacteria in the saline waters, the specific hues change depending on the time of day or year.

The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Pixabay

Australias Great Barrier Reef is visible from outer space. This aerial view is from a little closer, but you still get a sense of a vast and complex natural ecosystem. A scenic flight over the Whitsundays will take you over Heart Reef (pictured), a romantically shaped coral reef that has become an iconic focal point of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Container port, California, USA

MintImages/Shutterstock

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Primary colours and rectangular sea containers makes this pleasing aerial view of a Los Angeles port look almost like a post-modern print.

A solar farm, California, USA

MintImages/Shutterstock

Another post-modern artwork in the making, the grid pattern of these solar panels in a California field could almost have been chosen for its aesthetic value.

Farmland, Kazakhstan

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Kazakhstan farmland in the autumn is a beautiful patchwork of green and tan. The contours of the land here, near the border with China, add to the beauty of the landscape.

Staircase in the Vatican Museums, Italy

Pixabay

The 20th-century double helix staircase near the entrance to the Vatican Museums was inspired by an original built in 1505. It is one of the most photographed sights in Vatican City.

Hallstatt in winter, Austria

Stockr/Shutterstock

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Its hard for the eye to discern the town buried beneath the white snow on the shore of Hallstatter See (or Lake Hallstatt). This Austrian town is pretty in the summer months, but looking down from the skies in winter, it looks like an abstract work by a modern artist.

The Nile, Egypt

Pixabay

The Nile flows northward through northwest Africa  here the view is of the river as it flows toward the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. The longest river in the world is vital to agriculture in the region.

Ratchada Train Market, Thailand

MoMMo Mai/Shutterstock

Also known as Talad Nud Rod Fai, this vibrant outdoor night market in Bangkok was established in 2015. With a retro vibe and food zone, it appeals to the city's cool and young creatives.

Chalk Horse, England, UK

National Trust Images

This fascinating stylised chalk outline has been part of Englands rolling Oxfordshire Downs since the Bronze Age. Nobody knows why the original horse was etched into the countys highest hill, but volunteers keep it in chalky white perfect condition.

Jodhpur, India

Ostill/Shutterstock

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Rajasthans blue city grew up around the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort. When you view Indias most photogenic city from such high ground, it feels like the blue buildings might have been sketched by Van Gogh himself.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock

This UNESCO-listed inland delta in northwest Botswana is a unique wetland system that is promoted as one of Africas seven natural wonders. The protected marshlands and seasonally flooded plains are home to many of the worlds endangered animals, including the cheetah and white and black rhinoceros.

Tuscan countryside, Italy

Yadi Ghidone/Shutterstock

Green rolling Tuscan hills are at the very heart of Italy. From far above, the rural landscape could be an artists canvas  and Tuscany has inspired many world-class masterpieces.

John Deere tractor, Italy

Saverio blasi/Shutterstock

Further north, the province of Pavia has equally alluring agricultural views. A John Deere tractor provides the focus for this pastoral scene.

The Nazca Lines, Peru

John Kershner/Shutterstock

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The stylised geoglyphs originally etched into an arid Peruvian plain more than two thousand years ago are an enigma. Designs include hummingbirds, monkeys, spiders and human figures, and some of them are more than one thousand feet (305m) across. They are best admired from the sky.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Suzi Pratt/Shutterstock

Yellowstones Grand Prismatic Spring was created by hot water rising up through cracks in the earths surface. The riot of colour is created by heat-loving bacteria  not Photoshop.

Abandoned Housing Development, Arizona, USA

Kristoffer Tripplaar/Alamy Stock Photo

The parched landscape of Arizona provides the perfect canvas for this study in symmetry, created by the roads that were meant to serve houses in this abandoned housing project on the outskirts of Phoenix.

Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida, USA

Ryan Higginbotham/Alamy Stock Photo

With its miles of gorgeous white-sand beaches, emerald Gulf waters and abundant sunshine, Holmes Beach is popular with vacationers looking for old-Florida charm and the chance to spot dolphins, sting rays and manatees in the crystal-clear sea.

Orchard near Siem Reap, Cambodia

David Wall/Alamy Stock Photo

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Siem Reap is the closest town to the stunning Khmer temples of Angkor Wat. It is also surrounded by orchards growing seasonal fruits like rose apple, jackfruit, mango and star fruit, enjoyed fresh by the tourists that flock here from all over the world.

Sand dune in the Namib Desert, Namibia

Monika Hrdinova/Dembinsky Photo Associates/Alamy Stock Photo

The Namib Desert stretches for more than 1,242 miles (2,000km) along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia and South Africa. It is famous for its towering orange sand dunes that rise 984 feet (300m) high and stretch more than 20 miles (32km) long. Many of the sand dunes, like the one pictured, feature blowouts, sandy, bowl-like depressions created by the wind.

Salt lakes in China's Shanxi Province

Xinhua/Alamy Stock Photo

The vibrantly coloured salt lake in Yuncheng, in the north of China's Shanxi Province, is the third largest sodium sulphate inland salt lake in the world. Salt has been mined here for over 4,600 years, with the striking magenta, violet and yellow created by a unique species of micro-algae called Dunaliella salina that creates algal blooms.

Combine harvester, England, UK

Shoesmith Drones/Shutterstock

A combine harvester is seen cutting through an English field, its robotic form creating an almost alien-like presence against the muted brown tones of the landscape. The machines path carves satisfyingly perfect lines, turning the rural farming scene into a work of industrial art.

Laguna Rosa, Spain

George Schon/Shutterstock

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Located in Torrevieja, southern Spain, this stunning pink lake is famous for its unusual colour. The hue comes from high salinity that fosters algae and bacteria, creating the striking pigment. Laguna Rosa is also known for its therapeutic mud, which is believed to have healing properties, making it a popular spot for wellness tourists.

Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada

Russ Heinl/Shutterstock

Haida Gwaii, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago off British Columbias coast, renowned for its lush green landscapes, temperate rainforests and abundant wildlife. The islands are also famous for their dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches and towering ancient cedar trees, creating a truly breathtaking natural landscape.

Waterfall in Bavaria, Germany

Markue/Shutterstock

It's not often you see a waterfall from above, and this new perspective of the waterfall near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria transforms it from a stunning nature shot into something altogether more abstract.

Rainbow world: amazing images of Earths most colourful natural wonders
Tourism isnt as simple as booking a flight and showing up anymore. Around the world, destinations are rethinking the role visitors play in their cultures, ecosystems, and everyday life. Some countries are setting firmer boundaries, not because they dislike travelers, but because theyre protecting fragile environments, restoring balance to over-touristed cities, or preserving traditions that cant withstand mass crowds. These places arent anti-tourist; theyre pro-preservation.

On the flip side, many destinations are actively rolling out the welcome mat, investing in tourism infrastructure, championing local experiences, and encouraging visitors to explore, learn, and connect. For travelers, understanding which places are leaning into tourism and which are slowing it down can shape more meaningful journeys and lead to more responsible choices. After all, exploring the world should be as much about respecting places as enjoying them.

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5 countries discouraging mass tourism

1. Ecuador / Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos archipelago is one of the most protected ecosystems in the world, and Ecuador doesnt exactly roll out the red carpet for every traveler, but thats because it sees tourism as a serious conservation responsibility. Visitors must pay a steep national park fee, stick to marked trails, visit only in guided groups, and follow strict rules.

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As a traveler, that means fewer selfies and more sea lions. A guided cruise around the volcanic islands, snorkeling with marine iguanas, or landing only on designated spots gives you an intimate, low-impact nature experience. Its not a tourist ban, but a careful invitation: come, but honor the ecosystem.

2. Peru / Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is such a high-profile destination that its almost stereotypical  but Peru has deliberately capped daily visitors and imposed strict time-slot ticketing to prevent overtourism and preserve its ancient site.

This means as a traveler youll likely need to book well in advance, go with a licensed guide, and follow paths that minimize wear on the ruins. That said, the trade-off is worth it: you can catch the sunrise over the terraces or hike the Inca Trail in relative tranquility, compared to a free-for-all.

Related: This is the safest country in Europe, according to US travelers

3. Bhutan

Bhutan famously practices high-value, low-volume tourism: visitors pay a daily sustainable development fee that effectively limits mass tourism.

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If you travel here, youll get a deeply immersive cultural trip: fortress-monasteries (dzongs), Himalayan treks, and an emphasis on local traditions. It feels less like a postcard trip and more like a pilgrimage into a way of life that resists becoming a tourist trap.

4. Netherlands (Amsterdam)

Amsterdam is pushing back harder than you might expect. In some districts, local government has limited guided tours, introduced stay away messaging, and even banned certain types of tourist behaviors to preserve quality of life for its residents.

For travelers, this encourages more respectful and thoughtful wandering: skip the tourist hustle on canal cruise overloads, explore quieter neighborhoods by bike, or visit during off-peak times. The city simply asks you to treat it like a home, not a theme park.

5. Iceland

While not a country banning tourists, Iceland and similarly fragile landscapes are grappling with overtourism and have begun measures to regulate how and where travelers go. Icelands government and tourist boards emphasize sustainable travel, limiting access to sensitive trails, and educating visitors about Leave No Trace.

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As a traveler, that means choosing guided tours, respecting seasonal and trail restrictions, and being ready to pay a little more (or hike a little harder) for a more meaningful, low-impact experience.

Five countries that openly embrace tourists

1. Morocco

Morocco is a portrait of hospitality. From the colorful souks of Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains and Saharan dunes, the country is experiencing a tourism boom.

What to do: Wander through the blue alleyways of Chefchaouen, stay in a riad in Fes, ride camels in the desert, or hike high in the snowy Atlas. Hospitality is central, featuring locals in medinas, mountain guides, and desert camps all invest in making visitors feel welcome, and revenues are fueling sustainable tourism infrastructure.

2. Costa Rica

Costa Rica isnt just hospitable, its eco-enthusiastic. According to RoughMaps, it actively promotes sustainable, nature-based tourism.

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What to do: Zip-line through cloud forests, surf on Pacific beaches, hike volcanoes, or spot wildlife in remote national parks. The countrys green spirit means many tours are designed to give back to the land, and eco-lodges are more than a gimmick: theyre a way of life.

3. Rwanda

Rwanda has carved out a niche as a high-value, conservation-conscious destination. Its tourism sector is booming. Gorilla-tracking in Volcanoes National Park remains a major draw, but theres also chimp trekking, canopy walks, and lakeside retreats.

What to do: Trek to see mountain gorillas with expert guides, explore Nyungwe Forests biodiversity, or enjoy serene moments at Lake Kivu. Rwanda is remarkably welcoming and positions tourists as partners in conservation.

Related: This European city is the world's most sustainable tourist destination

4. Tanzania

Wildlife, wilderness, and warm welcome define Tanzanias appeal. Tourism in Tanzania is growing strongly: arrivals and revenue are spiking as more travelers seek safari, cultural, and nature-based experiences.

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What to do: Witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, climb Mount Kilimanjaro, or relax on Zanzibars white-sand beaches. Safari guides are deeply invested in conservation, and many local enterprises emphasize authenticity and sustainability.

Zanzibar welcomes travelers with open arms, offering pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and unforgettable island adventures.Photo by Humphrey M on Unsplash

5. Egypt

Egypt might surprise some, but in the tourism world it's still very much open-armed and reinventing itself. According to recent reports, the country is actively promoting growth in its tourism sector, attracting visitors to historic treasures and modern luxury alike.

What to do: Cruise the Nile, explore the Giza pyramids, dive in the Red Sea  and benefit from Egypts relaxed visa policies for many nationalities. Local guides and heritage sites are increasingly accessible, and restored ancient monuments are part of a broader strategy to welcome tourists back with dignity and care.

What this means for your next adventure

Whether youre heading to a country that tightly manages tourism or one that embraces visitors wholeheartedly, the key is traveling with intention. Places like Bhutan or the Galapagos reward patience, planning, and respect, giving you quieter, deeper experiences that feel far from mass-market travel. Conversely, countries like Morocco, Costa Rica, and Tanzania invite you in with open arms, offering vibrant landscapes, culture-forward hospitality, and opportunities to support community development simply by showing up.

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Tourism is shifting into a new era; one where selectivity, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity matter more than ever. And for the modern traveler, thats not a limitation but a gift. Its a chance to approach the world with curiosity and care, choosing destinations that align with how you want to explore and how those places want to be explored.

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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Key Takeaways

Panama tops International Livings 2025 Global Retirement Index, offering an easy Pensionado visa, dollarized economy, and broad retiree discounts.

Mexico ranks in the top 25 worldwide for retirement finances in the 2025 Natixis Global Retirement Index, thanks to its affordable healthcare, proximity to the U.S., and well-established retiree hubs.

Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru deliver some of the lowest costs of living and most accessible pension visas in Latin America, where a typical $2,000 monthly Social Security check can comfortably cover housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses.



Your Social Security check will reach $2,056 come 2026. Head south, though, and it can fund a comfortable lifestyle. Across Latin America, several countries offer low living costs, quality healthcare, and warm climates, making retirement both affordable and adventurous.

Panama claimed the top spot in International Livings 2025 Global Retirement Index, while Mexico ranked highest among major Latin American nations. Ecuador has healthcare scores that beat Spain and Norway, while Colombia and Peru offer visa programs that let Americans live comfortably for a fraction of U.S. prices.



Panama

Panama's pensioner visa, which you can earn after just six months there, requires only a $1,000 monthly incomeor just $750 if you buy $100,000 in property. Retirees there also get mandatory discounts: 50% off movies and sporting events, 25% off restaurant bills and domestic flights, 15-20% off doctor visits and prescriptions, and 25% off utilities. Permanent residency is granted immediately with the visa; citizenship is achieved after five years.

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Panama uses the U.S. dollar and doesn't tax foreign income. The catch: couples need closer to $2,400 monthly, according to International Living's 2025 data. Mercer's 2024 rankings place Montevideo as Latin America's priciest city, ranking it at No. 42 globally; however, Panama offers more established banking and expat services.



Mexico Shoots / Getty Images The lake Patzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico. The lake Patzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico.

Mexico

Mexico ranked fourth globally in International Living's 2025 index, and is among the top 25 countries for retirement finances in the Natixis index for the best countries for retirement. A comfortable lifestyle is possible in many regions on about $2,000 to $2,500 a month for a couple, particularly outside the major tourist zones.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment can start around $500 to $1,200, depending on the city. Groceries, local transit, and utilities are all significantly less expensive than in most U.S. metros.

Healthcare costs are also far lower than in the U.S. The Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) public health system is open to legal residents for a modest annual premium that varies by age, about $35 to $100 per month per person, covering most routine care and medications. Many foreign retirees also purchase private insurance for $150 to $300 monthly to access private hospitals and English-speaking doctors.

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Residency is straightforward but income-based. A temporary resident visa generally requires proof of about $4,100 in monthly income or a bit more than $70,000 in savings, though amounts vary by consulate. Permanent residency is available after four years, or immediately for higher-income applicants. Flights home are short and frequent, and large communities of foreign retirees make it easy to adjustwhether youre drawn to the coast of Puerto Vallarta, the art scene in San Miguel de Allende, or the slower pace of Merida.



Mike Matthews Photography / Getty Images Bright colored homes dot Quito, Ecuador's capital. Bright colored homes dot Quito, Ecuador's capital.

Ecuador

If you want low day-to-day costs without currency headaches, Ecuador is a standout. It uses the U.S. dollar, which simplifies budgeting from Social Security income and American IRAs. Healthcare access is broadpublic options exist through the IESS system for legal residents, and many foreign retirees add an affordable private plan for faster specialist care.

The Jubilado (pensioner) visa pegs its income requirement to a multiple of Ecuadors basic salary (about three times the minimum salary), with an additional amount per dependent. The visa typically begins as a temporary residency and can be converted to permanent after meeting time-in-country rules.

Outside premium tourist zones, many retirees report living comfortably on about $2,000 a monthcovering rent for a modest apartment (often in walkable historic districts), groceries, utilities, local transport, dining out a few times a week, and basic insurance. Higher-altitude cities (like Cuenca) offer spring-like weather year-round, while coastal towns trade mild temps for beach life and fresh seafood.



Javier Ghersi / Getty Images Cabo San Juan del Guia Beach in Tayrona Park, Colombia. Cabo San Juan del Guia Beach in Tayrona Park, Colombia.

Colombia

If youre chasing warm weather, mountain-city living, and low day-to-day costs, Colombia belongs on your shortlist. American retirees tend to cluster in Medellin, Bogota, and the Coffee Region, where youll find modern apartments, walkable neighborhoods, and a good supply of private clinics and hospitals.

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Colombia runs a mixed publicprivate system. Legal residents can access the national health program and then supplement it with private insurance for faster specialist access and English-speaking providers. Out-of-pocket costs for routine care and prescription drugs are typically far below U.S. levels.

The pension-style visa ties eligibility to a multiple of Colombias monthly minimum wage (the exact peso amount is updated annually). In practice, many U.S. retirees qualify using Social Security or pension income.

Gustavo Ramirez / Getty Images Punta Sal beach in Tumbes, Peru. Punta Sal beach in Tumbes, Peru.

Peru

If you're looking for low costs and a straightforward pension-based residency, Peru is worth a good, hard look. The Rentista route is designed for retirees with a stable, lifetime income: show about $1,000 per month in pension or passive income, and you can qualify for residency without an age limit. Many retirees later convert to permanent residency after maintaining their status and meeting the time-in-country requirements.

Legal residents can access public systems, and many foreign retirees add an affordable private plan to use well-regarded clinics in Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo. Routine visits, diagnostics, and prescriptions are typically a fraction of U.S. prices, but shop plans carefullybenefits and networks vary by city.

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Outside of prime Lima districts and high-end beach towns, couples typically allocate about $2,000 a month for housing, groceries, transportation, dining out, and basic insurance, with room for travel. Cities like Arequipa (milder climate, mountain views) or Trujillo (coastal, sunny) offer good value; the Sacred Valley and Cusco deliver lifestyle appeal, but the high altitude isnt for everyone.

Tax note: Once you become a Peruvian tax resident (domiciled), your worldwide income is generally taxable; non-residents are taxed only on Peruvian-source income. Plan accordingly with a cross-border tax pro.



Read the original article on Investopedia
Tamales are a holiday staple in the borderland, often taking center stage at the dinner table during holiday festivities.

Fresh masa embraces a warm filling of shredded beef, chicken or pork, rajas con queso, or sweet raisins  the tamal is not only a traditional dish, but a labor of love that takes several hours (and sometimes multiple family members) to prepare and make.

So, if you want to skip the long process of making tamales at home and prefer to order a dozen or two from a local spot, El Paso has plenty of restaurant options to choose from.

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While it's hard to nail down who makes the best tamales in our region, we've turned to Yelp for help, which has released its list of best tamales in El Paso for November 2025. And just a note  we took the number of reviews and ratings into consideration.

Here are the top spots to get the best tamales, according to the review site.

Pepe's Tamales

Pepe's Tamales earned an overall stellar 4.4-star rating and more than 100 reviews, with El Pasoans sharing that they've been visiting the restaurant for decades.

"The chicken ones are great as always, the hatch chile and cheese is next level though. Insanely good! I am so glad to see this staple of El Paso is staying true to simple, perfect tamales," one review said.

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Jose Pepe Ignacio Reyes opened Pepes Tamales in 1978 and it quickly became a staple in the El Paso community. Reyes passed away in December 2017, but his legacy lives on at the restaurant, which continues to operate in East El Paso.

Address: 9530 Viscount Blvd.

Phone: 915-591-7949

Gussie's Tamales and Bakery

Gussie's Tamales & Bakery has hundreds of Yelp reviews and a nearly 4-star rating, with many praising its large selection of tamales and good service  the Mexican sweet bread is also delicious.

"The hatch green chili cheese tamales were amazing. They were probably the best ones I have had since moving to El Paso. If you have not tried their tamales make sure you do," one review said.

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Gussie's Tamales & Bakery has also been in business for decades  the restaurant opened in 1973.

Address: 2200 N. Piedras St.

Phone: 915-566-8209

Red tamales are shown from Gussie's Tamales & Bakery at 2200 N. Piedras St. in Central El Paso.

Tamales Lupita

Tamales Lupita, located along Doniphan Drive in Canutillo, has dozens of outstanding reviews and an overall rating of nearly 4 stars on Yelp.

"I've tasted many tamales but none like this one," one review said. "Don't even get me started on the cheese and green chile (tamales), they were also amazing, just the perfect hint of spicy."

Address:6860 Doniphan Drive

Phone:915-877-2208

Cheese tamales are shown from Tamales Lupita at 6860 Doniphan Drive in West El Paso.

La Tapatia, Inc.

La Tapatia, a Mexican restaurant in the Lower Valley, has an overall 4.1-star rating on Yelp, with dozens of reviews raving not only about the tamales but also the fresh corn tortillas, tostadas and tacos.

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The restaurant has been serving El Pasoans for 70 years, according to its social media pages.

"The tamales are excellent, as well as the menudo. The service is friendly and prompt. The ambiance is also good," one review said.

Address: 8941 Old Country Drive

Phone: 915-859-9616

La Moderna Bakery

In addition to the sweet bread, the family-owned bakery in Northeast El Paso is said to have some of the best tamales around, earning it an overall 4.3-star rating on Yelp.

"Best tamales and sweet bread in town. A must visit location while visiting El Paso. My mother visited and traveled back with the goods: red tamales, sweet tamales, cookies  delicious you won't regret visiting," one review said.

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Address: 4922 Hondo Pass Drive

Phone:915-751-6619

Chepe's Tamales

Chepe's Tamales serves up flavorful masa and an assortment of fillings, according to Yelp reviews  in addition to good service. You can also grab a tamal with your breakfast.

"Tamales with breakfast, it'd been awhile since I've had any. These are awesome, and you can choose which tamales  I got one red with pork and one green with chicken  both have eggs on top, and a side of hash browns and refritos," one review said.

Address: 5505 Montana Ave.

Phone: 915-887-0081

La Colonial Tortilla Factory

La Colonial Tortilla Factory on Copia Street has more than a dozen reviews and an overall rating of 4.5-stars on Yelp. While the fresh tortillas and burritos are delicious, reviews also note the tamales are just as tasty.

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"By far, the best rajas con queso tamales I've had in a long time. Employees are hard workers who are eager to please," one review said.

Address: 212 N. Copia St.

Phone: 915-533-9691

El Prado Bakery

More than 100 reviews have earned El Prado Bakery on the eastside a 4-star rating on Yelp. The tamales are flavorful, as well as the sweet bread.

"Amazing. Prices are so low, I wonder how they stay in business. The food is delicious," one review said.

Address: 3501 Rich Beem Blvd.

Phone: 915-261-7800

Carlos Bakery

The bakery in Sunland Park, New Mexico, has a shining 4.6-star rating on Yelp, with some calling it a hidden gem for its affordable prices and authentic Mexican food and large tamales.

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"Amazing. Cheaper than most. Full of meat and just the right amount of spice. These are not thin but rather more the size of a zucchini. A non-descript place but a great product," one review said.

Address: 2101 McNutt Road

Phone: 575-589-9220

Hilda's Tamales

Hilda's Tamales in Northeast El Paso has dozens of reviews, not only for its fresh tamales and heavenly gorditas, but also for the restaurant's attentive owner.

"Whenever an employer takes the time to come out to the dining room and ask how everything is, you know its a good experience. Hilda is there watching, cooking, asking questions. This was one of the best experiences I have had in a long time. Absolutely delicious. You must try this place," one review said.

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Address: 4242 Hondo Pass Drive # 103

Phone: 915-751-7224

More: Stock up now to share the love of El Paso's La Rotativa tamales over the holidays

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.

More: WinterFest traditions return in November: Ice skating rink, holiday movies at Plaza Theatre

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Here are the best tamales near El Paso in 2025, according to Yelp
Delta Air Lines wants to help you travel like a local on your next big trip.

The company teased its "Delta Locals" trip inspiration platform at the Consumer Electronics Show, a major tech conference, earlier this year. But the airline started introducing curated itinerary suggestions and stories about local cultures on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Deltas goal for our next 100 years of travel is to be so much more than just your airline, Alicia Tillman, Delta's Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement. Were your one-stop shop for dreaming, planning, booking and arriving at a city on your bucket list. We are ready to take you where you want to go but to also help ensure youre fully exploring the best that places have to offer with insights that most tourists would never know about.

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The Delta Locals platform currently features video interviews and trip inspiration suggestions with people from Patagonia, Tokyo, Sicily and Los Angeles, with more destinations, including Curacao, Austin and Dublin set to be introduced in the coming months.

In one of the video series, Chilean filmmaker and adventurer Antar Machado shows potential visitors some of his favorite spots for rock climbing and other outdoor activities in Patagonia.

These characters may not be able to meet up with you on your next trip, but their stories can help you think about the things you want to do when you visit their hometowns.

The launch comes as more AI-powered planning tools are becoming available to travelers to map out trips. American Airlines recently introduced its own AI-powered travel search platform.

Google has also rolled out new features in search that help users build personalized itineraries. That includes Canvas in AI Mode  a tool that pulls real-time flight and hotel data  Google Maps photos and reviews, and suggestions from across the web into one customizable travel plan.

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Users can refine itineraries with follow-up questions, compare hotel tradeoffs and return to saved plans through their AI Mode history.

Google also expanded "Flight Deals," an AI-driven feature that helps flexible travelers find the cheapest destinations and travel dates by simply describing the kind of trip they want. And new updates allow users to book restaurant reservations and event tickets across platforms like OpenTable, Resy and Ticketmaster.

As more travelers pair airline-curated local guides with AI-powered planning tools like Googles, building a personalized itinerary is becoming more accessible.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Delta is bringing you local inspiration for your trip
The Panama Canal, which slices through the North and South American continents, carving a 51-mile path between the east and west coasts, where it links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is a rite of passage for dedicated cruisers. Its the worlds most famous shortcut, saving an 8,000-mile detour around Cape Horn that would take 21 days, and an engineering marvel that puts it squarely at the top of most travellers bucket lists.

Having sailed this famous waterway for the first time last spring and again  in the opposite direction  last winter, I can vouch for the anticipation that accompanies each crossing.

Sailing along the canals length takes around nine hours, with transits usually starting at dawn and ending during the afternoon. Crowds of passengers gather on deck for the best views as the ship enters the locks that mark the entrances on each side.

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Its a fascinating experience, and you dont have to be interested in engineering to marvel at the locks feat of raising ships 26 metres (85 feet) above sea level to cross the central portion of the continental divide. As a cruising experience, the Panama Canal stands on its own and deserves its bucket-list status.

In this guide:

Before you book

What is a Panama Canal cruise?

There are a few options. As well as Panama Canal itineraries, transits are incorporated into world cruises (itineraries of three months or more) and longer sailings between the east and west coast of the Americas, often featuring destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.

A full crossing negotiates the entire canal, but there are partial crossings that only enter the first set of locks to give guests a flavour.

A partial crossing of a Panama Canal cruise may only reach the first set of locks - Danny Lehman/The Image Bank RF

How long does it take?

The entire transit of the canal takes around nine hours. Cruises that include full Panama Canal crossings tend to be longer than the average cruise, at around 16 days or more. Partial canal crossings usually depart and return to the same port and take around 12 days.

Where do Panama Canal cruises go?

Some sailings start or end at Panama City close to the canals Pacific entrance, while others depart from or arrive at ports as far north as Vancouver. US ports, including East Coast cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York and Port Canaveral and the Texan port of Galveston, plus Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles on the West Coast, all feature.

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Longer cruises incorporate ports in the Caribbean and Central America with stops such as Aruba, Cartagena, Mexicos Riviera Maya, Baja California and Costa Rica.

What is a partial transit?

The ship passes through one set of locks only but offers a taster and is a good way for travellers who dont have time or money for longer voyages to experience it. These sailings generally depart and/or return from Miami or Fort Lauderdale with ships entering the first lock on the Caribbean side of the canal. Following the partial transit, ships sail into Gatun Lake, where they may spend a few hours before turning around.

Unlike full passages, where no tours are offered, partial transits allow guests to leave the ship to explore before rejoining it later at a nearby port such as Colon.

Which ship should I choose?

Sailing the Panama Canal is a memorable experience, whatever the size of the ship you are on. Larger ships offer more decks and a wider choice of vantage points, but the Panamax (smaller ship) experience feels more authentic, and my preference is sailing the older locks.

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b'

'

When is the best time of year to visit?

Most Panama Canal sailings run from October to April, avoiding the humid conditions of the summer months and the Atlantic hurricane season.

Larger ships may offer more on-board facilities but might not provide the full Panamax experience - Alastair Miller/Viking

Is it better to go through the canal eastwards or westwards?

Having cruised it in both directions, my preference would be to cross from the Pacific side to the Atlantic. Sailing towards the first lock at sunrise and passing under the Bridge of the Americas with the misty silhouette of the Panama City skyline in the distance is magical.



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Life on board

Who will my fellow passengers be?

On full transits, which are longer and may be part of larger, around-the-world cruises or longer sailings, there will probably be fewer families and more older passengers  particularly if sailings are outside of school holidays.

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Partial transits that coincide with school holidays and incorporate more Caribbean stops are likely to have a similar mix of families and adults as other Caribbean cruises around this time.

What happens on the day of the transit?

The day starts early, sometimes before it gets light and most guests are determined to find their perfect spot (decks can get crowded). Generally, the ship approaches the canal from around 5.30am and arrives at the first locks shortly afterwards. Some ships will have an expert on the bridge to provide commentary and point out interesting sights along the way.

As the day progresses, the normal routine of ship life returns, though for westbound sailings, the view of Panama City becomes a point of interest as you leave the canal.

Panama City is close to the canals Pacific entrance - Nico De Pasquale Photography

What is there to see?

Once through the locks, ships pass into the giant freshwater lakes  Gatun Lake on the Caribbean side and Miraflores Lake on the Pacific side  that provide the water needed to operate them.

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Look out for the crocodiles and caimans commonly seen here. If youre lucky, you may spot toucans, sloths and monkeys. Its worth taking a pair of binoculars.

The Culebra Cut channel, which crosses the Continental Divide, is the narrowest part of the canal at 91.5m (300ft). Here, passengers get a closer view of the vegetation, which is denser on the rugged Caribbean side. Another point of interest is the El Renacer Prison, where Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega spent his final years.

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Before you go

What type of cabin should I book?

Its worth paying a bit more for a balcony cabin as the main decks can get very busy. If your balcony is lower than the main public decks, youll also feel closer to the action when passing through the locks.

Are there many sea days?

Full transits are regarded as a sea day equivalent, as you dont get off the ship, and there may be sea days either side, too. If youre sailing between, say, Florida and California, expect around eight sea days. Look through the itinerary in advance to find out.

Book a cabin with a balcony lower than the main public decks to feel closer to the action when passing through the locks - Barry Winiker/The Image Bank RF

Are there any excursions?

There are no excursions on the day of Panama Canal full transits, unless your ship stops afterwards at Panama City. During partial transits, only official cruise line tours are permitted. Options on the partial transit I did included railroad trips and ferry rides to the canals Pacific side, kayak outings on Gatun Lake and visits to a nearby village. I opted to visit the new Agua Clara locks and visitor centre, which gave interesting details on the canals history and development.

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About our expert

Sara Macefield

After finding her sea legs 20 years ago, Sara has gone on an estimated 200 voyages (and counting) across the worlds oceans and rivers, with Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands scoring as all-time favourites.

Telegraph Travels cruise expert, Sara Macefield

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.
With more than 40 million visitors recorded in 2024, Louisiana draws domestic and international tourists in droves thanks to its rich cultural heritage, scenic swamps, and thriving seafood scene. To encounter all three, St. Martin Parish is an ideal destination. Established along Louisianas Atchafalaya Basin, this storied region offers a glimpse into the idyllic side of the Pelican State, imbued with southern live oaks and tranquil ponds that teem with crayfish.

From the heart of St. Martinville to the depths of the bayou, St. Martin Parish embodies the beauty of rural Louisiana, featuring centuries-old cultural institutions and polished contemporary venues that hum with the enduring spirit of Cajun culture.

(Here's what you should know before taking the ultimate Louisiana road trip.)

Located in St. Martin Parish, the city of Breaux Bridge is home to the annual Breaux Bridge Crayfish Festival, one of the biggest Acadian festivals in Louisiana. Hemis, Alamy Stock Photo

Exploring the culture of Acadiana

Over the centuries, Louisianas Indigenous, Black, and European communities have all played a crucial role in contributing to the states overall cultural identity. St. Martin Parish serves as the ideal place for a deep dive into the regions French heritage.

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St. Martin Parish has long been touted as the birthplace of Cajun culture. Exiles from Acadie (now known as Nova Scotia) were welcomed to South Louisiana by the Spanish colonial government beginning in 1764, says Phillip Frey, ranger at the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site. This 18th-century influx of French-speaking refugees significantly contributed heavily to shaping the cultural landscape of Southern Louisiana, earning the region the name Acadiana due to its high concentration of Cajun settlers, and St. Martin Parish offers plenty of destinations for exploring their past.

Upon arrival, the aforementioned Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site is one way visitors can explore Acadiana culture. Once home to a cattle farm, and later a 400-acre sugar plantation, the estate was converted into a state park in 1934. It now seeks to highlight the many cultural identities that have shaped Acadiana over the centuries. During a stroll along its grounds, guests are welcome to explore the replica farmstead for an idea of daily life in Acadiana during the 1700s. The on-site museum is a collection of centuries-old artifacts, including farming tools, textiles, and antique furniture. Post-tour, St. Martinvilles African American Museum is an insightful experience that highlights the contributions and achievements of Acadianas Black community. A 20-minute drive north of the museum, La Poussiere is recognized as one of the oldest Cajun dancehalls in the region, drawing guests on Saturdays and Sundays to enjoy the Cajun music of southern Louisiana.

Crawfish is a major staple in the local dishes found in St. Martin Parish, such as crawfish etouffee, boiled crawfish, and crawfish pie. Philip Gould, Getty Images

Sampling the best seafood in St. Martin Parish

Between museum visits, tourists can also explore Acadianas renowned dining scene, which includes a myriad of dishes that showcase the regions natural bounty.

This is an area thats very rich in culinary history, says Marcelle Bienvenu, cookbook author and food historian. There was a large influx of people: the French, the English, the Germans, the natives. Everybody had a finger in the pot, and it was the best of every part of cuisine that came to this area. In terms of local dishes, Bienvenu highlights time-honored staples like crawfish etouffee, boiled crawfish, and crawfish pieall of which people can try at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival.

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First celebrated in 1960, this lively event honors one of St. Martins most prominent agricultural products. More than 20 million pounds of wild-caught and farm-raised crawfish are produced across the parish each year. Throughout the festival, visitors are welcome to snack on all sorts of savory seafood dishes, and you can peruse plenty of crustacean-themed memorabilia along the way. And while food is the main focus of the festival, it also doubles as a prime opportunity for immersion into Cajun culture, including traditional dance lessons and live zydeco music performances.

While Breaux Bridge is a top-tier culinary destination thanks to both the festival and local restaurants such as Cafe Sydnie Mae, its far from the only place worth visiting for gastronomy buffs. Just 20 minutes away, the parish seat of St. Martinville is also steeped in classic Acadiana culture, earning the nickname Petit Paris due to its close cultural ties to France. Today, visitors can take a morning stroll in the tranquil Evangeline Oak Park, then head to The Studio Gallery and Coffee Bar for a latte and a slice of quiche. However, no visit is complete without dining at The St. John Restaurant, a cozy institution thats earned widespread acclaim for its crab cakes and ribeye steak.

While visiting St. Martin Parish, tourists should consider taking an airboat or traditional swamp boat tour of Bald Cypress Swamp to see wildlife, including the American alligator. Dukas, Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Discovering the tranquil beauty of the Acadiana Bayou

While Acadianas distinct cultural heritage makes it a top-tier tourist destination, its not just humans that call the region home. The surrounding Atchafalaya Basin acts as a crucial sanctuary for countless North American species. The aptly-named Atchafalaya Basin Landing offers ample opportunity to spot one of Acadianas most famous creatures in the flesh.

Equipped with a fleet of airboats and traditional swamp boats, this family-owned adventure company brings explorers into the depths of the Acadiana bayou, where towering bald cypress trees and a wealth of native fauna await, including Louisiana black bears and 400 species of birds. While birdwatchers marvel at picturesque species like the osprey, anhinga, and great egret, the tour is also perfect for getting an up-close view of the American alligator. This iconic reptile can be found in abundance here.

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After a wildlife-filled cruise along the bayou, guests are welcome to hop off the boat and feast on shrimp poboys, seafood platters, and gator bites at the open-air Turtles Bar & Grillbut for a truly unforgettable foray into the flavors of Acadiana, dont miss out on Bayou Teche Brewing. Named in honor of one of the regions most prominent water features, this colorful venue blends traditional Cajun culture with modern gastronomy. Every Sunday, visitors can look forward to live Cajun music performed on the outdoor stage, along with locally inspired menu items that range from smoked boudin pate to ale infused with raw Louisiana cane sugar. Its an example of the many unique places across Acadiana that seamlessly blend old-school Cajun tradition with modern flair.

Jared Ranahan is a Puerto Rico-based writer who covers travel and wildlife. Follow him on Instagram.




Ahoy, Texas! The world's largest cruise ship has set its sights on the Lone Star State as it gears up for its inaugural Texas debut in summer 2027.

Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas" cruise ship will set sail from Galveston beginning in August 2027, company officials announced last week. Alongside Galveston, Icon of the Seas will also feature dock-off trips beginning in California and the Northeast before cruising along to the Caribbean.

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Icon of the Seas' Galveston iteration offers six-night to eight-night trips from Texas to eastern and western parts of the Caribbean, including The Bahamas, Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel. Amenities on deck include Category 6, the largest at-sea waterpark, seven pools aboard as well as more than 40 dining destinations.

Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas" cruise ship will set sail from Galveston beginning in August 2027, company officials announced. (Courtesy Royal Caribbean)





Other vacation packages departing from Texas include the Liberty of the Seas, a four-to-eight-night rendezvous that features pit stops at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in Roatan as well as a visit to the Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya, Mexico beginning in April 2027. This cruise ship also has an upgraded pool deck and enhanced casitas to take in the ocean views. Symphony of the Seas is also poised to homeport in Texas for the first time, with trips kicking off in April 2027.

Symphony of the Seas provides four-to-eight-night package options with stops in Nassau, The Bahamas, Cozumel and Costa Maya. Highlighted attractions on board are a 10-foot dry slide as well as over 30 dining and drink destinations.

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Those looking for their next tropical getaway can book their cruise package of choice online.

This article originally published at Royal Caribbean's jaw-dropping 'Icon of the Seas' announces Texas debut.
Planning a holiday feast doesn't need to be overly elaborate  and there's no shame in making some of Thanksgiving's most loved side dishes with canned ingredients. It's all about saving time in the kitchen that you can spend with loved ones around the dinner table and the delicious end results. Trader Joe's is a great spot for boxed, canned, and other pre-packaged goods to help ease the effort of Thanksgiving prep and make a mouthwatering meal. Keep an eye out at your local Trader Joe's for its new Loaded Mashed Potatoes, as the scrumptious spuds are quickly becoming a popular purchase.

Topping Tasting Table's rankings of Trader Joe's Thanksgiving products for just $5.99, the pound of packaged potatoes is the epitome of ready-to-serve comfort food. Per our taste tester's assessment, the mixture of mashed potatoes with bacon, scallions, and cheese alone is tough to beat. But, beyond the blend of complementary flavors, this packaged food warms up perfectly in either the microwave or oven and has all the satisfying texture you could want from a Thanksgiving side.

Trader Joe's fans are also taking to the internet to laud these mashed potatoes as a holiday hit. One fan on Reddit wrote, "Run DON'T walk to try this. So so delicious!!" while another added "This feels like it could be a primary subsistence item." The only drawback seems to be that the package is slightly smaller than other store-bought pre-made mashed potatoes, suggesting that customers simply just can't get enough of the delicious dish.

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Read more: 22 Best Trader Joe's Frozen Foods Under $5

Fans are fawning over Trader Joe's loaded mashed potatoes

package of Trader Joe's loaded mashed potatoes - Emily Hunt/Tasting Table

This limited time Trader Joe's offering has garnered quite a bit of praise from fans and even staff members. Instagram raves about this Trader Joe's product include comments like, "WHAT?! need!" and, "Loved em' definitely getting more!" But a true TJ's hit isn't complete without at least some haters, and other customers on Instagram have criticized the Thanksgiving side in comments that say things like, "Literally JUST tried these the other night ... hard pass!" Still, the overall consensus is of Trader Joe's Loaded Mashed Potatoes is positive.

Though mashed potatoes are fairly simple to make, when it comes to keeping track of myriad different sides, mains, appetizers, and desserts, this product takes the guesswork out of at least one item on your Thanksgiving list. The mixture of cheese, green onions, and bacon rounds out the flavors of the rich and creamy potatoes while also providing some extra protein. The convenience of the ready-to-serve package also means that you can free up your oven by simply popping the potatoes into the microwave to get the same desirable texture.

While the 16-ounce serving might be lighter than other packaged goods, it's worth noting that it's a limited, seasonal item. At just under $6, it might be worth grabbing a few extra packages to help stretch your side dishes. Then, if you find yourself with leftovers, you can even repurpose these potatoes as the topping for a shepherd's pie or into a whimsical batch of loaded mashed potato waffles.

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Read the original article on Tasting Table.
In a province where more than half of Canadas Black population resides, representation across certain industries can be hard to find in Ontario. The hospitality industry is no different. Ode is the first and only Black-owned hotel in Toronto, following national trends in Canada. While Black people account for 4.3% of the countrys total population, less than 1% are small and medium-sized business owners, according to the State of Black Economics report.

Ode is run by family, and everyone who walks through the front doors is treated as such. Tiffany Ramsubick, alongside her mother and siblings, created a space where guests feel genuine connections to the vibrant community its part of. Since opening in 2021, one of the most notable changes has been growth, thanks to a supportive global community.

Antony Creary

Weve gone from a scrappy, word-of-mouth space to a proper hospitality brand with a bit of a following, Ramsubick tells Travel Noire. We built something specific and deeply rooted in our culture. Not only did people show up, they stayed, posted about it, and told their friends.

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The last four years for this family have been nothing short of surreal. Ode has been recognized by major names in the travel and design industries. The familys latest win is becoming a recommended boutique hotel in Louis Vuittons city guide series. Despite the awards and accolades, Ramsubick says the familys biggest accomplishment is the positive guest experience.

Highlighting An Overlooked Neighborhood

Ode Hotel is located in Little Portugal, a neighborhood thats often overlooked by tourists but is rich in character. The family will be the first to tell you that its neither little nor Portugal. Instead, its a neighborhood where old-world romance meets modern life. Youll find Portuguese bakeries selling juicy pastel de natas, and the community is known for supporting artists and creatives.

Ode reflects Little Portugals energy. Each of the ten modern rooms has its own personality, brought to life by local artists and designers. The Black & Yellow room is a beautiful art feature that feels like a hypnotic striped wonderland. The Green Room has a hand-painted jungle mural, perfect for those seeking what the family describes as a subterranean vibe. The Plum Room is called Odes Willy Wonka, featuring deep purple walls, a whimsical mural, and probably the largest vanity mirror youll ever see.

KRP/Renee Rodenkirchen

Representation Matters

Its clear to the family how much Ode has impacted people. Guests, collaborators, and even strangers have told them that seeing a Black-owned hotel in a major city like Toronto has opened their eyes to new possibilities. Ode is a reminder of the need for more Black owners, designers, and decision-makers. It also encourages hesitant entrepreneurs because they realize they belong to have a space in Toronto.

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Representation isnt just a buzzword  it really matters, Ramsubick adds. We didnt have to hide our culture to be taken seriously. We led with it.

The hotel has even inspired some Black travelers to step out of their comfort zones. Ramsubick mentions that its common to host Black families traveling internationally for the first time. Many of them were inspired after learning about a Black and family-owned hotel.

Weve welcomed people from New York, London, Atlanta, Accra, Trinidad, and folks who actively choose us because they want to feel safe, seen, and stylish, she says.

Kayla Rocca

Ramsubick continues, The Black community held us down from the beginning. Whether it was staying here, recommending us, or posting about us  theres been this beautiful sense of collective ownership. People are proud that we exist, and they want to see us win. Its been one of the most affirming parts of this whole experience.

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While its an honor to be the first and only Black-owned hotel in Toronto, the family hopes to see more Black-owned and Indigenous-owned hotels, as well as more spaces created by and for Torontos diverse communities. Regarding whats next, the family is exploring merchandise, matchmaking events, art residencies, curated dinners, and much more.

The dream is to keep building beautiful spaces that feel like a love letterto our people, our places, and our possibilities.

Torontos Caribbean Culture

While Ode is the only Black-owned accommodation in Toronto (for now), the city has a diverse population, particularly of Black culture. Torontos Black culture is a reflection shaped by immigration and settlement from the Caribbean, Africa, and even its neighbor, the United States. Toronto has the largest Black population in Canada. More than 250,000 Torontonians identify as Black, representing 10% of the citys total population.

A stay at Ode will set the tone for exploring Torontos unique Black history. Once settled, head to St. Johns African Methodist Episcopal Church. Founded in the 1830s, it was a haven for enslaved people who escaped to the North via the Underground Railroad. The congregation moved to Gerrard Street in 1992, but a plaque commemorates the spot where the church once stood.

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Next, head to Little Jamaica along Eglinton Avenue West, from Marlee Avenue to Keele Street. The area is also part of four neighborhoods: Silverthorn, Briar HillBelgravia, CaledoniaFairbank, and OakwoodVaughan. Little Jamaica is home to the highest concentration of Black and Caribbean-owned businesses in Toronto.

Last but certainly not least is the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Previously known as Caribana, the largest street party in the Six is held at the beginning of August. Its a celebration of the flavors, sounds, and history of the Caribbean diaspora.







The post Torontos Black-Owned Stay: The Caribbean Cultural Connection Inside Ode Toronto appeared first on Travel Noire.
According to a September 2025 report by KUHL, the outdoor apparel brand, Vermont was named the most outdoorsy state in America. The report also revealed that the most searched-for outdoor activity across the United States is camping. It should therefore come as no surprise that the Green Mountain State is home to some of the most popular camping destinations in New England, from the riverside Jamaica State Park and the remote Groton State Forest to Burton Island State Park, a car-free island state park on Lake Champlain. If you're not afraid of the cold, Vermont is also a wonderful place to camp in winter  and many of its public campgrounds, some equipped with unique shelters, are free to access in the off-season.

In Vermont, the "off-season" runs from November 1 to March 30. Dozens of state parks are open for camping during the winter months, including Knight Island, Smugglers' Notch, Button Bay, and many more. Some parks even have lean-tos, three-sided shelters with roofs, where you can set up your tent for some extra protection from the elements. While each lean-to is partially open to the wind and snow, the rustic shelters help keep campers dry and warm. Whether you decide to place your tent inside the lean-to or use it to store all your gear, having the structure nearby is mighty helpful in the winter.

There's no charge to stay overnight, but there are a few rules and restrictions: restrooms and water supplies are closed, staff may not be present, and visitors can stay for a maximum of three consecutive nights. Everything must be packed in and packed out, including human waste. And the only way to access campsites is by hiking in  so be prepared to do some trekking in the snow.

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Read more: Rick Steves Says To Always Do These Things Before Traveling

Cold-weather camping in Vermont's state parks

A boy walking in the snow in Vermont - Olga Enger/Shutterstock

Adventurous travelers  those who aren't deterred by the idea of stomping to their campsite in a snowstorm or sleeping in freezing temperatures  will find the Vermont state parks to be an idyllic retreat in the winter. Woodford State Park, set on a mountain plateau, is home to the highest elevation campground in the system, and Ricker Pond State Park has quiet trails that are fun to explore after a snowfall.

Regardless of where you decide to stay, you must fill out the Off-Season Camping Request, an online form available through Vermont's Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. Once approved, be aware that you can't bring firewood from outside the state (unless it meets stringent requirements for how it's packaged and heat-treated).

Be sure to also read up on what to do if you're caught in a sudden snowstorm. Winters in Vermont can be harsh, and it pays to be prepared for anything. And if you see something unusual, be sure to report the incident to state park staff, whose presence is sporadic in the winter months. No matter where you're headed in the upcoming season, remember to dress in layers (and bring even more)  it's Rick Steves' best winter packing tip.

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Read the original article on Islands.
After visiting all 50 states, some of my favorite places to explore are state parks.

I think Dead Horse Point State Park deserves just as much recognition as Utah's national parks.

I also love traveling to Anza-Borrego Desert in California and Ecola State Park in Oregon.

National parks are often celebrated as "America's Best Idea," safeguarding the country's most breathtaking and unique landscapes.

Yet, even after exploring all 63 US national parks, some of my favorite places to explore are outside the National Park System.

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State parks may not often enjoy the same level of recognition as their national counterparts, but many are equally  if not more  stunning.

After traveling to all 50 states and visiting hundreds of state parks, these are the ones that left the greatest impression on me.

Hawaii's 'Akaka Falls State Park is a must-visit.

MNStudio/Shutterstock

The Big Island of Hawaii is home to the gorgeous 'Akaka Falls State Park. Named for the dramatic 442-foot 'Akaka Falls waterfall, the park is a must-visit in the area.

The small park packs a big punch, with a short trail through lush tropical greenery leading to the picturesque falls.

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Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah is near two popular national parks.

Emily Hart

Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah is less than 30 miles from Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. However, in my opinion, it doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

The park is home to an overlook with a breathtaking view of the Colorado River, which sits 2,000 feet below the rim.

Hike, bike, or camp at this International Dark Sky Park for dramatic views of the river and the surrounding canyons.

Anza-Borrego Desert is California's biggest state park.

Sumiko Scott/Getty Images

California is an outdoor-lovers paradise, with nine major national parks (the most of any US state) and 280 state-park units. However, its largest state park is one you may not have heard of: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

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The 600,000-acre park in Southern California, famed for its wildflower blooms, has a mix of desert landscapes, rugged mountains, palm oases, and sweeping vistas.

After you're done exploring the park, head to the nearby Galleta Meadows to find 130 large metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda.

Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire is home to gorgeous views.

Emily Hart

Franconia Notch State Park is in the heart of the White Mountains, with scenic drives, challenging hikes, and gorgeous photo opportunities.

I love hiking through the popular Flume Gorge, a natural chasm that extends 800 feet, with boardwalks snaking through granite cliffs, moss-covered walls, and cascading waterfalls.

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I recommend visiting in the fall to hike the popular Artist's Bluff Trail and enjoy the vibrant fall foliage.

Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is truly incredible.

Madeleine Deaton/Shutterstock

In my opinion, Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is the very definition of "otherworldly." It's located about an hour northeast of Las Vegas and is Nevada's oldest and largest state park.

Valley of Fire, named for its stunning red-sandstone formations, is an amazing destination for a scenic drive, gorgeous photo opportunities, hiking, and camping.

Visiting Oregon's Ecola State Park feels like stepping into a fairytale.

Emily Hart

The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places in the country, and Ecola State Park is a big reason I love the area so much.

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The coastal park offers some of the most iconic views of the rugged Oregon coastline, including Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock.

Driving into this park, which is surrounded by temperate rainforest, feels like being transported into a fairytale.

For a low-key day, I recommend visiting the beach or picnicking in the park. If you're in the mood to hike, some of my favorite trails include Clatsop Loop and Indian Beach.

Maine's Quoddy Head State Park is home to the easternmost point of the contiguous US.

Emily Hart

I've visited all 50 states, but Maine is one of my favorite places to travel to. I particularly love the DownEast area of coastal communities, where Quoddy Head State Park is located.

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The park is home to the iconic West Quoddy Head Light, which is the easternmost point of the contiguous US.

I recommend spending time hiking along the Coastal Trail and keeping a lookout for whales.

This story was originally published on January 29, 2025, and most recently updated on November 20, 2025.

Read the original article on Business Insider
When youre planning a trip, your airline choice can make or break your journey, not just for how comfy your seat is, but for how reliable and fair the airline behaves. Thats where the AirHelp Score comes in. This ranking combines three key factors: on-time performance, customer opinion, and how well airlines handle claims when things go wrong.

In other words, the AirHelp Score is uniquely traveler focused. Its built on real data from thousands of flights, compensation claims, and passenger reviews. For the savvy explorer, its a powerful tool: knowing which airlines consistently deliver means less stress, fewer surprises, and more time to enjoy your destination.

Get the latest travel inspiration and news delivered straight to your inbox.

The top airlines you might actually want to fly

1. Qatar Airways

According to the 2025 AirHelp Score, Qatar Airways is back on top with a score of 8.16. Travelers overwhelmingly praised its customer service, particularly the comfort of its Qsuite business-class cabins, helping it dominate in the customer opinion category. Imagine flying with a team that treats you like royalty, whether youre in economy or business. From cabin crew warmth to seamless connections through Doha, Qatar Airways demonstrates how luxury and performance can go hand in hand.

2. Etihad Airways

Etihad landed second place in the 2025 rankings, scoring 8.07 overall. The airline is especially strong in customer satisfaction, with passengers noting its refined service and modern cabins. If your ideal flight feels more like a relaxing getaway than a stressful commutation, Etihads soothing pace and attention to detail make it a compelling choice. Their lounges and amenities reinforce that sense of calm excellence.

3. Virgin Atlantic

With an AirHelp Score of 8.03, Virgin Atlantic jumped significantly in the 2025 list. Whats winning travelers over? Its mix of humor, British flair, and a friendly crew that feels more like friends than staff. Flying with Virgin doesnt just check the box  it makes you look forward to boarding.

Virgin Atlantic stands out with its friendly crew, British charm, and in-flight experience that makes travelers look forward to boarding.Photo by Sachin Amjhad on Unsplash

4. Qantas

Qantas, the Australian national carrier, scored 7.99 this year. Known for its Flying Kangaroo spirit and stellar safety record, Qantas is increasingly ambitious, too, dreaming up ultra long-haul Project Sunrise routes that could connect Sydney to New York or London. For travelers heading down under, or those who just want an airline that feels rock solid, Qantas offers reliability, trust, and a kind of grounded optimism.

5. KM Malta Airlines

A newer name on the list, KM Malta Airlines earned a score of 7.85. Notably, it has one of the highest on-time performance ratings in the top ten. If youre planning a European trip (or connecting through Malta), this might be your sleeper hit: intimate service, efficient operations, and a boutique feel that makes each flight feel less like a transaction and more like a pleasant journey.

Related: These are officially the best airline loyalty programs in North America

What these rankings mean for you:Your travelers playbook

Pick for reliability, not just luxury

If youre traveling for business or tight connections, going for an airline with a high AirHelp Score can pay off. Airlines like Qatar, Etihad, and KM Malta are not just stylish. Their strength in on-time performance and claim processing means fewer delays and better support if things go wrong.

Use the score to anticipate service quality

The customer opinion piece of the score reflects what real passengers are saying, about meals, staff kindness, in-flight comfort, and more. If you care about how youll feel in the air, AirHelps rankings can guide you to a better experience.

Related: These are the best airlines and airports for saving money

Factor it into your airline choice for long flights

If youre booking a long-haul trip, choosing an airline that ranks well in the AirHelp Score isnt just about a cushiony seat or great food, its also about how the airline resolves hiccups. These top carriers are more likely to compensate fairly and respond quickly if delay or cancellation hits.

Why the AirHelp score is a travel-world game changer

Airlines have long relied on traditional reputation systems, including awards for luxury cabins, glamorous marketing campaigns, or sheer profitability. But AirHelp flips the script by centering passenger rights and real-world performance. Its rankings dont just celebrate airlines for looking good on paper; they reward carriers for handling delays, cancellations, and claims fairly, and for providing consistent, reliable service to travelers.

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For the modern traveler, that makes a big difference. Whether youre jetting off on a tight business schedule, chasing a bucket-list adventure, or traveling with family, knowing which airlines consistently score high in these crucial areas can shape your entire experience.

Stay in the loop with fresh travel stories and updatessubscribe to our newsletter.

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Airlines section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
ABC11 has learned that two teenagers were in a car that was shot up in south Raleigh. Raleigh Police say the shooting is being investigated as a road rage incident.

Eyewitness News spoke with the mothers of both of these teenage victims. They're thankful both of their kids are alive, and they're determined to help police make an arrest.

A parent says damage was the aftermath of a terrifying chase and shooting in the Renaissance Park neighborhood and there is Ring camera video of the moments leading up to the shooting.

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A resident shared one clip with Eyewitness News. It shows the sedan driving down a street and then a pick-up truck trailing not far behind.

Another person says he heard the chase before a series of shots were fired.

The parent says her daughter and a male friend, both teenagers, were grabbing a late-night snack at a nearby Taco Bell.

That parent believes the truck driver followed the pair back into the neighborhood.

"They literally tried to kill my daughter," one mother said.

The female victim wasn't hurt, but the male victim was shot twice in the rib cage, according to one parent.

"I'm going to find out who did this."

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Police say investigators are now talking with witnesses and combing through surveillance video clips to identify the driver.

Folks are being encouraged to upload anything possibly connected to the investigation to the City's ConnectRaleigh video sharing program

"It's very concerning. I've been in the police department now for 20 years right and road rage incidences, they're pretty rare in the city limits of Raleigh," said Raleigh Police Lt. David Davis.

Police are reminding folks to if you see someone driving aggressively or erratically, do not engage and drive to a safe place like a fire station or police station while calling 911.

SEE ALSO: Driver reportedly shot in head on NC US-64 West in Wake County, sheriff's office confirms
With 12 jurors already in place for Brian Walshes murder trial, selection appears to be moving at a faster pace than expected.

Work remains to be done with a goal of 16 people selected to serve as jurors on the case. All 16 jurors will listen to evidence in the case, with four randomly selected as alternates after closing arguments.

Walshe is accused of killing and dismembering his wife, Ana, on New Years Day 2023 in the Cohasset home they shared with their three children. Prosecutors say he hid his wifes remains in dumpsters in various locations across the state. Ana Walshes body has never been found.

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On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to two lesser charges. Walshe admitted to misleading the police investigation into his wifes disappearance and to disinterring a body.

He would face up to three years in prison on the disinterring a body charge and up to a decade in prison for misleading the police investigation.

On the first day of selection, nine people were selected to serve on the jury for Walshes trial, WCVB reported. An additional two people were selected on Wednesday, according to the station.

Jury selection will continue each day this week.

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Opening statements in the case are expected on Dec. 1, assuming a jury is empaneled before the Thanksgiving holiday.

In court papers, prosecutors have said Brian Walshe made a series of Google searches leading up to and after his wifes death, including best state to divorce for a man, dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body, and can you be charge with murder without a body.

Prosecutors have said Walshe was motivated to kill his wife by the knowledge that she was having an affair with a man in Washington, D.C., where she worked, and by money troubles stemming from a federal art fraud case.

If convicted, Walshe would face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Read more about the case

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Two people were arrested and six others were cited Nov. 17 after an investigation into a drug operation near the Park Hill and Algonquin neighborhoods, Louisville Metro Police officials said.

Demetrious Cole, 39, and Jerricka Major, 19, are both facing drug trafficking charges. Cole was also charged with engaging in organized crime and is currently being held at Louisville Metro Department of Corrections with a partially secured bond of $25,000.

Bond information is not yet available for Major.

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According to Cole's arrest citation, detectives executed search warrants at apartments in the 1200 block of West Hill Street, the 1220 block of Moore Court and the 1700 block of Patton Court. During the search, police found firearms and drugs, including marijuana, controlled prescription medications and cocaine.

This effort dismantled a significant narcotics trafficking organization that has long impacted the community, LMPD officials said in a Facebook post. Removing dangerous drugs, firearms, and vehicles tied to criminal activity is a critical step in our mission to reduce violent crime and strengthen trust in Park Hill, one of our Sustained Focus Improvement areas as part of our Crime Reduction Strategic Plan.

Cole pleaded not guilty during a Nov. 18 hearing, and is next scheduled to appear in court Nov. 24 for a preliminary hearing.

Major is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 28 for an arraignment hearing.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: LMPD: 2 charged, 6 cited after drug investigation
Two people are dead and one is on the run following a home invasion in west Houston on Thursday, according to the Houston Police Department.

HPD Lt. Larry Crowson said officers responded to a home invasion at 10 a.m. at the Gael Apartments on the 3900 block of Essex Lane.

Police say a man was inside his apartment when three men arrived and forced entry through the front door with a large piece of concrete. According to law enforcement, the man inside the apartment was able to get a firearm and shot two of the three suspects.

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Crowson said that one suspect, who was shot several times, was pronounced dead at the scene, while another, who was shot, was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The third suspect fled in a dark-colored SUV vehicle, police said.

Police said that they believed that this incident was a targeted attack.

According to HPD, there was a large amount of narcotics and guns found inside the apartment.

Police said that the man inside the apartment, who shot the two intruders, wasn't hurt.

For more updates on this story, follow Shannon Ryan on Facebook, X and Instagram.
One middle school is at the center of two investigations after police arrested two teachers accused of taking discipline too far.

Afshan Qureshi, 50 years old, is accused of slapping a Creekland Middle School student with an open hand around the upper back and shoulder Oct. 1.

A little more than a month later, Gwinnett school police charged 38-year-old Tony Reid for allegedly grabbing the arm of the victim Nov. 7.

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Now former teachers, they each face misdemeanor simple battery charges and are out of jail on bond with conditions.

I know I wouldnt want someone hitting my child, said parent Brittany Bowen.

The Creekland principal wrote in a letter to parents, As soon as we learned of both these situations, both individuals were immediately removed from their classrooms. Internal investigations began right away followed by criminal investigations.

The principal said it is an active investigation, so she could not go into further details.

Parents acknowledged the pressure teachers face with classroom behavior but said children need to be protected.

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Theres two sides to a story - the teachers position. Youve got to have some restraint, parent Randy Luther said.

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Tacoma residents will not be voting on a proposal to increase Tacomas minimum wage to $20 in February after a court order in a lawsuit over the measure.

The minimum-wage hike is part of a proposal for a Workers Bill of Rights that groups like the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367, Tacoma For All and the Tacoma-Pierce County Democratic Socialists of America fought to put on the ballot this year. The measure seeks to increase protections for workers in Tacoma, but the City Council has expressed concerns about the implications the proposal could have on the city and its business community, saying that the city hasnt had time to assess the impact it might have.

What ensued is a months-long legal battle between the organizations that put the measure forward and the city over when the measure should appear on the ballot or if it should appear on the ballot at all.

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Tacomas minimum wage is the same as Washington states minimum wage, $16.66 an hour. If approved, a $20 minimum wage in Tacoma would bring the city closer to Seattles minimum wage, $20.76 an hour.

The measure was on track to appear on the ballot in a special election in February after a judge in September called for the county to do so, but the city appealed that decision. As a result, the Washington State Court of Appeals issued a stay of the judges decision as the appellate court reviews the case.

The city confirmed in a statement issued Nov. 19 that after the city and the plaintiffs in the case mutually agreed to a briefing schedule that will continue beyond the Feb. 10 special election, the measure will not appear on the February ballot.

Michael Hines, president of UFCW 367, said the organization would be pushing for the measure to appear on the November 2026 ballot, instead of the April 2026 special election.

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We are not stepping back, we are stepping forward smarter, Hines said in a news release. November 2026 is a high-turnout midterm election. That means more working-class voters will already be headed to the ballot box, and theyre the ones who understand exactly why these protections matter. If a delay puts us in a stronger position to win, then well use every tool available to deliver that victory.

After the Tacoma City Council voted to put the measure on the ballot instead of approving it directly in August, Mayor Victoria Woodards proposed a task force that would consist of union members, business owners and other Tacoma residents to suggest recommendations to improve Tacomas labor policies. The councils approval of the task force also set aside $50,000 to support its work, but at a Nov. 18 council study session Woodards put forward a resolution calling for the project to be canceled. The council will officially vote on the resolution at its Dec. 2 meeting.

With court decisions and a change in timing for labor standards to be considered during the February special election, there is no longer adequate time to appropriately establish and engage a task force on the topics of the initiative nor other labor standards before the end of the year, Woodards request states.

Organizers had been working on a similar measure for the city of Olympia, which the Olympia City Council approved to put on the ballot for this years Nov. 4 general election. The measure is likely to fail with only 47.81% of the vote as of Nov. 19.
Newly obtained 2024 court documents reveal years of instability, violent incidents, and custody disputes inside the household of the 16-year-old now identified as a suspect in the death of Titusville teen Anna Kepner, according to filings reviewed by Channel 9.

Anna, an 18-year-old cheerleader from Titusville, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon earlier this month while traveling with her father, stepmother, and stepbrother. Her body was discovered in what investigators described as a grim location, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests underneath a bed, according to ABC News Sources.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner says she died on Nov. 7, though her cause and manner of death have not yet been released.

2024 Documents Detail Violent Family Incident

The newly reviewed 2024 motion filed by Thomas Hudson, Annas stepmothers ex-husband, described a volatile period in the home. He alleged that after Shauntel Hudson moved in with her boyfriend, Annas father, she failed to provide a stable environment for her children.

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The filing also referenced a disturbing incident in which one of the children attempted to jump out of a moving vehicle during a confrontation between Shauntel and her then-teenage child.

Shauntels 2025 response confirms the incident but states that both she and the stepfather were preventing the teen from jumping out of the car so he could stay behind in Hernando County with his girlfriend, according to the filing.

In her response filed Nov. 18, 2025, Shauntel Hudson denies the fathers allegations of violent behavior or neglect toward her children. In the motion, the mother claims:

There was no violent altercation between her and the eldest child, contrary to the fathers claims

A judge previously denied the fathers attempt to file a domestic violence injunction against her

The father himself allowed the eldest child to live with a teen girlfriend and hindered Shauntels ability to see that child

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She also states that two of the remaining minor children refused to visit their father due to what she described as issues of domestic violence on the Fathers part.

On page 2 of the document, Shauntel confirms a key detail: There is an open investigation regarding the death of the biological daughter of the Step-Father and T.H. is a suspect regarding this death, which occurred recently on a cruise ship.

She also states the parties signed a stipulation around Nov. 17, 2025, placing the 16-year-old with a relative to ensure the safety of the remaining children as the FBI continues its investigation.

Mother says FBI investigation should not be addressed in custody court

Shauntel argues that the father is now using Annas death to fast-track his emergency motion, even though the custody matters have been ongoing since 2024.

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There is no emergency at this juncture, she writes, adding that the issue should be set on the Courts regular calendar. She also says discussing the FBI investigation in a civil custody hearing is not in the best interest of the 16-year-old, who is at the center of the federal probe.

She confirms counseling is underway for the remaining child in her care and notes the family is grieving as funeral services for Anna are scheduled this week. This was going on long before the death of this child, but now the father is using the death of this child to bootstrap his assertion that his motion needs to be heard and needs to be heard now, WFTVs legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.

Investigators Exploring Multiple Possibilities

ABC News sources say investigators are looking into whether there was any altercation between Anna and her stepbrother before her death. They are also exploring several other potential scenarios, including the possibility of a medical emergency or overdose.

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The FBI investigation has the potential of affecting the custody battle, the legal analyst added.

Anna Kepners family is planning a celebration of her life on Thursday in Titusville.

Previous: Brevard County motion reveals new details in FBI investigation into teens death on cruise ship

Previous: Teen found dead on Carnival Cruise; court documents suggest FBI suspect

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Belem, Brazil (19 November 2025)  Today, the Government of Luxembourg and the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) announced Rio Changemakers at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). This one-of-a-kind AI-powered marketplace will connect investors, funds and projects with high-integrity, locally-led climate and nature solutions.

Co-developed by Luxembourg and the GLF and supported by a growing number of countries and stakeholders, the new initiative responds to a major funding gap, with less than 15 percent of climate and nature finance currently reaching local actors. The platform's AI matchmaking engine will curate investment pipelines, linking projects to finance and technical assistance to ensure they are bankable and impact-ready.

"This roundtable marks the official launch of Rio Changemakers  a bold, inclusive and science-guided initiative designed to unlock private investment across climate, biodiversity, land and community. Powered by AI and rooted in partnership, Rio Changemakers is more than a marketplace. It is a bridge  connecting high-integrity, locally-led solutions with the capital, capacity and collaboration they need to thrive, said H.E. Serge Wilmes, Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity of Luxembourg.

"Let us lay the foundation for an annual follow-up and stocktaking mechanism to track ambition, implementation and impact. This will help ensure accountability, transparency and continuous learning. Let us work together to ensure that nature-based solutions are not only morally right but financially viable, because investing in nature is investing in our shared future. Luxembourg may be small in size, but we are strong in resolve. To us, leadership is not about dominance  it is about service. It is about showing up when it matters most," he added.

"The interaction between people and nature, where these intelligences can contribute, is not an easy task as the high biological and cultural diversity clearly demands complex decision-making systems. Count on us to build robust models that reduce risks and allow institutions access to reliable funding and, above all, funding that promotes synergy across territories," said Alexandre Dias Monteiro, Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy, Cabo Verde.

"This initiative will improve decision making and coordination, assess risks, streamline investment, ensure the availability of data and help us ensure transparency and accountability. If you could make it affordable, this initiative can connect the global market and enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable countries," said AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief of the United Nations Wing and Chair of International Climate Finance Cell at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh.

"I applaud the creation of the Rio Changemakers. It is so important to generate innovative changes in the world as we see it, and there's so much need for financial support in the [Global] South. I see this as a great opportunity for the South to match with the North. I believe this can help us support the financial needs, which are enormous," said Edwin Castellanos, Deputy Minister of Environment, Guatemala.

"The initiative from Luxembourg has a potential positive impact on Ethiopia. We can proudly establish a new partnership, a seed that we can nurture together in the times to come, said Mulugeta Worku, the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR), from the Ministry of Planning & Development

"We have to use AI, we know it. It's a learning process. In private finance, we can see how the Rio Changemakers is useful. Such a matchmaking platform is an interesting application to bring in more private capital for the three Rio Conventions," said Felix Wertli, Ambassador for the Environment, Switzerland.

"Tunisia is ready to collaborate on this initiative. A global marketplace based on AI can broaden access to capital, improve project visibility, reduce transaction costs and strengthen trust with investors," said Habib Abid, Minister of Environment, Tunisia.

Following COP30, Rio Changemakers will enter a 12-month pilot phase and be fully actionable by COP31.

Ministers from countries and organizations participated in the launch roundtable event, conveying support:

Serge Wilmes, Minister of Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Grand Duchy of LUXEMBOURG

Rita Mesquita, National Secretary for Biodiversity, Forests and Animal Rights, BRAZIL

Alexandre Dias Monteiro, Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy, CABO VERDE

Habib Abid, Minister of Environment, TUNISIA

Felix Wertli, Ambassador for the Environment, SWITZERLAND

Christian Stenberg, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, DENMARK

Karin Jehle, Office of Environment, LIECHTENSTEIN

Sohel Akm, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief of the United Nations at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, BANGLADESH

Edwin Castellanos, Deputy Minister of Environment, GUATEMALA

Muhiden Negash, Ministry of Planning and Development, ETHIOPIA

Ismail Belen, UNFF chair, Forest Administration OGM, TURKEY

Ysa Calderon, SUMAK KAWSAY

About the GLF

The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) is the world's largest knowledge-led platform on integrated land use, connecting people with a shared vision to create productive, profitable, equitable and resilient landscapes. It is led by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in collaboration with its co-founders UNEP and the World Bank, and its charter members. Learn more at www.globallandscapesforum.org.

About the Luxembourg-GLF Finance for Nature Platform

The LuxembourgGLF Finance for Nature Platform is a partnership between the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) to mainstream investments in sustainable land use and climate. The platform aims to shift financial flows towards sustainable land use models that are sustainable, equitable, inclusive and profitable not only boost economic returns but also to help drastically increase funding to combat climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. Learn more at www.globallandscapesforum.org/luxembourg-glf-platform/

Press release by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity / CIFOR-ICRAF
Three people previously convicted of federal charges in connection with the death of a man in Auglaize County are now facing local charges.

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Amanda Hovanec, 38, Anthony Theodorou, 37, and Anita Green, 65, have all been indicted by an Auglaize County grand jury.

Amanda is facing aggravated murder and tampering with evidence charges. Theodorou and Green have both been charged with complicity to aggravated murder. Theodorou was also charged with tampering with evidence, and Green was also charged with complicity to tamper with evidence.

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The charges are connected to the April 2022 death of Timothy Hovanec, Amandas estranged husband.

TRENDING STORIES:

As News Center 7 previously reported, all three people were federally charged in the case in 2022.

Amanda and Theodorou were accused of conspiring together to import Etrophine, a Schedule I or II controlled substance, to the United States. They were accused of injecting the substance into Timothy, causing his death.

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Green, Amandas mother, was accused of assisting Amanda and Theodorou in order to hinder and prevent their apprehension, trial and punishment, a release from the Department of Justice stated.

News Center 7 previously reported that court records showed Timothy was killed after he dropped off the couples children following his visitation with them.

Court records show Amanda filed for divorce with Timothy back in December 2020, and about a year later, court officials noted that the parties issues have become contentious in nature.

In the months leading up to his death, Amanda had tried to get the court to take away Timothys rights to see the children, but the court denied her request, online court records show.

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Timothy also accused Amanda of violating court orders on his visitation rights, and the court ordered Timothy to be able to visit with his children from April 22 to April 24, domestic relations court documents showed.

Auglaize County deputies said Timothy was reported missing to the Wapakoneta Police Department on April 26, two days after he would have dropped off his children at Amandas home in the 19000 block of Middle Pike Road.

The missing person case was launched after the hotel Timothy had been staying at called to say he had failed to check out.

During the investigation, police spoke with Amanda, and she told them Timothy worked for the State Department in Foreign Services. Police then contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to try and track down a supervisor for Timothy. FBI agents later arrived in Wapakoneta to retrieve Timothys laptop, cellphone, and phone charger

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Detectives located Timothys body in a rural area of Auglaize County on April 28.

The Auglaize County Sheriffs Office said on Thursday that Amanda, Theodorou, and Green were all found guilty of federal charges. Amanda and Theodorou were convicted of distribution of a controlled substance causing the death of another. Green was convicted of accessory after the fact.

Amanda is currently serving a 40-year sentence in Alabama, Theodorou is serving 17 years in Louisiana, and Green is serving 10 years in Alabama.

All 3 will be transported back to Auglaize County to answer to these charges, the sheriffs office said on Thursday.

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A judge found a man to be not guilty in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl at a Fourth of July party in Austin.

In 2020, Natalie Wallace was playing on a sidewalk when police said three armed men got out of a white car and fired more than 20 times in the direction of the people holding a party in the 100-block of North Latrobe Avenue.

She was shot by a stray bullet in the forehead, in front of her siblings and other relatives, and died at the hospital.

The last of four suspects charged with murdering 7-year-old girl Natalia Wallace during a Fourth of July party in Austin was ordered held without bail Tuesday.

Terell Boyd was one of the four people accused of being responsible for the deadly shooting.

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READ ALSO | 2nd man found not guilty in shooting death of 7-year-old Chicago girl in 2020

Nearly five years after the murder, a judge found Boyd not guilty on all counts, including murder and aggravated battery.

Boyd's brothers, Davion Mitchel and Kevin Boyd, were among the others charged for her death.

Davion Mitchel was found not guilty on all counts.

Kevin Boyd was previously found guilty of murder and aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm. He is due in court on Thursday.

Reginald Merrill was accused of driving the brothers for the shooting. Merrill was found not guilty of murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

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Mitchel was found not guilty in April.

"Y'all lives go back to normal. And for me, me and mines, we still picking up the pieces," father Nathan Wallace said.

For more than five years, Wallace said he's had to walk into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, hoping for justice in his daughter's murder, only to watch as a third man was acquitted of all charges. That hope for justice, he says, is now slowly dimming.

"I'm just torn and still trying to figure out how to go day-by-day living with something like that," Wallace said.

It's been a long five years of clenching on to fading memories, while fighting for closure in his daughter's murder case

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"It's been torment," Wallace said. "She was really loving. She loved the crap out of 'Frozen.'"

Justice for Wallace, he says, is no longer worth the fight.

"Actually going to court and hearing the things that were done. Hearing it over and over, and to actually know three defendants had got off, I mean, I have no justice," Wallace said. "It was an ATF agent that said that she recognized him through video. The judge saying, 'I guess, it wasn't enough.'"

Wallace said he feels like he isn't doing enough.

"You know, fathers are supposed to be there to protect their child. And that day I feel like I failed, and every day I'm sitting there trying to make it up with the other kids," he said. "Everybody gets to go back to their regular lives, and I'm still picking up the pieces."
A string of former industrial sites including the home of a recently closed oil refinery could be repurposed to host new explosives factories, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.

At least 13 potential locations are being considered for plants  including brownfield land in Grangemouth, Scotland, where one of Britains last remaining oil refineries recently shut. Teesside in Northeast England and Milford Haven in Wales are also being assessed.

It comes as Britain scrambles to rebuild its ammunition stockpiles. The new factories will produce the propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics that go into munitions such as Nato-standard 155mm artillery shells, which are in huge demand across Europe.

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Britain and its allies have been donating weapons and ammunition to Ukraine as Kyivs forces resist Russia, leaving their own national stockpiles severely depleted.

At the same time, Europes capacity to manufacture so-called energetics, the explosives that power munitions, has withered since the Cold War. For example, there is now just a single European factory  based in Poland  capable of producing the TNT needed for 155mm shells.

The new British factories are part of efforts to boost sovereign supplies, with at least six planned this Parliament.

Around 1.5bn has been set aside for their construction and initial orders, an MoD spokesman said. A tender process inviting companies to put forward proposals to build and operate the plants will go live on Wednesday.

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John Healey, the Defence Secretary, will confirm the plans in a speech that will argue the investment is vital for a new era of threat.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, aims to back British jobs and skills by making the defence sector an engine for growth - Leon Neal/Getty Images

The MoD has funded feasibility studies for the sites already and is looking to kickstart high volume production for the first time in nearly two decades.

Construction on the first factory  at an undecided location  is expected to begin next year.

Mr Healey said: For too long our proud industrial heartlands saw jobs go away and not come back. We are changing that. Bringing new hope.

We are making defence an engine for growth, unambiguously backing British jobs and British skills as we make the UK better ready to fight and better able to deter future conflicts.

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This is the path that delivers national and economic security.

Europe needs to shoulder more of its own defence

The MoD said the factories would be operated by private companies but supported with government grants. It is possible they could be operated as joint public-private ventures.

Energetics were previously manufactured by the Governments Royal Ordnance Factories until the 1980s, when 17 sites were privatised and sold to defence contractor BAE Systems, then known as British Aerospace.

Most were gradually shuttered as demand for weapons plunged and governments spent the post-Cold War peace dividend on other priorities.

Three remain in use by BAE: a steel casing factory in Washington in North East England, an explosive filling plant in Glascoed in Wales and a small arms ammo factory in Radway Green in Cheshire.

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The new factories will be given a consistent stream of work to ensure the industrial capability remains available for when it is needed.

Joakim Sjoblom, chief executive of Sweden Ballistics, said that there was huge demand for European-made energetics as countries scramble to rearm in the face of Russian aggression.

There are concerns that supplies made in Asia and imported via ships that pass through the South China Sea could be vulnerable to disruption in a crisis. Beijing has allied itself even more closely with Moscow since Russias attack on Ukraine in 2022.

Sweden Ballistics is seeking to establish a new TNT factory in Sweden to help boost domestic supplies, with a capacity of around 4,500 tonnes per year, enough to make about 450,000 artillery shells.

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The only other factory, run by Nitro-Chem in Poland, currently produces around 12,000 tonnes, but just half of its output is dedicated to European customers, leaving munition factories dependent on Asian imports as they ramp up production.

Mr Sjoblom said: Europe needs to be able to shoulder more of its own defence and so we need to be able to maintain our own munitions production.

We are building more capacity, so that we can meet more of our own needs and address potential demand for exports.

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CNNs Abby Phillip argued Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is realizing in real time that President Donald Trumps loyalty thing is a one way street.

Phillip joined ABCs The View on Wednesday to promote her new book, A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power. The conversation at one point turned to Greene as Alyssa Farah Griffin asked for Phillips take on the rift between the president and someone who was long one of his most vocal supporters.

Greene, who also recently appeared on The View, has broken with her fellow Republicans on a number of issues in recent weeks. Shes criticized the party for not focusing enough on the economy and health insurance while also long supporting efforts to release more files related to late child sex predator Jeffrey Epstein.

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Trump recently withdrew his endorsement of Greene, calling her a traitor, and she accused him of ripping MAGA apart.

Phillip said about the growing feud:

I think Marjorie Taylor Greene, theres probably some truth to the idea that she had bigger aspirations, whether a Senate run or a gubernatorial run, and that those were not supported. But what happens when suddenly the person that youve been backing for the last six, seven years turns on you? I think it really changes your mindset about everything. It calls into question everything that you know about yourself. And I do think there is a lot to that. I dont think we should rule out that she said no to Senate right now. She said no the governor right now, I dont think we should rule that out for her because obviously life is long. There are two democratically held Senate seats in the state of Georgia. But I do think that this loyalty thing with Trump  If youve covered him as I have, you know its a one way street. But she literally is learning that in real time right now, literally yesterday she said, Ive been so loyal to him. And theyre calling me a traitor. I think she is realizing that Trump is not there for her.

Phillip continued her analysis until Ana Navarro jumped in to save her and pivot to talk about the book.

Abby, enough about Trump. Lets talk about this wonderful book before we run out of time, Navarro said.

Thank you, Ana, Phillip said. I appreciate you.

Watch above via ABC.

The post Abby Phillip Breaks Down Marjorie Taylor Greenes Trump Flip on The View: Shes Realizing Trump Is Not There For Her first appeared on Mediaite.
Nov. 19WEST FARGO  North Dakota winters don't often get a warm embrace.

However, the state's weather makes it very appealing to anyone looking to set up an

artificial intelligence

data center.

That's according to Laura Laltrello, chief operating officer of Applied Digital, a Texas-based company that operates an AI data center near Jamestown and is in the process of building additional centers in the state  one near Ellendale

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and another outside Harwood.

Jamestown is about 100 miles due west of Fargo, while Ellendale is about 65 miles south of Jamestown and Harwood is just north of Fargo in Cass County.

Speaking as part of a panel discussion Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Midwest Energy Summit held at the West Fargo Fairgrounds, Laltrello described the region's climate advantage this way: "We get 210 days of free cooling a year."

In addition to focusing on places that are thermally conducive to energy-hungry AI facilities, Laltrello said Applied Digital also strives to find land "that otherwise wouldn't be consumed by anything else."

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The Ellendale site, she said, was also attractive for the isolated, off-grid energy potential of the strong winds that blow through the area.

"We don't want to take away (power) from people and take away from homes," Laltrello said.

She noted that while some AI data centers around the country use evaporation cooling to chill computer chips, which results in the venting of used water back into the atmosphere, Applied Digital employs a closed-loop approach that recirculates the same water over and over again.

As a result, she said, the future facility near Ellendale will use less water than a single-family household.

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Laltrello added that when the facility at Ellendale, a community of about 1,100 people, is completed, it will be looking to employ 300 to 400 people.

Even now, she said, the number of construction workers in Ellendale is roughly equal to the town's population.

Another energy-related project discussed at Wednesday's summit, which was hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, was

the Bakken East pipeline

that is being developed by WBI Energy to move natural gas from western North Dakota to a connection point in Cass County, on the east edge of the state.

Mark Anderson, vice president for business development and marketing for WBI, said when the company develops a project like the pipeline, it places great importance on landowner relations and being as transparent as possible about what the company plans to do.

"We're working with landowners as we speak," Anderson said, adding WBI is hopeful the necessary regulatory approvals for the pipeline project can be secured by early 2028, with the pipeline possibly ready for service by 2029 or 2030.
Reports of atrocities in El-Fasher, allegedly committed by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in late October, triggered international condemnation and calls for an independent investigation. A clip widely circulating on social media amid the escalating humanitarian crisis claims to show a Sudanese mother clasping her two children and begging for help. However, the video is AI-generated while the post appeals to viewers for donations.

In this video, a woman in Sudan cries out for mercy, holding her two babies close, shaking, lost, and broken not because she did anything wrong, but because life has turned against her, reads the caption in an Instagram post published on November 4, 2025.

Screenshot of the false post, taken on November 17, 2025

Liked more than 13,000 times, the post describes the mother's suffering, emphasising her experience of fear, hunger, and war.

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It then requests donations through a fundraising link.

Please, if you can, visit the link in my bio any small donation on our donorsbox can help us provide food, warm clothes, and shelter for my family.

The post includes a 12-second video showing a mother clutching her two children and crying, a scene of destruction behind her.

O Lord, be with us, O Arabs, O Muslims, O world! The children of Sudan are in danger, the woman appears to say in Arabic.

When clicked, the fundraising link attached leads to a crowdfunding page for Hossam Abusultan.

Similar posts were also shared on Facebook in The Netherlands and the Palestinian Territories, but without calling for donations.

Sudan crisis

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been at war with the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, since April 2023.

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Commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF has been accused of committing mass killings and other atrocities since it captured El-Fasher  the armys last remaining stronghold in western Darfur  on October 26, 2025 (archived here).

On November 14, 2025, the UN Human Rights Council ordered investigators to identify those responsible for the atrocities in El-Fasher to ensure they are brought to justice (archived here).

The following day, the head of the Danish Refugee Council told AFP that more than half of Sudans population is now in need of humanitarian assistance (archived here).

However, the clip of the pleading mother was created using artificial intelligence (AI).

AI-generated clip

AFP Fact Check identified anomalies in the video typically produced by AI.

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Firstly, there is a subtle change in skin tone as the mother and her children appear close-up in the frame.

Screenshots from the clip showing changes in the skin tone from darker (left) to lighter, taken on November 17, 2025

Secondly, the child held in the womans left arm remains unnaturally still while she speaks. At the same time, the other child moves.

Screenshot shows from the clip showing a child from left side remaining still, taken on November 17, 2025

AFP Fact Check analysed the clip with Hive Moderation  an online detection tool for AI-generated content. The results indicated a 92 percent probability that the footage is artificial.

Screenshot of the results generated by Hive Moderation, taken on November 17, 2025

Donation appeal

The fundraising page named Donorbox has no details except a headline that reads: Help Hossam feed his kids.

It requests contributions ranging from $10 to $1,000. It does not offer any transparency about the fundraisers purpose and legitimacy.

Screenshot of the donation page, taken on November 17, 2025

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As of November 20, 2025, eight donations worth $225.08 had been raised. The target is $25,000.

AFP Fact Check reviewed the Instagram account gaza_hossam.family, which posted the video. In the bio, Hossam is described as a father from Gaza who lost a leg.

Screenshot of the Instagram account profile page, taken on November 17, 2025

The account was created in 2022, a year before the latest war in Gaza erupted, and has changed usernames seven times, according to Instagrams transparency information.

The feed is populated with daily videos of a man urging people to donate money for food.

We tested four videos randomly using deepfake detectors Hiya and Fraunhofer. The results showed that the audio in all sample videos contained evidence of AI manipulation, including this clip with more than 98 percent certainty.

Screenshot of a test result from the Fraunhofer detector showing clear evidence of AI-generated audio, taken on September 11, 2025

AFP Fact Check has debunked several claims related to the Sudan crisis in English and Arabic (see here and here).
When outraged Filipinos turned to an AI-powered chatbot to verify a viral photograph of a lawmaker embroiled in a corruption scandal, the tool failed to detect it was fabricated -- even though it had generated the image itself.

Internet users are increasingly turning to chatbots to verify images in real time, but the tools often fail, raising questions about their visual debunking capabilities at a time when major tech platforms are scaling back human fact-checking.

In many cases, the tools wrongly identify images as real even when they are generated using the same generative models, further muddying an online information landscape awash with AI-generated fakes.

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Among them is a fabricated image circulating on social media of Elizaldy Co, a former Philippine lawmaker charged by prosecutors in a multibillion-dollar flood-control corruption scam that sparked massive protests in the disaster-prone country.

The image of Co, whose whereabouts has been unknown since the official probe began, appeared to show him in Portugal.

When online sleuths tracking him asked Google's new AI mode whether the image was real, it incorrectly said it was authentic.

AFP's fact-checkers tracked down its creator and determined that the image was generated using Google AI.

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"These models are trained primarily on language patterns and lack the specialized visual understanding needed to accurately identify AI-generated or manipulated imagery," Alon Yamin, chief executive of AI content detection platform Copyleaks, told AFP.

"With AI chatbots, even when an image originates from a similar generative model, the chatbot often provides inconsistent or overly generalized assessments, making them unreliable for tasks like fact-checking or verifying authenticity."

Google did not respond to AFPs request for comment.

- 'Distinguishable from reality' -

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AFP found similar examples of AI tools failing to verify their own creations.

During last month's deadly protests over lucrative benefits for senior officials in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, social media users shared a fabricated image purportedly showing men marching with flags and torches.

An AFP analysis found it was created using Google's Gemini AI model.

But Gemini and Microsoft's Copilot falsely identified it as a genuine image of the protest.

"This inability to correctly identify AI images stems from the fact that they (AI models) are programmed only to mimic well," Rossine Fallorina, from the nonprofit Sigla Research Center, told AFP.

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"In a sense, they can only generate things to resemble. They cannot ascertain whether the resemblance is actually distinguishable from reality."

Earlier this year, Columbia University's Tow Center for Digital Journalism tested the ability of seven AI chatbots -- including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and Gemini -- to verify 10 images from photojournalists of news events.

All seven models failed to correctly identify the provenance of the photos, the study said.

- 'Shocked' -

AFP tracked down the source of Co's photo that garnered over a million views across social media -- a middle-aged web developer in the Philippines, who said he created it "for fun" using Nano Banana, Gemini's AI image generator.

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"Sadly, a lot of people believed it," he told AFP, requesting anonymity to avoid a backlash.

"I edited my post -- and added 'AI generated' to stop the spread -- because I was shocked at how many shares it got."

Such cases show how AI-generated photos flooding social platforms can look virtually identical to real imagery.

The trend has fueled concerns as surveys show online users are increasingly shifting from traditional search engines to AI tools for information gathering and verifying information.

The shift comes as Meta announced earlier this year it was ending its third-party fact-checking program in the United States, turning over the task of debunking falsehoods to ordinary users under a model known as "Community Notes."

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Human fact-checking has long been a flashpoint in hyperpolarized societies, where conservative advocates accuse professional fact-checkers of liberal bias, a charge they reject.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Meta's fact-checking program, including in Asia, Latin America, and the European Union.

Researchers say AI models can be useful to professional fact-checkers, helping to quickly geolocate images and spot visual clues to establish authenticity. But they caution that they cannot replace the work of trained human fact-checkers.

"We can't rely on AI tools to combat AI in the long run," Fallorina said.

burs-ac/sla/sms
A comet, dubbed C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), spectacularly broke apart into three huge chunks  and anybody with an eight-inch telescope or bigger can catch the resulting fireworks show for the next several weeks, according to Sky & Telescope.

The comet shouldnt be confused with interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. K1/ATLAS originated from within the furthest stretches of the solar system, and not interstellar space.

Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope 2.0 Project, which allows public access to remotely-controlled telescopes, captured incredible pictures of the comet on Tuesday, clearly showing that the comets nucleus has broken into three fragments. In the pictures, the fragments glow like a cars halogen headlights with their light piercing the gray black darkness.

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Comet C/2025 K1 ATLAS experienced a dramatic fragmentation event, becoming one of the most interesting objects of its kind seen in recent years, Masi wrote in a blog post about the event.

Astronomers first spotted the comet in May this year, using the telescope at El Sauce Observatory in Rio Hurtado, Chile. They were scanning the skies as part of the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), which is meant to serve as an early warning system for any moving objects that may hit Earth.

K1/ATLAS originated in the Oort Cloud, according to Sky & Telescope, a region that surrounds our solar system, made up of icy objects. It slingshot itself into the inner solar system, making its closest approach to the Sun on October 8.

Then, in late October and early November, astronomers detected two outbursts of light from the comet and discovered it was breaking apart. This often happens when a comet  mostly made up of rock, ice, and dust  approaches the Sun and starts to glow and disintegrate due to the effects of solar radiation and gravity. In their journey around the Sun, these cosmic objects also develop a prototypical tail of gas and dust, giving them their telltale shape.

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If you dont have access to a telescope, anybody can log onto the website of the Virtual Telescope 2.0 Project, which Masi founded, and watch live footage of the comet on November 25 when it makes its nearest approach to Earth.

This is far from the first time a comet has broken apart while traveling through the solar system. Back in 1994, the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 broke apart into almost two dozen pieces and then struck Jupiter, marking the first time humans ever observed a comet hitting a planet, according to NASA.

As for K1/ATLAS, scientists dont expect it to hit any planet during its passage through our cosmic neighborhood. But its an excellent opportunity to study these mysterious visitors  and witness a rare phenomenon taking place more than 60 million kilometers from Earth.

More on comets: Scientists Intrigued by Comet With Jets Blasting From Its Interior
The American Indian College Fund has named 12 students to serve as its 202526 student ambassadors, a cohort tasked with representing the organizations mission to expand access to affordable, culturally grounded higher education for Native students.

The ambassadors  Native scholars from tribal colleges, universities, and mainstream institutions  will promote awareness of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures, support their home communities, and share the impact of higher education on Native nations. They will represent the College Fund in media interviews, at cultural events, and on their campuses.

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 students completed a multi-day training in Denver focused on leadership development, public speaking, writing, interviews, and social media to prepare them for the role.

The 202526 American Indian College Fund Student Ambassadors are:

Aiyanna Tanyan (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma): Earned an associate degree in natural resources from the College of Muscogee Nation. Now pursuing a bachelors degree in business with an emphasis in tribal management at Haskell Indian Nations University. She hopes to show Native youth how to navigate the corporate world as an Indigenous leader.

Alton Byrd (Yakama): Studied chemical dependency at Northwest Indian College and plans to transfer to the University of Washington to pursue a bachelors degree in psychology with a focus on chemical dependency.

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Ashley Balletto (Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians): Holds a bachelors degree in nursing from Salish Kootenai College and is a third-year Doctor of Nursing Practice student at the University of CaliforniaDavis. She aims to provide culturally attuned, community-based care rooted in Indigenous values.

Christopher Eagleton (Karuk Tribe): Pursuing a bachelors degree in legal studies at American University and serves on the Juris Mentum Law Review. He plans to earn a Juris Doctor to practice federal Indian law and appellate litigation.

Elena Rodriguez (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation): Earned a bachelors degree in environmental studies from Sitting Bull College. Now pursuing a masters degree in geological engineering at the University of North Dakota. She hopes to strengthen her public-speaking skills to share the importance of tribal education, scholarships, and other valuable resources.

Joseph Morales (Tohono Oodham Nation): Graduated from Tohono Oodham Community College with an associate degree in liberal arts and is pursuing a bachelors degree in English at Arizona State University. He has documented community events through an internship with the Gila River Indian Community News.

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Kianna Pete (Navajo Nation): Earned a bachelors degree in political science and Indigenous studies and a masters degree in politics and education from Columbia University. She serves as a Tribal Conservation Program Fellow with the Aspen Institute and works on climate justice education and youth leadership development.

Major Elliott (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head): Studying for a masters degree in physiology and biophysics at Georgetown University. He plans to attend medical school to address preventable diseases in Native communities.

Memory Long Chase (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe): Holds a bachelors degree in community advocacy and social policy and is earning a masters in public administration at Arizona State University. She has worked for 13 years in antigender-based violence, trauma-informed care, and homelessness services and received the Arizona Attorney Generals Courage in Action Distinguished Service Award in 2023.

Niagara Rockbird (Navajo Nation): Earned an associate degree in social and behavioral science from Dine College, where she is completing a bachelors degree in psychology. A former Miss Navajo Nation (202122), she has been recognized as one of 2020s 25 Under 25 and plans to pursue an MBA and work for the Navajo Nation Washington Office.

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Nykesha Nez (Navajo Nation): Pursuing a bachelor of fine arts degree at Dine College, focusing on drawing and painting. She plans to pursue a masters degree in 2D studio design or museum studies.

Sasha Derenoff (Tlingit): A mother of eight studying business administration at Ilisagvik College. Three of her adult children have also attended tribal colleges, underscoring her commitment to tribally controlled higher education.

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
By Matt Spetalnick, Patricia Zengerle and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -When President Donald Trump defended Saudi Arabia's crown prince this week over the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, he did more than just stir renewed accusations from critics of an affinity toward strongmen.

Trump's remarks, which contradicted U.S. intelligence findings, threw into stark relief just how far his administration has shifted away from the traditional U.S. support for human rights globally.

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Nearly all recent U.S. administrations have worked with leaders with poor human rights records in order to advance U.S. interests.

But more than any recent occupant of the White House, Trump has not only praised prominent autocratic rulers, from Saudi Arabia and Hungary to China and El Salvador, but has shown little interest in reining them in, instead taking a more transactional approach.

Just how much U.S. human rights policy has changed under Trump was crystallized in the Oval Office on Tuesday when he denied that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played any role in the murder of Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi leadership, despite U.S. intelligence assessing the opposite.

"Trump has ignored some of the most fundamental principles underpinning U.S. relations with the world," said Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration and now head of the Global Situation Room consultancy. "His words and actions give a green light to strongmen to do whatever they want."

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Trump has focused this week instead on helping Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler rehabilitate his global image, giving him red-carpet treatment at the White House, touting burgeoning economic and security ties with the world's biggest oil exporter, and bringing him together with top U.S. CEOs.

That has jibed with the U.S. administration's seeming willingness to overlook alleged human rights abuses by other Trump-friendly leaders such as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

At the same time, Trump has pressed questionable accusations of rights violations against governments ideologically at odds with his administration, such as Brazil and South Africa, spurring concerns that he is selectively pursuing human rights targets.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly pushed back against the criticism. "All of the President's foreign policy actions are conducted through the lens of the America First agenda he was elected to implement," she said in a statement. "No one cares more about human rights than President Trump."

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Many other U.S. presidents have been criticized for playing down human rights.

For example, rights advocates accused Trump's Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, of not exerting enough pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which was triggered by an Israeli assault in response to Hamas' cross-border attack in 2023.

REPURPOSING OF HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY

Some analysts and former U.S. officials say Trump, 10 months into his second term, has taken this approach to a new level.

Trump's aides, however, have denied that the rapport he has developed with fellow leaders is anything but beneficial and insist that his brand of personal diplomacy promotes U.S. interests.

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Under Trump, the human rights issue has not so much been disregarded as repurposed to fit his priorities in favor of economic dealmaking and an agenda he sees as appealing to his MAGA base.

That has included a complete overhaul of the State Department's human rights apparatus, which had long been the centerpiece of traditional U.S. promotion of democratic values.

Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department has scaled back its annual human rights report and reoriented the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to instill a focus on "Western values."

Trump's aides have justified their shift in emphasis on human rights, including more limited attention to gender-based violence and the persecution of LGBTQ people, as a move away from interference in other country's sovereign affairs.

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But the administration has weighed in publicly on European politics to denounce what it sees as suppression of right-wing leaders, including in Romania, Germany and France, and has accused European authorities of censorship.

And it has been vocal in pressuring Brazil's leftist government over the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing Trump ally who was convicted of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election.

While Trump has been mostly silent on human rights under right-wing governments, including reports of torture in El Salvador's megaprison, he has been tough on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, focusing on his alleged links to drug trafficking. The Socialist leader has also been widely accused of harsh repression of the political opposition.

U.S. Representative Brian Mast, a Florida Republican and close Trump ally, defended the administration's handling of human rights, noting that the Republican president's foreign policy had helped to end conflicts.

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"I think that shows probably the greatest humanitarian results that anybody could point towards," he told Reuters.

Trump's shielding of bin Salman during the crown prince's first White House visit in more than seven years may have been the most clarifying moment yet for the president's approach.

With bin Salman sitting beside him, Trump repeatedly said it was an honor to be friends with him and said the crown prince knew nothing about the killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, by Saudi agents in the consulate in Istanbul.

He also praised bin Salman over human rights, even though the crown prince has cracked down on dissent while loosening some social codes.

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"Trump is putting America on the side of the dictators and oligarchs," U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders told Reuters.

LAVISH SAUDI WELCOME FOR TRUMP

The Saudi crown prince's visit to Washington this week follows Trump's own trip to the kingdom in May, the first foreign destination of his second term. That visit was marked by an elaborate welcome for the president.

Other leaders with troubled human rights records may take note.

Trump has made no secret of his admiration for foreign leaders with sweeping powers at home. He has extolled personal friendships with Erdogan, Orban, Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has struggled to secure agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite tensions over trade and tariffs.

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Some critics have accused Trump and his administration of undermining democracy at home and the U.S. image abroad as a bastion of rule of law, with mass deportations, threats against news organizations and flouting of court decisions - which the president's aides deny. He has also ordered deadly strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which some experts say breaches international law.

"The United States government no longer has any credibility on human rights issues, at home or abroad," said John Sifton, Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

(Reporting By Matt Spetalnick, Patricia Zengerle, Simon Lewis; additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Don Durfee and Edmund Klamann)
Interview: Paperjam (Marc Fassone; Thierry Labro)

Paperjam: We'll be discussing the future of the Luxembourg financial centre. But first, how can we ensure that the grand duchy does not lose its market share or the companies that are already established here?

Gilles Roth: First of all, the future is prepared through sound management of the current situation. That's why the government adopted, in the coalition agreement, an ambitious programme that aims to reinforce the attractive ness of the financial centre and the competitiveness of its players. And we have already achieved a lot. We reduced the corporate income tax (CIT) by one percentage point; we exempted all exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from the subscription tax; we introduced a very favourable tax regime for expatriates the first 400,000 of annual compensation are 50% exemptand we remodelled the profit-sharing bonus. We're, now work ing on changing the regime for investments in startups, including fintechs, as well as that of carried interest, in order to attract even more asset managers. The banking and financial community at large appreciates Luxembourg for its AAA rating, its political stability, its social cohesion and its predictability. Predictability means that one must deliver what one announces. That is what I have aimed to do since the beginning of my mandate.

Paperjam: Twenty years ago, there was a dynamic, "pioneering" spirit in the Luxembourg financial centre. Would you say it still exists or has it been lost, with players tending to rely on public action?

Gilles Roth: I don't believe that pioneering spirit has been lost. I meet many international financial institutions, asset managers, neobanks, eectronic payment service providers and fintechs, and the initiatives taken by the government encourage them to take an interest in Luxembourg. This is thanks, in part, to its predictable legal framework. Attracting them brings fresh blood. We also remain attentive to market developments to seize opportunities. I'm thinking in particular of the current interest in securitisation and initiatives taken within the framework of the Savings and Investments Union. It is a continuous process. As for the pioneering spirit, the High Level Committee of the Financial Sector is experiencing a renewed dynamic. It conducts discussions aimed at improving the attractiveness of the financial centre. The most promising ideas could, moreover, give rise to concrete initiatives.

Paperjam: You mention the diversification of the financial centre. What paths do you see ahead?

Gilles Roth: The financial centre relies on three pillars. The first is banking, insurance and reinsurancea pillar that must be continuously adapted. The second is the fund industry, which accounts for more than 7,600bn of assets under management. The industry benefits fully from the remarkable growth of alternative funds, especially European long-term investment funds (Eltifs), the deployment of which we have favoured. Two-thirds of these funds created in the EU are domiciled in Luxembourg. The third pillar, which should not be underestimated, is that of fin techs. When we talk about fintechs, that includes new activities that must be supported with appropriate legislative initiatives. I'm thinking of the Markets in Crypto-assets (Mica) regulation, blockchain and tokenisation. There is also the emergence of neo banks to which an appropriate legal framework must be given and the risks related to deposit guarantees carefully assessed.

Paperjam: Of the 76 operators authorised under the Mica regulation governing the crypto-asset market within the EU, only three are registered in Luxembourg. Are we losing ground to the competition?

Gilles Roth: The largest of these operators, Coinbase, received its licence in Luxembourg, and other files are being processed. We act with the necessary caution and we rely on quality in this field. The reputation of the financial centre is at stake.

Paperjam: How does Luxembourg's blockchain regulation give the financial centre a competitive advantage?

Gilles Roth: The great advantage of our framework is that it is technologically neutral, which allows the implementation of several technologies under a single regime. We also use this regime in connection with tokenisation. We have thus attracted HSBC's digital platform, Franklin Templeton's money market fund and we have launched, at the initiative of the treasury, a digital treasury certificate. It has brought strong publicity, as did the announcement that the sovereign wealth fund has opened its investment strategy to 1% for Bitcoins.

Paperjam: The government has announced that it wants to digitalise the financial sector. What's your roadmap?

Gilles Roth: For me, initiatives must come from actors on the ground. It is the government's responsibility to handle the legal side. Our approach, mirroring the European approach, is to ensure a legal framework that enables the promoter to act and deploy all their initiatives while ensuring investor protection. There is one area where I would like the government to invest more, together with other players in the sector; cybersecurity. It's a matter of our reputation, our resilience and our defence. Here, I would have no problem in seeing public money support private projects, including those that may fall under dual-use. This public funding would complement the investments made by large financial groups on a global scale investment that benefit the financial centre. I think parliament is, moreover, not opposed to associating public money with private initiatives in this domain, where necessary.

Paperjam: How can the private equity framework evolve to make it even clearer that Luxembourg is the jurisdiction of choice in Europe?

Gilles Roth: Luxembourg is fully open to implementing, as quickly as possible, the initiatives suggested in the reports by Draghi and Letta to further involve private equity as a source of financing for the European economy. In Europe, 80% of economic financing comes from the banking sector and only 20% from the non-banking sector. That must be rebalanced. To accelerate the development of the private equity sector, we have just revised the tax regime for carried interest. It's a strong message.

Paperjam: A request from private equity professionals heard in recent weeks, notably at the LPEA Insights 2025 conference and Luxembourg Venture Days, concerns the need to facilitate financing for green hydrogen. You say you are listening. Do you have projects in that respect?

Gilles Roth: There is great expertise in the financial centre when it comes to financing environmental projects. If adaptations are to be made at the legislative level that move in the right direction, I am open. Where I'd like Luxembourg to be more active is in blue finance, which refers to everything connected with water: its treatment and its protection, but also the protection against water-related events. This is what is called the blue economy. The potential is enormous in the southern hemi sphere and in the Pacific region. With the expertise that we have in financing environmental projects, this is a niche that should not be underestimated, and one which we should promote further. I've mentioned the topic to the Brazilian finance minister and to the new president of the African Development Bank. Both showed significant interest.
MUSINA, South Africa (AP)  It's 6 a.m. and Tholakele Nkwanyana is one of the first people to arrive at the Diepsloot public health clinic in Johannesburg, not to seek medical attention but to stop foreigners from getting care.

She and fellow members of South Africa's anti-immigrant group Operation Dudula  which means to get rid of by force  are dressed in military-style fatigues as they block the entrance and demand to see patients' identity documents. Mothers carrying children and others who are sick are turned away and told to go to private hospitals, which unlike public ones aren't free.

Similar scenes have played out at government-run clinics across South Africa's most populous province, Gauteng, as healthcare becomes the new battleground in the country's long and painful debate over immigration.

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The Johannesburg High Court has ordered Operation Dudula to stop harassing migrants. The group says it will appeal.

In our operations we are saying, Put South Africans first," Nkwanyana told The Associated Press. The problem we have is that the influx of foreigners is too much and the medication is not enough.

Anti-immigrant sentiment can be deadly

Africas most developed economy, which hosts world leaders this week for the Group of 20 summit, attracts migrants from neighboring Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho and as far away as Nigeria and Ethiopia.

In the year ending March 31, the Department of Home Affairs deported 46,898 migrants who had entered South Africa without documentation, an 18% increase from the previous year.

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Operation Dudula emerged a few years ago, and its visibility has grown as mostly young Black South Africans take part. It's not clear how many members the group has. Its actions have included closing down foreign-owned shops and blocking the children of foreigners from entering public schools.

Operation Dudula members assert that migrants entering without documents are taking jobs from South Africans, who face one of the world's highest unemployment rates at over 31%.

South Africa has seen sometimes deadly waves of such sentiment. In 2008, 68 people were killed in attacks on foreigners across the country.

But the focus on denying them health care is new, along with Operation Dudula's organized structure. The group has regional leaders and participates in news conferences and debates, and it has hinted at forming a political group.

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South Africa's government has condemned Operation Dudula's actions and insists that the law guarantees health care for everyone, including foreigners in the country illegally.

We are healthcare professionals. We don't turn patients away because they don't have documentation, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has said.

He and others have met multiple times with Operation Dudula and the government has posted security at public clinics, but police are overstretched in a country where the crime rate is high.

They cannot wait at a clinic just in case something happens. They have a lot of other work to do, national police commissioner Fanie Masemola has said.

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In August, three Operation Dudula members were arrested after going into a maternity ward in Soweto and demanding that patients produce identity documents. Nurses called police. They have since been released on bail.

The South African Human Rights Commission, which has sharply criticized Operation Dudula's actions, has said South Africa is following a global rise in anti-immigrant sentiment.

You have seen them in the United States of America and Europe. It is a trend everywhere, SAHRC commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi said.

Scapegoats of a broken system

South Africa spends 8.5% of its gross domestic product, or about $15 billion, on health care, higher than everything but education. And yet it has overcrowded hospitals, shortages of medication and poor management.

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But many people in other African countries see South Africa as a relatively attractive destination.

South Africa had an estimated 2.4 million foreign nationals in 2022, about 3.9% of the population, according to official statistics, with no breakdown of those there legally or illegally. That was up from the estimate of over 958,000 in the census of 1996.

We acknowledge that there are a lot of problems in the health care sector, the shortage of nurses, the shortage of doctors," Madlingozi said. There is crumbling infrastructure, so theres a lot of issues. But as a commission, we are quite clear that nonnationals should not be scapegoated."

A matter of life and death

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In May, Zimbabwean national Blessing Tizirai moved from South Africas capital of Pretoria, where she had looked for work, to the town of Musina near the border. Four months pregnant, she had been turned away from public clinics several times by Operation Dudula or similar, smaller groups. She chose Musina because Operation Dudula does not operate there.

Since I arrived, I have never been turned away from the clinic, she said.

Nonhlanhla Moyo, who also had come from Zimbabwe in search of work, was among those turned away from the Diepsloot clinic by Operation Dudula.

If Im unable to get my asthma pump, how am I supposed to live? It is very difficult, said Moyo, who remained in Gauteng.

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Both dread the possibility of going to a clinic in Zimbabwe, where the public health system has collapsed under chronic underfunding and neglect. Patients visiting public hospitals there often must bring their own medicines, syringes, bandages and even water.

Operation Dudula's actions have drawn attention in Zimbabwe, where a lawmaker during one recent Parliament debate brought up the group and suggested that the government do something about the rising tensions  like pay for its citizens' treatment in South Africa.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi replied that the government would not. Meanwhile, Zimbabwes political elite largely seek treatment abroad, including in South Africa.

___

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Associated Press writer Farai Mutsaka in Harare, Zimbabwe, and video journalist Alfonso Nqunjana in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

___

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.
An appeals court has granted a stay that temporarily blocks a lower court order to release more than 400 people arrested during "Operation Midway Blitz."

Those people were arrested without warrants across the Chicago area and five neighboring states.

The lower court judge ruled those arrests violated a 2022 consent decree.

The consent decree required U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents to meet certain criteria when making warrantless arrests, including pre-determining whether there is probable cause to believe the person is in the country illegally, and whether they are also a flight risk.

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But the Trump Administration argued that the order put the lives of Americans at risk.

SEE ALSO: Father describes experience in Broadview ICE custody after court orders his release

The ruling had required the detainees be put on electronic monitoring after paying a bond by Friday.

This order now puts that on hold until a hearing on the matter next month.

Earlier this week, Judge Jeffrey Cummings denied a request by the government to delay the release.

Cummings found thousands of arrests may have violated the consent decree, agreeing with attorneys from the National Immigrant Justice Center and American Civil Liberties Union.

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As a result of that finding, last week, Cummings ordered hundreds of people -- who do not present a "high risk to public safety" -- to be released from custody into electronic monitoring while the court is in the process of determining whether their arrests violated the agreement.

Four hundred forty two people were eligible for release Friday.

Attorneys representing the government have argued that Congress stripped federal courts of their authority to grant parole to large groups of immigrants in ICE custody, which they believe Judge Cummings is doing in this case.

The ACLU and National Immigrant Justice Center told the ABC7 Chicago I-Team while they're disappointed with this decision, the case is not over.

Both sides will have 20 minutes to argue their positions before the court of appeals on Dec. 2.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Several high-ranking Army officials, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, are in Ukraine to help with peace talks, U.S. officials said Wednesday, as Trump administration efforts to halt Russia's war in Ukraine have stalled.

Driscoll had been planning a trip to Ukraine for some time to discuss the countrys drone warfare innovations and tactics, but last week President Donald Trump decided to identify him as a kind of special representative to kick-start peace negotiations and conduct a fact-finding mission, one of the officials said.

That official confirmed Driscoll is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week as well as top Ukrainian government, military and defense industry officials.

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Driscoll is accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the services most senior officer; Gen. Chris Donahue, U.S. Army Europe and Africa commanding general; and Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer, the Armys top enlisted official, an Army official said.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, said in a post on Facebook that the U.S. Army officials began their visit by meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal. She said they were told about the situation on the battlefield and what was needed to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, and the two sides also discussed areas of potential defense cooperation.

Shmyhal posted a picture on X of himself meeting with Driscoll. Both he and the ambassador noted that the Americans and Ukrainians were focused on implementing defense agreements reached between Trump and Zelenskyy.

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Neither Ukrainian official mentioned any discussion about renewing peace negotiations with Russia.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller declined to comment on reports that the Trump administration has drafted a new peace plan and had dispatched U.S. defense officials to Kyiv to go over it with the Ukrainians.

I would agree that thats an issue in which the president has continued to put at the forefront of our foreign policy goal, which is to reach a settlement in the Ukraine-Russia war, so that we can have peace in Europe and we can end the killing and the slaughter of so many innocents, Miller said.

The Trump administrations efforts to broker an end to the war have hit roadblocks since the president met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August. Tough new U.S. sanctions on Russias oil industry are aimed at pushing him to the negotiating table.

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Trump said last month that he was putting on hold his plan for a meeting with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, because he didnt want it to be a waste of time.

Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara on Wednesday and said theyre committed to finding a peaceful settlement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia was not sending a representative to the meeting in Turkey, but insisted that Moscow was ready to negotiate.

The U.S. official, meanwhile, said Driscoll is hoping to make a subsequent trip to meet with Russian officials for similar negotiations, adding that the intent is to achieve Trumps desire for peace as quickly as possible in a way that both sides support.

The trip to Ukraine also will help the U.S. address the issue of drone warfare, which military officials have consistently said is being pioneered by Ukraine.

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During an appearance Sunday on CBS' Face the Nation, Driscoll said that drones were the threat of humanity's lifetime.

He has spent a major portion of his tenure as Army secretary pushing greater integration of drones into the U.S. military arsenal.

Shmyhal said in his post that the Americans were shown Ukraine's developments in defense innovation: production of FPV drones, interceptors, and deep-strike capabilities."

The Wall Street Journal first reported the visit by the Army officials.

___

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
ASHTABULA  The city announced it received a $398,422 grant from the Ohio Department of Development in a Tuesday joint release with the agency.

The grant will be used for rehabilitating South Hulbert Hill, according to the release.

The work will include removing the deteriorated roadway, stabilizing the base, completing curb and sidewalk improvements, and installing a new brick road surface, mirroring the successful enhancements made on North Hulbert Hill, the release said.

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Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said in the release the city values its partnership with the ODOD.

Funding opportunities like this are essential to moving these important projects forward, he said. Our staff has done an outstanding job securing and managing these grants, and we thank [ODOD] for their continued confidence in our ability to deliver results.

Timonere was thankful for the work of City Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development Mary Church and Project Administrator Amy Coursen, and said both have been great at obtaining funding for the city.

I am truly grateful for their dedication to our community, he said in the release.

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Ashtabula Council President John Roskovics said the grant is another important puzzle piece in growing the Harbor.

For a city our size, we do a great job at getting grants, he said.

South Hulbert Hill is currently in horrible condition for drivers, Roskovics said.

You avoid it at all costs, he said.

The improvements to the road will make it more accessible for city residents and tourists going to Bridge Street businesses, Roskovics said.

Its going to be a real asset for the whole street, he said.

South Hulbert Hill has been in bad condition for between 25 and 30 years, Roskovics said.

He said after North Hulbert Hill was improved, more parking was created.

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Hopefully, this will work out the same way, Roskovics said.

The ODD grant funding for Ashtabula was part of nearly $13.8 million the state awarded to 26 communities, according to the release.

The funding came through a federal Community Development Block Grant, administered by the agency.

Governor Mike DeWine said in the release the grant strengthens community foundations.

These projects will improve water and sewer systems, upgrade local parks and streets, and help ensure every Ohioan  and every family  can live in a safer, stronger neighborhood, he said.

Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel said in the release investments in infrastructure equal investments in people.

By helping communities replace these aging systems and facilities, were improving the daily lives of our hard-working residents and supporting the long-term growth of local economies, he said.
A new report from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor says poor budgeting practices, unreliable data systems and weak oversight slowed the state's efforts to help homeowners rebuild after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, leaving some families in temporary housing for years.

The audit examined the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency's Homeowner Recovery Program, which managed more than $1 billion in disaster recovery funds following the storms.

State Auditor Dave Boliek said the findings show the state's disaster response fell far short.

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"The unfortunate truth of this report is the response from North Carolina to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence was a disaster. When government decides to focus on administrative procedures ahead of boots on the ground, hurricane victims get hurt," Boliek said.

"North Carolina must implement a long-term, comprehensive plan that can be used for decades to come. As state leaders, we owe it to the people of North Carolina to come to the table, institute accountability, and map out a transparent and permanent strategy to respond to hurricanes."

The report found NCORR lacked a complete assessment of total recovery needs and made financial commitments that exceeded available funds. As a result, the state had to provide a $297 million bailout to keep the program running.

Auditors also cited inconsistent reconciliation across three separate financial and program management systems. The North Carolina Financial System, Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting system and Salesforce. Those discrepancies made it difficult for the agency to track money accurately and contributed to delays for homeowners.

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Boliek highlighted the immense cost of implementation for just one of those systems, equaling entire budgets for other state agencies like his own.

"Our entire appropriation at the State Auditor's Office is roughly $25 million for the entire office, and NCORR spent more than $25 million on the implementation of Salesforce, a single technology," he said.

The application and construction process was lengthy. Applicants had to complete eight steps, each taking an average of at least 100 days. Grant determinations alone averaged 936 days, roughly two and a half years. Some families spent more than 1,400 days in temporary housing, and lodging costs exceeded $230,000 for at least one household.

Vendor oversight was another major issue. Only one of six program administration contracts included key performance indicators, auditors found. In some cases, payments were made without full verification of completed work.

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The audit also noted that NCORR spent more than $25.4 million developing and implementing Salesforce, but incomplete and inconsistent data within the system affected day-to-day operations.

The report includes both short-term steps and long-term recommendations aimed at improving disaster recovery statewide. One proposal calls for establishing a Sustainable Outcomes for Long-Term Impact and Disaster Recovery (SOLID) partnership made up of statewide elected leaders. The group would work to create a consistent, accountable strategy for future hurricane response.

Other recommendations include strengthening budget controls, improving data governance, enhancing oversight of contractors and creating a structured financial roadmap for future recovery efforts.

NCORR worked with the auditor's office throughout the assessment, and the agency's full response is included in the report.

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The report was released Wednesday in Goldsboro, one of the communities hit hardest by both storms. Some residents there say they are still struggling nearly a decade later.

Viola Figueroa, whose home took on three feet of water during Hurricane Matthew, told ABC11 she lived in a trailer for seven years while waiting for assistance.

"I'm disappointed. I'm very disappointed," she said.

Figueroa said she suffered multiple health emergencies during that period, and her husband died in 2019 while the family was still living in temporary housing. She moved into a rebuilt home in 2023, but said construction problems persist.

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"It's a roof over our head. I'm grateful... but we really got ripped off," she said, pointing out several construction concerns with her home just two years after she moved in. She pointed out warped floorboards, cracks in the drywall, and detailed several issues she's had with her appliances and the electrical work done on her home.

Residents like Figueroa attended Wednesday's audit briefing at the Wayne County Museum, where Boliek reiterated the need for stronger oversight.

When ABC11 asked whether anyone could be held accountable for the issues people faced, Boliek made clear that their office found no evidence of theft or fraud, chalking up the issues to mismanagement.

"I wish I had an answer on accountability... I think ultimately it is at the voting booth," he said.

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The Office of the State Auditor is recommending both short and long-term changes to ensure this doesn't happen again, and called on other state officials to work together to have better oversight over how taxpayer money is being spent.

Boliek also said his office will begin examining recovery spending in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, now that enough time has passed to assess early expenditures.
One person was arrested as part of an investigation into suspected drug trafficking and an illegal gambling operation in Ohio on Monday.

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The Franklin County Sheriffs Office Specialized Tactics & Investigative Narcotics Group (STING) and multiple law enforcement partners conducted two search warrants on Nov. 17.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The first warrant was executed at a house in the 7000 block of Wallpepper Court in Westerville, according to the sheriffs office.

The Delaware County Tactical Unit (DTU) and detectives reportedly found U.S. currency, documents, and electronic ledgers related to large cryptocurrency holdings.

At the same time, the sheriffs office SWAT executed a search warrant at an illegal gambling establishment in the 1400 block of Morse Road.

The sheriffs office said multiple electronic gaming machines, U.S. currency, and records were recovered from this location.

They determined that Asaad Musa, age 43, of Westerville, owned the establishment.

Musa was arrested on a gambling-related offense, the sheriffs office said.

This incident remains under investigation.

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Young men seeking to avoid Germany's planned new military service should smoke a joint before their recruitment interview, left-wing politician Jan van Aken said on Thursday.

Van Aken, co-leader of The Left, told news website t-online that his socialist party is preparing a guide on "how best to avoid military service."

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition last week reached an agreement on a new voluntary military service programme for young men to boost the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces.

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The proposal, which must still be approved in parliament, would require all young men born in 2008 and later to be assessed for military service.

While the programme is initially due to be voluntary, lawmakers could introduce a compulsory measure to fill the ranks if not enough volunteers sign up.

Van Aken said his party has "many positive experiences" to share with "young people who simply don't want to be forced into a uniform" - including marijuana use.

"For example, it is said that smoking a sizeable joint before the medical examination could help you to be declared unfit for service," he said.

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The Left, a successor to the socialist party that governed the former East Germany, is strongly opposed to the military service plans.

Recreational use of marijuana and limited home cultivation of the plant have been legal in Germany since April 2024.
A truck of armed agents drives away as one throws a wallet out the door.

As they drive away, a Border Patrol agent throws U.S. citizen Fernando Vazquezs wallet and other personal effects out the door of the SUV on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Screenshot from TikTok)

The first thing they asked Fernando Vazquez was Where are you from?

When two unmarked SUVs full of Border Patrol agents arrived Tuesday at the Cary construction site where Vazquez, 18, is employed, the only thing he could think of was to call his dad, another worker on the site. I just told him, run, and to hide.

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The work at the site was virtually complete, with only around 10 workers present on an average day. Because of absences  with fears of Border Patrol and ICE chilling construction sites across the Triangle  Vazquez said there were only about four people on the site, part of why he didnt believe they would be targeted.

I didnt believe it would happen to me, Vazquez said. I was born here.

Fernando Vazquez, 18, pictured on Nov. 18, 2025, the day that Border Patrol agents handcuffed and detained him. (Courtesy of Fernando Vazquez)

Vazquez had left the site to buy a drink at a nearby store. As he walked back, he saw a gray Chevy Tahoe and a black Ford Expedition roll up to the site. Vazquez retreated into a fenced-off HVAC area and took out his phone to get a better look at them.

But the agents had already spotted him.

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The agents who approached him wore masks, gloves, and dark glasses. At first, Vazquez reserved his right to remain silent, but when one agent began questioning him in Spanish, he started swearing at them to make time to stall them, he said. Im thinking about the workers and my dad.

As he tried to step out of the enclosure, he said, Border Patrol agents climbed over the fence to corner him. One yanked an AirPod out of Vazquezs ear and set it on the AC unit beside him. When Vazquez tried to retrieve it and put it back in the case, he said, the agent shouted, Dont touch me.

Im like, Im not touching you. And then he said, If you touch me, theres going to be a problem, Vazquez said.

That was when they handcuffed him and searched him, pulling his wallet out of his pocket.

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They saw my North Carolina Real ID, he said. They were looking for an ID or some sort of documentation, so at that moment, they could have let me free. But no, they decided to take me.

Vazquez was placed in the SUV with one of his fellow workers on the construction site, a young man who was crying. As they drove away, the agents continued to question Vazquez, asking him again where he was from and where he was born as they went through his wallet.

When he told them he was born in Raleigh, the agent questioning him grew angry, Vazquez said. They abruptly pulled off the road into the parking lot of a carpet cleaning company, where they dumped him, a half mile away from where they picked him up, throwing his wallet and cards out of the SUV window as they drove off.

I have no idea why they just dropped me off, he added. I kind of felt like I was being kidnapped.

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His video of Border Patrol uncuffing him and driving away has gone viral on TikTok, accumulating 3 million views and thousands of concerned comments. In the video, an agent with his face covering lowered appears to lunge at the phone with a raised hand, which Vazquez said he believed was an attempt by the agent to conceal his identity.

As Vazquez left the SUV, the other detainee asked him, Tell my brother that they got me.

It devastated me, Vazquez said. It broke my heart to realize how two brothers were being separated in front of my eyes.

As he ran back to the site, he called his mom to pick him up. His first reaction was fear that his dad may have been taken in the other SUV. When he told her what happened, she didnt believe him. Until she heard me running worried and worried, thats when she believed me, he said.

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When he got back to the site, he told his dad and the detainees brother, another worker on the site, what happened. His brother was just outside in shock, he said.

The other worker told Vazquez that another Border Patrol vehicle was still patrolling the area, so he called his mom back, warning her not to pick him up. Instead, he got the keys from his dad and drove home himself.

Vazquezs encounter with Border Patrol comes as immigration enforcement agencies conduct large-scale raids in Charlotte, Raleigh, and surrounding areas. He was far from the only U.S. citizen to be swept up in them.

A spokesman for Customs and Border Protection declined to comment on the incident, but said Thursday afternoon that Operation Charlottes Web in North Carolina has resulted in 370 arrests. The operation is not over and it is not ending anytime soon, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

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Earlier Thursday, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said he had been told by federal agents that Border Patrol operations had ceased in Charlotte, though he noted that ICE will continue to operate in the area as they always have.

It is unclear whether Border Patrol operations in the Triangle area remain ongoing. A spokeswoman for Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said their office has had no communication from federal authorities.

Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), pictured at an event in Benson on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, posted on social media that immigration enforcement should focus their operations on criminals and carry out this mission responsibly. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

North Carolina politicians from both parties have urged federal agents to focus their efforts on criminals instead of carrying out indiscriminate arrests.

Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) wrote in a post on X that operations should target those who not only violated our immigration law but also pose a threat to our communities.

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Federal law enforcement has been tasked with removing criminal offenders who never shouldve been in the U.S., Budd wrote Wednesday. They should carry out this mission responsibly to ensure that violent individuals are quickly identified, detained, and deported.

Gov. Josh Stein issued a direct condemnation of ICE and Border Patrol for operating in the shadows in the state on Tuesday.

If this were targeted to going after known people who are criminals or known people who are drug traffickers who are engaged in violent crime, that would be a good thing, Stein said after an event in Benson. But theyre just sweeping sidewalks. Theyre sweeping parking lots. Theyre going into stores and churches.

This is causing widespread fear, widespread uncertainty, he added. This is not about public safety, and I wish that it were.

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Vazquez said he would advise those concerned they could be picked up to carry their documentation with them at all times. If possible, he said, dont leave the house at all.

If you dont have to come outside, dont come outside, he said. If you need any help, ask somebody.
TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  Two Roman Catholic priests who were imprisoned on what human rights officials said were politically related charges were released from prison Thursday following talks with the Vatican, officials said.

The move, which was confirmed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Belarus, comes amid speculation about warming relations between Minsk and the West after a phone call between authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and U.S. President Donald Trump in August led to the release of some political prisoners.

The Rev. Henrykh Akalatovich was sentenced to 11 years in prison after a treason conviction in 2023. He served two years.

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The 65-year-old cleric, who criticized the government in his sermons, was accused of spying for Poland and the Vatican  charges he denied as based on lies, threats, and blackmail.

His arrest was the first time politically driven charges were made against Roman Catholic clergy in Belarus since it became independent after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

Also freed was the Rev. Andrzej Yukhnevich, who was serving 13 years in prison after being convicted on child molestation charges in April. He had denied the accusations, and human rights activists said he originally was arrested for political reasons. Yukhnevich had been detained four times, including for posting a Ukrainian flag on social media.

The release followed a visit to Belarus in October by a papal envoy, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, a former Vatican ambassador to Belarus who now heads the Holy See office that handles eastern rite Catholics, according to Belarus bishops conference.

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The bishops said they welcomed the resumption of dialogue between Belarus and the United States, and the strengthening of contacts with the Vatican.

The immediate whereabouts of the released priests was unknown. Dozens of political prisoners freed this year were taken to Lithuania, often without passports or documents.

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she welcomed the release of the priests.

My deepest gratitude to Pope Leo XIV and the Holy See for their principled support, she said. Many other believers remain behind bars. Repression must end  no one should be punished for their faith.

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Arkatovich and Yukhnevich are among dozens of clergy  Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant  who have been jailed, silenced or forced into exile for protesting the 2020 election that kept Lukashenko in office. Rallies against the vote, which observers say was marred by fraud, triggered a brutal police crackdown, with more than 65,000 arrested and thousands beaten by police.

Clergy who supported the protests and sheltered demonstrators at their churches were particularly targeted by repressions. Belarusian authorities have openly sought to bring the clerics into line, repeatedly summoning them for preventive political talks, checking websites and social media, and having security services monitor sermons.

More than 1,200 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, according to the Viasna human rights group. The number includes 29 priests.

While Orthodox Christians make up about 80% of Belarus population, just under 14% are Catholic and 2% are Protestants.
I started an earlier column asking Would you donate $100 to a charity if you knew only $1 would go to supporting the people it serves? I anticipate the answer from most donors would be no and that it would be a resounding no if less than a penny per dollar went to the charity.

The earlier column described an FTC action against a charity that claimed to help women struggling with cancer. Of more than $18 million raised from donors over a five-year period, only $195,000 was spent helping cancer victims. Most of the money went to professional fundraisers.

In September, the FTC and agencies from 19 states stopped a charity fundraising scheme they alleged made false or deceptive claims to donors. Kars-R-Us.com (Kars) solicited vehicle donations through TV, radio, and online ads in English and Spanish. They claimed the donations would help United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) save lives by providing free and low-cost breast cancer screenings.

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Between 2017 and 2022, Kars raised more than $45.5 million dollars on behalf of UBCF. More than 84,000 well-intentioned people donated their vehicles.

The FTC says $34.9 million went to pay Kars, its operators, and its vendors. The rest of the money that went to UBCF was largely used for other purposes, including generous compensation to the CEO. Only $126,815 was used to provide breast cancer screening  0.28 percent.

A proposed settlement with Kars and its operators would:

permanently ban the former president and co-owner of Kars from fundraising or providing fundraising services to any person, directly or indirectly. He is also prohibited from making misrepresentations in connection with the marketing or sale of any product or service;

prohibit the current president and sole owner from making misrepresentations associated with fundraising, or in the marketing or sale of any other product or service;

prohibit Kars, its employees, and anyone actively working for or engaged with the company from making misrepresentations associated with fundraising, or in the marketing or sale of any other product or service; and

require Kars and its employees to substantiate fundraising claims.

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Attorney General Tim Griffin of Arkansas joined the FTC in bringing the action because 318 vehicles valued at a total of $115,332 were donated by residents of Arkansas. He said, Misrepresenting to charitable donors how their contributions will be spent is unconscionable, and I am pleased to have reached a resolution in this case.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers these tips for donating to a charity:

Get the charitys exact name. With so many charities in existence, mistaken identity is a common problem. Thousands of charities have cancer in their name, for example, but no connection with one another.

Resist pressure to give on the spot.

Be wary of heart-wrenching appeals. What matters is what the charity is doing to help.

Press for specifics. If the charity says its helping the homeless, for example, ask how and where its working.

Check websites for basics. A charitys mission, program and finances should be available on its site. If not, check for a report at www.give.org.

Check with state charity officials. In many states, charities are required to register before soliciting.

Dont assume every soliciting organization is tax exempt as a charity. You can readily check an organizations tax status at: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check.

Randy Hutchinson President & CEO of BBB of the Mid-South.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Better Business Bureau: FTC stops deceptive fundraising scheme
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

An illustration of future black hole images showing a subtle variation between those described by general relativity and those not. | Credit: Luciano Rezzolla/Goethe University

New research suggests future images of black holes could be precise enough to allow scientists to determine if these objects are accurately described by Albert Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity  or if they are best modeled by alternative theories.

Such black hole research is possible due to breakthroughs in black hole imaging pioneered by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), which revealed the first image of a black hole in 2019. This image focused on the supermassive black hole at the heart of the distant galaxy M87. In fact, our galaxy has its own central supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*)  and the EHT collaboration revealed an image of that one too, in 2022.

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However, it's important to recognize that black holes are, by definition, regions of space at which the influence of gravity becomes so great that not even light has the necessary velocity to escape. Thus, the images captured by the EHT don't actually show the black holes themselves. Rather, they trace blisteringly hot matter that whirls around these voids. What we are effectively seeing in the images of M87* and Sgr A* are the shadows of these black holes.

The latest study's team proposes that images of these shadows could be so detailed one day that they could potentially show tiny deviations from general relativity. These will allow scientists to investigate what the "recipe" is to actually describe black holes.

"We developed a practical, simulation-backed way to compare images of the hot gas around black holes predicted by Einstein's general relativity with images predicted by deviation from general relativity," research lead author Akhil Uniyal of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China told Space.com. "Running realistic three-dimensional simulations of gas and magnetic fields for many hypothetical black-hole spacetimes produced synthetic images and defined image-comparison metrics that quantify how different two images are.

"The key result is that while many alternatives look very similar to the 'standard' black hole at today's image quality, the differences grow predictably as imaging resolution and fidelity improve, establishing that next-generation horizon-scale imaging could tell Einstein's black holes apart from non-Einstein black holes."

Einstein's black hole recipe

In 1915, over 100 years before the EHT captured an image of a black hole, Einstein formulated his "geometric theory of gravity," best known as general relativity . Up until this point, the best description we had of gravity was Isaac Newton's.

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Unlike Newton, Einstein proposed that objects with mass warp the very fabric of space and time, unified as a single entity called "spacetime." And what we experience as "gravity" emerges from this warping. The greater the mass of an object, the more extreme the warping of spacetime it causes, and the greater its gravitational influence.

The concept of black holes emerged from general relativity in 1916 when astrophysicist Karl Schwarzschild, who was serving on the Eastern Front in the First World War at the time, devised a solution to the equations that underpinned general relativity (much to the surprise of Einstein). These solutions revealed that general relativity predicts that, at an infinitesimally small region of spacetime where mass becomes infinitely dense, the laws of physics break down. That point is the singularity at the heart of a black hole. This solution also revealed that a limit should exist around the singularity called the Schwarzschild radius at which the escape velocity of this region of space would exceed the speed of light. This would come to be known as the light-trapping outer boundary of a black hole, or the event horizon.

However, scientists have long speculated that general relativity may not be the correct recipe for black holes. That is an appealing possibility because other theories of black holes may not contain that troubling central singularity at which physics, including general relativity, collapses.

On the other hand, these alternative theories often call for matter with very special properties or even other sorts of violations of the laws of physics.

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"Broadly speaking, there are the standard rotating black holes described by general

relativity, called Kerr black holes, and then there are a variety of alternatives motivated by different theories," Uniyal said."All of these alternatives are more complex or convoluted than those proposed by Einstein, but remain theoretically viable until they are disproven."

A major hindrance to testing alternative theories is the event horizon, which prevents any information from the interior of a black hole from reaching an external observer. With black hole imaging now a factor, and with improvements to this imaging on the horizon, Uniyal and colleagues set about determining what scientists could see in these images and in the shadows of black holes that could indicate a deviation from general relativity.

"The black hole shadow is the dark silhouette formed by photon capture and strong gravitational

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lensing, which encodes the spacetime geometry very close to the compact object," Uniyal said. "Small metric deviations translate into small, systematic changes in the shadows size and shape and in how light rings form around it, so measuring the shadow precisely provides a direct diagnostic of whether the underlying gravity matches Einstein's predictions."

"Because the spacetime around a black hole controls particle orbits and light paths, small metric changes alter where gas orbits and how it radiates," Uniyal continued, "which can change accretion dynamics, jet-launching regions, radiative efficiency and the brightness and polarization patterns seen by distant observers. In extreme cases, a different interior structure, such as an absence of a true event horizon, could lead to qualitatively different observational signatures as well."

The researcher added that a detailed enough future image of a black hole could be assessed to determine whether the data is more compatible with black hole "a," say one described by general relativity, or black hole "b," described by an alternative theory.

"What our results show is that whatever 'a' or 'b' black holes one considers, the differences will be small and hence very accurate measurements are needed. Fortunately, these observations will be possible in the not-too-distant future," Uniyal said. "Two encouraging and somewhat surprising outcomes were that differences between models grow systematically and predictably as imaging resolution improves, meaning higher-fidelity images will truly increase testing power, and the study produced concrete, percent-level numerical understanding for image mismatch where models become distinguishable, which gives clear targets for future observatories."

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The next steps for this research involve the continuing quest to improve the quality of black hole imaging by adding additional telescopes to the network of 11 instruments that comprise the EHT, as well as exploring potential space-based Very-long-baseline interferometry instruments.

"Pursuing different astrophysical scenarios could place quantitative constraints on deviations from Kerr black holes or, if present, detect signatures of alternative theories with the help of future observations," Uniyal said.
Girlalala, a 21-year old Black transgender social media influencer, was shot to death Friday in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. She was in a car with her boyfriend, 25-year-old Shanoyd Whyte Jr., at the time, and they had been arguing. Police took Whyte into custody at the scene, and he has now been charged with first-degree murder and ordered held without bond, local media report.

A TikTok and Instagram star

A hairstylist and wig expert, Girlalala had more than 296,000 followers on TikTok and over 44,000 on Instagram. She lived in Pompano Beach, Florida.

It is absolutely devastating to learn about the loss of Girlalala, a bright light in my home state of Florida, Victoria Kirby York, director of public policy and programs at the National Black Justice Collective, said in a press release. She was the first transgender person many had the chance to meet through her role as an influencer on TikTok and likely saved lives by being an example for people looking for the words to describe their own journey. Her death takes place during a time of deep grief and mourning as our community commemorates Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance and Resilience. Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20.

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Girlalala was a fan of rapper JT of the City Girls, and the feeling was mutual. JT donated several thousand dollars to a GoFundMe campaign raising money to cover Girlalalas funeral expenses and wrote on Instagram, Rest beautiful girlala! We love you & Heaven will never be boring now that you are there, your boldness, energy, humor & beauty will be missed! You never missed a chance to show me love & for that Im forever grateful. Im sorry this happened to you!

Guns, anti-trans violence, and intimate partner violence connected

Girlalala had been in a relationship with Whyte for three years. He told Broward County sheriffs officers that in the car, the two had a verbal argument that turned physical. After being shot, Girlalala was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Violence against transgender people is epidemic in the U.S. Trans and gender-expansive people are 2.5 times as likely to be victims of violence as cisgender people, according to the Department of Justice. Girlalala is at least the 18th trans or gender-expansive person to die by violence in 2025, and at least the 15th to be killed with a gun, Everytown for Gun Safety reports.

Related: Transgender people are being killed at an alarming rate, especially in the South (exclusive)

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A gun was involved in more than 70 percent of homicides of trans people in the U.S. from January 2017 through December 2022, according to an Everytown study released last year. In at least 19 percent of violent deaths of trans people, the perpetrator is an intimate partner or family member, and those killed with a gun are nearly twice as likely to be killed by an intimate partner or family member compared with gun homicide victims overall, Everytown notes. And this violence disproportionately affects trans women of color, especially Black women.

Calls to address a crisis

We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Girlalala. Her death is a cruel reminder that trans and gender-expansive people, especially Black trans women, face a disproportionate impact of violence, said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. As Trans Day of Remembrance approaches, we honor Giralala and all those whose lives have been cut short by fighting for safer communities for trans and gender-expansive people everywhere.

Related: A devastating reality: New report finds violence and erasure ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance

Her murder is a somber reminder of why building awareness and education, beyond days like TDOR, is essential, York continued in the NBJC release. We must continue to draw the publics attention to the epidemic of violence facing Black women because, right now, too many people are getting away with these horrific crimes. We must work to reduce stigma and improve support systems so that trans people feel comfortable and safe seeking help from the community, their chosen and given families, and law enforcement when they are in abusive situations. Girlalala should still be with us. Lets honor her memory by ensuring law enforcement and domestic violence organizations work together to ensure Violence Against Women Act funding in our communities is adequately supporting and sheltering Black transgender women in need of their services.

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JT denounced people who dont take violence against trans people or intimate partner violence in general seriously. NOTHING is funny about it, she wrote in an Instagram story, now expired but widely quoted.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Black trans TikTok star Girlalala killed; boyfriend charged with her murder
(Warning: Police body camera video above contains content some may find disturbing.)

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officer tells a man, Your dog is going to get shot, in video that shows the man nonchalantly walking up a street with his unleashed dog.

I will blow your dog away, another SFPD officer warns while holding the man and his dog at gunpoint on the afternoon of Nov. 9. The officer uses his radio to tell dispatchers, We have a suspect with a dog. The dog is not responding to our commands  neither is he.

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45,000 North Carolina students absent Tuesday as immigration crackdown expands

In the video, the man walking with the dog, identified by police as Trusten Eaton, refuses to stop walking away from officers. The dog, which appears to be a husky-shepherd mix or similar breed, growls and barks at the police when they get close to its owner.

Body-worn camera footage shows Trusten Eaton and his dog during an encounter with police in San Francisco. (SFPD photo)

SFPD said the officers were confronting 29-year-old Eaton and his aggressive dog because, minutes earlier, a victim reported that he was randomly bitten by the dog on Market Street. The victim said he wanted to press charges.

The body worn camera video released Tuesday by SPFD shows Eaton pointing at the dog and telling an officer, He was just saying hi!'

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Two officers followed Eaton and the off-leash dog on foot as they ordered the man to stop.

Get over here. Youre under arrest. Get over here or your dog is going to get shot, an officer tells Eaton again. Both officers appeared to have their guns drawn.

Trusten Eaton talks to an officer during an encounter with police on November 9. (SFPD photo)

When police made an attempt to physically restrain Eaton, his dog charged at one of the officers, the bodycam video shows.

SFPD said that officer, identified as Joseph Toomey, backpedaled as the dog advanced, then shot the dogs front right leg. Eaton then charged at the officer, the video shows. The officer reacted by shooting Eaton in the thigh, after which Eaton grabbed the officer by the arm, police said.

A dog lunges at a police officer on Market Street in San Francisco before the officer opens fire. (SFPD photo)

Eaton eventually bolted and sprinted past dozens of bystanders along Market Street. The other officer pulled out his baton and chased him. After backup officers arrived and pinned Eaton to the ground, the wounded dog bit one of the backup officers, the video appears to show.

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Man charged with terrorism after woman set on fire on Chicago train

Backup officers hold Eaton on the ground after he was shot. Eatons wounded dog is pictured behind the officers. (SFPD Photo)

SFPD said both Eatson and his dog received medical treatment and survived.

Eaton was booked into jail on suspicion of threats, force or violence to obstruct an officer; resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer; an unleashed dog inflicting an unprovoked bite; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In the San Francisco Police Department, we recognize that our sworn duty as law enforcement officers is to honor and respect the sanctity of human life, Police Chief Paul Yep said Tuesday. We also know that, as police officers, we are sometimes required to use force  including deadly force  in the performance of our duties. This incident remains an ongoing investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BOCA RATON  City planners and residents clashed on Nov. 18 over the scope and impact of a proposed 77-acre mixed-use project in Boca Raton as developers outlined plans for University Village, which would include housing, retail and office space and a hotel while keeping about half of the land open.

Spanish River Development Partners LLC is seeking approval for the project on land at 555 Spanish River Blvd., just east of I-95 and alongside the El Rio Trail.

The long-planned development calls for 781 residences, a 185-room hotel, nearly 150,000 square feet of retail, more than 68,000 square feet of office space and roughly 2,700 parking spaces. Restaurants, a grocery store, a transit center and new park areas are also included in the plan.

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During the meeting, Bonnie Miskel, the real estate attorney representing the applicant, told around 40 attendees that the site has been part of city planning for more than a decade.

She said the city adopted a comprehensive plan called Plan Mobility in 2010, which designated the property for mixed-use development, and that the site received a zoning category in 2013. A master plan was approved in 2015, she said, allowing for more units and commercial space than the current proposal would include.

Miskel said the developer does not intend to build out the site to the maximum density and that the current plan reduces office space by about 30,000 square feet, retail by 20,000 square feet and residential units by 48 compared with the 2015 approval. She described the project as a transit-oriented development designed to provide most daily services within the neighborhood.

The site sits between Florida Atlantic University, nearby residential neighborhoods and the Yamato Road Tri-Rail station  a location the developer says makes it suited for a walkable, mixed-use district. According to planning documents, about half the land would remain open space, which exceeds city requirements.

Why some Boca Raton residents are opposed to the University Village plan

Even so, the scale of the project has prompted questions in the surrounding community.

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Residents have cited potential effects on traffic circulation, neighborhood congestion, school-area safety and the character of one of the city's remaining large undeveloped tracts. Some have also raised issues related to nearby wildlife habitat, stormwater and compatibility with airport operations, given the site's proximity to Boca Raton Airport's flight path.

The city's Community Appearance Board reviewed the proposal Nov. 18 during a public hearing at the Boca Raton Community Center Annex, where residents had a formal opportunity to weigh in.

Bonnie Miskel, attorney for Spanish River Development Partners, presents the University Village proposal during a Nov. 18 public hearing at the Boca Raton Community Center Annex in Boca Raton, Fla.

The discussion comes as another proposed development nearby has come under similar scrutiny from residents. The city's revamped government campus has been scaled back repeatedly from its original proposal, which had included a hotel, hundreds of apartments and extensive commercial space.

During the Nov. 18 hearing, residents from the neighborhoods east of the site described feeling blindsided by the scale of the University Village project and the effect they believe it will have on daily life. Several said they arrived expecting a zoning debate rather than a presentation on the already approved master plan.

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Longtime resident Lilia Perez, who has lived in the adjacent community for four decades, said she initially believed the land functioned as a de facto nature preserve and was alarmed to learn how much development was planned.

"If this plan succeeds, by the time they're finished, it's going to destroy Boca," Perez said.

BOCA RATON NEWS: Spanish River Park to get $2.68M fiber-optic easement linking U.S. to Central America

BOCA RATON NEWS: Louie Bossi's restaurant reopens after fire, adds new dishes, 'Girl Dinner' special

BOCA RATON NEWS: New York City mayoral election: Why Boca Raton was so laser-focused on its outcome

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BOCA RATON NEWS: What's being built there? Luxury Glass House Boca Raton condo hits the market

She described frequent wildlife sightings in the area and said nearby streets already struggled with congestion.

Perez also expressed frustration with what she viewed as a lack of clear communication about the meeting itself. She said notices were placed in high-traffic areas where stopping to read them felt unsafe. She also raised concerns about traffic, flooding and safety for children in her neighborhood.

"Our community is nothing but Jewish people that walk to their synagogues on Saturday on the street, because we don't have sidewalks," she said, adding that children regularly bike and play there. She worried that opening any kind of entrance near the development could introduce safety issues.

Would a wall between the homes and the project help?

Lilia Perez, a resident of the community adjacent to the proposed development, asks questions during the public comment portion of a Nov. 18 public hearing on the proposed University Village development in Boca Raton, Fla.

Others questioned the site's proximity to Boca Raton Airport. Perez said planes "fly over our head constantly," and she worries about the risks of locating dense development directly under the flight path.

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Greg Koslowski, another nearby resident, said he attended expecting a different type of hearing and chose instead to focus on one specific request: a more substantial buffer between the homes and the project.

After reviewing the plans, he urged the developer to add a "12 to 15-foot wall" along the residential border, saying it would provide "privacy, the peace and quiet that we have been used to having," in addition to improving aesthetics and security.

"Maybe we can think about building a wall for us and tie it all together," he said.

The Planning and Zoning Board will ultimately recommend action to the City Council, which has final approval authority.

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Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca residents raise traffic, safety concerns over University Village plan
Attorney General Pam Bondi has struggled to explain Donald Trumps dramatic U-turn on the Epstein files after she enraged MAGA earlier this year by declaring there was nothing left to probe or disclose.

Facing a deluge of Republicans prepared to break ranks to release the files, the president embarked on a major reversal this week, telling his party to vote in favor of a transparency bill that he will now sign into law.

In a bid to deflect the firestorm he has faced for most of the year, Trump also ordered Bondi to investigate Democrats who were once associated with the convicted child sex offender, including former President Bill Clinton, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and former Harvard President Larry Summers. All three have denied knowing about Epsteins heinous crimes.

Donald Trump was a well known associate of Jeffrey Epstein. / Davidoff Studios Photography / Getty Images

Trumps flip-flopping on the Epstein scandal is awkward for the attorney general, partly because of a contentious memo her department released in July declaring that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted and we did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.

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Asked on Wednesday what had changed, Bondi struggled to explain the dramatic reversal.

Information that has come for, um, information. Theres new information, additional information, she said, not explaining exactly what new information she had.

We will continue to follow the law to investigate any leads.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (L) and FBI Director Kash Patel (R), speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department, where she was asked about the Epstein files. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

The DOJ memo seeking quash the Epstein saga was released on July 6, as Trump was under increasing pressure to fulfill a promise hed repeatedly made to his MAGA base: to release the files. He now insists the issue is a Democratic hoax designed to detract from his achievements.

The memo enraged his base, with many taking aim at Bondi, particularly after she claimed in February that the files were sitting on my desk and then invited right-wing influencers to a White House photo-op where they received binders of documents containing information that was essentially already in the public domain.

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The DOJ memo also said that a review by the department found no basis to revisit the disclosure of troves of material related to Epsteins crime and revealed no incriminating client list.

There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties, the memo added.

On Wednesday, however, Bondi called for victims to come forward if they had any information.

Congress has also rushed through a bill to release the files after months of refusing to do so, but when exactly that will happen remains a mystery.

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The legislation calls for Bondi to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials held by the Justice Department, FBI, and each U.S. Attorneys Office related to Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days.

On Feb. 27, 15 conservative influencers showed off binders labeled

It also calls for files to be released that relate to individuals and entities with known or alleged ties to the trafficking or financial networks of Jeffrey Epstein.

But it also states that Bondi can withhold or redact documents that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or prosecution, or contain information specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret.

Asked multiple times on Wednesday how her department would handle releasing the files, Bondi simply repeated: We will follow the law.

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It is not clear what this could mean for the investigation into Democrats that Trump ordered, which critics fear could be used to withhold information.

Bondi has appointed Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead that investigation.

As revealed in the Daily Beasts newsletter The Swamp, Trumps first-term attorney general Bill Barr tried to shoehorn Clayton into the Southern District of New York in 2020, as they sought to push out top prosecutor Geoffrey Berman, who happened to be circling Trump allies like Rudy Giuliani and Steve Bannon at the time.

When that failed, Clayton was appointed to the board of Apollo Global by Trump ally Leon Black, who was also an Epstein associate who paid the sex offender roughly $170 million, for tax and estate planning advice.

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While Black has denied knowing anything about Epsteins industrial-scale sex trafficking, a 2023 settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general shows Black admitted that the money he paid Epstein was used, in part, to fund [Epsteins] operations.

Clayton was eventually appointed as the top prosecutor for the Southern District of New York in April this year.
Border Patrol agents smashed a car window with a rifle before hauling out two female U.S. citizens accused of honking their horn to warn others that federal immigration officers were in the area, according to relatives and a witness.

A shocking video recorded in a Charlotte, North Carolina, neighborhood showed one goon pointing his gun into the window while shouting commands. He was then seen breaking the window and pulling a woman from the drivers seat.

Border Patrol detain one of the women for alerting others to their presence. / WCNC/YouTube

A second woman, also a U.S. citizen, was arrested moments earlier, according to a report from WCNC Charlotte.

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According to the womens family members, who spoke to WCNC, the pair were accused of honking their car horn to alert neighbors that Border Patrol was conducting operations nearby.

Agents allegedly chased their vehicle down a main road before the confrontation in a residential street in the citys Plaza Midwood district.

The husband of one woman told reporters he could not reach either detainee for hours as they were held in an FBI facility. Both were later released with citations.

Border Patrol zip-tied the women during their detention. / WCNC/YouTube

The family has not publicly identified the women, citing fears of retaliation.

Witness Shea Watts, speaking to WCNC, said he began filming after hearing shouting on the street outside. Its like somewhere between disbelief and just being really upset that this is our reality now, he added.

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Watts recorded the scary detention with commentary, Hes breaking the window. Hes got an assault rifle pointed at her. He added that an agent accused women of honking to alert people to their presence.

The incident unfolded amid a surge of federal immigration enforcement across the region as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) carries out new Trump-era directives.

Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino at a gas station in Charlotte, North Carolina. / Ryan Murphy / Ryan Murphy/Getty Images

The Kristi Noem-led department says it arrested over 130 individuals in the first 48 hours of the operation in Charlotte, part of an enforcement sweep it has dubbed Operation Charlottes Web, which began last Saturday.

Charlotte attorney Gary Mauney told WCNC that while citizens have a First Amendment right to film law enforcement, agents can claim authority to arrest people they believe are interfering with operations. He said warning others of Border Patrols presence could be interpreted that way.

The increased presence of federal immigration agents in Charlotte has sparked protests. / Tracy Kimball / Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Watts said he hopes more people document such scenes, A reminder that if we see something, to record it.

The Daily Beast has contacted DHS for comment.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents were spotted detaining someone in a business parking lot in Lenoir on Wednesday, and Channel 9s Dave Faherty learned that neighbors in Catawba County are preparing for an immigration crackdown.

Weve gotten several reports of agent sightings along Highway 70 in Hickory, 24 hours after deputies confirmed Border Patrol agents would be in the city.

Faherty learned that they went to Lenoir first.

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Agents were first seen in the parking lot of Walmart in Lenoir. Then, agents took four people into custody at the American Motel on Wilkesboro Boulevard.

ALSO READ >> CMS absences nearly triple as Border Patrol conducts operations in city

One woman who was in the parking lot says those workers had been picking up trash along Highway 321.

I was just mind blown because we always see things like this happen on the internet and on the news, but we never thought it would come to our community, the witness said.

Workers at the Google construction site in Lenoir say CBP agents also showed up there. An hour later, a viewer shared these photos of agents at a Taco Bell that is being remodeled along Highway 321 in Hickory. We do not know if any of the workers were arrested there.

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In Northeast Hickory, more than half of the workers at this construction project failed to show up for work this morning. The ones who did asked to stay anonymous.

They are scared. They are scared because this situation is all around here. So they want to stay home, one worker told Faherty.

In Newton, several businesses are closed over concerns about border patrol coming to Catawba County.

RELATED >> Daily Update: Border Patrol in Charlotte, Nov. 19

One food store reopened this morning, but many of their customers stayed away.

Some are not going out, and, of course, those that have kids that are able to go out are doing the grocery shopping for them, said Bernece Lopez.

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John Grindle is a veteran and was disappointed that many of the Hispanic businesses now have these signs on their doors.

They are so frightened they have to put a sign on their door. They shouldnt have to do that, Grindle said.

Faherty and Channel 9 did reach out to the commander of the Border Patrol about the arrests in Lenoir and asked if he wanted to do an interview. So far, we have not heard back.

(VIDEO: Could Charlotte judge release hundreds of immigrants like Chicago did?)
Boston Public School students, parents, and teachers are voicing their opposition to a new proposal to close three more schools and reconfigure three others.

The Boston School Committee heard their passionate pleas on Wednesday night.

Dozens of people testified just two days after learning about the proposal.

Boston Superintendent Mary Skipper said the district saw a decline of 1700 students compared to this time last year and must plan accordingly for the years ahead.

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This is literally, in our face, the school-to-prison pipeline that you are doing by making these decisions, said Meghan Desmond, an ESL teacher at Another Course to College.

The district is considering closing two small high schools - Another Course to College in Hyde Park and Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester.

Lee Academy Pilot School in Dorchester is also facing potential closure.

You have now left my family, along with many others, without a clear route of how to complete high school, which brings an enormous amount of stress to figure out where to send my children, said Amanda Roberto, a mother of students at Another Course to College.

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The proposal is part of the citys plan to close nearly 20 schools by the end of the decade.

Its just disappointing. Its heartbreaking, said Nyla Hicks, a senior at Community Academy of Science and Health. Why not grow the school? Why shut it down?

The Boston School Committee is scheduled to vote on the proposal on December 17th.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The Brief

Former Braselton Police Chief Michael Steffman was arrested on stalking and misconduct charges after a months-long GBI investigation.

Investigators say Steffman misused license plate recognition systems to harass and stalk multiple individuals.

Hours before the arrest, the town announced Steffmans retirement and named Zack Tiller interim chief.

BRASELTON, Ga. - Braseltons police chief has been arrested on stalking and misconduct charges, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The news broke just hours after the city of Braselton announced his retirement.

Ex-Braselton police chief arrested

What we know

Former Braselton Police Chief Michael Steffman, 49, was charged with violation of oath by public officer, stalking, harassing communications and multiple counts of misuse of automated license plate recognition systems after a months-long investigation.

Michael Steffman. Courtesy of Jackson County Sheriff's Office

The GBI said the Jackson County Sheriffs Office asked the agency to look into allegations against Steffman. According to the GBI, the investigation found that Steffman misused automated license plate recognition systems to harass and stalk multiple individuals.

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He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Interim Braselton police chief named

Local perspective

Earlier in the day, Braseltons official Facebook page announced Steffman was retiring for personal reasons, and Town Manager Jennifer Scott has appointed Zack Tiller as interim chief, effective immediately.

Zack Tiller was appointed interim police chief of the Town of Braselton after the abrupt resignation of the town's top cop on Nov. 19, 2025. (own of Braselton, Georgia)

Braselton responds after arrest

What they're saying

In a statement, Braselton Town manager Jennifer Scott wrote:

"The Town is disappointed by the circumstances and the charges and respect that the legal process will take its course. At the same time, we appreciate that these matters require the former Chiefs full personal attention and appreciate his years of service. As we look ahead, our priority remains ensuring the safety and protection of our citizens and maintaining the strong level of public service our community expects."

The case against Michael Steffman

What's next

Once the GBIs work is complete, agents say the case file will be turned over to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit for prosecution.

What we don't know

Authorities have not said how long the alleged misuse of the license plate recognition system took place, how many individuals were affected, or whether any additional department employees are under review.

What you can do

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens at 706-552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

The Source

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Town of Braselton provided the details for this article.
Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Belem to rally COP30 delegates toward consensus, as the summit approaches its final days with no resolution on key issues. A call for countries to strengthen their national climate plans has met resistance from some developing countries, who, in a classic catch-22 of climate politics, say they cant do more without more financial aid from wealthy countries, which are reluctant to commit more aid without stronger plans from recipients. Meanwhile, more than 80 countries have now come out in support of creating a detailed plan to transition the global economy away from fossil fuels.

But the plan still faces opposition from China and Gulf oil producers, among others. Delegates are also caught up in debate over gender identity, with the Vatican, Iran, and others pushing for a narrower definition in a draft Gender Action Plan, which aims to articulate ways in which countries can address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women and girls. So far the only thing delegates have been able to agree on is where to host upcoming COPs: In Turkey next year, with Australia serving as the chief mediator, and then likely Ethiopia in 2027.
Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A scathing report released in Britain details the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying early failures to take the disease seriously took thousands of lives.

It said that all four United Kingdom governments -- England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland -- failed to understand the scale of the threat.

"The inquiry finds that the response of the four governments repeatedly amounted to a case of 'too little, too late,'" it said.

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The inquiry, led by Baroness Heather Hallett, a retired appeals judge, used modeling data that showed that if the lockdown had begun a week earlier, there would have been 23,000 fewer deaths. The report is 750 pages, divided into two volumes.

The U.K. government first advised restrictions on March 16, 2020. Those included self-isolation, household quarantine and social distancing. It imposed a full lockdown on March 23.

The report also gave strong criticism of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying there was a "toxic culture" at No. 10 Downing.

It said Johnson "reinforced a culture in which the loudest voices prevailed and the views of other colleagues, particularly women, often went ignored, to the detriment of good decision-making."

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The early COVID crisis in Italy "should have prompted urgent planning across the four nations," the report said. "Instead, the governments did not take the pandemic seriously enough until it was too late. February 2020 was a lost month."

Johnson should have chaired the Cabinet Office Briefing Room A meetings in the first month, the report said. During a February holiday, Johnson spent the week at the government's Chevening country retreat, the report said. "It does not appear that he was briefed, at all or to any significant extent, on COVID-19, and he received no daily updates."

The lockdown was delayed in March because scientific advisors Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance warned of "behavioral fatigue," which meant that people would only comply for a period. But this "had no grounding in behavioral science and proved damaging, given the imperative to act more decisively and sooner," the report said.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Buffalo woman has been arrested after four incidents of vandalism at The Terrace at Delaware Park occurred this past summer, according to the Buffalo Police Department.

She is accused of driving children between the ages of 10 and 16 around to The Terrace, Tops on Elmwood Avenue, and Dearborn Street and allowing them to vandalize the properties.

On four separate occasions in the span of two weeks in October, The Terrace was vandalized. Thousands of dollars in damage was done as eggs were reportedly thrown at the windows and restaurant furniture was tossed into Hoyt Lake.

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Were hoping we can identify these kids and that theres some real repercussions, Jason Davidson, the restaurants co-owner previously said. Its one oclock in the morning, four oclock in the morning, they just keep coming back and hitting it.

On Aug. 15, five cars were damaged by rocks on Dearborn Street and on Oct. 16, a group of suspects took trash out of the dumpsters at Tops on Elmwood and threw it around the lot, police said.

All of the children were allegedly in the care of 39-year-old Stacy Matthews at the time.

She has been charged with the following:

twenty-one counts, endangering the welfare of a child

second-degree criminal mischief

third-degree criminal mischief

third-degree criminal tampering

second-degree criminal nuisance

Latest Local News

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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A school bus ride home for students at Sutton Middle School in Atlanta turned chaotic Wednesday evening when a substitute driver refused to let them off at unauthorized stops, prompting some students to call 911.

The incident occurred on Colonial Homes Drive in Buckhead, where police and parents rushed to the scene after receiving reports that the driver was holding the students hostage.

Atlanta Public Schools confirmed that the driver was a substitute who encountered challenges with the route and pulled over to request assistance.

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The sun starts setting, and shes still not driving home. So Im getting worried I get scared on buses. Im starting to get really worried, said Janelle Lee-King, an 11-year-old student who called 911 during the incident.

I was terrified. Terrified, said Narissa King.

TRENDING STORIES:

Janelles mother, expressing her panic as she waited for her daughter to return home.

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Cell phone video captured the chaotic moments as students shouted at the substitute bus driver, urging her to continue driving.

Go! Keep going! Keep going! Drive the bus! one student exclaimed.

Another student was heard saying, Maam, if you hold me for two more seconds, I will call 911! indicating the level of distress among the children.

Police officers from the Atlanta Police Department and APS arrived at the scene to help reunite students with their parents, and the driver was detained and placed in handcuffs, although no charges have been filed.

In a statement, APS explained that the driver did not release students at unauthorized bus stops out of an abundance of caution, as per district policy.

The incident remains under investigation by APS, and while no charges have been filed, parents are demanding answers about how the situation escalated to such a level.
Democrats and Republicans have come together to mourn former US Vice-President Dick Cheney at his funeral in Washington DC.

Cheney, who served under President George W Bush from 2001-09, died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease in early November. He was 84.

Bush, a Republican, said in his eulogy: "In a profession that attracts talkers, he was a thinker and a listener." Former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, also attended.

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Cheney was one of the most powerful vice-presidents in history, a key architect of Bush's "war on terror" after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and an early advocate of the invasion of Iraq.

In Thursday's ceremony at Washington National Cathedral, Bush revealed that during the difficult 2004 re-election campaign, Cheney had offered to step off the ticket.

"I arrived at the conclusion they do not come any better than Dick Cheney," Bush told mourners.

He said Cheney was "everything a president should expect as a second-in-command".

George W Bush speaks at Cheney's funeral [Getty Images]

In recent years, Cheney found himself out of favour in the Republican Party after he condemned President Donald Trump's refusal to accept the result of the 2020 election.

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Trump was also at loggerheads with Cheney's daughter, former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney.

His daughter paid tribute to him on Thursday, recalling her father's legacy.

"He knew the bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans," she said. "For him, a choice between defence of the Constitution and defence of your political party was no choice at all."

[Getty Images]

In last year's White House election, both Cheneys endorsed the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris.

Harris was at the funeral, along with other former US Vice-Presidents Mike Pence and Al Gore.

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Trump and Vice-President JD Vance did not attend. Neither did former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, both Democrats.
California's budgetary woes are worse than expected, forcing state lawmakers to grapple with a nearly $18-billion shortfall next year, according to a new report from the Legislative Analyst's Office.

This figure is $5 billion more than estimates in June.

Despite improvements in state revenue, the report said mandatory spending requirements under Proposition 98, which sets minimum annual funding for public schools, and Proposition 2, which specifies reserve deposits and debt payments, almost entirely offset any gains, according to the legislative analysis.

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It estimated state costs for Medi-Cal and CalFresh, which provide healthcare and food assistance to Californians in need, were also $1.3 billion more than anticipated due to federal cuts from the Big, Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed in July, the report stated.

Although enthusiasm for artificial intelligence companies has benefited the stock market, increasing state tax revenue, the report warned that the boost probably won't last.

"With so much exuberance surrounding AI, it now appears time to take seriously the notion that the stock market has become overheated," the report states. "History suggests that the stock market is prone to overreact to major technological advances, even if the technology itself turns out to be revolutionary."

The Legislative Analyst's Office advised lawmakers to increase revenue and reduce spending.

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"While important components of the state economy are sluggish, revenues are not falling, nor are conditions as bad as they would be in an outright recession," the report states. "This makes solving the budget problem with ongoing solutions all the more important. Continuing to use temporary tools  like budgetary borrowing  would only defer the problem and, ultimately, leave the state illequipped to respond to a recession or downturn in the stock market."

Gov. Gavin Newsom will unveil his annual budget proposal in January, which will serve as a starting point for legislators as they craft the state spending plan.

Assembly Budget Committee Chair Jesse Gabriel said the report underscored the challenging decisions ahead.

"While the Trump Administration continues to pursue destructive policies that will harm California families," Gabriel said in a statement released Wednesday, "the Assembly Budget Committee remains committed to crafting a responsible budget that prioritizes essential services."

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H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the California Department of Finance, said the report highlighted the challenges lawmakers will face due to "federal uncertainty, market volatility, and continued growth in both cost and caseload for major state programs."

"In the coming weeks, the Governor will be finalizing his decisions on how hell propose to meet the challenges in the coming year," Palmer said in a statement.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Friends, family and a few former presidents are gathering in Washington, D.C., Thursday for former Vice President Dick Cheney's funeral.

Cheney, a dominant figure in Republican politics for more than three decades and one of the most influential vice presidents, died on Nov. 3 at age 84 of complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. Cheney had received a heart transplant in 2012.

Cheney's funeral service begins at 11 a.m. ET at the Washington National Cathedral. Here's what to know about plans for the service and how to watch it live:

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Who is attending Cheney's funeral?

Two former presidents are attending Cheney's funeral: George W. Bush, who served two terms in the White House with Cheney as his vice president, and Joe Biden.

Former vice presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle are also attending.

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance won't be there. A senior White House official told CBS News that Mr. Trump was not invited to the funeral. Cheney had become an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump in recent years, and Mr. Trump did not issue a public statement after Cheney's death.

Former President Bill Clinton will not be attending due to a scheduling conflict. Clinton, a former Arkansas governor, will be in Little Rock attending an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the governor's mansion along with current Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other former governors, including U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Asa Hutchinson. An aide said Clinton is keeping the Cheney family in his prayers.

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Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is present for the service, along with Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh. Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy is also there.

Among the members of Congress from both parties attending are House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Many other prominent figures from Cheney's decades in public life filled the pews for the invitation-only service, but a full guest list has not been released.

Who is speaking at Cheney's funeral service?

The following speakers will offer tributes at the service:

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Former President George W. BushDr. Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health SciencesPete Williams, former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and former NBC News justice correspondentCheney's grandchildrenCheney's daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney

Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, will give the homily, and several other clergy members will participate.

How to watch Cheney's funeral serviceWhat: Funeral service for former Vice President Dick CheneyDate: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025Time: 11 a.m. ETLocation: Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, D.C.Online stream: Live on CBS News 24/7 in the video player above and on your mobile or streaming device. The Washington National Cathedral will also stream the funeral service.

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As the city of Chicago's budget battle festers on, Mayor Brandon Johnson is offering City Council members an online portal to submit their savings and efficiencies ideas.

This comes as the deadline to pass a balanced budget is over one month away.

"There's been a lot of noise around possible efficiencies. So we want to make sure that we are giving aldermen every single opportunity (to) move forward with this budget," Johnson said.

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Despite the last-minute portal idea to allow more recommendations, Johnson is not budging on his head tax proposal to raise revenue. While the business community is strongly against it, the mayor says a $21-per-head tax on employees is not a big concern for corporate leaders with whom he has spoken.

"I'm a little taken aback by, you know, some of the pushback from the corporate head tax. Because when I talk to CEOs, it doesn't come up. They talk about community safety," Johnson said.

The mayor is also not budging on union concessions, something one alderman suggested Wednesday.

"I'm going to say something uncomfortable here: Labor needs to be at the table," 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea said.

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Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter says unions give every budget cycle, and there is nothing more to give.

"The city workforce is smaller than it ever has been, and we have 500 less workers than we did pre-pandemic. You can't, you can't keep cutting the workforce," Reiter said.

The mayor says layoffs and furloughs are off the table.

Budget Director Annette Guzman says furloughs don't save money.

"The services are expected to continue at the volume, at the pace they currently exist, which means we're now doing them with people on overtime, which is more expensive," Guzman said.

Despite deep divisions on how to balance the budget and time ticking to get it done, the mayor, alders and labor are confident a budget will passed by the end of the year to avoid a city shutdown.
The 15 people were taken from medical care after being rescued from the smoke-filled apartments, after the flames erupted in nine residential buildings.

Children and babies were among the 15 people rescued by Israels Fire and Rescue Authority in the early hours of Wednesday morning after suspectedarson attacks caused fires at several residential buildings in Beersheba.

A 16-year-old Jewish minor was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the arson, the Fire and Rescue Authority said Thursday morning.

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The 15 people were taken for medical care after being rescued from the smoke-filled apartments.

Firefighters work to rescue residents of a building in Beersheba that caught fire, November 20, 2025. (credit: Fire and Rescue Authority)

In total, nine buildings were set on fire in the suspected attacks. The buildings were on Aliyah Street, Derech Shimshon Street, Rabbi Uziel Street, Tabenkin Street, Tel Hai Street, Derech Hameshachrerim, Hogla Street, Moriah Street, and Radak Square.

Rescuing civilians from the flames after suspected arson

After receiving dozens of calls, firefighters responded to the fires and began extinguishing flames in building lobbies, electrical cabinets, and shelters.

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The first responders immediately began searching for residents trapped in the flames and instructed those stuck to place wet rags around their closed doors and windows and to wait in interior rooms.

The cause of the fires is currently being investigated.
Zhi Dong Zhang, a Chinese national accused of leading a major drug trafficking operation, has been extradited to the United States after being recaptured in Cuba.

Zhang, who is also known by the alias Brother Wang, pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl during his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday.

The defendant stands accused of running a global enterprise that pumped massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into our communities and laundered millions in narcotics proceeds, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. His return to the United States is a major step in dismantling a network that has fueled addiction, violence, and death.

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Federal officials allege that Zhang operated a vast drug trafficking and money laundering network that imported thousands of kilograms of narcotics into the United States and other countries.

Zhangs organization reportedly laundered at least $77 million through more than 100 shell companies using false social security numbers and other fraudulent documents. Mexican authorities initially captured Zhang in Mexico City in October 2024 at the request of the U.S. government, but he escaped from house arrest before being recaptured in Cuba.

Zhang also faces related federal charges in Georgia, where government documents describe a cocaine and fentanyl trafficking network with hubs in the Atlanta and Los Angeles metro areas.

Zhangs extradition and upcoming trial mark a significant step in the U.S. governments efforts to dismantle a major international drug trafficking network.
There have again been calls in Chinese state media for more research into "historical justice" and legal claims around Ryukyu, as a diplomatic row over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan drags on.

On Wednesday, state-run Global Times in an editorial called for further studies to be done on the Ryukyu island chain, arguing that it was an important issue that was much more than academic.

"The geopolitical position, strategic choices and future trajectory of the Ryukyu Islands not only determine their own fate but also profoundly affect the security concerns of neighbouring countries and regions," the editorial said.

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Located between the islands of Kyushu and Taiwan, the Ryukyu archipelago was once controlled by the independent Ryukyu Kingdom.

The main hall of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, which once belonged to the Ryukyu Kingdom. Photo: Shutterstock alt=The main hall of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, which once belonged to the Ryukyu Kingdom. Photo: Shutterstock>

The chain includes Okinawa, home to tens of thousands of American troops - one of the largest military contingents in the world outside the United States.

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Okinawa also forms part of the "first island chain" meant to restrict Chinese military access to the Pacific Ocean in the event of a conflict across the Taiwan Strait.

Before being annexed by Japan in the 1870s, the Ryukyu Kingdom paid tribute to imperial China and Satsuma, a domain in medieval Japan that is now modern-day Kagoshima prefecture in the southernmost part of Kyushu.

As tensions over Taiwan flare, there has been speculation that Beijing could try to challenge Tokyo's control of Okinawa, whose history and proximity to Taiwan make it a focal point in China-Japan disputes including over the Diaoyu Islands, which Japan calls the Senkakus.

The significance of studying Ryukyu was more pronounced in light of geopolitical change across the region, according to Global Times.

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"The value of this field of study is by no means confined to the level of academic gap-filling or disciplinary expansion," it said, adding that it was "about the enduring maintenance of regional peace, the upholding of historical justice and the construction of China's discourse system within a complex geopolitical landscape".

The editorial suggested that studying the history around the Ryukyu Islands could help shed light on how to address "pressing real-world concerns" like America's military presence in Japan.

Sino-Japanese ties have nosedived since Takaichi on November 7 told parliament that Japan could deploy its military forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing slammed her comment as meddling in China's internal affairs and asked the Japanese leader to retract her statement, which she has yet to do.

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Takaichi's comment marked a departure from Tokyo's strategic ambiguity on how Japan could react in a conflict over Taiwan.

The Japanese government has insisted Takaichi's remarks were hypothetical and that its position regarding the self-ruled island had not changed from what was stated in the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972, which normalised ties between Tokyo and Beijing.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States and Japan, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

In recent days, some Chinese official media have linked Takaichi's remarks to Japan's invasion of China in WWII, accusing her of seeking a revival of Japanese militarisation.

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Beijing has argued that the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, which put the Ryukyu Islands under America's temporary administration, is invalid.

Citing the 1943 Cairo Declaration and 1945 Potsdam Declaration, the two documents that outlined the terms of Japan's surrender in the WW2, some Chinese historians argue that Japan's territory is limited to four major islands - Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu - and that the status of Ryukyu is undetermined.

On Tuesday, Changanjie Zhishi, a social media account run by the official Beijing Daily, cited the controversy surrounding Takaichi's comment that "publicly linked the Taiwan Strait situation to Japan's survival, stating that 'a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency'".

"It is therefore time to address the Ryukyu issue and help Japan settle its 'old accounts'," it said in a post.

Okinawans protest in Naha in July last year over a spate of cases involving US military personnel accused of committing sexual crimes. Photo: Kyodo alt=Okinawans protest in Naha in July last year over a spate of cases involving US military personnel accused of committing sexual crimes. Photo: Kyodo>

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The post referred to an October 9 speech by China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, who urged Japan to "stop prejudice and discrimination against Okinawans and other indigenous peoples".

Sun delivered the speech during a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly, and it caused unease in Japan that Beijing might challenge Okinawa's sovereignty in the future.

The Changanjie Zhishi post also highlighted the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, when a large number of Okinawan people died because of starvation or suicide.

The 1945 battle was one of the bloodiest in the Pacific theatre of World War II. According to figures from the Okinawan government, some 242,000 people were killed - civilian and military, Japanese and foreign.

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After the US ended its administration of Ryukyu in 1972 under the Okinawa Reversion Agreement, the island became home to a heavy American military presence.

The US presence has been controversial and prompted protests among local Okinawans over the decades. Many have voiced concerns about noise pollution, security and the safety of local women amid complaints of sexual violence by American soldiers.

The Changanjie Zhishi post stated that "before meddling in the internal affairs of other nations, Japan ought first to settle its own historical debts and address the Ryukyu issue with complete transparency".

"Faced with this historical 'ulcer' alone, Japan lacks both the qualification and the standing to speak with such audacity, let alone treat Taiwan as 'its own affair'," it added.

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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.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching next Thursday, Nov. 27, the annual presidential turkey pardon is also on the horizon. The tradition sees the president bestow an official pardon on two turkeys chosen from a U.S. farm, sparing them from being served on the dinner table that holiday season. Before that can happen, however, the turkeys need names, and you can help choose them.

While the White House has not yet set a date for the turkey pardon, the event usually takes place a few days before Thanksgiving. Until then, the Office of the First Lady wants constituents to have a voice in the naming process by voting for different names on the First Lady's social media accounts.

More: Who was the first president to pardon a turkey? History of the unusual event

Which turkey names are up for debate?

According to a tweet from the Office of the First Lady, four names are being weighed for the turkeys:

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Sugar and Spice

Pumpkin and Pie

Gobble and Waddle

Acorn and Squash

The names of past pardoned turkeys often carry a holiday or American theme, including 2020 Thanksgiving turkeys Corn and Cob, 2018's turkeys Peas and Carrots, and 2011's turkeys Liberty and Peace, according to the National Turkey Federation.

A visual history: Presidential turkey pardons: An illustrated guide to the Thanksgiving tradition

How do I vote?

Name voting is live on the Office of the First Lady's X account, which operates under the handle @FirstLadyOffice. There, people can pick their favorite set of names.
BELEM, Brazil (AP)  Zaqueu Belem Araujo cuts a leaf from an acai tree and skillfully folds and twists it, tying one end to the other to form a strong ring. He takes off his sandals, puts his bare feet into the palm ring and quickly pulls himself up the tree trunk to reach a branch of the coveted fruit.

This is how the acai berry has been harvested for generations in Brazilian quilombos, communities of descendents of runaway slaves. The minimally invasive technique doesn't hurt the trees and helps keep Amazon forests standing.

We understand that keeping the forest alive also keeps us alive, said Erica Monteiro, one of the about 500 residents of Itacoa Miri, a community of unpaved streets about 40 minutes away by boat from the sprawling city of Belem, where U.N. climate talks are being held.

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Over the course of the climate conference, which began early this month and is scheduled to end on Friday, both residents of quilombos and Indigenous peoples have been pushing for the government to issue more land titles, which they see as key to defending their rights and protecting the ecosystems where they live.

Struggle to keep the forest alive

While her mother grinds the acai berries freshly picked from the palm tree, Monteiro explains that this fruit is key in quilombos. It's an important source of food and, by preserving traditional harvesting and production techniques, they protect the lush forest that surrounds their communities.

Our life is this struggle to ensure that the forest stays alive. Sometimes the price we pay is very high," she said.

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Monteiro, a coordinator at Malungu, an association of quilombos in the state of Para, is one of the most prominent Afro-descendant leaders in the region. Her fight to protect their land from illegal logging and land invasion for cattle ranching and soybean farming has meant threatening phone calls, attempts of extortion and intimidation.

Thats why her community fought for years to achieve what few Afro-descendants in Brazil manage to do: obtain a document recognizing their ownership of their land.

Theres almost 2,500 quilombos in the Brazilian Amazon, but only 258 have been officially mapped by government institutes, according to a recent study by the National Coordination of Rural Black Communities, an association of quilombolas communities.

If you cant prove that the land belongs to the community, agribusiness ends up doing what we call in Brazil grilling, which is forging false documentation in their favor, Monteiro said.

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Through Malungu, Monteiro helps other quilombos in the lengthy and costly process to obtain land titles so that others can benefit as they did more than 20 years ago when they got theirs.

Since then, her community received philanthropy funding from the Ford Foundation and the Climate and Land Use Alliance (The Associated Press receives funding for climate journalism from CLUA). The support is evident in Itacoa Miri: They have a health center and a school. There is electricity and running water.

Fight against a landfill

The situation is very different in the quilombo of Menino Jesus, not far from Itacoa Miri. They only received their land title in November last year and it was for less than half of the territory they claimed, according to local resident Fabio Nogueira.

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About 500 meters (550 yards) from his humble brick house, a company called Revita has been trying to set up a landfill that, according to Nogueira, threatens to contaminate the areas aquifers, on which they depend on for fishing and daily life. Revita didn't respond to an email seeking comment and there was no answer at the phone number listed for their headquarters.

Our fear is that both the springs there (in the area where the landfill is planned) and the water in our wells will be polluted by the leachate produced by the waste, said Nogueira, vice president of the Menino Jesus territory association.

He and his community have been fighting the landfill for years, saying they were never consulted. The Public Defenders Office has filed a lawsuit on their behalf in the State Court of Justice, but so far it hasn't been granted.

We feel powerless," he said. "We are afraid that we will no longer be able to survive here because of the smell and the contamination that will come after.

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The Menino Jesus community is demanding title deeds to the entire 2,160 hectares (around 5,340 acres) of land that they claim has belonged to their inhabitants for generations. So far, only 640 hectares (about 1,580 acres) have been recognized as theirs.

A definitive title gives us legal assurance that this land belongs to the community and that other people cannot take possession of it, Nogueira said.

He believes that if these territories are officially recognized, the forests full of chestnut and acai trees will remain standing.

That's why Monteiro, from the community of Itacoa Miri, believes the Brazilian government needs to pay attention to Afro-descendant communities and recognize the ownership of all quilombos in Brazil.

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She says communities like hers should also be paid, both by Brazil and other countries, to keep the forest standing. One of the biggest announcements to come out of COP30, set to end this week, has been the establishment of a fund to pay to keep trees standing. Monteiro says she is skeptical, as other funds to preserve forests haven't reached her community.

We are doing what the world should be doing, which is preserving the forest, Monteiro said. And we are paying a very high price that many countries don't want to pay.

___

Follow Teresa de Miguel on X at @tdemigueles

___

Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment

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___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
A company that owns 15 long-term care facilities in Washington has agreed to pay $7 million after an investigation into claims of inadequate care.

According to a Wednesday news release from the Washington State Attorney Generals Office, the company  Bonaventure  will pay the $7 million to improve its services and issue a $250 credit to 800 residents at 10 facilities in Puyallup, Tri-Cities, Bellingham, Arlington, Bothell, East Wenatchee, Lacey, Richland and Vancouver.

The release said that from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2024, the company failed to provide a number of vital services to residents, including medication assistance, housekeeping, maintenance, dining, and infection control.

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Families entrusted their loved ones to these facilities and expected safe, clean, and conscientious care. Sadly, for many of them, thats not what they got, Attorney General Nick Brown said in the release. Enforcing our consumer protection laws to protect vulnerable people from inadequate care is a priority for me and our entire office.

The Attorney Generals Office said the company has not admitted liability, but has agreed to raise wages for its staff, hire more staff, hire a quality assurance team and hire a health and wellness director for all of its Washington facilities that have both assisted living and memory care services.

In a statement to The News Tribune Wednesday, Bonaventure said residents at their facilities are a top priority.

Bonaventure strongly believes that the AGs threatened litigation was meritless and has strongly defended itself against the claims brought by the AG. However, rather than face years of baseless litigation, millions of dollars of ongoing legal expenses, and waste time and resources on ongoing litigation, Bonaventure has agreed to resolve its dispute with the AG, the statement said. The settlement contains no admission of wrongdoing or liability on behalf of Bonaventure. Bonaventures residents and their families have always been our top priority, even through the unprecedented COVID pandemic, and this resolution allows us to continue focusing on what matters most  delivering quality care and maintaining the trusted relationships weve built over 24 years of serving Washington communities.

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The company said it spent $10 million in capital improvements in 2023 and 2024, and has increased labor costs by 55% since 2019.

Indeed, Bonaventures commitment in the agreement is only a fraction of the costs that Bonaventure was already planning on spending in the coming years, the statement said. We plan on vastly exceeding these expenditures as we continue to serve our seniors and keep our physical buildings up to our high standards.

Washington state residents who have negative experiences with a senior living facility can file a complaint at fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ComplaintForm.aspx.
The government has awarded a contract to fund a new laser that can shoot down high-speed drones.

The 316m will be used to develop the DragonFire laser at MBDA's UK headquarters in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

During a recent trial at MoD Hebrides, the weapon shot down drones which flying at twice the speed of a Formula 1 car.

Defence minister Luke Pollard MP said the laser was "delivering a cutting-edge capability to help defend the UK and our allies in this new era of threat".

Luke Pollard said the lasers would help in a "new era of threat" [Sam Read/BBC]

The government said the technology was more cost-effective then traditional missile systems, which can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds per shot. The laser costs just 10 each time it is used.

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DragonFire is Europe's first high-power laser. It can hit a target the size of a 1 coin from a distance of 1km.

It is thought the project will create 590 jobs in the UK.

DragonFire will be installed on the first Type 45 destroyer by 2027 [BBC]

MBDA is working with QinetiQ and Leonardo to develop the technology for use on destroyers by 2027.

UK managing director Chris Allam described the contract as "another significant milestone".

"It allows us to continue with the next phase of the programme and reaffirms the UK's intent to be at the forefront of laser directed energy weapons," he said.

"The success of recent DragonFire trials are a testament to our... team delivering a truly game-changing weapon system into the hands of the Royal Navy."

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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The UN climate talks COP30 have been evacuated due to a fire breaking out inside the venue in Belem, Brazil.

BBC journalists saw flames and smoke in the pavilion area before they were rushed outside where fire engines raced past.

The UN has said the fire is now contained "with limited damage". It is not yet known what caused the blaze.

The talks were in the final hours of trying to agree on next steps to tackle climate but the fire has disrupted negotiations.

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"It was climbing the walls and onto the ceiling. People were screaming," Dr Harshita Umesh, who was giving a talk next to the place where they fire broke out, told BBC News.

"Then I ran, I think I tripped and fell."

Dr Umesh, who is a medical doctor, said that ambulance staff told her no-one has burn injuries but that some first responders inhaled "toxic fumes" and are now using oxygen masks.

Emergency medicine specialist Kimberly Humphrey, currently helping patients at the COP medical centre, told the BBC that the injuries are "Mainly people with smoke inhalation, someone with a lung injury from smoke."

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"People are pretty traumatised and shocked," she added.

"There's a huge panic, people have been running out of here, it's a very dramatic moment... UN security guards are telling us to leave," said BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt.

"It looks actually as if they are beginning to get it under control but you can see huge columns of smoke rising up into the air through the hole that's been burnt in the top of the conference centre."

BBC journalists saw two ambulances driving towards the entrance more than 90 minutes after the fire started.

A Brazilian security officer putting a chain through the gates of the venue with a chain told the BBC they are evacuating the premises and locking it.

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After the fire broke out, orange flames burned a hole through the sheeting that covers the venue, which is in a former aerodrome. One video shows a man spraying a fire extinguisher at the fire before running away.

One eyewitness told the BBC that he believes an electrical fire was the cause.

A woman was taken away in a wheelchair, but it is not clear if that was connected to the fire.

Hundreds of people are now sitting on the floor or on plastic chairs outside in high temperatures and humidity. Others have left the COP entirely to return to accommodation.

The fire is likely to delay the closing of a deal in the talks.

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A number of country delegations were forced to take shelter outside under the roof of a petrol station, a member of the UK delegation told the BBC. He said the fire has halted negotiations.

The UN, which runs COP climate meetings, said the fire brigade is checking the venue to assess safety and that the summit has been temporarily taken over by Brazilian authorities.

Thousands of people are attending the UN climate talks, including members of delegations from around the world.

Nearly 200 countries are trying to agree on how to make progress in tackling climate change.
Coya Therapeutics is hoping to gain approval of its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease-modifying therapy (DMT) based on its Phase II trial.

Following the positive outcome of a Phase I trial (NCT06307301) of COYA 302 in ALS, Coya Therapeutics spoke with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a mid-stage study, which was given the go-ahead in August 2025.

Coya Therapeutics CEO, Fred Grossman, told Clinical Trials Arena that the company hopes that if successful, the Phase II trial will set the drug up for approval in ALS.

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Other therapies available for ALS were approved on a single trial  primarily due to the unmet need and lack of adequate therapies. Depending on the data we gather when the trial reaches its six-month endpoint, well move forward accordingly, stated Grossman.

The company has now initiated the ALSTARS study (NCT07161999), from which it hopes to seek potential approval based on the intial six month period.

The three-arm trial, which aims to enrol 120 patients across 25 sites in the US and Canada, will assess the efficacy and safety of COYA 302 in a biweekly and once-monthly subcutaneous dosing regimen. The candidate will be tested against placebo for an initial six month period.

After the initial six-month period, Coya will conduct a blinded extension phase, which will allow patients originally given placebo to receive COYA 302 for a further six months.

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The placebo group will present some interesting data, as it will allow us to look at if patients can be stabilised on one of these doses after six months on placebo, Grossman noted.

The primary endpoint for the trial will be ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores.

Addressing unmet needs in ALS

While four medications have been approved for use in ALS, patients still face a plethora of unmet needs.

ALS is a relentless disease that often leads to death within five years of diagnosis, said Grossman.

Coya hopes to target this unmet need with COYA 302, which combines a low dose of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) to both enhance Treg prevalence and reduce inflammation  ensuring that the Tregs do not revert to a pro-inflammatory state.

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The technology for COYA 302 is based on T-regulatory cells (Tregs). In October 2025, Shimon Sakaguchi, scientific advisor to Coya Therapeutics, along with Mary Brunkow of the Seattle Institute for Systems Biology and Fred Ramsdell of Sonoma Biotherapeutics, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in uncovering the role of Tregs in managing inflammation.

Grossman said that the drug has already been shown to stabilise ALS-associated decline and durably increase the number and suppressive potential of Tregs in the Phase I trial. Following an extension period, Coya said it also observed stabilisation in patients for close to a year.

COYA 302s role in inflammatory disease

Alongside its efforts to get COYA 302 to patients with ALS, Coya is also exploring the potential of the therapy in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which shares commonality from a genetic molecular perspective, noted Grossman.

We will initiate the trial following FDA approval of our investigational new drug (IND) application in FTD," he added.

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However, Grossman believes that COYA 302s potential could extend further, as the drugs mechanism is agnostic to a specific neurodegenerative disease.

COYA 302 has potential applications in Parkinsons, and we fully intend to move forward in other indications as well, Grossman commented.

"Coya Therapeutics hopes for ALS Treg approval on Phase II trial" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




A coyote was trapped and killed at the Washington Park Arboretum following a series of dangerous and close encounters with humans.

Officials were worried the coyote in question would eventually attack humans.

Coyotes are usually afraid of people and keep their distance but according to the City of Seattle, this one wasnt.

They are not safe to interact with in any way, shape or form, said Rachel Schulkin of Seattle Parks and Recreation.

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Three incidents contributed to the trapping and killing.

The first: a coyote was caught on camera stealing a womans jacket at the arboretum. According to the city, there was also a report of a coyote stealing food from right next to a person and attacking a dog on a leash.

There was concern that the behavior would escalate, so the city reached out to the US Department of Agriculture and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for help.

The last thing we want to see are coyotes attacking humans, Schulkin said. We dont want to see coyotes actually running up and biting humans because a human has entered their den space. We dont want to see them chasing after humans.

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The coyote that was killed reportedly became so used to humans that its sleep schedule flipped. Instead of hunting at night like coyotes normally do, it slept so it could mooch off people during the day.

The arboretum is a really populated park. There are a lot of people around, Schulkin said. We want people to feel like they can utilize this space safely and we also want the coyotes to be in their natural habitat safely. Thats been possible for decades, so we know we can get back there.

The solution is avoiding the coyotes and hazing one if you see it. That means yelling at it, waving your arms, throwing things at it and even spraying it with a hose. Hazing is meant to show coyotes humans are not safe.

Schulkin also advises not leaving any food waste of pet food outside so coyotes are forced to feed the natural way.

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We are hopeful that if we can all kind of intensify these efforts in the next couple of months, the coyotes will get the message that interacting with humans is not safe and we can all peacefully use the park together, she said.

The city said it still has experts watching the coyotes in the area for suspicious behavior but has no immediate plans to catch and kill another one.
Los Angeles Countys district attorney has opened an investigation into claims of fraud within the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history.

Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said Wednesday his office has started a wide-ranging probe into claims that plaintiffs made up stories of abuse in order to sue the county, which agreed to the historic $4-billion sex abuse settlement this spring.

The announcement follows Times investigations that found nine people who said they were paid small amounts of cash by recruiters to sue the county for sex abuse in juvenile halls. Four of them said they fabricated the claims.

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They looked at this opportunity to compensate these true victims of sex abuse as an opportunity to personally profit and engage in some of the most greedy and heinous conduct, Hochman said at a news conference Wednesday morning in the Hall of Justice downtown. We are going to aggressively go after them.

All nine plaintiffs had their cases filed by Downtown LA Law Group, a personal injury firm that represents roughly 2,700 people in the county settlement. The firm has denied wrongdoing. The Times could not reach the recruiters who made the alleged payments to plaintiffs for comment.

Hochman indicated his investigation, still in its early stages, showed this was just a small fraction of the significant number of fraudsters involved in these settlement claims.

Hochman emphasized the inquiry would focus on those higher up the chain  lawyers, recruiters and medical practitioners who may have submitted fraudulent forms  and not the plaintiffs.

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Many of the people The Times spoke with who filed false claims were poor and in unstable housing. They said they desperately needed the cash promised by recruiters, which ranged from $20 to $200. All were flagged down outside county social services offices, where many were on their way to get food assistance and cash aid.

Hochman said any person who contacted his office about filing a fraudulent claim would not have the statements haunt them in a criminal prosecution.

If you provide us truthful information, complete information, any of the words that you use will not be used against you, said Hochman, adding the offer did not extend to attorneys or medical professionals. It's not something that we offer lightly to anyone.

Hochman said Downtown LA Law Group was one of the law firms they were focused on, but the probe was not limited to them. He said the investigation would touch anyone who helped fraudulent cases get filed.

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Im happy to label that entire group as a group of fraudsters conspiring to defraud a settlement where the money should be going to legitimate sex abuse survivors and victims, he said.

The law group has denied paying plaintiffs and said it only wants justice for real victims of sexual abuse. The firm declined to comment further Wednesday.

Shortly after The Times' investigation, the county supervisors voted to launch their own inquiry into possible misconduct by legal representatives involved in the lawsuits. The county set up a hotline for tips from the public, and moved to ban "predatory solicitation" outside county social services offices.

The supervisors also joined a chorus of voices  including California lawmakers, labor leaders and a powerful attorney trade group  calling for the State Bar to investigate. The State Bar does not comment on potential investigations, but has previously said California law generally prohibits making payments to procure clients, a practice known as capping.

Downtown LA Law Group represents roughly 2,700 people suing the county. Hochman said the firm is one of several he's focused on. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

A flood of sex abuse claims followed the passage of AB 218, a state law that gave victims of childhood sexual abuse a new window to sue that stretched far beyond the previous statute of limitations. The law, which went into effect in 2020, has led to thousands of lawsuits filed against California school districts, governments and religious institutions.

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This spring, the county agreed to pay $4 billion to resolve thousands of claims from victims who said they were abused decades ago in county-run juvenile detention centers and foster homes. In October, the county agreed to a second settlement worth $828 million over another set of similar claims.

Hochman noted the first settlement would have massive financial ramifications for decades for the county, which acts as a social safety net for the region. The county will pay the settlement out over the next five years and has asked most departments to trim their budgets to help pay for it. The district attorney's budget, Hochman said, had been slashed by $24 million, in part, to help pay for the cases.

Every penny that a fraudster gets is a penny taken away from a sex abuse victim that validly and legitimately suffered that abuse at the hands of someone [in] Los Angeles County, said Hochman. It is not free money.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist outside a courthouse in a Massachusetts city on Wednesday morning.

Paulo Castro, 69 of Framingham, is slated to be arraigned Thursday in Framingham District Court on a charge of leaving the scene of personal injury causing death, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker.

Officers responding to a report of a crash involving a bicyclist in the area of Gorman Road and Concord Street near Framingham District Court just before 10 a.m. found a 43-year-old Framingham man in need of emergency medical treatment, Ryand and Baker said.

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The man, whose name hasnt been released, was rushed to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Castro, who is accused of driving off after the crash, was later tracked down and arrested.

The DAs office and state police are assisting Framingham police with an investigation.

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Over the last several months, reports from billionaire-funded centrist advocacy groups, like WelcomePAC and Searchlight Institute, have insisted that Democrats stop talking about climate changeeither in their campaigns or while governing. Climate change has little resonance for voters, they claim, comparing the polling on reliably unpopular policies like create a carbon tax with reliably popular policies like lower the gas tax.

Unfortunately, this message appears to be reaching its intended audience. In just the last week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul approved a new gas pipeline that President Donald Trump has been championing, while Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro dropped his states effort to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The idea that Democrats should abandon the most existential fight human civilization has ever faced is a particularly bizarre lesson to draw following Democrats huge wins this November, when many of the partys victorious candidates explicitly championed clean energy investments and accountability for fossil fuel company profiteering as solutions to rising energy costs.

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A memo published Wednesday by Data for Progress and Fossil Free Media therefore makes the exact opposite argument: Democrats shouldnt run from climate. Instead, they should translate both the impact of climate change and the benefits of climate action for voters. The new memo, which I participated in drafting, points to evidence showing that, contrary to WelcomePACs and Searchlights portrayal of climate change as a niche social issue, climate-related costs already are top-of-mind, pocketbook concerns for most Americans.

A majority of voters say they believe climate change will have a direct financial impact on their families. Millions of voters are already feeling the pain of skyrocketing home insurance rates, which are driven by the increased risk of severe weather from climate change. Millions more are confronted each year with the staggering costs of disaster recovery from extreme weather events exacerbated by the climate crisis. And a strong majority of Americans are struggling with rising electricity prices, a problem that just 5 percent of voters blame on renewables versus corporate profits (38 percent), data centers (14 percent), and grid pressures from extreme weather (11 percent). On the flip side, expanding clean energy is the fastest way to produce cheap electricity needed to lower utility ratesand Democrats hold a massive trust advantage over Republicans when it comes to clean power.

This trust gap is a key part of the argument that Data for Progress and Fossil Free Media are making. Their memo points to findings that, right now, neither party has a significant trust advantage on electric utility bills (D+1) or the cost of living (R+1). But Democrats do have major trust advantages on climate change (D+14) and renewable energy development (D+6). By articulating how their climate and clean energy agenda can address these bread-and-butter concerns, Democrats can leverage their advantage on climate to win voters trust on what will likely be the most significant issues in 2026 and 2028.

The formula for doing this is pretty simple: First, explain why bills are rising and whos to blame (utilities, fossil fuel volatility, data-center demand, climate disasters); second, commit to implementing visible cost relief (rate freezes, clean energy buildout); and third, name who will pay (polluters and profiteers, not regular people). Or, to simplify all this into one clear campaign-ready sentence: Well take on rising electricity bills by building the cheapest power and stopping monopoly price-gouging, all while making polluters, not families, pay their fair share.

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The best part about this populist approach to climate is how obviously it contrasts with Trump and the Republicans. Imagine being able to tout this contrast in every stump speech in 2026: Democrats are trying to expand cheap, clean energy to secure lower rates, while Trump is trying to keep outdated coal plants running, forcing ratepayers to shoulder billions in extra costs. Democrats are getting tough on price-gouging utilities, while Republicans are giving these corporations free rein. Democrats are fighting to make polluters pay for increasingly costly climate disasters; Republicans want all of us to pay for the damage Big Oil caused.

Abandoning the climate fight would be a profoundly morally reprehensible course of action. (Its a particularly unforgivable message when it comes from billionaires like Reid Hoffman, who are funding the groups telling Democrats to forget about climate while building their own luxury bunkers for apocalypse insurance.) Its also a huge political mistake. To give up on climate, an issue that Democrats are trusted on, is to throw away a tool that Democrats can use to offer credible solutions to the cost-of-living crises affecting working people throughout the country.

Heading into 2026, the memo reads, Democrats have a chance to define themselves as the party that will build the cheapest energy, crack down on profiteering, and make polluters, not families, pay for the climate damage theyve caused. That is, substantively, a great climate agenda. Its also a winning electoral message, and one Democrats should be running on, not from.
Global mayors discuss urban governance in China's historic waterfront city of Nanjing

Xinhua) 08:20, November 20, 2025

Guests attend the opening ceremony of the Global Mayors Dialogue in Nanjing held in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- A forum bringing together mayors and mayoral representatives from 10 countries opened on Wednesday in Nanjing, the capital of east China's economic powerhouse province of Jiangsu.

Themed "Flowing Rivers, Converging Future," the Global Mayors Dialogue in Nanjing focuses on sharing urban governance experience and exploring future trends in urban development, offering insights to advance sustainable development among global waterfront cities.

Delegates from countries including Brunei, Egypt, Germany, Malaysia and China are set to engage in a series of dialogues on detailed topics such as cultural heritage protection, green ecological development and smart-city construction.

During the three-day event, they are also scheduled to visit campuses, scenic areas along the Yangtze River, and historic and cultural sites to learn about Nanjing's experience in ecological protection, urban renewal, culture and modern development.

After touring Nanjing's city wall, which has a history of over 600 years, Gan Tian Loo, chairman of the working committee for the historic urban area of Malaysia's Malacca, expressed his admiration for the wisdom of ancient Chinese people.

"Nanjing boasts rich historical and cultural heritage, alongside a vibrant modern cultural and artistic vibe, making it an increasingly attractive destination for Malaysian youth," Gan said. He added that he looks forward to strengthening cooperation on tourism, the economy, trade and education between Malacca and Nanjing.

Li Zhongjun, acting mayor of Nanjing, said the dialogue aims to share Chinese practices to address development challenges in urban governance. He noted that the city will also enhance its exchange with other cities, and strengthen sci-tech, economic and trade cooperation.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
The operator of a so-called "nudification" site has been fined for failing to put in age verification measures, which are required under online safety laws.

The regulator Ofcom investigated Itai Tech Ltd, which provides AI tools allowing users to edit images to seemingly remove someone's clothing.

On Thursday, Ofcom said it had fined the company 50,000 for its age check failings, plus an additional 5,000 for not responding to its information requests.

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BBC News has contacted Itai Tech Ltd for comment.

The nudity website it runs is currently not accessible from a UK IP address., and documents on Companies House show Itai Tech Ltd recently applied to strike itself off the UK register of companies.

Ofcom said its fine accounted for the company's decision to make its site unavailable to UK users, which it said occurred shortly after the investigation started in May.

"The use of highly effective age assurance to protect children from harmful pornographic content is non-negotiable and we will accept no excuses for failure," said Suzanne Cater, director of enforcement at Ofcom.

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"Any service which fails to meet their age-check duties under the Online Safety Act can expect to face robust enforcement action, including significant fines."

This is the regulator's second fine imposed under the law - which requires pornographic websites to verify users are over 18.

Its first fine was to online message board 4chan, which it said had not responded to requests for information about measures required to prevent people from accessing illegal content.

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Ofcom had set a deadline of 13 November to pay the 20,000 fine.

But a lawyer for the US-based company previously told the BBC it had no intention of paying, accusing the regulator of overreach and censorship.

If companies do not pay up, the regulator can seek to recover fines through legal action, or apply for court orders to instruct internet providers to limit access to the site.

Since 25 July, sites hosting age-restricted content have to have "highly effective age assurance" methods in place to make sure children cannot access them.

These include age verification tools such as facial age estimation, which must be "robust" in deducing whether a user is over 18.

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Pornhub, the world's most visited porn site, told the BBC in October it had seen a 77% decline in UK visitors since it implemented age checks.

Ofcom has also opened new investigations into 20 further porn sites - bringing the number of sites and apps it is investigating for suspected Online Safety Act breaches to 76.

Meanwhile, recent reports suggest the government may look to ban so-called "nudifying" or "declothing" apps as part of further efforts to tackle deepfake intimate image abuse.

[BBC]

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Democrats and Republicans heard two very different takeaways when a group of Democratic lawmakers called on U.S. service members not to carry out certain orders in a video that went viral on social media Tuesday.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., one of the lawmakers featured in the video, expressed exasperation with how critics had framed the message.

"Im not telling people to ignore orders," Houlahan said Wednesday. "Im enormously frustrated with the way that this very sensible video is being interpreted in a really insidious way."

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As Squad Turns Assimilation Into Dirty Word, Expert Urges Us Leaders To Renounce Foreign Loyalties

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., is interrupted by Capitol Police while questioning Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., during a House Republican news conference about the government shutdown on the House steps of the U.S. Capitol Nov. 5, 2025.

Houlahan and five other Democrats with military or intelligence experience had encouraged service members not to carry out unlawful orders.

"The threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution," the lawmakers said.

Read On The Fox News App

"Dont give up the ship," the video added, a reference to a phrase used by the Navy.

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Houlahan was joined by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H.

Portland City Council Member Calls On National Guard Troops To Defy Deployment Orders

The video did not give an example of what specific kinds of orders service members might have to refuse.

In a separate post to X, Slotkin hinted that service members asked to carry out airstrikes off the coast of Venezuela might be engaging in illegal strikes and said that some pilots had expressed concern about their involvement.

Republicans responding to the exhortation mocked it as an example of Democratic paranoia toward Trump.

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"[Its] Stage 4 TDS," Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a post to X, referring to Trump Derangement Syndrome, a moniker for the Democrats' fixation on the president.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urged new officers to remember what it felt like to be in the graduates position and to always have each others backs.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said the call sounded politically charged.

"At the end of the day, theyre mad the American people chose Trump, and now theyre calling on the military and intelligence community to intervene. Sounds a little subversive to democracy-ish," Schmitt said.

When asked about the video, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he supports the exhortation in principle but noted that its sometimes difficult to parse whats permissible and what isnt.

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"You cant disobey the Constitution," Reed said. "The issue though, on a practical sense to me, is that determination is often very difficult to make."

The Democrats who made the video believe the video said they had a very specific standard in mind.

When asked what kinds of orders service members should ignore, Crow, one of the lawmakers in the video, pointed to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

"The purpose is to remind people of their oath and their obligation to the Constitution and their obligations under the UCMJ, which are very clear," Crow said.

Sen. Blackburn Fires Back At Democrats Over Disturbing Video Urging Troops To Defy 'Illegal' Orders

Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., leaves a meeting of the House Democratic Caucus about the candidacy of President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Committee.

The UCMJ, passed by Congress in 1951, governs a gamut of issues service members may be penalized for, ranging from desertion to committing war crimes. The video posted by the lawmakers Tuesday does not mention the UCMJ by name.

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Houlahan said that code should clearly delineate whats permissible and what isnt.

"Well, as an example, we are not supposed to use our military against our own citizens. Full stop. This is why the Uniform Code of Miliary Justice exists," Houlahan said.

She noted that there are ways for service members to appeal orders they are concerned about.

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"You have an obligation to know and respect your chain of command. You do have, however, a chain of command that you can go through where you can elevate those requests if you believe them not to be either lawful or appropriate, and thats what Im encouraging, and my colleagues are encouraging people to do," Houlahan said.

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The Department of War did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report





Original article source: Dem veterans break silence after viral video causes backlash on social media: 'Frustrated'
In her first year in Congress, Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride says she's tried to do something that feels almost impossible in American politics: lower the temperature in a political environment built to reward outrage. As one of the most visible transgender people in the country, and the first out trans member of the U.S. House (and Congress as a whole), McBride has become a test case for a political strategy grounded in persuasion, restraint, and expansion rather than confrontation.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

Ive entered Congress at an incredibly dangerous time for our country, she told The Advocate in a recent interview. The cultural momentum that it felt like we had in the 2010s has given way to a cruelty and cultural regression that I dont know that weve seen since the 1800s.

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Related: Sarah McBride opens up about her darkest day in Congress (exclusive)



Her tenure so far has been shaped by personal and political whiplash: the high of her historic election and orientation followed almost immediately by a wave of anti-trans bathroom-related stunts and attacks from far-right lawmakers attempting to provoke a viral clash. She now describes that episode as one of the deepest lows of her life, rivaling the grief she has experienced after the death of her husband. However, she also explains that it clarified her approach.

McBride refused to take the bait. It has undeniably been successful, she said, noting that the attacks decreased once it became clear she would not deliver the performative confrontation her detractors hoped for.

What mattered more, she said, was the imagery: The country needs very clear visual contrast between the inhumanity of anti-equality politicians and our literal humanity.

Why she doesnt clap back, even when some want her to

If her restraint quieted her opponents, it inflamed some of her supporters  particularly some trans people who felt she wasnt fighting hard enough in the face of humiliation. McBride does not pretend otherwise.

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She said she understands exactly why some trans people wanted to see her fight back visually, as she put it, and why refusing that fight can feel unsatisfying. The desire for catharsis, to watch her enter a war of words with those attacking her, is something she speaks about with candor.

Related: Sarah McBride explains how Democrats big tent is bisexual



I recognize that its not viscerally comforting for some people in my own community who feel the indignities that I am facing vicariously, she said.

The lack of a sharp retort, she said, can make her strategy appear passive.

I recognize that in that moment it can feel unsatisfying, even disempowering, and thats unfortunate, she added. But leadership requires us to do things that arent easy.

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McBride is transparent about the internal tension  the gap between what feels emotionally gratifying and what she believes will build lasting public support.

Sometimes its a clap back, she said. Sometimes its summoning the power and discipline not to.

She also understands the critics who question whether she is being properly trans enough in the halls of Congress. McBride said she hears the criticism, but there are different ways to make change.

McBride is equally clear that her strategy  private conversations, public composure, persuasion over spectacle  is a deliberate choice.

In 2023, as a state senator in Delaware, McBride was able to successfully get Republicans to join Democrats to pass a law that made the state the 17th to reject the gay and trans panic defense.

A bigger tent, even when its uncomfortable

McBrides broader argument is one she has been making for months: the Democratic Party cannot win lasting protections for LGBTQ+, particularly trans, people unless it expands its coalition to include voters who may feel uneasy or unfamiliar with transgender identities.

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Related: 'A betrayal': Trans people respond to Sarah McBride's bathroom ban compliance



She told The Advocate that Democrats often struggle because some voters dont feel the party likes them. Does this candidate like me? she said, arguing that if Democrats cannot answer yes, they wont even get to the second question.

She repeated the point earlier this month at Crooked Con, where she described the partys big tent as bisexual  it goes both ways, meaning Democrats must be welcoming in all directions, not only toward those who already agree with them.

In June, McBride told New York Times columnist Ezra Klein that she believes that the trans rights movement may have been getting ahead of itself. I think thats an accurate reflection of the overplaying of the hand in some ways  that we as a coalition went to Trans 201, Trans 301, when people were still at a very much Trans 101 stage, she said. I think some of the cultural mores and norms that started to develop around inclusion of trans people were probably premature for a lot of people. We became absolutist  not just on trans rights but across the progressive movement  and we forgot that in a democracy we have to grapple with where the public authentically is and actually engage with it.

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In her interview with The Advocate, she drew a sharp line between anti-trans politicians and voters who hold complicated, sometimes contradictory views. Treating those voters as indistinguishable from the far right, she said, is both politically disastrous and morally shortsighted.

If you lump everyone who is still on a journey with the far right-wing politicians, she said, youre pushing those voters toward those right-wing politicians. I have never successfully convinced someone by starting a conversation with, You are a bigot and every concern you have is ridiculous.

Pressure politics

On Tuesday, 213 House Democrats, including the entire party leadership, sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, the Louisiana Republican, demanding he intervene to stop the rising tide of anti-trans rhetoric on the House floor and in committee hearings. Republican members have repeatedly used slurs and promoted conspiratorial claims about transgender Americans during official proceedings, in violation of House rules, the signatories said.

Related: Sarah McBride wins Delaware U.S. House seat, becoming the first out trans member of Congress



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The scale of the response is one of the broadest coalitions of Democrats assembled this Congress, and it may signal shifting power dynamics in the battle over trans rights. In McBrides strategy, the letter underscores her belief: the moment is not only about responding to individual attacks but about changing the structural climate in which those attacks occur.

McBride notes that recent public polling backs up her strategy, pointing to a shift in perceptions of which party is seen as more extreme on trans issues as well as a March survey showing she had the highest net favorability of any House Democrat.

The letter also places her work in sharper relief. The public display of unity among Democrats  nearly the entire party in the House  complements the quieter, persuasion-based work McBride is doing with voters. While the letter calls for enforcing decorum, McBrides ground game calls for engaging voters whose anxiety Republicans have stoked.

Transgender people deserve government officials who will lift them up, not attack them simply because of who they are, the letter stated.

The personal risk and the ground-level support

With growing visibility comes heightened vulnerability. McBride said she worries about her safety.

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I would be lying if I said that I dont worry about it, she said, but ultimately decided that stepping back would concede the political arena to those who want trans people silenced.

If they can successfully intimidate us out of public life, she said, that is a surefire way for us to not only be pushed back into the shadows, but to see a politics that is perhaps unstoppably cruel toward us.

Related: Sarah McBride slams Republicans for blocking amendments on trans military service in defense bill



Yet she is buoyed by the reception she receives across Delaware, especially at Wawa, the popular convenience store, where she says every visit brings a message of support. The gap between online criticism and real-world solidarity is vast, she said.

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When Im physically with other LGBTQ people, it is a fundamentally different proportion of people than when you go online and open Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Democrat Sarah McBride on her approach to expanding trans acceptance in Congress  and America

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J. Scott Applewhite for the AP

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA funds and using a substantial portion of the dough to fund her 2022 campaign to join the House of Representatives.

The Justice Department said Cherfilus-McCormicks family healthcare company received a $5 million overpay for a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021. Rather than return the funds, the Democratic lawmaker routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source, according to the Justice Departments announcement.

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She conspired with multiple people, including her older brother, Edwin Cherfilus, to pull off the scam. Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted.

Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.

Cherfilus-McCormick took the relief funds and gave some to her friends and relatives, who later donated the stolen money to her campaign, the indictment said.

Beyond funneling some of the money towards her campaign, lawmakers said she used the money for her personal benefit.

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She is also alleged to have filed a false tax return, along with her tax preparer, David K. Spencer, which claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions; the pair also inflated her donations to charity.

The 46-year-old lawmaker represents parts of West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The company she ran that received the bogus bucks was Trinity Health Care Services, which describes itself as an innovative health organization on its website.

NBC 6 in Miami reported she filed a defamation lawsuit against her opponent, Dale Holness, in 2022, after he accused her of embezzling funds. The $1 million lawsuit is currently listed as inactive.

Her indictment comes a week after California Gov. Gavin Newsoms former chief of staff was arrested by the FBI and charged with a number of crimes, including conspiring to move approximately $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign to an associate.

The post Democratic Rep. Indicted for Allegedly Stealing $5 Million in FEMA Money first appeared on Mediaite.
(Photo: Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current)

State lawmakers for the second time in two days opted to advance their own priority issue during a special session called by the governor, passing a resolution to enshrine universal mail-in ballots in the Nevada State Constitution.

Senate Joint Resolution 1 was introduced in the 11th hour of the 36th Special Session, which ended Wednesday on day seven.

As a resolution, it is not subject to a gubernatorial veto. It is also not subject to the state law requiring the Legislature to only consider topics included in the governors proclamation.

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Proposed constitutional amendments initiated by state lawmakers must pass (as resolutions) in two consecutive legislative sessions. SJR1s passage during a special session effectively shortens that timeline.

The resolution will now return to the 2027 Legislative Session for consideration. If passed by state lawmakers again, it will appear on general election ballots in 2028 for final approval by voters.

The resolution passed both houses on party lines.

In the Senate, the 12 Democrats present voted for it, and the four Republicans present opposed. In the Assembly, the 26 Democrats present supported and the nine Republicans opposed. Seven members of the chamber were absent.

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When asked about the timing of the resolutions introduction, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro said that the Legislature had been prioritizing bills because they needed committee hearings and floor votes.

This was somebody that we had ready to go, she added.

Corporate homeownership fails

One day prior, a bipartisan supermajority of state lawmakers formally petitioned to add their own topic to an ongoing special session.

Republican state Sen. Ira Hansen and Assemblymember Alexis Hansen, who are married, negotiated with Democrats to force one of their own priorities to be considered. That priority: Limiting the purchasing power of corporate owners.

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A 2025 regular session bill sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Dina Neal was resurrected as Senate Bill 10 for the special session. It was heard in a joint committee of the Senate and Assembly Wednesday morning.

As expected, Ira Hansen voted with Democrats to pass the bill out of the upper chamber. Then, in an emotional floor statement, Alexis Hansen announced she would not vote for the bill despite being a part of the petition to have the bill considered.

The Hansens left their respective floors shortly after their notes. Neither was there for the SJR1 votes.
A sprawling senior housing community on Detroit's west side now stands on the site of what was once Michigan's only historically Black college and university.

City and state officials, alongside developers, unveiled the $29.3 million development  dubbed the Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village  on Wednesday, Nov. 19 and called it a haven for longtime Detroiters and older adults, while also preserving a slice of history. The senior village, set aside for residents ages 55 and older, is located on Meyers Road and features 105 apartments with rents based on income, ranging from $655 to $1,230 a month. The buildings also include five project-based voucher units, administered by the Detroit Housing Commission.

"This is the city we wanted to build. This neighborhood is coming back. It was once very special. It's on its way back again," said out-going Mayor Mike Duggan at a news conference ahead of the ribbon cutting.

City and state officials, alongside developers, unveiled the $29.3 million development, dubbed the Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village, on Wednesday, Nov. 19 for older adults, ages 55 and above.

The development  led by Ohio-based Wallick and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan in Southfield  includes two rehabilitated buildings and a new four-story building. Construction began in 2024. Funding for the project came in part from the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, distributed by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the city of Detroit and the Kresge Foundation.

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Michigan is still experiencing a housing shortage but the new development in Detroit points to momentum, said Anthony Amoroso, of MSHDA. At the beginning of 2024, the state was 200,000 units short. The latest estimates show a dearth of 119,000 units, he said.

Rents are based on area median income, a regional measure set by the federal government to determine housing affordability. The development accommodates people whose household income is 40% to 80% of the area median income. The two rehabilitated buildings, with 32 apartments, are slated to open Dec. 1 and are already leased up, according to Christy Paul, administrator of the Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village. The new build, with 73 units, is expected to open March of next year. The senior housing village also includes amenities such as a fitness area, community space, computers and on-site property management.

The development is named after Violet T. Lewis, who in 1928 founded the original Lewis Business College in Indianapolis with a $50 loan from a local bank. The mission: provide Black women secretarial skills. The Detroit branch of what became the Lewis College of Business opened about a decade later on Ferry Street and John R. The college later moved to Meyers Road.

The U.S. Dept. of Education designated the college as a historically Black college in 1987, making it the first college in the state to receive such a distinction. The school saw a steep decline in enrollment in more recent years, lost its accreditation in 2007 and then closed in 2015, according to the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, which revamped the former Lewis College of Business. The Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design  located in The Icon building near the Detroit Riverwalk  opened in 2022. Lewis' descendants and members of the sorority she co-founded, Gamma Phi Delta, attended the grand opening of the senior village.

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For more information and to apply, go pvm.org/locations/dr-violet-t-lewis-village or call Presbyterian Villages of Michigan at 313-270-9150. The apartments accept housing choice vouchers. The waitlist opens up Dec. 1.

Reach reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Detroit development to add 105 apartments for seniors on west side
Since planning a Disney vacation can be so complicated, especially if you're a newbie to Disneyland or Disney World, it's helpful to have a travel agent to book your travel for you.

Disney just terminated a top travel agency partnership with a company that previously employed nearly 70 travel agents. At Mickey Visit, we report on all Disney news, including the newest Disney travel discounts, plus the half-price military annual pass. Now, we the owner of the travel agency has responded.

READ MORE  These 10 Disney Rides Are Far Better Than The Ones They Replaced

Smart Moms Travel Faces Allegations of Wrongful Terminations and Withheld Pay

Disney World castle

Smart Moms Travel, a nationwide travel agency, is currently being accused of wrongful termination and withholding commission from former and current employees. Former and current employees took to social media to accuse the travel agency of wrongdoing, according to NBC Connecticut.

Lauren Belair, a Smart Moms Travel agent, told the station, "I just feel so sad and so horrible for the 70 plus agents that were terminated right before the holidays. You know, they were really relying on that income that they are not going to receive, and there was no warning." While Belair was not among the 70 agents who were allegedly terminated, she told the news station that the payroll department informed her they would be withholding her commission of "probably two thousand dollars plus."

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NBC reached out to Smart Moms Travel CEO Lauralyn Johnson (LJ), but she did not respond to their multiple requests for comment. The news station also highlighted her most recent Instagram post from Wednesday about a trip to Italy, which read, "Day two of being in Italy and not in prison for firing people who stole from me."

They also spoke with a former Smart Moms Travel employee in Nebraska who previously had administrative privileges and was later terminated. They stated that travel agents can't steal, as clients book their vacations directly with companies like Disney. Disney then sends the commission payments to the agency, and Smart Moms Travel distributes those commissions to individual agents.

According to a statement from the CEO, LJ, on the Smart Moms Travel About Us page, which serves as the company's general description, "One of the best parts of my job is helping other women build rewarding careers as travel agents. Empowering women to turn their travel passions into a profession is incredibly fulfilling. Through Smart Moms Travel, I offer guidance, fellowship, and support to women looking to balance family and career in ways that are flexible and exciting."

Disney Responds to Smart Moms Travel Controversy

Genie Halloween character cavalcade

NBC Connecticut also reached out to the major travel companies Smart Moms Travel books through, including Disney, Universal, and Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean told the station it is looking into the situation.

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A Disney spokesperson responded with the following statement:

"Based on concerns we have received regarding changes to Smart Moms Travel's business practices, we have exercised our right to terminate our Authorized Disney Vacation Planner designation agreement with the agency."

Disney did not clarify what changes it responded to, but many are assuming it's due to the allegations from former and current employees against Smart Moms Travel.

How Travel Agencies Make Money

disney castaway cay private beaches

Travel agencies booking vacations through companies like Disney, Universal, and cruise lines receive a payment from the company, which they then distribute to their travel agents as a commission.

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The details of the commission and payment are based on the internal agreements and policies at these agencies. Most travel agents work as independent contractors under a larger agency, which then manages licensing, training, and commission distribution. Commission rates vary depending on the company, but in some cases could range from 10 to 20 percent of the travel package.

READ MORE  11 Unwritten Rules of the Disney Parks You Really Need to Follow

This is why using a travel agent is nearly always a free service, as the company (such as Disney) pays the travel agency, not the customer. We always recommend our trusted travel partner, Get Away Today, as they offer a free service providing discounts and assistance in planning trips to our readers.

Don't Miss the Latest Disney News

Don't miss the latest Disneyland and Disney World news from Mickey Visit. Join the FREE Mickey Visit newsletter that over 100k readers receive every single week. Mickey Visit is here to help you save money and experience more during your Disney and Universal vacation. See the Mickey Visit guide to Disneyland and the Mickey Visit guide to Disney World for tips.

The post Disney Terminates a Top Travel Agency Relationship Based on Business Practices appeared first on Mickey Visit - Disney News & Planning Tips.
NEED TO KNOW

Last year, Juan Heredia decided to help a local mom in California whose son had vanished into a river. Then he learned how many other people need his help

Since then, Heredia, a father and volunteer diver, has recovered 15 missing bodies

Loved ones of those he's helped praise his "combination of courage, devotion and faith"

In March 2024 Juan Heredia saw another parents plea for help with their teenage son and couldnt get it out of his head.



Fifteen-year-old Xavier Martinez had made a fatal mistake when he jumped into the Calaveras River next to his high school in Stockton, Calif., and never came back out.



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Official rescue teams scoured the water for six days to no avail. His mother, Amanda Martinez, began appearing on the local news, and Heredia and his daughter Camila, whod gone to school in the same district as Xavier, decided to go out to the site of Xaviers disappearance and ran into Amanda.



A former general contractor and house-flipper by day, Heredia, 53, is also a certified diver and scuba instructor who grew up navigating the murky river water of his native Argentina. (As a boy, he was quick to jump in after lost fishing hooks since replacements proved costly.)



When he met with Xaviers mom last year, she said she felt Xavier was lying underwater in the shade of a tree.



Almost as soon as Heredia went in, thats where he found the boy  head tilted toward the sun, hands held as though in silent prayer.



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He was like an angel, Heredia says. Something I never expected to see.



Martinez was overwhelmed at Heredias feat: It was just so mind blowing, the 39-year-old tells PEOPLE. How are you able to find somebody in 30 minutes when its been six days?



CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD/USA TODAY NETWORK Juan Heredia is honored in Stockton, Calif., in April 2024 Juan Heredia is honored in Stockton, Calif., in April 2024

The Stockton City Council officially designated Heredia a hero and gifted him a key to the city. Soon other people began calling for help with their missing loved ones.



I felt the need of the community, he says. So he got to work.



Less than two years later Heredia has found the bodies of 15 people  babies, brothers, friends, parents and their children  at 10 sites across California and Oregon.



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Most recently, he retrieved a 7-year-old drowning victim how had gone missing after, authorities said, she and her father were swept away into the ocean at Big Sur, Calif.



The family, including her surviving mother and sibling, 2, were visiting from Canada.

to get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happened true crime stories and more  right to your mailbox.Subscribe to PEOPLE magazineTake PEOPLE with you!



Its bittersweet work, Heredia says: The night after is when its hard for me to sleep, when its hard for me to think about it. Thats the worst part.



In the water, however, all of that falls away. In that moment, he says, I have one mission, one purpose, and that is finding the son or that daughter.



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In July Heredia stepped away from construction and real estate work to focus on his nonprofit Angels Recovery Dive Team, which he created to help support his volunteer work. Hes aided by wife Mercedes and his children from a previous marriage, Camila, 22 and 24-year-old Matias, all of whom are divers as well.



He does not charge for his services, relying instead on donations.



Rodney Som Juan Heredia's family Juan Heredia's family

I remember every single name and every single place of every single son and daughter Ive found, he says.



Matt Bowman calls Heredia a balm in an otherwise terrible moment.



Like the Martinez family, he was feeling desperate when the diver entered his life in June: Three of Bowmans friends  Matt Anthony, Matt Schoenecker and Val Creus  vanished into Rattlesnake Falls, one by one, the second and third man trying to save the first.



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The isolated terrain and strong currents made search and rescue near impossible, it seemed.

Bowman says nine other professional divers had assessed the water and concluded it was too dangerous to reach the bottom.



But not for Heredia, who trekked through rain and hail on an injured ankle to reach the falls, diving for more than three minutes at a time without an oxygen tank.



Heredia told Bowman that when he found the three friends, they were still together. Despite the turbulence near the surface, even the shirt Matt Anthony was wearing wasn't moving.



His combination of courage, devotion and faith made it possible, Bowman says of Heredia. He thinks with a mothers heart, and if there is to be a funeral, he aims for an open casket to give some peace.



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Indeed, when Heredia dives, he never uses the word bodies, Bowman says. He refers to the victims by their first names.



Matthew Bowman Matt Schoenecker Matt Schoenecker

Heredias blended family  wife Mercedes, a 52-year-old mortgage loan officer, has three kids in addition to his two  has also faced tragedy: Mercedes son Brian, 20, was killed in 2023 in a car accident that plunged him into a canal where he drowned.



Heredia says hes often asked what case impacted him the most. Until recently he would have said it was the recovery of the young, like finding 2-year-old Dane Paulsen in Oregon and holding his cold body until the coroner arrived.



In August Heredia was called to help find Whisper Owen and her daughter, 8-month-old Sandra, who are thought to have crashed in the same area where his stepson Brian died.

It was the same place where [Brians] car went down, Heredia says.



CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD/USA TODAY NETWORK Juan Heredia Juan Heredia

As Mercedes knelt by her sons riverside memorial, rescuers with Heredia pulled Owens vehicle from the depths, with the mom and daughter still inside.



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Everybody stopped and nobody talked. It was like the world stopped, he says, seeing it as a moment that brought clarity to his work ending heartbreaking mysteries and showing others that they arent alone in their despair.



Every time I recover somebody, he says, they become part of my family.



Read the original article on People
President Donald Trump announced that he signed a bill on Nov. 19 that compels the Justice Department to release all files linked to the disgraced financier and indicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump made the announcement, claiming that the growing demand for transparency on Epstein's relationships with the rich and powerful, including the president himself, was the "latest Hoax (sic)" created by Democrats. He pointed to high-profile Democrats connected to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, including former President Bill Clinton and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.

A pair of lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, championed the legislation as Trump's initial opposition to the bill drew backlash from members of his own party, most notably Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

National Director of World Without Exploitation Lauren Hersh embraces Jeffrey Epstein survivor Liz Stein as they react to the Senate's passing of the bill to force the release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. Annie Farmer, victim of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, speaks from the podium during a candlelight vigil to honor survivors of his crimes in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. US lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on November 18 for releasing government files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after President Donald Trump dropped his opposition to opening the books on a scandal that has roiled politics, law enforcement and the country's elite. Epstein abuse survivor Danielle Bensky, and National Director of World Without Exploitation Lauren Hersh embrace after receiving word that the U.S. Senate unanimously approved passage of the House's Epstein Files Transparency Act on Capitol Hill on Nov. 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House voted 427-1 to approve the bill and the release of documents and files. The legislation instructs the U.S. Department of Justice to release all files related to the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump can now sign it into law. Epstein abuse survivors were attending a bipartisan vigil hosted by the Democratic Women's Caucus. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) walks to the House Chambers on Nov. 18, 2025 before the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Jena-Lisa Jones, left, victim of Jeffrey Epstein, left, and along with other Epstein survivors and family members depart the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The group of Epstein survivors and family members depart the United States House of Representatives on Nov.18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov.18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov.18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) who are leading the charge to release files related to the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, speaking Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 2025 along with survivors as the House prepares to vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) departs the House floor, following the vote of the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed the bill seeking to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) speaks at a press conference calling for the release of the Epstein files, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. Reporters and members of Congress participate in live TV segments before the U.S. House of Representatives begins voting on the release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks to the House Chambers in the U.S. Capitol on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House voted 427-1 to approve the Epstein Files Transparency Act and the release of documents and files. The legislation instructs the U.S. Department of Justice to release all files related to the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. It now goes to the Senate for a vote before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) center, and Ro Khanna (D-CA), left, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), center right, who are leading the charge to release files related to the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, speaking Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 2025 along with survivors as the House prepares to vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) departing the Capitol on Nov. 18, 2025 after the House voted on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. See emotional reactions to Epstein files bill clearing Congress in rare moment of unity 1 of 17 National Director of World Without Exploitation Lauren Hersh embraces Jeffrey Epstein survivor Liz Stein as they react to the Senate's passing of the bill to force the release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025.

By a vote of 427-1, the House of Representatives passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The Senate followed suit about three hours later when Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced a motion for unanimous consent.

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Here's what to know about when the Epstein files may be released:

Now that Trump signed the Epstein files bill, what happens next?

It is uncertain when exactly the Justice Department will release materials.

The Justice Department has 30 days to publicize "all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials" from the investigation into Epstein, according to the legislation. The files must be released to the public in a "searchable and downloadable format."

Certain information can be withheld, including the identity of victims, "child sexual materials," and anything that might jeopardize an ongoing investigation, according to the bill. Attorney General Pam Bondi is required to provide to Congress a summary of redactions made and legal justifications for withholding information.

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We'll continue to follow the law with maximum transparency while protecting victims, Bondi said Nov. 19.

Days before Trump called on House Republicans to vote to release the Epstein files, he ordered the Justice Department to launch an investigation into Democrats linked to Epstein. Ty Cobb, a White House lawyer during Trump's first term, said in an interview with CNN that he believes Bondi will cite the ongoing investigations as a reason not to release the files.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Nov. 19 that the "clear intent" from the House and Senate is to "get the information out there" after both chambers voted overwhelmingly for the bill.

Contributing: Melina Khan and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will the Epstein files be released? Trump signs bill
A fast-moving fire tore through part of the Haddonfield Commons early Thursday morning, leaving 14 residents without a home just a week before Thanksgiving.

Smoke and flames were pouring out of the apartment building around 5:30 a.m. when Patrick Samulis said he first noticed something was wrong.

"I was getting ready for work, and I started to smell something weird," Samulis said.

He lives a few doors down from the unit where the fire began.

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"I checked out in the hallway, and I heard water running, which I thought was weird. It smelled more like something burning in the hallway, so I ran inside, got the kids said, 'We gotta get out of here, I think there's a fire.' I wasn't even 100% sure at that point," he recalled.

Samulis pulled the fire alarm, then rushed with his family to warn neighbors.

"These guys got out of bed quick when I said, 'Hey, get up, get up, get up!'" he said, motioning to his three kids.

"We went and started banging on some doors, started getting people out, and by that point, you know, we've gone down the stairs and we went outside and we realized the gravity of the situation," he added.

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His daughter, Anna Samulis, said the scale of the fire was overwhelming.

"It was just really shocking," she said. "I didn't expect it to be nearly that large."

Everyone inside the building made it out safely, but two cats died in the unit where the bulk of the fire was.

"I think they just moved in a week or two prior from another state, Oklahoma, I believe, unfortunately for them. Not a good way to start off," Samulis said.

Haddonfield Fire Chief Patrick Gorman said the blaze caused extensive damage.

"The bulk of the fire was in the roof line area of the apartment that was affected," he said. "Overall, 12 units were affected, four of them were the primary fire damage, eight of them were water and smoke damage."

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He said the outcome could have been much worse for a building that houses many seniors.

"There was only one person checked out that did not need medical attention, but overall, we're lucky to have had this severe fire

and have had nobody injured," Gorman said.

Gorman noted the challenges firefighters faced.

"There are some challenges because of a multifamily type situation in a common cockloft where the fire could spread into other apartments very quickly, so it was challenging, but we did have the proper equipment and a proper personnel on the scene in a timely manner, which really helped to help fire from spreading," he said.

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Samulis said his own unit did not suffer structural damage, but it is still not livable.

"It just smells really bad, so we're not gonna be staying there tonight," he said.

The Red Cross is assisting the 14 people displaced. The Camden County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
The official, a resident of Jerusalem in his 40s, was also accused of trafficking dangerous medications.

A former senior health ministry official was accused of forging entry permits for Palestinians to illegally enter Israel through means of fraud and bribery, a Tax Authority and Health Ministry investigation revealed Thursday morning.

The official, a resident of Jerusalem in his 40s, was also accused of trafficking dangerous medications.

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The suspect has been placed under house arrest, and police said they plan to ask the court for his restrictive conditions to remain in place as they continue to investigate.

While in a managerial position, he allegedly committed a series of offenses that threatened public safety and health.

The suspect was previously employed in the Civil Administration in the West Bank.

Drugs found in the home of a former official accused of helping Palestinians enter Israel illegally on fake health claims. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

In this role, the suspect allegedly forged more than 100 entry permits to Israel for Palestinians staying illegally by presenting them as patients in need of medical treatment. Dozens of Palestinians were allowed to enter Israel without oversight as a result, which police noted posed a real danger to human life.

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Police claimed that after finishing his position in the Civil Administration, it emerged that the suspect continued to sell medications without a prescription, including dangerous medications. He allegedly forged prescription approvals and doctors signatures.

House arrest for former health min. official

During his arrest on Sunday, police and investigators seized a large and varied quantity of medications suspected of being trafficked.
A Maryland woman charged with homicide by vehicle for a 2024 crash near Gettysburg that killed a York County pastor allegedly told officers that a cat on her lap had distracted her, court records show.

Madelyn Clemmer, 23, of Middletown, Maryland, was charged with a felony charge of homicide by vehicle, along with summary traffic citations including careless driving, driving at unsafe speed, obedience to traffic control devices, and reckless driving, according to charging documents filed by Pennsylvania State Police in Gettysburg on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.

Clemmer had not yet been arraigned on the charges as of Thursday morning, court records show.

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Attorney information for Clemmer was not yet available in court records, and she was unable to be reached for comment.

The charges stem from a fatal crash that occurred around 12:05 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2024 along U.S. Route 15 northbound near mile marker 8.6 in Mt. Joy Township, according to court documents.

Previously reported: Longtime York County pastor, 88, killed in November crash on Route 15 near Gettysburg

Police stated that during the crash, Clemmer was the driver of a 2006 Lexus RX-300 approaching a traffic control device advising traffic to merge left due to construction in the right lane.

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The RX-300, unable to stop, rear-ended a 2024 Mazda CX-90, pushing the Mazda into a 2019 Volvo S60 in front of it, according to police.

In an affidavit of probable cause filed against Clemmer, state police wrote that they interviewed Clemmer at the scene, who allegedly told officers that she was driving with her cat on her lap, and had looked down when the cat moved.

According to her account as told in the documents, Clemmer said she then looked up and saw the vehicle in front of her had stopped, then allegedly attempting to hit her brakes or swerve, police wrote.

Clemmer's vehicle was unable to stop in time, police wrote, striking the slowed traffic in front of it.

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The Mazda directly in front of Clemmer's vehicle was driven by the Rev. Lawrence "Larry" Katz, 88, of Spring Grove, police said.

The Adams County Coroner's Office previously stated in 2024 that after the crash, Katz was able to exit his vehicle on his own but collapsed on the scene and was rushed to Gettysburg Hospital by an ambulance.

After arriving at Gettysburg Hospital, Katz was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries, police state in the affidavit.

An obituary for Katz shared his lifetime of service as a clergyman, serving as senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Bedford, Massachusetts, Barcroft Bible Church in Arlington, Virginia, the Gospel Center in York, and the first senior pastor of Grace Fellowship in North Codorus Township, now known as Genesis Church, where he ministered for 22 years prior to his retirement.

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Katz was the only injury reported from the crash, according to police.

After the crash, Clemmer was able to safely exit her vehicle before it caught on fire, the documents state.

Investigators wrote that a forensic collision analysis and reconstruction had estimated that Clemmer's vehicle was traveling around 67 mph when it struck the vehicle operated by Katz, which was estimated to be at a speed of around 9 mph.

Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure or defect in the vehicles, according to the complaint.

An autopsy found that Katz had died as a result of extensive blunt force injuries that occurred during the crash, the affidavit states.

Harrison Jones covers Hanover and Adams County for The Evening Sun.

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Fatal crash on Route 15 results in homicide by vehicle charges
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A driver is at large and wanted for criminal mischief after intentionally crashing into a Chipotle restaurant in Wood Village Wednesday night, authorities say.

The incident was reported around 7 p.m. at 920 NE Wood Village Dr, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said.

Yakama native a filet artist on Columbia River

Based on our preliminary investigation, a person drove their vehicle into the front of the restaurant. The restaurant is now closed due to the damage, the sheriffs office said in a press release. The motive remains under investigation but we have information to suggest this was intentional and likely involved known parties.

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There was significant damage to the facade and windows of the business, forcing it to close down for the night. However, the structure of the building remains intact and no one was injured, officials said.

A driver crashed into a Chipotle restaurant in Wood Village. November 19, 2025 (courtesy Multnomah County Sheriffs Office).

The driver backed their vehicle out from the point of impact and then left the scene, the sheriffs office said. MCSO deputies are working to identify the driver using information provided by community members and evidence from the scene.

No further details were made immediately available.

The driver, who is still at large, is suspected of first-degree criminal mischief.

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The Florida House is pushing ahead with eight proposed constitutional amendments that attempt to lower property taxes in a wide range of ways.

All eight options cleared their first legislative hurdle Thursday afternoon.

The options range from an immediate elimination of non-school property taxes, a 10-year phase-out and various proposals to increase homestead exemptions to lessen the tax burden on homeowners.

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All of them faced opposition from Democrats, including State Representative Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), who argued any property tax reduction will simply be replaced by sales tax hikes or increased service fees.

Which doesnt just mean that your essentials become fee-based. It also means that if you dont have money, you cant access certain services, you cant go to the public park, you cant go to the library, said Eskamani.

With the backing of the Governor and other top state leaders, odds are Florida voters will get a chance to vote on something related to property taxes in 2026.

The question is, how many choices will they have?

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While in Jacksonville this week, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins called for House lawmakers to coalesce around a single proposal.

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It confuses the legislature, it confuses the people on the ballot, lets do one, said Collins.

State Representative Dean Black (R-Yulee) is Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Property Taxes.

He noted there are still several stops ahead where the proposals could be whittled down or changed, but his goal is to give voters the ultimate say.

There will be a great debate and people will get informed, and theyll make wise decisions. And I trust the citizens of this state to do what they think is right for themselves, said Black.

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The eight proposals in the House all still have two more committee stops before reaching the floor.

The Senate and the Governor have still not unveiled their proposals, but the Governor has indicated hell be rolling out his plan soon.

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Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has said that the next independent Department of Justice should investigate the private donations that have funded the construction of the new White House ballroom.

Warren  who is the top Democrat on the Senate banking committee  told the Guardian in a statement that the ballroom could be a golden crime scene and urged the next administration to follow the money to uncover whether any crimes were committed in its financing.

Government officials and corporate executives should read the law: the statute of limitations is five years for federal bribery charges, Warren added, noting that a future justice department could still be within the window to launch an investigation.

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In response, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said that the same critics who are wrongly claiming there are conflicts of interests would complain if taxpayers were footing the bill.

She added that the donors represent a wide array of great American companies and generous individuals, all of whom are contributing to make the Peoples House better for generations to come.

Related: Donald Trump and JD Vance snubbed for Dick Cheneys funeral

This week, Warren also co-sponsored a bill with Robert Garcia  the ranking member on the House oversight committee  that would impose donation restrictions on the ballroom project, which has seen the demolition of the entire East Wing of the White House.

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The administration recently revealed a list of companies that have donated to Donald Trumps ballroom development  now coming in with a $300m price tag. This included tech giants such as Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and Google; defense contractors Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin and Palantir; and telecommunications giants T-Mobile and Comcast.

Last month, the president hosted a dinner for company representatives and billionaire individuals who made significant contributions to the renovation. Many of the companies donating are in business with the administration already, and rely on significant government contracts, or would benefit from favourable legal treatment. Ethics experts have warned that their donations could afford them outsized influence or preferential treatment from the White House.

The highest office in the land should never be for sale, nor should it ever appear to be, said Virginia Canter, chief counsel and director for ethics and anticorruption at Democracy Defenders Action in a statement.

Americans shouldnt have to wonder whether President Trump is building a ballroom to facilitate a pay-to-play scheme for political favors. My new bill will put an end to what looks like bribery in plain sight, Warren said of the bicameral legislation earlier this week.

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Meanwhile, Garcia said that its outrageous that the peoples house could be funded by shady figures, corrupt money and bad actors. He added that the Stop Ballroom Bribery Act would ensure we can hold any administration accountable for blatant corruption.

In a recent interview, the CEO of JP Morgan, Jamie Dimon, explained to CNN why his company would not help finance the ballroom. Since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful about how anything is perceived, Dimon said. And also how the next DoJ is going to deal with it.

Were quite conscious of risks we bear by doing anything that looks like buying favors or anything like that, he added.

The legislation includes a ban on donations that present a conflict of interest, institutes a two-year cooling off period before a project donor can lobby the federal government, forces donors to disclose any meetings with the federal government within a year of their contribution and requires Congress to approve any foreign government donations. The scope isnt limited to the White House grounds, but also extends to the vice-presidents residence, Camp David and Air Force One.

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The bill, however, will face an uphill battle in both Republican-controlled chambers, and is unlikely to pass. It is the latest effort from Democrats to glean more about the specifics of who is funding the ballroom project. Last month, Warren sent a letter to the Trust for the National Mall  the bipartisan non-profit which is in charge of collecting private donations for the ballroom project  to ask for specific details about the nature and amount of the contributions. She wrote that the trust appeared to be a vehicle for politicized fundraising, influence peddling, and donor access to President Trump.

The trusts president, Catherine Townsend, wrote back insisting that her organization is managing donations and not soliciting donors for the project. She added that the trust had no role in the planning, design, or construction of the new ballroom, but under federal law she could not provide lawmakers with donor names or identifying information.
A plan to build new supercomputers in Oak Ridge could be the start of what one federal official hopes is a scientific transformation equal to the Manhattan Project and the Apollo Program.

President Donald Trump's administration is queuing up what could be a more-than $100 billion project involving artificial intelligence that would deepen ties between the government and the private sector, according to a senior official in the United States Department of Energy.

While speaking at a Nov. 19 energy conference in Knoxville, Carl Coe, chief of staff to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, said Trump will issue an executive order for the project Nov. 24.

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Probably three weeks ago now, we did an announcement with AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) and a partnership with Oak Ridge that is just barely scratching the surface of what all this is, Coe told his East Tennessee audience, which included staffers for some of the worlds largest nuclear companies. But it was the genesis of the idea for this AI for science initiative.

Coe, who took his role with Wright after a stint leading the DOGE assessment of the energy department, said the announcement thats coming is the launch of the "Genesis" mission. It's a project prompted by the private sector, he said, and it stems from conversations about Oak Ridges supercomputers.

Oak Ridge supercomputer at center of AI initiatives

East Tennessee's ties to AI date back decades at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, whose website details the 1979 Oak Ridge Applied Artificial Intelligence Project that began seeking to answer the question: Can AI be a tool to advance science?

Researchers at the lab have since said 'yes.'

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Machines can use structured models to make predictions, but bringing them closer to producing original thought is a different task that requires new resources, said Joe Hoagland, director of special initiatives at the lab. Some of those resources will come from the private sector, he said.

Coe's description of what's coming from the Trump administration reinforces this point.

This is going to be a public-private partnership between the industry and the government to pull all that scientific data together with a mission of accelerating R&D (research and development), Coe said.

More: Rueter to retire as UCOR chief CEO who led Oak Ridge cleanup transformed Oak Ridge reservation

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The lab is set to get two new supercomputers by the end of the decade through a $1 billion partnership between the Department of Energy and two private companies: Advanced Micro Devices and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Knox News, which wrote in July 2023 about plans to build supercomputer Discovery, reported in October that Lux would be the name of a second supercomputer coming to the lab through the partnership.

Lux, like Discovery, is intended to push for answers to questions concerning quantum science, advanced manufacturing and materials. It's also meant to serve as an extra resource as Trump presses for progress and results on AI technology.

Trump's AI 'Genesis' initiative would be public-private

Trump has prioritized AI's development in his second term, signing an executive order in January setting a policy to establish American AI dominance. Subsequent executive orders have promoted deregulation in AI, a faster permitting process for data centers and what Trump officials have described as anti-conservative political bias in AI models.

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The projected cost of the Genesis initiative will mostly be borne by the business end of the partnership, while the government takes on capital and operating costs, Coe said. The public-private relationship is designed in part to produce more research without increasing the government's outlay, he said.

Knox News asked Coe whether East Tennessee would factor into the Trump administrations plans for Genesis and about the specifics of those plans.

Nothing is defined, but its hard to imagine East Tennessee not playing a big role, he said.

Mariah Franklin reports on technology and energy for Knox News. Email: mariah.franklin@knoxnews.com. Signal: mariahfranklin.01

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: East TN could play 'big role' in Trump's $100B Genesis AI initiative
Messages from the tranche of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents released by Congress on Nov. 13 shed new light on the deceased sex offender's effort to court billionaire Bill Gates.

The newly released material from 2017 shows a series of text messages between Epstein and an apparent adviser to Gates, discussing the tech baron and other attendees at an annual banquet in Washington.

Epstein had been hoping to sell Gates on a donor-advised fund, a tax-deductible charitable vehicle Epstein wanted to operate, but that never ultimately materialized.

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Gates was interested in the idea, the adviser said, but for the misgivings of one person who didn't want him communicating with Epstein: Gates' then-wife Melinda.

"He wants to talk to you but his wife won't let him," the adviser said. In a series of texts a minute later, the adviser said of Gates, "he loves you," "he says hi," and "he feels bad about the [donor advised fund] btw He thought great idea but wife wouldn't allow."

Later in the day, Epstein suggested to the same person that former Obama White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler "would love to sit with Melinda and give her the other side of Jeffrey." A source tells CBS News that meeting never took place.

CBS News previously reported that Ruemmler, who is currently the chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs, was among Epstein's inner circle in the final years of his life. Ruemmler has described it as a business relationship; she is not accused of wrongdoing.

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Requests for comment sent to Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates were not immediately returned. The couple divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.

A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs declined to comment Wednesday. In October, they told CBS News that Ruemmler's relationship with Epstein was related to her work for her previous employer, the law firm Latham & Watkins.

The Microsoft founder and philanthropist has previously sought to minimize his connection to Epstein, saying in 2019, "I didn't have any business relationship or friendship with him." In 2021, after it became clear that Gates and Epstein had met repeatedly in the decade before Epstein's 2019 death, Gates called spending time with Epstein a "huge mistake."

Epstein's appointment calendar, released by Congress in September, shows several meetings with Gates, who previously said he had met with Epstein while seeking contributions and connections for his global health philanthropy.

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Gates is among a slew of famous and powerful people who have long sought to publicly downplay their connections to Jeffrey Epstein. In some cases, documents have come to light showing they in fact had more involved relationships than they've acknowledged.

Epstein was a prolific networker who sought to build relationships with world leaders, business titans and celebrities, often casting himself as a middleman who could connect the powerful.

His ability to build an elite social circle continued even after he had become a registered sex offender, following a 2008 deal with prosecutors in Florida that allowed Epstein to plead guilty to lesser state charges. He then was able to return to his globetrotting life.

As cache after cache of Epstein's personal communications, flight logs and calendars have come out, many of his friends and acquaintances have faced blowback. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said Wednesday he is resigning from the board of OpenAI and leaving a number of other roles following newly surfaced communications between him and Epstein.

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On Tuesday, both houses of Congress passed a bill that would require the Justice Department to release nearly all of its investigative files on Epstein.

President Trump has indicated he will sign the bill, which gives the Justice Department 30 days to comply.

Teen's death on cruise ship could lead to criminal case against family member

Sneak peek: Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead?

Massie on FBI, DOJ leaders being criminally liable if Trump doesn't release all Epstein files
The European Union is preparing to significantly expand its police and border-security missions in Gaza as part of efforts to support a US peace plan, according to information obtained by dpa.

EU foreign ministers are expected to agree in Brussels on Thursday on proposals for an enhanced EU role and, if necessary, adjust the mandates of existing missions, dpa has learned.

Under the plan, the EU could use its West Bankbased police mission, Eupol Copps, to take the lead in building a new police force for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and train around 3,000 Palestinian security officers in the medium term. In the long term, the goal is to train all 13,000 personnel expected to be needed.

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In the short term, Eupol Copps would help rebuild judicial and security structures in Gaza and organize training programmes for Palestinian police instructors at a police academy in Jericho co-funded by Germany.

Until now, Gaza's civilian police have operated under the control of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which fought a two-year long war with Israel that has left much of the territory in ruins.

The new force is expected to work closely with the planned international stabilization mission mandated in a UN Security Council resolution earlier this week.

Expanded EU role at Gaza border crossings

EU ministers in Brussels are also discussing an expansion of the bloc's border-monitoring mission for Gaza.

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According to dpa information, the EU could in future assist with processing goods, not only at the Rafah crossing but also at points such as Kerem Shalom. As an initial step, the mission is expected to resume supporting the movement of people through Rafah once the crossing reopens.

France has been one of the strongest advocates for broader mandates. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said at a recent EU meeting in Luxembourg that it was important to ensure humanitarian aid could safely reach Gaza.

An expanded role for Eupol Copps could also support the planned process of disarming Hamas in the Gaza Strip, he said.

Financial support for Ukraine

The latest developments in the war in Ukraine are also expected to feature highly in the talks on Thursday.

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Ministers are expected to start with a discussion with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Kiev's most pressing needs.

Efforts are under way in the EU to come up with additional long-term financial support, including possibly making frozen Russian state assets available to Ukraine.
The European Union is preparing to significantly expand its police and border-security missions in Gaza as part of efforts to support a US peace plan, according to information obtained by dpa.

EU foreign ministers are expected to agree in Brussels on Thursday on proposals for an enhanced EU role and, if necessary, adjust the mandates of existing missions, dpa has learned.

EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas stressed the importance that Palestinians would be leading the process and take ownership of building a police force for Gaza but that the bloc would be ready to "help them with the training of policemen."

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Under the plan, the EU could use its West Bankbased police mission, Eupol Copps, to take the lead in building a new police force for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and train around 3,000 Palestinian security officers in the medium term. In the long term, the goal is to train all 13,000 personnel expected to be needed.

In the short term, Eupol Copps would help rebuild judicial and security structures in Gaza and organize training programmes for Palestinian police instructors at a police academy in Jericho co-funded by Germany.

Until now, Gaza's civilian police have operated under the control of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which fought a two-year long war with Israel that has left much of the territory in ruins from Israeli air strikes and a ground offensive.

The new force is expected to work closely with the planned international stabilization mission mandated in a UN Security Council resolution earlier this week.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that France is ready to send roughly 100 French policemen to the Palestinian Territories to train local security forces.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul however said Palestinian policemen should "essentially be trained by neighbouring countries" after Jordan and Egypt have already declared their readiness to do so.

Expanded EU role at Gaza border crossings

EU ministers in Brussels are also discussing an expansion of the bloc's border-monitoring mission for Gaza.

According to dpa information, the EU could in future assist with processing goods, not only at the Rafah crossing but also at points such as Kerem Shalom. As an initial step, the mission is expected to resume supporting the movement of people through Rafah once the crossing reopens.

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France has been one of the strongest advocates for broader mandates. Barrot reiterated the importance of humanitarian aid for Gaza and said that France was ready to co-organise together with Egypt a conference on reconstruction and aid for Gaza until the end of the year.

Financial support for Ukraine

The latest developments in the war in Ukraine are also expected to feature highly in the talks on Thursday.

Ministers are expected to start with a discussion with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Kiev's most pressing needs.

Efforts are under way in the EU to come up with additional long-term financial support, including possibly making frozen Russian state assets available to Ukraine.
The European Union and South Africa signed a clean trade and investment partnership in Johannesburg on Thursday, a day before the Group of 20 (G20) summit kicks off in the South African financial centre.

The focus of the partnership will be on clean and resilient supply chains, support for local strategic industries and accelerating investment in green hydrogen and critical raw materials.

It was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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"This new, dynamic form of trade agreement brings together competitiveness and climate action. We are stepping up mutually beneficial cooperation in the clean economy and on critical raw materials," von der Leyen said.

The EU expects the agreement to help diversify partnerships, create new investment opportunities for companies and strengthen access to essential raw materials.

For South Africa, the aim is to support sustainable industrial growth, local job creation and broader decarbonization efforts.

The meeting followed an EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town in March. The EU sees South Africa, with its population of 65 million, as a major trading partner as well as an ally in the fight against climate change and the effort to maintain a rules-based international order.
The administration of the European Parliament on Wednesday declared a draft resolution opposing the Mercosur deal inadmissable.

The document, signed by 145 lawmakers, called for a challenge to the highly controversial trade agreement in the EU Court of Justice in an effort to suspend its ratification process.

A previous vote by MEPs in October showed that the Parliament remained deeply divided over the agreement, putting a question mark over the consent required for its ratification  and the dismissal of the latest resolution has inflamed tensions further.

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"MEPs' prerogatives are being flouted and they are being muzzled in their ability to carry out their parliamentary activities," Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont (The Greens) told Euronews, adding: "This is very serious."

The Conference of Presidents, a parliamentary body made up of the chairs of the different political groups, confirmed the decision on Wednesday, meaning the resolution will not be included in the agenda of the next plenary session in Strasbourg next week.

The agreement between the Mercosur countries  Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay  and the EU aims to establish a transatlantic free trade zone. The political agreement was struck by the two blocs in December 2024 after 25 years of discussion; its supporters, led by Germany and Spain, hoped that it would offer the EU access to major strategic markets.

However, EU farmers and climate activists oppose the deal, claiming it will open the door to unfair competition from Mercosur countries and jeopardise landmark EU legislation on the Green Deal.

Clash over the ratification procedure

One argument raised by the MEPs in their draft resolution is that by splitting the agreement between its trade and political parts to bypass the approval of National Parliaments during the ratification process, the European Commission has violated its mandate.

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However, the Parliament administration said on Wednesday that the request to bring the Mercosur deal before EU judges was inadmissible because the Council, which represents EU member states, has not yet asked for the Parliaments consent to ratify.

The clash with Parliaments administration over the ratification procedure comes just weeks after a vote revealed that opposition to the deal ran well beyond the 145 MEPs who backed the draft resolution.

Related

On 8 October, 269 MEPs rejected a paragraph of another resolution on the EUs political strategy for Latin America that welcomed the conclusion of the Mercosur agreement, while 259 voted in favour.

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The vote caught supporters of the deal off guard. According to them, the agreement is essential at a time when China is expanding its influence in Latin America and the US has imposed tariffs on EU exports, developments that have accelerated the Commissions strategy to conclude trade agreements worldwide.

However, some member states could yet oppose the Mercosur agreement, despite safeguards proposed by the Commission to reinforce the monitoring of potential market disruptions that could result from a surge in Mercosur imports.

Hungary and Poland are currently against the deal, while the approval of France, Ireland, Austria, and the Netherlands remains pending.

The full picture is expected to become clearer by 20 December, when Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to fly to Latin America to celebrate the signing. It is far from certain that her plane will take off.
A former member of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drews staff has been accused of falsely reporting her own assault after authorities found her bound by zip ties in the woods, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said Wednesday.

Natalie Greene, 26, of Ocean City, was charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements.

Greene was a constituent services representative for Van Drew, the Republican who serves New Jerseys 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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We are deeply saddened by todays news, and while Natalie is no longer associated with the Congressmans government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her, a spokesperson for Van Drew said Wednesday.

Greene and a co-conspirator called emergency services on July 23 reporting she had been attacked by three men while walking on a trail in the Egg Harbor Nature Preserve, officials said. The co-conspirator was not named by the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The co-conspirator told authorities that the men called Greene by her name and referenced her employment with Van Drew, officials said.

Officers located Greene lying in a wooded area with her shirt pulled over her head and her hands and feet zip tied, officials said.

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Greene had several cuts on her face, neck, chest and shoulder and the phrase Trump Whore written across her stomach and Van Drew IS RACIST written on her back, officials said.

When authorities found her, Greene was crying and yelling that the alleged attackers had a gun, officials said.

Greene told police that the men held her down and said they had a gun while cutting her and writing on her body, officials said.

After being treated for her injuries, Greene repeated the story to law enforcement, including an FBI investigator, officials said.

An investigation discovered that Greene paid a body modification artist  specializing in scarification  to make the lacerations using a scalpel on her face, neck, chest and shoulders in a pattern she had provided beforehand, officials said.

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Authorities found zip ties similar to the ones Greene was found bound with in her car the night of the incident, officials said.

A search of Greenes co-conspirators cellphone also discovered a search for zip ties near me two days prior to the reported incident, officials said.

Greene made her first appearance in federal court on Wednesday and was released with conditions, officials said.

An attorney for Greene did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers announced Wednesday he will resign from the OpenAI board of directors following intensified scrutiny over emails between him and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Harvard University also said Wednesday that Summers will not finish the semester as an instructor, and the Ivy League school is planning an investigation into the ties with Epstein after the release of emails and documents by a House committee investigating the disgraced financier's relationship with girls.

And The New York Times does "not intend to renew" Summers' contract as a contributing writer for the opinion section in an email to NBC News. Summers is also no longer a paid contributor to Bloomberg, a spokesperson for the company told NBC News.

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Summers, 70, revealed Monday that he will "step back" from all public duties.

"In line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI," Summers told CNBC and CNN in a statement.

Larry Summers (R), then-director of the U.S. National Economic Council, pictured Feb. 2010 next to then-U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano at the White House in Washington, D.C. Summers, 70, said Monday that he will "step back" from all public duties and Wednesday said that will include his board seat with OpenAI. File Photo by Andrew Harrer/UPI

"I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress."

The AI company said it respected his decision.

"We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the board," the OpenAI board of directors said in a statement.

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Summers and Epstein communicated until July 5, 2019, which was a day before Epstein was arrested and charged with sex trafficking of minors. And it was more than a decade after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in Palm Beach County, Fla.

Summers, who has not been accused of participating in any of Epstein's behavior, sought Epstein's advice on his relationship with an unnamed woman. Epstein said he was a "pretty good wing man." In another exchange, Summers wrote that men who "hit on" women in the workplace may suffer career repercussions.

This week, Summers said he was "deeply ashamed" after emails released last week revealed years of correspondence with Epstein.

"I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein," Summers said in a statement.

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Summers, former secretary of the United States Treasury under President Bill Clinton, was later president of Harvard from 2001 to 2006 and director of the National Economic Council under then-President Barack Obama. He has been a professor at Harvard since 2011.

Harvard duties

In a statement to The Harvard Crimson, the school's student newspaper, university spokesman Jonathan Swain said the Ivy League school "is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted."

The investigation will include messages Summers and Epstein exchanged over women, politics and Harvard-related initiatives.

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In a 2020 Harvard report, Epstein donated around $9 million to the school between 1998 and 2008. Harvard agreed to adopt new guidelines on accepting potentially controversial gifts and revise procedures for appointing visiting fellows. Epstein held a one-year degree-seeking research position that Epstein during Summers' presidency.

In 2016, Summers resigned as president after his remarks on women in science at an economics conference in 2005 and Harvard faculty concerns over his management of the school, The Crimson reported.

On Wednesday, he also departed as an instructor and was on leave as director of a center on policy issues in the public and private sector, The Crimson reported.

University spokesperson Jason Newton confirmed that Summers had communicated his decision to Harvard.

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"His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester," a spokesperson for Summers wrote in a Wednesday statement.

Summers also will go on leave as the director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. Since 2011, he has led the center.

"Mr. Summers has decided it's in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as Director as Harvard undertakes its review," the spokesperson wrote in a Wednesday statement.

Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz and English professor emerita Elisa New, who is married to Summers, are mentioned in the documents.

Democrats' ties to Epstein

Last week, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would ask Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Epstein's involvement with prominent Democrats, including Summers and Clinton. The Justice Department later confirmed an investigation was underway.

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Trump has said the Epstein case is a "Democrat hoax," though Trump has been named in several emails. Trump at times has been registered as a Democrat.

On Tuesday, Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill to release all Epstein files with one opponent in the House and none in the Senate.

The bill was formally sent to President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning, and that night he announced on Truth Social he signed it.

He had opposed the "discharge petition" in the House that required Speaker Mike Johnson to have a floor vote.
Family members of a 35-year-old woman from Utah who vanished from a beach party in Santa Cruz County earlier this month are speaking out, claiming her boyfriend, who was with her on the trip, is abusive and manipulative.

Danielle Staley was reportedly last seen with a group of people just before 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Rio Del Mar State Beach, about 10 miles east of Santa Cruz, officials with the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office said.

In a Nov. 9 news release, officials said, New information indicates she may be at risk, and foul play may be involved.

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Investigators said the 35-year-old arrived in Californias Central Coast with her boyfriend, 62-year-old Alx Nunez, near the end of October and was staying in a camper van near the beach.

Her belongings were later found on the beach, though there was no sign of her. Though authorities said theres no indication that she got in the ocean the night she disappeared, sheriffs investigators have repeatedly flown drones along the coastline looking for any sign of her.

In an interview with Utah television station ABC4, April Miller, Staleys mother, said her daughter and Nunez had an on-again, off-again relationship for about 13 years. Weve been concerned for years, she said of the 62-year-old, describing him as extremely abusive moments before Staleys brother chimed in and called him manipulative.

Nunez has denied any part in his girlfriends disappearance and says he has offered to take a polygraph test.

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Speaking with ABC4, the 62-year-old said he did not attend the beach bonfire because hes asthmatic, but instead fell asleep in the van during the festivities.

When I woke up, she wasnt there, so Im saying theres cameras there, theres a whole private subdivision that isnt nothing but cameras, and there has to be some video surveillance of something, cars going in and out between about 11 oclock and six in the morning, he told the outlet.

Danielle Staley, 35, seen in this undated photo by her sister, Airica Staley on GoFundMe. Rio Del Mar Beach in Santa Cruz County seen in this Google Maps image. Danielle Staley, 35, a resident of Utah seen in this undated photo. (SCCSO)

Investigators in Santa Cruz County have interviewed Nunez multiple times. His van is still in the custody of the sheriffs office, presumably while its being searched for evidence.

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Nunez, who has not been named as a suspect, said he decided to speak out about the situation after receiving criticism on social media where the couples history of domestic violence has been discussed. He suggested that Staley may have relapsed on drugs and could be with other drug users and that the focus should be on finding the 35-year-old and not on him.

Missing California man, 78, likely dragged off by wildlife, sheriff says

I wont stop until I find her, and Im not going anywhere, he told the outlet.

Airica Staley, the missing womans sister, said in a GoFundMe, that she and her sister and their stepdad have been in the area where the 35-year-old went missing since Nov. 12, working closely with law enforcement and passing out flyers in hopes of locating her.

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Staley is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing around 120 pounds with blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and leopard print leggings.

The Santa Cruz Sheriffs Office has not released an update on the search since last week but has urged anyone with information about her disappearance and or whereabouts to contact investigators at 831-471-1121.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Walk into any fighter wing hangar, and you can feel it before you see it. The smell of fuel, the faint echo of turbines, the way a jets nose seems to point right through you. These arent just aircraft. They are precision-built predators, shaped by decades of engineering, rivalry, and the unshakable need to be faster than whatever is coming over the horizon.

Some of the machines youll meet here still patrol the skies, while others live on only in record books and the memories of pilots who once pushed them past their limits. Each one has left its mark, whether in combat, during a hair-raising test flight, or on a blistering airshow run that left crowds staring at an empty sky.

Chasing the Skys Limits

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

For this lineup, we looked for the true speed demons of the fighter jet world, the jets that set records on paper, but actually flew missions with those numbers under their wings. Each one here earned its place by its verified top speed, the kind recognized by pilots, engineers, and aviation historians alike.

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We didnt get distracted by stealth profiles, weapons payloads, or radar systems. This is about raw velocity, the kind that pins you to the seat and turns the horizon into a blur. Thats why youll see Cold War legends parked alongside cutting-edge designs. If it served in the real world and could outrun almost anything else in the sky, its here. We left the experimental rocket ships in the history books and kept our list grounded in fighters that actually answered the call, whether in combat or on patrol.

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Image Credit: USAF - holloman.af.mil, Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,370 kph/1,470 mph

The F-4 Phantom II is one of those jets that seems to carry the spirit of a bygone era every time it takes to the skies. With its bold twin-engine roar and instantly recognizable profile, it became an icon of the Cold War and beyond.

This fighter was never subtle, its presence was loud, proud, and commanding. For decades, it served in multiple air forces, proving itself in conflicts across the globe. Even today, some nations still operate upgraded versions, a testament to its staying power. The Phantom is the kind of jet that wears its history on its wings, each flight a reminder of a time when raw speed and power were paramount.

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

Image Credit: F-22_Raptor.JPG: Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway/Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,414 kph/1,500 mph

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The F-22 Raptor is a ghost in the sky. It has a way of appearing and disappearing before you even know its there, blending speed with stealth like no other.

Sleek and predatory, its the kind of jet that seems to embody the word dominance. The Raptor was designed to outfly and outthink anything it faces, and in that mission, it has rarely been challenged. Even its airshow displays feel like glimpses of a creature that spends most of its time in the wild, hunting unseen. Pilots who fly it speak of unmatched agility paired with blistering acceleration. The combination makes it not just a tool of defense but a symbol of American air superiority. In a world where the skies are becoming more contested, the Raptor still reigns supreme.

IAI Kfir

Image Credit: SSGT GUS GARCIA - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,440 kph/1,520 mph

The Israeli-built Kfir is a fighter with a reputation for punching far above its weight. Developed during a time when Israel needed self-reliance in its defense industry, the Kfir quickly proved it could hold its own.

Its sharp, purposeful lines give it an aggressive look even when sitting on the runway. Over the years, it has served in both Israeli and foreign air forces, earning respect for its reliability and combat performance. The Kfir has a certain underdog charm, a reminder that speed and capability dont always come from the biggest players.

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Its a jet that was built to answer a national need, and did so brilliantly. Even decades later, upgraded variants keep it relevant in specialized roles. It may not dominate headlines like newer fighters, but in the right hands, its still a formidable machine.

Mikoyan MiG-29

Image Credit: Artem Katranzhi - CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,450 kph/1,520 mph

The MiG-29 is a fighter that wears its agility like a badge of honor. Compact and muscular, its as comfortable in a tight dogfight as it is racing at top speed across the horizon.

Developed in the Soviet Union, it became a cornerstone of many air forces and earned a reputation for being both nimble and fierce. Its wide, gaping intakes and swept wings make it instantly recognizable to aviation fans. This is a jet that thrives in the chaos of close-range combat, where reflexes and speed rule the day. Pilots praise its ability to respond like its reading their thoughts. Over time, modern upgrades have kept it competitive in the changing landscape of air combat. Its proof that sometimes the right blend of speed and maneuverability can be timeless.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25

Image Credit: Leonid Faerberg - GFDL 1.2/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 3,000 kph/1,900 mph

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The MiG-25 Foxbat is less a fighter and more a rocket with wings. Built during the height of the Cold War, it was designed for one purpose: to go fast, outrageously fast.

Its sheer velocity made it a nightmare for reconnaissance aircraft and high-altitude bombers. The Foxbat was never the most agile jet, but in a straight line, it was nearly untouchable. Even today, its top speed puts most modern fighters to shame. The MiG-25s legend comes from those heart-pounding intercept missions where closing the gap was all that mattered.

Mikoyan MiG-31

Image Credit: Dmitriy Pichugin - GFDL 1.2/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 3,000 kph/1,900 mph

The MiG-31 Foxhound is the spiritual successor to the MiG-25, carrying forward the Soviet obsession with unmatched speed. But the Foxhound chases down intruders with precision.

This long-range interceptor is built to cover vast stretches of sky in record time. Its imposing frame and no-nonsense stance make it look like it means business before the engines even start. While stealth and agility dominate todays headlines, the MiG-31 reminds us that theres still a place for pure, blistering pace in air defense.

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Matthew Seefeldt - U.S. States Air Force, Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,655 kph/1,650 mph

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The F-15 Eagle is a jet that simply refuses to lose. For decades, it has built an unparalleled record in aerial combat, and its speed is a big part of that story. From the moment it takes off, the Eagle exudes confidence, a fighter designed to own the skies.

Its aggressive profile and raw power make it a favorite among pilots and spectators alike. This is an aircraft that can carry a heavy load, hit hard, and still outrun most of whats chasing it. Even as new generations of fighters emerge, the F-15 continues to receive upgrades that keep it lethal and fast. Its proof that a well-designed jet can remain relevant for decades.

Sukhoi Su-27

Image Credit: Dave_S - CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,500 kph/1,600 mph

The Su-27 is a fighter that manages to combine elegance with raw muscle. With its flowing lines and wide wingspan, it looks almost graceful.

This jet was Russias answer to Americas top air superiority fighters, and its been impressing ever since. Its speed gives it the reach and presence to dominate large stretches of airspace. Airshow audiences have marveled at its ability to pull off maneuvers that seem to defy physics. In service, its been a cornerstone of Russian airpower and an export success. The Su-27s balance of speed, agility, and endurance has kept it in the front rank of fighters for decades. Its as beautiful as it is deadly.

Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Image Credit: Cdr. David Baranek, U.S. Navy, Public Domain/ Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,485 kph/1,544 mph

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Few jets have achieved pop culture fame like the F-14 Tomcat. Immortalized on the big screen, it became a symbol of American naval airpower.

The Tomcats sweeping wings arent just for show, they adjust mid-flight, giving it both speed and agility when needed. Serving from aircraft carriers, it could streak off the deck and chase down threats far beyond the horizon. The Tomcats mix of speed, range, and carrier capability made it a legend among pilots.

Even after retirement, its image still inspires awe and nostalgia. For a generation, the F-14 was the face of fighter aviation. It embodied an era when speed and visual presence were as important as high-tech sensors.

F-35 Lightning II

Image Credit: U.S. Air Force - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 1,960 kph/1,220 mph

The F-35 Lightning II is the modern definition of multirole, and while stealth is its calling card, its no slouch in the speed department. Designed to do it all, it moves between roles with ease, carrying out missions that once required separate specialized aircraft. Its sleek, compact form and advanced systems make it a nightmare to face in combat.

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When it pushes for speed, it reminds everyone that stealth doesnt have to mean slow. The Lightning II is as comfortable racing to the frontlines as it is lurking undetected. For its pilots, its not just about speed, its about control, awareness, and adaptability at high velocity. Its a jet built for the realities of modern warfare.

Chengdu J-20

Image Credit: N509FZ - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,130 kph/1,324 mph

The Chengdu J-20 is Chinas statement piece, a stealth fighter that also brings serious speed to the fight. With its long, sharp nose and canard forewings, it cuts a distinctive figure in the sky.

Built to compete with the best, the J-20 combines range, stealth, and acceleration in a way that signals Chinas growing airpower ambitions. Its been spotted patrolling contested zones and making its presence felt in high-stakes regions. While much about its true capabilities remains classified, its top-end speed is nothing to overlook.

Sukhoi Su-35

Image Credit: Dmitry Terekhov - CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Top speed: 2,414 kph/1,500 mph

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The Su-35 takes the formidable Su-27 design and turns every dial to maximum. Its a jet that looks ready to pounce, with sleek curves and powerful engines that give it both agility and pace.

The Su-35 has been a mainstay of Russian air demonstrations, often leaving crowds stunned by its acrobatics. In combat roles, its fast enough to close in or disengage at will, giving pilots options in a fight. This blend of high speed and extreme maneuverability makes it a dangerous opponent. Its one of the few modern fighters that can match speed with showmanship. And when it decides to open the throttle, theres little that can keep up.

Speed That Stands the Test of Time

Image Credit: H. H. DEFFNER - Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

In the end, speed is one of the purest measures of an aircrafts power. While stealth, electronics, and weaponry have transformed air combat, the ability to close distance  or escape it  at incredible velocity remains a priceless advantage.

The jets on this list prove that even as technology changes, the thrill of raw speed will always define the legends of the sky. Some are relics of a high-speed arms race, others are cutting-edge machines built for the future, but all have earned their place among the fastest fighter jets in the world... that we know of...
Ramiro Cabrera said, from the moment he was arrested by immigration agents, he lived through a 41-day "terror."

The 51-year-old father and grandfather was arrested in Crestwood last month during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement "blitz" in the Chicago area.

But last week, he was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after prevailing in a federal court case. Three days after his return home, he sat down with the ABC7 Chicago I-Team to share his story.

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"I felt so much terror, so much fear," Cabrera told the I-Team, speaking in Spanish. "We longed to see two minutes of daylight, but we never saw it in the 41 days I was there."

Cabrera is one of hundreds of people identified by the Department of Homeland Security as possibly arrested in violation of a 2022 consent decree restricting when agents can arrest someone without a warrant.

It was on Oct. 3 when Ramiro Cabrera, owner of "Cabrera Rental Center" was setting up a tent for a business in Crestwood when surveillance footage captured federal immigration agents pull up in a white van. And in less than three minutes, he was in federal custody.

"No one expects that," Cabrera told the I-Team. "We were working at my company, doing our normal jobs. And in a matter of minutes, two minutes changed my world so much."

A still frame from surveillance video showing federal agents arresting Ramiro Cabrera on Oct. 3

Cabrera has lived in the U.S. without legal permission for more than 20 years, and has four U.S. citizen children, including a 19-year-old daughter he supports.

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He has no criminal record, according to court declarations. But after agents arrested him, Cabrera says he was treated like a criminal.

"I don't know why that happens in a country like the United States," Cabrera told the I-Team.

Cabrera said he was initially taken to the Broadview ICE facility for two days, where he says he was given two bottles of water per day with a ham sandwich, and no phone calls with his attorney.

"There were between 90 and 110 of us there on the two nights I was there," Cabrera said. "I think I slept for about half an hour each night. The bathrooms had no doors. We didn't bathe; we didn't change our clothes, very sad, terrifying."

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Cabrera said at one point during his time at Broadview, he had to be taken to an outside hospital due to complications from high blood pressure.

"I thought I might die. I said, 'My God, forgive me if I die. My daughters are fine. I'm leaving, but I felt like I was dying,'" Cabera said. "They took me to the hospital; they took good care of me. They cured me."

Cabrera's daughter, Mariana, said she and her family lived in constant anxiety during the 41 days he was gone, knowing where their father was.

"It was hard to know, going to sleep, especially when he was in Broadview when we heard of the conditions there," Mariana said. "Knowing that, like, I get to sleep in a comfortable bed tonight while he's there because he's undocumented."

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Since his time at Broadview, a federal judge has ordered ICE to improve conditions at the facility after hearing testimony from people detained about unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.

Cabrera was eventually transferred to an ICE detention facility in Clay County, Indiana, where he remained until his release.

As the I-Team previously reported, Cabrera's attorney, former Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jennifer Peyton, filed a habeas petition in federal court, challenging Cabrera's detention as unlawful and demanding due process.

More than 30 character witness letters were filed in his support from members in the community, Peyton said, and it was the habeas case that ultimately led to a judge ordering his release last week.

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"I cried when I left. I called (my daughter); she cried," Cabrera told the I-Team. "Only a miracle could happen, and it happened."

Cabrera's family members shot this photo the moment he came home after 41 days in ICE custody.

While his habeas case was proceeding, Cabrera was also added as a class member in litigation over a 2022 consent decree restricting when immigration agents can arrest someone without a warrant, often referred to as the "Castanon Nava settlement."

He is one of more than 600 people who the Department of Homeland Security has since identified as possibly arrested in violation of that agreement.

Judge Jeffrey Cummings has ordered more than 400 people to be released by this Friday, and on Tuesday, Cummings denied a request by the government to delay the release.

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If Cabrera hadn't been released already, he would have been included in that group.

In the list of individuals that DHS officials filed with the court, Cabrera was designated as having a "Medium" risk to public safety, but no further explanation was given on the basis for that designation. Attorneys have questioned the methods behind these ratings.

DHS officials did not respond to the I-Team's questions about the designation, or request for comment on Cabrera's release.

Cabrera and his attorney said that designation makes no sense.

"That part of the government makes me sad. It makes me very sad because I've been a defender of the government," Cabrera told the I-Team. "No matter if they're Democrats or Republicans, it's the best government in the world. They're just doing things wrong right now."

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Cabrera's immigration case is not over. His attorney told the I-Team he's awaiting a new court date to be set in immigration court.

While he's happy to be home, Cabrera hopes the people he met while in ICE custody -- most of whom he said did not have criminal histories -- will be released to their families just like him.

"I will always ask God in my prayers that they get out because they should be with their families, like I am," Cabrera said.
The FBI is offering a $15 million reward for help that leads to the arrest of a former Olympic athlete.

Former Canadian snowboarder Ryan Wedding represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics in the men's parallel giant slalom event. After his snowboarding career came to a close, he entered a much different field. Wedding has allegedly become one of the top drug traffickers in the world.

Wedding, 44, has also been accused of ordering the murders of several key witnesses.

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The prominent drug trafficker allegedly moved more than 130,000 pounds of cocaine a year. He allegedly led "one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world," according to the U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi.

Pam Bondi is announcing a $15 million reward. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

At a news conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced news charges for Wedding.

Wedding, who is on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, allegedly put a bounty on a witness who was set to testify against him. The witness was killed on Jan. 31, 2025. Wedding has faced charges of murder, drugs, and other charges since late 2024.

"[Wedding] used a Canadian website called The Dirty News to post photographs of the witness and his wife in order to locate him, which ultimately succeeded. The witness was gunned down in a restaurant in Medellin before he could testify against Wedding," Bondi announced.

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"Wedding collaborates closely with the Sinaloa cartel, a foreign terrorist organization, to flood not only American but also Canadian communities with cocaine coming from Colombia. His organization is responsible for importing approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles via semi-trucks from Mexico."

$15 million reward for help in arresting him

The FBI announced that there is an eight-figure reward for help that leads to his arrest.

"Ten defendants have been arrested  and 11 total are in custody  pursuant to a nine-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charging a former Olympic snowboarder now on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List, a Canadian criminal barrister, a reggaeton musician, a would-be gangland news website operator, and others in connection with the January 31 murder in Colombia of a federal witness in a separate criminal case," the FBI announced Wednesday.

"Ryan James Wedding, 44, a Canadian national residing in Mexico, the cases lead defendant, is charged with overseeing the operations of a criminal enterprise  including by engaging in witness intimidation tactics such as murder  and enriching himself with the enterprises laundered drug proceeds. In March 2025, Wedding was placed on the FBIs List of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. There is an increased $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest and/or prosecution."

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The FBI is doing everything it can to arrest him.

Whether youre a kingpin or a dealer on the street, anyone who sells drugs to our kids will be arrested and prosecuted, said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Ryan Wedding controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world and works closely with the Sinaloa Cartel. We will not rest until his name is taken off the FBIs Top 10 Most Wanted List, and his narco-trafficking organization lies dismantled.

The murder of a witness in Colombia earlier this year was a cruel, cold-blooded act that could not and did not go unanswered, said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. This weeks arrests underscore our resolve to root out and punish the wrongdoers involved in this criminal organization and serve as a warning for drug lord Ryan Wedding: If convicted, you will never see the outside of a prison ever again.

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Olympics section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A federal judge's order designed to protect the constitutional rights of nonthreatening protestors and the press in the Chicago area was paused on Wednesday after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay. Although federal immigration authorities have wound down operations in the Windy City for now, the decision means that the court will have less oversight over any agents who remain and use riot control weapons on opponents of President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign.

United States District Judge Sara L. Ellis issued a preliminary injunction on November 6 after the Trump administration and federal agents were sued for engaging in "extreme brutality" to "silence the press and civilians" protesting "Operation Midway Blitz," the ongoing immigration operation in Chicago. After hearing evidence of agents deploying riot control weapons and chemical irritants against protestors and bystanders without warning, Ellis stated in court that the evidence so far "shocks the conscience," and that the Justice Department's arguments to defend against the accusations "lack credibility," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Ellis also highlighted an incident in which Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol chief leading immigration operations in Chicago until recently, was captured on video throwing a tear gas canister into a crowd. Bovino later admitted to lying about a rock hitting him in the head before deploying the tear gas.

Ellis' order required agents to have "visible identification" and activated body cameras, and forbade them from using "riot control weapons," including chemical irritants and rubber bullets, and "hands-on physical force," like tackling or using choke holds and neck restraints, "unless such force is objectively reasonable to stop an immediate threat." But the Justice Department quickly appealed Ellis' decision on November 10, arguing that her "overbroad and unworkable injunction has no basis in law, threatens the safety of federal officers, and violates the separation of powers."

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On Wednesday, the 7th Circuit's three-judge panel granted the Justice Department's request for an emergency stay, ruling that Ellis' order was "too prescriptive" and "resembles federal regulation." "The practical effect [of the preliminary injunction] is to enjoin all law enforcement officers within the Executive Branch." This would result in an infringement on the separation of powers by mandating that the parties "submit for judicial review all current and future internal guidance, policies, and directives regarding efforts to implement the order."

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), called the stay "a win for the rule of law and for the safety of every law enforcement officer," according to Fox News.

But the appellate court also warned the federal government to "not overread [its] order." The decision is only in place pending the appeal process, which will be expedited. The court also left the door open to create its own "more tailored and appropriate preliminary injunction that directly addresses the First and Fourth amendment claims raised by [the] plaintiffs."

In the week between the Justice Department's appeal and the appellate court's decision, immigration agents, including Bovino, have left Chicago to launch a new operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, which Queen City News reports will conclude Thursday. Agents are also expected to arrive in New Orleans during the first week of December. Despite these new operations, McLaughlin posted on X, "We aren't leaving Chicago," and about 100 agents are expected to remain in Chicago. One DHS source told the Sun-Times that there could be a resurgence of 1,000 agents in the area next springcompared to the roughly 250 agents involved in Operation Midway Blitz.

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Meanwhile, Ellis is moving forward with a trial, scheduled for March 2, to evaluate the plaintiff's claims and come to a final ruling as to whether the Trump administration and federal agents have used "extreme brutality" in violation of journalists' and protestors' First and Fourth Amendment rights. The decision could provide a check on the Trump administration's abuse of power during mass deportation campaigns in the Chicago areanow and in the future.

The post Federal Agents Can Continue To Use Riot Control Weapons in Chicago With Limited Oversight Amid Pending Appeal appeared first on Reason.com.
It's been about a week since Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and his team left the Chicago area.

The ICE facility in Broadview was quiet Thursday with little to no presence of federal agents, but immigration operations still continue in the area as two people were detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security federal agents in Franklin Park.

A family in Franklin Park spent the afternoon fixing the front door which federal agents knocked down Thursday morning while executing an arrest warrant for a man in his 60s. The family says that man and his wife were both taken into DHS custody for allegedly living in the country illegally.

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The granddaughter of those two people was in the house as federal agents rushed in.

"It was very scary because even with the speaker they kept repeating his name that they had a warrant for his arrest it was really terrifying," she said.

RELATED | Appeals court temporarily blocks release of hundreds arrested in 'Midway Blitz'

The woman says she was raised by her grandparents and often helped them with their jobs in the area.

The family says the man who was detained had already been deported about six years ago and then returned to the country, but his wife has been in the country for decades and allegedly has a workers permit in the U.S. They say they understand the realities of this immigration process, but are now figuring out how to move forward.

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"It's gonna be hard because now we need to take care of them and his job and the house and everything so it's gonna be hard," said Jesus Cano, whose brother-in-law was detained.

SEE ALSO | DOJ drops charges against woman shot by CBP agent in Chicago after being accused of ramming car

It was one of the first DHS arrests seen in the Chicago area since Bovino and his team left the state last week. Their next operation is now unfolding in Charlotte, North Carolina.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has also continued to say that immigration operations will go on in Chicago despite the change of agencies on the ground.

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SEE ALSO | ICE agent describes his injuries as 'nothing major' after deadly Franklin Park shooting: VIDEO

Meanwhile, a 20-year-old woman says her grandparents aren't criminals, and she's grappling with the reality of life without them.

"It's really sad I want them to come back," she said. "At least my grandma I'm all alone now with the cats."

ABC7 has reached out to DHS for details on Thursday's arrest in Franklin Park, but have not yet heard back.
In a new ruling by a federal judge, 14 more Texas public school districts have been added to a list that requires them to remove Ten Commandments posters in public classrooms by Dec. 1.

In September, a new law went into effect requiring them to be displayed, but in October, during a school board meeting, Galveston ISD was one of the districts that voted to delay putting up any posters while they wait to see what happens in court.

Because of that decision, the state's attorney general's office sued the district for not complying.

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After the law took effect, several families of students filed a lawsuit in September against 14 school districts, challenging the law. A judge ruled in their favor and granted what's called a temporary injunction.

In those court documents, the judge states in part, "it is impracticable, if not impossible to prevent Plaintiffs from being subjected to unwelcome religious displays without enjoining Defendants from enforcing S.B.10 across their districts."

"In this case, they just said, 'Ok, school districts, take down those posters for now until this litigation proceeds,'" said Chloe Kempf, Attorney, ACLU Texas.

Conroe ISD was one of the districts named in the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the district says they'll follow the judge's orders.

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Over the summer, another federal lawsuit was filed against 11 school districts, including HISD, Fort Bend, and Cy-Fair, blocking them from displaying the Ten Commandments as well.

"Our first case is currently up on appeal at the 5th Circuit. They will hear oral arguments on that preliminary injunction in January, and in our second case, that preliminary injunction will hold steady until our first case is resolved," Kempf said.

A spokesperson for Galveston ISD says the district will discuss next steps with their legal counsel.

ABC13 reached out to the state attorney general's office for comment and didn't hear back.

For updates, follow Mo Haider on Facebook, X and Instagram.
"The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You" campaign is encouraging people to be more courteous in the air. It's also exhorting travelers to dress appropriately, to mind their children and their manners.

When the Department of Transportation announced a new campaign on Wednesday, Nov. 19 to encourage travelers to be more civil when they fly, it inevitably got people talking.

USA TODAY heard from many readers, who were pretty much all in agreement with the campaign's goals, but also said passengers alone aren't to blame for the current headaches in air travel.

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"I agree that civility needs to be restored when flying. However, the airlines make that challenging by treating people like cattle, cramming them into ever decreasing seat space so that knees are hitting the seat back in front and shoulders are squished against total strangers," Mike Strauss, from Norman, Oklahoma, told USA TODAY in an email. "Unfortunately, when the airlines treat people like animals, it encourages people to act like animals."

Some also felt that the Trump administration isn't best positioned to advise on manners.

Still, Lisa Mirza Grotts, a certified etiquette expert and author of "A Travelers Passport to Etiquette," agreed that the goals of the DOT campaign are sound.

"This is what I advocate. Its so interesting to me that theyre asking us to be civil," she said. "I think its important when you travel, to travel light. Not just your bags, but your expectations. Just go with the flow ... Thats when the kindness and the character and your in-flight conduct matter more than ever."

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Grotts said she doesn't necessarily think people need to wear suits and ties or dresses and pearls to fly anymore, but she even agreed with the DOT's guidance about dressing the part.

Here are some of her key tips for how to dress when you travel:

Wear layers: you never know what the temperature on the plane will be.

Keep your shoes on: no one wants to see your bare feet.

Dress respectfully: "The friendly skies, if you will, reward those who rise to that occasion," she said.

"I think comfort is key. You always dress in layers on an airplane, but I am not ever slovenly. Comfort and dignity can coexist," she said. "Pajamas, bare feet, those are great at home watching a Hallmark movie, but not 30,000 feet in the air."

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Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DOT says: Dress up when you fly. Flyers say: Airlines do better first.
Federal prosecutors are seeking to dismiss charges against a woman shot by Border Patrol last month.

Marimar Martinez and her co-defendant, Anthony Ruiz, were charged with impeding a federal officer with a deadly weapon when her car collided with a Border Patrol vehicle in Chicagos Brighton Park neighborhood on October 4. But Martinez has argued the opposite: Border Patrol agent Charles Exum crashed into her car, and then shot her.

On Thursday, prosecutors moved to dismiss the charges just before a new hearing in federal court, where Martinez and Ruizs attorneys were going to reveal new text messages from Exum that have not yet been made public. Exum has already gotten in trouble for Signal texts bragging about the shooting to his fellow agents, saying, I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys. Exum also sent a news article to another recipient saying, Read it. 5 shots, 7 holes.

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The move to dismiss charges suggests damaging material was going to be revealed in the new texts. Already, the facts in the case reflected poorly on Exum, as he quickly drove his government-issued Chevrolet Tahoe to a Border Patrol mechanic in Maine for repairs before any investigation could examine the damage. Also, video from the incident allegedly shows Exum saying, Do something, bitch, before getting out of his car and shooting Martinez.

President Trumps Operation Midway Blitz, ostensibly to enforce immigration law, has resulted in brutality against protesters and multiple court rulings against Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino left Chicago after being rebuked by a federal judge for using tear gas and other riot-prevention methods against protesters.

Martinez was a victim of this half-baked operation, along with countless immigrants in Chicago. But the White House is doing the same thing in other cities across the U.S., such as Charlotte, North Carolina. How will the government be held accountable?
Philadelphia firefighters responded to a house fire on Thursday morning near the scene of a fire earlier this week.

Crews responded to the 4000 block of N. 7th Street in Hunting Park just before 7:30 a.m.

The fire has been placed under control, but officials are working to figure out what started the flames.

A fire broke out at a nearby home on Tuesday night, where an 18-year-old was injured and two others had to be rescued.

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(Correction: This article previously stated the fire was at the same home as Tuesday night's blaze)

While this is the second fire at this home this week, it is the third fire in the neighborhood in recent days.

Three people were killed, including two young siblings, after a house fire in the 3400 block of Hope Street early Tuesday morning.




The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for a large part of South and Central Texas as a strong low-pressure system approaches the region from the west. The watch will go into effect at midnight tonight and it will last until 6 a.m. Friday morning.

The flood watch encompasses much of the Hill Country, Edwards Plateau and Interstate 35 corridor. Cities included are Del Rio, Rocksprings, Junction, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne, San Antonio, New Braunfels, San Marcos and Austin.

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A flood watch doesn't mean flooding will occur everywhere in the area. It simply means conditions are favorable for flooding to develop somewhere within the watch region during the specified time frame.

The NWS says that 1-3 inches of rain is possible across the watch area, with isolated totals of up to 6 inches possible.

Shown are the potential rainfall totals across Texas through early Friday. The greatest chance of flooding will be across the western Hill Country and southern Concho Valley. (Pivotal Weather)





"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," the NWS said in a statement. "Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded."

Highest rainfall totals: According to recent weather model data, the highest rainfall totals are expected to be on the western side of the flood watch area, from the Rio Grande northeastward into the western Hill Country and southern Concho Valley.

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Cities such as Del Rio, Rocksprings, Junction, Menard, Mason, Brady and Brownwood have some of the highest chances for flooding overnight and into Thursday. Rainfall totals in these areas are likely to reach 24 inches, with localized amounts up to 7 inches possible.

Eastern Hill Country: Between 1-3 inches of rain is still likely across the Hill Country cities of Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Blanco and Marble Falls. Isolated flooding will be possible here, but the greater risk remains farther west.

Shown is the future radar at 2 a.m. Thursday, as a cluster of strong thunderstorms moves over the Texas Hill Country. Most of this moisture will stay northwest of San Antonio. (WeatherBell)





I-35 corridor: As you push eastward toward the I-35 corridor, rainfall totals will be even lower. Much of San Antonio will likely see less than one inch of rain, as most of the moisture stays well to the northwest. However, a few scattered downpours could still lead to localized urban flooding.

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Farther north along I-35, slightly higher totals are expected. According to the National Blend of Models, San Marcos and Austin could see 12 inches of rain, with isolated higher amounts possible.

Timing: Rainfall is expected to come in two rounds. The first will arrive overnight as a large cluster of storms moves across the Texas Hill Country and Concho Valley between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Thursday.

A second round of storms is expected to develop Thursday afternoon and continue into the evening. In San Antonio, a few showers are possible Thursday morning, but the better chance for scattered storms won't arrive until after 4 p.m.

This article originally published at Flood watch issued in South Central Texas. Here's where heaviest rain will fall..
(Reuters) -A federal grand jury in Florida has indicted U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on charges of stealing federal COVID-19 relief funds and directing the money to her 2021 congressional campaign, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Representatives for Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

She has previously denied wrongdoing, local media reported.

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The indictment accuses Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and others of receiving a $5 million overpayment through her family-owned healthcare company and routing the money through multiple accounts to disguise its source.

The company had a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract funded by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Justice Department said in a press release.

"Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormicks 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants," the statement said.

Cherfilus-McCormick was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2022 to complete the term of the late Representative Alcee Hastings, who died in April 2021 at age 84 after holding the Miami-area seat for 28 years.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Kevin Buckland)
A South Florida lawmaker has been federally indicted for allegedly stealing Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to pay for her congressional campaign, prosecutors announced this week.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, used their family health care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021 in connection to the case, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones for the Southern District of Florida announced on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

The siblings are from Miramar, in Broward County, prosecutors said.

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In July 2021, the family's company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds, Quinones announced in a news release. Prosecutors say Cherfilus-McCormick then stole disaster funds, laundered the proceeds and used the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign.

On Thursday morning, Nov. 20, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries office released a statement announcing Cherfilus-McCormick will step aside from her position as "Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committees Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa while this matter is ongoing."

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington also released the following statement, calling her alleged crimes 'abhorrent':

An individual who used FEMA funds as a personal and political piggy bank, if the allegations are proven to be true, should not have any authority over how taxpayer funds are appropriated," the non-profit's statement reads. "This appears to be yet another breach of trust in an era of unprecedented self-dealing and corruption. Representative Cherfilus-McCormick was right to step back from her committee leadership and must resign if convicted.

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-FL

Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, represents parts of the state including western Palm Beach County in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was elected in a January 2022 special election following the April 2021 death of Alcee Hastings, the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

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According to the outlet, Cherfilus-McCormick "has long been under scrutiny" for the allegations.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Cherfilus-McCormick released a statement to USA TODAY regarding the indictment filed against her.

"This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment  and I am innocent," the statement reads. "The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved."

"I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail," the statement continues. "I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents."

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The lawmaker's chief of staff, Naomie Pierre-Louis, confirmed the leave to USA TODAY on Thursday, saying the move was to "ensure the committee can fully focus on continuing the good fight for the American people, as she continues to fight to clear her good name. Her committee memberships remain intact."

Indictment: Former Olympic snowboarder facing murder, drug charges

US Attorney: Alleged FEMA fund diversion 'erodes trust'

A federal grand jury in Miami handed down the indictment on Wednesday, Nov. 19, charging the congresswoman and several co-defendants in connection to the case.

"When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all," Quinones said. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used as intended and that the publics trust is safeguarded."

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According to the indictment, the group conspired to steal $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts in an effort to disguise its origin. A large amount of the money was reportedly used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormicks 2021 congressional campaign and for other personal uses.

In addition, the court documents alleges the defendants falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions, and inflated charitable contributions to reduce Cherfilus-McCormick's tax obligations.

The indictment alleges Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, also of Miramar, arranged additional contributions using straw donors "funneling other monies from the FEMA-funded COVID-19 contract to friends and relatives who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money."

The lawmaker is also charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return with her 2021 tax preparer, David K. Spencer.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Florida, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, at The Ben West Palm in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 20, 2023.

'A particularly selfish, cynical crime'

According to the Palm Beach Post, about two years ago, The House Ethics committee began an investigation over the lawmaker's campaign finances and other potential violations. Last year, the U.S. House Committee on Ethics referred questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick broke campaign finance laws to an investigative subcommittee, extending the review.

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"Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime," Attorney General Pam Bondi released in a statement after the indictment was announced. "No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice."

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison and her brother faces up to 35 years behind bars. Leblanc faces a maximum 10 years in prison, and Spencer faces up to 33 years in prison.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributing: James Coleman with the Palm Beach Post

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Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly stole FEMA funds for campaign
Pardon me?!

Actually, it's the turkey that needs a pardon, and well before it gets butchered or pulled from the freezer to take center stage on the Thanksgiving table.

But a presidential pardon for the White House turkey actually is a fairly new "tradition."

The White House has not yet set a date for this year's turkey pardon, although the event usually takes place a few days before Thanksgiving.

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Until then, though, you can vote on naming the two White House turkeys.

So as we wait for the pardons  assuming that tradition continues!  here's a light look at some turkey trivia to chew on before you sneak into the kitchen for a little "quality control."

Who names the White House turkeys?

The White House selects the names of the national Thanksgiving turkey and its alternate.

The names are often chosen from suggestions submitted by the public, according to the National Turkey Foundation.

This year, first Lady Melania Trump is asking the public to vote on their favorite turkey names.

Help pick the names of the 2025 White House turkeys

 Help us choose the names of this years Presidential Turkeys!



 Vote for your favorite name pair from the options below, courtesy of North Carolina 4H and FFA students.



 Cast your vote on X & IG by Friday, Nov. 21 at 12:00 PM ET.  Office of the First Lady (@FirstLadyOffice) November 17, 2025

The Office of the First Lady is asking the public to vote for their favorite pair of names for the White House turkeys.

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According to a tweet from the Office of the First Lady, four names are being considered:

Sugar and Spice

Pumpkin and Pie

Gobble and Waddle

Acorn and Squash

Vote for your favorite names on the Office of the First Lady's X account, @FirstLadyOffice.

The deadline to vote for your favorite set of names is noon ET, Friday, Nov. 21.

What are some names selected for White House turkeys in past years?

Here are some of our favorite turkey names from prior years:

2024: Peach and Blossom

2022: Chocolate and Chip

2021: Peanut Butter and Jelly

2018  Peas and Carrots (throwback from "Forrest Gump" maybe?)

2017: Drumstick and Wishbone (food names seem to be most prominent so far!)

2016  Tot and Tater

2013  Popcorn and Caramel

2012  Cobbler and Gobbler

2010  Apple and Cider

2008  Pecan and Pumpkin

2006  Flyer and Fryer

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 See list of names back to 2006

Has Florida ever sent a turkey to the White House?

Not that we could find, although the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said there are two types of wild turkeys in Florida, along with some turkey farms.

The National Turkey Foundation said turkeys have been sent to the White House from several several states, including:

Minnesota

North Carolina

Indiana

Iowa

South Dakota

California

Ohio

Virginia

Missouri

Guess it should come as no surprise the top turkey-producing states are Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, and Missouri, the Turkey Federation said.

At least one pair of turkeys sent to Florida to enjoy Disney World

Florida may not have sent any turkeys to the White House, but a couple did come to the Sunshine State to enjoy the "happiest place on Earth."

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In 2007, not only did President George W. Bush pardon both turkeys  May and Flower  during the annual tradition, but he sent them to Disney World, where they served as honorary grand marshals at Disneys annual Thanksgiving Day parade, according to Ripleys.com.

When did White House start pardoning turkeys?

The tradition of pardoning White House turkeys has been traced back to President Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, his son, Tad, asked for clemency for a turkey intended to become Christmas dinner, according to WhiteHouseHistory.com.

While some presidents have offered a "reprieve" for Thanksgiving turkeys presented to the White House, it was President George H.W. Bush who officially pardoned an unnamed, 50-pound turkey in 1989. A tradition that has continued to this day.

And no, that wasn't a typo on the turkey's weight. WhiteHouseHistory.com officially lists the turkey's weight at 50 pounds.

Has President Trump pardoned turkeys in the past?

He has:

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Turkey not just for Thanksgiving

"Turkey consumption has nearly doubled since 1970 (8.2 pounds per capita), as consumer education and awareness of the nutritional value and taste of turkey products continue to increase," the Turkey Federation said.

Ground turkey has seen a "significant increase in popularity" as a nutrient-rich, lower fat substitute for ground beef.

Turkey trivia to keep things light around the Thanksgiving table

A group of turkeys is called a rafter.

Only male turkeys can gobble.

Turkeys can see 270 degrees.

Benjamin Franklin reportedly preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.

The average person in the United States will eat 15 pounds of turkey this year. (Note we said year, not day.)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: White House turkey names, pardons and how they started
Weeks into a fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a months-old video of a Brazilian hostage rescue simulation was shared in posts falsely claiming it showed an Israeli commando shooting a "Hamas terrorist". The footage has circulated in posts by Brazilian news outlets since July 2025, when the country's military police carried out a public demonstration.

"Look at the precision. An Israeli IADN commando, hanging upside down from ropes, took down a Hamas terrorist at point-blank range," reads the Hindi-language caption of a video shared on X on October 30, 2025.

The dramatic footage shows a masked man holding a gun to the head of a hostage on a balcony. Officers stationed above the hostage-taker rappel down the building, before appearing to shoot him and rescue the hostage.

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It surfaced weeks into a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, following more than two years of war sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people (archived link).

Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed at least 69,513 people, according to figures from the health ministry that the UN considers reliable.

The fragile truce has endured occasional flare-ups since October 10.

Screenshot of the false X post taken on November 4, 2025, with a red X added by AFP

The video was also shared in similar Facebook and Instagram posts.

"This is the right treatment for jihadis," read a comment on one of the posts.

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Another said: "The Indian Army should learn from the Israeli commandos."

But the video in fact shows a simulation of a hostage rescue carried out by Brazilian police.

A reverse image search on Google using keyframes from the falsely shared video led to similar footage shared by Brazilian news outlet O Popular Net on Facebook on July 8 (archived link).

Its Portuguese-language caption reads: "The Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) of the Military Police of Minas Gerais (PMMG) thrilled the audience with a hostage rescue simulation during a commemorative race at the Academy of PMMG, in Belo Horizonte, with officers from the elite squad that is always ready to protect lives, even in the most extreme situations."

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It adds that the video, which it credited to the PMMG, confused some internet users who thought it was a real situation.

Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared video (left) and the video posted in July (right)

The footage was also shared by a local media outlet on its social media page, with the post stating that it was a rescue simulation (archived link).

Moreover, the footage corresponds to Google Maps imagery of the PMMG academy in Belo Horizonte (archived link).

Similar visuals were shared as part of a longer video on the official Instagram account of the PMMG on July 9 (archived link).

The military police told AFP on November 18 that the BOPE had conducted a demonstration at the anniversary celebrations on July 6.

AFP has previously debunked false claims relying on misrepresented footage from drills.
IDF's Commander Training chief: International officials have complimented the IDF's "use of precise warfare to maximize only striking those who need to be struck."

The around 130 foreign military officials visiting IDF installations and receiving classified briefings about IDF tactics can become ambassadors on behalf of Israel in their home countries, Commander of IDF Commander Training Col. A told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.

The foreign military officials are from the US, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Morocco, Finland, Greece, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Estonia, Japan, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.

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Although the basic goal during their visit this week is to share useful military tactics and technologies with them, there is also a not-so-secret goal of increasing the foreign militaries understanding of Israels narrative and tactics regarding the 2023-2025 Middle East war.

A said that the foreign military officials have been impressed by the IDFs presentations and discussed incorporating its tactics.

There is no question that this is a major achievement. They will go back to their country having seen how we fought. They can now pass on the details: how Gaza looks, what happened at the Nova [Music] Festival, and how the IDF conducted its invasion within an urban area, as well as the challenges of evacuating civilians.

He said that the officials have complimented the IDFs use of precise warfare to maximize only striking those who need to be struck.

Foreign military officials visit IDF installations and receiving classified briefings, taken November 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Continuing, he stated that many of the visiting officers were combat officers who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, so they understand the complexities, and when they see what we did, they say they will learn from this for urban warfare.

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This is a professional approach and understanding the complexities of still needing to win despite the urban and tunnel-related challenges.

There are some differences between the foreign military officials experience and current challenges versus those being faced by Israel.

Israel's challenges can help prepare Europe for Russia rendezvous

When the Post embedded with the officials and the IDF on Tuesday, many officials talked about turning back the clock to emphasize a large-scale army, maneuvers, and tactics in case Russia ever invaded deeper into Europe, not just Ukraine.

A agreed, saying that every military must prepare for their own unique threat scenarios, whether in the US, Germany, or other nations.

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They need to build their own forces and to ask what aspects of the conflict are similar and what are different: the distance factor, the use of drones.

Israel used drones and technology well against Hamas. Hamas also used technology against us. They [foreign officials] need to take what they can and apply it to their situations, since urban warfare is unique.

Still, A said that anyone who faces tunnel warfare must face similar dilemmas and must evaluate what the obstacles are and who the enemy is and then develop a strategy.

Pressed that it may be harder for some foreign officials who face less terrorism than Israel to understand the Jewish states challenges, A said this trip will help them understand that Israel cant exist without fully defending itself from terror groups, which are mini militaries and which build deep sources of weaponry and capabilities, such as with Hamas and Hezbollah.

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These are groups he noted who sit on Israels border and whose whole purpose is to destroy the State of Israel.

Rather, he stated, The IDF must deal with it, which is very different from a legitimate state building an army for defense purposes and to help maintain control of its territory.

Morocco's participation in visits to IDF bases an 'advantage'

In addition, A discussed the participation of Morocco, a member of the 2020 Abraham Accords with Israel, noting, These are very important relations. Any country which wants peaceful relations will be invited to be a friend, but building relations beyond peace, a serious partnership, this is an advantage  it helps them and it helps us.

A said that he and other officials have worked on this weeks program for months, which involved gathering the lessons of October 7 as well as those in the ensuing Israel-Hamas War.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A former Austin Independent School District teacher was arrested by AISD police and charged with possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony, and improper relationship between an educator and student, a second-degree felony, court records state.

Jonathan Joseph Marks, 36, was booked into Williamson County jail on Nov. 13. KXAN is working to find attorney information for Marks. We will reach out to his representation for a statement on the accusations once that info becomes available.

Jonathan Joseph Marks, 36 | Mugshot provided by Williamson County

Marks taught at Bedichek Middle School and Gorzycki Middle School in south Austin from 2020 through the 2024 fall semester, according to a letter from Bedichek Principal Sarah Atkinson.

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The letter, which was sent to families on Nov. 14, states Marks was a special education inclusion teacher at Bedichek and Gorzycki from 2020 through Spring 2023. He was at Gorzycki during the 2023-24 school year and the 2024 fall semester.

We are working with Austin ISD Police to investigate if any misconduct occurred on campus, the letter said.

The letter said additional counselors have been made available to students.

We know this is a troubling situation and want you to know we are here to support, the letter said. Please understand that this is an active investigation and we will not have additional details to share regarding the case. We understand that this can feel frustrating as we all have so many unanswered questions.

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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 KXAN Austin.
By David Hood-Nuno

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A former longtime Federal Bureau of Investigation employee is suing the agency and U.S. Department of Justice alleging he was fired over displaying a Progress Pride Flag in his office, according to a lawsuit filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

David Maltinsky had worked at the FBI as an intelligence specialist since 2009, and displayed the flag  which flew in front of the FBI's Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles in 2021  in his office, gifted to him by the agency itself, according to the complaint. It also states that Maltinsky displayed the flag for several years in his office with the permission of two supervisors.

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The complaint alleges that FBI Director Kash Patel unjustly fired Maltinsky in October because he "exercised poor judgment with an inappropriate display of political signage in [his] work area during [his] previous assignment at the Los Angeles Field Office," according to the lawsuit, which cites Maltinsky's termination letter.

"I believe I was fired not because of who I am, but what I am: a proud gay man," Maltinsky said in a statement.

The lawsuit comes as President Donald Trump's administration continues to attack diversity, equity and inclusion in the federal government, and the FBI fires employees at an unprecedented clip.

"It is obvious that David is being targeted for political reasons by Kash Patel," said Christopher Mattei, a partner for Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder and lead counsel representing Maltinsky. "But that does not convert the display of a Pride Flag to a partisan political expression; to the contrary, it was a personal expression of his own identity."

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The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When Maltinsky was fired, he had completed 13 of 16 weeks at the agency's Special Agent Training Academy at Quantico. Previously, he worked as an intelligence specialist supporting the agency's public corruption and cybercrime investigations. Maltinsky also received multiple accolades for diversity and inclusion at the agency, and believes that's why he was fired, he said in a statement.

According to the complaint, Patels actions violated Maltinsky's First and Fifth Amendment rights, amounting to retaliation for protected expression, viewpoint discrimination, and denial of equal protection under the law. Mattei said Maltinsky is only seeking reinstatement at the agency.

(Reporting by David Hood-Nuno; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
A federal judge has sentenced former firefighter Larry Gasaway to eight years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for child pornography charges involving over 150 videos made with hidden cameras.

Gasaway, 45, pleaded guilty to possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Customs and Border Protection officers in Florida caught Mr. Gasaway when he came back from a family vacation, searched his phone, found videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and reported that to HSI. And HSI then executed a search warrant here in Newnan and found the hidden cameras, U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said.

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Hertzberg said Gasaway used those hidden cameras to record minors over a period of more than three and a half years.

TRENDING STORIES:

Gasaways sentencing took place in federal court, where Chief Judge Leigh May imposed the sentence, which includes eight years in custody without parole followed by 10 years of supervised release with strict conditions. In court, a victim delivered a powerful statement about the abuse she endured, which Judge May found credible and moving.

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Gasaway expressed remorse in court, stating, I am sorry for what I have done.

Gasaway has no prior criminal history and has struggled with alcoholism throughout his adult life, according to a defense filing.

The victim is incredibly brave. She reclaimed her own voice here, Hertzberg said.

The defense also mentioned Gasaways successful 15-year career as a firefighter and his own experiences of abuse as a child.

Defense Attorney Bernard Brody noted that Gasaway disputes any inappropriate physical contact but admitted to the charges and quickly worked out a plea deal.,
BELOIT, Wis. (WFRV)  Officials in Wisconsin announced that a former high school teacher has been arrested for alleged sexual assault of a student.

Two arrested in Wisconsin after traffic stop leads to drug discovery

According to the Rock County Sheriffs Office, officials were notified in late 2024 of an allegation of sexual contact between a former student and retired Beloit Memorial High School teacher, Andre DeKok.

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Detectives said that after numerous interviews, probable cause was developed that led to DeKoks arrest for the alleged sexual assault of a student by school staff and alleged child enticement.

Deer farm in Wisconsin tests positive for chronic wasting disease, area under quarantine

DeKok is set for a court date on November 19 at 3 p.m.; however, the Rock County Sheriffs Office added in the release that they believe there could be more victims/witnesses in the allegations.

Anybody with information is urged to contact officials at (608) 757-7911.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
The Milwaukee Police Department's former community relations engagement and recruitment director has pleaded guilty to election fraud.

Prosecutors say Marcey Patterson, 45, lived outside of the city of Milwaukee, but voted in Milwaukee elections, and also used her mother's Milwaukee address to receive increased pay, according to an Aug. 25 criminal complaint.

More: Authorities investigate whether MPS board member Darryl Jackson lives in the district he represents

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On Nov. 19, she pleaded guilty to felony election fraud through illegal voting as part of a deferred prosecution agreement brokered between her attorney and prosecutors, online court records show.

Deferred prosecution programs are designed for individuals who have committed less serious offenses, often first-time offenders, and offer them a chance to avoid a criminal conviction.

As part of the agreement, defendants must plead guilty to the crime, keep a clean record for a specified period and fulfill court-ordered conditions in return for a dismissal or lesser charges.

Circuit Court Judge Kristy Yang signed the agreement on Nov. 19.

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More: Former MPS board member Aisha Carr now faces campaign finance fraud charges

Patterson voted in 12 city of Milwaukee elections while living outside the city between March 2018 and April 2025, according to the complaint. In June 2024, she submitted a voter registration application to the Milwaukee Election Commission listing her address on North 40th Street.

Prosecutors say she actually was living Brown Deer at the time.

Patterson initially was charged with one count of election fraud  voting by disqualified person, which is a Class I felony and punishable by not more than $10,000, or imprisoned up to 3 years, or both.

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Patterson resigned on July 21 from her job with the police department.

She is expected to be back in court on Feb. 17 for a review hearing before Judge Raphael Ramos.

Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Milwaukee police employee pleads guilty to election fraud
Screenshot

Conservative legal commentator and Fox News contributor Andy McCarthy came out hard against Donald Trumps rant accusing six Democratic lawmakers of being guilty of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! on Thursday.

Reacting to a video released by the six Democrats  Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH)  Trump launched into a Truth Social tirade that saw him declared that Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand  We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET, before eventually landing on the punishable by DEATH line.

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In the video, the Democrats  all veterans of the military or intelligence community  argued that This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens.

Right now, the threats to our constitution arent just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders, they continued, before going on to assert that We have your back.

McCarthy, evidently, sides with the Democrats on the legal questions at hand.

There is no insurrection or sedition without the use of force. Disobeying a lawful order is insubordination, not insurrection or sedition. Disobeying an unlawful order is required, he wrote on X shortly after Trumps Truth Social rant. That is all.

There is no insurrection or sedition without the use of force. Disobeying a lawful order is insubordination, not insurrection or sedition. Disobeying an unlawful order is required. That is all.  Andy McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) November 20, 2025

He wasnt the only conservative legal expert to come to that conclusion. Ed Whelan, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, also objected to Trumps inflammatory remarks.

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Disobeying an unlawful order is required, agreed Whelan, who also mused that he wished folks would stop flinging the charge of treason so recklessly.

The post Fox News Andy McCarthy Comes Out Hard Against Trump Over His Punishable by DEATH Rant first appeared on Mediaite.
By Daniel Leussink, Maki Shiraki and David Dolan

TOKYO (Reuters) -Foxconn will invest $2 billion to $3 billion a year in AI, the head of the world's largest contract electronics maker told Reuters.

Foxconn Chairman Young Liu also said he expects a shakeout in China's crowded electric-vehicle market "soon" and that the company is talking with the Japanese government about potential investments in artificial intelligence and EVs.

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"For now, AI will be the majority of the investment," Liu told Reuters on a visit to Tokyo earlier this month. Liu's comments were embargoed until Friday, to coincide with the Apple supplier's annual Hon Hai Tech Day.

The investment in AI infrastructure and technology development over the next three to five years means it will account for more than half of Foxconn's roughly $5 billion in annual capital expenditure, said Liu.

The Taiwanese company's cloud and networking business, which includes AI servers, has surpassed consumer electronics for two consecutive quarters, highlighting how quickly its revenue mix is shifting.

Liu, who has led Foxconn since 2019, said China's EV sector faces "very fierce competition" and forecast consolidation as unprofitable startups disappear and government support wanes.

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"They're not making money," Liu said, adding that government support was too limited to support every EV maker in the world's largest auto market. He said China's automotive landscape will be "much more stable" once there is a period of consolidation.

The squeeze on EV makers in China is already evident. Top EV maker BYD reported its biggest quarterly profit drop in more than four years last month.

BYD faces growing competition from domestic rivals and slashed its 2025 sales target to 4.6 million vehicles.

TALKING WITH JAPAN ON AI, EV INVESTMENT

Foxconn delayed its ambitious target to capture 5% of the global EV market by 2025 in November last year, as the sector faces a slowdown in demand worldwide.

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But rather than losing faith in EVs, it is holding off on ramping up investment until market conditions improve, with potential plans to expand in EVs or other areas such as quantum computing and robotics.

Foxconn is talking to Japan's government about possible investments in EV or AI, Liu said, without giving details. He added that local manufacturing of AI systems is critical for data sovereignty.

Liu said the EV sector could become like the early personal computer industry, where intense competition made in-house production unsustainable and drove a shift to outsourcing.

Foxconn pioneered that model with Compaq Computer in the 1990s the world's largest PC supplier. Liu said a similar dynamic is emerging for EVs, with carmakers likely to outsource faster as competition intensifies.

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"Once they start outsourcing with one successful example, the others will follow," he said. "That's exactly what we saw in the PC market."

($1 = 31.1830 Taiwan dollars)

(Reporting by David Dolan, Maki Shiraki and Daniel Leussink; Editing by Alexander Smith)
The last thing Elham Abu Hajjaj remembers from the Israeli bombing of her Gaza City home is that her mother held her and prayed.

When Hajjaj woke up, she found herself in a hospital with a machine on her stomach and her whole body trembling, Abu Hajjaj told Al Jazeera.

I touched my body and it was all burned, she said. A doctor was speaking to me, and I asked him where my father and mother were. He didnt answer me.

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The Israeli attack in Gaza Citys al-Saffaweh area had killed both her parents and left Abu Hajjaj  who is nine years old  with third-degree burns.

Elham Abu Hajjaj, nine, awoke in a hospital to find her body all burned [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

She is not alone in the horrific fallout from Israels genocidal war on Gaza. Nearly 42,000 people  about 2 percent of Gazas population  have received life-changing injuries, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in September. As many as a quarter of them are children.

More than 3,350 people have experienced major burns, making them among the most common injuries the WHO has recorded. Children are clearly disproportionately affected, the organisation added. About 70 percent of people receiving burn surgery in Gaza were children, mostly aged under five, and many were burned during bomb blasts.

When I look in the mirror, I say to myself: Oh God, look at these wounds, they are very bad wounds,' Abu Hajjaj said, scrolling through photos of heavy scarring on her neck, her arm and her leg. I have wounds here and here, and on my hand as well.

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Still, she found it difficult to imagine the loss of her parents. Even when her grandfather explained that they were waiting for her in paradise, Abu Hajjaj said, she kept telling herself they must be alive.

I finally understood they were not when my grandfather took me to live with him, she said. Then I realised that my father and mother had died and I started crying.

Abu Hajjaj enters the family home where she lives with surviving relatives [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

More than 39,000 children in Gaza have lost one or both of their parents, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said in April, about 17,000 of whom have been parentless since Israel started its war on Gaza in October 2023.

Abu Hajjaj now lives with her grandparents and other relatives who survived, including her brother.

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Speaking from outside the family home  surrounded by rubble from destruction to the neighbourhood  she said she felt some joy when she realised her brother was still alive.

I also found my grandmother, my aunt and my grandfather. They are by my side, she said. When we met and I saw my brother, I felt a little happy, but my heart was sad for my father and mother who passed away.

Abu Hajjaj says she felt joy when she realised her brother was still alive [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

Now, the little girl has turned to drawing to express her feelings about the loss of her parents and childhood home.

It helps me forget everything that happened, she said. The last drawing I did was of the house that was destroyed.

She did not draw her home in its final state, however.

I rebuilt it in the picture, and I put in a swing and a tree, Abu Hajjaj said. I drew the tree because my father had planted a tree.
A Georgia man will spend the next several decades in prison after being convicted of trying to sell a child on a human trafficking website.

Kelly Garret Ivey, 43, was given a life sentence with the first 50 years to be served in prison, the Jasper County Sheriffs Office said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Investigators say Ivey was sharing a childs personal information on the dark web and was recruiting other child predators to take and physically abuse her.

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They say they also found conversations on several social media platforms where Ivey was seeking out predators to abuse other children he knew.

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Some of those conversations also included Ivey describing sexual deviances against minors.

"This case is a terrifying reminder that trafficking and online exploitation are real and can happen closer to home than many people realize" the sheriffs office wrote in a statement. "This offender got caught - there are still others out there hiding."

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been urged to apologize for comments he made about the host city at the UN Climate Conference in Brazil.

In a letter to the chancellor, German Green party lawmaker Lisa Badum - who is attending the conference - expressed regret over Merz's remarks about his visit to Belem. She said she has had to apologize repeatedly in conversations with locals. She added that Merz's comments did not reflect the Germany she wishes to represent.

Merz had travelled to Belem for a summit two weeks ago ahead of the annual climate negotiations. On his return to Berlin, the chancellor said he had asked journalists who accompanied him whether any of them wanted to stay in the city.

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"No one raised their hand," Merz said. He argued that the reporters were "happy" to return to Germany, which he described as "one of the most beautiful countries in the world."

The statement triggered outraged reactions in Brazil, including from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula said Merz should have gone to a bar in Belem, danced and tried out the local cuisine.

"Then he would have realized that Berlin does not even offer him 10% of the quality that the state of Para and the city of Belem provide," Lula charged.

Badum, who is also the climate policy spokeswoman for the Green Party, urged Merz to apologize to Silva and the people of Belem.

She also called on him to work with the Brazilian hosts to ensure a successful conference, saying the climate crisis required international solidarity and cooperation rather than narrow-minded arrogance.
Geoffrey Hinton doesn't think CEOs have thought about how mass unemployment impacts buying.

Hinton argued AI will likely destroy more jobs than it creates, impacting white-collar roles.

Students express concern that AI could harm their future job prospects and economic security.

The "godfather of AI" has a reality check for CEOs.

Geoffrey Hinton, the British-Canadian Nobel Prize winner for his contributions to machine learning, joined Sen. Bernie Sanders for a discussion at Georgetown University on Tuesday about "the promise and the peril" of AI.

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Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, kicked off the discussion by asking whether multibillionaires like Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, and Larry Ellison, a cofounder of Oracle, have considered the impact on working-class people when making enormous investments in AI and robotics.

"They should be, but I don't think they are," Hinton said in response, "And I think many of them haven't really absorbed canes, that if the workers don't get paid, there's nobody to buy their products, and they haven't really thought through the massive social disruption we'll get if we get very high unemployment."

Sanders followed up with the examples of Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, who once predicted that humans won't be needed for most things, and Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, who more recently said that AI could lead to the loss of half of all entry-level white collar jobs.

Hinton thinks that these predictions "are probably right."

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"So you often see articles saying, 'oh, AI's not going to replace jobs, AI fails in lots of things,'" Hinton said. "AI currently does fail in some things. What you have to remember is we're in the very early stages. This is a new technology. It's getting better very fast."

"I don't believe it's going to create as many new jobs as it replaces," Hinton added of AI later in the conversation. "It'll create jobs like prompt engineer  how do you prompt this chatbot to get the best out of it  but I don't believe there'll be nearly as many new jobs created as it destroys, as it replaces."

Musk, last month, said that AI will replace desk jobs "at an accelerated rate."

"Ultimately, working will be optional because you'll have robots plus AI," he said on Joe Rogan's podcast. "And we'll have, in a benign scenario, universal high income, not just universal basic income. Universal high income, meaning anyone can have any products or services that they want, but there will be a lot of trauma and disruption along the way."

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Musk is not alone in suggesting that some form of universal basic income be distributed with the wealth created by AI; OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is also a proponent.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said back in June that AI's capabilities would allow Amazon to shrink its white-collar workforce in the future. The company laid off 14,000 corporate employees in October, although Jassy attributed the firings to "culture" rather than AI. Earlier in 2025, Shopify and Duolingo both informed their teams that they would need to demonstrate that AI couldn't perform the roles for which they were hiring before they could request additional head count.

Georgetown students who attended the event seemed acutely aware of the downsides of AI. At the end of the discussion, Sanders asked the audience whether they think AI would benefit their future or harm their prospects. The latter option saw significantly more raised hands.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Republicans are accusing federal judges and Democrats of a double standard  arguing that they are branded racist for redrawing political maps while Democrats face no scrutiny for doing the same in blue states like California and Illinois.

"For years, Democrats have engaged in partisan redistricting intended to eliminate Republican representation. But when Republicans respond in kind, Democrats rely on false accusations of racism to secure a partisan advantage," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued on Tuesday.

Paxton made the comments after a trio of federal judges delivered a ruling that blocked Texas from using a new congressional map drawn by Republicans earlier this year which would have created up to five more right-leaning U.S. House districts. "To be sure, politics played a role in drawing the 2025 map," the judges said in the majority opinion. "But it was much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 map."

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Republicans found this reasoning as hypocritical.

"Both parties are redistricting to increase their political advantages, but only one party is being accused of doing it for nefarious reasons. It's a double standard and I think most voters can see that," veteran Republican strategist and communicator Ryan Williams told Fox News Digital. "The parties are simply trying to increase their representation in Congress."

Federal Judges Block Texas From Using Redrawn Congressional Map

Read On The Fox News App

Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 16, 2024.

House Dem, 79, Indicates He May Not Retire After Judges Strike Down Texas Congressional Map

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The distinction between political and racial motivations for redistricting is crucially important. That's because of a Supreme Court ruling that emphasizes states cannot allow race to be the main reason for redrawing district lines. But the ruling gives states a green light when it comes to political motivations.

Paxton is appealing the ruling, which will head to the Supreme Court.

And Republican Gov. Greg Abbott also sharply criticized the ruling, saying in a statement that Texas legislators "redrew our congressional maps to better reflect Texans' conservative voting preferences  and for no other reason."

"Any claim that these maps are discriminatory is absurd and unsupported by the testimony offered during 10 days of hearings," Abbott argued.

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Trump Targets Red State Republicans In Push To Redraw Congressional Maps

But the ruling suggested that in calling on Texas state lawmakers to draw new maps, the governor pointed to a Justice Department letter that alleged the state's existing 2021 congressional map was unconstitutional because of the racial makeup of certain districts.

The judges' opinion argued that by pointing to that letter, Abbott had "explicitly directed the Legislature to redistrict based on race."

Gov. Greg Abbott on Nov. 14, 2025, in Midlothian, Texas.

Democrats praised the ruling as a victory for the party  and for the Democratic state lawmakers who broke quorum for two weeks this summer and fled Texas in a bid to delay the passage of the redistricting bill in the Republican-dominated state legislature.

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"Texas Democrats and the DNC fought valiantly for fair representation, and now, with this decision, the court has ruled that Texas Republicans cannot implement this blatant gerrymander in the next election," DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.

And John Bisognano, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee president, argued in a statement to Fox News that "Texas Republicans drew a mid-decade gerrymander that was not only immoral, but also clearly illegal, as a Trump-appointed judge pointed out in his opinion blocking the map. The national gerrymandering crisis Republicans started this year in Texas threatens to draw voters out of a meaningful role in the electoral process  thats why the American peoples rejection of this scheme has been so forceful."

While Texas was the first red state to redraw its map this year at Trump's urging, others have followed, including Missouri and North Carolina. And Ohio Republicans, thanks to a state requirement to redraw their maps, did just that, improving the GOP's chances in two more congressional districts. A push is also underway in Indiana, with Florida and Kansas also mulling redrawing their maps.

Democrats are fighting back, led by California.

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Abbott Signs Texas Redistricting Map Into Law, Securing Major Gop Victory Ahead Of 2026 Midterms

California voters two weeks ago overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50, a ballot initiative which will temporarily sidetrack the left-leaning state's nonpartisan redistricting commission and return the power to draw the congressional maps to the Democratic-dominated legislature.

That is expected to result in five more Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California, which aimed to counter the move by Texas to redraw their maps.

"Donald Trump and Greg Abbott played with fire, got burned  and democracy won," California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who masterminded the redistricting push in the Golden State, wrote on social media following the Texas ruling.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office on Nov. 4, 2025, in Sacramento.

Illinois and Maryland, two blue states, and Virginia, where Democrats control the legislature, are also taking steps or seriously considering redistricting.

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And in a blow to Republicans, a Utah district judge last week rejected a congressional district map drawn up by the state's GOP-dominated legislature and instead approved an alternate that will create a Democratic-leaning district ahead of next year's elections.

And while Trump, to date, hasn't weighed in on the ruling, Attorney General Pam Bondi predicted an eventual victory for Republicans.

"Texass map was drawn the right way for the right reasons," she said on X. "We look forward to Texass victory at the Supreme Court."

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The Texas ruling comes as the Supreme Court is actively weighing states' use of race in the drawing of congressional maps. Justices heard a second round of oral arguments last month in Louisiana v. Callais, a case centered on that very issue.

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A majority of the court seemed poised to significantly weaken a key Voting Rights Act provision that prohibits states from diluting the power of minority voters, though the court has not yet issued a final ruling.





Original article source: Republicans protest double standard after judges call Texas redistricting plan 'racially gerrymandered'
Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott made the controversial announcement that the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council of American-Islamic Relations will now be considered terrorist organizations.

According to Congress, the Muslim Brotherhood is a militant Islamic organization with affiliations in 70 countries, including groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United States.

The Council of American-Islamic Relations has an office in Houston and across the country and identifies itself as a group working to enhance the understanding of Islam and civil rights and empower American Muslims.

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Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, said the naming of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization has been floating around state and national circles for a while. What was more of a surprise was to see the Council of American-Islamic Relations included on the list.

Designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council of American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, a terrorist organization was made possible after a law was passed during the 2025 state legislative session, according to Jones.

"That legislation had an amendment during the process that allows the governor to branch out and declare other organizations to be terrorist organizations," Jones said.

The legislation the amendment was attached to allows the Governor to ban the purchase of land in Texas by any group that has been deemed a terrorist organization by the federal government, Jones said.

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According to Jones, the U.S. Department of State follows a long and complex rubric to determine if a group will be labeled a terrorist organization. So far, the Department of State has not named CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations.

Jones tells ABC13 that the amendment allows Gov. Abbott to determine his own definition of what a terrorist group is, after consulting with Homeland Security.

"The governor doesn't really have to satisfy any criteria. It's just given the governor's judgment, the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR are terrorist organizations, then he can designate them as terrorist organizations in the state of Texas and thereby preventing them from owning land," Jones said.

Jones said to his knowledge, neither group is currently looking to purchase land in Texas, making this more of a symbolic move.

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CAIR's national office said the designations are "stoking anti-Muslim hysteria to smear American Muslims critical of the Israeli government."

Meanwhile, Abbott said this move is to prevent the spread of extremism.

Is there an argument for freedom of religion? Eyewitness News asked Jones, who said the governor may be trying to argue this isn't about religion.

For more news updates, follow Lileana Pearson on Facebook, X and Instagram.
It's been a tough week for Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, whose state Senate has opted not to respond to his call for redistricting, who fielded a public chastising from President Donald Trump on social media, and who now is engaging in veiled threats to "compel" the state legislature to act on his command.

It's capping out a tough year, where the first-term governor couldn't get the property tax reform that he originally pitched through the legislature, where the lieutenant governor he didn't choose has made headlines for office scandals, and with approval ratings remaining tepid, even within his own party.

Can Braun bounce back from this low point? Some longtime Republican insiders insist that a lot can happen in four years, and political memory is short. But many political observers are far more negative on his outlook.

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"I think hes done," said conservative radio host Rob Kendall.

Kendall echoes publicly what a number of party insiders are saying quietly: By promising something to Trump that he couldn't deliver (yet), and by doing so in a way that contradicts his original promise to lean on the will of the legislature, Braun has lost credibility and sway not only with Trump, but with his own state legislature.

Kendall watched it before with the property tax legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 1, which he lobbied heavily for behind the scenes. Braun pitched an initial version that Kendall and many other conservatives got behind, even rallied with him at the Statehouse. The end result was a compromise that disappointed nearly everyone.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun rolls up his sleeves before speaking during a rally for property tax reform Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse.

"Braun writes checks with his mouth, but his actions can't cash, and whether that is property taxes or redistricting, I think he says things to get people on board, and then he can't follow through on them," he said. "Braun just doesn't have any juice in the Statehouse."

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In a statement, a spokesperson for Braun firmly pushed back against this narrative, saying the "fake news media" have been wrong about Braun in the past, such as by suggesting a Democrat had a shot, if exceedingly small, at the governorship.

The office pointed out that Braun's redistricting push is backed by the Indiana House, Indiana's U.S. House delegation and other statewide office-holders.

"Hoosier Republicans in the statehouse and around the state are with Governor Braun on this issue and many more," they said.

A turbulent five days

The timeline truly began back in August, when in the aftermath of Vice President JD Vance's visit to the Statehouse, Braun said that he was "listening to the legislators" on what they want to do in regard to Trump's redistricting push.

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Fissures were then immediately apparent when Braun ended up calling for a special session in October, and Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray nevertheless said his chamber doesn't have the votes to pass a new map.

Meanwhile, several senators have said they hadn't seen a map. Braun and the Republican caucus leaders haven't answered questions about where the proposed map would come from.

Two polls in October and November found favorable approval ratings of Braun's job in office sitting between 53% and 58% among Republicans. Toward the end of his tenure, despite party infighting over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, former Gov. Eric Holcomb was viewed favorably by 69% of conservative voters in one poll.

On Nov. 14 came a fatal blow to Braun's effort to get a new congressional map signed, when Bray announced the Senate would not convene in December as planned due to the continued lack of support. It's unclear what the House plans to do. Either way, it's not only a rebuke of Trump's redistricting push, but a rare example of the state legislature failing to heed a governor's call for a special session.

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"It's really easy to train your fire on a governor who can't control his own party," said Martin Sweet, political science professor at Purdue University. "It's his leadership here that is most under question and stands to lose the most if he's unable to coral the people who he should be able to corral."

And fire, Trump did. Over the weekend, Trump in a Truth Social post directly called out Braun's culpability in this result, writing that Braun "perhaps is not working the way he should to get the necessary Votes."

This tone is a departure from their otherwise mutually beneficial relationship: Trump endorsed Braun for both his U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races, and Trump won the state of Indiana by double digits.

Braun followed up the morning of Nov. 17 with a post on X saying he'd had a "great call" with Trump about his commitment to the redistricting effort.

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And yet, the legislature gaveled in and out of Organization Day on Nov. 18 without a firm commitment on the matter. Only 19 senators voted down a resolution to return Jan. 5, signaling less than half of the chamber's 50 senators wanted to instead meet in December for redistricting; the House passed the same resolution, though House Speaker Todd Huston told his caucus to keep their calendars clear for those December weeks, in the hopes senators change their minds.

Braun followed that up with a vague threat in a X post and press release that resembled Trump's style.

"Unfortunately, Sen. Rod Bray was forced to partner with DEMOCRATS to block an effort by the growing number of America First Senators who wanted to have a vote on passing fair maps," Braun said in a statement released Nov. 18. "Now I am left with no choice other than to explore all options at my disposal to compel the State Senate to show up and vote."

It's unclear what those options could be. Legal experts told IndyStar that neither state law nor the state constitution contains explicit language compelling the legislature to meet in response to a governor's special session call. The governor's office is looking into its options.

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In some sense Braun's behavior here makes sense, said former state Rep. Mike Murphy: He can't afford to buck Trump because so much of the state government relies on federal money, and there's a fear from the governor's office that Trump could decide to punish the state by making federal funds tougher to access.

"Braun's over a barrel," Murphy said.

But on the flip side, Braun is also at risk of botching his one and only shot of "proving who the alpha dog is at the Statehouse."

"Hes kind of in a no-win situation," Murphy said. "It was clearly his first major test of leadership, which is not going well."

Trump vs the legislature

The subserviance to Trump, however, Kendall sees as a political miscalculation, especially on an issue that poll after poll has found to be broadly unpopular among voters and pushed mainly by out-of-state interests.

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"I think Braun is making the mistake of, 'Well, as long as I've got Trump, I'm going to get whatever it is across the finish line," he said. "And I just think on an issue like this, people see through it, they don't see how it helps them, they see it as bailing the Republicans out for bad governance."

Conservative radio host Rob Kendall cheers during a rally for property tax reform Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse.

Braun already had one strike against him on calling in the Trump capital: During his 2024 gubernatorial campaign, he procured a last-minute Trump endorsement of his preferred lieutenant governor candidate, state Rep. Julie Mcguire, and yet Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith still won over the delegates at the state convention.

In the process of serving Trump's interests, he's alienating the legislature, Kendall argues. That could cause issues for Braun trying to get other priorities passed by lawmakers, if the General Assembly doesn't already want to take on those issues of their own volition.

"(He's) basically doing the legislative equivalent of challenging them to a fist fight, and they're not going to want to work with this guy going forward," Kendall said.

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Former state Republican party chair Mike McDaniel is skeptical of this reaction  what he calls an "overreaction." He sees the Senate's rejection as a rejection of redistricting, not a rejection of Braun. Plus, there will be hundreds of new issues over the next three years.

"Anybody who writes him off now just doesnt understand that this kind of thing is a bump in the road," he said. "The issues change about every two hours."

Murphy also doesn't write off some kind of comeback for Braun. Putting aside how Richard Nixon's presidency ultimately ended, he had initially lost to John F. Kennedy, then lost the California governor's race before ultimately getting elected president in 1969.

"A comeback is possible anytime anywhere," he said. "You just never know."

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Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Has Gov. Mike Braun burned all his political capital on redistricting?
Washington  Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, blocked a Democrat-led effort to approve a House-passed measure to repeal a controversial provision that allows senators to sue for $500,000 if federal investigators search their phone records without their knowledge.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, sought unanimous consent to approve the measure after the House unanimously passed the bill Wednesday, saying the provision many lawmakers are looking to repeal, which was tucked in last week's funding package, represents a country that "is not serving the people."

"Last week Republicans in Congress passed a government funding bill that denies affordable health care to millions of Americans," Heinrich said. "But what most people don't know is that they also voted to provide millions of dollars to a few Republican senators in a blatant, tax-funded cash grab."

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The new law requires service providers to notify senators if their phone records or other data are seized or subpoenaed, and senators are entitled to $500,000 for each violation. It also applies retroactively to 2022, allowing the senators whose phone records were seized during special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the 2020 election to sue the federal government.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, speaks during a press conference on September 11, 2025. / Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

But Graham, one of the senators whose phone records were subpoenaed, blocked the bill. Any single lawmaker has the power to block a bill's passage under unanimous consent rules.

"What did I do wrong?" Graham said, refuting the idea that it was a lawful subpoena. "What did I do to allow the government to seize my personal phone and my official phone when I was Senate Judiciary chairman?"

Graham deferred to Senate Majority Leader John Thune during his objection, asking him whether the provision had been socialized with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the committees of relevant jurisdiction and with the Ethics Committee. Thune said yes.

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"So this wasn't Republicans doing this," Graham said. "This was people in the Senate believing what happened to the Senate need never happen again."



After outlining his plans to sue under the new law, the South Carolina Republican then gave the floor to Thune, who proposed to adjust the new law to "address the question that has been raised about personal enrichment." He said with the change, any damages awarded under the law would be "forfeited to the United States Treasury."

"This measure is about accountability and not profit," Thune said, requesting unanimous consent to make the change.

Heinrich objected to Thune's request, saying: "I think we should work with our colleagues in the House to address the underlying issue of protecting members without the outrageous damage provisions that were retroactively put into this statute."

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Clothing items sold by Asian e-commerce giant Shein contain dangerous chemicals at levels well in excess of EU rules, Greenpeace charged in a report published on Thursday.

A spokesman for Shein told AFP that "as a precaution we will withdraw the articles that we can identify from our marketplace worldwide".

Greenpeace Germany said 18 clothing items out of 56 that it sent for testing "contained dangerous chemicals that exceed the limits in the EU's REACH chemical regulation, sometimes severely".

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Among the products was a children's mermaid costume which exceeded the REACH limits on formaldehyde, the group said.

It also said adult jackets had high amounts of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics more flexible which have been linked to numerous health problems.

Greenpeace said in a statement that the substances "especially affected workers and the environment in the countries of production".

"However consumers are also exposed to the chemicals through skin contact, sweat or breathing in fibres," the campaign group said.

When the garments are "washed or disposed of, the substances enter rivers, soils and the food chain".

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The spokesman for Shein said the company "takes product safety very seriously and is committed to offering customers safe products that meet the relevant rules".

"As Greenpeace did not provide the test results in advance, we have not yet been able to evaluate them," he said, adding that the company was investigating Greenpeace's claims.

Shein has faced various controversies over its business model and products.

Earlier this month France moved to suspend Shein's online platform following outrage over its sale of childlike sex dolls.

European retailers say they face unfair competition from overseas platforms, such as Shein, AliExpress and Temu, which they claim often do not comply with the EU's stringent rules on products.

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The European Commission has said it will propose a draft law next year to tackle these issues.

Last week EU states also agreed to scrap a bloc-wide duty exemption on low-value orders from the likes of Shein to help tackle a flood of cheap imports into the bloc.

In October a German consumer organisation said its tests of a selection of products sold by Temu and Shein found that most of them did not conform to EU safety standards, with some of them potentially "poisonous" and others posing fire risks.

At the time Shein said the products in question had been withdrawn.

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Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg who launched the global Fridays for Future movement and became a symbol of youth climate action has consistently been a target of online misinformation. In early November a video circulating online showing Thunberg being held by police in Germany claimed the incident was a staged publicity stunt. However, German police confirmed to AFP that the incident that unfolded in the German village of Lutzerath in 2023 was not staged. Several videos published by independent media documented the incident and Thunberg herself posted on X about being detained by police during a peaceful protest.

"Everything is a show. Everything is a performance", says the description of a video posted on Instagram on November 10, 2025 that has been viewed over sixty thousand times so far. In the video, Greta Thunberg appears to be held by police officers and smiles as they escort her. The same video was also posted on the user's Facebook profile.

Many users appear to believe the claims are true. One of the comments reads; "It's terrible how many followers she has, everyone believes her Ugh," while another commented; "Fake to me from the very beginning, this doesn't surprise me." AFP has fact-checked this account in the past for inaccurate and misleading claims.

Screenshot of an inaccurate Instagram post from November 10, 2025. Orange Cross added by AFP.

Video is from a 2023 protest in Germany

In the 27-second video, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg stands in a field, surrounded by police officers on both sides. At the end of the clip, she is seen being escorted off the field by police. The profile that posted the video claims that the entire event was staged for the public.

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AFP first used a reverse image search to trace the origin of the footage. We used InVID WeVerify to make keyframes, so a key moment of the video can be selected and searched on Google Lense, allowing visually similar images to be found and the context to be identified.

Videos and articles from sources such as The Guardian and BBC were located through a reverse image search. AFP also published a video of Greta Thunberg at the protest on January 18, 2023, on YouTube. The scene from these videos is different from the one shown in the videos making the false claim. They show Thunberg being carried away by several police officers during a protest in the German village of Lutzerath (archived here).

With a keyword search, AFP found more videos on YouTube. Several clips show Thunberg being detained, including one from The Independent, which depicts the same scene in which she was carried away, filmed from a different angle (archived here). The same event was also shared by DW News on their X profile on January 17, 2023, which described that, according to the German police, Thunberg and other protesters ran towards the edge of an open-pit coal mine before being stopped and removed from the immediate danger zone (archived here).

The police confirmed the arrest

The protest was reported to have taken place in January 2023 in the German village of Lutzerath in North Rhine-Westphalia, where activists demonstrated against the demolition of the village to expand a coal mine. Riot police, supported by bulldozers, were deployed to remove activists from buildings and other structures in the village.

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AFP reported that Thunberg spent several days in Germany supporting protests against the demolition of Lutzerath. A police spokeswoman said a group of activists had been taken into custody after having broken away from the demonstration and run toward the edge of an open pit. Officials were working to identify those in custody, with decisions on further action to be made later (archived here). AFP did not find any indications in any credible sources that it was a staged arrest.

In an email sent to AFP on November 11, 2025, Georg Wilden, chief commissioner of the responsible Aachen police, confirmed that Thunberg had indeed been temporarily detained on January 17, 2023, for identity verification. Wilden explained that Thunberg and a group of climate activists had separated from the main assembly and confirmed that they moved towards the edge of the open-pit mine, an area designated as dangerous. Wilden also noted that the police had already rejected claims on January 18, 2023, that the detention had been staged. In the video circulating online, the scene shows a static situation on the ground, with police officers waiting for the next steps in the operation, he wrote.

According to an article from January 18, 2023, of the Austrian website of the public broadcaster, ORF, the protest involved a significant police presence, with reports indicating that up to 3,700 officers deployed, supported by forces from almost all German federal states. Before the clearance, barricades were set on fire, and protesters threw pyrotechnics, paint bags, and stones toward police and the staff of the coal company RWE, a German multinational energy company. While 372 people left Lutzerath voluntarily, 159 were removed by police. An Aachen police spokesperson told ORF News that during the incident, Thunberg was photographed by journalists, which the police said was allowed under press freedom, and that officers did not pose with her. Once her information was recorded, the group was moved away from the edge of the mine and released, with all activists treated equally.

On January 18, 2023, Greta Thunberg addressed the protest on her X profile, describing the events from her perspective. She wrote: Yesterday I was part of a group that peacefully protested the expansion of a coal mine in Germany. We were kettled by police and then detained, but were let go later that evening.

Screenshot of an X post by Greta Thunberg, captured on November 13, 2025

The first videos making similar accusations appeared in January 2023. At that time, the Austrian factcheck organization APAFaktencheck examined the claim that the arrest was staged and found it to be false.

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In recent news, Greta Thunberg was among hundreds of activists detained by Israeli forces after the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid to Gaza was intercepted in international waters. According to Israels Foreign Ministry, the activists were taken to an Israeli port for deportation, while the flotilla organizers described the interception as illegal.

AFP has also debunked many climate-related claims, like here and here.
Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin's East Side Madison clinic. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner)

Directors of a Madison health care system will consider Thursday whether to change course in the organizations response to a union organizing campaign.

Supporters of the union campaign at Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin put five motions before the board of directors at an in-person meeting in October  including one to voluntarily recognize the union, SEIU Wisconsin.

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A statement from the co-op management Wednesday did not address whether the board will directly act on any of the motions when it meets.

The motions are advisory to the Board of Directors concerning its instructions to management about the unionization efforts of our direct care employees, Group Health stated. All the Motions will be considered by the Board at the November 20th meeting. The results of those discussions will be communicated to our membership in a future statement.

Group Healths response to the union drive, which became public about a year ago, has produced a rift between the co-ops management and some of its members, who have criticized the organizations response as a betrayal of its progressive heritage.

To me it was horrifying to learn that we had people leaving because the conditions were not tolerable, said Ruth Brill, a Group Health member since 1979 who has supported the union organizing campaign.

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According to union supporters, the five motions offered at an Oct. 11 in-person mass meeting to discuss the union organizing campaign passed unanimously. About 170 Group Health members attended that meeting, and union allies said it was the largest turnout in memory for an in-person meeting of co-op members.

Three of the five motions call on the board, the co-op management, or both:

To report to members how much money Group Health has spent in 2024 and 2025 to pay the law firm Husch Blackwell, which has represented the co-op in connection with the union campaign.

To voluntarily recognize SEIU Wisconsin as the representative for the professions and departments that the union first sought to represent when workers petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a union election on Dec. 12, 2024. That motion also demands that Group Health observe strict neutrality regarding the unionization of any of its workers.

To compile a report of all meeting minutes, emails, and other communications involving Board members, administrators, and/or supervisory employees regarding union activity, from January 2024 to the present.

The third motion also demands a report on all legal or consulting fees that Group Health has spent related to the union drive, including itemized details.

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The fourth motion demands that the board and administration faithfully follow the democratically expressed will of the co-op members, charging that the membership has been denied an opportunity to duly and fully exercise its role in leading the co-op.

The fifth motion calls for a meeting by mid-January on the democratization of GHC governance.

GHC says members are the most important part of our cooperative and yet the board is not listening to what the members have very clearly stated what they would like to happen, said Dr. Nisha Rajagopalan, a family practice physician and among the union campaigns leaders.

If we are a cooperative that is for our members and our patients, those people showed up in the room and they voted and said exactly what they wanted, and we would like to hear the board uphold that, said Katie Cloud, a certified medical assistant who has also been active in the union campaign.

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Paul Terranova, a Group Health member for 25 years, organized a presentation to the co-op board earlier this year to make the case for unionization in the context of a nonprofit co-op. He later helped organize a slate of candidates for the board in opposition to four incumbent board members. All four of the rival candidates were elected in June.

Terranova said that board members have not communicated directly with Group Health members about the union campaign. Board discussions about the matter have been conducted in closed sessions.

The boards consideration of the motions is a really pivotal moment for GHC, Terranova said, and how they handle this is going to say a lot about whether this is still a cooperative or if its become just a corporate board with cooperative window dressing.

A conflict over who should be in the union and how it should be recognized

The union campaign at Group Health Cooperative has been mired in conflict over who should be represented.

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Originally union organizing focused on specific health care professions in specific departments where union activists said there was the strongest interest in union representation and where there were specific concerns in common about working conditions.

Group Health management opposed that bargaining unit, asserting that because Group Health is an integrated care delivery system all health care-related staff should be included and should vote in the election.

Union supporters have argued that expanding who votes in the election was a ploy to defeat the union, an accusation that Group Health management officials have denied.

The only reason to include people who would not be interested [in union representation] would be to water down the vote, so that theres a higher chance that the vote for representation will fail, said Ruth Brill, a retired member of the state employees union who is supporting the Group Health unionizing campaign.

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Hoping for a compromise agreement, the union and employees leading the union campaign changed their petition to confine the election to a single clinic. Instead, however, the co-op stuck to the original management proposal covering all health care workers.

The National Labor Relations Board regional director assigned to the case chose the companys proposed unit over the unions single clinic proposal.

After that decision, however, SEIU Wisconsin argued that dozens of unfair labor practice charges against Group Health would intimidate employees from voting for the union and prevent a fair election. The NLRB regional director agreed to block the election until the unfair labor practice charges are resolved.

While awaiting the NLRBs investigation of the charges, employees campaigning for the union have argued instead that Group Health should voluntarily recognize the original bargaining unit that the union proposed.

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Standing beside the mound of rubble that was once his home, Ahmed Salim cannot hold back the tears as he struggles to retrieve the bodies of loved ones trapped underneath tonnes of debris.

Over 30 people were killed when his home was struck, he told AFP, among them "my wife, my children, my mother, my father".

"I'm the only one who survived," he told AFP, pointing to the pile of broken concrete and twisted metal that was once a five-storey building in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood.

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The building was destroyed on December 24, 2024 and he has been waiting ever since to retrieve their bodies and give them a proper burial.

"The only thing that matters to me is to be able to bury them," the 43-year-old said.

After two years of war between Israel and Hamas that ravaged the Gaza Strip, thousands of other Palestinians are in a similar situation.

According to UN data, as of late September, the Israeli military had damaged or destroyed around 83 percent of the buildings in Gaza that stood prior the war.

The densely-populated Palestinian territory is covered in 61.5 million tonnes of debris: nearly 170 times the weight of New York City's Empire State Building.

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Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, estimates that about 10,000 bodies are buried under the rubble.

"We cannot extract thousands of bodies without heavy machinery. We need the means to lift the roofs and the tonnes of cement," said Bassal, whose organisation conducts search and rescue operations in Gaza.

- 'Help me retrieve them' -

Iyad Rayan holds out the same hope as Salim: burying his wife and children with dignity.

"My wife, my son Samir and my daughter Lana are still here under the rubble," he told AFP by the wreckage of his Gaza City home, which he said was destroyed in early October this year.

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"I want to send an appeal to the whole world: help me retrieve them," the 55-year-old said.

Amal Abdel Aal is waiting for heavy equipment to enter the Gaza Strip so the bodies of her son and brother can be recovered.

They have been under the rubble in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City since the early days of the two-year war.

"They never leave my thoughts. My heart aches at the thought of dogs reaching their bodies and eating them," said the 57-year-old woman now living in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought shelter during the war.

"I will only find relief when I have buried them, even if only a single bone remains."

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After the ceasefire began on October 10, Israel allowed Egyptian bulldozers to enter Gaza to help recover the remains of hostages, to be returned under the US-brokered truce deal.

"The world is unfair. We see bulldozers digging to retrieve the Israeli prisoners, while no one cares about the thousands of our martyrs," said Abdel Aal.

- 'Sadness, loss and pain' -

The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people.

Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza killed more than 69,500 people, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the UN considers reliable.

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Since the ceasefire, Palestinians have been able to recover around 500 bodies in areas that emergency workers could access following the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, Bassal said.

The halt in fighting allowed Amer Abu al-Tarabish to return to Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, he said, to extract the bodies of his parents from the ruins of their family home "with my bare hands".

"My parents, my brother and his children, his wife, my uncle, his wife and their children... Thirty people remained under the rubble for more than a year," he said.

"I pulled out their bodies intact; they were not decomposed," he recounted, adding that he was "overwhelmed by sadness, loss and pain".

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"I was able to bring them out one by one, say goodbye to them, and imprint their faces in my memory before burying them."

- Dignity -

For other Gaza residents, even this small consolation may never come.

Bassal noted that thousands of people had been reported missing, especially during major population displacements as the fighting shifted.

"We don't know whether they were killed or arrested" by Israeli forces, he said.

As for families who buried their loved ones hastily during the war, many consider those graves to be temporary, or feel that proper rites have not yet been observed.

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Mohammed Naim, 47, said his family had to bury 43 relatives in just seven graves.

"We placed the remains of each family in a single grave," he said.

"But we swore over their graves that we would exhume them and rebury them, with dignity, in Gaza City."

bur-vid/my/lba/rjm/jsa
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), who was shot in the head in 2011, decried President Donald Trumps threat to execute her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), on Thursday. Giffords condemned Trumps violent rhetoric and called it dangerous.

My husband @CaptMarkKelly is a 25-year Navy combat pilot veteran. He served our country with strength, courage, and integrity, dedicating his career to protecting us and upholding our constitution, wrote Giffords on X, adding:

Today, the President of the United States called him a traitor and demanded he be executed. It is dangerous and wrong. Americans of all political beliefs need to stand up and say so.

Trump accused Kelly, along with five other Democrats, of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH after they put out a video urging military members not to follow illegal orders. Trump later reposted a social media user saying to Hang them.

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Sen. Kelly also replied on social media, writing, Ive had a missile blow up next to my airplane, been shot at dozens of times by anti-aircraft fire, and launched into orbit  all for my country. I never thought Id see a President call for my execution. Trump doesnt understand the Constitution, and were all less safe for it.

Giffords left Congress in 2011 after a gunman shot her point-blank in the head while she was meeting constituents in a grocery store parking lot. The shooting left six dead and over a dozen others injured, including Giffords  who was in critical condition and has spent years recovering her motor functions.

My husband @CaptMarkKelly is a 25-year Navy combat pilot veteran. He served our country with strength, courage, and integrity, dedicating his career to protecting us and upholding our constitution. Today, the President of the United States called him a traitor and demanded he be https://t.co/p4BoeNBepU  Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) November 20, 2025

Trumps threatening language was roundly condemned on Thursday and House Democratic leadership out out a statement saying, We have been in contact with the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police to ensure the safety of these Members and their families. Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed.

The post Gun Violence Victim Gabby Giffords Denounces Trump Threatening to Execute Her Husband: Dangerous first appeared on Mediaite.
Survivors of a snowstorm in Patagonia which killed five people including a British woman have said local authorities did not offer enough help.

Victoria Bond, 40, from Cornwall, was among those killed in the tourist hotspot of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

Christian Aldridge, who was part of Ms Bond's party, said the group had to organise their own search party to try to find her on the mountain.

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Chile's National Forestry Corporation had said it had ordered an internal investigation "to determine any potential liability". The BBC has approached Chilean authorities for further comment.

Along with Ms Bond, a public relations consultant who had worked for Visit Isles of Scilly, Chilean officials said two German and two Mexican citizens had died in the snowstorm. Their bodies were found on Tuesday.

Victoria Bond was killed along with four others in the storm [Visit Isles of Scilly]

Mr Aldridge, from Newquay, said the conditions during the storm had been "really rough and freezing".

The group he was part of had tried to keep moving, but no-one came to rescue them, he said.

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"I was shocked," he said. "I went and spoke to the staff personally and said, 'We're missing a friend, we think she's still on the mountain, you need to get a search party'."

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font said search and rescue teams had worked in "intense" snowfall and winds reaching 118mph (190km/h).

The Chilean Forestry Corporation said its priority was to relocate people who had been on the park's O Circuit hiking route, which Ms Bond and Mr Aldridge's group were visiting.

A snowstorm has led to search and rescue missions in the Patagonia area of Chile [Carabineros de Chile/Reuters]

However, Mr Aldridge said park staff "didn't seem to take it seriously".

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"They moved us aside and said they needed to check in new guests and get dinner ready," he said.

Mr Aldridge said the group ended up having to hike out of the park over three days despite being injured.

"We're sleep-deprived, shocked, traumatised, and grieving," he said.

"We were like, 'Why are we not getting the help? Why are we not getting evacuated from this place?'."

Jack Gunter and Sophie Collier, a couple from London caught up in the snowstorm, said communication from park officials had been "absolutely horrific".

Ms Collier, originally from Devon, said people had paid a lot of money to do the trip and tickets to the park were "harder than getting Glastonbury tickets".

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"The [Chilean] government knows people are prepared to pay the money and they're not doing anything or investing in the route or the safety of the people," she said.

Chile's forestry corporation said it "deeply regretted the incident and it was sending its solidarity to the families of the deceased".

It said it was reviewing "the safety and communication protocols in the park's circuits together with the concessionaires, with the aim of strengthening prevention and emergency response capacity".

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

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WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested Democratic veterans in Congress should be hanged for releasing a joint video urging U.S. military service members to disobey unlawful orders from on high.

In a series of unhinged posts on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump boosted an anonymous users message that read, HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !! The message was in response to a news story about the video released Tuesday by six Democrats in the House and Senate, all with military or intelligence backgrounds.

President Donald Trump boosted this message on social media calling for executing Democrats in Congress. Truth Social

In another message, Trump himself called it SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! that members of Congress would release such a video.

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Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, the president wrote, in still another message. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET. President DJT.

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In fact, U.S. military service members have a right to refuse illegal orders, and in some cases, a duty to do so. Everyone in the military swears an oath to the U.S. Constitution, not to a particular president of the United States or anyone else in the chain of command.

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), one of the six Democrats in the video, said Wednesday that the group made the video out of concern for possible future illegal orders by the president, versus any specific orders that have already been given.

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Donald Trump has made a series of very disturbing comments and suggestions that would violate U.S. law and put our military in a terrible position, Crow, a former Army ranger, said in a Fox News interview. I dont want to wait until that happens to remind our troops of this obligation, because then it will be too late.

A service member may be punished by court-martial for failing to obey any lawful order or regulation, per the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which is the foundation for the conduct and legal procedures for the U.S. military justice system.

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The U.S. militarys 2024 manual for courts-martial gets more specific: It states that a military order is lawful, unless it is contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States, or lawful superior orders or for some other reason is beyond the authority of the official issuing it.

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This inference does not apply to a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime, the manual states. It continues elsewhere, The lawfulness of an order is a question of law to be determined by the military judge.

Asked about Trump encouraging political violence by calling for members of Congress to be killed, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt bizarrely accused the six Democrats of being the ones inciting violence.

They are literally saying to 1.3 million active-duty service members to defy the chain of command, not to follow lawful orders, she said in her Thursday press briefing.

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When a reporter corrected Leavitt that Democrats were urging service members to defy illegal orders, not legal ones, the press secretary changed the subject, saying Trump hasnt given illegal orders.

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To suggest and encourage that active duty service members defy the chain of command is a very dangerous thing for sitting members of Congress to do, Leavitt said, again conflating defying an illegal order versus a legal one.

SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! Trump said of Democrats in Congress releasing a video urging U.S. military servicemembers to uphold their oath to the Constitution. via Associated Press

On Capitol Hill, top Democrats condemned Trumps comments and urged everyone to take them seriously.

Lets be crystal clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and its deadly serious, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in remarks on the Senate floor.

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Every Senator, every Representative, every Americanregardless of partyshould condemn this immediately and without qualification, Schumer said. Because if we dont draw a line here, then there is no line left to draw.

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House Democratic leaders issued a joint statement rejecting the presidents disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress, and called on House Republicans to do the same.

They said they also contacted the House Sergeant at Arms and the U.S. Capitol Police to ensure the safety of the six Democrats and their families.

Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed, reads a statement from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (Calif.).

Politics: Senate Democrat Says Threats Exploded After Trump's Shocking Posts

Some Democrats scolded Trump not just for threatening lawmakers, but for suggesting that servicemembers took at oath to him, not the Constitution.

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Calling for the execution of senators and members of Congress for reminding our troops of that is chilling behavior we should expect from authoritarians like Orban or Putin, not the President of the United States, Coons said. Every one of my Republican colleagues needs to stand up and swiftly condemn this.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) was less measured in his response.

The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. HANG THEM, he posted, Murphy wrote on social media. If youre a person of influence in this country and you havent picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.

Later Thursday, the six Democrats who made the video that set Trump off issued a joint statement, reminding that they, too, swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

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That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation, reads the statement from Sens. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Kelly (Ariz.), and Reps. Chris Deluzio (Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.) and Crow.

Whats most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders, they said.

Every American must unite and condemn the Presidents calls for our murder and political violence, the lawmakers added. This is a time for moral clarity. In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated. Dont Give Up the Ship!

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The City of Tacoma has a policy that addresses what to do with personal belongings displaced during the removal of homeless encampments.

We follow a respectful, careful, and clearly defined process to ensure personal property is preserved and easily retrievable, Maria Lee, spokesperson for the City of Tacoma, told The News Tribune about the citys storage program.

Records reviewed by The News Tribune show it is rare for the city to store those items and even more rare for them to make it back to their owners.

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People living unhoused interviewed by The News Tribune called the policy ineffective, and at least one homeless advocate described it as performative.

Mirriah Quintana told The News Tribune that encampments she lived in have been shut down and cleared out by the city dozens of times since she became unhoused in May. She said neither the citys outreach team nor police officers who accompany it during the removals ever offered to store her belongings.

They damn sure dont mention it. You are just watching your stuff get thrown into the back of a truck, Quintana told The News Tribune. There is no humanity in it.

The issue expands beyond Tacoma.

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Since a U.S. Supreme Court decision last summer allowed cities to punish people for sleeping outside, even if theres no shelter available, cities all over the country have been implementing more stringent policies on public camping. A ProPublica investigation of the policies intended to protect the property rights of the unhoused and make it easy to get their possessions back found those storage programs rarely accomplish their objective.

According to a ProPublica analysis of storage programs across 14 cities, people whose belongings were taken in encampment removals rarely got them back. Some cities with large homeless populations have been sued for depriving people of their property.

Details from Tacomas storage logs

Since Tacoma implemented a ban on camping in certain parts of the city at the end of 2022, it has removed more than 9 million pounds of items and debris from homeless encampments.

When it comes to personal belongings, Lee said the city uses a digital system to meticulously log the items, take photos, and document the property.

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The News Tribune recently filed a public-disclosure request for records related to property seized by the city at encampments and held as part of enforcement of TMC 8.12.180 since 2022. The News Tribune asked for details including the quantity of items stored and claimed, as well as how long items were held.

The newspaper was not provided with photos of items stored. While detailed descriptions were rare, they often noted whether a bicycle was stored along with other items. Some belongings such as tents, air mattresses, and a Dell laptop were noted.

According to storage logs, the city has recorded storing personal items owned by individuals living at encampments 136 times from May 11, 2022 to Oct. 16, 2025.

During that same timeframe, items were recorded as picked up by their original owners about 12 times, with roughly 35% of personal items thrown away. Seventy-six items were not recorded as thrown away or picked up, according to the logs.

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Lee said the citys homeless-outreach team works directly with individuals at the encampment whenever possible to identify and inventory their belongings for storage.

They focus on securing and storing personal property that is in good condition, and this process is respectful and collaborative, not punitive, she said.

The citys policy defines personal property eligible for storage as personal documents and identification, tents, bicycles, electronics, eyeglasses, prescription medications and jewelry.

If, after the 90-day period, the items have not been claimed and the individual has not been in communication with the [outreach team], the property may be sent to Solid Waste, Lee told The News Tribune. This is truly a last resort.

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Lee noted the last time items were thrown away was in January 2025.

When asked about why it can be difficult for individuals to retrieve their belongings, Lee said unhoused individuals move around frequently and can be hard to stay in contact with.

Individuals are often focused on daily, immediate survival needs, Lee said. The challenge is not the retrieval process itself, but the difficult and unstable circumstances these individuals face every day.

Lee said people do not need formal identification to pick up their items. They only need to be able to describe their items with particularity. She said individuals can contact the outreach team or call the citys 311 line, and the city will either transport the individual to the storage site in a city vehicle or transport the items directly to the individuals location.

People pack up their belongings at the homeless encampment along South Yakima Street in Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021.

Some say they lose everything

On Nov. 13, Quintana and other people who had been living unhoused at a nearby encampment gathered at St. Vincent de Pauls Community Resource Center in South Tacoma. That morning their encampment was removed by the city.

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They came to the Community Resource Center to escape the rain and grab a bite to eat. Some asked St. Vincent de Pauls staff if they had items to replace what had been thrown away by the city.

One asked for a jacket, another for an umbrella, Quintana asked for a tent. She was frustrated and worried about how she was going to stay dry that night.

Quintana told The News Tribune she had been collecting recyclable scrap to sell for some income, but the city had thrown it all away during the removal of their encampment. Quintana also said she had lost things with sentimental value, like pictures.

Things that are irreplaceable, she said. You cant go to the store and buy new ones.

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Lee Anthony Stansberry was unsure where he would stay that night following the encampment removal. He told The News Tribune that no one from the city had offered to store his belongings, but he would not trust them to do so if they did.

Stansberry said when members of the citys outreach arrive at an encampment he is living at, his instinct is to leave.

Take your most important stuff, and leave the rest, he said. They dont care.

Tacoma can do better, homeless advocates say

Some advocates are skeptical the city takes its storage policy seriously.

Sally Perkins is a local homeless advocate who does volunteer street outreach in Tacomas Hilltop Neighborhood.

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I personally think that the city offers storage so that they can say they offer storage, not because the storage actually works, she told The News Tribune. Like so many of the city policies about homelessness, its performative. It makes it look like something is getting done when in fact the solution doesnt really work in most cases.

Perkins said rather than focusing on the removal of encampments, the city should provide appropriate shelter that is responsive to the circumstances of the people who are currently being left to survive on the street.

Jake Nau is a homeless-outreach specialist at St. Vincent de Paul who has previously been critical of the citys encampment removals. Nau told The News Tribune that he has never spoken with anyone who has had their items stored by the city and later retrieved them.

Youd think Id meet one, he said.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Negotiations between the Trump administration and Harvard University are close to being finalized, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

The administration has opened a number of investigations into the university to monitor its compliance with U.S. President Donald Trump's directives, an effort critics say amounts to political persecution.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose and Gram Slattery; Editing by Chris Reese)
Hazmat crews responded to a rollover crash in Miami County on Wednesday afternoon.

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Tipp City police and medics were called around 1:30 p.m. to Peters and Kessler Cowlesville Roads on a reported crash involving an SUV and a dump truck, according to a Tipp City Fire Department spokesperson.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed that an SUV sustained heavy damage, and a dump truck overturned with a significant oil and hydraulic fluid leak.

Crews applied absorbent material, constructed dikes to contain the fluid runoff, and secured vehicle power, the spokesperson said. Due to the volume of leaking materials, the incident commander requested the Miami County Hazmat Team to assist with spill mitigation.

The Miami County Hazmat & Special Operations Response Team posted a couple of photos on social media. It showed a dump truck rolled over on its side.

Medics transported one person to the hospital while two others declined transport, the spokesperson stated.

There are no environmental safety concerns related to the spill.

Tipp City firefighters were on scene for two hours.

Photo contributed by Miami County Hazmat & Special Operations Response Teams (via Facebook)

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One person was hurt when a tanker truck overturned on Interstate 75 in Sidney.

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The crash was reported on southbound I-75, just north of Michigan Street, around 1:30 p.m.

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Lieutenant Jeremy Allen, of the Ohio State Highway Patrols Piqua Post, told News Center 7 that the tanker truck is leaking gasoline.

The Sidney Fire Department and Shelby County Hazmat team are on scene to assist with the cleanup.

Allen said the driver of the truck, which was the only vehicle involved in the crash, was taken to a nearby hospital. Their condition is currently unknown.

The crash shut down the southbound lanes.

Lanes reopened around 9:40 p.m.

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Things are going badly for Lindsey Halligan in court. The myriad ways the James Comey case can be dismissed pretrial are mounting.

Apparently having seen the writing on the wall after a rough hearing Wednesday, Halligan attempted to make her case in the media against the presiding judge, Biden-appointee Michael Nachmanoff.

Lindsey Halligan fires back at James Comey judge who claimed shes a puppet, read a New York Post headline Wednesday evening, following the hearing that revealed the Trump-installed prosecutor may have improperly indicted the former FBI director. Personal attacks  like Judge Nachmanoff referring to me as a puppet  dont change the facts or the law, Halligan told The Post.

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Reading her lament out of context, it might look like a noble prosecutor laudably undeterred by the ranting of a rogue judge hell-bent on gratuitously attacking her personally for the crime of doing her job.

But thats not at all what happened.

As The Post reported, Nachmanoff wasnt randomly calling Halligan a puppet. Indeed, he wasnt calling her anything at all. Rather, as the story notes  and Ill italicize for emphasis here  Nachmanoff asked Comeys defense lawyer if he thought Halligan, the prosecutor who brought the indictment against the former FBI boss, was acting as a puppet or stalking horse of the commander in chief.

That is, the judge asked Comeys lawyer a question. The judge wasnt claiming anything himself.

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Still, a reader unfamiliar with legal proceedings might wonder: Why even ask a question in those terms?

The answer is that its directly relevant to whether Comeys prosecution is unconstitutionally vindictive. As Ive explained previously, stalking horse is a legal term of art used by defendants who argue that their prosecutors are doing the bidding of someone with illegal animus against them. Thats what Comey argues happened here, with Halligan acting as a stalking horse for Trumps revenge. Its not a term that Nachmanoff made up. He used puppet as a synonym for stalking horse. Whether he ultimately decides that she acted as one or not, its a legal question, not a personal attack.

That makes it all the more stunning that Halligan suggested that the judge acted unethically in asking that legal question. The Post reported that she cited a judges obligations to be patient, dignified, respectful, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity  and to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. And it makes it all the more delirious that Halligan said her focus remains on the record and the law, and I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities with professionalism.

Its hard to credit Halligans claim of being laser-focused when we are reading that claim in a media report  one that came out the same day her latest legal blunders were exposed in court, and the same week in which another judge called out her fundamental misstatements of the law to the grand jury.

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In fairness to Halligan, she had never prosecuted a case before  but that goes to the point that shes in the wrong job. As it happens, the question of whether shes legally in the wrong job, i.e., unlawfully installed by the administration, is another topic that yet another judge is weighing. Thats yet another avenue that could lead to the dismissal of the case against Comey (and against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has raised similar issues).

But even if shes a new prosecutor, she is a lawyer with a professional obligation to know better than to call out a judge for purportedly unethical conduct when the judge has done nothing of the sort. Thats especially so, given that Halligan could face her own ethical inquiry when all is said and done. A bar complaint has already been filed against her that highlights another questionable instance of extrajudicial statements, when she initiated a perplexing line of communication with a journalist.

Overall, Halligans misleading public comments read as an attempt to make a public case as the court case implodes. Context shows that her public case is also ripe for dismissal.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A tense moment briefly interrupted a news conference at the Massachusetts State House led by Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday.

Healey was calling on President Donald Trump to immediately release heating assistance funding when a sudden thud was heard in the background.

The Cape and Island, were talking about 26,000 households, Healey said before she abruptly cut herself off and turned her attention to the other side of the room. OK? OK? ... Someone fainted?

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Healey later clarified that someone had tripped and fallen.

The governor ultimately picked up where she left off, urging Trump to release funding for the Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps more than 150,000 Bay State households, representing over 300,000 people, afford to heat their homes during the winter each year.

Despite the government reopening, the Trump administration has informed states that Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding will not be restored until the end of the month.

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Joe Rogan mocked Donald Trump during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, prodding the president for switching up his story around the Epstein files.

Trump had spent much of his second term calling the Department of Justices case files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein a hoax. In posts to Truth Social and statements to the press, the president accused his Democratic Party opposition of fabricating the documents from the late trafficker as a means of undermining his administration.

Just last week, Trump had repeatedly scolded congressional Republicans and his own supporters for supporting the supposed smear campaign as pressure built to release the files publicly. Epstein was a long-time associate of Trumps  at one point, Epstein called the president his closest friend  and emails shared earlier this month by members of the House ominously claimed that Trump knew about the girls.

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Shortly before Congress passed a resolution to force the release of the files, Trump changed his tune. He openly called for the release of all the documents about Epstein and pushed for Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch an investigation into prominent Democrats mentioned in those already public emails. On Wednesday, Rogan wondered about Trumps change of heart.

I heard there are no files, Rogan said. I heard its a hoax. And then all of a sudden, hes going to release the files. I thought there were no files. He wants an investigation now. Like, what is going on?

Rogan, who supported Trump in the last presidential election, did offer a bit of cover for the president. He said that Epsteins trafficking racket was a means of blackmailing high-profile, extremely wealthy people.

I think this is a pattern that has existed forever in politics, Rogan claimed. They want you to be compromised when you get into any sort of a position, so they can control you. And I think these things like Epstein, and theres probably a bunch of other similar operations that are being run.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Elsewhere in the episode, Rogan claimed he considered buying Epsteins infamous private island at a bargain rate.

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We looked at that island. We were trying to buy it, he said. But it was too expensive. It was like 55 [million].

BREAKING: Joe Rogan just tore Trump apart on misleading us about the Jeffrey Epstein files. "I heard there are no files. I heard its a hoax. Then all of a sudden hes going to release the files. Well, I thought there were no files. He wants an investigation now. Like, what is pic.twitter.com/sAII0zQBQB  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) November 19, 2025

A resolution pushing for the release of the Epstein files passed both chambers of Congress by a near-unanimous vote. The president has not signed the bill. Still, Attorney General Bondi shared on Wednesday that the files would be released within 30 days.

The post Heard there are no files: Rogan mocks Trump for changing his story on Epstein appeared first on Salon.com.
Dangerous sea conditions claimed two lives in Victoria, Australia last month. The victims of the tragedy were a surfer who found himself overwhelmed by rough water after his board broke, and his friend who jumped in to rescue him.

Calum Ian McCombie, 36, of Scotland, was surfing at Frankston Beach, 28 miles southeast of Melbourne, Australia, on October 22. That day, Victoria was experiencing extreme weather, with winds reaching up to 80 mph. As The Sun reports, McCombie found himself overwhelmed by rough waters after his board snapped. His friend Nicho Muggleton, 43, who had been watching from nearby Frankston pier, rushed to his aid, but also found himself similarly overwhelmed by the powerful surf.

A witness called emergency services, who were on the scene within minutes, along with a police helicopter. Though rescuers were able to winch the pair out of the ocean, they were unable to revive either man.

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According to a fundraiser started in his honor, McCombie had lived in Australia for 14 years, was an avid skateboarder and had been surfing for two years.

Calum was a beautiful person, wrote the organizers. Everyone who was lucky enough to meet Calum loved him.

Muggletons cousin, Harriet, told a publication called The Age that his act of bravery in attempting to save McCombie was very much in character for the lifelong surfer and Frankston local. There would have been no question, no doubt in his mind of jumping into that water to save his mate, she said.

This devastating event is a sharp reminder of the power of nature and the real risk posed by severe weather, said Frankston City Mayor Kris Bolam. On behalf of the entire Frankston City community, I extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones.
The UKs Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a ruling that two paid search ads for Hilton Worldwide Ltd were misleading. The decision relates to advertised room prices that could not be substantiated across the dates implied by the ads.

Ads under scrutiny

The ASA investigated two Google search ads for Hilton hotels, seen on 11 April 2025. One promoted Hampton by Hilton Hamilton Park From 68 and the other claimed Best Rates When Booked Direct [] Hampton by Hilton Newcastle From 59.

The regulator examined whether the advertised prices accurately reflected availability and could be verified. The CAP Code requires that from price claims must not exaggerate the number of rooms available and should clarify the dates to which the price applies.

Hiltons response

Hilton Worldwide Ltd explained that the ads were part of Googles Travel Feed for Search Ads, a dynamic pricing tool updated throughout the day.

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The company said a technical error had prevented the correct date from being displayed in the ads. Screenshots of historical data were provided, showing that the advertised rates were bookable on the dates the ads were seen.

Hilton maintained that this evidence demonstrated room availability at the advertised prices.

ASA assessment and ruling

The ASA assessed the ads based on how consumers would have seen them.

While acknowledging Hiltons technical error, the regulator noted that the company could not provide data showing how many rooms were available at the advertised prices compared with other rates.

Without this information, the ASA concluded that consumers could reasonably expect a wider range of availability than was substantiated.

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The ruling confirmed that the pricing claims From 68 and From 59 were misleading under the CAP Code and could not be substantiated.

Advertisers are reminded that even when using automated tools like Google Travel Feeds, it remains their responsibility to ensure claims meet advertising standards.

"Hilton ads ruled misleading by UK advertising watchdog" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




         

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Earlier this year, Houston Independent School District's Superintendent Mike Miles made a big announcement: Due to a drop in student population, he said the district had to close schools.

"Any school that has fewer than 300 students, we are subsidizing, we aren't maintaining, we can't run that school at a break-even, we are losing even. And it's not only a financial equation, but at some point, it is a financial equation when you have a lot of small schools," Miles said in February.

In February, Miles said he would present a list of schools for consideration to the board of managers by December, but just weeks shy of that deadline, he suddenly reversed course with no explanation.

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The district said the announcement was made on Wednesday during a principal's meeting. ABC13 asked for additional details on why this decision was made, but the district said it would not answer any additional questions.

Miles told the principals in that meeting that consolidations may still happen in the future, but it won't be in the 2026-27 school year.

"No, it's not a surprise to me," Jackie Anderson, President of the Houston Teachers ' Union, said.

Anderson said she believes the reversal is due to blowback from the community after being left out of the conversation.

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"There is a way to work with the community, with the stakeholders, with the taxpayers to come to decisions about what school is going to be displaced, somebody is going to be displaced. And to make those decisions without any community input, to me, is a little egregious," Anderson said.

This back-and-forth comes as HISD has seen the student population drop year to year.

In 2019, data from the Texas Education Agency shows there were 209,040 students in the district. By 2025, the TEA data showed there were 176,039 students, a drop of 33,001 students over just six years.

These enrollment numbers are reported to the state every October in order for districts to secure funding. In years past, Eyewitness News has had no problem obtaining those October reports for enrollment.

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This year, HISD is keeping them secret, refusing to release them despite ABC13 asking for them and submitting formal open records requests.

For more news updates, follow Lileana Pearson on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Gov. Kathy Hochul this week announced enrollment gains across the State University of New York for the third consecutive year.

"The ongoing growth highlights successful results from Gov. Hochuls commitment to expand access to higher education, including historic increases in operating aid, expansion of financial aid and support for programs like SUNY Reconnect, which provides free tuition, fees, books and supplies for adult learners ages 25 to 55 who dont already have a college degree to attend community college in high-demand fields, and the expansion of ASAP|ACE, the nation's leading college retention and completion initiatives," a news release from Hochul's office stated.

Since the launch of SUNY Reconnect in fall 2025, more than 5,600 New Yorkers have enrolled in the program saving, on average, about $2,000 per year.

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Every New Yorker deserves the chance to build a better life through a quality education without breaking the bank, and thats exactly what were delivering across New York state," Hochul said. SUNY campuses are welcoming more students for the third year in a row, showing that when we make higher education more accessible and affordable, we open the door to opportunity for everyone. With the success of SUNY Reconnect and the continued rise in community college enrollment, more New Yorkers are taking advantage of the chance to earn a world-class, affordable degree in fields that lead to good-paying, high-demand jobs and a brighter future."

Year over year across all sectors, enrollment is up 2.9%, and up 6.5% over the past three years. First-time, first year enrollment is also up overall with an increase of 3.1% year over year, and up 8.5% over the past three years. Other results include:

 5.0% enrollment increase at SUNY community colleges.

 4.7%t increase for transfer students.

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 Overall enrollment gains across every SUNY sector for the third consecutive year  the first time this has happened since 2007-09.

 International enrollment saw a 3.9% overall reduction this fall  with international enrollment at the graduate level down 13.8%.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, SUNY is on the move, and thanks to Gov. Hochuls leadership, more students are choosing to pursue an excellent and affordable education at the SUNY institution of their dreams.

Hochul and the state Legislature have directed additional funding to public higher education over the last three years, including nearly $400 million in operating aid for SUNY state-operated campuses over that time period, a $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund, back-to-back operating aid increases for community colleges for the first time in decades, dedicated annual funding for ASAP|ACE, and ongoing support of New York's longstanding Educational Opportunity Program, the release stated.
Homeowners along one of the towns central streets are raising alarms about a proposed extension of the New Haven to Northampton rail trail near their homes, and a state legislator announced Wednesday that shes siding with them.

Opponents are trying to muster support before the Thursday evening meeting where state transportation department designers will present their proposal to close the nagging Plainville gap in the trail.

I stand with the residents of Hemingway Street in strong opposition to the current proposed alignment of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, state Rep. Rebecca Martinez said in a statement.

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This plan would place a public path directly through their front yard. This is not a minor right-of-way issue. Its a fundamental question of respect for peoples homes and voices, Martinez said. The residents of Hemingway have said no  and I support them.

The transportation department and trail advocates are inviting residents to study the maps and sketches that will be presented at the Thursday meeting. A series of design plans have been put forward starting more than 20 years ago, but the Plainville gap has proven to be the most persistent sticking point for the trail in Connecticut.

The DOT said that if the estimated $28 million project moves forward, construction would begin in the spring of 2028 if funding is available, governmental permits are secured and access to some properties is reached. The DOT anticipates federal grants would pay 80% of the costs, with state money covering the rest.

Planners have come up with three options for crossing Plainville, including one route that uses the east side of Washington Street, another that uses the east side of Hemingway Street, and a third that runs through woods.

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The Hemingway option doesnt require obtaining any private property and takes cyclists and pedestrians on a route with little traffic. But it crosses some private driveways and requires a no parking rule on one side of the road. Neighbors have been balking on social media, saying that could devalue their homes, make parking more difficult and bring unwanted noise to their neighborhood.

The other options come with concerns, too. Washington Street is heavily used, so the popular path would be running alongside traffic if its built there. It, too, crosses some private driveways, and might require obtaining small sections of private property.

The third option through the woods keeps cyclists and pedestrians away from traffic, but puts the path through wetlands. It could require obtaining more private property than either of the other routes, and could entail building a boardwalk to protect the wetlands.

Martinez is urging residents to attend the meeting at 5 p.m. at Plainville High School, saying the DOT has assured her that no decisions are firmly made yet.

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I am a supporter of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and believe in its long-term value for Plainville. But we need to come up with a better alternative  one that respects the people who live here, she said.

The north-south rail trail covers a distance of about 58 miles between New Haven and Suffield, and is the biggest and most popular in the state. But because CSX and previously Pan Am still operate freight trains on a section of the route in Plainville, the trial hasnt been completed.
(The Center Square)  The U.S. House has repealed a section in the recently-passed government funding bill that would have allowed individual senators to sue the federal government for at least $500,000 if it violated their data privacy rights.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had added the controversial provision to Republicans shutdown-ending funding bill in response to new whistleblower revelations about the former Biden administration.

As part of the Arctic Frost probe to determine whether President Donald Trump and his allies tried to overturn the 2020 election, intelligence officials secretly subpoenaed the private phone records of at least eight Republican U.S. senators.

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Thunes last-minute addition to the funding bill would have allowed Sens. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.; Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska; Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.; and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; to bring a civil action against the U.S. government for such violations.

While some senators supported the measure, others, including the targeted Blackburn, opposed it alongside House lawmakers, who argued that there are better ways to remedy federal abuses of power.

No elected official should be able to enrich themselves because the federal government wronged them, Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., told lawmakers. The abuses by the Biden Administration are completely unacceptable, and I am committed to holding those involved accountableHowever, that does not mean that elected officials should be financially benefiting from those failures now.

The Houses bill repealing the provision, which passed the chamber unanimously Wednesday night, faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida was indicted in federal court Wednesday for allegedly stealing millions of dollars in federal emergency funds and routing some of it to her campaign account, the Justice Department said in a statement.

The Justice Department alleged that in 2021, a year before Cherfilus-McCormick was elected to Congress, a health care company that she ran was overpaid $5 million on a Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded contract related to coronavirus vaccinations. The defendants in the case allegedly "conspired to steal" the money by sending it through multiple accounts.

Some of that overpaid money was then used to help fund Cherfilus-McCormick's campaign to represent South Florida in the House, the Justice Department alleged. In particular, she was accused of funneling some of the money to friends and family members who donated it to her campaign, in what's known as a "straw donor" scheme.

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"Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. "No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice."

The Justice Department's statement did not specify the charges against Cherfilus-McCormick or any other defendants. An indictment for Cherfilus-McCormick was not posted on the federal court database as of Wednesday evening.

File photo: Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida at a news conference in Washington, Sept. 20, 2024. / Credit: J. Scott Applewhite / AP

"This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment  and I am innocent," Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement provided to CBS News early Thursday morning. "The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved. I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents."

Cherfilus-McCormick's legal team said in a statement the congresswoman "is a committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents. We will fight to clear her good name."

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters late Wednesday that he would issue a statement on the criminal charges after speaking with Cherfilus-McCormick, but added: "She's innocent until proven guilty."

The congresswoman's company, Trinity Healthcare Services, was also sued by emergency officials in Florida earlier this year over an alleged multimillion-dollar overpayment.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management said it contracted with Trinity to sign people up for COVID-19 vaccines. At one point, the company was accidentally paid more than $5 million rather than $50,000 due to a "clerical error," and the company "knowingly" processed the invoice and refused to give the money back, the lawsuit says.

In response, Trinity said in court papers that the state waited three years to inform the company about the overpayments. The company said it told the Florida Department of Emergency Management it was willing to discuss the dispute, but the agency didn't respond.

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The state dropped the case last year following mediation between the two parties.

Cherfilus-McCormick has also faced a House Ethics Committee probe, after the Office of Congressional Ethics said last year she may have "requested community project funding that would be directed to a for-profit entity."

Teen's death on cruise ship could lead to criminal case against family member

Sneak peek: Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead?

Massie on FBI, DOJ leaders being criminally liable if Trump doesn't release all Epstein files
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. House is back in session after a multi-week hiatus, but its agenda has been quickly overtaken by a sudden flurry of censures, reprimands and the investigation of members, leaving little bandwidth for legislating.

With few bills to consider  and no quick fix for the problem of skyrocketing health insurance premiums  the House has instead devoted time to lawmakers demands to punish each other for their personal and political transgressions in showy spectacles on and off the chamber floor.

I feel sorry for this body, said Del. Stacey Plaskett, a Democrat who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands and was the subject of a failed effort by House Republicans to censure and remove her from the House Intelligence Committee.

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On Wednesday, an effort to censure another lawmaker, Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., was filed just hours before the House Ethics Committee suddenly announced it would investigate the congressman. The House voted to refer the matter to the committee.

Reprimands leave little time for legislating

The escalating environment of political scrutiny is leaving the House, with just weeks to go before the end of year, without much time to make progress on unfinished business. Particularly unsettled is whether Congress will be able to deal with the expiration of the health care tax credits on Dec. 31, which threaten to leave millions of Americans unable to afford insurance coverage in the new year.

House Speaker Mike Johnson had insisted that once the government reopened from the federal shutdown, talks would get underway with President Donald Trump on the health care debate. But this first full week back in session has shown few signs of progress on that or other issues, including the routine bills to fund the government and prevent another shutdown.

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Its time for the House to actually do things that matter for the American people, said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries at his weekly press conference.

Jeffries said the House Republicans were forced to come crawling back into the Capitol after their nearly seven-week absence during the shutdown, and they still havent brought a single bill to the floor that actually addresses the high cost of living in the United States.

What is wrong with these people? he asked.

Health care and government funding at stake

As Johnson tries to exert control over the House, where Republicans have narrow majority control, the GOP speaker's leadership is being tested in new and confrontational ways by rank-and-file lawmakers. They are seizing on the tools at their disposal to maneuver around the GOP speaker.

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Johnson had to reverse course and support the vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files after a mass uprising from lawmakers demanding action. What started as a rogue action by a handful of lawmakers on what's called a discharge petition became a nearly unanimous roll call, sending the bill to the Senate  and then to Trump to become law.

Having now forced the vote, none of us want to go on record and in any way be accused of not being for maximum transparency, Johnson said. Of course were for maximum transparency.

Epstein files unleash more scrutiny

Republicans, including those from the Freedom Caucus, launched the campaign against Plaskett over text messages she had received from Epstein during a committee hearing with Trumps former political fixer Michael Cohen in 2019.

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GOP Rep. Ralph Norman, who is running for governor in his state of South Carolina, said the text exchanges were improper and he was seeking to remove Plaskett from her role on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

She did it to herself, he said during Tuesday's heated floor debate.

But Plaskett, a former prosecutor in New York who had been appointed to the Department of Justice during the Bush administration, defended her actions. She said she was simply interacting with a constituent  Epstein had owned two tiny islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands  one of many people texting as her phone exploded with messages during the high-profile hearing. At the time, it was not publicly known that Epstein was under investigation, she explained.

The effort failed, 214-209, with three Republicans joining the Democrats to oppose the resolution of censure and removal from the Intelligence Committee. Also failing, by a vote of 214-213, was an effort by the Democratic leadership to refer the situation to the Ethics Committee for review.

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GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, who is also running for governor in South Carolina, filed her resolution against Mills midday Wednesday, claiming he brings discredit on the House for a long list of alleged transgressions. A Florida judge has granted a protective order against Mills at the request of a former girlfriend who claimed that he threatened to release nude images of her and physically harm her future boyfriends after she broke up with him.

Mills said he believes all the accusations and false things that are being said will be proven to be absolutely false.

Late Wednesday, GOP Rep. Greg Steube of Florida said he intends to file a motion to censure fellow Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, who was indicted by federal prosecutors on charges accusing her of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and using some of the money to aid her 2021 campaign.

And starting the week was a vote, 236-186, to reprimand Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., after his chief of staff became the only candidate who submitted the paperwork needed to run for the congressional seat once he announced he was not seeking reelection.

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A new normal of disruptions in House

There have been at least a half-dozen efforts this year to censure or reprimand lawmakers, largely from Republicans seeking to punish Democrats  though Democrats have been retaliating with their own threats to file actions against Republicans.

Jeffries said theres not enough time in the legislative calendar if Republicans want to go down this road.

And lawmakers of both parties have used the discharge petition strategy to force issues  like the Epstein files  to the fore over the objections of the GOP leadership.

Johnson has bemoaned the disruptions he has been unable to fully control and repeatedly said he wishes he could be speaker over a normal House. But others see this House as the new normal.

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I think its indicative of how the House has been for quite some time, said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn. And thats by design. Nothing gets done.

Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., who faced his own violations with the Ethics Committee in 2020, said the process is being weaponized.

Back and forth. Back and forth, he said. In previous times, you would have gotten fussed at by the speaker saying, Please dont do this.

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Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  The House voted to overturn a controversial provision approved in the spending package to reopen the government last week, but Republican leaders in the Senate are slow-walking a commitment to fully repeal the measure.

Lawmakers voted unanimously in a rare bipartisan vote to reverse language passed in the government funding bill that would allow senators to sue the federal government for hundreds of thousands of dollars if their phone records are subpoenaed or obtained without prior consent or knowledge.

That language was negotiated in bipartisan talks in the Senate, but was added to the funding bill without House Republicans knowledge, many of them say  including Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., the top House lawmaker tasked with funding the government.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also told reporters he was blindsided by the provision and that he found it way out of line.

I dont think that was a smart thing to do, he said last week. I dont think it was the right thing to do, and the House is going to reverse it.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., looks at his phone as he leaves for a week recess on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. | Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

But Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has not committed to a vote on undoing the measure  and defended its inclusion when asked on Wednesday.

This is something that needed to be addressed, Thune said. Well see what the House does, and then well find out what our colleagues here in the Senate want to do.

The provision would specifically allow senators to sue any federal department or agency for seizing phone records without prior notice  with each payment coming out to $500,000 per violation. The language came in direct response to revelations earlier this year that former special counsel Jack Smith had obtained phone records of eight senators without their knowledge as part of his investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

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The language in the bill would also require cellphone service providers to alert Senate offices as well as the Senate sergeant at arms if a federal law enforcement official or agency requests the data of a specific senator. The provision only covers senators and does not include language for members of the House.

It would also allow senators to retroactively sue a federal agency if their data was acquired, subpoenaed, searched, accessed, or disclosed in the past  paving the way for those senators who were targeted in the Jan. 6 probe to file damages against Smith.

Sen. Graham ready to sue DOJ, cellphone provider

Only one of the eight senators has so far said he would use the statute to sue both the Justice Department and his cellphone service provider: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Graham said he would sue for as many violations as he can find to make it hurt as much as I possibly can so nobody will do this again.

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I am not backing off. I am going to file a claim myself, Graham said. I am not going to take this crap anymore, I am going into court, and well see what happens. The burden will be on me, but beyond me, I want people who experienced bad behavior to have an avenue to get redress.

Graham also said he wanted to go further and eventually expand the law to cover more people  including House members, government employees, and any private individual or any organization that believes they have a claim.
The incredible 252 mph peak wind gust measured in Hurricane Melissa as it approached Jamaica was verified this week.

That wind gust is now officially the highest wind speed ever recorded by the expendable instruments, called dropsondes, that are deployed into hurricanes, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research at the National Science Foundation, where the instruments were developed.

When Andy Hazelton, an associate scientist at the University of Miami, saw the data coming in from his spot aboard the NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft "Kermit" on Oct. 28, he could hardly believe his eyes. The wind reading was so high it was off the edge of the graph chart that displays the measurements.

"I knew it was a potentially historic observation," Hazelton told USA TODAY on Nov. 20. "It was sobering to see it happen right near landfall."

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Other scientists watching the data flow in had similar reactions to the peak gust, a mix of awe at the power of nature and concern for the havoc it can wreak on people and their communities.

At least 90 deaths have been blamed on Hurricane Melissa, including 45 in Jamaica, where Melissa struck the island as a Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 28 with winds at the surface of more than 150 mph. Jamaican officials said this week Melissa caused at least $8.8 billion in damages. The storm also claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

252 mph? Hurricane scientists see potential record in wind data

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration promptly contacted the atmospheric research center to ask them to confirm the measurement.

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"NOAA looped us in when they saw the high wind speed and asked, 'Are these numbers any good?'" said Holger Vomel, a senior scientist in the center's dropsonde program.

"They have pilots and researchers literally putting their lives on the line to get these measurements," Vomel stated in a news release. "Theyre the heroes, and its a privilege we get to play a role in making sure the measurements they acquire are accurate."

The center's staff ran the gust through a quality control program, checked that the numbers tracked with the laws of physics and typical hurricane behavior. With no gaps in reported measurements, and no other anomalies, the center confirmed the gust surpassed the previous dropsonde record gust of 248 mph, measured during Tyhpoon Megi over the Western Pacific in 2010.

Hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton with the University of Miami took this photo inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa aboard a flight on the NOAA WP-3D hurricane reconnaissance aircraft dubbed Kermit, for Kermit the Frog.

The dropsondes, dropped through a chute in the hurricane hunter aircraft, gather data at levels that would be unsafe for the airplanes and their human passengers.

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The crew aboard Kermit was deploying a fleet of instruments into the hurricane, where they dropped down through intense winds and rain, also streaming data on pressure, temperature and humidity back to the plane, where it could be transmitted to the hurricane center.

The 252-mph wind gust was recorded just before the dropsonde plunged into the Caribbean south of Jamaica on the morning of Oct. 28. Melissa, with peak sustained winds of 185 mph, was one of the most intense hurricanes on record in the Atlantic.

An NRD41 dropsonde, like the ones dropped into Hurricane Melissa, is seen inside Hurricane Irma. The dropsonde technology is developed by the National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research and manufactured by Vaisala.

But forecasters at the National Hurricane Center and the models they use "need to know what is happening near sea level because thats where people and property are most affected," said Terry Hock, an engineer who manages the dropsonde program at the foundation's atmospheric research center. "The dropsonde gets you information you cant get any other way and thats why its been around for decades."

The scientists and engineers at NCAR works with other hurricane scientists to continue advancing the technology and tools to analyze the data the dropsondes collect.

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Into the eye of a hurricane: How NOAA uses drones penetrate monster storms

This story has been updated to add new information.

Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, has written about hurricanes, tornadoes and violent weather for more than 30 years. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Melissa's wind gust sets historic record
Daily student absences rose 22% among more than 100,000 children living in Californias rural Central Valley in the weeks following January 2025 immigration raids, according to a newly peer reviewed Stanford University study.

The findings span the early weeks of the second Trump administration. Since that time, immigration enforcement has escalated dramatically, particularly in Democratic cities targeted by the president, including Chicago and Los Angeles.

Schools became fair game days into the new administration when it revoked longstanding protections against enforcement actions near or on-site. Hospitals and churches, too, are no longer exempt from raids.

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Earlier this month, a day care teacher in Chicago was dragged out of her preschool by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in front of students and their families. A federal judge ruled her detention was illegal and she has since been released.

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The incident, caught on camera and made public, has drawn widespread condemnation.

Schools should be safe environments for children to learn, for their brains to develop and for them to form secure attachments, said Melissa Boteach, chief policy officer at ZERO TO THREE, an early childhood advocacy group.

Boteach noted, too, 20% of the early educator workforce are immigrants and while a vast majority have legal status, their families and communities might not.

If they are fearful and anxious, they are bringing that fear and anxiety with them, she said. And now you dont know when enforcement will strike and that can be incredibly traumatic even if the child is a U.S. citizen.

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Many high school students, including several in New York City, have already been held or deported.

Related

Lawmakers Demand Info on Students Detained by ICE, Including on Their Schooling

The 113,000 children in the Stanford study  they attended Bakersfield City Elementary, Fresno Unified, Kerman Unified, Southern Kern Unified and Tehachapi Unified school districts  lost more than 81,000 days of instruction in the two months following the January raids, which lasted three days and targeted agriculture workers.

None of the Central Valley schools returned calls or emails last week requesting comment.

Thomas S. Dee, Barnett Family Professor at Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Education. (Stanford University)

Thomas S. Dee, a professor at Stanfords Graduate School of Education, examined daily attendance data, which helped him pinpoint a falloff he attributes to harsh immigration tactics.

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That really allowed me to identify how things changed when the raids began, he said. Something very distinctive occurred.

Dee examined data from August through May in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years and from August 2024 through February of this year. He said he was surprised by the magnitude of the impact the raids had on attendance.

Related

They Examined 3.3 Million Texts on Chronic Absenteeism. Here Are 4 Big Findings

Forceful immigration tactics, pandemic-related learning loss and mental health issues combine to exhaust students and families to the point that kids stay home from school, he said.

I see this increase in absences as an indicator of ways in which we are exacerbating all of those problems, Dee said. Aggressive interior immigration enforcement drives families with school-age children away.

Protesters gather at First Ward Park for the No Border Patrol In Charlotte rally on Nov. 15. (Getty Images)

Just this week, student absences more than tripled in Charlotte, North Carolina, two days after federal immigration agents swept into the city, arresting 130 people. The Charlotte-Mecklenberg School District reported 30,399 students absent Monday.

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Adam Strom, co-founder and executive director of Re-Imagining Migration, said the relationship between schools and families is based on good faith. Immigration enforcement, a powerful disruptor, can be catastrophic.

Schools ask immigrant families for profound trust  trust with their children, their personal information, their futures, Strom said. When ICE raids their communities, families respond by withdrawing from public institutions out of caution  a protective instinct thats entirely rational. The attendance data tells us exactly what happens when institutions meant to build belonging become sources of fear instead.

And, he said, that anxiety extends well beyond families with undocumented members.



When people with legal status, and even citizens, are being detained based on how they look and speak, every immigrant family regardless of documentation worries about whether their children will be safe on the way to and from school, he said.

Immigration agents have swept up nearly 200 American citizens, including children, holding some detainees for days. Dee said aggressive immigration tactics not only hurt kids, but schools themselves as they are funded based on attendance.

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As to why absenteeism holds steady even weeks after a raid, he said the impact of such enforcement actions linger. Some families become shut-ins. Others might move away in search of safety.

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Thousands of Immigrant Students Flee L.A. Unified Schools After Chilling Effect of ICE Raids

He said, too, the 81,000 missed days of instruction shoots up to 725,000 when applied to the entire four-county region.

Some 800,000 migrant and seasonal workers fuel Californias agricultural industry. Reports show roughly half have citizenship or other work authorization. California is home to nearly 3 million undocumented residents: Roughly 112,000 between the ages of 5 and 18 are enrolled in the states schools.

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Dubbed Operation Return to Sender, the Central Valley raids, conducted by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, began January 7, 2025, during the tail end of the Biden era  and the day after the 2024 presidential election was certified by Congress.

Three former Biden aides said the man who led the effort, Gregory Bovino, went rogue and conducted the Central Valley action  hundreds of miles from the U.S. border  without the permission of higher-ups. While border patrol officials said they were targeting only criminals, subsequent investigations found that they did not have any information as to the criminal background of 77 of the 78 people arrested during the sweep.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the head of the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Border Patrol officials in February for these enforcement actions, which it deemed a fishing expedition. Bovino has since led other controversial immigration operations, including those in Chicago and the one just launched in Charlotte. Reports this week say New Orleans may be the next enforcement target.

Dee said kids in early grades were more likely to miss school than their older peers because those living with undocumented immigrants tend to be younger and families with small children might be more fearful of deportation.

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Kathy Mulrooney, director of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Strategy Program at ZERO TO THREE, said young children also suffer a particular cognitive trauma when the adults around them are detained.

Even if babies dont have the words for whats happening, their bodies feel the fear, she said.

When a parent is suddenly taken, Mulrooney said, or when a community is shaken by aggressive immigration tactics, students are left with little ability to feel the type of safety and curiosity they need to learn.

Simply put, when a childs brain is in survival mode, learning takes a back seat, she said.
Waves crash near Newport, Oregon. (Photo by Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

National reports contend that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement forces have been withdrawn from Chicago after setbacks in court and ferocious opposition locally, Critics said that amounted to a retreat.

If ICE persists in what appear to be efforts to build a detention center on the Oregon coast at Newport, it could be setting itself up for much the same end result.

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For evidence, you need look no further than the remarkable public hearing held Nov. 12 by Newports city council. (You can watch it on two downloadable video clips.) Over two and a half hours, dozens of speakers from an audience of hundreds talked about recent military and ICE actions at the port city. Not a single one, including council members, a county commissioner and a state representative, had anything good to say about the prospective ICE arrival or associated actions. To call opposition in Newport overwhelming would be an understatement.

The first point to make about this is that not much is known about ICEs plans. Many details remain sketchy, and city officials said that as of the meeting, no one from the Department of Homeland Security (the umbrella department for ICE) had contacted the city about what may be coming.

People in town did discover on November 9 that a Coast Guard rescue helicopter  Newport has a substantial Coast Guard base  had been moved to North Bend, almost 100 miles to the south. People who live in different environments might not see that as a big deal, but in and near Newport it is.

Speakers at Newport City Hall not only complained about the loss but warned that people will die in the ocean because of it  saying recent experience shows thats not a matter of if, but when. People who fall from a boat into the ocean cannot survive in the amount of time a helicopter would need to fly from North Bend. One woman making that case said her life had been saved by the chopper. A court case, challenging whether the move violates federal law, seems likely.

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One speaker from a local group called Newport Fishermens Wives said, this isnt just our opinions on things, this is life and death.

The helicopter had been located at Newports city airport. What has this to do with ICE? The answer appears to be that the agency intends to set up a large detention center there.

It hasnt specifically yet said that it plans to do that, and has been remarkably uncommunicative generally with people in the area. But evidence has been accumulating. The city had been contacted by a federal contractor considering leasing four acres near the airport to support federal operations; that proposal was later withdrawn, the city said. Local officials said septic companies are being solicited in the area looking at prospects for handling large volumes of human waste.

On Nov. 10, the city said in a statement that city officials were made aware of information that the US Department of Homeland Security is in the process of evaluating locations along the Oregon coast for a potential U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) immigration facility, and the Newport Municipal Airport has been identified as a possible location for this facility.  Efforts to contact DHS representatives by phone and email have not received a response at the time of this release.

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State Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, said, nobody will tell us what the plan is or if there is a plan.

The response from people in the city and the region was explosive.

Some of the complaints were about ICE and its practices generally. One woman said they are not who we represent as a county.

Many spoke up for the areas substantial Latino community, which accounts for important numbers of employees in hospitality, restaurant, shipping and fishing, construction and other industries. Many spoke of an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

One Latina woman said she spoke for those of us who are too afraid to be in this place  Our families would only have two options. Option 1, not go to work, not send their children to school, not take their children and families to medical appointments even when those are necessary, and to not go out to buy food and medicine. The second option would be for families to have to leave the county.

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Others warned that the ICE presence (and, possibly, actions on the streets) could create economic and social havoc. Some said they have heard from regular visitors to the area  which relies heavily on tourist trade  that they would quit coming to the area if an ICE center were located there.

A sense of something approaching not simply disagreement but desperation overlay much of the meeting.

Watch what happens next in Newport and see if you dont think ICE will break its pick on places like Newport, if it presses hard enough.
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Military intelligence says internal Hamas papers show meetings and payments in 2023 that funneled donations to the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Documents recovered in Gaza show Hamas used the Palestinian charity Qawafel al-Khair to channel donations to its military wing, including grants, construction support, and logistics for terrorists, the IDFs Intelligence Directorate said on Thursday.

The material, analyzed by a Military Intelligence Unit, details organized meetings in 2023 between Hamas and several NGOs, with Qawafel al-Khair at the center.

The directorate said the records indicate funds labeled as humanitarian were used to strengthen the Al-Qassam Brigades capabilities.

How did Hamas use the charitable funds?

Hamas was said to have used thefunds from the humanitarian association to establish the terror group's training division and to distribute thousands of food parcels to members of the military wing.

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Another document acquired by the IDF also documented Hamas's outreach to "Qawafel al-Khair" to request economic support for one of its operatives.

What is the Palestinian charity 'Qawafel al-Khair'?

The charity promises to provide food and aid to Palestinians impacted by the "siege" on Gaza and the war ignited by Hamas over two years ago.

Donors are given the choice to sponsor a Gazan orphan, a tent, food packages, water, and clothing for children.

The organization's X account shows it was created by a user in Gaza in 2015, and its website noted the organization originally went by the name Ruba Al-Khair.

The charity was originally opened by two Hamas terrorists, according to UK legal group UK Lawyers for Israel. Mansour Rayan and Ali Al-Mughrabi, the organization's founders, were both released as part of the Gilad Shalit deal in 2011.

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Rayan had been imprisoned for the murder of an Israeli and Al Mughrabi had been part of a terrorist cell that organized a suicide bombing in Jerusalem in which 11 Israelis were killed.

Al-Mughrabi is understood to have been killed in a January airstrike by the IDF in Gaza.

UKLFI's investigation came after it suspected "Qawafel al-Khair" was using UK charities to fundraise in Britain, leading to an investigation by the Charity Commissioner into the organization We Care.

This is a developing story.
During a separate operation by the Kfir Brigade, several weapons were found, including Kalashnikov rifles, fragmentation grenades, explosives, magazines, and military uniforms.

Israeli troops stationed behind the 'Yellow Line,' marking IDF-controlled territory in Gaza, found an eight-tubed rocket launcher with four rockets aimed at Israel while clearing the area, the military said Wednesday.

In addition, during a separate operation by the Kfir Brigade, several weapons were found, including Kalashnikov rifles, fragmentation grenades, explosives, magazines, and military uniforms.

IDF troops find eight-tube rocket launcher behind 'Yellow Line,' November 20, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Since the Yellow Line was established, several Hamas terrorists have attempted to breach into IDF territory.

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Just on Tuesday, the IDF killed two terrorists who crossed over the Yellow Line and advanced on IDF troops operating in the southern Gaza Strip. Several other terrorists were also killed on Monday after attempting to cross the boundary.

Kfir Brigade activity behind Yellow Line

The IDF last Friday night destroyed a tunnel complex where three members from the militarys 92nd Shimshon Battalion in the Kfir Brigade were killed 11 months ago.

Positioned east of the Yellow Line, near the Beit Hanun area of the Gaza Strip in an IDF-controlled region, the tunnel ran one kilometer wide and was dozens of meters deep, the army added.

The three IDF soldiers who were killed there nearly a year ago were Capt. Ilay Gavriel Atedgi, St.-Sgt. Netanel Pessach, and Sgt.-Maj. Hillel Diener. One other soldier was wounded in the incident.

The IDF has been operating behind the Yellow Line since the implementation of the US-backed Gaza deal in mid-October.
Illinoiss second-largest teachers union is pushing lawmakers to impose new taxes on billionaires and wealthy corporations to help close school budget deficits. The move comes as Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union and an advocate for the tax increases, becomes president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Heres the punchline: We have to tax the rich, Davis Gates said at an Oct. 29 rally in Springfield, Illinois. It is not because we just think that theyre not doing enough, its because we do our fair share and then some, and we need a little more help. Its fair.

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The states education funding formula was revised in 2017 with an infusion of money designed to ensure districts reach at least 90% of adequate funding levels by 2027. A recent advocacy report found that while this change improved some school budgets, districts wont reach full funding until at least 2038, leaving an entire generation of students without access to an adequately funded education.

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We need our Illinois lawmakers to deliver  they have already promised us those funds but they have not delivered, said Cyndi Oberle-Dahm, the statewide unions executive vice president. Over one-third of Illinois school districts are funded at 76% or less. The only way we are going to fix this is to have a new revenue structure.

The Illinois Federation of Teachers  which has 103,000 members and more than 200 chapters including the Chicago Teachers Union  said in a statement that the lack of adequate resources has caused districts to struggle with meeting legal requirements for special education, keeping class sizes manageable and recruiting and retaining staff.

While there are no policy proposals for taxing the wealthy on the table in Illinois, the union argues that the state could pursue something like Massachusetts millionaires tax to help fund schools. The law requires an additional 4% levy paid by anyone earning more than $1 million annually. Massachusetts accrued almost $3 billion from the tax this past fiscal year.

Related

Strapped for Cash: Districts OK Union Raises, Dont Have the Money to Fund Them

Davis Gates, who was previously vice president of the statewide union, replaced Dan Montgomery in October after his resignation. School funding has been a main focus for her in Chicago. The district currently receives 73% of its required funding and has experienced tumultuous budget deficits, including a $1.6 billion shortage in state dollars.

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In November, the Chicago Teachers Union launched a campaign to pass Mayor Brandon Johnsons proposed budget, which earmarked $552 million for Chicago Public Schools from the citys unused tax increment financing revenue.

Davis Gates and other union leaders said in a statement that Chicagos budget is what we need our Governor and Illinois General Assembly to mirror at the state level.

Chicago can only do so much while Illinois tax system is upside down, the union said. We need our state government to fight Trump cuts with ending tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and to protect Illinois with the promised but undelivered resources to our schools, transit and public institutions.
By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) -A Border Patrol operation targeting suspected undocumented migrants in Charlotte, North Carolina has ended, local officials said on Thursday, following five days of sweeps by federal agents that ended in hundreds of arrests and sparked protests by local citizens.

Charlotte was the latest city run by Democrats targeted by U.S. President Donald Trump's mass deportation push, which has seen federal agents using aggressive tactics in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington and elsewhere to apprehend immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally. Local residents have taken to the streets in protest and in efforts to warn people about the presence of immigration officers.

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Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said in a statement that federal officials confirmed with his office that the Border Patrol operation had ended, writing that "as a result, there will be no CBP operations" on Thursday. The Border Patrol did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"It is important to clarify that while the 'Charlottes Web' operation has ended, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will continue to operate in Mecklenburg County as they always have," the Mecklenburg Sheriff's Department statement read. "ICE maintains full authority to detain, apprehend, and take into custody any undocumented immigrant in accordance with federal law."

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said in a written statement that "it appears" the Border Patrol operation was over and that she was "relieved for our community and the residents, businesses, and all those who were targeted and impacted by this intrusion."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which had said that the raids in Charlotte were a response to the refusal of local officials to comply with requests to hold suspects for immigration police, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

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Homeland Security said on Wednesday that over 250 arrests had been made in Charlotte and the surrounding area. Border Patrol expanded its operations to Raleigh, North Carolina, about 130 miles northeast of Charlotte, earlier this week, and that effort appeared to be ongoing.

Charlotte saw peaceful protests in response to the crackdown, including a walkout by the students of East Mecklenburg High School, and videos of arrests have been posted across social media, including one showing masked agents smashing a pickup window and dragging a man out.

Some Latino-run businesses closed over the weekend and remained shuttered this week in Charlotte, a city of 943,000 people and one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau. Many people are drawn to Charlotte by higher-paying jobs in the growing finance, tech and logistics sectors.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks; Additional reporting by Ted Hesson and Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Donna Bryson and Alistair Bell)
Newly surfaced video shows U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detaining workers at a construction site in Hickory on Wednesday, part of a one-day immigration sweep that stretched across the Foothills.

READ MORE: Border Patrol spreads from Charlotte to NC foothills

The operation included a Taco Bell that is being renovated along Highway 321.

A viewer shared video of Customs and Border Protection agents arriving at the Taco Bell and 10 minutes later, they detained two workers.

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The contractor told Channel 9s Dave Faherty that he has no idea where the workers ended up. New workers were brought in the next day to help remodel the fast-food restaurant.

Disgraceful to target anywhere, said a witness. Obviously, I knew they were in Charlotte. You know the Foothills is a pretty quiet, quaint area and its being disrupted by all this nonsense.

In Lenoir, four workers collecting trash along Highway 321 were also detained by Border Patrol in the parking lot of a motel.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said they worked for subcontractor Piedmont Land Clearing and Lawn Services as part of a nearly $600,000 annual contract to pick up litter in eight counties.

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Across the street at a used car dealership, Faherty spoke with employees Thursday about Operation Charlottes Web, which expanded into the Foothills.

I dont have a problem with them coming over here legally and doing things in the right process, said Adam Laws, mechanic. Thats how we all got here.

Some of the ones who have been here for a long, long time maybe they should give them a grace period, said Bo Keever, owner. You know, get yourself legal. But the ones not paying taxes and causing problems, Im glad theyre picking them up.

Faherty is waiting for a response from the NCDOT about the detainment of those workers. The subcontractor said one of the workers was a woman with two children.

VIDEO: Border Patrol spreads from Charlotte to NC foothills
Independence Health Systems five hospitals, together with its affiliated physician groups and subsidiaries, are set to join the West Virginia University (WVU) Health System in late 2026, operating under the WVU Medicine brand.

The hospitals that will join the system are Frick, Butler Memorial, Clarion, Westmoreland, and Latrobe.

Under the agreement, the WVU Health System will invest $800m over the next five years to modernise the hospitals, including the emergency room at Butler Memorial Hospital and the Westmoreland Hospital campus.

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The investment will also support the expansion of clinical services and improve access to care throughout the communities served.

Completion of the transaction is contingent upon standard state and federal regulatory approvals, as well as the consent of bondholders.

Independence Health System will benefit from the expertise, scale and infrastructure of the WVU Health System and preserve its focus on the community.

This integration will broaden access to specialists and clinical services and bolster financial sustainability through streamlined operations and shared capital resources.

It will also improve patient outcomes by implementing coordinated population health strategies via the WVU Health Systems affiliated health insurance organisation, Peak Health.

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Independence Health System president and CEO Ken DeFurio said: This is a transformational moment for our organisation as we take this first, critical step toward building a new future with a nearby health system that shares our values and is community focused.

We are excited to make this announcement today in partnership with WVU Medicine, and even more excited to have our organisation become part of a progressive and innovative health system that has a proven track record in making deep investments in its people, clinical programmes, and infrastructure.

Independence Health System provides care to a community of over 750,000 residents across ten Western Pennsylvania counties.

It comprises five hospitals and has a network of more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers.

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"Independence Health System hospitals to join WVU " was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




A Johnson County father filed a federal lawsuit against Roblox on Nov. 19, alleging that the online gaming platform enabled the sexual exploitation of his 11-year-old daughter.

The father, identified only by his initials, says he only allowed his young daughter to use Roblox because he thought there were safeguards in place for its young users. Instead, the girl was coerced into undressing for an adult on camera. The girl now deals with "intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideations, depressive behavior, and persistent anxiety," the lawsuit says.

Lawyers for the girl's father argue her exploitation could  and should  have been prevented by enhanced safety features within the Roblox app, like age verification and increased content moderation.

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Roblox, which allows users to create and share their own games, is incredibly popular among kids. More than half of its users were under the age of 13 as of September 2020, according to the lawsuit, though the company now estimates that figure at about one third.

A representative for Roblox said the company dedicates "substantial resources" to preventing inappropriate interactions.

"We are deeply troubled by any incident that endangers our users. While we cannot comment on claims raised in litigation, protecting children is a top priority, which is why our policies are purposely stricter than those found on many other platforms," a statement from Roblox read in part. The company has launched 145 new safety initiatives this year, the company said, and submitted more than 24,500 reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2024.

Is Roblox safe? What parents need to know about child, teen safety on the platform

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The platform, founded in 2006, saw explosive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now the most downloaded online game in the world, with its own website reporting more than 151 million daily users.

There's no minimum age to sign up, and no parental verification is required, according to the lawsuit. Until November 2024, the app's default settings allowed adults and children to become friends and send direct messages to one another.

The girl at the center of the lawsuit connected with someone pretending to be a child, who then took their conversations off the app, a tactic described by the lawsuit as a common move for online predators. Though Roblox has built-in features that ban words like 'Snapchat' in an effort to prevent off-app conversations, users work around it by substituting certain emojis or code words.

The company's choice to selectively block certain words "reveals that Roblox is fully aware of the dangers of off-app inappropriate communications yet chooses not to close those loopholes," lawyers charge.

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As the company sought to expand its user base with older players, lawyers write, it simultaneously deprioritized safety measures. Company leadership pointed to "age demographic expansion" as a "key strategy" in public offering filings, and on investor relations calls spoke of driving down expenditures related to trust and safety.

Features intended to entice older users, like video calls, made child users more vulnerable to contact with predators. Sex-related games run rampant on the platform, according to the lawsuit, and users openly trade child sex abuse material in chat groups.

But the parents of young Roblox players are largely oblivious to that, according to the lawsuit, thanks in part to what it characterizes as a "hollow and misleading" public relations strategy.

"Roblox's success and continued growth have hinged on its constant, false assurances to parents that its app is safe for children," the lawsuit says.

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Court documents charge that while company leadership made public assurances about the platform's safety as early as 2009, one of its executives said in 2019 that "digital civility did not exist at Roblox a year and a half ago."

The company announced a barrage of enhanced safety features, including age verification, on Nov. 18, one day before the lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of California. Previous enhanced safety features  like parental controls introduced throughout 2024 and 2025  have been easy to bypass, the lawsuit says.

In filing the lawsuit, the father's lawyers write, they hope to protect more children from similar harm experienced on the platform.

"[The 11-year-old] is just one of countless children whose lives have been devastated as a result of Defendant's gross negligence and defectively designed apps. This action, therefore, is not just a battle to vindicate Plaintiff's rightsit is a stand against Defendant's systemic failures to protect society's most vulnerable from unthinkable harm in pursuit of financial gain over child safety," its introduction reads in part.

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The lawsuit's initial procedural hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026, in the Northern District of California.

It's one of a spate of recent lawsuits against Roblox. In August, Louisiana's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the platform over its lack of safety protocols. Last month, the Attorney General of Kentucky filed another case, alleging the platform was "directly contributing to the widespread victimization of minor children" in that state.

Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana father sues Roblox, says 11-year-old daughter targeted by predator
By Sai Ishwarbharath B

(Reuters) -India's Tata Consultancy Services and private equity firm TPG will form a joint venture to develop AI data centres, TCS said on Thursday, with both partners set to invest a total of 180 billion rupees ($2.03 billion) in equity.

The capital will be invested in tranches in the JV, called HyperVault AI Data Centre, over the next few years.

The companies also aim to raise $4.5-$5 billion through debt, TCS added, without providing details on the number or location of the planned data centres.

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The recent boom in AI, which requires vast amounts of computing data, has fuelled a corporate rush to pour money into the technology globally and has led to an unprecedented growth in data centers across the world.

India's data centre capacity is expected to more than triple to 4.5 gigawatt by 2030 from current levels, according to real estate consultant Colliers.

TCS will be the majority partner in the JV with a 51% stake, while TPG will hold the remaining and invest up to 88.20 billion rupees.

"The move is similar to how big tech companies like Meta in the U.S. are also tapping PE firms to leverage the risk," said Pareekh Jain, founder of tech advisory firm EIIR Trend.

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"The model will also benefit TPG by storing the data of their portfolio companies and the overall model, if successful, can be replicated for global expansion (by TCS) as well."

Last month, TCS had announced plans to invest up to $7 billion in a 1 GW data centre unit, which drew investor skepticism as analysts flagged limited overlaps with the company's core IT services and potential pressure on returns.

Brokerage BobCaps had called the plan "negatively surprising" as it flagged the IT services firm's more proactive M&A stance as a departure from its historical focus on organic growth.

($1 = 88.7220 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Hritam Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
The Brief

Residents near Midway Airport say their streets have turned into an overnight red-light district.

A recent sting operation led to eight arrests after FOX Chicago raised concerns with city leaders.

Neighbors say the issue persists despite years of complaints and calls for stronger laws.

CHICAGO - For years, residents living just steps from Midway Airport have watched their Southwest Side neighborhood transform from a quiet community into what many now describe as an overnight red-light district.

What we know

Shocking videos taken by neighbors in July 2024 show scantily clad and sometimes nude women walking the blocks between 47th and 50th Streets near Cicero Avenue, often before sunrise. Cars line the streets at all hours, headlights flickering like signals, as men circle the block searching for sex.

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"Its like a traffic highway between 11:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.," one resident said.

Another longtime resident told FOX Chicago he can no longer park in his alley because of the steady stream of vehicles.

"Were tired of it"

What they're saying

Residents say prostitution has spilled beyond the main corridors and deep into the neighborhood alleys, front yards, and even backyards. One man whos lived in the area for 12 years asked to hide his identity out of fear, saying:

"Theyve pushed into the neighborhoods where they're doing their thing Its not uncommon to see them walking around," he said.

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Families say theyve tried everything. Theyve filed complaint after complaint, but the calls keep coming in. Records from Chicagos Office of Emergency Management show 31 prostitution-related 911 calls in just 24 hours in August 2025.

Caught on camera

In one early-morning video shared with FOX Chicago, a woman is seen performing a sex act inside a parked car, in full view of homes where children live and play.

Residents say scenes like this have been happening for more than a decade.

Police step in

After FOX Chicago began asking questions, 22nd Ward Alderman Michael Rodriguez and 23rd Ward Alderwoman Silvana Tabares pressed for more enforcement.

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That led to an extensive undercover operation with the Cook County Sheriffs Police. FOX Chicago joined deputies during the sting, which targeted the buyers  the "johns" driving demand.

Within minutes of setting up in the same spots where women solicit, undercover officers made their first arrests. Over four hours, eight men were taken into custody, their vehicles searched and towed. Each faced hefty fines totaling thousands of dollars.

Lt. Jim Draz of the Cook County Sheriffs Police says the message is simple.

"Actions have consequences. If you dont want to get cited, stay away  because were here, and were not going anywhere," Draz said.

Why not arrest pimps?

Residents asked why police werent targeting pimps, too.

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Lt. Draz says those investigations are ongoing, but street-level stings focus on reducing buyers and slowing traffic in the neighborhoods.

Weak laws, strong frustration

Another hurdle: Illinois eliminated felony prostitution charges in 2013 under Public Act 98-538, making the offense a misdemeanor.

Sheriff Tom Dart says that shift has made enforcement more challenging, even as residents beg for relief.

"They told me what was going on and showed me the video, I said, Wow, wow, this is really, really bad," Dart said after meeting with neighbors.

The fight isnt over

What's next

Chicago police continue monitoring hotspots with aerial surveillance, and both CPD and the Cook County Sheriffs Office say more unannounced stings are on the way.

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Residents hope its enough to reclaim their neighborhood, a place they say has been overwhelmed for far too long.

As one neighbor put it: "People here have had enough."

The Source

FOX 32's Tia Ewing reported on this story.
Three teachers drove through a quiet neighborhood in southern San Diego, the sun not yet fully up over the horizon. They drank coffee, talked about their jobs. The start of the school day was still an hour or two away.

Suddenly, mid-conversation, they spotted something: what appeared to be an undercover Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, driving right past them.

To an untrained eye, the unmarked SUV didnt look out of place among the dozens of other cars lining the residential street. But the educators saw what many might miss: the completely tinted windows of the unmarked Dodge Durango (a popular choice for law enforcement), the small strip of lights near the front of the car, the steel prisoner partition faintly visible inside (dividing the front seat from the back). Sure enough, the SUVs driver picked up a handheld radio.

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Watching this, high school teacher Marysol Duran clicked her own walkie talkie to life.

We have identified a potential, she reported to others in her unit, following closely behind. He is on 39th and Gamma. We will keep close watch.

Duran, and other members of her organization, are not just teachers. Theyre also members of the Association of Raza Educators, a group of activists that regularly patrols southern California streets to keep an eye out for ICE. When they spot undercover agents, who may be in the area conducting surveillance or actively planning to arrest or detain someone, they alert the surrounding community: via social media, group chats  and sometimes a giant megaphone.

The fall morning they spotted the Dodge Durango, the teachers were patrolling a several-mile radius near half a dozen local schools. That choice of location was intentional. Only two months earlier, at least four parents were arrested or detained by immigration officials near schools in San Diego county alone. Outside one Chula Vista elementary school, an undocumented mother, who had allegedly overstayed her visa, was arrested during morning drop-offs as her children watched from the car.

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ICEs San Diego field office did not respond to several requests for comment regarding the suspected undercover vehicle or any other San Diego arrests near school sites.

In the US, children have the right to a free public education from kindergarten to 12th grade, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Although immigration officers were previously limited in their ability to make arrests in or near sensitive locations, like schools and churches, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded those Obama and Biden-era guidelines earlier this year. School districts like San Diego unified have passed resolutions that require ICE agents to obtain a warrant before entering school property, but that has not stopped a spate of arrests from happening just off school grounds.

So when the three teachers noticed the potential ICE agent in October, they turned their car around and followed. The Dodge parked and the teachers did, too. Juan Orozco, a high school counselor, watched from the drivers seat. Duran sat next to him, and Aremi Lopez, an elementary school teacher, clutched a megaphone in the backseat.

After a few minutes, the Dodge sped away without warning. The teachers drove after it.

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Buenos dias, companeros, Duran reported in a series of live social media updates. Estamos en la comunidad de Shelltown. Estamos aqui reportando, parte de la Asociacion de Raza Educadores y Union del Barrio, y tenemos movimiento: un Dodge Durango. Gris.

She immediately translated: We are here reporting from Shelltown, San Diego. We have identified a Dodge Durango, grey, that has been surveilling our community.

We live in a state of fear, [whether youre a] citizen or not a citizen: plumber, professional, mother, grandma, everyone Juan Orozco, high school counselor

Fear among students and parents across southern California is at an all-time high, particularly after the supreme court ruled earlier this fall that federal agents can stop and detain residents in Los Angeles simply for speaking Spanish, appearing Latino or working certain types of jobs. Now, there have been instances where students dont come to school because they, or their parents, are scared to leave the house, Orozco said.

We live in a state of fear, [whether youre a] citizen or not a citizen: plumber, professional, mother, grandma, everyone, he said. And we shouldnt live like that.

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But teachers, and a handful of their students, are also quietly and consistently mobilizing in big and small ways: by hosting morning patrols near local schools, organizing know-your-rights seminars, and keeping each other informed about the presence of ICE.

We said: Hell no, we have to resist, Orozco said. We have to stand for dignity and protect this safe place for us: schools.

Theyre coming after all of us

In the small library of a nearby San Diego high school, 14-year-old Azda* sat across from her sister, 19-year-old Guadalupe*. Behind them, many of the books on the shelves and posters on the wall had activist themes; an illustration of Che Guevara peeked out from the top shelf. In the hallway outside the library, a hand-painted banner read education not deportation.

The school is located only a few miles from where the teachers spotted the suspected undercover ICE vehicle just a week before.

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And while Azda just started her freshman year of high school there, and Guadalupe her second year of college nearby, the sisters often have more on their minds than other teenagers might.

Because of where they were born, Azda is a citizen, but Guadalupe is undocumented. Theyve always worried that one day ICE may pick up their mother, who is also undocumented.

I do fear for her, Guadalupe said of her mother. But not only just when shes dropping off her kids at school, its every second of the day.

Growing up, their family had a specific action plan in case of emergency, like other parents in California might prepare for earthquakes or wildfires. But instead, Azda and Guadalupes mother prepared them for ICE. If she was deported, their mother told them, they would need to immediately seek help from their aunt, or close friends who lived nearby. Then, to avoid breaking up the family, all of them would need to flee together back to Mexico.

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Azda and Guadalupe have tried to explain this looming specter of ICE and deportation to their younger siblings, in ways they might be able to understand. When it comes to their little brother, who is four years old, theyve chosen their words carefully.

We have to simplify these big concepts to him, Guadalupe said. We just say, like, Okay, la migra, they do bad things. They take families  se llevan a las mamas [they take mothers].

I fear for my mother not only when shes dropping off her kids at school, its every second of the day Guadalupe*, high school student

The language of ICE protests has even worked its way into the four-year-olds budding vocabulary. Hell sometimes walk around the house, they said, chanting: La migra, la policia, la misma porqueria! [Or: Immigration, police, the same garbage.]

This year, as ICE agents have circled San Diego neighborhoods, businesses and school zones, Azda and Guadalupe have felt perpetually on edge. Everywhere they go, whether to school, or the grocery store, or to hang out with friends, theyve learned to scan for signs of undercover ICE vehicles: Are those overly tinted windows? Does that SUV have a different kind of license plate?

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That sense of unease follows Azda when she goes home, too. As she scrolls through Instagram, reels of dancing and cooking videos bleed into shaky footage of people from around the country being dragged away by ICE. Often, their spouses or children stand off to the side, screaming and crying. But recently, after seeing one of those videos, Azda got angry. She put down her phone and wrote a poem, titled La Migra.

Todo lo que te digan es una mentira. No saben que esta es nuestra tierra tambien? [Or: Everything they tell you is a lie. Dont they know this is our land too?]

Azdas high school, which is uniquely involved in anti-ICE activism and patrolling, has encouraged her burgeoning sense of advocacy. A majority of the schools students, if not all, are undocumented themselves or come from mixed-status families, according to staff members there. Azda has attended meetings about how to patrol around her school for ICE, and has walked around her own neighborhood with her aunt to look for suspicious cars or suspicious people.

She also recognizes that because shes a US citizen, unlike her sister and mother, she has an added layer of security when it comes to protesting or being outspoken about immigration issues.

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I dont feel like I have to do this, I feel like I want to be the one to do it, Azda said. Because if Im not, then who is?

Guadalupe attends monthly Association of Raza Educators meetings, but thinks her school in particular  San Diego City College  could do more than just hosting a few know-your-rights sessions.

Its something that we have to keep actively engaging with. It cant just be a one-time workshop, she said. You cant just do things by yourself. If something happens to you, you need to have this group of people backing you up.

As a kid, Guadalupe sometimes felt a gulf between her and her siblings when it came to their differing legal statuses. Now, though, it feels as if theyre all under threat.

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La migra [immigration] and the state are attacking anyone thats brown. Theyre attacking anyone, even US citizens, she said. So I dont feel that division no more. Its like theyre coming after all of us.

The right to an education

The three educators on the early-morning ICE patrol agreed: students across different age groups, from high schoolers to younger elementary school students, have had similar responses to the immigration crackdown. Fear, they said, is an equalizing force.

Theyre all stressed, scared, Orozco remarked from the drivers seat, before they spotted the undercover ICE vehicle. They dont know what this means.

San Diego has seen far more immigration arrests in 2025 than in years past; three times as many people were arrested by ICE in just the first half of this year compared to all of 2024, NBC reported. More than 50% of the 2025 arrests involved people with no criminal convictions.

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But the immigrant community in San Diego has felt some version of this fear for a long time, Orozco added. Union del Barrio, the southern California-based political organization that founded the Association of Raza Educators, first started conducting community patrols to scan for law enforcement more than three decades ago. And the recent supreme court ruling merely formalized the racial profiling thats been happening behind the scenes for years, he said.

When he was 12 years old, in the early 1980s, Orozco remembers waiting at a bus stop in downtown San Diego. An unmarked white van  with the telltale metal prisoner partition inside  pulled up unexpectedly in front of him. What he believed to be immigration agents got out and threw Orozco, who is an American citizen, in the back.

And I started kicking and screaming, kicking and screaming, he said. Then they pulled off to the side and the two officers said: Say the Pledge of Allegiance. I started saying it and they let me go.

Orozco walked shakily back to the bus. Bystanders were shocked. It looked like a kidnapping, he said.

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On a policy level, there is some hope on the horizon: in late October, the San Diego city council voted to move forward with an ordinance that, once passed, would require federal law enforcement to have a warrant to access any non-public area within city facilities, including places like recreation centers and libraries. The citys ordinance does not apply to schools, which are already covered under the school districts previous resolution.

But the terrifying reality, said San Diego councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who authored the new ordinance, is that areas like streets and sidewalks just outside of schools are considered public spaces, and the ability to legislate federal action in those locations is just incredibly, incredibly limited.

If I could pass a policy that made every school, every street, off limits, I would do everything I could to do that, he said.

As for the outcome of the teacher ICE patrol in October, the three educators eventually lost track of the undercover vehicle they were following. At an intersection, Duran and Orozco looked left to right, and examined the parked cars in driveways for signs of recent movement. But the Dodge was gone.

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Theres the relief that although we did lose [the vehicle], we did at least change their plans, Duran said. And they might not have had the luck to execute whatever they were expecting to.

As the teachers ended their morning patrol and headed back to their original meeting point, the neighborhood began to fill with families. Parents walked hand-in-hand with their children to an elementary school nearby.

You see the beauty of our community, Duran said, watching the scene unfold from the passenger seat. Just doing what any other human being would do in the United States: taking their children to school because they have the right to a free education.

With the patrol over, Duran, Orozco and the other educators and volunteers quickly packed up their gear: their mounted car cameras, their walkie talkies, their megaphones.

It was 7am, and they needed to make their way to their real jobs  the school day was starting soon.

*Editors note: Azda and Guadalupes real names have been changed in this story to protect their identities.
Anthropic has confirmed that a China-based threat actor leveraged its AI model, Claude, to orchestrate a large-scale and highly coordinated cyber-espionage campaign affecting nearly 30 global organisations. This marks one of the first publicly documented cases in which a commercial AI system has been operationalized as a semi-autonomous cyberattack engine, capable of performing complex intrusion tasks with minimal human oversight.

This shift comes amid a rapid surge in global AI adoption, highlighted in extensive usage insights from the Views4You 2025 AI Tools Usage Statistics Report, which outlines how advanced AI systems are becoming increasingly accessible to both legitimate users and malicious actors.

According to Anthropic, the attackers built a specialized automation framework that routed most intrusion tasks through Claude. This system enabled Claude to autonomously handle reconnaissance, code generation, phishing content creation, vulnerability scanning, lateral movement planning, and even partial exploitation sequences.

Human operators oversaw strategy and decision-making, but the majority of the operational pipeline was executed automatically.

Additional insights into how the attackers structured their automated workflows were reported from the Business Insider analysis, noting that the threat actor exploited indirect prompting techniques, effectively guiding Claude to perform harmful tasks without triggering safety barriers or requiring a direct jailbreak.

Security researchers emphasize that this hybrid humanAI attack model dramatically increases both the scale and speed of cyber operations, allowing attackers to run simultaneous campaigns across numerous industries.

The campaign targeted a wide range of high-value organizations, including

global technology companies

leading financial institutions

chemical and industrial manufacturers

government ministries and agencies

strategic infrastructure operations

An overview of the campaigns reach and operational scale is detailed in the Hacker News report, which highlights how AI-powered automation enabled the attackers to broaden their efforts far beyond the capacity of traditional human-driven methods.

Industry analysts note that the selection of targets suggests strategic intelligence gathering rather than financial crime, consistent with state-linked cyber-espionage motivations.

Anthropic described the adversary as highly capable and well-resourced, exhibiting operational patterns similar to long-standing Chinese state-aligned APT groups.

While Anthropic did not publicly identify the specific APT unit, cybersecurity researchers observed that the tactics and objectives align with established Chinese cyber-espionage ecosystems.

Further in-depth analysis of the threat actors methodology, coordination, and infrastructure was discussed from the TechRepublic coverage, which notes that the attackers demonstrated an unusual level of integration between AI automation and human strategic oversight, a capability previously theorised but not widely observed in active campaigns.

This incident is considered a watershed moment for global cybersecurity. AI systems, which have traditionally been used defensively for anomaly detection and threat analysis, are now demonstrably capable of being repurposed to automate and enhance offensive cyber operations.

Researchers warn that the scalability of AI-driven attacks could fundamentally reshape threat landscapes, enabling smaller teams to conduct operations previously requiring large, well-funded technical units.

The increased availability of powerful AI models, as illustrated in adoption trends from the Views4You report, means that similar misuse cases may become more frequent, sophisticated, and harder to detect.

Governments worldwide are calling for stronger guardrails around AI deployment and demanding greater transparency from AI developers regarding safety testing, misuse monitoring, and incident disclosure.

Cybersecurity agencies have issued alerts urging organisations to prepare for a new class of AI-enhanced threats capable of operating at speeds and scales far exceeding traditional attacks.

Private-sector companies are beginning to adopt new detection frameworks designed to identify AI-generated attack patterns, including:

unusually consistent phishing content

high-speed, multi-vector intrusion attempts

automated reconnaissance cycles

model-generated malicious code fingerprints

Broader Implications for Global Cybersecurity

Experts warn that this event represents the beginning of a new era where AI systems are not only assisting human attackers but potentially taking on increasingly autonomous roles.

The fusion of AI automation with human strategic direction could enable stealthier, more persistent, and more scalable threat campaigns, challenging traditional defensive strategies and raising urgent questions about AI governance, ethics, and global security.

Many analysts expect this incident to accelerate discussions on international AI regulation, mandatory model-safety standards, and coordinated threat-intelligence sharing across governments and industries.
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Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS captured by astronomer Gianluca Masi on Nov. 19. | Credit: Gianluca Masi, Virtual Telescope Project

Update for 7 pm ET: NASA revealed new images of comet 3I/ATLAS today as seen from spacecraft across the solar system. Read our wrap story and see the images and video .

A telescope to hunt comets

Celestron Astro Fi 130

If you're hoping to see a comet through a telescope, you may want to consider this Celestron Astro Fi 130mm, which made our list for the top telescopes for viewing comets.

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Astronomer Gianluca Masi captured a spectacular image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Nov. 19, as it raced headlong away from the sun following a close pass of our parent star on Oct. 29, an event known as perihelion.

Comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1 of this year and was quickly confirmed to be only the third interstellar object known to visit our solar system , after the 2017 flyby of bizarre object 1I/'Oumuamua and the more traditionally comet -like arrival of 2I/Borisov in 2019. NASA will release new images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS that were "collected by a number of the agency's missions" during a press conference today (Nov. 19) at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT), which you can watch live here on Space.com , courtesy of NASA.

Masi captured 3I/ATLAS soon after it emerged from behind the glare of the sun in the weeks following perihelion , revealing a bright central nucleus surrounded by the diffuse glow of its gaseous coma. Stunning detail can also be observed in the comet's ion tail, which takes on an almost spectral, gossamer-like appearance as it is caught up and swept away by the stream of charged particles emanating from the sun, known as the solar wind .

A telescope to hunt comets

Celestron Astro Fi 130

If you're hoping to see a comet through a telescope, you may want to consider this Celestron Astro Fi 130mm, which made our list for the top telescopes for viewing comets.

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"For me, it is particularly interesting to see how such an interstellar object evolves," Masi told Space.com in an email. "Knowing it came from so far away adds a very special flavor to the observations."

Masi's image is the result of combining 11 individual 120-second exposures taken with a 10-inch (250 mm) astrograph telescope equipped with a state-of-the-art astronomy camera located at the Virtual Telescope Project' s facility in Manciano, Italy. The observations were made during a free public livestream under good atmospheric conditions as the comet travelled through the stars of the constellation Virgo in the early hours of Nov. 19 (local time).

Editor's Note: If you capture an image of 3II/ATLAS and want to share it with Space.com's readers, then please send your photos and comments along with your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
Federal investigators released a preliminary report on the deadly crash of a UPS cargo plane in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed 14 people earlier in November, revealing that hardware meant to hold one of the plane's engines in place showed signs of fatigue and stress damage.

The report, released Nov. 20 by the National Transportation Safety Board, said investigators "found evidence of fatigue cracks in addition to areas of overstress failure" in the plane's left engine mount.

The report does not say what might have led the engine mount to crack. The hardware last was inspected in October 2021, according to the report. It wasn't due for its next inspection for another 7,000 flights, investigators said.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Nov. 20 released a preliminary report on the crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo jet in Louisville, Kentucky on Nov. 4. Included were a series of dramatic images of the jet bursting into flames on takeoff.

UPS Flight 2976 was taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 4 when it erupted into a ball of fire and crashed into an industrial area beyond the runway.

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The incident, which killed 14 people and injured 23, is the deadliest air disaster in UPS history.

The crash led federal authorities to temporarily ground all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes, as well as nine models similar to the MD-11.

Investigators found that the 34-year-old plane was flown by experienced pilots and had met several inspection requirements. Investigators also noted similarities to a crash in 1979 that killed nearly 300 people after an aircraft's left pylon and engine separated from its wing.

Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 4, 2025 in Louisville, Ky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff with a shelter-in-place order issued for within 5 miles of the airport. Large plumes of smoke filled the sky over Louisville on Nov. 4 after LMPD and multiple agencies reported a plane crash near Fern Valley and Grade Lane. Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 4, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff with a shelter-in-place order issued for within 5 miles of the airport. Large smoke can be seeing covering the sky over Louisville Nov. 4 after LMPD and multiple other agencies report of a plan crash near Fern Valley and Grade Lane. Fully fueled UPS plane crashes shortly after takeoff in Louisville, KY 1 of 4 Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 4, 2025 in Louisville, Ky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff with a shelter-in-place order issued for within 5 miles of the airport.

The NTSB will provide a probable cause and issue safety recommendations in its final report, which could take more than a year to complete, the agency has said.

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"We continue to grieve for the lives lost in the tragic accident involving Flight 2976," UPS said in a statement Nov. 20. "We appreciate the National Transportation Safety Boards prompt release of preliminary findings and will fully support the investigation through its conclusion."

What we now know: NTSB releases preliminary report on the UPS plane crash in Louisville.

UPS crew was experienced with MD-11, report says

Investigators found that the UPS Airlines crew were well experienced with MD-11 planes.

Captain Richard Wartenberg, who was monitoring the flight, was certified to fly an MD-11 and had "accumulated about 8,613 total hours of flight experience as reported to the FAA." Of those hours, 4,918 hours were in an MD-11, the report said.

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First Officer Lee Truitt, the pilot determined to be flying the plane, had nearly 1,000 hours of flight experience in an MD-11, according to the report.

The relief officer, Captain Dana Diamond, was the most experienced pilot in the crew with about 15,250 total hours of flight experience reported to the FAA. Diamond had 8,775 hours in MD-11 planes.

UPS crash shares similarities to 1979 crash in Chicago

Investigators in the report also drew comparisons between the crash in Louisville and the DC-10 crash in Chicago in 1979 that killed nearly 300 people.

The 1979 crash saw the left engine and pylon and part of the "leading edge" of the left wing separate from the airplane and fall to the runway. The plane crashed into an open field.

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An NTSB investigation into the 1979 crash found that human error from maintenance personnel likely contributed to the crash.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Contributing: Olivia Evans and Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Plane in deadly UPS crash had cracks in engine mount, NTSB says
After 43 years, Iowa City's Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican restaurant is closed.

The business at 1406 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City, quietly shuttered on Tuesday, Oct. 28, and signage from the building has been removed.

"Thank you for 43 years of celebration, support, and good memories," reads a sign on the door. "We are still operating at our Cedar Rapids locationWe look forward to still having the opportunity to serve you."

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More: Fieldhouse returns in new spot as owners vow to revive The Union Bar. What to know

The Press-Citizen reached out to the Carlos O'Kelly's corporate contact at its parent company, Thrive Restaurant Group, but the emails bounced back and the phone calls went unanswered.

Thrive Restaurant Group, based in Wichita, Kansas, oversees national brands such as Applebee's, Carlos O'Kelly's, HomeGrown, Modern Market Eatery, and Qdoba.

A sign left on the door of the former Carlos O'Kelly's alerts customers that the location is closed.

Iowa City marks the third Iowa closing of the chain in 2025

The closing of Carlos O'Kelly's in Iowa City is the latest in a series of closings across the state. The Telegraph Herald reported that the Dubuque location of the Tex-Mex restaurant closed June 21 due to the building being sold. The Dubuque staff were reemployed at the neighboring Applebee's.

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The Waterloo Carlos O'Kelly's permanently closed on March 31. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported that the closure was due to rent and maintenance costs.

"When a building gets older, there's a lot of maintenance to get it up to code, and when a lease expires, it becomes more expensive," Thrive Restaurant Group's vice president of marketing, Dave Phillips, told The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

The reasoning for the Iowa City location's closing is unclear, as is whether employees at Carlos O'Kelly's were offered reemployment at nearby Thrive restaurants.

The former Carlos O'Kelly's building, 1406 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, is pictured Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

More: UI's Center for Intellectual Freedom winter summit will focus on 'reforming universities'

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The recent closures mean there are only three Carlos O'Kelly's left in Iowa, two in Linn County and the Cedar Falls location. In 2014, two Des Moines metro locations and an Ames location closed. The Mason City location closed in 2017.

"We've been in Des Moines for 18 years, but those stores aren't viable anymore," Phillips told the Des Moines Register.

Other Thrive Restaurant Group dining spots remain open in Iowa, including 25 Applebee's locations, two HomeGrown locations in the Des Moines metro, and five Qdoba locations.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Carlos O'Kelly's in Iowa City closes suddenly after 43 years
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel plans to seize parts of a major West Bank historic site, according to a government document, and settlers put up a new outpost overnight, even as the country faces pressure to crack down on settler violence in the Palestinian territory.

Israel's Civil Administration announced its intention to expropriate large swaths of Sebastia, a major archaeological site in the West Bank, in the document obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday. Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group, said the site is around 1,800 dunams (450 acres)  Israel's largest seizure of archeologically important land.

The move came as Israeli settlers celebrated the creation of a new, unauthorized settlement near Bethlehem, and a Palestinian lawyer said a West Bank activist has been detained and hospitalized.

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Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch said Israel may have committed war crimes when it forcibly expelled 32,000 Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps this year.

Israel to seize swaths of Sebastia heritage site

The Israeli order released Nov. 12 lists parcels of land it intends to seize in the Sebastia area. Peace Now, which provided the document to AP, said the popular archeological site, where thousands of olive trees grow, belongs to the Palestinians.

The capital of the ancient Israelite kingdom Samaria is thought to be beneath the ruins of Sebastia, and Christians and Muslims believe it's where John the Baptist was buried.

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Israel announced plans to develop the site into a tourist attraction in 2023. Excavations have already begun and the government has allocated more than 30 million shekels ($9.24 million) to develop the site, according to Peace Now and another rights group.

The order gives Palestinians 14 days to object to the declaration.

The largest parcel of historical land previously seized by Israel was 286 dunams (70 acres) in Susya, a village in the south of the West Bank, Peace Now said.

Settlers inaugurate new illegal outpost days after Palestinian attack

Israeli settlers said they established a new unauthorized outpost close to Bethlehem. The chairman of the local Etzion settler council, Yaron Rosenthal, welcomed the settlement as a return to the city of our matriarch Rachel, of King David. Rosenthal said the new community would strengthen the connection" between Etzion and Jerusalem.

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The new outpost could be a response to the latest Palestinian attack on Israelis in the West Bank. It's close to the busy junction where on Tuesday Palestinian attackers stabbed one Israeli to death and wounded three more.

Rosenthal demanded that Israel respond forcefully and better support the settlements.

Terrorism is fueled by the hope of a state, he said, connecting the violence to the Palestinian Authority and a renewed push to advance efforts to secure Palestinian statehood.

Hamas did not claim responsibility for the attack, but in a statement called it a normal response to the occupations attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause, vowing that Israeli aggression wouldnt go unchallenged.

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Hagit Ofran, the director of Peace Nows settlement watch program, said the outpost is on land that used to be an Israeli military base. Photos that settlers shared online show temporary homes at the site and bulldozers at work.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza  areas claimed by the Palestinians for a future state  in the 1967 war. It has settled over 500,000 Jews in the West Bank, largely on unauthorized settlements, in addition to over 200,000 more in contested east Jerusalem.

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 nations police force.

Israel's president and high-ranking military officials have condemned a recent wave of settler violence in the West Bank.

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Palestinian activist is detained and hospitalized

A Palestinian activist who documented settler violence in the West Bank has been detained and hospitalized, his lawyer told the AP Thursday. Riham Nasra said the activist, Ayman Ghrayeb Odeh, was hospitalized after his detention at a military base in the Jordan Valley.

Israeli authorities refuse to reveal where he is, what his condition is or why he has been hospitalized, she said.

Shin Bet, Israel's security agency, confirmed the activist has been detained on incitement charges. Odeh could face indefinite administrative detention, a punishment without charge or a trial based on secret evidence.

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His brother, Bilal Ghrayeb, told AP he spoke briefly with Odeh shortly after his detention while he was visiting a Palestinian family in the Jordan Valley. His brother said the military confiscated Odeh's phone and that he has not heard from him since.

He is an activist who posts photos and writes on social media about what is happening. He is not inciting. He is not hiding anything, nothing is secret. He is only saying and posting what he sees about the lives of people in the Jordan Valley," Ghrayeb said.

Human Rights Watch says Israel committed war crimes in the West Bank

Human Rights Watch said top Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz should be investigated for war crimes. In a report published Thursday, the group said the Israeli military forcibly expelled 32,000 Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps this year.

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Israels military raids on refugee camps in the north of the West Bank in January and February amounted to the largest displacement in the territory since Israel captured it in 1967, Human Rights Watch said.

Israel has said its troops will stay in some camps for a year, and its unclear when, if ever, Palestinians will be able to return. Thousands of displaced Palestinians are living with relatives cramming into rental apartments, or living in public buildings.

Human Rights Watch said it analyzed satellite images and concluded that more than 850 homes and buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged. The Israeli military has said it was attacking militant infrastructure and clearing space for troop movement.

Israel said the Operation Iron Wall raids were necessary to stamp out militancy in the West Bank after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war in Gaza. It said Thursday that troops dismantled explosive labs and exchanged fire with militants during the raids. It said in a statement that militant attacks have since decreased by 70% in the West Bank, but provided no evidence.

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Human Rights Watch said Israeli authorities didnt explain why they had to remove everyone from the camps nor why they havent been allowed to return. The report said the military shot at residents who attempted to reenter the camps, and that it has not provided shelter or humanitarian assistance to the displaced.

With global attention focused on Gaza, Israeli forces have carried out war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank that should be investigated and prosecuted, said Nadia Hardman, senior refugee and migrant rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The report was based on interviews with 31 Palestinians displaced from Tulkarem, Nur Shams and Jenin refugee camps.

The camps resemble dense, urban slums and are home to millions of Palestinians. Human Rights Watch said it analyzed satellite imagery of the camps and found more than 850 homes and buildings have been destroyed or heavily damaged.

The Israeli military has told the AP that some of the damage was to strike militant infrastructure, while some was to clear space for easier troop movement around the camps.
According to the police and Shin Bet, the suspect was aware he was operating under the direction of Iranian agents and that his actions could harm state security.

A joint Israel Police and Shin Bet operation led to the October 2025 arrest of a 21-year-old resident of Beersheba for actions related to working with Iranian agents, the agencies announced on Thursday in a joint statement.

Rafael Rueveni, 21, was arrested following an investigation that revealed that the suspect was in touch with Iranian agents in recent weeks and had even carried out various security-related missions at their instruction. According to the statement, the suspect was aware he was operating under the direction of Iranian agents and that his actions could harm state security.

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Among the actions he took were taking photos in his city, Beersheba, allegedly retrieving a SIM card from a designated spot, and leaving a phone and a pack of cigarettes for the agents he was working with.

Further investigation revealed that his recruitment required verifying that a gun was in a specific hiding spot, and later moving it at the request of his handlers.

A billboard of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is displayed on a building in a street in Tehran, Iran, August 12, 2024 (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

Beersheba resident arrested for spying for Iran

He received financial compensation virtually, the statement said.

His indictment was filed on Thursday in the Beersheba District Court.

This case is yet another in a growing list of recent incidents demonstrating repeated attempts by terror groups to recruit citizens of Israel to carry out security-harming tasks against the state.
This comes after the IDF targeted a senior Hamas terrorist in a strike on a building in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Thursday heavily condemned recent Israeli strikes on Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip, with Doha stating such strikes "threaten to undermine the ceasefire."

In a statement, Qatar's Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned" the attacks, which have resulted in martyrs and injuries, and considers them a dangerous escalation that threatens to undermine the ceasefire agreement in the Strip."

Furthermore, Qatar reaffirmed its "firm and unwavering position in supporting the Palestinian cause," stressing the need for international efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

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On Wednesday, the IDF targeted a senior Hamas terrorist in a strike on a building in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City. The military said that prior to the strikes, several terrorists opened fire in the area where IDF soldiers are operating in Khan Yunis. The IDF then struck Hamas terror targets across the Strip in response.

Palestinians walk among piles of rubble and damaged buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the northern Gaza Strip November 19, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)

Riyadh's condemnation of Israel's strikes also included a denunciation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to southern Syria on Wednesday, along with top government and defense officials such as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Middle Eastern nations slam Netanyahu's visit to Syrian buffer zone

According to Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu violated Syria's sovereignty via the "deliberate incursion by the prime minister...and a number of his government officials into the broader area south of Syria."

On Wednesday, Netanyahu's visit also prompted the condemnation of Damascus's Foreign Ministry, which said it considered the prime minister's visit "a serious violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

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Syria also reiterated its demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from areas it called the occupied Syrian territories.

In recent weeks, the IDF has reported multiple cases of terrorists approaching positions beyond the Yellow Line and being targeted.

The IDF had killed several terrorists earlier who were identified crossing into IDF-controlled northern Gaza, who, according to the military, posed a threat to troops.

The military has repeatedly emphasized that the ceasefire does not prevent action against imminent threats to soldiers or Israeli civilians.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
Avoiding the endless multi-front low-level conflict could be a strategy for setting Israels house in order.

Israel continues to face multi-front threats even though there is a ceasefire in Gaza and also in Lebanon. Reports indicate that both Hamas and Hezbollah refuse to concede and give up or disarm.

This means that both groups will be a challenge in the future. In addition, the Houthis in Yemen have not been weakened very much. Iran, which suffered setbacks in the 12-day war earlier this year, is also hinting that it is rebuilding its arsenal.

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This means that any dreams Israel has had of what Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once referred to as total or complete victory are still a distant goal. It may be a goal that is not attainable because of the complex challenges Israel faces.

Why Israel will not have a full victory in Gaza

For instance, Hamas was allowed to put down roots in Gaza over the last several decades. Israels current leadership has opposed having the Palestinian Authority control Gaza. This has resulted in the Palestinian areas being divided and cementing Hamass rule. No alternative to Hamas rule has been put forward.

During the two years of war against Hamas, the policy was to evacuate civilians from many areas of Gaza and concentrate them in areas run by Hamas, essentially keeping Hamas in power.

The result of the Gaza war has therefore been to keep Hamas in power and return Israel to the years before October 7, when the policy was to manage the conflict or mow the grass. It is unclear if the US-backed ceasefire and UN resolution can lead to the disarmament of Hamas. While Israeli officials have said Hamas can be disarmed, they have not explained how this will happen.

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In Lebanon, a similar problem exists. Hezbollah was dealt major setbacks in the conflict last year. This was especially true from September to November 2024, when the IDF launched increased operations against the group, eliminating key commanders and weapons stockpiles.

However, Hezbollah is not completely de-fanged. As with Hamas, history shows that both groups have a habit of coming back.

Israel's policy on Damascus

Now Israel faces an unwelcome prospect of having to manage the conflict in Lebanon and Gaza, while also dealing with daily challenges in the West Bank. Another new emerging challenge is the issue of arms smuggling from Egypt and other borders.

Israels Prime Minister led a large number of officials to the Syrian border this week. He said that holding on to the buffer zone, which Israel seized on December 8, 2024, is very important. This has set up Israel for a course of rising tensions with Damascus.

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Some Israeli politicians refer to the leadership in Damascus as jihadists. However, the US and most of its allies in the region back the new government in Syria. Rather than Israel trying to make new friends, the policy since December 2024 has been to try to make relations cold or even sabotage the new government in Syria. This isolates Israel instead of leading to more agreements with neighbors.

From the standpoint of Israels leadership and many of its commanders, the decisions to continue this policy of managing conflicts in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria via the use of precision airstrikes or threats to return to fighting are seen as a way to keep enemies weak and off-balance, so as not to have another October 7.

However, there is a saying that armies tend to prepare for the last war. An October 7-type attack is unlikely today on any border or in the West Bank. The next threat may be different. Therefore, the policy of continued airstrikes and threatening to return to fighting to ostensibly prevent a new October 7 may be a sunk cost of diminishing returns for Israel.

The question then becomes how Israel might extricate itself from the endless multi-front conflict zone. Some would argue Israel has always had to face this challenge, going back to 1948. In fact, there is a book titled Israels Border Wars, 1949-1956. One could argue that Jerusalem is merely going back to the 1950s tactic.

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On the other hand, there might be a strategy that could change Israels position rather than leave the next generation with more endless wars. Reports indicate that some 80,000 Israelis left the country last year, and that around 50,000 Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men continue to avoid army service.

As such, there is a growing trend of reservists and their families leaving, while those who dont serve are growing in number. Israels education ministry reportedly will increase yeshiva stipends for foreign students, essentially bringing in more people who dont serve.

At the same time, another report said the IDF will need about 60,000 reservists to serve for months in the army next year due to potential conflicts on multiple fronts. Is this model sustainable, when one segment of society is asked to serve more, another is rewarded for not serving, and those who do serve are increasingly choosing to leave?

The crisis is not upon Israel yet, but it is slowly growing. Avoiding the endless multi-front low-level conflict could be a strategy for setting Israels house in order. The other option, of more managed conflicts, may not be good in the long term.
NEW YORK  NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has accepted an offer from Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to remain New York Citys top cop under his administration  a move that comes despite sharp differences in their outlooks on public safety.

In a Wednesday email to NYPD officers announcing she will stay on, Tisch hinted at those political differences. But she wrote she ultimately agreed to remain in the job following several conversations with Mamdani, a democratic socialist whos being sworn in as mayor Jan. 1.

Do the mayor-elect and I agree on everything? No, we dont. But in speaking with him, its clear that we share broad and crucial priorities: The importance of public safety, the need to continue driving down crime and the need to maintain stability and order across the department, she wrote to cops in the email, a copy of which was obtained by the Daily News. We also agree that you deserve the citys respect and support.

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While she didnt elaborate on the nature of their disagreements, she wrote she appreciates Mamdani wants a team with different points of view  a team where ideas and policies are debated on their merits.

In those discussions, you can trust that I will be a fierce advocate for you and for this department. You know how I operate: I dont mince words, her message said. When I say something, I mean it. And that is not going to change.

Mamdani has pledged to keep the NYPDs headcount flat, abolish the departments controversial Strategic Response Group and get rid of its gang database  all proposals opposed by Tisch, who supports calls to hire more cops. Though Tisch hasnt said what she thinks of the idea, Mamdani has also vowed to as mayor launch the Department of Community Safety, a $1 billion agency that would absorb some responsibilities currently handled by cops, such as mental health calls.

In another source of potential friction, Tisch, whos Jewish, has been a staunch defender of Israel, whereas Mamdani is deeply critical of the countrys war in Gaza. Tischs family members also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on election-related efforts aimed at defeating Mamdani, whos set to become the citys first Muslim mayor.

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The two of us will not shy away from the fact that we hold disagreements on certain issues  but I also believe that these disagremeents are not only reconcilable, but they are the sign of a healthy partnership to come, Mamdani said in an interview after his transition team officially announced the Tisch news.

When asked by The News whether hed fire Tisch if she refuses to act on some of his campaign pledges, such as disbanding the Strategic Response Group, Mamdani reaffirmed he intends to make good on his promises and added: I am looking to build a team around me that I am trusting to do their jobs, Im not hiring or retaining individuals so that I can do their jobs for them, and I will also be the mayor of this city, I will be the person who is ultimately responsible, accountable and in charge.

Years before his mayoral campaign, Mamdani posted messages on social media in 2020 calling for the need to defund and dismantle the NYPD. In one particularly incendiary post from 2020, Mamdani called the NYPD anti-queer, racist and a danger to public safety.

Since launching his mayoral run, Mamdani has apologized for those remarks and promised to keep NYPD funding at current levels. Still, some Mamdani critics have seized on his past rhetoric about police.

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After Wednesdays announcement, the NYPDs rank-and-file unions were highly supportive of the news.

We are very glad to hear that there will be stability and continuity in the NYPDs leadership going forward, Police Benevolent Association President Pat Hendry, whose union represents the departments patrol cops, said in a statement. Commissioner Tisch understands all of the many challenges police officers face on the streets and has been working productively with us to address them.

In a press conference later in the day, Hendry told reporters he agrees with Tischs assessment that the NYPD needs to hire more cops and said their salaries should be jacked up, too  priorities Mamdani does not share.

We need more police officers on this department, and you need to treat us and pay us like professionals, Hendry said.

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Detectives Endowment Association President Scott Munro echoed that sentiment. She will continue to do a great job as long as she has the tools the mayor gives her  more people in the investigative track, more detectives, more resources and training, he said in a phone interview. Shes worked with us very well, recognizing that detectives are deserving of her support.

By contrast, left-wing Mamdani supporters were not pleased by the announcement.

Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdanis appointment of Jessica Tisch as police commissioner is a rebuff of his promises to New Yorkers and a disturbing endorsement of NYPDs ongoing violence and corruption, Loyda Colon, executive director of the police reform-focused Justice Committee, said in a statement, citing, among other issues, Tischs record on blocking certain Civilian Complaint Review Board disciplinary cases against cops accused of misconduct.

Its common practice for incoming mayors to handpick a new NYPD commissioner aligned with their priorities and vision. It has been at least six decades since a New York City mayor retained a police commissioner from the previous administration.

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Before saying he wished to keep Tisch, Mamdani was considering some NYPD veterans with more police reform experience for the commissioner post, including Rodney Harrison and Isa Abbassi, as previously reported by The News.

After Wednesdays announcement, Mamdani and Tisch appeared together at the Police Memorial in downtown Manhattan, where they met with some patrol cops.

Tischs decision to stay on comes just under a year after she was sworn in as the citys 48th police commissioner and amid widespread speculation about her staying on under Mamdanis leadership.

Mamdani had repeatedly said both during the campaign and after his election win that he wanted to keep Tisch at the helm of the Police Department.

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But Tisch declined to say for weeks whether she would accept the offer. In his interview with The News, Mamdani said she first confirmed to him this past weekend she wanted to stay on.

Tisch, 44, has been lauded for leading the NYPD as the city has seen a sharp reduction in crime as well as the lowest number of shootings since the computer statistics-driven policing era began in 1994.

Her precision policing model of sending cops to communities in the city where the most violence occurs has delivered record-low shooting incidents and victims over the last nine months, and the safest quarter ever on our subways, she said in October. This is not a coincidence  its the result of an unprecedented, data-driven deployment of thousands of officers to the areas they are needed most.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, an ex-NYPD captain who dumped his reelection bid this fall amid fallout from his corruption indictment, appointed Tisch to the top cop job in November 2024 during a period of tumult in the Police Department.

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One of Adams previous police commissioners, Edward Caban, resigned months earlier after the feds confiscated his electronics as part of a sweeping corruption investigation. Then Cabans successor, Interim NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon, was himself raided by the FBI as part of a separate probe, prompting him to leave the department too.

After taking over the reins at 1 Police Plaza, Tisch has dealt with more corruption fallout. NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, a close Adams ally, resigned in December 2024 after it emerged the feds are investigating him over allegations he traded sex with a subordinate for overtime pay.

Mamdani praised Tisch for cleaning up the department in a statement Wednesday morning.

I have admired her work cracking down on corruption in the upper echelons of the Police Department, driving down crime in New York City, and standing up for New Yorkers in the face of authoritarianism, he said.

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Adams, who is in Uzbekistan this week on a taxpayer-funded trip, argued Mamdanis decision to retain Tisch validates his administrations public safety policies.

Mayor-elect Mamdani is recognizing our public safety efforts were right and that they will continue into the future, Adams said in a statement.

We all want a safer city, and keeping Commissioner Tisch in place and supporting our police officers every day with the policies we have implemented is exactly how we do that.

Adams first police commissioner, Keechant Sewell, the first female top cop in city history, resigned in June 2023, with police sources saying she had grown tired of interference from the mayor and his team.

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Tisch was no stranger to the nations largest police force when she took the job  she has worked in the past as a civilian NYPD employee, first as a counterterrorism analyst, then later as deputy commissioner of information technology. Prior to being elevated to the police commissioner job, she was the head of the Sanitation Department.

In contrast to Tisch, FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker, also an Adams appointee, announced earlier this month he was resigning, a move sources said was in part driven by ideological differences with Mamdani.

_____

(With Sheetal Banchariya)

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Jim Jordan has such chutzpah

Tuesday, I caught a little of the House of Representatives bloviating and obfuscating prior to the Epstein vote (I was doing something more important while I listened, honest).

I was most entertained by our very own Rep. Jim Jordan. First off, his sleeves were rolled down, and he was wearing a jacket!

Such formality.

More: Watch Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan's speech before the release of the Epstein files

But what was most entertaining was listening to him rail against protectors of abusers of children and innocents. How honorable.

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Such self-awareness. Such chutzpah.

If you dont understand, just Google Jim Jordan OSU wrestling.

Vernon Will, Worthington

Cowtown redo

Re "I-270 south in Hilliard moo-ving again after police wrangle roaming cow," Nov. 17: It's official! Our city nickname  CBus, Arch City, Boomtown  nope, none listed here.

Give up? We have made it full circle, returning to a nickname that originated in the early 1900s: Cowtown!

Yeee haaaa! Round 'em up, Buckeyes!

Miles C. Larrick, Dublin

Redirect your anger

Ohios urban public schools are under attack.

Columbus City Schools must cut $50 million from its budget due to inadequate state funding. Class sizes will rise, essential programs may vanish and dedicated teachers will face impossible choices. This is the real cost of the states neglect.

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Meanwhile, Ohio finds hundreds of millions for other priorities. Charter and religious schools have received over $100 million. Corporations like Intel are offered incentives, even as their plans shrink. New stadiums rise, while classrooms crumble. Urban students are clearly not the priority.

This is more than a budget issue; it is a moral failure.

School boards are forced to make heartbreaking decisions yet often receive the blame. Teachers are laid off, programs are cut and children are denied the resources they need, all because Governor Mike DeWine and the state legislature have chosen other priorities.

It is time for Ohio taxpayers to redirect their anger. Our students deserve better: fully funded classrooms, qualified teachers and programs that prepare them for success.

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The time to act is now.

Kevin S. Hairston, Columbus

Voter fraud isn't the problem

Ohio Republicans are not interested in election integrity or election fraud. As much as the Ohio GOP and Secretary of State Frank LaRose claim to find so much fraud, they haven't.

For context, LaRose's office found 167 examples of non-citizens voting in the last four federal elections. Ohioans cast 27.5 million ballots in that time.

Last year, LaRose referred over 600 cases of alleged voter fraud to the AG's office. Only 138 were for illegal voting; the rest were about paperwork issues. And of that, a grand total of SIX people were indicted.Voter fraud is not a problem in Ohio. Gerrymandered maps are a problem in Ohio. A political party dedicated to election integrity would pass fair maps and make sure voting is as easy as possible.

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Votes are our voice in government, and the Ohio GOP is trying to silence them. Remember this is 2026.

Dennis Drew, Columbus

ICE isn't serious. Trust me.

Another American city has federal officers targeting illegal immigrants as a way to "secure our borders." This time its Charlotte, North Carolina, a real head-scratcher, since it only ranks 20th in the number of illegal immigrants in a major metro area, according to a U.S. News and World Report article.

Its becoming increasingly apparent that these ICE raids have less to do with rounding up illegal immigrants and more to do with punishing cities in blue states or with Democratic administrations.

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If the president and ICE were serious about getting the most illegal immigrants, they would certainly have targeted major southern cities like Houston, Dallas, Miami or Atlanta (third, fourth, fifth and eighth in the percentage of illegal immigrant residents, respectively).

But wait, those are cities in red states! Wouldnt want to harm their economies or disrupt their businesses, would we?

Actually, if the president and ICE were REALLY serious about stopping illegal immigration, they would rock employers who hire illegals with hefty fines. As long as there is employment for them, immigrants will continue to leave their poor countries and try to get into the U.S.

As it now stands, all ICE is doing is pushing illegal residents further into the shadows and allowing U.S. employers to ratchet down whatever meager pay they were offering.

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Thats an ineffective and cynical method to stem illegal immigration, but it sure smells like a good strategy to help Republican businesses in southern states.

Robert Thorn, Gahanna

Trump isn't fooling me

Re "Will Ohio Republicans vote to release Epstein files," Nov. 17: While it may appear President Donald Trump suddenly decided to support the release of the Epstein files, it was not after months of dodging the issue.

In fact, Trump had tried everything to prevent the records release  downplaying their significance, labeling the issue a Democrat hoax, personally calling House Republicans and reportedly directing his attorney general and FBI director to meet in the White House Situation Room with a congressperson to influence her vote.

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He changed his position only after these tactics failed and it became obvious the House would pass the bill to release the records.

But that isnt the whole story. Senator Jon Husteds position as reported in the article may reveal the new Trump strategy.

Husted states that he supports the release so long as it protects victims and doesnt jeopardize future prosecutions. Interestingly, just last week Trump directed his attorney general to investigate prominent Democrats (no Republicans, of course) whose names have been connected to Epstein. And the attorney general quickly announced she was undertaking a criminal investigation.

Next, we will no doubt hear that release of any Epstein files would jeopardize the prosecutions of those pedophiles. Problem solved.

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Stephen Gladstone, Cleveland

Trump broke the post office for a reason

The GOP should deal with fixing things that are broken. During his last administration, President Donald Trump managed to mess up the postal service, which affected delivery of mail. No doubt he will do it again.

Absentee ballots are often used by folks that are disabled, live in rural areas or have limited transportation issues. He is obviously on a path to restrict as much of the voting as he can, and by doing so, eliminate the votes of those who might oppose him.We will remember the actions of the GOP politicians at mid-terms, both federal and state.

Sharon Kimmy, Akron

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jim Jordan self-awareness flew out window during Epstein rant | Letters
President Donald Trump's deployment of thousands of National Guard troops in the US capital is unlawful, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

District Court Judge Jia Cobb ordered an end to the deployment but stayed her order for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to file an appeal.

The Republican president has sent National Guard troops to Democratic-run Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis to combat crime and help enforce his crackdown on undocumented migrants.

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Federal judges have temporarily blocked the deployment of troops in two other Democratic-controlled cities -- Chicago and Portland -- and the Supreme Court is expected to deliver the final word soon on whether the actions are lawful.

Trump ordered more than 2,000 National Guard to patrol Washington on August 11, claiming the city was a "filthy and crime ridden embarrassment."

Brian Schwalb, attorney general for the US capital, filed a lawsuit in September seeking to end the deployment of the National Guard in the city.

"Deploying the National Guard to engage in law enforcement is not only unnecessary and unwanted, but it is also dangerous and harmful to the District and its residents," Schwalb said.

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Cobb, in her opinion, said the Trump administration had "acted contrary to law" by deploying the National Guard for "for non-military, crime-deterrence missions in the absence of a request from the city's civil authorities."

The judge, an appointee of Democratic president Joe Biden, also said the administration had overstepped its authority by bringing National Guard troops from out-of-state to patrol the capital.

Trump's extraordinary domestic use of the National Guard was also challenged by California earlier this year after the president sent troops to Los Angeles to quell protests sparked by the rounding up of undocumented migrants.

A district court judge ruled it unlawful but an appeals court panel allowed the Los Angeles deployment to proceed.

Trump has denied charges he is strictly targeting cities run by his political opponents for his anti-crime campaign and immigration crackdown.

cl/aha
Software Combined, the international aggregator of B2B technology companies, is continuing its rapid expansion in the Benelux market. Today, the company announced the strategic acquisition of WCC Group, the Dutch pioneer in intelligent workforce matching software. This marks Software Combineds third Dutch acquisition in just four months and its thirteenth acquisition globally since its founding in 2020.

WCC Group has been an innovator in the technology sector for nearly three decades. The company supplies matching software to public employment services (PES) globally, including Bundesagentur fur Arbeit (Germany), Perkeso (Malaysia's Social Security Organisation), and France Travail (France). WCC Group's technology is also used by staffing agencies, such as Robert Half, and large enterprises.

WCC Group joins Software Combined's growing European portfolio, following the recent successful acquisition of Unified Streaming in October. After a nine-year period of significant growth under the private equity firm Avedon Capital Partners, WCC Group has deliberately chosen Software Combined's sustainable "permanent capital" model. "The transaction also marks the successful completion of a nine-year partnership between Avedon Capital Partners and WCC Group."

"We are excited to join the Software Combined family," said Jan Jensen, CEO of WCC Group. "What attracts us to Software Combined is their long-term commitment and their proven track record in supporting businesses like ours. They are not a traditional investor; they are building a permanent home for companies that have found their niche and want to grow sustainably. We look forward to leveraging Software Combined's global presence to expand our reach, while maintaining the quality and innovation our customers expect from us."

"Since our investment in WCC, we have supported the company in its transformation into a globally recognised provider of matching software with societal impact," said Alfred Tulp, Partner at Avedon Capital Partners. Together, we supported WCC in strengthening its international position, expanding its product offering, and developing innovative solutions that help public institutions worldwide improve their services. We look back with pride on our shared journey and are confident that WCC will successfully continue its next phase of growth under Software Combined."

Strategic Focus on the Benelux market

The acquisition strengthens Software Combined's strategic focus on the Benelux market.. The company is dedicated to building a portfolio of successful, niche B2B software companies and providing them with a "permanent home" for sustainable growth. Its Amsterdam office serves as the European hub, supporting growing activities in the Benelux.

"WCC Group represents the type of company we look for: an enterprise with deep expertise, strong customer relationships, and a leading position in a niche market," said Evert den Hollander, CEO of Software Combined. "WCC Group has secured a leading position in delivering intelligent workforce matching solutions. Their cloud-based products help organisations on multiple continents transform the way they connect people with employment opportunities. Our approach is to preserve their unique culture and identity while providing the resources to accelerate their growth."

About Software Combined

Software Combined is an international group that invests in successful B2B tech companies with a long-term vision. The company, originally Australian, was founded by three Dutch entrepreneurs (Niek Hoogenhout, Evert den Hollander, and Stefan Jansen) and manages its European operations from Amsterdam.

Software Combined's approach differs fundamentally from that of traditional investors. Preserving culture and autonomy is central: acquired companies retain their own brand, management team, and daily operational independence.

Software Combined acts as a strategic partner, providing resources that support sustainable growth. These resources include capital for growth, shared expertise in international expansion, refining go-to-market strategies, and professionalising processes.

This "buy-and-hold" strategy allows companies to focus on long-term value creation without the pressure of a forced exit. Software Combined is building a community of like-minded tech companies that want to grow.

About Avedon Capital Partners

Avedon Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm with offices in Amsterdam and Dusseldorf. Avedon supports growth companies in the Benelux and DACH regions and works closely with entrepreneurial management teams to accelerate organic growth, international expansion, and buy-and-build strategies. The investments are focused on four core sectors: business services, software & technology, smart industry, and consumer & health.

About WCC Group

Since its founding in 1996, WCC Group has been a pioneer for nearly three decades, providing intelligent workforce solutions that fundamentally transform the way organisations connect people and jobs. From its headquarters in Utrecht (Netherlands) and a strategic office in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), WCC Group serves public employment services, staffing agencies, and large enterprises globally.

The company offers two solutions: Employment Solutions supports public employment services and staffing agencies in matching candidates with jobs or training, while its HR Solutions simplify talent retention and internal talent management for large enterprises to reduce external recruitment and onboarding costs.

At the core of these solutions is the cloud-native ELISE Search & Match Platform, delivering meaningful, ranked results within a second. WCC Group's software impacts half a billion people daily and powers large-scale labor market initiatives worldwide, including MyFutureJobs in Malaysia (300,000+ job seekers, 30,000+ employers) and the recruitment activities of Robert Half in the United States, where it has established the company's reputation for innovation and efficiency.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to end its monthslong deployment of National Guard troops to help police the nations capital.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb concluded that President Donald Trumps military takeover in Washington, D.C., illegally intrudes on local officials authority to direct law enforcement in the district. She put her order on hold for 21 days to allow for an appeal, however.

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to challenge the Guard deployments. He asked the judge to bar the White House from deploying Guard troops without the mayors consent while the lawsuit plays out.

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Dozens of states took sides in Schwalbs lawsuit, with their support falling along party lines.

Cobb found that while the president does have authority to protect federal functioning and property, he can't unilaterally deploy the D.C. National Guard to help with crime control as he sees fit or call in troops from other states.

After her ruling, Schwalb called for troops to be sent home. Normalizing the use of military troops for domestic law enforcement sets a dangerous precedent, where the President can disregard states independence and deploy troops wherever and whenever he wants  with no check on his military power, Schwalb said.

The White House, though, stood by the deployment.

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President Trump is well within his lawful authority to deploy the National Guard in Washington, D.C., to protect federal assets and assist law enforcement with specific tasks," said spokeswoman Abigail Jackson. "This lawsuit is nothing more than another attempt  at the detriment of DC residents  to undermine the Presidents highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC.

In August, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington. Within a month, more than 2,300 National Guard troops from eight states and the district were patrolling the city under the command of the Secretary of the Army. Trump also deployed hundreds of federal agents to assist in patrols.

The administration has also deployed Guard troops to Los Angeles and tried to send troops into Chicago and Portland, Oregon, prompting other court challenges. A federal appeals court allowed the Los Angeles deployment, and the administration is appealing a judges decision in Portland that found the president did not have the authority to call up or deploy National Guard troops there.

The Supreme Court is weighing the administrations emergency appeal to be allowed to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area in support of an immigration crackdown. A lower court has indefinitely prevented the deployment.

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In Washington, Its unclear how long the deployments will last, but attorneys from Schwalbs office said Guard troops are likely to remain in the city through at least next summer.

Our constitutional democracy will never be the same if these occupations are permitted to stand, they wrote.

Government lawyers have said Congress empowered the president to control the D.C. National Guards operation. There is no sensible reason for an injunction unwinding this arrangement now, particularly since the Districts claims have no merit, Justice Department attorneys wrote.

The Trump administration has deputized the Guard troops in Washington to serve as special U.S. Marshal Service deputies. Schwalbs office said out-of-state troops are impermissibly operating as a federal military police force in D.C., inflaming tensions with residents and diverting local police resources.

Every day that this lawless incursion continues, the District suffers harm to its sovereign authority to conduct local law enforcement as it chooses, his offices attorneys wrote.
A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Trump's months-long deployment of thousands of National Guard forces to the streets of Washington, D.C., violates federal law.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb sided with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who sued the federal government over the Guard deployment, arguing it exceeded the president's legal authority. But the judge stayed her ruling for 21 days to give the Trump administration a chance to appeal it.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson blasted the ruling, arguing that Mr. Trump has the authority to deploy Guard troops in the nation's capital. Jackson called Schwalb's lawsuit "nothing more than another attempt  at the detriment of DC residents  to undermine the President's highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC."

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In his own statement following the ruling, Schwalb said, "Normalizing the use of military troops for domestic law enforcement sets a dangerous precedent, where the President can disregard states' independence and deploy troops wherever and whenever he wants  with no check on his military power. This unprecedented federal overreach is not normal, or legal. It is long past time to let the National Guard go home  to their everyday lives, their regular jobs, their families, and their children."

Mr. Trump first ordered National Guard forces to D.C. in August, part of a broader crackdown on crime using a combination of Guard troops, federal law enforcement agents and local D.C. police who were briefly taken over by the federal government.

Since then, Guard forces have been a common sight on the streets of the capital, especially in tourist-heavy areas, drawing pushback from some local officials. The deployment has been extended multiple times, and is currently set to run until at least February 2026.

The president deployed the D.C. National Guard using his authority as commander in chief of the district's Guard forces  a unique arrangement as state-level Guard forces are usually controlled by governors. Several GOP-led states have also sent their own Guard troops to the city.

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In Thursday's ruling, Cobb said the president lacked the power to deploy the D.C. Guard for "non-military, crime-deterrence missions in the absence of a request from the city's civil authorities." She said that, even though the president is the force's commander in chief, he doesn't have unlimited power to deploy the Guard as he sees fit.

The federal government has argued the deployment is justified by a clause in D.C. local law that says the Guard's commanding general "may order out any portion of the National Guard for such drills, inspections, parades, escort, or other duties"  with the current deployment falling under the category of "other duties." Cobb disputed that interpretation, writing that "other duties" appears to only cover military exercises.

The Trump administration has also pointed to a local law that says the Guard can "aid the civil authorities in the execution of the laws." But Cobb said that doesn't allow the government to "unilaterally call upon the DCNG to assist the District with crime control," without a request from local officials.

Separately, Cobb said federal law "cannot support the out-of-state National Guards' operations in the District because there is no state-law basis for those Guards to travel to the District."

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Mr. Trump has dispatched National Guard forces to several other cities in recent months, often to protect federal agents and property during immigration crackdowns  drawing local pushback and mixed results in court.

Members of the California National Guard were deployed to Los Angeles over the summer, despite opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom. And hundreds of out-of-state National Guard forces were later sent to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, though many of those troops are set to return home, a Defense Department official confirmed to CBS News last weekend.

The Trump administration has argued the deployments were justified because of tense protests against immigration agents, pointing to Title 10, a law that allows the Guard to be used when "there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States." Local officials have said the deployments are unnecessary and inappropriate, arguing that local police can handle the protests themselves.

A panel of appeals court judges allowed Mr. Trump's Los Angeles deployment to go forward over the summer, following a lawsuit from Newsom, but a judge later found the troops had illegally engaged in civilian law enforcement. In Chicago and Portland, judges blocked Guard forces from being deployed onto the streets, leaving them in a holding pattern for weeks.

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Teen's death on cruise ship could lead to criminal case against family member

Sneak peek: Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead?

Massie on FBI, DOJ leaders being criminally liable if Trump doesn't release all Epstein files
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department is examining the handling of the mortgage fraud investigation into Sen. Adam Schiff, including the potential involvement of people who claimed to be acting at the behest or direction of two Trump administration officials who have been pushing the probe of the California Democrat, according to a document reviewed by The Associated Press.

Federal authorities involved in the Schiff investigation in Maryland interviewed a Republican congressional candidate on Thursday who has promoted the mortgage fraud allegations against the lawmaker and quizzed her about any communications she may have had with Justice Department official Ed Martin and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte. The interview came after the woman received a subpoena seeking information about communications she may have had with people claiming to be working at the direction of Pulte and Martin.

Christine Bish, a real estate agent who is running for a congressional seat in California, told the AP that she was prepared to speak to investigators about her own yearslong effort to draw attention to mortgages held by Schiff, who has homes in California and Maryland. But authorities instead were focused on potential interactions she has had with Pulte and Martin, Bish said.

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I expected to be asked questions, a lot of questions, about, How did you come about investigating Adam Schiff and what were your findings? Bish said. What they wanted to know was if I was in communication with Ed Martin or Director Pulte  and I was not.

Bish said she kept trying to return to the Schiff allegations, but that the officials are trying to, in my opinion, investigate the investigators.

Trump allies attack his political foes

The revelation that authorities are turning their attention to the handling of the Schiff investigation is likely to bring fresh scrutiny to the already criticized push by Pulte and Martin to investigate Trump political foes for mortgage fraud.

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Their effort has been plagued by missteps, including overhyped allegations that were easily refuted, as well as the revelation that ethics officials at the agency Pulte leads were investigating whether he and his allies had improperly accessed mortgage data for those he has accused of fraud.

In recent months, Bish had been contacted by multiple times by Robert Bowes, who worked in the first Trump administration and purported to work for Pulte, according to a person familiar with the conversations who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to concern about retribution.

Bowes, who is listed on the subpoena, asked Bish to investigate the mortgages of multiple people, the person said. On one occasion, Bowes asked Bish to serve as a source to a national news outlet he claimed was working on a negative story about mortgages held by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the person said.

Bowes did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

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Pulte did not respond to a message seeking comment. A message seeking comment was also left with a spokesperson for Martin. The Justice Department declined to comment.

In August, the department named Martin as a special prosecutor to help conduct investigations into Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Prosecutors have separately issued subpoenas as part of a mortgage fraud investigation into Lisa Cook, the Federal Reserve governor whom Trump has sought to fire. Last week, Pulte also referred Rep Eric. Swalwell, a California Democrat, to the Justice Department for investigation.

All four deny the allegations.

The investigation into Schiff is being conducted by prosecutors in Maryland, though the status of the inquiry is unclear. The investigation into James resulted in criminal charges last month in Virginia. She has pleaded not guilty and, in a filing this week, her lawyers decried what they said was outrageous government conduct" that resulted in her indictment.

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Bish told the AP that she previously submitted her work on Schiff to congressional ethics officials, but that nothing came of it. After Pulte put out a call for mortgage fraud tips, she resubmitted her research to the agency he leads as well as the FBI. Pulte called her and left a message asking for more information, she said, but Bish said she has never had a conversation with him.

The subpoena Bish received seeks any communications she may have had with Pulte or any persons claiming to be working at his behest, including anyone claiming to be Pultes chief of staff. It also seeks information about communications with anyone claiming to be working for or at the direction of the Justice Department or anyone claiming to be acting at the direction or request of Martin.

Martin, who also serves as director of the Justice Departments Weaponization Working Group, was tapped to help with the mortgage fraud investigations after his nomination to become Washington, D.C.s top federal prosecutor was pulled over bipartisan concerns about his modest legal experience, divisive politics and support for Jan. 6 rioters.

Spotlight on Bill Pulte

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Since his arrival in Trumps Washington, Pulte has drawn a spotlight to the normally staid Federal Housing Finance Agency he oversees. The 37-year-old scion of a home construction fortune has sought to ingratiate himself with Trump by publicly attacking some of the presidents longtime political antagonists.

But in recent weeks, he's had a series of high-profile blunders.

Earlier this month, he persuaded Trump about the allure of a 50-year mortgage as a way to increase home buying and building, a proposal that was widely criticized because it would drastically increase the overall price of a loan.

Pulte, who appointed himself chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has also rattled the housing industry by purging ethics officials and top leaders of the two government-sponsored lending giants, which hold trillions of dollars in assets.

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Some of those who have been fired were investigating whether Pulte and his allies used non-public mortgage data as the basis for his criminal referrals against Schiff and others. Other top executives at Fannie Mae were forced out last month after they voiced alarm that a Pulte confidant, acting on his behalf, had shared confidential pricing data with Freddie Mac, a top competitor.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi this week, Abbe Lowell, an attorney for James and Cook, suggested Pulte was perhaps the one who should be investigated.

These improprieties by Director Pulte may be grounds for your agency or others in the government to review his conduct, Lowell wrote. I am pointing them out because they undercut his criminal referrals."
The justice department is investigating how two Trump allies handled the investigation into whether California senator, Adam Schiff, committed mortgage fraud, according to a copy of a subpoena obtained by the Guardian and a person familiar with the matter.

The office of the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, is overseeing the inquiry, which appears to have developed as an offshoot of the main case into Schiff  a notable development since the justice department is essentially investigating activities of two close allies of the president.

A federal grand jury in Maryland, where prosecutors are investigating the mortgage allegations against Schiff, issued the subpoena to Christine Bish, an associate of the federal housing finance agency (FHFA) chief, Bill Pulte, and a Republican congressional candidate in California.

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The subpoena asked Bish, who previously filed an ethics complaint against Schiff accusing him of mortgage fraud, to provide her communications with Pulte, people claiming to work on his behalf, and people claiming to work on behalf of Ed Martin, the head of the justice departments weaponization committee. The subpoena also asks for communications with Robert Bowes and Scott Strauss.

Bish told CNN that when she went before the grand jury, prosecutors seemed more concerned about looking into whether there was conspiracy or collusion between me and Pulte or me and Ed Martin.

ABC News reported that Bowes  who claims to be a financial fraud expert  reached out to Bish and spoke to her without knowledge of Maryland prosecutors or FBI agents. Strauss also reached out to her and asked that she send documents about Schiff to a private email, ABC reported.

Both Pulte and Martin are strongly aligned with Trump and have helped him deploy the levers of the federal government to punish political enemies, including Schiff and the New York attorney general, Letitia James.

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According to MS NOW, the investigation is examining whether Pulte and Martin improperly assigned unauthorized people to help investigate mortgage fraud claims against Schiff and possibly James.

Blanche and the attorney general, Pam Bondi, have shown some resistance to the mortgage fraud prosecutions. Earlier this year, they tried to protect Erik Siebert, the top federal prosecutor in Virginia, from being fired after he resisted efforts to charge James. They were unsuccessful. Siebert resigned, and Trump installed Lindsey Halligan, who moved ahead with charges against James and former FBI director James Comey.

The inquiry may be a pre-emptive effort by the justice department to get ahead of expected defenses from Schiff in the event he is indicted. But if misconduct is discovered on the part of Pulte or Martin, it could doom the case. The case against Schiff has stalled as prosecutors have failed to produce adequate evidence, NBC reported last month.

A lawyer for Schiff did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the justice department declined to comment.

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Pulte has criminally referred Schiff, James, Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook and California congressman Eric Swalwell to the justice department for alleged mortgage fraud. All deny wrongdoing.

Pultes tactics have repeatedly come under scrutiny. He has bypassed the FHFAs inspector general, the office usually responsible for handling mortgage fraud accusations. And last week, the Wall Street Journal reported he removed ethics officials who were looking into whether FHFA officials had improperly accessed Jamess mortgage information.
Nov. 19Mayor Mark Johnson came down hard Monday on public criticism of the city's proclamation encouraging residents and visitors to donate or volunteer to their local food banks.

Council authorized the proclamation on Nov. 17. Following its approval, Johnson acknowledged an emailed public comment asking City Hall to tone down its support for charity, arguing that the proclamation pushes taxpayers to spend even more on services despite already paying so much in taxes.

"I will never discourage the public from contributing to charities that deliver services to different parts of the community. Be [it] the unsheltered, the unclothed, the unfed, people with disabilities," Johnson said. "I will never stop advocating for people to be charitable with their money, their time and their talent to try to make a community a better place."

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Johnson also said that charities handle finances and deliver services more effectively than government programs.

The proclamation initially only recognized the Kalispell-based Flathead Food Bank but was amended to include other independent food banks in the valley at the request of Linda Erickson, co-founder of the Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down & Food Pantry who spoke during the meeting's public comment period.

The decree follows a period of uncertainty around the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the government's record-long shutdown that ended Nov. 12. Food banks around the valley stocked up in preparation for heightened demand as funding for the program was expected to lapse at the beginning of the month.

Mandy Gerth, director of development at North Valley Foodbank in Whitefish, originally requested that the city issue a proclamation during a Nov. 10 Council meeting. Whitefish issued a similar one earlier this month in support of a Whitefish-based food bank, and Gerth asked that Kalispell follow suit in supporting its local food bank.

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COUNCIL ALSO waived the requirement for city managers to live within city limits. The body had informally agreed to scrap the requirement during a September work session.

Councilor Ryan Hunter reiterated his past support for the residency requirement but said he understood that special circumstances may preclude a prospective city manager from finding housing in the city.

Councilor Sid Daoud echoed Hunter's support for the requirement and suggested giving the incoming city manager a certain amount of time to find housing within Kalispell.

The decision to do away with the requirement comes as Council searches for a successor to Doug Rusell, who left the city manager position in late August. GMP consultants was hired that same month to spearhead the recruitment process and Development Services Director Jarod Nygren has taken over as interim city manager in the meantime.

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Council also voted to transfer an acre of city property near Kalispell Legends Stadium to Kalispell Public School District 5.

The district has used the property as a ballfield for decades, and transferring the property would not affect municipal operations, according to Nygren.

A revisionary agreement will be executed to ensure that the land is transferred back to the city if used for anything other than school purposes.

Council also voted to hire Insituform Technologies to rehabilitate 7,650 feet of existing sewer main.

Several areas in the city's sewer collection system have root intrusion and infiltration issues, according to a memo from Deputy Public Works Director Keith Haskins.

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The price tag comes in at $776,128. Fiscal year 2026 sewer funds were allocated to support the project along with grant funding from the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act authorized in 2023 by the state Legislature.

Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].
For the first time since losing the 2024 presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to the campaign trail on Tuesday, this time in a surprise appearance with Democratic congressional candidate Aftyn Behn.

Fox News confirmed that Harris headlined a canvassing kickoff event for the Tennessee state representative after visiting Fisk University, a historically Black college, and before hosting a book tour event for her memoir "107 Days" at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tuesday's canvass kickoff marked the first time Harris has campaigned for a candidate since losing the White House to President Donald Trump a year ago, and her appearance comes as Democrats are energized from their gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey earlier this month. While a Democrat hasn't won in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in decades, Democrats have been all in for the ruby-red district.

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"Kamala Harris mustve fallen out of the coconut tree if she thinks the AOC of Tennessee stands a chance. This is Trump country and Republicans will win Dec. 2," Republican National Committee spokeswoman Delanie Bomar told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Scoop: Trump-aligned Maga Inc. Jumps Into High Stakes Ballot Box Congressional Showdown

Former Vice President Kamala Harris attends a Yes on Proposition 50 rally at the Los Angeles Convention Center Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

The former vice president told the crowd at Nashville's Hadley Park, "Why am I in Tennessee? Because I know the power is in the South," according to The New York Times.

Read On The Fox News App

The outlet noted that Harris did not mention Behn by name but urged the crowd to get out the vote.

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Harris first returned to the campaign trail earlier this month for a rally supporting her home state's redistricting efforts. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a special election this year to level the playing field against Trump-backed efforts to redraw congressional maps in Texas and across the U.S. ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. "Prop 50" passed on Election Day, handing Democrats up to five more likely blue congressional districts.

Democrat Aftyn Behn Advances To Special Election In Battle For Vacant Congressional Seat In Deep-red District

Former Democratic National Committee vice chair and progressive firebrand David Hogg also campaigned in Nashville last weekend for Behn, the rising liberal star dubbed the "AOC of Tennessee."

U.S. 7th Congressional District candidate Aftyn Behn speaks during a political forum Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Dickson, Tennessee.

"Hey, young Democrats, I am incredibly excited to be here supporting Aftyn in her run for Congress," Hogg said in an Instagram video while flanked by two young Democrats. "This seat is super, super youth-centric. If young people turn out and vote here, we can flip this seat and send a clear message to Donald Trump and Republicans across the country that we are done with their bulls--- and the rest of the country is."

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On Saturday, Hogg joined Behn in Nashville for a "Young Gets It Done" rally and canvass launch at the Metro Courthouse Public Square, encouraging young voters to get out and support Behn.

According to her campaign website, Behn is a "p---ed off social worker" who decided to run for Congress after Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this year  a megabill that included tax cuts and Medicaid reform.

Behn described the bill as "a giveaway to the wealthy that codified the largest transfer of wealth from working people to the rich in American history."

She is a state representative in the Tennessee House and a longtime community organizer and activist. Like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the fellow millennial is active on social media. She also authors a Substack page that is linked to the "Issues" tab on her campaign website.

Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tenn, (right) endorsed Matt Van Epps to represent Tennessee's seventh congressional district.

DNC Chair Ken Martin also campaigned in Tennessee for Behn last week as early voting kicked off across the state, highlighting her agenda to lower "healthcare and grocery costs, vote to release the Epstein files, and stand up to Trump and his acolytes like Van Epps."

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Behn is vying to replace former Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., in Congress. A Democrat hasn't been elected to represent Tennessee's 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives in decades.

Republican Matt Van Epps , a former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services who has worked for several state agencies, defeated an 11-candidate field to secure the Republican nomination last month.

While Behn has the support of both the Democratic establishment and its progressive wing, Van Epps has secured endorsements from President Donald Trump, Republican Gov. Bill Lee and Green, who retired from Congress after the "big, beautiful bill" passed this year.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris released a book, "107 Days," on Sept. 23, 2025, recounting her time on the unprecedented 2024 campaign trail after then-President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

Trump held a tele-rally for Van Epps last week in the district the president won by roughly 22 points last year. Tennessees 7th District includes parts of Nashville and its large suburban and rural surrounding areas.

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The top outside political group that supported Trump's successful 2024 run, MAGA Inc., also launched ads to support Van Epps on Wednesday, Fox News Digital was the first to report.

The ads, which MAGA Inc. says will run on broadcast TV and digital and are backed by a seven-figure buy that also includes investments in get-out-the-vote efforts, are the first by the group since last year's presidential election.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

Meanwhile, the RNC has staff on the ground in Tennessee and is making a six-figure investment into the race, according to a spokesperson.

Fox News Digital reached out to Harris' office for a response to the RNC's comment but did not immediately hear back.

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Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Fox News' Patrick Ward contributed to this report.





Original article source: Kamala Harris returns to campaign trail in Trump country to back AOC of Tennessee
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican candidate for governor, commits to an agreement with Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to exchange information on voter registrations in an attempt to identify people who might be registered in both states. In this image from May 21, 2025, Schwab participates in an interview in Topeka. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The Republican secretaries of state for Kansas and Missouri signed a memorandum of understanding to exchange voter registration information in a bid to identify people who failed to cancel registrations after moving from one state to the other.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins said the partnership would enhance voter roll maintenance by securely sharing personal details on 1.87 million registered voters in Kansas and 4.13 million registered voters in Missouri.

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Two organizations dedicated to advancing voter rights expressed skepticism the two-state agreement would do much to strengthen election security.

Neither secretary of state offered an estimate of the number of people in Kansas and Missouri who might have active registrations in a state where they used to reside.

We can reduce duplicate registrations, created when residents move across the state line, by updating voter registration records timely and as allowed by law, said Schwab, a candidate for the 2026 GOP nomination for governor in Kansas.

Hoskins said Missouri engaged in rigorous voter registration maintenance in accordance with state and federal law, but the deal allows us to improve accuracy even further.

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He said the risk of duplicate registrations was real because thousands of Missourians and Kansans relocated each year across the state line in Kansas City metropolitan counties.

This partnership is good government, plain and simple, Hoskins said. When voters move, their information should follow them and our local election officials deserve every available tool to keep the rolls clean, current and transparent.

Esmie Tseng, spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said the organizations concerns with the Missouri-Kansas arrangement were comparable to those shared in September when Schwab announced a voter registration collaboration between Kansas and Texas. She said both states must carefully guard personal information, and the states ought to proceed with the understanding that databases could be flawed.

It should not be used as a way of simply scaring people about election integrity, Tseng said.

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Some states  but not Kansas  striving to upgrade election security in the past decade turned to the Electronic Registration Information Center. ERIC an organization of member states worked to collate motor vehicle department data, Social Security Administration death reports, address information from the U.S. Postal Service and state voter registration records to search for possible illegal voting.

Schwabs predecessors as Kansas secretary of state operated the now-defunct Crosscheck program that promised to improve accuracy of state voter registration rolls. A lawsuit was filed challenging Crosschecks security shortcomings and a high rate of false positives. Settlement of the lawsuit in 2019 led to shelving of Crosscheck.

Given the history of voter data mismanagement and its negative impact on Kansans, our big question is: How is this better than ERIC and different from Crosscheck? said Melissa Stiehler, advocacy director for Loud Light, a Kansas organization focused on civil and voting rights.

Whitney Tempel, director of communications for Schwab, said all data sharing relevant to maintaining accurate voter rolls would be conducted in accordance with mandates of state or federal law.

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She said the Kansas agreements with Missouri and Texas were part of a trend in which states proactively sought to update voter rolls through direct cooperation with other states.

This is part of a national surge in one-to-one state agreements as opposed to multistate groups, Tempel said. This is one more tool for voter roll maintenance.

Hoskins, the Missouri secretary of state, said Kansas and Missouri were part of a growing trend among states that voluntarily partnered on data-sharing projects to streamline work on election security.

In early 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice requested states turn over voter registration lists as part of a national inquiry into potential voter fraud. The Justice Department said the goal was to guarantee compliance with federal laws. DOJ subsequently revealed information was shared with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for inclusion in the Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, database.

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On Tuesday, election officials in 10 states sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and DOJ asking for clarification of statements about uses for voter registration data by the administration of President Donald Trump. DOJ filed lawsuits against eight states for declining to comply with demands for information, which included drivers license numbers and partial Social Security numbers.

In response, the Kansas secretary of state praised the federal SAVE database. Schwab committed to providing DOJ with publicly available voter information.
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, while serving as a Republican state senator during the 2021 legislative session (Missouri Senate Communications).

TOPEKA, Kansas  The Republican secretaries of state for Kansas and Missouri have signed a memorandum of understanding to exchange voter registration information in a bid to identify people who failed to cancel registrations after moving from one state to the other.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins said the partnership would enhance voter roll maintenance by securely sharing personal details on 1.87 million registered voters in Kansas and 4.13 million registered voters in Missouri.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Two organizations dedicated to advancing voter rights expressed skepticism the two-state agreement would do much to strengthen election security.

Neither secretary of state offered an estimate of the number of people in Kansas and Missouri who might have active registrations in a state where they used to reside.

We can reduce duplicate registrations, created when residents move across the state line, by updating voter registration records timely and as allowed by law, said Schwab, a candidate for the 2026 GOP nomination for governor in Kansas.

Hoskins said Missouri engaged in rigorous voter registration maintenance in accordance with state and federal law, but the deal allows us to improve accuracy even further.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said the risk of duplicate registrations was real because thousands of Missourians and Kansans relocated each year across the state line in Kansas City metropolitan counties.

This partnership is good government, plain and simple, Hoskins said. When voters move, their information should follow them and our local election officials deserve every available tool to keep the rolls clean, current and transparent.

Esmie Tseng, spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said the organizations concerns with the Missouri-Kansas arrangement were comparable to those shared in September when Schwab announced a voter registration collaboration between Kansas and Texas. She said both states must carefully guard personal information, and the states ought to proceed with the understanding that databases could be flawed.

It should not be used as a way of simply scaring people about election integrity, Tseng said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some states  but not Kansas  striving to upgrade election security in the past decade turned to the Electronic Registration Information Center. ERIC an organization of member states worked to collate motor vehicle department data, Social Security Administration death reports, address information from the U.S. Postal Service and state voter registration records to search for possible illegal voting.

Schwabs predecessors as Kansas secretary of state operated the now-defunct Crosscheck program that promised to improve accuracy of state voter registration rolls. A lawsuit was filed challenging Crosschecks security shortcomings and a high rate of false positives. Settlement of the lawsuit in 2019 led to shelving of Crosscheck.

Given the history of voter data mismanagement and its negative impact on Kansans, our big question is: How is this better than ERIC and different from Crosscheck? said Melissa Stiehler, advocacy director for Loud Light, a Kansas organization focused on civil and voting rights.

Whitney Tempel, director of communications for Schwab, said all data sharing relevant to maintaining accurate voter rolls would be conducted in accordance with mandates of state or federal law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said the Kansas agreements with Missouri and Texas were part of a trend in which states proactively sought to update voter rolls through direct cooperation with other states.

This is part of a national surge in one-to-one state agreements as opposed to multistate groups, Tempel said. This is one more tool for voter roll maintenance.

Hoskins, the Missouri secretary of state, said Kansas and Missouri were part of a growing trend among states that voluntarily partnered on data-sharing projects to streamline work on election security.

In early 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice requested states turn over voter registration lists as part of a national inquiry into potential voter fraud. The Justice Department said the goal was to guarantee compliance with federal laws. DOJ subsequently revealed information was shared with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for inclusion in the Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, database.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Tuesday, election officials in 10 states sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and DOJ asking for clarification of statements about uses for voter registration data by the administration of President Donald Trump. DOJ filed lawsuits against eight states for declining to comply with demands for information, which included drivers license numbers and partial Social Security numbers.

In response, the Kansas secretary of state praised the federal SAVE database. Schwab committed to providing DOJ with publicly available voter information.

This story originally appeared in Kansas Reflector, a States Newsroom affiliate.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the U.S. is not participating in G20 talks in South Africa after she saw the countrys president running his mouth a little bit.

The remarks came as Leavitt was asked about a recent piece in the New York Times, which reported that the U.S. was sending South African ambassador Marc Dillard to the country this weekend, a 180-degree turn from the original Trump administration tactic of boycotting the event.

In addition, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during a Thursday press conference, We have received notice from the United States, a notice which we are still in discussions with them over about a change of mind, about participating in one shape, form or other in the summit  In a way we see this as a positive sign, very positive, because as Ive often said, boycott politics never work.

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In the briefing room Thursday, Leavitt denied a shift in the policy toward the South Africa-hosted G20, and called out Ramaphosa for falsely claiming the U.S. was to participate, adding, I saw the South African president running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the United States earlier today and that language is not appreciated by the president or his team.

A senior Trump administration official told The Times that America will only be taking part in the event this weekend on a purely ceremonial basis.

Leavitt also said that Dillard would only attend to recognize that the U.S. will be hosting the next G20 in December 2026.

Read the exchange here:

REPORTER: Two questions for you. The New York Times reporting that the administration is now sending a U.S. Official to the G20. Theyre sending Marc Dillard. Can you confirm if that is true and also explain the shift and- KAROLINE LEAVITT: Id be happy to explain because there is not a shift. The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African president running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the United States earlier today and that language is not appreciated by the president or his team. The ambassador, or the representative of the embassy in South Africa is there to recognize that the United States will be the host of the G20. They are receiving that send-off at the end of the event. Theyre not there to participate in official talks despite what the South African president is falsely claiming.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Karoline Leavitt Says US Not Participating in G-20 Talks After She Saw South African Prez Running His Mouth first appeared on Mediaite.
The Utah Air National Guard demonstrated new capabilities that expand the KC-135 aerial refueling tankers ability to also act as an airborne communications and data-sharing node during major exercises in the Pacific earlier this year. Additional datalinks and other systems were packed into heavily modified underwing Multipoint Refueling System (MPRS) pods normally used to send gas to receivers via the probe-and-drogue method. More network connectivity for the U.S. Air Forces KC-135s, as well as its KC-46s, opens the door to a host of new operational possibilities for those aircraft, including when it comes to controlling drones in flight.

At least one KC-135 from the Utah Air National Guards 151st Wing flew with the podded networking suites during this years Resolute Force Pacific 25 (REFORPAC 25) exercise. REFORPAC 25 was one of a series of large force exercises that saw thousands of personnel operate from dozens of locations spread across thousands of miles of the Pacific this past summer. The Air Force has touted the overarching Department-Level Exercise series as having been an extremely important opportunity to explore how it might operate in a future high-end fight in the region, such as one against China. Evaluating new capabilities, as well as tactics, techniques, and procedures, was a central aspect of REFORPAC 25 and the rest of the DLE events.

A view of one of the repurposed Multipoint Refueling System (MPRS) pods under the wing of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135. MSgt Nicholas Perez/Utah Air National Guard

US Air Force personnel work on a standard MPRS pod under the wing of a KC-135 tanker. USAF

REFORPAC 25, part of the Department of the Air Forces broader Department-Level Exercise series, tasked units across the Indo-Pacific to rapidly disperse, operate, and integrate across thousands of miles, according to a release today from the 151st Wing. The exercise offered an ideal environment to push new technologies under real-world stressors and demonstrate how rapid modernization strengthens Americas ability to respond in the Pacific.

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151st Wing partnered with the Air National Guard-Air Force Reserve Command Test Centers (AATC) KC-135 Test Detachment for this particular demonstration.

A stock picture of a KC-135 tanker assigned to the 151st Wing. Master Sgt. Nicholas Perez/Utah Air National Guard

AATC evaluated the Datalink EnhancementMinimum Viable Product (DE-MVP), a capability designed to fuse data from three Line-of-Sight (LOS) Tactical Data Link networks and multiple Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) connections, the release continues. Using Advanced Intelligent Gateway technology aboard the KC-135, the system connected joint and coalition mission partners in real time, tightening decision timelines and extending sensing and targeting information across the battlespace.

The capability reduces traditional decision-making cycles from hours to minutes. While conventional intelligence processes often follow a 72-hour battle rhythm from collection to action, the KC-135 platform demonstrated the ability to condense that cycle to near-real time, enabling rapid repositioning and mission execution across contested environments, it adds. Enhanced systems provide real-time situational awareness through moving map displays while sharing that information across both LOS and BLOS [line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight] pathways with national, joint, and coalition partners. This shift enables tanker crews to make timely, independent tactical decisions in contested and degraded environments, turning a traditionally support-focused aircraft into an active node in the command-and-control ecosystem.

It is important to note here that the 151st Wing, in cooperation with the AATC, has been at the very forefront of Air Force efforts to advance new communications and data-sharing capabilities for the KC-135, specifically, for some time now. The development of podded systems similar, if not identical to the ones demonstrated at REFORPAC 25, traces back at least to 2021, and builds on years of work before then on roll-on/roll-off packages designed to be installed in the aircrafts cargo deck.

The Roll-On Beyond Line-of-Sight Enhancement (ROBE) package seen here is among the add-on communications and data-sharing capabilities that has been available for use on the KC-135, as well as other aircraft, for years now already. USAF

A self-contained podded system offers a different degree of flexibility when it comes to loading and unloading from aircraft, as required. A KC-135 can only carry one pod under each wing at a time, so being able to readily swap out ones filled with communications gear for standard MRPS types between missions would be very valuable. Leveraging the established MRPS pod design, which the KC-135 is already cleared to carry, also helps significantly reduce costs and overall time required for integration and flight testing.

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Officials at Air Mobility Command (AMC), the active duty Air Force command that oversees the majority of the services aerial refueling tankers, as well as cargo aircraft, have also been outspoken for years now about the importance of new networking capabilities. This is seen as particularly critical for ensuring the continued relevance of existing non-stealth tanker fleets, especially when it comes to the aging KC-135s, in the face of a threat ecosystem that only continues to expand in scale and scope. The Air Force does have plans to significantly evolve its tanker force, including the possible acquisition of new stealthy tankers, but many of those prospective developments are not expected to enter real operational service until sometime well into the next decade at the earliest. Right around the end of last year, the Air Force put out a report that notably highlighted concerns about anti-air missiles with ranges of up to 1,000 miles entering service with potential adversaries by 2050.

So as the potential adversary has increased in [sic] threat systems, one of our big priorities is being able to mitigate those threats. And so theres a couple of steps to it, I would say, Air Force Gen. John Lamontagne, head of AMC, told TWZ and other outlets at a roundtable on the sidelines of the Air & Space Forces Associations 2025 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in September. The first step is being able to sense and make sense of the environment. If you cant make sense of the threat environment, you [sic] got no chance. Thats what were trying to do on connectivity.

Air Force Gen. John Lamontagne, head of AMC, speaks at the Air & Space Forces Associations 2025 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference. Chad Trujillo/USAF

At the same time, AMC sees increased networking capabilities as enabling a path to new operational opportunities well beyond just greater survivability for individual aircraft.

What Im striving for is this connectivity that allows me and our [tanker and airlift] crews to know where the priority is, where the risk is, where the opportunity is, so that we can make best use of the force that we have, now-retired Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, then-head of Air Mobility Command (AMC), also told TWZ and other outlets at a roundtable on the sidelines of the Air & Space Forces Associations annual Warfare Symposium in February 2024. When we have the connectivity, we are a game changer for the entire joint force. So its not just about situational awareness for my crews. Its about how we enable the joint force to be more successful through that connectivity. It has high correlation to my survivability. But it also has an enormous correlation to the success of the joint force.

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Tanker crews being able to control various tiers of drones, including ones launched in mid-air from their aircraft, is one particularly notable element of this future vision. Those drones could help provide further situational awareness, or even a more active defense against incoming threats, as well as perform other missions, as you can read more about here. A Utah Air National Guard KC-135 demonstrated just this kind of capability in a previous test also involving a Kratos Unmanned Tactical Aerial Platform-22, or UTAP-22, also known as the Mako, a low-cost loyal wingman-type drone, back in 2021.

A UTAP-22 drone like the one used in the 2021 teaming test with the Utah Air National Guard KC-135. Kratos

The pods line-of-sight links could even be used to control future stealthy collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) type drones and/or send and receive data from stealthy crewed aircraft, like F-22 and F-35 fighters and the future B-21 Raider bombers. Beyond the immediate value of that information exchange for tankers, including when it comes to survivability, this could open up additional possibilities for data fusion and rebroadcasting. If the pods can communicate with the low probability of interception/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD) datalinks that stealthy aircraft use, such as the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Intra-Fighter Data Link (IFDL), and more general-purpose ones, they could turn tankers into invaluable translator nodes between various waveforms. Basically, they could allow aircraft with disparate datalink architectures to share data with each other, with the KC-135 acting as a forward fusion and rebroadcasting gateway. The tankers could also use their beyond-line-of-sight links to share critical information globally in near real time. The fact that they would already be operating forward in their tanker role means they can provide these added services alongside their primary refueling mission.

The 151st Wing and AATC are also looking toward additional podded capabilities for the KC-135.

At Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City, AATC is also developing the High Value Airborne Asset (HVAA) Pod, aimed at providing self-protection capabilities to the KC-135 when operating in high-threat areas, according to todays release. The pod represents a significant leap from simple awareness to survivability, ensuring tankers can continue enabling operations even in environments where threat envelopes are expanding.

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The release does not elaborate on the expected capabilities of the HVAA pod, or whether it will also make use of repurposed MPRS pods. The Air Force has talked in the past about turning MPRS pods into modular shells that could accommodate a variety of communication, defensive, and sensor technologies.

The pods being developed now for the KC-135 could easily make their way onto other aircraft, including the Air Forces KC-46s, as well as other types. For reference, as of September, the Air Force, including the Air National Guard, had some 370 KC-135s and 96 KC-46s in inventory, in total.

There is some precedent for this already with the U.S. Navys development of pods containing towed decoys to help protect its P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes from growing threats. Prototypes of those pods notably used an outer shell that was based on the shape of the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.

A prototype self-protection pod seen loaded on a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane in 2021. USN A prototype electronic warfare pod loaded onto a P-8A back in 2021. USN

At least for the Air Forces KC-135 fleet, new pods filled with communications and data-sharing systems have now been demonstrated and could be set to see more widespread use soon. Other pods, including ones offering additional layers of defensive capabilities, are also on the horizon.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Azul says that as part of the transaction, its existing investors Vitruvian Partners and Lead Edge Capital will be reinvesting significant new capital and will retain minority stakes alongside Azuls employees.

Azul provides industry-leading Java runtime solutions that deliver superior performance, security, and cost efficiency for enterprise applications. Its products  Platform Core, Platform Prime, the companys high-performance Java platform, and Intelligence Cloud  help organisations run Java workloads faster, safer and more economically across hybrid and cloud environments, notes Azul.

Azuls growing customer base includes 36% of the Fortune 100 and the worlds ten largest banks, as well as many other highly regarded global businesses. This strategic investment from Thoma Bravo, will support Azuls continued growth to meet the rising demand for high-performance Java platforms, scale its engineering efforts, accelerate innovation in runtime performance, observability and security tooling, and expand its reach in global enterprise and cloud markets.

Were thrilled to welcome Thoma Bravo at this exciting time for our company and the Java ecosystem, said Scott Sellers, co-founder and CEO of Azul. Thoma Bravo brings the scale, resources, and expertise that align seamlessly with Azuls vision and aspirations, strengthening our confidence in the significant growth opportunities ahead. We are grateful for their investment as well as for the continued backing from Vitruvian and Lead Edge. Together, well accelerate our global growth, advance innovation across our platforms and deliver even greater value to our customers.

As enterprises move away from legacy Java offerings and face rising cloud infrastructure costs, demand for Azuls enterprise-ready, scalable, secure and cost-efficient Java solutions has never been stronger, said Adam Solomon, a partner at Thoma Bravo.

Azuls superior technology foundation and talented and established team position the company for accelerated growth at this dynamic time in the Java market. We are excited to support Azul as they build on their impressive history of growth and leadership, added Chandler Gay, a vice president at Thoma Bravo.

Were very proud of the partnership we have formed with the Azul executive team to help deliver strong and consistent global growth over the past five years and are delighted to continue supporting Azul in its next chapter, said Sophie Bower-Straziota, partner at Vitruvian Partners. We are excited to welcome Thoma Bravo as Azuls new majority owner and to deepen our commitment as Azul builds on its track record of exceptional results and success and pursues the significant opportunities ahead.

Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal advisor and William Blair is serving as financial advisor to Thoma Bravo. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor and Guggenheim Securities, LLC is serving as financial advisor to Azul. Debt financing for the transaction is being provided by funds affiliated with Ares Management LLC.

About Azul Systems

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Azul provides the Java platform for the modern cloud enterprise. Azul is the only company 100% focused on Java. Millions of Java developers, hundreds of millions of devices and the worlds most highly regarded businesses trust Azul to power their applications with exceptional capabilities, performance, security, value, and success. Azul customers include 36% of the Fortune 100, 50% of Forbes top 10 Worlds Most Valuable Brands,10 of the worlds top 10 banks and leading brands like Avaya, Bazaarvoice, BMW, Deutsche Telekom, LG, Mastercard, Mizuho, Priceline, Salesforce, Software AG, and Workday.. Learn more at azul.com and follow us @azulsystems.

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software-focused investors in the world, with over US$181 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025. Through its private equity and credit strategies, the firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging Thoma Bravo's deep sector knowledge and strategic and operational expertise, the firm collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices and drive growth initiatives. Over the past 20+ years, the firm has acquired or invested in approximately 555 companies representing approximately US$285 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). The firm has offices in Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit Thoma Bravo's website at thomabravo.com.
NEW YORK (AP)  The clock is ticking for the U.S. government to open up its files on Jeffrey Epstein.

After months of rancor and recriminations, Congress has passed and President Donald Trump has signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to give the public everything it has on Epstein  and it has to be done before Christmas.

But even that might not be enough for the curious and the conspiracy-minded.

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While theres sure to be never-before-seen material in the thousands of pages likely to be released, a lot of Epstein-related records have already been made public, including by Congress and through litigation.

And dont expect a client list of famous men who cavorted with Epstein. Though such a list has long been rumored, the Justice Department said in July that it doesnt exist.

Heres a look at whats expected to be made public, what isnt, and a refresher on how we got to this point:

Who is Jeffrey Epstein?

Epstein was a millionaire money manager known for socializing with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the academic elite who was accused of sexually abusing underage girls.

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His relationships with powerful men, including Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, have been the subject of endless fascination and speculation. Neither Trump nor Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing. Andrew has denied abusing anyone.

Police in Palm Beach, Florida, began investigating Epstein in 2005 after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. The FBI then joined the investigation, but Epstein made a secret deal with the U.S. attorney in Florida to avoid federal charges, enabling him to plead guilty in 2008 to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program.

In 2019, during Trumps first term, Manhattan federal prosecutors revived the case and charged Epstein with sex trafficking, alleging he sexually abused dozens of girls. He killed himself in jail a month after his arrest.

In 2021, a federal jury in Manhattan convicted Epsteins longtime confidante and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking for helping recruit some of his underage victims. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

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Whats in the Justice Departments Epstein files?

Records related to the aborted Florida investigation, the Manhattan investigations, and anything else the Justice Department did to examine Epstein's dealings in the time in between.

They could include notes and reports written by FBI agents; transcripts of witness interviews, photographs, videos and other evidence; Epsteins autopsy report; and some material that may already be public, such as flight logs and travel records.

The law, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandates the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents and investigative materials, including files relating to immunity deals and internal communications about whom to charge or investigate.

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What isnt authorized for release under the law?

Anything containing a victims personally identifiable information.

The law allows the Justice Department to withhold or redact records that, if made public, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. It also bars the release of any materials depicting the sexual abuse of children, or images of death, physical abuse, or injury.

That means that if videos or photos exist of Epstein or anyone else sexually abusing underage girls, they cant be made public.

However, the law also makes clear that no records shall be withheld or redacted  meaning certain parts are blacked out  solely because their release would cause embarrassment or reputational harm to any public figure, government official or foreign dignitary.

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When will the files be available to the public?

The legislation requires the Justice Department to make the documents public in a searchable and downloadable format within 30 days of Trump signing it into law. That means no later than Dec. 19.

However, the law also allows the Justice Department to withhold files that it says could jeopardize an active federal investigation. That's also longstanding Justice Department policy. Files can also be withheld if theyre found to be classified or if they pertain to national defense or foreign policy.

While investigations into Epstein and Maxwell are long over, Attorney General Pam Bondi last week ordered a top federal prosecutor to lead an investigation into people who knew Epstein and some of Trumps political foes, including Clinton.

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That investigation, taken up at Trumps urging despite the Justice Department previously finding no evidence to support such a probe, could give the government grounds to temporarily withhold at least some of the material.

What about the so-called client list?

Epstein's so-called client list  a purported collection of his famous associates  has been the white whale of Epstein sleuths, skeptics and conspiracy theorists alike.

Even Bondi got in on the act, telling Fox News in February that the client list was sitting on my desk right now to review.

The only problem: the Justice Department concluded it doesn't exist, issuing a letter in July saying that its review of Epstein-related records had revealed no incriminating client list. Nor was there credible evidence that Epstein had blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions, the unsigned memo said.

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Why are these records being released now?

Congress is forcing the government to act after Trump reneged on a campaign promise last year to throw open the files. The Justice Department did release some records earlier this year  almost all of them already public  but suddenly hit the brakes in July after promising a truckload more.

That prompted a small, bipartisan group of House lawmakers to launch what was initially seen as a longshot effort to compel their release through legislation. In the meantime, lawmakers started disclosing documents theyd received from Epsteins estate, culminating in a 23,000-page release last week.

As public and political pressure mounted, including from some Trump allies, Congress swiftly passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Tuesday and Trump signed it into law on Wednesday.

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Havent some Epstein files already been made public?

Yes. Before Congress got involved, tens of thousands of pages of records were released over the years through civil lawsuits, Epstein and Maxwells public criminal case dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.

Many documents  including police reports written in Florida, state grand jury records, depositions of Epstein's employees, his flight records, his address book  are available already. In July, the Justice Department released surveillance video from the jail on the night Epstein died.

Even the FBI has previously released some Epstein-related files, posting more than 1,400 pages to its website, though much of the material was redacted and some hidden because it was under seal.
Oracle executive chairman and Donald Trump friend Larry Ellison discussed with one White House official possibly axing CNN hosts Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar should David Ellisons Paramount Skydance purchase CNN parent Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a report from The Guardian.

The White House would reportedly like to see Paramount succeed in its quest to purchase WBD and there have supposedly been informal discussions about potential names of who could replace Burnett, as well as the idea of CBS 60 Minutes airing on CNN. President Donald Trump himself dislikes both hosts, according to the report.

TheWrap has reached out to CNN, Paramount, Oracle and the White House for comment.

While Larry has no formal role in his son Davids business, he holds a large stake in the media company and has reportedly pledged to help fund any purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. It also underscores another potential pledge from the Ellisons to the White House after Trump claimed they promised millions in free advertising as part of Paramounts $16 million settlement with him over his lawsuit against CBS.

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The Ellisons have ingratiated themselves with Trump during the presidents second term. The Oracle co-founder was pictured at the White House in February alongside media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, while Trump has publicly praised David as great and has said CBS News will be fairer under his leadership. Oracle is also part of the consortium that will own an American version of TikTok.

Paramount is preparing its latest bid for the whole of Warner Bros. Discovery ahead of the latters Thursday deadline for first-round bids. Other buyers preparing bids include Comcast and Netflix, both of which are solely interested in its studio and streaming business.

The post Larry Ellison and White House Discussed Axing CNN Hosts in Paramount-WBD Takeover | Report appeared first on TheWrap.
(Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described Jeffrey Epstein's legal status. He is a convicted sex offender who was federally indicted for sex trafficking but died before his trial.)

Former Harvard President Larry Summers will immediately step down from his role as an instructor at Harvard as the university conducts an investigation into his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to the Harvard Crimson, the university's student newspaper.

His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester, a spokesperson for Summers told The Crimson on Nov. 19.

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Earlier in the day, Summers announced that he would be stepping back from his public duties at the university amid new revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, but he will continue to teach and recently addressed the Epstein issue with his students.

Some of you will have seen my statement of regret, expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein, Summers tells a group of students in a video posted online.

Summers has come under scrutiny after emails released Nov. 12 by the House Oversight Committee included exchanges between him and Epstein around 2019. The trove of messages showed Summers corresponded with the disgraced financier on a range of topics, even seeking advice for his love life.

National Director of World Without Exploitation Lauren Hersh embraces Jeffrey Epstein survivor Liz Stein as they react to the Senate's passing of the bill to force the release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. Annie Farmer, victim of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, speaks from the podium during a candlelight vigil to honor survivors of his crimes in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. US lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on November 18 for releasing government files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after President Donald Trump dropped his opposition to opening the books on a scandal that has roiled politics, law enforcement and the country's elite. Epstein abuse survivor Danielle Bensky, and National Director of World Without Exploitation Lauren Hersh embrace after receiving word that the U.S. Senate unanimously approved passage of the House's Epstein Files Transparency Act on Capitol Hill on Nov. 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House voted 427-1 to approve the bill and the release of documents and files. The legislation instructs the U.S. Department of Justice to release all files related to the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump can now sign it into law. Epstein abuse survivors were attending a bipartisan vigil hosted by the Democratic Women's Caucus. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) walks to the House Chambers on Nov. 18, 2025 before the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Jena-Lisa Jones, left, victim of Jeffrey Epstein, left, and along with other Epstein survivors and family members depart the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The group of Epstein survivors and family members depart the United States House of Representatives on Nov.18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov.18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov.18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) who are leading the charge to release files related to the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, speaking Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 2025 along with survivors as the House prepares to vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) departs the House floor, following the vote of the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed the bill seeking to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) speaks at a press conference calling for the release of the Epstein files, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. Reporters and members of Congress participate in live TV segments before the U.S. House of Representatives begins voting on the release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks to the House Chambers in the U.S. Capitol on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House voted 427-1 to approve the Epstein Files Transparency Act and the release of documents and files. The legislation instructs the U.S. Department of Justice to release all files related to the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. It now goes to the Senate for a vote before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) center, and Ro Khanna (D-CA), left, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), center right, who are leading the charge to release files related to the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, speaking Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 2025 along with survivors as the House prepares to vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) departs the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 18, 2025 following the House vote on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) departing the Capitol on Nov. 18, 2025 after the House voted on the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" on compelling the Justice Department to release the full files from the federal investigation of the late convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. See emotional reactions to Epstein files bill clearing Congress in rare moment of unity 1 of 17 National Director of World Without Exploitation Lauren Hersh embraces Jeffrey Epstein survivor Liz Stein as they react to the Senate's passing of the bill to force the release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025.

He also has resigned from the board of tech company OpenAI. On Nov. 17, Summers announced he was retreating from his public commitments in light of the emails. Summers, who was treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton, was later the president of Harvard University from 2001 to 2006.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers speaks during the World Economic Summit in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2024.

Summers will also immediately go on leave from his role as the director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, which he has led since 2011, according to The Crimson.

Contributing: Melina Khan, Zac Anderson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Summers to leave position as instructor at Harvard immediately
Even the most well-planned Thanksgiving feast may be missing a side or that one key ingredient, resulting in a last-minute grocery store run. For many, that store is Kroger or one of its other stores.

So, is Kroger open on Thanksgiving? Heres what you need to know.

A Kroger grocery store is seen in the Heights district on October 08, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

Restaurants: Which restaurants are open, closed on Thanksgiving? Here's what to know

When is Thanksgiving 2025?

Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November every year. This year, it is on Thursday, Nov. 27.

Is Kroger open on Thanksgiving?

Yes and no. Kroger stores open on Thanksgiving have modified hours, closing at 5 p.m. Most pharmacies will be closed, according to the company website.

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Hours may vary by location, so check your store before shopping.

Are other Kroger family stores open on Thanksgiving?

The Kroger family of stores includes: Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Frys, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Marianos, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pickn Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, Smiths Food and Drug.

Most pharmacies are closed on Thanksgiving.

Bakers closes at 3 p.m.

City Market closes at 4 p.m.

Dillons closes at 3 p.m.

Food 4 Less closes at 8 p.m.

Foods Co. closes at 8 p.m.

Fred Meyer closes at 4 p.m.

Frys closes at 5 p.m.

Gerbes closes at 3 p.m.

Jay C Food Store is closed all day.

King Scoopers closes at 4 p.m.

Marianos closes at 5 p.m.

Metro Market closes at 5 p.m.

Pay-Less Super Markets closes at 3 p.m.

Pickn Save closes at 5 p.m.

QFC closes at 6 p.m.

Ralphs closes at 10 p.m.

Ruler Food is closed.

Smiths Food and Drug closes at 2 p.m.

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Bryce Buyakie is a reporter for the USA Today Network. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Kroger, affiliated stores open on Thanksgiving?
A gavel rests upon an open law book. (Getty Images)

DES MOINES  Two alleged whistleblowers are suing Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Co. and its affiliates for alleged racketeering, wrongful termination and concealment of information from state regulators.

The lawsuit alleges Farm Bureau officials repeatedly concealed from regulators in Iowa and other states instances of fraudulent activity committed by company agents or employees. The defendants conduct in the matter amounts to racketeering, obstruction of justice, and mail fraud or wire fraud, the lawsuit claims.

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The lawsuit was filed by James Newton and Brent Meskimen, former police officers who later became special investigators for Farm Bureau. They are suing Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Co., FBL Financial Group, Farm Bureau Financial Services, and the West Des Moines law firm of Wickham & Geadelmann in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Also named as defendants in the case are several Farm Bureau executives and attorneys.

The lawsuit claims Farm Bureau officials engaged in a scheme to defraud insurance policyholders, insurance and other governmental regulatory authorities, and other participants in the insurance industry who are complying with their mandatory duty of reporting fraud and other fraudulent or other illegal acts.

It also claims the defendants violated Iowas law on the wrongful discharge of employees in violation of public policy. That law prohibits the termination of employees for refusing to participate in illegal conduct or for acting as whistleblowers by reporting or objecting to illegal conduct.

The defendants in the case have yet to file a response to the lawsuit. Calls to Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Financial Services and the law firm of Wickham & Geadelmann were not immediately returned Wednesday.

Break-in at policyholders residence

The lawsuit claims that as far back as 2011, Farm Bureau officials failed to report to state regulators evidence of fraudulent activity within the company, but the straw that broke the camels back was an insurance adjusters alleged break-in on a policyholders property.

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According to the lawsuit, a residential fire occurred at the policyholders Nebraska residence on May 5, 2023, and the policyholder immediately filed a claim for losses.

In the course of investigating the claim, Farm Bureaus Special Investigation Unit learned that an adjuster working for the company had used a credit card to pick the lock of the policyholders garage near the scene of the fire to determine whether it contained items the insured claimed as being lost in the fire, the lawsuit alleges.

Newton and Meskimen allegedly met with Farm Bureaus general counsel, Wickham, and advised him Farm Bureau had an obligation to inform the policyholder of the illegal access to their garage.

According to the lawsuit, the companys assistant general counsel, Karl Olson, eventually agreed to allow Meskimen and Newton to meet with the policyholder and inform them of the illegal garage entry by the adjuster, but barred Meskimen and Newton from disclosing that two third-party vendors hired to investigate the claim had also been inside the garage.

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The lawsuit claims Olson and Property Casualty Claims Vice President Anthony Kimmi then agreed that all poisonous documentation pertaining to the illegal entry, including photographs, should be placed in a separate file using a canceled insurance policy associated with a Minnesota policyholder who had no association at all with Nebraska fire.

After the new file was created for information about the garage, efforts were made to lock down the file to ensure limited access to its contents, and Kimmi directed the staff to suppress all printout capabilities from the file, the lawsuit alleges.

On June 9, 2023, Newton and Meskimen allegedly met with Wickham, the general counsel, at the Farm Bureau home office in West Des Moines and reported that they could no longer in good conscience be associated with this file, the lawsuit claims, telling Wickham it was wrong ethically and that it violated state statutes, claims best practices, Farm Bureau core values, doing whats right, and that it could very well be criminal and could potentially violate privacy rights.

According to the lawsuit, Wickham responded by saying hed speak to Farm Bureau leadership to make sure this never happens again, to which Meskimen allegedly said the directive to create the file came straight from General Counsel Wickhams own assistant general counsel, Olson.

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After Newton, Meskimen and the Special Investigations Unit concluded fraud had been committed by the company, the findings were allegedly relayed to Paul Swinton, a vice president and assistant general counsel of property and casualty at FBL Financial Group, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims Swinton refused to forward the significant majority of the findings to regulators in Iowa and Nebraska for their review and investigation, despite mandatory-reporting requirements.

Lawsuit: State regulators kept in the dark

According to the lawsuit, the 2023 incident was not the first time Swinton and Newton clashed over information that wasnt being shared with state regulators.

Newton and Meskimen were often and continually directed not to make mandatory referrals to the appropriate Departments of Insurance for review and investigation by the appropriate insurance regulators in states where FBL Financial Group was operating and conducting business, including Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, the lawsuit alleges.

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Among the alleged examples cited in the lawsuit:

Forged signatures: In the spring of 2023, a Farm Bureau agent in Kansas admitted he had forged the signatures of approximately 50 of his policyholders, without their permission, over a period of three to four years, and that the forms contained false and misleading information to support of the clients insurance policy applications. Farm Bureau refused to allow Newton and/or Meskimen to submit this admitted fraudulent conduct to the Kansas Department of Insurance, the lawsuit alleges, despite a state law requiring such reporting.

Two fired agents: In 2022, Swinton refused to share information with regulators about two fired Farm Bureau agents. In one of the two cases, a Kansas agent admitted to having forged at least 900 various documents with clients signatures, allegedly with the clients consent, and another 100 documents without the clients consent. Swinton allegedly refused to share information with regulators about the two firings. The lawsuit claims that after Newton wrote in an annual report that he had concerns with such matters going unreported, Wickham was furious and instructed him to never put anything in writing like that again.

Fraudulent claim: In 2023, after a Farm Bureau agent was fired for filing a fraudulent claim on his own home in Utah, Swinton or others within the company refused to allow Newton and Meskimen to submit information on the agents conduct to the Utah Department of Insurance, despite a state law requiring such a referral.

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Fathers altered policy: In 2018, the companys Special Investigations Unit determined an Iowa agent had altered a customers policy after a fire so that the policy included a Ford Mustang that was consumed in the blaze. The customer was the agents father and a retired Farm Bureau agent. The lawsuit claims Swinton barred the unit from referring the incident to the Iowa Department of Insurance.

Newton and Meskimen are fired

The lawsuit alleges that while the unreported instances of fraudulent activity date back to 2011, it was the May 2023 garage break-in that the tipping point for Newton and Meskimen.

The lawsuit alleges that on Aug. 30, 2023, Newton had an in-person meeting with Wickham and insisted the information related to that case needed to be referred to the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Wickham responded by telling Newton that if he made that referral his career would be over, the lawsuit claims.

On Nov. 9, 2023, Newton and Meskimen allegedly met with Karen Rieck, the vice president of human resources for Farm Bureau Financial Services, and voiced their concerns about the lack of referrals to state regulators.

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A week later, Newton received a phone call from Wickham and Rieck, in which Wickham said Newton had essentially resigned by refusing to report directly to Swinton. The lawsuit alleges Newton indicated he had no problem reporting to Swinton but that if Swinton was not going to make the mandatory referrals related to fraud, he would do so himself.

As a result, Newton was fired, the lawsuit claims. Meskimen was allegedly fired five days later after telling his superiors that he, too, would make such referrals if they were required by law.

The lawsuit claims that shortly before the two men were fired they each were given positive performance reviews, with Newton described by his superiors as one of the most well-respected employees in the organization and Meskimen described as a trusted leader whose integrity is beyond reproach.

In addition to Swinton, Olson, Kimmi and Wickham, the named defendants in the lawsuit include Daniel Pitcher, chief executive officer of FBL Financial Group and Farm Bureau Financial Services, and Ronald Mead Jr., the chief operating officer for property casualty of FBL Financial Group and Farm Bureau Financial Services.

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Iowa Capital Dispatch and the Nebraska Examiner are part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com.

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JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Leaders and delegates from the world's richest nations and top developing countries are gathering this weekend for the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, an event overshadowed by the boycott of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.

Africa's first G20 summit will see representatives of 42 countries, but not the United States, a founding member of the group and one that's supposed to be taking over its rotating presidency in Johannesburg.

Trump has denounced South Africa's leadership of the G20 and said he would not attend, citing alleged discrimination of the countrys white farmers. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has said hes told Trump that information about the alleged persecution of Afrikaners is completely false.

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Last Friday, Trump also said that no U.S. officials would attend the gathering. The U.S. boycott has dominated discussions  more so than the summit's agenda, which includes climate resilience, debt sustainability for poor nations and growing inequality.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this year skipped the G20 meeting of foreign ministers, followed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who missed the finance ministers meeting. The U.S. has also urged member nations not to adopt a Leaders Declaration at the end of the summit, which would signal a multilateral consensus.

Still, Johannesburg has been a hive of activity ahead of the summit  workers have undertaken a massive clean-up of the streets and bright flowers have been planted along some city roads, adorned with colorful G20 banners and billboards.

An empty chair

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While the hosts have admitted that the U.S. absence raises concerns about the summit's ultimate success, South Africa's foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, said Tuesday it was also an opportunity to send a clear message that the world can move on" without the U.S.  but that it won't be easy.

It will not be a walk in the park, but when there is global consensus, we can be able to find persuasive means to enable the world to function, Lamola said.

He downplayed both Trump's absence and those of other heads of state who are not making it to Johannesburg, saying that a 100% attendance of heads of states has never happened.

Lamola also cited China's Xi Jinping who has not been travelling much this year, instead sending Premier Li Qiang to represent him  including in South Africa.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be absent from the summit as there is an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court over Russia's war on Ukraine.

The warrant obliges South Africa, a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the court, to arrest Putin if he steps on its territory. Putin also missed the summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies in South Africa in 2023 for the same reason.

Advancing an inclusive agenda

South Africa has used its presidency of the G20 to push for action to address the challenges of poor nations  such as securing financing to help countries facing the devastating effects of climate change, something independent experts estimate would require about $1 trillion a year by 2030.

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On Tuesday, an expert panel's report called for the International Monetary Fund and G20 countries to adopt broad measures to refinance debt of poor nations.

The African Union, a G20 member, plans to speak for African countries facing climate change challenges and financial pressures, according to Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Brian Kagoro, managing director at the think-tank Open Society Foundations, said that while the U.S. boycott is regrettable, what matters most is the substance of what Africa advances at the summit.

If anything, the situation underscores the need to accelerate global governance reform, ensuring that all regions, including Africa, have a meaningful voice in setting global priorities, Kagoro said.

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Support for the summit

Other powerful countries  including France, Germany and the United Kingdom  have backed the G20 summit and their leaders are expected to arrive in South Africa on Friday, ahead of the two-day event, with many bilateral talks expected on the sidelines of the summit.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also confirmed his attendance.

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, Guterres said while in Angola last week.

___

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the G20 summit in South Africa: https://apnews.com/hub/g20-summit
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanon's most wanted drug trafficker was arrested Thursday after years on the run, authorities said.

Noah Zeiter was taken into custody during a raid near the eastern city of Baalbeck, according to a high-ranking military official. Zeiter eventually turned himself in to military intelligence after a standoff. The official spoke on condition on anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak to the media.

The Lebanese army didn't disclose Zeiters name, but referred to the captive by his initials.

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Lebanon's army has been cracking down on the country's illicit drugs network, which often transported narcotics through its porous borders with Syria into Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The wealthy monarchies have accused the powerful Hezbollah group of playing a major role in the trade of the highly addictive amphetamine known as Captagon.

The military has frequently raided factories largely located in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border in a bid to improve ties with Riyadh, which suspended imports from the cash-strapped country in 2021 after finding Captagon hidden in shipments coming into the kingdom.

Zeiter was sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom in 2023 for his alleged involvement in the manufacturing and smuggling of Captagon alongside relatives and close associates of the Assad dynasty in Syria.

For years, Zeiter has been on the run from Lebanese authorities. Prior to the conflict in Syria in 2011, he was known for producing and smuggling large amounts of cannabis and made occasional media appearances. Zeiter is close with Hezbollah and Syrias Fourth Division under the now-ousted Assad government.

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Under Syria's new rulers, the government has been destroying the remnants of Captagon factories in the country that flourished during the conflict. Security officials there say they continue to bust smuggling attempts along the border with Lebanon.

Lebanon and Syria have slowly been trying to improve ties following Assad's downfall in a lightning insurgency in December 2024, and hope to resolve matters along the porous border.
South Carolina Rep. Harriet Holman, R-Ridgeville, right and Rep. Travis Moore, R-Roebuck, center, listen to legislative proposals from state Department of Juvenile Justice Executive Director Eden Hendrick during a Statehouse meeting on juvenile crime Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  South Carolina House leadership tasked a legislative panel to come up with ways to reduce violent crimes among juveniles. Its first round of recommendations largely involves what happens after they commit offenses, both minor and violent.

The committee met Tuesday to discuss proposals to send House Speaker Murrell Smith, a Sumter Republican who appointed the six-member panel. Most involve amending bills filed earlier this year that deal with violence and overcrowding at state-run juvenile jails.

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The proposed changes to state law would reduce or eliminate time youth spend in detention centers before their case goes to trial, as well as push older, more violent teens into the adult justice system.

South Carolina Rep. Brandon Cox, R-Goose Creek, listens to legislative proposals from state Department of Juvenile Justice Executive Director Eden Hendrick during a Statehouse meeting on juvenile crime Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

The committee took no votes. But committee members and staff will work with leaders at the state Department of Juvenile Justice over the next month to draft the language, Rep. Brandon Cox, the panels chairman, told the SC Daily Gazette.

The Goose Creek Republican said hell then work Smiths office to pre-file the bills for the 2026 legislative session that begins in mid-January.

What theyre working on

Proposals include partially walking back South Carolinas so-called Raise the Age law for 16-year-olds accused of violent offenses that carry a possible 30-year sentence and 17-year-olds accused of gun crimes. Instead of starting in the juvenile court system, as required since 2019, those youth would automatically be charged as adults.

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Between July 2018 and June 2024, 166 16-year-olds accused of attempted murder and first-degree burglary were referred to the juvenile justice system. Of those, family court judges chose to transfer 58 to the adult system, according to data provided by the state Department of Juvenile Justice.

Following the agencys advice, the legislative committee also wants to give family and circuit court judges more options when it comes to sentencing teens.

Right now, were kind of stuck in our juvenile system, the agencys director, Eden Hendrick, told the legislators.

Youth younger than 18 who are convicted of murder can be sentenced to a juvenile facility for no more than 4 years. But if theyre tried in Circuit Court as an adult, the sentence is 30 years to life, she said.

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice Executive Director Eden Hendrick speaks during a Statehouse meeting on juvenile crime Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

Theres nothing in between that, Hendrick said. It doesnt make any sense.

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We know that youth are different than adults, she added. We should have some other options.

There are also efforts that do away with, or at least lessen, any jail time for what are known as status offenses, such as skipping school or running away from home.

Usually, when law enforcements called in the middle of the night, they have two options: detention or placing the youth in foster care, Hendrick said. And neither one of those are really appropriate.

On Hendricks advice, the to-be-drafted legislation would also remove the possibility of pre-trial detention for juveniles charged with misdemeanors that carry sentences of 30 days or less. Such crimes include minor theft, property damage, and simple assault for a schoolyard fight.

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Those are among the most frequent crimes committed by juveniles in the state over the past five years, according to data presented by State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel. In 2024, they accounted for more than half  16,264 of the 28,128 offenses  committed by youth younger than 18.

Ideally, Hendrick said, the state would have safe places in each county to hold children until they can get before a judge. But thats not the case, so she suggested allowing juveniles to stay home with ankle monitors as long as theyre not a danger to the community.

The panel also wants to address sentences for children who violate probation.

How teens get guns

Of all the ideas discussed, only one involved guns.

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Its illegal for a teenager younger than 18 to buy or carry a gun under state law. Last year, more than 1,600 teens 17 and under were charged with illegally owning or carrying them. Most of those guns are stolen from unlocked vehicles, Keel testified.

Gun owners often are unwilling to report theft, either out of embarrassment or not knowing the specifics of their gun, such as the serial number, he told legislators.

The idea of penalizing adult gun owners who leave their vehicle unlocked, resulting in a stolen firearm, came up.

But only freshman Rep. Harriet Holman, R-Ridgeville, appeared willing to go there.

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Holman said someone stole her husbands gun out of his vehicle about six years ago. Because he filed a report, police ultimately located and returned it to him.

So, if theres some way that, when peoples firearms are stolen out of their vehicles, that theyll report it  some incentive to tell them to report these firearms  would be very important, said the retired Army lieutenant colonel. That way we could have accountability on how many firearms are even out there loose like that.

Gun owners are supposed to report theft. The requirement was added to last years so-called constitutional carry law, which allows adults to carry a handgun  openly or concealed  without a permit. But theres no penalty for not reporting, making it more of an encouragement.

That law also forbids law enforcement from stopping someone just because they see a gun. That means officers cant stop a juvenile toting a gun for that alone because theres no way to tell for certain whether someones 18 years old or 16 just by looking at them.

According to Rep. Travis Moore, R-Roebuck, South Carolina has a long history of not requiring citizens to report information about the guns they own to the government.

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This seems like a straightforward, common sense issue, but as the committee takes it up  we have to be very careful because of the constitutional implications, he said.

Holman countered, I just dont personally see the harm of reporting something stolen from you.

I just think it is being responsible to allow the authorities to know that your weapon is out there and it could be being carried by a youth, she said.

This is just the first round of legislation the panel plans to champion.

In January, the group will reconvene and attempt to come up with solutions to more complex issues that lead teens down violent paths, Cox said. That would likely include adding or expanding existing grant programs to fund community nonprofits focused on mentoring youth.

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A chart from the State Law Enforcement Division showing the number of people under 18 charged with crimes from 2019 to 2024 presented to a juvenile justice committee on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream)

Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct attribution of a quote from state Rep. Travis Moore.
Two businesses on a busy commercial corridor were handed what the business owners attorney called the death penalty by Lexington Town Council on Monday after being accused of acting as a front for prostitution.

The town council voted unanimously to permanently revoke the business licenses for Thai Foot Massage and Queen Nail Spa after a trial-like proceeding at Mondays council meeting, during which an attorney laid out evidence against the twin businesses obtained during a law enforcement raid last month. Both businesses had been located at 5483 Sunset Boulevard.

An undercover Lexington County sheriffs deputy testified that he made an appointment at the massage parlor after receiving a public complaint about potential criminal activity there. The disrobed officer said the woman giving the massage indicated she wished to exchange sexual favors, law enforcement officers testified before the council at a public hearing.

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It was very clear by physical touch and the words used what she was offering, Detective Robert Wood told council members. He said the massage therapist initiated contact that is not a normal part of a massage while repeatedly asking him, this one?

At that point, Wood said he used a code phase that alerted waiting officers to enter the business through a hidden audio-video device Wood had brought in with him. Two women present at the business were arrested.

Charges from the incident are still pending, attorney Chip Burn told the council, acting as the de facto prosecutor in the case. Representing the business owner, James Snell argued the allegations had not yet been proven in court. Snell also argued that besides the price for the massage displayed in the business lobby, no exchange of money was ever discussed, and no money changed hands prior to the massage.

In addition to the criminal allegations, Burn said that the investigation found that Thai Foot Massage was operating online as Tao Spa, taking reservations as a separate business whose business license for an East Main Street location had been revoked a year earlier over a similar complaint. A criminal charge in that case had gotten a provisional discharge, Burn said, and the same owner had been allowed to operate the two additional businesses by the town.

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Snell argued revoking his clients business license would not be appropriate before she had been given the opportunity to defend herself in court.

Before you bring the death penalty to a business, she should have the chance to resolve the allegation in court, Snell said.

After both sides laid out their case, the town council deliberated in a closed-door executive session for seven minutes before returning to the council chamber at town hall and voting to revoke both businesses licenses permanently, although Burn said the owner would have the chance to reapply if absolved of the criminal charges.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  The U.S. government can continue requiring America's lobster fishing boats to use electronic tracking devices to collect data, a federal appeals court has ruled, denying claims by some in the industry that the monitoring amounts to unreasonable search and seizure.

Fishing regulators began requiring federally permitted lobstermen to install electronic tracking devices that transmit location data in late 2023. The data improves understanding of the lobster population and can inform future rules, authorities said.

The tracking devices transmit lobster boat locations using an onboard global positioning system and must be used whenever a vessel is in the water, including when it's docked or being operated for personal use, court records state.

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A group of lobster fishermen sued, claiming the tracking requirements are unconstitutional, but a federal district court rejected that claim and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston upheld the ruling Tuesday.

Regulators have said the lobster stock is in decline and the species is being overfished off New England. Conservation groups cheered the most recent court ruling as a step toward greater accountability.

Our fishery managers urgently need reliable and detailed data to respond to the complex issues facing our ocean," said Conservation Law Foundation staff attorney Chloe Fross.

The U.S. lobster industry is based mostly out of Maine, where lobstermen who filed the lawsuit are based. Messages seeking comment from their attorneys were left Thursday.

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The appeals court ruled that the tracking devices do not violate the fishermen's constitutional rights in part because the devices record a limited and specific type of data and report only that.

The Maine Lobstermen's Association, which was not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, has opposed around-the-clock tracking of lobster boats. Instead, data should be collected in a way that protects fishermen's privacy, the association said in a statement.

The MLA has voiced strong opposition to the continuous, 24/7 tracking requirement because Maine lobstermen use their vessels for personal activities as well as commercial fishing, the association said in a statement.

Maine's annual lobster catch has dipped for several consecutive years and fell below 90 million pounds in 2024. That is still much larger than the industry's usual haul during the early 2000s, and the popular seafood remains readily available to consumers, though prices have ticked up in recent years.

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Collecting data from lobster boats is important to assure the future health of the industry, said Carl Wilson, commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources.

The confidentially held data provided by lobster fishing vessels will improve stock assessment, enhance offshore enforcement, and inform management decisions, particularly where an accurate understanding of the fisherys footprint can be used to mitigate economic harm to the industry, Wilson said.
(Photo courtesy of Metropolis Magazine)



Stollen season has arrived in Tokyo. The citys bakeries, from hidden neighborhood bakeries to elegant hotel patisseries, are filling their counters with this dense, fruit-laden bread dusted in powdered sugar like fresh snowfall. Each loaf carries its own story: marzipan cores wrapped in spice-soaked dough, citrus peels that brighten every bite, and rum-plumped fruits that deepen with every day they rest.

This year, were sharing the stollen that stopped us in our tracks  the ones that made us linger, slice slowly and think about winter in a new way. Whether youre looking for a classic recipe or a bold twist, here are our favorite stollen to savor in Tokyo this season.

A Brief History of Stollen

A German-born Christmas dessert, stollen is a naturally fermented sweet bread with nearly 700 years of history. Filled with butter, dried fruits, nuts, spices, and rum, its dusted with white sugar to imitate a blanket-wrapped baby Jesus.

For this reason, Stollen is traditionally eaten during the advent seasonthe 4 weeks leading to Christmassliced a little at a time to enjoy the changing flavors as the fermentation deepens. Its also a versatile dessert; you can smear a dab of cream cheese and jam, or pair it with ice cream.

The first stollen in Japan was sold in 1969 by Chidori-ya, a traditional Japanese sweets shop in Fukuoka. Its recent popularity, however, can be traced back to the Aoyama Bread Festival, which, since 2014, has held tasting events with stollens from more than 25 different bakeries. Today, they are quickly becoming the nations Christmas sweetheart.

Whether youre a seasoned stollen-lover or your first time hearing about it, check out our picks for Tokyos best stollens. Some of them also come with a twist, for those who arent the biggest fans of marzipan (a common ingredient) or want to try new flavors.

Best stollen in Tokyo

For when youre looking for the real deal.

Haus der Tanne Ningyocho

(Photo from the Haus der Tanne website, courtesy of Metropolis Magazine)



This is your place if youre looking for some of the most authentic Stollen in Tokyo. A cult classic among fans of German bread, Tanne Bakery has been selling traditional German bread since 1993. Try the Classic Christmas Stollen with dried fruits, crunchy almonds, spices and rum, or the Tanne der Moderne, the Dresden-style recipe adapted to modern tastes. Get your hands on real stollens crafted by German-born bread meisters.

In-store and delivery

Reservations: Available online for delivery, no reservations for in-store

Reservation Dates: Typically from early November for online; in-store around December

Price: 2,000 (half size), 3,000 (Stollen der Moderne) and 4,000 (Christmas Stollen)

More Information: Haus der Tanne

Burdigala Hiroo

(Photo from the Burdigala website, courtesy of Metropolis Magazine)



Located in Hiroo, Burdigala bakery takes its stollen game seriously. Beginning in July, they soak raisins, orange and lemon peels, and figs in liquor for a deep, complex flavor. With a thick coating of clarified butter and sugar over moist dough, you might initially find it heavybut the cardamom and fruit offer a light aftertaste thatll keep you coming back for more. Perfect with tea, coffee, or a glass of wine.

In-store and delivery

Reservations: Available online for delivery, no reservations available for in-store

Dates: November 1st to late December

Price: 2,900 (small, without box)  4,980 (large)

More Information: Burdigala

Hotel Stollen in Tokyo

Top-notch stollens created by patissiers and bakers of luxury hotels.

Imperial Hotel Tokyo

(Photo from the Imperial Hotel Tokyo website, courtesy of Metropolis Magazine)



The Imperial Hotel Tokyo has been crafting stollen since 1997, based on an authentic recipe that its head baker mastered during his training in Germany. The dried fruits used in the breadsultana raisins, orange peels, lemon peels, and dry figsare soaked in rum and brandy between August and November. Protecting tradition on the one hand, they are also paving the way for new stollen heights with their Nuss stollen, with a roasted hazelnut filling and cinnamon-rum icing.

In-store and delivery

Reservations: available online for delivery

Dates: Classic stollen available from October 17 to December 22, Nuss stollen sales period may vary.

Price: 6,804 (Regular price for Classic stollen), 5,940 (Regular price for Nuss stollen)

More Information: Imperial Hotel Tokyo

The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo

(Photo from The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo website, courtesy of Metropolis Magazine)



The Strings by InterContinental is coming in strong with three varieties of stollen: traditional, chocolate and matcha. Green tea-infused dough, chestnuts, sweet kanoko beans and red bean paste contribute to the excellence of this matcha stollen, fully blending the Japanese and German dessert traditions. The chocolate stollen, on the other hand, is an indulgent treat with Ariba chocolate and brandy-soaked dried bananas. Only available in limited quantities.

Pick up only

Reservations: Required, at least 3 days before pick-up. Online or by phone

Pick-up dates: December 1  December 25 (1pm  8pm)

Pick-up location: Melodia Italian Grill (F26)

Price: 3,456

More Information: The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo

Best stollen in Tokyo from a Local Bakery

Try the sought-after stollen from what we think is one of the best bakeries around town.

Tolo Pan Tokyo

(Photo from the Tolo Pan Tokyo website)



Ikejiri Ohashis Tolo Pan Bakery is a wildly popular little joint; filled with customers from open to close. Known for their inventive twists on traditional breads, their stollens are no exception. Their Original Stollen combines unexpected ingredients like yuzu peels, apricots, and cream cheese bringing refreshing lightness to an otherwise rich dough. The Epis Stollen features a spiced dough of cinnamon, cardamom, anis and clover, doused in orange-infused caramel with roasted walnuts, cranberries and Kirschwassera German cherry brandy. What could be better? Warm it up to let the white chocolate coating melt, and youve got everything good and cozy about winter in a slice.

In-store and delivery

Reservations: Reservations for delivery available online; no reservations available for in-store

Dates: Delivery scheduled for November 20

Price: 5,800 (with taxes)

More Information: Tolo Pan Tokyo

Supermarket Stollen in Tokyo

Maybe youre a stollen skeptic, or you just want to try one at a lower price point before committing to a pricy log. Try these affordable yet high-quality stollens.

Muji

(Photo from the Muji website, courtesy of Metropolis Magazine)



Everybodys favorite stationery and lifestyle store has its very own stollen. Available exclusively in stores for 1,200, fermented nuts alongside dried fruits and spices bring deep flavors, and theres no skimping on the marzipan. This is the perfect pick for anyone curious to start experimenting with stollen, and at 200 grams apiece, youre in for a bargain, too.

Only in-store

Reservations: Online orders are currently suspended. Visit your local store to make reservations.

Dates: No reservation or pre-order dates; only available in-store.

Location: In stores around Japan. We recommend checking availability online for your local store.

Price: 1,200

More Information: Muji Store

Chateraise

(Photo from the Chateraise website, courtesy of Metropolis Magazine)



Boasting more than 640 stores across Japan, Chateraise is one of Japans most popular dessert franchises. Originating in Yamanashi Prefecture, they are known for collaborating with Japanese farmers to use high-quality ingredients for cakes and desserts. Their stollen is made with a rich dough kneaded with almond paste, mixed with raisins, cinnamon, and dried figs soaked in Chateraise winerys house chardonnay.

Pick-up and in-store only

Reservations: Not available online. Visit your local store to make reservations.

Reservation dates: September 26  December 15

Pick-up dates: November 29  December 25

Pick-up location: In stores around Japan.

Price: 1,188 (with taxes)

More Information: Chateraise

Note: This article was originally published in November 2024 by Elina Garone and updated in November 2025 by Metropolis Japan.

metropolisjapan.com
Livingston County sign opposing proposed Howell Township data center | Courtesy of Stop the Data Centers Livingston County.

Something is happening in Livingston Countys Howell Township that every Michigander should pay attention to, no matter their politics.

On a quiet Sunday morning in September, I came across a legal notice referencing a rezoning request for several large rural parcels. The notice didnt say much, but someone online mentioned it was for a massive data center campus.

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I froze.

Ive been following news about data centers across the country all year and even other parts of Michigan.

I never imagined one would come here.

I posted the notice in a local Facebook group, hoping a few neighbors might know more. Within hours, hundreds of comments poured in. People were scared, confused, and unexpectedly united. Howell is a town where people rarely agree on anything, and yet most of us were uniting against this. The conversations were robust and civil.

Then they were gone. Deleted from Facebook.

Residents who live near the site told me they had no idea about the proposal until a letter arrived in the mail or a neighbor knocked on their door. I emailed the township asking for more information just two days after the notice appeared. I didnt receive the documents until November 4 (seven weeks later) and only after submitting a FOIA request costing hundreds of dollars. What the emails revealed wasnt necessarily illegal, but it was deeply troubling.

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While the community was left in the dark, key conversations had already happened with a small handful of people. By the time the public learned about the project, the rezoning and site plan were already moving full speed ahead.

Livingston County sign opposing proposed Howell Township data center | Courtesy of Stop the Data Centers Livingston County.

The landowner seeking the rezoning had helped township officials plan the logistics of the public meeting, including recommending that it be livestreamed, and strategized about keeping people outside under tents and letting them in the building one at a time.

Safety and accessibility were barely mentioned and glow sticks were offered as the solution to safety concerns about people walking down a dark, curving, busy road in the dark. The emails also mentioned that the local utility company was pressuring him to make sure the hearing didnt get postponed.

Public meetings are supposed to belong to the public. They are not supposed to be co-designed by the private party asking for a special deal.

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No matter where someone stands on a project, that should bother all of us.

Good, solid, well thought-out projects dont need secrecy, non disclosure agreements (NDAs), or fear of public pushback. Only bad ones do.

 Breanne Green - Howell resident and a leader of Stop the Data Centers Livingston County.

And this situation isnt unique to Howell Township. Its happening across the state. Township halls in Pavilion, Augusta, Kalkaska, Dundee, Saline, and other communities have been filled beyond capacity with residents saying the same thing:

Slow down. Tell the truth. Respect our community.

Residents have good reason to be worried.

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A single hyperscale data center can use as much electricity as 750,000-1,000,000 homes. Michigans utilities admit theyre being flooded with interest. Consumers Energy has received inquiries totaling 15 gigawatts of potential data center load; DTE another 7 gigawatts.

Thats 22 gigawatts  the equivalent of powering 16 million homes.

Independent experts estimate that even one 100-megawatt data center can require nearly $500 million in new power plants, battery farms, and grid upgrades.

If the company scales back or closes (as many tech projects have nationwide) those stranded costs dont disappear. They get pushed onto all of us through higher electric bills.

And the water impacts are just as serious.

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Data centers can use between one and five million gallons of water per day for cooling.

In Michigan, we like to think our freshwater supply is endless. It isnt. The Alliance for the Great Lakes warns that heavy withdrawals and evaporating millions of gallons in cooling towers can stress aquifers, lower private wells, and affect nearby rivers.

Groundwater is connected. It doesnt recognize property lines or promises in a rezoning packet.

Packed public information meeting concerning proposed Howell Township data center. Sept. 23, 2025 | Courtesy of Stop the Data Centers Livingston County.

Yet despite all these concerns, Howell Township residents were given just 14 days notice for the largest land-use proposal in recent county history. Planning commissioners didnt receive much more than the public. One commissioner said he barely slept for two weeks trying to understand what was happening.

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At the same time, the tech industry driving this boom is openly admitting its risky and unstable. Jeff Bezos has called the AI investment wave an industrial bubble. Mark Zuckerberg said hed rather risk misspending a couple hundred billion dollars than fall behind. Even Michael Burry, the investor who correctly predicted the 2008 crash, has bet against major AI companies.

These billionaires see data centers as a gamble worth taking.

But for communities like Howell Township, the risks arent theoretical. Were the ones staring down decades of construction, new power plants, battery farms, diesel generators, transmission lines, water withdrawals, noise, traffic, heat, and light. All this built to serve companies who may not be here in five years.

And when the bubble pops, they walk away.

We stay with the costs.

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The good news is that when regular people stand together, it works, even across political lines.

Just across Lake Michigan in Caledonia, Wisconsin, residents pushed back on a proposed Microsoft data center, and even after receiving local approval, Microsoft abruptly withdrew citing community feedback.

And in Port Washington and Menomonie, two more nearby communities, residents demanded transparency, and those projects ultimately stalled or paused.

The movement has become large enough that Microsoft now warns investors about community opposition, local moratoriums, and hyper-local dissent.

One of the largest corporations on Earth is telling Wall Street that ordinary people in small towns can stop billion-dollar deals.

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That shouldnt scare us. It should empower us!

Here in Howell Township, thousands of residents are calling for a six-month moratorium on data center approvals.

This is not a ban. This is not anti-technology. It is simply a pause and the only ethical path forward.

A pause gives the township time to:

update zoning and ordinances

get independent environmental and infrastructure reviews

understand water, energy, noise, and emergency impacts

create rules that protect residents-not developers

If a project is truly good for us, it will still be good after careful study. Good, solid, well thought-out projects dont need secrecy, non disclosure agreements (NDAs), or fear of public pushback. Only bad ones do.

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I love this community. I love the people in it. And I believe in fairness, freedom, and local control. That means decisions made in the open, with honest information. It doesnt mean rushed deals pushed by trillion-dollar corporations and utility companies who do not live here.

Something big is happening in Livingston County. But we are not powerless.

We are stronger when we stand together. And the power is, and always has been, with the people. Now is the time to use it. Show up to the meetings. Give a public comment. This is our home. Our water. Our future. We will decide what happens here.

To learn more or get involved, visit: Stop the Data Centers  Livingston County



The Howell Township board will meet Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Howell High Schools Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center, 1200 W.Grand River in Howell.

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A postal worker on Long Island faced charges on Thursday that she interfered with an immigration arrest by helping a detainee to briefly escape custody.

Tamara Mayorga-Wong, 57, is charged with obstructing a federal proceeding. She is due in federal court on Thursday afternoon in Central Islip.

Mayorga-Wong, while wearing her USPS uniform, approached federal law enforcement officers detaining a man in front of a 7/11 convenience store next to the Westhampton Post Office on Nov. 5, according to the criminal complaint.

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"You can't do this," the complaint quoted her saying to the ICE officers and HSI agents.

After they placed the detainee in the rear of the police vehicle, and prepared to drive away, Mayorga-Wong ran up to the rear passenger door, opened it, and told the man, in Spanish, to flee, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said.

The federal law enforcement officers chased after the man and took him back into custody.

Mayorga-Wong was stopped while entering her personal vehicle, parked in the Westhampton Post Office rear employee parking lot. After several minutes of refusing to get out of her vehicle, she was forcibly removed - while kicking the officers and flailing her arms.

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According to the complaint, while in custody, Mayorga-Wong asked a bilingual deportation officer, in both Spanish and English, "Why are you doing this to your people?"

She then allegedly asked whether the officers were from Mexico, if the officer had children, demanding "What are you going to tell your children about what you do?"

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District Attorney Nathan Hochman has a warning for people who take advantage of a $4 billion settlement filed against Los Angeles County for sex abuse survivors and victims.

He's pulling no punches when it comes to determining which claims are real and which ones are not.

There are thousands of legitimate victims of abuse in Los Angeles County facilities, but Hochman says fraudsters are trying to take advantage of that.

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"They looked at this opportunity to compensate these true victims of sex abuse as an opportunity to personally profit and engage in some of the most greedy and heinous conduct at the expense of these victims," Hochman said.

There has been a surge of claims filed after AB 218 allowed victims to come forward with allegations dating back to the 1950s.

"AB 218 -- it is going to control the financial health of every county, every city and every school district for the next 25 to 30 years," Hochman said.

Earlier this year, the county approved an $828 million settlement with 414 plaintiffs alleging abuse by county workers during childhood. It follows a prior $4 billion agreement covering roughly 11,000 claimants.

SEE ALSO: LA County reaches $828 million abuse claims settlement on top of previous $4 billion accord

The settlement is on top of an earlier $4 billion settlement reached on behalf of roughly 11,000 claimants.

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Hochman explained that many of the claims reach back decades, making verification extremely difficult because old juvenile records are destroyed after 10 years.

"So when these lawsuits came in saying that this had happened 20, 30, 40 years ago, there was no way, effectively, to defend against these lawsuits because we couldn't contest any of these claims," Hochman said.

Hochman is offering anyone who already filed a false claim to contact his office and cooperate, and in exchange, the district attorney will not use their statements against them in any criminal prosecution. To others, he promises swift action.

"We're going to go after them aggressively. We're going to go after them to put them behind bars," Hochman said.

The district attorney would not say how his office is investigating the claims and what alerts them to possible fraud, but he did say that there are certain questions and signs that are suspicious.
Higher energy costs are likely the result of increased natural gas prices, as well as changes in the wholesale market that have introduced new pricing risks for power suppliers, said Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

With most power customers likely to pay at least $150 more next year, Maines public advocate said the hike underscores how challenging and volatile energy costs have become for Maine households and small businesses.

One day after the commission that oversees the states utilities rejected Central Maine Powers proposed 10-year rate increase, the Public Utilities Commission announced Wednesday it approved new electricity prices for 2026.

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Starting in January, residential and small commercial customers of CMP will see rates increase to 12.72 cents per kilowatt hour, up from 10.61 this year. Versant Maine Public District residential and small commercial customers will see rates increase from 11.65 cents per kilowatt hour to 14.87.

Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said in a statement Thursday that an analysis by her office estimates customers can expect their monthly bills to go up, on average, between $13 and $17.

When every dollar matters, this is a significant increase for families and small businesses that are already stretched thin, Sanborn said.

A power bill has two primary components: the cost of the energy being supplied, and the cost of the infrastructure to deliver it. Private utilities are responsible for delivering power. They also serve as intermediaries with energy suppliers, which are selected through a competitive bidding process overseen by the commission. This chosen supplier is known as the standard offer, since households are also entitled to seek an alternative competitive electricity supplier.

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We recognize that rising energy costs create real challenges for Maine households and businesses, said commission Chair Philip L. Bartlett II.

The new standard offer rate, he said, reflects current market realities and the commission remains committed to securing the lowest reasonable prices for Maine electric utility customers in a challenging energy environment.

Sanborn said the higher costs are likely the result of increased natural gas prices, as well as changes in the wholesale market that have introduced new pricing risks for power suppliers.

In a statement, CMP alternately attributed the increase to Maines decision to restructure its energy market, which the company said was an idea sold by state leaders as a way to foster competition and lower prices. In reality, it has fragmented responsibility and introduced volatility, leaving consumers exposed to price swings and utilities with fewer tools help customers manage costs.

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On Tuesday, the commission rejected CMPs proposed five-year delivery rate increase, which would have raised costs for the average customer by $35 per month or $420 per year by 2030. The three-member panel encouraged the utility to resubmit a plan that takes into greater consideration long-term resilience planning and the impact on ratepayers.
NEW YORK (AP)  New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said Thursday that hes not concerned his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump could be a political trap, vowing instead to center the Oval Office sit-down on how they could work to make the city more affordable.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, is set to travel to Washington for a meeting with Trump on Friday, a potentially explosive pairing of polar-opposite politicians who have been at odds for months.

At a news conference outside New York City Hall, Mamdani said he hopes to share the facts about the affordability crisis in the city while waving off the idea that the president could use the meeting to embarrass him.

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I have many disagreements with the president and I believe that we should be relentless and pursue all avenues and all meetings that can make our city affordable for every single New Yorker," he said.

Mamdani won a stunning victory in New York City's mayoral race this month with a campaign heavily focused on the city's affordability crisis, promising to turn the power of government toward helping the working class while also fighting back against a hostile Trump administration.

Trump has railed against Mamdani for months, warning that his hometown would slide into chaos under the young progressive's leadership and suggested he would withhold federal money from the city if Mamdani won. Trump has also incorrectly called him a communist and has threatened to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda but became a naturalized American citizen in 2018.

The president announced the meeting in a social media post Wednesday night, putting Mamdani's middle name Kwame in quotation marks while incorrectly referring to him as the Communist Mayor of New York City.

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Mamdani brushed off the idea that he was walking into an adversarial sit-down with Trump, telling reporters Thursday: Im not concerned about this meeting. I view this meeting as an opportunity to make my case, and Ill make that case to anyone."

When pressed further, Mamdani said hed make it clear to the president that he was there as an emissary of the city, not simply a political newcomer.

For me, its not about myself. Its about a relationship between New York City and the White House, the president, and the federal administration. And I will look to make clear my interest goes beyond any one of an individual but its for the people I look to represent," he said.

When asked if he intended to bring up the presidents threats of stepped-up immigration enforcement in New York, Mamdani tried to pivot back to his affordability argument.

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I think affordability was at the core of our campaign, and also it was affordability based on the value of protecting each and every New Yorker, he said. That means protecting them from price gouging in their lives, but it also means protecting them from ICE agents and making it clear that I will look to representing every single person.

Mamdani will take office as mayor next year, succeeding current Mayor Eric Adams, who has been traveling abroad and posted a picture on X Thursday morning of himself alongside an Uzbek official.
A judge is waiting to sentence the man who murdered a husband and wife, leaving their 2-year-old alone in the house for hours with their bodies.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge Sonya Brown found Matthew Lanz guilty on all counts Thursday afternoon after deliberating for less than two hours.

Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell was in the courtroom as the verdict was read.

It was an emotional trial for the family of the victims, Cherokee County Firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife Amber Hicks, and they watched and listened to details of the killing.

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They clapped in court as the judgment was read.

Lanz sat in court with no reaction as he heard the verdict. He was convicted on counts of malice murder, felony murder, home invasion, tampering with evidence and other charges for the 2021 killings.

Judge Brown believed prosecutors presented enough evidence to prove Lanz broke into the home and killed the couple.

Prosecutor Stephanie Green said Lanz stalked and hunted them.

The family cried during closing arguments as prosecutors described the Hicks 2-year-old, who was alone for 12 hours in the home and found covered in blood.

He brought his parents toys, trying to get their attention, the prosecutor said.

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Lanzs attorney told the judge that police didnt find Lanzs DNA at the crime scene.

No trace evidence was found, the attorney said. They didnt find anything that would tie Matthew to being inside that house.

Prosecutors said the evidence was overwhelming, including security camera video that they say placed Lanz at the crime scene.

Prosecutors believe his motive could have been tied to revenge. They said Lanz told police the former owners of the victims home harassed his brother.

They also said Lanz told them he saw demonic lights coming from the home.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Prosecutors spent three days presenting evidence against Lanz, including video footage that allegedly places him near the victims home on the night of the murders.

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Four years ago, prosecutors say Lanz went on a crime spree, starting with the break-in at his parents neighbors house, where he allegedly shot and killed the couple.

RELATED STORIES:

Two days after the murders, Lanz is accused of breaking into a Sandy Springs home and stabbing a responding police officer.

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During police interviews, Lanz mentioned being on his parents property behind the victims house on the night of the murders, claiming he saw lights on and was smoking a cigarette.

Lanz told police he drove back to Athens before the murders occurred and said his parents visited him the next day to ask if he was involved.

During a police interview, Lanz expressed feeling pain for knowing there was a child involved, but did not specify details about the childs circumstances.

Lanz claimed he is being framed by the government and prayed for the victims child during police interviews.

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Lawrence Reed, 50, was charged with committing a terrorist attack against a mass transportation system after allegedly setting a woman on fire on a train

The alleged attack occurred on a CTA Blue Line train near the Clark and Lake station in the city's Loop district

The woman is hospitalized and in critical condition

A man has been charged with terrorism after allegedly lighting a woman on fire on a Chicago train.

Lawrence Reed, a resident of Chicago, has been charged with "committing a terrorist attack against a mass transportation system," on Wednesday, Nov. 19, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois.

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While police initially believed that an argument had taken place between the suspect and victim, the criminal complaint and statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office do not cite an argument having taken place.

"The charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison," the statement continued, before confirming that Reed, 50, was scheduled to make an initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally on Nov. 19.

The attack happened just before 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17 while the 26-year-old woman was riding a CTA Blue Line train near the Clark and Lake station in the city's Loop district, Chicago police said, per NBC 5 Chicago, ABC News, and CBS affiliate WYMT.

Police allege that Reed approached the victim while she was seated on the train with her back toward him. He then "took the cap off a bottle of liquid and poured the liquid all over the victims head and body," the complaint alleges.

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Police say that the victim tried to run away but that Reed caught up with her and ignited the bottle before it fell out of his hand. He then allegedly picked up the bottle as it burned, approached the victim, and used the bottle to light her on fire, according to the complaint.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was engulfed in flames, but was ultimately able to escape the train. She remains hospitalized with "critical injuries," according to prosecutors.

Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, announced the original criminal complaint and Reed's arrest.

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This horrific attack was not just a barbaric assault on an innocent woman riding a train, but an act of terrorism that strikes at the core of our American way of life, Boutros said in a press release. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Chicago, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will take immediate and resolute action to bring swift justice to the victim while safeguarding the public as well as the fabric of our society.



Read the original article on People
Massachusetts State Police launched a massive search on Thursday for Aaron Pennington, one of the states most wanted fugitives.

The hunt for Pennington is being conducted in the dense woods surrounding Camp Collier in Gardner, marking the ninth search of the area as investigators continue to seek answers in a case that has gripped the region for more than two years.

Pennington is wanted for the shooting death of his wife, Breanne Pennington, inside their Gardner home on October 22, 2023.

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Court documents reveal Pennington was distraught over his failing marriage and that Breanne planned to take the couples young children and return to Texas. Authorities also discovered a note suggesting the murder was premeditated.

After the killing, Pennington fled in a white BMW, which was later found abandoned near Camp Collier. Since then, the question has lingered: Is Pennington alive and hiding in these woods, or did he perish here? So far, investigators have found no trace of him.

Thursdays search is a full-scale operation. State police have deployed their air wing, K9 units, boats, and ATVs to comb the rugged terrain. The command post is set up near the location where Penningtons car was discovered, and teams are expanding outward from that point.

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These are very thick woods, said Boston 25 News reporter Bob Ward, who is at the scene documenting the extensive effort. The hope is, if Pennington is still here  or if his body is here  theyll find him and bring closure to the victims family.

Authorities remain determined, emphasizing that the renewed search is part of their ongoing commitment to resolve this case.

Anyone with information about Penningtons whereabouts is urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police.

BREAKING: I am on scene in Gardner where a massive MSP search is underway for Aaron Pennington, the man police say shot and killed his wife Breanne on 10/22/23. His BMW was found but no sign of Pennington. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/T3nHmhCJc8  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) November 20, 2025

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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The U.S. military has deployed one of its largest forces to the Caribbean in decades, placing thousands of Marines and the world's most advanced aircraft carrier right on Venezuela's doorstep.

Operation Southern Spear Ramps Up

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Operation Southern Spear on November 13, 2025, describing it as a mission to "remove narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere" and stop drugs killing Americans. The operation falls under U.S. Southern Command and Joint Task Force Southern Spear.

The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group entered the Caribbean Sea on November 16, 2025, after crossing into the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility on November 11. The Ford, the Navy's newest supercarrier, brings F-35C stealth fighters, advanced radars, and a full air wing.

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The buildup includes the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked. This adds more than 2,200 Marines, MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53E helicopters, and landing craft. In total, nearly a dozen warships and around 12,000 sailors and Marines now operate in the region.

Marines Train in Trinidad and Tobago

At the same time, the 22nd MEU began joint exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) on November 16. The training runs through November 21 in urban and rural areas, including night operations and helicopter movements.

The U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain stated the exercises focus on countering transnational threats, promoting regional stability, and improving disaster response. TTDF officials emphasized that the drills help combat illegal guns and drugs entering Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago sit just seven miles from Venezuela's coast at the closest point (More accurately, it would be closer to 6.9 miles).

Closest U.S. Military Presence in Years

The Ford's arrival marks the heaviest U.S. naval concentration in the Caribbean since the Cold War era. SOUTHCOM has released videos of live-fire drills from the Iwo Jima that highlight the Marines' commitment to readiness.

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The deployment follows months of U.S. interdictions of suspected drug-trafficking vessels in international waters. The hybrid fleet, including unmanned systems, supports persistent monitoring.

U.S. forces remain positioned across the southern Caribbean as the operation continues.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani held a press conference on Thursday where he spoke about his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

Mamdani said he is hoping to find common ground with Trump, despite their major differences.

The press conference came less than a day after the president made the announcement about Friday's meeting at the White House.

"Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran "Kwame" Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st," Trump said in a post on social media.

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In response to the Truth Social post, Mamdani said. "I'm not concerned about this meeting, I view this meeting as an opportunity to make my case." He added, "It behooves me to leave no stone unturned in making the city more affordable."

In his reasoning for the visit he called the visit customary.

"My team reached out to the White House because I will work with anyone to make this city more affordable," Mamdani said. "I intend to make it clear to President Trump that I will work with him on any agenda that benefits New Yorkers."

When asked about the meeting on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "It speaks volumes that tomorrow we have a communist coming to the White House," adding, "I think it's very telling and speaks to the fact that President Trump is willing to meet with anyone and talk to anyone."

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The mayor-elect noted that one out of every four New Yorkers live in poverty and one out of five struggle to afford the bus.

However, Mamdani said one in 10 New Yorkers who voted for Trump in 2024 voted for him in 2025, so he expressed optimism they could focus on the same thing: concerns Americans have about the high cost of living.

He ended his press conference by saying, "I'll stand up for New Yorkers every single day."

Trump has for months slammed Mamdani, falsely labeling him as a "communist" and predicting the ruin of his hometown, New York, if the Democratic Socialist was elected. He also threatened to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a naturalized American citizen, and to pull federal money from the city.

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Mamdani rose from an obscure state lawmaker to become a social media star and symbol of the resistance against Trump during his mayoral campaign. He campaigned on an array of progressive policies and a message that was stark in its opposition to the aggressive, anti-immigrant agenda Trump has rolled out in his second White House term.

The 34-year-old appealed to a broad cross-section of New Yorkers and defeated one of its political heavyweights, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, by nearly 9 percentage points.

In his election night victory speech, Mamdani said he wanted New York to show the country how to defeat the president. But the day after, while speaking about his plans for "Trump-proofing" New York once he takes office in January, the incoming mayor also said he was willing to work with anyone, including the president, if it can help New Yorkers.

Political observers say both men know New York needs Washington, and Washington needs New York.

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Both men have something to gain, but who has more to lose?

"If it fails, Mayor-elect Mamdani is out there saying, 'look I tried.' I think the president has a lot more to lose," said Columbia University professor Ester Fuchs. "President Trump is all about the deal. If he doesn't walk away from this meeting without a deal, that's a loser."

Experts say Mamdani needs to be prepared for anything, especially after the stunning hostile Oval Office altercation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

But Fuchs thinks with Mamdani, it will look different.

"You have to expect the president to send the mixed messages, and then you have to go in with the big smile on your face to do this negotiation," Fuchs said. "I don't believe he will take any bait at this meeting. He's too smart, he's too disciplined. If you watched his campaign, very disciplined. Afterwards, all bets are off. It really depends upon what happens."

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 Residents of Feather Falls, California, are barking mad, KCRA-TV reported.

The Butte County Sheriff's Office said Davina Corbin, 56, was found dead on the Black Hawk Trail after apparently being mauled by a pack of dogs.

Max Hecker, who lives in the area, said the dogs are Great Danes that are known to terrorize people.

"They'd be out here in the road, and you would have to wade through 'em," Hecker said. He said he and other neighbors had repeatedly contacted Butte County Animal Control, to no avail.

"They didn't do anything about any of this," he said. "That lady should have never died."

Officials rounded up the dogs, and a search warrant was issued at a property across from where Corbin was found. [KCRA, 8/12/2024]
Experts have touted the important role AI can play in shining a light on women's health challenges, as research warns of the biases exhibited by the algorithms that underpin the technology.

In avoiding gender bias in healthcare, the data fed into analytic systems that use AI remains a key concern, yet the biases AI systems may reveal about the underlying data can also prove beneficial, speakers on a panel about addressing gender inequalities in healthcare have said.

Dr Antonella Santuccione Chadha, CEO of Swiss non-profit the Womens Brain Foundation, highlighted a recent paper that shed light on the underlying biases within AI-driven systems. Chadha was speaking on a panel session at the Medica convention, taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany between 17-20 November.

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The paper demonstrated that Apples automated speech recognition (ASR) system, Siri, displayed gender bias and limitations in offering guidance around health concerns specific to women. For example, when requesting guidance around menstrual pain, Siri, based on the data fed into it through its underlying deep learning models, was simply unable to offer any form of meaningful guidance.

However, in a sense, Chadha views the current deficiencies with AI as beneficial. It's thanks to AI that we start to become more aware of the bias. Without AI, I dont believe we would be as aware of it as we are today, she explained during the panel.

AI is common throughout digitisation across industries and is continuing to advance in the healthcare space. GlobalData analysis forecasts that AI in healthcare will reach a valuation of $19bn by 2027.

Ambient AI tools for transcribing patient consultations, such as Microsofts recently launched Dragon Copilot and AI triaging systems, are all intended to aid practitioners and optimise workflows.

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However, research has highlighted that biases in the algorithms driving AI systems can reinforce discriminatory conclusions surrounding womens health and lead to flawed care decisions being made.

For example, recent research by the London School of Economics (LSE) Care Policy & Evaluation Centre (CPEC) found that Googles Gemma AI model downplayed womens physical and mental issues in compared with mens when used to generate case note summaries for social workers.

By knowing what biases exist in data analysis, Chadha added that evaluations can be made around what gender-specific healthcare issues require more focus and sensitivity around.

Also on the panel, Professor Helen Crimlisk, associate medical director for innovation, research, and development at the Sheffield Health and Social Care UK National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust highlighted that data collected and synthesised with AI tools determines what biases may, even inadvertently, be brought into clinical practice.

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However, Crimlisk acknowledged that collecting diversity data, from gender to other metrics such as ethnicity, can be a challenge, with what data to include and how to classify it for beneficial application in healthcare being further matters that require close consideration.

She said: People can feel uncomfortable about disclosing their diversity data.

While we want to have the maximum amount of data in that respect, we have to acknowledge that, for pragmatic reasons, we probably have to limit exactly how much data we collect in a systematised way.

"Medica 2025: AI has role to play in highlighting gender biases in healthcare" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




A Michigan man is staring down a brutal rap sheet after cops allege he gunned down a car lot owner and an innocent customer in a fiery clash over a lemon Hummer. The bloodshed went down on November 7 at Star Auto Sales, where the shooter, 46-year-old Terrance Jermaine Sandles, allegedly came back weeks after dropping three grand on a hunk-of-junk 2007 GMCthen flipped his lid when the dealership wouldnt make it right.

Cops say Sandles had been stewing for weeks. He stormed back to the lot that morning, demanding face time with the owner, Marvan Batoo. What followed wasnt just harsh words: investigators claim Sandles pulled a gun and blew Batoo away in cold blood. Ghaith Baban, some poor sap just there to buy a car, caught a stray bullet mid-meeting. No warning, no chancejust wrong place, wrong time.

Then, like some low-budget crime flick, authorities say Sandles grabbed cash from the register and bolted. Cops tracked his ride using license plate scanners, cornering him at a nearby motel. Inside, they allegedly found two gunsone right next to him on the bedplus the stolen dough.

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Now hes staring at first-degree murder, armed robbery, weapons charges, and a drug rap just for kicks. Prosecutors arent mincing words: this wasnt some spur-of-the-moment meltdown. Sandles had a bone to pick, and those two men paid the price. As the case gears up for court, one things clearthis wasnt just rage, it was calculated. And Michigans justice system looks ready to return the favor.



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William Null (right) and his twin brother Michael Null (left) who were acquitted of charges related to the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speak at a a Second Amendment March event outside the Michigan Capitol Building on Sept. 19, 2024. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

William Null of Shelbyville is the latest candidate to signal their interest in seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2026, despite his history of being implicated in the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Null was charged but was later found not guilty for his alleged role in offering support to the men who conspired to kidnap Whitmer in 2020. He was also one of several militia members who entered the state Capitol, with tactical gear and long guns strapped around their torsos, in protest of Whitmers lockdowns at the height of the COVID pandemic.

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News of his candidacy was met with near immediate skepticism from Republicans and others on social media, who questioned if Null could amass the more than 15,000 valid signatures needed to make the ballot. Even if he does make the ballot, he faces fierce competition in U.S. Rep. John James, also of Shelbyville, who has positioned himself as a frontrunner in the race.

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Aside from James, the full slate of Republican gubernatorial candidates includes Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, far-right activist Anthony Hudson and anti-property tax advocate Karla Wagner.

Two men were found guilty in the plot to kidnap Whitmer: Adam Fox and Barry Croft, who are currently serving prison sentences. But several others were arrested and prosecuted on separate federal and state charges. Those who faced federal charges other than Fox and Croft were acquitted, but at least one of them pleaded guilty and testified against the defendants.

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Null was among those charged on alleged state crimes of offering material support to Fox and Croft. Several were convicted, but Null, his twin brother Michael Null, and Eric Molitor were found not guilty.

Molitor is listed in campaign filings as the treasurer for Nulls new bid for Michgians highest office.

He has been eyeing a run for governor since last year.

The Michigan Democratic Party in a news release condemned the burgeoning campaign.

William Null is a far-right extremist and former militia member whose dangerous, violent extremism has no place in our state, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said in a statement. The Michigan Democratic Party strongly condemns Nulls candidacy for governor, and we urge Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad and each of the Republican candidates for governor to join us in condemning Null and his dangerous extremism.
A 64-year-old Middleburg man has been arrested by the Clay County Sheriffs Office following a child exploitation investigation.

Shawn Owen Cirignano was taken into custody on Wednesday after detectives received numerous tips regarding child sexual abuse material linked to him, a Clay County Sheriffs Office news release states.

The arrest was made at a home on Quarterhorse Trail in Middleburg, and Cirignano faces 10 counts of knowingly possessing and intentionally viewing child sexual abuse material.

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He was booked into Clay County jail on $1 million bond, the news release states.

The investigation was conducted by the Clay County Sheriffs Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, with assistance from the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Flagler County Sheriffs Office.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson defended President Donald Trumps saying that Democratic members of Congress should face the death penalty for saying that members of the military can refuse orders if they believe those commands violate their oaths to the Constitution.

A handful of Democratic members of Congress and senators who served in the U.S. military or intelligence posted a video on social media on Tuesday saying that members of the military can refuse orders they deem illegal.

The video included Reps. Chris DeLuzio (D-Penn.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo .) as well as Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

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Conservatives raged against the video and Trump posted on Truth Social: Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???

Later on, Trump reposted a Truth user saying, HANG THEM and later said they committed SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR which was punishable by DEATH.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended Trump saying Democrats who said members of the U.S. military could refuse illegal orders committed SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR and could be punished by DEATH. (Reuters)

But Johnson said that Trump simply defined what crime they committed, though his comment was hard to decipher.

What I read was he was defining the crime of sedition, he told The Independent. But obviously attorneys have to parse the language and determine all that. What I'm saying, what I will say unequivocally, that was a wildly inappropriate thing for so called leaders in Congress to do to encourage young troops to disobey orders.

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Specifically, Johnson called out Kelly, who had previously confronted him during the government shutdown for not swearing in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for more than a month after she won her special election.

This is out of control and is wildly inappropriate, Johnson said. And for a senator like Mark Kelly, or any member of Congress in the House or Senate to be engaged in that kind of talk is is, to me, just so beyond the pale.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), meanwhile, defended members of his caucus for their words.

We unequivocally condemn Donald Trumps disgusting and dangerous threats against members of Congress and call on House Republicans to forcefully do the same, Jeffries said. Jeffries said Democrats had been in contact with the House Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police about the safety of members.

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Johnson has long been an ally of the president and even supported him when his actions were found to have fueled the violent Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

In 2020, Johnson, then a backbencher member of Congress, led an amicus brief in a Texas lawsuit to invalidate the election results in swing states that Joe Biden won. After the January 6 riot at the Capitol, Johnson still voted to object to the 2020 presidential election results and voted against impeaching Trump for his role during the riot.

The House Jan. 6 committees final report found Trump criminally engaged in a multi-part conspiracy to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election and that he also failed to take actions to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol.

Trump lit that fire, wrote the committees chairman, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson.

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Still, when Trump pardoned January 6 rioters, Johnson said its his decision, adding, Its kind of my ethos, my worldview: we believe in redemption. We believe in second chances.

Earlier this week, Johnson voted for legislation pushed by every Democrat and a handful of rogue Republicans to disclose files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

But that came only after Trump called on Republicans to vote for the legislation. And Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) proposed a discharge petition to force a vote on the legislation because Johnson refused to put such legislation on the floor.
An aerial view shows a data center situated near single-family homes in Stone Ridge, Va., last year. Local communities around the country are seeking more input on where and how data centers are built. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Over the past decade, Virginia has become home to more than 650 data centers  the largest concentration on Earth  including roughly 150 hyperscale facilities operated by Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta. Loudoun County alone hosts nearly 200 operating sites, with more than 100 additional facilities in development.

Regulators and lawmakers are now confronting soaring peak demand and rising grid costs for Virginia ratepayers. Now is the moment for the commonwealth to adopt a straightforward, market-based solution that delivers more affordable energy and ensures data centers pay their fair share  all for only a modest contribution.

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Data center growth has come at a cost. They already consume more than one-quarter of Virginias electricity, a share projected to approach half of statewide demand by 2030. Dominion Energy has told regulators that serving this new hyperscale load will require billions of dollars in new generation and transmission infrastructure  costs increasingly passed on to ordinary Virginians through rate hikes.

As it is, Virginia imports roughly 39% of its electricity  more than any other state  according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, buying much of that power at a premium. Options to meet that demand require five to ten or more years of development, whether new natural gas, small modular nuclear, or utility-scale solar. In contrast, small-scale rooftop and ground-mounted solar can be built and interconnected in less than a year.

Since 2010, Virginias sales- and use-tax exemption has provided data-center operators with more than $2 billion in cumulative subsidies, justified as job creation. Yet most jobs were temporary construction work.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) reported last year that the sector supports about 74,000 jobs statewide, mostly indirect or short-term, while a typical operating facility employs only around 50 full-time workers. In FY 2023 alone, this exemption cost taxpayers $928 million.

A modest, market-based solution

Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger said it best in her acceptance speech: Data centers need to pay their fair share. Virginia can take her message to heart by inviting the industry to make a small, voluntary, high-impact contribution toward the commonwealths clean-energy goals and local development.

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Heres the proposal: Data centers would contribute a small percentage of their avoided state sales-tax liability each year toward purchasing Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) under the distributed generation (DG) carve-out for small-scale solar projects operating in Virginia. Each SREC represents one megawatt-hour of solar generation; purchasing them helps finance projects and provides verifiable carbon offsets to the buyer.

The program would support any and all solar systems under 3 MW on public schools, hospitals, community colleges and municipal buildings  projects that lower energy bills and strengthen local economies.

Using JLARCs FY 2023 figure of $928 million in annual tax savings, a 5% annual contribution would yield about $46 million per year for the purchase of Virginia-generated SRECs  enough to help finance over 500 MW of distributed solar capacity annually to benefit schools and communities.

According to the U.S. Department of Energys Jobs and Economic Impact (JEDI) model, this voluntary program would each year:

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Leverage $1.1 billion in private-sector investment in distributed solar

Generate more than $700 million in local economic activity

Create over 2,800 good-paying Virginia jobs.

All of this would be achieved without adding a single cent to ratepayer bills, while reducing taxpayer subsidies and helping stabilize Virginias solar industry by offsetting the abrupt and disruptive phase-down of federal investment tax credits.

From additionality to multiplicity

For years, the technology industry has subscribed to what might be called the Gospel of Additionality  the idea that eco-virtue is earned by sourcing the largest and cheapest quantities of clean energy. This approach has sent corporate energy dollars to Texas wind farms and Arizona solar plants while companies continued to draw fossil-based power here in Virginia.

Our modest proposal offers a different creed: Multiplicity  where one small investment multiplies benefits across the commonwealths schools, hospitals, and communities.

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By purchasing Virginia DG SRECs data-center operators could:

Lower energy costs for public schools, hospitals, and local governments at no capital cost to them

Help offset summer coincident peak demand in the Mid-Atlantic PJM grid area more quickly and affordably than any other generation option

Reduce taxpayer burden by cutting energy costs for public institutions

Avoid ratepayer-funded SREC subsidies through a voluntary, market-based mechanism

Create durable local jobs and workforce training tied to installation, operations and maintenance

A good-neighbor contribution would show that an industry running on public infrastructure can also reinvest in the communities that power it. Data-center operators could help schools, hospitals and small towns across the commonwealth generate clean, affordable solar energy  a sure and equitable way for them to pay their fair share.

And importantly, this modest proposal is designed to complement, not replace, a longer-term, holistic strategy for meeting Virginias energy needs by offering a simple, fast, and low-cost way to buy the commonwealth the time it urgently needs.

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More than 100 missing children have been rescued across Florida, including 22 in the Jacksonville area.

Its part of Operation Home for the Holidays, which was led by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, the Clay County Sheriffs Office, and the Nassau County Sheriffs Office also assisted locally.

Six people were arrested and the kids rescued across the state range in age from 23 months to 17 years old.

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Law enforcement said many of them experienced abuse, neglect, or exposure to other criminal activity.

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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized that child predators are not welcome in Florida.

Now you should know if you come into Florida and you want to lay a finger on our kids, if you want to prey upon them, if you want to groom them, if you want to abuse them, everybody up here is coming for you with everything weve got, Uthmeier said.

Uthmeier said medical care and rehabilitation was ready for 13 of the children when they were rescued.

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One of the men that Border Patrol had on their radar is accused of targeting a 13-year-old online for sex.

Pineville Police arrested Jordan Castillo-Chavez in March.

However, the Department of Homeland Security said hes back on the streets because his ICE detainer wasnt honored.

ALSO READ: Businesses close, construction halts as CBP operation continues

Channel 9s Gina Esposito spoke with the young accusers mother.

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The girls mother, Vermesha Rose, said she didnt know until this week that the suspect wasnt a U.S. citizen.

Now that Rose does know, she believes justice is deportation.

Its hurtful that my child is a victim, and they have this person and let him go, Rose said.

Victim's mother, Vermesha Rose

Her daughter was 13 years old when she met Castillo-Chavez, who was 29.

Rose found out when she looked at her daughters phone.

And then there was a message from this guy, Rose said. Im like, Who is this? Shes like, Oh, thats my friend. I just met him online, and I looked at the message. There were photos. There were messages that he was coming to pick her up and I immediately dropped. I fainted. This is not happening right now.

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In March, Pineville Police charged Castillo-Chavez with indecent liberties, and other sex related charges. He has since bonded out.

This week, Customs and Boarder Protection named Castillo-Chavez, of Costa Rica, as one the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens blaming his release on a failed ICE detainer. Esposito reached out to a spokesperson with Customs and Boarder Control because she was unable to find an ICE detainer in Castillo-Chavez court records. She is still waiting on clarification.

Esposito asked the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office about it.

Over email, a spokesperson for the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office said: We received a request for advance notification for Jordan Castillo-Chavez, not a detainer. If MCSO had received a detainer we would have held Mr. Castillo-Chavez for 48 hours from the time we received the detainer, as he was arrested before HB 318 went into effect.

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Esposito asked what a request for advance notification is. MCSO responded: A request for advance notification is simply an ask that we notify that this person is being released. It is not a detainer and did not require MCSO to take any action according to the law at that time.

MSCO clarified that they did not notify ICE because they legally werent required to.

They said ICE made a request for advance notification of his release, but said the agency did not issue an ICE detainer.

The sheriffs office said they did not notify ICE when Castillo-Chavez bonded out because they werent legally required.

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This is serious, Rose told Esposito.

Rose said her father had committed a crime in the U.S. and was deported back to his country years ago, so she understands the impact.

Rose believes Castillo-Chavez should be deported.

We need justice, she said. He needs to go. They need to enforce it.

Rose said if Castillo-Chavez isnt deported, she would still like to see justice served through the Mecklenburg County courts system.

Esposito asked also Rose for her thoughts on Customs Border Protections arrests of people living in the country illegally who dont have criminal records.

She said, When you are affecting people who are actually working and trying to live the American dream, then allow them to do that.

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Rose said she would like to see those individuals released.

At our last check, Castillo-Chavez was not arrested during this weeks operation.

VIDEO: Salon owner says Border Patrol harassed him during east Charlotte sweep
The City of Washington has taken legal action, trying to get a business owner and property owner to clean up a mounting pile of waste that has accrued on Jefferson Avenue.

Pieces of furniture, tires, even an old bicycle  thats what can be seen behind Hauling and That, a junk removal business.

Mayor JoJo Burgess told Channel 11 that the property is not zoned for a junk removal business to operate there, right across the street from Washington Senior High School.

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When you get over there and look at the disregard that someone has for that property, it makes no sense, Burgess said.

Burgess said the business owner, Michael Lynch, moved in over the summer. Burgess said he spoke with Lynch personally then, asking if hed obtained the proper permits from the city. Months later, that still hasnt happened.

None of that stuff was okayed. None of that stuff was approved. The business owner decided, Well, you know what Im going to do? Im going to continue to operate anyways, Burgess said.

The result: tens of thousands of dollars in fines, still unpaid, after the city cited Lynch, as well as the property owner, Talebi Homes.

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Channel 11 went to Talebis office and knocked on the door. No one answered. We also called the number listed for Hauling and That, but were unable to leave a message.

Burgess said Lynch brought in dumpsters and cleared the property in October, but less than a month later, its even worse.

I get it with the residents - they say, you go clean it up. Id love to clean it up, Burgess said. If we go on this property and something gets disturbed, we now become liable.

Burgess said hes looking forward to the city having its day in court on Nov. 25 and is hoping a judge will uphold the penalties and order the property to be cleaned up.

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sounded an alarm earlier this month, warning that China is rapidly closing in on the U.S. in the global race to AI dominance. And DeepSeeks sudden rise earlier this year showed just how quickly the balance of power can shift.

That competition is playing out not just in Silicon Valley and Shenzhen, but also on university campuses. Beijing has been steadily building an AI powerhouse of its own at Tsinghua Universitychallenging the cutting-edge tech dominance of the U.S. Ivy League.

Tsinghua has produced more of the worlds 100 most-cited AI research papers than any other school, and the university generates more AI-related patents each year than MIT, Stanford, Princeton and Harvard combined. Between 2005 and the end of 2024, Tsinghua researchers filed 4,986 AI and machine-learning patentsincluding more than 900 last yearaccording to LexisNexis data analyzed by Bloomberg.

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Still, the U.S. maintains an edge. American institutions hold many of the most influential AI patents, and according to Stanfords 2025 AI Index Report, the U.S. has produced 40 notable AI models compared to Chinas 15. However, the Chinese models have rapidly closed the quality gap.

Theres a lot of enthusiasm for AI and machine learning within government, industry and academic circles, Jun Liu, a former Harvard professor who joined Tsinghua this year to lead the schools new statistics and data science department, told Bloomberg. The draw of AI talent is due to capital, and the Chinese governments support for scientific research, including in AI and related areas.

China is building a massive AI talent pipelineand U.S. companies are tapping it

Chinas tech strategy doesnt start at the university levelthe country has begun teaching the foundations of AI to students as young as six. This fall, schools in Beijing rolled out at least eight hours of AI instruction per academic year, covering topics like how to use chatbots and other tools, general background on the technology, and AI ethics.

That early focus has helped China build out a vast tech workforce. China graduated 3.57 million STEM students in 2020compared with 820,000 in the U.S.according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. State media has since reported that the number could exceed five million annually. (Chinas population is more than four times that of the U.S.)

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American tech companies have taken noticeand rushed to snatch up Chinese talent. Over the summer, Meta announced a new Superintelligence Lab aimed at building a machine more powerful than the human brain. All 11 founding researchers were educated outside of the U.S.and seven were born in China, according to The New York Times.

A 2020 Paulson Institute study found Chinese AI researchers made up nearly one-third of the worlds 100 top AI scientistsmost of whom worked for U.S. universities and corporations. Follow-up research from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace found that despite rising geopolitical tensions, 87% of those researchers have continued working in the U.S.

As Matt Sheehan, an analyst who worked on both studies, put it to the NYT:

The U.S. AI industry is the biggest beneficiary of Chinese talent.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ripped into both the Republican and Democratic parties on Wednesday after lawmakers prevented Del. Stacey Plaskett from being censured for texting with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Greene wrote that a deal was reached to block the Democrat, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands, from being kicked off the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Plaskett faced being censured and stripped from her committee assignment after the released Epstein documents showed she had been texting with the child predator during a House Oversight Committee hearing with Michael Cohen in 2019.

A vote to censure Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett for texting with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 hearing failed after three Republicans joined Democrats voting against it and three others voted

However, the censure effort failed in a 209 to 214 vote after three Republicans voted with every Democrat against it and three other GOP members voted present.

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Greene slammed lawmakers for making a backroom deal to protect her along with embattled Republican Rep. Cory Mills.

The MAGA rebel said the three Republicans crossed the aisle to vote against the Plaskett censure resolution in exchange for not bringing up the Mills censure.

Rep. MTG slams both parties for a deal to prevent the censure of Rep. Stacey Plaskett for texting with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 hearing. / x.com

The Florida Republican is accused of threatening to blackmail and harassing his ex-girlfriend, as well as stolen valor over his military record. He has denied allegations.

You, the American people, should be outraged by this against both parties, Greene wrote. And you should be asking many questions.

She questioned why both sides had worked together to protect Plaskett and Mills and claimed that members like her never ever receive such protection and never will.

Rep. Cory Mills is accused of threatening to blackmail and harassing his ex-girlfriend. He denied the allegations. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Instead of working to pass legislation that supports policies you voted for, passing our appropriation bills, and solving real crisis issues like healthcare, Congress is trapped in the quicksand of the Swamp with no intention of getting out.

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Greene stuck her neck out to support the bill to release the Epstein files and refused to back down despite a public breakup with Trump. She said their falling out and the presidents attacks have resulted in her receiving threats.

The Georgia lawmaker was not the only Republican to slam the deal to prevent Plaskett from being censured.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna blasted House leadership for exchanging the Plaskett censure for protecting Mills.

The swamp protects itself, she wrote.

On the floor of the House, she asked for an explanation of why leadership on both sides, both Democrat and Republican, are cutting back-end deals to cover up public corruption in the House of Representatives from both Republican and Democrat members of Congress.

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GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert was also enraged by the censure vote failing and took it out on her own party. In response to Lunas remarks, she yelled, Get it, girl!

The Colorado lawmaker could be heard blasting members of her own party late Tuesday on the House floor after the vote failed, telling them: This is why America hates us.
Efforts to ban cellphones in New Jerseys public school classrooms have a powerful new supporter in Trenton.

State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin told NJ Advance Media that he favors approving a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Coughlin, the second-highest-ranking state lawmaker in New Jersey, said its one of his goals to pass the plan before the current legislative session ends Jan. 20.

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The Middlesex County Democrat specifically referenced an Assembly bill, A4882, that would direct the state Department of Education to develop a policy prohibiting non-academic use of a cellphone or social media during classroom instruction, with some exceptions.

Many of New Jerseys approximately 600 public school districts already restrict cellphone use in classrooms but the policies and punishments vary. Some require students to keep their phones off and out of sight, while others provide locations for the devices to be stored during the school day.

The proposed law could help school districts adopt uniform rules banning cellphones bell-to-bell, which means prohibiting use during the entire academic day.

The legislation was introduced in October 2024, but has not been voted on by the full Assembly. The state Senate, the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature, passed its own version of the bill, S3695, in January in a 35-0 vote.

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Coughlin said he was at a conference this fall where the speakers were discussing a bell-to-bell school cellphone ban.

And the positive impact that Im hearing about makes me believe that we should be considering that bill. So moving on both of those fronts, I think are going to have a real positive impact, Coughlin told NJ Advance Media earlier this week.

Coughlin gave a succinct answer when asked if he personally supports a bell-to-bell classroom cellphone ban.

Yeah, he said.

The plan needs to be approved by the full Legislature and signed by the governor to become state law.

The statewide ban has been a priority of outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, since January. So far, the effort has stalled.

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But Coughlins support is key to the proposal moving out of the Democratic-controlled Legislature during the lame duck legislative session  the timeframe between the November general election and the start of a new legislative session.

Lawmakers vote on State Budget

A new statewide policy in New York bars unsanctioned use of cellphones and other devices for the entire school day. The policy, backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, debuted on Sept. 4 in New York City as students returned to classes.

In its report, the state Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage in Adolescents stopped short of calling for a statewide policy or legislation banning cellphones in class, which Murphy endorsed in a speech to state legislators in January.

The school board in Jersey City, New Jerseys second-largest city, prohibited cellphones and other personal communications devices in classrooms starting Oct. 1. Students are allowed to use cellphones during lunch and recess periods but not during bathroom breaks,

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Similar to cellphone restrictions in other districts, the Jersey City plan includes exemptions for students with disabilities or health issues.

The lame-duck session comes before Murphy leaves office Jan. 20 after eight years in office. New Jerseys constitution limits governors to serving two terms.

Fellow Democrat Mikie Sherrill won this months high-profile election to succeed him. Democrats also gained five seats in the Legislature.

Read more of the interview with Coughlin in Thursdays What Makes Jersey Run newsletter.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A bid by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to force a censure of her fellow House Republican and remove his committee assignments failed on Wednesday night.

Mace introduced a censure resolution against Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., earlier in the day, accusing him of stolen valor among other alleged improprieties.

Mills rose in his own defense on Wednesday night to call for a vote to refer the measure to the House Ethics Committee and deny her accusations.

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His counter-effort succeeded, with the House voting 310-103 to send the matter to the ethics panel  effectively squashing Mace's effort for an immediate punishment.

Tit For Tat: House Censures Are Becoming 'Snap' Solutions

Rep. Nancy Mace's bid to censure fellow House Republican Rep. Cory Mills failed.

Seven House Republicans voted alongside Mace to move the censure vote forward. They are Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., and Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

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The 310 lawmakers who voted against Mace's move included both Democrats and Republicans.

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Twelve lawmakers, including members of the House Ethics Committee, voted "present."

Mace introduced the censure as a privileged resolution, a mechanism aimed at forcing House GOP leaders to reckon with a piece of legislation in the immediate future.

The resolution accused Mills of a wide variety of improprieties, including misrepresenting his military service and working as a private military contractor while serving as a member of Congress.

She also cited several media reports alleging Mills assaulted past romantic partners while being accused of threatening another woman he was also reportedly involved with. Mills previously denied those allegations.

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In addition to censuring him, Mace's resolution would have also removed Mills from his roles on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee if successful.

Trump Signs Bill Ending Longest Government Shutdown In Us History

Del. Stacey Plaskett speaks during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Hours before the vote, however, the House Ethics Committee announced it would open an investigation into Mills via a new subcommittee  a move Mace criticized as an effort to neuter her push.

"This is a naked attempt to kill my resolution to censure Rep. Cory Mills. Common sense tells us we dont need an investigative subcommittee to decide if Cory Mills, who a Court found to be an immediate and present danger of committing dating violence against a woman, should serve on committees related to national security. Or the testimony of soldiers and the stolen valor," Mace said.

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Notably, however, the House Ethics Committee is the traditional first step when lawmakers are accused of impropriety.

It comes after House Democrats threatened to pursue a retaliatory censure against Mills Tuesday evening in response to Republicans trying to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-V.I., the Virgin Islands' nonvoting representative in the House, over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Plaskett censure failed after three House Republicans voted "no" and three more voted "present," however, along with every Democrat rejecting the measure. Democrats did not appear to pursue the censure against Mills after that.

Mace had accused Mills of participating in a "backroom deal" at the time to avoid a censure, adding, "I have the General who recommended him for the Bronze Star on record saying he never wrote it, never read it and never personally signed it."

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Mills' office told Fox News Digital there was never a deal, however, and had expected his censure to move forward on Tuesday night. He also voted in favor of censuring Plaskett.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., walks from the chamber to speak with reporters after the final vote to bring the longest government shutdown in history to an end, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Mace introduced her resolution after sending a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Wednesday accusing Mills of "credible accusations he misrepresented his military service" and "credible accusations of having committed crimes against women."

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Mills has previously denied wrongdoing in reports of both sets of allegations.

He also criticized the move in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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"Congresswoman Nancy Maces latest stunt is a politically motivated attempt to grab headlines and settle personal scores. The American people deserve better than fabricated accusations and theatrics at a time when Republicans should be focused on governing," Mills said.

"The claims on my valor that shes pushing are baseless, recycled, and already publicly disproven. I fully deny them, just as I always have. This is not oversight, its attention-seeking dressed up as accountability."





Original article source: Nancy Mace's bid to censure fellow GOP Rep. Cory Mills fails
NASA released close-up images on Wednesday of the rare interstellar comet that's making a single pass through the solar system.

One of the images shows the comet, also known as 3I/ATLAS, as it moves through space about 190 million miles from Earth. It was taken from Manciano, Italy.

This photo provided by Gianluca Masi shows the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it streaks through space, 190 million miles from Earth, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The image was taken from Manciano, Italy. / Credit: Gianluca Masi / AP

The comet was first discovered in July and has been photographed several times. In early August, images released showed the comet from about 277 million miles away. A month ago, images taken by two Mars orbiters showed a bright, fuzzy white dot of the comet about 18,641,135 miles away from Mars.

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, circled in the center, as seen by the L'LORRI panchromatic, or black-and-white, imager on NASA's Lucy spacecraft. This image was made by stacking a series of images taken on Sept. 16, 2025, as the comet was zooming toward Mars. / Credit: NASA/Goddard/SwRI/JHU-APL

3I/ATLAS is only the third ever interstellar comet confirmed to enter our solar system.

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The comet is visible from Earth in the predawn sky by using binoculars or a telescope.

"Everyone that is in control of a telescope wants to look at it because it's a fascinating and rare opportunity," NASA's acting astrophysics director, Shawn Domagal-Goldman, told The Associated Press.

This movie shows PUNCH's observations of comet 3I/ATLAS from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10, 2025, when the comet was between 231 million to 235 million miles from Earth. / Credit: NASA/Southwest Research Institute

The comet will make its closest approach to Earth on Friday, Dec. 19, coming within about 170 million miles, which is nearly twice the Earth-Sun distance. NASA spacecraft will keep tracking it as it moves through the solar system, crossing Jupiter's orbit in spring 2026.

ESA's Juice spacecraft, bound for Jupiter, has been training its cameras and scientific instruments on the comet all month, particularly after it made its closest pass to the sun. But scientists won't get any of these observations back until February because Juice's main antenna is serving as a heat shield while it's near the sun, limiting the flow of data.

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Named for the telescope in Chile that first spotted it, the comet is believed to be anywhere from 1,444 feet across to 3.5 miles across. Observations indicate that the exceptionally fast-moving comet may have originated in a star system older than our own  "which gives me goose bumps to think about," said NASA scientist Tom Statler.

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Oct. 2, 2025. / Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

"That means that 3I/ATLAS is not just a window into another solar system, it's a window into the deep past and so deep in the past that it predates even the formation of our Earth and our sun," Statler told reporters.

NASA officials dismissed rumors that the "friendly solar system visitor" might actually be an alien spacecraft.

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It's possibly as big as Manhattan, likely older than our own solar system and it's traveling through space at speeds of up to 153,000 miles per hour. It's also only the third confirmed interstellar object and the second comet from outside our solar system to be identified by humans. And now, NASA is sharing a new look at the comet that has captivated the world: 3I/ATLAS.

On Wednesday, during a press conference at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, the space agency shared new images of the comet captured by the space agency's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera and its MAVEN Mars orbiter instruments in early October, when 3I/ATLAS flew past Mars at distances of 18.6 and 35 million miles. NASA also released an image captured by the European Space Agency and NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory in mid-October.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona - PHOTO: The High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this image of insterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Oct. 2, 2025.

"I would like to address the rumors right at the beginning. I think it's important that we talk about that. This object is a comet. It looks and behaves like a comet, and all evidence points to it being a comet. But this one came from outside the solar system, which makes it fascinating, exciting and scientifically very important," said NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya.

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The comet was first discovered on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System observatory, which is why it's called 3I/ATLAS. The 3I signifies that it is the third interstellar object discovered by astronomers. Later that month, data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope helped determine its potential size, suggesting it's between 1,400 feet and 3.5 miles. In early August, the James Webb Space Telescope revealed that the comet's coma, a cloud of gas and dust surrounding its nucleus, was primarily composed of carbon dioxide, along with water and ice.

NASA/Goddard/LASP/CU Boulder - PHOTO: This ultraviolet image shows the halo of gas and dust, or coma, surrounding comet 3I/ATLAS as seen on Oct. 9, 2025, by NASA's MAVEN spacecraft using its Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph.

In a preprint study analyzing the findings, researchers explained that the comet's composition is unusual compared to comets in our solar system and that the CO2-to-water ratio for 3I/ATLAS "has never before been observed in a comet" so far from the Sun and among the highest ever observed in any comet. They theorize that their findings could indicate that the comet was exposed to more intense radiation or formed in a region of space rich in carbon dioxide ice.

"We were quick to be able to say, yep, it definitely behaves like a comet. We certainly haven't seen any technical signatures or anything from it that would lead us to believe it was anything other than a comet. But the super cool thing is not that it's exactly like all the comets that we see in our solar system. It's the differences that are so tantalizing," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

NASA is sending probes to Mars to find out why it lost its atmosphere  and what that could mean for Earth

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"It's gonna look different because it didn't come from our solar system, and that's what makes it so magical," she added.

According to NASA, the comet passed closest to the Sun on Oct. 30, at a distance of 130 million miles, and will be closest to Earth on Dec. 19, when it is approximately 170 million miles away. The agency says "3I/ATLAS is on what's called a hyperbolic trajectory, which means it is moving too fast to be bound by the Sun's gravity and, therefore, is not following a closed orbital path around the Sun. It is simply passing through our solar system.

"I think of these as frozen fossils from their moments of formation, including the things in and from now beyond our solar system," said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of NASA's Astrophysics Division. "What this will let us do is tell that story in a broader context between the detailed and large library of data we have on those origins of our own solar system and how volatiles were delivered to make life possible here on Earth.

NASA/Lowell Observatory/Qicheng Zhang - PHOTO: This screen grab from a video shows the 3I/ATLAS interstellar comet as a bright, fuzzy orb in the center.

For months, there has been speculation that the object could be of alien origin, a theory that took off on social media and has been championed by Harvard professor of science Avi Loeb, who has written extensively about 3I/ATLAS on his blog.

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Loeb identified "12 anomalies" for 3I/ATLAS that he says make it unique compared to other comets, including its unusual trajectory that takes it past multiple planets in our solar system, a nucleus much larger than those of previous interstellar comets and the non-traditional physical and chemical makeup of the gas plume.

"Through my communications about 3I/ATLAS, I convey the notion that science is work in progress. Anomalies offer a multitude of interpretations that are tested by new data that can rule out all but one of them," Loeb wrote in a blog post.

He added that "Remarkably, interstellar objects offer a new opportunity for both the search for primitive and technological lifeforms.

Astronomers catch rare glimpse of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it flies by Mars

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"If you understand comets pretty well and you understand asteroids pretty well, you kind of know the signatures that you're looking for, and so you can sort of look for these quickly and check them off and say, yep, it really does behave like a comet," said Fox.

NASA says all the collected data will be made available to the public, and the findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals after the data and images are scrutinized and studied.

"What we're going to find; It's way too early to predict. But I think we're getting a hint of the breadth, the wide spectrum of conditions that existed in different parts of the galaxy, in different solar systems," explained Tom Statler, lead scientist for solar system small bodies at NASA. "The answers will come later on."
The nation's largest landlord has agreed to pay $7 million to settle claims it used algorithms to raise rents.

Greystar Property Management, which manages nearly 950,000 rental units nationwide, reached the multimillion-dollar settlement after nine states sued the company, accusing it of an "algorithmic pricing scheme."

The attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, and Tennessee agreed to a settlement stemming from a January 2025 lawsuit.

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An investigation by a bipartisan coalition looked at Greystar's role into the scheme, which allowed property management companies to share supply and demand pricing data with one another on a service called RealPage.

RealPage uses algorithmic models to recommend price increases to subscribers. In a January 2025 complaint, it claims Greystar and other co-defendant landlords discussed "competitively sensitive topics" that included pricing strategies and rents.

One legal complaint from the state of California claimed the landlords knew that their nonpublic data would be used to recommend prices, not just for their own units, but also for competitors that use the programs.

The complaint said RealPage knew what competing landlords were charging and could increase profits for landlords by using that information to recommend landlords set or raise their prices uniformly, as a result eliminating competition and leaving renters no choice but to pay artificially high prices.

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"Whether it's through smoke-filled backroom deals or through an algorithm on your computer screen, colluding to drive up prices is illegal, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a press release.

Families across the country are staring down an affordability crisis. Companies that intentionally fuel this unaffordability by raising prices to line their own pockets can be sure I will use the full force of my office to hold them accountable. California is stronger when we protect tenants and a competitive economy.

As part of the settlement, Greystar has agreed it will no longer use software that relies on other landlords confidential data to set rents.

When the largest landlord in the entire United States rigs the market with unfair and anticompetitive algorithms, it jacks up costs for everyone, everywhere," Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in a press release. "Were continuing to press our case against RealPage and other bad actors in the industry, and we will use the full weight of our law enforcement authority to give families a fair chance at an affordable home."

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In the multistate coalition's amended complaint, it claims landlords Greystar; Blackstones LivCor, LLC (LivCor); Camden Property Trust (Camden); Cushman & Wakefield Inc. and Pinnacle Property Management Services LLC (Cushman); Willow Bridge Property Company LLC (Willow Bridge), and Cortland Management LLC (Cortland) participated in an unlawful scheme to decrease competition in rental housing markets across the country, harming millions of renters.

The Massachusetts AG's office says combined these landlords operate more than 1.3 million units in 43 states and the District of Columbia.

A judge must still approve the deal. No word if the other companies involved will need to pay a settlement or fine.

We are pleased this matter is resolved and remain focused on serving our residents and clients, Greystar said in a statement Wednesday, according to The Associated Press.
Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley and Council Delegate George Tolth met with elders Wednesday during the Eastern Navajo Agency Council on Aging meeting to share updates on services for senior citizens and hear community concerns.

The discussion focused on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, senior center operations, elder services, and ongoing efforts to strengthen support systems for older Navajo citizens.

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Speaker Curley outlined ongoing work to expand food assistance, streamline service delivery, and improve coordination with state and federal partners. She also thanked chapter officials, senior center staff and advocates for their leadership in addressing the needs of elderly community members.

Elders raised concerns about public safety, senior center food services, home renovation needs, communication gaps with the Executive Branch, and other challenges affecting access to services.

Several Council on Aging members also criticized the lack of communication and limited services from the Navajo Nations Division of Aging and Long-Term Care Support (DALTCS). They said many of their inquiries to DALTCS go unanswered, forcing them to seek information from the state of New Mexico.

Tolth, who serves on the Health, Education and Human Services Committee that oversees DALTCS, has continued to elevate elders concerns to the committee and Council.

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Our elders are the foundation of our communities, and ensuring they receive timely support and essential services remains a top priority for the Council, Curley said. We will continue working with our partners to strengthen resources and improve services across all agencies.

According to Council leadership, the Navajo Nation Council will continue working with program directors, chapter governments and community advocates to address service gaps and advance initiatives supporting Navajo elders.

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North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning residents to be vigilant against immigration scams that have been reported across the state.

Scammers are posing as immigration attorneys or government officials, offering legal help in exchange for large upfront payments, only to disappear without providing any real assistance.

When families look for immigration help, they deserve real answers from real professionals, said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. These scams do the opposite. They mislead people and take their money.

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ALSO READ: Border Patrol targets Charlotte shopping centers; US citizens arrested

Scammers may advertise their services on social media, create fake documents, and use AI to impersonate reputable lawyers.

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North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek speaks to reporters at a press conference about his office's report on hurricane recovery efforts in the east. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

GOLDSBORO, N.C.  State Auditor Dave Boliek said Wednesday he wants his office and other statewide elected offices to have more input in North Carolinas hurricane recovery efforts for the ongoing Helene rebuild and future disasters.

Boliek, a Republican, said he was recommending a partnership between lawmakers and all 10 elected statewide offices to revamp the states long-term response to natural disasters.

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I do think the entire Council of State needs to be brought in, along with legislative leadership, to assist in this, Boliek said.

The auditors comments came during a press conference after his office released a report on ReBuild NC  the states long-embattled recovery program for eastern North Carolina established under former Gov. Roy Cooper, also known as the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency or NCORR  that has experienced a budget deficit, untracked spending and years-long homebuilding delays.

His office detailed extensive bureaucracy errors within ReBuild NC that delayed construction, did not properly track payments to contractors and left survivors waiting in temporary housing and hotels for years. Those issues have been the subject of extensive reporting by NC Newsline and Inside Climate News.

In his recommendations and public remarks, Boliek called for broader changes to how North Carolina recovers from all disasters  changes that would involve input from his office and the rest of the Council of State, which includes five Republicans and five Democrats.

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Im standing here as an elected official, telling you Im willing to move this ball down the field and move it forward on behalf of the people of North Carolina, he told reporters Wednesday. And I have a real conviction and belief that the other members of the Council of State will step right up to the plate and join in, along with our legislative leadership.

That could mean taking measures like establishing key performance indicators, or measurable metrics, to track government contractors, he said.

Boliek said he believes those changes need to start immediately as the state recovers from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. A new, separate homebuilding program, called Renew NC, is repairing and rebuilding homes in the mountains, and will use up to $1.4 billion in federal money.

Officials leading Helene recovery efforts have repeatedly said the state has learned from mistakes made by ReBuild NC in eastern North Carolina. As of Wednesday evening, the western rebuilding effort, Renew NC, has 4,700 active applications; five homes have been completed and six others are under construction.

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Lawmakers have pushed officials to speed along the process, which state officials say has been complicated by slow federal approval.

We dont want to stand up here eight years from now and give a similar report about how an agency failed the people of North Carolina because they didnt have their financial house straight, Boliek said.

Boliek did not, however, commit to a similar investigation into the Helene operation, saying it would be unfair to do so early on.

Well give them a chance, make sure that they can get some results, Boliek said.

The auditors office, which has seen a boost in funding and staffing from GOP lawmakers since Bolieks election, has already sought to play more of a role in disaster oversight, creating an online dashboard that tracks Helene spending.

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Other members of the Council of State have roles to play during disaster recovery, including agricultural aid, insurance assistance and stopping price gouging. But under the current structure of state government, the governors office and executive branch control much of the day-to-day recovery process.

Since taking office in January, Gov. Stein has been committed to completing NCORRs mission and getting people back into their homes, a spokesperson for Steins office said in a statement to NC Newsline. We are reviewing the report and will continue to work with NCORR to implement any needed improvements.

Auditors report on ReBuild NC: A logistical nightmare

Bolieks report largely trod the same ground as prior news reporting and findings by legislators, outlining a program that he described as a disaster from the start and a logistical nightmare.

Applicants took an average of 936 days to get through just one of eight steps under the program, he said, and some families remained in temporary housing for more than 1,400 days.

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Boliek focused in particular on contracts and line items for software and technology, like $25 million for a Salesforce platform that really didnt do the job for them, he said. And while he believes that the state needs to continue partnering with the private sector, he said, you cant outsource governance.

We have to have management from the state level, he said, calling for reasonable expectations with contractors.

During its investigation into ReBuild NC, Boliek said his office consulted with Craig Fugate, who led FEMA under the Obama administration. Fugate said ReBuild NC spent a tremendous amount of time on process, when their job was swinging hammers.

The head of ReBuild NC, in a letter to the auditors office dated Monday, said the agency had significantly improved its financial management and other processes, and has actively shared lessons learned with those leading Helene recovery efforts.

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NCORR continues to implement process improvements with regards to strengthening vendor management, local governments and construction vendors, wrote Pryor Gibson, a longtime Cooper advisor and former Democratic lawmaker who now leads ReBuild NC.

Gibson and Boliek will both testify in front of lawmakers Thursday in Greenville, where a hurricane recovery oversight hearing is expected to focus on ReBuild NC.
IDF's Central Command chief: Conventional solutions for hilltop youth insufficient  Israel Katz: Administrative detentions only increased hatred and violence

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a special meeting on Thursday focused on nationalist crime in the West Bank committed by Jewish settler extremists.

The discussion was divided into two main topics: Finding legal tools to combat Jewish riots in the West Bank, and identifying educational solutions to the issue. To this end, the directors-general of the Education and Welfare Ministries were invited.

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The meeting included Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Education Minister Yoav Kisch.

Katz: Jewish administrative detention only increased hatred, violence

During the meeting, Katz made it clear that he opposes reinstating administrative detentions for Jewish rioters in the West Bank. As time passes, I am increasingly convinced that canceling administrative detentions was the right step, Katz said. The detentions only increased hatred and violence. Despite pressure from some officials to reauthorize administrative detentions, no decision was made on the matter.

Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth, head of the IDF's Central Command, emphasized that conventional solutions - especially educational ones - are insufficient. These youths are not conventional, Bluth said. I dont see any of them attending an educational institution that is accessible to them.

Palestinians inspect burned trucks and cars following an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Beit Lid, east of Tulkarm, in the West Bank, on November 12, 2025 (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)

The Education Ministry presented an NIS 80 million plan that would include educational activities brought directly to the hilltop outposts where these youths live. Proposals included sending psychologists and welfare professionals to those locations to engage with some of the perpetrators. It was also noted that not all of the rioters come from the West Bank.

Jewish settler extremist violence increases across West Bank

In recent weeks, the number of incidents in the West Bank has increased, with groups of Jews attacking Palestinians and burning vehicles and homes - while also attacking IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians. The incidents were condemned across the Israeli political spectrum, including by the prime minister.

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US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, described the events as acts of terror.

I believe there is an escalation. There are Israelis capable of committing acts of terror, he told the American network NewsNation. Most of the Israelis carrying out these actions dont even live in the West Bank. Its a small group of young troublemakers who come to provoke chaos.
President Donald Trump has signed a bill to compel the Justice Department to make public its case files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a potentially far-reaching development in a years-long push by survivors of Epsteins abuse for a public reckoning.

Both the House and Senate passed the bill this week with overwhelming margins after Trump reversed course on his monthslong opposition to the bill and indicated he would sign it. Now that the bill has been signed by the president, theres a 30-day countdown for the Justice Department to produce whats commonly known as the Epstein files.

This bill is a command for the president to be fully transparent, to come fully clean, and to provide full honesty to the American people, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Wednesday.

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Schumer added that Democrats were ready to push back if they perceive that the president is doing anything but adhering to full transparency.

In a social media post Wednesday as he announced he had signed the bill, Trump wrote, Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories.

The swift, bipartisan work in Congress this week was a response to the growing public demand that the Epstein files be released, especially as attention focuses on his connections to global leaders including Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who has already been stripped of his royal title as Prince Andrew over the matter, and many others.

There is plenty of public anticipation about what more the files could reveal. Yet the bill will most likely trigger a rarely seen baring of a sprawling federal investigation, also creating the potential for unintended consequences.

What does the bill do?

The bill compels Attorney General Pam Bondi to release essentially everything the Justice Department has collected over multiple federal investigations into Epstein, as well as his longtime confidante and girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for luring teenage girls for the disgraced financier. Those records total around 100,000 pages, according to a federal judge who has reviewed the case.

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It will also compel the Justice Department to produce all its internal communications on Epstein and his associates and his 2019 death in a Manhattan jail cell as he awaited charges for sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of teenage girls.

The legislation, however, exempts some parts of the case files. The bills authors made sure to include that the Justice Department could withhold personally identifiable information of victims, child sexual abuse materials and information deemed by the administration to be classified for national defense or foreign policy.

We will continue to follow the law with maximum transparency while protecting victims, Bondi told a news conference Wednesday when asked about releasing the files.

The bill also allows the Justice Department to withhold information that would jeopardize active investigations or prosecutions. Thats created some worry among the bills proponents that the department would open active investigations into people named in the Epstein files in order to shield that material from public view.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a longtime Trump loyalist who has had a prominent split with Trump over the bill, said Tuesday that she saw the administrations compliance with the bill as its real test.

Will the Department of Justice release the files, or will it all remain tied up in investigations? she asked.

In July, the FBI said in a memo regarding the Epstein investigation that, we did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. But Bondi last week complied with Trumps demands and ordered a federal prosecutor to investigate Epsteins ties to the presidents political foes, including Clinton.

Still, Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who sponsored the bill, said theres no way they can have enough investigations to cover all of the people he believes are implicated in Epsteins abuse.

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And if they do, then good, he added.

The bill also requires the Justice Department to produce reports on what materials it withheld, as well as redactions made, within 15 days of the release of the files. It stipulates that officials cant withhold or redact anything on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.

Who could be named?

Theres a widely held expectation that many people could be named in case files for investigations that spanned over a decade  and some concern that just because someone is named, that person would be assumed guilty or complicit.

Epstein was a luminary who kept company with heads of state, influential political figures, academics and billionaires. The release of his emails and messages by a House Oversight Committee investigation last week has already shown his connections with  and private conversations about  Trump and many other high-powered figures.

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Yet federal prosecutors follow carefully constructed guidelines about what information they produce publicly and at trial, both to protect victims and to uphold the fairness of the legal system. House Speaker Mike Johnson raised objections to the bill on those grounds this week, arguing that it could reveal unwanted information on victims as well as others who were in contact with investigators.

Still, Johnson did not actually try to make changes to the bill and voted for it on the House floor.

For the bills proponents, a public reckoning over the investigation is precisely the point. Some of the survivors of trafficking from Epstein and Maxwell have sought ways to name people they accuse of being complicit or involved, but fear they will face lawsuits from the men they accuse.

Massie said that he wants the FBI to release the reports from its interviews with the victims.

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Those reports typically contain unvetted information, but Massie said he is determined to name those who are accused. He and Greene have offered to read the names of those accused on the House floor, which would shield their speech from legal consequences.

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A court in Nigeria has found separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu guilty of terrorism and other charges following a decade-long legal case full of drama.

He has been given four life sentences, along with other terms, to be served concurrently. The prosecution had called for the death penalty but Judge James Omotosho said that executions were now "frowned upon".

In his ruling he said he was satisfied that Kanu had made a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings, as part of his campaign for a separate state in south-east Nigeria, known as Biafra.

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Kanu was convicted on all seven charges he faced. As well as terrorism, they included treason and involvement with an outlawed movement.

Kanu always denied the charges and challenged the court's jurisdiction. At the start of the trial he sacked his lawyers but refused to defend himself.

He was not in court when the verdict was delivered, after being removed for unruly behaviour.

Security around the courthouse in the capital, Abuja, was tightened ahead of the verdict in case of protests by Kanu's supporters.

Once a relatively obscure figure, he came to national prominence in 2009 when he started Radio Biafra, a station that called for an independent state for the Igbo people, broadcast to Nigeria from London.

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Though he grew up in south-eastern Nigeria, where he attended the University of Nsukka, Kanu moved to the UK before graduating, and acquired British nationality.

In 2014, he set up the Indigenous People Of Biafra (Ipob), a movement demanding independence.

Ipob was banned as a terrorist organisation in 2017. Its armed wing - the Eastern Security Network - has been accused of killings and other acts of violence in recent years.

Delivering his judgement, Justice Omotosho said: "Mr Kanu knew what he was doing, he was bent on carrying out these threats without consideration to his own people.

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"From the incontroverted evidence, it is clear that the defendant carried out preparatory act of terrorism.

"He had the duty to explain himself but failed to do so."

Kanu is a popular figure in his movement's heartland in south-eastern Nigeria, but reaction to the verdict there has so far been muted.

In court ahead of the ruling, Kanu insisted that proceedings could not continue because he had not yet filed his final written address, accusing the judge of bias and not understanding the law.

The judgement was delivered after Kanu had been forcibly removed from the courtroom for unruly behaviour.

Nnamdi Kanu has a global network of supporters - this group had gathered in London earlier this month to demand his freedom [Getty Images]

He was first arrested in October 2015 but he jumped bail in 2017 and left the country after a military raid on his home. The court later revoked his bail in March 2019.

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Two years later, the government announced that he had been re-arrested. His lawyers say he was detained in Kenya and forcibly returned to Nigeria. Kenya has not commented.

In 2022, an appeal court ordered that the charges against him be dropped, saying he had been illegally arrested abroad, but this ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court the following year.

The calls for Biafran independence date back many years.

In 1967 Igbo leaders declared a Biafran state, but after a brutal civil war, which led to the deaths of up to a million people, the secessionist rebellion was defeated.

Many Igbo people continue to feel that they are marginalised by the Nigerian state however, it is not clear how many are in favour of independence.

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Additional reporting from BBC Igbo's Ebere Ekeopara in Enugu

More about Nigeria from the BBC:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

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A chimenea sits Feb. 8, 2023, amid the rubble of a cabin burned by the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire in 2022. The state Insurance Superintendent is asking the Legislature to extend a $10 million fire mitigation program for homeowners in high-fire-risk areas. (Patrick Lohmann / Source New Mexico)

New Mexicos Superintendent of Insurance said Thursday she hopes the Legislature will continue its support of a $10 million wildfire mitigation program for homes at extremely high wildfire risk, a program she said is becoming a national model to address rising homeowners insurance rates and cancellations.

The Legislature gave $10 million to the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance during the session in January for grants to homeowners who live in increasingly wildfire-prone areas. The grants help owners who have Fair Access to Insurance Requirements plans, or FAIR plans, pay for wildfire mitigation measures.

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The states FAIR plan increasingly provides the only option for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas. Known as the insurer of last resort, the plans only become available to home and property owners if theyve been denied coverage in the private market.

Lawmakers approved the $10 million in grants this year to help FAIR plan recipients avoid losing their homes to wildfire, but the funding expires June 30, according to the state budget.

Insurance Superintendent Alice Kane told the Legislative Finance Committee on Thursday that she is asking the Legislature to re-authorize and extend the funding, because the program shows promise and could become a national model with more time. She also said the program ranks as the largest of its kind in terms of the amount of financial support available.

We think the whole country is looking at us as being a leader in this wildfire mitigation program, she said.

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As of Thursday, she said 28 Otero County homeowners with the FAIR Plan were slated to receive $7,000 grants from the fund as part of a pilot program to fire-proof their roofs in line with the highest standards of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, a nonprofit research and testing organization that seeks to reduce property damage from natural disasters.

Kane said she hopes those roofs will all be completed by spring, and then the office will have tested a grant program that could benefit as many as 1,400 FAIR plan holders.

Were hoping that the pilot program will be not just operational, but done by the first quarter this year, so we can show the Legislature that the money is being used, she said.

Across the state, homeowner and other property insurance premiums have sharply increased, and insurers have refused to renew or even canceled policies in some areas, particularly the burn scars of the recent South Fork, Salt and Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fires.

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In the private market, New Mexicos 10 biggest insurers have increased premiums on average 50% to 60% since 2022, the chief OSI actuary has said.

The mitigation program is just one of several big changes to the FAIR plan in 2025. During the session, the OSI approved increasing the plans coverage from $350,000 to $750,000. And in October, the office announced that an increase in commercial coverage limits, as well, from $1 million to $2 million.

In October, about 7,200 residents were in the FAIR plan statewide, including 280 businesses, according to the news release.
Former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman said the Department of Justice dealt the death blow to its own case against former FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday.

Comey was indicted in September in the Eastern District of Virginia on charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction. The case has been suspected from the beginning, when President Donald Trump called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute some of his political nemeses, including Comey. On Monday, a federal magistrate judge said Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who was previously Trumps personal attorney, committed profound investigative missteps when seeking Comeys indictment by the grand jury. The grand jury ultimately charged Comey with making a false statement to Congress and obstruction.

Then on Wednesday, Halligan made a stunning admission in court. She said she never showed the final indictment to the full grand jury, even though the foreperson signed it. Comeys attorney seized on the admission and argued the indictment is not valid.

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Hours later, Litman appeared on CNNs The Source, where Kaitlan Collins asked, How big of a deal is this?

Litman responded by saying the actions of Halligan, who had never prosecuted a case before Trump appointed her interim U.S. Attorney, are unheard of:

As a matter of prosecutorial practice, a huge deal. It was a sort of silent gasp in the courtroom. No one had ever heard of this. The magistrate two days ago had said this would be uncharted territory. When you look at what the DOJ has filed tonight, theres a chance based on the law that they can wriggle out of it.

Litman went on to cite Halligans other missteps in the grand jury room, such as stating that Comey would have to testify in his own trial, and claiming that the DOJ had other evidence against Comey that would be presented at trial.

[Y]ou have a grand jury being misinformed about the Fifth Amendment rights of Jim Comey, Litman continued. And also she said, Oh, even if theres not enough here, weve got other stuff. But the grand jury, of course, must indict based only on what they hear from her and why that really matters.

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He noted that Comey was indicted by a razor-thin margin.

And that, I think, really has a strong chance as well as the selective prosecution motion itself, of being what you know is the actual death blow, Litman concluded.

Watch above via CNN.

The post No One Had Ever Heard of This: Former U.S. Attorney Cant Believe DOJ Prosecutor Didnt Present Comey Indictment to Full Grand Jury first appeared on Mediaite.
American industry has been getting a lot of hands-on direction from Democrats and Republicans for quite some time now. Every few years, someone looks at the underwhelming results of this economic maneuvering and insists that real "industrial policy" has never been tried. The truth is that the left's call for a "mission-oriented" state and the right's yearning for a nationalist industrial revival may sound different, but they share the same conceit: that their own intentions can finally succeed where decades of intervention have failed.

The latest person to revive this evergreen fantasy is Mariana Mazzucato, the Italian-born economist who has made a career out of championing an assertive, big-spending state as the engine of innovation. In a new interview with Politico, she laments that President Donald Trump's industrial policywhich includes tariffs and government equity stakes in private companiesis "an idiosyncratic hodgepodge," not the "holistic" strategy she favors. Mazzucato wants the U.S. to have a "smart, capable" state to guide investment with purpose.

Back in the days of former President Joe Biden's industrial policy, when subsidies, tax credits, and loans were flowing, an emerging Republican faction had a similar refrain, claiming that to revive American manufacturing, restore communities, and put men back to work, industrial policy simply had to be done right. We now know that this meant increasingly erratic tariffs, price controls, and government taking shares in companies.

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Hope for both sides rests on quite a premise: that Washington can guide trillions of dollars to the right industries, produce a manufacturing boom, and maybe even heal America's social fabric.

The problem isn't that industrial policy has been done badly. It's just bad economics.

Dreams of reviving manufacturing jobs face the reality that modern manufacturing is capital-intensive and largely automated. Even if subsidies or government loan guarantees spur a factory boomand history suggests otherwiseit won't bring back 1950s-style armies of industrial workers unless we somehow outlaw productivity. Today's factories run on robots and engineers.

Nor will tariffs bring a manufacturing revival. Taxing inputs and components only raises costs, weakens U.S. competitiveness, and ultimately punishes the firms protectionists claim to support. True American industrial strength rests on productivity, innovation, competition, and access to global supply chains, not on coddling producers behind walls of higher prices.

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Mazzucato and her ideological opposites commit the same error. They imagine a politics-free technocracy that can "direct" the economy. In the real world, politics always dominates economics. Subsidies and tariffs are never tools of neutral expertise; they are invitations to lobby. Every "strategic investment" quickly becomes a political IOU.

Biden's programs came loaded with child care mandates, union preferences, and "Buy American" rules. Trump's industrial interventions are indeed erratic, but the notion that his protectionism would work if wrapped in a more "mission-oriented" narrative is even sillier. Industrial policy doesn't fail because it's chaotic; it fails because it's political, and human politicians are incapable of the precision markets achieve every day.

After conducting a sweeping review of five decades of U.S. industrial policy, economists Gary Clyde Hufbauer and Euijin Jung's conclusion was unambiguous: Subsidies and trade protections for individual firms have been politically irresistible but economically ruinous. Government protection delays economic adjustments; innovation succeeds. In the rare cases when industrial policy showed positive results, the government limited itself to supporting open, competitive research and innovationprograms like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or Operation Warp Speedrather than shielding firms from competition or subsidizing failing industries.

Without that type of openness, supposed industrial policy wins will quietly lock in yesterday's technology rather than helping discover tomorrow's. France's Minitel, a government-backed precursor to the internet, looked like a national triumph in the 1980s. Millions of households were connected, citizens used it for banking, shopping and communicating, and the state could boast of digital leadership. Yet the system's centralized, permission-based design smothered innovation and prevented France from developing the open, global internet that would soon transform the world.

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The illusion of progress turned out to be technological stagnation: a product that barely evolved over three decades. This is the unseen cost of industrial policy. By insulating favored industries and technologies, it freezes innovation in place and leaves a nation paying twice: once through taxes and again through missed opportunities.

So yes, real industrial policy has been triedin many countries, by governments of every ideology, under every rhetorical banner from "innovation" to "resilience." It fails every time for the same reason: The visible hand of the government is clumsy, self-interested and easily bought. If that's what passes for a "smart state," I'll take the invisible hand of the market any day.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

The post There Is No Such Thing as Good Industrial Policy. But Republicans And Democrats Keep Trying. appeared first on Reason.com.
Rev. Jennifer Copeland, executive director of the North Carolina Council of Churches (File photo)

Faith leaders in North Carolina used a virtual press conference Thursday to condemn recent federal immigration enforcement actions that have disrupted daily life for immigrants and their families across North Carolina.

More than 250 people have been arrested since the operations began, and the faith leaders said their congregants have said theyve avoided going to work, school, and even church services out of concern they could encounter federal agents.

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Clergy from the states mainline Protestant and interfaith communities called this weeks enforcement actions harmful and devastating.

We are not a small minority, said Jennifer Copeland, executive director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, which includes clergy from 19 denominations. Millions of church members stand behind these speakers that youve heard today.

Bishop Emily Hartner of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America framed the situation in religious terms. We draw on Jesuss greatest commandment to love God and love our neighbor. And then the parable of the Good Samaritan, where the question is, who is my neighbor?

When we answer that question, our Lutheran answer is, everyone is our neighbor, Hartner said.

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Speakers said some congregants have been so afraid of the enforcement activity that they have skipped church services altogether amid reports of federal agents stationed near bus stops, parking lots, and residential neighborhoods.

Wave after wave of the way our government is functioning is doing real harm to ordinary people, said Bishop Ken Carter of the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Amanda Weatherspoon of the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte said congregations were coordinating with local organizations. She cited efforts with immigrant advocacy groups Siembra N.C. and the Carolina Migrant Network to train volunteers, share information and accompany families who feel unsafe leaving home.

Still, the faith leaders said they recognize the limits of offering protection. On whether churches might revive sanctuary practices  temporarily sheltering immigrants inside houses of worship  several noted that the legal risks had changed in the years since such movements gained national attention.

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The Trump administration has also rescinded a long-standing sensitive locations policy that had generally barred immigration agents from taking enforcement actions at places of worship, hospitals, and schools without prior approval.

I know that many congregations are reviewing updated legal policies around harboring and protection, said Weatherspoon. They are assessing what is possible and most helpful to fully protect immigrants and safeguard our congregations from legal proceedings amid these changes.

David Smith, clerk of the North Carolina Fellowship of Friends, representing the states Quaker community, framed the debate as a test of core values. We believe there is that of God in everyone. Every person on this soil must be afforded dignity, respect and due process, he said.
SEOUL, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Kenneth Bae, the Korean-American missionary who endured 735 days as a political prisoner in North Korea, is now leading a renewed international effort to realize a unified Korean Peninsula.

Bae, 57, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was the longest-held American citizen in North Korea since the Korean War -- an experience he now views as a mission to become a "voice for the voiceless" North Korean people.

Bae's ordeal began in 2012 when he was arrested while leading his 18th "Love DPRK Tour" group. He was charged with "conspiracy to overthrow the state" and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. He became the first U.S. citizen to be confined to a North Korean kyohwaso, or re-education camp.

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"The ultimate charge was that I had tried to overthrow the North Korean regime through prayer and worship," Bae said in an interview. His unintentional mistake was bringing an external hard drive containing a documentary that showed the suffering of ordinary North Koreans, which became evidence for the regime's accusations.

Before his arrest, the "Love DPRK Tour" was focused less on proselytizing and more on cultural exchange and prayer for the land. Bae took some 300 people from 17 countries over two years to engage in activities like making kimchi, learning traditional dance and simply "walking the land" while praying for the North Korean people.

He was released in 2014 after a high-level diplomatic intervention led by then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, an event that highlighted his strong, enduring ties to Washington policymakers.

New focus: from defector aid to unification

After his release, Bae initially established the Nehemiah Global Initiative in South Korea, primarily focusing on aiding North Korean defectors with settlement, education and even the financial support needed to rescue family members from third countries. Over eight years, NGI provided English education to about 800 young defectors.

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In 2022, he rebranded the organization as the New Korea Foundation International, signaling a critical shift in focus. While support for defectors continues, the core mission is now actively preparing for reunification and the reconstruction of North Korea.

"Reunification is not an option; it is a necessity and a mission for our people," Bae said, emphasizing the stark difference between his two years of captivity and the seven decades the North Korean populace has lived without freedom.

He insists on a South Korea-led unification that is welcomed by North Korean citizens and supported by the international community. He stresses that the true "target of unification" is the North Korean populace, not the Pyongyang regime.

Mobilizing global support: the "One Korea" campaign

The foundation launched the New Korea Unification Campaign under the slogan, "One State, One Nation, One Future, One Korea." The campaign is a comprehensive, multi-faceted effort to build global consensus for a free and democratic unified Korea.

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The campaign offers three primary ways to participate: sign, give and serve.

 It urges global citizens to join the Signature Campaign (Petition movement) to showcase worldwide support and to join the Nehemiah Prayer Pledge.

This prayer movement, originally launched by Bae's founding organization, the Nehemiah Global Initiative, already has garnered 6,500 signatures from 75 countries to pray for the people of North Korea and for unification.

 The New Korea Gospel Broadcast is a cornerstone project, a planned U.S.-based AM Christian broadcast intended to reach North Koreans with information about the outside world and the Christian Gospel.

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Recognizing the challenges and interruptions faced by official broadcasts like the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, this private-sector effort aims to maintain a vital source of outside information.

The broadcast will share "letters of hope," directly inspired by the hundreds of letters Bae received while imprisoned. To fund this critical initiative, the foundation is seeking 1,000 people to contribute $20 per month.

 Other core campaign projects include Raising the Reunification Reconstruction Fund to support relief for refugees, the Human Rights Advocacy Movement and the Nehemiah Scholarship for defectors.

Urgency of the three-year window

Bae views the current geopolitical climate as critical, warning against the danger of the peninsula's division becoming permanent through the "Two States" theory. He believes that if the two-state narrative is allowed to solidify, it would be a moral "betrayal" of the North Korean people.

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He strongly urges the younger generation in South Korea to reject the notion that unification is a financial burden, arguing instead that North Korea is a "land of opportunity."

"With its natural resources and a combined population exceeding 80 million, a unified Korea would become a powerful and prosperous nation," he asserted.

He sees the next three years as a crucial window to prevent the permanent entrenchment of the division. Bae is actively appealing to U.S. leaders and policymakers for their support of the Unification Campaign, emphasizing his strong personal connections to American officials and his belief that global consensus is paramount.

Bae believes that by focusing on creating interest, knowing the situation and action, the Korean people and the international community can ensure the path to a single, free Korea remains open.

For more information on the New Korea Unification Campaign, visit the New Korea Foundation International website: newkoreafi.org.
TOMS RIVER  Citing frustrations over permits that sell out in minutes, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners has formally requested that the state prioritize New Jersey residents for vehicle access to Island Beach State Park.

The board has adopted a resolution urging the state Department of Environmental Protection to implement a priority registration period exclusively for New Jersey residents before opening sales to the general public.

The mobile sport fishing vehicle permits  which allow anglers to drive 4x4 vehicles onto the sand for surf fishing  are among the most sought-after outdoor passes in the state.

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Ocean County Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione argues that the current first-come, first-served system unfairly disadvantages New Jersey residents who fund the parks through their taxes.

Ocean County is proud to host several of New Jerseys most beautiful state parks, and we welcome the tourism that supports our local economy  but our Ocean County and New Jersey residents must come first, said Bacchione, who is liaison to the county Division of Business Development and Tourism.

Bacchione emphasized that because New Jersey residents contribute directly to the maintenance and preservation of state parks, fisheries, and coastal resources, they should not be shut out by a surge of out-of-state applicants.

New Jerseyans should not have to compete with out-of-state applicants for access to their own state parks, she added.

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Bacchione said the change would not ban out-of-state visitors or reduce overall access. Instead, the resolution calls for a sequencing of sales: a specific window of time for residents to secure permits, after which the remaining passes would be made available to everyone.

New Ocean County Board of Commissioners member Jennifier Bacchione is shown during her first meeting Monday, January 6, 2025, in Toms River. Bacchione is the former Berkeley Board of Education President.

Were asking the state to sequence access in a way that gives New Jersey residents a reasonable window to obtain permits first, Bacchione said. Its a balanced, common-sense approach.

Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean County calls for NJ first window for Island Beach access
A new Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic is being built at the Beaver Valley Mall. Work started in October.

The General Services Administration, with the federal government, gave a $7.1 million, 20-year lease to a Kansas City developer to secure the site back in February.

If they can build a facility thats updated and spend the money on it to make it palatable to go into, sometimes those places arent, then I think its a good idea, said Ron Merryman of Monaca Heights.

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Its great because Beaver County has a lot of veterans. Our aging population, we want to make sure we care of those who served our country in any way, Beaver County Commissioner Dan Camp said.

The VA said patients who use the current Rochester location will be able to receive the same care at the new facility when it opens. It will also have space to expand some specialty care services.

Camp said this development, and others around the mall, could ultimately help the mall itself.

One new development at the mall itself is an indoor pickleball facility called Pittckleball. Camp said its something thats really been popular.

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Pickleball is one of the up-and-coming sports, not only in Pennsylvania but across the whole nation, Camp said. I think more opportunity, the county has invested in pickleball at Bradys Run Park.

People who spoke to Channel 11 on Wednesday said they want to see more.

Weve got to get more businesses up here to make people get here, said Charlie Frank of Rochester.

Camp said he thinks thats all on the way.

I think its only a matter of time before something changes here, Camp said. Our constituents here in Beaver County really want to see something happen with the Beaver Valley Mall, and I think over time it will, its just the matter of being patient and waiting.

The new VA Outpatient Clinic is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027.

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The Ohio Statehouse. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

The Ohio House passed a bill that would require Ohio public schools to show a video produced by an anti-abortion group about fetal development to students during Wednesdays House session.

Ohio House Bill 485, also known as the Enact Baby Olivia Act, would require schools to show either the Baby Olivia video or a similar video to students every year starting in fifth grade all the way up through twelfth grade beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

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The bill, which now heads to the Ohio Senate, would also require showing students an ultrasound video at least three minutes long.

All Ohio House Democrats present at Wednesdays session voted against the bill.

Ohio State Rep. Melanie Miller, RAshland, introduced the bill less than two months ago.

There is an opt-out portion of the bill allowing parents to request in writing that their child be excused from watching the video.

This legislation strengthens science education in Ohios public schools by giving students a clear, age appropriate and factual understanding of early human development, Miller claimed.

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The development of human life is truly beautiful. It is science. It is complex. Its intricate, and its worthy of being taught.

The three-minute Meet Baby Olivia video was produced by Live Action, which advocates against abortion, and it shows fertilization and fetal growth.

Planned Parenthood calls the Baby Olivia video inaccurate, misleading, and manipulative.

Planned Parenthood notes that the video counts the embryos age from conception, which doctors do not do; claims a fetal heartbeat can be detected at six weeks despite there not being a heart formed and this sound is actually an electrical flutter where the heart will later form; and inaccurately displays the look of the embryo, mischaracterizes its activity, and leaves out critical information about at what point it can survive outside the womb.

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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issues with the bill, saying the video shows gestational age two weeks earlier than starts and shows fetal development as more advanced than it is.

A medical student and a doctor questioned the scientific accuracy of the Baby Olivia video during testimony.

Ohio State Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, proposed an amendment that would have restricted showing the video only to high school students, but it was not added to the bill.

It will limit it to grades 9-12, so that our students would at least have the ability and maturity to properly contextualize watching a video that was created by CGI and that is not medically accurate, she said.

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Ohio Right to Life celebrated the House passing the bill.

Showing students how a baby grows in the womb isnt and shouldnt be controversial, Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Carrie Snyder said. Its simply science.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio condemned the Ohio House for passing Ohio H.B. 485.

H.B. 485 does nothing to address Ohios high teen birth rate and STI rates, and instead forces school children to watch false medical information about sex education that is inappropriate at any age or grade, especially for elementary students, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Executive Director Lauren Blauvelt said.

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Ohio is one of a handful of states without comprehensive sex education standards taught in schools.

Ohios curriculum stresses abstinence as a general policy and requires some instruction about sexually transmitted infections, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

I think the first step is establishing what through science we want to make sure were teaching our children, state Rep. Phil Robinson, D-Solon, said.

Similar bills have been introduced in more than 20 other states so far this session and Idaho, Kansas, North Dakota, Tennessee, Iowa, and Indiana have enacted similar bills into law.

Abortion is legal in Ohio up until fetal viability as determined by a patients physician. Ohio voters passed an amendment to the Ohio Constitution in 2023 that added protections to abortion care and reproductive rights to the states constitution.

Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

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An Ohio woman was killed after an "aggressive" deer attacked her at her home, according to WTRF-TV.

Here's what we know.

'Aggressive' male deer attacks, kills Ohio woman at her home

The fatal incident occurred in Belmont County, Ohio, which is located near the West Virginia border. According to local outlet WTRF, Belmont County deputies were called to the home around 10:30 p.m. Nov. 15 for reports of an "animal attack."

Family members told deputies the woman, Jodi Proger, had been trapped inside an enclosure with a male deer that had "become aggressive," the outlet reported. The deer was reportedly kept in a pen on her family's property.

An Ohio woman was killed after a deer "became aggressive" and attacked her.

"Family members attempted to intervene and dispatch the animal prior to the arrival of law enforcement to reach the victim," according to a statement provided by the Belmont County Sheriff's office. "However, the animal was ultimately dispatched by responding deputies."

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Relatives tried to reach Proger during the attack, WTRF reported. Once deputies arrived, they shot the deer and secured the scene, allowing first responders to help the woman; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the statement, Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack said foul play is not suspected.

The investigation is ongoing, with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources working with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The Belmont County coroner's office was also called to assist, according to WTRF.

Deer rarely attack humans, but they can still be deadly

Deer are among the deadliest animals in the United States, according to the National Deer Association, but it's largely due to the number of car collisions they cause. Deer rarely attack people, but when they do, it's usually because they are sick, injured or scared.

A trapped deer could also lash out, per the association.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Deer kills woman at her home in Belmont County, Ohio
Children walk through an elementary school. Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools and Westerville City Schools dont have much in common.

While the students in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School District are majority Black, thats not the case for residents, especially in Lyndhurst which is overwhelmingly white.

Westerville is an increasingly diverse district that straddles Franklin and Delaware County.

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We both passed school levies despite constant attacks on public education from a group of powerful Ohio politicians.

Most Ohioans want the best for our states children  even if we dont have any of our own.

We understand that strong public schools keep our neighborhoods vibrant.

We know it just doesnt pass the smell test when politicians try to blame the property tax squeeze on public schools.

After all, they created the problem in the first place by slashing school funding to give handouts to big corporations and their wealthy political donors.

In most years, only about half of school levies pass. This year two-thirds succeeded.

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In Westerville, 57% of Delaware County voters and two-thirds of Franklin County voters supported a 0.75% income tax to fund the districts basic operating expenses like staff, programs and materials.

Just last year, voters defeated Westervilles combined capital bond and operating levy.

In South Euclid-Lyndhurst, 58% of voters approved a 7.9 mil property tax levy to fund building repairs and day-to-day expenses.

Both campaigns had a clear message to voters: These levies are essential to fund the programs and people that prepare our children to succeed. Its up to us to fund our schools because the state isnt coming to save us.

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Ohio Speaker of the House Matt Huffman and Ohio Senate President Rob McColley pushed through a 2026-27 state budget that underfunded public schools by $2.8 billion but gave a $1.68 billion tax cut to the wealthiest 20% of Ohioans and $2.5 billion to unaccountable private schools through the voucher program.

They even handed over $600 million of our unclaimed funds to their billionaire political donors, the owners of the Cleveland Browns, for a new stadium in Brook Park.

South Euclid-Lyndhurst and Westerville were hit hard by the last state budget.

Most lawmakers voted to abandon the Fair School Funding Plan which would have finally ensured the state contributes its fair share of what it costs to educate children in every district.

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Under the 2026-27 budget South Euclid-Lyndhurst had its funding cut by $727,941 and Westerville by $935,352.

Under the Fair School Funding Plan, South Euclid-Lyndhurst would have received an additional $3.68 million and Westerville just over $6 million, according to Policy Matters Ohio.

Years of state tax cuts have forced school districts to ask more of local residents.

A recent study showed that Ohio has the eighth highest property tax rates, but the 45th share of state funding for public education in the nation.

State lawmakers are pumping out a slew of ill-informed property tax proposals  most of which would provide negligible relief to homeowners but would further defund our public schools.

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Speaker Huffman and Senate President McColley hope Ohioans will blame teachers, principals, and superintendents.

But theyre leaving out the part about how they force local communities to make up the difference by slashing public school funding so they can give kickbacks to their wealthy friends and donors.

At a time when people are collecting signatures to abolish property taxes and lawmakers are proposing one half-baked property tax bill after another  it seemed like this could be a tough election for school levies.

Instead, it was the opposite.

But Ohioans wont let a few greedy politicians trick us into carrying water for their billionaire donors.

This election we called their bluff.

Now its time to demand real solutions: like full and fair funding for our public schools.

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One person is dead in Manchester, New Hampshire, after a vehicle ran a red light and collided with four parked cars.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of South Commercial Street and Granite Street just before 4 PM.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and later died.

The four parked vehicles sustained extensive damage, but fortunately, they were unoccupied at the time of the crash, and no additional injuries were reported.

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The Manchester Police Traffic Unit is currently investigating the accident to determine the cause of the crash. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the driver or any potential factors that may have contributed to the incident.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact them at 603-668-8711.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Osceola County has suspended ticketing through its school-zone speed camera program after questions surfaced about whether dozens of cameras were installed outside the legally defined school zones.

The county has 32 speed detection cameras installed at schools. The program began issuing tickets in March, but five months later, 9 Investigates began looking into the system after receiving a tip that the devices might be installed incorrectly.

Captain Kim Montes told us that this is not an excuse for people now to speed that they program is about kids safety and told us deputies will be at schools to ticket speeders as needed.

State Law on Camera Placement

According to Florida statute, a speed-zone camera must be placed or installed within a school zone. However, after visiting roughly six locations, 9 Investigates found cameras positioned outside the designated school zone boundaries.

Contractor Responds

The cameras were installed by Verra Mobility.

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Verra Mobilitys priority is to work closely with the communities we serve to ensure our programs are effective and in accordance with the law. We collaborated with Osceola County on camera locations and remain confident that the placement complies with statutory requirements, capturing violations that occur within the designated school zone. We respect the Countys decision to temporarily pause enforcement and thoroughly review the matter; we will continue to work with the County during this process. Our goal is to continue improving safety for students and families in Osceola County and throughout Florida.

County Emails Show Confusion

Emails obtained by 9 Investigates show Osceola County leaders going back and forth for days for trying to determine whether the installations complied with state law. Some internal messages concluded the cameras were out of compliance, while others stated they met requirements.

On Thursday, the Osceola County Sheriffs Office stopped issuing tickets altogether while the situation is reviewed.

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FDOT Silent With Media, But Responds to Police

9 Investigates asked the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) twice for clarification on whether the cameras were required to be inside the school zone, but FDOT did not respond.

However, FDOT did answer an identical question from the St. Cloud Police Department, which also uses cameras installed by Verra Mobility.

St. Cloud also suspended their tickets

Emails obtained by 9 Investigates show St. Cloud Police reached out to FDOT last week asking:

Is the camera required to be placed within the school zone?

FDOTs response was clear:

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This is correct.

Following that response, St. Cloud has now suspended its program as well.

The police chief would not return our calls for comment, but a spokesperson told us they will still collect data from speeders but not approve tickets until this all gets sorted out.

Its not clear what will happen, if anything to the more than 29,000 tickets issued already in the county.

The other question is who would pay to move the cameras if it is determined they have to be moved, Montes said it would not be the sheriffs office.

This is a developing story and we will have more on eyewitness news.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A strain of bird flu never seen in humans has infected a Washington state resident and left the person hospitalized, state health authorities said.

Washington State Department of Health authorities announced that an older resident was hospitalized in early November with flu-like symptoms. Health department spokesperson Roberto Bonaccorso told USA TODAY on Nov. 19 that the patient was still being treated. The patient has underlying health conditions and keeps backyard poultry that were exposed to wild birds.

According to health department officials, the person is the first to be infected with influenza A H5, an avian flu. The risk to the public from bird flu is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bonaccorso said the health department had seen no other infections related to the case.

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The case out of Grays County, west of Seattle on the Pacific Ocean, is the latest in the spread of bird flu around the nation, which has infected more than 1,000 dairy cattle herds in 17 states since the virus was initially found in dairy cows in March 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

One person had died from the disease. In early January, a backyard flock keeper hospitalized with bird flu in Louisiana became the first person in the United States to die of the disease after contracting the viruss D1.1 variant. The person was over 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions.

State and local health departments are working with the Washington State Department of Agriculture to investigate the source of the latest infection.

Where does bird flu come from?

Bird flu is a disease caused by influenza type A viruses found in wild aquatic birds, according to the Washington health department. The virus can spread to other bird species and sometimes mammals.

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Most human cases have occurred in people exposed to sick or infected animals, health authorities said. Human cases range from mild to severe.

According to the CDC, 71 cases of bird flu have been reported in humans. Of the cases, 41 were connected to infected dairy cows and 24 were connected to infected poultry. California has seen the most cases with 38.

Symptoms are similar to the common flu, including fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, eye irritation and fatigue, according to the CDC.

Risk of bird flu tends to increase in the fall and winter as migratory birds carrying the virus move around the country, health authorities said.

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No person-to-person bird flu transmission has been reported, the CDC said.

Who is at risk?

The virus most commonly spreads among wild birds but can also infect poultry, livestock and other mammals, including goats, coyotes and opossums. An outbreak among chickens earlier in 2025 prompted a widespread egg shortage.

Infection can lower a herds milk production by about a fifth, dairy industry experts say.

Among those most at risk of infection are farmers, animal care providers such as veterinarians, and other workers exposed to infected animals or animal products.

Raw or undercooked foods, including cheeses, also can carry the virus. The deaths of at least three house cats was linked to raw foods contaminated with bird flu.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: First human case of bird flu linked to rare strain of virus
PBSO role in immigration needs clarity

I am writing as a concerned Palm Beach County resident seeking clarity about the $994,000 recently awarded to the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office from the State of Florida to support immigration enforcement efforts. Earlier this year, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reassured the community that PBSO would not conduct immigration sweeps and would only assist ICE when there is a federal warrant. He encouraged residents to go about their daily lives without fear.

More: 'Don't be afraid of us': Bradshaw rejects mass immigration raids in talk to Hispanic leaders

Yet on Nov.13, PBSO accepted almost $1 million from the state specifically for immigration-related operations under 287(g) agreements and ICE assistance. This raises an important question: If PBSO is not conducting raids, what exactly is this money being used for? Is it reimbursement for past activities, or will it fund new equipment, training, or programs that expand PBSOs involvement in immigration enforcement beyond what the sheriff stated?

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Palm Beach County residents deserve transparency about how this funding aligns with the sheriffs public commitments and what practical impact it will have on our community. Clear information from PBSO would go a long way toward maintaining trust and reducing fear in the community.

John Chesher, Wellington

Trump caves using 'mob talk'

It's no mystery that President Trump, faced with being mowed over by the House of Representatives vote on releasing the Epstein Files, reversed his objections two days before the vote. Being a fan of mob movies, I can understand mob speak. Trump states he will not stand in the way of releasing the files. That's mob talk for Department of Justice Attorney General Bondi and Assistant Todd Blanche who have conspired with him so that they will be the ones to use legalize to block it. Of course Trump will claim it's out of his hands, and he doesn't know anything about it. Trump has found his Roy Cohn replacements.

William Damato, Boynton Beach

SNAP editorial on point

Re the Nov 9 editorial about the SNAP program: I'm glad that the Post mentioned the true face of people losing government assistance in buying food. As the editorial points out, these are working families, seniors, single moms and veterans. I myself am in the category of seniors receiving SNAP benefits because I'm retired and I have an extremely low fixed income. Therefore, I need a little government help in paying my food bills.

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Unlike others in the program, I receive my monthly electronic food stamp benefits on the 11th of the month, but with the government shutdown lasting so long and not ending until late Nov. 12, my benefits this month was zero, and it's still zero. Hopefully, they will be restored soon. Meanwhile, I'm sure the lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been paid, well fed and are happy. Shame on all of them for having a political food fight at the expense of all the hungry Floridians and Americans who receive and need SNAP benefits.

Jerry Kleiman, Boca Raton

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sheriff Ric Bradshaw walks fine line with ICE and community | Letters
Native Vote. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Ojibwe) on Thursday received endorsements from four additional U.S. senators in her bid for the U.S. Senate, adding to a growing list of national Democratic support in a contested primary.

U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced their backing of Flanagan, bringing her total number of Senate endorsements to seven. They join Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in supporting her campaign.

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Senators Murphy, Merkley, Heinrich, and Van Hollen are among the most vocal fighters that working Americans have right now in a government determined to silence us and keep the scales tilted in favor of special interests and the billionaires they serve, Flanagan said. Its an honor to know they want me to join them to fight back and make life more affordable for Minnesotans and Americans alike.

Murphy said the moment calls for leaders willing to challenge former President Donald Trump. More than ever, the Senate needs leaders who understand the stakes of this moment and are willing to stand up to Donald Trumps corruption and lawlessness, he said. Peggy Flanagan has spent her career relentlessly fighting the corporations and special interests that are screwing working families in Minnesota. With our democracy on the line, we need that kind of tenacity in Washington and thats why Im proud to endorse Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate.

Merkley pointed to Flanagans record in state government. As lieutenant governor, Peggy has helped Minnesotans where it matters most  their pocketbooks  by raising the minimum wage and passing paid family leave, he said. Peggy grew up relying on SNAP and Medicaid and Section 8 housing vouchers, experiences that fuel her to ensure government works for the people  not the powerful.

Heinrich praised her willingness to speak plainly. Now more than ever, we need new voices who arent afraid to speak out and call out the bullshit when they see it  especially in Washington, he said. Peggys voice is loud and clear and shes never afraid to use it.

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Van Hollen said Flanagan brings courage and guts needed in the chamber. Peggy always stands up for whats right for Minnesotas families and wants more power returned to the people who do the work  not the billionaires, he said.

Flanagan has also been endorsed by former U.S. Sen. Al Franken, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha, and more than 60 state, local, and community leaders.

You can read the full list of Flanagans endorsements HERE.

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Pining for pennies isn't just nostalgic. The cost-saving move also feels like state-sponsored greedflation, writes Huascar Medina. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

After Nov. 12, the penny will no longer be minted as a form of legal tender. The reasons cited included the reported cost to mint a single penny, which is 3.69 cents. Every time the treasury minted a penny, we lost 2.69 cents. In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Mint produced 3.2 billion pennies. The U.S. Mint reported losing $85.3 million that year in the production of the penny.

Benjamin Franklin, who coined the phrase a penny saved is a penny earned, designed the original American penny, known as the Fugio Cent, in 1787. The message on the coin was Mind Your Business, and on the reverse side, We are One was encircled by a chain of 13 links, representing the original 13 colonies. We are One later became the motto E Pluribus Unum on the one-cent piece.

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The first official one-cent piece was minted early in our nations history by the newly established U.S. Mint, located in Philadelphia, in 1793, following the passage of the Coinage Act of 1792. They originally minted over 11,000, and Thomas Jefferson oversaw the U.S. Mint until a director was appointed. The penny is a piece of U.S. history, a symbol of the establishment of our great republic, and to see it disappear so unceremoniously is a cheap way to go out.

The penny is part of popular culture. In 1936, American footwear brand G.H. Bass introduced the Weejun, considered the first penny loafer mass-marketed in the United States. The shoe became known as the penny loafer in the 1950s, when college students would tuck a penny into the shoes front strap, or vamp, as a fashion statement, for good luck, and supposedly as an emergency backup to make phone calls at pay phones. The price of a pay phone in the 50s ranged from 5 to 10 cents, so a pair of penny loafers wouldnt get you very far.

I have owned a pair of penny loafers since before I could walk. Ive been wearing penny loafers for over 40 years. Something else I owned growing up in the 1980s were Penny Racers, miniature toy cars that you pulled back to wind up. They could perform a wheelie when released if a penny was inserted into the slot on their back while racing. The Penny Racer was initially created by the Japanese toy company Takara in 1978 under the Choro-Q brand. It made its U.S debut in 1981. They were marketed as a different breed of speed.

It may sound like Im delving into nostalgia, but the loss of the penny has ramifications that extend beyond my childhood. Wishing wells are littered with the pennies from well-wishers. Wells were seen as sacred and divine gifts. Even modern water fountains have been transformed into wishing wells, an echo of an ancient tradition that spans multiple cultures, where a coin was thrown into them for a wish. In the United States, you could offer a penny in exchange for a wish  any wish you could imagine.

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When we run out of pennies or hoard them into oblivion, that well is going to cost you at least a nickel per wish, which brings me to the part that I havent seen reported by the media, yet. Are we rounding up or down for the cost of items that are not in increments of 5 cents at businesses? Things will always cost at least 5 cents moving forward. I thought affordability was an issue, and this feels like state-sponsored greedflation.

Huascar Medina Huascar is a poet, writer, and performer who lives in Topeka. 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.
Philadelphia police have released images of two men they want to question in the suspicious death of a 50-year-old man found severely injured last week.

Officers were called to the 2400 block of Federal Street around 7 p.m. last Monday for a report of a burglary in progress.

When they arrived, police found Amadou Thiam unresponsive and unclothed in the rear of the property with severe head injuries.

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He was taken to Penn-Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition and died on Wednesday morning.

A man who lives in the neighborhood, who did not want to be identified, said the news was difficult to process.

"Not really expected, you know what I mean, like you just don't know when you're gonna go, you know, when it's your time," he said.

The victim's neighbors spoke to Action News off-camera, saying that they are still shaken. They said Thiam was social and often seen coming and going because of his job as a flight attendant.

Homicide detectives are now leading the investigation and hope the release of surveillance images will help identify the two men they want to question.

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Police described one suspect as a man with a thin build, wearing a black jacket over a red Puma hoodie, jeans and black sneakers with white soles, and carrying a black shoulder bag with a red stripe.

The second man is described as having a medium build, bald head and a neatly trimmed beard. He was last seen wearing a gray coat and black pants.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Pfizer and Tris Pharma have agreed to pay $41.5m to settle allegations by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that they supplied adulterated attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication to children in the US state.

This is in breach of the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act.

The ADHD drugs case centred on the medication Quillivant XR, provided to children on Medicaid.

Paxton stated: Pfizer and Tris Pharma provided adulterated drugs to children for years and changed test results in order to obtain the benefit of taxpayer-funded Medicaid reimbursement.

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Under my watch, Big Pharma will not escape justice for lying about the effectiveness of its drugs.

In November 2023, Paxton initiated legal proceedings against Pfizer and Tris Pharma.

The lawsuit claimed that the companies knowingly distributed Quillivant XR to Medicaid recipients, even though the medication failed quality control tests due to manufacturing issues, and that between 2012 and 2018, Pfizer and Tris Pharma allegedly modified the testing protocols of the drug, violating both federal and state regulations.

This alteration in testing methods was purportedly done to ensure that Quillivant XR met regulatory standards, allowing continued sales.

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Pfizer and Tris Pharma have agreed to pay $41.5m and to comply with all relevant state and federal laws regarding drug manufacturing and distribution. The settlement requires the companies to adhere strictly to legal standards moving forward.

In 2018, Tris Pharma acquired NextWave Pharmaceuticals, Pfizers subsidiary, along with the two ADHD medications: Quillivant XR and QuilliChew ER.

Both are stimulants of the central nervous system approved for ADHD treatment.

Tris Pharma noted at that time that both products were jointly developed by NextWave and the company, using its LiquiXR platform.

Pfizer purchased NextWave in 2012. Tris continued to manufacture the treatments before and after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.

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"Pfizer and Tris reach settlement with Texas over ADHD drug allegations" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




PRESS RELEASE

12500 N.E. Tenth Place  Bellevue, WA 98005  JPFO.org  800-869-1884  info@jpfo.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Nov 20, 2025 Contact: David Williamson (425) 454-4911

BELLEVUE, WA  Published reports confirm that many Jewish New Yorkers have been arming themselves in worrisome anticipation of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdanidescribed by the New York Post as a "Muslim radical socialist"taking office and opening a floodgate of hatred toward the city's Jewish population.

Even The Times of Israel is reporting how Jewish gun owners, firearms instructors and security professionals in the Big Apple are witnessing a major surge in demand for firearms training, and applications for concealed carry permits. Anti-Semitic rhetoric has led to increased violence against Jews across the United States.

The alarm is sounding, and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO) is paying attention. JPFO says it is hardly surprising that, when faced with the kind of social threat facing them, New York City's Jewish residents are falling back on the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment as a preventive measure.

Mamdani's election represents a bizarre shift in American politics, and it is most alarming to New York City's Jewish population which, ironically, has never historically provided strong support for the right to keep and bear arms, despite the fact that a significant number of leaders in the gun rights movement are of Jewish heritage. In addition, gun ownership is prevalent in Israel, especially since the October 7 attack. But in New York City, that scenario is changing. JFPO doesn't view this as an exercise of hypocrisy, but rather a dramatic onset of common sense.

A separate New York Post report revealed the Democratic Socialists of America agenda they want Mamdani to follow, and it is pure anti-Israel, and thus New York Jews feel threatened. The Times of Israel noted how more than 1,000 rabbis and cantors from across the U.S. signed a letter opposing Mamdani and "the political normalization of anti-Zionism." The same report revealed how New York Police licensing data shows a 14-percent increase in carry permit applications after Mamdani won the Democratic primary.

Nothing so clearly illustrates the degree of dread among New York's Jewish population as the spike in concealed carry applications and interest in training courses, which one instructor in Brooklyn told the Times of Israel "includes Jewish doctors, lawyers, plumbers and even rabbis."

JPFO said all of this leads to an inescapable conclusion, that New York's Jewish population will not flee, will not be disenfranchised and will not back down.

#####
A former Philippines mayor who was accused of spying for China has been found guilty of human trafficking for her role in running a scam centre.

On Thursday, she and three others were sentenced to life in prison and a fine of 2m pesos ($33,832; 25,942).

The case of Alice Guo has gripped the Philippines for years, after authorities uncovered one of the country's biggest scam centres in her small town of Bamban. Some 800 Filipinos and foreigners were later rescued from the scam hub after a raid, with many of them saying they were forced to run "pig butchering" scams.

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The 35-year-old, who was arrested last year after being on the run for weeks, has denied all allegations against her.

It is not yet clear if she might appeal.

There are still five ongoing cases against Guo, including one where she has been charged with money laundering.

In 2022, Guo was elected as the mayor of Bamban, north of the capital Manila. Residents of Bamban earlier told the BBC she was seen as a caring and empathetic leader.

But in 2024, the sleepy town was thrust into the national spotlight after authorities uncovered a sprawling scam centre there that was hiding under online casinos, known locally as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogo).

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Pogos cater to clients in the Chinese mainland, where gambling is illegal.

Guo initially denied all knowledge of the compound, but a senate investigation that followed questioned her inability to detect the eight hectare centre that was located near her office.

It later emerged that the compound - which contained 36 buildings - was built on land which Guo previously owned.

They also found discrepancies in her life story  she was not, as she had claimed, born in the Philippines, but had migrated from China with her family as a teenager. MPs later found that her fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping.

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She was soon removed from office. And as more details around the case emerged, she disappeared in July 2024, prompting an international operation across four countries to bring her back.

In September of the same year, she was arrested in Indonesia and extradiated to the Philippines. Her Philippine passport was also cancelled.

Her case has played out as the Philippines and China continue to spar over reefs and outcrops in the South China Sea. While the case was making national headlines in the Philippines, China has remained silent regarding the allegations against her.

Additional reporting by Virma Simonette
Poland is to deploy 10,000 troops to help protect the countrys critical infrastructure from Russia.

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Polish defence minister, said soldiers would safeguard infrastructure, such as railway lines, from sabotage attacks.

It follows Sundays explosions on a section of train track used for sending aid supplies from Warsaw towards the border with Ukraine. Donald Tusk, the prime minister, said the unprecedented act of sabotage was carried out by two Ukrainians collaborating with the Russian intelligence services.

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In response to the incident, Poland vowed to close Russias last remaining consulate, in Gdansk. Warsaw has shuttered Russian consulates in Krakow and Poznan over sabotage acts.

The Polish defence minister says thousands of soldiers will respond to the threat of more sabotage - Artur Widak / NurPhoto

Radoslaw Sikorski, the Polish foreign minister, said: I have decided to withdraw consent for the operation of the Russian consulate in Gdansk. It [the railway line attack] was not only an act of sabotage but also an act of state terrorism.

He said he would ask other EU nations to limit Russian diplomats travel in the 25-nation Schengen area, warning that it was not the end of Polands response.

Moscow denied responsibility for the explosions, citing Russophobia in Poland, and said it would place tit-for-tat limits on Polands diplomatic and consular presence in Russia.

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Asked about the consulate closure, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said relations with Poland have completely deteriorated, adding: One can only express regret here ... This has nothing to do with common sense.

A wave of arson, sabotage and cyberattacks in Poland and other European nations has been linked to Vladimir Putins hybrid war against Nato allies, which aims to disrupt military support for Kyiv.

Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat, said the train line attack highlighted the need for better protection in the face of an unprecedented risk to European critical infrastructure.

Ms Kallas said: We have to have a strong response because what Russia is trying to do is two things. On one hand to test us, to see how far they can go  and try to sow fear within our society.

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The Ukrainian nationals suspected of orchestrating the blast on the Warsaw to Lublin railway line fled for Belarus. Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesperson for Polands minister in charge of intelligence services, said several other people had been detained, but he did not give more details.

Earlier this year, Europol, the EUs police enforcement agency, accused Russia of using criminal networks to drive an increase in politically motivated sabotage acts, including arson, cyber attacks, data theft and migrant smuggling.

Last month, Warsaw announced that it had worked with Romania to detain eight people suspected of planning sabotage.

Wiesaw Kukula, the Polish armys chief of staff, said nations should be on high alert for attacks at Christmas, when Polands enemies could take advantage of long winter nights to target more infrastructure. He said: We must not allow this to happen.

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.
A police chief in Gloucester County is reminding parents about the dangers posed by children riding electric bikes following two recent crashes in his town.

A 15-year-old boy broke both wrists in an electric motorcycle crash on Monday afternoon in Washington Township, police said.

That follows another crash involving a 13-year-old e-scooter rider who suffered minor injuries two weeks ago in the same community.

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Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik urged young e-bike riders and their parents to consider the risks of the high-powered vehicles.

These E-motorcycles and high-speed E-bikes and E-scooters continue to be a growing safety concern in Washington Township, Gurcsik wrote in a Facebook post. They may look like fun recreational devices, but many can reach motorcycle-level speeds (50MPH) and are extremely dangerous when operated by juveniles on busy roads.

In the Monday incident, the teen was riding the bike uphill on Ganttown Road in front of The Clusters at Washington, a condominium complex in Washington Township, around 4:15 p.m. when sun glare blocked his view of the road ahead, according to police.

He struck the rear of a car that had slowed down for a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway, police said.

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The driver of the car contacted police and helped the injured teen.

The 15-year-old was conscious and alert when officers arrived. He reported that both of his wrists were broken, police said.

His helmet was found 75 feet away from the car. The car suffered rear-end damage and the motorcycle was extensively damaged in the crash, police said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Ed Appel at eappel@pd.twp.washington.nj.us.

New Jersey is finalizing new guidance on e-bike use and updated laws regarding the vehicles are expected in January, according to the township police chief.

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Crashes involving e-bikes are happening far too often, Gurcsik said.

Our roads are busy, complex, under construction and with distracted drivers, he said. High-speed devices operated by children in these conditions create dangerous and unpredictable situations.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Police are asking the publics help in finding a suspect accused of stealing a car from a local restaurant.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Nov. 14, Miami Township officers responded to Bonefish Grill for reports of a car stolen.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The victim found his dashcam, which had been thrown from the car.

The dashcam recorded footage of the suspect.

Anyone who has information or who can identify the suspect is asked to contact Det. Bobby Johnson at bjohnson@miamitownship.com.

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Do you recognize these two people?

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The Moraine Police Department wrote in a social media post that they are searching for two suspects accused of stealing an SUV.

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The incident happened on Nov. 13 at Command Roofing on Arbor Boulevard.

A security camera captured the image of two people accused of stealing a 2014 Jeep Compass SUV, according to Moraine Police.

Contact Moraine Police at (937) 535-1166 if you can help ID these people.

Photo contributed by Moraine Police Department (via Facebook)

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Pope Leo XIV has launched a fresh volley at Donald Trump over his administrations immigration policies.

While speaking to reporters at Castel Gandolfo, his papal vacation residence outside Rome, the first American pope doubled down on his criticism of Trumps mission to root out illegal immigration in the country. He accused the administration of treating foreigners in the U.S. in a way that was extremely disrespectful.

Trump has vowed during his presidency to deport millions of immigrants, with Kristi Noem, his Secretary of Homeland Security, leading the effort. / Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters

Many Catholic advocates have argued that the presidents practices conflict with Christian teaching. The vast majority of those rounded up in the anti-migrant driveas many as nine out of 10, according to one analysishave been Catholics from Latin America. Americas Roman Catholic bishops have condemned the Trump administrations indiscriminate mass deportation.

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We have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have. If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts. Theres a system of justice, the Pope said.

No one has said that the United States should have open borders. I think every country has the right to determine who enters, how, and when.

The Pope added, when people have lived good livesmany of them for 10, 15, 20 yearstreating them in a way that is, to say the least, extremely disrespectful, and with instances of violence, is troubling.

The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.

Clergy have been among the protesters against Trump's immigration tactics, including in New York earlier this year. / ADAM GRAY / REUTERS

Trump has vowed to deport millions of immigrants in what he claims will be the largest mass deportation in American history. The Trump administration announced last month it had carried out more than 527,000 deportations so far this year.

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The Trump Administration is on pace to shatter historic records and deport nearly 600,000 illegal aliens by the end of President Donald Trumps first year since returning to office, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. More than 2 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. including 1.6 million who have voluntarily self-deported and over 527,000 deportations.

The Popes latest comments come days after he urged U.S. immigration authorities to allow detained migrants to receive communion.

Responding to reports that migrants held at an Illinois facility were blocked from receiving communion, he called on the Trump administration to respect migrants dignity and religious liberty, saying authorities should allow pastoral workers to assist with the needs of these people.

Additionally, Trumps nemesis, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, told NBC Chicago he traveled to the Vatican Wednesday morning for a meeting with the Pope, who is from suburban Chicago where the pair discussed the deportation raids.

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[The Pope] had read about my work in Illinois to stand up for immigrants and he believes strongly that its our obligation as human beings to stand up for one another and especially because immigrants are often the most vulnerable, the governor said.

Trump issued a call last month for Pritzker to be jailed for blocking his administrations deportation efforts, after which the governor said I genuinely think there is something wrong with him.

I wish that his family would intervene, because I do think he needs mental health help, and I dont think anybody around him that works for him is going to do that, because theyre benefiting from his failure of mental health, his dementia, Pritzker said of the 79-year-old. I wish somebody would help out the president of the United States.
A Porterville teen is one of 28 people recently charged by the Department of Justice for his alleged connection to an online extremist group.

In a six-page indictment filed by prosecutors, Tony Long is accused of sexually exploiting a minor in Washington, cyberstalking another in Tulare County, and crushing animals. The 19-year-old has denied the charges.

Prosecutors say he is an associate of "764."

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"We're going after the new form of what I refer to as modern-day terrorism in America: 764 crimes that involve harming our children by going after them online," FBI Director Kash Patel said in September.

ABC's Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas has investigated the group for months.

"It's both a national security threat and a threat to families," he told Action News.

Thomas's reporting details how the 764 network coerces and extorts minors, forcing them to perform depraved acts of violence against themselves and others.

Arizona parents Leslie and Colby Taylor lost their 13-year-old son, Jay, to suicide after authorities say a 764-member in Germany pushed him to take his own life.

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"The fact that the perpetrators are having access directly to our kids' mind versus their physical well-being is extremely scary," Colby told ABC.

The Porterville indictment details a local string of similar disturbing online behavior.

Prosecutors say Long used computer services and internet messages to intimidate and cause emotional distress to his minor victim.

It is another chilling reminder for parents about the dangers lurking online.

"The key is engage, engage, and then engage some more," Thomas said. "Try to have an understanding of who your child is communicating with. Know what social media platforms they're using."

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The FBI has opened at least 100 additional investigations in the months since Thomas first reported on 764, bringing the nationwide total to more than 350.

Long is due back at the federal courthouse in Fresno on December 17. Court records reveal that he is subject to a protective order.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, X and Instagram.
After attacking and demonizing each other incessantly during the New York City mayoral campaign, President Trump and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani have agreed to meet at the White House on Friday.

In a post on his Truth Social site around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Trump said, Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!

Mamdani spokeswoman Dora Pekec confirmed that the meeting has been set and that hell be there.

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As is customary for an incoming mayoral administration, the mayor-elect plans to meet with the president in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over 1 million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago, Pekec said.

Despite furiously railing against Trump on the campaign trail and during his victory speech on Election Night, Mamdani on Monday said he wants to meet face to face with the president to discuss ways the two leaders can work together for the good of the Big Apple.

I made a commitment  to meet with anyone and everyone so long as it was to the benefit of the 8 million people that call the city their home, and so long as it would help to address the affordability crisis that is pushing many of them out of this city, Mamdani said after serving meals to New Yorkers at a Bronx food pantry.

Among other things, the incoming mayor vowed to press Trump to avoid cutting off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits, like he did during the recent government shutdown in his standoff with the Democrats.

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Meanwhile, Trump, who has mocked Mamdani as a little Communist, threatened to deport him to his native Uganda and warned a Mamdani mayoralty would doom the city, also has recently softened his tone.

We want to see everything work out well for New York, he said.
Joseph DeAngelo moved through California neighborhoods like a shadow.

He stalked his victims for days, learning their routines before slipping into their homes in a mask to torture, rape and kill. At first, he preyed on women who lived alone but later expanded his attacks to include couples. He pocketed wedding rings, photos and other grim tokens from crime scenes.

What started as burglaries and break-ins escalated into brutal attacks and murders that left entire neighborhoods too terrified to sleep. Each wave of terror in a different part of California came with a new nickname: The Visalia Ransacker. The Original Night Stalker. The East Area Rapist. And finally, the Golden State Killer.

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DeAngelo killed at least 13 people and raped dozens more in the 1970s and 1980s. In April 2018, nearly four decades after his last known crimes, police armed with DNA evidence surrounded his house in the quiet Sacramento suburb of Citrus Heights and arrested him.

Dressed in a T-shirt, cargo shorts and tube socks, a shocked DeAngelo offered no resistance when detectives moved in after he stepped into his yard. In a jarring contrast to the cruelty he once inflicted, the predator whod terrorized residents in 11 counties did not fight back. But he protested in a high-pitched voice, I have a roast in the oven!

Once inside the cold and bare interrogation room of the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department, he slumped into a plastic chair. Alone, he quietly stared at the fluorescent-lit walls for nearly two hours, drawing in large gulps of air.

A view of the home of accused rapist and killer Joseph DeAngelo on April 24, 2018, in Citrus Heights, California. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

He reminded me of a sloppy grandpa or an alcoholic uncle whom you avoided at Thanksgiving dinner. He did not seem  particularly menacing, writes Thien Ho, the lead prosecutor in the case, in his new book, The People vs. the Golden State Killer. The monsters of our imagination can look and feel very different in the bright light of reality.

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Detectives offered DeAngelo a can of Dr Pepper  the same drink hed left behind at several crime scenes. He didnt touch it nor acknowledge it. Investigators believe he feared hed leave his DNA on it  unaware that theyd already obtained it from his trash can, said Ho, now the District Attorney of Sacramento County.

DeAngelo was convicted of multiple murders in August 2020 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Hos book, released this month, offers a rare look inside the investigation that brought down one of Californias most notorious killers.

"The People vs. The Golden State Killer" was published this month. - Third State Books

Thien Ho speaks during a hearing for the Golden State Killer on June 29, 2020, in Sacramento, California. - Fred Greaves/Reuters

CNN talked to Ho about the new revelations in his book. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Why do you think DeAngelo shut down in the hours after his arrest?

He was being calculating and manipulative. When he was sitting inside that room for those two hours, I was watching the video of it, and I thought a couple times that the video kind of just froze because hes sitting there, not moving at all. And after he was confronted with the murders and rapes, he started mumbling to himself, talking to himself, saying, I didnt want to do it. Jerry made me do it. He was trying to present this mental defense of a split personality  where he was blaming Jerry for taking over and kind of forcing him to do these things.

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He didnt realize that his mental defense didnt work, because this isnt the first time he tried it. In 1979, when he was arrested for shoplifting dog repellent and a hammer, he was caught by store security, and he was acting like he was crazy, mumbling to himself, saying crazy things. And when the police came, he admitted he was pretending to be crazy, hoping that security wouldnt call them. He has used this technique of pretending to be crazy, so we knew it was fake.

At the beginning of his crime spree, he was a police officer, even working on task forces hunting him. Did that help him evade capture?

It did. The first series of crimes, he was the Visalia Ransacker from 1974 to 1975. There were 120 burglaries in a three-mile square radius. It turned out he was a police officer in a nearby town, and he was on the task force to find the Visalia Ransacker, and he was the ransacker. He left Visalia in central California and moved up to Sacramento, where he started committing rapes there. As a police officer, he knew how everything operated, how long it took to respond to the scene, where they would set up their blockades and how to get around that. He used his expert knowledge as a police officer to commit his crimes, find his victims and then escape.

What drove his escalation from voyeurism and burglary to rape and murder?

It was that insatiable appetite for power.

When we caught him, I tried to recreate every aspect of his life, from when he was born in Bath, New York, all the way to his arrest. We found out that in his personal life, he felt  like he didnt have control or power. For example, when he was a young boy, he witnessed his little sister, who was 8 or 9 at the time, get raped by two military service members, and he was held down and had to watch that. His parents constantly beat him.

Authorities process evidence at the home of killer and rapist Joseph DeAngelo in Citrus Heights, California, on April 25, 2018. - Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

And  many of the victims talked about how small his penis was. So when we arrested him,  we did a search warrant to take pictures of his penis, and it was micropenis. He felt very small and powerless all his life.

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And when he became a police officer, it was his way of exerting control and power over other people. When he went in and raped and tied up people, he was drinking their beer, eating their food in their home, violating their marriage. He would take one earring and leave the other behind. He would take the wedding band. And when he would bludgeon them to death  he was playing God over their lives. He had power and control over their lives, because he didnt have any in his life.

Some of the survivors made their voices heard in court. How did you track them down decades later and prepare them to testify?

After he was caught, we (victim advocates, law enforcement and prosecutors) started reaching out to people and telling them whats going on. Some people reached out to us when they saw it on the news. We found people across the country  we went to the Midwest and different parts of the country to interview people.

We tried to make everything victim-centered  we connected the survivors with counseling services, sat down with them and went over their testimony and prior statements, talked to them about what courts like and gave them a tour of the courtroom before trial. We prepared them as best as we could to go through that process.

Your book focuses more on the survivors and law enforcement officials than on the killer himself. What was the reasoning behind that approach?

A lot of times, true crime books focus on the criminal and the crimes. But here, I wanted to focus on the law enforcement officers that never gave up the search for him, and on the victims. Theres an amazing moment in the case that Ill never forget and sort of led me to that  in a criminal case, the victims get to read their impact statement. And one of them was Jane Carson, who retired from the military as a colonel. She wrote her own book on being raped by him.

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During the impact statement, she says, Ive brought somebody here with me today that was also a victim, and her name is Bonnie. And Bonnie comes up. And Bonnie was actually engaged to DeAngelo about 40 years ago but had broken up with him.

Bonnie Ueltzen looks at her former fiance Joseph DeAngelo, known as the Golden State Killer, on the second day of victim impact statements on August 19, 2020, at the Sacramento County Courthouse in Sacramento, California. - Santiago Mejia/Pool/Reuters

And the Golden State Killer is all about control, and so here was Bonnie, who he couldnt control because she dumped him. And Bonnie stood there, and they both stared at him. I was six feet away from him. And this guys all about control and maintaining control. Hes sitting there, just looking straight ahead, not reacting to anything, trying to maintain control. But when Bonnie was brought into the courtroom, I looked at him, and his breathing had stopped.

Carson also told him, Oh, by the way, DeAngelo, do you remember the roast you had cooking in the oven the day you were arrested?  The only roast youll experience is when you roast in hell, because thats where youre going.

It was the victim and Bonnie seizing control back  you could see there was a reaction. It was a very empowering moment in the courtroom.

His crimes were horrifying. Is there a particular survivor whose story has stayed with you?

When I think about the case now, I dont think about him or the crimes. I think about the survivors. One of them, Phyllis Hennemann, was the very first rape victim in Sacramento. She was diagnosed with cancer, and when it was time for court she couldnt be there because she was having chemo. But when DeAngelo was sentenced, I looked across the courtroom, and theres Phyllis sitting there. And she had this twinkle on her eye. For the first time in 40 years, she got justice. About three months later, she died from cancer. I think about her a lot  that we were able to get her that justice.

After four decades, was there a moment in the investigation that marked a turning point?

DNA technology shifted the direction of this case. We took some of the DNA, some of the semen from the Ventura rape and converted into a DNA profile that you use in the genealogy database, and then we uploaded it. We found out he had a distant relative, and so we then took that relative and built a family tree. You know, who was that persons brothers and sisters, their parents, their uncles and aunties, their grandparents, their great-grandparents. We built this massive family tree with a thousand-plus names on it.

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And from that family tree, we investigated and looked at everybody. How many were male? How many of them were white? How many of them were police officers or military? How many lived at these crime scenes? And we were able to narrow it down to three people. And lo and behold, he was one of them. We collected his trash and found a piece of tissue that we tested for DNA that matched the killer from all these other locations.

Prosecutors Thien Ho and Amy Holliday read a statement on behalf of an Alameda County victim during the second day of victim impact statements in Sacramento, California. - Santiago Mejia/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Having seen the evidence up close, which details have stayed with you?

The brutality of the murder scenes in Southern California  For many of those murders, he bludgeoned the victims to death with a blunt instrument. A gunshot would draw the neighbors attention  (so) killing them with a log, a lamp base or a brass sprinkler head allowed him time to take in the crime scene at his leisure before leaving.

Do you believe there are more victims out there?

I do. His last known crime was the 1986 murder of Janelle Cruz in Orange County. People ask me, Why did he stop in 1986? And my answer is, How do you know he stopped in 1986?

Theres a three-year period from 1986 to 1989, when he was living in LA, that were not sure exactly where he was and what he was doing. And he was already beginning to evolve as a killer. So whats to say he didnt continue to kill his victims, but he discarded the bodies somewhere that we never found?

You describe justice in this case as not just a legal victory but a personal, full-circle moment for you. Why?

I escaped Vietnam on a fishing boat and lived in a refugee camp. When I came to the US, I learned how to speak English by watching Bugs Bunny cartoons. Twenty years later, I graduated from law school, and I became a lawyer.

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I come from a country that doesnt have the rule of law  its governed, essentially, by a dictatorship. And to come to this country, and give back to victims rights, be part of a system of justice that works, it meant everything in the world.

Whats DeAngelos life like in prison today?

He was sentenced to multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole and is in a prison in the Central Valley in California. Hes in a protective unit  this is where you put the child molesters, the rapists, the snitches, people who drop out of gangs because other prisoners want to hurt them. Hes not in the general population. And in that unit, he is constantly looking over his shoulder, worried that somebodys going to attack him.

So hes in his own version of hell, where he belongs.

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President Donald Trump on Thursday called for six Democratic members of Congress to face arrest and trial, joining a chorus of administration officials in denouncing a new warning directed to troops.

In a video posted on X, six Democrats called on the military and intelligence community earlier this week to refuse illegal orders that might be issued by the Trump administration.

The lawmakers included Sens. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Kelly (Ariz.), and Reps. Jason Crow (Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Chris Deluzio (Pa.) and Maggie Goodlander (N.H.)  all of whom have military or intelligence backgrounds.

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We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now, the coalition said in the video. Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens like us.

They added: Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear... You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.

The lawmakers did not specify which orders to the military could be considered illegal. Service members in the U.S. military are required to follow lawful directives under the Uniform Code of Military Justice  though they are not required to obey unlawful orders.

We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.



The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.



Dont give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025

As the video went viral on social media, Trump repeatedly condemned the six Democrats on Thursday.

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This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country, Trump said of the video in a post on Truth Social. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???

Its called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, Trump wrote in a follow-up post. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.

In a third post, Trump added: SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! He also re-posted a user who wrote HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!

The congressional Democrats later responded to Trumps posts in a joint statement posted on X.

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Whats most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law, they said. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.

Trumps calls came as members of his administration slammed the video earlier this week, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth writing on X on Tuesday, Stage 4 TDS, referring to the phrase Trump Derangement Syndrome.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller accused the lawmakers on Wednesday of engaging in rebellion against their Commander-in-Chief.

Do not underestimate how dangerously radicalized the Democrat party has become, Miller continued in a post on X.

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Miller later claimed on Fox News that the video is insurrection  plainly, directly, without question."

These lawmakers should honestly resign in disgrace and never return to public office again for even daring to think, let alone to say these words and to say them proudly, Miller said in fiery remarks.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also joined Fox News late Wednesday, arguing for a federal investigation into the Democrats featured in the video. He maintained that Trump and administration officials are ordering nothing illegal.

I felt like I was watching a propaganda video by one of our enemies trying to recruit the military to become spies, Blanche said, going on to ask whether what they did is a crime.

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During an appearance on Fox News, Crow on Wednesday defended the message in the video, pointing to Trump recently telling troops he is ready to send more than the National Guard into U.S. cities.

Were standing by our troops, our service members who are often put in very difficult positions, and Donald Trump has put them in very difficult positions and has alluded to putting them in even more difficult positions in the months and years ahead, Crow said.

The uproar comes as Slotkin introduced a new bill, titled the No Troops in Our Streets Act, earlier this month, which would limit the Trump administrations ability to deploy the National Guard at home, according to a press release. Since taking office, Trump has deployed troops to Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago as part of his push to combat crime.

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President Donald Trump called for the arrest of several democratic lawmakers, including Congressman Chris Deluzio, after a message they posted on social media urging service members and intelligence officials to disobey orders they say are illegal.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Trump says Democrats video message to military is seditious behavior punishable by death

Pennsylvania Congressman Chris Deluzio, a veteran, spoke on CNN about President Trumps comments.

Donald Trump is calling for my death and others, and every political leader should condemn the President's violent threats. pic.twitter.com/Cgtmoujsba  Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) November 20, 2025

His response to us putting this video out was to call for our death and hanging. It tells me he has no regard for the law. It tells me he has no regard for the Constitution, Deluzio said.

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Deluzios office also shared a statement at 4:00 p.m., which read:

"Congressman Chris Deluzio here. Today, Donald Trump called for my death.

He called for the arrest and the death of me and several of my colleagues, all of who have either worn the uniform or either served in intelligence services.

He didnt want to hear the basic lesson that we know about our Constitution, about the oath we all take when we servewhether in Congressor your first day out at boot camp.

These are bedrock principles in our country, that you follow lawful orders, that the oath to the Constitution, and that the loyalty to the Constitution comes above all.

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Im not going to be intimidated, Im not going to be deterred from my duty to represent the people who sent me to Congress, and to uphold my duty to the Constitution.

Dont Give Up the Ship.

Wednesday morning, Deluzio, along with five other Democratic lawmakers, put out the video urging the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders from the Trump administration.

We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.



The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.



Dont give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025

Today, President Trump reacted to the video on Truth Social, calling for the politicians arrests.

In another post, saying, seditious behavior, punishable by death!

A few hours ago, Governor Josh Shapiro reacted to the presidents comments.

Donald Trump called for violence this morning against duly elected members of Congress, including two outstanding members of Congress from Pennsylvania who have fought for our country, @RepHoulahan and @RepDeluzio.



Not only has the President failed in his responsibility to lead  Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) November 20, 2025

Senator John Fetterman also condemned the social media posts, calling for President Trump not to threaten members of Congress, regardless of which side of the aisle they are on.

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Rep. Summer Lee has also responded to the comments made by President Trump, saying:

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Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is defending himself after the House slapped him with formal rebuke on Tuesday.

The retiring representative came under fire for maneuvers that cleared the way for his chief of staff to run unopposed for his seat in the 2026 Democratic primary.

Congressman Garcia maintains that he did nothing wrong, even though 23 House Democrats sided with Republicans in calling him out for so-called "election subversion."

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"The vote on the disapproval resolution came about because one Democrat, and the entire MAGA Republican Caucus, brought it to the floor," Garcia said.

Garcia was in damage control mode on Wednesday, suggesting he is the victim of political vindictiveness.

RELATED | House reprimands Democrat Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia, accused of subverting election

It comes after the House voted to rebuke him for what many consider machine-style politics that cleared the way for only one person to file petitions in time to run to replace him: his chief of staff Patty Garcia. The two have no family relation.

"I respect people's views and those who may be skeptical about the process, but the process was a real one for me," Rep. Garcia said.

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Garcia cited personal and family health concerns and the adoption of a grandchild for the decision on Nov. 3 to retire at the end of this term.

That was the last day for candidates to submit petitions to run for his seat.

Two days earlier, Patty Garcia started collecting signatures to get on the ballot; and "Chuy" Garcia was the first person to sign.

As news spread, it prompted moderate Washington Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a fellow Democrat, to file her resolution to condemn Garcia.

"I'm not a lawyer, but I know that when I see somebody subverting an election and choosing their successor. That's not what democracy is about," Gluesenkamp Perez said.

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READ ALSO | Rep. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia's decision to exit 2026 race, anoint his chief of staff draws criticism

"If there was a conversation where he and his staff really wanted Patty Garcia to take over the seat, then they could have left it for an open Democratic primary and endorsed her and stumped for her and fundraised for her in a way that we could still end up with the same result," North Central College political science professor Suzanne Chod said.

Rep. Garcia says he had to put his family first.

"I understand why people can be skeptical because there have been many shenanigans that have occurred in politics over the years in Chicago," he said.

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Garcia now faces similar questions about shenanigans, which could pose challenges for Patty Garcia.

"[Patty] Garcia, as a woman, already has a harder time demonstrating legitimacy in these male-dominated spaces, and so it doesn't do her any favors in terms of her own legitimacy of being a representative in this district that she is going to rise to be in the seat in this way," Chod said.

Because the 4th Congressional District is considerably a solid Democratic seat, Patty Garcia is considered highly likely to win the seat in November.

Despite no primary opponent, she could face two Democrats running as Independents, along with Republican challengers.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's plan for ending the war in Ukraine would cede land to Russia and limit the size of Kyiv's military, according to a draft obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

The proposal, originating from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, appeared decidedly favorable to Russia, which started the war nearly four years ago by invading its neighbor. If past is prologue, it would seem untenable for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has opposed Trump's previous calls for territorial concessions.

A side agreement aims to satisfy Ukrainian security concerns by saying a future significant, deliberate and sustained armed attack by Russia would be viewed as threatening the peace and security of the transatlantic community. The agreement, which was detailed by a senior U.S. official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter, does not obligate the United States or European allies to intervene on Ukraine's behalf, although it says they would determine the measures necessary to restore security.

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Trump's push to end the war could drive a wedge between himself and European leaders, who are likely to oppose any agreement that could be seen as rewarding Russian President Vladimir Putin for his aggression, leaving him emboldened rather than defeated.

For example, the proposal would not only bar Ukraine from joining NATO but would also prevent the alliance's future expansion. Such a step would be a significant victory for Moscow, which views NATO as a threat.

Putin would also gain ground he has been unable to win on the battlefield. Under the draft, Moscow would hold all the eastern Donbas region, even though approximately 14% still remains in Ukrainian hands. Ukraine's military, currently at roughly 880,000 troops, would be reduced to 600,000.

The proposal opens the door to lifting sanctions on Russia and returning it to what was formerly known as the Group of Eight, which includes many of the worlds biggest economies. Russia was suspended from the annual gathering in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea, a strategically important peninsula on the northern coast of the Black Sea that is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine.

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Proposal increases pressure on Zelenskyy

The U.S. team began drawing up the plan soon after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Rustem Umerov, a top adviser to Zelenskyy, according to a senior administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official added that Umerov agreed to the majority of the plan, after making several modifications, and then presented it to Zelenskyy.

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was also in Kyiv on Thursday and discussed the latest draft with Zelenskyy, according to a senior administration official. Zelenskyy offered a measured statement on social media about it but did not directly speak to the substance of the proposal.

Our teams  of Ukraine and the United States  will work on the provisions of the plan to end the war. We are ready for constructive, honest and swift work, he wrote.

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Meanwhile, Trumps special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has informed the White House hell leave his post in January, according to two senior administration officials.

Kellogg was initially named special envoy for Ukraine and Russia during Trumps presidential transition. But his role shrunk as Witkoff, a real estate developer turned diplomat, emerged as the presidents chief interlocutor with Putin and his advisers.

Trump would oversee compliance with truce

Under the proposal, Russia would commit to making no future attacks, something the White House views as a concession. In addition, $100 billion in frozen Russian assets would be dedicated to rebuilding Ukraine.

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However, handing over territory to Russia would be deeply unpopular in Ukraine. It also would be illegal under Ukraines constitution. Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out such a possibility.

Russia would also be allowed to keep half of the power generated by Europes largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia, which it captured from Ukraine early during the war.

The draft calls for a Peace Council that Trump will oversee. The council is an idea that Trump snatched from his lengthy peace plan aimed at bringing about a permanent end to war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

If either Ukraine or Russia violated the truce once enacted, it would face sanctions.

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U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., an Air Force veteran, rejected the emerging plan. Unacceptable, he posted on social media. It is a 1938 Munich, referring to a diplomatic agreement aimed at securing peace with Nazi Germany but widely viewed as paving the way for World War II.

European diplomats urge wider consultations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Witkoff have been quietly working on the peace plan for a month, receiving input from both Ukrainians and Russians on terms that are acceptable to each side, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, a close adviser to Putin, have been key to drafting the proposal.

As reports about the draft emerged, blindsided European diplomats insisted they and Ukraine must be consulted.

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European leaders have already been alarmed this year by indications that Trumps administration might be sidelining them and Zelenskyy in its push to stop the fighting. Trumps at-times conciliatory approach to Putin has fueled those concerns, but Trump adopted a tougher line last month when he announced heavy sanctions on Russias vital oil sector that come into force Friday.

For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at the start of a meeting in Brussels of the 27-nation blocs foreign ministers. She also suggested that the draft would be too favorable toward Moscow.

We havent heard of any concessions on the Russian side," Kallas said.

German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadephul said he talked by phone Thursday with Witkoff and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss our various current efforts to end Russias war of aggression against Ukraine and thus finally put an end to the immeasurable human suffering.

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Ukraines deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn told the U.N. Security Council that Kyiv has officially received Trumps draft peace plan and is ready to work constructively, but she stressed Ukraines red lines.

There will never be any recognition, formal or otherwise, of Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation as Russian, she said. Our land is not for sale.

Ukraine will not accept any limits on its right to self-defense or on the size and capabilities of our armed forces, nor will we tolerate any infringement on our sovereignty, including our sovereign right to choose the alliances we want to join, Hayovyshyn added.

Trump has long pushed for end to war

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It was not clear whether European foreign ministers had seen the peace plan, which was first reported by Axios.

Although they appeared caught by surprise, some elements of the plan were not new. Trump said last month that the Donbas region should be cut up, leaving most of it in Russian hands.

However, the administration's previous diplomatic efforts this year to stop the fighting have so far come to nothing. A summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska did not result in a breakthrough over the summer, and plans for them to meet again in Budapest, Hungary, did not come to fruition.

Trump frequently complained that the negotiations involving Ukraine were taking longer than other conflicts where he helped mediate.

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I thought that was going to be my easy one because I have a good relationship with President Putin, he said this week. But Im a little disappointed in President Putin right now.

___

Novikov reported from Kyiv. Associated Press journalists Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Sam McNeil in Brussels, Samya Kullab in Kyiv and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England, contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
If the political parties continue to break down the norms in their quest for power, they will find that they win a lot of battles but lose the war for the American republic. This was exemplified in the wholly pointless Democrat-inspired shutdown for nearly 50 days that created massive doubt in the voters minds of both parties.

While Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Partys left flank were clearly the instigators, the reaction of the voters was simple - if these two parties cant even keep the government open, a pox on both of them. And the ratings of everyone declined - the president, Congress, the Republicans, and the Democrats all now have ratings in the low 40s, according to the latest Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll. Economic concern also spiked as people feared further ramifications of the shutdown, as people were not getting paychecks, food stamps were endangered, and air traffic was becoming a tangled mess. In the end, it is not about Democrats or Republicans losing the shutdown - it is about America losing.

Kudos go to the brave Democrats who said "enough is enough" here and broke from their party to end this hat-tip to the left wing of the Democratic Party that wanted disruption no matter what the cost or the issue. They focused on one budget item - temporary COVID-era Obamacare subsidies with a time limit they themselves set - and were willing to hold up the entire government for an unlimited time to try to get their way, setting a precedent that the government could be shut down over any issue. They were going to prove they could resist President Donald Trump, no matter what it took or did to the country - they invented a kind of shutdown terrorism in which government employees and SNAP recipients were the collateral damage.

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The fight over congressional redistricting is going down a similar path. Former President Barack Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder set up a nonprofit to supposedly ensure "fair" redistricting, but it really was a cover for trying to gain seats just for Democrats. Whats worse is that many of the big blue states are already so ridiculously gerrymandered. There are already far fewer Republican seats than should be the case in places like New York, California, and Illinois. So naturally, the Republicans moved to equalize the balance in Texas, prompting further indignant responses in California, and now there is gerrymander fever in all of the states looking to adjust the map to turn this system into a mini-electoral college - win the states geography battles and you win all the seats of the state. This would only further separate blue and red states and again make people believe that the whole system is rigged.

And the record regarding judicial nominations is no different. Federal judges needed 60 votes in the Senate for confirmation, which meant historically that picks with extreme right or left views had great difficulty being confirmed - until then-Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid adopted the so-called "nuclear option" and reduced it to 51 votes, allowing Democrats to name more left leaning judges on their own, prompting the Republicans to do the same for Supreme Court nominations. The result is more left- and right-leaning judges, with the Democrats promising payback whenever they gain control of the process. It seemed unlikely they would follow through on their threat to "pack" the high court, but if they would shut the government down for two months, it would take some senators willing to be a profile in courage to prevent that from happening.

Each of these moves has pleased the respective bases of the two major parties, angered the base of the other party, resulting in escalation, and left those in the middle disillusioned. If this cycle is not broken, both parties are essentially threatening to go over a cliff in a barrel, destroying the very system that created them and fulfilling the prophecy of George Washington, who predicted that factionalism was the greatest threat to the Republic.

And the built-in reactions to whatever a Democratic or Republican president does are following the same pattern. President Trump successfully dismantled the Iranian nuclear sites with a daring military raid, and that should have received uniform praise. Instead, the Democrats played politics even with what should have been a united front against a nuclear Iran. And so it goes with issue after issue, the policies they genuinely oppose are treated exactly the same as policies they would support if they were the ones enacting them. Partisanship gets built into everything, and the result is a divided population in which there are no winners, only losers and growing public distrust.

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The senators who sided with the Republicans deserve praise as the kinds of senators that John F. Kennedy idolized in his book, "Profiles in Courage." Of course they will get the enmity of the political bases and be threatened with primaries, but if the bases dont wake up and realize that they need to govern first and foremost and play politics second, they will endanger the whole American experiment as it is about to celebrate its 250th Anniversary. As with the Republicans who refused to eliminate the filibuster here, they all need to realize that the key to governance is cooperation and collaboration, not combat.

Mr. Penn was a pollster and adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton, 1995-2008. He is chairman of the Harris Poll and CEO of Stagwell Inc.

&

Andrew Stein served as New York City Council president, 1986-93.
A former congressional aide to a Republican congressman staged a fake anti-Trump attack against her over the summer and is now facing federal charges.

Natalie Greene, who used to work for Representative Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, allegedly paid a body modification artist $500 to physically wound her, tie her up with zip ties, and write Trump Whore on her stomach and Van Drew is a racist on her back, the New Jersey Globe reports.

All of this took place in July, with Greenes friend calling 911 claiming the two had been ambushed by three men on a hiking trail in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. When police arrived, they found Greene with her shirt pulled over her head, bound with black zip ties, and the words written on her body. She also said the attackers threatened her with a gun.

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According to federal prosecutors, Greene, a Rutgers law student, was lying about nearly everything. She drove to Pennsylvania to hire the modification artist, providing a pattern she had already made. Greene had matching zip ties in her car, and according to cellphone records, and her friend had searched for zip ties near me two days before the supposed attack.

Days after the incident, while Greene was getting treated for her wounds, FBI investigators interviewed her and her friend, and their stories did not match. She has been charged with one count of conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement.

In a statement, Drews congressional office said they were deeply saddened by todays news, adding, While Natalie is no longer associated with the congressmans government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her and hope shes getting the care she needs.
PROVIDENCE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents moved Nov. 20 to "wrongfully" take a Superior Court intern into custody at the Licht Judicial Complex and only backed off after confirming they had the wrong person following a judge's intervention.

The judiciary announced that ICE agents outside the courthouse detained a high school student who is interning for Superior Court Judge Joseph J. McBurney.

If not for the intervention of a Superior Court judge, who insisted that ICE had wrongfully identified his intern as their target, this young person would have been taken into ICE custody, the judiciary said.

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Court security approached the officers after they were seen photographing the 16-year-old intern inside the courthouse and directed them to follow court rules. They then surrounded McBurney's car with the teenager inside and threatened to break the windows.

At McBurney's insistence that they were making a mistake, ICE agents checked their information. The intern was released after officers confirmed they had misidentified the teen, according to the account.

Flyers handed out by RISD students and staff within the Deportation Defense Network offer information about ICE's presence outside Rhode Island courthouses.

This egregious incident underscores both the communitys and the Judiciarys concerns about how ICE is conducting its operations in Rhode Island, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell said in a statement. Given this climate, the Judiciary understands the call to implement remote hearings in Providence County, and beyond. The need to balance constitutional considerations, the publics right of access, and the integrity of testimonial and evidentiary processes do not allow for a fully virtual court system.

What occurred today, however, reinforces the Judiciarys need to focus on ways to enhance access to virtual hearings and to educate the public as to how to request such hearings, Suttell continued. The courts are here to serve the people and the Judiciary remains steadfast in preserving and augmenting access to justice for all persons.

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Gov. Dan McKee's office on Thursday also issued a statement condemning the intern's detention:

Today, ICE agents wrongfully detained a high school intern outside the Superior Court  an outrageous and indefensible act that could have completely upended a young persons life. Rhode Islanders should not have to fear federal agents operating with such reckless disregard for the law and human dignity. This was not a harmless mistake. It was the direct result of callous and chaotic policies by the Trump Administration. Moreover, ICEs failure to exercise even a shred of due diligence is shameful and underscores just how broken and dangerous these federal policies are.

I fully support the Judiciarys commitment to enhance access to virtual hearings and promote safe access to the courts.

Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos also responded.

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"Yesterday's attempted abduction of a Rhode Island Superior Court intern by ICE drives home the danger of flooding our streets with masked thugs who can't tell the difference between a hardened criminal and a high school student. We must cease these rogue operations and allow law enforcement to be led by the local officers who actually know their community," Matos said in a statement.

She praised McBurney.

"This high school student was spared being wrongfully taken into custody only because of the intervention of Superior Court Judge Joseph McBurney. To Judge McBurney, I offer sincere thanks on my own behalf and on behalf of our immigrant communities for using your position of power to prevent this," she said.

And U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner, ranking member of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee on the House Homeland Security Committee, called the incident "yet another example of the disregard for civil liberties by immigration enforcement under the Trump Administration," and said he would "continue to call out the Administrations reckless actions, in Rhode Island and across the county.

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A spokesman for ICE did not respond to a Journal inquiry.

Advocates on patrol

The news comes as the Deportation Defense Network of Rhode Islands College Hill group has been patrolling outside courthouses for the presence of ICE and warning court users accordingly.

The Deportation Defense Network estimates that more than 20 people have been taken into custody by ICE outside state courthouses in Providence, Newport and at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal in Cranston since July  and ICE has been recently spotted outside the Garrahy Judicial Complex on Dorrance Street.

The Providence City Council and advocacy groups have also urged the judiciary to provide virtual court hearings in the city due to the increased presence of immigration officers around courthouses.

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Recognizing that Providence is a "city of immigrants," the City Council passed a resolution Oct. 16 on a 13-0 vote calling for the use of remote court hearings to allow people to get due process and their day in court without the threat of being detained by ICE.

The increased presence of immigration enforcement in or near courthouses has caused fear and uncertainty among residents, discouraging individuals from attending hearings, accessing the legal processes necessary to assert their rights, complying with court orders, or seeking lawful immigration relief, the council resolved.

To learn more about how to request a remote hearing or to address accessibility needs, people are asked to contact the Judiciarys Access to Justice Office Resource Center at (401) 615-2469 or accesstojustice@courts.ri.gov.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI judge steps in to save intern after ICE wrongfully detains them
"Lindsey Halligan is a really good lawyer," President Donald Trump said when he publicly ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey. That assessment seemed doubtful five days later, when Halligan delivered the indictment that the president had demanded.

Halligan, a former Trump defense lawyer with no prosecutorial experience, had taken office as the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia just three days earlier, replacing Erik Siebert, who did not think the case against Comey was worth pursuing. Halligan was much more eager to do the president's bidding, and she managed, just barely, to obtain an indictment before the charges would have been barred by the statute of limitations. In fact, she seemed to have obtained two indictments that contradicted each other, which ultimately raised an issue that, judging from a hearing on Wednesday, could sink the government's case.

"This has never happened before," U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsey Vaala remarked when Halligan submitted the indictment on September 25. "I've been handed two documents [in the Comey case] that are inconsistent with one another. There seems to be a discrepancy. They're both signed by the [grand jury] foreperson."

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One indictment listed the two charges approved by the grand jury, while the other mentioned a third count that the grand jury rejected. The latter document, Vaala noted, described "a failure to concur in an indictment" but did not specify which count was rejected, so "it looks like they failed to concur across all three counts." The judge said she was "a little confused as to why I was handed two things with the same case number that are inconsistent."

Halligan seemed even more confused. She said she had "only reviewed" one of the indictments, "did not see the other one," and didn't "know where that came from." When Vaala pointed out that the document Halligan claimed she never saw "has your signature on it," the neophyte prosecutor was nonplussed. "OK," she said. "Well."

Halligan's rookie mistake was not merely embarrassing. As U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick noted in a ruling on Monday, it raised the question of whether the indictment that the government is pursuingwhich charges Comey with perjury and obstruction based on his testimony at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 30, 2020was properly approved by the grand jury.

"The grand jury was originally presented with a three-count indictment, signed by the prosecutor," Fitzpatrick noted. "The grand jury, however, rejected Count 1 of the original indictment and found probable cause as to the two remaining counts. At some point, the prosecutor prepared and signed a second indictment that removed Count 1 of the original indictment. At the return of the indictment, the government presented both the first and second indictments to the magistrate judge. The first indictment indicated that the grand jury failed to find probable cause as to any count. The second indictment indicated that the grand jury found probable cause as to two counts. Both indictments were fully executed by [the] grand jury foreperson and the prosecutor."

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After questioning Halligan and the grand jury's foreperson, Vaala accepted the second indictment. Since "the second indictment was a new indictment," Fitzpatrick said, he initially assumed Halligan "would have presented the second indictment to the grand jury for consideration before it was returned in open court." But he added that "it now appears that may not have happened." And "if this procedure did not take place," he said, "the Court is in uncharted legal territory" because "the indictment returned in open court was not the same charging document presented to and deliberated upon by the grand jury."

The case entered that "uncharted legal territory" on Wednesday during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, who is overseeing the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney N. Tyler Lemons conceded that Halligan had signed an "edited" version of the original indictment. "The second indictment is a document that was never shown to the entire grand jury?" Nachmanoff asked. "Yes, that is my understanding," Lemons replied. Nachmanoff also questioned Halligan, who said the second indictment was reviewed only by the grand jury's foreperson.

Comey's lawyers think that's a pretty big deal. The failure to clear the revised document with the full grand jury means "there is no indictment," said defense attorney Michael Dreeben. And since the statutory deadline for the charges was September 30, he added, Halligan's procedural failure is "tantamount to a complete bar" to prosecution.

The Fifth Amendment requires that prosecutors obtain a grand jury indictment in felony cases. That requirement, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held in the 1969 case Gaither v. United States, means that grand jurors must see the full text of the indictment. Nachmanoff asked prosecutors and Comey's attorneys to address the relevance of that decision in assessing the gravity of Halligan's boo-boo.

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Unsurprisingly, Halligan thinks her error was no biggie. "Gaither does not require dismissal of this Indictment," she says in a brief filed after the hearing. "In Gaither, the grand jury never saw any version of the eventual indictment. In this case, the grand jury was provided the proposed Indictment, deliberated, and determined that probable cause existed to believe that the defendant had committed the crimes charged in two counts." She notes that the two charges in the "edited" indictment "are identical to the second and third charges that were included in the proposed indictment that was provided to the grand jury."

Halligan adds that "the Grand Jury foreperson, as the representative of the Grand Jury, endorsed the revised two count Indictment by signing it and explaining on the record in open Court that the Indictment reflected the vote of the Grand Jury." In short, she says, "the government course of conduct here was permissible and proper."

Comey's lawyers have not yet filed a brief detailing their take on how Gaither applies to this case. But however this shakes out, the fact that the issue needs to be addressed at all underlines Halligan's lack of experience and her haste in obtaining the Trump-ordered indictment before it was too late.

The resulting document was so skimpy and vague that the details of the charges against Comey remained unclear for more than a month. Notably, the indictment was signed by Halligan alone, which reflected internal skepticism of the case. The resistance evidently was so strong that Halligan had to recruit Lemons and another prosecutor, Gabriel J. Diaz, from a different district to help her with the case after she obtained the indictment. But had any of the career prosecutors in her office been willing to join her in seeking the indictment, she probably would have avoided the procedural shortcut that has now raised doubts about the indictment's validity.

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That issue is just one of several reasons that Comey's lawyers have offered for dismissing the indictment. They also argue that the prosecution is vindictive and selective, driven by Trump's personal vendetta against Comey, which was the main subject of Wednesday's hearing. They say Halligan's appointment as interim U.S. attorney was illegal because Siebert had already served that role for the maximum time allowed by statute. And they argue that the evidence presented by the government is legally insufficient to support the charges.

Relevant to that last point, several news outlets have reported that career prosecutors prepared a memo for Halligan that explained why they did not think there was probable cause to charge Comey. During Wednesday's hearing, Nachmanoff asked Lemons whether those reports were accurate. "At this point," Lemons replied, "my posture would be [that] whether [such a memo] existed would be privileged."

When Nachmanoff asked whether Lemons had been instructed to neither confirm nor deny the memo's existence, the prosecutor said he was trying to comply with a directive from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's office, which maintains that the memo is shielded from disclosure because it is a "work product." But in the process of explaining that, Lemons conceded that the memo does in fact exist.

Judging from a brief signed by Halligan, Lemons, and Diaz, that memo is relevant to Comey's case for dismissal. To buy his claim of vindictive and selective prosecution, the brief says, Nachmanoff would have to "accept the defendant's claim that 'no career or appointed prosecutor had ever agreed' to prosecute the defendant." But to support that contention, the prosecutors say, "the defendant provides only news reports relying on anonymous sources."

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Comey's lawyers, for example, cite an ABC News story as an example of "multiple reports" that "the career prosecutors [in Halligan's office] ultimately concluded that no case should be brought." Those reports cannot be trusted, Lemons et al. say, because they rely on "anonymous sources." But now Lemons himself has indirectly confirmed the doubts that deterred Siebert, which also should have deterred Halligan.

The post A Rookie Procedural Mistake by James Comey's Prosecutor Could Doom the Case Against Him appeared first on Reason.com.
Marcus Montoya, Eighth Judicial District attorney and president of the New Mexico District Attorneys Association, presented his offices budget request to the Legislative Finance Committee on Nov. 19, 2025. (Joshua Bowling/Source New Mexico)

Each of New Mexicos district attorneys on Wednesday asked state lawmakers during ongoing Legislative Finance Committee hearings to increase their funding in the upcoming legislative session. Most every prosecutors office asked for more money to hire attorneys and support staff, but DAs in New Mexicos most rural areas had a unique set of requests.

In the Eighth Judicial District, which includes Taos, Colfax and Union counties, prosecuting attorneys rely on a high-mileage fleet of cars to cover courthouse visits that require driving as much as 140 to 266 miles round-trip. In the Fifth Judicial District, which includes Roswell, attorneys experience disruptions to internet speeds and reliability during electronic discovery processes. And across the state, IT services and computers are at end-of-life and need a major overhaul, the president of the New Mexico Administrative Office of the District Attorneys said.

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Marcus Montoya, district attorney for the Eighth Judicial District and president of the New Mexico District Attorneys Association, said his office currently has 10 vehicles, two of which have clocked more than 100,000 miles. The odometer on his offices 2005 Toyota Matrix recently rolled over to 142,282 miles, he said, noting that Kelley Blue Book assigns that vehicle an average lifespan of 147,428 miles.

His staff attorneys need the vehicles to attend court hearings, serve subpoenas and attend meetings throughout the vast district, Montoya said. Extreme weather isnt uncommon in his part of the state, where roads and highways stretch through craggy, mountainous terrain.

We are the Dutch boy plugging the dam with our finger, Montoya said.

He asked state lawmakers to increase his offices base budget by about 4.4%, which would include $75,000 to upgrade its vehicle fleet. In all, his office requested about $6 million. Montoyas office isnt alone  the 12th Judicial District Attorneys Office, which includes Alamogordo, also requested about $71,000 to replace vehicles with 150,000 miles.

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Dianna Luce, DA for the Fifth Judicial District, told state lawmakers that her office has issues with internet speeds and said that convincing University of New Mexico law graduates to move to Chaves County is a tough proposition. As of Wednesday, she said her office has seven unfilled staff attorney positions.

It is extremely difficult to hire attorneys, she said. We primarily hire from outside the state.
Irish low-cost carriers website no longer lists Tel Aviv as a destination after canceling its 20252026 winter schedule, leaving the future of its Israel routes uncertain.

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has removed Tel Aviv from its online destination map, after previously announcing it would not operate flights to Israel in the 20252026 winter season, Hebrew-language daily Maariv reported on Wednesday.

The move leaves the future of the carriers operations in Israel unclear and comes with no formal announcement from the airline on whether flights might resume.

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According to Maariv, Tel Aviv has been completely removed from the list of destinations on Ryanairs website, rather than simply marked as suspended.

The change reinforces the companys earlier decision to freeze all Israeli operations until at least summer 2026, and strengthens concerns in the Israeli aviation market that Ryanair has no concrete plans to resume service.

The company has not issued any new public statement about a permanent withdrawal from Israel, beyond its earlier notifications about suspending flights for the coming winter season. For now, Israeli passengers searching the site will not find Tel Aviv among Ryanairs destinations at all.

Travellers at Ben Gurion International Airport, October 23, 2025. (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)

Slots, Terminal 1, and regulatory uncertainty

Ryanair has previously attributed the suspension of its Israel flights to two main factors: the lack of approved slots for the summer 2026 season at Ben-Gurion Airport and uncertainty over the continued operation of Terminal 1, Maariv reported.

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The airline stressed that without regulatory clarity on slot allocation and terminal usage, it could not plan its medium-term activity in the Israeli market.

The freeze ahead of winter 20252026 led to the cancellation of about 22 direct routes and the loss of roughly one million seats that had been planned for that season, according to the report. That decision significantly reduced low-cost options on several popular European routes from Tel Aviv, adding pressure on the remaining carriers.

Ryanairs latest step follows months of escalating tension with Israels aviation authorities. In late September, The Jerusalem Post reported that the airline would not resume Tel Aviv operations for the winter, saying slot delays and the closure of Terminal 1 had made its Israel program unworkable, while Ben-Gurion Airport rejected that claim and accused the airline of mismanaging its own schedule.

In that report, Ryanair confirmed it was scrapping 22 winter routes to Tel Aviv and shifting capacity to other markets, signaling that Israel had fallen sharply in its internal priorities. The current removal of Tel Aviv from the carriers destination map appears to cement that shift, at least for the coming seasons.

Will Ryanair return to Israel?

In September, Ryanair had already warned that it might not return to Israel at all, urging Jerusalem to get its act together on aviation regulation and airport operations, according to a separate Jerusalem Post report.

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Earlier in the year, the airline also said it had been forced to cancel flights to Israel due to circumstances beyond its control, highlighting the security situation and operational challenges foreign airlines faced when flying to Ben-Gurion.

At the same time, other foreign airlines have gradually restored service to Israel following periods of tension and temporary suspensions, with at least 14 carriers announcing a resumption of operations earlier this year.

For now, however, Ryanairs complete removal of Tel Aviv from its destination map, coupled with the cancellation of 22 routes and about one million planned seats, underlines the scale of its pullback from the Israeli market.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego Zoo Safari Park announced Thursday that its largest and most ambitious project ever  the Denny Sanford Elephant Valley  will officially open to the public on March 5, 2026.

Park officials say its the most transformative project in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliances 109-year history, with Elephant Valley aiming to deepen visitors understanding of elephants while spotlighting the conservation work happening both locally and across the African savanna.

According to the Wildlife Alliance, Elephant Valley was designed not only as a new habitat but as an immersive journey that connects guests with the cultures and communities in Kenya where people and elephants live side by side. The exhibit will showcase global conservation partners working with San Diego scientists to protect elephant populations and support coexistence strategies.

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Man faces charges for attempting to smuggle parakeets in underwear

The all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will officially open on March 5, 2026. (Courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) The all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will officially open on March 5, 2026. (Courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) The all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will officially open on March 5, 2026. (Courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

At the center of the new experience is Mkutano House, a two-story dining complex featuring three eateries: Mkutano, Ona Lounge and Tu Grill. The menus will draw inspiration from diverse African culinary traditions blended with global flavors.

Every dish will invite guests to embark on a rich culinary journey that celebrates discovery and connection, park officials noted in a press release.

The Safari Park, located on 1,800 acres in Escondido, is home to more than 3,100 animals representing over 340 species. Elephant Valley will be included with regular Safari Park admission.

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For more information, visit sdzsafaripark.org/elephantvalley.

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.
In a rare show of bipartisan unity amid intensifying global hostility toward LGBTQ+ people, Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride, a Democrat, on Thursday reintroduced the Global Respect Act, human rights legislation designed to hold accountable the individuals who carry out torture, imprisonment, and violence against LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocates email newsletter.

McBride, the first out transgender member of Congress, unveiled the bill alongside Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican. Together, they secured 119 original cosponsors.

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Related: Democrat Sarah McBride on her approach to expanding trans acceptance in Congress  and America

The bill empowers the U.S. government to identify and sanction foreign individuals responsible for human rights abuses targeting LGBTQ+ people, restrict their access to the United States, and publicly disclose their actions. It also strengthens State Department reporting on global LGBTQ+ conditions and mandates deeper coordination with civil society organizations that monitor persecution.

The legislations text outlines a clear structure for biannual reporting, visa bans, and targeted sanctions directed at perpetrators of torture, arbitrary detention, beatings, disappearances, and other attacks.

Freedom and dignity should never depend on your zip code or who holds power in your country, McBride said in a press release. Yet nearly one-third of nations still criminalize LGBTQI+ people, and far too many look away from the violence that follows. The Global Respect Act reaffirms a simple truth: no one should be targeted for who they are or whom they love.

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Related: Sarah McBride opens up about her darkest day in Congress (exclusive)

According to the bill, roughly a third of the worlds countries still criminalize same-sex relations, including a dozen where such laws can carry the death penalty. Police, military, and government officials in many regions remain directly complicit in anti-LGBTQ+ torture, extortion, and violence.

No person should ever face imprisonment, violence, or discrimination on the basis of who they are, Fitzpatrick said in the press release, calling the bill a necessary step to uphold basic human rights worldwide.

The announcement was deliberately timed for Transgender Day of Remembrance, when the names of transgender people killed in anti-trans violence are honored around the globe. For advocates, the symbolism is the point: the violence remembered each year is part of a broader, border-spanning pattern the U.S. has the capacity, and responsibility, to confront.

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Mark Bromley, co-chair of the Council for Global Equality, said the bill meets the urgency of the moment. As we mark Transgender Day of Remembrance, we reaffirm that no one, no matter where they live in the world, should be persecuted or subjected to violence simply because of who they are or whom they love, he said in a press release. He called the Global Respect Act a tool to hold the worlds worst perpetrators accountable.

Related: Sarah McBride explains how Democrats big tent is bisexual

The legislation also expands State Department human rights documentation, requiring annual reports to include detailed tracking of violence, criminalization, and restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and assembly targeting LGBTQ+ people. Crackdowns on Pride events, arrests under morality laws, and systemic police abuse would receive greater scrutiny.

Major human rights and LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, Amnesty International USA, Outright International, the Council for Global Equality, and The Trevor Project, support the measure.

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This article originally appeared on Advocate: Sarah McBride leads bipartisan coalition to secure freedom and dignity for LGBTQ+ people globally

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and Sarasota residents  and restaurants  are preparing for the big day.

But after the recent cool temperatures that even prompted some Florida counties to open cold-weather shelters last week, will Sarasota-Manatee residents be sweating or shivering for the holiday?

Looks like warm weather during the day, but nighttime will get a bit chilly  so consider bringing a sweater if you dont want to shiver.

What will the weather in Sarasota be the week of Thanksgiving?

According to Accuweather.com, the temperatures in Sarasota will be perfect for celebrating the holiday with loved ones. It is supposed to be in the low 80s, with a slight chance of rain, with lows in the 60s.

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Heres our local forecast, according to AccuWeather:

Monday Nov. 24 High: 80 Low: 64

Tuesday, Nov. 25 High: 81 Low: 64

Wednesday, Nov. 26 High: 82 Low: 68

Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving) High: 80 Low: 63

Friday, Nov. 28 (Black Friday) High: 79 Low: 61

Saturday, Nov. 29 High: 78 Low: 64

Popular Sarasota area restaurants open Thanksgiving for dine-in or takeout

NOAA forecast warns of above-average temps for Florida Thanksgiving

NOAA is predicting temperatures will be above average for Florida for Thanksgiving 2025.

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center is predicting above-normal temperatures across Florida from Nov. 24 through Nov. 30, which includes Thanksgiving and Black Friday Nov. 27-28.

That's not the case elsewhere in the United States if your holiday plans send you outside of the state.

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"In the week leading up to and including Thanksgiving, a colder pattern is likely for the West while milder air overspreads the East," NOAA said.

"Later in November into early December, a transition to a colder pattern is forecast across much of the central and northern U.S.

 La Nina vs. polar vortex? Forecast warns of 'extraordinary' winter weather

"This pattern change favors a transition to more winter-like conditions across the west-central and central US including much below-normal temperatures and the potential for heavy snow."

When is Thanksgiving 2025?

Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November.

This year, the holiday will fall on Nov. 27.

Will it rain for Thanksgiving 2025? NOAA is predicting chances in Florida are mixed, with rain chances leaning above average for the Panhandle and South Florida but near normal across central Florida from coast to coast.

AccuWeather forecasts above-average temps for Florida Thanksgiving

"Temperatures will rise again around Thanksgiving, several degrees above average," and residents could even see an increase in humidity, said Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather lead long-range expert, via email Nov. 17.

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"Another cool front may arrive later in the holiday weekend, with a chance for a shower or thunderstorm, but (it) still does not look like a heavy rain maker from this far out."

Leading up to the holiday, conditions should be dry across most of Florida for your holiday travel.

"There can be a couple of showers, especially on the East Coast," said Pastelok. "Southeast winds will bring down the temperatures by a few degrees from this week, which will be well into the 80s across the Peninsula.

"A cool front could reach the state, bringing a few showers and perhaps some thunderstorms to the Panhandle by Thanksgiving. A few showers could reach the central and northern Peninsula just after Thanksgiving."

Farmer's Almanac predicting rain to clear in time for Florida Thanksgiving

The Farmer's Almanac is predicting "quick changes" for the Southeast, which includes Florida.

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 Farmers' Almanac to stop publishing after 208 years

Look for fair skies, followed by rain, which should clear in time for Thanksgiving.

Old Farmer's Almanac predicting cool, then plenty of sun for Florida for Thanksgiving

"A cooler-than-usual start turns mild and comfortable," in Florida, according to the Old Farmer's Alamanc.

"Expect plenty of sun and no rain in sight  a Florida Thanksgiving perfect for outdoor meals, beach strolls, or travel along I-95."

When will next cool front hit Florida?

A small number  around 20%  of models "show a significant cold front reaching Florida just after Thanksgiving," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

AAA predicting almost 82 million to travel over Thanksgiving, setting new record

AAA is predicting 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1.

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"This years domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record," AAA said. "Thanksgiving is the single busiest holiday for travel."

How will they travel? Here's the forecast breakdown provided by AAA:

Car: 73 million

Plane: 6 million

Other (bus, train, cruise): 2.5 million

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Thanksgiving weather forecasts from NOAA, AccuWeather
WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is pushing to make it easier to designate noncitizens as potential flight risks or dangers to the community in order to detain and arrest those who commit crimes as they await trial.

Lee introduced the Flight Risk Reduction Act on Wednesday, pushing to include noncitizens and unlawful permanent residents to the list of persons eligible for consideration as serious flight risks for the purposes of detention. The bill comes after a rideshare driver was arrested in Salt Lake County on Tuesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a passenger inside his vehicle.

Criminal suspects who are foreign citizens  especially illegal aliens  should automatically be considered greater flight risks, because they have greater means and incentive to flee to other countries, Lee said in a statement to the Deseret News.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, speaks during the Utah Republican Partys state organizing convention held at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, May 17, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Julio Arroyo Mendoza, 39, was arrested this week and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail as he is investigated for sexual assault and rape charges, according to KSL.com. Mendoza was allegedly picking up an Uber passenger and was supposed to drive the 23-year-old University of Utah student to the Research Park area.

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During the drive, Mendoza stopped the vehicle and got into the back seat with the passenger and began to tell her that he loved her, according to the affidavit. Then he sexually assaulted her, the documents state.

The woman then exited the vehicle and called a friend to pick her up, according to police. After that, her friend drove her to the nearby Huntsman Mental Health Institute, where she reported the incident.

During the investigation, Mendoza told police he had plans to return to Peru where he is from, the affidavit states. Lee specifically pointed to that detail as justification for his bill.

There are too many stories across America of non-citizens being released on their own recognizance, never to return, Lee said. The recent attack in Utah sadly demonstrates the need for vigilance.
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday night signed a bill that directs the U.S. Department of Justice to publicly release all files involving sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump posted on Truth Social: "I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES."

The Justice Department hasn't said how it would release the information, or if any of it would be delayed because of ongoing investigations.

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On Wednesday, U.S. Senate formally approved the bill. The move was a formality, as the chamber approved the bill on Tuesday. The Senate unanimously approved the measure hours after the House voted 427-1 in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

"As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively," Trump wrote. "Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage. At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. Do not forget -- The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him."

Sky Roberts, brother of the late Virginia Giuffre, who was abused by Jeffrey Epstein, and his wife Amanda Roberts speaks during a press conference with survivors on the Epstein Files Transparency Act outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. The Senate has formally finalized the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and it headed to the desk of President Donald Trump. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Trump has described it as a "Democratic hoax." When he was a close friend of Epstein from the 1980s to the early 200s, he was registered as Democrat. They both lived in Palm Beach County, Fla.

In his Truth Social post, Trump listed numerous Democrats associated with Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton and Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.

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"Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed," he wrote.

Trump urged the Justice Department to investigate Deocrats, and Attorney General Pam Bondi said her agency would look into them.

On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously agreed to pass the bill after it was sent over by the House. Thune, of South Dakota, formally sent it to the president on Wednesday morning.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it a "good victory for victims, for the American people, for transparency."

"Democrats fought and fought and fought to have this happen. It took too long, but we persisted and persisted and got it done," Schumer said.

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Johnson, R-La., said he was disappointed that the Senate didn't change anything about the bill.

"I made clear for months that I thought there were serious flaws in the underlying bill. And I had hoped that the Senate would work to fix and correct those. They decided to go a different direction. That's their prerogative. I was surprised and disappointed by that," he told reporters.

"But overall, I mean, the bill has passed. Congress has spoken, and, you know, we did what was necessary. I hope it brings comfort to the victims and the survivors," he added. Johnson fought against the bill for months.

Haley Robson, Epstein survivor and Republican, told CNN's Pamela Brown that she lost respect for Johnson when he delayed swearing in Rep. Adelita Grijalva to prevent the bill from passing and called Democrats' actions a political show.

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"Well, I was present in the room when they were doing the votes, as well as all the survivors. And I can say the only theatrics I saw was from him," Robson said. "This is not a hoax. There is no theater coming from us or the survivors on our end. I'm appalled by him in general, and I've lost a lot of respect by him."

Robson was also critical of Trump and lawmakers who campaigned on releasing the files, and then didn't.

"You lose all credibility when you go back on your promises to the American people and the survivors that you campaigned on in 2024. You lose all credibility when you play the flip-flop game and you start intimidating people in your own party, like [Reps.] Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, that are on the right side of things," she said.

Epstein-abuse survivor Alicia Arden told CNN that the passage of the bill made her feel "vindicated." She filed a report against Epstein in 1997.

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"I feel a little vindicated and very, very happy to see that that passed 427 to 1," Arden told CNN's Kate Bolduan, saying that she hoped Trump would sign it into law on Wednesday.

She said she felt a "weight lifted" for her. "I wasn't even thinking it was going to go that far," she said.

Survivor Annie Farmer, who was 16 when she suffered abuse from Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, told CNN that having a large group of survivors and supporters has helped her.

"Every time a large group gathers, it completely changes the dynamic and the experience," she said. "It really does move us from feeling fearful to feeling like we are feared. We have power together."
A data privacy law covering some New Jersey public officials spurred a wave of lawsuits. A new bill from Sen. Gordon Johnson aims to stem that tide. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor)

New Jersey legislators are proposing major changes to a state law shielding addresses and other personal information of certain public officials in a bid to stem a tide of lawsuits enforcing its provisions.

The statute, called Daniels Law after the murdered son of a New Jersey federal judge, is broken and the proposed amendments will fix it, said bill sponsor Sen. Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen). Johnson, a former Bergen County sheriff whose information is shielded by the law, is sponsoring the measure along with Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden).

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This fix will protect covered people and strengthen enforcement and restore public confidence, of course, in this law, Johnson said. The filing of mass lawsuits for profit was a major issue for me to get involved in and to amend or change this bill to put it back to what its initial purpose was.

New Jersey has seen hundreds of suits filed under the statute by Atlas Data Privacy on behalf of police officers and other officials whose information is shielded by Daniels Law, with Atlas alleging data brokers and other companies have not complied with requests to scrub the officials personal information from the internet. Those suits have spurred some constitutional concerns as theyve proceeded through state and federal courts.

Johnsons legislation would remove covered individuals ability to select an assignee to sue to enforce Daniels Law on their behalf, and it would give judges discretion to award damages in such cases. Those awards are mandatory under existing law.

The bill would also limit damages to cases where data companies accused of disclosing officials personal information showed negligence or intention to violate the law. There is no such requirement under existing law.

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Johnson, echoing concerns raised by data firms that have sued to strike the law as unconstitutional, said amendments made to Daniels Law in 2023 that allowed individuals covered by the law to designate assignees to enforce it on their behalf created a cottage industry for outside firms to profit.

Those changes opened the door for predatory companies who have turned this protection into a profit scheme, which does nothing to protect the people were trying to protect and makes money for them, Johnson said.

But supporters of the 2023 bill that made those changes argue its provisions are key to the laws enforcement. That measures prime Senate sponsor, Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union), said data brokers had largely ignored Daniels Law until his bill increased their liability.

We established true penalties, and we had assignability in there, and that was meant to simply protect people. And I noticed thats when all the multi-billion data privacy companies that sell your data each and every day, thats when they started to pay attention to it, he said.

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Removing covered persons ability to have third parties sue on their behalf would stifle enforcement by forcing individuals to fight large firms with teams of attorneys in court, Cryan said. Other penalties introduced by Johnsons bill would not be enough to force compliance, he added.

In place of mandatory damages and a court-heavy enforcement system, Johnsons amendments would require firms to regularly access an online portal where individuals whose information is shielded from disclosure can request it be removed, or pay a $200 fine.

The reality is those fines are a drop in the bucket to these kinds of companies if they even pay attention to them. Remember, they have a demonstrated history of not paying attention, and when we amended this bill, thats when they started to pay attention, Cryan said.

Firms would also be forced to pay an annual fee to access the portal. The bill gives state officials the authority to set that fee.

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Johnson acknowledged concerns about his bills effect on the enforceability of Daniels Law and said he is willing to discuss changes to his legislation, including possible provisions that would allow people covered by Daniels Law to lodge class action suits to shield their information.

This bill is a living document that can be amended again, Johnson said. Were always open for discussion.

Cryan was Union County sheriff before entering the Legislature in 2002. His personal information, like Johnsons, is already shielded by the law, though Johnsons bill would extend its protections to court administrators and legislators.

Protections for lawmakers personal information, already a concern in Trenton after years of escalating threats of political violence, became a focal point for state lawmakers after a gunman in June killed Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and left another state lawmaker and his spouse critically wounded.

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Johnsons bill would give those hosting shielded information significantly more time to comply with removal requests, raising the window from 10 business days under current law to 45 business days.

Dozens of data brokers sued by Atlas Data Privacy last year argued in court that timelines under present law gave them little time to comply with takedown requests filed on behalf of more than 19,000 individuals.

That case is continuing to move through the courts. The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case in July. In September, the appeals court said it was unsure of the laws constitutionality and asked New Jerseys Supreme Court to weigh the challenge.

Atlas opposes Johnsons bill, which the senator has dubbed the Protect Daniels Law Act.

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Slapping a Protect Daniels Law label on a bill that destroys privacy is like bottling poison and selling it as spring water. This bill would sacrifice the safety of New Jerseys public servants, and their families, to increase the profits of powerful data brokers, said Matt Adkisson, the companys president.

Daniels Law is named for Daniel Anderl, who was slain during the attempted assassination of his mother, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas. The laws critics have said it impermissibly chills speech, which they say is compounded by its targeting of even unintentional violations.

Johnson acknowledged those constitutional concerns as one of the bills drivers. He said Senate leadership agreed to give the bill a committee hearing, though its not clear when it will come before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Johnson said he hopes to have it passed before the new session of the Legislature begins in mid-January.

The bills Assembly companion is sponsored by Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), the chambers majority leader.

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CHARLOTTE, Mich. (WLNS)  Around 10:40 a.m., Charlotte police issued a shelter-in-place order for the area of Third Street between Sheldon and Clinton. The order was lifted at 11:30 a.m.

Police said they responded to a possible mental health crisis, and the shelter-in-place order was issued because a firearm may have been involved.

After making contact with the subject, and with the assistance of a family member, the situation was peacefully resolved, the department wrote on social media. Police said the individual will receive the appropriate treatment. Police added no further information will be released.

An emergency alert text went out this morning reading, Charlotte Police are investigating an incident in the area of Third St between Sheldon and Clinton. Please shelter in place.

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Eaton County 911 shared an image on social media with the text, Shelter in place for an outside threat or incident nearby. They advise closing and locking exterior doors and windows to prevent anyone from entering or exiting the building, and to keep pets indoors. It is OK, however, to move throughout your building or residence.

When a 6 News photographer arrived, two Charlotte police cars were on scene: one on Third Street and one on Sheldon.

A view from Third Street, looking west, with Sheldon Street crossing, in Charlotte, Michigan, on Nov. 20, 2025, at 11:10 a.m. (WLNS)

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Sigd is a time to honor the memory of the thousands of Ethiopian Jews who died on the way to Israel.

Bus 78, packed with young Ethiopian Jews, fills with excited chatter as countless Jerusalemites make their way to Tayelet Haas Promenades annual Sigd festivities.

Ethiopian Jews celebrate Sigd, one of the biggest holidays in Ethiopian Jewish culture 50 days after Yom Kippur, commemorating the renewal of the covenant between God and the Jewish people and the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses by God.

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According to their tradition, Ethiopian Jews, also known as Beta Israel (literally house of Israel), descend from emigrants from the Land of Israel during the times of King Solomon.

Beta Israel developed their own traditions in isolation

Living in isolation and forming their own stream of Judaism, the community had little contact with or knowledge of the rest of the Jewish world until the late 19th century.

As a result of their early divergence from the main Jewish world, the Beta Israel developed its own traditions and holidays, including Sigd.

Ethiopian Jews take part in Sigd celebrations, November 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

On Sigd, declared a national holiday in Israel in 2008, some members of the Ethiopian Jewish community fast and recite tehillim. Countless members of the community from all across Israel gather in Jerusalem where Kessim (the priestly class) read from their sacred text, the Orita.

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As well as celebrating the religious importance, the events of the day included an appearance from recently released hostage, Avera Mengistu, and a manifestation raising awareness for Haymanut Kasau, a young Ethiopian girl who disappeared in early 2024.

Attendees to Sigd explain its significance

Yonatan from Toronto, attending Sigd with his Israeli cousins, told The Jerusalem Post that the purpose of Sigd is to replicate the experience of ascension, or finding, literally, the highest peak in the area.

He explained that to many, the holiday is just about finding time to be with friends and family. It's less about the religiousness of the holiday and a little more about the spirituality and remembering our historical journey back to Israel, he continued.

Ethiopian Jews take part in Sigd celebrations, November 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

He also noted that Sigd is a time to honor the memory of the thousands of Ethiopian Jews who died on the way to Israel.

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Many others echoed that same appreciation for how the event brought their community together.

Natanel, a young man from Holon, said that his favorite tradition about Sigd was just being together as a group and that the event was instrumental in getting [the community] to remember where they came from.

Others emphasized the religious significance of the event and its impact on many Ethiopian Jews connection to God. Selam, a yearly attendee, said that while celebrating she can feel the presence of God, explaining the holiday as a way to renew ones connection to God.

The significance of the holiday leads many Ethiopian Jews to urge others to recognize the importance and value of Sigd to the Jewish people on a global scale.

As Yonatan put it, Diaspora Jews should do a lot, lot more to celebrate Sigd."
Spain's Supreme Court on Thursday convicted Attorney General Alvaro Garcia Ortiz of passing on confidential information, ordering that he be banned from holding office for two years and pay 17,200 ($19,800) in fines and compensation.

The ruling  the first time that the country's top prosecutor has been convicted  intensifies pressure on Garcia Ortiz to step down and deals a setback to the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Garcia Ortiz was convicted of leaking a confidential email from an investigation into tax evasion by the partner of Sanchez rival Isabel Diaz Ayuso, Madrid head of the conservative People's Party. Garcia Ortiz has denied the allegation.

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In its ruling, the Supreme Court provided no justification. According to media reports, the charge was based on circumstantial evidence, rather than incontrovertible proof.

Few legal avenues remain open to Garcia Ortiz. He can appeal to the Constitutional Court or in theory apply to the European Court of Human Rights.
When it comes to retirement, there are some longstanding rules of thumb many people rely on. Unfortunately, finance expert Suze Orman has a warning about one of those rules. Orman has urged people to stop following the 4% rule, saying I would not be using the 4% figure on any level. So, what is the ... Suze Orman explains why people have to stop using this old retirement rule as a crutch
BARCELONA, Spain (AP)  Spanish legacy media companies in Spain scored a victory against social media giant Meta after a Madrid-based court ordered Thursday that it must pay news outlets nearly half a billion euros in damages.

According to a court statement, the mercantile court No. 15 of Madrid ruled that Mark Zuckerbergs social media giant had exercised an unfair market advantage by extracting personal data of internet users in violation of European law and using it to create more effective advertising.

The parent company of Instagram and Facebook will have to pay 481 million ($554 million) in damages to 81 Spanish media outlets which brought the suit to court.

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The illicit treatment of this enormous quantity of personal data meant Meta had an advantage that Spanish online media could not match, the court wrote in a statement. Metas actions harmed the online advertising revenues of Spanish digital media outlets.

The court agreed with the Spanish media outlets that Meta had violated European regulations for five years, before the American company updated its legal base of consent on compiling personal data in 2023 to bring it in line with European law.

The 2018 EU rules, known as the General Data Protection Regulation, require companies that collect personal data of users to adhere to technical and organizational measures aimed at protecting user privacy.

Meta said it will appeal, calling the ruling baseless.

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This is a baseless claim that lacks any evidence of alleged harm and willfully ignores how the online advertising industry works," Meta said in a statement. "Meta complies with all applicable laws, and has provided clear choices, transparent information and given users a range of tools to control their experience on our services.

This is not the first time Meta has run afoul of the EU data norms. In 2022, Irish regulators slapped Meta with a 265 million-euro (then $277 million) fine for breaking them.

The Spanish court said that its ruling could influence other legal cases in Europe, including in France where Meta faces a similar case.

Meta has been pushing for the EU to loosen its regulations, which offer better protection to users than in the United States.

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Last week, Spain's financial markets supervisor has slapped Elon Musks X with a 5 million-euro ($5.8-million) fine for allowing an unauthorized cryptocurrency platform alleged of using fraudulent publicity to advertise on the social media network.

___

AP business writer Kelvin Chan contributed to this story from London.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday called on Spaniards to defend the "miracle" of their democracy as the divided country marked the 50th anniversary of ex-dictator Francisco Franco's death.

The general's demise on November 20, 1975 ended 36 years of authoritarian right-wing rule that followed a devastating 1936-1939 civil war which brought him to power.

Spain then embarked on a transition to democracy that has seen it become a stable EU and NATO member and one of the world's wealthiest countries.

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"That November 20 did not only mark the end of Western Europe's last dictatorship, but also the beginning of a journey that would lead us to regain freedom and prosperity and to win back lost democracy," Sanchez wrote on news website elDiario.es.

"Let us remember that we live in a unique country, that we live in a present that represented a tiny possibility 50 years ago," added Sanchez in the article published late on Wednesday.

"Spain, Spaniards, both men and women, will never let that miracle disappear."

"Democracy is our power. Let's defend it," the Socialist leader added in an X post on Thursday.

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Franco's legacy continues to split society, with experts warning that inaccurate social media content has spurred a positive opinion among young people with scant knowledge of the period.

According to a poll published on Thursday by El Pais daily, almost one-quarter of Spaniards aged 18 to 28 believed an authoritarian regime may "sometimes" be preferable to a democracy.

Around 40 percent of respondents had a "very good", "good" or neutral opinion of the regime, while 55 percent viewed it as "bad" or "very bad".

"It is precisely now, when some idealise authoritarian regimes and cling to nostalgia for a past that never was, when we must step forward in defence of a freedom that was snatched from us for so many years," Sanchez wrote in elDiario.es.

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- Political polarisation -

No official commemorative events were planned on Thursday under the "50 years of Spain at Liberty" programme, with the government saying it aimed to celebrate the recovery of democracy throughout the year.

The conservative opposition says Sanchez plays "the Franco card" to distract attention from a series of corruption investigations that threaten to topple his minority leftist coalition.

It has accused the government of reopening the wounds of the past with legislation that aims to pay tribute to the memory of Franco's victims, vowing to repeal the laws if it returns to power.

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A mass in honour of Franco was held on Thursday at a memorial site outside Madrid formerly called the Valley of the Fallen, seen as a triumphalist monument to the general's side in the civil war.

The government exhumed Franco's remains from the renamed Valley of Cuelgamuros in 2019 to stop it becoming a shrine for far-right sympathisers.

Around 25 people gathered at his current resting place in a cemetery in Madrid's northern outskirts, some bringing flowers and making fascist salutes.

Luis Lopez, a 48-year-old driver who arrived carrying a Franco-era Spanish flag, told AFP the dictator "did a lot for the country and his true worth is not recognised".

The Francisco Franco Foundation, which the government is seeking to dissolve, and his family have organised commemorative masses across Spain on Thursday evening.

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Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have largely worked in lockstep since January. This week, they hit a rough patch.

The two men are known for rising above whatever theatrics are embroiling their respective conferences. But in recent days they became enmeshed in just that, when they publicly split and shadowboxed over a pair of internal GOP dilemmas over politically toxic issues.

The fissure emerged when Johnson trashed a measure that Thune tucked into last weeks government funding deal to allow senators to sue the government and reap damages for electronic records seizures. With the Louisiana Republican calling the provision a bad look, the House on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill to repeal it in a major rebuke.

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Johnson suffered his own loss at the hands of Thune this week when the South Dakota Republican rebuffed the speakers calls to amend the Houses Jeffrey Epstein disclosure bill to include more protections for victims and whistleblowers. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent, after months of Johnson trying to slow it down in the House and ultimately succumbing to an end-run by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).

In an interview Wednesday, Thune downplayed the episodes, calling the phone records provision a Senate issue to work through and noting the congressional debate over the Epstein files took on a life of its own in the final stages.

We work very well together. Communicate regularly. There are always going to be hiccups along the way, Thune said. And Ive served in the House. They are very different institutions and different cultures and ways of doing things but we make it work.

The split marked an unexpected round of turbulence for the mild-mannered GOP leaders, who meet weekly when both chambers are in session and are generally viewed as having a good working rapport.

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Now they face two huge challenges they will need to navigate together: Obamacare subsidies are set to expire at the end of next month, threatening health insurance premium hikes for millions of Americans, and the leaders face competing factions in both chambers when it comes to how to respond. In January, Thune and Johnson will once again have to rally their members around a bill to avoid another government shutdown. At stake in all the fights is how the GOPs handling goes over with voters ahead of next years midterm elections.

The friction points reflect a well-worn dynamic of congressional life  the House and Senate operate at times in split-screen political realities despite Thune, Johnson and their conferences belonging to the same party.

Thune, like most of the Senate, didnt know Johnson before the low-key House member ascended to the speakership in the fall of 2023. But the two men developed a rapport before Thune took over as GOP leader in January. They are viewed as more aligned in their day-to-day operations and temperament than some of their predecessor pairings, including former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell and the Houses former top Republican Kevin McCarthy.

They work well together. And they get along well, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), a close Thune ally, said of the two GOP leaders. They not only have a professional relationship, they like each other.

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Another Republican senator who knows Thune and Johnson said they had worked very well together so far, adding that some tension between the two chambers is probably healthy.

Theyre very similar, said the senator, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the leaders.

That doesnt change the fact that senior House Republicans, including some Johnson allies, are still smarting over the inclusion of the payout language for senators in last weeks funding package. It was designed to give special recourse to Senate Republicans who had their phone records seized during Jack Smiths investigation into Trumps 2020 election interference. House Republicans have said they didnt learn about it until after the Senate passed the bill and it was the Houses turn to act on reopening the government.

For an angry swath of House Republicans, the episode reinforced their long-standing anxieties about being jammed by the Senate and painted Johnson  who also said he didn't find out about the provision until after Senate passage  as embarrassingly out of the loop.

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Johnson quickly promised the House would vote on separate legislation to repeal it, and the House passed the rollback Wednesday night with zero opposition. Thune also got an earful from his own members during a closed-door lunch Wednesday, including from typical leadership allies like Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a former Senate staffer, said Wednesday as he made the case for repealing the provision ahead of the vote that the House needed to hip check the Senate.

Johnson, meanwhile, told reporters that Thune was a trustworthy, honest broker, and that's why I was so surprised when we found out about that [phone records] provision.

Across the Capitol, Senate Republicans believe Johnson dropped a hot potato in their lap in the form of the bill to release the Epstein files. Johnson presided over bitter infighting for months over the bipartisan push to force a vote on the matter. By the time Johnson agreed to it, he was on the verge of being on the losing side of an open rebellion within his ranks and seemingly at odds with Trump, who suddenly urged Republicans to support it Sunday night.

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Johnson framed his pivot around a hope the Senate would alter the bill before clearing it for Trumps signature.

I talked to John Thune over the weekend. I just texted him. Were going to get together. Well talk about this, Johnson told reporters as he left the House floor Tuesday following the 427-1 vote to release the files.

But Senate Republicans, including members of leadership, never had an appetite for making changes. Many GOP senators privately made clear they didnt want Thune to drag out the Epstein discussion as Johnson had, and Thune never publicly opened the door to amending the bill.

Two people granted anonymity to discuss private party dynamics said that if Thune had bowed to Johnsons push for changes, it would have risked keeping Republicans mired in the Epstein issue for weeks.

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"What was [Thune] supposed to do with a bill that passed the House 427-1 ... had no objections in the Senate and the president said he'd sign?" one of the people said.

That is House drama, said another GOP senator granted anonymity to speak candidly about the situation. We dont need that over here.
The state budget recently signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro has increased funding for the Pennsylvania State Police by nearly $70 million to enhance community safety across the Commonwealth.

The budget will allow the PSP to hire four new cadet classes, upgrade cybersecurity operations and continue providing law enforcement support to rural areas. This funding aims to strengthen staffing, modernize technology and support statewide public-safety operations, ensuring that troopers have the necessary resources to respond effectively in communities throughout Pennsylvania.

Our focus is firmly on safeguarding the public and ensuring that every community within the Commonwealth receives the support it requires during critical times, said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. These investments are crucial in providing our members with the tools and resources needed to respond promptly and effectively to urgent situations, ultimately enhancing our collective resilience.

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Over half of Pennsylvanias 2,500 municipalities have no police department, and of those that do, 72% have ten or fewer full-time officers. The increased funding will ensure that PSP can continue to offer support in areas that need it most.

The enacted FY 2025-26 budget raises PSPs General Government Operations by $69.3 million, an increase of 6.5%, strengthening support for personnel, training, recruitment, administrative operations and statewide coverage. It also increases spending on information technology to $27 million to equip PSP with modern tools to address cybersecurity threats.

The budget includes $15 million to support traffic enforcement on Pennsylvanias roadways, aiming to prevent crashes and save lives. Additionally, it provides funding for four cadet classes, continuing Shapiros efforts to train over 1,000 new Pennsylvania State Troopers and support municipal police departments in recruiting and retaining nearly 700 officers across the Commonwealth.

The budget also supports PSPs partnership with local law enforcement by continuing to provide annual grants for municipal police training.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  As housing costs in Portland are skyrocketing faster than wages, the city council voted 8-2 in favor of banning artificial intelligence apartment pricing algorithms on Wednesday night.

It happened on the heels of Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Senator Ron Wyden taking action at the state and federal levels.

Rising rents are forcing tenants to pay more, pushing many out of their homes.

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Local resident Ben Gilbert says his rent in NW Portland increased by another $200 just this year.

We are in a political environment where rents are going up and wages are not matching, he said.

In some instances, landlords use AI to coordinate rent hikes with competitors.

Gilbert was one of dozens of protesters who helped push the council to vote yes on banning the AI rent-pricing algorithms.

Portlands vote follows a multi-state lawsuit against Greystar  one of the nations largest landlords  over AI-driven rent-fixing, leading to a $7 million settlement. The company owns at least 10 locations in Portland.

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The settlement forces Greystar to end price-fixing, stop sharing data, use court-approved pricing, and work with RealPage  whose software allegedly fueled the rent coordination:

Tammy Carpenter is running for House District 27 in the Oregon State Legislature, covering Washington County and Portlands west side. Shes campaigning on stronger tenant protections and statewide rent control.

We need to adjust to the reality and ensure that renters are on equal footing with the landlords, she said. Any step that is going to remove housing from the commodity market is a step in the right direction.

Similar measures are being pushed federally by Wyden. His End Rent Fixing Act mirrors Portlands local action but goes further, letting tenants bypass pre-dispute arbitration and joint-action waivers so they can sue landlords or join class-action cases.

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Lawmakers at all levels are pushing measures to protect renters and curb unfair rent practices.

Gilbert hopes the changes will make a difference.

It wont lower rents by any means, but hopefully itll slow the increases, he said.

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A student at an Ohio high school sent threatening texts that put the school on lockdown, followed by a police chase on Tuesday.

A Van Wert Juvenile Probation Officer went to Lincolnview school to speak with a 16-year-old student on the basis of a complaint the student had made, according to our news partner WCSM.

Before the conversation could happen, the student ran from the probation officer, left the school, and stole a vehicle that was unlocked with the keys inside, fleeing in an unknown direction.

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Officers arrived at the students home in York Township, where the student ran out of the house and fled the area in the stolen vehicle.

The officers engaged in a brief chase that ended when the student crashed the vehicle into a ditch on Mendon Rd.

The student fled the crash and ran to a nearby house, stealing another unlocked vehicle with the keys in the ignition.

The student was driving at speeds of over 100 mph, ignoring stop signs.

Officers canceled the pursuit for the safety of the community and followed him to Spencerville, where they lost sight of him.

Allen County officers and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) located the vehicle and attempted to stop the student, but the student fled, engaging in another pursuit.

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The student crashed the vehicle near State Route 117 and Queens Lane, where he fled on foot and hid in a bush on Squire Lane.

OSHP and Shawnee Township officers located the student and arrested him.

When detectives processed the first vehicle, they found some personal items of the student, along with three handguns.

At the students home in York Township, detectives searched his room, where they found two more handguns.

The student was transported to the West Central Juvenile Detention Center in Troy, on a probation violation from Van Wert County Juvenile Probation.

More charges are expected to be filed within the upcoming days.

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A major study on femicide in Germany has found that intimate partner violence is by far the most common form of gender-based killing of women and girls.

The study, presented by the University of Tubingen on Thursday, examined 292 cases registered as femicide or attempted femicide across five German states in 2017.

Femicide is defined as the killing of women and girls due to their gender. The term covers murder by former and current partners, honour killings, targeted killings during armed conflicts, female infanticide and various other forms of gender-based violence.

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Researchers examined interrogation transcripts, expert reports, indictments and judgements to assess whether the cases represented femicide. They found that 197 of the 292 cases analysed would be classified as femicide.

According to the study, by far the most common type of femicide is linked to intimate partners, with 108 of the 133 murders (81%) involving killings by men in heterosexual relationships.

In most cases, researchers found that the motive for the crime was a separation, infidelity or the killer's fear of either.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A Norfolk elementary school won big with the Virginia Lottery, as Suburban Park Elementary School won the lotterys Teachers Lounge Makeover promotion.

There were more than 12,000 entries that represented more than 1,600 Virginia K-12 public schools.

Suburban Park Elementary was randomly selected and will now receive a renovated teachers lounge worth more than $7,500. Virginia Lottery says the refresh will provide a comfortable and inviting space for teachers to relax and recharge.

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We were so excited to see teachers using the space during our visit, said Stacey Beardsley, communications manager at the Virginia Lottery. It truly is an important spot for the schools teachers, admin and support staff. There is so much potential, and we cant wait to get started.

Virginia Lottery said it wanted to celebrate and support the teachers and facility and added that the makeover recognizes the vital role they play in shaping the future of Virginias students.

The Teachers Lounge Makeover promotion is part of what the Virginia Lottery said is its ongoing commitment to Virginia public schools. Last fiscal year, Norfolk Public Schools received more than $35.5 million in lottery funds, according to the Virginia Lottery.

We are elated that Norfolk Public Schools has been selected as the only school in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive the Virginia Lotterys first-ever Teachers Lounge Makeover, said Norfolk Public Schools in a statement. The staff at Suburban Park Elementary cant wait to see their lounge transformed. Our teachers deserve a space where they can reset and recharge and we are thankful for being selected out of the many other deserving schools.

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School leaders are already planning the makeover, with the renovated lounge coming in spring 2026.

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Nov. 20SUPERIOR  Two weeks after the Superior City Council created the Food Insecurity Program grant, councilors awarded the first two grants. The mayor has also awarded discretionary program funds.

Earlier this month the council agreed to

reallocate $200,000

in economic development funds for food assistance, and authorized Mayor Jim Paine to award the first $25,000 of that.

Paine said he met with the anti-poverty coalition made up of nonprofit and faith-based organizations to discuss the best way to spend the funds.

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The $25,000 allocation provided Faith United Methodist Church with $9,000 to restock the Faith Food Pantry's depleted shelves and $16,000 was given to Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency, Paine said.

Millie Rounsville, director of NWCSA, said the funding allowed her to purchase 11 pallets of food, which she was able to distribute among food pantries at NWCSA, Project Reach Out, and both Family Forum Head Start centers in Superior, and shelters run by the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse and Solid Rock.

"So I would have some accountability to you, I asked both of them to submit emails just describing how they'd use the money and formally requesting it," Paine told council Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Both organizations applied to receive additional funding from the remaining $175,000 allocation yet to be awarded by the council.

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"The two grants (requests) you see do not use up the rest of the money," Paine said. "That is by design."

Paine said the $75,000 grant request from NWCSA would allow for another large buy to be distributed to food shelves throughout the holiday season and allow the agency to expand a program that provides commodities for seniors. Recent cuts have resulted in many seniors being dropped from the stock box program, and this would allow them to be added for at least two months, he said.

The $12,740 request from Faith United Methodist Church would allow for additional pantry supplementation but would also allow the church to expand delivery service for people who can't get to the food pantry, Paine said.

The council granted the requested funding to both organizations on Tuesday.

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Paine said during the meeting with the anti-poverty coalition, there was discussion about a potential large need for baby formula in December. He said another application might be made for formula if that need does materialize.

"I think just having the discussion on infant formula is huge," said Council President Lindsey Graskey. "It's a very missed conversation sometimes. It's just an expensive need and ... it just warms my heart to see that part in this report."

Councilor Jack Sweeney asked what guardrails have been put in place to ensure Superior residents benefit from the grant dollars.

While the council discussed making sure that only organizations in Superior receive the funding, Paine said the grants don't guarantee that someone living outside of Superior won't receive the food.

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Rounsville said the pantries at NWCSA, CASDA and Solid Rock all serve residents of Superior, and the seniors who will receive stock boxes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut funding to that program all live in Superior.

"I can't speak for Faith (United Methodist Church), obviously, but I can speak for our organization and that was our understanding is that these were specific for residents of Superior," Rounsville said.

About $87,000 remains available from the original $200,000 allocation for the Food Insecurity Program grant.

Paine said any further applications will be accompanied by a report to the council.

In other business, councilors amended a

city ordinance

to adopt the state's administrative code concerning the construction of camping units in Superior.
The suspect has since been released under restrictive conditions.

A Tel Aviv resident was detained on Thursday morning after Israel Police received a complaint of sexual harassment, the police said shortly after Hadar Mukhtar spoke to N12 about the incident.

"I'm glad justice was done. It happened to me at a demonstration when there were police and people around me. What would have happened if it were an unknown person in a dark corner at 2 a.m.?" she told N12.

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Mukhtar regularly shares footage of herself attending left-wing protests and the negative interactions she experiences there.

"I feel like I come to these demonstrations and they always tell me that I'm an unrepresentative minority. On my Instagram page, you can see so many videos of people that I'm no longer the unrepresentative minority, I'm the representative majority," she continued. "When I come to these demonstrations, I'm attacked verbally, physically, there was also a girl who attacked me, sexually harassed, I'm just attacked all the time. People there are violent and dangerous. I don't come there to block them and I don't come to curse at them, but rather to talk to them and tell them my opinions, to try to create some kind of dialogue. It's so important for our people that we have the option to speak. Instead, what I get is curses, violence, and harassment."

Sexual harassment

In one video published by Muchtar, she questions a man on why he is touching her, to which he responds, "It's fun to touch you, you're very pretty."

In the video, Muchtar can be heard repeatedly asking the man to stop touching her.

The suspect has since been released under restrictive conditions.

This is a developing story.
There is new information Thursday about the man charged with lighting a woman on fire on a CTA train earlier this week. The man has a long history of run-ins with the law and documented mental health challenges.

Meanwhile, the victim's family has issued a statement as she remains hospitalized.

The terrifying ordeal unfolded Monday night, on the CTA Blue Line, as the train was pulling into the Clark and Lake station.

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Lawrence Reed has at least 14 criminal cases in Cook County going back to 2017, six of which are battery charges.

Records appear to indicate he may be homeless and suffering from mental illness of some sort.

In court Wednesday, federal investigators were unequivocal when it came to their description of the man they say set a 26-year-old woman on fire.

"Lawrence Reed had no business being on the streets given that his violent criminal history and pending criminal cases. Reed had plenty of second chances by the criminal justice system, and as a result we have an innocent victim in the hospital fighting for her life," said Chris Amon, special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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A records search of Reed led to a long list of mugshots associated to crimes ranging from driving on a suspended license to battery.

In 2020, he was sentenced to a 24-month mental health probation after setting a fire outside the Thompson Center. And just a few months ago, in August, he was placed on electronic monitoring after he allegedly struck a social worker while "being held in the MacNeal Psychiatry Hospital" in Berwyn.

"It's not punishment that is going to change the behavior," said Dr. David Olson, a professor of criminology at Loyola University.

Olson explained why Reed was likely freed rather than held pending his trial, as had been sought by prosecutors in that case.

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"It could have been the determination that given his circumstances being incarcerated versus continuing in whatever treatment programs they had would have been beneficial," Olson said.

In court Wednesday, Reed's erratic behavior included yelling several times "I plead guilty" while also insisting he would represent himself. It raised the question of whether his competence could make it hard to secure a conviction.

"I'm not aware of him ever being declared mentally incompetent in connection with any of the other extensive criminal history," U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said.

ABC7 Chicago legal analyst Gil Soffer said there is a very high bar to declare someone mentally unfit. The charge against him, however, one of committing an act of terrorism on a mass transportation system, is very straightforward.

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"The government has to show he committed an act intending to cause bodily harm or death and that he did so on a vehicle of mass transit," Soffer said.

It's a charge that's never been applied in Chicago before, but one that carries with it the possibility of a life sentence.

"It's almost certainly the heaviest charge the government could have brought. And it's not a reach for them. As long as he had the mental capacity to do what he's charged with doing, the government could prove these elements of the crime," Soffer said.

Reed is expected back in court Friday morning, when a judge will decide whether to keep him incarcerated pending his trial. He has been ordered to undergo both a physical and mental evaluation ahead of that hearing.

Cook County Health shared the following statement from the victim's family with ABC7 Thursday evening:

"We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well-wishes as our daughter receives care for injuries sustained earlier this week. We are also grateful for the excellent care and support of the burn team at Stroger Hospital. We will not be providing updates at this time, and ask for her - and our - privacy as we focus our attention on her and her recovery. Thank you."


The Seattle Police Department (SPD) says a 31-year-old man tried to run from police in a stolen truck on November 18.

At around 2 p.m., officers with an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) were alerted to a stolen Ford F-150 in Northgate.

King County Sheriffs Helicopter Guardian One responded to the call and started to track the pickup driving recklessly through a neighborhood.

Police arrested the suspect inside the Goodwill store with the assistance of store security.

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A passenger jumped out on foot and was taken into custody while the driver continued.

Guardian One tracked the pickup to a Goodwill in Ballard, where the driver parked and ran into the store, trying to change clothes and evade police, SPD said.

That was really selfish of him. All because he doesnt want to go face the time, you know? Thats really selfish. Because he could have killed a lot of people, said Starla Gonzalez, a regular at the Ballard Goodwill store.

Seattle police arrested the man with the help of store employees, and officers recovered 25.9 grams of fentanyl and other drug paraphernalia.

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Authorities also recovered the stolen truck and found a lock-pick kit and other tools used to steal cars, according to SPD.

He was booked into the King County Jail, facing counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding, and possession with intent to distribute.
By Wen-Yee Lee

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan is investigating a retired TSMC executive who recently joined Intel, the island's economy minister said on Wednesday, after local media reported that he may have taken the chipmaker's advanced technology data to his new employer.

Taiwanese media outlets including the Liberty Times reported this week that Wei-Jen Lo, who played a key role in advancing TSMCs cutting-edge chip manufacturing technologies from 2 nanometres to 5 nanometres, allegedly took company data before joining Intel in October.

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Lo did not respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan's High Prosecutors Office said on Tuesday it was aware of the media reports and had opened a case to look into the matter. No formal complaint or charge has been filed.

Taiwan Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin said on Wednesday that the government was concerned about national security, which includes the protection of advanced semiconductor technologies.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs will cooperate (with prosecutors) by explaining the current control mechanisms for Taiwans core technologies and by assessing whether there are any concerns related to the national security law, he said.

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He said the government would closely monitor if the situation could affect Taiwans semiconductor industry or its customer relationships.

TSMC did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Intel, which has not publicly unveiled Los appointment, also did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

A source familiar with the matter said Lo is currently working at the U.S. chipmaker and reports directly to Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan.

Lo spent 21 years at TSMC before retiring this year as senior vice president for corporate strategy development.

He previously led TSMC's research and advanced technology development, helping drive mass production for 5-nm, 3-nm and 2-nm manufacturing processes, and strengthened ties with suppliers, according to the company and Taiwans Industrial Technology Research Institute.

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Before joining TSMC in 2004, Lo worked at Intel for 18 years. He served as a director of technology development and was a factory manager, running Intels development facility in Santa Clara, California.

(Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Thomas Derpinghaus)
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious, The Associated Press has found.

Here are Takeaways from the APs investigation:

What did the AP investigation find?

The Border Patrols predictive intelligence program has resulted in people being stopped, searched and in some cases arrested. A network of cameras scans and records vehicle license plate information, and an algorithm flags vehicles deemed suspicious based on where they came from, where they were going and which route they took. Federal agents in turn may then flag local law enforcement.

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Suddenly, drivers find themselves pulled over  often for reasons cited such as speeding, no turn signals or even a dangling air freshener blocking the view. They are then aggressively questioned and searched, with no inkling that the roads they drove put them on law enforcements radar.

The APs investigation, the first to reveal details of how the program on Americas roads, is based on interviews with eight former government officials with direct knowledge of the program who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak to the media, as well as dozens of federal, state and local officials, attorneys and privacy experts. The AP also reviewed thousands of pages of court and government documents, state grant and law enforcement data, and arrest reports.

What does the government say?

Border Patrols parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said they use license plate readers to help identify threats and disrupt criminal networks and are governed by a stringent, multi-layered policy framework, as well as federal law and constitutional protections, to ensure the technology is applied responsibly and for clearly defined security purposes.

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For national security reasons, we do not detail the specific operational applications, the agency said. While the U.S. Border Patrol primarily operates within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of the border, it is legally allowed to operate anywhere in the United States, the agency added.

What is the history of the program?

Once limited to policing the nations boundaries, the Border Patrols surveillance system stretches into the countrys interior and monitors ordinary Americans daily actions and connections for anomalies instead of simply targeting wanted suspects. Started about a decade ago to fight illegal border-related activities and the trafficking of both drugs and people, it has expanded over the past five years.

Border Patrol has for years hidden details of its license plate reader program, trying to keep any mention of the program out of court documents and police reports, according to two people familiar with the program. Readers are often disguised along highways in traffic safety equipment like drums and barrels.

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The Border Patrol has defined its own criteria for which drivers behavior should be deemed suspicious or tied to drug or human trafficking, stopping people for anything from driving on backcountry roads, being in a rental car or making short trips to the border region. The agencys network of cameras now extends along the southern border in Texas, Arizona and California, and also monitors drivers traveling near the U.S.-Canada border.

The Border Patrol has recently grown even more powerful through collaborations with other agencies, drawing information from license plate readers nationwide run by the Drug Enforcement Administration, private companies and, increasingly, local law enforcement programs funded through federal grants. Texas law enforcement agencies have asked Border Patrol to use facial recognition to identify drivers, documents show.

This active role beyond the borders is part of the quiet transformation of its parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, into something more akin to a domestic intelligence operation. Under the Trump administrations heightened immigration enforcement efforts, CBP is now poised to get more than $2.7 billion to build out border surveillance systems such as the license plate reader program by layering in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

What do critics say?

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While collecting license plates from cars on public roads has generally been upheld by courts, some legal scholars see the growth of large digital surveillance networks such as Border Patrols as raising constitutional questions.

Courts have started to recognize that large-scale surveillance technology thats capturing everyone and everywhere at every time might be unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, said Andrew Ferguson, a law professor at George Washington University.

Nicole Ozer, the executive director of the Center for Constitutional Democracy at UC Law San Francisco, expressed alarm when told of APs findings.

They are collecting mass amounts of information about who people are, where they go, what they do, and who they know, she said. These surveillance systems do not make communities safer.

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-

Tau reported from Washington, Laredo, San Antonio, Kingsville and Victoria, Texas. Burke reported from San Francisco. AP writers Aaron Kessler in Washington, Jim Vertuno in San Antonio, AP video producer Serginho Roosblad in Bisbee, Arizona, and AP photographers Ross D. Franklin in Phoenix and David Goldman in Houston contributed reporting. Ismael M. Belkoura in Washington also contributed.

-

Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/.
Tennessee parents and taxpayers filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the constitutionality of the states new universal private-school voucher program. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout).

A group of 10 Tennessee parents and taxpayers filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the constitutionality of the states new universal private-school voucher program.

Filed in Davidson County Chancery Court against Gov. Bill Lee, Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds and Tennessee Board of Education members, the lawsuit says the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act violates the state constitution by shifting public funds to unaccountable private schools that openly discriminate against students.

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The program provides vouchers worth nearly $7,300 to 20,000 students in its first year at a cost of $144 million. The states top lawmakers want to double the program to 40,000 in its second year.

The program has two categories of students, 10,000 set aside for those whose family incomes hit 300% of the federal subsidized lunch program, up to $180,000, and 10,000 for students with no family income requirement.

Ive raised nine children in Memphis, and all of them have attended Shelby County Schools, said Apryle Young, a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Ive seen what our teachers can do when they have resources, and what happens when those resources disappear. We need to invest in our public schools, not abandon them.

The plaintiffs contend the law violates the education clause of the state constitution by diverting state money from underfunded schools and preventing an adequate education for students by funding schools outside the states system of free public schools.

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The lawsuit says the voucher program is unconstitutional because participating private schools dont have to meet the same academic standards, accountability measures such as tests and civil rights protections as public schools.

Private schools can discriminate against students with disabilities, LGBTQ students and those of certain religions, all of which would be illegal for public schools, the plaintiffs say. Nor are private schools required to follow the states curriculum or special education services guaranteed for state and federal law, a release says.

In addition, teachers at participating private schools dont have to follow state certification requirements or give the states main standardized test, which is used to determine student proficiency and teacher and school effectiveness, the release says.

They call this school choice, but the choice isnt yours, its the private schools, said one of 10 plaintiffs, Crystal Boehm, a Hamilton County parent and preschool teacher. They can reject your child for a disability, for your familys religion, for any reason at all. Meanwhile, public schools that educate everyone are losing the funding they need.

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The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, Education Law Center and Southern Poverty Law Center, in addition to the Southern Education Foundation and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd law firm.

Lawmakers passed Lees private-school voucher program in a January special session after postponing it in 2024 for lack of support.

The Department of Education released important dates Thursday for families wanting to apply for the money for the 2026-27 school year.

In its first year of implementation, the Education Freedom Scholarship Program has been a remarkable success, and I look forward to continuing to deliver families with quality educational choices to best serve their students unique needs, Education Commissioner Reynolds said in a statement.

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Lee has said his only regret about the program is that it cant be available to all students, though he is planning to try to expand it next year.

The governors spokesperson, Elizabeth Johnson said late Thursday, Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed, and the Education Freedom Act empowers Tennessee parents to choose the school that best fits their childs needs while further investing in public schools. Were confident the court will uphold this important program that the vast majority of Tennesseans support and more than 40,000 families applied for, and look forward to serving even more students when applications open for the 2026-27 school year.

The state estimated 66% of the students who receive the funds would be returning private-school students. The Lee administration refused to show how many of the 20,000 students receiving the vouchers attended private schools last year.

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Uvalde County Judge William Ross Mitchell was suspended days after he was indicted on a charge of official oppression.

Mitchell was suspended without pay Tuesday by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after review of his official oppression charge, which is a class A misdemeanor.

The indictment, obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, alleges that Mitchell subjected a person, identified as "T. Cox" to arrest, detention or seizure that the judge knew was unlawful while acting as a public servant.

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Mitchell was indicted Nov. 3 for an alleged incident March 27. The Texas Rangers are investigating the case, according to court records.

KSAT-TV cited a lawsuit filed by the delivery driver, identified as Tyler Cox, saying that Cox was delivering packages to the Uvalde County Courthouse when the judge began shouting at him.

READ ALSO: First charges filed after immigration raid in San Antonio detained 140

Cox said that he had been given permission to leave the packages on the first floor because the elevators were being repaired, according to KSAT. But Mitchell began shouting about where to leave the packages, and then the judge allegedly yanked a dolly loaded with packages from Cox, according to KSAT.

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After Cox began carrying the packages upstairs, Mitchell allegedly ordered a Uvalde County sheriff's deputy to arrest Cox, according to KSAT. The delivery driver alleges that he had been detained for five minutes without being read his Miranda rights, and that his cellphone had been seized for a total of nine minutes.

Cox had requested footage of the incident from a hallway security camera, but he was told that "Judge (William) Mitchell alone decides if you get it," KSAT reported.

This article originally published at Texas county judge suspended after allegedly unlawfully detaining UPS driver who angered him.
Officials in Florida have pinpointed where they will sink a famous ocean liner that spent nearly three decades docked in Philadelphia.

Okaloosa County officials announced Tuesday that the historic liner will be scuttled off the Gulf Coast early next year, creating the worlds largest artificial reef.

After being towed south earlier this year, the SS United States now awaits its final voyage.

For years, the ship was the subject of repeated failed restoration efforts while docked indefinitely at the Camden Waterfront.

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With a court order pressuring stewards to relocate the ship, it was sold to the Florida county and later taken to Mobile, Alabama.

The ocean liners February departure created a spectacle, luring thousands to the shores of the Delaware River to watch the ship pass by.

A sinking date was not announced in Okaloosa Countys latest update on the project. Originally, officials expected to scuttle the ocean liner by the end of the year.

County officials said it will be sunk about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin East Pass and 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass.

The SS United States remains docked in Alabama as workers prepare it for deployment. Okaloosa County purchased the ship last year for about $1 million, part of a roughly $10 million project.

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The project includes $1.5 million in contributions from Pensacola tourism officials and Floridas chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).

Visit Pensacola, a marketing organization for Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, is contributing $1 million, while the CCA provides the remaining $500,000, Okaloosa officials said.

This collaboration will foster amazing adventures for generations of visitors and create a tourism economy that will benefit the state and the entire Northwest Florida region, Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said in a statement.

The contributions will be used for the deployment of the SS United States as an artificial reef, with a portion being used for a multi-year marketing campaign to promote the SS United States as a worldwide premier diving destination, he added.

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A land-based museum is being planned for tourists who want to experience the ship without donning heavy diving gear.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
New Zealand's top diplomat is set to visit China next week as a stateowned Chinese shipbuilder embarks on a multimillion-dollar interisland ferry upgrade for the Pacific nation.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed his trip on Wednesday, a month after Wellington said it had sealed a deal to buy two new ferries from Guangzhou Shipyard International to connect the country's two main islands.

Peters said he would travel to Guangzhou to "acknowledge" the NZ$596 million (US$337.2 million) fixed-price contract, which he described as "significant" and "a contribution to economic relations with China".

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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.

Wellington is committed to maintaining and building a "strong, mature and mutually respectful" relationship with Beijing, according to a New Zealand government statement on the trip.

"We have been pleased with the number and quality of high-level visits between China and New Zealand over the past two years," Peters was quoted as saying.

"Both sides have been able to share perspectives on important issues and underline the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation."

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The trip is the eighth by a New Zealand government minister to China this year and another sign of the improving economic ties between the two countries.

During New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to China in June, Chinese President Xi Jinping told him that the two countries had "no fundamental conflict of interest" and called for differences to be managed constructively.

And earlier this month, New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay travelled to the Chinese commercial hub of Shanghai to attend the China International Import Expo.

At the trade fair, McClay announced that companies from New Zealand and China had concluded new deals and partnerships worth up to NZ$450 million.

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However, there have been tensions this year, particularly over Taiwan.

According to reports earlier this month, China's ambassador to Wellington, Wang Xiaolong, sent letters to New Zealand lawmakers, scolding them for attending an October 24 event at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Wellington to mark the foundation of the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name.

Peters later accused Wang of having a "thin" understanding of democracy and called the mainland Chinese diplomat's response a "mistake that he shouldn't have made".

The Chinese embassy pushed back, saying "if China's core interests are violated and the red line in China-New Zealand relations is crossed, that is an entirely different matter, which has nothing to do with democracy or how it operates".

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Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.

Most countries, including the United States and New Zealand, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

China also took umbrage in July, when the US Federal Bureau of Investigation opened its first permanent office in New Zealand.

In addition, there have been concerns in New Zealand about Guangzhou Shipyard International as the winner of the ferry contract. The company is a warship manufacturer and subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

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However, Peters said last month that he was not worried, saying every component of the ferries would be inspected before they arrived in New Zealand.

New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins also said that two of the country's spy agencies would play a role in the procurement process, "as they normally [do] in matters like this".

New Zealand's Cook Strait ferry upgrade has dragged on for years, with South Korea's Hyundai Mipo assigned the work in 2021. Costs ballooned from an initial NZ$775 million to about NZ$3 billion by 2023.

Wellington announced last month it had shifted the order to Guangzhou Shipyard International.

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On Wednesday, Peters said two new Chinese-built ferries would enter service in 2029 and that the total programme would save the country's taxpayers NZ$2.3 billion.

Peters will also visit Vietnam and Thailand. He is expected to depart New Zealand on Tuesday and return the following Saturday.

Peters said Southeast Asia contributed "significantly to New Zealanders' prosperity and security, and we are doing all we can to maximise our mutually beneficial connections".

"We are pleased to be returning to Hanoi and Bangkok next week," he said.

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.
A transgender member of the Illinois National Guard is suing the Trump administration over its policy barring trans and intersex federal employees from using restrooms aligned with their gender.

Plaintiff LeAnne Withrow of Springfield, Illinois, is a lead military and family readiness specialist and civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard. She filed a class action suit Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, naming as defendants numerous administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. She is represented by Democracy Forward, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of D.C., and the ACLU of Illinois.

Related: Transgender Air Force members sue Trump administration over revoked retirements

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The exclusionary restroom policy violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace, her suit contends. In its 2020 ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, the U.S. Supreme Court found that sex discrimination includes discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Withrow joined the National Guard as a soldier in 2010, serving 13 years, according to the suit. Since then, she has been a civilian employee of the Guard, and she has received honors for her service, including the Illinois National Guard Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom. She came out as trans almost a decade ago. Until just a few months ago, she had the right to use the womens restroom at work.

That changed when Donald Trump issued his executive order titled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, which among other things directs federal agencies to exclude trans and intersex people from single-sex spaces that align with their gender identity.

Related: Trump 'two genders' exec order will hurt millions of Americans: study

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There is only one single-user restroom she can use at work, and none of the other buildings at Camp Lincoln, where she is stationed, have single-user restrooms. She worries about being called into an urgent meeting at any of them, the suit notes. Of the 12 National Guard facilities she must visit to supervise the work of other department employees, eight do not have any single-user restrooms.

To avoid having to use the restroom at work, she skips breakfast and often lunch, or eats only a granola bar or a spoonful of peanut butter, except on special occasions or when shes reasonably sure she wont be called away from her building, according to the suit. And she dehydrates herself  most days drinking a single cup of coffee and drinking as little water as possible, the suit states.

Withrow filed a complaint in May with the Army National Guard Bureau Equal Opportunity Office, then one with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but these agencies did not resolve the matter, so she filed the suit.

No one should have to choose between their career in service and their own dignity, Withrow said in a press release. I bring respect and honor to the work I do to support military families, and I hope the court will restore dignity to transgender people like me who serve this country every day.

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The suit seeks to end enforcement of the restroom policy and to have the court declare that the executive order and the way it was implemented violate the federal Administrative Procedure Act. It also seeks at least nominal damages for Withrow, along with court costs and attorneys fees.

This policy is hateful bigotry aimed at denying hardworking federal employees their basic dignity simply because they are transgender, Kaitlyn Golden, senior counsel at Democracy Forward, said in the release.

We look forward to demonstrating to the court that this unlawful executive order not only denies the existence of transgender and intersex employees, it is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to target and punish transgender people for simply being who they are, added Shana Knizhnik, senior staff attorney for the ACLUs LGBTQ & HIV Project.

Story developing ...

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Trans National Guard member sues Trump admin over bathroom ban
Without a REAL ID, air travelers could soon have a real problem.

Since May, airports in California have been asking passengers for the federally approved identification at security checkpoints.

"Travelers 18 years and older now need to have a Real ID or other acceptable form of identification to go through security screening," said Vickie Calderon, a media and public relations officer at the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.

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On Wednesday, the TSA proposed another option: if you don't have an ID that they accept, you can pay $18 as a workaround.

The TSA has proposed a biometric kiosk system as an option to verify identity if a traveler does not have a Real ID but pays the fee.

The payment would be valid for 10 days for domestic travel.

The TSA says it's the next step in REAL ID compliance, first signed into law 20 years ago to heighten safety in airports.

"I do think it makes sense only because it's so easy to get a driver's license. They last for a really long time," said Roger Schreiner, who was travelling through Fresno's airport on Wednesday.

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Other travelers Action News spoke to on Wednesday were concerned that the new system may cause problems.

"It definitely would cause holdups," said Kelli Davenport, who is visiting family in Fresno. "I already have my REAL ID, so I don't think it would impact me. But for others, I think that could hinder them. Especially with the fee."

Additionally, the agency said biometric screening is not a guarantee that all identities will be verified. Travelers could face additional security measures and encounter delays.

After announcing the proposal on Wednesday, the TSA reminded Americans that this newest compliance with REAL ID has been in the works for decades.

"This notice serves as a next step in the process in REAL ID compliance, which was signed into law more than 20 years ago and finally implemented by Secretary Noem as of May 2025. TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure both security and efficiency at our checkpoints. Additional guidance will be announced in the coming days," said the agency.
The Trump administration is renewing a push to end Russias war in Ukraine, with a reported 28-point peace plan that caught Kyivs supporters in Congress off guard and left at least one Republican warning against what appears to be a largely pro-Moscow proposal.

The plan was reportedly worked out by President Trumps top envoy for peace negotiations, Steve Witkoff, and a top ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kirill Dmitriev, and discussed with only a few top senior Ukrainian officials.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Russian state media that the ministry had not received any information from the U.S. through official channels related to agreements on Ukraine.

Likewise, Ukraines top supporters in Congress appeared to be in the dark.

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I dont know what this 28-point plan is. Im glad that were coming up with a plan, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a top Trump ally and hawkish supporter of Kyiv, said during an event Wednesday morning hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But Graham added that any plan must be buoyed by strong U.S. military commitments to Ukraine and measures targeting Putins ability to fund the war.

Some lawmakers were left to learn the details of the 28-point peace plan largely from reporting in Axios, which broke the story, and the Financial Times, which followed up with details of the plan.

According to these reporters, the plan would have Ukraine give up full control of the eastern territory of the Donbas to Russia, even as Ukraine maintains control of about 12 percent of the territory with a heavily fortified front line, and requires Ukraine to cut the size of its armed forces by half.

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I just heard about it but have not seen any of the details, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told reporters Wednesday.

I have not been read in on the details of that, said Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation.

Rep. Don Bacon, the outgoing Republican congressman from Nebraska, criticized the administration for reportedly negotiating with the Russians without the Ukrainians and appearing to pressure Kyiv.

This sounds like 1938 Munich, Bacon posted on social platform X, referring to the agreement that is largely criticized as appeasing Nazi Germany with territory at the time and emboldening Adolf Hitler to try to conquer Europe.

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Other reported details of the plan include limits on Ukraines arsenal of weapons and limiting U.S. military assistance. The Financial Times also reported that the plan bars foreign troops from Ukrainian soil  essentially vetoing ideas for a European or international peacekeeping force to monitor any ceasefire, or potentially blocking Ukrainian partnerships with foreign militaries. Also, Kyiv would no longer receive Western long-range weapons that can strike deep into Russia.

The Financial Times continued that the plan says Russian should be recognized as an official state language in Ukraine and that it should grant official status to the local branch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kyiv accuses the church of being an arm of the Kremlins propaganda, supporting the war in Ukraine.

Many of the points are nonstarters for Kyiv, which has agreed to Trumps calls for a ceasefire on existing battle lines but rejected demands to cede territory, warning it would only open the rest of the country to future Russian aggression.

Russia is apparently hoping its military advances and a corruption scandal related to Ukraines energy sector weaken the negotiating position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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The irony: exposed Zelensky team corruption makes peace in Ukraine much more likely, Dmitriev posted Tuesday on X.

The renewed push for a peace plan comes after Trump last month called off a second face-to-face summit with Putin set to be held in Budapest because he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined the Russian side was not yet serious about ending the war.

The plans reported details were met with concern among Ukraines staunch supporters in the U.S. and viewed as particularly cynical following a deadly strike by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Ternopil, killing at least 25 people, including three children.

As Ukraine mourns innocent people murdered in their sleep by a russian terrorist missile, the media reports that the US Administration has shared with Ukraine a new, updated Capitulation Plan, Olena Halushka, co-founder of the International Center for Ukrainian Victory, a coalition of Ukrainian civil society leaders and think tanks, posted on X.

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No pressure on russia, just Ukraine cutting its own hands and legs. What a disgrace.

Mykola Murskyj, director of the Razom advocacy team, a U.S.-based nonprofit that advocates U.S. support for Ukraine, said in a statement, Any durable peace requires a militarily strong Ukraine and firm guarantees that Russia will be unable to reignite its war in the future.

Americans around the country want to see Russia forced to end its war and return the Ukrainians it holds hostage, including tens of thousands of Ukrainian children. Nothing about Ukraine can be decided without Ukraine and its people, he continued.

Meanwhile, Graham is hoping to seize on the peace plan to add momentum to his push to pass a bipartisan bill targeting countries that do business with Russia and aid its war coffers.

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No plan will work unless Putin and his allies believe that were serious about more military aid, more capability of Ukraine to hurt Russia militarily, and more economic ruin coming to those who prop up Putins war machine, Graham said.

When they believe those things then the 28-point plan will work.

Trump seemed to give a green light last week for Congress to move ahead on Grahams Russia sanctions bill, called the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. It is co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) with a veto-proof majority of co-sponsors.

But the pathway to passage is still unclear. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has called for the House to take up the bill first, because the bill includes tariff measures, and to provide a vehicle for it to pass in the Senate.

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We want to get it done, yeah. Now, I think its probably a revenue measure, most likely originates in the House, Thune told reporters Wednesday. But as long as the White House is good with doing it, as you know, weve been ready to go on that for a long time. So hopefully the answer is yes, but we have a lot of stuff on the calendar.

House Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) office referred questions on the Russia sanctions legislation to committees with jurisdiction, but some lawmakers are calling for a vote on the floor immediately.

The House must immediately vote on the sanctions bill, Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), posted Wednesday afternoon on X.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Washington  Top Democrats in Congress called for President Trump to be "condemned forcefully" after he said on social media that Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the military to disobey illegal orders should be arrested and face trial for "seditious behavior."

The president said in a later post, "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted "HANG THEM, GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!"

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, speaking from the Senate floor Thursday morning, said "the president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials." Schumer called it an "outright threat" that is "deadly serious."

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"Every time Donald Trump posts things like this, he makes political violence more likely. None of us should tolerate this kind of behavior," said Schumer, a New York Democrat. "He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline."

Mr. Trump's posts came in response to a video featuring Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, along with Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. In the video, the lawmakers, who are veterans and former national security officials, cited threats to the Constitution while urging service members and members of the intelligence community to "refuse illegal orders."

The lawmakers in the video issued a statement on Thursday saying "what's most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law."

"But this isn't about any one of us," the statement said. "This isn't about politics. This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President's calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity."

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Slotkin posted a video response, saying, "I would hope that people of all backgrounds  Democrat, Republican, Independent  would agree that threatening death for people you disagree with is beyond the pale of who we are as Americans."

"I refuse to be intimidated out of defending the country I love," she said.

Houlahan said in an interview, "This is the president of the United States calling for the death of a member of Congress, six members of Congress, and that is a different brand of political violence and political retribution."

Schumer told reporters at the Capitol that he asked for special Capitol Police protection for Senators Slotkin and Kelly.

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He said "every American, regardless of party," should condemn the president's words "immediately and without qualification," adding, "if we don't draw a line here, there is no line left to draw."

"He must be condemned forcefully, loudly and without excuses, before someone takes his words as permission to do the unthinkable," Schumer said. "Anything less enables the flames of hatred to grow and spread."

Democratic leaders in the House likewise condemned what they called the "disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress," calling on Republicans to do the same. The Democrats said they have been in contact with the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police to "ensure the safety of these Members and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson initially declined to criticize the president's remarks, telling reporters it's "wildly inappropriate" for lawmakers to encourage members of the military to disobey orders.

"We have got to raise the bar in Congress, this is out of control," said Johnson, a Louisiana Republican.



Johnson said the president was "defining the crime of sedition" with his comments.

But he was asked again later in the day about Mr. Trump's comments and replied that "the words that the president chose are not the ones that I would use, okay?"

"Obviously, I don't think that these are crimes punishable by death or any of that," Johnson continued, and he said of Mr. Trump, "Sometimes he uses heated rhetoric." Referring to the Democratic lawmakers in the video, he said, "Do any of you agree that that's appropriate, that they should be telling young members of the military to defy orders?"

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, too, was asked whether the president wants to execute members of Congress.

"No," Leavitt said. "Let's be clear about what the president is responding to, because many in this room want to talk about the president's response, but not what brought the president to responding in this way. You have sitting members of the United States Congress who conspired together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States military, to active-duty servicemembers, to members of the national security apparatus, encouraging them to defy the president's lawful orders. The sanctity of our military rests on the chain of command."

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By Courtney Rozen and Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Trump administration is considering options to enhance its ability to close government offices and end programs it no longer wants, according to a proposal seen by Reuters.

The administration is developing a rule to more easily manage the legal consequences of layoffs, according to the documents. Agencies would be able to lay off staff without considering performance or length of service when closing entire government programs or offices under the proposal.

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The Trump administration, since January, has effectively shuttered government programs by dismissing staff, including teams that enforce civil rights laws. Federal workers have accused the administration of ignoring the required rankings when dismissing the employees. This proposal would address that issue going forward and align the governments layoff rules more closely with the private sector.

The Trump administration believes it should not have to rank employees based on performance or length of service when closing entire offices, an administration official said, adding that it does not make sense to do so.

(Reporting by Courtney Rozen and Sarah N. Lynch in WashingtonEditing by Rod Nickel)
President Trump's administration moved Wednesday to roll back protections for imperiled species and the places they live, reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations from the Republican's first term that were blocked under former Democratic President Joe Biden.

The proposed changes include the elimination of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's "blanket rule" that automatically protects animals and plants when they are classified as threatened. Government agencies instead would have to craft species-specific rules for protections, a potentially lengthy process.

The administration's announcement answers longstanding calls for revisions to the Endangered Species Act from Republicans in Congress and industries including oil and gas, mining and agriculture. The president has voiced frustration with the 1973 law and similar environmental protections, saying environmentalists are impeding growth. Critics argue the landmark 1973 environmental law has been wielded too broadly, to the detriment of economic growth.

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But environmentalists warned the changes could cause yearslong delays in efforts to save species such as the monarch butterfly, Florida manatee, California spotted owl and North American wolverine.

Scientists and government agencies say extinctions are accelerating globally because of habitat loss and other pressures.

Mr. Trump has made oil and gas production a centerpiece of his presidency and sought to strip away environmental regulations that impede development. Other pending proposals from the administration would revise the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act and potentially bypass species protections for logging projects in national forests and on public lands.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement that the administration was restoring the Endangered Species Act to its original intent while respecting "the livelihoods of Americans who depend on our land and resources."

A baby manatee swimming beside its mother comes to the surface to breathe, at Manatee Lagoon, in Riviera Beach, Fla., Jan. 10, 2025. / Credit: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

"These revisions end years of legal confusion and regulatory overreach, delivering certainty to states, tribes, landowners and businesses while ensuring conservation efforts remain grounded in sound science and common sense," Burgum said in a statement.

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Another proposed change tasks officials with analyzing economic impacts when deciding whether habitat is critical to a species' survival.

In April, a White House official confirmed to CBS News that Mr. Trump planned to overhaul the Endangered Species Act to make it easier to build in the U.S. where endangered species live. The president directed agencies regulating energy and the environment to sunset a number of environmental protections, among other steps to curb environmental protections to spur construction and economic growth.

Case of lizard shows potential outcome of proposals

The case of the Yarrow's spiny lizard in the Southwest exemplifies the potential consequences of the proposals. Rapidly warming temperatures have ravaged a population of the lizard in Arizona's Mule Mountains, pushing the reptiles further up the mountainsides toward the highest peaks and possibly toward extinction.

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A petition filed Wednesday seeks protections for the lizard and the designation of critical habitat. Advocates say analyzing the economic impacts could delay protections. Designating critical habitat could be another hurdle because the primary threat to this population of spiny lizard is climate change.

"We think that the species should be listed as endangered. In fact, we are somewhat shocked that it is not already extinct," said John Wiens, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, who co-authored the petition.

The move comes 18 months after CBS News first reported on the lizard's disappearance from much of its historic range. At that time, Wiens and our team hiked to the top of the Mule Mountains under ideal weather conditions for finding lizards but found none.

But Wiens, whose scientific protocol requires multiple surveys, returned twice more and both times found about a half-dozen on a few scattered rock outcrops near the summit.

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"You have to go back. You have to be rigorous," Wiens told CBS News.

The Interior Department was sued over the blanket protection rule in March, by the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The two groups argued the rule was illegal and discouraged states and landowners from assisting in species recovery efforts.

Species designated as "threatened" under the rule automatically qualify for the same protections as those with the more severe designation of "endangered."

PERC Vice President Jonathan Wood said Wednesday's proposal was a "necessary course correction."

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"This reform acknowledges the blanket rule's unlawfulness and puts recovery back at the heart of the Endangered Species Act," Wood said.

Proposals would undermine protections, critic says

Kristen Boyles with the environmental law firm Earthjustice said the changes undermine protections even more than in Mr. Trump's first term. That includes allowing the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to not count negative effects on species if those impacts are not regulated by the agencies themselves, Boyles said.

"The Services are required to prevent harmful consequences to species, not ignore them," she said.

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Trump officials during his first term also rolled back protections for individual species including the northern spotted owl and gray wolf.

The spotted owl decision was reversed in 2021 after officials said Mr. Trump's political appointees used faulty science to justify opening millions of acres of West Coast forest to potential logging. Protections for wolves across most of the U.S. were restored by a federal court in 2022.

The Endangered Species Act protects more than 1,600 species in the United States and its territories. In the more than 50 years since the law was enacted, the act has been credited with saving 99% of the listed species. Notable species saved include the bald eagle, American alligators, whooping cranes and peregrine falcons.

CBS News reported in 2023 that since the passage of the law, more than 1,7000 plants, mammals, fish, insects and other species in the U.S. have been listed as threatened or endangered. But federal data shows that of the roughly $1.2 billion a year spent on endangered and threatened species, about half goes toward recovery of just two types of fish: salmon and steelhead trout along the West Coast.

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Last month, an annual assessment from the International Union for Conservation of Nature said that arctic seals are being pushed closer to extinction by climate change and more than half of bird species around the world are declining under pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion. One bright spot is green sea turtles, which have recovered substantially thanks to decades of conservation efforts, the IUCN said as it released its latest Red List of Threatened Species.

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Donald Trump was reportedly still in contact with Jeffrey Epstein as he ascended to public office.

Trump has claimed he cut off contact with Epstein after the financier was convicted in 2009 for soliciting underage prostitutes, referring to Epstein as a creep. But he rang his old pal in 2016, shortly after he won the presidential election, according to one of the sex traffickers closest confidants.

After the electionyou know I used to speak to Jeffrey regularlyand one of the calls we spoke, Jeffrey told me that Trump, it was after the election that Trump called him, Epsteins brother Mark told CNN Wednesday.

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And it was sort of like, can you believe this? Because nobody believed Trump was going to win. Trump was very surprised himself that he won, so Jeffrey said he called him like, Can you believe this? Epstein continued, specifying that Trump had called his brother and not the other way around.

Trump and Epstein were friends for decades before their relationship reportedly dissolved over a real estate dispute in Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to his death, the child rapist described himself as one of Trumps closest friends. The socialites were named and photographed together on several occasions and were caught partying with underage girls in New Jersey casinos. Epstein was invited to attend Trumps wedding to Marla Maples in 1993, and in 2002, Trump told New York magazine that Epstein was a 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 the magazine at the time.

But the pair werent always simpatico, especially in the years leading up to Epsteins death. In the same interview with CNN, Mark Epstein recalled a documented conversation between his brother and former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon, in which the New York financier said he stopped hanging out with Trump when he realized Trump was a crook.

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Thats a direct quote from Jeffrey, Epstein told the network.

Bannon assisted Epstein in navigating the political and legal quagmire that was the last year of his life. As part of that, Bannon conducted a series of interviews with Epstein between 2018 and early 2019, totaling about 15 hours of unseen footage.

Crook wasnt the only bad word that Epstein shared about his longtime friend. In a 2017 exchange with Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary and president of Harvard University, Epstein said that Trump was dangerous and was one of the worst people hed ever met. Not one decent cell in his body, Epstein wrote to Summers.
Trump attacks Democratic lawmakers who urged troops to refuse illegal orders, branding them traitors.

President Donald Trump on Thursday assailed Democratic lawmakers who told members of the military they must refuse any illegal orders, calling them traitors and saying they should face the death penalty.

Trump reposted an article about a video released Tuesday by six Democratic lawmakers who served in the military or in the intelligence community.

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"SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" the Republican president wrote in a Truth Social post.

'Bad and dangerous to our country': writes Trump

"This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country," Trump wrote in an earlier post. "Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

US President Donald Trump addresses the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas on April 6 (credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)

The Democratic lawmakers include Senators Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and Iraq war veteran, and Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy veteran, as well as Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan.

The White House said later on Thursday Trump does not want to execute members of Congress.

"No," said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt when asked at a briefing about Trump's remarks calling the Democratic lawmakers traitors who should face execution.
President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for the first time at the White House on Friday, an unexpected sit-down with the Democratic socialist whose election he opposed.

Trump announced the meeting in a social media post late Wednesday.

The president urged his hometowns voters to back Mamdanis opponent, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and has repeatedly attacked Mamdani in public statements.

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Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said the mayor and president would discuss public safety, economic security and "the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago.

On Monday, Mamdani told reporters he reached out to the White House to set up a meeting with Trump to discuss affordability, a central tenant of his campaign. In an interview on MS NOW Friday evening, Mamdani said he plans to remind the president of his campaign pledge to lower costs.

I want to just speak plainly to the president about what it means to actually stand up for New Yorkers, and the way in which New Yorkers are struggling to afford this city," Mamdani added.

Mamdani still requires a top-level security clearance from the federal government before he takes office, and the president has a history of restricting security clearances of his political opponents.
Nov. 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced he will meet New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on Friday.

Trump made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday.

"Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st," Trump said in the brief statement.

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Mamdani was elected mayor Nov. 4, besting former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, historically a Democrat who ran as an independent with Trump's endorsement, after losing the Democratic nomination to Mamdani.

Trump has been a vocal critic of Mamdani, and warned ahead of the election that if Mamdani won he would throttle federal funding to the city, calling him a "Communist Lunatic" who is "going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great city."

Trump also threatened to arrest Mamdani if he interfered with his federal immigration crackdown in New York City.

During the campaign, Mamdani positioned himself as someone who would stand up to Trump. A self-described social democrat, Mamdani has warned Trump against threatening to impose punitive measures against the city.

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In his victory speech, Mamdani addressed Trump directly: "Hear me, President Trump, when I say this: To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us."

Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec confirmed in a statement that the meeting had been scheduled.

"As is customary for an incoming mayoral administration, the Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over 1 million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago," Pekec said.

In a Wednesday night interview with MS NOW, Mamdani said they did "reach out" to the White House to speak with Trump about fulfilling the campaign pledges he made to New Yorkers.

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"I want to just speak plainly to the president about what it means to actually stand up for new Yorkers and the way in which New Yorkers are struggling to afford this city," he said.

On Sunday, Trump told reporters that the White House was working on arranging a meeting with Mamdani.

"We'll work something out," Trump said. "We want to see everything work out well for New York."
New York's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and President Donald Trump will meet on Friday at the White House, after months of trading barbs and insults during the city's recent election.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist, won New York City's mayoral race earlier this month, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo by nine points. While he was little known outside of New York before the election, he has now become a nationally recognised figure.

Trump said in a statement the "communist mayor" requested the meeting, which would take place in the Oval Office.

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Mamdani told reporters on Thursday that the meeting would focus on public safety, affordability and economic security.

Mamdani said the two will discuss public safety and affordability in an Oval Office meeting [Getty Images/Reuters]

"I intend to make it clear to President Trump that I will work with him on any agenda that benefits New Yorkers," Mamdani said. "If an agenda hurts New Yorkers, I will also be the first to say something."

The mayor-elect's spokesperson Dora Pekec said the meeting with Trump was customary for an incoming mayoral administration.

Trump said in a Fox News radio interview on Friday morning that the meeting would be "civil".

"He's got a different philosophy," said the Republican president of Mamdani. "He's a little bit different. I give a lot of credit for the run. He did a successful run, and we all know that runs are not easy, but I think we'll get along fine."

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The White House schedule for Friday listed the meeting for late afternoon and closed to press coverage. But the president's schedule could change before then.

The incoming mayor posted a selfie around 8:30 EST (1330 BST) where he appeared to be sitting in an plane seat.

Mamdani's predecessors - Democrats Bill de Blasio and current Mayor Eric Adams - did not have high-profile Oval Office meetings on their own with a president, although they participated in gatherings at the White House alongside other mayors and officials.

The acrimony between the two-term president and rapidly rising political newcomer began building shortly after Mamdani won the Democratic primary in June.

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Trump has decried Mamdani as the "communist" future of the Democratic Party and has threatened to withhold billions of federal dollars to the largest US city because of his victory.

In the weeks leading up to Mamdani's election, Trump - a born-and-raised New Yorker - frequently portrayed the mayor-elect as an extremist who "practically hasn't worked a day in his life".

In an unusual last-minute move, the Republican president endorsed Mamdani's rival, Cuomo, a Democrat who was running as an independent.

In Mamdani's victory speech on election day, he taunted Trump, telling him to "turn the volume up" on his television.

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Minutes later, Trump responded on his social media site Truth Social: "AND SO IT BEGINS!"

Mamdani, a former state assemblyman who campaigned on a platform of affordability in one of the most expensive US cities, shocked many when he won New York City's Democratic primary in June.

"I know that for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, this meeting is between two very different candidates who they voted for for the same reason," Mamdani said Thursday. "They wanted a leader who would take on the cost of living crisis."

He has vowed to take on Trump, hiring extra lawyers to prepare to file legal challenges and pledging that New York will "remain a city of immigrants" as Trump carries out his immigration crackdown across the country.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said he will meet New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday.

"We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st," Trump said on social media on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington)
The White House is planning to use the Epstein files against Democrats after they, in addition to several Republicans, successfully pressured lawmakers to vote to compel the Justice Department to release the remainder of the files against President Donald Trumps wishes.

After both chambers of Congress agreed to send the Epstein Files Transparency Act to Trumps desk, two unnamed White House officials indicated to Politico that they plan to draw attention to Democrats who communicated with or were associated with Epstein.

Democrats only started talking about the Epstein files once they thought they could use it to score political points against President Trump, an unnamed White House official told Politico. That will prove to be a mistake for them.

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For months, Democrats have been using Trumps refusal to release the documents about the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to speculate that the president is hiding something or covering for someone. He has denied any wrongdoing and any knowledge of the late financiers crimes.

By consistently drawing attention to the matter, Trump has been unable to escape guilty-by-association criticisms and eventually relented  giving House Republicans his blessing to vote to force the release of documents this week.

Rep Ro Khanna (center left) was among the Democrats aggressively pushing for Congress to release the Epstein files (AFP/Getty)

Now, the White House is gearing up to highlight high-profile Democrats who knew Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton, who was a friend of Epsteins but has strongly denied having knowledge of Epsteins alleged child sex-trafficking crimes.

The Democrats are going to come to regret this, another unnamed White House official told the news outlet. Lets start with Stacey Plaskett. You think were not going to make a scene of this?

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Plaskett, a non-voting delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, texted with Epstein during a February 2019 House Oversight Committee hearing, and Epstein apparently advised her about which questions to ask the witness, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen. That was revealed last week after the House released more than 20,000 pages of documents containing Epsteins emails.

Plaskett confirmed she texted with Epstein, but said in a statement she had condemned his cimes, and that she received messages from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein.

Epsteins island home, Little Saint James, is in the U.S. Virgin Islands meaning he was a constituent of Plasketts.

The delegate also defended herself, saying she had not engaged in any wrongdoing and that it was unknown at the time that Epstein was under federal investigation.

Public polling indicates most people want the president to release the Epstein files and the White Houses refusal was poorly received (AFP/Getty)

White House Spokesperson Abigail Jackson raised questions about Plaskett and other Democrats in a statement and said Americans deserve an answer.

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Time for the media to start asking the real questions: why was Democrat Stacey Plaskett live texting Epstein in 2019 during a congressional hearing after he was a convicted sex offender and why did she accept thousands of dollars from him? Jackson said.

Jackson added: Why was Hakeem Jeffries soliciting donations from Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender? Why did President Bill Clinton travel on Epsteins plane 26 times? And why did one of Epsteins victims write that she saw Clinton on Epsteins island with two young women?

The White Houses attempts to redirect attention from Trumps ties to Epstein come after the president asked the Justice Department to specifically investigate the late convicted sex offenders ties to prominent Democrats and financial institutions.

That includes Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Attorney General Pam Bondi quickly agreed to Trumps request, directing the U.S. Attorney in charge of the Southern District of New York to investigate Epsteins involvement with the named entities.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he plans to meet the newly elected mayor of New York, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani, at the White House.

"Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. "Further details to follow!"

Mamdani's team confirmed the meeting. "As is customary for an incoming mayoral administration, the Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago," his spokeswoman said.

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Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, is set to become the first Muslim mayor of New York and the youngest person to hold the position since the 19th century. The left-wing politician won the New York mayoral election on November 4 and will take office at the turn of the year.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Mamdani in the run-up to his election victory and threatened to withhold federal funds from the metropolis if the Democrat won.

Mamdani has been a vocal critic of the president, whose administration has taken drastic action against people who entered the country illegally.

"New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant," the 34-year-old said in his victory speech.
Drama continues to follow interim U.S. Attorney and former Trump defense lawyer Lindsey Halligan, as she had a heated exchange with a federal judge who suggested she may be the presidents puppet.

Halligan spoke to the New York Post exclusively about the spat, which occurred during a hearing for former FBI Director and Trump administration legal target James Comey.

Personal attackslike Judge Nachmanoff referring to me as a puppetdont change the facts or the law, she said. The Judicial Canons require judges to be patient, dignified, respectful, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity  and to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

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For what its worth, Judge Michael Nachmanoff never called her a puppet, and was asking the defense for clarification on their argument.

So your view is that Ms. Halligan is a stalking horse or a puppet, for want of a better word, doing the presidents bidding, he said, according to court files.

Well, I dont want to use language about Ms. Halligan that suggests anything other than she did what she was told to do, the defense lawyer replied. Nachmanoff did not object.

Still, that was enough to set Halligan off, leading her to do a sit-down with a right-wing newspaper to speak directly about the judge presiding over the case she was actively prosecuting.

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Never have I ever  seen a sitting U.S. Attorney give an interview and make extrajudicial statements about a pending case, Reuterss Sarah Lynch wrote on X. This is not customary for federal prosecutors. Usually DOJ only speaks through court filings.

This isnt the first issue Halligan has faced in the early days of her prosecution of Comey. On Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick said she made two fundamental misstatements of law to the grand jury, putting the entire case in jeopardy. And on Wednesday, Halligan told the court that only two grand jurors reviewed the Comey indictment before it was presented.

Aside from these flubs and unconventional media decisions, calling Halligan a puppet, even indirectly, isnt too far off. The only reason the presidents former lawyer was awarded this position is because her predecessor, Erik Siebert, refused to indict Comey due to a lack of evidence.
President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that the long-awaited meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani would happen in Washington later this week, setting up an in-person clash between the political polar opposites who for months have antagonized each other from afar.

The sit-down, which Trump said on social media would take place Friday in the Oval Office, could possibly represent a detente of sorts between the Republican president and Democratic rising star, as Trump has since Mamdani's win moved toward acceptance of Mamdani's central, winning campaign issue of affordability.

Calling Mamdani by his full name  and putting the mayor-elect's middle name of Kwame in quotation marks  Trump posted Wednesday night that Mamdani had asked for the meeting, promising Further details to follow!

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Saying it was customary for an incoming New York City mayor to meet with the president, spokesperson Dora Pekec said Mamdani planned to discuss with Trump public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago.

Trump for months has slammed Mamdani, falsely labeling him as a communist and predicting the ruin of his hometown if the democratic socialist was elected. He also threatened to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a naturalized American citizen in 2018, and to pull federal money from the city.

But following the November election  in which Republicans lost badly in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia  Trump has spoken more about affordability, which had been a focal point across Democrats' campaigns, including Mamdani's, even declaring Friday in a social media post that the GOP is the Party of Affordability! This comes as the president and his fellow Republicans insist the economy has never been stronger.

Trump told reporters Sunday night that he planned to meet with Mamdani, saying  well work something out. On Monday, Mamdani  who officially takes office in January  said that he hoped to meet Trump, confirming that his team had reached out to the White House to set up a possible sit-down.

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During his victory speech earlier this month, Mamdani, a 34-year-old who in just a few short months rose from obscure state lawmaker representing Queens to mayor-elect of the nation's biggest city, said he wanted New York to show the country how to defeat the president.

Hes also talked about Trump-proofing New York once he takes office in January while also promising to work with anyone, including the president, if it benefited New Yorkers.

___

Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak in New York City contributed to this report.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
Donald Trump signed a bill on Wednesday directing the justice department to release files from the investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, surrendering in the face of joint pressure from Democratic opponents and the presidents conservative base.

The signature marked a sharp reversal for Trump, who had the authority as president to release the documents himself, but chose not to.

Democrats have gloried in the controversy over the files and the possibility they may contain compromising information about Trump, who had a personal friendship with Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

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Trump sought to flip that script after signing the bill in a posting to Truth Social that pointed out Epsteins ties to the Democratic party.

Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!, Trump wrote on Wednesday night.

The justice department has 30 days to release all files related to Epstein, including the investigation into his death by suicide in a federal prison cell. The legislation permits the redaction of identifying information of victims, but specifically bars officials from declining to disclose information over concerns about embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity.

Trump waffled on the issue for years before finally succumbing to political pressure. On the campaign trail, he pledged to release the Epstein files. Once in office, he changed his position, calling the issue a hoax and railing against those who wanted to make the documents public.

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But he reversed course in recent days after it was clear the House of Representatives would pass legislation, saying we have nothing to hide and that its time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat Shutdown.

After Trump indicated his approval of the bill, Republican holdouts swiftly moved it through the House and then the Senate. Mike Johnson, the US House speaker, had stalled the bill for months, and after the House passed it, Johnson said he hoped the Senate would amend it, which it did not.

The justice department said earlier this year that it had released all the documents it could about Epstein without hindering investigations or revealing information about his victims.

Much of the material is subject to court-ordered sealing, a justice department memo from July said. Only a fraction of this material would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial, as the seal served only to protect victims and did not expose any additional third parties to allegations of illegal wrongdoing.

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Its not clear what the department will release in response to the bill  the bill details a host of potential items that must be released, but provides exceptions for some materials.

The bill calls for the attorney general to make unclassified Epstein-related documents publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format, including all investigations into Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, flight logs and travel records, individuals referenced or named in connection with his crimes, entities that were tied to his trafficking or financial networks, immunity deals and other plea agreements, internal communications about charging decisions, documentation of his detention and death, and details about any file deletions.

The department will have 30 days to turn over the documents. The bill provides for some exceptions, including redactions of victims identifying information or personal files, any depictions of child sexual abuse, releases that would jeopardize active investigations or prosecutions and depictions of death or abuse.

Members of Congress released tens of thousands of documents that resurfaced and added depth to relationships Epstein had with prominent figures, including Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary, and Michael Wolff, the writer and Trump biographer.

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Trump and Epstein were once friends, and Trumps name is in some of the documents released by members of Congress so far, though the mentions do not mean he was a party to any of Epsteins criminal activity.

Documents released by Democratic members of the House oversight committee included an email from Epstein to Wolff in which Epstein said of Trump: Of course, he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop. In another, he called Trump the dog that hasnt barked.

Epstein emailed people about Trump regularly, usually derogatorily. I have met some very bad people, he wrote in one email. None as bad as Trump. Not one decent cell in his body.
President Trump on Wednesday night signed into law legislation demanding that the Justice Department release all documents related to its investigation into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

With little fanfare, the president announced the action in a lengthy social media post that attacked Democrats who have been linked to the late financier, a line of attack that he has often deployed while ignoring his and other Republicans' ties to the scandal.

"Perhaps the truth about these Democrats and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, but I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!" Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

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Now the focus turns to Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, whom the legislation compels to make available "all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials" in the Department of Justice's possession no later than 30 days after the legislation becoming law.

The action on the bill marks a dramatic shift for Trump, who worked for months to thwart release of the Epstein files  until Sunday, when he reversed course under pressure from his party and called on Republican lawmakers to back the measure. Within days, the Senate and House overwhelmingly voted for the bill and sent it to Trump's desk.

Although Trump has now signed the bill into law, his resistance to releasing the files has led to skepticism among some lawmakers on Capitol Hill who question whether the Justice Department may try to conceal information.

"The real test will be, will the Department of Justice release the files or will it all remain tied up in investigations?" Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said at a news conference Tuesday before the House and Senate passed the bill. Greene was among a small group of GOP defectors who joined Democrats in forcing the legislation to the floor over Trump's objections.

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The legislation prohibits the attorney general from withholding, delaying or redacting the publication of "any record, document, communication, or investigative material on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary."

Read more: Could Trump destroy the Epstein files?

Carve-outs in the bill could allow Trump and Bondi to withhold documents that include identifying information of victims or depictions of child sexual abuse materials.

The law also would allow them to conceal information that would "jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary."

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Trump directed the Justice Department last week to investigate Epstein's links with major banks and several prominent Democrats, including former President Clinton.

Read more: At Trump's urging, Bondi says U.S. will investigate Epsteins ties to his political foes

Bondi abided, and appointed a top federal prosecutor to pursue the investigation with "urgency and integrity." In July, the Justice Department determined after an extensive review that there was not enough evidence that "could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties" in the Epstein case.

At a news conference Wednesday, Bondi said the department had opened another case into Epstein after "new information" emerged.

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Bondi did not say how the new investigation could affect the release of the files.

Asked if the Epstein documents would be released within 30 days, as the law states, Bondi said her department would "follow the law."

"We will continue to follow the law with maximum transparency while protecting victims," Bondi said.

Get the L.A. Times California Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a bill to force the Department of Justice to release more information related to its case against the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a stunning reversal after fighting the bills passage for months.

The law  the Epstein Files Transparency Act  is the culmination of months of fierce GOP infighting as some Republican defectors joined Democrats to buck their partys leadership and force a vote. Trump had virulently opposed the legislation, calling it a Democratic hoax, but reversed course earlier this week and urged his party to support it after the bills passage appeared inevitable.

It is not yet known when the documents may be released.

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"Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES! As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively. Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The legislation passed the House by an overwhelming 427-1 vote Tuesday before speeding through the Senate in the afternoon, with the chamber approving the measure by unanimous consent.

The newly signed law compels the Justice Department to release information in its possession within 30 days, though its unclear how much new information the department will actually make public and when it may do so.

It comes days after Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a trove of new documents that reopened questions about the relationship between Trump and the disgraced financier, including the suggestion in an email by Epstein that Trump knew about the girls.

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Trump has repeatedly denied having a close relationship with Epstein and claims to have kicked him out of his Mar-a-Lago club in the early 2000s. Trump has denied wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein allegations, and no evidence has suggested that Trump took part in Epsteins crimes.

The White House organized a monthslong pressure campaign to try to prevent the legislation from reaching a House vote, even as his opposition grew increasingly politically perilous for the president. During the presidential campaign, he promised to make the Epstein files public.

That crusade included Trump and White House officials pressuring the three Republican women who signed onto the discharge petition  Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia , Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Nancy Mace of South Carolina  to remove their names.
Trump White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was called out by CNN anchor and Senior White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins as she left a White House briefing amid a chorus of complaints from reporters.

A group of Democrats  all military veterans  posted a video this week reminding servicemembers and intelligence officers You can refuse illegal orders.

Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) took turns reciting the messages in the clip:

REP. CHRIS DELUZIO (D-PA): Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad. REP. JASON CROW (D-CO): But from right here at home SEN. MARK KELLY (D-AZ): Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. SEN. ELISSA SLOTKIN (D-MI): You can refuse illegal orders. DELUZIO: You must refuse illegal orders. SLOTKIN: No one has to carry out orders that violate the law. REP. CHRISSY HOULAHAN (D-PA): Or our Constitution. CROW: We know this is hard. KELLY: And that its a difficult time to be a public servant. SLOTKIN: But whether youre serving in the CIA. CROW: In the Army. DELUZIO: Or Navy. HOULAHAN: The Air Force. KELLY: Your vigilance is critical. SLOTKIN: And know that we have your back. CROW: Because now more than ever. HOULAHAN: The American people need you. SLOTKIN: We need you to stand up for our laws. DELUZIO: Our Constitution. KELLY: And who we are as Americans. Dont give up. DELUZIO: Dont give up. CROW: Dont give up. SLOTKIN: Dont give up the ship.

That clip prompted President Donald Trump to go on a social media spree calling for the execution of the Democrats who participated in the video.

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In one post, he wrote SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! and reposted another calling for the group to be hanged.

The presidents post and the video were frequent topics at Tuesdays White House press briefing, during which Leavitt repeatedly and falsely claimed that the Democrats urged the military to refuse lawful orders.

Leavitt continued to make the false claim even after she was called out for it by CBS News White House correspondent Nancy Cordes.

As Leavitt announced the end of the briefing, reporters began complaining and shouting questions, and as the press secretary strode away from the podium, Collins could be heard clearly calling out the falsehood.

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Karoline, you misquoted Democrats in that video. Thats actually not what they said, Collins said to Leavitt.

Watch above via The White House.

The post Trump Spox Called Out By CNNs Kaitlan Collins As She Exits Briefing Amid Jeers first appeared on Mediaite.
The News

President Donald Trump got everything he demanded from his party for nearly a year. Now, suddenly, some of his dictates are falling flat with fellow Republicans.

Take Trumps idea to send $2,000 tariff rebate checks to Americans, for example.

We are $38 trillion in debt, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told Semafor. Any revenue we get in ought to be used to reduce the deficit, not expand it.

Johnson scoffed when asked whether it was tough to spurn the president on the issue: Does it seem challenging? Im telling you what I think.

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The rifts between Trump and the rest of the GOP are piling up. Indiana Republicans are declining to rewrite their congressional maps at the behest of the president, sparking a wave of redistricting regret on Capitol Hill. Trumps pitch to eliminate Affordable Care Act subsidies is also drawing skepticism within the party, as is his bid to jam a moratorium on state AI regulations into a must-pass defense bill.

Republicans spurned Trumps plans to import Argentine beef and shunned suggestions like a 50-year mortgage. Then theres the nearly unanimous bicameral vote to compel the Trump administration to release Jeffrey Epstein files and the Senates rejection of Trumps personal appeal to gut the filibuster.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she didnt see dissidents as behaving in some premeditated fashion, deciding that oh, I think its time for me to oppose the president and show my independence. Instead, she said, Republicans are deciding that this isnt a good idea for my state on a case-by-case basis.

There are a lot of cases, though.

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Trump has 100 ideas a minute, said Capito, the No. 4 GOP leader. Its pretty clear that, at some point, youre going to be opposed or at odds with an idea, because theres just so much.

Even so, the fresh GOP resistance marks a new phase for a party that muscled through much of Trumps agenda this summer with zero Democratic votes and quickly confirmed his Cabinet. Senate Republicans even changed their rules to approve Trumps nominees faster.

The GOP is only guaranteed to hold onto all of Congress  and avoid an oversight onslaught  for one more year. That means Trump is feeling more urgency for Congress to act, propelling his attempt to conjure more seats and kill the filibuster.

You think the president stays up at night, thinking about the rules of the Senate? said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. He doesnt care about that. What he cares about is getting an agenda done. And I think he realizes that this Congress needs to act to deliver on his platform.

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Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, said Trump is working night and day to implement his agenda.

In just a few months, the administration, working in lockstep with Republicans on the Hill, has delivered massive wins to the American people including: transformational tax cuts, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, a secure border, and more, Jackson said. Americans want their elected leaders to implement the agenda they voted for, and thats exactly what we are doing.

Senate Republicans are considering moving another party-line spending bill early next year, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Semafor. The details havent been ironed out, and GOP senators were initially skeptical of the idea when the House pushed it during the summer, but some think Trump will appreciate an opportunity to achieve his goals that Democrats cant stop.

At some point, hes going to look around and say: What the hell is the Senate doing over there? Why arent they passing the bills that they can pass with 51 votes to pass my agenda? said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.

Step Back

With Trumps poll numbers sinking, Republicans seeking reelection in 2026 will likely need to distance themselves.

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Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said its reasonable for Republicans, the closer you get to the election cycle, to become more cognizant  about how certain policy decisions are at odds with your constituents.

People want to paint this shifting of posture in a negative light, Tillis added. I think when members hear enough from their constituents to where they need to speak truth  thats a good thing.

Still, Republicans first have to get through a primary season when Trump can play kingmaker.

Were different people with different opinions; weve got a job to do, Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., a rare pro-Trump conservative who hails from a battleground district, told Semafor. Everythings good.

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Few Republicans are arguing that everything is good with the economy, though some blame former President Joe Biden and others argue Trumps policies will take time to pay off. Republicans have generally supported Trumps broad tariff regime since its unveiling in April.

The administration is already taking some steps to bring tariff-affected prices back down, which could provide more vulnerable Republicans with some cover on the campaign trail. GOP lawmakers hailed Trumps decision to lift tariffs on coffee and fruits like bananas.

Its smart to lift tariffs on things that you dont produce much of yourself; I mean, were never going to be a great banana producer or a big coffee producer, said House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla.. Thats just thinking through the system and making sense.

However, that tariff relief also undercuts the administrations argument that tariffs dont drive up prices  an admission that could make it tougher for Republicans to sell voters on the Trump economy. Whats more, the lapse of expanded health insurance subsidies next month is poised to spike premiums while energy costs are also rising ahead of the winter.

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Trump is creating messaging challenges beyond the economy for his party. Among them: his implication Thursday that some Democratic lawmakers should be executed for suggesting military members disobey his orders.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trumps suggestion of executions; Senate Majority Leader John Thune took a different tack, saying that Democrats remarks were ill-advised, unnecessary and clearly provocative, but I certainly dont agree with the presidents conclusion on how we ought to handle it.

Thune also pushed back on Trumps plans to import Argentine beef and moved the Epstein bill without the changes requested by Johnson. Hes held the line on the filibuster, too.

Thune is a believer in the institution of the Senate. He is mature; he is the adult in the room, said Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.

Room for Disagreement

Some Trump allies arent convinced that the current resistance means much, given the stiffer intra-party opposition the president faced during his first term.

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Republicans arent turning on President Trump. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger arent in Congress anymore, said Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio.

The View From Democrats

Across the aisle, Democrats see their opponents responding to Trumps sinking approval ratings.

Losing his grip on Republicans is something new. The poll numbers are a massive rejection of him by voters across the spectrum. There are lots of warning signs for Republicans that they need to separate themselves from this guy, said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

Burgess and Eleanors View

The GOP is still much more Trumpy than it was eight years ago, but its undeniable that Republicans are feeling a little more comfortable disagreeing with the president this week. Its impossible to ignore, from statehouses to Congress.

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And the trend may well continue into next year, particularly after the primary season is over and Republicans have to sell themselves to voters in order to keep their Hill majorities. Of course, Sen. Johnson didnt support Trumps tax cuts bill, either  until he did.

Notable
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wants to investigate a group of Democratic lawmakers who made a video warning members of the military and intelligence community about the Trump administration, but he doesnt even know what they were trying to instruct them to do.

In a video released Tuesday titled Dont Give Up the Ship, a group of Democratic lawmakers with backgrounds in the armed forces and intelligence warned that the Trump administration was pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. They reminded government officers that they swore an oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution.

The participating lawmakers were Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst; Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and naval officer; as well as Representatives Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Jason Crow.

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Right now, the threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders, the lawmakers said. You must refuse illegal orders.

During an appearance on Fox Newss Hannity Wednesday night, Blanche was pressed on how he might investigate the video, which has riled Trump officials and the president himself. Blanche fumed that the lawmakers hadnt actually specified which court orders ought to be violated. You cannot do that in this country, especially if youre a leader, he said.

Of course, the lawmakers hadnt said anything about defying court orders, rather the orders they were given by the administration that defied the Constitution or federal law.

I think they should be held to account, Blanche continued. I think that those congressmen should be required to answer questions about why they did what they did. And the American people deserve that, and so does President Trump.

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Despite lawmakers making only a vague reference to unconstitutional orders, Trump accused the lawmakers Thursday of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!

In a series of posts on social media, Trump flew into a fury. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to standWe wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET, he wrote on Truth Social.

This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country, he wrote in another post. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller claimed Tuesday that Democrat lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection, while in fact, they were calling for the opposite.
Political figures from across the aisle gathered Thursday in Washington, DC, for former Vice President Dick Cheneys funeral  sending off a key figure of pre-MAGA Republican politics.

The funeral, which was attended by two former presidents and all living former vice presidents, was a bipartisan whos who of Washington dignitaries yet with the notable absence of two of the countrys current leaders.

Neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President JD Vance attended the service, and they were not invited to the funeral, according to a source familiar with the matter. Vance said Thursday that the former vice president was a guy who served his country, and wished his family all the best in this moment of grieving. Trump has not publicly expressed his condolences or commented on Cheneys death.

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Cheney received full military honors at the invitation-only memorial service at Washingtons National Cathedral. Former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush and former first ladies Jill Biden and Laura Bush attended as well as former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle.

Bush eulogized his former vice president as a consummate public servant who could be relied on, and who lifted the standards of those around him.

His abilities were self-evident, without need of calculation or self-promotion, Bush said. His talent and restraint exceeded his ego.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush delivers a tribute during the funeral service of former Vice President Dick Cheney at the National Cathedral on November 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The former president recalled that Cheney was initially tapped to help him find a running mate during his 2000 presidential run. But after going over the list of names, Bush said he came to realize that Cheney himself was the best man for the job.

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The former president said Cheney rattled off a list of reasons why he should not serve as his running mate when Bush approached him with the idea.

I told him that, at such a moment, most in his position would have jumped at the chance, but Dick stayed detached and he analyzed it before I made my decision, Bush said. He insisted on giving me a complete rundown of all of the reasons I should not choose him.

Cheney would go on to serve two terms with Bush, becoming one of the most influential and powerful vice presidents in modern history.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, former first ladies Laura Bush and Jill Biden, and former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Mike Pence attend a funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney, at Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, DC, November 20, 2025. - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Also in attendance at the memorial service were a number of Supreme Court Justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan. A large number of past and present Cabinet members from both Republican and Democratic administrations were also expected, as well as congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle.

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Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi was present along with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former leader Mitch McConnell.

Cheney, who served as Bushs vice president from 2001 to 2009, died on November 3 at the age of 84. Prior to being elected vice president, Cheney served as defense secretary, White House chief of staff and as a congressman representing Wyoming.

He was further remembered for his progressive stance on several social issues, including gay marriage, but his role as the architect of the Iraq War saw him leave office deeply unpopular and cemented a polarizing legacy.

Pete Williams, who worked as Pentagon press secretary during Cheneys time as defense secretary, recalled offering to resign from his position after a magazine outed him as gay in 1991.

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He wouldnt hear of it, and for several days after that article appeared, he would call me on the direct line to my desk at the Pentagon to ask how I was doing and to tell me to get on with the job, Williams said.

While official Washington funerals usually include invites to the White House, excluding Trump should not be a surprise.

Cheney was a lifetime hardline conservative who endorsed Trumps 2016 campaign. But he spent the last years of his life speaking out against Trump, particularly after his daughter then-Rep. Liz Cheney drew the presidents ire for her prominent role in a congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.

Liz Cheney made a reference to her fathers decision to support Harris over Trump last year. For him, she said, a choice between defense of the Constitution and defense of your political party was no choice at all.

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The funerals guest list itself was also a nod to a time when Washington was not so polarized and politicians from both sides of the aisle paid their respects when a dignitary passed away.

Former Representative Liz Cheney, daughter of late US Vice President Dick Cheney speaks during a funeral service for her father at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on November 20, 2025. - Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

In 2022, Cheney described Trump as a coward and said no one was a greater threat to our republic.

Pence, who similarly broke with Trump over the presidents efforts to overturn the 2020 election, said that Cheney gave him two pieces of advice shortly after Pence was elected vice president in 2016. He urged Pence to spend a lot of time on Capitol Hill and to receive the presidents daily brief first thing in the morning, before attending any meeting with the president, in order to be better prepared for what would be discussed.

It was a way that he said, You will be better equipped to be able to advise the president if you know in advance whats coming and can run that through the filter of the presidents priorities, Pence told CNNs Jeff Zeleny before the funeral.

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The White House offered a muted reaction after Cheneys death with press secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters that Trump was aware the former vice president had died and noting that flags had been lowered to half-staff.

CNN has reached out to the White House for comment on Trump not being invited to the funeral, which Axios was first to report.

Honorary pallbearers at Cheneys funeral included members of his Secret Service detail; his former chiefs of staff, David Addington and Scooter Libby; and photographer David Hume Kennerly.

On one of the last pages of the service leaflet was a quote from the writer and naturalist John Muir, saying: The mountains are calling and I must go.

This story and headline have been updated with additional information.

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By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) -When President Donald Trump began an extraordinary campaign this summer pressuring Republican lawmakers to redraw state congressional maps, starting with Texas, some Democrats feared it could hand a dozen new seats to Republicans in next year's midterm elections.

Since then, however, a series of court rulings and aggressive moves by Democrats have dented Trump's plan, leaving the eventual winners of the nationwide redistricting war unclear.

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With Republicans clinging to the smallest of majorities in the U.S. House of Representatives, even small shifts from state to state could impact the race for control of Congress in 2026.

Pending court cases and ongoing redistricting discussions may still improve one party's chances over the other, but analysts say the Republican advantage has diminished.

"I think you could argue that the parties have basically fought each other to a draw," said Michael Li, a redistricting expert at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. "The Democrats have played what many people thought was a weak hand really well."

Redistricting typically occurs once a decade to account for new U.S. Census data, and lawmakers from both parties have used that process to draw maps more favorable to their side, a practice known as gerrymandering. But Trump's push has prompted nearly a dozen states to undertake or consider redistricting mid-decade, shattering longstanding norms.

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A divided three-judge panel on Tuesday threw out the new map passed by Texas Republicans  the centerpiece of Trump's effort  ruling that lawmakers had illegally diluted racial minorities' voting power.

That map was designed to flip as many as five Democratic seats to the Republican ledger, though the U.S. Supreme Court could still decide to leave it in place for 2026.

Meanwhile, a handful of Republicans in Indiana and Kansas have thus far resisted threats and pressure from Trump and his allies to draw new maps. In Ohio, a Republican-led commission approved a new map that boosted Republicans but fell far short of the more aggressive redistricting some analysts had expected.

DEMOCRATS PUNCH BACK

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On the Democratic side, California voters overwhelmingly approved Governor Gavin Newsom's proposal to sidestep an independent redistricting commission and implement a new map that targets five Republican incumbents in response to Texas, a gambit even some Democrats viewed as far-fetched when he first suggested it.

Virginia Democrats are advancing their own complicated constitutional maneuver to advance a new map that would take aim at two or three Republicans. And in Utah, a judge recently found a Republican-drawn map unconstitutional and replaced it with a new plan that is all but certain to give Democrats a new representative there.

Trump's redistricting effort was intended to brace the slim Republican House majority for significant headwinds, including his own unpopularity, a string of impressive Democratic election performances and the historical lesson that the party of the president usually loses seats in midterm elections.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

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Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School and a redistricting expert, said that redistricting alone would not be enough to overcome a "wave" year.

"Redistricting is not destiny - it's more like a seawall that can stop mild tides from coming in," he said. "A tsunami will come right over the top of that seawall."

UNCERTAINTIES REMAIN

There remain plenty of uncertainties that could still alter the redistricting landscape ahead of the 2026 election.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the state will appeal Tuesday's decision to the Supreme Court. With the state's filing deadline less than three weeks away, the court is expected to move quickly.

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"Texas' map was drawn the right way for the right reasons," U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Tuesday. "We look forward to Texas' victory at the Supreme Court."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for a new map, which could target two or three Democratic representatives. Some Democrats in Maryland and Illinois have weighed launching their own redistricting efforts.

In Missouri, where Republicans passed a new map dismantling a Democratic district in Kansas City, Democrats are trying to put the measure to a voter referendum. The new maps in California and Utah could also be subject to further judicial review.

Looming over the entire national fight is a pending case before the Supreme Court challenging a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, which protects minority voters.

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A decision striking down that section in the coming months could open the door for several Republican-controlled Southern states to eliminate a half dozen Democratic seats or more.

Erin Covey, a House analyst with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, estimated that Republicans will gain three or four seats when all is said and done - if the Texas map is eventually upheld.

A best-case scenario for Republicans could see them pick up approximately seven seats, while a best-case scenario for Democrats would hand them around a five-seat gain, she said.

"The upside for Republicans looks increasingly small," she said.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Brad Brooks; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Edmund Klamann)
BELEM, Brazil  Turkey will host next years U.N. climate conference after Australias bid imploded.

Turkey and Australia had faced off for more than a year over the talks location, an impasse that extended almost until the final day of the current climate summit in Belem, Brazil. If no resolution had emerged, next years summit would have defaulted to Germany, which has said it wouldnt have time to plan the event properly.

While Turkey will provide the venue for the 2026 talks, Australia will hold the presidency  and therefore the diplomacy, said Chris Bowen, Australias minister for climate change and energy. That means that I would have all the powers of the COP presidency, he said.

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A Turkish official, who did not give his name, said the final deal would be announced on Thursday. Turkey had proposed hosting the talks in the Mediterranean city of Antalya.

It is a highly unusual arrangement for the annual climate conference, which normally has a single host and presidency. But its not unprecedented: In 2017, Germany hosted a Fijian-led conference.

Obviously it would be great if Australia could have it all. But we cant have it all, Bowen said. Its also a significant concession for Turkey.

He added that before the summit, separate talks will occur in the Pacific where money would be raised to help that region cope with climate change.

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German State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth, whose country chairs the Western Europe and Others Group from which the host of next years talks is due to be selected based on the rotating system of the U.N., put a positive spin on the discussions.

There was a positive spirit, he said. Its something extraordinary that two countries from very different sides of the planet but being in one group reached an agreement.

But others were more candid. Its an ugly solution, said a European diplomat who was granted anonymity to discuss the confidential discussions. Turkey just wants to showboat and dont care about content really, and Aussies do but they dont control the event and logistics.

The new host countrys climate track record is mixed.

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Turkey aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2053, a date chosen more for its symbolism  600 years after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople  than science. This year, it presented a new climate target that will see its emissions increase by around 16 percent until 2035. The country overtook Poland last year as Europes top coal user, and harbors ambitions of stepping up gas exploration to become a regional transit hub.

Australia had secured the backing of the U.K. and some European countries, as well as the Pacific region, with which it planned to co-host the summit.

But during a series of long meetings on Wednesday, Australia failed to persuade Turkey to back down.

Australia had been favored to host the talks in the city of Adelaide. But on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blinked, saying his country would not block Turkey as host country if Ankara were to prevail. His office later clarified the statement to indicate he meant that he expected Turkey to do the same if Australia won the competition.

But by then, news stories had circulated around the world that Australia had backed down.
Turkey will host next years UN climate summit, while Australia will take charge of leading the negotiations under an unusual compromise struck at the Cop30 talks in Brazil.

The agreement ends a two-year stand-off between the two countries, both of which had bid to host Cop31. It means the conference, scheduled for late 2026, will be held in the resort city of Antalya, with Australias climate minister Chris Bowen presiding over the negotiations.

Mr Bowen confirmed the arrangement on the sidelines of the Cop30 summit in Belem, saying he would hold the full powers of a COP president, including appointing co-facilitators, preparing draft texts and issuing the summits final decision.

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It would be great if Australia could have it all, but we cant have it all, he said. It was important to strike an agreement.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described the compromise as a big win for both Australia and Turkey, adding that the deal would allow Canberra to focus attention on Pacific island nations most at risk from climate change.

Australia had pitched its bid as a Pacific COP, designed to amplify the concerns of low-lying island states and climate-vulnerable communities. It has already spent about A$7m (3.6m) preparing for the event.

Activists participate in a demonstration against fossil fuels at the Cop30 UN Climate Summit (AP)

Turkey, meanwhile, said it would use the conference to promote solidarity between rich and developing countries. The Turkish government has not yet commented on the new arrangement.

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Environmental groups said the split arrangement was highly unusual. David Ritter, chief executive of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: Whatever the forum, whoever the president, the urgency and focus cannot change. Phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation must be at the core of the Cop31 agenda.

Analysts said the deal could ease the logistical and financial burden of hosting while giving both countries diplomatic prominence. David Dutton, a former senior climate diplomat now with the Lowy Institute, said it creates opportunities for Australia and the Pacific to do something meaningful with it.

Ethiopia was earlier confirmed as host for Cop32 in 2027, while India is among the nations bidding for the following years summit.

Additional reporting by agencies.
The COP31 climate meeting is now expected to be held in Turkey after Australia dropped its bid to host the annual event.

Under the UN rules, the right to host the COP in 2026 falls to a group of countries made up of Western Europe, Australia and others.

A consensus must be reached but neither country had been willing to concede. Australia has now agreed to support the Turkish bid in return for their minister chairing the talks following negotiations at COP30, currently being held in Brazil.

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This unusual arrangement has taken observers by surprise. It is normal for a COP president to be from the host country and how this new partnership will work in practice remains to be seen.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the compromise with Turkey an "outstanding result" in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), noting Pacific issues would be "front and centre".

He added that he had spoken to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji.

However, Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told the AFP news agency "we are all not happy. And disappointed it's ended up like this".

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Solomon Islands leader Jeremiah Manele earlier told the ABC he would be "disappointed" if Australia didn't secure the event.

Despite this, there will be relief among countries currently meeting at COP30 in the Brazilian city of Belem that a compromise has been reached as the lack of agreement on the venue was becoming an embarrassment for the UN.

Australia has pushed hard to have the climate summit in the city of Adelaide, arguing that they would co-host the meeting with Pacific island states who are seen as among the most vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels.

Turkey, which has proposed hosting COP31 in the city of Antalya, felt that they had a good claim to be the host country as they had stood aside in 2021 and allowed the UK to hold the meeting in Glasgow.

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If neither country was willing to compromise then the meeting would have been held in the German city of Bonn, the headquarters of the UN's climate body.

As a result of discussions at COP30, a compromise appears to have been reached.

This includes pre-COP meeting will be held on a Pacific island, while the main event is held in Turkey. Australia's climate minister Chris Bowen will be its president.

Australia's climate minister Chris Bowen will be the COP31 president [AFP via Getty Images]

"Obviously, it would be great if Australia could have it all, but we can't have it all," Mr Bowen told reporters outside the Australian delegation offices here in Belem.

"This process works on consensus, and consensus means if someone objected to our bid, it would go to Bonn."

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"That would mean 12 months with a lack of leadership, no COP president in place, no plan, that would be irresponsible for multilateralism in this challenging environment."

Mr Bowen believes having a COP president not from the host country will work and that he will have the considerable authority reserved for the president of these gatherings.

"As COP president of negotiations, I would have all the powers of the COP presidency to manage, to handle the negotiations, to appoint co-facilitators, to prepare draft text, to issue the cover decision," he said.

He also confirmed to the BBC that Turkey will also appoint a president who will run the venue, organise the meetings and schedules.

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Australia's climbdown will be embarrassing for the government of Mr Albanese, after lobbying long and hard to win support among the other nations in the Western Europe group.

The compromise will have to be ratified by more than 190 countries gathered here for COP30.

Given the difficulties in getting to this compromise, there are unlikely to be any objections.
Turkiye will host next years COP31 summit in the city of Antalya, ending a long standoff with Australia over the location of the top United Nations climate meeting.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday morning that Australia had reached an arrangement with Turkiye to host negotiations in the lead-up to the 2026 UN climate meeting along with Pacific nations while Turkiye will assume the presidency of the official meeting.

What weve come up with is a big win for both Australia and [Turkiye], Albanese told the Australian public broadcaster ABC Radio Perth.

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The announcement comes as this years COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belem is due to close on Friday.

Australia had been pushing to host COP31 next year as a Pacific COP alongside low-lying South Pacific nations, which are increasingly threatened by rising seas and climate-fuelled disasters.

Despite Australias efforts, Turkiye refused to back down in its bid to host the summit.

Turkiye had said that as an emerging economy, it would promote solidarity between rich and poor countries at its summit, which would have a more global rather than regional focus.

Turkiye will now have just 12 months to plan the meeting at the Antalya Expo Center due to the unusually long process to secure hosting duties and the lack of procedures in place to handle a situation in which two countries wanted to host at the same time.





The presidency of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change traditionally rotates among five regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe, and Western Europe and others.

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Australia and Turkiye both fit within the latter category of Western Europe and others, meaning that Australia will now have to wait another five years until it can bid to host the meeting again.

Ethiopian Minister for Planning and Development Fitsum Assefa Adela announced last week that her country had already secured the support of African negotiators to host COP32 in 2027.

Disappointed its ended up like this

Papua New Guinea (PNG) quickly voiced frustration with Australia for dropping its bid to cohost the COP with its Pacific island neighbours.

We are all not happy and disappointed its ended up like this, PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told the AFP news agency.

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What has COP achieved over the years? Nothing, Tkatchenko said. Its just a talk fest and doesnt hold the big polluters accountable.

Australian Senator Steph Hodgins-May from the Australian Greens party said Australias withdrawal from hosting the meeting reflected the current Labor governments continued coal and gas approvals as Australia continues to increase its exports of fossil fuels.

This is extremely disappointing, but it shows that the world recognises Australias significant role in making dangerous climate change worse, May said.

According to the International Energy Agency, both Australia and Turkiye are heavily dependent on coal, oil and gas for energy, but both countries have also been making progress in renewable energy.

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Australias federal Labor government had hoped to showcase renewable energy progress in the state of South Australia by hosting the conference in the states capital, Adelaide.

However, the proposal was complicated by the citys struggle to cope with a significant toxic algal bloom that has been taking place offshore for eight months.

Algal blooms are one of many complications caused by warming oceans, an aspect of climate change that climate scientists and other experts said can be improved only by rapidly reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Two Palestinian minors who entered Israel illegally from the West Bank were arrested yesterday by the Israeli Police on suspicion of vehicle theft.

Jerusalem District police officers arrested two Palestinian minors, aged 15 and 16, for their involvement in separate vehicle thefts, officials reported on Tuesday.

According to the police, the minors are West Bank residents who entered Israel illegally and stole several vehicles from Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem.

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In both cases, the suspects drove recklessly without a license, endangering other drivers. Police suspect that the pair wore kippahs to avoid detection.

A few days ago, the police emergency hotline received a report of a vehicle theft in Beit Shemesh. Station officers quickly arrived at the scene and located the vehicle as the suspect, a 15-year-old, was driving against the flow of traffic, endangering himself and others.

When the driver noticed the police, he began to flee until he hit police patrol cars. The officers arrested the suspect and seized a bag containing break-in tools, vehicle keys, a car computer, and a white kippah.

Police officers arrive at the scene in Tel Aviv where a 20-year-old was killed after being shot in the chest, November 8, 2025. ILLUSTRATIVE (credit: Via Maariv)

Police arrest Palestinian minors for stealing cars

The suspect was arrested and transferred to the Beit Shemesh station for investigation, where it was revealed that he was involved in six additional vehicle theft incidents in Beit Shemesh and the Jerusalem area.

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On Tuesday, the Jerusalem District Police Prosecution Unit filed a declaration against the suspect. His detention was extended until November 23, pending the filing of an indictment.

Within the past week, the police emergency hotline received another report about a stolen vehicle in the Jerusalem area. Beit Shemesh station officers located the vehicle near Hizma Square, traveling toward Highway 437. The suspect noticed the officers, quickly exited the vehicle, and tried to flee on foot, but was caught shortly thereafter.

The suspect, a 16-year-old minor from the West Bank without an entry permit to Israel, was arrested on the spot. He was wearing a black kippah. Police later discovered that he was underage and driving without a license.
By Jack Queen

(Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday halted for now President Donald Trumps deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C., dealing Trump a temporary legal setback to his efforts to send the military to American cities over the objections of local leaders.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to enforce the law in the nations capital without approval from its mayor.

Cobb paused her ruling until December 11 to allow the Trump administration to appeal.

(Reporting by Jack Queen)
Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump's deployment of 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Washington was illegal, saying the president lacks the authority to dispatch troops "for the deterrence of crime."

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb said that while Trump is the commander in chief, federal laws constrain his power to federalize and deploy those troops, particularly in Washington, which Congress controls.

"The Court rejects the Defendant's fly-by assertion of constitutional power, finding that such a broad reading of the President's Article II authority would erase Congress' role in governing the District and its National Guard," Cobb wrote in her 61-page ruling.

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Cobb also said that Trump also lacked authority to deploy out-of-state National Guard troops to Washington to assist in law enforcement.

Cobb's ruling will not take effect until Dec. 11, giving the Trump administration time to appeal. The Supreme Court is on the verge of issuing its own ruling on the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. Federal appeals courts are also considering National Guard troop deployments to Portland, Ore., and Los Angeles.

Trump has justified his troop deployments by claiming, without evidence, that large-scale violence and chaos demands the presence of national troops to protect federal functions. State and local leaders, as well as municipal law enforcement officers, have said they don't need federal help to protect their cities.
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who represents a large portion of western Palm Beach County in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been indicted on charges of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds and making illegal campaign contributions, according to the Department of Justice.

Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, was elected in a January 2022 special election following the death of Alcee Hastings on April 6, 2021.

According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, both of Miramar, worked through their family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021. In July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds, the indictment reads.

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The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to steal $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts in an effort to disguise its origin. Prosecutors say a large amount of the money was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormicks 2021 congressional campaign and for other personal uses.

In a statement released on her official website, Cherfilus-McCormick proclaimed her innocence.

"This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment  and I am innocent," she wrote. "The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.

I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents. "

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat who was elected who was elected in a January 2022 special election, following the death of Alcee Hastings on April 6, 2021.

The indictment added that Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, of Miramar, arranged additional contributions using straw donors, funneling other monies from the FEMA-funded COVID-19 contract to friends and relatives who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money.

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Cherfilus-McCormick also faces charges of conspiring to file a false federal tax return with her 2021 tax preparer, David K. Spencer.

She has long been under scrutiny for the alleged theft and campaign violations.

The House Ethics committee began an investigation nearly two years ago concerning the congresswoman's campaign finances along with other potential violations. In 2024, the U.S. House Committee on Ethics referred questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick broke campaign finance laws to an investigative subcommittee, extending the review.

According to the Nov. 19 indictment, those accused falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions in order to reduce her tax obligations.

How many years in prison could Cherfilus-McCormick face if convicted?

The District 20 congressional district

Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a justice department statement. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.

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If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison. Edwin Cherfilus faces up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years and Spencer up to 33 years.

The district is the only majority-Black district in Florida and Cherfilus-McCormick is the first Haitian-American woman elected to Congress from Florida.

2022 ELECTION: U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick keeps seat held by late Alcee Hastings

The district includes Palm Beach International Airport, Belle Glade, Canal Point, Haverhill, Pahokee, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach and Magonia Park, among areas in Palm Beach County. It also includes most of the majority-Black precincts in and around western and central Broward County.

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During remarks on Aug. 20 at Palm Beach State College near Lake Worth Beach, DeSantis mocked the shape of the district, which was crafted after the 1990 Census to increase the chances that a Black candidate could win there.

"It's the most irregularly shaped district on Florida's map," DeSantis said of District 20, whose boundaries bow out and squiggle to include the Glades, Mangonia Park and Riviera Beach before dipping down to encompass heavily Black portions of Broward County.

DeSantis could ask state legislators to change their boundaries, a boundary battle kicked off when President Donald Trump asked Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for a redistricting plan in that state to produce five additional GOP-friendly districts.

In 2022, Cherfilus-McCormick defeated a Hastings protege, then-Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, in the Democratic primary of a special election before cruising past Republican Jason Mariner in the general election. She then defeated Holness again in the Democratic primary of the regular election before easily beating a Republican opponent in the heavily-Democratic district.

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James Coleman is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at jcoleman@pbpost.com and follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @JimColeman11. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick accused of stealing millions in FEMA funds
A fire broke out inside the UN climate summit venue in Brazil on Thursday, burning through the roof and causing a panicked evacuation and the suspension of talks entering a crucial phase.

The blaze engulfed pavilions in the summit site in Belem and torched a hole through its fabric ceiling, sparking a rush for the exit as smoke filled the corridors amid cries of "fire!"

It was the third major incident since the COP30 negotiations started last week in the Amazon region, after Indigenous protesters stormed the venue and later blockaded the entrance in peaceful demonstration.

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Security responded "swiftly" and the blaze was controlled in roughly six minutes, COP30 hosts Brazil and United Nations Climate Change said in a joint statement.

The venue suffered "limited damage" from the fire but will reopen no sooner than 8:00 pm (2300 GMT) Thursday evening, UN Climate Change said.

Thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation, the statement added.

Firefighters and ambulances arrived with sirens blaring as acrid smoke billowed from the huge tents and permanent structures hosting tens of thousands of diplomats, journalists, and activists for the two-week event.

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- Shock and disbelief -

Kimberly Humphrey, an emergency medicine physician attending COP30 with Doctors for the Environment Australia, was in a meeting when she received alerts of a fire.

Outside she could "smell smoke and burning plastic. There was no alarms, there was no whistles... only people running and yelling and evacuating."

She found a medical center where people were being treated for shock and smoke inhalation, and started working with others to help those in need.

"It's not what you expect to happen when you are at a conference," she told AFP.

"Initially, there's a sense of disbelief...The first thing I thought was, 'Oh, this isn't real,'" Humphrey said.

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"It's really a combination of terror and not having a good emergency plan, not knowing where the exits are, but also what I need to do as a doctor and needing to help people, too."

The cause of the blaze was being investigated but could have been the result of a short circuit or other electrical malfunction, said Brazilian Tourism Minister Celso Sabino.

"This could have happened anywhere in the world," Sabino told reporters, sounding like he was on the defensive.

Early in the summit, UN climate chief Simon Stiell had complained to Brazil about security, sweltering conditions and faulty air-conditioning, and water leaks near light fittings during torrential tropical downpours.

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- Bad timing -

Two women who worked in a pavilion belonging to an international organization told AFP that the facilities had been fitted with makeshift electrical wiring.

There were exposed wires and water dripped from the roof onto their electrical panel, they said on condition of anonymity, adding that they reported the issues but to no avail.

"The operational difficulties just before the start of this COP could have led people to believe this type of incident might occur," a source close to the organization of the event told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Some delegates told AFP they were holding meetings virtually until formal negotiations could resume.

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The interruption comes at a crucial moment on the second-to-last day of the summit as ministers try to break a deadlock over fossil fuels, climate finance and trade measures.

"It will absolutely delay the process because this is like the crucial time, this the time when we have to decide on the process that started last week," Windyo Laksono, a member of the Indonesian delegation, told AFP.

"Some of us were still negotiating inside the room but due to the fire I think the process will stop for a while," he said.

The talks are stuck over a "roadmap" to transition away from fossil fuels proposed by host Brazil, concerns over weak emissions-reduction plans, finance for developing countries, and trade barriers.

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"The situation is volatile," said a negotiator from a developed country at the talks.

Earlier Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told negotiators "the world is watching" and urged them to reach an "ambitious compromise."

bur-np-lth/ia/dw
TITUSVILLE - Hundreds of people gathered at The Grove Church just after sundown Thursday, Nov. 20, to pay final tributes to Anna Kepner, amid heavy speculation about what led to the death of the 18-year-old aboard a cruise ship on Nov. 7.

The celebration of life ceremony came as intense scrutiny surrounds the family and the FBI continues its investigation into the death of the Temple Christian School senior, whose body was found during a cruise with family on the Port Miami-based Carnival Horizon.

Friends bring bundles of balloons and flowers to place on the car of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old Temple Christian School student who died aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. The cause of death was not immediately known, and the case is under investigation by the FBI.

Friends and family heard from Jeffrey Kepner, Annas grandfather, during the service. Mourners were also allowed to place blue thumbprints on a portrait of the one-time cheerleader for Titusville High School.

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A number of mourners expressed concern about what happened to the teen.

Yes, Id like to see justice, said Josh Tew of Cocoa. He and Anna Kepner had dated up until a few months ago, his family said.

The service came on the same day as a Brevard family judge heard a motion to keep the teens stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, from testifying in a separate custody hearing involving Anna Kepners 16-year-old stepbrother.

Charges could be pending against stepsibling: report

Earlier, before the service, Kepner, formerly Shauntel Hudson, appeared in a streamed court hearing to discuss her motion to postpone her appearance in a custodial proceeding involving her 16-year-old son. Kepner, who was divorced from the boys father in 2023, said in court filings earlier this week that she has been warned that her 16-year-old sons possible involvement in the death is being investigated and that charges could be pending.

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Court records show discussion that the boy was in Anna Kepners room during the familys trip on the Carnival Horizon. The boy is staying with a third party while the case remains under investigation. Mourners said that they did not see the boy with the family during Thursday nights service.

The Horizon returned to port on Nov. 8, with authorities removing Kepner's body from the ship, which carried at least 4,000 passengers. The FBI, which has maritime authority to investigate potential crimes on the high seas, has not filed any charges in the case.

The teens body was turned over to the Miami-Dade medical examiners office, where an autopsy is being carried out. The FBI, which by law shares jurisdiction with state law enforcement agencies involving maritime incidents, boarded the ship as part of its investigation.

J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Service for Florida teen who died on cruise ship draws family, friends
The Trump administrations all-encompassing focus on trade has taken Washingtons focus off other conflicts with China, from human rights to espionage  but two recent courthouse developments serve as a reminder that American companies remain targets.

Federal prosecutors in California indicted two Americans and two Chinese citizens for allegedly trying to smuggle $4 million worth of Nvidia chips and HPE supercomputers into mainland China. The indictment, reported by Court Watch on Wednesday, came out at roughly the same time that Nvidia released earnings. (Buried in there was a tweak that further obfuscates who is buying their chips. The company has redefined its revenue geography to base it on where an end-user is headquartered, rather than whatever region those chips are sent to.)

Meanwhile, jurors heard last week that a staffer forged New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls signature on invitations sent to Chinese dignitaries, at the same time the aides family was allegedly getting millions of dollars in contracts from Chinese handlers.
The U.S. feminist movements perpetual quest for gender equality has suffered notable setbacks during President Donald Trumps second term  including the dismantling of various nondiscrimination programs and the ouster of several high-ranking women in the military.

Yet strikingly, outspoken women from the Catholic Church and the ranks of conservative evangelicals are engaging with gusto in ongoing political and social debates even as their faiths maintain longstanding rules against women serving as priests or senior pastors. Many of these women see these ministry barriers as a nonissue.

In a Dallas suburb, more than 6,500 conservative Christian women attended an Oct. 11 conference organized by commentator Allie Beth Stuckey. Welcome to the fight, was her greeting.

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Ahead of the conference, Stuckey evoked the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying she had been inundated with messages from Christian women saying, Were done sitting on the sidelines of politics and culture.

Were not backing down; were doubling down, Stuckey declared. Were unapologetically saying no to the lies of feminism and progressivism and yes to Gods Word.

Some Catholic nuns are on the front lines

Among Catholic women, there is a different kind of passion exhibited by sisters from religious orders who are on the front lines of social-justice advocacy.

A striking example came in September after Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, praised Kirk as a modern-day St. Paul who was a worthy role model for young people.

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Leaders of the Sisters of Charity of New York, an order founded in 1809, issued a public rebuke.

What Cardinal Dolan may not have known is that many of Mr. Kirks words were marked by racist, homophobic, transphobic, and anti-immigrant rhetoric, by violent pro-gun advocacy, and by the promotion of Christian nationalism, the nuns said. These prejudicial words do not reflect the qualities of a saint.

In this moment, the nuns added, we reaffirm our mission: to walk with all people who are poor and marginalized, to welcome immigrants and refugees, to defend the dignity of LGBTQ+ persons, and to labor for peace in a world saturated with violence.

Another religious sister, Norma Pimentel of the Missionaries of Jesus, is a leading migrant-rights activist along the U.S.-Mexico border. She runs Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, including a respite center for beleaguered migrants in McAllen, Texas.

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At a recent forum in Washington, she recalled visiting immigrant families at a detention center in a terrible condition, and being moved to tears.

I saw Border Patrol agents looking at us, and they, too, were moved and were crying, she said. When I walked out of there, the officer turned to me and said, Thank you, sister, for helping us realize theyre human beings.

Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor in the theology department at Fordham University, praised Pimentels advocacy and the Sisters of Charity leaderships statement as the model of the way women show up in the public square.

Women religious are the face of the church, she said.

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Overall, Imperatori-Lee said she was disheartened by this moment of very serious backlash to the gains that women and other minorities have made. Yet she finds reasons to be encouraged.

A lot of undergrads are passionate about womens equality in the church, she said of Fordham, a Jesuit school now with a woman as its president for the first time.

Even if the headlines about our cultural backsliding are true, the on-the-ground activism that youre seeing among young people shows theyre are up to the task, she said.

Conservative evangelical women navigate a patriarchal doctrine

After the Catholic Church, the second largest denomination in the U.S. is the Southern Baptist Convention, whose evangelical doctrine espouses traditional gender roles at home and in the church. That includes barring women from being pastors, a belief that has put the SBC in the spotlight in recent years following high-profile ousting of churches that disobeyed the prohibition.

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But this doesnt mean Southern Baptist men are domineering nor that the women are doormats, said Susie Hawkins, a Bible teacher in Texas and wife of a former denominational leader.

Thats not what complementarianism is, said Hawkins, referring to the doctrine that men and women have distinct God-given roles. The women I know have the freedom to speak their mind to their husbands, and to work through problems in situations with them, within certain boundaries.

Many embrace being wives, mothers and women in the church, said Hawkins, who has watched Erika Kirk, the wife of the late Charlie Kirk, publicly demonstrate that same satisfaction and joy.

I think this is really, really important for Christian women, said Hawkins. She exemplifies a Christian wife and mom who is not ashamed of her love for her husband and her desire to serve him and love him and their kids.

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Hawkins predicts Erika Kirk, now head of her husband's Turning Point USA, will be influential: I think her voice  it will be heard from this point on.

Stuckey, who grew up Southern Baptist, recently addressed women's roles in church and society on her Relatable podcast, following online blowback from men on the right for giving a speech at a Turning Point college event. Stuckey reiterated her belief that women should not be pastors nor preach from the pulpit on Sundays, and said she has turned down opportunities because of it.

A gentle and quiet spirit is something that women are told that we should have in Scripture, and we should. But that does not mean silence, she said. Women are also called to raise a voice and to be a bastion and refuge of clarity and courage.

Most Southern Baptist women embrace accepted callings in the church, including in womens and childrens ministry, said Hawkins, noting a special commissioning service at First Baptist Church of Dallas celebrating these roles.

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I just dont think you see a lot of malcontent women complaining about not being able to be a pastor, she said.

The Texas megachurch, which upholds that only men can serve as senior pastor, honored 13 women, said senior pastor, the Rev. Robert Jeffress.

Instead of focusing on the one ministry women are prohibited from doing (senior pastor) we wanted to recognize and celebrate all the things that women can do in the church, Jeffress said via email.

Hawkins has encountered a few women who felt called to off-limits roles in Southern Baptist churches. She was straightforward with them.

Go do what Gods called you to do, but were not the denomination for you. Youre just going to get frustrated here. These boundaries were established a long time ago, so go where you can be happy, said Hawkins.

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Advocates of women's ordination vow to persist

Long-established boundaries remain in the Catholic Church as well.

As Pope Leo XIV  the first American Pope  settles into his papacy, he has made clear he has no immediate interest in advocating for women to be able to serve as deacons, let alone to be ordained as priests.

Yet women continue to serve in high-level administrative jobs at the Vatican and at Catholic institutions in the U.S., such as Catholic Charities and the Catholic Health Association.

Within the Catholic Church when we look only at priesthood, we fail to look at the primary mission of the church  its education, health care, social service agencies, said Susan Timoney, a professor of pastoral studies at The Catholic University of America.

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We need to tell that part of the story better, Timoney said.

The largest U.S. organization working to open the priesthood to women is the Womens Ordination Conference, which will mark its 50th anniversary in late November.

Its executive director, Kate McElwee, said she is alarmed by anti-women rhetoric and policies being pushed out all over the globe including in the U.S. She wants her group to function as a Ministry of Irritation, making our cause as bold and loud and creative as possible.

As things get more polarized, were seeing more people find their courage in this moment, she said, citing the Sisters of Charity as an example. As feminism is under attack more broadly, our movement will become a more important symbol of resistance.

___

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.
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Federal prosecutors in Maryland are scrutinizing the conduct of two allies of U.S. President Donald Trump in their investigation of Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, according to a document reviewed by Reuters and two sources briefed on the matter.

The department has asked a witness in the Schiff case for any communications and documents involving William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or any people acting at his behest, as well as anyone claiming to be working for the Justice Department and DOJ official Ed Martin, according to a subpoena reviewed by Reuters.

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Martin, the department's pardon attorney, was previously tapped by Attorney General Pam Bondi to serve as a special assistant U.S. attorney to help investigate mortgage fraud by public officials.

Pulte has made several mortgage fraud referrals to the Justice Department this year. In addition to Schiff, he also asked the Justice Department to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook. James has since been charged with bank fraud, and has pleaded not guilty.

The scrutiny by federal prosecutors of Pulte and Martin's involvement in the Schiff referral and subsequent investigation was first reported by MS Now.

Pulte and the FHFA did not respond immediately to Reuters' requests for comment. Martin and a spokesperson for Martin did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. A Schiff spokesman declined to comment.

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The subpoena, sent to Christine Bish, asked her to provide all documentation and communications referenced in an October 2025 interview with federal agents regarding the Schiff investigation, specifically focusing on any individuals or communications coming from Pulte and Martin, or people claiming to be working for them.

The subpoena asked her to appear on Thursday before a grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland. Two sources briefed on the matter confirmed to Reuters that a witness in the investigation did appear.

Bish could not be reached immediately for comment. She told CNN on Thursday that she went before the grand jury expecting to be asked about the investigation into Schiff, but said that prosecutors "seemed more concerned" about her communications with Pulte and Ed Martin.

FHFA director Pulte has emerged as a top Trump ally by targeting perceived foes of the president with claims of mortgage fraud. But his recent actions and the ouster of the agency's watchdog have brought criticism and detractors, on Capitol Hill and at the White House.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington, additional reporting by Andrew Goudsward and Maiya Keidan, Writing by Chris Prentice; editing by Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis)
The US health agency has updated its official website to reflect the vaccine skepticism of a senior Trump official, a move that medical and public health experts widely condemned.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Wednesday revised its site with language that undermines its previous, scientifically grounded position that immunizations do not cause the developmental disability autism.

Years of research demonstrate that there is no causal link between vaccinations and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.

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But Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the nation's health chief, has long voiced anti-vaccine rhetoric and inaccurate claims connecting the two.

The CDC webpage on vaccines and autism had previously stated that studies show "no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism spectrum disorder," citing a body of high-quality research including a 2013 study from the agency itself.

That text reflects medical and scientific consensus, including guidance from the World Health Organization.

But the changes rebuke it. The website now asserts that "the claim 'vaccines do not cause autism' is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism."

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The revised language accuses health authorities of having "ignored" research supporting a link and said the US health department "has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism."

The notion linking the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism stems from a flawed study published in 1998, which was retracted for including falsified data. Its results have not been replicated and are refuted by subsequent research.

Amid the rewrite, one header remained: "Vaccines do not cause Autism."

But a footnote explains that the line wasn't cut due to an agreement Kennedy had made with the Republican lawmaker Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor who chairs the Senate committee focused on health.

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- 'Do not trust this agency' -

The CDC website edits were met with anger, fear and concern by career scientists and other public health figures who have spent years combatting such false information, including from within the agency.

"Staff are very worried and upset about everything happening surrounding vaccines," a CDC union member, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, told AFP.

Helen Tager-Flusberg, director of Boston University's Center for Autism Research Excellence, called the changes "terribly disturbing."

"I feel like we are going back to the Dark Ages. I feel like we are undermining science by tying it to people's political agendas," the psychologist told AFP.

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"We're going to see a significant increase in these childhood diseases."

Demetre Daskalakis -- the former director of the agency's arm focused on immunization and respiratory diseases, who resigned earlier this year in protest -- was unequivocal: "DO NOT TRUST THIS AGENCY."

Susan Kressly, president of American Academy of Pediatrics, said "we call on the CDC to stop wasting government resources to amplify false claims that sow doubt in one of the best tools we have to keep children healthy and thriving: routine immunizations."

Pointing to "40 high-quality studies," she said that "the conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There's no link between vaccines and autism."

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The anti-vaccine advocacy group Children's Health Defense meanwhile praised the revisions. The organization's CEO Mary Holland said "thank you, Bobby" on X.

Kennedy is the founder and former chairman of the nonprofit.

mdo-cha/ksb
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday it has found evidence of fatigue cracks in a key part in a crashed UPS MD-11 cargo jet that killed 14 people in Louisville, Kentucky.

The bulk of the left engine pylon, a structural component connecting the aircraft engine to the wing or fuselage, was still attached to the left engine when it separated from the wing. The NTSB said it found evidence of fatigue cracks in the left pylon aft mount lug. The Federal Aviation Administration on Nov. 8 prohibiting MD-11 planes from flying as work continues to establish new engine inspection procedures.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)
By Chris Prentice

(Reuters) -The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday said it has dropped its closely watched litigation against SolarWinds Corp and its top security officer that was tied to a Russia-linked cyberattack involving the software firm.

The landmark case, which SEC brought in late 2023, rattled the cybersecurity community and later faced scrutiny from a judge who dismissed many of the charges. The SEC had said SolarWinds and its chief information security officer had violated U.S. securities laws by concealing vulnerabilities in connection with the high-profile 2020 Sunburst cyber attack.

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The SEC, SolarWinds and CISO Timothy Brown filed a motion on Thursday to dismiss the case with prejudice, according to a joint stipulation posted on the agency's website. In July, the parties asked for a pause in court proceedings while they negotiated a resolution.

A SolarWinds spokesperson said in a statement the firm is "clearly delighted" with the dismissal.

"We hope this resolution eases the concerns many CISOs have voiced about this case and the potential chilling effect it threatened to impose on their work," the spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Chris Prentice; Additional reporting by AJ Vincens in Detroit; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
A year after President Donald Trump won the presidential election, his approval rating has dropped among American voters, according to a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll.

Voters in Utah, however, are more likely to approve of Trumps job performance so far during his second term.

Among the major domestic initiatives undertaken by the president since returning to the White House is his move to deploy the National Guard to fight crime in American cities and to back up Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as they work to carry out the presidents deportation agenda.

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So far the president has sent members of the National Guard to several cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Portland, Memphis and Chicago.

Trump has faced pushback in most cases from local leaders, who say hes overstepping his executive authority and the states powers to deploy those troops.

In recent state and national Deseret News/Hinckley Institute polls, conducted by Morning Consult, Americans and Utahns weighed in on when the president should deploy the National Guard.

DN-Trumpapprovalpoll

Trumps job approval steady in Utah

Nationally, 43% of voters approve of Trumps job so far while 52% say they disapprove of his job performance.

In Utah, however, the president earns more support with 52% who say they do approve of his performance, while 45% say they disapprove. Its a similar number to last month, when 51% of Utahns approved of Trumps job performance.

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Hinckley Institute Director Jason Perry said Trumps approval rating in Utah is a pretty clear snapshot of the states political landscape.

Utah is a solidly red state, so Republican leaders often benefit from a higher baseline of support than they get nationally. And with someone as well known as Trump, opinions are fairly fixed, Perry said.

After receiving a post-election bump in approval ratings, Trumps numbers have leveled off and stayed remarkably stable, Perry said. The difference between Utahns and the national number shows just how consistently conservative Utahs electorate is and how durable those attitudes tend to be, he added.

The two surveys found that male voters approve of Trumps job performance more than female voters do, but in Utah, support among men is greater than men nationwide. The results follow partisan divides, as Republican voters are far more likely to approve of the presidents job performance than independent and Democratic voters, both in Utah and across the country.

The National Guard and Trump

Trump for months has faced issues implementing his plan to send the National Guard into American cities. Earlier this year, he announced that Memphis would be the latest U.S. city to see a law enforcement presence, making it the first city in a Republican-led state to accept the offer after Gov. Bill Lee worked with the president to send the troops.

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As of Monday, a county chancellor in Tennessee ordered the National Guard to withdraw from Memphis, saying the presence in the city goes against the states constitution, which only allows the governor to deploy guard members in cases of rebellion or invasion.

A member of the National Guard stands watch on Beale Street, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. | George Walker IV

When should the president be able to deploy the National Guard?

In the national and Utah Deseret News/Hinckley Institute polls, respondents were asked in which cases a president should be able to mobilize a states National Guard without the governors approval.

Utahns generally agree with national respondents about the mobilization of troops in U.S. cities.

DN-Trumpguardpoll

For example, 25% of respondents in the national survey said that a president should be able to mobilize troops to respond to protests in U.S. cities without the approval of the states governor. In Utah, 24% of respondents said the same.

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While the National Guard responding to protests was not overwhelmingly supported by Utahns (76%) or the national sample (75%), more people supported troops being deployed by the president if they were responding to riots in American cities. Nationally, 40% of people said a president can bypass a governor to send troops to respond to riots and 46% of Utahns said the same.

The idea of a president bypassing a governor to send the National Guard to assist in immigration deportations was less popular among Utahns and most Americans. Just 31% of national respondents selected the option while 34% of Utahns agreed.

The scenario that received the most support in either survey was the National Guard assisting in natural disasters. Nationally, 54% of respondents said a president could overrule a state governors wishes and deploy troops to aid in a natural disaster. In Utah, there was even more support, with 62% of Utahns expressing support for the idea.

Just 24% of all respondents and 23% of Utahns said there is never a reason a president should mobilize the National Guard without the approval of the governor.

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Like Trumps approval rating, the results of the National Guard questions show that men are more in favor of the president skipping governor approval to send troops into states for various reasons, while women were less likely to choose options besides natural disaster aid.

In every instance, Republican respondents were more likely than independents and Democrats to support a president sending the National Guard into states without a governors approval.

Perry noted that Utahns are in line with the rest of the country about how they feel about the deployment of the National Guard.

People are generally comfortable with the president deploying the National Guard, but it really depends on the purpose, he said. Natural disasters get the most support because voters see the Guard as helping communities in a real crisis.

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Support drops when the mission shifts toward enforcement, like responding to protests or riots, and that had declined since July, Perry continued. It appears Americans are at ease with the Guard in an assistance role, but far more cautious when it starts to look like law enforcement.

The results show a change in support from a previous Deseret News/Hinckley Institute survey from earlier this year. Shortly after Trump sent the National Guard into Los Angeles to quell anti-immigration enforcement protests, despite pushback from California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, half of all Utahns who were surveyed supported the measure.

The July survey found that 44% strongly approved of Trumps decision to mobilize the California National Guard for the Los Angeles protests and 6% somewhat approved of the decision. The high support from Utahns may have been due to several factors, including the number of people in the state who support Trumps immigration enforcement efforts. The change in support over the last few months could signal that Utahns, and other Americans, may have been supportive of Trumps mobilization at first, but not as much anymore.

The national survey was conducted Nov. 7-13 among a sample of 1,745 registered voters. It has a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points. The Utah survey was conducted Nov. 8-12 among 607 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.
A Venezuelan national is facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting federal officers while resisting arrest in Columbus earlier this month.

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Hector Velandia-Anaya, 18, allegedly attempted to run from immigration officials on Nov. 2, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

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According to court documents, immigration officers pulled over Velandia-Anaya, who initially turned off his cars ignition. When asked to step out of the vehicle, he allegedly closed the drivers door and restarted the vehicle to drive away.

One officer re-opened the drivers side door to try to prevent Velandia-Anaya from driving away, while another officer partially climbed into the passenger seat to try to stop him from putting the vehicle into drive. Velandia-Anaya allegedly accelerated the vehicle with the officers partially inside, dragging them along.

Officers wrestled with Velandia-Anayas hand to regain control of the gear shifter, stop the vehicle, and ultimately arrest him.

Velandia-Anaya is facing two counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says her country is standing at the "threshold of freedom," as her newly released "freedom manifesto" envisions a future without the Maduro regime.

"We are at a turning point in the history of Venezuela" Machado said in a "Fox & Friends Weekend" exclusive premiering this weekend.

"These are the values that are shared by our Venezuelan people. We have been so hurt in our soul, in our families, in our values, in our land. And the country has come back together and is rising with pride."

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Machado released the four-page manifesto on Tuesday, though the document is dated Nov. 9. Its contents spell out democratic pillars she says are integral to all Venezuelans, including free speech, assembly and voting rights.

Washingtons Shadow War: How Strikes On Cartels Threaten To Collapse Maduros Regime

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures during an anti-government protest on Jan. 9 in Caracas, Venezuela.

"We, the citizens of Venezuela, are not appealing to power or privilege, but rather to the eternal rights that have been bestowed upon every human. It is from this foundation that truth is born. No ruler, faction, or tyrannical force has the ability to dictate to individuals what is theirs by right: freedom," it reads in part.

Read On The Fox News App

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"Fox & Friends Weekend" co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy, who interviewed Machado, pointed to the development as evidence that the people of Venezuela "must see light at the end of the tunnel."

"Back in 1999, this country gave away their freedom in much the way that I think New York City is doing," Campos-Duffy said Wednesday while previewing the interview on "Fox & Friends."

Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Corina Machado Dedicates Award To Trump For 'Decisive Support'

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro parades in a military vehicle during Independence Day celebrations in Caracas on July 5, 2024.

"They voted in socialists, and this has been the result: theyve lost their freedom and their economic power."

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Campos-Duffy noted that Venezuela was once "the most economically rich country in the hemisphere" and "the envy of all the other Latin American countries."

"Look at them now," she continued. "I think theyre seeing this giant armada off the coast of Venezuela. They're seeing the economic pressure being placed on Maduro, and theyre signaling, to their people and to the world, [that] 'We are ready for a peaceful transfer of power. We know how to run a democracy. We've got this blueprint for a constitution.'"

She added that, unlike other nations where the U.S. has played a direct role in regime change, Venezuela "doesnt need to be stood up economically," adding that they have all the resources necessary to thrive, but the current administration has misused them.

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Machado said Venezuelans are united around the principles in the "freedom manifesto," telling Campos-Duffy, "We will see an orderly and peaceful transition, so Venezuela turns into the greatest ally of Western democracies in this region, and that will happen very soon."

Campos-Duffy's full interview with Maria Corina Machado airs this weekend on "Fox & Friends."





Original article source: Venezuelan opposition leader says country at 'threshold of freedom' as new manifesto envisions regime change
A wall advertisement for the Army ROTC listing Army values (Photo taken by Maxwell Walpole/VCU Capital News Service)

By Maxwell Walpole/VCU Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va.  Advocates for womens rights, including a state senator, are pushing back against what they deem as misogynistic changes to the fitness standards of the U.S. military.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced in late September that every job in all branches of the military would be held to the highest male standard of physical fitness.

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These changes are part of a shift in the culture of the restyled U.S. Department of Defense, which the Trump administration prefers to call the U.S. Department of War. Congress has not acted to officially change the name yet.

Hegseth said that updating fitness standards was necessary to prepare the military to face gathering enemies and growing threats, according to the published transcript.

Hegseth expressed his respect for the contributions of female troops and said the new fitness standards are not intended to exclude women from certain roles. But, if that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it, he said.

The Army adopted a revised fitness test, the Army Fitness Test (AFT), in June, which is set to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, according to the U.S. Army website. The Air Force instituted a similar new fitness program which will also start on that date, according to the Air Force website.

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Kobby Hoffman, president of the Virginia chapter of the National Organization for Women, said she is old enough to remember when women were unable to have credit cards.

Opportunities and rights for women expanded in her lifetime, but the leap forward in gender equality has faced pushback, according to Hoffman.

History shows that yes, when individuals get more rights, more opportunities, that there usually is a backlash, Hoffman said. And this is one big backlash. We always have to be vigilant because laws slip and slide every time a legislature meets.

If women cannot be on the front line, they may not move up as easily through the military ranks, Hoffman said.

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My family thats in the military, its more than just their upper body strength, Hoffman said. Its about strategic thinking, leadership, diplomacy and avoiding war, respecting other human beings.

Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, served in her high schools Junior ROTC and was among the first women to graduate from the Virginia Military Institute.

Hegseths speech was intentionally misogynistic and part of a wider culture war the Trump administration is waging against women, Foy said. She predicts this will be costly for Americas national security and reputation.

I think its ironic that we have the least qualified person ever for defense secretary has the gall to question the qualifications of women who have actually met and oftentimes who have exceeded the standards for their job, Foy said.

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Foy noted that women still often have to be twice as good to get half as far.

I think that that speech was very disrespectful to every person who wears and has worn a uniform, Foy said.

Foy is using her influence as a politician to combat gender inequality. She is pushing for the U.S. National Archives to recognize Virginia as the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which would add a rule to the U.S. Constitution making discrimination based on gender illegal.

I also think we just have to continue to use our platform to promote the fact that when you have female soldiers who have attained Ranger status, theyve done that by meeting the same standards as men, Foy said.

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Foy urged women not to give up hope and to fight for equality, even if it feels disheartening to see constitutional rights eroded and civil liberties undermined.

But at the end of the day, as long as there is forward momentum, then we are winning, Foy said. We are making a change and the world is ever evolving and that isnt going to stop with this administration, as long as we continue to keep our eye on the ball. And the goal is full equality.

Army ROTC officials declined to comment, despite attempts made in person and via email.

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Although Pakistan has conducted several missile tests in 2025, images and clips of a swirl of clouds in the sky circulating in social media posts in late October and November do not show the South Asian country launching a weapon. The Pakistan Meteorological Department identified the images as a lenticular cloud formation observed in the early morning of October 28 over the eastern Quetta city. The last reported missile test was held in September.

"Breaking news: Pakistan successfully test fired its first hypersonic missile after Fajar (pre-dawn) prayers in the morning from the coastal area of Balochistan," reads an Urdu-language Facebook post on October 28, 2025.

The post includes a video of a circular cloud formation that appears to be lit up.

Screenshot of the false Facebook post taken on November 13, 2025 with a red X added by AFP

The same clip was shared on X alongside similar claims, while other posts circulated different images of the cloud formation on Threads and TikTok in late October and on Facebook in early November falsely linking them to a purported missile launch.

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Although Pakistan has reportedly test-launched missiles three times in 2025, there are no official reports of a missile being tested in October (archived link).

The latest training launch of the "newly-inducted" and "indigenously-developed" Fatah-4 Ground Launched Cruise Missile with a range of 750 kilometres (466 miles) was carried out on September 30 (archived link).

In an X post on October 28, the Pakistan Meteorological Department shared three similar photos showing the formation in the sky, and said it showed a "rare lenticular cloud formation" over the eastern city of Quetta observed the same day (archived link).

"The cloud appeared before sunrise, persisted for approx. 20 minutes, and dissipated just prior to sunrise," the post said, but makes no reference to the false posts linking the formation to a missile test.

Screenshot comparison between the false post (left) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department's post on X

The National Taiwan University's Chen Jen-ping, who studies atmospheric sciences, also told AFP in an email on November 20 that the main cloud structure in the picture resembles a lenticular cloud (archived link).

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He went on to say the bright wiggling streaks under the cloud could be the edges of another lenticular cloud layer, or the trails from a fast-moving object such as aircraft condensation or -- in a "more unusual scenario" -- those from a malfunctioning rocket or missile.

According to the UK Met Office website, lenticular clouds "form when the air is stable and winds blow across hills and mountains from the same or similar direction at different heights" through the lowest layer of the atmosphere (archived link).

Lenticular is derived from Latin terminology altocumulus lenticularis which translates to "like a lens", and the flying saucer shape of these clouds make them the most common explanation for UFO sightings across the world, it said.

AFP has previously debunked false posts linking lenticular clouds to earthquakes.
A group of Afghan nationals with approved resettlement applications arrived in Germany on Thursday, in the sixth cohort to depart Pakistan since a new German government took office in May.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative-led coalition suspended a resettlement programme for particularly vulnerable Afghans shortly after entering office as part of a wider crackdown on migration.

However, some Afghans have successfully fought the suspension in court and managed to travel to Germany, with a total of 52 people due to arrive on Thursday at airports in Berlin and Hannover.

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The Berlin-bound plane landed in the German capital in the middle of the day, dpa learnt.

Around 1,900 Afghans have been stranded in Islamabad for months or years, waiting for their chance to leave under the German resettlement scheme.

Officials are reportedly considering chartering flights, as was done under the previous government, to bring people to Germany.

The urgency stems from Pakistan's plan to deport Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan from next year, even those with German resettlement approval. No dates for potential charter flights have been set.

The resettlment programme which was suspended by the government had covered former local staff of German institutions, their relatives and others fearing persecution by the Taliban, such as lawyers and journalists.

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Some Afghans are still being granted visas despite the suspension, after successfully suing in German courts to enforce their right to entry.

The German government recently offered some Afghans in federal resettlement procedures financial compensation if they withdrew from the programme, but the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday only 10% of those contacted, or 62 people, had accepted the offer so far.

Some recipients criticized the proposal, saying it is hurtful to be asked to "sell" their safety and emphasizing their years of collaboration and service alongside Germany.
The welcome screen for the OpenAI ChatGPT app is displayed on a laptop screen in a photo illustration. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images.)

Washington state lawmakers next year are set to again discuss whether public sector unions can bargain over their employers adoption of artificial intelligence technology.

House Bill 1622 looks to require government employers to bargain with unions over the use of the technology if it affects wages or worker performance evaluations.

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This past session, the bill passed the House mostly along party lines, with Democratic support, before stalling in the Senate.

Opponents, including business groups and city officials, argued the measure would skew the balance of power between employees and managers too far toward workers. They also said the mandate could delay workplace innovation.

With hopes of getting it over the finish line in 2026, the bills lead sponsor, Rep. Lisa Parshley, D-Olympia, brought the idea to the states artificial intelligence task force on Thursday. The Legislature created the task force in 2024.

Public sector bargaining covers wages, hours and working conditions and agencies are already required to bargain any change that touches those areas, but without legislation, that bargaining happens after implementation, said Washington State Labor Council President April Sims. With legislation like House Bill 1622, it would happen before.

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A state law passed in 2002 prohibits bargaining over technology for classified employees of state agencies and higher education institutions.

The biggest technology decisions made by management was, what kind of desktop, what kind of fax, what kind of phone, Parshley said of the era when that law took effect. Is that fair when we have a technology that now will actually impact our workers in ways that we have not even begun to realize?

A separate statute governing workers at cities, counties and other agencies, on the other hand, requires bargaining over technology if it affects issues like wages, hours or working conditions.

Many workers are concerned about what the rapid rise of artificial intelligence means for their job security.

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A Pew Research Center survey conducted late last year reported over half of workers are worried about the future impact of AI on the workplace and about one-third think it will lead to fewer jobs. About one-in-six workers said AI was already doing some of their work.

Maryland, for example, is partnering with AI company Anthropic to help residents apply for food aid, Medicaid and other social welfare programs.

In early 2024, then-Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order outlining a future for state governments use of generative artificial intelligence. It noted that the state seeks to harness the potential of generative AI in an ethical and equitable way for the benefit of the state government workforce.

In line with that guidance, a September directive from the states Office of Financial Management requires giving union-represented state employees six months notice of any use of generative AI if it will result in a consequential change in employee wages, hours, or working conditions. Under the memo, unions can file a demand to bargain over using the technology.

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Including workers at the beginning is not a courtesy. It is a practical necessity, Sims said. It identifies risk. It ensures human oversight where it is needed, and it builds trust among staff, who will ultimately have to operate, troubleshoot and rely on these systems.

The memo also mandates human review for such systems when theyre used for employment-related decisions.

Parshley called the directive an excellent first step. But she says her proposed law would allow future administrations to be held accountable by codifying the order in law.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an executive order directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to sue states that pass regulations on AI. But its unclear if that would cover potential laws like this one, since it doesnt directly regulate the technology itself.

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Its the latest salvo in the debate over a federal versus state approach to guardrails on the technology. In the debate over Trumps signature tax cut and spending law over the summer, Congress considered putting a moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence regulations. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., led the charge to axe that provision from the final law.

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One potential measure requested by state Attorney General Nick Brown could put Washington in the Trump administrations crosshairs.

Senate Bill 5708 looks to protect children from artificial intelligence-fed social media applications. This year, the legislation passed the Senate before stalling in the House. It can come back in 2026.

Parshley noted she is part of a new workgroup in the Legislature focused on AI so that we can participate in this great debate.
Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A cashier at a Family Dollar store in Pennsylvania was in for a surprise when a panicked 11-year-old boy ran in through the front doors, pursued by a bear.

Cole Frazee said he was outside the Family Dollar store in Markleysburg while waiting for his father to finish shopping when he spotted the bruin.

"I was like, 'I'm probably going to get eaten by a bear,'" Frazee told KDKA-TV. "When it runs after me, I turn around, I run in the store, I'm screaming and stuff. The thing was like a foot and a half away from me. I took a left and the bear went straight."

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Frazee and the store's cashier jumped up onto a counter to keep watch on the bear's movements.

"She grabbed her coat, the keys and the phone and we ran out of there. When we ran out of there, we all got in the car," Frazee said.

Surveillance footage shows the bear climbing atop the same counter Frazee had been occupying just moments earlier. The bear finally left the store on its own accord after about 10 minutes.

A Family Dollar employee said there was no major damage to the store, and no one was injured during the incident.

"It was definitely a crazy experience," Frazee said.
NATO forces are training to use a cheap intercepter drone that has already proven itself in Ukraine.

Poland and Romania are deploying the Merops system in response to recent Russian drone incursions.

Business Insider watched soldiers train on Merops this week and learned what it can and can't do.

NOWA DEBA, Poland  Proven in the skies above Ukraine, a cheap drone-killer that has logged nearly 2,000 Russian intercepts is now in the hands of Western troops.

Poland and Romania have purchased and are deploying the Merops system to better protect Eastern European airspace after a series of Russian drone incursions a couple of months ago, wake-up calls that left NATO allies scrambling to field low-cost air defenses.

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This week, Business Insider observed US, Polish, and Romanian forces training on the American-made counter-drone system, which launches an interceptor drone called the "Surveyor" to take down enemy threats by slamming into them or exploding nearby.

At a training range in southeastern Poland, US military officials said that Merops is designed to intercept both reconnaissance and strike drones, including the newer and faster variants powered by jet engines.

"This system right here is very reliable," American Army Sgt. Riley Hiner, an interceptor pilot who has helped train the NATO soldiers, told Business Insider.

However, while the Merops system has a record of success in combat, it's not without its limitations.

A Polish soldier prepares to launch the Surveryor interceptor drone from the bed of a pickup truck. Jake Epstein/Business Insider

What is Merops?

Interceptor drones have emerged as one of Ukraine's top air defense tools in recent months, allowing it to hunt and destroy large numbers of cheap Russian Shahed-style drones at a relatively low cost per engagement.

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Merops, developed by the American initiative Project Eagle, is one of many counter-drone systems that Ukraine has been using.

Ukraine's defense industry is producing hundreds of interceptor drones each month, and Western military leaders seeking to procure cheaper air defense systems to match the growing threat that drones pose to Europe are taking note of their success.

Interest turned to urgency in September after Russian drones violated Polish airspace. NATO fighter jets fired expensive air-to-air missiles to shoot down weapons worth a fraction of their cost.

Poland and Romania, the latter of which faced its own Russian drone incursion just a few days later, decided to procure and deploy Merops as part of a new NATO initiative to defend the alliance's Eastern edge against potential future attacks.

A US soldier holding the Surveyor interceptor. Jake Epstein/Business Insider

US Army Brig. Gen. Curtis King, the head of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, described the counter-drone system as "very lethal," "very effective," and also "cost-effective."

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Merops consists of a ground control station, the Surveyor interceptor, and launch platforms. Operated by a four-person crew consisting of a commander, a pilot, and two technicians, it can be deployed at a fixed location or on the move, making it a flexible asset.

Business Insider watched Polish, Romanian, and American troops work with the Merops system on Tuesday as the soldiers were nearing the end of their two-week training course. King, speaking to reporters, said the system is user-friendly, so soldiers can quickly learn how to operate it.

US Army Europe and Africa said the Merops training reflects efforts by Poland and Romania to quickly field proven battlefield systems and strengthen NATO's new Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, which aims to protect the alliance with a mix of low-cost drones and layered defenses.

What threats can it hit?

During a demonstration, Polish soldiers launched the Surveyor from the bed of a pickup truck. The interceptor drone attempted to score a direct hit on its target  a drone mimicking a Shahed  but after several attempts and near misses, it deployed a parachute and floated down to the ground.

The Surveyor interceptor drone costs $15,000 apiece. Jake Epstein/Business Insider

The parachute feature allows troops to reuse the Surveyor, ultimately saving money in the training cycle.

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US military officials said that the Surveyor drone was unarmed during Tuesday's demonstrations, but under real combat conditions, it would carry a small warhead that could destroy a hostile drone by exploding next to it rather than needing to score a direct hit.

The propeller-powered Surveyor interceptor drone can be piloted remotely or operate autonomously, using radio frequencies, thermal signatures, or radar sensors to track its target. It is capable of reaching speeds over 175 miles per hour and is resistant to electronic warfare, which has become an ever-present threat to drone operations in Ukraine.

Military officials said the Surveyor is designed to defeat high-flying one-way attack drones, such as the notorious Iranian-designed Shahed, as well as reconnaissance drones. Ukraine has already used it to record more than 1,900 successful intercepts in combat.

They emphasized that the Surveyor interceptor can also take down jet-powered drones, which travel faster than those powered by propellers. Russia began fielding these advanced variants in combat earlier this year.

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Hiner, the American pilot, said that Merops has about a 95% success rate, especially when intercepting Shahed-type drones. "I think as mobile as it is, and as versatile as it is, it's very easy to use," he added.

The Surveyor can be launched from trucks or ground stations, making it a flexible option. Jake Epstein/Business Insider

What are the limitations?

Merops isn't the end-all counter-drone defense. It's built for a specific threat, not all drone threats. For instance, it would likely struggle against low-flying first-person-view (FPV) drones given their size and profile, Hiner said.

Most FPV drones are small quadcopters connected to pilots via radio frequency signal or fiber-optic cables. These drones often carry small explosive payloads and can deliver precision strikes for just a few hundred dollars. They dominate the battlefield in Ukraine.

Merops is built for bigger one-way attack and reconnaissance drones. With its $15,000 Surveyor interceptor, it's designed to be much less expensive than the threat it's hunting. Older Shahed variants, for example, are estimated to be worth $35,000 apiece. Its deployment in NATO gives the alliance a new capability that it previously lacked.

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Military officials hope that Merops will also provide NATO with a cheaper alternative to having to use fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, for drone defense in Eastern Europe.

"That's our major objective," King said. "We have got to find lower costs  both sensors and effectors."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nov. 20MORA  A stack of empty wooden pallets sat on a trailer outside the Mora County Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon when Orlando Martinez came looking for water. Only a half package of water remained from bottles donated at the start of the week.

A few minutes later, a truck with nine more pallets of bottled water arrived. Quickly, a line of vehicles formed, all people concerned that their private well water could be contaminated with metals.

Martinez and most of his neighbors living in the mountains rely on private wells for water.

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"You can't relax, because you don't know what's going to happen next," Martinez said.

Martinez was living in Mora County when the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire disrupted life for many. The windows of his home were ruptured by the fire and he wasn't able to return for a month.

The New Mexico Department of Health advised Mora County residents on Friday that they should get their private wells tested after high levels of metals were found in the groundwater, including three metals  antimony, arsenic and uranium  that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's safe drinking water limits. Seven other metals were found at elevated levels, but within EPA standards. The agency advised limiting exposure by drinking bottled water.

NMDOH also recommended installing reverse osmosis systems out of an abundance of caution.

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Some of the metals detected are similar to those used in firefighting materials, but there's not a definite answer on the source of the metals, according to New Mexico Environment Department spokesman Drew Goretzka.

Mora County does not run any of the more than 20 public water systems in the county and does not have authority over private wells. But county commissioners held an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to help residents get their questions answered by state and local officials.

Commission Chairman George Trujillo has been asking businesses for water donations.

Trujillo estimates a quarter of county residents rely on private wells, while the majority use public water systems. So far, nothing unusual has been reported from the community wells.

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Carlos and Ruby Martinez got some of their questions answered at the public meeting. Ruby Martinez has been feeling ill recently and the couple is worried their private well water could be the cause. On Thursday, they plan to get her a blood test to find out.

At high concentrations or with long-term exposure, heavy metals like those found in the county's groundwater can damage the kidneys, skin, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, according to an NMDOH news release.

The metals weren't found by the state of New Mexico, but by Zeigler Geologic Consulting, which was initially hired by the county government in 2023 then supported by an anonymous private donor to test water quality after the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire.

The abrupt increase in antimony and manganese was unexpected for the area's geology, according to an October memo from the geologic company.

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Private wells are outside of NMED's authority, Goretzka said, although agency staff have collaborated with the state's Health Department and Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in private well testing after fires. NMED is doing additional sampling in Mora County since the metals were detected.

Kate Zeigler, the geologist who led the independent geologic study, estimates there are 400 to 500 private wells in the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak burn scar.

When they began testing in 2023, Zeigler's company tested 18 wells. Each year they sample again, tracking changes in water quality. As of August, they had tested 55 wells this year, primarily in Mora County as well as some in northern San Miguel County. Of those, 51 tested positive for metals associated with firefighting materials.

The increase in those metals is something her team didn't expect.

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"We were honestly kind of starting to think, ... maybe the aquifers are going to make it through. Then the 2025 data came in, and there were these metals freaking everywhere," Zeigler said.

Those metals can come from other sources. For example, some of them could come from a house burning down or a barn with equipment in it catching fire, she said, so there are a lot of unknowns.

"These are big, complex watersheds. It is complex geology. We lost a lot of structures, and we don't necessarily know what all burned in those structures. We have depressant drops all over the mountains that weren't always tracked," she said.

"It's going to take a lot more work to understand where these metals are going, where they're accumulating, where they're dispersing, and how long they live in these systems."

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Mora resident Paula Garcia does not have a private well, but the news of contaminants in county groundwater has her worried about the quality of surface water running from the Mora River into her acequia to water crops like blue corn and chokecherry trees.

On top of everything else, it felt like a gut punch.

"Seeing the mountains burn, going through the trauma of the fire and evacuation and that feeling of uncertainty is really, really horrible," Garcia said.

"Then seeing the acequias destroyed and working on that disaster recovery has been really hard. But I don't think anything hit me as hard as learning that metals are in our water, because that just seems so chronic."
Amid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in North Carolina, the exact number of ICE detentions in the Triangle has not been disclosed.

But ABC11 does know one of them is a woman from Wendell who was on the job when she was detained in Raleigh on Tuesday. Now, her family is desperate for answers.

Gene Smith said his family is living a nightmare. His girlfriend was frantically looking for her niece, Fatima Issela Velasquez-Antonio.

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"She's upset. She's very upset. She's distraught. She didn't get any sleep last night," said Smith, who lives in Wilson. "The whole family is, you know, is really concerned when they don't know where she's at."

I can see if she's a criminal element or, you know, but she's a kid that she's 22 and she bought a home. That's a feat right there at that age. You know, that's commendable. She has a job. She's got work papers and that.

A video from TikTok showed Velasquez-Antonio on the job at a Raleigh-area HVAC job site when ICE agents approached her and then arrested her.

"She didn't resist arrest. It shows the ICE walking up to her and asking her for her ID and her information, if you will, and they put handcuffs on her, put her in a car," Smith said.

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Velasquez-Antonio, 23, graduated from Corinth Holders High School in Johnston County. According to her family, she had been working, paying taxes, and doing everything right. According to our newsgathering partners at the News & Observer, Fatima had no arrests or convictions beyond two traffic violations.

"I can see if she's a criminal element or, you know, but she's a kid that she's 22 and she bought a home. That's a feat right there at that age. You know, that's commendable. She has a job. She's got work papers and that. And she's out there trying to make a living. And she wanted to build a family, and now she doesn't know what her future is," Smith said.

Especially considering she has nothing to return to. She fled from violence in Honduras at age 14. She had sought asylum, and it's unclear what her status was.

"Her mom died of cancer when she was really, really young. Her father was murdered by gang members. She came to the United States to seek asylum. She came to live with family. She has nothing to turn back on other than what's here and what she's built," Smith said.

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They've been making phone calls and were able to confirm she was detained in New Hanover County, but it's unclear what happens next.

Her family said they won't give up.

"Her family loves her, and they would love to see her home, you know, and just, you know, stay strong, keep your head up. And she's got people fighting for her," Smith said.

The News and Observer confirmed that nine people were transferred from Cary to the jail in New Hanover County. Fatima apparently was one of them. It remains unclear where they will be taken next.
President Donald Trump signed the bill Wednesday night that will trigger the release of the Epstein files.

The bill cleared both chambers of Congress on Tuesday. The legislation instructs the Department of Justice to release its full investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a post on Truth Social Wednesday night, Trump said Epstein was a lifelong Democrat, donated Thousands of Dollars to Democrat Politicians, and was deeply associated with many well-known Democrat figures, listing Democratic politicians and donors who were known to associate with Epstein, including former president Bill Clinton, former treasury secretary Larry Summers, and Del. Stacey Plaskett.

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Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!, he said.

He added, At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. Do not forget  The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him. Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories... ."

Trump was also an associate of Epstein, and Democrats have put the spotlight on the presidents ties to Epstein as Trump resisted calls to release files related to investigations into the disgraced, well-connected financier.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joined at rear by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., speaks with reporters after a closed-door Democratic meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. | J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press

Democrats and some within the Republican Party put pressure on Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to release all of the files.

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Trump abruptly reversed his stance about the files on Sunday night and said there was nothing to hide, so they should pass the legislation and get back to work. That message got GOP leaders on board, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who announced Tuesday that the resolution would go forward.

Lone Republican voted against releasing Epstein files

In the House, the vote on the matter was nearly unanimous, with just one Republican voting no.

Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana said he had been a principled no on the bill since its inception and argued that there are still things wrong with the measure.

This image from House Television shows the final vote in the House to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. | House Television via the Associated Press

As written, this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocent people  witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc. If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rapid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt, Higgins shared on social media after the vote.

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Higgins urged the Senate to amend the bill to properly address privacy of victims and other Americans and he would support it then. The text of the resolution however, as noted by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who introduced the measure, includes a note that would redact identifiable information of victims.

Massie introduced the discharge petition in September, which allowed rank-and-file lawmakers to force the vote on the legislation without leadership signing on, so long as a majority of the chamber approved. That threshold was met after newly elected Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., was sworn in.

Once passing in the House, the Epstein measure went to the Senate on Tuesday, where senators approved the measure through a unanimous consent agreement.

Speaker Johnson said he was deeply disappointed that amendments were not made to the bill.

Documents show Democratic rep was texting Epstein during hearing

Just hours after the measure passed in both the House and the Senate, the lower chamber again voted on an attempt to censure Delegate Plaskett, a Democrat from the Virgin Islands.

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A batch of files related to Epstein showed Plaskett had been texting with Epstein during a congressional hearing, where he suggested questions to ask. The attempt to punish Plaskett and remove her from the Intelligence Committee failed, with all Democrats and three Republicans voting against her censure, Axios reported.

Another Democrat caught up in a recent document releases is former Clinton administration treasury secretary Larry Summers, who went on leave from his teaching position at Harvard University on Wednesday after questions again arose about his relationship with Epstein, as reported by The Associated Press.

Jeffrey Epstein abuse survivors react outside the U.S. Capitol after the House voted in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Associated Press

On Tuesday afternoon, Trump said he didnt care when the measure passed through Congress, but he wanted to remind Republicans not to take their eyes off all of the Victories that weve had, noting the Great Big Beautiful Bill and other achievements of his second term.

Attorney General Pam Bondi will now be required to release all materials and documents that are in the DOJs possession related to Epstein and his co-conspirator and ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, within 30 days. Bondi can withhold information that could jeopardize a federal investigation or put the victims in danger by identifying them.

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At a press conference Wednesday, Bondi was asked if she would release the files within 30 days once Trump signs it into law. She confirmed that we will follow the law.

The release of the files is of growing public interest, particularly as the names rumored to be in them include high-profile individuals, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton.

The law also instructs the Justice Department to report what information in the files related to Epsteins life and death it is withholding from public release, including the redactions. Still, the release could trigger a sprawling federal investigation into individuals named in the files that could delay or impact the public from seeing it in full.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., leaves the U.S. Capitol after voting in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Associated Press

Contributing: Suzanne Bates
The most explosive development in Wednesdays hearing emerged before any argument about presidential pressure to prosecute: U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan admitted that the full grand jury never saw the indictment now pending against former FBI Director James Comey.

Only the foreperson and one additional juror reviewed the final charging document. The rest of the grand jury  the body constitutionally responsible for issuing a felony indictment  never laid eyes on it.

Comey is seeking to have the indictment thrown out on the grounds that it's the product of a vindictive prosecution.

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Trump's words loom over Comey case as judge weighs tossing indictment

Separately, before a different judge, Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia have asked a judge to throw out their criminal indictments on the basis that the Trump-installed prosecutor who charged them, Halligan, was appointed unlawfully.

Lawyers for Comey and James, who has pleaded not guilty to mortgage fraud-related charges, argued that the cases against them are "fatally flawed" because the appointment of Halligan violates the Constitution's Appointments Clause, which governs the appointment of federal officials, including interim positions.

Charges against Comey were not reviewed by the full grand jury

That stunning concession directly corroborated Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatricks warning earlier this week that the case may rest on uncharted legal territory.

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In addition to what Fitzpatrick described as "a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps that potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding," the indictment returned in open court may not be the same one the grand jury actually deliberated on. The grand jury originally rejected one of the three counts Halligan sought. Yet Halligan returned a two-count indictment that the full panel did not review.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: 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 presidential election on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 8, 2017.

In any normal prosecution, this alone could be fatal. In a prosecution already clouded by allegations of political manipulation, it is devastating.

And it wasnt the only revelation raising alarms about basic prosecutorial integrity.

The memo recommending against charging Comey

During questioning by Judge Michael Nachmanoff, Department of Justice attorney Tyler Lemons admitted that he had learned whether a declination memo had been prepared by career prosecutors recommending against charging Comey  but that he had been instructed by the office of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche not to disclose that answer to the court.

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Judge grills government over apparent lapses in Comey indictment

Nachmanoff asked the most straightforward question in federal criminal practice: Was there a declination memo? Lemons at first dodged the question but eventually conceded that he did know the answer  but was not permitted to say. The judge pressed: You did not seek to find out whether there was a declination memo? Only then did Lemons acknowledge that he had sought it out, had obtained the answer, and had been barred from revealing it.

For a DOJ attorney to stand in open court and say he cannot answer a judges direct question because political leadership told him not to is extraordinary  and, in this context, illustrative of precisely the politicization that the government denies.

Legal merit vs. presidential will

Against that backdrop, the defense argument came into sharp focus: this prosecution was initiated, shaped and sustained by presidential will, not legal merit.

Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Ousted FBI director James Comey listens during a hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Capitol Hill, June 8, 2017.

Comeys team argued that objective evidence establishes that President Trump directed the prosecution of Mr. Comey in retaliation for Mr. Comeys public criticisms, driven by Trumps genuine animus and desire to punish a personal enemy. When career prosecutors refused, the President publicly forced the interim U.S. Attorney to resign and installed his former personal lawyer, Halligan  a prosecutor with zero prior prosecutorial experience  to carry out his directives.

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Defense attorney Michael Dreeben pointed to Trumps Sept. 20 command that DOJ not delay any longer in prosecuting Comey, calling it effectively an admission that this is a political prosecution, not an evidence-based one. Trump has declared himself the top law enforcement officer and subbed himself for the U.S. attorney as the decision maker, Dreeben argued.

Judge in Comey case blocks order mandating DOJ hand over grand jury evidence

Judge Nachmanoff put the implication bluntly: was Halligan merely a puppet doing the presidents bidding? Dreeben, choosing precision, declined the label but affirmed the substance: Halligan took the job to carry out the presidents directives.

Prosecutors insisted that Comeys 2020 congressional testimony implicates societal interests of the highest order and that Trumps years of social media attacks on Comey do not prove vindictive intent. But those arguments rang hollow in a hearing dominated by the two structural failures prosecutors could not explain away: a grand jury that never saw the operative indictment, and a DOJ attorney muzzled by political leadership from answering a judges question about career prosecutors conclusions.

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Combined, they painted a vivid picture of a prosecution unmoored from regular order  one warped by presidential intervention, executed by a politically installed U.S. attorney, and now defended through silence where the truth would be too damaging.

In other words: not merely flawed, but fundamentally compromised.

James Sample is an ABC News legal contributor and a constitutional law professor at Hofstra University. The views expressed in this story do not necessarily reflect those of ABC News or The Walt Disney Company.
WisconsinEye, the statewide network that provides gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Capitol, will stop event coverage due to a lack of funding effective Dec. 15, a notice on their website says.

In a October press release, the network said it needs $1 million in operational support. If adequate funds are obtained to cover the network's 2026 operational budget of $887,000, programming will resume for one year, the notice reads.

In addition to ceasing event coverage, WisconsinEye's video archive of state government proceedings, news conferences, candidate interviews and programming will go offline and downloads will not be processed.

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"A healthy democracy demands that truth is accessible to all, our voices are heard, and our leaders are accountable," the press release reads. "Wisconsinites deserve to see their government in action  unfiltered, unbiased and accessible. Open government is more than an ideal; its a necessity."

The announcement comes after state lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers gave the network one more year to raise $10 million to receive the same amount in matching funds from taxpayers to establish an endowment fund under a provision included in the 2025-27 state budget signed into law in July after WisconsinEye leaders failed to meet the same goal between 2023 and 2025.

More: State budget includes $10 million endowment to help WisconsinEye stay afloat. Will it be enough?

The new budget provision would provide the network with matching funds on a dollar-by-dollar basis instead of a lump sum once the total funds were raised. In addition to the matching funds, it provided $250,000 in state funds that network leaders do not have to match to help the network cover operational costs.

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Between 2023 and 2025, WisconsinEye raised just $210,000 instead of the $10 million required to receive the full amount of funds for the endowment.

A closer look at WisconsinEye's finances, spending

If WisconsinEye were able to raise funds to match the $10 million endowment from the state, that $20 million in state funding and matching donations should sustain the WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network for decades, according to recent spending by the organization.

Back in July, WisconsinEye President and CEO Jon Henkes told the Milwaukee Journal the network's operating budget for 2025 is $1.05 million  a number he said has not changed in four years.

"We are a highly efficient organization with five full-time staffers. To get the job done for just over $1 million for what we produce is amazing," Henkes said.

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But Internal Revenue Service filings from 2019 to 2022 show WisconsinEye's financial struggles.

For the 2019 fiscal year, WisconsinEye spent about $1.4 million, with a net income of  $86,786, according to a filing with the IRS.

The pandemic hit the network particularly hard, with WisconsinEye spending about $1.3 million, resulting in a $404,859 loss in revenue. And while the network appeared to be back on track in 2021 with a net income of $391,991, for the fiscal year that ended in December 2022, WisconsinEye found itself back in the red with a nearly $334,000 loss in revenue.

During past debates about the network's funding, some lawmakers raised concerns about Henkes' salary. He was paid about $283,000 for the fiscal year that ended in September 2019, but he said in 2021 his pay had been cut since then.

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In the 2022 fiscal year, Henkes was paid about $277,000  roughly $6,000 less than he made in the 2019 fiscal year.

As of July 2025, Henkes' annual salary was $150,000, however, in a Nov. 20 email to the Journal Sentinel, Henkes said he has been without compensation "through the current fiscal challenge."

WisconsinEye has been on the air since 2007 and for years has been buoyed by millions of dollars in donations and loans from Diane Hendricks, a Beloit billionaire who is a philanthropist and megadonor to Republican causes. Initially, funding for WisconsinEye was supposed to come from a mix of donations and fees on cable subscribers, but the network's costs outweighed its demands.

In 2020, WisconsinEye furloughed some of its employees and made other decisions to cut costs as donations dried up during the pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES, created the Paycheck Protection Program, which provided WisconsinEye with a $112,000 forgivable loan, helping keep the network afloat.

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Separately, CARES gave Evers control of nearly $2 billion in aid, and he used $100,000 of that to help WisconsinEye.

In 2021, the network created a paid subscription model after struggling financially during the pandemic. Under that model the network provided its live coverage for free but required subscriptions to watch event that were more than 24 hours old.

While WisconsinEye doesn't disclose specifics about how its budget is met, Henkes said in July the funds come from a mix of private charitable gifts and grants from individuals, foundations and businesses. Some current sponsors at the time included the Wisconsin Counties Association, Nicolet Bank and the Wisconsin REALTORS Association and sponsors typically provide $10,000 to $50,000 for a two-year sponsorship.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WisconsinEye to halt event coverage due to lack of funding
A woman driving in Brighton Park was shot by a passenger Wednesday night, Chicago police said.

The incident took place at about 8 p.m. in the 3500-block of South Richmond Street.

Police said an 18-year-old woman was driving when a 39-year-old man who was a passenger took out a gun and shot the victim in the abdomen.

The woman veered off the road before coming to a stop, police said.

During the incident, police said the man suffered two gunshot wounds. He was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition, police said.

The man was taken into custody and a weapon was recovered, police said.

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A woman was killed in an early morning hit-and-run in Philadelphia's University City section on Thursday.

Police say 48-year-old Meaza Brown was walking to work with some coworkers near Drexel University's campus when she was struck.

It happened around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday in the 3300 block of Market Street.

Police say a Chrysler 300, which is believed to be the vehicle involved in the fatal crash, was recovered at 34th and Race Street, before being towed to an impound lot in Hunting Park.

Police locate vehicle involved in fatal University City hit-and-run near Drexel campus

However, the driver has not been located, according to police.

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According to the preliminary investigation, the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Market Street at a high rate of speed when the driver allegedly blew through red light and struck Brown, who was crossing within the crosswalk.

Witnesses were crossing alongside the victim when the impact occurred, according to police.

The collision launched the victim several hundred feet down Market Street before the driver fled the scene, continuing eastbound, police said.

Brown was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
A young man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and burying her remains on his property before allegedly confessing to the heinous crime has been indicted for murder.

The Bristol District Attorneys Office announced on Thursday the indictment of Gregory Groom, 22, of Rehoboth, on charges of murder and witness intimidation in connection with the death of 18-year-old Kylee Monteiro at 107 County Street in Rehoboth on August 7, 2020.

Groom is slated to be arraigned on the indictment in Fall River Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 25. He initially faced a judge in Taunton District Court, where he was ordered held without bail in the alleged killing. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.

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Groom was initially arrested on Aug. 19, 2025, on domestic violence charges in connection with an incident involving Monteiro on Aug. 6. The upgraded charge of murder came when remains consistent with those of Monteiro, who was 11 weeks pregnant, were later found at Grooms County Street home.

Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan told the court during Grooms first arraignment that he contacted the Rehoboth Police Department on Aug. 8 to report that his girlfriend was missing.

Mr. Groom reported that Ms. Monteiro was at his house, that she was looking for a place to stay, they got into an argument, that she ultimately left his residence walking down the driveway, and she hadnt been seen or heard from since, Mohan said. Ms. Monteiro was known to be very active on social media, and he hadnt heard from her, nor had her friends or family, in the following days.

Through texts Monteiro sent to her sister, investigators later learned that Groom had allegedly physically harmed Monteiro during an altercation on Aug. 6.

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He threw me on the ground, he pulled my hair, and strangled me, Monteiro said in the texts, according to Mohan. My phone is at 4% and if I die, it was Greg.

A subsequent search of Grooms property on Aug. 14, which included cadaver dogs, failed to yield anything of significance, but based on the failure of Monteiro to contact friends and family, police continued to pursue the investigation into her disappearance.

Mohan said that Groom reported to the Rehoboth police station on Tuesday for an interview, admitting that he had knocked Monteiro to the ground, causing her to hit her head. He also admitted to knocking Monteiros cellphone out of her hand when she attempted to call for help.

When investigators pressed Groom on the whereabouts of Monteiro, they told him that they would be searching his property with dogs, excavators, and members of the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab. Then came an admission, according to Mohan.

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Mr. Groom then paused. He was given an opportunity to tell the police where Ms. Monteiro was located, Mohan said. Mr. Groom ultimately drew a rudimentary map, indicating he had gotten into an argument behind a shed on the property where he was known to stay, and where Ms. Monteiro stayed. During that altercation, Mr. Groom admitted that he stabbed Ms. Monteiro twice in the neck and once in the chest. That stab wound to the chest actually broke the blade of the knife off.

Groom went on to confess to police that he then spent several hours digging a hole about 20 yards from the shed, where he disposed of Monteiros body and covered it with brush and dirt, according to Mohan.

When the police ultimately called in medical examiners to uncover that hole, a body consistent with Kylee Monteiro was discovered about five feet underground, Mohan said.

Monteiro was last seen alive on Thursday, August 7, according to family, friends, and law enforcement.

An investigation is ongoing.

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Ukrainian rescue forces are still searching for 22 missing people one day after heavy Russian airstrikes on the western city of Ternopil, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.

Some 230 emergency forces have been deployed to comb through the rubble after two nine-storey residential buildings in the city were hit in the Wednesday strikes, Zelensky said on Telegram.

He said 26 people, including three children, were killed in the attacks, updating an earlier death toll of 25.

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Due to the risk of collapse, rescuers have to remove some of the debris manually, according to the president.

On Wednesday, Russia subjected Ukraine to one of the heaviest aerial assaults in weeks, targeting the smaller neighbour with dozens of missiles and cruise missiles, as well as some 500 drones.

The two heavily damaged residential buildings in Ternopil were hit by a Kh-101 cruise missile launched by a strategic bomber over Russian territory, according to the Ukrainian military.

Russia says it only strikes military or military-related targets in Ukraine, a claim repeated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov following Wednesday's strikes on Ternopil.

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According to the United Nations, more than 14,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

The count only includes confirmed cases, with the actual figure believed to be much higher.
In Britain, a November dusting of snow is an aberration. In Ukraine, it is the beginning. Soon pavements will ice over and the Dnipro river could freeze thick enough to walk across.

And General Winter, as Moscow knows, changes everything.

In successive centuries, against Napoleon and Hitler, Russia counted on the big freeze to alter the course of conflict. Today, Vladimir Putin is hoping the years bleakest months will mark a breakthrough in a war whose costs in men, money and materiel have become ever more grotesque.

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Already, the Russian presidents enemy in Kyiv is on the back foot on three fronts.

Diplomatically, Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky has been frozen out of the Trump administrations 28-point peace plan, which would reportedly hand the Donbas to Russia.

Militarily, Zelenskys forces are losing ground.

And on the home front, the Ukrainian president is hemmed in by an energy-sector corruption scandal that could not be more politically damaging.

For the past month, residents in Kyiv have been subject to rolling blackouts. Eight to 10 hours a day without electricity is the norm. Usually, residents are notified well in advance and can plan to sleep, sit in a cafe or otherwise occupy their hours offline.

Russian strikes on energy infrastructure are leaving Ukraines streets dark at night - Maksym Kishka/Frontliner

But as temperatures dip towards zero, blackouts turn from inconvenient to intolerable. Zelensky knows that for the fourth year in a row, Russia will try to recruit General Winter to crush his nations resolve.

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This year is set to be the worst of all. Will it be the winter that finally cracks Ukraine?

Home front: The war on warmth

There is logic, but not subtlety, to the Kremlins winter-warfare strategy.

Using missiles and drones, it blasts energy infrastructure with the goal of making the basic functions of existence  heating, running water, electricity, sanitation, even commercial food supplies  impossible.

The central threat is literally to freeze civilians. In Ukraine  as in Russia  most residential buildings depend on hot water pumped from power stations. Damage the power stations and entire city districts are left without central heating.

Civilians are evacuated from Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region on November 12 - Maria Senovilla/EPA/Shutterstock

They can usually be repaired. But if a strike knocks out a citys thermal power and heating plants for more than three days when temperatures fall below minus 10C, energy expert Oleksandr Kharchenko warned this month, the capital faces a disaster.

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Whole buildings  districts, even  would simply become freezers. Urban areas, he warned, needed to come up with back-up plans to work out how residents would survive. What those plans might look like is unclear.

What is clear is the scale of the onslaught.

A huge drone and missile strike on Ukraines energy grid on the night of Nov 8 temporarily knocked out at least three power stations  two thermal plants in the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions and the Kremenchuk hydroelectric plant on the Dnipro river  and forced eight to 16-hour power cuts across most of the country. Previous mass strikes on energy came on Oct 10 and 22.

Battlefield analysis suggests the Russians seem to be concentrating on energy infrastructure in the eastern half of the country, aided by the ready availability of cheap Shahed drones, which allow Russia to strike relatively small targets, such as electricity substations, that it would rather not use expensive missiles on.

An employee inspects a thermal power plant hit in a recent Russian missile strike, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on November 13 - REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

It is not just electricity transmission that is being targeted, but the fossil fuels that generate it.

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On Oct 3, Russia struck Ukraines main gas fields in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions, knocking out some 60 per cent of domestic gas production.

In August, more than 100 miners had to be rescued from their pit after Russia targeted a coal mine in Dobropillia, one of the last major Donbas coal producers in Ukrainian hands. The Pavlohrad coal field, outside the city of Dnipro, suffered a series of strikes last month.

The energy war has been relentless.

Front line: The war on morale

However miserable the home front gets, it is a safe bet that a winter in the trenches is worse.

Breath freezes in your nostrils. Beards and moustaches become festooned with icicles. Toes go numb, no matter how many layers of socks. Fatigue and hunger build quickly because the body is constantly burning calories to stay warm.

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Kit, too, has to work harder in the cold. Batteries  so crucial to this tech-driven, drone-dominated war  die rapidly.

Terrain sheds all its comforts. Natural cover vanishes as the leaves fall  the difference between the impenetrable verdancy of treelines in summer and their nakedness in winter needs to be seen to be appreciated.

At least when the latrine freezes, it stinks less.

As winter begins, Russia is pressing forward in three key areas.

In the North, its forces are creeping back towards the 2022 front line they lost to Ukraines blitzkrieg counter-offensive. They have re-entered Kupiansk, the strategic ridge-top town on the Oskil river, and are approaching the Siverskyi Donets river near Lyman. The road between Izyum and Sloviansk is again vulnerable to drone attack for the first time in three years.

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Further south, and after 13 months of effort, the Russians have finally entered and nearly surrounded Pokrovsk. Ukraines 38th Marine Brigade, holding out at neighbouring Myrnohrad, will probably have to choose between retreat and encirclement in the coming weeks.

Perhaps most dangerously, Russia has made unexpected progress by effectively turning the flank of the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region. Huliaipole, a strong point that for nearly four years has guarded against a Russian attack from the south, is now being threatened from the east instead.

Those advances are set to continue over winter. Ukraines military intelligence agency believes Russia could seize complete control of key towns such as Kupiansk and Pokrovsk around the turn of the year.

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No one is in any doubt that such military momentum strengthens Putins hand in talks with Washington. Zelensky, he can argue, is in no position to dictate terms.

In theory, winter misery should slow these Russian advances: the cold naturally favours defenders in their warm dugouts, and the infiltration tactics Russia pioneered in Pokrovsk  which require small groups to slip past Ukrainian foxholes and then lie up for days and weeks on end in ditches, basements and ruined buildings  will be potentially suicidal without very serious winter gear.

Overcast skies also make it difficult for reconnaissance drones to operate, which makes it slightly safer to move around and should allow Ukraine to resupply its beleaguered forward positions.

But bad weather works both ways.

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On November 14, Russian forces reportedly took advantage of fog  and eastern Ukraine produces very dense winter fogs  to build a pontoon bridge and march nearly five miles to the village of Novopavlivka, south-west of Pokrovsk.

They were noticed too late. Just how many Russians got into the village is unclear; the numbers have been put at between 300 and 500.

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Yet the advance on Novopavlivka was not really down to fog. At least, that is the feeling among increasingly vocal critics of Ukrainian strategy.

Some, like the Ukrainian journalist Anna Kalyuzhnaya, insist it was the result of a hollowing out of Ukraines infantry, which she in turn attributed to a high-command obsession with counter-attacks.

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Just a year ago the Russians could not even think of this, she wrote on Facebook of the Novopavlivka incident, along with an appeal to Ukraines generals to preserve manpower by adopting a proper defensive stance.

Political activist Serhii Sternenko used his social media platforms to concur. Without a change in strategy, we are heading towards a strategic-scale catastrophe that could lead to the loss of statehood, he wrote on X.

Our defence is falling apart, he added, and there was a stunning silence about it.

A struggle to survive

Worrying as they are, however, the loss of individual towns is a distraction from the real challenge, argues Oleksandr Danylyuk, a former advisor to the defence ministry.

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In terms of a war of attrition, it is not so important if [Russian forces] are exhausting Ukraine in Pokrovsk or Kramatorsk, he says. In a war of attrition, the last man standing gets everything he wants.

This winter, he predicts, will not deliver the Russians the gains they are hoping for. In terms of achieving any significant collapse of Ukrainian ability to wage this war, the Russians will need two more years if we have the same trajectory, he says.

But after those two years, it is a question of the future of Ukraine as a nation, because it is already at half of the [pre-war male fighting-age] population. A significant number of fertile Ukrainian men have been killed. That doesnt work well for the future of this nation.

Ukrainians prepare for a difficult winter as dwindling manpower and heavy losses raise fears about the countrys long-term prospects - Maksym Kishka/Frontliner

Danylyuk is among those who believe a fundamental change in the Western and Ukrainian approach to the war is necessary.

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First of all, it means abandoning the fantasy that it will just take one more step  be it a cunning battlefield manoeuvre, the arrival of a new weapon, another round of sanctions or a meeting with Trump  suddenly to bring Putin to his senses and end the war.

Instead, he says, Ukraine and its allies should focus on generating more firepower so that fewer Ukrainian troops die and more Russian ones do, forcing the Kremlin to recruit even more troops and possibly contemplate a socially and politically destabilising draft.

And it is not just about killing humans. More Himars and Atacms rockets to destroy high-value equipment like S-300 and S-400 ( surface-to-air missile) air defence systems would eventually erode Russias ability to fight a potential future war with Nato.

Taken together, argues Danylyuk, such a strategy would force Moscow to reckon with discontent on the home front, battlefield losses and resultant diplomatic weakness  the very trio of challenges that Ukraine faces now.

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In 2025, however, General Winter is wearing a Russian uniform, and it is Zelensky and Ukraine feeling the cold.

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with President Trump at the White House on Friday  and emerged from the closed-door Oval Office summit to rave reviews from none other than Trump himself.

"We had a meeting that actually surprised me," Trump told reporters afterward. "We agree on a lot more than I thought. I want him to do a great job and will help him do a great job."

"Both President Trump and I, we are very clear about our positions and our views," Mamdani added as he stood next to Trump behind the Resolute Desk. "And what I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting we had focused not on places of disagreement  which there are, many  but [instead] focused on the shared purpose we have in serving New Yorkers."

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Friday's friendly tone represented a sharp, sudden U-turn from how Mamdani and Trump had previously talked about each other.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democrat affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, is New York's youngest leader in more than a century, and arguably its most progressive. He has been fiercely critical of the president, calling himself Donald Trump's worst nightmare" and claiming in his Nov. 5 victory speech that "if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."

Mamdani also referred to Trump, 79, as "a despot" in his remarks.

In turn, the president has called his hometown's incoming mayor "a 100% Communist Lunatic" and alluded to false claims that Mamdani is in the country "illegally," while also threatening to "arrest" him if he ever pushes back against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

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(Mamdani is here legally; he was born in Uganda, moved to the U.S. at the age of 7 and became a naturalized American citizen in 2018. He is not a communist.)

"He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart," Trump added in a Truth Social post shortly after Mamdani declared victory in the Democratic primary in June. Elsewhere, the president has asserted that he is "a much better looking person" than the mayor-elect.

But on Friday, Trump in particular went out of his way to sound conciliatory. He said he would "absolutely" feel "very comfortable" living in Mamdani's New York  "especially after the meeting." He enthused about how "the press has eaten this thing up," and speculated about the reasons why. "I think he's different, and that can be in a very positive way," the president said of the mayor-elect. "Different than your typical guy who runs, wins, becomes mayor maybe and [is] nothing exciting."

Trump expressed awe at Mamdani's campaign  saying, "He came out of nowhere" and "It's an amazing thing that he did"  and went out of his way to explain that he agrees with the mayor-elect on building more housing and lowering crime in the city.

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"Some of his ideas really are some of the same ideas I have," the president said.

Trump even tried to shield Mamdani from the press. When a reporter asked Mamdani if he considered Trump a "fascist," the president patted him on the arm and advised him to just say yes rather than try to explain. "I don't mind," Trump assured him. When the word "despot" came up, Trump smiled and said, "I've been called much worse ... so it's not that insulting, actually." He even defended Mamdani's decision to travel by plane rather than train to Washington, D.C. "If you flew, that's a lot quicker," Trump said. "He's working very hard. I'll stick up for you."

Asked if he agreed with Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York that Mamdani is a "jihadist," Trump said no.

"I met with a man who is a very rational person," Trump said. "Who really wants to see New York be great again. I think he can bring it back. ... Will he bring it back greater than ever before? If he can, I'll be out there cheering for him."

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Despite all their prior back-and-forth, Mamdani and Trump were never likely to spend Friday's meeting insulting each other. On Monday, Mamdani told reporters that he had requested the sit-down in order to discuss policy  specifically, the "affordability crisis that is pushing so many [New Yorkers] out of the city." A Mamdani spokesperson later said that the two leaders would discuss "public safety" and "economic security" as well.

Elsewhere, Mamdani has described such meetings as "customary ... given the mutual reliance" between New York and Washington, D.C., calling it a "relationship that will be critical to the success of the city."

For his part, Trump said on Sunday that "we want to see everything work out well for New York," adding in an interview with Fox News Radio on Friday that the two leaders would "get along fine" because they're "looking for the same thing." The New York Times reported earlier this month that Trump had privately praised Mamdani "as a talented politician, calling him slick and a good talker," citing "two people who discussed the president's comments on condition of anonymity."

On Friday, the message from both Trump and Mamdani was that their meeting had gone according to plan.

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Still, old tensions could erupt in the future. Right before Election Day, Trump tried to torpedo Mamdani's campaign by endorsing the independent candidacy of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a lifelong Democrat. Then Trump threatened  if Mamdani won  to withhold from the city federal money "other than the very minimum as required." (The law prohibits the president from blocking spending that Congress has authorized, with only narrow exceptions.)

Trump also continued to falsely refer to Mamdani as the "Communist Mayor of New York City" when announcing the meeting on social media earlier this week  making sure to include Mamdani's West African middle name, Kwame, as well.

Whether Trump tries to meddle with federal health care, transportation and law enforcement funding for New York remains to be seen; Mamdani has said he is ready to fight back if necessary (in part by hiring 200 additional lawyers in the city's law department to counter what his campaign described as "Presidential excess").

But on Friday, at least, the president said he expects "to be helping [Mamdani], not hurting him."

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"A big help," Trump added. "I love New York. That's where I come from."

Why the sudden lovefest? Lowering the cost of living was the common thread in all of 2025's marquee Democratic election victories  a result that suggests voters aren't happy with the president's economic leadership. A Yahoo/YouGov poll conducted shortly before Election Day showed that 60% of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling the economy, while just 33% approve. It was the president's most negative rating to date.

Seeking to stay on top of the issue, Mamdani has proposed a slate of ambitious policies to lower the cost of living in New York: creating a network of government-owned grocery stores that aim to keep prices low rather than make a profit; freezing rent for lower-income tenants; permanently eliminating the fares on public buses; implementing free child care for all children ages 6 weeks to 5 years; raising the minimum wage to $30 by 2030; and increasing taxes on corporations and millionaires to pay for his plans.

Trump didn't endorse Mamdani's entire agenda after Friday's meeting; earlier, he said on social media that ideas like Mamdani's "have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful."

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But both leaders went into the Oval Office with similar goals: to show their supporters that they can actually deliver on affordability. For Mamdani, that means figuring out when to cooperate with Trump and when to challenge him. And for Trump, it means showing that he can be a pragmatist too.

"He has views that are a little out there, but who knows?" the president said of Mamdani on Friday. "I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually."

Correction: A previous version of this story misnamed the Congress member who referred to Mamdani as a "jihadist."
Former Vice President Dick Cheneys funeral service was held on Thursday at Washington National Cathedral, where more than 1,000 guests, including family members, former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, all four living former vice presidents and assorted dignitaries gathered to pay their final respects.

Cheney died on Nov. 3 from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, according to his family. He was 84.

Bush; Cheneys daughter, former congresswoman Liz Cheney; cardiologist Jonathan Reiner; Pete Williams, Cheneys former spokesman and ex-NBC News justice correspondent; and several of Cheneys grandchildren delivered eulogies.

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Bush recalled the moment he concluded that Cheney, whom he had tapped to lead the search for a running mate, was his choice for VP.

"I began to have a thought I could not shake: I realized the best choice for vice president was the man sitting right in front of me, Bush said.

Bush also revealed that during their 2004 reelection campaign, Cheney offered to step aside to allow him to pick a different running mate, but Bush refused: I arrived at the conclusion they do not come any better than Dick Cheney," he said.

Calling Cheney a true man of the West, Bush concluded his eulogy by saying: We are grateful for his good life, we honor his service, and we pray that somewhere up the trail, we will meet him again."

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, former first lady Jill Biden, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former second lady Karen Pence at the funeral service. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Liz Cheney recalled the last moments she spent with her father, who she described as a giant to the end and a lion of a man who loved and served this great republic."

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President Trump, who clashed with both Liz and Dick Cheney, and Vice President JD Vance were reportedly not invited to attend the service.

Cheney is considered one of the most powerful and divisive vice presidents in U.S. history for his role in pushing the 2003 invasion of Iraq after 9/11, his advocacy for the waterboarding of detainees and his aggressive efforts to expand presidential power.

Before becoming vice president, Cheney served as defense secretary from 1989 to 1993, under President George H.W. Bush. He spent 10 years in Congress representing Wyomings at-large congressional district from 1979 to 1989. He also served as chief of staff for President Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977.

Watch the service live in the player above and follow the blog below for the latest updates.

Live coverage is over 18 updates Thu, November 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM PST Kate Murphy Cheney's funeral has concluded A U.S. military honor guard carries former Vice President Dick Cheney's casket out at the end of his funeral service. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Cheney's casket was carried down the center aisle of the National Cathedral while the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, the Cathedral Choir and the U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra performed William Steffe's "Battle Hymn of the Republic," concluding his funeral.

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 9:58 AM PST Kate Murphy Rev. Hollerith recognizes Cheney's life of public service in homily The Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, delivered the homily, reflecting on Cheney's life as not only a public servant who "carried the weight of responsibility with quiet strength and resolve," but also as a loving husband, father and grandfather. "Public service at its best is one long act of laying down one's life for others," Hollerith said. "Dick Cheney understood that call. He gave of himself for the peace, for the safety and for the freedom of the American people." In closing, Hollerith said, "Even as we mourn, we give thanks for a life of purpose, a life of faithfulness, a life lived in service to his country."

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM PST Kate Murphy Liz Cheney recalls final moments with her dad Liz Cheney, daughter of late Vice President Dick Cheney, speaks during the funeral service for her father. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) As she closed her eulogy, Liz Cheney said her father "was a giant to the end. A lion of a man who loved and served this great Republic." She recalled the night before her father's death, the sky above her parents' house filled with clouds in the shape of winged angels. "It seemed, indeed, that angels and archangels and all the company of heaven had come to watch over him." She shared that her father's last words were "to tell my mother he loved her." Liz Cheney ended her eulogy with the family's final words to him, which were, "Goodnight, sweet Dad. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM PST Dylan Stableford Liz Cheney delivers final eulogy Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney eulogizes. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Former Rep. Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney's elder daughter, delivered the final eulogy. "Following your kids to talk about your dad is not good scheduling," she said. Liz Cheney recalled that her father "thought deeply" about American freedom. "My dad's devotion to America was deep and substantive," she said. "He knew you couldn't truly appreciate what it means to live in freedom if you didn't understand the sacrifices of the generations that came before. And he made sure that his children and grandchildren understood this too." She said that when she and her sister Mary were little, Dick Cheney would take them to visit Civil War battlefields. Liz Cheney said she and her sister would stretch out in the back seat of their station wagon, eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts "while my dad drove us to places like Gettysburg." "To be clear, even with the doughnuts," she said to laughter, "Mary and I were not enthusiastic participants." Advertisement Advertisement

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 9:18 AM PST Kate Murphy Cheney's grandchildren recall fond memories of their grandfather during tributes Elizabeth Perry, Richard Perry and Grace Perry, grandchildren of the late Vice President Dick Cheney, speak during Cheney's funeral service. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Three out of Cheney's seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Perry, Richard Perry and Grace Perry, were the next to deliver tributes to their grandfather. Elizabeth recalled her grandfather driving to her college, sharing stories of his life and love for his family while on the open road. Richard fondly remembered when his grandfather came to his kindergarten class for show and tell, and the teacher said it was the most exciting one they'd had since a girl brought her cow to school. Grace shared that Cheney was her driver when she joined the rodeo, hauling her horses in a pickup truck. She described him as a "vice president-turned-rodeo grandpa." She teared up when she recalled how her grandfather would tell her he was proud of her after a rodeo, saying, "He was tough with a kind heart."

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 9:14 AM PST Dylan Stableford Bush concludes eulogy for Cheney: 'Somewhere up the trail, we will meet him again' Former Vice President Dick Cheney in 2012. (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images). Former President George W. Bush continued his eulogy recalling more lighthearted moments with his vice president. The former president told a story about the time one of Cheney's grandchildren asked Cheney to come to his class for show-and-tell. "I wish I'd have been there," Bush said. "As a matter of fact, the teacher told Dick that was the most exciting show-and-tell since the morning a little girl brought her cow to class." Bush concluded his eulogy by saying Cheney "went far in this world." "We are grateful for his good life, we honor his service," he said, "and we pray that somewhere up the trail, we will meet him again."

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 8:57 AM PST Dylan Stableford Bush recalls the moment he realized Cheney was his best choice for VP Former President George W. Bush speaks during the funeral service for Vice President Dick Cheney. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Former President George W. Bush was up next, delivering a eulogy for "a man I was proud to call my vice president and my friend." Bush recalled that 25 years ago, he enlisted Cheney, then a former White House chief of staff and ex-secretary of defense, to lead his search for a running mate. Bush said that while he and Cheney pored over his possible choices for weeks, "I began to have a thought I could not shake: I realized the best choice for vice president was the man sitting right in front of me."

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM PST Kate Murphy Pete Williams shares lighthearted anecdotes in honor of his former boss Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Pete Williams speaks during a funeral service for former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Pete Williams, former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and former NBC News justice correspondent, delivered the second tribute during Cheney's funeral. Williams worked for Cheney for several years in Congress and at the Pentagon. He recalled how his former boss, who loved his home state of Wyoming, was "comfortable in the saddle on horseback" and enjoyed fly-fishing. Williams recalled that if someone wanted his attention at the office and the Orvis fly-fishing catalog was out, they knew to come back at another time, he recalled lightheartedly. Williams also shared an anecdote about a time at the Pentagon when Cheney had received a letter from a woman in Indiana. In the letter, she described Cheney as "plain speaking, resolute and strong." She added that she found these qualities to be "very attractive" and suggested that if he were ever in Indianapolis, he should "look her up," which drew laughs from the attendees. Advertisement Advertisement

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 8:46 AM PST Dylan Stableford Cheney's doctor recalls his 'unassuming' patient Dr. Jonathan Reiner at the funeral service. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Dr. Jonathan Reiner, Cheney's cardiologist, delivered the first eulogy. Reiner began by saying he hasn't given many. "No one wants a doctor who is great at funerals," he said. Reiner said he witnessed a side of Cheney that the public rarely saw. "You might think that taking care of a public figure, particularly one who carried nuclear launch codes, could be a bit intimidating," Reiner said. "But the vice president was an unassuming man."

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 8:29 AM PST Kate Murphy Cheney's casket proceeds down the aisle at the National Cathedral The casket of former Vice President Dick Cheney is being walked down the aisle of the National Cathedral. Rev. Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, recited a bible passage as the casket was placed at the front of the cathedral before the altar. A U.S. military honor guard at the start of his funeral service. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 8:23 AM PST Dylan Stableford Cheney's family enters the service Wife of former Vice President Dick Cheney, Lynne Cheney in wheelchair, along with daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., left, and family preside over the arrival of the casket of former Vice President Dick Cheney at the Washington National Cathedral. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Former Vice President Dick Cheney's family members  including his wife, Lynne Cheney, two daughters and grandchildren  have entered Washington National Cathedral and taken their seats in the front row. His eldest daughter, former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, is scheduled to deliver the final eulogy during today's service.

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 8:15 AM PST Kate Murphy, Kelli R. Grant Photos: Dignitaries arrive for Cheney funeral Photos show U.S. dignitaries arriving for Cheney's funeral, including former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush, as well as former Vice Presidents Dan Quayle, Al Gore, Mike Pence, and Kamala Harris. From left: former Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle, Mike Pence and Kamala Harris at the funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney at Washington National Cathedral. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Dr. Anthony Fauci, center, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is seated next to MS NOW host Rachel Maddow. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, right, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, and other invited guests. (Matt Rourke/AP) Former House Speakers John Boehner, left, and Nancy Pelosi, right, at the funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Former White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) From left: former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush; former President Joe Biden and Jill Biden; and former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, along with Karen Pence. Former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dan Quayle are seated behind. (Matt Rourke/AP) Advertisement Advertisement

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 8:05 AM PST Dylan Stableford Funeral service begins The funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney is underway at Washington National Cathedral. Rev. Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, and Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, welcomed attendees before Cheney's casket was brought into the church.

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 7:57 AM PST Kate Murphy Cheney's funeral hearse arrives at the National Cathedral The hearse containing the casket of former Vice President Dick Cheney has arrived at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Outside the National Cathedral on Thursday. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 7:31 AM PST Kate Murphy Why Cheney is considered a complicated figure Dick Cheney served as the second-in-command to then-President George W. Bush for eight years and is considered one of the most powerful yet controversial vice presidents in history. Cheney was a key architect in the U.S. decision to invade Iraq in 2003, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on American soil. Cheney's hard-line approach to taking on terrorism involved electronic surveillance within the United States at levels never seen before and interrogation tactics of foreign combatants that many had considered torture. The "war on terror" largely defined Bush's presidency. Cheney was targeted by Democrats and critics of the Bush administration for his insistence that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction, only to later find there were no stockpiles. Democrats were also critical of his role as CEO and chairman of oil giant Halliburton, having received millions in a severance package.

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 7:22 AM PST Dylan Stableford Trump and Vance were reportedly not invited The American flag is seen at half-staff at the White House on Nov. 4, the day after Cheney's death. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) According to multiple reports, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not invited to attend former Vice President Dick Cheney's funeral service today. Trump clashed with both Cheney and his daughter, former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, who served as the cochair of the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Trump disparaged her throughout the investigation. In a 2022 campaign ad for Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney called Trump a "coward." "He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He is a coward," Cheney said. "A real man wouldn't lie to his supporters. He lost his election, and he lost big. I know it, he knows it, and deep down, I think most Republicans know it." During the 2024 presidential campaign, Dick Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris over Trump. Trump never made a statement on Cheneys passing and did not issue a presidential proclamation that often accompanies the death of notable figures. The White House did lower its flags to half-staff after his death, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt said was done in accordance with statutory law. Advertisement Advertisement

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 6:58 AM PST Dylan Stableford Who's scheduled to speak at Cheney's funeral? According to a press release posted on tWashington National Cathedral's website, here is the list of speakers for today's funeral:  George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States

 Dr. Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences

 Pete Williams, former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and former NBC News justice correspondent

 Dick Cheney's grandchildren

 Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney's daughter Williams served as Cheney's press secretary when Cheney was defense secretary. The Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, will give the homily.

Thu, November 20, 2025 at 6:48 AM PST Dylan Stableford Who will be in attendance at today's service? Former Vice President Dick Cheney in 2012. (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images) More than 1,000 people are expected to attend today's invitation-only funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney at Washington National Cathedral, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden and all four living former vice presidents: Dan Quayle, Al Gore, Mike Pence and Kamala Harris. Other dignitaries on the guest list include Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former leader Mitch McConnell. Here's the official program.

Cover thumbnail photo: Matt Rourke/AP
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The United States Embassy in Budapest is explicitly preparing for the possibility that Budapest will host a summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, according to Robert Palladino, the outgoing US Charge dAffaires. Palladinos post is expected to be filled by New York businessman Benjamin Landa as the permanent ambassador.

Palladino joined Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar at a Tuesday evening event held by the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs to assess the November 7 meeting between Viktor Orban and Donald Trump in Washington.



Notably, neither speaker addressed the controversy surrounding Hungarys exemption from sanctions on Russian oil imports, despite conflicting statements from the two governments on the matter.



Following the Washington summit, both Prime Minister Orban and Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed that Hungary received an indefinite exemption from the sanctions. However, major international news agencies reported a one-year exemption, a timeline that was later confirmed to the Hungarian news site Telex by a White House official.



Six days after the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stated that Hungary was granted a one-year exemption because the immediate implementation of the sanctions would have caused disproportionate economic damage to the country.



Tuesday's event would have provided an ideal opportunity to clarify the situation, but no questions were allowed, and both Charge dAffaires Palladino and Deputy Foreign Minister Magyar avoided the topic.



Instead, at the event held in the Lonyay-Hatvany Villa  a building recently renovated by a foundation of the Hungarian National Bank, repurchased by the state, and then transferred free of charge to the Batthyany Lajos Foundation which coordinates government funding  the focus was solely on praising the success of the summit and the excellence of Hungarian-American relations.



For instance, Palladino echoed a Trump campaign slogan, saying, I am America First, and Levente is Hungary First.



The discussion also touched on sovereignty, family values, small modular reactors, and the LNG agreement, with Levente Magyar calling the Washington summit "historic."



Gladden J. Pappin, the American president of the organizing Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, highlighted that Orban was seated next to Trump at the White House ceremonial lunch. In his closing remarks, Palladino assessed his time in Hungary, noting a significant improvement in the relationship.



Trade has also grown considerably, with nearly 1,500 American companies operating in the country and employing thousands of people.



The outgoing Charge dAffaires, who will soon be leaving his post and the country, expressed regret that he hadnt been able to travel much but stated his intention to return for a more thorough exploration of Hungary.



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The UNSC has 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power and 10 others who serve two-year terms and are chosen to maintain regional balance.
Jonathan Bailey shed tears during the London premiere of Wicked: For Good.

Jonathan Bailey stars in the new Wicked movie

The 37-year-old actor reprised the role of Fiyero to star in the second Wicked movie, but Jonathan admits that he cried at the premiere, where he sat alongside his niece.

During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jonathan shared: "I was there with my family and all my school friends and my niece was there. I was just watching her sit there and she was just completely taking it in, and I started crying and I couldn't stop.

"Actors are only [present] for like 15 percent of making these extraordinary films, so when you think of [director] Jon M. Chu and [producer] Marc Platt who has stuck with this for over 15 years, for me it's been three years. That London premiere felt like a real release, and I'm just so proud that now everyone gets to go and experience it."

Meanwhile, Jonathan previously revealed that he "nearly didnt audition" for Bridgerton.

The actor has starred in the hit Netflix show since 2020 - but Jonathan was actually keen to take a career break before he committed himself to the project.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "I got sent it and I nearly didnt audition.

"At that time, I was really done. I just needed to go and experience the world."

However, Jonathan's attitude changed completely after he read the script.

He said: "I remember just being like, Wow, this is going to be massive."

Jonathan found shooting Bridgerton to be an "all-encompassing" experience, and he actually welcomed returning to his theatre roots in recent years.

The actor - who returned to London's West End after the second season of Bridgerton - explained: "When you go and film something like Bridgerton, and you say goodbye to your friends, your family, its all-encompassing.

"I read an interview with Walton Goggins where he was saying he was glad that even now White Lotus didnt happen to him 10 years ago because he wouldnt have known what to do with that. And I just feel that maybe Bridgerton was just a smidge quicker than I was prepared for.

"Going back to theatre, working with people that I know, that has helped."
More than 1,000 families of British servicemen have begun moving out of the Suez Canal Zone town of Ismailia.

The move was ordered yesterday following the shooting two days ago which cost the lives of at least five British soldiers. Nine Egyptians were killed.

The women and children are being sent back to Britain because there is not enough room for them in guarded Army compounds.

There was tight security in the centre of Ismailia today as families were herded into lorries which were then given army escorts to the emergeny camps which will be their homes until they can be flown back to Britain.

Tensions between the British and Egyptians have been running high since the government in Cairo stepped up its demands for the complete withdrawal of British troops.

Egypt has pulled out of the 1936 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty  which included plans for a gradual withdrawal  and has since been trying to undermine Britains presence with a campaign of civil resistance.

Protesters have disrupted the operation of the Canal ports, beaten up and intimidated people working for the British services and attempted to block fresh food supplies.

The trouble came to a head on Saturday, when, according to British reports, Egyptian police opened fire indiscriminately on a British jeep and the shooting quickly spread to other parts of Ismailia.

Shooting broke out again the following day and took several hours to bring under control.

In a desperate attempt to calm the situation, Lieutenant General Sir George Erskine, commander of the British troops in Egypt and Ibrahim Abdul Hadi Ghazali Bey, Governor of the Canal Zone agreed yesterday that police would not be allowed to carry arms for the time being.

The operation to move families  and all their furniture  to the army compounds is expected to take up to six days.

Once all British families have left Ismailia, the town will become out of bounds to troops in the hope of preventing any further bloodshed.

Britain is still hopeful of negotiating a new four-power organisation for the defence of the Middle East. In the meantime, it does not want to lose its army base in Egypt.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Most British families were moved out of Ismailia in less than four days.

However, the anti-British campaign continued with complaints about British behaviour to the International Labour Office and even to the World Health Organisation.

After a military coup in 1952, the period of constitutional monarchy ended in 1953 and Arab nationalist Abdel Nasser came to power in 1954.

Two years later he astonished the British and French by nationalising the Suez Canal, provoking an invasion by Israeli and Anglo-French forces.

However, the invasion was unpopular with large sections of the British and French public and also drew international condemnation, led by the United States.

The Anglo-French forces quickly agreed to a ceasefire and withdrew.

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A Chinese drug trafficking suspect who escaped custody in Mexico only to be recaptured in Cuba has been turned over to the U.S. to face charges he trafficked large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl into the country.

Zhi Dong Zhang, also known as Brother Wang among other aliases, pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Wednesday (today, Macau time) in Brooklyn federal court. His lawyer declined to comment following the court appearance.

Federal officials say Zhang ran a vast drug trafficking and money laundering operation that imported thousands of kilograms (pounds) of narcotics into the United States and other countries.

The defendant stands accused of running a global enterprise that pumped massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into our communities and laundered millions in narcotics proceeds, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. His return to the United States is a major step in dismantling a network that has fueled addiction, violence, and death.

Zhangs criminal organization operated out of Mexico going back at least to 2016 and laundered its drug proceeds through shell companies created in the U.S. using false social security numbers and other fraudulent documents, according to federal prosecutors.

Officials identified more than 100 shell companies tied to Zhangs organization that were used to launder at least $77 million in narcotics proceeds, they said.

Mexican authorities captured Zhang in Mexico City in October 2024 at the request of the U.S. government, but a judge granted him house arrest and he escaped the home where he was being held under military guard. Prosecutors say in court filings that he was eventually recaptured in Cuba and sent to the U.S. by Mexican authorities on Oct. 23.

Zhang, who has been detained until his next court date in January, also faces a related set of federal charges in Georgia.

Government documents filed in that case describe a cocaine and fentanyl trafficking network with hubs in the Atlanta and Los Angeles metro areas. Millions of dollars from the drug sales were allegedly collected at stash houses in Georgia and California and deposited into accounts that Zhang could then access from Mexico, the documents said.

MDT/AP

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Vin Diesel will no longer face sexual battery allegations made by a former assistant on Fast 5.

Vin Diesel has always denied the allegations against him

The Fast and Furious actor has always denied the claims made against him by ex-assistant Asta Jonasson, who alleged two years ago that the star "forced himself on her" at a hotel in Atlanta during production on the fifth film in the franchise in 2010.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel M. Crowley had previously dismissed four of Jonasson's 10 claims due to the statute of limitations, and he dismissed the remaining six this week due to lack of jurisdiction.

Following Wednesday's (19.11.25) ruling, her attorney Matthew Hale told Deadline: "The Court did not decide anything about the truth of Ms. Asta Jonassons allegations.

"The ruling was based on a legal technicality, with which we respectfully disagree. Ms. Jonasson intends to appeal."

In his 13-page ruling, the judge said: "It is undisputed that the alleged sexual assault took place in Atlanta, Georgia."

He noted that as Jonassons claims are based on an alleged violation of a California statute it fails as a matter of law because California statutes are presumed not to have extraterritorial effect unless the Legislature expressly states otherwise in adopting the statute".

Although the entire lawsuit would have been beyond the statute of limitations, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act in 2022, which revived some sexual assault cases as far back as 2009.

However, the judge has ruled that the law doesn't apply outside the state of California.

Vin Diesel's lawyer Bryan Freedman denied the allegations in 2023, saying there were "clear evidence" to refute them.

Following Wednesday's ruling, he said: We are grateful that the court put an end to this meritless lawsuit.

We are pleased that this matter has been resolved entirely.

In her original lawsuit filed in December, the former assistant claimed the Pacifier actor invited her to his suite after coming back from a club with hostesses, and then when the rest of the group left, allegedly grabbed her wrists and pulled her onto the bed, groping her chest and kissing her, despite her pleas for him to stop.

The lawsuit added: Ms Jonasson was afraid to more forcibly refuse her supervisor, knowing that getting him out of that room was both crucial to her personal safety and job security.

But this hope died when Vin Diesel dropped to his knees, pushed Ms Jonassons dress up toward her waist, and molested her body, running his hands over Ms Jonassons upper legs, including her inner thighs.

Jonasson claimed at that point she ran away from Vin and headed toward the bathroom, but he allegedly pinned her against a wall and placed her hand on his erect member as he touched himself.

In response, the Riddick star "categorically denied" the allegations.

His lawyer Freedman told Variety in a statement: "Let me be very clear Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety. This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee.

"There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.
The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) and the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) will co-host three matchmaking sessions later this month, offering a total of 512 job opportunities for Macau residents. Registration for these sessions is open from 9 a.m. today through noon on Tuesday (November 25). Sessions on November 26 will focus on job opportunities in the security, cleaning, and restaurant sectors, offering a total of 153 vacancies. On November 28, the 13th Hotel will host a full-day recruitment event, featuring 359 openings for positions including information technology technician, restaurant supervisor, light vehicle driver, and security guard, among others.

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The Dutch government said Wednesday (today, Macau time) its relinquishing control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, easing a standoff between China and the Netherlands that threatened supplies of semiconductors vital for global auto manufacturing.

Economics Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans said he was suspending an earlier order to take control of Nexperia under a rarely invoked Cold War-era law.

The Dutch government had cited national security concerns and serious governance shortcomings when it took effective control of Nexperia, which is headquartered in the city of Nijmegen but owned by Chinas Wingtech Technology. Officials said they were trying to prevent the loss of crucial tech know-how that could threaten Europes economic security.

Nexperia chips are widely used by carmakers in North America, Japan and South Korea. Automakers warned in recent weeks that they were running low on the chips, and Honda was forced to shut down a factory in Mexico producing its popular HR-V crossover for North American markets.

Karremans said he was suspending his order issued in late September as a show of goodwill in a decision that came after constructive meetings with Chinese authorities over the past few days.

In light of recent developments, The Netherlands has considered it the right moment to take a constructive step by suspending my order under the Goods Availability Act, he said in a statement.

We are positive about the measures already taken by the Chinese authorities to ensure the supply of chips to Europe and the rest of the world.

Chinas Commerce Ministry welcomed the decision, but said its only a first step in resolving the issue.

A Dutch court decision limiting Wingtechs control over Nexperia remains a key obstacle to resolving the issue, the ministry said. It added both countries should continue to work together on the matter.

The dispute is an example of how Europe is caught between Washington and Beijing in their rivalry over trade and tech. Netherlands issued its seizure order after the United States last year put Wingtech on its entity list of companies that face export controls, and then expanded it in September to include subsidiaries including Nexperia.

The boardroom battle included the ousting of Nexperias Chinese CEO, and Wingtech founder, Zhang Xuezheng. American officials had told the Dutch government he should be replaced to avoid trade restrictions, according to a court filing.

Beijing responded by blocking the export of Nexperia chips from its Chinese factory in early October, a ban it lifted in recent days as part of the U.S.-China trade truce following U.S. President Donald Trumps meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The White House said it would suspend the expansion clause that covers subsidiaries for a year effective November 10.

Still, the companys Chinese unit and its Dutch headquarters have continued to spar over supply of wafers from fabrication plants in Europe to its assembly center in China.

Despite Karremans announcement, the dispute is still not fully resolved, according to the companies.

Wingtech said that if the Dutch government has the sincerity to solve the problem, it should file a notice explicitly withdrawing its support for court proceedings that resulted in Zhang being suspended as CEO.

The court proceedings are a threat to Nexperias continuity and therefore for the economic security of the Netherlands and Europe  which is the exact same argument the Dutch government made previously in support of judicial intervention.

Wingtech said it strongly rejects accusations from Karremans that Zhang was behind various acts of alleged mismanagement, saying no proof has been provided.

Nexperia said the Dutch governments announcement is a sign of significant progress but full restoration of the supply chain requires active further cooperation of Nexperias entities in China.

Nexperia was formerly part of Dutch electronics giant Philips and eventually purchased by Wingtech in 2018. It makes basic, standardized chips essential for running numerous automotive functions such as operating lights, airbag systems or anti-lock brakes. Modern cars can require hundreds of such components.

MDT/AP

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Gross gaming revenue (GGR) projections were omitted for the first time in a Policy Address, with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai stating that careful consideration is required.

In response to media inquiries, Chief Executive Sam acknowledged that the gross gaming revenue (GGR) in April, amounting to MOP18.86 billion, fell short of expectations of MOP22.8 billion, emphasizing the industrys high dependence on environmental and situational shifts.

Changes in the overall domestic and international environment profoundly impact our gaming sector, particularly as stable relations among global economies remain crucial, he stated.

Looking ahead, he remarked, We must maintain a cautious approach, as future changes remain uncertain.

While current visitor numbers have increased, with data from the first three quarters showing a 14.5% rise in international tourists, he cited the recent strong performance of the stock market but emphasized the uncertainty over whether this will continue to influence the economic environment and visitor numbers.

Ultimately, we will continue to exercise caution in addressing the challenges posed by uncertainty, he concluded.

Additionally, the recently released Policy Address reveals that as of the end of September, Macaus fiscal reserves totaled MOP658 billion, including MOP167.3 billion in basic reserves and MOP490.7 billion in surplus reserves. YL

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The Health Bureau (SSM) announced that Macau has achieved a significant public health milestone by meeting and exceeding the World Health Organizations (WHO) 2025 target for reducing tobacco use well ahead of schedule.

According to data released by the bureau, the smoking rate among residents aged 15 and above has dropped from 16.9% before the implementation of the Tobacco Control Law to 11.6% in 2023.

This represents a relative decrease of 31.4%, surpassing the WHOs global target of a 30% relative reduction in tobacco use by 2025.

The announcement was made as the bureau concurrently marked World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day, with this years theme, Short of Breath? Think COPD, to underscore the link between smoking and the respiratory disease.

This significant reduction in smoking is the result of over a decade of comprehensive tobacco control measures implemented under the Tobacco Control Law that took effect on January 1, 2012.

The governments multi-pronged strategy has integrated stringent legislation, consistent enforcement, public education campaigns, and the promotion of smoking cessation services through a frontline-focused and resource-decentralized approach.

In a strategic move to counter new public health threats, the Tobacco Control Law was revised in 2022 to impose a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, distribution, sale, import, and export of e-cigarettes, also prohibiting their carrying in and out of Macau.

This preemptive action has been crucial in preventing a rise in nicotine use among youth through e-cigarette and tobacco products.

Alongside these regulatory measures, the SSMs smoking cessation services have provided critical support for residents.

Since the establishment of Smoking Cessation Consultation Clinics across all Health Centres in 2006, the program has offered free, dedicated support from healthcare staff.

The demand for these services remains strong, with the clinics recording approximately 1,970 patient visits in the first ten months of this year alone.

COPD remains a pressing global health concern and is the worlds fourth leading cause of death, responsible for approximately 3.5 million fatalities in 2021, accounting for about 5% of global mortality.

Health authorities stress that smoking cessation is not only the most effective way to prevent COPD but also the most cost-efficient intervention for managing the disease.

Residents seeking to quit are encouraged to utilize available resources, including referrals at local Health Centres, making an appointment via the My Health section in the One Account app, or by calling the dedicated hotline at 2848 1238 during office hours. Ricaela Diputado

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Macau will progress in an orderly manner with the construction of the technology research industrial park, with authorities confirming yesterday that extensive public consultations will be conducted from next Thursday through December 26 regarding site selection, planning, and funding arrangements.

The 2026 Policy Address outlines four major construction projects for Macau: the Macau-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, the Macau International Integrated Tourism and Cultural Zone, the Macau Pearl River West Bank International Air Transport Hub (Port), and the Macau Science and Technology Research and Development Industrial Park.

Notably, the education town and the integrated tourism and cultural zone are set to begin graduate-level teaching next year, while the latter is currently gathering public feedback.

Investment in the cultural area will depend on future circumstances, with annual public investment expected to remain around MOP20 billion, consistent with recent years.

Presenting his second Policy Address on Tuesday, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai provided further details on the progress of the technology research industrial park, stating, We will finalize the development plan for the park, including conducting preliminary consultations and research on its requirements, industrial positioning, functional layout, and development model. He emphasized the need to expedite subsequent budget preparation and project tendering, initiate the hiring of a project management company, and actively attract investment.

Sam also mentioned that support from central government ministries and commissions would be sought for the parks development.

He noted that prior to the parks completion, the technology research industrial park will be established to attract technology enterprises and projects in fields such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and digital technology.

These four initiatives aim to diversify the economy, he added. Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai will conduct extensive consultations regarding the technology research industrial park by month-end, with plans to leverage decades of mainland Chinas technological development experience. We will adapt to Macaus actual conditions and fully leverage the benefits of One Country, Two Systems, Sam stated.

The primary focus of the technology park will be on research and development, centered around Macaus technology research industry. Leveraging Macaus four national key laboratories in biotechnology, traditional Chinese medicine, and integrated circuits, the park will also advance space technology through initiatives like Macau Science 1 and Macau Science 2. I look forward to hearing everyones input, particularly from the technology sector, he said.

Sam referenced his previous visits to Changsha, the Pearl River Delta, and Beijing to observe their technological advancements, highlighting that Macau can draw from their successful experiences, especially in biomedicine and digital technology. He revealed plans for a phased development of the technology industry, stating, This will be a gradual process.

Meanwhile, the establishment of the governments industrial fund and guiding fund is anticipated by the end of this year or early next year.

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* Sam holds his hand

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Thursday, November 20, 2025  edition no. 4842

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The biggest crisis of Trumps second term is unfolding over the Epstein files. Having initially promised to release the trove of documents detailing Epsteins crimes and his rich and powerful customers, Trump  one of those customers  quickly changed his tune once in power.

However, this opened a rift within the MAGA movement and woke many up to the fact that Trump, far from draining the swamp, is part and parcel of it. Now hes U-turned again and is expected to finally publish the files. But this threatens to shine a light on depravity, debauchery and unaccountability of the ruling class.

Meanwhile, the regime in Ukraine is facing a crisis on the frontlines as well as within the regime. City after city is being taken by the Russian army, while a corruption scandal is implicating more and more of Zelenskys inner circle.

In this weeks episode of Against the Stream, Josh Holroyd and Hamid Alizadeh sit down to discuss all this and more.

Against the Stream is the Marxist current affairs podcast of the Revolutionary Communist International. It airs weekly on YouTube on Thursdays at 6pm GMT.

MAGA Mutiny Over Epstein Forces Trump U-Turn  Revolutionary Communists of America

Psychologys Dark Triad and the Billionaire Class  Psychology Today

Scoop: Trump plan asks Ukraine to cede additional territory for security guarantee  Axios

Scoop: U.S. secretly drafting new plan to end Ukraine war  Axios

The endgame approaches in Ukraine  Ben Curry

Josh

They were apparently asking him, are you for the forgotten people like us or are you for the Epstein class? People are talking about it in terms of it's not just an evil individual. There is actually something, uh, inherently evil about the ruling. Like, what do they mean by an Epstein class? It's not simply a class of paedophiles or a class of pimps. It is the New York financial elite. And beyond actually that, it is the elite itself. And that is incredibly dangerous from the standpoint of the capitalist system.

Hamid

Welcome to Against the Stream, the podcast which analyses world events in order to reveal the true class interests behind them. While we aim for the highest objectivity, we don't claim to be impartial. We stand unapologetically on the side of the workers and the poor, the people that make the world go around. This podcast is for them.

Yesterday, the US Congress voted to release the files related to Jeffrey Epstein. But what does this mean for the class struggle? And why does capitalism seem to create so many depraved creatures? Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the corruption scandal surrounding Zelenskyy's inner circle is moving closer to the President himself. And at the same time, the US is pushing for a new peace deal with Russia. We're also going to be answering a question from one of our viewers. Why do we seem not to be criticising Russia as much as. As the West? And what is the true Communist position on the Ukraine war?

My name is Hamid Alizadeh and I'm here today once again with, uh, Josh Holroyd.

Josh

Hi, Hamid.

Hamid

Welcome back. You weren't supposed to be here. We were supposed to have Niklas in, but he got very ill last minute and, uh, get well soon Niklas! You were, you were kind enough to step in.

Um, now this Epstein thing is, Is blowing up the entirety of the Internet, the media, the ether. Um, this is a person who's been accused, and probably rightly so. Yeah, for doing horrible things to women, uh, sex trafficking, uh, and underage women, underage women, sexual abuse, trafficking, um, extortion, all sorts of things. And he's heavily embedded in the American elite, in the Western elite.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

At the centre, at the centre of it. The people in his, uh, Rolodex are, uh, all very, very powerful people. And it's precisely that file, that contact sheet basically, that people want to be, uh, made public.

Josh

Yeah. And they want, um, the FBI's investigation files. Yeah, into Epstein as well. Um, to look at the leads that they were investigating.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

Because they believe that there will be individuals, quite a lot of individuals named in those files who are not only evading justice, but also are extremely influential, wealthy and important people.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

In the United States and in the global economy.

Hamid

Yeah. Ah, let's just spell it out. There's now a thousand women who've come out, uh, ah, revealing that they have been abused by, um, Epstein and his network of people, basically. He's basically been pimping them out, uh, to very rich and influential people on his island or in other places. They've been flown around the world, flown around the U.S. um, and, um, the powerful people so far named. But it's. It's all very vague, but it's clearly been named. Uh, who. People who've had very close relationships with Epstein have been Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, who was, uh, the treasury secretary of Bill Clinton. He's now, I think yesterday resigned from all positions. Yeah.

Josh

You stepped down from OpenAI, didn't he?

Hamid

Yeah. Um, which is, uh, the new hope of the American economy. Um, Peter Thiel, billionaire, also, uh, a madman himself. We can talk about that. The, uh, Prince, uh, Andrew. Our very own British prince. Andrew Peter Mendelssohn.

Josh

We should call him Andrew Mountbatten Windsor now because he's had his title officially.

Hamid

Andrew, formerly known as Prince.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

And, uh, um, Peter Mendelssohn, former great hope of the British, uh, diplomatic establishment in the U.S. Steve Bannon, uh, Bill Gates, formerly world's richest man, still probably one of them. Ehud, uh, Barak, former, uh, Israeli prime minister, prime minister, Minister and uh, head of intelligence. Um, although not all of these are, uh, necessarily implicated in the abuse side of things, but they're definitely heavily involved with, uh, Epstein. And of course, not to forget Donald Trump himself, uh, who clearly had a close relationship, at least in certain periods, with Epstein. Um, now one thing that I think stood out to me was the failure of Trump to stop this because he did everything in his power to stop this. And I think this is an important case. It's an important point.

Josh

Um.

Hamid

This case has been brewing. First of all, Trump himself brought it up. Yeah, he brought it up because this was obviously a case that was being swept under the carpet for years and through many, uh, uh, uh, administrations. Democrats, Republicans, uh, everyone knew about this. Epstein's, uh, cases were very, very widely known. And also the irregularities around them were highly irregular. The way that the FBI carried them, uh, the way it carried itself in investigating Epstein, the way that his imprisonment, his first stint in prison, where he basically lived like a king. Um, it was highly irregular. All of these administrations, uh, held their hand over him. Trump came out Saying, no, no, we need to bring out the files. And as late as this, uh, February, Pam Bondi, uh, said that, oh yes, the files are on my desk.

But suddenly over the spring they made a U turn and they say, oh, there's nothing there, there's nothing to be seen. And they went double, triple down on stopping the release of these files, basically. But in the meantime you had other Democrats and ordinary people, of course, wanting to see what was going on. Uh, you had Marjorie Taylor Greene, who's been coming out, who's a Republican, who's a hardcore MAGA influencer or you know, politician, and she's been clashing increasingly with Trump on healthcare costs, on other things, and now on this question, um, and he disowned her, basically. So he, um, he withdrew his endorsement. But you see, if he had done this with any Republican a year ago, their careers would have been finished. But it seems to me that this has actually made Marjorie Taylor Greene more prominent and has pulled Trump's popularity down.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

And in the end the bill was passed with one vote against him.

Josh

Yeah. So he was initially opposed to this bill. Yeah, uh, this bill was brought by Democrat, ah, congressmen, but also with the support of a small number of Republicans. And Trump was opposed to it. And whipping. In Britain we use the expression whipping, basically forcing his representatives in the Republican Party to vote against, threatening not only Marjorie Taylor Greene, but threatening anybody who voted for it with being primaried, in other words, that he would support another Republican candidate to take their place in the. Threatening them with their jobs. Right.

Hamid

Mhm.

Josh

Then, uh, was it earlier this week, not long ago, only a few days ago, he did a U turn and said now all Republicans must vote for it.

Hamid

Which is only because he knew that the rebellion against him was going to be so powerful.

Josh

Exactly.

Hamid

That he couldn't, couldn't, uh, he needed to do it, basically. Um, and it explains the disappointment with the Trump presidency in the US Obviously because he hasn't solved any of the problems that he promised to solve. Cost of living. There's a. Also there's so much talk about the affordability crisis in the US 1/4 of Americans, according to bank of America, um, are living paid paycheck to paycheck after paying necessities, which is rent, utilities. They've spent 95% of their income.

Josh

Right.

Hamid

Which means that they cannot afford any extra unforeseen, uh, bills, uh, and expenses and certainly nothing above. Just basic, basically getting by.

Josh

Um, and this was a major plank of his campaign, wasn't it? I'm gonna Bring down prices. I'm gonna, um, introduce more jobs and good quality jobs.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

Actually I read somewhere that a million jobs have been lost in the US economy.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

In 2025.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

Big companies like Amazon are getting rid of tens of thousands of jobs.

Hamid

Massive amount of layoffs are on the way. Uh, then he, uh, he said he wouldn't go to wars. He bombed Iran. Mhm. He didn't really stop the war on Gaza. I mean, we'll see what happens. He says he's brought peace to Gaza. I don't think there's much peace coming, coming there.

Josh

Not that I can see for now.

Hamid

It didn't stop the Ukraine war. We'll get to that.

Josh

And he's threatening war with Venezuela.

Hamid

Yes. And uh, his tariffs has actually led to higher prices, uh, a decline of the dollar which is pushing up inflation. Um, and uh, he's now had to actually backtrack on a whole series of tariffs, especially on food prices. He's had to come out, say he, he wants to bring, he wants to give this tariff, uh, dividend check, $2,000 to every American who earned less than $100,000, clearly as a means to appeasing the working class, his working class base. Um, and uh, I just read a headline, I haven't looked into it, but, but apparently lots of Democrats, sorry, Republicans, are now saying we can't vote for that. So that's not going to go through either.

But uh, it is obviously a big thing and it shows that his coalition is falling apart, isn't it? We said when Trump was elected, we said, yes, Trump is a reactionary and a capitalist, but his coalition is formed out of several divergent forces with diverging interests. One part of it are billionaires. Ah, Such as Peter Thiel, such as, um, Elon Musk. Um, then there's the whole middle class. Libertarians or reactionaries, such as libertarians or the evangelicals, and these kind of layers. And then there's a big working class layer.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

Who didn't vote for Trump because he was a reactionary, but voted for Trump because he in a distorted manner gave expression to their class anger. M part of which was related to Epstein.

Josh

Epstein, yeah. He was seen as somebody, although he might be a billionaire himself, he was seen as being outside of this establishment, this swamp that kept on carrying out the same old policies every single administration. And he came along and said, I'm a businessman, I get things done. I'm gonna lower prices, increase jobs and all that. And um, quite a large section of the American working class, uh, and not just white workers in America as well. Voted for him in order to carry that out, but they didn't give him a blank check. And obviously quite a lot of people on the left thought that, oh, well, this is a sign that the majority of the American population is sliding into fascism or whatever, turning in a rightward direction. We're starting to see. Well, I'd say we were already seeing from the beginning, but we're seeing even more clearly the hollowness of that analysis and the contradictions which were, um, inherent within that coalition that Trump succeeded in establishing.

Hamid

That coalition is breaking apart as we predicted, and the working class is becoming more radicalised, I would say.

Josh

Yeah. As you were saying, this Epstein issue is a real point of focus for that radicalization. I think it's, it's easy to underestimate the level of anger and revulsion that is felt by millions of ordinary people.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

At this case and at what is seen as, and I think correctly seen as a cover up as well.

Hamid

Yeah. Yes. Because this is what the Americans people see. They see Epstein, with all of these rich and powerful people committing these horrible crimes. Horrible crimes. And all of these institutions of the state and the media.

Josh

Mhm.

Hamid

By the way, also covering it up. Everyone knew about this. Nothing was done for years and years and years until it exploded and they had to do something. But even then there's so many questions. How did he die? He was, he was on suicide watch. Right. And the camera just happened to be turned off. And there's a lot of conspiracy theories.

Josh

And you can understand why.

Hamid

I understand 100. And I'm sure that there is an element of truth, uh, a strong element of truth to it. And I think, I think this also, you know, obviously this encapsulates the feeling. This becomes the, ah, this embodies the feeling that everyone has towards the system.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

Right. Um, that, it. We are ruled by a class of people who don't care about us. Not only they don't care about us, they're criminals, they're parasites, they leech off of us, they abuse us. Um, they do whatever, whatever they please.

Josh

And protect each other.

Hamid

They protect each other. And there is a cabal, kind of, you know, basically there is what, what, what a lot of people believe and still believe is that there's a cabal of abusers, sexual abusers and paedophiles, criminals who run this world.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

And in a way it's true. Yeah, that is absolutely true.

Josh

You know, on that I was listening to a, uh, New York Times podcast, the opinions podcast. Podcast and the, they were interviewing this Ro Khanna guy who was the person who first put this uh, bill to get the Epstein files released. And it was interesting. I mean this is no endorsement of him as a Democrat or whatever, but what he was saying was genuinely very interesting that he, after Trump was elected he went to these uh, more rural areas in these so called forgotten towns that have been de. Industrialised, that have got high unemployment. And he went to talk to people who lived there to talk about economic questions basically about how to revitalise their areas. And um, I'm sure that they raised lots of demands in relation to that.

But one thing that he said in this interview was they kept talking about Epstein and the Epstein files. Uh, and one thing they said to him that he reported on this podcast really struck me was they were apparently asking him, are you for the forgotten people like us or are you for the Epstein class? And I thought the Epstein class, that just pinpoints the issue here, exactly what you were talking about, that they don't see it. And I think in the past there have been scandals. Maybe not exactly like this, but there have been big scandals in, throughout history really. Um, and we can talk about why that is, but I think in the past if this has happened 20 years ago, people. Well it was happening 20 years ago, but if it had blown up like this 20 years ago, people would have probably thought oh, this guy was a real evil guy. We just need to make sure this never happens again. We need to make sure that justice is done and that we move on and that it's more just uh, that this is an evil person who needs to be uh, well he can't be uh, brought to justice of course, but whatever.

Um, now people are talking about it in terms of it's not just an evil individual. There is actually something uh, inherently evil about the ruling. Like what do they mean by an Epstein class? It's not simply a class of paedophiles or a class of pimps. It is the New York financial elite. And beyond actually that it is the elite itself. And that is incredibly dangerous from the standpoint of the capitalist system.

Hamid

Huh. I think it's a powerful statement. The forgotten people or the Epstein class?

Josh

I couldn't put it better myself.

Hamid

That should be the title of this podcast. Uh, that should be our, our name in a way. Uh, the forgotten people versus the Epstein class. I think it really sums it up. It sums up how people feel. I mean, um, and the fact that it, it falls into this general mood of radicalization and I think I Mean, we get to this, but it's an important part of the revolutionary process I think are uh, these scandals in the sense that they accentuate the hatred and they concretize the hatred that people feel for the system. Because it proves everything they could feel somehow, but they couldn't really put a finger on, you know, of how criminal, how rotten this whole thing is.

Um, and it's what's interesting is this is not an isolated case. No, you know, and another interesting, as you say, you know, 20 years ago people say, oh, this is just a bad person. But a lot of people are realising it's not. And I think that's. That reveals a very high level of consciousness because if we look at history, there's a lot of this stuff going on. I mean we had Jimmy Savile in uh, in Britain. Similar type of guy, by the way, this kind of charlatan upcomer, Uh, charlatan fixer type, uh, who kind of. He, he survives as uh, one of the comrades. This morning he said it's like uh, they're kind of lubricants for the system. It's kind of fixes.

Josh

He became indispensable.

Hamid

They become indispensable at ah, people who do the dirty work.

Josh

And uh, what's interesting with Savile is he wasn't a billionaire financier, he was a DJ and just basically a clown really, who became famous for his work as a dj. But also, and this is another significant thing that you see a lot with these scandals with his charity work. Uh, the kind of smiling face of the rich helping out the downtrodden and vulnerable, which for people like him also gives him access to the vulnerable. He cultivated relations with people high up in the police. He cultivated a friendship with, now the King Charles, uh, he cultivated a relationship with Thatcher. And these people like King Charles and Thatcher, they weren't innocent victims who were like duped by this person. They sought him out. Why? Because his fame and the love that people had for him, which was carefully groomed by the media establishment as well. Um, for all his charity work, Thatcher in particular. Thatcher was of course known at the time. She was known as Thatcher the Milk Snatcher because she cut free milk for children at school. She was known as this nasty, heartless politician. Her old line was like, oh well, the state shouldn't be providing these things. People should just get by on themselves.

But the other side of that is that if you have somebody who's a so called national treasure, known for his charity work raising thousands and thousands of pounds for new hospitals and stuff. You can cover your image with people like that. Likewise, King Charles was unpopular for a number of reasons and so all of the members of the establishment were actually helping to elevate him in order to protect themselves, which is why he became untouchable. Like people, I think when his. When things really broke out, um, after he died, people assumed that all of the, um, survivors came forward after he died because they knew they were safe. That's not actually true. Quite a few people had reported it to the police and, you know, rank and file police had started investigating it and in many cases higher ups had siloed it off into secret files so that when future cases would come up in different counties in England, different parts of England, when they looked into it, they weren't able to find the information to build a. Sufficient case to take it forward. So there was an establishment going up, going on since the 1970s.

Hamid

And just, just for those who don't know who Jimmy Savile is, he was a children's BBC presenter. Yeah, uh, children's presenter at the BBC, at dj. Very popular person, kind of a household name.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

In, uh, in that period. And uh, he was in. He was shown to be involved in all sorts of necrophilia, sexual abuse of disabled people and, uh, you know, I.

Josh

Mean, a real monster.

Hamid

A real, real monster. And he was. It was covered up by the entire. There's so many scandals about the people who covered him up, who consciously went out of their way to cover up the tracks, his tracks. Um, but yes, I mean, there's also. In the 90s, there was a scandal in Belgium which involved the paedophile ring involving the entirety of the establishment. Judges, politicians, all sorts of people. And that led actually to a revolutionary movement. Hundreds of thousands of people on the streets. They could have overthrown the regime right there and then. Uh, but it didn't happen.

Recently, um, there's a new scandal's come up involving rich people again. Uh, and abuse of power is. During the siege of Sarajevo in Bosnia, where these Italian, whatever it was, uh, people created, ah, man, human hunting parties. Basically you could pay, ah, 80 to 100,000 in, in the money of that. Of equivalent of that at that time, um, to go to Sarajevo which was besieged, and then snipe civilians.

Josh

Innocent people.

Hamid

Innocent people. And I mean the stories about that is horrible, horrible. Uh, again, interestingly, this was the person who's now at the centre. The witness was now at the centre of this case. He was a Bosnian intelligence officer. He said he did Report it back then. And the Italian intelligence military police came back and said is this won't happen again.

Josh

Right. So there was a couple, acknowledged it.

Hamid

They acknowledged it, it happened and they said we closed the route, it's not going to happen again. And then it was shut down, as far as I know. At least I haven't done a deep dive into this. There's me too again, powerful people. Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein. And. And it's just an epidemic. Uh, you see everywhere where there's power. Yeah, there's the abuse in that sense from a capitalist. In the capitalist system there is the abuse of power and often with the heavy kind of sexual undertone, but in all sorts of ways.

Josh

And it's not just power, it's the counterpart of power, which is the vulnerability and weakness of the poor and the forgotten people that these people in America were talking about. Um, and so that's rooted to inequality sometimes. I'm sure you've encountered this as well. There's this liberal idea, certainly see it in the media. I've also been confronted with it, uh, in conversation with people hold these ideas that you talk about inequality. You communists talk about inequality, but inequality isn't so bad if the economy's growing. And so everyone's getting a bit better off. If one person's a trillionaire and um, one person is earning 30 grand a year but is okay, that's better than just everybody being poor, for instance. Therefore, don't worry about inequality. All you need to worry about is absolute poverty. And then they'll often present extremely massage statistics to claim that that's going down as well.

But actually inequality is a huge driver of this. We see it's in the nature of capitalism that it create, at the same time it creates billionaires and big established figures, uh, that can manoeuvre within the system and institutions that protect these people, deliberately or otherwise. But they do serve to protect these people. Um, you have a mass, you will always under capitalism have a mass of people who are poor, who are vulnerable. Um, you know, there's this bit, there's been this grooming scandal in Britain now that the girls that this affects are often girls from unstable, difficult backgrounds, poor. Nobody's, uh, looking after them, nobody cares where they are. And so they're congregating in places where people are grooming and exploiting them. Likewise, Savile first started his career as an abuser, if you like, started going to. They were a bit like kind of underage jails. They were basically homes for difficult, uh, children should we say children often that they didn't have parents or they're estranged from the parents. In other words, who was going to believe what they said? They were in there because they'd been bad.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

They weren't wealthy. And so he'd go and he'd take them on car trips and abuse them and basically say, like, even if you talk, they're not going to believe you. And that's actually what happened.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

And so then these people like Savile are able to exploit that and, uh, there's just. Capitalism creates the raw material for this everywhere.

Hamid

Yeah. Well, one of the victims of Epstein was on TV yesterday. One of the comrades showed this to me, um, where she said she, her mother had the brain tumour and Epstein took over the paying of her bills for her treatment. And then he used that as a lever against her to basically put her deeper and deeper into this sort of business and threatened, uh, to withdraw that money and that support if she didn't cooperate. Right. So there you have it. On the one hand, the extreme poverty and misery of ordinary people and the power and impunity of the super rich.

There is a, um. I mean, uh, this is old knowledge, but there's an article in Psychology Today which is called Psychology's Dark Triad and the Billionaire Class. And it goes through, uh. There is a lot of evidence in the past many years that, that it suggests or that proves that the amount of psychopaths and narcissists at the. In the 1% is much, much, much higher. Right. Than anywhere else. And they talk about the dark triad of Machiavellian ism, basically scheming, you know, manoeuvring, extorting, shameless, um, discompassionate behaviour and psychopathy, uh, psychopathic behaviour and narcissistic behaviour. And, uh, they, they just list a whole series of studies that show how they are more prevalent amongst the super rich. Um, they say the super rich have less empathy, less compassion, higher levels of psychopathy and, and narcissism.

Josh

Not our words.

Hamid

Not our words exactly.

Josh

Words of Psychology Magazine.

Hamid

It's quite interesting. I mean, they don't come. Come to it from a class point of view, but. But they draw a lot of interesting, uh, conclusions. Uh, they say ordinary people, support people, have a bigger need for collaboration and to standing together. They can't, they can't survive on their own.

Josh

Hm.

Hamid

And they need to collaborate and therefore they develop much more social and empathetic traits. In other words, whereas super, um, rich people really don't need other people. Most other people Are competitors to them or some, or people who want someone, something from them and they need uh, this is today's super rich are more likely to find close relationships especially with people of lesser means quite unnecessary in their goal oriented pursuits. Obviously as a working.

We always say that the mentality, the psychology of the working class is precisely based on its need to collaborate. That's what gives it its social, its communist consciousness in essence. Although I would say that's also a general human trait because humanity needs, is a social animal and it needs society. Yeah. And collaboration to survive. So in effect what you have is a ruling class moving away from the human norm, from the natural human norm.

Josh

It's interesting you say that because often um, when things like this are brought up people I've seen people kind of shrug and say well that's human nature.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

You're always going to have poor vulnerable people and you're always going to have powerful people who abuse that to their own ends. And so it's just part of the kind of human disease. Yeah, but what you pointed out is that. Okay, I mean human nature clearly doesn't exclude this behaviour otherwise it wouldn't be happening. But actually how our human uh, nature expresses itself is determined by our conditions.

Hamid

Exactly.

Josh

And there's something about our conditions that are very, very wrong to be producing this on this scale and this frequency all the time.

Hamid

Exactly. So Marx says social being determines consciousness. Right. And that's the whole point. And I mean they, they list. I, I really suggest people to read it because the examples they bring is just, it's just uh, insane. How many in the most mundane things such as there's a crossing, they, they monitored, some people monitor the crossing and they said rich expensive cars stopped four times less for pedestrians than cheap cars. I mean it's. But then they had other studies about just signs of ability to read other people's facial um, and emotional expressions which is a sign of empathy. There's so many of them. They listed through and through. Um, and then at the end they said there are members of the 1% UM who act upon their dark triad inclinations and impulses.

That's a serious problem because their extraordinary wealth gives them tremendous influence over our laws, our politics and our public square. And they're eager and able to use their power and resources to pursue a self serving agenda at the expense of the common good. Isn't that just a description of the logic of capitalism? I mean if you want to get ahead in business, what do you need to do? You need to be ruthless. The More ruthless you are, the better you are in competition, isn't it? Um, there's a logic to capitalism which there's a process of selection like in nature you can say, but m in business that selects the most ruthless, depraved, cold, cynical people, um, apart from anyone else.

Josh

Yeah. And as you were talking, I was thinking. Yeah. This behaviour like the human hunting.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

For instance, it shows this, this attitude and not stopping for pedestrians is a much smaller example. Yeah. Shows this contempt for human life that other people, the little people. Yeah. They, they are like ants.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

They're not the same as me. Um, that and that they don't matter. Like who cares if one of these people just disappears? Yeah. There's plenty more of them.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

But then thinking about it, I mean, isn't that how the capitalists approach the majority of society anyway? When you have these um, you know, scandals of people working in, in dangerous, deadly conditions. Um, there was, there was a gas explosion, a plant in, in India, in Bhopal which killed thousands of people and the company could have present, prevented that.

Hamid

We have the Grenfell Tower in Britain.

Josh

Absolutely.

Hamid

How many, you know, how many people died there? How many people, how many people living in really dangerous housing that the bourgeois know is dangerous? M General, uh, Motors, there was a scandal they had a faulty something in the car switch of some sort which meant that their airbags didn't work in certain conditions and the engines would switch off. A hundred people died in the 10 years that the company knew about this and didn't tell anyone. And then it came out. Um, we have cigarette uh, companies. The sugar industry. Yeah. Uh, the weapons industry, the opioid industry.

Josh

Um, just on the cigarette companies. After cigarettes started getting more heavily regulated in the west, cigarette companies started very aggressively marketing cigarettes to kids in Africa where they're saying regulation didn't exist. So they knew, they knew the issue.

Hamid

And then on top of that then you have just your ordinary day to day businesses which grind people down as hard as they possibly can in order to make a profit. And the better you would do that, the more inclined you are and the more prepared you are to force your workers to push them to the end of their limit and to pay them as little as possible, undermining their living conditions and life expectancy in a way, the better you'll do. So it's a part of capitalism. But I would also add, well and then there's obviously the wars, Ukraine, nation states, Iraq, uh, wars, the pillaging of Africa and the less advanced uh, world. Yeah. But I would Also say this, that you have this, you know, Marxist Marx said capitalism came to the world with blood dripping from its every pore. It's ingrained in capitalism this kind of brutality. But I think there's another element as well which is the, the um, the development, the financialization, so to say, the crushing domination of the stock market, the industrialization.

What we've talked about a lot in the past in this podcast, the development of the capitalist class to this extremely parasitic, extremely short sighted, stockbroking class, M, in essence, uh, which brings the level of short sightedness to a new level. The fact that it's now a class which doesn't have a purpose, at least in the early days of capitalism they were, you know, the British were building, you know, the Americans were engineers and they were thinking decades and centuries ahead and they were building an infrastructure and industry and they were developing science and they had a certain historical purpose, you know, um, but they've completely outlived that. And today they, they just become parasites. They live off schemes, Ponzi schemes. By the way, Epstein was, was involved in quite a few of those, uh, in pillaging the state, uh, looting and that obviously again accentuates the most depraved ways of being.

Josh

Yeah, it's funny you say that. It reminds me of a quote from Marx in uh, 1850, when capitalism is still, it's maturing as a system, but in many respects the bourgeoisie is still playing a relatively progressive role in developing the economy. But he says this specifically about the stock exchange wolves. It's interesting that he calls them, um, stock exchange wolves, considering the film Wolf of Wall street, which Marx did not.

Hamid

Watch, which by the way, just is another example of the depraved nature of the bourgeois class.

Josh

Um, and he says that the finance aristocracy is what he refers to them, uh, in both its mode of appropriation and mode of living, replicates uh, the life of the lump and proletariat at the heights of bourgeois society. Now, now lump and proletariat in this context, he's talking about pimps, pickpockets, basically the kind of criminal underclass of society. And he's saying that uh, the people, that the stock exchange wolves are basically taking those habits, if you like, in that way of life, but placing it right at the very top of bourgeois society. And you can see that in the Wolf of Wall street as well.

Hamid

Yes, I mean if you see interviews with the guy that that movie is about M, it's a lot more depraved than that film actually, um, gives credence and these are the ones who run our world.

Josh

Yeah, they're more powerful now than in Marx's day. Marx was attacking them because they, they represented, if you like, a reactionary parasitical wing of a, of a capitalist class which was still actually developed, developing and striving towards power. The French capitalist class would develop things further. The industrial capitalist class still relatively weak by that point. So he was more talking about them, he was highlighting the finance aristocracy in France in the 1850s, uh, as actually a product of France's relative backwardness compared to say, England. Now the most advanced capitalist countries have the most developed, um, financial parasites.

Hamid

And they are all powerful.

Josh

Yeah, they are the masters of the universe.

Hamid

They have total power. You know, they say power corrupts, uh, absolute power corrupts absolutely. And that is what these guys, they have, they have almost absolute power.

Josh

Um, and there's another point that kind of was flowing from what you're talking about with the ruling class no longer playing a productive role. It reminds me of the stories from the um, you know, the days of the Roman Empire where the rich Romans, this wasn't a productive class. You know, the slave owners and the money lenders and all these kind of people, they weren't reinvesting it in industrialising the Roman economy. That didn't happen. They just, they would buy more slaves and um, they would do things like dissolving pearls in ah, acid, sorry, eating peacocks brains and uh, carrying out depraved torture and games of innocent people and slaves and stuff. What else did they have to do?

Hamid

And by the way, that is the time where you have the rise of the populists. Who are these breakaways from the ruling class who appealed to the masses?

Josh

Yeah, well, I mean, um, populism emerged slightly before then, but populism emerges at the same time or shortly after.

Hamid

Uh-huh.

Josh

The big latifundia, by which I mean the big slave plantation economy. So the more that slavery developed, the more this parasitical slave owning class developed and yet that class ends up splitting where. Yeah, you do have this interesting development where people from rich and noble Roman backgrounds, people like Julius Caesar for instance, joined what was called the Popular Party or the populists, who were turning to the poor Roman citizens, not the slaves, but the poor Roman citizens with a vote and um, offering them certain reforms, sometimes things like land reform, or if not reforming the whole system, at least giving them a plot of land, because often these were ruined peasants against the party that at the time was called the Optimist, Optimates by which Means the best or the excellent. And they were the represent the old, more aristocratic senators. And so in other words, it's the same class. Julius Caesar was part of the ruling class and he was from a very noble line, uh, but he was demagogically appealing to a wider layer of uh, Roman citizens against the super rich.

Hamid

Yeah. Ah, these are like the heads of the market, the Trumps and the Farages, although it's not quite a Caesar. Um, but this has revolutionary implications. I think that's the important thing that we need to talk about because, um, there is, you know, my favourite series of all time succession. For anyone who's out there. I don't know if I've quoted this, I've probably quoted this before because I just, I've seen this series three or four times and I think it's the best psychological analysis of the super rich. And by the way, uh, one of the foremost, uh, experts on narcissism, she did this on, on YouTube. She did this um, analysis of it and she said this is the best depiction of narcissism whatsoever. And Succession is about this super rich billionaire family. And she said they're all narcissists. Right. And it's funny because the people who wrote it did it by studying all the billionaire families, the Murdochs, the Trumps, the Kochs and all of the other ones and they kind of synthesise it into this series. But anyway, in this series there is a, um, there is a scene where there's one billionaire is talking to another one and he's saying, look, in ancient Rome they were considering giving everyone the same colour tunic, all the slaves the same colour tunics. But they decided not to do so because if the slaves could see how many they were, they would rebel and they would overthrow the people in power.

Um, and obviously that's a powerful thing. If the working class could see how big and powerful it is, it would, it was, it would stand, it would rise up and would get rid of these parasites. One of the comrades, Daniel Morley, good friend of ours, uh, made a very interesting counter comment. He said, yeah, it's kind of a commentary on the movie itself because if everyone could see how rotten and decrepit the ruling class was, like these people in the, in the, in the series are. Mhm. They would rise up and overthrow them. And I think that's a powerful thing is these kind of scandals bring out the true nature of the society we live in. They unmask, you know, they unmask this polished surface of bourgeois democracy and Western values.

Josh

And bourgeois morality.

Hamid

Bourgeois morality. Oh, yes, exactly. Uh, and the Epstein thing is even more interesting because he was in touch with everyone. He has pictures with everyone. The Clintons, Obama from Trump, all of these people who wouldn't touch each other in normal times, who accuse each other of being rotten and decrepit. They were all connected through this one.

Josh

Guy because they're all in the same.

Hamid

Class and they all. None of them want to reveal these files. The Democrats didn't want to open it when they were in power. Now Trump doesn't want to open it. Whether he's in it or not, I don't think that matters. It's clear that a lot of his allies, uh, uh, uh, in, uh, it would be in it. And he's definitely connected to Epstein. And it has a profoundly revolutionary role. You were talking about the Reformation before this.

Josh

Yeah, because this point that you made, which I think is right, that capitalism as a system actually promotes this kind of thing, and that these horrendous abuses and crimes against humanity, they've been a permanent part of the history of capitalism. But that raises an important question. Well, if this has always been a feature of capitalism, and periodically you always have these kind of scandals popping up, why hasn't it already led to the overthrow? If all that's required is a big enough scandal that exposes the degeneracy of the ruling class, we should have had the world socialist revolution a long time ago. And I think that there's something about.

It's not just the impact that this event is having, it's also what it's reflecting in other developments in consciousness that, um, when a system, when a social system. You look back further in history, when a social system is moving forward, is developing, the productive forces, the lives of the masses are relatively stable. Perhaps they're getting better. There's a certain sense of optimism. In other words, things work. That's what I'm getting at. When there's a sense that things are working and that therefore the ruling class, who's. Who's stewarding, you know, guiding, running the system, even if they're running it for their own benefit, it's working. There is this sense, you know, I mentioned before that, oh, these are just bad apples, or this is just a horrendous thing. How could. We can't even understand how terrible this thing is. Let's move on. Let's. Let's have an inquiry into why it happened. Learn the lessons, which you never learned, of course, and then move on.

But then in periods, uh, often periods of transition, when the old system is decaying. And it's not simply a moral decay, it's a much deeper decay at the level of production, at the level of distribution, at the economy, all level, you know, of diplomacy, military. When a system is dying, essentially, you notice in these historical periods that it starts to be more of a focus on the institutions themselves. And you see that with the Reformation that, um, you know, going back in. And there's an article in the idem. Can't resist a plug of the In Defence of Marxism magazine. Uh, no other magazines are available.

Hamid

Josh, for the information of our viewers and listeners, is the editor of the In Defence of Marxism Theoretical magazine.

Josh

That is right. And, um, this summer, just gone, we published an article by Helene Bissonnette, who's a comrade of ours in Canada, on the subject of morality and the class struggle. Now, as Marxists, we don't think that morality is the driving force of history, that history is just this kind of realisation of a. Of a more elevated or end result of human morality. Um, but morality, um, first of all, morality has changed and been shaped by events and by the development history. But morality does play a big role in consciousness and class consciousness. And there are certain points of history, it's not all the time. There are transitional points in history where all of a sudden the moral outrage of the masses is directed at, uh, entire institutions and entire classes. And that is usually a harbinger of, um, huge revolutionary crises to come.

And the Reformation is an excellent example of that, in my opinion, because you read people like Martin Luther and the language he uses, not just about, oh, this specific priest selling indulgences and corrupt practises, you know, he talks. And corrupt practises by the Catholic Church at the time were widespread scandals which were enraging people. But you read the language of Luther and he uses languages that I can't repeat on this show. Very earthy language, shall we say, to attack not just the Pope as an individual. That's because in the. Dante attacks the Pope as an individual. But back in the 13th century, but he says it's the papacy as a whole, the entire church establishment is completely rotten and sinful and must be overthrown. And that kind of moral outrage which he was expressing, he didn't just invent that. People were already thinking that that was followed by what. It was followed by the Peasants War in Germany, a, uh, revolutionary war, um, and the whole process of the Reformation, all of the wars and revolutions that are comprised by that term.

Um, so when I see people talking about An Epstein class in the United States and where millions of people refuse to let this issue go. And people are talking openly about the. You know, we talk about the Catholic Church. I mean, the kind of high financial circles in Wall Street. This is almost like the Vatican of capitalism. You know, this kind of closed community of masters of the universe. Um, the conclave. Yeah. People are talking about this Vatican of capitalism in similar terms to Luther about the Catholic church in the 16th century. I mean, if I were part of the bourgeoisie, I'd be looking at that and feeling extremely worried.

Hamid

Yeah. This is not a case of an individual. It's a class question. It embodies everything that people feel in their bones is wrong with the system. And the hatred that it produces is an important revolution element in the revolutionary process. And we see that, uh, in all revolutionary periods, that hatred stemming from. From looking at this degeneracy and decay is an important driving force of revolutionary movements. Because ordinary people don't learn from books and theory. They learn through experience. And that experience embodies, reflects itself through this. Correct. Moral outrage.

But class outrage, it's a class morality, in other words. And, uh, what does it reveal? It reveals that this is not. This society is not a democracy. We're not all in the same boat. Uh, our society is ruled by a class of people who don't serve any productive purpose whatsoever. The only people who have an interest in developing society and raising humanity to a worthy level of dignity are the poor, the workers. The ones who are always too told that they're too stupid and m. Too ignorant to rule. They're in fact, the only ones who are. Who have a right to rule this. Hm. Society. And that obviously is an important conclusion, uh, to reach. And, uh, this is an important part of this process. Now, obviously that process is not finished, but we see now the Yeah, still it's confused.

Josh

It's a confused expression of this mood. And it can be directed in all kinds of, um, different places. You know, there's also a bit of a moral panic at the moment about, um, migrants and asylum seekers in Britain also being abusers. So we're not suggesting that this is just some perfect.

Hamid

But. But I think what this really shows is the real abusers. Are not the poor.

Josh

Yes.

Hamid

Who. Who are. Who are coming in desperately because of the abuse they suffer at the hands of imperialists in Africa and Middle east and elsewhere. The real abusers sit right at the top and no one is holding them to account. And the only people who can do.

Josh

That, they're protected A lot more than people in migrant hostels. Yes.

Hamid

Okay, I think, uh, on that note, I think we can continue to the next, uh, topic, which is Ukraine, which should, uh, also, uh, evoke moral outrage, I would say, because here's another country where we've been told this is the spearhead of democracy, of civilization, of civilization, defence of democracy all depends on Vladimir Zelensky and the Ukrainian army defeating the evil Russians who are now coming for our civilised way of life. Um, and obviously that's all falling apart.

There is a huge, ah, embezzlement scandal, broiling which involves everyone in the inner circle of Zelensky, uh, he himself, we talked about it last week. The anti corruption, um, how to say, uh, institutions are now on a daily basis just drip feeding the public with new revelations, new recordings. And for the first time, Zelensky is in some of these recordings, although he doesn't incriminate himself. But, um, his former Defence Minister, Rustem, uh, Umarov was, is now fully implicated as having, uh, been a part of a scam to procure bad bulletproof vests. Uh, again pushed by this, uh, Mindich, who was a, a close friend of, uh, a billion. A millionaire and a close friend of Zelensky. He's now in Turkey apparently to negotiate some deal, but no one knows about this deal. The Russians are saying, no, no, we don't know anything about this negotiation. Some people say he's now in the UAE and he's skipped town. We don't know if that's true or not. There's a lot of rumours. But this was a Defence Minister. The former Minister of Energy has been fired. The former Minister of Justice has been fired. Um, and now the Chief of Staff of Zelensky, Andrei Yermak, uh, has been implicated. His codename apparently was Alibaba. Of all the code names you can have. Um, and they're now coming for him. There's a political crisis. People are, people are demanding that he, he step back. Um, and there's a rebellion in Zelensky's party. Ten MPs have signed a declaration saying we need a coalition, coalition government, national unity government.

Right now we should say that part of the people fueling this anti corruption drive is not actually honest people. Because, let's be honest, corruption is so rife in Ukraine and this, this case involves $100 million. But real corruption in this war has been to the tune of billions and tens of billions, most probably. But clearly oppositional oligarchs such as Kolomoisky Poroshenko, the old president and so on, are fueling this as a means to defanging, uh, uh, uh, Zelenskyy, who's been increasingly monopolising, uh, power in his own hands. And they're revealing all of these. They're kind of bringing down a peg. Right. Um, now members of the Zelenskyy Zanpazi are saying, are playing with the same idea by saying, well, we think this is not an ultimatum, but we think that Zelenskyy should form a government of national unity. Now, Zelenskyy's majority, uh, in parliament is only three votes, and he needs that majority in order to extend the martial law, which gives him unchecked powers and allows him not to hold elections. His term ran out a few years ago, so that would put Zelinsky in a very, very, um, tight spot. And now there's a big manoeuvring game going on.

On the one hand, the, uh, Poroshenko and Kolomoisky and that gang and. And the European Union and the Americans, by the way, they want to bring some sort of a more inclusive, from a bourgeois point of view, government that they can control easier. The to defang Zelensky, make him like a puppet president, uh, and in his own party, there are then people who are saying, well, we might swing to that side and support them. Uh, if you don't get rid of Yermak, who is Zelensky, who represents Zelensky's faction within the party. So they're saying, okay, if you bring all of the factions of the party into the government, we might not swing to the other side. Whereas the other guys are saying, we're going to continue this until you bring us into power. Right.

Josh

So not only opposing parties, but factions.

Hamid

Within his own party as well.

Josh

Seeing more cracks within the regime.

Hamid

Exactly. Um, meanwhile, the front is collapsing. Um, Siversk. I just saw in the last two days, the Siversk from Siversk is the town which is a very important town defending Slaviansk. And Kramatorsk has collapsed. Almost half of it is in Russian hands. As I said, they have started storming the outskirts of Lyman, which is another town just northeast of Slaviansk. Very, ah, important town. Um, Pokrovsk is, for all intents and purposes, occupied. Mirdingrad is surrounded, and the nooses kind of keep tightening. Um, in the Kharkiv region, the Russians have advanced quite a lot. In the Zaporizhzhia region, they're advancing very fast. And now very close to the town of Ulyapole, I think it's called um, and an interesting thing is that about a year ago the Ukrainians took the town of Ugledar, which was a very important, very well fortified town. And the distance between their position now to Ugledar is less, so is more than the distance from where they are now to Zaporizhzhia, that is to the Dnieper. Right. So this is the rate of advance and it's been accelerating in particular in the last three months.

The military front is collapsing and now all of these scandals are coming. There's never been as many, uh, defections. People are escaping the country left, right and centre. And now all of these scandals come, which are uh, scandals right at the heart of the war. It's um, funding for fortifying, uh, the power grid, uh, funding for bulletproof vests and arms procurement. And so obviously this is a huge, uh, huge problem for Zelensky and now the west, the Americans are pushing, they've drawn up a deal, supposedly a proposed deal, a 28 point deal with the Russians, um, which involves basically Russia taking over Donbass. The Donbas, the rest, the remaining part of the Donbas, freezing the conflict, uh, in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, um, the Ukrainian army to be halved, long range missiles and weapons to be, uh, removed from its arsenals. No foreign troops in Ukraine, no foreign diplomatic, uh, presence. So no Western presence in Ukraine and um, some other things that we're not sure. And then there's the way of how is this all going to be, Is Russia going to be leasing that bit? But this is all rumours. We have no idea what's actually going on.

Josh

It's not clear.

Hamid

Yeah, but it's clear that it's a deal which more or less, well, which does appease all of the demands of the Russians. And in fact, uh, General Kellogg, who was the, uh, one of the two negotiators from Trump was Witkoff, who was leaning towards this deal all along. And there was Kellogg who was leaning towards a European proposal of basically a Russian defeat. Um, he's now withdrawn. Kellogg has withdrawn and, um, and this deal has been been put forward. Uh, Zelensky has supposedly rejected it. He said, no, I have another deal with the, with the Europeans. But what are they going to, what are they going to bring? Um, there is, uh, they don't have any more money. The European Union, they're running out of money and they need to refinance by, by this spring. Whereas the European, the Americans said, we're not going to pay for any of this. The European Union wanted To basically impound the Russian funds in Belgium.

Josh

Yes.

Hamid

Belgian said no. Now Euroclear, the company that holds the money, said no. If you're going to do this, we're going to take you to court. Uh, they can't take any more debts. They're in a bind. Um, uh, and meanwhile, Zelensky goes to France. He makes a deal buying 100 billion euros worth of, uh, jets from France with money that he doesn't have. It's all for show, basically. So the whole, the thing, the whole thing is kind of crumbling and it, it's looking increasingly problematic for the Ukrainians. Now, the Ukrainians have two choices. Either they accept this deal and the damage is basically, they accept the Russian.

Josh

Victory and the loss of the Donbas.

Hamid

And the loss of the Donbas, or they move ahead. Uh, they continue the war and they would get the same result, but probably even more devastating. Probably even the Russians would go even further than, than, uh, the Donbas. And, uh. And it would further undermine, as we've talked about before, the whole basis for civilised existence in, in, in. In the Ukraine, which is what the wars has done.

Josh

Yeah. I mean, the con. The conditions being faced by ordinary people in the contested areas, but also by people in, um, by soldiers in the Ukrainian army and the Russian army. But the conditions being reported from the front, the life expectancy, the devastation in this war of attrition. You know, we talked about consciousness earlier. You've got people who've been drafted, uh, facing these kind of horrendous conditions, being told, we need to keep fighting, don't worry, the Europeans are going to back us and we're fighting for civilization against these Russian hordes. And then to see that the people in charge, you know, these are ministers of the government and the president himself. Okay. Implicated but not necessarily proven to be guilty of doing the same thing as them. But to see the way that they're behaving, the contempt they have for the very people they're supposed to be leading in this glorious war.

The question that I have is what impact is that having on consciousness in the front? You mentioned already the level of desertions, but surely that has to be incredibly demoralising when you're facing those kind of conditions. And then you see the, the crooks, uh, and the clowns that are supposed to be leading you. I mean, I think you reported this already last week, but one of these guys, which was it Mindich, supposedly had a golden toilet.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

And the thing is that these, these people, the Ukrainian oligarchs, have been using Ukraine as a golden toilet for decades. And the point is, so, so are the imperialists, so are the, the United States and Europe who've been pushing the Zelenskyy regime into this, which played, I'd say, the main role in turning this into an enormous industrial war of attrition. Uh, m. As far as I could tell, that was not the way that the war started. That was not Putin's intention when he first came in. Um, it became this because of the um, enormous uh, backing, um, given to Zelenskyy and the fact that he himself was even pushed to intensify the conflict. And now what has he got to show for it before the Ukrainian masses, the Ukrainian workers?

Um, the country now is. The productive forces in many parts of the country have been destroyed. The power grid has been massively damaged. And the horrible sober truth is that nobody is going to pay to rebuild that country on a capitalist basis. The Americans, the Europeans can say what they like. They are not bearing in mind they're struggling to invest in their own production. They're struggling to build and reconstruct, uh, their own industry. You look at German industry, Germany's borrowing loads of money to buy its own arms, to invest in its own infrastructure, its own business. Do they really think that they are going to spend billions of dollars or euros or whatever in order to rebuild the Ukrainian economy? The Ukrainians have been used and we talk about abuse. The Ukrainians have been abused by imperialism. And then they're going to be, they're going to be spat out at the end of it. No matter what the terms, you know, any deal, the end result is going to be that the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian workers lose out.

Hamid

Yeah, uh, uh, it's interesting, you know, there's the pro European factions in the Ukrainian uh, parliament they're talking about, they're basically saying, oh this is the, the anti corruption drive is a European thing. Right? And it's true, I mean, uh, but there's two reasons for it. It's not that Europe is interested in less corruption in Ukraine. They just want to see that the money that they spend to fight the Russians go to the proper use. And one of the things that they're demanding now that they see that Ukraine is in such deep trouble. One of the things that they're demanding is what reducing the draught aid. The military age of the population, it's down to 18, I think it's at 23 or 4 or 4 now. So that means extending the slaughter. Throw another generation into the green meat grinder. That's what it is. And the idea that Ukraine is, they say, oh, Ukrainian self determination against, against Russian aggression. Where is the self determination of Ukraine? Uh, it's not. First of all, the Ukrainian people have no say in this whatsoever. There are different wings of the Ukrainian oligarchy which have some influence and then there's the Americans and the Europeans who are pushing, who've been pushing the country into this.

Josh

Yeah, the, the Ukrainian oligarchs are small fry compared to the imperialist powers that are, yeah, playing with them basically. Just on the subject of corruption, one thing that I remembered is, um, there's been a lot of talk about Ukraine being fast tracked into the, you know, the bosom of the EU and all this kind of stuff. Before the war, the, uh, EU wouldn't touch Ukraine with a barge pole because of something they called state capture. State capture means criminal networks or individual families. Oligarchs basically have so much control of the state. It's not a functioning bourgeois democracy.

Hamid

Huh.

Josh

It's a, ah, kleptocracy, whatever. In other words, it's basically a hopelessly corrupt state. And for that reason the EU was not prepared to even begin the process of inducting Ukraine into the European Union after war. That all changes. Oh, Zelenskyy's dealing with the corruption now and we're going to bring you into the eu. But that's always been the case. Um, they just painted it over. And one of the conclusions of this is the EU are going to leave Ukraine high and dry. They're not going to bring them into the EU and give them lots of subsidies and lots of opportunities. And they will probably use the corruption, which obviously hasn't gone away. If anything has been intensified as you would expect with all this money flooding in. I mean there's, there's been reports of, um, well, not just Ukrainian companies profiteering, but companies in America setting themselves up as arms dealers and then not delivering on contracts and stuff like that. You know, this kind of situation breeds corruption. Uh, and the eu at the end of this, I'm sure there'll be lots of excuses they bring, but one of them will be, well, the level of corruption and risk of state capture means that we can't integrate you. They will leave the Ukrainians high and dry. And that was always the case.

Hamid

They don't really care about corruption. It's more that they want to have stable conditions for doing business. So it needs to be corrupt, skewed to their advantage. Um, now we have gotten a, uh, a comment on one of our videos or A short, I can't remember, but it was basically someone saying, um, why does it look like we just taking the side of the Russians and why are we only criticising, um, the West? And why are we saying that? Oh, um, the Russians had us had a right to invade Ukraine because NATO was preparing to set up on the doorstep. That's not a reason enough. Right. So I thought this is a good question to, to answer. I think this is a, I think this is a question a lot of people could answer, could ask themselves. Um, you know, people looking at Ukraine, looking at what's happening. There's obviously Russia, one of the greatest militaries on the planet, is invading a country, bombing it to bits.

Josh

Mhm.

Hamid

Literally destroying the power grid, destroying the foundations of civilised existence. So why aren't we, why aren't we attacking, uh, those formally? There's no Western troops involved, uh, and the west, if anything, is just protecting, defending a democratically, uh, elected government. Zelensky. Right. So I think a lot of people would look at the situation like that and we should come up with an answer to those. Now, first of all, I think it is, uh, it goes without saying that we are not defenders of Vladimir Putin or his regime in Russia.

Josh

Absolutely.

Hamid

Putin is a capitalist bourgeois, a representative of one wing of the Russian oligarchy, just like. Which itself is corrupt, which itself is corrupt to the, to the bone and which, uh, which exploits the Russian working class. Um, but that's not the, that's, that doesn't determine the entirety of our, our position. What we are fighting for is the overthrow of that oligarchy, whether it be in Russia, whether it be in Ukraine, whether it be in the US anywhere in the world. We're fighting for a world socialist republic, you know, a federation, a world federation, a socialist federation, essentially. And with the working class coming to power all over the world.

Josh

Mhm.

Hamid

That is our programme. But the question I think is how do we get to that programme and what do we say? How do we deal with the specific situation on the ground today?

Josh

Concretely.

Hamid

Concretely, because you can say from an abstract point of view, we're against all national oppression, including, uh, the oppression of the Ukrainian people by anyone, by the Russians, by the Americans. Yeah, we want the right of all the peoples to determine their own fates democratically. Democratically. Um, but what is the situation that we are in today? I think there's one thing we need to, to highlight. First of all, if you look at the Western media, what is the number one thing you hear? Putin. Putin, Putin, Putin. Putin. Everything is, you know, I bet you, I mean, I haven't really looked into it, but I'm sure there's a lot of articles about Putin and Epstein trying to destabilise. Destabilise.

Josh

There are lots of articles analysing Putin's psychology as a megalomaniac. That he has some kind of. Yeah, just this kind of personal drive to recapture all of the lost territory of the Tsarist empire. Why? Because they want to portray him as gearing up for a war.

Hamid

Yeah.

Josh

Uh, much deeper into Europe.

Hamid

But I think we need to take a step back from that first of all and say NATO. What is NATO? NATO is an extension of US Imperialism. Mhm. It's the military arm of Western imperialism, you can say. And it represents the interest of US imperialism in the final analysis. And of the West. What is the rap sheet of Western imperialism? What is the, how to say, scorecard of Western imperialism? Just in the, in the post war period.

Now, I did a speech at the Revolution Festival in Britain. We had, over the weekend and I had AI in preparation of that, I had AI scrape the Internet for, um, the coups that the US alone have been involved in, uh, in the post war period. And it mentions 47, 46 to 47 coups. But I was actually looking into it and there's a lot of them that are missing. All the coup attempts in Cuba, basically. The US imperialism has been involved in counter revolutionary reactionary politics in almost every single country. Well, in every single country on the planet.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

One way or another, in the whole of the post war period, right up until today. Right. It supported the most reactionary groupings, including the parts of the Russian oligarchy. In fact, it was the west that helped Putin come to power initially, uh, because, well, they thought he was a puppet that they could use. Um, throughout Africa, throughout the Middle east, in Europe, there's not a country that the US has not meddled in to try to control its political development. There's, there's not a revolutionary movement that the US has not conspired against to this day. Not a single one that the US or the west has not conspired against. The wars of US imperialism, just the wars that is Direct wars. The Korean War, the Indochina wars, uh, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the Yemen wars, the Libyan wars, the intervention in Somalia. All of these ones, uh, have cost somewhere between 15 and 25 million lives, indirect damage alone. Then there's, uh, the economic domination of the world, which means trillions of dollars every year being moved from the developing countries, from the Less advanced countries to the rich countries. The US being the foremost one of those. The unleashing of Islamic fundamentalism, tribalism in Africa, supporting of the most reactionary groups we see in Sudan. Reactionary civil war. We just talked about it. Both sides supported by U.S. allies.

There is no power that is more reactionary than US imperialism. And the interest of US imperialism in Ukraine has nothing to do with defending Ukraine's national independence. Not all it is uh, first of all in 2014 they supported a right wing nationalist state capture if you may coup, uh the Maidan so called revolution which installed an anti Russian, which removed the Yanukovych government, which was a government which was neutral, kind of lean both towards the west and Russia. They installed an anti Russian pro Western government and then they went ahead with the arming and developing of the, of the Ukrainian army with a specific purpose to be an anti Russian army, right, involving with tens of thousands of officers being trained by NATO, armed by NATO, involved the NATO standards with the sole purpose of having a springboard for political and military uh, attacks into Russia. That is the purpose of the Ukrainian regime. It wasn't a regime for the Ukrainian masses. It was a regime, a puppet regime for the US imperialists. And Ukraine is not just the country, it's. The country is geographically like right at the heart of Russia in fact and culturally and economically very intertwined with Russia. It would, it would, it'd be like if Russia uh, started uh, arming anti American Canadian militias and placing nuclear warheads and long uh range missiles in Canada preparing the, a Canadian army for an attack into the U.S. no nation would accept that. You could say oh no, no, we're not doing anything, we're not doing anything. But, but in reality they are.







Josh

Yeah. Just on this, we're not arguing that those facts give Russia or any other nation some kind of legal or moral right to another. This isn't the whole point of uh, Marx's analysis is not. Is that we don't look at this as a purely like moral or legal question. The point is that it was inevitable that Russia would respond to protect. What is it, Russian capitalism, I might add. Um, the, we're not presenting the Putin regime as some kind of worker state and it's not some poor oppressed colony either fighting for its liberation. We've never presented it as that. We're talking about a powerful capitalist economy, very powerful military with its own imperialist interests.

But the point here is not that somehow the crimes of American imperialism or the reactionary, uh, clearly reactionary Intentions of American intervention in Ukraine gives kind of a get out of jail free card to the Putin regime, or like a legal casus belli that it can then put in the. In the court of morality or whatever like that. It's that the United States knew that Putin would react in that way, one way or another, that the entire intention was to weaken Russia. Either Russia would have to accept that, and if it accepts NATO bases and potentially nuclear weapons on its border within striking distance of Moscow, then its ability. You, uh, know, the further development of Russian capitalism is put at stake. The Russian capitalist class are not going to. And the oligarchy is not going to accept this. And so it was inevitable that Russia would respond, irrespective of whether you think that response is progressive or reactionary. It was inevitable. And the United States deliberately provoked that and pushed Ukraine into this war with a much more powerful adversary precisely in order to kill people, in order to whittle down the Russian army and cause as much devastation as possible.

They obviously then present as, uh, oh, well, Russia started like kids in a playground. Russia started it. I mean, first of all, is that really the case? But Trotsky explained that in relation to war, like, what is the Marxist position on war and our answer to war? It's not that first you identify who fired the first shot, because, you know, it would be incredibly easy if all we needed to do was identify when the first attack was launched and, well, that's the bad guy. And then we all need to just pile in on, um, that. And, um, sadly, there is not an abstract moral or legal code that can adjudicate on these processes. We look at war exactly as you were saying, from the standpoint of the class struggle, which means from the standpoint of the working class, and linked to this question of the class struggle from the standpoint of working class consciousness.

Now, Lenin's position on imperialist war is not that in whatever country you're in, you just support the other side. Um, his position is, uh, the only way to end war on a progressive basis, not on an imperialist basis, which obviously just carries the seeds of more devastation and barbarism, is the overthrow of the ruling class in one of the belligerent countries. And by belligerent countries, in relation to Ukraine, I'm not just talking about Ukraine and Russia. I'm talking about all of the European powers and the United States as well. They're involved in this war. So how do we get there? Um, just taking a step back in terms of progressive solutions to the war, I mean, it's probably included already in what we've discussed. But no matter the outcome, no matter what deal or outcome is achieved by the respective powers in this war, the outcome will be reactionary.

Particularly from the standpoint of the Ukrainian people, um, the only way that this war can end on a progressive basis is if the workers in Ukraine successfully take power or in Russia or anywhere in Europe. And so if we look at that concretely, because I think it's easy to say like, okay, well, Russia isn't simply a weak capitalist country, it is an imperialist power. Although it is weaker than the United States and as you correctly say, its history, it has caused much less reaction and devastation on a world scale. But again, we're not simply totting at points to say, well, Russia has fewer points, therefore it's a more progressive side. That's not what we're arguing. But, um, uh, it is also an imperialist power. It's very easy to take an abstract approach and say, well, United States is imperialist, Russia's imperialist, it's imperialist war, therefore we'll just have nothing to do with it. And we can sit and wait till the end of the war and then retrospectively say, well, wasn't it reactionary?

We have to engage concretely with what's happening right now. And what's happening right now is that in Ukraine you have people deserting, you have more and more people, um, who are scandalised and outraged at the corrupt activity of their own ruling class. And I'm sure a lot of people questioning what is the continuation of this war for the Donbas is lost by drafting 18 year olds into the army. We're not going to win it back. What are we doing here? Is it progressive to say, well, you've got to keep fighting for civilization or democracy, uh, in the abstract, which is a lie. Meanwhile in Europe you've got. The German ruling class was flirting with the idea of conscription again. It's piling lots of money into the arms industry and carrying out attacks on the working class, broadcasting the fact that it's going to attack labour rights in order to make itself competitive again, and using in part the Ukrainian war as a Ukraine, ah, war as a, as some kind of moral justification for all this.

Hamid

I think, um, you know, as you said, what is the Ukrainians must think, what is this war for? Yeah, and the point, the reason why I listed the rap sheet of American imperialism. Yeah, it is relevant, is it's relevant in the sense that America is the dominant power on the planet. It's true that China is now kind of challenging its dominance. But it is the dominant power on the planet. It is the most reactionary power the world has ever known. Mhm. And it is the most reactionary power today. It is the fountainhead of reaction in every country, including in Russia and in Ukraine and in the end in Europe and so on and so forth.

Josh

And that rap sheet you gave proves that. That's the evidence.

Hamid

And uh, the reason why they provoked the war in Russia was precisely because they realised that with the rise of China their dominance was under threat and therefore they believed that they could weaken Russia.

Josh

MH

Hamid

Dominated, subjugate Russia, essentially make it, turn it into a vassal state like it was in the 90s. In the 90s Russia was, it was like a vassal state for American imperialism and then turn it against China and basically gang up on China together with whoever they installed in Russia. Some of them were saying we should break up Russia. Mhm. Which is a very reactionary thing. And that could have happened if Russia lost this war. That could easily have happened. Right. So that's what we're talking about. We're talking a war which was provoked with the intention of subjugating Russia and potentially dividing, uh, it up. Two very reactionary things. And in order to what? To strengthen the power of the biggest superpower on the planet.

Josh

To restore the balance, old balance of powers of say the 90s.

Hamid

Exactly. And to. And to restore the rule of the Western ruling class at home and abroad. That's an important thing.

Josh

And that balance of power, that kind of rules based orders, let's face it, was a system of exploitation of the.

Hamid

Entire world, of the entire world.

Josh

We do not want a restoration of that.

Hamid

It is the Epstein class, essentially. The way that they are abusing and using the whole world is through that instrument of US imperialism. So that is the purpose of the war from a Western point of view. Now, are we in favour? Russia is, Russia doesn't. Putin doesn't have any, um, progressive ambitions in, in Ukraine. That's absolutely clear. We don't support any of uh, Putin's uh, position. But I'll tell you this, the Russian people, if you talk to most ordinary Russias, they would say, yeah, we don't necessarily support Putin, but we're not letting NATO come here. We've seen what they've done in Iraq, we've seen what they've done in Afghanistan, we've seen what they've done. And so we don't, we don't like these guys, we don't like our own rulers. But we Hate NATO and the west even more. And we've seen what they've done to us in the 90s and we hate them. So that actually undermines class differentiation, that actually strengthens Putin in Russia.

Now, what is our, our task as, as Communists? Well, first of all, we are mainly a Western based organisation and a podcast, but that's not necessarily, that's almost beside the point. But our task is to fight our own ruling class, which is this incredibly powerful, incredibly reactionary ruling class, the Western and American ruling class. And our task is to expose their hypocrisy. When they talk about, oh, Putin bad and China bad and this, or bad, they are trying to hide behind that Western values, democracy. They try to hide behind their own supremely reactionary imperialist interests and they are trying to rally the working class behind themselves. Come support us. It's true that we, we leech on you, we exploit you, we abuse you, we do all these things, but you need to support us because we are fighting for democracy against this evil dictator. Against this evil dictator. Mhm. That is our task to expose.

Now, at the same time, by doing so, we are showing the Russian workers, they are being told, people in the west don't like you. No, no, no, we're showing the Russian workers, no, no, the Western working class is standing with you. We don't have any interest in, in, in dominating you or subjugating you. Now, what is, but it is not, we are not going to dictate how you're going to, uh, run your country or who's going to run your country. That's up to you. Now, what is the, what is the task of the Communists in Russia? What are they going to say? Uh, just mirror that, like crudely mechanically mirror that position and say, oh, our main enemy is Putin and therefore down with, uh, Putin and down with the war. Well, for a lot of ordinary Russians, well, for almost, uh, all ordinary Russians, they would say, what are you talking about? Do you want these animals to come here and exploit us in the same way? Because that's what it would mean. Do you want them in charge again? We're not going to stand for that. But a lot of ordinary people are saying, well, yeah, we want to fight NATO, but why are they taking our pensions? Someone said that once to me. So someone, a Russian person said that once to me. Why are they taking our pensions?

Yes, that is the point, that the Russian ruling class is a capitalist class and therefore is limited in the way that it can actually fight imperialism and in the extent that it will to the extent that it will go to, um, a great example of that is Syria. What happened in Syria? In Syria you had a civil war first. You had a revolution. That revolution was derailed. It was hijacked by the west and their allies who turned it into Islamic insurgency in order to overthrow the Assad regime was Iranian pro, Iranian pro Russian bourgeois. They wanted to install their own regime. Okay. This became then a uh, reactionary Western intervention in Syria now.

Josh

And you saw how that ended up in Libya as well. Yeah.

Hamid

What they did in Libya, we saw all of that. Now the Assad regime supported by the Iranians, so the national bourgeoisie supported by Iran was also, uh, in relation to the US at least an oppressed nation and with the support of Russian imperialism, defeated American imperialism in Syria. Was that a good or bad thing? I'll say my own personal view. This is my, I stand on this. I'll pay m for it myself. Right. It's free of charge. Uh, that was a good thing that um, that the Americans lost in Syria because it added to the crisis of US imperialism abroad and at home. Right. But. And we see that with, with the anti war movements and sentiments in the US and so on and so forth. But did that solve the situation for the Syrian masses? No, because the extent of the anti imperialism of the Russians and the Iranians was to install their own, to have their own kind of part of the cake and then come to an agreement with the West. That's what they wanted. And what was the result? That Syria, the situation in Syria worsened also under the impact of Western sanctions. By the way, they had a huge part in this, but it weren't helped by the Russians and the Iranians and the Syrian bourgeoisie. And at the end the situation was so grave, poverty, misery, decomposition, corruption, that once the Islamist Jelani and these guys moved, no one wanted to defend the Assad regime. And the Russians opportunistically switched sides. Yes. That means what? It doesn't mean that we shouldn't support American imperialism or we should take a neutral, uh, side, but it means that we have to say no. Only the working class can fight this war out to the end. Only the working class can defeat NATO properly.

Josh

Exactly.

Hamid

And in Ukraine, what would. This is what the Russian workers must do. They must take power themselves. Mhm. And they must wage a revolutionary war against NATO. That's what they would do. And then how would they do that? They would appeal to the, to the Ukrainian workers and say, we have no, we don't want to destroy your country. Destroy your Nation, we want to defend your democratic rights. You are being used now as pawns by these reactionary imperialists and the oligarchs in power to subjugate us. Let's rise together and overthrow all of these and establish workers rule in Ukraine and in Russia and by the way, also in the west and establish a new Soviet Union where Ukraine can have the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian working class can decide its own fate. Whether they will be part of Russia or another part of Russia, that's up to them. And that is the only way you can gain.

Josh

Yeah. So when you say a new Soviet Union, you mean Soviet Union under Lenin.

Hamid

Yes.

Josh

The Bolshevik approach. Not to be simply forced into some bureaucratic bloc.

Hamid

And just one last thing. On Ukraine, you know, people talk about the self determination of Ukraine. Now one of our, um, collaborators spoke to Jorge a few years ago, uh, who is also a regular on this show and he said Lenin created Ukraine, but the Ukrainian nationalists destroyed it. What does that mean by taking a decision to become American and Western puppets? Because that's the decision they took at a certain point and to becoming an anti Russian regime. That's how they make their money. That's become their reason for existence. The Ukrainians destroyed the little self determination that Ukraine had under capitalism. M and there is no self determination of Ukrainian capitalism.

Josh

And there won't be.

Hamid

There won't be. Either Ukraine will be a Russian dominated country or Western dominated country. The only way you can escape that is through a workers revolution.

Josh

Yeah.

Hamid

And that's what we stand for. We stand on. Not on any of these sides. But who is the main enemy of the working class in the west and in the whole world? It's obviously America, American imperialism, NATO, Western imperialism. It's the most dangerous enemy. Doesn't mean that Putin is a friend or Xi Jinping is an ally. Not at all. They represent the same class interests in that sense. They're equally reactionary. But in the role that they play, there's no competition with the US in the reactionary role that they play.

Josh

Yeah. And obviously the Russian ruling class exploits and oppresses the Russian people. But going back to, I think a point you already introduced is the role of communists is to raise class consciousness to the extent they're able to. And um, raising class consciousness involves. We talked a lot about consciousness today. Raising class consciousness involves driving a wedge between the ruling class and the working class. The ruling class has lots of different ideas it uses to bind the workers, whether it be nationalism or you know, sometimes uses religious ideas. The task of communists is to show, not just to say, well, actually they're bad. You need a revolution. If, if it was possible to, um, win the workers to revolution simply by telling them about all the bad things that capitalism does, we would have had a revolution. We need to be able to show the working class in all countries in practise through that own experience that what is required is for them to take power into their own hands. Now, if you look at the political situation in, let's just exclude the United States, talked a lot about the United States, but just in Russia, Ukraine and Europe for a moment. How do we get, you know, that there are concrete differences as to how you can raise class consciousness in Russia. The pressure that has been put on Russia in sanctions and with the war has meant, as you said, that the class question has, has become to an extent confused by the war. And frankly, I do not blame ordinary working people in Russia from saying, well, NATO is trying to destroy our country. There is a strong element of that. It is in effect, yeah, uh, uh, and so what you do is you need to highlight the ways in which the Russian oligarchy and the Russian ruling class is failing to do that. And by the way, if and when, really it's a question of when Russia wins this war, um, and what gains Russia may make from that, it's not going to translate into huge gains for the Russian working class. Russian capitalism will still exist. It will still be, um, a corrupt capitalist class in conditions of capitalist crisis. And we need to highlight the ways in which Putin and the Russian ruling class are not fulfilling the promises they're making in terms of waging this anti colonial struggle. And you have to do it concretely. Um, whereas in Europe you have this ruling class which is in abject crisis, can't find a way forward anyway, is carrying out ruthless austerity against the masses, which working people are very, very conscious of.

The message we should be putting forward is immediately down with European imperialism. Expose the role that they're playing in this war, linking it to the role they play in Africa and Latin America and everywhere, and see that the most progressive thing that we could do right, we're speaking from London. The most progressive thing we could do right now in relation to the Ukraine war is seize power in Britain as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we're not in a position to do that right away. And we have an opportunity to raise, um, that idea in people's minds.

Because when I speak to British people, as in people who aren't communists, um, working class people in Britain, they are to be Honest. Even from the start, there wasn't a huge amount of enthusiasm for Ukraine. They tried to drum it up so much. But people were coming up to me when I was selling the paper of the revolutionary Communist Party, the Communists, it's called now, and people were saying, I cannot believe that the BBC is showing people with Nazi memorabilia on their shoulders already. People saw that there was something fishy about this. We need to intensify that. We need to pick up where, you know, we need to take up the demands and the ideas that workers are themselves putting forward and translate that into the language of revolution.

In Russia, the ideas and demands that workers are taking forward is not down with Putin and victory to Ukraine, it is down with NATO. So we need to take that up and translate that into the language of revolution. In Britain, it is, um, a hatred towards our own ruling class, a growing realisation of British imperialism's appalling role. Look at Palestine, for instance. We need to pick up all of these things, including the role that our ruling class is playing in Ukraine, and intensify that to the nth degree. And so when we come on the show and we talk about the corruption within this prettified Ukrainian establishment and, and we talk about the appallingly reactionary intentions and means used by our own ruling classes, that's what we're trying to do.

Hamid

Yes, precisely. Down with imperialism. Down with the Epstein class.

Josh

Absolutely.

Hamid

That's one and the same thing. And that is what we put forward in this, uh, podcast. I think those are very good words to end on. Do you have anything else you want to add?

Josh

No.

Hamid

Okay, well, me neither. Thank you very much, Josh. It's been a pleasure. And thank you for all of you guys there tuning in. Uh, again, if you have questions, if you disagree or agree with something and you want to raise it and bring it to our attention, please do so in the comments sections of our, uh, on Spotify, on YouTube, wherever else. You'll be, uh, listening to us. We do listen and we do read all of the comments and try to incorporate answers to them in the shows, uh, with those words. Uh, that is the end of this week's show. We'll be back again next Thursday, 6 PM UK time. Thank you very much.
Two interlinked crises are tearing into the guts of the regime in Ukraine. On the one hand, the front is unravelling. The battlefield situation is deteriorating by the day, if not by the hour. On the other, an enormous corruption scandal threatens to engulf Zelensky and his whole regime. Kiev and western capitals are descending into panic.

Let us start with the military crisis. Ultimately, it is the situation at the front which is driving everything else.

On 3 November, Zelensky made the most remarkable claim. Ukrainian forces, he said, were busy mopping up tiny numbers of Russian troops in the cities of Kupiansk and Pokrovsk. There were just 60 in Kupiansk and less than 300 in Pokrovsk, he claimed.

The Russian reports painted a very different picture. Not a word of what the Russian defence ministry says is credible, claimed the world affairs editor of the Independent. Like the vast majority of the western press, they were continuing to parrot everything coming out of the mouths of Zelensky and his Commander-in-Chief Syrski.

But then everything suddenly changed. Under the cover of dense fog, we were told, hundreds of Russian troops had magically appeared in Pokrovsk and had surrounded the Ukrainians!

This is the most ludicrous story. In fact, the Ukrainian forces had been encircled for some time. But it was a convenient story to bridge the fact that the battle had been lost, whilst the Ukrainian government had consistently lied about the battlefield position for months on end.

Things are set to get a lot worse. Pokrovsk and Kupiansk lie at two ends of the last line of defensible cities held by Ukrainian forces in the east of the country. Once this line falls, there is nothing to stop the Russians cutting through the country like a hot knife through butter, at least as far as the Dnieper river. The Russians are already rapidly advancing towards the cities of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia.

Meanwhile, Russian bombardment, night after night, is exacting a terrible toll on the countrys energy and transport infrastructure, and weapons manufacturing facilities. Some areas are facing 16-hour electricity and heating blackouts as the punishing Ukrainian winter sets in.

In short, the West has lost.

A pack of lies

To the average western reader, even now, all of this may come as a surprise. Why? Because a stream of lies has consistently emanated from the regime in Kiev, and those lies have been repeated verbatim by the press and politicians in the West to deceive public opinion.

A stream of lies has consistently emanated from the regime in Kiev, and those lies have been repeated verbatim by the press and politicians in the West / Image: Mil.gov.ua, Wikimedia Commons

We have been told that the war is effectively a stalemate. According to the official western narrative, the Russians have only made marginal territorial advances, for which the Ukrainians are exacting an unsustainable cost.

In fact, the extent of Russian gains has been systematically downplayed by the West. But more importantly, they have glossed over that the primary aim of the Russians has not been to conquer territory but to grind down the Ukrainian army. This is a war of attrition, one which the Russians are winning  a war of attrition not only against Ukraine, but against the whole so-called West which has wholly funded and armed Ukraine. As such, it has devastatingly exposed the limits of US and western power.

The conclusion flowing from the tissue of lies constructed by the West, however, is as follows: it is only a matter of time before Russian public opinion turns against Putin and the Russian forces collapse. We just have to keep our nerve and keep on supplying endless amounts of cash and arms to Ukraine.

Why have the Ukrainians and the West spun endless lies? Because this war has not been fought out primarily for strategic gain on the battlefield, but above all for its effect in the field of public relations. The purpose is to justify the continuous flow of guns and cash  to convince public opinion that the war is winnable, and above all to convince Trump that this war can be won, and to pressure him to stay on board.

To that end, thousands of Ukrainian men have been condemned to death. This represents the most atrocious betrayal. By lying about the real position of the war, by attempting to hold hopeless positions for PR purposes, thousands more Ukrainian troops have been sentenced to death by their high command.

The battle for Pokrovsk was lost a month ago or even earlier. Had the order to withdraw been issued then, then the Ukrainian troops might have been saved. Instead, they are now surrounded by the Russians, with most of them confined to the town of Mirnograd east of Pokrovsk. The choice before the thousands trapped is now either to attempt to break out of the encirclement by fleeing across muddy fields, through open terrain, facing certain death by Russian drones, or to await death by a giant glide bomb in Mirnograd  or to surrender.

Rearranging the seats on the Titanic

The continuation of this war for Ukraine will cause further bloodshed. It will see Ukraine and the Wests negotiating position worsen. Any concessions that Putin was willing to make during his Alaska meeting with Trump will be taken off the table as the Russian position on the ground grows stronger by the day. In fact, the very future of the Ukrainian nation is under threat.

So why continue a lost war? Light has been shed on that question by the second crisis now engulfing the Kiev regime.

On 10 November, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) descended on a number of properties, including the apartment of Zelenskys long-time business partner, Timur Mindich. The operation, known as Operation Midas, uncovered a huge corruption ring, responsible for embezzling $100 million from Energoatom, the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear energy company.

Those implicated include Mindich himself; Zelenskys former deputy prime minister Oleksiy Chernyshov; energy minister Svitlana Hrinchuk; former deputy head of the State Property Fund and advisor to the energy minister Ihor Myronyuk; justice minister Herman Halushchenko, and senior management at Energoatom.

In other words, these are not second rank officials. This is the very inner circle of the Zelensky regime itself that is implicated!

Clearly Zelensky himself knew that the noose was tightening around his inner circle / Image: public domain

The details of the scheme seem almost premeditated to rub salt into the wounds of the Ukrainian people. The accused have, allegedly, taken 10-15 percent of every Energoatom contract as kickbacks. These include construction projects to protect the countrys energy infrastructure from Russian bombardment.

In their bid to get rich, the criminal ring in Kiev showed the most callous disregard for the interests of ordinary Ukrainian people. In one recording, Myronyuk, the advisor to the energy minister, dismisses investment to protect nuclear power plant substations as a waste of money.

And, unfortunately for him, the very week those recordings were released to the public, the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plant substations were destroyed by Russian bombs. The Zelensky clique got rich, millions of Ukrainians shiver in the dark, and many will die.

In another recording, one of the accused complains about suffering back pain from hauling bags stuffed with cash around Kiev! This at a time when the Economic Commission for Europe estimates that 51.6 percent of Ukrainians live in conditions of deep deprivation.

So far, Zelensky himself hasnt been directly implicated by NABU. He is even thanking NABU for its services and promising criminal prosecutions. How could he act otherwise? But there will be no getting away from the fact that the astonishing rise of the man at the heart of this scandal, Timur Mindich, owes everything to Zelenskys patronage.

As a key part of Zelenskys inner circle, Mindich has become fabulously wealthy. The accusations around Energoatom are just the tip of the iceberg. NABU is also investigating his company Fire Point  which began as a humble casting agency. But thanks to Mindichs connections to Zelensky, that casting agency is now a drone manufacturer with $1 billion in contracts each year!

So, was Zelenskys snout also buried in the trough? NABU hasnt said. But their bombshell investigation sheds a very interesting light on Zelenskys attempt to shut down the agency back in July. NABU itself has added to this proof that the criminal clique around Zelensky got wind of its investigation precisely in July, and began harassing NABU agents using the secret services.

Clearly Zelensky himself knew that the noose was tightening around his inner circle and he moved to protect his gangster friends  unsuccessfully, as it happens.

What does this all mean?

This should make clear exactly why Zelensky and his clique insist the war must go on regardless of the fact that it is lost.

But if it is not clear, let us make it explicit: they are making huge fortunes from this war. We are reminded of Lenins words: War is terrible. Yes, terribly profitable. All their interests are connected to being a western proxy to hit Russia. They must convince the West that they are still capable of serving this role in order to keep the money flowing and to keep lining their own pockets.

But the war is lost. And if the fog of war propaganda obscures that fact in the West, it is nevertheless well understood by most Ukrainians. In February 2022, 70 percent were for continuing the war to victory. As of July this year, it had fallen to 24 percent. No doubt it has fallen further since.

The timing of NABUs move against Zelenskys inner circle can hardly be regarded as coincidental. Behind NABU stand the European powers themselves and a section of the oligarchy, including former president Poroshenko and the Klitschko brothers, one of whom is the mayor of Kiev.

Corruption is, of course, nothing new in Ukraine. It has been rife ever since the restoration of capitalism in 1991. But NATO has poured oil onto the flames of corruption in the form of hundreds of billions of dollars to keep this war going. No doubt the Europeans have become alarmed at the extent of it, and no doubt another section of the oligarchy has decided the time is right to move against Zelensky in order that they might get in on the act before the war ends and the taps are turned off.

The oligarchs in Kiev need to keep the war going in order to coin blood into gold, even though destruction beckons in the end. But by then, many of them foresee themselves happily tucked away in some third country. From there, they will be hoping to draw on Swiss bank accounts full of stolen cash, and to bask in comfortable retirements as war heroes in exile.

And for that, Ukrainian men are expected to lay down their lives, and the workers of Europe are expected to sacrifice their social services, pensions and healthcare systems.

Endgame

The Europeans are, for their own reasons, desperate to keep this war going. They must tie the Americans into Europe. The minute the war ends, the Americans may withdraw to focus elsewhere, above all on Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

They have therefore played along with this PR game, in order to tie the Americans in. After the Anchorage meeting between Trump and Putin, both Zelensky and the Europeans were in a state of panic. Since then, they have systematically played up Ukraines chances and have downplayed the Russian threat.

This seems to have had some effect on Trump. Since his meeting in Anchorage, he has backtracked and hardened his stance, imposing new sanctions on the Russians and adopting a position closer to the intransigence of the Europeans.

But the war has reached a tipping point. The pace of Russian advance is continuously increasing. Every day, the Ukrainian position worsens.

The pace of Russian advance is continuously increasing / Image: 24  , Wikimedia Commons

Eventually, the West must face up to reality. Either negotiate now and retain something, or watch as the Russians inevitably grind down and destroy the Ukrainian army. At least some seem to be cognizant of that fact. Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, has for instance been engaged in secret talks with the Russians to draft a new 28-point peace plan.

In order that the Russians might accept it, it would have to include security and territorial concessions.

Will it amount to much? Well, the US economy is heading towards a crash. Discontent is rising in the US, including in the MAGA camp. Trumps role in the Epstein scandal has infuriated his base. He is greatly weakened.

He is therefore forced to rely increasingly on the support of the neocons in his own party. But those neocons live in a long-since-expired world, in which the US is capable of upholding complete world domination. They, the Europeans and Zelensky are bound to attempt to sabotage it.

What is Zelensky doing amidst this turmoil? Under conditions of deep crisis at the heart of government and at the front, one might expect a wartime leader like Zelensky to remain at his post in Kiev. Instead, he has been all over Europe and is now in Turkey. He is no doubt lobbying, engaged in frenetic diplomatic activity to put the brakes on any attempts at negotiation.

Over the course of his trip, Zelensky has been signing the most fantastical arms deals, including for 100 French Rafale and 150 Swedish Gripen jets. Britains RAF, by comparison, has roughly 150 fighters in total. It is the PR war become ridiculous.

As The Telegraph put it, Zelensky is losing touch with reality.

More than anything, Zelensky needs money. Ukraine faces a 100 billion budget shortfall. That is the cost of continuing the war for just one more year. The Trump Administration, however, has pushed that financial burden wholly onto the shoulders of Americas European allies.

The Europeans are desperate not to allow the war to end. But how will they pay for it? Eye-watering sums are required to pay for just one more year of this war. But this war may not last another year. And in the meantime, France is running a 5.5 percent of GDP budget deficit, Belgium a 5.5 percent deficit, Britain 4.8 percent.

For European imperialism, a Russian victory could mean the unravelling of its alliance with the US. Bankrupt, its industry crippled, it will be left to face up alone to a mighty military power at its doorstep in Russia. At home, enormous anger is already brewing. Starmer, Macron and Merz are among the most unpopular leaders in their respective countries histories. Traditional parties are crumbling.

They cannot accept an end to the war, but neither are any of them willing to foot the bill for it. The bloc has thus fallen into mutual recriminations.

Belgium is refusing to pick up the tab for seizing the 140 billion of Russian assets held in Euroclear, fearing rightly that international courts will deem it an act of theft. Their financial reputation would lie in tatters. The French and Italians are very enthusiastic about issuing eurobonds to pay for it  common European debt. But that basically means asking the Germans to pay for it, which the latter are less than enthusiastic to do.

A black hole is opening up beneath the European ruling class once this war ends. All their plans are coming undone.

Time to overthrow the warmongers

At the beginning of this war, we were told that the West and the Kiev regime were fighting for the defence of, even for the survival of Ukraine.

The West and the Kiev regime are sentencing thousands of men to death without any prospect of victory / Image: Dsns.gov.ua, Wikimedia Commons

As the end of the war looms, the West and the Kiev regime are sentencing thousands of men to death without any prospect of victory. Why? Because it is in their interests to do so. Far from saving Ukraine, their course of action guarantees the destruction of Ukraine as a nation.

At the beginning of this war, we were told it was a war for the defence of such western values as democracy and freedom.

As the end of the war looms, the Kiev regime has been exposed as an unaccountable clique of the most brazen criminals and gangsters. Into the hands of these gangsters the West has entrusted hundreds of billions of dollars wrung from the European working class, fully in the knowledge that much, if not most, would end up in the offshore bank accounts of Ukrainian oligarchs.

From the start, we have explained that no side in this war had anything to do with the interests of the Ukrainian workers and soldiers, nor the Russian workers and soldiers for that matter. This is a war being waged between the most powerful and reactionary force on the planet, western imperialism, and one of its rising competitors, Russian imperialism. Ukraine plays the role merely of a proxy in the bloodletting.

As communists in the West, we place responsibility for the horrors unleashed in this war where it belongs: at the feet of our own, warmongering ruling class, the same ruling class that is devastating the living conditions of the working class in order to pay for its imperialist adventures. We say: overthrow the warmongers!
South Africa has intensified security preparations ahead of the G20 Summit set to open on Saturday, 22 November 2025, deploying 3,500 additional police officers and placing Army units on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.

A high-profile parade involving helicopters, K-9 units and motorcycle officers was staged on Wednesday, November 19 in Johannesburg as authorities prepared for widespread protests.

Police leaders, including Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili, confirmed that demonstrations are expected across major cities, though only within designated areas near the summit venue. Airports have also introduced speakers corners where protesters will be redirected should they stage demonstrations during leaders arrivals.

A diverse range of groups  from climate activists and anti-capitalist networks to womens rights advocates and anti-immigration organisations  are planning to use the global event to amplify their concerns. Tensions have been heightened by a controversial billboard campaign from the Afrikaner trade union Solidarity, challenging the countrys affirmative action laws and sparking diplomatic friction with the United States. Washington has already signalled its disapproval, with President Donald Trump boycotting the summit over unfounded allegations of anti-white sentiment in South Africa. Meanwhile, Women for Change has called for a nationwide shutdown on Friday to protest the countrys alarming rates of femicide, while anti-migrant groups and climate justice coalitions have announced parallel activities, including an alternative summit.

Alongside the security measures, Johannesburg authorities have embarked on an extensive cleanup and repair operation to revitalise infrastructure ahead of the international gathering. President Cyril Ramaphosa personally joined efforts in Soweto last week, helping workers confront longstanding challenges such as potholes, broken streetlights and unreliable utilities. However, many residents have criticised the multi-million-dollar facelift as a cosmetic intervention that does little to address the citys structural decay. For some, the summit represents a moment of global prestige; for others, it is a costly spectacle that offers little tangible benefit to ordinary citizens grappling with daily hardship.
Julia Roberts sometimes wants to "cut all her hair off".

Julia Roberts sometimes debates ditching her famous locks

The 58-year-old star has admitted she often considers making drastic changes to her look, but hairstylist Serge Normant - who she's worked with for 33 years - is able to "gently" move her away from the bold ideas.

She told The Hollywood Reporter's Beauty issue: "Sometimes I do suggest things, and he just looks at me. Gently. With his eyes saying, No'.

"It usually involves me wanting to cut all my hair off!

Over the last three decades, the pair have built up a strong bond, and she is able to put her style completely in his hands.

She added: "I trust Serge so completely that sometimes we dont even talk about the look."

They have become genuine friends too, which means Julia has desire to work with anyone else.

She said: "Serge is so gifted and can do absolutely anything with hair, so, lucky for me, there is no need to go elsewhere for anything.

"At this point, we are more of a family than

co-workers."

Meanwhile, Julia previously joked in a chat with Notting Hill director Richard Curtis that the secret to her youthful looks was pickling her head for 18 hours every fortnight.

The mum-of-three also admitted she thinks she looked far younger at the peak of her movie career, saying in an interview for British Vogue: Not to say Im unchanged, because I did see a picture earlier of Tom Hanks and me from a movie, and we looked like we had been ironed.

When Richard told her the magazine's readers will want to know whether or not you use any artificial methods to preserve your lustrous youth, Julia joked: Pickling. I put my head in the jar every other Saturday for 18 hours. It does wonders. The smell is awful.

She then added: No  serious answer. Good genes, leading a life that is fulfilling, and I have said this  and I say it usually as kind of a joke  but I do believe in the love of a good man.
Two Kenyan Border Patrol Unit officers were killed on Wednesday, November 19, when their patrol vehicle struck an improvised explosive device planted by al-Shabab militants along the LiboiKulan road in Garissa County.

The attack, which occurred near the KenyaSomalia frontier, destroyed the vehicle instantly and left a deep crater at the blast site. Security teams were swiftly deployed to secure the area, as images from the scene showed the shattered patrol truck overturned with debris scattered across the sandy terrain.

Authorities say the Somalia-based militant group continues to exploit porous borderlines and remote landscapes to mount cross-border attacks, ambushes and raids on security installations. Garissa, Mandera and Wajir counties remain the most vulnerable, with roadside IEDs posing the highest threat to patrol units.

Despite stronger surveillance and intensified operations under Kenyas long-running deployment to Somalia  now part of the African Union Transition Mission  al-Shababs insurgency persists, accounting for dozens of fatalities among security officers over the past decade.
The PPA-CI has removed 22 of its senior figures from the party after they chose to stand as independent candidates in Cote dIvoires 27 December legislative elections, defying a directive to boycott the polls.

The sanctioned group includes six outgoing MPs and prominent personalities such as Antoni Garou and Georges Armand Ouegnin, whose names appear on the provisional list of approved candidates. In a strongly worded statement, the party condemned what it called deliberate disobedience, signalling its resolve to maintain discipline within its ranks.

Also expelled is Stephane Kipre, formerly the partys executive vice-president, who announced that he takes full responsibility for his decision to contest in Gboguhe.

Other figures breaking with the party line include Blaise Lasm, who is running in Dabou on the PDCI-RDA ticket, despite the alliance between the two opposition parties. The fragmentation is not limited to the PPA-CI, as unendorsed members of both the PDCI-RDA and the ruling RHDP are likewise entering the race as independents, pointing to growing internal dissent ahead of the vote.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has declined a request by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to pause the work of the fact-finding Committee examining the petition for her removal from office.

Justice Torkornoo had sought provisional measures to shield her rights and avert what she described as potential irreparable harm while the main case was being considered.

In its ruling on Wednesday, the court held that the application was filed too late, noting that it came more than eight weeks after her suspension and over six weeks after the committee had begun its sittings. This delay, the judges said, undermined the urgency and extraordinary circumstances needed to justify a temporary halt to the proceedings. The Attorney-General has been granted 30 days to respond to the substantive case.
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Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae. Credit: Wikipedia

Cholera remains a "major battle" in Africa, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which warned Thursday of more cases as the rainy season begins in most affected countries.

The Africa CDC said the number of cases of cholera stands at three times higher than those reported in 2022. Five countries account for almost 90% of the more than 300,000 cases reported so far this year, it said, with more than 7,000 people dying from the disease.

Last week, the body said the continent was experiencing the worst cholera outbreak in 25 years.

Cholera is a waterborne infectious disease spread through contaminated food and water, leading to diarrhea and dehydration.

Congo has reported the highest number of cases in the ongoing outbreak, and health officials are also concerned about Angola's high transmission rate. Other countries with a large number of cases include Sudan, South Sudan, and Nigeria.

The Africa CDC has called for the strengthening of water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in African countries to help prevent the spread of the disease.

"44% of the population in Angola lacks access to safe drinking water, and only about 55% has sanitation," said Yap Boum II, the Africa CDC's deputy incident manager.

Cameroon is the latest African country to report cases, with two cases near its border with Nigeria. Africa CDC noted a challenge in access to the region due to its rocky and mountainous terrain, but said outbreak control measures had been activated in both Cameroon and Nigeria.

A total of 24 countries in Africa have recorded the outbreak, and health officials are using existing outbreak response systems to control it.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Anna Shvets from Pexels

A new study has shown that a clinical tool developed by the University of Liverpool and The Walton Center can accurately predict whether the most common type of brain tumor will grow or cause symptoms, helping doctors and patients make better-informed decisions about care.

Meningiomas, which account for about 3,500 new cases in the U.K. each year, are often discovered by chance during brain scans. While most never cause harm, some eventually require surgery or other treatment. Until now, it has been difficult to know which patients will be affected, leading to years of unnecessary monitoring for some and delayed treatment for others.

Researchers developed the IMPACT tool in 2019 based on data from about 400 patients under neurosurgical care at The Walton Center NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool. The tool considers the patient's comorbidities, functional status and imaging characteristics of the tumor, to work out the risk of tumor progression, and need for treatment.

The tool has now been tested on more than 1,200 patients from 33 hospitals across 15 countries, with follow-up periods of up to 15 years. The results showed that patients could be reliably grouped into low, medium, or high risk of tumor progression.

The paper, "A Clinical Tool to Identify Incidental Meningioma for Early Outpatient Management," was published in JAMA Oncology.

Low-risk patients were found to have only a 1 in 25 chance of needing treatment, while the risk was 1 in 4 for medium-risk patients and 1 in 2 for those in the high-risk group. Most progression was seen within the first five years, while older or frailer patients were found to be very unlikely ever to require treatment.

Dr. Abdurrahman Islim, study co-lead, former Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool and currently a Neurosurgery Registrar and Ph.D. Fellow, University of Manchester & Salford Royal Hospital (part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust), said, "This study is an important step forward in personalizing care for people with meningiomas. For the first time, we can give patients with an incidental meningioma clear answers about their individual risk, helping avoid unnecessary scans for some, while ensuring that others get timely treatment."

The findings suggest that high-risk patients may benefit from early intervention, medium-risk patients should continue regular monitoring, and many low-risk patients could be safely discharged with advice on what symptoms to look out for.

Study lead, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Liverpool & Consultant neurosurgeon at The Walton Center, Michael Jenkinson added, "It's important that now we test the IMPACT tool in real-time with patients in clinics, with funding being sought to bring it into routine practice. The ability to offer personalized care will bring not only health benefits to patients but also cost savings to the NHS and wider economic growth."

Shelli Koszdi, a co-author of the study and a patient representative said, "As a patient, I had already chosen observation in consultation with my neurosurgeon, and the IMPACT model helped reassure me I had made the right decision and enabled me to push thoughts of the meningioma into the background and move on with my life in what could have been a very anxiety-producing situation."

More information: Abdurrahman I. Islim et al, A Clinical Tool to Identify Incidental Meningioma for Early Outpatient Management, JAMA Oncology (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.4821 Journal information: JAMA Oncology
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People with type 1 diabetes (previously called juvenile diabetes) are 4.29 times more likely to develop bladder cancer, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. The new analysis is the first to control for the effects of tobacco smoking, a factor that likely obscured the heightened risk in earlier studies.

The results were just published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.

Bladder cancer is a relatively common disease, affecting about 2% of the U.S. population. Cigarette smoking accounts for about half of all bladder cancer in the United States and Europe, but causes of the remaining half are poorly understood. Recent data suggest that type 2 diabetes may play a role, but years of epidemiological studies found no link between type 1 diabetes and bladder cancer.

Now, a new analysis reveals why a possible link may have been missed. Because smoking is a strong contributor to bladder cancer, research designed to identify other risk factors must control foror separate outthe influences of smoking from influences of other proposed causes. But no prior studies on type 1 diabetes and cancer had done so.

"Of nine original studies and one meta-analysis published before ours, none had adequately controlled for smoking. When we evaluated the vulnerabilities of these studies and addressed them, we found a very clear pattern indicating substantially elevated risk for bladder cancer in people with type 1 diabetes," said Victoria K. Cortessis, Ph.D., a clinical professor of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine and the study's senior author.

The new findings provide important clues about causes of bladder cancer and may help guide decision making by patients with type 1 diabetes and their providers. For example, avoiding or quitting smoking may be especially important for this group, Cortessis said.

A missing link

For years, studies that tracked people with type 1 diabetes found no increased risk of bladder cancerand a closer look reveals why. Most datasets on type 1 diabetes began as studies that followed patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over time.

The initial goal was to learn how the condition impacted patients by tracking events like hospitalizations and early complications. Data on smoking, however, were either not collected or asked about once and not updated.

Years later, researchers used those same datasets to ask a different question: Does type 1 diabetes raise the risk of other diseases, such as bladder cancer, in adulthood? To find out, they compared disease rates among people with type 1 diabetes to rates in the general population. Those analyses found no increased risk for bladder cancer.

The problem with this method: Smoking is a major contributor to bladder cancer. Without accurate data on smoking in the diabetes group or the general population, it was impossible to know how much risk of bladder cancer was linked to smoking versus type 1 diabetes itself.

The Keck School of Medicine team suspected that people with type 1 diabetes may smoke less than the general population. After managing a serious health condition starting early in life, these individuals may have been more health-conscious as adolescents and adults. If true, lower smoking rates could skew the comparisons and mask any increased bladder cancer risk tied to diabetes itself.

To investigate that idea, first author Helena Oskoui Bennett, MPH, a student at the Keck School when the research was conducted, gathered data from authoritative sources such as the World Health Organization to estimate smoking prevalence in populations where the original studies were conducted.

The patterns the team found using a technique called meta-regression supported the team's hypothesis, helping explain why earlier analyses failed to detect a connection. After accounting for patterns of smoking, they estimated that people with type 1 diabetes were 4.29 times more likely to get bladder cancer.

Controlling bladder cancer risk

The reason for the link between type 1 diabetes and bladder cancer is not yet clear, but researchers suspect the disease may trigger biological changes that contribute to the cancer's development.

For that reason, careful management of diabetesincluding maintaining healthy blood sugar levelscould be key for reducing bladder cancer risk. Those biological changes may also interact with the effects of smoking to further raise risk.

"More work is needed to understand the mechanisms at play, but it's possible that there is a biological synergy between diabetes and smoking that increases risk more than either factor alone," Cortessis said.

The study emerged from the team's larger analysis of type 2 diabetes, another condition linked to bladder cancer. They are now reviewing nearly 100 studies on type 2 diabetes and its treatments to pinpoint what drives the increased risk.

More information: Helena Oskoui Bennett et al, Systematic review and meta-analysis corrected for history of smoking tobacco identifies type 1 diabetes as a possible risk factor for bladder cancer, Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112976
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Over 40 million American adultsapproximately 19%live with an anxiety disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Studies show this anxiety is most prevalent in young people. In recent years, social psychologists such as Jonathan Haidt have started to draw connections between tech use and anxiety. They argue that the ubiquity of smartphones and social media may affect not only the habits and emotions of young people but also key aspects of their brain development during adolescence.

Maintaining a constant online presence can result in excessive social comparison, disrupted sleep, fragmented attention and increased exposure to cyberbullyingall of which can increase the prevalence of anxiety.

We're public health and policy researchers with an interest in mental health. We understand that this problem goes well beyond youthful angst. Evidence increasingly links this type of prolonged anxiety to a number of detrimental health issues, including weakened immune function, increased cardiovascular risk and impaired cognitive performance. Over time, these effects can increase the risk of chronic illness and other negative health outcomes.

So, in May 2025, we conducted our own survey to measure the prevalence of anxiety in the state where we live, Florida, and explore whether it is, in fact, related to age and social media use.

What our survey asked

We surveyed 500 adults, and we designed our research to ensure that our survey group matched the state's population in terms of age, race, gender, political affiliation and geographic distribution.

We used a questionnaire called the GAD-7, which was developed by mental health professionals to assess symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. The GAD-7 asks participants to identify how bothered they were about seven items during the past two weeks. They answered on a four-point scale, from "not at all" to "nearly everyday." These seven items included questions on worrying, irritability, restlessness and feeling afraid or on edge.

A score under 10 indicates minimal (04) or mild (59) anxiety. Those who score between 10 and 14 exhibit moderate anxiety, while a score of 15 or higher is indicative of a severe anxiety disorder.

The difference between moderate and severe generalized anxiety corresponds to how often the participant experiences any of the seven items. For example, someone with severe generalized anxiety might experience all seven items nearly every day, while someone with moderate generalized anxiety might have experienced some of the items several days in the past two weeks.

We also asked participants about how much time they spend on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and how they feel while using these platforms.

What we found

Our survey found that roughly 1 in 5 Floridians are struggling with moderate to severe anxiety, which is consistent with national statistics.

While the average GAD-7 score was 4.74this would indicate that the "average" Floridian doesn't have an anxiety disorder18.6% of participants reported symptoms of at least moderate anxiety, with nearly half of them rising to the level of severe.

This result tells us that nearly 3.5 million Floridians may suffer from clinically significant anxiety.

Members of Generation Z, ages 18 to 27 in our sample, reported the highest rates of anxiety by a significant margin. In fact, the average GAD-7 score for this group was 8.17just below the threshold for moderate anxietycompared with an average of 6.50 for millennials, 5.32 for Gen Xers and 3.04 for baby boomers.

These averages track with previous nationwide studies, which have found that the portion of the U.S. adult population that suffers the most anxiety are members of Gen Z. According to a study conducted in 2020, 30.9% of adults ages 18 to 23 reported generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, compared to only 27.9% of millennials, 17.2% of Gen Xers and 8.1% of baby boomers.

Social media and anxiety in Gen Z

In order to understand whether social media use might help explain the higher rates of anxiety we observed among younger Floridians, we examined the relationship between time spent on social media and anxiety.

In general, those who didn't use social media at all reported lower levels of anxiety, with an average GAD-7 score of 3.56. In comparison, the average GAD-7 score for those who use social media less than one hour per week was 3.74, and it rose consistently as social media use increased, climbing to an average of 6.10 among those who spent seven to nine hours a week on social media, and 7.08 for those who were logged on for 10 hours or more.

While time spent was important, the reasons why Floridians use social media also made a big difference in whether they experienced anxiety. Anxiety was lowest among those who use social media primarily to stay connected with family and friends. But it rose significantly among those who use social media to stay up to date with current trends and pop culture or to learn about health, fitness and beauty trends.

We also asked respondents whether they "sometimes feel like they're missing out when they see what others post on social media." Among those who agreed that they sometimes get social media FOMO, average anxiety scores ranged between 7.26 and 9.00. But among those who disagreed, average scores were significantly lower4.16 or less.

Time spent on social media matters for young people

In this data, we see a clear correlation between social media use and heightened anxiety, and we also see a greater tendency for Gen Zers and millennials to report higher levels of anxiety. This makes sense, given that younger people generally spend more time on social media.

But one important question remained to be answered: Can reducing social media use lead to lower rates of anxiety for the youngest adults?

In order to answer this question, we reexamined the relationship between average weekly social media use and anxiety. But this time, we restricted the analysis to only those respondents who were members of the Gen Z and millennial groups.

Even when the study was restricted to just these two groups, we found a clear and decisive link between social media use and anxiety. Those who reported spending less than one hour on social media each week had average GAD-7 scores of 2.89. Those scores rose consistently as time on social media increased, reaching a high of 8.73 among those who use social media 10 hours or more per week.

Moderating intake to bring down anxiety

The results of our survey appear to confirm the suspicions of social psychologists and techno-criticsnamely, that the high rates of anxiety observed among younger Americans appear to be connected to their time online. This is particularly true for those spending time in digital spaces that facilitate social comparison and information overload.

We cannot be sure from just this survey that social media alone is to blame for increased generalized anxiety. Other factors may be involved, such as digital information overload and a decline in person-to-person contact. But the amount of time spent on social media does appear to be affecting the mental health of young people in Florida.

One potential solution may be to moderate intake. Some emerging research has suggested setting up automated daily reminders to limit social media use to 30 minutes a day. Another suggestion includes occasionally taking a monthlong break from social media.

Those who feel they need more support taking time off social media may benefit from seeking professional help, such as talking with a licensed therapist.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Children exposed to recommended levels of fluoride in drinking water show modest cognitive advantages in secondary school, with no clear evidence of harm to cognitive functioning around age 60, according to researchers at the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation at the University of Minnesota and multiple collaborating institutions.

Fluoride and fear

Water fluoridation in the United States began after decades of research linked naturally high levels of fluoride in water sources to lower community tooth decay. The evidence was convincing enough for the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to become the first in the world to supplement its municipal water with fluoride in 1945.

While scientific consensus and public policy have considered fluoridation a fundamentally positive public health intervention, discussion, doubt, and conspiratorial fears have persisted in some public circles.

Some of the concerns revolve around safety for developing children, specifically regarding whether fluoride exposure reduces childhood IQ, with some selective scientific backing.

A previous meta-analysis that reported statistically significant inverse relationships between fluoride exposure and childhood IQ involved very poor rural populations in countries such as China, India, Mexico, and Iran and did not include US children or nationally representative samples. Findings at concentrations below 1.5 mg/liter were described as null, and concentrations above 1.5 mg/L were noted to exceed typical US exposures (around 0.7 mg/L).

A second meta-analysis was limited to studies in areas with fluoride concentrations equal to or below 1.5 mg/liter and reported no association between exposure to water fluoridation and lower IQ scores in children. Studies in that review also did not involve US children or nationally representative samples.

Fluoride exposure category for HS&B:80 schools. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz0757

National cohort and typical US exposures

In the study, "Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course," published in Science Advances, researchers used nationally representative longitudinal data to investigate how fluoride exposure from drinking water during childhood relates to cognition in adolescence and around age 60.

Investigators used the High School and Beyond 1980 cohort, a sample of sophomores and seniors attending 1,020 US high schools in 1980. A subset of 26,820 individuals was followed through 2021. Analyses of adolescent cognition included 57,960 students, and analyses of cognition at about age 60 included 13,260 participants.

Adolescent cognition was measured using 12th grade reading comprehension, vocabulary, and mathematics scores. Cognitive functioning around age 60 was measured using a global score derived from a hierarchical item response theory model combining information from memory, fluency, and attention measures.

Linking subject to water sources

Researchers linked high school geolocations to Fluoridation Census records from 1967 through 1993, which reported whether and when localities supplemented municipal water with fluoride. Additional information came from US Geological Survey measurements of naturally occurring fluoride in 38,105 wells sampled between 1988 and 2017.

Exposure classification followed US Public Health Service recommendations indicating levels between 0.7 and 1.2 mg/liter until 2015 and 0.7 mg/liter beginning in 2015.

Sample members were placed into three exposure groups. One group lived in areas without municipal fluoridation and with naturally occurring fluoride below 0.7 mg/liter at conception and at the time of secondary school testing.

A second group lived in areas with municipal fluoridation or naturally occurring fluoride at or above 0.7 mg/liter at both time points. A third group lived in areas that implemented municipal fluoridation after conception but before secondary school tests.

Small gains in adolescent cognition

Students who grew up with recommended fluoride levels in their drinking water scored higher on secondary school tests of mathematics, reading, and vocabulary than peers who never reached those levels. Researchers describe these advantages as modest, about 7% of a standard deviation, and report that the pattern is consistently positive and statistically distinguishable from zero across all measures.

Analyses of global cognition around age 60 did not show statistically significant links with fluoride exposure.

Testing alternative explanations

In a robustness check focused on students who had not changed schools because of residential moves since the start of fifth grade. Results for that group closely matched the patterns found in the full analytic sample.

A second robustness check introduced an exposure category for communities that began municipal water fluoridation shortly after adolescent achievement tests were administered.

Analyses indicate that having stable community traits linked to fluoridation adoption (such as local politics, resources, social conditions, or investments in schools and health systems) is unlikely to be the reason children in fluoridated areas scored higher, which supports the interpretation that the association is connected to ingestion of fluoride, not types of communities.

Interpreting benefits and limits

Findings cast doubt on any assertions that exposure to recommended fluoride levels reduces academic achievement or cognitive functioning as the results pointed, albeit less dramatically, in the opposite direction. Fluoride exposure at levels routinely observed in the United States is associated with cognitive benefits in adolescence and is not harmful to cognitive functioning around age 60.

Study authors note that they were unable to infer from observational data and available measures why fluoride exposure relates to better adolescent academic achievement, only that it does.

Written for you by our author Justin Jackson, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: John Robert Warren et al, Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz0757 David A. Savitz, Evidence-based water fluoridation policy, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed4503 Journal information: Science Advances

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A multi-institutional research team has demonstrated how AI and machine learning can optimize therapy selection and dosing for septic shock, a life-threatening complication that is the leading cause of hospital deaths.

The team includes Johns Hopkins University's Suchi Saria, who previously developed an AI-powered early warning system that is reducing sepsis mortality rates in dozens of hospitals across the United States. The results appear in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Sepsis often causes low blood pressure that may result in life-threatening organ dysfunction and accounts for more than 270,000 U.S. deaths annually. Emergency treatment includes administering fluids and various vasopressors, agents that constrict the blood vessels, to raise the patient's blood pressure to normal levels and restore the flow of blood and oxygen to their organs.

"How best to individualize blood pressure treatment with different therapies remains a complicated open challenge," says senior author Romain Pirracchio, professor of anesthesia and perioperative care at the University of California, San Francisco.

International guidelines recommend using norepinephrine, a medication designed to raise blood pressure, before moving on to vasopressin, a blood pressure-raising hormone, if a patient's blood pressure remains too low.

However, septic shock is a condition that changes rapidly and continuously, complicating the decision about whether and when to start vasopressin. What's more, vasopressin is extremely potentmeaning that starting it too early can cause severe side effects.

Reinforcement learning offer new solutions

"To find the optimal time to begin administering vasopressin, traditionally we'd posit very specific criteria and run a clinical trialcosting millions of dollars and lasting yearscomparing those criteria against the standard of care. But this only allows us to test one criterion at a time," says Saria, professor of computer science at JHU's Whiting School of Engineering and a professor of statistics and health policy at the university's Bloomberg School of Public Health.

"Turns out, there's a much better way: using reinforcement learning."

Reinforcement learning is a branch of machine learning in which a virtual agent learns from trial and error to maximize the probability of a good outcome.

Using electronic medical records from more than 3,500 patients across various hospitals and public datasets, the research team trained a reinforcement learning model to consider individuals' blood pressure, organ dysfunction scores, and other medications being taken to determine when to begin vasopressin.

Model validation and clinical implications

The researchers then validated their model on unseen data from nearly 11,000 additional patients to confirm the algorithm's effectiveness and verify that deployment would have reduced in-hospital mortality.

"There was a substantial number of patients who were started on vasopressin exactly when our algorithm would have recommended it if it had been live," Pirracchio says.

"So, using complex statistical methods to account for bias and differences in baselines, we were able to show that treatment matching with exactly what the algorithm suggestedin other words, starting at the exact right timewas consistently associated with a better outcome in terms of mortality."

The model consistently recommended starting vasopressin earlier than most physicians did in practice, but in the few cases where the drug was administered even earlier than the algorithm recommended, patient outcomes were worse.

"This shows that there's virtue in trying to individualize the strategy to each patient," Pirracchio says. "There's no one-size-fits-all rulein septic shock, there is substantial variability in resuscitation practices between hospitals and in different countries, especially regarding vasopressor support.

"Given the diversity of the population included in this study, the results show that an individualized vasopressin initiation rule can improve the outcome of patients with septic shock."

Looking ahead to real-world implementation

The next step will be to implement the model in practice, going "from promise to reality," as Saria puts it.

Pirracchio and his team will be doing just that at the UCSF Medical Center before scaling to centers nationally in partnership with Bayesian Health, a clinical AI platform spun out of Saria's research. But the applications of reinforcement learning in health care don't stop with vasopressor administration.

"With this kind of infrastructure, instead of doing three experiments at a time, we're doing a thousand experiments at a timebut we're not even doing experiments; we're learning from existing data," Saria says.

"It's almost like the experiment was already done, for free, and we just get to learn from it and intelligently discover the precise contexts in which different strategies should be implemented to improve patient outcomes and save lives.

"There are lots of opportunities here for reinforcement learning; this is only the start."
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A multi-country clinical trial has shown that a structured, sustainable approach to infection prevention and treatment can save women's lives, cutting severe maternal infections and deaths by about one-third (32%) compared to usual care. The maternal program of prevention and treatment (APT-Sepsis) was developed by researchers at the University of Liverpool, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN's Special Program in Human Reproduction (HRP).

Maternal infection and sepsis remain among the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Every 30 minutes a mother dies from a sepsis-related cause somewhere in the world, with the greatest burden borne by women in low and income countries.

The Active Prevention and Treatment of Maternal Sepsis (APT-Sepsis) intervention tackles this challenge through an integrated program focused on three areas: improving hand hygiene, strengthening infection prevention and management, and enhancing sepsis care with the FAST-M sepsis bundle.

The trial, conducted across 59 hospitals in Malawi and Uganda and involving more than 430,000 women, assessed whether structured improvements in infection prevention, early recognition, and timely treatment of maternal sepsis could save lives.

Significant results from the APT-Sepsis trial

Findings from the trial, now published in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that even within a very resource-limited environment, this innovative approach made it possible to support health care workers to improve maternal outcomes and can be sustained in resource-limited health systems.

The study report revealed that the APT-Sepsis intervention not only reduced the incidence of maternal infection-related mortality or severe morbidity by 32%, but that the program was equally effective in both Uganda and Malawi. The effectiveness was sustained over time, increasing steadily from the first month of the intervention to the final month, when a 47% reduction was achieved.

The program supported health care providers to:

Improve compliance with hand-hygiene standards.

Adopt evidence-based practices for infection prevention and management.

Detect sepsis early and deliver treatment using the FAST-M bundle (fluids, antibiotics, source control, transfer if required, and monitoring).

Professor David Lissauer, NIHR Professor of Global Maternal and Fetal Health at the University of Liverpool, said, "These results are hugely significant. For too long, maternal sepsis has been a leading but neglected cause of preventable maternal deaths worldwide. Our findings demonstrate that APT-Sepsis provides a practical, sustainable, and effective solution.

"With a 32% reduction in infection-related maternal deaths and life-threatening complications, this program has the potential to transform care. Policymakers now have compelling evidence to scale up these interventions so that fewer women die from preventable infections during pregnancy and childbirth."

Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, WHO, said, "The APT-Sepsis program is a testament to what can be achieved when science, policy and frontline care come together. Reducing maternal infections and deaths by over 30% is not just a clinical successit's a call to action for global health systems to prioritize infection prevention in maternal care. We must ensure these life-saving practices are scaled and sustained across all settings."

Fungaro Lydia, Midwife and APT Champion at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda, said, "I want to thank APT-Sepsis for coming to our rescue. Previously, we had no reliable way of monitoring mothers. We used to do things in our own way, but now, with the intervention, we can detect danger early."

Henry Mwandumba, Program Director at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Program, MLW, said, "We are immensely proud that MLW contributed to a project that has delivered such a significant reduction in maternal infections and deaths. This is a testament to our commitment to improving the health and well-being of women in Malawi and reflects the dedication of our team and partners, and we look forward to seeing how this intervention pioneered in Malawi can be scaled-up to help mothers worldwide."

System-level change and global potential

The trial demonstrates that structured, system-level interventions can overcome long-standing barriers such as inconsistent adherence to infection-prevention practices and delays in the recognition and treatment of sepsis.

By embedding improved practices within existing health systemsand without relying on costly additional resourcesAPT-Sepsis is designed to offer a low-cost, sustainable and rapidly scalable model for national and international health programs seeking to improve maternal survival globally.
Street cats in Istanbul are surviving and thriving.

Cats of Istanbul flourish with local support and municipal care

A combination of municipal programs and community support has helped tens of thousands of cats flourish in Turkeys largest city, which is home to an estimated 150,000200,000 stray felines.

Residents leave food and water outside homes, shops, and markets, while small shelters - known as cat houses - dot neighborhoods.

Municipal mobile Vetbus units and six veterinary centers provide vaccination, sterilisation, and microchipping services for street cats.

Marcel Heijnen, photographer and author of City Cats of Istanbul, told the BBC: Istanbul cats are, on the whole, neither pets nor strays, but a hybrid of those terms.

He added that the cats are not owned by specific people but taken care of by the community in their respective neighbourhoods.

Fatih Dagl, co-founder of the Cat Museum Istanbul, explained how local municipalities support street cats with free neutering programs.

She said: Private animal clinics also offer discounted services for street cats, and residents often chip in to pay the vet bills.

The citys devotion to stray cats has historical roots. Heijnen noted that during the Ottoman Empire, special workers called mancacs ensured the citys cats were fed. Dagl traced the presence of cats in Istanbul back to Phoenician traders, who brought them aboard ships to protect cargo from rodents.

Volunteers and animal welfare groups warn that rising populations and economic pressures are testing the system, but cats remain highly visible in public life, appearing in markets, mosques, cafes, and tourist areas such as Sultanahmet and Galata.

Heijnen said: Today, everybody accepts that cats must have their own living spaces in the city.
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Mental health and substance use (MHSU) visits are common among physicians and increased substantially during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a research letter published online Nov. 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Maya A. Gibb, M.P.H., from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Ontario, Canada, and colleagues examined temporal patterns in MHSU-related health care visits among 29,662 physicians. The annual age-sex standardized proportion of physicians with one or more outpatient MHSU visits between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2022, was calculated.

The researchers found that 11.0% of the physicians had one or more outpatient MHSU visits. The standardized proportion of physicians with MHSU visits per year was generally stable during the prepandemic period (12.5% in 2003-2004 to 12.1% in 2018-2019). During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the standardized proportion of physicians who had MHSU care, with larger increases seen in the first two years compared with the third year (14.6%, 15.2%, and 14.4% in 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023, respectively).

MHSU care varied considerably by specialty before the pandemic, with 28.0%, 14.2%, and 9.7% of psychiatrists, family physicians, and all other specialty physicians, respectively, with one or more MHSU in 2018 to 2019. Mental health care increased among physicians for all specialties during the pandemic, except for psychiatry, which remained stable.

"Current concerns over a physician mental health crisis may not reflect a new crisis but rather highlight a longstanding pattern of adverse physician mental health that was exacerbated during the pandemic," the authors write.

More information: Maya A. Gibb et al, Patterns in Mental Health and Substance UseRelated Visits From 2003 to 2022 Among Registered Ontario Physicians, Annals of Internal Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.7326/annals-24-01069 Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine

Copyright  2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Poor health is the primary reason why more than half of middle-aged workers in the United States retire earlier than planned, but state vocational rehabilitation agencies that provide career assistance to individuals with disabilities may be able to help potential retirees remain in the workforce longer, according to a study led by Allison Fleming, associate professor of education at Penn State.

Fleming analyzed anonymized responses from 12,712 participants who reported a forced or voluntary retirement as part of the University of Michigan's Health and Retirement Study, a 28-year study of U.S. adults aged 55 and over, to understand what factors drove them to leave the workforce earlier than they planned. She found that poor health was the primary driver behind forced retirements. She reported the study findings in the journal Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin.

"Disability is something that can happen to anyone at any time," Fleming said. "In the U.S., a greater proportion of working-age adults are over 40, and we have more people who will be entering their retirement years. But as a group, we are seeing higher trends of onset of chronic illness and disabilityor CIDin midlife that could potentially be disabling for some workers. The consequences of being forced out of the workforce before you plan to can be really devastating, especially financially."

Middle adulthood, ranging approximately from ages 45 to 60, marks a time of peak earnings potential and career success for many American workers. But this stage of life is also when many individuals experience the onset of CID. As a former vocational counselor for the state of Massachusetts, Fleming observed that workers who incurred CID in middle age had a difficult time re-entering the workforce.

"Many workers are not prepared financially to retire 10 years earlier than planned, and on average it takes two years from time of application to receive Social Security disability benefits, during which time the individual cannot work," Fleming said. "I don't know many people who could financially survive two years of not working."

In addition to the financial hit, there may be health costs associated with an involuntary retirement. Fleming cited other studies that found that individuals who are forced to retire report worse physical and mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, than individuals who retire as planned or voluntarily retire to pursue other work or spend more time with family.

In terms of sociodemographic factors, Fleming found that racial or ethnic minorities were up to 55% more likely than white respondents to report an involuntary retirement. Individuals with a college degree or higher were 63% less likely than those without a high school education to say they had been forced to retire early, she reported.

"Folks in more privileged jobs may be in a position to ask for accommodations, get flexibility, have paid time off to attend medical appointments, things like that, versus folks who don't have access to those things, whose job means they only get paid for hours worked, who can't take time off to attend medical appointments or work in very high turnover industries where workers are considered replaceable," Fleming said.

"There's privilege within our labor market that made a lot of sense to me based on my previous experience as an employment counselor, and that was reflected in this data."

State vocational rehabilitation agencies could be in a good position to help employees and employers address those issues, Fleming said.

"Sometimes we call rehabilitation counseling the best kept secret," she said. "Every state and territory has one of these state vocational rehabilitation agencies. The organizations are 75% federally funded and 25% state funded. They employ rehabilitation counselors who are trained in disability and employment, and that person is available to meet with someone who's applying for services, decide if they're eligible, and if so, they have the capacity to help that person come up with an employment plan."

Employment plans can include advice on accommodations like schedule flexibility or having a stool to sit on instead of standing all shift, to software solutions for individuals who use computers for work but have visual impairments. Counselors may speak with employers about worker accommodations and even purchase equipment on the company's behalf, Fleming explained.

"Trying to find a job when you're an older worker and you have a disability or health condition is really difficult, no matter how talented or qualified you are," she said. "I would hope that these state rehabilitation agencies would try to raise their profile a little bit, maybe partner with doctors or medical professionals who are diagnosing people in midlife with chronic conditions to say, 'Hey, work might not be a concern for you now, but it may become one, and if so, here's an organization who could help.'"

More information: Allison R. Fleming, Forced Retirement: An Avoidable Consequence of Disability Onset in Midlife?, Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin (2025). DOI: 10.1177/00343552251377403
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Stuart Warden holds a model spine while a patient has their body scanned in the FIT Core. Credit: Indiana University

Designed to generate data and outcomes on bone and muscle health in both healthy people and those with disease, a novel repository at the Indiana University Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences is helping researchers in the United States and worldwide answer important questions about musculoskeletal disease and other health conditions.

Launched in 2017, the Function, Imaging and Testing (FIT) Core is part of IU School of Medicine's nationally recognized Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health. So far, the FIT Core has recruited and tested more than 5,000 individuals.

To enroll in the FIT Core, volunteer participants perform simple physical function assessments, provide a blood sample (optional) and undergo body composition and bone health scans. The physical assessments include walking as far as possible in six minutes, balancing with the feet in different positions, walking speed tests, and assessment of hand grip strength. The FIT Core collects data from people between the ages of 5 and 100, regardless of their health condition or level of wellness.

"We've used the FIT Core population to create normative data that has resulted in the publication of five reference databases, including first-of-its-kind normative data on muscle density measured using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography, or HR-pQCT, that we published this year," said FIT Core Director Stuart Warden, Ph.D., associate dean for research and Chancellor's Professor, IU Physical Therapy program. The work is published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle.

Researchers in a variety of medical disciplines use the FIT Core reference databases to see how their study subjects compare to the reference populations who meet certain criteria. "This expedites the research process and reduces costs because in using data from the FIT Core, researchers don't need to recruit and test their own normal, healthy people to compare to their research participants with disease," Warden explained.

The FIT Core participants' data are linked to their electronic medical record, allowing researchers to request data sets of participants with certain diseases or conditions or those taking certain medications. In addition, the data are linked to the blood samples taken from the individuals, which are stored in the Indiana Biobank. All the data and samples provided to researchers are de-identified so the participants can't be identified.

Screenshot of the Excel-based calculator for calculating subject-specific percentiles, z-scores and t-scores. Credit: Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (2025). DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.70029

Stuart Warden talks with a patient in the FIT Core as their lower leg is scanned. Credit: Indiana University

Warden said that up to 50 researchers in the U.S. and internationally are currently using the FIT Core in their work. This includes researchers at IU and other institutions who send their research participants through the FIT Core for testing. The FIT Core is currently part of studies in breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney and liver disease, osteoporosis, rare bone diseases, X-linked hypophosphatemia, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, GLP-1 inhibitors and obesity drugs, and more.

"Before the FIT Core, many researchers wouldn't have considered including physical function and bone health outcomes in their research because such collective data didn't exist or wasn't widely available," Warden explained.

"With this resource, investigators are now more inclined to not only study physiological and metabolic outcomes but also look at how diseases and conditions affect a person's physical capabilities and their ability to get around in everyday life."

As a key component of musculoskeletal research underway at IU, the FIT Core demonstrates the value of integrating physical therapy in medical research. "The FIT Core elevates the reputation of physical therapy on our campus but also in the broader research community by contributing these types of outcomes for medical research," Warden said.

More information: Stuart J. Warden et al, Reference Data and Predictors of HRpQCTDerived Muscle Density and Its Prediction of Physical Performance, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (2025). DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.70029
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Rural hospital closures, March 2005May 2025; Medicaid expansion decision status by state, January 2014May 2025. Credit: The Journal of Rural Health (2025). DOI: 10.1111/jrh.70079

New research from The University of Texas at Arlington examines the widening health care gap between rural and urban communities and how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program, launched Jan. 1, 2023, is helping address the crisis.

"We need to continue to spotlight the challenges faced by our rural communities so that these persistent problems can be addressed," said Suzanne B. Daly, assistant professor of research at UT Arlington.

Dr. Daly, along with UTA nursing professor Elizabeth Merwin and statistician Wei You, published their findings in The Journal for Rural Health. The study highlights the severity of the rural health crisis: 111 rural hospitals have closed nationwide since 2005. Texas, home to the nation's largest rural population, about 3 million residents, has seen 20 closures during that time, and 13% of the state's 159 remaining facilities are at "immediate" risk of closing, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform.

"Many rural hospitals close due to serious financial challenges," Daly said. "The driving idea for the REH program is that the REH model will provide rural hospitals with financial stability while also ensuring rural communities have access to basic health care via the emergency department and certain outpatient services."

Under the REH program, rural hospitals eliminate inpatient care and focus solely on emergency and outpatient services. Participating hospitals must have been open and licensed Medicare providers on Dec. 27, 2020, maintain a transfer agreement with a Level I or Level II trauma center, and meet specific emergency department staffing requirements.

The model still faces obstacles. Eliminating inpatient services can be a barrier for some rural hospitals, particularly in areas with older populations where the local hospital is often the only inpatient provider. Transportation also remains a significant hurdle for patients in remote regions.

In Texas, five hospitals have converted to REH status, but one closed entirely just nine months after making the switch.

"A lot of this comes down to funding, and, unfortunately, rural communities generally have less funding," Daly said.

She added that more research is warranted to understand the REH program's impact.

"We really need a true understanding of what is happening in the new Rural Emergency Hospitals and the communities they serve," Daly said. "Are we seeing access-to-care issues? What is happening with transportation? What is happening with the hospitals themselves? Are they financially stable or do they continue to experience problems? What is driving hospital leaders' decisions to convert or not convert?

"There are many unknowns with this program. We need more time and in-depth research to determine its effects on rural communities and health care access."

More information: Suzanne B. Daly et al, The new Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Program: Will it improve access to care for rural Americans?, The Journal of Rural Health (2025). DOI: 10.1111/jrh.70079
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Tablets are believed to have a negative impact on sleep when used before going to bed because of the blue light that they emit. A team of developmental psychologists in Bochum explored this assumption with a comprehensive study. Credit: RUB, Marquard

It is often said that the blue light emitted by tablets and phones makes it harder to fall asleep because it impacts the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Scientists Professor Sabine Seehagen, Neele Hermesch, and Dr. Carolin Konrad from the Chair of Developmental Psychology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, designed a comprehensive study to examine this effect in young children in their own home environments. Rubin, the science magazine of Ruhr University Bochum, reports on the findings.

Comprehensive, experimental study

"We have been working on infant sleep and media use for a while now," says Seehagen. "But this field of research is rife with correlational studies. This approach doesn't say much about whether poor sleep is the media's 'fault,' or whether there is something else at play here. This was why we wanted to devise an experiment."

While most experiments in this field are conducted with adults in laboratory settings, the three developmental psychologists in Bochum wanted to test and observe children in their own homes in order to understand the impact of tablet use on sleep in everyday life.

Tablet versus picture book

The researchers visited each of the 32 participating families with children between 15 and 24 months of age twice and explained the procedures.

At the heart of the experiment was the question of whether watching a story on a tablet has different consequences for the release of melatonin and nighttime sleep than viewing the same story in a picture book.

The children wore an actiwatch on their ankle with sensors that measured movements during the night. This allowed the scientists to draw conclusions about sleeping behavior, such as duration, quality, and time spent falling asleep. The release of melatonin was measured via three saliva samples per child each evening.

Surprising results

"On the evening with the tablet, we expected a flatter increase in released melatonin than on the evening with the book," says Konrad. This would indicate that the blue light emitted by the tablet suppressed melatonin production.

Surprisingly, however, the data did not support this assumption. The researchers did observe the expected increase in melatonin over time, but the increase was equal both with a tablet and with a book. "Based on the study, we would not assume that blue light delayed the release of melatonin," Hermesch summarizes.

Prior studies on tablet use and melatonin release have relatively heterogeneous results. Some indicate that there is an impact, others do not. According to current recommendations, such as those from the World Health Organization and the Federal Institute of Public Health, infants and young children should not be exposed to any screen media when possible. Media consumption in the evening in particular is viewed particularly critically.

"After our study, which is rather unique in that the experiment was conducted in the children's own homes, we cannot entirely share this apprehension," says Hermesch. "We also didn't observe differences in sleep during both nights," continues Konrad. "It could have been possible for the melatonin levels to be equal but sleep quality to have differed, but this wasn't the case; for example, the children did not have a harder time falling asleep after watching the story on a tablet."

Yet the researchers want to emphasize that this could depend heavily on the type of video and time spent watching it. Watching it in the presence or absence of the child's parents could also have an impact. This is because screen media can impact sleep in ways other than influencing melatonin, such as if the contents of the video are very exciting and prevent the children from resting.

The effect of tablet use on learning

The developmental psychologists conducted another study as part of the project as well: It did not focus on melatonin as a potential explanatory mechanism, but rather whether tablet use before bed over multiple days impacts the children's sleep and learning. We all know that exhaustion makes it harder to learn and be creative.

The night before the study, Peppa Pig was presented as a video or as a book. The next morning, the children were given special toys to assess factors such as creativity and learning. This approach gave the researchers insight that will probably be a relief to many parents: "We have not yet found any convincing evidence that the video impacted sleep or learning. However, we have also not fully assessed the data and the results are only preliminary," explains Seehagen.

What are the researchers planning next? "Further studies in a natural environment, namely at families' homes, are desired because we know that children are exposed to various sources of bright light in the evening hours at home aside from screens. And we also know that the amount of natural light to which the child is exposed throughout the day can have a critical effect on the increase in melatonin in the evening.

"Future studies should thus focus on the influence of various light sources throughout the day in order to be able to realistically assess the effect of screens. The duration of screen time could also vary. It must also be noted that children in our study were exposed to tablets only for one evening, meaning we cannot draw any conclusions about whether regular tablet use in the evening hours would lead to the same results in everyday conditions, as such tests have so far only been conducted in lab settings," says Hermesch.
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Detail of the hippocampus of control subjects (left) and with Down syndrome (right) where the CBR1 receptor is observed in brown and the nuclei of neurons in lilac. Credit: Pompeu Fabra University

In 2019, a research group led by Andres Ozaita, of the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences at Pompeu Fabra University, described that mice models for Down syndrome have more cannabinoid receptor 1 (CBR1) in some regions of the brain. This anomaly affects the animals' memory. Six years later, phase 12 clinical trials are now underway to test drugs that might correct these alterations in the memory of people living with the syndrome.

Now, a research team again led by Ozaita with the involvement of the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and the Neurological Tissue Bank of Hospital Clinic/IDIBAPS is expanding the knowledge concerning the therapeutic target described, demonstrating that in a mice model for Down syndrome, long-term pharmacological treatment improves memory alterations and inflammation. This finding paves the way for new clinical studies to explore a long-term treatment capable of counteracting the cognitive alterations associated with this syndrome and its age-related cognitive deterioration.

Down syndrome is the leading genetic cause of intellectual disability. It affects one in every thousand births. This means about 34,000 people in Spain and six million people around the world. This syndromedeveloped by people who have three copies of chromosome 21especially affects the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Thanks to advances in medicine, the life expectancy of people with Down syndrome has greatly increased, and it has been noted that trisomy 21 also causes Alzheimer's disease. This means that, at 65 years of age, around 80% of people with Down syndrome show premature symptoms of dementia.

"For years we have been studying the alterations of the endocannabinoid system in different models of intellectual disabilities, especially those derived from Down syndrome," explains Ozaita, director of the Cognition Biology Research Group of the UPF Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), who led the study.

"Now, we have seen that this system is altered in specific brain regions of people with Down syndrome and we have managed to confirm that, in mice modeled for the syndrome, a long-term experimental treatment improves cognitive behavior."

According to the study published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, very specific regions of the hippocampus of people with Down syndrome have high levels of the cannabinoid 1 receptor. This receptor of the endocannabinoid system is involved in the proper functioning of neuronal connections, neuroinflammation and memory.

This alteration, which they had already described in mice in 2019, improves substantially with long-term pharmacological treatment, from childhood to what would be equivalent to middle age in rodents, redressing their cognitive abilities.

"Using this therapeutic target has yielded positive results in young adult mice that reproduce some of the characteristics of Down syndrome, and now we see that it also works in middle age, when traits associated with neurodegeneration begin to appear," says Anna Vazquez-Oliver, first author of the article. "This experimental pharmacological intervention helps improve the memory of trisomic mice, but under no circumstances does it reverse the signs of neurodegeneration."

The study also reveals that pharmacological treatment reverses morphological alterations of microgliabrain cells involved in the neuroinflammatory response typical of neurodegenerative diseasesand the presence of markers of inflammation in the plasma of the mice.

"Although inflammation decreases, it is not completely reversed," explains Ozaita. "We have endocannabinoid receptors in many organs of the body and we must continue to investigate in order to clarify whether this reduction in inflammation occurs only in the brain or also in other organs."

The development of the treatment

Although the researchers are well aware that treating this target does not reverse all the effects of trisomy, they hope that "this finding will pave the way for improving the quality of life and independence of people with Down syndrome, even those who already have alterations due to neuronal degeneration."

In this regard, the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, via the project Improving Condition in Down syndrome (ICOD, EU H2020 Research Program), led by Rafael de la Torrealso one of the authors of this studyis conducting a phase 12 clinical study for the molecule AEF0217, developed by the French biotechnology company Aelis Farma. This molecule also acts on cannabinoid 1 receptors, and has already shown that a short treatment, of four weeks, in people with Down syndrome, is safe and improves key skills such as communication and social interactions of people with this condition.

Ozaita says, "Based on what we can see in our study in mice, it seems plausible to develop a long-term treatment that will sustainably improve the quality of life of people with Down syndrome." These improvements, he adds, "could also alleviate the alterations to the memory and the inflammation derived from premature Alzheimer's that these people develop with age."

More information: Anna VazquezOliver et al, Targeting dysregulated CB1 receptors in a Down syndrome mouse model improves neurological outcomes, Alzheimer's & Dementia (2025). DOI: 10.1002/alz.70874 Journal information: Alzheimer's & Dementia
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Senior researcher Mariella Sarestoniemi in the Human Body Twin Laboratory, where technologies for portable and wearable health monitoring are developed and evaluated. She holds a head phantom used to study signal propagation in brain tissue, while a wearable breast cancer detection vest is displayed on a mannequin in the background. Credit: University of Oulu

At the University of Oulu in Finland, researchers are exploring new ways to utilize microwave technology in monitoring and assessing health conditions. The results of experiments conducted with realistic models are promising.

Bras that detect breast cancer, leg sleeves that identify blood clots, and a helmet that monitors the effects of radiation therapy offer a glimpse into what future health care might look like. Mariella Sarestoniemi together with Teemu Myllyla, Jarmo Reponen, Mikael von und zu Fraunberg, Juha Nikkinen, Sami Myllymaki and her students, are developing technology that could enable health monitoring and assessment with portable and wearable measuring devices. The research is part of the 6GESS research program. Such devices could be used not only in hospitals but also in smaller health centers.

In a country like Finland with long distances, there is demand for this. Bringing research equipment closer to people lowers the threshold for participating in studies, which in turn means health issues can be detected earlier and addressed more effectively.

"Instead of having to travel hundreds of kilometers to a hospital for examinations, a person could go to their local health center for a quick preliminary scan. This new technology thus increases regional equality in health care," Sarestoniemi illustrates the benefits of the emerging technology.

Microwaves detect tumors safely and quickly

Sarestoniemi specifically studies the use of microwave technology in wireless health applications. Microwave technology is based on the different electrical properties of tissues. For measurement, researchers are developing portable or lightweight wearable devices, in which the radio signal traveling between installed antennas can be analyzed to detect anomalies such as tumors. The low-power microwave signal is safe and effective.

"For example, a signal sent through brain or breast tissue behaves differently when it encounters different tissues, which provides data for the doctor interpreting it," Sarestoniemi explains.

The technology is well-suited for wearable devices, as the necessary components are small and inexpensive. "Developing such devices for use in health centers or even ambulances is therefore realistic," Sarestoniemi says.

Another advantage of technology is speed. "It takes only a few nanoseconds for a microwave signal to pass through, for example, the head. The measurement process is quick and effortless."

Tumor-detecting bras to help with mammography challenges

Sarestoniemi envisions a new, effortless way to participate in breast cancer screening using microwave-based measurement, in addition to traditional mammography. Many women skip screening because mammography is perceived as painful or the journey to the examination is too long.

"Mammography does not detect tumors in all breast types, which in any case requires additional examinations. The devices under development could solve many of mammography's challenges."

Microwave-based breast cancer monitoring devices are already being clinically tested across Europe. Sarestoniemi's goal is to develop monitoring bras alongside these larger devices, enabling preliminary checks in smaller health centers, where they could even be used independently. The device, worn briefly, would measure and automatically send the data to the treating physician.

"The procedure is intended to be as easy and quick as measuring blood pressure," Sarestoniemi describes.

Another vision for a self-use device is a leg sleeve that detects blood clots. After surgery, the risk of blood clots is elevated, so it would be useful if the patient could monitor signs of clot formation at home. The sleeve could be pulled on a few times a day to check the situation.

A new way to monitor radiation therapy effects affordably and effectively

The newest application, which has sparked much interest among doctors, relates to monitoring the effects of radiation therapy in treating brain tumors. In certain cases, the tumor is treated primarily with radiation therapy instead of surgery.

"The effects of radiation therapy should be monitored frequently to assess whether the treatment is sufficient or if other methods need to be considered. Current imaging methods are either expensive or use harmful radiation, which is why they cannot be performed very often," Sarestoniemi explains.

Researchers are designing a lightweight helmet for head monitoring, which the patient wears during scanning. Analysis of the microwave signal traveling between antennas placed around the helmet reveals whether the treatment has been effective and the tumor has shrunk. Preliminary research results show that microwave technology can detect even small changes in tumor size.

"Radiation therapy specialists are very interested in this, as it would allow for more frequent monitoring of treatment safely."

Realistic models account for different human bodies

In Oulu, researchers aim to consider different body types as thoroughly as possible and test the technology in challenging situations. This helps determine whether the new technologies work in real-life scenarios with diverse individuals.

"For example, breast tissue types differ significantly depending on the amount of glandular and fatty tissue. The differences in properties between glandular and tumor tissue are relatively small compared to fatty tissue and tumors. Detecting a tumor is much more difficult if the breast contains a lot of glandular tissue."

The tissue models used by researchers are made in an environmentally friendly way from cooking ingredients.

"Once the measurements are completed, the models can be disposed of as biowaste. We can easily and quickly make new models and adjust their size," Sarestoniemi says.

Many technologies are being researched, but the applications are not yet in use. If all goes well and clinical trials prove successful, microwave-based applications could be in use in health centers within 10 years.

"Microwave technology is considered very promising and is already undergoing clinical testing in European hospitals," Sarestoniemi states.
South Korean automaker Hyundai will supply vehicles to the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, the company confirmed.

Hyundai for G20 summit

The gathering brings together the worlds largest economies along with the African Union, with disaster preparedness set to dominate this years agenda under the theme Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.

The G20, formed in 2008 in response to the global financial crisis, has since expanded its focus to a broad range of international economic and policy issues. Johannesburg marks the first time the summit is being held on the African continent, highlighting the growing global influence of the region.

Hyundai will provide 30 Staria MPV vans as the official transport fleet. The company said the model was selected for the summit's fleet based on its future-forward exterior design, expansive sense of interior openness, highly reconfigurable cabin adaptable to diverse needs, and advanced safety and convenience features. The vans will be used to transport delegates and dignitaries between summit venues.

Ilbum Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Global Policy Office at Hyundai Motor Group, said:

It is deeply meaningful for us to support the first-ever G20 Summit held in Africa with our vehicles. We will do our utmost to contribute to the success of this influential and significant event.

Being chosen as a transport partner for the summit is considered a significant corporate achievement, demonstrating Hyundais global reach and reputation. Similar arrangements have historically boosted automakers international profiles, such as the fleets of luxury vehicles used for EU summits in Europe.

The G20 summit in Johannesburg will host leaders from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, South Korea, and India. With a South Korean automotive company supporting a major African-hosted global event, the summit underscores the increasingly interconnected nature of international diplomacy and commerce.
The Trump administrations crackdown on legal immigration is making it harder for foreign professionals  doctors, engineers, professors and artists  to obtain permission to work and live in the United States. Federal authorities are refusing more work visas and green cards, reviewing professionals social media platforms and applying heightened scrutiny to foreign employees credentials and work plans, according to interviews with immigration solicitors, a federal official and policy analysts. Visa holders have faced increased searches, interrogations and refusals of entry at airports and border crossings, as well as deportation proceedings and visits to their employers by federal agents.



This year, the administration introduced a travel ban on 19 countries, a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas and mandatory in-person interviews for most business and temporary work visa applicants at US consulates  a change solicitors say could lead to longer waiting times. Officials also announced a continuous vetting policy aimed at all 55 million US visa holders.



For foreign professionals, the crackdown has meant anguish  separation from partners and children in the United States, rescinded job offers, lost income and derailed opportunities. Mustafa Alawad, a 27-year-old Sudanese doctor in Cairo, was refused a visa after receiving a job offer from a residency programme in Alabama. Because of a ban on visitors from Sudan, he has been unable to join his fiancee, a dentist already in the United States.



Apple, Accenture, Lyft, Snapchat, AMD, Pinterest, Silicon Laboratories, Rambus and Datadog have warned that new immigration and visa policies threaten their performance, according to a review of earnings calls by The Washington Post. Apple told investors that laws and regulations, including immigration, could materially adversely affect the Companys ability to recruit and retain a highly skilled, global workforce. Hospitality and biotechnology firms issued similar warnings.



The State Department has not released data on visa issuances since May, and the latest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data is from June. While the available data does not show a notable shift in application numbers or refusals, solicitors say parts of the crackdown began more recently. Major employer groups declined to comment. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sued the administration over the $100,000 H-1B fee, its first lawsuit against this administration.



This stringent enforcement and stringent examination of what has always been perfectly legal visa categories is new, said Jeff Joseph, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Companies are relying on litigation from the chamber and trade organisations to avoid retaliation.



Kimberley Best Robidoux, a solicitor at WR Immigration, said that after President Donald Trump took office this year, there was an uptick in deportation proceedings during what had been a 60-day grace period for professionals switching employers or changing status. We have definitely seen the administration turn the benefits-based visa programmes into enforcement tools, she said.



The administration says these changes are deliberate. Since day one, President Trump has been clear that he will put Americans first by tightening our immigration laws, Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman, said, adding that heightened scrutiny is part of implementing the America First agenda.



A senior State Department official said scrutiny is being applied across the board, including examining issues such as drink-driving and assault charges, with authorities using social media vetting and other tools in new ways. We dont see scrutiny as a bad word, the official said. National security is more of a priority than ever. Officials are also looking for visa fraud involving misuse of B-1 business visas. Still, interview waiting times were down in many nations and 80 per cent had waits of 60 days or less.



Citizenship and Immigration Services said it conducts deportation proceedings and unannounced workplace visits to restore integrity and ensure the security of our nations immigration system, adding that it is committed to refusing or revoking H-1B petitions of those who do not comply with site visits.



Immigration solicitors said professional visa categories are receiving more scrutiny and refusals than others, including H-1Bs, J-1s, L-1s and O-1s, the genius visa. Employment-based green cards, including EB-1s for foreigners with extraordinary abilities, have also been affected. Were seeing cases refused for people who build the systems our economy runs on, said Sameer Khedekar, an immigration solicitor in Silicon Valley.



Immigration officials refused one top software engineer at Capital One an EB-1 visa in August, according to his lawsuit, despite his work in cutting-edge AI-driven financial technologies, scientific publications and peer-review contributions.



Applicants from countries identified as national security threats, including China, Iran and Venezuela, are seeing heightened vetting. For companies, scrutiny has delayed project development and hiring, increased costs and reshaped recruitment plans, said Alexander Jovy of Global Immigration Partners. Foreign professionals have grown reluctant to travel internationally for fear of being barred from re-entry.



The United States is the market where people want to start businesses and want to be innovative, said Cecilia Esterline of the Niskanen Center. If we lose the people who are able to do that, we risk our competitiveness.



Jeremy Beck of NumbersUSA, which lobbies for restricting immigration, supports narrowing legal immigration programmes, saying the case for large-scale guest worker programmes is weak amid a declining economy and layoffs. They are restoring credibility to the system, he said.



Still, the administration has sent mixed messages. Last week Trump partly defended the H-1B programme, saying, You also do have to bring in talent. He added, You cant take people off an unemployment line and say, Im going to put you into a factory, were going to make missiles. Sharadha Kodem, an immigration solicitor in Texas who files work visa petitions mostly for Indian and Southeast Asian nationals, said three of her clients on valid H-1Bs were refused entry by U.S. customs agents after temporarily working remotely in their home countries due to family or medical emergencies. They have been unable to return to the United States, where they have spouses, children and homes. Then it was much more relaxed during the Biden administration, and now the crackdown has started again, she said.




Sanjoy K Roy has spent most of his adult life in the noise and daylight of the arts world  festivals, crowds, deadlines, the bright logistical churn of culture. Which is why it takes a moment to square the public figure with the private admission he offers, almost casually: All of us have an antenna, he says, and all of us are or can be in tune with presences in another dimension.



Roy does not believe in ghosts, he insists. What he does believe in, apparently, is experience  and his own has been impossible to ignore. Best known as the impresario behind the Jaipur Literature Festival, he had no intention of writing a book, because Im a reader. His memoir, Theres a Ghost in My Room (HarperCollins), grew less from ambition than from trying to make sense of a lifetimes interruptions.



Childhood in a haunted key



The book opens in his ancestral Calcutta home, where he was five during the first visitation he can recall. Ghosts were very much part of my childhood, he says. My first ghostly encounter frightened the wits out of me, and I screamed the house down.



The moment lodged itself like an imprint  one of those early shocks absorbed without explanation.



As the family moved to a Lutyens Delhi bungalow, the apparitions travelled with him. They didnt appear with menace; they simply materialised, as if crossing an invisible threshold into ordinary life. The charge of these stories comes not from supernatural flourish but from Roys enduring incredulity.



A reluctant witness



His scepticism is instinctive. I personally am a sceptic and will continue to be, he says. But his memories would not cooperate. The memoir threads together uneasy hotel nights, odd shapes in distant cities, recollections that resurfaced only as he wrote. The tone is wry, the stance unwilling but inescapable.



Importantly, he has no appetite for occult theatrics. I dont do planchettes, he says, brushing off the idea. Planchettes  those small seance pointers often seen with Ouija boards, or improvised locally with paper alphabets and candles  aim to summon spirits. Roy rejects the ritual, not the phenomenon. His encounters were never solicited, only endured. And each time, he admits, I continue to be frightened out of my wits I jump straight out of my skin.



Writing as exorcism



The surprise was that writing became release. Its really been about healing, he says. Scattered memories turned into a map. All of these memories created scar tissues, and setting them down allowed me a sense of how to heal that particular memory.



One of the most recent incidents took place in Switzerland, where he woke to a man in traditional costume standing by his bed, politely tipping his hat. The civility didnt soften the terror; he was again frightened out of my wits.



Fear may be involuntary, but fascination endures. The very aspect of the unknown is really what fascinates all of us, he says. Were always attracted to this idea of being scared. Even places without ghosts unsettle him: Egypts Valley of the Kings and Queens, with their subterranean hush. Theyre so spooky because youre going underground, he says, but its not that Ive encountered any ghosts in these places.



The door that never quite closes



Roy offers not proof but a portrait of permeability  a life lived with the sense that the world is less sealed than we pretend. His memoir, he says, offers a glimpse into a parallel dimension teeming with spirits and souls.



You can hear all about this on Friday at the Royal Opera House, when he will be in conversation with Shobhaa De. The event will include readings by Shernaz Patel, Deepika Amin and Varun Narayan, and music by the September Sisters.




Sonora, CA  Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that will cut red tape to help communities clean up and rebuild faster following the TCU Lightning Complex Fires.

The order expedites the removal and cleanup of debris and household hazardous materials (HHM) from properties affected in Tuolumne County while also ensuring public health and environmental protections, according to Newsoms office. They added that it reflects the governors ongoing efforts to address local concerns, provide tools to accelerate rebuilding, and allow communities to recover safely.

We will continue to look for ways to support Californians impacted by the TCU Lighting Complex Fires to clean up and rebuild safely, stated Governor Newsom. This executive order responds directly to requests from local officials and community feedback to help speed up recovery and protect communities from hazardous materials.

A week after the blazes started on September 2nd, 2025, as reported here, Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Tuolumne County, unlocking additional state assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act. Under the order, the Governors Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) partnered with county officials regarding debris removal and watershed recovery efforts aimed at preventing toxic burn scar debris from contaminating local waterways. The TCU Lightning Complex Fires burned over 13,000 acres in the Don Pedro Reservoir area. It also destroyed 95 structures and damaged 7 others, including 50 homes in the historic town of Chinese Camp in Tuolumne County.

To view the entire executive order, click here.
Sonora, CA  Around 30 business leaders attended a luncheon on Wednesday afternoon hosted by the Tuolumne County Business Council.

It was held at the Mother Lode Job Training conference room on Mono Way, and the guest speakers were Mike and Vicki Albrecht of Sierra Resource Management, former Tuolumne County Supervisor (and longtime timber industry leader) Dick Pland, and former county supervisor Sherri Brennan (now representing California Associated Loggers).

Mike Albrecht, who has been a leader with state and national organizations, such as the California Associated Loggers and the American Loggers Council, opened with an update on lobbying efforts in Washington, DC, to change policies related to forest management. He also provided historical context, noting that there were 25 lumber mills in Tuolumne County in 1850, and only two today (Standard and Chinese Camp).

However, he expressed optimism that Tuolumne County is growing its timber and biomass industries, while most other areas of the country are declining.

The local industry directly supports around 425 jobs, plus about 100 additional people working in logging, and 75 truckers, pushing the overall number above 600. He added that those jobs support other professions, creating a multiplying effect.

Albrecht highlighted federal initiatives aimed at making it easier to salvage dead timber, an effort to add biomass to renewable fuel standards, the US Fix Our Forest Act, an MOU between the American Loggers Council and the US Forest Service, and an Executive Order signed by President Trump aiming to reverse course so that the US is no longer the largest wood importer instead of exporter.

Citing the need for federal changes, former Supervisor Brennan provided slides noting how the number of wildfires has significantly increased from 2002-2024, as 168 million acres burned, 145,000 structures were destroyed, and 1,187 people died.

Brennan expressed optimism about major developments in the planning stages, a Central Sierra Forestry Workforce Training Center, to help boost local training opportunities and projects in the Stanislaus National Forest. Community and timber industry leaders are looking to create a multiple-use ecosystem in the vicinity of the federal SERAL project, and develop a model that can be replicated in other areas. Brennan noted that the Sonora Area Foundation has been helping to address funding for infrastructure-related needs. She added that the Sonora High Wildcat Ranch is being looked at for a heavy equipment and logging training pathway program. Other partners helping the overall effort include the Central Sierra Economic Development District, Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office, SPI, CAL Fire, Columbia College, Tuolumne County government, and several others. The group stressed the need to train the next generation to take on these types of timber industry jobs that play a critical role in the community.

At the end of the presentation, Tuolumne County Business Council President Tom Crosby heard feedback from the organizations members about making supporting biomass an area of extra focus for the group moving forward, citing the negative impacts of wildfires, job creation, and potential long-term benefits like reducing fire insurance costs.

The Tuolumne County Business Council was formed in 2008 and includes a diverse group of area business representatives with a mission to take an active role in identifying key issues and facilitating change to support economic growth and prosperity in the county.
More than two years after Berkeley leaders adopted a set of union-backed labor standards for major construction projects, the developers behind three proposed new apartment complexes plan to use one of Californias most powerful state housing laws to exempt themselves from the mandates.

The move has construction unions crying foul, saying it subverts the laws intent and effectively guts a host of local development ordinances that set requirements for workers pay, health care coverage and apprenticeship programs. Two labor groups have appealed a Zoning Adjustments Board decision to approve one of the projects to the City Council. Theyre concerned the developers strategy could become a playbook for dodging labor standards in Berkeley and throughout the state.

Its unfortunate that we find ourselves here tonight witnessing the dismantling of hard-fought worker protections, Daniel Gregg, a representative from the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, told the zoning board at a hearing last Thursday.

Members that night voted to approve a 23-story complex on University Avenue in downtown Berkeley that would be exempted from requirements to provide health insurance and apprenticeships, as well as another ordinance mandating large buildings use glass designed to prevent bird collisions.

Developers say Berkeleys mandates would add millions of dollars in extra costs and make their projects too expensive to build. They contend Californias density bonus law  which allows builders to bypass local regulations if their projects include a share of affordable apartments  is on their side.

Our former City Council adopted a set of standards that put enormous cost pressure on housing development in Berkeley, consultant Mark Rhoades said at the same zoning board meeting. They set the unions up for failure.

The labor groups appeal will go before the City Council in February, forcing that body to choose between letting the project proceed without the labor standards many of its members voted to impose, or take on what could be a costly legal battle to enforce Berkeleys ordinances.

Berkeleys mandates would cost millions, developer says

The density bonus law is best known for allowing projects to exceed density and height caps in exchange for including affordable apartments  its why a 169-unit project the zoning board approved last month at 2425 Durant Ave., which includes 32 below market-rate units, was allowed to rise to a height of 20 stories, more than double the eight-story limit on the books for the Southside neighborhood.

But the law also entitles developers to claim exemptions from a long list of other local regulations that would drive up the cost of building housing.

The Durant Avenue project from the Berkeley firm Collab Home, which is the subject of the unions appeal, exempted itself from requirements to provide health care coverage and apprenticeships on job sites. The City Council created those requirements in a 2023 ordinance dubbed HARD HATS, or Helping Achieve Responsible Development with Healthcare and Apprenticeship Training Standards. Collab Home also seeks to bypass a mandate that projects in the Southside neighborhood pay workers a prevailing wage, a requirement the council imposed in a set of zoning changes later that same year.

Another project a couple of blocks away at 2298 Durant Ave. is using the density bonus law to claim exemptions from the health care and prevailing wage requirements as well. The 65-unit project submitted by Berkeley private equity firm Valiance Capital includes seven affordable units.

Walnut Creek-based Laconia Development submitted two versions of its project at 2029 University Ave., both of which were approved by the zoning board last week. One version has 240 units, 36 of which would be rented for below market rate, with a bigger share of studio and one-bedroom apartments; the other has larger apartments, totaling 160 units, 24 of them affordable.

Travis Brooks, an attorney for Laconia Development, wrote in a letter to the zoning board that the mandates the company sought exemption from are exactly the sort of costly development standards the (density bonus law) requires local agencies to eliminate when incentives are requested.

The company contends the requirements would cost just over $5 million, on top of $8.4 million in other city, school and utility fees the project must also pay. Those estimates, which Rhoades presented to the zoning board, claim the health insurance requirement would cost $2.8 million, apprenticeships at the site would run $1.9 million and bird-safe glass would be $400,000 more expensive than conventional materials.

Rhoades, who also consulted on the 2425 Durant project, said developers cant absorb expenses that great.

Especially now, when construction costs are so high, financing is iffy, the economy is volatile, he said, its just another layer of cost that Berkeley has put on housing production.

Several developers and business groups opposed the HARD HATS ordinance, which applies to projects submitted since 2024, and the San Francisco Business Times reported firms sent in a flurry of housing applications in the final weeks of 2023 to avoid being subjected to it.

If developers had to comply with the mandates, Rhoades predicted, We would probably stop building housing in Berkeley again.

Construction unions say developers are abusing law

Staff in Berkeleys Planning Division agreed that the law entitled Laconia, as well as the developers of the Durant Avenue projects, to the exemptions they requested. Members of the zoning board concurred and found they wouldnt have legal grounds to reject the project  though several said they were reluctant to approve it.

Our hands just are tied due to the way the state has phrased this, Zoning Adjustments Board Chair Kimberly Gaffney said shortly before voting to approve the University Avenue project. It does make it very hard for us to deny (the project).

(Architect Yes Duffy, who sits on the zoning board, designed and submitted the project at 2425 Durant; he was not present at the Oct. 9 meeting where it was approved, according to minutes from the meeting.)

But construction unions argue the density bonus law was meant to address limitations on the physical size and shape of projects  not the regulations that affect how they are built  and say developers can afford to comply with Berkeleys mandates. They contend the requirements ensure construction workers do a dangerous job without risking devastating medical bills and get training to bring more people into the field.

In their appeal of the zoning boards decision to approve the 2425 Durant Ave. project, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County and the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council ask the City Council to reject the project, approve it without granting the concessions sought by Laconia, or send the proposal back to the zoning board.

The requested concessions are an attempted misuse of the (density bonus law) to avoid important labor standards that the city enacted to protect public health and safety, attorneys Jolene Kramer and Andrea Matsuoka wrote.

Will City Council risk a lawsuit to uphold labor standards?

State Sen. Jesse Arreguin backed the unions appeal in a letter to the City Council last week, saying he is concerned by the precedent the Durant Avenue project would set, And the impact it would have on the application of various critical labor policies the Council has adopted over the years including prevailing wage requirements and the HARD HATS Ordinance.

Arreguin led the charge for the ordinance when he was mayor of Berkeley, announcing the legislation at a press conference flanked by construction union leaders in 2022. He launched his campaign for state Senate a few months later, and unions in the building trades were among his biggest donors.

I never anticipated that the ordinances seminal requirements could be circumvented through use of the (density bonus law), Arreguin wrote in his letter.

Rhoades said the concessions developers are entitled to under the law are not limited to physical zoning restrictions, and have been used up and down the state to exempt projects from local fees and mandates.

Rejecting the Durant Avenue project, or even just its exemptions, could open the city up to a lawsuit from Collab Home. Brooks letter to the zoning board about the University Avenue project reminded the city, none too subtly, that failing to grant its exceptions would result in an actionable violation of state housing law, and that Laconia could sue to reverse the citys decision and recover attorneys fees.

It remains to be seen whether the City Council has the appetite for that kind of fight.

Berkeley lost a similar lawsuit brought by a Yes-In-My-Backyard advocacy group over its attempt to block a housing development nearly a decade ago. More recently, the City Council backed away from an ordinance prohibiting landlords from using rent-setting algorithms earlier this year after one of the companies targeted by the legislation sued to block it.

Andreas Cluver, secretary-treasurer of the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, told Berkeleyside the law isnt clear about whether developers are entitled to the exemptions they have sought from Berkeleys mandates, and the solution may have to come from Sacramento.

What were looking at is really a legislative loophole that allows developers to circumvent these really important labor standards, Cluver said. Obviously we need to change state law at some point to close the loophole.

Asked whether Arreguin plans to write any legislation to address the unions concerns about the density bonus law, spokesperson Stefan Elgstrand wrote in an email, It is too early in the process to say what bills he plans on introducing.

___

This story was originally published by Berkeleyside and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By NICO SAVIDGE/Berkeleyside

Berkeleyside
Lee Pace experienced a "pinch-me moment" when he was offered a role in The Running Man.

Lee Pace stars in the new movie

The 46-year-old actor stars alongside the likes of Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Michael Cera, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin in the new dystopian action thriller film, and Lee admits that he was particularly looking forward to working with director Edgar Wright.

Lee told The Hollywood Reporter: "First, to get a call from Edgar Wright, saying, 'I want you to be a part of my film,' it was such a pinch-me moment.

"Im such a fan of his. He described what he wanted to make and what he wanted out of this character, and I was like, 'Yeah, this sounds like great fun.' And I have to say, from that first conversation and the script that I read to the movie that I saw, its exactly the same. He made exactly the movie that he had in mind before we started filming."

Lee plays Evan McCone, the masked leader of the hunters, in the new movie, and he relished the experience of playing the "mysterious character".

Lee said: "Hes a complicated character. Hes mysterious, and he withholds a lot throughout most of the movie. I like a mysterious character.

"Then the complexity of him emerges towards the end, and I also like a complicated character. I still had a good time trying to make McCone be as relaxed and unbothered as possible throughout his pursuit of Ben Richards. So it was definitely great fun playing the character."

Despite this, Lee considers the director to be the number one consideration before he accepts a movie role.

The actor explained: "Director is first. Thats the reason you do or dont do the movie.

"This was Stephen Kings, as Richard Bachman, interpretation of what 2025 might look like when he was writing back in 1981, so it was a very, very long time ago. He was sensitive to a growing hostility in this country, but the good news is we dont live in a world where The Running Man is possible. The theme is thought-provoking, but like I said, its not reality.

"Inside the movie, theres a sharp difference between the reality show and reality. In the movie, I play a Hunter, a murderer, whos trying to hunt down Ben Richards. But inside the show, Ben Richards is supposed to be the bad guy, and McCone is portrayed as the good guy. Hes one of the brave people whos trying to rid the streets of bad guys like Ben Richards, which is not true. So this movie is satire, and its fun and thrilling."
Women named Abegayle are often characterized by their joyful disposition and natural ability to bring happiness to others. They typically possess a warm, nurturing personality combined with strong intuitive abilities that allow them to understand and respond to emotional needs around them. Their biblical namesake's legacy often manifests in diplomatic skills, wisdom in conflict resolution, and a calming presence in stressful situations.



Abegayles tend to be creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with optimism and practical intelligence. They frequently demonstrate loyalty in relationships and maintain strong family connections, embodying the 'father's joy' meaning through their ability to create harmonious environments. Many Abegayles develop strong communication skills and often find fulfillment in helping professions where they can positively impact others' lives, drawing on their innate capacity for empathy and understanding.
Individuals named Adene are typically characterized by their gentle nature and empathetic disposition. They possess a natural tenderness that makes them excellent caregivers, listeners, and friends. This inherent sensitivity allows them to understand others' emotions deeply and offer genuine comfort and support. Adenes often exhibit artistic inclinations and appreciate beauty in all its forms, from nature to human expression. Their gentle approach to life doesn't indicate weakness but rather a different kind of strengthone based on understanding and connection rather than domination.



Their gentle exterior often conceals a resilient core strength that emerges when protecting loved ones or standing up for their principles. They approach challenges with quiet determination rather than aggressive force, preferring diplomacy and understanding over confrontation. This combination of softness and strength makes Adenes particularly effective in roles requiring both compassion and perseverance. People are naturally drawn to Adenes for their calming presence and genuine interest in others' wellbeing, making them cherished members of their communities and valued friends and partners.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Aghavilla is a name deeply rooted in Irish cultural heritage, reflecting the profound connection between the Irish people and their natural landscape. The name's meaning, 'from the field of the old tree,' speaks to the ancient Celtic reverence for trees as sacred beings and the importance of ancestral lands. In traditional Irish society, specific trees held spiritual significance, with certain ancient trees serving as meeting places, boundary markers, and sites of ritual importance. The combination of 'field' and 'old tree' suggests a place of both practical agricultural use and spiritual significance, embodying the Irish balance between earthly sustenance and mystical connection.



The name carries echoes of Ireland's rural past, when communities were closely tied to specific geographical features and ancestral lands. It represents continuity with ancient traditions and the preservation of cultural memory through generations. In modern times, the name has gained renewed interest as part of the Celtic revival movement, serving as a bridge between contemporary Irish identity and ancestral heritage. It symbolizes the enduring strength of Irish cultural traditions and the importance of maintaining connection to both land and history.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Agilberht represents a crucial bridge between Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Christianity during the 7th century Conversion period. As a Frankish bishop serving in England, he embodied the international character of the early medieval Church and the cultural exchange between Continental Europe and the British Isles. His presence in England demonstrates how the Christianization of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms relied on missionaries and clergy from various European regions, creating a network of ecclesiastical connections that would shape medieval European civilization.



The name's usage among high-ranking clergy indicates its association with learned, aristocratic circles who could navigate multiple cultural contexts. Agilberht's historical significance lies in his role as one of the educated clergy who helped establish diocesan structures and orthodox practices in newly converted regions, contributing to the formation of a unified Western Christian tradition across different Germanic peoples. The name thus symbolizes the complex cultural and religious interactions that characterized the early Middle Ages, when Christian institutions were being established across formerly pagan Germanic territories.
Individuals named Agnese are often perceived as possessing a calm, dignified presence combined with inner strength. They typically exhibit qualities of reliability, loyalty, and deep moral conviction, reflecting the name's association with purity and virtue. These individuals tend to be thoughtful and introspective, approaching life with seriousness and purpose while maintaining gentle compassion for others. Their strong sense of ethics often makes them natural peacemakers and trusted confidants. While they may appear reserved initially, Agnesses reveal warm, nurturing qualities to those they trust, creating lasting, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and understanding. They often demonstrate remarkable resilience in facing challenges, drawing from an inner well of spiritual or emotional strength that inspires those around them. This combination of quiet dignity and profound inner fortitude makes Agnesses particularly effective in roles requiring patience, wisdom, and emotional intelligence, whether in personal relationships or professional settings.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Alexandria holds deep cultural significance spanning ancient history, Christian tradition, and modern society. Historically, it connects to Alexander the Great and the legendary Egyptian city that was a beacon of knowledge and cultural exchange in the ancient world. This association gives the name an enduring quality of intellectual pursuit and cosmopolitan sophistication. In Christian tradition, the name gained prominence through several saints and martyrs, most notably Saint Alexandra who was martyred for her faith in the 3rd century. This religious connection made the name popular throughout Christian Europe, particularly in Eastern Orthodox countries where it became a royal name borne by empresses and queens. The name's journey through history reflects both classical education and religious devotion, making it appealing across different cultural contexts while maintaining its core meaning of protection and defense.



Throughout the medieval and modern periods, Alexandria evolved from being primarily associated with royalty and nobility to becoming more widely used among common people. The name's adaptability across languages and culturesfrom Russian Aleksandra to Spanish Alejandrademonstrates its universal appeal. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the name has maintained its classic status while adapting to contemporary naming trends, often being chosen by parents who value both historical depth and modern relevance. The continued use of Alexandria across generations speaks to its timeless quality and the enduring appeal of its noble meanings and associations.
China releases latest findings from second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau scientific expedition

Xinhua) 08:33, November 20, 2025

LHASA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau scientific expedition has yielded significant practical outcomes, with its top 10 application achievements officially released on Wednesday in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

Led by Yao Tandong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the achievements span critical areas including ecological conservation, disaster prevention, resource exploration, carbon accounting, traffic safety, and border area development.

Notable results include scientific support for legislation on plateau ecological protection, establishment of a platform for Earth observation and early warning, and innovative technologies for disaster prevention and control in permafrost regions, aiding major infrastructure projects like the Sichuan-Xizang Railway and expressways.

"We have successfully issued six early warnings, which ensured the smooth progress of local engineering projects and safeguarded the lives and safety of the people," said Yao, adding that the scientific team assessed the disaster baseline of the Sichuan-Xizang traffic corridor, including 52 key disaster points, avoiding over 97 percent of mountain disasters, and optimizing the corridor route by over 400 kilometers.

The plateau is currently exhibiting a trend of warming, wetting and "greening" that amplifies both regional and global climate impacts, Yao noted. It was also found that the water supply capacity of the "Asian Water Tower" has significantly risen, with runoff projections showing increases of up to 49 percent by the end of the century, crucial for water security for billions.

Since its launch in August 2017, the second expedition has mobilized over 3,000 research teams and more than 30,000 personnel, conducting comprehensive surveys across the entire plateau region.

The scientific expedition has made a series of surprising discoveries in biodiversity. Sun Hang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted that the first major discovery is a new echolocating mammal group: the pig-tailed mice (Typhlomys).

"In the past, we believed that only a few animals, such as bats and dolphins, have echolocation abilities, but the discovery of pig-tailed mice has broken this cognitive boundary. This is a new echolocating group found in mammals, which is of great significance for understanding the evolution of animal sensory systems," Sun explained.

The second discovery is about genetic memory in bird migration. Researchers found that bird migration routes do not entirely rely on acquired learning but can be passed through genetic memory. This genetic memory actually reflects the changes in geological history.

Sun said that this discovery not only explains how birds pass down migration routes through generations but also provides a new perspective for understanding the relationship between biological behavior and geological evolution.

In addition, the scientific expedition has discovered a large number of plants once thought extinct, such as the Motuo lily (Motuoorchis pulchra). Rare animals like snow leopards have been frequently captured on field cameras.

"The significance of these discoveries lies not only in filling scientific gaps but more importantly, they reveal the unique status of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as a 'biodiversity museum' and 'cradle of species in the Northern Hemisphere,' providing key evidence for understanding the formation and evolution of global biodiversity patterns," Sun said.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
My Bloody Valentine reunited for a secret set this week, playing their first gig since 2018.

My Bloody Valentine returned this week with a secret set

The shoegaze pioneers - who formed in Dublin in 1983 - haven't performed together in seven years, but they got back together on Wednesday (19.11.25) night for a show at the city's National Stadium.

In a nod to their 1988 album, the group played a secret set under the moniker Isn't Anything as a warm-up for their upcoming reunion dates.

The show was originally meant to take place at a smaller venue, but it got upgraded to the 2,000 capacity stadium due to demand.

The set featured fan favourites like Only Shallow, Feed Me With Your Kiss and I Only Said.

Although the band didn't showcase any new or unreleased material, they did play Off Your Face - which featured on 2012 complication EPs 1988 - 1991 - for the first time live.

My Bloody Valentine had previously announced a huge show at Dublin's 3Arena on November 22, which was set to mark their first non-festival show in Ireland since 1992.

In March, they confirmed further dates at Manchester's Aviva Studios, Wembley Arena in London, and Glasgow's OVO Hydro.

The run will mark their first UK headline tour in over a decade, while it's been 12 years since they released their latest album, mbv.

The band still features founding members Kevin Shields and Colm O Ciosoig, alongside Bilinda Butcher and Debbie Googe.

Back in 2021, frontman Kevin, 62, said they were working on two new studio albums after signing with Domino Records.

He told the New York Times newspaper that the first record would be "warm and melodic", followed by a more experimental LP, but there haven't been any firm updates since then.

He added: "I dont want to be 70-something wanting to make the next record after mbv. I think itd be cooler to make one now."
Those named Alida are often perceived as possessing an innate elegance and refined sensibility, carrying themselves with a natural grace that reflects the name's noble origins. They tend to be thoughtful, introspective individuals who value tradition and quality, often displaying artistic inclinations or appreciation for the finer things in life. Their quiet confidence and measured approach to life can make them appear reserved initially, but they reveal deep loyalty and warmth to those they trust. This combination of outward poise and inner depth makes Alidas compelling personalities who earn respect through consistency and integrity.



Alidas typically demonstrate strong principles and a sense of responsibility, combining traditional values with independent thinking. They often excel in fields requiring attention to detail, creativity, and perseverance, bringing a touch of classic sophistication to their endeavors while maintaining practical wisdom in their decision-making. While they may not seek the spotlight, their quiet competence and reliability often position them as trusted advisors and steady influences in their communities. Their strength lies in their ability to balance tradition with progress, honoring the past while thoughtfully engaging with the present.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Amatullah holds profound significance in Islamic culture as it directly expresses the core relationship between a Muslim and God. The name embodies the fundamental Islamic concept of 'ubudiyyah' (servitude to Allah), which is considered the highest spiritual station a human can achieve. Throughout Islamic history, names containing 'Abd' (male servant) or 'Amat' (female servant) followed by one of Allah's names have been particularly cherished as they constantly remind the bearer of their purpose in life.



The name gained prominence during the early Islamic period and has been used consistently across Muslim civilizations from Andalusia to Southeast Asia. It reflects the Islamic emphasis on humility before God while maintaining dignity in human relationships. In many Muslim societies, giving a child a name like Amatullah is seen as a spiritual investment, with the hope that the child will grow to embody the qualities of devotion and submission to God that the name represents. The name serves as a daily reminder of one's ultimate purpose and connection to the Divine.
Women named Annelisa are often perceived as graceful, compassionate individuals who combine traditional values with modern sensibilities. They typically exhibit strong nurturing qualities, drawing from the maternal associations of both name components, while maintaining an independent spirit. Annelisas are frequently described as diplomatic and balanced, able to mediate conflicts and bring harmony to their social circles. Their dual-nature name often reflects in their ability to bridge different perspectives and create unity among diverse groups.



Many Annelisas demonstrate artistic or creative talents, particularly in fields that involve communication and emotional expression. They tend to be reliable friends and partners who value deep, meaningful relationships built on trust and mutual respect. The combination of Anne's grace and Lisa's devotion often manifests as a personality that is both spiritually grounded and practically effective. Annelisas typically approach challenges with a blend of intuition and logic, making them effective problem-solvers who consider both emotional and practical aspects of situations. Their name suggests a person who honors tradition while embracing progress, creating a unique balance that serves them well in both personal and professional contexts.
Symbolically, Antonie represents the concept of intrinsic worth that cannot be measured by conventional standards. Like a priceless artwork or rare manuscript, the name suggests value that accumulates over time and transcends material assessment. It symbolizes the idea that true preciousness lies in qualities like wisdom, integrity, cultural contribution, and lasting impact. The name carries metaphorical associations with heirlooms, foundations, and enduring structuresthings built to last and appreciate in significance. In psychological terms, Antonie represents the archetype of the wise woman or cultural guardian, someone who preserves and enhances what is truly valuable in society. The name also suggests rarity and distinction, not in the sense of elitism, but as something unique and irreplaceable. Like a keystone in an arch, Antonie symbolizes the essential, supporting role that may not always be visible but without which the whole structure would be diminished.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Aquene is a name of Native American origin, specifically from Algonquian languages, where it carries the profound meaning of 'peace.' The name reflects the deep cultural values of harmony, balance, and peaceful coexistence that are central to many Indigenous American traditions. Historically, peace was not merely the absence of conflict but represented a state of balance between humans, nature, and the spiritual world. In contemporary usage, Aquene represents a bridge between indigenous heritage and modern American naming practices, often chosen by parents who value both cultural authenticity and the universal ideal of peace. The name has gained recognition as part of the broader movement to preserve and honor Native American languages and traditions while adapting them for contemporary use. Its cultural significance extends beyond its literal meaning to represent the enduring wisdom and values of Native American communities in modern society.
Women named Atonia typically exhibit remarkable inner strength and stability, much like the oak tree their name evokes. They are known for their grounded nature, reliability, and ability to withstand life's challenges with grace and determination. These individuals often possess a quiet confidence that inspires others, serving as pillars in their families and communities. Their strength is not merely physical but extends to emotional and moral fortitude, making them trusted advisors and loyal friends.



Atonias tend to be deeply rooted in their values and principles, yet flexible enough to adapt when necessary. They combine traditional wisdom with modern insight, creating a balanced approach to life that others find both comforting and inspiring. While they may appear reserved initially, Atonias reveal warmth and depth as relationships develop. They approach problems with practical solutions and maintain composure under pressure, earning respect through consistent action rather than loud proclamation. Their leadership style is typically supportive rather than authoritarian, empowering others while providing steady guidance.
Women named Aysha are commonly associated with a distinctive blend of intelligence, compassion, and inner strength. They often display remarkable mental agility and learning capacity, coupled with a natural curiosity about the world around them. Many Ayshas possess excellent communication skills and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, making them effective in teaching, counseling, or leadership roles. Their intelligence is typically balanced by deep emotional awareness and empathy, allowing them to connect with others on both intellectual and emotional levels. This combination often makes them sought-after advisors and trusted friends who approach problems with both logic and heart.



In terms of character, Ayshas frequently exhibit a strong sense of personal integrity and moral conviction. They tend to be principled individuals who stand by their beliefs while remaining open to different perspectives. Their resilience in facing challenges is notable, often drawing strength from their spiritual or philosophical foundations. Many display a natural elegance in their demeanor and a grace under pressure that inspires confidence in those around them. While they honor tradition and values, they typically adapt well to changing circumstances, demonstrating flexibility without compromising their core identity. This balance between steadfastness and adaptability makes them particularly effective in bridging different communities or mediating conflicts.
Women named Azmik are often perceived as possessing natural leadership qualities combined with graceful diplomacy. They typically exhibit strong moral character, intelligence, and the ability to command respect while maintaining approachability. Their personality reflects the name's royal connotations through dignified behavior, strategic thinking, and a natural authority that inspires confidence in others.



Azmiks are frequently described as having a balanced temperamentfirm in their convictions yet compassionate in their interactions. They tend to be excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges with both wisdom and emotional intelligence. The combination of strength and gentility in their character makes them effective in roles requiring both authority and empathy, often becoming pillars in their families and communities. Their inherent sense of responsibility and fairness typically makes them trusted advisors and respected figures in social and professional circles.
Women named Azurine are often perceived as calm, intuitive, and creative individuals with a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms. They typically possess a serene demeanor that can be both comforting and inspiring to those around them, much like the peaceful expanse of a clear blue sky. Their creative tendencies often manifest in artistic pursuits, while their intuitive nature makes them excellent judges of character and situations.



Azurines are known for their loyalty and depth of emotion, though they may sometimes retreat into contemplation when overwhelmed. They value harmony in relationships and environments, often serving as peacemakers in social settings while maintaining strong personal boundaries and convictions. Their connection to the color blue suggests reliability and trustworthiness, while the sky reference implies both freedom of thought and the ability to see the bigger picture in challenging situations. These traits combine to create individuals who are both grounded and visionary.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Bain holds deep roots in Gaelic and Celtic cultures, particularly in Scotland and Ireland. Originating from the Gaelic word 'ban' meaning 'white' or 'fair,' it was often used to describe physical characteristics like fair hair or complexion, or geographical features such as white hills or clear streams. In ancient times, the name was associated with purity and clarity, reflecting the importance of clean water sources in Celtic communities. Throughout Scottish history, the Bain surname became prominent in the Highlands, with several clans adopting variations of the name. The name appears in early medieval records of Pictish kings, suggesting noble associations.



In Irish tradition, the name carried similar connotations of brightness and purity, often given to children with light features or born near significant water sources. The cultural significance extends to the Celtic reverence for nature, where clear streams and white stones held spiritual importance in rituals and daily life. The name's connection to water symbolism reflects the Celtic belief in water as a source of wisdom, healing, and transition between worlds. This cultural heritage makes Bain more than just a nameit's a link to ancient Celtic worldviews that valued harmony with natural elements and saw symbolic meaning in the landscape.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex was attracted to Prince Harry because of his "childlike wonder and playfulness".

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex was attracted to Prince Harry's playful side

The 43-year-old actress married the British royal in 2018 and she knows he love her more than anyone so has confidence that he will support her in whatever she does.

She told America's Harper's Bazaar magazine: He loves me so boldly, fully, and he also has a different perspective because he sees media that I wouldnt.

No one in the world loves me more than him, so I know hes always going to make sure that he has my back.

"[With Harry] you have someone who just has this childlike wonder and playfulness. I was so drawn to that, and he brought that out in me. Thats translated into every part of our life. Even in business, I want us to play and have fun and explore and be creative.

The former Suits star - who has Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, with Harry - tries not to worry about "external judgement" when it comes to living her life in the way she chooses.

She said: "I love being able to do both to play in the sandbox with my kids and to play in the front row at a show. I think the moment that you start making all of your personal decisions based on external judgment, then you lose your authenticity...

"When people start to see your work ethic and really understand how dedicated you are to thingshow you are in one place, I believe, is how you are in other places.

"So for me, thats how I show up when I do potlucks at my kids school, thats how I show up when putting a party together for my friend who just had a baby, thats how I show up in my business.

Meghan put "stronger" boundaries in place as a result of life in the public eye.

She admitted: I think my boundaries became stronger once I came into the public eye in this very 

I could think of any adjective to fill the blank. And it would probably work. You find different ways to protect yourself, whether thats self-preservation or its just growing up.

The As Ever founder loves the "luxury" of being around her children as much as possible.

She said: My office is right by the kitchen, and I love that I can work from home. Its a great luxury.

"[Lilibet] comes and sits on my lap when Im in the middle of the meeting, whether its about P and L for my brand or its about something creative.

And Meghan hopes her kids can learn from her by seeing her at work.

She said: "I hope they see the value of being brave. They saw it when the jam was just a pot on the stove, bubbling. When youre young, I think you are a little bit more fearless. As we get older, we lose some of that.
Individuals named Ban, drawing from the Arthurian character, are often perceived as noble and principled, with a strong sense of duty and honor. Like King Ban of Benoic, they may exhibit leadership qualities and a protective nature toward their family and community. There's an inherent dignity associated with the name, suggesting someone who carries themselves with grace and authority, even in challenging circumstances. The tragic aspect of King Ban's story also implies a capacity for deep emotional connection and vulnerability, indicating someone who feels things profoundly.



In modern interpretations, people named Ban might be seen as bridge-builders or mediators, given the name's cross-cultural appeal. They often demonstrate resilience in adversity, reflecting King Ban's ability to maintain his nobility despite losing his kingdom. The name suggests someone who values tradition while being adaptable to changing circumstances, possessing both the strength to lead and the wisdom to know when to step back for the greater good. This combination of steadfast principles and practical flexibility makes the name Ban associated with balanced, thoughtful individuals who can navigate complex situations with both heart and intelligence.
In contemporary naming practices, Basil occupies a distinctive position as a classic name that avoids being overly common. While it peaked in popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in Britain and America, it declined mid-century and now enjoys a modest revival among parents seeking traditional names with historical depth and character. The name remains more prevalent in Eastern Orthodox communities and regions with Greek influence, where its religious and cultural significance maintains its appeal. Current usage trends show Basil being chosen by parents who appreciate its sophisticated, slightly eccentric quality and its rich heritage of saintly and royal associations. It offers an alternative to more common biblical names while maintaining strong Christian credentials, making it particularly attractive to families seeking names with both spiritual meaning and distinctive style.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Birdhill carries significant Christian cultural meaning, drawing from biblical symbolism where birds often represent the Holy Spirit, divine providence, and spiritual freedom. In Christian tradition, hills and mountains serve as places of revelation and communion with God, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount and Moses receiving the commandments. The combination creates a powerful Christian image of spiritual elevation and divine communication. Historically, the name emerged in English-speaking Christian communities as a surname-turned-given-name, particularly in regions where nature-inspired Christian names were favored. It reflects the Christian tradition of finding God's presence in creation, embodying the idea that faith can elevate one's perspective much like birds soaring above earthly concerns from their hilltop perches.



The name also connects to early Christian monastic traditions where hermits often sought hilltop locations for prayer and contemplation, viewing elevated places as closer to God. This geographical spirituality is deeply embedded in Christian history, from the Mount of Olives to Calvary. Birdhill thus represents a continuation of this tradition, suggesting someone who seeks higher spiritual ground and maintains a perspective informed by faith rather than worldly concerns. The name's rarity adds to its distinctive character within Christian naming practices.
Women named Branda are typically perceived as warm, spirited individuals with a natural elegance and refined presence. They often possess a combination of practical wisdom and emotional depth, making them both grounded and insightful. Their personality reflects the name's originsshowing warmth in relationships, clarity in thought, and the ability to 'age well' through life's experiences, developing greater complexity and value over time.



Brandas are often seen as resilient and adaptable, capable of maintaining their core identity while evolving with circumstances. They tend to be socially adept, creating comfortable atmospheres wherever they go, much like the comforting warmth associated with their namesake beverage. Their strength lies in balancing tradition with innovation, often serving as bridges between different perspectives or generations while maintaining their distinctive character. This combination of warmth, resilience, and refinement makes Brandas particularly effective in roles requiring both emotional intelligence and practical problem-solving.
People named Brannon are typically associated with intelligence, strength of character, and natural leadership abilities. The name's Celtic origins and raven symbolism suggest individuals who are observant, wise beyond their years, and capable of seeing patterns and connections that others might miss. They often possess a strategic mind combined with creative problem-solving skills, making them effective in both analytical and innovative pursuits. Their personality tends to blend traditional values with forward-thinking approaches, creating a balance between respect for heritage and openness to new ideas.



Brannons are generally perceived as reliable and trustworthy, with a depth of character that inspires confidence in others. They often exhibit strong communication skills and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. The raven symbolism also suggests adaptability and resourcefulnessqualities that help Brannons navigate changing circumstances with grace and effectiveness. While they can be serious when the situation demands, many also possess a dry wit and sense of humor that makes them engaging companions. Their combination of wisdom, strength, and approachability often makes them natural leaders who can bring diverse groups together.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Branton carries significant cultural weight through its association with Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea), the prominent Mohawk leader who served as a cultural bridge between Indigenous and European societies. As a Christian convert and scholar, Brant's work translating the Book of Common Prayer and Gospel of Mark into Mohawk represents one of the earliest examples of cross-cultural religious translation in North America. This dual identity as both warrior and scholar created a unique legacy that positions the name at the intersection of Indigenous resilience, Christian missionary work, and cultural preservation.



The name's English origins as a place name meaning 'settlement by the steep hill' combined with its Christian associations through figures like Joseph Brant give it a distinctive character in naming traditions. In Christian communities, the name often symbolizes the ideal of the 'Christian warrior' - someone who combines spiritual devotion with practical leadership. This blending of martial and scholarly virtues has made Branton particularly resonant in communities valuing both faith and practical accomplishment.
Individuals named Brid are typically perceived as protective, nurturing, and strongly connected to their roots. They often exhibit a natural inclination toward caring for others, whether family, friends, or community members, and demonstrate remarkable resilience in challenging situations. These women tend to be practical problem-solvers with a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty. Their protective nature extends beyond physical safety to emotional and spiritual well-being, making them trusted confidantes and advisors.



Many Brids display a quiet strength that emerges during crises, combined with creative intelligence and a grounded approach to life's challenges. They are often described as having a calming presence and the ability to create safe spaces for those around them. While they can be fiercely protective when necessary, they typically express this through supportive actions rather than aggressive behavior. Brids tend to value tradition and stability but also possess the wisdom to know when change is necessary. Their combination of practical wisdom and emotional intelligence makes them natural leaders in family and community settings, though they often lead from behind the scenes rather than seeking recognition.
In contemporary usage, Brylie maintains steady popularity as a modern feminine choice, particularly favored by parents seeking a name that feels both fresh and familiar. Its usage peaked in the early 2010s but continues to appear regularly in birth announcements, especially in the United States and other English-speaking countries. The name appeals to Christian families who appreciate its soft, feminine sound and natural imagery while wanting something less common than traditional biblical names. Current trends show Brylie being used across various regions and demographics, with particular strength in communities that value both individuality and positive name meanings. The name's multiple spelling variations have helped maintain its overall presence, with Brylie representing one of the more popular modern iterations of the Briley name family.
Individuals named Caoimhe are often perceived as gentle, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent. They typically possess a natural grace and charm that draws people to them, combined with a strong sense of empathy that makes them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes. Caoimhes tend to be creative souls with an appreciation for beauty in all forms, whether in art, nature, or human relationships. They often exhibit a quiet strength and resilience beneath their gentle exterior, showing determination when pursuing their passions or defending their principles. Their intuitive nature allows them to understand others deeply, making them natural peacemakers and mediators in social situations.



While they may appear reserved initially, Caoimhes form deep, lasting connections with those they trust. They value authenticity and sincerity in relationships, often serving as the emotional anchor in their social circles. Their creative tendencies frequently manifest in artistic pursuits, writing, or careers that involve helping others. Despite their gentle nature, they possess a core of inner strength that enables them to navigate challenges with grace and perseverance. The combination of sensitivity and resilience makes Caoimhes particularly effective in roles requiring emotional intelligence and the ability to understand multiple perspectives. Their presence often brings a calming, harmonizing influence to group dynamics, making them valued members of any community.
Individuals named Celsus are typically perceived as possessing intellectual depth and natural authority, reflecting the name's association with learned saints and philosophers. They often demonstrate strong leadership qualities combined with thoughtful deliberation, showing both the confidence suggested by the name's meaning of 'lofty' and the wisdom expected of those who bear a saint's name. This combination makes them natural mediators and reformers who can navigate complex situations with both conviction and compassion.



In social contexts, Celsus-bearers tend to be respected for their integrity and vision, often taking on roles that require both spiritual and practical leadership. They typically exhibit a balance of traditional values and progressive thinking, much like Saint Celsus of Armagh who reformed the Irish Church while preserving its essential character. Their personality often includes a strong sense of duty, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to inspire others through both words and example, making them effective in positions of influence and guidance.
The newest airing of the tvN weekend drama "Typhoon Family" catapulted it to new heights when it recorded a 9.9 percent viewership rating on November 16 and marked its highest performance since its premiere. This episode combined high-stakes business battles with an emotionally charged rescue sequence.

According to the story this week from AllKpop, it was a tense bidding war over surgical gloves. Things didn't start out very well: the U.S. supplier insisted on full-price purchases regardless of quantity, and Pyo Sang Sun held a competitive advantage with his already developed logistics network.

The outlet noted, "The U.S. supplier insisted on full-price purchases regardless of volume or conditions, and Pyo Sang Sun held a clear advantage with his fully developed logistics network."

The breakthrough came with the opportune tip about wholesale pricing by Wang Nam Mo, played by Kim Min Seok. The character Tae Poong, played by Lee Jun Ho, managed a very unconventional workaround by bypassing the headquarters in the U.S. and negotiating with a Malaysian factory directly.

He sent Song Jung, played by Lee Sang Jin, two days before the bid, to Malaysia to seal the deal.

However, the overseas situation soon became complex. As per Insight, the factory had already terminated its contract with the U.S. headquarters and shifted production to pillow manufacturing. The surgical glove facility had been relocated somewhere among Malaysia's hundreds of islands.

Insight reported, "The factory... had already terminated its contract with the U.S. headquarters and shifted its business to pillow manufacturing."

Typhoon Company faced growing anxiety as the bidding deadline approached due to unstable communications. Then, three minutes before the cut-off time for submission, a brief but critical telegram came from Song Jung: "5111, 40, ok."

In an instant, Tae Poong deciphered it; within seconds, he worked out the bid and made a dramatic come-from-behind win.

The victory crushed Pyo Sang Sun, who witnessed severe tensions in his camp after having suffered a gigantic financial setback and the defeat of a national project. His strife with Pyo Hyun Joon mounted, showing cracks in their internal cohesion.

The climax of the episode was when Mi Sun, played by Kim Min Ha, got caught up in a warehouse fire while inventory checking. Seeing her through the flames, Tae Poong pushed through burning debris and leaped into the inferno to save her, offering one of the most intense moments of the series. "Typhoon Family" is broadcast every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 p.m.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Chinaka is a deeply meaningful Igbo name that reflects the profound spiritual worldview of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. The name embodies the core Igbo belief in Chi, the personal god or spiritual guardian that every individual possesses. This concept of Chi represents one's personal destiny, fortune, and spiritual identity. In Igbo cosmology, the idea that 'God decides' acknowledges that while humans make choices and exert effort, ultimate outcomes are determined by divine will and one's personal Chi. This name serves as a constant reminder of the balance between human agency and divine providence in Igbo philosophy.



The name is traditionally given to express parents' acceptance of divine will in the child's life and their hope that the child will align with their destined path. It reflects the Igbo understanding that success and fulfillment come from harmonizing personal efforts with one's spiritual destiny. In many Igbo communities, names like Chinaka are not merely labels but carry profound philosophical weight, shaping how individuals understand their place in the world and their relationship with the divine. The name continues to be an important cultural marker that preserves Igbo spiritual concepts in modern times.
Women bearing the name Codruta are typically characterized by a profound sense of integrity and authenticity that stems from their strong connection to tradition. They often demonstrate remarkable emotional intelligence, able to navigate complex social situations with wisdom and discretion. Their grounded nature makes them reliable friends and partners, valued for their consistency and depth of character. Codrutas frequently exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern practicality, allowing them to honor their heritage while engaging effectively with contemporary life. They tend to be observant and reflective, preferring to speak with purpose rather than engage in idle chatter. This contemplative nature often leads them to pursuits that require patience and dedication, whether in professional, artistic, or personal domains. Their strength lies in their ability to maintain core values while adapting to change, making them both stable anchors and progressive influences within their communities. The name suggests someone who carries the wisdom of the past while actively participating in shaping the future.
Individuals bearing the name Coyotl are typically characterized by remarkable adaptability and sharp intelligence, reflecting their namesake animal's survival skills. They possess an innate ability to read situations and people quickly, often anticipating challenges before they fully manifest. This foresight, combined with creative problem-solving abilities, makes them excellent strategists who can navigate complex social and professional landscapes. Their intelligence is often practical and situational rather than purely academic, allowing them to apply knowledge effectively in real-world contexts. They tend to be observant and patient, waiting for the right moment to act rather than rushing into decisions.



Socially, Coyotl-named individuals often exhibit a charming, sometimes mischievous personality that can both entertain and challenge those around them. They value independence and freedom but also understand the importance of community and social networks. Their communication style is typically indirect yet effective, using storytelling and metaphor rather than blunt statements. While they can be playful and humorous, there's often a deeper wisdom underlying their actions. They may struggle with conventional structures and authority, preferring to operate by their own rules while maintaining strong ethical principles rooted in their cultural heritage and personal experiences.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Crowley is an ancient Irish surname with deep roots in County Cork, particularly around the Muskerry region. The name originated from the Gaelic O Cruadhlaoich, meaning 'descendant of Cruadhlaoch,' which translates to 'hard hero' or 'hard warrior.' This warrior heritage reflects the name's connection to medieval Irish clans known for their martial prowess and leadership in local conflicts. The name's association with physical characteristics like being 'hunch-backed' likely refers to the original bearer's posture or possibly a metaphorical reference to resilience under pressure.



Throughout Irish history, Crowley families were prominent landowners and community leaders in Munster, with their influence extending through centuries of English rule and Irish cultural preservation. The name carries the weight of Irish clan history while also being associated with notable figures in literature, the occult, and modern arts, creating a complex cultural tapestry that spans from traditional Irish heritage to contemporary global recognition. The Crowley name represents both the preservation of Irish identity and the adaptation of that identity to changing historical circumstances.
Individuals named Daelan typically exhibit a unique blend of practical skill and spiritual depth. They are often creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with both hands-on capability and thoughtful consideration. There's a strong sense of craftsmanship in their naturewhether in their profession, relationships, or personal pursuits, they tend to build things with care and precision. Their connection to the blacksmith archetype suggests resilience, the ability to transform raw materials into something valuable, and a capacity to withstand pressure while maintaining their essential character.



Daelans often possess an intuitive understanding of how things work and a patience for processes that require time and dedication to master. They tend to be grounded yet imaginative, combining earthly practicality with spiritual insight in a way that makes them both reliable and inspiring to others. Their strength lies in their ability to bridge the gap between the physical and metaphysical worlds, often serving as stabilizers in their communities while quietly pursuing their creative or spiritual callings. This makes them natural leaders in situations that require both practical solutions and visionary thinking.
Individuals named Deorward typically exhibit strong protective instincts and a deep sense of responsibility toward others and the natural world. They tend to be patient, observant, and methodical in their approach to challenges, much like the careful guardian watching over their charge. These individuals often possess a quiet strength and resilience, combined with a gentle demeanor that belies their inner fortitude. Their connection to the name's meaning often manifests as a natural inclination toward conservation, whether of traditions, relationships, or the environment.



Deorwards are frequently drawn to roles that allow them to serve as mediators or caretakers, demonstrating loyalty and steadfastness in their personal and professional relationships while maintaining a calm, grounded presence that others find reassuring. They typically approach life with thoughtful consideration and a strong moral compass, often serving as the steady anchor in turbulent situations. While they may not seek the spotlight, their consistent reliability and deep commitment to their principles make them respected figures in their communities, embodying the name's essence of watchful protection and gentle guidance.
Individuals bearing the name Deveral are often perceived as having strong connections to tradition and heritage, reflecting the name's geographical origins. They typically exhibit a grounded, practical nature combined with a deep sense of personal history and family legacy. These individuals often demonstrate reliability, steadfastness, and a methodical approach to life's challenges, qualities that align with the stability suggested by a name derived from a specific place.



Their connection to geographical roots may manifest as an appreciation for history, architecture, or land stewardship. Deverals are frequently seen as pillars of their communities, embodying the enduring qualities of the landscapes from which their name originated. They tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who value continuity and preservation, while also possessing the adaptability to navigate changing circumstances. This balance between tradition and practicality makes them effective in roles requiring both historical perspective and contemporary application, often serving as bridges between past wisdom and present needs.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name 'Dhu' holds profound significance in Islamic culture primarily through its association with Prophet Muhammad's legendary sword, known as 'Dhu al-Faqar' or 'Zulfiqar'. This double-bladed sword was given to Ali ibn Abi Talib by the Prophet during the Battle of Uhud and has become an enduring symbol of Islamic justice, courage, and divine support. The sword's distinctive forked blade has been depicted in Islamic art, heraldry, and military symbolism for centuries, representing the cutting of falsehood and protection of truth.



Beyond the sword, 'Dhu' appears in numerous important names and titles throughout Islamic history, including prophets, companions of the Prophet, and historical figures, often denoting possession of particular qualities or attributes that define their character and legacy. The prefix appears in names like Dhu al-Qarnayn (the two-horned one) mentioned in the Quran, Dhu al-Nun (the one of the fish) referring to the prophet Jonah, and Dhu al-Kifl (the guaranteed one), showing how this linguistic element has been used to signify special status or characteristics in Islamic tradition.
Individuals named Dubh are often perceived as possessing deep, introspective qualities with a strong sense of tradition and heritage. They tend to be serious-minded, reliable, and grounded, with an air of mystery that draws others to them. Their 'dark' namesake often translates to a personality that is thoughtful, resilient, and capable of handling difficult situations with composure. These individuals typically exhibit strong loyalty to family and community, reflecting the clan-oriented nature of Scottish culture.



They are often seen as pillars of strength in their social circles, providing stability and wisdom during challenging times. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their depth of character, unwavering principles, and the quiet intensity they bring to their relationships and endeavors. The name suggests someone who values authenticity over superficiality, someone who understands that true strength often lies in quiet contemplation rather than loud proclamation. This personality profile reflects the Scottish cultural values of resilience, loyalty, and depth of character that have been celebrated throughout Scottish history and literature.
Individuals named Dunmor typically exhibit strong leadership qualities and a protective nature, reflecting the name's fortress origins. They are often perceived as reliable, steadfast, and deeply connected to their heritage, with a natural inclination toward responsibility and guardianship. These individuals tend to be strategic thinkers who approach challenges with careful planning and determination, much like the ancient fortress builders who carefully selected defensive positions and constructed enduring structures.



Dunmor's personality often combines traditional values with modern adaptability, creating individuals who honor their roots while navigating contemporary life. They typically possess a strong sense of loyalty to family and community, and are known for their resilience in facing adversity. The name suggests someone who builds strong foundations in relationships and endeavors, with an innate understanding that true strength comes from both solid defense and wise leadership. Their character often reflects the balance between the formidable nature of a fortress and the welcoming spirit of a community center.
Individuals named Edrik are often perceived as natural leaders with a strong sense of responsibility and practical wisdom. They tend to exhibit a balanced combination of ambition and integrity, showing both the drive to achieve material success and the moral compass to use their resources wisely. This creates personalities that are both commanding and compassionate, able to make tough decisions while maintaining ethical standards. Their leadership style is typically characterized by strategic thinking and a talent for organization, making them effective in positions of authority.



Socially, Edriks are often described as reliable and stable, with a grounded approach to life that inspires confidence in others. They possess a natural dignity and poise that can be mistaken for aloofness, but those who know them well appreciate their dry wit and steadfast loyalty. Their combination of traditional values and modern adaptability allows them to navigate complex social situations with grace. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting relationships built on mutual respect and trust.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Elethia holds significant cultural importance within Christian traditions as a name embodying the healing ministry of Christ. Throughout Christian history, the concept of healing has been central to the faith, with numerous biblical accounts of Jesus and his followers performing miraculous healings. The name Elethia emerged during the early Christian era as families sought names that reflected spiritual gifts and divine attributes. In medieval Christian communities, women named Elethia were often associated with charitable works, nursing the sick, and serving as spiritual comforters. The name gained particular prominence during times of plague and illness, when communities turned to faith healers and those with reputations for spiritual healing. In many Christian cultures, naming a daughter Elethia represented a prayer for the child to become an instrument of God's healing grace in the world. The name also carries connections to various Christian saints known for healing ministries, creating a rich tapestry of spiritual heritage that continues to influence its usage today.



During the Protestant Reformation and subsequent evangelical movements, the name Elethia experienced renewed interest as emphasis on spiritual gifts and divine healing grew. In African American Christian communities, the name took on additional significance during times of racial injustice and social healing needs. The civil rights movement saw several prominent women named Elethia working as community healers and spiritual leaders. In contemporary Christian contexts, the name continues to symbolize the integration of faith and practical compassion, representing the belief that spiritual healing can manifest through human hands and hearts dedicated to God's service.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Elhanan holds significant cultural importance in Jewish tradition as a name that appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Second Book of Samuel. The name represents the deep connection between divine grace and human action in Jewish theology. In 2 Samuel 21:19, Elhanan is credited with killing Goliath's brother Lahmi, though some rabbinic traditions and textual variations suggest he may have been the actual slayer of Goliath, with the attribution to David coming later. This biblical connection gives the name a warrior heritage while maintaining its theological meaning of 'God is gracious,' embodying the idea that military success comes through divine favor rather than human strength alone.



The name has been preserved through centuries of Jewish tradition, particularly among Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities, serving as a reminder of both biblical history and the enduring relationship between the Jewish people and God. In modern Jewish culture, Elhanan represents a connection to ancient Israelite heritage while embodying values of faith, courage, and gratitude. The name's continued usage demonstrates the living nature of biblical tradition in contemporary Jewish life, bridging ancient texts with modern identity.
Women named Elleen are often perceived as possessing a natural grace and inner light that draws others to them. They typically exhibit strong intuition, emotional intelligence, and a calming presence that makes them excellent mediators and friends. Many Elleens demonstrate remarkable resilience and strength of character, able to navigate challenges with poise and determination. Their connection to the name's meaning of 'light' often manifests in their ability to illuminate situations with wisdom and bring clarity to complex matters.



In social settings, Elleens tend to be warm and approachable, with a genuine interest in others that makes people feel seen and valued. They often possess creative talents and an eye for beauty, whether expressed through arts, design, or their personal style. While they can be quietly confident, they typically avoid the spotlight, preferring to make meaningful contributions behind the scenes. Their combination of strength and sensitivity allows them to be both dependable in crises and emotionally available in relationships, making them valued friends, partners, and community members who bring light and warmth to any environment they inhabit.
Individuals named Erin are often perceived as warm, approachable, and emotionally intelligent. They typically possess strong communication skills and natural empathy, making them excellent listeners and mediators in social situations. Their Irish heritage connection often translates into a creative spirit, with many Erins showing talent in writing, music, or artistic expression. There's frequently a blend of practicality and imagination that allows them to navigate both concrete challenges and abstract concepts with equal facility.



Erins tend to be adaptable and resilient, capable of handling change with grace while maintaining their core values. They often exhibit a quiet determination and loyalty to those they care about, though they can be fiercely independent when pursuing personal goals. Many display a subtle wit and humor that reflects their Celtic roots, along with an appreciation for nature and beauty. Their balanced temperament makes them reliable friends and colleagues who can both lead and collaborate effectively in various settings.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Farold has deep roots in Christian European tradition, particularly within Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures where it emerged as a compound name combining elements meaning 'journey' and 'power.' The name gained prominence during the medieval period when Christian missionaries and pilgrims valued names that reflected spiritual journeys and divine strength. Throughout Christian history, the name has been associated with figures who embodied the ideal of the faithful travelerthose who journeyed both physically to spread Christianity and spiritually toward divine truth.



The name's construction suggests a person destined for significant travels or leadership roles, making it particularly popular among clergy, missionaries, and explorers during the Age of Exploration when Christian expansion was closely tied to geographical discovery. In Christian naming traditions, Farold represents the concept of life as a pilgrimage, with the bearer seen as someone guided by faith through their earthly journey. The name carries echoes of medieval Christian knights and pilgrims who saw their physical travels as metaphors for spiritual progress.
Individuals named Frisco are often perceived as adventurous, independent, and charismatic. The name's association with freedom and the vibrant energy of San Francisco suggests someone who is open-minded, adaptable, and drawn to new experiences. They tend to be socially confident with a natural ability to connect with diverse groups of people. The diminutive nature of the name often indicates approachability and warmth, while the 'free man' meaning suggests strong individualism and resistance to constraints.



Friscos are typically seen as innovative thinkers who value personal liberty and self-expression, often displaying entrepreneurial spirit and creative problem-solving abilities. Their personality blends traditional values with progressive thinking, making them comfortable in both conventional and unconventional settings. The name suggests someone who is resourceful, resilient, and capable of thriving in dynamic environments while maintaining a strong sense of personal identity and cultural roots.
People named Geralyn often exhibit a remarkable combination of determination and empathy that makes them natural leaders and trusted confidantes. Their inherent strength, suggested by the 'spear-ruler' meaning of their name, manifests as resilience in facing life's challenges and the courage to stand up for their beliefs. Yet this strength is typically balanced with deep emotional intelligence, allowing them to understand and support others effectively. They tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach difficulties with both strategic thinking and compassionate consideration.



In social settings, Geralyns are often perceived as grounded and reliable individuals who bring stability to their relationships and communities. They frequently demonstrate excellent judgment and the ability to see multiple perspectives, making them valuable mediators and advisors. Their leadership style tends to be collaborative rather than authoritarian, reflecting the modern interpretation of their name's ruling aspect as guidance through wisdom rather than domination through force. This balance of strength and sensitivity enables them to navigate both personal and professional spheres with remarkable effectiveness and integrity.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Gerlach is an ancient Germanic name with deep roots in medieval European history, particularly in German-speaking regions and the Low Countries. The name gained prominence during the Middle Ages through various noble families and religious figures, most notably Saint Gerlach of Houthem, a 12th-century Dutch hermit who became a popular saint in the Rhineland. His legend as a repentant knight who abandoned wealth for a life of piety contributed to the name's spread across Germanic territories.



Throughout history, the name has been associated with several aristocratic families, including the Counts of Nassau, where multiple rulers bore the name Gerlach, cementing its status as a name of nobility and leadership in Central European culture. The name's persistence through centuries reflects its strong cultural anchoring in regions where Germanic traditions remain influential, serving as a living connection to medieval history and the values of strength, leadership, and spiritual devotion that characterized that era.
Individuals named Gherardo are typically perceived as strong-willed, determined, and protective. The name's meaning 'spear hard' suggests qualities of resilience, courage, and the ability to stand firm in challenging situations. They often exhibit natural leadership abilities and a sense of responsibility toward others, particularly those in their care. This protective instinct extends beyond physical safety to emotional and moral guidance, making them reliable confidants and advisors.



Gherardos are often characterized by their practical wisdom and strategic thinking, reflecting the spear's symbolic association with focused direction and purposeful action. They tend to be traditional yet innovative, respecting established values while finding new ways to apply them. Their strength is typically balanced with compassion, creating individuals who are both formidable in defense and gentle in relationships. This combination makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both authority and empathy.



In social contexts, Gherardos are often seen as pillars of their communities  dependable, honorable, and committed to their principles. They may appear reserved initially but reveal deep loyalty and warmth to those they trust. Their approach to challenges is typically methodical and persistent, reflecting the 'hard' aspect of their name's meaning. While they can be stubborn in defense of their convictions, this same quality makes them unwavering allies and defenders of those who depend on them.
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The European Union (EU) has strongly condemned the grave and ongoing atrocities perpetrated by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including following the seizure of the city of El Fasher
Cultural & Historical Significance

Gisilberhta represents an important historical name from the early medieval Germanic world, particularly during the Merovingian and Carolingian periods. The name's components'gisil' meaning hostage or pledge and 'berhta' meaning brightreflect the complex social and political realities of early Germanic societies where hostage-taking was a common diplomatic practice to secure alliances. Women bearing this name often came from noble families where they served as living pledges between warring tribes or political factions, yet paradoxically, many achieved significant influence as religious leaders, diplomats, and cultural preservers.



The name appears in various historical records from the 6th to 9th centuries, primarily among Frankish, Bavarian, and Lombard nobility, indicating its aristocratic connotations and the important role these women played in maintaining social stability through both political and religious means. These women often entered religious life where they could exercise authority and influence beyond their original political roles, becoming abbesses of important monasteries and centers of learning. The cultural significance of Gisilberhta thus lies in its embodiment of the transition from pagan Germanic warrior society to Christian medieval civilization, where women of noble birth navigated complex political landscapes while contributing to cultural and religious development.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Grindan holds significant cultural importance as an Old English name that reflects the practical, tool-oriented society of the Anglo-Saxons. The name derives from the Old English verb 'grindan,' meaning to sharpen or make keen, embodying the values of craftsmanship, precision, and utility that were highly prized in early English society. During the Anglo-Saxon period, names often described professions or characteristics, and Grindan likely originated among those who worked with sharp tools or weapons, particularly blacksmiths, weapon-makers, or craftsmen who required keen-edged implements for their trade.



The name represents the intersection of practical skill and metaphorical sharpness of mind, suggesting someone who could 'sharpen' both tools and intellect. As England transitioned through the Norman Conquest and into the Middle Ages, the name maintained its association with precision work and mental acuity, though it gradually became less common as naming conventions shifted toward Norman French influences. The preservation of Grindan in historical records demonstrates the enduring importance of craftsmanship and intellectual sharpness in English cultural identity, serving as a linguistic artifact that connects modern English speakers to their Anglo-Saxon heritage of practical innovation and skilled labor.
Gwenhwyfach is typically characterized by a complex blend of ambition, resentment, and strategic intelligence. As the younger sister living in Guinevere's shadow, she often displays deep-seated jealousy and a burning desire for recognition. This manifests as political cunning, manipulative behavior, and sometimes outright treachery as she seeks to establish her own identity and power. Her personality reflects the psychological toll of constant comparison and the struggle for autonomy when defined primarily by relationship to a more famous sibling.



Modern interpretations have added nuance to this archetype, portraying Gwenhwyfach as more sympathetic - a woman of considerable intelligence and capability who is frustrated by her limited opportunities. She may be shown as politically astute, understanding court dynamics better than her sister, but lacking Guinevere's beauty or charm. This creates a character who is both dangerous and pitiable, capable of great loyalty but also profound betrayal. Her personality represents the dark side of family bonds and the corrosive effects of envy, while also speaking to universal themes of identity formation and the human need for recognition and respect.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Hamilton originated as a Scottish locational surname from the lands of Hamilton in Lanarkshire, derived from the Old English 'hamel-dun' meaning 'crooked hill' or 'bare hill.' The Hamilton family rose to prominence in medieval Scotland, becoming one of the most powerful noble families with close ties to the Scottish monarchy. They held the Dukedom of Hamilton, the premier peerage of Scotland, and played significant roles in Scottish politics, military affairs, and the Union of the Crowns.



The name's migration to America saw it become associated with revolutionary ideals through Alexander Hamilton, whose legacy cemented the name's connection to political leadership, financial acumen, and nation-building. In contemporary culture, Hamilton represents both aristocratic Scottish heritage and American innovation, bridging Old World nobility with New World ambition. The cultural significance extends to modern times through the global phenomenon of 'Hamilton: The Musical,' which revitalized interest in both the historical figure and the name itself, making it relevant to new generations.
Individuals named Haytham are often perceived as possessing keen observational skills and strategic thinking, much like the hawk the name represents. They tend to be analytical, patient, and methodical in their approach to challenges, with an ability to see the bigger picture while paying attention to important details. This combination of vision and precision often makes them excellent problem-solvers and planners who can navigate complex situations with grace and determination.



Haythams typically exhibit leadership qualities combined with a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others. They are often independent thinkers who value their freedom and autonomy, yet maintain strong family and community ties. Their personality blends traditional values with modern adaptability, allowing them to honor their heritage while engaging with contemporary society. While they can be reserved in unfamiliar situations, they demonstrate warmth and loyalty to those within their circle, embodying the protective nature of their namesake bird.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Horado holds a distinctive place in Spanish culture as a name that bridges classical Roman heritage with Iberian traditions. The name evolved from the Latin Horatius, which was associated with the Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace), but in Spanish adaptation, it developed unique connotations related to timekeeping and precision. During the Renaissance period in Spain, Horado became associated with scholars and artisans who worked with time measurement, particularly in regions like Catalonia and Andalusia where clockmaking flourished. The name carries echoes of Spain's Golden Age, when precision instruments and scientific advancement were highly valued in Spanish courts and universities.



Throughout Spanish history, the name has maintained its connection to intellectual pursuits, often being chosen for sons in families with academic or artisanal backgrounds, particularly those involved in sciences, literature, or mechanical arts. In Latin American contexts, the name traveled with Spanish colonization but remained relatively rare, often appearing in educated circles and among families maintaining strong ties to European cultural traditions. The name's persistence across centuries demonstrates how Spanish culture has preserved classical influences while developing unique regional interpretations and associations.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Inerney holds deep roots in Irish ecclesiastical history, originating from families who served as stewards of church lands during medieval times. These stewards were responsible for managing monastic properties, collecting tithes, and overseeing agricultural production that supported religious communities. Their role was crucial in maintaining the economic stability of the Church in Ireland, particularly during the early Christian period when monasteries served as centers of learning, culture, and community organization.



Throughout Irish history, bearers of the Inerney name were often educated individuals who maintained records, negotiated with local chieftains, and ensured the Church's lands remained productive. The name reflects Ireland's unique blend of Celtic tradition and Christian influence, representing a class of administrators who bridged spiritual and temporal realms. During the Penal Laws era, many Inerney families maintained their Catholic faith and continued their stewardship roles discreetly, preserving both religious traditions and land management knowledge through generations.
People named Irving are typically associated with a blend of intellectual depth and creative expression. They often possess a thoughtful, analytical mind combined with artistic sensitivity, making them equally comfortable with logical problem-solving and creative endeavors. This duality allows them to excel in fields that require both precision and imagination. Their thoughtful nature often makes them excellent observers and listeners, with a capacity for deep concentration and attention to detail.



Irvings are generally perceived as reliable, steady individuals who value tradition and consistency while also being capable of innovative thinking. They tend to approach challenges with patience and persistence rather than impulsive action. Their quiet confidence and methodical nature often make them respected leaders and trusted advisors. While they may appear reserved initially, they typically form deep, meaningful relationships and demonstrate strong loyalty to those they care about.
Individuals named Ixtli are often perceived as authentic, expressive, and deeply connected to their identity. They tend to be natural communicators who understand the importance of facial expressions and non-verbal cues in human interaction. Their personality typically combines introspection with social awareness, making them both self-reflective and attuned to others' emotions. This balance often leads them to roles where they can bridge different perspectives or communities.



Common traits include strong intuition, artistic sensibility, and a natural leadership quality that stems from their genuine approach to relationships. They may possess a philosophical nature, often contemplating the relationship between outward appearance and inner truth. While they can be private about their deepest thoughts, they excel in situations requiring diplomacy and emotional intelligence.



Their connection to the name's meaning often manifests as a desire to show their true self while respecting the complexity of human interaction. Many Ixtlis develop keen observational skills and may gravitate toward creative fields, counseling, or community leadership. The name seems to inspire a lifelong journey of self-discovery and authentic expression, with bearers often described as having 'old souls' who understand the deeper currents of human experience.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Jacinthe holds significant cultural weight in French-speaking regions, particularly in Quebec and France, where it maintains a connection to both botanical appreciation and classical mythology. The name evokes the hyacinth flower, which in Greek mythology was created from the blood of the youth Hyacinthus, beloved by Apollo. This mythological connection gives the name a romantic, tragic quality that has appealed to French speakers for centuries.



In French Catholic tradition, Saint Hyacinth was a 13th-century Dominican missionary, adding religious significance to the name. The flower itself symbolizes constancy and the beauty of spring, making Jacinthe a name that carries both natural elegance and deep cultural roots in Francophone societies. Throughout French literature and art, the hyacinth has appeared as a symbol of refined beauty and transient life, reinforcing the name's cultural resonance.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN human rights office on Thursday expressed its deep concern over reports of the "alleged enforced disappearance" of several relatives of Guinean artist and opposition figure Elie Kamano
Women named Jennae often exhibit a distinctive blend of spiritual depth and modern practicality. Their name's meaning of 'God has answered' tends to manifest as a personality marked by faith, patience, and the conviction that challenges ultimately lead to meaningful outcomes. They typically demonstrate strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace and understanding.



Jennaes are frequently described as creative problem-solvers who balance traditional values with contemporary thinking. They possess a natural warmth and empathy that draws others to them, yet they maintain a strong sense of personal identity and purpose. Many develop into resilient individuals who view obstacles as opportunities for growth, reflecting their name's implication of divine response to human need. This combination of spiritual grounding and practical adaptability makes them particularly effective in helping professions and creative fields.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Jillayne represents a modern evolution of traditional Christian naming practices, bridging classical Roman heritage with contemporary feminine identity. The name's connection to Jove (Jupiter) through Julian roots connects it to ancient Roman mythology while its Christian adaptation reflects the common practice of repurposing pagan names within Christian contexts. As a variant of Gillian, which itself derives from Julian, Jillayne carries forward the tradition of feminine forms of masculine names, a pattern seen throughout Christian naming history where names were often adapted to reflect spiritual values while maintaining family connections.



The name's spelling variation with '-layne' ending emerged in the 20th century, reflecting a trend toward unique spellings while preserving phonetic familiarity. This innovation demonstrates how Christian names continue to evolve while maintaining their essential character. Jillayne's journey from ancient Roman times through medieval Europe to modern usage illustrates the dynamic nature of naming traditions within Christian communities, where classical names are continuously reinterpreted to suit contemporary sensibilities while honoring historical roots.
Women named Johnetta are often perceived as strong, compassionate individuals with natural leadership qualities. They typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern thinking, making them effective in both conventional and innovative settings. Johnettas are known for their graciousness and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the name's meaning of 'God is gracious.'



These individuals often possess a quiet confidence and determination that enables them to overcome challenges while maintaining their integrity and compassion for others. Their personality combines the strength associated with the name John with distinctly feminine qualities of nurturing and empathy. Johnettas are frequently described as reliable, spiritually grounded people who approach life with both practical wisdom and emotional intelligence, making them valued friends, family members, and community leaders.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Josephe emerged as a distinctive French feminine form of Joseph during the 18th century, reflecting both religious devotion and aristocratic naming traditions. The name gained prominence during the Ancien Regime and Revolutionary periods, often associated with women of noble birth or those connected to influential families. Its usage represented a blend of Catholic traditionhonoring Saint Josephand French linguistic elegance, creating a name that balanced spiritual significance with cultural sophistication. The name's popularity coincided with important historical transitions in France, making it a marker of both tradition and change in French society.



Throughout the 19th century, Josephe maintained its status as a name connecting French Catholic heritage with emerging modern sensibilities. It appeared frequently in literary works and historical records, often representing women of character and resilience. The name's association with prominent families and its elegant French pronunciation helped preserve its usage even as naming trends evolved, making it a bridge between classical French naming conventions and contemporary preferences.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Karon emerged as a distinctive variation of Katherine during the mid-20th century, particularly within Christian communities where names with Greek origins and pure meanings held spiritual significance. The name carries the legacy of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, one of the most important early Christian martyrs, whose story of faith and intellect made Katherine-derived names popular throughout Christian history. While less common than the traditional Karen spelling, Karon maintains the same etymological roots and Christian associations, representing a modern twist on a classic name that has been borne by saints, queens, and influential women throughout Western history.



The name's Christian heritage connects it to virtues of purity, wisdom, and steadfast faith that have been celebrated in Christian tradition for centuries. As a Katherine derivative, Karon shares in the rich cultural tapestry of names that honor one of Christianity's most venerated early saints, while offering a contemporary spelling that appeals to modern naming sensibilities while maintaining traditional values.
Individuals named Katchen are often perceived as warm, approachable, and nurturing, reflecting the affectionate nature of the diminutive form. They typically exhibit strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, making them excellent communicators and mediators in social situations. The German origins of the name suggest traits of reliability, practicality, and attention to detail, combined with a creative and imaginative side that allows them to approach problems from unique perspectives.



Katchens are often seen as balanced individuals who combine traditional values with modern adaptability. They tend to be loyal friends and dedicated family members, valuing deep connections and meaningful relationships over superficial interactions. Their personality often blends the strength and resilience associated with the root name Katherine with the warmth and accessibility suggested by the diminutive form. This combination creates individuals who are both dependable and emotionally available, capable of providing stability while maintaining genuine emotional connections with others in both personal and professional contexts.
Individuals named Kekipi typically exhibit strong independent thinking and a natural inclination toward challenging conventions. They possess an innate sense of justice and are often driven by deep convictions that guide their actions. This rebellious nature isn't typically destructive but rather constructivethey rebel against injustice, inequality, and anything that threatens their core values or community wellbeing. Their defiance is usually purposeful and principled rather than random opposition.



Kekipi's tend to be natural leaders who aren't afraid to take unpopular stands when they believe in a cause. They often demonstrate remarkable courage in facing adversity and have a strong protective instinct toward those they care about. While they can be stubborn and resistant to authority they don't respect, they also show deep loyalty to principles and people who earn their trust. Their rebellious spirit is balanced by a strong sense of responsibility and cultural awareness, making them effective agents of positive change rather than mere contrarians.
Women named Kyllikki are often characterized by a remarkable combination of inner strength and outward grace that makes them naturally compelling figures. They typically possess what Finns call 'sisu' - that unique blend of perseverance, courage, and resilience that enables them to overcome significant challenges without complaint. Kyllikkis are often the steady center in turbulent situations, providing calm leadership through example rather than command. Their strength is typically quiet and understated, making it all the more impressive when revealed. They tend to be deeply principled individuals who remain true to their values regardless of external pressures. At the same time, Kyllikkis often have a refined aesthetic sense and appreciation for beauty in all its forms, whether in art, nature, or human relationships. They make loyal friends and partners, though they demand equal loyalty in return. Their combination of strength and sensitivity makes them excellent mediators and problem-solvers, able to understand multiple perspectives while maintaining their core convictions. This balance of qualities often leads them to roles where both compassion and firmness are required, such as teaching, healthcare, or community leadership.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Lapidoth holds a unique position in Hebrew culture as the husband of Deborah, one of the few female judges and prophets in the Bible. His mention in Judges 4:4 places him within a crucial period of Israelite history, though the scripture provides minimal details about his own life and contributions. Some rabbinic interpretations suggest the name might not refer to a person but could mean 'torches' or describe Deborah herself as a 'woman of torches,' indicating her fiery spirit. This ambiguity has led to various theological discussions about the nature of their relationship and his role. Culturally, Lapidoth represents the supportive partner who enables great leadership, a theme that resonates in Jewish family values. His presence in the biblical narrative, however brief, underscores the importance of marriage and partnership in achieving communal and spiritual goals. The name continues to be studied in religious scholarship as part of understanding the social and family structures of ancient Israel.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Laurelle has deep roots in Christian and classical traditions, drawing from the laurel tree's significance in ancient Greco-Roman culture where laurel wreaths crowned victors, scholars, and poets. The name carries forward this legacy of honor and achievement into Christian symbolism, where the laurel represents resurrection, eternity, and the victory of faith over worldly challenges. Throughout medieval Europe, the name evolved as a feminine form of Laurence, honoring Saint Lawrence and symbolizing the crown of eternal life promised to faithful Christians. The double 'L' ending gives it a distinctly feminine and elegant quality that became popular in English-speaking Christian communities during the 19th and 20th centuries.



The name's Christian significance is particularly notable in how it transforms classical victory symbolism into spiritual triumph. In Christian art and literature, the laurel often appears as a symbol of the resurrection and eternal life, with its evergreen nature representing the enduring nature of faith. Many Christian families choose Laurelle to signify their hope that their daughter will grow to embody the virtues of faith, perseverance, and spiritual victory. The name also connects to the concept of the 'crown of life' mentioned in James 1:12, making it a meaningful choice for families seeking a name with both beauty and theological depth.
Authorities announced that Wilson Middle School would be closed on Nov. 19, out of an abundance of caution, for a suspected Norovirus outbreak after several students reported feeling unwell around lunchtime.

The announcement was made by Superintendent James Anderson, who notified the community on Nov. 18. The closure of Wilson Middle School in Michigan comes as an initial investigation into the incident considered a possible food-related cause. The local Health Department advised that Norovirus was the most likely illness.

Suspected Norovirus Outbreak Forces School Closure

The closure will allow maintenance workers to thoroughly disinfect the entire building to ensure that no other student gets sick. On top of this, the district removed the scheduled turkey entree from the menu at elementary and high schools this week to avoid potential food-related infections.

Additionally, replacement items were being secured and would be finalized sometime soon, with authorities asking families to plan accordingly. Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis and can quickly spread through contaminated food, person-to-person contact, or surfaces, according to Click on Detroit.

The illness is sometimes known as the "stomach flu," but it is completely unrelated to influenza, which primarily affects an individual's respiratory system. Symptoms of Norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, which typically last one to two days.

Most of the people who are infected with the illness recover without any medical attention, but severe cases can result in dehydration, particularly among young children and the elderly. The students and staff who experienced symptoms are advised to stay home until 48 hours after symptoms fade.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised that in order to slow down the spread of Norovirus, people should wash their hands often, cook shellfish thoroughly, wash fruits and vegetables, clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, and wash laundry with hot water, CBS News reported.

Outbreak of a Disease

The incident comes as another illness, measles, has been spreading throughout various states, with some seeing an outbreak for the first time. Health officials linked the measles outbreak that started in Texas to another seen in Arizona and Utah.

This disturbing finding could end the United States' status as a country that has long eliminated the disease. It was revealed that the chain of transmission started in January, in a conservative Mennonite group on the western edge of Texas. It then spread to Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Countries can lose their elimination status after 12 months of sustained transmission of a particular disease. If the U.S. is unable to extinguish the measles outbreak by January next year, it will lose its elimination status, which it has held for 25 years, as per the New York Times.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Lindiwe holds deep cultural significance in Xhosa and Nguni societies as a name that celebrates patience, anticipation, and the joy of fulfilled hopes. Traditionally given to daughters born after periods of waitingwhether due to infertility, previous losses, or other circumstancesthe name embodies the cultural understanding that some blessings are worth the wait. The naming ceremony itself is a sacred ritual that connects the child to ancestors and community, with Lindiwe specifically honoring the journey that preceded the child's arrival.



During South Africa's liberation struggle, the name took on additional layers of meaning, symbolizing the long-awaited freedom and the hope for future generations. Many families chose this name during difficult times as an expression of faith in better days to come. Today, Lindiwe continues to represent cultural resilience and the preservation of African naming traditions amid modernization. It serves as a living connection to heritage while adapting to contemporary contexts, making it both timeless and relevant in modern South African society.
Individuals named Loreene are often perceived as graceful yet determined, combining the laurel's natural elegance with the strength of its symbolic victory. They typically exhibit a balanced personality that blends creative sensitivity with practical wisdom, much like the laurel tree itselfbeautiful in appearance yet resilient in nature. Loreenes tend to be natural achievers who pursue their goals with quiet determination rather than loud ambition, earning respect through consistent effort and integrity.



Their connection to the laurel's symbolism often manifests as a strong sense of honor and a desire to recognize achievement in others, making them excellent mentors and supporters. While they may appear reserved initially, Loreenes possess deep emotional intelligence and form lasting, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and shared growth. The name's Christian associations frequently correlate with individuals who value tradition, community, and spiritual development, often serving as stabilizing influences in their families and social circles. This combination of strength and gentleness allows Loreenes to navigate challenges with both resilience and compassion.
Women named Lorilynn are often perceived as balanced individuals who combine strength with gentleness. The 'Lori' component suggests qualities of victory, achievement, and classical grace, while the 'Lynn' element contributes a sense of calmness, intuition, and emotional depth. This combination typically results in someone who is both ambitious and compassionate, capable of pursuing goals while maintaining meaningful relationships.



Lorilynn's tend to be creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with both logical thinking and emotional intelligence. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities tempered with empathy, making them effective in roles that require both direction and understanding. Their dual-nature name reflects an ability to adapt to different situations while maintaining core values and integrity. Many Lorilynn's are known for their reliability and the thoughtful way they balance personal ambition with care for others, creating lasting impacts in both professional and personal spheres.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Lorraine carries profound cultural significance that spans centuries of European history. Originating from the Lorraine region in northeastern France, the name derives from the medieval Kingdom of Lotharingia, established in 855 AD and named after Lothair II, whose name means 'famous army' or 'famous in battle.' This geographical origin places the name at the crossroads of French and German cultures, reflecting the region's complex history of changing hands between these two powers. The name gained particular prominence during the Hundred Years' War through Joan of Arc, who was called the 'Maid of Lorraine,' transforming the name into a symbol of French patriotism and resistance. During World War I, the Battle of Lorraine was one of the first major conflicts on the Western Front, further cementing the name's association with military significance and resilience. The region's rich industrial heritage during the Industrial Revolution, particularly in steel production, adds another layer of cultural meaningrepresenting strength, durability, and transformation. This multifaceted history makes Lorraine a name that embodies cultural intersection, historical depth, and enduring strength.
People named Loyal typically develop personality traits centered around reliability, consistency, and deep commitment. They are often characterized by their strong sense of duty and unwavering support for those they care about. This fundamental trustworthiness makes them valued members of any community, as they consistently follow through on promises and maintain stable relationships even during challenging times.



Their loyalty extends beyond personal connections to include dedication to principles, organizations, and causes they believe in. While this can sometimes manifest as stubbornness, it more commonly reflects a deeply rooted moral compass that guides their decisions. Loyal individuals often become the bedrock of their social circlesthe friends who remember birthdays, the colleagues who cover shifts, the family members who provide unconditional support. Their consistent nature creates safe spaces where others feel secure being vulnerable, knowing that Loyal will maintain confidences and offer steadfast encouragement regardless of circumstances.
Individuals named Lugaidh are typically perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities, courage, and strategic thinking. Drawing from the name's mythological associations, they often exhibit natural authority and the ability to inspire others, combined with practical wisdom in challenging situations. There's an expectation of resilience and determinationcharacteristics inherited from the legendary warriors who first bore this name. They tend to be protective of their communities and principles, showing loyalty to those they consider under their care.



The name also suggests a creative or craft-oriented intelligence, reflecting Lugh's status as master of all arts. This combination of warrior spirit and intellectual capability makes the Lugaidh personality complexboth action-oriented and thoughtful, capable of both decisive combat and careful planning. Their strength is often tempered with a sense of justice and fairness, making them natural mediators and leaders rather than mere aggressors. The traditional association with multiple legendary figures bearing this name creates an expectation of versatility and the ability to excel in various domains, from battlefields to courts of law.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Lyfing holds significant cultural importance as an Anglo-Saxon name that flourished during the formative years of English Christianity. The name was particularly prominent among ecclesiastical leaders who helped establish the organizational structure of the English church. These Lyfings served as bishops during critical periods of English history, including the reigns of Aethelred the Unready and Cnut the Great, where they often acted as mediators between Anglo-Saxon and Norman interests.



The name's Christian dimension is deeply embedded in its meaning of 'dearly loved,' which resonated with early Christian communities emphasizing agape love and spiritual kinship. In medieval England, names carrying such positive connotations were believed to influence the bearer's character and destiny. The historical Lyfings were known for their educational reforms, church building projects, and diplomatic efforts, leaving a legacy that connected the name with intellectual pursuit, spiritual leadership, and cultural preservation during England's transition from Anglo-Saxon to Norman rule.
Women named Madihah are often characterized by their exceptional emotional intelligence and innate sense of justice. They tend to be natural mediators who can understand multiple perspectives in complex situations, making them valuable in both personal relationships and professional environments. Their 'praiseworthy' nature typically manifests through consistent reliabilitythey become the family members, friends, or colleagues others turn to in times of need because of their balanced judgment and supportive nature.



Academically and professionally, Madihahs often excel in fields requiring both analytical thinking and human connection, such as education, psychology, social work, or healthcare. They possess a unique blend of traditional values and progressive thinking, allowing them to navigate modern challenges while maintaining cultural roots. Many display remarkable resilience in adversity, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Their leadership style tends to be collaborative rather than authoritarian, and they often mentor others quietly without seeking recognitionliving up to their name's meaning through actions rather than words. This combination of strength and humility makes them respected figures in their communities.
Women named Malmuirie are often perceived as possessing a rare combination of strength and sensitivity, reflecting the name's dual nature of describing both physical darkness and noble status. They tend to be deeply connected to tradition while maintaining an independent spirit, often serving as guardians of cultural knowledge and family heritage. Their perceived 'dark' quality typically manifests as emotional depth, intuition, and the ability to navigate complex situations with wisdom beyond their years.



These individuals frequently demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability, qualities that served their historical namesakes well in Scotland's challenging climate and political landscape. They are often natural leaders who command respect through quiet authority rather than overt dominance, with a strong sense of justice and loyalty to their community. The name suggests someone who embraces their uniqueness and transforms potential challenges into sources of strength, embodying the Scottish virtues of endurance and dignity in adversity.



Contemporary bearers of the name often report feeling a connection to Scottish history and a responsibility to honor their heritage. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who value authenticity and depth in relationships, often attracting others with their mysterious yet grounded presence. The name implies a person comfortable with complexity, capable of holding multiple perspectives, and gifted with the insight that comes from standing slightly outside mainstream culture.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The surname Malone holds significant cultural importance as a marker of Irish heritage and identity. Originating from the Gaelic 'O Maoil Eoin,' meaning 'descendant of the devotee of St. John,' the name reflects the deep Christian influences that shaped medieval Ireland. The Malone clan was historically centered in County Westmeath, where they were part of the Gaelic aristocracy before English colonization. Throughout centuries of political and religious turmoil, many Malone families maintained their Catholic faith and Irish traditions, making the name a symbol of cultural endurance.



During the mass Irish emigration of the 19th century, particularly during the Great Famine, the Malone name spread globally, carrying with it the story of Irish resilience. In America, Australia, and other destinations, Malones often became prominent in their new communities while maintaining connections to their Irish roots. The name's association with notable figures in sports, entertainment, and business in modern times has further enhanced its cultural profile, transforming it from a simple surname into a symbol of Irish success and global achievement while retaining its historical connections to service and devotion.
SINGAPORE, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Through the 2025 Korea IT Cooperation Center (KICC) ICT Growth Program, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and its affiliated agency the National IT Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (NIPA), and managed by the Korea IT Cooperation Centre (KICC) in Singapore in partnership with Plug and Play, 11 high-potential Korean startups have spent the past few months preparing to expand into the fast-growing ASEAN and Oceania markets.

Eleven high-potential Korean startups have spent the past few months preparing to expand into the fast-growing ASEAN and Oceania markets.

Combining expert mentorship, targeted market entry support, and high-impact networking opportunities, the program bridges Korea's cutting-edge technology with regional demand. It culminates in a Demo Day co-hosted with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) at Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH) 2025.

The 11 participating startups, BRYTN, CUBIG, Enhans, Hudson AI, Infofla, MTS Company, Sierra BASE, Glorang, NationA, Norma, and Bigwave Robotics, represent diverse sectors across ICT, AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and digital education. As part of the program, the startups joined a one-week market immersion in Singapore from October 23 to 31, which included participation in Plug and Play's APAC Summit in Singapore, business matching sessions, workshops, and meetings with local investors and stakeholders.

Featured startups:

Hudson AI

https://hudson-ai.com/

Hudson AI's proprietary audio intelligence technology is redefining global media experience. Built to preprocess, understand, and synthesise every type of audio, our technology delivers cinematic-grade AI dubbing that is expressive, multi-speaker, and real-time, faithfully carrying original emotions and performances across languages. From live AI dubbing of sport games to interactive multilingual voice chat, Hudson AI is breaking language barriers and unlocking a truly borderless media experience.

Bigwave Robotics

https://bigwaverobotics.com/

Bigwave Robotics specializes in RaaS, unlocking new possibilities through intelligent automation. Its solutions, Marosol and SOLlink, cover the full robot value chainMarosol recommends tailored automation scenarios using the country's largest robot database, while SOLlink offers seamless robot integration and intuitive control to maximize productivity. Together, they deliver refined, end-to-end RaaS services across industries.

Enhans

https://www.enhans.ai/

Enhans develops AI Agents that automate manual workflows across industries such as retail and e-commerce, powered by its proprietary DataLogicAction framework. Through CommerceOS, these agents operate within an intelligent ecosystem that shares data and goals via a unified ontology. Enhans drives domain-optimized automation to transform business operations and deliver tangible results.

Norma

https://norma.co.kr/eng/

Norma Inc. is Asia's leading quantum computing company, pioneering quantum cloud and quantum AI solutions that integrate hardware and software. Backed by Vertex Ventures and top global investors, Norma leverages Korea's advanced infrastructure, technology, and talent to drive next-generation, scalable quantum innovation for real-world applications.

BRYTN

http://www.brytn.co.kr/page/about_en

BRYTN specializes in advanced laser optical engine technology, developing solutions for devices such as robots, automotive displays, medical equipment, and metaverse hardware. Leveraging expertise in laser, laser-phosphor, and LED-based systems, BRYTN creates customized optical engines tailored to client needs.

Glorang

https://www.glorang.com/

Glorang creates a personalized educational environment that helps children discover and develop their unique talents. Using AI and machine learning, the platform analyzes global talent datafrom psychological tests to learning patternsto deliver customized curricula tailored to each child's strengths. Glorang makes learning more engaging, effective, and future-oriented.

Nation A

https://nation-a.com/

Nation A is a technology company pioneering the convergence of AI and 3D creation. Through its award-winning platforms Neuroid and Hey.D, it enables anyonefrom studios to individual creatorsto generate, animate, and interact with 3D content in real time. By transforming text, voice, and video into expressive motion and storytelling, Nation A is redefining how people create and connect in the next generation of AI-driven 3D experiences.

Sierra BASE

https://sierrabase.co.kr/eng/

Sierra BASE delivers advanced 3D modeling and autonomous inspection solutions powered by proprietary drones, robotics, and its AI-based SIRIUS Editor platform. The SIRIUS Editor automates data analysis, 3D modeling, and defect detection to enhance the efficiency and reliability of infrastructure inspections. Recognized with the Best Innovation Award at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Sierra BASE continues to grow from its success in Korea toward global expansion through innovation and collaboration.

CUBIG

https://azoo.ai/

CUBIG is an innovative company focused on AI and data security. It offers high-quality synthetic data that retains essential medical or contextual information while protecting privacy through techniques like differential privacy and adversarial defense. By generating de-identified data without accessing the original source, CUBIG enables secure and effective AI training.

Infofla

https://www.infofla.com/en/home

Infofla specializes in AI-based software solutions for IT service automation. It launched Korea's first AI-driven IT automation platform and developed proprietary tools like RPA, VLAgent, and ITOMS to replace outdated legacy systems. Its flagship solution, RPACA, integrates AI with RPA to streamline IT operations management both domestically and internationally.

MTS Company

https://www.aialpa.com/About

MTS Company offers an AI-powered pathology platform that enables faster, more accurate cancer diagnosis. By analyzing patient pathology data, the platform predicts disease progression and treatment effectiveness, supporting more personalized and timely clinical decisions.

The Demo Day featured a Welcome Address by Mr. Kim Jun Gyum, Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Attache at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and a Keynote Speech by Ms. Joanne Teh, Assistant Director, Innovation, from IMDA, titled "Singapore's Innovation Gateway: Opportunities via IMDA's Open Innovation Platform."

Through this initiative, startups have begun exploring partnerships, pilot projects (PoCs), and investment opportunities in Singapore and beyond. The program includes business immersion activities in Jakarta and Sydney, extending its reach across ASEAN and Oceania.

Mr. Yum Changyeol, Head of Singapore Office, KICC, stated, "The 11 IT startups that have entered Singapore through this program are outstanding companies that have passed a rigorous evaluation process. We hope that they will grow into unicorns based on their experiences in Singapore, Australia, and Indonesia."

The 2025 KICC ICT Growth Program highlights Korea and Singapore's shared commitment to advancing open innovation and digital transformation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and strengthening the regional tech ecosystem.

About Korea IT Cooperation Center (KICC) Singapore

Opened in 2014, KICC (Korea IT Cooperation Center) Singapore serves as NIPA's (National IT Industry Promotion Agency) strategic hub for promoting business opportunities between Korea and ASEAN countries in the ICT industry. KICC Singapore offers a range of solutions and programmes to help Korean IT companies expand and grow in ASEAN and Oceania, harness and leverage Korean technologies, and drive ASEAN's digital revolution.

Find more information about Korea IT Cooperation Center (KICC) Singapore, visit kicc.sg

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries, where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi.

Our Asia Pacific headquarters was launched in Singapore in 2010, and we are now present in five cities in Southeast Asia with additional locations in China, Japan, Korea and India. We work closely with both the public and private sectors with programs, innovation initiatives, and startup investments across the region.

For more information, visit https://www.plugandplayapac.com

Media Contact

Allison Romero

Marketing Director

[email protected]

SOURCE Plug and Play
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Mansfield holds profound cultural significance rooted in English history and geography. Originating from the town of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, the name originally denoted someone from this important medieval market town, which was a center for lead mining and wool production. This geographical origin imbued the name with associations of commerce, industry, and community leadership. Throughout English history, the Mansfield name became associated with landowning families and aristocracy, particularly through figures like the Earls of Mansfield who played significant roles in British politics and law. The name's Christian significance emerged through its adoption by prominent clergymen and religious reformers, who often came from educated, landowning families. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the name gained literary prominence through Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, which used the name to symbolize both aristocratic tradition and moral complexity. The name's journey from geographical identifier to personal name reflects broader patterns in English naming traditions, where locations of economic or social importance became surnames and eventually given names, particularly among families seeking to honor their regional heritage or social standing.
Individuals named Mareo are often perceived as independent thinkers with a strong sense of individuality. They tend to be introspective and thoughtful, possessing a quiet confidence that comes from their unique perspective on life. Mareos are typically not followers of trends but rather march to the beat of their own drum, often developing specialized interests or talents that set them apart from their peers. This independence can manifest as creativity, innovation, or unconventional problem-solving abilities. While they may appear reserved initially, Mareos often form deep, meaningful relationships with those who appreciate their distinctive qualities.



Their rarity in name often translates to a personality that values authenticity over conformity, and they frequently become known for their original ideas or unique approaches to their chosen fields. Mareos tend to be observant and analytical, preferring to understand situations thoroughly before acting. This careful approach, combined with their natural individuality, often leads them to excel in fields requiring specialized knowledge or creative thinking. They typically possess a strong sense of personal integrity and are not easily swayed by popular opinion, making them reliable and principled individuals. The combination of quiet strength and individuality makes Mareos memorable individuals who leave lasting impressions on those they encounter, often becoming the 'go-to' person for unique insights or specialized knowledge in their social and professional circles.
Individuals named Meino are typically perceived as possessing strong, resolute characters with a natural inclination toward leadership and responsibility. They often exhibit practical wisdom, reliability, and a steadfast approach to challenges, reflecting the name's meaning of 'firm.' These individuals tend to be traditional in their values yet progressive in their thinking, combining historical awareness with modern adaptability. Their strength of character is often complemented by a quiet determination and loyalty to their principles and communities.



Meinos are frequently seen as pillars of stability in their social and professional circles, offering consistent support and guidance to others while maintaining their own independent course. They typically approach life with methodical planning and careful consideration, preferring to build lasting foundations rather than seeking quick successes. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their deep commitment to relationships and causes they believe in. The name suggests someone who embodies the Germanic virtues of reliability, hard work, and quiet strength without needing constant recognition.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Meletios holds profound cultural significance within Greek Orthodox tradition, dating back to early Christianity. The name gained prominence through Saint Meletios of Antioch in the 4th century, who became celebrated for his theological wisdom and efforts to maintain church unity during the Arian controversy. His legacy established Meletios as a name embodying ecclesiastical leadership, spiritual depth, and conciliatory strength. Throughout Byzantine history, numerous bishops and patriarchs bearing this name continued to shape Orthodox theology and administration, creating a rich tradition of spiritual leadership associated with the name.



During the Ottoman period, figures like Patriarch Meletios Pegas carried forward this legacy, preserving Greek cultural and religious identity under challenging circumstances. The name became symbolic of maintaining Orthodox traditions while engaging thoughtfully with changing political and social landscapes. In modern Greek culture, Meletios remains strongly connected to religious heritage, often chosen by families with clerical backgrounds or those wishing to honor the spiritual legacy of the saints and leaders who bore this name. Its continued, though selective, usage reflects the enduring value placed on historical continuity and religious devotion in Greek naming practices.
Women named Melita are often perceived as warm, nurturing individuals with a natural sweetness in their demeanor, living up to the name's honey-related meaning. They tend to be diplomatic and charming, able to smooth over conflicts with their gentle approach and empathetic nature. Melitas typically possess strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes. Their nurturing qualities often draw them toward caregiving professions or roles where they can support and uplift others. While generally gentle, they can be surprisingly resilient when protecting those they love, combining softness with inner strength in a balanced personality that others find comforting and reliable.



Beyond their warm exterior, Melitas often demonstrate remarkable creativity and artistic sensibility. They have an eye for beauty and harmony, whether in art, music, or interpersonal relationships. Their communication style tends to be thoughtful and considerate, with a natural ability to make others feel valued and understood. In professional settings, they excel in collaborative environments where their diplomatic skills can shine. The combination of their sweet nature and underlying strength makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both compassion and determination. Family and close relationships are typically central to their lives, and they invest deeply in maintaining meaningful connections with loved ones.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Michalin represents a feminine adaptation of the Hebrew name Michael, which means 'Who is like God?' This name carries deep religious significance in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, where Michael is considered one of the archangels. The feminine form Michalin emerged particularly in Eastern European Jewish communities as a way to honor the archangel while creating a distinctly feminine identity. Throughout history, the name has been associated with spiritual strength and divine protection, often given to girls in families seeking to emphasize their connection to faith traditions while maintaining feminine naming conventions.



The name's evolution reflects broader cultural patterns of adapting masculine biblical names into feminine forms while preserving their sacred connotations. In many communities, choosing Michalin represented a desire to bestow upon daughters the protective and leadership qualities associated with the archangel Michael, while still honoring traditional gender naming practices. This cultural adaptation demonstrates how religious traditions evolve to include feminine perspectives while maintaining core spiritual values.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Mounafes holds significant cultural weight in Muslim societies, particularly in Arabic-speaking regions. It embodies the cultural value placed on healthy competition and striving for excellence, reflecting Islamic teachings that encourage believers to compete in good deeds and righteous actions. Historically, the name has been associated with individuals who demonstrated exceptional determination and leadership qualities, often in scholarly, military, or community leadership roles.



In Islamic tradition, the concept of 'rivalry' as embodied by Mounafes is not merely about opposition but represents the spiritual and moral competition to achieve higher states of righteousness. The name carries echoes of historical figures who competed not for personal glory but for the betterment of their communities and the advancement of knowledge. This cultural significance has been maintained through generations, with the name continuing to symbolize the balance between competitive spirit and ethical conduct that is highly valued in Muslim societies.
Individuals named Mufid are typically perceived as practical, helpful, and solution-oriented. They often exhibit a natural inclination toward problem-solving and enjoy being of service to others. Their analytical minds combined with a genuine desire to assist make them valuable members of any community or organization. They tend to be reliable and trustworthy, with others frequently seeking their advice and guidance.



Mufids often display strong communication skills and patience when explaining complex concepts to others. They may gravitate toward professions where they can apply their knowledge for the benefit of society, such as education, healthcare, or community leadership. While generally calm and composed, they can be quite assertive when advocating for causes they believe will benefit their community.



Their sense of purpose is often tied to making tangible contributions to the lives of those around them. This intrinsic motivation drives them to continuously develop their skills and knowledge, ensuring they remain relevant and useful. The name's meaning seems to influence their self-perception, often creating individuals who measure their success by the positive impact they have on others rather than personal gain alone.
Women named Naamit are typically characterized by their gentle yet resilient nature, combining emotional sensitivity with inner strength. They often possess a natural elegance and grace that draws others to them, along with a deep appreciation for beauty in art, music, and nature. Naamits tend to be highly intuitive and empathetic, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes. Their free-spirited nature reflects the bird symbolism associated with their name, showing independence and creativity in their approach to life. Despite their gentle exterior, they often demonstrate remarkable determination and the ability to overcome challenges with quiet perseverance. Many Naamits develop strong interests in environmental causes, artistic expression, or helping professions where they can make a positive impact on others' lives. Their balanced combination of sensitivity and strength makes them both approachable and respected in their personal and professional relationships.
The name Nada carries rich symbolic meanings that extend beyond its literal translation of 'generosity' or 'dew.' In Islamic symbolism, Nada represents the concept of divine provision and the interconnectedness of giving and receiving. Like dew that forms through natural processes and nourishes the earth without expectation of return, the name embodies the ideal of selfless generosity. It symbolizes the Islamic principle that true wealth lies not in what one accumulates but in what one distributes to others. The morning dew aspect of the name's meaning connects to themes of renewal, hope, and divine mercyeach dawn bringing a fresh start and new possibilities. Symbolically, Nada also represents the idea that small, consistent acts of kindness can have cumulative significant impacts, much like individual dew drops collectively sustaining life in challenging environments. In Sufi traditions, the concept of nada relates to the first vibration of creation, connecting the name to primordial beginnings and spiritual awakening. The name thus carries layers of meaning encompassing material generosity, spiritual abundance, natural cycles, and the transformative power of gentle, consistent goodness.
MUNICH, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AIRS Medical, known for its award-winning AI-driven MRI solution, SwiftMR , has rapidly emerged as a global force in diagnostic imaging innovation. SwiftMR's enhanced image quality and faster scan speeds have helped improve operations in over 1,300 imaging centers across more than 40 countries.

Building upon this successful expansion, the company has continued to develop new partnerships throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

SwiftMR: To Europe and Beyond

Established in 2024, AIRS Medical Europe GmbH has been steadily spreading SwiftMR's significant efficiency and quality improvements throughout the European healthcare market.

Already, AIRS Medical has nurtured several partnerships in Europe, including:

Today, AIRS Medical is excited to share that its reach is growing even further. The company now has customers in the UK, Portugal, Norway, Greece, Poland, Hungary, the UAE, and South Africa, and it anticipates welcoming more partners soon. This momentum highlights the widespread success of SwiftMR across diverse healthcare environments throughout EMEA.

Looking ahead, AIRS Medical is actively preparing for expansion into new markets, aiming to boost reliability, productivity, and value in imaging centers throughout the Netherlands, Romania, and the Balkan countries.

"SwiftMR brings a tangible impact everywhere it goes, seamlessly integrating into a wide variety of healthcare environments," notes Jayden Jung, VP and Managing Director of AIRS Medical Europe GmbH. "We're excited to continue introducing our AI-driven MRI solution to new prospective partners throughout EMEA and around the world."

Enhanced Images Without the Wait

SwiftMR is a deep learning technology that reconstructs images up to 50% faster1 than conventional scans while improving rather than sacrificing image quality. It integrates smoothly into existing workflows and is compatible with all major MRI vendors, making it a universal solution for institutions of all sizes and fleets of all field strengths2.

Powered by AI, SwiftMR's faster scan times and higher image quality bring several impactful benefits to diagnostic imaging centers:

Streamlined operations and more flexible scheduling

and more flexible scheduling Improved comfort for patients; especially helpful for those with pain or claustrophobia

for patients; especially helpful for those with pain or claustrophobia Modernization of legacy and low-field machines

of legacy and low-field machines Optimized revenue opportunities thanks to increased patient throughput

About AIRS Medical

AIRS Medical is a recognized leader in AI-powered diagnostic imaging and has been named one of the world's top digital health companies . The company's flagship product, SwiftMR, has earned multiple awards3,4 for its speed in MRI , and the team behind it has been celebrated as innovators in AI . Driven by a mission to expand access to preventive healthcare, AIRS Medical is at the forefront of MRI efficiency, enabling imaging centers to serve more patients and deliver essential care to their communities.

To learn more about AIRS Medical, visit https://airsmed.com/en/ .

Ashley Guidace

AIRS Medical

VP of Global Marketing

[email protected]

1 Actual scan time varies by scanner model, sequence, and clinical protocol.

2Supported body parts, pulse sequence, field strength, patient population and MRI manufacturers may vary by country.

3 AIRS Medical Applauded by Frost & Sullivan for Reducing MRI Equipment's Exam Wait Times with Its SwiftMR Technology

4 World's Best Digital Health Companies 2024

SOURCE AIRS Medical
Individuals named Nodin are often perceived as free-spirited, adaptable, and intellectually curious, much like the wind they're named after. They tend to be natural communicators who can move between different social circles with ease, bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas wherever they go. Their personality often combines a gentle, thoughtful nature with sudden bursts of energy and inspiration. Nodins are typically innovative thinkers who dislike being confined by rigid structures or routines, preferring instead to follow their intuition and explore new possibilities.



They possess a natural charisma that draws people to them, though they may sometimes struggle with commitment to long-term projects as their interests shift like changing winds. Emotionally, they can be both deeply sensitive and remarkably resilient, able to weather life's storms while maintaining their core identity. Their strength lies in their ability to adapt to changing circumstances while remaining true to their essential nature. These traits make Nodins excellent problem-solvers and creative thinkers who often excel in fields requiring flexibility, communication skills, and the ability to see connections others might miss.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Nolen is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname O Nuallain, meaning 'descendant of Nuallan.' The name has deep roots in Irish history, particularly associated with County Offaly and surrounding regions where the O Nuallain clan held prominence. As an Irish name, it carries the cultural weight of Ireland's rich heritage of clan systems and family lineages. The name reflects the Irish tradition of patronymic surnames and represents a connection to Gaelic nobility and scholarly traditions.



Throughout Irish history, bearers of this name have been associated with leadership, education, and cultural preservation, embodying the resilience and pride of Irish identity. The name's journey from Ireland to other English-speaking countries through immigration patterns demonstrates the global spread of Irish culture. In modern contexts, Nolen serves as a meaningful link to Irish ancestry while functioning effectively in multicultural societies.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Obiareus occupies a unique position in Greek mythology as one of the Titans, the divine beings who ruled during the legendary Golden Age before the Olympian gods. As part of this primordial pantheon, Obiareus represents the fundamental forces of nature and the cosmos in their most raw and powerful forms. The cultural significance of this name lies in its connection to the foundational myths of creation and the transition from chaos to cosmic order that characterized early Greek cosmological thought.



The name's appearance in fragmentary ancient texts suggests it was part of regional mythological traditions that varied across the Greek world. While less prominent than Titans like Cronus or Oceanus, Obiareus contributes to the rich tapestry of pre-Olympian mythology that helped ancient Greeks understand their world's origins. The name's preservation in scholarly works and occasional references in later periods demonstrates how even minor mythological figures maintained cultural relevance as part of the comprehensive divine hierarchy that structured Greek religious and philosophical understanding.
Individuals named Ogier are often perceived as possessing strong, determined personalities with a natural leadership quality. They tend to be courageous and principled, willing to stand up for their beliefs even when facing opposition. The legendary associations suggest someone with strategic thinking abilities and a capacity for both fierce independence and deep loyalty to chosen causes or people. There's often an air of traditional strength about them, combined with intellectual depth that allows them to navigate complex situations effectively.



Their personality typically balances warrior-like resilience with diplomatic skill, making them capable of both confrontation and negotiation when circumstances demand. The historical and literary associations also suggest a person of considerable endurance and patience, able to work toward long-term goals without losing sight of their principles. They often exhibit a certain gravitas and maturity beyond their years, along with a protective instinct toward those they care about. The name carries an expectation of reliability and honor, with those bearing it often feeling a subtle pressure to live up to its heroic legacy.
Individuals named Padarn are typically associated with a distinctive blend of spiritual depth and practical strength. They often exhibit quiet determination and resilience, reflecting the saintly perseverance of their namesake combined with the warrior spirit of Arthurian tradition. These individuals tend to be principled and steadfast, capable of both contemplative reflection and decisive action when circumstances demand. The historical Padarn's role as a founder of religious institutions suggests personality traits of vision, organizational ability, and long-term thinking.



People with this name often demonstrate natural leadership qualities tempered by humility and service orientation. They value tradition and heritage while being forward-thinking, much like the historical figure who established lasting institutions. The Arthurian connection adds elements of loyalty, courage, and companionship to the personality profile. Padarn-named individuals typically possess a quiet confidence that inspires respect rather than demanding it, and they often serve as stabilizing influences in their communities or social circles. Their approach to challenges combines spiritual reflection with practical problem-solving, making them effective in both personal and professional contexts.
Women named Paulita are often perceived as possessing a gentle strength and approachable demeanor. The diminutive nature of the name suggests someone who is nurturing, compassionate, and family-oriented, yet the connection to Paul implies underlying resilience and determination. Many Paulitas are described as having a quiet confidence that allows them to navigate challenges with grace and patience.



They typically exhibit strong interpersonal skills, making them excellent mediators and loyal friends who value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections. The combination of the name's soft sound and its historical roots often results in individuals who balance traditional values with modern adaptability, creating personalities that are both grounded and progressive in their outlook. This unique blend of characteristics makes Paulitas often seen as the emotional anchors in their families and social circles.
Women named Petronela are typically perceived as strong, reliable, and grounded individuals who embody the 'rock' symbolism of their name. They often display remarkable stability in challenging situations, serving as pillars of support for their families and communities. Their strength is not merely physical but manifests as emotional resilience, practical wisdom, and unwavering principles that guide their decisions and relationships. This foundational stability makes them natural leaders and trusted confidantes.



Beyond their core strength, Petronelas are often characterized by a quiet dignity and traditional values that command respect. They tend to be methodical, patient, and deeply loyal to those they care about, with a strong sense of responsibility toward their duties and commitments. While they may appear reserved at first, they possess a warm, nurturing nature that emerges in trusted relationships, combined with a practical intelligence that makes them excellent problem-solvers. Their combination of emotional depth and pragmatic approach to life enables them to navigate complex situations with grace and effectiveness, making them valued members of any community or organization.
Individuals named Philo are typically characterized by their intellectual curiosity and strong interpersonal skills. They often possess a natural inclination toward learning and philosophical contemplation, combined with a genuine interest in others that makes them excellent conversationalists and loyal friends. Their name meaning 'friend' frequently manifests in their personality through empathy, diplomacy, and the ability to form deep, meaningful connections with diverse people. Philos tend to be thoughtful problem-solvers who approach challenges with both logic and compassion.



These individuals often exhibit a balanced temperament, blending analytical thinking with emotional intelligence, which allows them to navigate complex social situations with grace. While they may appear reserved at first, they reveal a warm and engaging personality once comfortable, making them valued members of any community or professional setting. Their natural curiosity drives them to continuously seek knowledge and understanding, whether through formal education or personal exploration. The combination of intellectual depth and social grace makes Philos particularly effective in roles requiring both analytical thinking and human connection.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Rafiq holds profound significance in Islamic culture, deriving from the Arabic root R-F-Q which conveys meanings of companionship, gentleness, and friendship. In Islamic tradition, the concept of 'rafiq' extends beyond mere friendship to encompass the ideal of being a compassionate companion and supportive ally. The name is particularly valued because it reflects one of the 99 Names of Allah - Ar-Rafiq (The Gentle One) - though Muslims use it for children while understanding that only Allah possesses these attributes in their perfect form.



Throughout Islamic history, the name has been borne by scholars, leaders, and common people alike, symbolizing the importance of building strong, supportive communities based on mutual respect and kindness. The name embodies the Islamic principle that good companionship is essential for spiritual growth and worldly success, making it a popular choice for parents who wish to instill these values in their children. In many Muslim societies, naming a child Rafiq expresses the hope that they will grow to be someone who brings people together and fosters harmony.
Individuals named Reeve typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of responsibility and integrity. They often possess natural organizational skills and the ability to manage complex situations with calm efficiency, reflecting the name's historical meaning of 'steward.' These individuals tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with methodical thinking and careful consideration. Their inherent sense of duty often makes them reliable and trustworthy companions, friends, and colleagues who others naturally look to for guidance and support.



Reeves are frequently characterized by their balanced naturecombining authority with compassion, and leadership with humility. They typically demonstrate excellent judgment in both personal and professional matters, often serving as mediators or advisors in group settings. While they may appear reserved initially, they develop deep, lasting relationships built on mutual respect and trust. Their conscientious nature drives them to fulfill commitments thoroughly and ethically, making them valued members of any community or organization. The name seems to attract individuals who naturally assume caretaker roles and who find fulfillment in serving others through responsible leadership.
GENEVA, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ANDRITZ, a global leader of solutions to the pulp & paper, metals, hydropower and environment & energy sectors has selected GTK (Global Trade Konnect) from Komgo as its global multi-bank trade finance solution to accelerate digitalization and harmonize processes across the Group. Known internally as "Global Trade by Komgo," the trade finance management system centralizes the management of guarantees, letters of credit, and credit risk insurance into a single digital tool, while providing a secure communication layer to financial institutions worldwide.

Komgo is proud to support ANDRITZ in the rollout of their new multibank trade finance solution: GTK

The program, now live with three pilot entities, will onboard 300 users across 40 countries, digitalizing communications with 30+ financing partners, including banks, brokers, and insurers. By consolidating activity into one system of record with structured data and automated workflows, GTK enables faster, safer, and more transparent execution of cross-border trade.

"GTK is another step forward in our commitment to digitalization, process harmonization, and operational excellence aligned with our strategic targets. It helps us work smarter, stay aligned across the globe, and ensure we deliver value through modern, efficient tools."  Minna Helppi, SVP Group Finance, ANDRITZ

An enterprise-wide impact

For ANDRITZ as a company, GTK ensures global consistency in trade finance management, reduces errors through automation, improves data accuracy and transparency, and proactively manages risks and deadlines with alerts and reporting.

Benefits at entity level

All legal entities adopt the same streamlined workflows and gain real-time visibility on credit line usage and approval flows. Teams spend less time on paperwork and coordination, redirecting effort to value-added tasks.

A better experience for employees

GTK introduces simpler, user-friendly processes, clear responsibilities supported by training, and centralized storage of documents and communicationsstrengthening collaboration across regions and functions.

About ANDRITZ

As a globally leading supplier of solutions to the pulp & paper, metals, hydropower, and environment & energy sectors, ANDRITZ creates growth that mattersfor the business, the people, and our planet. With a passion for innovative technologies, ANDRITZ drives the green transition by helping industries worldwide enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize emissions.

About Komgo

Komgo is a Swiss-based fintech providing secure, interoperable solutions for digital trade finance. Its platform connects corporates and financial institutions globally, enabling structured data exchanges, automated workflows, and multi-bank connectivity. GTK (Global Trade Konnect) is Komgo's enterprise application for unified trade finance management.

Media contacts:

At Komgo: Tim-Emilien TRAN NGOC, [email protected]

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Cultural & Historical Significance

Rowell has its roots in Old English and Anglo-Saxon culture, originally serving as a surname before transitioning to a given name. The name combines 'roe' (referring to deer) and 'well' (spring or stream), suggesting a connection to nature and water sources where deer would gather. This reflects the medieval practice of naming people after geographical features or animal habitats they lived near. In Christian contexts, the name carries subtle spiritual symbolism, with deer often representing spiritual longing in biblical psalms and water springs symbolizing spiritual refreshment and life. The name maintained popularity in English-speaking Christian communities as it evoked both natural beauty and religious symbolism without being overtly biblical. Throughout history, Rowell has been particularly common in regions with strong Anglo-Saxon heritage, including England and areas of American settlement by English colonists. The name's transition from surname to given name reflects broader naming trends in English-speaking societies, while its natural elements align with Christian appreciation for God's creation as expressed in scripture and tradition.
Individuals bearing the name Ruadhan are often characterized by a blend of spiritual depth and practical wisdom, reflecting the name's saintly origins. They tend to be thoughtful, principled people who value tradition and heritage while maintaining a forward-looking perspective. The combination of the name's meaning ('red-haired') and its religious associations suggests someone with passionate convictions tempered by thoughtful consideration - a person who can be both fiery in defense of their beliefs and calm in daily interactions.



Ruadhans typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with a collaborative spirit, much like the monastic founder who inspired the name. They often possess creative talents, particularly in verbal or written expression, and have a natural affinity for teaching or guiding others. Their connection to Irish heritage frequently manifests as an interest in history, storytelling, or cultural preservation. While they can be determined and persistent when pursuing important goals, they generally approach challenges with wisdom rather than brute force, preferring to build consensus and work within communities to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Women named Sancia are often perceived as having a serene and contemplative nature, with a strong sense of morality and spiritual depth. They tend to be thoughtful individuals who value tradition and family heritage, often displaying a quiet dignity and inner strength that others find comforting. Their name's meaning of 'holy' seems to manifest in a natural inclination toward compassion, empathy, and a desire to help others, making them reliable friends and confidantes.



Sancia's typically possess a refined sensibility and appreciation for beauty, whether in art, nature, or human relationships. They are often drawn to creative pursuits or service-oriented professions where they can express their caring nature. While they may appear reserved at first, they have a warm heart and deep loyalty to those they care about. Their combination of spiritual depth and practical wisdom makes them excellent mediators and trusted advisors in both personal and professional settings.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Siann is a distinctly Welsh name that carries deep cultural significance within Celtic traditions. As a variant of Sian, which itself is the Welsh form of Jane or Joan, the name connects to centuries of Welsh linguistic heritage and Christian influence in Wales. The name embodies the Celtic appreciation for melodic, flowing sounds and reflects the Welsh language's unique phonetic patterns that distinguish it from other Celtic languages.



The name's meaning 'God's gracious gift' speaks to the strong Christian traditions that have shaped Welsh culture since the 6th century. In Welsh communities, names like Siann often honor both linguistic heritage and spiritual values, serving as a bridge between ancient Celtic identity and Christian faith. The name represents the resilience of Welsh culture against centuries of English cultural dominance, making it a symbol of cultural pride and identity preservation.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Swithun's cultural significance is overwhelmingly tied to Saint Swithun, the 9th-century Bishop of Winchester whose legacy shaped English religious and folk traditions for over a millennium. As one of pre-Norman England's most venerated saints, his cult spread throughout the British Isles and influenced medieval piety. The famous weather prophecy associated with his feast day (July 15th) has become an enduring piece of British folklore, connecting the saint to agricultural cycles and weather observation. Winchester Cathedral, where his shrine attracted pilgrims for centuries, became a center of his veneration, and numerous churches across England were dedicated to him, particularly in southern regions. His story represents the blending of Anglo-Saxon religious devotion with popular superstition, creating a unique cultural artifact that bridges ecclesiastical history and folk tradition.



The saint's humility legendwhere he requested burial outside his cathedral where rain could fall and feet could pass over himcontrasted with the later translation of his relics to a lavish shrine, creating a narrative tension that fascinated medieval worshippers. This transformation from humble bishop to celebrated saint mirrors the development of English sainthood itself. The persistence of Swithun's weather lore into modern times demonstrates how Anglo-Saxon religious figures became embedded in national consciousness, their stories adapting to serve new cultural purposes across centuries while maintaining their essential character.
Individuals bearing the name Tiridates typically exhibit a complex blend of traditional values and intellectual sophistication. They often possess a strong sense of historical consciousness and cultural responsibility, feeling connected to centuries of tradition and heritage. These individuals tend to be natural leaders with strategic minds, capable of seeing the bigger picture while attending to practical details. Their personality often combines spiritual depth with worldly competence, reflecting the name's association with kings who were both religious devotees and effective rulers.



Tiridates-named individuals frequently demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability, able to navigate challenging circumstances with grace and determination. They often serve as cultural bridgesrespecting tradition while embracing innovation, honoring their roots while engaging with contemporary realities. These personalities typically value education, cultural preservation, and community service, seeing themselves as stewards of heritage rather than merely individuals. Their strength lies in their ability to inspire others through example rather than coercion, and they often excel in roles that require both vision and practical implementation. The name suggests a person of integrity who balances personal conviction with compassionate understanding of others.
People named Tom are generally perceived as possessing a unique blend of reliability, approachability, and quiet confidence. Psychological studies on name perception consistently show that Tom is associated with trustworthiness and competencequalities that make individuals with this name well-suited for leadership roles and positions requiring public confidence. The name suggests someone who is grounded and practical, able to navigate challenges with steady determination rather than dramatic flourishes. In social contexts, Toms are often seen as the stabilizing forces in their relationships, known for their loyalty and consistent character. This perception is strongly reinforced by cultural figures like Tom Hanks, who has built a career playing characters embodying these very traits of decency, resilience, and quiet strength. The name's simplicity contributes to perceptions of authenticity, suggesting someone who is genuine and without pretension. Interestingly, the name's meaning of 'twin' sometimes manifests in personality perceptions of adaptability and the ability to see multiple perspectives, making Toms effective mediators and team players. These collective associations create a powerful psychological profile that influences both how Toms see themselves and how others interact with them.
Individuals named Trevls are often perceived as thoughtful and introspective, with a strong sense of history and tradition. They tend to be analytical thinkers who value knowledge and often demonstrate patience in their approach to problem-solving. Many with this name show an affinity for academic pursuits or religious studies, reflecting the name's scholarly and spiritual connotations. Their connection to historical roots often makes them respectful of established customs while still being open to new interpretations.



Trevls typically exhibit reliability and consistency in their relationships, making them trusted friends and colleagues who approach life with measured consideration rather than impulsive reactions. They often possess a quiet confidence that comes from understanding their place within larger historical and spiritual contexts. This combination of intellectual depth and emotional stability makes them well-suited for roles requiring careful judgment and long-term perspective, whether in religious leadership, academic research, or cultural preservation.
The name Truitestall carries profound symbolic weight as a representation of sacred stewardship and cultivated love. Symbolically, it embodies the Christian concept of humans as co-creators with God - the 'farm' representing the world we're called to tend with care and wisdom, while 'beloved' signifies the divine love that motivates and sustains this stewardship. This creates a powerful metaphor for the Christian life as an ongoing cultivation of faith, character, and community. The name also symbolizes the fruitfulness that comes from rootedness in love and tradition, much like a well-tended farm yields abundant harvests. In broader spiritual terms, Truitestall represents the integration of practical action and spiritual intention - the idea that our most mundane tasks become sacred when performed with love and purpose. The symbolic resonance extends to concepts of legacy and inheritance, suggesting that what we cultivate in our lives becomes nourishment for future generations. This makes the name particularly meaningful for families who see their children as both recipients of tradition and planters of seeds for future growth, embodying the continuous cycle of receiving, tending, and passing on blessings.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Uisnech holds profound cultural significance as both a personal name and a geographical-mythological concept in Irish tradition. The Hill of Uisnech in County Westmeath was considered the mythological center of Ireland, the meeting point of the five ancient provinces where the sacred fire was lit during Beltane celebrations. This location was believed to be the burial place of the goddess Eriu and the site where the first laws of Ireland were pronounced. The name itself became associated with concepts of sovereignty, unity, and spiritual centrality in Celtic cosmology.



As a personal name, Uisnech appears in early Irish genealogies and mythological cycles, often given to figures of noble birth or those connected to royal lineages. The name carries the weight of Ireland's mythological landscape, embodying the idea of being 'centered' or 'balanced' within the cosmic order. In medieval Irish literature, characters named Uisnech often serve as bridges between the human and divine realms, reflecting the name's deep roots in Ireland's pre-Christian spiritual traditions and its enduring connection to the land's sacred geography.
China's second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau expedition reveals key findings, confirms 3rd environmental transformation

Global Times) 08:48, November 20, 2025

Members of a research team of China's second scientific expedition on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau pose for a group photo in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 13, 2017. Photo: Xinhua

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as "the roof of the world," has entered its third environmental transformation in geological history - a groundbreaking concept first proposed by Chinese scientists on Wednesday.

The Second Qinghai-Tibet Scientific Expedition and Research team released its comprehensive integrated achievements in Lhasa, capital city of China's Xizang Autonomous Region, during which Yao Tandong, leader of the expedition and director of the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), announced the finding.

Global warming plus human activity is causing rapid warming and wetting, or the "dark greening," reported the state broadcaster China Central Television on Wednesday. The plateau has become a global amplifier of climate change, yet this transformation brings unprecedented opportunities: It is strengthening its water supply, enhancing carbon sinks and enriching biodiversity services.

Yao, who is also an academician of the CAS, explained that these changes provide unprecedented opportunities for the plateau to become more livable and suitable for development.

The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program should seize the new opportunities presented by this third environmental transformation and push for high-quality development. It should fully integrate into the national strategy of "stability, development, ecology, and border consolidation and strengthening," and effectively organize major scientific expedition tasks for the new phase of the STEP, according to Yao.

According to the research team, their expedition has also provided full-process scientific support for national legislation on ecological protection of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, establishing legal safeguards for Asia's water tower, and built a comprehensive Earth system observation and early-warning platform serving major infrastructure and cross-border disaster prevention.

They also designed the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau National Park Cluster and optimized the protected area system, directly supporting the establishment of Qiangtang and Sanjiangyuan National Parks and verified the positive effects of major ecological restoration projects, consolidating the plateau's role as China's ecological security barrier.

Fang Xiaomin, another CAS academician and member of the team, told media that the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, together with the Arctic and Antarctic, forms a dynamic "Three Poles" linkage system. The rapid uplift of the northern plateau 8-9 million years ago triggered dust-arctic feedback that accelerated the formation of the Arctic ice sheet and modern permafrost. The future "Three Poles" research framework will become a new frontier for global Earth system science.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, China began its second scientific expedition to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in June 2017 to study changes in climate, biodiversity and environment over the past decades. The last expedition of similar scale was conducted in the 1970s.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Avelo serves 30 nonstop destinations from HVN

BROLL: KEY WEST PIE SWAP INAUGURAL LINK

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Avelo Airlines took flight last night with exclusive nonstop service to Florida's Key West International Airport (EYW) from Southern Connecticut's Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service between HVN and Key West.

Avelo Airlines departs its first East Coast base at Southern Connecticuts Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). Americas most reliable and convenient airline launched April 2021 in Los Angeles/Burbank, flies to nearly 50 destinations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as three international destinations: Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic (PRNewsfoto/Avelo Airlines)

To celebrate this new route, Avelo swapped New Haven's famous apizza with Key West's Key Lime Pie. Customers on the flight to Key West were provided with Key Lime tarts from G Cafe Bakery, ceremonial postcards and fanfare as they arrived in Key West. A ribbon cutting and celebratory swag bags were also provided to everyone onboard.

Avelo operates this route twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays using Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Travelers can make reservations at AveloAir.com.

Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, "Avelo's new nonstop route to the Florida Keys showcases the continued demand for convenient, affordable and industry-leading reliability in Southern Connecticut. Likewise, getting to Southern Connecticut and everything the greater New England and New York regions have to offer is now easier than ever for those Key West travelers. With over 30 nonstop options, we continue to share Avelo's low fares and nonstop options with our loyal Connecticut Customers."

The New HVN CEO Michael Jones said, "We are pleased to offer the only nonstop service to Key West (EYW) in the state for travelers in Southern Connecticut. Key West is the gateway to the Florida Keys, offering HVN passengers access to a unique destination renowned for its fishing, diving, arts and culture, history, and cuisine. We look forward to welcoming Key West travelers with the blend of convenience and hospitality our airport has become known for."

Avelo serves 30 nonstop destinations from HVN, including:

Atlanta, Ga. (ATL)

Charleston, S.C. (CHS)

Charlotte / Concord, N.C. (USA)

Chicago, Ill. (via ORD)

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (DFW)

Daytona Beach, Fla. (DAB)

Destin / Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (VPS)

Detroit, Mich. (DTW)

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (FLL)

Fort Myers, Fla. (RSW)

Greenville / Spartanburg, S.C. (GSP)

Houston, Texas (Hobby) (HOU)

Jacksonville, Fla. (JAX)

Key West, Fla. (EYW)

Knoxville, Tenn. (TYS)

Myrtle Beach, S.C. (MYR)

Nashville, Tenn. (BNA)

New Orleans, La. (MSY)

Orlando, Fla. (MCO)

Orlando / Lakeland, Fla. (LAL)

Raleigh / Durham, N.C. (RDU)

San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)

Sarasota / Bradenton, Fla. (SRQ)

Savannah, Ga. / Hilton Head, S.C. (SAV)

Tampa, Fla. (TPA)

Traverse City, Mich. (TVC)

Washington, D.C. / Baltimore, Md. (BWI)

Washington, D.C.  Dulles (IAD)

West Palm Beach, Fla. (PBI)

Wilmington, N.C. (ILM)

America's Most Reliable and Convenient Airline

Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 8.3 million Customers on over 66,000 flights. Today Avelo serves 41 cities spanning 15 states and Puerto Rico, as well as three international destinations: Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice, and competition by flying to primarily underserved communities across the country. Most Avelo routes include at least one small, convenient airport. This makes traveling with Avelo a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion and long walks at larger airports.

Avelo is distinguished by its industry-leading reliability. In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in on-time performance and achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate in the U.S. airline industry. These results are provided by Anuvu, a leading aviation data services company also utilized by The Wall Street Journal for the publication's annual airline ranking. Anuvu's complete industry results and rankings are available at AveloAir.com.

Avelo also delivers world-class customer satisfaction, exemplified by our Net Promoter Scores (NPS), which consistently rank among the best airlines and most admired brands in the world.

Avelo Airlines launched Avelo PLUS in Fall 2025, a new membership program offering travelers exclusive benefits and savings. Members enjoy benefits like discounted fares, free priority boarding, special promotions, a $50 renewal bonus, and the ability to share perks with up to nine others. Designed to add value and convenience, Avelo PLUS enhances the airline's affordable service with added rewards for loyal customers.

Avelo also offers a range of seating options. These include Standard, Stretch, and Stretch+ seating. Stretch provides extra legroom, with pitch ranging from 32 inches to over 36 inches. Stretch+ features a unique upgrade where the middle seat is blocked for added comfort and space. Customers can also purchase window and aisle seats in advance of their flight. In addition to advanced seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give Customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and a pet in the cabin.

Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 14 and under will be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost.

About Avelo Airlines

Avelo Airlines' purpose is to Inspire Travel by saving travelers time and money. The airline offers Customers safe, convenient travel, everyday low fares, and a caring travel experience. Avelo stands out as the leading U.S. airline in on-time performance and reliability. The airline currently operates a fleet of 22 Boeing Next Generation 737 aircraft and in 2027, will become the first U.S. airline to fly Embraer 195-E2s, with an order of up to 100 new aircraft. Today Avelo serves over 40 popular destinations across the United States, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, including its six bases at Southern Connecticut's Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), the Philadelphia / Delaware Valley region's Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Central Florida's Lakeland International Airport (LAL), Charlotte's Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA) and Coastal North Carolina's Wilmington International Airport (ILM). For more information visit AveloAir.com.

Media Contacts:

Avelo Airlines

Courtney Goff

[email protected]

Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) / Avports

Andrew King

[email protected]

SOURCE Avelo Airlines
Cultural & Historical Significance

Walborgd is a name deeply rooted in Germanic history and Christian tradition, deriving from Old High German elements meaning 'ruler' and 'protection.' The name gained prominence through Saint Walburga, an 8th-century English missionary who became abbess of Heidenheim in Germany and was celebrated for her healing miracles. Her feast day on May 1st, known as Walpurgis Night, became a significant cultural event blending Christian observance with pre-Christian spring celebrations. Throughout medieval Germany, the name was particularly popular among noble families and religious orders, symbolizing both spiritual authority and protective leadership.



The name's association with protection and governance made it appealing for families seeking to bestow qualities of strength and guardianship upon their daughters. In Germanic folklore, names containing the 'wald' element were believed to confer protective qualities, making Walborgd a name chosen for those expected to provide leadership and safeguarding within their communities. The cultural significance extends to regional traditions where the name became associated with spring rituals and protective charms, particularly in rural areas where the connection between name meaning and perceived character traits remained strong into the modern era.
In contemporary naming practices, Watford maintains a niche presence as a distinctive Christian male name with strong English heritage. Its usage is most common in England and Commonwealth countries with Anglican traditions, particularly among families seeking names that honor both geographical roots and religious heritage. While never achieving widespread popularity, Watford has experienced minor resurgences during periods of renewed interest in traditional English names. The name appeals to parents who value its uniqueness, historical depth, and connection to Christian values without being overtly religious. Modern bearers of the name often come from families with multi-generational ties to specific English regions or Anglican church communities. The name's rarity in the 21st century makes it an exclusive choice that stands out while maintaining respectable traditional credentials, appealing to those who want a name that is both distinctive and grounded in history.
Individuals named Wolfgang are often perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities, intellectual depth, and creative talent. The name carries expectations of intelligence and artistic sensibility, likely influenced by famous bearers like Mozart and Goethe. They are typically seen as determined and persistentcharacteristics symbolized by the 'advancing' element of the namecombined with the wolf's attributes of loyalty to their pack (family and close friends) and strategic thinking.



Wolfgangs are often expected to be independent thinkers who march to their own drum, yet maintain strong social bonds and protective instincts toward those they care about. The name suggests someone with both wild creativity and disciplined advancement, able to balance artistic expression with practical achievement. This combination often results in individuals who are both visionary and grounded, capable of pursuing ambitious goals while maintaining meaningful relationships and demonstrating reliability and strength in challenging situations.
Individuals named Zudora typically exhibit remarkable determination and a strong work ethic. They approach challenges with practical wisdom and persistence, often becoming the backbone of their families and communities. Their inherent reliability makes them trusted figures who others turn to in times of need, and they derive deep satisfaction from completing tasks thoroughly and efficiently.



Zudoras tend to be grounded, patient, and methodical in their approach to life. They possess a quiet strength that enables them to endure difficulties without complaint, and they often serve as stabilizing forces in turbulent situations. While they may not seek the spotlight, their consistent efforts and dependable nature earn them respect and admiration. Their personality combines traditional values with practical intelligence, making them excellent problem-solvers who transform obstacles into opportunities through sheer perseverance.



These individuals typically demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. They are often perceived as pillars of strength in their social circles, offering support through actions rather than words. Their commitment to seeing projects through to completion, combined with their practical approach to problem-solving, makes them invaluable in both professional and personal contexts.
The power of story.

Thats what Joey Seidman took away from one of his most meaningful classes at Emory, the Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases Project class, taught by Hank Klibanoff, teaching professor in the Creative Writing Program.

I think the biggest emotion that I got coming out of it was just, you know, how urgent this work is, he says. Its important to get all this information while we can.

Students in the cold cases class conduct original research on unpunished, racially motivated killings from the modern Civil Rights era in Georgia. The creative writing class is cross-listed with American Studies, the Department of History and the Department of African American Studies.

Under the supervision of Klibanoff, students also do archival research and interview experts and survivors to uncover new information. Their primary sources include FBI records, NAACP files, personal archives of historical figures, medical reports, court transcripts and more.

They really immerse themselves in the scholarship of the period to understand the context of history, says Klibanoff, adding, Rather than focusing on who-done-it  since we almost always know that already  we are exploring the historical why.

Since getting its start in 2011, the class has done in-depth research on multiple cases, adding critical puzzle pieces to what is known about crimes whose facts have long remained murky or incomplete. The project has also led to the discovery of victims graves and healing conversations among descendants and survivors.

While contributing to Civil Rights history, the class also informs the futures of Emory students who take it.

Seidman, who is training to be an epidemiologist, credits the class for teaching him how to be a good interviewer. He cites two strategies in particular.

One was, never, under any circumstances, to interrupt someone, and the other was to ask open-ended questions, he says.

Seidman, who graduated in May with a bachelors degree in biology and a minor in African American studies, continues to hone his skills through practice interviews as he pursues a masters degree at Emorys Rollins School of Public Health.

You know, someone has salmonella or whatever, and you interview them and say, What did you eat? You have to know how to get valuable answers, Seidman says, adding that the cold cases class taught him how to truly listen.

Seidman is not the only student who learned specific skills and larger lessons from the cold cases class  lessons which lasted long beyond their days in the classroom.

Very real from the beginning

Oli Turner recalls her first day of class in 2023, when a thick packet of primary-source material about the death of Clarence Pickett landed on the desk of every student.

It was profound, says Turner. You were looking at the actual documents, including police reports and FBI files. And just being able to hold a tangible booklet full of that information made this feel very real from the very beginning.

Pickett was a Black pastor who grappled with mental illness, including a stay at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville. In 1957, he was beaten and kicked by a police officer in a Columbus, Georgia jail. He died after an examining physician dismissed his complaints of severe abdominal pain.

Inspired by the power of primary source documents, Turner went on to do an independent study with the project. She used newspaper archives to identify jury pool members for the trial of the police officer who was acquitted of assaulting Pickett. What she learned added more context to the climate of bias.

I looked at their addresses and made a map of where they were, she says, and it turns out that everyone who was picked was a close neighbor of the [white] guy selecting the jury in a segregated neighborhood.

Turner, who majored in English and creative writing, graduated in May. After graduating, she landed a summer internship at WABE, which produces Buried Truths, a podcast based on the course and hosted by Klibanoff that has drawn more than 3.5 million listeners. An earlier season of the show earned Peabody, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward R. Murrow and American Bar Association Silver Gavel awards.

Turner worked on season five, which launched this fall and tells Picketts story.

The research of Emory students shapes every detail  from what a 1957 physician would have known of peritonitis, the infection in Picketts ruptured colon tissue that ultimately killed him  to other incidents of racial violence that had Black Columbus residents on edge that year.

One class even discovered Picketts grave, enabling a surviving great-grandnephew in New York to place a new granite cover over the weather-worn and badly disintegrated marker.

As a production assistant, Turner was able to use her deep knowledge of the case to help shape the show, providing feedback on scripts and the recording process.

She doubts the passion for investigation sparked by the class will go away any time soon.

These days, shes a journalism fellow at Saporta Report, an Atlanta news site. Shes also writing a book based on her creative writing honors thesis, about Atlanta playwright, activist and poet Rebecca Ranson.

The class helped me realize that research is not some nebulous, hard thing, she says, but rather an accessible tool for connecting  and connecting others  to real history.

Inspiring a life in public service storytelling

The cold cases class taught Sonam Vashi the power of one persons story.

Vashi worked for the student newspaper the Emory Wheel before graduating with a bachelors degree in journalism and political science in 2015.

Her cold cases class investigated the case of James Brazier, who was harassed, jailed and killed by police in Dawson, Georgia, in 1958, after purchasing and driving a new Chevrolet Impala.

Being able to look at the life of one person, you realize, Wow, this is really about someones life, and not just one persons life, but all the people touched by this era, Vashi says.

Her final paper for the class included an examination of a witnesss testimony, which she contends was likely scripted by police.

By going through primary documents and understanding the facts for ourselves, she says, the class teaches that the first story, or the loudest story, is not always the truest one.

In 2020, Vashi co-founded Canopy Atlanta, a journalistic platform for residents of communities underserved by mainstream media.

Today, she works for the nonprofit City Bureau, which trains people around the country in the skills of reporting, leadership and public engagement.

The throughline in all her work, which she traces back to the class, is really to take a critical analysis of what narratives exist, she says, and consider whose voices are missing.

It laid the groundwork for my entire career.

Mary Claire Kelly was also part of a class that investigated the Brazier case.

It just felt like it was very much a privilege to tell these peoples stories in a comprehensive way, says Kelly.

This was especially true when The Big Roundtable, a literary magazine (now the Delacorte Review), selected Kellys honors thesis for publication.

After the piece came out, I was nervous for days, she says, just wondering: Have I done this story justice?

After graduating in 2014 with a degree in journalism and history, Kelly took a job in broadcast journalism.

Recalling how much shed loved examining trial transcripts in the cold cases class, however, she soon began studying for the bar exam.

Today, a graduate of Harvard Law School, Kelly is a staff attorney at Atlanta Legal Aid. The organization provides free, civil legal help to people in need.

Learning about Jim Crow in the state where I live stuck with me and made me feel very tied to my own role here, she says. Its like getting to know someone, including all their faults. And as deep as those faults may be, you learn to love that person more deeply for them.

Cold case classes continue to break new ground

Turn to page six, Hank Klibanoff instructs the 12 students in his current class, prompting a rustle of paper as they flip through thick packets of primary-source documents. Each contains granular details about the last days of Clarence Picketts life and the investigations and trial that followed.

What dates would you identify here? asks Klibanoff, prompting students to decode the faint, photocopied type of an FBI interview transcript from 1958.

The goal, he tells them, is absolute understanding of the case, from the inside out, before they identify a paper topic that interests them.

It could be the administration of justice, says Klibanoff. It could be the doctor in this case. What's his background? It could be the politics at the time. Or the state of medical care  and medical racism.

As archival information becomes increasingly digitized, he says, there are always more discoveries to be made.

Since 2022, when the U.S. Senate confirmed Klibanoff to the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board, he has helped expedite disclosure of more government-held records. Gabrielle Dudley, assistant director of public services with Emorys Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library, was also confirmed to the board.

A journalists curiosity motivates him the most, Klibanoff says. He also appreciates the connections the cold cases project draws between Civil Rights history writ large and the lives of individual people.

He recalls standing at the grave of Bessie Carter, whose husband, Dover, experienced racial violence in the 1950s in Montgomery County, Georgia.

She lived until 2009, says Klibanoff, his voice breaking. This woman was with her husband on election day in 1948, when he gets beat up for shuttling Black people to vote. And we know that she lived long enough to vote for the first Black president. And, as you can see on her headstone, she died five days after he was inaugurated.

I mean, that's just connecting dots of history, he says. I think that's what the best historians can do, anyway.
DNA sequencing technology makes it possible to explore the genome to learn how humans adapted to live in a wide range of environments. Research has shown, for instance, that Tibetans living at high altitude in the Himalayas have a unique variant of a gene that expands the oxygen-carrying capacity of their blood.

Scientists, however, have not found a strong signal for this high-altitude gene in the genomes of Indigenous people living in the Andes Mountains of South America. Its been less clear how people adapted to the altitudes greater than 2,500 meters in the Andean highlands, where low-oxygen levels, frigid temperatures and intense ultraviolet radiation make life challenging in the extreme.

A study led by anthropologists at Emory University took a new approach to explore this Andean mystery.

Rather than scan the whole genome of Indigenous people to look for alterations in the genetic code, the researchers scanned the entire methylome. The methylome reveals what are called epigenetic changes in the genome  how genes are expressed in response to the environment through a chemical process known as DNA methylation.

The journal Environmental Epigenetics published the research, which adds to the evidence that epigenetics may play a bigger role in adaptation than previously realized.

The researchers compared the methylomes of 39 individuals from two modern-day Indigenous populations: the Kichwa from the Andean highlands of Ecuador and the Ashaninka from the lowland Amazon Basin along the Peruvian border of Ecuador.

This is the first whole methylome data on these two populations, says Yemko Pryor, first author of the study, who led the project as an Emory PhD student. Unlike many methylome studies that focus on just a few hundred thousand sites throughout the genome, we looked at all three million base pairs to see what we would find.

The results identified strong differences in DNA methylation between the low- and high-altitude populations for the PSMA8 gene, associated with regulation of the vascular system, and for the FST gene, associated with regulating muscles in the heart.

The second strongest signal detected in the high-altitude population compared to the low-altitude population was for genes within the P13K/AKT pathway, which is associated with muscle growth and the creation of new blood vessels.

The researchers hypothesize that the interplay between these epigenetic differences may help explain the increased muscularization of small arteries and higher blood viscosity that has been found in high-altitude Andean populations. These differences, they explain, may represent a unique vascular adaptation to a low-oxygen environment distinct from those found in Tibetan populations.

And the researchers note that the P13K/AKT pathway has been implicated in arteriole wall thickening under low-oxygen conditions in rats, as well as in human cells. Arteriole wall thickening in humans has been linked to the development of pulmonary hypertension, which is more common in Andean highlanders compared to other highland populations, they write.

The current study also identified strong differences between the two populations in the methylation of 39 pigmentation-related genes, which may help explain adaptation by the high-altitude population to strong ultraviolet radiation.

The findings are particularly interesting because were not seeing these strong signals in the genome but when we look at the methylome, we are seeing these changes, says John Lindo, Emory associate professor of anthropology and senior author of the study.

Gene selection theory holds that a gene that helps a population to adapt over time needs to be reliably inherited and therefore would show up in the genetic code of the genome. An epigenetic change, however, represents a more flexible response to an environmental influence, which would not necessarily be passed down to offspring.

The Kichwa population that participated in our study did not just arrive in the Andean highlands  their ancestors had been living there for nearly 10,000 years, Lindo says. Our findings suggest that epigenetics can contribute to adaptation in a longstanding way.

Co-authors of the current paper include scientists from Central University of Ecuador; the Institute of Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Lima, Peru; the State University of Rio de Janeiro; and the University of Pavia in Pavia, Italy.

Lindo established the Lindo Ancient DNA Laboratory at Emory in 2020. The state-of-the-art facility is one of the handful of ancient DNA labs in the country and one of the few in the world involved in every step of the complex process of solving mysteries surround ancient remains. A focus of the lab is exploring how environmental changes  including those caused by European contact  affected the biology of Indigenous and other populations of the Americas.

I was one of the first graduate students to join the lab, says Pryor, who received her PhD from Emory in June. I learned how to build a lab from the ground up while also getting hands-on analytical and technical skills.

While much of the labs work centers on ancient DNA, it also spans analyses of modern-day Indigenous populations, both for comparative studies and to fill in gaps around key questions when ancient samples are lacking.

The Emory lab builds relationships with Indigenous populations and local scientists, establishing full collaborations to conduct the research and ensuring that the participating communities have access to the findings.

As part of her Emory experience, Pryor traveled to Ecuador to meet with local archaeologists and members of Indigenous communities participating in some of the labs research projects.

As a scientist doing research on humans, its also important to go beyond the data and be in community with people, she says. As much as I love doing analyses in the lab, it was a beautiful experience for me to get to go into the field and engage directly with people there.

A key component of the current paper will be workshops that the team will hold to convey their findings directly to the Kichwa and Ashaninka communities. Co-author Daniel Rivas Alava, an Emory graduate student of anthropology and a native of Ecuador, is currently developing the Kichwa workshop.

Pryor graduated from Emory in June and is now a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Tina Lasisi at the University of Michigan, researching the evolution and genetic basis of variation in human characteristics, with a focus on pigmentation and hair.

Im applying many of the techniques I learned at Emory, especially computational skills, Pryor says. My dream is to stay in academia and start my own ancient DNA lab one day.
U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski will present the Morton-Kenney Lecture on Nov. 24. (Photo provided)

SIUs Morton-Kenney Lecture features Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois will reflect on her time in Congress, her efforts to strengthen families and her perspective on how federal policy can support economic growth in the state and nation when she presents the fall 2025 Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in SIU Student Center Ballroom B.

The discussion with John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, is free and open to the public. A reception is set for 5 p.m. in the Student Centers John W. Corker Lounge. The lecture is hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the political science program within the School of Anthropology, Political Science and Sociology within the College of Liberal Arts. Pre-registration is not required but encouraged.

Nikki Budzinski is a rising star in the Illinois congressional delegation and in the U.S. Congress, Shaw said. She is a practical problem solver who is sharply focused on the challenges facing working people.

Media availability

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski and the Morton-Kenney Lecture. For more information or to arrange for interviews, contact Will Becque, institute communications and marketing coordinator, at 618-453-4009 or william.becque@siu.edu.

Shaw noted that Budzinski, D-Springfield and a native of Peoria, once interned for the institutes founder, former U.S. Senator Paul Simon.

She has worked closely with labor unions, he said. The congresswoman has a strong expertise in federal budget issues and is regarded as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress. We are eager to learn her perspectives on the congressional agenda in the aftermath of the protracted government shutdown and also learn more about her 13th Congressional District.

Discussion will address on several topics

Budzinski, who joined Congress in January 2023, said she is honored to present this lecture.

I plan to reflect on my service in Congress and my fight for working people  the people who built this country, Budzinski said. I hope the audience takes away that supporting working families through strong policy and investment isnt just the right thing to do  its essential to a thriving state and nation. In these difficult times, I also want folks to know that government can work for them  and that there are still leaders fighting every day to make that happen.

Favors bipartisan solutions

Budzinski is vice chair of policy for the New Democrat Coalition, a group of 115 House Democrats seeking to end partisan divides. Its vital to work across the aisle, she said.

Ive always said Ill work with anyone whos willing to help my communities  and that hasnt changed, Budzinski said. Despite the chaos weve seen in Congress, Ive stayed focused on delivering results. Im fighting for funding, for jobs, for health care and for the resources our families need. When someone across the aisle is ready to work toward that same goal, Im ready to work with them.

Weve had success. Every single bill I have introduced in this Congress has been bipartisan. Two bills have passed out of the House, and another has already been signed into law. Make no mistake  working across the aisle is important, but Ill never abandon my communities or their priorities just to make a deal. My goal is to lift people up and make sure their needs are front and center  thats what real bipartisanship should look like.

Wide district

Budzinski also serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, where she is the ranking member on the technology modernization subcommittee. She is also vice chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, where she founded the Climate Jobs Task Force.

Before her election to Congress, Budzinskis career included serving as chief of staff of the Office of Management and Budget, senior adviser to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and working with various trade unions.

Illinois 13th Congressional District snakes through parts of central and Southern Illinois and includes Macoupin County and parts of St. Clair, Madison, Sangamon, Piatt, Macon and Champaign counties, including Champaign, Urbana, Decatur and Springfield.

Morton-Kenney Lecture

The Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture Series is presented in the spring and fall of each academic year. The late Jerome Mileur, an SIU alumnus, established the series in 1995 in honor of two of his political science professors  Ward Morton and David Kenney  who inspired him as a student. Originally from Murphysboro, Mileur was a professor emeritus in political science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
(From left) SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Wendell Williams and Director of Undergraduate Admissions Sarah Jiter celebrate the launch of the Saluki Start Dual Enrollment Program.

High school students can get jumpstart on college with SIU Carbondale initiative

by Kim Rendfeld

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Starting next semester, students in 26 high schools can take college courses tuition-free from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a top-tier research institution.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane and leaders at partner high schools throughout Southern Illinois signed a memorandum of understanding for the Saluki Start Dual Enrollment Program.

At Southern, we are committed to expanding access to education and fostering student success, especially to high school students in our own backyard, Lane said. It is part of what makes SIU Carbondale an Opportunity University. Plus, students will get the resources of a Research 1 institution.

SIU Carbondale is one of only 21 institutions in the country to be included on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Educations lists for Research 1  the same as flagship universities and elite private schools  and Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which provide affordability and a significant return on investment.

Students will receive online instruction from SIU faculty members, taking one SIU Carbondale course per term, and they can apply the credit hours they earn toward a degree.

High school students participating in Saluki Start will get a preview of what makes an education at SIU Carbondale special, said Sarah Jiter, director of undergraduate admissions. If they get an early start on their college journey with us, we will provide a smooth transition to continuing their education on our beautiful campus close to home.

To participate, high school students must be recommended by their schools, have completed two years of high school, have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have demonstrated an aptitude and readiness for college-level coursework.

Partner high schools in Southern Illinois are:
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Expert Consumers has recognized Northwest Registered Agent as the Best Website Host for Identity Privacy (2025), citing its focus on security, transparency, and user control in business hosting. The recognition highlights Northwest's commitment to protecting personal and corporate data through a system that values privacy by design.

Best Website Host for Identity Privacy

Northwest Registered Agent - known for its Business Identity services, which combine business formation, web hosting, mail scanning, and communication tools under one secure system. The company helps entrepreneurs establish and manage their businesses with built-in privacy, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected at every step.

In today's digital economy, a company's website is more than an address online. It serves as a storefront, brand identity, and customer touchpoint. For new and growing businesses, web hosting has become an important decision that shapes both performance and credibility. Yet as more companies move online, concerns around data exposure and identity theft continue to rise.

Businesses now face the challenge of maintaining visibility while protecting private information. Domains often reveal ownership details through public databases, and many hosting providers rely on third-party platforms that store or sell customer data. For organizations seeking to safeguard their reputation and client trust, secure hosting has become essential.

The Shift Toward Privacy-First Hosting

Expert Consumers' recognition reflects a broader shift in how businesses evaluate hosting providers. Privacy features once considered optional are now viewed as standard requirements. Data leaks, unauthorized tracking, and digital profiling have made small business owners more aware of how their information is handled.

Northwest Registered Agent addresses these issues through its Privacy by Default model. This system automatically minimizes data exposure without requiring customers to configure settings or pay extra for protection. Each hosted domain includes WHOIS privacy at no cost, keeping ownership details off public record databases.

Secure Business Hosting

Northwest's hosting environment is designed for transparency and control. Websites are hosted on internal servers operated by the company, ensuring that no third parties have access to client data. Domains, email, and hosting are all managed through a single account dashboard, reducing reliance on external vendors.

Each hosting plan includes a free custom domain for the first year, SSL security, open-source WordPress support, and direct setup assistance. Businesses receive 5 GB of storage, 50 GB of bandwidth, and 512 MB of memory, offering stable performance for small and midsize websites.

The company's hosting model emphasizes ownership. Clients can transfer their websites or domains at any time without penalties or restrictive contracts. Data remains in the customer's control from setup through migration.

The Business Identity Bundle

Northwest's Business Identity bundle integrates legal and digital setup into one process. When forming a business through Northwest or subscribing to its registered agent service, clients can activate a complete business identity package that includes a custom domain, website hosting, business email, and a dedicated phone line.

All services are free for the first 90 days, followed by monthly subscriptions that can be managed or canceled directly from the user dashboard. Each component - domain, hosting, email, and phone - costs $9 per month or less with bundle discounts.

This approach reflects Northwest's view that forming a company and building its online presence should be part of the same workflow. Entrepreneurs can launch their businesses, secure a web presence, and protect their data without relying on multiple providers.

Human-Centered Support

Every Northwest account is supported by the company's Corporate Guides, a team of specialists who assist with setup and ongoing maintenance. These professionals bring experience in law, accounting, and business compliance, providing informed help rather than scripted responses.

Corporate Guides assist clients in selecting a domain, customizing initial website pages, and ensuring that hosting and email settings meet privacy and security standards. For business owners unfamiliar with website design, the guides can build a basic WordPress site as part of the setup process.

This hands-on support model differentiates Northwest from larger hosting providers that rely heavily on automated chat or ticket systems. Each interaction is handled by a trained expert who understands the practical requirements of running a compliant and credible business.

Privacy by Default

At the core of Northwest's recognition is its Privacy by Default philosophy. The company's infrastructure and policies are built to ensure that no customer data is sold, shared, or stored by third-party systems. All operations are handled in-house, giving clients complete confidence in how their information is managed.

This approach aligns with growing global awareness of digital privacy and the responsibilities of service providers in protecting user data. Northwest's refusal to outsource or monetize customer information reflects an operational independence that few companies maintain.

By combining formation services, compliance tools, and hosting under one system, Northwest offers a model where privacy and practicality coexist. Businesses can maintain transparency with their customers while keeping ownership of their internal data.

A Practical Choice for Privacy-Minded Businesses

Expert Consumers' review notes that Northwest Registered Agent delivers a clear solution for small businesses seeking reliable hosting without sacrificing privacy. Its system eliminates many of the compromises that come with shared platforms or third-party vendors.

Entrepreneurs can form their business, register a domain, build a website, and manage communications in a single, secure ecosystem. Each service reinforces the same principle: privacy is not an upgrade, it is the standard.

Northwest's straightforward pricing, transparent policies, and in-house data practices make it a strong choice for founders who prioritize control over their information.

The full review of Northwest Registered Agent's hosting and business identity services is available at Expert Consumers .

About Northwest Registered Agent: Northwest Registered Agent LLC was founded in 1998 to provide registered agent and business filing services to companies across the United States. From being the first registered agent to locally deliver documents in real-time to building a client's business identity in minutes, Northwest Registered Agent LLC is always at the forefront of innovation in the industry. Visit the website at www.northwestregisteredagent.com .

About ExpertConsumers.org: Expert Consumers delivers news and insights on consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Expert Consumers may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

SOURCE ExpertConsumers.org
AUSTIN, Texas and TOKYO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to DataM Intelligence, the Capability Center Services Market Size was USD 172.34 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 403.22 billion by 2032, expanding at a strong CAGR of 11.21% between 2025 and 2032. The market is experiencing an unprecedented surge driven by rapid enterprise digitalization, AI-native business transformation, demand for cost optimization, and the transition toward global capability centers (GCCs), hybrid centers, and advanced shared-services models.

Over the last decade, capability centers-also known as GCCs, GBS centers, COEs (Centers of Excellence), and offshore innovation hubs-have evolved from low-cost delivery units to strategic value-creation engines. Today, GCCs drive cloud modernization, cybersecurity, automation, AI engineering, advanced analytics, product development, R&D, customer operations, and enterprise-wide digital initiatives for Fortune 500 and large multinational enterprises.

The rise of GenAI, hyperautomation, distributed cloud architectures, hybrid work models, and vertical digital services is shaping the next era of capability center services across India, Philippines, Poland, Mexico, UAE, Vietnam, Malaysia, Portugal, and Latin America.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Capability Center Services Market"

77  Tables

86  Figures

228  Pages

Market Overview: GCCs Shift from Cost Arbitrage to Strategic Digital Value Engines

Global enterprise digital transformation investments surpassing USD 3.4 trillion by 2030

investments surpassing USD 3.4 trillion by 2030 Acceleration of AI adoption , with more than 60% of GCCs building AI/ML and automation COEs

, with more than 60% of GCCs building AI/ML and automation COEs Cloud-first modernization , with enterprises reducing on-prem workloads by 5070%

, with enterprises reducing on-prem workloads by 5070% Cost optimization , driving consolidation of global functions into unified capability centers

, driving consolidation of global functions into unified capability centers Talent realignment , with GCCs becoming key hubs for engineering, R&D, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, DataOps, and domain-led innovation

, with GCCs becoming key hubs for engineering, R&D, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, DataOps, and domain-led innovation Increasing preference for captive and hybrid GBS models among U.S., European, and APAC enterprises

among U.S., European, and APAC enterprises Industry-specific capability maturity, especially in BFSI, healthcare, retail, telecom, and manufacturing

Market Segmentation Analysis

By Service Type (IT Services, BPM, KPO, Engineering & R&D, Finance & Accounting, HR Services, Others)

In 2024, Information Technology (IT) Services dominated the capability center landscape, capturing nearly 46% of the global market, equivalent to USD 79.25 billion. This segment includes cloud migration, application modernization, cybersecurity, infrastructure services, enterprise platforms, and AI/data engineering-areas where GCCs have become global leaders. The shift toward hybrid cloud, SRE (Site Reliability Engineering), DevSecOps, and AI-native operations continues to strengthen this category.

Business Process Management (BPM) Services accounted for 22% (USD 37.9 billion), driven by enterprise demand for digitized customer operations, omnichannel CX, claims processing, KYC, underwriting, policy servicing, and supply chain automation.

Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) Services held 12% (USD 20.7 billion), supported by analytics COEs, actuarial modeling, clinical research support, regulatory intelligence, pricing analytics, market research, and F&A insights functions.

Engineering & R&D Services represented 10% (USD 17.2 billion), driven by automotive, industrials, aerospace, and software product engineering. GCCs increasingly own prototyping, testing, embedded systems, and digital twin development for global enterprises.

Finance & Accounting Services contributed 7% (USD 12.06 billion), including FP&A, accounts payable, reconciliation, treasury, and digital finance transformation.

Human Resources (HR) Services accounted for 3% (USD 5.17 billion), driven by HR operations, talent acquisition, payroll, and HR analytics in shared-services environments.

By Ownership Model (Captive GCCs, Hybrid GCCs)

Captive (Fully Owned) GCCs dominated in 2024 with 78% share, contributing USD 134.43 billion. As enterprises pursue long-term digital capability ownership, most new GBS investments-especially in India, Poland, and Mexico-are being set up as fully-owned centers with deeper integration into HQ decision-making.

Hybrid GCCs, with shared-risk operating models and co-managed service delivery between the client and partner organizations, accounted for 22%, representing USD 37.91 billion. This model is rising in manufacturing, retail, utilities, telecom, and mid-sized enterprises looking for lower upfront investment with scalability.

By Application (BFSI, IT & Telecom, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing & Engineering, Retail & E-commerce, Others)

Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) emerged as the largest application segment, capturing 31% share in 2024, equal to USD 53.42 billion. BFSI GCCs lead global transformation across risk analytics, compliance, underwriting automation, financial crime prevention, digital banking, fraud analytics, and cybersecurity.

Information Technology & Telecom accounted for 26% (USD 44.81 billion), driven by cloud engineering, network operations, 5G deployment, AI-driven service assurance, and platform modernization.

Healthcare & Life Sciences represented 13% (USD 22.40 billion), driven by rising demand for clinical operations support, RWE/HEOR analytics, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, and payer/provider digital transformation capabilities.

Manufacturing & Engineering contributed 15% (USD 25.85 billion), supported by digital factories, robotics automation, digital twins, CAD/CAE engineering, and predictive maintenance analytics.

Retail & E-commerce accounted for 10% (USD 17.23 billion), fueled by omni-channel automation, supply chain analytics, digital merchandising, and AI-based personalization engines.

The remaining 5% included utilities, travel, media, and public-sector transformation projects.

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U.S. & Japan Market Insights: Two of the Fastest-Growing Enterprise Hubs

United States

The U.S. accounted for 38% of the global capability center services market, representing USD 65.49 billion in 2024. U.S. enterprises across BFSI, retail, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing continue to expand GBS/GCC footprints in India, Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam, Poland, and Costa Rica.

Recent Drivers:

U.S. enterprise GCC expansion increased 23% YoY .

. More than 140 new capability centers were established globally by U.S.-based firms.

were established globally by U.S.-based firms. GenAI adoption in GCCs rose 48% , primarily in product engineering and customer operations.

, primarily in product engineering and customer operations. Cloud modernization investments surged 33% YoY, strengthening IT & BPM demand.

Japan

Japan contributed approximately 9% of the global market, equal to USD 15.51 billion in 2024. Japanese enterprises rapidly expanded offshore and nearshore centers as part of their digital transformation mandates.

Key Indicators:

Over 60 Japanese firms opened or expanded capability centers in India and ASEAN in 2024.

opened or expanded capability centers in India and ASEAN in 2024. Japan's enterprise automation spending grew 28% YoY , boosting BPM and IT service demand.

, boosting BPM and IT service demand. Strong push toward semiconductor R&D, factory automation, and engineering GCCs.

Competitive Landscape: Leading Players Transforming the GCC Ecosystem

The market is highly competitive, with-it services giants, consulting firms, and digital engineering companies providing end-to-end GCC setup, scaling, transformation, and managed services.

Key Players Include:

A ccenture Plc

Capgemini SE

Genpact Limited

IBM Corporation

Infosys Limited

Wipro Limited

NTT DATA Corporation

HCL Technologies Limited

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS)

These companies collectively support more than 65% of global GCC transformation programs, ranging from center setup and operating model redesign to AI engineering, cybersecurity, and enterprise digital transformation.

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Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Capability Centers

Between 2025 and 2032, the capability center landscape will undergo significant transformation driven by:

AI-native GCCs built for generative AI, large language models (LLMs), autonomous operations, and MLOps

built for generative AI, large language models (LLMs), autonomous operations, and MLOps Hyperautomation (RPA, IDP, workflow orchestration) integrated across BPM and KPO

(RPA, IDP, workflow orchestration) integrated across BPM and KPO Enterprise-wide cloud modernization and FinOps-driven cloud cost optimization

and FinOps-driven cloud cost optimization Digital engineering COEs supporting product development, automotive software, and IoT platforms

supporting product development, automotive software, and IoT platforms E2E cybersecurity command centers addressing zero-trust, SOC modernization, and global threat operations

addressing zero-trust, SOC modernization, and global threat operations Multi-country GCC footprints , replacing single-location concentration risks

, replacing single-location concentration risks GBS-as-a-Product operating models, improving agility and business outcome ownership

Conclusion: GCCs are Now the Backbone of Global Enterprise Digital Transformation

As global enterprises accelerate modernization, capability centers have become mission-critical to achieve scale, digital resilience, operating efficiency, and innovation speed. With demand rising across IT, BPM, analytics, engineering, AI, and cloud services, the global Capability Center Services Market is positioned for sustained, double-digit growth through 2032.

Enterprises that build future-ready GCCs-powered by AI, automation, cloud, and domain-led expertise-will unlock competitive advantage, operational savings, and long-term innovation capability.

Related Report:

Robotic Process Automation Market Size to Surge from US$3.1B in 2022 to US$23.3B by 2030 - 28.8% CAGR. Digital Transformation Market Size Set to Triple to Over US$ 3 Trillion by 2030.

About DataM Intelligence

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SOURCE DataM Intelligence 4 Market Research LLP
The domestic stock markets opened on a positive note on Wednesday, supported by strong global cues after Nvidia delivered yet another set of blockbuster numbers and boosted confidence around the AI hyperscaling cycle. The upbeat sentiment pushed both the benchmark indices into the green at the opening bell, with investors tracking firm movements in US futures and gains across Asian technology stocks. The Nifty 50 index opened at 26,132.10, rising 79.45 points or 0.30 per cent, while the BSE Sensex started the session at 85,462.78, gaining 276.31 points or 0.32 per cent. With this momentum, both indices inched closer to their record highs--Nifty's all-time high of 26,277.37 and the Sensex peak of 85,978.25, both touched in September 2024. Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, told ANI that the Indian markets were positioned for a "subdued but positive reaction" with a firm opening expected. "Focus is on the US-India trade deal plus the upcoming visit of Russian President Putin to India which will seal a slew of deals. Nvidia delivered blockbuster numbers and reassured markets on the AI hyperscaling cycle with a strong guidance. US futures are dancing upwards and Asian tech stocks are up, leading the regional indices upwards," he said. The broader market also mirrored the upbeat sentiment. On the NSE, the Nifty 100 rose 0.32 per cent, the Nifty Midcap 100 gained 0.37 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 was up 0.39 per cent, maintaining positive momentum across market segments. Among sectoral indices, Nifty Metal recorded the strongest start with a 0.6 per cent rise, followed by Nifty Auto, which increased 0.50 per cent. Nifty IT also traded higher in early deals. The Nifty FMCG index was flat but in the green with a 0.14 per cent gain, while Nifty Realty climbed 0.31 per cent and consumer durables gained 0.25 per cent. Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, noted that the Nifty 50 now has "enough global and domestic strength" to try breaking above its long-term rising resistance line from September 2024, a level tested several times through October 2025. He added that repeated tests of this zone indicate momentum is compressing for a decisive move. According to him, "A clear break above 26,100 could spark short covering and open a faster extension toward the horizontal resistance around the all-time high at 26,277. A sustained move above this level would mark a new lifetime high extension 26,500-27,000." He added that support has now shifted higher to 26,000, suggesting the market is showing comfort at elevated levels. Globally, markets were also reacting to the latest FOMC minutes, which were described as a "ho hum mixture of caution and hawkishness." However, the bigger driver for sentiment was Nvidia's strong earnings update, which not only boosted the company's outlook but offered what analysts called a "macro impacting earnings reassurance" for markets. (ANI)
PRNewswire Manila [Philippines], November 20: Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines' leading carrier, has been recognized by Brand Finance as the strongest airline brand in the ASEAN region, underscoring the airline's growing resonance with travelers and its reputation for value, reliability, and innovation. The award reflects Cebu Pacific's consistent efforts to make air travel more accessible while strengthening customer trust and loyalty through service improvements, digital transformation, and community engagement. "Being named the strongest airline brand in ASEAN reminds us that our strength comes from our people. We are grateful to our pilots, cabin crew, ground operations, customer care teams, and colleagues across the business who work tirelessly to serve our passengers with care and professionalism. Their collective efforts have strengthened our brand and earned the trust of millions of travelers across the region," said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific Chief Marketing and Customer Care Officer who personally received the award. "We are honored by the trust given to us, and we remain committed to making travel easier, friendlier, and more accessible for Filipinos and travelers across the region." The recognition comes from Brand Finance's latest valuation study, which provides a holistic view of brand strength by combining consumer perception and financial analysis. Drawing insights from 175,000 respondents across 41 countries, including 25,000 from the Asia Pacific region, the study measures awareness, consideration, and reputation across 31 sectors, covering 6,000 brands with nine years of data. Cebu Pacific achieved an AAA brand rating and a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 86.1. It also recorded an 86% increase in brand value to US$386 million this year from 2024. "Being the strongest airline brand in ASEAN means Cebu Pacific leads the region in these critical drivers of brand equity, outperforming competitors in both customer perception and operational reputation. This strength translates into greater resilience, and long-term growth potential. It reinforces Cebu Pacific's strong position in the airline sector and the impact of its brand, marketing, and customer initiatives," said Alex Haigh, Managing Director at Brand Finance Asia Pacific. Cebu Pacific entered the aviation industry on March 1996 and pioneered the "low fare, great value" strategy and has flown over 250 million passengers since inception. CEB offers the widest domestic network in the Philippines with 37 domestic and 26 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Brand Finance is the world's leading brand valuation consultancy. Bridging the gap between marketing and finance, Brand Finance evaluates the strength of brands and quantifies their financial value to help organizations make strategic decisions. Headquartered in London, Brand Finance operates in over 25 countries. Every year, Brand Finance conducts more than 6,000 brand valuations, supported by original market research, and publishes over 100 reports which rank brands across all sectors and countries. Our social media handles: Facebook: Cebu Pacific Air X: @CebuPacificAir Instagram: cebupacificair (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development official Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei on Thursday highlighted the growing strength of India-UAE economic ties during a business delegation's visit here in India. Addressing reporters here, the Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development emphasised that trade between the two countries has been rising rapidly and at the same time continues to present significant untapped potential. He has asserted that "there is room for more" for more bilateral trade and collaborations. According to him, the UAE considers India one of its most important strategic partners. "Thirty per cent of our businesses in Abu Dhabi (are) owned or co-owned by the Indians. And we have a strategic relationship. We're here. We're here not only to attract businesses, we want Indian companies to invest with us in Abu Dhabi or from Abu Dhabi to the world," he told reporters. Al Mazrouei pointed out that bilateral trade surpassed USD 65 billion in 2023, a figure that has doubled in recent years. He stressed that this momentum is expected to continue as both sides intensify cooperation across high-growth sectors such as food and agri-technology, health and health-tech, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure-related innovations. "There is room for more. We are doubling down on this, by focusing on important sectors like food, food tech, agri-tech, health tech and health, other important sectors such as digitalization and AI around infrastructure. These sectors we will be, doubling down on," he said. He explained that the new MoUs signed during the current visit are designed to streamline and expand trade flows, building on the UAE's network of more than 20 international economic agreements. These arrangements, he said, are structured to create smoother market access, encourage joint investment, and open new channels for business partnerships. Al Mazrouei added that Abu Dhabi offers strong infrastructure, robust platforms for global expansion, and an environment positioned as a launchpad for companies looking to scale internationally. "Abu Dhabi, the relationship with India goes back to the early 50s maybe. We feel we have the infrastructure, we feel we have great platforms, great launch pads, Abu Dhabi is a sandbox. Abu Dhabi is is a hub that come to trade especially in the last 5-10 years," he noted. (ANI)
New interactive digital experience invites audiences worldwide to explore Puerto Rico's cherished Christmas customs through storytelling, local artistry, and family connection

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the longest holiday season in the Western Hemisphere, Discover Puerto Rico, the Island's official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), proudly launches Mi Casa, Mi Navidad, an immersive digital experience that allows users to truly engage with the warmth, joy, and unique traditions of the Puerto Rican holiday season. Inspired by an original storybook illustrated by a local artist, this interactive hub brings to life the Island's culture, music, and flavors through interactive storytelling and gamified elements.

Discover Puerto Rico launches Mi Casa, Mi Navidad, an immersive digital experience that introduces users to the Puerto Rican holiday season.

The experience features a dedicated landing page, a bilingual digital storybook, an immersive audio narration, and Holiday recipes, bringing the magic of Puerto Rican holidays into homes everywhere.

This innovative platform reflects Discover Puerto Rico's commitment to celebrating the rich culture of the Island, educating visitors, and preserving multi-generational stories for years to come.

Developed in collaboration with acclaimed local artists Mundo Nana & Nina and illustrator Waldemar Lozada, Mi Casa, Mi Navidad blends technology and tradition to offer a virtual window into a Puerto Rican home during the holidays.

"It's important to us to share the richness of Boricua traditions with everyone, whether you're part of the Puerto Rican diaspora, a local resident, a visitor to our Island, or someone discovering our culture for the first time," said Dalissa Zeda, Digital Marketing Director at Discover Puerto Rico. "With Mi Casa, Mi Navidad, we want people everywhere to experience the warmth and togetherness that define our holiday season."

"This launch is a vibrant tribute to Puerto Rico's culture and the joy that unites us during the holidays," added Storm Tussey, Chief Marketing Officer at Discover Puerto Rico. "Through this initiative, we're inviting visitors to connect authentically with the Island and experience the true spirit first-hand."

Experience Highlights

Virtual Interactive Hub: A dedicated landing page connecting all campaign elements: the storybook, audio narration, and downloadable recipe "gifts."





A dedicated landing page connecting all campaign elements: the storybook, audio narration, and downloadable recipe "gifts." Bilingual Digital Storybook (eBook): A four-chapter story available in English and Spanish that follows two sisters visiting Puerto Rico and rediscovering the meaning of Christmas through family traditions.





A four-chapter story available in English and Spanish that follows two sisters visiting Puerto Rico and rediscovering the meaning of Christmas through family traditions. Audiobook: A bilingual, immersive audio version of the storybook, enriched with ambient sounds like coqui frogs, laughter, and traditional instruments that bring each chapter to life.





A bilingual, immersive audio version of the storybook, enriched with ambient sounds like frogs, laughter, and traditional instruments that bring each chapter to life. Iconic Puerto Rican Recipes: Traditional Holiday recipes inspired by the Nochebuena chapter, featuring dishes such as asopao, arroz con gandules, and coquito.

A Story of Family, Tradition, and Discovery

Audiences follow sisters Lara and Lia as they reconnect with their Puerto Rican roots, guided by Abuela and Abuelo. Along the way, they discover the joy of parrandas, learn about Los Reyes Magos, and experience the meaning of Nochebuena. The narrative is nostalgic and warm, highlighting family unity, cultural pride, and the rhythm of Boricua life.

"Seeing our childhood come to life through our words and Waldemar's illustrations has been the most special part of this collaboration, reflecting our Puerto Rican roots and the love of family," said Caroll and Joanne Lopez of creative studio Mundo Nana & Nina. "We are thrilled to imagine every family connecting with this story and enjoying it as much as we do."

"Collaborating with Discover Puerto Rico and so many talented people ensures that this heartfelt project will reach audiences both on and beyond the Island," added illustrator Waldemar Lozada. "As a Puerto Rican artist, it's a wonderful opportunity to share my work and passion for art with the world."

Launch and Access

The launch of Mi Casa, Mi Navidad marks the start of a phased content rollout throughout the holiday season, with new chapters, collaborations, and cultural spotlights unveiled in the coming weeks.

Audiences can visit the virtual hub starting November 20th to explore the storybook, listen to the audio experience, and discover recipes that bring Puerto Rico's festive joy into homes around the world. Visitors will also find resources to learn more about upcoming holiday events on the Island, including Three Kings Day, Octavitas, and Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian, which continue the celebration well into January.

To learn more and begin your journey, visit https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/mi-casa-mi-navidad

Download audios, images, and promotional videos: https://we.tl/t-swcNGmlZZC

About Discover Puerto Rico

Discover Puerto Rico is a private, not-for-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) whose mission is to make Puerto Rico visible to the world as a premier travel destination. The DMO brings prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico by collaboratively promoting the Island's diversity and uniqueness for leisure and business travel, and events. It is responsible for all global marketing, sales, and promotion of the destination and works collaboratively with key local governmental and nongovernmental players throughout Puerto Rico's visitor economy and the community at large, to empower economic growth. To discover all the beauty the Island has to offer, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com.

SOURCE Discover Puerto Rico
As per the information shared by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, these platforms have conducted internal self-audits or third-party audits to identify, assess and eliminate any presence of dark patterns.

These 26 companies have declared that their platforms are free from dark patterns and do not deploy any manipulative user interface designs, it added.

These digital platforms range across retail, travel, e-commerce, healthcare, and food delivery including Page Industries (Jockey, Speedo), William Penn (Sheaffer, Lapis Bard), Curaden India (Curaprox), Duroflex, MilBasket, Netmeds, Hamleys, Swiggy, Tata 1mg, and Zomato all reported that internal self-audits found their platforms free from dark patterns.

PharmEasy and BigBasket also completed internal reviews, with BigBasket noting that remedial measures have been implemented.

Zepto stated that its UI/UX has been audited with ongoing monitoring in place.

Several Reliance Retail platforms including Tira Beauty, JioMart, Reliance Jewels, Ajio, and Reliance Digital have confirmed compliance through internal declarations.

Further, large e-commerce and travel companies such as Flipkart, Myntra, Cleartrip, Walmart India, and Ixigo submitted third-party or internal assessments affirming that no dark patterns were detected.

In the declaration, MakeMyTrip specified that its platforms require explicit consumer consent with no pre-ticked boxes. Blinkit reported transparent, responsible design practices, while Meesho declared adherence to all 13 dark-pattern guidelines with regular checks.

"The proactive industry-wide compliance demonstrates a strong commitment towards consumer transparency, fair trade practices, and ethical digital ecosystems," a statement by the Consumer Affairs Ministry said.

This voluntary alignment underscores the fact that consumer protection and business growth can go hand-in-hand, strengthening brand trust and long-term credibility.

The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 was notified on 30 November 2023, to identify and prohibit 13 deceptive design practices that can mislead or manipulate consumers during online interactions.

These include False Urgency; Basket Sneaking; Confirm Shaming; Forced Action; Subscription Trap; Interface Interference; Bait & Switch; Drip Pricing; Disguised Advertisements; Nagging; Trick Wording; SaaS Billing; and Rogue Malwares.

Notably, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) had issued an Advisory on 5 June 2025, instructing all e-commerce platforms and online service providers to conduct a mandatory self-audit within three months to detect and eliminate dark patterns. (ANI)
VMPL Kinshasa [Democratic Republic of the Congo] / Singapore / Belem [Brazil], November 20: The Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy (DRC), M&M Greentech, and its technology partner TRST01, announces the launch of a pioneering initiative: the National Digital Carbon Credit Registry. This major advancement marks a decisive step in the DRC's journey toward transparent, sovereign, and technology-driven climate governance. Unveiled at COP30 in Brazil, the initiative positions the DRC as a global leader in sustainable natural-resource management and digital environmental accountability. Transforming Climate Governance Through Technology Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Her Excellency Dr. Marie Nyange Ndambo, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy, the DRC is implementing a comprehensive digital ecosystem governed by the Carbon Market Regulatory Authority (ARMCA) to monitor and manage its carbon assets, forest resources, and environmental impact. The initiative includes: - A National Carbon Credit Registry aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, enabling transparent registration and exchange of verified carbon credits and ITMOs. - An AI-powered deforestation monitoring system, using satellite imagery, GIS mapping, and real-time analytics to protect the Congo Basin the world's second-largest carbon sink. - Blockchain-based traceability systems for timber and natural resources, ensuring compliance with international sustainability standards and combating illegal exploitation. - Regulatory mechanisms linking verified environmental data to fiscal incentives, sanctions, and carbon-finance frameworks. - A National Validation and Assurance Framework, supported by multi-stakeholder participation, to define accreditation standards and project eligibility criteria. Partnerships for Sovereign Climate Solutions This collaboration brings together the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy of the DRC, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy, M&M Greentech, and TRST01 a leading company in sustainability data infrastructure, AI, and blockchain solutions. M&M Greentech will act as the system integrator, overseeing design, deployment, and regulatory compliance, while TRST01 will provide the Blockchain, Web3, and AI infrastructure ensuring immutability, transparency, advanced traceability, and sovereign interoperability of the National Carbon Registry's data. The Web3 layer enables cryptographic anchoring, decentralized verification, and secure programmable management of carbon assets, in line with international standards (Article 6.2, ITMO). According to Her Excellency Prof. Dr. Marie Nyange Ndambo, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy, Democratic Republic of Congo: "This is not simply a technology project it is a declaration of sovereignty and climate justice.The Congo Basin must not only be protected, but truly valued through transparent systems that recognize its ecological importance.The DRC is taking a decisive step toward a model where technology strengthens trust in climate action. Through this platform, we promote sustainable finance based on measurable and verifiable impact." Mr. Manoj Vembu, Executive Chairman of M&M Greentech and TRST01, adds: "Our collaboration with the DRC ensures that every environmental transaction from forest conservation to carbon-credit issuance remains traceable and verifiable on a secure, transparent blockchain. This sets a new global benchmark for integrity in carbon markets." Accelerating Africa's Green Transition The initiative is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), focusing on local capacity building, data sovereignty, and sustainable economic empowerment. All environmental data will remain the sovereign property of the DRC, hosted securely within national infrastructure under regulator-controlled access.The program also includes the creation of a Project Management Unit, a Technical Working Group, and an Independent Advisory Committee. The Ministry has also announced an international stakeholder forum in Kinshasa in 2026 to support project accreditation, technology transfer, and monetization of African carbon credits through verified channels. About the Partners Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy, DRC Through the Carbon Market Regulatory Authority (ARMCA), the Ministry is responsible for policy, governance, and regulation related to environmental protection, forest conservation, and climate action in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ministry of Digital Economy, DRC The Ministry leads the country's digital transformation and ensures national technological sovereignty. It oversees the deployment of critical digital infrastructure, the adoption of emerging technologies (blockchain, AI, IoT, cybersecurity), data governance, and regulatory frameworks tied to the digital economy.Within the Digital National Carbon Credit Registry, the Ministry ensures inter-institutional coherence, system interoperability, and compliance with international standards for sovereign digital services and data management. M&M Greentech, Singapore A global company specializing in environmental technologies, digital sustainability platforms, carbon-finance solutions, and natural-asset management. TRST01, Singapore An award-winning company specializing in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and sustainability data infrastructure, providing reliable digital systems for traceability, climate-data assurance, and ESG verification globally. Press Contacts Press Office - Ministry of Environment, DRCEmail: info@environnement.gouv.cd Media Relations - M&M GreentechEmail: media@mmgreentech.com Media Relations - TRST01Email: journey@trst01.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Thursday, highlighted India's approach to a common, affordable computing facility to democratisate technology, ensure equitable access, and drive inclusive growth. This vision is being realised through the creation of common, high-performance computing facilities and the IndiaAI Mission. Launched in March 2024, this mission aims to make artificial intelligence accessible to all by establishing a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem. While speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Minister Vaishnaw discussed the national common computing facility, equipped with around 38,000 GPUs. He said a national common computing facility equipped with around 38,000 GPUs is now available to researchers and students at a cost of less than one US dollar. He emphasised that this initiative has effectively equalised access to infrastructure and opened up opportunities in AI-related development. Ashwini Vaishnaw further noted that the current AI landscape spans three categories: large general-purpose models, small domain-focused industry models, and new research; each of these presents significant opportunities for India's technology ecosystem. "Our Prime Minister says we must democratise the technology, and this is what we have done, giving a large number of opportunities to a pool of researchers and innovators," he said. During the conversation, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that three technology-dominated countries, namely, the United States, China and India, will drive the future. "India's design capabilities, ability to look at very complex problems and solve them, and the ability to have a talent pool, which can be deployed in any major technological field, will hold us very strong going forward," he added. The minister highlighted the development in the semiconductor industry that India recorded in the last 3 years, as well as the space sector, where he said nearly 80 startups are now working in space technologies. He also talked about India's achievement in the startup sector, saying, "Just about 10 years ago, India had only about 400 to 500 startups. But today, the country accounts for over 190,000 startups, and it is among the top three startup ecosystems in the entire world." To avoid concentrating technological development in a few major cities, the government is expanding AI labs, 5G labs, and semiconductor training facilities to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The government is fostering the development of indigenous AI models and hardware, such as the THEJAS64 indigenous 64-bit SoC processor, to ensure self-reliance and data sovereignty. "In the last decade, so much simplification has happened, and so many constraints have been removed, leading the entrepreneurial energy to come forward. This is driving the technology and innovation in India," he said. (ANI)
Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), said on Thursday that Amul is exploring collaboration opportunities with Israeli companies to access cutting-edge technologies that can significantly enhance India's dairy productivity. Speaking in Tel Aviv as part of the 60-member business delegation accompanying Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Mehta said Israel's expertise in dairy technology could help India strengthen its position as the world's largest milk producer."We are exploring ways to collaborate with Israeli companies for technology to produce two-thirds of the world's milk," he said.Mehta noted that Israel's advancements in animal nutrition, cattle management and productivity enhancement could play a crucial role in India's dairy sector."Our focus is to improve the productivity of our cattle. In feeding and animal management, we require technology. These are the areas where Israel has done excellent work," he said, adding that such technologies can also help boost agricultural productivity in India's arid regions. Mehta said Amul, which currently exports ghee to Israel, plans to expand its dairy export portfolio to cater not only to the Indian diaspora but also to the local Israeli market."We are exporting ghee here, but we will soon expand to multiple other products which not just the Indian diaspora wants, but can also go into the mainstream market," he told ANI.GCMMF, which markets its products under the iconic 'Amul' brand, is looking at Israel as a key market for high-value dairy products as it builds deeper global linkages.The delegation, led by Minister Piyush Goyal, is holding discussions in Tel Aviv to explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation and to strengthen trade and investment ties between India and Israel. (ANI)
The signing ceremony was attended by India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat in Tel Aviv.

Speaking at the event, Minister Goyal confirmed that both nations have agreed to commence negotiations for a comprehensive FTA.

He emphasised that the proposed agreement would substantially enhance bilateral economic engagement.

According to Goyal, the FTA will open the doors to greater market access, flow of capital, investments and trade, both in goods and services.

He added that the agreement would help remove obstacles to doing business, provide clarity, predictability and stability to our economic engagement.

The minister stated that both the strategic partners with longstanding ties are "destined to bigger achievements and greater friendship."

Goyal highlighted the complementarity of the two economies, stating, "We are two countries which really don't compete with each other, which open the doors to products, goods, services and investments, where we act as a force multiplier for both countries, and we are ambitious to finalize a win, win, fair, equitable and balanced free trade agreement between our two democracies."

Underscoring India's strength in innovation, Goyal pointed to the country's robust intellectual property rights regime and its position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.

He noted India's growing focus on deep-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and machine learning, along with the expansion of data infrastructure across the nation.

The launch of FTA talks is expected to boost cooperation across technology, innovation, trade, and investment, further deepening the strategic partnership between India and Israel. (ANI)
Sutaria celebrated her birthday on Wednesday and among those who wished her was Veer Pahariya who dropped the most romantic birthday message for his "whole heart", leaving fans gushing over the couple's lovey-dovey moments.

Veer shared a string of pictures from Tara's birthday celebrations, along with other adorable snaps. The first one shows the duo sharing a sweet moment as Veer holds Tara in his embrace, followed by the second one that shows the 'Sky Force' actor playing piano for her.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRO2kiRiANX/

He also included a glimpse from their vacation as they can be seen enjoying a yacht ride.

In his caption, Veer wrote, "Happy Birthday my whole heart," to which Tara cutely replied with, "My everything."

Tara also shared glimpses from her birthday bash on Instagram, showing her enjoying with her friends and Veer.

Earlier this week, Tara Sutaria headed to the Maldives for her pre-birthday celebrations and dropped pictures from the getaway.

The actor looked stunning dressed in a black beachwear, which she paired with dangling earrings. "BIRTHDAY WEEK BEGINS! T-3 TO GO," Tara wrote in the caption.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRHlfoJDNic/

Tara and Veer have been stirring headlines lately over their hush-hush romance, with many convinced that the two are dating. While Tara and Veer have been spotted together multiple times, they continue to tease fans with interesting insights.

The 'Apurva' star recently also offered a sneak peek into a romantic Italian vacation with Veer Pahariya. Tara shared pictures from her Italian vacation with Veer.

On the work front, Tara made her film debut with Karan Johar's 'Student of the Year 2' in the year 2019 alongside Ananya Panday. She was also seen in 'Ek Villain Returns', which starred Arjun Kapoor, Disha Patani and John Abraham.

Among Tara's other acting credits are 'Marjaavaan', 'Tadap', 'Heropanti 2', and 'Apurva'. (ANI)
After striking a chord among audiences worldwide, Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound' is all set to make a grand entry on OTT. As announced by the makers on Thursday. 'Homebound' will be released on Netflix, bringing its story to audiences in 190 countries on Friday, November 21. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles. instagram.com/p/DRRD86ZDG9B/ 'Homebound' follows childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives, with Janhvi Kapoor adding emotional depth to a story grounded in friendship, duty, and the pressures facing young India. Speaking about the same, Director Neeraj Ghaywan shared how his film explores the universal themes of connection and compassion as forms of quiet resistance. "After screening in competition at some of the world's most prestigious festivals and being loved by everyone, it has now found a home on Netflix, reaching audiences in 190 countries. I am truly excited for this opportunity and deeply value my long-standing relationship with Netflix throughout my career," he added, as per a press release. Producer Karan Johar shared that the Netflix release will allow the film to connect with audiences far beyond its immediate world. Monika Shergill, Vice-President, Content, Netflix India, shares, "We're delighted to welcome Homebound to Netflix after its acclaimed theatrical run. It is a film that explores an extraordinarily nuanced emotional landscape -- one that only a storyteller like Neeraj Ghaywan could bring to life with such empathy and honesty. His voice continues to redefine the grammar of contemporary Indian storytelling. Ishan, Vishal and the entire cast deliver deeply felt performances that anchor the film and bring this moving story to life with remarkable sincerity." 'Homebound' has been receiving major accolades across film festivals and award shows. It also had a celebrated premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025, followed by an impactful screening at TIFF, where it secured the Second Runner-Up spot for the International Audience Choice Award. India's proud contender for Oscars 2026, 'Homebound' is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra and co-produced by Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier, alongwith Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar acting as the Executive Producers. (ANI)
Actor Anupam Kher graced the 56th International Film Festival of India on Thursday ahead of the screenings of three films at the prestigious event. Observing a sense of homecoming at the latest edition of the International Film Festival of India, Kher, who has been associated with the festival for more than four decades, remembered the inclusion of his debut film 'Saaransh' in the Panorama section of the festival. "It has been four decades. My first film, 'Saaransh', was in the Panorama section. I think what happens is that we often don't not know the importance of our festival. But the International Film Festival of India, IFFI, is considered to be a very prestigious film festival. At this festival, I met three of the most amazing directors, including Federico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa, and Elia Kazan," Anupam Kher told ANI. Speaking about the upcoming screening of his films at the festival, the actor reflected on the achievement. "I think being contemporary means that you are excited even after 40 years. There are certain achievements in life that make you humble, and this is one of them. I am very happy about Tanvi The Great, which is screening on Friday. Good things are happening," he shared. Kher also teased the announcement of his 555th film in the coming days, adding that he has been looking forward to celebrating his films at the festival. The slate of films set to be screened includes Anupam Kher's 'Tanvi The Great' and 'The Bengal Files', followed by the Canadian film 'Calorie,' which is written and directed by Indo-Canadian filmmaker Eisha Marjara. Speaking to ANI, Kher earlier shared palpable joy over the triple recognition, describing it as a significant milestone in his career. Anupam Kher is also set to conduct a masterclass at the film festival, focusing on the topic of "Giving up is not an option." Scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28, IFFI 2025 will feature over 240 films from 81 countries. (ANI)
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that, to help farmers recover from the losses caused by the recent unseasonal and severe rainfall, the double-engine government promptly announced a generous relief package of Rs 10,000 crore, a release said. At the state-level event held in Gandhinagar, CM Bhupendra Patel addressed the gathering as Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme for farmers across the country from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Farmers across the state watched the Prime Minister's address live. On this occasion, the Prime Minister released Rs 18,000 crore as the 21st instalment for more than 9 crore farmers across the country. Of this, over 49.31 lakh farmers in Gujarat will receive Rs 986 crore through DBT. During the state-level event held in Gandhinagar, CM Bhupendra Patel, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, and Minister of State for Agriculture Ramesh Katara distributed approval letters for various agricultural assistance schemes worth over Rs 11.68 lakh, along with the benefits of the Kisan Samman Nidhi. Speaking on the occasion, CM Bhupendra Patel said that PM Narendra Modi has launched several welfare schemes aimed at ensuring the economic prosperity of farmers. He further noted that the Prime Minister has taken significant steps to enhance green cover to counter the challenges of climate change through initiatives like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and the promotion of natural farming. Chief Minister stated that chemical-based farming is damaging the health of both the soil and the people, and that the Prime Minister's vision of promoting natural farming provides a viable solution. He expressed confidence that natural farming will help secure a healthier future for the coming generations while improving soil fertility. Describing natural farming as the agriculture of the future, he emphasised that its adoption is a pressing need of the hour. Chief Minister said that at every stage--from seed to market--the Prime Minister has supported farmers through farmer-centric decisions. He added that the commitment made in this year's budget to launch the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has been fulfilled by implementing it for six years, reaffirming the Prime Minister's principle of "delivering on promises" while caring for the nation's food providers. CM Bhupendra Patel said that, thanks to the Prime Minister's farmer-friendly policies and his sensitivity towards the farming community, more than 98% of farmers in Gujarat now receive daytime electricity. With a sufficient water and power supply, the agricultural landscape of the state has undergone a complete transformation, resulting in greater prosperity for farmers. Chief Minister further stated that the Krishi Mahotsav, launched in Gujarat in 2005 during the Prime Minister's tenure as Chief Minister, has enabled the state government to directly reach out to farmers in their fields. Through this initiative, farmers receive guidance on which crops can yield better returns and how value addition can help enhance their income. He added that Gujarat has effectively implemented this 'lab to land' approach. On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always been deeply concerned about the welfare of farmers. Prime Minister, during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, initiated numerous farmer-centric measures, which are being effectively carried forward today by the sincere and steadfast CM Bhupendra Patel. Vaghani said that today, from Tamil Nadu, PM Modi virtually released the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri -Kisan Samman Nidhi. Approximately 3 lakh farmers from Gujarat joined for the live telecast of the program through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Gram Panchayats, APMCs, and other centres. The Agriculture Minister stated that the state government has introduced various initiatives for farmers, including mechanisation, crop protection, the use of nanotechnology and IT in agriculture, natural farming, and zero-budget farming. These measures are designed to increase agricultural productivity, reduce input costs, and enable farmers to achieve better returns. He further said that our agricultural land is gradually becoming barren, and to ensure that current and future generations do not suffer from related health issues, it is essential to adopt natural farming. He added that, under the guidance of Governor Acharya Devvrat and CM Bhupendra Patel, the state is working in mission mode to advance this initiative. He stated that the Prime Minister launched the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme across the country in 2019, not as a favour to farmers, but with the spirit of serving and honouring them. Owing to the effective implementation and complete transparency of this scheme, financial assistance is being directly deposited into the bank accounts of farmers. He further added that the Prime Minister has also taken the important decision to procure crops at MSP when agricultural produce receives lower prices in the market. In Gujarat, farmers have delivered over one lakh metric tonnes of groundnut at 293 procurement centres. So far, procurement worth more than Rs 1,100 crore has been completed in the state. (ANI)
After eminent personalities wrote an open letter condemning Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his allegations against the Election Commission of India, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary said that the Leader of the Opposition's views have no connection with any "kind of tarnishing" the Election Commission. Choudhary told reporters, "Judges have their own views. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are also entitled to express their own views... Rahul Gandhi's views are pertinent. It is aimed at protecting people's right to vote nationwide. It has nothing to do with any kind of tarnishing of an institution or the Election Commission... The judges' views should not be treated as sacrosanct. They are not gods." Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Congress MP, saying that he neither cares about India nor Indians. Sharpening his attacks, the BJP leader claimed that politics is Rahul Gandhi's "part-time vocation" and a "way to fund his abroad travels". "I had said many years ago that Rahul Gandhi neither cares about India nor about Indians. There is a particular reason why he doesn't spend more than 3-4 months a year in India. His allegiances, passion, loyalties, desires, all lies outside India. For him, doing politics in India is a part-time vocation is a way to fund his travels abroad. He is nothing in his mind that is remotely about the well-being and integrity of India and Indians. He only cares for himself and his family, and for this reason, Congress has become Rahul Bachao Samaj," Rajeev Chandrasekhar told ANI. Earlier in the day, over 272 eminent citizens, including 16 Judges, 123 retired bureaucrats, 14 Ambassadors, 133 retired armed forces officers, wrote an open letter condemning the repeated "assault on national constitutional authorities" by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. "The Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, has repeatedly attacked the Election Commission, declaring that he has open and shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in vote theft and claimed that he has 100 per cent proof. Using unbelievably uncouth rhetoric, that what he has found is an atom bomb, and when it explodes, the EC would have no place to hide," the open letter stated. The letter called on members of civil society and citizens to stand firmly with the Election Commission and urged political actors to stop undermining the "vital institution" with baseless allegations and theatrical denunciations. (ANI)
Projects Recognized for Strategies to Increase Housing and Community Development

BEREA, Ky., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fahe awarded $2.4 million in Maximizing Appalachian Capacity (MAC) grants to support nine projects led by 11 nonprofit Members across Appalachia. The awards will leverage $19.4 million in additional funding, build staff capacity, increase housing production, create job training opportunities, create new jobs, and serve over 600 households.

Fahe serves as an intermediary for a diverse network of more than 50 housing nonprofits. Fahe established the new awards program to support outstanding Member-led projects that will expand the capacity of Fahe Members to deliver housing, workforce, and community development solutions in one of the nation's most economically challenged regions.

"Appalachia's future depends on strong local institutions," said Fahe CEO Jim King. "These awards give our Members funding to pursue the tools, talent, and infrastructure they need to accelerate housing and community development across the region."

A distinguished awards committee selected nine collaborative projects from a competitive pool of 37 applications from five states with funding requests totaling $11,817,372. The potential of awarding all 37 applicants would be to leverage $230 million in additional funding and serve nearly 1,500 households.

"Fahe advocates for resources to advance solutions grounded in practice," said Fahe President Sara Morgan. "Each awarded project reflects a deep understanding of local needs and a shared commitment to building opportunity in rural and other Appalachian communities. We have more Member projects still waiting to be funded; however, we are delighted to make these awards today."

"We're empowering organizations that know their communities best and are ready to build their capacity to create impact," said Dana Bezerra, Regional President, Americas for CREO and awards committee member. "We're excited to be scaling solutions that will define the next generation of opportunity in Appalachia."

Awarded Projects Led by Fahe Members

CAPNA (AL)  $400,000 to develop a 10-acre affordable housing site for 22 homes in Decatur, Alabama alongside the Neighborhood Promise Training Center which will include new financial literacy programs and homebuyer assistance funds to help families achieve homeownership  advancing housing, education and economic mobility across the region.

 $400,000 to develop a 10-acre affordable housing site for 22 homes in Decatur, Alabama alongside the which will include new financial literacy programs and homebuyer assistance funds to help families achieve homeownership  advancing housing, education and economic mobility across the region. HomeOwnership Center (WV)  $70,000 to launch a below-market construction loan program that supports local developers building affordable homes in rural north central West Virginia. The initiative reduces financing barriers and expands internal lending capacity by training staff in commercial lending, allowing HOC to create new revenue streams and a replicable model for rural communities.

 $70,000 to launch a below-market construction loan program that supports local developers building affordable homes in rural north central West Virginia. The initiative reduces financing barriers and expands internal lending capacity by training staff in commercial lending, allowing HOC to create new revenue streams and a replicable model for rural communities. HomeSource east tennessee (TN) and Oak Ridge Housing Authority (TN) - $310,122 to create a shared Resource Development Officer position to expand fundraising, build donor relationships, and strengthen long-term capacity for both organizations. This position will be integral in unlocking new sources of capital, bringing new investment to expand affordable housing production across the greater Knoxville region.

- $310,122 to create a shared Resource Development Officer position to expand fundraising, build donor relationships, and strengthen long-term capacity for both organizations. This position will be integral in unlocking new sources of capital, bringing new investment to expand affordable housing production across the greater Knoxville region. Knoxville Leadership Foundation (TN)  $400,000 to transform the historic Swan Bakery into a 25,000 square foot vocational training center to serve as a regional hub for workforce development and supportive housing initiatives. This investment will help double the capacity of its KnoxWorx skilled trades training program through new facilities, classrooms, and partnerships with employers and educators.

 $400,000 to transform the historic Swan Bakery into a 25,000 square foot vocational training center to serve as a regional hub for workforce development and supportive housing initiatives. This investment will help double the capacity of its skilled trades training program through new facilities, classrooms, and partnerships with employers and educators. Loudon County Habitat for Humanity (TN) and Blount County Habitat for Humanity (TN)  $381,026 to share a full-time grant writer, building institutional funding expertise and increasing the sustainability of repair and homebuilding programs, expanding affordable housing opportunities for families across both counties.

 $381,026 to share a full-time grant writer, building institutional funding expertise and increasing the sustainability of repair and homebuilding programs, expanding affordable housing opportunities for families across both counties. Mountain T.O.P. (TN)  $150,000 to launch a partnership with Housing Hub to pilot a 12-week workforce development program and establish a revolving capital fund for rural home repairs. This investment will build invaluable trade skills among young adults and increase home repair capacity in rural Tennessee.

 $150,000 to launch a partnership with Housing Hub to pilot a 12-week workforce development program and establish a revolving capital fund for rural home repairs. This investment will build invaluable trade skills among young adults and increase home repair capacity in rural Tennessee. Open Door Community (VA)  $245,000 to launch an apprenticeship program that combines housing development with workforce training for individuals returning to work after recovery or incarceration. Participants will gain paid experience building homes, with all home sales proceeds reinvested into their Housing Can't Wait fund to support future builds. The program addresses workforce shortages, expands affordable housing, and strengthens local recovery pathways.

 $245,000 to launch an apprenticeship program that combines housing development with workforce training for individuals returning to work after recovery or incarceration. Participants will gain paid experience building homes, with all home sales proceeds reinvested into their Housing Can't Wait fund to support future builds. The program addresses workforce shortages, expands affordable housing, and strengthens local recovery pathways. Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (WV)  $115,852 to lead a strategic redevelopment effort on Charleston's West Side, converting three blighted properties into nine affordable homes through new construction and renovation. The project includes a replicable tenancy-to-homeownership model with wraparound supports, providing block-level redevelopment that eliminates blight, expands affordable housing, and builds long-term pathways to homeownership.

 $115,852 to lead a strategic redevelopment effort on Charleston's West Side, converting three blighted properties into nine affordable homes through new construction and renovation. The project includes a replicable tenancy-to-homeownership model with wraparound supports, providing block-level redevelopment that eliminates blight, expands affordable housing, and builds long-term pathways to homeownership. Woodlands Development and Lending (WV)  $328,000 to establish two locally managed Housing Investment Funds in Tucker and Randolph Counties offering low-interest loans for community-driven development. This program will offer a reliable way for local investors to support community-driven housing development.

About the MAC Grant Awards

Fahe established this competitive grant program as part of the Housing Can't Wait campaign to expand access to affordable housing in Appalachia by 2030. Fahe Members designed the awards application. Fahe staff and a distinguished awards committee of Board members reviewed Fahe Member applications for strategy, readiness, and impact. Impact results will be published in a future report.

Funding for the MAC Grant Awards was made possible thanks to an unrestricted grant that Fahe received from the Yield Giving foundation. Transformational financing empowered Fahe to direct the funding in a manner that would be most productive to Fahe's mission.

About Fahe

Fahe unites people, organizations, and resources to build homes, strengthen communities, and create a thriving Appalachia. Since 1980, Fahe and its Members have invested nearly $5 billion, improving life for more than one million people through housing, advocacy, and local leadership. Learn more at www.fahe.org.

SOURCE Fahe
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new NDA government in Bihar under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that people voted for the welfare schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "good governance" of Nitish Kumar. Brajesh Pathak arrived in Patna on Wednesday to attend the oath ceremony of Nitish Kumar, which will take place at the historic Gandhi Maidan today. Brajesh Pathak told reporters after reaching Patna, "Bihar is going to create history tomorrow. People have voted for PM Modi's welfare schemes for the poor and for Nitish Kumar's good governance. The NDA government is set to be sworn in tomorrow with a massive majority. I congratulate CM Nitish Kumar and the incoming cabinet. Every sector will be strengthened." Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Patna on Wednesday evening ahead of Nitish Kumar's 10th oath ceremony as Bihar Chief Minister. Shah was welcomed by BJP National President JP Nadda, Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal and other leaders at the airport. Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar has staked a claim to form the government in Bihar after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept 202 assembly constituencies. He met Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Wednesday and tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister. Kumar will return as the Bihar Chief Minister today for the 10th time after taking oath at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan, where Jayaprakash Narayan called for "total revolution" during a speech in 1974. Earlier in the day, Kumar was unanimously elected as the legislative leader of the NDA, a day before the swearing-in ceremony. He was also elected leader of the JD(U) legislative party at a meeting held at his residence in Patna. Along with Kumar's deputies Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) or [LJP (RV)] chief Chirag Paswan and Bihar Bharatriya Janata Party (BJP) president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal were present on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other prominent leaders of the NDA will attend the swearing-in ceremony, scheduled to be held today. Various Chief Ministers of NDA-rule states are also expected to attend the ceremony. Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda have already reached Patna ahead of the oath ceremony. The NDA registered a historic landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, winning 202 of the 243 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan managed to secure only 35 seats. The ruling alliance secured a three-fourths majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, marking the second time the NDA crossed the 200-seat mark in state polls. In 2010, it had won 206 seats. In the NDA, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 89 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 85, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJPRV) won 19, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAMS) won five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha won four seats. (ANI)
On her 108th birth anniversary, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that Indira Gandhi was the "finest and strongest" leader of the last century and had the courage to "break" Pakistan and create Bangladesh. Speaking at an event organised at the KPCC office to celebrate the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi, he said, "We are celebrating the birth anniversary of the Iron Lady of India. Sonia Gandhi had asked me to develop the area around Indira Gandhi's tomb. She had also asked us to develop the Rajiv Gandhi tomb at Sri Perambadur. We had the pleasure of laying the granite from our quarry there." "It was Indira Gandhi who launched a 20-point programme to eradicate poverty. It was she who gave land to the tiller in the country. Lakhs of people in the state benefited from that. Nationalisation of the bank was done by her. She started pollution control birds across the country. She is the one who introduced old age and widow pension," he recalled. A book penned by the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, was translated into Kannada and launched on Wednesday. "Sonia Gandhi had penned a book on Indira Gandhi. I have got this book translated into Kannada and it was released today," he said. "Indira Gandhi was the finest and strongest leader of the last century. She had the courage to break Pakistan into two and create Bangladesh. The relationship of India with its neighbours was great when she was in power. Now, many of our neighbours are not with India," he added. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alongwith Congress leaders, paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Central Hall in the Parliament on her 108th birth anniversary on Wednesday. Born on November 19, 1917, to India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru, Indira Gandhi served as the first and only woman prime minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984. Also known as the 'Iron Lady of India,' Indira Gandhi was actively involved in the freedom movements, including starting the 'Bal Charkha Sangh' and 'Vanar Sena' to support the Congress during the Civil Disobedience movement and fight against the British forces. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashok announced that the Bhim Smarane programme is being organised to inform about the injustices done by Congress to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Speaking to reporters after a preparatory meeting on the programme, Ashok stated that the Bhim Smarane programme will be held from November 26 to December 6. "We will create awareness about the injustices done by Congress to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as well as the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to commemorate Baba Saheb's history," he said on Wednesday. "In Bengaluru, machines are being purchased to sweep garbage, and even in that, Congress is engaging in looting. One machine costs up to two and a half crore rupees. Even including vehicle maintenance and salary, it amounts to 5 lakh rupees. However, 618 crore rupees are being spent on this. If the government itself purchases it, it would cost 308 crore rupees. This is a scheme for looting," he added. He further added, "Instead of wasting so much money, they should prepare garbage lorries. There are no lorries to dispose of the collected garbage. Taxes have already been imposed on the people in many ways, and now the same money from the people is being looted." "In Jayanagar, looting is happening even in broad daylight. There is no protection for people's money even in banks. It wouldn't be surprising if theft happens even in Vidhana Soudha. Police officers are engaged in looting. Looting has become a part of Brand Bengaluru," he said. On the cabinet reshuffle, he said, "DCM D.K. Shivakumar and other leaders have gone to Delhi. However, there is no change in CM. Siddaramaiah will not leave the chair. But the time is not right for D.K. Shivakumar." (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hinted at stepping down from the post of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, saying "others should also be given a chance." Addressing a party event marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Wednesday, Shivakumar said that he does not want to remain the KPCC chief forever. He added that he wanted to step down from the post when he became the Deputy CM in 2023, but continued after being instructed by the high command. In his first statement after his visit to Delhi, he said, "I do not want to remain in the post of KPCC President forever. I took office as KPCC President in 2020. I have already completed five years and five months. When the Congress came to power with a majority in the 2023 assembly elections, I became the Deputy Chief Minister. I was ready to leave the post of KPCC President then, but I continued as instructed by the high command leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. It will be six years next March 2026. Others should also be given a chance." However, Shivakumar clarified that he will continue to be a part of the party leadership in Karnataka, even after stepping down from the KPCC chief post. "It doesn't matter whether I am here or not. Even if I leave the post, I will continue to work at the forefront of the leadership and the party. Where I am and what I have become don't matter. The work done during my tenure will be permanent. I have started 100 new party buildings. I have set a precedent as the party president. I will continue to work as long as the Gandhi family and the AICC president want me to," he said. Interestingly, Shivakumar had dismissed speculations around him stepping down from the post on November 16. Earlier, he had said, "I have worked to build the party day in and day out, and I will continue to do so. My mental, physical and political health is good. I have to ensure that the foundation stone is laid for 100 Congress party offices in Karnataka. I am going to meet AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. I have penned the book on Gandhi Bharat, and I have to fix the release date. We have to celebrate the foundation day of Congress. Who will do all this? I have to do it. Why should I resign from the KPCC Presidency? There is no need for it." (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Minister Swatantra Dev Singh has criticised the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, accusing them of focusing solely on criticising the BJP rather than serving the people. Singh further emphasised that the BJP's primary goal is to serve the poor whenever it forms the government at the central or state level. Speaking to reporters, Singh said, "The SP and Congress, whether in Bihar or elsewhere in the country, focus primarily on criticising the BJP rather than serving the people. Their main goal is to abuse the BJP. Whenever we form the government at the central or state level, the BJP's only aim is to serve the poor. Politics is our mission, not a business. Meanwhile, the SP and Congress persistently emphasise casteism, dynastic politics, and regionalism. Consequently, during elections, the Election Commission works to increase voter turnout, and anyone with concerns is encouraged to raise their issues." Earlier on Tuesday, the Congress party held a meeting at the party's headquarters, Indira Bhawan, in the national capital to review preparations related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, days after the party suffered a disappointing result in the Bihar Assembly elections. The Congress has alleged a pattern of "voter theft" during recent Bihar elections. The Mahagathbandhan, which included the RJD, Congress, CPI(ML)(L), CPI(M) and other Left partners, secured 34 seats in total, in which RJD won 25 seats, INC won 6 seats, CPI(ML)(L) secured two seats, and CPI(M) won one seat. In contrast to the National Democratic Alliance's tally, where the BJP won 89 seats, the JD(U) won 85, and other allies, including the LJP (RV), HAM (S), and RLM, secured 28 seats collectively. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir accused the Election Commission of presiding over an electoral process that "lacks transparency." "SIR is an official way to commit (vote) theft. Seventy lakh votes were deleted in Bihar. Addition and subtraction of votes were seen during polling. This is not a transparent way of electioneering," Mir alleged. He also criticised the Bihar government's welfare announcements during the election cycle, stating the timing had "influenced" the poorest voters. Hitting out at the Election Commission, Congress MP Manickam Tagore called the SIR "an attack on the democratic process itself." "SIR is an attack on the democratic process itself in the name of deleting the names of dead voters and others, it (SIR) has been pushed by the BJP and implemented by the Election Commission. Following the SIR in Bihar, 62 lakh voters have been deleted... Our BLAs are on the ground and mobilising voters to get their names enrolled. This is a huge process with very little time, and there is immense pressure on the BLOs. We have seen various incidents of suicide in Rajasthan and Kerala. There is a strike in Tamil Nadu by all the BLOs today," Tagore said. Tagore added that the SIR exercise in Assam was allegedly being used "to delete Congress voters," calling it a "conspiracy to save the Himanta Biswa Sarma government," which he claimed was facing public discontent. "There is a lot of pressure on those officers on the ground, and the Election Commission, without any kind of practicality, they are pushing for it, and in Assam, SIR is helping the BJP to delete the Congress voters. This is a conspiracy to save the Himanta Biswa Sarma government in Assam because this government is unpopular, we all know that and they are going to be defeated by the people of Assam," Tagore told ANI. After Bihar, the second phase of the SIR revision of electoral rolls is underway in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Of these, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry will be contesting the Assembly elections in April-May next year (2026). (ANI)
The Saket District court has permitted Delhi police to conduct further investigation on the record provided by the businessman Samir Modi, while also deferring cognisance of chargesheet filed against the businessman regarding allegations of rape. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vinod Joshi on Wednesday allowed the application moved by the Investigation Officer (IO) for further investigation. The IO also sought time to file the supplementary record as per the directions of concerned court and the High Court of Delhi. "Considering the submissions and the orders of Hon'ble High Court of Delhi dated November 6 2025 and November 11, permission is granted," ACJM Joshi ordered on November 19. The matter has been listed on December 17 for filing of supplementary records. During the hearing, senior advocate Vikram Sharma along with advocate Siddharth Yadav appeared for Samir Modi. The counsels argued that the FIR is a counterblast to Samir Modi's complaint against the prosecutrix, which was filed prior to the registration of the FIR. The prosecutrix was demanding 15 crores. She gave threat of false implication if demand not fulfilled. The Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against Samir Modi in an alleged rape case. The Charge sheet has been filed before the Saket District court on November 7. An FIR under sections of rape and intimidation was lodged at the New Friends colony Police Station. Currently, Modi is on bail and has filed a petition for quashing of FIR lodged against him. It was submitted by the counsel for Samir Modi that police have not consider the documents provided by him before filing the chargesheet. "The grievance of the Petitioner is that despite the assurance, chargesheet has been filed without considering the documents furnished by him to the Investigating Officer," Justice Narula noted in the order of November 11. Samir Modi was arrested on September 18 after the complaint, and was granted bail on September 25. The Delhi High Court had issued a notice on November 6 on the plea of Samir Modi for quashing of FIR in an alleged rape case. During arguments, senior advocate 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 evidences which would substantiate this fact. He had further submitted that Investigating Officer is not even taking the same into consideration. After hearing the submissions, the bench had issued notice and Sanjay Lao, Standing counsel for State accepted the same. (ANI)
After Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin hit out at the Centre for denying sanction for metro rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, highlighted discrepancies in the projects, targeting Stalin for "politicising" the issue. The Centre reportedly rejected proposals for Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, citing that both cities do not meet the required population threshold of 2 million, according to the 2011 census. While Stalin claimed that the States ruled by Opposition parties are denied metro rail in tier II cities, hinting at a bias by the NDA government at the Centre. In an X post on Thursday, Manohar Lal flagged the lesser route length in Coimbatore as compared to Chennai Metro, adding that the projected average trip lengths and speed differentials between road traffic and the metro do not indicate a modal shift of traffic to a metro system. Manohar Lal also refuted Stalin's claim of the Centre stalling the Chennai Metro project, stating that they sanctioned Rs 63,246 crore for a route length of 119 km for Chennai Metro Phase-2. "It is unfortunate that Hon'ble Chief Minister Thiru. Stalin has chosen to politicise and create controversy over the application of The Metro Policy 2017, which is a procedure designed to ensure that costly infrastructure projects such as Metro Rail Systems generate maximum benefit for the public. Thiru. Stalin has ignored the magnanimous sanction of the Central Government on 3rd October 2024 to the Chennai Metro Phase-2 project at a cost of Rs 63,246 Cr for a route length of 119 km. This is the biggest ever sanctioned metro project," the Union Minister wrote on X. Highlighting the "discrepancies," he wrote, "The Coimbatore & Madurai proposals contain the following discrepancies: For lesser route length in Coimbatore than in Chennai Metro system, higher traffic projections as compared to Chennai have been given. On the face of it, it appears erroneous. Projected average trip lengths and speed differentials between road traffic and the metro do not support the expectation of a modal shift of traffic to a metro system." The Union Minister suggested that the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is "justifiable" in Coimbatore and Madurai. "As per the DPR of Coimbatore, there is inadequate right of way at 7 metro station locations. The Comprehensive Mobility Plan of Madurai (para 5.2.5) clearly stipulate that with current ridership, BRTS is justifiable. Coimbatore Municipal Population (CMC with 257 http://sq.km) area has a population of 15.85 lakhs (2011) in and the Local Planning Area (LPA with 1287 http://sq.km) has a population of 7.7 lakh (2011 census). Ridership projections are made for modal shifts within the Local Planning Area, which is five times bigger than the CMC area. This projected shift to the metro system needs justification," he wrote. "Further, GoTN has chosen not to use the benefit of GoI PM e-bus sewa, intended to provide 10,000 air-conditioned e-buses in different cities. Under this scheme, Central Financial Assistance is given for buses, creation of depot infrastructure and behind-the-meter facilities. Despite repeated persuasion, GoTN has not participated in this scheme so far," the X post read. Earlier on Wednesday, MK Stalin had alleged the metro rail projects were denied over "flimsy grounds." In an X post, he said that Tamil Nadu will secure a metro for Coimbatore and Madurai despite hurdles posed by the BJP. Tamil Nadu CM wrote, "The Union BJP government has denied Metro Rail for 'Temple City' Madurai and for 'South India's Manchester', Coimbatore, on flimsy grounds. A government exists to serve people without bias. Yet the Union BJP treats Tamil Nadu's democratic choice as a reason to take revenge. Pushing such a political custom, in which BJP-ruled states get Metros for smaller Tier II cities while opposition-ruled States are deprived, is a disgraceful approach." "Tamil Nadu, the land of self-respect, will never accept such a distortion of federal principles. They attempted to stall the Chennai Metro, and we overcame those malicious attempts and kept the project progressing. With the same determination, we will secure the Metro Rail that Madurai and Coimbatore need for their future growth. Tamil Nadu will fight! Tamil Nadu will win," he added. Congress leader Manickam Tagore also alleged discrimination against Tamil Nadu, stating that the Central government is using the delay in the 2021 census as a tool to hinder development in the state. (ANI)
Ahead of Janata Dal United chief Nitish Kumar taking oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time on Thursday, posters of all of them along with other NDA leaders as well as that of LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan were put up outside Gandhi Maidan venue in Patna. The historic Gandhi Maidan has hosted his inaugurations in 2005, 2010, and 2015. It is at this venue that Jayaprakash Narayan called for "total revolution" during a speech in 1974. The stage is set at Gandhi Maidan in Patna for the swearing-in ceremony of the NDA government in Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other prominent leaders of the NDA are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony. The PM had skipped the swearing-in ceremony in the year 2020. Nitish Kumar was first elected as leader of the JD (U) Legislature Party during the meeting with the new MLAs held at his official residence in Patna yesterday. He was also unanimously elected as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Legislature Party ahead of the formation of a new government under his leadership in the State today. Along with Kumar's deputies, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) or [LJP (RV)] chief Chirag Paswan, and Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal were present on the occasion. The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls were considered as the litmus test for Nitish Kumar, who has managed to steer the politics of Bihar around him in every election over the past 20 years. He has been Chief Minister since November 2005, with a brief nine-month gap in 2014-15. Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Patna last evening and was accorded a welcome by BJP National President JP Nadda, Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal and other leaders at the airport. Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar has staked a claim to form the government in Bihar after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept 202 assembly constituencies. He met Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Wednesday and tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister. Various Chief Ministers of NDA-rule states are also expected to attend the ceremony. Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda have already reached Patna ahead of the oath ceremony. The NDA registered a historic landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, winning 202 of the 243 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan managed to secure only 35 seats. The ruling alliance secured a three-fourths majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, marking the second time the NDA crossed the 200-seat mark in state polls. In 2010, it had won 206 seats. In the NDA, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 89 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 85, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJPRV) won 19, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAMS) won five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha won four seats. Among opposition parties, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) won 25 seats, the Indian National Congress six, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) [CPI(ML)(L)] two, the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP) one, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] one seat. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) secured five seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won one seat. The Bihar assembly elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Bihar recorded a historic 67.13 per cent voter turnout, the highest since 1951, with women voters outpacing men (71.6 per cent vs 62.8 per cent). (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh, in a press conference held on Thursday, expressed his party's concerns over the Special Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) in West Bengal. Ghosh alleged that the BJP is misusing the Election Commission for its politically motivated agenda, leading to undue pressure on genuine voters and Booth Level Officers (BLOs). "The way the situation has been created regarding the SIR, because of that pressure, deaths are happening from both sides. First, genuine voters are panicking, and even BLOs, coming under pressure, are committing suicide. What is happening? Even Mamata ji, our Honourable Chief Minister, has protested. After the 2001 election, when SIR was done, there was a period of 2-2.5 years. But here, the BJP is misusing the Election Commission for its politically motivated agenda. Because of this pressure, common people are committing suicide and BLOs too.", Ghosh said. He further alleged that the national Election Commission is acting under the influence of the BJP, allowing BLA-2 personnel from other places to be deployed in areas where the BJP lacks organisational presence. "The way the national Election Commission is acting under the pressure of the BJP, highly influenced by the BJP... In places where the BJP doesn't have a BLA-2 in their booth, the EC has issued a circular allowing BLA-2 to be brought from other places. Why? Because the BJP has no organisation in Bengal..", he added. Responding to BJP's Amit Malviya claim that the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s "terror mafia" is responsible for the deaths of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal, Ghosh called them "totally baseless" and claimed that Malviya has no connection with the ground reality in Bengal. "Totally baseless. He has no connection with the ground reality in Bengal. The family of the person who committed suicide has said so. If he has courage, let him go to their house and speak to the family.", Ghosh stated. Responding to TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee's recent remarks alleging that Governor CV Ananda Bose is keeping "guns and bombs" inside Raj Bhavan and harbouring criminals, Ghosh said, "Kalyan ji filed a complaint based on what he believed was correct. He is our senior leader, a lawyer, and he acted according to his understanding. Kalyan ji had some information... but whatever is happening is a panic reaction. They filed something against Kalyan, and in response, Kalyan ji, based on what he felt was right, also filed a complaint against the allegations made against the Governor's House." Earlier, the West Bengal Raj Bhavan issued a strong statement on Sunday, accusing Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee of committing offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for his recent remarks alleging that Governor CV Ananda Bose is keeping "guns and bombs" inside Raj Bhavan and harbouring criminals. In a press note, the Governor's office said Banerjee's statements have "the unavoidable effect of causing fear and alarm to the people of West Bengal, which can induce any member of the public against the State or against public tranquillity." "By stating that the Hon'ble Governor is in possession of guns and bombs at the Raj Bhavan and is harbouring criminals, Shri Kalyan Banerjee has induced fear and disaffection in the minds of the common man of West Bengal against their own Governor. The same may prompt any member of the public to carry out violent attacks on the Raj Bhavan," the statement read. On Saturday, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee had alleged that Governor Bose is "entertaining BJP criminals in Raj Bhavan" and giving them weapons to attack TMC workers in the state."Tell the Bengal Governor not to entertain BJP criminals in Raj Bhavan. He is keeping them there and giving them arms and ammunition to go and attack TMC workers. As long as such a governor is in office, nothing good will happen in Bengal," Banerjee said while at an event in Hooghly, Seelampur. (ANI)
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said the annual report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission was a "severe setback" for diplomacy, as the report described the Pahalgam terror attack as an "insurgent attack" and hints at Pakistan's success over India during Operation Sindoor. In an X post, Jairam Ramesh targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the report as "astonishing and beyond understanding" while asking the External Affairs Ministry to register a protest against it. The Congress leader wrote, "The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission has just submitted its annual report to the US Congress. The Commission set up jointly by the US Senate and House of Representatives has twelve independent members. The 2025 Annual Report is almost 800 pages long. The sections on pages 108 and 109 are simply astonishing and beyond understanding. It describes the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025, orchestrated by Pakistan as an 'insurgent attack.' It speaks of 'Pakistan's military success over India' in the four-day clash." Reminding US President Donald Trump's claim of mediating between India and Pakistan, Ramesh criticised PM Modi over his silence. "President Trump has claimed 60 times (so far) that he had halted Operation Sindoor. The PM has kept completely quiet. Now comes this report of the US-China Economic and Security Commission of the US Congress that is simply unacceptable to India. Will the PM and the MEA register their objections and protest? Our diplomacy has suffered yet another severe setback," the X post read. The annual report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission looks at how China "opportunistically" used Pakistan's military crisis to test its own defence capabilities. Rather than recognising the Pahalgam incident as a terror attack, the report called the four-day clash between India and Pakistan a result "triggered by India's response to a deadly insurgent attack that killed 26 civilians in its contested Jammu and Kashmir region." Noting that China has expanded its "military cooperation" with Pakistan in 2025, "compounding its own security tensions with India," the report said, "Pakistan's military success over India in its four-day clash showcased Chinese weaponry." The commission added that China claimed that its defence helped Pakistan take down three Rafale fighter jets, while France called it a "disinformation campaign" to hinder sales of Rafales. "Pakistan's use of Chinese weapons to down French Rafale fighter jets used by India also became a particular selling point for Chinese Embassy defence sales efforts, despite the fact that only three jets flown by India's military were reportedly downed, and all may not have been Rafales.208 According to French intelligence, China initiated a disinformation campaign to hinder sales of French Rafales in favour of its own J-35s, and it used fake social media accounts to propagate AI and video game images of supposed 'debris' from the planes China's weaponry destroyed," the report read. Looking at India's relations with China, the report also noted that PM Modi's visit to China during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit came in the backdrop of "tensions" after Trump imposed tariffs on the import of Indian goods. "Prime Minister Modi's attendance at the 2025 SCO summit held in Tianjin, China--his first time in China since the 2020 clash-- drew attention amid tensions in India's tariff negotiations with the United States. Xi and Modi held a private side meeting during which the two committed to build upon the agreement that China's Foreign Minister Wang and his Indian counterpart, Foreign Minister Jaishankar, had made earlier in August. India and China agreed to conduct more high-level dialogue, work toward a border de-escalation agreement, expand economic cooperation, reopen flights between countries, and extend allowances for Indian citizens to go on pilgrimage into Tibetan regions into 2026, demonstrating both leaders' interest in taking steps away from decoupling and toward rapprochement," the report said. (ANI)
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Genomics Market, valued at US$44.52 billion in 2024, stood at US$47.07 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 12.6% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$85.09 billion by the end of the period. Market growth can be attributed to increasing government funding for genomics projects, rising applications of NGS in chronic disorders, advancements in NGS platforms, and growing applications of genomics. Furthermore, the increasing use of genomics in precision medicine further contributes to market growth.

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By offerings, the genomics market is segmented into products and services. The products segment accounted for the largest share of the genomics market in 2024. The large share of the products segment can be attributed to innovations in genomics technology, such as long-read sequencing (LRS), single-cell genomics, and CRISPR technology, which have expanded product offerings and applications, thereby boosting demand for specialized products and technologies.

By study type, the genomics market has been segmented into functional genomics, biomarker discovery, pathway analysis, epigenomics, and other study types. In 2024, the functional genomics segment accounted for the largest market share. This segment is also expected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period due to its essential role in identifying potential drug targets, particularly in fields such as cancer and genetic disorders. This critical nature is driving its widespread adoption in pharmaceutical research. Meanwhile, the biomarker discovery segment holds the second-largest share of the market.

By geography, the genomics market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth in the genomics market during the forecast period, driven by increasing government funding for genomic research, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and the rising adoption of precision medicine initiatives across major countries, including China, Japan, and India. Growing investments by global and regional players, coupled with a large patient pool for genetic and chronic diseases, further accelerate market expansion.

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Key players in the genomics market include Illumina, Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Danaher Corporation (US), QIAGEN (Germany), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US), Revvity, Inc. (US), Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (US), IQVIA Inc. (US), Charles River Laboratories (US), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (US), Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg), PacBio (US), Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc. (UK), Takara Bio Inc. (Japan), BGI Group (China), Eppendorf SE (Germany), Merck KGaA (Germany), BD (US), Abbott (US), 10X Genomics, Inc. (US), New England Biolabs (US), Promega Corporation (US), Creative Biogene (US), Novogene Co., Ltd. (China), Helix, Inc. (US), Phalanx Biotech Group (US), and Polaris Genomics (US).

Illumina, Inc. (US):

Illumina is a global leader in genome sequencing solutions, enabling researchers to explore the functions of genetic variants and underlying biological processes. The company's product portfolio encompasses consumables, integrated systems, and analytical instruments designed to simplify genetic analysis. Genomics products are primarily offered under Illumina's Equipment and Consumables segment, while genomics-related services are delivered through its Service and Other Revenue segment. Illumina's consistent investment in research and development has strengthened its innovation capabilities, enhanced product accuracy, and expanded the range of genomic applications. A key example is the Illumina Complete Long Read Prep, Human, the first product developed using its proprietary Illumina Complete Long Read technology, launched in March 2023. This solution enables high-performance, long-read human whole-genome sequencing and is compatible with the NovaSeq X Plus, NovaSeq X, and NovaSeq 6000 sequencing systems.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is a leading global provider of medical equipment, analytical instruments, reagents and consumables, software, and related services. The company operates in the genomics market primarily through its Life Science Solutions segment, with products and services offered under its Genetic Sciences and Biosciences businesses. With operations spanning over 100 countries, Thermo Fisher maintains a strong international presence. The company pursues both organic and inorganic growth strategies to strengthen its market position and expand its technological capabilities. For example, in June 2024, Thermo Fisher launched Stellar MS, a high-performance mass spectrometry platform that integrates speed and sensitivity to advance translational omics research.

Danaher Corporation (US)

Danaher Corporation manufactures and commercializes medical, industrial, and commercial products and services. The company offers genomics products through its subsidiaries, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., Cepheid, Inc., and Beckman Coulter, which operates under the Life Sciences and Diagnostics segments. The company provides products & services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, colleges & universities, research institutes, and government bodies (including government testing & diagnostic centers) through its sales and distribution office network.

The company invests in innovation and implements strategies such as product launches, partnerships, and collaborations. For instance, in May 2024, Integrated DNA Technologies, a subsidiary of Danaher, partnered with Molecular Health to integrate its NGS capabilities and extend genomic profiling.

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CRISPR Market

Gene Editing Market

NGS-based RNA-sequencing Market

Epigenetics Market

Bioinformatics Market

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Union Minister Tokhan Sahu on Thursday welcomed President Droupadi Murmu's upcoming visit to Chhattisgarh, highlighting how it is a matter of pride for the state. "On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Droupadi Murmu is arriving here, and it is a matter of pride for us. PM Modi has announced Bhagwan Birsa Munda's 150th anniversary as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' and is being celebrated across the country with enthusiasm," the Union Minister told reporters here. He also hailed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) victory in the Bihar polls, claiming that the people have chosen to avoid the era of jungle raj and voted for good governance. "It's a mega victory for NDA. People have trust in NDA; as a result, we are winning in all the states. Bihar's people have once again proved that they don't want Jungle Raj but good governance," he said. President Droupadi Murmu will visit Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from November 20 to November 22, an official statement issued by the President's Secretariat read. On November 20, the President will grace the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebration, organised by the Government of Chhattisgarh at Ambikapur. It added that on November 21, the President will inaugurate the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav 2025 at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad. The second edition of the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav will showcase the rich cultural, culinary, and artistic traditions of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. On November 22, the President will attend the special session to commemorate the centenary celebration of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi. Earlier on November 19, President Droupadi Murmu attended the fifth convocation of the National Institute of Technology Delhi on Wednesday, where she urged the graduating students to focus on innovations that meaningfully uplift society, stressing that true progress lies not only in invention but in its ability to reduce inequalities and inspire hope. (ANI)
Al-Falah University in Haryana has come under intense scrutiny after intelligence agencies uncovered several alarming details linking past students to terror activities. The development follows the arrest of Dr. Umar Nabi, accused in the November 10 Delhi blast, whose connection to the university has raised fresh concerns. According to intelligence reports, Nabi is not the first individual associated with Al-Falah to be linked to terrorism. Several students from Al-Falah have previously been found involved in terrorist activities. One of the most prominent names to resurface is that of Mirza Shadab Beg, an active member of the Indian Mujahideen. Beg completed his B.Tech in Electronics & Instrumentation from Al-Falah Engineering College in Faridabad in 2007. A year later, he was found involved in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts. Beg has been absconding for years, with sources believing he is currently hiding in Afghanistan. The Delhi blast has triggered a renewed wave of investigations into Al-Falah University, located in Dhauj, Faridabad. Originally established as the Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology, the institution was granted university status in 2014 under the Haryana Private Universities Amendment Act. Intelligence inputs also highlight Beg's pivotal role in the 2008 Jaipur bombings.Prior to the attack, he travelled to Udupi to source explosives. He later supplied Riaz and Yasin Bhatkal with a large number of detonators and ball bearings used to assemble IEDs. Due to his background in Instrumentation Engineering, Beg was considered highly skilled in bomb-making. About 15 days before the Ahmedabad blasts, Beg reportedly conducted a thorough reconnaissance of the city. He worked with three teams, planning the attacks and handling logistics, IED fitting, and bomb assembly. Beg's name had earlier surfaced in the 2007 Gorakhpur serial blasts, which left six people injured. After his ties with the Indian Mujahideen surfaced, Gorakhpur Police seized his property. Beg has been on the run since the Indian Mujahideen network was exposed in 2008.Authorities announced a 1 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest. Despite multiple crackdowns, he remains untraceable, with the last reported sighting in Afghanistan in 2019. The Al Falah University has come under scrutiny after the arrest of several doctors in connection with the November 10 blast near Delhi's Red Fort, which killed 15 people and injured many others. The suicide bomber, Dr Umar Un Nabi, a Kashmiri resident, was associated with the varsity. ED initiated an investigation against the Al Falah group on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police, based on the allegations that Faridabad-based Al-Falah University has made fraudulent and misleading claims of National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation with an intention to deceive students, parents, and stakeholders for wrongful gain. A Delhi court in a ruling in the early hours on Wednesday remanded Al Falah Group Chairman, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui to 13 days of Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody, till December 1, noting in a detailed remand order that there exist reasonable grounds to believe he committed the offence of money laundering linked to large-scale fraud, forged accreditation claims, and diversion of funds from the Al-Falah University ecosystem. Meanwhile, NIA is continuing to explore various angles to unravel the conspiracy behind the bombing. Several teams of the anti-terror agency are pursuing multiple leads and are conducting searches across states to identify every person involved in the terror attack. (ANI)
In a major milestone towards self-reliance, the Indian Army has indigenised 55 out of the total 57 Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) for troops in Super High Altitude Areas, Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI), IHQ of MoD (Army) said. In an X post on Thursday, ADG PI said that the remaining two SCME items are under trial and will be indigenised by 2026. "The Indian Army continues to drive India's journey towards Atmanirbharta and a Viksit Bharat @2047. In a major milestone, 55 of 57 Special Clothing & Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) items for troops in Super High Altitude Areas have now been fully indigenised - a remarkable 97 per cent of the inventory. This not only enhances logistics resilience but also cuts import dependence. The remaining two items are under trials and will be indigenised by 2026," ADG PI wrote. Further, the Indian Army hailed the three-layered, ergonomically engineered New Coat Combat (Digital Print) designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi. ADG PI added, "Further strengthening operational capability, the Army introduced the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) in January 2025. Designed by NIFT New Delhi, this three-layered, ergonomically engineered jacket uses advanced technical textiles to boost soldier performance in diverse terrains." "The design is officially registered with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks. Use of Indian Army uniform in any form by an unauthorised person is a punishable offence," the X post read. Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian Army secured the IP rights for the New Coat Combat. The three-layered garment incorporates advanced technical textiles and features an ergonomic design that enhances comfort, mobility, and operational efficiency across diverse climatic and tactical conditions. The Indian Army has successfully registered the design of the New Coat Combat (Digital Print) with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Kolkata, under Design Application No. 449667-001, dated February 27, 2025, and published in the Official Journal of the Patent Office on October 7, 2025. With this registration, the exclusive Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for both the design and camouflage pattern rest solely with the Indian Army. The New Coat Combat ensemble includes an outer, an inner, and a thermal layer. "The outer layer is a digitally printed camouflage coat designed for operational durability and concealment in varied terrains. Inner Jacket: Insulated mid-layer using lightweight, breathable materials providing warmth without restricting movement. Thermal Layer: Base layer ensuring optimal thermal regulation and moisture control in extreme weather," an official release issued by the Ministry of Defence said. (ANI)
Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar on Thursday took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The PM had skipped the swearing-in ceremony in the year 2020. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan here, which has hosted his inaugurations in 2005, 2010, and 2015. It is at this venue that Jayaprakash Narayan called for "total revolution" during a speech in 1974. Various Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states were also present at the oath-taking ceremony. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, among others, were present. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and LJP (RV) Chief Chirag Paswan, among others, participated in the ceremony at Gandhi Maidan. On Wednesday, Nitish Kumar was first elected as leader of the JD (U) Legislature Party during the meeting with the new MLAs held at his official residence in Patna. He was also unanimously elected as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Legislature Party ahead of the formation of a new government under his leadership in the State today. Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were also elected as leader and deputy leader of the BJP Legislature Party, respectively, during the meeting held at the BJP State headquarters. Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who was appointed as the central observer for the election of the Legislature Party Leader in Bihar, proposed the names of both leaders, and the remaining MLAs supported the proposal. The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls were considered as the litmus test for Nitish Kumar, who has managed to steer the politics of Bihar around him in every election over the past 20 years. The 74-year-old Nitish Kumar has been Chief Minister since November 2005, with a brief nine-month gap in 2014-15. The Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar has staked a claim to form the government in Bihar after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept 202 assembly constituencies. He met Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan yesterday and tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister. The NDA registered a historic landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, winning 202 of the 243 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan managed to secure only 35 seats. The ruling alliance secured a three-fourths majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, marking the second time the NDA crossed the 200-seat mark in state polls. In 2010, it had won 206 seats. In the NDA, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 89 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 85, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJPRV) won 19, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAMS) won five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha won four seats. Among opposition parties, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) won 25 seats, the Indian National Congress six, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) [CPI(ML)(L)] two, the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP) one, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] one seat. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) secured five seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won one seat. The Bihar assembly elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Bihar recorded a historic 67.13 per cent voter turnout, the highest since 1951, with women voters outpacing men (71.6 per cent vs 62.8 per cent). (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday congratulated Nitish Kumar for becoming Chief Minister of Bihar once again, saying that the people of the State had chosen to establish good governance there. "I congratulate Nitish Kumar on becoming the Chief Minister once again. I also congratulate the people of Bihar as good governance will be established there," Sai said while interacting with mediapersons here He also spoke about President Droupadi Murmu's visit to the state to attend the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in Ambikapur. Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The PM had skipped the swearing-in ceremony in the year 2020. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan here, which has hosted his inaugurations in 2005, 2010, and 2015. It is at this venue that Jayaprakash Narayan called for "total revolution" during a speech in 1974. Various Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states were also present at the oath-taking ceremony. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, among others, were present. Kumar was on Wednesday first elected as leader of the JD (U) Legislature Party during the meeting with the new MLAs held at his official residence in Patna. He was also unanimously elected as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Legislature Party ahead of the formation of a new government under his leadership in the state today. Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were also elected as leader and deputy leader of the BJP Legislature Party, respectively, during the meeting held at the BJP State headquarters. The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls were considered as the litmus test for Nitish Kumar, who has managed to steer the politics of Bihar around him in every election over the past 20 years. The 74-year-old Nitish Kumar has been Chief Minister since November 2005, with a brief nine-month gap in 2014-15. The Bihar assembly elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Bihar recorded a historic 67.13 per cent voter turnout, the highest since 1951, with women voters outpacing men (71.6 per cent vs 62.8 per cent). (ANI)
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday held a silent introspection (Maun Vrat) at Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram in Bihar after not being able to open an account in the seats tally in the Assembly elections. The development came as Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister of the State for a historic 10th time in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other NDA leaders. Earlier, in a press conference on Tuesday, Kishor had announced that he will observe a day-long silent fast at the Gandhi Bhitiharwa Ashram on November 20. He said, "I will work twice as hard as you've seen me work over the past three years and put in all my energy. There's no question of backing down. There's no turning back until I fulfil my resolve to make Bihar better." "I failed to explain to the people of Bihar the basis on which they should vote and why they should create a new system. Therefore, as atonement, I will observe a day-long silent fast at the Gandhi Bhitiharwa Ashram on November 20th. We may have made mistakes, but we have not committed any crime," Jan Suraaj founder, added. The ruling NDA swept the polls, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 89 seats, and the Janata Dal (United) finishing a close second with 85. Jan Suraaj, making its debut in electoral politics, could not win even a single seat. The swearing-in ceremony on Nitish Kumar took place at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan, which has hosted his inaugurations in 2005, 2010, and 2015. It is at this venue that Jayaprakash Narayan called for "total revolution" during a speech in 1974. Various Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states were also present at the oath-taking ceremony. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, among others, were present. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan, among others, participated in the ceremony at Gandhi Maidan. (ANI)
A special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly will be held at Anandpur Sahib on November 24 at 1:00 pm, a notification by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said. "In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by virtue of Clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constiutution of India, I, Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, hereby summon the Punjab Legislative Assembly to meet for its 10th (Special) Session at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial, Sri Anandpur Sahib, District Roopnagar," the notification read. The special session comes in the backdrop of the events being held in Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 25, to pay tribute to the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur, on the occasion of his 350th martyrdom day. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wrote in an X post, "With humility, I extend an invitation to devotees across the country and around the world to attend the events being held from 23 to 25 November at Sri Anandpur Sahib, dedicated to the 350th martyrdom day of the Ninth Sovereign, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. Let us become acquainted with Guru Sahib Ji's unparalleled martyrdom and teachings." CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal attended a 'Kirtan Darbar' at Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi in Srinagar on Tuesday. CM Mann said that a 'jathha' will leave for a Yatra to Anandpur Sahib on Wednesday. "The jathha will include Kashmiri Pandits too...The jathha will pass through Jammu, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Dasuya and Garhshankar to finally reach Anandpur Sahib on 22nd November. Three more such jathhas will leave from Amritsar Sahib, Damdama Sahib and Tarn Taran Sahib, and all these jathhas will come together on November 22-23" He said that a major all-faith convention will be held on November 23-24. "An all-faith convention will also be held. Kirtan will also be held. There will be a drone show, a light and sound show to tell people about his life...Historic decisions that were never taken before will be taken in the convention," he added. Guru Tegh Bahadur, born in Amritsar in 1621 to Guru Hargobind and Mata Nanki, is remembered for his profound spiritual teachings and ultimate sacrifice. He is also known to be the founder of the Anandpur Sahib city. This special session also follows the ruling AAP's candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu's victory by a margin of 12,091 votes in the Tarn Taran bypolls. (ANI)
Delhi's Saket District court has recently granted bail to Haryana businessman Ved Pal Tanwar in a money laundering case linked with illegal mining in Haryana. Tanwar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2024. The court has granted the relief in view of the closure of an FIR lodged in Haryana in 2023, upon which ED's case was based. The court also took note of the fact that the Supreme Court has already set aside the order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Ravindra Kumar Pandey granted bail to Ved Pal Tanwar on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 5 lakh and two surety bonds in the like amount by local sureties. "It is admitted fact that the closure report was accepted by competent court having jurisdiction of PS Tohsam District Bhiwani, Haryana in FIR No. 449 of 2023 PS Tohsam November 10, 2025 and as on date no predicate offence exist with respect to the said FIR," the court noted in the order of November 18. The Court said that in view of the acceptance of the closure report and in view of order of Supreme Court while setting aside the order NGT on December 5, 202, and in view of the fact that Special Environment Court, Kurukshetra, Haryana had only taken the cognisance for commission of offence under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 on May 25, 2022 which is not a schedule offence as per PMLA, 2002, the Court is of the view that accused is entitled to be admitted on bail. While granting bail, the court directed the accused that he shall not leave the jurisdiction of the Delhi court without permission of the court, except for his appearance before the other court where another case is pending. He has also been directed to surrender his passport to the investigation officer. Advocate Sumer Singh Boparai appeared for Tanwar and argued that the existence of the predicate offence is essential for proceeding under PMLA, and after closure of the proceeding in FIR of Police Station Tohsam, no predicate offence exists as of the date. The bail application was opposed by ED's Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Simon Benjamin, who submitted that the present bail application was moved on behalf of the applicant on November 12, after the order of the Supreme Court on October 14, directing the accused to surrender on or before December 11. (ANI)
The Chief Minister paid tribute to the late legislator and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "The passing away of the Honourable MLA Shri Sudhakar Singh Ji from the Ghosi Assembly Constituency of Mau district is extremely heartbreaking--my humble tribute to him. My condolences are with the bereaved family members. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed soul be granted eternal peace and the grieving family be bestowed with the strength to bear this immense sorrow."

The Samajwadi Party (SP) also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of its MLA from Ghosi Assembly, Sudhakar Singh.

In a post on X, it said, " The demise of Shri Sudhakar Singh Ji, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Ghosi Assembly, is extremely heartbreaking! May God grant peace to his soul. May the bereaved family find the strength to bear this immense sorrow. Heartfelt tribute!"

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav condoled the loss, describing it as "extremely heartbreaking."

In a post on X, Yadav prayed for the departed soul's peace and wished strength to the bereaved family during this difficult time.

"The demise of Shri Sudhakar Singh Ji, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Ghosi Assembly, is extremely heartbreaking! May God grant peace to his soul. May the bereaved family find the strength to bear this immense sorrow. Heartfelt condolences!", the post read.

In 2023, Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhakar Singh won the Assembly bypolls of Ghosi.

The bypoll in Ghosi was necessitated after Dara Singh Chauhan, who had won the seat in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls as Samajwadi Party candidate, came back to the BJP.

The Samajwadi Party candidate won by a big margin of 42,759 votes. (ANI)
Sandhu also met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at his residence today.

"Newly appointed MLA from Tarn Taran Harmeet Singh Sandhu today reached the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh to meet CM Bhagwant Mann. Welcoming him, CM Bhagwant Mann congratulated him for this responsibility entrusted to him by the people of Tarn Taran and asked him to remain dedicated to serving the people," AAP Punjab wrote on X.

The ruling AAP's candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu won by a margin of 12,091 votes in the Tarn Taran bypolls. Sandhu is a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) turncoat and a three-time MLA.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate and Azad Group leader Sukhwinder Kaur could gain 30,558, finishing behind Sandhu, who got 42,649 votes.

Congress's Karanbir Singh lost the polls by a margin of 27,571 votes, while BJP's Harjit Singh Sandhu could win only 6,239 votes. A total of 15 candidates contested the bypolls.

The seat fell vacant after the death of the sitting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Kashmir Singh Sohal, in June this year.

Meanwhile, the Assembly Speaker, after administering the oath, informed that a special Assembly session will be held at Anandpur Sahib to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, adding that Sandhu is fortunate to participate in this historic sitting.

The special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly will be held at Anandpur Sahib on November 24 at 1:00 pm, a notification by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said.

"In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by virtue of Clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constiutution of India, I, Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, hereby summon the Punjab Legislative Assembly to meet for its 10th (Special) Session at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial, Sri Anandpur Sahib, District Roopnagar," the notification read.

The special session comes in the backdrop of the events being held in Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 25, to pay tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur, on the occasion of his 350th martyrdom day. (ANI)
BANGALORE, India, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Micro-Mobile Data Center Market Size

The global market for Micro-Mobile Data Center was valued at USD 11370 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 59310 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 27.0% during the forecast period.

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Major Trends:

The Micro Mobile Data Center Market continues to evolve with the rise of distributed computing, sustainability, and automation. Organizations increasingly prioritize modularity, efficiency, and rapid deployment to support digital operations. Vendors focus on integrating intelligent cooling systems, AI-based management tools, and renewable power options. Collaborations between IT providers and telecom operators accelerate infrastructure development for edge networks. As cloud-edge convergence intensifies, micro data centers bridge performance gaps while ensuring agility. Their role in supporting real-time analytics, enterprise continuity, and sustainable innovation defines future infrastructure trends. With growing digital dependencies across industries, micro mobile data centers are cementing their position as foundational assets of modern computing ecosystems.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE GLOBAL MICRO MOBILE DATA CENTER MARKET

Up to 25 RU micro data centers are growing strongly due to demand for compact, easily deployable edge solutions. These small form-factor units are ideal for small businesses, remote offices, and other edge locations where space and power are limited. By integrating computing, cooling, and power into a self-contained, plug-and-play enclosure, sub-25 RU systems offer unmatched flexibility and fast deployment. This trend aligns with the shift toward distributed IT infrastructure, as organizations process data closer to the source with minimal footprint and cost. The rise of IoT devices and 5G networks is further amplifying demand for these compact micro data centers.

Government and defense sectors increasingly depend on Micro Mobile Data Centers for secure, fast, and reliable data processing in mission-critical environments. These portable centers enable real-time analytics, command operations, and communications even in remote or tactical areas. With rising cybersecurity and sovereignty requirements, agencies prefer localized, self-contained infrastructure that ensures data integrity. Micro mobile units enhance resilience by supporting quick deployment and mobility during emergency or field operations. Their modular design allows secure integration of surveillance, AI, and sensor networks. Growing national digitalization programs and the emphasis on secure, edge-based computing drive adoption. Defense and government organizations view these data centers as vital to maintaining operational readiness and information security.

The widespread adoption of edge computing significantly drives the Micro Mobile Data Center Market, as enterprises require localized data processing to reduce latency. These centers enable real-time decision-making and efficient bandwidth utilization for IoT and AI applications. By supporting faster response times, they enhance service delivery in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. As networks evolve toward distributed computing models, micro data centers act as the essential bridge between central clouds and end devices. Their flexibility and energy efficiency make them ideal for supporting next-generation digital services. Edge expansion, fueled by increasing smart device usage and connected systems, remains a major force shaping market growth.

Growing concerns about data security and compliance propel the demand for Micro Mobile Data Centers across sensitive sectors. Organizations prefer on-site or regionalized data processing to mitigate risks associated with centralized storage and third-party dependency. These centers provide greater control over data governance, encryption, and access management. Industries such as banking, defense, and healthcare rely on them to meet regulatory mandates and privacy laws. The compact, modular design enables quick establishment of secure facilities close to critical operations. As cyber threats evolve, the need for physically secure and easily monitored infrastructure accelerates. Micro mobile data centers ensure both mobility and protection, reinforcing enterprise data defense strategies.

The rising convergence of cloud and edge ecosystems fuels the need for micro mobile data centers. Organizations seek hybrid models that deliver cloud-like scalability with localized processing advantages. These modular centers enable seamless integration with existing IT frameworks, supporting applications requiring low latency and regional compliance. They act as edge nodes for cloud providers, reducing congestion in centralized servers. Businesses leverage these solutions to improve customer experience and ensure service continuity in unpredictable network environments. This trend enhances the flexibility of IT architectures, aligning with distributed cloud strategies. The growing emphasis on hybrid computing frameworks solidifies micro data centers as core components of modern digital transformation initiatives.

Accelerating digital transformation across industries contributes substantially to the Micro Mobile Data Center Market. Enterprises undergoing automation and cloud migration demand compact infrastructure capable of supporting their evolving workloads. These data centers enable quick scaling, ensuring business continuity and reduced downtime during digital transitions. Sectors such as telecom, education, and logistics utilize them to extend computing power to remote or temporary sites. The surge in online services, smart city development, and e-governance amplifies this need. Their modular structure, combined with energy efficiency and high processing capacity, ensures long-term adoption. As organizations pursue digitization goals, micro mobile data centers emerge as essential enablers of adaptive IT modernization.

Cost efficiency and portability remain vital growth factors for Micro Mobile Data Centers. Unlike traditional facilities requiring heavy capital investment and long construction periods, these units provide faster deployment with lower operational expenses. Their plug-and-play nature supports immediate setup, reducing infrastructure downtime. Portability allows relocation based on operational demands, enhancing flexibility across industries with dynamic computing needs. This advantage attracts small and medium enterprises seeking affordable digital solutions. Additionally, their modular scalability ensures resources are optimized without over-provisioning. These benefits collectively position micro mobile data centers as an economical yet powerful alternative for agile businesses adapting to modern computing requirements.

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MICRO MOBILE DATA CENTER SEGMENTATION

Segment by Type

Up to 25 RU

2540 RU

Above 40 RU

Segment by Application

Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)

IT and telecom

Government and defense

Energy

Manufacturing

Key Companies:

Vertiv

Schneider Electric

Hewlett

Rittal

IBM

Eaton

Delta Power Solutions

ORBIS

Vapor IO

Canovate

IDC

Altron

Cannon Technologies

Huawei

Sicon Chat Union Electric

KSTAR

MICRO MOBILE DATA CENTER MARKET SHARE

The global micro-mobile data center market is led by major infrastructure vendors such as Schneider Electric, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Rittal, Vertiv, and IBM. However, the industry remains moderately fragmented, with the top five manufacturers together controlling only about 35% of the market.

Regionally, North America is the largest market, holding roughly 40% share, followed by Europe at about 30%. In terms of product type, the 'up to 25 RU' segment (compact, self-contained units) dominates, accounting for nearly 60% of all micro-mobile data centers. For applications, BFSI is the leading vertical, followed by IT/telecom, while other important sectors include government & defense, energy, and manufacturing.

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What are some related markets to the Micro Mobile Data Center Market?

- Modular Container Data Center Market was valued at USD 146 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 589 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 22.3% during the forecast period.

- Mobile Data Protection (MDP) Solutions Market

- Prefabricated Modular Data Center Market was valued at USD 15330 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 48150 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 18.0% during the forecast period.

- Intelligent Micro Module Data Center Market

- Portable Modular Data Center (PMDC) Market

- Data Center Backup Solutions Market was valued at USD 1890 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 3094 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period.

- Micro Data Centers market is projected to grow from USD 5176.2 Million in 2023 to USD 10200 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.0% during the forecast period.

- Virtual Mobile Infrastructure (VMI) Market was valued at USD 147 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 228 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period.

- Mobile Center Pivot Irrigation System Market

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Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday criticised the letter written by ex-bureaucrats and judges condemning the repeated allegations against the Election Commission and other state bodies by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Over 272 eminent citizens, including 16 Judges, 123 retired bureaucrats, 14 Ambassadors, and 133 retired armed forces officers, in a letter, condemned the repeated "assault on national constitutional authorities" by Rahul Gandhi. Speaking to ANI, Khera said that first the BJP, then the retired officials came to defend the serving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Criticising the move, he said that a democracy is strengthened by questions. The Congress leader said, "We saw the signatures of those retired people. The point is that if questions are being raised about the functioning of the Election Commission, and the entire opposition is doing so, then first the BJP comes to the rescue of a serving Election Commissioner, and then retired people come to the rescue." Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khera said the former is propagating a mentality where asking questions is equated to attacking someone. "Aren't questions crucial to keeping democracy alive? Do these people want to see democracy die in their lifetime? Asking questions doesn't mean attacking; this mentality has been instilled in this country by the PM... Democracy is strengthened by questions. Democracy is not strengthened by closing your eyes, closing your ears, or keeping your mouth shut," he said. The letter states that instead of offering "genuine policy alternatives," the Congress leader has resorted to "unsubstantiated accusations." Condemning earlier repeated alleged assaults on institutions such as questioning the valour of the armed forces, the fairness of the judiciary, the letter said that it is the Election Commission this time which is facing "systematic and conspiratorial attacks on its integrity and reputation." "The Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, has repeatedly attacked the Election Commission, declaring that he has open and shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in vote theft and claimed that he has 100 per cent proof. Using unbelievably uncouth rhetoric, that what he has found is an atom bomb, and when it explodes, the EC would have no place to hide," the open letter stated. Yet, despite such scathing accusations, there has been no formal complaint filed by him, along with the prescribed sworn affidavit, to escape his accountability for levelling unsubstantiated allegations and threatening public servants in performance of their duty, the letter added. (ANI)
As Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the record tenth time, Opposition leaders extended congratulations while simultaneously urging the newly formed NDA government to deliver on its commitments and bring meaningful change to the state. In a post on X, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav congratulated the Chief Minister and the newly inducted ministers, expressing hope that the government would uphold the expectations of the people. "Heartfelt congratulations to the esteemed Shri Nitish Kumar Ji on taking the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Bihar. Heartfelt best wishes to all the ministers of the Bihar government who took the oath as members of the Council of Ministers. I hope that the new government will live up to the hopes and expectations of responsible people, fulfil its promises and declarations, and bring positive and qualitative changes in the lives of the people of Bihar," Tejashwi Yadav's X post read. https://x.com/yadavtejashwi/status/1991422859521192141 Meanwhile, in Bhitiharwa, West Champaran, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday held a silent introspection (Maun Vrat) at Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram in Bihar after not being able to open an account in the seats tally in the Assembly elections. Jan Suraaj Party leader Vivek Kumar said that this marks a moment of "self-purification" and a renewed commitment to improving Bihar. "Gandhiji said that whenever you start a new endeavour, self-purification is essential. So, we are once again determined to improve Bihar. Today is the day of that new beginning. That's why we are here for self-purification," he said. "But you should see that on this very day, Nitish Kumar is taking the oath again... This why this silent fast is being observed, so that it resonates with them that the promise they made, that every woman will receive Rs 2 lakh, every child will receive a good education, there will be employment in every district, and 10 million people will be given jobs, reaches them through this silent fast, and they will not renege on it," Kumar added. Calling Bihar's political space an "opposition vacuum", Kumar asserted that Jan Suraaj would fill it. "Somewhere in Bihar, there's a political opposition vacuum. Jan Suraaj will fill that vacuum, and in the next five years, you'll see that the time and era of struggle has begun, to hold this government accountable for its promises to the people. In the next five years, you'll see that Jan Suraaj will remain on the ground," Kumar added. Meanwhile, earlier today, Congress leader Pawan Khera also took a dig at newly sworn Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, hoping that he does not suffer any "dhoka" and completes his term. Speaking to ANI, Khera asked Nitish Kumar and the NDA in Bihar to fulfil their poll promises. "We congratulate Nitish Kumar ji and hope that he doesn't suffer any 'dhoka', and he is able to complete his term. At least he should be able to do something that has not been done in the last 20 years. No matter how they won in Bihar, they should fulfil their promises," the Congress leader said. Earlier today, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha on Thursday took oath as Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The swearing-in ceremony was administered by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. A total of 25 leaders, apart from Nitish Kumar, took oath as part of the new NDA-led Bihar Cabinet. Among them were Samrat Choudhary (BJP), Vijay Kumar Sinha (BJP), Vijay Kumar Choudhary (JD-U), Bijendra Prasad Yadav (JD-U), Shravan Kumar (JD-U), Mangal Pandey (BJP), Dilip Kumar Jaiswal (BJP) and Ashok Choudhary (JD-U). Others who joined the Cabinet include Lesi Singh (JD-U), Madan Sahani (JD-U), Nitin Nabin (BJP), Ram Kripal Yadav (BJP), Santosh Kumar Suman of HAM(S), Sunil Kumar (JD-U), Mohammad Zama Khan (JD-U) and Sanjay Singh Tigar (BJP). The list also features Arun Shankar Prasad (BJP), Surendra Mehta (BJP), Narayan Prasad (BJP), Rama Nishad (BJP), Lakhendra Kumar Raushan (BJP) and Shreyashi Singh (BJP). Additionally, Pramod Kumar (BJP), Sanjay Kumar of LJP(RV), Sanjay Kumar Singh of LJP(RV) and Deepak Prakash of the RLM were sworn in as ministers. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan, Patna. The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls were considered as the litmus test for Nitish Kumar, who has managed to steer the politics of Bihar around him in every election over the past 20 years. The 74-year-old Nitish Kumar has been Chief Minister since November 2005, with a brief nine-month gap in 2014-15. The Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar has staked a claim to form the government in Bihar after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept 202 assembly constituencies. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday attended the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, organised by the Chhattisgarh government at Ambikapur to honour the contribution of tribal freedom fighters, including Birsa Munda. "The contribution of tribal communities is a glorious chapter in the history of India. The development of tribal people is a priority of the Government of India. Various national-level schemes have been developed and implemented for welfare of tribal communities," President Murmu said. The President congratulated the people for the progress in the state. Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai were present during the event "I congratulate the people Chhattisgarh for their progress. They have just celebrated the silver jubilee of state formation. I have had the honour of visiting Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birth place (in Jharkhand) and offering my tribute. The contribution of tribal communities has been tremendous in the history of Indian. I feel very cordial after coming here in Chhattisgarh. Jharkhand and Odisha are not far from Chhattisgarh," President Murmu said. She highlighted how the state has managed to preserve its culture, visible in the public spaces. "When I was coming here from the helipad, the culture of Chhattisgarh was very much visible on the way. The state has preserved its culture that is very impressive and pleasing... I am very proud to be a tribal. Tribal art and culture need to be promoted even more in the country as well as abroad," President Murmu said. She further praised the people for "abandoning the path of left wing extremism" and joining the mainstream. "People across the country, including Chhattisgarh, are abandoning the path of Left Wing Extremism and joining the mainstream of development. Through the well-thought-out and well-organized efforts of the central and state governments, the eradication of Left Wing Extremism will become possible in the near future."| Earlier, Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai received President Murmu on her arrival at Ambikapur in Surguja district. Earlier today, Union Minister Tokhan Sahu welcomed President Droupadi Murmu's upcoming visit to Chhattisgarh, highlighting how it is a matter of pride for the state. The President is on a three-day tour to Chattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from November 20-22. On November 21, President is set to visit Telangana, where she will inaugurate the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav 2025. at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad. The second edition of the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav will showcase the rich cultural, culinary, and artistic traditions of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. On November 22, President will grace the special session commemorating the centenary celebration of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam in Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)
Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, appeared before a special court for CBI cases in Nampally, Hyderabad, on Thursday complying with the Court's recent directive that he must ensure his personal appearance for the hearing in the long-pending disproportionate assets (DA) case. According to a directive issued earlier this month, the court required Reddy to be physically present for the hearing on the DA cases registered in 2012. After completing the formalities, the YSRCP chief left the premises without interacting with the media. Speaking to ANI, Venkateswar Rao, a member of Reddy's legal team, confirmed that the former chief minister's presence had been duly recorded. "The former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has appeared before the honourable court specially for the CBI cases on the direction of the honourable court. The court recorded his presence, and the application was closed," he said. Rao added that no next date had been set and that only Wednesday's application was pending. The disproportionate assets case against Reddy dates back to May 2012, when the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested him on allegations of amassing wealth through quid pro quo deals during the tenure of his father, the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, then chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Investigators alleged that several business houses invested in companies owned by Jagan in return for favours granted by the YSR government. Reddy has consistently denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. Jagan Mohan Reddy's political rise is closely tied to the legacy of his father, popularly known as YSR, whose sudden death in a helicopter crash in 2009 reshaped Andhra Pradesh politics. Since then, Reddy has become one of the state's most influential leaders, serving as chief minister from 2019 to 2024. (ANI)
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police's (ITBP) 27th battalion clinched the best anti-naxal battalion honour for delivering outstanding operational results and leading impactful community initiatives in Chhattisgarh. ITBP Director General Praveen Kumar honoured the prestigious award to the battalion's Commandant Vivek Kumar Pandey and BP Badaya during the force's Raising Day Director General's Parade held today in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. Shattering the red corridor deployed in the challenging Mohla-Manpur area near the borders of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli and Kanker, the Kerala-based 27th Battalion has been at the forefront of the campaign against Maoists. The unit's most significant victory came in August 2025, when it successfully eliminated two senior Naxal commanders--Vijay Reddy (State Zonal Committee member) and Lokesh Salame (Rajnandgaon Kanker Border, RKB, Division Secretary)--during a major encounter. Recognised as one of the state's top Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) units, the 27th Battalion has demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in line with the Centre's goal to eradicate the Naxal menace by March 2026, said the ITBP in a statement. Operating in Manpur, a region tragically known for the 2009 Korkutti encounter that claimed the lives of SP VK Chaube and 28 policemen, the statement mentioned, the unit has been instrumental in restoring security. "Their strategic pressure has led to the neutralisation of nine other top leaders (four DVCMs and five ACMs), the arrest of numerous over-ground workers, and the crucial disruption of the Naxal logistics supply chain, driving many extremists to surrender over the past two years." The unit's dedication extends beyond combat, fostering strong ties with the local population through humanitarian initiatives. A notable initiative is the career counselling program that successfully trained local tribal youth from the Aundhi area, helping them pass critical government recruitment exams like the SSC and the Chhattisgarh Police Constable tests. The 27th Battalion established a Field Hospital and the area's first-ever Veterinary Field Hospital. These facilities provided essential medical care to over 6,000 villagers and thousands of livestock across nearly 35 surrounding LWE-affected tribal villages. The battalion's commitment was publicly acknowledged in May 2025 when Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai visited its Sitagaon Company Operating Base to praise its work in ensuring both security and sustainable development. In a unique outreach effort this year, the Battalion organised Diwali celebration programs in some of the district's most remote villages, allowing the festival to be observed there for the very first time. (ANI)
The Union Home Ministry on Thursday abolished decades-old requirements of sign-on, sign-off and Shore Leave Passes (SLP) for all Indian vessels exclusively operating in Indian waters. In a letter addressed to Joint Secretary (Ports), the MHA said that it has been decided to do away with the coastal sign-on/sign-off and the SLP procedures for the Crew/Supernumerary of Indian Flag coastal run vessels, dredgers/barges and research vessels operating within port limits. "The undersigned is directed to refer to the above-mentioned subject and to say that it has been brought to the notice of this Ministry that Indian Seafarers are facing difficulties with the existing immigration procedures of sign-on/sign-off & SLP during coastal run as the physical presence of the crew members is required at the immigration office for the issuance of the SLP and its further extension every 10 days, which is creating difficulties for the seafarers in discharging their duties onboard the ship," the letter signed by Deputy Officer (Immigration) Balbir Singh read. The MHA further requested the Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Ministry to direct concerned Port Authorities to keep a record/data of the Crew/Supernumerary of the Indian Flag coastal run vessels. "The Bureau of Immigration shall conduct periodical surprise inspections and seek crew lists from the Indian Flag coastal run vessels, dredgers/barges, research vessels and similar types/categories of vessels operating within port limits. The shore access of Crew/ Supernumerary of Indian Flag Coastal Run Vessels shall henceforth be regulated by the Port Authority," the letter read. Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the decision as empowering for Seafarers. "Modi government stands strong with India's Seafarers. Towards empowering our Seafarers, Union Home Ministry under the decisive leadership of Amit Shah has abolished decades-old requirements of sign-on, sign-off and Shore Leave Passes (SLP) for all Indian vessels exclusively operating in Indian waters," Sonowal posted on X.
The Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, on Thursday conveyed his greetings to Nitish Kumar on assuming office as Chief Minister of Bihar once again, marking his 10th term at the helm of the state government. In a message posted on X, the Vice President said, "Heartiest congratulations to Shri Nitish Kumar ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar. Warm wishes to him and all the newly sworn-in ministers as they assume their responsibilities." The post further read, "May their collective leadership usher in a new phase of sustained growth, good governance, inclusive development, and prosperity of Bihar. Wishing them success in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the state." Alongside the Vice President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his wishes to Nitish Kumar and the new Bihar government shortly after the JD(U) chief took oath at Patna's Gandhi Maidan earlier in the day. In a post shared on X, PM Modi wrote, "Heartiest congratulations to Shri Nitish Kumar Ji on taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar. He is a skilled and experienced administrator. He has a splendid track record of good governance in the state. My heartfelt best wishes to him for the new term!" In another message, the Prime Minister congratulated the newly appointed Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha, highlighting their long-standing work at the grassroots. "Heartiest congratulations to Shri Samrat Chaudhary Ji and Shri Vijay Sinha Ji on becoming the Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar. Both leaders have extensive experience in public service at the grassroots level. I extend my very best wishes to them as well!" PM Modi posted. He also applauded the team of ministers inducted into the new Bihar Cabinet, calling it a group committed to advancing the state's development. "My heartiest congratulations to all the colleagues who took oath as ministers in the Bihar government. This is a splendid team of dedicated leaders, which will take Bihar to new heights. My best wishes to all of them!" the Prime Minister said in a separate post. Earlier today, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister for the 10th time. BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered the oath. A total of 25 ministers took oath as part of the new NDA-led Cabinet, including Vijay Kumar Choudhary (JD-U), Bijendra Prasad Yadav (JD-U), Shravan Kumar (JD-U), Mangal Pandey (BJP), Dilip Kumar Jaiswal (BJP) and Ashok Choudhary (JD-U). The ceremony was held at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, which has previously hosted Nitish Kumar's swearing-ins in 2005, 2010, and 2015. The venue also holds political significance as the site where Jayaprakash Narayan called for a "total revolution" in 1974. The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls were seen as a crucial test for Nitish Kumar, who has remained a central figure in the state's politics for nearly two decades. The 74-year-old leader has served as Chief Minister since 2005, barring a brief nine-month interval in 2014-15. (ANI)
Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij on Thursday expressed happiness over Nitish Kumar taking oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time, saying it reflects a victory of people's trust and confidence. Vij said the people of Bihar have clearly endorsed the politics of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while the offices of parties opposing the NDA have remained shut after the election results. According to him, the public has completely rejected the politics of deceit and falsehood. Speaking to the media today, Vij dismissed the Congress' claim of vote rigging as entirely baseless. He said the Congress has not filed even a single written complaint to date. They claim that multiple votes were created, but do not clarify who created them or in whose names they were cast. Citing an example, Vij said that in a village under the Mulana Assembly constituency of Ambala district, one woman was found to have 232 votes, and both the MLA and MP from that area belong to the Congress. In such a situation, how can it be determined who benefited from the fake votes? He accused the Congress of creating unnecessary controversy without any facts and attempting to mislead the public. Commenting on the visible cracks within the Mahagathbandhan after the Bihar elections, Vij said that all their offices have shut down after the results, and the public has given a fitting reply to those spreading lies. He added that during the election campaign, Rahul Gandhi's video of catching fish became more talked about, and he should probably focus on that instead. Vij further said that the Congress has completely failed on the issue of the SIR, and the public understands that the party is merely performing theatrics to hide its defeat. On the infighting within the Haryana Congress and the absence of leaders' photos on party banners, Vij remarked that Congress is no longer a cohesive political party. Rather, it has turned into a collection of small groups and factions. He said that the party lacks discipline as well as belief in democratic principles. Responding strongly to Pakistan's concerns about a possible Indian response after the Red Fort attack, Vij said that those who engage in such actions can expect an appropriate reaction. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already clarified that anyone involved in such acts against the country, whether directly or indirectly, will not be spared. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed her concerns over the "structurally unsound" Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls in the state. In a letter written to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on November 20, Chief Minister Banerjee claimed that the "critical gaps in training, lack of clarity on mandatory documentation and the near-impossibility of meeting voters in the midst of their livelihood schedules have made the exercise structurally unsound." The Chief Minister expressed serious concerns about the ongoing SIR, citing inadequate planning, lack of training, and unrealistic timelines, which are "compromising the process's credibility." The letter reads, "I have time and again flagged my serious concerns in respect of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the way it has been thrust upon the people. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous. The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning or clear communication has crippled the process from day one." CM Banerjee highlighted the excessive workload and pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are struggling with online data entry, server issues, and inadequate training, risking inaccurate voter data. The letter states, "I deeply appreciate the strenuous efforts put in by the BLOs under these extremely pressing circumstances and huge work load. However, it cannot be denied that the BLOs have not been provided adequate training, support and time required for undertaking a mammoth exercise of this nature. The unrealistic workload, impossible timelines, and inadequate support with online data entry have collectively placed the entire process-and its credibility-at severe risk. This strikes at the heart of our electoral democracy." She further claimed, "BLOs are now operating far beyond human limits. They are expected to manage their principal duties (many being teachers and frontline workers) while simultaneously conducting door-to-door surveys and handling complex e-submissions. Most are struggling with online forms due to lack of training, server failures, and repeated data mismatches." She warned that the SIR's flaws may lead to "disenfranchisement of genuine voters, erosion of electoral roll integrity, and undermining of democratic processes." The letter reads, "At this pace, it is almost certain that by 4th December, voter data across multiple constituencies cannot be uploaded maintaining required accuracy. Even more concerning is the fact that many BLOs, under extreme pressure and fear of punitive action, are being pushed to submit incorrect or incomplete entries-risking disenfranchisement of genuine voters and eroding the integrity of the electoral roll." "What is particularly unacceptable is the response from the Election Commission at this juncture. Instead of offering support, extending timelines, or addressing systemic flaws, the office of CEO West Bengal has resorted to intimidation. Show-cause notices are being issued without justification. BLOS-already stretched and distressed-are being threatened with severe disciplinary action simply because the Commission refuses to acknowledge the reality on the ground," it added. The Chief Minister pointed out that the SIR coincides with peak agricultural season, making it difficult for farmers and laborers to participate. The letter stated, "The timing of this exercise is equally indefensible. West Bengal is currently at the peak of paddy harvest, continuing until mid-December 2025. Simultaneously, Rabi sowing-especially for potato, a strictly time-bound activity-is underway. Millions of farmers and labourers are engaged in essential agricultural work and cannot be expected to abandon the fields to participate in SIR enumeration." "The human cost of this mismanagement is now unbearable. Yesterday, an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, died by suicide reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure. Several others have lost their lives since this process began. A revision that previously required three years is now being forcibly compressed into three months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhuman working conditions and forcing common people under the shadow of fear and uncertainty," it added. Chief Minister Banerjee has requested the poll body chief to intervene, halt the exercise, provide support, and reassess the methodology and timelines to protect electoral integrity and democratic framework. "Under these circumstances, I strongly urge and expect immediate corrective action. Continuing this unplanned, coercive drive not only endangers more lives but also jeopardises the legitimacy of the electoral revision itself. I would request you to kindly intervene decisively to halt the ongoing exercise, stop coercive measures, provide proper training and support, and thoroughly reassess the present methodology and timelines. If this path is not corrected without delay, the consequences for the system, the officials, and the citizens-will be irreversible. This intervention is not only necessary but imperative to protect the integrity of electoral process and our democratic framework," the letter added. (ANI)
Puthiya Tamilagam founder president K Krishnasamy on Thursday welcomed the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process but raised concerns about potential misuse by political party representatives. The party demanded a one-month extension for the SIR form process in Tamil Nadu and for monitoring political party Booth Level Agents (BLAs). "We welcome it. When SIR forms are given to BLAs who were representatives of political parties, they may misuse them, so the Election Commission should review them. Puthiya Tamilagam Party demands that the Election Commision extend the SIR form process by one more month in Tamil Nadu. We also urge the Election Commision to monitor the political party BLAs in the SIR process," said Krishnasamy during a press conference. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls - 2026 is currently being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the state. The SIR is an exercise to create a fresh, error-free list of eligible voters for the 2026 assembly elections. The process began on November 4, 2025, and involves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conducting house-to-house enumeration, distributing and collecting forms to verify voter details. The final electoral roll is expected to be published on February 7, 2026. The SIR exercise has generated significant political controversy in Tamil Nadu. The ruling DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) party and its allies have staged demonstrations and filed petitions in the Supreme Court and Madras High Court against the process, calling it arbitrary and a potential attempt to disenfranchise genuine voters, particularly from minority communities and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. They argue that the timing during the monsoon season and holiday periods (November-January) is not conducive to proper public participation and that the process places undue burden on citizens to prove their eligibility. The main opposition party, AIADMK, supports the exercise, arguing it is necessary to weed out fake and duplicate voters from the list. Meanwhile, Krishnasamy praised Bihar's NDA win, attributing it to Nitish Kumar's trust and policies, such as stopping liquor sales and supporting women. Krishnasamy urged Tamil Nadu political parties to learn from Bihar's example and advocated for a coalition ministry in Tamil Nadu, following Bihar's formula. "In the recent Bihar Assembly election NDA have won, and it shows people trust Nitish Kumar. Before the elections, 1 crore 20 lakh women were given 10 thousand rupees. In Bihar, it was a liquor-surplus state before, and CM Nitish Kumar stopped it all, and that's why women have come forward and supported him. Political parties in Tamil Nadu should learn from the Bihar Assembly election," said the Puthiya Tamilagam founder. The party plans to decide on alliances after its 7th state-level conference in Madurai on January 22, 2026. "In Bihar, a coalition government with a good relationship in partnership is there. After the 1960s, there was only one party ruling in Tamil Nadu, and this should change. There is a surplus of liquor, which the government itself sells, and this has disturbed law and order. We demand that the Tamil Nadu government stop selling liquor. In Tamil Nadu, our party policy will be based on the Bihar formula, which is a coalition ministry. In the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the political situation has changed, and it will follow the Bihar election," added Krishnasamy. He also condemned the murder of college girl Shalini in Rameswaram, urging the Tamil Nadu government to draft a bill on "honour killings." The party also plans to hold a protest in Thirunelveli today, highlighting concerns over the misuse of SC/ST funds by local body representatives. "Yesterday in Rameswaram, a college girl Shalini, was murdered by Muniraj for denying to accept his love. Already a honour killings are happening in Tamil Nadu, and the Tamil Nadu government have formed a committee to recommend proceedings to create a bill on honour killing. We urge the Tamil Nadu Government to look into this love issue and draft a bill which is in process. Union Government and state government funds for SC and ST are not reaching the needy, and they're being misused by local body representatives. So, urging to take action on it today in Thirunelveli, our party will hold a protest," said Krishnasamy. The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is heating up ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The AIADMK and BJP have reunited, with Edappadi K. Palaniswami as the AIADMK-led NDA alliance's chief ministerial candidate. The BJP is pushing for 45 seats in the alliance, but the AIADMK is reportedly willing to offer only around 20-24 seats. The DMK, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, is part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and won all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu in the 2024 general election. Actor-politician Vijay has launched his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and is seen as a potential game-changer. Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is also expected to play a significant role. (ANI)
Held commemorative ceremony for the delivery of 5,000 ships at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan on the 19th

Delivered to more than 700 shipowners across 68 countriesmarking a milestone achieved half a century after the first vessel delivery

"Reaching 5,000 ships is a symbol of pride for Korea's shipbuilding industrywe will continue to forge ahead toward the next 50 years"

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai has become the world's first shipbuilder to build and deliver 5,000 ships, marking half a century since its first vessel delivery in 1974.

"HD Hyundai recently delivered the second Philippine patrol vessel, the 'Diego Silang'." (PRNewsfoto/HD Hyundai) The delivery and naming ceremony of the 'Atlantic Baron', a 260,000-ton ultra-large crude oil carrier, which was the very first vessel constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries at its Ulsan shipyard and delivered in June 1974. (PRNewsfoto/HD Hyundai) Participants pose for a group photo during HD Hyundais ceremony marking the delivery of its 5,000th vessel, held on the 19th at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan (PRNewsfoto/HD Hyundai)

HD Hyundai announced that it held a ceremony on Wednesday, November 19, at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan to celebrate delivering a total of 5,000 ships. The event was attended by HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Kisun; National Assembly members Kim Taeseon (Ulsan Dong-gu) and Yoon Jong-o (Ulsan Buk-gu); Park Dong-il, Director General at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources; Ahn Byung-gil, CEO of the Korea Ocean Business Corporation; and Park Jong-seug, Chairman of Korea Marine Transport Co. (and Chairman of the Korea Shipowners' Association).

The 5,000th vessel delivered by HD Hyundai is the Diego Silang, the second offshore patrol vessel built for the Philippine Navy. Measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, the state-of-the-art vessel reaches a cruising speed of 15 knots (28 km/h) and has a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km). It was launched in March and delivered to the Philippine Navy in October. HD Hyundai has secured contracts to build a total of ten naval vessels for the Philippines.

Since delivering its first vesselthe 260,000-ton Very Large Crude Oil Carrier Atlantic Baronin 1974, HD Hyundai has provided ships to more than 700 shipowners across 68 countries, culminating in the latest delivery of the Diego Silang.

In detail, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered 2,631 vessels, HD Hyundai Mipo has delivered 1,570 vessels, and HD Hyundai Samho has delivered 799 vessels. This record-setting achievement has not been matched even by European or Japanese shipbuilders, despite their much longer shipbuilding histories.

Assuming an average vessel length of 250 meters, the combined length of 5,000 ships reaches approximately 1,250 kilometers. This distance exceeds the straight-line distance from Seoul to Tokyo (about 1,150 kilometers) and is more than 140 times the height of Mount Everest (approximately 8,800 meters).

Chairman Chung stated, "Our 5,000-vessel milestone represents the pride of Korea's shipbuilding industry and the history of bold challenges that have reshaped the global maritime paradigm." He continued, "Building on this shared legacy of innovation, we will move confidently toward the next 5,000 vesselsand the next half century."

Meanwhile, HD Hyundai's three shipbuilding subsidiaries delivered a total of 144 vessels in 2024, including container ships, LNG carriers, and product carriers.

SOURCE HD Hyundai
Senior Supreme Court Advocate Syed Ahmed Saud has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging the alleged "forcible acquisition" of the Trichy SRM Hotel by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) on October 22, amid an ongoing legal dispute over rent payments. According to Saud, the Supreme Court had earlier directed the SRM Hotel to deposit half of the rent amount worth Rs 20 crore. The hotel management submitted before the court that civil cases related to the rent were already pending before the district court of Trichy. According to the media statement, the Trichy SRM Hotel management has already deposited Rs 7 crore in accordance with the Madurai High Court's order. On October 27, the management of the SRM Hotel was ready to pay Rs 20 crore, but was seeking clarity through its petition on October 5. The petition enquired whether the SRM Trichy hotel is required to pay the remaining balance of Rs 13 crore, given that Rs 7 crore has already been paid, and whether the deposit of Rs 13 crore can be made in the name of the Supreme Court registry. The Supreme Court had accepted the petition on October 14. However, Saud said that TTDC "forcibly acquired the SRM Hotel in Trichy, without any court order and despite the pending case in the Supreme Court" on October 22. "On October 27, the Supreme Court in the SRM Hotel case, a two-judge bench, dismissed the petition without examining the evidence submitted by senior advocate Syed Ahmed Saud, including the footage/photographs forcibly acquired by TTDC," the release read. In this situation, senior advocate Syed Ahmed Saud has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on November 11. "The forcible seizure of public property on October 22, 2025, in the case of SRM Hotel, Trichy, where passengers and guests are accommodated under an agreement between a contractor and TTDC, violates the protections guaranteed by Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India," it further read. Saud stated, "The Trichy SRM Hotel approached the High Court and the Supreme Court on the grounds that everyone, including the occupier, is entitled to due process of law. It is on this sole ground that we have filed a review petition (after the order of October 27, 2025)." Referring to the October 22 seizure, Saud added, "The forceful takeover of the Trichy SRM Hotel and its properties by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, aided by the police, is a noteworthy event. The TTDC has taken over the hotel and its properties by force. It hasn't let the hotel remove movable items as per the lease. TTDC has acted contrary to the protection provided in Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution." The senior Supreme Court counsel further said the review petition has been filed to show that TTDC acted "as if it were usurping public property while the guests were staying there, without respecting the Constitution of India and violating the law." Saud added, "If necessary, we are also ready to file a curative petition after this. The three senior judges of the Supreme Court will sit in the hearing of the curative petition, and two judges will review the decision (October 27, 2025)." (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday emphasised that the contribution of tribal communities has been instrumental in shaping India's history, as she graced the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations organised by the Chhattisgarh government at Ambikapur, Surguja. In a post shared on X, the President said, "The contribution of tribal communities is a glorious chapter in the history of India. The development of tribal people is a priority of the Government of India. Various national-level schemes have been developed and implemented for the welfare of tribal communities." The President joined the state-level event to honour the legacy of tribal freedom fighters, including Birsa Munda. Addressing the gathering, she reiterated the Centre's commitment towards the welfare and empowerment of tribal communities. "The contribution of tribal communities is a glorious chapter in the history of India. The development of tribal people is a priority of the Government of India. Various national-level schemes have been developed and implemented for the welfare of tribal communities," she said. President Murmu also congratulated the people of Chhattisgarh on the state's progress and praised its cultural and historical significance. "I congratulate the people of Chhattisgarh for their progress. They have just celebrated the silver jubilee of state formation. I have had the honour of visiting Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birthplace (in Jharkhand) and offering my tribute. The contribution of tribal communities has been tremendous in the history of Indian. I feel very cordial after coming to Chhattisgarh. Jharkhand and Odisha are not far from Chhattisgarh," the President stated. Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai were present during the ceremony, which saw participation from tribal representatives and cultural groups from across the state. Earlier today, Union Minister Tokhan Sahu welcomed the President's visit, calling it a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh. The President is currently on a three-day tour of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh from November 20-22. (ANI)
Union Minister Anupriya Patel on Thursday extended greetings to Nitish Kumar after he took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the historic 10th time. Speaking to reporters, the Union Minister said that the NDA government will fulfil the expectations of the people, and they will get to see development at a rapid pace. "I extend my greetings to all Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his cabinet and NDA leaders and parties. All of them have worked very hard. We have full confidence that the NDA government will fulfil the expectations of the people... The people of Bihar will get to see development at a rapid pace," Anupriya Patel told reporters. She further said, "We have talked about providing 1 crore jobs for the youth in our manifesto. Women are at the center of our governance system. All our schemes are in the direction of empowering women. This is how a developed India will be built." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his wishes to Nitish Kumar and the new Bihar government shortly after the JD(U) chief took oath at Patna's Gandhi Maidan earlier in the day. Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister for the 10th time. BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered the oath. A total of 25 ministers took oath as part of the new NDA-led Cabinet, including Vijay Kumar Choudhary (JD-U), Bijendra Prasad Yadav (JD-U), Shravan Kumar (JD-U), Mangal Pandey (BJP), Dilip Kumar Jaiswal (BJP) and Ashok Choudhary (JD-U). The ceremony was held at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, which has previously hosted Nitish Kumar's swearing-ins in 2005, 2010, and 2015. The venue also holds political significance as the site where Jayaprakash Narayan called for a "total revolution" in 1974. The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls were seen as a crucial test for Nitish Kumar, who has remained a central figure in the state's politics for nearly two decades. The 74-year-old leader has served as Chief Minister since 2005, barring a brief nine-month interval in 2014-15. (ANI)
During surveillance, the ICG ship observed a suspicious fishing vessel conducting evasive manoeuvres within Indian waters. The vessel was promptly intercepted and identified as a Bangladeshi fishing boat in violation of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 (MZI Act). The ICG boarding team conducted a thorough search.

None of the 28 Bangladeshi crew members possessed valid authorisation or permits to fish within the Maritime Zones of India. The fishing gear and onboard catch confirmed active fishing operations in the prohibited area. The vessel, along with its crew, was subsequently apprehended and escorted to Namkhana Fishing Harbour. Upon arrival, the boat and all crew members were handed over to the Marine Police, Namkhana, for further legal action.

This marks the fourth apprehension of a Bangladeshi fishing vessel in a single week, underscoring the ICG's steadfast commitment to protecting India's maritime interests, preventing illegal fishing, and ensuring the safety and security of Indian fishermen in Indian waters.

The ICG continues to maintain an uninterrupted vigil in the Bay of Bengal through round-the-clock surface and air surveillance, ensuring effective enforcement of maritime laws and safeguarding national maritime assets. (ANI)
The operation commenced during early hours and involved area domination and a search operation to uncover pockets of illegal narcotics cultivation. During the conduct of the operation, the joint team detected and destroyed about 10 acres of illicit poppy cultivation, along with three makeshift huts used for storage and processing activities.

The destroyed poppy fields had the potential to yield around 70 kgs of opium worth multiple crores.

Conducted over challenging terrain and dense vegetation, the operation reflects the relentless efforts of Assam Rifles to destroy illegal narcotics cultivation.

This successful operation reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the Assam Rifles to ensuring a drug-free Northeast, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and socio-economic development in the region.

Earlier, the Assam Rifles destroyed about 25 acres of illicit poppy cultivation, which had the potential to allegedly yield over 170 kgs of opium worth multiple crores of rupees, officials informed on November 16.

Based on intelligence regarding illicit poppy cultivation, Assam Rifles, alongwith CRPF and Manipur Police, launched a joint operation in the general area of Loibol Khullen in Kangpokpi District on Saturday.

During the operation and area domination exercise, officials also searched suspected pockets, during which the poppy field was discovered.

"Conducted under challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, the operation highlights the unwavering efforts of Assam Rifles to curb illicit narcotics cultivation and dismantle the financial networks that fuel insurgency and other anti-national activities," the official statement read. (ANI)
Three persons lost their lives and two youths sustained serious injuries after a car crashed into a tipper truck in Tahliwal, an industrial area of Una district, in Himachal Pradesh. According to officials, the police took possession of the bodies on Wednesday night and sent them to the Regional Hospital Una for post-mortem. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway. As per the complaint filed by Aman, son of Joginder Pal and resident of Ajauli, he was travelling with his friends, Taranjit Singh, Abhimanyu Kaushal, and Mayank, from Mehatpur towards Tahliwal after celebrating a birthday. On the way, at Santoshgarh Virbhadra Chowk, a woman asked for a lift and identified herself as Kiran Devi, a resident of Ludhiana. She was accommodated in the vehicle. At around 11:45 pm, near Tahliwal, a truck parked inside a petrol pump allegedly came out in the wrong direction and hit the car. The impact was so severe that the vehicle veered off the road and fell into a ditch. Locals rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the Regional Hospital Una. Doctors at the hospital declared Mayank, Taranjit Singh and Kiran Devi dead. Aman and Abhimanyu were admitted for treatment. Una SP Amit Yadav said the police have initiated further action and are scrutinising CCTV footage from the vicinity of the accident site. Himachal Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri expressed grief over the loss of lives in the road accident at Tahliwal. "The State Government stands firmly with the aggrieved families in this hour of grief," the Chief Minister said, directing the district administration to provide all possible assistance. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery. The Deputy Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of the state government's support. Both leaders prayed for peace for the departed souls and strength for the families to bear the loss. (ANI)
The 102nd meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) convened on Thursday to evaluate infrastructure projects of Road, Transport and Highways. The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP). The NPG evaluated three projects in which one Road/Highway project of MoRTH and two Rail projects for their conformity to the PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes and 'Whole of Government' approach. These initiatives are expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce travel times, and deliver significant socio-economic benefits to the catchment areas of the project. The evaluation and anticipated impacts of these projects are detailed below: A brief description of the projects are: the Ministry of Railways (MoR), 3rd and 4th line between PUNARAKH to KIUL station (Bihar): The Ministry of Railways has proposed the construction of a Third and Fourth Railway Line between Punarakh and Kiul stations in the state of Bihar, spanning approximately 49.57 kilometres. The proposed section traverses the Patna and Lakhisarai districts, strengthening the rail infrastructure in one of the state's key industrial and agricultural corridors. This corridor holds significant strategic and economic importance, as it will enhance rail capacity and logistical efficiency for major industrial establishments, including Ultratech Cement Plant, ACC Cement (Warsaliganj), NTPC Barauni, NTPC Super Thermal Power Plant (Barh), Carriage Repair Workshop (Harnaut), and SJVN Power Plant (Chausa). It will also benefit numerous small and medium-scale industries engaged in automobile, marble, stone, food processing, petroleum, and textile production across Fatuha, Patna-Patliputra, Mokama, Barhiya, and Lakhisarai. The project is expected to catalyse economic and social development by providing faster, safer, and seamless rail connectivity within Bihar and to other parts of the country. Enhanced accessibility will particularly benefit regional hubs such as Patna, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, and Mokama, supporting both passenger and freight movement. Additionally, the proposed railway line will improve connectivity to several important tourist destinations, including Bapu Tower, Mahavir Mandir, Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Khuda Baksh Library, Kumhrar Park, Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, Gol Ghar, and Bihar Museum, thereby fostering tourism and cultural exchange. New BG Line from Silghat (Silghat Town), Dekargaon (Tezpur) (Assam): The Ministry of Railways has proposed the construction of a new railway line between Silghat and Dekargaon, covering a total distance of approximately 27.50 kilometres linking the station opposite on the bank of the Brahmaputra river in the State of Assam. The proposed alignment is strategically positioned near National Highways NH-15 and NH-715, enabling strong synergy between rail and road transport systems. The development of this new line aims to enhance regional connectivity and promote multimodal transportation by creating a complementary ecosystem between existing highway and railway networks. This integration will ensure seamless movement of passengers and freight, improving overall transportation efficiency within the region. Designed as a capacity augmentation project, the proposed line will strengthen existing rail infrastructure between Dekargaon and New Silghat stations, accommodating the growing volumes of both freight and passenger traffic. In the long term, the project is expected to catalyse economic growth and regional development, fostering industrial activity, trade, and tourism in Assam and neighbouring areas, while supporting the Government's broader vision of enhanced connectivity across the northeastern region. Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways (MoRTH), construction of 4 lane elevated corridor including approaches from Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka on NH-65 (Maharashtra): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed the construction of a four-lane elevated corridor from Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka on National Highway (NH)-65 in Solapur, Maharashtra, spanning approximately 9.66 kilometres. The project, a part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana (Phase-I), includes approach ramps and service roads designed to enhance traffic flow and overall connectivity in the region. Once completed, the corridor will provide a dedicated, congestion-free route, easing city traffic, reducing travel time, and enhancing road safety, while also contributing to lower vehicular emissions. The proposed elevated corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional connectivity, boosting economic activity, and supporting religious and cultural tourism in Solapur. This initiative reflects the Ministry's continued commitment to improving urban mobility and promoting sustainable infrastructure development, in line with national highway modernisation and capacity enhancement goals under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The meeting was chaired by the Joint Secretary, Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry, and Internal Trade (DPIIT) (ANI)
Maharashtra Water Minister Girish Mahajan on Thursday stated that trees cannot be cut down forcefully or without the necessary approvals, in response to a citizens' protest in Nashik against the cutting of trees for preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. He assured the public that the matter is being investigated into the ongoing "Chipko Andolan-style" protest against the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) by the corporation, and that an open meeting would be held. He said, "Trees can't be cut down forcefully without the necessary approvals. The corporation is looking into this matter. I will conduct an open meeting here at the site to invite suggestions. We have also introduced an online procedure. Around 600-650 people have raised objections, and even suggestions through it, which will also be taken into consideration." Environmentalists and citizens in Nashik reportedly conducted a "Chipko Andolan-style" protest against the Nashik Municipal Corporation's (NMC) plan to cut down over 1,700 trees in the Tapovan area ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela. They were reported to be opposing the plan, arguing it is inconsistent with the "Green Kumbh" initiative and have demanded alternative sites or a tree-felling plan that doesn't harm old trees. The trees were reported to be planned to be removed for the purpose of the expansion of Sadhugram (a temporary settlement for sadhus and mahants) for the upcoming Simhasta Kumbh Mela, scheduled for 2026-28. The NMC planned to expand the Sadhugram area from 350 acres (used during the 2015 Kumbh Mela) to nearly 1,200 acres to accommodate the projected rise in the number of sadhus from 2.5 lakh in 2015 to around 10 lakh for the 2027 Kumbh Mela. Environmental activists named Raaju Desle, Rohan Deshpande, and Rajendra Bagul led the protest. Following the "Chipko Andolan-style", they were reported to be hugging the tree trunks. The protesters were also reported to hold placards with slogans such as " Save Trees, Save the Environment" and "Clean Nashik, Green Nashik." The protestors demanded transparency and an open public hearing on the matter, and suggested finding an alternative site for Sadhugram. (ANI)
The Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress on Thursday held a 'Raj Bhawan Gherao' protest march from the Congress headquarters in Shimla to the Raj Bhawan, alleging large-scale "vote chori" (vote theft) across the country. The protesters also burned an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the demonstration. National Youth Congress General Secretary and Himachal Pradesh in-charge Shesh Narayan Ojha, who led the march, accused the Election Commission of acting as an extension of the ruling party. "The Election Commission has completely become the pitbull of the RSS and the BJP. Despite raising the matter in three states, despite Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi repeatedly asking questions through press conferences and demonstrations, the Election Commission has not responded even once. Should this be considered theft or arrogance? Have you accepted slavery to the RSS and BJP?" he said. Ojha further alleged that the Commission had failed to act on multiple complaints. "We want to tell the Election Commissioner, open your ears. The youth of this country is already on the streets. It won't take long before they reach your doorstep. This is India. Even the British, with all their wealth, could not stay. What will you do by becoming slaves of these 'new black British'?" he alleged. He said the Youth Congress delegation wanted to meet the Governor to submit a memorandum, but was informed that he was unavailable. "If he comes, fine; if not, we will wait. Congress will continue to fight this vote theft on the streets. The kind of brokerage being done by the Election Commission for the BJP and RSS will have to be answered," he added. Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress president Chhatar Singh Thakur said the "vote theft issue" has become a pressing public concern. "This public outrage is over the most burning issue, vote theft. I accuse Himachal BJP President Dr. Rajeev Bindal of registering his daughter's name in two different places under two different parental names. This is shameful," he said. He also alleged widespread irregularities across states. "Whether it is Karnataka, Maharashtra or Haryana, a Brazilian model, an actress, is shown voting in 22 different constituencies. This kind of ghost voting is an attack on the limits of democracy. All constitutional institutions and those who believe in the Constitution feel that it is being exploited," Thakur said. Thakur reiterated the allegation against Dr Bindal. "I have cited an example from Himachal too. Dr. Rajeev Bindal, who is already known for the PPE kit scam during COVID, has even registered his daughter in two places, once as Rajeev Bindal's daughter and once as Ram Avtar Bindal's daughter. Nothing can be more shameful," he added. He said the Youth Congress was raising concerns based on official data. "This data is not from the Youth Congress; this is Election Commission data that we are sharing with you. After our earlier signature campaign and press conference, today's protest was another step. We wanted to submit a memorandum through the Governor so it could reach the President, but he was unavailable. We will act as per further directions from our central leadership," he said. "We aim to alert voters from the district to the booth level. In the coming times, if the opposition itself does not survive in this democracy, nothing will remain meaningful," Thakur added. The Youth Congress said the agitation will intensify if the Election Commission fails to address what they allege is "systematic voter fraud" enabled by the BJP and its affiliates. (ANI)
People's Democratic Party (JKPDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday visited Baba Nagri in Wangat to express condolences to the family of Bilal Ahmad Sangoo, who lost in life in the Delhi terror blast incident. Mufti expressed grief over the Delhi blast, saying the victim had gone to earn a living for his elderly parents, and urged that the public's anger not be directed at the people of Kashmir. Speaking to the reporters, Mehbooba Mufti said, "This is very sad; he had gone to earn a living for his elderly parents and became a victim of the blast... People across the country are very angry and scared because of what happened in Delhi... This anger should not be taken out on the people of Kashmir... We understand the pain of those who lost their lives..." On November 10, a blast near Delhi's Red Fort killed 15 people and injured many others. The prime accused, Dr Umar Un Nabi, a Kashmiri resident, was in the wheel carrying the explosive material. Today, Special NIA Court at Patiala House Court grants 10-day custody of Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama (J&K), Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag (J&K), Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow (UP), and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian (J&K) to NIA in connection with the November 10 deadly car blast outside the Red Fort in Delhi. Principal District and Sessions Judge (Special NIA judge) Anju Bajaj Chandana remanded the four accused in NIA custody for 10 days. NIA had sought 15 days' remand of the accused persons to investigate the Delhi Blast case and to ascertain their role in the case. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in a press release that it has arrested four more prime accused involved in the November 10 blast outside the Red Fort in Delhi, taking the total number of arrests in the case to six. The four accused were taken into custody by NIA in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on production orders from the District Sessions Judge, Patiala House Court, the agency said. NIA also said that it had earlier arrested two other accused - Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the car used in the blast was registered, and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, who had provided technical aid to the terrorist involved in the deadly attack. Their interrogation is continuing as part of NIA's efforts to unravel the complete terror conspiracy in the case. The anti-terror agency, which was handed over the investigation by the Union Home Ministry, Government of India, soon after the attack, is working closely with various state police forces to track and arrest every member of the terrorist module involved in the carnage. (ANI)
Signed at the NATO Arctic Space Forum, the LOI targets potential ICEYESSC synergies across mission development, satellite operations and launch capabilities.

HELSINKI, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE , the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, and Swedish Space Corporation ( SSC ), a leading global provider of advanced space services, today announced they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI). This LOI outlines a plan to leverage their complementary strengths, aiming to enhance sovereign space capabilities for Nordic and NATO security.

ICEYE CSO & Co-founder Pekka Laurila & SSC President and CEO Charlotta Sund.

The LOI, signed at the NATO Arctic Space Forum last week in Helsinki, reflects the growing strategic cooperation between Sweden and Finland and aims to explore expanded collaboration in key space and defense-related areas. It leverages the complementary strengths of both companies to support future mission development, satellite operations, and launch capabilities.

The partnership will explore synergies between ICEYE's world-leading sovereign space-based ISR offering and SSC's extensive global ground station network, mission operations expertise, and future orbital launch services.

Following high-level discussions at the NATO Arctic Space Forum among senior Nordic and NATO leaders on the need for increased cooperation between allied governments and industry, the LOI between ICEYE and SSC represents a tangible step toward rapidly strengthening space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for the Arctic and NATO's North-Eastern Flank.

Pekka Laurila, CSO and Co-founder of ICEYE, said: "Through this LOI, we're evaluating how to combine ICEYE's SAR offering and SSC's global ground network and future access to orbit. The intent is to explore concepts that strengthen Nordic collaboration for security and resilience and enable dependable ISR for NATO and the Nordics."

Charlotta Sund, President and CEO at SSC, said: "The LOI between SSC and ICEYE aims to develop cooperation based on our complementary strengths, and is in line with and supports an increasing defense cooperation also in the space domain between Sweden and Finland."

In September 2025, the Finnish Defence Forces announced the acquisition of SAR satellites and technical systems from ICEYE to establish a sovereign, space-based surveillance capability. The total value of the acquisition is approximately 158 million euros, including the main procurement as well as options to extend the satellites' lifecycle and expand the system in the future.

On November 12th 2025, in an address at the NATO Arctic Space Forum, Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen discussed a plan to create a multinational community with allied countries that use SAR satellites, which will promote compatibility, synergy and best practices related to SAR capabilities.

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US. We have more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Media contact: [email protected]

Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.

About SSC



Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space. With local presence on all continents and about 700 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions. We enable successful space projects within Earth observation, telecommunications, security, meteorology, navigation and positioning, scientific research and other applications. Among our strongest assets are Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, set out to be a leading provider of satellite launch services from mainland Europe, as well as one of the world's largest commercial ground station networks for satellite communications. For more information, visit www.sscspace.com .

Media contact:

Philip Ohlsson

Press & PR

+46 70 721 70 26

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SOURCE ICEYE
Indian industrialist-turned-author Dinesh Shahra launched two new books dedicated to the 14th Dalai Lama at the Dorje Drak Monastery in Panthaghati, Shimla, drawing praise from the Tibetan community in exile for spreading the spiritual leader's message of peace, compassion and universal harmony. The two books released include "Secret of Happiness", which Shahra has been launching across India and plans to take globally, and a special coffee-table book commemorating His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 90th birth-year celebrations. 'A Song of Oneness', composed by the author, was also performed with Tibetan Buddhist monks during the ceremony. Addressing the gathering, Shahra--known as the pioneer of the Yellow Revolution nutrition movement and author of works on Sanatan wisdom said he considered it a blessing to write about the Dalai Lama. "I am feeling privileged and happy to be here. I am a student of life. Passion turned into a brand, but compassion turned into purpose," he said, recounting his first meeting with the Dalai Lama 12 years ago in Delhi, which deeply influenced his thinking. The author said he wants to spread the Dalai Lama's message of peace, love, and compassion to the world. "I was fortunate enough to meet His Holiness three times. Each time, I felt blessed. My mission now is to take this book across the world. The Dalai Lama gives a message of the oneness of humanity, and my purpose is to bring that message to people. The purpose of life is to be happy; keep yourself happy and let others live happily." Speaking to ANI after the launch, Shahra said that despite building a business empire of 26 units and over 8,000 employees, he felt a "void" until he rediscovered the value of seva (selfless service) and compassion. He said his father's teachings transformed his outlook. "You must do something for others. From self to universal self--that journey gives true fulfilment," he said, adding that he now visits schools and colleges to share the Dalai Lama's message of inner peace and happiness. Shahra has authored six books so far, including three on Sanatan philosophy--Sanatan Living, Sanatan Leela, and Sanatan Vision --inspired by the Upanishads. The Tibetan Administration lauds the Indian author's work to spread the peace message of the Dalai Lama. Lhakpa Tsering, Chief Representative Officer of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Shimla, praised the initiative, calling it "amazing" that an Indian industrialist had taken upon himself to spread the Dalai Lama's teachings. "Many writers around the world have written about His Holiness, but it is inspiring to see Dr. Shahra from India doing this. It shows how the Dalai Lama's message of peace, joy and compassion is working. He first met His Holiness at Hotel Taj Mansingh in Delhi and was deeply moved. Since then, he keeps writing, even choreographing a song on oneness. It is going viral online. We are happy he continues to spread the message of love and peace." Said Tsering. Tibetan Buddhist monks who participated in the event said they felt indebted and spiritually fulfilled to be part of the book release. Kunga Lama expressed gratitude for the author's dedication to sharing the Dalai Lama's message. "The purpose of life is to propagate peace and compassion. Negative thoughts keep one in depression; that is why spreading happiness is important. Shahra is helping spread compassion and love through his book. As Buddhists, we believe in spreading compassion always. I enjoyed this program, it feels like my karma from a previous life," said Kunga Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist Monk at Dorjee Drak Monastery. (ANI)
The mortal remains of Madhya Pradesh Hawk Force Inspector Ashish Sharma, who was killed during an anti-naxal operation in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, were brought to his native Bohani village in Narsinghpur district on Thursday. The Hawk Force and state police battalions paid homage to the officer with a guard of honour and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also paid his tribute to him offering a wreath on his mortal remains. Additionally, state cabinet ministers Prahlad Patel and Uday Pratap Singh, state Congress chief Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and various others paid their tribute to the officer. The Chief Minister consoled the bereaved family and said that the entire state stands with the family in this hour of grief. The story of his bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered. CM Yadav also announced that the younger brother of late Inspector Ashish Sharma will be appointed as a sub-inspector and a financial assistance of Rs 1 crore will be given to the family. Additionally, a park and stadium will also be built in the memory of the officer. An anti-naxal operation was going on in a dense forest near Dongargarh under the jurisdiction of Bortalab Police Station in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh on Wednesday morning. The Hawk Force Inspector Ashish Sharma, was leading the force, when he was hit by bullets. He sustained injuries in the thigh and stomach. Madhya Pradesh Special DG (Naxal Operation) Pankaj Srivastva told ANI, "Security forces from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra were conducting a joint anti-naxal operation. During the cross-firing, Hawk Force Inspector Ashish Sharma, sustained serious injuries. He was immediately rushed to Dongargarh Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment." He added that Sharma had won two gallantry medals and received out of turn promotion for the February 2025 Rauna forests encounter which had led to the elimination of three women Naxals. On February 19 this year, three women Naxals were killed in an encounter with Hawk Force and state police in Balaghat district. The encounter took place between the forces and Naxals near Raunda Forest Camp of Supkhar Forest Range under Garhi police station limits in Balaghat district. The force also recovered three weapons: INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifle, self-loading rifle (SLR) rifle and 303 rifle and other daily use items from the spot. (ANI)
Assam's Minister of Information and Public Relations, Pijush Hazarika, on Thursday attended the inaugural ceremony of the Tai Khamti New Year festival, 'Poi Pee Mau Tai', which began in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh. Minister Hazarika graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Minister of Cultural Affairs Dasanglu Pul. Extending his greetings, he conveyed warm wishes to the Tai Khamti community on their New Year. In his address, Minister Hazarika described Namsai as a picturesque place with immense tourism potential. He noted that the people of Namsai, predominantly followers of Buddhism, continue to spread Lord Buddha's message of peace, and expressed gratitude for being invited to the festival. Speaking on the longstanding harmony between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Hazarika said, "Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have always shared a bond of brotherhood, and together we must take both our states forward." He added that, just as brothers may differ over boundaries, the two neighbouring states have also had land-related issues. However, due to the efforts and goodwill of both Chief Ministers, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pema Khandu, the boundary issue has been resolved. The Minister also highlighted the cultural unity of the Northeast, noting that deep bonds of harmony bind the region's communities. He said the Northeast's rich and diverse cultural heritage is a matter of pride for the entire nation. Reaffirming the strong brotherhood between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Hazarika said the relationship existed in the past, continues today and will remain strong in the future. Meanwhile, on November 13, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in coordination with the Government of Sikkim, is all set to organise the 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) for the North Eastern Region from November 13 to 16, 2025, at Gangtok, Sikkim. The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang, in the presence of Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, along with Tourism Ministers from all North Eastern States and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments. (ANI)
Hours after a firing in Una left one dead and two injured a case has been registered for aerial firing on Sultanpur Road near a University on the Ochhghat Sultanpur Road. The police have detained one accused a 21 year-old resident of Samastipur, Bihar, and recovered the pistol used in the incident. Solan Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said that the case appears to be linked to a rivalry between two groups. The firing occurred near Dream Villa on the Ochhghat Sultanpur Road, just metres from the university gate, sending students and local residents running for safety. Purported videos of the youth brandishing a pistol and firing repeatedly in the air quickly went viral on social media. "The accused, a student of the university, used the licensed firearm belonging to a student's father. The weapon has been seized and sent for forensic examination," the police official said. Initial investigations revealed that on November 19, senior students from university entered the rented accommodation of a first-year BBA student from Haryana, and allegedly abused and confronted him. His father and other family members arrived in Solan later that night and reported the matter to the university management. The university administration called both parties for discussions at 2 PM on Thursday. However, when the student, his father, and relatives reached near Dream Villa for the meeting, another student involved in an earlier clash, allegedly snatched a licensed pistol belonging to the first student's father and fired multiple shots in the air. No injuries were reported. The accused attempted to flee but was apprehended within minutes by the Solan Police. A case has been registered under Sections 304 (snatching), 109 (abetment/attempt), of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 25 of the Arms Act. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
According to officials, the multi-district 48-hour operation, codenamed 'Cyber Hawk', targeted organised cyber fraud networks involved in cheating, phishing, fake customer care scams, investment frauds and digital payment thefts.

Preliminary investigations have uncovered suspicious and fraudulent transactions worth around Rs 1,000 crore, pointing to a large-scale ecosystem of cyber offenders operating from multiple locations.

Teams conducted raids across Delhi and neighbouring regions, detaining suspects, seizing digital devices, recovering forged documents, and identifying bank accounts used to siphon off victims' money.

Senior officers said the operation will continue in the coming days as more digital evidence is being analysed and linkages are being traced to pan-India syndicates.

Earlier, Delhi Police busted an international fake call centre operating from Satbari village in South Delhi and arrested eight people, including a woman, accused of operating a large-scale illegal call centre from a residential building and targeting foreign nationals using VoIP-based calling setups, foreign databases and forged communication tools.

According to officials, the racket was being run by Sanu, a wanted criminal with past involvement in illegal activities. He fled moments before the raid and is currently absconding and a special team has been formed to trace him.

During the operation, police found that the building used for the call centre was registered in the name of Sanu's younger brother, Rehan alias Tinny. The building has been sealed for further investigation, officials said.

A large quantity of electronic equipment was recovered from the spot, including multiple computer systems, mobile phones, VoIP software, foreign data sets and documents used in fraudulent activities.

Police said the setup was designed to resemble a legitimate international customer-support facility. The arrested accused are being questioned to ascertain the scale of the operation and their links with other cyber-fraud networks, police added. (ANI)
Rajasthan's former BJP President, Arun Chauturvedi, on Thursday criticised senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and other constitutional bodies. Speaking with ANI, Chaturvedi accused Gehlot of trying to save his position in the party and questioned Congress's intentions. Arun Chaturvedi said, "It is unfortunate that Ashok Gehlot, who is known to be such a big leader and has remained the chief minister of Rajasthan for so many years. Firstly, he is trying to save his position in the party, and I have never seen him so weak." He stated that Congress has crossed a line by questioning the impartiality of institutions like the Supreme Court, ECI, and armed forces. Chaturvedi pointed out that Congress's repeated claims of EVM hacking and ballot paper theft undermine trust in the electoral process. "Secondly, it is a dilemma for the Congress party that in the process of questioning the intentions of the BJP party and PM Narendra Modi, it crossed the line and started even to ask the leanings and intentions of the constitutional institutions of India. They question the intentions of the army, the Supreme Court, the ECI, the ED, and the CBI, all of whom are performing their duties impartially." Chaturvedi also raised concerns about Congress's stance on voter list revision, suggesting it might benefit illegal immigrants. He challenged Congress to clarify whether it represents citizens or illegal immigrants, questioning the party's credibility. He added, "And now they have crossed the limit by constantly questioning the intentions of the ECI. They are continuously losing and saying that the ballot papers are stolen. The EVMs are hacked, and now they are even attacking SIR (Special Intensive Revision), whose purpose is to purify the voter list. It's not happening for the first time; SIR also occurred during the Congress era. Then they had no problem; the voter list was also renewed. Through all these activities, are they trying to give voting rights to the people born outside the country who are illegal immigrants? Please, provide an answer, Congress Party, are you the party of citizens or the representative of illegal immigrants? This is a question that has arisen for the people." This comes after Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of acting in "collusion" with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the centre, with questionable intentions from the beginning. During a press conference earlier, Gehlot strongly questioned the ECI's handling of the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive while blaming the poll body's "foolishness" and "mishandling" for the alleged controversies. He claimed that this has caused people to doubt the institution's "credibility". Gehlot stated, "The controversy could have been entirely avoided if the ECI had called a meeting with all political parties, taken them into confidence, and explained its plan for ensuring transparent voter lists." He highlighted the serious consequences of the SIR pressure, mentioning reports of three Booth Level Officers (BLOs) "dying by suicide" across the county. He demanded an explanation from the ECI for these "tragic" events. Gehlot reiterated earlier criticisms that ECI remained a "mute spectator" during the recent Bihar elections, when he alleged. The ruling party distributed cash and benefits to women, which he termed a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. (ANI)
The 60th Annual Summit of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), themed 'Power of Partnerships,' organised on Thursday in New Delhi, celebrating the collective strength of collaboration between industry and government, science and technology, and policy and practice in driving innovation, expanding access, and strengthening quality healthcare. In a special video message, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, JP Nadda lauded OPPI for six decades of contribution to India's Pharma sector. He noted that this year's theme reflects the national governance ethos of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. Highlighting India's significant progress over the last decade, he underlined the country's role in supplying medicines to more than 200 countries, meeting a major share of the US and UK generic medicine demand, and fulfilling 60 per cent of global vaccine requirements. He further highlighted landmark initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, providing health protection to over 600 million people, and the Jan Aushadhi Kendras that have substantially reduced the cost of essential medicines. Nadda emphasised that India is rapidly emerging as a global research and digital innovation hub, with over 1,600 Global Capability Centres, including several in pharmaceuticals and life sciences, driving cutting-edge development. Outlining priorities for the next decade, he called for reducing dependence on imported critical APIs, strengthening self-reliance, and transitioning from being the "pharmacy of the world" to the "laboratory of the world." He urged industry leaders to accelerate innovation in biosimilars, novel molecules, gene and cell therapies, AI-driven drug discovery, and advanced diagnostics while ensuring equity and affordability remain central pillars of India's health vision. Member, NITI Aayog, Dr VK Paul highlighted the significant role of OPPI and its member companies in driving India's healthcare transformation through innovation, partnership, and scientific excellence. He emphasised the need to strengthen self-reliance in critical APIs, accelerate the development of novel therapies and advanced vaccines, and harness cutting-edge technologies for drug discovery. Paul underscored that the future of healthcare must be viewed through the lens of One Health, integrating human, animal, and environmental well-being, to ensure robust preparedness for emerging and future health challenges. Paul further reflected on the sector's enduring contributions to the nation's progress, acknowledging OPPI's unwavering support during the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued efforts to bring global capabilities and investments to India. He noted that these developments reflect the deep trust the industry places in the country and reinforce the shared ambition of building a healthier, self-reliant, and innovation-led Bharat. As India advances toward its Viksit Bharat 2047 goals, he emphasised that collective commitment from industry, government, and scientific partners will remain central to shaping India's health and development agenda. The Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Amit Agrawal, addressing OPPI's diamond jubilee, emphasised that strong partnerships across industry, government, academia, and allied sectors are essential for India's pharmaceutical sector to move beyond being a trusted global supplier to becoming a hub for innovation. He noted that deeper and broader collaborations, including in procurement, insurance, and technology, will unlock new opportunities and enhance value creation for the sector. Agrawal also reaffirmed the Department's commitment to an open-door policy, encouraging global and domestic players to scale their ambitions "in India, for India and for the world". Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Punya Salila Srivastava, highlighted the transformative impact of partnerships in strengthening India's health ecosystem. She cited how collaborative efforts across government, industry, and communities have accelerated flagship missions like TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar, resulting in record achievements such as high treatment success rates and multiple Guinness World Records. Emphasizing the need to shift from generics to high-value innovation, she urged industry to boost R&D, support MSMEs, and help position India as a global hub for innovation, regulatory excellence, and patient-centric care. She also outlined ongoing regulatory reforms and India's expanding global partnerships, inviting industry stakeholders to share actionable feedback for further strengthening the health ecosystem. Several key publications of OPPI were released, including the OPPI-EY Parthenon report, the "Essays on Innovation" compilation featuring expert insights from across the healthcare ecosystem, and a special Coffee Table Book marking six decades of OPPI's contribution to India's healthcare journey. The OPPI Awards 2025 were also presented, honouring distinguished leaders, scientists, and innovators for their outstanding contributions to India's pharmaceutical landscape. The event was attended by Bhushan Akshikar, President, OPPI; Anil Matai, Director General, OPPI; Dr Monika Puri, CCO, RPIPL and senior representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare leaders, and delegates. (ANI)
Henri Vanderlinden, Advocate General at Belgium's Court of Cassation, has confirmed that the country's highest court will hear Mehul Choksi's appeal on December 9. Vanderlinden confirmed this in a communication with ANI. He explained that proceedings before the Court of Cassation are essentially written, and all complaints must be submitted at the moment a party files the appeal. No additional complaints can be introduced afterwards. During the hearing, parties may only elaborate on the points they have already raised. Vanderlinden further clarified that the Court of Cassation reviews only legal aspects, whether the court of appeal correctly applied the law and followed proper procedures. No new facts or evidence can be introduced at this stage, making the proceedings strictly confined to the written record. The update comes in the backdrop of the Antwerp Court of Appeal's ruling, which held that the offences attributed to fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi are extraditable under both Indian and Belgian law. The court found that the alleged conduct, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, embezzlement, forgery, and related charges, is punishable under Indian law, including Sections 120-B, 409, 420, and 477-A of the IPC, as well as the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. It also held that these offences have corresponding punishments under Belgian law, thereby satisfying the dual criminality requirement for extradition. However, the court excluded the charge under Section 201 of the IPC for causing the disappearance of evidence, stating that this offence has no equivalent under Belgian law and therefore cannot form part of the enforceable declaration. The court also noted that the alleged acts took place between December 31, 2016 and January 1, 2019, and that prosecution is not barred by limitation under either Indian or Belgian law. In rejecting Choksi's claim of political motivation, the Antwerp court held that the offences cited "cannot be considered political, military or non-extraditable tax offences." It added that nothing in the record suggests that India sought extradition on grounds of race, religion, nationality, or political affiliation. The court also dismissed Choksi's long-standing allegation that he was abducted from Antigua on India's instructions, stating that no document provided by him supports such an inference. The court remarked that Choksi's defence had submitted a large volume of media reports, case law, and NGO findings about Indian prisons, but none established a real or personal risk of ill-treatment or denial of justice. It found that the material placed on record did not prove that he personally faced a real, present, and serious risk of torture, inhuman treatment, or a flagrant denial of justice in India. Indian authorities, in their assurance to Belgium, provided detailed information regarding Choksi's detention arrangements. They stated he would be housed in Barrack No. 12 of Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail, a 46-square-metre facility with two cells and private sanitary provisions. Movement would be permitted only for medical reasons or court appearances, and custody would remain under judicial supervision rather than investigative agencies. The Antwerp court concluded that Choksi had presented no credible evidence to suggest he would be denied adequate medical care or fair treatment in India. Choksi, wanted along with his nephew Nirav Modi for allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank of over Rs 13,000 crore, was arrested in Antwerp on April 11, 2025, following India's extradition request. He remains in custody, with several bail applications already rejected. The Ministry of Home Affairs of India had earlier provided comprehensive assurances to Belgian authorities on his custody, healthcare, and oversight by national and state human rights commissions. (ANI)
Police in Ludhiana on Thursday shot two people linked to a Pakistan-based ISI module during an encounter. Both have been taken to a hospital, with one in critical condition. Authorities recovered two Chinese-made grenades, five pistols smuggled from across the border, and live ammunition. Earlier, three other members of the module had been arrested. Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said the terror module was being directed by a Pakistan-based ISI handler who communicated with operatives through virtual numbers. Three other members, Arsh from Bihar, Ajay from Haryana, and Shamsher from Ludhiana, had already been arrested. The two suspects involved in the encounter were tasked with exchanging grenades at designated locations when police set a trap, prompting the suspects to fire at officers, who returned fire. Speaking to the reporters, Swapan Sharma said, "A terror module was being handled by Pakistan-based ISI. Their handler is based out of Pakistan and used to call up at various locations, touching different elements. Based on this information, we had already arrested 3 people - Arsh from Bhojpur in Bihar, Ajay from Fatehabad in Haryana and Shamsher from Ludhiana in Punjab. Every individual was tasked with different responsibilities. They used to receive calls from a virtual number operating from Pakistan; the handler was from Pakistan's ISI...In the encounter today, the Pakistan-based handler had tasked these two individuals to exchange grenades at designated spots..." "A trap was set for them, and they fired at the Police...Police resorted to retaliatory firing. One of them was hit by 3 bullets and the other was hit by 1. They were rushed to the hospital, one of them is very critical...Two Chinese-made grenades, 5 sophisticated pistols which came from across the border and live bullets have been recovered. They had come to collect grenades," he said. Further information on the incident is still awaited. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Thursday pronounced its opinion advisory on whether it can "impose" timelines on the President and State Governors for acting on Bills passed by State Legislatures. The Supreme Court has opined that courts cannot set timelines for the President and Governors to grant assent to bills passed by the state legislature. At the same time, the bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai clarified that governors cannot indefinitely withhold assent to bills. The bench said that the governors must engage in dialogue with state legislatures to resolve concerns. A Constitutional bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai issued its opinion while answering 13 questions referred to it by the President Draupadi Murmu under Article 143 of the Constitution, pertinently, whether timelines can be fixed for the Governor and the President to grant assent to State Bills. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose called SC's statement a "landmark judgement" saying that the apex court has declared that "the Governor is not a rubber stamp." "The landmark judgment by the Supreme Court has cleared the jurisdiction of the Government vis-a-vis the elected CM. The Court has unequivocally declared that the Governor is not a rubber stamp," CV Ananda Bose said. DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai welcomed the Supreme Court's statement, given that the governor acts in accordance with the constitution. "If the governors act in good faith, if the governors are going to expeditiously dispose of the bills that has been presented to them by the state assemblies. Then where is the question of deemed assent coming and the only question that has to be asked, is this - what other job does the Governor have other than giving assent to the bills?" he said. "They live in luxurious mansions, which have been given to them only so that they give assent to the bills and act as per the Constitution. If you ask me, this is a setback when the BJP is in governance, yes, it is a setback. If governors act constitutionally, then it is not a setback," he added. The DMK spokesperson further suggested that there is no need to have governors, and their work can be done by the Chief Justice of the state. "In the present constitution of things, we don't require governors. The chief justice of the state can do all the work a governor does. He has no other role to play other then a ceremonial... That is why we call him a rubber stamp," he said. The Presidential reference was made after the judgment delivered by a two-judge bench in the Tamil Nadu Governor case, which laid down timelines for the President and the Governor to act on Bills. President Droupadi Murmu, in a rebuttal to that April 8 verdict, has questioned the validity of such a ruling, emphasising that the Constitution does not prescribe any such time frames. The President's response highlighted that Article 200 of the Constitution of India delineates the powers of the Governor and the procedures for granting or withholding assent to Bills, as well as reserving a Bill for the President's consideration. However, Article 200 does not specify any timeline for the Governor to exercise these constitutional options. Similarly, Article 201 outlines the President's authority and process for assenting to or withholding assent from Bills, but it does not impose any deadlines or procedures for the exercise of these constitutional powers. Furthermore, the Constitution of India recognises numerous instances where the President's assent is required before legislation can take effect in a state. The discretionary powers of the Governor and the President, as provided under Articles 200 and 201, are shaped by multiple considerations, including federalism, legal uniformity, national integrity and security, and the doctrine of separation of powers. In the April 8 verdict, the SC stated that the Governor does not have the veto power to sit over bills sent to him by the State legislature. The Governor must assent to a bill when it is presented to him after reconsideration by the State assembly; he can refuse assent only if the bill is different, the apex court said. (ANI)
LONDON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's leading infrastructure investment event marks a major milestone in 2026  celebrating 20 years of the Infrastructure Investor Global Summit with its most ambitious edition yet.

From 2427 March 2026, the Summit returns to Berlin, taking over STATION Berlin, one of the city's most dynamic venues for innovation and collaboration.

Infrastructure Investor Global Summit

Open exclusively to Infrastructure Investor Network members, the Summit brings together the world's largest community of institutional investors and managers in infrastructure. Over 3,000 industry leaders, including 1,000+ LPs from more than 50 countries, will come together to connect, share insights and shape the future of the asset class.

A New Era at STATION Berlin

The move to STATION Berlin marks the beginning of a new era for the Global Summit. With greater space, energy and flexibility, this iconic venue creates a setting built for high-impact discussion and real business connections.

This is not just another conference. It's the meeting place for the global infrastructure community  where strategies are benchmarked, partnerships are formed, and industry direction is set.

20 Years of Leadership and Growth

Over the past two decades, the Global Summit has grown into the flagship gathering for infrastructure investors worldwide.

It's where LPs with real decision-making power meet directly with GPs, developers and policymakers to drive capital allocation and innovation across the sector.

Each year, the Summit evolves to reflect the changing face of infrastructure  offering new formats, broader themes and deeper engagement to meet the needs of a rapidly transforming asset class.

Networking That Delivers

The Summit's scale and energy make it the most powerful networking platform in the industry.

Across four packed days, attendees can expect thousands of spontaneous and structured meetings  from informal introductions to curated investor sessions that turn conversations into lasting partnerships.

Insight That Shapes the Future

More than 400 world-class speakers will take the stage, representing the most respected names in infrastructure  including keynote addresses from Tom Fanning, Ex-Chairman of Southern Company; Emily Maitlis, Broadcaster and Journalist; and Sam Pollock, Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Infrastructure.

Discussions will explore the energy transition, digital revolution, future of transport, social infrastructure, and sustainability  tackling the opportunities and challenges shaping the next decade of investment.

Every session is designed to surface actionable insight, inspire collaboration, and set the tone for the global market.

Be Part of the Global Conversation

As it celebrates 20 years of connection, collaboration and impact, the Infrastructure Investor Global Summit remains the place where the future of infrastructure investment is written.

If your business is serious about infrastructure  today and tomorrow  you cannot afford to miss it.

More access. More impact. More business.

Be in Berlin. Be at STATION. Be part of the conversation.

www.live.peievents.com/infrastructure-investor-global-summit

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2828835/Infrastructure_Investor_Global_Summit.jpg

SOURCE PEI Group
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel dared the eminent personalities who wrote an open letter condemning Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his allegations against the Election Commission of India, to "question the government". He also asked who is taking responsibility for the Delhi blast in which 15 people were killed. On eminent personalities' open letter condemning LoP LS, Rahul Gandhi, for his allegations against ECI, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel told ANI, "The question is, who are they asking these questions to? If they have guts, they should question the Government...They do not have the guts to question the Government" On the November 10 Delhi blast, he said, "...How many days have passed since the blast took place? What are they doing? Who is taking responsibility? (Home Minister) Amit Shah. What will happen if you make some arrests?" he said. On November 10, a blast near Delhi's Red Fort killed 15 people and injured many others. Earlier, over 272 eminent citizens, including 16 Judges, 123 retired bureaucrats, 14 Ambassadors, 133 retired armed forces officers, wrote an open letter condemning the repeated "assault on national constitutional authorities" by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The letter states that instead of offering "genuine policy alternatives", the Congress leader has resorted to "unsubstantiated accusations". Condemning earlier repeated alleged assaults on institutions such as questioning the valour of the armed forces, the fairness of the judiciary, the letter said that it is the Election Commission this time which is facing "systematic and conspiratorial attacks on its integrity and reputation." "The Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, has repeatedly attacked the Election Commission, declaring that he has open and shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in vote theft and claimed that he has 100 per cent proof. Using unbelievably uncouth rhetoric, that what he has found is an atom bomb, and when it explodes, the EC would have no place to hide," the open letter stated. Multiple eminent personalities, including SP Vaid, former Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police; Former diplomat Anil Trigunayat; retired justice SN Dhingra; former Supreme Court judge Adarsh Kumar Goel; former RAW chief Sanjeev Tripathi; former NIA director Yogesh Chander Modi; former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Deepak Singhal, among others, have signed the letter. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], November 20 (ANI/WAM): UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, Abdallah Al Dardari, praised the Arab Digital Economy vision launched under the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and adopted by the Arab League, describing it as a leading model for advancing digital progress in the region. Speaking on the sidelines of the Knowledge Summit in Dubai, he affirmed that the UAE has firmly established itself as a key supporter of technological development and digital transformation regionally and globally through forward-looking policies and innovative initiatives. Al Dardari commended the UAE's advanced standing in the digital economy, noting that its experience offers an ideal platform for Arab countries to develop their digital ecosystems, supported by its strong infrastructure, flexible legislation and innovation-friendly environment. He added that the Arab Digital Economy vision is a pivotal step toward unified Arab efforts to build an integrated digital economy capable of keeping pace with global change. He stressed that the UAE's role in driving development at regional and international levels serves as a model for building a knowledge- and technology-driven future economy. (ANI/WAM)
Dubai [UAE], November 20 (ANI/WAM): The Dubai Future Forum 2025, organised by Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) at the Museum of the Future, concluded on Wednesday. Over two days, the Forum welcomed more than 2,500 participants, over 200 speakers, and representatives of more than 100 global institutions, reinforcing its position as the world's largest gathering of futurists. DFF also announced that the next edition of the Forum will be held on 17-18 November 2026. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, attended the Forum's activities, accompanied by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and honoured the winners of the first edition of the Dubai Foresight Awards. He also met the fifth cohort of the Dubai Future Experts Program and the second cohort of the "FEEL: A Disruptive Futures Program". During the Forum, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), honoured the winners of the Dubai Future Solutions - Prototypes for Humanity programme, held under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, affirmed that Dubai's globally recognised model for anticipating and designing the future - developed under the vision and directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - is built on proactive future readiness, anticipating change, identifying opportunities, and understanding future trends. He said: "Foresight is a central pillar of our work, our projects, and our initiatives. It enables us to define future priorities and objectives in ways that positively impact individuals and societies around the world." His Excellency added: "We will continue supporting designers of the future in every field, and all those who harness its opportunities and contribute to making them a reality. Through the Dubai Future Forum, we aim to embed a global culture of foresight - one that becomes a priority for governments, entities, organisations and individuals." Several major announcements were made at the Forum, including confirmation by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, that Dubai recorded the first-ever commercial agentic AI payment transaction outside the United States. The transaction, launched by Mastercard in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim, took place on the morning of the Forum's opening. The fourth edition of the Forum was distinguished by a series of exceptional predictions. In his opening speech, Khalfan Belhoul outlined three major shifts that will shape humanity's future: the importance of focus as a "new currency" amid decreasing attention spans; a new era of information overload where "everyone and no one is an expert"; and the evolution of AI companions redefining the concept of a "best friend." Forum speakers predicted that gene therapy will treat blood and liver diseases within five years, and that all 4,000 known genetic diseases could be eliminated within a decade. They anticipated that future development policies will place human well-being and ethical governance at their core; that human bodies equipped with advanced wearables will become the natural environment for daily AI integration; and that 30% of Fortune 500 CEOs will have a digital twin by 2028. Other experts explored provocative scenarios, including the possibility that a fully omniscient AI, capable of accessing all human knowledge, could pose an existential threat to humanity. Forecasts also included demographic and institutional challenges, such as the expectation that by 2060, for every 100 people working, 52 may be without employment, and that academic institutions may shift from leading innovation to coordinating it across all sectors as AI reshapes research and development. The Forum's sessions highlighted several global records that will influence future generations, including the halving of global child mortality over the past 25 years; Other insights included: the United Nations System of National Accounts 2025 was adopted meaning for the first time environmental sustainability and well-being are used as key indicators of national growth; global installed solar capacity surpassed 2,200 GW by end-2024, more than doubling since 2022; by 2060, for every 100 people working, there will be 52 people who are not; nearly 2 billion people still lack access to clean drinking water; the Emirates Genomic Research Program has 120 petabytes of genomic data stored; and the UAE is planning a base for researchers in Antarctica that can accommodate more than 50 people. DFF also announced during the Forum that 31 new international organisations and institutions have joined the Global Futures Society (GFS), which is headquartered at the Museum of the Future in Dubai. The additions raise the GFS's total membership to 91 experts and institutions representing leading futures organisations across 33 countries. The Forum also raised urgent strategic questions requiring collective international action: the value of increased efficiency if human well-being does not improve; society's readiness for a world where agentic AI systems act on our behalf; humanity's ability to rebuild its relationship with nature while embracing transformative technologies; the future role of AI in education, governance, and daily life; and how societies will redefine growth in a world that is moving beyond GDP as the sole measure of progress. Throughout its two days, the Forum hosted specialised workshops with leading consultancies, thematic symposia with global institutions, and a range of activities, including UNICEF's launch of its latest report, The Future of Childhood in a Changing World. Forum's discussions took place across five central themes: Foresight Insights, Exploring the Unknown, Empowering Societies, Reimagining Health, and Optimising Systems. The second day also featured the awarding of the Future Stories Awards, recognising leading authors and storytellers shaping the future imagination. This year's edition of "Future Stories" Award celebrated three voices whose imagination stood out among 185 submissions from 47 countries. First place was awarded to Thomas Knuijver from the Netherlands for his story "Above a Simulated Nile", a tale in which a widower staying at a futuristic space resort uncovers that the AI designed to emulate his late wife may be far more "alive" than anyone expected. Second place went to Pierluigi Fasano from Italy, writing from Switzerland, for "The Awakening", a profound exploration of what it might feel like for the first self-aware artificial intelligence to awaken inside an alien, engineered human body. Third place was awarded to Maryam Al Shawab from the UAE for her story "The Safe Space", set in a world shared by humans and androids. Her narrative follows Peter as he undergoes emotional therapy to overcome love, loss, and loneliness in a society where technology and humanity coexist intimately. The 2025 edition brought together an extensive network of partners, including Dubai Municipality, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates Flight Catering, UNICEF, XPANCEO, The Explorers Club, Fikr Institute, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, The Dreamwork Collective, Cinema Akil, Aquafina, and universities and academic institutions from around the world, including Arizona State University, the Higher Colleges of Technology, the International Islamic University Malaysia, and Hanze University of Applied Sciences. DFF launched a new report, The Future of Space Solar Power, exploring the potential of harvesting solar energy outside Earth's atmosphere and transmitting it wirelessly back to Earth as a sustainable source of clean energy. The 2025 edition also featured the Forum's first dedicated Book Corner, offering book launches, signings, and direct interaction with global authors and publishers. Attendees explored a range of immersive experiences powered by virtual, augmented, and extended reality technologies, designed to engage multiple senses and inspire active participation in imagining, designing, and implementing the future. DFF also signed a new partnership with Dubai Police to support capacity-building programmes, future-focused research, and digital innovation initiatives that enhance quality of life and accelerate Dubai's vision for world-class human-centred government services. Additionally, DFF signed a partnership agreement with The Explorers Club to foster collaboration across exploration, science, innovation, foresight, and joint global initiatives. (ANI/WAM)
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said that "tremendous atrocities" are taking place in Sudan, which was once considered a "Great Civilisation" and has become the "single biggest humanitarian crisis" on earth. President Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Tremendous atrocities are taking place in Sudan. It has become the most violent place on Earth and, likewise, the single biggest Humanitarian Crisis. Food, doctors, and everything else are desperately needed. Arab Leaders from all over the World, in particular the highly respected Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who has just left the United States, have asked me to use the power and influence of the Presidency to bring an immediate halt to what is taking place in Sudan". Trump said that Sudan, considered a "great civilisation", can be fixed with the "cooperation and coordination" of countries and noted that they will work with their partner countries to put an "end" to these atrocities. "It is considered a Great Civilization and Culture, unfortunately gone bad, but one that can be fixed with the cooperation and coordination of Countries, including those in the Region of tremendous Wealth, who want this to happen. We will work with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern partners to get these atrocities to end, while at the same time stabilizing Sudan. Thank you for your attention to this matter. GOD BLESS THE WORLD!" Earlier, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan said it agreed to a proposal by the US for a ceasefire in Sudan after more than two years of fighting with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Al Jazeera reported. The paramilitary group said in a statement that it would accept a "humanitarian ceasefire" proposed by the US-led "quad" mediator group, which includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, "to address the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the war and to enhance the protection of civilians". Earlier, the US senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, said efforts were under way to reach a truce and that the warring sides had "agreed in principle," as per Al Jazeera. The World Health Organization had reported the "tragic killing of more than 460 patients and medical staff" at a former children's hospital during the city's takeover. Both the warring sides have been accused of war crimes. In a September report, the UN Human Rights Council accused both sides of extrajudicial killing, large-scale attacks against civilians and torture. It also reported an "overwhelming volume" of evidence on sexual violence primarily perpetrated by RSF and SAF members, as per Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday (local time) that it had detected 16 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan, and that it has monitored the situation and responded. According to an update posted on X, 13 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered the island's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). "16 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND wrote in an 'X' post. Earlier on Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected eight Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and two ships operating in its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time). According to the MND, of the eight, two crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZs. In a post on X, the MND said, "8 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." Taiwan's Presidential Office accused China of stoking tensions with Japan for political advantage, hours after Chinese maritime authorities announced plans for live-fire missile exercises in the Yellow Sea. China's Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation alert stating that the People's Liberation Army would carry out missile launches with live munitions in the central Yellow Sea from Tuesday through Thursday, as reported by The Taipei Times. According to The Taipei Times, China also released a travel warning on Friday, claiming Chinese nationals in Japan faced rising criminal risks, an advisory widely seen as retaliation for comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. During a parliamentary session, Takaichi stated that a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could be classified as a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, potentially activating its self-defence mechanisms. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump announced that he had signed a bill directing the Department of Justice to publicly release all its Jeffrey Epstein-related files, calling the step a major push for transparency. Trump made the announcement in a lengthy social media post, using it to criticise Democrats over their associations with Epstein. He said, "Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged by the Trump Justice Department in 2019 (Not the Democrats!), was a lifelong Democrat, donated Thousands of Dollars to Democrat Politicians, and was deeply associated with many well-known Democrat figures," naming former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Building on this criticism, he added, "Perhaps the truth about these Democrats, and their associations with Jeffrey Epstein, will soon be revealed, because I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!" The bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, gained overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the House with a 427-1 vote and later clearing the Senate through unanimous consent. However, uncertainty remains about how the Justice Department will disclose the files or whether some of the material will remain tied to ongoing investigations. Trump further used the moment to address what he called years of politically motivated investigations into him, while also highlighting what he described as the achievements of his administration. "This latest Hoax will backfire on the Democrats just as all of the rest have! Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" he said. The strong congressional backing for the bill followed renewed attention on Epstein-linked communications, which resurfaced in recent days. Rep Clay Higgins, the sole lawmaker to vote against the measure, warned that releasing the documents would "absolutely result in innocent people being hurt". Trump had earlier urged Republicans to support the release, saying "it's time to move on." His post came shortly after a resurfaced email chain involving Mark and Jeffrey Epstein referenced Donald Trump. In a 2018 message to Steve Bannon, Mark speculated whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had a photograph of "Trump blowing Bubba." The email exchange had begun as a routine conversation, in which Jeffrey mentioned he was with Bannon, who at the time served as chief strategist in Trump's first administration. The "Epstein files" themselves consist of extensive records gathered during federal cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and associated individuals, comprising over 300 gigabytes of data and additional media stored in the FBI's case management system. Among the material is Epstein's so-called "client list", which includes references to several prominent figures, including Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Andrew from the British royal family. (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has condemned what it described as a "reign of terror" unleashed by the Punjab government on Imran Khan's sisters, party leaders, lawyers and workers outside Adiala Jail, calling the incident "utterly intolerable and completely unacceptable", Dawn reported. PTI said the opposition alliance would observe a nationwide 'black day' on Friday to demand the restoration of the Constitution, rule of law and "real freedom", as Imran reiterated that the nation now faced a stark choice between "freedom and death", according to Dawn. Addressing a press conference alongside Imran's sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi as well as Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and party leaders, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja condemned the violence and issued a warning to authorities. He urged those in power to abandon "reckless arrogance" and act responsibly, saying it was the constitutional right of Imran's sisters to meet him, a right "no authority could take away", Dawn reported. Raja said no society could survive without freedom of speech, press, conscience and an independent judiciary. "We are confronting a power structure intoxicated by its own might, blind to morality and law," he said. He added, "We will expose this tyranny, for God's justice may be silent but is relentless -- no oppressor will escape it." Aleema criticised the alleged assault on her sister and others, claiming a female officer had openly directed male personnel to beat protesters. "Yesterday, our people, including MPAs and MNAs, were subjected to violence," she said. She alleged that police threw 71-year-old Noreen to the ground, dragged her and "forcibly pulled women's dupattas". She added, "Women officers, armed with batons, acted as Gullu Buttnis, and one even directed the others, shouting: 'Beat them.'" "Do you think that by beating us you can silence us? We will return and you cannot intimidate us," she said, questioning whether the country was now being run by "gangsters", according to Dawn. She said the family would continue standing outside the jail for their brother and recalled that on August 4, 2023, Imran was asked to leave the country but responded, "I will not abandon my country." She said Imran had faced a 500-day-long trial without making personal demands. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram condemned the "coercive and arbitrary tactics" used against Imran's sisters. He said such actions would not weaken the resolve of the party and that PTI would continue striving for "real independence, true democracy, constitutional supremacy and judicial independence". Noreen vowed that the nation would never forget the "tragedies of May 9 and November 26". She said, "Those who have played with the lives of innocent people will never find peace," and thanked those on social media "exposing the truth despite immense pressure". She added, "Every act of oppression will be accounted for." Recounting her experience, Noreen said, "I still do not know where they took the woman who grabbed me. She pulled me by my hair, threw me to the ground and dragged me across the road." She said her son Hassan Niazi remained imprisoned but the "oppression outside jail is even more frightening". Uzma expressed concern for Imran's health, saying he had been held in solitary confinement for two weeks. "Yesterday, we simply requested permission to see him to ensure his well-being," she said. She added that Imran had told the nation to prepare as the time had come to choose between "freedom or death". "If they want to beat us, let them. If they want to throw us in jail, let them. We are not afraid." MWM chairman Abbas called the treatment of women an "unforgivable national disgrace", saying the manhandling and snatching of headscarves violated cultural, moral and legal norms. He said, "What crime has the PTI founder committed? His sole 'offence' is speaking the truth and standing fearlessly with the people." He described Friday's 'black day' as a decisive moment and said notions of lifetime immunity violated the Quran, Sunnah and Constitution, calling it "a false idol born of fear". He urged critics to emulate Imran's "integrity, courage, and commitment to justice". Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Meena Khan Afridi said the 26th Constitutional Amendment had made access to justice difficult and stressed that courts must at least ensure the implementation of their own orders. He said Imran's sisters and elected representatives had arrived at Adiala Jail in accordance with court directives, yet were assaulted in freezing temperatures with water and subjected to police violence. Afridi warned the station house officer involved in the incident that "only your uniform shields you" and questioned how Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz could authorise violence against women. He said KP would pursue action and vowed they would keep returning until they were allowed to meet Imran. (ANI)
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, addressed the High-Level Ministerial Leadership Session of the ISA SIDS Platform, held on the sidelines of UNFCCC CoP30 in Belem, Brazil, on Wednesday (local time), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said. The event was organised under the theme 'Uniting Islands, Inspiring Action - Leadership for Energy Security'. It brought together Ministers and senior representatives from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), member nations of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and partner organisations to advance collective actions for energy security, affordability, and resilience. The event emphasised that SIDS face unique vulnerabilities - high dependence on imported fossil fuels, climate-induced disruptions, and fragile infrastructure. Further, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change highlighted in its statement that the "ISA SIDS Platform aims to create a transformative digital and financial ecosystem to accelerate solar deployment through standardised procurement, blended finance, local capacity building, and streamlined access to solar technologies" Addressing the session, Yadav underlined India's commitment to supporting SIDS in advancing clean energy pathways through ISA. Opening his remarks with optimism, the Minister highlighted India's rapid strides in renewable energy and stated, "Today, India has crossed 500 gigawatts of installed electricity capacity - and more than half of it is clean energy. India has already reached 50 per cent non-fossil energy capacity, five years ahead of its NDC target". The Minister also informed that "India is now the 4th largest renewable energy producer and 3rd in solar power globally." He stated, "It happened due to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his belief in Scale, Speed, and in the power of ordinary people". Sharing grassroots stories, Yadav spoke about the PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Programme and narrated the experience of a school teacher benefiting from the scheme. The Minister talked about how the beneficiary's life got transformed from being a person who used to wait for the electricity bill every month with fear, to now waiting for the sunshine, which has now become his income. He also emphasised that over 20 lakh families have adopted rooftop solar in India, calling it "freedom for every household" and "a mini power plant on every roof". On solar for agriculture, he said, "Solar for Agriculture is a new dawn for our farmer community. Now, they work with the sun and sleep with peace". Solar pumps and solarised feeders are making farming more reliable and more dignified by providing assured daytime solar-powered clean energy for all agricultural needs. No diesel. No waiting. No stress, he informed. The Minister highlighted initiatives lighting up remote and forested areas through the PM JANMAN scheme, and India's major push in energy storage. He informed, "India is building some of the world's largest 'solar and battery' projects, including a project in Ladakh that will store enough clean energy to light up an entire city". He emphasised that for SIDS, such models can help reduce diesel imports, cut energy costs, and improve climate resilience. Reaffirming India's commitment to the International Solar Alliance, Yadav said, "ISA has emerged as a Global Solar Family. More than 124 countries are now part of the International Solar Alliance. Think of ISA as a global solar family -- from the islands of the Pacific to the savannas of Africa to the mountains of South America." He added that ISA is accelerating solar project design, mobilising finance, generating local jobs, and making solar energy the first choice for clean, reliable electricity. The Minister concluded with a call for Shared Global Action and stated, "Solar energy is spreading its light in more than technological ways. It is Hope and Empowerment. It is Independence. It is Dignity. It is Peace." (ANI)
Hours after hinting at a possible easing of tensions with Elon Musk, US President Donald Trump delivered a sharp six-word jab at the Tesla chief during his address at the US Saudi Investment Forum, revisiting their months-long friction. Trump, speaking in his familiar off-the-cuff manner, repeatedly referenced the support he claimed to have given Musk during the billionaire's short period heading the Department of Government Efficiency. "Has he ever thanked me for that properly?" he asked the crowd, before returning moments later to remark, "You are so lucky I'm with you, Elon." He went on to promote a tax credit tied to electric vehicle purchases, framing it as a boost for middle-income buyers. "Even people that go buy a car, they've never had this," he said, before segueing into a broader point about deductions. "You know, middle-income people don't know what the word deduction is. They don't know. This room, they live on deductions," he added. "Me too. How much of a deduction do I get? We all live on it." Trump said his administration was offering "the middle class a deduction on the interest if they buy one of a nice Tesla car and they borrow the money." Turning again to Musk, he repeated, "You're so lucky. I'm with you, Elon," and then joked, "Although I do let him buy other-than-electric cars, but these are minor details." Hours later, Musk responded on X, writing: "I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world." The exchange followed Musk's attendance at a White House dinner with Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, only their second public interaction since their high-profile split earlier this year. Musk, who had supported Trump in the last election, later took charge of the Department of Government Efficiency, where he oversaw cuts to federal spending and staff. Tensions escalated after Musk criticised Trump's sweeping tax-and-spending agenda as irresponsible and announced plans to launch a new political party. Trump in turn warned that federal assistance benefiting Musk's companies could be withdrawn. Subsequent reports indicated that Musk's rising criticism weighed on Tesla's public image, contributing to weaker sales and stock performance. Since then, both figures have kept their distance, appearing together publicly only for a brief handshake at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September. The latest encounter came as Trump hosted the Saudi crown prince, who has been seeking to restore his standing in Western capitals and strengthen ties with Washington. Musk's presence at the dinner pointed to a renewed easing of tensions between two of the most influential figures in American public life. (ANI)
A new series of incidents involving enforced disappearances and the recovery of bodies has sparked fresh alarm across multiple districts of Balochistan, where families and human rights advocates continue to accuse the Pakistani state of deepening repression. A growing pattern of abductions, custodial abuse and unexplained detentions has left communities in fear and uncertainty, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to The Balochistan Post, authorities in Gwadar district confirmed that two bodies were discovered near Bank Charhai along the Pasni Road on Saturday. Police said residents initially noticed the corpses and informed officials, who later shifted the bodies to a nearby medical facility. The deceased were identified as Zarif, son of Lal Bakhsh from Blor in Kolwah, and Farooq, son of Naeem. Both men had gunshot wounds. According to relatives and community sources, the two had been missing for months after allegedly being abducted by unidentified men. Zarif was said to have been taken from Ormara roughly two weeks before Ramadan and never returned. In another case, residents of Khuzdar reported that a youth named Mohammad Arif was seized in Basima, Washuk district. Locals claimed that a state-backed armed group commonly referred to as a "death squad" carried out the abduction. Arif's father, Zakir Ismail, has been missing since 2013, and Arif has been actively participating in protests demanding the recovery of missing persons. Community members stated that at least six individuals disappeared in Naal over the past month in incidents involving Pakistani forces, the CTD or alleged proxy groups, though three later reappeared. Reports from Kech suggest that twelve people, including four women and an elderly man, were taken into custody during a religious journey and have since vanished. No official explanation has been provided, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. Meanwhile, women from Shapuk held a press conference in Turbat, stating that five students abducted from Quetta's Essa Nagri on 28 August remain unaccounted for. Another youth, Saddam, disappeared from Jusak in July. Families stated they would block major roads if authorities fail to recover the missing within three days. Human rights defenders warn that without transparent investigations, enforced disappearances in Balochistan will only continue to escalate, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
Chinese vice premier urges manufacturing sector shift toward digital, intelligent development

Xinhua) 08:49, November 20, 2025

CHONGQING, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has called for accelerated efforts to advance the digital and intelligent transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector, while also emphasizing solid work to promote the innovative development of state-owned enterprises.

Efforts should be made to improve and upgrade traditional industries, foster and strengthen emerging industries, make forward-looking plans for future industries, and develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, Zhang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said during research trips in Guizhou Province and Chongqing Municipality from Nov. 16 to 19.

Having visited enterprises in sectors such as data services, chemicals, food, metallurgy, automobiles and communication equipment, Zhang noted that advancing the digital and intelligent transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry is an urgent necessity to consolidate the foundations of the real economy.

He stressed the importance of promoting the integration of large AI models with enterprises' R&D design, production and manufacturing. He also noted the need to intensify efforts to strengthen the R&D and iterative development of homegrown industrial software, while enhancing its compatibility with production equipment.

Zhang said that state-owned enterprises should continuously enhance their independent innovation capabilities, cultivate new quality productive forces, and gain new competitive advantages through the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation.

Specific efforts should be made to improve institutional arrangements for state-owned enterprises to promote original innovation, increase the proportion of R&D investment in basic research, and achieve more breakthroughs in core technologies, key generic technologies and cutting-edge technologies, he said.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Love's Travel Stops has named TRG as its strategic agency of record responsible for creative, media and brand strategy beginning in January 2026.

"Love's looks forward to working with TRG to support our journey to build a marketing growth engine and evolve our already great brand into an iconic one that is virtually synonymous with the travel stop category," said Patrick McLean, chief marketing officer at Love's. "Throughout our agency search process, we met with exceptionally smart and dedicated agency teams and were impressed by the quality of thinking, creativity and talent across the board. Ultimately, TRG stood above the rest through their sharp strategic insights into our brand and our customers. TRG has worked with and helped build many iconic brands over the course of their history, and we cannot wait to see the impact they have on Love's."

This year, Love's delivered on its commitment to elevating the brand and customer experience. In May, the company hired McLean as the company's first-ever CMO, and in October launched Love's Media Group, a first-of-its-kind retail media network targeting professional drivers and travelers across America's highways. Selecting a creative and marketing agency of record further underscores the company's commitment to aligning its marketing efforts to drive customer acquisition and retention while continuing to enhance the overall customer experience.

"Our new partnership with Love's is hugely meaningful to us," said Pete Lempert, CEO at TRG. "Love's is an American brand familiar to travelers across the nation. This is a dream opportunity for TRG to help propel the Love's brand to even greater heights. We felt an immediate chemistry with the Love's team, we are inspired by their energy, and we can't wait to get started."

Love's began the creative and marketing agency search process in summer 2025 and retained the services of Joanne Davis Consulting, New York City, to manage the selection process. Aside from some smaller agencies assisting with project-based work, this will be Love's first strategic agency partnership.

About Love's

Love's has been fueling customers' journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with nearly 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company's core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 666 locations in 42 states. Love's continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to the communities Love's serves and maintaining an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the company's award-winning culture. To find out more about Love's, follow it on social or apply for a job, click here.

About TRG

Founded in 1976, TRG has a five-decade winning streak of building iconic brands. Orkin. Motel 6. Chick-fil-A. Ram. Charles Schwab. The Home Depot. Our greatest successes are tied to some of America's most memorable stories, while our own story is one of results, respect and award-winning work. We consider ourselves more than marketers  we're in the memory-making business. More than activations and ads, more than media plans, TRG creates long-lasting memories in the minds of consumers that, overnight and over time, move markets. Fiercely independent since our founding, we push ourselves daily, bravely and freely without distant boards or outside agendas. Find or follow the agency @TRG or @TRGCreativity.

SOURCE Loves Travel Stops
The highest court of the country has declared the much-discussed verdict in 2011 to abolish the non-partisan caretaker government system during the election period as illegal.

Today at 9:40 am, the full Appellate Division of 7 judges, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, announced the verdict, lawyers said. The other six judges of the bench are - Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam, Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Justice Md. Reazaul Haque, Justice SM Imdadul Haque, Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Farah Mahbub.

Although the caretaker government system automatically returns to the constitution through this ruling, the upcoming 13th national parliament election will be held under the interim government. The caretaker government system will be effective from the 14th national parliament elections.

The non-party caretaker government system was introduced through bringing 13th Amendment to the constitution in 1996. The sole purpose of the 13th Amendment was to safeguard democracy by ensuring free and fair elections under a non-party caretaker government, which would remain in charge for only 90 days.

A seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed delivered the verdict, overturning the court's 2011 judgment that had scrapped the caretaker system.

Meanwhile, a major development unfolded on November 17, when Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina and her close aide, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, to death, while a third accused, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun, was given a five-year jail term because he had turned a state witness of committing "crimes against humanity" during the July-August uprising in 2024.

Hasina responded to the verdict made against her, stating that the decision made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government had no democratic mandate. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he personally stopped India and Pakistan from approaching a nuclear confrontation, saying he warned both nations with harsh economic measures during a tense period. He made the remarks while addressing the US Saudi Investment Forum on Wednesday. Trump's comments come months after India carried out Operation Sindoor in May 2025, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. He said he had cautioned New Delhi and Islamabad about severe economic consequences during an earlier phase of tension. "You know, I was talking about the different wars, and it's, look, India, Pakistan, they were going to go out with nuclear weapons. I said, that's okay, you can go at it, but I'm putting a 350 per cent tariff on each country, no more trade with the United States," Trump said. According to him, one of the sides responded, "No, no, you can't do that." Trump said he replied, "I'm going to do it. Come back to me and I'll take it down. But you, I'm not going to have you guys shooting nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people and having the nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles. I'm not going to do it." He added, "They said, we don't like that. I said, I don't care if you like it or not." Trump went on to say, "So I was all set. I told a 350 per cent tariff to settle that war. If you, if you don't, we'll make a nice trade deal." Continuing his remarks, he said, "Now, no other president would have done that. Another guy would have, like Joe Biden doesn't even know what countries we're talking about. He wouldn't have any idea. There'd be no tariffs on anything. Just the whole world would go to hell." He said tariffs had been key in resolving several disputes. "But no, I use tariffs to settle all these, not all of them. Five of the eight were settled because of the economy, because of trade, because of tariffs. I'll tell you what the Prime Minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif) called me," he said, quoting him as saying, "Thank you very much." Trump continued, "He actually said, I saved millions. And he said in front of Susie, he said President Trump saved millions and millions of lives." He then claimed, "And I got a call from Prime Minister Modi saying, we're done. I said, you're done with what? 'We're not going to go to war'. I said, Thank you very much. Let's make a deal." The US President added, "But I saved a lot of people, millions of people, on many other wars." The brief four-day confrontation between India and Pakistan ended after both sides held direct talks. Soon after, Trump announced on social media that the two countries had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" following a "long night" of US-mediated discussions. Trump has repeatedly said he "helped settle" the tensions between the neighbours. India, however, has consistently denied any third-party involvement, while Pakistan has publicly credited Trump for helping to broker the ceasefire during the May conflict. (ANI)
Bangladesh's National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman participated in the seventh meeting of the National Security Advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) hosted by India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Friday. https://x.com/bdhc_delhi/status/1991373008116838507 Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi, shared the pictures of the meeting on X and wrote, "#Bangladesh National Security Adviser joins the Seventh Meeting of NSAs of COLOMBO SECURITY CONCLAVE in #India, as convened by NSA, Ajit Doval." On Wednesday, the Bangladesh NSA met his counterpart in New Delhi and according to a statement from the Bangladesh High Commission, the NSAs discussed the functioning of the Colombo Security Conclave and key bilateral issues. Rahman also invited NSA Doval to visit Bangladesh. The statement by the Bangladesh High Commission said, "Bangladesh delegation to the Seventh NSA-level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), led by the National Security Adviser, Dr Khalilur Rahman, met with the National Security Adviser of India, Mr Ajit Doval, and his team today in Delhi. They discussed the work of CSC and key bilateral issues. Rahman invited Doval to visit Bangladesh at his convenience." Rahman is leading the Bangladesh delegation for the seventh CSC meeting of NSAs. The meeting comes amidst strained ties following Sheikh Hasina's ouster and death sentence. The meeting marks the highest-level security engagement since an interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, took power in Bangladesh in August 2024. A central point of contention is Bangladesh's formal request for India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi tribunal. The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said that India has taken note of the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said that India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.MEA underlined that India will always engage constructively with all stakeholders. The statement said, "India has noted the verdict announced by the 'International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh' concerning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end." (ANI)
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that New York City's mayor-elect, Zohran "Kwame" Mamdani, is scheduled to meet him at the Oval Office on Friday. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!" https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115579432475646132 The announcement follows months of sharp public exchanges between the two. According to The New York Times, Mamdani's team recently reached out to the White House to seek a meeting focused on New York's affordability crisis, signalling a shift in tone after their confrontational campaign season. During his campaign, Mamdani had described Trump as a threat to democracy and said he alone had the "backbone" to challenge him. Trump, meanwhile, repeatedly called him a "100 per cent communist lunatic" and endorsed his opponent, Andrew M Cuomo. Despite their differences, Mamdani has said he is ready to meet the president to discuss the city's affordability crisis, as reported by The New York Times. He has argued that rising living costs, including rent and groceries, are driving residents out of the city. Speaking at a Bronx food pantry, he said that although Trump's pledges to lower prices resonated with voters, "we are seeing his actions and that of his administration in Washington leading to the exact opposite effect for New Yorkers." When asked what he planned to convey to Trump, Mamdani said, "I'm here to work for the benefit of everyone that calls this city home, and wherever there is a possibility for working together towards that end, I'm ready, and if it's to the expense of those New Yorkers, I will fight it." In an earlier interview, he said maintaining a functional relationship with the White House would be "critical to the success of the city" and that he intended to be "proactive" as he prepares to take office on 1 January. The New York Times reported that the meeting comes at a tense moment, as city officials brace for potential clashes with the federal government after Trump threatened to deploy National Guard troops and explored using a Staten Island Coast Guard facility to detain immigrants. Trump has also withheld billions in federal funding and suggested he could withhold additional aid. As the meeting approaches, Mamdani has maintained that while he is open to cooperation, he will oppose any policies he believes will harm New Yorkers. (ANI)
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Marri stated that the situation in the province has reached an "extremely grim" point, mirroring decades of systematic repression.

According to Marri, the Pakistani military establishment has not only intensified crackdowns within Balochistan but has expanded what he calls "transnational aggression" into India and Afghanistan, targeting Baloch refugees beyond Pakistan's borders.

He claims that the military's sense of impunity has grown due to its strategic partnerships with major powers such as the United States and China.

Marri argues that Pakistan routinely masks military operations under the pretext of counterinsurgency, while in reality suppressing legitimate political aspirations.

He says the Baloch struggle is centred on sovereignty, territorial integrity and fundamental human dignity, yet is repeatedly labelled by Pakistani authorities as terrorism or foreign-backed unrest. "They manipulate the narrative to simplify our struggle," he said, urging the international community not to take Pakistani claims at face value.

Criticising Pakistan's recent shipment of rare earth minerals to the United States, Marri maintained that Balochistan's resources are being exploited without benefiting the local population.

Comparing the minerals to "stolen goods," he called for global regulations similar to those imposed on conflict diamonds. Despite being home to vast natural wealth and critical ports, Balochistan remains among Pakistan's poorest regions, a disparity Marri attributes to "illegal occupation."

The worsening situation has forced numerous activists, students, and journalists to flee the country in search of asylum.

Marri described Balochistan as an "open-air prison," where civilians live under constant surveillance, curfews, and military pressure. "There is no politics. We live in a dungeon," he stated.

Going further, he questioned Pakistan's legitimacy as a nation-state, alleging that it was a colonial construct sustained by geopolitical interests rather than genuine nationhood. He urged the international community to reassess its recognition of Pakistan, citing its destabilising role in the region. (ANI)
The report, described as a wake-up call, highlights how human-driven land degradation is cutting crop yields worldwide and threatening the livelihoods of 1.7 billion people.

FAO notes that while wealthier nations often mask soil damage through heavy input use, low-income countries face far harsher consequences.

Pakistan is firmly headed down this dangerous path due to the longstanding mismanagement of land and water resources, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, since independence, Pakistan's farm growth stemmed from more cultivated land, better yields, and higher cropping intensity.

But limited water availability has slowed land expansion, leaving it far behind population growth. Yield improvements have also plateaued, except in a few crops, pushing farmers to squeeze more seasons into the same soil.

Short-duration varieties, machinery, and economic pressure, especially on smallholders owning less than 2.5 acres, have normalised three-crop cycles across irrigated regions.

This relentless approach has erased fallow periods, locked farmers into rigid crop patterns, and severely undermined soil health. Continuous wheat-on-wheat or rice-on-rice cultivation has become widespread.

Simultaneously, reliance on chemical fertilisers like urea and DAP has soared, while traditional organic matter has nearly vanished. This imbalance has stripped soils of their organic content, driving levels below 0.5 per cent in many parts of Punjab.

Rising soil alkalinity, often above pH 8, now restricts nutrient uptake. Crop-residue burning kills soil organisms and adds to Pakistan's winter smog. Groundwater exploitation has further worsened irrigation quality, accelerating salinity and reducing productivity.

Excessive tillage, too, is breaking soil structure, promoting erosion, and reducing biodiversity, a combination that FAO warns can cripple long-term agricultural viability, as cited by Dawn.

Experts argue that Pakistan can no longer afford reactive governance. With shrinking farm sizes and mounting cropping intensity, sustainable tillage, efficient water use, and balanced fertilisation must become national priorities.

Farmers need training in organic techniques, while biogas and composting plants supported through public-private partnerships could convert the country's massive municipal waste stream into affordable fertiliser, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)
Tension continued for the second consecutive day on Thursday in Bara District bordering the Indian state of Bihar as youths identifying themselves as Gen Zers returned to the streets a day after clashing with CPN-UML cadres. Protestors continued to gather on the streets of Simara, clashing with the police since early this morning. Local authorities have imposed a curfew to contain the unrest starting from 1 to 8 PM (local Time). "Curfew has been reimposed following the clash with the police to bring the situation under control," Assistant Chief District Officer Chhabiraman Subedi confirmed to ANI over the phone. The agitated Gen Z protesters have accused police of failing to arrest individuals named in their complaint over yesterday's clash. On November 19, six Gen Z supporters were injured, and the group lodged a complaint against six UML cadres over the confrontation at Simara Chowk, near the Simara airport. The Police had yesterday detained Ward Chair Dhan Bahadur Shrestha of ward 2 of Jeetpursimara Sub-metropolitan City, and Ward Chair Kaimudin Ansari of ward six were arrested for the tension that flared from the day before. The Police also fired teargas canisters after the confrontation escalated near Simara Airport, forcing the airport to halt operations. Tension started from Wednesday after UML (Unified Marxist Leninist) leaders planned to come to the district ahead of the election scheduled for March 5, 2026. Experts have expressed worries about the security provided to hundreds of inmates on the loose with a similar number of weapons unaccounted for after it was looted during the September uprising. Nepal is in political transition following the change in regime in September, when protests forced then Prime Minister and Chairman of UML KP Oli to step down from the post. The two-day protest left 76 people dead all across the nation. After the fall of the Oli-led government new government was formed on 12th September under the leadership of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who, on the same day of appointment, recommended dissolving the parliament, calling for fresh elections. President Ram Chandra Paudel, on the recommendation of Karki, had dissolved the parliament and called for the election on March 5, 2026. (ANI)
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday highlighted President Vladimir Putin's meeting with China's Premier Li Qiang, calling the current phase of the partnership between the two nations the strongest in their history. In a post on X, the ministry wrote, "On November 18, President #Putin met with China's Premier Li Qiang. The comprehensive #RussiaChina partnership & strategic interaction, having entered a new era, is experiencing the best period in their history." The statement set the tone for discussions focused on expanding diplomatic, strategic and economic cooperation. https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1991415413746594174?s=20 The meeting between Putin and Li on November 18 underscored this growing engagement. During the talks, Putin said, "Close Russia-China cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) is helping to shape the SCO into one of the pillars of a multipolar international order, to draw the countries of the Global South into its orbit, and to help advance an open and non-discriminatory global trading system." He added that efforts at the level of the SCO Council of Heads of Government this year "were able to organically complement the efforts undertaken by our Chinese friends during their chairmanship, which successfully culminated in the Summit in Tianjin." Building on this, Putin recalled his earlier exchanges with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "I warmly recall my visit to that remarkable, beautiful and modern Chinese city, as well as my extensive conversations with my friend President Xi Jinping in Tianjin and later in Beijing during the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory over militarist Japan and the end of the Second World War," he said. He also asked Li Qiang to convey "my very best wishes and warm greetings to the President of the People's Republic of China." Putin emphasised the strategic depth of the relationship, stating, "The comprehensive Russian-Chinese relations of partnership and strategic interaction, having entered a new era, are truly experiencing the best period in their history." He noted that the ties are based on "equality, mutual benefit, and mutual support on issues affecting each other's core interests," and are not directed against anyone. On economic ties, Putin highlighted progress achieved last year. "In 2024, we achieved record figures in bilateral trade - the highest in the history of our relations," he said. "We will continue to strengthen trade cooperation in line with our approved long-term plans. It is important to ensure the reliable protection of our trade and economic cooperation from negative external influences." He added that taking the partnership "to a new qualitative level and reinforcing its technological foundation" would be supported by joint projects in "energy, industry, space and agriculture," along with cooperation in "the training of qualified personnel." He noted that "the Russia-China Years of Education in 2026-2027... will be particularly useful," calling it "a very timely and positive initiative." Putin also highlighted cultural and humanitarian exchanges. "Our humanitarian exchanges are also developing dynamically. The Cross Years of Culture are drawing to a successful close," he said. Welcoming China's decision to introduce visa-free entry for Russian citizens, he added, "We are grateful for this goodwill gesture." Reciprocal measures for Chinese nationals "will enter into force in the very near future," and he expressed confidence that this would have "very substantial effects both economically and in humanitarian terms" and "serve as a distinctly positive boost to the advancement of our relations." (ANI)
According to the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the Israel Defence Forces and the Israel Police, the suspects were repeatedly transporting weapons from Syria into Israel and handing them over to criminal elements in the north.

The smuggled weapons included explosives, RPG missiles, assault rifles, and large quantities of ammunition. Among those arrested is Iyad Halabi, 45, a sergeant major from Yarka, a northern Druze village, and Rami Abu Shah, 49, of the Israeli-Arab town of Shfaram, who coordinated with Syrian arms traffickers. (ANI/TPS)
India's child-focused policies are driving significant improvements in well-being and poverty reduction, yet stronger, sustained social sector investment is essential to secure long-term gains for the country's 460 million children, according to UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey. In its latest report, State of the World's Children 2025, released on the occasion of World Children's Day on Thursday, UNICEF revealed that more than 400 million children across low- and middle-income countries face deprivations in at least two essential areas--health, nutrition, education, clean water, sanitation and housing--noting that despite global progress, millions of children still lack access to basic services, fuelling inequality and limiting opportunities across generations. According to the report, the youngest children, those with disabilities and children growing up amid conflicts or climate disasters face the highest risks as economic and environmental pressures intensify worldwide. Meanwhile, India was highlighted as a global example of rapid poverty reduction. McCaffrey credited India's flagship programmes and expanded social protection coverage for lifting 248 million people out of multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23, reducing the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) rate from 29.2 per cent to 11.3 per cent. Social protection schemes now reach nearly 940 million people, a jump from 19 per cent coverage in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, as per the report. McCaffrey emphasised that investing in children yields the strongest social and economic returns, adding that India's progress shows what is possible when political commitment aligns with large-scale policy action. Flagship schemes such as Poshan Abhiyaan, Samagra Shiksha, PM-KISAN, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission--supported by India's digital public infrastructure--have expanded access to nutrition, education, income support, sanitation and financial inclusion. "The State of the World's Children 2025 report reminds us that ending child poverty is achievable with the tools and knowledge we have. There is no greater return on investment than investing in children. India's progress shows that further acceleration of effective programmes can help reach the last mile and India's Vision 2047. Improving children's wellbeing isn't just about resources it's about the collective will and leadership to prioritise children in every decision we make," McCaffrey said. "Every child gaining access to healthcare, learning, nutrition, social safety and protection with quality takes us a step closer to reaching them all with equality and opportunity," she added. Experts, however, cautioned that India must continue to safeguard and expand fiscal space for social sector spending. The National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP)'s Dr Pinaki Chakraborty stressed the need for sustained public investment in health and education. "Sustained public investments in the social sector are essential for child wellbeing. Safeguarding fiscal space for children programmes and enhancing overall spending in key sectors of health and education would be crucial for India," Chakraborty said, a visiting distinguished Professor at NIPFP. While Observer Research Foundation (ORF)'s Dr Nilanjan Ghosh said India's Viksit Bharat @2047 vision must prioritise equity and sustainability, noting that children remain the country's most vital reservoir of future human capital. "Viksit Bharat @2047 cannot be defined through the narrow lens of per capita GDP alone. A truly developed economy must embed equity, distributive justice, and sustainability into its vision. India's real engine of transformation lies in sustained investments in children - the most vital reservoir of future human capital and socio-economic progress. By nurturing their health, nutrition, education, and opportunities today, we can unlock the demographic dividend and lay the foundations of a resilient and inclusive nation. The economic and social returns on investing in children are very high," said Ghos, Vice President, Development Studies & Kolkata Head, ORF. Despite substantial progress, the report notes that 206 million children in India still lack access to at least one essential service, and 62 million face deprivations in two or more areas--barriers that limit their ability to reach their full potential. UNICEF urged governments and partners to place children at the centre of budgeting and policymaking, strengthen social protection systems, ensure equitable access to essential services, support economic security for caregivers and amplify children's voices in decisions affecting their futures. The report concludes by underscoring that the world already has the evidence, tools and experience to end child poverty, and what is needed now is collective resolve and action. (ANI)
HOUSTON, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jiffy Lube International, Inc., an industry leader in automotive preventive maintenance, announces that Mauricio Quezada has been appointed President and CEO. Quezada brings more than two decades of automotive OEM and aftermarket experience to the role, most recently serving as Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Direct Lubricants for The Pennzoil Quaker State Company (Shell USA).

Mauricio Quezada, President & CEO, Jiffy Lube International, Inc.

The appointment marks a homecoming for Quezada, who served as Director of Operations of Jiffy Lube International from 2015-2018. In his new role, he will leverage his operational expertise to set the company's strategic direction, including driving growth for the network of more than 2,000 independently owned Jiffy Lube service centers across North America.

"Mauricio is a strong people leader whose depth of operational understanding makes him a catalyst for driving Jiffy Lube's strategic direction and growth," said Ade Ajala, President, Shell Lubricants Americas.

Since joining Shell in 2005, Quezada has held a wide range of leadership roles across its downstream businesses in the U.S. and abroad. Previously, he also served as a Subway franchisee, giving him a unique perspective on the importance of franchise collaboration  an insight he brings to his leadership at Jiffy Lube.

"This is a dream job because Jiffy Lube is well positioned to further its leadership position as the leader and pioneer of the vehicle service business. My focus is continuing to innovate, to provide the best, most consistent experience for our millions of customers, while ensuring the business is viewed as a coveted investment opportunity by our franchisees and owners. We will expand our network and bring the Jiffy Lube experience to many underserved markets," said Quezada. "I look forward to collaborating with the talented team and our dedicated network of franchisees to deliver fast, convenient, and quality service to drivers across North America  while accelerating growth for our business."

Quezada holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business.

ABOUT JIFFY LUBE

Founded over 45 years ago, Jiffy Lube serves approximately 19 million customers each year at more than 2,000 franchised service centers across North America. Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 by establishing the first drive-through service bay, providing customers with fast, professional service for their vehicles. The company continues to lead the industry with the evolution of its business model, Jiffy Lube Multicare, which offers oil changes, brakes, batteries, and tires as well as other services consumers want and need. Headquartered in Houston, Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell USA, Inc. Visit www.JiffyLube.com to learn more about Jiffy Lube and vehicle care.

SOURCE Jiffy Lube International Inc.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav held a meeting with Lars Aagaard Mller, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark and Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner for Climate Action. The leaders discussed aspects revolving India-EU climate partnership and agenda items of the ongoing COP 30 UN climate conference. In a post on X, the Union Minister said, "Had an engaging discussion with Mr Lars Aagaard Mller, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark, EU and Mr. Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, on the sidelines of COP30 in Belem. Our deliberations focused on crucial agenda items in the ongoing COP, and also important aspects related to the India-EU climate partnerships." https://x.com/byadavbjp/status/1991343878419673241?s=20 The meeting between the leaders comes on the heels of the 8th India-Denmark Foreign Office Consultations which took place in New Delhi that saw Ambassador Sibi George and State Secretary for Foreign Policy Lotte Machon take stock of the ongoing bilateral cooperation under the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and the Joint Action Plan for the term 2021-26. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides reaffirmed the commitment to widen the scope of collaboration further in the areas of political engagement, trade and investment, renewable energy, sustainability, clean technologies, circular economy, shipping, water, agriculture and animal husbandry, food processing, research & development and mobility. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1990403697764082012?s=20 Diplomatic relations between India and Denmark, established in September 1949, are based on historical links, common democratic traditions and shared desire for regional, as well as international peace and stability. The Ministry of External Affairs had highlighted in a previous statement how the bilateral relations were elevated to the level of "Green Strategic Partnership" during the Virtual Summit held in September 2020 between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen. The current development of renewed India-Denmark relations has been guided by the "Green Strategic Partnership". (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Thursday in the national capital and expressed optimism ahead of the discussions between the two leaders. In a post on X, he said, "Welcome my friend FM @SenatorWong to India. Look forward to our discussions." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1991466754942652581?s=20 Earlier today the Australian minister visited Humayun's Tomb and saw the exhibition- Songlines: Tracking the seven sisters exhibition at Humayun's Tomb Museum. Wong arrived in Delhi on Wednesday evening. The Australian Foreign Minister is here for the 16th Australia-India Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue and her 26th meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. During her visit, discussions would take place on cooperation across cyber and strategic technology, trade, maritime security, defence, sport, and people-to-people ties. In her official statement ahead of her visit, Wong said, "Australia and India have never been closer and our partnership never more consequential - it is crucial for us and crucial for the region in a sharper and more competitive world." She highlighted that her visit builds on the high momentum of the series of engagements between India and Australia and "reflects the ongoing work of the Albanese Government to deepen our relationships and strengthen our resilience." Wong noted that the cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects the deepening alignment and shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. "I look forward to discussions with my counterpart and friend, Minister for External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar, to set the course for an even more ambitious, future-focused agenda, as our partnership enters its next phase. We will look to enhance our cooperation across cyber and strategic technology, trade, maritime security, defence, sport, and people-to-people ties," she stated. "Together, Australia and India are working bilaterally, through the Quad, and through multilateral institutions to advance our collective security and prosperity," Wong further noted. The high-level visit comes shortly after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Australia in October. He held delegation-level talks with Wong and also met Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, during his visit, hailing the fillip to the bilateral relationship. (ANI)
Amid the current diplomatic situation regarding the extradition of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, Bangladesh's National Security Adviser (NSA) Khalilur Rahman on Thursday reaffirmed Dhaka's commitment to strengthening cooperation within the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), emphasising enhanced collaboration in maritime security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity and regional stability. In his country statement at the Seventh Meeting of the NSA of the CSC held in the national capital, Rahman also called for the Conclave to evolve into an "open, inclusive regional multilateral organisation". Rahman said Bangladesh values its engagement with CSC initiatives and will continue to participate, based on the principles of sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference, noting that the CSC's five pillars of cooperation are of significant importance for strengthening collective security and shared prosperity across the region. "I am pleased to note that Bangladesh has been participating in some of the CSC activities and will continue to do so in the future, based on the principles enshrined in the Charter of the organisation, namely sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and non-interference. Bangladesh recognises the importance of the five identified pillars of the Conclave's work and the important role that CSC can play along these pillars in enhancing collective security, regional stability and shared prosperity for all members of the region," the statement read. "Bangladesh has been steadfastly playing its dual role in this regard. We are working alongside regional nations to enhance maritime safety and security, combat piracy and other organised maritime crimes and terrorism, and ensure cybersecurity," it added. The Bangladesh NSA's call for regional cooperation on these issues comes amidst strained ties following Hasina's ouster and death sentence for her crimes against humanity related to the July uprising last year. Bangladesh had formally requested that India extradite Hasina, who has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said that India has taken note of the verdict announced by the Bangladeshi court and said that India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Rahman reiterated Bangladesh's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, stressing that the country condemns all forms of terrorism under any circumstances. With rapid digitalisation and the rise of artificial intelligence, he warned that cybercrimes have become a growing concern for all regional states. "Bangladesh has consistently condemned global terrorism. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of terrorism, under any circumstance. With growing digitalisation and technological developments, including artificial intelligence, the menace of cybercrime is affecting all our countries. Cybersecurity is thus a high priority in Bangladesh. Of late, we have been facing a constant barrage of misinformation and disinformation. We are committed towards securing our own cyberspace, critical infrastructure and technology, not only for the safety of our citizens," the statement added. He emphasised that national efforts alone are insufficient and called for coordinated regional action to address cybersecurity threats, misinformation, and disinformation. "We need to articulate and implement our collective actions in facing up to the challenges of cybersecurity, misinformation and disinformation, and I look forward to CSC's actions in this regard," he stated. Underscoring the importance of mutual trust, respect and shared benefits, Rahman pledged Bangladesh's readiness to work "hand in hand" with CSC members to ensure a stable, secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region. He further stated the region cannot allow any external or internal forces to threaten its security or well-being and stressed Bangladesh's willingness to find common ground on shared challenges. "As we navigate the complexities of regional security, let us reaffirm our commitment to uphold the principles of mutual trust and respect, mutuality of interests and sharing of benefits. I am pleased to pledge Bangladesh's readiness to work hand in hand to ensure a stable, secure, peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean region and to confront our common challenges. We cannot afford to allow any exogenous or indigenous forces to challenge the security and well-being of our community or any part thereof," the statement read. In conclusion, Rahman said Bangladesh envisions the Colombo Security Conclave gradually transforming into an open and inclusive multilateral regional organisation rooted in "open regionalism", reflecting the shared aspirations of its members. Bangladesh's NSA's remarks come during the seventh meeting of the National Security Advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) hosted by NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi. (ANI)
India on Thursday hosted the Seventh National Security Adviser-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), bringing together top security officials from Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, with Seychelles participating as an Observer member and Malaysia joining for the first time as a Guest. The Conclave, in the National capital and chaired by NSA Ajit Doval, reviewed regional security cooperation and agreed to deepen collaboration across its five core pillars, while welcoming Seychelles' decision to accede as a full member, a release from the Ministry of External Affairs stated. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation among Indian Ocean Region countries on maritime safety, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and responses to transnational organised crime and disasters. The CSC, originally formed to enhance collective security among member states, formally adopted its founding documents in Sri Lanka in August 2024. During the meeting, the first Secretary General of the CSC--appointed by India--presented a detailed review of the progress made since the 6th NSA-level meeting held in Mauritius in December 2023. Member States were briefed on activities undertaken across the Conclave's five pillars: Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. "At the 7th NSA level meeting, the first Secretary General, appointed by India, presented a comprehensive review to the CSC Member States on the decisions taken at the 6th NSA level meeting in Mauritius on 7-8 December 2023 and activities undertaken since then under the five pillars of cooperation, namely Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief," the release stated. The participating countries also discussed new ways to further enhance cooperation, including expanded training, capacity building and joint initiatives under each pillar. They further reiterated their shared commitment to the CSC's vision of coordinated regional security and affirmed the need for stronger partnerships to address emerging challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. The delegations were led by Maldives' NSA Ibrahim Latheef, Mauritius' NSA Rahul Rasgotra, Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, and Bangladesh's NSA Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman. Seychelles was represented by Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces, while Malaysia, attending as a Guest for the first time, was represented by Badrul Shah Mohd Idris, Deputy Director General of its National Security Council. (ANI)
American businessman and son of US President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr, paid a visit to the Taj Mahal on Thursday, one of the most iconic and breathtaking monuments in the world, located in Agra. The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, recognised for its cultural and historical significance. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and attracts millions of visitors each year. The Taj Mahal has hosted several global dignitaries. In 2020, US President Trump visited the monument with his wife, Melania Trump; this was Donald Trump Jr.'s first visit. In January, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, paid a visit to the Taj Mahal with a delegation of 19. The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, was accompanied by Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck as part of her delegation. At the Taj Mahal, the Bhutanese delegation admired the monument's grandeur and its beauty. In March, Brian Greene, a renowned theoretical physicist, author, and professor of mathematics and physics at Columbia University, and former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino visited the Taj Mahal. As part of their visit, they explored the iconic Taj Mahal and expressed their admiration for India's advancements in science, engineering, and craftsmanship, as per the statement. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements of Persian, Indian, and Islamic architecture. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Earlier in April, US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance and their three children - Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel- visited the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh's Agra. He called the Taj Mahal a "beautiful historic site" and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received. Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font also visited the Taj Mahal in April. Meanwhile, India and the US are nearing a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), aiming to boost bilateral trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. The deal is expected to cover key sectors like defence, energy, technology, services, investment, and procedural barrier reduction, while excluding patents and certain regulatory matters. Goyal earlier said there is "no pause or hiatus" in the relationship with the United States, which is very strategic for both countries and that there will be "good news" on the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) as and when "right balance" is reached. "I don't see any reason to be worried. I don't believe there is any hiatus in the relationship. It continues to be very important and very strategic for both countries--the United States and India," he said, speaking at the 22nd Indo-US Economic Summit organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC). Goyal sought to reassure industry participants, saying the relationship continues to evolve across economic, strategic and defence areas. He described the Indo-US engagement as a comprehensive partnership built on strong democratic values and a shared commitment to global prosperity. Goyal noted that partnerships of such depth naturally involve different tracks progressing at varying speeds, but the overall trajectory remains firmly upward. Addressing industry concerns about the delayed bilateral trade agreement, Goyal said negotiations are underway and advancing, but India will prioritise its national interests in any deal. He emphasised that India must secure the interests of farmers, fishermen, small industries and other stakeholders before concluding an agreement. "Negotiations are a process, and India as a nation has to secure its interests. As and when we find the right balance--fair, equitable and balanced--you will hear the good news," he assured. Additionally, he mentioned the recently announced contract for India to source LPG from the US, reflecting growing energy collaboration between the two countries. These developments, he said, reflect the resilience and maturity of the Indo-US partnership, which extends far beyond trade negotiations. Goyal said the Indo-US relationship stands on "strong pillars of democracy, diversity and development," and described the two nations as trusted partners working not only for mutual benefit but also for global economic stability. He reiterated that the United States views India as a reliable, long-term partner, and both sides remain committed to expanding bilateral commerce. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met Afghanistan's Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, in the national capital as part of the Taliban leader's five-day official visit to the country. During the meeting, both leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties between the two countries. The EAM in a post on X, stated that the two ministers explored ways to enhance economic cooperation and facilitate development initiatives, as well as reiterating India's continued support for the welfare and development of the Afghan people. "Pleased to meet Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi this evening. Discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people to people ties. Reiterated India's support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan," the post read. The Afghan Minister arrived in India on Wednesday for his official visit. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended a warm welcome to the visiting dignitary, whose visit is aimed at bolstering bilateral trade and investment ties between the two nations. This marks one of the highest-level visits from the Taliban government to India since their takeover of Kabul in August 2021. Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, earlier concluded a six-day visit to India in October 2025, marking the highest-level engagement between New Delhi and the Taliban regime since the 2021 takeover. On Wednesday, Azizi led a high-level delegation to the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, seeking to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations. During the visit, Minister Azizi met with Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), to discuss opportunities for Afghanistan to participate in future exhibitions. The Minister toured various stalls, including Afghan showcases promoting local products, and interacted with traders to explore market access and expansion prospects. The trade minister's visit comes amid escalating tensions between the regime and Pakistan due to recent border clashes, which led to border closures disrupting exports. This has prompted Afghanistan to diversify its trade with India as well as Iran and Central Asia. Afghanistan has increased trade with Iran and Central Asian countries as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on Pakistan, according to Tolo News. Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that the country is using the Chabahar Port in Iran to bypass frequent disruptions at Pakistan's borders and ease political pressures from Islamabad, shifting transit agreements to alternative routes. (ANI)
Secretary (ER) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sudhakar Dalela said that the South African Summit has an echo of the priorities recognised during the Indian presidency of the G20 Summit. In a Special Briefing by MEA on Prime Minister's visit to South Africa, Dalela said that in this Summit, food security and disaster risk management are at the fore of priorities. "The Johannesburg G20 Summit will mark the culmination of first cycle of 20 G20 Presidencies. The priorities identified by South Africa are aligned with those of India's G20 Presidency and that of Brazil, ensuring continuity in G20 discussions from the perspective of matters that are important to Global South," he said. Dalela said that the presidency focuses on the issues of global south, thich has trickled down from the previous presidencies of the countries from the Global South. "The Indian G20 Presidency had established a disaster risk reduction working group, signifying the importance India attaches to the matter, South African presidency has carried forward the work related to the disaster risk reduction and resilience as key priorities at its own presidency. Similarly, through the task force and food security that South African presidency has carried forward the dialogue on this important challenge as well. The South African presidency has in a way continued focus on issues of importance to global south," he said. Priorities from the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration like digital public infrastructure, women-led development, the action plan to accelerate progress on SDGs, were carried forward in the Johannesburg Summit. "The New Delhi's leaders' declaration had provided a strong basis of many of the G20 outcome documents adopted this year in the various ministerial tracts. The Indian Presidency's flagship priorities sets as digitial public infrastructure, women-led development, the action plan to accelerate progress on SDGs, as well as key outcomes of the working group from last year including disaster risk reduction, working group and empowerment of women working group, initiated by India has found strong resonance in South African Presidency," he said. Dalela then said that Deccan high level principles on food security have been reinforced in these outcomes. "Furthermore, the Deccan high level principles on food security and nutrition, commitment to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency are some of the other key outcomes that have been reinforced in the course of discussion this year on different tracks in the South Presidency," he said. Johannesburg summit will also have the conclusion of four emerging economies. "Johannesburg summit will also conclude the successful holding of the presidency of the G20 by four emerging markets and developing economies of G20 namely Indonesia, India, Brazil and now of course South Africa and this has enabled all of us collectively to bring some focus on matters impacting the global south. We have been actively participating in all tracks of G20 throughout the year and during and now of course in Johannesburg and we look forward to a successful and productive G20 summit in Johannesburg," he said. He added that PM Modi will participate win the IBSA Summit. "Before I conclude, let me also mention that on the margins of G20 summit, PM will be participating in the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa leaders meeting as well as holding bilateral meeting with several leaders who will be present in Johannesburg," he added. He then said that Prime Minister Modi will visit Johannesburg from November 21-23. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Johannesburg South Africa from November 21-23 to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit at the invitation of President of South Africa. This will be Prime Minster's fourth official visit to South Aftica following his bilateral visit in 2016 and later for the two BRICS Summits in 2018 and 2023," he said. Dalela added that after the induction in 2023, this is the first presidency of South Africa. "In the first G20 Summit that will be happening on the African soil and in that context will bring the spotlight on the development issues of Africa as also of the global south. It may also be recalled that it was during India's G20 presidency in 2023, that the African Union was inducted into G20 as permanent member. Apart from G20 members, South Africa has invited several guest countries, non-members that we know and several heads of international organisations in the Summit in Johannesburg," he said. Dalela said that the summit is essential for the continuity for India's priorities set during its presidency. "This summit will be important for India to ensure continuity of its priorities in the G20 after having hosted a successful presidency in 2023. The G20 has emerged as a premium forum for international economic cooperation as well as for discussing matters of global significance, G20 provides an excellent opportunity for the leaders of these large economies and emerging economies, representing over 85% of global GDP and around three quarters of the world population, to come together and discuss important issues impacting the world," he said. Dalela then said that the G20 Summit, representing around 85 per cent of the global GDP, has prorities like advancing SDGs, environmental concerns, etc. "These include important priorities such as accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, reform of global institutions of governance, tackling environmental and climate challenge and sustainability, bridging the digital divide, energy transition, emerging technologies, underscoring the importance of international coordination and cooperation in addressing contemplative global challenges under their overall scheme of solidarity, equality, sustainability," he said. He elaborated further on key G20 priorities identified by South Africa. "South Africa has identified four key priority areas for the G20 Presidency this year. These are- strengthen disaster resilience and response, get sustainability for low income countries, mobilise finance for just energy transition, harness critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development," he said. "The three plenary sessions of the Leaders' summit, we have these three priority areas for discussion by the leaders on November 22 and 23," he added. (ANI)
Rosoboronexport, following the unveiling of the Lancet loitering munition at the Dubai Airshow 2025, has claimed that the upgraded Lancet E is the most widely used loitering munition in the world, developed from extensive real-combat experience. A Rosoboronexport representative told ANI that the system has been presented at the Dubai Airshow 2025 along with ZALA. He said the company has created a full ecosystem built around the Lancet E for both reconnaissance and strike roles. According to the representative, the ecosystem includes the Z16E reconnaissance vehicle and two types of loitering munitions. The Izdelie 51 and 51 IR versions carry a five kilograms warhead and come with an infrared camera. The Izdelie 52 and 52 IR versions are lighter, carrying a three kilogram warhead, and also feature infrared cameras. The official said these platforms can engage a wide range of targets because of the four types of warheads available. "Rosoboronexport is presenting together with ZALA the upgraded Lancet E reconnaissance and strike system, which is the whole ecosystem including the reconnaissance vehicle Z16E and two loitering munitions Izdelie 51 and 51 IR with infrared camera and Izdelie 52 and 52 IR with infrared camera," he told ANI. He said, "The heavier one, the 51, has a 5 kg warhead; the lighter one has a 3 kg warhead. We use it against an extremely wide range of targets due to four types of warheads..." The representative said Russia considers the Lancet E the most widely used loitering munition globally. "...based on the combat experience we have...," he said. Rosoboronexport officials said the upgrades aim to improve target detection, precision, and survivability in environments where there is heavy presence of counter-UAS systems They also said interest in the system has increased as more militaries seek low-risk stand-off strike options. Another Rosoboronexport representative had earlier mentioned to ANI that the newer Pantsir SMD-E air defence system is designed to protect key administrative, industrial and military facilities from large-scale air attacks, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and various types of UAVs. She said, "The system is designed to protect key administrative, industrial, and military facilities from massive strikes performed by aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, different types of UAVs, including rotary wing UAVs." According to her, the system can engage targets up to 20 kilometres away using its larger missiles and up to 7 kilometres using the newest TKB-1055 surface-to-air missiles. "They are designed specially for the engagement of unmanned aerial vehicles. With the help of this missile and a special transition block, the ammunition load of one combat vehicle can be increased up to 48 surface-to-air missiles. This is a very big number in comparison with any system or service in the world," she said. She also told ANI that the Pantsir SMD-E is intended for deployment on buildings and other structures to secure cities and important areas from the "massive use of air attack weapons". "This system is designed specially for being placed on buildings and different structures in order to protect key cities, facilities and areas from massive use of air attack weapons", she said. (ANI)
The consignment was handed over in the presence of President Patrick Herminie by High Commissioner Rohit Rathish.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the Indian High Commission said, "Today, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles, High Commissioner of India Shri Rohit Rathish handed over a consignment of medicines to Minister of Health Dr. Marvin Fanny. The consignment of 3.5 tonnes includes medicines for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal ailments, vitamins & supplements. This donation reaffirms India's commitment to support Seychelles in its development priorities."

https://x.com/hci_seychelles/status/1991480197586026728?s=20

Earlier in October, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan concluded a successful visit to Seychelles from October 26-27 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected President Patrick Herminie.

His visit underscored the importance India attaches to its relations with Seychelles under Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and the commitment to the Global South, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared in an official statement on Tuesday.

During the visit, the Vice-President called on President Patrick Herminie and met Vice-President Sebastien Pillay. He conveyed warm greetings and felicitations to the newly elected Government on behalf of the Government of India.

Vice President Radhakrishnan also met the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and addressed a community reception attended by the members of the Indian diaspora in Seychelles."India and Seychelles share common values of democracy and pluralism, and enjoy a close, long-standing and time-tested partnership. Government of India looks forward to working with the new Government of Seychelles under Dr. Patrick Herminie to further strengthen and expand our bilateral partnership", the statement underlined. (ANI)
India and Australia should leverage their bilateral and multilateral institutions, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), to strengthen their mutual and regional cooperation, Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong said on Thursday. During her opening remarks at the 16th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Wong noted that the talks will also focus on advancing the next phase of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The Foreign Minister highlighted the deep and longstanding ties between the two nations, emphasising that the partnership should benefit both countries, their peoples, and the wider Indo-Pacific region. This is also the 26th meeting between the two counterparts. "Our two nations have never been closer, and in many ways, our partnership has never been more consequential. We see this partnership as critical and weighty in its own terms, bilaterally, but also as crucial for the region. You are a leading power, and we are comprehensive strategic partners who share a vision of a peaceful, stable, prosperous Indo-Pacific," Wong said. "We want to leverage that partnership for the benefit of both countries, for both our peoples, and for our region. And we want to use all the tools at our disposal in doing that, and that includes bilateral, but also the QUAD and multilateral institutions. I often speak about our region being reshaped, and what I would say to you is, in that reshaping, Australia remains India's reliable partner," she added. The Australian minister noted the convergence of strategic alignments, growing economic ties, and expanding educational links, including the establishment of six Australian universities in India. She also acknowledged the Indian-Australian community as Australia's fastest-growing diaspora, reflecting the strong people-to-people connections between the two countries. "Our strategic alignments are converging, our economic ties are deepening, and our educational ties are growing exponentially. We will have six Australian universities in India. And it is through the multitude of connections of our people. Indian-Australians are our fastest-growing diaspora community and we are very, very proud of it," she noted. "We do live in a sharper and more competitive world, and we know we will be better off pursuing shared responses and shared challenges. In this, we are partners, reliable partners, and in this discussion, we can chart the next phase of our comprehensive strategic partnership," Wong added. The Australian Foreign Minister arrived in the national capital on Wednesday to co-chair the 16th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a post on X that it offers a significant opportunity to advance the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India and Australia celebrated the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2025. The agreement was signed in 2020 during the India-Australia Leaders' Virtual Summit, participated in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then-Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison. The partnership has seen enhanced defence cooperation with more joint exercises, the signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement and progress toward a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, and strengthened education ties with nearly 140,000 Indian students in Australia in 2024 and the establishment of Australian branch campuses in India. Additionally, a Renewable Energy Partnership was launched to support India's goal of 10 million solar rooftops by 2030, and cultural and people-to-people links were deepened through initiatives such as the Centre for Australia-India Relations. The partnership spans multiple sectors, including science and technology, clean energy, agriculture, and skills development, reflecting a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. (ANI)
CAESAREA, Israel, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Max Stock Limited (TASE: MAXO); ("the Company", "Max Stock") today announced that it has been informed that Moose Holdco Ltd. ("Moose Holdco"), one of the Company's controlling shareholders, sold 8,550,000 shares (~6.1% of the Company's share capital and ~27% of Moose Holdco's holdings of Company shares) in an off-exchange transaction. Prior to the sale, Moose Holdco held 31,558,386 shares, reflecting ~22.6% of the Company's share capital; following its sale of shares, Moose Holdco still holds 23,008,386 shares, reflecting ~16.5% of the Company's share capital (~22.4% on a fully diluted basis). The sale was performed at a price of ILS 23.40 per share.

Moose Holdco and the Company's other controlling shareholder and CEO, Mr. Ori Max, are party to a shareholder agreement regulating their relationship. The Company has been informed that Moose Holdco is wholly (100%) owned (indirectly) by AMI Opportunities, a foreign private investment fund (incorporated in Guernsey). AMI Opportunities is wholly-controlled (indirectly) by AMI Foundation (a corporation incorporated in Guernsey) through its organs (and particularly its directors (councilors) - Carl Hermann Konrad Friedlaender and Bruce Stephen James and its guardian - Robert Edward Alistair Eden ("AMI Foundation"). To the Company's best knowledge, AMI Foundation is advised by Apax Partners Israel Ltd.

This is an English translation of segments of a Hebrew immediate report that was published on November 20, 2025 (Ref. No: 2025-01-089594) (hereinafter: the "Hebrew Version"). This English version is only for convenience purposes. This is not an official translation and has no binding force. In the event of any discrepancy between the Hebrew Version and this translation, the Hebrew Version shall prevail.

About Max Stock

Max Stock is Israel's leading extreme value retailer, currently present in 63 locations throughout Israel. We offer a broad assortment of quality products for customers' everyday needs at affordable prices, helping customers "Dream Big, Pay Small". For more information, please visit https://ir.maxstock.co.il

Company Contacts:

Talia Sessler,

Chief Corporate Development and IR Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Max Stock Limited
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has dismissed widespread rumours claiming that interstellar object 3I/ATLAS's behaviour, including that it could be an alien spacecraft, confirming that the object is a natural comet from beyond our solar system. In a blog post on Wednesday, the space agency stated that the comet, the third interstellar object ever detected, will fly closest to Earth on December 19 at a distance of about 170 million miles, nearly twice the distance from Earth to the Sun. The agency is currently closely monitoring the interstellar comet as it passes by Earth. Contrary to social media speculation linking the comet to alien spacecraft, NASA confirms it is a natural celestial object, currently being observed by a record number of spacecraft and telescopes. Discovered on July 1 by NASA's ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in Chile, 3I/ATLAS is being observed in an unprecedented solar system-wide campaign involving 12 NASA spacecraft and space telescopes. Following its discovery, speculation among space conspiracy theorists and enthusiasts about the object's behaviour created a lot of buzz that the "comet" could be a sign of extraterrestrial life. Observing the comet from multiple vantage points provides scientists a unique opportunity to study its composition and trajectory, offering insights into how interstellar objects differ from comets formed within our solar system. NASA missions at Mars, including the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and the Perseverance rover, captured some of the closest images of 3I/ATLAS when it passed 19 million miles from the Red Planet. Heliophysics missions such as STEREO, SOHO, and the newly launched PUNCH mission observed the comet as it passed behind the Sun, where Earth-based telescopes could not track it. The Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and SPHEREx also captured detailed imagery of 3I/ATLAS in July and August. NASA's Psyche and Lucy spacecraft, en route to study asteroids, provided additional observations, helping refine the comet's trajectory and study its coma and tail from millions of miles away. The comet will continue its journey past the orbit of Jupiter in spring 2026, with NASA continuing to gather data to maximise understanding of this rare visitor from another solar system. (ANI)
Officials from India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Russia's Ministry of Civil Defence (EMERCOM) reached an agreement to cooperate in the field of protecting the population from emergencies. The Russian Embassy in a post on social media platform X said that a meeting of representatives of NDMA and EMERCOM was held oon Wednesday. It further mentioned that India expressed interest in sending specialists to Russia for advanced training and experience exchange. The parties also discussed prospects for cooperation including preparations for a meeting between the Russian delegation and representatives of India's Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as holding a series of lectures on interaction during emergencies. "On November 19, the delegation of the #Russia'n #EMERCOM held a meeting with representatives of #India's National Disaster Management Authority" https://x.com/RusEmbIndia/status/1991436917083381962?s=20 According to a statement shared on Telegram by the Embassy, it was mentioned, "On November 19, the delegation of the Russian EMERCOM held a meeting with representatives of India's National Disaster Management Authority. An agreement was reached to cooperate in the field of protecting the population from emergencies. The Indian side expressed interest in sending specialists to Russia for advanced training and experience exchange. The parties discussed prospects for further cooperation, including preparations for a meeting between the Russian delegation and representatives of India's Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as holding a series of lectures on interaction during emergencies." Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Nikolai Patrushev, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting in New Deli , with both sides discussing ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation and reviewing preparations for the upcoming annual India-Russia Summit scheduled for early December. Patrushev, who is also the Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia, during his meeting with the Prime Minister, reaffirmed the mutual interest in strengthening maritime capabilities and enhancing collaboration across various areas of strategic partnership between the two nations. (ANI)
India and Bhutan held the first meeting of the Project Steering Committee on India Bhutan Rail Links project in New Delhi on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. According to the MEA, the meeting was co-chaired by Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North) and Karma Wangchuk, Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Govt of Bhutan. MEA further stated that the deliberations focused on the implementation modalities of the two rail links envisaged under the project: Kokrajhar-Gelephu; and Banarhat-Samtse. Representatives of Ministry of Railways, as well as State Govts of Assam and West Bengal participated in the meeting. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1991450672383099033?s=20 India and Bhutan are set to strengthen connectivity with the launch of the first-ever rail link projects between the two countries, marking a significant step in their bilateral partnership. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in September had announced a "major new initiative" between India and Bhutan for the establishment of rail connectivity between the two countries. According to official details, two major projects have been cleared: the Kokrajhar-Gelephu new line and the Banarhat-Samtse new line. The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line, with an investment of 3,456 crore, will connect Assam's Kokrajhar and Chirang districts with Bhutan's Sarpang region. Officials noted that the project will not only facilitate the movement of people and goods but also create better economic and employment opportunities. Gelephu is being developed as a "mindfulness city" under Bhutan's plans. The second project, the Banarhat-Samtse line, will link West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district with Bhutan's Samtse. With an investment of 577 crore, the line is expected to boost cross-border trade and connectivity. The Samtse region is being developed as an industrial hub by the Government of Bhutan. Officials stressed that these projects, covering the 700 km long India-Bhutan border, will enhance Bhutan's access to international trade routes through Indian ports. The new lines are seen as part of India's commitment to support Bhutan's economic centres and deepen bilateral ties. Authorities underlined that the projects will help fulfil promises made in recent high-level exchanges, positioning connectivity as a cornerstone of the India-Bhutan partnership. (ANI)
Of the 24, 16 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "Overall 24 sorties of PLA aircraft in various types (including J-10, J-16, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 1454hr today. 16 out of 24 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1991478147607675354?s=20

Earlier in the day, the MND detected 16 Chinese sorties and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan, and that it has monitored the situation and responded.

According to an update posted on X, 13 of the 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered the island's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

"16 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND wrote in an 'X' post.

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1991310523993059550?s=20

Taiwan's Presidential Office accused China of stoking tensions with Japan for political advantage, hours after Chinese maritime authorities announced plans for live-fire missile exercises in the Yellow Sea. China's Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation alert stating that the People's Liberation Army would carry out missile launches with live munitions in the central Yellow Sea from Tuesday through Thursday, as reported by The Taipei Times.

According to The Taipei Times, China also released a travel warning, claiming Chinese nationals in Japan faced rising criminal risks, an advisory widely seen as retaliation for comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. During a parliamentary session, Takaichi stated that a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could be classified as a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, potentially activating its self-defence mechanisms. (ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday indicated that key issues relevant to India and the Global South will be highlighted during the 20th G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. In a Special Briefing by MEA on the Prime Minister's visit to South Africa, Secretary (ER) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sudhakar Dalela said, "The G20 is a very important forum, and as I mentioned to you in the last 3-4 years, starting with Indonesia and followed by our own presidency, which was very successfu,l where we agreed to have consensus declaration could really pilot and take new initiative on several themes that impact Global South. We are very happy that these discussions have carried forward under the presidency of Brazil and, of course, in South Africa under four verticles that South Africa has outlined for their own presidency. A number of achievements have been made throughout the year across various tracks in these areas. So we are very happy that the issues of importance to the Global South are at the centre of discussion and are being highlighted," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the 20th G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 21 to 23, marking a significant milestone as the first G20 summit held on the African continent. This will be PM Modi's fourth official visit to South Africa, following his bilateral visit in 2016 and his attendance at the two BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023. This summit is the fourth consecutive G20 meeting hosted by the Global South, following Indonesia, India, and Brazil's presidencies. Prior to South Africa, the G20 presidencies were held by Brazil (2024), India (2023) and Indonesia (2022). The G20, comprising major economies representing 85% of global GDP and 75% of international trade, has identified priority areas under South Africa's presidency theme of 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability'. Regarding the bilateral meetings to be held on the sidelines of the G20, Dalela said they are in the process of organising them. "Regarding the bilateral meetings for the summit of this level and this importance, this provides a very valuable opportunity for leaders to interact and meet with other world leaders. So yes, there will be bilateral meetings with world leaders who will be participating in the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg. We are working out the details of these bilateral meetings as we speak," he said. He added that India and South Africa are democracies and that their cooperation has three pillars, one of which is political cooperation. The African Union, which became a permanent member of the G20 during India's 2023 presidency, will play a key role in shaping the summit's agenda. "As all of you know, India, well, South Africa are three democracies from three continents, all from the Global South. We have a very unique forum for coordinating among ourselves around three pillars of cooperation. I would say one is the political coordination," he said. PM Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders and participate in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders' Meeting. "The second is trilateral cooperation that we do, including people-to-people contact and thirdly, what we do collectively as IBSA for countries in the Global South, particularly on the aspect of food and hunger through the IBSA fund. So this will be a meeting, although it is a meeting happening on the sidelines of the summit, it'll be a short meeting, but I'm confident that the world's three leaders will be reviewing what we have been following up under these three pillars of cooperation in recent times," he added. "I would also like to say that only in September this year, on the margins of UNGA New York, the IBSA foreign ministers had also met and issued a statement on some of the themes that we keep discussing among ourselves as like-minded countries. So that is what we expect in the IPSA meeting, but again I would not prejudge what final leaders will discuss and decide," he added. On reports suggesting that US President Donald Trump won't be attending the Summit, Dalela said, "On the question about US participation, I would like to comment on our own participation at the G20 leader summit. All of you are aware of the media debate and the public information available about the participation of various G20 members. So that is not for me to comment," he said. Notably, US President Donald Trump has announced that no US government official will participate in the G20 summit, citing human rights violations in South Africa. In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that the US absence is "their loss" and that Pretoria will proceed with the summit regardless. (ANI)
A new Ukraine peace proposal being discussed within the Trump administration could involve Kyiv ceding territory in the eastern Donbas region and agreeing to limits on its military capabilities in exchange for US-backed security guarantees, CNN reported, citing a Western official familiar with the ongoing deliberations. According to CNN, the US officials said the proposal remains a work in progress, noting that any eventual agreement would require compromises from both Russia and Ukraine, who have been in conflict since 2014, turning the situation into a full-scale war after Moscow's invasion in 2022. The officials stressed that some of the elements currently circulating -- including those seen as favouring Moscow's demands -- are not final and are expected to change as discussions continue. The draft, comprising 28 points, has reportedly been reviewed by US President Donald Trump and has his support, CNN reported. It represents Washington's latest attempt to revive peace efforts and end the nearly three-year-long conflict. Some provisions, particularly those calling for Ukrainian territorial concessions in areas not fully under Russian control, have previously been rejected by Kyiv. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump remains determined to push for a "President Trump has been clear since day one that he wants the war between Russia and Ukraine to end, and he has grown frustrated with both sides for their refusal to commit to a peace agreement," Leavitt said, as quoted by CNN. "Nevertheless, the President and his team never give up, and the United States has been working on a detailed and acceptable plan for both sides to stop the killing and create a durable, lasting peace," she added. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also noted that the document is still in the "ideas" stage."Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas," he said in a post on X, adding that Washington "will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict." Under the concepts currently under discussion, the Donbas regions of Luhansk and Donetsk would be ceded to Russia, despite parts of both remaining under Ukrainian control, CNN reported. In the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, existing frontlines would be frozen rather than Ukraine giving up the territories outright, a Western official said. One scenario under review would require Ukraine to scale down its armed forces and give up certain advanced weapon systems provided by Western partners during the conflict. Other issues being debated include the future status of the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine post-war, as reported by CNN. In return, the proposal includes security guarantees from the United States designed to prevent further Russian aggression or any escalation into wider Europe. CNN's diplomatic sources in Europe said the proposal has caught the international community by surprise."This has all been gone through before and rejected, and now we're back to square one," a European diplomat posted in Kyiv told CNN, calling the reported terms unacceptable for any Ukrainian government."For the Ukrainians, it is just a non-starter and with good reason. It would just be inviting the Russians to come back again at a future date," they added. The diplomat added that foreign ministries across Europe were seeking clarification from Washington but learnt that senior US officials outside the White House were largely unaware of the proposal until it leaked, CNN reported. "People who should have known about it, knew nothing about it ... There's a lot of annoyance and confusion," the envoy said, as quoted by CNN. US officials maintain that discussions are ongoing and that the final proposal will evolve before any political outreach begins. (ANI)
Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat on Thursday described India as a "huge giant" and an emerging "great power", asserting that there is "huge potential" for deeper economic collaboration between the two nations after signing the Terms of Reference (ToR) to fast-track negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Speaking to reporters shortly after the signing ceremony, Barkat, who held extensive talks with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, praised the personal chemistry between the two leaders, noting that Israel views India not only as the world's most populous market but also as a strategic gateway to the entire Asian continent. "India is waking up as a huge giant. India of tomorrow is a great power. We want to join a venture with India to help India become stronger and bigger. At the same time, collaborate and make Israel stronger and better. There is a huge potential," Barkat said. "I found a really good friend, Minister Piyush Goyal, and I see eye to eye on how to develop the complementary countries. You have the skill, we have innovation, and the combination of the two is very important and big. We also look at India, not just as an Indian market - which is the largest population in the world - but as a gateway to all of Asia," he added. Earlier today, India and Israel formally signed the ToR to begin negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, marking a significant step toward strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Piyush Goyal and Nir Barkat attended the signing ceremony in Tel Aviv. Expressing optimism about the future trajectory of bilateral ties, Barkat noted that Israeli entrepreneurs' undertaking to do business with India is "very important" for Tel Aviv's interests. "For Israeli entrepreneurs to understand how to do business with India is key, very important for our interests. I am very thankful, and I am a big optimist as to where we could take the relationship," the Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry stated. Speaking at the event, Goyal confirmed that both nations have agreed to commence negotiations for a comprehensive FTA and emphasised that the proposed agreement would substantially enhance bilateral economic engagement. According to Goyal, the FTA will open the doors to greater market access, the flow of capital, investments, and trade, both in goods and services, and added that the agreement would help remove obstacles to doing business and provide clarity, predictability, and stability to our economic engagement. "We are two countries which really don't compete with each other, which open the doors to products, goods, services and investments, where we act as a force multiplier for both countries, and we are ambitious to finalise a win-win, fair, equitable and balanced free trade agreement between our two democracies," Goyal said. The launch of FTA talks is expected to boost cooperation across technology, innovation, trade, and investment, further deepening the strategic partnership between India and Israel. (ANI)
Penny Wong, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, paid an official visit to India on Thursday. During the visit, EAM S Jaishankar and Wong co-chaired the 16th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) in New Delhi. They reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement. As per the MEA, this was the fourth FMFD co-chaired by EAM and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. During the FMFD, the Ministers and progress under different pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including trade & investment, defence & security, education & skills, research & innovation, science & technology, space, energy and people-to-people links. Regional and global issues of mutual interest were also discussed. The Ministers exchanged views on developments in the Indo-Pacific and affirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. MEA noted in its statement that during the visit, Foreign Minister Penny Wong also met National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Highlighting that as India and Australia mark five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025, MEA said that her visit provided an opportunity to sustain the positive momentum in bilateral ties and to decide the agenda and course for the next phase of engagement. Both sides agreed to hold the next FMFD in Australia at a mutually convenient time. On her visit, EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X, "Delighted to co-chair the 16th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue along with FM @SenatorWong of Australia in New Delhi this evening. Took detailed stock of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, its various facets and priorities, including trade & investment, defence & maritime, S&T, space, energy, education and people to people connect. As Indo-Pacific partners, we share the responsibility to maintain a free and open region. Our discussions also covered global & regional developments, resilience of supply chains, addressing economic uncertainties and cooperating on critical minerals." (ANI)
Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, handed over a complete set of a 70-meter modular bridge and specialised launching tools to the Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Government of Nepal, Kul Man Ghising, in a ceremony held in Hetauda, on Thursday. "The Government of India is committed to delivering a total of ten such 70-meter and higher span bridges requested by the Government of Nepal after the devastating rains in October 2025, which affected eastern Nepal. The ten Bailey bridges worth more than NPR 73 crores are being provided on a grant basis by India," the Embassy of India stated in a release. The modular bridge handed over on Thursday will be sent immediately for installation to Ramechhap, where road connectivity has been affected after the heavy rains in October 2025. Last year, in the aftermath of the September 2024 floods and landslides, the Government of India supplied 10 prefabricated steel bridges worth NPR 41 crore, of which 4 have already been installed, according to the release. During the event, the Ambassador stated that the supply of modular bridges and launching tools is a powerful testament to the enduring bonds of friendship that define the India-Nepal relationship and a reaffirmation of the Government of India's policy of extending all possible support for Nepal's infrastructure development and post-disaster reconstruction efforts. The Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, GoN, expressed gratitude for India's sustained and substantial assistance. The Minister noted that the quick-to-assemble nature of these bridges and the provision of launching tools are crucial for fast-tracking emergency reconstruction. He also assured that the bridge would be quickly operationalised, the release stated. On Wednesday, a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) completed with Indian assistance was inaugurated in Pyuthan, Lumbini Province, Nepal. As per a release from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the school and hostel buildings of Shree Dang-Bang Secondary School were inaugurated on Wednesday. The school is located in Airawati Rural Municipality-1, Amilee, Pyuthan, Lumbini Province, in the Himalayan Nation. Built with the Government of India's financial assistance, the infrastructure was jointly inaugurated by Gitanjali Brandon, Counsellor, Embassy of India, Kathmandu and Nabil Vikram Shah, Chairman of the Airawati Rural Municipality. "Government of India's grant was utilised for the construction of the school & hostel buildings and other allied facilities, as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP). It was implemented through the Airawati Rural Municipality, Pyuthan," a release from the Indian Embassy reads. (ANI)
Goyal appreciated their role in strengthening India-Israel commercial ties.

In a post on X, he said, "Interacted with prominent members of the Indian diamond merchant community in Israel. Appreciated their role in strengthening India-Israel commercial ties and discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade in the gems and jewellery sector."

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991553337301561544?s=20

Earlier in the day, he also addressed the India-Israel CEOs Forum along with Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat.

In a post on X, he said, ""Delighted to address the India-Israel CEOs Forum along with Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat. The forum saw active participation and discussions by CEOs of both countries as India and Israel look to deepen our strategic partnership in various sectors of our respective economies."

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991550328127517073?s=20

"With the two sides setting in motion the process for FTA negotiations, highlighted our synergies in the fields of agriculture, water, healthcare, defence, infrastructure, digital economy, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and high-tech innovation," he added.

India and Israel signed the Terms of Reference for negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement on Thursday. Goyal also held a bilateral meeting with Nir Barkat, Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry in Tel Aviv.

Goyal is leading a 60-member business delegation to Israel, where he is scheduled to meet top leadership and industry representatives to explore ways to boost bilateral trade and investments.

Goyal will travel to Jerusalem on Friday as part of his ongoing visit to further strengthen bilateral economic ties. (ANI)
"UNraveling UNRWA" Features Full Spectrum of Palestinian, Israeli and International Voices

Screenings in NYC to Coincide with December UN General Assembly Vote on Renewing UNRWA's Mandate

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning German and Israeli filmmakers have released details of UNraveling UNRWA, a new documentary by Zygote Films offering the first comprehensive look at the history of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its relevance after October 7. The film features a wide range of Palestinian, Arab, Israeli and international voicesincluding former UNRWA staff and Palestinian refugeestracing the agency's influence since its founding in 1949. With a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, a December UN vote on renewing UNRWA's mandate, and members of the US Congress and President Trump's administration blocking aid and calling for UNRWA to disband, UNRWA's future is again at the center of global debate.

UNraveling UNRWA

Scheduled for general release in early 2026, "UNraveling UNRWA" is directed by Duki Dror, an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over 30 films to his name, including Inside the Mossad (Netflix), LebanonBorders of Blood (WDR/KAN/ARTE), and Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre, recipient of the German Academy Award. His work deciphers recent history through morally complex storytelling, revealing the truths behind political rhetoric and challenging viewers to look beyond surface narratives. In collaboration with Germany's Beetz Brothers Film Production, and with film crews in the Middle East, Europe and the US, this new documentary presents a multifaceted international perspective.

"The involvement of UNRWA employees in the Hamas led attacks of October 7th has been well documented, but it's a symptom of a much larger issue that until now has been untold," according to Dror. "While UNRWA is understandably bestowed with god-like praise from most Palestinians for its humanitarian work, in parallel, by actively encouraging the Palestinian right of return, UNRWA is prolonging the crisis and undermining the two-state solution it professes to support."

Key UNRWA, UN, Palestinian, Israeli and international experts appear in the film, including:

Scott Anderson, head of UNRWA operations (2023-2025), following a decade in senior field roles in the West Bank and Gaza

Mohammad Dajani Daoudi, Professor & Executive Director of the Wasatia Academic Institute in Jerusalem

Peter Hansen, Commissioner General, UNRWA (1996-2005)

Niclas Herbst, EU Parliament Member

Hamza Abu Howidy, Palestinian Refugee and Human Rights Advocate

James G. Lindsay, UNRWA Legal Advisor (2000-2007)

Dr. Einat Wilf, Knesset Member (2010-2013) and Author, The War on Return

"This documentary makes a genuine effort to show both the good that UNRWA has done, and in some cases still does, and the political function UNRWA performs in the views of many, perhaps most, Palestine refugees," said James Lindsay, former UNRWA legal advisor. "It also highlights the multi-generational issues that ariseand the consequent harmwhen most refugees remain in camps, are not encouraged to integrate into the broader societies around them, and are exposed to an education that promotes hostility toward Israelis and Jews, rather than alternative points of view."

UNraveling UNRWA was the winner in the Investigative Documentary Award category at the 2025 Haifa International Film Festival. It has been selected to appear next year at the Paris Israeli Film Festival (March 2026) Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (February 2026) Philadelphia Israeli Film Festival (March 2026) and Toronto Jewish Film Festival (June 2026).

"As filmmakers we hope to capture the central tension, that all the actors, including the Israeli government, are guilty of kicking the can down the road and being unwilling to finally address UNRWA's pivotal yet inherently problematic role," Dror continued. "Unlike other refugee populations which have been resettled, aided by the largest and longest acting UN relief agency that is solely dedicated to the residents of Gaza and the West Bank, the world has kept five generations of Palestinians in limbo, which is both an outrage to them as well as a source of unending hate and terrorism against Israel."

There will be upcoming private screenings of the 75 minute documentary before it is released in the spring 2026:

Wednesday, November 26th, in Tel Aviv, Cinematheque

Tuesday, December 2nd, in New York City, Marlene Meyerson JCC

Wednesday, December 3rd, in New York City, near the United Nations

"UNRWA offers a unique window into the Middle East," said Reinhardt Beetz, founder and co-CEO of Beetz Brothers Film Production. "It began as a force for good but has been misused. Our film gives decision makers the insight to judge whether UNRWA should continue, be reformed, or shut down."

For more information, please visit UNraveling UNRWA's website or on social media at @unrwafilm.

About UNraveling UNRWA

In the wake of the October 7th massacre and allegations implicating UNRWA staff in kidnappings, UNraveling UNRWA examines the global fallout and Israel's move to cut ties with the agency amid Gaza's humanitarian crisis. The film traces UNRWA's 75-year arcfrom a temporary post-1948 relief body to a central and controversial player in the region's unresolved conflict.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Alyssa Meyer

212-362-1307

[email protected]

SOURCE Zygote Films
Afghanistan Trade and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi on Thursday met with Union Minister of State for Commerce, Jitin Prasada, in the national capital. "Meeting with H.E. Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce, today. Discussions reflected a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation," Jitin Prasada wrote on 'X'. https://x.com/JitinPrasada/status/1991495482519253235?s=20 Earlier, Azizi met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the national capital as part of the Taliban leader's five-day official visit to the country. During the meeting, both leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties between the two countries. The EAM in a post on X, stated that the two ministers explored ways to enhance economic cooperation and facilitate development initiatives, as well as reiterating India's continued support for the welfare and development of the Afghan people. "Pleased to meet Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi this evening. Discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people to people ties. Reiterated India's support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan," the post read. The Afghan Minister arrived in India on Wednesday for his official visit. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended a warm welcome to the visiting dignitary, whose visit is aimed at bolstering bilateral trade and investment ties between the two nations. This marks one of the highest-level visits from the Taliban government to India since their takeover of Kabul in August 2021. Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, earlier concluded a six-day visit to India in October 2025, marking the highest-level engagement between New Delhi and the Taliban regime since the 2021 takeover. On Wednesday, Azizi led a high-level delegation to the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, seeking to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations. During the visit, Minister Azizi met with Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), to discuss opportunities for Afghanistan to participate in future exhibitions. The Minister toured various stalls, including Afghan showcases promoting local products, and interacted with traders to explore market access and expansion prospects. The trade minister's visit comes amid escalating tensions between the regime and Pakistan due to recent border clashes, which led to border closures disrupting exports. This has prompted Afghanistan to diversify its trade with India, Iran, and Central Asia. Afghanistan has increased trade with Iran and Central Asian countries as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on Pakistan, according to Tolo News. Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that the country is using the Chabahar Port in Iran to bypass frequent disruptions at Pakistan's borders and ease political pressures from Islamabad, shifting transit agreements to alternative routes. (ANI)
Minister of Economy and Industry of Israel, Nir Barkat, stated that 'Make in India' is one of the smartest concepts and termed the Israel-India partnership as a "win-win" and extremely valuable. "Israel's innovation and India's scale make for a great combination. India is scaling so rapidly, we are amazed. 'Make In India' is one of the smartest concepts and is relevant for many Israeli companies. Israel-India partnership is a win-win and extremely valuable," Minister of Economy and Industry of Israel, Nir Barkat said. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991532471272550400?s=20 https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991532016115020002?s=20 https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991531790843146740?s=20 https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991522533921944017?s=20 https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991447747409637597?s=20 India and Israel signed the Terms of Reference for negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. Goyal also held a bilateral meeting with Nir Barkat, Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry in Tel Aviv. "India and Israel share similar thinking. We are grateful for this friendship. India continues to rise amidst challenges. The reasons why India should be a compelling investment destination for the world. 10 Ds define India's growth story and commitment to the future. Confident that the speed, scale, skill, and talent that India offers provide huge opportunities on both sides," Goyal said. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991524956627431854?s=20 https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991430201780367786?s=20 https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991439922054721850?s=20 Commerce Minister also addressed the India-Israel Business Summit In a post on X, he said, "Shalom Israel! Truly delighted to be in Tel Aviv for the first time. My first engagement was the address at the India-Israel Business Summit on the theme 'Gateway to Growth' along with my friend and the Minister of Economy and Industry of Israel, Nir Barkat." Goyal went on to added, "The large business delegation accompanying me to Israel speaks of the huge potential that is waiting to be unlocked between businesses on both sides across several key sectors. At the event, I spoke about the complementarities between India's industrial ecosystem and Israel's innovation ecosystem and invited Israeli companies and start-ups to co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India," he added. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991461412414050648?s=20 Goyal will travel to Jerusalem on Friday as part of his ongoing visit to further strengthen bilateral economic ties. (ANI)
Ambassador of India to the USA, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held an excellent roundtable discussion with the experts at the Heritage Foundation, a "strong supporter of the India-US ties", and shared his thoughts on developments under "key pillars" of India-US strategic partnership. In a post on X, Kwatra said, "Had an excellent roundtable discussion with the experts at the @Heritage Foundation, a strong supporter of the India-U.S. ties. I shared my thoughts on developments under key pillars of our strategic partnership, including shared economic priorities, a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade arrangement and oil and gas trade" https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1991513747769168376?s=20 "Honoured to meet with @WaysandMeansGOP Chairman @RepJasonSmith today--briefed him on discussions on a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade deal. Appreciate his strong support to bilateral trade ties," Ambassador Kwatra said in another tweet. Earlier, Kwatra, met US Congressman Riley Moore and held discussions on advancing the India-US cooperation across key areas such as security, energy and trade. In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to meet with @RepRileyMoore. Our productive discussion covered major opportunities for advancing India-US cooperation across several key sectors- security, energy, and trade." Earlier on Tuesday, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said there is "no pause or hiatus" in the relationship with the United States, which is very strategic for both countries and that there will be "good news" on the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) as and when "right balance" is reached. "I don't see any reason to be worried. I don't believe there is any hiatus in the relationship. It continues to be very important and very strategic for both countries--the United States and India," he said, speaking at the 22nd Indo-US Economic Summit organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC). Goyal sought to reassure industry participants, saying the relationship continues to evolve across economic, strategic and defence areas. He described the Indo-US engagement as a comprehensive partnership built on strong democratic values and a shared commitment to global prosperity. Goyal noted that partnerships of such depth naturally involve different tracks progressing at varying speeds, but the overall trajectory remains firmly upward. Addressing industry concerns about the delayed bilateral trade agreement, Goyal said negotiations are underway and advancing, but India will prioritise its national interests in any deal. He emphasised that India must secure the interests of farmers, fishermen, small industries and other stakeholders before concluding an agreement. "Negotiations are a process, and India as a nation has to secure its interests. As and when we find the right balance--fair, equitable and balanced--you will hear the good news," he assured. The minister also highlighted important milestones that underscore the strength of bilateral ties. He pointed to the signing of a 10-year defence agreement between India and the US, a move that reinforces long-term security cooperation. Additionally, he mentioned the recently announced contract for India to source LPG from the US, reflecting growing energy collaboration between the two countries. These developments, he said, reflect the resilience and maturity of the Indo-US partnership, which extends far beyond trade negotiations. Goyal said the Indo-US relationship stands on "strong pillars of democracy, diversity and development," and described the two nations as trusted partners working not only for mutual benefit but also for global economic stability. He reiterated that the United States views India as a reliable, long-term partner, and both sides remain committed to expanding bilateral commerce. (ANI)
The law enforcement agencies in Karachi on Thursday (local time) nabbed four suspects involved in extorting car showroom and marble factory owners, ARY News reported. As per the reports, the arrested group include the prime suspect, namely Junaid who allegedly made multiple extortion calls. The officials mentioned that important evidence was recovered from mobile phone of the suspects. The investigators said that the suspects demanded extortion from a Karachi car showroom owner, which prompted a swift response from law enforcement agencies. In another incident, a man accused of demanding Rs 100 million in an extortion attempt against a marble factory owner in the Manghopir area of Karachi was also arrested. Earlier this month, a fresh spate of violence swept across Balochistan, leaving nine people dead and two others abducted in separate incidents across Kalat, Nasirabad, and Jhal Magsi districts, exposing once again the province's worsening security landscape, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, the most brutal assault took place in Kalat district's Khaliqabad area, where unidentified gunmen opened fire in the Sarbund locality, killing four individuals, including tribal leader Shakir Saadullah Langove and his brother Shakir Khairullah Langove. The officials from Pakistan's provincial paramilitary forces, Levies, confirmed that the other two victims were Muhammad Karim and Muhammad Zahir. The attackers fled after the shooting, prompting an immediate investigation by authorities. In another violent episode, two men identified as Muhammad Zafar and Muhammad Naeem were gunned down by motorcycle-borne assailants in Panjgur's Shpistan area. Their bodies were taken to the local district hospital, while police have yet to establish the motive behind the targeted attack. The unrest extended to Nasirabad district, where two excavator drivers, Aashiq Ali Mohammad Hasni and Shakeel Ahmed Korai, were abducted at gunpoint near Rabi Canal Sufi Wah, within the Notal police station limits. The armed men left behind the heavy machinery as they escaped. Law enforcement agencies have since launched a large-scale search operation to locate the missing workers. Violence also flared in Kachhi district, where Abdul Qadir Kurd was shot dead in Goth Misri Khan by unknown gunmen. Meanwhile, in Jhal Magsi, a deadly land dispute between the Solangi and Wazdani Magsi tribes turned into a gun battle, killing Muhammad Bachal Magsi. Authorities intervened to defuse tensions after the clash, as cited by Dawn. (ANI)
TOKYO, Nov 20 (News On Japan) - Apples position in the global race for artificial intelligence is increasingly in focus as questions continue to surface over whether the company has fallen behind Google and Microsoft, and how it compares with Nvidia, now one of the worlds most powerful semiconductor makers.

Speaking from in front of Apples headquarters in Silicon Valley on a recent program, Nikkei Business reporter Sho Shima and TV Tokyo WBS correspondent Shinsaku Toyoshima discussed the strategies driving the major U.S. tech companies.

Asked whether Apple is truly lagging in AI, Shima said he does not believe the company is significantly behind. While Apples devices may appear slower to integrate new AI features compared with Googles smartphones, he said its overall strategy is different. Although Apple accounts for about 30 percent of the global smartphone and OS marketcompared with Googles roughly 70 percent share through AndroidApple effectively dominates the premium segment, where high-priced devices such as the iPhone Pro series are overwhelmingly preferred.

Shima argued that Apples core advantage lies in its exceptionally strong user base and brand power, which allow the company to avoid rushing to adopt every new technology. Even if Google introduces new AI features, he said, Apple customersparticularly in Japanare unlikely to switch immediately. Because Apple can afford to wait and observe its rivals moves, the company only needs to adopt new features once they prove to be truly essential.

He added that while delays are often pointed out, the broader AI market still lacks a definitive killer app for smartphones. As a result, Apples slower pace does not yet affect its competitiveness.

Apple Intelligence, the companys first major AI service, began rolling out in April, but only on the latest iPhone models and high-performance devices. Shima believes the main purpose is to encourage upgrades from older smartphones rather than to deliver groundbreaking AI features. He noted that many of the functions already exist in Googles smartphones and that neither consumers in San Francisco nor users globally appear to consider such features essential. For most people, he said, ChatGPT is still sufficient.

Shima said that from a consumer perspective, the true AI competition has not yet begun. The differences between companies lie in how and where they deploy AI agentssystems that can perform tasks such as sending emails, taking photos, or making reservations at the users request. Apple holds a major advantage because it controls both the smartphone and PC operating systemsiOS and macOSallowing it to integrate agentic AI deeply into its devices.

Microsoft, by contrast, only controls the PC OS and must rely on apps such as Word, Teams, and PowerPoint for AI integration. Google largely depends on its browser, Chrome, as a platform. Because Apple owns both devices and semiconductors, Shima said, its long-term potential is extremely strong, and it may ultimately become the most dominant player in consumer-facing AI.

Google, he added, faces the greatest challenge. AI-powered search reduces the number of ad displays, and as AI tools replace traditional search, Google must invent new ways to show advertisements. Its low-cost hardware business is ultimately built to support search-driven advertising, meaning the company must overhaul its entire business model to survive the AI transition. Despite this, Google employees often tell him that this high-pressure environment is motivating rather than discouraging, reflecting Silicon Valleys culture of embracing crisis as an opportunity.

Shima noted that if hardware again becomes central to technological competitionas it potentially could in the AI eraJapan may find new opportunities. With semiconductors expected to grow increasingly important, the question will be how Japan can regain competitiveness in chip-related fields.

The discussion then shifted to Nvidiaa company Shima has extensively covered and the subject of his books NVIDIA Deep Dive and The True Winners of Generative AI. Nvidia recently surpassed Apple in market capitalization and briefly became the worlds most valuable company. Shima explained that beyond its technological dominance, Nvidias management structure is extraordinarily unconventional.

Founder Jensen Huang, who emigrated from Taiwan before later creating Nvidia, manages what is essentially a flat organization. Beneath him are about 60 top executivesa number far beyond the typical management theory maximum of around a dozen. To make such a structure work, Huang prohibits one-on-one meetings with these executives, insisting that information be shared transparently with all members at once.

Japanese companies often rely on behind-the-scenes consensus building, but Shima said Nvidia intentionally eliminates such practices. Instead of regular monthly reports, every employee submits a weekly Top Five Things email listing, in brief bullet points, their five most important concerns or tasks. These emails are sent to all senior leaders, including Huang, who only reads what fits on a single screen and does not scroll. He then uses keyword searchesfor example, Apple Intelligenceto instantly grasp company-wide sentiment and emerging issues.

Shima said this approach allows Nvidia to gather information rapidly and maintain organizational agility, despite its flat hierarchy. Some executives adopt Huangs management style directly, while others adapt it based on their own abilities, but the companys emphasis on transparency and speed is universal.

As the conversation turned back to the global AI race, Shima said that the decades-long dominance of software platforms may now be giving way to a renewed era in which hardware matters again. With Apple controlling both hardware and software, and Nvidia reshaping the semiconductor landscape, the competitive dynamics among major technology companies could shift dramatically in the coming years.

Source: BIZ
Emerging rural centers represent Moroccos strategic response to demographic challenges facing countryside communities experiencing drought, water stress, and accelerating rural exodus effects, aiming to strengthen territorial resilience while supporting genuine rural middle class development.

This evolving concept addresses rural depopulation dramatically accelerated by climate change and seven consecutive drought years. Developing authentic rural middle class emerged as a major orientation in the Royal Speech of October 12, 2018.

The Generation Green 2020-2030 strategy adopted this objective, targeting 400,000 households accessing middle class status, stabilizing 690,000 households already belonging, and extending social protection to over three million farmers. Climate warming, faster and more relentless than anticipated, visibly challenged these objectives.

This goal includes creating new young entrepreneur generations, particularly through mobilizing and valorizing one million hectares of collective lands and training 150,000 youth in agricultural and para-agricultural professions. Within this logic, emerging rural centers (CREM) became one of Moroccos most ambitious territorial development bets within recent years.

By late November 2022, rehabilitation studies for emerging rural centers were completed for twelve centers across kingdom regions, targeting progressive expansion toward seventy-seven centers initially. According to RGPH 2024 results, Morocco counts 33,189 douars and small rural centers housing 3.6 million inhabitants.

Public policies long reduced rural development to agricultural development alone, improving crops, irrigation, and rural tracks while neglecting housing, services, culture, or leisure. This approach no longer meets national needs. Rural areas cannot remain simple agricultural reserves but must become complete living spaces with services, jobs, and diversified activities.

The national emerging rural centers program, launched in 2017, identified seventy-seven priority centers. A second phase is planned for 2025, with 2.8 billion dirhams allocated for developing thirty-six centers. The IHYAE program, supported by French Development Agency and European Union, finances revitalization through 2027.

These centers aim creating small rural poles offering services, employment, and decent living conditions, preventing residents from leaving for large cities. Success occurs when farmers supplement incomes, young graduates establish as nurses, teachers, or artisans, and women transform informal activities into declared businesses with regular clientele.
New national analysis by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Center for Geospatial Solutions examines landownership patterns and offers policy solutions to preserve community affordability.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) reveals where corporations have gained a significant foothold in residential real estate across the United States. The analysis of corporate ownership of residential land finds that corporations now own 8.9 percent of residential parcels in 500 counties across the US. While this national share stands at roughly 1 in 11 parcels, corporate ownership exceeds 20 percent in communities including St. Louis, Missouri, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Franklin County, Ohio, illustrating deeply uneven impacts across the country.

To enhance previous studies that have focused on housing units, this analysis examines corporate ownership at the parcel level, establishing a national baseline for understanding how landownership in the United States is changing. Crucially, by using a standardized and repeatable approach, the findings allow policymakers to validate lived experience, compare trends across cities and over time, and target policy solutions where they are needed most. Landownership shifts carry significant economic, environmental, and social implications for communities nationwide, and will inform future versions of the report.

The Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS), a nonprofit data services provider operating out of the Lincoln Institute, analyzed residential parcel information from nearly 500 counties, uniquely tracing ownership records across state lines and corporate structures, providing visibility that is typically fragmented or inaccessible. The report identifies 25 county hot spots that have the highest rates of corporate control and takes a closer look at three postindustrial citiesSt. Louis, Cleveland, and Baltimoreto illustrate the connections between corporate investor activity and local demographics.

The report is the latest in CGS' efforts to bring decision-ready data to communities. Developed using Who Owns America (WHOA), a proprietary parcel ownership classification methodology, the approach offers a consistent, scalable way to understand who owns what. CGS has worked directly with federal agencies, cities, and nonprofits to apply WHOA in emerging contexts, including identifying faith-based land suitable for affordable housing, assessing investor activity in local markets, and supporting post-COVID housing policy analysis. In the coming weeks, the Lincoln Institute will utilize CGS' WHOA analysis of government-owned land for affordable housing to launch a national campaign aimed at advancing policy solutions that enable the development of local- and state-owned land for public needs, such as affordable housing or other nature-based solutions.

"Policymakers can't protect affordability if they can't see who controls the land beneath our feet," said Jeff Allenby, director of innovation at CGS. "Geospatial, parcel-level visibility reveals how corporate investment is shaping housingfrom national patterns to city blocks. Leaders need this clarity to respond to emerging pressures in real time and deploy interventions where they're needed most."

The report goes beyond data analysis to provide actionable policy recommendations designed to help communities preserve housing affordability and maintain local control of residential land. Solutions detailed in the report include creating rental registries, providing property tax relief programs, pursuing philanthropic or municipal buybacks, investing in homebuyer assistance, limiting harmful practices through legislation, offering rights of first refusal, launching community land trusts, and building on local- and state-owned public land.

"It's clear that corporate ownership of residential property is here to stayand might even continue increasing," said George McCarthy, president and CEO of the Lincoln Institute. "However, this report offers a look into key trends, establishing a national baseline that policymakers, reporters, and communities can use to best understand how to move forward."

The full report is free to access and is available on the Lincoln Institute's website .

About the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. We organize our work around three impact areas: land and water; land and fiscal systems; and land and communities. We envision a world where cities and regions prosper and benefit from coordinated land use planning and public finance; where communities thrive from efficient and equitable allocation of limited land resources; and where stewardship of land and water resources ensures a livable future. We work globally, with locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, China.

About the Center for Geospatial Solutions

Established in 2020, the Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) is a nonprofit data services provider operating out of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Our mission is to enable data-driven decisions for the greater good of land, water, and people. CGS builds open data platforms, decision-support systems, and mapping tools that help external partners address urgent challenges such as housing affordability, climate resilience, broadband access, and

sustainable water management. Our team of award-winning technologists specializes in transforming complex data into actionable insights, empowering governments, nonprofits, and communities to act with confidence. We believe better data leads to bolder actionand a better future for people and the planet.

SOURCE Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
The first Agro Export Day held in Casablanca on Wednesday highlighted the key role played by the agri-food sector in promoting Moroccos economy and exports.

The event, themed Made in Morocco, Desired Worldwide, Exporting Moroccan Quality, attracted over 200 public and private stakeholders as well as agri-food marketing experts from six African and four European countries. It showcased Moroccos dynamic agri-food sector and emphasized how the sector strengthens international commercial exchanges.

Moroccos agri-food sector, an economic cornerstone, comprises 27% of the countrys industrial companies with over 2,600 firms. The industry generated an estimated 191 billion dirhams in 2024, representing 22% of industrial GDP, while employing approximately 206,000 people.

Abdelmounaim El Eulj, President of the National Agri-Food Federation (Fenagri), explained the sector contributes to food sovereignty while consolidating industrial strength, covering 77% of national food requirements and demonstrating strategic capabilities addressing food security challenges.

Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour highlighted exceptional Made in Morocco potential in agri-food exports and noted that Morocco ships products to 153 countries. He stressed the need to strengthen further national brand valorization to ensure proper commercialization and fair compensation. Moroccan operators excel in innovation and production processes, requiring intensified efforts for genuine brand premiums and inclusive development, he said.

The event featured three strategic convention signings between Fenagri and partners including the Moroccan Export Insurance Company (Smaex), the Souss-Massa Regional Investment Center, and the Italian Farmers Association. These agreements seek to facilitate export financing, encourage international partnerships, and support sector growth.

Processed agri-food product exports reached 43.2 billion dirhams in 2024, with presence across 150 countries including 20% destined for African markets. The platform enabled Moroccan producers to meet African and European buyers through organized speed meetings, exploring new partnership opportunities.

The event, organized by Fenagri in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE), aims at positioning Morocco as a strategic export hub linking Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement on November 19 urging an immediate halt to the ongoing violence in Sudan, describing the conflict as the single biggest Humanitarian Crisis.

Trump claimed Arab leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had requested his intervention, and he vowed to coordinate with key Middle Eastern nationsincluding Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egyptto stabilise the country.

Highlighting Sudans rich cultural heritage, Trump emphasised the urgent need for humanitarian aid, including food, medical personnel, and other essential support.

The Sudanese Government welcomed the engagement of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, affirming its serious readiness to engage in efforts to achieve peace, while also expressing gratitude for attention and efforts to stop the bloodshed. However, Khartoum rejected the involvement of the UAE in the Quad mediation group, accusing it of supplying military support and foreign mercenaries to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Meanwhile, mediation efforts continue to stall as the Sudanese Army insists on RSF withdrawal from occupied areas before considering any humanitarian truce, threatening to continue military operations if their conditions are not met.
Sierra Leone has reaffirmed support for Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory, praising in this regard the historic Resolution 2797 adopted lately by the UN Security Council.

The supportive stand was expressed by foreign minister of this West African country Musa Timothy Kabba during his talks held Thursday in Rabat with Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The African minister has also reiterated his countrys steadfast support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan recognized by the international community as the only credible, serious and realistic solution to this Sahara regional conflict.

Similar supportive positions were voiced Wednesday in Rabat by the foreign ministers of Gambia and Malawi during separate meetings held with Nasser Bourita.
Morocco exported nearly 3,400 tons of tomatoes to the Irish market during the 20242025 season, generating an estimated $7.5 million in record revenue.

This volume is double last years figure and exceeds the previous record.

While Ireland remains a secondary destination, accounting for less than 1% of Moroccos total tomato exports, its growth trajectory is significant. The peak came in January 2025, with 542 tons shipped in a single month, coinciding with Irelands seasonal demand surge.

Moroccos agricultural export strategy has transformed the sector over the past 20 years. Between 2005 and 2023, exports of fruits and vegetables grew by 120% in volume and fivefold in value, reaching 3.7 billion.

Tomatoes lead with nearly 600,000 tons shipped annually, representing about half of all vegetable exports, followed by berries and avocados.
168 items in this article 168 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Editors note: Were no longer updating this early Black Friday post. If you want to shop more Black Friday deals, check out our roundup of all the best Black Friday fashion deals here.

Its the most wonderful time of the year for a deal, now that the whole month of November is basically Black Friday. After years of covering the shopping holiday as the Strategists fashion writer, I can say that this years early Black Friday fashion deals are great. For example, Everlanes is already having its Black Friday sale (up to 50 percent off), while this years Lands End deal is the same as last years, with 50 percent off sitewide. From Banana Republic Factory to Outdoor Voices, it really seems that just about every retailer is having a sale of some kind now. Here, I rounded up every single early fashion deal worth shopping. Ill be updating this guide over the next week with any new developments. For more early Black Friday deals, check out our deal editors definitive guide. Be sure to sign up for the Strategist Sales Alert newsletter to get all our Black Friday coverage (and beyond) too.

Updated on November 26, 2025

We added some more deals to this guide, including Coss and & Other Stories, and checked prices and stock for every other deal here.

Deals I personally think are the best Over at Old Navy, theres the Black Friday Pre-Show happening, with deals between 50 percent and 60 percent off, including one of our favorite long-sleeve tees, which is now $10. Meanwhile, J.Crew extended its sale to include 40 percent off your full-price purchase (prices are already marked). You can now get a 100 percent lambswool mock-neck for $89. And there might be more CashSoft on sale at the Gap Factory than at the Gap, but the best bargain I found is on the ColdControl Max Midi Puffer, which we wrote about for Coat Week. Its 60 percent off and only $60.

This years Amazon deals are so good, you might even be able to knock out your entire holiday gifting list before December gets here  a holiday shoppers dream, says our writer Dominique Pariso. For more Amazon Black Friday deals, be sure to check out her roundup here.

Take it from a former Anthropologie employee: The best deal all year at Anthropologie is the week of Black Friday. AnthroPerks members (signing up is free; you just need to enter an email) get early access to 30 percent off nearly everything full price and an extra 40 percent off sale items. Theres still a lot in stock in the sale section, even after last weeks early Black Friday sale. Surprisingly, some pairs of Colettes, a favorite of Anthropologie employees, are marked down (something that doesnt happen often, either).

During Aritzias Black Fiveday Sale, get 20 to 50 percent off everything. Plus, get 10 percent off the Super Puff. (Its not the biggest discount, but this is one of the few times its ever on sale.)

All Baggus  from the Standard Baggu to the Baby Baggu  are 25 percent off.

Banana Republic finally feels like the same brand that had Nora Ephron and Hunter S. Thompson write product reviews for its mail-order catalogue. Thats to say, its very good now. You can try it out for yourself with 40 percent off your full-price purchase (this includes its normally pricey cashmere) and up to 50 percent off sale items.

Banana Republic Factory is offering 60 percent off everything, with an additional 20 percent off at checkout. If you only buy one thing, let it be a pair of Haydens (a Strategist reader-favorite work pants). I cant remember the last time they were $29. For more Banana Republic Factory Black Friday deals, check out our deal writer Alexandra Polks roundup here.

Ban.dos Black Friday sale is 35 percent off sitewide with code ITSHERE. But the bigger deal might be all the Le Bon Shoppe thats marked down 25 percent.

Catbirds biggest sale of the year is here, with 20 percent off nearly everything. Anything fine and shiny would make a great gift, whether its the tiniest alphabet charm in diamonds or an engraved signet ring.

For The Row (on a budget): Get 25 percent off sitewide at Cos.

Doens annual Giving Thanks Sale has arrived with up to 70 percent off past-season styles. (Note that all sales are final.)

Everlanes early Black Friday sale is its Black Friday sale: up to 50 percent off everything. The Strategist staff cant get enough of its basics, be it a high V-neck cashmere sweater or a turtleneck thats described as tight enough that it doesnt bunch up underneath things, but not, like, Uniqlo Heattech tight. For more Everlane Black Friday deals, be sure to check out our writer Arielle Avilas roundup here.

Welcome to the Gapnaissance, which might be even more welcome now with 50 percent sitewide, including CashSoft and the matching separates for a sweat suit moms love. Plus select items are Really Big Deals, or 60 percent off.

Gap Factory

Over at Gaps outlet store, Gap Factory, everythings between 50 and 70 percent off.

Everything at Hill House Home, home of the Nap Dress, is 25 percent off with the code EVERYTHING25.

Before Black Friday, J.Crew is offering 40 percent off most full-price items and an additional 50 percent off whats in its sale section with the code FRIDAY. Like previous J.Crew sales, notable exclusions include cashmere and its roll-necks.

Kule, one of our favorite places for stripes, is offering 30 percent off sitewide with the code BF30.

Our contributor Erika Veurink made the case for shopping at Lands End: It feels cool to wear something thats impossible to identify. Or on sale (more often than not, its version of the Boat and Tote will be marked down). This Lands End sale is as good as it gets: 50 percent off sitewide, plus up to 80 percent off the clearance section with code DIAMOND.

All of Lesets high-quality  and high-priced  basics are 30 percent off, including markdowns (including the Barb Crew Cardigan appeared on our Fall 100).The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

Take 30 percent off nearly everything full-price, with an additional 30 percent off sale items, at the very fun Lisa Says Gah.

Get up to 40 percent off select items from Loeffler Randall with the discount shown at checkout.

Many of the athleisure brands coveted running tights and yoga pants are already 50 percent off in lots of cute colorways. Also heavily discounted: marathon-ready sports bras and running tees and shorts that will last for years without losing their shape in the wash, says our writer Katherine Gillespie about Lululemons Black Friday sale. For more deals, check out her roundup here.

During Madewells Black Friday Event, get 40 percent off your purchase with code LETSGO. Select jeans, like the Longline Straight, are also marked at just $50 (or, over 60 percent off, if youre doing the math). Unfortunately, Madewells collaboration with Alexa Chung is excluded from all discounts.

Not only is Margaux offering 20 percent off sitewide for Black Friday, Margauxs collaboration with Alex Mill is included in the promotion.

For discounted designer goods, your best bet is Net-a-Porter. Its sale opened up on Monday with up to 50 percent off.

Generally, stock at Nordstroms early Black Friday sale, with select styles up to 60 percent off, is low. Even new markdowns are going quickly. You know what to do. For more Nordstrom Black Friday deals, be sure to check out our roundup here.

Nearly everything at Old Navy is on sale for up to 60 percent off.

The new Outdoor Voices (under old co-founder Ty Haney) is 40 percent off. Maybe get yourself another Exercise Dress.

Find your next wedding-guest dress (or just a high V-neck sweatshirt) for 25 percent off at Reformation.

Rothys machine-washable (and recycled from plastic bottles) shoes are up to 30 percent off, while the mary janes Veurink walked 10,000 steps around Florence in are almost half-off.

Name brands like Alex Mill, &Daughter, Still Here, and Staud are 25 percent off with the code HOLIDAY at Shopbop.

Use code SHOWTIME to get 25 percent sitewide (or 30 percent off orders over $1,000) at the preppy Tuckernuck.

& Other Stories offers 30 percent off sitewide for Black Friday.

get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.

The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
ISEA Honors Three Lawmakers for Leadership on Worker Safety and PPE Innovation

The International Safety Equipment Association recognized members of Congress for advancing worker protections, supporting PPE innovation, and championing federal safety programs during its Nov. 19 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

During its Annual Meeting on Nov. 19 at the International Spy Museum, ISEA will present its Legislative Leadership Award to U.S. Reps. Summer Lee, D-Pa., and Don Bacon, R-Neb., along with U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J. The award honors lawmakers who the association says have advanced policies that protect workers, bolster U.S. manufacturing and encourage innovation in personal protective equipment.

These honorees represent a rare kind of leadershipone that cuts through partisanship and focuses squarely on the health and safety of American workers, ISEA President and CEO Cam Mackey said in a statement. Their advocacy is not about politics. It's about making sure every worker  from healthcare to construction  can come home safe at the end of the day.

Lawmakers Recognized

ISEA highlighted each recipients efforts to support federal safety programs and promote access to certified PPE:

Rep. Summer Lee, whose district includes the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh, has pushed to preserve NPPTLs research and certification work and has raised concerns about proposed layoffs and program cuts.

Rep. Don Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, has emphasized bipartisan cooperation to ensure first responders, manufacturers and other frontline workers have reliable protective equipment.

Sen. Andy Kim recently led a congressional letter urging continued federal funding for OSHA and NIOSH, underscoring the agencies roles in workplace safety and PPE innovation.

Event Highlights Collaboration

ISEA described the award as both recognition and a reminder of the shared responsibility among industry and government to strengthen worker protections. The ceremony will bring together safety leaders, policymakers and advocates to discuss ongoing challenges in the PPE sector.

PPE isnt just equipment  its peace of mind for millions of workers and their families, Mackey said. These leaders understand that protecting lives is a shared responsibility, and they've put action behind their words.
The primary challenge facing the sector is the high initial capital investment required for exploration and drilling, though increasing global investment in clean energy and supportive regulatory frameworks are helping to mitigate these financial hurdles.

Market expansion is heavily reliant on technical advancements, such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), which enable heat extraction in regions without naturally occurring hydrothermal reservoirs.

The global geothermal power market is forecast to nearly double in value from $7.4 billion in 2024 to $14.5 billion by 2034, reflecting a 7.0% Compound Annual Growth Rate.

Geothermal power, which harnesses the Earths natural heat for electricity generation, heating, and industrial processes, is recognized within the energy sector for its high capacity factor. This reliability is a key differentiator, enabling geothermal plants to provide consistent baseload power, unlike intermittent sources such as solar and wind, according to industry analysts. This positioning makes geothermal a critical component in building resilient, low-carbon electricity grids.

The global geothermal power market is projected to nearly double in value over the next decade, driven by increasing global demand for stable, continuous renewable energy sources, according to a report published by Allied Market Research (AMR).

The market was valued at $7.4 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach $14.5 billion by 2034, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of seven point zero percent (7.0%) from 2025 to 2034, the research firm stated.

Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here

Market expansion is being facilitated by technical advancements aimed at accessing a wider range of subterranean heat resources. Progress in exploration and drilling technologies, including those used for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), are cited as major factors boosting efficiency and reducing operational expenses. EGS technology, in particular, works by injecting fluid deep underground under controlled conditions to create new fractures and increase rock permeability, which allows for heat extraction even in regions lacking naturally occurring hydrothermal reservoirs.

The geothermal industry relies on three primary power station configurations for electricity generation: dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle.

Dry steam power stations, the oldest type, use steam drawn directly from the Earth.

Flash steam power stations use high-pressure hot water, flashing it into steam to drive turbines. The binary cycle segment, which uses a secondary working fluid with a lower boiling point to capture heat from the geothermal fluid, currently holds the largest market share.

Binary cycle technology is dominant due to its ability to utilize low-to-medium temperature resources, which are more geographically accessible and abundant than the high-temperature reservoirs required for dry or flash steam systems, according to AMR.

Financial and Regulatory Hurdles

Despite the favorable growth forecast, the market faces significant restraints, primarily related to high initial capital investment. Geothermal projects require substantial financial resources during the exploration and drilling phases, which often involve extensive geological surveys, seismic studies, and test drilling. The cost of drilling can reach several million dollars per well, depending on geological conditions and required depth. The risk associated with non-productive wells further contributes to the financial strain, often resulting in longer payback periods compared to other established renewable energy technologies.

However, increasing investment in clean energy infrastructure globally is creating opportunities that may mitigate these financial hurdles. Governments and international financial institutions are channeling more funds into renewables, including geothermal, to diversify the global energy mix and finance costly exploration.

Regulatory frameworks in major markets are also designed to support adoption. In the European Union, the Renewable Energy Directive encourages geothermal adoption to meet overall energy targets. In the United States, the Department of Energy (DOE) promotes geothermal projects under energy efficiency and sustainability mandates. Geothermal projects must comply with safety and environmental guidelines, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) requirements under the Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Policy Act concerning emissions, water usage, and land disturbance.

Ultimately, while the geothermal power sector is projected for healthy growth due to its ability to provide consistent baseload power and technical innovation like EGS, its trajectory remains dependent on sustained investments and policies that overcome the inherent high upfront costs associated with accessing the Earths deep heat resources.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Fast-growing beverage brand expands its reach across San Diego and Greater Los Angeles, positioning for record retail growth in 2026

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NO CAP! Soda Pop, the fast-rising, zero-sugar, zero-caffeine, zero-calorie soda brand, is accelerating its retail growth across Southern California with new powerhouse distribution partners, officially joining forces with John Lenore & Co. to serve San Diego County and Budweiser DSD partners to expand coverage throughout Greater Los Angeles County.

NO CAP! Soda Pop

The move solidifies NO CAP! Soda Pop's next phase of growth as the brand continues to make its mark on the modern beverage scene. These partnerships will immediately strengthen product availability and ensure efficient distribution across major grocery retailers including Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, and Ralphs, as well as several new chains launching in early 2026.

"Expanding with the right distribution network allows us to reach more fans who've been asking for NO CAP! in their local stores," said Vinny Wilson, Co-Founder of NO CAP! Soda Pop. "John Lenore and Anheuser-Busch DSD are tier-one distributors and have deep roots in Southern California and a shared commitment to building brands that connect with today's culture. This is the beginning of something big."

Since launching, NO CAP! Soda Pop has quickly gained traction with its nostalgic-meets-future flavor lineup, fueled by authentic connections with athletes, musicians, and creators. The brand's innovative approach to soda has helped redefine what the next generation expects from the category, bold taste, cultural relevance, and real personality.

"We're excited to bring NO CAP! Soda Pop into our portfolio and see strong potential for growth across Southern California," said Sean Nichols, Vice President, Sales with John Lenore & Co. "The brand has built an incredible connection with consumers who want flavor and authenticity, and we look forward to helping them expand that reach even further."

With this new expansion, NO CAP! Soda Pop will continue building visibility through retail growth, community events, and partnerships that celebrate creativity and authenticity, core values that have driven the brand since day one.

About NO CAP! Soda Pop

NO CAP! is a modern soda company redefining what refreshment tastes like, with zero sugar, zero caffeine, zero calories, and a whole lot of flavor. Born in California, the brand is built for the next generation of soda lovers who want bold taste without compromise.

Contact:

Chelsea Kershaw

9095737237

[email protected]

SOURCE NO CAP! Soda Pop
Previously, we reported that the pivot by Indian refiners away from Russian oil has triggered a spike in oil product prices even as crude prices remain largely unchanged. To wit, ICE Brent-Gasoil crack spreads doubled from the $15-17/bbl range held in the first half of the year, to a 21-month high above $32/bbl, good for a nearly 70% increase in the year-to-date. Gasoil is a middle distillate mainly used in commercial and agricultural sectors for off-road vehicles, machinery, and generators. And now reports have emerged that the distillates market continues to tighten even as crude prices remain weak. According to new data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline inventories clocked in at 205.06 million barrels (mb) for the week ending 7th November, 8.2mb lower than the five-year average and the lowest level in 12 years.

For consumers across the U.S., fuel costs continue to edge higher. Gasoline prices have seen modest gains over the past year, while diesel has climbed by roughly 25 cents per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. Regional differences remain wide, but diesel remains under particular strain as U.S. distillate inventories  including diesel and heating oil  have dropped to their lowest levels in more than a decade. The decline stems from stronger export demand to Europe, reduced refinery capacity, and limited stockpiling ahead of winter. While the Energy Information Administration expects diesel prices to stabilize somewhat in 2026, they are likely to stay elevated compared to historical averages.



U.S. distillate inventories were 110.91 million barrels, 9.3mb below the five-year average and close to the bottom of their five-year range. U.S. distillate inventories are now at the lowest level since mid-July as we move into the high-demand winter season, which should continue to support product strength. Meanwhile, strength in product cracks continues, with the ICE gasoil-Brent crack now exceeding $34 per barrel (bbl), the highest level since September 2023. The price differential has now stayed above $30/bbl for 10 trading days.

Oil markets, on the other hand, continue to be weak and dominated by bearish supply sentiment, with recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure failing to give oil prices a significant boost. Brent crude for December delivery was trading at $63.32/bbl at 12 pm ET on Wednesday, less than a dollar higher from a week ago, while the corresponding WTI contract was changing hands at $59.28/bbl, up from $58.26/bbl seven days ago. Last week, the port of Novorossiysk, in Krasnodar Krai, was targeted by Ukrainian missiles and drones, with a focus on the Sheskharis oil terminal. The giant terminal has an export capacity of ~2.2 million barrels per day (mb/d), and loadings were suspended for two days. Ukraines attacks on Russias Black Sea export terminals have, however, highlighted the vulnerability of exports via the southern route.

Related: A Trend Break? EIA Sees Jump in Alaska Oil Production in 2026



According to commodity analysts at Standard Chartered, this is particularly important, with the weather closing down the Northern Sea Route via the Arctic over the winter. The winter transit routes to Asia will then be limited to the Suez Canal, taking 10 days longer on average. These longer transit routes have contributed to a 294 million barrels Y/Y surge in seaborne crude to an all-time high of 1.37 billion barrels as of 14 November. Russian crude exports have, however, remained relatively steady, although StanChart has predicted they will slow down sharply after the November 21 deadline for sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft kicks in. The sanctions could also be contributing to the large increase in volumes of oil on water.

U.S. natural gas prices remain elevated, with Henry Hub gas quoted at $4.55/MMBtu in Wednesdays session, nearly double in the year-to-date. Expectations of high demand have been driving prices higher, despite inventories remaining elevated. Surging demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, increased domestic power needs from factors like data centers, and strong heating demand have helped prop U.S. gas prices. Meanwhile, production growth has not kept pace with this escalating demand. The production backlog for utility-scale gas turbines has pushed back equipment delivery dates, further straining the supply-demand balance.

In contrast, Europes gas prices remain depressed, with TFF natural gas futures falling close to an 18-month low at $30.870/MW, with warmer weather expected to lower heating demand. European natural gas inventories have been declining as the continent moves through the shoulder season into prolonged net withdrawals. According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Europes gas inventories stood at 95.784 billion cubic metres (bcm) on 17 November, above the mandatory 90% storage target set for November 1st.

The relatively high level is a positive sign for meeting winter demand, as it can supply up to one-third of the EU's annual gas consumption. Weather patterns across north-west Europe have pushed temperatures sharply lower; however, they remain supportive of renewable power generation, with high pressure supporting solar and wind, rather than the dreaded dunkelflaute conditions that can be seasonally prevalent. This, in part, has dampened European natural gas prices.

Dunkelflaute is a German term describing a period of low wind and solar power generation, often occurring in winter. During these times, which can last for hours or days, there is little to no wind, and cloud cover prevents solar panels from producing much electricity. This phenomenon poses challenges for electricity grids that rely heavily on renewables because energy demand, particularly for heating, is often high.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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The outcome of the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, including his meeting with Trump and his entire entourage, has been successful, at least by media reporting. The impact of all is still to be seen, but from the start, MBSs visit not just rebooted a strained political relationship. The primary outcome, based on all, is that it has reset the economic core of the USSaudi partnership around Aramco. While the largest oil company in the world had already found its place in global power projections, Aramco has now become the principal vehicle for turning headline investment promises into hard assets, contracts, and code.

Though 2025 isnt over yet, Aramcos multibillion-dollar dealmaking spree with the United States has already reached staggering levels. In May 2025, the oil company had already unveiled 34 preliminary agreements with US companies worth up to $90 billion, encompassing a wide range of projects, including LNG, refinery upgrades, AI, advanced materials, and finance. The latter is now followed by another 17 MOUs, adding another $30 billion in potential projects, from LNG and manufacturing to services procurement. If you take both figures together, it shows clearly that the Saudi pledge to raise total investments is now anchored at around $1 trillion.

Analysts should understand that these levels of financial commitments are no longer just about crude exports and arms sales; the message has become different. It represents a multi-layered energy, technology, and supply-chain bargain that puts Aramco at the center, with geopolitics written into it in capitals.

For decades, Aramcos main asset in the USA has been Motiva in Port Arthur, Texas. Its role is clear: Motiva has completed a debottlenecking that makes Port Arthur the largest refinery in the US, capable of processing about 654,000 bpd. Aramco indicated in May 2025 that it will invest another $3.4 billion to further integrate the refinery into a larger petrochemicals and fuels complex. The current moves made by Saudi Arabia and Aramco show, however, a sweeping change from crude oil to American-made supply chain products, as these downstream dollars sit alongside a sweeping web of MOUs with US industrial and service champions:

Oilfield and energy technology, as shown in its expanded cooperation with SLB, Baker Hughes, GE Vernova, and Honeywell, is linked to upgrading upstream efficiency and lowering emissions intensity.

Advanced materials and manufacturing, setting up deals with US companies to secure the supply of specialty metals, alloys, and components critical for refineries, gas plants, and new low-carbon projects.

At the same time, the Kingdom and Aramco have set their sights on access to US financial services and capital markets. Both are already showing results, as seen in the agreements with PIMCO, State Street, Wellington, and Wall Street banks, including BlackRock and Goldman Sachs. The main moves are to create dedicated vehicles, such as a Fund of One, to channel Saudi capital into US infrastructure and transition assets. The 'Fund of One' is a financial mechanism that enables Saudi Arabia to invest its capital directly in specific US projects, thereby supporting the US economy and safeguarding its long-term interests.

Related: New Iraqi Leadership Confronts Water Shortage and Economic Strain

While most are focusing on the synergies between US President Trump and his Saudi counterpart, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom's underlying strategic moves are guided by the well-known Saudi Vision 2030. Riyadh uses all projects and arrangements to lock in technology, services, and financing, mainly meant for local Saudi Vision 2030 projects. At the same time, these moves are diversifying Aramcos earnings away from pure upstream oil, showcasing the company's adaptability. The Trump Administration, at the same time, wants to keep Saudi Arabia, one of the worlds most prominent investors and energy suppliers, deeply entangled in the US industrial base amid growing competition with China.

The most strategic moves are seen in the LNG sphere. The Saudi oil giant is pursuing a clear gas pivot, while the USA sees it as an export machine. This shift has significant geopolitical implications, as it not only changes the dynamics of the global gas trade but also impacts the energy security strategies of both Saudi Arabia and the USA. Again, geopolitics, economics, and strategy are merging. Natural gas is the most strategic part of all. Saudi Arabias leading revenue maker, Aramco, has slowly but steadily repositioned itself from an oil-only behemoth toward becoming a serious LNG player. US export capacity has been assessed and approved as one of its main springboards.

LNG markets have been woken up since April 2025 by Saudi moves, following the signing of a 20-year sale-and-purchase agreement by a subsidiary of Aramco with NextDecade. The latter SPA entails the delivery of 1.2 Mtpa of LNG from Train 4 of the Rio Grande project in Texas. According to current info, the projects first phase is already under construction, with full build-out expected to cost around $18 billion. A year earlier, in June 2024, Aramco had already struck a heads-of-agreement with Sempra Infrastructure for 5 Mtpa of LNG offtake from the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 expansion. The HOA also includes an option to take a 25 percent equity stake. Since May 2025, Aramco has been framing these commitments, 6.2 Mtpa initially, holding an ambition to reach 7.5 Mtpa by 2030. For the Saudis, these deals are seen as the backbone of a global gas portfolio that complements their oil exports.

On the geopolitical stage, these deals and strategies are doing three things:

They bind Saudi and US energy security together in gas, not just oil. It clearly positions Aramco as a long-term anchor buyer of US LNG, providing demand certainty for US projects, while giving Saudi Arabia flexible molecules it can redirect to Europe or Asia depending on price and politics. They also balance competitors. Riyadh can now hedge its LNG expansion to US volumes, removing dependence on Qatar and Russia for gas. Overall, it will extend Saudi influence along the complete oil-gas value chain. Riyadh can now also affect, in crisis scenarios, not only the crude market but also marginal LNG flows and arbitrage.

Trump is also looking at a significant win, as Saudi capital and contracts will support US LNG expansion. This will significantly enhance Washington's power to lock in long-term influence over the global gas trade, a testament to the weight of these strategic moves.

Another significant issue should also be addressed, linked to a combination of supply chains, critical minerals, and de-risking from China. Both parties have been very subtle in their moves to rewire supply chains away from Chinese dominance. Already at the broader USSaudi Investment Forum, both parties have flagged agreements not only in energy but also in critical minerals and industrial inputs central to batteries, renewables, and advanced manufacturing. The goals of Aramco in this regard are clear; they want to secure long-term access to catalysts, metals, control systems, and specialized equipment that underpin both conventional and low-carbon projects. Washingtons goal is to ensure that a key Middle Eastern partner sources more of its strategic inputs from American or allied producers rather than from Chinese suppliers, as Trump seeks to counter or mitigate Beijing's growing influence in the Kingdom. For both parties, it is a form of mutual de-risking. The need for supply-chain interdependence matters to both. While Washington wants to block China, Riyadh wants the option to arbitrage between US, European, and Asian suppliers. Current Aramco-led deals are effectively creating a new layer of sunk-cost interdependence. If in place, these will make a sharp political rupture more expensive for both capitals.

Overall, energy and AI are also explicitly fused into the relationship. Both countries have announced a USSaudi AI Strategic Partnership aimed at making the Kingdom a global AI leader. Washington is reportedly considering approving the first sales of advanced AI chips to the Saudi venture Humain. The latter would open a controlled channel for high-end semiconductors into the Kingdom.

Again, Aramco plays a pivotal role in all of this. In recent months, Aramco has already announced partnerships with Nvidia for AI and robotics infrastructure, AWS for cloud and environmental digitalization, and Qualcomm for advanced industrial connectivity. The geopolitical cloud is very relevant, as AI will give Aramco an operational edge, especially by enabling it to model reservoirs more effectively, optimize production and trading, and monitor infrastructure for cyber and physical threats. Again, the Kingdoms role as the worlds default swing producer and system stabilizer is at play. The Saudi-US tech stack will also serve as a counterweight to Chinese solutions from firms like Huawei. Washington will also gain export control leverage, as it retains the ability to tighten or loosen access to advanced chips and cloud services. This will increase US leverage on Saudi decision-making, this time outside of oil and gas. It is also part of a new systemology that complements or substitutes for traditional defense and arms sales tools. Aramcos main AI goal is not only focused on efficiency but also on gaining access to US-centered digital ecosystems. Beijing, as the leading competitor, will certainly notice this new alignment.

International media have been discussing, especially, nuclear energy, defense, and security. Trump has clearly framed the broader package as a historic deepening of economic and defense ties, highlighting up to $1 trillion in prospective Saudi spending that spans nuclear energy, F-35 fighter jets, advanced chips, and energy investments. A Saudi-US civilian nuclear deal, worth several billions of dollars, was also signed after years of slow negotiations. Washington has clearly indicated that it wants Saudi nuclear and AI development to happen under American, not Beijings, umbrella.

Even though Aramco is not a defense company, all its deals cannot be separated from the security architecture surrounding them, including oil and gas security, infrastructure hardening, and gas as a strategic commodity. Reality is again that all of the latter amounts to a renewed oil-for-security bargain. The only change is that it has been set up in a much more complex form: crude plus LNG, plus AI and chips, backed by US naval power and advanced weapons.

Optimism is high, but.the proof is in the eating of the pudding, or maybe in this case, a bowl of Umm Ali. The MOUs will need to move from paper-based to hard assets. It is still to be seen how much of the $120 billion in Aramco MOUs will materialize into contracts, equity stakes, or shovel-ready projects. At the same time, will there be more or deeper US equity in Saudi projects? As Saudi Arabia opens more upstream and downstream assets to international capital  from gas fields to petrochemical complexes  US firms could seek larger equity stakes. Washington will push for this to balance the substantial positions held by Chinese and other Asian companies. Nuclear will be a long-term project; assessments will be needed. At the same time, all deals will be affected by political risk in both capitals.

On the sidelines of all, but not to be forgotten, GCC countries will be assessing the changes too. Qatar and the UAE will be reassessing their relative positions towards the USA and within their existing bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia will be seeking a more prominent position, perhaps at Qatar's expense.

As stated before, the situation is in flux and moving to different levels. When looking at the US-Saudi relationship, current moves are not a nostalgic return to the 1970s oil-for-bases deal, but a 21st-century variant in which Aramco serves as the hinge between hydrocarbons, LNG, digital infrastructure, and security. Washington will use its LNG-AI-high-end manufacturing links to ensure that a critical Gulf power stays within the Western strategic orbit and helps underwrite Atlantic energy security in an era of great-power rivalry. Riyadhs position is clear: by locking in US infrastructure, chips, capital, and naval protection, it buys not only insurance for its own diversification but also supports Aramcos transition from a pure oil major to a broader energy-and-technology platform.

The coming months and years will depend on whether both sides can manage the inevitable frictions (human rights, regional wars, OPEC+ policy, or China) without lunging into a position of weaponizing the very interdependence they are now deepening. If successful, the Aramco-led wave of deals could mark the beginning of a more stable, if more complex, USSaudi compact. In case of a significant failure, markets will need to understand that the same network of LNG contracts, AI clouds, and supply-chain ties will become the terrain on which the next phase of geopolitical competition is fought.

For current developments, a clearer option exists: the personal relationship between MBS and Trump, two transactional powers holding options to change a region. As long as both sides can prevent a Zelensky situation, positive results can be made.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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Azerbaijan is hoping China can play a big role in helping Baku fulfill its ambitions of building a green energy corridor to Europe.

Azerbaijani officials and representatives of China's Datang Overseas Investment Co. signed a deal on November 12 covering the construction of a 100 Megawatt solar power plant. The sides also agreed to explore the development of offshore wind power, energy storage systems, and the implementation of technical training programs.

The solar farm will be situated in the Gobustan District south of Baku, with a target completion date for the second half of 2026. China's Jinko Solar announced that it will supply solar panels for the plant, while Turkey's EPRA Energy has confirmed that it has conducted grid connection, grid code compliance, and power quality analyses for the project.

The Datang deal is an outgrowth of Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyevs April visit to Beijing, which saw the signing of six separate cooperation agreements covering the potential development of renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan.

Few details have been confirmed about the offshore wind project, which potentially could generate 2 Gigawatts of power annually. Following the signing of the agreement for the 100 MW solar plant, the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry said only that discussions had covered technical and economic issues necessary for the implementation of offshore wind energy and green energy corridor projects."

The ministry added that it discussed studies with Datang on the "transportation and installation of wind turbines, organization of local production of equipment, submarine cables, energy transmission and system regulation."

The offshore wind farm is envisioned as catalyzing the planned corridor spanning the Caspian and Black seas, connecting Central Asia to Europe. Baku is partnering with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on a trans-Caspian power line, and with Georgia, Romania and Hungary on a cable under the Black Sea.

The corridor is touted as an alternate source of power that can reduce the European Unions reliance on natural gas, especially Russian imports, while also potentially helping Brussels meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The green energy corridor concept received a boost in October when the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) announced it would be assessing the feasibility of the planned transmission line across the Black Sea.

On November 14, the ministers from Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, and representatives from Bulgaria and several European energy companies met with Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov in the Georgian capital Tbilisi to discuss feasibility studies for the corridor project.

Although it is moving forward, the realization of the corridor still hinges on whether the project is deemed commercially viable. European markets do have other options for power imports, including a long-standing interest in vast solar generation projects in the Sahara Desert.

Baku's aims are far from altruistic. As well as earning revenue from any power it exports to Europe, the green energy corridor will also help increase domestic electricity supplies, easing the challenge faced by Azerbaijani officials to keep pace with the countrys growing power needs.

An increase in renewable power generation will also benefit Baku by potentially freeing up volumes of gas currently used to generate power to instead be exported to the EU. That would improve the odds that Baku meets the terms of a 2022 agreement to double gas exports to the EU to 20 billion cubic meters per year by 2027. Brussels has pledged to help Azerbaijan develop its renewable energy potential.

By Eurasianet

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Many of the 80-plus countries at the COP30 climate conference in Brazil are pushing for a detailed road map that would phase out fossil fuels.

Brazil has the presidency of the 30th conference of the parties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the treaty signed in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro that binds the world to avoid dangerous climate change, without specifying how to do so.

COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago is reportedly pushing for a decision on four issues that werent on the original agenda, before the annual confab ends on Friday.

The four issues are whether countries should be told to toughen their new climate plans; details on handing out USD$300 billion in pledged climate aid; dealing with trade barriers over climate; and improving reporting on transparency and climate progress, states CTV News.

It must be embarrassing for the host country to push for progress on the big climate issues of the day when it continues to generate electricity from the worst polluter of the fossil-fuel trifecta, coal.

This in a nation that generates 80 percent of its power from renewable energy. Hydroelectric power accounts for the largest share, at about 60-65 percent.

Related: Massive Blaze Erupts at PDVSAs Petrocedeno Facility

In the southern mining town of Candiota, one of Brazils last coal plants was restarted in July after the plants owner Ambar, controlled by billionaire brothers Wesley and Joesley Batista, invested billions to keep its turbines turning.

Candiota and five other coal plants still produce 3 percent of Brazils electricity.

Christine Shearer, who monitors coal for think tank Global Energy Monitor, told Reuters that Brazil has the solar, hydro and wind resources to shut the plants down, but they are trumped by big business.

"The strength of the coal lobby, particularly in these coal mining states, is the reason that you see these coal plants sticking around," she said.

Its also the government, which continues to support coal mining. Last month, lawmakers approved a bill granting contracts until 2040 for plants to run on domestic coal. The Brazilian government has also made coal eligible for a planned capacity auction in March.

The Candiota plant sells energy on the spot market, helping to meet demand at peak hours when intermittent wind and solar cant. The operation supports 10,000 jobs, including cement factories that repurpose coal ash, which explains why the government cant quite quit coal despite pressures to do so.

Environmental group Arayara is trying to suspend Candiotas environmental license in court.

Of the just over 3,000 coal mines operating worldwide, 24 are in Brazil.

According to GlobalDatas mines and projects database, Candiota is the fifth largest, preceded by the number 4 Verdinho underground mine, the Seival mine in third spot, the Recreio mine in second, and the largest coal mine in Brazil, Arroio dos Ratos, which produced an estimated 4.24 million tonnes per annum in 2023.

Coal is being eased out as a fossil fuel in advanced economies, driven by climate policies and cheaper renewables. It is considered the dirtiest fossil fuel because it emits more carbon dioxide per unit of energy produced, and its combustion releases significant amounts of other harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The United Kingdom closed its last coal power station in September 2024. Belgium, Sweden and Portugal have completely phased it out. Germany infamously turned to coal during the energy crisis of 2022, when Russia cut shipments of natural gas to Europe. The country has a plan to phase out coal by 2038. Canada plans to eliminate coal-fired electricity by 2030.

It's a different story in emerging economies. Coal demand reached an all-time high in 2024, with growth primarily in the Asia Pacific region, particularly India and China. China continues to build new coal power capacity, partly to back up intermittent solar and wind power. In 2023, China's new coal power construction was significantly higher than the rest of the world combined.

By Andrew Topf for Oilprice.com

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Three years ago, Germany led an EU-wide offensive against Russian pipeline gas imports. These imports were no longer wanted in Europe because of the war in Ukraine. They would be replaced with LNGfor a short whilebecause the EU, and Germany, were firmly on their way to net zero. Now, Germany is in the LNG game for the long haul, building import terminals with a target of over 70 million tons annuallyincluding from Russia.

Reuters this week published an overview of Germanys efforts to boost imports of liquefied natural gas, to replace the flows from Russia via the blown-up Nord Stream and the Ukrainian route, which got shut down by the Zelensky government, which did not extend a transit deal with Gazprom that expired last year. Besides LNG, Germany has access to Norwegian gas via the continents pipeline network, and, theoretically, pipeline gas from Azerbaijan via Turkey and Italy along the Southern Gas Corridor.

To date, Germany has five LNG import terminals featuring floating storage and regasification units. They are not all in operation yet, but when they are, they will provide the EUs biggest gas consumer with an import capacity of 70.7 million tons of liquefied gas annually by 2030. This will make Germany the worlds fourth-largest LNG importer, after South Korea, China, and Japan. It would also prove that the net-zero push was doomed from the start, as no matter how many wind turbines and solar panels Germany puts up, it still needs a lot of gas.

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To be fair, Germany has succeeded in one thing it promised back in 2022  to reduce gas consumption. Indeed, gas consumption in the country has fallen steadily since that year. Unfortunately, it was not for the reasons hoped for, namely, greater energy efficiency and a turn towards alternative sources of energy. No, gas consumption is down because industrial activity is down, and industrial activity is down because the gas available is mostly rather expensive.

This is not going to change, by the way, unless the predictions of a mega-glut of LNG on the horizon come true. LNG has always traded at a premium to pipeline gas because its production involves a much more complicated process than piping gas through a pipeline. On the spot market, LNG costs even more, which is why Germany broke another promise it had made even earlier than 2022  to never again shackle itself to long-term gas delivery contracts. At the time, it looked achievable. Wind and solar were thriving, and soon, Europes industrial powerhouse would power itself with the sun and the wind. Alas, it couldnt happen, and it didnt. Long-term contracts are back in fashion.

Because of those long-term contracts, Germany plans to keep ramping up its import capacity for liquefied gas. One site, for instance, in the Baltic Sea, is scheduled to have a regasification capacity of 13.5 billion cu m by 2027. After that, the Mukran site could get another 5 billion cu m in import capacity annually, per plans drafted by its operator, Deutsche ReGas.

Another site, at Wilhelmshaven, is being prepared for alternative uses at some point. Operator Uniper, which built Germanys first FSRU there in 2022, has plans to build an ammonia import facility there and a wind power installation with a capacity of 200 MW to produce green hydrogen. Germany is not giving up on its net-zero dream so easily, regardless of how many LNG import facilities it must build to keep the lights on and the factories going.

Meanwhile, transition activists are speculating that there is too much LNG import capacity in Europe already, and it will end up stranded as demand for gas declines under the onslaught of wind and solar output. This is what one such outlet, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, reported recently, saying the buildout of LNG import terminals had slowed down since 2022.

This, of course, is only natural as no country could be expected to keep building LNG import terminals at a constant pace until it has no more space left to build more. Yet the line of argument that outlets such as IEEFA use is that the energy transition would eventually destroy gas demand, leaving these structures, floating as many of them may be, useless after billions of euros were poured into their installation.

Before that happens, however, the billions would be flowing westward as Europe turns into the biggest buyer of U.S. liquefied natural gasunder long-term deals, no less. Energy Intelligence reported this week that some of the deals that European energy companies are signing with LNG producers and traders are as long-term as 25 years, even though there is an option to sell them on if demand declines and the volumes are no longer needed.

For now, the volumes will be needed. U.S. LNG exports to Europe have soared in recent months as the continent rushes to stock up on the fuel for winter peak demand. In October, flows hit an all-time high of 10.7 million tons, up from 8.66 million tons a month earlier. Europeand Germanyneeds gas. If it cant or wont have it in pipeline form, it will need all the regasification terminals it can build.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Angolas Minerals and Petroleum Minister, Diamantino Azevedo, called on the mining industry regulators to accelerate the permitting phase of new projects as one of Africas top oil producers looks to attract investments in critical minerals mining.

Azevedo said that the country needs to attract greater investment, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and closely monitor projects that are not in the production phase yet, at a meeting with the regulatory bodies, including the Angolan National Agency of Mineral Resources, ANRM.

Angola also plans to create a digital mining registry to boost transparency and efficiency in decision-making and mineral rights awards.

The country will need to regulate more closely recent copper discoveries in Moxico and Cuando Cubango and lithium resources identified in Namibe, the chairman of the ANRM agency, Jacinto Rocha, said at the same event.

Angola is rich in mineral resources including manganese, copper, gold, phosphates, granite, marble, uranium, quartz, lead, zinc, wolfram, tin, fluorite, sulfur, feldspar, kaolin, mica, asphalt, gypsum, and talc, according to the U.S. Department of Commerces International Trade Administration.

Last month, Angola launched production at its first major copper mine, Tetelo, as the country looks to diversify in critical minerals.

The developer of the project, Shining Star Icarus, a partnership between Chinas Shining Star International Group and Angolas Sociedade Mineira de Cobre de Angola, expects to produce around 25,000 metric tons of copper concentrate per year during its initial phase. The project is worth $305 million in investment, Angolas government said.

Angola will also assess feasibility of copper processing and refining capacity domestically, Azevedo said at the inauguration of the copper mine at the end of October. Refining copper domestically will create value and wealth for Angola, the minister added.

While looking to diversify in critical minerals, Angola also seeks to reinvigorate its oil production that has stagnated in recent years due to a lack of investment.

Shell, Equinor, and Sonangol signed an agreement early this month for exploration rights in 17 blocks offshore Angola.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Chinas crude oil imports last month remained elevated, with purchases from some countries hitting all-time highs, according to customs data cited by Reuters.

Imports from the UAE, for instance, rose from 2.05 tons a year ago to 3.82 million tons last month, while purchases from Kuwait went up from 970,000 tons to 2.36 million tons, the data showed.

Imports of crude from Russia, however, declined on the year, from 9.83 million tons to 9.11 million tons in October. One ton of crude oil is roughly equal to 7.33 barrels. The country remained Chinas single biggest supplier of crude, though, followed by Saudi Arabia, which exported 7.02 million tons to China in October. Iraq came third, with total flows at 5.05 million tons.

Oil imports from Brazil also increased, from 2.93 million tons to 3.57 million tons, as did flows from Indonesia, which went from zero a year ago to 1.54 million tons. Imports from Malaysia, meanwhile, dropped from 7.5 million tons to 4.8 million tons last month.

On the other hand, the official data showed zero oil imports from Iran, Venezuela, and the United States. While the zeroes relating to Iran and Venezuela should be taken with a pinch of salt, the stretch of no U.S. oil imports has now extended to five months.

In earlier news, Reuters reported that China had increased the rate of crude oil stockpiling last month as well, as the difference between refinery demand and imports inched up to some 690,000 barrels daily.

Refinery throughput in October averaged 14.94 million barrels daily, the official data showed, while imports ran at a rate of 11.39 million barrels daily. The refinery throughput figure was a 6.4% increase on the year, suggesting healthy demand for oil, but it was also a decline on Septembers 15.26 million bpd average. The September figure was a two-year high.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Chinese and international benchmark coal prices have jumped in recent days to multi-month highs as Chinese thermal coal power generation surged in October while domestic production fell amid curbs to address excess capacity and oversupply in key industries.

This week, thermal coal prices at Qinhuangdao port assessed by consultancy SteelHome hit the highest in a year as they rose by 37% from the four-year lows seen in July, data compiled by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell showed.

The higher Chinese prices led to higher prices for the key Indonesian and Australian thermal coal benchmarks, which rose to six-month and 11-month highs, respectively, last week.

The higher prices were the result of surging Chinese thermal coal demand for power generation and reduced domestic coal production amid government measures to curb oversupply and support coal prices.

Chinas coal production dropped by 2.3% in October from a year earlier, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed last week. Year to date, coal output was still 1.5% above year-ago levels, due to record-breaking production in the first half of 2025.

At the same time, power generation in China jumped by the most in October in nearly two years and overall electricity output was at its highest for any October since at least 1998, as a heat wave hit southern China while temperatures were colder-than-usual in the north.

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Thermal power output rose by 7.3% last month as coal picked up most of the surge in electricity generation, while wind and solar power saw curtailments, analysts say.

October was unusually hot in the south, and much colder than previous years in the north. The rapid increase in air conditioner ownership means that people are using them more for heating in northern China, especially before district heating is turned on in November, Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder of Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), wrote on LinkedIn in comments on the Chinese data.

Coal demand is expected to remain elevated during the winter months as China continues to rely on thermal power as a reliable source of energy to meet most of its power demand.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Exxon Mobil has finally lifted force majeure on the long-stalled Rovuma LNG project in northern Mozambique, clearing the first real procedural hurdle the $30-billion development has seen in years. The company halted activity back in 2021 after escalating violence in Cabo Delgado forced both Exxon and TotalEnergies to abandon their sites. Totals adjacent Mozambique LNG project declared force majeure first; Exxon followed soon after. The two projects share infrastructure, which meant neither could realistically move without the other.

An Exxon spokesperson said the company is now working with its partners and Mozambiques government to secure operations, with a final investment decision still penciled in for 2026 and first LNG aimed at 2030. Thats the company line: cautiously optimistic, but not blind to the reality that nothing has fundamentally changed about Cabo Delgado except the industrys desire to get moving again.

The timing is delicate. TotalEnergies lifted its own force majeure only days agoright as a European NGO filed war-crimes allegations in France, accusing the company of indirectly supporting Mozambican military units accused of torture and killings near the project site in 2021. Total has denied knowledge of any such events, but the revived legal fight underscores how fragile the political and security backdrop remains.

For Exxon, however, Rovumas prospects are tied less to headlines and more to LNG math. A massive supply wave is coming in 20262028 from Qatar and the U.S. Gulf Coast. If Rovuma misses its window, it risks entering an already crowded market with higher costs and lower leverage. Mozambique LNG is supposed to be Africas next big export hub; investors wont tolerate endless drift.

Yet security is still the swing factor. Insurgent attacks in northern Mozambique have flared again, and several regional security forces that once helped contain the violence have stepped back. Analysts warn that no amount of corporate caution can paper over an unstable operating environment.

Still, lifting force majeure signals that Exxon and its partners believe the project has a path forward. Maybe that path is narrow. Maybe its slow. But its real. In a global LNG market thats racing to lock down future volumes, nobody wants to be the last one to the starting line.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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A massive fire has erupted at a crude oil upgrader project in Venezuela after an explosion was heard near the distillation tower, workers on site and sources at state oil firm PDVSA told Reuters.

The Petrocedeno project in Venezuelas Orinoco Belt, operational since 2000, was one of the four original projects in the heavy crude oil belt in the worlds biggest holder of crude resources.

Petrocedeno, operated by PDVSA, extracts extra-heavy oil and upgrades it into a lighter synthetic crude for export. Petrocedeno produces 8.3 API gravity crude at the field, which is upgraded to a 32 API synthetic crude that is being exported.

It was the companys crude upgrader project where the fire broke out. Workers were evacuated, and as of early Thursday, authorities havent reported injuries yet.

The incident occurred in Venezuelas heavy oil-producing region amid rising tensions between the Trump Administration and Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro.

In recent days, the U.S. has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's most advanced aircraft carrier, close to Venezuela, and U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week said he would not rule out sending U.S. troops to Venezuela.

No, I don't rule out that. I don't rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela, President Trump said on Monday.

Hours after the Presidents comments, Maduro said that he is ready to hold face-to-face talks with representatives of the Trump Administration.

Venezuelas economy is in tatters, putting additional pressure on the countrys embattled leader Maduro, at a time when the U.S. Administration is increasing its military presence in the Caribbean region and striking alleged drug boats offshore the worlds largest crude oil reserves holder.

The economic collapse of Venezuela, exacerbated by the U.S. sanctions on its oil industry and exports, has left many Venezuelans increasingly disillusioned with the regime and supporting an ousting of Maduro.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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LVIV, Ukraine, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Early this morning, Russia launched one of the largest drone and missile attacks in months across Ukraine. A total of 476 drones and 48 missiles struck residential buildings, energy facilities, and logistics hubs in freezing temperatures. At least 25 civilians, including three children, were killed and more than 80 injured. Nova Ukraine's hearts are with every family affected by today's violence.

During this nationwide assault, one of Nova Ukraine 's medical warehouses in Lviv, Western Ukraine, was destroyed. No Nova Ukraine staff were harmed.

Inside Nova Ukraine's medical warehouse after the November 19, 2025 attack - where medical supplies, in-kind donations, and essential medical equipment designated for hospitals and clinics across Ukraine were destroyed.

"We are profoundly grateful that our team is safe," said Ambassador Erin E. McKee, CEO of Nova Ukraine."Strikes like this are designed to break humanitarian supply chains just as winter begins. They will not succeed."

The warehouse contained medical supplies, in-kind donations, and key medical equipment designated to support hospitals and clinics across Ukraine. Losing any portion of this inventory creates immediate challenges for medical teams already working under immense pressure.

"Our partners count on these supplies every single day," said Oksana Gologorskaya, Vice President of Medical Projects."Losing even part of this stock creates immediate gaps for medical teams working under daily missiles. We are already rerouting equipment and preparing replacements so that medical personnel and healthcare facilities do not face interruptions in care."

Nova Ukraine's operations team responded immediately, securing the site and beginning a full damage assessment. Warehouse staff are on-site cataloging losses, and Nova Ukraine will share verified information as soon as it is safe and responsible to do so.

Some shipments may be delayed, and a portion of equipment may not arrive as planned. The medical team has already begun notifying partners and grantees. Nova Ukraine is racing to re-deploy and replace the supplies required by the more than 600 hospitals and medical clinics we support across Ukraine.

Nova Ukraine is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Palo Alto, dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and services to the people of Ukraine and raising awareness about Ukraine in the United States and globally. Since its founding, Nova Ukraine has worked to support Ukraine's fight for liberty by delivering critical aid, fostering self-sufficiency, and advocating for international solidarity. Learn more about our mission and how to support us at www.novaukraine.org .

Photos are available here .

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Igor Markov

424 332 8999

[email protected]

SOURCE Nova Ukraine
Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in western Ukraine have left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power as of Thursday as nuclear power plants are curbing generation because of damaged transmission lines.

Damage to power lines has forced nuclear power plants, which generate more than half of the countrys electricity, to reduce production, a representative of Ukraines national nuclear energy company Energoatom told Reuters today.

Earlier this week, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said that two Ukrainian nuclear power plants have been operating at reduced capacity for the past ten days after a military attack damaged an electrical substation critical for nuclear safety and security.

Russia and Ukraine have intensified attacks on each others energy infrastructure in recent weeks, with Russia targeting Ukrainian power and gas supply and Ukraine hitting Russian refineries, oil depots, and export facilities.

Ukraine has recently moved to secure U.S. LNG supply for the winter by both imports via Greece and Lithuania.

Meanwhile, U.S. Pentagon officials are visiting Kyiv and meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday to discuss efforts to end the war.

The U.S. and Russia have reportedly drafted a plan to end the war, which includes Ukraine conceding territory. Reports of the plan, said to be devised by U.S. President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, have not been either confirmed or denied by the U.S. or Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X on Thursday that Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas. And achieving a durable peace will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions. That is why we are and will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The Pluto 2 LNG project, led by Woodside Energy, could face a delay in its completion if regulators allow workers at the site to go on strike. Unions applied for a strike license this week, with industrial action planned for the next couple of months.

The union, Offshore Alliance, is in a salary dispute with the contractor building the facility, Bechtel, and they have so far failed to reach an agreement, leaving only the option of industrial action, according to the union. It says, as quoted by Reuters, workers at Pluto 2 get paid 30% less per hour than workers at Chevrons Wheatstone LNG facility.

Bechtel earlier offered workers a 5% salary rise but the overwhelming majority of them rejected the offer, leaving matters in the hands of the Australian Fair Work Commission, which is the authority with the power to greenlight the strike.

This would set back the project, which is 91% completed and was scheduled to start producing and shipping liquefied gas in the second half of next year. Pluto 2 is an expansion on the Pluto LNG project, which sources natural gas from the Scarborough gas project, operated by Woodside. The expansion has a capacity of 5 million tons of LNG annually and construction began back in 2022. The original Pluto facility has so far delivered more than 500 LNG cargos, Woodside said.

The Australian energy major is among the biggest global players in LNG. It said earlier this month it expected its sales of crude oil and natural gas to rise by some 50% by 2032, driven by growing demand for energy, especially in Asia.

Growing at an annual rate of 6%, sales could hit 300 million barrels of oil equivalent in 2032, chief executive Meg ONeill said at the companys Capital Markets Day. As a result, net operating cash flow is also expected to increase by 6% annually to 2032, to $9 billion, from $5.8 billion in 2024.

Growth will be especially pronounced in LNG, where Woodside expects its capacity to increase from 19 million tons annually in 2024 to as much as 40 million tons in 2032.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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(Photo courtesy of Kitagama baiten)



Yachimun is a traditional product of Okinawa with a long history of more than 600 years. Tsuboya District in Naha was the Ryukyu Kingdoms primary source for pottery, but in the 1970s, Yomitan Village started to gain prominence in the earthenware world.

Yomitan Village is the host municipality of Torii Station and also home to Yachimun no Sato (pottery village) where a total of 19 studios and six kilns operate.

On Dec. 13 and 14, four studios of the village will gather to present their work at their annual pottery market in Yachimun no Sato.

The four studios operate Kita gama, a climbing kiln with 13 chambers, which is one of the biggest in Okinawa. This annual market in December draws many visitors who look to discover the signature craft of Okinawa, which is known for its unique designs inspired by the islands nature and culture. Many products are expected to be offered at a discounted price as well.

Come to Yachimun no Sato and find your own Yachimun!

Kitagama Toki Ichi (Kita kiln pottery market)


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

Back in July, rioters outside ICE barricaded the front doors and then preceded to start a fire nearby. This is how out-of-control it had become. Below is the guilty plea in the arson:

The U.S. Justice Department reports:

PORTLAND MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ARSON AT THE IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT BUILDING: A Portland man pleaded guilty today to arson at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland. Trenten Edward Barker, 34, pleaded guilty to Arson of a Federal Building. According to court documents, on June 11, 2025, a group of individuals began constructing a barricade of large objects and debris against the vehicle gate of the ICE building to prevent law enforcement officers from exiting through the gate. Barker lit a flare from his backpack and threw it onto the pile of debris. The flare ignited the debris, causing a fire to start.On October 22, 2025, Barker was charged by information with Arson of a Federal Building.Barker faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a 250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on March 4, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Portland Police Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon.
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An example of the experimental setting, with Batman and a woman simulating pregnancy stand in a crowded metro. Credit: npj Mental Health Research (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44184-025-00171-5

If "Batman" appears on the scene, we immediately become more altruistic: in fact, research conducted by psychologists from the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, shows that the sudden appearance of something unexpectedBatmandisrupts the predictability of everyday life and forces people to be present, breaking free from autopilot.

The study was published in the journal npj Mental Health Research, and was led by Francesco Pagnini, Full Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology, Universita Cattolica.

Prosocial behavior, or the act of helping others, is essential to social life, yet the spontaneous environmental factors that trigger such behavior remain little explored. This study tested the ability of an unexpected event, such as the presence of a person dressed as Batman, to increase prosocial behavior by interrupting routines and increasing people's attention to the present moment.

"We conducted an experimental field study on the Milan subway," Professor Pagnini explains, "observing the behavior of 138 passengers. In the first part of our test (control condition), an experimenter, apparently pregnant, boarded the train with an observer." The experts assessed the passengers' tendency to give up their seats for the pregnant woman.

In the experimental condition, another experimenter dressed as Batman entered the scene from another door of the train. Faced with this unexpected encounter, passengers were significantly more likely to offer their seats: 67.21% of passengers offered their seats in the presence of Batman, or more than two out of three, compared to 37.66% in the control experiment, or just over one out of three.

Furthermore, the professor notes, 44% of those who offered their seats in the experimental condition reported not having seen Batman. These results suggest that unexpected events can promote prosociality, even in the absence of awareness, with implications for encouraging kindness in public settings.

"Our findings," he explains, "are similar to those of previous research linking present-moment awareness (mindfulness) to greater prosociality; this may create a context in which individuals become more attuned to social cues."

However, Professor Pagnini adds, "Unlike traditional mindfulness interventions that require active engagement, this study highlights how situational interruptions alone may be sufficient to produce similar effects. This suggests a potential mechanism through which novelty and unpredictability promote prosocial behavior, strengthening theories linking attentional shifts to increased social responsiveness.

"Finally, it is also possible that the superhero figure enhanced the relevance of cultural values, gender roles, and norms of chivalrous help, consistent with research on the 'priming' effect associated with superheroes: the figure of Batman," he concludes, "could therefore play a prosocial priming role."

More information: Francesco Pagnini et al, Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect, npj Mental Health Research (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44184-025-00171-5
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Paleontologist Caleb Gordon takes measurements of ancient turtle bones at the Yale Peabody Museum. Credit: Yale Peabody Museum

In most narratives, the story of evolution is the story of organisms emerging from the ocean and eventually populating the land. But for some species, that evolution also involved a return trip. Dozens of major mammal and reptile groups ultimately made their way back to the beach and into the water. A new Yale study has undertaken the task of explaining when and how this happenedand which species fully re-committed to the life aquatic. The study is published in the journal Current Biology.

"These secondarily aquatic groups adapted in strikingly similar ways to their new aquatic homeevolving flippers and a suite of other features that made them better swimmers," said lead author Caleb Gordon, who earned his doctorate as a student in Yale's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) earlier this year and is now a postdoctoral researcher at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

"As a result, they've become textbook examples of convergent evolution, which can tell us a lot about the processes driving and constraining adaptive change in response to similar environmental cues."

For the study, the researchers analyzed hundreds of specimens in the collection of the Yale Peabody Museum and dozens of other institutions around the world, taking new measurements (more than 11,000), photographs, and CT scans. The team also made use of classic paleontology methods, phylogenetic machine-learning algorithms, and even World War II-era naval statisticsall to reconstruct one of the most significant evolutionary transitions in natural history.

"Reconstructing the lives of extinct life forms in a scientifically rigorous way, as opposed to just telling stories, is a precise and delicate undertaking," said Bhart-Anjan Bhullar, associate professor of Earth and planetary sciences in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), associate curator of vertebrate paleontology and vertebrate zoology at the Peabody Museum, and senior author of the new study.

"It requires a careful interweaving of data from modern organisms, of which our understanding is necessarily far deeper, and knowledge of these living organisms' genealogy relative to fossil forms," he said. "Caleb's work accomplishes all of this and more, and on a massive evolutionary scale."

The new method uses machine-learning models, trained on modern species, to predict the aquatic habits and associated soft-tissue adaptations of ancient extinct species. Credit: Current Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.10.068. https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)01449-6

The lack of a robust, comprehensive explanation for when various animal groups fully returned to the water has divided the scientific community for years. Researchers had to rely upon their own interpretations of fragmentary fossil samples that had uncertain relationships to one anotherwith some features suggesting the animals lived on land and other features suggesting they lived in the water.

"In these cases, paleontologists are often stuck, as different lines of evidence disagree about what the ancient animal was like," Gordon said.

To help solve this challenge, he developed a method that used simple but powerful machine-learning models, trained on modern species, to predict the aquatic habits and associated soft-tissue adaptations of ancient extinct species with historically contentious ecologies.

For example, the researchers were able to weigh in on the controversy surrounding Spinosaurus, the ancient and ambiguously aquatic dinosaur that has been the subject of intense debate among paleontologists. Spinosaurus lived from roughly 113 to 94 million years ago in what is now northern Africa.

One body of evidence suggests that Spinosaurus frequently dived and hunted for prey underwater, like a seal or penguin; another body of evidence suggests that Spinosaurus walked and foraged for food near the water's edge, like a modern-day heron.

"Our results shed new light on how much time Spinosaurus spent submerged, which could support the underwater hunting view," Gordon said. "We confidently recovered highly aquatic habits for Spinosaurus, indicating that it spent the vast majority of its time submerged in the water."

Conversely, the researchers did not see highly or fully aquatic habits for mesosaursa group of small marine reptiles that lived 290 to 274 million years ago in what is now South Africa and eastern South America. Although mesosaurs gave birth to live young, which has suggested to some scientists that they lived a fully aquatic lifestyle, Gordon said their limb proportions point to a semi-terrestrial lifestyle.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

"They spent a lot of time on land, like a modern-day alligator or platypus does," Gordon said. "Mesosaurs didn't completely leave the land behind."

The research team was able to establish that all Paleozoic marine reptiles (all marine reptiles around before the dinosaurs appeared) regularly returned to land and lived, at most, an amphibious lifestyle. The team also was able to predict with more than 90% accuracy whether an animal had soft-tissue flippers and highly or fully aquatic habits, based on forelimb proportions.

The researchers also adapted a technique from the 1940s for their new method.

"Caleb resurrected a statistical technique from a bygone era," said co-author Jacques Gauthier, a professor of Earth and planetary sciences at Yale and curator-in-charge for vertebrate paleontology at the Peabody Museum. "It was developed during WWII to estimate the probability that an approaching blip on the radar screen was an enemy plane. Caleb cleverly used it to get at whether or not an extinct animal had limbs modified for swimming."

The new method could be applied to other evolutionary transitions as well, such as the ability to walk on two legs in human ancestors and the ability to fly in the dinosaurian ancestors of birds, the researchers say.

"Bones are all that is left to us of the vast majority of vertebrate animals that have lived on Earth," Bhullar said. "We want to know so very much about these creatures and the succession of lost worlds they inhabited, but we have so little on which to base our conclusions. From skeletal remains, people have tried to discern life habits, generally making an argument on the basis of one preferred set of features or another. Caleb's method removes the subjectivity from this process and allows the data to speak for themselves."
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Newly described muscle anatomy (right) and overall jaw anatomy of Dunkleosteus terrelli (center), compared to a more typical arthrodire (left). Credit: Russell Engelman/Case Western Reserve University

About 360 million years ago, the shallow sea above present-day Cleveland was home to a fearsome apex predator: Dunkleosteus terrelli. This 14-foot armored fish ruled the Late Devonian seas with razor-sharp bone blades instead of teeth, making it among the largest and most ferocious arthrodiresan extinct group of shark-like fishes covered in bony armor across their head and torso.

Since its discovery in the 1860s, Dunkleosteus has captivated scientists and the public alike, becoming one of the most recognizable prehistoric animals. Casts of its bony-plated skull and imposing mouthparts can be seen on display in museums around the world. Despite its fame, this ancient predator has remained scientifically neglected for nearly a century.

Now an international team of researchers led by Case Western Reserve University has published a detailed study of Dunkleosteus in The Anatomical Record, revealing a new understanding of the ancient armored predator.

Despite being the literal "poster child" for the arthrodire group, Dunkleosteus actually was not like most of its kin, and was, in fact, a bit of an oddball.

Filling a 90-year knowledge gap

"The last major work examining the jaw anatomy of Dunkleosteus in detail was published in 1932, when arthrodire anatomy was still poorly understood," said Russell Engelman, a graduate student in biology at Case Western Reserve and lead author. "Most of the work at that time focused on just figuring out how the bones fit back together."

Arthrodire fossils can be difficult to work with. Their remains are often crushed and flattened and had bodies mostly made of cartilage; only their bony head and torso armor are regularly preserved.

"Since the 1930s, there have been significant advances in our understanding of arthrodire anatomy, particularly from well-preserved fossils from Australia," Engelman said.

"More recent studies have tried biomechanical modeling of Dunkleosteus, but no one has really gone back and looked at what the bones themselves say about muscle attachments and function."

The team, including researchers from Australia, Russia, the United Kingdom and Cleveland, has brought Dunkleosteus into the modern era of paleontology by analyzing specimens from the Cleveland Museum of Natural Historyhome to the world's largest and best-preserved collection of Dunkleosteus fossils.

Dunkleosteus likely lived around the world during the Devonian period, but conditions in Cleveland allowed for a bonanza of skeletal remains to be preserved in the ancient seafloor, now a layer of black shale rock exposed by area rivers and road construction projects.

Surprising discoveries

The researchers' detailed anatomical analysis revealed several unexpected findings:

A cartilage-heavy skull: Nearly half of Dunkleosteus' skull was composed of cartilage, including most major jaw connections and muscle attachment sitesfar more than previously assumed.

Shark-like jaw muscles: The team identified a large bony channel housing a facial jaw muscle similar to those in modern sharks and rays, providing some of the best evidence for this feature in ancient fishes.

An evolutionary oddball: Despite being the poster child for arthrodires, Dunkleosteus was unusual among its relatives. Most arthrodires had actual teeth, which Dunkleosteus and its close relatives lost in favor of their iconic bone blades.

Rewriting arthrodire evolution

Perhaps most importantly, the study places Dunkleosteus in a proper evolutionary context. The bone-blade specializations of Dunkleosteus and its relatives reflect increasing adaptation for hunting other large fishesfeatures that evolved independently in other arthrodire groups as well. The blades allowed these predators to bite chunks out of large prey, Engelman explained.

"These discoveries highlight that arthrodires cannot be thought of as primitive, homogeneous animals, but instead a highly diverse group of fishes that flourished and occupied many different ecological roles during their history," Engelman said.

The findings transform our understanding of both Dunkleosteus specifically and arthrodire diversity more broadly, showing that even the most famous fossils can still yield new insights.

More information: Functional anatomy, jaw mechanisms, and feeding behavior of Dunkleosteus terrelli, The Anatomical Record (2025). anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wile  doi/10.1002/ar.70075
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This NASA image shows the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, circled in the center, as seen by the L'LORRI black-and-white imager on NASA's Lucy spacecraft.

A flying piece of cosmic rock or an alien threat? Comet 3I/ATLAS is hurtling through our solar system and captivating scientists and internet users alike, even prompting Kim Kardashian to ask NASA for answers.

Questions on whether the comet could actually be an alien spacecraft are coming from sources as varied as the reality TV star, a member of US Congress and a Harvard researcher, as well as from prominent conspiracy theorists.

But that theory has been shot down by NASA, which released new images of the comet on Wednesday after the speculation gained traction online.

"It's amazing to see how people are really engaged in the discussion," said Thomas Puzia, an astrophysicist who led the team at the Chilean observatory that made the discovery.

But, "it's very dangerous and to a certain degree misleading to put speculations ahead of scientific process," he told AFP in a thinly veiled criticism of another researcher who has been insisting for weeks that the extraterrestrial spacecraft hypothesis cannot be ruled out.

"The facts, all of them without exception, point to a normal object that is coming from the interstellar space to us," he said.

He added the comet was "very exceptional in its nature, but it's nothing that we cannot explain with physics."

Seeking signs of life

Since its detection in July, the comet has generated intense speculationunsurprisingly so, given it is only the third interstellar object foreign to our solar system ever discovered to be passing through.

The first was the Oumuamua comet, which sparked similar ripples of excitement and debate in 2017.

Even then, Harvard Professor Avi Loeb supported the theory that Oumuamua could be a spacecraft, a controversial position he later defended in a book.

He has now accused his scientific peers of lacking open-mindedness when it comes to Comet 3I/ATLAS.

This NASA image shows an annotated version, with the trajectory and scale bar, of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.

"Obviously, it could be natural," he told AFP. "But I said, we have to consider the possibility that it's technological because if it is then the implications for humanity will be huge."

NASA, however, did not agree.

"We want very much to find signs of life in the universe... but 3I/ATLAS is a comet," said Amit Kshatriya, a senior NASA official, at a press conference on Wednesday.

The debate risked overshadowing the very real wonder that 3I/ATLAS represents, according to Puzia who said it offered "an unprecedented insight into an extrasolar system, potentially billions of years older than our own solar system."

'Goosebumps'

If there is one thing everyone agrees on, it is that 3I/ATLAS is anything but ordinary.

The comet holds many mysteries, particularly regarding its origin and exact composition, which scientists hope to unravel through close observation in the coming weeks as it gets closer to Earth.

This small, solid body composed of rock and ice from the far reaches of space could help us better understand how "planets might form" or even "how life might form around other stars in the Milky Way galaxy in different times of the evolutionary history of the galaxy," according to Puzia.

NASA scientist Tom Statler described having "goosebumps" when thinking about the comet's origins.

"We can't say this for sure, but the likelihood is it came from a solar system older than our own solar system itself," he said. "It's a window into the deep past, and so deep in the past that it predates even the formation of Earth and the sun."

Unlike the two interstellar objects detected previously and only briefly studied, astronomers have had months to observe 3I/ATLAS.

And they hope this is just the beginning, thanks to improving technology for observation and detection.

"We should be finding many, many more of them every year," Darryl Seligman of Michigan State University told AFP.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Over the past week we've witnessed the many political discussions that go with the territory of a COPor, more verbosely, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

COP30 is the latest event in annual meetings aiming to reach global agreement on how to address climate change. But political events such as COP base the need for action on available scienceto understand recent changes and to predict the magnitude and impact of future change.

This information is provided through other international activitiessuch as regular assessment reports that are written by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These reports are based on the best available scientific knowledge.

But how exactly do they evaluate what will happen in the future?

Climate futures

Predictions of future climate change are based on several key planks of evidence. These include the fundamental physics of radiation in our atmosphere, the trends in observed climate and longer-term records of ancient climates.

But there is only one way to incorporate the complex feedbacks and dynamics required to make quantitative predictions. And that is by using climate models. Climate models use supercomputers to solve the complex equations needed to make climate projections.

The most sophisticated climate models are known as Earth system models. They ingest our knowledge of climate physics, radiation, chemistry, biology and fluid dynamics to simulate the evolution of the entire Earth system.

Climate centers from many different nations develop Earth system models, and contribute to a global data project known as CMIPthe Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. This data is then used by scientists worldwide to better understand the possible trajectories of, and to study the reasons for, future change.

Regional climate changes

Data from Earth system models cover the whole globe, but there is a catch. The computational expense of these models means that we run them at low resolutionthat is, aggregating information onto grid boxes that are about 100 kilometers across. This puts the entirety of Melbourne, for example, within a single grid box.

But the climate information that we need to guide future adaptation needs more detailed information. For this, scientists use tools known as "downscaling," or regional climate projections. These take the global projections and produce higher resolution information over a limited region.

This high-resolution information feeds into products such as the recently released National Climate Risk Assessment from the Australian Climate Service. Similar climate information is used by local governments, businesses and industry to understand their exposure to climate risk.

We're doing it all again

Each iteration of CMIP, which began in 1995, has brought about improvements which have helped us to better understand our global climate.

For example, CMIP5 (from the late 2000s) helped us to understand carbon feedbacks and the predictability of the climate system. The CMIP6 generation of climate models (from the late 2010s) provided more accurate simulation of clouds and aerosols, and a wider set of possible future scenarios.

Now we are doing it all againto create what will be known as CMIP7. Why would we do this?

The first reason is that more climate information has become available since CMIP6. CMIP simulations use "scenarios" to look at the range of plausible futures of climate change under different socio-economic and policy pathways.

For CMIP6, the "future" scenarios were started from the year 2015, using the information available at the time. We now have an extra decade of information to refine our projections.

The second reason is that CMIP7 shifts more to emissions-driven simulations for carbon dioxide, allowing models to calculate atmospheric concentrations on the fly.

Simulating how atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases interact with the land and ocean (known as the carbon cycle) allows feedbacks and potential tipping points to be calculated. However, this also requires a more complex Earth system model.

Australia's CMIP7 contribution aims to incorporate new science and knowledge with a refined carbon cycle which includes Australian vegetation, bushfires, land use change and improved ocean biology.

Thirdly, this time around we aim to run models at higher resolutionsuch as having 16 grid boxes over Melbourne, instead of one. This is possible thanks to advances in computational capability and modeling software.

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We've started the process

This week, Australia's newest Earth system model versionknown as ACCESS-ESM1.6is initiating the first phase in the CMIP7 contribution process, which is supported through the National Environmental Science Program Climate Systems Hub.

This includes a long "preindustrial spinup," where we run the model for about 1,000 virtual years using greenhouse gas levels from before the industrial revolution until the stable conditions are reached and available observations are matched. The spinup is required to ensure that all subsequent simulations start from a physically consistent state.

In the next phase, we'll run a "historical" simulation that emulates the last 200 years of civilization. Only then can we implement a range of future scenarios and complete our climate projections.

This work is a partnership between CSIRO and Australia's climate simulator (ACCESS-NRI), with support from university-based scientists and the Bureau of Meteorology. It's an exercise that will take multiple years, consume hundreds of millions of compute hours on high performance supercomputers of the National Computational Infrastructure, and will produce about 8 petabytes of dataor 8 million gigabytesto be processed and submitted to CMIP7.

As the only Southern Hemisphere nation submitting to past CMIPs, Australia has a unique and crucial perspective.

This data will also be used for higher resolution regional climate projections, which will then be used for future climate risk assessments and adaptation plans. It will also inform the IPCC's next assessment report.

Ultimately, a future COP will translate this evidence into global action to further refine our climate targets.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It is a simple equation, especially for a mathematician. Loved ones, plus food, equals good times.

Iacopo Iacopini, an associate professor in network science at Northeastern University, grew up in Marche, a region in the east of Italy, a country where food is the "driver of any social event," he says.

"The memories I have from when I was very young," he continues, "are related to people and events, and very often these socializing moments happen around the dinner table or lunch table, so these things are very much connected."

He distinctly remembers helping his nonna to prepare gnocchismall, chewy dumplings often made from potatoduring family gatherings.

"When I was very little, she would let me cut her gnocchi and, if two of them remained on the table, then one would end up in my mouth," Iacopini recalls with a laugh, thinking of the memory of his grandmother.

With that Italian love of meal times instilled in him, he had the idea of researching how cuisines work as a network when browsing through the extensive Giallo Zafferano food recipe website, looking for inspiration for something to cook.

The member of the Network Science Institute started to mull over a quote from "Ratatouille," a Disney film about Remy, a rat that aspires to be a chef. The rodent says, "Imagine every great taste in the world being combined into infinite combinations. Tastes that no one has tried yet!"

Iacopini says this line sums up his curiosity in wanting to understand, with so many ingredients at our fingertips, why it is that cuisines have evolved to congregate around a distinct set of flavors that "favor some combinations over others."

That fascination resulted in his most recent paper, "The networks of ingredient combinations as culinary fingerprints of world cuisines," published on the arXiv preprint server.

The London-based researcher and his colleaguesClaudio Caprioli from the University of Catania in Italy, Saumitra Kulkarni of Savitribai Phule Pune University in India, Federico Battiston from the Central European University in Austria, Andrea Santoro from the CENTAI Institute in Turin and Vito Latora from the Complexity Science Hub, also in Austriainvestigated how different ingredients are combined in popular dishes in an effort to uncover the principles behind food preferences.

The analysis found that, when recipes were broken down and studied, "distinctive patterns" emerged that serve as "culinary fingerprints."

Indian food, for example, had the central component of spices in its recipes, Iacopini explains, whereas food in so-called "new world" countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia are "more homogenized."

"This could be due to the strong immigration cultural blending that has been going on in those places," he adds.

The dish featuring the most ingredients was a top restaurant favorite from Indian cuisinevegetable korma, made up of 31 items, including star anise, sunflower and bell peppers. The second most ingredient-heavy recipe in the data set was found in American cuisinea turkey, sweet potato shepherd's pie and cran-apple sauce sundaes.

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The work involved studying a data set of recipes covering 23 cuisines around the worldranging from Thai to Eastern Europeanand containing details of 45,661 recipes made up of 604 ingredients. The authors simplified the ingredient set to 20 network groupings. It meant that all cheeses, eggs and milk came under the single category of "dairy." Other categories chosen were fungus, herbs and meat.

They used that basis to work out what ingredients were most popular in each cuisine. The findings backed up geographic, social and historical reasons for certain cuisines being the way they are, Iacopini says.

For example, India stood out as the cuisine that uses meat the least, reflecting cultural restrictions on meat consumption, especially among its vast Hindu population.

Similarly, the impact of geography on ingredient usage was borne out by Scandinavian cuisine, which shows significantly lower usage of ingredients from the vegetables, herbs, and plants categories compared to most others.

"The harsh climate of Scandinavian countries creates unfavorable conditions for the cultivation of most vegetables, resulting in a distinct culinary approach that relies on other ingredients," the authors state.

What Iacopini found remarkable was that, even when entering a combination of the scaled-down 20 ingredient categories, a simple off-the-shelf machine learning technique, in this case a Support Vector Machine, was able to accurately calculate what cuisine it was from with 95% accuracy.

Enter the categories cereals, meat and dairy, for example, and the machine was highly likely to calculate that this simple description of a carbonara recipe, traditionally made with pasta, eggs, pecorino and guanciale, emerged from Italian cuisine.

"It shows that a lot of information about the cultural aspects is simply already in the way that these ingredient types are combined, so you don't need to go into a super granular level of detail," Iacopini says.

It can be the simplest equations that invite the most cause for fascination and future investigation, he says.

"There is a lot of information here about the way that these pairings work without going into the compound level or the chemical level," he continues.

"I think this is interesting and it opens up research directions in network science. We would like to study the evolution of these cuisines through the ages."

More information: Claudio Caprioli et al, The networks of ingredient combinations as culinary fingerprints of world cuisines, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2408.15162 Journal information: arXiv

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
Northern Virginia Expansion Underscores Commitment to Better Serve Federal Clients

CHANTILLY, Va., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Optiv + ClearShark, the leading cybersecurity and IT solutions provider focused exclusively on serving the U.S. federal government, today announced the opening of its new 8,800-plus square-foot headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia. The facility at 4795 Meadow Wood Lane expands the company's footprint in the National Capital Region and enhances collaboration with federal clients and partners.

Located in one of the country's most active technology and cybersecurity corridors, the Chantilly facility positions Optiv + ClearShark closer to the seat of federal power and its core client base. The office is designed to support contract service delivery and provide federal clients with differentiated and innovative cyber solutions.

"This expansion is about more than geography," said Daniel Wilbricht, president of Optiv + ClearShark. "It's about creating an environment where our clients need us most that fosters collaboration, accelerates decision-making and ensures we can deliver secure, mission-focused solutions with precision. By positioning our headquarters in Northern Virginia, we're deepening partnerships and building the infrastructure needed to support agencies as they navigate increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges."

The opening of the Chantilly office follows a series of recent achievements for Optiv + ClearShark, including the company's attainment of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 and the 2025 Splunk PBST Technology Innovation Partner of the Year award. These milestones reinforce Optiv + ClearShark's reputation as a trusted, compliant partner, offering more strategic access to federal customers with high security requirements.

"The Chantilly headquarters represents a continuation of the vision we set when Optiv and ClearShark joined forces: to deliver unmatched cybersecurity expertise to the federal government," said Kevin Lynch, CEO of Optiv. "This expansion strengthens our ability to serve agencies with the scale, resources and innovation they need to stay ahead of evolving threats, ensuring federal missions are supported with the most advanced solutions available."

For the latest news and updates from Optiv + ClearShark, visit optivclearshark.com/company/news/.

Follow Optiv

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Optiv Security: Secure greatness.

Optiv is the cyber advisory and solutions leader, delivering strategic and technical expertise to nearly 6,000 companies across every major industry. We partner with organizations to advise, deploy and operate complete cybersecurity programs from strategy and managed security services to risk, integration and technology solutions. With clients at the center of our unmatched ecosystem of people, products, partners and programs, we accelerate business progress like no other company can. At Optiv, we manage cyber risk so you can secure your full potential. For more information, visit www.optiv.com.

About Optiv + ClearShark

Optiv + ClearShark is a cybersecurity and IT solutions provider focused exclusively on serving the U.S. federal government. From the data center, cloud and to the edge, we have decades of experience securing and modernizing federal agency data and infrastructure. Our world-class advisory and engineering team is comprised of mission-focused, results-driven subject-matter experts with deep technology and agency domain knowledge and security clearances.

Now part of Optiv, the cyber advisory and solutions leader, Optiv + ClearShark partners with federal agencies to advise, deploy and operate complete cybersecurity programs.

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Despite being quite dried out, the only known specimen of the animal allowed it to be identified as a new species to science. Credit: Taran Grant/IB-USP

Anyone walking through the Taruma neighborhood in Curitiba (the capital of the state of Parana, Brazil) today may find it difficult to imagine the area as it was in the past. Between the buildings, racetrack, and the city's largest shopping mall, streams, open fields, and wetlands once existed. Back in the 1960s, the area was home to an abundance of biodiversity. In a study, researchers described a species of rocket frog that lived in the area. Although it is new to science, the species is probably extinct in the wild.

In a study published in the journal Zootaxa, researchers from the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil and the Smithsonian Institution in the United States described the new species, which was named Dryadobates erythropus based on a single specimen collected by American herpetologist Doris M. Cochran (18981968) in 1963 during a visit to Brazil with entomologist Doris H. Blake (18921978).

The only known specimen of the frog is quite dried out and is housed in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH-SI) in Washington D.C. in the United States, where Cochran worked for nearly 50 years.

The new species, whose individual is about 14 millimeters long, is considered "probably extinct" because no other specimens have been found in the wild or deposited in natural history museums. It belongs to the recently described genus Dryadobates, which has at least 13 species, seven of which have already been described; four of those species became extinct between the 1960s and 1980s.

"The living species of this genus are diurnal frogs, quite abundant, which would be easy to find in the wild. Given that the habitat of D. erythropus has been destroyed and that no other specimen has been collected in extensive surveys in various locations in Sao Paulo and Parana over the last 60 years, it's most likely extinct," explains Taran Grant, a professor at the Institute of Biosciences (IB) at USP and the first author of the study. Grant co-authored the paper with Paulo Duraes Pereira Pinheiro, currently a researcher at the NMNH-SI.

Dryadobates comes from Dryades, a nymph in Greek mythology. Naturalist von Martius gave this name to the Atlantic Forest in his work Flora Brasiliensis. The suffix "bates" means "one who walks." Erythropus refers to "red foot," the nickname given to rural workers who worked barefoot on the reddish soil characteristic of northern Parana.

Three other species of the genus had already been named after the states where they were found: D. alagoanus, D. carioca, and D. capixaba; the latter two are apparently extinct.

Field diary

To determine the precise location where the frog was collected, Grant consulted other records in addition to the information written on the label attached to the animal. The Smithsonian Institution, with which the museum is affiliated, has a large archive dedicated to its researchers.

In the material referring to Cochran, Grant found her travel diary from Brazil. The document was essential in determining the animal's location. Grant explains, "Based on what we knew about the distribution of this group, when we saw the reference to Curitiba, we thought it might have been confused with an animal collected in Rio de Janeiro, where it had been before."

However, the animal's characteristics do not match those Cochran described as having been collected in a lagoon and on its banks in Rio de Janeiro. In contrast, the Taruma notes from January 9, 1963, clearly state that two frogs were captured in a "large field full of anthills and cow-chewed bushes."

The location of the described frog is now about 550 kilometers south of the closest known species, D. olfersioides, in the municipality of Angra dos Reis in the state of Rio de Janeirowhich is also extinct. This great distance suggests that there were other populations of the genus between these two locations, whether of the described species or of extinct species that may never be identified.

Dryadobates bokermanni, which lives in southern Bahia, is one of seven described species of the same genus, which may have 13 in total. Credit: Taran Grant/IB-USP

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Museomics and historical DNA

Of the seven species of Dryadobates that have been formally described thus far, three were only identified thanks to historical DNA (hDNA). In some cases, this technique can recover genetic material from animals that have been preserved in museums for over 100 years.

As part of his project, which enabled the installation of a laboratory for this type of analysis at USP, Grant attempted to extract hDNA from the frog collected by Doris Cochran in 1963. He was unsuccessful.

"The curator of the museum where the specimen is stored authorized us to remove a small piece of tissue for DNA extraction, but we were unable to find sufficient genetic material from the frog, only contamination from human DNA and bacteria," he says.

Due to the specimen's state of preservation, Grant believes the animal died before being fixed in alcohol while still in the collection bag. This hypothesis is reinforced by the presence of sand adhering to the frog's skin. Therefore, the DNA probably began to degrade much earlier than it would have if the frog had been preserved in alcohol, a process that preserves molecules that can be identified later.

Museomics techniques allow the recovery of DNA fragments with at least 20 nucleotides, which are then combined to assemble larger sequences. However, the DNA of Cochran's dried frog is so degraded that it was impossible to identify fragments larger than 20 nucleotides, making molecular identification impossible.

"Who knows, with advances in technology, this genetic identification may be possible in the future," the researcher says.

Even without genetic data, the authors point to morphological characteristics that distinguish the animal from its northern relatives, enabling its classification as a new species.

For Grant, this work is important not only as another reminder of the need to constantly sample and protect natural areas but also as a tribute to the historical figures Doris Cochran and Doris Blake, two women scientists who traveled the world and made significant contributions to their fields of research.

"If it weren't for them, we wouldn't know that we once had this species," Grant concludes.

More information: Taran Grant et al, A recently extinct new species of Dryadobates (Anura: Aromobatidae) from South Brazil: species description and implications for the historical distribution and recent extinction history of the clade, Zootaxa (2025). DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5693.4.9 Journal information: Zootaxa

Provided by FAPESP
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Perennial fallow land boosts biodiversity in agricultural landscapes but poses financial challenges for farmers. Credit: Maria Kernecker / ZALF

A new study published in People and Nature by the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and the Landscape Conservation Association Northwest Saxony shows that whether farmers participate in EU-funded measures for biodiversity conservation strongly depends on their personal contacts.

The researchers interviewed 70 farms in Northwest Saxonyabout one-quarter of all farms in the region. The results indicate that financial incentives alone are not decisive. Instead, peer-to-peer exchange and advice from nonprofit organizations play a central role. Farmers who feel supported within their networks and receive guidance from nonprofit organizations are much more likely to engage in biodiversity-friendly practicesshedding light on why existing programs have often had limited impact so far.

The European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aims not only to secure affordable food but also to strengthen rural regions, mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. To this end, it provides subsidies for practices such as flower strips, cover crops and diverse crop rotations. These measures are part of the so-called agri-environmental schemes (AES).

However, biodiversity continues to decline across Europe, for example, in the case of insects that are essential for pollination. Understanding which factors influence farmers' participation in AES is therefore crucial. The study shows that not only financial incentives matter, but also who farmers talk to in their daily practice and from whom they receive advice. It highlights the importance of social exchange among farmers and with advisory organizationsa factor that has often been overlooked in previous research.

Case study in Northwest Saxony

The study was conducted in the former district of Delitzsch in Northwest Saxony, an intensively farmed agricultural landscape dominated by arable cropping. Seventy farms were interviewedabout one-quarter of all farms in the region. All participants are members of the Landscape Conservation Association Northwest Saxony, a nonprofit association that promotes the preservation of diverse cultural landscapes and habitats for endangered plant and animal species. The researchers recorded with whom the farms regularly interactwhether with peers, associations, public offices or companiesand analyzed how these contacts influenced decisions on land management.

Advice and peer support as key factors

The results show clear differences: Many farmers turn to large agribusiness companies for advice on production, while nonprofit organizations and public offices are the main contacts for biodiversity-related questions. Farmers who seek advice from these organizations and feel supported by their peers are much more likely to participate in AES. Local peer support is particularly important: farmers are more inclined to join when their colleagues are already taking part.

"We were able to show that support through personal contacts is a decisive factor for participation," says Dr. Maria Kernecker from ZALF. "If we can strengthen these exchange structures, more farms can be motivated to adopt conservation measures."

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The role of large and small farms

Large farms play a key role: they often combine experience in both intensive production and conservation measures and can act as role models when they share their knowledge. Smaller farms, by contrast, tend to orient themselves towards holdings of similar size rather than large neighborsunderlining again the importance of exchange between peer groups. Arable farms are less likely to participate in AES in contrast to mixed or grassland farms with meadows and pastures. This is because measures such as flower strips or diverse crop rotations are more difficult to integrate into arable farming systems and are perceived as potentially reducing yields. In addition, these farms often rely on advice from agribusiness companies, whose focus is more on production than on conservation.

Implications for policy and practice

The study concludes that large farms with experience in both production and conservation should be encouraged to share their knowledge with others. Nonprofit organizations and public advisory services need to be strengthened so that they can provide integrated advice on both production and conservation. Finally, the study highlights that peer-to-peer support among farmers is a decisive lever for increasing participation in biodiversity conservation programs.

More information: Tobias Naaf et al, Social network analysis among German farmers reveals potentials to overcome the productionconservation dichotomy in land use, People and Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.70183 Journal information: People and Nature

Provided by Leibniz-Zentrum fur Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V.
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University of Cincinnati researcher Claire O'Connell found that monk parakeets "test the waters" with potential friends as they ramp up social behaviors. Credit: Nina Conklin

Making new friends has its challenges, even for birds. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that monk parakeets introduced to new birds will "test the waters" with potential friends to avoid increasingly dangerous close encounters that could lead to injury. They gradually approach a stranger, taking time to get familiar before ramping up increasingly risky interactions.

The study is published in the journal Biology Letters.

"There can be a lot of benefits to being social, but these friendships have to start somewhere," said Claire O'Connell, the study's lead author and a doctoral student in UC's College of Arts and Sciences.

O'Connell collaborated on the study with UC Associate Professor Elizabeth Hobson, former UC postdoctoral researcher Annemarie van der Marel, and Princeton University Associate Professor Gerald Carter.

"Many parrots, for example, form strong bonds with one or two other birds. Partners often spend most of their time together, preen each other or sometimes form reproductive relationships," O'Connell said. "Generally, maintaining these strong social bonds is associated with decreased stress and higher reproductive success."

But making that first contact carries risk, especially when animals are unfamiliar to one another.

"We often observe what we call 'quarreling,' which may occur if a bird's attempt to groom another bird's feathers is not well received," O'Connell said. "Quarreling is a mild type of aggression, and it may deter the bird from trying to groom them."

O'Connell said birds that don't welcome a newcomer's attention can react aggressively, which can lead to injuries.

Researchers say monk parakeets test the waters of new relationships by gradually increasing solicitous behaviors to make friends with other birds. Credit: Michael Miller

How parakeets cautiously form new bonds

Researchers combined groups of wild-caught parakeets in a large flight pen. Some parakeets were strangers to each other. They collected data on when and how new relationships formed by studying how close the birds approached over time and which birds groomed each other or engaged in other friendly behaviors.

Then they analyzed more than 179 relationships using computational methods and statistical models to determine whether relationship formation followed the pattern predicted by previous studies exploring the theory of testing the waters.

"Capturing the first moments between strangers can be challenging, so we were really excited that our experiments gave us the chance to observe that process up close," O'Connell said.

They found that strangers were more likely to approach each other with caution compared to birds they knew. Stranger birds took time to share space before eventually perching shoulder to shoulder, touching beaks or preening others. Some strangers escalated further to sharing food or mating.

A monk parakeet preens a friend. Researchers used dye markers to identify individuals for their social experiment. Credit: Nina Conklin

Similarities to other animal friendships

The UC study had results comparable to a 2020 study of vampire bats that found that newcomers likewise test the waters, gradually escalating from social grooming relationships to food-sharing relationships with trustworthy partners.

"This process isn't well documented outside of vampire bats and monk parakeets," O'Connell said. "We don't know how common this process may be when developing new relationships in other social species."

However, these tentative introductions might seem familiar to many people.

"What's really fascinating about testing the waters is how intuitive it feels," O'Connell said.

"I can definitely relate! I started observing the parakeets shortly before I moved to Cincinnati to start graduate school," she said. "I was excited but also a little nervous about making new friends. At the same time, I was literally watching the parakeets make new friends themselves, although some did better than others. I started realizing there may be something I could learn from the parakeets."

More information: Claire L. O'Connell et al, Monk parakeets 'test the waters' when forming new relationships, Biology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0399 Journal information: Biology Letters
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This artists concept of the sun and several red giant stars of varying radii is derived from a sonification. The sonification, which converts the waves moving inside red giant stars into sound, is based on a simulation of data Roman will collect after its launch. Credit: NASA, STScI, Ralf Crawford (STScI)

A team of researchers has confirmed stars ring loud and clear in a "key" that will harmonize well with the science goals and capabilities of NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

Stars' turbulent natures produce waves that cause fluctuations in their overall brightness. By studying these changesa method called asteroseismologyscientists can glean information about stars' ages, masses, and sizes. These shifts in brightness were perceptible to NASA's Kepler space telescope, which provided asteroseismic data on approximately 16,000 stars before its retirement in 2018.

Using Kepler data as a starting point and adapting the dataset to match the expected quality from Roman, astronomers have recently proven the feasibility of asteroseismology with the soon-to-launch telescope and provided an estimated range of detectable stars. The work is published in The Astrophysical Journal.

It's an added bonus to Roman's main science goals: As the telescope conducts observations for its Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Surveya core community survey that will gather data on hundreds of millions of stars in the bulge of our Milky Way galaxyit will also provide enough information for astronomers to determine stellar measurements via asteroseismology.

"Asteroseismology with Roman is possible because we don't need to ask the telescope to do anything it wasn't already planning to do," said Marc Pinsonneault of The Ohio State University in Columbus, a co-author of a paper detailing the research. "The strength of the Roman mission is remarkable: It's designed in part to advance exoplanet science, but we'll also get really rich data for other scientific areas that extend beyond its main focus."

This sonification is based on a simulation of data that NASA's Roman Space Telescope will collect after its launch as soon as fall 2026. The sonification converts the waves moving inside red giant stars into sound. The first sound in the sonification comes from the sun to give a sense of scale (even though Roman won't look at the sun). It then moves on to bigger and bigger red giants, with the pitch changing for each one. Credit: NASA, STScI

Exploring what's possible

The galactic bulge is densely populated with red giant branch and red clump stars, which are more evolved and puffier than main sequence stars. (Main sequence stars are in a similar life stage as our sun.) Their high luminosity and oscillating frequency, ranging from hours to days, work in Roman's favor. As part of its Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey, the telescope will observe the Milky Way's galactic bulge every 12 minutes over six 70.5-day stretches, a cadence that makes it particularly well suited for red giant asteroseismology.

While previous research has explored the potential of asteroseismology with Roman, the team took a more detailed look by considering Roman's capabilities and mission design. Their investigation consisted of two large efforts:

First, the team members looked at Kepler's asteroseismic data and applied parameters so the dataset matched the expected quality of Roman data. This included increasing the observation frequency and adjusting the wavelength range of light. The team calculated detection probabilities, which confirmed with a resounding yes that Roman will be able to detect the oscillations of red giants.

The team then applied their detection probabilities to a model of the Milky Way galaxy and considered the suggested fields of view for the galactic bulge survey to get a sense of how many red giants and red clump stars could be investigated with asteroseismology.

"At the time of our study, the core community survey was not fully defined, so we explored a few different models and simulations. Our lower limit estimation was 290,000 objects in total, with 185,000 stars in the bulge," said Trevor Weiss of California State University, Long Beach, co-first author of the paper.

"Now that we know the survey will entail a 12-minute cadence, we find it strengthens our numbers to over 300,000 asteroseismic detections in total. It would be the largest asteroseismic sample ever collected."

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Bolstering science for all

The benefits of asteroseismology with Roman are numerous, including tying into exoplanet science, a major focus for the mission and the galactic bulge survey. Roman will detect exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system, through a method called microlensing, in which the gravity of a foreground star magnifies the light from a background star. The presence of an exoplanet can cause a noticeable "blip" in the resulting brightness change.

"With asteroseismic data, we'll be able to get a lot of information about exoplanets' host stars, and that will give us a lot of insight on exoplanets themselves," Weiss said.

"It will be difficult to directly infer ages and the abundances of heavy elements like iron for the host stars of exoplanets Roman detects," Pinsonneault said. "Knowing these thingsage and compositioncan be important for understanding the exoplanets. Our work will lay out the statistical properties of the whole populationwhat the typical abundances and ages areso that the exoplanet scientists can put the Roman measurements in context."

Additionally, for astronomers who seek to understand the history of the Milky Way galaxy, asteroseismology could reveal information about its formation.

"We actually don't know a lot about our galaxy's bulge since you can only see it in infrared light due to all the intervening dust," Pinsonneault said. "There could be surprising populations or chemical patterns there. What if there are young stars buried there? Roman will open a completely different window into the stellar populations in the Milky Way's center. I'm prepared to be surprised."

Since Roman is set to observe the galactic bulge soon after launch, the team is working to build a catalog in advance and provide a target list of observable stars that could help with efforts in validating the telescope's early performance.

"Outside of all the science, it's important to remember the amount of people it takes to get these things up and running, and the amount of different people working on Roman," said co-first author Noah Downing of The Ohio State University.

"It's really exciting to see all of the opportunities Roman is opening up for people before it even launches and then think about how many more opportunities will exist once it's in space and taking data, which is not very far away."

Roman is slated to launch no later than May 2027, with the team working toward a potential early launch as soon as fall 2026.

More information: Trevor J. Weiss et al, Modeling Asteroseismic Yields for the Roman Galactic Bulge Time-domain Survey, The Astrophysical Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/adde5b Journal information: Astrophysical Journal
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Artifacts found within Urn 1014/1 and Urn 1014/3 at Horvat Tevet. Credit: Peleg et al. 2025

A recent study by Dr. Omer Peleg and his colleagues examined the unique 7th-century BCE (Iron IIC) cremation burial assemblage discovered at Horvat Tevet. The assemblage is the richest and most diverse burial assemblage found to date in the Southern Levant and includes unparalleled pottery and luxury items, indicating the individual, likely a merchant or official, had exclusive connections to extensive trade networks linked to the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This assemblage also directly challenges arguments that these territories were deliberately neglected.

The study is published in the journal Tel Aviv.

The site of Horvat Tevet

Located in the Southern Levant, in the Jezreel Valley, the site of Horvat Tevet was only 15 km from the large urban center of Tel Megiddo. Having been occupied from the MB III/LB I (ca. 16th15th centuries BCE) to the Middle Islamic period (ca. 13th14th centuries CE), it had once been exploited as royal lands by the Egyptian Empire, the Israelites, and, later, the Hellenistic period. In contrast, during the Iron IIC under Assyrian rule, the site was sparsely populated and showed few signs of wealth.

It has been argued that regions such as the Jezreel Valley and the Megiddo Province were exploited by the Neo-Assyrian Empire solely for their resources, with little concern for further development, resulting in overall regional neglect.

However, the unique cremation burial found within Level 3 at Horvat Tevet may provide evidence to the contrary.

A unique burial

The burial consisted of two burial pits: one containing the articulated remains of an adult and the other a cremation burial, an uncommon practice in the interior of the Southern Levant at the time. Most Levantine Iron IIC burials were found along the Southern Levant coast, typically centered around Phoenician coastal areas. Meanwhile, only a few cremation burials are known from the Southern Levant's interior, such as at Horvat Tevet.

The cremation burial was poorly preserved, and very little could be ascertained from the remains beyond the fact that they likely belonged to a single adult.

"We have no additional osteological information, nor can we do any analysis (like isotopes or other), as due to the local conditions, we only have a small fragment of a finger bone," explained Dr. Omer Sergi, one of the authors of the study.

The cremation was characterized by three urns and a small niche cut into the side of the pit containing small juglets. Urn 1014/2 was locally produced and contained the most modest artifacts, including bowl fragments, a broken faience amulet, and a thickened, folded rim, which had likely once served as a lid. By contrast, Urn 1014/1 and 1014/3 contained a rich array of artifacts.

The former, an amphoroid krater decorated with colored bands, was reminiscent of urns found within Phoenician burial sites. It contained three juglets, two bottles, a faience alabastron (glazed ceramic decorative vessel), a cylindrical seal, a stone weight, seven bronze objects, including fibulae and earrings, and 55 beads. Meanwhile, Urn 1014/3 contained two faience amulets, a stone pendant, and 36 beads.

Significance of the artifacts

The presence of four artifacts in particular, the glazed Assyrian bottle, the stone weight, the Neo-Assyrian cylinder seal, and the alabastron, suggests that the community tried to forge a connection between the deceased's personal life and their likely association with long-distance trade under Assyrian colonial rule.

These items were luxury imports of great value, with the glazed Assyrian bottle decorated with green, yellow, and white lotus petals, typically found in royal burial chambers of major Assyrian cities. At Horvat Tevet, it may have served as a marker of social status.

Meanwhile, the cylinder seal and stone weight were items typically associated with burials of individuals who used them professionally, such as blacksmiths, merchants, and officials. Possibly indicating the deceased's role in life, possibly as an official, merchant, or both.

Finally, the alabastron, which featured a depiction of flying ducks among papyrus plants, is a type of vessel commonly found across the Mediterranean, particularly along the Aegean Sea.

Implications of the burial

The exceptional richness of the burial stands in stark contrast to other Iron Age cremation burials in the Levant. The findings challenge the prevailing view that the Neo-Assyrians neglected the Southern Levant's interior regions, instead suggesting a strategic effort to assert territorial control over fertile agricultural lands.

By burying an individual likely of high social status and with direct connections to various Assyrian-controlled trade networks, the Neo-Assyrian Empire could symbolically legitimize its authority over critical areas, such as the Jezreel Valley.

This supports the argument that the Neo-Assyrians viewed the region as a long-term strategic investment, maintaining regional control over the provinces rather than neglecting them and exploiting them solely for their resources.

The deceased may have been transported from the nearby Tel Megiddo urban center to be buried at Horvat Tevet, thereby symbolically linking urban administration to the rural hinterland.

Written for you by our author Sandee Oster, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Omer Peleg et al, A Unique Assemblage of Cremation Burial from Horvat Tevet and Assyrian Imperial Rule in the Jezreel Valley, Tel Aviv (2025). DOI: 10.1080/03344355.2025.2550116

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The old data from the Afar region has been digitised and integrated it with additional vintage magnetic data from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions. Credit: Keele University

Magnetic data collected in the late 1960s has been brought back to life by a research team including a Keele scientist, who have used it to learn more about how the continent of Africa is stretching and splitting apart.

The high-resolution aeromagnetic survey, conducted over the Afar region of Ethiopia, what is now Eritrea, was conducted around 1968/69 in one of the most climatically inhospitable regions on Earth.

The data has remained completely forgotten since the 1970s, but now a research team, including Keele's Emeritus Professor Peter Styles, has digitized this old data and integrated it with additional "vintage" magnetic data from the nearby Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions.

By combining these vintage datasets and using modern technology to analyze them, the researchers have revealed new insights about the magnetic crustal structure in the area, which is telling them more about how the African continent is shifting, stretching, and splitting apart, a process known as "rifting."

We can see from the jigsaw-like fit of some of the continent's edges that they were once joined, but the exact way that they split apart is uncertain. The best place to look at the early stages of continental rifting is the East Africa Rift located near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Scientists believe we are seeing the earliest stages of this process in this area, and it has long been considered that this is occurring, or has already occurred, around the low-lying Afar Depression area of Ethiopia, where there is thought to be a triple junction; a boundary where three tectonic plates meet.

The theory of plate tectonics tells us that the present configuration of the continents has been very different over geological time and that millions or perhaps billions of years ago, much larger granitic continental crustal masses (known as plates) fragmented and moved apart, creating new oceanic crust in that process and the oceans we now recognize, in a process called seafloor spreading.

During this process, newer and denser basaltic rocks are created in linear structures lying mostly below or close to sea-level. As these basaltic magnetic rocks cool, they record the signature of Earth's magnetic field at that time and latitude, but through relatively short periods of geological time the geomagnetic field reverses, giving alternating positive and negative magnetic stripes recorded in the rock which can be read like a supermarket barcode.

If the presumed model of triple junction rifting is correct, we would expect a triangular pattern of these magnetic lineations radiating out from the center of the Afar Depression.

However, the researchers' analysis of the modern data compilation showed that the magnetic lineations (seafloor spreading stripes) lines run from east in the Gulf of Aden, westwards across and down into the Afar Depression, but then turn and run North-South following the Red Sea orientation, showing little or no indication of the trend they expected to see in the East African Rift and which can only be recognized in the most recent faulting.

Instead, they suggest that the magnetic signature which is strongly expressed in this area appears to be a manifestation of continental rifting occurring as Africa and Arabia first tore themselves apart following a single fracture following the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea rifts. Their findings have been published in the Journal of African Earth Sciences.

Professor Peter Styles, Emeritus Professor in Applied and Environmental Geophysics at Keele, said, "These findings give a unique perspective on how our planet is constantly changing and shifting right beneath our feet. It's also a great example of the benefits of looking at all of the available data, even historical data, when testing new models and theories. Models come and go, but well-measured data lasts forever."

More information: P.G. Purcell et al, A review of the 1968 Afar Magnetic Survey data and integration with vintage Red Sea and Gulf of Aden data, Journal of African Earth Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105881
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A young whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) rests under a table coral off the coast of Indonesia. Credit: Manuel A. Staggl

A team of international researchers led by the University of Vienna have investigated the development of shark and ray biodiversity over the past 100 million years. Their surprising results show a continuous decline in diversity since the Eocene, 45 million years ago, which contradicts previous assumptions that biodiversity was either stable or increasing. This study, recently published in Scientific Reports, provides crucial insights for modern marine conservation.

What can fossil sharks and rays tell us about today's biodiversity crisis? This was the question posed by Manuel A. Staggl and his team at the Institute of Paleontology at the University of Vienna. "Cartilaginous fish, which include today's sharks and rays, have existed on our planet for over 400 million years. They have survived several mass extinction events during this time, yet today, over a third of neoselachians (i.e., modern sharks and rays) are at risk of extinction," explains Staggl. "To develop effective conservation measures, we must understand which environmental factors have influenced their diversity in the past."

The researchers analyzed extensive fossil data and compared it with historical environmental conditions, such as temperature, carbon dioxide (CO) levels, and habitat availability. The surprising results shed a completely new light on the evolutionary history of these successful marine predators.

Dinosaur extinction was less drastic for sharks and rays than previously thought

Sharks and rays have proven to be particularly resilient in the face of past catastrophes. Perhaps the most astonishing finding is that the famous mass extinction that followed the asteroid impact 66 million years ago, which wiped out large dinosaurs and many other species, had only a minor impact on sharks and rays.

"These animals proved to be amazingly resilient and recovered quickly from the catastrophe," explains early career scientist Staggl. The biodiversity of sharks and rays peaked later in the Eocene, around 45 million years ago, at a time when the climate was significantly warmer than it is today. Since then, their biodiversity has declined, and the study identifies several causes of this decline.

A young spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) visits a "cleaning Station" in the sun-drenched coral reef in the north of the Red Sea, where it is cleaned of parasites by cleaner fish. Credit: Manuel A. Staggl

Shallow coastal areas are biodiversity hotspots

Habitat availability has proven to be a decisive factor in the evolution of new species of shark and ray over the past 66 million years. Shallow, species-rich coastal habitats have been particularly important in this regard. "The more diverse the shallow marine habitats, the more species emerged," explains Jurgen Kriwet, head of the Evolutionary Morphology Research Group at the Institute of Paleontology. However, he adds that this is also a worrying trend, as these very habitats are now under severe threat from coastal development, global warming, pollution and unsustainable fishing.

The role of carbon dioxide (CO) proved to be more complex than previously assumed. Surprisingly, the analyses showed that moderate CO levels in the atmosphere tended to have a positive effect on the biodiversity of sharks and rays. "In simple terms, CO promotes photosynthesis in algae and seagrass meadows. This has a positive effect on the entire food chain and ultimately on sharks and rays," explains Kriwet.

However, if CO levels rose too high, marine ecosystems as a whole would be damaged, as Staggl and his team had already shown in a previous study. "In a nutshell: moderate CO levels were beneficial for shark and ray biodiversity in the past, but excessive levels were harmful. This highlights the danger posed by current ocean acidification caused by human-induced climate change," says Staggl.

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Present-day changes leave species with no time to adapt

The current biodiversity crisis, which is caused by a combination of overfishing, habitat destruction, and rapid climate change, differs fundamentally from all previous threats. "In the past, sharks and rays had time to adapt to changes or migrate to other areas. However, the current changes are happening far too quickly. In this respect, the situation today is unprecedented," says Staggl.

Highly specialized species, such as deep-sea sharks which are adapted to stable cold environments, cannot keep pace with rapid changes and are therefore particularly vulnerable to warming, according to the findings of Staggl and his team.

Overall, the findings provide important insights for effective conservation strategies: preserving and restoring diverse coastal habitats must be the top priority. At the same time, it is imperative to drastically reduce CO emissions in order to limit ocean acidification. "Our study shows that marine conservation is not just about fishing quotaswe need to adopt a broader perspective that considers entire habitats and the climate system," concludes paleobiologist Staggl.

More information: Manuel Andreas Staggl et al, Global environmental drivers shape Cenozoic neoselachian diversity and identify modern conservation priorities, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-25653-6 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Map of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK, with cultural attractions marked that are under the ownership of philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer. Credit: Urban Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1177/00420980251382093

Once known to locals as "Bish Vegas" for its bustling pubs, bars and nightlife, Bishop Auckland in County Durham is now at the center of a very different story.

New research from Dr. Saskia Warren at The University of Manchester has revealed how the town's economic decline and cultural transformation have been shaped by an unusual form of philanthropyand why this raises pressing questions about power, accountability and fairness.

Dr. Warren's study, published in the Urban Studies journal, investigates the multimillion-pound regeneration led by City of London financier Jonathan Ruffer. Through his charities The Auckland Project and 11 Arches, Ruffer has poured private wealth into the town, launching attractions including the Spanish Gallery, the Faith Museum and the large-scale historical pageant Kynren. His vision is to reinvent Bishop Auckland as a heritage-driven tourist destination.

But Dr. Warren's findings suggest this approach, while headline-grabbing, has not solved the deep problems faced by local people. Bishop Auckland's town center remains in visible decline, with shuttered shops and limited job opportunities.

Young residents told local consultations they wanted affordable restaurants, music festivals and free access to Auckland Castle. Instead, much of the investment has been directed into cultural assets that charge entry fees and appeal to visitors from outside the region.

The research highlights a critical tensionphilanthropy can bring money and attention to struggling towns, but it also risks concentrating power in the hands of wealthy individuals whose interests may not align with community needs. In Bishop Auckland, Ruffer owns or controls many central buildings, from pubs to heritage sites, effectively reshaping not only the landscape but also the town's identity.

This modeldescribed by Dr. Warren as "evangelical philanthrocapitalism"mixes religious values with capitalist investment. While it promises moral renewal and economic revival, it echoes a Victorian-style paternalism where elites decide what is "good" for society.

Residents are encouraged to volunteer in cultural projects, but in an area facing poverty and unemployment, unpaid labor can deepen inequalities rather than resolve them.

Dr. Warren also points to risks of instability. Disputes between Ruffer and Durham County Council over control of government "leveling up" funds have made headlines, with the philanthropist even threatening to withdraw his estimated 50,000 a day of financial support. This raises fears about what happens if such private investment is suddenly pulled from a town that has come to rely on it.

Her research challenges the idea that philanthrocapitalism alone can fix the social and economic damage caused by austerity and industrial decline. Instead, it calls for more democratic decision-making, fairer regional distribution of cultural funding, and careful scrutiny of how wealthy donors shape public life.

"Bishop Auckland has been caught between being a showcase for visionary philanthropy and a symbol of economic neglect. While the town has gained remarkable cultural attractions, the benefits for local residents remain uncertainand the risks of relying on one individual's wealth and vision are significant," said Dr. Warren.

More information: Saskia Warren, Where has Bish Vegas gone? The Auckland Project, post-secular urban restructuring and evangelical philanthrocapitalism, Urban Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1177/00420980251382093
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

After a long and deadlocked bidding process for Australia and Pacific Island nations to co-host the UN climate summit (COP31), the event will now be hosted by Turkey. Australia's Climate Minister, Chris Bowen, will reportedly take a key role as "COP President for negotiations". More details are yet to emerge.

The announcement is more complex than expected, even for the often labyrinthine world of global, multilateral event negotiations. But what will this arrangement mean for Australia's commitment to partnering with Pacific nations in delivering COP31?

COP31 was expected by many to be the first "Pacific COP", offering Australia an opportunity to rebuild its credibility on climate action and support Pacific island nations on the frontline of the climate crisis. The challenge of the original COP31 bid was always how to ensure it wasn't an Australian summit with symbolic Pacific participation. Now, the situation is even more complex.

This new arrangement could still amplify Pacific leadership on the world stage and demonstrate the value in regional action. But with Turkey the official host country, and Australia serving as the COP31 President, where does this leave the Pacific? Will a proposed pre-COP meeting in a Pacific country be enough?

Pacific climate leaders

Pacific nations have been leading on ambitious, science-based climate action for decades, despite contributing only a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Their track record speaks for itself. Pacific diplomacy secured the landmark 1.5C temperature limit in the Paris Agreement. While this target is existential for Pacific islands facing rising seas, it is globally relevant to ensuring all countries avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Australia's own vulnerability is clear from its first national risk assessment released in September this year.

More recently, law students based in Vanuatu led the efforts that resulted in the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the obligations of states with respect to climate change.

This landmark legal opinion found the 1.5C temperature target is legally binding. All states, in particular the largest emitters, must take ambitious emissions reduction measures in line with the best available science, the court found.

The Pacific has also led efforts to recognize the role of oceans in global climate policy. Pacific islanders recognize what science confirms: healthy oceans are essential for limiting global warming and supporting the health and prosperity of coastal communities.

Pacific nations have long advocated for a holistic approach that links climate action with ocean and nature protectionmost recently through the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration that advances a distinctly Pacific framework for regional security and cooperation.

For the Pacific, climate action isn't an economic policy debateit's a matter of survival. This urgency has translated into genuine innovation and ambition that Australia can learn from.

The question for COP31 now becomes: how does Australia honor its commitment to the Pacific in a host country on the other side of the world?

With Pacific nations, such as Papua New Guinea, expressing disappointment a co-hosted COP31 hasn't eventuated, Australia will have to deliver. The Pacific was strong in its support for the initial COP31 hosting bid, and should not lose out in this new arrangement.

Based on today's news, Australia will be in charge of the negotiations but perhaps not the broader action agenda, which could rest with Turkey. Australia needs to ensure COP31 still offers the opportunity to lift the climate talks to the standard of Pacific climate leadership and innovation and walk the talk alongside their Pacific partners. The fight for 1.5C is both a legal obligation and a fight for survival.

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The opportunity

Retaining the COP31 Presidency role provides an opportunity for Australia to advance an agenda that speaks to the priorities of the Pacificto elevate Pacific-led perspectives and priorities on Indigenous and traditional knowledge, ocean stewardship and a fossil-free future.

A focus on the ocean plays to both regions' strengths. They share compelling reasons to ensure COP31 delivers game-changing outcomes for ocean health, marine ecosystem protection and finance for coastal resilience.

Regional partnerships aren't supplementary to effective climate action, they're foundational. The pre-COP negotiations, to be hosted in the Pacific, should reflect this shared commitment in the COP31 agenda and funding commitments.

Australia's credibility on climate won't come from any one conference. It will come from Australia demonstrating it can listen, learn, and amplify the voices of nations that have been leading on climate action all along. Even without hosting COP31 in the region, Australia needs to maintain its commitment to partnership with the Pacific on climate action.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica in late October, killed dozens in Haiti and forced nearly three-quarters of a million Cubans to evacuate. The death toll across the region is still unknownbut Melissa will go down as one of the strongest storms ever recorded.

It also represents a bellwether for a new era of dangerous hurricanes, driven by climate change. These storms are becoming increasingly violent and harder to predict.

Melissa's devastation may look like a story of wind and water, but it speaks to a broader question of climate justice: who gets access to life-saving information when a storm strikes? Accurate forecasts gave the governments and residents of Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba time to prepare. This was particularly crucial, as Melissa intensified rapidly from a moderate storm to a major hurricane in less than 24 hours.

Climate change is increasing the frequency of such rapidly intensifying storms. It's also making them harder to predict. So it's bad news that the Trump administration is cutting funding for the state-run National Weather Service (NWS) and pushing for the privatization of government agencies.

The potential decrease in forecast quality this foreshadows will not be borne equally. Hurricanes don't treat all places uniformlyand neither do NWS forecasts. In my research on hurricane forecasting across the Caribbean, I've found that these inequalities already shape how different places receive and use lifesaving information.

Puerto Rico

Melissa underlined just how essential high-quality hurricane forecasts areallowing officials in the Caribbean precious time to prepare for the storm's arrival. But my research in Puerto Rico shows that the production and distribution of hurricane forecasts in the Caribbean is more complicatedand more entangled with issues of justicethan it might appear.

Over two years of interviews with meteorologists and emergency managers, I found that Puerto Rican decision-makers perceivewith some supporting evidence, including delays in information availability and deferred equipment maintenancethat their island is marginalized in terms of the forecasts it receives.

Meteorology is often framed as an objective science, but it is deeply political, embedded within systems of state powerand my research suggests that Puerto Rico's second-tier colonial status extends to its access to forecast knowledge.

Puerto Rico's vulnerability was widely discussed after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, killing nearly 3,000 people. The island's vulnerability to hurricanes well knownbetween 1851 and 2019, nine major hurricanes made landfall in Puerto Rico, the third-highest number of major hurricanes in the Caribbean. Decades of infrastructural neglect, economic austerity and political powerlessness have compounded that vulnerability.

Forecasts are crucial to decision-making in Puerto Rico. They inform evacuations and requests for federal aid, and they help to plan how to protect critical infrastructure. But their usefulness differs from that of mainland forecasts. As one Puerto Rican meteorologist told me: "A perfect forecast for [the continental United States] is between five to ten miles; five to ten miles for us can be disaster or not disaster."

Puerto Rico's small size means that even a ten-mile error in a hurricane's predicted track can be the difference between a near miss and a catastrophic landfall. For Puerto Rico, a track error that barely matters for a continental state can spell the difference between a glancing blow and a direct hit. In other words, what counts as a "perfect forecast" for a mainland state looks very different for a small island.

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Inequality in forecasting

But the issues go deeper than this. Puerto Rican meteorologists told me the forecasts they receive are designed primarily to be applicable to the continental US and later adapted for Caribbean islands. One meteorologist told me: "Mostly it's us here by ourselves." Many believe the forecasts they receive are inferior to those that their counterparts use in the continental US, and that they receive less institutional support from the NWS.

When people making life-and-death decisions doubt the quality of the data they rely on, the resulting uncertainty has the potential to undermine both their confidence and public trust.

And there is evidence to justify decision-makers' doubts. Puerto Rico received storm surge mapsmaps of likely storm-generated increases in coastal water levels in 2017, several years after the continental US. Hawaii received them at the same time, suggesting the delay stems from island geography rather than territorial status.

Puerto Rico's on-island radar unit, which failed as Hurricane Maria made landfall, had been flagged for maintenance in 2011, six years before Maria hit. Interviewees suggested to me that the unit would have been repaired or replaced more quickly in the continental US.

These examples suggest that inequality in forecasting isn't just perceivedit's demonstrable: from delayed storm-surge maps to neglected radar maintenance. Forecasts may appear objective and technical, but they are inseparable from their political and institutional contexts. Puerto Rico depends on hurricane forecasts but in practice, does not receive the same level of meteorological knowledge as the continental US.

The Trump administration has already proposed cuts and restructuring that would reduce funding for public forecasting and expand the role of private weather firms. This risks prioritizing profit over public safety. It's particularly dangerous in an above-average hurricane season, and seems likely to worsen as the Trump administration continues to push for decreased funding to the NWS.

When political pressure narrows the NWS remit, vulnerable places such as Puerto Rico risk losing the early warnings they depend on. Storms such as Hurricane Melissa and Hurricane Maria test the capacity of governments and institutions to act on forecast knowledge.

But that knowledge is not neutral. Forecasts do more than predict weathertheir prioritization effectively determines whose safety counts most. As hurricanes intensify in the region, the fairness of forecast systemswho they protect, and who they neglectwill become one of the defining questions of climate justice.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Japan's sole winner: recognized for its innovative approach in using Meta ads in the real estate industry

TOKYO, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- transcosmos is delighted to announce that it has received the Vertical New Hero  Real Estate Award at the Meta Agency First Awards Japan 2025, hosted by Facebook Japan G.K, the Japanese subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta). The company was recognized for enhancing overall advertising performance and helping clients achieve superior results in the real estate industry by proactively using vertical videosconsidered "performant creative," a marketing approach essential for achieving higher performance with Meta advertising.

Vertical New Hero  Real Estate Award

About the Meta Agency First Awards Japan 2025: Vertical New Hero  Real Estate

This award recognizes agencies that have unlocked the potential in Meta tools potential for the real estate industry and created success stories through the innovative use of Meta solutions, and made exceptional contributions to clients by helping them overcome challenges.

Unique expertise and solution that maximize performance

Through close partnerships with Meta and real estate industry clients, transcosmos has remained committed to developing best practices for Meta ads best practices for each client, consistently staying up to date with the latest advancements. Building on these insights, transcosmos developed its proprietary solution, trans-ASC, leveraging Meta's AI solutionsits primary focusto help clients achieve measurable performance enhancements through optimized operations tailored to each client's business environment (*).

Harnessing Meta's advanced advertising solutions, transcosmos will continue to support clients' marketing efforts by delivering an enhanced customer experience.

*Visit here for press release (no translation available): transcosmos releases "trans-ASC," a solution to maximize Meta ad performance

https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/company/news/250925.html

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

 About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have united superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 184 bases across 36 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

SOURCE transcosmos inc.
Cover Story

Mumbai's real estate sector is a thriving and vibrant landscape with a plethora of developers striving to create landmarks that enhance the allure of Mumbais skyline. From mass-appeal, affordable projects to luxury-laden developments, the city has it all. Yet, with construction underway all around, and numerous projects coming up simultaneously, investors often have to wait years before receiving possession of their dream homes. Alleviating this challenge, Mumbais DGS Group takes an efficient approach to development, enabling investors to see their dreams turn into a reality swiftly.

A journey that started 39 years ago from a humble business venture in binding wires for construction has turned into a flourishing group renowned for its efficient, world-class construction....
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday that compels his administration to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure from his own party after initially resisting those efforts.

Trump could have chosen to release many of the files on his own months ago.

Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories, Trump said in a social media post as he announced he had signed the bill.

Now, the bill requires the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in a federal prison in 2019, within 30 days. It allows for redactions about Epsteins victims for ongoing federal investigations, but DOJ cannot withhold information due to embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.

It was a remarkable turn of events for what was once a farfetched effort to force the disclosure of case files from an odd congressional coalition of Democrats, one GOP antagonist of the president, and a handful of erstwhile Trump loyalists. As recently as last week, the Trump administration even summoned one Republican proponent of releasing the files, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, to the Situation Room to discuss the matter, although she did not change her mind.

But over the weekend, Trump did a sharp U-turn on the files once it became clear that congressional action was inevitable. He insisted the Epstein matter had become a distraction to the GOP agenda and indicated he wanted to move on.

I just dont want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that weve had, Trump said in a social media post Tuesday afternoon, explaining the rationale for his abrupt about-face.

The House passed the legislation on a 427-1 vote, with Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., being the sole dissenter. He argued that the bills language could lead to the release of information on innocent people mentioned in the federal investigation. The Senate later approved it unanimously, skipping a formal vote.

Its long been established that Trump had been friends with Epstein, the disgraced financier who was close to the worlds elite. But the president has consistently said he did not know of Epsteins crimes and had cut ties with him long ago.

Before Trump returned to the White House for a second term, some of his closest political allies helped fuel conspiracy theories about the governments handling of the Epstein case, asserting a cover-up of potentially incriminating information in those files.
LONDON (AP)  Britain warned Russia on Wednesday that it was ready to deal with any incursion into its territory after the spy ship Yantar was detected on the edge of U.K. waters north of Scotland.

Defense Secretary John Healey said the Russian vessel had directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities.

My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what youre doing. And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready, Healey said during a speech in London.

The Russian embassy in a statement accused the British government of being Russophobic and whipping up militaristic hysteria," adding that Moscow has no interest in undermining the U.K.s security.

Healey issued the warning as he made the case for increased defense spending a week before the government releases its new budget. While Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged big increases in military spending in the face of threats from Russia, China and Iran, the government is facing tough choices as it eyes tax increases and spending cuts to close a multi-billion-pound shortfall in its finances.

Healey also announced plans to build at least six new munitions factories at sites from Scotland to Wales. The government in June committed 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) to build the plants, which it says will create at least 1,000 jobs, drive economic growth and insure that the military has a constant supply of explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics.

British officials said the Yantar is part of the Russian navy, designed to conduct surveillance in peacetime and sabotage during times of war. Because of this, the U.K. and its allies track the ship and work to deter its operations whenever it approaches British territorial waters.

It is part of a Russian fleet designed to put and hold our undersea infrastructure and those of our allies at risk, Healey said, referencing attacks on pipelines and cables under the Baltic Sea earlier this year.

This isnt the first time the Yantar has probed Britains defenses, Healey said. After a warning last year, the Yantar left U.K. waters for the Mediterranean. When the Russian ship later sailed through the English Channel in January, it was followed by HMS Somerset, a frigate assigned to homeland defense.

Healey said the U.K. must adjust to a new era of hard power. He cited the conflict in the Middle East, troubles between India and Pakistan and Chinese spies targeting democratic institutions in the U.K., as well as the war in Ukraine.

Britain in June pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, in line with most other NATO nations. The commitment includes 3.5% of GDP on core defense spending, with another 1.5% on infrastructure projects designed to support the nations defense. The U.K. spent about 2.3% of GDP on defense last year.

This is a new era of threat. It demands a new era for defense, an era of hard power, strong allies and of sure diplomacy, Healey said. And as the threat grows, Britain must step up, and we are.
140 million missing: Suspects accused of extorting Cancun-based ferry company arrested a month after general manager

Cancun, Q.R.  A man and woman accused of extorting a local ferry company based in Cancun are in custody. The pair, identified by police as Maria Frine N and Jorge Luis N, are accused of extorting a company partner in July. Police said one of those arrested, Jorge Luis N, was an administrator for the company.

The State Attorney General (FGE) said police have executed an arrest warrant against Maria Frine N and Jorge Luis N in Cancun for threatening a shareholder regarding an audit to track down 140 million pesos.

The accused are being investigated for events that occurred starting July 3 of this year when the victim, a male shareholder of a shipping company where Jorge Luis N worked as an administrator, carried out an audit process to analyze the financial statements, detecting an unauthorized capital flow movement for the amount of 140 million pesos.

This situation led to the victim receiving phone calls and messages on September 22, demanding that he stop the audit under the argument that there were conflicting interests and that he would be affected if he continued with the procedure.

On September 26, the affected party received other calls ordering him not to continue with the audit since they were aware that he had not complied with the initial instruction to stop, the FGE said.

On the morning of September 30, one of the employees, who was in charge of the audit, was leaving his home located in the Cumbres Cancun subdivision when he was intercepted by two men riding a motorcycle.

The men said they had a message for the victim while showing him a firearm.

Authorities reported that the investigations carried out by the FGE confirmed that on September 18, Maria Frine N and Jorge Luis N met with their accomplice Hector Alejandro N, who is also connected to the same company for extortion and drug dealing, in order to plan the actions to carry out the crime of extortion against the victim.

The companys former General Manager has also been arrested.

Hector Alejandro N, who was the general manager of the ferry company based out of Cancun, was arrested October 22 and charged with extortion and drug dealing.
Environmental Protection has inspected more than 130,000 imported Christmas trees

Mexico City, Mexico  The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) reports inspecting more than 130,000 imported trees. The trees, which are being imported from the United States, are being inspected for the introduction of pests.

Profepa says in the first phase of the 2025 Christmas Tree Import Verification and Inspection Program, 132,984 Christmas trees have been verified since it started November 4.

The program aims to ensure that imported trees comply with environmental and phytosanitary regulations, preventing the introduction of quarantine pests and protecting the countrys forests.

Inspections are carried out at strategic border points where Profepa personnel operate in coordination with relevant authorities.

From November 4 to 18, the verification was carried out at the entry points of: Mexicali and Tijuana (Baja California), Nogales and San Luis Rio Colorado (Sonora) and Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipas).

Counts by federal entity:

Baja California: Tijuana: 38,445 and Mexicali: 84,939

Sonora: Nogales: 3,430 and San Luis Rio Colorado: 5,350

Tamaulipas: Nuevo Laredo 820

To date, no shipments have been returned due to pests or other irregularities. This is the composition of the trees inspected:

81.44% corresponds to the Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii with 108,312 specimens.

17.62% corresponds to the noble fir, Abies procera with 23,442 specimens.

0.94% corresponds to the Nordmann fir, Abies nordmanniana with 1,230 specimens.

Profepa will continue with the development of this first stage of the program until December 5, reinforcing environmental monitoring to ensure that the importation of Christmas trees is carried out safely and without risks to the countrys ecosystems.

By checking your tree, we protect our forests.
Government says Mexico will have the largest supercomputer centre in Latin America

Mexico City, Mexico  President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced that Mexico will have the largest supercomputer in Latin America. On Wednesday, she said that the government is working on having a Mexican Supercomputing Centre for the development of the country.

She made the announcement during the signing of the agreement with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) Wednesday morning.

It is very important that Mexico has a public center, a public supercomputer at the service of the people for the development of the country and scientific research.

Sheinbaum said it is part of the Mexico Plan and contributes to building scientific sovereignty and technological development in the context of the countrys integration into the world.

Today with artificial intelligence and the development of data linked to science and technology, we could not think about greater sovereignty if we do not have a supercomputer or greater data storage.

The State has a very important role, in particular, in ensuring that we do not depend on others for the development of Mexican capabilities. That will put Mexico in a different position. We are very excited about this project, she said.

Rosaura Ruiz Gutierrez, the Secretary of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation, reported that with this agreement, actions begin to finalize the Mexican Supercomputing Center.

Rosaura Ruiz Gutierrez speaking November 19, 2025.

She says it will start with the development of meteorological models for disaster prevention, customs information, risk models, image processing for agriculture and language models in artificial intelligence.

It also includes training of specialized human resources, technology transfer, shared access to infrastructure, innovation and development of research capabilities in high-performance computing.

Mexicos Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, highlighted that the Mexico Plan links innovation and financing with public and private companies to solve problems and generate wealth.

He said it is one of the instruments of the industrial policy to expand the countrys capabilities and increase job creation.

The Director of the Barcelona Computer Center research center, Mateo Valero Cortes, explained that a computer center allows science to be done using supercomputers, which are the fastest in the world in this field, in order to solve societal problems.

Mateo Valero Cortes November 19, 2025.

The Director General of the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT), Jose Antonio Pena Merino, explained that the Mexican Supercomputing Center will allow problems to be solved in reduced times.

He said the agreement will allow them to begin addressing priorities such as weather forecasting.

Mexican researchers will have complete sovereignty in terms of data management and can begin using their capacity to solve pressing public problems.

President Claudia Sheinbaum, left, with Jose Antonio Pena Merino November 19, 2025.

The possibilities of using these supercomputers with artificial intelligence are enormous for a country.
There seems to be a quiet revival of Christian faith in the West, especially among the young. But what do these numbers really mean, and what do they portend for the future?

In The Gay Science (1882), German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously proclaimed the death of God. Recognizing the enormous implications of secularization and the uprooting of Christianitys fundamental concept (faith in God) and the resulting moral confusion, he exclaimed: God is dead! God remains dead! And we killed him! How do we console ourselves, murderers of murderers? (book III, section 125).

While it certainly did not emerge with Nietzsche, this notion that faith in God could no longer be the foundation for morality in modern society provided the basis for the gradual secularization of the West. For decades throughout the 20th century, the share of Christians in the population of countries such as the United States, Canada, Britain, and France declined steadily, while the share of people identifying as irreligious rose. In the U.S., their share rose from 5% in 1990 to 30% in 2019. This general trend mostly reflects changes in peoples beliefs: According to Stephanie Kramer of Pew, quoted by The Economist, loss of faith has been the main driver of secularisms proliferation in the West during the past few decades, much more so than demographic factors such as aging, migration, or fertility. For a while, it appeared that Nietzsches recognition was correct. God, if not dead, was no longer needed in the life of an increasing number of Westerners.

Yet, as the late Pope Francis remarked in a meditation at Romes Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae in 2017, the Christian God is one of surprises. For the first time in half a century, it appears that the seemingly inexorable advance of secularism in the West has begun to slow down since 2020, according to a recent Pew study of 14 Western countries. In France and Britain, the share of irreligious people appears to have stabilized, while in seven other countries it has slowed markedly, from a 14-point surge between 2015 and 2020 to a 3-point rise over the past five years. In all these places, this coincides with a stabilization of the share of Christians in the global population: In the United States, it has now plateaued at around 62%, compared with about 43% in France and 39% in Britain. Taken together, these two facts show the continuous importance of personal trajectories, such as conversions and returns to faith, in these evolutions. Whats more is that these findings on the slowdown of the secularist surge are consistent across several large annual surveys, as pointed out by The Economist.

The most surprising trend in this general movement is the resurgence of faith among the young, especially Gen Z men (18-to-34-year-olds). In an interview last year, the late Charlie Kirk observed with unhidden enthusiasm that young men are going back to church. Recent data from several major European countries prove him right: In Britain, a study ordered by Bible Society showed that over a fifth (21%) of 18-to-24-year-old men attended church monthly in 2024, compared to only 12% of their female counterparts. Similarly, in the United States, an AEI study from last year showed that Gen Z women are both more likely to leave the church and to be irreligious than their male peers. The main reason invoked by AEI is the tendency of young women to harbor more liberal views than males their age, especially on issues with which churches are often perceived to be out of touch. Here, too, shifts in convictions and worldview are the main factor explaining this partial overturning of womens long record as the more devout sex.

Despite these clear discrepancies, the increased popularity of the Christian faith among the young is not limited to men. In Britain, there has been a substantial increase in the number of believing men and women since 2018, and the share of Gen Zers identifying as irreligious has been falling since that time, too. Similarly, in Sweden, baptisms of young adults into the countrys national church have more than doubled since 2019, while active withdrawals have witnessed a steady decline. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the share of young people identifying as Christian rose by 6 points, from 45% to 51% across three surveys.

But the most telling example of this renewal is to be found in France. This year, the number of teenagers baptized in the Catholic Church was more than double what it was in 2023, at about 7,400. In 2020, that number was only 1,200. Adult baptisms have witnessed a similar trend, reaching a 20-year record of 10,384, more than double the 4,500 of 2020, marking a 45% increase since 2024. For the first time since the French Conference of Bishops began recording these figures 20 years ago, 18-to-25-year-olds represented a majority (4,500) of adult baptisms occurring in the Churchs eldest daughter.

Several factors are invoked to explain Christianitys recrudescence among the youth. According to The Economist, the most plausible explanation for this value change is the disruption resulting from the COVID pandemic, which heavily affected younger age cohorts around the datas inflection point. Increased social isolation and economic uncertainty led many young people to turn to religion as a means of finding community and meaning. Bible Society rightfully reminds us that younger generations are more prone to poor mental health, with 58% of 18-to-24-year-olds in the sample saying they frequently feel anxious or depressed, double the figure for respondents over 55. They are also less likely to socialize in person and more likely to feel isolated than older generations at the same age, marking a clear generational effect. The study shows that churchgoing largely proves to be an efficient solution to these problems: 80% of 18-to-34-year-old churchgoers described their life as meaningful, and 84% were hopeful about their future, compared with 52% and 56% of non-churchgoers in the same age range. Young churchgoers were also less prone to feeling anxious and depressed than non-churchgoers, with 44% compared to 56%, and 63% felt close to people in their local area against only 25% of non-churchgoers.



How do we console ourselves? wondered Nietzsche some 143 years ago. For an increasing number of young Westerners, the answer appears to be: By bringing God back from the dead.

Within this broad movement of renewed openness to faith, the case of Britain is perhaps the most interesting. In its report on the conclusions of the 2024 YouGov opinion poll, titled The Quiet Revival, Bible Society remarks that the striking discrepancy between the declinist narrative and the data is mainly explained by what it describes as a shift from identification to practice, especially among the young. Indeed, as the study reminds, the share of people identifying as Christian has still witnessed a rapid decline in the long term and is significantly lower among 18-to-34-year-olds (29%) than within the population in general (39%). According to the report, this, too, comes down to ideational factors: default or cultural Christianity is losing ground among younger generations in favor of a transition from a passive label to a clear commitment. In other words, younger people are becoming more Christian primarily in the sense that they practice their faith and see in practice a key criterion for self-identification.

For example, 12% of adult respondents declared attending church monthly, compared to 16% of 18-to-24-year-olds, up from just 4% in 2018. They are now the second most likely age group to be in church at least once a month. In addition, 66% of churchgoers in that age category read the Bible at least weekly in 2024, up from 54% in 2018. In addition, 18-to-24-year-olds are also most likely to pray regularly, and more than 51% have engaged in some spiritual practice over the past six months, compared with 42% for older categories. All in all, the share of nonpracticing Christians has gone from 32% to 27% over the past six years.

Another noteworthy conclusion of the report is that British churchgoers are not only more numerous but also more Catholic: The drop in the share of Anglicans from 41% to 34% of the population since 2018 was accompanied by a rise in the share of Catholics from 23% to 31%. This makes Catholicism the second largest Christian denomination among this category in Albion, only 3 points behind the Church of England. But the results are even more unexpected among young believers: Catholicism is now the most popular denomination among 18-to-34-year-olds, representing 41% of churchgoers, while only one in five are Anglican, down from 30% in 2018. This is far from evident in a country where being Christian has historically more often meant an alliance with Canterbury than Rome, contrary to, say, France, where a positive correlation between the recrudescence of baptisms and conversions to Catholicism is far more obvious and explicable. All this might yet again speak of the extent to which the specificities of young peoples quest for meaning and tradition are a critical driver of the quiet revival of God, faith, and practice in the land of Charles III.

In Britain and elsewhere, it remains to be seen whether these encouraging trends merely mean that secularization has reached a plateau or if it marks the beginning of a lasting trend reversal, what some would call a re-Christianization of the West. What seems certain, however, is that more people are seeking God and opening themselves to hearing His voice in their lives. And that is already something worth rejoicing about.
New Neighbors Bank analysis shows local housing policies are often the determining factor in whether individual buyers have the leg up on investors

Roughly 70% of starter-home purchases across 30 markets analyzed are purchased by individuals, most of whom are first-time buyers

High-priced cities like Denver, Seattle and Los Angeles are favorable for first-time buyers

Miami, Atlanta and Nashville remain investor strongholds

COLUMBIA, Mo., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Although investors have steadily increased their share of home purchases in recent years, new data from Neighbors Bank released today shows that individual buyers are holding their own, capturing 69% of starter-home purchases across 30 U.S. metros with sizable investor ownership. The report, First-Time Buyers Are Holding Their Ground Against Investors , found that housing policy rather than market size is the linchpin when it comes to determining buyer outcomes.

The report examines 10 cities with notable investor presence, comparing them to small- and mid-sized cities within the same states, providing insight where first-time buyers might have less competition. The analysis, which was based on 2024 home sales data, found individual buyers outpaced investors in 25 out of the 30 markets, often by wide margins.

Of the 30 metros, the study found that first-time buyers accounted for an average of 69% of starter home purchases. The best markets for first-time homebuyers included large markets, such as Seattle and Los Angeles as well as smaller cities like Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio. This was also the case for investor-friendly markets with non-owner occupants capturing more than 40% of the starter-home market in both Miami and Oklahoma City.

"Affordability doesn't exist in a vacuum," said Jake Vehige, president of mortgage lending at Neighbors Bank. "Two cities with similar home prices can have completely different outcomes depending on how they regulate investor activity and protect owner-occupants."

For the purposes of the analysis, Neighbors Bank defined a "starter home" as a property affordable to a first-time buyer, with total monthly housing costs at or below 30% of the area's median household income. Purchases intended as a primary residence with a down payment of less than 10% were counted as first-time homebuyer transactions, while non-owner-occupied or secondary residences are considered investor purchases. Only homes within the affordability range for first-time buyers were included, providing a realistic view of entry-level market competition.

Where First-Time Buyers Are Winning

Based on Neighbors Bank's criteria, the top five cities where first-time buyers are winning the largest share of starter home purchases  Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Dayton  all have housing regulations that favor owner-occupancy.

In Denver, first-time buyers captured 84.3% of home purchases, thanks in part to the city's short-term rental laws that restrict listings to owner-occupied properties, dramatically reducing investor competition and preserving affordable options.

Seattle's limits on short-term rental units and strong tenant protections allow first-time buyers to capture 81.2% of starter-home purchases.

Statewide legislation, including SB 1079, and Los Angeles' Home-Sharing Ordinance, empower tenants, nonprofits and first-time buyers to match investor bids, helping first-time buyers secure 80.6% of starter-home purchases in LA.

In Indianapolis, local initiatives like Vacant to Vibrant and the Renew Land Bank prioritize selling vacant properties to owner-occupants, helping first-time buyers secure 78.2% of starter-home purchases.

By enforcing five-year owner-occupancy through the Welcome Home Ohio program, Dayton enables first-time buyers to claim 75.2% of starter-home purchases.

Where Investors Still Have the Upper Hand

Although first-time buyers have purchased three-quarters of the starter homes in the 30 markets analyzed, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, Cleveland and Oklahoma City rank as the top five investor-friendly markets due to permissive rental rules and high profit potential.

Florida's ban on local short-term rental restrictions and rent control has made Miami a national hotspot for investor ownership, with investors purchasing 56.9% of starter homes.

Minimal restrictions on rental conversions and rapid population growth have fueled investor activity in Atlanta, allowing investors to capture 44.9% of starter-home purchases.

In Nashville, state laws protecting non-owner-occupied short-term rentals keep the door wide open for investors, who purchased 44.3% of starter homes.

Although investors held a 45.1% share of starter home purchases, Cleveland's Residents First housing ordinance, with rental registration and safety requirements, may soon shift the market in favor of first-time buyers.

In Oklahoma City, simple short-term rental licensing and a ban on rent control maintain investor-friendly conditions, resulting in investors purchasing 41.9% of starter homes.

"First-time buyers can absolutely compete," Vehige said. "But the rules of the market matter. Cities that protect affordable ownership opportunities see stronger first-time buyer outcomes. It's that plain and simple."

To read the full report, including the complete methodology, visit: https://neighborsbank.com/learn/investors-vs-first-time-homebuyers/

About Neighbors Bank

Founded in Clarence, Missouri, and with additional offices in Columbia, Missouri, Neighbors Bank financed more than $675 million in loans in 2024 and is the No.3 USDA lender in the nation, according to the 2025 United States Department of Agriculture rankings . The company's vision is to make homebuying affordable, accessible and achievable.

NeighborsBank.com | 800-220-0600 | 3621 Discovery Parkway, Suite 115, Columbia, MO

65201. Member FDIC. NMLS #491986 ( nmlsconsumeraccess.org ) Equal Housing Lender.

Media Contact:

Janice McDill

312-307-3134

SOURCE Neighbors Bank
In between seeing the first chapter of Jon M. Chus adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical Wicked, released last fall, and the second half, Wicked: For Good, which comes out this weekend, I lucked into the gift of two tickets to see the Broadway show itself for the first timeand immediately found myself less psyched for the upcoming cinematic installment. As even fans of the stage blockbuster will admit, Wickeds second act, the part of the story covered in For Good, is weaker by far than its first. Where the plays opening act is stacked with unforgettable songs by composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, one of the only memorable numbers post-intermission is the one that gives the second movie its title, a heart-melting duet between green-skinned outcast Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West (played in the films by Cynthia Erivo), and her pink-clad, universally adored frenemy, Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande).

Wicked is one of those musicals whose book (by Winnie Holzman, who co-wrote the screenplays of both movies with Dana Fox, all based on a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire) exists mainly to tie the musical numbers together. Releasing the filmed version as two halves allows the screenwriters to pad out the shows dramatic arcs to balance out its frequent song-and-dance breaks. Even movie-musical aficionados arent used to sitting down to what, had it not been expanded and then divided in half, would have been something close to a sung-through operetta.

Instead, we have a five-hour-long epic in two partsarguably a lot of time to spend with a story that amounts to little more than a clever bit of Wizard of Oz fanfic. But Wickeds irresistible draw is not its plot, a somewhat confusing parable about an oppressive Oz-ian government cracking down on the animal population. Its the opportunity the show provides for not one but two divas to brandish their vocal chops and their broom- or bubble-wielding skills. Glinda and Elphaba, like Chicagos Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, are characters big enough to soar above the story they appear inboth figuratively and literally, now that both witches have acquired the ability to go airborne. If Wicked: For Good suffers from a mild case of sequelitis, with less sparkle and more generic blockbuster action than its predecessor, it would be a shame to miss out on Erivos and Grandes movie-star performances during the second acts big set pieces.

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As For Good begins, Erivos Elphaba is still on the lam, having fled the Emerald City as a wanted witch at the end of the last act. Authoritarianism is on the rise, with the sinister professor-turned-henchwoman Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) distributing anti-Elphaba propaganda. Meanwhile, the weak-willed Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) continues his regimes mistreatment of Ozs population of talking (and sometimes singing) animals, with anti-Munchkin sentiment also on the rise. Glinda, for her part, has become something like a reality TV star, a witch with no real magical powers who is paraded before the public as living proof that fairy-tale happiness is possible. To this end, Morrible is pushing Glinda into marrying the dimwitted but dashing Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) in a grand public ceremonybut Fiyero is secretly ambivalent about the wedding, having realized near the end of Part I that it may have been Elphaba he was in love with all along.

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If youre seeing Wicked: For Good with small children, go in knowing that the film contains some scary and mildly violent scenes, starting with the opening images of a Yellow Brick Road being built using the forced labor of buffaloes and other animals. When Elphaba appears on her broom to smack down the human Oz-ians who are tormenting these beasts, its both a justified act of resistance and an early sign that we are now in a darker, grimmer place than the whimsical, candy-colored setting of the first film. Because Elphaba remains in self-imposed exile for most of the movie, Grandes Glinda emerges as the de facto protagonist of this half. Grandes performance as the vain and frivolous but inwardly insecure Good Witch is this movies most reliable source of energy. Her impeccable comic timing and staggering vocal range, along with the obvious delight she takes in swanning about in Paul Tazewells confectionery costumes, give the movie levity even in the draggier stretches. Two new songs composed by Schwartz for the soundtrack, one each for Elphaba and Glinda, do a fine job of filling in character beats and giving the often-offscreen Erivo more to do, but I doubt youll head to the cineplex escalator humming The Girl in the Bubble or No Place Like Home.

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Erivos most arresting solo in For Good is the power ballad No Good Deed, belted over a backup chorus of flying monkeys as she officially proclaims her own villain origin story. Jonathan Bailey, who nearly stole the first movie with his endearing portrayal of Prince Fiyero as a morally conflicted himbo, has little to do for much of part two but stand next to the determinedly peppy Glinda looking miserable. But he does shed the long faceand, fans of the newly anointed Sexiest Man Alive will be pleased to learn, his shirtfor a love duet with Elphaba in her Gothic forest lair. The production design by Nathan Crowley is as stunning in its level of atmospheric detail as his work for the first film, even as the look shifts from Candy Land game board to steampunk dystopia.

Related From Slate The Running Man Cant Outpace Our Own Dystopian Slog Read More

A good deal of screentime is expended establishing backstories for the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Man, even though the overlap between Wickeds story and that of the 1939 Wizard of Oz (or the L. Frank Baum book it was based on) serves mostly as a pretext to explore the expanded Oz-iverse. The resolution of these characters arcs, and of For Goods several other subplots, feels unsatisfying, rushed through and at the same time too fussed over.

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But any sense of disappointment that Wicked: For Good doesnt quite live up to the first movie pops like a big pink bubble the moment Erivo and Grande unite one last time to sing the showstopping duet For Good. Its a testament to the all but diabolical power of musical theater that, even after nearly five sometimes exhausting hours in this visual-effects-crammed fantasyland, a viewerOK, fine, Ican be moved to tears by the angelic voices and all-too-human emotions of two women together on a screen, singing in gorgeous harmony and with evident depth of feeling about their long, thorny, but ultimately life-transforming friendship. If you can get through that closing number without wanting to go home and call up the old friend you would most like to sing it with, you may, like the Tin Man, need to go in search of your heart.
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Donald Trump may have cleared the high bar of uttering the most appalling remark of his presidency on Tuesday. Things happen, the leader of the free world said with a shrug when asked about the assassination of American-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi while seated next to the man who ordered the murder, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Besides its moral repugnance, Trumps comment reflects, with new vividness, a particular blankness about his broader foreign policy.

The things happen exchange came near the start of the princes much-ballyhooed visit to the White House, where the two men would ultimately sign deals for the sale of the most advanced U.S. military aircraft, A.I. chips, and other high-tech gear to the kingdom, amounting to as much as $1 trillion in transactions.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and American resident who frequently criticized the Saudi regime, was brutally murderedhis body hacked with a buzz sawin 2018 during an interview with officials in the Saudi embassy in Turkey. At the time, even Trump, then in his first term as president, said MBS (as the prince is often called) should be held responsible if he played a role in the assassination. Soon after came the leak of a CIA report concluding that MBS approved of the operationan assessment that the entire U.S. intelligence community reached in a public report in 2021. Even before then, Joe Biden, during his 2020 campaign for the presidency, declared Saudi Arabia a pariah state.

Legitimate arguments could be made for rebooting U.S.Saudi relations, on various realpolitik grounds. Our presidents and diplomats have long struggled with the tension between American interests and ideals; even Biden, halfway through his term in the White House, took some steps toward making up with the prince.

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But no case can be made for simply brushing the murder aside, as Trump did during the press conference that started off this weeks summit. When ABCs White House correspondent, Mary Bruce, asked the two men about the intelligence report charging MBS with the murder, Trump interrupted her, denounced her network as fake news, then said of Khashoggi:

Youre mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didnt like that gentleman that youre talking about. Whether you like him or didnt like him, things happen. But he [pointing to the crown prince] knew nothing about it. You dont have to embarrass our guests.

Even the crown prince, who has plenty of blood on his hands quite aside from the Khashoggi killing, rose to the occasion with a veneer of class. After Trumps brusque dismissal of the issue, MBS solemnly recited the answer that he had no doubt rehearsed, in anticipation of the quite natural question:

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Its really painful to hear anyone losing his life for no real purpose or not in a legal way. Weve improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that [in the future].

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This was a ruse, of course, but at least the Saudi autocrat pretended to condemn the murder; he wanted to convey the impression that he knew the murder was contemptible and criminal. This was more than the current American president could bring himself to do.

But there are other disturbing matters here to contemplate. Imagine youre an analyst in one of the U.S. intelligence agenciesor an allied official who shares intel with those agencies. The president on Tuesday dismissed the deeply sourced assessment, from his own first term, concluding that MBS not only knew about the murder but approved it and probably ordered it. This wasnt the first time that Trump has publicly dissed the agencies. Back in 2018, at their joint press conference in Helsinki, he saidto the worldthat he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin, rather than his own intelligence agencies, on whether the Kremlin tried to sway the 2016 U.S. election in Trumps favor. More recently, he deridedand his secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, firedthe intelligence director who concluded that the U.S. airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities had not obliterated the nuclear program.

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But this weeks show of disrespect stood out, because it concerned a foreign head of states politically motivated assassination of a legal U.S. resident (Khashoggi was married to an American woman) working for an established U.S. newspaper on the soil of a NATO ally. This was about American sovereignty, American alliances, the First Amendmentserious stuff: values and interests.

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And so a big question, asked several times in many contexts, gets raised again: What is Trumps foreign policywhat is his vision of American interests and ideals, much less the balance between the twoabout?

The things happen remark, and in fact the entire MBS summit, clarifies, in case matters werent clear before, that U.S. foreign policy under Trump is simply about the aggrandizement of Trumps ego, his wealth, and the wealth of his richest corporate donors. Period, full stop.

Related From Slate The New Epstein Emails Humiliate One Trump Official More Than Most Read More

The centerpiece of the summit was MBS aspiration to rebuild Saudi Arabia as a global tech capital. Trump agreed not only to sell the kingdom an unspecified number of F-35 stealth aircraft (over the objections of Israel, which is now the only Middle Eastern country that has those planes) but also to let the Saudis buy a large number of A.I. chips manufactured by Nvidia (which followed the news by announcing yet another quarter of bar-busting profits and revenue). The subsequent state dinner was attended not only by Jensen Huang (Nvidias CEO) but also Elon Musk, Tim Cook (Apple), Michael Dell (Dell), Chuck Robbins (Cisco), Lisa Su (AMD), David Ellison (Paramount, which owns CBS and may soon own CNN), as well as, for old times sake, the heads of various oil, construction, and financial firms.

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Also in attendance was Trumps son Don Jr., who has recently been discussing private investment deals in Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Trump Organization. (Remember when Jimmy Carter had to put his peanut farm in a blind trust to avoid possible conflicts of interest in his agriculture policy?)

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Saudi Arabia isnt the only place where Trump is pursuing a sort of mercantilist policy closer to Communist Chinas or the Saudi royal familys than anything weve seen in our own history. He has publicly said he wants to end the RussiaUkraine war, so that Washington and Moscow can get back to mutually profitable trade and investment. He is reportedly now urging Ukraine to give up the eastern Donbas region in a cash for land deal. His original peace plan for Gaza envisioned emptying the place of Palestinians and turning it into the Riviera of the Middle East. At one point during his first-term courtship of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, he proposed turning the barren countrys coastline into a string of hotels and resortsand even presented a slideshow illustrating the possibilities.

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Heres the thing. Trump thinks the world revolves around the same axis as his real-estate company. He thinks money, property, and the opulent display of both are the main motivators of Great Leaders and their proxies. In some cases, hes on to something. In many other cases, this view is blinkered, if not entirely false. This is why his efforts to make peace in Ukraine have flopped, why he mistakes the grand theater of the Gaza ceasefires first few steps as the equivalent of an everlasting peace, and why he believeswhy he falls forthe efforts of friends and foes worldwide to push his buttons, lavish him with praise. They see that hes a buffoon, but they know that the United States is still the worlds most consequential great power. They depend on the latter for many things, in some case for their survival, and so they must put up with the former, as long as he controls the levers.

As the strategist Lawrence Freedman put it, Unserious president; serious country. If only we had a president who knew what the country was all about.
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Of all the oddities to emerge from Larry Summers newly released communications with the late, disgraced sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein, perhaps the strangest is his sudden expulsion from elite America. Over the past three days, there has been a rush to cut ties with Summers just about everywherethe Center for American Progress, the New York Times, the Hamilton Project, the Yale Budget Lab, and the Center for Global Development all announced the termination of their relationships with him. On Wednesday Summers himself resigned from the OpenAI board of directors, and on Thursday, Harvard announced that Summers would be removed from teaching duties pending a university investigation.

And yet the connection between Summers and Epstein has long been public knowledge. Summers joined OpenAI in November 2023, almost four years after the Times published a photo of him hanging out with Epstein at the sex traffickers Manhattan mansion, and six months after the world learned that Summers had solicited donations from Epstein on behalf of his wifes poetry foundation. Undeterred, the Times itself hired Summers as a contributor to its Opinion section at the beginning of 2025.

What did we really learn from these new disclosures that made Summers suddenly unacceptable to the private-jet set? His misogyny was established decades ago, when he mused that women were biologically predestined for scientific mediocrity. The most sexually compromising aspect of the new emails is a back-and-forth with Epstein over Summers quest to cheat on his wife with another economist. Summers struck out and Epstein bucked him up. Complaining about #MeToo to Jeffrey Epstein is not a marker of moral excellence, but at worst the new emails simply confirm that Summers hasnt changed. Did anyone think he had?

What is unsettling about the Summers-Epstein saga is not whom he got in bed with, but who got in bed with him, given what was already known. Prestigious institutions knew exactly who Summers was, and sought him out anyway, for years. There will no doubt be different horrors to come in the Epstein documents, but the latest tranche has more to do with power than sex. It reveals an American elite unwilling to see outrages occurring in plain sight, due to the clubby nature of high society. All the way back in 2009, Summers offered some unsolicited advice to Democratic not-yet-Sen. Elizabeth Warren about surviving in Washington. Outsiders can say whatever they want, he counseled, but insiders dont criticize other insiders. As an empirical observation, this was rightthe world does work that way, illustrated most grotesquely by the Epstein debacle. Summers followed his own advice, and it took a terrible toll on his character.

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Summers continued to communicate with Epstein after Epstein was convicted of soliciting sex from a minor, after he served time in prison, right up to Epsteins second arrest, in 2019and this sustained lapse in judgment was not unique. Billionaires Bill Gates and Peter Thiel palled around with Epstein long after his conviction, as did Kathryn Ruemmler, one of the top lawyers in the Obama administration, who is now general counsel at Goldman Sachs. None of these people have paid a serious professional price for the revelation that they were close to Epstein. Gates enjoyed a friendly podcast with Ezra Klein a year after his Epstein connection was reported, and he promoted his book on the Today Show earlier this year. Thiel gives speeches at think tanks and was welcomed on Joe Rogans show, while Goldman is standing by Ruemmler.

All of these people are rich and powerful, but Summers alone has been a professional evangelist for their kind. Despite producing a wealth of academic research over the course of his career, he has no signature policy or intellectual innovation, and long ago ceased to be the most decorated economist of his generation. Paul Krugman, a fellow economist on Ronald Reagans Council of Economic Advisers, took home a Nobel Prize in 2008, as have 10 other economists born in the 1950s, none of them Summers, who was born in 1954.

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Instead, ever since the Clinton years, Summers has operated as a figure the rich can rely on when they are concerned that the Democratic Party has turned against them. Whether that means deregulating credit derivatives in the 1990s on the grounds that sophisticated investors know what theyre doing, or blasting Warrens wealth tax because the rich will ostensibly spend their money more usefully than the government will, Summers specializes in explaining to Democrats that social progress and the financial interests of the wealthy go hand in hand. In January 2009, when President-elect Barack Obama wanted Congress to release a second round of bank-bailout money, he trotted out Summers to promise a sweeping commitment to saving families from foreclosure. Banks got the money, of course, and families lost their homes. In 2019 he went so far as to declare that wealth inequality was not a proper subject for public policy: I do not think a focus on wealth inequality as a basis for being concerned about a more just society is terribly well designed, Summers told an audience at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. I dont think wealth is a particularly sensible way for judging or assigning taxes.

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American government is preoccupied with the concerns of the very rich but nevertheless feels compelled to demonstrate, or at least claim, that what is good for the very rich is also good for the country more broadly. That is a role that only an economist can play; before Summers, it was performed by Alan Greenspan, and before Greenspan it was handled by Paul Volcker. Those men were Fed chairs, and it is a measure of Summers facility with power that he remains a more iconic figure in the economics discipline than the three most recent occupants of that position. Getting rid of Summers wont resolve this structural pressure at the top of the discipline.

But it is extremely hard to be a public ambassador for elite self-interest once youve been exposed as incapable of recognizing elite misconduct. Peter Thiel and Kathryn Ruemmler are allowed to be gross because thats what their job is. Summers is the guy who is supposed to make it look good, and that leaves him uniquely vulnerable among those implicated thus far in the Epstein scandal. Now that he is no longer useful to elite America, elite America has discarded him. You almost feel bad for the guy.
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There are a whole lot of MAGA lunatics on the Republican side of the Congressional aisle, but if one is listing off the absolute craziest, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes name goes at the top. She, after all, is the congresswoman who theorized that Jewish space lasers sparked the California wildfires, that the government controls the weather, and that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. She once speculated that Sandy Hook was a false flag. She was a QAnon adherent, someone who believed powerful Democrats and business leaders were part of an international ring of pedophile devil-worshipersand that Trump was on a mission from God to bring them to justice, like some sort of spray-tanned Blues Brother. Theres a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles out, and I think we have the president to do it, she said.

Now, though, Greene seems to be burrowing herself out of the conspiracy-theory hole, apologizing for past sins, and maybe even seeing the light of reality for the first time. She has split with Trump over his handling of the Epstein filesresulting in a very public falling-out between the two. This leaves Democrats in an uncomfortable place. Do they welcome the potential convert with open arms? Or ice out the woman with a long history of vile behavior and unhinged bigotry?

The answer has to be to welcome her to realitybut not necessarily into the Democratic tent. Making an unstable and unpredictable conspiracy theorist into a neo-maverick liberal hero because she agrees with you on one thing is risky business. Democrats should of course partner with her on legislation where their interests align with hers (though it should be noted that Greene is and votes overwhelmingly conservative), and should stand against the threats and harassment shes facing for having defied the president. They should certainly learn from her defection, which holds important lessons about how to break free from the MAGA cult. But they shouldnt trust her. They definitely shouldnt take responsibility for her.

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It turns out that one of Greenes theories was partly true: There really were global elites running, participating in, and looking the other way on a child trafficking ring. Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in prison before he could be tried for sex trafficking, really did pal around with the rich and powerful; his alleged co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years behind bars. This should have been confirmation of MAGA followers worst suspicions. But then Trumps Department of Justice and FBI didnt release the Epstein files as had long been promised. When members of Congress pressed to release them, Trump resisted, and much of his MAGA coalition suddenly changed their tune, supporting the president in his demands that information related to Epstein stay hidden from the publiceven as brow-raising emails and other troubling documents tying the president to Epstein began to slowly leak out (of course he knew about the girls, Epstein wrote to Maxwell in one; the dog that hasnt barked is trump, he said in another). In the meantime, Maxwell was moved to a cushy prison and given all kinds of perks, including puppy playtime.

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This seems to have been radicalizing for Greene, as well as for MAGA Reps. Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace, and Rep. Thomas Massie, who has been leading the charge to force the Department of Justice to release the files they have on the Epstein case. Trump has tried carrots and sticks with the women in order to get them to oppose the House resolution releasing more Epstein-related documents. He summoned Boebert to the Situation Room to discuss the matter. He reportedly called Mace, and called and called again.

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With Greene, he took a harsher position, berating her as a ranting Lunatic and a traitor on Truth Social, and saying that good MAGA soldiers should make sure shes primaried. Greenes take was, for once, a reality-based one: Hes coming after me hard to make an example to scare all the other Republicans, she said. Trump also extended no goodwill to Massie, mocking him as a loser for remarrying after his wifes tragic death (the thrice-married Trump famously started dating his second wife while married to the first).

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This has been one of the most destructive things to MAGA, Greene told reporters. Watching this actually turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart.

This is where Democrats ears are perking up. Ripping MAGA apart is a good thingnot just because doing so would give Democrats an advantage, but because MAGA has become a disturbing cult, where adherents disregard provable facts in favor of whatever their often lying leader says. Different policy priorities, and even differing interpretations of the facts at hand, are not new in politics. But an entire political coalition that willfully ignores the truth and chooses to believe very obvious lies from a man who is shredding the U.S. Constitution while using the government as his own personal self-enrichment scheme? Reacquainting members of that coalition with life on planet Earth is a moral necessity even more than a political one.

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Trump also seems to realize that hes in trouble here, so much so that he has resentfully backed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, after spending months railing against it and demanding every member of his party get in line in opposing it. He now says he will sign the bill if it comes across his desk, although one has to wonder what hes playing at, given that he could simply order the DOJ and the FBI to release whatever they have on Epstein tomorrow. Instead, he seems as if hes trying to lacquer on a veneer of righteousness to some very nasty business. One hopes those questioning him will see through the opacity.

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Greene could be a model here. She has pulled away from Trump because its become impossible to deny the utter weirdness, deep ickiness, and transparent corruption of the Epstein saga, and impossible to come up with any plausible explanationeven a very conspiratorial onethat paints Trump as the brave pedophile-fighting good guy. And Greene has certainly tried to absolve him, speculating (not totally out of nowhere) that Epstein might have ties to the Israeli spy service, and perhaps Israel is pressuring Trump to keep the lid on the story.

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Demanding that MAGA loyalists look truth in the face hasnt been all that effective. But asking them why their dearest leader is behaving in ways that make absolutely no sense if his actual goal is draining the swamp and rooting out criminals and abusers? Thats one way to get through. In other words, more Wow, Trump has tried really hard to block the release of the files, doesnt that seem odd? I wonder what would make him do that? and less Of course hes blocking the files, hes a disgusting misogynist, his name is probably in there a hundred times.

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It is crucial that people who realize they made a mistake voting for Trump are welcomed into the Democratic fold. But its just as crucial that elected officials who used their office to lie and bully in the presidents service dont see their actions whitewashedand arent given a benefit of the doubt that they certainly havent earned.

Democrats should not, in other words, do what Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin suggested when he told a group that We are a big tent. We must be a huge, vast tent. I say this is a party thats got room for Marjorie Taylor Greene if she wants to come over!

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The problem with this strategy is that a person whose entire political history has been conspiratorial and often racist insanity is probably not a person who is going to morph into a normal member of Congress overnight. Take, for example, Greenes suspicion that Epstein was some sort of spy or asset. On the face of it, she seems to be just asking questions. Simmering beneath the surface, though, is a history of seeing nefarious Jews around every corner. There was the space laser thing, and her refusal to vote for the Antisemitism Awareness Act because she feared Christians might be targeted for saying Jews killed Jesus. And a few years back, Greene shared a video on Facebook which claimed that An unholy alliance of leftists, capitalists and Zionist supremacists has schemed to promote immigration and miscegenation, with the deliberate aim of breeding us out of existence in our own homelands. She added her own take: This is what the UN wants all over the world.

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She has laudably pushed back on the few-questions-asked U.S. funding of Israel even as it devastated Gaza and killed scores of civilians. But she chose to do so by going live with Tucker Carlson, a man who has welcomed white supremacist and Holocaust-denying antisemite Nick Fuentes on his show, where Fuentes complained about organized Jewry and Carlson whined about how conservative supporters of Israel had been seized by this brain virus. Greene defended his decision to have Fuentes on. There may, in other words, be a little more to the story of why Greene has questions about Epsteins Israel ties and why she wants the U.S. to defund the Israeli military. She also isnt exactly a friend to Muslims, either, saying that they shouldnt be in Congress and complaining that the Muslim women who won House seats in 2018 were part of an Islamic invasion of our government.

Democrats, liberals, and leftists are taking on a real risk by endorsing or attaching ourselves to her, even if she lands on a position or two we agree with.

If Greene wants to cast her future ballots for Democrats, wonderful. If she wants to vote with Democrats in Congress, even better. But Democrats would be incredibly foolish to say that Greene is now under our tentunless we want to turn our own party into a crackpot circus.
C919 debuts at Dubai Airshow as industry warms to Chinese aerospace manufacturing

09:22, November 20, 2025 By Xia Xiao, Wu Baoshu ( Xinhua

DUBAI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's C919 has drawn steady crowds at the ongoing 19th edition of Dubai Airshow, where industry professionals and trade visitors are lining up for a closer look at the country's first homegrown large passenger aircraft.

A C919 brought by its manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), performed flying demonstrations during the show. A second one, operated by China Southern Airlines, is on static display, drawing representatives from airlines, leasing companies, and engineering firms.

After touring the aircraft, Saeed Alhefeiti, media manager for the Government of Fujairah, one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, said that the experience was "very impressed" and he believed the C919 "has a bright future" in the Middle East market.

Inside the cabin, staff briefed visitors on C919's configuration and performance. It can seat 158-192 passengers and has a range of 4,075-5,555 km, according to COMAC.

Sergey Kireev, a procurement manager at Dubai-based aircraft leasing company Meridien and a former pilot, entered and observed the cockpit. Calling the C919 "a very modern, very beautiful aircraft," he said that although the plane is still in the early stages, "it will compete with the big players and find a place in the Middle East market."

Ali Alzahrani, head of engineering at Saudi low-cost airline Flyadeal, said COMAC has brought new options to the market, and he believes the Chinese planemaker's aircraft "has a future."

Eight years after the C919 made its maiden flight in China's Shanghai, COMAC has so far delivered 26 units, which are now flying more than 30 routes.

Dawood Abdullah, senior corporate planning executive at Pakistani private airline AirSial, said the C919 could "be a game changer" in the market. "It brings fresh momentum and healthier competition."

This year's Dubai Airshow, scheduled for Nov. 17-21 and described by local media as the largest in the biennial event's history, features more than 1,500 exhibitors, over 200 aircraft, and an expected 148,000 trade visitors.

China's wider aerospace industry is making a strong showing at the event. Nearly 100 aviation-related companies from China are exhibiting products from drones and eVTOL aircraft to advanced aviation technologies, according to the organizers.

Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) showcases 19 power-related products across five categories: military and civil propulsion systems, gas turbines, key components and service support solutions.

"This is our first appearance at Dubai Airshow," said Yang Lei, an AECC representative. "China's aero-engine products need a broader international platform, and Dubai Airshow provides an opportunity for global audiences to learn about our high-quality power equipment more directly."

Targeting Middle Eastern and African customers, AECC is displaying a range of engines adapted for the region's conditions. The highlight is a 1,100-kW turboshaft engine equipped with an integrated multifunction sand-filter system and health monitoring capability, which has drawn strong interest from several potential users, Yang said.

Shim Bong Kyu, an engineer at Korea Aerospace Industries, said he had missed the breadth of China's engine portfolio before the event. "The progress of China's aviation industry is truly impressive," he said.

Andrew Platt, head of marketing and business development for military engines at Safran Aircraft Engines, said he was struck by how many AECC products are already in mass production. "It's remarkable to see such a wide array of engines on display," he said.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Growth Accelerated by a Companywide Commitment to Customer-First Innovation

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenarate, tlatforhe leading pm for human and AI agent performance, today announced it ranked No. 165 on the 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, Deloitte's annual ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America. Zenarate's continued momentum reflects its unwavering focus on delivering measurable frontline performance impact.

Zenarate CEO Brian Tuite credits this recognition to the team's deep commitment to exceeding customer expectations.

"Being named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is a testament to our team's innovation and dedication to putting our customers first every day," said Tuite. "Our growth is fueled by listening closely to customer needs and demonstrating the art of what's possible when human and AI performance come together. I'm incredibly proud of what our team has built  this recognition is a milestone on our journey helping customers transform the future of work."

"This year's rankings highlight both enduring leadership and breakthrough momentum," said Wolfe Tone, US Deloitte Private & Emerging Client Portfolio leader and partner, Deloitte Tax LLP. "More than half of the winners are prior honorees, yet the majority of the top ten are first-time entrants  demonstrating the staying power of established leaders alongside the accelerating growth of new innovators across key sectors. As in previous years, private companies continue to dominate, underscoring the agility that private enterprises bring to competitive markets, enabling the exceptional triple and quadruple digit growth reflected in these rankings."

Zenarate is a previously ranked Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2024.

About the 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500

Now in its 31st year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies  both public and private  in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2021 to 2024.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that significantly contributes to the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million, with a growth rate of 50% or greater. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America (United States and Canada).

About Zenarate

Zenarate is the world's leading platform for human and AI agent performance. Zenarate provides a suite of integrated productsincluding AI-powered conversation and software simulations, CX insights, conversation analysis, personalized upskilling, and AI agentsdesigned to train, analyze, and evolve your blended workforce.

Zenarate supports over 200 of the world's leading enterprises, including Capital One, Biogen, Verizon, Hyatt, Costco, Aetna, and many others. Zenarate has received numerous prestigious awards, including recognition as a Deloitte Fast 500 company, a Training Industry Top AI Training Company, CCW's Disruptive Technology of the Year, and the FinTech of the Future Award for Artificial Intelligence.

For more information, visit www.zenarate.com

Correction: An earlier version of this release does not have the updated hyperlink to "Deloitte Technology Fast 500". We've also made updates to the subhead, third paragraph and boiler plate.

SOURCE Zenarate
The videos out of Sudan are horrifying. There are videos of people being shot out in the open. There are videos of fighters going through hospitals, room by room, and hunting people down. And then there is the evidence of the sheer magnitude of the violencepictures captured from thousands of miles away.

Its now become a world-leading humanitarian crisis, not just for the present, with 30 million people in humanitarian need, but actually record-breaking, says David Miliband, the president of the International Rescue Committee. Since records began, its the biggest humanitarian crisis in terms of the number of people affected.

He says these massacres of civilians have been meticulously planned over the course of months. A group called the Rapid Support Forces began by physically isolating the last city in Western Sudan that was controlled by the countrys army, al-Fashir. Factions on the ground are still fighting, mainly the RSF and the army of Sudans internationally recognized government. Both have been accused of war crimes.

Many of the people lucky enough to have escaped al-Fashir have landed in a place known as Tawila, which is where the International Rescue Committee is set up to offer help. Now, these refugees and aid workers are worried the fighting will come to them next. Miliband sees it as a test of whether the world cares in deeds, not just in words.

On a recent episode of What Next, host Mary Harris spoke with Miliband on how Sudans civil war needs the worlds attention. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Mary Harris: I want to explain the conflict to my listeners who may not be familiar with whats going on, because the top-line numbers are really so stunning: an estimated 150,000 killed in the current civil war in Sudan, 14 million people displaced. Those are United States numbers. What are the underlying root causes of the violence were seeing?

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David Miliband: Sudan had a history since independence, in the 1960s, of dictatorship. Omar al-Bashir, the last dictator, was overthrown in 2019 by a civilian government. Between 2019 and 2021 there was a civilian government. It was seen as a success, but it didnt get the backing it needed. In 2021, the two parts of the armed forces who had been brought in after the Darfur crimes and tragedies of the 2000s by dictator al-Bashir, those two parts of the armed forces mounted a coup against the civilian government. They seized power. And then in 2023, parts of the armed forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, turn on each other. So this is not a civil war that came from below. Its an elite project of two parts of the armed forces who started fighting each other.

Are they simply fighting for control of land, or are they fighting for something bigger?

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They are fighting for land, but theyre fighting for resources, because this is not the poorest country in Africa. Its a country with significant gold, its a country with significant agriculture, its a country with resources that people want to control.

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And the gold mines are in the west, which is now controlled by the RSF, right?

West and north, yeah. This is a conflict over power, but its also a conflict over power for resources. And thats important. Its also important to say that this location in the Horn of Africa, the coastline with the Red Sea, its strategically a very significant country. It was split in 2011 when South Sudan broke off after a terrible conflict between the north and south, essentially on religious lines. And now there is a further division between the east of the country thats controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces, who have the backing of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, and the west of the country, the Rapid Support Forces, who have backing from the United Arab Emirates and other countries, including Russia. Youve got this unfinished business of civilian government, youve got incentives for power grabs, and you have this latent conflict between the Arab population and the non-Arab.

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Is there a religious or ethnic element to whats happening now too?

There is, whats happening in the west, where the non-Arab population fears massacre on a terrible scale. Theres definitely that dimension to it. This is a conflict that is threatening to spill out of control for the people of Sudan, but its also important to recognize how it spreads. It spreads into South Sudan, it destabilizes South Sudan, it spreads into Chad, its got refugees in Egypt. Theres quite a lot of refugees in Europe at the moment who come from South Sudan.

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Part of what I found confusing about the conflict is that it seems these midlevel international players who have become involved with the conflict, sometimes theyve switched sides or expressed regret. Can you explain that a little bit, how the allegiances have been flexible here?

The United States, Chinathe superpowers are not backing one side or the other. Theyre on the sidelines trying to wring their hands and say, What can be done about this? The Chinese interest is in oil that comes from South Sudan but is pumped out through Port Sudan, which is in Sudan.

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There are also political interests, because when the Iranians are backing one side, that produces a reaction from others. And then youve got different coalitions coming together. Its not just an internal war inside Sudan, its an avatar for modern conflict, because its a civil war with external backing from many sides. And all the different players have got external backers. We call that the internationalization of civil war. And thats a feature of the modern global political and military landscape.

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I feel like we have to examine the allegations of genocide here. The violence Ive heard of is so extreme. There have been accounts of babies being raped. Its horrible. Youve been in the world of global politics for a long time. How do you think about this conflict and the stories youre hearing?

Its plumbing depths, but the trouble is its not the only place thats plumbing depths. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have used the word genocide. The successive U.N. investigations have placed deeply serious allegations against both sides in this conflict. From our point of view, there are two things that I always say when people use the word genocide. One is: We mustnt ever get into a world where its got to be a genocide before we care about it. I try and muster global engagement well before we hit the genocide standard. Secondly, that standard itself is highly contested. It doesnt need to be a genocide to command international attention.

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I want to bring in the United States a little more fully now. Your primary role is delivering aid. Can we talk about how that job has changed? Youve written that the U.S. has been the anchor of the aid system internationally. U.S. foreign aid payments represent 30 percent of all funds. Thats huge. Eighty percent of programs have been terminated. That just seems like a massive sucking hole in your work.

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Without mixing the metaphors, the anchors been pulled up. So its not a hole, its that the boat is rocking in the sea, and the passengers are getting seasick. Thats the metaphor. The pulling up of the anchor affects everything from the emergency teams that used to be the U.S. first responders right through to the basic research and innovation that was funded. The anchor has gone. The shutdown didnt help in that sense. But there have been aid cuts for Sudan as well. Anything thats not considered lifesaving is out. One of our health centers for Sudanese refugees in South Sudan has just been eliminated.

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You proposed a focus on the most needy countries and a focus by much more of the international community. Is that going to get you where you need to go in a conflict like this?

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When asked, 89 percent of the American public say that it would be right for about 1 percent of the federal budget to be spent on aid. That is actually the amount that was spent on aid. The trouble is, more than 50 percent of the American public thinks 20 percent of the federal budget is spent on aid. This loss is major, and the reverberations are just rippling through. Theyre rippling through services, but theyre also rippling through institutions, and we dont yet know the full extent of it, not least because the administration hasnt yet clarified what role it wants for the reduced amount of aid in the future.

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Are there things you cant do? Or things you worry you wont be able to do in the next year?

Were closing health centers for refugees from Sudan. There are 300,000 kids who were being educated in Afghanistan, with a large U.S. aid contract, who have lost their educational hope. My own nonprofit has lost three-quarters of the aid it was getting from the U.S. government. And so there is a massive impact of these decisions, and they affect peoples lives in the most profound ways.

What are your representatives in Sudan asking from the international community now?

Were begging for pressure to get our aid workers into al-Fashir, pressure to get the people out, pressure to support those who are traumatized in Tawila, pressure to halt the arms flows, pressure for accountability. And all of that depends in part on attention. This is not Americas No. 1 problem. But its the worlds No. 1 humanitarian problem that America could help to mitigate.
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On Wednesday, one day after a federal court struck down Texas new Republican gerrymander, Judge Jerry Smith, a Ronald Reagan appointee, published his belated dissent from the 21 decision. It is one of the most unhinged opinions ever published by an American jurist. Smiths 104-page screed, released a day after the majority opinion, is a rancid gumbo of feverish conspiracy theories and character assassination: He invokes the liberal Jewish philanthropist George Soros no fewer than 17 times, deriding the plaintiffs expert witness as a Soros operative who draws millions from his Soros piggybank. He accuses Soros and his son Alex of having their hands all over the case, darkly warning that the plaintiffs lawyers were doing the bidding of their Soros connections and the Democrat Party. He impugns the integrity of his own colleagues on the bench, including a Donald Trump appointee who sided against him, charging them with disingenuously false claims to serve Soros a victory on a silver platter.

Smith, a 79-year-old who has served for nearly four decades, also reveals private communications between judges about the case, a startling breach of judicial protocol. He denounces the author of the majority opinionJudge Jeffrey V. Brown, a conservative Trump nomineefor what he deems the most outrageous conduct by a judge that I have ever encountered in a case in which I have been involved. Indeed, his dissent begins with a flamboyant preliminary statement airing various grievances against Brown that are irrelevant to the law. (These boil down to Browns unthinkable desire to  release his opinion as quickly as possible to avoid interference with the 2026 midterms.) Smith precedes all this with a quote from Bette Davis in All About Eve: Fasten your seat belts. Its going to be a bumpy night!

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We may never see a better argument for judicial term limits than this dissent, which (at best) exposes an elder jurists brain pickled in the brine of Fox News conspiracy theories and (at worst) raises serious questions about competence and senility. But there is a silver lining to this unfortunate episode: Smith utterly failed to refute the majoritys conclusion that the Texas Legislature unlawfully re-sorted voters on the basis of race. Beneath all the rhetorical Sturm und Drang, his rejoinder amounts to a credulous belief that Texas main mapmaker accidentally created a near-textbook racial gerrymander without ever considering race. Its a theory that evaporates upon contact with reality, and is nowhere near enough to overcome the overwhelming racial data that the majority meticulously dissects. The Supreme Courts GOP appointees will still do whatever they want with this gerrymander, but Smith fails to provide a convincing fig leaf behind which to hide their partisan aims.

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Browns majority opinion in the case, LULAC v. Abbott, presents a straightforward theory of unconstitutional racial discrimination. He explains that Trump wanted the Texas Legislature to redraw its congressional map before the 2026 midterms to give Republicans additional seats in the House of Representatives. The Legislature was resistant, in part because it feared backlash from such brazenly partisan map-rigging. So the presidents Department of Justice provided a pretense: It asserted (falsely) that the states existing map was an unlawful racial gerrymander and threatened to sue unless lawmakers redrew it. The DOJ insisted that the earlier map, in effect, gave Black and Hispanic communities too much power by combining them as majority coalitions in several districts. So it ordered the legislature to dismantle these districts. The Legislature complied, dispersing Black and Hispanic voters across districts to eliminate their coalitions while keeping majority-white districts largely intact.

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Smiths chief response to this argument is that  George and Alex Soros funded a coterie of lawyers and expert witnesses who fabricated this sequence of events to trick the judiciary into helping the Democrat Party. He accuses the plaintiffs attorneys and witnessesby name, one by oneof having dark financial ties to Soros. For instance, Smith dismisses the credibility of one expert witness because he leads the UCLA Voting Rights Project, an initiative Soros has been pumping money into for years. (I found no evidence that Soros funds this project, an esteemed academic research center that promotes equitable and accessible voting for all Americans.) If, Smith writes, we are to tell it like it is, we must recognize that the well-funded machinery that I have just identified is all about a political crusade to give Democrats a House majority. And the public is entitled to know whos really driving this bus.

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A surprising amount of the opinion is also consumed by outrage that Brown released his majority opinion before Smith could finish his dissent. (Election cases like this one are heard by a three-judge district court: Brown and David C. Guaderrama are federal trial judges, while Smith sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.) He provides a blow-by-blow account of the days leading up to the rulings publication, including internal communications between the judges that, as a rule, are never shared with the public. Yet they reveal nothing nefarious whatsoever: Brown wanted to release his opinion as quickly as possible so lawmakers would have enough time to implement it, as the Supreme Court requires.

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Smith writes, This outrage speaks for itself, but does it? SCOTUS sometimes hands down orders before a dissenter has had time to finish an opinionthis occurred most recently just seven months ago. When a case is time-sensitive, as LULAC v. Abbott surely is, it makes practical sense to release the decision when its ready. Otherwise, the dissenter could thwart the majoritys will by dragging their feet to run out the clock. Which is, a cynic might assume, exactly what Smith wished to do here.

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Once Smith finally arrives at the substance of the case, he can no longer hide what a weak hand he is playing. Beneath all the bluffing lies a determination of credibility. Put simply: Was Adam Kincaid, the Republican operative who drew Texas new map, telling the truth when he claimed he didnt consider race in the process? Or did the plaintiffs persuasively demonstrate that these districts were drawn, at least in part, along racial lines? Brown finds ample reasons not to credit Mr. Kincaids testimony. For example, Kincaid achieved nearly all the explicit racial directives that the DOJ laid out with suspicious precisionincluding the creation of three districts with almost exactly 50 percent minority composition to create the appearance of diversity while still maximizing Republican advantage.

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On top of all this, Kincaid appears to have played a role in the concoction of the DOJ letter itself. He saw a preliminary draft of it in the West Wing of the White House, Brown writes, and discussed it with key White House and DOJ officialsand Governor Abbotta week before DOJ released it. So Kincaid would have us believe that he hit the exact racial targets laid out in a letter he allegedly helped craft and was told to execute, yet somehow never considered race at any point. Does that seem likely? Of course not. But Smith announces that he finds Kincaid credible in every respect, embracing his solid testimony as credible and irrefutable. Why? He just seemed trustworthycalm and straightforward on the stand, and therefore wholly convincing and unassailable.

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Smith also defends Rep. Todd Hunter, the new maps sponsor, who gave testimony that conflicted with Kincaids. The majority charged Hunter with promoting a racially gerrymandered map that would help Republicans while maintaining the illusion of minority inclusion. This allegation, Smith complains, unfairly paints Hunter, a former democrat, as an unreformed, unrepentant racist, maintaining a flagging veneer of partisan nastiness over Strom Thurmond-like segregationism. (It is grimly amusing that the judge invokes Hunters former political affiliation to defend his honor but still cannot bring himself to capitalize democrat.) Smith spends this stretch of the opinion seething that the majority dared to question the credibility of the white men who drew an obviously racist map. By the end, he abandons any pretense of legal reasoning, quoting lines from the majority and waving them away as misleading, without any explanation.

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In fairness, Smith has long been a bit of a drama queen. But this dissent is not just a theatrical temper tantrum; it is a cry for help. Those closest to Smith ought to intervene and coax him into retirement before he can embarrass the federal judiciary more. The Supreme Courts Republican appointees are still going to steer this case wherever they want. But rather than give them an excuse to side with Texas, Smith may have made it harder for the supermajority to reverse, because doing so may make it look as if the justices are endorsing his ultra-partisan fixation on liberal donors who just so happen to be Jewish. George and Alex Soros are wealthy men indeed. But the rent-free space they occupy in Smiths Fox Newsaddled brain is beyond anything money can buy.
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Earlier this month, President Donald Trump quietly pardoned 77 people across the country who participated in the fake electors scheme of 2020, the wildly illegal attempt to subvert election results in battleground states that Joe Biden won and instead declare Trump the winner. That scheme did not work, and despite his best efforts to erase Jan. 6, Trumps latest pardon may not either. Many of the people pardoned by Trump are still facing state charges since presidential pardons dont apply to state crimes.

U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin announced the fake elector pardons on X, sharing photos of the proclamation that was signed by Trump on Nov. 7. It mentions names not heard in a while, like Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, and Kenneth Chesebro, alongside other local Republicans who helped execute the scheme. Curiously, the proclamation is phrased as an unconditional pardon for folks connected with the 2020 presidential election, whether or not recognized by any State or State official.

Now, at least five states that were subjected to the fake electors scheme still have ongoing criminal cases against folks listed on the presidents pardon list. Many of the cases have been stymied by appeals, and broadly seem to have lost their steam since the ringleader of the entire enterprise went on to become president again and managed to thwart two of his own federal criminal indictments. Nevertheless, many of these states attorneys general havent outright dropped their cases; in fact, just days after Martins announcement, the Nevada Supreme Court revived a criminal case against six fake electors who appeared on the presidents pardon list.

Here is what we know about each of the active criminal cases against the 2020 fake electors and those who orchestrated the plan on Trumps behalf.

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Nevada

In late 2023, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford first announced felony charges against six local Republicans for signing and submitting a fake certificate certifying Trump won Nevada in the 2020 election. All of them pleaded not guilty, and at one point the case was dismissed, but Ford, a Democrat currently running for governor, has managed to keep it alive.

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The six defendants challenged Fords indictment by arguing it was filed in the wrong venue. The attorney general brought the case before a grand jury in Clark County, home to Las Vegasthe largest and most Democratic-leaning city in Nevadabut they believed it should have been done in Carson City or Reno, northern Nevada cities where the defendants first signed the fake certificate certifying Trump won Nevada. District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus agreed and dismissed the indictment last year.

The attorney general appealed up to the Nevada Supreme Court but also refiled a nearly identical case in northern Nevada as a preemptive measure to ensure that the statute of limitations on this charge does not lapse. However, on Nov. 13, the Nevada Supreme Court finally issued a 60 decision overruling Holthus. The justices concluded that Ford was correct in filing his case in Clark County because the charged offenses were not technically complete until the fake electors certificate was received by a federal court, located in Las Vegas.

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Ford vowed to pick up where he left off with his first indictment, though its not clear when it will go to trial.

Georgia

The bigger conspiracy case against the ringleaders of Trumps electors plan, taking place in Georgia, is not going nearly as well as the Nevada case. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged Trump and 18 of his allies, including Rudy Giuliani, Meadows, and Chesebro, with felony racketeering in an elaborate criminal indictment in 2023. But by early 2024, bombshell accusations came out accusing Willis of ethics violations which ultimately stopped the case from moving forward.

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Shortly after Willis announced the indictment, she was on a roll, successfully securing guilty pleas from major players in the fake electors scheme including Ellis, Powell, and Chesebro. But in January 2024 her investigation hit a major road bump when Michael Roman, a defendant charged in Willis indictment, filed a motion to dismiss the case after accusing the DA of having a personal relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Willis admitted this was true, and other defendants in the case immediately piled on to join Romans motion. It led to months of contentious legal fights that prevented the case from moving forward, and eventually, by December 2024, Georgias Court of Appeals ruled that Willis must be disqualified from prosecuting her election interference case due to a significant appearance of impropriety.

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The case shifted to Georgias Prosecuting Attorneys Council, which was responsible for finding Willis replacement. It spent the better part of 2025 struggling to find another district attorney willing to take on the politically fraught cause, until Peter Skandalakis, executive director of the PAC, decided to take the case himself. In a statement announcing his decision last week, Skandalakis acknowledged the significant publicity this case has received and said, My only objective is to ensure that this case is handled properly, fairly, and with full transparency discharging my duties without fear, favor, or affection.

Its not yet clear how Skandalakis will proceed; he could choose to revive Willis original indictment or drop the case. However, back in 2022 as Willis was still investigating Georgias fake electors, she was considering bringing charges against then-state Sen. Burt Jones. He immediately filed a motion seeking to disqualify Willis because she had hosted a fundraiser for Jones Democratic opponent in the 2022 race for lieutenant governor of Georgia. In a decision that was pretty shocking, a judge ruled in favor of Jones, blocking Willis from questioning Jones.

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Following a similar procedure, the PAC was brought in to find a new prosecutor, and Skandalakis ultimately assigned himself the investigation. He decided Jones should not be criminally charged for his role in overturning Georgias 2020 election results for Trump.

Arizona

The fate of Arizonas fake electors indictment is in the hands of Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who has been locked in a yearlong legal battle over a technicality about how the case was presented to a grand jury.

Mayes first brought a fake electors indictment in April 2024, charging 11 Arizona Republicans with felony fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. The defendants argued their actions were allowable under the Electoral Count Act, a legal theory they alleged prosecutors did not present to a grand jury when securing an indictment. By May, a judge agreed and ordered the case go back to a grand jury for consideration, but Mayes appealed the ruling.

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However, the Arizona Court of Appeals declined to intervene in this case, so now Mayes must decide by Friday whether to appeal further up to the Arizona Supreme Court. Were still in the process of doing all the analysis that goes into a filing like this in this case, but I continue to be very, very committed to this case, Mayes told local media this month. I dont think there is anything more important than standing up for our democracy than making sure that no one, regardless of who they are, attempts to undermine an election.

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If Mayes decides not to appeal to the state Supreme Court, it would pave the way for the grand jury indictment to be dropped. And if she does appeal but the high court rules against her, shell be faced with a similar decision: drop the case or seek a new grand jury indictment. At the same time, Mayes is running for reelection this year.

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Wisconsin

Not all of the people who posed as fake electors in Wisconsins 2020 election were criminally charged; instead Attorney General Josh Kaul focused on the three architects of the plan: Roman, Chesebro, and Jim Troupis, a longtime GOP attorney. The case had been tied up in appeals as the defendants tried to have it dismissed, but back in August a judge rejected the request.

The judge ruled in August that defendants in this case tried to dispute the facts alleged in the indictment, something meant to be resolved at trial, and did not merit dismissal of the entire case. Meanwhile, Kaul, a Democrat, is currently running for reelection, and its not yet clear what next step he will take in this fake electors case.
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When it comes to buying racehorses, Tom Pollack doesnt often swing for the fences, generally opting to purchase established performers rather than yearlings, but that approach can still result in knocking one out of the park.

A prime example would be recent Breeders Crown Open Pace champion Ervin Hanover, a five-year-old who was purchased by Pollack following the horses three-year-old season. Ervin Hanover has won 18 races and more than $1.3 million since then.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, two newer additions to Pollacks stable that follow a similar approach will be in action in $35,000 USD Progress Pace eliminations, for three-year-old male pacers, at Ballys Dover. Sugar Man is the 9-2 third choice in the first elim, behind 5-2 favourite Dandy Ideal and 7-2 Fallout, while Waffle Blue Chip is 10-1 in the second division. The top four finishers from each elim advance to the $250,000 USD Progress Pace final on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Pollack bought both three-year-olds privately, acquiring Waffle Blue Chip in October and Sugar Man earlier this month. Both were trained previously by Brett Pelling, and they now are conditioned by Jeff Cullipher.

Theyre two pretty nice horses, said Pollack. They might be a notch below the top group, but I think both are sharp right now, so they should be competitive.

With both of them, since I dont really have partners, Ive kind of adapted the model of buying some higher-end horses from owners who really only want to have two- and three-year-old stakes horses. Weve bought horses at the end of their three-year-old seasons, and if they can go on and be stakes horses, thats a home run. More often than not, they go on and are just solid overnight racehorses.

But thats been our business model just because the yearling game is risky and Im not really able to spread the risk without a big partnership group. This versus buying a yearling, you have a little bit of an advantage because youve seen what they can do already.

Waffle Blue Chip, a son of Sweet Lou-Vicinity, has finished first or second in 11 of 17 races this season and earned $159,200, with his most recent four starts coming for Pollack and trainer Dave Menary in Canada. The colt was eighth in his debut for Pollack, which came in a Breeders Crown elimination at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He rebounded with a second in a Three-Year-Old Open followed by back-to-back wins in conditioned races, also at Mohawk.

His seven-horse Progress elimination features Prince Hal Hanover (PP7, Todd McCarthy), the 5-2 morning line favourite, as well as Captain Optimistic (PP4, Scott Zeron, 7-2), Fusion (PP2, Dexter Dunn, 9-2) and Madden Oaks (PP3, Simon Allard, 6-1). Jason Bartlett will drive Waffle Blue Chip, leaving from post five.

We got him right before the Breeders Crown, said Pollack. He drew [post] eight in the elimination with Louprint and Dandy Ideal, horses that were just better than him, so that was tough. Hes raced against horses he could be more competitive with in his next three starts, and hes been lights out.

I like the fact that hes versatile and he likes to be involved. Hopefully, we can get him in play, get a trip, and make the final. Its a tough bunch, so its a step up for him. But I think he can handle it because he is sharp right now.

Sugar Man, a son of Papi Rob Hanover-Sweet As Sugar, will be making his first start for Pollack. The colt has hit the board in 10 of 16 races this season, winning five and earning $155,686. He won his two most recent starts, the consolation division of the Monument Circle and a division of the Circle City Stakes, both at Harrahs Hoosier Park.

Sugar Man will leave from post three with driver Todd McCarthy in his seven-horse Progress elim.

Weve liked him training here for the past week or so, said Pollack. Were excited to see him race. We dont really know much about him yet, but I know Hoosier is not the easiest place to win and hes raced well out there. So, I think thats a positive sign.

Pollack ranks fifth in purse earnings among all owners in harness racing this year, his fifth consecutive year in the top five. The past three years, only Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi have finished ahead of Pollack.

Its a testament to a great team and buying quality horses, said Pollack. I have a good team around me  trainers, drivers, [agent] Marc Reynolds. Its a really good group, which makes it fun. Were kind of all in it together, trying to win as many races as we can.

Im excited about these two new ones. I love the action, so its great to be able to buy horses and drop them in box shortly thereafter and have them race. Well see what happens.

Racing begins at 4:30 p.m. at Ballys Dover. The Progress Pace eliminations are Races 12 and 14 on the 15-race card.

(USTA; photo of Sugar Man winning on July 19)
Oh Look Magic used his rail starting position and a confident drive from Chris Page to score an impressive win in the $39,437 Open Trot on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

Famous Father (Luke Plano) was aggressively driven away from the gate, putting Oh Look Magic in the pocket in the opening panel in a quick :26.2. Page then pulled the right line of Oh Look Magic to retake the lead and rated him to a half of :55.4. Oh Look Magic extended the lead down the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:23.3 and cruised to a 3-1/4-length win in 1:52.2. Flagman (Rick Plano) edged out Easter Jack (Brett Miller) for second.

Ron Burke trains Oh Look Magic, a five-year-old son of Lookslikeachpndale-Miami Magic, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The gelding is now 22-for-81 lifetime with a bankroll of $754,790. He paid $2.60 to win.

One race earlier, in a $14,085 conditioned claiming pace for fillies and mares, a three-horse photo finish resulted in a dead heat for win. Stonebridge Alibi (Brett Miller) and Sectionline Flame (Tyler Smith) were noses apart at the start, a foreshadowing of events to come. Sectionline Flame eventually cleared to the top and passed the quarter in :27.3 before Rose Run Anabelle (Sam Widger) made a quick brush to the front and led the field of eight past the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.3.

The top three had some separation from the others and came down the lane as a group  Sectionline Flame in the passing lane, Stonebridge Alibi on the outside, and Rose Run Anabelle in the middle. The photo couldnt separate Stonebridge Alibi and Sectionline Flame for the win. Rose Run Anabelle was officially a neck back in third. The final time of 1:54.4 produced new lifetime marks for both of the winners.

Herman Hagerman trains Sectionline Flame, a three-year-old daughter of Catch The Fire-Sectionline Aqua. The filly, a seven-time winner in 41 career starts with $125,813 in earnings, is owned by Hagerman Racing and Charles Reeve. Her win price was $2.20.

Roy Murphy Jr. trains and owns Stonebridge Alibi, a sophomore Always B Miki-Cop A Plea miss. The filly is now two-for-17 with $22,344 in earnings. She paid $2.40 to win.

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceways next card on Thursday, Nov. 20 will kick off at 4 p.m.

(With files from Dayton Raceway)
Tikamchand Sahu Vs ITO (ITAT Raipur)

Non-Speaking NFAC Order Set Aside: Raipur ITAT Remands Section 68 Addition & Ad-Hoc Expense Disallowance

In this appeal involving additions u/s 68 & ad-hoc disallowances, the Raipur ITAT noted that the Assessee repeatedly sought adjournments but remained absent despite multiple opportunities. Following the Supreme Courts ruling in Ishwarlal Mali Rathod on avoiding routine adjournments, the Tribunal proceeded ex-parte & heard the Sr. DR.

Assessee had argued that jurisdiction lay with Odisha, but Depar

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Prof LeCun is known for advancing the deep learning field of AI, and for his jazzy bowties [Getty Images]

Just a couple of weeks ago, one of the "godfathers" of artificial intelligence was in St James's Palace being handed an award from King Charles for his work in artificial intelligence (AI).

Professor Yann LeCun was being honoured along with six other recipients for his contributions to the field, which have been credited as advancing deep learning.

But Mr LeCun is at odds with some of the AI world over the future of the generation-defining technology.

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And now he is going all-in on his idea of "advanced machine intelligence" after announcing he is leaving his role as Meta's chief AI scientist to start a new firm.

During his 12 years at the company, Prof LeCun won the prestigious Turing Award and witnessed several flurries of excitement around AI - not least the most recent boom in generative AI accelerated by rival OpenAI's launch of ChatGPT in late 2022.

But his departure comes amid speculation the AI boom could meet an abrupt end should the so-called "AI bubble" of ballooning valuations and soaring spending burst.

Investors, analysts and even big tech bosses like Google's chief executive Sundar Pichai have said a market correction to the AI sector would ripple across the wider economy.

What LeCun thinks the AI world gets wrong

Prof LeCun announced his planned departure from Meta on Wednesday after more than a week of rumours and reports of his exit.

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In a series of posts on Threads, he thanked the company's founder Mark Zuckerberg and highlighted its Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) lab as his "proudest non-technical accomplishment".

"As many of you have heard through rumours or recent media articles, I am planning to leave Meta after 12 years: 5 years as founding director of FAIR and 7 years as Chief AI Scientist," he wrote.

"The impact of FAIR on the company, on the field of AI, on the tech community, and on the wider world has been spectacular."

The lab has over the years focused on developing systems and techniques to advance machine learning and translation.

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But, like large parts of the sector, Meta has looked to concentrate much of the company's research and spending on large language models (LLMs) - the systems at the heart of generative AI tools such as chatbots and image generators.

Prof LeCun has suggested LLMs will be less useful in attempting to create AI systems that can match human intelligence.

Instead, he wants to pursue what he called "advanced machine intelligence".

It trains AI models primarily by using visual learning - trying to replicate how a child or a baby animal learns.

That differs to LLMs, which are fed vast amounts of existing data, and then asked to generate a result based on the data and a prompt.

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Prof LeCun will still have a relationship with Meta once he sets up his new company, he said - adding in posts about his departure it would be a partner of his new firm.

But reports suggest he has been increasingly moving away from the approach the company wants to take.

Unlike his fellow AI godfathers Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, Prof LeCun has cast doubt on the idea AI might pose an existential threat to humanity.

In 2023, he called such fears "preposterously ridiculous".

"Will AI take over the world? No, this is a projection of human nature on machines," he told the BBC.

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But some have also questioned Prof LeCun's characterisation as an outlier or visionary in the industry.

"Yann LeCun has, without a doubt made genuine contributions to AI, and I am pleased to see him speak out again the limits on LLMs," said AI expert and professor Gary Marcus in a recent blog.

"But he has also systematically dismissed and ignored the work of others for years," he added, including himself among those whose work he suggested Prof LeCun had often overlooked.

[BBC]

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Concept and configuration of 3D necroprinting. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw9953

When it comes to innovation, engineers have long proved to be brilliant copycats, drawing inspiration directly from nature. But now some scientists are moving beyond simple imitation to incorporating natural materials into their designs. Stuck for ideas on how to create ultra-fine, low-cost 3D printing nozzles, researchers at McGill University in Canada repurposed the proboscis of a deceased female mosquito to create a sustainable, high-resolution 3D printing tip.

The work is published in the journal Science Advances.

High-resolution 3D printing is a process that creates three-dimensional objects with extremely fine details and very smooth surfaces. The technology is used in numerous fields such as aerospace, dentistry and biomedical research. However, its level of precision comes at a steep cost. The tiny nozzles can cost more than $80 per tip and are made of metal or plastic, both of which are nonbiodegradable.

Proof of extrusion capabilities of the female mosquito proboscis dispense tip extruding Cellink Start, a commercially available bio ink used for DIW bio printing. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw9953

Repurposing nature

The McGill University researchers first explored traditional engineering solutions, but couldn't find a cost-effective, high-resolution, biodegradable nozzle. So they tasked a graduate student with finding an organ in nature that could serve as a tip.

After considering various structures such as insect stingers, snake fangs, and plant xylem vessels, they selected the female mosquito's proboscis.

This complex, multi-part feeding tube was the ideal candidate for several reasons. Its inner diameter is 20 micrometers, which is about 100% finer than the best commercially available tips. The stiff, nearly straight shape is perfect for stable printing, and the tube is strong enough to withstand the internal pressure of approximately 60 kilopascals before rupturing, sufficient for injecting thick bio-inks. And, of course, it is biodegradable.

Demo of 3D Necroprinting showing the fabrication of a 3D honeycomb structure. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw9953

The team tested their "bio-nozzle" by building a custom 3D printer, called a 3D necroprinter. They mounted the mosquito proboscis on a standard dispensing tip and used it to deposit specialized bioinks.

The biggest challenge they had to overcome was the proboscis's low mechanical strength, which they did by testing it until it burst to create a safe operational guideline.

They then successfully printed bioscaffolds used to support cell growth and high-resolution microstructures with line widths as fine as 20 micrometers (about the width of half a human hair).

Process window and printed microstructures of 3D necroprinting. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw9953

From the lab to the real world

The successful test shows that nature can serve as both an inspiration and a source of materials for next-generation technologies.

"By introducing biotic materials as viable substitutes to complex engineered components, this work paves the way for sustainable and innovative solutions in advanced manufacturing and microengineering," write the scientists in their paper.

Among the next steps for the team is to look at other possible natural micro-dispense tips that offer greater strength or finer resolution. They also want to investigate how 3D necroprinting can be used in the real world, particularly in sustainable manufacturing and biomedical research.

Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Justin Puma et al, 3D necroprinting: Leveraging biotic material as the nozzle for 3D printing, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw9953 Journal information: Science Advances

 2025 Science X Network
Threat actors with ties to Iran engaged in cyber warfare as part of efforts to facilitate and enhance physical, real-world attacks, a trend that Amazon has called cyber-enabled kinetic targeting.

The development is a sign that the lines between state-sponsored cyber attacks and kinetic warfare are increasingly blurring, necessitating the need for a new category of warfare, the tech giant's threat intelligence team said in a report shared with The Hacker News.

While traditional cybersecurity frameworks have treated digital and physical threats as separate domains, CJ Moses, CISO of Amazon Integrated Security, said these delineations are artificial and that nation-state threat actors are engaging in cyber reconnaissance activity to enable kinetic targeting.

"These aren't just cyber attacks that happen to cause physical damage; they are coordinated campaigns where digital operations are specifically designed to support physical military objectives," Moses added.

As an example, Amazon said it observed Imperial Kitten (aka Tortoiseshell), a hacking group assessed to be affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), conducting digital reconnaissance between December 2021 and January 2024, targeting a ship's Automatic Identification System (AIS) platform with the goal of gaining access to critical shipping infrastructure.

Subsequently, the threat actor was identified as attacking additional maritime vessel platforms, in one case even gaining access to CCTV cameras fitted on a maritime vessel that provided real-time visual intelligence.

The attack progressed to a targeted intelligence gathering phase on January 27, 2024, when Imperial Kitten carried out targeted searches for AIS location data for a specific shipping vessel. Merely days later, that same vessel was targeted by an unsuccessful missile strike carried out by Iranian-backed Houthi militants.

The Houthi forces have been attributed to a string of missile attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea in support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in its war with Israel. On February 1, 2024, the Houthi movement in Yemen claimed it had struck a U.S. merchant ship named KOI with "several appropriate naval missiles."

"This case demonstrates how cyber operations can provide adversaries with the precise intelligence needed to conduct targeted physical attacks against maritime infrastructure  a critical component of global commerce and military logistics," Moses said.

Another case study concerns MuddyWater, a threat actor linked to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), that established infrastructure for a cyber network operation in May 2025, and later used that server a month later to access another compromised server containing live CCTV streams from Jerusalem to gather real-time visual intelligence of potential targets.

On June 23, 2025, around the time Iran launched widespread missile attacks against the city, the Israel National Cyber Directorate disclosed that "Iranians have been trying to connect to cameras to understand what happened and where their missiles hit to improve their precision."

To pull off these multi-layered attacks, the threat actors are said to have routed their traffic through anonymizing VPN services to obscure their true origins and complicate attribution efforts. The findings serve to highlight that espionage-focused attacks can ultimately be a launchpad for kinetic targeting.

"Nation-state actors are recognizing the force multiplier effect of combining digital reconnaissance with physical attacks," Amazon said. "This trend represents a fundamental evolution in warfare, where the traditional boundaries between cyber and kinetic operations are dissolving."
(TBTCO) - Von vay nuoc ngoai cua Chinh phu, ac biet la von ODA va von vay uu ai a va ang tiep tuc ong vai tro quan trong oi voi phat trien kinh te - xa hoi, au tu ket cau ha tang, giao duc ao tao, khoa hoc cong nghe va chuyen oi so cua at nuoc. Tuy nhien, nghiep vu cho vay lai hien nay van con mot so kho khan
Graduate programs to prepare counselors serving children with disabilities

ORANGEBURG, S.C.  South Carolina State University has been awarded a second $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to expand graduate-level counselor training focused on Trauma-Informed Counseling School Services (TICSS) for children and adolescents with disabilities.

The new award builds on the success of SC States first OSERS-funded initiative, the Counseling Children and Adolescents with Disabilities (C-CAD) program, which has been funded again for 20252026. Together, the two projects total $2.5 million to prepare highly qualified counselors to serve children experiencing mental health, trauma, and disability-related challenges.

Expanded support for graduate counselor training

The TICSS project will prepare graduate students to provide trauma-informed counseling services for school-aged youth affected by trauma and disability. Six scholars will receive full scholarships covering tuition, fees, and an 11-month cost-of-living stipend while completing a masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or Counselor Education. Scholars also will receive specialized training in school-based trauma-informed counseling practices.

The C-CAD program likewise will continue to provide full scholarships for six students pursuing a masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or Counselor Education with training focused on counseling children and adolescents with disabilities. With the addition of the TICSS scholars, a total of 12 students will receive full financial support to obtain masters degrees and specialty credentials.

Faculty leadership and community impact

This continued funding from the U.S. Department of Education underscores the national importance of preparing counselors who are trauma-informed and culturally responsive, said Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten, professor and project director for both grants. These programs strengthen our capacity to train the next generation of professionals who will serve children, families, and schools across South Carolina and beyond.

The C-CAD and TICSS projects are housed in SC States Department of Human Services in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Both align with the OSERS Personnel Preparation Priority (ALN 84.325M), which supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions in developing personnel to serve children with disabilities in school and community settings.

Strengthening partnerships and preparing the workforce

This achievement is another proud moment for South Carolina State University, said SC State President Alexander Conyers. The continued investment from the U.S. Department of Education underscores our universitys national reputation for preparing highly skilled, compassionate professionals who strengthen schools and communities. These grants reflect our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change across South Carolina and beyond.

The programs also continue SC States partnerships with Orangeburg Mental Health, Orangeburg County School District, and the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, ensuring real-world training opportunities and professional placements for graduates in mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and school counseling settings.

The recognition of SC State through this additional federal funding reinforces the academic excellence and leadership of South Carolina State University, said Dr. Fredrick Evans, vice president for academic affairs. It highlights the dedication of our counseling faculty and the quality of our graduate programs in preparing professionals who meet the evolving needs of our schools and communities.

For details about the Rehabilitation Counseling or Counselor Education graduate programs or scholarship opportunities, email Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten at bhollis@scsu.edu.
You ever notice how more employees are basically working two jobs for a few weeks when they 
FRANCONIA, N.H.  For more than two decades, Susan Bushby, 70, a housekeeper from a rural ski town in New Hampshire's White Mountains, took comfort in knowing she had only a short drive to reach the community health center.

The medical building, on a hill overlooking town, was like a second home for Bushby and many other patients. The front desk staff knew their names and never missed a chance to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Staff photos of the wilderness that makes the place such a draw hung on the walls, and bumping into a neighbor in the waiting room was routine.

But last month, the Ammonoosuc Community Health Services location in Franconia, a town of about 1,000 people, closed for good.

Closure raises concerns

Officials blamed cuts in Medicaid, the federal program that millions of low-income Americans rely on for health care. The 1,400 patients, almost half of them older and some facing serious health challenges like cancer and early-stage dementia, must now drive at least 10 miles along rural roads to reach the nearest health center, which also is near a regional hospital. A second center is twice as far.

"I was very disturbed. I was downright angry," said Bushby, who was brought to tears as she discussed the challenges of starting over at a new health center. "I just really like it there. I don't know, I'm just really going to miss it. It's really hard for me to explain, but it's going to be sad."

The closure of the Franconia center reflects the financial struggles facing community health centers and rural health care systems more broadly amid Medicaid cuts and a feared spike in health insurance rates. The government shutdown, which ended last week, was driven by a Democratic demand to extend tax credits, which ensure low- and middle-income people can afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

Marsha Luce, whose family moved from the Washington, D.C., area in 2000, is especially concerned about the impact on her husband, 72, a former volunteer firefighter who had his left ear and part of his jaw removed due to cancer. He also has heart and memory issues.

She worries about longer waits to see his doctor and the loss of relationships built up over decades in Franconia.

Demise of rural health care

More than 100 hospitals closed over the past decade, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, a policy and advocacy group, and more than 700 more hospitals are at risk of closure. A branch of the HealthFirst Family Care Center, a facility in Canaan, N.H., also announced it would close at the end of October due in part to "changes in Medicaid reimbursement and federal funding" for these facilities.

"Because of these Medicaid cuts, we're going to see rural hospitals, in particular, hit hard," said New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat. "And obviously, the failure to extend the ACA tax credits right now is going to compound the problem.  These providers are going to see more and more uninsured patients. And that means they're going to have to make really difficult decisions."

The sustainability of the centers is critical because they serve as the nation's primary care safety net, treating patients regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.

Though federally funded community health centers like the one in Franconia expanded their reach in recent years, treating 1 in 10 Americans and 1 in 5 rural Americans, they've often done so in the face of major financial constraints, according to data from the National Association of Community Health Centers.

On average, the centers lose money  relying heavily on cash reserves, making service changes and sometimes closing locations to stay afloat, NACHC found. Nearly half have less than 90 days' cash on hand, according to the association. The future is even more bleak, with at least 2 million community health center patients expected to lose Medicaid coverage by 2034 and 2 million more who are newly uninsured turning to the centers for care.

"There's nothing left to trim without cutting into care itself," said Peter Shin, chief science officer at the association.

Tough choices for Ammonoosuc

When President Donald Trump's tax cuts and spending law passed this summer, Ammonoosuc CEO Ed Shanshala knew he was in trouble.

A meticulous planner and strategist, Shanshala projected that his network of five New Hampshire health centers  which relies on more than $2 million in federal funding out of a $12 million budget  would face a $500,000 shortfall partly due to Medicaid funding cuts. He also expected work requirements in the bill and spikes in health insurance premiums to have an effect.

He knew he needed to make cuts to save his centers and zeroed in on Franconia because the building was leased, whereas Ammonoosuc owns the other facilities.

"We're really left with no choice," Shanshala said, adding the closure would save $250,000.

"To have to pull out of a community is devastating on a relational level," he said. "People still have access to health care. We'll help them with transportation, but it's clearly a grieving process."

Most of the patients come from the small towns of Franconia, Easton, Lincoln and Sugar Hill, communities whose economies rely on hikers, skiers and leaf peepers. Many are older, sicker and more spread out than the rest of the state.

Patients like Jill Brewer, the chair of the Franconia Board of Selectmen whose family had gone there for decades, worry about the future and whether the closure signals the gradual collapse of the health care system in this part of the state.

She noted how disbanding the town's volunteer ambulance service in 2023 angered many residents.

"It definitely leaves you feeling pretty anxious that this is going to continue to kind of snowball and become an even bigger issue," she added.
AFT Pharmaceuticals (NZX: AFT , ASX: AFP) today reports a strong first-half performance for the six months to 30 September 2025, with revenue growing 33% over 1H 25 to reach a record $114.9 million as its investments for growth deliver.

Growth  the 10th consecutive period of first half-year revenue increasing against the same period of the prior year since listing on the NZX  was led by Australia and was supported by the strong performance of Asian and International markets, which have now fully recovered from the one-off disruptions in 1H 25.

AFT continues to make good progress advancing the development of our International business hubs in markets that share similar characteristics with its highly successful Australasian operations. It has also advanced the companys research and development (R&D) portfolio, and its active out and in-licensing programs which continue to position the company for long term growth.

AFT remains focused on delivering against its target of $300 million revenue for the FY 27 financial year, while balancing disciplined investment to support long-term value creation.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Half-year operating revenue rises 33% to $114.9 million1, reflecting strong growth in Australia, the benefits of a recovery from the one-off disruptions of 1H 25 and strong growth in Asia and International markets

 EBITDA2 of $6.6 million and operating profit of $4.7 million up from prior period losses amid ongoing investment in International business hubs and R&D. Net profit after tax of $2.7 million

1 All comparisons are to the six months to 30 September 2024 unless otherwise stated.

2 EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure of performance. It is defined and reconciled to GAAP measures on page [XX] of the investor presentation released to the NZX and ASX today.

2

 Balance sheet remains strong with net debt of $20.9 million3 within target range

 Licensing: multiple out-licensing agreements executed in the period; pipeline of further agreements and term sheets progressing, including the licensing of our novel IV iron formulation in China

 R&D: positive progress across late-stage assets, including the IV iron programme, antibiotic eyedrop and topical strawberry birthmark candidates

 Outlook: on track to deliver FY 26 operating profit guidance of $20 million to $24 million and to further advance the multi-year growth strategy

A video of AFT Pharmaceuticals Co-Founder and Managing Director Dr Hartley Atkinson discussing these results can be found at the following link: https://youtu.be/1o4LxkcAQ9g

AFT Pharmaceuticals Chair David Flacks said: This first-half result demonstrates continued execution against our strategy and the impact of a return to normalised trading conditions in Asia and in our international business.

We have continued to invest in the portfolio and in our international platforms to support a larger, more diversified and resilient AFT. That focus  on disciplined growth and long-term value creation  remains unchanged as we progress towards our FY27 revenue target of $300 million.

Dr Atkinson said: We have seen solid performance across all regions with results being particularly pleasing in our largest market, Australia. I am also delighted with the progress we are making in our International markets and in the development our own innovative intellectual property.

We expect our business hubs in the United Kingdom and South Africa to begin to contribute to earnings in the second half of the year, validating the potential we see in these markets and our investment in them.

We meanwhile are seeing continuing strong interest in our development portfolio with an out-licensing agreement for our novel iron therapy secured in China, the worlds second largest pharma market after the end of the period. We are excited about the expanding prospects for our company.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Revenue grew by 33% to $114.9 million from $86.7 million in 1H 25. Growth was driven by the Australian business, up 31% to $66.5 million with solid performances across key OTC and pharmacy brands and continued uptake in prescription medicines.

3 This figure excludes related party loans

3

It was also supported by an improving contribution from the International business (up 133% to $12.9 million) and Asia (up 69% to $7.5 million) as the one-off factors that affected 1H25 trading  a doctors strike in Korea and international customer de-stocking  were resolved in 2H 25.

Gross margin was 43.2%, reflecting a small increase in margin from product sales and royalties and $1.8m additional license income on commercial sales.

Operating expenses increased 18% as the company continued to fund growth initiatives from its own resources, including: (i) start-up and scaling costs for the business hubs in North America, the UK/Europe and South Africa; (ii) brand and market entry investments to support recent and upcoming launches; and (iii) higher R&D expenses to advance late-stage projects.

The resulting operating profit was $4.7 million, up $6.5 million from a $1.8 million loss in 1H 25. EBITDA was $6.6 million, up $7.3 million from a $0.7 million loss in 1H 25. Net profit after tax was $2.7 million from a $2.5 million loss in 1H 25.

Further information on the performance in the regions is provided in the FY 26 Interim Report and Investor Presentation released in conjunction with these results.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

R&D expenditure (expensed and capitalised) in the half year was $9.5 million up from $8.9 million in 1H 25 as we advanced a diversified portfolio of development projects spanning pain, dermatology and eyecare. We also made notable progress across several late-stage programmes:

 Intravenous iron: Following the positive Phase III trial, AFT and its development partners are now preparing to commence a large global Phase III confirmatory study of ~1,000 patients. Two additional patent applications have been filed to further protect the asset.

 Antibiotic eyedrop: The pre-IND application4 has been filed with the US FDA, with IND submission targeted early next financial year to enable first-in-human studies. The product seeks to address drug-resistant ocular infections for which registered therapies are limited. Current treatments are primarily prepared by compounding pharmacies which is not desirable, especially for eyecare products where full GMP sterility is a crucial factor.

 Topical strawberry birthmarks: The pre-IND has been prepared and filed; FDA feedback has been received which guides the IND submission pathway and Phase I, II and III study designs.

 Maxigesic IV paediatric: We are preparing to commence a Maxigesic IV study for paediatric populations, following FDA approval of our paediatric study

4 IND: Investigational New Drug application.

4

plan. Our medicine offers a new option for pain care in children, who have fewer safe and effective options for managing pain compared to adults, particularly in hospital settings.

We have progressed out-licensing discussions  securing five agreements in the 1H 26 period. A key achievement has been the out-licensing agreement for our novel IV iron therapy for China5 which was secured after the 1H 26 period.

The agreement, with Chengdu-based Grand Life Sciences Group, a top five Chinese pharmaceutical company by sales revenue, features upfront, development and sales milestone payments as well as recurring royalties. This revenue will be shared between AFT and its development partners. Grand Life Sciences will also contribute to funding the global clinical development program.

We also advanced our in-licensing programme to deepen our product portfolio. A number of products in-licensed are now either in registration or are being prepared for regulatory filing. In many cases we have secured in-licensing across multiple territories to include the AFT business hubs, further advancing the leverage we gain from these activities.

Collectively, the R&D and business development programmes will support multiple launches over the next several years, broadening our product portfolio and increasing both the size and the diversity of revenue through direct sales and through licensing and royalty income.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AFT continues to direct significant effort towards the development of sales in the international business hubs, which share the characteristics of our highly successful Australasian operations.

United Kingdom

We are pleased with the progress we are making in this market and expect operations to reach breakeven in the second half of this current financial year. We continue to focus upon growing the Combogesic tablets and IV brands.

A recent success has been the addition of Combogesic IV to the formulary of London Northwest University Healthcare NHS Trust. This trust covers Ealing Hospital and the Northwick Park Hospital, which hosts the UKs largest and busiest Accident and Emergency Department. A significant number of regulatory filings are underway for both AFT proprietary products and new products we have in-licensed to the UK, supporting a strong product launch pipeline.

5 Licensing negotiations enabled by Ms Hong Xie, Pharma China Consulting

5

Canada:

We launched our first product, Combogesic IV in 1H 26 and we are planning additional launches in 2H 26. Our team, led by experienced Canadian pharma executive, Sylvain Desjeans, is now fully operational. We continue to work on a significant number of regulatory filings in the 2H 26 time period in order to further expand our product portfolio in Canada.

South Africa:

We accelerated our product launch schedule in this market from four to eighteen products in the latter part of this financial year with this increase related to acquiring some additional product licenses. This will significantly accelerate sales growth in the next financial year. The business is expected to start to contribute to group earnings in 2H 26. Our South African team is in place, led by experienced South African pharma executive, Deon Hall.

BALANCE SHEET

AFT remains well funded, with net debt of $20.9 million at 30 September 2025 ($18.9 million, 30 September 2024), within our target leverage range and reflecting continued investment in growth. Discussions on renewal of the banking facility are well advanced. Inventory was $58 million, managed prudently against normalising supply chains and the anticipated launches in the second half.

OUTLOOK

Consistent with prior years, AFT expects second half sales and earnings to be greater than the first half of FY 26 supported by a strong programme of launches in International markets, continued expansion in the Australasian portfolio, and increasing contributions from the companys international business hubs as they scale.

AFT remains focused on disciplined execution: converting R&D progress into value through clinical and regulatory milestones; advancing out-licensing to monetise our IP; and deepening in-licensing to add attractive, strategically aligned products in priority markets.

Our R&D and international expansion efforts come at the expense of short-term earnings, but they will support the extension of AFTs decades-long record of delivering uninterrupted growth and shareholder value creation. They will also deliver the product and geographic diversification that underpins the resilience of the business.

AFT remains on track to deliver a FY 26 operating profit within the previously outlined range of $20 million to $24 million. The company also reiterates its confidence in its pathway to $300 million annual revenue in FY 27, supported by

6

the launch schedule, our licensing programme, the scaling of international hubs and continued geographic expansion.

Released for and on behalf of AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited by Malcolm Tubby, Chief Financial Officer.

For more information

Investors Media Dr Hartley Atkinson Richard Inder

Managing Director The Project

AFT Pharmaceuticals Tel: +64 21 645 643

Tel: +64 9 488 0232

About AFT Pharmaceuticals

AFT is a growing New Zealand-based multinational pharmaceutical company that develops, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of medicines across OTC, prescription and hospital channels. The portfolio comprises proprietary and in-licensed products across pain management, dermatology, eyecare, allergy, gastro and other categories. AFT commercialises products directly in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the US, Canada, the EU (ex Ireland) and the UK, and out-licenses to partners in more than 125 countries.

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On November 20, the Vietnam Musicians' Association held a press briefing to announce details of the upcoming fourth Asia-Europe New Music Festival, scheduled to take place from November 27 to December 1, 2025, in Hanoi.

Following its previous editions in 2014, 2016, and 2018, the festival has gained international traction, drawing over 200 artists from more than 40 countries at each event. This year, the scale is further expanded, with nearly 300 delegates and artists from both Vietnam and abroad.

Participating countries and territories include Russia, Tatarstan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Adygea, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, China, Australia, and Laos.

On the Vietnamese side, key institutions will take part, including the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, and the Military University of Culture and Arts.

A tribute to young Vietnamese creativity

Musician Do Hong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations. Photo: CTV

Do Hong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, emphasized that this years festival will feature a dedicated concert evening honoring young Vietnamese composers. This is an opportunity to recognize a new generation of artists who, despite receiving modern training and having a forward-thinking approach, remain grounded in the country's traditional musical heritage.

According to Quan, all compositions presented at the festival are purely original creations by the authors themselves. The organizing committee ruled out the use of artificial intelligence and technology in composition, citing concerns that such techniques can expose a lack of artistic depth and are incompatible with academic musical standards.

The festival gives priority to works that draw from traditional Vietnamese folk material while interpreting them in a contemporary spirit.

The Asia-Europe New Music Festival 2025 will be hosted across three venues: the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the Military University of Culture and Arts, and the Heritage Park in Cao Phong (Phu Tho Province).

The program includes symphonic concerts, chamber music, and song performances.

The opening ceremony is set for 8 p.m. on November 27 at the Grand Concert Hall of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, featuring a symphony concert by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra.

Subsequent days will include international chamber music concerts, a showcase of works by young Vietnamese composers, a concert by the Moscow Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, an arts exchange event in Phu Tho, and a closing ceremony on December 1.

The festival will also include several specialized sessions, such as a lecture by Professor Deqing Wen on East-West instrument integration (November 28), an orchestral conducting masterclass with conductor Borja Quintas (November 28), and a chamber music performance workshop by the Moscow Contemporary Chamber Orchestra (December 2).

Tinh Le
Dr. Tran Trong Dao, President of TDTU, welcomes Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil and the high-level Czech delegation.

On November 19, 2025, during his state visit to Vietnam marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milos Vystrcil visited Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) in Ho Chi Minh City.

As part of the official program, the Czech Senate President ceremoniously presented commemorative medals to two educators from TDTU for their outstanding contributions in education and for fostering academic ties between the two nations.

The two honored recipients were Dr. Tran Trong Dao, President of Ton Duc Thang University, and Dr. Phan Dao, Director of the universitys European Cooperation Center.

Czech Senate President awards a commemorative medal for outstanding contributions in education and bilateral cooperation to Dr. Tran Trong Dao, President of TDTU.

Czech Senate President awards a commemorative medal to Dr. Phan Dao, Director of the European Cooperation Center at TDTU.

Mr. Milos Vystrcil, President of the Czech Senate, gives a lecture on the topic "Europe and Asia" and interacts with TDTU students.

Czech Senate President presents flowers to the university's leadership and faculty on the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20.

During his remarks, Milos Vystrcil praised TDTUs efforts in promoting academic exchange programs, scientific research collaborations, and education partnerships with higher education institutions in the Czech Republic. He emphasized that TDTU is one of the most active and effective Vietnamese universities in partnering with Czech institutions, significantly contributing to the deepening of traditional friendship between the two countries.

The Senate President also engaged in discussions with TDTU faculty and students about opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and innovation. He expressed hope for expanding student exchange programs between the two nations in the near future.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Tran Trong Dao expressed his deep appreciation for President Vystrcil's decision to visit and speak at the university. He emphasized the significance of the event coinciding with the celebration of Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20, 1982  November 20, 2025), making it even more meaningful for the universitys academic community. Dr. Dao affirmed TDTUs commitment to continuing the development of joint academic programs, research, and expanding international cooperation networks - particularly with universities and educational institutions in the Czech Republic.

The event marked a significant milestone in reaffirming Ton Duc Thang University's role in advancing educational and scientific cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic. It also highlighted the institutions contribution to nurturing a long-lasting friendship between the two countries.

PV
November 20, 2025: The U.S. Army has learned to collect useful experiences and collect them in the CALL/Center for Army Lessons Learned database. This process began in the 1970s, as many American army officers realized that U.S. troops had, many times in the past, faced situations similar to Vietnam and solved similar problems. If the army had remembered those past experiences and used a proven solution as they went into Vietnam there would have been fewer U.S. and Vietnamese casualties and a quicker resolution to the war.

Then there was the development of the OODA Loop. During World War II, when the enemy developed a new weapon or tactic, the speed with which you could analyze it and come up with an effective countermeasure was a matter of life or death as well as victory or defeat. The speed of analysis and quickness of response was expressed more vividly in the 1960s by John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force officer. Boyd demonstrated how the speed of assessing a combat situation, developing a plan, and executing it was decisive in all forms of combat. Boyd came up with the OODA/ Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act loop, which could be applied to air, naval and ground combat. This made sense to World War II veterans who had witnessed the OODA loop in action. It resonated with the Russians as well because superior speed with OODA was a German specialty which the Russians never mastered as well as the Germans did during World War II. By the 1980s some Russian theorists saw computers as a possible solution. Again, the West had a technological edge and from the end of the Cold War and into the 21st Century it was Westerners who made all this work in combat.

Russia never caught up or caught on to how vulnerable it was to opponents who worked the OODA cycle faster than they did. This was demonstrated in Ukraine and Russian military and political leaders are still having a hard time accepting this OODA reality. This became a problem for American military advisors working overseas, who frequently had solutions for problems encountered by foreign commanders they were supporting, but the real problem was local culture and resistance to change, especially the American emphasis on high-speed warfare and the need to quickly adopt new tactics to prevail.

Meanwhile Islamic terrorists were on the receiving end of many of these innovations and the survivors learned to adapt. The impact of high-speed warfare was demonstrated after September 11, 2001, when American forces used computerized data mining and analysis to speed up their OODA loops during counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and elsewhere. Sunni terrorists quickly learned that if an American raid was accompanied by intelligence specialists carrying biometric tools and communication links to huge databases of information on known terrorists and their organizations, there would quickly be additional raids. A few new names found on one raid would spawn additional raids and within 24 hours large terrorist operations could be rolled up. Microsoft contributed by developing a USB drive that could quickly extract useful data from a laptop while rough but effective machine translation of many Arabic documents could quickly provide more leads, locations and who or what to look for.

And then there was CALL/Center for Army Lessons Learned. The poor performance of the Russian military in Ukraine during its 2022 invasion was not a surprise to everyone. Journalists, politicians in general and the Russians were taken by surprise but military historians, the U.S. Army and the Ukrainian military were not. Thats because the American army finally realized, in the 1980s, that a fundamental problem in warfare was not paying attention to what had worked in the past and why. Those who possess this predictive capability also know that its best to keep quiet about what they know because the enemy will adapt once the shooting starts, and some foes do that rather quickly. Most do not because admitting you were wrong is something senior military commanders tend to resist.

A fundamental element in improving ground operations is analyzing past battles for what went right and what went wrong. The U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned has been around since the 1980s, and U.S. commanders use it to determine what works in combat and what doesn't. This is more important than ever in the 21st century, where urban combat and counter-insurgency conflicts dominate. In urban warfare and counter-insurgency, the potential for mistakes to be made is exponentially larger than in conventional, large-scale warfare.

Instead of hogging their experts, the US Army takes the data collected and analyzed at the CALL and supplies it to allied armies in the hope these allies will use this information. This sharing is more than just a gesture of goodwill. This does not always work, especially in countries where corruption and reluctance to change makes it difficult to make changes that will improve combat effectiveness. This cultural resistance was encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan but not in Ukraine, where the Ukrainians adapted while their enemy did not.

CALL is divided into several major sections. The first collects data from previous engagements by interviewing and visiting with units in the field. This section is tasked with discovering issues and areas of needed improvement in doctrine, training and readiness. The Analysis Section deals with evaluating the data collected and assessing the methods needed to improve effectiveness and combat efficiency. Finally, the Information Integration Section is responsible for processing and distributing the suggestions and findings from the previous two departments.

The CALL is sometimes seen by other branches of the Army as a group of desk-bound analysts, but their suggestions and changes implemented in counter-insurgency and urban warfare tactics played a major role in maximizing the effectiveness of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Persuading the local military to change was often less successful.

Without something like CALL, doctrine and tactics rarely change. On-site CALL operatives visited nearly every single major combat zone in Iraq and Afghanistan. CALL personnel also spent significant time with Iraqi Special Forces and were an integral part of the development process for the country's military and police. Call analysts also report on who is accepting and acting on their advance and who isnt. The resistance to change was and remains a major problem in Iraq, Afghanistan and, we now know, in Russia.

Because of CALL and similar efforts by the U.S. Army Special Forces, American military advisors headed overseas are given a briefing on the culture they will be dealing with and how to deal with various types of obstacles. The army maintains a database of lessons learned that can be searched by region as well as situation. A major contributor to this database are army Special Forces troops, whose training concentrates on local customs and traditions and how to work within that. Thats why the Special Forces are organized around regional specialization. Special Forces operators learn the languages and customs of one region and usually spend their entire career working in that region. This Special Forces technique was learned from World War II experience where many of the founding members of Special Forces in the early 1950s had worked for OSS /Office of Special Operations, an organization created to deal with contacting, communicating with and supporting local resistance groups in German or Japanese controlle

It took decades before the American military and foreign services learned how to use these new intelligence and operational capabilities. Tradition again, but by the 1980s the military services cooperated in creating SOCOM (Special Operations Command) so that they all could benefit from what the OSS and Special Forces have developed. It took decades for most American military commanders to accept the findings and suggestions from CALL and SOCOM. Initially many senior American officers saw Special Forces and CALL operatives as a bunch of oddballs spouting nonsense.

Another factor in the development of more effective tactics was the realization, during World War II, that when the enemy developed a new weapon or tactic, the speed with which you could analyze it and come up with an effective countermeasure was a matter of life or death as well as victory or defeat. The speed of analysis and quickness of response was expressed more vividly in the 1960s by John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force officer. Boyd demonstrated how the speed of assessing a combat situation, developing a plan and executing it was decisive in all forms of combat. Boyd came up with the OODA/observe, orient, decide, and act loop, which could be applied to air, naval and ground combat. This made sense to World War II veterans who had witnessed the OODA loop in action. It resonated with the Russians as well because superior speed with OODA was a German specialty which the Russians never mastered as well as the Germans did during World War II. But by the 1980s some Russian theorists saw computers as a possible solu

This became a problem for American military advisors working overseas, who frequently had solutions for problems encountered by foreign commanders they were supporting, but the real problem was local culture and resistance to change, especially the American emphasis on high-speed warfare and need to quickly adopt new tactics to prevail.

Meanwhile Islamic terrorists were on the receiving end of many of these innovations and the survivors learned to adapt. The impact of high-speed warfare was demonstrated after September 11, 2001, when American forces used computerized data mining and analysis to speed up their OODA loops during counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and elsewhere. Sunni terrorists quickly learned that if an American raid was accompanied by intelligence specialists carrying biometric tools and comm links to huge databases of information on known terrorists and their organizations, there would quickly be additional raids. A few new names found on one raid would spawn additional raids and within 24 hours large terrorist operations could be rolled up. Microsoft contributed by developing a thumb drive that could quickly extract useful data from a laptop while rough but effective machine translation of many Arabic documents could quickly provide more leads, locations and who or what to look for.

The Ukrainian military did not accept much change after Ukraine became independent of the Soviet Union, and Russia, in 1991. The Ukrainians had to accept the fact that they could not afford to maintain a large peacetime military. Russias seizure of Crimea and Donbas in 2014 was a wakeup call. The Russians had used KGB tactics, developed during the decades of communist rule that often used subversion and surprise to overthrow vulnerable governments. This included most East European countries who spent four decades under communist rule and Russian influence because of these tactics. The Russians tried to use these methods in Ukraine after 2000 and ran into resistance from many Ukrainians. After 2014 more Ukrainians were willing to accept advice from the Americans, who sent special forces and military advisors versed in CALL knowledge and were willing to share it with Ukrainians who were prepared to adapt. Initially it was Ukrainian military leaders and eventually political leaders, like current Ukrainian pres

What happened in 2014 scared Ukrainians because they had agreements with Russia that were supposed to keep Ukraine intact. The Russians violated their written promises and the Ukrainians realized they had to prepare for the worst, which the Russians were openly discussing. The worst came in February 2022 when Russia invaded. The Ukrainians had changed and adapted while the Russians had not. The result was a striking Russian defeat which many Russian leaders still dont understand. The most important lesson was that you dont invade a neighboring country expecting your attack if they are better prepared to deal with it. The Ukrainians had developed new tactics and used new weapons to defeat the invasion. Most Russian troops were not told they were conducting an invasion because their officers were assured that there would not be any effective resistance. There was effective resistance so many Russian troops abandoned their armored vehicles and fled once they realized what they were up against. That resulted i

The Ukrainians quickly developed procedures to adapt their vehicles to their own use with new insignia and some new communications equipment. The Ukrainians also used their newly acquired tanks more effectively than their former owners. Ukraine, like the Russians, still used the same Cold War era tanks as the Russians, but were more aware of the vulnerabilities of these Russian designed tanks. For example, even the Russians didnt realize how vulnerable their tanks were to turret penetration by anti-tank weapons. Russia had made some changes to defeat the Western Cold War development of top attack anti-tank weapons. These weapons were not used against Russian attacks often enough, until 2022, to demonstrate that Russian tanks were extremely vulnerable because Russian tanks had been using an auto-loader since the late 1960s. This replaced the human loader but put a dozen or more tank gun rounds in the turret at all times. If one of those rounds was detonated by an anti-tank weapon penetrating the turret, all

The Russians officially called their invasion a special operation meant to liberate the Ukrainians from neo-Nazi and NATO influence. Most Russian troops soon realized that the Ukrainians were both more enthusiastic, determined to defend their country from foreign invaders, and wanted to join NATO to discourage further Russian attacks.

Government corruption and inept military leadership meant the Russian troops were poorly supplied with food, medical care and ammunition. New recruits were not trained or paid the cash bonuses promised. Troop morale plummeted because of this and soon Russia found it could not obtain enough troops to keep the special operation going. The Ukrainians went on the offensive in late August and rapidly drove the Russians out of much of the Ukrainian territory they had conquered in 2014 and early 2022. The Russian government did not want to admit they were losing but were unable to convince enough Russian soldiers to resist or Russians and Ukrainian collaborators living in the occupied territories to stay. The civilians fled and the Russian troops numbers dwindled All this had nothing to do with foreign observers asserting that tanks were obsolete and warfare had changed dramatically. Neither was true but the reality was less newsworthy so the situation was not reported accurately. The Ukrainians kept attacking Rus

November 20, 2025: The U.S. Army has learned to collect useful experiences and collect them in the CALL/Center for Army Lessons Learned database. This process began in the 1970s, as many American army officers realized that U.S. troops had, many times in the past faced situations similar to Vietnam and solved similar problems. If the army had remembered those past experiences and used proven solution as they went into Vietnam there would have been fewer U.S. and Vietnamese casualties and a quicker resolution to the war.

Then there was the development of the OODA Loop. During World War II, when the enemy developed a new weapon or tactic, the speed with which you could analyze it and come up with an effective countermeasure was a matter of life or death as well as victory or defeat. The speed of analysis and quickness of response was expressed more vividly in the 1960s by John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force officer. Boyd demonstrated how the speed of assessing a combat situation, developing a plan, and executing it was decisive in all forms of combat. Boyd came up with the OODA/ Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act loop, which could be applied to air, naval and ground combat. This made sense to World War II veterans who had witnessed the OODA loop in action. It resonated with the Russians as well because superior speed with OODA was a German specialty which the Russians never mastered as well as the Germans did during World War II. By the 1980s some Russian theorists saw computers as a possible solution. Again, the West had a technological edge and from the end of the Cold War and into the 21st Century it was Westerners who made all this work in combat.

Russia never caught up or caught on to how vulnerable it was to opponents who worked the OODA cycle faster than they did. This was demonstrated in Ukraine and Russian military and political leaders are still having a hard time accepting this OODA reality. This became a problem for American military advisors working overseas, who frequently had solutions for problems encountered by foreign commanders they were supporting, but the real problem was local culture and resistance to change, especially the American emphasis on high-speed warfare and the need to quickly adopt new tactics to prevail.

Meanwhile Islamic terrorists were on the receiving end of many of these innovations and the survivors learned to adapt. The impact of high-speed warfare was demonstrated after September 11, 2001, when American forces used computerized data mining and analysis to speed up their OODA loops during counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and elsewhere. Sunni terrorists quickly learned that if an American raid was accompanied by intelligence specialists carrying biometric tools and communication links to huge databases of information on known terrorists and their organizations, there would quickly be additional raids. A few new names found on one raid would spawn additional raids and within 24 hours large terrorist operations could be rolled up. Microsoft contributed by developing a USB drive that could quickly extract useful data from a laptop while rough but effective machine translation of many Arabic documents could quickly provide more leads, locations and who or what to look for.

And then there was CALL/ Center for Army Lessons Learned. The poor performance of the Russian military in Ukraine during its 2022 invasion was not a surprise to everyone. Journalists, politicians in general and the Russians were taken by surprise but military historians, the U.S. Army and the Ukrainian military were not. Thats because the American army finally realized, in the 1980s, that a fundamental problem in warfare was not paying attention to what had worked in the past and why. Those who possess this predictive capability also know that its best to keep quiet about what they know because the enemy will adapt once the shooting starts and some foes do that rather quickly. Most do not because admitting you were wrong is something most senior military commanders resist.

A fundamental element in improving ground operations is analyzing past battles for what went right and what went wrong. The U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned has been around since the 1980s, and U.S. commanders use it to determine what works in combat and what doesn't. This is more important than ever in the 21st century, where urban combat and counter-insurgency conflicts dominate. In urban warfare and counter-insurgency, the potential for mistakes to be made is exponentially larger than in conventional, large-scale warfare.

Instead of hogging their experts, the US Army takes the data collected and analyzed at the CALL and supplies it to allied armies in the hope these allies will use this information. This sharing is more than just a gesture of goodwill. This does not always work, especially in countries where corruption and reluctance to change makes it difficult to make changes that will improve combat effectiveness. This cultural resistance was encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan but not in Ukraine, where the Ukrainians adapted while their enemy did not.

CALL is divided into several major sections. The first collects data from previous engagements, by interviewing and visiting with units in the field. This section is tasked with discovering issues and areas of needed improvement in doctrine, training and readiness. The Analysis Section deals with evaluating the data collected and assessing the methods needed to improve effectiveness and combat efficiency. Finally, the Information Integration Section is responsible for processing and distributing the suggestions and findings from the previous two departments.

The CALL is sometimes seen by other branches of the Army as a group of desk-bound analysts, but their suggestions and changes implemented in counter-insurgency and urban warfare tactics played a major role in maximizing the effectiveness of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Persuading the local military to change was often less successful.

Without something like CALL, doctrine and tactics rarely change. On-site CALL operatives visited nearly every single major combat zone in Iraq and Afghanistan. CALL personnel also spent significant time with Iraqi Special Forces and were an integral part of the development process for the country's military and police. Call analysts also report on who is accepting and acting on their advance and who isnt. The resistance to change was and remains a major problem in Iraq, Afghanistan and, we now know, in Russia.

Because of CALL and similar efforts by the U.S. Army Special Forces, American military advisors headed overseas are given a briefing on the culture they will be dealing with and how to deal with various types of obstacles. The army maintains a database of lessons learned that can be searched by region as well as situation. A major contributor to this database is army Special Forces troops, whose training concentrates on local customs and traditions and how to work within that. Thats why the Special Forces are organized around regional specialization. Special Forces operators learn the languages and customs of one region and usually spend their entire career working in that region. This Special Forces technique was learned from World War II experience where many of the founding members of Special Forces (in the early 1950s) had worked for OSS (Office of Special Operations), an organization created to deal with contacting, communicating with and supporting local resistance groups in German or Japanese controlled territory. The success of the OSS led to the creation of the CIA and Special Forces to deal with the Cold War. This conflict, which did not end until 1991, had begun in the late 1940s when it became obvious that Soviet Russia was going to continue taking control of other nations any way it could.

It took decades before the American military and foreign service learned how to use these new intelligence and operational capabilities. Tradition again but by the 1980s the military services cooperated in creating SOCOM (Special Operations Command) so that they all could benefit from what the OSS and Special Forces have developed. It took decades for most American military commanders to accept the findings and suggestions from CALL and SOCOM. Initially many senior American officers saw Special Forces and CALL operatives as a bunch of oddballs spouting nonsense.

Another factor in the development of more effective tactics was the realization, during World War II, that when the enemy developed a new weapon or tactic, the speed with which you could analyze it and come up with an effective countermeasure was a matter of life or death as well as victory or defeat. The speed of analysis and quickness of response was expressed more vividly in the 1960s by John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force officer. Boyd demonstrated how the speed of assessing a combat situation, developing a plan and executing it was decisive in all forms of combat. Boyd came up with the OODA/observe, orient, decide, and act loop, which could be applied to air, naval and ground combat. This made sense to World War II veterans who had witnessed the OODA loop in action. It resonated with the Russians as well because superior speed with OODA was a German specialty which the Russians never mastered as well as the Germans did during World War II. But by the 1980s some Russian theorists saw computers as a possible solution. Again, the West had a technological edge and from the end of the Cold War and into the 21st Century it was Westerners who made all this work in combat. Russia never caught up, or caught on to how vulnerable to opponents who worked the OODA cycle faster than they did. This was demonstrated in Ukraine and Russian military and political leaders are still having a hard time accepting this OODA reality.

This became a problem for American military advisors working overseas, who frequently had solutions for problems encountered by foreign commanders they were supporting, but the real problem was local culture and resistance to change, especially the American emphasis on high-speed warfare and need to quickly adopt new tactics to prevail.

Meanwhile Islamic terrorists were on the receiving end of many of these innovations and the survivors learned to adapt. The impact of high-speed warfare was demonstrated after September 11, 2001, when American forces used computerized data mining and analysis to speed up their OODA loops during counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and elsewhere. Sunni terrorists quickly learned that if an American raid was accompanied by intelligence specialists carrying biometric tools and comm links to huge databases of information on known terrorists and their organizations, there would quickly be additional raids. A few new names found on one raid would spawn additional raids and within 24 hours large terrorist operations could be rolled up. Microsoft contributed by developing a thumb drive that could quickly extract useful data from a laptop while rough but effective machine translation of many Arabic documents could quickly provide more leads, locations and who or what to look for.

The Ukrainian military did not accept much change after Ukraine became independent of the Soviet Union, and Russia, in 1991. The Ukrainians had to accept the fact that they could not afford to maintain a large peacetime military. Russias seizure of Crimea and Donbas in 2014 was a wakeup call. The Russians had used KGB tactics, developed during the decades of communist rule that often used subversion and surprise to overthrow vulnerable governments. This included most East European countries who spent four decades under communist rule and Russian influence because of these tactics. The Russians tried to use these methods in Ukraine after 2000 and ran into resistance from many Ukrainians. After 2014 more Ukrainians were willing to accept advice from the Americans, who sent special forces and military advisors versed in CALL knowledge and willing to share with Ukrainians who were prepared to adapt. Initially it was Ukrainian military leaders and eventually political leaders, like current Ukrainian president Zelensky, who was elected in 2019 to make needed changes. That included lots of reforms to the Ukrainian military.

What happened in 2014 scared Ukrainians because they had agreements with Russia that were supposed to keep Ukraine intact. The Russians violated their written promises and the Ukrainians realized they had to prepare for the worst, which the Russians were openly discussing. The worst came in February 2022 when Russia invaded. The Ukrainians had changed and adapted while the Russians had not. The result was a striking Russian defeat which many Russian leaders still dont understand. The most important lesson was that you dont invade a neighboring country expecting your attack if they are better prepared to deal with it. The Ukrainians had developed new tactics and used new weapons to defeat the invasion. Most Russian troops were not told they were conducting an invasion because their officers were assured that there would not be any effective resistance. There was effective resistance and many Russian troops abandoned their armored vehicles and fled once they realized what they were up against. That resulted in about half the Russian tanks and other armored vehicles lost being abandoned intact by their crews.

The Ukrainians quickly developed procedures to adapt their vehicles to their own use with new insignia and some new communications equipment. The Ukrainians also used their newly acquired tanks more effectively than their former owners. Ukraine, like the Russians, still used the same Cold War era tanks as the Russians, but were more aware of the vulnerabilities of these Russian designed tanks. For example, even the Russians didnt realize how vulnerable their tanks were to turret penetration by anti-tank weapons. Russia had made some changes to defeat the Western Cold War development of top attack anti-tank weapons. These weapons were not used against Russian attacks often enough, until 2022, to demonstrate that Russian tanks were extremely vulnerable because Russian tanks had been using an autoloader since the late 1960s. This replaced the human loader but put a dozen or more tank gun rounds in the turret at all times. If one of those rounds was detonated by an anti-tank weapon penetrating the turret, all those ready rounds exploded, destroying the turret and the tank as well as killing the entire crew. As soon as Russian tank crews understood this, they were quick to abandon their tanks as soon as enemy fire began blowing tanks up. Western tank designers were aware of this problem and never adopted the autoloader because of it. There was never more than one shell exposed in the turret at a time. The other shells were kept in a separate armored container with blow out panels. If those protected shells exploded the armored container quickly blew apart from the inside, leaving the crew unharmed and the tank reparable.

The Russians officially called their invasion a special operation meant to liberate the Ukrainians from neo-Nazi and NATO influence. Most Russian troops soon realized that the Ukrainians were more enthusiastic and determined to defend their country from foreign invaders and wanted to join NATO to discourage Russian attacks. Government corruption and inept military leadership meant the Russian troops were poorly supplied with food, medical care and ammunition. New recruits were not trained or paid the cash bonuses promised. Troop morale plummeted because of this and soon Russia found it could not obtain enough troops to keep the special operation going. The Ukrainians went on the offensive in late August and rapidly drove the Russians out of much of the Ukrainian territory they had conquered in 2014 and early 2022. The Russian government did not want to admit they were losing but were unable to convince enough Russian soldiers to resist or Russians and Ukrainian collaborators living in the occupied territories to stay. The civilians fled and the Russian troops numbers dwindled All this had nothing to do with foreign observers asserting that tanks were obsolete and warfare had changed dramatically. Neither was true but the reality was less newsworthy so the situation was not reported accurately. The Ukrainians kept attacking Russian logistics supply lines while improving their own. This was the key to victory but made for dull headlines.
The decree comprises seven chapters with 27 articles, stipulating the establishment, legal status, operations and financial management of the national housing fund; the receipt, management and use of contributions and assistance from domestic and foreign organisations and individuals; investment activities, the creation and management of rental social housing; inspection mechanisms; and the responsibilities of the fund as well as those of ministries, sectors and local administrations.



Under the document, the Government will establish the central housing fund under the Ministry of Construction, which will oversee its operations. Provincial-level Peoples Committees will set up and manage their respective local housing funds.



The fund will operate as a public non-business unit with legal personality, its own seal, independent accounting mechanisms and charter capital, and may open accounts at the State Treasury and commercial banks.



Its purpose is to invest in the construction of social housing and integrated social housing projects complete with technical and social infrastructure for rental purposes.

The fund's purpose is to invest in the construction of social housing and integrated social housing projects. (Photo: VNA)

The fund will carry out tasks in line with its objectives; manage and utilise State budget allocations and other lawful sources in accordance with this decree and relevant regulations; and ensure the efficient and proper use of capital, land and assets assigned by the State or generated during its operations.



It is authorised to receive State budget capital, other lawful funding sources, and in-kind assets; engage in joint ventures and partnerships in accordance with this decree, regulations governing public non-business units, and relevant legislation. The fund will also coordinate with relevant bodies and units in carrying out its assigned activities, and may decline requests for information or resource use if such requests contravene legal provisions or fall outside its operational mandate./.VNA
A decades-old suspension bridge over the Da Nhim River in Lam Dong Province was torn away by floodwaters within seconds, severing vital traffic routes and isolating communities.

Around noon on November 20, local authorities in Ninh Gia Commune, Lam Dong, confirmed that the Phu Thien suspension bridge had been swept away by a surge of floodwater from upstream.

The incident occurred earlier the same morning. Fortunately, there were no people on the bridge at the time, so no injuries or casualties were reported.

The Phu Thien bridge spanned several dozen meters over the Da Nhim River and served as a critical lifeline for nearby residents. The site has since been sealed off by local agencies for safety and damage assessment.

Flood emergency worsens across Lam Dong

Phu Thien suspension bridge swept away by floodwaters in Lam Dong. Image captured from video clip.

Lam Dong is now in a state of heightened alert as flooding continues to intensify across the province. Multiple hydropower dams have increased water discharge, sending torrents downstream through the Da Nhim River system.

The combined force of upstream floodwaters and controlled dam discharge has put immense pressure on downstream areas, including the communes of Duc Trong, DRan, Ka Do, Quang Lap, Hiep Thanh, Don Duong, Nam Nung, Quang Phu, and Nam Da.

Alongside flooding, serious landslides have been reported, damaging infrastructure and halting transportation on major roads.

The Mimosa Pass along National Highway 20 has suffered a complete collapse, with the road surface sinking dozens of meters. In response, Lam Dong has officially declared an emergency.

Prenn Pass is showing signs of dangerous structural weakness with deep talus slips, while the Khanh Le Pass (National Route 27C) and Ngoan Muc Pass (also known as Song Pha Pass) have been closed due to ongoing landslides and high risk of collapse.

These incidents have brought traffic and cargo movement between Da Lat and neighboring provinces to a near-total standstill.

In response, local authorities have begun rerouting traffic to alternative routes and evacuating residents from high-risk landslide zones.

Xuan Ngoc - Tuan Kiet
Once celebrated as inspirational figures within Vietnams entrepreneurial community, business leaders like Nguyen Hoa Binh (Shark Bin), Nguyen Ngoc Thuy (Shark Thu), and Pham Van Tam (Shark Ta) are now facing prosecution in major financial scandals. Once hailed as icons of the Vietnam startup dream, they are now entangled in legal battles for crimes ranging from fraud and money laundering to bribery and tax evasion.

From left: Pham Van Tam, Nguyen Hoa Binh, and Nguyen Ngoc Thuy. Photos: V.A

From role models to criminal indictments

Most recently, the Ministry of Public Securitys investigative agency recommended the indictment of Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, Chairman and CEO of Egroup and Egame, on charges of fraud and bribery.

Investigators found that Thuy had instructed subordinates to issue and transfer 206.5 million fictitious shares to over 10,000 investors, defrauding them of more than USD 310 million (approx. 7,677 billion VND).

Most of the funds were used not for educational investment - as advertised - but to pay previous investors in a Ponzi-like cycle and cover personal and operational expenses. The Egroup-Egame network misled clients by advertising flexible investment terms, guaranteed annual returns of 1520%, and share-based security - none of which were real.

The initial interest payouts encouraged more investment and led investors to recruit friends and relatives, trapping over 10,000 individuals in losses.

Suspect Nguyen Ngoc Thuy in police custody. Photo: Ministry of Public Security
Speaking at the event, Nguyen Minh Hung, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People's Committee, emphasized that the citys Party Congress Resolution for the 20252030 term - as well as other central government resolutions - underscore the goal of developing Hai Phong into a smart, ecological, and livable city. Tourism is seen as a key pillar in realizing this vision.

According to Hung, Hai Phong boasts diverse tourism resources, including two sites that are part of UNESCO-recognized world heritage complexes: Ha Long BayCat Ba Archipelago and Yen TuVinh NghiemCon Son, Kiep Bac. The city also features a well-developed transportation infrastructure, offering all five modes of transport: road, rail, waterway, sea, and air.

Nguyen Minh Hung, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong Peoples Committee, speaks at the conference.

Among them, Cat Bi International Airport plays a critical role in northern Vietnam. It meets the 4E airport standard, capable of accommodating large aircraft.

To build a sustainable tourism sector and improve its competitiveness, tight coordination between tourism and aviation is essential. Air travel not only serves as a channel for commerce but also acts as a lever to increase visitor volume and enhance accessibility to Hai Phongs attractions.

Nguyen Minh Hung stressed that the conference offered a timely platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and identify practical solutions to deepen collaboration between the two sectors. The aim is to increase the number of flight routes to Hai Phong, strengthen trade links, and stimulate travel demand.

The city is committed to creating the most favorable conditions for aviation and tourism enterprises and partners to thrive. It will also continue improving its policies and investing in upgrading tourist destinations to provide visitors with more professional and high-quality experiences.

At the event, participants discussed various topics including recent investments, airport upgrades, and current operations at Cat Bi International Airport. They addressed the demand for new air routes to Hai Phong, challenges in implementation, and proposed support mechanisms for airlines. Delegates also explored ways to partner with travel companies and neighboring localities to develop attractive tourism offerings aimed at boosting air arrivals.

A representative from Cat Bi International Airport shares updates on airport operations and development.

Business representatives present their insights at the event.

Le Huy Truong, Deputy Director of Cat Bi International Airport, shared that the airport is currently operating key domestic routes to major destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Buon Ma Thuot, Da Lat, and Can Tho. These routes directly connect Hai Phong with major economic and tourism hubs across Vietnam.

On the international front, the airport serves flights to Incheon (South Korea), as well as Lijiang, Nanning, and Kunming (China). Airlines currently operating at Cat Bi include Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, Lucky Airlines, QingDao Airlines, Ruili Airlines, Thai AirAsia, and Shenzhen Airlines.

On average, the airport handles 40 to 50 flight movements per day. In the past 10 months alone, it has served over 2 million passengers.

Le Huy Truong also highlighted some successful aviation-tourism partnerships and proposed further steps to attract more air travelers. These include ramping up tourism promotion in key markets such as Thailand, China, and South Korea, and facilitating links between domestic and international travel businesses to ensure stable passenger flows - especially when launching new routes.

Additionally, he called for tighter coordination between city authorities, departments, and the airport in developing tourism products, bundling tickets with tours and promotional packages to optimize the performance of new international routes.

Thu Hang
On the afternoon of November 19, the Provincial Party Committee of Khanh Hoa held a conference to announce the Politburos decision regarding personnel appointments.

During the session, a representative from the Party Central Committees Organization Commission read the Politburos directive on transferring and appointing Tran Phong to the provincial Party Executive Committee, the Standing Committee, and the role of deputy party secretary of Khanh Hoa for the 20252030 term.

Following this appointment, Tran Phong was nominated and elected as chairman of the Khanh Hoa Peoples Committee for the 20212026 term.

Tran Phong was born in 1974 in Quang Trach Commune, Quang Tri Province. He holds a masters degree in economics and has completed advanced political theory training.

Prior to this new appointment, he held multiple senior roles, including:

Deputy Chief of the Inspection Commission of the Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee

Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Binh

Vice Chairman of the Quang Binh Provincial Peoples Committee

Party Secretary of Dong Hoi City (Quang Binh)

Chairman of the Quang Binh Peoples Committee for the 20212026 term

Chairman of the Quang Tri Peoples Committee (most recent post before moving to Khanh Hoa)

Xuan Ngoc
On November 20, the Da Nang City Military Command (CHQS) confirmed it had rapidly assembled hundreds of life vests and rescue tools to support severely flooded areas in the Central Highlands.

The entire shipment has been handed over to the 372nd Air Division for air transport to deeply submerged and isolated communities.

The 372nd Division has already stationed personnel and aircraft, ready to launch transport missions as soon as weather conditions permit.

According to the Da Nang Military Command, rising floodwaters in Gia Lai and Dak Lak have left many residential areas cut off.

Da Nangs timely supply of emergency equipment is seen as critical support. These resources will enhance local response teams ability to reach isolated areas, conduct evacuations, and ensure public safety.

The Da Nang Military Command said it will continue close coordination with the 372nd Air Division to support affected provinces in the coming days.

Facing worsening weather conditions, Pham Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Gia Lai Peoples Committee, has ordered the full mobilization of all local forces - military, police, and civil administration - to evacuate people from high-risk areas.

Gia Lai authorities have also instructed teams to maintain 24/7 rescue operations and to prioritize relocating the elderly, the ill, and persons with disabilities to safe zones. Local residents are being warned not to cross flooded roads or submerged bridges during heavy rain.

Ho Giap
A catastrophic landslide tore through Mimosa Pass in Lam Dong Province late on November 19, causing a 70-meter-long stretch of National Highway 20 to collapse, plunging 40 meters deep. A passenger bus narrowly avoided falling into the pit.

Around 11:00 PM, heavy rains triggered the landslide at Km226+700 of Highway 20, in Xuan Huong Ward, Da Lat City. The entire roadbed and surface gave way, cutting off traffic in both directions.

At the time of the collapse, a passenger bus from a local transport company was driving through the area. Its front wheels slipped over the edge, leaving the vehicle hanging precariously over the abyss. Luckily, only the driver was on board, and he managed to escape unharmed.

By dawn on November 20, Lam Dongs Department of Construction had teamed up with local authorities and agencies to reroute traffic and ensure public safety. The damaged area was sealed off, and a crane was dispatched overnight to pull the bus from the edge of the crater.

Lam Dong issues disaster emergency as multiple roads collapse

Scene of the Mimosa Pass landslide at Km226+700, National Highway 20. Photo: Huu Tri

Rescue teams use a crane to pull the bus from the dangerous spot. Photo: Resident

Authorities cordon off the landslide area for safety. Photo: Resident
As Vietnam prepares for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party, Vietnamese communities abroad from Hungary, Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and Australia have submitted heartfelt feedback to the draft Political Report.

The core message across all contributions stresses placing people at the center of development, promoting three strategic transformations (green, digital, and human resource), and treating knowledge and the global Vietnamese network as key drivers. Contributors propose concrete mechanisms for connection and implementation to turn aspirations into measurable results.

People at the center, three transitions as pillars

General Secretary and President To Lam meets overseas Vietnamese representatives at the 4th Global Conference of Overseas Vietnamese in August 2024, Hanoi. (Photo: State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs)

From Hungary, Dr. Phan Bich Thien (Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chair of the Vietnamese Women's Forum in Europe) praised the draft for its balance of continuity and innovation, aligned with the goal of "fast, sustainable, prosperous, and happy development." She emphasized the need for the document to present a clearer vision of developing the Vietnamese people not only as a resource but as the ultimate goal of all policies.

According to Dr. Phan Bich Thien, three foundational values must be emphasized: national independence, resilience, and humanism. The three strategic pillars of the new era are green transition, digital transition, and human capital transformation. She stressed that development strategies must be grounded in creativity, cultural identity, and Vietnamese knowledge amid deep global integration, redefining Vietnam's role in global value chains.

A consistent theme among overseas Vietnamese is the need to build an independent, self-reliant economy that is deeply and effectively integrated into the global market.

Green and circular economy: Not merely a trend, this is a strategic imperative to address climate change and unlock new growth drivers. Many experts proposed recognizing green energy (especially green hydrogen) as a leading-edge technology; advancing green architecture, greening rooftops and walls, promoting adaptive urban development, and reducing emissions.

Knowledge-based economy and innovation: There is a call for breakthrough mechanisms to support R&D, prioritize high-tech enterprises, establish region-based innovation hubs, and tap into the youth advantage. Suggestions include creating an overseas Vietnamese innovation startup fund, and improving the legal framework for IP rights and technology transfer.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chair of the Vietnamese Women's Forum in Europe

Agriculture and rural development: The draft should include orientation for building civilized, ecological, and modern rural areas, linking food security with regional cultural preservation and green value chains.

Reducing regional disparities: It is necessary to design special financial mechanisms for mountainous, border, and island areas; and to invest synchronously in transport, energy, and logistics infrastructure. For the Mekong Delta, the vision is to transform it into a green growth hub tied to clean energy and sustainable logistics, catalyzing both economic and ecological development.

On environmental matters, there were suggestions to make forest regeneration a national strategic goal, roll out an ecosystem restoration and reforestation program nationwide, expand forest environmental services, and develop a carbon market to mobilize social capital. A new mindset is needed: from "exploitation" to "restoration," from "green development" to "green recovery."

Elevating Vietnam's soft power

All diaspora contributions emphasized culture as the spiritual foundation of society and a vital internal force for sustainable development. From a policy perspective, priorities include:

Building a healthy cultural environment in cyberspace; linking heritage conservation with sustainable tourism; and positioning Vietnamese culture as a national soft power with values of compassion, resilience, creativity, and harmony.

Holistic education: Prioritize digital citizenship, creativity, green skills, and professional ethics from secondary to vocational and higher education. Vocational training must be a pillar of national human capital alongside universities. The system should be tightly aligned with enterprise demands and global value chain standards.

Gender equality, social welfare, youth care: Seen as cornerstones of national happiness. Proposals include a development fund for women-led businesses, preferential procurement for female entrepreneurs, and training in digital management and sustainable business practices.

In terms of approach, some experts proposed replacing the term "on par with" with "in sync with" regional and global trends; adopting the principle of "learner-centered" education; and prioritizing targeted investments to establish flagship research universities leading innovation.

Diaspora as strategic resource, people-to-people diplomacy as a pillar

Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha, Vietnamese Language Ambassador Abroad 2025.

A point of strong consensus among contributors is that overseas Vietnamese are a strategic resource for integration and development. People-to-people diplomacy should be an official, professional, and effective pillar. Suggestions include:

Recognizing the Vietnamese global knowledge network as a national development driver; creating an ecosystem to connect diaspora in key sectors: science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, environment, healthcare, education, and non-traditional security.

Developing a national database on high-quality human resources by assembling diaspora experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students; supporting domestic schools, institutes, and businesses in seeking overseas partners, advisors, and recruits; and forming two-way knowledge transfer chains.

Preserving cultural identity: Expand Vietnamese language education abroad; replicate Vietnamese language class models; develop global digital learning platforms; and build "Vietnamese Houses" in major diaspora countries to serve as centers for cultural exchange, legal advice, career orientation, study abroad and startup support.

Institutionalize regular coordination between diplomatic missions and diaspora associations; develop a network of "people's ambassadors" to ensure every Vietnamese abroad can serve as a trusted bridge for the nation.

Other proposals include regular two-way dialogues between national leaders and overseas Vietnamese; simplifying administrative procedures; recognizing foreign degrees; and facilitating repatriation, investment, and cooperation. Overseas Vietnamese affairs should be considered a strategic component of national unity and soft power, contributing to early and distant national defense.

Two breakthrough ideas for youth: "Digital cultural ecosystem" and "national opportunity portal"

From France, Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha (Vietnamese Language Ambassador Abroad 2025) proposed two key pillars to embed cultural and human development strategies into diaspora community life:

Strategic investment in Vietnamese language education: Develop modern curricula tailored to the psychology of youth growing up abroad; create apps and games for learning Vietnamese; and establish mechanisms to train and certify Vietnamese language teachers in host countries. "Language is the vessel of culture; losing Vietnamese means losing much of our identity," she stressed.

Building a national "digital cultural ecosystem": A digital library, 3D historical museums, and digitized film-music-art archives for the diaspora to reconnect with roots in cyberspace. Professionalize Vietnamese cultural and culinary weeks abroad as effective people-to-people diplomacy.

To ignite aspirations and offer meaningful engagement for overseas youth, Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha proposed establishing a "national opportunity portal" to transparently aggregate projects and initiatives from ministries, provinces, and businesses. She also suggested piloting a "young intellectual/volunteer visa" (1-2 years) for Vietnamese youth under 35 to intern, research, or start businesses in Vietnam, supported by a one-stop mechanism to ease procedural hurdles.

From Poland, Tong Thu Huong (President of the Vietnamese Women's Association in Poland) called for stronger recognition of women in the diaspora as vital actors in people-to-people diplomacy and national branding. This group contributes significantly across culture, education, charity, and international exchanges.

Focusing on green infrastructure and digital competencies

Members of the Vietnamese Students Association in Queensland, Australia. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese Embassy in Germany hosted a roundtable to gather feedback from intellectuals and entrepreneurs for the 14th Party Congress draft. Their input focused on three pillars:

Green growth and 2050 carbon neutrality: Position green hydrogen as a core technology; invest in strategic infrastructure for the Mekong Delta tied to green energy and sustainable logistics.

Education, science, and technology: Adjust goals to be "synchronized" with the region; put learners at the center; and make targeted investments to create top-tier research universities.

Digital workforce: Build a national human resources portal, establish a digital competency scale, standardize competency assessments in education, and create mechanisms for regular engagement between the diaspora knowledge network and local governments for policy advising and technology transfer.

Diaspora youth and students: A strategic force

Representing over 30,000 youth, students, and young intellectuals, the Vietnamese Students Association in Australia reaffirmed its commitment to the homeland and proposed specific mechanisms to institutionalize their role in national development. Key proposals include:

Mobilizing diaspora youth and students: Recognize them as a strategic resource; promote short-term exchanges; validate international experience; and connect their contributions with domestic innovation programs.

Education and training: Recognize international credits and experience; implement short-term internships between domestic and overseas institutions; and invite diaspora lecturers to teach and advise in Vietnam.

Culture: Support overseas student clubs in preserving language and culture; facilitate cultural and language exchanges between Vietnamese and international schools.

High-tech and digital transformation: Pilot preferential mechanisms for partnerships between domestic firms and diaspora research/startup teams, including technology transfer and local workforce training with clear evaluation criteria; ensure transparent data governance and privacy protection.

The diasporas contributions to the 14th Party Congress draft reflect deep responsibility, long-term vision, and a shared desire to walk with the nation. With transparent, efficient, and inclusive mechanisms in place, Vietnam's global knowledge capital and soft power can become vital engines propelling the country forward in the new era.

Thai An
On behalf of the Politburo and the Secretariat, Standing Secretary Tran Cam Tu has signed Directive No. 208 approving the restructuring of party organizations within state-owned economic groups, general corporations, and commercial banks.

The Politburo and Secretariat agreed in principle to reorganize party organizations in these entities.

Specifically, the party committee of each parent company will retain direct party cells only at its headquarters - covering relevant departments, branches, and affiliated units located at the same address in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

All other party cells at subsidiaries or affiliated enterprises operating outside of headquarters will be transferred to the local ward- or commune-level party committees where those units are located.

In addition, four state-owned commercial banks will see their party organizations restructured in the same manner - retaining cells at headquarters and Hanoi-based branches, while transferring all others to local party leadership.

Directive 208 also confirms the continuation of current party structures for 12 economic groups and general corporations with unique organizational characteristics, including the party committee of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC), which is currently undergoing leadership transitions in accordance with the Politburos decision to dissolve or liquidate the enterprise.

Once the restructuring is completed, party cells within subsidiary companies and affiliated units will report directly to local party committees in the wards or communes where they are based.

The Politburo and Secretariat further approved the transfer of 30 party organizations - previously under the Government Party Committee - to the Party Committees of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Construction, and the State Bank of Vietnam.

Notably, a pilot program was approved allowing economic group and bank party committees with over 400 members to operate with the authority of a superior-level party committee. These committees will function under the mandates of Regulation No. 87, issued on October 28, 2022, by the Secretariat.

In the immediate term, all existing party units within subsidiaries and affiliated units of economic groups and state banks will remain unchanged while being transferred to the new oversight structures under relevant ministries or equivalent agencies.

Furthermore, party organizations in locally operated state enterprises currently under provincial or municipal party committees will be transferred to commune- or ward-level party committees in the area of their registered office.

The Government Party Committee is tasked with leading and implementing the handover process, including the transition of party leadership responsibilities from the central to ministry level (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Construction, State Bank of Vietnam).

The Politburo and Secretariat have also instructed provincial and city-level party committees to hand over oversight of party cells under the 18 targeted groups to local ward- or commune-level party structures.

All these organizational changes must be completed by December 31, and results must be reported no later than January 5, 2026.

Tran Thuong
Ho Chi Minh Boulevard stretches 3 km along the most scenic east-west axis of Algiers, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Its starting point marks the location where in November 1954, following Vietnams Dien Bien Phu Victory, Algerian revolutionary fighters fired the first shots to launch an eight-year armed struggle for national independence. The boulevard symbolises the strong bond between the Algerian people and President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people.

Within the grounds of Ho Chi Minh Boulevard, PM Chinh and his spouse laid flowers at the memorial stele, paying their deep respect and profound gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (fifth, left) visits Ho Chi Minh Boulevard in Algiers (Photo: VNA)

The memorial stele records the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh in both Arabic and Vietnamese. It notes that President Ho Chi Minh - the great leader of the Vietnamese revolution - read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, declaring the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh showed special concern and strong support for the Algerian peoples struggle for national liberation. He co-founded the newspaper Le Paria with Algerian and international revolutionaries in 1922; visited the city of Biskra in 1946, and was among the first international leaders to recognise the Provisional Government of Algeria in 1958, laying an important foundation for the traditional relations and friendship between Vietnam and Algeria.

At the inauguration ceremony, PM Chinh said Vietnam-Algeria relations have a strong historical foundation and a bright future, noting that during his visit, the two sides agreed to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership, marking a key milestone in their brotherly and friendly relations.

The Vietnamese leader highlighted the two countries history of mutual support in their struggles for independence and sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He affirmed that they will continue to stand together for a future of greater prosperity, happiness, and national strength.

PM Chinh called on the people of both nations to inspire future generations to strengthen ties, and thanked the Algerian government and people, particularly those in Algiers and along Ho Chi Minh Boulevard, for their deep affection for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that Algerians and Vietnamese will keep the Ho Chi Minh memorial grounds well-maintained, ensuring it remains a lasting symbol of friendship and a destination for visitors from Vietnam, Algeria, and around the world./.VNA
Nintendo revealed the first official images for its upcoming live-action "The Legend of Zelda" movie on November 17, 2025, showcasing the film's lead actors in full costume.

Bo Bragason portrays Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth takes on the role of Link. The production stills display both characters in a lush, natural setting with designs that blend classic video game elements with a grounded, cinematic aesthetic.

Zelda appears dressed in elegant blue robes inspired by the "Breath of the Wild" design, creating a look that balances royal regalia with battle-ready practicality. Link wears a darker green tunic with leather accents and rugged gear, drawing influence from "Twilight Princess" while maintaining an adventure-ready appearance. The costume choices reflect a serious yet faithful approach to bringing Hyrule to the screen.

Nintendo director Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that filming is actively underway for the production. In his official announcement, Miyamoto expressed enthusiasm about seeing both actors embody the franchise's iconic characters on the big screen. The movie is being filmed in New Zealand and represents a collaboration between Nintendo and Sony Pictures, with Nintendo maintaining a financial stake of more than 50 percent in the project.

The film is directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on the "Maze Runner" trilogy and "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes." Ball has indicated his vision draws inspiration from Studio Ghibli films and director Hayao Miyazaki's work, aiming to create something that feels both serious and whimsical. The screenplay was written by T.S. Nowlin, with Miyamoto and veteran producer Avi Arad overseeing the project.

Bragason, an English actress, previously appeared in the Disney+ series "Renegade Nell" and the British drama "The Jetty." Ainsworth, a sixteen-year-old English actor, voiced Pinocchio opposite Tom Hanks in Disney's 2022 live-action adaptation and starred in Netflix's "The Haunting of Bly Manor." The casting process took considerable time before landing on these two rising talents.

"The Legend of Zelda" movie is scheduled for theatrical release on May 7, 2027. This date places the film approximately one year after "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" arrives in April 2026, establishing Nintendo's growing presence in the film industry. Production is reportedly on track to meet the scheduled release timeline, marking a significant milestone for video game adaptations as Nintendo continues expanding its cinematic universe beyond gaming platforms.

Originally published on Enstarz
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who was in Algeria for an official visit, on November 20 evening (Hanoi time) chaired an emergency online meeting with representatives of ministries, agencies and localities on urgent measures to respond to heavy rains, floods, and other natural disasters in several central provinces.



The leader extended his deepest condolences to the families of those killed, missing or injured by the natural disasters.



He emphasised that, under the direction of Party General Secretary To Lam, the top priority is saving lives and protecting the health and safety of citizens, while also searching for the missing and arranging funerals for the deceased.



At the same time, urgent efforts must be made to restore housing for residents, ensure the safety of schools, and maintain healthcare facilities, he said.



It is also a must to provide immediate and timely delivery of food, drinking water and medicine to isolated areas; and repair disruptions to electricity, telecommunications and transportation, the leader said. According to updated reports, as of 8:00 pm on November 20, extremely heavy rainfall has occurred since early November 16 across Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak provinces, with some areas recording more than 1,700 mm.



Flood levels on the Ba and Ky Lo rivers in Dak Lak and the Dinh Ninh Hoa river in Khanh Hoa have peaked, exceeding historic records by 0.2-1.1 metres, and are now receding.



The PM has issued five official dispatches on responding to and overcoming the aftermath caused by flooding, inundation, and landslides. The PM and Deputy PMs have maintained regular communication with officials of relevant localities to monitor the situation and direct flood response efforts.



From November 18 to 20, Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung directly inspected affected areas, oversaw response and recovery efforts, and visited residents impacted by the disasters in Khanh Hoa and Dak Lak provinces. On late November 20, he chaired an online meeting with representatives of Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong.



Earlier, on November 18, the PM decided to provide an emergency aid package of 50 billion VND to Khanh Hoa province to address flood-related damage. Ministries, sectors, and localities have strictly implemented the directions of the PM and the National Steering Committee for Civil Defence. The Ministry of National Defence deployed 18,066 officers and soldiers along with 441 vehicles, while the Ministry of Public Security mobilised 17,624 officers and 24,143 grassroots security forces, together with 3,207 vehicles, to respond to floods.



The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment sent three working delegations to coordinate early with localities in response and recovery efforts, and issued two rounds of SMS alerts to 26.4 million subscribers and 24.1 million Zalo messages warning residents in affected areas.



Local authorities urgently evacuated 18,408 households with 61,035 people from high-risk areas, suspended school activities, and directed the operation of reservoirs to reduce downstream flooding. Hydropower plants in the Ba River basin alone cut down 96.3 million cu.m of water to help lower flood levels.



As many as 41 people were confirmed dead while nine are still missing. 167 houses were damaged and 51,138 were flooded. Many communes and wards remain severely inundated across the three provinces: Khanh Hoa (54), Gia Lai (35), and Dak Lak (34).



In agriculture, 13,026 hectares of rice, crops, and vegetables were damaged; 2,183 hectares of perennial and annual plants were affected; 30,731 heads of livestock and poultry were killed or swept away; and 88 hectares of lobster farms in Khanh Hoa suffered losses.



Regarding transportation, 30 locations along national highways remain locally flooded, causing traffic disruptions. Many sections of provincial roads and inter-communal routes are deeply flooded or affected by landslides, resulting in traffic blockages.



More than 1 million customers have experienced power outages, of whom over 457,000 have had power restored, while 553,250 customers remain without electricity. Local authorities continue to assess damage and implement recovery measures./.VNA
On the evening of November 19 (local time), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb attended and delivered remarks at the VietnamAlgeria Economic Forum during the Vietnamese leaders official visit to Algeria.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb at the VietnamAlgeria Economic Forum. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The event, co-hosted by Vietnams Ministry of Finance and Algerias Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was organized in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria, Algerias Investment Promotion Agency, and the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It drew about 350 delegates, including government officials and business representatives from both countries.

In the face of global economic turbulence and shifting supply chains, the forum served as a platform for the two governments and their enterprises to share visions and spark new momentum for economic growth. It also reaffirmed the deepening traditional friendship between the two nations and their commitment to fostering more substantial diplomatic, commercial, and investment ties.

Algerias transformation and potential as a trade hub

Algeria is Africas largest country by land area, with a population of 46.6 million. Politically stable, the country is undergoing economic reforms while maintaining an independent and diversified foreign policy. Its GDP exceeded USD 260 billion in 2024, ranking third in Africa after South Africa and Egypt, with a 3.8% growth rate according to the IMF.

Oil and gas are central to Algerias economy, contributing 30% of GDP. It is the 16th largest crude oil producer and 9th largest oil exporter in the world. For natural gas, it ranks fourth in global exports.

Algeria is prioritizing national stability, economic diversification to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, foreign investment attraction, and food self-sufficiency. It also actively engages in African Union and Arab League affairs and champions South-South cooperation.

Vietnams dynamic economy and global trade engagement

Deputy Minister of Finance Do Thanh Trung stated that in the coming time, the Ministry of Finance will closely coordinate with relevant Algerian authorities to strengthen policy connectivity and regular cooperation between the two governments and business communities.

Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Emphasizing that both Vietnamese and Algerian businesses have abundant opportunities, Algeria's Minister of Trade and Export Promotion said it is time for both countries to seize mutual demands, grounded in a foundation of strong and trustworthy political relations.

Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

From a war-ravaged and underdeveloped country, Vietnam has emerged as one of the worlds most dynamic economies, with a GDP of approximately USD 470 billion, ranking third in ASEAN and 32nd globally. Its economic structure is shifting positively, with agriculture now accounting for just 11% of the economy.

In international trade, Vietnam ranks among the top 20 globally, with import-export turnover nearing USD 800 billion and a trade surplus of almost USD 25 billion. It is a full member of 17 free trade agreements, covering most major global economies.

Vietnam is among the worlds top 15 FDI destinations, attracting USD 38.2 billion in 2024, with USD 25.4 billion in realized investments. It plays a vital role in regional and global supply chains and is transitioning toward a green, digital, and high-tech economy.

Notably, Vietnam has become a significant player in the global semiconductor industry and attracted leading tech giants. Its national brand value in 2024 reached USD 507 billion, ranking 32nd globally. The country also improved its Global Innovation Index, ranking 44th out of 132 economies.

VietnamAlgeria trade and investment: room to grow

Vietnams exports to Algeria reached USD 192.3 million in 2024, comprising mainly coffee, pepper, metals, and chemicals. Imports totaled around USD 6 million, largely fruits, animal feed, and agricultural inputs.

The most notable joint project is the Bir Seba oil field, a tripartite venture between Vietnam's PetroVietnam Exploration and Production Corporation, Algerias national oil company Sonatrach, and Thailands PTTEP. The project has exceeded 55 million barrels in output.

Despite progress, bilateral economic cooperation remains modest relative to its potential. Key sectors with complementary strengths include energy, mining, infrastructure, logistics, and high-tech agriculture.

Algeria: Gateway to Asia, Africa, and Europe

Delegates attending the forum. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac





The Prime Minister expressed hope that Algerian businesses will feel confident investing in Vietnam, where the business and investment environment is becoming increasingly favorable. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Algerian Minister of Trade and Export Promotion Kamel Rezig highlighted the forum as a sign of both nations political will and mutual respect. He urged development of a strategic partnership beyond historical ties, with a focus on supply chains and joint ventures.

Vietnams rapid economic rise and export capacity, paired with Algerias shift from raw material exports to agriculture and manufacturing, create fertile ground for collaboration. Rezig suggested building Vietnamese factories in Algeria as a means to re-export to nearby markets.

He also proposed the creation of a VietnamAlgeria Business Cooperation Council and emphasized Algerias geographic role as a springboard into three continents.

Joint efforts for long-term economic growth

Vietnamese Deputy Finance Minister Do Thanh Trung affirmed that the Ministry of Finance will work closely with Algerian authorities to improve policy alignment, resolve challenges, and support strategic projects in energy, infrastructure, logistics, digital transformation, and green growth.

From tea plantations to semiconductor factories

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh declared the forum a milestone event, coming just after the establishment of the VietnamAlgeria Strategic Partnership and attended by both nations prime ministers and a large business delegation.

He called the bilateral economic relationship "limitless," citing the shared history of solidarity and support during struggles for independence as a foundation for future cooperation.

Chinh encouraged Vietnamese businesses to explore Algerias vast potential - from its two-million-square-kilometer territory to its diverse climate, deserts, and coastline, all of which are ideal for industrial, agricultural, and service development.

He said Vietnamese enterprises can feasibly invest in Algeria across a range of fields, from tea cultivation to chip production.

Priority areas for cooperation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb witness the signing ceremony between Vietnamese and Algerian enterprises. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb witness the signing between Vietnamese and Algerian enterprises. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that with new momentum, fresh motivation, and renewed resourcesalong with the achievements both sides have attained - the two countries will act in accordance with the stature of the newly established Strategic Partnership. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac






At a meeting with Algerian Minister of State for Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab, PM Chinh noted that during his talks and meetings with host leaders, the two sides shared the view that there are no limits to bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic sphere. He proposed expanding oil exploration alongside deeper collaboration in petrochemicals and petroleum processing to increase resources value. He also called for stronger partnerships in Vietnams key sectors including solar and wind energy, machinery and electrical equipment, and smart grid development.



Applauding the strong performance of the oil exploration project jointly carried out by the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group (Petrovietnam) and Algerias national oil company Sonatrach, PM Chinh urged the establishment of a working group, a joint venture, and cooperation mechanisms to invest in Algeria, focusing on sectors and projects agreed upon by the two PMs, including expanding from onshore oil extraction to offshore exploration - where Vietnam has strong experience. He called on Algeria to adopt more enabling policies and streamline procedures to facilitate projects.



Arkab expressed thanked PM Chinh for his timely and attentive guidance in promoting VietnamAlgeria cooperation, particularly in the oil industry, and creating favourable conditions for Algerian businesses to fully collaborate with their Vietnamese partners.



The minister noted that the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mines is actively implementing the Algerian Presidents directive to propose specific cooperation projects in oil and gas, as highlighted by PM Chinh. He expressed satisfaction with Algerias effective collaboration with Petrovietnam, describing it as a model of successful AlgeriaVietnam partnership. He also agreed with the Vietnamese leaders proposal to establish a working group to coordinate the implementation of specific projects with Vietnam.



Recognising Vietnams experience, capacity, and strengths in the oil sector, the minister called for Vietnams support in this field, particularly in workforce training and technology transfer across all stages of oil and petroleum product exploration, processing, and distribution.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Algerias Minister of Mujahideen (War Veterans) and Rights-Holders Abdelmalek Tacherift. (Photo: VNA)

Meeting with Algerias Minister of Mujahideen (War Veterans) and Rights-Holders Abdelmalek Tacherift, PM Chinh expressed his pleasure at making his first official visit to Algeria during this historic November period, as the Algerian people commemorate the heroic chapters of their struggle for national independence.



He congratulated Algeria and its people on their remarkable achievements in building a New Algeria, with comprehensive economic and socio-cultural development and an increasingly important role and position in the region and the world.



The PM affirmed that Vietnam always treasures its close solidarity and fraternal ties with Algeria, a friendship built over six decades since 1962, the PM stated, affirming that despite changing times, this bond remains a precious legacy for both peoples.



He stressed that Vietnamese people always remember and cherish the solidarity and invaluable support that the Algerian government and people have extended to Vietnam, both during the arduous struggle for national independence and in the countrys national construction and development at the present.



Highlighting that Vietnam and Algeria stood side by side through difficult times, sharing the aspiration for independence and freedom, PM Chinh expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions of heroes, martyrs, veterans, and meritorious people of the two countries, who have enabled Vietnam and Algeria to develop as they do today.



PM Chinh asked Algerias Ministry of Mujahideen and Rights Holders and relevant Vietnamese agencies, including the Ministry of National Defence and the Vietnam War Veterans Association, to strengthen cooperation in sharing policy experience on support for persons with meritorious services, war-consequence remediation, and the development of databases in these areas. He also proposed enhanced collaboration in museums, communication, and educating younger generations about the two countries historical ties and long-standing friendship.



For his part, the minister affirmed that veterans and persons with meritorious services are an important link in the deep, enduring historical bond between the two nations. He expressed confidence that this connection will continue to serve as a driving force for the new phase of bilateral relations, noting that Vietnam and Algeria now stand united on a new front  national development. He affirmed readiness to work closely with Vietnamese agencies on the areas outlined by PM Chinh.



On this occasion, the PM conveyed invitations from Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang and the Chairman of the Vietnam War Veterans Association to the Algerian minister to visit Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Abdelkrim Benmebarek, Secretary-General of Algerias National Liberation Front (FLN). (Photo: VNA)

Meeting with Abdelkrim Benmebarek, Secretary-General of Algerias National Liberation Front (FLN), PM Chinh stressed that history has recorded how the two Parties stood side by side during their struggles for national liberation and in building and safeguarding their countries. He expressed hope that the FLN will continue guiding its members to contribute to strengthening the friendship between the two Parties and two nations in the new development phase.



The PM called for closer ties between the FLN and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), including exchanges of leadership experience, guidance for national development and defence, and lessons on Party building.



He also proposed that the FLN support the Algerian Government and bilateral cooperation efforts, including the early formulation of an action programme to implement the newly established Strategic Partnership. He suggested both sides exchange assessments of global developments and share experience in Party building.



PM Chinh conveyed Party General Secretary To Lams invitation for FLN Secretary-General Benmebarek to visit Vietnam, and wished the FLN continued success in its leadership role, contributing to Algerias development under its vision to 2035.



Benmebarek said Vietnams struggle for independence against colonialism had been an inspiration for peoples worldwide in their fight against oppression.



He noted that following his earlier meeting with the PM, the Algerian President had instructed ministries and organisations to promptly implement concrete measures to bring to life the agreements signed across all fields, including the cooperation agreement between the FLN and the CPV.



Benmebarek emphasised that the two Parties share common goals and expressed hope to translate Party-to-Party cooperation into broader cooperation between the two nations.



On this occasion, PM Chinh and FLN Secretary-General Benmebarek witnessed the signing and handover of the cooperation agreement between the CPV and the FLN./.




Social housing services are booming and openly promoted across many social media groups. Screenshot.







As property prices skyrocket, supply tightens, and demand surges, Vietnams social housing (SH) market - designed to provide affordable homes for low-income residents - is being increasingly distorted by brokerage rings, grey-market deals, and hidden profiteering. Ironically, the very people the policy intends to support are being left behind in the race for affordable housing.

From paperwork to spot reservation: Everything has a price

At the Governments regular meeting in October 2025, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh revealed widespread abuse in the sale of social housing units. Some individuals reportedly reserved spots in housing projects and resold them for a markup of VND 200500 million (USD 8,00020,000).

Online forums with tens of thousands of members are teeming with middlemen advertising full-package services - from preparing applications to securing guaranteed slots at top Hanoi projects. At the CT3 Kim Chung project, for instance, a basic unit priced at VND 18.4 million/m (USD 740/m) is being sold with an additional VND 350 million (USD 14,000) support fee, often without contracts - just handwritten receipts.

Even online applications have become a money-making opportunity. At the Rice City Long Chau project in Long Bien District, despite online submission being opened by the developer, many applicants failed repeatedly. This led to the rise of online filing services, charging VND 110 million (USD 40400) per application, depending on success guarantees.

Legally banned, but shadow deals flourish

In their quest for a place to settle down, hundreds of people gathered overnight at the CT3 Kim Chung social housing project registration area in Hanoi to secure a spot for submitting their applications on the morning of November 17. Photo: NVCC.

On the first day of receiving applications for the CT3 Kim Chung social housing project (Hanoi), the developer invited the police to oversee the process and ensure public order, aiming to prevent brokers from exploiting the policy. Photo: Hong Khanh.
On the evening of November 19, two foreign tourists shared a heartfelt post in the Vietnam Railway Enthusiasts Facebook group, recounting how they boarded a train from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City at 9:40 AM on November 18, only to be stranded for two days due to historic flooding in central Vietnam.

We were so well taken care of by one of the staff members during that time. She was the kindest person on board, said Cindy, one of the tourists. Thanks to her help, the couple managed to reach Phu Cat Airport (Gia Lai) just in time for their flight to France on the morning of November 20.

According to Vietnam Railways (VNR), mid-November flooding severely disrupted both railway and road networks across central Vietnam. The tourists were passengers on SE1, which was forced to halt at Khanh Phuoc Station (Gia Lai) due to rising floodwaters.

The couple grew increasingly anxious, fearing they would miss their international flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Seeing the urgency, train attendant Dang Thi Thao from the Hanoi Railway Attendant Unit stepped in to help.

A race against time to reach the airport

Image posted by the two foreign tourists showing their journey and gratitude.
A customer brought in dozens of bundles of small banknotes - denominations of 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 Vietnamese dong - amounting to 253 million VND (approximately USD 10,300) to pay nearly half the cost of a Toyota Raize. The incident, which occurred at Toyota Lang Son, has since gone viral.

Hua Hoang Hiep beside the massive stack of small bills used to buy the Toyota Raize. Photo: Toyota Lang Son

According to VietNamNets investigation, this unique customer visited Toyota Lang Son (located in the Local Industrial Complex No. 2, Ky Lua Ward, Lang Son) on November 19 to complete the purchase. The total price of the Toyota Raize was 510 million VND (about USD 20,700), and he paid 253 million VND in cash using small notes.

Sales consultant Hua Hoang Hiep, who handled the transaction, recalled: We were all stunned. This was the first time I and the entire dealership had seen a customer pay hundreds of millions of dong in small denominations like that.

The customer had previously come to see the car and decided to buy the Toyota Raize for personal use. He chose the morning of November 20 as an auspicious time to receive the vehicle and had informed the dealership in advance that he would pay in two installments - half in cash and the other half via bank transfer.

Hiep explained: I suggested he come a day early to pay the cash portion, so we wouldn't miss the good time for delivery the next day. He agreed and mentioned hed pay in small denominations.

At the time, I thought maybe he meant 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 dong bills. But today, we were stunned when he showed up with piles of 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 dong notes.

According to Hiep, the customers family transported the money in a Hyundai Tucson. The bills were packed in a large cardboard box about one meter long and 50 centimeters tall, weighing an estimated 5060 kilograms. Four staff members were needed to carry it inside.

The 253 million VND payment in small bills (1,000, 2,000, 5,000 dong) brought by customer T. Photo: Toyota Lang Son

Initially, the dealerships accounting team planned to handle the payment directly, but the volume of small bills was overwhelming. Instead, they accompanied the customer to a Vietcombank branch to have the money counted and documented.

Using both machines and manual labor, the bank completed the verification in five hours - from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The remaining amount of 257 million VND (approximately USD 10,400) was expected to be transferred by the customer the following morning, when he would officially take delivery of the vehicle at 8:00 AM.

The customer, identified only as T., was born in 1990 and works as a self-employed trader.

The Toyota Raize model currently sells for around 510 million VND (USD 20,700).

This unusual transaction follows a similar case that made headlines on August 14. Nguyen Van Luu, a resident of Kep commune in Bac Ninh Province, brought a styrofoam box containing 20 kilograms of small bills (1,000, 2,000, 5,000 dong) to purchase a Toyota Yaris Cross at Toyota Bac Giang. That transaction involved 60 million VND (USD 2,400) in small cash - saved over the years from selling vegetables.

Pham Huyen
For many years, the image of Vice Principal Vu Van Ben of Tran Nhan Tong Primary School (Dong A Ward, Ninh Binh Province) standing at the school gate every morning, smiling and welcoming students with a handshake, has become a familiar sight.

Planting seeds of positive habits

Mr. Vu Van Ben, Vice Principal of Tran Nhan Tong Primary School.

Mr. Vu Van Ben graduated from Hanoi National University of Education in 2001 with a degree in primary education. Like many young teachers, he initially struggled with classroom management and communication, unsure how to connect with students effectively.

Over time, he learned to listen more, put himself in his students' shoes, and adapted his teaching style to be more approachable and supportive.

Reflecting on his now-signature morning greeting, he recalled that it began during his early teaching years. At first, it was occasional - a handshake with students when his class was on duty or while standing at his classroom door.

But the cheerful reactions from the students inspired him to make it a daily habit.

From hall monitors to handshakes

Mr. Ben has greeted students at the school gate for eight consecutive years

In 2017, Mr. Ben was appointed Vice Principal of Loc An Primary School (then in Loc An Commune, Nam Dinh City, now Truong Thi Ward, Ninh Binh Province).

I was excited - not because I got a management role, but because it gave me the opportunity to launch a small revolution at school, he said.

From his new position, he proposed removing hall monitors, stopping penalties for late arrivals, and no longer reprimanding students for dress code violations. Instead, he aimed to create a more welcoming, student-friendly environment.

His ideas were welcomed by the school principal and fellow teachers.

From that point on, Mr. Ben consistently greeted students every morning at the school gate with a warm handshake.

Students at Tran Nhan Tong Primary welcome their classmates during weekly duty

Two years later, when he transferred to Tran Nhan Tong Primary School, he continued this morning ritual.

With the belief that students come to school to be welcomed, not judged, Mr. Ben has been building a culture of kindness throughout the school. For the past six years, there have been no student monitors stationed at the gate to record tardiness or rule violations. Instead, students on weekly duty stand in neat rows, smiling and greeting their peers.

Each week, a different class takes on this responsibility, allowing every student to experience the role of greeter.

When children take turns greeting others, they learn that kindness is mutual - when you say hello, someone will eventually say hello back. Its the first lesson in fairness and compassion, he shared.

A habit becomes character

According to Mr. Ben, consistent positive behavior forms habits, which in turn shape character. For young children, especially in primary school, actions speak louder than words. The most effective way to teach is through persistent, meaningful gestures from adults.

Thats why, for the past eight years, Mr. Ben has faithfully stood at the school gate to welcome students with a smile and handshake - a way to plant seeds of confidence and kindness.

More mentor than manager

To maintain this routine, Mr. Ben starts his day at 4:30 a.m. He exercises, prepares breakfast for his family, and arrives at school by 6:15 to clean his office - because at his school, every teacher tidies their own workspace as a model for students.

By 6:45 a.m., hes at the gate to greet students. Although his duties sometimes take him away from school, he strives to maintain this ritual at least three mornings a week.

When greeting students, he doesnt just offer handshakes - he engages them in conversation, asking about their interests and encouraging them to open up.

Some students, once shy and withdrawn, have become more confident through these morning exchanges. They now approach him eagerly, smiling and reaching out their hands. Some even request their own unique greeting styles.

Some like to be lifted into the air, others turn around and wait for me to pat them on the shoulder. Some just smile and nod. I respect their differences and try to remember each student's preferences so they dont feel left out, Mr. Ben said.

His thoughtful attention has made him more than an administrator - hes a trusted friend. Students often call out to him: Good morning, handsome Mr. Ben! with genuine affection.

Quang Long, a fifth grader, shared: Every morning, when I see Mr. Ben at the gate, I run to shake his hand. It gives me energy for the day. School is so fun, I love coming here!

During recess, Mr. Bens office is a hub of activity. Students drop by to read, talk, or share stories. However, he has a rule: only groups of two or more are allowed in at once, regardless of gender.

During recess, Mr. Ben's office is a gathering place for reading and sharing stories.

To me, its a small way to teach them about boundaries, transparency, and protecting each other, he explained.

Tran Thi Khanh Linh, a parent, shared: I fully support Mr. Bens approach, and the methods of all the teachers here. Seeing my child excited to go to school every day makes me so happy. The warm welcome and handshakes from Mr. Ben make my child feel valued and loved. Ive noticed a huge boost in confidence.

Trong Tung
A particularly disturbing method involves using deepfake technology to impersonate law enforcement officers or prosecutors to deceive people into handing over large sums of money.

These scams continue to happen daily despite extensive awareness campaigns, said Thi. The losses are massive - not just a few billion VND, but in some cases, hundreds of billions (millions of USD).

He recounted a recent case from September 2025, where scammers pretended to be police officers and accused the victim of involvement in a drug ring. Despite real police arriving at the scene to clarify the situation, the victim refused to believe them and went ahead with the money transfer to the impersonators.

They were so psychologically manipulated that they couldnt distinguish reality anymore, Thi said.

More than phishing: Tech-fueled attacks exploit personal vulnerabilities

Other common forms of attack include fake websites, hacked business emails, doctored intimate images used for blackmail, and multi-level financial investment frauds.

In one case from Da Nang, a homeowner was blackmailed for over 100 million VND (approximately 4,200 USD) using footage obtained from a security camera installed by a technician they had hired.

The more dependent we become on technology, the more vulnerable we are, Thi noted, citing such examples as warning signs of how digital tools can be weaponized.

Legal unification and stronger cybersecurity frameworks needed

To confront these threats, Vietnam is now pushing for greater self-reliance in cybersecurity capabilities. Globally, 138 countries and territories have already enacted cybersecurity laws and are strengthening their cyber defense forces and regulations.

Vietnam recently hosted the signing ceremony for the Hanoi Convention, with 72 countries participating.

Domestically, the draft Cybersecurity Law is being built on the foundation of merging two existing legal frameworks: the 2018 Law on Cybersecurity and the 2015 Law on Information Security. This unification aims to create a coherent legal structure that eliminates overlaps, resolves contradictions, and boosts enforcement effectiveness in the face of rapid technological evolution.

Lt. Col. Thi emphasized that cybersecurity and technological development must go hand in hand. Protecting to enable development is the core focus, he said.

This involves not only setting up legal safeguards but also fostering conditions for technological progress.

He concluded by stating that no ministry or agency can single-handedly handle cyber threats - it requires the collective effort of the entire political and social system to build an effective national defense in the digital age.

Du Lam
Vietnam and Algeria share a long-standing traditional friendship, rooted in mutual solidarity during their struggles for independence, and reinforced over decades by political trust and mutual support. The new relationship framework reflects the growing significance of their ties in the new era, aiming to expand comprehensive, substantive, and effective cooperation; strengthen existing mechanisms, and promote new initiatives.



For political, diplomatic, security, and defence cooperation, the two sides agreed to enhance the exchange of delegations, particularly at the high level; promote the effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Committee and political consultation mechanisms; and consider establishing subcommittees for cooperation in investment, energy, industry, agriculture, and digital transformation. The two countries also agreed to further strengthen defence, security, legal, and judicial cooperation, while intensifying coordination in addressing non-traditional security challenges.



The two sides affirmed their support for multilateralism and the reform of global governance toward a fairer, more effective system that prioritises the interests and voices of developing countries. They expressed support for the central roles of ASEAN and the African Union (AU).



Vietnam welcomed Algerias accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and supported Algeria in becoming a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN, while Algeria backed Vietnams increased contribution to implementing the AUs Agenda 2063.



The two sides regarded economic, trade, and investment cooperation as a key pillar and motivation of their Strategic Partnership. They agreed to boost trade promotion, diversify exchanged goods, and expressed their intention to initiate negotiations for a preferential trade agreement, gradually removing tariff and non-tariff barriers between the two countries.



They agreed to establish a working group on Vietnam-Algeria business cooperation within three months, encouraging businesses to strengthen connections, invest, tap into the complementary potential of both economies, and share financial and banking expertise. They also expressed a desire to enhance the implementation of agreements and expand transport cooperation, aiming for a direct flight agreement, boosting tourism and trade between North Africa and Southeast Asia, while increasing technical collaboration, workforce training, and digitalisation in the transport sector.



In energy and mining, both sides appreciated the collaboration between Sonatrach and Petrovietnam, encouraging the expansion of joint exploration and extraction of oil and gas, as well as research and development of petrochemical and strategic mining projects.



The two countries agreed to promote collaboration in sustainable agricultural development, resources management, and climate change response, encouraging Vietnamese investment in agricultural complexes in Algeria to support food security domestically and regionally.



Cooperation in science and technology, digital transformation, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, data, smart postal services, and artificial intelligence will also be strengthened, with Algeria supporting the modernisation of its information networks.



Algeria expressed readiness to assist Vietnam in building a Halal ecosystem to serve global supply chains through experience sharing, training, and certification recognition.



The two sides also committed to closer collaboration in housing, urban planning and management, personnel training, disaster risk reduction research, and the development of new urban centres.



Cultural, sports, and arts exchanges will be promoted, alongside cooperation in education, higher education, research partnerships, and expert exchanges. Collaboration will also be strengthened in archiving, digitisation, preservation, and utilisation of shared historical documents.



The two countries expressed their intention to increase cooperation between localities, starting with Dien Bien province in Vietnam and Batna province in Algeria.



Both sides agreed to initiate negotiations on a visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports to facilitate people-to-people exchanges, tourism, economic and investment activities, and to create favourable conditions for communities and businesses from both countries to contribute to bilateral relations./.VNA
Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a bilateral meeting with State Minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan Kazuchika Iwata in Melbourne, Australia, on November 20, on the sidelines of the ninth Commission Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).



The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, such as the expansion of CPTPP membership, negotiations to upgrade certain provisions, and Vietnam's priorities for 2026.



Iwata noted that in the context of global economic and trade challenges, strengthening and expanding connections through free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the CPTPP is of significant importance. He expressed hope that CPTPP members will soon agree on the number of economies to be accepted to start the process of joining the deal.

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (R) and State Minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan Kazuchika Iwata. (Photo: VNA)

Regarding the upgrading negotiations, the Japanese official praised Vietnam's stance and position, and suggested the two countries maintain close cooperation to push forward discussions on priority issues within the CPTPP, especially those related to e-commerce and trade facilitation. He also emphasised Vietnams role as the CPTPP Chairmanship in 2026 in shaping the outcome of these discussions.



Dien stressed that CPTPP members need to focus on the implementation process to enhance the agreements effectiveness. Regarding membership expansion, he supported the inclusion of new economies but emphasised the necessity for a transparent and clear selection process, as well as the allocation of appropriate resources if the accession negotiations of these economies are officially initiated.



Regarding the negotiations to upgrade the CPTPP, the minister stated that Vietnam supports negotiations based on the principle of balance, considering the viewpoints and interests of all members. He also shared Vietnams priorities for its upcoming CPTPP Chairmanship and affirmed that it will regularly consult Japan throughout the discussion process.



Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the development of Vietnam-Japan economic and trade relations and expressed a desire for the two countries to continue supporting each other in the CPTPP implementation and upgrade negotiations, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations./.
Disneyland is giving California residents a magical reason to celebrate  ticket prices are being cut in half for a limited-time promotion.

The Anaheim theme park announced that Golden State residents can grab a three-day park hopper pass for just $249, or about $83 per day, granting access to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

Regular three-day park hopper tickets cost $535 for adults and $510 for children, meaning this special deal represents a huge saving for local visitors.

The discounted tickets go on sale December 3 and can be used between January 1 and May 21, 2026.

Tickets can be used on nonconsecutive days, but park reservations are required.

To qualify, visitors must prove California residency with a government-issued ID showing a ZIP code between 90000 and 96199, Independent reported.

Each eligible guest can purchase up to five tickets per day. For an additional fee, visitors can add Disneyland's Lightning Lane Multi Pass to skip long lines at popular attractions.

Disneyland slashes ticket prices by 50% for lucky few  but theres a catch https://t.co/53e0i64QmK pic.twitter.com/zS3RBIfCvu  NY Post Business (@nypostbiz) November 19, 2025

Disneyland Ticket Prices Soar

This promotion comes at a time when ticket prices at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World have been steadily rising, causing frustration among parkgoers.

Single-day peak tickets in Anaheim have hit a record $224, while multi-day passes and annual passes saw similar increases. Annual passholders, for instance, saw the top-tier Inspire Key rise to $1,899.

According to the NY Post, parking also climbed to $40 per day. In Florida, Walt Disney World also raised ticket and pass prices, with some single-day tickets exceeding $200.

Fans have voiced concerns on social media, saying rising costs make traditional Disney vacations harder for families to afford.

Many have cited added expenses like hotels, food, and premium add-ons such as Genie+ and Lightning Lane.

Some long-time visitors reported they might not renew annual passes due to these price hikes.

Despite the price surge, Disneyland's new promotion offers Californians an opportunity to enjoy the park without breaking the bank.

The sale coincides with Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebrations, including events like the 2026 Lunar New Year festivities and the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.

"Discover unforgettable festivalsfrom vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations to delicious flavors at the Food & Wine Festival," the park said. "Plus, join in the excitement of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration."

Originally published on vcpost.com
Specifically, mobile speeds in Singapore are around 163.29 Mbps, in Malaysia about 163.00 Mbps, and in Vietnam approximately 146.64 Mbps.



Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines all recorded lower mobile speeds than Vietnam.



Latest statistics from the Vietnam Internet Centre show that Vietnams average 5G speed has reached 447.03 Mb/s for downloads and 99.26 Mb/s for uploads, with average latency at just 0.024 seconds. These are the highest download, upload and latency figures ever recorded for Vietnams 5G networks, marking significant efforts by domestic operators to improve 5G quality and stability.



Vietnams mobile internet speed has improved thanks to telecommunications infrastructure development policies and investment from network operators. Viettel alone has installed more than 7,000 5G base stations across 34 provinces and cities. The group aims to expand 5G coverage to 99% of the population by 2030, with over 20,000 base stations expected to be completed by the end of 2025./.VNA
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Hanoi on November 20 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and its Russian counterpart on cooperation in scientific research, industrial development, and innovation in the industrial sector.



The signing took place at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Russia Scientific Forum on Industrial, Technological, and Innovation Promotion.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai affirmed that Russia is not only a traditional and reliable partner but also a great friend who has accompanied Vietnam throughout the process of nation-building and national defence.



Entering a new era - the era of national rise, Vietnam identifies industrialisation and modernisation as central tasks, with science, technology, and innovation considered top national priorities, he said. Under the development orientation toward 2030, Vietnam aims for industry to contribute over 40% of GDP, with manufacturing and processing accounting for around 30%.



According to Hoai, Vietnam is focusing on shifting its growth model toward depth, prioritizing the development of energy industries, materials industries, mechanical engineering, and the digital technology sector. To realise these ambitious goals, in addition to domestic capacity, Vietnam places great value on international cooperation, especially with Russia - a nation boasting a strong foundation in basic sciences and leading core technologies.



Addressing the forum, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Aleksey Gruzdev emphasised that the forum has become a driving force and an important step forward in deepening bilateral relations, fostering trade promotion activities, and expanding cooperation in industry and high technology between the two countries.



In the coming period, the Russian Government will invest in supporting the development of industries such as truck manufacturing and sectors with strong growth potential like high-tech production. Russia is also targeting a 40% share of non-energy exports. By 2030, the country aims to achieve up to 90% industrial self-sufficiency and become a global leader in high-tech industries.



Gruzdev also noted that Russia and Vietnam still possess significant potential for joint development. With their strong and longstanding relationship, he expressed confidence that the two nations will achieve many accomplishments in the coming time.



Hoai praised the initiative of organising the forum. With the participation of numerous administrators, experts, scientists, and especially major enterprises such as Rosatom, Rusal, AlPharma, along with leading Vietnamese corporations, he expressed his belief that the forum will not be limited to theoretical discussions but will open up substantive and in-depth cooperation opportunities in the future./.VNA
Receiving Milos Vystrcil, President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, President Cuong stressed that the visit holds significant meaning as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (19502025) and actively implement the substance of the Strategic Partnership framework established in January 2025.



The President expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm sentiments and valuable assistance that the Czech Republic has extended to Vietnam during its struggle for national liberation in the past, as well as in the countrys current development and modernisation efforts.



Senate President Vystrcil congratulated Vietnam on its major achievements over 80 years of independence, 50 years of national reunification, and in its recent process of development and international integration. He affirmed that the Czech Republic regards Vietnam as an important partner in Southeast Asia and wishes to advance cooperation across all fields.



Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the positive growth of bilateral relations in multiple areas, underpinned by a high level of political trust. Two-way trade has posted impressive growth, reaching 2 billion USD in 2024 and 1.9 billion USD in the first ten months of 2025, though still falling short of the two countries potential and strengths. Both sides see considerable room to further boost trade and investment ties, and cooperation in many other spheres.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong, Czech Republic's Senate President Milos Vystrcil, and officials of the two countries in a photo taken in Hanoi on November 20 (Photo: VNA)

President Cuong suggested the legislative bodies of both countries to continue coordination in creating a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation, serving the shared interests of the two nations and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.



He said the two sides should enhance exchanges and delegation visits at all levels and through various channels to strengthen political trust; expand cooperation in economy, trade, investment, defence and security, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism; and promote people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and open new areas of complementary cooperation.



The President asked the Czech Republic to work with other EU member states to expedite the ratification of the EUVietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission in lifting the IUU warning on Vietnams seafood exports.



Senate President Vystrcil said the two legislatures will coordinate to implement high-level agreements and support both governments in advancing bilateral cooperation across all sectors.



He also praised the contributions of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to the host countrys socio-economic development, affirming that the Czech Parliament and authorities at all levels will continue to provide support and favourable conditions for the community.



On multilateral cooperation, the two leaders affirmed that Vietnam and the Czech Republic will continue to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations and within the ASEANEU framework. They noted support for the stance on settling disputes, including the East Sea issue, by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).



On this occasion, Senate President Vystrcil announced that the Czech Republic will provide humanitarian assistance worth approximately 3.5 billion VND (132,600 USD) to residents affected by storms and flooding in central Vietnam.



President Cuong asked Senate President Vystrcil to convey his invitation to Czech President Petr Pavel to visit Vietnam soon to continue discussions on directions and measures to further advance bilateral relations in the time ahead./.VNA
CAN THO  More than 100 million tonnes of rice straw generated annually in the Greater Mekong Subregion are emerging as a potential investment and a way to inject added value into the green economy, rather than an environmental burden, attendees heard at a workshop in Can Tho on November 18.

The workshop, titled 'Straw-based value chains: Policies and investment opportunities', was co-organised by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the National Agricultural Extension Centre and the Viet Nam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA) and brought together over 100 delegates from Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Nguyen Van Hung, an IRRI senior agricultural specialist and head of the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund's RiceEco project, said that straw can significantly cut emissions and boost yields when reused in the circular agriculture model.

Mechanised straw collection for the purpose of circular agriculture and reducing emissions has been recognised as a major technical advance in Viet Nam. The method has been integrated into the countys one million hectare low-emissions high-quality rice programme in the Mekong Delta, he said.

Reusing rice straw is found to help reduce greenhouse gases, saving up to three tonnes of CO2-equivalent per hectare compared with burying straw in flooded fields. Meanwhile, yields increase by 10-15 per cent when farmers use compost from straw.

EasyFarm, an app developed as part of the RiceEco project, helps connect farmers with mechanised baling services and buyers, helping them to increase incomes and shift away from open-field burning to more environmentally friendly practices.

Straw is not a problem to be managed, but a solution to be exploited, IRRI Country Representative for Viet Nam, Laos and Myanmar Robert Caudwell said.

The material can be used in compost, livestock feed and mushroom production, helping increase farmers' incomes and reduce pollution, he said.

Straw management helps the country meet its green growth and net zero commitments, said Le uc Thinh, Director of the Department of Co-operatives and Rural Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

As the Government has approved the one million hectare high-quality, low-emissions rice programme, which is linked to green growth and Viet Nams 2050 net zero commitment, straw management is no longer a purely technical issue. Instead, it is a strategic pillar of the sectors green transition.

Without a clear solution for straw, goals for emissions reduction and upgrading the rice value chain will be difficult to achieve, Thinh said.

A biomass resource

Thinh said that a legal framework needs to be developed for straw to be recognised as a biomass resource. Technical standards should also be issued for collection, processing, transportation and reuse of the material to create a solid basis for developing a straw-based value chain and market.

Co-operatives should have a stronger role in connecting farmers with processors to create high added value products from straw, he noted.

The department director added that financial mechanisms linked with carbon markets should also be developed to encourage both farmers and enterprises to develop circular agriculture.

Research from Can Tho University and IRRI shows that traders currently lead the straw-based value chain, with 32.4 per cent of the collected volume. Straw is mainly used for mushroom cultivation (17.9 per cent), animal husbandry (5.9 per cent), and crop cultivation (2.7 per cent). Mushroom cultivation brings the highest economic gains, with a value of around VN6.7 trillion (US$254 million) per year.

However, the value chain lacks standards, an official platform and credit incentives.

Nguyen Hong Tin from Can Tho University said that straw should be recognised as a biomass resource with specific quality standards, credit support policies and integration into carbon mechanisms to build a more transparent and sustainable market.

Once seen as a problem after harvest, straw is becoming a valuable product, with investment in collection and processing, Loc Troi Group Chairman Huynh Van Thon said.

Every part of the rice plant can now be converted into high-value products, from organic fertiliser to bio-based plastics.

Straw management is an issue not only for Viet Nam but also for other countries in the region, which urged the formation of an ASEAN Learning Alliance on circular straw management involving farmers, co-operatives, policymakers and businesses from five countries.

According to IRRI senior specialist Rica Flor, each country has different conditions, but the challenges of straw management are broadly similar. Through the alliance, stakeholders can learn from both successes and failures, adjust models to local contexts, and work towards shared goals of greener agriculture and lower emissions.

Experts at the workshop agreed that the practice of open-field burning must be replaced by a closed-loop value chain in which straw is collected, processed, reused and valued as a biomass resource.

With more than 100 million tonnes of straw generated each year in the Greater Mekong Subregion, this resource, if managed under a circular model, could be an important source for organic fertilisers, biomaterials, pellets, livestock and mushroom production, while creating a potential pool of carbon credits linked to emissions-reduction programmes.  VNS
HCM CITY  Medical Saigon Group, one of Viet Nam's largest private eye hospital chains, Topcon Healthcare, a global leader in ophthalmic devices and digital health solutions, and DKSH Vietnam, a market expansion services provider, have formed a partnership to improve eye care services in Viet Nam through the deployment of advanced medical equipment and technology.

The partnership will address Viet Nam's growing eye care needs, including rising prevalence of refractive errors and age-related conditions.

Medical Saigon Group will prioritise Topcon Healthcare's medical equipment and services for use at its hospitals and clinics.

The collaboration will enable the deployment of Topcons integrated technology ecosystem featuring advanced diagnostic equipment, sophisticated hardware and software solutions, AI-powered solutions for early disease detection, and state-of-the-art surgical systems to enhance treatment precision and safety.

As the strategic enabler of this partnership, DKSH Healthcare will ensure not only precise supply and installation of equipment but also provide technical training, know-how transfer and maintenance.

Leo Nagatake, managing director, Topcon Healthcare Southeast Asia, said: "This partnership reflects our commitment to the Vietnamese market and confidence in Medical Saigon Group's vision. Together, we will ensure healthcare professionals have access to cutting-edge technology that delivers optimal patient outcomes."

Huynh Le uc, group chief executive officer of Medical Saigon Group, said the goal is not merely to adopt the latest technologies but to create a seamless, patient-centric eye care pathway.

This strategic collaboration with Topcon Healthcare and DKSH Vietnam is a decisive step toward realising our vision of a smart hospital model.

Ankur Pandey, vice president, business unit healthcare, DKSH Vietnam, said the company is honoured to partner with Topcon Healthcare and Medical Saigon Group to advance healthcare in Viet Nam, adding the collaboration demonstrates how combining global innovation with local expertise could expand access to quality eye care nationwide.  VNS
HA NOI  Ha Noi has begun piloting an administrative procedure model that allows citizens and businesses to submit documents at any branch of the citys Public Administration Service Centre, regardless of their place of residence or the jurisdiction of the authority.

The pilot programme, running until the end of November, aims to expand and modernise the administrative services in a broader effort to improve the business climate.

After the pilot implementation, the Ha Noi Public Administration Service Centre will evaluate the results for official rollout.

The pilot covers all administrative procedures under the authority of municipal departments, including Department of Home Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of Culture and Sports, Department of Health, Department of Education and Training, Department of Tourism, Department of Finance, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Construction, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Planning and Architecture, as well as the city Inspectorate, the Office of the Peoples Committee, the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and the Ha Noi Land Registration Office and its branches.

Procedures handled by commune and ward-level Peoples Committees are also included.

Under the new approach, citizens and businesses can submit applications at any service point under the citys Public Administration Service Centre, without regard to administrative boundaries, residence, business location or the issuing authority of relevant documents.

Deputy Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Truong Viet Dung on November 17 approved the list of administrative procedures to be carried out regardless of administrative boundaries.

The list includes 1,038 procedures with 789 at provincial level and 249 at commune level.

The municipal Peoples Committee asked the Ha Noi Public Administration Service Centre to receive and return results for the approved procedures at all of its branches together with the issuance of an implementation plan with detailed guidelines for agencies and branches.

The city also asked coordination among municipal departments, agencies and the Ha Noi Public Administration Service Centre to facilitate the implementation of boundary-free administrative procedures handling.

Strict punishments will be raised for any individuals or organisations who intentionally cause difficulties to residents and businesses.

Further efforts needed

According to the Ha Noi Public Administration Service Centre, there are still shortcomings in delivery of online public services.

The centre said that only around 18.55 per cent of administrative procedures were submitted online, far below the Governments target of 70 per cent.

The centres director Cu Ngoc Trang said that numerous procedures will require originals of certified copies, leaving many procedures half online, half offline.

The lack of clear guidance on mandatory e-Form digital signatures has also discouraged users, and digital signature adoption remains low, she said.

The centre said these issues highlight that digitalising administrative procedures require more than uploading documents but legal reforms, improved public awareness, stronger digital infrastructure, and wider access to digital signatures.

The centre said it is necessary to ease the requirements for original or certified copies, promote the adoption of e-Form digital signature as well as investing in information technology infrastructure and building database to facilitate online public services.

Ha Noi recently asked for greater efforts to restructure 50 key procedures and to make business-related procedures fully online by December 20.

The city also set a deadline to upgrade the Public Administration Service Centre into a unified, modern model connected to all communes and wards by December 5.  VNS
HA NOI  Nearly 18 billion cashless transactions were recorded in the first nine months of this year, with total value surpassing VN260 quadrillion (nearly US$10 billion), according to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)s Payment Department.

The figures were released at a seminar jointly organised on Wednesday by the Payment Department, the National Payment Joint Stock Company of Vietnam (NAPAS) and the Vietnam Economic Magazine (VNEconomy). The event, themed QR Code Payments: transparency and unlimited experiences, highlighted the strong momentum of digital payments in the country.

SBV Deputy Governor Pham Tien Dung said QR Code payments have expanded rapidly and become a mainstream method of transactions nationwide.

He attributed this growth to three main factors, including the government and the SBV's consistent policies on promoting cashless payments, the rollout of a unified QR code standard that removed interbank barriers, and broad market adoption across commercial banks, retailers and consumers.

Director of the Payment Department Pham Anh Tuan detailed the structure of the 18 billion transactions, including internet-based payments exceeded 3.4 billion transactions worth more than VN76 quadrillion, while mobile-based payments accounted for nearly 12 billion transactions with a total value of over VN64 quadrillion. QR Code payments alone reached more than 337 million transactions worth VN 288 trillion.

At NAPAS, the system processed over 8.3 billion transactions by the end of September this year, approaching VN48 quadrillion in value. On peak days, the platform handled up to 43 million transactions while maintaining nearly 100 per cent availability.

Experts noted that QR Code payments have grown in popularity thanks to their simplicity, swift processing, high security and the readiness of credit institutions technological infrastructure.

However, they cautioned that several challenges persist. A large number of vendors still use personal QR codes to receive payments, attracted by the convenience, speed and lack of service fees. Yet this method creates regulatory gaps, offers no consumer protection in case of disputes and is incompatible with bilateral QR systems used for cross-border transactions.

Tuan said regulators are shaping solutions to address these gaps. To enhance international connectivity, strengthen anti-money laundering efforts and improve state budget oversight, Viet Nam aims to accelerate the shift from transfer-type QR codes to payment-type QR codes (QR Pay), in line with global practices and modern management requirements.

Viet Nam has already implemented cross-border QR payment links with Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, enabling two-way transactions for individuals and businesses. In the next phase, cooperation will extend to China, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, India and Taiwan (China) to meet rising cross-border payment demand.  VNS
HA NOI  President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Milos Vystrcil on Thursday met with Czech and Vietnamese enterprises in Ha Noi as part of his official visit to Viet Nam.

The event was organised by the Czech Embassy in Ha Noi, in coordination with the Czech Chamber of Commerce and CzechTrade. It took place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Speaking at the meeting, Vystrcil emphasised the closeness of the bilateral ties despite geographical distance, describing the Czech Republic as the heart of Europe and noting that although Viet Nam and the Czech Republic are 8,800km apart, the two nations are truly very close.

He highlighted three key foundations underpinning this special relationship: the 75-year history of diplomatic ties since the former Czechoslovakia became the first European country to establish relations with Viet Nam; the presence of more than 300,000 Vietnamese who speak or understand Czech; and a community of around 50,000 people of Vietnamese origin who have become an officially recognised ethnic minority in the Czech Republic. These factors create favourable conditions for expanding economic and business cooperation.

The Senate President reaffirmed that both governments strongly support deeper partnership. However, he stressed that the main driving force must come from businesses themselves, expressing his hope that enterprises from both sides will seize opportunities and generate mutual benefits.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, deputy director of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance, reported that bilateral trade reached US$1.6 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

As of October 2025, the Czech Republic had 46 valid investment projects in Viet Nam with total registered capital of about $91.5 million, ranking 52nd among 153 countries and territories investing in the country.

Tuan cited the joint venture between Czech automaker Skoda Auto and Viet Nams Thanh Cong Group to develop car manufacturing in Quang Ninh Province as a symbol of the growing partnership.

Despite these positive results, Tuan noted that cooperation has yet to match its full potential. He identified priority areas for collaboration, including manufacturing and processing technologies, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, high-tech industries, green and clean energy, finance, information technology, telecommunications and tourism.

He affirmed that Viet Nam is pushing ahead with breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure, and human resources to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income developed nation by 2045. The Southeast Asian country is committed to building a fair, transparent, open, competitive and predictable investment environment, he stressed.

The meeting also featured presentations by Czech companies accompanying the Senate President and a B2B networking session connecting enterprises from both sides.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a bilateral meeting with State Minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan Kazuchika Iwata in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, on the sidelines of the ninth Commission Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, such as the expansion of CPTPP membership, negotiations to upgrade certain provisions and Viet Nam 's priorities for 2026.

Iwata noted that in the context of global economic and trade challenges, strengthening and expanding connections through free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the CPTPP is of significant importance. He expressed hope that CPTPP members will soon agree on the number of economies to be accepted to start the process of joining the deal.

Regarding the upgrading negotiations, the Japanese official praised Viet Nam 's stance and position and suggested the two countries maintain close cooperation to push forward discussions on priority issues within the CPTPP, especially those related to e-commerce and trade facilitation.

He also emphasised Viet Nams role as the CPTPP Chairmanship in 2026 in shaping the outcome of these discussions.

Dien stressed that CPTPP members need to focus on the implementation process to enhance the agreements effectiveness. Regarding membership expansion, he supported the inclusion of new economies but emphasised the necessity for a transparent and clear selection process, as well as the allocation of appropriate resources if the accession negotiations of these economies are officially initiated.

Regarding the negotiations to upgrade the CPTPP, the minister stated that Viet Nam supports negotiations based on the principle of balance, considering the viewpoints and interests of all members. He also shared Viet Nams priorities for its upcoming CPTPP Chairmanship and affirmed that it will regularly consult Japan throughout the discussion process.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the development of Viet Nam-Japan economic and trade relations and expressed a desire for the two countries to continue supporting each other in the CPTPP implementation and upgrade negotiations, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and Australia have reaffirmed their long-standing economic partnership and agreed on a series of measures to expand trade and investment during the second Trade Ministers Dialogue held in Melbourne on November 19.

The meeting was co-chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Australias Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Hon Don Farrell.

According to the joint statement, the ministers noted that bilateral trade has grown rapidly in recent years. Viet Nam is now Australias 10th-largest goods trading partner and 14th-largest goods-and-services trading partner, while Australia ranks as Viet Nams 10th-largest goods trading partner.

Both sides acknowledged that the partnership is underpinned by complementary economic structures, strong people-to-people ties and a shared commitment to a rules-based global trading system.

The ministers highlighted progress made under the VietnamAustralia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, Australias Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and the Trade Ministers Dialogue, which have fostered a more favourable business environment and supported stronger trade and investment links.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed measures to deepen cooperation in priority sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, trade promotion and facilitating business activities in each others markets.

They welcomed recent steps to open markets for Vietnamese grapefruit and Australian blueberries and agreed to work toward expanding access for additional agricultural products.

The ministers also discussed priority initiatives under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to promote collaboration in sectors vital to future industries. They underscored three areas for closer cooperation: maintaining sustainable mineral supply chains; supporting climate and energy-transition goals; and tapping greater investment potential in energy and critical minerals.

Both sides stressed the importance of digital trade rules and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation on digital transformation and the digital economy.

The two ministers reiterated strong support for the WTO-led, rules-based trading system and pledged to maintain positive momentum toward ambitious WTO reforms ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference in 2026. They also reaffirmed their support for enforceable trade rules, noting Viet Nams recent decision to join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). Australia welcomed Viet Nams plan to host APEC in 2027.

Both sides emphasised the role of free trade agreements  including the AANZFTA, RCEP and CPTPP  in promoting trade liberalisation and inclusive economic growth. They committed to maximising the benefits of these agreements for businesses.

Minister Farrell welcomed Viet Nams upcoming assumption of the CPTPP Chairmanship in 2026. The two sides agreed on the importance of a meaningful joint review of the agreement and reiterated their support for efforts to expand the CPTPP.

They also committed to building on Australias achievements during its chairmanship to further strengthen the trade pact.

Australia and Viet Nam pledged to continue close coordination as Viet Nam prepares to host APEC in 2027, with both sides expressing confidence that the forum will contribute to regional prosperity.  VNS
Harvard University faces renewed scrutiny this week as newly released congressional documents expose what critics are calling a systematic institutional failure: the university's continued entanglement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein years after publicly declaring those ties severed.

The revelations, forced into the open only after the House Oversight Committee released more than 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein's estate, paint a damning picture of an elite institution that looked the other way while one of its most prominent figures maintained an intimate relationship with a registered sex offender.

The Cover-Up Unravels

At the heart of the scandal is former Harvard President Lawrence Summers, whose extensive correspondence with Epstein continued through July 5, 2019just one day before Epstein's arrest on new federal sex trafficking charges. The emails and text messages show Summers seeking personal advice from Epstein about pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as his mentee, with Epstein calling himself Summers' "wing man."

But this wasn't just a personal failing. It was an institutional one.

Harvard's 2020 investigation concluded that the university stopped accepting donations from Epstein after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. That report, conducted by Harvard's general counsel, was supposed to be the final word on the university's Epstein problem. It wasn't.

The newly released documents reveal that while Harvard publicly distanced itself from Epstein, its former president was confiding in him about intimate matters, discussing Harvard initiatives, and maintaining regular contactall while Epstein remained a convicted sex offender.

A Pattern of Institutional Blindness

This wasn't the only way Harvard's ties to Epstein persisted after 2008. The 2020 report itself documented that Epstein visited Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics offices more than 40 times between 2010 and 2018. He had a permanent keycard. He met with researchers. He was accompanied by young women he introduced as his "assistants."

Yet it took public outcry and congressional investigation to force Harvard to act. Professor Martin Nowak, who ran the program Epstein had initially funded with millions, was only placed on paid administrative leave after the 2020 report's releasetwelve years after Harvard supposedly cut ties with Epstein.

The university knew. And it did nothing.

Congress Forces Harvard's HandAgain

The pattern is clear: Harvard only investigates when forced to by external pressure. The 2020 review came only after Epstein's 2019 arrest and death made headlines worldwide. Now, Harvard has announced yet another investigationthis time into Summers and other affiliatesbut only after Congress released documents the university could no longer ignore.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, herself a former Harvard Law School professor, didn't mince words in calling for Harvard to sever ties with Summers entirely. Summers, she said, showed an inability to distance himself from Epstein that proves he "cannot be trusted" with students.

Harvard's response? Another investigation. Another promise of accountability. Another set of recommendations that will supposedly prevent this from happening again.

But the damage to Harvard's credibility may be irreparable. The university claims it values transparency and accountability, yet its relationship with Epstein tells a different storyone of an institution more concerned with protecting its reputation and its powerful affiliates than with confronting uncomfortable truths.

The Broader Implications

The Epstein scandal at Harvard isn't just about one convicted sex offender's access to an elite institution. It's about the corrosive influence of wealth and power in academia, and about universities' willingness to compromise their stated values when it serves their interests.

Harvard accepted $9.1 million from Epstein between 1998 and 2008. After his conviction, the university allowed him to facilitate millions more in donations from wealthy donors like Leon Black. Development officers knew about Epstein's continued involvement in encouraging donations but took no steps to discourage it, according to the 2020 report.

Meanwhile, one of Harvard's most distinguished faculty membersa former U.S. Treasury Secretary and presidential advisormaintained a close personal relationship with Epstein for years, apparently without consequence or oversight.

A Crisis of Leadership

Harvard's leadership has consistently been reactive rather than proactive. The university didn't investigate Epstein's ties until forced to. It didn't place faculty on leave until public outcry demanded it. It didn't announce a new investigation into Summers until Congress made his continued relationship with Epstein impossible to ignore.

This is not how an institution committed to truth and accountability behaves. This is how an institution in crisis management mode behavesone more concerned with damage control than with genuine reform.

The current investigation, announced this week, may reveal additional policy violations and lead to new reforms. But Harvard has made promises before. The 2020 report included recommendations for reviewing controversial gifts and appointing visiting fellows. Those reforms came too late to prevent Summers' relationship with Epstein from continuing for another decade.

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied

For survivors of Epstein's abuse, Harvard's failures represent more than institutional incompetence. They represent a system that protected their abuser, that gave him legitimacy, that allowed him continued access to prestigious institutions even after his conviction.

As Congress voted overwhelmingly this week to force the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related files, survivors stood in the gallery and cheered. They had fought for years for transparency and accountability. Harvard could have led that fight. Instead, it had to be dragged into it.

The university now faces a reckoning it can no longer avoid. The question is whether this timefinallyit will choose genuine accountability over self-preservation. The evidence so far suggests it will do what it has always done: investigate, issue a report, make recommendations, and hope the scandal fades.

But the survivors deserve better. Students deserve better. And the public deserves an honest accounting of how one of the world's most prestigious universities became complicit in protecting a sexual predator's reputationand why it took congressional subpoenas to force the truth into the light.

Editor's Note: Harvard University spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain stated that "the University is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted." Former President Summers announced he would step back from public commitments while continuing to teach at Harvard, stating he is "deeply ashamed" of his relationship with Epstein.
A NANG  Japanese world-renowned pianist Hibiki Tamura, a winner of the 2007 Long-Thibaud Competition in France, will perform free concerts in a Nang and Hue on December 1314, marking the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam's independence and the successful merger of a Nang City and Quang Nam Province.

The Head of the Japanese General Consulate in a Nang City, Mori Takero, confirmed that the pianist agreed to support the purpose of the event and perform without charge.

It also witnesses the successful merger of a Nang City and Quang Nam Province, leading to the birth of a new a Nang City. We have been exploring many ways on what we, the Japanese community here, can do to celebrate them and express our gratitude to a Nang and Hue cities, Mori said.

a Nang and Hue cities are very supportive, including in the use of facilities. Toyota Okayama, Takatsu Engineering Vietnam, Aeon Mall, Yamaha, a Nang Mikazuki Japanese Resort & Spa, AZERAI, La Residence, Hue became sponsors with generous support. This illustrates how thankful the Japanese community is.

Central Viet Nam and Japan have built a strong cooperative relationship, and Japan is proud to have contributed to the development of central Viet Nam through support for key infrastructure projects, while many Vietnamese people who have studied at top-level universities in Japan have succeeded in business and academia, making significant contributions to the development of their hometowns, he added.

Hibiki Tamura, 39, who was born in Aichi, Japan, began studying piano at the age of three. He studied at Mozarteum University Salzburg and now lectures at Kyoto University of the Arts, Japan.

The Japanese artist has performed several times in Ha Noi and HCM City in 2011, 2014 and 2018, but this will be his first solo show in central Viet Nam.

a Nang has hosted the annual Kanagawa Festival four times since 2015, while Kanagawa Prefecture plans to introduce the opera Princess Anio, inspired by the 400-year-old love story between Vietnamese princess Ngoc Hoa and Japanese merchant Araki Sotaro, in Kanagawa next September.

a Nang and Hoi An ancient town have hosted the annual Viet Nam-Japan Cultural Festival since 2014.

Four prefectures from Japan, including Kisarazu, Kawasaki, Sakai and Yokohama, have inked friendship and cooperation agreements with a Nang.

Nine cities in Japan, including Fukuoka, Yokohama, Maebashi, Chiba, Shizuoka, Tokyo, Tottori and Nagasaki, and 120 Japanese businesses have inked cooperation deals with a Nang Citys ong A University for human resources training and employment from central Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  Thousands of graduates gathered in Ha Noi to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the then Indochina Fine Arts School, now known as the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts, or simply the Yet Kieu school after the street where it is located.

Among them were two individuals who did not graduate from the renowned arts school themselves, but whose forefathers founded and taught there a century ago. They also travelled to Ha Noi to pay tribute to their ancestors, joining the celebrations and reflecting on a legacy that has shaped generations of Vietnamese artists.

Alix Turolla Tardieu, accompanied by two of her sons, is the granddaughter of Victor Tardieu, founder and first director of the then L'Ecole des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine.

Another visitor was Arnault Fontani, great-grandson of sculptor Everiste Jonchere, the schools second director.

"I was very touched to have met Madame Alix Turolla Tardieu," writes Trinh Lu, himself a painter and writer, on his fanpage.

"She said I was like family, as my father, Trinh Huu Ngoc, always regarded Tardieu as his respected father figure since his days studying at the college of fine arts.

"I was even more touched as she gifted me a paintbrush that her grandfather Tardieu brought from France."

Today, on November 20, students and former students across Viet Nam celebrate the vital role of their teachers, who not only imparted knowledge but also left a lasting influence on the many lives they helped shape.

"One who teaches you one word is your teacher; even if he teaches you half a word, he is also your teacher," reads a prominent Vietnamese saying with roots in ancient Han Chinese philosophy. It reminds everyone to honour all teachers who guided them from their earliest school days and helped shape who they are today.

Although Viet Nam fought with blood and tears to break free from French colonial rule and the Fine Arts School ceased to exist in its original form in 1954, the same grounds and buildings now host the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts, which continues to train painters according to the academic standards established by the school over a century ago.

A century ago, the school received applications from students across the three Indochina countries  Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia  and trained painters, architects and sculptors.

Trinh Huu Ngoc, Trinh Lu's father, enjoyed a long and varied career that extended beyond painting to design and interior wood furniture, continuing his work well after the old school ceased to operate.

His artistic declaration, the principles he lived by and taught his later students about the true meaning of being an artist was captured in the essence as follows:

"Be a Free Man, then become an Artist

Art is the masterpiece of Labour

Painting  It's a profession

Interior design is for building a way of life

Drawing what we see is a way of Zen for everybody"

In 1938, Trinh Huu Ngoc graduated from the schools Lacquer Department. A year later, in 1939, a dozen of his paintings received the Gold Medal in Painting, while the furniture he designed at MEMO 47 Studio was awarded the Silver Medal in Wood Furniture, as reported by ong Phap newspaper on January 30, 1940.

At the school, Trinh Huu Ngoc studied under Joseph Inguimberty. According to the book Trinh Huu Ngoc, a special legacy of the Franco-IndoChinese Fine Arts by his son Trinh Lu:

"When Inguimberty scanned local nature for motifs and used sketches for topical compositions with the sensibility of a foreign teacher of decoration, then Trinh Huu Ngoc would paint truly natural compositions of his homeland, with the sensibility of a local open-air painter.

"The teachers works are narrative, while the student captured what he saw."

Both of them painted numerous landscapes of Ba Vi Mountain on the horizon, but their works differ markedly in style and approach.

"Inguimberty's landscapes are obviously dramatic with lots of contrasts, closer to the Post-Impressionists. And Trinh Huu Ngoc's landscapes are atmospheric in natural light, closer to the French Impressionists, but much tender and emotional," wrote Trinh Lu.

After the nine-year resistance war, Viet Nam's new government under President Ho Chi Minh ushered in a simpler, more practical lifestyle. Trinh Huu Ngoc responded by creating interior designs and furniture suited to this new way of life.

Todays students continue to learn classic methods and preserve the schools traditions and signature techniques. It remains the countrys most demanding arts school to enter, with an enormous workload, and its graduates have gone on to become leading artists of Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  The third Ha Noi Autumn Festival will take place from November 2123 at the Tran Nhan Tong Pedestrian Street and Thong Nhat Park, offering visitors a wide range of cultural, artistic and tourism experiences, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.

The 2025 edition will feature around 150 booths by localities, travel companies, airlines, craft villages and artisans. Each display area will showcase distinctive products, attractive tour packages and diverse cultural and artistic activities.

Throughout the three-day event, visitors can explore themed spaces, a culinary zone, a street-performance area, and a photography exhibition.

The highlight of the festival will be an art programme on the evening of November 21, combining lighting effects, music and nostalgic elements reflecting the citys charm.

On the morning of November 23, a mass performance will bring together traditional art troupes.

A series of community-engagement activities will take place before and during the festival, including a creative playground for children, a photo contest, and tours around the capital city.

In 2024, the second Ha Noi Autumn Festival attracted over 50,000 visitors.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand, in coordination with the Vietnamese Students Association in Wellington (VSAW), has hosted the Viet Nam Day 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reaffirming overseas Vietnamese's role in preserving and promoting the national identity abroad.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Phan Minh Giang underlined the special significance of this years event, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam  New Zealand friendly relations, the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, and the 80th National Day of Viet Nam.

Giang commended the VSAW's efforts in initiating and maintaining the Viet Nam Day as an annual event that brings together the Vietnamese community in Wellington and across New Zealand to honour and spread the Vietnamese cultural identity while fostering mutual understanding and exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation.

As part of the celebration, organisers held the closing ceremony and awards presentation for the Giao Lo 50 (Crossroads 50) Quiz Challenge, a competition that encouraged Vietnamese students in New Zealand to learn about the five decades of relations between the two countries. Jointly organised by the embassy and the Vietnamese Students Association in New Zealand (VSANZ), the contest attracted strong participation from Vietnamese students there.

On this occasion, the embassy also announced commendations for collectives and individuals from the VSAW and VSANZ with outstanding achievements in student engagement and community work, acknowledging their contributions to strengthening unity and supporting the Vietnamese community in the host country.

Following the formal proceedings, the Viet Nam Day 2025, themed The Rising Line, treated participants to a rich cultural and artistic programme portraying a youthful, dynamic, and proud Viet Nam. The performances conveyed the message of a Viet Nam of peace, independence, resilience, innovation, and sustainable development in the new era.

This years event also featured performances by international students, contributing to cultural exchange among foreign student communities in Wellington and enriching the overall programme.

On the sidelines, participants enjoyed traditional Vietnamese cuisine and visited a photo exhibition highlighting five decades of Viet Nam  New Zealand relations, as well as images showcasing Vietnams landscapes and people.  VNA/VNS
A NANG  Stirring fresh interest with a taste of success, a short film titled A Taste Like Nothing by young Vietnamese director Phan Bao Tuan has been officially selected and honoured as the Best Short Film Award in the competition selection of the Shinshu Suwa Film Festival in Nagano, Japan.

The film, which was shot in Viet Nam and Japan, was awarded in recognition of its exceptional creativity, artistic achievement and contribution to regional and cultural storytelling.

It is the first film by Tuan, a newly graduated student from the University of Theatre and Cinema of HCM City, and the first international prize for the young director.

Its my first film, a graduation thesis at the University in June of 2025. A film focusing on culture, traditional identity, interpersonal relationships and people with nature are my favourite topics, Tuan replied Viet Nam News in an e-mail interview.

He shared his feelings about developing the film.

The film was developed from personal experience in exploring emotional distance between children and parents in many families in Asia countries," he said. "A meal, I tasted a soup more salty than usual as my mother unintentionally put two spoons in the soup. It reminds me that my mother is ageing and daily ordinary manners and habits in the family would disappear any time.

The film, which was naturally born from the fear of losing the family routine, reminds people that the sorrow of life is not only broken-hearted status, or separation, but it can also derive from mindlessness and neglect of daily habits in the family, he shared.

The Saigonese young director said the film features the story of a female Japanese practical reporter, Aiko, played by Akari Nakatani, who returned home after a hard-working day and quarrelled with her mother over miso soup that was too salty.

Aiko then decided to leave Japan to search for a meaningful story in Viet Nam. During her journey in Viet Nam, Aiko confronted a sense of emptiness in her daily activities. She experienced unflavoured meals with family-based sentimental manners, empty salt fields, a birds nest left in the exhausted smokestack of a boat and a turtle caught in a fishing net trap.

All these stories from her trip to Viet Nam reminded her to return home to her familys love.

Tuan said the films main scenes were shot in the former south-central coastal province of Ninh Thuan (now merged with Khanh Hoa Province) and in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan, with the support of a 40-member team in Viet Nam and three assistants in Japan over just five days.

He added that all equipment and manpower for the films production were funded by HK Film.

Usuda Reiko, a Japanese expatriate living in Hoi An ancient town and a volunteer with the JapanViet Nam Friendship Association in Kawasaki City, played the role of the mother.

Tuan said he has not yet taken part in the a Nang Asian Film Festival, a key rendezvous for filmmakers and young directors in Asia and Viet Nam.  VNS
The education sector is focusing on three breakthrough pillars to improve teacher quality and ensure the development of a high-calibre workforce that meets national development needs in the new era. On Vietnamese Teachers Day (November 20), Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son spoke with the press about key policies to develop the teaching workforce in the coming period.

Teachers are identified as the decisive factor in education quality. Resolution 71-NQ/TW has introduced numerous breakthrough policies to improve quality and ensure sufficient numbers in the teaching workforce. How is the ministry implementing the development of the teaching workforce under this resolution?

In implementing Resolution 71, alongside reforms in training, professional development, digital transformation and teaching methods, the ministry is drafting a decree on salary regimes and allowances for teachers. Under the draft, teachers are expected to receive an additional special salary coefficient on top of their existing salary and allowance packages.

The ministry is also developing a decree on professional preferential allowances for public-sector education personnel. It proposes a two-phase roadmap for raising preferential allowances, expected to take effect on January 1, 2026, aligning with the implementation of the Law on Teachers.

Specifically, in the first phase between 20262030, the ministry proposes a 20 per cent allowance for school staff, a 15 per cent increase for teachers at preschool and general education levels, and an additional 5 per cent preferential allowance for lecturers at higher education institutions and vocational schools.

The second phase, from 2031 onward, will apply the preferential allowance levels for preschool and general education teachers as stipulated in Resolution 71-NQ/TW.

Beyond salaries and allowances, the Law on Teachers provides for various incentives, including job-related and regional allowances; support for training and professional development; periodic health care and occupational health care; and provision of official-duty housing, collective accommodation, or rental support for teachers working in extremely disadvantaged areas.

Additional incentives will target individuals with high qualifications, outstanding talent, exceptional skills or strong professional capability, those working in extremely disadvantaged areas and teachers in strategically important fields. These policies will be detailed in implementing documents for the Law on Teachers, due to take effect from January 1, 2026.

Together with professional standards, teacher titles, recruitment, utilisation, recognition and reward mechanisms, these policies form a comprehensive package to enable teachers to work with confidence, stay focused on their profession and continuously strengthen their capabilities.

Pedagogy students currently receive tuition waivers and living-expense support to attract talented candidates. What additional measures are planned to further attract high-achieving students?

Attracting high-performing students to the teaching profession remains a top priority and a strategic mission of the education sector. We are reviewing and adjusting policies toward increasing tuition support, raising living stipends and ensuring job placement after graduation so that pedagogy students can feel secure in their studies and committed to the profession.

The sector will also expand merit scholarships for talented students, encouraging top performers in national and international competitions to pursue pedagogy, raising admission and graduation standards, and aligning training with local workforce needs and the requirements of the new general education curriculum.

In parallel, the education sector aims to build an attractive professional environment and elevate the social status of teachers. Priority mechanisms in recruitment, classification, salary, promotion and professional development are being refined to ensure teaching becomes a prestigious choice for capable, dedicated individuals.

What measures will be taken to strengthen the quality of university lecturers?

Following Resolution 71-NQ/TW, the ministry is focusing on three breakthrough pillars: developing high-quality teachers, lecturers and education managers, improving institutional frameworks and policies to support autonomy with accountability and investing in infrastructure, digital transformation and modern training methods. Developing the lecturer workforce is considered central to this effort.

The ministry has issued an action plan under the ministrys Decision 2811 dated October 10, 2025, which emphasises expanding lecturer training programmes, especially Project 89 for doctoral-level training at home and abroad. From 20262030, the goal is to support around 1,000 lecturers annually to study or undergo professional development abroad, with priority given to science, technology, engineering and education.

The ministry is also coordinating with relevant agencies to establish special financial mechanisms within the 20262035 National Target Programme on modernising education and improving education quality. This aims to secure stable resources for training and to create competitive incentives to attract and retain top lecturers and experts from both Viet Nam and overseas.

Resolution 71 sets a target of recruiting at least 2,000 highly qualified foreign lecturers for Vietnamese universities by 2030. What strategies will be used to achieve this?

Attracting at least 2,000 foreign lecturers and experts is a key component of Resolution 71-NQ/TW and the Governments action programme. The ministry plans to pursue three main approaches.

First, develop special mechanisms for recruitment, compensation and working conditions, allowing universities to sign flexible contracts, offer merit-based salaries and ensure internationally competitive remuneration.

Second, streamline administrative procedures, visas, residency requirements and degree recognition, while proposing financial incentives and facility investments that encourage international experts to teach and conduct long-term research in Viet Nam.

Third, establish strategic cooperation programmes between Vietnamese universities and leading global research centres and universities to attract high-quality lecturers and scientists to teach, co-supervise PhD students and transfer knowledge.

The goal is not only to bring international experts to Viet Nam but also to build an open and stimulating academic environment that encourages them to stay and contribute to elevating Vietnamese universities to regional and international standards.

Resolution 71 introduces a mechanism enabling dual affiliation lecturers from public service institutions to teach at universities. What significance does this have for improving training quality?

This mechanism allows experts, scientists, doctors, engineers and public-sector professionals working in research institutes, hospitals or public service units to teach, supervise research and transfer technology at universities while retaining their rights, obligations and primary employment benefits.

The Government will soon issue a decree detailing standards, entitlements, remuneration and recognition of their work, ensuring consistency, transparency and practical applicability. This is an important step toward building a flexible, elite and internationally integrated lecturer workforce as envisioned under Resolution 71-NQ/TW.

The overarching goal is to develop a high-quality human-resource pool that meets national development requirements in the new era. How will the education sector work toward achieving this?

The education sector fully recognises that investing in higher education today is an investment in Viet Nams intellectual strength, future competitiveness and global standing. This is not merely a professional duty but a political responsibility and a national development aspiration. Accordingly, the sector is working to elevate the quality and stature of Vietnamese higher education.

Training programmes are being aligned with international standards and closely linked to the needs of the digital economy, green economy and strategic technology sectors. The higher education system is moving toward building a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Universities are encouraged to establish strong research centres, start-up incubators and robust international partnerships so that universities become national knowledge hubs. This will help nurture talent, disseminate new knowledge and drive sustainable development.

Higher education must not only impart knowledge but also cultivate creativity, resilience and social responsibility. Each university campus should serve as a space for intellectual exploration, personal development and the nurturing of aspiration. This shapes a new generation of Vietnamese intellectuals who think independently, integrate confidently and remain committed to building a prosperous, happy nation.  VNS
As Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh travels to South Africa for the 20th G20 Summit and bilateral activities from November 21-23, Vietnamese ambassador to South Africa, Hoang Sy Cuong, spoke to Vietnam News Agency on the significance of the visit for diplomatic ties and Viet Nams position in the international context.

This is the first time the G20 Summit has been held on the African continent. What is the significance of PM Chinhs attendance for the Viet NamSouth Africa relations and Viet Nams global standing?

PM Pham Minh Chinhs visit is a historic milestone, marking a new, robust stage of development in the Viet NamSouth Africa Comprehensive Partnership established in 2004. This trip not only strengthens the political and diplomatic aspect of bilateral ties but also leads to a higher level of trade and economic cooperation. South Africa has long been Viet Nams largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding US$1 billion annually and reaching more than $1.7 billion in 2024.

The G20 brings together the worlds major developed and emerging economies, accounting for over 90 per cent of the total gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. This platform was created to discuss and address key global economic and financial issues, although its agenda has since expanded significantly. This is the first time the G20 Summit is being held in Africa, and it is expected to feature discussions on a broad range of global issues, including sustainable development, with a particular African characteristic.

PM Chinhs attendance reaffirms Viet Nams position as an active voice from Southeast Asia, advancing the role of developing countries in addressing international issues such as sustainable development and economic fairness, enhancing Viet Nams impact in global forums.

What are the main objectives of the visit? In particular, which are the prioritised areas of cooperation between Viet Nam and South Africa within the G20 framework?

The main purpose of the trip is to implement the agreements reached during South African President Cyril Ramaphosas state visit to Viet Nam in October 2025, while also preparing for the upgrading of bilateral relations to create new momentum for more profound, substantive and effective cooperation.

PM Chinh will focus on advancing key areas such as strengthening trade and investment to increase two-way trade, leveraging South Africas advantage as a gateway to the African market, and promoting mutual investment, which remains modest at the moment.

He will also prioritise sharing experiences and cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy and digital transformation, as well as exchanges on global issues  including climate change and challenges hindering sustainable development. These areas of focus are expected to bring not only mutual benefits but also contribute to the broader G20 agenda and foster South-South cooperation.

What outcomes do you expect from PM Chinhs engagement at the G20 Summit and will this visit open new opportunities for bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and what contributions does Viet Nam hope to make at the summits discussions?

I expect the visit to deliver concrete and meaningful results, especially elevating the framework for bilateral relations. This reflects the importance both sides place on one another, strengthening ties and creating new, enhanced cooperation opportunities, particularly in the economic aspect. It will also demonstrate a stronger commitment to improving cooperation, through the development and execution of an action plan under the upgraded framework.

The visit is expected to help realise specific opportunities for trade and economic cooperation, such as strengthening regional supply chains and supporting businesses from both sides in accessing the markets of each country and their respective regions. This includes activities like business forums and investment promotion events, especially in renewable energy and advanced technology, contributing to the goal of raising bilateral trade to $2 billion.

Regarding contributions to the G20, Viet Nam hopes to share its experience in digital transformation and climate adaptation, and to propose equitable solutions for developing countries, promoting global solidarity and equality. This aligns with the spirit of Cooperation is our greatest strength, as underscored by South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa as he talked about the G20. This will be an important step for Viet Nam in further affirming its role and responsibility within the international community.  VNS
HA NOI  South Africa hopes and needs Viet Nam to be part of the G20 and also wants the world to understand that solidarity is a deliberate choice, South African Ambassador to Viet Nam Vuyiswa Tulelo has stated.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs upcoming attendance at the G20 Summit and bilateral activities in South Africa at the invitation of President of South Africa and President of G20 in 2025 Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, the diplomat highlighted the significance of the event, noting that it represents another step forward, demonstrating the growing strength and dynamism of bilateral relations.

According to the ambassador, President Ramaphosa just concluded a state visit to Viet Nam from October 22-23 at the invitation of President Luong Cuong, once again highlighting the strengthening of ties between the two nations. The last state-level visit between South Africa and Viet Nam was recorded nearly 20 years ago. Therefore, this was not merely a presidential visit but a significant milestone spotlighting the importance of bilateral relations.

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, the Vietnamese PM and the South African President are expected to sign an agreement to elevate bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership, underscoring the strength and importance of bilateral relations, the diplomat said.

Regarding the potential for cooperation between the two countries, Tulelo said during reciprocal visits between the South African Deputy President and the Vietnamese Vice President in 2022  the year marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two sides challenged themselves that the relationship cannot only be politically sound and strong, and that it has to be elevated in trade and economic relations.

According to the diplomat, since then, the relationship has been growing annually. And again, with the upcoming signing to elevate the bilateral relations, it's an indication that not only do the two sides want to become friends, but they want their people to be able to benefit from that friendship.

"Viet Nam is a strategic role player in Southeast Asia, but also in its membership in ASEAN," she said.

For South Africa to have a friend like Viet Nam as a dialogue partner in ASEAN is very strategic. Whereas Viet Nam are helping the African country to be able to enter the ASEAN market, South Africa opens up doors for Viet Nam in Africa through the Africa Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).

Collaboration between the two countries is highly significant, as they are not competitors but complementary partners in terms of trade relations, she noted.

According to the diplomat, part of the goal in upgrading the relationship is to transfer the skills between the two countries. While exporting raw materials to Viet Nam is important, South Africa also would like its people to learn the skills from Vietnamese of how to beneficiate those raw materials.

She highlighted the remarkable achievements Viet Nam is making with VinFast and the electric vehicle industry, noting that the country is really breaking boundaries every day as it puts itself as a competitor within the electric vehicle industry.

South Africa may not yet have a strong EV industry, but it has the minerals to produce batteries. "Now imagine the relationship between South Africa and Vietnam, where Vietnam builds the actual electric vehicle and we produce the battery for that. Not only is that a strong and strategic partnership, but it is groundbreaking because it's two countries of the South using their different strengths to elevate each other economically into the world and not being coming in as competitors, but coming in as collaborators," she said.

She stated that the two sides see the possibilities as endless but are confident they are moving in the right direction. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, PM Chinh and his delegation will engage in discussions with the South African government and ministers to explore concrete and practical ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

Tulelo emphasided that her country goal is not merely to become an dialogue partner of ASEAN but to contribute meaningful value to that dialogue partnership.

South Africa does not only want Viet Nam to look at it as the gateway to be able to access Africa and the free trade area agreement, it wants Viet Nam to know that as the chair of The Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa will be there to work Viet Nam hand in hand to understand the logistics and signing of a FTA between Viet Nam and the South African Customs Union (SACU).

The diplomat noted that in Viet Nams participation in the G20 and its contributions to representing the shared interests of developing economies for a more equitable and inclusive global economic order, both Viet Nam and South Africa have a long history of serving as voices of reason on the international stage - advocating for the voiceless and promoting fair and just treatment for all countries.

For South Africa, the G20 presidency was not just about the country joining the big group, it was about bringing the voice of the under-represented and the marginalised, she said, noting that her country could hardly find a better partner than Viet Nam to collaborate with.

She explained that the G20 chairmanship was not merely about hosting, but about recognising that for the world to grow, past problems and structural issues must be acknowledged. She added that it is necessary to create opportunities for others to have a voice in multilateral forums, while emphasising that this cannot be achieved alone.

We need friends, and that's why it's important for Viet Nam to be there, and we need Viet Nam then. When Viet Nam comes back from the G20, as we look forward to the next presidency of the G20, they help us to be an ally and an agitator for an equitable and free and democratic representation of the G20. So we want, we need Viet Nam to be part of the G20, but we also need the world to see where solidarity is a deliberate choice, she concluded. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The construction of Gia Binh International Airport, 40km east of Ha Noi, is a strategic and breakthrough move that will help restructure the aviation network of the Capital Region, the National Assembly was told on Wednesday.

It not only creates a new growth pole and propels the development of logistics, e-commerce, tourism and service industries but also plays an important role in national defence and security and will serve major diplomatic events, particularly APEC 2027.

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Lan, of the Ha Noi delegation, delivered the assessment on Wednesday as lawmakers held group discussions on the investment proposal for Gia Binh International Airport.

Lan commended both the drafting agency and the verifying agency for preparing a detailed, well-structured dossier, reflecting a constructive and responsible attitude in seeking the National Assemblys approval for the project, to be located in Gia Binh Commune in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

She said that currently, Noi Bai International Airport, the main international gateway for Ha Noi and the northern economic region, has seen a rapid passenger growth of about 11.8 per cent per year between 2014 and 2024 and is now operating beyond its designed capacity.

The Ministry of Construction has studied a southern expansion of Noi Bai, but the plan faces numerous challenges, including the relocation of a large number of households, high land-clearance costs, and prolonged implementation timelines, she said.

In the meantime, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong and Ha Noi are major manufacturing hubs for electronic goods and attract strong flows of foreign direct investment.

A modern international airport located in the right strategic position would significantly enhance national competitiveness.

She added that the project of constructing Gia Binh International Airport aligns with the national master plan for airport development.

Once operational, the airport would share air traffic with Noi Bai, help enhance aviation safety, raise service quality, and reduce pressure on the capitals airport in the long term.

The project will be largely financed from non-budget funds, helping reduce the burden on public investment.

However, Lan also urged the Government to pay close attention to implementation feasibility.

She warned that land clearance would affect thousands of households and could delay the project unless handled well.

She also called for thorough environmental impact assessments, especially concerning noise and flood risks.

Sharing this view, National Assembly Deputy Ta Van Ha, of a Nang City delegation, described Gia Binh Airport as a major national undertaking built to international standards, with the ambition of becoming one of the worlds top 10 airports, meeting five-star requirements and serving dual civil-military purposes.

He urged acceleration of the project timeline, arguing that the planned duration of Phase 2, extending to 2050, is excessively long.

He also highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the Kinh Bac region, where residents have shown great willingness to relocate homes and ancestral graves to make way for the project.

Given the sacrifices, he said, special mechanisms must be put in place to reflect and honour the contribution.

Ha also raised concerns about the relocation of historical and cultural relics, including those recognised at national level, and questioned whether they would retain their national status once moved from their original sites.

The Gia Binh International Airport project will be financed by investors, with total investment estimated at around VN196.4 trillion (US$7.43 billion).

Designed to meet ICAO 4F standards, the airport is expected to handle 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030, rising to 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes by 2050.  VNS
Trong Kien

HA NOI  On the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the European Union (EU) is ready to elevate ties with Viet Nam to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signalling deeper cooperation in trade, investment, climate action and security.

In a sit-down with the local media in Ha Noi ahead of the milestone (November 28, 19902025), the EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier said both sides were entering one of the deepest and broadest relationships we have in the region and were now preparing to "go one step beyond" the current framework.

The upgrade, he noted, is intended to be "future proof" and guide cooperation "for the next decades"  especially in opening up new avenues for cooperation, particularly in science and technology, innovation, semiconductors, raw materials and many other fields that will be important for the development of Viet Nam in the coming years.

The announcement for the upgrade is expected within the next few months, on the occasion of a top-level visit, according to the diplomat.

Five years after the EUViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, bilateral trade  one of the major pillars of the relationship  has expanded by 40 per cent to more than 65 billion euros. Viet Nam is now the EUs largest trading partner in ASEAN and its 16th worldwide.

This attractiveness has also developed the interest of European companies to invest in Viet Nam, the Ambassador said. With tariff-free access back to Europe, EU foreign direct investment in Viet Nam has risen from 22 to 30 billion euros over the past five years.

He stressed that the anticipated comprehensive strategic partnership would reinforce our trade and investment flows by reassuring European businesses that Viet Nam remains a priority destination, particularly as both sides push for full implementation of the EVFTA.

"We want to be able to compete fairly in the Vietnamese market, just as Viet Nam is able to compete fairly in the European market, with in particular a full implementation of the commitments that we have to one another in the EVFTA," Guerrier said, regarding the issue of balancing trade between the two sides and how it is approaching this goal.

He cited the fact that for long periods there has been a big trade deficit with Viet Nam, and part of the solution is that both sides have decided to set up a high-level task force  an agreement reached during EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic's talks with Vietnamese trade minister Nguyen Hong Dien in Ha Noi in September  to look into the matter and to "rebalance the trade relationship."

However, Guerrier underscored that like Viet Nam, the EU is committed to supporting free and open trade and fair competition in respect of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements.

The EU Ambassador also spoke on the prospects of Vietnamese enterprises investing into the EU.

"There is currently very little investment from Viet Nam into the EU, due to the current state of development of the Vietnamese economy," he said. "But we believe that progressively we will see more and more of that investment, and we welcome that. There are already companies in the fields of IT and software that are interested in investing into Europe. We see some investment even in the textile sector as well.

"So we encourage Vietnamese companies, as they grow, to not only export to the EU, but also to invest and produce in the EU."

Climate action

Both the EU and Viet Nam have pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and are working together through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). Under that mechanism, the EU, G7 members and other donors have committed to mobilising 15 billion euros for Viet Nam's renewable energy shift.

This includes support for major energy projects such as the Ban Ve hydroelectric plants and the offshore Ca Mau wind farm, which Guerrier described as flagship projects progressing on the ground.

With COP30 underway, he said it was crucial for both sides to reaffirm climate commitments and accelerate regulatory reforms so the renewable energy sector can attract large volumes of private investment.

The EU is also supportive of Viet Nam's determination and efforts to reach climate neutrality.

"It is in the interest of Viet Nam to call on European companies to ensure investments and the delivery of new infrastructure in transport, railway, industry, ports, internal waterways, airports, in digital (5G), and developments in green energy, wind energy, in particular hydroelectric power because using European companies in all these areas will enable Viet Nam to have the most modern technologies, the cleanest technologies and independent technologies that will support the strategic autonomy and the economic independence of the country," said Guerrier.

"Our companies are of course keen to work in Viet Nam, but I think that Viet Nam should be keen to work with European companies in all these areas to move towards their objective of being a developed country in 2045 in the safest, most secure, most advanced technologies in all these areas."

Security and defence: Cooperation in a volatile regional landscape

Marking the third pillar, the EU Ambassador said both Europe and Viet Nam face an increasingly unstable and dangerous world, including tensions in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea).

With 40 per cent of EU imports and 25 per cent of its exports shipping through these waters, the bloc has a direct interest in ensuring stability and the rules-based order.

The EU and Viet Nam have already collaborated through a Framework Participation Agreement that allows joint participation in peacekeeping training. An EU military officer is stationed in Viet Nam to support peacekeeping preparation, while a Vietnamese officer is serving in an EU mission in Central Africa.

"We have a programme called Enhancing Security in and with Asia, which Viet Nam participates in as a frontrunner and where we want to cooperate on maritime security and many other aspects like cyber security in the region," he said.

35 years of development cooperation

The Ambassador underscored that Viet Nam remains the largest beneficiary of EU development aid in Southeast Asia, while the EU is the biggest provider of grants to Viet Nam. Cooperation spans environmental protection, circular economy, forest management, social development, people-to-people links, research and education programmes such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

In 35 years, we have consistently supported the sustainable development of Viet Nam on its path to become a developed economy by 2045, he said.

Looking to Viet Nam's ambition to become a developed country by 2045, the Ambassador said the EU would massively support this objective through the Global Gateway Initiative, focusing on energy, transport and digital transformation.

This includes expanding electricity generation through green energy, modernising railways and planning high-speed rail, and strengthening Viet Nam's digital infrastructure.

Regarding EU businesses' assessment of Viet Nam's ongoing major reform efforts, the Ambassador said it is still too early to have a comprehensive appraisal, but private companies have been "very hopeful that this is a very impressive reform process, both in terms of simplifying the provincial structures, simplifying the government structure, and simplifying the administrative processes for licensing."

"They think that this could lead to a real deep modernisation of the business environment," he said.

The businesses are also encouraged by the recent Politburo's Resolution on developing the private economy, Guerrier added.  VNS
UK Counter Terrorism Policing - National CBRN Centre Team Deliver Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Command Training to Gibraltars Emergency Services

A team from the UKs Counter Terrorism Policing, National CBRN Centre completed the delivery of a five-day CBRN (Operational & Tactical) Command course aimed at strengthening the ability of the Emergency Services to respond to CBRN emergency scenarios.

The training, facilitated by the Office of Civil Contingencies and delivered at Bleak House last week, brought together 18 delegates from Gibraltars Emergency Services, the military, and other responding agencies. This initiative forms part of a long-standing commitment to ensuring that Gibraltar maintains the highest standards of readiness to address incidents requiring a coordinated and specialist multi-agency response.

The UK National CBRN Centre plays an important role in supporting and assuring CBRN response capabilities. As the UKs hub for CBRN preparedness, it supports the emergency services to develop the necessary capabilities to respond rapidly and effectively to any terrorist or other criminal incidents involving the malicious use of CBRN materials or weapons. The course provided specialist instruction designed to enhance operational and tactical command and coordination in response to these threats.

The Hon Leslie Bruzon MP, Minister responsible Civil Contingencies emphasized the importance of the Emergency Services having the capability to respond to a CBRN incident: While there is currently no intelligence indicating an increased threat of terrorist or hostile actors employing CBRN methods against Gibraltar, it remains imperative that we possess the capability and capacity to respond effectively should such a situation arise.

Acknowledging the longstanding partnership between Gibraltar and the National CBRN Centre, Minister Bruzon added: We are deeply grateful for National CBRN Centres continued support. Since the establishment of this relationship in 2018, their expertise has been instrumental in helping advance our emergency response capabilities.

The National CBRN Centres Head of Learning and Development said: It has been an honour to have worked with Gibraltars Emergency Services and other first responders this past week. While CBRN remains a low-probability threat, global vigilance is essential especially in todays increasingly volatile security climate. This training demonstrates a small but important part of Gibraltars wider determination to safeguard its community through emergency preparedness.

In his closing address to the course, the Civil Contingencies Coordinator, Lt Col (Retd) Ivor Lopez MBE thanked the UK team from the National CBRN Centre, adding: This course represents a significant investment in our ability to protect the community. We are hugely grateful to the team for having deployed to Gibraltar to deliver the CBRN Command course and for their continued efforts in ensuring our responders are best prepared for the most challenging scenarios.

The Office of Civil Contingencies together with Emergency Services will continue to work closely with the National CBRN Centre to further develop CBRN operational capabilities, ensuring Gibraltar remains resilient in the face of emerging challenges.
ALGIERS  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday afternoon met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who said the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Algeria is a priceless asset that should be maintained, promoted and lifted to a new height to meet both peoples aspirations and interests.

The meeting in Algiers took place shortly after the two countries announcement of the upgrade of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership that is expected to herald a new phase of comprehensive and more fruitful cooperation.

PM Chinh stated that as one of the first countries to recognise the Provisional Government of Algeria in 1958, Viet Nam always treasures the close-knit, fraternal and wholehearted bonds between the two sides, nurtured by patriotism, the spirit of national independence, and the aspiration for freedom and prosperity.

Informing his host about the highly successful talks between the two PMs, he emphasised that despite the variables of the world over time, the invariable is the strong connections between Viet Nam and Algeria, which have stood side by side during the most trying times and now need to be even more united to develop strong nations with prosperity and happiness for their peoples.

President Tebboune hailed the special significance of PM Chinhs official visit to the enhancement and elevation of bilateral relations, affirming his and the Algerian peoples affection for the Southeast Asian nation.

With the newly established Strategic Partnership, PM Chinh perceived that the two countries should soon develop a detailed action plan, with priority to increasing mutual visits at all levels between their ministries, sectors and localities.

He proposed that the President promote the Algerian parliaments early ratification of agreements and support the expansion of petroleum exploitation and processing projects. Meanwhile, he added, Viet Nam is ready to help with Algerias food security.

The Vietnamese leader suggested the two sides step up textile  garment cooperation to export to African and European markets while utilising Algerias resources and both countries intellect in agriculture and seafood processing to serve the Algerian people and export to other African countries.

Besides, he went on, they need to enhance defencesecurity collaboration, including in cybersecurity and non-traditional security issues; renew traditional cooperation areas like the exchange of health and educational experts as well as students; and boost cultural, people-to-people and tourism links.

PM Chinh asked the two sides to maintain traditional cooperation, close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the support for security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Welcoming the productive talks between the two PMs, President Tebboune stressed that Viet Nam and Algeria should establish a strategic mechanism to monitor and promote the newly formed Strategic Partnership.

He agreed with PM Chinhs practical proposals, noting that there remain many areas for the two countries to foster cooperation in, from aerospace and pharmaceuticals, tea and component production to tourism.

The host pledged strong support and that he will direct Algerian agencies to work closely with the Vietnamese side to effectively implement cooperation commitments, agreements and programmes, thereby soon realising the Strategic Partnership through concrete projects and activities to benefit both peoples.

On this occasion, PM Chinh conveyed Party General Secretary To Lams and State President Luong Cuongs invitations to visit Viet Nam to President Tebboune, who accepted with pleasure and also wished to welcome the Party and State leaders of Viet Nam to Algeria in the near future.

Following the event, PM Chinh authorised Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung to inform the press about the outcomes of his meeting with President Tebboune, underlining the determination of both countries leaders to effectively implement the Strategic Partnership in the time ahead.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Republic of Korea's (RoK) National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik arrived in Ha Noi on Thursday to begin a three-day official visit that officials say will inject new momentum into fast-deepening ties between the two countries.

Woo, accompanied by his wife, Shin Kyunghye, and a delegation of lawmakers, was welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by senior Vietnamese legislators, including Nguyen Thanh Hai, Director of the National Assemblys Committee on Science, Technology and Environment and Chair of the Viet NamRoK Parliamentary Friendship Group.

RoK Ambassador to Viet Nam, Choi Young Sam, also joined the airport reception.

The delegation includes lawmakers Mun Jinseog, Hwang Un-ha, Yang Bunam, Mun Geumju, Lee Kiheon and Jung Eulho, underscoring Seouls growing parliamentary engagement with Ha Noi.

Vietnamese Ambassador to RoK Vu Ho said the visit comes at a politically significant moment for both governments, with a dense end-of-year agenda and a shared ambition to expand cooperation under the countries Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, upgraded in 2022.

He said high-level meetings this week are expected to highlight the strategic weight of the relationship, capping what he described as a 'successful year' in bilateral ties and laying the groundwork for stronger cooperation in 2026.

According to Ho, Woos trip signals Seouls 'strong political commitment' to deepening the partnership and advancing concrete collaboration in a wide range of areas.

The ambassador added that the visit also underscores the rising importance of parliamentary diplomacy in the Viet NamRoK relationship, sending what he called a clear message of political trust and a shared outlook on peace, stability and prosperity in the region.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs bilateral activities within his trip to South Africa to attend the G20 Summit from November 21 to 24 are expected to advance the Viet NamSouth Africa Partnership for Cooperation and Development.

Viet Nam and South Africa established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993, though their cooperation dates back to the 1960s.

During Viet Nams resistance war against the US, the country received strong moral support from the people and the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa. Viet Nam backed South Africas fight against apartheid and its efforts to build a democratic, non-racial society.

Building on this longstanding foundation, bilateral relations have grown strongly over the past three decades across Party, state and people-to-people channels. South Africa was the first African country with which Viet Nam established a Partnership for Cooperation and Development.

Both sides have maintained dynamic political and diplomatic engagement through regular all-level visits and exchanges at Party, State, parliamentary and ministry levels.

People-to-people exchanges have also been encouraged to strengthen mutual understanding. The most notable recent example was South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosas state visit to Viet Nam from October 23 to 24.

During the visit, Vietnamese leaders affirmed the importance of solidarity between the two nations and their commitment to strengthening traditional friendship. President Ramaphosa said the trip reaffirmed South Africas determination to deepen cooperation with Viet Nam as the country seeks wider global economic engagement.

Viet Nam and South Africa agreed to accelerate work toward upgrading their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2025, aiming to create fresh momentum for more substantive cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and for peace and development in the region and the world.

The two countries also coordinate and support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums. South Africa has recently supported Viet Nams candidacies to the UN Security Council (20202021), the Human Rights Council (20232025) and the World Heritage Committee (20232027).

Economic cooperation remains one of the most dynamic areas of the partnership. South Africa is Viet Nams leading trade partner and export market in Africa. Bilateral trade increased from US$192 million in 2007 to $1.72 billion in 2024.

Viet Nam mainly exports electronics, mobile phones and components, textiles, footwear and agricultural products such as coffee, rice, cashew nuts and pepper. South Africas exports to Viet Nam include minerals, particularly coal, alongside fruits, wood, chemicals and other raw materials.

Both sides are also exploring new areas of cooperation, including mining, machinery, metallurgy, steel production, renewable energy, textiles, footwear, fertilisers, processed foods and supporting industries.

As of July, South Africa had 20 valid investment projects in Viet Nam worth $0.88 million. Viet Nam had four projects in South Africa with registered capital of $8.86 million.

There is a growing scope for cooperation in new and green energy, climate finance, e-commerce, banking and finance, science, technology and innovation, and tourism. Currently, the two sides are actively discussing measures to promote bilateral economic cooperation through the exchange of potential export products, jointly solving market access issues, promoting cooperation in areas of strength, such as mineral exploitation, supporting industries, oil and gas services, renewable energy and fisheries.

Looking ahead, Viet Nam and South Africa aim to scale up trade and economic cooperation to match their potential; strengthen ties in education, defence and security; and explore opportunities in sustainable resource use, infrastructure development and climate change response.

They also plan to make full use of mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Partnership Forum, the Defence Policy Dialogue and the Viet NamSouth Africa Joint Trade Committee, while boosting cultural and artistic exchanges to increase mutual understanding.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang said the visit is expected to elevate Viet NamSouth Africa relations, bringing concrete results in trade, investment, industry, mining, logistics, green supply chains and innovation.

She further stated that Viet Nam hopes to establish priority channels to facilitate the movement of capital, technology, goods and skilled workers, creating new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in key sectors.

The country also seeks to strengthen people-to-people links and cooperation in culture, education, labour and tourism, and to support stronger connections between the Vietnamese community in South Africa, the host society and the homeland, contributing practically to bilateral ties.  VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  Chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee Nguyen Van uoc said the city aims to position itself as a trusted destination for Czech enterprises, affirming that local authorities stand ready to provide the most favourable conditions for Czech businesses and investors to explore opportunities and expand cooperation in areas of shared interest.

During his meeting on Wednesday with President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milos Vystrcil, who is on an official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, uoc highlighted the Czech Republics strengths in high technology, mechanical engineering, machinery manufacturing, green energy and environment, healthcare, education and training, and high-tech agriculture.

He noted that these sectors align well with the citys development strategy, particularly its goals to build a high-tech industrial base, foster semiconductor and electronics clusters, promote robotics, and upgrade manufacturing value chains.

The city also sees significant potential for joint research and academic exchange in sustainable energy.

We believe these cooperative directions will contribute to deepening Viet NamCzech relations and bring practical benefits to businesses and people of both countries, he said.

He welcomed Vystrcils decision to choose the city as the first stop of his visit, underscoring the gesture as a sign of appreciation for the citys economic potential and growing role in external affairs.

This visit would help strengthen traditional friendship, create new momentum for Viet NamCzech relations, and advance cooperation between the Czech Republic and HCM City in the new period.

The meeting came as both countries prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025.

Earlier this year, during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs visit to Prague in January, the two countries' leaders have agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, paving the way for broader cooperation in key areas including trade, defence and security, clean energy, science and technology, and education.

Czech Republic remains an important partner for Viet Nam in Europe, with two-way trade exceeding US$2 billion annually.

Since 2013, ethnic Vietnamese have been officially recognised as the Czech Republics 14th minority group, reflecting the strong bonds and deep integration of the Vietnamese community.

During his visit to HCM City, Vystrcil also delivered a talk titled Far but Close at Ton uc Thang University.

He explained that while Viet Nam and the Czech Republic are separated by 8,800km, they remain close in their shared aspirations for peace and security.

The Czech Republic is home to a large Vietnamese community, with about 300,000 people able to speak Czech, he said.

At the event, Vystrcil presented commemorative medals to two educators from the university  Dr Tran Trong ao, president of Ton uc Thang University, and Dr Phan ao, director of the universitys European Cooperation Centre  in recognition of their contributions to education and bilateral cooperation.  VNS
NGHE AN  A training conference to improve knowledge about the coordination mechanism and provision of legal aid information for prosecutorial agencies, legal officers and commune-level officials was held on November 18 in Nghe An Province.

Organised by the Department of Law Dissemination, Education and Legal Aid under the Ministry of Justice, the conference was attended by representatives from the police, courts and people's procuracy in Nghe An Province.

It also attracted legal officers, legal aid assistants and trainees from the provincial state legal aid centre, lawyers from organisations registered to participate in legal aid and contract lawyers providing legal aid, as well as commune officials responsible for judicial work.

The conference featured lecturers presenting necessary skills in coordination, identifying and providing legal aid information including key content such as the responsibilities of prosecutorial agencies, legal officers and commune-level officials in explaining and guiding eligible subjects to access legal aid services.

It also provided information related to the coordination mechanism between agencies and state legal aid centres.

Lawyer Nguyen Van iep, former Deputy Director of the Academy of Justice, with rich practical experience, shared many useful and easy-to-apply insights.

Accordingly, timely, accurate and complete information exchange between state legal aid centres as well as prosecutorial agencies is decisive in ensuring people's right to legal aid, while also supporting the proper conduct of investigation, prosecution and adjudication according to law.

Every legal officer and commune judicial official must clearly understand the process to ensure no eligible subjects are missed and no one requesting legal aid is denied the service.

The notification, guidance and transfer process of information between prosecutorial agencies and state legal aid centres was particularly concerned by representatives, as it directly relates to receiving requests and handling relevant cases.

iep analysed each step of the process, clarifying cases requiring immediate notification, cases needing further verification and cases requiring direct transfer.

Thus, representatives better understood their responsibilities and relevant legal grounds.

Most of the conference time was devoted to practical discussions.

Lecturers presented many scenarios from past cases, including criminal, civil and administrative proceedings.

Some delegates from commune police shared difficulties in identifying eligible subjects during reports reception, arrests or administrative violation processing.

It was noted many people were unaware of their eligibility for legal aid or did not proactively request it, leading officials to actively inquire, verify or introduce legal aid services.

Lecturers and representatives from the Nghe An State Legal Aid Centre exchanged and specifically guided coordination processes in particular situations raised by delegates.

The conference also highlighted the effectiveness of establishing a good coordination mechanism between prosecutorial agencies and the local state legal aid centres, contributing to timely and transparent resolution of issues while minimising prolonged complaints and lawsuits.

Good coordination also helps increase public trust in the judiciary, especially among vulnerable groups who often face difficulties accessing the law.

After the training, representatives had a fuller grasp of coordination processes and skills in providing and receiving legal aid information between prosecutorial agencies, legal aid organisations and commune officials in Nghe An Province.

Enhancing knowledge, skills and awareness of the role of legal aid work contributes to ensuring the legitimate rights of people, especially the poor, those with contributions to the revolution and vulnerable groups in society, while improving the effectiveness of prosecutorial agencies and legal aid providers locally.  VNS
AN GIANG  Party General Secretary and Secretary of the Central Military Commission To Lam has called for mobilising all available resources to build the Viet Nam Coast Guard (VCG) into an elite, streamlined and strong force moving directly towards modernity.

Speaking during a working session with the Ministry of National Defences Coast Guard Region 4 Command in southern An Giang Province on Thursday, he said that as the tasks of safeguarding maritime sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction grow more complex, the VCG, particularly Region 4, must firmly grasp the Partys defence guidelines. He stressed the importance of political and ideological education, strong morale among officers and soldiers, and unified awareness and action across the force.

The Party chief demanded absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the people; firm political, ideological and organisational strength; and readiness to endure hardship to fulfil assigned duties.

He urged close assessment of the maritime situation and mission requirements to provide timely, flexible and effective strategic recommendations to the Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defence, helping the Party and State anticipate and neutralise risks of instability or conflict from afar.

Priority fields and breakthrough areas must be clearly identified, he said, with a focus on attracting high-quality personnel and applying science, technology, innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) to VCG operations. He ordered intensified training and exercises to strengthen combat readiness and improve the forces capacity to respond to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

He called for comprehensive measures to safeguard sovereignty, fight maritime crimes and legal violations, prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, conduct search and rescue, and protect the marine environment.

On sovereignty protection, he requested strict adherence to the Partys principles of staying firm yet restrained, avoiding provocation and miscalculation, while ensuring no foreign entity encroaches on Viet Nams seas and islands. In law enforcement, he said, the VCG must act decisively so that no violator escapes justice, thereby contributing to sustainable development of the marine economy.

The General Secretary emphasised close coordination with the navy, border guard, fisheries surveillance and other forces, placing national interests above all else. He said the Coast Guard Region 4 Command must stand alongside fishermen  Viet Nams living markers of sovereignty  and continue maintaining patrols, supporting offshore economic activities and strengthening the peoples defence posture at sea. International cooperation, especially with neighbouring coastal states, must also be deepened.

With Viet Nam set to chair and host the APEC Economic Leaders Week 2027 in the Phu Quoc special zone, he requested the Coast Guard Region 4 Command to work closely with local authorities to ensure absolute safety before, during and after the event.

Reiterating the Partys absolute and direct leadership over the VCG, the General Secretary called for continued strengthening of Party building, political integrity, ideology and ethics, along with sustained political and moral education for officers and Party members.

General Secretary visits Naval Region 5

Later the same morning in the Phu Quoc special zone, the General Secretary visited Naval Region 5 of the Viet Nam Peoples Navy. Over more than seven decades, the navy has made vital contributions to national liberation, unification and defence.

Naval Region 5 reported strong performance in safeguarding the southwest waters, supporting fishermen, conducting search and rescue, strengthening defence diplomacy and assisting communities affected by natural disasters.

The General Secretary stressed the strategic significance of the southwest sea  a protective gateway to the South and a forward position asserting Viet Nams presence at sea  which places particularly important responsibilities on Region 5. He called for continued implementation of Resolution No 44-NQ/TW on safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation and for calm, effective responses to complex developments at sea.

He urged the region to strengthen Party building, develop high-quality human resources, maintain strong political will and improve combat readiness. Greater application of modern technology, innovation and digital transformation, he said, should go hand in hand with Viet Nams traditional maritime defence experience.

He requested close coordination with local authorities and other forces to bolster the all-people defence posture at sea, support law-abiding offshore fishermen and enhance rescue operations, especially in remote waters. Defence diplomacy, he added, should continue deepening cooperation with foreign navies.

Reaffirming the Party and States consistent priority for developing the armed forces, he expressed confidence that officers and soldiers of Naval Region 5 will continue fulfilling their mission of safeguarding Viet Nams maritime sovereignty.  VNS
HA NOI  Milos Vystrcil, President of the Senate of the Czech Republics Parliament, has agreed a humanitarian aid package of VN3.5 billion (US$132,500) for people affected by typhoons and floods in central Viet Nam through the Viet Nam Red Cross Society.

He made announcement during talks with State President Luong Cuong on Thursday in Ha Noi.

Milos Vystrcil expressed his hope that Viet Nam would soon overcome the difficulties and recover from the damages caused by natural disasters.

During the talks, both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in Viet NamCzech Republic relations across multiple fields, built on a foundation of high political trust.

Bilateral trade turnover has grown impressively, reaching $2 billion in 2024 and $1.9 billion in the first ten months of 2025.

The two leaders agreed that the figure still does not reflect the full potential and strengths of the two countries. Both countries still have room to increase trade, promote investment and expand cooperation in various other areas.

State President Cuong proposed that the legislative bodies of the two countries continue to coordinate to create a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation, serving the common interests of both nations and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and worldwide.

To further promote practical and effective Viet NamCzech Republic cooperation, President Cuong suggested that both countries strengthen contacts and exchanges at all levels and through various channels to consolidate political trust.

He proposed they boost cooperation in economy, trade, investment, defence and security, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism as well as promote people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and expand new areas of cooperation where the two sides can complement and support each other.

The President also requested the Czech Republics support in encouraging other European Union (EU) member states to promptly ratify the Viet NamEU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission (EC) in lifting the IUU yellow card on Viet Nams seafood exports.

Agreeing with the proposals of President Cuong, the Czech Senate President stated that the legislative bodies of both countries will coordinate to implement high-level agreements and support their respective governments in strengthening bilateral cooperation across all areas.

Senate President Milos Vystrcil highly valued the contributions of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to the local socio-economic development and affirmed that his parliament and authorities at all levels would continue to pay attention to and create favorable conditions for the community.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two leaders affirmed that Viet Nam and the Czech Republic will continue to closely coordinate and support each other in multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations and within the ASEANEU framework.

They reaffirmed their support for resolving disputes, including issues in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea), by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  VNS
HA NOI  A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador to France and Representative of the State President to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) inh Toan Thang attended the 46th session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie (CMF 46) in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday and Thursday.

In his remarks at the conference, Thang affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to gender equality and womens empowerment, noting the countrys significant achievements in this area. He expressed Viet Nams strong support for the Francophonie communitys efforts to promote gender equality and empower women and girls through the active implementation of the Francophonie gender equality strategy and related projects and initiatives.

Viet Nam proposed that the OIF and its member states continue efforts to foster peace and stability as a foundation for advancing womens progress. Thang emphasised the need to place gender equality at the centre of national development strategies and called for further strengthening of Francophone economic cooperation to promote womens economic empowerment.

The conference recognised Viet Nams achievements and regarded the country as a shining example of success in promoting gender equality and womens empowerment. It also welcomed Viet Nams active contributions to enhancing the image and voice of the Francophone community in the Asia-Pacific region and its work within the OIF committees, thereby contributing to the increased effectiveness of OIF programmes and activities in various fields.

Regarding future cooperation priorities, the ambassador called on the Francophonie community to continue asserting its role as a unifying and cooperative actor, contributing to peace, stability, human development, and shared prosperity within the Francophone space and globally.

The Francophonie should continue to support member countries in achieving sustainable development goals, digital transformation and green transition, and responses to global challenges, while also promoting French language teaching, educational cooperation, and job creation for women and youth, he stressed.

The conference, themed Thirty years after Beijing: the contribution of women in the Francophone space, saw the participation of nearly 70 delegations representing 90 OIF member states and governments.

The event focused on assessing gender equality and womens empowerment in the Francophone space since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1994 and discussed priority cooperation directions for the Francophonie in the coming period, particularly in politics, security, French language promotion and development, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.

The conference adopted the Kigali Call to Action, in which OIF member states committed to strengthening gender-disaggregated data collection, ensuring womens participation in all areas of social life, and reaffirming their commitment to promoting sustainable development based on gender equality. VNA/VNS
VIENTIANE  The Viet Nam Peoples Army will provide full support to help Laos successfully stage the parade and ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of its National Day (December 2, 19752025), said Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang.

Thang made the pledge while paying a courtesy visit to Lao Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone in Vientiane on Thursday.

This support goes beyond technical assistance, personnel, or expertise, reflecting the deep bond and special solidarity between the two nations, Thang stressed.

He said Viet Nam takes pride in standing alongside Laos during pivotal historical moments, and its support in the upcoming celebration offers a vivid testament to that partnership.

Recalling the participation of the Lao Peoples Army in major events in Viet Nam, the officer said this clearly demonstrates the strong cooperation between the two militaries.

The Viet NamLaos relationship is an invaluable asset that both Parties, States, and peoples bear the responsibility to preserve, protect, and continue nurturing, he emphasised.

Thang suggested the two sides further strengthen coordination in the communications work, particularly targeting the younger generation, to raise public awareness of the relationship.

For his part, Outhakaysone said the Vietnamese delegations visit played an important role in strengthening defence ties between the two countries  a key pillar of bilateral ties.

He also expressed confidence that Viet Nams practical and dedicated support would help Laos successfully organise major upcoming events.

Laos will, as always, continue to stand alongside Viet Nam in nurturing the special relationship, the minister stressed. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his hope that Viet Nam and Algeria would soon develop a concrete action plan to implement the new relationship framework.

He was speaking during a meeting with Ibrahim Boughali, Speaker of the National People's Assembly of Algeria, on Thursday morning (local time).

PM Chinh asked for the Algerian Speakers support for the process.

Speaker Boughali warmly welcomed PM Chinh and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to the Peoples Democratic Republic of Algeria.

He said he highly valued the traditional friendship between the two countries and affirmed that Prime Minister Chinhs visit marked an important milestone in promoting bilateral cooperation.

The speaker congratulated Viet Nam on the successful organisation of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, considering it an important and meaningful event for ensuring cybersecurity for many countries.

Expressing his delight at making his first official visit to Algeria, Prime Minister Chinh thanked the Speaker and Algerian leaders for their sincere and warm reception of him and the Vietnamese delegation.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh briefed Speaker Boughali on his courtesy call on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the outcomes of his talks with Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, during which the two sides issued a joint statement on upgrading bilateal relations to a strategic partnership and signed several important documents.

He hoped that both sides would soon develop a concrete action plan to implement the new relationship framework and asked for the Algerian Speakers support for the process.

Welcoming the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, Speaker Boughali expressed his pleasure that Algeria has become Viet Nams first strategic partner in Africa.

He thanked the Vietnamese National Assembly for receiving delegations from Algeria, including the AlgeriaViet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group.

As National People's Assembly of Algeria is now revising several legal regulations, including laws related to e-commerce, Algeria hopes to exchange and learn from Viet Nams experience in this area, he said.

Recalling that the two countries signed two parliamentary cooperation documents in 2005, Speaker Boughali proposed that both sides review, adjust and supplement relevant contents to suit the new development context.

He affirmed that the National People's Assembly of Algeria stands ready to support cooperative initiatives that help strengthen bilateral relations and serve the interests of the people of both countries.

Prime Minister Chinh asked the National People's Assembly of Algeria to support both governments in implementing the strategic partnership framework, including the prompt ratification of signed agreements, particularly those on taxation, investment and trade.

He noted that Viet Nam is planning to invest in Algeria in areas such as banana and tea cultivation, rice production, and aquaculture and asked for parliamentary support, particularly in securing land and water surface for these projects.

Speaker Boughali said Vietnamese enterprises have begun to establish a presence in Algeria and that the Algerian legislature stands ready to support them.

He noted that Algeria has just passed an investment law designed to attract foreign investment and that the government is pursuing major reforms to diversify the economy.

Given the strong bilateral ties, he affirmed that Vietnamese investors will enjoy special preferences and that the agreed economic projects are well aligned with Algerias economic diversification policy.

Confident in the bright future of Viet NamAlgeria cooperation, Prime Minister Chinh expressed hope that both countries would continue fostering solidarity and mutual support.

On this occasion, he conveyed National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Mans invitation for Speaker Ibrahim Boughali to pay an official visit to Viet Nam.  VNS